bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved bladder smooth muscle cell differentiation of the mesenchymal stem cells when grown on electrospun polyacrylonitrile/polyethylene oxide nanofibrous scaffold
Authors: Fakhrieh Maryam , Darvish Maryam , Ardeshirylajimi Abdolreza , Taheri Mohammad , Omrani Mir Davood 
Published: May 2019

AbstractReconstruction of the bladder wall plays an important role in improving its function in patients with urinary bladder dysfunction. Tissue engineering has been trying to introduce biocompatible nanofibers as scaffolds for bladder wall matrix substitutes. In this study a composite nanofibrous scaffold was fabricated from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) blend by electrospinning method and then its morphological and mechanical characteristics was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile, and 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Then smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation supportive capacity of PAN‐PEO nanofibers was investigated by culturing of human adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT‐MSCs) on this scaffold and then its differentiation potential in different groups was investigated using SMC‐related gene and protein markers. SEM and MTT results demonstrated that PAN‐PEO supported AT‐MSCs attachment, growth and proliferation, especially at early times after cell seeding. The obtained results from real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that collagen‐I‐α1, collagen‐III‐α1, α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), calponin1, SM22α, caldesmon1, elastin, and myosin heavy chain (MHC) genes were expressed in AT‐MSCs cultured on PAN‐PEO significantly higher than those stem cells that cultured on the culture plate as a control. In addition α‐SMA and MHC proteins were also expressed in AT‐MSCs cultured on PAN‐PEO significantly higher than control. According to the results PAN‐PEO nanofibrous scaffold showed a positive AT‐MSCs‐seeded PAN‐PEO has a great promising potential to use in bladder tissue engineering applications.
Elevation of circ‐PITX1 upregulates interleukin 17 receptor D expression via sponging miR‐518a‐5p and facilitates cell progression in glioma
Authors: Zhan Lan , Mu Zhuang , Yang Mingchun , Zhang Tianyu , Li Hui , Qian Lili 
Published: May 2019

AbstractGlioma (GM) is one of the major global health problems across the world. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been increasingly identified and characterized in almost every aspect of biology, especially in cancer biology. This study desires to investigate the mechanism of circ‐PITX1 on regulating GM development. Quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction was carried out to measure the expression of circ‐PITX1, which was upregulated in matched cancerous tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues from 52 patients and four cell lines of GM. Fisher's exact indicated the upregulation of circ‐PITX1 was associated with patients' tumor size and World Health Organization grade. Gain and loss‐of‐function assays demonstrated that circ‐PITX1 could facilitate the growth, migration, and invasion and inhibit cell apoptosis in GM cell lines. What's more, circ‐PITX1 sponges miR‐518a‐5p to release its repression on 3′‐untranslated region (3′UTR) of interleukin 17 receptor D (IL17RD) messenger RNA to exert its oncogenic functions in GM cells proved by dual‐luciferase reporter and rescue assays. Taken together, circ‐PITX1 may play a critical role in GM and may be used as a therapeutic target for GM.
lncRNA DILC is downregulated in osteoarthritis and regulates IL‐6 expression in chondrocytes
Authors: Huang Junfeng , Liu Lijun , Yang Jinxing , Ding Jinglun , Xu Xu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractExcessive production of interleukin 6 (IL‐6) is involved in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. It has been reported that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) DILC inhibited IL‐6 to regulate liver cancer stem cells. Therefore, lncRNA DILC may also participate in osteoarthritis. We found that lncRNA DILC was downregulated, while IL‐6 was upregulated in plasma of osteoarthritis patients comparing to the control group. Levels of plasma lncRNA DILC and IL‐6 were significantly and inversely correlated only in patients with osteoarthritis. Downregulation of lncRNA DILC effectively distinguished patients with osteoarthritis from the control group. Overexpression of lncRNA DILC resulted in inhibited IL‐6 expression in chondrocytes, while treatment with exogenous IL‐6 did not affect lncRNA DILC expression. However, lncRNA DILC overexpression did not affect the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes. Therefore, lncRNA DILC is downregulated in osteoarthritis and regulates IL‐6 expression in chondrocytes.
Diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target applications of miR‐326 in cancers: A systematic review
Authors: Jadideslam Golamreza , Ansarin Khalil , Sakhinia Ebrahim , Babaloo Zohreh , Abhari Alireza , Ghahremanzadeh Kazem , Khalili Mohamadreza , Radmehr Rahman , Kabbazi Alireza 
Published: May 2019

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous mediators of RNA interference and have key roles in the modulation of gene expression under healthy, inflamed, stimulated, carcinogenic, or other cells, and tissues of a pathological state. Many studies have proved the association between miRNAs and cancer. The role of miR‐326 as a tumor suppressor miRNA in much human cancer confirmed. We will explain the history and the role of miRNAs changes, especially miR‐326 in cancers and other pathological conditions. Attuned with these facts, this review highlights recent preclinical and clinical research performed on miRNAs as novel promising diagnostic biomarkers of patients at early stages, prediction of prognosis, and monitoring of the patients in response to treatment. All related publications retrieved from the PubMed database, with keywords such as epigenetic, miRNA, microRNA, miR‐326, cancer, diagnostic biomarker, and therapeutic target similar terms from 1899 to 2018 with limitations in the English language. Recently, researchers have focused on the impacts of miRNAs and their association in inflammatory, autoinflammatory, and cancerous conditions. Recent studies have suggested a major pathogenic role in cancers and autoinflammatory diseases. Investigations have explained the role of miRNAs in cancers, autoimmunity, and autoinflammatory diseases, and so on. The miRNA‐326 expression has an important role in cancer conditions and other diseases.
Citrulline stimulates muscle protein synthesis, by reallocating ATP consumption to muscle protein synthesis
Authors: Goron Arthur , Lamarche Frédéric , Blanchet Sandrine , Delangle Pascale , Schlattner Uwe , Fontaine Eric , Moinard Christophe 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundAnimal studies and clinical data support the interest of citrulline as a promising therapeutic for sarcopenia. Citrulline is known to stimulate muscle protein synthesis, but how it affects energy metabolism to support the highly energy‐dependent protein synthesis machinery is poorly understood.MethodsHere, we used myotubes derived from primary culture of mouse myoblasts to study the effect of citrulline on both energy metabolism and protein synthesis under different limiting conditions.ResultsWhen serum/amino acid deficiency or energy stress (mild uncoupling) were applied, citrulline stimulated muscle protein synthesis by +22% and +11%, respectively. Importantly, this increase was not associated with enhanced energy status (ATP/ADP ratio) or mitochondrial respiration. We further analysed the share of mitochondrial respiration and thus of generated ATP allocated to different metabolic pathways by using specific inhibitors. Our results indicate that addition of citrulline allocated an increased share of mitochondrially generated ATP to the protein synthesis machinery under conditions of both serum/amino acid deficiency (+28%) and energy stress (+21%). This reallocation was not because of reduced ATP supply to DNA synthesis or activities of sodium and calcium cycling ion pumps.ConclusionsUnder certain stress conditions, citrulline increases muscle protein synthesis by specifically reallocating mitochondrial fuel to the protein synthesis machinery. Because ATP/ADP ratios and thus Gibbs free energy of ATP hydrolysis remained globally constant, this reallocation may be linked to decreased activation energies of one or several ATP (and GTP)‐consuming reactions involved in muscle protein synthesis.
Comparative analysis of transcriptomes between apical pulp‐derived cells from deciduous teeth and permanent teeth or dental pulp cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth
Authors: Xiong Hua‐cui , Chen Ke 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe present study aimed to explore the differences between apical pulp‐derived cells of deciduous teeth (De‐APDCs) and apical pulp‐derived cells of permanent teeth (P‐APDCs)/dental pulp cells from exfoliated deciduous teeth (De‐DPCs).MethodsThree types of cells (De‐DPCs, P‐APDCs and De‐APDCs) were cultured by the tissue explant method. Transcriptome sequencing for the three types of cells was conducted and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between groups were selected. The potential biological functions and pathways enriched by the DEGs were analyzed.ResultsThere were 35 up‐ and 21 down‐regulated DEGs in P‐APDC versus the De‐APDC comparison group, and 328 up‐ and 976 down‐regulated DEGs in De‐APDC versus De‐DPC. The DEGs in the P‐APDC versus De‐APDC group were significantly enriched in biological process terms associated with extracellular matrix organization, and regulation of cell proliferation and the pathway of cell adhesion molecules. Additionally, the DEGs between De‐APDC and De‐DPC were involved in functions related to extracellular matrix organization and the regulation of bone remodeling, as well as the pathway of extracellular matrix‐receptor interaction.ConclusionsThere were fewer differences between P‐APDC and De‐APDC compared to between De‐APDC and De‐DPC in view of the total number of DEGs. Differences in function existed relating to extracellular matrix organization among the three cells. P‐APDCs and De‐APDC had different functions on cell proliferation and adhesion. De‐APDCs may also act as a unique stem cell resource for tissue engineering.
