bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative assessment of postural instability in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 patients
Authors: Liu Xia‐Hua , Li Ying , Xu Hao‐Ling , Sikandar Arif , Lin Wei‐Hong , Li Gui‐He , Li Xiao‐Fen , Alimu Alimire , Yu Sheng‐Bin , Ye Xiang‐Hui , Wang Ning , Ni Jun , Chen Wan‐Jin , Gan Shi‐Rui 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveSpinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is one of the most common hereditary neurodegenerative diseases, with balance instability as main symptom. Balance quantification is crucial for evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. However, balance evaluation in SCA3 is often subject to bias. Here, we aimed to quantitatively evaluate postural instability and investigate the relationship between postural instability and clinical characteristics in SCA3 patients.MethodsSixty‐two SCA3 patients and 62 normal controls were recruited, and their postural balance was measured using a posturographic platform. Principal component analysis was performed as data reduction to identify postural instability factors. Multivariable linear regression was used to investigate potential risk factors for postural instability and to explore whether postural instability predicts the severity and progression of ataxia in SCA3 patients.ResultsWe found SCA3 patients experience postural instability characterized by significant impairment in static and dynamic stability. The condition without visual feedback was the most sensitive measure in differentiating SCA3 from controls. Regression analyses revealed that ataxia severity predicted both static (P = 0.014) and dynamic stability (P = 0.001). Likewise, along with expanded CAG repeats (P < 0.001), both static (P < 0.001) and dynamic stability (P < 0.001) predicted ataxia severity, but not ataxia progression.InterpretationOur findings demonstrate the validity of using the Pro‐kin system for assessing postural instability in SCA3 patients. This type of quantitative assessment of balance dysfunction can contribute to clinical trials and balance rehabilitation in SCA3 patients.
Lanthanide‐Doped Near‐Infrared Nanoparticles for Biophotonics
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Xin , Ohulchanskyy Tymish Y. , Chen Guanying 
Published: July 2020

AbstractLight in the near‐infrared (NIR) spectral region is increasingly utilized in bioapplications, providing deeper penetration in biological tissues owing to the lower absorption and scattering in comparison with light in the visible range. Lanthanide‐doped luminescent nanoparticles with excitation and/or emission in the NIR range have recently attracted tremendous attention as one of the prime candidates for noninvasive biological applications due to their unique optical properties, such as large Stokes shift, spectrally sharp luminescence emissions, long luminescence lifetimes, and excellent photostability. Herein, recent advances of lanthanide‐doped nanoparticles with NIR upconversion or downshifting luminescence and their uses in cutting‐edge biophotonic applications are presented. A set of efficient strategies for overcoming the fundamental limit of low luminescence brightness of lanthanide‐doped nanoparticles is introduced. An in‐depth literature review of their state‐of‐art biophotonics applications is also included, showing their superiority for high‐resolution imaging, single‐nanoparticle‐level detection, and efficacy for tissue‐penetrating diagnostics and therapeutics.
Nanopore‐Supported Metal Nanocatalysts for Efficient Hydrogen Generation from Liquid‐Phase Chemical Hydrogen Storage Materials
Authors: Sun Qiming , Wang Ning , Xu Qiang , Yu Jihong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHydrogen has emerged as an environmentally attractive fuel and a promising energy carrier for future applications to meet the ever‐increasing energy challenges. The safe and efficient storage and release of hydrogen remain a bottleneck for realizing the upcoming hydrogen economy. Hydrogen storage based on liquid‐phase chemical hydrogen storage materials is one of the most promising hydrogen storage techniques, which offers considerable potential for large‐scale practical applications for its excellent safety, great convenience, and high efficiency. Recently, nanopore‐supported metal nanocatalysts have stood out remarkably in boosting the field of liquid‐phase chemical hydrogen storage. Herein, the latest research progress in catalytic hydrogen production is summarized, from liquid‐phase chemical hydrogen storage materials, such as formic acid, ammonia borane, hydrous hydrazine, and sodium borohydride, by using metal nanocatalysts confined within diverse nanoporous materials, such as metal–organic frameworks, porous carbons, zeolites, mesoporous silica, and porous organic polymers. The state‐of‐the‐art synthetic strategies and advanced characterizations for these nanocatalysts, as well as their catalytic performances in hydrogen generation, are presented. The limitation of each hydrogen storage system and future challenges and opportunities on this subject are also discussed. References in related fields are provided, and more developments and applications to achieve hydrogen energy will be inspired.
