bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An approach for preparing an absorbable porous film of silk fibroin–rice starch modified with trisodium trimetaphosphate
Authors: Racksanti Anucha , Janhom Sorapong , Punyanitya Sittiporn , Watanesk Ruangsri , Watanesk Surasak 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTThe absorbable porous material, especially gelatin porous film, is widely used for surgical use to stop bleeding, but its price is quite high. Thus, a new material at lower price with desirable properties is required. This article presents an approach to prepare a porous film of silk fibroin–rice starch (SF–RS) modified with trisodium trimetaphosphate (STMP). The preparation was performed using freeze‐drying method aiming to increase the porosity and improve some other properties of the modified porous film. The solutions of SF and RS (5 : 95 weight ratio) and STMP were mixed and adjusted to pH 12 before being neutralized to pH 7 and freeze‐dried for 48 h. Result from the SEM images showed that the average pore size of the SF–RS film increased from 17 to 126 μm after STMP was added up to 5.0% w/w. Similar to the SF–RS–STMP hydrogel, the linkages within the modified SF–RS porous film also occurred mainly between the OH groups of RS and the triphosphate group of STMP. Moreover, cross‐linking density of the porous film increased with the increasing content of STMP, evidenced from the increase of relative methylene blue adsorption. The addition of STMP also affected the physical properties of the modified porous film such as degree of swelling, oxygen permeability, but not the water solubility. Whereas, the residual ash of the modified porous films was lower than 2.0% and the degradation of the film ceased after soaking in 0.01M PBS solution for about 2 weeks. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41517.
Water‐blown polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foams made from recycled polyethylene terephthalate and liquefied wood‐based polyester polyol
Authors: Čuk Nataša , Fabjan Ema , Grželj Petra , Kunaver Matjaž 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTDepolymerized polyethylene terephthalate and liquefied wood polyesters can be used as a polyol for the production of polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foams. In this research, liquefied wood was synthesized by using a combination of diethylene glycol and glycerol and due to the possibility of using glycerol that is a by‐product in biodiesel production, our goal was to use as much glycerol in the liquefaction reagent as possible. We determined the properties of the polyols, properties of produced foams, and explained their correlation. Greater amount of glycerol in the liquefaction reagent resulted in higher OH number, molecular weight, functionality, and viscosity of the polyol, as well as in longer cream time and tack free time in foam preparation. Glass transition temperature, density, and water absorption of the foam increased with increasing amount of glycerol in liquefied wood. Compressive stress increased up to 30% of the glycerol in the reagent and then reduced, while thermal conductivity was not affected. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41522.
The Rabbit Brachial Plexus as a Model for Nerve Repair Surgery—Histomorphometric Analysis
Authors: Reichert Paweł , Kiełbowicz Zdzisław , DziĘgiel Piotr , Puła Bartosz , Kuryszko Jan , Gosk Jerzy , Bocheńska Aneta 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTOne of the most devastating injuries to the upper limb is trauma caused by the avulsion. The anatomical structure of the rabbit's brachial plexus is similar to the human brachial plexus. The aim of our study was to analyze the microanatomy and provide a detailed investigation of the rabbit's brachial plexus. The purpose of our research project was to evaluate the possibility of utilizing rabbit's plexus as a research model in studying brachial plexus injury. Studies included histomorphometric analysis of sampled ventral branches of spinal nerves C5, C6, C7, C8, and Th1, the cranial trunk, the medial part of the caudal trunk, the lateral part of the caudal trunk and peripheral nerve. Horizontal and vertical analysis was done considering