bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chondrogenic differentiation of neonatal human dermal fibroblasts encapsulated in alginate beads with hydrostatic compression under hypoxic conditions in the presence of bone morphogenetic protein‐2
Authors: Singh Milind , Pierpoint Mallory , Mikos Antonios G. , Kasper F. Kurtis 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIn the present work, neonatal human dermal fibroblasts (nHDFs) were evaluated as a potential cell source for intervertebral disc repair. Chondrogenic differentiation of nHDFs was studied in the presence or absence of hydrostatic compression under normal and hypoxic conditions. In addition, the potentially synergistic effects of mechanical stimulation and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)‐2 on the chondrogenic differentiation of nHDFs were assessed. Mechanical stimulation was applied to the cells encapsulated in alginate beads using a custom‐built bioreactor system for either a 1‐ or 3‐week period at a frequency of 1 Hz for 4 h/day. In general, after 21 days of culture, high cell viability was observed for all the groups, with the exception of the groups exposed to intermittent mechanical stimulation for 3 weeks. Long‐term intermittent application of mechanical stimulation under low O2 conditions resulted in elevated collagen biosynthesis rate from day 0. Inclusion of BMP‐2 for this group improved the chondrogenic differentiation of nHDFs, as indicated by elevated aggrecan gene expression and an increased collagen production rate compared to the day 0 group. Thus, the combination of hypoxia, BMP‐2 supplementation, and long‐term intermittent application of dynamic hydrostatic pressure was found to be a potent promoter of the chondrogenic differentiation of nHDFs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2011.
Three‐dimensional honeycomb‐patterned chitosan/poly(L‐lactic acid) scaffolds with improved mechanical and cell compatibility
Authors: Zhao Mingyan , Li Lihua , Li Xian , Zhou Changren , Li Bo 
Published: May 2011

AbstractMicro‐size patterned surfaces trigger specific biological responses such as the promotion of cell growth, cell migration, cell differentiation, and ECM production. The aim of this work was to elaborate three‐dimensional scaffolds with honeycomb patterned surfaces and large open pores, and to study the influence of surface patterning on cell behavior. In this study, we used water droplets as porogen material to prepare a novel type of chitosan sponge with large open pores on its surface. The sponges obtained were then immersed into 6 wt % Poly(L‐lactic acid) chloroform solution to obtain honeycomb patterned composite porous scaffolds. The morphology and mechanical properties were characterized with SEM and compression testing. The fibroblast behaviors in scaffolds were analyzed with SEM, VG, PAS, live‐dead staining, and flow cytometer. Results showed that these composite scaffolds possessed better mechanical properties and hierarchical porous structure than pure chitosan sponges. Cell culture revealed that the honeycomb patterned surface had positive influences on fibroblast behaviors, wherein the cell adhesion, proliferation, ECM secretion and viability were improved dramatically. Such a hierarchical composite scaffold would be a suitable candidate for tissue engineering purposes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2011.
Antioxidant role of coumarin on streptozotocin–nicotinamide‐induced type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Rajarajeswari Narayanasamy , Pari Leelavinothan 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the antioxidant role of coumarin on streptozotocin–nicotinamide‐induced Type 2 diabetic rats. In experimental rats, the levels of plasma glucose, insulin, and the levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, lipid hydroperoxides, conjugated dienes, and the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, and glutathione peroxidase were assayed in liver and kidney. Diabetic rats showed elevated levels of plasma glucose and lipid peroxidation markers and reduced plasma insulin and antioxidant enzymes. Oral administration of coumarin resulted in a significant reduction in the plasma glucose and lipid peroxides and a significant increase in the plasma insulin and antioxidant enzymes. Chronic treatment of coumarin remarkably restored the normal status of the histopathological changes observed in the selected tissues. It can be concluded that coumarin has antioxidant effect in Type 2 diabetic rats. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biochem Mol Toxicol 25:355–361 2011; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.20395
PROCOS: Computational analysis of protein–protein complexes
Authors: Fink Florian , Hochrein Jochen , Wolowski Vincent , Merkl Rainer , Gronwald Wolfram 
Published: May 2011

AbstractOne of the main challenges in protein–protein docking is a meaningful evaluation of the many putative solutions. Here we present a program (PROCOS) that calculates a probability‐like measure to be native for a given complex. In contrast to scores often used for analyzing complex structures, the calculated probabilities offer the advantage of providing a fixed range of expected values. This will allow, in principle, the comparison of models corresponding to different targets that were solved with the same algorithm. Judgments are based on distributions of properties derived from a large database of native and false complexes. For complex analysis PROCOS uses these property distributions of native and false complexes together with a support vector machine (SVM). PROCOS was compared to the established scoring schemes of ZRANK and DFIRE. Employing a set of experimentally solved native complexes, high probability values above 50% were obtained for 90% of these structures. Next, the performance of PROCOS was tested on the 40 binary targets of the Dockground decoy set, on 14 targets of the RosettaDock decoy set and on 9 targets that participated in the CAPRI scoring evaluation. Again the advantage of using a probability‐based scoring system becomes apparent and a reasonable number of near native complexes was found within the top ranked complexes. In conclusion, a novel fully automated method is presented that allows the reliable evaluation of protein–protein complexes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2011
Gastric teeth of some thoracotreme crabs and their contribution to the brachyuran phylogeny
Authors: Brösing Andreas , Türkay Michael 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe gastric teeth of three ocypodoid species were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, and the morphological results were discussed with respect to the known food preferences. The species were chosen in particular because of contrasting ideas about their relationships within the Thoracotremata. For the genera Heloecius, Dotilla, Mictyris, and “Uca” (s. str.), we find a specific correlation of the gastric teeth with the suspension feeding. The lateral gastric teeth of Uca have no prominent lateral teeth cusps, and most of their teeth surface consists of transverse comb‐like lamellae. However, this possible food adaptation does not exclude the usability of specific teeth characters to distinguish species of suspension feeders. The closer relationship of the Dotillidae to grapsoid lines of gecarcinid or sesarmid crabs suggested by molecular data is not supported by the gastric teeth. For the genus Ucides, we found several characters that distinguish Ucides from the remaining ocypodoid genera Heloecius, Dotilla, Mictyris, and “Uca.” In particular, the structures of the lateral and the dorsomedian teeth show some similarities to genera of the Gecarcinidae and Sesarmidae. Our results suggest that foregut characters can be used for phylogenetic analyses. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Fine structure of the gnathosoma ofArchegozetes longisetusAoki (Acari: Oribatida, Trhypochthoniidae)
Authors: Alberti Gerd , Heethoff Michael , Norton Roy A. , Schmelzle Sebastian , Seniczak Anna , Seniczak Stanisław 
Published: May 2011

