bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Micropatterned agarose scaffolds covalently modified with collagen for culture of normal and neoplastic hepatocytes
Authors: Au Angela Y. , Hasenwinkel Julie M. , Frondoza Carmelita G. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAnchorage‐dependent cells including hepatocytes, the main functional cellular constituent comprising liver tissue, require a substrate for cell adhesion when cultured outside their native tissue. The challenge with hepatocyte culture is that material substrates and designs supporting hepatocyte attachment, phenotype, and function are not readily available. Our laboratory previously published that type I collagen found in the liver extracellular matrix supports hepatocyte culture. We hypothesized that micropatterned agarose with a coating of collagen covalently bound to the surface would facilitate hepatocyte adhesion and phenotype. To test this hypothesis, primary canine hepatocytes and neoplastic human HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells were cultured on these substrates. Hepatocyte adhesion was dependent on the cell type and also the micropattern design. Viable normal and neoplastic hepatocytes attached to the microchannel troughs rather than on the ridges. In contrast, hepatocyte adhesion on the microcircular patterns was similar to control agarose as cells did not sense differences in surface topology on these substrates. Neoplastic cells exhibited a distinct difference in growth behavior following 7 days in culture on the microchannel patterns, exhibiting aberrant proliferation relative to normal hepatocytes which did not proliferate. Our results suggest that patterned microchannel agarose may be useful to evaluate hepatoprotective and noxious agents. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Optimization of poly(ε‐caprolactone) surface properties for apatite formation and improved osteogenic stimulation
Authors: Choong Cleo , Yuan Shaojun , Thian Eng San , Oyane Ayako , Triffitt James 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA biodegradable polymer with surface properties that promotes cell attachment and host integration is widely recognized as a useful three‐dimensional construct for bone tissue engineering applications. In this work, studies were carried out to correlate surface properties of modified polycaprolactone (PCL) films with cell‐material interactions. PCL film substrates were subjected to various degrees of chemical hydrolysis using different pretreatment solutions to introduce different densities of carboxylate groups onto the surfaces. The extent of hydrolysis on the films was optimized to allow the deposition of a dense and uniform bone‐like apatite layer by an alternate soak treatment, followed by subsequent incubation in simulated body fluid (SBF). The hydrolyzed and apatite‐coated PCL films were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, thin film X‐ray diffractometer (TF‐XRD), water contact angle, and Alizarin red staining. Surface wettability, roughness, and chemistry of various PCL substrates were correlated with cell attachment, proliferation, viability, and alkaline phosphatase activity. Results demonstrated that cell attachment increased with increasing surface hydrophilicity and roughness. The apatite‐coated films showed significantly improved surface wettability and enhanced surface roughness, which subsequently led to better cell attachment potential, high‐cell viability, and enhanced bone formation capability. Thus, surface modification with an apatite coating layer is a promising approach for enhancing the efficacy of the polymeric scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Fabrication of protein micropatterns using a functional substrate with convertible protein‐adsorption surface properties
Authors: Yamazoe Hironori 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA functional substrate capable of regulating protein adsorption was prepared using a crosslinked albumin (cl‐albumin) film for use in the fabrication of protein micropatterns. The adsorption of proteins with different characteristics onto cl‐albumin film, including serum proteins, serum albumin, and lysozyme, was investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance. The results showed that surfaces coated with cl‐albumin film are highly resistant to protein adsorption, regardless of protein charge and rigidity. In addition, this adsorption‐resistance property can be easily converted to promote protein adsorption by exposing the cl‐albumin film to a charged polymer solution. By combining the convertible surface property of cl‐albumin film and inkjet printing techniques, a precise protein micropattern was successfully fabricated on the substrate. Protein adsorption onto the wall surface of microchannels could also be suppressed or promoted by coating the surface with cl‐albumin film. This approach will aid in the development of biomaterials carrying protein micropatterns, such as biosensors, biochips, and cellular scaffolds. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
In vivo magnetic resonance imaging tracking of SPIO‐labeled human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Hu Sheng‐Li , Lu Pei‐Gang , Zhang Li‐Jun , Li Fei , Chen Zhi , Wu Nan , Meng Hui , Lin Jiang‐Kai , Feng Hua 
Published: November 2011

