bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the efficacy of a manual‐based intervention for improving the detection of facial pain expression
Authors: Rash Joshua A. , Prkachin Kenneth M. , Solomon Patricia E. , Campbell Tavis S.
Published: January 2019

Background

This article presents the results of a parallel‐group, non‐randomized, controlled study that evaluated the feasibility of an online training program for improving observer detection of facial pain expression.

Method

Fifty‐four undergraduate students attended two laboratory sessions interspersed by an intervention period where they were assigned to complete the Index of Facial Pain Expression (IFPE)—an online training environment designed to teach observers to code facial muscle movements associated with pain—or a no‐contact control. Participants completed questionnaires during the first session and watched parallel versions of the Sensitivity to Expression of Pain (STEP) test during laboratory sessions. STEP tests contained excerpts of facial expressions taken from patients with shoulder pain. Reliability of coding following the IFPE was measured. Signal detection methods were applied to pain ratings to the STEP tests to calculate measures of sensitivity and response bias to facial pain expression.

Results

Participants took 3.5 hr to complete the IFPE. Training resulted in reliable coding of facial muscle movements associated with pain and improvements in sensitivity (from 0.75 to 0.87 in experimental relative to 0.75 to 0.80 in control), but not response bias, to facial expressions of clinical pain. Training was influenced by observer traits, including empathy, emotional intelligence (EI), and prior experience with individuals who experience chronic pain.

Conclusions

The IFPE represents a brief measurement system for facial pain expression with research applicability and potential clinical utility. The IFPE could help clinicians be more sensitive to expressions of clinical pain.

Significance

The index of facial pain expression (IFPE) is an online training program that can improve an observer's ability to reliably detect expressions of clinical pain after as few as 3.5‐hr of training.
Multi‐walled Carbon Nanotubes Non‐covalently Functionalized with Polyarginine: A New Alternative for the Construction of Reagentless NAD+/Dehydrogenase‐based Ethanol Biosensor
Authors: Gallay Pablo , Eguílaz Marcos , Rivas Gustavo
Published: January 2019

This work reports for the first time the development of a reagentless enzymatic amperometric biosensor for ethanol based on the use of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) non‐covalently functionalized with polyarginine (Polyarg) as platform for the robust immobilization of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and NAD+. The new strategy allows to obtain an integrated GCE/MWCNTs‐Polyarg/NAD+‐ADH ethanol biosensor with important advantages compared to the existing ethanol biosensors: avoids the external addition of the cofactor for each measurement, ensures a fast and sensitive quantification of ethanol due to the intimate interaction of the components, and allows the detection at considerably lower potentials due to the catalytic activity of the carbon nanostructures. These unique properties have made possible a very efficient ethanol quantification with a sensitivity of (1487±6) μA M−1, detection limit of 0.65 μM, response time of 8 s, and reproducibility of 5.5 % with a very successful application for the quantification of ethanol in different commercial beverages.
Lead in piscivorous raptors during breeding season in the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland and Virginia, USA
Authors: Slabe Vincent A. , Anderson James T. , Cooper Jeff , Brown Bracken , Ortiz Patricia , Buchweitz John , McRuer Dave , Katzner Todd
Published: January 2019

Sources of lead exposure of many bird species are poorly understood. We analyzed blood lead concentrations from osprey (n = 244; Pandion haliaetus) and bald eagles (n = 68; Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and documented potential sources of lead they may encounter. Adult bald eagles had higher blood lead concentrations than did adult osprey. However, blood lead concentrations of nestlings were similar for both species. Although 62% of osprey had detectable lead concentrations (x¯ = 1.99 ± 4.02 μg/dL, mean ± standard deviation [SD]), there was no difference in the detection frequency or lead concentrations between osprey adults and nestlings. Likewise, we found no differences in the detection frequency or lead concentrations in osprey adults and nestlings from high- and low-salinity areas. Of the bald eagle samples tested, 55% had detectable lead levels (x¯ = 6.23 ± 10.74 μg/dL). Adult bald eagles had more detectable and higher lead concentrations than did nestlings or pre-adults. Among environmental samples, paint had the highest lead concentrations, followed by sediment, blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus), and gizzard shad (Dorosoma cepedianum). There was no correlation between blood lead concentrations of osprey adults and their offspring. Our results indicate that, in the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland and Virginia (USA), there are multiple sources by which piscivorous raptors may be exposed to lead. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:862–871. © Published 2019 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Effects of postharvest polyamine application and edible coating on maintaining quality of mango (Mangifera indica L.) cv. Langra during cold storage
Authors: Zahedi Seyed Morteza , Hosseini Marjan Sadat , Karimi Mahdieh , Ebrahimzadeh Asghar
Published: January 2019

