bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differentiation of embryonic stem cells to cardiomyocytes on electrospun nanofibrous substrates
Authors: Prabhakaran Molamma P. , Mobarakeh Laleh Ghasemi , Kai Dan , Karbalaie Khadijeh , Nasr‐Esfahani Mohammad Hossein , Ramakrishna Seeram 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe potential of pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) isolated from the inner mass of blastocysts are investigated for its ability to differentiate on biocompatible electrospun nanofibers, for regeneration of the myocardially infracted heart. Nanostructured poly(d,l‐lactide‐co‐glycolide)/collagen (PLGA/Col) scaffolds with fiber diameters in the range of 300 ± 65 nm, was fabricated by electrospinning to mimic the extracellular matrix of the native tissue. During the culture of embryoid bodies outgrowth on the scaffolds, and further differentiation of ESCs to cardiomyocytes, the PLGA/Col nanofibers was found better than that of the electrospun PLGA nanofibers, where a better interaction and growth of ESC differentiated cardiomyocytes was observed on the composite scaffolds. The phenotypical characteristics of ESC‐derived cardiomyocytes and molecular protein expression were carried out by scanning electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Our studies highlight the significance of a suitable material, its architecture, and cell–biomaterial interactions that is essential at a nanoscale level signifying the application of a bioengineered cardiac graft for stem cell differentiation and transplantation, which could be an intriguing strategy for cardiac regeneration. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 447–454, 2014.
Spatial and temporal variations of new particle formation in East Asia using an NPF‐explicit WRF‐chem model: North‐south contrast in new particle formation frequency
Authors: Matsui H. , Koike M. , Takegawa N. , Kondo Y. , Takami A. , Takamura T. , Yoon S. , Kim S.‐W. , Lim H.‐C. , Fast J. D. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractA recently developed new particle formation (NPF)‐explicit version of the Weather Research and Forecasting Chemistry (WRF‐chem) model can explicitly calculate the growth and sink of nucleated clusters with 20 aerosol size bins from 1 nm to 10 µm in diameter. In this study, the model was used to investigate spatial and temporal variations in NPF event frequency and the concentrations of aerosols (condensation nuclei, CN) and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) within the boundary layer in East Asia in spring 2009. We found a distinct north‐south contrast in the NPF frequency and mechanism in East Asia. NPF occurred mainly during limited periods over certain regions between 30° and 45°N (northeast China, Korea, and Japan, including regions around the active volcanoes Miyakejima and Sakurajima). In these latitudes, NPF was suppressed by high concentrations of preexisting particles under stagnant air conditions associated with high‐pressure systems, although nucleation occurred more extensively during most of the simulation period. In contrast, south of 30°N, nucleation and NPF were both infrequent because of low SO2 emissions and H2SO4 concentrations. The period‐averaged NPF frequency at 30°–45°N was three times that at 20°–30°N. This north‐south contrast in NPF frequency was validated by surface measurements in outflow regions of East Asia. The simulated period‐ and domain‐averaged contribution of secondary particles was estimated to be 44% for CN (>10 nm) and 26% for CCN at a supersaturation of 1.0%, though the contribution was highly sensitive to the amount and size distribution of primary aerosol emissions and the rate coefficient of the nucleation parameterization.