following features: the axon diameter, fiber diameter and myelin sheath. The number of axons, nerve area, myelin fiber density and minimal diameter of myelin fiber, minimal axon diameter and myelin area was marked for each element. The changes between ventral branches of spinal nerves C5–Th1, trunks and peripheral nerve in which the myelin sheath, axon diameter and fiber diameter was assessed were statistically significant. It was found that the g‐ratio has close value in the brachial plexus as in the peripheral nerve. The peak of these parameters was found in nerve trunks, and then decreased coherently with the nerves travelling peripherally. Anat Rec, 298:444–454, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced NLRP3, Caspase‐1, and IL‐ 1β Levels in Degenerate Human Intervertebral Disc and Their Association with the Grades of Disc Degeneration
Authors: Chen Zhong‐Hua , Jin Shen‐Hui , Wang Min‐Yan , Jin Xiao‐Liang , Lv Chen , Deng Ying‐Feng , Wang Jun‐Lu 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTThe NACHT, LRR, and PYD domains‐containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome plays an important role in a variety of diseases. However, the role of NLRP3 in the human intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration remains unknown. In the present study, we assessed the expression levels of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream targets caspase‐1 and IL‐1β in 45 degenerate and seven nondegenerate IVD samples. The correlation between the degeneration scores and expression levels of NLRP3, caspase‐1, and IL‐1β were also analyzed. The mRNA expression levels of the three molecules (NLRP3, caspase‐1, and IL‐1β) were higher in the degenerate IVDs group than the controls (nondegenerate IVDs group). Immunohistochemistry showed that the expression levels of all three molecules were markedly increased in the nucleus pulposus of degenerate IVDs compared with nondegenerate IVDs. There was a positive correlation between the degeneration scores and the expression levels of the NLRP3 inflammasome as well as its downstream targets caspase‐1 and IL‐1β. The findings suggest that excessive activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome results in overproduction of downstream IL‐1β, which participates in the pathogenesis of human IVD degeneration. Therefore, the NLRP3 inflammasome might serve as a potential therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of IVD degeneration. Anat Rec, 298:720–726, 2015. © 2014 The Authors The Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mono‐anionic phosphopeptides produced by unexpected histidine alkylation exhibit high plk1 polo‐box domain‐binding affinities and enhanced antiproliferative effects in hela cells
Authors: Qian Wen‐Jian , Park Jung‐Eun , Lim Dan , Lai Christopher C. , Kelley James A. , Park Suk‐Youl , Lee Ki Won , Yaffe Michael B. , Lee Kyung S. , Burke Terrence R. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTBinding of polo‐like kinase 1 (Plk1) polo‐box domains (PBDs) to phosphothreonine (pThr)/phosphoserine (pSer)‐containing sequences is critical for the proper function of Plk1. Although high‐affinity synthetic pThr‐containing peptides provide starting points for developing PBD‐directed inhibitors, to date the efficacy of such peptides in whole cell assays has been poor. This potentially reflects limited cell membrane permeability arising, in part, from the di‐anionic nature of the phosphoryl group or its mimetics. In our current article we report the unanticipated on‐resin N(τ)‐alkylation of histidine residues already bearing a N(π)‐ alkyl group. This resulted in cationic imidazolium‐containing pThr peptides, several of which exhibit single‐digit nanomolar PBD‐binding affinities in extracellular assays and improved antimitotic efficacies in intact cells. We enhanced the cellular efficacies of these peptides further by applying bio‐reversible pivaloyloxymethyl (POM) phosphoryl protection. New structural insights presented in our current study, including the potential utility of intramolecular charge masking, may be useful for the further development of PBD‐binding peptides and peptide mimetics. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 102: 444–455, 2014.
