bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dullard/Ctdnep1 Regulates Endochondral Ossification via Suppression of TGF-β Signaling
Authors: Hayata Tadayoshi , Yoichi  , Ezura  , Asashima Makoto , Nishinakamura Ryuichi , Noda Masaki 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β signaling plays critical roles during skeletal development and its excessive signaling causes genetic diseases of connective tissues including Marfan syndrome and acromelic dysplasia. However, the mechanisms underlying prevention of excessive TGF-β signaling in skeletogenesis remain unclear. We previously reported that Dullard/Ctdnep1 encoding a small phosphatase is required for nephron maintenance after birth through suppression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Unexpectedly, we found that Dullard is involved in suppression of TGF-β signaling during endochondral ossification. Conditional Dullard-deficient mice in the limb and sternum mesenchyme by Prx1-Cre displayed the impaired growth and ossification of skeletal elements leading to postnatal lethality. Dullard was expressed in early cartilage condensations and later in growth plate chondrocytes. The tibia growth plate of newborn Dullard mutant mice showed reduction of the proliferative and hypertrophic chondrocyte layers. The sternum showed deformity of cartilage primordia and delayed hypertrophy. Micromass culture experiments revealed that Dullard deficiency enhanced early cartilage condensation and differentiation, but suppressed mineralized hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation, which was reversed by treatment with TGF-β type I receptor kinase blocker LY-364947. Dullard deficiency induced upregulation of protein levels of both phospho-Smad2/3 and total Smad2/3 in micromass cultures without increase of Smad2/3 mRNA levels, suggesting that Dullard may affect Smad2/3 protein stability. The phospho-Smad2/3 level was also upregulated in perichondrium and hypertrophic chondrocytes in Dullard-deficient embryos. Response to TGF-β signaling was enhanced in Dullard-deficient primary chondrocyte cultures at late, but not early, time point. Moreover, perinatal administration of LY-364947 ameliorated the sternum deformity in vivo. Thus, we identified Dullard as a new negative regulator of TGF-β signaling in endochondral ossification. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Bone Mineral Density Changes Among Women Initiating Proton Pump Inhibitors or H2 Receptor Antagonists: A SWAN Cohort Study
Authors: Solomon Daniel H , Diem Susan J , Ruppert Kristine , Lian Yin Juan , Liu Chih-Chin , Wohlfart Alyssa , Greendale Gail A , Finkelstein Joel S 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACT

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) have been associated with diminished bone mineral density (BMD) and an increased risk of fracture; however, prior studies have not yielded consistent results, and many have suboptimal ascertainment of both PPI use and BMD. We used data from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a multicenter, multi-ethnic, community-based longitudinal cohort study of women across the menopause transition to examine the association between annualized BMD changes and new use of PPIs. We compared changes in BMD in new PPI users with changes in BMD in new users of histamine 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) and with changes in BMD in subjects who did not use either class of medications. Mixed linear regression models included recognized risk factors for osteoporosis, including demographics, menopausal transition stage, body mass index (BMI), lifestyle factors, as well as comorbidities and concomitant medications. To provide further evidence for the validity of our analytic approach, we also examined the effects of hormone-replacement therapy (HT), a class of medications that should reduce bone loss, on changes in BMD as an internal positive control group. We identified 207 new users of PPIs, 185 new users of H2RAs, and 1,676 non-users. Study subjects had a mean age of 50 years and were followed for a median of 9.9 years. Adjusted models found no difference in the annualized BMD change at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, or total hip in PPI users compared with H2RA users or non-users. These results were robust to sensitivity analyses. BMD increased as expected in HT users, supporting the validity of our study design. These longitudinal analyses plus similar prior studies argue against an association between PPI use and BMD loss. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Knee implant imaging at 3 Tesla using high‐bandwidth radiofrequency pulses
Authors: Bachschmidt Theresa J. , Sutter Reto , Jakob Peter M. , Pfirrmann Christian W.A. , Nittka Mathias 
Published: August 2014

