bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mollicute Anti‐Adhesive and Growth Inhibition Properties of the Methanolic Extract of Propolis from the Brazilian Native Bee Melipona quadrifasciata
Authors: Galgowski Caroline , Pavanelo Frare Sara , Rau Martinho , Debiase Alberton Michele , Althoff Sérgio , Guedes Alessandro , Mendes de Cordova Caio Mauricio 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHydroalcoholic propolis extracts from the bee species Melipona quadrifasciata have been shown to possess antimicrobial activity against different mollicute strains, but a methanolic extract (ME) could contain an increased diversity of nonpolar bioactive components with a potentially higher antimicrobial activity. The ME obtained by maceration of the propolis sample was fractionated with solvents of different polarities and then, purified by silica gel column chromatography through biomonitoring of its antimicrobial activity against mollicute strains. Analysis by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC/MS) enabled the identification of compounds using the NIST library. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the samples were determined by broth microdilution. Anti‐adhesive assays were performed with Mycoplasma pneumoniae cells. The hexane (MIC=62.5 mg/L) and dichloromethane (MIC=125 mg/L) fractions presented the most promising results against M. pneumoniae. They were fractionated into 74 subfractions, and even the best ones did not show better results (MIC>250 mg/L) than their original fractions, likely due to the loss of terpene compounds that seem to act in synergy. The dichloromethane subfraction FD4 was highlighted in the anti‐adhesive assay with an inhibitory activity of 21.6 %. A synergistic effect of the nonpolar compounds in M. quadrifasciata propolis may be responsible for its antibacterial activity, but several purified components can improve its anti‐adhesive properties.
Involvement of circRNA_0007059 in the regulation of postmenopausal osteoporosis by promoting the microRNA‐378/BMP‐2 axis
Authors: Liu Shu , Wang Chao , Bai Jinyi , Li Xiaoming , Yuan Jiabin , Shi Zhicai , Mao Ningfang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIncreasing evidence suggests that postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMO), a severe disturbance, imposes heavy physical, psychosocial, and financial burdens and dramatically influences the quality of life of postmenopausal women. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRs) play important roles in the occurrence and development of PMO. However, the roles of circRNAs and miRs in osteoporosis regulation still need to be further investigated. circRNAs with different expression levels in patients with PMO were screened via RNA‐seq and bioinformatics analysis. We found that circ_0007059 was upregulated in patients with PMO and during osteoclastogenesis of human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs). Next, we investigated the effect of circ_0007059 overexpression during osteoclastogenesis of hBMSCs. circ_0007059 overexpression attenuated hBMSC differentiation into osteoclasts in vitro. This was demonstrated by downregulated bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP‐2) expression, upregulated osteoclast‐specific gene expression, and TRAP staining. circ_0007059 was demonstrated to directly target miR‐378, which in turn targeted BMP‐2 via bioinformatics analysis and the dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Transfection of the miR‐378 mimic reversed the effect of circ_0007059 on the osteoclastogenesis of hBMSCs. These results suggest that circ_0007059 plays an important role in osteoclastogenesis via the miR‐378/BMP‐2 signaling pathway. Targeting the circ_0007059/miR‐378/BMP‐2 axis is possibly a novel idea in osteoporosis treatment.
Assessing alexithymia in forensic settings: Psychometric properties of the 20‐item Toronto Alexithymia Scale among incarcerated adult offenders
Authors: Preece David A. , Parry Cate L. , Allan Maria M. , Allan Alfred 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlexithymia is a trait involving difficulty identifying feelings (DIF), difficulty describing feelings (DDF) and externally orientated thinking (EOT). It is a risk factor for criminal behaviour. It is commonly assessed with the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS‐20), but the psychometrics of the TAS‐20 have not been tested across the range of offender populations, and it has been suggested it might be unsuitable in incarcerated offenders.AimTo establish the psychometrics of the TAS‐20 among incarcerated offenders.MethodsFactorial validity was examined using confirmatory factor analyses, and the invariance of this factor structure was tested against a published community sample. Reliability coefficients were calculated.ResultsOne hundred and forty six incarcerated offenders were recruited. The factor structure of the TAS‐20 was invariant across the samples. The intended factor structure composed of DIF, DDF and EOT factors performed well overall (with a reverse‐scored method factor added), but six EOT items had low factor loadings. The total scale score and DIF and DDF subscales had acceptable reliability, but EOT did not.ConclusionsOur results suggest that the TAS‐20 functions similarly in offender and community samples. Its total scale score, and DIF and DDF subscale scores can be used confidently, but the assessment of externally oriented thinking may not be adequate with this scale alone. In sum, the TAS‐20 can facilitate robust assessment of alexithymia in closed criminal justice settings as well as in the wider community.
