bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cold shock proteins improve E. coli cell‐free synthesis in terms of soluble yields of aggregation‐prone proteins
Authors: Higuchi Kae , Yabuki Takashi , Ito Masahiro , Kigawa Takanori 
Published: March 2020

AbstractProtein folding is usually slowed‐down at low temperatures, and thus low‐temperature expression is an effective strategy to improve the soluble yield of aggregation‐prone proteins. In this study, we investigated the effects of a variety of cold shock proteins and domains (Csps) on an Escherichia coli cell extract‐based cell‐free protein synthesis system (CF). Most of the 12 Csps that were successfully prepared dramatically improved the protein yields, by factors of more than 5 at 16°C and 2 at 23°C, to levels comparable to those obtained at 30°C. Their stimulatory effects were complementary to each other, while CspD and CspH were inhibitory. The Csps’ effects correlated well with their Pfam CSD family scores (PF00313.22). All of the investigated Csps, except CspH, similarly possessed RNA binding and chaperon activities and increased the messenger RNA amount irrespective of their effect, suggesting that the proper balance between these activities was required for the enhancement. Unexpectedly, the 5′‐untranslated region of cspA was less effective as the leader sequence. Our results demonstrated that the use of the Csps presented in this study will provide a simple and highly effective strategy for the CF, to improve the soluble yields of aggregation‐prone proteins.
High‐throughput single‐molecule imaging system using nanofabricated trenches and fluorescent DNA‐binding proteins
Authors: Kang Yujin , Cheon Na Young , Cha Jongjin , Kim Ayoung , Kim Hyung‐il , Lee Luda , Kim Kang O. , Jo Kyubong , Lee Ja Yil 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDNA curtain is a high‐throughput system, integrating a lipid bilayer, fluorescence imaging, and microfluidics to probe protein–DNA interactions in real‐time and has provided in‐depth understanding of DNA metabolism. Especially, the microfluidic platform of a DNA curtain is highly suitable for a biochip. In the DNA curtain, DNA molecules are aligned along chromium nanobarriers, which are fabricated on a slide surface, and visualized using an intercalating dye, YOYO‐1. Although the chromium barriers confer precise geometric alignment of DNA, reuse of the slides is limited by wear of the barriers during cleaning. YOYO‐1 is rapidly photobleached and causes photocleavage of DNA under continuous laser illumination, restricting DNA observation to a brief time window. To address these challenges, we developed a new nanopatterned slide, upon which carved nanotrenches serve as diffusion barriers. The nanotrenches were robust under harsh cleaning conditions, facilitating the maintenance of surface cleanliness that is essential to slide reuse. We also stained DNA with a fluorescent protein with a DNA‐binding motif, fluorescent protein–DNA binding peptide (FP–DBP). FP–DBP was slowly photobleached and did not cause DNA photocleavage. This new DNA curtain system enables a more stable and repeatable investigation of real‐time protein–DNA interactions and will serve as a good platform for lab‐on‐a‐chip.
The effect of mindfulness‐based stress reduction on maternal anxiety and self‐efficacy: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zarenejad Masoomeh , Yazdkhasti Mansooreh , Rahimzadeh Mitra , Mehdizadeh Tourzani Zahra , Esmaelzadeh‐Saeieh Sara 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the study was to assess the effect of mindfulness‐based stress reduction (MBSR) on anxiety and self‐efficacy in coping with childbirth.Material and MethodsThis randomized controlled trial was conducted on 70 pregnant women in Abyek city of Qazvin province in Iran. The convenient sampling method was recruited. Samples were assigned to control and intervention groups using random blocks. In addition to routine care, individuals in the intervention group received 6 MBSR training sessions. The data gathering questionnaire in this study included mindfulness, Pregnancy‐Related Anxiety Questionnaire, and self‐efficacy in coping with childbirth questionnaire.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference between the demographic characteristics in the control and intervention groups. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures indicated the effect of time on the change in the total score of anxiety in the intervention group (p = .001). There was a significant difference between the two groups (p = .001). Also, the results of ANOVA with repeated measures showed that time had no impact on the score of self‐efficacy in delivery coping (p = 0/1) and that there was no significant difference between the two groups in this respect (p = .6).ConclusionThe result of this study showed that mindfulness reduces anxiety of pregnant mothers, and it is suggested that mindfulness programs be educated for healthcare providers and pregnant mothers to reduce maternal anxiety and improve pregnancy outcomes and delivery.
A twelve‐week, four‐arm, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase 2 prospective clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an anthroposophic multimodal treatment on chronic pain in outpatients with postpolio syndrome
Authors: Ghelman Ricardo , Akiyama Ivete Y. , de Souza Valeria T. , Falcão Jussara , Orgolini Vera , Hosomi Jorge K. , Quadros Abrahão A. J. , Oliveira Acary S. B. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIntroductionChronic pain and fatigue are the main symptoms of postpoliomyelitis syndrome (PPS). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of an anthroposophic multimodal treatment for chronic pain in PPS outpatients.MethodsA twelve‐week, four‐arm, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, phase 2 prospective clinical trial was designed to compare four groups (n = 48): groups A and B received daily active experimental transdermal gel (ETG) or placebo gel (PTG), respectively; groups C and D received weekly external therapies, art therapies, and neurofunctional reorganization, plus either daily ETG or PTG, respectively. The pain symptoms were evaluated through a visual analogue scale (VAS), the McGill questionnaire, and thermography. Quality of life and resilience were evaluated by the WHOQOL‐BREF and Antonovsky sense of coherence questionnaires applied at baseline and after the interventions.ResultsNo related adverse events occurred, and 10% of the patients reports dysphagia improvement. In the groups C and D, pain reduction was statistically significant in both the placebo group (p = .02, d = 1.315) and in the ETG (p = .005, d = 2.035). However, following the week‐to‐week evolution of pain with the concomitant use of the ETG, this significant pain reduction occurred earlier from the 4th week and continued to decrease (p = .016, d = 1.369). In the group that received the complete multimodal treatment, the greatest significant benefit in increasing quality of life occurred in the physical domain and elevation in resilience with an emphasis on meaning and comprehension domains.ConclusionsThe anthroposophic multimodal treatment group presented both safety and efficacy as an analgesic in the groups that received the nonpharmacological therapies, much earlier when associated with the ETG. The multimodal approach corresponded to the pattern of better efficacy for both pain reduction and improvement in quality of life and resilience.
Tumor deposit serves as a prognostic marker in gastric cancer: A propensity score‐matched analysis comparing survival outcomes
Authors: Wenquan Liang , Yuhua Liu , Jianxin Cui , Hongqing Xi , Kecheng Zhang , Jiyang Li , Yunhe Gao , Yi Liu , Wang Zhang , Shaoqing Li , Yixun Lu , Shen Qiao , Wanguo Xue , Zhi Qiao , Lin Chen 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundGastric cancer (GC) treatment is determined by accurate tumor staging. The value of tumor deposit (TD) in prognostic prediction staging system is not yet determined.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical information on GC patients who underwent gastrectomy at the Department of General Surgery of the Chinese PLA General Hospital from July 2014 to June 2016. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to reduce the possibility of selection bias according to the presence of TD.ResultsOf the 1034 GC patients, 240 (23.21%) presented with TD, which was associated with younger age and larger tumor size (all P < .05). TD‐positive patients had a worse survival than TD‐negative patients before (P < .001) and after (P = .017) matching. Multivariable analysis showed that mortality risk of patients with TD increased by 58%, 62%, 37%, and 40% in the crude (HR = 1.58, 95% CI 1.32‐1.89, P < .001), adjusted I (HR = 1.62, 95% CI 1.35‐1.94, P < .001), adjusted II (HR = 1.37, 95% CI 1.13‐1.66, P = .001), and adjusted III (HR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.16‐1.68, P < .001) models before matching. Similarly, in the PSM cohort patients with TD had worse prognosis in the crude (HR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.07‐1.63, P = .011), adjusted I (HR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.09‐1.67, P = .005), adjusted II (HR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.00‐1.58, P = .049), and adjusted III (HR = 1.33, 95% CI 1.07‐1.65, P = .010) models. TD had a similar value range between N1 and N2 stages among different models.ConclusionsAmong GC patients, TD is associated with survival and may have a role in the staging of patients.
Preliminary results of targeted prostate‐specific membrane antigen imaging in evaluating the efficacy of a novel hormone agent in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Liu Chang , Zhu Yao , Su Hengchuan , Xu Xiaoping , Zhang Yingjian , Song Shaoli , Wang Beihe , Ye Dingwei , Hu Silong 
Published: March 2020

AbstractTo investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) imaging to make response assessment regarding novel hormone treatment and to predict the outcomes for metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients. This retrospective study enrolled 68 mCRPC patients who had daily received a novel hormone agent named abiraterone. Tc‐99m PSMA single‐photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) was performed at the baseline (SPECT/CT1) and after 3‐6 months of treatment (SPECT/CT2). The treatment response was determined by visual analysis based on molecular imaging PSMA (miPSMA) scores framework and was compared with conventional biochemical analysis. We chose either the hottest lesion (target A) or five of the hottest lesions (target B) to calculate the tumor/background ratio (TBR) and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and compared their performances in predicting progression‐free survival (PFS). Changes in PSMA expression between SPECT/CT1 and SPECT/CT2 were well associated with the results of the visual analysis. The TBR and the SUVmax of both targets were significantly associated with the baseline serum PSA level (P < .0001). The biochemical and radiological responses were concordant in 56 of the 68 patients (P < .001). The median PFS of the nonresponse group patients was significantly shorter than that of the patients in the response group (6.8 vs 12.1 months, P = .012). For predicting PFS, most of the indexes tested were significant on SPECT/CT2, with %ΔTBR being the most significant prognostic factor. Our preliminary results suggest that molecular imaging‐targeted PSMA is of great value for treatment response assessment and clinical outcome prediction in mCRPC patients with long‐term abiraterone treatment.
ASCT2 overexpression is associated with poor survival of OSCC patients and ASCT2 knockdown inhibited growth of glutamine‐addicted OSCC cells
Authors: Luo Yijun , Li Wei , Ling Zihang , Hu Qinchao , Fan Zhen , Cheng Bin , Tao Xiaoan 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBackgroundAlanine‐serine‐cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2), a major glutamine transporter, is essential for cell growth and tumor development in a variety of cancers. However, the clinicopathological significance and pathological role of ASCT2 in OSCC (oral squamous cell carcinoma) lesions remain unclear.MethodsSections from 89 OSCC patients and 10 paracancerous tissue controls were stained by immunohistochemistry (IHC) to detect the expression of ASCT2, glutaminase, and Ki‐67. Survival analysis was carried out to determine the predictive value of ASCT2 expression using the log‐rank test. Moreover, the critical role of ASCT2 in tumor growth was determined by a series of in vitro and in vivo assays. Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK8), Western Blotting (WB), Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), and Glutathione (GSH) detection were applied to explore the molecular mechanism of ASCT2 involvement in tumor development.ResultsIn OSCC lesions, ASCT2 expression was significantly increased and associated with cell proliferation index (Ki‐67) and GLS expression. Moreover, survival analysis showed that OSCC patients with high ASCT2 expression had lower overall survival (P = 0.0365). In OSCC cell lines, the high level of ASCT2 was inherent and related to the glutamine addiction of tumor cells. In vitro and in vivo functional experiments revealed that targeted silencing of ASCT2 can effectively inhibit OSCC cell proliferation and tumor growth. Mechanistically, targeting ASCT2 knockdown reduced glutamine uptake and intracellular GSH levels, which contribute to the accumulation of ROS and induce apoptosis in OSCC cells.ConclusionASCT2 is a significant factor for predicting overall survival in patients with OSCC, and targeting ASCT2 to inhibit glutamine metabolism may be a promising strategy for OSCC treatment.
Impact of insulin treated and non‐insulin‐treated diabetes compared to patients without diabetes on 1‐year outcomes following contemporary PCI
Authors: Chandrasekhar Jaya , Dangas George , Baber Usman , Sartori Samantha , Qadeer Abdul , Aquino Melissa , Vogel Birgit , Faggioni Michela , Vijay Pooja , Claessen Bimmer E. , Goel Ridhima , Moreno Pedro , Krishnan Prakash , Kovacic Jason C. , Kini Annapoorna , Mehran Roxana , Sharma Samin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractObjectiveWe compared 1‐year outcomes in insulin‐treated diabetes mellitus (ITDM) and non‐ITDM patients compared to nondiabetic (DM) patients following contemporary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).BackgroundITDM is associated with extensive atherosclerotic disease and worse cardiovascular prognosis compared to non‐ITDM patients.MethodsWe evaluated PCI patients at a large tertiary center from 2010 to 2016, grouped according to diabetes and treatment status at baseline. One‐year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were defined as a composite of death, myocardial infarction (MI), or target vessel revascularization. Outcomes were adjusted using multivariable Cox regression methods.ResultsDuring the study period, 16,889 patients underwent PCI including 13.7% ITDM, 34.0% non‐ITDM, and 52.3% non‐DM patients. Patients with DM were younger, including more females and non‐white patients, with higher body mass index and greater prevalence of prior revascularization and chronic kidney disease. Compared to others, ITDM patients more often presented with acute coronary syndrome, in‐stent restenosis, or severe lesion calcification. There were no differences in discharge rates of dual antiplatelet therapy and statins, whereas beta‐blockers were more commonly prescribed in DM patients. At 1‐year, both ITDM and non‐ITDM patients had greater risk of MACE compared with non‐DM patients, and ITDM conferred greater adjusted risk than non‐ITDM (ITDM = HR: 2.11, 95% CI [1.79,2.50]; non‐ITDM = HR: 1.27, 95%CI [1.09,1.47]).ConclusionsThe negative prognostic effect of DM following contemporary PCI is heightened in the presence of insulin treatment, compared to non‐DM patients. Focus on secondary prevention, prescription of and adherence to optimal medical therapy is necessary for post‐PCI risk reduction.
Sigmoid volvulus after CABG surgery
Authors: Pooria Ali , Azadbakht Morteza , Khoshdani‐farahani Parham , Pourya Afsoun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe report a case of a geriatric patient who underwent CABG and developed sigmoid volvulus (SV) with recurrence. SV is a rarely reported complication of CABG. Timely diagnosis, management, and follow‐up are strictly advised, particularly in geriatric patients. Immediate surgical measures are required to prevent volvulus‐associated ischemia.
Contact Behavior of Microcrystalline Cellulose Pellets Depending on their Water Content
Authors: Grohn Philipp , Weis Dominik , Thommes Markus , Heinrich Stefan , Antonyuk Sergiy 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMicrocrystalline cellulose pellets for oral drug delivery are often produced by a combined wet extrusion‐spheronization process. During the entire process, the cylindrical as well as the spherical pellets are exposed to various stresses resulting in a change of their shape and size due to plastic deformation and breakage. In this work, the effect of moisture content of pellets on their mechanical behavior is studied. In static compression tests, the strong influence of water content on deformation behavior of pellets is confirmed. Moreover, impact tests are performed using a setup consisting of three high‐speed cameras to record pellet‐wall collisions. Material properties, such as stiffness, restitution coefficient, breakage force, and displacement, were analyzed depending on the water content.
Recent Advances in Metal‐Organic Frameworks and Their Derived Materials for Electrocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Zhang Heng , Su Jianwei , Zhao Kunyu , Chen Liang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractHighly efficient electrocatalysts play important roles in electrochemical water splitting for hydrogen production, including the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous crystalline materials, exhibiting strong potential as precursors for obtaining outstanding electrocatalysts. MOF‐based electrocatalysts, including MOFs and MOF‐derived electrocatalysts, have become an increasingly important part of catalysts in the field of electrochemical water splitting, but their catalytic performance, especially their activity and stability, still have a lot of room for improvement. In this paper, the preparation strategy of MOF‐based electrocatalysts and improvement methods of catalytic properties were reviewed, including morphology‐controlled methods and composition‐controlled methods. We also focused on the structure–property relationships, which determine the electrocatalytic activity for water splitting reactions. Finally, the challenges and development prospects were discussed for the MOF‐based electrocatalysts, which might provide some insight for future applications in electrochemical water splitting.
Human Hair Keratin Direct Electrochemistry and In Situ Interaction with p‐Toluenediamine and p‐Aminophenol Hair Dye Precursors using a Keratin Electrochemical Biosensor
Authors: Souza João C. , Machini Wesley B. S. , Zanoni Maria Valnice B. , Oliveira‐Brett Ana Maria 
Published: March 2020

AbstractKeratin is the main protein in hair strands. The process of dyeing hair with permanent dyes is quite complex and involves oxidative reactions between precursors, such as p‐toluenediamine (PTD) and p‐aminophenol (PAP), and coupler agents, in alkaline and oxidative medium, inside the hair. The electrochemical behaviour of native and denatured human hair keratin, assessed by using a keratin multilayer film adsorbed on glassy carbon electrode, and its interaction with hair dye precursors, PTD and PAP, by using electrochemical techniques, was investigated. Native and denatured keratin electrochemical oxidation showed two oxidation peaks; the first was first attributed to the cysteine amino acid residues, and the second to the cysteine and methionine amino acids residues. The PTD‐ and PAP‐keratin‐hair dye interactions induced damage, causing the unfolding of the keratin morphological structure, and new additional peaks of the cysteine and tyrosine amino acid residues were revealed.
Stable and Active Oxygen Reduction Catalysts with Reduced Noble Metal Loadings through Potential Triggered Support Passivation
Authors: Göhl Daniel , Rueß Holger , Schlicht Stefanie , Vogel Alexandra , Rohwerder Michael , Mayrhofer Karl J. J. , Bachmann Julien , Román‐Leshkov Yuriy , Schneider Jochen M. , Ledendecker Marc 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe development of stable, cost‐efficient and active materials is one of the main challenges in catalysis. The utilization of platinum in the electroreduction of oxygen is a salient example where the development of new material combinations has led to a drastic increase in specific activity compared to bare platinum. These material classes comprise nanostructured thin films, platinum alloys, shape‐controlled nanostructures and core–shell architectures. Excessive platinum substitution, however, leads to structural and catalytic instabilities. Herein, we introduce a catalyst concept that comprises the use of an atomically thin platinum film deposited on a potential‐triggered passivating support. The model catalyst exhibits an equal specific activity with higher atom utilization compared to bulk platinum. By using potential‐triggered passivation of titanium carbide, irregularities in the Pt film heal out via the formation of insoluble oxide species at the solid/liquid interface. The adaptation of the described catalyst design to the nanoscale and to high‐surface‐area structures highlight the potential for stable, passivating catalyst systems for various electrocatalytic reactions such as the oxygen reduction reaction.
Chemical Route to Twisted Graphene, Graphene Oxide and Boron Nitride
Authors: Saraswat Aditi , Pramoda K. , Debnath Koyendrila , Servottam Swaraj , Waghmare Umesh V. , Rao C. N. R. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe recently discovered twisted graphene has attracted considerable interest. A simple chemical route was found to prepare twisted graphene by covalently linking layers of exfoliated graphene containing surface carboxyl groups with an amine‐containing linker (trans‐1,4‐diaminocyclohexane). The twisted graphene shows the expected selected area electron diffraction pattern with sets of diffraction spots out with different angular spacings, unlike graphene, which shows a hexagonal pattern. Twisted multilayer graphene oxide could be prepared by the above procedure. Twisted boron nitride, prepared by cross‐linking layers of boron nitride (BN) containing surface amino groups with oxalic acid linker, exhibited a diffraction pattern comparable to that of twisted graphene. First‐principles DFT calculations threw light on the structures and the nature of interactions associated with twisted graphene/BN obtained by covalent linking of layers.
Chemical Functionalisation of 2D Materials by Batch and Continuous Hydrothermal Flow Synthesis
Authors: Alli Uthman , Hettiarachchi Sunil J. , Kellici Suela 
Published: March 2020

Abstract2D materials are single or few layered materials consisting of one or several elements with a thickness of a few nanometres. Their unique, tuneable physical and chemical properties including ease of chemical functionalisation makes this class of materials useful in a variety of technological applications. The feasibility of 2D materials strongly depends on better synthetic approaches to improve properties, increase performance, durability and reduce costs. As such, in the synthesis of nanomaterials, hydrothermal processes are widely adopted through a precursor–product synthesis route. This method includes batch or continuous flow systems, both employing water at elevated temperatures (above boiling point) and pressures to fine‐tune the physical, chemical, optical and electronic properties of the nanomaterial. Both techniques yield particles with different morphology, size and surface area due to different mechanisms of particle formation. In this Minireview, we present batch and continuous hydrothermal flow synthesis of a selection of 2D derivatives (graphene, MXene and molybdenum disulfide), their chemical functionalisation as an advantageous approach in exploring properties of these materials as well as the benefits and challenges of employing these processes, and an outlook for further research.