bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HIV‐1 infection modulates IL‐24 expression which contributes to cell apoptosis in vitro
Authors: Strumillo Scheilla Teixeira , Curcio Marli Ferreira , de Carvalho Fábio Ferreira , Sucupira MariaCecília Araripe , Diaz Ricardo Sobhie , Monteiro Hugo Pequeno , Janini Luiz Mário Ramos 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAlthough interleukin‐24 (IL‐24) has been extensively explored in the immunopathologies of autoimmune diseases, neoplasms, and infections, its role in HIV‐1 infection has not been thoroughly elucidated to date. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the gene and protein expressions of IL‐24 at the initial moments of HIV infection in PBMCs. Due to the pro‐apoptotic role of IL‐24, we evaluated the protein expression of caspase‐3, as well as Annexin V/Propidium Iodide flow cytometry and phosphorylation of ERK, which may induce an apoptotic signal block when phosphorylated. The results of this study demonstrated that HIV‐1 infection had an impact on the gene and protein expressions of IL‐24 and ERK. Annexin V/Propidium Iodide assay demonstrated decrease in the mechanisms of apoptosis in infected cells after incubation of IL‐24 neutralizing antibody. Studies on how HIV‐1 regulates IL‐24 expression may play a role in characterizing viral persistence mechanisms and designing antiretroviral strategies.
Insulin‐like growth factor‐I promotes hepatic differentiation of human adipose tissue‐derived stem cells
Authors: Shabani Azandaryani Zahra , Davoodian Nahid , Samiei Afshin , Rouzbehan Sahere 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThere are numerous studies which provide support for the use of human adipose tissue‐derived stem cells (hASCs) to generate hepatocyte‐like cells. However, the produced cells exhibit only a certain level of differentiation, mainly due to inefficient induction conditions. Therefore, based on the important role of insulin‐like growth factor (IGF‐I) in hepatic function and development, in the current study we evaluated the differentiation efficacy of the mentioned factor to induce hASCs into functional hepatocyte‐like cells. To investigate this, using a two‐step protocol, hASCs were treated with a combination of HGF, Dex, and OSM in the presence or absence of IGF‐I up to 21 days. Hepatic differentiation was evaluated by analyzing specific hepatocyte markers at different time points of differentiation induction. Increased expression of hepatocyte‐specific genes including ALB, AFP, CK18, and HNF4a, downregulation of bile duct cells marker (CK19), the higher number of ALB positive cells, increased urea production together with higher glycogen deposit was observed upon the treatment of hASCs with the induction medium containing IGF‐I compared to the other treatment. In conclusion, our findings suggest IGF‐I as a potent inducer of hepatic differentiation of hASCs and its potential to generate more functional hepatocyte‐like cells.
Expression of proteins related to thyroid hormone function in the uterus is down‐regulated at the day of implantation in hypothyroid pregnant rats
Authors: Salleh Naguib , Sayem Abu Sadat Md , Giribabu Nelli , Khaing Si Lay 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHypothyroidism has been linked to infertility, but the mechanisms underlying infertility‐related hypothyroidism have yet to be fully elucidated. Therefore, in this study, effects of hypothyroidism on expression of the proteins related to thyroid hormone function in the uterus, which were thought to play a role implantation, including thyroid hormone receptor (TR), thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR), retinoic acid receptor (RAR) and extracellular kinase (ERK) were identified. Pregnant female rats were rendered hypothyroid by giving methimazole (MMI), orally. Following hypothyroid induction, rats were grouped into control (non‐treated) and received subcutaneous thyroxine at 20, 40, and 80 μg/kg/day for five consecutive days. At Day 6, which is the day of implantation (GD 6), rats were sacrificed and the number of embryo implantation site in the uterus was calculated. Then, uterine horns were harvested and expression of the above proteins and their mRNAs were identified by Western blotting and real‐time PCR, respectively. In non‐treated hypothyroid pregnant rats, the number of embryo implantation sites decreased as compared to euthyroid and hypothyroid rats receiving thyroxine treatment. Similarly, expression of TRα‐1, TRβ‐1, TSHR, ERK1/2 and RAR proteins and mRNA in the uterus of non‐treated hypothyroid rats also decreased (P < 0.05 when compared to euthyroid and thyroxine‐treated hypothyroid rats). In conclusion, downregulated expression of the thyroid hormone related proteins in the uterus at the day of implantation might result in infertility as reported in hypothyroid condition.
Role of allograft inflammatory factor‐1 in the regulation of inflammation and oxidative stress in primary peritoneal mesothelial cells
Authors: Zhou Yinan , Li Xin , Yuan Xueying , Hao Lirong 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPeritoneal dialysis (PD) is often used to treat patients with end stage renal disease, and its long‐term complications include excessive inflammation and oxidative stress. Allograft inflammatory factor 1 (AIF‐1), as a cytoplasmic protein, is originally identified from infiltrating macrophages, and it was associated with inflammation in the cells other than macrophages, such as endothelial cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. To clarify the molecular mechanisms of AIF‐1‐modulated pathological changes in the peritoneum during PD, we first detected the AIF‐1 expression in peritoneal tissues from PD mice. Results revealed that the pro‐fibrotic stimulation caused AIF‐1 upregulation and triggered inflammation in peritoneal tissues, and that AIF‐1 co‐expressed with pan‐cytokeratin (a marker of peritoneal mesothelial cells). We next treated primary mouse peritoneal mesothelial cells (pan‐cytokeratin and intercellular adhesion molecule 1 positive cells) with 50 or 100 ng/mL recombinant AIF‐1, and evaluated the direct effects of AIF‐1 on these cells in vitro. We found that exogenous AIF‐1 treatment induced inflammation and oxidative stress in mesothelial cells. Apart from the augmented IL‐6 and TNF‐α secretion, the level of ROS was upregulated and the activity of anti‐oxidative SOD was reduced in cells exposed to AIF‐1. Moreover, AIF‐1 simulation triggered the activation of NF‐κB pathway—enhanced the conversion of IκB to phosphorylated IκB and promoted the translocation of NF‐κB p65 from cytoplasm into nucleus. Additionally, AIF‐1‐evoked inflammation in peritoneal mesothelial cells was attenuated by the addition of NF‐κB inhibitor (BAY 11–7082). In brief, this study provides us novel information to understand the molecular regulation mechanisms of AIF‐1 in peritoneal fibrosis.
Polar Order, Mirror Symmetry Breaking, and Photoswitching of Chirality and Polarity in Functional Bent‐Core Mesogens
Authors: Alaasar Mohamed , Prehm Marko , Belau Sebastian , Sebastián Nerea , Kurachkina Marharyta , Eremin Alexey , Chen Changlong , Liu Feng , Tschierske Carsten 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn recent years, liquid crystals (LCs) responding to light or electrical fields have gained significant importance as multifunctional materials. Herein, two new series of photoswitchable bent‐core liquid crystals (BCLCs) derived from 4‐cyanoresorcinol as the central core connected to an azobenzene based wing and a phenyl benzoate wing are reported. The self‐assembly of these molecules was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), polarizing light microscopy (POM), electro‐optical, dielectric, second harmonic generation (SHG) studies, and XRD. Depending on the direction of the COO group in the phenyl benzoate wing, core‐fluorination, temperature, and the terminal alkyl chain length, cybotactic nematic and lamellar (smectic) LC phases were observed. The coherence length of the ferroelectric fluctuations increases continuously with decreasing temperature and adopts antipolar correlation upon the condensation into superparaelectric states of the paraelectric smectic phases. Finally, long‐range polar order develops at distinct phase transitions; first leading to polarization modulated and then to nonmodulated antiferroelectric smectic phases. Conglomerates of chiral domains were observed in the high permittivity ranges of the synclinic tilted paraelectric smectic phases of these achiral molecules, indicating mirror symmetry breaking. Fine‐tuning of the molecular structure leads to photoresponsive bent‐core (BC)LCs exhibiting a fast and reversible photoinduced change of the mode of the switching between ferroelectric‐ and antiferroelectric‐like as well as a light‐induced switching between an achiral and a spontaneous mirror‐symmetry‐broken LC phase.
Altered Lipid Composition of Secretory Cells Following Exposure to Zinc Can Be Correlated to Changes in Exocytosis
Authors: Ren Lin , Dowlatshahi Pour Masoumeh , Malmberg Per , Ewing Andrew G. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractA micromolar concentration of zinc has been shown to significantly change the dynamics of exocytosis as well as the vesicle contents in a model cell line, providing direct evidence that zinc regulates neurotransmitter release. To provide insight into how zinc modulates these exocytotic processes, neurotransmitter release and vesicle content were compared with single cell amperometry and intracellular impact vesicle cytometry with a range of zinc concentrations. Additionally, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) images of lipid distributions in the cell membrane after zinc treatment correlate to changes in exocytosis. By combining electrochemical techniques and mass spectrometry imaging, we proposed a mechanism by which zinc changes the fusion pore and the rate of neurotransmitter release by changing lipid distributions and results in the modulation of synaptic strength and plasticity.
The SepSELSA‐Project – How Rare Earths are Recovered from Fluorescence Lamps
Authors: Lorenz Tom , Bertau Martin 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDie 17 Elemente der Seltenen Erden, mit Namen wie Neodym, Dysprosium oder Europium, sind den meisten Menschen kaum ein Begriff. Sie sind jedoch ein unentbehrlicher Bestandteil aller Smartphones, Computer, Lautsprecher, LEDs, Leuchtstofflampen und Elektromotoren. Wie diese besondere Gruppe an Metallen aus alten Leuchtstoffröhren zurückgewonnen werden kann, wurde im SepSELSA‐Projekt eingehend untersucht. Dabei kommt eine einfache, aber ungewöhnliche Methode zum Einsatz: die Feststoffchlorierung. Am Beispiel des Seltenerdrecyclings aus Leuchtstoffröhren lässt sich eindrucksvoll zeigen, wie die Entwicklung eines umweltfreundlichen Verfahrens funktioniert und welche Herausforderungen dabei bewältigt werden müssen.
Electrowinning of zinc – a model experiment for the understanding of process routes in mining and recycling
Authors: Brinkmann Jochen , Sommer Petra , Kähler Jörg 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDie Technische Universität Clausthal (TUC) ist Partner des Projekts RawMattersAmbassadors@Schools, in welchem Unterrichtseinheiten zum Thema Rohstoffe entwickelt werden. Hier stellen wir ein Experiment zur Zinkelektrolyse vor; es illustriert exemplarisch den Wert von Legierungen und den hohen Energie‐, Wasser‐ und Chemikalieneinsatz zur Darstellung der Metalle. In Schulworkshops werden Prozessketten – vom Erz oder Elektronikschrott zum Metall – erläutert und an Modellexperimentierstationen erlebbar gemacht und in Projekttagen um Werksbesichtigungen (French Process, Norzinco, Goslar) ergänzt.
Describing natural colors with Munsell and NCS color systems
Authors: Pastilha Ruben C. , Linhares João M.M. , Rodrigues Ana I.C. , Nascimento Sérgio M.C. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe Munsell Color System and the Natural Color System are widely used but they have some limitations due to the manufacturing process and sampling choices. To estimate quantitatively these limitations we compared the colors of natural scenes with the colors represented by these systems under a wide range of illuminants. Spectral data from the two systems and from natural scenes were used in the analysis. It was found that a considerable portion of natural colors are not accounted by these systems, mainly colors with low lightness levels. Under D65 the Munsell Color System color volume corresponds to 72% of the Natural Color System color volume which in turn represents only 53% of the natural scenes color volume. If individual colors are considered, less than half are contained within these systems. To obtain a complete match to the natural colors contained by the color systems thresholds of 7 and 5 CIELAB units would be required for Munsell Color System and Natural Color System, respectively. Variations with the illuminant are generally modest showing that both system work similarly across different illuminations. Although these Color Systems have limitations in describing low lightness colors they perform quite well for medium to high levels of lightness.
The risk of mortality among people with type 2 diabetes in Latin America: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of population‐based cohort studies
Authors: Carrillo‐Larco Rodrigo M. , Barengo Noël C. , Albitres‐Flores Leonardo , Bernabe‐Ortiz Antonio 
Published: February 2019

SummaryType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with a high mortality risk, although the magnitude of this association remains unknown in Latin America (LA). We aimed to assess the strength of the association between T2DM and all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality in population‐based cohort studies in LA.Systematic review and meta‐analysis: inclusion criteria were (1) men and women 18 years old and above with T2DM; (2) study outcomes all‐cause and/or cause‐specific mortality; and (3) using people without T2DM as comparison group. Five databases (Scopus, Medline, Embase, Global Health, and LILACS) were searched. Risk of bias was evaluated with the ROBINS‐I criteria. Initially, there were 979 identified studies, of which 17 were selected for qualitative synthesis; 14 were included in the meta‐analysis (N = 416 821). Self‐reported T2DM showed a pooled relative risk (RR) of 2.49 for all‐causes mortality (I‐squared [I2] = 85.7%, p < 0.001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.96‐3.15). T2DM based on a composite definition was associated with a 2.26‐fold higher all‐cause mortality (I2 = 93.9%, p < 0.001; 95% CI, 1.36‐3.74). The pooled risk estimates were similar between men and women, although higher at younger ages. The pooled RR for cardiovascular mortality was 2.76 (I2 = 59.2%; p < 0.061; 95% CI, 1.99‐3.82) and for renal mortality 15.85 (I2 = 0.00%; p < 0.645; 95% CI, 9.82‐25.57). Using available population‐based cohort studies, this work has identified and estimated the strength of the association between T2DM and mortality in LA. The higher mortality risk compared with high‐income countries deserves close attention from health policies makers and clinicians to improve diabetes care and control hence preventing complications and delaying death.
Half a century of multiple anthropogenic stressors has altered northern forest understory plant communities
Authors: Hedwall Per‐Ola , Gustafsson Lena , Brunet Jörg , Lindbladh Matts , Axelsson Anna‐Lena , Strengbom Joachim 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBoreal forests form the largest and least disturbed forest biome in the northern hemisphere. However, anthropogenic pressure from intensified forest management, eutrophication, and climate change may alter the ecosystem functions of understory vegetation and services boreal forests provide. Swedish forests span long gradients of climate, nitrogen deposition, and management intensity. This makes them ideal to study how the species composition and functions of other, more pristine, boreal forests might change under increased anthropogenic pressure. Moreover, the National Forest Inventory (NFI) has collected systematic data on Swedish forest vegetation since the mid‐20th century. We use this data to quantify changes in vegetation types between two periods, 1953–1962 and 2003–2012. The results show changes in forest understory vegetation since the 1950s at scales not previously documented in the boreal biome. The spatial extent of most vegetation types changed significantly. Shade‐adapted and nutrient‐demanding species (those with high specific leaf area) have become more common at the expense of light‐demanding and nutrient‐conservative (low specific leaf area) species. The cover of ericaceous dwarf shrubs decreased dramatically. These effects were strongest where anthropogenic impacts were greatest, suggesting links to drivers such as nitrogen deposition and land‐use change. These changes may impact ecosystem functions and services via effects on higher trophic levels and faster plant litter decomposition in the expanding vegetation types. This, in turn, may influence nutrient dynamics, and consequently ecosystem productivity and carbon sequestration.
Results of disseminating an online screen for eating disorders across the U.S.: Reach, respondent characteristics, and unmet treatment need
Authors: Fitzsimmons‐Craft Ellen E. , Balantekin Katherine N. , Graham Andrea K. , Smolar Lauren , Park Dan , Mysko Claire , Funk Burkhardt , Taylor C. Barr , Wilfley Denise E. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe treatment gap between those who need and those who receive care for eating disorders is wide. Scaling a validated, online screener that makes individuals aware of the significance of their symptoms/behaviors is a crucial first step for increasing access to care. The objective of the current study was to determine the reach of disseminating an online eating disorder screener in partnership with the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), as well to examine the probable eating disorder diagnostic and risk breakdown of adult respondents. We also assessed receipt of any treatment.MethodParticipants completed a validated eating disorder screen on the NEDA website over 6 months in 2017.ResultsOf 71,362 respondents, 91.0% were female, 57.7% 18–24 years, 89.6% non‐Hispanic, and 84.7% White. Most (86.3%) screened positive for an eating disorder. In addition, 10.2% screened as high risk for the development of an eating disorder, and only 3.4% as not at risk. Of those screening positive for an eating disorder, 85.9% had never received treatment and only 3.0% were currently in treatment.DiscussionThe NEDA online screen may represent an important eating disorder detection tool, as it was completed by >71,000 adult respondents over just 6 months, the majority of whom screened positive for a clinical/subclinical eating disorder. The extremely high percentage of individuals screening positive for an eating disorder who reported not being in treatment suggests a wide treatment gap and the need to offer accessible, affordable, evidence‐based intervention options, directly linked with screening.
Within‐generation consequences of postsettlement mortality for trait composition in wild populations: An experimental test
Authors: Ciotti Benjamin J. , Planes Serge 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThere is a critical need to understand patterns and causes of intraspecific variation in physiological performance in order to predict the distribution and dynamics of wild populations under natural and human‐induced environmental change. However, the usual explanation for trait differences, local adaptation, fails to account for the small‐scale phenotypic and genetic divergence observed in fishes and other species with dispersive early life stages. We tested the hypothesis that local‐scale variation in the strength of selective mortality in early life mediates the trait composition in later life stages. Through in situ experiments, we manipulated exposure to predators in the coral reef damselfish Dascyllus aruanus and examined consequences for subsequent growth performance under common garden conditions. Groups of 20 recently settled D. aruanus were outplanted to experimental coral colonies in Moorea lagoon and either exposed to natural predation mortality (52% mortality in three days) or protected from predators with cages for three days. After postsettlement mortality, predator‐exposed groups were shorter than predator‐protected ones, while groups with lower survival were in better condition, suggesting that predators removed the longer, thinner individuals. Growth of both treatment groups was subsequently compared under common conditions. We did not detect consequences of predator exposure for subsequent growth performance: Growth over the following 37 days was not affected by the prior predator treatment or survival. Genotyping at 10 microsatellite loci did indicate, however, that predator exposure significantly influenced the genetic composition of groups. We conclude that postsettlement mortality did not have carryover effects on the subsequent growth performance of cohorts in this instance, despite evidence for directional selection during the initial mortality phase.
Electro‐osmotic surface effects generation in an electrokinetic‐based transport device: A comparison of RF and MW plasma generating sources
Authors: Adekanmbi Ezekiel O. , Dustin Jeremiah , Srivastava Soumya K. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIt is a common practice in insulator‐based dielectrophoretic separation to use and reuse PDMS‐constructed microdevice for an extended period of time while performing biological and technical replicate experiments. This is usually done to rule out any effects of device variation on separation efficiency. Ensuring that all experimental conditions remain the same is critical to the conclusion that can be drawn from such repeated experiments. One important contributing factor to the flow of materials within the device is electro‐osmotic velocity, which stems from the surface condition of the device construction materials. In this paper, we present an affordable microwave‐based (MESA‐Mgen) oxygen plasma cleaner developed for approximately less than $100 using readily obtainable parts from an average local hardware store with no specialized tools. This low‐cost room‐air microwave plasma generator was designed using an R‐4055, 400 W, 2450 MHz half‐pint household microwave oven (Sharp®) for exploring the possibility of sealing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) devices onto glass with minimal budgetary commitment. Microfluidic channels generated using MESA‐Mgen were evaluated for their electro‐osmotic velocities while factors including contact angles, storage‐solvent, half‐way hydrophobicity period were also explored with MESA‐Mgen, and the results were compared to those obtained from the commercially available plasma cleaner (COM‐PC). These outcomes revealed that the MESA‐Mgen induced hydrophilicity and ensured leak‐free sealing of PDMS substrates in a manner comparable with the COM‐PC.