bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
miQ—A novel microRNA based diagnostic and prognostic tool for prostate cancer
Authors: Larne Olivia , Martens‐Uzunova Elena , Hagman Zandra , Edsjö Anders , Lippolis Giuseppe , den Berg Mirella S. Vredenbregt‐van , Bjartell Anders , Jenster Guido , Ceder Yvonne 
Published: November 2012

AbstractToday, the majority of prostate tumors are detected at early stages with uncertain prognosis. Therefore, we set out to identify early predictive markers of prostate cancer with aggressive progression characteristics. We measured the expression of microRNAs (miRNA) using qRT‐PCR in formalin fixed and paraffin embedded prostatic tissue samples from a Swedish cohort of 49 patients with prostate cancer and 25 without cancer and found seven of 13 preselected miRNAs to discriminate between the two groups. Subsequently, four discriminatory miRNAs were combined to a quota, denoted the miRNA index quote (miQ); ((miR‐96‐5p × miR‐183‐5p)/(miR‐145‐5p × miR221‐5p)). The advantage of using a quote is increased discrimination, no need for house‐keepings, and most important it may be an advantage considering the heterogeneity of the disease. miQ was found to successfully predict diagnosis (p < 0.0001) with high accuracy (area under the curve, AUC = 0.931) that was verified in an independent Dutch cohort and three external cohorts, and significantly outperforming prostate‐specific antigen. Importantly, miQ also has prognostic power to predict aggressiveness of tumors (AUC = 0.895), metastatic statues (AUC = 0.827) and overall survival (p = 0.0013, Wilcoxon test HR = 6.5, median survival 2 vs. 5 years), verified in the Dutch cohort. In this preliminary study, we propose that miQ has potential to be used as a clinical tool for prostate cancer diagnosis and as a prognostic marker of disease progression.
Differential effect of visual and gustatory stimuli on experimental jaw muscle pain
Authors: Horjales‐Araujo E. , Finnerup N.B. , Jensen T.S. , Svensson P. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBackgroundEmotions form an important component in the expression and manifestation of pain. This study tested whether emotionally loaded visual and gustatory conditioning stimuli could influence experimental jaw muscle pain.Patients and MethodsThirty‐one healthy subjects participated in this study. In two sessions, experimental jaw muscle pain was evoked by injection of hypertonic saline (HS) into the masseter muscle. In the first session, jaw muscle pain was conditioned by positive, negative or neutral pictures. In the next session, jaw muscle pain was conditioned by sweet, bitter or tasteless gelatine in the mouth. The subjects continuously rated pain intensity as well as mood and unpleasantness/pleasantness of the conditioning stimuli. As a control experiment, the same design was applied in eight subjects using painful thermal stimuli.ResultsHSevoked moderate levels of pain in all subjects. During conditioning with negatively loaded pictures,HS‐evoked pain was higher compared with neutral and positive pictures (p = 0.002). There was a significant correlation between negative emotional scores linked to the pictures andHS‐evoked pain intensity (r = 0.404,p = 0.021). No effects onHS‐evoked pain intensity were observed during positive pictures or during sweet or bitter gustatory stimuli. The latter may be due to failure of the gustatory stimuli to generate changes in emotional scores. No significant effects were observed on thermal pain sensitivity.ConclusionThese results suggest that not all conditioning stimuli are potent modifiers of emotions, which seems to be a prerequisite for effects on muscle pain perception.
