bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroprotective effects of isoquercitrin in diabetic neuropathy via Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway inhibition
Authors: Resham Kahkashan , Khare Pragyanshu , Bishnoi Mahendra , Sharma Shyam S. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDiabetic neuropathy is a peripheral nervous system disorder affecting both somatic and autonomic components of nervous system. A growing body of evidence have depicted that high glucose levels can induce activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, however there are no studies targeting this pathway in DN. The intent of the present study was to investigate the effects of isoquercitrin (ISQ), a Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway inhibitor, in diabetic neuropathy. Streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.p.) was used to induce diabetes in rats. 6‐week diabetic rats were treated intrathecally with ISQ at 10 and 30 μM doses for 3 days. Furthermore, to confirm the results of the intrathecal study, a 2‐week intraperitoneal treatment of ISQ was given to diabetic rats. After 6 weeks, diabetic rats developed neuropathy which was evident from reduced thermal and mechanical hyperalgesia thresholds and significant deterioration in motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), nerve blood flow (NBF). Sciatic nerves of diabetic neuropathy rats showed increased expression of Wnt pathway proteins namely β‐catenin, c‐myc and MMP2. Treatment with ISQ, both intrathecally (10 and 30 μM) and intraperitoneally (10 mg/kg), significantly ameliorated the alterations in behavioral pain thresholds and improved functional parameters in diabetic rats. Moreover, ISQ also downregulated the expression of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway proteins significantly in diabetic rats as compared to vehicle‐treated diabetic rats. Results of the present study suggest the neuroprotective potential of ISQ in the treatment of DN via inhibition of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.
Large‐scale expansion of feeder‐free mouse embryonic stem cells serially passaged in stirred suspension bioreactors at low inoculation densities directly from cryopreservation
Authors: Borys Breanna S. , So Tania , Roberts Erin L. , Ferrie Leah , Larijani Leila , Abraham Brett , Krawetz Roman , Rancourt Derrick E. , Kallos Michael S. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractEmbryonic stem cells (ESCs) have almost unlimited proliferation capacity in vitro and can retain the ability to contribute to all cell lineages, making them an ideal platform material for cell‐based therapies. ESCs are traditionally cultured in static flasks on a feeder layer of murine embryonic fibroblast cells. Although sufficient to generate cells for research purposes, this approach is impractical to achieve large quantities for clinical applications. In this study, we have developed protocols that address a variety of challenges that currently bottleneck clinical translation of ESCs expanded in stirred suspension bioreactors. We demonstrated that mouse ESCs (mESCs) cryopreserved in the absence of feeder cells could be thawed directly into stirred suspension bioreactors at extremely low inoculation densities (100 cells/ml). These cells sustained proliferative capacity through multiple passages and various reactor sizes and geometries, producing clinically relevant numbers (109 cells) and maintaining pluripotency phenotypic and functional properties. Passages were completed in stirred suspension bioreactors of increasing scale, under defined batch conditions which greatly improved resource efficiency. Output mESCs were analyzed for pluripotency marker expression (SSEA‐1, SOX‐2, and Nanog) through flow cytometry, and spontaneous differentiation and teratoma analysis was used to demonstrate functional maintenance of pluripotency.
Computational Design of Enantiocomplementary Epoxide Hydrolases for Asymmetric Synthesis of Aliphatic and Aromatic Diols
Authors: Arabnejad Hesam , Bombino Elvira , Colpa Dana I. , Jekel Peter A. , Trajkovic Milos , Wijma Hein J. , Janssen Dick B. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe use of enzymes in preparative biocatalysis often requires tailoring enzyme selectivity by protein engineering. Herein we explore the use of computational library design and molecular dynamics simulations to create variants of limonene epoxide hydrolase that produce enantiomeric diols from meso‐epoxides. Three substrates of different sizes were targeted: cis‐2,3‐butene oxide, cyclopentene oxide, and cis‐stilbene oxide. Most of the 28 designs tested were active and showed the predicted enantioselectivity. Excellent enantioselectivities were obtained for the bulky substrate cis‐stilbene oxide, and enantiocomplementary mutants produced (S,S)‐ and (R,R)‐stilbene diol with >97 % enantiomeric excess. An (R,R)‐selective mutant was used to prepare (R,R)‐stilbene diol with high enantiopurity (98 % conversion into diol, >99 % ee). Some variants displayed higher catalytic rates (kcat) than the original enzyme, but in most cases KM values increased as well. The results demonstrate the feasibility of computational design and screening to engineer enantioselective epoxide hydrolase variants with very limited laboratory screening.
