bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro interactions of blood, platelet, and fibroblast with biodegradable magnesium‐zinc‐strontium alloys
Authors: Nguyen T. Y. , Cipriano A. F. , Guan Ren‐Guo , Zhao Zhan‐Yong , Liu Huinan 
Published: February 2015

AbstractMagnesium (Mg) alloy is an attractive class of metallic biomaterial for cardiovascular applications due to its biodegradability and mechanical properties. In this study, we investigated the degradation in blood, thrombogenicity, and cytocompatibility of Magnesium‐Zinc‐Strontium (Mg‐Zn‐Sr) alloys, specifically four Mg‐4 wt % Zn‐xSr (x = 0.15, 0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt %) alloys, together with pure Mg control and relevant reference materials for cardiovascular applications. Human whole blood and platelet rich plasma (PRP) were used as the incubation media to investigate the degradation behavior of the Mg‐Zn‐Sr alloys. The results showed that the PRP had a greater pH increase and greater concentration of Mg2+ ions when compared with whole blood after 2 h of incubation with the same respective Mg alloys, suggesting that the Mg alloys degraded faster in PRP than in whole blood. The Mg alloy with 4 wt % Zn and 0.15 wt % Sr (named as ZSr41A) was identified as the most promising alloy for cardiovascular stent applications, because it showed slower degradation and less thrombogenicity, as indicated by the lower concentrations of Mg2+ ions released and less deposition of platelets. Additionally, ZSr41 alloys were cytocompatible with fibroblasts in direct exposure culture in which the cells adhered and proliferated around the samples, with no statistical difference in cell adhesion density compared with the blank reference. Future studies on the ZSr41 alloys are necessary to investigate their direct interactions with other important cells in cardiovascular system, such as vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 2974–2986, 2015.
Log odds of positive lymph nodes as a prognostic indicator in stage IV colorectal cancer patients undergoing curative resection
Authors: Ozawa Tsuyoshi , Ishihara Soichiro , Sunami Eiji , Kitayama Joji , Watanabe Toshiaki 
Published: February 2015

BackgroundRecent studies have proposed the use of log odds of positive lymph nodes (LODDS) as a prognostic indicator in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients without distant synchronous metastasis. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic impact of the LODDS in Stage IV CRC patients who have undergone curative resection.MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of 117 Stage IV CRC patients who underwent curative resection at our institute from 1998 to 2011. Patients were categorized into 3 groups (LODDS1–3) according to the ratio of their LODDS. The relationship between the LODDS and disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were assessed.ResultsDFS was not significantly different between patients in each LODDS group. The association between the LODDS classification and OS was statistically significant (P = 0.021). Multivariate analysis indicated that LODDS classification was an independent prognostic factor for OS, with a hazard ratio of 2.95 for LODDS2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–8.35; P = 0.021), and 2.98 for LODDS3 (95% CI: 1.20–8.37; P = 0.017).ConclusionsThe LODDS is a good prognostic indicator in Stage IV CRC patients who have undergone curative resection. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:465–471. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The subthalamic nucleus, oscillations, and conflict
Authors: Zavala Baltazar , Zaghloul Kareem , Brown Peter 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe subthalamic nucleus (STN), which is currently the most common target for deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD), has received increased attention over the past few years for the roles it may play in functions beyond simple motor control. In this article, we highlight several of the theoretical, interventional, and electrophysiological studies that have implicated the STN in response inhibition. Most influential among this evidence has been the reported effect of STN DBS in increasing impulsive responses in the laboratory setting. Yet, how this relates to pathological impulsivity in patients' everyday lives remains uncertain. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Role of intestinal brush border peptidases in the simulated digestion of milk proteins
Authors: Picariello Gianluca , Miralles Beatriz , Mamone Gianfranco , Sánchez‐Rivera Laura , Recio Isidra , Addeo Francesco , Ferranti Pasquale 
Published: February 2015