Mango is a tropical fruit which is sensitive to chilling injury. The present work investigated the potential of edible coatings of chitosan and polyamine spermidine in increasing shelf life and quality of mango. The control fruits (treated with distilled water) and the mango fruits treated with different concentrations of chitosan (0.5%, 1.0%, and 2.0%) and spermidine (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mM) were studied to improve postharvest characteristics and quality maintenance during cold storage. Parameters such as firmness, weight loss, fungal contamination, total phenol, antioxidant activity, vitamin C, pH, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), flavor index, color index, and ethylene production were measured after at harvest (0), 8, 16, and 24 days of storage at 15 ± 2°C and relative humidity of 85%–90%. Chitosan and spermidine delayed water loss, firmness, and fungal contamination. Application of chitosan containing ascorbic acid significantly increased phenolic content and antioxidant activity compared to the control plants. It also changed soluble solid content, TA, pH of pulp, and sugar content and decreased ethylene production. The obtained results suggested that chitosan (2%) and spermidine (2 mM) had potential to improve firmness and delay deterioration processes of “Langra” mango after harvest.
Study of a common azo food dye in mice model: Toxicity reports and its relation to carcinogenicity
Authors: Reza Md. Sajib Al , Hasan Md. Mahmudul , Kamruzzaman Md. , Hossain Md. Imam , Zubair Md. Abu , Bari Luthfunnesa , Abedin Md. Zainul , Reza Md. Abu , Khalid‐Bin‐Ferdaus Khandaker Md. , Haque Kazi Md. Faisal , Islam Khairul , Ahmed Mahtab Uddin , Hossain Md. Khaled
Published: January 2019

This study was conducted to evaluate the toxic effects of an azo dye carmoisine widely used in foods and to investigate its relation to carcinogenicity. Carmoisine administered into mice orally in four different doses as control, low, medium, and high equivalent to 0, 4, 200, and 400 mg/kg bw, respectively, for 120 days. The key toxicological endpoint was observed including animal body weight, organ weights, hematology, biochemistry, and molecular biology assessment. The body weights of medium‐ and high‐dose carmoisine‐treated mice group were significantly decreased as compared to the control mice group. Platelet, white blood cell and monocyte counts of treated group were considerably higher, while Hb and red blood cell counts were drastically lower than the control group. The biochemical parameters such as serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, globulin, urea, and creatinine level were significantly increased, while serum cholesterol level was decreased after treatment as compared to the control. RT‐PCR results showed that expression of Bcl‐x and PARP gene was intensively increased, whereas expression of p53 gene was decreased in the mouse liver tissues treated with carmoisine. This study revealed that high‐dose (400 mg/kg bw) treatment of carmoisine was attributable to renal failure and hepatotoxicity. It also would be suspected as a culprit for liver oncogenesis.
Physicochemical, nutritional, functional, rheological, and microbiological properties of sorghum flour fermented with baobab fruit pulp flour as starter
Authors: Makawi Abubaker B. , Mustafa Abdelmoniem I. , Adiamo Oladipupo Q. , Mohamed Ahmed Isam A.
Published: January 2019

Two sorghum genotypes termed Wad‐Ahmed (high tannin) and Tabat (low tannin) in Sudan were fermented with different starter levels (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) of fermented baobab fruit pulp flour (FBFPF). Chemical composition, antinutrients, extracted minerals, and the microbiological, physicochemical, functional, rheological, and pasting properties from the fermented flours were determined. Fermentation of both genotypes with higher levels of FBFPF starter enhanced protein, fiber, ash, and major mineral contents and extractability (p ≤ 0.05). Total acidity, bulk density, rheological properties, in vitro protein, and starch digestibility of both genotypes increased with FBFPF levels, with a concomitant decrease in pH, phytate and tannin contents, and water and fat absorption capacities (p ≤ 0.05). Microbial loads, especially lactic acid bacteria, increased with increasing FBFPF starter levels in both genotypes. Use of FBFPF as a starter in the fermentation of sorghum flour can improve the nutritional value of sorghum. This could be usefully applied to the food industry for the development of fermented sorghum products.
Fingerprints of volatile flavor compounds from southern stinky tofu brine with headspace solid‐phase microextraction/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and chemometric methods
Authors: Li Pao , Xie Jing , Tang Hui , Shi Cong , Xie Yanhua , He Jing , Zeng Yulun , Zhou Hongli , Xia Bo , Zhang Chunyan , Jiang Liwen
Published: January 2019

It is difficult to produce southern stinky tofu, a famous traditional Chinese snack, at industry scale due to the complex composition of its brine. In this study, the fingerprints of organic volatile flavor compounds in the southern stinky tofu brine samples from five manufacturers were studied using headspace solid‐phase microextraction/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME/GC‐MS) with the aid of chemometric methods. The fingerprints were obtained by HS‐SPME/GC‐MS and analyzed with the time shift alignment method, Shannon entropy, correlation coefficient, and principal component analysis. The results show that the time shifts in the samples can be accurately corrected by the time shift alignment method despite unexpected interferences. The fingerprint information was evaluated by Shannon entropy, while the similarities and differences in the fingerprints were investigated by correlation coefficient. Moreover, the identification of stinky tofu manufacturers can be achieved by principal component analysis. The predominant volatile compounds in southern stinky tofu brines were indole, 3‐methylindole, phenol, and 4‐methylphenol. Therefore, the established fingerprinting of volatile compounds for the brines by combining HS‐SPME/GC‐MS with chemometric methods was a simple and reliable method.
From Hand to Heart
Authors: Hatzfeld Christian , Koev Nataliya , Werthschützky Roland
Published: January 2019

A cardiac catheterization may be a routine procedure, but it is still associated with a degree of risk. Engineers have now developed an assistance system that allows the guide wire to be navigated more easily and accurately thanks to a miniaturised force sensor and that provides haptic feedback to the cardiologist.
Assessing functional outcomes in head and neck surgical oncology
Authors: Osborn Heather A. , Goldsmith Tessa A. , Varvares Mark A.
Published: January 2019

Background

A reliable method of measuring functional outcomes is essential to inform treatment decisions in head and neck cancer.

Methods

Members of the American Head and Neck Society were surveyed regarding their use of functional outcome assessment tools. Qualitative statistical analysis was performed to identify major tools used and to clarify obstacles to functional outcome assessment. A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify available tools.

Results

A total of 142 surgeons were surveyed. 44.12% of respondents use at least 1 tool to assess functional outcomes. The most frequently used tools were modified barium swallow, MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory, and functional endoscopic evaluation of swallow (FEES). 72.65% of respondents reported barriers to assessment, most frequently a lack of support to administer the tests or to collect, apply or analyze the results. Review of the literature revealed 173 available tools.

Conclusions

Although a wide variety of validated tools are available in the literature to assess functional outcomes after head and neck surgery, major obstacles to their use persist. The lack of a standard measure that is practical and transferable continues to impair research progression in this field.
How do metalinguistic awareness, working memory, reasoning, and inhibition contribute to Chinese character reading of kindergarten children?
Authors: Yang Xiujie , Peng Peng , Meng Xiangzhi
Published: January 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the contributions of general cognitive skills (working memory, inhibition, and reasoning) and metalinguistic awareness to young children's character reading. One hundred eighty‐nine Chinese children, aged from 60 to 78 months, were administered with measures of character recognition, language, metalinguistic awareness (phonological awareness, morphological awareness, and orthographic knowledge), and general cognitive processing (working memory, inhibition, and reasoning) in two kindergartens. Results showed both metalinguistic awareness and general cognitive processing contributed to children's character reading ability. Particularly, after controlling for age, gender, and language, metalinguistic awareness and general cognitive processing, respectively, explained 20% and 16% of the variance in children's character reading, among which phonological awareness, orthographic knowledge, and reasoning made unique contributions to Chinese reading. Of these skills, orthographic knowledge showed the strongest relation to Chinese character reading. Findings highlight that both general cognitive processing and metalinguistic awareness are important for young Chinese children in character reading acquisition.

Highlights

We investigated the contributions of working memory, inhibition, reasoning, and metalinguistic awareness to young Chinese children's character reading.

Reasoning, phonological awareness, and orthographic knowledge made unique contributions to Chinese reading.

Of these skills, orthographic knowledge seemed to be the highest correlate to Chinese character reading.
Parental smoking, maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy and the risk of neuroblastoma in children. A pooled analysis of the ESCALE and ESTELLE French studies
Authors: Rios Paula , Bailey Helen D. , Poulalhon Claire , Valteau‐Couanet Dominique , Schleiermacher Gudrun , Bergeron Christophe , Petit Arnaud , Defachelles Anne‐Sophie , Marion Gambart , Sirvent Nicolas , Ducassou Stéphane , Munzer Caroline , Orsi Laurent , Lacour Brigitte , Clavel Jacqueline
Published: January 2019

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common extra‐cranial tumour in children. Little is known about the aetiology of NB. The early age at onset and the embryonic nature suggest a role for perinatal exposures. We conducted a pooled analysis of two French national population‐based case–control studies to explore whether there was an association between parental smoking and alcohol consumption and the risk of NB. The mothers of 357 NB cases and 1,783 controls from general population, frequency matched by age and sex, were interviewed on demographic, socioeconomic and perinatal characteristics, maternal reproductive story, and life‐style and childhood environment. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. A meta‐analysis of our findings with those of previous studies was also conducted. Maternal smoking during pregnancy was slightly more often reported for the cases (24.1%) than for the controls (19.7%) (OR 1.3 [95% CI 0.9–1.7]; summary OR from meta‐analysis 1.1 [95% CI 1.0–1.3]. Paternal smoking in the year before child's birth were not associated with NB as independent exposure (OR 1.1 [95% CI 0.9–1.4] but the association was stronger when both parents reported having smoked during pregnancy (OR 1.5 [95% CI 1.1–2.1]. No association was observed with maternal alcohol intake during pregnancy (OR 1.0 [95% CI 0.8–1.4], summary OR from meta‐analysis 1.0 [95% CI 0.9–1.2]. Our findings provide some evidence of an association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and NB and add another reason to recommend that women refrain from smoking during pregnancy.
Relations between maternal power‐assertive parenting and adjustment in Chinese children: A longitudinal study
Authors: Xu Xinpei , Zhao Siman , Yiu Wai Ying Vivien , Li Dan , Liu Junsheng , Liu Shihong , Chen Xinyin
Published: January 2019

This 1‐year longitudinal study examined relations between maternal power‐assertive parenting and children's social, academic and psychological adjustment in China. Participants were 316 elementary school children (mean age = 11 years, 153 boys). Maternal power‐assertive parenting was assessed using children's self‐reports. Data on children's social and school adjustment were obtained from peer evaluations and teacher ratings. In addition, children completed measures of loneliness and depression. Cross‐lagged analyses indicated that whereas maternal power‐assertive parenting was only related to later academic adjustment, children's adjustment in socioemotional and academic domains contributed to the prediction of later maternal power‐assertive parenting. The results were discussed in the Chinese context.
Role of iron and oxidative stress in the exacerbation of allergic inflammation in murine lungs caused by urban particulate matter <2.5 μm and desert dust
Authors: He Miao , Ichinose Takamichi , Yoshida Seiichi , Nishikawa Masataka , Sun Guifan , Shibamoto Takayuki
Published: January 2019

