bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Β‐actin does not show the characteristics of a reference protein in human cortex
Authors: Parkin Georgia M. , Udawela Madhara , Gibbons Andrew , Dean Brian 
Published: October 2018

AbstractLevels of a reference protein must be the same as a proportion of total protein in all tissues and, in the study of human diseases, cannot vary with factors such as age, gender or disease pathophysiology. It is increasingly apparent that there may be few, if any, proteins that display the characteristics of a reference protein within the human central nervous system (CNS). To begin to challenge this hypothesis, we used Western blotting to compare variance in levels of the “gold standard” reference protein, β‐actin, in Brodmann's area 9 from 194 subjects to variance of total transferred protein measured as intensity of Ponceau S staining. The coefficient of variance of sum intensity measurements for β‐actin levels across all donors was 47% compared to 24 and 27% for the sum intensity of Ponceau S staining measured using two different detection techniques. These data strongly suggest that the level of β‐actin, proportional to total protein, is not constant in human cortex which raises further doubt about the use of reference proteins to normalise data in human CNS studies. Considering our data, we suggest an alternative approach to presenting data from Western blotting of human CNS.
Spatial patterns of mercury contamination and associated risk to piscivorous wading birds of the south central United States
Authors: Gerstle Christopher T. , Drenner Ray W. , Chumchal Matthew M. 
Published: October 2018

Abstract

Piscivorous birds are top predators in aquatic ecosystems and are vulnerable to mercury (Hg) exposure and associated adverse health effects. In some areas of North America, the health risk posed to piscivorous birds by Hg contamination has not been characterized because concentrations of Hg in bird tissues have not been extensively monitored. When data on Hg in tissues of piscivorous birds are not available, the concentration of Hg in the blood of piscivorous birds can be estimated from the concentration of Hg in prey fish. We used concentrations of Hg in different lengths of a proxy prey fish, bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus), to estimate the concentration of Hg in the blood of 4 species of adult piscivorous wading birds (little blue herons [Egretta caerulea], green herons [Butorides virescens], great egrets [Ardea albus], and great blue herons [Ardea herodias]) in 14 ecoregions of the south central United States. The 4 species of birds consume different sizes of fish with different concentrations of Hg and were predicted to have different concentrations of Hg in their blood, with little blue herons &lt; green herons &lt; great egrets &lt; great blue herons. For each species of bird, there were significant differences in average estimated concentrations of Hg in blood between ecoregions, with estimated concentrations of Hg in blood increasing with Hg deposition. The level of predicted risk varied with ecoregion and bird species and was highest for great blue herons. We recommend that future studies of Hg contamination of piscivorous wading birds of the southern United States focus on great blue herons in water bodies within ecoregions that have high Hg deposition. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:160–166. © 2018 SETAC
Abstract
Estimated Hg concentration in bird blood. Photo credit: PhotoL, iStock.
Corticospinal tract degeneration in ALS unmasked in T1‐weighted images using texture analysis
Authors: Ishaque Abdullah , Mah Dennell , Seres Peter , Luk Collin , Johnston Wendy , Chenji Sneha , Beaulieu Christian , Yang Yee‐Hong , Kalra Sanjay 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate whether textures computed from T1‐weighted (T1W) images of the corticospinal tract (CST) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are associated with degenerative changes evaluated by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Nineteen patients with ALS and 14 controls were prospectively recruited and underwent T1W and diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging. Three‐dimensional texture maps were computed from T1W images and correlated with the DTI metrics within the CST. Significantly correlated textures were selected and compared within the CST for group differences between patients and controls using voxel‐wise analysis. Textures were correlated with the patients' clinical upper motor neuron (UMN) signs and their diagnostic accuracy was evaluated. Voxel‐wise analysis of textures and their diagnostic performance were then assessed in an independent cohort with 26 patients and 13 controls. Results showed that textures autocorrelation, energy, and inverse difference normalized significantly correlated with DTI metrics (p < .05) and these textures were selected for further analyses. The textures demonstrated significant voxel‐wise differences between patients and controls in the centrum semiovale and the posterior limb of the internal capsule bilaterally (p < .05). Autocorrelation and energy significantly correlated with UMN burden in patients (p < .05) and classified patients and controls with 97% accuracy (100% sensitivity, 92.9% specificity). In the independent cohort, the selected textures demonstrated similar regional differences between patients and controls and classified participants with 94.9% accuracy. These results provide evidence that T1‐based textures are associated with degenerative changes in the CST.
Partially impaired functional connectivity states between right anterior insula and default mode network in autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Guo Xiaonan , Duan Xujun , Suckling John , Chen Heng , Liao Wei , Cui Qian , Chen Huafu 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTime‐invariant resting‐state functional connectivity studies have illuminated the crucial role of the right anterior insula (rAI) in prominent social impairments of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, a recent dynamic connectivity study demonstrated that rather than being stationary, functional connectivity patterns of the rAI vary significantly across time. The present study aimed to explore the differences in functional connectivity in dynamic states of the rAI between individuals with ASD and typically developing controls (TD). Resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging data obtained from a publicly available database were analyzed in 209 individuals with ASD and 298 demographically matched controls. A k‐means clustering algorithm was utilized to obtain five dynamic states of functional connectivity of the rAI. The temporal properties, frequency properties, and meta‐analytic decoding were first identified in TD group to obtain the characteristics of each rAI dynamic state. Multivariate analysis of variance was then performed to compare the functional connectivity patterns of the rAI between ASD and TD groups in obtained states. Significantly impaired connectivity was observed in ASD in the ventral medial prefrontal cortex and posterior cingulate cortex, which are two critical hubs of the default mode network (DMN). States in which ASD showed decreased connectivity between the rAI and these regions were those more relevant to socio‐cognitive processing. From a dynamic perspective, these findings demonstrate partially impaired resting‐state functional connectivity patterns between the rAI and DMN across states in ASD, and provide novel insights into the neural mechanisms underlying social impairments in individuals with ASD.
Activin A improves retinal pigment epithelial cell survival on stiff but not soft substrates
Authors: White Corina E. , Kwok Bryan , Olabisi Ronke M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn several retinal degenerative disease pathologies, such as dry age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell monolayer becomes dysfunctional. Promising tissue engineering treatment approaches implant RPE cells on scaffolds into the subretinal space. However, these approaches are not without challenges. Two major challenges that must be addressed are RPE dedifferentiation and the inflammatory response to cell/scaffold implantation. Design and optimization of scaffold cues for the purpose of RPE transplantation remain relatively unexplored, specifically the mechanical properties of the scaffolds. Prior work from our group indicated that by varying substrate moduli significant differences could be induced in cell cytoskeleton structure, cellular activity, and expression of inflammatory markers. We hypothesized that Activin A would provide rescue effects for cells demonstrating dedifferentiated characteristics. Results demonstrated that for cells on low modulus scaffolds, the mechanical environment was the dominating factor and Activin A was unable to rescue these cells. However, Activin A did demonstrate rescue effects for cells on high modulus scaffolds. This finding indicates that when cultured on scaffolds with an appropriate modulus, exogenous factors, such as Activin A, can improve RPE cell expression, morphology, and activity, while an inappropriate scaffold modulus can have devastating effects on RPE survival regardless of chemical stimulation. These findings have broad implications for the design and optimization of scaffolds for long‐term successful RPE transplantation. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2871–2880, 2018.
Evaluation of cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity of an injectable bone substitute of carrageenan and nano hydroxyapatite
Authors: González Ocampo Jazmín I. , Bassous Nicole , Ossa Orozco Claudia P. , Webster Thomas J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA successful post‐surgical implant is associated with accelerated recovery periods, involving the efficient regeneration of lost or non‐viable tissue and a reduction in microbial growth. Alternatively, the long‐term success of an implant is guided by the selection of an engineered biomimetic material that is biocompatible, non‐biodegradable, and stable at the site of implantation, without invoking any non‐essential or undesirable biological responses. The potential for developing an injectable bone substitute (IBS) was investigated here. In particular, carrageenan (CG) and nano‐hydroxyapatite (nHA) injectable composites were fabricated by chemical cross‐linking, and the in vitro behavior of mammalian cells and bacteria on the IBS surface structures were evaluated. Formulations consisting of 1%, 1.5%, and 2.5% CG and 60% nHA by weight were then evaluated for their interactions with human osteoblasts (or bone forming cells). MTS viability testing indicated that osteoblast adhesion and viability on the IBS were excellent and uniform among various formulation types. Bacteria assays were also performed to assess antimicrobial functions on the CG/nHA composite against both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive strains. A higher CG content, as found in some samples, correlated with improved Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth inhibition, although other bacteria strains appeared unaffected by the IBS. In summary, this study highlights CG/nHA composites as innovative biomaterials that should be further studied for reduced bacteria activity and promoted osteoblast responses which was achieved without using pharmaceutical drugs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2984–2993, 2018.
Modulating matrix‐multicellular response using polysucrose‐blended with poly‐L‐lactide or polydioxanone in electrospun scaffolds for skin tissue regeneration
Authors: Chummun Itisha , Bhaw‐Luximon Archana , Jhurry Dhanjay 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPolysucrose (PSuc) is hydrophilic, has excellent biocompatibility with cells as a density gradient and is resistant to enzymes. Its use in electrospun mats for tissue engineering applications has not been investigated due to its amorphous nature. For spinnability and robustness, polysucrose was blended with poly‐L‐lactide (PLLA) and polydioxanone (PDX) respectively and electrospun into nanofibrous mats. Interaction with cells was assessed using L929 mouse fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes separately and in co‐culture. Effect of parameters such as porosity, fiber diameter, surface wettability and mechanical properties of mats on cell‐scaffold interactions was studied. Depending on nature and composition of mats, fibroblasts showed dendritic, spindle or round cell morphologies along with the formation of lamellipodia, filopodia, fibrillar or fiber‐like projections of 100 nm and 200–300 nm in diameter respectively from the periphery or center of cells. Granular extracellular matrix was formed on both PLLA‐PSuc and PDX‐PSuc 50–50 seeded with keratinocytes. Growth of keratinocytes was enhanced in co‐culture with fibroblasts with the formation of a skin‐like layer. Both cells showed the ability to form multilayer structures. The mats maintained their physical integrity during the period of study. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 3275–3291, 2018.
A novel approach to devise the therapy for ventricular fibrillation by epicardial delivery of lidocaine using active hydraulic ventricular attaching support system: An experimental study in rats
Authors: Yasmeen Sufia , Liao Xiaoqian , Khan Farhan Ullah , Ihsan Awais Ullah , Li Xue , Li Cunyu , Chen Dingding , Yu Feng , Wang Zhijie , Sembatya Kiganda Raymond , Mikrani Reyaj , Zhou Xiaohui 
Published: October 2018

AbstractActive hydraulic ventricular attaching support system (ASD) placed around the heart is not only a novel, nontransplant surgical device used for epicardial administration of drugs like lidocaine, but also a promising treatment option for ventricular fibrillation (VF) and arrhythmias. We hypothesize that lidocaine in 5 mg/kg dose released by ASD significantly improves the VF in the rat model. Sprague‐Dawley (SD) rats were selected and were divided into four groups, intravenous injection (IV), epicardial infusion (EI), ASD, and control. ASD group was further divided into four subgroups for different lidocaine doses (i) ASD+A group (10 mg/kg), (ii) ASD+B group (5 mg/kg), (iii) ASD+C group (1 mg/kg), and (iv) ASD+D group (0.1 mg/kg). VF was induced with calcium chloride injection and was confirmed by electrocardiogram (ECG) in all the groups. VF was treated with different doses of lidocaine using different modes of administration. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 19.0 Chi‐square tests and one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The Kaplan–Meier curve for OS was compared to the Logrank test based on the survival time. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. ASD + B group (5 mg/kg) showed significantly reduced sgroup. The time of first sinus rhythm recovered (15.96 ± 21.77 min) and ▵T‐SOD in plasma (−42.02 ± 26.99 U/mL) was significantly different than that of control, IV, and EI groups. ▵T‐SOD in plasma for all ASD‐treated groups was smaller than the control and IV groups. This study proves that ASD with 5 mg/kg lidocaine dose appears as a promising therapeutic platform for treating VF in rats. Furthermore, ASD may also have potential for treating VF or other cardiovascular disease with different therapeutic agents. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1722–1731, 2019.
Gamma‐secretase inhibitor suppressed Notch1 intracellular domain combination with p65 and resulted in the inhibition of the NF‐κB signaling pathway induced by IL‐1β and TNF‐α in nucleus pulposus cells
Authors: Huang Yao , Mei Wei , Chen Jian , Jiang Tao , Zhou Zheng , Yin Guoyong , Fan Jin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIn this experiment, the cross‐talk betweenNotch and the NF‐κB signaling pathway was examined to reveal the mechanism of slowing down the type II collagen (ColII) and aggrecan degeneration affected by inflammatory cytokines. The expression levels of ColII and aggrecan in the intervertebral disc were observed through immunohistochemistry and hematoxylin‐eosin staining+alcian blue staining, respectively. The expression levels of ColII, aggrecan, Runx2, and NF‐κB in the nuclei of human nucleus pulposus cells (hNPCs) in each group, as well as the phosphorylation and acetylation levels of p65, were examined through Western blot analysis. The 293T cells were transfected with a plasmid containing the overexpressed relative domain of Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD1), and immunoprecipitation (IP) was performed to observe the combination of NICD1 and p65. HNPCs were transfected with a lentiviral‐contained overexpression lacking the ANK region of NICD1, and IP was performed to observe the combination of NICD1 and p65. The expression of ColII and aggrecan in the intervertebral disc culture increased when γ‐secretase inhibitor N‐[N‐(3,5‐difluorophenacetyl)‐1‐alanyl]‐Sphenylglycine t‐butyl ester (DAPT) was added to the disc culture medium. Western blot revealed that DAPT inhibited p65 phosphorylation and acetylation, and the p65 and p50 levels in the nucleus decreased. NICD1 was found to be combined with p65 in contrast to the reverse consequences after ANK domain deletion in hNPCs. In nucleus pulposus cells, the combination of p65 and the ANK domain of NICD1 is a critical procedure for the degeneration related to the NF‐κB signaling pathway activation induced by IL‐1β and TNF‐α.
Betulinic acid inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‐like synoviocytes
Authors: Wang Jing , Zhao Qing 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBetulinic acid (BA), a pentacyclic triterpene derived from the bark of the white birch tree, has been reported to have a variety of pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antitumor, immunomodulatory, and antiarthritis properties. However, the role of BA in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the effects of BA on RA fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (RA‐FLS) proliferation, migration, and inflammatory response, and further explore the potential underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that BA inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of RA‐FLSs. BA also attenuated tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), enhanced matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression, and inflammatory cytokines production in RA‐FLS. Furthermore, BA prevented the activation of Akt/NF‐κB pathway in RA‐FLS exposed to TNF‐α. In conclusion, these findings indicated that BA inhibits cell proliferation, migration, and inflammatory response in RA‐FLS; and the Akt/NF‐κB signaling pathway was involved in the protective effect of BA on RA‐FLS. Thus, BA might be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of RA.
Inactivation of ATF‐2 enhances epithelial‐mesenchymal transition and gemcitabine sensitivity in human pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Wu Xingda , Liu Zhe , Guo Kejia , Ma Gang , Song Shaowei 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis work aimed to study the activating transcription factor 2 or AMP‐dependent transcription factor‐2 (ATF‐2) inhibition mediated gemcitabine sensitivity in human pancreatic cancer cells.MethodsThe protein and messenger RNA expressions of ATF‐2 in 42 pancreatic cancer tissues and adjacent nontumorous tissues were detected. Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis was performed based on the expression level of ATF‐2 protein in tumor tissues. Then the pancreatic cancer cells were transduced with ATF‐2‐expressing lentivirus and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to investigate the effect of ATF‐2 on pancreatic cancer cell invasion, epithelium to mesenchyme transition, apoptosis, and gemcitabine sensitivity.ResultsThe expression of phosphorylated (p)‐ATF‐2 protein was upregulated in pancreatic cancer tissues compared with adjacent nontumorous tissues. Patients with relative higher p‐ATF‐2 level showed significantly lower survival time. Then we found that the transfection ATF‐2 siRNA into BxPC3 cells inhibited cell proliferation, invasion, and epithelium to mesenchyme transition, but enhanced cell apoptosis. These changes could be enhanced by the additional administration of gemcitabine. In addition, we confirmed that the overexpression of ATF‐2 in Panc‐1 cells promoted cell invasion and epithelium to mesenchyme transition.ConclusionWe concluded that inhibition‐promoted ATF‐2 expression was responsible for epithelium to mesenchyme transition and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells, while the inhibition of ATF‐2 confers to gemcitabine sensitivity in human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro.
Urea‐modulated UT‐B urea transporter internalization is clathrin‐ and caveolae‐dependent in infantile hemangioma‐derived vascular endothelial cells
Authors: Xiao Li , Liu Dakan , Zuo Song , Zhu Xiaoshuang , Wang Yanlin , Dong Changxian 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the manner of urea‐modulated UT‐B urea transporter (UT) internalization in infantile hemangioma‐derived vascular endothelial cells (HemECs). The immunohistochemistry assay was performed to identify infancy hemangioma‐derived endothelial cell line (XPTS‐1) cells. Cell toxicity was detected with the 3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis were measured to analyze the expression of UT‐B. UT‐B internalization was observed by confocal microscopy. The clathrin inhibitor chlorpromazine (CPZ) and caveolin endocytic disrupter methyl‐β‐cyclodextrin (MβCD) were used in XPTS‐1 cells transfected with UT‐B‐GFP to repress endocytosis. Urea‐promoted UT‐B expression in a concentration‐dependent manner in an infantile XPTS‐1 cell line. CPZ and MβCD significantly inhibited UT‐B protein internalization. The pretreatment of UT‐B‐GFP cells with adaptor protein2 (AP2)‐μ2‐siRNA and caveolin‐siRNA significantly inhibited UT‐B protein internalization. Our findings suggested that urea‐mediated UT‐B UT internalization is clathrin and caveolae dependent in infantile HemECs.
RETRACTED: H19 suppresses the growth of hepatoblastoma cells by promoting their apoptosis via the signaling pathways of miR‐675/FADD and miR‐138/PTK2
Authors: Ge Lili , Zhang Xianwei , Hu Shengnan , Song Yinsen , Kong Jinghui , Zhang Bo , Yang Xiaoang 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe objective of this study was to clarify the molecular pathways involved in hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐induced hepatoblastoma.MethodThe expression of factors in different signaling pathways (H19, miR‐675, miR‐138, protein tyrosine kinase 2 [PTK2], fas‐associated death domain [FADD], hypoxia‐inducible factor 1‐alpha [HIFIA], focal adhesion kinase [FAK], caspase‐8, and caspase‐3) was compared between HBV (+) and HBV (−) groups using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Subsequently, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and TdT‐mediated dUTP Nick‐End Labeling (TUNEL) assays were used to verify the expression of above proteins in HBV (+) and HBV (−) groups. Computational analysis was conducted to predict the target genes of miR‐675 and miR‐138, whose regulatory relationships were then clarified using luciferase assays and cell transfection studies.ResultThe expression of H19, miR‐675, PTK2, HIFIA, and FAK was increased in the HBV (+) group, while the expression of miR‐138, FADD, caspase‐8, and caspase‐3 was decreased in the HBV (+) group. FADD and PTK2 were identified as target genes of miR‐675 and miR‐138, respectively. In addition, miR‐675 was upregulated while miR‐138 was downregulated by X protein (HBx).ConclusionIn summary, the results of this study revealed the molecular pathways involved in HBV‐induced hepatoblastoma. In the presence of HBV, HBX upregulated the expression of H19 through HIFIA. Consecutively, overexpressed H19 upregulated the expression of PTK2 via targeting miR‐138 and downregulated the expression of FADD via targeting miR‐675. Finally, increased expression of PTK2 and reduced expression of FADD both led to the inhibition of cell apoptosis, thus promoting the tumorigenesis of hepatoblastoma.