bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pyruvate kinase type M2 is upregulated in colorectal cancer and promotes proliferation and migration of colon cancer cells
Authors: Zhou Cheng‐Fu , Li Xue‐Bing , Sun Heng , Zhang Bo , Han Yu‐Song , Jiang Yi , Zhuang Qiu‐Lin , Fang Jing , Wu Guo‐Hao 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPyruvate kinase type M2 (PKM2) has been reported to be involved in aerobic glycolysis and cell growth in various tumors. However, the expression pattern of PKM2 in colorectal cancer (CRC) and the correlation between PKM2 expression and CRC remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate PKM2 expression and its possible role in CRC. We found that expression of PKM2 was increased in CRC and the increased PKM2 expression was associated with later stage and lymph metastasis of the tumors. Knockdown of PKM2 suppressed the aerobic glycolysis and decreased lactate production of colon cancer RKO cells. Knockdown of PKM2 repressed proliferation and migration of the cells. Inhibition of PKM2 suppressed xenograft tumor growth of RKO cells in vivo. These results suggest that the expression of PKM2 plays a critical role in development of CRC, and it may provide a growth advantage for colon cancer cells. Thus, PKM2 might be a potential therapeutic target for CRC. © 2012 IUBMB Life, 64(9): 775–782, 2012
Transcranial low level laser (light) therapy for traumatic brain injury
Authors: Huang Ying‐Ying , Gupta Asheesh , Vecchio Daniela , Arce Vida J. Bil de , Huang Shih‐Fong , Xuan Weijun , Hamblin Michael R. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWe review the use of transcranial low‐level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) as a possible treatment for traumatic‐brain injury (TBI). The basic mechanisms of LLLT at the cellular and molecular level and its effects on the brain are outlined. Many interacting processes may contribute to the beneficial effects in TBI including neuroprotection, reduction of inflammation and stimulation of neurogenesis. Animal studies and clinical trials of transcranial‐LLLT for ischemic stroke are summarized. Several laboratories have shown that LLLT is effective in increasing neurological performance and memory and learning in mouse models of TBI. There have been case report papers that show beneficial effects of transcranial‐LLLT in a total of three patients with chronic TBI. Our laboratory has conducted three studies on LLLT and TBI in mice. One looked at pulsed‐vs‐continuous wave laser‐irradiation and found 10 Hz to be superior. The second looked at four different laser‐wavelengths (660, 730, 810, and 980 nm); only 660 and 810 nm were effective. The last looked at different treatment repetition regimens (1, 3 and 14‐daily laser‐treatments). (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Arsenic contamination of coarse‐grained and nanostructured nitinol surfaces induced by chemical treatment in hydrofluoric acid
Authors: Korotin D. M. , Bartkowski S. , Kurmaev E. Z. , Borchers C. , Müller M. , Neumann M. , Gunderov D. V. , Valiev R. Z. , Cholakh S. O. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractXPS measurements of coarse‐grained and nanostructured nitinol (Ni50.2Ti49.8) before and after chemical treatment in hydrofluoric acid (40% HF, 1 min) are presented. The nanostructured state, providing the excellent mechanical properties of nitinol, is achieved by severe plastic deformation. The near‐surface layers of nitinol were studied by XPS depth profiling. According to the obtained results, a chemical treatment in hydrofluoric acid reduces the thickness of the protective TiO2 oxide layer and induces a nickel release from the nitinol surface and an arsenic contamination, and can therefore not be recommended as conditioning to increase the roughness of NiTi‐implants. A detailed evaluation of the resulting toxicological risks is given. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Fabrication and characterization of curcumin‐releasing silk fibroin scaffold
Authors: Kasoju Naresh , Bora Utpal 
Published: July 2012

AbstractHere, we report the fabrication of a curcumin‐releasing porous silk fibroin scaffold by simple mixing of fibroin solution (aqueous) with curcumin solution (organic) followed by freeze–thaw of the mixture. The scaffold has a uniform pore distribution with an average pore size of ∼115 μm and a degree of swelling of 2.42% and water uptake capacity of 70.81%. Fibroin showed thermal stability up to ∼280°C, whereas encapsulated curcumin disintegrated at ∼180°C. Fourier transform infrared, powder X‐ray diffraction, and nuclear magnetic resonance studies together with UV–visible and fluorescence spectroscopy investigations revealed the solvent (which was used to dissolve curcumin) induced conformational transition of fibroin from silk‐I to silk‐II that led to the formation of water‐stable structure. Fluorescence spectroscopy data also suggested the presence of hydrophobic