Trade Openness, Economic Growth and the Global Financial Crisis of 2007–2009 in Latin America
Authors: Benita Francisco 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis paper examines the relationship between bilateral trade openness and per capita gross domestic product for 15 Latin American countries during the financial crisis of 2008. It is employed an augmented gravity model of trade for the pre‐crisis, during‐crisis and post‐crisis periods (2004–2006, 2007–2009 and 2010–2012, respectively). Geographical characteristics and democracy rates of countries are used to instrument for average bilateral trade volumes. Different measures of trade openness are tested, and mixed results are identified. First, a slightly positive relationship between trade openness and growth is found when considering only Latin American countries. Second, after removing outliers and considering all importer countries, a negative relationship between the variables is found. © 2019 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Frontline Science: Autophagy is a cell autonomous effector mechanism mediated by NLRP3 to control Trypanosoma cruzi infection
Authors: Matteucci Kely C , Pereira Gustavo J S , Weinlich Ricardo , Bortoluci Karina R 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
Autophagy and inflammasome activation are cell-autonomous and cross-regulated processes involved in host resistance against infections. Our group previously described that NLRP3 inflammasome is required for the control of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. However, the involvement of autophagy in this process was unclear. Here, we demonstrated that T. cruzi was able to induce an increase in LC3-II expression as well as autophagosome and autolysosome formation in peritoneal macrophages (PMs) from C57BL/6 wild-type mice. Moreover, the pharmacologic inhibition of autophagic machinery impaired the ability of PMs to control T. cruzi replication. Importantly, NLRP3 was required for the induction of a regular autophagic flux in response to T. cruzi, an effect mediated by its participation in the autolysosomes formation. Together, these results indicate autophagy as an effector mechanism mediated by NLRP3 to control T. cruzi infection.
Accuracy of breast cancer lesion classification using intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion‐weighted imaging is improved by the inclusion of global or local prior knowledge with bayesian methods
Authors: Vidić Igor , Jerome Neil P. , Bathen Tone F. , Goa Pål E. , While Peter T. 
Published: May 2019

BackgroundDiffusion‐weighted MRI (DWI) has potential to noninvasively characterize breast cancer lesions; models such as intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) provide pseudodiffusion parameters that reflect tissue perfusion, but are dependent on the details of acquisition and analysis strategy.PurposeTo examine the effect of fitting algorithms, including conventional least‐squares (LSQ) and segmented (SEG) methods as well as Bayesian methods with global shrinkage (BSP) and local spatial (FBM) priors, on the power of IVIM parameters to differentiate benign and malignant breast lesions.Study TypeProspective patient study.Subjects61 patients with confirmed breast lesions.Field Strength/SequenceDWI (bipolar SE‐EPI, 13 b values) was included in a clinical MR protocol including T2‐weighted and dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI on a 3T scanner.AssessmentThe IVIM model was fitted voxelwise in lesion regions of interest (ROIs), and derived parameters were compared across methods within benign and malignant subgroups (correlation, coefficients of variation). Area under receiver operator characteristic curves (ROC AUCs) were calculated to determine discriminatory power of parameter combinations from all fitting methods.Statistical TestsKruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney, Pearson correlation.ResultsAll methods provided useful IVIM parameters; D was well‐correlated across all methods (r > 0.8), with a wider range for f and D* (0.3–0.7). Fitting methods gave detectable differences in parameters, but all showed increased f and decreased D in malign lesions. D was the most discriminatory single parameter, with LSQ performing least well (AUC 0.83). In general, ROC AUCs were maximized by the inclusion of pseudodiffusion parameters, and by the use of Bayesian methods incorporating prior information (maximum AUC of 0.92 for BSP).Data ConclusionDWI performs well at classifying breast lesions, but careful consideration of analysis procedure can improve performance. D is the most discriminatory single parameter, but including pseudodiffusion parameters (f and D*) increases ROC AUC. Bayesian methods outperformed conventional least‐squares and segmented fitting methods for breast lesion classification.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1478–1488.
Impact of land use on soil organic carbon stocks in the humid tropics of NE Tanzania
Authors: Kirsten Maximilian , Kimaro Didas N. , Feger Karl-Heinz , Kalbitz Karsten 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe conversion of tropical forests to agricultural land use is considered as a major cause for a decline in soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks. However, the extent and impact of different land uses on SOC stock development is highly uncertain, especially for tropical Africa due to a lack of reliable data. Interactions of SOC with the soil mineral phase can modify the susceptibility of SOC to become mineralized. Pedogenic Fe‐, Al‐oxides and clay potentially affect SOC stabilization in highly weathered soils typically found in the humid tropics. The aim of our study was to determine the impact of different land uses on SOC stock on such soils. For that purpose, 10 pedologically similar, deeply weathered acidic soils (Acrisols, Alisols) in the Eastern Usambara Mountains (Amani Nature Reserve, NE Tanzania) under contrasting land use were sampled to a depth of 100 cm. The calculated mean SOC stocks were 17.5 kg C m−2, 16.8 kg C m−2, 16.9 kg C m−2, and 20.0 kg C m−2 for the four forests, two tea plantations, three croplands, and one homegarden, respectively. A significant difference in mean SOC stock of 1.3 kg C m−2 was detected between forest and cropland land use for the 0–10 cm depth increment. No further significant impacts of land use on SOC stocks were observed. All soils have a clearly clay‐dominated texture. They are characterized by high content of pedogenic oxides with 29 to 47 g kg−1 measured for the topsoils and 36 to 65 g kg−1 for the subsoils. No positive significant relationship was found between SOC and clay content. Statistically significant positive relationships existed between oxalate‐extractable Fe, Al, and SOC content for cropland soils only. Compared to data published in literature the SOC stocks determined in our study were generally high independent of the established land use. It appears that efficient SOC stabilization mechanisms are counteracting the higher disturbance regime under agricultural land use in these highly weathered tropical soils.
Simulating pH‐dependent surface‐enhanced Raman spectra by density functional theory calculations
Authors: Xiang Shi‐Qin , Zhang Li , Gao Shu‐Ting , Zhao Liu‐Bin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe pH‐dependent surface‐enhanced Raman spectra of two typical surface sensor molecules p‐mercaptobenzoic acid (PMBA) and p‐mercaptopyridine (PMPY) were simulated by density functional theory calculations. First, the acid dissociation constants and individual surface Raman spectra of PMBA and PMPY were computed and compared with experimental results. It was found that acid dissociation constants calculated by the hybrid implicit‐explicit model and surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra simulated by the explicit model most closely coincide with experimental results. Then, the pH‐dependent SERS spectra of PMBA and PMPY were obtained by overlaying the SERS of individual acid species and base species multiplied by their molar fractions, which were calculated from the acid dissociation constants. During the deprotonation process of PMBA, the Raman intensity from COOH stretching decreases and the Raman intensity from COO− stretching increases. During the protonation process of PMPY, the ν8a mode undergoes a significant blueshift and the relative Raman intensity of ν7a mode decreases. At last, pH calibration curves of PMBA and PMPY were obtained according to the simulated pH‐dependent Raman spectra, in which the logarithmic value of relative Raman intensity of characteristic peaks varies almost linearly with solution pH.
Synergistically Toughening Polyoxymethylene by Methyl Methacrylate–Butadiene–Styrene Copolymer and Thermoplastic Polyurethane
Authors: Yang Jing , Yang Wenqing , Wang Xuanlun , Dong Mengyao , Liu Hu , Wujcik Evan K. , Shao Qian , Wu Shide , Ding Tao , Guo Zhanhu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTernary polyoxymethylene (POM) blends comprising methacrylate‐butadiene‐styrene (MBS) copolymer and thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU) in different weight percentages are prepared by a two‐step melt extrusion technique. The synergistic toughening effect of polyoxymethylene by MBS as the impact modifier and TPU as the compatibilizer is investigated. The thermal behaviors of the prepared POM/MBS/TPU blends are analyzed. The notched impact resistance of the modified POM (POM/MBS/TPU 80 wt%/15 wt%/10 wt%) reached 40.83 kJ m−2. The enhanced toughness of the POM/MBS blends with the incorporation of TPU indicates the significance of TPU as a compatibilizer. Although the TPU compatibilizer enhances the interfacial adhesion between POM and MBS and decreases the size of MBS particles, serious agglomeration phenomenon is observed at higher TPU contents (more than 10 wt%) and caused slightly reduced tensile strength and the elongation at break for the sample with both loadings of MBS and TPU at 15 wt%. Instead, further increase of the notched impact strength is noted resulting from the compatibilizer TPU and an effective impact modifier MBS on the POM blend system to achieve a “super‐tough” effect. These “super‐tough” polyoxymethylene blends can be applied as the host matrix for preparing various multifunctional nanocomposites.
Backbone‐Hydrolyzable Poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) bis(glycidyl ether)‐alt‐ketoglutaric acid) with Tunable LCST Behavior
Authors: Chao Huan , Li Guo , Yu Jiabao , Liu Zhaotie , Liu Zhong‐Wen , Jiang Jinqiang 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA novel class of backbone‐hydrolyzable LCST‐type polyesters of poly(oligo(ethylene glycol) bis(glycidyl ether)‐alt‐ketoglutaric acid)s (PEmKs) with numerous reactive sites is presented in this study. The target polyesters are prepared with commercially available hexa(ethylene glycol) bis(glycidyl ether) (E6BG), ethylene glycol bis(glycidyl ether) (E1BG), and 2‐ketoglutaric acid (KGA). By varying the initial feed ratio of E6BG and E1BG and the polymer concentration, a tunable thermal responsiveness with excellent repeatability is achieved.
Responsive Polypseudorotaxane Hydrogels Triggered by a Compatible Stimulus of CO2
Authors: Yan Diwei , Liu Sa , Jia Yong‐Guang , Mo Lina , Qi Dawei , Wang Jin , Chen Yunhua , Ren Li 
Published: May 2019

AbstractRealizing the reversible transformation of the supramolecular hydrogels is essential for their application as smart materials. The reversible sol‐gel transition of the polypseudorotaxane (PPR) hydrogels is achieved through adding a CO2‐switchable guest molecule into the PPR hydrogel of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and α‐cyclodextrins (α‐CDs). Alternating treatments with CO2 and heating drive such reversible transition due to the competitive complexation as evidenced by 2D NOESY 1H NMR and isothermal titration calorimetry as well as X‐ray diffraction. The present work describes a straightforward way to obtain switchable PPR hydrogels triggered by a compatible stimulus of CO2. These stimuli‐responsive PPR hydrogels have potential applications as biomaterials.
Azobenzene‐Containing Triblock Copolymer Adhesive Based on Light‐Induced Solid–Liquid Phase Transition: Application to Bonding for Various Substrates
Authors: Ito Shotaro , Akiyama Haruhisa , Mori Miyuki , Yoshida Masaru , Kihara Hideyuki 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAzobenzene‐containing block copolymers have been previously developed as light‐induced reworkable adhesives that can undergo repeatable bonding/debonding on demand, based on photoisomerization of the azobenzene moiety and concomitant softening/hardening of the azo polymer block. For practical use, the applicability of such adhesives to various types of substrates is important and is thus studied as one of their most fundamental properties in this work. Ultraviolet (UV)‐transparent acrylic resin as well as non‐transparent polycarbonate resin, polyethylene ones, and metallic aluminum substrates are utilized as substrates. UV‐transparent acrylic resin is used as one of two substrates to investigate the photoisomerization process. The bonding/debonding process is successful for these substrates, and single lap shear tests show typical adhesion strengths of 1.5–2.0 MPa for the substrates investigated. UV irradiation induced a decrease in the adhesion strength to 0.03 MPa irrespective of the substrate type, indicating that the mechanism of the detachability is flow of the softened adhesive. Facile removal of the residual adhesive on the substrate is successfully demonstrated after detachment without any damage to the substrates by wiping the substrate with laboratory‐grade disposable wipes wet with ethanol.