bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Paeoniflorin Potentiates the Inhibitory Effects of Erlotinib in Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines by Reducing ErbB3 Phosphorylation
Authors: Hao Jian , Yang Xue , Ding Xiu-li , Guo Lei-ming , Zhu Cui-hong , Ji Wei , Zhou Tong , Wu Xiong-zhi 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBlockade of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors is insufficient for effective anti-tumor activity because the reactivation of the ErbB3 signaling pathway significantly contributes to activating the consequent phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway. Combinatorial therapies including ErbB3 targeting may ameliorate tumor responses to anti-EGFR therapies. In the present study, we found that in BxPC-3 and L3.6pl cells, which highly expressed the ErbB3 receptor, significant reduction in cell viability, induction of apoptosis were observed when treated with a combination of erlotinib and PF compared to either agent alone. Moreover, in ErbB3-expressing BxPC-3, L3.6pl and S2VP10 cell lines, the inhibition of ErbB3/PI3K/Akt phosphorylation were observed when treated with PF. Most strikingly, both EGFR/MAPK/Erk and ErbB3/PI3K/Akt activitions were substantially suppressed when treated with the combination of PF and erlotinib. However, in the ErbB3-deficient cell line MIAPaCa-2, no such effects were observed with similar treatments. Most importantly, these in vitro results were replicated in nude mouse transplanted tumor models. Taken together, our findings show that PF enhances the effect of erlotinib in ErbB3-expressing pancreatic cancer cells by directly suppressing ErbB3 activation, and PF in combination with erlotinib is much more effective as an antitumor agent compared with either agent alone.
MicroRNA inhibition fine-tunes and provides robustness to the restriction point switch of the cell cycle
Authors: del Rosario Ricardo C. H. , Damasco Joseph Ray Clarence G. , Aguda Baltazar D. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe restriction point marks a switch in G1 from growth factor-dependent to growth factor-independent progression of the cell cycle. The proper regulation of this switch is important for normal cell processes; aberrations could result in a number of diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, stroke and myocardial infarction. To further understand the regulation of the restriction point, we extended a mathematical model of the Rb-E2F pathway to include members of the microRNA cluster miR-17-92. Our mathematical analysis shows that microRNAs play an essential role in fine-tuning and providing robustness to the switch. We also demonstrate how microRNA regulation can steer cells in or out of cancer states.
Comparisons of regular and on-demand regimen of PED5-Is in the treatment of ED after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Qiu Shi. , Tang Zhuang , Deng Linghui , Liu Liangren , Han Ping , Yang Lu , Wei Qiang 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPhosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) have been recommended as first line therapy for erectile dysfunction for patients received nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. We examed the efficiency of PDE5-Is and considered the optimal application. Systematic search of PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify all the studies. We identified 103 studies including 3175 patients, of which 14 were recruited for systematic review. Compared with placebo, PDE5-Is significantly ameliorated the International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function domain score (IIEF) scores (MD 4.89, 95% CI 4.25–5.53, p < 0.001). By network meta-analysis, sildenafil seems to be the most efficiency with a slightly higher rate of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEATs), whereas tadalafil had the lowest TEATs. In terms of IIEF scores, regular regimen was remarkably better than on-demand (MD 3.28, 95% CI 1.67–4.89, p < 0.001). Regular use was not associated with higher proportion of patients suffering TEATs compared with on-demand (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.90–1.16, p = 0.72). Compared with placebo, PDE5-Is manifested significantly improved treatment outcomes. Overall, regular regimen demonstrated statistically pronounced better potency than on-demand. Coupled with the comparable rate of side effects, these findings support the regular delivery procedure to be a cost-effective option for patients.