Urchin‐Type Architecture Assembled by Cobalt Phosphide Nanorods Encapsulated in Graphene Framework as an Advanced Anode for Alkali Metal Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Jiamei , Zhu Gang , Zhang Zelei , Wang Yi , Wang Hui , Bai Jintao , Wang Gang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractUrchin‐type cobalt phosphide microparticles assembled by nanorod were encapsulated in a graphene framework membrane (CoP@GF), and used as a binder‐free electrode for alkali metal ion batteries. Electrochemical measurements indicate that this membrane exhibits enhanced reversible lithium, sodium, and potassium storage capabilities. Moreover, the energy storage properties of CoP@GF electrodes in alkali metal ion batteries display an order of Li>Na>K. DFT calculations on adsorption energy of CoP surfaces for Li, Na, and K indicated that CoP surfaces were more favorable to transfer electrons to Li atoms than Na and K, and the surface reactivity can be ordered as Li‐CoP>Na‐CoP>K‐CoP; thus, CoP@GF exhibits better storage capacity for lithium. This work provides experimental and theoretical basis for understanding the electrochemical performance of cobalt phosphide‐based membranes for alkali metal ion batteries.
A Xanthene‐Based Mono‐Anionic PON Ligand: Exploiting a Bulky, Electronically Unsymmetrical Donor in Main Group Chemistry
Authors: Zheng Xiongfei , Heilmann Andreas , McManus Caitilín , Aldridge Simon 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe synthesis of a novel mono‐anionic phosphino‐amide ligand based on a xanthene backbone is reported, togetherr with the corresponding GaIcomplex, (PON)Ga (PON = 4‐(di(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)phosphino)‐5‐(2,6‐diisopropylanilido)‐2,7‐di‐tert‐butyl‐9,9‐dimethylxanthene). The solid‐state structure of (PON)Ga (obtained from X‐ray crystallography) reveals very weak O⋅⋅⋅Ga and P⋅⋅⋅Ga interactions, consistent with a R2NGa fragment which closely resembles those found in one‐coordinate amidogallium systems. Strong N‐to‐Ga π donation from the amido substituent is reflected in a very short N−Ga distance (1.961(2) Å), while the P⋅⋅⋅Ga contact (3.076(1) Å) is well outside the sum of the respective covalent radii. While the donor properties of the PON ligand towards GaIare highly unsymmetrical, oxidation to GaIIIleads to much stronger coordination of the pendant phosphine as shown by P−Ga distances which are up to 20 % shorter. From a steric perspective, the PON ligand is shown to be significantly bulkier than related β‐diketiminate systems, a finding consistent with reactions of (PON)Ga towards O‐atom sources that proceed without oligomerization. Despite this, the enhanced P‐donor properties brought about by oxidation at gallium are not sufficient to quench the reactivity of the highly polar Ga−O unit. Instead, intramolecular benzylic C−H activation is observed across the Ga−O bond of a transient gallanone intermediate.
