bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transforming growth factor‐β signaling confers hepatic stellate cells progenitor features after partial hepatectomy
Authors: Chen Zixin , Wan Li , Jin Xin , Wang Wei , Li Dewei 
Published: October 2019

AbstractLiver regeneration involves not only hepatocyte replication but progenitor aggregation and scarring. Partial hepatectomy (PH), an established model for liver regeneration, reactivates transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signaling. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are primarily responding cells for TGF‐β and resident in stem cell niche. In the current study, PH mice were treated with SB‐431542, an inhibitor of TGF‐β Type I receptor, aiming to address the role of TGF‐β signaling on the fate determination of HSCs during liver regeneration. After PH, control mice exhibited HSCs activation, progenitor cells accumulation, and a fraction of HSCs acquired the phenotype of hepatocyte or cholangiocyte. Blocking TGF‐β signaling delayed proliferation, impaired progenitor response, and scarring repair. In SB‐431542 group, merely no HSCs were found coexpressed progenitor makers, such as SOX9 and AFP. Inhibition of TGF‐β pathway disturbed the epithelial‐mesenchymal transitions and diminished the nuclear accumulation of β‐catenin as well as the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 in HSC during liver regeneration. We identify a key role of TGF‐β signaling on promoting HSC transition, which subsequently becomes progenitor for generating liver epithelial cells after PH. This process might interact with an acknowledged stem cell function signaling, Wnt/β‐catenin.
The combined inhibition of the CaMKIIδ and calcineurin signaling cascade attenuates IGF‐IIR‐induced cardiac hypertrophy
Authors: Chen Chung‐Hao , Lin Jing‐Wei , Huang Chih‐Yang , Yeh Yu‐Lan , Shen Chia‐Yao , Badrealam Khan Farheen , Ho Tsung‐Jung , Padma V. Vijaya , Kuo Wei‐Wen , Huang Chih‐Yang 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCardiac hypertrophy is a common phenomenon observed in progressive heart disease associated with heart failure. Insulin‐like growth factor receptor II (IGF‐IIR) has been much implicated in myocardial hypertrophy. Our previous studies have found that increased activities of signaling mediators, such as calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and calcineurin induces pathological hypertrophy. Given the critical roles played by CaMKII and calcineurin signaling in the progression of maladaptive hypertrophy, we anticipated that inhibition of CaMKII and calcineurin signaling may attenuate IGF‐IIR‐induced cardiac hypertrophy. The current study, therefore, investigated the effects of IGF‐IIR activation on the CaMKII and calcineurin signaling and whether the combinatorial inhibition of the CaMKIIδ and calcineurin signaling could ameliorate IGF‐IIR‐induced pathological hypertrophy. In the present study, we induced IGF‐IIR through the cardiomyocyte‐specific transduction of IGFIIY27L via adeno‐associated virus 2 (AAV2) to evaluate its effects on cardiac hypertrophy. Interestingly, it was observed that the activation of IGF‐IIR signaling through IGFIIY27L induces significant hypertrophy of the myocardium and increased cardiac apoptosis and fibrosis. Moreover, we found that Leu27IGF‐II significantly induced calcineurin and CaMKII expression. Furthermore and importantly, the combinatorial treatment with CaMKII and calcineurin inhibitors significantly alleviates IGF‐IIR‐induced hypertrophic responses. Thus, it could be envisaged that the inhibition of IGF‐IIR may serve as a promising candidate for attenuating maladaptive hypertrophy. Both calcineurin and CaMKII could be valuable targets for developing treatment strategies against hypertension‐induced cardiomyopathies.
Hypoxia modulates stem cell properties and induces EMT through N‐glycosylation of EpCAM in breast cancer cells
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Yang Liu , Liu Xue , Gao Jiujiao , Liu Tingjiao , Yan Qiu , Yang Xuesong 
Published: October 2019

AbstractEpithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), which is a transmembrane glycoprotein, is related to tumor progression. We demonstrated that EpCAM plays important roles in proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis during breast cancer (BC) progression. But the role of N‐glycosylation in EpCAM in tumor aggressiveness is not clear. Here, we evaluated the role of N‐glycosylation of EpCAM in stemness and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics. EpCAM overexpression increases the expression of stemness markers (NANOG，SOX2, and OCT4) and EMT markers (N‐cadherin and vimentin) under the condition of hypoxia in BC. Knockdown of EpCAM and mutation of N‐glycosylation of EpCAM maintained in severe hypoxia lead to a significant reduction of stemness/EMT markers. In addition, we found that N‐glycosylation of EpCAM is a crucial factor during this process. This demonstrates that EpCAM has a novel regulatory role in stemness/EMT dependence of hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha via regulating nuclear factor kappa B in BC cells. Hence, our study reveals EpCAM glycosylation modification as a new regulator of stemness/EMT under hypoxic in BC and points out EpCAM as a potential therapeutic target.
Deregulation of UCA1 expression may be involved in the development of chemoresistance to cisplatin in the treatment of non‐small‐cell lung cancer via regulating the signaling pathway of microRNA‐495/NRF2
Authors: Li Chaoyi , Fan Kai , Qu Yue , Zhai Wei , Huang Ai , Sun Xiangfu , Xing Shijie 
Published: October 2019

AbstractNon‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. As a platinum‐based chemotherapeutic drug, cisplatin has been used for over 30 years in NSCLC treatment while its effects are diminished by drug resistance. Therefore, we aimed to study the potential role of UCA1 in the development of chemoresistance against cisplatin. Real‐time polymerase chain reaction, western‐blot analysis, and immunofluorescence were used to study the involvement of UCA1, miR‐495, and NRF2 in chemoresistance against cisplatin. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay was performed to determine the effect of cisplatin on cell proliferation. Computational analysis and luciferase assay were carried out to explore the interaction among UCA1, miR‐495, and NRF2. The cisplatin‐R group exhibited lower levels of UCA1 and NRF2 expression but a higher level of miR‐495 expression than the cisplatin‐S group. The growth rate and half‐maximal inhibitory concentration of cellular dipeptidyl peptidase (cisplatinum) of the cisplatin‐R group were much higher than those in the cisplatin‐S group. MiR‐495 contained a complementary binding site of UCA1, and the luciferase activity of wild‐type UCA1 was significantly reduced after the transfection of miR‐495 mimics. MiR‐495 directly targeted the 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR) of NRF2, and the luciferase activity of wild‐type NRF2 3′‐UTR was evidently inhibited by miR‐495 mimics. Finally, UCA1 and NRF2 expressions in the effective group were much lower than that in the ineffective group, along with a much higher level of miR‐495 expression. We suggested for the first time that high expression of UCA1 contributed to the development of chemoresistance to cisplatin through the UCA1/miR‐495/NRF2 signaling pathway.
Giant choledochal cyst and infantile polycystic kidneys as prenatal sonographic features of Caroli syndrome
Authors: Traisrisilp Kuntharee , Tongprasert Fuanglada , Wannasai Komson , Tongsong Theera 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCaroli syndrome is a developmental disorder caused by complete or partial arrest of ductal plate remodeling, leading to dilated bile ducts along with fibrosis surrounding the portal tracts. It is most commonly associated with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney (ARPKD). We report a unique case of Caroli syndrome, diagnosed prenatally at 24 weeks of gestation in a 29‐year‐old Thai woman. Ultrasound findings revealed the association of a fetal giant choledochal cyst with ARPKD. Autopsy findings showed ductal plate malformation, typical of Caroli syndrome, associated with giant choledocal cyst and ARPKD.
Factors associated with the informal use of HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis in Germany: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Koppe Uwe , Marcus Ulrich , Albrecht Stefan , Jansen Klaus , Jessen Heiko , Gunsenheimer‐Bartmeyer Barbara , Bremer Viviane 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroductionUntil September 2019, pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) with tenofovir disoproxil/emtricitabine for HIV prevention was not covered by health insurance plans in Germany, and was only available through private prescriptions with self‐pay or through informal non‐prescription sources. The objective of this study was to investigate the proportion of informal PrEP use among PrEP users and to identify factors of public health relevance that might be associated with informal PrEP use.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional study recruiting PrEP users independent of their PrEP source. Clients from anonymous community testing checkpoints, users of three dating apps for men who have sex with men residing in Germany and users of a PrEP community website, were recruited to complete a short anonymous online survey. Participants were recruited between 24 July and 3 September 2018. The results were analysed using univariable and multivariable logistic regressions.ResultsWe recruited 2005 participants currently using PrEP. The median age was 38 years, and 80.3% of the participants identified themselves as male (missing: 19.1%). Overall, 71.6% obtained PrEP through medical services with a private prescription or a clinical trial, and 17.4% obtained PrEP through informal sources (missing: 11.0%). The most common informal sources were ordering online from another country (8.8%), travel abroad (3.6%), and friends (2.5%). Factors associated with informal PrEP use were on demand/intermittent dosing (adjusted OR: 3.5, 95% CI 2.5 to 5.0) and not receiving medical tests during PrEP use (adjusted OR: 3.2, 95% CI 2.0 to 5.2). In addition, informal PrEP users who did not take PrEP daily had a strongly increased risk of starting PrEP without prior medical tests (adjusted stratum‐specific OR = 31.7, 95% CI 4.6 to 219.5).ConclusionsInformal PrEP use was associated with a higher risk of not getting tested before and during PrEP use, which could lead to HIV infections resistant to tenofovir and emtricitabine if people with undiagnosed HIV use PrEP. Health insurance plans that cover PrEP and the accompanying routine tests could ensure adequate medical supervision of PrEP users and reduce barriers to PrEP use. Our findings strongly support the implementation of PrEP programmes in countries with similar patterns of informal PrEP use.
Antibacterial potential of Swiss honeys and characterisation of their bee‐derived bioactive compounds
Authors: Godocikova Jana , Bugarova Veronika , Kast Christina , Majtan Viktor , Majtan Juraj 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDAntibacterial activity of honey is not only crucial characteristic in selection of honey for medical usage but also an important honey quality marker. The aim of the study was to characterise the antibacterial potential of 29 honey samples representing the main types of multi‐floral blossom and honeydew honeys produced in Switzerland. Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was expressed as a minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC). Furthermore, the content of bee‐derived glucose oxidase (GOX) and its enzymatic product, H2O2, were also evaluated.RESULTSAll honey samples successfully met basic defined criteria (moisture and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)) tested in this study. Honeydew honeys were the most effective honey samples and generated the highest levels of H2O2. A strong significant correlation was found between the overall antibacterial activity and the level of H2O2 among all honey samples. Interestingly, the content of GOX in honey samples did not correlate with their antibacterial activity as well as H2O2 production capacity. A weak antibacterial activity was determined in five floral honeys, most likely due to increased enzymatic activity of pollen‐derived catalase.CONCLUSIONThis study showed that antibacterial effect of Swiss honey samples is associated mainly with H2O2. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Changes in beneficial bioactive compounds in eight traditional herbal liqueurs during a one‐month maceration process
Authors: Senica Mateja , Mikulic‐Petkovsek Maja 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDHerbs are rich in various beneficial bioactive compounds and they can be used for many different purposes. One of the most common is maceration of herbs in alcohol. Different substances respond differently to extraction in prepared solutions. It is very important to enhance the highest proportion of beneficial ingredients during the maceration process in a herbal liqueur. A comparative analysis of numerous different phenolic compounds from eight of the most frequently used herbs for making aperitifs in Europe was performed.RESULTSIn the comparison among all studied herbs, the highest phenolic content was found with Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) (14.61 mg g−1) and Mentha piperita (peppermint) (13.89 mg g−1), while the lowest content was found with Centaurium erythraea (common centaury) (3.96 mg g−1). Salvianolic acid isomers and caffeic acid derivatives were the greatest contributors to the total phenolic content in lemon balm, wormwood, peppermint, fennel and sage. These compounds contain more hydroxyl groups and they were better extracted at the beginning of the maceration process. Caraway and common centaury contain more flavonols (quercetin and kaempferol derivatives), with higher chemical stability and fewer hydroxyl groups in their structure.CONCLUSIONThe compositions of eight herbal liqueurs were highly related to the presence of different herbal ingredients and their solubility in the extract over time. Most flavonol derivatives were extracted over a longer time and the two liqueurs (common centaury and caraway) therefore had the highest phenolic contents after 3 weeks of maceration. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Dietary supplementation with pioglitazone hydrochloride improves intramuscular fat, fatty acid profile, and antioxidant ability of thigh muscle in yellow‐feathered chickens
Authors: Jin Cheng‐long , Zeng Huan‐ren , Xie Wen‐yan , Gao Chun‐qi , Yan Hui‐chao , Wang Xiu‐qi 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDMuscle fat content and fatty acid composition play an important role in poultry flavor and taste. To investigate the effects of pioglitazone hydrochloride (PGZ) on growth performance and thigh muscle quality in yellow‐feathered chickens, 360 female chickens were randomly divided into three groups and treated with three doses of PGZ (0, 7.5, and 15 mg kg−1) for 28 days. Each group had six replicates of 20 chickens.RESULTSThe results showed that dietary supplementation with 15 mg kg−1 PGZ increased average daily feed intake (ADFI) and the average daily gain (ADG) from 0 to 14 days. Furthermore, the triglyceride (TG) level was decreased by 15 mg kg−1 PGZ, whereas the eviscerated yield was increased. The relative weight of the heart and kidneys showed a linear increase with dietary PGZ supplementation, and the drip loss of the thigh muscle was significantly decreased by 15 mg kg−1 PGZ supplementation. Moreover, a* value, intramuscular fat (IMF), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) showed a linear increase, and pH24 h and drip loss showed a quadratic influence with the levels of PGZ supplementation. In particular, the PUFA proportion was increased by 7.63% and 9.14% in the 7.5 mg kg−1 PGZ and 15 mg kg−1 PGZ groups, respectively. Additionally, 15 mg kg−1 of PGZ increased the total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐PX) activity.CONCLUSIONIn summary, 15 mg kg−1 PGZ has substantial effects on growth performance and meat quality, particularly by decreasing drip loss and increasing IMF content, PUFA proportions, and antioxidant ability. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of multi‐response optimization and quadratic calibration curve for determination of ten pesticides in complex sample matrices using QuEChERS dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction followed by gas chromatography
Authors: Balsini Parvaneh , Parastar Hadi 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn this study, QuEChERS combined with dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction is developed for extraction of ten pesticides in complex sample matrices of water and milk. In this regard, effective factors of proposed extraction technique combined with gas chromatography with flame ionization detector were designed, modeled, and optimized using central composite design, multiple linear regression, and Nelder–Mead simplex optimization. Later, univariate calibration model for ten pesticides was developed in concentration range of 0.5–100 ng/mL. Surprisingly, quadratic calibration behavior was observed for some of the pesticides. In this regard, Mandel's test was used for evaluating linearity and types of calibration equation. Finally, four pesticides followed linear calibration curve with sensitivity (0.23–0.66 mL/ng), analytical sensitivity (0.20–0.32), regression coefficient (0.988–0.995), limit of detection (0.39–1.83 ng/mL), and limit of quantitation (1.30–6.10 ng/mL) and six of them followed quadratic calibration curve with sensitivity (0.18–0.93 mL/ng), analytical sensitivity (0.25–0.86), regression coefficient (0.944–0.999), limit of detection (0.59–1.92 ng/mL), and limit of quantitation (1.96–6.40 ng/mL). The calculated limits of detection were below the maximum residue limits according to European Union pesticides database of European Commission. Finally, the proposed analytical method was used for determination of ten pesticides in water and milk samples.
Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone‐Stabilized Copper Nanoparticles as an Efficient and Recyclable Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Click of 1,2,3‐Triazoles in Water
Authors: Bahsis Lahoucine , El Himri Mamoune , Ben El Ayouchia Hicham , Anane Hafid , Ablouh El‐Houssaine , Julve Miguel , Stiriba Salah‐Eddine 
Published: October 2019

AbstractA simple, efficient, inexpensive, and friendly benign route for the preparation of highly stable monodisperse copper nanoparticles with an average of 4–5 nm is developed by using polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP) as a stabilizer. Chemical reaction of PVPP and copper(II) sulfate followed by the thermal chemical reduction of embedded copper(II) ions with ascorbic acid afford copper nanoparticles‐polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (CuNPs‐PVPP) nanocatalyst, which is systematically characterized by FT‐IR, Raman, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and atomic absorption spectroscopy. The CuNPs‐PVPP system efficiently catalyzes the click chemistry reaction of azides–alkynes as well as one‐pot three‐component reactions to regioselectively produce the 1,4‐disubstituted‐1,2,3‐triazole isomer in excellent yields in water under mild reaction conditions. CuNPs‐PVPP is successfully recycled up to five times without significant loss of its catalytic efficiency and selectivity. Moreover, a mechanistic study is performed through density functional theory type calculations in order to explain the observed selectivity of CuNPs catalyst in copper(I)‐catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reactions. The cheap, simple work‐up, recoverability/reusability, and negligible residual traces in the final product (0.5 ppm) of this novel nanocatalyst are the significant features of this eco‐friendly green protocol.
Insights into the nucleotide composition and codon usage pattern of human tumor suppressor genes
Authors: Mazumder Tarikul Huda , Uddin Arif , Chakraborty Supriyo 
Published: October 2019

AbstractTumor suppressor genes encode different proteins that inhibit the uncontrolled proliferation of cell growth and tumor development. To acquire clues for predicting gene expression level, it is essential to understand the codon usage bias (CUB) of genes to characterize genome which possesses its own compositional characteristics and unique coding sequences. We used bioinformatic tools to analyze the codon usage patterns of 637 human tumor suppressor genes as no work was reported earlier. The mean effective number of codons of these genes was 48, indicating low CUB. Our results exhibited a significant positive correlation among different nucleotide compositions and the codons ending with C base was most frequently used along with the most over‐represented codon CTG and GTG codifying leucine and valine amino acid, respectively, in human tumor suppressor genes. The neutrality plot showed a significant positive correlation (Pearson, r = 0. 646; P < .01) suggesting that mutation on GC bias might affect the CUB. However, the linear regression coefficient of GC12 on GC3 in human tumor suppressor genes suggested that natural selection played a major role while mutation pressure played a minor role in the codon usage patterns of tumor suppressor genes in human. Our study would throw light into the factors that affect CUB and the codon usage patterns in the human tumor suppressor genes.
Biosensor based on the directly enzyme immobilization into a gold nanotriangles/conductive polymer biocompatible coat for electrochemical detection of Chlorpyrifos in water
Authors: Ramírez‐Sánchez Karla , Alvarado‐Hidalgo Fernando , Zamora‐Sequeira Roy , Sáenz‐Arce Giovanni , Rojas‐Carrillo Oscar , Avedaño-Soto Esteban , Ruepert Clemens , Mena‐Torres Freylan , Starbird‐Pérez Ricardo 
Published: October 2019

AbstractOrganic conductive polymers have been widely used as active layers in bioelectronic devices. In this work, a novel approach to entrap enzymes directly into the conductive active layer is described, using a polysaccharide as a surfactant. The surfactant allowed the electropolymerization from a micellar media and it acted as a doping agent in the conductive polymer. Gold nanotriangles were added to the matrix in order to enhance the enzymatic product quantification. The composition and oxidation state of the biocompatible conductive layer were confirmed by infrared spectrophotometric and Raman studies. Meanwhile, the gold nanotriangles presence, distribution and electrochemical activity were studied by transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, dynamic light scattering and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The inhibition of the enzyme, due to the presence of pesticides, was used to electrochemically quantify their concentration in real water samples. The concentration was confirmed by gas and liquid chromatography. Therefore, this novel composite active layer allows building a biosensor with suitable performance for an early warning in environmental control, especially in countries highly impacted by agricultural activities.