bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Left ventricular remodelling after ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction: sex differences and prognosis
Authors: van der Bijl Pieter , Abou Rachid , Goedemans Laurien , Gersh Bernard J. , Holmes David R. , Ajmone Marsan Nina , Delgado Victoria , Bax Jeroen J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAimsLeft ventricular (LV) remodelling after ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) worsens outcome. The effect of sex on LV post‐infarct remodelling is unknown. We therefore investigated the sex distribution and long‐term prognosis of LV post‐infarct remodelling after STEMI in the contemporary era of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and optimal pharmacotherapy.Methods and resultsData were obtained from an ongoing primary PCI STEMI registry. LV remodelling was defined as ≥20% increase in LV end‐diastolic volume at either 3, 6, or 12 months post‐infarct, and LV remodelling impact on outcome was evaluated with a log‐rank test. A total population of 1995 STEMI patients were analysed (mean age 60 ± 12 years): 1527 (77%) men and 468 (23%) women. The mean age of male patients was 60±11 versus 63±13 years for women (P < 0.001). A total of 953 (48%) patients experienced LV remodelling in the first 12 months of follow‐up, and it was equally frequent amongst men (n = 729, 48%) and women (n = 224, 48%). After a median follow‐up of 94 (interquartile range 69–119) months, 225 patients died: 171 (11%) men and 54 (12%) women. No survival difference was seen between remodellers and non‐remodellers in the male (P = 0.113) and female (P = 0.920) groups.ConclusionLV post‐infarct remodelling incidence, as well as long‐term survival of LV remodellers and non‐remodellers, was similar in men and women who were treated with primary PCI and optimal pharmacotherapy post‐STEMI.
Evaluation of Redox Activity of Human Myocardium‐derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy
Authors: Petroniene Jurate , Morkvenaite‐Vilkonciene Inga , Miksiunas Rokas , Bironaite Daiva , Ramanaviciene Almira , Mikoliunaite Lina , Kisieliute Aura , Rucinskas Kestutis , Janusauskas Vilius , Plikusiene Ieva , Labeit Siegfried , Ramanavicius Arunas 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn this study the redox activity of human myocardium‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hmMSC) were investigated by redox‐competition (RC‐SECM) and generation‐collection (GC‐SECM) modes of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), using 2‐methylnaphthalene‐1,4‐dione (menadione, MD) as a redox mediator. The redox activity of human healthy and dilated hmMSCs was evaluated by measuring reduction of MD. Measurements were performed by approaching and retracting the UME from the surface of growing hmMSC cells. The current study shows that the RC‐SECM mode can be applied to investigate integrity of cell membranes, whereas the most promising results were observed by using the GC‐SECM mode and applying the Hill's equation for the calculation/fitting of dependencies of electrical current vs menadione concentration. The calculated apparent Michaelis constant (KM) for the production of menadiol (MDH2) in the pathological hmMSC cells was 14.4 folds higher compared to that of the healthy hmMSC revealing the lover redox activity of pathological cells. Moreover, the calculated Hill's coefficient n shows a negative cooperative binding between MD and healthy hmMSC and positive cooperative binding between MD and pathological hmMSC. It means that healthy hmMSC is of lower affinity to MD, which is also related to the better membrane integrity of healthy cells. Data of this study demonstrate that SECM can be applied to investigate intracellular redox and membrane changes ongoing in human dilated myocardium‐derived hmMSC in order to improve their functioning and further regenerative potential.
Changes in starch structures and in vitro digestion characteristics during maize (Zea mays L.) germination
Authors: Ma Xianhong , Liu Yang , Liu Jingsheng , Zhang Jingjing , Liu Renning 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThis study analyzed changes in the starch structures and in vitro digestion profiles of a specific maize cultivar, Jike 728 (JK728), in Jilin, China, after 0–5 days of germination. The total starch, amylose, and amylopectin contents decreased significantly during germination. The average molecular weight of the starch compounds also decreased significantly during germination. The proportion of amylopectin with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 13–24 significantly decreased, while the relative abundance of amylopectin with DP values of 6–12, 25–36, and 37–60 significantly increased. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of all samples were characteristic of A‐type starch, and the starch relative crystallinity decreased over time. The proportions of slowly digestible starch and resistant starch decreased significantly, while the proportion of rapidly digestible starch increased significantly during germination. Germination is an easy, inexpensive, and low‐carbon processing method. This study indicates that germination is an effective way to control the physical properties and digestibility of starch in maize. The changes observed in the physical properties and digestibility of maize starch after germination provide scientists with a platform to understand starch modification mechanisms that might have potential applications on an industrial scale.
