bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Human trophoblast requires galectin-3 for cell migration and invasion
Authors: Bojić-Trbojević Ž. , Jovanović Krivokuća M. , Vilotić A. , Kolundžić N. , Stefanoska I. , Zetterberg F. , Nilsson U. J. , Leffler H. , Vićovac Lj. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractInvasive extravillous cytotrophoblast of the human placenta expresses galectins-1, -3, and -8 in vivo and in vitro. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of galectin-3 in cell migration and invasion, using recombinant human galectin-3 (rhgalectin-3), small molecule galectin inhibitor I47, and galectin-3 silencing. HTR-8/SVneo cell migration was stimulated by rhgalectin-3 and reduced by I47, which could be neutralised by rhgalectin-3. Inhibitor specificity and selectivity for the galectins expressed in extravillous trophoblast were validated in solid phase assays using recombinant galectin-1, -3, -8, confirming selectivity for galectin-3. HTR-8/SVneo cell migration and invasion, and invasion by isolated trophoblast cells in primary culture were significantly reduced in the presence of I47, which could be restored by rhgalectin-3. Upon HTR-8/SVneo cell treatment with galectin-3 siRNA both LGALS3 and galectin-3 protein were dramatically decreased. Silencing of galectin-3 induced significant reduction in cell migration and invasion, which was restored by rhgalectin-3. The influence on known mediators of cell invasion, MMP2 and -9, and integrins α1, α5, and β1 was followed in silenced cells, showing lower levels of MMPs and a large reduction in integrin subunit β1. These results show that galectin-3 acts as a pro-invasive autocrine/paracrine factor in trophoblast in vitro.
MG132 protects against renal dysfunction by regulating Akt-mediated inflammation in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Zeng Wei , Qi Wei , Mu Jiao , Wei Yi , Yang Li-Ling , Zhang Qian , Wu Qiong , Tang Jian-Ying , Feng Bing 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDiabetic nephropathy (DN), the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). To date, mounting evidence has shown that inflammation may contribute to the pathogenesis of DN. Recent reports have shown that proteasome inhibitors display cytoprotection by reducing the phosphorylation of Akt, a serine/threonine kinase, plays a critical role in cellular survival and metabolism and can crosstalk with inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that MG132, specific proteasome inhibitor, could provide renoprotection by suppressing Akt-mediated inflammation in DN. In vivo, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into normal control group (NC), diabetic nephropathy group (DN), DN model plus MG132 treatment group (MG132), and DN model plus deguelin treatment group (Deguelin)(deguelin, a specific inhibitor of Akt). In vitro, a human glomerular mesangial cell lines (HMCs) was exposed to 5.5 mmol/L glucose (CON), 30 mmol/L glucose (HG), 30 mmol/L glucose with 0.5 umol/L MG132 (MG132) and 30 mmol/L glucose with 5 umol/L deguelin (Deguelin). Compared with NC, DN showed a significant increase in the urinary protein excretion rate and inflammatory cytokines, as well as p-Akt. Compared with CON, HMCs co-cultured with HG was notably proliferated, which is in accord with α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression. These alterations were inhibited by administration of MG132 or deguelin. In conclusion, MG132 significantly inhibits the development of DN by regulating Akt phosphorylation-mediated inflammatory activation.
The development of white matter structural changes during the process of deterioration of the visual field
Authors: Hofstetter Shir , Sabbah Norman , Mohand-Saïd Saddek , Sahel José-Alain , Habas Christophe , Safran Avinoam B. , Amedi Amir 
Published: February 2019

AbstractEmerging evidence suggests that white matter plasticity in the adult brain is preserved after sensory and behavioral modifications. However, little is known about the progression of structural changes during the process of decline in visual input. Here we studied two groups of patients suffering from advanced retinitis pigmentosa with specific deterioration of the visual field: patients who had lost their peripheral visual field, retaining only central (“tunnel”) vision, and blind patients with complete visual field loss. Testing of these homogeneous groups made it possible to assess the extent to which the white matter is affected by loss of partial visual input and whether partially preserved visual input suffices to sustain stability in tracts beyond the primary visual system. Our results showed gradual changes in diffusivity that are indicative of degenerative processes in the primary visual pathway comprising the optic tract and the optic radiation. Interestingly, changes were also found in tracts of the ventral stream and the corticospinal fasciculus, depicting a gradual reorganisation of these tracts consequentially to the gradual loss of visual field coverage (from intact perception to partial vision to complete blindness). This reorganisation may point to microstructural plasticity underlying adaptive behavior and cross-modal integration after partial visual deprivation.