domains in fibroin and encapsulation of curcumin in such domains through hydrophobic interactions. Release kinetics and mathematical modeling studies indicated a slow and sustained release profile with diffusion as the predominant mode of release. Further, in vitro anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial assays suggested that the biological activity of encapsulated curcumin remains unaltered. The fabrication process is simple, reproducible, and does not require any sophisticated instruments or toxic crosslinking agents. It is anticipated that the curcumin‐loaded fibroin scaffold could be used in soft tissue replacements including localized postsurgical chemotherapy against tumors, dressing material for quick healing of wounds and burns, and other related applications. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Plasma exchange in a 13‐year‐old male with acute intravascular hemolysis and acute kidney injury after placement of a ventricular assist device
Authors: Raval Jay S. , Wearden Peter D. , Orr Richard A. , Kiss Joseph E. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIntravascular hemolysis and resulting plasma‐free hemoglobin elevation has been associated with acute kidney injury via several mechanisms. Proximal tubular injury due to iron compound deposition and nitric oxide sequestration with subsequent impairment of the microcirculation and hypoperfusion are specific adverse effects of intravascular hemolysis that may contribute to acute kidney injury. Therefore, removal of plasma‐free hemoglobin and restoration of normal nitric oxide vasodilatory mechanisms may play a beneficial role in treating acute kidney injury secondary to acute intravascular hemolysis. We report herein the case of a 13‐year‐old patient with severe intravascular hemolysis and acute kidney injury and describe the role of plasma exchange with plasma replacement in his successful recovery. J. Clin. Apheresis 27:274–277, © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A pilot study to monitor Graves' ophthalmopathy with a combination of pattern‐reversal and motion‐onset visual evoked potentials
Authors: Szanyi Jana , Kremlacek Jan , Kubova Zuzana , Langrova Jana , Kuba Miroslav 
Published: July 2012

AbstractObjective:The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) in the monitoring of visual function during a high‐dose intravenous steroid pulse therapy and apheresis treatment of severe Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO). Patients and Research Design: Nine patients with severe and active GO were treated with high‐dose methylprednisolone (1 g day−1 three times within 1 week, then 0.5 g day−1 seven times for 2 weeks) combined with plasma filtration (twice a week in weeks 1, 2, 4, 7, and 10). Pattern‐reversal and motion‐onset VEPs were examined three times, pretreatment, after steroid pulses, and after the last apheresis. Results: After 10 steroid pulses, the visual acuity was significantly better and the pattern‐reversal VEP amplitudes (element size of only 20') had a similar trend for improvement. However, this effect disappeared after 7 weeks when only apheresis treatment was performed. No significant changes in the latencies of any of the tested VEP variants were found in relationship to the treatment. Conclusion: Only the observed large intraindividual variability of the VEP parameters between repeated examinations of patients with the shortest duration of GO might be recognized as a marker for functional changes of the visual pathway due to GO. Although this pilot study cannot provide a definite view on the usefulness of the extended set of VEPs in objective monitoring of GO, it seems that the steroid pulse therapy effect is detectable in contrast to the lack of influence by apheresis on the electrophysiological parameters tested. J. Clin. Apheresis 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Apheresis in the treatment of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Winters Jeffrey L. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractDilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) causes significant morbidity and mortality and is the number one indication for cardiac transplantation in the United States. A large percentage of cases of DCM have no identifiable cause with evidence suggesting that these may represent an autoimmune disorder triggered by viral myocarditis. There is a growing body of literature suggesting that a number of immunoadsorption techniques, as well as plasma exchange, may have a role in the treatment of idiopathic DCM. The hypothesized autoimmune mechanism behind idiopathic DCM as well as the published evidence for the use of apheresis in this disorder are reviewed. The available evidence suggests that apheresis may be an effective treatment, but additional research is needed to identify markers that will predict response and the most effective apheresis technique. J. Clin. Apheresis 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Activated K‐Ras and INK4a/Arf deficiency promote aggressiveness of pancreatic cancer by induction of EMT consistent with cancer stem cell phenotype
Authors: Wang Zhiwei , Ali Shadan , Banerjee Sanjeev , Bao Bin , Li Yiwei , Azmi Asfar S. , Korc Murray , Sarkar Fazlul H. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers and the fourth leading cause of cancer‐related death in the United States, suggesting that there is an urgent need to design novel strategies for achieving better treatment outcome of patients diagnosed with PDAC. Our previous study has shown that activation of Notch and NF‐κB play a critical role in the development of PDAC in the compound K‐RasG12D and Ink4a/Arf deficient transgenic mice. However, the exact molecular mechanism by which mutated K‐Ras and Ink4a/Arf deficiency contribute to progression of PDAC remains largely elusive. In the present study, we used multiple methods, such as real‐time RT‐PCR, Western blotting assay, and immunohistochemistry to gain further mechanistic insight. We found that the deletion of Ink4a/Arf in K‐RasG12D expressing mice led to high expression of PDGF‐D signaling pathway in the tumor and tumor‐derived cell line (RInk‐1 cells). Furthermore, PDGF‐D knock‐down in RInk‐1 cells resulted in the inhibition of pancreatosphere formation and down‐regulation of EZH2, CD44, EpCAM, and vimentin. Moreover, we demonstrated that epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) was induced in the compound mice, which is linked with aggressiveness of PDAC. In addition, we demonstrated that tumors from compound transgenic mice have higher expression of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers. These results suggest that the acquisition of EMT phenotype and induction of CSC characteristics could be linked with the aggressiveness of PDAC mediated in part through the activation of PDGF‐D, signaling. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 556–562, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Treatment of carbon cloth anodes for improving power generation in a dual‐chamber microbial fuel cell
Authors: Cai Hui , Wang Juan , Bu Yunfei , Zhong Qin 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: For a microbial fuel cell (MFC), the anode material plays a crucial role in power output.RESULTS: A dual‐chamber MFC was constructed using carbon cloth (CC) anodes treated by concentrated nitric acid (CC‐A) and heated in a muffle furnace (CC‐H), respectively. The experiment results showed that the stable maximum voltages were 0.42–0.46 V for CC, 0.52–0.58 V for CC‐A and 0.80 V for CC‐H under the condition of a 1000 Ω external resistance, which were much higher than those reported in the literature so far. Moreover, the maximum power density of the CC‐H anode (687 mW m−2) was larger than for the CC‐A anode (480 mW m−2) and the CC anode (333 mW m−2). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results revealed that the internal resistance was 251 Ω for CC anode, 202 Ω for CC‐A anode and 162 Ω for CC‐H anode. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicated that the increase of power generation was attributed to the increase of bacteria counts attached to anodes. The power output of the MFC increased along with the increase of the N1s/C1s ratio, which was proved by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis.CONCLUSIONS: Carbon cloth anodes treated by concentrated nitric acid and high temperature resulted in improved power generation by a microbiol fuel cell. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Characterization and adsorption performance of Zr‐doped akaganéite for efficient arsenic removal
Authors: Sun Xiaofei , Hu Chun , Hu Xuexiang , Qu Jiuhui , Yang Min 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: A new adsorbent, Zr‐doped akaganéite, having a tunnel structure and efficient arsenic adsorption capacity, was prepared by homogeneous co‐precipitation with urea. Formation of the synthesized adsorbent was studied in detail.RESULTS: The adsorbent was characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the determination of Cl− leakage showed that an appropriate amount of Zr4+ was doped into akaganéite (β‐FeOOH) by substitution of Fe3+ and possessed a similar tunnel structure to Fe3+. The morphology, surface area and tunnel structure changed greatly compared with β‐FeOOH with more OH groups and Cl− introduced into the tunnel structure after doping with Zr4+. The Zr‐doped β‐FeOOH exhibited highly effective adsorption of arsenic with a capacity for As(III) and As(V) of 120 and 60 mg g−1 at neutral pH. On the basis of Cl− release during adsorption and analyses of zeta potential along with XPS and FTIR spectra, the adsorption of arsenic on Zr‐doped β‐FeOOH was verified as inner‐sphere adsorption with the OH groups in the tunnel structure of the adsorbent the main adsorption sites at arsenic high concentrations.CONCLUSION: The Zr4+ was doped into β‐FeOOH by substitution of Fe3+. The OH groups in the tunnel structure of the adsorbent were the main adsorption sites at high arsenic concentrations, and the adsorption occurred by an inner‐sphere adsorption process. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Sonographic assessment of acute changes in plaque size and echogenicity and in intima‐media thickness of carotid arteries after neck radiation therapy
Authors: Toprak Ugur , Aytaş İLknur , Ustuner Evren , Habiboğlu Rahşan , Aslan Nalan , Paşaoğlu Eşref , Karademir Alp 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackground:Ultrasonic assessment of acute changes in carotid artery walls before and after neck radiation therapy (RT).Methods:Fifty cancer patients scheduled for curative neck irradiation were included and underwent sonographic examination of carotid arteries, with assessment of intima‐media thickness (IMT) and plaque size and echogenicity before and immediately after completion of RT.Results:IMT was linearly correlated with age and before RT (r = 0.267, p = 0.007) and increased after RT (0.68 ± 0.11 versus 0.87 ± 0.16, p < 0.001), without correlation with total RT dose and protocol. New plaques (six hypoechoic, one hyperechoic, and one calcified) were found in eight patients after RT, while 17 of the 44 plaques that were present before RT increased in size, and 8 soft and 1 dense plaques in nine patients became calcified.Conclusions:Radiation in the acute phase not only increases the IMT but also causes new plaque formation and changes in plaque size and echogenicity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2012;
Preliminary study of a novel in‐office bleaching therapy modified with a casein phosphopeptide‐amorphous calcium phosphate
Authors: Borges Boniek Castillo Dutra , Pinheiro Mônica Heloisa Morais , De Sousa Feitosa Diala Aretha , Correia Tereza Cristina , BRAZ Rodivan , Montes Marcos Antônio Japiassú Resende , De Assunção Pinheiro Isauremi Vieira 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAlthough in‐office bleaching has been proven successful for bleaching teeth, controversy exists from morphological alterations in enamel morphology due to mineral loss and tooth sensitivity. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a novel in‐office tooth bleaching technique modified with a casein phosphopeptide‐amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP‐ACP) paste (MI paste—MI) and its effect on the enamel morphology and tooth sensitivity. Three patients received a 35% hydrogen peroxide (Whiteness HP—HP) dental bleaching system. HP was prepared and applied on the teeth on one of the hemiarches, whilst teeth on the other hemiarch were bleached with a mixture of HP and MI. Tooth color, epoxy resin replicas, and sensitivity levels were evaluated in the upper incisors. The results were analyzed descriptively. Right and left incisors showed similar color change after bleaching. Incisors bleached with the mixture of HP and MI presented unaltered enamel surfaces and lower sensitivity levels. The currently tested tooth bleaching technique did not reduce the gel effectiveness while decreasing hypersensitivity levels and protecting the enamel against surface alterations caused by the high‐concentration bleaching peroxide tested. The concomitant use of MI Paste and high‐concentration hydrogen peroxide might be a successful method for decreasing tooth sensitivity and limiting changes in the enamel morphology during in‐office bleaching. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
GLOBAL FINANCIAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS: EXPLORING THE RESILIENCE OF THE LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
Authors: Bhattacharya Debapriya , Dasgupta Shouro 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIt is often argued that strong macroeconomic fundamentals along with weak integration with international financial markets acted as major buffers for least developed countries (LDCs) against fallouts of the recent global financial and economic crisis. This paper examines the hypothesis that LDCs had strong macroeconomic fundamentals in the wake of the crisis by studying Impulse Response Functions (IRFs) of Gross Domestic Product per capita of the LDCs during the crisis. With the treatment of the crisis as a transmission of shocks and utilisation of IRFs, the paper finds substantial and rather persistent output and growth loss for LDCs because of fall in external demand and terms of trade shocks. With the forecast of the impacts of a potential ‘double‐dip’ recession on the LDCs by using Vector Autoregressive, the paper concludes that LDCs would require the greater part of the decade to recover which is lower than the earlier recovery period. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
POOR COUNTRIES OR POOR PEOPLE? DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE AND THE NEW GEOGRAPHY OF GLOBAL POVERTY
Authors: Kanbur Ravi , Sumner Andy 
Published: July 2012