Extract of Ganoderma formosanum Mycelium as a Highly Potent Tyrosinase Inhibitor
Authors: Hsu Kai-Di , Chen Hong-Jhang , Wang Chi-Shin , Lum Chi-Chin , Wu Shu-Pei , Lin Shin-Ping , Cheng Kuan-Chen 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn this study, the inhibitory effect of Ganoderma formosanum mycelium extracts on tyrosinase, the central regulatory enzyme being responsible for cutaneous pigmentation, was investigated in both cell-free and cellular enzymatic systems, as well as in phenotype-based zebrafish model. Bioassay-guided purification indicated that the ethyl acetate fraction of G. fromosanum mycelium ethanolic extract (GFE-EA) demonstrated the highest inhibition toward cell-free tyrosinase (IC50 = 118.26 ± 13.34 ppm). The secreted and intracellular melanin of B16-F10 cells were reduced by GFE-EA through suppression of tyrosinase activity (IC50 = 102.27 ± 9.49 ppm) and its protein expression. Moreover, GFE-EA decreased surface pigmentation level of zebrafish via down-regulation of tyrosinase activity. Most of all, there is no significant difference in morphology and mortality between control and GFE-EA treated groups. Not only does GFE-EA exhibit similar depigmenting efficacy to kojic acid with lower dosage (approximately one-seventh of dose), but show less toxicity to zebrafish. It is worth noting that GFE-EA is extracted from mycelium, which subverts the general concept that mycelium lacks certain bioactivities possessed by fruit bodies. Altogether, it would appear that GFE-EA has great potential for application in the cosmetics industry.
Human motor adaptation in whole body motion
Authors: Babič Jan , Oztop Erhan , Kawato Mitsuo 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe main role of the sensorimotor system of an organism is to increase the survival of the species. Therefore, to understand the adaptation and optimality mechanisms of motor control, it is necessary to study the sensorimotor system in terms of ecological fitness. We designed an experimental paradigm that exposed sensorimotor system to risk of injury. We studied human subjects performing uncon- strained squat-to-stand movements that were systematically subjected to non-trivial perturbation. We found that subjects adapted by actively compensating the perturbations, converging to movements that were different from their normal unperturbed squat-to-stand movements. Furthermore, the adapted movements had clear intrinsic inter-subject differences which could be explained by different adapta- tion strategies employed by the subjects. These results suggest that classical optimality measures of physical energy and task satisfaction should be seen as part of a hierarchical organization of optimality with safety being at the highest level. Therefore, in addition to physical energy and task fulfillment, the risk of injury and other possible costs such as neural computational overhead have to be considered when analyzing human movement.
Molecular mechanism of male differentiation is conserved in the SRY-absent mammal, Tokudaia osimensis
Authors: Otake Tomofumi , Kuroiwa Asato 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe sex-determining gene SRY induces SOX9 expression in the testes of eutherian mammals via two pathways. SRY binds to testis-specific enhancer of Sox9 (TESCO) with SF1 to activate SOX9 transcription. SRY also up-regulates ER71 expression, and ER71 activates Sox9 transcription. After the initiation of testis differentiation, SOX9 enhances Amh expression by binding to its promoter with SF1. SOX8, SOX9 and SOX10, members of the SOXE gene family, also enhance the activities of the Amh promoter and TESCO. In this study, we investigated the regulation of these sexual differentiation genes in Tokudaia osimensis, which lacks a Y chromosome and the SRY gene. The activity of the AMH promoter was stimulated by SOXE genes and SF1. Mutant AMH promoters, with mutations in its SOX and SF1 binding sites, did not show significant activity by SOX9 and SF1. These results indicate that AMH expression was regulated by the binding of SOX9 and SF1. By contrast, SOXE genes could not enhance TESCO activity. These results indicate that TESCO enhancer activity was lost in this species. Furthermore, the activity of the SOX9 promoter was enhanced by ER71, indicating that ER71 may play an important role in the testis-specific expression of SOX9.
Galectin-3 causes enteric neuronal loss in mice after left sided permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion, a model of stroke
Authors: Cheng Xiaowen , Boza-Serrano Antonio , Turesson Michelle Foldschak , Deierborg Tomas , Ekblad Eva , Voss Ulrikke 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn addition to brain injury stroke patients often suffer gastrointestinal complications. Neuroimmune interactions involving galectin-3, released from microglia in the brain, mediates the post-stroke pro-inflammatory response. We investigated possible consequences of stroke on the enteric nervous system and the involvement of galectin-3. We show that permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) induces loss of enteric neurons in ileum and colon in galectin-3+/+, but not in galectin-3−/−, mice. In vitro we show that serum from galectin-3+/+, but not from galectin-3−/−, mice subjected to pMCAO, caused loss of C57BL/6J myenteric neurons, while myenteric neurons derived from TLR4−/− mice were unaffected. Further purified galectin-3 (10−6 M) caused loss of cultured C57BL/6J myenteric neurons. Inhibitors of transforming growth factor β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) or AMP activated kinase (AMPK) counteracted both the purified galectin-3 and the galectin-3+/+ pMCAO serum-induced loss in vitro. Combined we show that stroke (pMCAO) triggers central and peripheral galectin-3 release causing enteric neuronal loss through a TLR4 mediated mechanism involving TAK1 and AMPK. Galectin-3 is suggested a target for treatment of post-stroke complications.
Effects of electric field on micro-scale flame properties of biobutanol fuel
Authors: Xu Tao , Chen Qinglin , Zhang Bingjian , Lu Shushen , Mo Dongchuan , Zhang Zhengguo , Gao Xuenong 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWith the increasing need of smaller power sources for satellites, energy systems and engine equipment, microcombustion pose a potential as alternative power source to conventional batteries. As the substitute fuel source for gasoline, biobutanol shows more promising characteristics than ethanol. In this study, the diffusion microflame of liquid biobutanol under electric field have been examined through in-lab experiment and numerical simulation. It is found that traditional gas jet diffusion flame theory shows significant inconsistency with the experimental results of micro scale flame in electric field. The results suggest that with the increase of electric field intensity, the quenching flow rate decrease first and increase after it reach its minimum, while the flame height and highest flame temperature increase first and drop after its peak value. In addition, it was also observed that the flame height and highest temperature for smaller tube can reach its maximum faster. Therefore, the interaction between microscale effect and electric field plays a significant role on understanding the microcombustion of liquid fuel. Therefore, FLUENT simulation was adopted to understand and measure the impacts of microflame characteristic parameters. The final numerical results are consistent with the experimental data and show a high reliability.
Genome and metagenome analyses reveal adaptive evolution of the host and interaction with the gut microbiota in the goose
Authors: Gao Guangliang , Zhao Xianzhi , Li Qin , He Chuan , Zhao Wenjing , Liu Shuyun , Ding Jinmei , Ye Weixing , Wang Jun , Chen Ye , Wang Haiwei , Li Jing , Luo Yi , Su Jian , Huang Yong , Liu Zuohua , Dai Ronghua , Shi Yixiang , Meng He , Wang Qigui 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe goose is an economically important waterfowl that exhibits unique characteristics and abilities, such as liver fat deposition and fibre digestion. Here, we report de novo whole-genome assemblies for the goose and swan goose and describe the evolutionary relationships among 7 bird species, including domestic and wild geese, which diverged approximately 3.4~6.3 million years ago (Mya). In contrast to chickens as a proximal species, the expanded and rapidly evolving genes found in the goose genome are mainly involved in metabolism, including energy, amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. Further integrated analysis of the host genome and gut metagenome indicated that the most widely shared functional enrichment of genes occurs for functions such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, starch and sucrose metabolism, propanoate metabolism and the citrate cycle. We speculate that the unique physiological abilities of geese benefit from the adaptive evolution of the host genome and symbiotic interactions with gut microbes.
Improvement of the BALB/c-3T3 cell transformation assay: a tool for investigating cancer mechanisms and therapies
Authors: Poburski Doerte , Thierbach René 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe identification of cancer preventive or therapeutic substances as well as carcinogenic risk assessment of chemicals is nowadays mostly dependent on animal studies. In vitro cell transformation assays mimic different stages of the in vivo neoplastic process and represent an excellent alternative to study carcinogenesis and therapeutic options. In the BALB/c-3T3 two-stage transformation assay cells are chemically transformed by treatment with MCA and TPA, along with the final Giemsa staining of morphological aberrant foci. In addition to the standard method we can show, that it is possible to apply other chemicals in parallel to identify potential preventive or therapeutic substances during the transformation process. Furthermore, we successfully combined the BALB/c cell transformation assay with several endpoint applications for protein analysis (immunoblot, subcellular fractionation and immunofluorescence) or energy parameter measurements (glucose and oxygen consumption) to elucidate cancer mechanisms in more detail. In our opinion the BALB/c cell transformation assay proves to be an excellent model to investigate alterations in key proteins or energy parameters during the different stages of transformation as well as therapeutic substances and their mode of action.
Impact of Degree Heterogeneity on Attack Vulnerability of Interdependent Networks
Authors: Sun Shiwen , Wu Yafang , Ma Yilin , Wang Li , Gao Zhongke , Xia Chengyi 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe study of interdependent networks has become a new research focus in recent years. We focus on one fundamental property of interdependent networks: vulnerability. Previous studies mainly focused on the impact of topological properties upon interdependent networks under random attacks, the effect of degree heterogeneity on structural vulnerability of interdependent networks under intentional attacks, however, is still unexplored. In order to deeply understand the role of degree distribution and in particular degree heterogeneity, we construct an interdependent system model which consists of two networks whose extent of degree heterogeneity can be controlled simultaneously by a tuning parameter. Meanwhile, a new quantity, which can better measure the performance of interdependent networks after attack, is proposed. Numerical simulation results demonstrate that degree heterogeneity can significantly increase the vulnerability of both single and interdependent networks. Moreover, it is found that interdependent links between two networks make the entire system much more fragile to attacks. Enhancing coupling strength between networks can greatly increase the fragility of both networks against targeted attacks, which is most evident under the case of max-max assortative coupling. Current results can help to deepen the understanding of structural complexity of complex real-world systems.
Genetic testing of 248 Chinese aortopathy patients using a panel assay
Authors: Yang Hang , Luo Mingyao , Fu Yuanyuan , Cao Yandong , Yin Kunlun , Li Wenke , Meng Chunjie , Ma Yanyun , Zhang Jing , Fan Yuxin , Shu Chang , Chang Qian , Zhou Zhou 
Published: September 2016

AbstractInherited aortopathy, which is characterized by a high risk of fatal aortic aneurysms/dissections, can occur secondarily to several syndromes. To identify genetic mutations and help make a precise diagnosis, we designed a gene panel containing 15 genes responsible for inherited aortopathy and tested 248 probands with aortic disease or Marfan syndrome. The results showed that 92 individuals (37.1%) tested positive for a (likely) pathogenic mutation, most of which were FBN1 mutations. We found that patients with a FBN1 truncating or splicing mutation were more prone to developing severe aortic disease or valvular disease. To date, this is the largest reported cohort of Chinese patients with aortic disease who have undergone genetic testing. Therefore, it can serve as a considerable dataset of next generation sequencing data analysis of Chinese population with inherited aortopathy. Additionally, according to the accumulated data, we optimized the analysis pipeline by adding quality control steps and lowering the false positive rate.
A Kirigami Approach to Forming a Synthetic Buckliball
Authors: Sen Lin  , Xie Yi Min , Li Qing , Huang Xiaodong , Zhou Shiwei 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe shape transformation of some biological systems inspires scientists to create sophisticated structures at the nano- and macro- scales. However, to be useful in engineering, the mechanics of governing such a spontaneous, parallel and large deformation must be well understood. In this study, a kirigami approach is used to fold a bilayer planar sheet featuring a specific pattern into a buckliball under a certain thermal stimulus. Importantly, this prescribed spherical object can retract into a much smaller sphere due to constructive buckling caused by radially inward displacement. By minimizing the potential strain energy, we obtain a critical temperature, below which the patterned sheet exhibits identical principal curvatures everywhere in the self-folding procedure and above which buckling occurs. The applicability of the theoretical analysis to the self-folding of sheets with a diversity of patterns is verified by the finite element method.
