bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
microRNA‐106b derived from endothelial cell–secreted extracellular vesicles prevents skin wound healing by inhibiting JMJD3 and RIPK3
Authors: Qi Lin , Lu Yufeng , Wang Zhaolin , Zhang Guiyun 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntriguingly, microRNAs (miRs) transferred as cargo in extracellular vesicles (EVs) can modulate wound healing through their regulation of fibroblast functions. In this study, we investigated the effects of miR‐106b transfer via EVs derived from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) on skin wound healing. Dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay identified that miR‐106b could target and inhibit JMJD3. RT‐qPCR analysis showed EVs isolated from HUVECs had enriched expression of miR‐106b. LL29 fibroblast cells and HaCaT keratinocytes were co‐cultured with HUVEC‐derived EVs, in which miR‐106b had been up‐regulated or down‐regulated by its mimic or inhibitor. The co‐culture with HUVEC‐derived EVs increased miR‐106b expression, and reduced the viability and adhesion of LL29 and HaCaT cells, whereas the inhibition of miR‐106b in HUVEC‐derived EVs enhanced the viability and adhesion of LL29 and HaCaT cells through up‐regulation of JMJD3. Next, we showed that JMJD3 overexpression enhanced LL29 and HaCaT cell viability and adhesion through elevating RIPK3, which induced the phosphorylation of AKT during the wound‐healing process. We next developed a mouse skin wound model to investigate the actions of miR‐106b in vivo after 14 days. The delivery of miR‐106b via HUVEC‐derived EVs delayed wound healing through suppression of collagen I content and angiogenesis, but had no effects on pro‐inflammatory cytokines. In conclusion, miR‐106b from HUVEC‐derived EVs inhibits JMJD3 and RIPK3, leading to the inhibition of skin wound healing, thus constituting a new therapeutic target.
Post‐menopausal oestrogen deficiency induces osteoblast apoptosis via regulating HOTAIR/miRNA‐138 signalling and suppressing TIMP1 expression
Authors: Xu Shao‐Yong , Shi Peng , Zhou Rui‐Ming 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this study, we aimed to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of osteoporosis in post‐menopausal females. Real‐time PCR was conducted to measure the expression of potential lncRNAs involved in the osteoporosis of post‐menopausal females. In addition, Western blot and IHC assays were used to study the possible correlation among HOTAIR, miR‐138 and TIMP1, while a computational analysis was carried out to predict the ‘seed sequence’ responsible for the binding between miR‐138 and HOTAIR/TIMP1. Furthermore, luciferase reporter assays were conducted to validate the negative regulatory relationship between miR‐138 and TIMP1/HOTAIR. To evaluate the effect of oestrogen on the function of HOATIR and its downstream effectors, luciferase activity was measured in cells cotransfected with different vectors or treated with different doses of oestrogen. The results of the luciferase assay were further validated by real‐time PCR, Western blot, MTT assay and flow cytometry. Among the candidate lncRNAs, HOTAIR was the only lncRNA down‐regulated in post‐menopausal females. HOTAIR bound to miR‐138 and negatively regulated its expression. Meanwhile, miR‐138 could also bind to TIMP1 mRNA and reduce its expression. Furthermore, a dose‐dependent up‐regulation of HOTAIR was observed in cells treated with oestrogen, and the elevated HOTAIR increased the level of TIMP1 by targeting miR‐138. In addition, oestrogen promoted cell viability and suppressed cell apoptosis, and effects of oestrogen were blocked by the silencing of HOTAIR. Therefore, it can be concluded that oestrogen deficiency could induce the apoptosis of osteoblasts and lead to osteoporosis in post‐menopausal females via modulation of the HOTAIR/miR‐138/TIMP1 signalling axis.
CircPVT1 up‐regulation attenuates steroid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head through regulating miR‐21‐5p‐mediated Smad7/TGFβ signalling pathway
Authors: Hao Yangquan , Lu Chao , Zhang Baogang , Xu Zhaochen , Guo Hao , Zhang Gaokui 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSteroid‐induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SIONFH) has been a common disease following corticosteroid therapy. Presently, we aim to explore the functions of circular RNA (circ) PVT1 in SIONFH rats and the underlying mechanism. Glucocorticoid (GC) was used to treat SD rats and bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to construct SIONFH model in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The pathological injury of the femoral head in the SIONFH rats was detected via haematoxylin‐eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The osteogenic differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis of BMSCs were detected. Western blot was used to detect Smad7, Bax, Bcl2 and Smad2/3. The potential targets of circPVT1 and miR‐21‐5p were validated through luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA pull‐down assay, respectively. We found that CircPVT1 was decreased in the femoral head of SIONFH rats and GC‐treated BMSCs, while miR‐21‐5p was markedly up‐regulated. Overexpressed circPVT1 attenuated the apoptosis and cell viability inhibition of BMSCs induced by GC, while miR‐21‐5p up‐regulation had the opposite effects. What's more, the in vivo experiments confirmed that up‐regulating circPVT1 repressed osteonecrosis in SIONFH rats through repressing apoptosis. Mechanistically, circPVT1 functioned as a ceRNA of miR‐21‐5p, which targeted at the 3'untranslated region of Smad7. CircPVT1 enhancing Smad7 and mitigating GC activated TGFβ/Smad2/3 pathway through inhibiting miR‐21‐5p. In conclusion, CircPVT1 exerts protective effects against SIONFH via modulating miR‐21‐5p‐mediated Smad7/TGFβ pathway.
Decentralized EU Policy Coordination in Crisis? The Case of Germany
Authors: Freudlsperger Christian , Weinrich Martin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEuropeanization research found no general convergence towards centralized EU policy coordination, despite decentralized systems' comparatively slow and ineffective position‐taking. Does this finding hold against the threat, urgency, and uncertainty exerted by recent years' polycrisis? We posit that decentralized systems indeed persist, albeit in a three‐step reactive sequence in which situational centralization during crises dialectically reinforces decentralization in the long run. First, the prime minister's office harnesses a crisis to acquire hierarchical control of position‐taking. Second, to exploit the deep expertise of the bureaucracy and maximize its bargaining power on the EU‐level, it co‐opts a lead ministry. Third, due to the institutional underpinnings of the decentralized system, the lead ministry, rather than the prime minister's office, eventually retains the administrative capacities created in crisis. We illustrate this causal mechanism in a comparison of the German government's EU policy coordination during the Eurozone and Schengen crises.
Transport of oxytocin to the brain after peripheral administration by membrane‐bound or soluble forms of receptors for advanced glycation end‐products
Authors: Munesue Sei‐ichi , Liang MingKun , Harashima Ai , Zhong Jing , Furuhara Kazumi , Boitsova Elizabeta B , Cherepanov Stanislav M , Gerasimenko Maria , Yuhi Teruko , Yamamoto Yasuhiko , Higashida Haruhiro 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOxytocin (OT) is a neuropeptide hormone. Single and repetitive administration of OT increases social interaction and maternal behaviour in humans and mammals. Recently, it was found that the receptor for advanced glycation end‐products (RAGE) is an OT‐binding protein and plays a critical role in the uptake of OT to the brain after peripheral OT administration. Here, we address some unanswered questions on RAGE‐dependent OT transport. First, we found that, after intranasal OT administration, the OT concentration increased in the extracellular space of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of wild‐type male mice, as measured by push‐pull microperfusion. No increase of OT in the mPFC was observed in RAGE knockout male mice. Second, in a reconstituted in vitro blood‐brain barrier system, inclusion of the soluble form of RAGE (endogenous secretory RAGE [esRAGE]), an alternative splicing variant, in the luminal (blood) side had no effect on the transport of OT to the abluminal (brain) chamber. Third, OT concentrations in the cerebrospinal fluid after i.p. OT injection were slightly higher in male mice overexpressing esRAGE (esRAGE transgenic) compared to those in wild‐type male mice, although this did not reach statistical significance. Although more extensive confirmation is necessary because of the small number of experiments in the present study, the reported data support the hypothesis that RAGE may be involved in the transport of OT to the mPFC from the circulation. These results suggest that the soluble form of RAGE in the plasma does not function as a decoy in vitro.
