bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scar tissue classification using nonlinear optical microscopy and discriminant analysis
Authors: Kelf Timothy Andrew , Gosnell Martin , Sandnes Bjornar , Guller Anna E. , Shekhter Anatoly B. , Zvyagin Andrei V. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThis paper addresses the scar tissue maturation process that occurs stepwise, and calls for reliable classification. The structure of collagen imaged by nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM) in post‐burn hypertrophic and mature scar, as well as in normal skin, appeared to distinguish these maturation steps. However, it was a discrimination analysis, demonstrated here, that automated and quantified the scar tissue maturation process. The achieved scar classification accuracy was as high as 96%. The combination of NLOM and discrimination analysis is believed to be instrumental in gaining insight into the scar formation, for express diagnosis of scar and surgery planning. (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evaluation of a bioresorbable drug delivery system for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Vedantham Kumar , Swet Jacob H. , McKillop Iain H. , El‐Ghannam Ahmed 
Published: November 2011

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents a major global health burden. Typically HCC responds poorly to chemotherapy, and such approaches to treat HCC are commonly associated with severe hepatic and/or systemic toxicity. The aim of this study was to evaluate a porous resorbable silica‐calcium phosphate nanocomposite (SCPC) as a controlled release vehicle for cisplatin. Particles of two different formulations—SCPC50 and SCPC75, containing 19.49 and 32.9 mol % silica, respectively—were loaded with cisplatin by immersion treatment and pressed into discs. In vitro release kinetics studies of cisplatin from SCPC50 and SCPC75 demonstrated an initial burst release of 0.39 ± 0.04 mg (of the 1.49 mg total loaded) and 0.87 ± 0.07 mg (of the 2.34 mg total loaded), respectively. Over the following 44‐day period. SCPC75‐cisplatin hybrid produced a significantly higher sustained cisplatin release than that released from SCPC50. Cisplatin release correlated well with the surface area, and silica dissolution kinetics of the SCPC carrier. Treatment of rat HCC cells (H4IIE) with cisplatin released from SCPC‐cisplatin hybrids induced apoptotic cell death in H4IIE cells in vitro. Results of this study suggest that SCPC composites may be of potential use for the treatment of HCC in vivo. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Development of Ti‐Ag‐Fe ternary titanium alloy for dental application
Authors: Zhang B.B. , Wang B.L. , Wang Y.B. , Li L. , Zheng Y.F. , Liu Y. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractA series of titanium‐silver‐iron ternary alloys have been prepared in this study, and their feasibility as dental materials has been evaluated by the microstructural examination, mechanical testing, corrosion resistance evaluation, surface analysis, and cytotoxicity tests. More and more β‐Ti phase appears at room temperature and retains with the increasing of Fe content in Ti‐5Ag‐xFe alloy systems. The compression strength, wear resistance, and microhardness increase largely (p < 0.05) by the addition of element Fe to Ti‐Ag alloy. Moreover, when comparing with commercial pure titanium (CP Ti), nobler electrochemical corrosion behavior could be obtained for Ti‐5Ag‐1Fe and Ti‐5Ag‐2.5Fe alloys in the 1% lactic acid solution (pH = 2.1) and 0.1 mol/L H2O2 + 0.9% NaCl solution (pH = 4.0). The released metal ions from Ti‐5Ag‐xFe alloys into the simulated fluid are trace, similar to the case of CP Ti. The addition of Fe slightly decreases the corrosion resistance of Ti‐5Ag alloy. All experimental Ti‐5Ag‐xFe alloy extracts do not present any cytotoxicity to L‐929 and NIH3T3 cell lines. All in all, the combination of superior corrosion resistance and enhanced mechanical properties make Ti‐5Ag‐1Fe alloy and Ti‐5Ag‐2.5Fe alloy suitable for dental applications. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Standardized methods to quantify thrombogenicity of blood‐contacting materials via thromboelastography
