bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploiting xylan as sugar donor for the synthesis of an antiproliferative xyloside using an enzyme cascade
Authors: Nieto-Domínguez Manuel , Martínez-Fernández José Alberto , de Toro Beatriz Fernández , Méndez-Líter Juan A. , Cañada Francisco Javier , Prieto Alicia , de Eugenio Laura I. , Martínez María Jesús 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundCurrently, industrial societies are seeking for green alternatives to conventional chemical synthesis. This demand has merged with the efforts to convert lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products. In this context, xylan, as one of main components of lignocellulose, has emerged as a raw material with high potential for advancing towards a sustainable economy.ResultsIn this study, the recombinant endoxylanase rXynM from the ascomyceteTalaromyces amestolkiaehas been heterologously expressed inPichia pastorisand used as one of the catalysts of an enzyme cascade developed to synthesize the antiproliferative 2-(6-hydroxynaphthyl) β-d-xylopyranoside, by transglycosylation of 2,6-dihydroxynaphthalene. The approach combines the use of two fungal xylanolytic enzymes, rXynM and the β-xylosidase rBxTW1 from the same fungus, with the cost-effective substrate xylan. The reaction conditions for the cascade were optimized by a Central Composite Design. Maximal productions of 0.59 and 0.38 g/L were reached using beechwood xylan and birchwood xylan, respectively. For comparison, xylans from other sources were tested in the same reaction, suggesting that a specific optimization is required for each xylan variety. The results obtained using this enzyme cascade and xylan were similar or better to those previously reported for a single catalyst and xylobiose, an expensive sugar donor.ConclusionsBeechwood and birchwood xylan, two polysaccharides easily available from biomass, were used in a novel enzyme cascade to synthetize an antiproliferative agent. The approach represents a green alternative to the conventional chemical synthesis of 2-(6-hydroxynaphthyl) β-d-xylopyranoside using a cost-effective substrate. The work highlights the role of xylan as a raw material for producing value-added products and the potential of fungal xylanolytic enzymes in the biomass conversion.
The emerging role of microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs in drug resistance of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wei Ling , Wang Xingwu , Lv Liyan , Liu Jibing , Xing Huaixin , Song Yemei , Xie Mengyu , Lei Tianshui , Zhang Nasha , Yang Ming 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy worldwide and the second most lethal human cancer. A portion of patients with advanced HCC can significantly benefit from treatments with sorafenib, adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil and platinum drugs. However, most HCC patients eventually develop drug resistance, resulting in a poor prognosis. The mechanisms involved in HCC drug resistance are complex and inconclusive. Human transcripts without protein-coding potential are known as noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs (miRNAs), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNA (circRNA). Accumulated evidences demonstrate that several deregulated miRNAs and lncRNAs are important regulators in the development of HCC drug resistance which elucidates their potential clinical implications. In this review, we summarized the detailed mechanisms by which miRNAs and lncRNAs affect HCC drug resistance. Multiple tumor-specific miRNAs and lncRNAs may serve as novel therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers for HCC.
Robotic-assisted simultaneous resection of a left-sided thymic neoplasm and a right-sided lower thoracic paravertebral neoplasm via the same ports and two docking steps: a case report
Authors: Zhang Hanlu , Wang Zihao , Zheng Yu , Wang Fuqiang , Geng Yingcai , Chen Long-Qi , Wang Yun 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
The authors presented a 63-year old female synchronously complicated with a thymic tumor located at the left-side of the superior mediastinum, and a paravertebral tumor located at the right-side of the lower thorax. Conventional thoracoscopic surgical procedure using rigid instruments to simultaneously resect the two tumors via the same ports might be technically challenging. To our knowledge, the use of a surgical robot allowed the surgeon to perform precise dissection from extreme angles with the characteristic of articulating surgical instruments.

Case presentation
Two lesions were successfully dissected using the da Vinci Surgical System through the same four ports on the right side of the chest and two-step docking. Firstly, the patient cart came from the dorsal side of the patient and the paravertebral neoplasm was dissected. Afterwards, the patient cart was undocked and the operation table was rotated 180 degrees counterclockwise. The robot was re-introduced and the patient cart came from the ventral side of the patient and the whole thymus was resected.

