bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tailoring bilberry powder functionality through preprocessing and drying
Authors: Eliasson Lovisa , Oliveira Gabriel , Ehrnell Maria , Höglund Evelina , Alminger Marie 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBerry powders are popular as ingredients in a range of food products, where they naturally provide flavor, color, texture, polyphenols, fiber, and other nutrients. The choices regarding processing techniques and conditions influence the quality attributes of berry powders. The aim of this study was to study the effects on bilberry powder functionalities of applying different preprocessing techniques (purée mixing and juice pressing vs. untreated whole berries) prior to hot air drying and milling. Drying of press cake reduced the drying time by 72% and increased the total apparent phenolic content of the final powder by 44%, as compared to the powder of dried whole berries. The press cake powder showed an easier flowing behavior than the powders from whole berries and puréed berries. Dispersibility (in water and dairy cream) was 60% higher for powders from whole berries and puréed berries, as compared to press cake. The total phenolic content of the dispersed powders was highest for whole berries and puréed berries. Bilberry powder functionality can be modulated through the selection of an appropriate preprocessing technique before drying and milling. This tailors the powder properties into food ingredients ready for different applications, without the need for additives.
Tetravalent Pseudomonas aeruginosa Adhesion Lectin LecA Inhibitor for Enhanced Biofilm Inhibition
Authors: Yu Guangyun , Thies‐Weesie Dominique M. E. , Pieters Roland J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA potent divalent ligand of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa adhesion lectin LecA was elaborated into a tetravalent version. A polyethylene glycol (PEG) spacer was introduced to link two divalent galactosides. Each of the two divalent ligands contained a rigid spacer with a central phenyl group that is bridged by the PEG moiety. The resulting tetravalent ligand was found to bind LecA in the nanomolar range involving all of its sugar (sub)ligands. Analytical ultracentrifugation studies clearly showed that the tetravalent ligand was capable of aggregation the LecA tetramers in contrast to the divalent ligands. The aggregator behavior was found to be of importance in P. aeruginosa biofilm formation inhibition. Despite the weaker affinity it was a considerably better biofilm inhibitor with half inhibitory values around the 28 micromolar range.
The role of wetland coverage within the near‐stream zone in predicting of seasonal stream export chemistry from forested headwater catchments
Authors: Casson Nora J. , Eimers M. Catherine , Watmough Shaun A. , Richardson Murray C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractStream chemistry is often used to infer catchment‐scale biogeochemical processes. However, biogeochemical cycling in the near‐stream zone or hydrologically connected areas may exert a stronger influence on stream chemistry compared with cycling processes occurring in more distal parts of the catchment, particularly in dry seasons and in dry years. In this study, we tested the hypotheses that near‐stream wetland proportion is a better predictor of seasonal (winter, spring, summer, and fall) stream chemistry compared with whole‐catchment averages and that these relationships are stronger in dryer periods with lower hydrologic connectivity. We evaluated relationships between catchment wetland proportion and 16‐year average seasonal flow‐weighted concentrations of both biogeochemically active nutrients, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrate (NO3‐N), total phosphorus (TP), as well as weathering products, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), at ten headwater (<200 ha) forested catchments in south‐central Ontario, Canada. Wetland proportion across the entire catchment was the best predictor of DOC and TP in all seasons and years, whereas predictions of NO3‐N concentrations improved when only the proportion of wetland within the near‐stream zone was considered. This was particularly the case during dry years and dry seasons such as summer. In contrast, Ca and Mg showed no relationship with catchment wetland proportion at any scale or in any season. In forested headwater catchments, variable hydrologic connectivity of source areas to streams alters the role of the near‐stream zone environment, particularly during dry periods. The results also suggest that extent of riparian zone control may vary under changing patterns of hydrological connectivity. Predictions of biogeochemically active nutrients, particularly NO3‐N, can be improved by including near‐stream zone catchment morphology in landscape models.