Simultaneous exposure of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and urban particulate matter <2.5 μm (PM2.5) or desert dust exacerbated murine asthma. In the present study, the role of iron (Fe) contained in particles and oxidative stress was investigated using Fe chelator deferoxamine (DFO) and oxidative stress scavenger N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) in a murine asthma model exacerbated by LPS + PM2.5 or LPS + Asian sand dust (ASD). When BALB/c mice were intratracheally challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) + LPS and either urban PM2.5 or ASD, LPS + PM2.5 and LPS + ASD caused exacerbation of OVA‐induced lung eosinophilia along with T‐helper 2 cytokine and eosinophil‐relevant chemokine production in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as well as the production of OVA‐specific IgE in serum. LPS + PM2.5 with NAC tended to reduce the lung eosinophilia compared to the LPS + PM2.5 host, whereas LPS + PM2.5 with DFO did not reduce them. LPS + ASD with NAC moderately reduced the lung eosinophilia compared to the LPS + ASD host. LPS + ASD with DFO drastically reduced the lung eosinophilia compared to the LPS + ASD host. The concentration of Fe in urban PM2.5 and ASD were almost the same. However, the concentrations of trace metals Pb, Cu, As, Ni, Cr, Mo, Sb, Co, Se and Cd were greater in PM2.5 than in ASD. These results suggested that Fe and oxidative stress are at least partly involved in lung eosinophilia exacerbation caused by LPS + ASD. However, trace metals (except Fe) might also be involved in lung eosinophilia exacerbated by LPS + PM2.5.
Poly(ester amide) particles for controlled delivery of celecoxib
Authors: Villamagna Ian J. , Gordon Trent N. , Hurtig Mark B. , Beier Frank , Gillies Elizabeth R.
Published: January 2019

Many potential pharmacological treatments for osteoarthritis can result in undesirable side effects due to the systemic administration of drugs, making the direct delivery of drugs to joints an attractive alternative. Poly(ester amide)s (PEAs) have been shown to exhibit promising properties for the development of particle‐based intra‐articular delivery vehicles. However, a limited range of PEA structures has been investigated. In this study, we prepared and characterized the properties of two different PEA particles composed of l‐phenylalanine, sebacic acid, and either 1,4‐butanediol or 1,8‐octanediol (PBSe and POSe, respectively). The anti‐inflammatory drug celecoxib (CXB) was encapsulated into the particles. Despite minor structural differences, PBSe and POSe exhibited different thermal and mechanical properties, and encapsulation of CXB influenced these properties. PBSe‐CXB particles provided a slower release of drug in vitro relative to POSe‐CXB. Toxicity studies showed that particles without drug exhibited low toxicity to ATDC5 and C2C12 cells, while the PBSe‐CXB particles exhibited concentration‐dependent toxicity. Host response to the particles was evaluated in an ovine model. No adverse effects were observed following intra‐articular injection and it was observed that the particles diffused into the surrounding tissues. This work shows the importance of structural tuning in PEA delivery vehicles and demonstrates their potential for further development. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1235–1243, 2019.
Immunoadsorption or plasma exchange in steroid‐refractory multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica
Authors: Lipphardt Mark , Mühlhausen Johannes , Kitze Bernd , Heigl Franz , Mauch Erich , Helms Hans‐Joachim , Müller Gerhard A. , Koziolek Michael J.
Published: January 2019

Background

Plasma exchange (PE) and immunoadsorption (IA) are alternative treatments of steroid‐refractory relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS) or neuromyelitis optica (NMO).

Methods

Adverse events and neurological follow‐ups in 127 MS‐ (62 PE, 65 IA) and 13 NMO‐ (11 PE, 2 IA) patients were retrospectively analyzed. Response was defined by improvements in either expanded disability status scale (EDSS) by at least 1.0 or visual acuity (VA) to 0.5, confirmed after 3 and/or 6 months.

Results

Hundred and forty patients were included in safety analysis, 102 patients provided sufficient neurological follow‐up‐data. There were no significant differences between IA and PE in side effects (3.9% vs 3.6%, P = .96) or response‐rate (P = .65). Responders showed significant lower age (P = .02) and earlier apheresis‐initiation (P = .01). Subgroup‐analysis confirmed significant lower age in patients with relapsing‐remitting MS (RRMS) /clinical isolated syndrome (CIS).

Conclusion

IA and PE seem equally safe and effective in steroid‐resistant MS‐ or NMO‐relapses. Early apheresis and low patient age are additional prognostic factors.
miR‐503 expression is downregulated in cervical cancer and suppresses tumor growth by targeting AKT2
Authors: Fu Yuanyuan , Meng Yuejin , Gu Xiaoli , Tian Shuxuan , Hou Xiaoying , Ji Mengge
Published: January 2019

Previous studies have reported that microRNAs function as key regulators in tumor development and progression. This study aims to investigate the functional effects of miR‐503 expression in cervical cancer (CC) progression. We detected the expression of miR‐503 in CC tissues and cell lines using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Synthesized miR‐503 mimics or inhibitors were used to upregulate or downregulate the expression of miR‐503 in HeLa or SiHa cells. Cell Counting Kit‐8 and colony formation assay were used to detect the ability of cell proliferation. Furthermore, luciferase assay and Western blot were applied to confirm the target of miR‐503 in CC cells. Here, we demonstrated that miR‐503 expression was significantly downregulated in CC tissues, compared with adjacent normal tissues. miR‐503 expression was significantly associated with tumor size and International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage. Furthermore, increasing miR‐503 expression in CC cells dramatically inhibited cell proliferation, colony formation ability of CC. However, reducing miR‐503 had reverse effects on these malignant behaviors. Moreover, we demonstrated that miR‐503 inhibited cell proliferation by targeting AKT2 3′‐untranslated region and affected its expression. Overexpression of AKT2 rescued the effects induced by miR‐503 on cell proliferation. Therefore, our results indicated that miR‐503 may serve as a tumor suppressor in CC and provide a potential value for CC treatment.
lncRNA FLVCR1‐AS1 silencing inhibits lung cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by inhibiting the activity of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Lin Heping , Shangguan Zongxiao , Zhu Mengchu , Bao Lianmin , Zhang Qing , Pan Shenghua
Published: January 2019

Long noncoding RNAs have been reported to be essential regulators in several human diseases, including tumorigenesis. A recent report revealed that FLVCR1‐AS1 promotes the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. However, whether FLVCR1‐AS1 is involved in lung cancer remains unclear. In this study, we found that the expression of FLVCR1‐AS1 was increased in lung cancer tissues according to The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Similarly, FLVCR1‐AS1 was significantly upregulated in lung cancer cell lines. Knockdown of FLVCR1‐AS1 dramatically reduced the cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of SPCA1 and A549. Mechanistically, we found that the expression levels of CTNNB1, SOX4, CCND1, CCND2, c‐MYC, as well as nucleus β‐catenin were decreased in lung cancer cells after FLVCR1‐AS1 silencing. Thus, FLVCR1‐AS1 positively regulates the activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Overexpression of CTNNB1 reversed the effect of FLVCR1‐AS1 knockdown on A549 cells. In sum, FLVCR1‐AS1 silencing inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of lung cancer cells by inhibiting the activity of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.
Leptin rs2167270 G > A (G19A) polymorphism may decrease the risk of cancer: A case‐control study and meta‐analysis involving 19 989 subjects
Authors: Yang Jing , Zhong Zhihui , Tang Weifeng , Chen Jianping
Published: January 2019

Accumulating evidence has suggested that leptin (LEP) is very important for the development of cancer. Recently, a number of case‐control studies about the relationship of the rs2167270 G > A (G19A) variants in the LEP gene with the risk of cancer have yielded inconsistent results. In this study, we have carried out a case‐control study [1063 esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma (EGJA) cases and 1677 controls] in a Chinese population. Furthermore, we carried out a pooled‐analysis of 13 studies involving 8059 cancer patients and 11 930 controls to assess whether the
LEP G19A locus was associated with overall cancer susceptibility. Odds ratios (ORs) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were harnessed to evaluate the potential association. In our case‐control study, we found an association between the carriers of
LEP 19A allele and EGJA risk. In addition, the results of meta‐analysis also suggested significant associations with cancer risk (A vs G: OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.88–0.97,
P = 0.001; AA vs GG: OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.74–0.93,
P = 0.001, GA/AA vs GG: OR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.88–0.99,
P = 0.023 and AA vs GG/GA: OR = 0.83, 95% CI = 0.74–0.92,
P < 0.001). Upon conducting a stratified analysis, we found that
LEP 19A allele might decrease the susceptibility of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and colorectal cancer (CRC). In a stratified‐by‐ethnicity analysis, significant associations were also found in Asians, Caucasians, and mixed populations. We can conclude that the
LEP G19A polymorphism constitutes a decreased risk of cancer.
Role of bta‐miR‐204 in the regulation of adipocyte proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis
Authors: Jin Yunyun , Wang Jian , Zhang Meng , Zhang Sihuan , Lei Chuzhao , Chen Hong , Guo Wei , Lan Xianyong
Published: January 2019

Adipocyte growth and development are complex and precisely orchestrated processes. Several microRNAs have been identified as critical regulators of the adipocyte growth and development. Recently, bta‐miR‐204 was found to be involved in adipogenesis; however, the underlying molecular mechanism involved in bta‐miR‐204‐mediated regulation of proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of adipocytes is not fully understood or elucidated. In this study, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), Cell Counting Kit‐8, EdU, flow cytometer, Oil Red O staining, and the western blot assays were used to assess the role of bta‐miR‐204 in adipocyte growth and development. Overexpression of bta‐miR‐204 had no significant effect on 3T3‐L1 cell proliferation. The forced expression of bta‐miR‐204 promoted 3T3‐L1 cell differentiation. Meanwhile, overexpression of bta‐miR‐204 upregulated the expression of Bax and downregulated the expression of Bcl‐2 both at messenger RNA and protein levels, which suggested that bta‐miR‐204 can promote 3T3‐L1 cell apoptosis. Using bioinformatic analysis, dual‐luciferase reporter system and qRT‐PCR, TGFBR2, and ELOVL6 were identified as the direct target genes of bta‐miR‐204. Therefore, our study provides a novel insight into the role of bta‐miR‐204 in the regulation of adipocyte growth and development, which may provide a novel therapeutic alternative against obesity.
Inhibition of Nrf2 promotes the antitumor effect of Pinelliae rhizome in papillary thyroid cancer
Authors: Du Zhipeng , Wang Qiang , Ma Guanjun , Jiao Jianpeng , Jiang Daozhen , Zheng Xiangmin , Qiu Ming , Liu Sheng
Published: January 2019

We previously reported that Xiaotan Sanjie (XTSJ) decoction can prevent the progression of gastric cancer in vitro and in vivo. Pinelliae rhizome (PR), one component of XTSJ decoction, has an inhibitory effect on the growth and proliferation of tumor cells. The present study investigated the underlying mechanisms of action of PR. Using the human papillary thyroid cancer cell lines, TPC‐1 and BCPAP, we found that XTSJ decoction and PR alone decreased cell viability to a similar extent in both cell lines, whereas treatment with XTJS decoction without PR [PR (−)] had a lesser effect. PR treatment inhibited the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) in a dose‐dependent manner. To investigate the role of Nrf2 in the PR‐mediated effects of XTSJ, knockdown of Nrf2 in the tumor cell lines using Nrf2 siRNA (siNrf2) was performed and transfected cells were treated with PR. Silencing of Nrf2 amplified the effects on autophagy, cell viability, apoptosis, and colony formation. Similar results were obtained following treatment with the autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA). Furthermore, treatment with PR, siNrf2, and/or 3‐MA inhibited the MAPK pathway, and analysis of the MAPK pathway components confirmed the role of this pathway in the PR‐mediated cellular effects. In mice implanted with siNrf2‐transfected cells, the effects of PR were amplified. Taken together, these findings indicate that PR is critical for the inhibitory effects of XTSJ decoction on tumor cell viability and that downregulation of Nrf2 promotes the antitumor effects of PR on papillary thyroid cancer cells.
Secondary analysis of existing microarray data reveals potential gene drivers of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Liu Haibo , Chen Daxiang , Liu Ping , Xu Shuqia , Lin Xunxun , Zeng Ruixi
Published: January 2019

Cutaneous squamous‐cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common skin cancer, with an increasing incidence in recent years. To define the molecular basis that drive cSCC development and progression, this study aimed at identifying potential novel molecular targets for the diagnosis and therapy of patients with cSCC. Two data sets with the accession number GSE45164 and GSE66359 were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. After the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from these two data sets, respectively, between cSCC samples and controls, a combination of DEGs from these two data sets were subjected to the following analyses, including functional annotation, protein–protein interaction (PPI) network and module construction, transcription factor (TF)‐target regulation prediction, and drug–gene interaction predictive analysis. A total of 204 upregulated genes and 213 downregulated genes were found in two data sets which were used for the follow‐up analysis. Upregulated and downregulated genes were mainly involved in the functions such as cell division, mitotic nuclear division, cell cycle, and p53 signaling pathway. Interferon induced protein family members and proteasome subunit members were involved in the TF‐target regulatory network, such as PSMB8,
CXCL10, and
IFIT3. Eight upregulated genes (
TOP2A,
CXCL8,
RRM2,
PSMB8,
PSMB9,
PBK,
CXCL10, and
ISG15) that were hub genes in the PPI network and significant modules were identified in the predicted drug–gene interaction. In conclusion,
TOP2A,
CXCL8,
RRM2,
PSMB8,
PSMB9,
PBK,
CXCL10, and
ISG15 may be potential targets for the diagnosis and therapy of patients with cSCC.
The biological macromolecule Nocardia rubra cell‐wall skeleton as an avenue for cell‐based immunotherapy
Authors: Meng Yiming , Sun Jing , Wang Xiaonan , Ma Yushu , Kong Cuicui , Zhang Guirong , Dou Heng , Nan Ning , Shi Mingsheng , Yu Tao , Piao Haozhe
Published: January 2019

Promoting the antitumor effects of cell‐based immunotherapy for clinical application remains a difficult challenge. Nocardia rubra cell‐wall skeleton (N‐CWS) is an immunotherapeutic agent for cancers that have been proven to possess the ability to activate immune response without showing toxicity. However, its effects on immune cells that are derived from tumor patients and cultured in vitro remain unclear. As expected, N‐CWS can enhance the proliferation and viability of cytokine‐induced killer (CIK) cells, dendritic cells (DCs), and natural killer (NK) cells. The maturation of DCs and specific cytotoxicity against NK cells and CIK cells were consistently promoted. The TUNEL‐staining and the Annexin V/propidium iodide assay revealed that after treatment with N‐CWS, the stimulated CIK/NK cells could induce DNA breaks in tumor cells. Furthermore, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis showed upregulation of proapoptotic biomarkers (caspase‐3 and caspase‐9) and a downregulation of the antiapoptotic biomarker Bcl‐2 in the tumor cells of the N‐CWS‐treated group, indicating that N‐CWS could induce hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis via CIK/NK cells. Finally, CIK/NK cells could notably suppress the invasion and migration of tumor cells in the presence of N‐CWS. Our study provides evidence that N‐CWS could significantly increase the growth of CIK cells, DCs, and NK cells, particularly due to its robust antitumor activities by inducing apoptosis, and attenuate the invasion and migration of tumor cells.
In vitro and in silico molecular interaction of multiphase nanoparticles containing inositol hexaphosphate and jacalin: Therapeutic potential against colon cancer cells (HCT‐15)
Authors: Arya Malti , Mishra Nidhi , Singh Pooja , Tripathi Chandra B. , Parashar Poonam , Singh Mahendra , Gupta Krishna P. , Saraf Shubhini A.
Published: January 2019

Inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) is a natural constituent found in almost all cereals and legumes. It is known to cause numerous antiangiogenic manifestations. Notwithstanding its great potential, it is underutilized due to the chelation and rapid excretion from the body. Jacalin is another natural constituent obtained from seeds of jackfruit and can target disaccharides overexpressed in tumor cells. The current study was in‐quested to develop and evaluate a surface‐modified gold nanoparticulate system containing IP6 and jacalin which may maximize the apoptotic effect of IP6 against HCT‐15 cell lines. IP6 loaded jacalin‐pectin‐gold nanoparticles (IJP‐GNPs) were developed through reduction followed by incubation method. The developed formulation was tested for various in vitro and in silico studies to investigate its potential. HCT‐15 cells when exposed to IJP‐GNP resulted in significant apoptotic effects in dose as well as time‐dependent manner, as measured using 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide, micronucleus, and reactive oxygen species assay. IJP‐GNP displayed cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. To further explore the mechanism of chemoprevention, in silico studies were performed. The docking results revealed that the interactive behavior of IP6, P‐GNP, and jacalin could target and inhibit the tumor formation activity, supported by in vitro studies. Taken together, all the findings suggested that IP6 loaded nanoparticles may increase the hope of future drug delivery strategy for targeting colon cancer.
A detailed image of rutin underlying intracellular signaling pathways in human SW480 colorectal cancer cells based on miRNAs‐lncRNAs‐mRNAs‐TFs interactions
Authors: Nasri Nasrabadi Parinaz , Zareian Somaye , Nayeri Zahra , Salmanipour Reza , Parsafar Soha , Gharib Ehsan , Asadzadeh Aghdaei Hamid , Zali Mohammad Reza
Published: January 2019

Natural dietary ingredients like flavonoids are important for body improvement against diseases. The flavonol rutin is widely found in fruits and vegetables and shows significant anticancer properties. However, the underlined signaling pathways have not been elucidated yet. In this study, the impacts of various doses of rutin (400–700 mM/ml) have been examined on human colon cancer SW480 cells metabolism, cell cycle, and apoptosis. The transcriptome was analyzed by bioinformatics tools and the interactions between rutin modulated microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and transcription factors (TFs) were built, filtered and enriched. A dose of 600 mM of rutin significantly decreased cells metabolic activity, halved the population and arrested the cell cycle at the sub‐G1 phase. The enrichment analysis of miRNAs‐lncRNAs‐mRNAs‐TFs network showed that these effects were mediated through alteration of glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism, modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress responses, negative regulation of cell cycle process, and inducing the extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic signaling pathways. Additionally, the key parent nodes of each annotation were illustrated. These findings create a detailed image of rutin underlying intracellular signaling pathways in CRC and also help us to better understand the role of dietary natural compounds in cancer treatment.
miR‐545 promoted enterovirus 71 replication via directly targeting phosphatase and tensin homolog and tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 6
Authors: Sun Ying , Feng Long , Li Jiansheng , Xu Huaming , Mei Xue , Feng Lingyan , Sun Huijuan , Gao Jianfeng , Zhang Xiaoli
Published: January 2019

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a small, nonenveloped icosahedral RNA virus and is the predominant causative pathogen of hand‐foot‐and‐mouth disease. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) are reported to play important roles in the pathogenesis of EV71 replication. This study investigated the role of miR‐545 in the EV71 replication and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms. We showed that miR‐545 was upregulated in the EV71‐infected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells and rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells. Overexpression of miR‐545 promoted the viral replication of EV71 and attenuated the inhibitory effects of EV71 on cell viability in HEK293 and RD cells; while knockdown of miR‐545 significantly suppressed the EV71 replication in these two cell lines. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay showed that miR‐545 directly targeted the 3′untranslated region of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 6 (TRAF6) in HEK293 cells. Furthermore, miR‐545 negatively regulated the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of PTEN and TRAF6. The mRNA and protein expression of PTEN and TRAF6 was also suppressed by EV71 infection, which was attenuated by miR‐545 knockdown in HEK293 cells. Overexpression of PTEN and TRAF6 both suppressed the EV71 replication in HKE293 cells, and also attenuated the enhanced effects of miR‐545 overexpression on the EV71 replication in HEK293 cells. Collectively, our study for the first time showed that miR‐545 had an enhanced effect on the EV71 replication in HEK293 and RD cells. Further mechanistic results indicated that miR‐545 promoted EV71 replication at least partly via targeting PTEN and TRAF6.
Hexose monophosphate shunt, the role of its metabolites and associated disorders: A review
Authors: Akram Muhammad , Ali Shah Syed Muhammad , Munir Naveed , Daniyal Muhammad , Tahir Imtiaz Mahmood , Mahmood Zahed , Irshad Muhammad , Akhlaq Muhammad , Sultana Sabira , Zainab Rida
Published: January 2019

The hexose monophosphate (HMP) shunt acts as an essential component of cellular metabolism in maintaining carbon homeostasis. The HMP shunt comprises two phases viz. oxidative and nonoxidative, which provide different intermediates for the synthesis of biomolecules like nucleotides, DNA, RNA, amino acids, and so forth; reducing molecules for anabolism and detoxifying the reactive oxygen species during oxidative stress. The HMP shunt is significantly important in the liver, adipose tissue, erythrocytes, adrenal glands, lactating mammary glands and testes. We have researched the articles related to the HMP pathway, its metabolites and disorders related to its metabolic abnormalities. The literature for this paper was taken typically from a personal database, the Cochrane database of systemic reviews, PubMed publications, biochemistry textbooks, and electronic journals uptil date on the hexose monophosphate shunt. The HMP shunt is a tightly controlled metabolic pathway, which is also interconnected with other metabolic pathways in the body like glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, and glucuronic acid depending upon the metabolic needs of the body and depending upon the biochemical demand. The HMP shunt plays a significant role in NADPH2 formation and in pentose sugars that are biosynthetic precursors of nucleic acids and amino acids. Cells can be protected from highly reactive oxygen species by NADPH
2. Deficiency in the hexose monophosphate pathway is linked to numerous disorders. Furthermore, it was also reported that this metabolic pathway could act as a therapeutic target to treat different types of cancers, so treatments at the molecular level could be planned by limiting the synthesis of biomolecules required for proliferating cells provided by the HMP shunt, hence, more experiments still could be carried out to find additional discoveries.
Mechanisms underlying the regulation of intracellular and luminal pH in vaginal epithelium
Authors: Zhang Yi‐Lin , Feng Jian‐Chang , Ke Li‐Jiao , Xu Jia‐Wen , Huang Ze‐Xin , Huang Jiehong , Zhu Yun‐Xin , Zhou Wen‐Liang
Published: January 2019

The vagina provides a characteristic low‐Na+ and low‐pH fluid microenvironment that is considered generally protective. Previous studies have shown that various types of epithelial cells harbor the capacity of intracellular pH (pHi) regulation. However, it remains elusive whether vaginal epithelium could actively regulate pHi by transporting acid–base ions. In this study, we verified that after transient exposure to NH4Cl, the pHi values could rapidly recover from acidification via Na+‐H+ exchanger (NHE), Na+‐HCO3− cotransporter (NBC), and carbonic anhydrase in human vaginal epithelial cell line VK2/E6E7. Positive expression of the main acid–base transporters including NHE1‐2, NBCe1‐2, and NBCn1 mRNA was also detected in VK2/E6E7 cells. Moreover, the in vivo study further showed that interfering with the function of V‐type H+‐ATPase, NHE or NBC expressed in vagina impaired vaginal luminal pH homeostasis in rats. Taken together, our study reveals the property of pH regulation in vaginal epithelial cells, which might provide novel insights into the potential role of vaginal epithelium in the formation of the vaginal acidic microenvironment.
Predicting the Personal Appeal of Marketing Images Using Computational Methods
Authors: Matz Sandra C. , Segalin Cristina , Stillwell David , Müller Sandrine R. , Bos Maarten W.
Published: January 2019

Images play a central role in digital marketing. They attract attention, trigger emotions, and shape consumers’ first impressions of products and brands. We propose that the shift from one‐to‐many mass communication to highly personalized one‐to‐one communication requires an understanding of image appeal at a personal level. Instead of asking “How appealing is this image?” we ask “How appealing is this image to this particular consumer?” Using the well‐established five‐factor model of personality, we apply machine learning algorithms to predict an image's personality appeal—the personality of consumers to which the image appeals most—from a set of 89 automatically extracted image features (Study 1). We subsequently apply the same algorithm on new images to predict consequential outcomes from the fit between consumer and image personality. We show that image‐person fit adds incremental predictive power over the images’ general appeal when predicting (a) consumers’ liking of new images (Study 2) and (b) consumers’ attitudes and purchase intentions (Study 3).
Microbial population dynamics in temperature‐phased anaerobic digestion of municipal wastewater sludge
Authors: Hameed Syeda A , Riffat Rumana , Li Baoqiang , Naz Iffat , Badshah Malik , Ahmed Safia , Ali Naeem
Published: January 2019

BACKGROUND

The present study compared the performance and capability of thermophilic–mesophilic, temperature‐phased anaerobic digestion (TPAD) of wastewater sludge at 45 and 55 °C in terms of rate of hydrolysis and methanogenesis at two point interval times – December and January – with operational conditions kept constant (total solid content 6.5%, solids retention time 12.5 days).

RESULTS

The reduction of volatile solids (VS) was 77% at 45 °C TPAD‐1 and 72% at 55 °C TPAD‐II. The accumulation of ammonia and volatile fatty acids (VFAs; propionic acid) were observed to be below the inhibitory range (>3000 mg L−1), whereas the methane (CH4) production (45 °C, 3.55 ± 0.47 L CH4 L−1 day−1; 35 °C, 1.44 ± 0.12 L CH4 L−1 day−1) remained considerably higher in TPAD‐I than TPAD‐II. Furthermore, the TPAD‐II system suffered from certain degree of instability due to high level of total VFAs (6087 ± 1578 mg L−1), low buffering capacity, increased level of total NH3 (2982 ± 219 mg L−1) and free NH3 (246 ± 25 mg L−1), and relatively reduced CH4 production (1.69 ± 0.1 L L−1 day). The bacterial and archaeal population of the TPADs investigated by 454 pyrosequencing and Illumina sequencing showed, in both TPAD systems, a bacterial community dominated by Firmicutes, followed by Bacteriodetes, Proteobacteria, Synergistetes and Actiniobacteria. The archaeal community was dominated by Methanimicrobia (74–84% Methanosarcina) and Methanobacteria (15–27% Methanobacterium). A progression from genus Clostridium to Coprothermobacter and Tepidanaerobacter, and Methanocarcina to Methanothermobacter and Methanobacterium was observed in TPAD‐II.

CONCLUSIONS

This study proved the processes driving the dynamics of key microbial population and its correlation with hydrolytic functionality of TPAD systems. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry