bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The indirect and intangible impacts of a telecentre on a rural community
Authors: Tabassum Ghazala , Kulathuramaiyer Narayanan , Harris Roger , Yeo Alvin W. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe paper explores the impact of a telecentre on the community living in Bario, a small village in the highlands of Malaysian Borneo. Specifically, it addresses indirect and intangible impacts on non‐users of telecentre. Thus, far most research studies have primarily focused on direct and tangible impacts of telecentre on its users whilst impact on non‐users is least covered and understood. Consequently, it was equally essential to study the concept of unquantifiable intangible impacts experienced by the non‐users. Sen's “Capability Approach” (CA) was adopted to understand the impact of telecentre on human development. “The Most Significant Change” (MSC) was employed as a tool for collecting data in the form of stories from the telecentre users and non‐users. The process involved gathering stories about the telecentre impact from the Bario community people. The MSC stories with significance relevance were identified and selected with the help of the community. Those were then analysed using the content analysis technique and Leximancer to identify the patterns of change experienced by the respondents. The results of the study on the whole suggests that the Bario community has benefited from the use of the telecentre, both directly and indirectly, including intangible impacts such as connectedness, a sense of belongingness, strengthened social ties, and psychological empowerment (self‐esteem and self‐efficacy). The theoretical approach together with methodological approach provided a base for understanding ways to conceptualize the development and determine the ways in which telecentre contributed directly or indirectly to the social and economic development of the community inhabitants.
Exosomal sphingosine 1‐phosphate secreted by mesenchymal stem cells regulated Treg/Th17 balance in aplastic anemia
Authors: Li Yingmei , Wang Fang , Guo Rong , Zhang Yinyin , Chen Dandan , Li Xue , Tian Wenliang , Xie Xinsheng , Jiang Zhongxing 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis study was designed to explore whether exosomal sphingosine 1‐phosphate (S1P) from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) regulate the Treg/Th17 balance in aplastic anemia (AA) patients and to validate the underlying mechanism. To address this, exosomes from human bone marrow MSCs (MSCs‐Exos) were co‐cultured with CD4+ T cells from AA patients (AA CD4+ T cells), which were transfected with si‐S1PR1, si‐S1PR3, or not. The proportion of Th17 and Treg was evaluated by flow cytometry. The levels of Th17‐associated interleukin‐17 (IL‐17), Treg‐associated IL‐10, and transforming growth factor‐β were determined by ELISA. S1P content in MSCs‐Exos isolated from control, si‐SphK1, or si‐SphK2 transfected MSCs was examined by LC–MS/MS. Hematoxylin and eosin staining of bone marrow tissues was performed to evaluate the effect of MSCs‐Exos in AA mice. Our results showed that MSCs‐Exos reversed the increased Th17/Treg in AA through SphK1‐mediated exosomal S1P enrichment. Furthermore, the promotion of Treg differentiation by exosomal S1P from MSCs was mediated through the receptor S1PR1 expressed on CD4+ T cells. Further in vivo experiments showed that MSCs‐Exos reversed the increased Th17/Treg and alleviated AA progression in AA mice. In summary, SphK1‐mediated enrichment of exosomal S1P secreted by MSCs reversed the increased Treg/Th17 ratio via the receptor S1PR1 in AA patients. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 71(9):1284–1292, 2019
Nonlinear‐optical stain‐free stereoimaging of astrocytes and gliovascular interfaces
Authors: Lanin Aleksandr A. , Pochechuev Matvei S. , Chebotarev Artem S. , Kelmanson Ilya V. , Belousov Vsevolod V. , Zheltikov Aleksei M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractMethods of nonlinear optics provide a vast arsenal of tools for label‐free brain imaging, offering a unique combination of chemical specificity, the ability to detect fine morphological features, and an unprecedentedly high, subdiffraction spatial resolution. While these techniques provide a rapidly growing platform for the microscopy of neurons and fine intraneural structures, optical imaging of astroglia still largely relies on filament‐protein‐antibody staining, subject to limitations and difficulties especially severe in live‐brain studies. Once viewed as an ancillary, inert brain scaffold, astroglia are being promoted, as a part of an ongoing paradigm shift in neurosciences, into the role of a key active agent of intercellular communication and information processing, playing a significant role in brain functioning under normal and pathological conditions. Here, we show that methods of nonlinear optics provide a unique resource to address long‐standing challenges in label‐free astroglia imaging. We demonstrate that, with a suitable beam‐focusing geometry and careful driver‐pulse compression, microscopy of second‐harmonic generation (SHG) can enable a high‐resolution label‐free imaging of fibrillar structures of astrocytes, most notably astrocyte processes and their endfeet. SHG microscopy of astrocytes is integrated in our approach with nonlinear‐optical imaging of red blood cells based on third‐harmonic generation (THG) enhanced by a three‐photon resonance with the Soret band of hemoglobin. With astroglia and red blood cells providing two physically distinct imaging contrasts in SHG and THG channels, a parallel detection of the second and third harmonics enables a high‐contrast, high‐resolution, stain‐free stereoimaging of gliovascular interfaces in the central nervous system. Transverse scans of the second and third harmonics are shown to resolve an ultrafine texture of blood‐vessel walls and astrocyte‐process endfeet on gliovascular interfaces with a spatial resolution within 1 μm at focusing depths up to 20 μm inside a brain.