AbstractHuman umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC‐MSCs) can be efficiently labeled by superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, which produces low signal intensity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in vitro. This study was to evaluate the feasibility of in vivo tracking for hUC‐MSCs labeled by SPIO with noninvasive MRI. SPIO was added to cultures at concentrations equivalent to 0, 7, 14, 28, and 56 µg Fe/ml (diluted with DMEM/F12) and incubated for 16 h. Prussian Blue staining was used to determinate the labeling efficiency. Rats were randomly divided into three groups, control group, hUC‐MSCs group, and SPIO‐labeled hUC‐MSCs group. All groups were subjected to spinal cord injury (SCI) by weight drop device. Rats were examined for neurological function. In vivo MRI was used to track SPIO‐labeled hUC‐MSCs transplanted in rats spinal cord. Survival and migration of hUC‐MSCs were also explored using immunofluorescence. Significant improvements in locomotion were observed in the hUC‐MSCs groups. There was statistical significance compared with control group. In vivo MRI 1 and 3 weeks after injection showed a large reduction in signal intensity in the region transplanted with SPIO‐labeled hUC‐MSCs. The images from unlabeled hUC‐MSCs showed a smaller reduction in signal intensity. Transplanted hUC‐MSCs engrafted within the injured rats spinal cord and survived for at least 8 weeks. In conclusion, hUC‐MSCs can survive and migrate in the host spinal cord after transplantation, which promote functional recovery after SCI. Noninvasive imaging of transplanted SPIO‐labeled hUC‐MSCs is feasible. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1005–1012, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Triptolide attenuate the oxidative stress induced by LPS/D‐GalN in mice
Authors: Lu Yan , Bao Xiaofeng , Sun Tingzhe , Xu Jiafa , Zheng Wei , Shen Pingping 
Published: November 2011

AbstractTriptolide, a diterpene triepoxide, is one of the major components of most functional extracts of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f, which is known to have various biological effects, including immunosuppressive, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐tumor functions. We studied the inhibitory effect of triptolide on endotoxemia (ETM)‐induced oxidative stress, which was induced in C57BL/6 mice by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and D‐galactosamine (D‐GalN). Pretreatment with triptolide decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, mortality rate and liver injury after LPS/D‐GalN injection. We utilized comprehensive proteomics to identify alterations in liver protein expression during pretreatment with triptolide or N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) after LPS/D‐GalN injection, 44 proteins were found to be related to oxidative stress, mitochondria, metabolism and signal transduction, and 23 proteins of them seemed to be significantly up‐ or down‐regulated. Furthermore, both triptolide and NAC inhibited activation of c‐jun NH2‐terminal kinases (JNK) and mitogen‐activated protein kinase p38 (p38), phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear factor‐kappa B (IκB) and activation of nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB). These results demonstrated that triptolide inhibited the activation of JNK and p38 by decreasing ROS levels, which in turn inhibited the hepatic injury. In addition, we set and validated the phosphorylation model of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and proposed that triptolide probably induced ERK phosphorylation through inhibiting its dephosphorylation rates. These results showed that triptolide can effectively reduce the oxidative stress and partially rescue the damage in the liver induced by LPS/D‐GalN. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1022–1033, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization and optimization of a simple, repeatable system for the long term in vitro culture of aligned myotubes in 3D
Authors: Smith A.S.T. , Passey S. , Greensmith L. , Mudera V. , Lewis M.P. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIncreased recent research activity in exercise physiology has dramatically improved our understanding of skeletal muscle development and physiology in both health and disease. Advances in bioengineering have enabled the development of biomimetic 3D in vitro models of skeletal muscle which have the potential to further advance our understanding of the fundamental processes that underpin muscle physiology. As the principle structural protein of the extracellular matrix, collagen‐based matrices are popular tools for the creation of such 3D models but the custom nature of many reported systems has precluded their more widespread adoption. Here we present a simple, reproducible iteration of an established 3D in vitro model of skeletal muscle, demonstrating both the high levels of reproducibility possible in this system and the improved cellular architecture of such constructs over standard 2D cell culture techniques. We have used primary rat muscle cells to validate this simple model and generate comparable data to conventional established cell culture techniques. We have optimized culture parameters for these cells which should provide a template in this 3D system for using muscle cells derived from other donor species and cell lines. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1044–1053, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microarray‐based identification of aminopeptidase N target genes in keratinocyte conditioned medium‐stimulated dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Lai Amy , Ghaffari Abdi , Li Yunyuan , Ghahary Aziz 
Published: November 2011

