bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Interleukin-22 ameliorated renal injury and fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy through inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation
Authors: Wang Shaofei , Li Yubin , Fan Jiajun , Zhang Xuyao , Luan Jingyun , Bian Qi , Ding Tao , Wang Yichen , Wang Ziyu , Song Ping , Cui Daxiang , Mei Xiaobin , Ju Dianwen 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDiabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most lethal complications of diabetes mellitus with metabolic disorders and chronic inflammation. Although the cytokine IL-22 was initially implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases, recent studies suggested that IL-22 could suppress inflammatory responses and alleviate tissue injury. Herein, we examined the role of IL-22 in DN. We found that serum levels of IL-22 were significantly downregulated in both patients and mice with DN. The expression of IL-22 was further decreased with the progression of DN, whereas IL-22 gene therapy significantly ameliorated renal injury and mesangial matrix expansion in mice with established nephropathy. IL-22 could also markedly reduce high glucose-induced and TGF-β1-induced overexpression of fibronectin and collagen IV in mouse renal glomerular mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting the potential role of IL-22 to inhibit the overproduction of ECM in vitro. Simultaneously, IL-22 gene therapy drastically alleviated renal fibrosis and proteinuria excretion in DN. In addition, IL-22 gene therapy markedly attenuated hyperglycemia and metabolic disorders in streptozotocin-induced experimental diabetic mice. Notably, IL-22 drastically reversed renal activation of NLRP3, cleavage of caspase-1, and the maturation of IL-1β in DN, suggesting unexpected anti-inflammatory function of IL-22 via suppressing the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in vivo. Moreover, IL-22 markedly downregulated high glucose-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in renal mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner, indicating that the effects of IL-22 on NLRP3 inflammasome activation was independent of improved glycemic control. These results suggested that nephroprotection by IL-22 in DN was most likely associated with reduced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. In conclusion, our finding demonstrated that IL-22 could exert favorable effects on DN via simultaneously alleviating systemic metabolic syndrome and downregulating renal NLRP3/caspase-1/IL-1β pathway, suggesting that IL-22 might have therapeutic potential for the treatment of DN.
Calcium-binding protein S100A14 induces differentiation and suppresses metastasis in gastric cancer
Authors: Zhu Min , Wang Hongyi , Cui Jiantao , Li Wenmei , An Guo , Pan Yuanming , Zhang Qingying , Xing Rui , Lu Youyong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractS100A14 is a calcium-binding protein involved in cell proliferation and differentiation as well as the metastasis of human tumors. In this study, we characterized the regulation of S100A14 expression between biological signatures and clinical pathological features in gastric cancer (GC). Our data demonstrated that S100A14 induced the differentiation of GC by upregulating the expression of E-cadherin and PGII. Moreover, S100A14 expression negatively correlated with cell migration and invasion in in vitro and in vivo experimental models. Interestingly, S100A14 blocked the store-operated Ca2+ influx by suppressing Orai1 and STIM1 expression, leading to FAK expression activation, focal adhesion assembly and MMP downregulation. Taken together, our results indicate that S100A14 may have a role in the induction of differentiation and inhibition of cell metastasis in GC.
PKCζ phosphorylates TRAF2 to protect against intestinal ischemia–reperfusion–induced injury
Authors: Zhou Wei , Yao Jihong , Wang Guangzhi , Chen Zhao , Li Zhenlu , Feng Dongcheng , Li Yang , Qasim Wasim , Tan Wenzhi , Ning Shili , Tian Xiaofeng 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIntestinal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) is a common clinical problem that occurs during various clinical pathological processes. Excessive apoptosis has an indispensable role in intestinal I/R injury. Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) and PKCζ have an essential role in apoptosis. Here, we aimed to investigate the effects of PKCζ and TRAF2 and to explore the correlation between PKCζ and TRAF2 in intestinal I/R injury. Mice were subjected to intestinal I/R injury in vivo. In vitro experiments were conducted by treating Caco-2 cells with hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) stimulation to simulate intestinal I/R. Intestinal tissue samples and Caco-2 cells were examined using various approaches. Intestinal I/R induced the membrane translocation and phosphorylation of PKCζ. Pretreatment with the PKCζ activator phosphatidylcholine remarkably attenuated gut injury by suppressing apoptosis. H/R induced PKCζ to combine with TRAF2, which was phosphorylated by PKCζ at Ser55, but not at Ser11, under intestinal I/R or H/R conditions. In addition, TRAF2 Ser55 phosphorylation increased cell survival by inhibiting cell apoptosis in the H/R model. Mechanistically, TRAF2 Ser55 phosphorylation promoted NF-κB activation but suppressed c-Jun activation in Caco-2 cells under H/R conditions. The results of this study demonstrate that the PKCζ/TRAF2 pathway represents a novel protective mechanism against intestinal I/R injury. Therefore, the PKCζ/TRAF2 pathway is a novel target for potential treatments of intestinal I/R injury-related diseases.
Autophagy inhibition reduces chemoresistance and tumorigenic potential of human ovarian cancer stem cells
Authors: Pagotto Anna , Pilotto Giorgia , Mazzoldi Elena Laura , Nicoletto Maria Ornella , Frezzini Simona , Pastò Anna , Amadori Alberto 
Published: July 2017

AbstractEpithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the most malignant gynecological tumors with a high mortality rate owing to tumor relapse after anticancer therapies. It is widely accepted that a rare tumor cell population, known as cancer stem cells (CSC), is responsible for tumor progression and relapse; intriguingly, these cells are able to survive nutrient starvation (such as in vitro culture in the absence of glucose) and chemotherapy treatment. Recent data also indicated that chemotherapy resistance is associated with autophagy activation. We thus decided to investigate both in vitro and in vivo the autophagic activity and the effects of the perturbation of this pathway in CSC isolated from EOC ascitic effusions. Ovarian CSC, identified according to their CD44/CD117 co-expression, presented a higher basal autophagy compared with the non-stem counterpart. Inhibition of this pathway, by in vitro chloroquine treatment or CRISPR/Cas9 ATG5 knockout, impaired canonical CSC properties, such as viability, the ability to form spheroidal structures in vitro, and in vivo tumorigenic potential. In addition, autophagy inhibition showed a synergistic effect with carboplatin administration on both in vitro CSC properties and in vivo tumorigenic activity. On the whole, these results indicate that the autophagy process has a key role in CSC maintenance; inhibition of this pathway in combination with other chemotherapeutic approaches could represent a novel effective strategy to overcome drug resistance and tumor recurrence.
Neuroprotection by eIF2α-CHOP inhibition and XBP-1 activation in EAE/optic neuritiss
Authors: Huang Haoliang , Miao Linqing , Liang Feisi , Liu Xiaodong , Xu Lin , Teng Xiuyin , Wang Qizhao , Ridder William H , Shindler Kenneth S , Sun Yang , Hu Yang 
Published: July 2017

AbstractNo therapies exist to prevent neuronal deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS), because the molecular mechanism responsible for the progressive neurodegeneration is unknown. We previously showed that axon injury-induced neuronal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress plays an important role in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and optic nerve degeneration in traumatic and glaucomatous optic neuropathies. Optic neuritis, one of the most common clinical manifestations of MS, is readily modeled by experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mouse. Using this in vivo model, we now show that ER stress is induced early in EAE and that modulation of ER stress by inhibition of eIF2α-CHOP and activation of XBP-1 in RGC specifically, protects RGC somata and axons and preserves visual function. This finding adds to the evidence that ER stress is a general upstream mechanism for neurodegeneration and suggests that targeting ER stress molecules is a promising therapeutic strategy for neuroprotection in MS.
Manganese transporter Slc39a14 deficiency revealed its key role in maintaining manganese homeostasis in mice
Authors: Xin Yongjuan , Gao Hong , Wang Jia , Qiang Yuzhen , Imam Mustapha Umar , Li Yang , Wang Jianyao , Zhang Ruochen , Zhang Huizhen , Yu Yingying , Wang Hao , Luo Haiyang , Shi Changhe , Xu Yuming , Hojyo Shintaro , Fukada Toshiyuki , Min Junxia , Wang Fudi 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSLC39A14 (also known as ZIP14), a member of the SLC39A transmembrane metal transporter family, has been reported to mediate the cellular uptake of iron and zinc. Recently, however, mutations in the SLC39A14 gene have been linked to manganese (Mn) accumulation in the brain and childhood-onset parkinsonism dystonia. It has therefore been suggested that SLC39A14 deficiency impairs hepatic Mn uptake and biliary excretion, resulting in the accumulation of Mn in the circulation and brain. To test this hypothesis, we generated and characterized global Slc39a14-knockout (Slc39a14−/−) mice and hepatocyte-specific Slc39a14-knockout (Slc39a14fl/fl;Alb-Cre+) mice. Slc39a14−/− mice develop markedly increased Mn concentrations in the brain and several extrahepatic tissues, as well as motor deficits that can be rescued by treatment with the metal chelator Na2CaEDTA. In contrast, Slc39a14fl/fl;Alb-Cre+ mice do not accumulate Mn in the brain or other extrahepatic tissues and do not develop motor deficits, indicating that the loss of Slc39a14 expression selectively in hepatocytes is not sufficient to cause Mn accumulation. Interestingly, Slc39a14fl/fl;Alb-Cre+ mice fed a high Mn diet have increased Mn levels in the serum, brain and pancreas, but not in the liver. Taken together, our results indicate that Slc39a14−/− mice develop brain Mn accumulation and motor deficits that cannot be explained by a loss of Slc39a14 expression in hepatocytes. These findings provide insight into the physiological role that SLC39A14 has in maintaining Mn homeostasis. Our tissue-specific Slc39a14-knockout mouse model can serve as a valuable tool for further dissecting the organ-specific role of SLC39A14 in regulating the body’s susceptibility to Mn toxicity.
PUMA gene delivery to synoviocytes reduces inflammation and degeneration of arthritic joints
Authors: Hong Saw-See , Marotte Hubert , Courbon Guillaume , Firestein Gary S. , Boulanger Pierre , Miossec Pierre 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIn rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) is the cause of chronic inflammation in joints and of joint damage. Delivery of the pro-apoptotic gene PUMA to FLS via human adenovirus type 5 (HAdV5) vectors has been tested as a therapeutic approach, but efficiency is hampered by low transduction, as FLS do not express HAdV5 receptors on the cell surface. Here we show that efficient transduction of PUMA in FLS can be achieved by conjugating HAdV5 to a baculovirus, which binds to the cell surface via the envelope glycoprotein Gp64. Intra-articular injection in an adjuvant-induced rat model of RA induces apoptosis of FLS, leading to significant decrease in joint inflammation, joint damage, and bone loss with improvement in joint function and mobility. Our results demonstrate the therapeutic potential of PUMA gene therapy as a local treatment in various forms of arthritis in which abnormal FLS proliferation is implicated.
The cost of corrosion in China
Authors: Hou Baorong , Li Xiaogang , Ma Xiumin , Du Cuiwei , Zhang Dawei , Zheng Meng , Xu Weichen , Lu Dongzhu , Ma Fubin 
Published: July 2017

AbstractCorrosion is a ubiquitous and costly problem for a variety of industries. Understanding and reducing the cost of corrosion remain primary interests for corrosion professionals and relevant asset owners. The present study summarises the findings that arose from the landmark “Study of Corrosion Status and Control Strategies in China”, a key consulting project of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 2015, which sought to determine the national cost of corrosion and costs associated with representative industries in China. The study estimated that the cost of corrosion in China was approximately 2127.8 billion RMB (~ 310 billion USD), representing about 3.34% of the gross domestic product. The transportation and electronics industries were the two that generated the highest costs among all those surveyed. Based on the survey results, corrosion is a major and significant issue, with several key general strategies to reduce the cost of corrosion also outlined.
Adjustable multicolor up-energy conversion in light-luminesce in Tb3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ co-doped oxyfluorifFde glass-ceramics containing Ba2LaF7 nanocrystals
Authors: Li Zhencai , Zhou Dacheng , Yang Yong , Ren Peng , Qiu Jianbei 
Published: July 2017

AbstractTransparent oxyfluoride glasses with highly efficient up-energy conversion (UEC) luminescence were developed in the 45SiO2-15Al2O3-12Na2CO3-21BaF2-7LaF3-xTbF3-yTmF3-zYbF3 composition (in mol%), and structural investigation by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the formation of face-centered cubic Ba2LaF7 nanocrystals. The colors of UEC luminescences could be tuned easily by adjusting the concentration of doped rare earth ions and the excitation power of laser simultaneously. The relationship between the emission intensity of Tb3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ co-doped oxyfluoride glass-ceramics and the excitation pump power revealed that three-photon and two-photon absorptions predominated in the conversion process from the infrared into blue and red luminescences, respectively. A novel UEC mechanism of red emission from Tm3+ was proposed, energy transfers from Yb3+ to Tm3+ and Tb3+ and from Tm3+ to Tb3+ were evidenced. The possible mechanism responsible for the color variation of UEC in Tb3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ co-doped was discussed.
Template-free synthesis of polystyrene monoliths for the removal of oil-in-water emulsion
Authors: Wang Guowei , Yu Bin , Chen Shiguo , Uyama Hiroshi 
Published: July 2017

AbstractOil-in-water emulsions are harmful to both humankind and environment. Frequent oil spill disasters make it urgent to develop low cost and high-efficiency materials for the treatment of oil-in-water emulsions. In this study, we report the facile template-free synthesis of macroporous polystyrene (PS) monolith from PS solution using a thermally-induced phase separation (TIPS) technique. The fabricated monolith showed high hydrophobicity, superoleophilicity, and macroporous structure. Moreover, the monolith exhibited high removal efficiency toward different oil-in-water emulsions. The monolith can be fabricated from cheap and commonly-used plastic. Thus, we anticipate that this research will contribute to both the recycling of PS and the treatment of oil spill accidents.
Clownfish in hypoxic anemones replenish host O2 at only localised scales
Authors: Herbert N. A. , Bröhl S. , Springer K. , Kunzmann A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe clownfish-anemone association exemplifies a symbiosis where both members benefit from nutrient exchange and protection from predators. Clownfish also perform aeration-like behaviour in their host anemones at night, but it is not yet known whether this is stimulated by the onset of hypoxia, and whether both members benefit from O2 replenishment. Oxygen at 3 distances above the sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor (0.2, 1.2 and 2.2 cm) therefore was measured under 3 light levels (photon flux density = 0, 55 and 110 µmol m−2 s−1), with and without the anemonefish Amphiprion frenatus. Hypoxia (O2 < 50% air saturation) was recorded in the anemone, but only at 0.2 cm away from the anemone surface under dark conditions when A. frenatus was absent. This localised layer of hypoxia was eliminated by the presence of A. frenatus exhibiting aeration-like behaviour. Respirometry revealed that A. frenatus is extremely hypoxia tolerant (Scrit = 14.3% at 25 °C), suggesting that aeration behaviour does not provide a major metabolic advantage to clownfish because they do not breathe water at 0.2 cm and are not metabolically constrained by O2 at distances ≥ 1.2 cm. That the aeration behaviour of A. frenatus facilitates only the metabolism of its O2-conforming host reveals a unique aspect of this symbiotic relationship.
Label-free Electrochemical Detection of ATP Based on Amino-functionalized Metal-organic Framework
Authors: Shi Pengfei , Zhang Yuanchao , Yu Zhaopeng , Zhang Shusheng 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA sensitive, selective and recyclable electrochemical sensor is designed for ATP detection based on amino-functionalized metal-organic framework. The functional MOF as the sensor is constructed by one-step synthesis Ce-MOF and sequentially modified on the Au electrode and conjugated with the aptamer of ATP. The presence of target ATP leads to the conformational change of aptamer strands and strong electrochemical impedance. The electrochemical sensor can detect ATP down to 5.6 nM with the linear range of 10 nm to 1000 μM. The present study is the first report on the use of MOF as an electrochemical sensor for ATP at nM level. This strategy has been successfully applied in detection of ATP in serum of cancer patients, which reveals its potential application in clinical diagnosis.
Contextual connectivity: A framework for understanding the intrinsic dynamic architecture of large-scale functional brain networks
Authors: Ciric Rastko , Nomi Jason S. , Uddin Lucina Q. , Satpute Ajay B. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractInvestigations of the human brain’s connectomic architecture have produced two alternative models: one describes the brain’s spatial structure in terms of static localized networks, and the other describes the brain’s temporal structure in terms of dynamic whole-brain states. Here, we used tools from connectivity dynamics to develop a synthesis that bridges these models. Using resting fMRI data, we investigated the assumptions undergirding current models of the human connectome. Consistent with state-based models, our results suggest that static localized networks are superordinate approximations of underlying dynamic states. Furthermore, each of these localized, dynamic connectivity states is associated with global changes in the whole-brain functional connectome. By nesting localized dynamic connectivity states within their whole-brain contexts, we demonstrate the relative temporal independence of brain networks. Our assay for functional autonomy of coordinated neural systems is broadly applicable, and our findings provide evidence of structure in temporal state dynamics that complements the well-described static spatial organization of the brain.
BMP2-modified injectable hydrogel for osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells
Authors: Park Seung Hun , Kwon Jin Seon , Lee Byeong Sung , Park Ji Hoon , Lee Bo Keun , Yun Jeong-Ho , Lee Bun Yeoul , Kim Jae Ho , Min Byoung Hyun , Yoo Tae Hyeon , Kim Moon Suk 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis is the first report on the development of a covalently bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2)-immobilized hydrogel that is suitable for osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPLSCs). O-propargyl-tyrosine (OpgY) was site-specifically incorporated into BMP2 to prepare BMP2-OpgY with an alkyne group. The engineered BMP2-OpgY exhibited osteogenic characteristics after in vitro osteogenic differentiation of hPLSCs, indicating the osteogenic ability of BMP2-OpgY. A methoxy polyethylene glycol-(polycaprolactone-(N3)) block copolymer (MC-N3) was prepared as an injectable in situ-forming hydrogel. BMP2 covalently immobilized on an MC hydrogel (MC-BMP2) was prepared quantitatively by a simple biorthogonal reaction between alkyne groups on BMP2-OpgY and azide groups on MC-N3 via a Cu(I)-catalyzed click reaction. The hPLSCs-loaded MC-BMP2 formed a hydrogel almost immediately upon injection into animals. In vivo osteogenic differentiation of hPLSCs in the MC-BMP2 formulation was confirmed by histological staining and gene expression analyses. Histological staining of hPLSC-loaded MC-BMP2 implants showed evidence of mineralized calcium deposits, whereas hPLSC-loaded MC-Cl or BMP2-OpgY mixed with MC-Cl, implants showed no mineral deposits. Additionally, MC-BMP2 induced higher levels of osteogenic gene expression in hPLSCs than in other groups. In conclusion, BMP2-OpgY covalently immobilized on MC-BMP2 induced osteogenic differentiation of hPLSCs as a noninvasive method for bone tissue engineering.
Molecular profiling of single organelles for quantitative analysis of cellular heterogeneity
Authors: Kuzmin Andrey N. , Levchenko Svitlana M. , Pliss Artem , Qu Junle , Prasad Paras N. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractRecent developments in Raman spectroscopy instrumentation and data processing algorithms have led to the emergence of Ramanomics - an independent discipline with unprecedented capabilities to map the distribution of distinct molecular groups in live cells. Here, we introduce a method for probing the absolute concentrations of proteins, RNA and lipids in single organelles of live cultured cells by biomolecular component analysis using microRaman data. We found significant cell-to-cell variations in the molecular profiles of organelles, thus providing a physiologically relevant set of markers of cellular heterogeneity. At the same cell the molecular profiles of different organelles can strongly correlate, reflecting tight coordination of their functions. This correlation was significant in WI-38 diploid fibroblasts and weak in HeLa cells, indicating profound differences in the regulation of biochemical processes in these cell lines.
Quality assessment of Chinese liquor with different ages and prediction analysis based on gas chromatography and electronic nose
Authors: Xu M. L. , Zhu S. M. , Yu Y. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe economic value of Chinese liquor is closely related with its age. Results from gas chromatograph (GC) analysis indicated that 8 dominant compounds were decreased with the increase of liquor age (0 to 5 years) while ethyl lactate was found to be the most stable dominant compound as no significant change was observed in it during the aging process. Liquor groups with different ages were well-discriminated by principal component analysis (PCA) based on electronic nose signals. High-accurate identification of liquor ages was realized using linear discriminant analysis (LDA) with the accuracy of 98.3% of the total 120 samples from six age groups. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) exhibited satisfying ability for liquor age prediction (R2: 0.9732 in calibration set and 0.9101 in validation set). The feasibility of volatile compounds prediction using PLSR combined with electronic nose was also verified by this research. However, the accuracies of PLSR models can be further promoted in future researches, perhaps by using more suitable sensors or modeling approaches.