bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Removing vessel constriction on the embryonic heart results in changes in valve gene expression, morphology, and hemodynamics
Authors: Menon Vinal , Eberth John F. , Junor Lorain , Potts Alexander J. , Belhaj Marwa , Dipette Donald J. , Jenkins Michael W. , Potts Jay D.
Published: September 2017

Background: The formation of healthy heart valves throughout embryonic development is dependent on both genetic and epigenetic factors. Hemodynamic stimuli are important epigenetic regulators of valvulogenesis, but the resultant molecular pathways that control valve development are poorly understood. Here we describe how the heart and valves recover from the removal of a partial constriction (banding) of the OFT/ventricle junction (OVJ) that temporarily alters blood flow velocity through the embryonic chicken heart (HH stage 16/17). Recovery is described in terms of 24‐ and 48‐hr gene expression, morphology, and OVJ hemodynamics. Results: Collectively, these studies show that after 24 hr of recovery, important epithelial‐mesenchymal transformation (EMT) genes TGFßRIII and Cadherin 11 (CDH11) transcript levels normalize return to control levels, in contrast to Periostin and TGFß,3 which remain altered. In addition, after 48 hr of recovery, TGFß3 and CDH11 transcript levels remain normalized, whereas TGFßRIII and Periostin are down‐regulated. Analyses of OFT cushion volumes in the hearts show significant changes, as does the ratio of cushion to cell volume at 24 hr post band removal (PBR). Morphologically, the hearts show visible alteration following band removal when compared to their control age‐matched counterparts. Conclusions: Although some aspects of the genetic/cellular profiles affected by altered hemodynamics seem to be reversed, not all gene expression and cardiac growth normalize following 48 hr of band removal. Developmental Dynamics 247:531–541, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stress‐induced changes in color expression mediated by iridophores in a polymorphic lizard
Authors: Lewis Anna C. , Rankin Katrina J. , Pask Andrew J. , Stuart‐Fox Devi
Published: September 2017

Stress is an important potential factor mediating a broad range of cellular pathways, including those involved in condition‐dependent (i.e., honest) color signal expression. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying the relationship between stress and color expression are largely unknown. We artificially elevated circulating corticosterone levels in male tawny dragon lizards, Ctenophorus decresii, to assess the effect of stress on the throat color signal. Corticosterone treatment increased luminance (paler throat coloration) and decreased the proportion of gray, thereby influencing the gray reticulations that produce unique patterning. The magnitude of change in luminance for corticosterone‐treated individuals in our study was around 6 “just noticeable differences” to the tawny dragon visual system, suggesting that lizards are likely to be able to perceive the measured variation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of iridophore cells indicated that luminance increased with increasing density of iridophore cells and increased spacing (and/or reduced size) of crystalline guanine platelets within them. Crystal spacing within iridophores also differed between skin colors, being greater in cream than either gray or yellow skin and greater in orange than yellow skin. Our results demonstrate that stress detectably impacts signal expression (luminance and patterning), which may provide information on individual condition. This effect is likely to be mediated, at least in part, by structural coloration produced by iridophore cells.
Multilevel landscape utilization of the Siberian flying squirrel: Scale effects on species habitat use
Authors: Remm Jaanus , Hanski Ilpo K. , Tuominen Sakari , Selonen Vesa
Published: September 2017

Animals use and select habitat at multiple hierarchical levels and at different spatial scales within each level. Still, there is little knowledge on the scale effects at different spatial levels of species occupancy patterns. The objective of this study was to examine nonlinear effects and optimal‐scale landscape characteristics that affect occupancy of the Siberian flying squirrel, Pteromys volans, in South‐ and Mid‐Finland. We used presence–absence data (n = 10,032 plots of 9 ha) and novel approach to separate the effects on site‐, landscape‐, and regional‐level occupancy patterns. Our main results were: landscape variables predicted the placement of population patches at least twice as well as they predicted the occupancy of particular sites; the clear optimal value of preferred habitat cover for species landscape‐level abundance is a surprisingly low value (10% within a 4 km buffer); landscape metrics exert different effects on species occupancy and abundance in high versus low population density regions of our study area. We conclude that knowledge of regional variation in landscape utilization will be essential for successful conservation of the species. The results also support the view that large‐scale landscape variables have high predictive power in explaining species abundance. Our study demonstrates the complex response of species occurrence at different levels of population configuration on landscape structure. The study also highlights the need for data in large spatial scale to increase the precision of biodiversity mapping and prediction of future trends.
Host plant cyanotype determines degree of rhizobial symbiosis
Authors: Godschalx Adrienne L. , Tran Vy , Ballhorn Daniel J.
Published: September 2017

Plants with nitrogen‐fixing bacteria, such as legumes with rhizobia, can tap the atmospheric nitrogen pool to obtain resources for defense compounds. Cyanogenesis, a nitrogen‐based plant defense against herbivores, increases in response to rhizobial colonization, but depends on plant genotype. Here, we tested whether genotypic differences in host plant cyanogenesis influence symbiotic reliance on nitrogen‐fixing rhizobia. Using thin, clear soil containers, we counted nodules on live root systems of distinct high (HC) and low (LC) lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus) cyanotypes across the duration of an eight‐week study. We measured changes in cyanogenic potential (HCNp) and protein content to reveal quantitative interactions between nodule number and both leaf traits. High cyanogenic plants maintained consistently twice as many nodules as LC plants. Including both cyanotypes, nodule number correlated positively with HCNp, but negatively with foliar protein content. However, within‐cyanotype interactions between nodule number and plant traits were not significant except for foliar protein in HC plants, which decreased with increasing nodule number. Our results imply that while genotypes with higher levels of nitrogen‐based defense invest more in the rhizobial partner, the costs involved in maintaining the symbiosis may cause resource allocation constraints in the plants' primary nitrogen metabolism.
Synthesis and Substitution Kinetics of Tricarbonylrhenium(I) Dendritic Complexes
Authors: Malaza Siphelele , Govender Preshendren , Schutte‐Smith Marietjie , Visser Hendrik G. , Smith Gregory S.
Published: September 2017

Tricarbonylrhenium(I) metallodendrimers functionalized with N,N‐2‐picolylamino chelates have been synthesized by the [2+1] approach. Methanol substitution reactions of the first‐ and second‐generation poly(propylene amine) tetra‐ and octanuclear rhenium metallodendrimers by a range of monodentate nucleophiles (i.e. 4‐dimethylaminopyridine, pyridine, and bromide ions) were investigated and compared to the substitution reactions of an analogous monomeric complex, fac‐[Re(CO)3(N,N‐bidentate)(CH3OH)]+. These detailed kinetic studies reveal that a greater activation is achieved using the metallodendrimers with no direct interactions between the metal centers.
Synthesis of 6,12‐Methanobenzo[d]pyrano[3,4‐g][1,3]dioxocin‐1(12H)‐ones and Study of Their Interaction with DNA and β‐Lactoglobulin
Authors: Sepay Nayim , Guha Chayan , Maity Sanhita , Mallik Asok K.
Published: September 2017

An efficient synthesis of 6,12‐methanobenzo[d]pyrano[3,4‐g][1,3]dioxocin‐1(12H)‐ones, a new class of 2,8‐dioxabicyclo[3.3.1]nonanes, starting from 2‐hydroxychalcones or their analogues and 4‐hydroxy‐6‐methyl‐2H‐pyran‐2‐one has been achieved by use of amberlyst‐15, a sulfonated polystyrene resin, as a recyclable heterogeneous catalyst. The methodology involves a domino sequence of Michael addition and two‐stage heterocyclization. Among the synthesized products, two show significant ct‐DNA‐binding properties and all show strong binding with the carrier protein β‐lactoglobulin (β‐lg). A study of antibacterial properties conducted on two bacterial species by using four compounds showed that two of them are moderately active.
Functional inverted Wishart for Bayesian multivariate spatial modeling with application to regional climatology model data
Authors: Duan L. L. , Szczesniak R. D. , Wang X.
Published: September 2017

Modern environmental and climatological studies produce multiple outcomes at high spatial resolutions. Multivariate spatial modeling is an established means to quantify cross‐correlation among outcomes. However, existing models typically suffer from poor computational efficiency and lack the flexibility to simultaneously estimate auto‐ and cross‐covariance structures. In this article, we undertake a novel construction of covariance by utilizing spectral convolution and by imposing an inverted Wishart prior on the cross‐correlation structure. The cross‐correlation structure with this functional inverted Wishart prior flexibly accommodates not only positive but also weak or negative associations among outcomes while preserving spatial resolution. Furthermore, the proposed model is computationally efficient and produces easily interpretable results, including the individual autocovariances and full cross‐correlation matrices, as well as a partial cross‐correlation matrix reflecting the outcome correlation after excluding the effects caused by spatial convolution. The model is examined using simulated data sets under different scenarios. It is also applied to the data from the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program, examining long‐term associations between surface outcomes for air temperature, pressure, humidity, and radiation, on the land area of the North American West Coast. Results and predictive performance are compared with findings from approaches using convolution only or coregionalization.
Insights into bedload transport processes of a large regulated gravel‐bed river
Authors: Liedermann Marcel , Gmeiner Philipp , Kreisler Andrea , Tritthart Michael , Habersack Helmut
Published: September 2017

A comprehensive monitoring programme focusing on bedload transport behaviour was conducted at a large gravel‐bed river. Innovative monitoring strategies were developed during five years of preconstruction observations accompanying a restoration project. A bedload basket sampler was used to perform 55 cross‐sectional measurements, which cover the entire water discharge spectrum from a 200‐year flood event in 2013 to a rare low flow event. The monitoring activities provide essential knowledge regarding bedload transport processes in large rivers. We have identified the initiation of motion under low flow conditions and a decrease in the rate of bedload discharge with increasing water discharge around bankfull conditions. Bedload flux strongly increases again during high flood events when the entire inundation area is flooded. No bedload hysteresis was observed. The effective discharge for bedload transport was determined to be near mean flow conditions, which is therefore at a lower flow discharge than expected. A numerical sediment transport model was able to reproduce the measured sediment transport patterns. The unique dataset enables the characterisation of bedload transport patterns in a large and regulated gravel‐bed river, evaluation of modern river engineering measures on the Danube, and, as a pilot project has recently been under construction, is able to address ongoing river bed incision, unsatisfactory ecological conditions for the adjacent national park and insufficient water depths for inland navigation. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reworking of basin fill deposits along a tributary of the upper Yellow River: Implications for changes to landscape connectivity
Authors: Nicoll Tami , Brierley Gary
Published: September 2017

Recent emphasis on sediment connectivity in the literature highlights the need for quantitative baseline studies on the patterns and distribution of sediment stores to facilitate understanding of how sediment moves through the landscape at various temporal and spatial scales. This study evaluates the distribution and make‐up of sediment stores within the dramatically incised landscapes of the upper Yellow River, where basin fill deposits up to 1200 m in depth have been extensively reworked following incision by the Yellow River. Field and GIS analyses highlight the discontinuous distribution of sediment stores in Garang catchment, a 236 km2 tributary of the upper Yellow River. Volumetric estimates of sediment storage were obtained through a combination of field mapping, GPR transects, and GIS analyses. Sediment stores cover 20% of the Garang catchment, with an estimated volume of 474.0 × 106 m3, and inferred residence times from OSL and 14C dating of 103–104 years. Fans and terraces reworked from basin fill deposits, and associated cut and fill terrace features, are the dominant forms of sediment storage (~90% of total). A space‐for‐time argument is used to assess stages of basin infilling and subsequent landscape responses to incision, outlining a dramatic example of changes to sediment dynamics and connectivity relationships within the upper Yellow River. Sediments within the upper catchment lie above the regional basin fill level, offering a glimpse of pre‐incisional conditions. This contrasts markedly with the enduring influence of basin incisional history seen within the middle catchment, and the contemporary landscapes of the lower catchment where nearly all available sediment has been excavated from the basin and the landscape effectively operates under post‐incisional conditions. The need to contextualise catchment‐scale studies in terms of landscape history is emphasised. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of salinity on CO2containment security in highly heterogeneous reservoirs
Authors: Al‐Khdheeawi Emad A. , Vialle Stephanie , Barifcani Ahmed , Sarmadivaleh Mohammad , Zhang Yihuai , Iglauer Stefan
Published: September 2017

It is well established that brine salinity can vary substantially in prospective CO2geo‐storage reservoirs. However, the impact of salinity on containment security has received only little attention. We thus used a compositional reservoir simulation to evaluate the effect of salinity on CO2plume migration and CO2trapping capacities in a 3D heterogeneous reservoir. The used heterogeneous reservoir consists of two formations: the bottom part of the reservoir is a fluvial reservoir, and the top part represents a near‐shore environment. Our results clearly indicate that salinity has a significant influence on CO2migration and the relative amount of mobile, residual, and dissolved CO2. Lower salinity decreases CO2mobility and migration distance, and enhances residual and solubility trapping significantly. We thus conclude that brine salinity is an important impact factor in the context of CO2geo‐storage, and that less saline reservoirs are preferable CO2sinks due to increased storage capacity and containment security. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dual‐echo ASL contributes to decrypting the link between functional connectivity and cerebral blow flow
Authors: Storti Silvia F. , Boscolo Galazzo Ilaria , Montemezzi Stefania , Menegaz Gloria , Pizzini Francesca B.
Published: September 2017

Arterial spin labeling (ASL) MRI with a dual‐echo readout module (DE‐ASL) enables noninvasive simultaneous acquisition of cerebral blood flow (CBF)‐weighted images and blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) contrast. Up to date, resting‐state functional connectivity (FC) studies based on CBF fluctuations have been very limited, while the BOLD is still the method most frequently used. The purposes of this technical report were (i) to assess the potentiality of the DE‐ASL sequence for the quantification of resting‐state FC and brain organization, with respect to the conventional BOLD (cvBOLD) and (ii) to investigate the relationship between a series of complex network measures and the CBF information. Thirteen volunteers were scanned on a 3 T scanner acquiring a pseudocontinuous multislice DE‐ASL sequence, from which the concomitant BOLD (ccBOLD) simultaneously to the ASL can be extracted. In the proposed comparison, the brain FC and graph‐theoretical analysis were used for quantifying the connectivity strength between pairs of regions and for assessing the network model properties in all the sequences. The main finding was that the ccBOLD part of the DE‐ASL sequence provided highly comparable connectivity results compared to cvBOLD. As expected, because of its different nature, ASL sequence showed different patterns of brain connectivity and graph indices compared to BOLD sequences. To conclude, the resting‐state FC can be reliably detected using DE‐ASL, simultaneously to CBF quantifications, whereas a single fMRI experiment precludes the quantitative measurement of BOLD signal changes. Hum Brain Mapp 38:5831–5844, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Transcriptional repression of Aurora‐A gene by wild‐type p53 through directly binding to its promoter with histone deacetylase 1 and mSin3a
Authors: Yang Tsung‐Ying , Teng Chieh‐Lin Jerry , Lin Tsung‐Chieh Chester , Chen Kun‐Chieh , Hsu Shih‐Lan , Wu Chun‐Chi
Published: September 2017

In this study, we firstly showed that p53 transcriptionally represses Aurora‐A gene expression through directly binding to its promoter. DNA affinity precipitation assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay indicated that p53 physically bound to the Aurora‐A promoter. Moreover, the in vitro and in vivo assays showed that p53 directly bound to the Aurora‐A promoter together with histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and mSin3a as corepressors. Furthermore, we identified that the nucleotides −360 to −354 (CCTGCCC), upstream of the Aurora‐A transcriptional start site, was responsible for the p53‐mediated repression. Mutation within this site disrupted its interaction with p53, mSin3a and HDAC1, as well as attenuated the repressive effect of p53 on Aurora‐A promoter activity. Treatment with trichostatin A (TSA), a HDAC1 inhibitor, disrupted the interaction of p53‐HDAC1‐mSin3a complex with the nucleotides −365∼‐345 region, and enhanced the Aurora‐A promoter activity and gene expression. Additionally, knockdown of p53 or mSin3a also drastically blocked the formation of p53‐HDAC1‐mSin3a repressive complex onto this promoter region and elevated the Aurora‐A promoter activity and gene expression. Moreover, the p53‐HDAC1‐mSin3a repressive complex also involved in the inhibition of Aurora‐A gene expression upon cisplatin treatment. Finally, the clinical investigation showed that Aurora‐A and p53 exhibited an inverse correlation in both the expression level and prognostic status, and the low p53/high Aurora‐A showed the poorest prognosis of NSCLC patients. Our findings showed novel regulatory mechanisms of p53 in regulating Aurora‐A gene expression in NSCLC cells.
Recognition by natural killer cells of N6‐isopentenyladenosine‐treated human glioma cell lines
Authors: Ciaglia Elena , Laezza Chiara , Abate Mario , Pisanti Simona , Ranieri Roberta , D'alessandro Alba , Picardi Paola , Gazzerro Patrizia , Bifulco Maurizio
Published: September 2017

Cancer cell stress induced by cytotoxic agents promotes antitumor immune response. Here, we observed that N6‐isopentenyladenosine (iPA), an isoprenoid modified adenosine with a well established anticancer activity, was able to induce a significant upregulation of cell surface expression of natural killer (NK) cell activating receptor NK Group 2 member D (NKG2D) ligands on glioma cells in vitro and xenografted in vivo. Specifically suboptimal doses of iPA (0.1 and 1 µM) control the selective upregulation of UL16‐binding protein 2 on p53wt‐expressing U343MG and that of MICA/B on p53mut‐expressing U251MG cells. This event made the glioblastoma cells a potent target for NK cell‐mediated recognition through a NKG2D restricted mechanism. p53 siRNA‐mediated knock‐down and pharmacological inhibition (pifithrin‐α), profoundly prevented the iPA action in restoring the immunogenicity of U343MG cells through a mechanism that is dependent upon p53 status of malignancy. Furthermore, accordingly to the preferential recognition of senescent cells by NK cells, we found that iPA treatment was critical for glioma cells entry in premature senescence through the induction of S and G2/M phase arrest.

Collectively, our results indicate that behind the well established cytotoxic and antiangiogenic effects, iPA can also display an immune‐mediated antitumor activity. The indirect engagement of the innate immune system and its additional activity in primary derived patient's glioma cell model (GBM17 and GBM37), fully increase its translational relevance and led to the exploitation of the isoprenoid pathway for a valid therapeutic intervention in antiglioma research.
Repeated cervical length measurements for the verification of short cervical length
Authors: Hermans Frederik J.R. , Koullali Bouchra , van Os Melanie A. , van der Ven Jeanine E.M. , Kazemier Brenda M. , Woiski Mallory D. , Willekes Christine , Kuiper Petra N. , Roumen Frans J.M.E. , de Groot Christianne M. , de Miranda Esteriek , Verhoeven Corine , Haak Monique C. , Pajkrt Eva , Schuit Ewoud , Mol Ben Willem J. ,   the Triple P group
Published: September 2017

Objective

To determine if the verification of short cervical length with a repeated measurement improved the identification of patients with short cervical length at increased risk of preterm delivery.

Methods

The present secondary analysis analyzed prospective cohort study data from patients with singleton pregnancies without a history of preterm delivery who presented for obstetric care in the Netherlands and delivered between November 18, 2009, and January 1, 2013. Cervical length was measured during standard anomaly scan and a second measurement was performed if the cervical length was 30 mm of shorter. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used to evaluate associations between cervical length measurements and spontaneous preterm delivery before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

Results

Cervical length measurements from 12 358 patients were included; 221 (1.8%) had an initial cervical length measurement of 30 mm or shorter. A second cervical length measurement was performed for 167 (75.6%) patients; no differences were identified in the odds of spontaneous preterm delivery when evaluated using the first, second, or a mean of both measurements, regardless of whether cervical length was analyzed as a continuous or dichotomous variable.

Conclusion

Among patients with singleton pregnancies, verification of short cervical length did not improve the identification of short cervical length.
Voltage and wear debris from Ti‐6Al‐4V interact to affect cell viability during in‐vitro fretting corrosion
Authors: Hui Tiantian , Kubacki Gregory W. , Gilbert Jeremy L.
Published: September 2017

Fretting corrosion (or mechanically assisted corrosion, MAC) is a major corrosion mechanism in modular orthopedic implants. There is a complex interplay between fretting corrosion and the surrounding biological environment that includes particle generation and electrochemical potential excursions and currents. The goal of this work is to directly investigate the effects of fretting on cellsin vitro. Using anin vitrofretting device, MC3T3 preosteoblasts were cultured onto Ti‐6Al‐4V disks adjacent to the fretting site. Under fretting corrosion conditions, cell viability dramatically decreased to 0.5% with the voltage drop reaching −1 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). Under the same fretting corrosion conditions, but potentiostatically holding the Ti‐6Al‐4V sample surface potential to −300 mV or −50 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl), the cell viability increases to 70% and 38%, respectively. The results indicate that both cathodic potential excursions and wear debris play significant roles in affecting cell viability. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 160–167, 2018.
Biocompatibility assessment of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in mice fetoplacental unit
Authors: Naserzadeh Parvaneh , Ghanbary Fatemeh , Ashtari Parviz , Seydi Enayatollah , Ashtari Khadijeh , Akbari Mohsen
Published: September 2017

As the applications of titanium dioxide nanomaterials (nTiO2) are growing with an ever‐increasing speed, the hazardous risks of this material have become a major concern. Several recent studies have reported that nTiO2 can cross the placental barrier in pregnant mice and cause neurotoxicity in their offspring. However, the influence of these nanoparticles on the fetoplacental unit during the pregnancy is yet to be studied. The present study reports on the effects of nTiO2 on the anatomical structure of fetal brain and liver in a pregnant mice model. Moreover, changes in the size and weight of the fetus and placenta are investigated as markers of fetal growth. Lastly, the toxicity of nTiO2 in primary brain and liver is quantified. Animals treated with nTiO2 showed a disrupted anatomical structure of the fetal brain and liver. Furthermore, the fetus and placental unit in the mice treated with these nanoparticles were smaller compared to untreated controls. Toxicity analyses revealed that nTiO2 was toxic to the brain and liver cells and the mechanism of cell death was mostly necrosis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 580–589, 2018.
The unique calcium chelation property of poly(vinyl phosphonic acid‐co‐acrylic acid) and effects on osteogenesis in vitro
Authors: Wang Qi Guang , Wimpenny Ian , Dey Rebecca E. , Zhong Xia , Youle Peter J. , Downes Sandra , Watts David C. , Budd Peter M. , Hoyland Judith A. , Gough Julie E.
Published: September 2017

There is a clear clinical need for a bioactive bone graft substitute. Poly(vinyl phosphonic acid‐co‐acrylic acid) (PVPA‐co‐AA) has been identified as a promising candidate for bone regeneration but there is little evidence to show its direct osteogenic effect on progenitor or mature cells. In this study mature osteoblast‐like cells (SaOS‐2) and human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBM‐MSCs) were cultured with PVPA‐co‐AA polymers with different VPA:AA ratio and at different concentrations in vitro. We are the first to report the direct osteogenic effect of PVPA‐co‐AA polymer on bone cells and, more importantly, this effect was dependent on VPA:AA ratio and concentration. Under the optimized conditions, PVPA‐co‐AA polymer not only has an osteoconductive effect, enhancing SaOS‐2 cell mineralization, but also has an osteoinductive effect to promote hBM‐MSCs’ osteogenic differentiation. Notably, the same PVPA‐co‐AA polymer at different concentrations could lead to differential osteogenic effects on both SaOS‐2 and hBM‐MSCs in vitro. This study furthers knowledge of the PVPA‐co‐AA polymer in osteogenic studies, which is critical when utilizing the PVPA‐co‐AA polymer for the design of novel bioactive polymeric tissue engineering scaffolds for future clinical applications. © 2017 The Authors Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 168–179, 2018.
Intranasal insulin treatment restores cognitive deficits and insulin signaling impairment induced by repeated methamphetamine exposure
Authors: Beirami Elmira , Oryan Shahrbanoo , Seyedhosseini Tamijani Seyedeh Masoumeh , Ahmadiani Abolhassan , Dargahi Leila
Published: September 2017

Long‐term use of methamphetamine (MA) causes a broad range of cognitive deficits. Recently, it has been reported insulin signaling and mitochondrial biogenesis are involved in cognitive processes. This study aimed to examine whether MA induces cognitive deficits concomitant with insulin signaling impairment and mitochondrial dysfunctions and also intranasal (IN) insulin treatment can reverse cognitive deficits caused by MA. Rats were repeatedly treated with increasing doses of MA (1‐10 mg/kg) twice a day for 10 days, and their cognitive functions were assessed using Y‐maze, novel object recognition and passive avoidance tasks. The expression of components involved in insulin signaling (IR/IRS2/PI3K/Akt/GSK3β) and mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC‐1α, NRF1, and TFAM) was measured in the hippocampus. Therapeutic effects of IN insulin delivery (0.5­ IU/day, for 7 days after MA discontinuation) were also investigated in MA‐treated animals. Our results showed that repeated MA exposure induced cognitive deficits, and led to insulin signaling impairment and mitochondrial dysfunction. Interestingly, IN insulin treatment reduced MA‐induced cognitive impairments possibly through activating insulin signaling, particularly PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway, and mitochondrial biogenesis. Thus, insulin and insulin signaling pathway can be considered as useful targets for the treatment of abnormalities associated with MA abuse.
Stathmin/Op18 depletion induces genomic instability and leads to premature senescence in human normal fibroblasts
Authors: Shrestha Deepmala , Kim Namil , Song Kiwon
Published: September 2017

Stathmin/oncoprotein18 regulates microtubule dynamics and participates in mitotic entry and exit. We isolated stathmin as a physically interacting partner of KIFC1, a minus‐end‐directed kinesin functioning in bipolar spindle formation and maintenance. We found that stathmin depletion leads to multipolar spindle formation in IMR‐90 normal human fibroblasts. Stathmin‐depleted IMR‐90 cells showed early mitotic delay but managed to undergo chromosome segregation by forming multiple poles or pseudo‐bipoles. Consistent with these observations, lagging chromosomes, and micronuclei were elevated in stathmin‐depleted IMR‐90 cells, demonstrating that stathmin is essential for maintaining genomic stability during mitosis in human cells. Genomic instability induced by stathmin depletion led to premature senescence without any indication of cell death in normal IMR‐90 cells. Double knock‐down of both stathmin and p53 also did not induce cell death in IMR‐90 cells, while the stathmin knock‐down triggered apoptosis in p53‐proficient human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Our results suggest that stathmin is essential in bipolar spindle formation to maintain genomic stability during mitosis, and the depletion of stathmin prevents the initiation of chromosome instability by inducing senescence in human normal fibroblasts.
Preparation of Ag Nanowire @ Au Nanoparticle Hybrid Nanowires and their Influence on the Fluorescence Properties of P3HT
Authors: Zhang Ming‐Hai , Yi Guo‐Bin , Zu Xi‐Hong , Huang Hai‐Liang , Wang Yun‐Jia , Wang Jian‐Chao , Zhong Ben‐Bin , Luo Hong‐Sheng
Published: September 2017

