bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A six‐microRNA risk score model predicts prognosis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Mao Yu , Fu Zhanzhao , Zhang Yunjie , Dong Lixin , Zhang Yanqiu , Zhang Qiang , Li Xin , Wang Chao 
Published: November 2018

AbstractEsophageal cancer ranks the eighth most common cancer and the sixth most common cause of cancer death worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate a wide variety of cancer‐related cellular processes. In the current study, a series of previously published gene expression microarray data from Gene Expression Ominus and The Cancer Genome Atlas were downloaded and further divided into training, internal, and external validation sets. Least absolute shrinkage and selectionator operator Cox regression model along with 10‐fold cross‐validation was performed to select the miRNAs associated with the prognosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and constructed a six‐miRNA signature. Then the prediction accuracy of this signature was assessed in validation and test set using Kaplan–Meier analysis, time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and dynamic area under the ROC curve. According to the result, the prediction accuracy of miRNA signature was much better than that of tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage in all the three sets. Stratified analysis also demonstrated that the predict ability of this signature was independent of TNM stage. Finally, function experiments including apoptosis and colony formation assay were performed to further reveal the regulatory role of miRNAs in ESCC. Our study demonstrated the promising potential application of this novel six‐miRNA signature as an independent biomarker for survival prediction of ESCC patients.
Toll‐like receptor 3 agonist poly I:C reinforces the potency of cytotoxic chemotherapy via the TLR3‐UNC93B1‐IFN‐β signaling axis in paclitaxel‐resistant colon cancer
Authors: Zhao Jiaojiao , Xue Yaxian , Pan Yuchen , Yao Anran , Wang Guoqun , Li Dan , Wang Tingting , Zhao Shuli , Hou Yayi 
Published: November 2018

AbstractType I interferon (IFN) signaling in neoplastic cells has a chemo‐sensitizing effect in cancer therapy. Toll‐like receptor 3 (TLR3) activation promotes IFN‐β production, which induces apoptosis and impairs proliferation in some cancer cells. Herein, we tested whether the TLR3 agonist polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) can improve chemotherapeutic efficacy in paclitaxel (PTX) resistant cell lines. Human colon cancer cell lines HCT116, SW620, HCT‐8 (sensitive to PTX), and HCT‐8/PTX (resistant to PTX) were treated with poly I:C and the cell viability was measured. Results showed that poly I:C specifically impaired the cell viability of HCT‐8/PTX by simultaneously promoting cell apoptosis and inhibiting cell proliferation. In addition, when TLR3 was overexpressed in HCT‐8/PTX cells, we found that TLR3 contributed to the production of IFN‐β that reduced cell viability, and poly I:C preferentially activated the TLR3‐UNC93B1 signaling pathway to mediate this effect. Moreover, cotreatment of poly I:C and PTX acted synergistically to induce cell apoptosis of HCT‐8/PTX via upregulating the expression of TLR3 and its molecular chaperone UNC93B1, assisting in the secretion of IFN‐β. Notably, a combination of poly I:C and PTX synergistically inhibited the PTX‐resistant tumor growth in vivo without side effects. In conclusion, our studies demonstrate that poly I:C reinforces the potency of cytotoxic chemotherapeutics in PTX‐resistant cell line through the TLR3‐UNC93B1‐IFN‐β signaling pathway, which supplies a novel mechanism of poly I:C for the chemotherapy sensitizing effect in a PTX‐resistant tumor.
Gene expression profiling of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells during osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Jiang He , Hong Tao , Wang Tao , Wang Xinping , Cao Lingling , Xu Xiaoyuan , Zheng Meirong 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveOsteogenesis is a multiple‐step process through which osteoblasts are derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with multilineage differentiation potential. This study aimed to analyze gene expression profiling during osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.Materials and MethodsHuman MSCs were isolated and induced for differentiation in osteogenic medium. Full‐genome gene expression microarrays and gene ontology analysis were performed.ResultsA total of 1,680 differentially expressed genes in differentiated MSCs were identified including 430 upregulated and 1,250 downregulated. Moreover, pathway‐act‐network analysis showed that cell cycle, p53 signaling pathway and focal adhesion, had high degree (>5). The ribonucleotide reductase M1, thymidine kinase 1 and histone cluster 1 H3e also showed high degree (>10). Polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed the differential expression of insulin‐like growth factor binding protein 3, SMAD family member 3, transforming growth factor beta 2, and fibroblast growth factor 14 in differentiated MSCs.ConclusionsGene expression profiling provides a foundation to reveal the mechanisms that regulate osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.
