bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impaired Expression of BCAT1&nbsp;Relates to Muscle Atrophy of Mouse Model of Sarcopenia&nbsp;
Authors: Ouyang Hui , Gao Xuguang , Zhang Jun 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background The underlying mechanism of muscle atrophy in sarcopenia is still not fully understood; BCAT1 isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 encodes an evolutionarily conserved cytoplasmic aminotransferase for glutamate and branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), thus constituting a regulatory component of cytoplasmic amino and keto acid metabolism. In human gliomas carrying wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase-1, BCAT1 promotes cell proliferation through amino acid catabolism. Hence, the goals of this study were to unravel the potential role of BCAT1 expression in muscle atrophy and to explore the mechanisms underlying this process.Methods We first measured BCAT1 expression by RT-qPCR and western blotting in murine and cellular models of muscle atrophy. To understand how the BCAT1-driven changes sustained muscle cell growth, we analyzed ROS levels and activation of the mTORC1/S6K1 pathway in muscle cells. Furthermore, we performed CCK8 assays and fluorescence staining to evaluate growth rate of cells and ROS levels. Finally, we verified that depletion of BCAT1 impairs the growth rate of muscle cells and increases ROS levels, indicating that muscle atrophy resulted from the downregulation of the mTORC1/S6K1 pathway. Data were analyzed by two-tailed unpaired Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for two groups to determine statistical significance. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism version 6.0 and SPSS 16.0 software.Results BCAT1 expression level in skeletal muscles was lower in murine and cellular models of sarcopenia than in the control groups. BCAT1 knockdown not only suppressed the growth of muscle cells but also increased the production of ROS. Impaired cell growth and increased ROS production was rescued by co-introduction of an shRNA-resistant BCAT1 cDNA or addition of the mTORC1 stimulator MYH1485. Muscle cells with BCAT1 knockdown featured lower mTORC1 and S6K1 phosphorylation (pS6K1) than NT muscle cells. Addition of either shRNA-resistant BCAT1 cDNA or MYH1485 rescued the suppression of cell growth, increase in ROS production, and decrease in pS6K1. Conclusions The BCAA catabolic enzyme BCAT1 is essential for the growth of muscle cells. BCAT1 expression contributes to sustained growth of muscle cells by activating mTOR signaling and reducing ROS production.
Screening Circular RNA&nbsp;Related to Vascular Endothelial Proliferation, Migration and Angiogenesis in Spinal Cord Injury by RNA&nbsp;Sequencing
Authors: Ye Xin , Chen Yilei , Wang Jiasheng , Chen Jian , Yao Ying , Wang Lin-lin , Zhao Fengdong 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) causes high rates of worldwide morbidity because of the complex secondary injury. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel class of endogenous non-coding RNAs, which have recently been recognized as important regulators of gene expression and pathological processes. In this study, we have attempted to elucidate the expression profiles of circRNAs in a mouse model of SCI and comprehensively understand vascular endothelial proliferation, migration and angiogenesis in the early stage of secondary injury.Methods: Deep RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and bioinformatic analysis including GO enrichment analysis, KEGG pathway analysis and circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network construction were performed to investigate the expression patterns of circRNAs in mouse spinal cord after SCI (n= 3 per group) for three days and explore the differentially expressed circRNAs related to vascular endothelial proliferation, migration and angiogenesis. Results: Total of 1288 circRNAs were altered (>2-fold change, p<0.05) in the spinal cord after SCI, including 991 were upregulated and 297 were downregulated. Meanwhile we constructed a circRNA-mRNA network to predict their functions for circRNAs can act as “miRNA sponges”,. We next analyzed the altered circRNAs related to vascular endothelial proliferation, migration and angiogenesis by GO and KEGG analyses. 121 circRNAs were found to correlating to vascular endothelial proliferation，migration and angiogenesis in spinal cord after SCI. Conclusions: Our results reveal that circRNAs locally regulate their related protein-gene expression and play key roles in the vascular endothelial proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of SCI.
Laparoscopic Spleen-Preserving Distal Pancreatectomy for Epidermoid Cyst in An Intrapancreatic Accessory Spleen: A Case Report
Authors: Zheng Xiang , Zhou Bo , Sun Qing jing , Jin Ming , Yan Sheng 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUNDPancreatic tail cystic lesions are increasingly encountered in clinical practice, however it is difficult to make a correct diagnosis preoperatively because there are many types of pancreatic neoplastic and non-neoplastic cysts. Epidermoid cyst in an intrapancreatic accessory spleen (ECIPAS) is a rare non-neoplastic cyst and located in the pancreatic tail. Therefore, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic tail cystic lesions. CASE PRESENTATION A 51-year-old man was admitted for investigation of abdominal pain. The physical examination and laboratory tests found no abnormalities, except for an elevation of carbohydrate antigen (CA)19-9. Imaging revealed a 2.6-cm cystic lesion within the pancreatic tail, and the solid component surrounding the cyst was enhanced similarly to those of the splenic tissue. ECIPAS was speculated. With regards to the symptoms and difficulty to completely exclude a malignant tumor, laparoscopic spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy was performed. The final pathological diagnosis was epidermoid cyst arising from an intrapancreatic accessory spleen. The patient was discharged at day 5 postoperatively after an uneventful recovery. CA19-9 returned to normal after surgery. During 2-years follow-up, there was no evidence of tumor recurrence.CONCLUSIONWe describe typical imaging features of ECIPAS and showed that laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy was safe and effective for treating ECIPAS.
Long-term Outcomes of contemporary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention with the Xience Drug-Eluting Stent: Results from a Multicentre Australian Registry
Authors: Eccleston David , Chowdhury Enayet , Delacroix Sinny , Horrigan Mark , Rafter Tony , Sage Peter , Whelan Alan , Thompson Peter , Reid Christopher , Liew Danny , Worthley Stephen 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundSeveral large registries have evaluated outcomes after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in the USA, however there are no contemporary data regarding long-term outcomes after PCI in Australia, and little information comparing new second generation drug-eluting stents (DES) with earlier DES. Also, approval of new-generation drug-eluting stents (DES) is almost exclusively based on non-inferiority trials comparing outcomes with first generation DES, and there are limited data comparing safety and efficacy outcomes of new second generation DES with bare metal stents (BMS). This study long-term outcomes after PCI with the Xience DES from a large national multicentre registry, the GenesisCare Outcomes Registry (GCOR).MethodsThe study population comprised the first 1500 patients consecutively enrolled from January 2015 to January 2019 who were treated exclusively with either Xience DES or BMS and were eligible for 1-year follow-up, from a total group of 4,765 PCI patients enrolled during that period. Baseline patient and procedural data, medications and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in-hospital, at 30-days and 1-year were reported and analysed with respect to the type of stent used (Xience DES n = 1000, BMS n = 500).ResultsOf the 4,765 patients enrolled in GCOR during this period, DES were exclusively used in 3621 (76.0%), BMS were exclusively used in 596 (12.5%) with the remainder receiving a combination of DES and BMS. In the study cohort of 1,500 Xience and BMS patients the mean age was 68.4 ± 10.7 years, 76.9% were male, 24.6% had diabetes mellitus and 45.9% presented with acute coronary syndromes. Adverse clinical event rates In the study cohort were low in comparison to international reports at 30-days in terms of mortality (0.20%), target lesion revascularisation (TLR, 0.27%) and MACE (0.47%). Similarly, adverse clinical event rates at 12 months were low in terms of mortality (1.26%), TLR (1.16%) and MACE (1.78%).ConclusionsClinical practice and long-term outcomes of PCI with the Xience DES in Australia are consistent with international series. Recent trends indicate DES use has increased in parallel with good outcomes despite an increasingly complex patient and lesion cohort.Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN12620000899943This trial was registered retrospectively on 11/09/2020.
Development of Efficient Genotyping Workflow for Accelerating Maize Improvement in Developing Countries
Authors: Obi Queen Nkem , Menkir Abebe , Babalola Deborah F. , Gedil Melaku 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundMolecular breeding has been recognized as one of the pillars to accelerate the rate of genetic gain in crop improvement towards meeting the need to feed an ever-growing world population. Establishing low-cost and flexible genotyping platforms in small and public laboratories and regionally can stimulate the application of molecular breeding in developing countries where many plant breeding projects require low to medium density markers for genomics-assisted selection and quality control (QC) activities. ResultsHere we present an optimization of the entire genotyping workflow (from sample collection to genotyping and data analysis) to accelerate the QC and genomic-assisted selection process, which can readily be adopted by National agricultural research system (NARS) partners in developing countries to fast-track molecular marker-based genotyping for crop improvement. An in-house KASP genotyping system combined with optimized sample collection and DNA preparation processes expedited the genotyping workflow from over five weeks (when outsourcing) to approximately three weeks (5 days per week) for a total of 637 samples. The QC experiment using a subset of 28 KASP SNPs validated for maize revealed the genetic identity of 4 maize varieties taken from 5 seed sources. Another subset of 10 KASP SNPs was sufficient in verifying the parentage of 388 F1 lines. The marker-based selection of high PVA maize lines identified nine lines harboring the favorable allele of the crtRB1 gene, which could serve as donor lines for the maize PVA breeding program. The ongoing marker-assisted backcrossing experiment to introgress resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in elite tropical maize lines has so far identified twenty-four maize lines harboring the favorable alleles associated with resistance to aflatoxin accumulation, and are currently undergoing field evaluation. The optimized genotyping workflow has so far generated over 1700 datapoints.ConclusionThe result of this work could serve as a prototype to fast-track maize improvement activities of IITA’s MIP group, and facilitate DNA fingerprinting for adoption tracking of improved crop varieties. It will also provide public and small laboratories in developing countries with the knowledge of efficient genotyping workflow to accelerate crop improvement activities.
Cholestyramine Administration Induces Gut Dysbiosis and Severe Liver Injury in ApoE-/- Mice
Authors: Chen Jin , Sun Yifan , Luo Yan , Li Xiangsu , Zuo Zhaoxu , Bian Dongxue , Wu Xudong , Zang Shufei , Shi Junping 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background & AimBile acids, as hydrophilicity/ hydrophobic molecules and natural ligands of bile acids receptors, are involved in the pathogenesis of liver injury and metabolic disorders. Cholestyramine acts as a bile acid chelating agent and is used to reduce cholesterol in clinic, but its hepatotoxicity and effects on metabolism are still unclear.MethodsApoE-/- mice were continuously administered with low fat diet with or without 2% cholestyramine 12 weeks to determine the hepatotoxicity and metabolic influences of cholestyramine on these mice. Serum transaminases, liver histological features and hepatic inflammatory markers expression were used to assess cholestyramine hepatotoxicity. Body weight, liver weight, serum lipids profile and liver lipid metabolism related genes expression were used to evaluate effects of cholestyramine on metabolism. Differences of endogenous bile acids composition, bile acids metabolism related genes and intestinal flora structure between groups were also analyzed by an ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry system, quantitative real time PCR and 16S rDNA sequencing.ResultsAfter 12 weeks of dietary intervention, although cholestyramine decreased ApoE-/- mice serum cholesterol level, it significantly increased the body and liver weight of these mice, and caused severe liver injury: increased serum transaminases levels, promoted liver vesicular steatosis and inflammatory cells infiltration, and enhanced the expression of lipid synthesis gene: FASN and inflammatory markers genes: TNF-α 、MCP-1、F4/80 and CD68. Moreover, cholestyramine administration caused hydrophobic transformation of bile acids pool and severe gut dysbiosis, which were characterized by decreased hydrophilic bile acids: muricholic acid (MCA) and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), and increased abundance of potential pathogenic bacteria: s_Bacteroide_vulgatus.ConclusionThis study revealed that cholestyramine had the ability to induce severe liver injury and metabolic disorders. These effects might be attributed to inducing hydrophobic transformation of bile acids pool and gut dysbiosis by cholestyramine. Furthermore, our study provided a warning of hepatotoxicity and metabolic disorders for clinical application of cholestyramine, and suggested that cholestyramine was not a good scavenging tool to study the role of bile acids alternations in diseases progression.