SOX7 blocks vasculogenic mimicry in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Hong Kyoung‐Ok , Oh Kyu‐Young , Yoon Hye‐Jung , Swarup Neeti , Jung Minjung , Shin Ji‐Ae , Kim Jung‐Hwan , Chawla Kunal , Lee Jae‐Il , Cho Sung‐Dae , Hong Seong‐Doo 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundVasculogenic mimicry (VM) is the formation of an alternative circulatory system by aggressive tumor cells. The characteristics of VM and its underlying mechanism in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remain unclear. This study aims to determine the relationship between VM in OSCC tissues and clinical outcomes and to investigate the biological role of SOX7 in VM in OSCC cells.MethodsCD31/PAS staining was performed to evaluate VM in OSCC tissue. The relationships between VM and clinicopathological variables, and VM and SOX7 levels were analyzed. The correlation between SOX7 levels and cancer cohorts was investigated using in silico analysis. VM formation assay was performed to observe VM in vitro. To investigate the role of SOX7 in VM formation, SOX7 was transiently over‐expressed in SCC‐9 cells. VM‐modulating genes were identified by Western blotting.ResultsWe found a positive correlation between VM and lymph node metastasis and patient survival in OSCC (p = 0.003). In silico analysis from The Cancer Genome Atlas and Gene Expression Omnibus database showed that down‐regulation of SOX7 expression was significantly correlated with OSCC patients (p = 0.0187) and lymph node metastasis (p = 0.0017). We also found that the presence of VM in OSCC tissue was inversely associated with SOX7 expression (p = 0.020). We observed that overexpression of SOX7 impaired VM formation by reducing the expression of VE‐cadherin, thereby inhibiting cell migration and invasion.ConclusionThese results suggest that SOX7 plays an important role in the regulation of VM formation and may inhibit OSCC metastasis.
Phytochrome B and PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR8 modulate seasonal growth in trees
Authors: Ding Jihua , Zhang Bo , Li Yue , André Domenique , Nilsson Ove 
Published: March 2021

Summary

The seasonally synchronized annual growth cycle that is regulated mainly by photoperiod and temperature cues is a crucial adaptive strategy for perennial plants in boreal and temperate ecosystems.

Phytochrome B (phyB), as a light and thermal sensor, has been extensively studied in Arabidopsis. However, the specific mechanisms for how the phytochrome photoreceptors control the phenology in tree species remain poorly understood.

We characterized the functions of PHYB genes and their downstream PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR (PIF) targets in the regulation of shade avoidance and seasonal growth in hybrid aspen trees. We show that while phyB1 and phyB2, as phyB in other plants, act as suppressors of shoot elongation during vegetative growth, they act as promoters of tree seasonal growth. Furthermore, while the Populus homologs of both PIF4 and PIF8 are involved in the shade avoidance syndrome (SAS), only PIF8 plays a major role as a suppressor of seasonal growth.

Our data suggest that the PHYB‐PIF8 regulon controls seasonal growth through the regulation of FT and CENL1 expression while a genome‐wide transcriptome analysis suggests how, in Populus trees, phyB coordinately regulates SAS responses and seasonal growth cessation.
Analgesic effects of indomethacin spray on drug‐induced oral mucositis pain in patients with cancer: A single‐arm cross‐sectional study
Authors: Hata Hironobu , Takada Shinya , Sato Jun , Yoshikawa Kazuhito , Imamachi Kenji , Edo Minako , Sagawa Tamotsu , Fujikawa Koshi , Ueda Michihiro , Matsuzaka Masashi , Kitagawa Yoshimasa 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimsSymptomatic treatment is insufficient for chemotherapy‐ or targeted therapy‐induced oral mucositis (OM) pain, and benzydamine mouthwash is not commercially available in Japan. We evaluated the analgesic effects of an in‐hospital preparation of 0.25% indomethacin spray (IMS) on anticancer drug‐induced OM pain.MethodsThis single‐arm prospective trial enrolled 20 patients (median age 62.0 years) with OM and numerical rating scale scores of ≥5 who were undergoing chemotherapy or targeted therapy in our hospital. Pain scores were recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS) before and 30 min after IMS administration. Pain relief (PR) scores were recorded at 15, 30, and 60 min after IMS administration; total PR after 60 min (TOTPAR60) was calculated, and the mean PR score after 3 days (PR3days) was determined.ResultsThe median (interquartile range) OM grade of the participants was 2.0 (2.0–2.3). The VAS score decreased significantly at 30 min after IMS administration (p = .001). The median (interquartile range) TOTPAR60 and PR3days were 6.0 (3.8–7.3) and 2.0 (2.0–3.0), respectively.ConclusionsIMS helped improve patients’ quality of life. The risk of systemic adverse effects was low because of the low dose administered. IMS effectively relieved anticancer drug‐induced OM pain and may be useful for immediate self‐medication.
