bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insights into the Optical Properties of Triarylboranes with Strongly Electron‐Accepting Bis(fluoromesityl)boryl Groups: when Theory Meets Experiment
Authors: Belaidi Houmam , Rauch Florian , Zhang Zuolun , Latouche Camille , Boucekkine Abdou , Marder Todd B. , Halet Jean‐François 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe photophysical properties (absorption, fluorescence and phosphorescence) of a series of triarylboranes of the form 4‐D−C6H4−B(Ar)2 (D=tBu or NPh2; Ar=mesityl (Mes) or 2,4,6‐tris(trifluoromethylphenyl (Fmes)) were analyzed theoretically using state‐of‐the‐art DFT and TD‐DFT methods. Simulated emission spectra and computed decay rate constants are in very good agreement with the experimental data. Unrestricted electronic computations including vibronic contributions explain the unusual optical behavior of 4‐tBu−C6H4−B(Fmes)2 2, which shows both fluorescence and phosphorescence at nearly identical energies (at 77 K in a frozen glass). Analysis of the main normal modes responsible for the phosphorescence vibrational fine structure indicates that the bulky tert‐butyl group tethered to the phenyl ring is strongly involved. Interestingly, in THF solvent, the computed energies of the singlet and triplet excited states are very similar for compound 2 only, which may explain why 2 shows phosphorescence in contrast to the other members of the series.
Fabrication of hexagonal boron nitride based 2D nanopore sensor for the assessment of electro‐chemical responsiveness of human serum transferrin protein
Authors: Saharia Jugal , Bandara Y. M. Nuwan D. Y. , Lee Jung Soo , Wang Qingxiao , Kim Moon J. , Kim Min Jun 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn this work, we present a step‐by‐step workflow for the fabrication of 2D hexagonal boron nitride (h‐BN) nanopores which are then used to sense holo‐human serum transferrin (hSTf) protein at pH ∼8 under applied voltages ranging from +100 mV to +800 mV. 2D nanopores are often used for DNA, however, there is a great void in the literature for single‐molecule protein sensing and this, to the best of our knowledge, is the first time where h‐BN—a material with large band‐gap, low dielectric constant, reduced parasitic capacitance and minimal charge transfer induced noise—is used for protein profiling. The corresponding ΔG (change in pore conductance due to analyte translocation) profiles showed a bimodal Gaussian distribution where the lower and higher ΔG distributions were attributed to (pseudo‐) folded and unfolded conformations respectively. With increasing voltage, the voltage induced unfolding increased (evident by decrease in ΔG) and plateaued after ∼400 mV of applied voltage. From the ΔG versus voltage profile corresponding to the pseudo‐folded state, we calculated the molecular radius of hSTf, and was found to be ∼3.1 nm which is in close concordance with the literature reported value of ∼3.25 nm.
Effect of thermal cycling and hydro‐thermal cycling on physical and mechanical properties of sandstone
Authors: Liu Pengfei , Liu Xingfei , Tian Guodong , Gan Fei , Bi Jing 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThermal storage of sandstone is widely distributed in sedimentary basins in China with a very high degree of exploitation and utilization, while the low recharge rate is the bottleneck of its sustainable development. A new method is proposed to discover the physical and mechanical behaviors of sandstone after thermal cycling and hydro‐thermal cycling treatments in this study. The stress‐strain curves, strength, failure behavior, acoustic emission (AE), P‐wave velocity, density features, X‐ray, and microscope images of specimens are analyzed in detail to investigate and describe the differences of the sandstone after the two different experimental treatments. The results indicate that multiple thermal cycling and hydro‐thermal cycling have an obvious effect on the compaction stage of sandstone at the temperature of 100°C. Meanwhile, strengths and Young's modulus of specimens after hydro‐thermal cycling treatment decrease with cycling times and the reduce degree is greater than that of the thermal cycling treatment on sandstone. The brittleness of the sandstone decreases as the hydro‐thermal cycling number increases from 0 to 15, and the influence of hydro‐thermal cycling is greater than that of thermal cycling on sandstone. In addition, based on the limited cycling experimental results, the action of the thermal cycling leaded the thermal stress of the crystal to nonuniform, which leaded to micronarrow and sharp cracks in specimens. Furthermore, the action of the hydro‐thermal cycling generated thermal stress and ablation coupling effect, which leaded wider and rounder cracks than that of the specimen under thermal cycling condition. Finally, it indicates that hydro‐thermal cycling has a greater effect than that of the thermal cycling treatment on the physical and mechanical properties of sandstone on the macro‐ and microlevels.
Antimicrobial efficacy of Lippia citriodora natural extract against Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis in “Piel de Sapo” melon juice
Authors: Rúa Javier , López‐Rodríguez Iván , Sanz Javier , del Valle Fernández Pilar , Garcia Maria del Camino , Garcia Armesto Maria Rosario 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of an aqueous extract of Lippia citriodora with reported functional properties (PLX®) was determined on two strains of Escherichia coli (E. coli) belonging to serogroups commonly associated with foodborne illnesses (E. coli O157:H7 ATCC 700728 and E. coli O111 isolate 172) in vegetable products and two control strains for antimicrobial tests assays (E. coli ATCC 25922 and Enterococcus–En. faecalis ATCC 29212).ResultsMean MIC values at standard pH (7.4) in broth for the E. coli strains tested ranged from 4,444 µg/ml (35ºC) to 1,250 µg/ml (10ºC) and to 182 µg/ml (4ºC). At pH 5.5, conditions resembling those of melon juice, MIC was about 2 times higher at 35 and 10ºC compared with 4ºC. The MIC of En. faecalis was similar or slightly lower than those of E. coli at the conditions tested. In melon juice fortified with PLX® (2,500 µg/ml, maximum sensorial acceptable limit), the three strains of E. coli maintained their viability although none showed growth potential after 4 days at 4ºC.ConclusionsPLX® could be added to melon juice to control E. coli O157:H7 and E. coli O111 during refrigerated storage, reducing the risk of microbiological contamination in this food.
Total per‐visit medical expenses incurred by outpatients with diabetes—Evidence from six provinces in eastern China
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Zhang Xiaona , Yang Shiyu 
Published: November 2019

SummaryBackgroundChronic diseases associated with diabetes threaten the health of Chinese people and contribute to poverty.MethodsMedical service utilization records of 78 124 visits by outpatients with diabetes to medical institutions in China's eastern region between 2013 and 2015 were randomly selected from the Medical Insurance Department (MID) database. One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the average total per‐visit, out‐of‐pocket (OOP), and medical insurance (MI) fund expenses between variables. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify possible risk factors affecting total per‐visit medical expenses.ResultsAverage total per‐visit medical expenses were 244.59, 285.56, and 435.33 yuan in primary, secondary, and tertiary medical institutions, respectively. Significant differences were found for average total per‐visit medical expenses by year of visit, age, type of medical insurance, and levels of medical institutions. No significant differences were found for average total per‐visit medical expenses by gender.ConclusionThe functions of medical networks at all levels should be clarified and the Urban Resident Basic Medical Insurance (URBMI) reimbursement ratio improved to ensure equal access to medical services irrespective of medical insurance type. Patients with chronic diseases should be encouraged to visit primary medical institutions to reduce medical expenses.
The impact of religious beliefs on the health of the residents—Evidence from China
Authors: Han Junqiang , Zhou Xiang , Meng Yingying 
Published: November 2019

SummaryThis study conducted empirical research on Chinese residents to explore the relationship between religious beliefs and health based on the China General Social Survey (CGSS) data for 2015. Considering the reciprocal correlations between religion and health, this paper uses an instrumental variable to recognize religion's influence on health. The instrumental variable was the number of religious sites per 10 000 residents in every province (including autonomous regions and municipalities) in 2004. The results indicate that religion had different impacts on the health of different groups in China. It was found that religion significantly improved the health of those aged 60 or older; however, for those younger than 60 years old, their health was not affected by following a religion. Second, after classifying the samples according to urban and rural areas, it was found that religion significantly improved the health of urban residents, while rural residents were not affected by this factor.
The expression and methylation status of vitamin D receptor gene in Behcet's disease
Authors: Shirvani Sam Seydi , Nouri Mohammad , Sakhinia Ebrahim , Babaloo Zohreh , jadideslam Golamreza , Shahriar Alipour , Farhadi Jafar , khabbazi Alireza 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIntroductionVitamin D has important roles as a natural immune modulator via regulating the expression of genes which have been implicated in the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D function and its deficiency have been linked to a wide range of metabolic disorders including disorders of calcium metabolism, malignant, cardiovascular, infectious, neuromuscular, and inflammatory diseases. Environmental factors, genetic factors, and epigenetic changes contribute to Behcet's disease (BD) development. The aim of our study was to analyze the expression level and methylation status of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene promoter in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with BD.MethodsIn a case‐control study, 48 Iranian Azeri patients with BD and 60 age‐, sex‐ and ethnically‐matched healthy controls were included. Venous blood samples were collected and PBMCs were isolated by Ficoll protocol. The DNA and RNA were subsequently extracted. Promoter methylation levels were evaluated by MeDIP‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The expression of VDR was evaluated by real‐time PCR.ResultsThe results of quantitative real‐time PCR analysis showed that the level of VDR expression in patients with BD was significantly lower than the control group (P = .013). There was no significant difference in the level of DNA methylation in the BD and control groups (P > .05). As the results show, the expression level of VDR gene was significantly different between female and male in the patient group (P = .001). VDR gene expression was significantly higher in subjects with phlebitis. No correlation was observed between VDR gene expression rate and BD activity.ConclusionVDR gene expression decreased in patients with BD. However, there is no suggestion evidence that the expression level of VDR is regulated by a unique DNA methylation mechanism. No correlation exists between VDR gene expression and BD activity.
Peptidomics analysis of myometrium tissues in term labor compared with term nonlabor
Authors: Fan Yuru , Hou Wenwen , Xing Yuan , Zhang Li , Zhou Chunxiu , Gui Jing , Xu Pengfei , Wang Anming , Fan Xuemei , Zeng Xin , Feng Shanwu , Li Ping 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPreterm birth (PTB) is a major cause of neonatal mortality, with a poorly understood etiology. The regular contraction of the myometrium was considered as contributing to the etiology of the onset of labor, especially PTB. Thus, studying the mechanism of myometrium contraction is very important for understanding the initiation of labor and also for preventing PTB. Using liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry, we found 322 significantly differential peptides in myometrium tissues between term nonlabor and term labor groups (absolute fold change ≥ 2 and P < .05). We next analyzed length, molecular weights, isoelectric point, and cleavage site of all the different peptides. We, next, analyzed the functions of different peptides through their precursor proteins by Gene Ontology, enrichment and canonical pathway analysis. The results indicated that the extracellular matrix (ECM) played a major role in biological process, the cellular component, and molecular function categories, and revealed that ECM remodeling played a vital role in myometrial contraction. In addition, some known signaling, such as corticotropin‐releasing hormone signaling and calcium signaling were proven to be involved in this process. Ingenuity Pathways Analysis upstream regulator analysis suggested that some of the known molecules, which reportedly were very important in labor onset, were included, for example, nuclear factor κB, tubulin, and phosphoinositide 3‐kinase. We also identified 23 peptides derived from the precursor protein TITIN, of which 21 peptides sequences from TITIN were located in functional domains. These results suggested that peptides play an important role in labor onset and provide further insight into PTB therapy.
The miR‐28‐5p‐CAMTA2 axis regulates colon cancer progression via Wnt/β‐catenin signaling
Authors: Luan Xiao‐Feng , Wang Lei , Gai Xue‐Feng 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundColon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer with high morbidity and mortality. Calmodulin‐binding transcription activator 2 (CAMTA2) belongs to the calmodulin‐binding transcription activator protein family. The functional role of CAMTA2 in colon cancer development remains unclear. Our research found out that CAMTA2 was high‐level expressed in colon cancer, and the upregulated CAMTA2 expression was markedly correlated with poor survival. Functional experiments showed that knockdown of CAMTA2 repressed colon cancer cell proliferation/migration in vitro and attenuated proliferation in vivo. In additional, CAMTA2 expression was controlled by miR‐28‐5p via posttranscriptional regulation and miR‐28‐5p expression was reversely correlated with CAMTA2 expression in colon cancer. Moreover, enforced miR‐28‐5p expression downregulated the expression of CAMTA2 significantly and the restoration of CAMTA2 expression abolished the inhibitory effect of miR‐28‐5p on colon cancer cell proliferation and metastasis. Mechanistically, overexpression of miR‐28‐5p suppressed Wnt/β‐catenin signaling and the inhibitory could be partly abolished by overexpression of CAMTA2. In summary, our findings reveal that miR‐28‐5p/CAMTA2 axis plays a critical role in human colon cancer, which might be a promising diagnosis and therapeutic target for colon cancer treatment.
CFHR3 is a potential novel biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Jun , Li Wenli , Zhao Hetong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractComplement factor H‐related 3 (CFHR3) is a protein‐coding gene acting in various diseases. However, its prognostic values of CFHR3 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not understandable. Therefore, we present a further study on CFHR3 in HCC. CFHR3 expression data were acquired from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC). We compared the differential expression of CFHR3 between the low‐stage (stage I and II) and high‐stage (stage III and IV) patients with HCC in the TCGA and ICGC cohorts. Furthermore, we assessed the CFHR3 expression as a prognostic marker using the Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis, univariate, and multivariate analysis. The Kaplan‐Meier analysis declared that CFHR3 overexpression was correlated with a good prognosis for HCC patients. Multivariate analysis proved the prognostic significance of CFHR3 expression levels (P < .001 and .003 for TCGA and ICGC, respectively). Immune‐related scores in low‐risk cohorts were higher than high‐risk cohorts. Gene set enrichment analysis implied that the low CFHR3 expression phenotype was significantly enriched in critical biological functions and pathways and was associated with tumorigenesis, such as regulation of cell activation cycle, and the WNT and NOTCH signal pathway. Above all, CFHR3 could be a novel prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.
Isotopic variation in blood components based on their biochemistry and physiology: A comparison between sharks and fur seals
Authors: Tamburin Elena , Amador‐Capitanachi María José , Galván‐Magaña Felipe , Norris Tenaya A. , Elorriaga‐Verplancken Fernando R. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractResearch using stable isotopes analysis (SIA) of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) in blood components is lacking, because of the challenge of sample collection, processing, and storage in remote areas. There also is a paucity of information regarding the effect of tissue biochemical composition on isotopic ratios with few comparisons among taxa. We collected blood samples from shortfin mako sharks (n = 70; 2016) and Guadalupe fur seals (n = 25; 2017). All samples were centrifuged to obtain plasma from sharks and serum from the Guadalupe fur seals, and all the samples were prepared for SIA and analyzed using a Costech 4010 elemental analyzer interfaced with a Delta V Plus isotope ratio mass spectrometer. We found significant differences between plasma δ13C values of shortfin mako sharks (−17.6 ± 0.9‰) and serum of Guadalupe fur seals (−20.3 ± 1.2‰), but we did not find any differences for δ15N values between the two species. The differences in δ13C values between species are probably due to the specific blood composition and to the different biochemical characteristics and different adaptations within taxa. These findings highlight the importance of further research on the influence of biochemistry features on isotopic results, in this way a more accurate assessment will be possible for this factor, separating it from the dietary influences on stable isotopic values.
Trans‐inclusive genetic counseling services: Recommendations from members of the transgender and non‐binary community
Authors: Barnes Heather , Morris Emily , Austin Jehannine 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe term transgender is used to describe individuals whose gender identity does not align with their sex assigned at birth. The term transgender can include individuals who identify as men, as women, as both of the traditional concepts of masculine and feminine gender, or neither masculine or feminine. The latter two gender identities may also be known as non‐binary or gender non‐conforming identities. Transgender individuals may attend genetic counseling for a variety of reasons, but current pedigree nomenclature does not adequately represent both sex assigned at birth (which is important for determining risk for certain conditions) and gender (which is important for providing trans‐inclusive care). We conducted an interpretive description (qualitative, interview based) study with individuals from the transgender community to gather insight on pedigree nomenclature and more broadly, how to provide safe and effective genetic counseling for transgender individuals. We conducted semi‐structured telephone interviews with individuals who identified as transgender or gender non‐binary, transcribed them verbatim, and checked them for accuracy before coding and inductively identifying themes. Among our eight participants, five identified as trans‐masculine, two as trans‐feminine, five as non‐binary/gender non‐conforming (some participants had more than one gender identity). From the interviews, we identified a single key, over‐arching theme: participants’ felt it is the genetic counselor's responsibility to create safety and provide clarity about the clinical importance of both sex assigned at birth and gender identity for trans patients. Two specific strategies that counselors could use to achieve this safety and clarity were discussed extensively: (a) validating gender identity and (b) using inclusive and well‐defined pedigree symbols that denote both sex assigned at birth and gender identity. Our data have important practice implications in terms of the importance of validating gender identity and using respectful pedigree symbols.
F(1H‐Pyrazol‐4‐yl)methylene‐Hydrazide derivatives: Synthesis and antimicrobial activity
Authors: Bhavanarushi Sangepu , Luo Zhi‐Bin , Bharath Gandu , Rani JettiVatsala , Khan Imran , Xu Yin , Liu Bin , Xie Jimin 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis paper investigates the seismic and collapse performance of shape memory alloy (SMA) braced steel frame structures considering the effects of various brace design parameters and ultimate state of SMAs. An SMA braced steel frame building is designed to have comparable strength and stiffness with a steel‐moment resisting frame selected as case study building. Then, the stiffness and ultimate deformation capacity of the SMA braces in the initially designed reference SMA braced frame are systematically varied. First, the static pushover analysis and incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) are employed to illustrate the significance of SMA brace failure consideration in seismic performance assessment of steel frames with SMA elements. Then, the influence of SMA brace initial stiffness and ultimate deformation capacity on the seismic and collapse performance of SMA braced frames are studied through pushover analyses, nonlinear response history analyses, and IDA. The results show that the SMA brace initial stiffness does not affect the interstory drift and floor absolute acceleration response at design and maximum considered earthquake (MCE) level seismic hazard or collapse capacity of the frame. However, it has considerable influence on post‐event functionality of the frame. It is also found that the SMA brace ultimate deformation capacity should be at least 80% of maximum inter‐story drift demand at MCE level for satisfactory seismic performance, while larger values provide higher collapse capacity for the SMA braced frame.