AbstractOf the many processes that affect the outcome of wound repair, epidermal–dermal interactions are essential to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and in particular, soluble factors released by keratinocytes are known to have a direct impact on the production of ECM by dermal fibroblasts. Aminopeptidase N (APN) has recently been proposed as a cell‐surface receptor for stratifin and is responsible for the stratifin‐mediated matrix metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1) upregulation in fibroblasts. The present study examines whether modulation of APN gene expression has any impact on the fibroblast ECM gene expression profile. The result reveals that in the presence of keratinocyte‐derived soluble factors, transient knockdown of APN in dermal fibroblasts affects the expression of key ECM components such as fibronectin, tenascin‐C, MMP‐1, MMP‐3, and MMP‐12. The regulatory effects of APN on fibronectin and selective MMPs appear to be associated with receptor‐mediated signal transduction independently of its peptidase activity. On the contrary, inhibition of the APN enzymatic activity by bestatin significantly reduces the tenascin‐C expression and enhances the contraction of fibroblast‐populated collagen gel, suggesting an activity‐dependent regulation of fibroblast contractility by APN. The overall effects of APN on the expression of fibronectin, tenascin‐C, and MMPs in fibroblasts propose an important role for APN in the regulation of keratinocyte‐mediated ECM remodeling and fibroblast contractile activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1061–1068, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simultaneous nitrification and denitrification with electricity generation in dual‐cathode microbial fuel cells
Authors: Zhang Fei , He Zhen 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBACKGROUND: Nitrogen removal using microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is of great interest owing to the potential benefits of bioenergy production. In this study, simultaneous nitrification and denitrification in dual‐cathode MFCs was investigated.RESULTS: The dual‐cathode MFCs investigated were capable of generating electricity and removing nitrogen, influenced by operating methods, nitrogen loading rates and external resistance. Depending on the ammonium concentration in the anode chamber, 84–97% of the ammonium nitrogen was removed via nitrification in the aerobic cathode. The removals of nitrate and total nitrogen were relatively low (∼50%) at the influent ammonium concentration of 80 mg NH4+‐N L−1, but were significantly improved to more than 90% at a lower ammonium input (40 and 20 mg NH4+‐N L−1). When the electrode couples were electrically connected for different purposes, with high power output from the anode/aerobic cathode and high current generation from the anode/anoxic cathode, nitrogen removal was also improved. An investigation of aeration suggested that factors other than carbon supply, possibly inefficient reactor configuration, also limited the performance of the developed MFC.CONCLUSION: The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed pathway was feasible with effective nitrogen and organic removal. This study provided valuable information for the further development of a continuously operated dual‐cathode MFC system. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of the interface and bond strength of resin‐based endodontic cements to root dentin
Authors: Haragushiku Gisele Aihara , Teixeira Cleonice Silveira , Furuse Adilson Yoshio , Sousa Yara Terezinha Silva , De Sousa Neto Manoel Damião , Silva Ricardo Gariba 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis study evaluated by scanning electron microscopy the interface between root dentin and resin cements, with or without additional application of a dual‐cured one‐step self‐etching dentin adhesive. In addition, the push‐out bond strength of these materials to dentin was evaluated. Root canals of 50 maxillary human canines were subjected to biomechanical preparation and randomly assigned into five groups (n = 10) according to the obturation employed: I. AH Plus/gutta‐percha; II. Endo‐REZ/gutta‐percha; III. Epiphany SE/Resilon; IV. Endo‐REZ/gutta‐percha + adhesive; and V. Epiphany SE/Resilon + adhesive. After obturation, two cross sections of 1.0 mm of each third of the root were obtained and analyzed by SEM and push‐out. Data were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis, Two‐way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD tests (α = 5%). Significant differences occurred between scores for gap parameters and tags; greater tag formation resulted for Epiphany SE (P < 0.05). There were also significant differences between groups for the bond strength. AH Plus (1.24 ± 0.70) showed higher values (P < 0.05) compared to groups II (0,17 ± 0.19), III (0.10 ± 0.06), IV (0.09 ± 0.08), and V (0.06 ± 0.03), which were statistically similar (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the root thirds (P > 0.05). It was concluded that the use of a self‐etching adhesive system did not improve the adhesion of resin‐based sealers to dentin and that AH Plus showed better bond strength when compared to other cements. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative 3D imaging of yeast by hard X‐ray tomography
Authors: Zheng Ting , Li Wenjie , Guan Yong , Song Xiangxia , Xiong Ying , Liu Gang , Tian Yangchao 
Published: November 2011

AbstractFull‐field hard X‐ray tomography could be used to obtain three‐dimensional (3D) nanoscale structures of biological samples. The image of the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, was clearly visualized based on Zernike phase contrast imaging technique and heavy metal staining method at a spatial resolution better than 50 nm at the energy of 8 keV. The distributions and shapes of the organelles during the cell cycle were clearly visualized and two types of organelle were distinguished. The results for cells during various phases were compared and the ratios of organelle volume to cell volume can be analyzed quantitatively. It showed that the ratios remained constant between growth and division phase and increased strongly in stationary phase, following the shape and size of two types of organelles changes. Our results demonstrated that hard X‐ray microscopy was a complementary method for imaging and revealing structural information for biological samples. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Peri‐operative chemotherapy for resectable colorectal liver metastasis: Does timing of systemic therapy matter?
