bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biophysical stimulation induces demyelination via an integrin‐dependent mechanism
Authors: Lin Michael Y. , Frieboes Laura S. , Forootan Maryam , Palispis Winnie A. , Mozaffar Tahseen , Jafari Matiar , Steward Oswald , Gall Christine M. , Gupta Ranjan 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjective:Chronic nerve compression (CNC) injuries occur when peripheral nerves are subjected to sustained mechanical forces, with increasing evidence implicating Schwann cells as key mediators. Integrins, a family of transmembrane adhesion molecules that are capable of intracellular signaling, have been implicated in a variety of biological processes such as myelination and nerve regeneration. In this study, we seek to define the physical stimuli mediating demyelination and to determine whether integrin plays a role in the demyelinating response.Methods:We used a previously described in vitro model of CNC injury where myelinating neuron–Schwann cell cocultures were subjected to independent manipulations of hydrostatic pressure, hypoxia, and glucose deprivation in a custom bioreactor. We assessed whether demyelination increased in response to applied manipulation and determined whether integrin‐associated signaling cascades are upregulated.Results:Biophysical stimulation of neural tissue induced demyelination and Schwann cell proliferation without neuronal or glial cytotoxicity or apoptosis. Although glucose deprivation and hypoxia independently had minor effects on myelin stability, together they potentiated the demyelinating effects of hydrostatic compression, and in combination, significantly destabilized myelin. Biophysical stimuli transiently increased phosphorylation of the integrin‐associated tyrosine kinase Src within Schwann cells. Silencing this integrin signaling cascade blocked Src activation and prevented pressure‐induced demyelination. Colocalization analysis indicated that Src is localized within Schwann cells.Interpretation:These results indicate that myelin is sensitive to CNC injury and support the novel concept that myelinating cocultures respond directly to mechanical loading via activating an integrin signaling cascade. ANN NEUROL 2012;72:112–123
Hydrido(hydrosilylene)tungsten Complexes: Dynamic Behavior and Reactivity Toward Acetone
Authors: Watanabe Takahito , Hashimoto Hisako , Tobita Hiromi 
Published: March 2012

AbstractReaction of a labile tungsten nitrile complex, [(Cp*)W(CO)2(NCMe)Me] (Cp*=η5‐C5Me5), with H3SiC(SiMe3)3 gave the hydrido(hydrosilylene) complex [(Cp*)(CO)2(H)WSi(H){C(SiMe3)3}] (1a). The hydrido(silylene) complex [(η5‐C5Me4Et)(CO)2(H)WSiMes2] (2) (Mes=2,4,6‐Me‐C6H2) was synthesized by a similar reaction with H2SiMes2. There is a strong interligand interaction between the hydrido and silylene ligands of these complexes; this was confirmed by a neutron diffraction study of [D2]1b, that is, the deuterido and η5‐C5Me4Et derivative of 1a. The exchange between the WH and the SiD groups was observed in the deuterido complex [D]1a. This H/D exchange proceeded slowly at room temperature, but very rapidly under UV irradiation. Variable‐temperature NMR spectroscopy measurements show the dynamic behavior of carbonyl ligands in 1a. Complex 1a reacted with acetone at room temperature to give mainly a hydrosilylation product, [(Cp*)(CO)2(H)WSi(OiPr){C(SiMe3)3}] (3a), along with a siloxy complex, [(Cp*)(CO)2WO(Si(H)iPr{C(SiMe3)3})] (4a). At low temperature, a different reaction, namely, α‐H abstraction, proceeded to give an equilibrium mixture of 1a and a dihydrido(silyl) complex, [(Cp*)(CO)2(H)2W(Si(H){OC(CH2)Me}{C(SiMe3)3})] (5).
Adenoviral transduction supports matrix expression of alginate cultured articular chondrocytes
Authors: Pohle D. , Kasch R. , Herlyn P. , Bader R. , Mittlmeier T. , Pützer B.M. , Müller‐Hilke B. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe present study examines the effects of adenoviral (Ad) transduction of human primary chondrocyte on transgene expression and matrix production. Primary chondrocytes were isolated from healthy articular cartilage and from cartilage with mild osteoarthritis (OA), transduced with an Ad vector and either immediately cultured in alginate or expanded in monolayer before alginate culture. Proteoglycan production was measured using dimethylmethylene blue (DMMB) assay and matrix gene expression was quantified by real‐time PCR. Viral infection of primary chondrocytes results in a stable long time transgene expression for up to 13 weeks. Ad transduction does not significantly alter gene expression and matrix production if chondrocytes are immediately embedded in alginate. However, if expanded prior to three dimension (3D) culture in alginate, chondrocytes produce not only more proteoglycans compared to non‐transduced controls, but also display an increased anabolic and decreased catabolic activity compared to non‐transduced controls. We therefore suggest that successful autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT) should combine adenoviral transduction of primary chondrocytes with expansion in monolayer followed by 3D culture. Future studies will be needed to investigate whether the subsequent matrix production can be further improved by using Ad vectors bearing genes encoding matrix proteins. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 2402–2408. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Increased resistance to oxysterol cytotoxicity in fibroblasts transfected with a lysosomally targeted Chromobacterium oxidase
Authors: Mathieu Jacques M. , Wang Fan , Segatori Laura , Alvarez Pedro J. 
Published: March 2012

Abstract7‐Ketocholesterol (7KC) is a cytotoxic oxysterol that plays a role in many age‐related degenerative diseases. 7KC formation and accumulation often occurs in the lysosome, which hinders enzymatic transformations that reduce its toxicity and increase the sensitivity to lysosomal membrane permeabilization. We assayed the potential to mitigate 7KC cytotoxicity and enhance cell viability by overexpressing 7KC‐active enzymes in human fibroblasts. One of the enzymes tested, a cholesterol oxidase engineered for lysosomal targeting, significantly increased cell viability in the short term upon treatment with up to 50 µM 7KC relative to controls. These results suggest targeting the lysosome for optimal treatment of oxysterol‐mediated cytotoxicity, and support the use of introducing novel catalytic function into the lysosome for therapeutic and research applications. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2012;109: 2409–2415. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi‐core scalable and efficient pathfinding with Parallel Ripple Search
Authors: Brand Sandy , Bidarra Rafael 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTGame developers are often faced with very demanding requirements on huge numbers of agents moving naturally through increasingly large and detailed virtual worlds. With the advent of multi‐core architectures, new approaches to accelerate expensive pathfinding operations are worth being investigated. Traditional single‐processor pathfinding strategies, such as A* and its derivatives, have been long praised for their flexibility. We implemented several parallel versions of such algorithms to analyze their intrinsic behavior, concluding that they have a large overhead, yield far from optimal paths, do not scale up to many cores or are cache unfriendly. In this article, we propose Parallel Ripple Search, a novel parallel pathfinding algorithm that largely solves these limitations. It utilizes a high‐level graph to assign local search areas to CPU cores at “equidistant” intervals. These cores then use A* flooding behavior to expand towards each other, yielding good “guesstimate points” at border touch on. The process does not rely on expensive parallel programming synchronization locks but instead relies on the opportunistic use of node collisions among cooperating cores, exploiting the multi‐core's shared memory architecture. As a result, all cores effectively run at full speed until enough way‐points are found. We show that this approach is a fast, practical and scalable solution and that it flexibly handles dynamic obstacles in a natural way. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Annual Report to the Nation on the status of cancer, 1975‐2008, featuring cancers associated with excess weight and lack of sufficient physical activity
Authors: Eheman Christie , Henley S. Jane , Ballard‐Barbash Rachel , Jacobs Eric J. , Schymura Maria J. , Noone Anne‐Michelle , Pan Liping , Anderson Robert N. , Fulton Janet E. , Kohler Betsy A. , Jemal Ahmedin , Ward Elizabeth , Plescia Marcus , Ries Lynn A. G. , Edwards Brenda K. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND:Annual updates on cancer occurrence and trends in the United States are provided through collaboration between the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR). This year's report highlights the increased cancer risk associated with excess weight (overweight or obesity) and lack of sufficient physical activity (<150 minutes of physical activity per week).METHODS:Data on cancer incidence were obtained from the CDC, NCI, and NAACCR; data on cancer deaths were obtained from the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics. Annual percent changes in incidence and death rates (age‐standardized to the 2000 US population) for all cancers combined and for the leading cancers among men and among women were estimated by joinpoint analysis of long‐term trends (incidence for 1992‐2008 and mortality for 1975‐2008) and short‐term trends (1999‐2008). Information was obtained from national surveys about the proportion of US children, adolescents, and adults who are overweight, obese, insufficiently physically active, or physically inactive.RESULTS:Death rates from all cancers combined decreased from 1999 to 2008, continuing a decline that began in the early 1990s, among men and among women in most racial and ethnic groups. Death rates decreased from 1999 to 2008 for most cancer sites, including the 4 most common cancers (lung, colorectum, breast, and prostate). The incidence of prostate and colorectal cancers also decreased from 1999 to 2008. Lung cancer incidence declined from 1999 to 2008 among men and from 2004 to 2008 among women. Breast cancer incidence decreased from 1999 to 2004 but was stable from 2004 to 2008. Incidence increased for several cancers, including pancreas, kidney, and adenocarcinoma of the esophagus, which are associated with excess weight.CONCLUSIONS:Although improvements are reported in the US cancer burden, excess weight and lack of sufficient physical activity contribute to the increased incidence of many cancers, adversely affect quality of life for cancer survivors, and may worsen prognosis for several cancers. The current report highlights the importance of efforts to promote healthy weight and sufficient physical activity in reducing the cancer burden in the United States.*
Cancer 2012;. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
An integrated scheme based on service classification in pervasive mobile services
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Zhikui , Xia Feng , Lv Xiaoning , Bu Fanyu 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYInternet of Things and broadband communication are promoting the pervasive mobile services with their advanced features. However, security problems baffled the development. This paper proposes a trust model to protect the user's security. The billing or trust operator works as an agent to provide a trust authentication for all the service providers. The services are classified by sensitive value calculation. With the combined location‐aware and identity‐aware information and authentication history, the user's trustiness for corresponding service can be obtained. For decision, three trust regions are divided and referred to three ranks as follows: high, medium and low. The trust region tells the customer which authentication methods should be used for access. Penalty coefficient is also involved for forbidding force‐crack. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kβ Detected High‐Resolution XANES of FeII and FeIII Models of the 2‐His‐1‐Carboxylate Motif: Analysis of the Carboxylate Binding Mode (Eur. J. Inorg. Chem. 10/2012)
Authors: Mijovilovich Ana , Hayashi Hisashi , Kawamura Naomi , Osawa Hitoshi , Bruijnincx Pieter C. A. , Klein Gebbink Robertus J. M. , de Groot Frank M. F. , Weckhuysen Bert M. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractThe cover picture shows the work described in the paper: High‐resolution XANES spectra of model compounds of Fe dioxygenase show features with enhanced accuracy, which can be analyzed with simulation codes to obtain the electronic structure at the active metal site of the model. Three compounds showing three metal sites, ferrous hexacoordinate, ferric pentacoordinate, and ferrous pentacoordinate, were studied. The results show that there is subtle correlation between the structure and the absorption edge features; in particular, the influence of the orientation of the carboxylate ligand on these features is demonstrated. Details are discussed in the article by A. Mijovilovich, B. M. Weckhuysen et al. on p. 1589 ff. magnified image
Linear and curvilinear correlations of brain white matter volume, fractional anisotropy, and mean diffusivity with age using voxel‐based and region‐of‐interest analyses in 246 healthy children
Authors: Taki Yasuyuki , Thyreau Benjamin , Hashizume Hiroshi , Sassa Yuko , Takeuchi Hikaru , Wu Kai , Kotozaki Yuka , Nouchi Rui , Asano Michiko , Asano Kohei , Fukuda Hiroshi , Kawashima Ryuta 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn this study, we examined linear and curvilinear correlations of fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), and white matter volume with age by using brain structural and diffusion‐tensor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a large number of healthy children and voxel‐based morphometry (VBM) and region‐of‐interest (ROI) analyses. We collected data by brain structural MRI in 246 healthy children, aged 5–18 years. FA and MD images were normalized using the normalization parameter of the corresponding structural MRI. Next, we analyzed the correlations between FA and age and between MD and age by estimating linear and logarithmic functions. We also analyzed the correlation between white matter volume and age by linear, quadratic, and cubic functions. Correlations between FA and age and between MD and age showed exponential trajectories in most ROIs in boys and girls, except for several fibers, such as the corpus callosum connecting the bilateral rectal gyri in boys. The correlation between white matter volume and age showed significant positive linear trajectories in most ROIs in boys and girls, except for a few fibers, such as the bilateral uncinate fasciculus. Additionally, maturational rates differed among major fibers, and in girls, the left superior longitudinal fasciculus, which connects the frontal and temporal lobes, showed a slower rate of maturation than other fibers. Our results may help to clarify the mechanisms of normal brain maturation from the viewpoint of brain white matter. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
WATER PRODUCTIVITY OF VEGETABLES UNDER MODERN IRRIGATION METHODS IN OMAN
Authors: Al‐Said F. A. , Ashfaq M. , Al‐Barhi M. , Hanjra Munir A. , Khan I. A. 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTImproving water productivity can make a sterling contribution to global food production and poverty alleviation. Groundwater has always been a critical resource for agriculture. Scientific understanding of water productivity can help address water scarcity concerns through more productive use of scarce water resources and higher socio‐economic benefits from available water. This study examined the water productivity in the Al Batinah region of Oman using farm‐level data. In total 124 crops grown during the 4 years 2005–2008 were examined. Field studies were carried out for 4 years (2005–2008) on 18 field plots to examine yield, inputs, irrigation, costs and economic return of sweet melon, sweet pepper, cabbage and tomatoes grown under drip irrigation vs Rhodes grass grown under sprinkler irrigation using groundwater. The aim was to identify suitable combinations of vegetable crops grown under drip irrigation that can maximize the profitability of the farmers by optimizing water productivity. Results from the 4‐year data show that tomato and cabbage performed better than sweet pepper or melon as far as water productivity was concerned, while the drip irrigation method had shown better performance than sprinkler irrigation. Average crop water productivity was estimated at 7.8 and 11.9 kg m‾3 for the cabbage and tomato crops, respectively. The cabbage crop also gave the highest gross return of RO105 for each riyal Omani (RO 1.00 = US$2.59 in June, 2005) of investment in irrigation water. It has also been analysed that the drip irrigation system performed better in terms of crop water productivity and economic water productivity per cubic metre of water applied. So the research results represent decision‐making options of vegetable growers at farm scale but also offer important insights for the adoption of the drip irrigation system as well as the design of water policy incentives for irrigation modernization in Oman and other water‐scarce regions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pregnancy‐induced analgesia: a combined psychophysical and neurophysiological study
Authors: Draisci G. , Catarci S. , Vollono C. , Zanfini B.A. , Pazzaglia C. , Cadeddu C. , Virdis D. , Valeriani M. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate changes in heat pain threshold and modifications in heat pain processing during pregnancy and labour, seventy‐six nulliparous pregnant women were enrolled in two studies.MethodsIn the first study (psychophysical), 60 pregnant women underwent a quantitative sensory testing (QST) investigating heat perception in two body areas (right forearm and T10 dermatome) according to these groups: 32–33 gestational weeks (GW), 39–40 GW, early stage of active labour and 24 h after the delivery. In the other study (neurophysiological), contact heat‐evoked potentials (CHEPs) were recorded in other 16 women at the 32nd GW and in 11 of these also at the 40th GW.ResultsThe psychophysical study showed that heat pain threshold was significantly increased at the forearm at 32–33 GW (median ± IQR: 39.6 ± 0.7 °C), at 39–40 GW (40.6 ± 1.1 °C) and at early stage of active labour (40.8 ± 1.5 °C) as compared to 20 non‐pregnant controls (p < 0.001). Heat pain threshold tested at T10 level was significantly increased at 32–33 GW (41.0 ± 1.6 °C), at 39–40 GW (42.1 ± 1.8 °C), and at early stage of active labour (42.3 ± 1.3 °C) as compared to the non‐pregnant women (p < 0.001).The N2‐P2 CHEP amplitude (main negative N2 and positive P2 components of the vertex biphasic potential) recorded from the pregnant women was significantly lower at the 40th than at the 32nd GW, after stimulation of both the forearm (p < 0.001) and the abdomen (p < 0.001).ConclusionsIn pregnant women, there is a progressive increase of heat pain threshold and a reduction of the CHEP amplitude, suggesting that a general inhibitory mechanism may be involved.
Polyaspartamide‐polylactide electrospun scaffolds for potential topical release of Ibuprofen
Authors: Pitarresi G. , Fiorica C. , Palumbo F. S. , Calascibetta F. , Giammona G. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn this work, the production and characterization of electrospun scaffolds of the copolymer α,β‐poly(N‐2‐hydroxyethyl)‐DL‐aspartamide‐graft‐polylactic acid (PHEA‐g‐PLA), proposed for a potential topical release of Ibuprofen (IBU), are reported. The drug has been chemically linked to PHEA‐g‐PLA and/or physically mixed to the copolymer before electrospinning. Degradation studies have been performed as a function of time in Dulbecco phosphate buffer solution pH 7.4, for both unloaded and drug‐loaded scaffolds. By using an appropriate ratio between drug physically blended to the copolymer and drug‐copolymer conjugate, a useful control of its release can be obtained. MTS assay on human dermal fibroblasts cultured onto these scaffolds, showed the absence of toxicity as well as their ability to allow cell adhesion. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
In vitro biocompatibility assessment of functionalized magnetite nanoparticles: Biological and cytotoxicological effects
Authors: Mbeh D. A. , França R. , Merhi Y. , Zhang X. F. , Veres T. , Sacher E. , Yahia L. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn the biomedical field, nanomaterials have the potential for use in the targeted delivery of drugs in the human body and in the diagnosis and therapy of certain diseases. In the category of targeted delivery, magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles have received much attention. As with any similar new therapy, when such nanoparticles are functionalized with chemical groups designed to permit the specific attachment of drugs, cytotoxicological testing is necessary before moving to animal models. Here, we consider several variously functionalized magnetite nanoparticles, including those prepared with (1) a monolayer of oleic acid (Fe3O4@OA), which is subsequently converted to (2) a shell of amine‐containing silane (Fe3O4@NH2), (3) a shell of silica (Fe3O4@SiO2), and (4) a shell of amine‐containing silane over a shell of silica (Fe3O4@SiO2@NH2). These latter three functionalities were evaluated for biocompatibility, cellular morphology, mitochondrial function (MTT assay), lactate dehydrogenase membrane leakage (LDH assay), and proinflammatory potential through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for interleukin 6 (IL‐6). Controlled tests were performed over a period of 72 h, with results showing LDH leakage and abnormal Il‐6 secretion at high concentrations (>50 μg/mL). The tests showed that, in addition to the surface characteristics of the nanoparticles, both the nutrient medium and the time of suspension before exposure to cells also contribute to nanoparticle cytotoxicity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
A novel rotating electrochemically anodizing process to fabricate titanium oxide surface nanostructures enhancing the bioactivity of osteoblastic cells
Authors: Chang Chih‐Hung , Lee Hsin‐Chun , Chen Chia‐Chun , Wu Yi‐Hau , Hsu Yuan‐Ming , Chang Yin‐Pen , Yang Ta‐I , Fang Hsu‐Wei 
Published: March 2012

AbstractTitanium oxide (TiO2) surface layers with various surface nanostructures (nanotubes and nanowires) have been developed using an anodizing technique. The pore size and length of TiO2 nanotubes can be tailored by changing the anodizing time and applied voltage. We developed a novel method to transform the upper part of the formed TiO2 nanotubes into a nanowire‐like structure by rotating the titanium anode during anodizing process. The transformation of nanotubes contributed to the preferential chemical dissolution of TiO2 on the areas with intense interface tension stress. Furthermore, we further compared the effect of various TiO2 surface nanostructures including flat, nanotubes, and nanowires on bioactive applications. The MG‐63 osteoblastic cells cultured on the TiO2 nanowires exhibited a polygonal shape with extending filopodia and showed highest levels of cell viability and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP). The TiO2 nanowire structure formed by our novel method can provide beneficial effects for MG‐63 osteoblastic cells in attachment, proliferation, and secretion of ALP on the TiO2 surface layer. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.