bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TGF-β1, GDF-5, and BMP-2 Stimulation Induces Chondrogenesis in Expanded Human Articular Chondrocytes and Marrow-Derived Stromal Cells
Authors: Murphy Meghan K. , Huey Daniel J. , Hu Jerry C. , Athanasiou Kyriacos A. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractReplacement of degenerated cartilage with cell-based cartilage products may offer a long-term solution to halt arthritis' degenerative progression. Chondrocytes are frequently used in cell-based FDA-approved cartilage products; yet human marrow-derived stromal cells (hMSCs) show significant translational potential, reducing donor site morbidity and maintaining their undifferentiated phenotype with expansion. This study sought to investigate the effects of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), growth/differentiation factor 5 (GDF-5), and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) during postexpansion chondrogenesis in human articular chondrocytes (hACs) and to compare chondrogenesis in passaged hACs with that of passaged hMSCs. Through serial expansion, chondrocytes dedifferentiated, decreasing expression of chondrogenic genes while increasing expression of fibroblastic genes. However, following expansion, 10 ng/mL TGF-β1, 100 ng/mL GDF-5, or 100 ng/mL BMP-2 supplementation during three-dimensional aggregate culture each upregulated one or more markers of chondrogenic gene expression in both hACs and hMSCs. Additionally, in both cell types, the combination of TGF-β1, GDF-5, and BMP-2 induced the greatest upregulation of chondrogenic genes, that is, Col2A1, Col2A1/Col1A1 ratio, SOX9, and ACAN, and synthesis of cartilage-specific matrix, that is, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and ratio of collagen II/I. Finally, TGF-β1, GDF-5, and BMP-2 stimulation yielded mechanically robust cartilage rich in collagen II and GAGs in both cell types, following 4 weeks maturation. This study illustrates notable success in using the self-assembling method to generate robust, scaffold-free neocartilage constructs using expanded hACs and hMSCs. Stem Cells 2015;33:762–773
Single fetal demise in monochorionic pregnancies: incidence and patterns of cerebral injury
Authors: van Klink J. M. M. , van Steenis A. , Steggerda S. J. , Genova L. , Sueters M. , Oepkes D. , Lopriore E. 
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence, type and severity of cerebral injury in the surviving monochorionic (MC) cotwin after single fetal demise in twin pregnancies.MethodsAll MC pregnancies with single fetal demise that were evaluated at the Leiden University Medical Center between 2002 and 2013 were included. Perinatal characteristics, neonatal outcome and the presence of cerebral injury, observed on neuroimaging, were recorded for all cotwin survivors.ResultsA total of 49 MC pregnancies with single fetal demise, including one MC triplet, were included in the study (n = 50 cotwins). Median gestational age at occurrence of single fetal demise was 25 weeks and median interval between single fetal demise and live birth was 61 days, with a median gestational age at birth of 36 weeks. Severe cerebral injury was diagnosed in 13 (26%) of the 50 cotwins and was detected antenatally in 4/50 (8%) and postnatally in 9/50 (18%) cases. Cerebral injury was mostly due to hypoxic‐ischemic injury resulting in cystic periventricular leukomalacia, middle cerebral artery infarction or injury to basal ganglia, thalamus and/or cortex. Risk factors associated with severe cerebral injury were advanced gestational age at the occurrence of single fetal demise (odds ratio (OR), 1.14 (95% CI, 1.01–1.29) for each week of gestation; P = 0.03), twin–twin transfusion syndrome developing prior to single fetal demise (OR, 5.0 (95% CI, 1.30–19.13); P = 0.02) and a lower gestational age at birth (OR, 0.83 (95% CI, 0.69–0.99) for each week of gestation; P = 0.04).ConclusionsSingle fetal demise in MC pregnancies is associated with severe cerebral injury occurring in 1 in 4 surviving cotwins. Routine antenatal and postnatal neuroimaging, followed by standardized long‐term follow‐up, is mandatory. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Performance analysis of switch‐and‐stay combining in two‐way relay systems with analog network coding and time‐division broadcast protocols
Authors: Lei Xianfu , Hu Rose Qingyang , Fan Lisheng , Fan Pingzhi , Duong Trung Q. 
Published: November 2014