AbstractOribatida are one of the main groups of Acari comprising mostly important decomposers in soils. Most species are particle feeders, an exceptional mode of nutrition in Arachnida. Hence, their feeding organs, the gnathosoma, are of special functional interest. We studied nearly all components using scanning and transmission electron microscopies as well as reconstructions based on synchrotron X‐ray microtomography from the model oribatidArchegozetes longisetosus. Besides cuticular structures, we describe the full set of muscles and confirm the presence of a trochanter remnant at the base of the chelicera. Setae on the prodorsum and the anterior and posterior infracapitular setae are mechanoreceptors innervated by two dendrites ending with tubular bodies. Dendrites of adoral setae, anterior setae of the chelicerae, and the supracoxal setae show neither obvious tubular bodies nor wall or terminal pores. Thus their function remains obscure. For the first time, a muscular proprioreceptor has been found in Arachnida. It likely monitors the actions of muscles moving the movable digit of the chelicera. Glandular structures within and associated with the gnathosoma are described. Dermal glands represented by secretory porose areas are found within the infracapitulum. More complex associated glands comprise the podocephalic glands and the infracapitular glands, the ducts of which were traced completely for the first time. The components described are mostly fundamental for the gnathosoma of Actinotrichida (Acariformes), one of the two lineages of Acari, to which Oribatida belong. The gnathosoma is generally considered the most relevant putative synapomorphy of Acari. Since the monophyly of Acari has become more and more questionable during the last decades, a thorough reinvestigation of this body part is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of acarine and even arachnid phylogeny and evolution. This article provides a starting point of such a re‐evaluation of the gnathosoma. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Functional morphology of the forelimb of living and extinct tree‐kangaroos (Marsupialia: Macropodidae)
Authors: Warburton Natalie M. , Harvey Kathryn J. , Prideaux Gavin J. , O'Shea James E. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractTree‐kangaroos are a unique group of arboreal marsupials that evolved from terrestrial ancestors. The recent discovery of well‐preserved specimens of extinct tree‐kangaroo species (genus Bohra) within Pleistocene cave deposits of south‐central Australia provides a unique opportunity to examine adaptive evolution of tree‐kangaroos. Here, we provide the first detailed description of the functional anatomy of the forelimb, a central component of the locomotor complex, in the extant Dendrolagus lumholtzi, and compare its structure and function with representatives of other extant marsupial families. Several features were interpreted as adaptations for coping with a discontinuous, uneven and three‐dimensional arboreal substrate through enhanced muscular strength and dexterity for propulsion, grasping, and gripping with the forelimbs. The forelimb musculoskeletal anatomy of Dendrolagus differed from terrestrial kangaroos in the following principal ways: a stronger emphasis on the development of muscles groups responsible for adduction, grasping, and gripping; the enlargement of muscles that retract the humerus; and modified shape of the scapula and bony articulations of the forelimb bones to allow improved mobility. Many of these attributes are convergent with other arboreal marsupials. Tree‐kangaroos, however, still retain the characteristic bauplan of their terrestrial ancestors, particularly with regard to skeletal morphology, and the muscular anatomy of the forelimb highlights a basic conservatism within the group. In many instances, the skeletal remains of Bohra have similar features to Dendrolagus that suggest adaptations to an arboreal habit. Despite the irony of their retrieval from deposits of the Nullarbor “Treeless” Plain, forelimb morphology clearly shows that the species of Bohra were well adapted to an arboreal habitat. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Morphological variation in head shape of pipefishes and seahorses in relation to snout length and developmental growth
Authors: Leysen Heleen , Roos Gert , Adriaens Dominique 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThe feeding apparatus of Syngnathidae, with its elongate tubular snout and tiny, toothless jaws, is highly specialized for performing fast and powerful pivot feeding. In addition, the prolonged syngnathid parental care probably enables the juveniles to be provided with a feeding apparatus that resembles the one in adults, both in morphology and function. In this study, a landmark‐based geometric morphometric analysis was carried out on the head of syngnathid representatives in order to (1) examine to what degree pipefish shape variation is different from that of seahorses; (2) determine whether the high level of specialization reduces the amount of intraspecific morphological variation found within the family; and (3) elucidate whether or not important shape changes occur in the seahorse head during postrelease ontogeny. We found that (1) there is a significant shape difference between head shape of pipefish and seahorse: the main differences concern snout length and height, position and orientation of the pectoral fin base, and height of the head and opercular bone. We hypothesize that this might be related to different prey capture kinematics (long snout with little head rotation versus short snout with large head rotation) and to different body postures (in line with the head versus vertical with a tilted head) in pipefishes and seahorses; (2) both pipefishes and seahorses showed an inverse relation between relative snout length and intraspecific variation and although pipefishes show a large diversity in relative snout elongation, they are more constrained in terms of head shape; and (3) the head of juvenile Hippocampus reidi specimens still undergoes gradual shape changes after being expelled from the brood pouch. Ontogenetic changes include lowering of the snout and head but also differences in orientation of the preopercular bone and lowering of the snout tip. J. Morphol. 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Tissue engineering‐based cartilage repair with mesenchymal stem cells in a porcine model
Authors: Chang Chih‐Hung , Kuo Tzong‐Fu , Lin Feng‐Huei , Wang Jyh‐Horng , Hsu Yuan‐Ming , Huang Huei‐Ting , Loo Shiao‐Tung , Fang Hsu‐Wei , Liu Hwa‐Chang , Wang Wen‐Chih 
Published: May 2011

AbstractThis in vivo pilot study explored the use of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) containing tissue engineering constructs in repair of osteochondral defects. Osteochondral defects were created in the medial condyles of both knees of 16 miniature pigs. One joint received a cell/collagen tissue engineering construct with or without pretreatment with transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β) and the other joint from the same pig received no treatment or the gel scaffold only. Six months after surgery, in knees with no treatment, all defects showed contracted craters; in those treated with the gel scaffold alone, six showed a smooth gross surface, one a hypertrophic surface, and one a contracted crater; in those with undifferentiated MSCs, five defects had smooth, fully repaired surfaces or partially repaired surfaces, and one defect poor repair; in those with TGF‐β‐induced differentiated MSCs, seven defects had smooth, fully repaired surfaces or partially repaired surfaces, and three defects showed poor repair. In Pineda score grading, the group with undifferentiated MSC, but not the group with TGF‐β‐induced differentiated MSCs, had significantly lower subchondral, cell morphology, and total scores than the groups with no or gel‐only treatment. The compressive stiffness was larger in cartilage without surgical treatment than the treated area within each group. In conclusion, this preliminary pilot study suggests that using undifferentiated MSCs might be a better approach than using TGF‐β‐induced differentiated MSCs for in vivo tissue engineered treatment of osteochondral defects. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:1874–1880, 2011
Characterization of a cartilage‐like engineered biomass using a self‐aggregating suspension culture model: Molecular composition using FT‐IRIS
Authors: Kim Minwook , Kraft Jeffrey J. , Volk Andrew C. , Pugarelli Joan , Pleshko Nancy , Dodge George R. 
Published: May 2011

AbstractMaintenance of chondrocyte phenotype and robust expression and organization of macromolecular components with suitable cartilaginous properties is an ultimate goal in cartilage tissue engineering. We used a self‐aggregating suspension culture (SASC) method to produce an engineered cartilage, “cartilage tissue analog” (CTA). With an objective of understanding the stability of phenotype of the CTA over long periods, we cultured chondrocytes up to 4 years and analyzed the matrix. Both early (eCTAs) (6 months) and aged (aCTAs) (4 years) showed type II collagen throughout with higher concentrations near the edge. Using Fourier transform‐infrared imaging spectroscopy (FT‐IRIS), proteoglycan/collagen ratio of eCTA was 2.8 times greater than native cartilage at 1 week, but the ratio was balanced to native level (p = 0.017) by 36 weeks. Surprisingly, aCTAs maintained the hyaline characteristics, but there was evidence of calcification within the tissue with a distinct range of intensities. Mineral/matrix ratio of those aCTA with “intensive” calcification was significantly higher (p = 0.017) than the “partial,” but when compared to native bone the ratio of “intensive” aCTAs was 2.4 times lower. In this study we utilized the imaging approach of FT‐IRIS and have shown that a biomaterial formed is compositionally closely related to natural cartilage for long periods in culture. We show that this culture platform can maintain a CTA for extended periods of time (4 years) and under those conditions signs of mineralization can be found. This method of cartilage tissue engineering is a promising method to generate cartilaginous biomaterial and may have potential to be utilized in both cartilage and boney repairs. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:1881–1887, 2011
In vivo strain analysis of the intact supraspinatus tendon by ultrasound speckles tracking imaging
Authors: Kim Yang‐Soo , Kim Jung‐Man , Bigliani Louis U , Kim Hye‐Jin , Jung Hyun‐Woo 
Published: May 2011

AbstractLimited data exist regarding why delaminated tears occur within the rotator cuff tendon, and no general agreement exists on how to handle this complicated tear. To analyze in vivo intratendinous strain of the supraspinatus tendon, the superficial, middle, and deep regions were marked with speckles using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography (2D STE) of 15 shoulders. The displacement and the strain of each speckle during isotonic and isometric shoulder motion were evaluated. Significantly different displacement and strains in the tendon were found between isometric and isotonic shoulder motions. In isometric motion, the average longitudinal displacement of the speckle at the superficial region (1.66 mm) was larger than at the deep region (0.61 mm), and the average peak strain at the superficial region (17.03%) was also higher than that at the deep region (3.42%). Conversely, in isotonic motion, the average longitudinal displacement of the speckle at the superficial region (0.70 mm) was less than that at the deep region (1.61 mm), and the average peak strain at the superficial region (4.73%) was also lower than that at the deep region (15.69%). A different strain was found between the superficial and deep regions within the intact live supraspinatus tendon. The strain and displacement patterns vary according to isometric versus isotonic shoulder motions. On the basis of our observations, we suggest that the delaminated tear of the rotator cuff tendon must be repaired separately layer by layer to resist the inhomogeneous strain after the repair. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:1931–1937, 2011
Long‐term evaluation of a compliant cushion form acetabular bearing for hip joint replacement: A 20 million cycles wear simulation
Authors: Elsner Jonathan J. , Shemesh Maoz , Mezape Yoav , Levenshtein Mario , Hakshur Keren , Shterling Avi , Linder‐Ganz Eran , Eliaz Noam 
Published: May 2011

AbstractSoft bearing materials that aim to reproduce the tribological function of the natural joint are gaining popularity as an alternative concept to conventional hard bearing materials in the hip and knee. However, it has not been proven so far that an elastic cushion bearing can be sufficiently durable as a long term (∼20 years) articulating joint prosthesis. The use of new bearing materials should be supported by accurate descriptions of the implant following usage and of the number, volume, and type of wear particles generated. We report on a long‐term 20 million cycle (Mc) wear study of a commercial hip replacement system composed of a compliant polycarbonate‐urethane (PCU) acetabular liner coupled to a cobalt–chromium alloy femoral head. The PCU liner showed excellent wear characteristics in terms of its low and steady volumetric wear rate (5.8–7.7 mm3/Mc) and low particle generation rate (2–3 × 106particles/Mc). The latter is 5–6 orders of magnitude lower than that of highly cross‐linked polyethylene and 6–8 orders of magnitude lower than that of metal‐on‐metal bearings. Microscopic analysis of the implants after the simulation demonstrated a low damage level to the implants' articulating surfaces. Thus, the compliant PCU bearing may provide a substantial advantage over traditional bearing materials. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:1859–1866, 2011
PEATLAND CONVERSION AND DEGRADATION PROCESSES IN INSULAR SOUTHEAST ASIA: A CASE STUDY IN JAMBI, INDONESIA
Authors: Miettinen J. , Wang J. , Hooijer A. , Liew S. 
Published: May 2011

ABSTRACTThe ongoing conversion and degradation of insular Southeast Asian peat swamp forests causes globally important carbon emissions and leads to loss of unique biodiversity. Little quantitative information is available on the dynamics of peat swamp forest conversion. In this case study, we present a time‐series of peatland conversion and degradation in the Air Hitam Laut peatlands in Jambi Province (Sumatra, Indonesia), which included the Berbak National Park. High‐resolution (10–60 m) satellite imagery was used to map land cover and degradation status for nine time slices between the 1970s and 2009. Nearly‐pristine forest cover was shown to have declined in the study area from 90 to 43 per cent, inside the Berbak National Park from 95 to 73 per cent and outside the National Park from 86 to 25 per cent. Outside the protected area, 66 per cent of former nearly‐pristine forests turned into degraded forests or unmanaged deforested areas. Large‐scale oil palm plantations accounted for 21 per cent of the formerly nearly‐pristine areas and small‐holder agriculture for 8 per cent. The conversion to plantation has fast accelerated since 2002. Conversion from nearly‐pristine forest to plantation typically took around 6 years, at times up to 10 years. Better understanding of conversion and degradation dynamics will allow for improved estimates of the implications of management planning decisions taken in peatland areas. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Some Random sequences related to average density of self‐similar measures
Authors: Xiong Ying , Wen Zhi‐Xiong 
Published: May 2011

AbstractIn this paper we study the limit behavior of weighted averages of some random sequence related to Bernoulli random variables, and apply the results to average density of self‐similar measures. © 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim