bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The postnatal role of Sox9 in cartilage
Authors: Henry Stephen P , Liang Shoudan , Akdemir Kadir C , de Crombrugghe Benoit 
Published: July 2012

Abstract
Sox9 is an essential transcription factor for the differentiation of the chondrocytic lineage during embryonic development. To test whether Sox9 continues to play a critical role in cartilaginous tissues in the adult mice, we used an inducible, genetic strategy to disrupt the Sox9 gene postnatally in these tissues. The postnatal inactivation of Sox9 led to stunted growth characterized by decreased proliferation, increased cell death, and dedifferentiation of growth plate chondrocytes. Upon postnatal Sox9 inactivation in the articular cartilage, the sulfated proteoglycan and aggrecan content of the uncalcified cartilage were rapidly depleted and the degradation of aggrecan was accompanied by higher ADAMTS5 immunostaining and increased detection of the aggrecan neoepitope, NITEGE. In spite of the severe loss of Collagen 2a1 mRNA, the Collagen II protein persisted in the articular cartilage, and no histopathological signs of osteoarthritis were observed. The homeostasis of the intervertebral disk (IVD) was dramatically altered upon Sox9 depletion, resulting in disk compression and subsequent degeneration. Inactivation of Sox9 in the IVD markedly reduced the expression of several genes encoding extracellular matrix proteins, as well as some of the enzymes responsible for their posttranslational modification. Furthermore, the loss of Sox9 in the IVD decreased the expression of cytokines, cell-surface receptors, and ion channels, suggesting that Sox9 coordinates a large genetic program that is instrumental for the proper homeostasis of the cells contained in the IVD postnatally. Our results indicate that Sox9 has an essential role in the physiological control of cartilaginous tissues in adult mice. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Morphology, distribution, and abundance of antennal sensilla of male and female macropterous and brachypterous small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Fu Bing‐Xian , Bellis Glenn Adam , Hong Jian , Wang Jie‐Ru , Wu Qiong , Tang Qi‐Yi , Cheng Jia‐An , Zhu Zeng‐Rong 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe antennal sensilla of both genders of macropterous and brachypterous adults of the small brown planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus (Fallén) (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. Scanning electron microscopy revealed seven types of antennal sensilla in adult L. striatellus which were not evenly distributed on all antennal segments. Sensilla chaetica, a sensillum campaniformium and a Böhm bristle were found on the scape. Sensilla chaetica, sensilla trichodea, sensilla placodea which always present as plaque organs, sensilla basiconica and a sensillum campaniformium were present on the pedicel. Three sensilla basiconica and one sensillum coeloconicum containing two sensory pegs were located on the swollen sensory region of the basal flagellum. Pores observed on the surface of s. trichodea and s. placodea suggest these organs probably play a role in olfaction, whereas the aporous s. chaetica with flexible sockets probably function as mechanoreceptors. The aporous s. basiconica with inflexible sockets are probable to be thermo‐hygroreceptors while the Böhm bristle and s. campaniformia may act as antennal proprioceptors. The function of s. coeloconicum remains uncertain. The numerical dominance of antennal olfactory receptors suggests olfaction is an important function of the antenna in L. striatellus. Although a small degree of sexual/wing dimorphism was observed in the numbers of sensilla and in the length and width of antennae and antennal segments, the basic shape and structure of the antennae and antennal sensilla did not differ between the gender or wing form in L. striatellus. Microsc. Res. Tech. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
External morphology of Trichogramma dendrolimi matsumura (hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) organ and ultrastructure of the sensilla
Authors: Zhang Sufang , Zhang Zhen , Kong Xiangbo , Wang Hongbin , Zhou Gang , Yu Jinxiu 
Published: July 2012

AbstractIn this article, we described the ultrastructure of the sensilla on the antenna, eyes, mouthparts, wings, legs, and external genitalia of female and male Trichogramma dendrolimi using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antenna possessed the most sensilla types. We found 13 types of sensilla on female antenna, which were trichoid sensilla (TS) type 1‐4, chaetica sensilla (ChS) type 1‐2, campaniform sensilla (CaS), falcate sensilla, placoid sensilla (PS) type 1‐2, basiconic capitate peg sensilla (BCPS) type 1, coeloconic sensilla (CoS), and styloconic sensilla. Ten types of sensilla were found on the male antenna, some were the same as that on female T. dendrolimi antenna, such as TS types 1 and 3, CaS, PS type 1, BCPS type 1, and CoS, but TS types 5 and 6, ChS type 3, and BCPS 2 were specific to male T. dendrolimi antenna. The leg possesses eight types of sensilla and a kind of tympana structure. Four types of TSs were found on the wings. On the mouthparts, sensilla on the maxillary and labial palps were unique, including two TSs and one ChS. The ovipositor possesses three types of sensilla, and the copulatory organ possesses two types. The eyes had only one kind of TS. Furthermore, external morphology of antenna and external genitalia revealed distinct sexual dimorphisms. According to their morphology, the possible functions of these sensilla were discussed. These results may further our understanding of the sensory mechanisms of T. dendrolimi in response to infochemicals within the environment. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Asymptotics of the Chromatic Number for Quasi‐Line Graphs
Authors: King Andrew D. , Reed Bruce 
Published: July 2012

AbstractAs proved by Kahn, the chromatic number and fractional chromatic number of a line graph agree asymptotically.That is, for any line graph G, we have . We extend this result to quasi‐line graphs, an important subclass of claw‐free graphs. Furthermore, we prove that we can construct a coloring that achieves this bound in polynomial time, giving us an asymptotic approximation algorithm for the chromatic number of quasi‐line graphs
Assessment of the liver strain among cirrhotic and normal livers using tagged MRI
Authors: Mannelli Lorenzo , Wilson Gregory J. , Dubinsky Theodore J. , Potter Christopher A. , Bhargava Puneet , Cuevas Carlos , Linnau Ken F. , Kolokythas Orpheus , Gunn Martin L. , Maki Jeffrey H. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPurpose:To use magnetization tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (tag‐MRI) to quantify cardiac induced liver strain and compare strain of cirrhotic and normal livers.Materials and Methods:Tag‐MRI was performed at 1.5T on eight subjects with no history of liver disease and 10 patients with liver cirrhosis. A breath‐hold peripheral pulse‐gated (PPG) conventional tag‐MRI cine sequence was performed with planes to include the left lobe of the liver and the inferior wall of the heart. Commercially available software HARP (Diagnosoft, Palo Alto, CA) was used for image analysis and strain calculation. Three regions‐of‐interest (ROIs) were selected: segment II of the liver near the heart (A), right liver lobe far from the heart (B), and the left ventricular wall (C). The average and maximal (max) strain were measured in A, B, and C. The maximum strains were used to generate a cardiac‐corrected strain gradient: (maxA‐maxB)/maxC. Results were compared with Student's t‐test (SPSS, Chicago, IL).Results:In subjects with no history of liver disease vs. cirrhotic patients, the average strain was 22% ± 7% vs. 4% ± 3% (P < 0.001), the max strain was 63% ± 15% vs. 17% ± 5% (P < 0.001), and the corrected strain gradient was 0.52 ± 0.16 vs. 0.11% ± 0.08%.Conclusion:There is a significant difference in liver strain measured with tag‐MRI between subjects with no history of liver disease and patients with cirrhosis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012; 36:1490–1495. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reproducibility of measurement of apparent diffusion coefficients of malignant hepatic tumors: Effect of DWI techniques and calculation methods
Authors: Kim So Yeon , Soo Lee Seung , Bumwoo Park  , Kim Namkug , Kim Jeong Kon , Park Seong Ho , Byun Jae Ho , Song Ki Jun , Koo Ja‐heung , Kyung Choi Eun , Lee Moon‐Gyu 
Published: July 2012

AbstractPurpose:To evaluate the effect of diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) methods, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) calculation methods, and selection of b‐values on the ADCs and the measurement reproducibility of malignant hepatic tumors.Materials and Methods:Nineteen patients with pathologically confirmed malignant hepatic tumors underwent breath‐hold DWI (b‐values = 0, 50, 500 s/mm2) and respiratory‐triggered DWI (0, 50, 300, 500, 1000 s/mm2) twice on a 1.5 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. ADCs were calculated using a two b‐value and/or a multiple b‐value method. The reproducibility of the ADC measurements was evaluated from the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and the 95% Bland–Altman limit‐of‐agreement (LOA).Results:The ADCs were different according to the DWI methods (P = 0.040–0.282), ADC calculation methods (P = 0.003–0.825), and the choice of b‐values (P < 0.001). The ADC tended to be more reproducible with use of breath‐hold DWI (ICC: 0.898–0.933; LOA, 18.8%–24.0%) than respiratory‐triggered DWI (ICC: 0.684–0.928; LOA, 15.0%–31.9%) (P = 0.008–0.122). For respiratory‐triggered DWI, the multiple b‐value method using five b‐values had better reproducibility than the two b‐value method for measurement of ADC (P = 0.009–0.221).Conclusion:The DWI method, ADC calculation method, and selection of b‐values potentially influence the ADCs and the reproducibility of malignant hepatic tumors. ADCs calculated from breath‐hold DWI are more reproducible than from respiratory‐triggered DWI. A multiple b‐value method may improve the reproducibility of respiratory‐triggered DWI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:1131–1138. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Formation of soy protein isolate–dextran conjugates by moderate Maillard reaction in macromolecular crowding conditions
Authors: Zhuo Xiu‐Ying , Qi Jun‐Ru , Yin Shou‐Wei , Yang Xiao‐Quan , Zhu Jian‐Hua , Huang Li‐Xin 
Published: July 2012

AbstractBACKGROUND: Several methods have been reported for the conjugation of proteins with polysaccharides. Protein–polysaccharide conjugates can be formed by traditional dry heating, but this process is not attractive from an industrial viewpoint, and no commercial conjugates have been manufactured in this way. In the present study, in order to develop a more practical reaction method, macromolecular crowding was used to attach polysaccharides to proteins.RESULTS: Soy protein isolate–dextran conjugates (SDCs) were prepared via the initial stage of the Maillard reaction in macromolecular crowding conditions. The impact of various processing conditions on the formation of SDCs was investigated. The optimal conditions chosen from the experiments were a soy protein isolate/dextran ratio of 1:1 (w/w), a pH of 6.5, a reaction temperature of 60 °C and a reaction time of 30 h. Circular dichroism spectroscopy showed that the secondary and tertiary structures of the conjugates were changed significantly. Structural flexibility increased, allowing better display of their functional characteristics. The conjugates had a composition with various sizes, especially macromolecules, according to gel permeation chromatography. Thermal analysis showed that the thermal stability of the conjugates was improved.CONCLUSION: The production of SDCs under macromolecular crowding conditions appears to be an effective and promising technique, representing an advance over classic protein glycosylation methods. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Range‐wide analysis of eastern massasauga survivorship
Authors: Jones Peter C. , King Richard B. , Bailey Robyn L. , Bieser Nickolas D. , Bissell Kristin , Campa Henry , Crabill Trisha , Cross Matthew D. , Degregorio Brett A. , Dreslik Michael J. , Durbian Francis E. , Harvey Daniel S. , Hecht Scott E. , Jellen Benjamin C. , Johnson Glenn , Kingsbury Bruce A. , Kowalski Matthew J. , Lee James , Manning Jennifer V. , Moore Jennifer A. , Oakes Julie , Phillips Christopher A. , Prior Kent A. , Refsnider Jeanine M. , Rouse Jeremy D. , Sage Joseph R. , Seigel Richard A. , Shepard Donald B. , Smith Chad S. , Vandewalle Terry J. , Weatherhead Patrick J. , Yagi Anne 
Published: July 2012

AbstractDecisions affecting wildlife management and conservation policy of imperiled species are often aided by population models. Reliable population models require accurate estimates of vital rates and an understanding of how vital rates vary geographically. The eastern massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus) is a rattlesnake species found in the Great Lakes region of North America. Populations of the eastern massasauga are fragmented and only a few areas harbor multiple, sizable populations. Eastern massasauga research has typically focused on single populations or local metapopulations but results suggest that demographic parameters vary geographically. We used 21 radiotelemetry datasets comprising 499 telemetered snakes from 16 distinct locations throughout the range of the eastern massasauga to characterize geographic patterns of adult survival using the known‐fate model in Program MARK. Annual adult survival ranged from 0.35 to 0.95 (mean = 0.67) and increased along a southwest to northeast geographic axis. Further analysis of 6 datasets indicated no consistent difference in survival between males and females. Our results provide a better understanding of the relationship between survivorship and geography for the eastern massasauga and suggest that such variation should be incorporated into population models as well as local and regional management plans. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
CHANGING SEDIMENT YIELD AND SEDIMENT DYNAMICS IN THE KAROO UPLANDS, SOUTH AFRICA; POST‐EUROPEAN IMPACTS
Authors: Foster I. D. L. , Rowntree K. M. , Boardman J. , Mighall T. M. 
Published: July 2012

ABSTRACTWe provide an overview of published results and a significant body of new data from an ongoing research programme designed to reconstruct sediment yields and sources in small (<60 km2) catchments in the Eastern Cape, South Africa over the last 150 years. Our analysis of four catchments has determined that sediment yield increased significantly in the latter half of the 20th century but that the exact timing of these increases was different in each of the four catchments. In two high altitude locations, sediment yield increases were not associated with a significant change in sediment source although, in one case, areas of former cultivation appear to have made a slightly greater contribution since the 1960s. In a third catchment, increases in sediment yield appear to have been driven by the development of badlands and by an increase in connectivity between the badlands and the main channel network in the 1960s. In the fourth catchment, increased connectivity between the main catchment and dam occurred as a result of the construction of a causeway to carry a main road and by the construction of culverts beneath the road. Occasional changes in sediment source have also been identified in the sedimentary record, but these were not linked directly to road construction. Research to date shows the complexity of sediment delivery in these semi‐arid catchment systems and emphasises the need to combine sediment yield with source ascription to better understand the dynamics of these systems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complex Sentence Processing: A Review of Theoretical Perspectives on the Comprehension of Relative Clauses
Authors: Gordon Peter C. , Lowder Matthew W. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractA major goal of psycholinguistics is to gain a better understanding of how syntactically complex sentences are processed. Pursuit of this goal has frequently focused on the contrast between object‐ and subject‐extracted relative clauses (RCs). Although a large body of literature demonstrates that comprehension is more difficult for object RCs than for subject RCs, the proposed explanations for this processing asymmetry are diverse and hotly debated. This article reviews theoretical accounts of RC processing in terms of whether they characterize the critical differences in comprehension difficulty as arising from memory processes, interpretive processes, or processes tuned to the frequency with which different types of language are encountered.
Donor assessment scores: Relevance and complete irrelevance
Authors: Porrett Paige M. , ter Horst Matthijs , Shaked Abraham 
Published: July 2012

Key Points
1. Donor assessment scores can be used to prognosticate recipient outcomes but are often not clinically relevant.
2. The donor risk index, the survival outcomes following liver transplantation score, and the Donor Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score have specific advantages and disadvantages with respect to accuracy and ease of use.
3. The significance of the donor assessment is undermined by an allocation system that sometimes limits ideal donor-recipient matching and whose sole objective is the minimization of wait-list mortality instead of the benefit of transplantation. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Bridging the gap: Advances in artificial liver support
Authors: Nyberg Scott L. 
Published: July 2012

Key Points
1. The goals of liver support therapy include the following:
• To provide detoxification and synthetic function during liver failure.
• To remove or reduce the production of proinflammatory cytokines to correct the systemic inflammatory response of liver failure.
• To stimulate the regeneration of the injured liver and increase the likelihood of spontaneous recovery.
2. There is a large unmet need for a liver support device because of the shortage of organs for liver transplantation and the risks of major surgery.
3. Liver support devices can be divided into 2 groups: purely mechanical artificial devices and cell-based bioartificial devices. Both provide detoxification, but bioartificial liver devices provide the option of synthetic function and biotransformation activities that are not possible with a purely mechanical device.
4. An abundant high-quality supply of human hepatocytes is not currently available for liver cell therapy. However, such a supply is essential for successful bioartificial liver therapy. Novel options are under development for the unlimited production of high-quality human hepatocytes. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.
Diblock Copolymer Micelles with Ionic Amphiphilic Corona
Authors: Lysenko Evgeny A. , Kulebyakina Alevtina I. , Chelushkin Pavel S. , Zezin Alexander B. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractSummary: Aqueous dispersions of diblock copolymer micelles with homogeneous hydrophobic core (polystyrene) and heterogeneous amphiphilic corona from ionic N‐ethyl‐4‐vinylpyridinium bromide (EVP) and hydrophobic 4‐vinylpyridine (4VP) units have been prepared at pH 9. The structure and dispersion stability of micelles as function of the ratio and distribution pattern of ionic and hydrophobic units in corona have been systematically studied by means of transmission electron microscopy, static and dynamic light scattering, UV‐spectrophotometry techniques. It was shown that gradual decrease of the quantity of EVP‐units in corona had no impact on micelle structure until its fraction was above 0.7. When EVP‐fraction dropped below this point noticeable changes in micelle mass and dimensions were observed. In the case of random distribution of 4VP and EVP units these changes were moderate in value and jump‐like in character. In the case of mictoarm (starlike) distribution of 4VP and EVP blocks changes were large in value and monotonous in character. The presented results may be of certain use for design of polymer micelles with nanosegregated corona.
2D Diffusion of Macromolecules Adsorbed on Glass Microspheres
Authors: Malinin A. S. , Rakhnyanskaya A. A. , Yaroslavov A. A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractSummary: It has been demonstrated that diffusion of polycation adsorbed on glass microspheres occurs without desorption of the macromolecules into the solution and, therefore, can be characterizerd as 2D‐diffusion. The diffusion coefficint is estimated to be 1.4 × 10−12 cm2/s.
Supramolecular Hydrogels Based on Silver Mercaptide. Self‐Organization and Practical Application
Authors: Pakhomov Pavel , Khizhnyak Svetlana , Ovchinnikov Maxim , Komarov Pavel 
Published: July 2012

