bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment frequency of circulating IL‐17+CD4+ T‐cells, but not Tregs, correlates with clinical response to whole‐cell vaccination in prostate cancer patients
Authors: Derhovanessian Evelyna , Adams Victoria , Hähnel Karin , Groeger Andrea , Pandha Hardev , Ward Stephen , Pawelec Graham 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the prognostic implications of the pretreatment level of Th17 cells compared with regulatory T‐cell status in prostate cancer patients receiving active whole cell immunotherapy. Ten‐color flow cytometry was used to analyze IL‐17‐producing CD4+ T‐cells in the peripheral blood of hormone‐resistant non‐bone metastatic prostate cancer patients prior to immunotherapy with an allogeneic whole‐cell vaccine. Surface expression of the chemokine receptors CCR4 and CCR6 was used to further subdivide IL‐17‐producing cells into subsets with distinct homing properties. The frequency of circulating regulatory T‐cells (Tregs), defined as CD3+CD4+CD127loFoxp3+CD25+ was compared in the same patients. The frequency of CCR4−IL‐17+CD4+ T‐cells prevaccination inversely correlated with time to disease progression (TTP) in 23 prostate cancer patients. Furthermore, responder (R) patients with statistically significant reductions in PSA velocity (PSAV) in response to the immunotherapy (n = 9), showed a Th17 profile similar to healthy male controls and significantly different from non‐responder (NR) patients (n = 14) (i.e., those without any significant reduction in PSAV). In contrast, the frequency of Tregs in peripheral blood in PSA‐R (n = 11) and ‐NR (n = 14) patients was similar (but in both cases, significantly higher than in age‐matched healthy men). Accordingly, there was no significant correlation between frequency of Tregs and TTP in these late‐stage prostate cancer patients undergoing active immunotherapy. These data imply an important role for IL‐17‐producing helper T‐cells in cancer immunology and highlight their potential use as a pretreatment screen to ensure appropriate treatment is offered to hormone‐resistant prostate cancer patients. © 2009 UICC
JAM‐A expression positively correlates with poor prognosis in breast cancer patients
Authors: McSherry Elaine A. , McGee Sharon F. , Jirstrom Karin , Doyle Emma M. , Brennan Donal J. , Landberg Goran , Dervan Peter A. , Hopkins Ann M. , Gallagher William M. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe cell–cell adhesion protein junctional adhesion molecule‐A (JAM‐A) influences epithelial cell morphology and migration. As migration is required for tumor cell invasion and metastasis, we sought to elucidate the role of JAM‐A in invasive breast cancer. A breast cancer tissue microarray was analyzed for JAM‐A protein expression, in parallel with analysis of JAM‐A gene expression data from a breast cancer clinical dataset. Our data demonstrate a novel association between JAM‐A gene and protein upregulation and poor prognosis in breast cancer. To mechanistically dissect this process, we used lentiviral technology to stably knock down JAM‐A gene expression by shRNA in MCF7 breast cancer cells, which express high‐endogenous levels of JAM‐A. We also antagonized JAM‐A function in wild‐type MCF7 cells using an inhibitory antibody that blocks JAM‐A dimerization. Knockdown or functional antagonism of JAM‐A decreased breast cancer cell migration in scratch‐wound assays. Reductions in β1‐integrin protein levels were observed after JAM‐A‐knockdown in MCF7 cells, suggesting a mechanism for reduced motility after loss of JAM‐A. Consistent with this hypothesis, tissue microarray analysis of β1‐integrin protein expression in invasive breast cancer tissues revealed a trend toward high β1‐integrin protein levels being indicative of poor prognosis. Twenty‐two percent of patients were observed to coexpress high levels of JAM‐A and β1‐integrin protein, and MDA‐MB‐231 breast cells stably overexpressing JAM‐A showed an increase in β1‐integrin protein expression. Our results are consistent with a previously unreported role for JAM‐A overexpression as a possible mechanism contributing to progression in primary breast cancer; and a potential therapeutic target. © 2009 UICC
An in situ and in vitro investigation for the transglutaminase potential in tissue engineering
