bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Construction of bioengineered hepatic tissue derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells via aggregation culture in porcine decellularized liver scaffolds
Authors: Li Yi , Wu Qiong , Wang Yujia , Li Li , Chen Fei , Shi Yujun , Bao Ji , Bu Hong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBackgroundAn individualized, tissue‐engineered liver suitable for transplanting into a patient with liver disease would be of great benefit to the patient and the healthcare system. The tissue‐engineered liver would possess the functions of the original healthy organ. Two fields of study, (i) using decellularized tissue as cell scaffolding, and (ii) stem cell differentiation into functional cells, are coming together to make this concept feasible. The decellularized liver scaffolds (DLS) can interact with cells to promote cell differentiation and signal transduction and three‐dimensional (3D) stem cell aggregations can maintain the phenotypes and improve functions of stem cells after differentiation by undergoing cell‐cell contact. Although the effects of DLS and stem cell aggregation culture have been intensively studied, few observations about the interaction between the two have been achieved.MethodsWe established a method that combines the use of decellularized liver scaffolds and aggregation culture of MSCs (3D‐DLS) and explored the effects of the two on hepatic differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC‐MSCs) in bioengineered hepatic tissue.ResultsA higher percentage of albumin‐producing cells, higher levels of liver‐specific transcripts, higher urea cycle‐related transcripts, and lower levels of stem cell‐specific transcripts were observed in the 3D‐DLS group when compared to that of hUC‐MSCs in monolayer culture (2D), aggregation culture (3D), monolayer on DLS culture (2D‐DLS). The gene arrays also indicated that 3D‐DLS induced the differentiation from the hUC‐MSC phenotype to the PHH phenotype. Liver‐specific proteins albumin, CK‐18, and glycogen storage were highly positive in the 3D‐DLS group. Albumin secretion and ammonia conversion to urea were more effective with a higher cell survival rate in the 3D‐DLS group for 14 days.ConclusionThis DLS and aggregation combination culture system provides a novel method to improve hepatic differentiation, maintain phenotype of hepatocyte‐like cells and sustain survival for 14 days in vitro. This is a promising strategy to use to construct bioengineered hepatic tissue.
Habitar, percibir y narrar el territorio. La construcción subjetiva de una tensión rural/urbana
Authors: Trimano Luciana 
Published: January 2017

<p>Para los habitantes nativos de Las Calles —una localidad del Valle de Traslasierra, en la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina— desde hace diez años ‘su’ pueblo comenzó a cambiar debido al impacto de la migración urbana. La sociedad receptora entiende las trasformaciones fisonómicas de la comunidad a partir de la referencia temporal ‘antes/ahora’ y percibe el arribo de citadinos al poblado como invasivo. El propósito de este trabajo es reflexionar sobre las transformaciones espaciales, identitarias<br />y relacionales de esta pequeña localidad a partir de los relatos identitarios de los habitantes autóctonos. Se indagan interpretaciones y percepciones que se nutren de imaginarios diversos en torno a nociones como desarrollo, progreso, pertenencia, bienestar, trabajo, espacio, tiempo y, sobre todo, en cuanto a la percepción de quién es el ‘otro’. En este contexto, la diversidad de procedencias, pertenencias, tradiciones y valores ponen en juego la configuración de la identidad local.</p>
La vivienda digna y la vivienda adecuada. Estado del debate
Authors: Mejía-Escalante Mónica 
Published: January 2017

<p>En la búsqueda por una delimitación conceptual de la vivienda digna y de la vivienda adecuada, realizamos una revisión bibliográfica, en grandes bases de documentación académica del mundo, bajo estas dos expresiones en español, inglés y portugués, utilizando herramientas cienciométricas y de análisis de contenido. Esta búsqueda reveló asuntos y enfoques objeto de investigación actual, pero resalta un uso no diferenciado entre estas dos nociones en ámbitos diversos como la política urbana, el mercado inmobiliario o el ámbito académico; situación que consideramos importante porque presuponemos que aun cuando vivienda digna, vivienda adecuada, y demás expresiones afines pueden ser términos equivalentes, no tienen el mismo alcance conceptual. Pocos autores abordan esta delimitación, solo algunos debaten sobre la vivienda desde la perspectiva de los derechos al exponer que la dignidad puede observarse en el espacio, como perspectivas para diferenciar lo digno de lo adecuado en la vivienda.</p>
Observation of the Wigner-Huntington transition to metallic hydrogen
Authors: Dias Ranga P. , Silvera Isaac F. 
Published: January 2017

