bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Apoptotic and antiproliferative properties of 3β‐hydroxy‐Δ5‐steroidal congeners from a partially purified column fraction of Dendronephthya gigantea against HL‐60 and MCF‐7 cancer cells
Authors: Fernando I. P. Shanura , Sanjeewa K. K. Asanka , Kim Hyun‐Soo , Wang Lei , Lee Won Woo , Jeon You‐Jin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractOrganisms belonging to the genus Dendronephthya are among a group of marine invertebrates that produce a variety of terpenoids with biofunctional properties. Many of these terpenoids have been proven effective as anticancer drugs. Here, we report the antiproliferative effect of 3β‐hydroxy‐Δ5‐steroidal congeners against the proliferation of HL‐60 human leukemia cells and MCF‐7 human breast cancer cells. The sterol‐rich fraction (DGEHF2‐1) inhibited the growth of HL‐60 and MCF‐7 cells with IC50 values of 13.59 ± 1.40 and 29.41 ± 0.87 μg ml–1 respectively. Treatment with DGEHF2‐1 caused a dose‐dependent increase in apoptotic body formation, DNA damage and the sub‐G1 apoptotic cell population. Moreover, DGEHF2‐1 downregulated the expression of Bcl‐xL while upregulating Bax, caspase‐9, and PARP cleavage in both HL‐60 and MCF‐7 cells. The steroid fraction was found to act via the mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis pathway. Identification of the sterols was performed via gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Studying the mechanism of the anticancer effect caused by these sterol derivatives could lead to the identification of other natural products with anticancer properties.
Development of biomimetic thermoplastic polyurethane/fibroin small‐diameter vascular grafts via a novel electrospinning approach
Authors: Yu Emily , Mi Hao‐Yang , Zhang Jue , Thomson James A. , Turng Lih‐Sheng 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA new electrospinning approach for fabricating vascular grafts with a layered, circumferentially aligned, and micro‐wavy fibrous structure similar to natural elastic tissues has been developed. The customized electrospinning collector was able to generate wavy fibers using the dynamic “jump rope” collecting process, which also solved the sample removal problem for mandrel‐type collectors. In this study, natural silk fibroin and synthetic thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) were combined at different weight ratios to produce hybrid small‐diameter vascular grafts. The purpose of combining these two materials was to leverage the bioactivity and tunable mechanical properties of these natural and synthetic materials. Results showed that the electrospun fiber morphology was highly influenced by the material compositions and solvents employed. All of the TPU/fibroin hybrid grafts had mechanical properties comparable to natural blood vessels. The circumferentially aligned and wavy biomimetic configuration provided the grafts with a sufficient toe region and the capacity for long‐term usage under repeated dilatation and contraction. Cell culture tests with human endothelial cells (EC) also revealed high cell viability and good biocompatibility for these grafts. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 985–996, 2018.
The molecular basis of cytotoxicity of α‐spinasterol from Ganoderma resinaceum: Induction of apoptosis and overexpression of p53 in breast and ovarian cancer cell lines
Authors: Sedky Nada K. , El Gammal Zaynab H. , Wahba Amir E. , Mosad Eman , Waly Zahraa Y. , El‐Fallal Amira Ali , Arafa Reem K. , El‐Badri Nagwa 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDespite advances in therapy of breast and ovarian cancers, they still remain among the most imperative causes of cancer death in women. The first can be considered one of the most widespread diseases among females, while the latter is more lethal and needs prompt treatment. Thus, the research field can still benefit from discovery of new compounds that can be of potential use in management of these grave illnesses. We hereby aimed to assess the antitumor activity of the phytosterol α‐spinasterol isolated from Ganoderma resinaceum mushroom on human breast cancer cell lines (MCF‐7, MDA‐MB‐231), as well as, on human ovarian cancer cell line (SKOV‐3). The anti‐tumor activity of α‐spinasterol, isolated from the mycelial extract of the Egyptian G. resinaceum, on human breast and ovarian cancer cell lines was evaluated by MTT cell viability assay and AnnexinV/propidium iodide apoptosis assay. The molecular mechanism underlying this effect was assessed by the relative expression of the following markers; tumor suppressor (p53, BRCA1, BRCA2), apoptotic marker (Bax) and cell cycle progression markers (cyclin dependent kinases cdk4/6) using real‐time PCR. Cell cycle analysis was performed for the three investigated cancer cell lines to explore the effect on cell cycle progression. Our findings showed that α‐spinasterol exhibited a higher antitumor activity on MCF‐7 cells relative to SKOV‐3 cells, while its lowest antitumor activity was against MDA‐MB‐231 cells. A significant increase in the expression of p53 and Bax was observed in cells treated with α‐spinasterol, while cdk4/6 were significantly down‐regulated upon exposure to α‐spinasterol. Cell cycle analysis of α‐spinasterol treated cells showed a G0‐G1 arrest. In conclusion, α‐spinasterol isolated from G. resinaceum mushroom exerts a potent inhibitory activity on breast and ovarian cancer cell lines in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. This can be reasonified in lights of the compound's ability to increase p53 and Bax expressions, and to lower the expression of cdk4/6.
Model‐Based Evaluation of Proximal Sodium Reabsorption Through SGLT2 in Health and Diabetes and the Effect of Inhibition With Canagliflozin
Authors: Brady Jessica A. , Hallow K. Melissa 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) reduce glucose levels in diabetes by inhibiting renal glucose reabsorption in the proximal tubule (PT), resulting in urinary glucose excretion. A recent large cardiovascular outcomes trial suggested that the SGLT2i empagliflozin may also decrease risk of renal dysfunction. Because sodium (Na) and glucose reabsorption are coupled through SGLT2, it is hypothesized that the renal benefits may be derived from lowering Na reabsorption in the PT, which would lead to favorable renal hemodynamic changes. However, the quantitative contribution of SGLT2 to PT Na reabsorption, as well as the differences between healthy and diabetic subjects, and the impact of SGLT2i on PT Na reabsorption are unknown. In this study we extended an existing mathematical model of glucose dynamics to account for renal glucose filtration and excretion. We utilized this model to quantify glucose and Na reabsorption through SGLT2 in healthy, controlled, and uncontrolled diabetes and following treatment with canagliflozin. In healthy, controlled diabetic, and uncontrolled diabetic states, Na reabsorption through SGLT2 was found to be 5.7%, 11.5%, and 13.7% of total renal Na reabsorption, and 7.1% to 9.5%, 14.4% to 19.2%, and 17.1% to 22.8% of sodium reabsorption in the PT alone. The model predicted that treatment of controlled diabetes with canagliflozin returns PT Na reabsorption through SGLT2 to normal levels. The degree of increased PT Na reabsorption due to SGLT2 is likely sufficient to drive pathologic changes in renal hemodynamics, and restoration of normal Na reabsorption through SGLT2 may contribute to beneficial renal effects of SGLT2 inhibition.
A novel classification scheme to decline the mortality rate among women due to breast tumor
Authors: Mughal Bushra , Sharif Muhammad , Muhammad Nazeer , Saba Tanzila 
Published: November 2017

AbstractEarly screening of skeptical masses or breast carcinomas in mammograms is supposed to decline the mortality rate among women. This amount can be decreased more on development of the computer‐aided diagnosis with reduction of false suppositions in medical informatics. Our aim is to provide a robust tumor detection system for accurate classification of breast masses using normal, abnormal, benign, or malignant classes. The breast carcinomas are classified on the basis of observed classes. This is highly dependent on feature extraction process. In propose work, a novel algorithm for classification based on the combination of top Hat transformation and gray level co‐occurrence matrix with back propagation neural network. The aim of this study is to present a robust classification model for automated diagnosis of the breast tumor with reduction of false assumptions in medical informatics. The proposed method is verified on two datasets MIAS and DDSM. It is observed that rate of false positives decreased by the proposed method to improve the performance of classification, efficiently.