Revealing the Earth’s mantle from the tallest mountains using the Jinping Neutrino Experiment
Authors: Šrámek Ondřej , Roskovec Bedřich , Wipperfurth Scott A. , Xi Yufei , McDonough William F. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe Earth’s engine is driven by unknown proportions of primordial energy and heat produced in radioactive decay. Unfortunately, competing models of Earth’s composition reveal an order of magnitude uncertainty in the amount of radiogenic power driving mantle dynamics. Recent measurements of the Earth’s flux of geoneutrinos, electron antineutrinos from terrestrial natural radioactivity, reveal the amount of uranium and thorium in the Earth and set limits on the residual proportion of primordial energy. Comparison of the flux measured at large underground neutrino experiments with geologically informed predictions of geoneutrino emission from the crust provide the critical test needed to define the mantle’s radiogenic power. Measurement at an oceanic location, distant from nuclear reactors and continental crust, would best reveal the mantle flux, however, no such experiment is anticipated. We predict the geoneutrino flux at the site of the Jinping Neutrino Experiment (Sichuan, China). Within 8 years, the combination of existing data and measurements from soon to come experiments, including Jinping, will exclude end-member models at the 1σ level, define the mantle’s radiogenic contribution to the surface heat loss, set limits on the composition of the silicate Earth, and provide significant parameter bounds for models defining the mode of mantle convection.
MiR 3180-5p promotes proliferation in human bladder smooth muscle cell by targeting PODN under hydrodynamic pressure
Authors: Sun Yi , Luo De-Yi , Zhu Yu-Chun , Zhou Liang , Yang Tong-Xin , Tang Cai , Shen Hong , Wang Kun-Jie 
Published: September 2016

AbstractHuman bladder smooth muscle cells (HBSMCs) were subjected to pressure cycles of up to 200 cm H2O to a pressure of 0 cm H2O for 24 hours. The total RNA extracted from each group was subjected to microarray analysis. miR-3180-5p emerged as the most overexpressed of all the differentially expressed microRNAs, and this finding was validated by PCR. We then used CCK-8 to quantify cell proliferation after liposome-mediated transfection. Subsequently, we investigated the change in PODN and its downstream signaling proteins, including cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) and p21. In addition, flow cytometry was performed to quantify cell-cycle distribution. The results show that miR-3180-5p, the microRNA that was most overexpressed in response to HP, reduced the expression of PODN and podocan (p = 0.004 and p = 0.041, respectively). Silencing of PODN via miR-3180-5p overexpression revealed a significant promotion of cell proliferation increased in the CCK-8 experiment, p = 0.00077). This cell proliferation was accompanied by an increase in cdk2 expression (p = 0.00193) and a decrease in p21 expression (p = 0.0095). The percentage of cells in (S + G2/M) improved after transfection (p = 0.002). It was apparent that HP upregulates miR-3180-5p, which inhibits the expression of PODN and promotes HBSMC proliferation via the cdk2 signaling pathway.
Raman-based detection of hydroxyethyl starch in kidney allograft biopsies as a potential marker of allograft quality in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Vuiblet Vincent , Fere Michael , Bankole Ezechiel , Wynckel Alain , Gobinet Cyril , Birembaut Philippe , Piot Olivier , Rieu Philippe 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIn brain-dead donor resuscitation, hydroxyethyl starch (HES) use has been associated with presence of osmotic-nephrosis-like lesions in kidney transplant recipients. Our aim was to determine whether the presence of HES in protocol renal graft biopsies at three months (M3) after transplantation is associated with renal graft quality. According to the HES administered to the donor during the procurement procedure, two groups of patients were defined according graft exposition to HES: HES group, (N = 20) and control group (N = 6). Detection and relative quantification of HES was performed by Raman spectroscopy microimaging on M3 protocol renal graft biopsies. Statistical analyses were used to investigate the association between Raman data and graft characteristics. HES spectral signal was revealed negative in the control group, whereas it was positive in 40% of biopsies from the HES group. In the HES group, a stronger HES signal was associated with a lower risk of graft failure measured by the Kidney Donor Risk Index (KDRI) and was correlated with the allograft kidney function. Thus, HES accumulation in donor kidney, as probed by Raman biophotonic technique, is correlated with the quality of donor kidney and consequently the graft renal function and graft survival.