bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anti–Citrullinated Protein Antibody Specificities, Rheumatoid Factor Isotypes, and Incident Cardiovascular Events in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Westerlind Helga , Rönnelid Johan , Hansson Monika , Alfredsson Lars , Mathsson‐Alm Linda , Serre Guy , Cornillet Martin , Holmdahl Rikard , Jakobsson Per‐Johan , Skriner Karl , Klareskog Lars , Saevarsdottir Saedis , Askling Johan 
Published: May 2020

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between anti–citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs), specific ACPA subspecificities, rheumatoid factor (RF) isotypes, and incident cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsSerum samples from Swedish patients with new‐onset RA (diagnosed within 1 year of symptom onset between 1996 and 2009) were centrally typed for anti–cyclic citrullinated peptide 2 (anti‐CCP2) antibodies, 20 ACPA subspecificities, and RF isotypes. Patients were followed up longitudinally in nationwide registers to monitor the occurrence of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), stroke, CV‐related death, and major adverse CV events (MACE). The association between each serologic marker and CV outcome, and the impact of adjustment for the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28), smoking status, and income at baseline, were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models. In addition, associations of serologic markers with all‐cause mortality were explored.ResultsIn total, 2,814 patients with RA were included in the study. The median follow‐up was 13 years, during which the CV end points of ACS, stroke, or CV‐related death were reported to occur in 375 patients. Occurrence and/or levels of anti‐CCP2 were associated with risk of incident ACS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.46, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.03–2.06), stroke (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.03–2.10), CV‐related death (P = 0.024 for association with anti‐CCP2 levels), and MACE (HR 1.34, 95% CI 1.06–1.70). Similarly, an association with the number of ACPA subspecificities was observed; however, this could not be attributed to any individual or group of ACPA subspecificities. Presence of IgM‐RF was associated with all CV end points except ACS, and IgA‐RF was exclusively associated with CV‐related death. Adjustment for smoking status, income, and DAS28 scores decreased most of the HRs, whereas IgA‐RF remained associated with CV‐related death (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.05–2.48). All of the assessed serologic makers were associated with all‐cause mortality.ConclusionRF isotypes and ACPAs are associated with future CV events in patients with RA. ACPA levels and number of subspecificities seem more important than the occurrence of particular subspecificities, and these associations were not explained by a history of ever smoking.
Cell Survival Failure in Effector T Cells From Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Following Insufficient Up‐Regulation of Cold‐Shock Y‐Box Binding Protein 1
Authors: Meltendorf Stefan , Fu Hang , Pierau Mandy , Lindquist Jonathan A. , Finzel Stephanie , Mertens Peter R. , Gieseler‐Halbach Steffi , Ambach Andreas , Thomas Ulrich , Lingel Holger , Voll Reinhard E. , Brunner‐Weinzierl Monika C. 
Published: May 2020

ObjectiveThe importance of cold‐shock Y‐box binding protein 1 (YB‐1) for cell homeostasis is well‐documented based on prior observations of its association with certain cancer entities. This study was undertaken to explore the role of YB‐1 in T cell homeostasis and survival and the potential contribution of YB‐1 to the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).MethodsIn the peripheral blood from 25 SLE patients and 25 healthy donors, the expression of YB‐1 and frequency of T cell apoptosis was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and fluorescence‐activated cell sorting of CD4+ T cells ex vivo and also analyzed in T cells in vitro after 6 days of stimulation with anti‐CD3–coupled or anti‐CD3/anti‐CD28–coupled microspheres. YB‐1 was overexpressed using lentiviral transduction with wild‐type green fluorescent protein (wtGFP) YB‐1, and knockdown of YB‐1 was achieved using specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) (3‐fold reduction; P < 0.0001).ResultsYB‐1 expression was significantly lower in apoptosis‐prone T cells and in activated T cells from SLE patients compared to YB‐1 expression in nonapoptotic T cells and activated T cells from healthy donors (P = 0.001). Knockdown of YB‐1 in T cells consequently led to expression of proapoptotic molecules and caspase 3 activation (1.6‐fold), and subsequently, to apoptosis. Furthermore, YB‐1 promoted survival pathways involving enhanced protein expression of the kinase Akt (2‐fold) and Bcl‐2 (3‐fold), even when Fas/CD95 was triggered. YB‐1–mediated T cell survival was reversed by Akt and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) inactivation. In SLE patients, rescue of YB‐1 expression strongly promoted survival of T cells and even prevented cell death in T cells that were extremely apoptosis‐prone.ConclusionOur data show that failure of YB‐1 up‐regulation in T cells from SLE patients led to enhanced apoptosis. These findings imply that YB‐1 plays a crucial role in the disturbed homeostasis of activated T cells leading to hematopoietic alterations in SLE. These insights may help facilitate the development of new treatment strategies for SLE.