2,3,5,4′‐Tetrahydroxystilbene‐2‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside eliminates ischemia/reperfusion injury–induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes apoptosis involving in Bcl‐2, Bax, caspase‐3, and Akt activation
Authors: Sun Tao , Liu Han , Cheng Yutong , Yan Lixiao , Krittanawong Chayakrit , Li Shihong , Qian Wang , Su Wang , Chen Xuanzu , Hou Xuejian , Zhang Hongju 
Published: March 2019

AbstractObjectiveThis study was designed to explore the protective effect of 2,3,5,4′‐tetrahydroxystilbene‐2‐O‐β‐d‐glucoside (TSG) against ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury–induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis.MethodsThe H9c2 cell I/R injury model was induced by simultaneous shortage of nutrients and oxygen. TSG administration (0.10, 0.25, and 0.50 mM) was performed before and during I/R stimulation. Cell apoptosis was evaluated using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assay. Expression of cell‐related proteins was detected to assess the effect of TSG on cell apoptosis.ResultsI/R injury induced significant cell apoptosis. Significantly decreased Bcl‐2 and increased Bax, caspase‐3, and p‐Akt expression (
P < 0.01) was detected in the cell model of I/R injury. In contrast, TSG administration eliminated all the changes induced by I/R injury in a dose‐dependent manner. Compared with the H9c2 cell model of I/R injury, the H9c2 cells treated with 0.50 mM TSG showed the lowest cell apoptosis percentage, the highest expression of Bcl‐2, and the lowest expression of Bax, caspase‐3, and p‐Akt (
P < 0.01).ConclusionWe confirmed that the protective effect of TSG against I/R injury–induced cell apoptosis in H9c2 in vitro was associated with the Bcl‐2/Bax ratio, caspase‐3, and Akt activation.
Stimulatory effects of platycodin D on osteoblast differentiation
Authors: Han Younho , Jin Sun Woo , Lee Gi Ho , Choi Jae Ho , Lee Hyun Sun , Chung Young Chul , Jeong Hye Gwang , Lee Kwang Youl 
Published: March 2019

AbstractPrevious studies have suggested that platycodin D is implicated in bone biology and ameliorates osteoporosis development. Platycodin D repressed the osteoclast activity and enhanced bone mineral density in the mouse model. However, the effects of platycodin D on osteoblast differentiation have not been elucidated yet. In C3H10T1/2 cells, platycodin D upregulated osteogenic markers including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone sialoprotein, and collagen type 1 alpha 1, and transcription factors, such as Runx2 and osterix, subsequently enhancing the bone mineralization. In a molecular mechanism study, platycodin D induced β‐catenin nuclear accumulation by upregulating GSK3β phosphorylation. Furthermore, platycodin D upregulated the ALP activity and enhanced the mineralization process in osteoblast cells via the sirtuin 1/β‐catenin pathways. Taken together, these results suggested that platycodin D could be an effective therapeutic compound against osteoporosis because of its regulatory effects during the osteoblast differentiation.
Review on chemogenomic approaches towards hepatitis C viral targets
Authors: Venkatesan Arthi , Prabhu Dass J. Febin 
Published: March 2019

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) is the most prevalent viral pathogen that infects more than 185 million people worldwide. HCV infection leads to chronic liver diseases such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) are the recent combination therapy for HCV infection with reduced side effects than prior therapies. Sustained virological response (SVR) acts as a gold standard marker to monitor the success of antiviral treatment. Older treatment therapies attain 50‐55% of SVR compared with DAAs which attain around 90‐95%. The current review emphasizes the recent chemogenomic updates that have been unfolded through structure‐based drug design of HCV drug target proteins (NS3/4A, NS5A, and NS5B) and ligand‐based drug design of DAAs in achieving a stable HCV viral treatment strategies.
Mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into keratinocytes and express epidermal kallikreins: Towards an in vitro model of human epidermis
Authors: dos Santos Jeniffer Farias , Borçari Nathália Ruder , da Silva Araújo Mariana , Nunes Viviane Abreu 
Published: March 2019

AbstractEpidermal differentiation is a complex process in which keratinocytes go through morphological and biochemical changes in approximately 15 to 30 days. Abnormal keratinocyte differentiation is involved in the pathophysiology of several skin diseases. In this scenario, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) emerge as a promising approach to study skin biology in both normal and pathological conditions. Herein, we have studied the differentiation of MSC from umbilical cord into keratinocytes. MSC were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) (proliferation medium) and, after characterization, differentiation was induced by culturing cells in a defined keratinocyte serum‐free medium (KSFM) supplemented with epidermal growth factor (EGF) and calcium chloride ions. Cells cultivated in DMEM were used as control. Cultures were evaluated from day 1 to 23, based on the cell morphology, the expression of p63, involucrin and cytokeratins (KRTs) KRT5, KRT10 and KRT14, by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis or immunofluorescence, and by the detection of epidermal kallikreins activity. In cells grown in keratinocyte serum‐free medium with EGF and 1.8 mM calcium, KRT5 and KRT14 expression was shown at the first day, followed by the expression of p63 at the seventh day. KRT10 expression was detected from day seventh while involucrin was observed after this period. Data showed higher kallikrein (KLK) activity in KSFM‐cultured cells from day 11th in comparison to control. These data indicate that MSC differentiated into keratinocytes similarly to that occurs in the human epidermis. KLK activity detection appears to be a good methodology for the monitoring the differentiation of MSC into the keratinocyte lineage, providing useful tools for the better understanding of the skin biology.
Isofraxidin attenuates IL‐1β‐induced inflammatory response in human nucleus pulposus cells
Authors: Su Xiaoqiang , Liu Bo , Gong Futai , Yin Jichao , Sun Qing , Gao Ye , Lv Zeyi , Wang Xiangyang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractInflammation has been demonstrated to be the key factor for intervertebral disc degeneration (IVD), which remains a major public health problem. Isofraxidin is a coumarin compound that possesses strong anti‐inflammatory activity. However, the role of isofraxidin in IVD remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of isofraxidin on inflammatory response in human nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) exposed to interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). The results proved that isofraxidin attenuated the IL‐1β‐induced significant increases in inflammatory mediators and cytokines including nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), and IL‐6. Besides, isofraxidin also inhibited the induction effect of IL‐1β on matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)‐3 and MMP‐13. Moreover, the NF‐κB activation caused by IL‐1β was significantly inhibited by isofraxidin treatment. These findings suggested that isofraxidin alleviates IL‐1β‐induced inflammation in NPCs. Our work provided an idea that isofraxidin might act as a novel preventive role in IVD.
Association of PON1 gene promoter DNA methylation with the risk of Clopidogrel resistance in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Su Jia , Li Jiyi , Yu Qinglin , Xu Xiaofeng , Wang Jingqiao , Yang Jin , Li Xiaojing , Chen Xiaomin 
Published: March 2019

Background and AimsThe failure of therapeutic response to clopidogrel in platelet inhibition, which is called clopidogrel resistance (CR), is more likely to cause cardiovascular events. We aimed to study the contribution of promoter DNA methylation of paraoxonase 1 (PON1) to the risk of clopidogrel poor response.MethodsThrough VerifyNow P2Y12 assay, patient’ platelet functions were measured. Among 57 non‐CR and 49 CR patients, the levels of DNA methylation in four CpG dinucleotides on the PON1 promoter were tested using bisulfite pyrosequencing technology. Besides, the relative expression of PON1 mRNA was analyzed by quantitative real‐time PCR. Logistic regression was applied to investigate the interaction of PON1 methylation and clinical factors in CR.ResultsIn the subgroup with dyslipidemia, we discovered that higher CpG4 levels of the PON1 promoter indicated a poorer clopidogrel response (cases versus controls (%): 51.500 ± 14.742 vs 43.308 ± 10.891, P = 0.036), and the PON1 mRNA expression was reduced in CR patients. Additionally, the logistic regression indicated that higher level of albumin and the index of ALT were related to a lower risk of CR, and the index of AST as well as the quantity of stent may be positively associated with CR.ConclusionsThe DNA methylation of CpG4 in the PON1 promoter would lead to a low expression of PON1 mRNA, which might induce clopidogrel resistance in the patients with dyslipidemia, and the number of stents might be a risk for CR.
Scutellarin exerts protective effects against atherosclerosis in rats by regulating the Hippo–FOXO3A and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways
Authors: Fu Yufeng , Sun Shuangyong , Sun Huijun , Peng Jinyong , Ma Xiaodong , Bao Liuchi , Ji Renpeng , Luo Chunxu , Gao Cong , Zhang Xiaoxue , Jin Yue 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAtherosclerosis (AS), a progressive disorder, is one of the tough challenges in the clinic. Scutellarin, an extract from Herba Erigerontis, is found to have oxygen‐free radicals scavenging effects and antioxidant effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the anti‐AS effects of scutellarin is related to controlling the Hippo–FOXO3A and PI3K/AKT signal pathway. To establish an AS model, the rats in the scutellarin and model groups were intraperitoneally injected with vitamin D
3 and then fed a high‐fat diet for 12 weeks. In addition, in vitro angiotensin II‐induced apoptosis of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were used to establish models. Scutellarin significantly reduced blood lipid levels and increased antioxidase levels in both models. Additionally, scutellarin inhibited reactive oxygen species generation and apoptosis in HAECs. The impaired vascular barrier function was restored by using scutellarin in AS rats and in HAECs cells characterized by inhibiting mammalian sterile‐20‐like kinases 1 (Mst1) phosphorylation, Yes‐associated protein (YAP) phosphorylation, forkhead box O3A (FOXO3A) phosphorylation at serine 207, nuclear translocation of FOXO3A, and upregulating protein expression of AKT and FOXO3A phosphorylation at serine 253. Scutellarin significantly reduced Bcl‐2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim), caspase‐3, APO‐1, CD95 (Fas), and Bax: Bcl‐2‐associated X (Bax) levels and activated Bcl‐2: B‐cell lymphoma‐2 (Bcl‐2). Scutellarin also significantly inhibited the expression of Mst1, YAP, FOXO3A at the messenger RNA level. When Mst1 was overexpressed or phosphoinositide 3‐kinases suppressed, the effects of scutellarin were significantly blocked. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that scutellarin exerts protective effects against AS by inhibiting endothelial cell injury and apoptosis by regulating the Hippo–FOXO3A and PI3K/AKT signal pathways.
Methodological considerations for studies of brain glycogen
Authors: Wu Long , Wong Candance P. , Swanson Raymond A. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractGlycogen stores in the brain have been recognized for decades, but the underlying physiological function of this energy reserve remains elusive. This uncertainty stems in part from several technical challenges inherent in the study of brain glycogen metabolism. These include low glycogen content in the brain, non‐homogeneous labeling of glycogen by radiotracers, rapid glycogenolysis during postmortem tissue handling, and effects of the stress response on brain glycogen turnover. Here we briefly review the aspects of the glycogen structure and metabolism that bear on these technical challenges and present ways they can be addressed.
Remanufacturing and consumers' risky choices: Behavioral modeling and the role of ambiguity aversion
Authors: Abbey James D. , Kleber Rainer , Souza Gilvan C. , Voigt Guido 
Published: March 2019

AbstractWillingness to pay (WTP) is known to be lower for remanufactured products than for comparable new products. Normative work to date has assumed that a consumer's WTP for a remanufactured product is a fraction, called discount factor, of the consumer's WTP for a corresponding new product, and that this discount factor is constant across consumers. Recent empirical research demonstrates, however, that the discount factor is not constant across consumers. This discovery has led researchers to call for an exploration of more refined utility models that incorporate heterogeneous risk preferences through elements such as risk aversion, loss aversion, and ambiguity aversion. To address this call, this article assesses each of these risk preference elements by empirically deriving WTP distributions from two interlinked studies. To provide triangulation in both the empirical method and sample, the interlinked studies employ an online survey and a laboratory experiment that elicits WTP for framed lotteries that proxy the situation of buying remanufactured products. The empirical results and robustness verifications demonstrate that a parsimonious standard utility model incorporating only risk aversion explains the WTP data reasonably well.
Acceleration of bone regeneration of horizontal bone defect in rats using collagen‐binding basic fibroblast growth factor combined with collagen scaffolds
Authors: Nakamura Shin , Ito Takashi , Okamoto Kentaro , Mima Takehiko , Uchida Kentaro , Siddiqui Yasir D. , Ito Masahiro , Tai Masako , Okubo Keisuke , Yamashiro Keisuke , Omori Kazuhiro , Yamamoto Tadashi , Matsushita Osamu , Takashiba Shogo 
Published: March 2019

AbstractBackgroundBasic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has been applied for periodontal regeneration. However, the application depends on bone defect morphology because bFGF diffuses rapidly from defect sites. In a previous study, collagen‐binding bFGF (CB‐bFGF) has been shown to enhance bone formation by collagen‐anchoring in the orthopedic field. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the efficacy of CB‐bFGF with collagen scaffolds in bone regeneration of horizontal bone defect.MethodsCell proliferation activity and collagen binding activity of CB‐bFGF was confirmed by WST‐8 assay and collagen binding assay, respectively. The retention of CB‐bFGF in the collagen sheet (CS) was measured by fluorescence imaging. The rat horizontal alveolar bone defect model was employed to investigate the efficacy of CB‐bFGF with collagen powder (CP). After 4 and 8 weeks, the regenerative efficacy was evaluated by microcomputed tomography, histological, and immunohistochemical analyses.ResultsCB‐bFGF had a comparable proliferation activity to bFGF and a collagen binding activity. CB‐bFGF was retained in CS longer than bFGF. At 8 weeks postoperation, bone volume, bone mineral content, and new bone area in CB‐bFGF/CP group were significantly increased compared with those in other groups. Furthermore, epithelial downgrowth was significantly suppressed in CB‐bFGF/CP group. At 4 weeks, the numbers of osteocalcin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and osteopontin‐positive cells at the regeneration site in CB‐bFGF/CP group were greater than those in other groups.ConclusionsCB‐bFGF/CP effectively promoted bone regeneration of horizontal bone defect possibly by sustained release of bFGF. The potential of CB‐bFGF composite material for improved periodontal regeneration in vertical axis was shown.
Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering based sensing of trans‐urocanic acid, an epidermal photoreceptor using silver nanoparticles aided by density functional theoretical calculations
Authors: Kumar Naveen , Thomas Susy , Rao Rekha , Maiti Nandita , Kshirsagar Rohidas Jagannath. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractTrans‐urocanic acid (t‐UCA) is found predominantly in the stratum corneum of the human skin (4–34 nM/cm2) and acts as photo‐protectant against ultraviolet‐induced DNA damage. On exposure to ultraviolet radiation, t‐UCA isomerizes to cis‐UCA, and recent studies revealed that the immunosuppressive properties of cis‐UCA are linked to skin cancer. Surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), a surface sensitive technique, enabled the detection of t‐UCA down to 50 picomolar concentration with good signal‐to‐noise ratio. Density functional theoretical calculations were also carried out for a detailed understanding of the Raman vibrations and interpreting the metal–molecule interaction. The orientation of the molecule on the silver surface was also deduced from the observed SERS features along with the density functional theoretical calculations. At 50 μM t‐UCA concentration, the molecule interacts chemically through the carboxylate and π electrons of the ethylenic groups assuming a slightly tilted orientation on the silver surface. At concentrations lower than 50 μM, the molecule assumes a flat geometry on the silver surface enabling the interaction through the carboxylate group, the π electrons of the ethylenic CC bond, and also the imidazole ring. The analytical enhancement factors were calculated for the ethylenic CC and carboxylate stretches and were found to be ~108. This is the first report on the trace level sensing of t‐UCA using SERS that may be of relevance in the dermatological studies.