bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surface contamination of dental implants assessed by gene expression analysis in a whole‐blood in vitro assay. A preliminary study
Authors: Harder Sönke , Quabius Elgar S. , Ossenkop Lars , Mehl Christian , Kern Matthias 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAimWe aimed at evaluating pyrogen contamination of dental implants made of titanium and zirconia by using gene expression analysis in a whole‐blood in vitro assay.Material and MethodsTitanium and zirconia implants (five each) were incubated in human whole blood. Samples were assayed for gene expression levels of toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4), TLR9, interleukin (IL)‐1β, nuclear factor ‘kappa‐light‐chain‐enhancer’ of activated B‐cells (NF‐kB), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, and Fas‐associated protein with death domain (FADD) as indicators of surface contamination resulting in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)‐stimulated TLR‐ or TNF‐mediated immune responses. Gene expression was assayed using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Non‐stimulated blood from the same donor served as a negative control, and blood stimulated with LPS served as a positive control. After dry‐heat treatment with dry heat, all implants were re‐analysed as described above.ResultsBoth implant systems contained surface contaminants evoking a pro‐inflammatory response similar to that induced by LPS. After dry‐heat treatment, gene expression was significantly decreased to levels similar to those of negative control samples.ConclusionsThe results demonstrated LPS‐like surface‐bound contaminants in both tested implant systems. Depyrogenation with dry heat seems to be an effective means of reducing such contamination in dental implants.
Cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 oppositely regulate epidermal permeability barrier status and differentiation
Authors: Roelandt Truus , Heughebaert Carol , Bredif Stephanie , Giddelo Christina , Baudouin Caroline , Msika Philippe , Roseeuw Diane , Uchida Yoshikazu , Elias Peter M. , Hachem Jean‐Pierre 
Published: June 2012

AbstractCannabinoid receptors (CBR) 1 and 2 have been implicated in keratinocyte differentiation/proliferation. How CB receptors affect epidermal permeability barrier and stratum corneum structure and function remains unclear. Permeability barrier abrogation was induced by sequential tape‐stripping of the SC and assessed in both CB1R and CB2R knockout (−/−) mice in comparison with wild‐type (+/+) littermates. Absence of CB1R delays permeability barrier recovery, while the latter was found to be accelerated in CB2R −/− mice. While increased lamellar body (LB) secretion is observed in CB2R −/− mice accounting for the enhanced recovery, CB1R −/− animals display strong alterations in lipid bilayer structures. Markers for epidermal differentiation (i.e. filaggrin, loricrin and involucrin) and terminal differentiation (i.e. TUNEL assay and caspase‐14 activation) were respectively decreased and increased in CB1R and CB2R −/− mice. Surprisingly, CB1R agonist treatment of human cultured keratinocytes increases mRNA of p21 and cytokeratin 1 and 10 and decreases cyclin D1 but protein levels remained unchanged. Such paradox could partially be explained by the increase in non‐phosphorylated‐4E‐BP1, an inhibitor of mRNA translation, following CB1R agonist treatment. Altogether, these observations put forward the importance and the complexity of cannabinoid signalling for the regulation of permeability barrier and epidermal differentiation.
N‐acetyl‐S‐farnesyl‐l‐cysteine suppresses chemokine production by human dermal microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Adhami Katayun , Lee Jason , Levin Laura , Moquete Rachel , Stohl Lori L. , Ding Wanhong , Wong Jason , Schierl Michael , Zhou Xi K. , Gordon Joel S. , Perez Eduardo , Stock Maxwell B. , Granstein Richard D. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractIsoprenylcysteine (IPC) molecules modulate G‐protein‐coupled receptor signalling. The archetype of this class is N‐acetyl‐S‐farnesyl‐l‐cysteine (AFC). Topical application of AFC locally inhibits skin inflammation and elicitation of contact hypersensitivity in vivo. However, the mechanism of these anti‐inflammatory effects is not well understood. Dermal microvascular endothelial cells (ECs) are involved in inflammation, in part, by secreting cytokines that recruit inflammatory cells. We have previously shown that the sympathetic nerve cotransmitter adenosine‐5′‐triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine‐5′‐O‐(3‐thio) triphosphate (ATPγS), an ATP analogue that is resistant to hydrolysis, increase secretion of the chemokines CXCL8 (interleukin‐8), CCL2 (monocyte chemotactic protein‐1) and CXCL1 (growth‐regulated oncogene α) by dermal microvascular ECs. Production of these chemokines can also be induced by the exposure to the proinflammatory cytokine TNFα. We have now demonstrated that AFC dose‐dependently inhibits ATP‐, ATPγS‐ and TNFα‐induced production of CXCL1, CXCL8 and CCL2 by a human dermal microvascular EC line (HMEC‐1) in vitro under conditions that do not affect cell viability. Inhibition of ATPγS‐ or TNFα‐stimulated release of these chemokines was associated with reduced mRNA levels. N‐acetyl‐S‐geranyl‐l‐cysteine, an IPC analogue that is inactive in inhibiting G‐protein‐coupled signalling, had greatly reduced ability to suppress stimulated chemokine production. AFC may exert its anti‐inflammatory effects through the inhibition of chemokine production by stimulated ECs.