Identification of intracellular peptides associated with thermogenesis in human brown adipocytes
Authors: Li Yun , Wang Xing , Wang Fei , You Lianghui , Xu Pengfei , Cao Yan , Chen Ling , Wen Juan , Guo Xirong , Cui Xianwei , Ji Chenbo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractObjectivesCurrently, brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a therapeutic target in obesity and diabetes, but the mechanism of BAT activation remains unclear. Because increasing emphasis has been placed on the role of intracellular peptides in biological processes, we conducted a study to gain insight into the mechanism of BAT activation by using a peptidomic approach and then attempted to identify peptides that are capable of activating BAT.MethodsIn the present study, we generated the peptidomic profile of the intracellular peptides in brown adipocytes treated with forskolin (FSK) using a peptidomic approach. Then, the differentially expressed peptides were evaluated via Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment, KEGG pathway, and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. Finally, we selected candidate peptides for further validation via assessing the expression levels of UCP‐1 and PGC‐1α in brown adipocytes exposed to the peptides.ResultsA total of 4,370 peptides were identified, of which 951 were upregulated and 379 were downregulated after FSK treatment. Bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that the ECM‐receptor interaction GO term was the most enriched and that collagen alpha‐related proteins exhibited the highest degree of PPI. Four peptides separately derived from TSC22 domain family protein 1 (T22D1), bromodomain and WD repeat‐containing protein 1 (BRWD1), protein piccolo (PCLO), and collagen alpha‐1 (III) chain (CO3A1) increased the expression levels of UCP‐1 and PGC‐1α.ConclusionsECM‐receptor interaction may play an important role in the process of FSK‐stimulated BAT activation, and the pT22D1tide, pBRWD1tide, pPCLOtide, and pCO3A1tide peptides potentially promote BAT thermogenesis.
Unloading of intercellular tension induces the directional translocation of PKCα
Authors: Sera Toshihiro , Arai Masataka , Cui Zhonghua , Onose Koichi , Karimi Alireza , Kudo Susumu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe migration of endothelial cells (ECs) is closely associated with a Ca2+‐dependent protein, protein kinase Cα (PKCα). The disruption of intercellular adhesion by single‐cell wounding has been shown to induce the directional translocation of PKCα. We hypothesized that this translocation of PKCα is induced by mechanical stress, such as unloading of intercellular tension, or by intercellular communication, such as gap junction‐mediated and paracrine signaling. In the current study, we found that the disruption of intercellular adhesion induced the directional translocation of PKCα even when gap junction‐mediated and paracrine signaling were inhibited. Conversely, it did not occur when the mechanosensitive channel was inhibited. In addition, the strain field of substrate attributable to the disruption of intercellular adhesion tended to be larger at the areas corresponding with PKCα translocation. Recently, we found that a direct mechanical stimulus induced the accumulation of PKCα at the stimulus area, involving Ca
2+ influx from extracellular space. These results indicated that the unloading of intercellular tension induced directional translocation of PKCα, which required Ca
2+ influx from extracellular space. The results of this study indicate the involvement of PKCα in the Ca
2+ signaling pathway in response to mechanical stress in ECs.
HDAC3 inhibition disrupts the assembly of meiotic apparatus during porcine oocyte maturation
Authors: Gu Ling , Li Xiaoyan , Liu Xiaohui , Gao Min , He Yongfu , Xiong Bo , Liu Honglin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHistone deacetylases (HDACs) are involved in a wide array of biological processes. However, the role of HDAC3 in porcine oocytes remains unclear. In the current study, we examine the effects of HDAC3 inhibition on porcine oocyte maturation using RGFP966, a selective HDAC3 inhibitor. We find that suppression of HDAC3 activity prevents not only the expansion of cumulus cells but also the meiotic progression of oocytes. It is interesting to note that HDAC3 displays a spindle‐like distribution pattern as the porcine oocytes enter meiosis. In line with this, confocal microscopy reveals the high frequency of spindle defects and chromosomal congression failure in metaphase oocytes exposed to RGFP966. Moreover, HDAC3 inhibition results in the hyperacetylation of α‐tubulin during oocyte meiosis. These findings indicate that HDAC3 activity might control the microtubule stability via the deacetylation of tubulin, which is critical for maintaining the proper spindle assembly, accurate chromosome separation, and orderly meiotic progression during porcine oocyte maturation.
miR‐21 and miR‐19b delivered by hMSC‐derived EVs regulate the apoptosis and differentiation of neurons in patients with spinal cord injury
Authors: Xu Guanghui , Ao Rongguang , Zhi Zhongzheng , Jia Jianbo , Yu Baoqing 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundIn this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of extracellular vesicles (EVs), which were collected from differentiated PC12 cells and mesenchymal cells (MSCs), on the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). In addition, we aimed to identify miRNAs related to the inhibitory effect of EVs against cell apoptosis.MethodsElectron microscopy was used to observe the distributions of EVs in the samples. Real‐time PCR, western blot, thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and flow cytometry were performed to establish the molecular signaling pathway underlying the effect of EVs in SCI. In addition, a Basso–Beattie–Bresnahan (BBB) score system, Nissl staining, immunohistochemistry assay, and TdT‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) assay were conducted to validate the molecular signaling pathway established above.ResultsThe expression of miR‐21 and miR‐19b was upregulated in EVs isolated from induced PC12 cells and MSCs, along with decreased expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) messenger RNA (mRNA)/protein and a lower level of cell apoptosis. The transfection of miR‐21/miR‐19b precursors into the cells also exhibited an inhibitory effect on cell apoptosis. In addition, in‐silicon analysis and luciferase assays validated the role of PTEN as a virtual target of miR‐21/miR‐19b. Finally, the BBB scores and Nissl staining also validated the therapeutic effects of EVs derived from differentiated P12 cells/MSCs in SCI rats. Accordingly, the negative correlations between miR‐21/miR‐19b and PTEN mRNA/protein were implicated in the post‐SCI recovery.ConclusionsThe increased levels of miR‐21/miR‐19b in the EVs derived from differentiated PC12 cells and MSCs suppresses the apoptosis of neuron cells by downregulating the expression of PTEN.
Thymoquinone‐induced antitumor and apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Samarghandian Saeed , Azimi‐Nezhad Mohsen , Farkhondeh Tahereh 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundLung cancer has been associated with the highest cancer‐associated mortality rate in the world. Chemotherapeutic management of cancer necessitates introducing new promising agents. Plants represent a rich source of new antineoplastic and chemotherapeutic agents. Thymoquinone (TQ), the main constituent of Nigella sativa (black seed or black cumin), has shown potent antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities so far. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the antineoplastic potential of TQ and their underlying mechanisms in A549 cells (human lung cancer cell line).MethodThe A549 cells were treated with the different concentrations of TQ for three following days. Cell viability was assessed by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Necrosis and apoptosis were assessed by fluorescence‐activated cell sorter analysis through propidium iodide and annexin V staining and also by assessing caspase‐3 and ‐9 activation. DNA fragmentation was monitored by gel electrophoresis.ResultsTQ decreased the viability and increased apoptotic cell death in A549 human lung tumor cells. TQ treatment significantly elevated the Bax/
Bcl‐2 ratio in the lung cancer cells. TQ also upregulated p53 expression, another apoptotic modulator in A549 cancer cells. TQ also activated caspase‐dependent apoptosis by the activation of caspases‐3 and ‐9.ConclusionOur results proposed that TQ may be a potential new therapeutic agent for the management of lung cancer. TQ promoted apoptosis in A546 lung cancer cells by the activation of p53 and caspase cascade dependent pathways.