In this study, the galvanic displacement reaction between silver and AuCl4− was carried out to synthesize a series of silver nanowire (Ag NW) @ gold nanoparticle (Au NP) hybrid nanowires. The influence of Ag NW @ Au NP hybrid nanowires on the fluorescence properties of the poly (3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) was investigated. The particle sizes of Au NPs on the hybrid nanowires could be adjusted by varying the reaction time and the concentration of the HAuCl4 solution. Furthermore, steady‐state fluorescence measurements showed that the fluorescence intensity of the P3HT films was higher on various Ag NW @ Au NP hybrid nanowires compared to that on a bare silicon substrate. This was due to the increase in the intensity of electromagnetic field by the localized surface plasmon resonances of Au NPs and surface plasmon polaritons of Ag NWs from the hybrid nanowires. The results were further confirmed by the Raman spectra of the P3HT films on different substrates.
The Photokinetics of Electron Transfer Reaction of Methylene Blue with Titanium Trichloride in Aqueous–Alcoholic Solvents
Authors: Nadeem Syed Muhammad Saqib , Saeed Rehana
Published: September 2017

The kinetics of photoinduced electron transfer reaction of methylene blue (MB) and titanium trichloride was investigated in water and different aqueous–alcoholic solvents. The reaction is pseudo‐first order, dependent only on the concentration of titanium trichloride at a fixed concentration of MB. The effect of water and aqueous–alcoholic solvents was studied in the acidic pH range (4–7). It was observed that the quantum yield (ϕ) of the reaction increased with increase in polarity of the reaction medium. The quantum yield was high under acidic conditions and decreased with further increase in acidity. The addition of ions and increase in temperature increased the rate and quantum yield of the reaction. The absence of any reaction intermediate was confirmed by spectroscopic investigations. A mechanism for the reaction has been proposed in accordance with the kinetics of the reaction. The activation energy (Ea) was calculated by the Arrhenius relation. Thermodynamic parameters such as Ea, enthalpy change (ΔH), free energy change (ΔG), and entropy change (ΔS) were also evaluated.
The inhibitory effect in Fraxinellone on oxidative stress‐induced senescence correlates with AMP‐activated protein kinase‐dependent autophagy restoration
Authors: Han Xiaojuan , Chen Honghan , Zhou Jiao , Tai Haoran , Gong Hui , Wang Xiaobo , Huang Ning , Qin Jianqiong , Fang Tingting , Wang Fei , Xiao Hengyi
Published: September 2017

As a natural metabolite of limonoids from Dictamnus dasycarpus, fraxinellone has been reported to be neuroprotective and anti‐inflammatory. However, its influence on cellular metabolism remains largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of fraxinellone on cellular senescence‐induced by oxidative stress and the potential mechanism. We found that fraxinellone administration caused growth arrest and certainly repressed the activity of senescence associated β‐galactosidase as well as the expression of senescence‐associated‐genes. Interestingly, this effect of fraxinellone is closely correlated with the restoration of impaired autophagy and the activation of AMPK. Notably, fraxinellone reacts in an AMPK‐dependent but mTORC1‐independent manner. Together, our study demonstrates for the first time that fraxinellone has the effect on senescence inhibition and AMPK activation, and supports the notion that autophagic mechanism is important for aging prevention. These findings expanded the list of natural compounds and will be potentially utilized for aging decay and/or AMPK activation.
Adult‐onset brain tumors and neurodegeneration: Are polyphenols protective?
Authors: Squillaro Tiziana , Schettino Carla , Sampaolo Simone , Galderisi Umberto , Di Iorio Giuseppe , Giordano Antonio , Melone Mariarosa A. B.
Published: September 2017

Aging is a primary risk factor for both neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) and tumors such as adult‐onset brain tumors. Since NDs and tumors are severe, disabling, progressive and often incurable conditions, they represent a pressing problem in terms of human suffering and economic costs to the healthcare systems. The current challenge for physicians and researchers is to develop new therapeutic strategies in both areas to improve the patients’ quality of life. In addition to genetics and environmental stressors, the increase in cellular oxidative stress as one of the potential common etiologies has been reported for both disorders. Recently, the scientific community has focused on the beneficial effects of dietary antioxidant classes, known as nutraceuticals, such as carotenoids, vitamins, and polyphenols. Among these compounds, polyphenols are considered to be one of the most bioactive agents in neurodegeneration and tumor prevention. Despite the beneficial activity of polyphenols, their poor bioavailability and inefficient delivery systems are the main factors limiting their use in medicine and functional food. The development of polymeric nanoparticle‐based delivery systems able to encapsulate and preserve polyphenolic compounds may represent a promising tool to enhance their stability, solubility, and cell membrane permeation. In the present review we provide an overview of the main polyphenolic compounds used for ND and brain tumor prevention and treatment that explores their mechanisms of action, recent clinical findings and principal factors limiting their application in medicine.
Fibroblast growth factor 2 induces proliferation and distribution of G2/M phase of bovine endometrial cells involving activation of PI3K/AKT and MAPK cell signaling and prevention of effects of ER stress
Authors: Lim Whasun , Bae Hyocheol , Bazer Fuller W. , Song Gwonhwa
Published: September 2017