AbstractTwo decades ago, most of the world's poor lived in countries officially classified as low income. Now, most of the world's poor live in middle‐income countries. The shift has been brought about by fast growth in a number of countries with large populations. This ‘new geography of global poverty’—with the mass of the poor not living in the world's poorest countries—raises questions for the current model of development assistance, where national per capita income is a key determinant of the volume and composition of aid flows. This paper reprises the changes in global poverty and discusses the case for continued development assistance to middle‐income countries. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immunolocalization of keratin‐associated beta‐proteins (beta‐keratins) in the regenerating lizard epidermis indicates a new process for the differentiation of the epidermis in lepidosaurians
Authors: Alibardi Lorenzo 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe process of keratinocyte differentiation was analyzed in the regenerating epidermis of the lizard Anolis carolinensis, where the genes coding for beta‐proteins (beta‐keratins) are known. The regenerating epidermis forms all epidermal layers found in normal scales (Oberhäutchen‐, beta‐, mesos‐, and alpha‐layer). Three specific proteins representing the larger families of beta‐proteins, glycine‐rich (HgG5, 28% glycine, 3.6% cysteine), glycine‐cysteine medium‐rich (HgGC10, 13% glycine, 14.5% cysteine), and glycine‐cysteine rich (HgGC3, 30.4% glycine, 8.7% cysteine) have been immunolocalized at the ultrastructural level. HgG5 is only present in differentiating beta‐cells, a weak or no labeling is observed in Oberhäutchen and is absent in alpha‐cells. The protein is located in the pale corneous material forming the compact beta‐layer but is absent in mature Oberhäutchen cells. HgGC10 is present among beta‐packets in Oberhäutchen and beta‐cells but disappears in more compact and electron‐pale corneous material. The labeling disappears in mesos‐cells and is present with variable intensity in alpha‐cells, whereas lacunar and clear‐cells are low labeled to unlabeled. HgGC3 is sparse or absent in beta‐cells but is lightly present in the darker corneous material of differentiating and mature alpha‐cells, lacunar‐cells, and clear‐cells. The study suggests that while glycine‐rich proteins (electron‐pale) are specifically used for building the resistant and hydrophobic beta‐layer, cysteine–glycine rich proteins (electron‐denser) are used to form the pliable corneous material present in the Oberhäutchen and alpha‐cells. The differential accumulation of beta‐proteins on the alpha‐keratin cytoskeleton scaffold and not the alternance of beta‐ with alpha‐keratins allow the differentiation of different epidermal layers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Protective role of μ opioid receptor activation in intestinal inflammation induced by mesenteric ischemia/reperfusion in mice
Authors: Saccani Francesca , Anselmi Laura , Jaramillo Ingrid , Bertoni Simona , Barocelli Elisabetta , Sternini Catia 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIntestinal ischemia is a clinical emergency with high morbidity and mortality. We investigated whether activation of μ opioid receptor (μOR) protects from the inflammation induced by intestinal ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) in mice. Ischemia was induced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery (45 min), followed by reperfusion (5 hr). Sham‐operated (SO) and normal (N) mice served as controls. Each group received subcutaneously 1) saline solution, 2) the μOR selective agonist [D‐Ala2, N‐Me‐Phe4, Gly5‐ol]‐enkephalin (DAMGO; 0.01 mg kg−1), 3) DAMGO and the selective μOR antagonist [H‐D‐Phe‐Cys‐Tyr‐D‐Trp‐Arg‐Thr‐Pen‐Thr‐NH2] (CTAP; 0.1 mg kg−1), or 4) CTAP alone. I/R induced intestinal inflammation as indicated by histological damage and the significant increase in myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, an index of tissue neutrophil accumulation. Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) mRNA levels were also increased in I/R mice compared with SO. DAMGO significantly reduced tissue damage, MPO activity, and TNF‐α mRNA levels in I/R, and these effects were reversed by CTAP. By contrast, DAMGO did not modify IL‐10 mRNA levels or gastrointestinal transit. DAMGO's effects are receptor mediated and likely are due to activation of peripheral μORs, because it does not readily cross the blood–brain barrier. These findings suggest that activation of peripheral μOR protects from the inflammatory response induced by I/R through a pathway involving the proinflammatory cytokine TNF‐α. Reduction of acute inflammation might prevent I/R complications, including motility impairment, which develop at a later stage of reperfusion and likely are due to inflammatory cell infiltrates. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.