bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Coupled transport of Pb2+ through tri‐n‐octylamine‐xylene‐polypropylene supported liquid membranes
Authors: ur Rehman Saeed , Akhtar Gul , Chaudry M. Ashraf 
Published: July 2012

AbstractTransport of Pb2+ was carried from acidic solution into alkaline stripping phase through tri‐n‐octylamine‐xylene‐polypropylene supported liquid membrane. The transport of Pb2+ through the membrane was studied by varying the concentration of Pb2+ and HNO3 in feed solution, NaOH concentration in strip solution and TOA concentration in membrane phase. The flux data obtained has been used to study the stoichiometry of complex Pb(NO3)n+2(HNR3)n. The supported liquid membrane (SLM) has been found stable for 10 runs with 24 h between each run. This SLM has been used effectively to extract lead ions along with chromium, copper and zinc ions from aqueous acidic leached solution of paint and industrial effluents. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Particle dispersion and fluctuations in viscous liquid–solid fluidised Beds
Authors: Han In Soo , Lim Hyun Oh , Kim Kee Tae , Kang Yong , Jun Ki Won 
Published: July 2012

AbstractParticle dispersion and fluctuations were investigated in a liquid–solid fluidised bed with viscous liquid media by employing the relaxation method based on the stochastic model. The bed expansion or contraction during the transient state was analysed by means of the histogram of pressure drop variation with elapsed time. The relaxation behaviour of the liquid–solid fluidised bed appeared to be heterogeneous followed by homogeneous expansion or contraction. Effects of liquid velocity (UL), particle size (dP), liquid viscosity (µL) and liquid holdup or bed porosity (εL) on the fluctuating frequency (F) and dispersion coefficient (DP) of fluidised solid particles were examined. The values of F and DP increased with an increase in dP but decreased with µL and exhibited local maxima with variations of UL and εL. The flow pattern of solid particles could be changed from uniform or pseudo‐homogeneous to turbulent random behaviour with an increase in the liquid velocity and liquid holdup or bed porosity. © 2012 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Transgenic quail as a model for research in the avian nervous system: A comparative study of the auditory brainstem
Authors: Seidl Armin H. , Sanchez Jason Tait , Schecterson Leslayann , Tabor Kathryn M. , Wang Yuan , Kashima Daniel T. , Poynter Greg , Huss David , Fraser Scott E. , Lansford Rusty , Rubel Edwin W. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractResearch performed on transgenic animals has led to numerous advances in biological research. However, using traditional retroviral methods to generate transgenic avian research models has proved problematic. As a result, experiments aimed at genetic manipulations on birds have remained difficult for this popular research tool. Recently, lentiviral methods have allowed the production of transgenic birds, including a transgenic Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) line showing neuronal specificity and stable expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) across generations (termed here GFP quail). To test whether the GFP quail may serve as a viable alternative to the popular chicken model system, with the additional benefit of genetic manipulation, we compared the development, organization, structure, and function of a specific neuronal circuit in chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) with that of the GFP quail. This study focuses on a well‐defined avian brain region, the principal nuclei of the sound localization circuit in the auditory brainstem, nucleus magnocellularis (NM), and nucleus laminaris (NL). Our results demonstrate that structural and functional properties of NM and NL neurons in the GFP quail, as well as their dynamic properties in response to changes in the environment, are nearly identical to those in chickens. These similarities demonstrate that the GFP quail, as well as other transgenic quail lines, can serve as an attractive avian model system, with the advantage of being able to build on the wealth of information already available from the chicken. J. Comp. Neurol.5–23, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structure‐Directing L‐Tryptophan for Supported DPPC Helices and Fractals: An Alkyl‐Chain Tilt‐Angle Dependence
Authors: Sarangi Nirod Kumar , Patnaik Archita 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThis study reports supported one‐dimensional fractals and helices of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) from interfacial and trans‐membrane L‐tryptophan interactions. One of the key challenges in the fabrication of phospholipid helices is unravelled using simple 2D nanotechnology techniques and the amphipathic membrane‐exposed amino acid L‐tryptophan. Unlike in earlier reports, in which self‐assembly induced helicity exclusively to the peptide backbone in a lipid environment, this study infers the amino acid to govern the assembly of anisotropic, large‐curvature lipid helices through diverse interactions such as insertion, folding, dipole reorientation, steric interactions and molecular tilt dependence, culminating in the induction of helicity in a nonhelical lipid. Molecular dynamics simulations succinctly corroborate the helix formation, implying that trans‐membrane tryptophans support such segmental interactions.