Identification of Subclinical Myocardial Dysfunction in Breast Cancer Patients With Metabolic Syndrome After Cancer Related Comprehensive Therapy
Authors: Zhang Feng , Wang Siyuan , Liang Siying , Yu Chao , Li Sufang , Chen Hong , Wang Shu , Zhu Tiangang 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Background: Breast cancer patients with metabolic syndrome have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. These patients are more prone to suffer from cardiotoxicity after anti-cancer therapy. Patients after completion of cancer related comprehensive therapy, who show normal myocardial function, may already have subclinical myocardial dysfunction. We sought to evaluate the subclinical myocardial dysfunction in breast cancer patients with metabolic syndrome after cancer related comprehensive therapy.Methods: In this study, 45 breast cancer patients with metabolic syndrome after completion of cancer related comprehensive therapy and 45 non-breast cancer patients with metabolic syndrome were enrolled. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were measured using echocardiogram. Results: All the patients have normal LVEF. However, nine breast cancer patients (20%) had GLS that was lower than -17%, while all the non-cancer patients have normal GLS. Breast cancer patients with metabolic syndrome had a decrease of GLS and LVEF, compared with non-cancer patients with metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, we found that decrease of age was associated with reduction of LVEF, and that use of trastuzumab for 1 year was a significant factor that associated with reduction of GLS.Conclusions: Breast cancer patients with metabolic syndrome after completion of cancer related comprehensive therapy suffered from subclinical myocardial dysfunction. GLS should be routinely performed to early identify subclinical myocardial damage of patients, in order to prevent the cardiotoxicity of cancer related comprehensive therapy.Trial registration: the Medical Ethics Committee of Peking University People’s Hospital, 2018PHB032-02, Registered 23 November 2018, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=35202
Comparative morphofunctional analysis of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in human rheumatoid arthritis and mouse collagen-induced arthritis
Authors: Machado Camilla , Kakehasi Adriana , Dias Felipe , Resende Gustavo , Oliveira Patrícia , Xavier Ricardo , Andrade Marcus 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BackgroundFibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) play a prominent role in rheumatoid synovitis and degradation of the extracellular matrix through the production of inflammatory cytokines and metalloproteinases (MMPs). Since animal models are frequently used for elucidating the disease mechanism and therapeutic development, it is relevant to compare ultrastructural characteristics and functional responses by human and mouse FLS. The objective of this study is to compare ultrastructural characteristics, IL-6 and MMP-3 production, and the activation of intracellular pathways in FLS from patients with RA (RA-FLS) and mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA-FLS). The objective of the study was to compare ultrastructural characteristics, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) production and the activation of intracellular pathways in Fibroblast like synoviocytes (FLS) cultures obtained from patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and from mice with collagen-induced arthritis.MethodsFLSs were obtained from RA patients (RA-FLSs) (n = 8) and mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA-FLSs) (n = 4). Morphology was assessed by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. IL-6 and MMP-3 production was measured by ELISA, and activation of intracellular signaling pathways (NF-κB and MAPK: p-ERK1/2, p-P38 and p-JNK) was measured by Western blotting in cultures of RA-FLSs and CIA-FLSs stimulated with tumor necrosis factor - alpha (TNF-α) and IL-1β.ResultsRA-FLS and CIA-FLS cultures exhibited rich cytoplasm, rough endoplasmic reticula and prominent and well-developed Golgi complexes. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated the presence of lamellar bodies, which are cytoplasmic structures related to surfactant production, in FLSs from both sources. Increased levels of pinocytosis and numbers of pinocytotic vesicles were observed in RA-FLSs (p < 0.05). Basal production of MMP-3 and IL-6 was present in RA-FLSs and CIA-FLSs. Regarding the production of MMP-3 and IL-6 and the activation of signaling pathways, the present study demonstrated a lower response to IL-1β by CIA-FLSs than by RA-FLSs.ConclusionThere were differences between RA-FLSs and CIA-FLSs in their ultrastructural morphologies and functional responses. The differences shown in our study indicate that the adoption of an RA-FLS human model is a better alternative than the CIA-FLS animal model for in vitro studies of RA etiopathogenesis and new therapeutic targets.