More than herbivory: levels of silica‐based defences in grasses vary with plant species, genotype and location
Authors: Soininen Eeva M. , Bråthen Kari Anne , Jusdado Juan German Herranz , Reidinger Stefan , Hartley Susan E. 
Published: June 2012

Silica defences in grasses have recently been suggested to be a potential driver of vole population dynamics. However, the ability of grasses to induce silica in response to herbivory has not been tested in northern ecosystems where small rodents are important herbivores.We conducted a large‐scale field experiment in subarctic tundra using three river catchments differing in herbivore densities, and examined the effects of small rodent and/or reindeer exclusion on leaf silica levels in five grass species (Avenella flexuosa, Anthoxanthum nipponicum, Calamagrostis phragmitoides, Deschampsia cespitosa and Phleum alpinum). We also conducted a greenhouse experiment using three of these species (A. flexuosa, A. nipponicum and D. cespitosa) and Festuca ovina to determine whether intraspecific genotypic variation affects baseline silica concentrations and the capacity to induce silica in response to simulated grazing. Baseline leaf silica concentrations and silica induction varied with plant species in both experiments, with catchment in the field experiment and with genotype in the greenhouse experiment. These findings show that the allocation to silica defences in grasses is highly variable, and suggest that the combined effects of grazing pressure, plant species and intraspecific genotypic differences are likely to determine the circumstances under which silica induction may be an optimal defence strategy. A better understanding of the interplay between grazing and other factors influencing silica induction is necessary to interpret the role of silica in plant–herbivore interactions.
Anterior and posterior neck muscle activation during a variety of biting tasks
Authors: Hellmann Daniel , Giannakopoulos Nikolaos N. , Schmitter Marc , Lenz Jürgen , Schindler Hans J. 
Published: June 2012

Bruxism may be involved in the aetiology of myofascial neck pain. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that anterior and posterior neck muscles co‐contract during jaw clenching. Ten test subjects developed different feedback‐controlled submaximum bite forces in a variety of bite‐force directions by means of bite‐force transducers. The electromyographic activity of the sternocleidomastoid and supra/infrahyoidal muscles, and of the semispinalis capitis, semispinalis cervicis, and multifidi muscles was recorded by use of surface electrodes and intramuscular wire electrodes, respectively. For normalization of electromyography data, maximum voluntary contraction tasks of the neck muscles were conducted in eight different loading directions. The results confirmed co‐contraction of the neck muscles in the range of 2–14% of the maximum voluntary contraction at a bite force ranging from 50 to 300 N. Significant activity differences were observed as a result of the different force levels and force directions exerted by the jaw muscles. Long‐lasting tonic activation of specific neck muscles triggered by the jaw‐clenching tasks was also detected. These findings support the assumption of a relationship between jaw clenching and the activity of the neck muscles investigated. The low level of co‐contraction activity, however, requires further study to elucidate possible pathophysiological interactions at the level of single motor units.