A Solution‐based Method for Synthesizing Pyrite‐type Ferrous Metal Sulfide Microspheres with Efficient OER Activity
Authors: Xiang Wendi , Tian Qianqiu , Zhong Cheng , Deng Yida , Han Xiaopeng , Hu Wenbin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractSimple and stable synthesis of transition metal sulfides and clarification of their growth mechanisms are of great importance for developing catalysts, metal‐air batteries and other technologies. In this work, we developed a one‐step facile hydrothermal approach to successfully synthesize NiS2 microspheres. By changing the experimental parameters, the reason that affects the formation of nanostructured spheres is investigated and discussed in detail, and the formation mechanism of microspheres is proposed innovatively. Furthermore, electrochemical testing results show that the 7 h‐NiS2 catalyst exhibits a remarkable oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity with an overpotential of 311 mV at 10 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH, superior to precious metal RuO2. The NiS2 catalyst also exhibits a robust durability. This work will contributes to the rational design and the understanding of growth mechanism of transition metal chalcogenide electrocatalysts for diverse energy conversion technologies.
Metabolic engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum WM001 to improve l‐isoleucine production
Authors: Zhang Yanchao , Liu Yadi , Zhang Shuyan , Ma Wenjian , Wang Jianli , Yin Lianghong , Wang Xiaoyuan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this study, l‐isoleucine production in Corynebacterium glutamicum WM001 was improved by deleting three genes in the genome, replacing the native promoter of ilvA in the genome, and overexpression of five genes in an alr‐based auxotrophic complementation expression system. The three genes deleted in the genome are alaT, brnQ, and alr. Deletion of alaT improved l‐isoleucine production by increasing the supply of pyruvate, whereas deletion of brnQ improved l‐isoleucine production by blocking the uptake of extracellular l‐isoleucine. Exchange of the native promoter of ilvA with promoter tac or tacM could contribute to l‐isoleucine production by increasing 2‐ketobutyric acid; tac is better than tacM for improving l‐isoleucine yield. Different combinations of the genes ilvBN, ppnK, lrp, and brnFE were overexpressed in an alr‐based auxotrophic complementation expression system to further improve l‐isoleucine production, and the best yield after 72‐H flask fermentation was obtained from the strain WM005/pYCW‐1‐ilvBN2‐ppnK1. Without addition of any antibiotics, WM005/pYCW‐1‐ilvBN2‐ppnK1 could produce 32.1 g/L l‐isoleucine after 72‐H fed‐batch fermentation, which is 34.3% increase compared with the original strain WM001.
Development of novel strategies for higher fermentative biohydrogen recovery along with novel metabolites from organic wastes: The present state of the art
Authors: Rao Raman , Basak Nitai 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDepletion of fossil fuels and environmental concern has compelled us to search for alternative fuel. Hydrogen is considered as a dream fuel as it has high energy content (142 kJ g−1) and is not chemically bound to carbon. At present, fossil fuel–based methods for producing hydrogen require high‐energy input, which makes the processes expensive. The major processes for biohydrogen production are biophotolysis, microbial electrolysis, dark fermentation, and photofermentation. Fermentative hydrogen production has the additional advantages of potentially using various waste streams from different industries as feedstock. Novel strategies to enhance the productivity of fermentative hydrogen production include optimization in pretreatment methods, integrated fermentation systems (sequential and combined fermentation), use of nanoparticles as additives, metabolic engineering of microorganisms, improving the light utilization efficiency, developing more efficient photobioreactors, etc. More focus has been given to produce biohydrogen in a biorefinery approach in which, along with hydrogen gas, other metabolites (ethanol, butyric acid, 1,3‐propanediol, etc.) are also produced, which have direct/indirect industrial applications. In present review, various emerging technologies that highlight biohydrogen production methods as effective and sustainable methods on a large scale have been critically reviewed. The possible future developments are also outlined.
A Site‐Specific Integration Reporter System That Enables Rapid Evaluation of CRISPR/Cas9‐Mediated Genome Editing Strategies in CHO Cells
Authors: Hamaker Nathaniel K. , Lee Kelvin H. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractTargeted gene knockout and site‐specific integration (SSI) are powerful genome editing techniques to improve the development of industrially relevant Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines. However, past efforts to perform SSI in CHO cells are characterized by low efficiencies. Moreover, numerous strategies proposed to boost SSI efficiency in mammalian cell types have yet to be evaluated head to head or in combination to appreciably boost efficiencies in CHO. To enable systematic and rapid optimization of genome editing methods, the SSIGNAL (site‐specific integration and genome alteration) reporter system is developed. This tool can analyze CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats)/Cas9 (CRISPR‐associated protein 9)‐mediated disruption activity alone or in conjunction with SSI efficiency. The reporter system uses green and red dual‐fluorescence signals to indicate genotype states within four days following transfection, facilitating rapid data acquisition via standard flow cytometry instrumentation. In addition to describing the design and development of the system, two of its applications are demonstrated by first comparing transfection conditions to maximize CRISPR/Cas9 activity and subsequently assessing the efficiency of several promising SSI strategies. Due to its sensitivity and versatility, the SSIGNAL reporter system may serve as a tool to advance genome editing technology.
Hypoxic preconditioning enhances the differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells into mature oligodendrocytes via the mTOR/HIF‐1α/VEGF pathway in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Yuan Xiaoyu , Luo Qianqian , Shen Lihua , Chen Jin , Gan Deqiang , Sun Yechao , Ding Lingzhi , Wang Guohua 
Published: May 2020

AbstractObjectiveTraumatic brain injury (TBI) results not only in gray matter damage, but also in severe white matter injury (WMI). Previous findings support hypoxic preconditioning (HP) could augment the efficacy of bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) transplantation in a TBI mouse model. However, whether HP‐treated BMSCs (H‐BMSCs) could overcome remyelination failure after WMI is unclear, and the molecular mechanisms remain to be explored. Here, we focused on the therapeutic benefits of H‐BMSC transplantation for treating WMI, as well as its underlying mechanisms.MethodsIn vitro, BMSCs were incubated at passage 4 in the hypoxic preconditioning (1.0% oxygen) for 8 hr. In vivo, a TBI mouse model was established, and DMEM cell culture medium (control), normal cultured BMSCs (N‐BMSCs), or H‐BMSCs were transplanted to mice 24 hr afterward. Neurobehavioral function, histopathological changes, and oligodendrogenesis were assessed for up to 35 days post‐TBI.ResultsCompared with the control group, improvement of cognitive functions and smaller lesion volumes was observed in the two BMSC‐transplanted groups, especially the H‐BMSC group. H‐BMSC transplantation resulted in a greater number of neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2)–positive and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC)–positive cells than N‐BMSC transplantation in both the corpus callosum and the striatum. In addition, we observed that the expression levels of hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1a (HIF‐1α), phosphorylated mechanistic target of rapamycin (p‐mTOR), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were all increased in H‐BMSC–transplanted mice. Furthermore, the mTOR pathway inhibitor rapamycin attenuated the impact of HP both in vivo and in vitro.ConclusionThe results provided mechanistic evidences suggesting that HP‐treated BMSCs promoted remyelination partly by modulating the pro‐survival mTOR/HIF‐1α/VEGF signaling pathway.
Bioremediation of water contaminated with uranium using Penicillium piscarium
Authors: Coelho Ednei , Reis Tatiana Alves , Cotrim Marycel , Rizzutto Marcia , Corrêa Benedito 
Published: May 2020

AbstractPenicillium piscarium can be indicated as promising in the treatment of sites contaminated with uranium. Thus, this research aimed to analyze the P. piscarium dead biomass in uranium biosorption. This fungus was previously isolated from a highly contaminated uranium mine located in Brazil. Biosorption tests were carried out at pH 3.5 and 5.5 in solutions contaminated with concentrations of 1 to 100 mg/L of uranium nitrate. Our results showed that the dead biomass of P. piscarium was able to remove between 93.2 and 97.5% uranium from solutions at pH 3.5, at the end of the experiment, the pH of the solution increased to values above 5.6. Regarding the experiments carried out in solutions with pH 5.5, the dead biomass of the fungus was also able to remove between 38 and 92% uranium from the solution, at the end of the experiment, the pH of the solution increased to levels above 6.5. The analysis of electron microscopy, Energy‐dispersive spectroscopy, and X‐ray fluorescence demonstrated the high concentration of uranium precipitated on the surface of the fungal biomass. These results were impressive and demonstrate that the dead biomass of P. piscarium can be an important alternative to conventional processes for treating water contaminated with heavy metals, and we hope that these ecofriendly, inexpensive, and effective technologies be encouraged for the safe discharge of water from industrial activities.
MiR‐302b‐5p enhances the neuroprotective effect of IGF‐1 in methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine‐induced Parkinson's disease by regulating inducible nitric‐oxide synthase
Authors: Cui Xiaorui , Li Mingpeng , He Zhengchu , Hu Lin , Liu Jianping , Yan Jianhui , Hua Liming 
Published: May 2020

AbstractParkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease which results in damage in neuronal cells. Insulin‐like growth factor (IGF)‐1 was previously reported to play a role of neuroprotection in some diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) can also regulate neuronal cells. However, the mechanisms underlying IGF‐1 and NO in PD still need to be elucidated. In present study, we explored the interaction between IGF‐1 and inducible Nitric‐Oxide Synthase (iNOS) in PD progression. We firstly constructed PD models by methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) or MPP+ treatment. Then RT‐qPCR revealed that IGF‐1 expression was downregulated while iNOS expression was upregulated in MPTP model. Moreover, IGF‐1 elevation or iNOS depletion enhanced cell viability and blocked cell apoptosis. Rescue assay disclosed iNOS overexpression reversed the effect on viability and apoptosis mediated by IGF‐1 upregulation. Furthermore, IGF‐1 was identified to positively regulate miR‐302b‐5p which could target iNOS. MiR‐302b‐5p could abolish the inhibitory function IGF‐1 exerted on cell apoptosis and iNOS could counteract miR‐302b‐5p upregulation‐triggered inhibition on cell apoptosis as well. Besides, we observed the deficiency of miR‐302b‐5p improved the lesioned neurobehavior of MPTP‐treated mice. To sum up, present study proved that miR‐302b‐5p enhanced the neuroprotective effect of IGF‐1 in MPTP‐induced PD by regulating iNOS, recommending a novel therapeutic target for PD treatment.Significance of the studyIn this study, we mainly explored that IGF‐1 was decreased while iNOS was boosted in MPTP‐induced PD mice model; IGF‐1 suppressed while iNOS promoted MPP+‐induced toxicity and apoptosis in SH‐SY5Y cells; miR‐302b‐5p ehanhced the neuroprotective effect of IGF‐1 via targeting Inos; deficiency of miR‐302b‐5p improved the lesioned neurobehavior of MPTP‐treated mice.
Visible Light‐driven Dehydrogenation of Benzylamine under Liberation of H2
Authors: Klarner Mara , Hammon Sebastian , Feulner Sebastian , Kümmel Stephan , Kador Lothar , Kempe Rhett 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe visible light‐driven transformation of chemical compounds in combination with the liberation of H2 is highly attractive. Herein, we report on a photocatalyst that allows the acceptorless dehydrogenation of benzylamine. Upon light absorption, free charge carriers are generated and used for the concerted imine formation and liberation of H2. Our photocatalyst consists of CdS as a light harvesting semiconductor supported on colloidal metal‐organic framework crystallites. The decoration with co‐catalytic nickel nanoparticles promotes hydrogen evolution and, in addition, stabilizes the CdS component under irradiation.
Adhesive Ion‐Gel as Gate Insulator of Electrolyte‐Gated Transistors
Authors: Jeong Jaehoon , Singaraju Surya Abhishek , Aghassi‐Hagmann Jasmin , Hahn Horst , Breitung Ben 
Published: June 2020

AbstractInvited for this month's cover picture is the group of Prof. Dr. Horst Hahn from Institute of Nanotechnology (INT) at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT, Campus North). The cover picture shows adhesive ion gels developed for gate insulators of electrolyte‐gated transistors. Read the full text of the Communication at 10.1002/celc.202000305.
Hydrodynamics of a gas‐driven gas‐liquid‐solid spouted bed with a draft tube
Authors: Meng Jia , Pjontek Dominic , Hu Ziyue , Zhu Jesse 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA cylindrical gas‐liquid‐solid spouted bed, driven exclusively by gas flow, has been developed with a high potential for use in biochemical processes, such as a biological wastewater treatment. A plexiglass column with a 152 mm inner diameter was used in combination with a 53 mm inner diameter plexiglass draft tube. Three particle types were studied with densities ranging from 1044 kg/m3‐1485 kg/m3 and average particle sizes ranging from 0.7‐2.5 mm. Four flow regimes were observed when increasing the gas velocity, including fixed bed, semispouted bed, full spouted bed, and internal circulating fluidized bed. The transition gas velocities between those regimes were experimentally measured and termed as minimum spouting velocity, full spouting velocity, and minimum circulating velocity, respectively. A measurement of the downward particle flux in the annulus was used to identify the minimum spouting velocity, while the particle velocity and dense phase retraction in the annulus were monitored for the full spouting and minimum circulating velocities. All regime transition velocities increased with more dense particles and longer draft tubes. The minimum spouting velocity and full spouting velocity were not affected when varying the nozzle‐tube gap, while the minimum circulating velocity increased with longer nozzle‐tube gaps. Experiments without a draft tube were carried, though the spouting stability was significantly reduced without the draft tube.
Piperazine and methyldiethanolamine interrelationships in CO2 absorption by aqueous amine mixtures. Part II—Saturation rates of mixed reagent solutions
Authors: Costa Camilla , Di Felice Renzo , Moretti Paolo , Oliva Maddalena , Ramezani Rouzbeh 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis work is a companion to a previous article, Part I, published in The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, dealing with CO2 absorption in aqueous solutions containing a single aminic reagent (specifically methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) or piperazine (PZ)). In this second part, different PZ/MDEA mixtures are experimentally studied and their performances are compared with that of the single reagents. It is indeed well known that small quantities of PZ added to MDEA aqueous solutions are sufficient to obtain a significant improvement in the kinetics of the process. PZ is considered an activator or promoter for MDEA, but the mechanism of this synergy has still not been clearly demonstrated. The aim of this study is an attempt to understand how PZ and MDEA can interact by experimentally analyzing this beneficial mutual effect and by explaining it with the help of a suitable yet not complex model. We believe that the involved chemistry is not more complex than that reported in Part I for the single reagents. According to our findings, it is MDEA that enhances the action of PZ, as opposed to what many authors claim. Moreover, our results seem to rule out the existence of any PZ shuttle effect.
Two Detailed Plaque Assay Protocols for the Quantification of Infectious SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Mendoza Emelissa J. , Manguiat Kathy , Wood Heidi , Drebot Michael 
Published: May 2020

AbstractSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has been identified as the causal agent of COronaVIrus Disease‐19 (COVID‐19), an atypical pneumonia‐like syndrome that emerged in December 2019. While SARS‐CoV‐2 titers can be measured by detection of viral nucleic acid, this method is unable to quantitate infectious virions. Measurement of infectious SARS‐CoV‐2 can be achieved by tissue culture infectious dose−50 (TCID50), which detects the presence or absence of cytopathic effect in cells infected with serial dilutions of a virus specimen. However, this method only provides a qualitative infectious virus titer. Plaque assays are a quantitative method of measuring infectious SARS‐CoV‐2 by quantifying the plaques formed in cell culture upon infection with serial dilutions of a virus specimen. As such, plaque assays remain the gold standard in quantifying concentrations of replication‐competent lytic virions. Here, we describe two detailed plaque assay protocols to quantify infectious SARS‐CoV‐2 using different overlay and staining methods. Both methods have several advantages and disadvantages, which can be considered when choosing the procedure best suited for each laboratory. These assays can be used for several research purposes, including titration of virus stocks produced from infected cell supernatant and, with further optimization, quantification of SARS‐CoV‐2 in specimens collected from infected animals. © 2019 The Authors.Basic Protocol: SARS‐CoV‐2 plaque assay using a solid double overlay methodAlternate Protocol: SARS‐CoV‐2 plaque assay using a liquid overlay and fixation‐staining method