Conclusion
This case report suggests that two-step docking via the same four ports for these two tumors located at different directions of the thorax was safe and effective, demonstrating a clear advantage of the surgical robot.
Cervical scoliosis and torticollis: a novel skeletal anomaly in broiler chickens
Authors: Olkowski Andrew , Wojnarowicz Chris , Olkowski Boguslaw , Laarveld Bernard 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Among the most prominent health problems marring the global poultry industry for several decades are skeletal abnormalities. The aim of this study was to investigate a recent emergence of a novel form of skeletal deformity affecting cervical spine in broiler chickens. This work presents the natural history of this newly emerging skeletal anomaly along with long term observations of epidemiological trends in commercial broiler flocks, and clinical and pathological features.

Results
In distinction from other forms of skeletal deformities commonly reported in broiler chickens, this new form of cervical spine anomaly have been observed in newly hatched chicks and in fully developed embryos that died in the shell. On clinical and post mortem examination this condition presents characteristic features consistent with congenital cervical scoliosis and torticollis (CCST). The pathogenesis of CCST appears to be linked to pathological remodeling of the cervical vertebrae bone associated with excessive activity of osteoclasts. Long term observations indicate that the incidence of CCST showed increasing epidemiological trends over time. More recently CCST has been observed in newly hatched chicks with incidence ranging from 0.1 to > 1%, and in fully developed embryos that failed to hatch about 4 to 5%.

Conclusions
The increasing trends in incidence of CCST in commercial broiler flocks are of concern from an economic perspective, and also represent a very specific and important aspect of animal welfare.
Phospholipase C inhibits apoptosis of porcine primary granulosa cells cultured in vitro
Authors: Chen Huali , Yang Youfu , Wang Youlin , Li Yuan , He Yamei , Duan Jiaxin , Xu Dejun , Pei Yifei , Cheng Jianyong , Yang Li , Hua Rongmao , Li Xiaoya , Wang Jie , Jiang Xiaohan , He Huanshan , Wu Lin , Liu Dingbang , Li Qingwang 
Published: October 2019

Abstract
Phospholipase C (PLC) can participate in cell proliferation, differentiation and aging. However, whether it has a function in apoptosis in porcine primary granulosa cells is largely uncertain. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of PLC on apoptosis of porcine primary granulosa cells cultured in vitro. The mRNA expression of BAK, BAX and CASP3, were upregulated in the cells treated with U73122 (the PLC inhibitor). The abundance of BCL2 mRNA, was upregulated, while BAX and CASP3 mRNA expression was decreased after treatment with m-3M3FBS (the PLC activator). Both the early and late apoptosis rate were maximized with 0.5 μM U73122 for 4 h. The rate of early apoptosis was the highest at 4 h and the rate of late apoptosis was the highest at 12 h in the m-3M3FBS group. The protein abundance of PLCβ1, protein kinase C β (PKCβ), calmodulin-dependent protein kinaseII α (CAMKIIα) and calcineurinA (CalnA) were decreased by U73122, and CAMKIIα protein abundance was increased by m-3M3FBS. The mRNA expression of several downstream genes (CDC42, NFATc1, and NFκB) was upregulated by PLC. Our results demonstrated that apoptosis can be inhibited by altering PLC signaling in porcine primary granulosa cells cultured in vitro, and several calcium−sensitive targets and several downstream genes might take part in the processes.
The interactive effects of input and output on managing fluid balance in patients with acute kidney injury requiring continuous renal replacement therapy
Authors: Jhee Jong Hyun , Lee Hye Ah , Kim Seonmi , Kee Youn Kyung , Lee Ji Eun , Lee Shina , Kim Seung-Jung , Kang Duk-Hee , Choi Kyu Bok , Oh Hyung Jung , Ryu Dong-Ryeol 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
The interactive effect of cumulative input and output on achieving optimal fluid balance has not been well elucidated in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). This study evaluated the interrelation of fluid components with mortality in patients with AKI requiring CRRT.

Methods
This is a retrospective observational study conducted with a total of 258 patients who were treated with CRRT due to AKI between 2016 and 2018 in the intensive care unit of Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital. The amounts of fluid input and output were assessed at 24-h and 72-h from the initiation of CRRT. The study endpoints were 7- and 28-day all-cause mortality.

Results
The mean patient age was 64.7 ± 15.8 years, and 165 (64.0%) patients were male. During the follow-up, 7- and 28-day mortalities were observed in 120 (46.5%) and 157 (60.9%) cases. The patients were stratified into two groups (28-day survivors vs. non-survivors), and the cumulative fluid balances (CFBs) at 24 h and 72 h were significantly higher in the 28-day non-survivors compared with the survivors. The increase in 24-h and 72-h CFB was significantly associated with an increase in 7- and 28-day mortality risks. To examine the interactive effect of cumulative input or output on the impact of CFB on mortality, we also stratified patients into three groups based on the tertile of 24-h and 72-h cumulative input or output. The increases in 24-h and 72-h CFBs were still significantly related to the increases in 7-day and 28-day mortality, irrespective of the cumulative input. However, we did not find significant associations between increase in 24-h and 72-h CFB and increase in mortality risk in the groups according to cumulative output tertile.

Conclusions
The impact of cumulative fluid balance on mortality might be more dependent on cumulative output. The physicians need to decrease the cumulative fluid balance of CRRT patients as much as possible and consider increasing patient removal.
Endogenous retroviral insertions drive non-canonical imprinting in extra-embryonic tissues
Authors: Hanna Courtney W. , Pérez-Palacios Raquel , Gahurova Lenka , Schubert Michael , Krueger Felix , Biggins Laura , Andrews Simon , Colomé-Tatché Maria , Bourc’his Deborah , Dean Wendy , Kelsey Gavin 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Genomic imprinting is an epigenetic phenomenon that allows a subset of genes to be expressed mono-allelically based on the parent of origin and is typically regulated by differential DNA methylation inherited from gametes. Imprinting is pervasive in murine extra-embryonic lineages, and uniquely, the imprinting of several genes has been found to be conferred non-canonically through maternally inherited repressive histone modification H3K27me3. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms of non-canonical imprinting in post-implantation development remain unexplored.

Results
We identify imprinted regions in post-implantation epiblast and extra-embryonic ectoderm (ExE) by assaying allelic histone modifications (H3K4me3, H3K36me3, H3K27me3), gene expression, and DNA methylation in reciprocal C57BL/6 and CAST hybrid embryos. We distinguish loci with DNA methylation-dependent (canonical) and independent (non-canonical) imprinting by assaying hybrid embryos with ablated maternally inherited DNA methylation. We find that non-canonical imprints are localized to endogenous retrovirus-K (ERVK) long terminal repeats (LTRs), which act as imprinted promoters specifically in extra-embryonic lineages. Transcribed ERVK LTRs are CpG-rich and located in close proximity to gene promoters, and imprinting status is determined by their epigenetic patterning in the oocyte. Finally, we show that oocyte-derived H3K27me3 associated with non-canonical imprints is not maintained beyond pre-implantation development at these elements and is replaced by secondary imprinted DNA methylation on the maternal allele in post-implantation ExE, while being completely silenced by bi-allelic DNA methylation in the epiblast.

Conclusions
This study reveals distinct epigenetic mechanisms regulating non-canonical imprinted gene expression between embryonic and extra-embryonic development and identifies an integral role for ERVK LTR repetitive elements.
PET/CT-guided versus CT-guided percutaneous core biopsies in the diagnosis of bone tumors and tumor-like lesions: which is the better choice?
Authors: Wu Min-hao , Xiao Ling-fei , Liu Huo-wen , Yang Zhi-qiang , Liang Xiao-xiao , Chen Yan , Lei Jun , Deng Zhou-ming 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Objective
The present study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance and safety of PET/CT-guided percutaneous core bone biopsy and to compare the PET/CT-guided method to conventional CT-guided percutaneous core biopsies to diagnose Chinese patients with bone tumors and tumor-like lesions.

Methods
Data for 97 patients with bone tumors and tumor-like lesions diagnosed by percutaneous core bone biopsy from February 2013 to November 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The study included 42 cases in the PET/CT group and 55 cases in the CT alone group. The diagnostic performance, cost and complications associated with the intervention were compared between the two groups. All patients were eventually confirmed to have bone tumors and tumor-like lesions according to surgical pathology findings.

Results
There were no significant differences in patient characteristics (P > 0.05). For the patients in the PET/CT group, the overall diagnostic yield of the initial biopsies and the diagnostic accuracy derived from the surgically proven cases were both 97.62%, which was significantly higher than the values in the CT group during the same period (P < 0.05). No major biopsy-related complications (e.g., serious bleeding or tumor dissemination) occurred before, during, or after the intervention. Therefore, no significant difference was observed between the two groups with regard to the complication rate (P > 0.05).

Conclusion
Compared with CT-guided percutaneous bone biopsy, PET/CT-guided percutaneous bone biopsy is an effective and safe alternative with high diagnostic performance in the evaluation of hypermetabolic bone lesions to diagnose bone tumors and tumor-like lesions.
Polymorphisms of MTHFR and TYMS predict capecitabine‐induced hand‐foot syndrome in patients with metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Lin Shaoyan , Yue Jian , Guan Xiuwen , Yuan Peng , Wang Jiayu , Luo Yang , Fan Ying , Cai Ruigang , Li Qiao , Chen Shanshan , Zhang Pin , Li Qing , Ma Fei , Xu Binghe 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer is a global problem, and a large number of new cases are diagnosed every year. Capecitabine is effective in patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Hand‐foot syndrome (HFS) is a common adverse effect of capecitabine. In this study, we investigated the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in genes involved in capecitabine metabolism pathways and capecitabine‐induced HFS in Chinese patients with MBC to identify some predictive genetic biomarkers.MethodsWe selected 3 genes involved in capecitabine metabolism and screened genetic variants in these target genes. We genotyped a total of 22 SNPs in the thymidylate synthase gene (TYMS), the methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR), and the ribonucleotide reductase M1 gene (RRM1) in 342 MBC patients treated with capecitabine‐based chemotherapy. The genotype distributions of each SNP in patients with and without HFS were assessed using Pearson's χ2 test, and the relationship between HFS and genotypes of SNPs was determined using logistic regression analysis. The association between SNPs and their corresponding gene expression was analyzed using the Blood expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) browser online tools.ResultsWe found 4 positive sites for HFS in the TYMS and MTHFR genes: TYMS rs2606241 (P= 0.022), TYMS rs2853741 (P= 0.019), MTHFR rs3737964 (P= 0.029), and MTHFR rs4846048 (P= 0.030). Logistic regression analyses showed that the genotype AG of MTHFR rs3737964 [odds ratio (OR) = 0.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31–0.97, P = 0.038] and MTHFR rs4846048 (OR = 0.54, 95% CI 0.30–0.98, P = 0.042) were protective factors of HFS, whereas the genotype CT of TYMS rs2853741 (OR = 2.25, 95% CI 1.31–3.87, P = 0.012) increased the risk of HFS. The association between the genotype GT of TYMS rs2606241 (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 0.73–2.23, P = 0.012) and HFS was uncertain. Further eQTL analyses confirmed that the alleles of rs3737964 and rs4846048 affected the gene expression levels of MTHFR in cis.ConclusionsWe have identified four potentially useful pharmacogenetic markers, TYMS rs2606241, TYMS rs2853741, MTHFR rs3737964, and MTHFR rs4846048 to predict capecitabine‐induced HFS in MBC patients.
Impact of wildfire size on snowshoe hare relative abundance in southern British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Hutchen Jenna , Hodges Karen E. 
Published: October 2019

Abstract

Background
Large wildfires result in more heterogeneous fire scars than do smaller fires because of differences in landscape context and high variability in burn intensity and severity. Previous research on mammal response to wildfire has often considered all fires as comparable disturbances regardless of size. Here, we explicitly examine whether fire size affects relative abundances of a keystone herbivore, snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus Erxleben, 1777), in regenerating stands of the same age. We surveyed vegetation and fecal pellets of snowshoe hares in nine 13-year-old wildfires, specifically, three fires in three size categories—small (80 to 200 ha), medium (1000 to 5000 ha), and large (>10 000 ha)—and in mature forests in southern British Columbia, Canada.