Effects of dietary transgenic poplar leaf pellets on performance and tissues in rabbits
Authors: Yang Liyan , Sun Yi , Wang Yixue , Hao Yaoshan 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBACKGROUNDVarious studies have been conducted to evaluate the effect of Bt crops on animals. Insect‐resistant bioassays have revealed that the chitinase–BmkIT combination could be used as a new pest‐resistant gene source and might be a complementary alien gene source to the Bt toxin gene. So it is necessary to assay the effects of chitinase–BmkIT plants on animals.RESULTSForty 40‐day old New Zealand White Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were fed for 60 consecutive days with formulated feed containing dehydrated poplar (Populus cathayana Rehd) leaves harbouring chitinase–BmkIT gene combination or untransformed counterparts, and the potential toxicological effects of transgenic leaves on rabbits were explored. The results of the growth study revealed no significant differences for daily weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio where they were 101.6%, 99.2% and 97.8% of the treatment compared to the control, respectively. No obvious pathological change was observed in the small intestine, stomach, spleen, kidney, lung, heart, bladder, pancreas, prostate and ovary. Electron microscopy observations of liver cells and renal cells showed they were both normal in the two groups. No feed‐derived chitinase, BmkIT and NPTII genes were found in small intestine, blood, or leg muscle samples although they were detected in the formulated feed.CONCLUSIONWe conclude that the processed poplar leaves with foreign chitinase–BmkIT genes had no obviously harmful effects on rabbits. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Stabile, Thermoresponsive Colloidal Clusters: An Unusual Morphology of Polymer Dispersions
Authors: Yu Ran , Hartmann Jürgen , Tauer Klaus 
Published: September 2013

A new class of colloidal polymeric particles consisting of polystyrene spheres grown in a poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) precursor scaffold is synthesized via redox‐initiated heterophase polymerization. The morphology and thermoresponsiveness of these assemblies is proven by electron microscopy investigations and temperature‐dependent measurements of the change of both the speed of sound travelling through the dispersion and the hydrodynamic particle size. Electron microscopy (EM) micrographs (transmission and scanning EM as well cryo‐scanning EM) prove the existence of colloidal clusters when the freeze‐dried copolymer is redispersed in pure water. The clusters have a size of several micrometers, contain about 800 polystyrene particles with diameter below 100 nm, and show a highly reproducible thermoresponsive behavior with a lower critical solution temperature corresponding to that of pure poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide).
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Rooibos influences glucocorticoid levels and steroid ratios in vivo and in vitro: A natural approach in the management of stress and metabolic disorders?
Authors: Schloms Lindie , Smith Carine , Storbeck Karl‐Heinz , Marnewick Jeanine L. , Swart Pieter , Swart Amanda C. 
Published: September 2013

ScopeTo determine the effect of Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on glucocorticoid biosynthesis and inactivation in vivo and in vitro.Methods and resultsUltra‐performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) analyses of in vivo studies showed that human Rooibos consumption increased cortisone plasma levels in males (p = 0.0465) and reduced cortisol:cortisone ratios in males and females (p = 0.0486) at risk for cardiovascular disease. In rats, corticosterone (CORT) (p = 0.0275) and deoxycorticosterone (p = 0.0298) levels as well as the CORT:testosterone ratio (p = 0.0009) decreased following Rooibos consumption. The inactivation of cortisol was investigated in vitro by expressing 11β‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) and type 2 (11βHSD2) in CHO‐K1 cells. Rooibos inhibited 11βHSD1, which resulted in a significant reduction in the cortisol:cortisone ratio (p < 0.01). No significant effect was detected on 11βHSD2. In vitro studies in adrenal H295R cells showed that Rooibos and rutin, one of the more stable flavonoid compounds present in Rooibos, significantly reduced the levels of cortisol and CORT in cells stimulated with forskolin to mimic a stress response.ConclusionIn vivo studies demonstrate that Rooibos significantly decreased glucocorticoid levels in rats and steroid metabolite ratios linked to metabolic disorders—cortisol:cortisone in humans and CORT:testosterone in rats. Results obtained at cellular level elucidate possible mechanisms by which these effects were achieved.