Oral health knowledge and oral health related quality of life of older adults
Authors: Kwon So Ran , Lee Shirley , Oyoyo Udochukwu , Wiafe Seth , De Guia Samantha , Pedersen Caitlin , Martinez Kelsey , Rivas Joscelyn , Chavez Daniela , Rogers Tom 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the relationship between oral health knowledge and oral health related quality of life among older adults with different ethnicities living in San Bernardino County, California. There is a gap in oral health knowledge (OHK) and how it relates to perceived oral health related quality of life. Thus, there is a need to assess OHK as a component of oral health literacy and identify areas in which knowledge gaps exit to develop educational strategies that address the need of the elderly population.Materials and MethodsThe study was a cross‐sectional study that included adults 65 years and older using a validated “Comprehensive Measure of Oral Health Knowledge” (CMOHK) and an “Oral Health Profile Index” (OHIP‐14). Odds ratios were conducted to determine the factors associated with OHK.ResultsMean OHK score were 16.8, 14.6, and 8.9 for Caucasian, Asian, and Hispanics, respectively. “Poor” OHK was significantly associated with participants over the age of 75 years (OR = 1.9; 95% CI: 1.15–3.16), high school education or less (OR = 10.8; 95% CI: 5.92–19.84), minority ethnicity (OR = 7.3; 95% CI: 4.27–12.61), income less than $25,000 (OR = 10.7; 95% CI: 5.92–19.26), and reading ability less than “Excellent” (OR = 7.27; 95% CI: 4.35–12.14). Mean OHIP‐Severity scores were 7.4, 12.5, and 24.4 for Caucasian, Asian, and Hispanics, respectively. Respondents with Poor OHK were 5.17 times more likely to be identified with high levels of severity (Severity >10).ConclusionIt is imperative to develop communication strategies to inform older adults on oral health knowledge that provide equal opportunities for all ethnicities.
Anomalous C−C Coupling on Under‐Coordinated Cu (111): A Case Study of Cu Nanopyramids for CO2 Reduction Reaction by Molecular Modelling
Authors: Chen Ling , Tang Cheng , Jiao Yan , Qiao Shi‐Zhang 
Published: November 2020

AbstractConverting CO2 to high value‐added C2 hydrocarbons by CO2 reduction reaction attracted attention due to higher energy density, readiness for transportation, and established utilization infrastructure. Herein, it was demonstrated that tailoring the copper catalyst morphology by forming nanopyramids offers alternative routes to promote C2 production. Using density functional theory calculations, five polycrystalline Cu nanopyramids with various orientations, shapes, and exposing facets were investigated. Three investigated nanopyramids favored the C2 production to different extents due to anomalous C−C coupling behaviors. The underlying reason for such C−C coupling was the pyramidal effect on under‐coordinated Cu (111) surface from the nanopyramids. The pyramidal effect includes improved *CO adsorption, geometrically preferable sites for C−C coupling, and enhanced electron transfer. Based on these results, a C2 active site screening principle was developed: an extended “square” principle, which can serve as a new morphology design rule for efficient catalyst development.
Depressive symptoms among stress‐exposed youth: Relations with tonic and phasic indices of autonomic functioning
Authors: Scott Brandon G. , Fike Eleanor A. , McCullen Jennifer R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTheoretical models of adolescent depression postulate that one possible individual vulnerability factor for the development of depressive symptoms is autonomic dysregulation. However, there is limited and mixed support for these models among ethnically diverse and higher risk stress‐exposed youth. Therefore, this study investigated the relations between both tonic and phasic indices of parasympathetic autonomic functioning (i.e., resting high‐frequency heart rate variability [HF‐HRV] and root mean square of successive differences [RMSSD]; HF‐HRV and RMSSD reactivity to a mental arithmetic stressor) and depressive symptoms among 80 severely stress‐exposed youth (51% female; 11–17 years of age) from diverse backgrounds (61.3% ethnic minority; caregiver‐reported median family income = $20,000–$49,999 per year). Results demonstrated that lower resting HF‐HRV and RMSSD, but not HF‐HRV and RMSSD reactivity, was associated with greater youth depressive symptoms. Our findings suggest that lower resting parasympathetic autonomic functioning may be a potential vulnerability factor of depressive symptoms among stress‐exposed youth, instead of specific emotional responses to stressors. These findings will need to be replicated in larger samples of stress‐exposed youth and youth at higher risk for or exhibiting clinical levels of depressive symptoms to better elucidate relations with autonomic functioning and depressive symptoms among adolescents.