Results
Snowshoe hare density was low (0.4 hares ha−1), but hares were present at 57% of mature sites. Hares were absent from all areas where small fires had burned and were found in only one medium area post fire (0.2 hares ha−1). Hares were found within the fire scars of all three large burned areas, and with much higher numbers (3.8 hares ha−1) than in the medium fire area or mature forest. Snowshoe hare abundance was highly correlated with the number of sapling trees, especially lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon). Sapling densities were highly variable, but dense stands of saplings were found only in burn scars from large wildfires.

Conclusions
Fire size is an important predictor of snowshoe hare relative abundance in areas that are regenerating post fire; fires of different sizes are not comparable disturbances. Specifically, the post-fire heterogeneity after large fires enabled both the highest hare numbers as well as patches with no hares. These results suggest that forest and wildlife managers should protect areas with dense regeneration post fire, as these sites are necessary for hares after large wildfires.
Vegetarian food recommendation in the traditional Islamic teachings to increase the fertility of men
Authors: Dehghani Bidgoli Reza 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAbout half of the infertilities are due to men’s problems. In medicine, there are valuable treasures that confirm the effectiveness of some of them today and they have been approved for the treatment of diseases. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the drug’s advice in increasing the fertility of men in Muslim narrative texts and compare it with new knowledge of humanity in medicine. For this purpose, we searched the fertility, men, and vegetable food keywords in the database and valid Islamic books and presented them in this article. Also, the results of academic research have also been pointed out to confirm these religious teachings. Some of the issues in traditional Islamic teachings that have been expressed centuries ago have been confirmed by modern medical science and have been the basis of making effective drugs for treating male infertility. Some of them also need further research. According to the emphasis of available Islamic traditional medicine from the infallible on the efficacy of the vegetable food in improving the quality of the seminal fluid and also confirming the usefulness in clinical trials, these plants can be useful in increasing fertility.
Comparison of Somatic and Germline Variant Interpretation in Hereditary Cancer Genes
Authors: Moody Emily W. , Vagher Jennie , Espinel Whitney , Goldgar David , Hagerty Kelsi J. , Gammon Amanda 
Published: October 2019

PURPOSE
To compare the classification of genetic variants reported on tumor genomic profiling (TGP) reports with germline classifications on clinical test results and ClinVar. Results will help to inform germline testing discussions and decisions in patients with tumor variants in genes that are relevant to hereditary cancer risk.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This study compared somatic and germline classifications of small nucleotide variants in the following genes:
BRCA1
,
BRCA2
,
CHEK2
,
PALB2
,
ATM
,
MLH1
,
MSH2
,
MSH6
, and
PMS2
. Somatic classifications were taken from reports from a single commercial TGP laboratory of tests ordered by providers at Huntsman Cancer Institute between March 2014 and June 2018. Somatic variant interpretations were compared with classifications from germline test results as well as with ClinVar interpretations.

RESULTS
Of the 623 variants identified on TGP, 353 had a definitive classification in ClinVar, and 103 were assayed with a germline test, with 66 of the variants tested observed in germline. Analysis of somatic variants of uncertain significance listed on TGP reports determined that 22% had a different interpretation compared with ClinVar and that 32% differed from the interpretation on a germline test result. Pathogenic variants on TGP test results were found to differ 13% and 5% of the time compared with ClinVar interpretations and germline test results, respectively.

CONCLUSION
These results suggest that TGP variants are often classified differently in a germline context. Differences may be due to different processes in variant interpretation between somatic and germline laboratories. These results are important for health care providers to consider when making decisions about additional testing for hereditary cancer risks.