Return and volatility transmission between China's and international crude oil futures markets: A first look
Authors: Yang Jian , Zhou Yinggang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe examine return and volatility transmission between the newly established crude oil futures in China and international major crude oil futures markets using intraday data. For the first time, we document evidence for cointegration relationships among these oil futures markets. Both China's and Oman's oil futures markets react to deviations from their long‐run equilibrium with West Texas Intermediate and Brent oil futures. There is also new evidence for asymmetric volatilities and correlations across these oil futures markets. Furthermore, the Chinese oil futures have stronger linkages with the international major futures markets than Oman futures.
An Expedient Route to 9‐Arylmethylanthracene Derivatives via Tandem Ni‐Catalyzed Alkene Dicarbofunctionalization and Acid‐Promoted Cyclization‐Aromatization
Authors: Niroula Doleshwar , Sapkota Rishi R. , Dhungana Roshan K. , Shrestha Bijay , Giri Ramesh 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe report a nickel‐catalyzed one pot synthesis of 9‐arylmethylanthracene motifs, which find applications in medicinal and material chemistry. In this synthesis, we apply three component alkene dicarbofunctionalization of 2‐vinylaldimines with aryl iodides and arylzinc reagent to generate a 1,1,2‐diarylethyl scaffold, which then undergoes an acid‐promoted cyclization followed by aromatization to furnish 9‐arylmethylanthracene cores. With the new method, a number of differently‐substituted 9‐arylmethylanthracene derivatives can be synthesized in good yields.
Comparison of the Iowa Reference Algorithm to the Heidelberg Spectralis optical coherence tomography segmentation algorithm
Authors: Sun Jasmine Q. , McGeehan Brendan , Firn Kim , Irwin David , Grossman Murray , Ying Gui‐Shuang , Kim Benjamin J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractFor spectral‐domain optical coherence tomography (SD‐OCT) studies of neurodegeneration, it is important to understand how segmentation algorithms differ in retinal layer thickness measurements, segmentation error locations and the impact of manual correction. Using macular SD‐OCT images of frontotemporal degeneration patients and controls, we compare the individual and aggregate retinal layer thickness measurements provided by two commonly used algorithms, the Iowa Reference Algorithm and Heidelberg Spectralis, with manual correction of significant segmentation errors. We demonstrate small differences of most retinal layer thickness measurements between these algorithms. Outer sectors of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study grid require a greater percent of eyes to be corrected than inner sectors of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). Manual corrections affect thickness measurements mildly, resulting in at most a 5% change in RNFL thickness. Our findings can inform researchers how to best use different segmentation algorithms when comparing retinal layer thicknesses.