AbstractIn this paper, we consider switch‐and‐stay combining (SSC) in two‐way relay systems with two amplify‐and‐forward relays, one of which is activated to assist the information exchange between the two sources. The system operates in either analog network coding (ANC) protocol where the communication is only achieved with the help of the active relay or time‐division broadcast (TDBC) protocol where the direct link between two sources can be utilized to exploit more diversity gain. In both cases, we study the outage probability and bit error rate (BER) for Rayleigh fading channels. In particular, we derive closed‐form lower bounds for the outage probability and the average BER, which remain tight for different fading conditions. We also present asymptotic analysis for both the outage probability and the average BER at high signal‐to‐noise ratio. It is shown that SSC can achieve the full diversity order in two‐way relay systems for both ANC and TDBC protocols with proper switching thresholds. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanomedical engineering: shaping future nanomedicines
Authors: Luo Dandan , Carter Kevin A. , Lovell Jonathan F. 
Published: November 2014

Preclinical research in the field of nanomedicine continues to produce a steady stream of new nanoparticles with unique capabilities and complex properties. With improvements come promising treatments for diseases, with the ultimate goal of clinical translation and better patient outcomes compared with current standards of care. Here, we outline engineering considerations for nanomedicines, with respect to design criteria, targeting, and stimuli‐triggered drug release strategies. General properties, clinical relevance, and current research advances of various nanomedicines are discussed in light of how these will realize their potential and shape the future of the field. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2015, 7:169–188. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1315This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle-Based Sensing
Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Isotope (U–Pb, Sm–Nd, Rb–Sr) geochronology of alkaline basic plutons of the Kuznetsk Alatau
Authors: Vrublevskii V.V. , Gertner I.F. , Gutiérrez-Alonso G. , Hofmann M. , Grinev O.M. , Tishin P.A. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
On the northeastern slope of the Kuznetsk Alatau, small differentiated alkaline basic intrusive massifs form an isometric area ~100 km across. They are composed of subalkalic and alkali gabbroids, basic and ultrabasic foidolites, nepheline and alkali syenites, and carbonatites. Results of complex (U–Pb, Sm–Nd, and Rb–Sr) isotope dating suggest that alkaline basic magmatism developed at two stages, in the Middle Cambrian–Early Ordovician (~510–480 Ma) and in the Early–Middle Devonian (~410–385 Ma). Finding of accessory zircons (age 1.3–2.0 Ga) in alkaline rocks suggests that the ascent of mantle plume was accompanied by the melting of fragments of Proterozoic mature continental crust composing the basement of the Caledonian orogen of the Kuznetsk Alatau. Probably, parental Cambrian–Ordovician alkaline mafic melts initiated metasomatism and lithosphere erosion. During the next melting of lithosphere substrate in ~100 Myr, this caused the generation of magmas of similar composition with inherited isotope parameters (εNd(T) ≈ +4.8 to +5.7, TNd(DM) ≈ 0.8–0.9 Ga) pointing to the similar nature of their matter sources in the moderately depleted mantle.
A circular electric dipole: a transmitter for TEM surveys
Authors: Mogilatov V.S. , Zlobinsky A.V. 
Published: November 2014

Abstract
Much experience has been gained lately in the use of a radial current source, the so-called circular electric dipole (CED), as a transmitter in transient electromagnetic (TEM) surveys. CED is a source of alternating transverse magnetic (TM) polarized field, a surface analog of a vertical electrical line in VES. In the course of two recent decades, the method has been developed theoretically and tested through the field practice. The respective published results are expected to provide an idea of TEM soundings with the optional use of either TE or TM mode. In this paper we report some new theoretical aspects and share our field experience of surveys with an CED system.
© 2014, V.S. Sobolev IGM, Siberian Branch of the RAS. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Medicinal Marijuana for Epilepsy: A Case Series Study
Authors: Ladino Lady Diana , Hernández-Ronquillo Lizbeth , Téllez-Zenteno José Francisco 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjective:To describe the social, clinical and use-patterns characteristics of medicinal marijuana use among patients with epilepsy (PWEs).Methods:Eighteen PWEs with prescriptions for medicinal marijuana from a Canadian adult-epilepsy clinic were included in this study.Results:Eighteen patients had a prescription of medicinal marijuana from a total population of 800 PWEs in our center (2.2%). Mean age of patients was 30±7.4 (19-50) years. Twelve (67%) patients were males. Eleven (61%) patients had drug-resistant epilepsy. Eleven (61%) patients suffered a psychiatric comorbidity and reported the use of illicit substances or heavy alcohol or tobacco consumption. Only two (11%) patients were married; the rest of patients (89%) were single or divorced. The drug use pattern was similar among patients. All patients asked for marijuana permission in the epilepsy clinic. Most (83%) had a previous history of marijuana smoking, with a mean of 6.6±3 (1-15) years. The mean consumption dose was 2.05±1.8 (0.5-8) grams per day. Ten (56%) patients reported withdrawal seizure exacerbation when they stopped the marijuana. Only two patients (11%) reported side effects, and all patients found medicinal marijuana very helpful for seizure control and improvement of mood disorder.Conclusions:PWEs using medicinal marijuana have a common profile. They are usually young single men with drug-resistant epilepsy and psychiatric comorbidity. Most used marijuana before formal prescription and all believe the drug was effective on their seizure control. Because of the concurrent use of other antiseizure medications, it is complex to estimate the actual effect of marijuana.
International law for survival: teaching international law in the late Ottoman Empire (1859–1922)
Authors: Palabıyık Mustafa Serdar 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThis article analyses the teaching of international law in the late Ottoman Empire. It argues that the Ottomans were interested in teaching European international law to equip Ottoman bureaucrats with the skills necessary for evaluating and regulating the complex interrelation between the Ottoman Empire and the European states, to defend the vital interests of the Empire against European legal penetration via extraterritoriality, and to understand the legal basis of the European system of which the Empire had officially been accepted as a part by the European Great Powers since the conclusion of the Treaty of Paris in 1856. The article focuses on the courses, scholars and textbooks in the field of international law in the Ottoman Empire during three periods. The preliminary period (1859–76), witnessed the emergence of the first courses, scholars and literature on international law; in the Hamidian period (1876–1908) these courses were stabilized and systematized in line with higher education reforms in the Ottoman Empire; and finally, in the post-Hamidian period, the opening of new schools of law in the countryside and the reformation of existing schools allowed the teaching and literature of international law to flourish.
Nutrition labelling of pre-packaged foods in Belgrade, Serbia: current situation
Authors: Davidović Dragana B , Tomić Dragan V , Paunović Katarina Ž , Vasiljević Nadja D , Jorga Jagoda B 
Published: November 2014

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the presence of nutrition labels on pre-packaged food products, as well as to analyse the types of presentation.DesignThis was a descriptive study. The following characteristics were analysed: (i) presence and placement of the nutrition declaration (either as front-of-pack (FOP) or back-of-pack (BOP)); (ii) content of the presented information; (iii) presence of nutrition and health claims; and (iv) legibility of the written information.SettingsThree different types of retailers in Belgrade, Serbia.SubjectsA total of 2138 pre-packaged food products from ten categories.ResultsA nutrition declaration was found on 65·9 % of all tested products. It was displayed on the back of the packaging of 62·7 % of products and on the front of the packaging of 19·1 % of products. BOP was the most commonly observed in breakfast cereals, soft drinks, milk and instant soups (in total over 90 %), and the least common in meat products (21·5 %). FOP was predominantly displayed on breakfast cereals (65·0 %) and the least frequently on milk products (2·4 %). The ‘Big 4’ (energy value, protein, carbohydrate and fat contents) and the ‘Big 4 with additional information’ figured on 40·9 % of products. The ‘Big 8’ (‘Big 4’ plus sugar, saturated fat, fibre and sodium contents) and the ‘Big 8 with additional information’ were present less frequently (20·5 %). Nutrition claims and health claims appeared on very few products (6·6 % and 6·3 %, respectively). The proportion of products with insufficient legibility was 31·5 %.ConclusionsNutrition labelling in Belgrade, Serbia is not satisfactory. Mandatory regulations may be the best way to improve the current situation.
CDK1 plays an important role in the maintenance of pluripotency and genomic stability in human pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Neganova I , Tilgner K , Buskin A , Paraskevopoulou I , Atkinson S P , Peberdy D , Passos J F , Lako M 
Published: November 2014

AbstractHuman embryonic stem cells (hESC) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) are characterised by an unusual and tightly regulated cell cycle that has been shown to be important for the maintenance of a pluripotent phenotype. Cyclin-dependant kinase 1 (CDK1) is a key player in cell cycle regulation and particularly mitosis; however, its role has not been studied previously in hESC and hiPSC. To investigate the impacts of CDK1 downregulation, we performed RNA interference studies which in addition to expected mitotic deficiencies revealed a large range of additional phenotypes related to maintenance of pluripotency, ability to repair double strand breaks (DSBs) and commitment to apoptosis. Downregulation of CDK1 led to the loss of typical pluripotent stem cell morphology, downregulation of pluripotency markers and upregulation of a large number of differentiation markers. In addition, human pluripotent stem cells with reduced CDK1 expression accumulated a higher number of DSBs were unable to activate CHK2 expression and could not maintain G2/M arrest upon exposure to ionising radiation. CDK1 downregulation led to the accumulation of cells with abnormal numbers of mitotic organelles, multiple chromosomal abnormalities and polyploidy. Furthermore, such cells demonstrated an inability to execute apoptosis under normal culture conditions, despite a significant increase in the expression of active PARP1, resulting in tolerance and very likely further propagation of genomic instabilities and ensuing of differentiation process. On the contrary, apoptosis but not differentiation, was the preferred route for such cells when they were subjected to ionising radiation. Together these data suggest that CDK1 regulates multiple events in human pluripotent stem cells ranging from regulation of mitosis, G2/M checkpoint maintenance, execution of apoptosis, maintenance of pluripotency and genomic stability.
Bortezomib enhances cancer cell death by blocking the autophagic flux through stimulating ERK phosphorylation
Authors: Kao C , Chao A , Tsai C-L , Chuang W-C , Huang W-P , Chen G-C , Lin C-Y , Wang T-H , Wang H-S , Lai C-H 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe antitumor activity of an inhibitor of 26S proteasome bortezomib (Velcade) has been observed in various malignancies, including colon cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer. Bortezomib has been proposed to stimulate autophagy, but scientific observations did not always support this. Interactions between ERK activity and autophagy are complex and not completely clear. Autophagy proteins have recently been shown to regulate the functions of ERK, and ERK activation has been found to induce autophagy. On the other hand, sustained activation of ERK has also been shown to inhibit the maturation step of the autophagy process. In this study, we sought to identify the mechanism of autophagy regulation in cancer cells treated with bortezomib. Our results indicate that bortezomib blocked the autophagic flux without inhibiting the fusion of the autophagosome and lysosome. In ovarian cancer, as well as endometrial cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma cells, bortezomib inhibited protein degradation in lysosomes by suppressing cathepsins, which requires the participation of ERK phosphorylation, but not JNK or p38. Our findings that ERK phosphorylation reduced cathepsins further explain how ERK phosphorylation inhibits the autophagic flux. In conclusion, bortezomib may induce ERK phosphorylation to suppress cathepsin B and inhibit the catalytic process of autophagy in ovarian cancer and other solid tumors. The inhibition of cisplatin-induced autophagy by bortezomib can enhance chemotherapy efficacy in ovarian cancer. As we also found that bortezomib blocks the autophagic flux in other cancers, the synergistic cytotoxic effect of bortezomib by abolishing chemotherapy-related autophagy may help us develop strategies of combination therapies for multiple cancers.
Cancer cell death induced by novel small molecules degrading the TACC3 protein via the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway
Authors: Ohoka N , Nagai K , Hattori T , Okuhira K , Shibata N , Cho N , Naito M 
Published: November 2014

AbstractThe selective degradation of target proteins with small molecules is a novel approach to the treatment of various diseases, including cancer. We have developed a protein knockdown system with a series of hybrid small compounds that induce the selective degradation of target proteins via the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway. In this study, we designed and synthesized novel small molecules called SNIPER(TACC3)s, which target the spindle regulatory protein transforming acidic coiled-coil-3 (TACC3). SNIPER(TACC3)s induce poly-ubiquitylation and proteasomal degradation of TACC3 and reduce the TACC3 protein level in cells. Mechanistic analysis indicated that the ubiquitin ligase APC/CCDH1 mediates the SNIPER(TACC3)-induced degradation of TACC3. Intriguingly, SNIPER(TACC3) selectively induced cell death in cancer cells expressing a larger amount of TACC3 protein than normal cells. These results suggest that protein knockdown of TACC3 by SNIPER(TACC3) is a potential strategy for treating cancers overexpressing the TACC3 protein.
Rectified directional sensing in long-range cell migration
Authors: Nakajima Akihiko , Ishihara Shuji , Imoto Daisuke , Sawai Satoshi 
Published: November 2014

AbstractHow spatial and temporal information are integrated to determine the direction of cell migration remains poorly understood. Here, by precise microfluidics emulation of dynamic chemoattractant waves, we demonstrate that, in Dictyostelium, directional movement as well as activation of small guanosine triphosphatase Ras at the leading edge is suppressed when the chemoattractant concentration is decreasing over time. This ‘rectification’ of directional sensing occurs only at an intermediate range of wave speed and does not require phosphoinositide-3-kinase or F-actin. From modelling analysis, we show that rectification arises naturally in a single-layered incoherent feedforward circuit with zero-order ultrasensitivity. The required stimulus time-window predicts ~5 s transient for directional sensing response close to Ras activation and inhibitor diffusion typical for protein in the cytosol. We suggest that the ability of Dictyostelium cells to move only in the wavefront is closely associated with rectification of adaptive response combined with local activation and global inhibition.
Nitrogen acquisition in Agave tequilana from degradation of endophytic bacteria
Authors: Beltran-Garcia Miguel J. , White, James F. , Prado Fernanda M. , Prieto Katia R. , Yamaguchi Lydia F. , Torres Monica S. , Kato Massuo J. , Medeiros Marisa H. G. , Di Mascio Paolo 
Published: November 2014

AbstractPlants form symbiotic associations with endophytic bacteria within tissues of leaves, stems and roots. It is unclear whether or how plants obtain nitrogen from these endophytic bacteria. Here we present evidence showing nitrogen flow from endophytic bacteria to plants in a process that appears to involve oxidative degradation of bacteria. In our experiments we employed Agave tequilana and its seed-transmitted endophyte Bacillus tequilensis to elucidate organic nitrogen transfer from 15N-labeled bacteria to plants. Bacillus tequilensis cells grown in a minimal medium with 15NH4Cl as the nitrogen source were watered onto plants growing in sand. We traced incorporation of 15N into tryptophan, deoxynucleosides and pheophytin derived from chlorophyll a. Probes for hydrogen peroxide show its presence during degradation of bacteria in plant tissues, supporting involvement of reactive oxygen in the degradation process. In another experiment to assess nitrogen absorbed as a result of endophytic colonization of plants we demonstrated that endophytic bacteria potentially transfer more nitrogen to plants and stimulate greater biomass in plants than heat-killed bacteria that do not colonize plants but instead degrade in the soil. Findings presented here support the hypothesis that some plants under nutrient limitation may degrade and obtain nitrogen from endophytic microbes.
Is China's dairy processing industry oligopolistic and/or oligopsonistic?
Authors: Dai Jiawu , Wang Xiuqing 
Published: November 2014

Purpose
– Complaints about lower agricultural farm-gate price and higher consumer price have emerged in China in recent years. The large gap between dairy farm-gate price and consumer price gives rise to worries that China's dairy industry is characterized by strong degree of oligopoly. The purpose of this paper is to take the dairy processing industry as an epitome of China's food industry, and use a new approach to investigate whether it is oligopolistic and/or oligopsonistic.

Design/methodology/approach
– Based on a new proposed Primal-Dual Solow Residual model, the authors first test the hypothesis that there are significant oligopoly and oligopsony powers in China's dairy sector, and the latter is stronger. The authors then turn to measure these two kinds of market power using regressions of the model.

Findings
– The estimation results show that firms in the sector have both strong oligopoly and oligopsony power, but the latter is stronger than the former. Meanwhile, with the continuous reinforcement of competition in China's dairy sector, market power in both the upstream and downstream has decreased slightly.

Originality/value
– This paper is the first to simultaneously test oligopoly and oligopsony power in China's dairy sector. The empirical results explicitly imply that more attention should be paid to the raw milk purchase market.