Prevention of hepatitis B virus–related hepatocellular carcinoma with antiviral therapy
Authors: Lai Ching-Lung , Yuen Man-Fung 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection is the major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Primary prevention of hepatitis B infection by vaccination is effective in reducing the incidence of HCC. In persons with CHB infection, the two accepted treatment modalities are interferon alpha (IFN-α) given subcutaneously for a limited period and nucleoside/nucleotide analogs given orally on a long-term basis. These treatments are effective in suppressing viral activity and improving disease markers in short-term studies. The long-term effect on the development of liver cancers with these two forms of treatment appears to be different. However, there are no studies directly comparing IFN-α and nucleoside/nucleotide analogs. Comparisons across studies are inevitably limited by differences in the baseline characteristics of the study cohorts. Long-term follow-up studies of IFN-α therapy show inconsistent results. The beneficial effect in reducing the development of liver cancer is observed mainly in treatment responders who have preexisting cirrhosis of the liver. The long-term studies of lamivudine (and adefovir) show a consistent reduction in the development of liver cancers in patients with, and without, cirrhosis. This beneficial effect is blunted by the development of resistance. The effects of the newer nucleoside/nucleotide analogs, with higher potency and minimal risk of resistance development, are, as yet, unknown. (Hepatology 2013)
Performance status in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: Determinants, prognostic impact, and ability to improve the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer system
Authors: Hsu Chia-Yang , Lee Yun-Hsuan , Hsia Cheng-Yuan , Huang Yi-Hsiang , Su Chien-Wei , Lin Han-Chieh , Lee Rheun-Chuan , Chiou Yi-You , Lee Fa-Yauh , Huo Teh-Ia 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Performance status is included in the Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) system for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Few studies specifically evaluated the role of performance status in patients with HCC. This study investigated its distribution, determinants, and prognostic impact, aiming to improve the performance of the BCLC system. A total of 2,381 HCC patients were enrolled. Performance status was determined according to the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group scale. The prognostic ability of the original and three modified BCLC systems in HCC patients was compared by the Akaike information criterion (AIC). There were 60, 17, 11, 8, and 4% of patients who were classified as performance status 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. A worse performance status significantly correlated with age, alcoholism, hypoalbuminemia, hyperbilirubinemia, renal insufficiency, hyponatremia, and prothrombin time prolongation (all P < 0.001). Larger tumor burden, poorer residual liver function, more frequent vascular invasion, and diabetes mellitus were also observed in patients with worse performance status (all P < 0.001). Patients with poorer performance status more often received best supportive care (P < 0.001). In the Cox proportional hazards model, performance status was an independent prognostic predictor and the long-term survival tended to be worse in patients with progressively poor performance status (all P < 0.05). Reassigning patients with performance status 0 or 1 to stage B provided the lowest AIC among the four BCLC-based staging systems.

Conclusion:
Performance status is strongly associated with both tumoral and cirrhotic factors and accurately predicts long-term survival in HCC patients. Modification of the BCLC system based on performance status may further enhance its prognostic ability in patients with early to advanced cancer stage. (Hepatology 2013)
PTEN-mediated akt/β-Catenin/foxo1 signaling regulates innate immune responses in mouse liver ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Kamo Naoko , Ke Bibo , Busuttil Ronald W. , Kupiec-Weglinski Jerzy W. 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
The phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) regulates innate immune responses inversely with phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and its direct downstream target gene, Akt. The Forkhead box O (Foxo) transcription factors are essential in the regulation of tissue development, immune homeostasis, and cell survival. This study was designed to investigate the role of PTEN-mediated Akt/β-catenin/Foxo1 signaling in the regulation of in vivo and in vitro innate immune responses in a mouse model of hepatic inflammatory injury induced by 90 minutes of liver partial warm ischemia followed by 6 hours of reperfusion. We found that knockdown of PTEN with small interfering RNA (siRNA) promoted Akt/β-catenin/Foxo1 signaling, leading to resistance against liver ischemia/reperfusion (IR) damage, local enhancement of antiapoptotic function, and downregulation of innate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression. A specific PI3K blockade inhibited Akt/β-catenin signaling, increased Foxo1-mediated TLR4-driven local inflammation, and recreated cardinal features of liver IR injury. Moreover, knockdown of PTEN in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated mouse bone marrow–derived macrophages enhanced β-catenin activity, which in turn provided a negative regulatory feedback to the Foxo1 function, leading to the inhibition of TLR4 and NF-κB, with ultimate depression of proinflammatory cytokine programs in vitro. Conclusion: Our novel findings identify the PTEN-mediated Akt/β-catenin/Foxo1 axis as a key regulator of innate inflammatory response in the mouse liver. By identifying molecular mechanisms of PTEN-mediated Akt/β-catenin/Foxo1 signaling in TLR4 innate immune regulation, our study provides a rationale for therapeutic approaches to manage inflammation injury in IR-stressed liver. (Hepatology 2013)
Exploring the effect of data assimilation by WRF‐3DVar for numerical rainfall prediction with different types of storm events
Authors: Liu Jia , Bray Michaela , Han Dawei 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe mesoscale Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model is gaining popularity among the hydrometeorological community in providing high‐resolution rainfall forecasts at the catchment scale. Although the performance of the model has been verified in capturing the physical processes of severe storm events, the modelling accuracy is negatively affected by significant errors in the initial conditions used to drive the model. Several meteorological investigations have shown that the assimilation of real‐time observations, especially the radar data can help improve the accuracy of the rainfall predictions given by mesoscale NWP models. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of data assimilation for hydrological applications at the catchment scale. Radar reflectivity together with surface and upper‐air meteorological observations is assimilated into the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model using the three‐dimensional variational data‐assimilation technique. Improvement of the rainfall accumulation and its temporal variation after data assimilation is examined for four storm events in the Brue catchment (135.2 km2) located in southwest England. The storm events are selected with different rainfall distributions in space and time. It is found that the rainfall improvement is most obvious for the events with one‐dimensional evenness in either space or time. The effect of data assimilation is even more significant in the innermost domain which has the finest spatial resolution. However, for the events with two‐dimensional unevenness of rainfall, i.e. the rainfall is concentrated in a small area and in a short time period, the effect of data assimilation is not ideal. WRF fails in capturing the whole process of the highly convective storm with densely concentrated rainfall in a small area and a short time period. A shortened assimilation time interval together with more efficient utilisation of the weather radar data might help improve the effectiveness of data assimilation in such cases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determinants of adolescent health care use for low back pain
Authors: Tiira A.H. , Paananen M.V. , Taimela S.P. , Zitting P.J. , Järvelin M.‐R. , Karppinen J.I. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies have indicated that low back pain (LBP) is common already in adolescence, but only few studies have evaluated the factors that determine LBP‐related health care use at this age.MethodsThe study population included 1987 adolescents aged 18 from the Oulu Back Study, a subcohort of the 1986 Northern Finland Birth Cohort. We used logistic regression to evaluate whether enabling resources, need factors, personal health habits or psychological problems are associated with seeking health care for LBP, among adolescents reporting LBP during the last year.ResultsOf the 1987 respondents, 50% of the females and 42% of the males reported having had LBP during the previous year. Of the 921 respondents with LBP, 89 (16%) females, and 59 (16%) males had consulted a health care professional. In both genders, pain intensity was strongly associated with seeking care [visual analogue scale (VAS) 8–10 vs. VAS 0–3; males: OR 16.6, 95% CI 3.8–72.5, females: OR 18.8 95% CI 6.3–56.1]. In addition, LBP‐related daily activity limitations (impairment index 4–6 vs. 0 OR 15.7 95% CI 1.7–142.5) were associated with care seeking among males. Student status was also associated with care seeking among males (OR 2.34 95% CI 1.02–5.36).ConclusionsApproximately one out of six adolescents with LBP seeks medical care. Intensity of pain and daily activity limitations appear to be the main determinants of seeking care for LBP in adolescence.