Assessments of stress of conscience, burnout and social support amongst care providers in home care and residential care for older people
Authors: Åhlin Johan , Ericson‐Lidman Eva , Strandberg Gunilla 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundStudies points to that levels of stress of conscience and burnout among staff in healthcare contexts may seriously affect their health.AimTo compare assessments and associations of stress of conscience, perceptions of conscience, social support and burnout amongst care providers working in home care respectively residential care for older people.MethodsThis cross‐sectional descriptive comparative study was performed among all care providers working in home care (n = 227) and residential care of older people (n = 354) in a municipality in northern Sweden. Data was collected using four different questionnaires. Analysis were performed using partial least square regression, descriptive statistics, statistical tests and effect size measures.ResultsCare providers in residential care of older people assessed higher levels of stress of conscience compared to those working in home care. Exhaustion was an important predictor for belonging to the group of care providers working in residential care of older people. The most important predictor for belonging to the group of care providers working in home care were social support from one's immediate superior and co‐workers. Women assessed significantly higher levels of stress of conscience and exhaustion compared to men.ConclusionFurther research seems needed to investigate what the high levels of stress of conscience is caused by. A combined intervention consisting of work‐directed measures against burnout and measures aiming at reducing stress of conscience is suggested.
“Maybe I’m just not good enough?”: British swimmers’ experiences of attempting to qualify for the Olympic Games
Authors: Mitchell Libby A. , Knight Camilla J. , Morris Robert , Mellalieu Stephen D. 
Published: March 2021

The purpose of this study was to explore the transitional experiences of British swimmers as they attempted to qualify for the Olympic Games and gain a place in the British Swimming World Class Performance Programme. An interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach was adopted (Smith JA. Psychol Health 1996;11:261–271). Six swimmers (aged 20–25 years), one of each of their parents, and four coaches completed interviews leading up to and following Olympic trials over an eight‐month period. Audio recordings were transcribed verbatim and analyzed following the guidelines set out by Smith and Osborne (Smith JA, Osborn M. Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. London: Sage; 2003:51–80). Results indicated that athletes’ transition experiences were characterized by a range of demands, which were categorized into five higher‐order themes (a) Questioning “Am I good enough?”; (b) Managing and fulfilling expectations; (c) Operating within an environment that is working against them; (d) Lacking support and understanding of self and demands; and (e) Maintaining balance versus being an international swimmer. Overall, the results indicate that this attempted transition is complex, challenging, and unique and largely influenced by self‐confidence. Addressing the individual factors impacting on athletes’ self‐confidence appears critical to enhancing swimmers’ transitional experiences at the highest level.
Turgor regulation defect 1 proteins play a conserved role in pollen tube reproductive innovation of the angiosperms
Authors: Ke Chang‐Jiao , Lin Xian‐Ju , Zhang Bao‐Yu , Chen Li‐Yu 
Published: March 2021

SUMMARYSexual reproduction in angiosperms is siphonogamous, and the interaction between pollen tube and pistil is critical for successful fertilization. Our previous study demonstrated that mutation of the Arabidopsis turgor regulation defect 1 (TOD1) gene leads to reduced male fertility, a result of retarded pollen tube growth in the pistil. TOD1 encodes a Golgi‐localized alkaline ceramidase, a key enzyme for the production of sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P), which is involved in the regulation of turgor pressure in plant cells. However, whether TOD1s play a conserved role in the innovation of siphonogamy is largely unknown. In this study, we provide evidence that OsTOD1, which is similar to AtTOD1, is also preferentially expressed in rice pollen grains and pollen tubes. OsTOD1 knockout results in reduced pollen tube growth potential in rice pistil. Both the OsTOD1 genomic sequence with its own promoter and the coding sequence under the AtTOD1 promoter can partially rescue the attod1 mutant phenotype. Furthermore, TOD1s from other angiosperm species can partially rescue the attod1 mutant phenotype, while TOD1s from gymnosperm species are not able to complement the attod1 mutant phenotype. Our data suggest that TOD1 acts conservatively in angiosperms, and this opens up an opportunity to dissect the role of sphingolipids in pollen tube growth in angiosperms.
