bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A novel three-dimensional culture system maintaining the physiological extracellular matrix of fibrotic model livers accelerates progression of hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Miyauchi Yuya , Yasuchika Kentaro , Fukumitsu Ken , Ishii Takamichi , Ogiso Satoshi , Minami Takahito , Kojima Hidenobu , Yamaoka Ryoya , Katayama Hokahiro , Kawai Takayuki , Yoshitoshi-Uebayashi Elena Yukie , Kita Sadahiko , Yasuda Katsutaro , Sasaki Naoya , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: August 2017

AbstractLiver fibrosis is characterized by the progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and is a strong predictor of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development and progression. However, the effect of ECM in fibrotic livers on HCC cells is poorly understood. The aims of this study were to create a new culture system that retained the natural ECM of fibrotic model livers and to establish whether natural ECM regulated the characteristics of HCC cells. Using an organ decellularization technique, we created a new culture system that preserved the tissue-specific ECM of fibrotic model livers from CCl4-treated rats. The content of ECM in fibrotic model liver scaffolds was increased and the ECM microstructure was distorted. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescence assays of HCC cells cultured in fibrotic model liver scaffolds for 7 days showed an epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype. Moreover, the ECM of fibrotic model livers promoted proliferation and chemoresistance of HCC cells. These results showed a novel effect of natural ECM in fibrotic model livers on the malignant behaviour of HCC cells. This new culture system will be useful for both understanding the cell biology of fibrotic livers and developing novel anti-cancer drugs.
Serelaxin improves cardiac and renal function in DOCA-salt hypertensive rats
Authors: Wang Dong , Luo Yuhuan , Myakala Komuraiah , Orlicky David J. , Dobrinskikh Evgenia , Wang Xiaoxin , Levi Moshe 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSerelaxin, a recombinant form of the naturally occurring peptide hormone relaxin-2, is a pleiotropic vasodilating hormone that has been studied in patients with acute heart failure. In this study, the effects of serelaxin on cardiac and renal function, fibrosis, inflammation and lipid accumulation were studied in DOCA-salt treated rats. Uninephrectomized rats were assigned to two groups: controls provided with normal drinking water and DOCA provided with DOCA pellets and sodium chloride drinking water. After 4 weeks, the DOCA-salt rats were randomly selected and implanted with osmotic minipumps delivering vehicle or serelaxin for another 4 weeks. Treatment with serelaxin prevented cardiac and renal dysfunction in DOCA-salt rats. Serelaxin prevented cardiac and renal fibrosis, as determined by Picrosirius Red staining and Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) Microscopy. Treatment of DOCA-salt rats with serelaxin decreased renal inflammation, including the expression of TGF-β, NFκB, MCP-1, IL-1, IL-6, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and CD68 macrophages. Serelaxin also decreased lipid accumulation in kidney in part by decreasing SREBP-1c, SREBP-2, ChREBP, FATP1, HMGCoAR, and LDL receptor, and increasing Acox1 and ABCA1. In summary, serelaxin reversed DOCA-salt induced cardiac and renal dysfunction.
Therapeutic effect of human adipose-derived stem cells and their secretome in experimental diabetic pain
Authors: Brini Anna T. , Amodeo Giada , Ferreira Lorena M. , Milani Anna , Niada Stefania , Moschetti Giorgia , Franchi Silvia , Borsani Elisa , Rodella Luigi F. , Panerai Alberto E. , Sacerdote Paola 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPainful neuropathy is one of the complications of diabetes mellitus that adversely affects patients’quality of life. Pharmacological treatments are not fully satisfactory, and novel approaches needed. In a preclinical mouse model of diabetes the effect of both human mesenchymal stromal cells from adipose tissue (hASC) and their conditioned medium (hASC-CM) was evaluated. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin. After neuropathic hypersensitivity was established, mice were intravenously injected with either 1 × 106 hASC or with CM derived from 2 × 106 hASC. Both hASC and CM (secretome) reversed mechanical, thermal allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia, with a rapid and long lasting effect, maintained up to 12 weeks after treatments. In nerves, dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord of neuropathic mice we determined high IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and low IL-10 levels. Both treatments restored a correct pro/antinflammatory cytokine balance and prevented skin innervation loss. In spleens of streptozotocin-mice, both hASC and hASC-CM re-established Th1/Th2 balance that was shifted to Th1 during diabetes. Blood glucose levels were unaffected although diabetic animals regained weight, and kidney morphology was recovered by treatments. Our data show that hASC and hASC-CM treatments may be promising approaches for diabetic neuropathic pain, and suggest that cell effect is likely mediated by their secretome.
Dietary glycemic index, glycemic load, and cancer risk: results from the EPIC-Italy study
Authors: Sieri S. , Agnoli C. , Pala V. , Grioni S. , Brighenti F. , Pellegrini N. , Masala G. , Palli D. , Mattiello A. , Panico S. , Ricceri F. , Fasanelli F. , Frasca G. , Tumino R. , Krogh V. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractFactors linked to glucose metabolism are involved in the etiology of several cancers. High glycemic index (GI) or high glycemic load (GL) diets, which chronically raise postprandial blood glucose, may increase cancer risk by affecting insulin-like growth factor. We prospectively investigated cancer risk and dietary GI/GL in the EPIC-Italy cohort. After a median 14.9 years, 5112 incident cancers and 2460 deaths were identified among 45,148 recruited adults. High GI was associated with increased risk of colon and bladder cancer. High GL was associated with: increased risk of colon cancer; increased risk of diabetes-related cancers; and decreased risk of rectal cancer. High intake of carbohydrate from high GI foods was significantly associated with increased risk of colon and diabetes-related cancers, but decreased risk of stomach cancer; whereas high intake of carbohydrates from low GI foods was associated with reduced colon cancer risk. In a Mediterranean population with high and varied carbohydrate intake, carbohydrates that strongly raise postprandial blood glucose may increase colon and bladder cancer risk, while the quantity of carbohydrate consumed may be involved in diabetes-related cancers. Further studies are needed to confirm the opposing effects of high dietary GL on risks of colon and rectal cancers.
Graphene oxide papers with high water adsorption capacity for air dehumidification
Authors: Liu Renlong , Gong Tao , Zhang Kan , Lee Changgu 
Published: August 2017

AbstractGraphene oxide (GO) has shown a high potential to adsorb and store water molecules due to the oxygen-containing functional groups on its hydrophilic surface. In this study, we characterized the water absorbing properties of graphene oxide in the form of papers. We fabricated three kinds of graphene oxide papers, two with rich oxygen functional groups and one with partial chemical reduction, to vary the oxygen/carbon ratio and found that the paper with high oxygen content has higher moisture adsorption capability. For the GO paper with reduction, the overall moisture absorbance was reduced. However, the absorbance at high humidity was significantly improved due to direct formation of multilayer water vapor in the system, which derived from the weak interaction between the adsorbent and the adsorbate. To demonstrate one application of GO papers as a desiccant, we tested grape fruits with and without GO paper. The fruits with a GO paper exhibited longer-term preservation with delayed mold gathering because of desiccation effect from the paper. Our results suggest that GO will find numerous practical applications as a desiccant and is a promising material for moisture desiccation and food preservation.
Opposite trends in the genus Monsonia (Geraniaceae): specialization in the African deserts and range expansions throughout eastern Africa
Authors: García-Aloy Sara , Sanmartín Isabel , Kadereit Gudrun , Vitales Daniel , Millanes Ana María , Roquet Cristina , Vargas Pablo , Alarcón Marisa , Aldasoro Juan José 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe African Austro-temperate Flora stands out by its important species richness. A distinctive element of this flora is Monsonia (Geraniaceae), mostly found in the Namib-Karoo but also in the Natal-Drakensberg, the Somalian Zambezian and the Saharo-Arabian regions. Here, we reconstruct the evolution and biogeographic history of Monsonia based on nuclear and plastid markers, and examine the role of morphological and niche evolution in its diversification using species distribution modeling and macroevolutionary models. Our results indicate that Monsonia first diversified in the Early Miocene c.21 Ma, coinciding with the start of desertification in southwestern Africa. An important diversification occurred c. 4–6 Ma, after a general cooling trend in western South Africa and the rising of the Eastern African Mountains. The resulting two main lineages of Monsonia are constituted by: (1) Namib-Karoo succulents, and (2) herbs of the Natal-Drakensberg plus three species that further colonised steppes in north and eastern Africa. The highest diversity of Monsonia is found in the Namib-Karoo coastal belt, within a mosaic-like habitat structure. Diversification was likely driven by biome shifts and key innovations such as water-storing succulent stems and anemochorous fruits. In contrast, and unlike other arid-adapted taxa, all species of Monsonia share a C3 metabolism.
A broad range quorum sensing inhibitor working through sRNA inhibition
Authors: Jakobsen Tim H. , Warming Anders N. , Vejborg Rebecca M. , Moscoso Joana A. , Stegger Marc , Lorenzen Frederik , Rybtke Morten , Andersen Jens B. , Petersen Rico , Andersen Paal Skytt , Nielsen Thomas E. , Tolker-Nielsen Tim , Filloux Alain , Ingmer Hanne , Givskov Michael 
Published: August 2017

AbstractFor the last decade, chemical control of bacterial virulence has received considerable attention. Ajoene, a sulfur-rich molecule from garlic has been shown to reduce expression of key quorum sensing regulated virulence factors in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here we show that the repressing effect of ajoene on quorum sensing occurs by inhibition of small regulatory RNAs (sRNA) in P. aeruginosa as well as in Staphylococcus aureus, another important human pathogen that employs quorum sensing to control virulence gene expression. Using various reporter constructs, we found that ajoene lowered expression of the sRNAs RsmY and RsmZ in P. aeruginosa and the small dual-function regulatory RNA, RNAIII in S. aureus, that controls expression of key virulence factors. We confirmed the modulation of RNAIII by RNA sequencing and found that the expression of many QS regulated genes encoding virulence factors such as hemolysins and proteases were lowered in the presence of ajoene in S. aureus. Importantly, our findings show that sRNAs across bacterial species potentially may qualify as targets of anti-virulence therapy and that ajoene could be a lead structure in search of broad-spectrum compounds transcending the Gram negative-positive borderline.
Intestinal stem cells contribute to the maturation of the neonatal small intestine and colon independently of digestive activity
Authors: Yanai Hirotsugu , Atsumi Naho , Tanaka Toshihiro , Nakamura Naohiro , Komai Yoshihiro , Omachi Taichi , Tanaka Kiyomichi , Ishigaki Kazuhiko , Saiga Kazuho , Ohsugi Haruyuki , Tokuyama Yoko , Imahashi Yuki , Ohe Shuichi , Hisha Hiroko , Yoshida Naoko , Kumano Keiki , Kon Masanori , Ueno Hiroo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe murine intestine, like that of other mammalians, continues to develop after birth until weaning; however, whether this occurs in response to an intrinsic developmental program or food intake remains unclear. Here, we report a novel system for the allotransplantation of small intestine and colon harvested from Lgr5
EGFP-IRES-CreERT2/+; Rosa26
rbw/+ mice immediately after birth into the subrenal capsule of wild-type mice. By histological and immunohistochemical analysis, the developmental process of transplanted small intestine and colon was shown to be comparable with that of the native tissues: mature intestines equipped with all cell types were formed, indicating that these organs do not require food intake for development. The intestinal stem cells in transplanted tissues were shown to self-renew and produce progeny, resulting in the descendants of the stem cells occupying the crypt-villus unit of the small intestine or the whole crypt of the colon. Collectively, these findings indicate that neonatal intestine development follows an intrinsic program even in the absence of food stimuli.