Multiscale grooved titanium processed with femtosecond laser influences mesenchymal stem cell morphology, adhesion, and matrix organization
Authors: Dumas Virginie , Rattner Aline , Vico Laurence , Audouard Eric , Dumas Jean Claude , Naisson Pierre , Bertrand Philippe 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe femtosecond laser processing enabled the structuring of six types of surfaces on titanium‐6aluminium‐4vanadium (Ti‐6Al‐4V) plates. The obtained hierarchical features consisted of a combination of microgrooves and oriented nanostructures. By adjusting beam properties such as laser polarization, the width of the microgrooves (20 or 60 μm) and the orientation of the nanostructures (parallel or perpendicular to the microgrooves) can be precisely controlled. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) grown on these structured surfaces produced cytoplasmic extensions with focal contacts, while on the smooth titanium, the cells were found to be well spread and without any focal contact 12 h postseeding. The 600‐nm wide nanostructures on their own were sufficient to orient the MSCs. For the multiscale structured areas, when the orientation of the nanostructures was orthogonal in relation to the microgrooves, there was an important decrease in or even a loss of cell alignment signifying that cells were sensitive to the directional nanostructures in the microgrooves. At 7 days, cell proliferation was not affected but the direction of nanostructures controlled the matrix organization. The ultrafast laser, as a new method for producing micro‐nanohybrid surfaces, is a promising approach to promote desired tissue organization for tissue engineering. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 100A:3108–3116, 2012.
Surface modification of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene by the poly(ethylene glycol)‐grafted method and its effect on the adsorption of proteins and the adhesion of blood platelets
Authors: Xia Bing , Xie Meiju , Yang Bangcheng 
Published: July 2012

AbstractWith the help of a silane coupling agent, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), a well‐biocompatable agent, was grafted onto the surface of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) by ultraviolet initiation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis proved the success of PEG grafting. Water contact angle measurement showed that the modified UHMWPE was obviously improved in surface hydrophilicity and thermogravimetric analysis result showed that its thermostability did not decline even it was pretreated by strong acids. Then, the protein adsorption of the modified UHMWPE was investigated using three model proteins including bovine serum albumin, lysozyme, and fibrinogen. Rabbit blood was used to study the platelet adhesion on the surface of modified UHMWPE. The results indicated that the quantity of protein adsorption on the modified UHMWPE grafted PEG reduced apparently for all the model proteins while there was some specific differences or exceptions among them. It was ascribed to the changed surface chemical composition, surface hydrophilicity and surface topography after modification. The adhesive ability of blood platelets on the modified surface of UHMWPE decreased after PEG grafting. Owing to the improved resistance to fibrinogen adsorption and platelet adhesion, the surface modification might endow the UHWMPE surface better anticoagulation ability according to clotting mechanism. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 101A:54–63, 2013.
Protein kinase C–delta deficiency perturbs bone homeostasis by selective uncoupling of cathepsin K secretion and ruffled border formation in osteoclasts
Authors: Cremasco Viviana , Decker Corinne E , Stumpo Deborah , Blackshear Perry J , Nakayama Keiichi I , Nakayama Keiko , Lupu Traian S , Graham Daniel B , Novack Deborah V , Faccio Roberta 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Bone homeostasis requires stringent regulation of osteoclasts, which secrete proteolytic enzymes to degrade the bone matrix. Despite recent progress in understanding how bone resorption occurs, the mechanisms regulating osteoclast secretion, and in particular the trafficking route of cathepsin K vesicles, remain elusive. Using a genetic approach, we describe the requirement for protein kinase C–delta (PKCδ) in regulating bone resorption by affecting cathepsin K exocytosis. Importantly, PKCδ deficiency does not perturb formation of the ruffled border or trafficking of lysosomal vesicles containing the vacuolar-ATPase (v-ATPase). Mechanistically, we find that cathepsin K exocytosis is controlled by PKCδ through modulation of the actin bundling protein myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS). The relevance of our finding is emphasized in vivo because PKCδ−/− mice exhibit increased bone mass and are protected from pathological bone loss in a model of experimental postmenopausal osteoporosis. Collectively, our data provide novel mechanistic insights into the pathways that selectively promote secretion of cathepsin K lysosomes independently of ruffled border formation, providing evidence of the presence of multiple mechanisms that regulate lysosomal exocytosis in osteoclasts. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Liver X receptors orchestrate osteoblast/osteoclast crosstalk and counteract pathologic bone loss
Authors: Kleyer Arnd , Scholtysek Carina , Bottesch Edith , Hillienhof Ulrike , Beyer Christian , Distler Jörg HW , Tuckermann Jan P , Schett Georg , Krönke Gerhard 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Osteoporosis is characterized by enhanced differentiation of bone-resorbing osteoclasts, resulting in a rapid loss of functional trabecular bone. Bone-forming osteoblasts and osteoblast-derived osteocytes perform a key role in the regulation of osteoclast development by providing both the pro-osteoclastogenic cytokine receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) and its natural decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG). By regulating the RANKL/OPG ratio, osteoblasts hence determine the rate of both osteoclast differentiation and bone turnover. Here, we describe a novel role for liver X receptors (LXRs) during the crosstalk of bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. By using a system of osteoblast/osteoclast cocultures, we identify LXRs as regulator of RANKL expression and the RANKL/OPG ratio in osteoblasts. Activation of LXRs drastically reduced the RANKL/OPG ratio and interfered with osteoblast-mediated osteoclast differentiation in vitro. During an ovariectomy (OVX)-induced model of postmenopausal osteoporosis, the application of an LXR agonist shifted the RANKL/OPG ratio in vivo, ameliorated the enhanced osteoclast differentiation, and provided complete protection from OVX-induced bone loss. These results reveal an unexpected involvement of LXRs in the regulation of bone turnover and highlight a potential role for LXRs as novel targets in the treatment of osteoporosis and related diseases. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Class IA phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulates osteoclastic bone resorption through protein kinase B–mediated vesicle transport
Authors: Shinohara Masahiro , Nakamura Masaki , Masuda Hironari , Hirose Jun , Kadono Yuho , Iwasawa Mitsuyasu , Nagase Yuuichi , Ueki Kohjiro , Kadowaki Takashi , Sasaki Takehiko , Kato Shigeaki , Nakamura Hiroaki , Tanaka Sakae , Takayanagi Hiroshi 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Class IA phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) are activated by growth factor receptors and regulate a wide range of cellular processes. In osteoclasts, they are activated downstream of αvβ3 integrin and colony-stimulating factor-1 receptor (c-Fms), which are involved in the regulation of bone-resorbing activity. The physiological relevance of the in vitro studies using PI3K inhibitors has been of limited value, because they inhibit all classes of PI3K. Here, we show that the osteoclast-specific deletion of the p85 genes encoding the regulatory subunit of the class IA PI3K results in an osteopetrotic phenotype caused by a defect in the bone-resorbing activity of osteoclasts. Class IA PI3K is required for the ruffled border formation and vesicular transport, but not for the formation of the sealing zone. p85α/β doubly deficient osteoclasts had a defect in macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)–induced protein kinase B (Akt) activation and the introduction of constitutively active Akt recovered the bone-resorbing activity. Thus, the class IA PI3K-Akt pathway regulates the cellular machinery crucial for osteoclastic bone resorption, and may provide a molecular basis for therapeutic strategies against bone diseases. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.