AbstractSummary: A novel supramolecular thixotropic hydrogel based on low‐concentrated solutions of L‐cysteine and silver nitrate is synthesized. Self‐organization and gelation in the system are studied experimentally by means of UV‐vis and FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, rotational viscometry, transmission electron microscopy, as well as theoretically by quantum mechanics and molecular dynamics. A mechanism of the formation of the supramolecular hydrogel is suggested, potential application for medicinal purposes is considered.
Thermal Degradation of Adsorbed Bottle‐Brush Macromolecules: When Do Strong Covalent Bonds Break Easily?
Authors: Paturej Jaroslaw , Kuban Lukasz , Milchev Andrey , Rostiashvili Vakhtang G. , Vilgis Thomas A. 
Published: July 2012

AbstractThe scission kinetics of bottle‐brush molecules in solution and on an adhesive substrate is modeled by means of Molecular Dynamics simulation with Langevin thermostat. Our macromolecules comprise a long flexible polymer backbone with L segments, consisting of breakable bonds, along with two side chains of length N, tethered to segments of the backbone with grafting density σg. In agreement with recent experiments and theoretical predictions, we find that bond cleavage is significantly enhanced on a strongly attractive substrate even though the chemical nature of the bonds remains thereby unchanged. Our simulation results indicate that the mean life time $\langle \tau \rangle $ of covalent bonds decreases by more than an order of magnitude upon adsorption even for brush molecules with comparatively short side chains $N = 1 \div 4$. The distribution of scission probability along the bonds of the backbone is found to change significantly when the length and/or the grafting density of the side chains are varied. The tension, experienced by the covalent bonds is found to grow steadily with increasing σg. The mean life time $\langle \tau \rangle $ declines with growing contour length L as $\langle \tau \rangle {\propto} L^{- 0.17} $, and also with growing side chain length N. The probability distribution of fragment lengths at different times is compatible with experimental observations and reveals a two‐stage (initially fast, then slow) process with different rates. The variation of the mean length L(t) of the fragments with elapsed time characterizes the thermal degradation process as a first order reaction.
Simulation of Complexes between a Charged Dendrimer and a Linear Polyelectrolyte with Finite Rigidity
Authors: Kłos Jarosław Sylwester , Sommer Jens Uwe 
Published: July 2012

AbstractComplexes comprising a 4th‐generation dendrimer with 32 positively charged end‐groups and an oppositely charged linear polyelectrolyte along with explicit counterions are studied in an athermal solvent using MC simulations. The excluded volume between monomers, the full Coulomb potential between charges and the bending energy of the chain bonds are taken into account. The chain flexibility parameter is varied in a wide range, including the limiting cases of rigid and flexible chains. As the chains become more rigid, they take locally extended conformations within the complex. The conformations of the condensed chains are described in terms of loops, trains, and tails. In the limit of strong electrostatic coupling and high rigidity, long chains show a release of tails from the complex.magnified image