Immunophenotypic characterization and distribution of dendritic cells in odontogenic cystic lesions
Authors: Matos FTC , Rizo VHT , Almeida LY , Tirapelli C , Silva‐Sousa YTC , Almeida OP , León JE 
Published: June 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 19, 85–91Objective:  To analyze the expression and distribution patterns of mature dendritic cells (mDCs) and immature DCs (imDCs) in radicular cysts (RCs), dentigerous cysts (DtCs), and keratocystic odontogenic tumors (KCOTs).Materials and methods:  Forty‐nine odontogenic cystic lesions (OCLs) (RCs, n = 20; DtCs, n = 15; KCOTs, n = 14) were assessed using the following markers: S100, CD1a and CD207 for imDCs; and CD83 for mDCs.Results:  Almost all cases were S100, CD1a, and CD207 positive, whereas 63% were CD83 positive. RCs presented greater number of immunostained cells, followed by DtCs, and KCOTs. The number of S100+ cells was greater than both CD1a+ and CD207+ cells (P < 0.001), which showed approximately similar amounts, followed by lower number of CD83+ cells (P < 0.001) in each OCL type. Different from S100+ cells, both CD1a+ and CD207+ cells on the epithelium (P < 0.05) and CD83+ cells on the capsule (P < 0.05) were preferentially observed. In RCs, significant correlation was found between the thickness epithelium with S100+ and CD1a+ cells, and between the degree of inflammation with CD83+ cells.Conclusions:  Dendritic cell populations in OCLs can be phenotypically heterogeneous, and it could represent distinct lineages and/or functional stages. It is suggested that besides DC‐mediated immune cell interactions, DC‐mediated tissue differentiation and maintenance in OCLs should also be considered.
COMPARISON OF EFFECTIVENESS OF ADAPTIVE NEURO‐FUZZY INFERENCE SYSTEM AND ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS FOR ESTIMATION OF LINEAR CREEP AND RECOVERY PROPERTIES OF MODEL MEAT EMULSIONS
Authors: YILMAZ MUSTAFA TAHSIN 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTIn meat emulsion systems, it is impossible to interpret the results from the molecular perspective due to their complexity. Therefore, it is very difficult to perform mathematical modeling of structure of the emulsion systems due to their ill‐defined viscoelastic (creep and recovery) nature. Therefore, an adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was used to accurately model the effect of creep test time, temperature and oil levels on the compliance (J), creep and recovery phase parameters. In this respect, ANFIS with different types of input membership functions (MFs) was developed. MF “trimf” performed better than others. The ANFIS model was compared with artificial neural network (ANN) and multiple linear regression (MLR) models. The estimation by ANFIS was superior to those obtained by ANN and MLR models. The ANFIS model resulted in a good fit with the observed data, especially for the creep phase data in the checking period.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSIn literature, no study has appeared to model the effect of creep test time, temperature and oil levels on the compliance (J), creep and recovery phase parameters of O/W model system meat emulsions using adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), artificial neural network and multiple linear regression techniques. In this study, the ANFIS model resulted in a good fit with the observed data, indicating that the creep and recovery properties of the O/W model system meat emulsions can be estimated using the ANFIS model. As a result, among the models used, ANFIS was found to be the best model that can be efficiently used to estimate unmeasured or untested interval values of creep and recovery properties. This might be quite significant for meat industry that will benefit from estimating texture of such products previously before producing them at a large scale, thus enabling them to save time.
WHY COARSE TOASTED RUSK ROLLS ARE CRISPIER THAN FINE ONES
Authors: CASTRO‐PRADA E.M. , MEINDERS M.B.J. , PRIMO‐MARTIN C. , HAMER R.J. , VAN VLIET T. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTToasted rusk rolls with a coarser structure are sensed crispier than those with a fine structure, at the same water activity (aw). The present paper shows that this difference in crispness perception is related to differences in fracture behavior and accompanying acoustic emission. Both sensory and instrumentally determined crispness decreased gradually with increasing aw in roughly the same manner for both coarse and fine products. Nevertheless, the coarse rusk roll was perceived as being crispier than the fine one. Typically, in the coarse structure the measured “Number of Force Drops” of a relatively large size and the “Number of Sound Events per cross section area” of relatively large intensity were more numerous than in the fine one. Our data show that relatively large force drops and sound events are related to the more intense crispness perception and stronger sound sensation for the coarse structure toasted rusk roll. We propose the “Total Sound Energy per cross section area” and the “Mean Sound Event Intensity” to be primarily responsible for the higher crispness perception of the coarse rusk over the whole aw range.PRACTICAL APPLICATIONSCoarse structured toasted rusk rolls are sensed crispier than fine structured ones (same aw). Difference in crispness is related to fracture behavior and accompanying acoustic emission. Crispness decreased gradually with increasing aw similarly for coarse and fine products. Sound energy cq. Intensity seems primarily responsible for the higher crispness perception.
Functional coordination of the spread of vasodilations through skeletal muscle microvasculature: implications for blood flow control
Authors: Twynstra J. , Ruiz D. A. , Murrant C. L. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractAimWe sought to understand the integrated vascular response to muscle contraction by determining how different branch orders of the terminal microvascular network respond to stimulation using a KATP channel opener pinacidil (PIN) as a muscle contraction mimetic.MethodsUsing the blood perfused, hamster cremaster preparation in situ, we locally micropipette‐applied 10−5 m PIN on the capillaries, Branch arteriole (third order, two branch orders up from the capillaries) and transverse arterioles (TA) (second order, three branch orders up from the capillaries) and observed different branch orders of the microvasculature to determine where the localized vasodilation spread throughout the terminal microvascular network.ResultsWe observed that PIN stimulation of capillaries caused associated upstream vasodilation of the module inflow arteriole (MI) (fourth order, the terminal arteriole) (2.1 ± 0.4 μm), the associate Branch (1.4 ± 0.5 μm) and in the upstream direction on the TA (2.1 ± 0.5 μm). Vasodilation did not occur in all MIs (−0.2 ± 0.2 μm) from the vasodilated branch and did not go downstream on the TA (0.7 ± 0.4 μm). Branch stimulation caused upstream TA (3.3 ± 1.0 μm) and upstream Branch (1.7 ± 0.3 μm) vasodilation but not downstream TA (1.5 ± 0.6 μm) or downstream Branch (0.2 ± 0.3 μm) vasodilation. TA stimulation caused conducted responses in both directions and into all associated arteriolar Branches and MIs.ConclusionsThe spread of the conducted response is dependent on the vascular branch order stimulated: capillary stimulation was most specific in its direction and TA stimulation was the least specific. Our data indicate that vascular branch order is important in determining the vascular response needed to direct blood flow to contracting skeletal muscle cells.
Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of metformin extended‐release oral antidiabetic therapy in patients with type 2 diabetes: An observational trial in Asia
Authors: Kim Chul‐Hee , Han Kyung‐Ah , Oh Han‐Jin , Tan Kevin Eng‐Kiat , Sothiratnam Radhakrishna , Tjokroprawiro Askandar , Klein Marcus 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground:  The aim of the present prospective observational study was to assess the tolerability and antihyperglycemic efficacy of metformin extended‐release (MXR) in the routine treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from six Asian countries.Methods:  Data from 3556 patients treated with once‐daily MXR for 12 weeks, or until discontinuation, were analyzed.Results:  Treatment with MXR was well tolerated, with 97.4% of patients completing 12 weeks of treatment. Only 3.3% of patients experienced one or more gastrointestinal (GI) side‐effects and only 0.7% of patients discontinued for this reason (primary endpoint). The incidence of GI side‐effects and related discontinuations appeared to be considerably lower during short‐term MXR therapy than during previous treatment (mean 2.71 years’ duration), most commonly with immediate‐release metformin. A 12‐week course of MXR therapy also reduced HbA1c and fasting glucose levels from baseline.Conclusions:  The present study provides new insights into the incidence of GI side‐effects with MXR in Asian patients with T2DM and on the tolerability of MXR in non‐Caucasian populations. Specifically, these data indicate that once‐daily MXR not only improves measures of glycemic control in Asian patients with T2DM, but also has a favorable GI tolerability profile that may help promote enhanced adherence to oral antidiabetic therapy.
Motivational functionalism and urban conservation stewardship: implications for volunteer involvement
Authors: Asah Stanley T. , Blahna Dale J. 
Published: June 2012

AbstractConservation in urban areas faces growing financial challenges and inadequate stakeholder involvement. Conservation psychology can mitigate these challenges in many ways. One way is through conservation volunteerism, if we attend to and capitalize on volunteers’ motivations. Conservation volunteerism significantly contributes to ecological knowledge acquisition, and public education and awareness of conservation issues. In this study, we explored volunteers’ motivations and how those motivations influence frequency of participation in urban conservation activities. We found that volunteers’ frequency of participation is most motivated by personal and social benefits rather than by environment‐related reasons. Environmental motivations, otherwise marginally significant, were more salient predictors of participation to the extent that personal and social motivations were met. We discuss how ecologically focused strategies are likely to be less effective for motivating more frequent participation than motivationally based appeals to personal and social motivations of urban conservation. We discuss implications for urban conservation stewardship initiatives and suggest ways that decision makers can harness volunteers’ personal and social motivations to meet urban conservation practice and policy goals.
Immunoexpression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in different areas of oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Suarez‐Roa ML , Asbun‐Bojalil J , Ruiz‐Godoy LM , Meneses‐García AA 
Published: June 2012

AbstractBackground:  Several studies have shown the participation of MMPs in oral squamous cell carcinoma, the most frequent malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity. The expression of some MMPs correlates with a more aggressive biological behaviour. The objective of this study was to determine which MMPs and TIMPs were expressed in both neoplastic and peritumoural stromal cells in different histopathology areas.Methods:  Patients who underwent primary tumour neck dissection for oral squamous cell carcinoma were included. Immunoexpression of MMP‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐7, ‐9, ‐11, ‐13, and TIMP‐1 and ‐2 in different areas of pathologic specimens (in situ carcinoma, primary tumour, invasive front, distant invasion carcinoma, and lymph node metastasis) was evaluated. Enzyme expression on mucosa adjacent to tumour served as control.Results:  Thirty cases were included. Only 6 MMPs and 1 TIMP were expressed in the studied areas. Statistically significant differences in the number of cases with positive MMPs or TIMP expression, in both neoplastic and peritumoural cells, between control and the rest of the areas were observed. MMP‐2 expression was constant in the areas with a more aggressive biological behaviour.Conclusions:  MMP‐2 expression may represent a dynamic interaction between host and tumour that favours the establishment of neoplastic cells at distant sites.
Two Boundaries Separate Borrelia burgdorferi Populations in North America
Authors: Margos Gabriele , Tsao Jean I. , Castillo-Ramírez Santiago , Girard Yvette A. , Hamer Sarah A. , Hoen Anne Gatewood , Lane Robert S. , Raper Steve L. , Ogden Nicholas H. 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACTUnderstanding the spread of infectious diseases is crucial for implementing effective control measures. For this, it is important to obtain information on the contemporary population structure of a disease agent and to infer the evolutionary processes that may have shaped it. Here, we investigate on a continental scale the population structure ofBorrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis (LB), a tick-borne disease, in North America. We test the hypothesis that the observed population structure is congruent with recent population expansions and that these were preceded by bottlenecks mostly likely caused by the near extirpation in the 1900s of hosts required for sustaining tick populations. Multilocus sequence typing and complementary population analytical tools were used to evaluateB. burgdorferisamples collected in the Northeastern, Upper Midwestern, and Far-Western United States and Canada. The spatial distribution of sequence types (STs) and inferred population boundaries suggest that the current populations are geographically separated. One major population boundary separated westernB. burgdorferipopulations transmitted byIxodes pacificusin California from Eastern populations transmitted byI. scapularis; the other divided Midwestern and Northeastern populations. However, populations from all three regions were genetically closely related. Together, our findings suggest that although the contemporary populations of North AmericanB. burgdorferinow comprise three geographically separated subpopulations with no or limited gene flow among them, they arose from a common ancestral population. A comparative analysis of theB. burgdorferiouter surface protein C (ospC) gene revealed novel linkages and provides additional insights into the genetic characteristics of strains.
Accumulation of Intracellular Glycogen and Trehalose by Propionibacterium freudenreichii under Conditions Mimicking Cheese Ripening in the Cold
Authors: Dalmasso Marion , Aubert Julie , Even Sergine , Falentin Hélène , Maillard Marie-Bernadette , Parayre Sandrine , Loux Valentin , Tanskanen Jarna , Thierry Anne 
Published: June 2012

ABSTRACT

Seven
Propionibacterium freudenreichii
strains exhibited similar responses when placed at 4°C. They slowed down cell machinery, displayed cold stress responses, and rerouted their carbon metabolism toward trehalose and glycogen synthesis, both accumulated in cells. These results highlight the molecular basis of long-term survival of
P. freudenreichii
in the cold.