Psd1 binding affinity toward fungal membrane components as assessed by SPR: The role of glucosylceramide in fungal recognition and entry
Authors: Neves de Medeiros Luciano , Domitrovic Tatiana , Cavalcante de Andrade Paula , Faria Jane , Barreto Bergter Eliana , Weissmüller Gilberto , Kurtenbach Eleonora 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTPsd1 is a plant defensin that has antifungal activity against several pathogenic and nonpathogenic fungi. Previous analysis of Psd1 chemical shift perturbations by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy demonstrated that this defensin interacts with phospholipids and the sphingolipid glucosylceramide isolated from Fusarium solani (GlcCerFusarium solani). In this study, these interactions were evaluated by real‐time surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis. The data obtained demonstrated that Psd1 could bind more strongly to small unilamellar vesicles (SUV)‐containing GlcCerFusarium solani than to SUV that was composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC) alone or was enriched with GlcCer that had been isolated from soybeans. An increase in the SPR response after cholesterol or ergosterol incorporation in PC‐SUV was detected; however, SUV composed of PC:Erg (7:3; molar:molar) became unstable in the presence of Psd1, suggesting membrane destabilization. We also observed a lack of Psd1 internalization in Candida albicans strains that were deficient in the glucosyl ceramide synthase gene. Together, these data indicate that GlcCer is essential for Psd1 anchoring in the fungal plasma membrane as well as internalization. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 102: 456–464, 2014.
Moniliform deformation of retinal ganglion cells by formaldehyde‐based fixatives
Authors: Stradleigh Tyler W. , Greenberg Kenneth P. , Partida Gloria J. , Pham Aaron , Ishida Andrew T. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTProtocols for characterizing cellular phenotypes commonly use chemical fixatives to preserve anatomical features, mechanically stabilize tissue, and stop physiological responses. Formaldehyde, diluted in either phosphate‐buffered saline or phosphate buffer, has been widely used in studies of neurons, especially in conjunction with dyes and antibodies. However, previous studies have found that these fixatives induce the formation of bead‐like varicosities in the dendrites and axons of brain and spinal cord neurons. We report here that these formaldehyde formulations can induce bead formation in the dendrites and axons of adult rat and rabbit retinal ganglion cells, and that retinal ganglion cells differ from hippocampal, cortical, cerebellar, and spinal cord neurons in that bead formation is not blocked by glutamate receptor antagonists, a voltage‐gated Na+ channel toxin, extracellular Ca2+ ion exclusion, or temperature shifts. Moreover, we describe a modification of formaldehyde‐based fixatives that prevents bead formation in retinal ganglion cells visualized by green fluorescent protein expression and by immunohistochemistry. J. Comp. Neurol. 523:545–564, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Generation of a Tlx1CreER‐Venus knock‐in mouse strain for the study of spleen development
Authors: Nakahara Ryo , Kawai Yasuhiro , Oda Akihisa , Nishimura Miyuki , Murakami Akikazu , Azuma Takachika , Kaifu Tomonori , Goitsuka Ryo 
Published: October 2014

SummaryThe spleen is a lymphoid organ that serves as a unique niche for immune reactions, extramedullary hematopoiesis, and the removal of aged erythrocytes from the circulation. While much is known about the immunological functions of the spleen, the mechanisms governing the development and organization of its stromal microenvironment remain poorly understood. Here we report the generation and analysis of a Tlx1CreER‐Venus knock‐in mouse strain engineered to simultaneously express tamoxifen‐inducible CreERT2 and Venus fluorescent protein under the control of regulatory elements of the Tlx1 gene, which encodes a transcription factor essential for spleen development. We demonstrated that Venus as well as CreER expression recapitulates endogenous Tlx1 transcription within the spleen microenvironment. When Tlx1CreER‐Venus mice were crossed with the Cre‐inducible reporter strain, Tlx1‐expressing cells as well as their descendants were specifically labeled following tamoxifen administration. We also showed by cell lineage tracing that asplenia caused by Tlx1 deficiency is attributable to altered contribution of mesenchymal cells in the spleen anlage to the pancreatic mesenchyme. Thus, Tlx1CreER‐Venus mice represent a new tool for lineage tracing and conditional gene manipulation of spleen mesenchymal cells, essential approaches for understanding the molecular mechanisms of spleen development. genesis 52:916–923, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Seeking Asylum
Authors: Dunkerly‐Bean Judith , Bean Thomas , Alnajjar Khaled 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to explore middle school (grade 6‐8) students' understanding and interpretation of human rights issues with local and global implications as they engaged in the process of creating a film after reading print and multimedia texts and participating in human rights education activities. As the students explored issues related to local/global human rights from a cosmopolitan critical literacy perspective, their understanding of the interrelatedness of these issues became more complex prompting advocacy efforts.
Collaborative Design
Authors: Broderick Debora 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThis practitioner research study investigates the power of multimodal texts within a real‐world context and argues that a participatory culture focused on literary arts offers marginalized high school students opportunities for collaborative design and authoring. Additionally, this article invites educators to rethink the at‐risk label. This research specifically uses a multiliteracies framework to conduct a fine‐grained analysis of a high school literary arts journal. Findings suggest that mapping the multiliteracies framework onto student work uncovers complex meaning‐making, but does not necessarily address the collaborative nature of this particular multimodal project. This research introduces collaborative design as a theoretical hybrid approach that captures the complexities of both the creation of multimodal texts and the rich communities from which they flourish. This research therefore expands the multiliteracies framework, reconsiders the risk label, and explores the promise of a multiliteracies pedagogy.
Novel EP4 Receptor Agonist-Bisphosphonate Conjugate Drug (C1) Promotes Bone Formation and Improves Vertebral Mechanical Properties in the Ovariectomized Rat Model of Postmenopausal Bone Loss
Authors: Liu Careesa C , Hu Sally , Chen Gang , Georgiou John , Arns Steve , Kumar Nag S , Young Robert N , Grynpas Marc D 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Current treatments for postmenopausal osteoporosis aim to either promote bone formation or inhibit bone resorption. The C1 conjugate drug represents a new treatment approach by chemically linking the antiresorptive compound alendronate (ALN) with the anabolic agent prostanoid EP4 receptor agonist (EP4a) through a linker molecule (LK) to form a conjugate compound. This enables the bone-targeting ability of ALN to deliver EP4a to bone sites and mitigate the systemic side effects of EP4a, while also facilitating dual antiresorptive and anabolic effects. In vivo hydrolysis is required to release the EP4a and ALN components for pharmacological activity. Our study investigated the in vivo efficacy of this drug in treating established bone loss using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of postmenopausal osteopenia. In a curative experiment, 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were OVX, allowed to lose bone for 7 weeks, then treated for 6 weeks. Treatment groups consisted of C1 conjugate at low and high doses, vehicle-treated OVX and sham, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and mixture of unconjugated ALN-LK and EP4a to assess the effect of conjugation. Results showed that weekly administration of C1 conjugate dose-dependently increased bone volume in trabecular bone, which partially or completely reversed OVX-induced bone loss in the lumbar vertebra and improved vertebral mechanical strength. The conjugate also dose-dependently stimulated endocortical woven bone formation and intracortical resorption in cortical bone, with high-dose treatment increasing the mechanical strength but compromising the material properties. Conjugation between the EP4a and ALN-LK components was crucial to the drug's anabolic efficacy. To our knowledge, the C1 conjugate represents the first time that a combined therapy using an anabolic agent and the antiresorptive compound ALN has shown significant anabolic effects which reversed established osteopenia. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Bone‐conduction hearing and seismic sensitivity of the late permian anomodontKawingasaurus fossilis
Authors: Laaß Michael 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTAn investigation of the internal cranial anatomy of the anomodontKawingasaurusfrom the Upper Permian Usili Formation in Tanzania by means of neutron tomography revealed an unusual inner and middle ear anatomy such as extraordinarily inflated vestibules, lateroventrally orientated stapes with large footplates, and a small angle between the planes of the anterior and lateral semicircular canals. The vestibule has a volume, which is about 25 times larger than the human vestibule, althoughKawingasaurushas only a skull length of approximately 40 mm. Vestibule inflation and enlarged stapes footplates are thought to be functionally correlated with bone‐conduction hearing; both morphologies have been observed in fossorial vertebrates using seismic signals for communication. The firmly fused triangular head with spatulate snout was probably used for digging and preadapted to seismic signal detection. The quadrate‐quadratojugal complex was able to transmit sound from the articular to the stapes by small vibrations of the quadrate process, which