Robocasting nanocomposite scaffolds of poly(caprolactone)/hydroxyapatite incorporating modified carbon nanotubes for hard tissue reconstruction
Authors: Dorj Biligzaya , Won Jong‐Eun , Kim Joong‐Hyun , Choi Seong‐Jun , Shin Ueon Sang , Kim Hae‐Won 
Published: November 2012

AbstractNanocomposite scaffolds with tailored 3D pore configuration are promising candidates for the reconstruction of bone. Here we fabricated novel nanocomposite bone scaffolds through robocasting. Poly(caprolactone) (PCL)—hydroxyapatite (HA) slurry containing ionically modified carbon nanotubes (imCNTs) was robotic‐dispensed and structured layer‐by‐layer into macrochanneled 3D scaffolds under adjusted processing conditions. Homogeneous dispersion ofimCNTs (0.2 wt % relative to PCL‐HA) was achieved in acetone, aiding in the preparation of PCL‐HA‐imCNTs slurry with good mixing property. Incorporation ofimCNTs into PCL‐HA composition significantly improved the compressive strength and elastic modulus of the robotic‐dispensed scaffolds (∼1.5‐fold in strength and ∼2.5‐fold in elastic modulus). When incubated in simulated body fluid (SBF), PCL‐HA‐imCNT nanocomposite scaffold induced substantial mineralization of apatite in a similar manner to the PCL‐HA scaffold, which was contrasted in pure PCL scaffold. MC3T3‐E1 cell culture on the scaffolds demonstrated that cell proliferation levels were significantly higher in both PCL‐HA‐imCNT and PCL‐HA than in pure PCL, and no significant difference was found between the nanocomposite scaffolds. When the PCL‐HA‐imCNT scaffold was implanted into a rat subcutaneous tissue for 4 weeks, soft fibrous tissues with neo‐blood vessels formed well in the pore channels of the scaffolds without any significant inflammatory signs. Tissue reactions in PCL‐HA‐imCNT scaffold were similar to those in PCL‐HA scaffold, suggesting incorporatedimCNT did not negate the beneficial biological roles of HA. While more long‐termin vivoresearch in bone defect models is needed to confirm clinical availability, our results suggest robotic‐dispensed PCL‐HA‐imCNT nanocomposite scaffolds can be considered promising new candidate matrices for bone regeneration. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Particle size modeling and morphology study of chitosan/gelatin/nanohydroxyapatite nanocomposite microspheres for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Bagheri‐Khoulenjani Shadab , Mirzadeh Hamid , Etrati‐Khosroshahi Mohammad , Ali Shokrgozar Mohammad 
Published: November 2012

AbstractIn this study, nanocomposite microspheres based on chitosan/gelatin/nanohydroxyapatite were fabricated, and effects of the nanohydroxyapatite/biopolymer (chitosan/gelatin) weight ratio (nHA/P), stirring rate, chitosan concentration and biopolymer concentration on the particle size, and morphology of nanocomposite microspheres were investigated. Particle size of microspheres was modeled by design of experiments using the surface response method. Particle size, morphology of microspheres, and distribution of nanoparticles within the composite microspheres were evaluated using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. X‐ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were applied to study the physical and chemical characteristics of microspheres. Results showed that by modulating the nHA/P ratio, chitosan concentration, polymer concentration, and stirring rate, it is possible to fabricate microspheres in wide rages of particle size (5–150 μm). Analysis of variance confirmed that the modified quadratic model can be used to predict the particle size of nanocomposite microspheres within the design space. SEM studies showed that microspheres with different compositions had totally different morphologies from dense morphologies to porous ones. TEM images demonstrated that nanoparticles were distributed uniformly within the polymeric matrix. MTT assay and cell culture studies showed that microspheres with different compositions possessed good biocompatibility. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Effect of chitosan/riboflavin modification on resin/dentin interface: Spectroscopic and microscopic investigations
Authors: Daood Umer , Iqbal Kulsum , Nitisusanta Lorraine I. , Fawzy Amr S. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the morphological and chemical changes of demineralized dentin collagen‐matrix and resin/dentin interface associated with chitosan/riboflavin modification. Dentin disc specimens were prepared from sound molars, acid‐etched with 35% phosphoric acid and modified with either 0.1% riboflavin or chitosan/riboflavin (Ch/RF ratios 1:4 or 1:1) and photo‐activated by UVA. Morphological and chemical changes associated with surface modification were characterized by SEM and micro‐Raman spectroscopy. Dentin surfaces of sound molars were exposed, acid‐etched, and modified as described before. Etch‐and‐rinse dentin adhesive was applied, light‐cured, and layered with resin‐restorative composite. The resin infiltration and resin/dentin interface were characterized by micro‐Raman spectroscopy and SEM. An open‐intact collagen network‐structure, formation of uniform hybrid‐layer and higher resin infiltration were found with 0.1%RF and Ch/RF 1:4 modifications. Raman analysis revealed chemical changes and shifts in Amide bands with the modification of dentin collagen‐matrix. The use of riboflavin and chitosan/riboflavin formulations to modify dentin‐collagen matrix, with the defined ratios, stabilizes the collagen fibrillar network and enhances resin infiltration and hybrid layer formation. These preliminary results are encouraging for subsequent consideration of chitosan/riboflavin modification in adhesive dentistry. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2013.