Site‐Selective, Multistep Functionalizations of CO2‐Based Hyperbranched Poly(alkynoate)s toward Functional Polymetric Materials
Authors: Song Bo , Zhang Rongyuan , Hu Rong , Chen Xu , Liu Dongming , Guo Jiali , Xu Xiaotian , Qin Anjun , Tang Ben Zhong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHyperbranched polymers constructed from CO2 possess unique architectures and properties; however, they are difficult to prepare. In this work, CO2‐based, hyperbranched poly(alkynoate)s (hb‐PAs) with high molecular weights and degrees of branching are facilely prepared under atmospheric pressure in only 3 h. Because hb‐PAs possess two types of ethynyl groups with different reactivities, they can undergo site‐selective, three‐step functionalizations with nearly 100% conversion in each step. Taking advantage of this unique feature, functional hb‐PAs with versatile properties are constructed that could be selectively tailored to contain hydrophilic oligo(ethylene glycol) chains in their branched chains, on their periphery, or both via tandem polymerizations. Hyperbranched polyprodrug amphiphiles with high drug loading content (44.3 wt%) are also generated, along with an artificial light‐harvesting system with high energy transfer efficiency (up to 92%) and white‐light‐emitting polymers. This work not only provides an efficient pathway to convert CO2 into hyperbranched polymers, but also offers an effective platform for site‐selective multistep functionalizations toward functional polymeric materials.
Does the distribution of ratings affect online grocery sales? Evidence from Amazon
Authors: Etumnu Chinonso E. , Foster Kenneth , Widmar Nicole O. , Lusk Jayson L. , Ortega David L. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractUnderstanding the distribution of online consumer ratings for food products can provide insights that aid supply chain decisions. Using a researcher‐collected web‐scraped panel data set from Amazon, this article quantifies the effect of number of ratings, average rating, variance of ratings, and skewness of the rating distribution. Results show that the number of ratings and each of these moments of the distribution of online consumer ratings affect ground coffee sales ranking. The size of the effect of the distribution of ratings was found to vary with respect to the sales level of the coffee products. The results suggest that the distribution of online ratings plays an important informational role in e‐commerce platforms. As online grocery shopping continues to increase in popularity, a greater understanding of how online ratings and reviews may impact sales or products are needed by those in the agricultural and food supply chain. In particular, these results provide retail managers with an array of online consumer rating attributes to use in their demand forecasts. [EconLit citations: D12, D83, L81, M31, Q11].
Locomotion, posture, and the foramen magnum in primates: Reliability of indices and insights into hominin bipedalism
Authors: Landi Federica , Profico Antonio , Veneziano Alessio , De Groote Isabelle , Manzi Giorgio 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe position (FMP) and orientation (FMO) of the foramen magnum have been used as proxies for locomotion and posture in extant and extinct primates. Several indices have been designed to quantify FMP and FMO but their application has led to conflicting results. Here, we test six widely used indices and two approaches (univariate and multivariate) for their capability to discriminate between postural and locomotor types in extant primates and fossil hominins. We then look at the locomotion of australopithecines and Homo on the base of these new findings. The following measurements are used: the opisthocranion–prosthion (OP–PR) and the opisthocranion–glabella (OP–GL) indices, the basion–biporion (BA–BP) and basion–bicarotid chords, the foramen magnum angle (FMA), and the basion–sphenoccipital ratio. After exploring the indices variability using principal component analysis, pairwise comparisons are performed to test for the association between each index and the locomotor and postural habits. Cranial size and phylogeny are taken into account. Our analysis indicates that none of the indices or approaches provides complete discrimination across locomotor and postural categories, although some differences are highlighted. FMA and BA–BP distinguish respectively obligate and facultative bipeds from all other groups. For what concerns posture, orthogrades and pronogrades differ with respects to OP–PR, OP–GL, and FMA. Although the multivariate approach seems to have some discrimination power, the results are most likely driven by facial and neurocranial variability embedded in some of the indices. These results demonstrate that indices relying on the anteroposterior positioning of the foramen may not be appropriate proxies for locomotion among primates. The assumptions about locomotor and postural habits in fossil hominins based on foramen magnum indices should be revised in light of these new findings.
Borane‐Catalyzed Chemoselective and Enantioselective Reduction of 2‐Vinyl‐Substituted Pyridines
Authors: Tian Jun‐Jie , Yang Zhao‐Ying , Liang Xin‐Shen , Liu Ning , Hu Chen‐Yu , Tu Xian‐Shuang , Li Xiang , Wang Xiao‐Chen 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHerein, we report that highly chemoselective and enantioselective reduction of 2‐vinyl‐substituted pyridines has been achieved for the first time. The reaction, which uses chiral spiro‐bicyclic bisboranes as catalysts and HBpin and an acidic amide as reducing reagents, proceeds through a cascade process involving 1,4‐hydroboration followed by transfer hydrogenation of a dihydropyridine intermediate. The retained double bond in the reduction products permits their conversion to natural products and other useful heterocyclic compounds by simple transformations.
Ozone treatment for improving the solubility of cellulose extracted from palm fiber
Authors: Pujokaroni Agustu Sholeh , Ohtani Yoshito , Ichiura Hideaki 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe investigated effects of ozone treatment on solubility of cellulose and chemical composition in cellulose extracted from palm fiber. The initial holocellulose, α‐cellulose, and lignin contents of the extracted cellulose were 88.0, 81.9, and 8.75%, respectively. The extracted cellulose was treated with ozone and NaOH solution. Ozone treatment for 5 hr at 40°C using 3% citric acid decreased the lignin content from 8.75 to 2.71%. Under these conditions, the degree of polymerization (DP) of the cellulose decreased to 29 from 160 and the carboxyl content increased to 2.05 mmol/g. When the solid phase was treated with NaOH after ozone treatment, the mass of the solid phase decreased as the ozone treatment time increased. The lowest mass was 0.43 g. Additionally, the mass of cellulose regenerated from the liquid phase increased with increasing treatment time. The highest mass of regenerated cellulose was 0.54 g. The masses of the solid phase and regenerated cellulose obtained without ozone treatment under the same conditions were 0.76 and 0.18 g, respectively. These results suggest that ozone treatment improves the solubility of cellulose by converting hydroxyl groups in the cellulose to carboxyl groups and reducing the DP.
Antibodies Against Three Novel Peptides in Early Axial Spondyloarthritis Patients From Two Independent Cohorts
Authors: Quaden Dana , Vandormael Patrick , Ruytinx Pieter , Geusens Piet , Corten Kristoff , Vanhoof Johan , Liesenborgs Jori , van Reeth Frank , Agten Anouk , Vandenabeele Frank , de Vlam Kurt , Somers Veerle 
Published: July 2020

ObjectiveThis study was undertaken to identify novel autoantibodies in axial spondyloarthritis (SpA) and determine their diagnostic potential in patients with early axial SpA and controls from 2 independent cohorts.MethodsAn axial SpA complementary DNA phage display library was used to screen for novel IgG antibodies in plasma from patients with early axial SpA. The presence of these antibodies against novel peptides (i.e., peptides identified in an early axial SpA cohort from Hasselt University, designated UH‐axSpA) was determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in 76 patients with early axial SpA, 75 controls with nonspecific chronic low back pain, 60 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 94 healthy controls from the UH cohort. Antibody reactivity to these novel peptides was further validated in 174 patients with axial SpA (of whom 79 had early axial SpA) from the University Hospitals Leuven (Bio)SPAR (Spondyloarthritis [Biologics]) cohort.ResultsWe identified antibodies to 9 novel UH‐axSpA peptides, corresponding to randomly formed peptides and to a novel axial SpA autoantigen, double homeobox protein 4. Antibodies to 3 UH‐axSpA peptides with the highest positive likelihood ratio (LR) for a diagnosis of axial SpA were present in significantly more patients with early axial SpA from the UH and (Bio)SPAR cohorts (14.2% [22/155]) compared to controls with chronic low back pain (5% [4/75]), resulting in 95% specificity. The positive LR for confirming axial SpA using antibodies to these 3 UH‐axSpA peptides was 2.7, which is higher than the LR obtained with the currently used laboratory marker C‐reactive protein. Testing for antibodies to these 3 UH‐axSpA peptides in patients with chronic low back pain increased the posttest probability of a diagnosis of axial SpA from 79% to 91%.ConclusionAntibodies to 3 UH‐axSpA peptides could provide a novel tool in the diagnosis of a subset of axial SpA patients.
Mimochrome, a metalloporphyrin‐based catalytic Swiss knife†
Authors: Leone Linda , Chino Marco , Nastri Flavia , Maglio Ornella , Pavone Vincenzo , Lombardi Angela 
Published: July 2020

AbstractOver the years, mimochromes, a class of miniaturized porphyrin‐based metalloproteins, have proven to be reliable but still versatile scaffolds. After two decades from their birth, we retrospectively review our work in mimochrome design and engineering, which allowed us developing functional models. They act as electron‐transfer miniproteins or more elaborate artificial metalloenzymes, endowed with peroxidase, peroxygenase, and hydrogenase activities. Mimochromes represent simple yet functional synthetic models that respond to metal ion replacement and noncovalent modulation of the environment, similarly to natural heme‐proteins. More recently, we have demonstrated that the most active analogue retains its functionality when immobilized on nanomaterials and surfaces, thus affording bioconjugates, useful in sensing and catalysis. This review also briefly summarizes the most important contributions to heme‐protein design from leading groups in the field.
C. elegansACAT regulates lipolysis and its related lifespan in fasting through modulation of the genes in lipolysis and insulin/IGF‐1 signaling
Authors: Bai Juan , Farias‐Pereira Renalison , Zhang Yuan , Jang Miran , Park Yeonhwa , Kim Kee‐Hong 
Published: July 2020

AbstractOverly active acyl‐coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferases (ACATs) are known to contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, cancer cell proliferation and de novo lipogenesis. However, the role of ACAT in systemic lipid metabolism and its consequence of aging is unknown. Using avasimibe, a clinically proven ACAT inhibitor, and mboa‐1 mutant strain, a homologous to mammalian ACAT, herein, we found that Ava treatment and mboa‐1 mutant exhibited a decreased fat accumulation during feeding and increased lipolysis with extended lifespan of C. elegans during fasting. Our study highlights the essential role of ACAT inhibitor and mboa‐1 in fat mobilization and the survival of C. elegans in fasting through the modulation of the genes involved in lipolysis and insulin/IGF‐1 signaling.
Resuming elective surgical activity after the COVID-19 wave: what the patients need to know
Authors: Bellini M I , Tortorici F , Capogni M 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
As COVID-19 outbreak enters its second phase of lockdown ease, healthcare plans involve elective surgery re-establishment to provide essential life-saving care. Patients are increasingly requesting information about their facility's readiness for safely performing surgery. This information should be open and transparent including patient's education with objective data regarding the state of the pandemic in the country and the control measures undertaken by the facility.
Novel primary literature‐based alternative to comprehensive final examination for undergraduate virology course
Authors: Sulzinski Michael A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA novel approach is described using primary literature manuscripts for the final examination of an upper level undergraduate course in virology. This innovative technique was applied as an alternative to a core comprehensive final examination. A recent primary literature paper in virology was assigned several weeks before the end of the semester. Students were instructed to procure the electronic version of the manuscript, and to thoroughly read, highlight and outline the manuscript in advance. The examination was administered with an open book format and students were encouraged to bring laptops to access information as needed to answer questions. This primary literature‐based examination format is presented here as an alternative to a comprehensive final exam. By comparing student examination scores for both final examination formats over a period of 11 years, it was determined that student performance was strong and not statistically different when compared to conventional comprehensive final examinations. Thus, the examination format described here was a useful assessment tool that provided students with valuable exposure to the discipline specific primary literature. While this article describes an application to an undergraduate virology course, the same examination techniques could be successfully applied to examinations in undergraduate or graduate classes in any areas of biochemistry and molecular biology.
Peroxiredoxin 2 deficiency reduces white adipogenesis due to the excessive ROS generation
Authors: Kim Mi Hye , Kim Jae Yeop , Kim Jung‐Hak , Lee Hyun‐Shik , Huh Jae‐Won , Lee Dong‐Seok 
Published: July 2020

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) act as signaling molecules to regulate various cell functions. Numerous studies have demonstrated ROS to be essential for the differentiation of adipocytes. Peroxiredoxins (Prxs) are a ubiquitous family of antioxidant enzymes in mammalian cells. Prx2 is present in the cytoplasm and cell membranes and demonstrates ROS scavenging activity. We focused on Prx2 involvement in regulating adipogenesis and lipid accumulation and demonstrated that Prx2 expression was upregulated during adipocyte differentiation. In addition, the silencing of Prx2 (shPrx2) inhibited adipogenesis by modulating adipogenic gene expression, and cell death was enhanced via increased ROS production in shPrx2‐3T3‐L1 cells. These results demonstrate that shPrx2 triggers adipocyte cell death and weakens adipocyte function via ROS production. Taken together, our data suggest the participation of Prx2 in adipocyte function and differentiation. Our results also imply that the downregulation of Prx2 activity could help prevent obesity. Overall, findings support the development of ROS‐based therapeutic solutions for the treatment of obesity and obesity‐related metabolic disorders.
Thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) acts as a tumor suppressor in human prostate cancer
Authors: Xie Ming , Xie Ruiyan , Xie Sen , Wu Yiyi , Wang Wei , Li Xiang , Xu Yuanyu , Liu Bo , Zhou Yu , Wang Tao , Gao Lei , Pan Tiejun 
Published: July 2020

AbstractProstate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. Thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP) is downregulated in a variety of human tumors and plays an important role in tumor suppression. However, the expression level and biological functions of TXNIP in PCa have not been identified yet. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the expression and biological functions of TXNIP in PCa. We reported that the expression of TXNIP was significantly decreased in PCa and associated with clinicopathological features. Overexpression of TXNIP could significantly inhibited PC‐3 cells proliferation, migration, invasion, and glucose uptake. Additionally, overexpression of TXNIP could remarkably block cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase and promoted cell apoptosis. Furthermore, TXNIP expression correlated inversely with GLUT1 expression in PCa. Taken together, our results for the first time revealed that TXNIP was decreased in PCa. Moreover, TXNIP might act as a tumor suppressor of PCa and correlated with tumor occurrence and development. Our findings cast a new light on better understanding the occurrence and development of PCa and indicated that TXNIP might be favorable for PCa molecular target therapy.
Gold(I)‐Thiolate Oligomers for Catalytic Hydrogenation of Nitroaromatics in Aqueous and Organic Medium
Authors: You Jyun‐Guo , Jin Dun‐Yuan , Tseng Wei‐Bin , Tseng Wei‐Lung , Lin Po‐Chiao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThiolated gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) have been introduced to efficiently and selectively catalyze the hydrogenation of nitroaromatics due to the strong interaction of their S−Au‐S staple motifs with the nitro groups of nitroaromatics. However, without a gold core, gold(I)‐thiolate oligomers (AuSOs) with S−Au‐S staple motifs are rarely explored as catalysts for nitroaromatics. Here, we report a straightforward strategy for the synthesis of AuSOs through hydroxyl radical‐induced leaching of glutathione‐capped gold nanoparticles (GSH‐AuNPs). Raman spectroscopy and matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization‐time of flight mass spectrometry demonstrated that hydroxyl radical‐triggered etching of the GSH‐AuNPs resulted in the production of AuSOs, including Au4(GSH)7 and Au7(GSH)9. The AuSOs were found to catalyze NaBH4‐mediated hydrogenation of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol with a chemoselectivity of ∼100 % and a normalized rate constant (Knor) of 4.8×105 s− g−1. In addition to the high affinity of the S−Au−S staple motifs for 4‐nitrophenol, the unusual catalytic activity of the AuSOs was attributable to the fact that they efficiently catalyzed the production of H2 from NaBH4 and the reaction of dissolved oxygen and NaBH4. The chemoselectivity and applicability of the AuSOs were further verified by performing the catalytic reaction of methyl 2‐(2‐nitrophenyl) acetate or methyl 4‐nitrobenzoate with NaBH4.