Workforce engagement: What it is, what drives it, and why it matters for organizational performance
Authors: Schneider Benjamin , Yost Allison B. , Kropp Andrea , Kind Cory , Lam Holly 
Published: November 2017

SummaryBased on a review of the history of the employee engagement construct and its measurement, we define workforce engagement as the aggregate of the work engagement experiences of individual employees in an organization. In contrast to most research on employee engagement, we study companies rather than individuals and the companies represent a diverse set of industries. We hypothesize and demonstrate on a sample of (up to) 102 publicly traded companies that workforce engagement significantly predicts organizational financial (adjusting for industry: Return on Assets, Net Margin but not Tobin's q) and customer metrics (the American Customer Satisfaction Index and the Harris Reputation Quotient) 1 and 2 years after the workforce engagement data were collected. In addition, using a split‐sample approach to avoid method bias, we hypothesize and show that (a) company organizational practices (the strongest correlate), supervisory support, and work attributes are significant correlates of workforce engagement and (b) that workforce engagement mediates the relationship between these correlates of engagement and the organizational performance metrics. Implications of the findings for research and practice are discussed.
Synoptic climatology of winter daily temperature extremes in Sapporo, northern Japan
Authors: Farukh M. A. , Yamada Tomohito J. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTExtreme winter daily temperature is an important parameter for determining winter precipitation. This study used a principal component analysis and k‐means clustering to characterize the circulation patterns of extreme daily temperatures for 19 winter seasons in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Climatological anomaly maps were constructed for sea level pressure (SLP) and the 500‐hPa geopotential height for the identified minimum (Tmin10; 239 days) and maximum (Tmax90; 236 days) daily temperature extremes. The Tmax90 SLP anomaly pattern was the opposite (west–east orientation) of the Tmin10 pattern. The circulation patterns that predominantly contributed to winter rainfall were derived from cyclones over the Sea of Japan via instability created by abundant heat and moisture over the ocean and a strong positive 500‐hPa height anomaly over Hokkaido.
Three‐dimensional MoS2‐NS@Au‐NPs hybrids as SERS sensor for quantitative and ultrasensitive detection of melamine in milk
Authors: Liang Xiu , Zhang Xiao‐Juan , You Ting‐Ting , Yang Nan , Wang Guang‐Sheng , Yin Peng‐Gang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMoS2, a novel inorganic graphene analogues with typical two‐dimensional structure, has attracted increasing interest in various fields. MoS2‐based hybrid plasmonic structures have been extensively investigated as higher quality surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. Herein, we have designed a three‐dimensional (3D) MoS2 nanospheres (NSs) based hybrid nanostructure as SERS sensor by decorating Au nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of 3D MoS2‐NSs (3D MoS2‐NS@Au‐NPs). 3D MoS2‐NSs acts as (a) a stable scaffold for Au NPs decoration via microwave‐irradiation hydrothermal process, (b) a chemical mechanism source for Raman enhancement, and (c) a 3D spatial structure for generation of more effective hot spots due to Au coupling effect and supply larger surface area for adsorbing probe molecules. The 3D MoS2‐NS@Au‐NPs hybrid structure exhibits 56‐fold improvement on enhancement factor compared to two‐dimensional MoS2‐NST@Au‐NPs hybrid structures. SERS performance was easily and effectively optimized with the tuning of the density and sizes of Au NPs. The optimized 3D MoS2‐NS@Au‐NPs was applied as SERS sensor for melamine detection in milk. Quantitative detection was realized in the range of 1 ppb–10 ppm with a linear coefficient of .997. Excellent sensitivity of 1 ppb and uniformity of 10.12% relative standard deviation was achieved, which could meet the demand for melamine detection as prescribed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Utility of Shear Wave Elastography for Assessing Allograft Fibrosis in Renal Transplant Recipients: A Pilot Study
Authors: Early Heather M. , Cheang Ellen C. , Aguilera Jorge M. , Hirschbein Jonah S. W. , Fananapazir Ghaneh , Wilson Machelle D. , McGahan John P. 
Published: November 2017

ObjectivesTo evaluate the utility of ultrasound‐based shear wave elastography (SWE) as a noninvasive method to accurately detect and potentially stage the severity of renal allograft fibrosis and assess its user reproducibility.MethodsIn this Institutional Review Board–approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act–compliant prospective study, 70 renal transplant recipients underwent an SWE evaluation of their allograft followed directly by biopsy. Two radiologists performed separate SWE measurement acquisitions and the mean, median, and standard deviation of 10 SWE measurements, obtained separately within the cortex and the medulla, were automatically computed. Each patient's SWE results were subsequently compared to their histologic fibrosis scores. The Fisher exact test and univariate logistic regression models were fit to test for associations between the presence of fibrosis (yes/no) as well as categorical SWE results based on the fibrosis severity, ranging from F0 (no fibrosis) to F3 (severe fibrosis), correlating with histologic scores according to the 2007 Banff classification system. Interobserver and intraobserver correlations were also examined.ResultsOur median medulla SWE values reached statistical significance (P = .04) in association with fibrosis. Furthermore, for every unit increase in the median medulla SWE measurement, the odds of fibrosis increased by approximately 20%. No statistical significance was found for mean cortical, median cortical, or mean medullary SWE values (P = .32, .37, and .06, respectively) in association with fibrosis.ConclusionsThe use of SWE for assessing renal allograft fibrosis is challenging but promising. Further investigation with a larger sample size remains to validate our initial results and establish clinical relevance.
Colonizing tropical seagrasses increase root exudation under fluctuating and continuous low light
Authors: Martin Belinda C. , Statton John , Siebers Andre R. , Grierson Pauline F. , Ryan Megan H. , Kendrick Gary A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWhile light availability plays a critical role in seagrass growth and distribution, there is limited understanding of how changes in light exposure impact belowground processes. We investigated the effect of prolonged and fluctuating reductions in light on root growth and exudation by three colonizing seagrasses: Cymodocea serrulata, Halophila ovalis, and Halodule uninervis. Seagrasses were grown in mesocosms under continuous full light (control), under continuous light reduction (medium or low), or under fluctuating light (10 d of low and 4 d of high light, repeated three times). Plants were harvested (1) 6 weeks after light treatments (impact), and (2) after an additional 4 weeks of continuous full light (recovery). Root exudates were collected from trap solutions and measured for dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total dissolved nitrogen (TDN), and dissolved organic matter (DOM) excitation/emission fluorescence spectroscopy. Root biomass decreased in all shading treatments. The most notable impact of light treatment was an increase in root exudation of DOC, protein‐like DOM and humic‐like DOM under fluctuating light for all species. After 4 weeks of recovery, exudation of DOC, and protein‐like DOM observed under fluctuating light returned to the control light levels. However exudation of DOC and protein‐like DOM by H. ovalis grown in continuous low light remained greater than the control, likely due to root death. This study suggests the belowground environment of seagrasses is sensitive to light reduction. Monitoring changes in root exudation of seagrasses can provide an effective and rapid method to assess light stress and short‐term recovery of seagrasses.
Hyaluronic Acid‐Based Micelles as Ocular Platform to Modulate the Loading, Release, and Corneal Permeation of Corticosteroids
Authors: Bongiovì Flavia , Di Prima Giulia , Palumbo Fabio S. , Licciardi Mariano , Pitarresi Giovanna , Giammona Gaetano 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe aim of this work is to prepare hyaluronic acid‐based micelles as a platform to load corticosteroid drugs and to improve their corneal permeation after administration on the ocular surface. Three amphiphilic derivatives of hyaluronic acid (HA) are synthesized using different amounts of hexadecylamine (C16‐NH2). HAC16a, HAC16b, and HAC16c derivatives are able to form micelles by the cosolvent evaporation method and to entrap corticosteroids (dexamethasone, triamcinolone, triamcinolone acetonide). HAC16a and HAC16b micelles show the best results in terms of drug loading and particle size. They are also able to improve drug release compared to free drug solution or suspension. In addition, HAC16b micelles show an optimal mucoadhesion and compatibility with human corneal epithelial cells. In vitro and ex vivo permeation studies of drug‐loaded HAC16b micelles are performed to understand the ability of these micelles to act as penetration and/or permeation enhancers.
3D Printed Anchoring Sutures for Permanent Shaping of Tissues
Authors: Wei Wei , Li Yuxiao , Yang Huazhe , Nassab Reza , Shahriyari Fatemeh , Akpek Ali , Guan Xiaofei , Liu Yanhui , Taranejoo Shahrouz , Tamayol Ali , Zhang Yu Shrike , Khademhosseini Ali , Jang Hae Lin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSutures are one of the most widely used devices for adhering separated tissues after injury or surgery. However, most sutures require knotting, which can create a risk of inflammation, and can act as mechanically weak points that often result in breakage and slipping. Here, an anchoring suture is presented with a design that facilitates its propagation parallel to the suturing direction, while maximizing its resistive force against the opposite direction of external force to lock its position in tissues. Different microstructures of suture anchors are systematically designed using orthogonal arrays, and selected based on shape factors associated with mechanical strength. 3D printing is used to fabricate different types of hollow microstructured suture anchors, and optimize their structure for the effective shaping of tissues. To define the structural design for fixing tissues, the maximum force required to pull 3D printed anchors in different directions is examined with tissues. The tissue reshaping function of suture anchors is further simulated ex vivo by using swine ear, nose, and skin, and bovine muscle tendon. This study provides advantages for building functional sutures that can be used for permanently reshaping tissues with enhanced mechanical strength, eliminating the need for knotting to improve surgical efficiency.
Fabrication of Polymer Structure among Fibrous Structure of Poly(lactic acid) Gel and Improvement of Physical Properties
Authors: Matsuda Yasuhiro , Ashizawa Hiroki , Fukui Takahiro , Akao Ryo , Tasaka Shigeru 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPolymer structure of a block copolymer of poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) and polystyrene (PS) is formed among a fibrous structure of PLLA inducing the gelation of PLLA in N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF). The results of static and dynamic light scattering show the formation and growth of aggregates of the block copolymer (PLLA‐b‐PS) to form aggregates in DMF. The gels formed by the fibrous structure of PLLA in DMF are immersed in DMF solutions of PLLA‐b‐PS to allow the PLLA‐b‐PS chains to penetrate among the fibrous structure. The morphology of PLLA‐b‐PS in the gel is observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. Viscoelastic measurements of the gel before and after the immersion indicate that the structure of the PLLA‐b‐PS elevates the flow temperature.
Weak Morrey spaces with applications
Authors: Sawano Yoshihiro , El‐Shabrawy Saad R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe main object of this investigation is to study weak Morrey spaces. Block spaces, which are preduals of weak Morrey spaces, are characterized. Besides, the Fatou property of block spaces is proved. Finally, as an application, we study the boundedness of singular integral operators in weak Morrey spaces.
On the extremal Betti numbers of the binomial edge ideal of closed graphs
Authors: de Alba Hernán , Hoang Do Trong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe study the equality of the extremal Betti numbers of the binomial edge idealand those of its initial idealfor a closed graphG. We prove that in some cases there is a unique extremal Betti number forand as a consequence there is a unique extremal Betti number forand these extremal Betti numbers are equal.
Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Semilicoisoflavone B Reduce Aβ Secretion by Increasing PPARγ Expression and Inhibiting STAT3 Phosphorylation to Inhibit BACE1 Expression
Authors: Gu Ming‐Yao , Chun Yoon Sun , Zhao Dong , Ryu Shi Yong , Yang Hyun Ok 
Published: November 2017

ScopeGlycyrrhiza uralensis extract (GUE) has been reported to improve amyloid beta (Aβ)‐induced cognitive deficits in mice. However, the mechanisms underlying this effect and the components involved have not been previously explored. Extracellular Aβ plaques are one of the major pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, decreasing Aβ levels is one strategy for preventing the etiology of AD. This study aims to test the effect of GUE and semilicoisoflavone B (SB) on Aβ secretion and investigates the mechanism underlying this effect.Methods and resultsGUE and its bio‐activated compound SB reduce Aβ secretion. We find that this effect contribute to the downregulation of the β‐secretase‐1 (BACE1) protein and mRNA. In a subsequent mechanism study, we find that GUE and SB regulate BACE1 transcription factors by inducing the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and inhibiting the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. In addition, the effect of GUE and SB on BACE1 expression and Aβ secretion are attenuated by treatment with PPARγ‐siRNA or its antagonist, GW9662.ConclusionThese findings indicate that GUE and SB may function as PPARγ agonists, thereby inhibiting BACE1 expression and ultimately reducing the secretion of Aβ.