BackgroundTo investigate the impact of high‐bandwidth radiofrequency (RF) pulses used in turbo spin echo (TSE) sequences or combined with slice encoding for metal artifact correction (SEMAC) on artifact reduction at 3 Tesla in the knee in the presence of metal.MethodsLocal transmit/receive coils feature increased maximum B1 amplitude, reduced SAR exposition and thus enable the application of high‐bandwidth RF pulses. Susceptibility‐induced through‐plane distortion scales inversely with the RF bandwidth and the view angle, hence blurring, increases for higher RF bandwidths, when SEMAC is used. These effects were assessed for a phantom containing a total knee arthroplasty. TSE and SEMAC sequences with conventional and high RF bandwidths and different contrasts were tested on eight patients with different types of implants. To realize scan times of 7 to 9 min, SEMAC was always applied with eight slice‐encoding steps and distortion was rated by two radiologists.ResultsA local transmit/receive knee coil enables the use of an RF bandwidth of 4 kHz compared with 850 Hz in conventional sequences. Phantom scans confirm the relation of RF bandwidth and through‐plane distortion, which can be reduced up to 79%, and demonstrate the increased blurring for high‐bandwidth RF pulses. In average, artifacts in this RF mode are rated hardly visible for patients with joint arthroplasties, when eight SEMAC slice‐encoding steps are applied, and for patients with titanium fixtures, when TSE is used.ConclusionThe application of high‐bandwidth RF pulses by local transmit coils substantially reduces through‐plane distortion artifacts at 3 Tesla. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1570–1580. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Meat quality and the histological structure of breast and leg muscles in Ayam Cemani chickens, Ayam Cemani × Sussex hybrids and slow‐growing Hubbard JA 957 chickens
Authors: Łukasiewicz Monika , Niemiec Jan , Wnuk Agnieszka , Mroczek‐Sosnowska Natalia 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe purpose of this study was to determine the quality of meat and the histological structure of muscles of Ayam Cemani chickens, Ayam Cemani × Sussex hybrids and slow‐growing Hubbard JA 957 chickens and to examine whether crossing generally available Sussex chickens with little available Ayam Cemani gives a good quality product of interest to the poultry industry and in food technology.RESULTSThe size of breast and leg muscle fibers varied among genotypes. The breast and leg muscles of slow‐growing Hubbard JA 957 chickens had the largest fiber diameter. The histological and biochemical properties of muscles, including the type, number, proportions, diameter and metabolic profile of fibers, had a significant effect on the pH and water‐binding capacity of meat, thus affecting its quality. The muscle fibers of Ayam Cemani chickens were approximately half the size of the muscle fibers of Hubbard JA 957 chickens. Ayam Cemani and Ayam Cemani × Sussex gave a product of as good quality as Hubbard JA 957 chickens.CONCLUSIONMeat from Ayam Cemani chickens is a rich source of protein and could be highly valued by gourmet consumers, connoisseurs and dieticians for its rarity and originality. The results of this study show that genotype (Ayam Cemani, Ayam Cemani × Sussex, Hubbard JA 957) affected the quality and color of meat and the histological profile of chicken breast and leg muscles. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Culinary preparation of beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.): the impact on sensory quality and appropriateness
Authors: Bach Vibe , Mikkelsen Lærke , Kidmose Ulla , Edelenbos Merete 
Published: August 2014

AbstractBACKGROUNDBeetroot is a diverse vegetable available in different shapes and colours. The objectives of this study were to evaluate sensory qualities, and sugar and dry matter content of five beetroot varieties in relationship to the appropriateness for raw, boiled and pan‐fried preparation.RESULTSSensory evaluation by descriptive sensory analysis and consumer tests showed clear distinctions between red varieties Taunus, Rocket and Pablo, and the pink–white striped Chioggia and yellow Burpee's Golden in raw preparations. However, variety delimination was more difficult after boiling and pan‐frying. Different sensory qualities were important for beetroot appropriateness in raw, boiled and pan‐fried preparations. Appropriateness of raw beetroots was associated with high sensory scores in beetroot flavour, crispness and juiciness, and low scores in bitterness. Appropriateness of boiled beetroots was related to high scores in beetroot and earthy flavours. Pan‐fried beetroot appropriateness was associated with high scores in beetroot flavour, colour intensity and crispness.CONCLUSIONThis study showed that the quality of raw materials is integral in culinary preparations. These results can be used to guide consumers in the use of beetroot in culinary preparations and subsequently increase consumption. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Combination of a sub‐3 μm superficially porous particle packed column with charged aerosol detection for the simple and sensitive measurement of nine macrolides in human urine
Authors: Jia Shaodong , Song In Gi , Jeong Kyung Min , Li Jing , Park Jeong Hill , Lee Jeongmi , Kwon Sung Won 
Published: August 2014