Effects of theophylline and theobromine on exercise performance and implications for competition sport: A systematic review
Authors: Kennedy Michael 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA systematic review was undertaken to evaluate studies on the effects of theophylline and theobromine on exercise performance in normal (healthy) subjects. Theophylline was found to have been studied on eight occasions and theobromine on one, the number of subjects per study ranging from seven to 15. In two exercise investigations, theophylline was superior to placebo at a p < 0.05 level and no different in four including one that was conducted in artificial hypoxia. In a treadmill time trial over 3 km, theobromine was superior to placebo and equal to caffeine, at the <0.05 level. In strength studies, theophylline increased wrist strength in one and showed a slight but not statistically significant increase in limb strength in four of the seven subjects in the other. Theophylline caused adverse effects in six participants. There were no adverse effects in the theobromine investigation. Although the studies showed contradicting results and/or insufficient data to draw solid conclusions, it appears both drugs have potential to enhance performance and could be considered for inclusion on the WADA banned list.
Estimation of alcohol and nicotine consumption in 11 cities of Turkey using wastewater‐based epidemiology
Authors: Yavuz Guzel Evsen , Atasoy Aslı , Gören İsmail Ethem , Daglioglu Nebile 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAlcohol and tobacco are the most frequently consumed substances in the world. Both are significantly associated with the increasing number of different diseases. Thus, monitoring nicotine and alcohol use is vital for public health planning and intervention strategies. This study aimed to calculate estimates of alcohol and nicotine use in 11 cities of Turkey using wastewater‐based epidemiology. In 2019, daily composite wastewater samples from 18 wastewater treatment plants were collected for a week per season. The 24‐h composite samples were collected via auto‐samplers. Sample preparation for wastewater samples collected was done using liquid–liquid extraction and solid‐phase extraction. Nicotine and ethyl sulfate (EtS) were analyzed using validated liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method. The estimated average nicotine consumption was 2.84 mg/p/day, and the average alcohol consumption was 3.46 ± 1.83 ml/p/day. The highest nicotine consumption was observed in Kayseri city; the highest alcohol consumption was calculated for Mersin city. In this study, the cigarette and alcohol consumption estimate obtained by wastewater‐based epidemiology (WBE) was found to be higher than the Turkey Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Authority report. To our knowledge, this study is the most comprehensive one so far applied using WBE for 11 cities in Turkey and evaluates alcohol and nicotine use together.
Concept drift detection on stream data for revising DBSCAN
Authors: Miyata Yasushi , Ishikawa Hiroshi 
Published: November 2020

AbstractData stream mining of IoT data can support operator to immediately isolate causes of equipment alarms. The challenge, however, is to keep their classifiers high purity (the data ratio with same proper class in a cluster) with concept drifting ascribed to differences between alarm models and entities. We propose to continuously update data class according to their distribution changes. Through evaluation, no purity deterioration was verified for oscillation condition data with a drifting rate of 1%. The result suggested that the method improves operator decision making.
Critical cancer vulnerabilities identified by unbiased CRISPR/Cas9 screens inform on efficient cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Potts Margaret A , McDonald Jackson A , Sutherland Kate D , Herold Marco J 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe mutational landscape of human cancers is highly complex. While next generation sequencing aims to comprehensively catalogue somatic alterations in tumor cells, it fails to delineate driver from passenger mutations. Functional genomic approaches, particularly CRISPR/Cas9, enable both gene discovery, and annotation of gene function. Indeed, recent CRISPR/Cas9 technologies have flourished with the development of more sophisticated and versatile platforms capable of gene knockouts to high throughput genome wide editing of a single nucleotide base. With new platforms constantly emerging, it can be challenging to navigate what CRISPR tools are available and how they can be effectively applied to understand cancer biology. This review provides an overview of current and emerging CRISPR technologies and their power to model cancer and identify novel treatments. Specifically, how CRISPR screening approaches have been exploited to enhance immunotherapies through the identification of tumor intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms to escape immune recognition will be discussed.
Construction of Protein Probe with a His‐tag and an Electron‐transfer Peptide for a Target Protein Sensing
Authors: Sugawara Kazuharu , Ishizaki Sora , Kikuchi Soya , Kuramitz Hideki , Kadoya Toshihiko 
Published: November 2020

AbstractA protein probe with an electron‐transfer peptide and a His‐tag was designed to electrochemically sense a target protein. We selected tyrosine‐rich (Y4C) and tryptophan‐rich (W4C) peptides for use as electron‐transfer agents. The peak for oxidation was based on the oxidations of the phenolic hydroxy groups in Y4C and on the indole rings in W4C. Asialofetuin (ASF) with galactose residues was the protein probe, and a galactose recognition protein, soybean agglutinin (SBA), was the target protein. A protein probe composed of an amino acid and carbohydrate residue was expected to be biocompatible. When voltammetric measurements were performed using a glassy carbon electrode, the oxidation peaks of H6Y4C and ASF‐H6Y4C appeared at the same potential. The peak current of ASF‐H6Y4C was 4‐fold that of H6Y4C because of the stronger adsorption of ASF‐H6Y4C onto the electrode. The electrode response of ASF‐H6Y4C with SBA was half that of ASF‐H6Y4C alone. By contrast, the peak current of ASF‐Y4CH6 was higher than that of ASF‐H6Y4C, which was the result of a greater degree of contact between the Y4C moieties and an electrode. On the other hand, the voltammetric behaviors of ASF with W4C and a His‐tag were similar to those with Y4C and a His‐tag. The sensitivity of SBA using ASF‐Y4CH6 was at the 10−13 M level. To confirm the function of the sensing system, measurements were performed in human serum with SBA and ASF‐Y4CH6. When SBA was added, the serum had a concentration that ranged between 5.0×10−13 and 4.0×10−12 M, and the amount of SBA that could be recovered ranged from 97 to 101%. Consequently, this system could be applied to the detection of SBA in serum.
Voltammetric Determination of Allura Red AC onto Carbone‐paste Electrode Modified by Silica with Embedded Cetylpyridinium Chloride
Authors: Pliuta Konstantin , Chebotarev Alexander , Pliuta Anastasia , Snigur Denys 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn current study the carbon‐paste electrode modified by silica with embedded cetylpyridinium chloride for determination of Allura Red AC have been developed. The optimal conditions were determined to be for the square‐wave voltammetric quantification: pH=2, Eads=300 mV, tads=300 s, amplitude – 40 mV, frequency – 25 Hz and potential scan rate is 250 mV sec−1. The calibration plot has linearity in the concentration ranges 0.04–0.2 μM and 0.2–1.00 μM. The LOD and LOQ are equal to 0.005 μM and 0.015 μM respectively. The crafted sensor has been applied successfully to model solutions and in jelly candies analysis with RSD no more than 10 %.
Coral‐like nitrogen doped carbon derived from polyaniline‐silicon nitride hybrid for highly active oxygen reduction electrocatalysis
Authors: Borges Honorato Ana Maria , Khalid Mohd. , Pessan Luiz Antonio 
Published: November 2020

AbstractIn this work, a coral‐like nitrogen‐doped carbon electrocatalyst has been prepared via self‐assembly oxidative polymerization of aniline monomers onto silicon nitride (Si3N4) nanospheres, followed by carbonization. The prepared catalyst at 900°C (denoted as NC‐900) shows excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity by achieving an onset potential (η) of 0.90 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and half wave potential (E1/2) of 0.82 V versus RHE comparable to that of the commercial Pt/C (η = 0.99 V vs. RHE and E1/2 = 0.87 V vs RHE) and even outperforming many carbon‐based electrocatalysts recently reported in the literature. The catalyst NC‐900 also displays better stability and resistance toward methanol crossover effect than Pt/C in alkaline solution. The high ORR performance of NC‐900 catalyst was associated with high content of nitrogen species and hierarchical mesoporous structure that facilitate high electron and mass transport.