Authors: Pinto Marques Hugo , Barroso Eduardo , de Jong Mechteld C. , Choti Michael A. , Ribeiro Vasco , Nobre Ana Marta , Carvalho Carlos , Pawlik Timothy M. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackgroundThe benefit of pre‐operative chemotherapy in patients with resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) remains ill defined. We sought to evaluate the impact of peri‐operative systemic chemotherapy timing on outcome following resection of CRLM.Methods676 patients who underwent surgery for CRLM were identified from two hepatobiliary center databases. Data were collected and analyzed utilizing multivariate, matched, and propensity‐score analyses.ResultsMedian number of metastases was 2 and median tumor size was 3.3 cm. 334 patients (49.4%) received pre‐operative chemotherapy while 342(50.6%) did not. Surgical treatment was resection only (n = 555; 82.1%; minor hepatectomy, n = 399; 59.1%). While there was no difference in morbidity following minor liver resection (pre‐operative chemotherapy: 17.9% versus no pre‐operative chemotherapy: 16.5%; P = 0.72), morbidity was higher after major hepatic resection (pre‐operative chemotherapy: 23.1% versus no pre‐operative chemotherapy: 14.2%; P = 0.06). Patients treated with pre‐operative chemotherapy had worse 5‐year survival (43%) as compared to patients not treated with pre‐operative chemotherapy (55%)(P = 0.009). Controlling for baseline characteristics, pre‐operative chemotherapy was not associated with outcome on multivariate (HR = 1.04, P = 0.87) or propensity‐score analysis (HR = 1.40, P = 0.12).ConclusionPre‐operative chemotherapy was associated with a trend toward increased morbidity among patients undergoing a major hepatic resection. Receipt of pre‐operative chemotherapy was associated with neither an advantage nor disadvantage in terms of long‐term survival. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:511–519. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical efficacy of paclitaxel/cisplatin as an adjuvant chemotherapy for patients with cervical cancer who underwent radical hysterectomy and systematic lymphadenectomy
Authors: Hosaka Masayoshi , Watari Hidemichi , Kato Tatsuya , Odagiri Tetsuji , Konno Yousuke , Endo Daisuke , Mitamura Takashi , Kikawa Satomi , Suzuki Yoshihiro , Sakuragi Noriaki 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy of paclitaxel/cisplatin (TP) as an adjuvant chemotherapy to adjuvant radiotherapy (RT) after radical hysterectomy and systematic lymphadenectomy for patients with cervical cancer.MethodsA total of 125 patients with early‐stage cervical cancer, who underwent radical hysterectomy, and received adjuvant therapy due to recurrent risk factors were retrospectively analyzed. Forty‐nine patients were treated with RT, and 32 received paclitaxel/cisplatin (TP) for three to six cycles at 4‐week interval. Survival and postoperative complications were compared between two modalities.ResultsThere was no significant difference of 3‐year disease‐free survival between two groups (P = 0.23), while significantly better 3‐year overall survival in TP group than RT group (P = 0.02). Seven of 32 patients (21.9%) treated with adjuvant TP, 16 of 49 patients (32.7%) treated with RT showed disease recurrence. Median of survival time after recurrence in RT group and TP group was 8.5 months, 12.0 months, respectively. Postoperative bowel obstruction was significantly more frequent in the RT group compared to the TP group (P = 0.01).ConclusionsPostoperative chemotherapy using TP might be more beneficial for survival than adjuvant RT and can reduce postoperative complications for cervical cancer patients treated with radical hysterectomy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 105:612–616. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A retrospective analysis of sea turtle nest depredation patterns
Authors: Welicky Rachel L. , Wyneken Jeanette , Noonburg Erik G. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractNest predation can significantly reduce hatchling recruitment in sea turtle populations. We examined 20 yr of data from Canaveral National Seashore, Florida, which has pristine and altered beaches. We used chi‐squared test to determine if secondary predation events were related to the nests' primary predation events, and proportional hazard regression analysis to determine the relative risk of individual nest predation. To determine if human beach use and nest predation risk were spatially or temporally linked, we ranked human beach use and examined predation frequency across all screened and marked nests. We found that once a nest has experienced predation it has an increased likelihood of experiencing a subsequent predation event when compared to other nests on the beach. Primary and multiple predation events occurred with greater frequency in limited beach use areas and with lowest frequency in moderate use areas. Predation risk decreased by an average of 29.5% from 2000 to 2008, relative to the initial year of study. Nests deposited mid‐season were 9.8% more likely to be predated than early or late season nests. We conclude that where anti‐nest predator management efforts are required but restricted (e.g., by funds, available personnel, or multiple management goals) resources should be concentrated to protect mid‐season nests and those in limited access areas, if enhancing hatchling numbers is a management goal. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.