ScopeThis study aimed to assess the impact of the “often neglected” intestinal brush border membranes (BBMs) hydrolases on dietary peptides, exploring the possibility that the disintegration of proteins progressed in the small intestine up to a “core” of intrinsically stable oligopeptides, persisting independently on the up‐stream breakdown.Methods and resultsSamples of sodium caseinate, skim milk powder, and whey protein isolate were submitted to in vitro simulated gastropancreatic digestion using two different procedures: (i) a simplified model involving the main compartmental specific proteases; (ii) a static digestion method based on a frameset of parameters inferred from in vivo. The gastroduodenal digesta were further hydrolyzed with peptidases from porcine jejunal BBM. The peptidomes arising from the two digestion models, characterized by combined HPLC and MS techniques, differed to some extent. However, only specific protein domains survived digestion, among which are potential bioactive or immunogenic (food allergy) peptides. The degree of hydrolysis (DH) after BBM digestion (70–77%) practically did not differ between the digestion models and significantly increased the DH after duodenal steps.ConclusionAny in vitro digestion model should be supplemented with a jejunal phase to realistically determine the bioaccessibility and bioavailability of dietary peptides.
Optimal control of linear multi‐delay systems based on a multi‐interval decomposition scheme
Authors: Marzban Hamid Reza 
Published: February 2015

SummaryThis paper presents a novel approximation scheme to the numerical treatment of linear time‐varying multi‐delay systems with a quadratic performance index. A direct approach based on a hybrid of block‐pulse functions and Chebyshev polynomials is successfully developed. The operational matrix of delay associated to multi‐delay systems is constructed by an efficient manner. The excellent properties of hybrid functions together with the operational matrices of integration, delay, and product are then used to transform the optimal control problem into a mathematical optimization problem whose solution is much more easier than the original one. The procedure described in the current paper can be regarded as a multi‐interval decomposition scheme. The convergence of the proposed method is verified numerically. A wide variety of multi‐delay systems are investigated to demonstrate the effectiveness and computational efficiency of the proposed numerical scheme. The method has a simple structure, is easy to implement, and provides very accurate solutions. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glutamine enema regulates colonic ubiquitinated proteins but not proteasome activities during TNBS‐induced colitis leading to increased mitochondrial activity
Authors: Bertrand Julien , Marion‐Letellier Rachel , Azhar Saïda , Chan Philippe , Legrand Romain , Goichon Alexis , Ghouzali Ibtissem , Aziz Moutaz , Vaudry David , Savoye Guillaume , Déchelotte Pierre , Coëffier Moïse 
Published: February 2015

Ubiquitin proteasome system contributes to the regulation of intestinal inflammatory response as its inhibition is associated with tissue damage improvement. We aimed to evaluate whether glutamine is able to limit inflammation by targeting ubiquitin proteasome system in experimental colitis. Colitis was induced in male rats by intrarectal instillation of 2‐4‐6‐trinitrobenzen sulfonic acid (TNBS) at day 1. From day 2 to day 6, rats daily received either an intrarectal instillation of PBS (TNBS/PBS group) or glutamine (TNBS/Gln). Rats were euthanized at day 7 and colonic samples were taken to evaluate ubiqutinated proteins by proteomic approach combining 2D electrophoresis and immunoblots directed against ubiquitin. Results were then confirmed by evaluating total expression of proteins and mRNA levels. Survival rate, TNFα, and IL‐1β mRNA were improved in TNBS/Gln compared with TNBS/PBS (p < 0.05). Proteasome activities were affected by TNBS but not by glutamine. We identified eight proteins that were less ubiquitinated in TNBS/PBS compared with controls with no effect of glutamine. Four proteins were more ubiquitinated in TNBS/PBS group and restored in TNBS/Gln group. Finally, 12 ubiquitinated proteins were only affected by glutamine. Among proteins affected by glutamine, eight proteins (GFPT1, Gapdh, Pkm2, LDH, Bcat2, ATP5a1, Vdac1, and Vdac2) were involved in metabolic pathways. In conclusion, glutamine may regulate ubiquitination process during intestinal inflammation.
Bioactive compounds from crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) white blood cells induced apoptotic cell death in hela cells
Authors: Patathananone Supawadee , Thammasirirak Sompong , Daduang Jureerut , Chung Jing Gung , Temsiripong Yosapong , Daduang Sakda 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTCrocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) white blood cell extracts (WBCex) were examined for anticancer activity in HeLa cell lines using the MTT assay. The percentage viability of HeLa cells significantly deceased after treatment with WBCex in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. The IC50 dose was suggested to be approximately 225 μg/mL protein. Apoptotic cell death occurred in a time‐dependent manner based on investigation by flow cytometry using annexin V‐FITC and PI staining. DAPI nucleic acid staining indicated increased chromatin condensation. Caspase‐3, −8 and −9 activities also increased, suggesting the induction of the caspase‐dependent apoptotic pathway. Furthermore, the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) of HeLa cells was lost as a result of increasing levels of Bax and reduced levels of Bcl‐2, Bcl‐XL, Bcl‐Xs, and XIAP. The decreased ΔΨm led to the release of cytochrome c and the activation of caspase‐9 and −3. Apoptosis‐inducing factor translocated into the nuclei, and endonuclease G (Endo G) was released from the mitochondria. These results suggest that anticancer agents in WBCex can induce apoptosis in HeLa cells via both caspase‐dependent and ‐independent pathways. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 31: 986–997, 2016.
Peroxisome‐mitochondria interplay and disease
Authors: Schrader Michael , Costello Joseph , Godinho Luis F. , Islinger Markus 
Published: February 2015

AbstractPeroxisomes and mitochondria are ubiquitous, highly dynamic organelles with an oxidative type of metabolism in eukaryotic cells. Over the years, substantial evidence has been provided that peroxisomes and mitochondria exhibit a close functional interplay which impacts on human health and development. The so‐called “peroxisome‐mitochondria connection” includes metabolic cooperation in the degradation of fatty acids, a redox‐sensitive relationship, an overlap in key components of the membrane fission machineries and cooperation in anti‐viral signalling and defence. Furthermore, combined peroxisome‐mitochondria disorders with defects in organelle division have been revealed. In this review, we present the latest progress in the emerging field of peroxisomal and mitochondrial interplay in mammals with a particular emphasis on cooperative fatty acid β‐oxidation, redox interplay, organelle dynamics, cooperation in anti‐viral signalling and the resulting implications for disease.
Compression Screw Fixation without Bone Grafting for Scaphoid Fibrous Nonunion
Authors: Somerson Jeremy S. , Fletcher Daniel J. , Srinivasan Ramesh C. , Green David P. 
Published: February 2015

Purpose Bone graft is often recommended as an adjuvant for treatment of scaphoid nonunions. However, recent literature has suggested that fibrous nonunion may be suited to treatment with rigid fixation without bone grafting. This work reported on outcomes of compression screw fixation for established scaphoid fibrous nonunions without bone graft. Methods Fourteen patients underwent surgical compression screw fixation without bone grafting of scaphoid fibrous nonunion between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2012, with minimum follow-up until the time of clinical and radiographic healing. Fibrous nonunion of the scaphoid was defined as a scaphoid fracture with all of the following features: (1) persistent tenderness, (2) incomplete trabecular bridging on three X-ray views, (3) injury that had occurred at a minimum of 6 months prior to surgery, and (4) identification of fibrous union at the time of surgery. Outcomes were assessed with range of motion assessment, Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores, and plain radiographs. Results Twelve of the 14 patients healed successfully, while two patients required secondary vascularized bone grafting. Both unhealed patients sustained proximal pole fractures and had a duration of ≥1 year from injury to surgery. Average time to healing was 4.4±2.0 months. Average flexion was 73±22° and average extension was 66±22° postoperatively. Average grip strength was 90±25 lbs on the operative side. Mean postoperative pain score was 1.4 (range, 0 to 7). Mean postoperative DASH score was 10.2 (range, 0 to 52). Increasing age and an interval from injury to surgery of >1 year correlated with worse DASH and pain scores. Conclusions Patients with fibrous scaphoid nonunion demonstrated good results with rigid fixation without bone grafting. Increasing age and >1-year interval between injury and surgery resulted in lower self-assessed outcomes. Level of Evidence Therapeutic Level IV, retrospective case series
Comparison of Reactivity in the Cross Metathesis of Allyl Acetate‐Derivatives with Oleochemical Compounds
Authors: Behr Arno , Toepell Stephanie 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThe metathesis of unsaturated oleochemicals is an excellent tool for generating α,ω‐difunctional substrates, which are useful intermediates for polymer synthesis. This article describes the cross metathesis of allyl acetate and cis‐1,4‐diacetoxy‐2‐butene with methyl 10‐undecenoate and methyl oleate, which are oleochemical key substrates. Detailed optimizations led to high conversion rates and yields of the desired products under mild reaction conditions by using a low concentration of commercially available homogeneous ruthenium catalysts.
Existence Theorems for a Class of Edge-Degenerate Elliptic Equations on Singular Manifolds
Authors: Fan Haining 
Published: February 2015

AbstractIn this paper we establish the Nehari manifold on edge Sobolev spaces and study some of their properties. Furthermore, we use these results and the mountain pass theorem to get non-negative solutions of a class of edge-degenerate elliptic equations on singular manifolds under different conditions.
An Institutional Approach to Chinese NGOs: State Alliance versus State Avoidance Resource Strategies
Authors: Hsu Carolyn L. , Jiang Yuzhou 
Published: February 2015

AbstractThis article uses an institutional approach to examine Chinese NGOs as an emerging organizational field. In mature organizational fields, the organizations are powerfully constrained to follow the institutional practices of that field. However, in an emerging organizational field, the institutionalized constraints are not yet established, so actors can try out a wide range of practices. Some of these practices will become the new “rules of the game” of the organizational field when it is established. The content of these rules will shape the relationship between NGOs and the Chinese party-state for future generations. We find that a Chinese NGO's resource strategy is shaped by two interacting factors. First, NGOs operate in an evolving ecology of opportunity. Second, the social entrepreneurs who lead Chinese NGOs perceive that ecology of opportunity through the lens of their personal experiences, beliefs and expertise. As a result, the initial strategies of the organizations in our sample were strongly influenced by the institutional experience of their founders. Former state bureaucrats built NGOs around alliances with party-state agencies. In contrast, NGO founders that had no party-state experience usually avoided the state and sought areas away from government control/attention, such as the internet or private business.
Seroprevalence and associated risk factors ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection in psychiatric patients: a case-control study in eastern China
Authors: CONG W. , DONG W. , BAI L. , WANG X.-Y. , NI X.-T. , QIAN A.-D. , ZHU X.-Q. 
Published: February 2015

SUMMARYIn recent years, the effect ofToxoplasma gondiiinfection on the cerebrum and neuropsychiatric patients has been increasingly highlighted. However, there is limited information about the epidemiology ofT. gondiiinfection in psychiatric patients in Shandong province, eastern China. Therefore, through a case-control study, 445 patients hospitalized for diacrisis or treatment in Weihai, eastern China, and 445 control subjects from the general population of the same region matched by gender, age, and residence were examined with enzyme-linked immunoassays for the presence of IgG and IgM antibodies toT. gondiiand associated sociodemographic and behavioural characteristics in a population of psychiatric patients. Seroprevalence of IgG antibodies toT. gondiiin psychiatric patients (77/445, 17·30%) was significantly higher than in control subjects (55/445, 12·36%) (P= 0·038). Fourteen (3·15%) psychiatric patients and 10 (2·25%) control subjects had IgM antibodies toT. gondii(P= 0·408). Multivariate analysis using logic regression showed thatT. gondiiinfection was associated with cats at home and consumption of raw/undercooked meat in psychiatric patients. Considering that most psychiatric patients usually have lower cognitive functioning and additional transmission routes related to their inappropriate behaviours that could enhance the risk of infection, psychiatric patients should be considered as a specific group ofT. gondiiinfection.
Fruit and vegetable consumption in the former Soviet Union: the role of individual- and community-level factors
Authors: Goryakin Yevgeniy , Rocco Lorenzo , Suhrcke Marc , Roberts Bayard , McKee Martin 
Published: February 2015

AbstractObjectiveTo explain patterns of fruit and vegetable consumption in nine former Soviet Union countries by exploring the influence of a range of individual- and community-level determinants.DesignCross-sectional nationally representative surveys and area profiles were undertaken in 2010 in nine countries of the former Soviet Union as part of the Health in Times of Transition (HITT) study. Individual- and area-level determinants were analysed, taking into account potential confounding at the individual and area level.SettingArmenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine.SubjectsAdult survey respondents (n17 998) aged 18–95 years.ResultsBeing male, increasing age, lack of education and lack of financial resources were associated with lower probability of consuming adequate amounts of fruit or vegetables. Daily fruit or vegetable consumption was positively correlated with the number of shops selling fruit and vegetables (for women) and with the number of convenience stores (for men). Billboard advertising of snacks and sweet drinks was negatively related to daily fruit or vegetable consumption, although the reverse was true for billboards advertising soft drinks. Men living near a fast-food outlet had a lower probability of fruit or vegetable consumption, while the opposite was true for the number of local food restaurants.ConclusionsOverall fruit and vegetable consumption in the former Soviet Union is inadequate, particularly among lower socio-economic groups. Both individual- and community-level factors play a role in explaining inadequate nutrition and thus provide potential entry points for policy interventions, while the nuanced influence of community factors informs the agenda for future research.
‘CHOICE THINGS OF VALUE’: THE MYSTERIOUS GENESIS AND CHARACTER OF THEVI CONCERTOS IN SEVEN PARTSATTRIBUTED TO ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI
Authors: HALTON ROSALIND , TALBOT MICHAEL 
Published: February 2015

ABSTRACTTheVI Concertos in Seven Partspublished by Benjamin Cooke under Alessandro Scarlatti's name in 1740 have long been suspected of being either arrangements or works by a different composer. Close study of the sources, some of which have only recently come to light, shows them to be arrangements ofsonate a quattro, four composed by Alessandro Scarlatti and two by his younger brother Francesco. The unacknowledged compiler and arranger of the set was almost certainly Charles Avison, who in addition made a significant compositional intervention. The publication of the concertos formed part of a pioneering strategy on Cooke's part whereby he acquired, and under the protection of a royal privilege engraved, significant works in manuscript owned (but not composed) by individual musicians within his circle. Among the latter was John Christopher Pepusch, whose role in the first publication of Domenico Scarlatti's sonatask31–42 is described for the first time.
Feeding currents facilitate a mixotrophic way of life
Authors: Nielsen Lasse T , Kiørboe Thomas 
Published: February 2015

Abstract
Mixotrophy is common, if not dominant, among eukaryotic flagellates, and these organisms have to both acquire inorganic nutrients and capture particulate food. Diffusion limitation favors small cell size for nutrient acquisition, whereas large cell size facilitates prey interception because of viscosity, and hence intermediately sized mixotrophic dinoflagellates are simultaneously constrained by diffusion and viscosity. Advection may help relax both constraints. We use high-speed video microscopy to describe prey interception and capture, and micro particle image velocimetry (micro-PIV) to quantify the flow fields produced by free-swimming dinoflagellates. We provide the first complete flow fields of free-swimming interception feeders, and demonstrate the use of feeding currents. These are directed toward the prey capture area, the position varying between the seven dinoflagellate species studied, and we argue that this efficiently allows the grazer to approach small-sized prey despite viscosity. Measured flow fields predict the magnitude of observed clearance rates. The fluid deformation created by swimming dinoflagellates may be detected by evasive prey, but the magnitude of flow deformation in the feeding current varies widely between species and depends on the position of the transverse flagellum. We also use the near-cell flow fields to calculate nutrient transport to swimming cells and find that feeding currents may enhance nutrient uptake by ≈75% compared with that by diffusion alone. We argue that all phagotrophic microorganisms must have developed adaptations to counter viscosity in order to allow prey interception, and conclude that the flow fields created by the beating flagella in dinoflagellates are key to the success of these mixotrophic organisms.