Magnetic particle mapping using magnetoelectric sensors as an imaging modality
Authors: Friedrich Ron-Marco , Zabel Sebastian , Galka Andreas , Lukat Nils , Wagner Jan-Martin , Kirchhof Christine , Quandt Eckhard , McCord Jeffrey , Selhuber-Unkel Christine , Siniatchkin Michael , Faupel Franz 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMagnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are a hot topic in the field of medical life sciences, as they are highly relevant in diagnostic applications. In this regard, a large variety of novel imaging methods for MNP in biological systems have been invented. In this proof-of-concept study, a new and novel technique is explored, called Magnetic Particle Mapping (MPM), using resonant magnetoelectric (ME) sensors for the detection of MNPs that could prove to be a cheap and efficient way to localize the magnetic nanoparticles. The simple and straightforward setup and measurement procedure includes the detection of higher harmonic excitations of MNP ensembles. We show the feasibility of this approach by building a measurement setup particularly suited to exploit the inherent sensor properties. We measure the magnetic response from 2D MNP distributions and reconstruct the distribution by solving the inverse problem. Furthermore, biological samples with magnetically labeled cells were measured and reconstruction of the distribution was compared with light microscope images. Measurement results suggest that the approach presented here is promising for MNP localization.
On the mechanism behind the inverse melting in systems with competing interactions
Authors: Mendoza-Coto Alejandro , Nicolao Lucas , Díaz-Méndez Rogelio 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe competition between a short range attractive interaction and a nonlocal repulsive interaction promote the appearance of modulated phases. In this work we present the microscopic mechanisms leading to the emergence of inverse transitions in such systems by considering a thorough mean-field analysis of a variety of minimal models with different competing interactions. We identify the specific connections between the characteristic energy of the homogeneous and modulated phases and the observed reentrant behaviors in the phase diagram. In particular, we find that reentrance is appreciable when the characteristic energy cost of the homogeneous and modulated phases are comparable to each other, and for systems in which the local order parameter is limited. In the asymptotic limit of high energy cost of the homogeneous phase we observe that the degree of reentrance decreases exponentially with the ratio of the characteristic energy cost of homogeneous and modulated phases. These mean-field results are confronted with Langevin simulations of an effective coarse grained model, confirming the expected extension of the reentrance in the phase diagram. These results shed new light on many systems undergoing inverse melting transitions by qualitatively improving the understanding of the interplay of entropy and energy around the inverse melting points.
Nuclear nanomedicine using Si nanoparticles as safe and effective carriers of 188Re radionuclide for cancer therapy
Authors: Petriev V. M. , Tischenko V. K. , Mikhailovskaya A. A. , Popov A. A. , Tselikov G. , Zelepukin I. , Deyev S. M. , Kaprin A. D. , Ivanov S. , Timoshenko V. Yu. , Prasad P. N. , Zavestovskaya I. N. , Kabashin A. V. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractNuclear nanomedicine, with its targeting ability and heavily loading capacity, along with its enhanced retention to avoid rapid clearance as faced with molecular radiopharmaceuticals, provides unique opportunities to treat tumors and metastasis. Despite these promises, this field has seen limited activities, primarily because of a lack of suitable nanocarriers, which are safe, excretable and have favorable pharmacokinetics to efficiently deliver and retain radionuclides in a tumor. Here, we introduce biodegradable laser-synthesized Si nanoparticles having round shape, controllable low-dispersion size, and being free of any toxic impurities, as highly suitable carriers of therapeutic 188Re radionuclide. The conjugation of the polyethylene glycol-coated Si nanoparticles with radioactive 188Re takes merely 1 hour, compared to its half-life of 17 hours. When intravenously administered in a Wistar rat model, the conjugates demonstrate free circulation in the blood stream to reach all organs and target tumors, which is radically in contrast with that of the 188Re salt that mostly accumulates in the thyroid gland. We also show that the nanoparticles ensure excellent retention of 188Re in tumor, not possible with the salt, which enables one to maximize the therapeutic effect, as well as exhibit a complete time-delayed conjugate bioelimination. Finally, our tests on rat survival demonstrate excellent therapeutic effect (72% survival compared to 0% of the control group). Combined with a series of imaging and therapeutic functionalities based on unique intrinsic properties of Si nanoparticles, the proposed biodegradable complex promises a major advancement in nuclear nanomedicine.
Negative reflection of elastic guided waves in chaotic and random scattering media
Authors: Gérardin Benoît , Laurent Jérôme , Legrand François , Prada Claire , Aubry Alexandre 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe propagation of waves in complex media can be harnessed either by taming the incident wave-field impinging on the medium or by forcing waves along desired paths through its careful design. These two alternative strategies have given rise to fascinating concepts such as time reversal or negative refraction. Here, we show how these two processes are intimately linked through the negative reflection phenomenon. A negative reflecting mirror converts a wave of positive phase velocity into its negative counterpart and vice versa. In this article, we experimentally demonstrate this phenomenon with elastic waves in a 2D billiard and in a disordered plate by means of laser interferometry. Despite the complexity of such configurations, the negatively reflected wave field focuses back towards the initial source location, thereby mimicking a phase conjugation operation while being a fully passive process. The super-focusing capability of negative reflection is also highlighted in a monochromatic regime. The negative reflection phenomenon is not restricted to guided elastic waves since it can occur in zero-gap systems such as photonic crystals, chiral metamaterials or graphene. Negative reflection can thus become a tool of choice for the control of waves in all fields of wave physics.
Quantitative nontumorous and tumorous human brain tissue assessment using microstructural co- and cross-polarized optical coherence tomography
Authors: Yashin Konstantin S. , Kiseleva Elena B. , Moiseev Alexander A. , Kuznetsov Sergey S. , Timofeeva Lidia B. , Pavlova Nadezhda P. , Gelikonov Grigory V. , Medyanik Igor А. , Kravets Leonid Ya. , Zagaynova Elena V. , Gladkova Natalia D. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is a promising method for detecting cancer margins during tumor resection. This study focused on differentiating tumorous from nontumorous tissues in human brain tissues using cross-polarization OCT (CP OCT). The study was performed on fresh ex vivo human brain tissues from 30 patients with high- and low-grade gliomas. Different tissue types that neurosurgeons should clearly distinguish during surgery, such as the cortex, white matter, necrosis and tumorous tissue, were separately analyzed. Based on volumetric CP OCT data, tumorous and normal brain tissue were differentiated using two optical coefficients — attenuation and forward cross-scattering. Compared with white matter, tumorous tissue without necrotic areas had significantly lower optical attenuation and forward cross-scattering values. The presence of particular morphological patterns, such as necrosis and injured myelinated fibers, can lead to dramatic changes in coefficient values and create some difficulties in differentiating between tissues. Color-coded CP OCT maps based on optical coefficients provided a visual assessment of the tissue. This study demonstrated the high translational potential of CP OCT in differentiating tumorous tissue from white matter. The clinical use of CP OCT during surgery in patients with gliomas could increase the extent of tumor resection and improve overall and progression-free survival.
Intravitreal aflibercept and ranibizumab for pachychoroid neovasculopathy
Authors: Jung Byung Ju , Kim Joo Young , Lee Jae Hyung , Baek Jiwon , Lee Kook , Lee Won Ki 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis retrospective study was to compare the efficacy of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and aflibercept for patients with pachychoroid neovasculopathy. 54 eyes were initially treated with 3 monthly loading injections of ranibizumab or aflibercept. Treatment switching from ranibizumab to aflibercept, and aflibercept to photodynamic therapy was done at 3 months in case of incomplete fluid absorption. At 3 months, the rate of complete fluid absorption was significantly higher in the aflibercept-treated group than in the ranibizumab-treated group (82.6% vs 51.6%, p = 0.018). The mean reduction of subfoveal choroidal thickness was significantly greater in the aflibercept group than in the ranibizumab group (−35 µm vs −9 µm, p = 0.013). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of visual improvement or decrease in central macular thickness. Complete fluid absorption was achieved after switching from ranibizumab to aflibercept in 13 of 15 eyes (86.7%). Adjunctive photodynamic therapy was required in 6 eyes. In conclusion, treatment mainly with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor effectively improved visual acuity within 12 months (from 20/56 to 20/44 at 3 months and to 20/36 at 12 months). Aflibercept was superior to ranibizumab in achieving dry macula and reducing choroidal thickness at 3 months.
Autofluorescence is a Reliable in vitro Marker of Cellular Senescence in Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Bertolo Alessandro , Baur Martin , Guerrero Julien , Pötzel Tobias , Stoyanov Jivko 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are used in cell therapies, however cellular senescence increases heterogeneity of cell populations and leads to uncertainty in therapies’ outcomes. The determination of cellular senescence is time consuming and logistically intensive. Here, we propose the use of endogenous autofluorescence as real-time quantification of cellular senescence in human MSC, based on label-free flow cytometry analysis. We correlated cell autofluorescence to senescence using senescence-associated beta-galactosidase assay (SA-β-Gal) with chromogenic (X-GAL) and fluorescent (C12FDG) substrates, gene expression of senescence markers (such as p16INK4A, p18INK4C, CCND2 and CDCA7) and telomere length. Autofluorescence was further correlated to MSC differentiation assays (adipogenesis, chondrogenesis and osteogenesis), MSC stemness markers (CD90/CD106) and cytokine secretion (IL-6 and MCP-1). Increased cell autofluorescence significantly correlated with increased SA-β-Gal signal (both X-GAL and C12FDG substrates), cell volume and cell granularity, IL-6/MCP-1 secretion and with increased p16INK4A and CCND2 gene expression. Increased cell autofluorescence was negatively associated with the expression of the CD90/CD106 markers, osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation potentials and p18INK4C and CDCA7 gene expression. Cell autofluorescence correlated neither with telomere length nor with adipogenic differentiation potential. We conclude that autofluorescence can be used as fast and non-invasive senescence assay for comparing MSC populations under controlled culture conditions.
Oncogenic Y68 frame shift mutation of PTEN represents a mechanism of docetaxel resistance in endometrial cancer cell lines
Authors: Zhang Haiyang , Wang Song , Cacalano Nicholas , Zhu He , Liu Qiuju , Xie Michael , Kamrava Mitchell , Konecny Gottfried , Jin Shunzi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this study, we aimed to identify mutations of key genes associated with docetaxel resistance in nine endometrial cancer cell lines. Endometrial cancers are associated with several critical gene mutations, including PIK3A, PTEN, and KRAS. Different gene mutations in endometrial cancer cells have varied responses to anticancer drugs and cancer therapies. The most frequently altered gene in endometrioid endometrial carcinoma tumors is PTEN. PTEN protein has lipid phosphatase and protein phosphatase activity, as well as other functions in the nucleus. Although the tumor-suppressive function of PTEN has mainly been attributed to its lipid phosphatase activity, a role for PTEN protein phosphatase activity in cell cycle regulation has also been suggested. Various tumor type-specific PTEN mutations are well documented. Here, nine endometrioid endometrial cancer cell lines with PIK3A, PTEN, and KRAS gene mutations were treated with docetaxel and radiation. One mutation with a docetaxel drug-resistant effect was a truncated form of PTEN. Among PTEN mutations in endometrial cancer cells, the Y68 frame shift mutation of PTEN constitutes a major mechanism of resistance to docetaxel treatment. The molecular mechanism involves truncation of the 403 amino acid PTEN protein at amino acid 68 by the Y68 frame shift, leading to the loss of PTEN protein phosphatase and lipid phosphatase activities.
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Acts as the Potential Target of a Newly Synthesized Compound, 1-(9′-methyl-3′-carbazole)-3, 4-dihydro-β-carboline
Authors: Ko Pin-Hao , Shen Ya-Ching , Murugan Kaliyappan , Huang Chiung-Wei , Sivakumar Govindan , Pal Pinki , Liao Chia-Ching , Luo Kai-Shin , Chuang Eric Y. , Tsai Mong-Hsun , Lai Liang-Chuan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractFor a newly synthesized compound, identifying its target protein is a slow but pivotal step toward understand its pharmacologic mechanism. In this study, we systemically synthesized novel manzamine derivatives and chose 1-(9′-methyl-3′-carbazole)-3, 4-dihydro-β-carboline (MCDC) as an example to identify its target protein and function. MCDC had potent toxicity against several cancer cells. To identify its target protein, we first used a docking screen to predict macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) as the potential target. Biochemical experiments, including mutation analysis and hydrogen-deuterium exchange assays, validated the binding of MCDC to MIF. Furthermore, MCDC was shown by microarrays to interfere with the cell cycle of breast cancer MCF7 cells. The activated signaling pathways included AKT phosphorylation and S phase-related proteins. Our results showed MIF as a potential direct target of a newly synthesized manzamine derivative, MCDC, and its pharmacologic mechanisms.
Dissecting the current caesarean section rate in Shanghai, China
Authors: Ming Yanhong , Li Meng , Dai Fei , Huang Rong , Zhang Jinwen , Zhang Lin , Qin Ming , Zhu Liping , Yu Hongping , Zhang Jun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe high caesarean section (CS) rate has been of great public concern around the world. Yet, large-scale studies of dissecting such a high CS rate are few in the Chinese population. We carried out a cross-sectional survey randomly selecting 10,855 births from 20 hospitals in Shanghai from January to June, 2016. Labor and delivery information was extracted from medical records. The Robson classification system for CS was used to classify all women into ten groups. The overall CS rate was 41.5%. Prelabor CS in nulliparous, term singleton vertex women was the predominant contributor (37.4%) to the total CS and accounted for the second highest proportion of total births (15.5%) in all hospital types. The vast majority of women with a previous CS had a repeat CS (96.6%). CS rate was still high in Shanghai. Nulliparous women in low risk and having CS before labour, often without any medical indication, was a major contributor to the high CS rate.
Risk factors and clinical characteristics of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in lung cancer
Authors: Lee Eun Hye , Kim Eun Young , Lee Sang Hoon , Roh Yun Ho , Leem Ah Young , Song Joo Han , Kim Song Yee , Chung Kyung Soo , Jung Ji Ye , Kang Young Ae , Kim Young Sam , Chang Joon , Park Moo Suk 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSolid malignancies are associated with the development of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). This study aimed to evaluate the risk factors for PJP among patients with lung cancer. This retrospective case-control study compared patients who had lung cancer with PJP (n = 112) or without PJP (n = 336) matched according to age, sex, histopathology, and stage. PJP definition was based on (i) positive PCR or direct immunofluorescence results for pneumocystis, (ii) clinical symptoms and radiological abnormalities that were consistent with a pneumonic process, and (iii) received targeted PJP treatment. The development of PJP was associated with radiotherapy (RTx), concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRTx), lymphopenia, and prolonged high-dose steroid therapy (20 mg of prednisolone equivalent per day for ≥3 weeks). Multivariate analysis revealed independent associations with prolonged high-dose steroid therapy (odds ratio [OR]: 1.96, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–3.63; p = 0.032) and CCRTx (OR: 2.09, 95% CI: 1.27–3.43; p = 0.004). Steroid use was frequently related to RTx pneumonitis or esophagitis (29 patients, 43.3%). Prolonged high-dose steroid therapy and CCRTx were risk factors for PJP development among patients with lung cancer. As these patients had a poor prognosis, clinicians should consider PJP prophylaxis for high-risk patients with lung cancer.