Authors: Shankarraman Venkat , Davis‐Gorman Grace , Copeland Jack G. , Caplan Michael R. , McDonagh Paul F. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBlood coagulation is the most significant complication of vascular biomaterials. A straightforward, sensitive, and standard measure of the compatibility of these materials with whole blood (hemocompatibility) is necessary to avoid coagulation. Current techniques used quantify only individual clotting components and are poor predictors of coagulation. The thromboelastograph (TEG) provides a measure of overall clot formation from whole blood. Although TEG is very common in clinical settings, its application to biomaterials is limited partly due to difficulty in sample preparation. In this protocol, whole blood samples are incubated with (1) biomaterials (tube with clamped ends) and (2) endothelial cells cultured on biomaterial surfaces (12‐well plate) under controlled shearing conditions (10 rpm on rocker, at 37°C), and then the blood is transferred to the TEG to measure clot formation. TEG clearly discriminates among the R‐times (time until initial clot formation) of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene), poly(urethane), and Tygon tubing. Marked differences in R‐time are also seen when endothelial cells are cultured on various extracellular matrix proteins and proteoglycans. Thus, R‐time provides a robust metric of overall thrombogenicity of biomaterials, and these procedures provide a standardized method for TEG to facilitate direct comparison among candidate biomaterials undergoing in‐vitro testing. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Topographic characterization and protein quantification of esophageal basement membrane for scaffold design reference in tissue engineering
Authors: Li Yuanyuan , Zhu Yabin , Yu Hongwei , Chen Ling , Liu Yuxin 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBasement membrane (BM) has been investigated widely and applied in the field of bio‐synthesized scaffold design in tissue engineering. However, this respect of investigation has seen scarcely in the field of esophageal tissue engineering. This study reports BM's basic topographic characters and quantification of structural and major proteins involving collagen IV, laminin, entactin, proteoglycans of porcine esophagus. Several methods were adopted to strip epithelium from mucosa tissue. For example, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, sonication, dithiothreitol, cold sodium chloride (NaCl), mechanical force of glass coverslip, and cold trypsin and so forth. Assessed experimental results under different conditions, the optimal condition to isolate epithelium from BM was established. After the reaction of cold trypsin at 4°C for 15 h, the BM was isolated from epithelium and exposed integratedly. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining verified the effectiveness of epithelium removal and the integrity of BM. The topographic features of the exposed BM were observed under transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. It displayed a rugged surface and 3‐D topography consisting of pores and fibers with sub‐100 nm range via ImageJ software. The major proteins existing in BM were quantitatively analyzed by enzyme‐linked immune sorbent assay. All these results will provide references for the design of synthesized scaffolds and protein modification in esophageal tissue‐engineering research. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Biomimetic collagen/apatite coating formation on Ti6Al4V substrates
Authors: Xia Zengmin , Yu Xiaohua , Wei* Mei 
Published: November 2011

AbstractHydroxyapatite and type I collagen are two major components of natural bone. They have been used extensively to engineer biomaterial surfaces for enhanced implant‐bone integrations. In this study, a collagen/apatite composite coating was successfully deposited on treated Ti6Al4V surfaces by coprecipitation of type I collagen and apatite in a collagen‐containing modified simulated body fluid (m‐SBF). X‐ray diffraction and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy results indicated that the coating achieved was a composite of bone‐like carbonated apatite and collagen type I, which is similar to the composition of natural bone. The coating composition and morphology could be tailored by carefully adjusting the collagen concentration in the m‐SBF. In addition, both the coating thickness and bonding strength were down regulated by the collagen concentration in the m‐SBF. Collagen inhibited the apatite nucleation on the metallic substrate, and thereby reduced the bonding strength of the composite coating. In addition, an in vitro cell culture study was conducted on both the apatite and the collagen‐apatite coating surfaces. Addition of collagen promoted osteoblast activities, which may lead to early bone formation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2012.
Comprehensive analysis of titin protein isoform and alternative splicing in normal and mutant rats
Authors: Li Shijun , Guo Wei , Schmitt Benjamin M. , Greaser Marion L. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractTitin is a giant protein with multiple functions in cardiac and skeletal muscles. Rat cardiac titin undergoes developmental isoform transition from the neonatal 3.7 MDa N2BA isoform to primarily the adult 2.97 MDa N2B isoform. An autosomal dominant mutation dramatically altered this transformation. Titins from eight skeletal muscles: Tibialis Anterior (TA), Longissimus Dorsi (LD) and Gastrocnemius (GA), Extensor Digitorum Longus (ED), Soleus (SO), Psoas (PS), Extensor Oblique (EO), and Diaphram (DI) were characterized in wild type and in homozygous mutant (Hm) rats with a titin splicing defect. Results showed that the developmental reduction in titin size is eliminated in the mutant rat so that the titins in all investigated skeletal muscles remain large in the adult. The alternative splicing of titin mRNA was found repressed by this mutation, a result consistent with the large titin isoform in the mutant. The developmental pattern of titin mRNA alternative splicing differs between heart and skeletal muscles. The retention of intron 49 reveals a possible mechanism for the absence of the N2B unique region in the expressed titin protein of skeletal muscle. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1265–1273, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
NIP45 negatively regulates RANK ligand induced osteoclast differentiation
Authors: Shanmugarajan Srinivasan , Haycraft Courtney J. , Reddy Sakamuri V. , Ries William L. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractReceptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL)‐RANK receptor signaling to induce NFATc1 transcription factor is critical for osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. RANK adaptor proteins, tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factors (TRAFs) play an essential role in RANKL signaling. Evidence indicates that NIP45 (NFAT interacting protein) binds with TRAFs and NFATc2. We therefore hypothesized that NIP45 regulates RANKL induced osteoclast differentiation. In this study, we demonstrate that RANKL treatment down regulates NIP45 expression in mouse bone marrow derived pre‐osteoclast cells. Lentiviral (pGIPZ) mediated shRNA knock‐down of NIP45 expression in RANKL stimulated pre‐osteoclast cells resulted in increased levels of NFATc1, NFATc2, and TRAF6 but not TRAF2 expression compared to control shRNA transduced cells. Also, NIP45 suppression elevated p‐IκB‐α levels and NF‐κB‐luciferase reporter activity. Confocal microscopy demonstrated NIP45 colocalized with TRAF6 in the cytosol of osteoclast progenitor cells. In contrast, RANKL stimulation induced NIP45 nuclear translocation and colocalization with NFATc2 in these cells. Coimmuneprecipitation assay demonstrated NIP45 binding with NFATc2 but not NFATc1. We further show that shRNA knock‐down of NIP45 expression in pre‐osteoclast cells significantly increased RANKL induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption activity. Taken together, our results indicate that RANKL signaling down regulates NIP45 expression and that NIP45 is a negative regulator of osteoclast differentiation. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 1274–1281, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Web interface for brownian dynamics simulation of ion transport and its applications to beta‐barrel pores
Authors: Lee Kyu Il , Jo Sunhwan , Rui Huan , Egwolf Bernhard , Roux Benoît , Pastor Richard W. , Im Wonpil 
Published: November 2011

AbstractBrownian dynamics (BD) based on accurate potential of mean force is an efficient and accurate method for simulating ion transport through wide ion channels. Here, a web‐based graphical user interface (GUI) is presented for carrying out grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) BD simulations of channel proteins: http://www.charmm‐gui.org/input/gcmcbd. The webserver is designed to help users avoid most of the technical difficulties and issues encountered in setting up and simulating complex pore systems. GCMC/BD simulation results for three proteins, the voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC), α‐Hemolysin (α‐HL), and the protective antigen pore of the anthrax toxin (PA), are presented to illustrate the system setup, input preparation, and typical output (conductance, ion density profile, ion selectivity, and ion asymmetry). Two models for the input diffusion constants for potassium and chloride ions in the pore are compared: scaling of the bulk diffusion constants by 0.5, as deduced from previous all‐atom molecular dynamics simulations of VDAC, and a hydrodynamics based model (HD) of diffusion through a tube. The HD model yields excellent agreement with experimental conductances for VDAC and α‐HL, while scaling bulk diffusion constants by 0.5 leads to underestimates of 10–20%. For PA, simulated ion conduction values overestimate experimental values by a factor of 1.5–7 (depending on His protonation state and the transmembrane potential), implying that the currently available computational model of this protein requires further structural refinement. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2012
Theoretical investigation of the ethylene dimer: Interaction energy and dipole moment
Authors: Kalugina Yulia N. , Cherepanov Victor N. , Buldakov Mikhail A. , Zvereva‐Loëte Natalia , Boudon Vincent 
Published: November 2011

AbstractThe interaction potential energy and the interaction‐induced dipole moment surfaces of the van der Waals C2H4‐C2H4 complex has been calculated for a broad range of intermolecular separations and configurations in the approximation of rigid interacting molecules. The calculations have been carried out using high‐level ab initio theory with the aug‐cc‐pVTZ basis set and within the framework of the analytical description of long‐range interactions between ethylene molecules. Binding energy for the most stable configuration of the C2H4‐C2H4 complex was calculated at the CCSD(T)/CBS level of theory. The harmonic fundamental vibrational frequencies for this complex were calculated at the MP2 level of theory. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2012
Human myxomatous mitral valve prolapse: Role of bone morphogenetic protein 4 in valvular interstitial cell activation
Authors: Sainger Rachana , Grau Juan B. , Branchetti Emanuela , Poggio Paolo , Seefried William F. , Field Benjamin C. , Acker Michael A. , Gorman Robert C. , Gorman Joseph H. , Hargrove Clark W. , Bavaria Joseph E. , Ferrari Giovanni 
Published: November 2011

AbstractMyxomatous mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is the most common cardiac valvular abnormality in industrialized countries and a leading cause of mitral valve surgery for isolated mitral regurgitation. The key role of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) during mitral valve development and homeostasis has been recently suggested, however little is known about the molecular pathways leading to MVP. We aim to characterize Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP4) as a cellular regulator of mitral VIC activation towards a pathologic synthetic phenotype and to analyze the cellular phenotypic changes and extracellular matrix (ECM) reorganization associated with the development of myxomatous MVP. Microarray analysis showed significant up regulation of BMP4‐mediated signaling molecules in myxomatous MVP when compared to controls. Histological analysis and cellular characterization suggest that during myxomatous MVP development, healthy quiescent mitral VICs undergo a phenotypic activation via up regulation of BMP4‐mediated pathway. In vitro hBMP4 treatment of isolated human mitral VICs mimics the cellular activation and ECM remodeling as seen in MVP tissues. The present study characterizes the cell biology of mitral VICs in physiological and pathological conditions and provides insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms mediated by BMP4 during MVP. The ability to test and control the plasticity of VICs using different molecules may help in developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for myxomatous MVP. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 2595–2604, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Alveolar macrophage dynamics in murine lung regeneration
Authors: Chamoto Kenji , Gibney Barry C. , Ackermann Maximilian , Lee Grace S. , Lin Miao , Konerding Moritz A. , Tsuda Akira , Mentzer Steven J. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractIn most mammalian species, the removal of one lung results in dramatic compensatory growth of the remaining lung. To investigate the contribution of alveolar macrophages (AMs) to murine post‐pneumonectomy lung growth, we studied bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)‐derived AM on 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after left pneumonectomy. BAL demonstrated a 3.0‐fold increase in AM (CD45+, CD11b−, CD11c+, F4/80+, Gr‐1−) by 14 days after pneumonectomy. Cell cycle flow cytometry of the BAL‐derived cells demonstrated an increase in S + G2 phase cells on days 3 (11.3 ± 2.7%) and 7 (12.1 ± 1.8%) after pneumonectomy. Correspondingly, AM demonstrated increased expression of VEGFR1 and MHC class II between days 3 and 14 after pneumonectomy. To investigate the potential contribution of peripheral blood cells to this AM population, parabiotic mice (wild‐type/GFP) underwent left pneumonectomy. Analysis of GFP+ cells in the post‐pneumonectomy lung demonstrated that by day 14, less than 1% of the AM population were derived from the peripheral blood. Finally, AM gene transcription demonstrated a significant shift from decreased transcription of angiogenesis‐related genes on day 3 to increased transcription on day 7 after pneumonectomy. The increased number of locally proliferating AM, combined with their growth‐related gene transcription, suggests that AM actively participate in compensatory lung growth. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3208–3215, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The seventh ring: Exploring TRAF7 functions
Authors: Zotti Tiziana , Vito Pasquale , Stilo Romania 
Published: November 2011

AbstractTumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factors (TRAFs) have been discovered and characterized by their capacity to link tumor necrosis factor receptors (TNFR) family proteins to signaling pathways that transduce the cellular effects mediated by TNF family ligands. There are seven known mammalian TRAF proteins (TRAF1–7), that share a domain organization made of a modular structure, characteristic of adaptor proteins whose function is to link structurally dissimilar factors. Functionally, TRAF proteins mediate the assembly of cytoplasmic signal transducers and regulatory molecules downstream of receptors complexes. Despite the similarities in the signaling pathways activated by the different TRAF proteins, each appears to play distinct physiological roles. TRAF7 is the last member of the TRAF family that has been identified. Yet, the functional characterization of TRAF7 presents some aspects still obscure and poorly defined, making this protein arguably the most mysterious member of the family. In fact, recent data indicate that TRAF7 is involved in signal transduction pathways that lead either to activation or repression of NF‐κB transcription factor. In addition, TRAF7 regulates activation of cellular stress pathways, as well as unconventional ubiquitination events and differentiation of muscle tissue. In this review, we try to summarize the most recent advances in our understanding of TRAF7 function and the biological processes of this protein is involved in. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 1280–1284, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Homogentisate 1,2 dioxygenase is expressed in human osteoarticular cells: Implications in alkaptonuria
Authors: Laschi Marcella , Tinti Laura , Braconi Daniela , Millucci Lia , Ghezzi Lorenzo , Amato Loredana , Selvi Enrico , Spreafico Adriano , Bernardini Giulia , Santucci Annalisa 
Published: November 2011

AbstractAlkaptonuria (AKU) results from defective homogentisate1,2‐dioxygenase (HGD), causing degenerative arthropathy. The deposition of ochronotic pigment in joints is so far attributed to homogentisic acid produced by the liver, circulating in the blood and accumulating locally. Human normal and AKU osteoarticular cells were tested for HGD gene expression by RT‐PCR, mono‐ and 2D‐Western blotting. HGD gene expression was revealed in chondrocytes, synoviocytes, osteoblasts. Furthermore, HGD expression was confirmed by Western blotting, that also revealed the presence of five enzymatic molecular species. Our findings indicate that AKU osteoarticular cells produce the ochronotic pigment in loco and this may strongly contribute to induction of ochronotic arthropathy. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 3254–3257, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stepwise sequential aneuploidy screening in clinical practice
Authors: Wax Joseph R. , Cartin Angelina , Smith Dwight , Smith Rosemarie , Chard Renée , Carpenter Molly , Pinette Michael G. 
Published: November 2011

AbstractPurpose.To evaluate stepwise sequential screening (SSS) efficiency in clinical practice.Methods.All singletons undergoing SSS in a single practice by NTQR (Nuchal Translucency Quality Review Program)‐credentialed providers in a 2‐year period were included. Prenatal diagnosis was offered to all screen‐positive women and those with a nuchal translucency ≥3.5 mm or cystic hygroma at the 11‐ to 14‐week scan. Data were extracted from prospectively ascertained serum screening and genetics databases.Results.A total of 2,726 patients were screened, with SSS detecting all eight cases of trisomy 21 and all seven cases of other aneuploidies at a 4.3% screen‐positive rate.Conclusions.Stepwise sequential screening offers excellent aneuploidy screening efficiency when introduced into clinical practice. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011