Retrograde trafficking of β-dystroglycan from the plasma membrane to the nucleus
Authors: Gracida-Jiménez Viridiana , Mondragón-González Ricardo , Vélez-Aguilera Griselda , Vásquez-Limeta Alejandra , Laredo-Cisneros Marco S. , Gómez-López Juan de Dios , Vaca Luis , Gourlay Sarah C. , Jacobs Laura A. , Winder Steve J. , Cisneros Bulmaro 
Published: August 2017

Abstractβ-Dystroglycan (β-DG) is a transmembrane protein with critical roles in cell adhesion, cytoskeleton remodeling and nuclear architecture. This functional diversity is attributed to the ability of β-DG to target to, and conform specific protein assemblies at the plasma membrane (PM) and nuclear envelope (NE). Although a classical NLS and importin α/β mediated nuclear import pathway has already been described for β-DG, the intracellular trafficking route by which β-DG reaches the nucleus is unknown. In this study, we demonstrated that β-DG undergoes retrograde intracellular trafficking from the PM to the nucleus via the endosome-ER network. Furthermore, we provided evidence indicating that the translocon complex Sec61 mediates the release of β-DG from the ER membrane, making it accessible for importins and nuclear import. Finally, we show that phosphorylation of β-DG at Tyr890 is a key stimulus for β-DG nuclear translocation. Collectively our data describe the retrograde intracellular trafficking route that β-DG follows from PM to the nucleus. This dual role for a cell adhesion receptor permits the cell to functionally connect the PM with the nucleus and represents to our knowledge the first example of a cell adhesion receptor exhibiting retrograde nuclear trafficking and having dual roles in PM and NE.
Genome-Wide Linkage-Disequilibrium Mapping to the Candidate Gene Level in Melon (Cucumis melo)
Authors: Gur Amit , Tzuri Galil , Meir Ayala , Sa’ar Uzi , Portnoy Vitaly , Katzir Nurit , Schaffer Arthur A. , Li Li , Burger Joseph , Tadmor Yaakov 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCucumis melois highly diverse for fruit traits providing wide breeding and genetic research opportunities, including genome-wide association (GWA) analysis. We used a collection of 177 accessions representing the twoC. melosubspecies and 11 horticultural groups for detailed characterization of fruit traits variation and evaluation of the potential of GWA for trait mapping in melon. Through genotyping-by-sequencing, 23,931 informative SNPs were selected for genome-wide analyses. We found that linkage-disequilibrium decays at ~100 Kb in this collection and that population structure effect on association results varies between traits. We mapped several monogenic traits to narrow intervals overlapping with known causative genes, demonstrating the potential of diverse collections and GWA for mapping Mendelian traits to a candidate-gene level in melon. We further report on mapping of fruit shape quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and comparison with multiple previous QTL studies. Expansion of sample size and a more balanced representation of taxonomic groups might improve efficiency for simple traits dissection. But, as in other plant species, integrated linkage-association multi-allelic approaches are likely to produce better combination of statistical power, diversity capture and mapping resolution in melon. Our data can be utilized for selection of the most appropriate accessions for such approaches.
Upregulation of prefrontal metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 mediates neuropathic pain and negative mood symptoms after spinal nerve injury in rats
Authors: Chung Geehoon , Kim Chae Young , Yun Yeong-Chan , Yoon Sang Ho , Kim Myoung-Hwan , Kim Yu Kyeong , Kim Sang Jeong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPatients with chronic pain easily accompany the negative mood symptoms such as depression and anxiety, and these disturbances in turn affect the aversive perception of pain. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. We hypothesized that the alteration of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) in the brain region underlies such a comorbidity of aversive states. We scanned the brain of chronic neuropathic pain model rats using positron emission tomography (PET) technique with an mGluR5-selective radiotracer [11C] ABP688 and found various brain regions with higher or lower level of mGluR5 compared to control rats. Among the brain areas, a prominent upregulation of mGluR5 was shown in the prelimbic region (PrL) of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of chronic neuropathic pain animals. A pharmacological blockade of upregulated mGluR5 in the PrL ameliorated the negative symptoms including tactile hypersensitivity and depressive-like behavior, which relieved the subjects from the unpleasant state of chronic neuropathic pain condition. Conversely, lentiviral overexpression of the mGluR5 in the PrL of naïve rats successfully induced comorbid pain and negative moods. Our data provide deeper insight into the shared mechanism of pain perception and negative emotions, identifying a therapeutic target for the treatment of chronic pain and mood disorders.
Unawareness of Hepatitis B Virus Infection confers on Higher Rate of Metabolic Syndrome: A Community-based Study
Authors: Chien Cheng-Hung , Chen Li-Wei , Lin Chih-Lang , Chang Su-Wie , Shyu Yu-Chiau , Chen Kuan-Fu , Chen Shuo-Wei , Hu Ching-Chih , Yu Chia-Ying , Chien Rong-Nan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe objective of this study was to determine whether awareness of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serostatus was discordant with metabolic syndrome (MetS) among people with chronic HBV infection. We conducted a community-based study in four Taiwanese districts. A total of 3493 adult participants were recruited. Participants who were hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seropositive and had self-reported HBV infection were considered aware of hepatitis B (aHB); those who denied a history of HBV infection were considered unaware of hepatitis B (uaHB). Among the 454 participants who were HBsAg seropositive, 275 (60.6%) were aHB and 179 (39.3%) were uaHB. Hypertriglyceridemia showed significant inverse association with HBsAg seropositive, especially among those who were aHB. Insulin resistance was significantly, positively associated with HBsAg seropositive, especially among participants who were uaHB. Those who were uaHB had a higher risk of central obesity, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and MetS than those who were aHB (odds ratio = 2.33, 1.64, 2.15, 1.85, respectively, all p < 0.05). The association among the prevalence of MetS, its individual components and HBsAg seropositivity varies according to awareness of HBV infection. It is important to recognize an individual’s risk for MetS, especially who were unaware of HBV infection.
The Oncogenic Role of COL23A1 in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Xu Fujiang , Chang Kun , Ma Jian , Qu Yuanyuan , Xie Huyang , Dai Bo , Gan Hualei , Zhang Hailiang , Shi Guohai , Zhu Yao , Zhu Yiping , Shen Yijun , Ye Dingwei 
Published: August 2017

AbstractClear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common adult renal neoplasm and its incidence continues to increase. Collagen is the most abundant extracellular matrix protein in stroma, and contributes to the development and progression of ccRCC. We examined the human collagen type XXIII α1 chain (COL23A1) expression in ccRCC and the relationship between COL23A1 and patients’ survival. We found COL23A1 mRNA was elevated in tumor compared with adjacent normal tissues, which was further validated by TCGA cohort. IHC results from 151 ccRCC cases suggested that high COL23A1 expression correlated with larger tumor size (P = 0.017) and advanced T stage (P = 0.011). The overall survival (OS) was shorter for ccRCC patients with high COL23A1 expression (P = 0.002). In multivariate analysis, high COL23A1 expression was an independent prognostic factor of OS (HR: 3.024, P = 0.017). Furthermore, COL23A1 knockdown repressed proliferation of ccRCC cell lines by blocking cell cycle progression. Cell adhesion and migration capacity was also downregulated by knockdown of COL23A1. Our data indicate that COL23A1 may be a novel prognostic indicator in ccRCC and might be a specific and accessible biomarker as well as a potential new target for clinical diagnosis of ccRCC.
The cross-sectional and longitudinal effect of hyperlipidemia on knee osteoarthritis: Results from the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort in China
Authors: Zhou Min , Guo Yanjun , Wang Dongming , Shi Da , Li Weijin , Liu Yuewei , Yuan Jing , He Meian , Zhang Xiaomin , Guo Huan , Wu Tangchun , Chen Weihong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTo quantify the cross-sectional and longitudinal effects of hyperlipidemia on knee osteoarthritis (KOA), we studied 13,906 middle-aged or older participants from the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort. Physical examinations were performed at baseline and follow-up. Knee pain was diagnosed by self-reported pain or stiffness. Clinical KOA was diagnosed from knee pain complains and clinical X-ray radiographs. The prevalence of knee pain and clinical KOA was 39.0% and 6.7% at baseline, respectively. Hyperlipidemia was associated with knee pain (OR 1.34, 1.23–1.45) and clinical KOA (1.34, 1.15–1.55). Compared with the participants without hyperlipidemia or use of lipid-lowering drugs, those with hyperlipidemia but no use of lipid-lowering drugs had higher risks of knee pain (1.28, 1.15–1.43) and clinical KOA (1.20, 0.97–1.48), those with hyperlipidemia and use of lipid-lowering drugs had the highest risks of knee pain (1.40, 1.26–1.56) and clinical KOA (1.45, 1.21–1.75). The risks were not elevated among participants without hyperlipidemia but using lipid-lowering drugs for prevention of other diseases. Furthermore, each 1-unit increase in triglyceride was associated with 9% and 5% increases in the risk of clinical KOA prevalence and clinical KOA onset, respectively. In conclusion, hyperlipidemia is associated with elevated risks of knee pain and clinical KOA among middle-aged or older adults.