cometadata/datacite-titles-descriptions-related-identifiers huggingface dataset:
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388652
title: Alternagin-C binding to α2β1 integrin controls matrix metalloprotease-9 and matrix metalloprotease-2 in breast tumor cells and endothelial cells

description: Abstract Background Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key players in tumor progression, helping tumor cells to modify their microenvironment, which allows cell migration to secondary sites. The role of integrins, adhesion receptors that connect cells to the extracellular matrix, in MMP expression and activity has been previously suggested. However, the mechanisms by which integrins control MMP expression are not completely understood. Particularly, the role of α2β1 integrin, one of the major collagen I receptors, in MMP activity and expression has not been studied. Alternagin-C (ALT-C), a glutamate-cysteine-aspartate-disintegrin from Bothrops alternatus venom, has high affinity for an α2β1 integrin. Herein, we used ALT-C as a α2β1 integrin ligand to study the effect of ALT-C on MMP-9 and MMP-2 expression as well as on tumor cells, fibroblats and endothelial cell migration. Methods ALT-C was purified by two steps of gel filtration followed by anion exchange chromatography. The α2β1, integrin binding properties of ALT-C, its dissociation constant (Kd) relative to this integrin and to collagen I (Col I) were determined by surface plasmon resonance. The effects of ALT-C (10, 40, 100 and 1000 nM) in migration assays were studied using three human cell lines: human fibroblasts, breast tumor cell line MDA-MB-231, and microvascular endothelial cells HMEC-1, considering cells found in the tumor microenvironment. ALT-C effects on MMP-9 and MMP-2 expression and activity were analyzed by quantitative PCR and gelatin zymography, respectively. Focal adhesion kinase activation was determined by western blotting. Results Our data demonstrate that ALT-C, after binding to α2β1 integrin, acts by two distinct mechanisms against tumor progression, depending on the cell type: in tumor cells, ALT-C decreases MMP-9 and MMP-2 contents and activity, but increases focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation and transmigration; and in endothelial cells, ALT-C inhibits MMP-2, which is necessary for tumor angiogenesis. ALT-C also upregulates c-Myc mRNA level, which is related to tumor suppression. Conclusion These results demonstrate that α2β1 integrin controls MMP expression and reveal this integrin as a target for the development of antiangiogenic and antimetastatic therapies.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388652.v1
title: Alternagin-C binding to α2β1 integrin controls matrix metalloprotease-9 and matrix metalloprotease-2 in breast tumor cells and endothelial cells

description: Abstract Background Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key players in tumor progression, helping tumor cells to modify their microenvironment, which allows cell migration to secondary sites. The role of integrins, adhesion receptors that connect cells to the extracellular matrix, in MMP expression and activity has been previously suggested. However, the mechanisms by which integrins control MMP expression are not completely understood. Particularly, the role of α2β1 integrin, one of the major collagen I receptors, in MMP activity and expression has not been studied. Alternagin-C (ALT-C), a glutamate-cysteine-aspartate-disintegrin from Bothrops alternatus venom, has high affinity for an α2β1 integrin. Herein, we used ALT-C as a α2β1 integrin ligand to study the effect of ALT-C on MMP-9 and MMP-2 expression as well as on tumor cells, fibroblats and endothelial cell migration. Methods ALT-C was purified by two steps of gel filtration followed by anion exchange chromatography. The α2β1, integrin binding properties of ALT-C, its dissociation constant (Kd) relative to this integrin and to collagen I (Col I) were determined by surface plasmon resonance. The effects of ALT-C (10, 40, 100 and 1000 nM) in migration assays were studied using three human cell lines: human fibroblasts, breast tumor cell line MDA-MB-231, and microvascular endothelial cells HMEC-1, considering cells found in the tumor microenvironment. ALT-C effects on MMP-9 and MMP-2 expression and activity were analyzed by quantitative PCR and gelatin zymography, respectively. Focal adhesion kinase activation was determined by western blotting. Results Our data demonstrate that ALT-C, after binding to α2β1 integrin, acts by two distinct mechanisms against tumor progression, depending on the cell type: in tumor cells, ALT-C decreases MMP-9 and MMP-2 contents and activity, but increases focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation and transmigration; and in endothelial cells, ALT-C inhibits MMP-2, which is necessary for tumor angiogenesis. ALT-C also upregulates c-Myc mRNA level, which is related to tumor suppression. Conclusion These results demonstrate that α2β1 integrin controls MMP expression and reveal this integrin as a target for the development of antiangiogenic and antimetastatic therapies.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388649
title: In Situ Formation of Hydroxyapatite During Powder Metallurgy Preparation of Porous Ti/HA Nano Composite: A Candidate for Dental Implants

description: Porous Ti/HA nano-composite was prepared for implant fixtures and in situ formation of Hydroxyapatite. At first, Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles were synthesized by precipitation. Raw materials included Ca(NO3)2.4H2O, NaOH, a mixture of deionized water and ethanol. Synthesized Ca(OH)2 nano powder was mixed with (NH4)2HPO4 and the mixture was calcined at 700 ºC for 30 min. After calcination, Ca2P2O7 and CaPO3(OH).2H2O were synthesized with imperfect hexagonal morphology. The resulting powder was mixed with pure titanium powder and pressed under 300, 500 and 700 MPa. The samples were sintered at 1000 ºC for an hour under pure argon. Final composition was Ti/HA with hexagonal morphology. XRD and SEM showed the in situ formation of nano hydroxyapatite besides titanium phases during the sintering procedure. The density and open porosity of the 700 MPa pressed-samples were 3.07 g/cm3 and 28.2%, respectively. In general, porous Ti/HA nano-composite with suitable porosity could be successfully synthesized by co-precipitation procedure.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388649.v1
title: In Situ Formation of Hydroxyapatite During Powder Metallurgy Preparation of Porous Ti/HA Nano Composite: A Candidate for Dental Implants

description: Porous Ti/HA nano-composite was prepared for implant fixtures and in situ formation of Hydroxyapatite. At first, Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles were synthesized by precipitation. Raw materials included Ca(NO3)2.4H2O, NaOH, a mixture of deionized water and ethanol. Synthesized Ca(OH)2 nano powder was mixed with (NH4)2HPO4 and the mixture was calcined at 700 ºC for 30 min. After calcination, Ca2P2O7 and CaPO3(OH).2H2O were synthesized with imperfect hexagonal morphology. The resulting powder was mixed with pure titanium powder and pressed under 300, 500 and 700 MPa. The samples were sintered at 1000 ºC for an hour under pure argon. Final composition was Ti/HA with hexagonal morphology. XRD and SEM showed the in situ formation of nano hydroxyapatite besides titanium phases during the sintering procedure. The density and open porosity of the 700 MPa pressed-samples were 3.07 g/cm3 and 28.2%, respectively. In general, porous Ti/HA nano-composite with suitable porosity could be successfully synthesized by co-precipitation procedure.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388646
title: Heterogeneous Microtubules of Self-assembled Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Using Alive Biotemplates

description: Microtubules were constructed by covering the fungus Aspergillus aculeatus sequentially with silver and gold nanoparticles, resulting in a stable hybrid mesostructured material that presented three distinct regions containing different combinations of silver and gold nanoparticles. These heterogeneities were determined by the hyphal growth since the impossibility to cover the dead fungus, which suggests the influence of the secondary metabolites produced by living fungus in the deposition mechanism.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388646.v1
title: Heterogeneous Microtubules of Self-assembled Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Using Alive Biotemplates

description: Microtubules were constructed by covering the fungus Aspergillus aculeatus sequentially with silver and gold nanoparticles, resulting in a stable hybrid mesostructured material that presented three distinct regions containing different combinations of silver and gold nanoparticles. These heterogeneities were determined by the hyphal growth since the impossibility to cover the dead fungus, which suggests the influence of the secondary metabolites produced by living fungus in the deposition mechanism.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388643
title: METHANE PRODUCTION FROM CASSAVA STARCH WASTEWATER IN PACKED-BED REACTOR AND CONTINUOUS FLOW

description: ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of an anaerobic reactor of packed-bed and continuous flow, in relation to the biogas and methane production and the removal of organic load, from the wastewater of cassava starch extraction. For this purpose, were tested, in a reactor with a useful volume of 2.82 L and support mean of polypropylene filled with polyethylene foam, the organic loading rate (OLR) of 2.5, 5.0, 8.0 and 10.0 g L-1d-1. It was evaluated the removal of COD, the pH, the VA/TA ratio, the biogas and the methane production. It was concluded from this study that it is possible to produce biogas with methane percentages higher than 80% (maximum) and remove the organic load more than 90% under the tested conditions. In relation to stability, the reactor can be considered stable for the parameters, pH, the relationship between volatile acidity and total alkalinity and organic load removal. The best results in relation to the average volumetric biogas production (0.174 and 0.311 L g COD-1) were obtained for the higher organic loading rate (of 8 and 10 g L-1d-1, respectively) and the observed tendency is that with the increase of the organic loading rate, the specific biogas production will increase as well as the specific production of methane.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388643.v1
title: METHANE PRODUCTION FROM CASSAVA STARCH WASTEWATER IN PACKED-BED REACTOR AND CONTINUOUS FLOW

description: ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the behavior of an anaerobic reactor of packed-bed and continuous flow, in relation to the biogas and methane production and the removal of organic load, from the wastewater of cassava starch extraction. For this purpose, were tested, in a reactor with a useful volume of 2.82 L and support mean of polypropylene filled with polyethylene foam, the organic loading rate (OLR) of 2.5, 5.0, 8.0 and 10.0 g L-1d-1. It was evaluated the removal of COD, the pH, the VA/TA ratio, the biogas and the methane production. It was concluded from this study that it is possible to produce biogas with methane percentages higher than 80% (maximum) and remove the organic load more than 90% under the tested conditions. In relation to stability, the reactor can be considered stable for the parameters, pH, the relationship between volatile acidity and total alkalinity and organic load removal. The best results in relation to the average volumetric biogas production (0.174 and 0.311 L g COD-1) were obtained for the higher organic loading rate (of 8 and 10 g L-1d-1, respectively) and the observed tendency is that with the increase of the organic loading rate, the specific biogas production will increase as well as the specific production of methane.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388634
title: ELECTRONIC MONITORING SYSTEM FOR MEASURING HEART RATE AND SKIN TEMPERATURE IN SMALL RUMINANTS

description: Abstract The electronic monitoring of physiological responses is essential for managing animal production systems considering market demands for animal welfare. The objective of this study was to design, build, and test an electronic monitoring system, with recording and wireless transmission capability, for measuring the heart rate and skin temperature in small ruminants. The system had two components: a mobile base unit, mounted on the animal under study, and a fixed base unit. Wireless communication between the mobile and fixed units was performed using a Xbee Series 2 radio frequency transceiver whereas data were recorded and transferred to a secure digital card in the mobile unit. The device was mounted in Santa Inês crossbred sheep using reference equipment while the animals were restrained in steel cages. Subsequently, the device was validated in free-living Dorper sheep in two collection periods (morning and afternoon). The results indicated that the monitoring system accurately measured physiological responses and efficiently recorded and transmitted data, particularly heart rate data. However, one of the limitations was low energy autonomy.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388631
title: IMPLICATIONS FOR PEAK FLOWS OF THE MARRECAS RIVER BASIN DUE TO CHANGES IN THE BRAZILIAN FOREST CODE

description: ABSTRACT Changes in the Brazilian Forest Code (BFC) have soften the criteria for recovery and conservation of permanent preservation areas (PPAs), enhancing processes related to surface runoff. The aim of this study is to understand the effects of changes in PPA classification criteria established by BFC of 2012 to the detriment of BFC from 1965 considering the surface runoff response in the basin draining the upper Marrecas River valley in the flow peaks. The HEC–HMS model was used to simulate flow peaks considering three land-use scenarios, representative of the current use, adapting it to PPAs fitted to the BFC of 1965 and 2012 and seven precipitation return periods. In the proposed scenarios, the use of BFC of 2012, to the detriment of that from 1965, would imply a PPA reduction from 44.5% to 13.7%, resulting in a 22.1% increase in the average flow peaks, not representing, however, a significant reduction in the flow peaks when compared to the scenario representing the current land use. Therefore, when compared to BFC of 1965, in the Brazilian new Forest Code PPAs were reduced by 69.2%, increasing peak flows by up to 30.7%, thus minimizing the legal possibilities of flood mitigation to the urban perimeter of Francisco Beltrão, Paraná State, Brazil.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388634.v1
title: ELECTRONIC MONITORING SYSTEM FOR MEASURING HEART RATE AND SKIN TEMPERATURE IN SMALL RUMINANTS

description: Abstract The electronic monitoring of physiological responses is essential for managing animal production systems considering market demands for animal welfare. The objective of this study was to design, build, and test an electronic monitoring system, with recording and wireless transmission capability, for measuring the heart rate and skin temperature in small ruminants. The system had two components: a mobile base unit, mounted on the animal under study, and a fixed base unit. Wireless communication between the mobile and fixed units was performed using a Xbee Series 2 radio frequency transceiver whereas data were recorded and transferred to a secure digital card in the mobile unit. The device was mounted in Santa Inês crossbred sheep using reference equipment while the animals were restrained in steel cages. Subsequently, the device was validated in free-living Dorper sheep in two collection periods (morning and afternoon). The results indicated that the monitoring system accurately measured physiological responses and efficiently recorded and transmitted data, particularly heart rate data. However, one of the limitations was low energy autonomy.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388631.v1
title: IMPLICATIONS FOR PEAK FLOWS OF THE MARRECAS RIVER BASIN DUE TO CHANGES IN THE BRAZILIAN FOREST CODE

description: ABSTRACT Changes in the Brazilian Forest Code (BFC) have soften the criteria for recovery and conservation of permanent preservation areas (PPAs), enhancing processes related to surface runoff. The aim of this study is to understand the effects of changes in PPA classification criteria established by BFC of 2012 to the detriment of BFC from 1965 considering the surface runoff response in the basin draining the upper Marrecas River valley in the flow peaks. The HEC–HMS model was used to simulate flow peaks considering three land-use scenarios, representative of the current use, adapting it to PPAs fitted to the BFC of 1965 and 2012 and seven precipitation return periods. In the proposed scenarios, the use of BFC of 2012, to the detriment of that from 1965, would imply a PPA reduction from 44.5% to 13.7%, resulting in a 22.1% increase in the average flow peaks, not representing, however, a significant reduction in the flow peaks when compared to the scenario representing the current land use. Therefore, when compared to BFC of 1965, in the Brazilian new Forest Code PPAs were reduced by 69.2%, increasing peak flows by up to 30.7%, thus minimizing the legal possibilities of flood mitigation to the urban perimeter of Francisco Beltrão, Paraná State, Brazil.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388628
title: Sensitivities of Urochloa decumbens Plants to Glufosinate

description: ABSTRACT: This study aimed to assess the response of Urochloa decumbens plants to different doses of glufosinate ammonium, and the sensitivity of plant population to the herbicide. Two studies were conducted, both in greenhouse and repeated at different times. In the dose-response analysis, two experiments were conducted using seven doses of the glufosinate ammonium (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1,600 g a.i. ha-1) with four replications each. In the analysis of sensitivity levels of U. decumbens to herbicide, 44 plants were sprayed with a dose of 200 g a.i. ha-1 of the herbicide. Tissue ammonium content was determined, and injury percentage was visually assessed. Experiment data were converted to mg of ammonium per kg-1 of fresh mass and submitted to analysis of variance, and treatment means were compared by t test (p?0.10). Control of Urochloa decumbens plants by glufosinate might be associated with plant tissue ammonia content, which increased as a function of herbicide application, but not linearly as a function of dose rate. Variability existed in the ammonium content among the individuals of the population of U. decumbens.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388628.v1
title: Sensitivities of Urochloa decumbens Plants to Glufosinate

description: ABSTRACT: This study aimed to assess the response of Urochloa decumbens plants to different doses of glufosinate ammonium, and the sensitivity of plant population to the herbicide. Two studies were conducted, both in greenhouse and repeated at different times. In the dose-response analysis, two experiments were conducted using seven doses of the glufosinate ammonium (0, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1,600 g a.i. ha-1) with four replications each. In the analysis of sensitivity levels of U. decumbens to herbicide, 44 plants were sprayed with a dose of 200 g a.i. ha-1 of the herbicide. Tissue ammonium content was determined, and injury percentage was visually assessed. Experiment data were converted to mg of ammonium per kg-1 of fresh mass and submitted to analysis of variance, and treatment means were compared by t test (p?0.10). Control of Urochloa decumbens plants by glufosinate might be associated with plant tissue ammonia content, which increased as a function of herbicide application, but not linearly as a function of dose rate. Variability existed in the ammonium content among the individuals of the population of U. decumbens.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388625
title: Multiliteracies and their role in language teachers’ knowledge: towards a systemic and complex perspective

description: ABSTRACT In this text multiliteracies are explored from the perspective of Systemic Functional Linguistics, mainly based on works developed by Christie (1999; 2002), Christie and Martin (1997; 2007), Unsworth (2000, 2001), Cope and Kalantzis (1993; 2000; 2009), Kalantzis and Cope (2012), among others. To this end, it aims at understanding how multiliteracies, from a systemic and complex perspective, should be present in language teacher education and, more specifically, in their Knowledge About Language (KAL). The main argument is that the notion of knowledge currently in use in the teacher education area requires revisions, extensions and reorientations in scope towards a more effective and realistic language education. Thus, it is also aimed to contribute to the discussions on language teachers’ education and their knowledge building in the context of undergraduate Languages courses.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388625.v1
title: Multiliteracies and their role in language teachers’ knowledge: towards a systemic and complex perspective

description: ABSTRACT In this text multiliteracies are explored from the perspective of Systemic Functional Linguistics, mainly based on works developed by Christie (1999; 2002), Christie and Martin (1997; 2007), Unsworth (2000, 2001), Cope and Kalantzis (1993; 2000; 2009), Kalantzis and Cope (2012), among others. To this end, it aims at understanding how multiliteracies, from a systemic and complex perspective, should be present in language teacher education and, more specifically, in their Knowledge About Language (KAL). The main argument is that the notion of knowledge currently in use in the teacher education area requires revisions, extensions and reorientations in scope towards a more effective and realistic language education. Thus, it is also aimed to contribute to the discussions on language teachers’ education and their knowledge building in the context of undergraduate Languages courses.
DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.6388622
title: Magnetic resonance imaging: dynamic contrast enhancement and diffusion-weighted imaging to identify malignant cervical lymph nodes

description: Abstract Objective: To examine the potential of two magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques-dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI)-for the detection of malignant cervical lymph nodes. Materials and Methods: Using DCE and DWI, we evaluated 33 cervical lymph nodes. For the DCE technique, the maximum relative enhancement, relative enhancement, time to peak enhancement, wash-in rate, wash-out rate, brevity of enhancement, and area under the curve were calculated from a semi-quantitative analysis. For the DWI technique, apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were acquired in the region of interest of each lymph node. Cystic or necrotic parts were excluded. All patients underwent neck dissection or node biopsy. Imaging results were correlated with the histopathological findings. None of the patients underwent neoadjuvant treatment before neck dissection. Results: Relative enhancement, maximum relative enhancement, and the wash-in rate were significantly higher in malignant lymph nodes than in benign lymph nodes (p &lt; 0.009; p &lt; 0.05; and p &lt; 0.03, respectively). The time to peak enhancement was significantly shorter in the malignant lymph nodes (p &lt; 0.02). In the multivariate analysis, the variables identified as being the most capable of distinguishing between benign and malignant lymph nodes were time to peak enhancement (sensitivity, 73.7%; specificity, 69.2%) and relative enhancement (sensitivity, 89.2%; specificity, 69.2%). Conclusion: Although DCE was able to differentiate between benign and malignant lymph nodes, there is still no consensus regarding the use of a semi-quantitative analysis, which is difficult to apply in a clinical setting. Low ADCs can predict metastatic disease, although inflammatory processes might lead to false-positive results.