Biomimetic fabrication of biocompatible and biodegradable core–shell polystyrene/biosurfactant bionanocomposites for protein drug release
Authors: Hazra Chinmay , Arunbabu Dhamodaran , Kundu Debasree , Chaudhari Ambalal , Jana Tushar 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis paper reports a bioinspired emulsion polymerization approach through biosurfactants (rhamnolipid and surfactin) templating for synthesizing highly monodisperse, spherical polymer bionanocomposites consisting of polystyrene (PS) (core)/biosurfactants (shell) (50–190 nm) and their feasibility as a biocompatible and biodegradable drug delivery vehicle.RESULTSConversion profile, particle size dependence on biosurfactant concentration and structural characterizations of resulting polymers from bioinspired emulsion polymerization were similar to conventional emulsion polymerization. In vitro biodegradation studies revealed >2.5‐fold increase in bacterial growth (Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 7926) and gravimetric weight loss (10% w/w) in biosurfactants templated PS, compared with the conventional route. Soil burial biodegradation tests supported these findings. In vitro and in vivo biocompatibility studies showed unchanged cell viability of adult rat (Rattus norvegicus) hepatocytes for polystyrenes synthesized using biosurfactants, while conventional PS beads proved to be cytotoxic in a dose‐dependent manner. Reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐induced oxidative stress, increased lipid peroxidation, alterations in GSH detoxification and histopathology corroborated these results. Release of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from BSA loaded polystyrene/biosurfactant bionanocomposites were 2.5–5‐fold higher in physiological buffer (pH 7.4) than in acidic buffer (pH 1.2).CONCLUSIONTaken together, polystyrene/biosurfactant bionanocomposites could serve as a biocompatible and biodegradable colon or intestine‐specific drug delivery vehicle. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Preparation of a gel‐coated liposome and its application in drug release
Authors: Xu Shouhong , Li Xiangye , Chen Ruting , Lin Xiaoxiao , Liu Honglai , Hu Ying 
Published: November 2012

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn some disease therapy, it is necessary to release multiple drugs continuously and orderly. This paper describes a technique for preparing a microparticle that can load two kinds of substances and release them at two different rates.RESULTSA core–shell structural microparticle was designed using liposome as core and hyaluronan/poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide) (HA/PNIPAM) gel as shell. The core liposome keeps its vesicle structure after undergoing the whole crosslinking process. The microparticles are injectable at room temperature and become sticky when heated. The fluorescent loaded in the shell released 80% in 1 h, while that in the core kept releasing for 35 h.CONCLUSIONThe stability and function of liposomes are improved after being coated with a gel shell. Two kinds of fluorophores were successfully loaded into microparticles and released at two different rates. The main factors controlling the tracer diffusion are the microparticle properties, e.g. crosslink density and shell thickness. These microparticles can be used as injectable or implantable drug carriers by minimally invasive techniques. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
MR spectroscopic imaging: Principles and recent advances
Authors: Posse Stefan , Otazo Ricardo , Dager Stephen R. , Alger Jeffry 
Published: November 2012

AbstractMR spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) has become a valuable tool for quantifying metabolic abnormalities in human brain, prostate, breast and other organs. It is used in routine clinical imaging, particularly for cancer assessment, and in clinical research applications. This article describes basic principles of commonly used MRSI data acquisition and analysis methods and their impact on clinical applications. It also highlights technical advances, such as parallel imaging and newer high‐speed MRSI approaches that are becoming viable alternatives to conventional MRSI methods. Although the main focus is on 1H‐MRSI, the principles described are applicable to other MR‐compatible nuclei. This review of the state‐of‐the‐art in MRSI methodology provides a framework for critically assessing the clinical utility of MRSI and for defining future technical development that is expected to lead to increased clinical use of MRSI. Future technical development will likely focus on ultra‐high field MRI scanners, novel hyperpolarized contrast agents using metabolically active compounds, and ultra‐fast MRSI techniques because these technologies offer unprecedented sensitivity and specificity for probing tissue metabolic status and dynamics. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1301–1325. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nucleus‐localized 21.5‐kDa myelin basic protein promotes oligodendrocyte proliferation and enhances neurite outgrowth in coculture, unlike the plasma membrane‐associated 18.5‐kDa isoform