formed a ball and socket joint with the squamosal. Mechanical considerations suggest that the ventrolaterally orientated stapes ofKawingasauruswas mechanically better suited to transmit seismic sound from the ground to the fenestra vestibuli than a horizontal orientated stapes. The low sound pressure level transformer ratio of 2–3 inKawingasauruspoints to a seismic sensitivity of the middle ear and a vestigial or reduced sensitivity to airborne sound. Three hypothetical pathways of bone conduction inKawingasaurusare discussed: 1) sound transmission via the spatulate snout and skull roof to the otic capsules, 2) relative movements resulting from the inertia of the mandible if sound is percepted with the skull, and 3) bone conduction from the substrate via mandible, jaw articulation, and stapes to the inner ear. J. Morphol. 276:121–143, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Metabolic profiling of synovial fluid in a unilateral ovine model of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction of the knee suggests biomarkers for early osteoarthritis
Authors: Mickiewicz Beata , Heard Bryan J. , Chau Johnny K. , Chung May , Hart David A. , Shrive Nigel G. , Frank Cyril B. , Vogel Hans J. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTJoint injuries and subsequent osteoarthritis (OA) are the leading causes of chronic joint disease. In this work, we explore the possibility of applying magnetic resonance spectroscopy‐based metabolomics to detect host responses to an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction injury in synovial fluid in an ovine model. Using multivariate statistical analysis, we were able to distinguish post‐injury joint samples (ACL and sham surgery) from the uninjured control samples, and as well the ACL surgical samples from sham surgery. In all samples there were 65 metabolites quantified, of which six could be suggested as biomarkers for early post‐injury degenerative changes in the knee joints: isobutyrate, glucose, hydroxyproline, asparagine, serine, and uridine. Our results raise a cautionary note indicating that surgical interventions into the knee can result in metabolic alterations that need to be distinguished from those caused by the early onset of OA. Our findings illustrate the potential application of metabolomics as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for detection of injuries to the knee joint. The ability to detect a unique pattern of metabolic changes in the synovial fluid of sheep offers the possibility of extending the approach to precision medicine protocols in patient populations in the future. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:71–77, 2015.
Cognitive executive impairment and dopaminergic deficits in de novo Parkinson's disease
Authors: Siepel Françoise J. , Brønnick Kolbjørn S. , Booij Jan , Ravina Bernard M. , Lebedev Alexander V. , Pereira Joana B. , Grüner Renate , Aarsland Dag 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACTCognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) is common and does directly impact patients' everyday functioning. However, the underlying mechanisms of early cognitive decline are not known. This study explored the association between striatal dopaminergic deficits and cognitive impairment within a large cohort of early, drug‐naïve PD patients and tested the hypothesis that executive dysfunction in PD is associated with striatal dopaminergic depletion. A cross‐sectional multicenter cohort of 339 PD patients and 158 healthy controls from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative study was analyzed. Each individual underwent cerebral single‐photon emission CT (SPECT) and a standardized neuropsychological assessment with tests of memory as well as visuospatial and executive function. SPECT imaging was performed with [123I]FP‐CIT, and specific binding ratios in left and right putamen and caudate nucleus were calculated. The association between specific binding ratios, cognitive domain scores, and age was analyzed using Pearson's correlations, partial correlation, and conditional process analysis. A small, but significant, positive association between total striatal dopamine transporter binding and the attention/executive domain was found (r = 0.141; P = 0.009) in PD, but this was not significant after adjusting for age. However, in a moderated mediation model, we found that cognitive executive differences between controls and patients with PD were mediated by an age‐moderated striatal dopaminergic deficit. Our findings support the hypothesis that nigrostriatal dopaminergic deficit is associated with executive impairment, but not to memory or visuospatial impairment, in early PD. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society