bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The role of endothelial–mesenchymal transition in development and pathological process
Authors: Lin Feng , Wang Nan , Zhang Tong‐Cun 
Published: June 2012

AbstractEpithelial–mesenchymal transition is an important developmental process, participates in tumor's formation, invasion, and metastasis and has been extensively studied. Recently, endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a newly recognized type of cellular transdifferentiation, has been demonstrated to participate in a number of diseases by causing morphology changes and pathological processes. Previous studies showed that EndMT was a critical process of embryonic cardiac development. Not only that recent advances also suggested that EndMT occurred postnatally in cancer and cardiac fibrosis and emerged as a possible source of cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs). CAFs were found to acquire properties that promoted tumor development and metastasis formation. Resident endothelial cells undergoing EndMT lose their endothelial markers, acquire a mesenchymal or myofibroblastic phenotype, express mesenchymal cell products such as α‐smooth muscle actin and type I collagen and develop invasive and migratory abilities. EndMT‐derived cells are believed to function as fibroblasts in damaged tissue and may therefore have an important role in pathological process. However, little is known about the signaling mechanisms that cause endothelial cells to transform into mesenchymal cells. Transforming growth factor‐β, Notch, or other signaling pathways could direct or interact to mediate EndMT. Therefore, to explore the signaling mechanisms of EndMT may provide novel therapeutic strategies for treating cancer. © 2012 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 64(9): 717–723, 2012.
iTRAQ: a method to elucidate cellular responses to mycotoxin zearalenone
Authors: Gazzah Amel Chatti , Camoin Luc , Abid Salwa , Bacha Hassen , Ladjimi Moncef 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTMycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) is a secondary metabolite produced by some Fusarium species that contaminate a large variety of grains and feedstuffs worldwide. ZEN has been associated with a wide variety of adverse health effects including hepatotoxic, hematologic, immunotoxic and genotoxic. In order to better understand the mechanism of ZEN toxicity, a proteomic approach was applied to characterize cellular responses of hepatocarcinoma cells (HepG2) to ZEN exposure. Protein extracts from cultured HepG2 cells treated with 100 µm ZEN for 8 h, as well as extracts from control cells. The screening method applied to compare the proteome was based on the stable isotope approach of isobaric tagging for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ). This study identified 982 proteins, among which peptides and their corresponding proteins were identified and quantified by matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry. Ingenuity pathways analysis software was then used to determine the biological functions and canonical pathways associated with the ZEN‐responsive proteins. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long‐term arsenic exposure induces histone H3 Lys9 dimethylation without altering DNA methylation in the promoter region of p16INK4a and down‐regulates its expression in the liver of mice
Authors: Suzuki Takehiro , Nohara Keiko 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTLong‐term exposure of humans to high concentrations of arsenic is associated with an increased risk of cancer. Previous studies have suggested that arsenic exposure promotes tumorigenesis by inducing changes in the expression of tumor‐related genes by dysregulating DNA methylation at tumor‐related gene loci. However, the causal relationships between epigenetic changes and both arsenic exposure and tumorigenesis are still unclear. In the present study, we investigated whether arsenic can change the expression of tumor‐related genes by inducing epigenetic modifications before tumorigenesis. We did so by investigating the effects of long‐term arsenic exposure on representative epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation and histone modifications, in the tumor‐free normal liver of C57Bl/6 mice. We focused on the tumor‐related genes, p16INK4a, RASSF1A, Ha‐ras and ER‐α as target genes, because their expression and promoter methylation status in mice have been reported to be affected by long‐term arsenic exposure. The results showed that long‐term arsenic exposure induced a significant decrease in expression of p16INK4a associated with an increase in level of dimethylated histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9), a transcription‐suppressive histone modification, in the promoter region, but that DNA methylation of the promoter region was unaffected. The results also showed a significant increase in recruitment of H3K9 histone methyltransferase G9a to the promoter after arsenic exposure. These findings suggest that long‐term arsenic exposure may induce down‐regulation of p16INK4a by targeting recruitment of G9a and H3K9 dimethylation without altering DNA methylation before tumorigenesis in the liver. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acute toxicity and tissue distribution of CdSe/CdS‐MPA quantum dots after repeated intraperitoneal injection to mice
Authors: Haque Md. Mamunul , Im Hye‐Yeon , Seo Ji‐Eun , Hasan Mahbub , Woo Kyoungja , Kwon Oh‐Seung 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTQuantum dots (QDs) are novel tools with multiple biological and medical applications because of their superior photoemission and photostability characteristics. However, leaching of toxic metals from QDs is of great concern. Therefore, for the successful application of QDs in bioscience, it is essential to understand their biological fate and toxicity. We investigated toxicological effects and tissue distribution of mercaptopropionic acid‐conjugated cadmium selenide/cadmium sulfide (CdSe/CdS‐MPA) QDs after repeated intraperitoneal injection into BALB/c mice. The mice were injected every 3 days with various doses of QDs (0, 5, 10 and 25 mg kg−1). The subsequent effects of QDs on plasma levels of various biomarkers were evaluated at different time points (at 0, 1, 4, 7, 10, 13 and 15 days). Various tissue samples (spleen, liver, lung, kidneys, brain, heart and thymus) were collected for toxicity analysis, distribution testing, histopathological examination and inflammation assessment. No abnormal clinical signs or behaviors were recorded but the body weight of mice treated with 25 mg kg−1 QDs was significantly decreased from day 7 compared with control mice. QDs were observed in the liver, spleen, lung and kidneys, but not in brain or heart. Significantly higher levels of lactate dehydrogenase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase were found in the plasma, liver and spleen. Histopathological examination did not show any tissue toxicity but the levels of interleukin‐6, a pro‐inflammatory marker, were increased in the plasma, liver and spleen. All of these findings provide insight into the observed toxicological effect levels and tissue‐specific distribution of CdSe/CdS‐MPA QDs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DNA base stacking: The stacked uracil/uracil and thymine/thymine minima
Authors: Hunter Ruairidh S. , van Mourik Tanja 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThe potential energy surfaces of stacked uracil dimer (U/U) and stacked thymine dimer (T/T) have been explored at the counterpoise (CP)‐corrected M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d) level of theory, in the gas phase and in solution (with water and, for U/U, 1,4‐dioxane as the solvents) modeled by a continuum solvent using the polarizable continuum model. Potential energy scans were created by rotation of one monomer around its center‐of‐mass, whereas the other monomer remained still. Both face‐to‐back (one molecule exactly on top of the other) and face‐to‐face (one base molecule flipped by 180°) structures were considered. Five or six (dependent on whether CP correction is included or not) stacked uracil dimer minima and six stacked thymine dimer minima were located. A number of transition states on the U/U and T/T potential energy surfaces were likewise identified. The general effect of the continuum solvent is a flattening of the potential energy surface. Comparison of the gas‐phase M06‐2X/6‐31+G(d) U/U interaction energies with estimated CCSD(T)/complete basis set values (where available) show the excellent performance of this functional for stacking energies. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Core competency review: Aortic stenosis and noncardiac surgery
Authors: Wright Douglas E. , Hunt Daniel P. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAortic stenosis (AS) poses a risk of adverse cardiac events for patients undergoing surgical procedures. Perioperative mortality for patients with severe AS is as high as 14%. This review examines the accuracy of the history and physical examination in detecting AS and, subsequently, in assessing severity. The utility of echocardiography is addressed, and the relevant pathophysiology of AS is summarized. We also summarize what is known about perioperative risk for patients with AS. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012;. © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Strength in adversity: The influence of psychological capital on job search
Authors: Chen Don J. Q. , Lim Vivien K. G. 
Published: June 2012

SummaryThis study examined the influence of psychological capital on job search among displaced employees. On the basis of a sample of 179 retrenched professionals, managers, executives, and technicians, we found that psychological capital (self‐efficacy, hope, optimism, and resilience) was positively related with displaced employees' level of perceived employability, a coping resource. Perceived employability was positively related with problem‐focused and symptom‐focused coping strategies. Whereas problem‐focused coping was positively related with preparatory and active job search, symptom‐focused coping strategy was not. The relationship between psychological capital and preparatory and active job search was mediated by perceived employability and problem‐focused coping. Implications of our findings are discussed. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Treadmill running upregulates the expression of acetylcholine receptor in rat gastrocnemius following botulinum toxin A injection
Authors: Tsai Sen‐Wei , Tung Yu‐Tang , Chen Hsiao‐Ling , Shen Chih‐Jie , Chuang Chia‐Hui , Tang Ting‐Yu , Chen Chuan‐Mu 
Published: June 2012

AbstractTreadmill running is a commonly used training method for patients with spasticity to improve functional performance. Botulinum toxin has been widely used therapeutically to reduce contraction force of spastic muscle. However, the effects of treadmill running in neuromuscular junction expression and motor unit physiology on muscle following botulinum toxin injection are not well established. To assess the effects of treadmill running on neuromuscular recovery of gastrocnemius following botulinum toxin A (BoNT‐A) injection, we observed changes in gene expression. We hypothesized that the expression of acetylcholine receptor (AChR), myogenesis, and nerve plasticity could be enhanced. Twenty‐four Sprague–Dawley rats received botulinum toxin injection in right gastrocnemius and were then randomly assigned into untrained control and treadmill running groups. The rats assigned to the treadmill running group were trained on a treadmill 3 times/week with a running speed of 15 m/min for 8 weeks. The duration of training was 20 min per session. Muscle strength and gene expression of AChR subunit (α, β, δ, γ, and ε), MyoD, Myf‐5, MRF4, myogenin, p21, IGF‐1, GAP43, were analyzed. Treadmill running had no influence on gastrocnemius mass, but improved the maximal contraction force of the gastrocnemius in the treadmill running group (p < 0.05). Upregulation of GAP‐43, IGF‐1, Myo‐D, Myf‐5, myogenin, and AChR subunits α and β were found following treadmill running. The expression of genes associated with neurite and AChR regeneration following treadmill exercise was upregulated, which may have contributed to enhanced recovery of gastrocnemius strength. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:125–131, 2012
Job Embeddedness as a Moderator of the Impact of Organisational Justice on Turnover Intentions: a Study in Iran
Authors: Karatepe Osman M. , Shahriari Safoora 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study was to examine job embeddedness as a moderator of the effects of distributive, procedural and interactional justice on turnover intentions. This study also investigated the relationship between the aforementioned justice dimensions and turnover intentions. Data were gathered from a sample of full‐time frontline hotel employees with a time lag of 2 weeks in Iran. The results demonstrated that the negative effects of distributive, procedural and interactional justice on turnover intentions were stronger among frontline employees with high levels of job embeddedness. The results further revealed that these justice dimensions had negative relationships with turnover intentions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modified Hyaluronan Hydrogels Support the Maintenance of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells and Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Liu Yongxing , Charles Lyndon F. , Zarembinski Thomas I. , Johnson Kalle I. , Atzet Sarah K. , Wesselschmidt Robin L. , Wight Mark E. , Kuhn Liisa T. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractThese studies provide evidence for the ability of a commercially available, defined, hyaluronan‐gelatin hydrogel, HyStem‐C™, to maintain both mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in culture while retaining their growth and pluripotent characteristics. Growth curve and doubling time analysis show that mESCs and hiPSCs grow at similar rates on HyStem‐C™ hydrogels and mouse embryonic fibroblasts and Matrigel™, respectively. Immunocytochemistry, flow cytometry, gene expression and karyotyping reveal that both human and murine pluripotent cells retain a high level of pluripotency on the hydrogels after multiple passages. The addition of fibronectin to HyStem‐C™ enabled the attachment of hiPSCs in a xeno‐free, fully defined medium.magnified image
Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder and subtypes of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Romenets Silvia Rios , Gagnon Jean‐Francois , Latreille Véronique , Panniset Michel , Chouinard Sylvain , Montplaisir Jacques , Postuma Ronald B. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractNumerous studies have explored the potential relationship between rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and manifestations of PD. Our aim was to perform an expanded extensive assessment of motor and nonmotor manifestations in PD to identify whether RBD was associated with differences in the nature and severity of these manifestations. PD patients underwent polysomnography (PSG) to diagnose the presence of RBD. Participants then underwent an extensive evaluation by a movement disorders specialist blinded to PSG results. Measures of disease severity, quantitative motor indices, motor subtypes, therapy complications, and autonomic, psychiatric, visual, and olfactory dysfunction were assessed and compared using regression analysis, adjusting for disease duration, age, and sex. Of 98 included patients, 54 had RBD and 44 did not. PD patients with RBD were older (P = 0.034) and were more likely to be male (P < 0.001). On regression analysis, the most consistent links between RBD and PD were a higher systolic blood pressure (BP) change while standing (−23.9 ± 13.9 versus −3.5 ± 10.9; P < 0.001), a higher orthostatic symptom score (0.89 ± 0.82 versus 0.44 ± 0.66; P = 0.003), and a higher frequency of freezing (43% versus14%; P = 0.011). A systolic BP drop >10 could identify PD patients with RBD with 81% sensitivity and 86% specificity. In addition, there was a probable relationship between RBD and nontremor predominant subtype of PD (P = 0.04), increased frequency of falls (P = 0.009), and depression (P = 0.009). Our results support previous findings that RBD is a multifaceted phenomenon in PD. Patients with PD who have RBD tend to have specific motor and nonmotor manifestations, especially orthostatic hypotension. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Re‐evaluating the paradigm of early free flap coverage in lower extremity trauma
Authors: Hill J. Bradford , Vogel Jeffrey E. , Sexton Kevin W. , Guillamondegui Oscar D. , Corral Gabriel A. Del , Shack R. Bruce 
Published: June 2012

AbstractEarly free flap coverage in lower extremity trauma is a practice largely supported by research that may be outdated and is frequently impractical due to logistics, resuscitation efforts, and associated injuries. Our objective was to re‐evaluate this paradigm to determine whether reconstructive timing impacts outcome in modern clinical practice. We reviewed 60 free flaps for traumatic lower extremity coverage from December 2005 to December 2010 by the plastic surgery service at an academic medical center. All reconstructions were >72‐hours from injury, spanning from 3 days to 2.2 years. The overall failure rate was 13.3% (8/60). Statistical analysis yielded no significant associations between reconstructive timing and flap failure or morbidity, although there was a trend toward fewer failures among latest reconstructions (>91 days) compared to within 30 days (P = 0.053). These findings support that delays may be safely utilized to allow patient and wound optimization without negatively impacting outcomes in free tissue transfer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery, 2013.
T2*‐relaxivity contrast imaging: First results
Authors: Sourbron Steven , Heilmann Melanie , Walczak Christine , Vautier Julien , Schad Lothar R. , Volk Andreas 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIn this study, T2*‐ relaxivity contrast imaging (RCI) is proposed for new contrast generation in MRI. The method produces images of relaxivities r*2,vasc and r*2,EES caused by susceptibility gradients across the vessel walls and cell membranes, respectively. The sensitivity to noise was assessed with a simulation study, and initial results are presented for five colorectal tumor xenografts in nude mice. Simulations show that the new relaxivity parameters are at least as accurate and precise as standard parameters such as plasma volume and interstitial volume. Mean values of both relaxivities were significantly different (r*2,vasc = 10.9 ± 2.9 mM−1 s−1 and r*2,EES = 15.6 ± 2.6 mM−1 s−1). r*2,vasc (r = 0.67) and r*2,EES (r = 0.52) were weakly correlated with plasma volume and interstitial volume, respectively. Images of r*2,vasc and r*2,EES reveal a different tumor structure than plasma volume and interstitial volume maps. These results suggest that relaxivity contrast imaging is practically feasible and might offer supplementary information compared to dynamic contrast‐enhanced‐MRI. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Retrospective study of complications of therapeutic plasma exchange in myasthenia
Authors: Guptill Jeffrey T. , Oakley Darlene , Kuchibhatla Maragatha , Guidon Amanda C. , Hobson‐Webb Lisa D. , Massey Janice M. , Sanders Donald B. , Juel Vern C. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIntroduction:Venous access for therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in myasthenia gravis (MG) can be achieved by central venous catheters (CVC) or peripheral veins (PV), and the preferred method varies among providers. We evaluated our institutional experience with TPE venous access method and complications.Methods:We reviewed all TPE‐treated MG patients (2005–2010) through blinded chart review. TPE complications were categorized as serious or minor. Serious complications ended the procedure and/or were potentially life‐threatening.Results:A total of 134 MG patients received 230 TPE courses; 56% were outpatient procedures. Whenever feasible, TPE was performed by PV access, which was successful in 75% of courses. Over 90% in both groups improved after TPE. Compared with PV access, CVCs were associated with more total (68% vs. 35%) and serious complications (41% vs. 4%), including 2 deaths.Conclusions:PV access for TPE can be used successfully in most MG patients and may reduce morbidity of the procedure. Muscle Nerve, 2013
Evaluating dermal myelinated nerve fibers in skin biopsy
Authors: Myers M. Iliza , Peltier Amanda C. , Li Jun 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAlthough there has been extensive research on small, unmyelinated fibers in the skin, little research has investigated dermal myelinated fibers in comparison. Glabrous, nonhairy skin contains mechanoreceptors that afford a vantage point for observation of myelinated fibers that have previously been seen only with invasively obtained nerve biopsies. This review discusses current morphometric and molecular expression data of normative and pathogenic glabrous skin obtained by various processing and analysis methods for cutaneous myelinated fibers. Recent publications have shed light on the role of glabrous skin biopsy in identifying signs of peripheral neuropathy and as a potential biomarker of distal myelin and mechanoreceptor integrity. The clinical relevance of a better understanding of the role of dermal myelinated nerve terminations in peripheral neuropathy will be addressed in light of recent publications in the growing field of skin biopsy. Muscle Nerve, 2013
A dynamic two‐phase flow model for air sparging
Authors: Gao Shengyan , Meegoda Jay N. , Hu Liming 
Published: June 2012

SUMMARYAir sparging (AS) is anin situsoil/groundwater remediation technology, which involves the injection of pressurized air/oxygen through an air sparging well below the zone of contamination. Characterizing the mechanisms governing movement of air through saturated porous media is critical for the design of an effective cleanup treatment system. In this research, micromechanical investigation was performed to understand the physics of air migration and subsequent spatial distribution of air at pore scale during air sparging. The void space in the porous medium was first characterized by pore network consisting of connected pore bodies and bonds. The biconical abscissa asymmetric concentric bond was used to describe the connection between two adjacent pore bodies. Then a rule‐based dynamic two‐phase flow model was developed and applied to the pore network model. A forward integration of time was performed using the Euler scheme. For each time step, the effective viscosity of the fluid was calculated based on fractions of two phases in each bond, and capillary pressures across the menisci was considered to compute the pressure field. The developed dynamic model was used to study the rate‐dependent drainage during air sparging. The effect of the capillary number and geometrical properties of the network on the dynamic flow properties of two‐phase flow including residual saturation, spatial distribution of air and water, dynamic phase transitions, and relative permeability‐capillary pressure curves were systematically investigated. Results showed that all the above information for describing the air water two‐phase flow are not intrinsic properties of the porous medium but are affected by the two‐phase flow dynamics and spatial distribution of each phase, providing new insight to air sparging. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.