Cysteine‐Rich Antifungal Proteins from Filamentous Fungi are Promising Bioactive Natural Compounds in Anti‐Candida Therapy
Authors: Galgóczy László , Yap Annie , Marx Florentine 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe emerging number of life‐threatening invasive fungal infections caused by drug‐resistant Candida strains urges the need for the development and application of fundamentally new and safe antifungal strategies in the clinical treatment. Recent studies demonstrated that the extracellular cysteine‐rich and cationic antifungal proteins (crAFPs) originating from filamentous fungi, and de novo designed synthetic peptide derivatives of these crAFPs provide a feasible basis for this approach. This mini‐review focuses on the global challenges of the anti‐Canidia therapy and on the crAFPs as potential drug candidates to overcome existing problems. The advantages and limitations in the use of crAFPs and peptide derivatives compared to those of conventional antifungal drugs will also be critically discussed.
Catching up to girls: Understanding the gender imbalance in educational attainment within race
Authors: Aucejo Esteban M. , James Jonathan 
Published: February 2019

SummaryWe estimate a sequential model of schooling to assess the major contributing factors to the large gender imbalance in educational attainment within racial groups. First, we find that differences between males and females in measures of early behavior account for the majority of the gender gap for each racial group. Second, we show that black males have the largest response to improvements in family background characteristics, such that equalizing the distribution of family background characteristics for black and white youths reduces the gender gap in college enrollment among black youth by 50%.
In vivo molecular engineering of the urethra for treatment of stress incontinence using novel biomimetic proteoglycans
Authors: Kriete Alicia S. , Ginzburg Natasha , Shah Nima , Huneke Richard B. , Reimold Emily , Prudnikova Katsiaryna , Montgomery Owen , Hou J. Steve , Phillips Evan R. , Marcolongo Michele S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractStress urinary incontinence (SUI), a serious condition which affects ~56% of postmenopausal women, is the involuntary leakage of urine through urethra during physical activity that causes an increase in abdominal pressure. SUI is associated with a decrease in compliance and volume of urethral tissue, likely due to a reduced proteoglycan: collagen ratio in the extracellular matrix and collagen disorganization. Here, we investigated the use of biomimetic proteoglycans (BPGs) to molecularly engineer urethral tissue of New Zealand White rabbits to examine biocompatibility in vivo. BPG concentrations of 50 mg/mL (n = 6, 1 week) and 200 mg/mL (n = 6, 1 week and n = 6, 6 weeks) dissolved in 1× phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) were injected transurethrally using a 9 French cystoscope, and were compared to PBS‐injected controls (n = 3, 1 week) and non‐injected controls (n = 2, 1 week). Urethral compression pressure measurements confirm BPG injections did not modify normal urethral pressure, as intended. Histological assessment demonstrated biological tolerance of BPGs in urethra and no inflammatory response was detected after 1 and 6 weeks compared to non‐injected controls. Confocal imaging of fluorescently‐labeled BPG injected urethral specimens demonstrated the integration of BPGs into the interstitial connective tissue and confirmed they were still present after 6 weeks. A general decrease of collagen density was exhibited near injection sites which may be due to increased hydration induced by BPGs. Injection of BPGs is a novel approach that demonstrates potential as molecular treatment for SUI and may be able to reverse some of the degenerative tissue changes of individuals affected by this condition. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: 00B: 000–000, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2409–2418, 2019.
Deciphering the relative roles of matrix metalloproteinase‐ and plasmin‐mediated matrix degradation during capillary morphogenesis using engineered hydrogels
Authors: Beamish Jeffrey A. , Juliar Benjamin A. , Cleveland David S. , Busch Megan E. , Nimmagadda Likitha , Putnam Andrew J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractExtracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling is essential for the process of capillary morphogenesis. Here we employed synthetic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels engineered with proteolytic specificity to either matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), plasmin, or both to investigate the relative contributions of MMP‐ and plasmin‐mediated ECM remodeling to vessel formation in a 3D‐model of capillary self‐assembly analogous to vasculogenesis. We first demonstrated a role for both MMP‐ and plasmin‐mediated mechanisms of ECM remodeling in an endothelial‐fibroblast co‐culture model of vasculogenesis in fibrin hydrogels using inhibitors of MMPs and plasmin. When this co‐culture model was employed in engineered PEG hydrogels with selective protease sensitivity, we observed robust capillary morphogenesis only in MMP‐sensitive matrices. Fibroblast spreading in plasmin‐selective hydrogels confirmed this difference was due to protease preference by endothelial cells, not due to limitations of the matrix itself. In hydrogels engineered with crosslinks that were dually susceptible to MMPs and plasmin, capillary morphogenesis was unchanged. These findings highlight the critical importance of MMP‐mediated degradation during vasculogenesis and provide strong evidence to justify the preferential selection of MMP‐degradable peptide crosslinkers in synthetic hydrogels used to study vascular morphogenesis and promote vascularization. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B:2507–2516, 2019.
Association of vaspin rs2236242 gene variants with type 2 diabetes and obesity in a Chinese population: A prospective, single‐center study
Authors: Li Ji , Li Qian , Zhu Ying‐Chun , Wang Ya‐Kun , Gao Cong‐Pu , Li Xiao‐Ying , Ji Tingting , Bai Shou‐Jun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAimVaspin is an adipokine separated from visceral fat tissues of obese diabetic rats. This study was to investigate the association between vaspin rs2236242 gene polymorphism and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or obesity in a Chinese population.Materials and MethodsT2DM patients and nondiabetic controls were recruited from Qingpu Branch of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University (Shanghai, China) from May 1, 2015 to June 30, 2017. Clinicopathologic characteristics were recorded and their blood samples were collected. Serum vaspin levels were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and vaspin rs2236242 genotypes by tetra‐amplification refractory mutation system‐polymerase chain reaction.ResultsTwo hundred and ninety‐nine patients with T2DM and 311 controls were recruited at last. The vaspin genotypes of diabetic patients were distinct from nondiabetic controls (χ
2 = 54.611,
p < 0.0001). Genotyping revealed that T2DM patients have a greater prevalence of A allele compared with controls (61.9% vs. 42.1%,
p < 0.0001). A allele was associated with an increased risk of T2DM (odds ratio = 2.23, 95% confidence interval = 1.773–2.804,
p < 0.0001) compared with T allele. The genotype distribution did not differ among nondiabetic subjects with or without obesity. The serum vaspin levels were higher in T2DM patients and obese controls than the nonobese controls, however, the rs2236242 was not found to be significantly related to serum vaspin levels.ConclusionsOur findings showed the association between vaspin rs2236242 gene variants with obesity and T2DM in a Chinese population. People with rs2236242 A allele had a 2.23‐fold increased risk of T2DM. These findings suggest that vaspin rs2236242 may serve as a potential diagnostic and/or therapeutic targets for T2DM.
The rate of fluid shear stress is a potent regulator for the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Yue Danyang , Zhang Mengxue , Lu Juan , Zhou Jin , Bai Yuying , Pan Jun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe have previously demonstrated that the rate of fluid shear stress (ΔSS) can manipulate the fate of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to osteogenic or chondrogenic cells. However, whether ΔSS is comparable to other two means of induction medium and substrate stiffness that have been proven to be potent in differentiation control is unknown. In this study, we subjected MSCs to 1–7 days of osteogenic or chondrogenic chemical induction, or 1–4 days of 37 or 86 kPa of substrate stiffness induction, followed by 20 min of Fast ΔSS (0–0′) or Slow ΔSS (0–2′), which is a laminar FSS that linearly increased from 0 to 10 dyn/cm
2 in 0 (Fast) or 2 min (Slow) and maintained at 10 dyn/cm
2 for a total of 20 min. We found that 20 min of ΔSS could compete with 5 days' chemical and 2 days' substrate stiffness inductions. Our study confirmed that ΔSS is a powerful tool to control the differentiation of MSCs, which stressed the possible application in MSCs linage specification.
Influence of forkhead box protein 3 polymorphisms (rs2232365, rs3761548) with the outcome of pregnancy: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Hosseini Teshnizi Saeed , Ali‐Hassanzadeh Mohammad , Gharesi‐Fard Behrouz , Kabelitz Dieter , Kalantar Kurosh 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDysfunction of regulatory T cells (Tregs) may contribute to certain immune‐related pregnancy complications. Forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) is the key transcription factor of Treg. We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the possible association between FOXP3 polymorphisms −924A/G (rs2232365) and −3279C/A (rs3761548) and immune‐related pregnancy complications. After reviewing 78 fully published studies, 10 studies fulfilled previously defined eligibility criteria and were used for meta‐analysis. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms showed a significant correlation with increased or reduced risk for immune‐related pregnancy complications. For rs3761548, women with allele A were significantly at a higher risk than women carrying allele C (odds ratio = 1.29, 95% confidence interval: 1.20–1.38; p = 0.001). For rs2232365, women with GG or AG genotype were at a higher risk than women with genotype AA, thereby, allele G was significantly associated with a higher risk than allele A. Our meta‐analysis supports the notion that immune‐related pregnancy complications might be linked to genetic variations in the FOXP3 gene.
Metformin protects PC12 cells and hippocampal neurons from H2O2‐induced oxidative damage through activation of AMPK pathway
Authors: Zhao Xia , Zeng Zhiwen , Gaur Uma , Fang Jiankang , Peng Tangming , Li Shuai , Zheng Wenhua 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMetformin, a first line anti type 2 diabetes drug, has recently been shown to extend lifespan in various species, and therefore, became the first antiaging drug in clinical trial. Oxidative stress due to excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) is considered to be an important factor in aging and related disease, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the antioxidative effects of metformin and its underlying mechanisms in neuronal cells is not known. In the present study, we showed that metformin, in clinically relevant concentrations, protected neuronal PC12 cells from H2O2‐induced cell death. Metformin signiﬁcantly ameliorated cell death due to H2O2 insult by restoring abnormal changes in nuclear morphology, intracellular ROS, lactate dehydrogenase, and mitochondrial membrane potential induced by H2O2. Hoechst staining assay and flow cytometry analysis revealed that metformin significantly reduced the apoptosis in PC12 cells exposed to H2O2. Western blot analysis further demonstrated that metformin stimulated the phosphorylation and activation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) in PC12 cells, while application of AMPK inhibitor compound C, or knockdown of the expression of AMPK by specific small interfering RNA or short hairpin RNA blocked the protective effect of metformin. Similar results were obtained in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. Taken together, these results indicated that metformin is able to protect neuronal cells from oxidative injury, at least in part, via the activation of AMPK. As metformin is comparatively cheaper with much less side effects in clinic, our findings support its potential to be a drug for prevention and treatment of aging and aging‐related diseases.
PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway: Basic biology and role in cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Salmaninejad Arash , Valilou Saeed Farajzadeh , Shabgah Arezoo Gowhari , Aslani Saeed , Alimardani Malihe , Pasdar Alireza , Sahebkar Amirhossein 
Published: February 2019

AbstractOver the course of past few years, cancer immunotherapy has been accompanied with promising results. However, preliminary investigations with respect to immunotherapy concentrated mostly on targeting the immune checkpoints, nowadays, emerge as the most efficient strategy to raise beneficial antitumor immune responses. Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) plays an important role in subsiding immune responses and promoting self‐tolerance through suppressing the activity of T cells and promoting differentiation of regulatory T cells. PD‐1 is considered as an immune checkpoint and protects against autoimmune responses through both induction of apoptosis in antigen‐specific T cells and inhibiting apoptosis in regulatory T cells. Several clinical trials exerting PD‐1 monoclonal antibodies as well as other immune‐checkpoint blockades have had prosperous outcomes and opened new horizons in tumor immunotherapy. Nonetheless, a bulk of patients have failed to respond to these newly emerging immune‐based approach and the survival rate was not satisfying. Additional strategies, especially combination therapies, has been initiated and been further promising. Attempts to identify novel and well‐suited predictive biomarkers are also sensed. In this review, the promotion of cancer immunotherapy targeting PD‐1 immunoinhibitory pathway is discussed.
Berberine attenuates hypoxia‐induced pulmonary arterial hypertension via bone morphogenetic protein and transforming growth factor‐β signaling
Authors: Chen Mingxing , Shen Hui , Zhu Linlin , Yang Hongfeng , Ye Peng , Liu Pengfei , Gu Yue , Chen Shaoliang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHypoxia‐induced excessive pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation plays an important role in the pathology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Berberine (BBR) is reported as an effective antiproliferative properties applied in clinical. However, the effect of BBR on PAH remains unclear. In the present study, we elucidated the protective effects of BBR against abnormal PASMC proliferation and vascular remodeling in chronic hypoxia‐induced hearts. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms of BBR were investigated. For this purpose, C57/BL6 mice were exposed to chronic hypoxia for 4 weeks to mimic severe PAH. Hemodynamic and pulmonary pathomorphology data showed that chronic hypoxia significantly increased the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP), the right ventricle/left ventricle plus septum RV/(LV + S) weight ratio, and the median width of pulmonary arterioles. BBR attenuated the elevations in RVSP and RV/(LV + S) and mitigated pulmonary vascular structure remodeling. BBR also suppressed the hypoxia‐induced increases in the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and of α‐smooth muscle actin. Furthermore, administration of BBR significantly increased the expression of bone morphogenetic protein type II receptor (BMPR‐II) and its downstream molecules P‐smad1/5 and decreased the expression of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) and its downstream molecules P‐smad2/3. Moreover, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ expression was significantly decreased in the hypoxia group, and this decrease was reversed by BBR treatment. Our study demonstrated that the protective effect of BBR against hypoxia‐induced PAH in a mouse model may be achieved through altered BMPR‐II and TGF‐β signaling.
Middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity in perinatal cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Duncan Jose R. , Schenone Mauro H. , Argoti Pedro S. , Mari Giancarlo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity value (MCA‐PSV) persistently greater than 1.5 times the median of the normal population is utilized to detect moderate and severe anemia in fetuses at risk. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common perinatal infection and can cause fetal anemia. We present four cases with CMV perinatal infection. Although their MCA‐PSV values were the highest recorded in normal as well as in anemic fetuses, only two of them developed moderate or severe anemia. These findings suggest that high MCA‐PSV values in cases with perinatal CMV infection may have a different pathophysiologic mechanism than anemia.
Evaluation of X‐ray tomography contrast agents: A review of production, protocols, and biological applications
Authors: Koç Mümin Mehmet , Aslan Naim , Kao Alexander P. , Barber Asa H. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractX‐ray computed tomography is a strong tool that finds many applications both in medical applications and in the investigation of biological and nonbiological samples. In the clinics, X‐ray tomography is widely used for diagnostic purposes whose three‐dimensional imaging in high resolution helps physicians to obtain detailed image of investigated regions. Researchers in biological sciences and engineering use X‐ray tomography because it is a nondestructive method to assess the structure of their samples. In both medical and biological applications, visualization of soft tissues and structures requires special treatment, in which special contrast agents are used. In this detailed report, molecule‐based and nanoparticle‐based contrast agents used in biological applications to enhance the image quality were compiled and reported. Special contrast agent applications and protocols to enhance the contrast for the biological applications and works to develop nanoparticle contrast agents to enhance the contrast for targeted drug delivery and general imaging applications were also assessed and listed.