Terminal Alkynes as Raman Probes of α‐Synuclein in Solution and in Cells
Authors: Flynn Jessica D. , Gimmen Megan Y. , Dean Dexter N. , Lacy Shannon M. , Lee Jennifer C. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractConformational changes in α‐synuclein (α‐syn) are central to its biological function and Parkinson's disease pathology. Here, terminal alkynes (homopropargylglycine) were employed as environmentally sensitive Raman probes at residues 1, 5, 116, and 127 to characterize soluble (disordered), micelle‐bound (α‐helical), and fibrillar (β‐sheet) α‐syn. Along with the full‐length protein, a disease‐related C‐terminal truncation (1–115) was also studied. For the first time, β‐sheet α‐syn amyloid structure was detected by the amide‐I band in N27 dopaminergic rat cells, where a reciprocal relationship between levels of fibrils and lipids was seen. Site‐specific spectral features of the terminal alkynes also revealed the heterogeneity of the cellular environment. This work shows the versatility of Raman microspectroscopy and the power of unnatural amino acids in providing structural and residue‐level insights in solution and in cells.
Recovering phosphorus as a coproduct from corn dry grind plants: A techno‐economic evaluation
Authors: Juneja Ankita , Cusick Roland , Singh Vijay 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackground and objectivesThe coproduct of ethanol industry, dried distiller's grains with solubles (DDGS), has phosphorus content in excess of the animal diet requirement, which leads to excess P in manure and causes environmental concerns. The objective of this study is to determine the technical and economic feasibility of recovering this excess P as a coproduct.FindingsThe amount of P was observed to reduce from 9.26 to 3.25 mg/g (db) of DDGS, which is consistent with the animal diet requirement of 3–4 mg P/g animal diet. For an existing dry grind plant of 40 million gallon ethanol capacity, an additional fixed cost of $5.7 million was estimated, with an operating cost increase of $1.29 million/year.ConclusionsThe total phosphorus recovered from the plant was estimated as 1,676 kg P/day, with an estimated operating cost of $2.33/kg P recovered.Significance and noveltyApproximately 37 million MT of DDGS is produced annually as animal food containing excess P, which is a serious concern for the environment. This study provides with an economically feasible solution to recover the excess P as a coproduct, which has a potential to be used as fertilizer on more than 56,000 acres of land annually, growing corn and soybean.
Discovery of Structural Complexity through Self‐Assembly of Molecules Containing Rodlike Components
Authors: Zhang Ruimeng , Su Zebin , Yan Xiao‐Yun , Huang Jiahao , Shan Wenpeng , Dong Xue‐Hui , Feng Xueyan , Lin Zhiwei , Cheng Stephen Z. D. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHierarchical structures are important for transferring and amplifying molecular functions to macroscopic properties of materials. In this regard, rodlike molecules have emerged as one of the most promising molecular building blocks to construct functional materials. Although the self‐assembly of conventional molecules containing rodlike components generally results in nematic or layered smectic phases, due to the preferred parallel arrangements of rodlike components, extensive efforts have revealed that rational molecular design provides a versatile platform to engineer rich self‐assembled structures. Herein, first successes achieved in polyphilic liquid crystals and rod–coil block systems are summarized. Special attention is paid to recent progress in the conjugation of rodlike building blocks with other molecular building blocks through the molecular Lego approach. Rod‐based giant surfactants, sphere–rod conjugates, and dendritic rodlike molecules are covered. Future perspectives of the self‐assembly of molecules containing rodlike components are also provided.
Pd‐Catalyzed Asymmetric N‐Allylation of Amino Acid Esters with Exceptional Levels of Catalyst Control: Stereo‐Divergent Synthesis of ProM‐15 and Related Bicyclic Dipeptide Mimetics
Authors: Dohmen Stephan , Reiher Martin , Albat Dominik , Akyol Sema , Barone Matthias , Neudörfl Jörg‐Martin , Kühne Ronald , Schmalz Hans‐Günther 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA general and powerful method for the stereo‐controlled Pd‐catalyzed N‐allylation of amino acid esters is reported, as a previously largely unsolved synthetic challenge. Employing a new class of tartaric acid‐derived C2‐symmetric chiral diphosphane ligands the developed asymmetric amination protocol allows the conversion of various amino acid esters to the N‐allylated products with highest levels of enantio‐ or diastereoselectivity in a fully catalyst‐controlled fashion and predictable configuration. Remarkably, the in situ generated catalysts also exhibit outstanding levels of activity (ligand acceleration). The usefulness of the method was demonstrated in the stereo‐divergent synthesis of a set of new conformationally defined dipeptide mimetics, which represent new modular building blocks for the development of peptide‐inspired bioactive compounds.
Selenolysine: A New Tool for Traceless Isopeptide Bond Formation
Authors: Dardashti Rebecca Notis , Kumar Shailesh , Sternisha Shawn M. , Reddy Post Sai , Miller Brian G. , Metanis Norman 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDespite their biological importance, post‐translationally modified proteins are notoriously difficult to produce in a homogeneous fashion by using conventional expression systems. Chemical protein synthesis or semisynthesis offers a solution to this problem; however, traditional strategies often rely on sulfur‐based chemistry that is incompatible with the presence of any cysteine residues in the target protein. To overcome these limitations, we present the design and synthesis of γ‐selenolysine, a selenol‐containing form of the commonly modified proteinogenic amino acid, lysine. The utility of γ‐selenolysine is demonstrated with the traceless ligation of the small ubiquitin‐like modifier protein, SUMO‐1, to a peptide segment of human glucokinase. The resulting polypeptide is poised for native chemical ligation and chemoselective deselenization in the presence of unprotected cysteine residues. Selenolysine's straightforward synthesis and incorporation into synthetic peptides marks it as a universal handle for conjugating any ubiquitin‐like modifying protein to its target.
Bis(Nitroxymethylisoxazolyl) Furoxan: A Promising Standalone Melt‐Castable Explosive
Authors: Johnson Eric C. , Sabatini Jesse J. , Chavez David E. , Wells Lucille A. , Banning Joseph E. , Sausa Rosario C. , Byrd Edward F. C. , Orlicki Joshua A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe synthesis and crystal structure of the heterocyclic explosive bis(nitroxymethylisoxazolyl) furoxan, C10H6N6O10, are described. In addition, we report its physical properties and theoretical performance. This material was found to exhibit standalone melt‐castable explosive properties, with a melting point of 89.8 °C and an onset decomposition temperature of 193.8 °C. Bis(nitroxymethylisoxazolyl) furoxan features an insensitive behavior to impact, friction, and electrostatic discharge, with a calculated detonation pressure about 25 % higher than the state‐of‐the‐art melt‐castable explosive TNT.
Gold Nanotriangles with Crumble Topping and their Influence on Catalysis and Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Liebig Ferenc , Sarhan Radwan M. , Schmitt Clemens N. Z. , Thünemann Andreas F. , Prietzel Claudia , Bargheer Matias , Koetz Joachim 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBy adding hyaluronic acid (HA) to dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (AOT)‐stabilized gold nanotriangles (AuNTs) with an average thickness of 7.5±1 nm and an edge length of about 175±17 nm, the AOT bilayer is replaced by a polymeric HA‐layer leading to biocompatible nanoplatelets. The subsequent reduction process of tetrachloroauric acid in the HA‐shell surrounding the AuNTs leads to the formation of spherical gold nanoparticles on the platelet surface. With increasing tetrachloroauric acid concentration, the decoration with gold nanoparticles can be tuned. SAXS measurements reveal an increase of the platelet thickness up to around 14.5 nm, twice the initial value of bare AuNTs. HRTEM micrographs show welding phenomena between densely packed particles on the platelet surface, leading to a crumble formation while preserving the original crystal structure. Crumbles crystallized on top of the platelets enhance the Raman signal by a factor of around 20, and intensify the plasmon‐driven dimerization of 4‐nitrothiophenol (4‐NTP) to 4,4′‐dimercaptoazobenzene in a yield of up to 50 %. The resulting crumbled nanotriangles, with a biopolymer shell and the absorption maximum in the second window for in vivo imaging, are promising candidates for biomedical sensing.
Calcium Bismuthate (CaBiO3): A Potential Sunlight‐Driven Perovskite Photocatalyst for the Degradation of Emerging Pharmaceutical Contaminants
Authors: Rokesh Karuppannan , Sakar Mohan , Do Trong‐On 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis study reports the photocatalytic efficiencies of CaBiO3 (CBO) towards the degradation of contaminants of emerging concern (CEC), such as ciprofloxacin and tetracycline, under solar light irradiation. CaBiO3 was synthesized using glycine‐complexation (GC) and ion‐exchange (IE) methods. The structural difference of materials obtained by these different methods was evidenced from XRD and XPS results, and were due to the induced dual oxidation state of Bi (Bi3+/5+) in CaBiO3. The CBO synthesized by the GC method (CBO‐GC) showed a broad UV/Vis absorption range from 200 to 550 nm and a band gap energy of 2.30 eV, while it was found to be 200 to 450 nm and 2.65 eV for the CBO synthesized by the IE method (CBO‐IE). The VB potential of CBO‐IE is shifted towards more positive potentials (+2.45 eV) as compared to the CBO‐GC (+1.90 eV), and thereby the calculated CB potential of CBO‐GC and CBO‐IE was found to be −0.40 and −0.20 eV, respectively. Such positioning of the VB and CB favored the generation of highly reactive radicals towards the effective degradation of pollutants. These relative alignments of the bands could be mediated by the oxygen vacancy defects in the systems owing to the dual oxidation state of Bi. The photocurrent and impedance measurements demonstrated excellent charge separation and lower resistivity in CBO‐GC as compared to the CBO‐IE. Accordingly, the CBO‐GC showed enhanced photocatalytic degradation efficiency, improved photostability and reusability as compared to that of the CBO‐IE.
Double encapsulation of fucoxanthin using porous starch through sequential coating modification with maltodextrin and gum Arabic
Authors: Oliyaei Najme , Moosavi‐Nasab Marzieh , Tamaddon Ali Mohammad , Fazaeli Mahboubeh 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis study aims to assess the effect of gum Arabic (GA), maltodextrin (MD), or their combination as a coating agent at different ratios (1/3, 1/5, and 1/7 w/w) to encapsulate fucoxanthin. For this purpose, fucoxanthin was initially extracted and purified from Sargassum angustifolium brown seaweed and then loaded into porous starch (PS). The fucoxanthin‐loaded PS samples were further contributed in another encapsulation process using the coating materials. All samples were evaluated in terms of encapsulation efficiency, Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and stability under light, dark and low or high temperature (4 and 50°C) exposure over a certain time period. Purification of fucoxanthin was verified through HPLC and NMR spectroscopy. It was shown that the subsequent coating with MD + GA (1/7 w/w) caused an enhanced encapsulation of fucoxanthin‐loaded PS, reaching to about 96%. In addition, the stability of fucoxanthin‐loaded PS was greatly influenced by light and high temperature exposure and decreased from 85% to 58% using the GA‐coated material (1/3 w/w). First‐order kinetic model was found to be fitted well on thermal degradation data of fucoxanthin. Interestingly, the mixture of MD + GA (1/7 w/w) exhibited the highest fucoxanthin prevention at the end of the storage period. Conclusively, the findings of this study can provide simple and facile protocol for food chemists in protecting the food ingredients using encapsulation process.
Effect of Auricularia auricula aqueous extract on survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus La‐5 and Bifidobacterium bifidum Bb‐12 and on sensorial and functional properties of synbiotic yogurt
Authors: Faraki Azita , Noori Negin , Gandomi Hassan , Banuree Sayed Attaul Haq , Rahmani Fatemeh 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe effect of Auricularia auricula aqueous extract (AAE) on the survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus La‐5 and Bifidobacterium bifidum Bb‐12, and on chemical and sensory properties of yogurt was investigated during 28 days of storage at 4°C. The use of 0.05% of AAE improved the survival of L. acidophilus La‐5 and B. bifidum Bb‐12 about 0.35 and 0.58 log CFU/g, respectively. However, AAE in 0.1% concentration enhanced the survival of L. acidophilus La‐5 and B. bifidum Bb‐12 about 0.43 and 0.51 log CFU/g, respectively. Moreover, 0.1% concentration of AAE drastically increased antioxidant activity and total phenolic content to 115.30 mg BHT eq./kg and 1,057.6 mg Gallic acid/kg after 28 days, respectively. Addition of AAE to the yogurt significantly decreased sensorial acceptance while increased syneresis compared to the control group (p < .05). In conclusion, the results of this study showed that addition of AAE improved probiotic protection and functional properties of the yogurt recommending its application in symbiotic yogurt.
The impact on estimations of genetic correlations by the use of super‐normal, unscreened, and family‐history screened controls in genome wide case–control studies
Authors: Kendler Kenneth S. , Chatzinakos Chris , Bacanu Silviu‐Alin 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTraditionally, in normal case–control studies of disorder A, the controls are defined as those not developing the disorder. However, in genome wide association (GWA) studies, controls are sometimes (a) unscreened or (b) screened for both disorder A and disorder B, producing super‐normal controls. Using simulations, we examine how the observed genetic correlations between two disorders (A and B) are influenced by the use of unscreened, normal, and super‐normal controls. Normal controls produce unbiased estimates of the genetic correlation. However, unscreened and super‐normal controls both bias upward the genetic correlations. The strength of the bias increases with increasing population prevalences for the two disorders. With super‐normal controls, the absolute magnitude of bias is stronger when the true genetic correlation is low. The opposite is seen with the use of unscreened controls. Adding screening of first‐degree relatives of controls substantially increases the bias in genetic correlations with super‐normal controls but has minimal impact when controls are screened only for the relevant disease.
Process modifications for a hot potassium carbonate‐based CO2capture system: a comparative study
Authors: Ayittey Foster Kofi , Obek Christine Ann , Saptoro Agus , Perumal Kumar , Wong Mee Kee 
Published: January 2020

AbstractChemical absorption using hot potassium carbonate (K2CO3) is believed to be a more energy‐efficient post‐combustion CO2capture technology as compared to conventional amine‐based absorption processes. That notwithstanding, literature information on how process modifications could render this technology more appealing are limited. In this study, seven different modified process configurations have been investigated to observe their impacts on the system performances of a typical hot K2CO3‐based capture system. The results demonstrate that flue gas precooling is capable of improving the carbon removal level in the K2CO3‐based capture system by 11.46% over the base case value. This was achieved by precooling the flue gas stream from 110 to 70°C before feeding into the absorber column. Other modified process systems such as the rich solvent pre‐heating and lean vapour compression were equally observed to decrease the specific stripper reboiler duty by 24.28% and 21.38%, respectively. The findings from this research prove that process modifications are capable of enhancing the system performances of the hot K2CO3‐based post‐combustion CO2capture technology. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Astrocyte‐T cell crosstalk regulates region‐specific neuroinflammation
Authors: Williams Jessica L. , Manivasagam Sindhu , Smith Brandon C. , Sim Julia , Vollmer Lauren L. , Daniels Brian P. , Russell John H. , Klein Robyn S. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDuring multiple sclerosis (MS), an inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS), symptoms, and outcomes are determined by the location of inflammatory lesions. While we and others have shown that T cell cytokines differentially regulate leukocyte entry into perivascular spaces and regional parenchymal localization in murine models of MS, the molecular mechanisms of this latter process are poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that astrocytes exhibit region‐specific responses to T cell cytokines that promote hindbrain versus spinal cord neuroinflammation. Analysis of cytokine receptor expression in human astrocytes showed region‐specific responsiveness to Th1 and Th17 inflammatory cytokines. Consistent with this, human and murine astrocytes treated with these cytokines exhibit differential expression of the T cell localizing molecules VCAM‐1 and CXCR7 that is both cytokine and CNS region‐specific. Using in vivo models of spinal cord versus brain stem trafficking of myelin‐specific T cells and astrocyte‐specific deletion strategies, we confirmed that Th1 and Th17 cytokines differentially regulate astrocyte expression of VCAM‐1 and CXCR7 in these locations. Finally, stereotaxic injection of individual cytokines into the hindbrain or spinal cord revealed region‐ and cytokine‐specific modulation of localizing cue expression by astrocytes. These findings identify a role for inflammatory cytokines in mediating local astrocyte‐dependent mechanisms of immune cell trafficking within the CNS during neuroinflammation.