bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Highly Sensitive Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensor Based on Carbon Electrode Amplified with PdxCuy Catalyst
Authors: Chowdhury Sreya Roy , Mukherjee Parthasarathi , Bhattacharya Swapan Kumar 
Published: October 2020

AbstractApproximately global Pd and Pd94Cu6 alloy nano catalysts of average diameter 10.5 and 5.9 nm respectively, have been synthesized hydrothermally by wet chemical reduction and co‐reduction methods without addition of any capping agent. X‐ray diffraction and various microscopic studies are used to characterize the crystal phase and the morphology of the catalysts. Non‐enzymatic amperometric glucose sensors based on these synthesized catalyst materials are tested and compared in alkali at different potentials by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The sensors characterized by fixed potential chronoamperometry are found to be sufficiently sensitive to glucose at different negative potentials like −0.65 V, −0.40 V, −0.10 V with respect to Hg/HgO electrode (E0≈0.1 V), where the reactions of glucose oxidation are different. The sensor constructed with Pd94Cu6 nanocatalyst shows an outstanding sensitivity of 10.1 mA cm−2 mM−1 which is considerably higher than that constructed with similarly synthesized Pd nanoparticles at any potential and that found in the literature of Pd based glucose sensors. The lower detection limit and response time obtained with Pd94Cu6 nanoparticles are 10 μM and 3 s respectively. These sensors also exhibit high specificity to glucose and significant anti‐interference property against some common species like ascorbic acid (AA), uric acid (UA) and some monosaccharides whose interfering effects are found to decrease with decrease of potential of glucose oxidation. The electrocatalytic ability of the synthesized Pd and Pd94Cu6 nanoparticles toward glucose oxidation has also found promising in blood sample at different potentials.
Miniaturized free‐flow electrophoresis: production, optimization, and application using 3D printing technology
Authors: Preuss John‐Alexander , Nguyen Gia Nam , Berk Virginia , Bahnemann Janina 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe increasing resolution of three‐dimensional (3D) printing offers simplified access to, and development of, microfluidic devices with complex 3D structures. Therefore, this technology is increasingly used for rapid prototyping in laboratories and industry. Microfluidic free flow electrophoresis (μFFE) is a versatile tool to separate and concentrate different samples (such as DNA, proteins, and cells) to different outlets in a time range measured in mere tens of seconds and offers great potential for use in downstream processing, for example. However, the production of μFFE devices is usually rather elaborate. Many designs are based on chemical pretreatment or manual alignment for the setup. Especially for the separation chamber of a μFFE device, this is a crucial step which should be automatized. We have developed a smart 3D design of a μFFE to pave the way for a simpler production. This study presents (1) a robust and reproducible way to build up critical parts of a μFFE device based on high‐resolution MultiJet 3D printing; (2) a simplified insertion of commercial polycarbonate membranes to segregate separation and electrode chambers; and (3) integrated, 3D‐printed wells that enable a defined sample fractionation (chip‐to‐world interface). In proof of concept experiments both a mixture of fluorescence dyes and a mixture of amino acids were successfully separated in our 3D‐printed μFFE device.
Developmental validation of the Yfiler Platinum PCR Amplification Kit for forensic genetic caseworks and databases
Authors: Song Mengyuan , Song Feng , Wang Shuangshuang , Hou Yiping 
Published: October 2020

AbstractY chromosome kits are successfully applied in cases where human biological material exists. With the development of genotyping ability, more Y chromosomal markers are needed for finer identification of male individuals and lineages. In this study, a developmental validation of a newly emerged Y chromosome kit that combines two different kinds of markers: 38 Y‐STRs and 3 Y‐indels are conducted. The results show that this kit has high sensitivity when there is a small amount of DNA (125 pg), more than one male (minor:major = 1:7), or a mixture of males and females (male:female = 125pg:1875pg), inhibited substances (800 μM hematin and more than 1600 ng/μL humic acid). The kit exhibits high precision level with a standard deviation of allele size no more than 0.14 nt. Locus DYS481 shows the largest stutter rate, with three stutters per true allele. Population samples are well identified (MP of 0.001106), and mutations can be observed in father–son pairs (46 mutations in 70 pairs, 10 in locus DYS627). Out of all the population samples, 13.2% belong to haplogroup M117‐O2a2b1a1, with their ethnic group being Han Chinese. The results show that this kit can improve the performance of identifying male individuals, obtaining more unique haplotypes (increasing from 894 to 918 of 1000 male samples) and higher discrimination capacity (increasing from 0.942 to 0.955) in this study compared to previous widely used Yfiler Plus kit. Besides, it gives information about their paternal lineages in forensic genetic casework and genealogical database construction.
A team science approach to discover novel targets for infantile spasms (IS)
Authors:   The CURE Infantile Spasms Consortium, CURE Staff, Lubbers Laura , Iyengar Sloka S. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractInfantile spasms (IS) is a devastating epilepsy syndrome that typically begins in the first year of life. Symptoms consist of stereotypical spasms, developmental delay, and electroencephalogram (EEG) that may demonstrate Hypsarhythmia. Current therapeutic approaches are not always effective, and there is no reliable way to predict which patient will respond to therapy. Given this disorder's complexity and the potential impact of a disease‐modifying approach, Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE) employed a “team science” approach to advance the understanding of IS pathology and explore therapeutic modalities that might lead to the development of new ways to potentially prevent spasms and Hypsarhythmia. This approach was a first‐of‐its‐kind collaborative initiative in epilepsy. The IS initiative funded 8 investigative teams over the course of 1‐3 years. Projects included the following: discovery on the basic biology of IS, discovery of novel therapeutic targets, cross‐validation of targets, discovery of biomarkers, and prognosis and treatment of IS. The combined efforts of a strong investigative team led to numerous advances in understanding the neural pathways underlying IS, testing of small molecules in preclinical models of IS and generated preliminary data on potential biomarkers. Thus far, the initiative has resulted in over 19 publications and subsequent funding for several investigators. Investigators reported that the IS initiative generally affected their research positively due to its collaborative and iterative nature. It also provided a unique opportunity to mentor junior investigators with an interest in translational research. Learnings included the need for a dedicated project manager and more transparent and real‐time communication with investigators. The CURE IS initiative represents a unique approach to fund scientific discoveries on epilepsy. It brought together an interdisciplinary group of investigators—who otherwise would not have collaborated—to find transformative therapies for IS. Learnings from this initiative are being utilized for subsequent initiatives at CURE.
TaPUB15, a U‐Box E3 ubiquitin ligase gene from wheat, enhances salt tolerance in rice
Authors: Li Qiaoru , Li Bo , Wang Jingyi , Chang Xiaoping , Mao Xinguo , Jing Ruilian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPlant U‐box (PUB) E3 ubiquitin ligases play essential roles in response to environmental stresses and hormone signaling, but little is known about them in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). We characterized a U‐box E3 ubiquitin ligase gene, TaPUB15, which is conserved in wheat cultivars. TaPUB15 was expressed in multiple tissues, and the expression was much higher in roots than in other tissues. Transcription of TaPUB15 was induced by salt, abscisic acid, 4°C, and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Overexpression of TaPUB15‐D led to improve salt tolerance in transgenic rice, along with more roots in transgenic rice. Ion flux assays showed that transgenic rice plants had improved salt tolerance and maintained low Na+/K+ ratios under salinity stress. Gene expression assays indicated that several salt stress‐related genes were significantly upregulated in transgenic rice relative to the wild type. These results from transgenic rice were also verified in transgenic Arabidopsis. Our data showed that TaPUB15 plays crucial roles in enhancing salt tolerance in crop plants and served a valuable gene resource for promoting the breeding of salt‐tolerant wheat in the future.
Lipid composition and antioxidant activities of some underused wild plants seeds from Burundi
Authors: Niyukuri Jonathan , Raiti Jihane , Ntakarutimana Vestine , Hafidi Abdellatif 
Published: November 2020

AbstractFatty acids, phytosterols, total phenolic content, and radical‐scavenging activity were determined in seed oils of 12 wild plants from natural ecosystems in Burundi. Among the 13 fatty acids identified, palmitic, oleic, linoleic, and stearic acids were found predominant throughout all oils, except Parinari curatellifolia oil which showed a high amount of erucic acid (58.41% ± 0.77). The most dominant sterol was found to be β‐sitosterol in all oils and was followed by stigmasterol in 8 kinds of oils and campesterol in 3 kinds of oils. The highest total phenolic contents were observed in P. curatellifolia, Tephrosia vogelii, and Uvaria angolensis oils, with, respectively, 2.16 ± 0.26, 1.43 ± 0.33, and 1.27 ± 0.39 mg gallic acid equivalent/g oil. Some of these oils exhibited a higher ability to scavenge DPPH radicals. The antioxidant capacity of 8 species ranged from 1.18 to 18.08 mmol acid ascorbic equivalent/g oil. Based on these findings, such oils could be used in different domains such as food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and lipochemistry.
Treatment on the Spleen Prevents the Progression of Secondary Sarcopenia in Patients With Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Hirooka Masashi , Koizumi Yohei , Tanaka Takaaki , Nakamura Yoshiko , Sunago Koutarou , Yukimoto Atsushi , Watanabe Takao , Yoshida Osamu , Miyake Teruki , Tokumoto Yoshio , Matsuura Bunzo , Abe Masanori , Hiasa Yoichi 
Published: October 2020

Hyperammonemia is an important stimulator of myostatin expression, a negative regulator of muscle growth. After splenectomy or partial splenic artery embolization (PSE), hyperammonemia often improves. Thus, we investigated changes in skeletal muscle index (SMI) in patients following an operation on the spleen and in patients who did not undergo an operation on their spleen. The study was designed retrospectively, in which we analyzed data collected between January 2000 and December 2015. Patients were assigned to the splenectomy/PSE or nontreatment group. Changes in SMI (ΔSMI), ammonia (Δammonia), myostatin (Δmyostatin), irisin (Δirisin), and branched‐chain amino acids/tyrosine molar ratio (ΔBTR) were analyzed between baseline and 5‐year follow‐up both before and after inverse probability of treatment weighting adjustment (IPTW). Patients (102) were enrolled (splenectomy/PSE, n = 45; nontreatment group, n = 57) before IPTW adjustment: ΔSMI (2.6 cm2/m2 vs. −8.8 cm2/m2, respectively) (P < 0.001), Δmyostatin (−867 vs. −568, respectively) (P < 0.001), Δammonia (−34 and 16, respectively) (P < 0.001), and ΔBTR (0.89 and −0.665, respectively) (P < 0.001). There were no differences between splenectomy and PSE regarding these factors. Moreover, after IPTW adjustment, significant differences were observed between the splenectomy/PSE and nontreatment group for the median ΔBTR (0.89 and −0.64, respectively) (P < 0.001), Δammonia (−33 and 16, respectively) (P < 0.001), Δmyostatin (−894 and 504, respectively) (P < 0.001), and ΔSMI (1.8 cm2/m2 and −8.2 cm2/m2, respectively) (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Both splenectomy and PSE were associated with the prevention of secondary sarcopenia in patients with LC. Moreover, it can be expected that muscle volume loss is reduced by splenectomy or PSE in patients with hyperammonemia.
A signature of 18 immune‐related gene pairs to predict the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients
Authors: Bu Fanqin , Nie Han , Zhu Xiaojian , Wu Ting , Lin Kang , Zhao Jiefeng , Huang Jun 
Published: October 2020

AbstractPancreatic cancer is one of the most lethal malignancies. With the promising prospects conveyed by immunotherapy in cancers, we aimed to construct an immune‐related gene pairs (IRGPs) signature to predict the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients. We downloaded clinical and transcriptional data of pancreatic cancer patients from The Cancer Genome Atlas data set as the training group and GSE57495 data set as the verification group. We filtered immune‐related transcriptional data by IMMPORT. With the assistance of lasso penalized Cox regression, we constructed our prognostic IRGPs signature and divided all samples into high‐/low‐risk groups by receiver operating characteristic curve for further comparisons. The comparisons between high‐ and low‐risk groups including survival rate, multivariate, and univariate Cox proportional‐hazards analysis, infiltration of immune cells, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) are facilitated to analyze the proceedings in which our IRGPs signature may involve in. The results revealed that 18 IRGPs were defined as our prognostic signature. The prognostic value of this IRGPs signature was verified from the GSE57495 data set. We further demonstrated the independent prognostic value of this IRGPs signature. The contents of six immune cells between high‐/low‐risk groups were different, which was associated with the progression of diverse cancers. Results from GO, KEGG, and GSEA revealed that this IRGPs signature was involved in extracellular space, immune response, cancer pathways, cation channel, and gated channel activities. Evidently, this IRGPs signature will provide remarkable value for the therapy of pancreatic cancer patients.
Cesarean section and risk of allergies in Ecuadorian children: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gorris Amélie , Bustamante Gabriela , Mayer Katharina A. , Kinaciyan Tamar , Zlabinger Gerhard J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundStudies have shown an association between cesarean section (CS) and increased prevalence of childhood allergic diseases. While these observations have been consistent in industrialized countries, evidence from developing countries is limited.ObjectiveTo assess the association between the mode of delivery and allergic diseases in children aged 3–12 years in Quito, Ecuador.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, parents were surveyed using an anonymous, standardized questionnaire from the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood project to assess the presence of asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies in their children. The children's age, sex, birthplace, delivery mode (CS/vaginal), socioeconomic status, and ethnicity were recorded. Other parameters included gestational age, breastfeeding, smoking status during pregnancy, and parental allergic diseases.ResultsAfter adjusting for confounding factors, children delivered via CS were found to have a higher risk of wheezing (odds ratio [OR] = 4.12, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.43–11.89), physician‐diagnosed asthma (OR = 24.06; 95% CI: 1.98–292.3), and pimples, or eczema with the itching for 6 months (OR = 2.65; 95% CI: 1.06–6.61) than children delivered vaginally. No association was found between the delivery mode and rhinitis or food allergies. After stratifying by socioeconomic status, CS was only associated with allergic disorders in children of medium/high socioeconomic backgrounds.ConclusionsAs seen in industrialized settings, children born by CS in nonindustrialized countries have an increased risk of developing allergic disorders including asthma and dermatitis, compared to those delivered vaginally.
Association between anthropometry and lifestyle factors and risk of B‐cell lymphoma: An exposome‐wide analysis
Authors: Saberi Hosnijeh Fatemeh , Casabonne Delphine , Nieters Alexandra , Solans Marta , Naudin Sabine , Ferrari Pietro , Mckay James D. , Benavente Yolanda , Weiderpass Elisabete , Freisling Heinz , Severi Gianluca , Boutron Ruault Marie‐Christine , Besson Caroline , Agnoli Claudia , Masala Giovanna , Sacerdote Carlotta , Tumino Rosario , Huerta José María , Amiano Pilar , Rodriguez‐Barranco Miguel , Bonet Catalina , Barricarte Aurelio , Christakoudi Sofia , Knuppel Anika , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita Bas , Schulze Matthias B. , Kaaks Rudolf , Canzian Federico , Späth Florentin , Jerkeman Mats , Rylander Charlotta , Tjønneland Anne , Olsen Anja , Borch Kristin Benjaminsen , Vermeulen Roel 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTo better understand the role of individual and lifestyle factors in human disease, an exposome‐wide association study was performed to investigate within a single‐study anthropometry measures and lifestyle factors previously associated with B‐cell lymphoma (BCL). Within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and nutrition study, 2402 incident BCL cases were diagnosed from 475 426 participants that were followed‐up on average 14 years. Standard and penalized Cox regression models as well as principal component analysis (PCA) were used to evaluate 84 exposures in relation to BCL risk. Standard and penalized Cox regression models showed a positive association between anthropometric measures and BCL and multiple myeloma/plasma cell neoplasm (MM). The penalized Cox models additionally showed the association between several exposures from categories of physical activity, smoking status, medical history, socioeconomic position, diet and BCL and/or the subtypes. PCAs confirmed the individual associations but also showed additional observations. The PC5 including anthropometry, was positively associated with BCL, diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and MM. There was a significant positive association between consumption of sugar and confectionary (PC11) and follicular lymphoma risk, and an inverse association between fish and shellfish and Vitamin D (PC15) and DLBCL risk. The PC1 including features of the Mediterranean diet and diet with lower inflammatory score showed an inverse association with BCL risk, while the PC7, including dairy, was positively associated with BCL and DLBCL risk. Physical activity (PC10) was positively associated with DLBCL risk among women. This study provided informative insights on the etiology of BCL.
Trends in the incidence of cancer in Kampala, Uganda, 1991 to 2015
Authors: Bukirwa Phiona , Wabinga Henry , Nambooze Sarah , Amulen Phoebe Mary , Joko Walburga Yvonne , Liu Biying , Parkin Donald Maxwell 
Published: October 2020

AbstractTrends in the incidence of cancer in the population of Kyadondo County, Uganda—which comprises the city of Kampala and a peri‐urban hinterland—are presented for a period of 25 years (1991‐2015) based on data collected by the Kampala Cancer Registry. Incidence rates have risen overall—age‐adjusted rates are some 25% higher in 2011 to 2015 compared with 1991 to 1995. The biggest absolute increases have been in cancers of the prostate, breast and cervix, with rates of some 100% (prostate), 70% (breast) and 45% (cervix) higher in 2010 to 2015 than in 1991 to 1995. There were also increases in the incidence of cancers of the esophagus and colon‐rectum (statistically significant in men), while the incidence of liver cancer—the fifth most common in this population—increased until 2007, and subsequently declined. By far the most commonly registered cancer over the 25‐year period was Kaposi sarcoma, but the incidence has declined, consistent with the decreasing population‐prevalence of HIV. Non‐Hodgkin lymphomas, also AIDS‐related, increased in incidence until 2006/2007 and then declined—possibly as a result of availability of antiretroviral therapy. The trends reflect the changing lifestyles of this urban African population, as well as the consequences of the epidemic of HIV/AIDS and the availability of treatment with ARVs. At the same time, it highlights the fact that the decreases in cancer of the cervix observed in high and upper‐middle income countries are not a consequence of changes in lifestyle, but demand active intervention through screening (and, in the longer term, vaccination).
Histone lysine demethylases and their functions in cancer
Authors: Sterling Jayden , Menezes Sharleen V. , Abbassi Ramzi H. , Munoz Lenka 
Published: October 2020

AbstractHistone lysine demethylases (KDMs) are enzymes that remove the methylation marks on lysines in nucleosomes' histone tails. These changes in methylation marks regulate gene transcription during both development and malignant transformation. Depending on which lysine residue is targeted, the effect of a given KDM on gene transcription can be either activating or repressing, and KDMs can regulate the expression of both oncogenes and tumour suppressors. Thus, the functions of KDMs can be regarded as both oncogenic and tumour suppressive, contingent on cell context and the enzyme isoform. Finally, KDMs also demethylate nonhistone proteins and have a variety of demethylase‐independent functions. These epigenetic and other mechanisms that KDMs control make them important regulators of malignant tumours. Here, we present an overview of eight KDM subfamilies, their most‐studied lysine targets and selected recent data on their roles in cancer stem cells, tumour aggressiveness and drug tolerance.
Can black swans be tamed with a flexible mean‐variance specification?
Authors: Chatzikonstanti Vasiliki , Karoglou Michail 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe examine the homogeneity of the highly improbable returns, what practitioners and the mainstream economic press also call black swan events. By setting up a simple framework and using the benchmark stock market indices of all OECD countries, we find that the frequency of black swans varies greatly over the last two decades often with dramatic changes that can be related to major economic events. Moreover, during the global financial crisis, black swans were substantially more frequent for most countries even after controlling for the level of volatility. This implies that, despite the plethora of appropriate financial instruments to counter this effect, during an obvious economic turmoil, stock markets are still more likely to experience highly improbable events.
The chromatic number of {ISK4, diamond, bowtie}‐free graphs
Authors: Chen Guantao , Chen Yuan , Cui Qing , Feng Xing , Liu Qinghai 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA graph is said to be ‐free if it does not contain any subdivision of as an induced subgraph. Lévêque, Maffray and Trotignon conjectured that every ‐free graph is 4‐colorable. In this paper, we show that this conjecture is true for the class of {, diamond, bowtie}‐free graphs, where a diamond is the graph obtained from by removing one edge and a bowtie is the graph consisting of two triangles with one vertex identified.