bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phthalate esters modulate the differentiation and maturation of mouse peripheral blood mononuclear cell‐derived dendritic cells
Authors: Ito Tomohiro , Inoue Ken‐ichiro , Nishimura Noriko , Takano Hirohisa 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTPhthalate esters, such as di‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), are widespread environmental contaminants. Previously, we have observed that DEHP exacerbates dermatitis elicited by mite antigen in NC/Nga mice. Also, DEHP enhances the functions of bone marrow‐derived dendritic cells (DCs) in vitro. The present study sought to investigate whether phthalate esters affect peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC)‐derived DCs of NC/Nga mice. First, we studied the time course of DC generation from PBMCs and the dose dependency of granulocyte macrophage colony‐stimulating factor and interleukin‐4, and then determined the conditions under which DC differentiation and maturation are moderately induced from PBMCs. Under the conditions determined above, DEHP at 10 μ m significantly inhibited the expression of DC differentiation and maturation markers, such as CD11c, CD40, CD80, CD86 and CD205, whereas mono‐(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate, a metabolite of DEHP, did not. Furthermore, the effects of DEHP on PBMC‐derived DCs were partially rescued by treatment with ICI 182,780, an estrogen receptor antagonist. Taken together, these results suggest that DEHP can modulate the differentiation and maturation of mouse PBMC‐derived DCs at least partially through activation of the estrogen receptor under our experimental conditions.
Controlled and sustained gene delivery from injectable, porous PLGA scaffolds
Authors: Jeon Oju , Krebs Melissa , Alsberg Eben 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBiodegradable poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) scaffolds are widely used for the delivery of therapeutic molecules such as plasmid DNA (pDNA) and growth factors. However, many of these scaffolds must be implanted, and it would be beneficial to develop PGLA systems that can be injected in a minimally invasive manner. In this study, we present an injectable, porous PLGA scaffold that solidifies in situ for controlled gene delivery. Micro‐scale porosity was engineered into the system to facilitate cell migration, proliferation and extracellular matrix elaboration. Relatively rapid release of pDNA was achieved through simple mixing into the polymer solution prior to scaffold solidification, whereas sustained release was achieved by incorporating pDNA‐laden PLGA microspheres into the polymer solution. Sustained pDNA release was obtained for over 70 days. When the released pDNA was complexed with PEI and used to transfect HEK293 cells, substantial gene transfection was achieved from all time points, demonstrating that the pDNA was bioactive for the entire time course of the study. These in situ forming porous scaffolds for pDNA delivery are easy to prepare and can be injected without invasive surgery. Importantly, localized delivery of bioactive pDNA can be achieved for short to prolonged time periods, and small changes in the system composition permit facile tailoring of release profiles. In the future, this system may be used to control host cell regenerative responses by, for example, inducing cellular migration into the porous scaffold architecture via release of pDNA encoding for chemokines or pro‐angiogenic molecules. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A:, 2011.
The sexual segment of hemidactylus turcicus and the evolution of sexual segment location in squamata
Authors: Rheubert Justin L. , Murray Christopher M. , Siegel Dustin S. , Babin Johnathan , Sever David M. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe kidneys of the Mediterranean Gecko, Hemidactylus turcicus (Gekkonidae), were investigated using light and electron microscopy with the primary focus placed on morphology of the sexual segment of the kidney. The nephrons of male H. turcicus are composed of five distinct regions: 1) a renal corpuscle and glomerulus, 2) a proximal convoluted tubule, 3) an intermediate segment, 4) a distal convoluted tubule, and 5) the sexual segment of the kidney/collecting duct. Female H. turcicus is similar but lack a sexual segment of the kidney. The sexual segment of the kidney is hypertrophied during the months of March through August, which corroborates previous reports of reproductive activity. During inactive months, the sexual segment of the kidney is nondiscernable from the collecting ducts. The sexual segment consists of tall columnar epithelial cells with basally positioned nuclei. Perinuclear Golgi complexes and rough endoplasmic reticulum are present. Secretory granules, which fill the apices of the epithelial cells, are electron dense and released into the lumen by a merocrine secretory process. Narrow intercellular canaliculi separate each epithelial cell and are sealed by tight junctions at the luminal aspect. Basally, leukoctyes are observed within the intercellular canaliculi and outside the basal lamina. Mast cells can be found just outside the basal lamina in close association with renal capillaries. The sexual segment of the kidney of H. turcicus is similar to that of three unrelated lizards for which ultrastructure was investigated with secretion mode being the major difference Also, H. turcicus is similar to most other lizards in that complete regression occurs during reproductive inactivity, but differs in this trait from the skink, Scincella lateralis, and most snakes which display a hypertrophied sexual segment of the kidney throughout the entire year. Although some unique similarities appear during the optimization, no direct patterns or directions are observed, and only the molecular based phylogeny resolves the ancestral condition of the Squamata as the sexual segment of the kidney being observed in the distal convoluted tubule, collecting duct, and ureter. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The gut of the juvenile African lungfish Protopterus annectens: A light and scanning electron microscope study
Authors: Icardo José M. , Wong Wai P. , Colvee Elvira , Garofalo Filippo , Loong Ai M. , Ip Yuen K. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractWe describe the microstructure of the alimentary canal of the juvenile lungfish Protopterus annectens. Following the oesophagus, the gut is formed by a long segment that extends down to the pyloric valve. This segment, classically named stomach, is lined by a transitional epithelium but lacks all characteristics of the vertebrate stomach. It has been defined here as the intestinal vestibule. The spiral valve is divided into a first large chamber, which contains mucosal ridges, and a second smooth portion. The entire spiral valve is lined with a pseudostratified columnar epithelium that contains approximately six cell types: enterocytes, goblet cells, ciliated cells, leukocytes, dark pigment cells, and vascular cells. Enterocytes and goblet cells show a high number of cytoplasmic vacuoles. The number and size of the vacuoles, and the number of ciliated cells, decreases from the anterior toward the posterior end, suggesting that most of the digestive processes take place in the anterior part of the spiral valve. The epithelium overlies a lamina propria in the first large chamber and a vascular plexus in the smooth portion. The cloaca has a thick muscular wall covered by a transitional epithelium. An extensive lymphatic system formed by capillaries and lymphatic micropumps is present along the entire wall of the alimentary canal. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ultrastructure of the sexually dimorphic basitarsal glands of leg i in manaosbiid harvestmen (opiliones, laniatores)
Authors: Proud Daniel N. , Felgenhauer Bruce E. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractChemical communication is an important aspect of arthropod biology especially for those arthropods with limited abilities to detect visual and acoustic signals. Sexually dimorphic glands are often associated with the production of pheromones, which play a role in reproductive processes. In the family Manaosbiidae (Opiliones: Laniatores), males exhibit an enlarged, swollen, often fused, and spindle‐like basitarsus on leg I. In this study, we provide a novel description of the morphology and ultrastructure of the glandular structures found in the proximal swollen tarsomeres of the male manaosbiid Rhopalocranaus albilineatus Roewer, 1932 and compare the external leg I morphology with that of two other manaosbiid harvestmen (Barrona williamsi Goodnight and Goodnight, 1942 and Cranellus montgomeryi Goodnight and Goodnight, 1947). The two proximal tarsomeres of the male R. albilineatus leg I contain two large, paired, acinar glands consisting of many glandular cells. Cells empty their secretory products into a large, branched epicuticular duct, which exits the leg via a pore on the ventral region. Thus, a total of four glandular structures are present within the two swollen tarsomeres and each possesses a conducting canal and pore. Finally, we discuss possible roles of these basitarsal glands in manaosbiid reproductive biology based on the present understanding of sexually dimorphic glands in other terrestrial arthropods (i.e., insects and spiders). J. Morphol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Testicular degeneration during spermatogenesis in the blue shark, Prionace glauca: Nonconformity with expression as seen in the diametric testes of other carcharhinids
Authors: McClusky Leon M. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe elasmobranch testis consists of spherical spermatocysts, each housing a single germ cell stage and its own clone of Sertoli cells. Because of the simple diametrical arrangement of cysts in maturational order, the testes of Squalus acanthias, Scyliorhinus canicula, and Prionace glauca are classified as the diametric shark testis type. The aim of this study was to document histologically the spermatocyst composition in the blue shark stage‐by‐stage and to establish whether the diametric testis type confers any uniformity regarding the expression of spermatogenesis in all sharks with this testis type. Analysis of the testes of blue sharks breeding in summer revealed extensive cyst degeneration of various forms and degrees, cyst shrinkage, and cyst disorganization with or without evidence of cell death, initially at the spermatogonia—spermatocyte transition but predominantly in spermatocyte and spermatid cysts. Animals could be grouped into two categories based on the major degenerative phenomena observed, namely those with extensive multinucleate cell (MNC) formation, and those with pronounced vacuolation in cysts. A major finding was the significant (P < 0.001) predominance of MNC formation and vacuolation in late‐stage spermatogonial cysts in the respective categories of sharks. Spermatocyte cysts showed varying degrees of germ cell depletion, with or without evidence of degeneration. Normal‐looking, but clearly subnormal‐sized primary and secondary spermatocyte cysts with no evidence of degeneration were significantly the dominant spermatocyte cyst types in both categories. It is proposed that these subnormal‐sized spermatocyte cysts could proceed into spermiogenesis. Because neighboring spermatid cysts lacked ordered bundling of spermatid heads (disorganized), a morphology significantly correlated with the vacuolation category of sharks, these results suggest that further progression into spermiogenesis was halted in such cysts. Thus, testicular degeneration in the diametric testis type is species specific in quantity and quality. J. Morphol., 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differentiation of neural stem cells influences their chemotactic responses to vascular endothelial growth factor
Authors: Liu Jing , Wei Youhua , Chen Yebing , Xu Xiaojing , Zhang Huanxiang 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAlthough much effort has been devoted to the delineation of factors involved in the migration of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs), the relationship between the chemotactic response and the differentiation status of these cells remains elusive. In the present study, we found that NSCs in varying differentiation states possess different chemotactic responses to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF): first, the number of chemotaxing NSCs and the optimal concentrations of VEGF that induced the peak migration vary greatly; second, time‐lapse video analysis shows that NSCs at certain differentiation states migrate more efficiently toward VEGF, although the migration speed remains unchanged irrespective of cell states; third, the phosphorylation status of Akt, ERK1/2, SAPK/JNK, and p38MAPK is closely related to the differentiation levels of NSCs subjected to VEGF; and, finally, although inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling significantly attenuates VEGF‐stimulated transfilter migration of both undifferentiated and differentiating NSCs, NSCs show normal chemotactic response after treatment with inhibitors of SAPK/JNK or p38MAPK. Meanwhile, interference with PI3K/Akt signaling prevents only NSCs of 12 hr differentiation, but not NSCs of 1 day or 3 days differentiation, from migrating in response to VEGF. Moreover, blocking of PI3K/Akt or MAPK signaling impairs the migration efficiency and/or speed, the extent of which depends on the cell differentiation status. Collectively, these results demonstrate that differentiation of NSCs influences their chemotactic responses to VEGF: NSCs in varying differentiation states have different migratory capacities, thereby shedding light on optimization of the therapeutic potential of NSCs to be employed for neural regeneration after injury. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Activation and modulation of human α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by the neonicotinoids clothianidin and imidacloprid
Authors: Li Ping , Ann Jason , Akk Gustav 
Published: April 2011

AbstractNeonicotinoids are synthetic, nicotine‐derived insecticides used for agricultural and household pest control. Though highly effective at activating insect nicotinic receptors, many neonicotinoids are also capable of directly activating and/or modulating the activation of vertebrate nicotinic receptors. In this study, we have investigated the actions of the neonicotinoids clothianidin (CTD) and imidacloprid (IMI) on human neuronal α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. The data demonstrate that the compounds are weak agonists of the human receptors with relative peak currents of 1–4% of the response to 1 mM acetylcholine (ACh). Coapplication of IMI strongly inhibited currents elicited by ACh. From Schild plot analysis, we estimate that the affinity of IMI for the human α4β2 receptor is 18 μM. The application of low concentrations of CTD potentiated responses to low concentrations of ACh, suggesting that receptors occupied by one ACh and one CTD molecule have a higher gating efficacy than receptors with one ACh bound. Interestingly, subunit stoichiometry affected inhibition by CTD, with (α4)2(β2)3 receptors significantly more strongly inhibited than the (α4)3(β2)2 receptors. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bone marrow mononuclear cells migrate to the demyelinated sciatic nerve and transdifferentiate into Schwann cells after nerve injury: Attempt at a peripheral nervous system intrinsic repair mechanism
Authors: Usach Vanina , Goitia Belén , Lavalle Lucía , Martinez Vivot Rocío , Setton‐Avruj Patricia 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIn the present work, we analyzed whether endogenous and/or transplanted bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMC) migrate spontaneously to the crushed sciatic nerve and whether they transdifferentiate into Schwann cells (SC) in order to help repair the damaged tissue. We also studied both the immunohistochemical evolution of myelin proteins MBP and P0 and the myelin composition of both the proximal and distal stumps of the crushed sciatic nerve to determine the demyelination–remyelination period. Immunohistochemical analysis of crushed animals showed that the degeneration process consists of loss of nerve fiber integrity accompanied by degradation of myelin basic proteins MBP and P0, which is anticipated by protein cluster formation. The remyelination process appears as a recovery in nerve fiber structure as well as in MBP and P0 immunoreactivity; results obtained studying isolated myelin from the crushed sciatic nerve show a strong correlation between them. As opposed to demyelination, axonal damage is observed for a short period of time and takes place mostly in the crush area and the segments adjacent to the lesion. Evidence of spontaneous migration of endogenous or intravascularly transplanted BMMC (CD34+ and vimentin+) is found during the demyelination period exclusively to the injured sciatic nerve. Once migration takes place, transdifferentiation to SC is observed. Such migration and transdifferentiation processes might be inferred to constitute a spontaneous repair mechanism after nerve injury. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Pectoralis major tendon rupture: A biomechanical analysis of repair techniques
Authors: Hart Nathan D. , Lindsey Derek P. , McAdams Timothy R. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractRupture of the insertion of the pectoralis major muscle to the proximal humerus is becoming a common injury. Repair of these ruptures increases patient satisfaction, strength, and cosmesis, and shortens return to competitive sports. Several repair techniques have been described, but recently many surgeons are using suture anchors. The traditional repair technique uses transosseous sutures, but no study has biomechanically compared the strength of these two repair techniques in human cadavers. Twelve fresh‐frozen human shoulder specimens were dissected. The pectoralis major tendon insertion was cut from the bone and repaired using one of the two repair techniques: specimens were randomly assigned to transosseous trough with suture tied over bone versus four suture anchors. The fixation constructs were pulled to failure at 4 mm/s on a materials testing system. The mean ultimate failure load of the transosseous repairs was 611 N and the mean ultimate failure load of the suture anchor repair was 620 N. The mean stiffness of the transosseous repair was 32 and 28 N/mm for the suture anchor group. We found no statistically significant difference between these two repair techniques. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:1783–1787, 2011
Are polymorphisms of molecules involved in bone healing correlated to aseptic femoral and tibial shaft non‐unions?
Authors: Zeckey Christian , Hildebrand Frank , Glaubitz Lena‐Marie , Jürgens Simon , Ludwig Theresa , Andruszkow Hagen , Hüfner Tobias , Krettek Christian , Stuhrmann Manfred 
Published: April 2011

AbstractFracture healing is a well‐organized process between several molecules and mediators. As known from other diseases, genetic polymorphisms may exhibit different expression patterns in these mediators. Concerning fracture healing, this may lead to an extended healing process or non‐union. We investigated the incidence of polymorphisms in patients with aseptic non‐unions after femoral and tibial shaft fractures as compared to patients with uneventful healing. Exclusion criteria were smoking, diabetes, bilateral fractures, systemic corticoid therapy, and septic non‐unions. Analysis of allele frequencies and genotype distribution of various mediators were carried out following PCR. Clinical parameters such as injury severity and in‐hospital were analyzed. Fifty patients following non‐union (group NU) were enrolled, the control group consisted of 44 patients (group H). A significant association of a PDGF haplotype and non‐unions following fracture could be observed. There was a significantly increased in‐hospital time and amount of surgical procedures in group NU. Polymorphisms within the PDGF gene seem to be a genetic risk factor for the development of non‐unions of the lower extremity following fracture. The early identification of high risk patients could result in an adapted therapeutical strategy and might contribute to a significant decrease of posttraumatic non‐unions. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:1724–1731, 2011
Short‐term test–retest reproducibility of urethral pressure profilometry in women with urodynamic stress incontinence with and without detrusor overactivity
Authors: Rahmanou Philip , Khullar Vik 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAimsTo determine and compare reproducibility of urethral pressure profilometry (UPP) in women with urodynamic stress incontinence (USI) alone or together with detrusor overactivity (DO).MethodsWomen were recruited from a urodynamic clinic diagnosed with USI using dual channel cystometry. UPP was performed with the technique described by Hilton and Stanton [Hilton P, Stanton SL. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 90:919–33,1983]. Different urethral function parameters were obtained. Two weeks later the tests were repeated. The precision and bias of the tests were measured using the Bland and Altman method [Bland JM, Altman DG. Lancet 1:307–10,1986]. The coefficient of variation (CV) value allowed direct comparison of repeatability of each test, with a lower value indicating less variation.ResultsThirty‐one women completed both visits. Fourteen women had USI, the other 17 diagnosed with USI with DO at the end of two visits. There was no significant difference between visits for all the parameters for all women recruited. The most reproducible parameter was functional urethral length and maximum urethral pressure as demonstrated by lowest CV.The women with USI group had more reproducible UPP parameters than those with mixed USI and DO in all parameters apart from pressure transmission ratio in Quartiles 2, 3, and 4. However, there was no significant difference between the two diagnostic groups.ConclusionsTests of urethral function in urethral pressure profilometry are shown to have poor reproducibility in women with USI, but limit of agreement may be acceptable in some of the tests. The with‐in subject CV appears to be higher in women with mixed USI and DO compared to USI only. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:1356–1360, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predictor of de novo urinary incontinence following holmium laser enucleation of the prostate
Authors: Cho Min Chul , Park Ji Hyun , Jeong Min Su , Yi Jun‐Seok , Ku Ja Hyeon , Oh Seung‐June , Kim Soo Woong , Paick Jae‐Seung 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAimsTo investigate the incidence of de novo urinary incontinence (UI) after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) for benign prostatic hyperplasia and to determine predictors of postoperative de novo UI.MethodsA total of 204 men who underwent HoLEP and in whom 12‐month follow‐up data on UI were available were included in this study. The efficacy of HoLEP was assessed at 1‐, 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐month postoperatively using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and with uroflowmetry. The presence or absence of UI was recorded at each follow‐up visit. All definitions of UI corresponded to recommendations of the International Continence Society.ResultsThe mean preoperative total prostate and transition zone volumes were 53.3 (range 20–162) g and 27.2 (range 4–107) g, respectively. The mean enucleated weight was 23.0 (range 3.0–82.3) g. The IPSS and uroflowmetry showed that all micturition parameters improved significantly starting at 1‐month postoperatively. After HoLEP, 29 patients (16.2%) had de novo UI, most of which resolved within 1–6 months; 11 had stress UI, 12 had urgency UI, and the remaining 6 had mixed UI. On logistic regression analysis, bladder mucosal injury during morcellation and maximum urethral closure pressure on baseline urodynamics were the independent predictors of de novo UI after surgery.ConclusionsOur data suggest that HoLEP is effective in improving micturition, but de novo postoperative UI occurred in some patients although usually transient. Surgeons should be careful to not injure the bladder mucosa during morcellation. Neurourol. Urodynam. 30:1343–1349, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.