Microstructural evolution of h-BN matrix composite ceramics with La-Al-Si-O glass phase during hot-pressed sintering
Authors: Qiu Baofu , Duan Xiaoming , Zhang Zhuo , Zhao Chen , Niu Bo , He Peigang , Cai Delong , Chen Lei , Yang Zhihua , Wang Yujin , Jia Dechang , Zhou Yu 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
BN/La-Al-Si-O composite ceramics were fabricated by hot-pressed sintering using h-BN, La2O3, Al2O3 and amorphous SiO2 as the raw materials. The effects of sintering temperature on the microstructural evolution, bulk density, apparent porosity, and mechanical properties of h-BN composite ceramics were investigated. The results indicated that La-Al-Si-O liquid phase was formed during sintering process, which provided an environment for the growth of h-BN grains. With increasing sintering temperature, the cristobalite phase precipitation and h-BN grain growth occurred at the same time, which had the significant influence on the densification and mechanical properties of h-BN composite ceramics. The best mechanical properties of BN/La-Al-Si-O composite ceramics were obtained under sintering temperature of 1700 °C, and the elastic modulus, flexural strength, and fracture toughness were 80.5 GPa, 266.4 MPa and 3.25 MPa·m1/2, respectively.
Carletonmooreite, Ni3Si, a new silicide from the Norton County aubrite meteorite
Authors: Garvie Laurence A.J. , Ma Chi , Ray Soumya , Domanik Kenneth , Wittmann Axel , Wadhwa Meenakshi 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Carletonmooreite (IMA 2018-68), Ni3Si, is a new nickel silicide mineral that occurs in metal nodules from the Norton County aubrite meteorite. These nodules are dominated by low-Ni iron (kamacite), with accessory schreibersite, nickelphosphide, perryite, and minor daubréelite, tetrataenite, taenite, and graphite. The chemical composition of the holotype carletonmooreite determined by wavelength-dispersive electron-microprobe analysis is (wt%) Ni 82.8 ± 0.4, Fe 4.92 ± 0.09, and Si 13.08 ± 0.08 (n = 6, total = 100.81) giving an empirical formula of (Ni2.87Fe0.18)Σ3.05Si0.95, with an end-member formula of Ni3Si. Further grains discovered in the specimen after the new mineral submission extend the composition, i.e., (wt%) Ni 81.44 ± 0.82, Fe 5.92 ± 0.93, Cu 0.13 ± 0.02, and Si 13.01 ± 0.1 (n = 11, total = 100.51 ± 0.41), giving an empirical formula (Ni2.83Fe0.22Cu0.004)Σ3.05Si0.95. The backscat tered electron-diffraction patterns were indexed by the Pm3m auricupride (AuCu3)-type structure and give a best fit to synthetic Ni3Si, with a = 3.51(1) Å, V = 43.2(4) Å3, Z = 1, and calculated density of 7.89 g/cm3. Carletonmooreite is silver colored with an orange tinge, isotropic, with a metallic luster and occurs as euhedral to subhedral crystals 1 × 5 µm to 5 × 14 µm growing on tetrataenite into kamacite. The dominant silicide in the Norton County aubrite metal nodules is perryite (Ni,Fe)8(Si,P)3, with carletonmooreite restricted to localized growth on rare plessite fields. The isolated nature of small euhedral carletonmooreite single crystals suggests low-temperature growth via solid-state diffusion from the surrounding kamacite and epitaxial growth on the tetrataenite. This new mineral is named in honor of Carleton B. Moore, chemist and geologist, and founding director of the Center for Meteorite Studies at Arizona State University, for his many contributions to cosmochemistry and meteoritics.
Interfacial structures and acidity constants of goethite from first-principles Molecular Dynamics simulations
Authors: Zhang Yingchun , Liu Xiandong , Cheng Jun , Lu Xiancai 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
In this paper, we report a first-principles Molecular Dynamics (FPMD) study of interfacial structures and acidity constants of goethite. The pKa values of the groups on (010), (110), and (021) surfaces (space group Pbnm) are derived with the FPMD based vertical energy gap technique. The results indicate that major reactive groups include ≡Fe2OH2 and ≡FeOH2 on (010), ≡FeOH2, ≡Fe3OLH, and ≡Fe3OUH on (110), and ≡FeOhH2 and ≡Fe2OH on (021). The interfacial structures were characterized in detail with a focus on the hydrogen bonding environment. With the calculated pKa values, the point of zero charges (PZCs) of the three surfaces are derived and the overall PZC range of goethite is found to be consistent with the experiment. We further discuss the potential applications of these results in future studies toward understanding the environmental processes of goethite.