Rheidae Egg Human Exploitation and Stable Isotopes: Trends from West Central Argentina
Authors: Giardina M. A. , Neme G. A. , Gil A. F. 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTRheidae eggshells are abundant in the archaeological record of west central Argentina. Eggs were more important in human diet than the bird meat itself, as with many other Ratite species around the world. Currently, two species inhabit the south and central areas of Argentina and Chile (Rhea pennata and Rhea americana), with different geographical distributions and diet but with similar behaviour. In this paper, we use δ13C and δ18O isotopes from Rheidae eggshells to explore the ratite diet, its spatial differences in the archaeological record, and their importance in human diet, and as a way to approach human mobility in hunter‐gatherer societies from west central Argentina. There was a significant correlation between both δ13C and δ18O isotope data and the Rheidae species' distribution in the landscape, showing differences in their past diet and territoriality. Additionally, the unexpected δ13C and δ18O isotope values in the Altoandina Desert area suggest human transport of the Rheidae eggs to these locations. The isotopic data from the eggshells need to be incorporated into the ecological history of the region in order to understand past human diet and mobility. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improved dislocation model of silicon solar cells with the effect of front and back surface recombination velocity
Authors: Budhraja Vinay , Sopori Bhushan , Ravindra Nuggehalli , Misra Durgamadhab 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACTWe have extended a previous model for calculating the effects of dislocations on the characteristics of a Si solar cell to include the effects of front and back surface recombination. This improved dislocation model uses Green's function approach to solve the three‐dimensional continuity equation of the minority carriers with suitable boundary conditions corresponding to surface recombination at the n and p sides. The dislocations are considered to be localized lines, extending perpendicular to the front and back surfaces of the cell and having a recombination velocity. We discuss effect of several parameters such as bulk dislocation density, minority carrier diffusion length in p and n regions on the J‐V characteristics, and spectral response of the cell. It is shown that these results agree well with previously published, experimental data. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aquatic Exercise is as Effective as dry Land Training to Blood Pressure Reduction in Postmenopausal Hypertensive Women
Authors: Arca Eduardo Aguilar , Martinelli Bruno , Martin Luis Cuadrado , Waisberg César Becalel , Franco Roberto Jorge da Silva 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBackground and PurposeThe evidence of the benefits from regular physical activity to hypertensives is based on dry land training studies. Therefore, the aim of this study is to compare the effect of aquatic exercise with dry land training on hypertensive women.MethodsThis is a randomized controlled study with 52 post‐menopausal hypertensive women. The patients were randomly allocated in three groups: water aerobic training group (n = 19), dry land aerobic training group (n = 19) and a non‐intervention control group (n = 14). The training protocol was performed by 12 weeks.ResultsThere were no differences among the three groups concerning basal blood pressure (BP) and biochemical variables. In water group, there was a statistically significant reduction of systolic BP from 136 ± 16 mm Hg at zero week to 124 ± 18 mm Hg at 11th week and 124 ± 15 mm Hg at 12th week.In dry land training group, there was a statistically significant reduction of systolic BP from 138 ± 15 mm Hg at zero week to 125 ± 10 mm Hg at 7th week, 127 ± 10 mm Hg at 10th week and 126 ± 9 mm Hg at 12th week. The control group presented no change in any of the assessed variables. No changes were carried out in any antihypertensive medications during study.DiscussionThis is a randomized controlled study that demonstrates the antihypertensive efficacy of aerobic aquatic exercise. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Extensive proteomic remodeling is induced by eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1Bγ deletion in Aspergillus fumigatus
Authors: O'Keeffe Grainne , Jöchl Christoph , Kavanagh Kevin , Doyle Sean 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus is ubiquitous in the environment and predominantly infects immunocompromised patients. The functions of many genes remain unknown despite sequencing of the fungal genome. A putative translation elongation factor 1Bγ (eEF1Bγ, termed elfA; 750 bp) is expressed, and exhibits glutathione S‐transferase activity, in A. fumigatus. Here, we demonstrate the role of ElfA in the oxidative stress response, as well as a possible involvement in translation and actin cytoskeleton organization, respectively. Comparative proteomics, in addition to phenotypic analysis, under basal and oxidative stress conditions, demonstrated a role for A. fumigatus elfA in the oxidative stress response. An elfA‐deficient strain (A. fumigatus ΔelfA) was significantly more sensitive to the oxidants H2O2, diamide, and 4,4′‐dipyridyl disulfide (DPS) than the wild‐type. This was further supported with the identification of differentially expressed proteins of the oxidative stress response, including; mitochondrial peroxiredoxin Prx1, molecular chaperone Hsp70 and mitochondrial glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase. Phenotypic analysis also revealed that A. fumigatus ΔelfA was significantly more tolerant to voriconazole than the wild‐type. The differential expression of two aminoacyl‐tRNA synthetases suggests a role for A. fumigatus elfA in translation, while the identification of actin‐bundling protein Sac6 and vacuolar dynamin‐like GTPase VpsA link A. fumigatus elfA to the actin cytoskeleton. Overall, this work highlights the diverse roles of A. fumigatus elfA, with respect to translation, oxidative stress and actin cytoskeleton organization. In addition to this, the strategy of combining targeted gene deletion with comparative proteomics for elucidating the role of proteins of unknown function is further revealed.
Brief Report: The lincRNA Hotair Is Required for Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Stemness Maintenance of Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Pádua Alves Cleidson , Fonseca Aline Simoneti , Muys Bruna Rodrigues , Barros e Lima Bueno Rafaela , Bürger Matheus Carvalho , Souza Jorge E. S. , Valente Valeria , Zago Marco Antonio , Silva Wilson Araújo 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
Hotair is a member of the recently described class of noncoding RNAs called lincRNA (large intergenic noncoding RNA). Various studies suggest that Hotair acts regulating epigenetic states by recruiting chromatin-modifying complexes to specific target sequences that ultimately leads to suppression of several genes. Although Hotair has been associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in different tumor types, a deep characterization of its functions in cancer is still needed. Here, we investigated the role of Hotair in the scenario of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and in the arising and maintenance of cancer stem cells (CSCs). We found that treatment with TGF-β1 resulted in increased Hotair expression and triggered the EMT program. Interestingly, ablation of Hotair expression by siRNA prevented the EMT program stimulated by TGF-β1, and also the colony-forming capacity of colon and breast cancer cells. Furthermore, we observed that the colon CSC subpopulation (CD133+/CD44+) presents much higher levels of Hotair when compared with the non-stem cell subpopulation. These results indicate that Hotair acts as a key regulator that controls the multiple signaling mechanisms involved in EMT. Altogether, our data suggest that the role of Hotair in tumorigenesis occurs through EMT triggering and stemness acquisition. Stem Cells 2013;31:2827–2832
Gold nanoclusters with enhanced tunable fluorescence as bioimaging probes
Authors: Palmal Sharbari , Jana Nikhil R. 
Published: September 2013

Development of unique bioimaging probes offering essential information's about bio environments are an important step forward in biomedical science. Nanotechnology offers variety of novel imaging nanoprobes having high‐photo stability as compared to conventional molecular probes which often experience rapid photo bleaching problem. Although great advances have been made on the development of semiconductor nanocrystals‐based fluorescent imaging probes, potential toxicity issue by heavy metal component limits their in vivo therapeutic and clinical application. Recent works show that fluorescent gold clusters (FGCs) can be a promising nontoxic alternative of semiconductor nanocrystals. FGCs derived imaging nanoprobes offer stable and tunable visible emission, small hydrodynamic size, high biocompatibility and have been exploited in variety in vitro and in vivo imaging applications. In this review, we will focus on the synthetic advances and bioimaging application potentials of FGCs. In particular, we will emphasize on functional FGCs that are bright and stable enough to be useful as bioimaging probes. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2014, 6:102–110. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1245This article is categorized under:

Diagnostic Tools > Biosensing
Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle-Based Sensing
Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Chalcogenidoantimonates by Solvothermal Synthesis in Liquid Ammonia
Authors: Kysliak Oleksandr , Beck Johannes 
Published: September 2013

AbstractA series of chalcogenidoantimonates, namely [Zn(NH3)6](SbIII4S7) (1), [Zn(NH3)6]{Zn(NH3)3SbVS4}2·NH3 (2), [Mn(NH3)6](SbIIISe2)2 (3) and [Zn(NH3)4]{Zn(NH3)SbIIISe3}2·3NH3 (4) are synthesized by solvothermal technique in liquid ammonia at 50 °C from elemental zinc or manganese, antimony and sulfur or selenium. 1 (space group P$\bar{1}$) and 2 (P$\bar{1}$) crystallize centrosymmetrically, whereas 3 (Pna21) and 4 (P21) represent polar structures. All compounds contain discrete cationic [Zn(NH3)4]2+, [Zn(NH3)6]2+, and [Mn(NH3)6]2+ ammine complexes. In the anionic structure parts, corner‐connected trigonal‐pyramidal SbS3 and SbSe3 are the characteristic building units. 1 and 4 contain 2D polymeric anions, in the latter case with Zn2+ cations incorporated in a selenidoantimonate(III) network. The polymeric anion in the structure of 3 is a helical chain. 2 is a molecular compound and contains dinuclear anions [S3Sb–S–Zn(NH3)3]2– with SbV. Raman measurements show the Sb–Ch valence vibrations in the expected region between 250–370 cm–1 for 1 and at 212 cm–1 for 4. According to the reflectance spectrum 4 is a semiconductor with an optical band gap of 2.05(5) eV.
Genomic Counseling: Next Generation Counseling
Authors: Mills Rachel , Haga Susanne B. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractPersonalized medicine continues to expand with the development and increasing use of genome‐based testing. While these advances present new opportunities for diagnosis and risk assessment, they also present challenges to clinical delivery. Genetic counselors will play an important role in ushering in this new era of testing; however, it will warrant a shift from traditional genetic counseling to “genomic counseling.” This shift will be marked by a move from reactive genetic testing for diagnosis of primarily single‐gene diseases to proactive genome‐based testing for multiple complex diseases for the purpose of disease prevention. It will also require discussion of risk information for a number of diseases, some of which may have low relative risks or weak associations, and thus, may not substantially impact clinical care. Additionally, genomic counselors will expand their roles, particularly in the area of health promotion to reduce disease risk. This additional role will require a style of counseling that is more directive than traditional counseling and require greater knowledge about risk reducing behaviors and disease screening.
Grape seed proanthocyanidins and metformin act by different mechanisms to promote insulin signaling in rats fed high calorie diet
Authors: Yogalakshmi Baskaran , Bhuvaneswari Saravanan , Sreeja S. , Anuradha Carani Venkatraman 
Published: September 2013

AbstractKey pathways like insulin signaling, AMP activated kinase (AMPK) activation and inflammatory signaling are involved in the complex pathological network of hepatic insulin resistance. Our aim is to investigate whether grape seed proanthocyanidins (GSP) and metformin (MET) target any of these pathways in insulin resistant rat liver. Albino Wistar rats were rendered insulin resistant by feeding a high fat‐fructose diet (HFFD). Either GSP (100 mg/kg b.w), MET(50 mg/kg b.w) or both were administered to insulin resistant rats as therapeutic options. HFFD‐feeding caused hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased gluconeogenesis, decreased tyrosine phosphorylation of insulin receptor‐β(IR‐β) and insulin receptor substrate‐1 (IRS‐1) and increased serine phosphorylation of IRS‐1. The association of p85α subunit of phosphotidyl inositol 3 kinase(PI3K) with IRS‐1 and subsequent Akt phosphorylation were reduced while the expression of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPK) were increased in HFFD rats. Both MET and GSP reduced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia and improved glycolysis, tyrosine phosphorylation of IR‐β and IRS‐1, IRS‐1‐PI3K association and Akt activation. However, activation of tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐6, leptin and suppressor of cytokine signaling‐3 and reduction in adiponectin caused by chronic HFFD feeding were reversed by GSP better than by MET. Activation of AMPK by GSP was much less compared to that by MET. These findings suggest that GSP might activate PI3K pathway and promote insulin action by reducing serine kinase activation and cytokine signaling and MET by targeting AMPK. The beneficial effects were enhanced during combination therapy. Thus, combination therapy with MET and GSP may be considered for the management of metabolic syndrome.