Adverse effects of acrolein, a ubiquitous environmental toxicant, on muscle regeneration and mass
Authors: Chen Huang‐Jen , Wang Ching‐Chia , Chan Ding‐Cheng , Chiu Chen‐Yuan , Yang Rong‐Sen , Liu Shing‐Hwa 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundAcrolein is an extremely electrophilic aldehyde. Increased urinary acrolein adducts have been found in type 2 diabetic patients and people with a smoking habit. The increased blood acrolein was shown in patients who received the cancer drug cyclophosphamide. Both diabetes and smoking are risk factors for skeletal muscle wasting or atrophy. Acrolein has been found to induce myotube atrophy in vitro. The in vitro and in vivo effects and mechanisms of acrolein on myogenesis and the in vivo effect of acrolein on muscle wasting still remain unclear.MethodsC2C12 myoblasts were used to assess the effects of low‐dose acrolein (0.125–1 μM) on myogenesis in vitro. Mice were exposed daily to acrolein in distilled water by oral administration (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) for 4 weeks with or without glycerol‐induced muscle injury to investigate the effects of acrolein on muscle wasting and regeneration.ResultsNon‐cytotoxic‐concentration acrolein dose dependently inhibited myogenic differentiation in myoblasts (myotube formation inhibition: 0.5 and 1 μM, 66.25% and 46.25% control, respectively, n = 4, P < 0.05). The protein expression for myogenesis‐related signalling molecules (myogenin and phosphorylated Akt: 0.5 and 1 μM, 85.15% and 51.52% control and 62.63% and 56.57% control, respectively, n = 4, P < 0.05) and myosin heavy chain (MHC: 0.5 and 1 μM, 63.64% and 52.53% control, n = 4, P < 0.05) were decreased in acrolein‐treated myoblasts. Over‐expression of the constitutively active form of Akt in myoblasts during differentiation prevented the inhibitory effects of acrolein (1 μM) on myogenesis (MHC and myogenin protein expression: acrolein with or without constitutively active Akt, 64.65% and 105.21% control and 69.14% and 102.02% control, respectively, n = 5, P < 0.05). Oral administration of acrolein for 4 weeks reduced muscle weights (5 mg/kg/day: 65.52% control, n = 6, P < 0.05) and cross‐sectional area of myofibers in soleus muscles (5 mg/kg/day: 79.92% control, n = 6, P < 0.05) with an up‐regulation of atrogin‐1 and a down‐regulation of phosphorylated Akt protein expressions. Acrolein retarded soleus muscle regeneration in a glycerol‐induced muscle regeneration mouse model (5 mg/kg/day: 49.29% control, n = 4, P < 0.05). Acrolein exposure reduced muscle endurance during rotarod fatigue performance in mice with or without glycerol‐induced muscle injury (5 mg/kg/day without glycerol: 30.43% control, n = 4, P < 0.05). Accumulation of acrolein protein adducts could be detected in the soleus muscles of acrolein‐treated mice.ConclusionsLow‐dose acrolein significantly inhibited myogenic differentiation in vitro, which might be through inhibition of Akt signalling. Acrolein induced muscle wasting and retarded muscle regeneration in mice. These results suggest that acrolein may be a risk factor for myogenesis and disease‐related myopathy.
Multinodular fatty change in the liver in three patients with chronic hepatic porphyria: Contribution of sonography to the diagnosis
Authors: Naganuma Hiroko , Ishida Hideaki , Yoshida Makoto , Funaoka Masato , Ito Shuichi , Ohyama Yoko 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWe present three cases of chronic hepatic porphyria (CHP) in alcoholic patients, in which grayscale ultrasound (US) revealed multiple echogenic masses in the liver, mimicking multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma on alcoholic liver injury. In all cases, contrast‐enhanced US (CEUS) showed iso‐enhancement of the mass lesions throughout all vascular phases. Additionally, two‐dimensional shear wave elastography (2DSWE) (performed in two cases) revealed the mass to have almost the same SWE value as the surrounding parenchyma. When encountering alcoholic patients with multiple echogenic masses in the liver, CHP must be included in the differential diagnosis. CEUS and 2DSWE allow us to increase our diagnostic confidence of CHP.
High‐resolution GC/MS studies of a light crude oil fraction
Authors: Kondyli Aikaterini , Schrader Wolfgang 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe continuous development in analytical instrumentation has brought the newly developed Orbitrap‐based gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC/MS) instrument into the forefront for the analysis of complex mixtures such as crude oil. Traditional instrumentation usually requires a choice to be made between mass resolving power or an efficient chromatographic separation, which ideally enables the distinction of structural isomers that is not possible by mass spectrometry alone. Now, these features can be combined, thus enabling a deeper understanding of the constituents of volatile samples on a molecular level. Although electron ionization is the most popular ionization method employed in GC/MS analysis, the need for softer ionization methods has led to the utilization of atmospheric pressure ionization sources. The last arrival to this family is the atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI), which was originally developed for liquid chromatography / mass spectrometry (LC/MS). With a newly developed commercial GC‐APPI interface, it is possible to extend the characterization of unknown compounds. Here, first results about the capabilities of the GC/MS instrument under high or low energy EI or APPI are reported on a volatile gas condensate. The use of different ionization energies helps matching the low abundant molecular ions to the structurally important fragment ions. A broad range of compounds from polar to medium polar were successfully detected and complementary information regarding the analyte was obtained.
The strategic configurations as a contingency factor in the success of operational risk measures
Authors: Amedzro St‐Hilaire Walter 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe loan loss provisions and risk measures may be needed to examine the repercussions on the advancing approach profitability. The more loan loss provision, capital adequacy ratio, and risks measures are accurate, the more banks can enhance their profitability and cater the need of their target audience. Loan loss provisions are increasing in the tax rate for countries that permit general provision tax deductibility. They have a negative relationship with profitability of financial institution.
Synergistic Influence of pH and Temperature on Rheological Behavior of Adhesive Emulsions Stabilized with Micelle Dispersion of an Anionic Surfactant
Authors: Kundu Partha , Kumar Vimal , Scales Peter J. , Mishra Indra Mani 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe influence of emulsion pH and temperature on the rheological behavior of adhesive oil‐in‐water (o/w) emulsions stabilized with an anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, SDBS) was studied. The flow properties of emulsions as a complex fluid were investigated using steady and dynamic rheometry for characterization of non‐Newtonian behavior. Emulsion pH was varied from 2 to 12 and temperature was varied from 20 to 50 °C, respectively. The influences of the above‐mentioned variables on the rheology of o/w emulsion were studied using steady‐shear and dynamic oscillatory experiments. Various viscosity models (2, 3, and 4 parameter rheological model) were used to predict the rheological parameters. An increase in the pH of the emulsion led to an increase in the emulsion stability, viscosity, and viscoelastic properties (
G′,
G″,
η*, and tan δ), and a decrease in the mean droplet size of the emulsion. A decrease in the temperature yields higher values of steady‐shear viscosity and viscoelastic properties upon a decrease in droplet size. Emulsions were characterized as flocculated structured liquid exhibiting a characteristic crossover frequency (
ω*) within the range of angular frequency studied in oscillatory measurements. Overall, emulsions exhibited non‐Newtonian shear‐thinning behavior and the synergy of pH and temperature significantly influences the emulsion rheology.
Randomized controlled trial comparing short‐term outcomes of laparoscopic and open spleen‐preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy for advanced proximal gastric cancer: An interim report
Authors: Guo Xin , Peng Zheng , Lv Xiaohui , Cui Jianxin , Zhang Kecheng , Li Jiyang , Jin Naizhong , Xi Hongqi , Wei Bo , Chen Lin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesWe compared the clinical outcomes of laparoscopic and open spleen‐preserving splenic hilar lymphadenectomy (LSPL and OSPL) for gastric cancer.MethodsWe performed a single‐center, randomized, controlled trial to compare the short‐term surgical outcomes between LSPL and OSPL. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02980861).ResultsA total of 222 patients were enrolled (114 in the LSPL group and 108 in the OSPL group). There were no significant differences between the two groups in operative time (P = 0.152), a number of harvested lymph nodes (P = 0.669) including no. 10 lymph nodes (2.1 ± 1.4 vs 2.3 ± 1.2,P = 0.713). The time taken for no. 10 lymph node dissection was similar in both groups (13.9 ± 10.4 vs 15.2 ± 9.4 minutes,P = 0.217); however, the LSPL group experienced less total blood loss (P < 0.001) and less blood loss during no. 10 lymph node dissection compared with the OSPL group (15.3 ± 37.8 vs 29.5 ± 36.4 mL,P < 0.001). The postoperative complication rates of LSPL and OSPL were 18.3% and 16.1%, respectively (P = 0.331).ConclusionLSPL is a safe and feasible surgical procedure in no. 10 LN dissection for patients with advanced proximal gastric cancer. Thus, this prospective trial is continuing.