Stamping hydrogen into metal
In 1935, Wigner and Huntington predicted that molecular hydrogen would become an atomic metal at a pressure of 25 GPa. Eighty years and more than 400 GPa later, Dias and Silvera have finally produced metallic hydrogen at low temperature. The metallization occurred between 465 and nearly 500 GPa at 5.5 K. Spectroscopic measurements verified that hydrogen was in the atomic state. The observation completes an unexpectedly long quest to find the metallic hydrogen that Wigner and Huntington predicted so long ago.

Science
, this issue p.
715
Draft Genome Sequences of Semiconstitutive Red, Dry, and Rough Biofilm-Forming Commensal and Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Isolates
Authors: Cimdins Annika , Lüthje Petra , Li Fengyang , Ahmad Irfan , Brauner Annelie , Römling Ute 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Strains of
Escherichia coli
exhibit diverse biofilm formation capabilities.
E. coli
K-12 expresses the red, dry, and rough (rdar) morphotype below 30°C, whereas clinical isolates frequently display the rdar morphotype semiconstitutively. We sequenced the genomes of eight
E. coli
strains to subsequently investigate the molecular basis of semiconstitutive rdar morphotype expression.
Draft Genome Sequence of the Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens Strain CREA-C16 Isolated from Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Rhizosphere
Authors: D’Agostino Nunzio , Sorrentino Roberto , Scotti Riccardo , Salzano Melania , Aurilia Vincenzo , Zaccardelli Massimo 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Herein, we report the draft genome sequence of
Pseudomonas fluorescens
strain CREA-C16, a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium that was isolated from the rhizosphere of
Pisum sativum
L. plants. The genome sequence is ~6 Mb in size, with a G+C content of 60.1%, and includes 4,457 candidate protein-encoding genes.
Beatrice Hill Virus Represents a Novel Species in the Genus
Tibrovirus
(
Mononegavirales
:
Rhabdoviridae
)
Authors: Wiley Michael R. , Prieto Karla , Blasdell Kim R. , Caì Yíngyún , Campos Lawson Cristine , Walker Peter J. , Chiu Charles Y. , Palacios Gustavo , Kuhn Jens H. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

The rhabdoviral genus
Tibrovirus
currently has three official members assigned to two species: Bivens Arm virus and Tibrogargan virus (species
Tibrogargan tibrovirus
) and Coastal Plains virus (species
Coastal Plains tibrovirus
). Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a new putative member of this genus, Beatrice Hill virus. Although relatively closely related to the three classified viruses, Beatrice Hill virus represents a novel
Tibrovirus
species.
Draft Genome Sequence of Sorghum Grain Mold Fungus
Epicoccum sorghinum
, a Producer of Tenuazonic Acid
Authors: Oliveira Rodrigo C. , Davenport Karen W. , Hovde Blake , Silva Danielle , Chain Patrick S. G. , Correa Benedito , Rodrigues Debora F. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

The facultative plant pathogen
Epicoccum sorghinum
is associated with grain mold of sorghum and produces the mycotoxin tenuazonic acid. This fungus can have serious economic impact on sorghum production. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of
E. sorghinum
(USPMTOX48).
Draft Genome Sequence of Weissella confusa MBF8-1, a Glucansucrase- and Bacteriocin-Producing Strain Isolated from a Homemade Soy Product
Authors: Heng Nicholas C. K. , Yeh Chia-Wen , Malik Amarila 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

We report here the draft genome sequence of
Weissella confusa
MBF8-1, an isolate from a homemade fermented soybean product that produces sucrases and exhibits antibacterial (bacteriocin) activity. The draft genome of
W. confusa
MBF8-1 comprises a 2.2-Mbp chromosome and a 17.8-kbp bacteriocin-encoding plasmid. Two putative glucansucrase genes were also identified.
Draft Genome Sequence of
Bacillus
sp. FMQ74, a Dairy-Contaminating Isolate from Raw Milk
Authors: Okshevsky Mira , Regina Viduthalai R. , Marshall Ian P. G. , Schreiber Lars , Meyer Rikke L. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Representatives of the genus
Bacillus
are common milk contaminants that cause spoilage and flavor alterations of dairy products.
Bacillus
sp. FMQ74 was isolated from raw milk on a Danish dairy farm. To elucidate the genomic basis of this strain’s survival in the dairy industry, a high-quality draft genome was produced.
Draft Genome Sequence of Nocardioides luteus Strain BAFB, an Alkane-Degrading Bacterium Isolated from JP-7-Polluted Soil
Authors: Brown Lisa M. , Gunasekera Thusitha S. , Ruiz Oscar N. 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Nocardioides luteus
strain BAFB is a Gram-positive bacterium that efficiently degrades C
8
to C
11
alkanes aerobically. The draft genome of
N. luteus
BAFB is 5.76 Mb in size, with 5,358 coding sequences and 69.9% G+C content. The genes responsible for alkane degradation are present in this strain.
Complete Genome Sequence of the Dairy Isolate Lactobacillus acidipiscis ACA-DC 1533
Authors: Kazou Maria , Alexandraki Voula , Pot Bruno , Tsakalidou Effie , Papadimitriou Konstantinos 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT

Lactobacillus acidipiscis
is a Gram-positive lactic acid bacterium belonging to the
Lactobacillus salivarius
clade. Here, we present the first complete genome sequence of
L. acidipiscis
isolated from traditional Greek Kopanisti cheese. Strain ACA-DC 1533 may play a key role in the strong organoleptic characteristics of Kopanisti cheese.
The Geomycology of Elemental Cycling and Transformations in the Environment
Authors: Gadd Geoffrey Michael 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT
Geomicrobiology addresses the roles of microorganisms in geological and geochemical processes, and geomycology is a part of this topic focusing on the fungi. Geoactive roles of fungi include organic and inorganic transformations important in nutrient and element cycling, rock and mineral bioweathering, mycogenic biomineral formation, and metal-fungal interactions. Lichens and mycorrhizas are significant geoactive agents. Organic matter decomposition is important for cycling of major biomass-associated elements, e.g., C, H, N, O, P, and S, as well as all other elements found in lower concentrations. Transformations of metals and minerals are central to geomicrobiology, and fungi affect changes in metal speciation, as well as mediate mineral formation or dissolution. Such mechanisms are components of biogeochemical cycles for metals as well as associated elements in biomass, soil, rocks, and minerals, e.g., S, P, and metalloids. Fungi may have the greatest geochemical influence within the terrestrial environment. However, they are also important in the aquatic environment and are significant components of the deep subsurface, extreme environments, and habitats polluted by xenobiotics, metals, and radionuclides. Applications of geomycology include metal and radionuclide bioleaching, biorecovery, detoxification, bioremediation, and the production of biominerals or metal(loid) elements with catalytic or other properties. Adverse effects include biodeterioration of natural and synthetic materials, rock and mineral-based building materials (e.g., concrete), cultural heritage, metals, alloys, and related substances and adverse effects on radionuclide mobility and containment. The ubiquity and importance of fungi in the biosphere underline the importance of geomycology as a conceptual framework encompassing the environmental activities of fungi.
Nematode-Trapping Fungi
Authors: Jiang Xiangzhi , Xiang Meichun , Liu Xingzhong 
Published: January 2017

ABSTRACT
Nematode-trapping fungi are a unique and intriguing group of carnivorous microorganisms that can trap and digest nematodes by means of specialized trapping structures. They can develop diverse trapping devices, such as adhesive hyphae, adhesive knobs, adhesive networks, constricting rings, and nonconstricting rings. Nematode-trapping fungi have been found in all regions of the world, from the tropics to Antarctica, from terrestrial to aquatic ecosystems. They play an important ecological role in regulating nematode dynamics in soil. Molecular phylogenetic studies have shown that the majority of nematode-trapping fungi belong to a monophyletic group in the order Orbiliales (Ascomycota). Nematode-trapping fungi serve as an excellent model system for understanding fungal evolution and interaction between fungi and nematodes. With the development of molecular techniques and genome sequencing, their evolutionary origins and divergence, and the mechanisms underlying fungus-nematode interactions have been well studied. In recent decades, an increasing concern about the environmental hazards of using chemical nematicides has led to the application of these biological control agents as a rapidly developing component of crop protection.
Silica nanoparticles induce cardiotoxicity interfering with energetic status and Ca2+ handling in adult rat cardiomyocytes
Authors: Guerrero-Beltrán Carlos Enrique , Bernal-Ramírez Judith , Lozano Omar , Oropeza-Almazán Yuriana , Castillo Elena Cristina , Garza Jesús Roberto , García Noemí , Vela Jorge , García-García Alejandra , Ortega Eduardo , Torre-Amione Guillermo , Ornelas-Soto Nancy , García-Rivas Gerardo 
Published: January 2017

Recent evidence has shown that nanoparticles that have been used to improve or create new functional properties for common products may pose potential risks to human health. Silicon dioxide (SiO2) has emerged as a promising therapy vector for the heart. However, its potential toxicity and mechanisms of damage remain poorly understood. This study provides the first exploration of SiO2-induced toxicity in cultured cardiomyocytes exposed to 7- or 670-nm SiO2 particles. We evaluated the mechanism of cell death in isolated adult cardiomyocytes exposed to 24-h incubation. The SiO2 cell membrane association and internalization were analyzed. SiO2 showed a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration for the 7 nm (99.5 ± 12.4 µg/ml) and 670 nm (>1,500 µg/ml) particles, which indicates size-dependent toxicity. We evaluated cardiomyocyte shortening and intracellular Ca2+ handling, which showed impaired contractility and intracellular Ca2+ transient amplitude during β-adrenergic stimulation in SiO2 treatment. The time to 50% Ca2+ decay increased 39%, and the Ca2+ spark frequency and amplitude decreased by 35 and 21%, respectively, which suggest a reduction in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) activity. Moreover, SiO2 treatment depolarized the mitochondrial membrane potential and decreased ATP production by 55%. Notable glutathione depletion and H2O2 generation were also observed. These data indicate that SiO2 increases oxidative stress, which leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and low energy status; these underlie reduced SERCA activity, shortened Ca2+ release, and reduced cell shortening. This mechanism of SiO2 cardiotoxicity potentially plays an important role in the pathophysiology mechanism of heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden death. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Silica particles are used as novel nanotechnology-based vehicles for diagnostics and therapeutics for the heart. However, their potential hazardous effects remain unknown. Here, the cardiotoxicity of silica nanoparticles in rat myocytes has been described for the first time, showing an impairment of mitochondrial function that interfered directly with Ca2+ handling.
Influence of sex on microvascular and macrovascular responses to prolonged sitting
Authors: Vranish Jennifer R. , Young Benjamin E. , Kaur Jasdeep , Patik Jordan C. , Padilla Jaume , Fadel Paul J. 
Published: January 2017

Increased daily sitting time is associated with greater cardiovascular risk, and, on average, women are more sedentary than men. Recent reports have demonstrated that prolonged sitting reduces lower leg microvascular (reactive hyperemia) and macrovascular [flow-mediated dilation (FMD)] vasodilator function. However, these studies have predominately included men, and the effects of sitting in young women are largely unexplored. This becomes important given known sex differences in vascular function. Thus, herein, we assessed popliteal artery reactive hyperemia and FMD before and after a 3-h sitting period in healthy young women ( n = 12) and men ( n = 8). In addition, resting popliteal artery hemodynamics (duplex Doppler ultrasound) and calf circumference were measured before, during, and after sitting. Resting popliteal artery shear rate was reduced to a similar extent in both groups during the sitting period (women: −48.5 ± 8.4 s−1 and men: −52.9 ± 12.3 s−1, P = 0.45). This was accompanied by comparable increases in calf circumference in men and women ( P = 0.37). After the sitting period, popliteal artery FMD was significantly reduced in men (PreSit: 5.5 ± 0.9% and PostSit: 1.6 ± 0.4%, P < 0.001) but not women (PreSit: 4.4 ± 0.6% and PostSit: 3.6 ± 0.6%, P = 0.29). In contrast, both groups demonstrated similar reductions in hyperemic blood flow area under the curve (women: −28,860 ± 5,742 arbitrary units and men: −28,691 ± 9,685 arbitrary units, P = 0.99), indicating impaired microvascular reactivity after sitting. These findings indicate that despite comparable reductions in shear rate during 3 h of uninterrupted sitting, macrovascular function appears protected in some young women but the response was variable, whereas men exhibited more consistent reductions in FMD. In contrast, the leg microvasculature is susceptible to similar sitting-induced impairments in men and women. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We demonstrate that leg macrovascular function was consistently reduced in young men but not young women after prolonged sitting. In contrast, both men and women exhibited similar reductions in leg microvascular reactivity after sitting. These data demonstrate, for the first time, sex differences in vascular responses to prolonged sitting.
The history of the microsphere method for measuring blood flows with special reference to myocardial blood flow: a personal memoir
Authors: Hoffman Julien I. E. 
Published: January 2017

We use many types of equipment and technologies to make our measurements but give little thought to how they developed. Evolution was once described as a series of recoils from blind alleys, and this is exemplified by the gradual development of the microsphere method of measuring blood flows. The microsphere method is one of the most frequently used methods for measuring blood flow to organs and portions of organs. The method can measure myocardial blood flow with reasonable accuracy (within 10%) down to samples weighing >50 mg but probably will not do so for samples weighing 1–10 mg. Microspheres with diameters from 10 to 15 μm provide the best compromise between accurate flow measurement and retention in tissue. Radioactive labels have been almst entirely replaced by fluorescent labels, but colored microspheres and neutron-activated labels are also used. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The contributions of the various individuals who developed the microsphere method of measuring regional blood flows and how these advances took place are brought to light in this paper.
NFAT regulation of cystathionine γ-lyase expression in endothelial cells is impaired in rats exposed to intermittent hypoxia
Authors: Gonzalez Bosc Laura V. , Osmond Jessica M. , Giermakowska Wieslawa K. , Pace Carolyn E. , Riggs Jennifer L. , Jackson-Weaver Olan , Kanagy Nancy L. 
Published: January 2017

Sleep apnea is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and intermittent hypoxia (IH, 20 episodes/h of 5% O2-5% CO2 for 7 h/day) to mimic sleep apnea increases blood pressure and impairs hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-induced vasodilation in rats. The enzyme that produces H2S, cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE), is decreased in rat mesenteric artery endothelial cells (EC) following in vivo IH exposure. In silico analysis identified putative nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) binding sites in the CSE promoter. Therefore, we hypothesized that IH exposure reduces Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]) activation of calcineurin/NFAT to lower CSE expression and impair vasodilation. In cultured rat aortic EC, inhibiting calcineurin with cyclosporine A reduced CSE mRNA, CSE protein, and luciferase activity driven by a full-length but not a truncated CSE promoter. In male rats exposed to sham or IH conditions for 2 wk, [Ca2+] in EC in small mesenteric arteries from IH rats was lower than in EC from sham rat arteries (Δfura 2 ratio of fluorescence at 340 to 380 nm from Ca2+ free: IH = 0.05 ± 0.02, sham = 0.17 ± 0.03, P < 0.05), and fewer EC were NFATc3 nuclear positive in IH rat arteries than in sham rat arteries (IH = 13 ± 3, sham = 59 ± 11%, P < 0.05). H2S production was also lower in mesenteric tissue from IH rats vs. sham rats. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation to acetylcholine (ACh) was lower in mesenteric arteries from IH rats than in arteries from sham rats, and inhibiting CSE with β-cyanoalanine diminished ACh-induced vasodilation in arteries from sham but not IH rats but did not affect dilation to the H2S donor NaHS. Thus, IH lowers EC [Ca2+], NFAT activity, CSE expression and activity, and H2S production while inhibiting NFAT activation lowers CSE expression. The observations that IH exposure decreases NFATc3 activation and CSE-dependent vasodilation support a role for NFAT in regulating endothelial H2S production. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study identifies the calcium-regulated transcription factor nuclear factor of activated T cells as a novel regulator of cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE). This pathway is basally active in mesenteric artery endothelial cells, but, after exposure to intermittent hypoxia to mimic sleep apnea, nuclear factor of activated T cells c3 nuclear translocation and CSE expression are decreased, concomitant with decreased CSE-dependent vasodilation.