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is abundantly expressed in conceptuses and endometria during pregnancy in diverse animal models including domestic animals. However, its intracellular mechanism of action has not been reported for bovine endometrial cells. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify functional roles of FGF2 in bovine endometrial (BEND) cell line which has served as a good model system for investigating regulation of signal transduction following treatment with interferon‐tau (IFNT) in vitro. Results of present study demonstrated that administration of FGF2 to BEND cells increased their proliferation and regulated the cell cycle through DNA replication by an increase of PCNA and Cyclin D1. FGF2 also increased phosphorylation of AKT, P70S6K, S6, ERK1/2, JNK, and P38 in BEND cells in a dose‐dependent manner, and expression of each of those transcription factors was inhibited by their respective pharmacological inhibitor including Wormannin, U0126, and SP600125. In addition, the increase in proliferation of BEND cells and activation of the protein kinases in response to FGF2 was suppressed by BGJ398, a FGFR inhibitor. Furthermore, proliferation of BEND cells was inhibited by tunicamycin, but treatment of BEND cells with FGF2 restored proliferation of BEND cells. Consistent with this result, the stimulated unfolded protein response (UPR) regulatory proteins induced by tunicamycin were down‐regulated by FGF2. Results of this study suggest that FGF2 promotes proliferation of BEND cells and likely enhances uterine capacity and maintenance of pregnancy by activating cell signaling via the PI3K and MAPK pathways and by restoring ER stress through the FGFR.
Gut microbiota‐derived endotoxin enhanced the incidence of cardia bifida during cardiogenesis
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wang Guang , Liu Jia , Gao Lin‐rui , Liu Meng , Wang Chao‐jie , Chuai Manli , Bao Yongping , Li Ge , Li Rui‐man , Zhang Yu , Yang Xuesong
Published: September 2017

Cytotoxicity and inflammation‐associated toxic responses could be induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in vitro and in vivo, respectively. However, the mechanism involved in LPS‐induced cardiac malformation in prenatal fetus is still unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that LPS was induced in gut microbiota imbalance mice, and next, LPS exposure during gastrulation in the chick embryo increased the incidence of cardia bifida. Gene transfection and tissue transplantation trajectory indicated that LPS exposure restricted the cell migration of cardiac progenitors to primary heart field in gastrula chick embryos. In vitro explant allograft of GFP‐labeled anterior primitive streak demonstrated that LPS treatments could inhibit cell migration. A similar observation was also obtained from the cell migration assay of scratch wounds using primary culture of cardiomyocytes or H9c2 cells. In the embryos exposed to LPS, expressions of Nkx2.5 and GATA5 were disturbed. These genes are associated with cardiomyocyte differentiation when heart tube fusion occurs. Furthermore, pHIS3, C‐caspase3 immunohistological staining indicated that cell proliferation decreased, cell apoptosis increased in the heart tube of chick embryo. Meanwhile, in vivo, pHIS3 immunohistological staining and Hochest/PI staining also draw the similar conclusions. The LPS exposure also caused the production of excess ROS, which might damage the cardiac precursor cells of developing embryos. At last, we showed that LPS‐induced cardia bifida could be partially rescued through the addition of antioxidants. Together, these results reveal that excess ROS generation is involved in the LPS‐induced defects in heart tube during chick embryo development.
Synthesis of Some Novel Quinazolinone Derivatives with Anticipated Biological Activity
Authors: Marzouk Magda I. , Shaker Soheir A. , Farghaly Thoraya A. , El‐Hashash Maher A. , Hussein Shadia M.
Published: September 2017

The behavior of the benzoxazinone derivative 1 toward nitrogen and carbon nucleophiles was investigated and yielded compounds 2–4, 6, and 7. The oxadiazol derivatives 9–12 were obtained from the interaction of hydrazide 8 with benzoic acid in the presence of phosphoryl chloride and/or carbon disulfide in the presence of KOH followed by alkylation with ethyl iodide and hydrazinolysis with hydrazine hydrate, respectively. The quinazolinone derivatives 13 and 22 were utilized to construct new heterocyclic systems 15–21, 23, and 24 via interaction with different carbon electrophiles. Some of the newly synthesized compounds were characterized on the bases of spectroscopic data. Some of the synthesized compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity.
Synthesis and Insecticidal Activity of Novel Thiazole Acrylonitrile Derivatives
Authors: Cao Shengwen , Liu Aiping , Liu Weidong , Liu Xingping , Ren Yeguo , Pei Hui , Huang Lu , Zheng Xi , Huang Mingzhi , Wu Daoxin
Published: September 2017

A series of novel thiazole acrylonitrile derivatives was designed and synthesized utilizing NC‐510 as a precursor. Their structures were characterized by NMR spectrometry, MS, and elemental analysis. The results of bioassay indicated that some of these title compounds exhibited 100% mortality at 50 mg/L against Aphis fabae. In particular, the compound 11c displayed the best activity: Its LC50 value achieved 1.45 mg/L, and its insecticidal potency is comparable with that of NC‐510.
Peptide supplementation to nutrient‐adequate diets enhanced internal egg quality during storage in hens at peak production
Authors: Olukosi Oluyinka A , Xiao Weiwei , Jia Jing
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

There is paucity of information on the use of dietary peptides in laying hens and its effects on egg production and quality. In the current study, peptide from enzymatic hydrolysis of soybean protein was incorporated into laying hens' diets to investigate its effect on egg production and internal egg quality.

RESULTS

There were no treatment effects on egg production (average hen day production was 96%) during the experiment. Final body weight of the hens increased quadratically (P < 0.05) in response to peptide supplementation. There were no significant effects of peptide supplementation on internal egg quality of the fresh eggs. Peptide supplementation tended to increase yolk colour (P < 0.10) in eggs collected at 4 weeks of the study and stored at room temperature for 14 days. For the eggs collected at 8 weeks of the experiment and stored at room temperature for 14 days, peptide supplementation linearly increased (P < 0.05) albumen height, Haugh unit and yolk index but linearly decreased (P < 0.01) yolk width.

CONCLUSION

Peptide supplementation to laying hens at peak production, receiving diets meeting their nutrient requirement, did not improve hen production but positively helped to maintain hens' body weight and egg quality during storage. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Isoflavones from green vegetable soya beans and their antimicrobial and antioxidant activities
Authors: Wang Taoyun , Liu Yanli , Li Xiaoran , Xu Qiongming , Feng Yulin , Yang Shilin
Published: September 2017

BACKGROUND

Green vegetable soya beans, known as Maodou in China, are supplied as vegetable‐type fruits of the soybean plant. Previous study indicated that green vegetable soya beans exhibited antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory activities. However, the material basis and pharmacological activities of green soybean plant were not unravelled clearly. In this study, we investigated the chemical ingredients and their pharmacological activities.

RESULTS

Investigation of the chemical ingredients indicated that two new isoflavones, 2′‐hydroxyerythrin A (1), and daidzein‐7‐O‐β‐d‐{6″‐[(E)‐but‐2‐enoyl]}glycoside (2), together with seven known ones – 7,4′‐dihydroxy‐6‐methoxyisoflavone (3), daidzein (4), daidzin (5), genistein (6), formononetin (7), ononin (8), and isoerythrinin A (9) – were obtained. The structures of compounds 1–9 were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical analysis. We evaluated the antimicrobial efficacies and free‐radical scavenging potential of the isolated compounds (1–9). Compounds 1 and 9 exhibited the most pronounced efficacy against the tested bacterial strains with IC50 values ranging from 10.6 to 22.6 μg mL−1. The isolated compounds showed moderate radical scavenging properties with compound 6 being the most active, followed by compounds 3, 1 and 4.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicated that the isoflavones from soya beans could be considered as potential antioxidants or antimicrobials in the food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
A systematic review and meta‐analysis on fetal ovarian cysts: impact of size, appearance and prenatal aspiration
Authors: Tyraskis Athanasios , Bakalis Spyros , David Anna L. , Eaton Simon , De Coppi Paolo
Published: September 2017

Objective

The objective of the study is to compare outcomes of ultrasound‐guided aspiration of fetal ovarian cysts with conservative management.

Method

A systematic review of MEDLINE and Web of Science included studies reporting outcomes (prenatal and postnatal torsion, spontaneous resolution and surgery) of fetuses with ovarian cysts. Subgroup analysis was performed according to cyst diameter at diagnosis and cysts ≥40 mm.

Results

Ninety‐two non‐randomised studies reported on 380 cysts (324 observed and 56 aspirated in utero) in 365 fetuses. All studies were case reports or series with high heterogeneity and risk of bias. The overall spontaneous resolution rate of conservatively managed cysts was 46%, yet decreased with increasing cyst size. Risk of prenatal ovarian torsion in conservatively managed cases depended on cyst size and was particularly important in the range 30 to 59 mm (15–34%). The rate of prenatal torsion in simple cysts ≥40 mm was lower in aspirated than conservatively managed cysts (0% vs 10%, p = 0.03). Aspirated cysts had lower rates of postnatal surgery (7%) compared with conservatively managed cysts (49%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Cysts 30 to 59 mm were at highest risk of torsion. Simple cysts >40 mm had lower rates of torsion when aspirated prenatally. Randomised studies and safety data are needed prior to routine prenatal ovarian cyst aspiration. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of Mixing Methods on the Thermal Stability and Detonation Characteristics of Ammonium Nitrate and Sodium Chloride Mixtures
Authors: Tan Liu , Liu Dabin , Xu Sen , Wu Qiujie , Xia Lianghong
Published: September 2017

A study has examined the effect of mixing methods on the thermal stability and detonation characteristics of ammonium nitrate (AN) and sodium chloride (NaCl) mixtures. NaCl was mixed with AN by two methods. The thermal stability, detonation velocity and structural properties were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), measurement of detonation velocity and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). For the mechanical mixing method, in all tested scope of proportions of NaCl in the mixtures, activation energies increase when the proportion of NaCl increases; for solution mixing method, the activation energies decrease first and then start to increase as the proportion of NaCl increases. The detonation velocity of AN‐NaCl mixtures prepared by two mixing methods also showed different results. The results indicate that the mixing methods significantly affect the thermal stability and detonation characteristics of AN.