Isolation of Arabidopsis extracellular ATP binding proteins by affinity proteomics and identification of PHOSPHOLIPASE C‐LIKE 1 as an extracellular protein essential for fumonisin B1 toxicity
Authors: Smith Sarah J. , Goodman Heather , Kroon Johan T. M. , Brown Adrian P. , Simon William J. , Chivasa Stephen 
Published: March 2021

SummaryATP is secreted to the extracellular matrix, where it activates plasma membrane receptors for controlling plant growth and stress‐adaptive processes. DOES NOT RESPOND TO NUCLEOTIDES 1 (DORN1), was the first plant ATP receptor to be identified but key downstream proteins remain sought after. Here, we identified 120 proteins secreted by Arabidopsis cell cultures and screened them for putative stress‐responsive proteins using ATP‐affinity purification. We report three Arabidopsis proteins isolated by ATP‐affinity: PEROXIDASE 52, SUBTILASE‐LIKE SERINE PROTEASE 1.7 and PHOSPHOLIPASE C‐LIKE 1. In wild‐type Arabidopsis, the expression of genes encoding all three proteins responded to fumonisin B1, a cell death‐activating mycotoxin. The expression of PEROXIDASE 52 and PHOSPHOLIPASE C‐LIKE 1 was altered in fumonisin B1‐resistant salicylic acid induction‐deficient (sid2) mutants. Exposure to fumonisin B1 suppressed PHOSPHOLIPASE C‐LIKE 1 expression in sid2 mutants, suggesting that the inactivation of this gene might provide mycotoxin tolerance. Accordingly, gene knockout mutants of PHOSPHOLIPASE C‐LIKE 1 were resistant to fumonisin B1‐induced death. The activation of PHOSPHOLIPASE C‐LIKE 1 gene expression by exogenous ATP was not blocked in dorn1 loss‐of‐function mutants, indicating that DORN1 is not required. Furthermore, exogenous ATP rescued both the wild type and the dorn1 mutants from fumonisin‐B1 toxicity, suggesting that different ATP receptor(s) are operational in this process. Our results point to the existence of additional plant ATP receptor(s) and provide crucial downstream targets for use in designing screens to identify these receptors. Finally, PHOSPHOLIPASE C‐LIKE 1 serves as a convergence point for fumonisin B1 and extracellular ATP signalling, and functions in the Arabidopsis stress response to fumonisin B1.
Advanced oxidation as tertiary treatment for recovery of effluent from an integrated algal pond system
Authors: Jimoh Taobat A. , Laubscher Richard K. , Askew Derek J. , Cowan A. Keith 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn contemporary water‐scarce regions and with increasing pressure on the built environment, access to quality water within the peri‐urban space is of concern. It has been argued that integrated algal pond systems (IAPS) are ideally suited as these systems offer value recovery and water for irrigation. Advanced oxidation (AO) was evaluated as tertiary treatment for inclusion into the IAPS process. Chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS) and ammonium‐N in effluent from an IAPS treating municipal sewage were monitored after exposure to AO. All measured parameters were reduced but reduction in COD occurred only after long‐term exposure or high dosage. COD, TSS and ammonium‐N concentrations were reduced by 2%, 30% and 28%, respectively, within 24 h. Addition of an AO unit to the IAPS process can upgrade water quality to a level satisfactory for recovery to irrigation or for discharge without any substantial increase in process footprint.
Piezothermoelastic Characteristics and Control of Active Piezoelectric Structures
Authors: Tzou H. S. , Ye R. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Piezothermoelastic characteristics of distributed piezoelectric structural systems are investigated. A new piezothermoelastic finite element formulation for modeling static and dynamic responses of piezoelectric laminated continua subjected to combined thermal, electric, and mechanical excitations is proposed. A “thin” eight-node solid element with three internal degrees of freedom is formulated. Thermal influence to the distributed sensor/actuator systems is investigated. Vibration suppression of a piezoelectric laminated structure subjected to thermal excitations is studied and a correction method demonstrated.