Authors: Zeugolis D. I. , Panengad P. P. , Yew E. S. Y. , Sheppard C. , Phan T. T. , Raghunath M. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractTransglutaminases (TGases) constitute a family of enzymes that stabilize protein assemblies by γ‐glutamyl‐ε‐lysine crosslinks. The role of tissue transglutaminase (TGase 2) in several pathophysiologies, wound healing applications, biomaterials functionalization, and drug delivery systems provides grounds for its use in tissue engineering. Herein, we initially studied the endogenous TGase activity and expression under normal (skin, duodenum, colon, and small bowel) and pathophysiological (keloid scar) conditions on cadaveric human tissues. Successful inhibition was achieved using low concentrations of BOC‐DON‐QIV‐OMe (0.1 mM and 1 mM for normal skin and keloid scar, respectively), iodoacetamide (0.1 mM and 1 mM for normal skin and keloid scar, respectively), and cystamine dihydrochloride (1 mM and 10 mM for normal skin and keloid scar, respectively), whilst di‐BOC‐cystamine was found ineffective even at 100 mM concentration. Secondly, the addition of exogenous guinea pig liver transglutaminase (gpTGase) onto the inhibited tissues and collagen scaffolds was studied, and results presented advocate its use as potential tissue adhesive and drug delivery tool. However, the investigation of its crosslinking extent using second harmonic generation microscopy and differentially scanning calorimetry revealed rather poor stabilization function. Overall, our study indicates that TGase 2 has a role as a biological glue to consolidate various micro‐structural components of tissues and biomaterials. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2010
Effect of surface wettability and charge on protein adsorption onto implantable alginate‐chitosan‐alginate microcapsule surfaces
Authors: Xie Hong‐Guo , Li Xiao‐Xia , Lv Guo‐Jun , Xie Wei‐Yang , Zhu Jing , Luxbacher Thomas , Ma Ron , Ma Xiao‐Jun 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAlginate‐chitosan‐alginate (ACA) microcapsules have been developed as a device for the transplantation of living cells. However, protein adsorption onto the surface of microcapsules immediately upon their implantation decides their ultimate biocompatibility. In this work, the chemical composition of the ACA membranes was determined using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The surface wettability and charge were determined by contact angle and zeta potential measurements, respectively. Then, the effects of surface wettability and charge on bovine fibrinogen (Fgn) and gamma globulin (IgG) adsorption onto ACA microcapsules were evaluated. The results showed that ACA microcapsules had a hydrophilic membrane. So, the surface wettability of ACA microcapsules had little effect on protein adsorption. There was a negative zeta potential of ACA microcapsules which varies with the viscosity or G content of alginate used, indicating a varying degree of net negatively charged groups on the surface of ACA microcapsules. The amount of adsorbed protein increased with increasing of positive charge. Furthermore, the interaction between proteins and ACA microcapsules is dominated by electrostatic repulsion at pH 7.4 and that is of electrostatic attraction at pH 6.0. This work could help to explain the bioincompatibility of ACA microcapsules and will play an important role in the optimization of the microcapsule design. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2010
Development of tissue‐engineered substitutes of the ear ossicles: PORP‐shaped poly(propylene fumarate)‐based scaffolds cultured with human mesenchymal stromal cells
Authors: Danti Serena , D'Alessandro Delfo , Pietrabissa Andrea , Petrini Mario , Berrettini Stefano 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThis is a novel study aimed at exploring possible tissue engineering (TE) options for fabricating middle ear ossicle replacements. Alternatives to prosthetic replacements currently used in ossiculoplasty are desirable, considering that current devices are known to suffer from a persistent rejection phenomenon, known as extrusion. In this study a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, poly(propylene fumarate)/poly(propylene fumarate)‐diacrylate (PPF/PPF‐DA), was chosen to assess the fabrication feasibility of highly porous devices shaped as partial ossicular replacement prostheses (PORPs). PORP‐like scaffolds were produced, and their poral features (porosity and pore interconnectivity) were evaluated via micro‐CT. In addition, their capability to support human mesenchymal stromal cell (hMSC) colonization and osteoblastic differentiation in vitro was investigated with both quantitative and qualitative analyses. This report summarizes and discusses all the fundamental issues associated with ossicle prosthetization as well as the challenging opportunities potentially offered to middle ear reconstruction by TE; moreover it demonstrates that PPF/PPF‐DA PORP‐like scaffolds can be appropriately fabricated to allow both the colonization of hMSCs and their osteoblastic maturation in vitro. Specifically, the expression patterns of the main osteogenic markers (alkaline phosphatase, calcium) and of various matrix biomolecules (glycoproteins, glycosaminoglycans, collagen I) were studied. These preliminarily obtained outcomes may launch a new trend in otology dedicated to TE ossicle development to improve on the performance of current prosthetic replacements. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2010
Evaluation of thrombogenic potential of electrospun bioresorbable vascular graft materials: Acute monocyte tissue factor expression
Authors: Wolfe Patricia S. , Madurantakam Parthasarathy , Garg Koyal , Sell Scott A. , Beckman Matthew J. , Bowlin Gary L. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to quantify the acute expression of tissue factor (TF) by monocytes on interaction with electrospun bioresorbable constructs. A minimal expression of TF will demonstrate the potential for scaffolds to be used as a vascular graft without enhanced risk of failure from acute thrombotic occlusion. Polydioxanone (PDO) (60, 80, 120, and 160 mg/mL) and polycaprolactone (PCL) (80, 10, and 160 mg/mL) dissolved in 1,1,1,3,3,3 hexafluoro‐2‐propanol (HFP) were electrospun to form fibrous scaffolds. Circular discs (10 mm diameter) of each scaffold were disinfected and seeded with human monocytes (50,000 cells/well). The discs were statically cultured under standard conditions (37°C and 5% CO2), and removed after 24 h for TF analysis with an In‐Cell Western assay. Fiber diameter was calculated through ImageTool analysis of scanning electron micrographs. Acute monocyte interaction with scaffolds of PCL (120 mg/mL) resulted in the lowest amount of TF expressed (4 ng/disc), whereas scaffolds of 160 mg/mL PDO elicited the highest amount of TF expressed (51 ng/disc). TF levels expressed on all scaffolds were comparable with the amount expressed on e‐PTFE (20 ng/disc). Preliminary data for TF expression on scaffolds of silk (70 mg/mL and 150 mg/mL) and silk:PCL (100 mg/mL, v/v) blends (50:50 and 70:30) resulted in values of TF expression ranging from 0 to 24 ng. Results from this study reveal electrospun grafts composed of PDO and PCL provide no greater risk of failure from an acute thrombotic occlusion due to TF expression when compared with that of the standard e‐PTFE graft. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Modulation of cell growth on exposure to silkworm and spider silk fibers
Authors: Hakimi Osnat , Gheysens Tom , Vollrath Fritz , Grahn Michael F. , Knight David P. , Vadgama Pankaj 
Published: April 2009

AbstractRecent years have seen an increased interest in the use of natural and modified silks for tissue engineering. Despite longstanding concerns regarding the biocompatibility of silk sutures, only a few studies have been carried out to investigate the biocompatibility of natural silk fibers. Here, we report an in vitro assessment of the effect of nonmodified, degummed silks on cells. We describe the effects of degummed silk fibers as well as extracted sericin on cell metabolism and proliferation. Endothelial cells directly exposed to native degummed Bombyx mori and Antheraea pernyi silks showed lower rates of proliferation and metabolism than nonexposed cells. A similar but milder effect was observed for cells in direct contact with Nephila edulis egg sack fibers. Sericin and silk‐conditioned medium had no negative effect on cell proliferation except in medium supplemented with 5% bovine serum prior to conditioning with A. pernyi silk. The toxicity of A. pernyi was negligible after thorough enzymatic treatment of the fibers with trypsin. It is, therefore, proposed that A. pernyi silk contain one or more cytotoxic components, which need to be removed prior to medical use. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 2010
The roles of monocytic heat shock protein 60 and Toll‐like receptors in the regional inflammation response to wear debris particles
Authors: Hao Hsiao‐Nan , Zheng Bingrong , Nasser Sam , Ren Weiping , Latteier Michael , Wooley Paul , Morawa Lawrence 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe biological response to orthopaedic wear debris is central to peri‐prosthetic tissue inflammation and osteolysis, through mechanisms that include local inflammatory cytokine production. In particular, interleukin‐1 β (IL‐1β) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α|) are generated in high quantities following monocyte accumulation in periprosthetic inflammatory tissue, and these cytokine combine with other inflammatory mediators to trigger osteolysis. Since the precise mechanisms involved in debris‐associated inflammation remain unclear, it is important to understand how wear debris particles initially interact with inflammatory cells. We have previously demonstrated that the severity of the inflammation response is influenced by the size, shape, and quantity of particles accumulated in tissues. The current in vitro and in vivo results indicate that heat‐shock protein (Hsp) expression is elevated when monocytes are exposed to wear debris particles. We have also addressed the mechanisms by which heat‐shock protein 60 (Hsp60) positively modulates inflammatory cytokines via Toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4) signal transduction pathway on mononuclear cells. Furthermore, down‐regulation of TLR4 expression using antisense oligonucleotides targeted to TLR4 mRNA suppressed cytokine production in both exogenous Hsp60 and particles stimulated cultures. Collectively, these data indicate that monocytic Hsp60 is an additional inducible immunoregulatory mediator in response to particle‐induced cell stress. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Surface hydration of polymeric (bio)materials: A molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Raffaini Giuseppina , Ganazzoli Fabio 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe surface hydration of some crystalline polymeric (bio)materials is investigated at room temperature using molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics techniques through the statistical distribution of the water molecules as a function of their distance from the surface atoms. Considering different crystalline polymers such as polyethylene, poly(vinylidene fluoride), and poly(m‐phenylene isophthalamide), and in particular their different crystal faces, we can take into account unlike surface chemistries and their subnanoscale topologies. Such features are ultimately related to the intermolecular forces between the exposed groups of the specific crystal face and the water molecules, and those among the polymer chains, which also affects the thermal motion of the surface repeat units. We find that the parallel grooves and depressions that can be formed at the surface by the ordered hydrophobic chains may trap the nearest water molecules at short times, unless the (sub) nanoscale pattern is effectively blurred by the thermal motion of the surface units. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
Starch‐based polymeric carriers for oral‐insulin delivery
Authors: Mahkam Mehrdad 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe objective of this study is to utilize the pH sensitivity of modified carboxymethyl starch (CMS) for oral delivery of insulin. The chemical modification of natural polymers by grafting has received considerable attention in recent years because of the wide variety of monomers available. Methacrylic‐type polymeric prodrugs were synthesized by free radical copolymerization of methacrylic acid, poly(ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether methacrylate) (PEGMA), and carboxymethyl starch (CMS) in the presence of bis‐acrylamide as a cross‐linking agent (CA) and persulfate as an initiator. The pH sensitive nature and ability to control gel permeability indicate that these materials have significant potential for drug delivery applications. Equilibrium swelling studies were carried out in enzyme‐free simulated gastric and intestinal fluids (SGF and SIF, respectively). Insulin was entrapped in these gels, and the in vitro release profiles were established separately in both (SGF, pH 1) and (SIF, pH 7.4). Drug release studies showed that the increasing content of MAA in the copolymer enhances hydrolysis in SIF. In these cases, the biological activity of insulin was retained. These results were used to design and improve protein release behavior from these carriers. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 2010
In vitro kinetic study of growth and mineralization of osteoblast‐like cells (Saos‐2) on titanium surface coated with a RGD functionalized bisphosphonate
Authors: Beuvelot Johanne , Portet David , Lecollinet Grégory , Moreau Marie‐Françoise , Baslé Michel Félix , Chappard Daniel , Libouban Hélène 
Published: April 2009

AbstractOsteoconduction and osseointegration are the critical stages for implantation success. Peptides containing RGD (Arg‐Gly‐Asp) adhesive sequence are known to promote cell adhesion and consequently to favor osseointegration of medical devices. In this study, RGD peptides were coupled to a bisphosphonate used as an anchor system and chemically adsorbed on polished titanium discs. Two different concentrations, 10−10 mol/L (RGD 10−10) and 10−4 mol/L (RGD 10−4) were compared to non coated discs (RGD 0). Adhesion, spreading, and mineralization of osteoblast‐like cells (Saos‐2) were assessed. Mineralization kinetic was done at 3, 6, 10, 14, and 18 days of culture; the extent of mineral deposits was quantified by image analysis. Histogram repartitions of nuclear area, characterizing cell spreading, showed a shift to higher values in cells cultured on RGD coated titanium disks. Mineralization started at day 3 in the three groups, but had a faster development in the RGD 10−10 group from day 6 to day 18 compared to RGD 0 and RGD 10−4. At day 18, the percentage of mineralized area was significantly higher for RGD 10−10 compared to RGD 0 (p < 0.05). In the present study, this new method was found suitable to anchor RGD containing species on titanium: this favored adhesion and spreading of osteoblast‐like cells and mineralization compared to noncoated titanium. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 2009
First principles investigation on the ultra‐incompressible and hard TaN
Authors: Zhao Erjun , Hong Bo , Meng Jian , Wu Zhijian 
Published: April 2009

AbstractThe structural, electronic, and mechanical properties of TaN were investigated by use of the density functional theory (DFT). Eight structures were considered, i.e., hexagonal WC, TaN, NiAs, wurtzite, and CoSn structures, cubic NaCl, zinc‐blende and CsCl structures. The results indicate that TaN in TaN‐type structure is the most stable at ambient conditions among the considered structures. Above 5 GPa, TaN in WC‐type structure becomes energetically the most stable phase. They are also stable both thermodynamically and mechanically. TaN in WC‐type has the largest shear modulus 243 GPa and large bulk modulus 337 GPa among the considered structures. The volume compressibility is slightly larger than diamond, but smaller than c‐BN at pressures from 0 to 100 GPa. The compressibility along the c axis is smaller than the linear compressibility of both diamond and c‐BN. The estimated hardness is 34 GPa. Thus, TaN in WC‐type structure is a potential candidate to be ultra‐incompressible and hard. The unique mechanical properties of TaN in WC‐type structure would make it suitable for applications under extreme conditions. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2009
Transcranial Doppler detection of venous‐to‐arterial circulation shunts: Criteria for patent foramen ovale
Authors: Sastry S. , MacNab A. , Daly K. , Ray S. , McCollum C. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPurposeAs paradoxical embolism is associated with stroke in young adults, migraine, and decompression sickness, the detection of venous‐to‐arterial circulation shunt (v‐aCS), such as patent foramen ovale (PFO), is increasingly important. We compared a rigorous transcranial Doppler (TCD) protocol with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to develop criteria for PFO.MethodsStandardized TCD was performed 2 weeks before simultaneous TEE and TCD in 39 patients aged 15–39 following ischemic stroke (n = 33) or myocardial infarction (n = 6). V‐aCS was investigated by contrast sonography. During standardized TCD, contrast injections were performed twice, at rest and with cough and Valsalva maneuvers. TCD and TEE were recorded and analyzed independently by ‘blinded’ observers.ResultsAll 16 of the 39 patients with PFO on TEE had more than 15 micro‐emboli on standardized TCD; in 14 of these 16, paradoxical embolization required no provocation. Three of 9 patients with ‘major’ v‐aCS (>50 microbubble emboli at rest or >10 at rest with >80 on provocation) on standardized TCD were not identified by TEE as having large shunts.ConclusionThe standardized TCD protocol is sensitive in the diagnosis of PFO and with the use of provocation maneuvers measures the functional importance of v‐aCS more accurately than TEE. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009
Sonographic measurements of subcutaneous fat in obese individuals may correlate better with peripheral artery disease indices
Authors: Tsitsilonis Serafim , Vlachos Ioannis S. , Bampali Andromachi , Revenas Konstantinos , Votteas Vassilios , Perrea Despina N. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractPurpose.The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of various methods for body fat assessment with indices of peripheral artery disease in the deep and superficial femoral arteries.Methods.The intima–media thickness (IMT), maximal IMT (max IMT), femoral wall thickness (FWT), maximal FWT (max FWT), cross‐sectional intima media area (CIMA), and atherosclerotic burden score (ABS) were measured sonographically in 26 subjects. The minimum thickness of the abdominal subcutaneous fat layer (Smin) was measured sonographically close to the xyphoid process, and body fat percentage was calculated using various formulas.Results.Smin correlated significantly with body fat percentage calculated with all formulas and was the sole parameter that was associated significantly with all the femoral artery atherosclerotic indices IMT: r = 0.74, p < 0.001; max IMT: r = 0.53, p < 0.05; FWT: r = 0.78, p < 0.001; max FWT: r = 0.57, p < 0.005; ABS: r = 0.52, p < 0.05; CIMA: r = 0.86, p < 0.001; Smin was the major independent predictor of femoral IMT on a multiple stepwise regression analysis (β = 0.02; SE = 0.008, R2 = 0.35, p < 0.05).Conclusions.Smin correlates better than indirect indices and formulas of body fat estimation with markers of extracoronary atherosclerosis. Sonographic measurement of Smin may serve in the future as a useful tool in everyday clinical practice. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2009