Authors: Smith Graham S.T. , Samborska Bożena , Hawley Steven P. , Klaiman Jordan M. , Gillis Todd E. , Jones Nina , Boggs Joan M. , Harauz George 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe classic myelin basic protein (MBP) family of central nervous system (CNS) myelin arises from transcription start site 3 of the Golli (gene of oligodendrocyte lineage) complex and comprises splice isoforms ranging in nominal molecular mass from 14 kDa to (full‐length) 21.5 kDa. We have determined here a number of distinct functional differences between the major 18.5‐kDa and minor 21.5‐kDa isoforms of classic MBP with respect to oligodendrocyte (OLG) proliferation. We have found that, in contrast to 18.5‐kDa MBP, 21.5‐kDa MBP increases proliferation of early developmental immortalized N19‐OLGs by elevating the levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and Akt1 kinases and of ribosomal protein S6. Coculture of N2a neuronal cells with N19‐OLGs transfected with the 21.5‐kDa isoform (or conditioned medium from), but not the 18.5‐kDa isoform, caused the N2a cells to have increased neurite outgrowth and process branching complexity. These roles were dependent on subcellular localization of 21.5‐kDa MBP to the nucleus and on the exon II‐encoded segment, suggesting that the nuclear localization of early minor isoforms of MBP may play a crucial role in regulating and/or initiating myelin and neuronal development in the mammalian CNS. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Self‐incompatibilty in gamete recognition: Single self‐recognizing determinants and multiple, non‐self‐recognizing ones function in the same individual
Authors: Harada Yoshito , Sawada Hitoshi 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe frameworks (key mechanisms) of the self/non‐self‐discrimination systems that are found in various organisms have not been actively selected for, but have evolved by genetic drift such that the genetic frequency of random, advantageous mutations has increased within the genomes of these species by natural selection. The passive nature of this process leads to an important conclusion: in the self/non‐self‐discrimination system, the number of self‐recognizing determinants becomes one compared to multiple non‐self‐recognizing determinants. Thus, the number of determinants is defined not by the character of the determinant, but by the system framework. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 2–7, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuromuscular ultrasound in polyneuropathies and motor neuron disease
Authors: Hobson‐Webb Lisa D. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTCurrent standards for diagnosing polyneuropathies (PN) and motor neuron disease (MND) sometimes lack early sensitivity and result in delayed diagnosis and treatment. Neuromuscular ultrasound (NMUS), already established in the diagnosis of entrapment neuropathies, may offer another means of diagnosis and monitoring response to therapy. This review of current evidence discusses diffuse nerve hypertrophy in hereditary demyelinating neuropathies, multifocal nerve enlargement in acquired demyelinating PN and the lack of readily apparent structural change in axonal neuropathies. NMUS detection of fasciculations and muscular change in MND is also reviewed, along with the need for further research to better define the role of nerve imaging in patients with PN. Muscle Nerve 47: 790–804, 2013
An expanded mixed covolume method for sobolev equation with convection term on triangular grids
Authors: Fang Zhichao , Li Hong 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe expanded mixed covolume method for the two‐dimensional Sobolev equation with convection term is developed and studied. This method uses the lowest‐order Raviart‐Thomas mixed finite element space as the trial function space. By introducing a transfer operator γh which maps the trial function space into the test function space and combining expanded mixed finite element with mixed covolume method, the continuous‐in‐time, discrete‐in‐time expanded mixed covolume schemes are constructed, and optimal error estimates for these schemes are obtained. Numerical results are given to examine the validity and effectiveness of the proposed schemes.© 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq, 2013
Comparison of the Entheseal Changes of theos coxaeof Portuguese Males (19th–20thcenturies) with Known Occupation
Authors: Campanacho V. , Santos A. L. 
Published: November 2012

ABSTRACTThe possible association between entheseal changes and activity has been widely studied. However, many questions remain. This study aims to assess if occupation and physical activity influence the age at which entheseal changes appear in the iliac crest, retroauricular area, iliac tuberosity, ischial tuberosity andobturator foramen. Absence or presence of ossification exostosis and stress lesions was recorded inos coxaefrom 130 males (19 to 88 years old) from Lisbon and Coimbra identified skeletal collections. The individuals were divided into two groups, based upon to the recorded occupations: manual (n = 69) and non‐manual (n = 61). The sample was also divided according to an osteological indicator of physical activity: the femur robusticity index (55 are robust and 54 are gracile femora). The individuals from manual and robust groups were considered to have had physically demanding occupations, while the non‐manual and gracile groups represent individuals with less demanding activities. The asymmetry of entheseal changes between left and right sides of the same individuals was tested with a Chi‐square test. And the influence of occupation and physical activities on the age of appearance of entheseal changes was tested using logistic regression. Statistically significant asymmetry was not found between left and right bones (p <0.05). However, for the logistic regression calculations, the only valid result was obtained for the ossification exostosis on the iliac crest for the measure of femoral robusticity. For the iliac crest, physical activity did not influence the appearance of ossification exostosis. It was not possible to obtain valid logistic regression models, probably due to the distribution of individuals in each occupational and robusticity category. Therefore, it was not possible to assess the influence of occupation and physical activity on the age at which entheseal changes appeared for retroauricular area, iliac tuberosity, ischial tuberosity andobturator foramen. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Toughening and brittle‐tough transition in polyamide 12‐organoclay/maleated styrene‐ethylene‐co‐butylene‐styrene nanocomposites
Authors: González Imanol , Zabaleta Asier , Eguiazábal José Ignacio 
Published: November 2012

AbstractTough nanocomposites based on polyamide 12 (PA12) can be obtained by the addition of a maleated rubber to a highly dispersed PA12‐clay nanocomposite by melt processing. The nanostructure behavior was evaluated by X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that the organoclay was highly dispersed and mostly located in the PA12 matrix due to the larger affinity between the polyamide and the clay, but some of the organoclay was also present in the polymer/polymer interface. The presence of organoclay slightly increased the dispersed particle size, indicating decreased compatibilization. This was attributed to a partial shielding of maleic anhydride compatibilizer by surfactant. The addition of the elastomer considerably improved the toughness of the PA12‐based nanocomposites, maintaining its stiffness; i.e., the nanocomposites with 25% rubber content showed an increase of 25‐fold of notched impact strength of the PA12 matrix, meanwhile ductility and stiffness remained constant. This allowed us to obtain toughened PA12 PNs throughout a large range of strain rate and a modulus similar to that of the unmodified PA12. The position of the brittle/tough transition in terms of rubber content, determined by the standard notched Izod test (25% mSEBS) is basically the same as that determined by the essential work of fracture procedure. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Crystal structure of the small GTPase Arl6/BBS3 from Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Hemsworth Glyn R. , Price Helen P. , Smith Deborah F. , Wilson Keith S. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractArl6/BBS3 is a small GTPase, mutations in which are implicated in the human ciliopathy Bardet–Biedl Syndrome (BBS). Arl6 is proposed to facilitate the recruitment of a large protein complex known as the BBSome to the base of the primary cilium, mediating specific trafficking of molecules to this important sensory organelle. Orthologues of Arl6 and the BBSome core subunits have been identified in the genomes of trypanosomes. Flagellum function and motility are crucial to the survival of Trypanosoma brucei, the causative agent of human African sleeping sickness, in the human bloodstream stage of its lifecycle and so the function of the BBSome proteins in trypanosomes warrants further study. RNAi knockdown of T. brucei Arl6 (TbArl6) has recently been shown to result in shortening of the trypanosome flagellum. Here we present the crystal structure of TbArl6 with the bound non‐hydrolysable GTP analog GppNp at 2.0 Å resolution and highlight important differences between the trypanosomal and human proteins. Analysis of the TbArl6 active site confirms that it lacks the key glutamine that activates the nucleophile during GTP hydrolysis in other small GTPases. Furthermore, the trypanosomal proteins are significantly shorter at their N‐termini suggesting a different method of membrane insertion compared to humans. Finally, analysis of sequence conservation suggests two surface patches that may be important for protein–protein interactions. Our structural analysis thus provides the basis for future biochemical characterisation of this important family of small GTPases.