Akt activation by insulin treatment attenuates cachexia in Walker‐256 tumor‐bearing rats
Authors: de Fatima Silva Flaviane , de Morais Hely , Ortiz Silva Milene , da Silva Francemilson Goulart , Vianna Croffi Rafael , Serrano‐Nascimento Caroline , Rodrigues Graciano Maria Fernanda , Rafael Carpinelli Angelo , Barbosa Bazotte Roberto , de Souza Helenir Medri 
Published: February 2020

AbstractCancer‐bearing often exhibits hypoinsulinemia, insulin (INS) resistance and glutamine depletion associated with cachexia. However, INS and glutamine effects on cachexia metabolic abnormalities, particularly on tumor‐affected proteins related to INS resistance, are poorly known. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of INS and glutamine dipeptide (GDP) treatments on phospho‐protein kinase B (p‐Akt), and phospho‐hormone sensitive lipase (p‐HSL) in Walker‐256 tumor‐bearing rats. INS (NPH, 40 UI/kg, subcutaneous), GDP (1.5 g/kg, oral), INS+GDP or vehicle (control rats) were administered for 13 days, once a day, starting at the day of inoculation of tumor cells. The experiments were performed 4 hours after the last treatment to evaluate acute effects of INS and GDP, besides the chronic effects. INS and/or INS+GDP treatments, which markedly increased the insulinemia, increased the p‐Akt: total Akt ratio and prevented the increased p‐HSLSer552: total HSL ratio in the retroperitoneal fat of tumor‐bearing rats, without changing the INS resistance and increased expression of factor tumor necrosis‐α (TNF‐α) in this tissue. INS and INS+GDP also increased the p‐Akt: total Akt ratio, whereas GDP and INS+GDP increased the GLUT4 glucose transporter gene expression, in the gastrocnemius muscle of the tumor‐bearing rats. Accordingly, treatments with INS and INS+GDP markedly reduced glycemia, increased retroperitoneal fat and attenuated the body mass loss of tumor‐bearing rats. In conclusion, hyperinsulinemia induced by high‐dose INS treatments increased Akt phosphorylation and prevented increased p‐HSLSer552: total HSL ratio, overlapping INS resistance. These effects are consistent with increased fat mass gain and weight loss (cachexia) attenuation of tumor‐bearing rats, evidencing that Akt activation is a potential strategy to prevent loss of fat mass in cancer cachexia.
Chemical promenades: Exploring potential‐energy surfaces with immersive virtual reality
Authors: Martino Marta , Salvadori Andrea , Lazzari Federico , Paoloni Lorenzo , Nandi Surajit , Mancini Giordano , Barone Vincenzo , Rampino Sergio 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe virtual‐reality framework AVATAR (Advanced Virtual Approach to Topological Analysis of Reactivity) for the immersive exploration of potential‐energy landscapes is presented. AVATAR is based on modern consumer‐grade virtual‐reality technology and builds on two key concepts: (a) the reduction of the dimensionality of the potential‐energy surface to two process‐tailored, physically meaningful generalized coordinates, and (b) the analogy between the evolution of a chemical process and a pathway through valleys (potential wells) and mountain passes (saddle points) of the associated potential energy landscape. Examples including the discovery of competitive reaction paths in simple A + BC collisional systems and the interconversion between conformers in ring‐puckering motions of flexible rings highlight the innovation potential that augmented and virtual reality convey for teaching, training, and supporting research in chemistry.
Predicting whether aromatic molecules would prefer to enter a carbon nanotube: A density functional theory study
Authors: Ahn Dae‐Hwan , Park Chiyoung , Song Jong‐Won 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe interaction of a carbon nanotube (CNT) with various aromatic molecules, such as aniline, benzophenone, and diphenylamine, was studied using density functional theory able to compute intermolecular weak interactions (B3LYP‐D3). CNTs of varying lengths were used, such as 4‐CNT, 6‐CNT, and 8‐CNT (the numbers denoting relative lengths), with the lengths being chosen appropriately to save computation times. All aromatic molecules were found to exhibit strong intermolecular binding energies with the inner surface of the CNT, rather than the outer surface. Hydrogen bonding between two aromatic molecules that include N and O atoms is shown to further stabilize the intermolecular adsorption process. Therefore, when benzophenone and diphenylamine were simultaneously allowed to interact with a CNT, the aromatic molecules were expected to preferably enter the CNT. Furthermore, additional calculations of the intermolecular adsorption energy for aniline adsorbed on a graphene surface showed that the concavity of graphene‐like carbon sheet is in proportion to the intermolecular binding energy between the graphene‐like carbon sheet and the aromatic molecule.
Pichia pastoris: A highly successful expression system for optimal synthesis of heterologous proteins
Authors: Karbalaei Mohsen , Rezaee Seyed A. , Farsiani Hadi 
Published: February 2020

AbstractOne of the most important branches of genetic engineering is the expression of recombinant proteins using biological expression systems. Nowadays, different expression systems are used for the production of recombinant proteins including bacteria, yeasts, molds, mammals, plants, and insects. Yeast expression systems such asSaccharomyces cerevisiae(S. cerevisiae) andPichia pastoris(P. pastoris) are more popular.P. pastorisexpression system is one of the most popular and standard tools for the production of recombinant protein in molecular biology. Overall, the benefits of protein production byP. pastorissystem include appropriate folding (in the endoplasmic reticulum) and secretion (by Kex2 as signal peptidase) of recombinant proteins to the external environment of the cell. Moreover, in theP. pastorisexpression system due to its limited production of endogenous secretory proteins, the purification of recombinant protein is easy. It is also considered a unique host for the expression of subunit vaccines which could significantly affect the growing market of medical biotechnology. AlthoughP. pastorisexpression systems are impressive and easy to use with well‐defined process protocols, some degree of process optimization is required to achieve maximum production of the target proteins. Methanol and sorbitol concentration, Mut forms, temperature and incubation time have to be adjusted to obtain optimal conditions, which might vary among different strains and externally expressed protein. Eventually, optimal conditions for the production of a recombinant protein inP. pastorisexpression system differ according to the target protein.
How do immune and mesenchymal cells influence the intestinal epithelial cell compartment in inflammatory bowel disease? Let’s crosstalk about it!
Authors: Rees William D , Sly Laura M , Steiner Theodore S 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Intestinal epithelial cells provide a front line of defense by establishing a barrier against food Ags, pathogens, and commensal microorganisms. This defense includes the establishment of a tolerogenic environment in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The intestinal epithelium replenishes itself by cell turnover every 4–5 days, and this process is facilitated by various pathways of communication between the intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), the underlying stromal cell network, and professional immune cells, which together help establish a proper intestinal stem cell (ISC) niche in the crypt. However, during a state of inflammation, such as in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), these communication pathways can be altered, and this can lead to the development of inflammatory IECs within the crypt that further drive inflammation. Here, we review the current literature looking at crosstalk between immune cells, stromal cells, and IECs: how does the immune system potentially alter the ISC niche, and how do IECs influence intestinal immunity? We discuss the latest research using single cell RNA sequencing and intestinal organoid cultures to help answer these questions. A better understanding of this complex crosstalk can help lead to a better understanding of intestinal biology in general, and more efficient therapeutic approaches to treat IBD.
Overlapping and discrete aspects of the pathology and pathogenesis of the emerging human pathogenic coronaviruses SARS‐CoV, MERS‐CoV, and 2019‐nCoV
Authors: Liu Jia , Zheng Xin , Tong Qiaoxia , Li Wei , Wang Baoju , Sutter Kathrin , Trilling Mirko , Lu Mengji , Dittmer Ulf , Yang Dongliang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractFirst reported from Wuhan, The People's Republic of China, on 31 December 2019, the ongoing outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019‐nCoV) causes great global concerns. Based on the advice of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee and the fact that to date 24 other countries also reported cases, the WHO Director‐General declared that the outbreak of 2019‐nCoV constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30 January 2020. Together with the other two highly pathogenic coronaviruses, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV), 2019‐nCov and other yet to be identified coronaviruses pose a global threat to public health. In this mini‐review, we provide a brief introduction to the pathology and pathogenesis of SARS‐CoV and MERS‐CoV and extrapolate this knowledge to the newly identified 2019‐nCoV.
Tree shrew bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cells express CD81, OCLN, and miR‐122, facilitating the entire hepatitis C virus life cycle
Authors: Lu Caixia , Feng Yue , Sun Xiaomei , Li Na , Kuang Dexuan , Wang Wenguang , Tong Pinfen , Han Yuanyuan , Xia Xueshan , Dai Jiejie 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major cause of chronic liver disease and associated cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma worldwide. At present, there is no prophylactic vaccine against HCV due to the lack of in vivo and in vitro model systems. Although most recombinants of all major HCV genotypes replicate in Huh‐7 cell line and derivatives, these cells are human hepatoma‐derived cell line. Therefore, the development of un‐tumor‐derived cell systems facilitating the entire HCV life cycle is urgently needed. In this study, we aimed to establish a novel tree shrew‐derived bone marrow–derived mesenchymal stem cell (BM‐MSC) system to reconstruct the HCV life cycle. We transduction cluster of differentiation 81 (CD81), occludin (OCLN), and microRNA‐122 (miR‐122) into BM‐MSCs, then used a well‐established HCV, produced from the J6/JFH1‐Huh7.5.1 culture system, to infect the cells. We observed that BM‐MSCs transduction with CD81/OCLN or CD81/OCLN/miR‐122 support HCV RNA replication and infectious virus production. We also found that the addition of exogenous vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can enhance HCV infectivity in BM‐MSCs, with HCV virus load up to 105 copies/mL. In conclusion, we identified the minimum essential factors required for HCV replication in tree shrew‐derived nonhuman nonhepatic BM‐MSCs. Further, we identified that exogenous addition of VEGF, and exogenous expression of CD81, OCLN, and miR‐122, facilitates efficient viral replication and production of infectious particles. Our results describe a novel cell system capable of supporting the entire HCV life cycle, which may provide an essential tool for anti‐HCV drug discovery, vaccine development, and study of pathogenesis.
Comparison and modelling of extraction methods to assess agronomic effectiveness of fertilizer zinc
Authors: Degryse Fien , da Silva Rodrigo C. , Baird Roslyn , Cakmak Ismail , Yazici Mustafa Atilla , McLaughlin Mike J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTotal Zn in fertilizer is a poor predictor of Zn availability in granular fertilizers. In this study, we compared different extraction methods using Zn fertilizers for which the agronomic effectiveness had previously been determined. Sixteen fertilizers were extracted by eight different procedures using five extractant solutions: water, 1 M ammonium acetate (pH 7.0), 74 mM EDTA (pH 7.0), 5 mM DTPA + 0.1 M MES (pH 6.2), and 0.12 M bis‐tris (pH 6). Modelling of Zn solubility and speciation was carried out with a chemical speciation program (Visual Minteq). The predicted solubilities were in good agreement with the observations, indicating chemical equilibrium. The three methods using pure water were highly correlated with each other and showed the strongest correlation with agronomic effectiveness (r = 0.81–0.90). The methods using extractants with strong pH buffering or high chelating capacity showed no or weak correlation with the agronomic effectiveness. Thus, water‐only based methods give the best indication of the availability of Zn in granular fertilizers, and are best suited for regulation or labeling of available Zn in fertilizer.
Overexpression of an endogenous raw starch digesting mesophilic α‐amylase gene in Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Z3 by in vitro methylation protocol
Authors: Tang Shizhe , Xu Tingliang , Peng Jing , Zhou Kaiyan , Zhu Yuling , Zhou Wenbo , Cheng Haina , Zhou Hongbo 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDMesophilic α‐amylases function effectively at low temperatures with high rates of catalysis and require less energy for starch hydrolysis. Bacillus amyloliquefaciens is an essential producer of mesophilic α‐amylases. However, because of the existence of the restriction‐modification system, introducing exogenous DNAs into wild‐type B. amyloliquefaciens is especially tricky.RESULTSα‐Amylase producer B. amyloliquefaciens strain Z3 was screened and used as host for endogenous α‐amylase gene expression. In vitro methylation was performed in recombinant plasmid pWB980‐amyZ3. With the in vitro methylation, the transformation efficiency was increased to 0.96 × 102 colony‐forming units μg–1 plasmid DNA. A positive transformant BAZ3‐16 with the highest α‐amylase secreting capacity was chosen for further experiments. The α‐amylase activity of strain BAZ3‐16 reached 288.70 ± 16.15 U mL−1 in the flask and 386.03 ± 16.25 U mL−1 in the 5‐L stirred‐tank fermenter, respectively. The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens Z3 expression system shows excellent genetic stability and high‐level extracellular production of the target protein. Moreover, the synergistic interaction of AmyZ3 with amyloglucosidase was determined during the hydrolysis of raw starch. The hydrolysis degree reached 92.34 ± 3.41% for 100 g L−1 raw corn starch and 81.30 ± 2.92% for 100 g L−1 raw cassava starch after 24 h, respectively.CONCLUSIONMethylation of the plasmid DNA removes a substantial barrier for transformation of B. amyloliquefaciens strain Z3. Furthermore, the exceptional ability to hydrolyze starch makes α‐amylase AmyZ3 and strain BAZ3‐16 valuable in the starch industry. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry