bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating the expression of MMPs and TIMPs in preterm placenta and role of CpG methylation in regulating MMP‐9 expression
Authors: Sundrani Deepali , Narang Ankita , Mehendale Savita , Joshi Sadhana , Chavan‐Gautam Preeti 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMatrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) are crucial to the processes of normal labor and parturition. We have previously reported aberrant protein levels of MMPs in placenta of women delivering preterm as compared to term. In this study, we examine the mRNA levels of MMPs (MMP‐1, MMP‐2, and MMP‐9) and TIMPs (TIMP‐1, TIMP‐2) in the placenta from women delivering preterm as compared with term and further study the promoter DNA methylation of the MMP‐9 gene in a sub‐sample of term and preterm placentae. A total of 110 women were included in the study; 56 delivered term and 54 delivered preterm. MMP and TIMP mRNA levels were determined by Taqman‐based qPCR. Promoter CpG methylation of MMP‐9 gene was studied on a subset of 10 term and 8 preterm placenta using Epitect Methyl‐II PCR assay kit. The mRNA levels of MMP‐1,‐2 were higher and those of TIMP‐1,‐2 were lower in the placentae of women delivering preterm. MMP‐9 levels were comparable between the two groups. Among women undergoing spontaneous vaginal deliveries, higher mRNA levels of MMP‐1, ‐2 and ‐9 were seen in the placentae of those delivering preterm as compared to term. Similar results were seen in women undergoing preterm labor as compared to term. MMP‐9 gene promoter was hypomethylated in preterm placenta as compared to term placenta, while the mRNA levels were comparable between the two groups. The observed imbalance between MMP and TIMP expression may have prematurely triggered the signaling cascade leading to preterm birth. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(12):985–993, 2017
Acute hypoxic preconditioning prevents palmitic acid‐induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis via switching metabolic GLUT4‐glucose pathway back to CD36‐fatty acid dependent
Authors: Chen Yeh‐Peng , Kuo Wei‐Wen , Baskaran Rathinasamy , Day Cecilia‐Hsuan , Chen Ray‐Jade , Wen Su‐Ying , Ho Tsung‐Jung , Padma Viswanadha Vijaya , Kuo Chia‐Hua , Huang Chih‐Yang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMetabolic syndrome is a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. Myocardial cell damage leads to an imbalance of energy metabolism, and many studies have indicated that short‐term hypoxia during myocardial cell injury has a protective effect. In our previous animal studies, we found that short‐term hypoxia in the heart has a protective effect, but long‐term hypoxia increases myocardial cell injury. Palmitic acid (PA)‐treated H9c2 cardiomyoblasts and neonatal rat ventricle cardiomyocytes were used to simulate hyperlipidemia model, which suppress cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and activate glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). We exposed the cells to short‐ and long‐term hypoxia and investigated the protective effects of hypoxic preconditioning on PA‐induced lipotoxicity in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts and neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Preconditioning with short‐term hypoxia enhanced both CD36 and GLUT4 metabolism pathway protein levels. Expression levels of phospho‐PI3K, phospho‐Akt, phospho‐AMPK, SIRT1, PGC1α, PPARα, CD36, and CPT1β induced by PA was reversed by short‐term hypoxia in a time‐dependent manner. PA‐induced increased GLUT4 membrane protein level was reduced in the cells exposed to short‐term hypoxia and si‐PKCζ. Short‐term hypoxia, resveratrol and si‐PKCζ rescue H9c2 cells from apoptosis induced by PA and switch the metabolic pathway from GLUT4 dependent to CD36 dependent. We demonstrate short‐term hypoxic preconditioning as a more efficient way as resveratrol in maintaining the energy metabolism of hearts during hyperlipidemia and can be used as a therapeutic strategy.
Matrine reversed multidrug resistance of breast cancer MCF‐7/ADR cells through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Zhou Bing‐Gang , Wei Chang‐Sheng , Zhang Song , Zhang Zhi , Gao Huan‐min 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMatrine is an alkaloid extracted from a Chinese herbSophora flavescensAit, and has been used clinically for breast cancer with marked therapeutic efficacy in China. However, the mechanism has not been well known. Thus, the present study was to explore whether Matrine reverses multidrug resistance for breast cancer cells through the regulation of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to detect the inhibitory action; Annexin V to detect apoptosis; fluorospectrophotometry to examine intracellular adriamycin (ADR) accumulation; and Western blot to label the proteins of P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp), MRP1, PTEN, p‐AKT, Bcl‐2, Bax, and Caspase‐3. Matrine (0‐2.5 mg/mL) inhibited MCF‐7/ADR cell growth and induced apoptosis (P < 0.01). A total of 0.2 mg/mL Matrine could increase the intracellular concentration of ADR; the accumulation in MCF‐7/ADR cells increased 3.56 times. Compared with control group, 0.6, 1.2 mg/mL Matrine reduced protein expressions of P‐gp, MRP1, p‐AKT, Bcl‐2, but increased PTEN, Bax, and cleaved caspase‐3 gradually, and unchanged caspase‐3. Matrine was more likely to reduce the expression of P‐gp, MRP1, and p‐AKT at the same inhibition radio of Matrine, (0.6 mg/mL) and MK2206 (0.05 μmol/L). Matrine inhibited MCF‐7/ADR cell growth, induced apoptosis, and reversed multidrug resistance for breast cancer cells through the regulation of downstream apoptosis factors of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway by decreasing cell phosphorylation of AKT level.
ARFHPV E7 oncogene, lncRNA HOTAIR, miR‐331‐3p and its target, NRP2, form a negative feedback loop to regulate the apoptosis in the tumorigenesis in HPV positive cervical cancer
Authors: Zhang Min , Song Yinghui , Zhai Furui 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe objective of this study was to explore the role of HOTAIR in the development of cervical cancer, as well as its downstream signaling pathway. We conducted computational analysis, luciferase assay to explore downstream of HOTAIR and miR‐331‐3p. Real‐time PCR and Western blot were carried out to detect the relationship among E7, HOTAIR, miR‐331‐3p, NRP2, and P53. Finally, MTT assay and flow cytometry analysis were performed to validate the effect of E7 and miR‐331‐3p on cell apoptosis and proliferation. NRP2 was identified as a virtual target gene of miR‐331‐3p with a binding site of miR‐331‐3p, and HOTAIR was directly sponged to miR‐331‐3p, miR‐331‐3p reduced luciferase activity of wild‐type of NRP2 3′UTR and HOTAIR, but not those of mutant NRP2 3′UTR and HOTAIR. MiR‐331‐3p down‐regulated NRP2 and E7 expression levels, and further promoted cell apoptosis, while inhibited cell proliferation. Cell transfected with HPV16 E7 displayed lower levels of HOTAIR, NRP2 and P53, a higher level of miR‐331‐3p, over‐expression of E7 further repressed cell apoptosis, while improved cell proliferation compared with control. Normal HPV (+) group exhibited a higher miR‐331‐3p, and lower mRNA levels of HOTAIR and NRP2 than HPV (−) group. According to the result of IHC (immunohistochemistry), we found that NRP2 protein was highly expressed in HPV (−) group compared to that in HPV (+) group. E7‐HOTAIR‐miR‐331‐3p‐NRP2‐E7 formed a regulatory loop, and could be involved in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer.
RhoJ promotes hypoxia induced endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition by activating WDR5 expression
Authors: Liu Li , Chen Junliang , Sun Lina , Xu Yong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractEndothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndMT) contributes to the pathogenesis of a host of human diseases. RhoJ, a small G protein, is abundantly expressed in endothelial cells. In the present study, we investigated the potential role RhoJ plays in EndMT. We report that RhoJ depletion by small interfering RNA attenuated hypoxia induced EndMT in both immortalized endothelial cells and human primary microvascular endothelial cells. RhoJ knockdown blocked the recruitment of TWIST and SNAIL, two transcriptional repressors, to the promoter region of VE‐CADHERIN, a prominent endothelial marker. RhoJ mediated the induction of TWIST and SNAIL expression, under hypoxic conditions, by promoting the binding of HIF‐1α to the gene promoters and by enhancing the accumulation of trimethylated histone H3K4. Further analysis revealed that RhoJ was essential for the up‐regulation of WDR5, a key component of the mammalian H3K4 methyltransferase, by hypoxia thereby leading to the trans‐activation of TWIST and SNAIL. Finally, lentivirus mediated over‐expression of WDR5 compensated for the loss of TWIST and SNAIL and allowed EndMT to proceed despite the absence of RhoJ in hypoxia‐challenged endothelial cells. In conclusion, we propose that RhoJ‐dependent induction of WDR5 may be essential for hypoxia‐induced EndMT.
Mechanism of action of camphoryl‐benzene sulfonamide derivative on glucose uptake in adipose tissue
Authors: Frederico Marisa J. S. , Castro Allisson J. G. , Pinto Veronica A. M. , Ramos Cristiane D. F. , Monteiro Fabíola B. F. , Mascarello Alessandra , Nunes Ricardo J. , Silva Fátima R. M. B. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of action of a sulfonamide derivative on glucose uptake in adipose tissue, as well as to characterize the effects of this compound on intestinal disaccharidases and advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs) formation. Camphoryl‐benzene sulfonamide (CS) was able to stimulate glucose uptake in isolated adipocytes, adipose tissue, and in soleus muscle. The stimulatory effect of the compound (10 μM) on glucose uptake on adipose tissue was blocked by diazoxide, wortmannin, U73122, colchicine, and N‐ethylmaleimide. On the other hand, the effects of CS were not blocked by glibenclamide, an inhibitor of the K+‐ATP channel, or even by the inhibitor of protein p38 MAPK, SB 203580. In vivo, this compound reduced intestinal disaccharidase activity, while, in vitro, CS reduced the formation of AGEs at 7, 14, and 28 days of incubation. The stimulatory effect of CS on glucose uptake requires the activation of the K+‐ATP channel, translocation, and fusion of GLUT4 vesicles to the plasma membrane on adipocytes for glucose homeostasis. In addition, the inhibition of disaccharidase activity contributes to the glucose homeostasis in a short‐term as well as the remarkable reduction in AGE formation indicates that the CS may prevent of complications of late diabetes.
Identification of gene expression signatures across different types of neural stem cells with the Monte‐Carlo feature selection method
Authors: Chen Lei , Li JiaRui , Zhang Yu‐Hang , Feng KaiYan , Wang ShaoPeng , Zhang YunHua , Huang Tao , Kong Xiangyin , Cai Yu‐Dong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAdult neural stem cells (NSCs) are a group of multi‐potent, self‐renewing progenitor cells that contribute to the generation of new neurons and oligodendrocytes. Three subtypes of NSCs can be isolated based on the stages of the NSC lineage, including quiescent neural stem cells (qNSCs), activated neural stem cells (aNSCs) and neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Although it is widely accepted that these three groups of NSCs play different roles in the development of the nervous system, their molecular signatures are poorly understood. In this study, we applied the Monte‐Carlo Feature Selection (MCFS) method to identify the gene expression signatures, which can yield a Matthews correlation coefficient (MCC) value of 0.918 with a support vector machine evaluated by ten‐fold cross‐validation. In addition, some classification rules yielded by the MCFS program for distinguishing above three subtypes were reported. Our results not only demonstrate a high classification capacity and subtype‐specific gene expression patterns but also quantitatively reflect the pattern of the gene expression levels across the NSC lineage, providing insight into deciphering the molecular basis of NSC differentiation.
Serum lipoprotein and RBC rigidity index to predict cerebral infarction in patients with carotid artery stenosis
Authors: Dong Zhiwu , Guo Qiang , Sun Li , Li Feifei , Zhao Aihong , Liu Jingfan , Qu Peipei , Zhu Qinghua , Xiao Chunhai , Niu Fusheng , Liang Shuang 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveThis study aims to determine the risk factors and to predict the occurrence of cerebral infarction in patients with carotid artery stenosis.MethodsTwo hundred and one subjects with carotid artery stenosis were retrospectively selected from Jinshan Branch of Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, 115 cases of which with cerebral infarction and 86 without it. Clinical tests were performed including coagulation indices, fasting glucose, serum lipid, and blood rheology. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify the risk factors. Regression model was established, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to analyze its diagnostic value.ResultsOur data indicated that apolipoprotein AI (OR = 0.051, 95% CI: 0.009‐0.295), lipoprotein (a) (OR = 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001‐1.005), and RBC rigidity index (OR = 0.383, 95% CI: 0.209‐0.702) were independent risk factors. Area under the curve (AUC) of the regression model = 0.78, with the sensitivity of 73.9% (95% CI: 64.9%‐81.7%) and specificity of 69.2% (95% CI: 52.4%‐83.0%). Prediction probability was determined while logistic regression score >0.748 defaulted as high‐risk status. High‐risk ratios were 80% in progressive cerebral infarction and 72% in nonprogressive cerebral infarction (P > .05), respectively, while significant differences were found when both compared with controls (P < .001).ConclusionsWe show herein that the regression model based on apolipoprotein AI, lipoprotein (a), and RBC IR is a promising tool to predict the occurrence of cerebral infarction in patients with carotid artery stenosis. However, identification of novel diagnostic markers for progressive cerebral infarction is still necessary.
Young sexual minority women's definition of community: Toward addressing health disparities in the LGBTQQ community
Authors: Sexton Patrina , Flores Dalmacio , Bauermeister José 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn accord with Healthy People 2020 goals, the elimination of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQQ) health disparities will require community‐level strategies to address stigma, discrimination, and prejudice linked to poor health. We explored how young sexual minority women (YSMW) define LGBTQQ community, community connection, community engagement, and community tensions because these concepts have implications for development and evaluation of health disparities interventions. A total of 30 YSMW (aged 18–24 years) from Michigan participated in semistructured, in‐depth interviews. Participants varied by sexual identity, residency, and race/ethnicity. We analyzed transcribed interviews using thematic analysis and compared emergent themes across sexual identity, residency, and race/ethnicity. Women described community connection in terms of organizational involvement, participation in LGBTQQ spaces, and collective social identity. Participants noted how community connections were linked to stigma towards the LGBTQQ community. YSMW highlighted how divisive tensions exist within subgroups constituting the LGBTQQ community, hindering opportunities for social advocacy, unified policy priorities, and community‐level interventions. The heterogeneity of YSMW's experiences identifying with the LGBTQQ community and engaging within LGBTQQ spaces suggest that researchers should attend to the role of community dynamics when developing health disparities interventions and policies. Efforts to reconcile tensions within the LGBTQQ community may strengthen and advance policymakers’ ability to address sexuality‐related disparities.
Resilience and adjustment to widowhood in the Israeli Arab Muslim society: A new perspective
Authors: Yasien Esmael Hend , Eshel Yohanan , Shimshon Rubin Simon 
Published: November 2017

AbstractResearch on bereavement and loss is often concentrated on sustaining meaning in life and maintaining emotional well‐being, despite the psychological impact of loss. However, this research rarely examined empirically what determines the resilience of the bereaved. The present study posits that resilience of widows is a dual construct representing the ratio of their strength and vulnerability (SVR). This ratio of protective factors and risk factors, which was validated in studies of resilience to the effects of war, terrorist attacks, or fire disaster, is presently examined by the balance of posttraumatic growth to distress symptoms of 93 Israeli Arab Muslim widows. Results show that SVR and resilience promoting personality attributes are consistently correlated with beneficial and detrimental responses to a loss of a husband. Results are discussed in terms of cultural effects on mourning, and the validity of the SVR index.
Usefulness of exosome‐encapsulated microRNA‐451a as a minimally invasive biomarker for prediction of recurrence and prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Takahasi Kunihiko , Iinuma Hisae , Wada Keita , Minezaki Shunryo , Kawamura Sachiyo , Kainuma Masahiko , Ikeda Yutaka , Shibuya Makoto , Miura Fumihiko , Sano Keiji 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundMicroRNAs (miRNAs) encapsulated in the exosomes of plasma is of interest as stable and minimally invasive biomarkers for recurrence and prognosis in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to clarify the predictive and prognostic value of plasma exosomal microRNA‐451a (miR‐451a) in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).MethodsMicroarray‐based expression profiling of miRNAs derived from exosomes in the plasma of six PDAC patients with UICC stage II was employed to identify a biomarker to distinguish between patients with and without recurrence. For validation analysis, plasma exosome samples of other 50 PDAC patients were measured by TaqMan MicroRNA assays.ResultsIn the miRNA microarray analyses, miR‐451a showed the highest upregulation in the stage II patients who showed recurrence after surgery. In the relationship to pathological factors, exosomal miR‐451a showed a significant association with tumor size and stage. The overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival rates (DFS) of the high exosomal miR‐451a patients were significantly worse than those of the low miR‐451a patients. In Cox proportional hazards model analysis, exsomal miR‐451a showed significance to OS and DFS.ConclusionsPlasma exosomal miR‐451a levels may be a useful minimally invasive biomarker for the prediction of recurrence and prognosis in PDAC patients.
Distributed decision making in action: diagnostic imaging investigations within the bigger picture
Authors: Makanjee Chandra R. , Bergh Anne‐Marie , Hoffmann Willem A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIntroductionDecision making in the health care system – specifically with regard to diagnostic imaging investigations – occurs at multiple levels. Professional role players from various backgrounds are involved in making these decisions, from the point of referral to the outcomes of the imaging investigation. The aim of this study was to map the decision‐making processes and pathways involved when patients are referred for diagnostic imaging investigations and to explore distributed decision‐making events at the points of contact with patients within a health care system.MethodA two‐phased qualitative study was conducted in an academic public health complex with the district hospital as entry point. The first phase included case studies of 24 conveniently selected patients, and the second phase involved 12 focus group interviews with health care providers. Data analysis was based on Rapley's interpretation of decision making as being distributed across time, situations and actions, and including different role players and technologies.ResultsClinical decisions incorporating imaging investigations are distributed across the three vital points of contact or decision‐making events, namely the initial patient consultation, the diagnostic imaging investigation and the post‐investigation consultation. Each of these decision‐making events is made up of a sequence of discrete decision‐making moments based on the transfer of retrospective, current and prospective information and its transformation into knowledge.ConclusionThis paper contributes to the understanding of the microstructural processes (the ‘when’ and ‘where’) involved in the distribution of decisions related to imaging investigations. It also highlights the interdependency in decision‐making events of medical and non‐medical providers within a single medical encounter.
The maximum standardized uptake value of preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography in lung adenocarcinoma with a ground‐glass opacity component of less than 30 mm
Authors: Son Bong Y. , Cho Sukki , Yum Sung W. , Kim Kwhanmien , Jheon Sanghoon 
Published: November 2017

Background and ObjectivesThis study evaluated the relationship between the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of preoperative positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and the characteristics of lung adenocarcinoma featuring ground‐glass opacity nodules (GGN).MethodsThe association of the SUVmax of preoperative PET/CT with ground‐glass opacity (GGO) proportion on CT, subtypes of adenocarcinoma (minimally invasive adenocarcinoma, invasive adenocarcinoma), predominant types of invasive adenocarcinoma, and size of the total and invasive components of pathology were evaluated in 190 patients who underwent resection for lung adenocarcinoma featuring GGN.ResultsThe mean SUVmax of non‐solid GGN and partly solid GGN were 0.53 and 1.32, respectively (P = 0.029). The mean SUVmax of the main masses in 38 patients with MIA and 152 with invasive adenocarcinoma were 0.86 and 1.36, respectively (P = 0.029). The mean SUVmax of acinar, lepidic, papillary, and solid tumors were 1.61, 0.87, 0.98, and 1.60, respectively. The mean SUVmax of invasive components measuring ≤10 mm, 11‐20 mm, and >20 mm were 0.84, 1.66, and 2.09, respectively (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe SUVmax of lung adenocarcinoma featuring GGN can vary depending on the GGO proportion. A higher SUVmax can be expected in invasive adenocarcinoma than in MIA, and solid and acinar‐predominant invasive adenocarcinoma showed a higher SUVmax.
The impact of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging and lumpectomy cavity shavings on re‐excision rate in pure ductal carcinoma in situ—A single institution's experience
Authors: So Alycia , De La Cruz Lucy M. , Williams Austin D. , Bahng Joseph , Liao Geraldine , McDonald Elizabeth S. , Fisher Carla S. , Czerniecki Brian J. , Sataloff Dahlia , Tchou Julia 
Published: November 2017

Background and ObjectivesThe impact of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) and cavity shave margins (CSM) on re‐excision rate (RR) in DCIS is unclear. We investigated whether either modality was associated with RR in DCIS.MethodsThis is a single‐institution retrospective study of 295 women undergoing breast conservation surgery for pure DCIS (2010‐2013). CSM were the systematic resection of 4‐6 margins during lumpectomy whereas selective shave margins (SSM) were the selective resection of 1‐3 margins. Patient demographics and clinical characteristics were abstracted. RR was analyzed according to the use of pMRI, SSM, or CSM with respect to three high‐volume breast surgeons at our institution.ResultsRR was not associated with the use of pMRI (P = 0.87). Any shave margins (P = 0.05), DCIS size (P < 0.001), and DCIS grade (P = 0.14) associated with a lower RR. Of our high‐volume surgeons, RR was lower for Surgeon A (P = 0.02). Multivariate analyses showed larger DCIS (OR 1.35, P = 0.005) and practices specific to surgeons B (OR 3.23, P = 0.04) and C (OR 3.57, P = 0.04) increased re‐excision odds.ConclusionsSSM/CSM and pMRI use varied among surgeons. Our results suggested the routine use of CSM, not pMRI, could lower re‐excision rate, which highlighted a quality improvement opportunity at our institution.