Due to the lack of chromophores in many macrolides, analytical methods based on mass spectrometry and electrochemical detection coupled to liquid chromatography have been suggested to be suitable for the quantification of macrolides in complex matrices. In this study, a simple and sensitive analytical method was established for the simultaneous measurement of nine macrolides in human urine by combining a sub‐3 μm superficially porous particle packed column with charged aerosol detection. After thorough investigation of various sample preparation methods, including two liquid–liquid extraction methods and four solid‐phase extraction methods, HLB solid‐phase extraction was selected and further optimized. Absolute recovery of the optimized sample preparation method ranged from 99.5–110.2%, indicating its very high extraction/clean‐up efficiency. For chromatography, parameters influencing macrolide separation were systematically optimized, and the resulting conditions allowed baseline separation of nine macrolides within 24 min using a very simple mobile phase. The established method was validated for linearity, limit of detection, limit of quantification, absolute recovery, and precision. Based on its limit of detection (0.025–0.100 μg/mL), the method had similar or greater sensitivity than most methods based on electrochemical detection. It was found that the current method was appropriate for application to real human urine samples after drug administration.
The Role of Website Quality on PAD, Attitude and Intentions to Visit and Recommend Island Destination
Authors: Loureiro Sandra Maria Correia 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of website stimuli on positive attitude and intentions to visit and recommend, through three emotional responses (pleasure, arousal and dominance). The model was tested regarding three island‐related websites. Findings show the role of emotions as mediators between website quality attitude and intentions. Arousal and dominance are revealed to be more important in the formation of a positive attitude than pleasure. Visual appeal and ease of use, followed by information, seem to be the most important components in forming a perception of the islands' website quality. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease: Theoretical models
Authors: Muller Alana J. , Shine James M. , Halliday Glenda M. , Lewis Simon J.G. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractOne of the most challenging tasks in neuroscience is to be able to meaningfully connect information across the different levels of investigation, from molecular or structural biology to the resulting behavior and cognition. Visual hallucinations are a frequent occurrence in Parkinson's disease and significantly contribute to the burden of the disease. Because of the widespread pathological processes implicated in visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease, a final common mechanism that explains their manifestation will require an integrative approach, in which consideration is taken across all complementary levels of analysis. This review considers the leading hypothetical frameworks for visual hallucinations in Parkinson's disease, summarizing the key aspects of each in an attempt to highlight the aspects of the condition that such a unifying hypothesis must explain. These competing hypotheses include implications of dream imagery intrusion, deficits in reality monitoring, and impairments in visual perception and attention. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Mind the gap: Models in multiple species needed for therapeutic development in Huntington's disease
Authors: Howland David S. , Munoz‐Sanjuan Ignacio 
Published: August 2014

AbstractUnraveling the pathophysiology and testing candidate therapeutics in neurodegenerative disorders is, necessarily, highly dependent on model systems. Because Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by a single (expanded CAG tract) mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene, a richness of model systems, particularly mice, have been engineered to both dissect disease mechanisms and test potential therapeutics. Even so, as with other neurodegenerative diseases, very little success has been achieved in translating HD mouse model drug testing results to the clinic. Because of the considerable costs—human, opportunity, and financial—there is a pressing need to improve the use of existing HD models and also to develop models in higher species beyond rodent, such as sheep, minipig, and nonhuman primate, to bridge the translational gap from preclinical to clinical testing of candidate therapeutics. © 2014 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Block copolymers in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Two new approaches: Copolymer aggregates as reductants and stabilizers and simultaneous formation of copolymer aggregates and gold nanoparticles
Authors: Leiva Angel , Fuentes Irma , Bossel Esteban , Urzúa Marcela , Méndez Maximiliano , Pino Maximiliano , Radić Deodato , Márquez Valeria , González‐Nilo Fernando. D. 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTIn this article, innovative applications of amphiphilic triblock and pentablock copolymers in the synthesis of gold nanoparticles are reported. The synthesis of gold nanoparticles is performed using two methods. In the first method, micellar aggregates of block copolymers and AuCl4− ions directly react in water; the nanoparticles obtained by this method are variable in size and are associated with copolymer aggregates. In the second method, two processes take place simultaneously: the aggregation of block copolymers and the reduction of Au (III) by the copolymers to form nanoparticles. In contrast with the first method, in this case, the nanoparticles obtained are located inside the copolymer aggregates. In both methods of synthesis, the block copolymers act simultaneously as reducing and stabilizing agents. To understand the role of copolymer aggregates in the synthesis of nanoparticles, molecular simulation methods are used. The gold nanoparticles, copolymer aggregates, and nanocomposite systems are characterized using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 3069–3079
Preparation and self‐assembly of stimuli‐responsive azobenzene‐containing diblock copolymers through microwave‐assisted RAFT polymerization
Authors: Yang Po‐Chih , Chen Hsin‐Cheng , Wen Hua‐Wen , Wu Po‐I 
Published: August 2014

ABSTRACTThis article reports on studies regarding the photoisomerization kinetics and self‐assembly behaviors of two photoresponsive diblock copolymers, poly(4‐acetoxystyrene)‐block‐poly[6‐(4‐methoxy‐azobenzene‐4′‐oxy) hexyl acrylate] (poly(StO54‐b‐Cazo9) and poly(StO54‐b‐Cazo5)), which dissolved in a THF/H2O solution through two‐step reverse addition‐fragmentation transfer polymerization. We examined the effect of heating methods (i.e., conventional and microwave heating) on the polymerization kinetics of a 4‐acetoxystyrene‐based macrochain transfer agent (StO macro‐CTA). The kinetics studies on the homopolymerization of StO by using microwave heating demonstrated controllable characteristics with relatively narrow polydispersities at ∼1.14. The diblock copolymers exhibited moderate thermal stability, with thermal decomposition temperatures greater than 343.3 °C, suggesting that the enhancement of the thermal stability was due to the incorporation of azobenzene segments into block copolymers. Poly(StO54‐b‐Cazo9) showed lower photoisomerization rate constants (kt = 0.039 s−1) compared with Cazo monomer (kt = 0.097 s−1). Micellar aggregates with a mean diameter of approximately 238.3 nm were formed by gradually adding water to the THF solution (water content = 10 vol %), and are shown in SEM and TEM images of the diblock copolymer. The results of this study contribute to the literature regarding the development of photoresponsive polymer materials. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014, 52, 3107–3117
Conformational selection in protein binding and function
Authors: Weikl Thomas R. , Paul Fabian 
Published: August 2014

AbstractProtein binding and function often involves conformational changes. Advanced nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments indicate that these conformational changes can occur in the absence of ligand molecules (or with bound ligands), and that the ligands may “select” protein conformations for binding (or unbinding). In this review, we argue that this conformational selection requires transition times for ligand binding and unbinding that are small compared to the dwell times of proteins in different conformations, which is plausible for small ligand molecules. Such a separation of timescales leads to a decoupling and temporal ordering of binding/unbinding events and conformational changes. We propose that conformational‐selection and induced‐change processes (such as induced fit) are two sides of the same coin, because the temporal ordering is reversed in binding and unbinding direction. Conformational‐selection processes can be characterized by a conformational excitation that occurs prior to a binding or unbinding event, while induced‐change processes exhibit a characteristic conformational relaxation that occurs after a binding or unbinding event. We discuss how the ordering of events can be determined from relaxation rates and effective on‐ and off‐rates determined in mixing experiments, and from the conformational exchange rates measured in advanced NMR or single‐molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments. For larger ligand molecules such as peptides, conformational changes and binding events can be intricately coupled and exhibit aspects of conformational‐selection and induced‐change processes in both binding and unbinding direction.
Using HTML5 to prevent detection of drive‐by‐download web malware
Authors: De Santis Alfredo , De Maio Giancarlo , Petrillo Umberto Ferraro 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe Web is experiencing an explosive growth in the last years. New technologies are introduced at a very fast pace with the aim of narrowing the gap between web‐based applications and traditional desktop applications. The results are web applications that look and feel almost like desktop applications while retaining the advantages of being originated from the Web. However, these advancements come at a price. The same technologies used to build responsive, pleasant, and fully featured web applications can also be used to write web malware able to escape detection systems. In this article, we present new obfuscation techniques, on the basis of some of the features of the upcoming HTML5 standard, which can be used to deceive malware detection systems. The proposed techniques have been experimented on a reference set of obfuscated malware. Our results show that the malware rewritten using our obfuscation techniques goes undetected while being analyzed by a large number of detection systems. The same detection systems were able to correctly identify the same malware in its original unobfuscated form. We also provide some hints about how the existing malware detection systems can be modified in order to cope with these new techniques. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GST and the research process as illustrated by a naturalistic study of parental adaptation to first pregnancy
Authors: Wertheim Eleanor S. 
Published: August 2014

AbstractThe primary aim in this paper is to look at research as a formal process from the standpoint of a newcomer to GST. The mental operations required of the researchers in linking specific GST concepts to research practice are scrutinized. The need for a reciprocal ‘fit’ between the theoretical and empirical aspects in a theoretically‐based research process is stressed. As the abstract nature of GST can pose problems, similarities as well as differences between the mental operations called for in studies guided by a discipline‐specific theoretical rationale and GST‐based research are spelled out.The various formal steps in the research process are illustrated by reference to selected facets of a GST‐guided, semi‐experimental naturalistic study of the adaptation of couples to first pregnancy. The focus is on demonstrating the researcher's way of thinking, some of the problems encountered and the approach to their solution, not on the content of the study per se. A formal model of institutional entry, based on GST‐derived strategies for gaining access to rigid and highly stratified institutional systems, is included. Naturalistic research in medical and similar public settings is often jeopardized due to difficulties in securing entry into such systems. Researchers concerned with the family unit and, more particularly, with its functioning during first pregnancy, may be interested in a formal model of intra‐couple adaptation developed during the study and awaiting further empirical testing.