bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High stromal nicotinamide N‐methyltransferase (NNMT) indicates poor prognosis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Song Mengmeng , Li Ye , Miao Mingyong , Zhang Fan , Yuan Hao , Cao Fuao , Chang Wenjun , Shi Hanping , Song Chunhua 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPurposeNicotinamide n‐methyltransferase (NNMT) has good biochemical activity and epigenetic regulation, and has been reported as a major metabolic regulator of cancer. The goal of this study was to investigate the significance of stromal NNMT expression in colorectal cancer (CRC).Patients and methodsStromal expression of NNMT in primary CRC, metastasis CRC, and their non‐cancerous tissues from 1088 CRC patients was examined by immunohistochemistry. The associations between stromal NNMT expression and survival outcomes in 967 patients with stage I‐III CRC were further evaluated with Kaplan‐Meier curve and Cox model analyses.ResultsNNMT expression was mainly sourced from stromal compartments and also elevated in CRC. Patients with high stromal NNMT (IHC‐score ≥ 106) have a worse survival than those patients with low stromal NNMT. In multiple Cox analyses, high expression of stromal NNMT remained as an independent risk factor in CRC for disease‐free survival with a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.415 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.015‐1.972) and disease‐specific survival with a HR of 5.004 (95% CI, 2.301‐10.883). In addition, high stromal NNMT expression in CRC also indicates the poor survival outcomes in patients with early stage CRC (stage I and II) and in patients who undergo chemotherapy.ConclusionNNMT is mainly located in CRC stromal compartment. High stromal NNMT expression predicts an unfavorable postoperative prognosis.
Coenzyme Q10 attenuates rat hepatocarcinogenesis via the reduction of CD59 expression and phospholipase D activity
Authors: Abdel‐Latif Mahmoud , Saidan Suzan , Morsy Basant M. 
Published: January 2020

The current study aimed to test the profile of serum lipids, phospholipase D (PLD) activity, and CD59 expression pattern in rat hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after therapeutic treatment with Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). Three rat groups were allocated as normal control, untreated HCC, and treated HCC (HCC + CoQ10). The levels of serum α‐fetoprotein (AFP) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α were assessed using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), while proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was detected using immunohistochemistry (IHC). Serum lipids, classical (CH50), and alternative (APH50) pathways of complement activation, the liver cell HMG‐CoA reductase (HMGCR), and PLD activities were assayed colorimetrically. The protein expression of CD59, scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SRB1), B cell lymphoma‐2 (Bcl2), and cleaved Caspase‐3 (Casp‐3) were detected using western blotting, while the level of serum CD59 (sCD59) was assessed using dot‐blot. CoQ10 reduced the cell proliferation, histological alterations, and the levels of AFP and TNF‐α but increased lipids, CH50, and sCD59 in serum. In the liver cell, CoQ10 decreased and increased PLD and HMGCR enzyme activities, respectively. In addition, reduction of liver CD59, Bcl2, and SRB1 vs increased cleaved Casp‐3 expressions was observed. Statistical correlation indicated an inverse relationship between CH50 and each of CD59 expression and PLD activity after treatment with CoQ10. In conclusion, CoQ10 could protect against rat HCC through increased lipids and the reduction of CD59 expression and PLD activity.Significance of the studyTo our knowledge, this study is the first to describe the attenuating effect of antitumour natural product like Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) via the reduction of CD59 expression and phospholipase D (PLD) activity. This illustrates the important role of CD59 and PLD in relation to lipids in cancer prevention.
Three cases of intra‐abdominal free air onset associated with COPD treated conservatively
Authors: Shuto Saki , Naka Megumi , Konishi Chisato , Maekawa Koichi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPneumoperitoneum is caused by respiratory disease in rare cases and can be treated conservatively. It is important to confirm physical abdominal examinations, laboratory data, and radiological findings to avoid unnecessary surgical procedures. The diagnosis of pneumoperitoneum associated with respiratory disease requires the exclusion of other fatal illnesses, especially gastrointestinal perforation.
Alkynes and Nitrogen Compounds: Useful Substrates for the Synthesis of Pyrazoles
Authors: Neto Jose S. S. , Zeni Gilson 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe easy preparation and functionalization of pyrazoles associated with their innumerable biological properties have made this class of N‐heterocycles very attractive for the development of new synthetic routes and applications. The cyclization reactions of alkynes and nitrogen compounds represent a powerful tool for the preparation of pyrazoles. This Review covers the recent advances in the preparation of pyrazoles by reacting alkynes and nitrogen compounds under transition‐metal‐catalyzed or metal‐free conditions.
Solution‐Processed p‐SnSe/n‐SnSe2 Hetero‐Structure Layers for Ultrasensitive NO2 Detection
Authors: Wang Xiaoshan , Liu Yao , Dai Jie , Chen Qian , Huang Xiao , Huang Wei 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe formation of semiconductor heterostructures is an effective approach to achieve high performance in electrical gas sensing. However, such heterostructures are usually prepared via multi‐step procedures. In this contribution, by taking advantage of the crystal phase‐dependent electronic property of SnSex based materials, we report a one‐step colloid method for the preparation of SnSe(x%)/SnSe2(100−x%) p–n heterostructures, with x ≈30, 50, and 70. The obtained materials with solution processability were successfully fabricated into NO2 sensors. Among them, the SnSe(50 %)/SnSe2(50 %) based sensor with an active layer thickness of 2 μm exhibited the highest sensitivity to NO2 (30 % at 0.1 ppm) with a limit of detection (LOD) down to 69 ppb at room temperature (25 °C). This was mainly attributed to the formation of p–n junctions that allowed for gas‐induced modification of the junction barriers. Under 405 nm laser illumination, the sensor performance was further enhanced, exhibiting a 3.5 times increased response toward 0.1 ppm NO2, along with a recovery time of 4.6 min.
Optimized electrocardiographic criteria for the detection of left ventricular hypertrophy in obesity patients
Authors: Snelder Sanne M. , van de Poll Sweder W.E. , de Groot – de Laat Lotte E. , Kardys Isabella , Zijlstra Felix , van Dalen Bas M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundDespite a generally high specificity, electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria for the detection of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) lack sensitivity, particularly in obesity patients.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of the most commonly used ECG criteria (Cornell voltage and Sokolow‐Lyon index), the recently introduced Peguero‐Lo Presti criteria and the correction of these criteria by body mass index (BMI) to detect LVH in obesity patients and to propose adjusted ECG criteria with optimal accuracy.MethodsThe accuracy of the ECG criteria for the detection of LVH was retrospectively tested in a cohort of obesity patients referred for a transthoracic echocardiogram based on clinical grounds (test cohort, n = 167). Adjusted ECG criteria with optimal sensitivity for the detection of LVH were developed. Subsequently, the value of these criteria was prospectively tested in an obese population without known cardiovascular disease (validation cohort, n = 100).ResultsEstablished ECG criteria had a poor sensitivity in obesity patients in both the test cohort and the validation cohort. The adjusted criteria showed improved sensitivity, with optimal values for males using the Cornell voltage corrected for BMI, (RaVL+SV3)*BMI ≥700 mm*kg/m2; sensitivity 47% test cohort, 40% validation cohort; for females, the Sokolow‐Lyon index corrected for BMI, (SV1 + RV5/RV6)*BMI ≥885 mm*kg/m2; sensitivity 26% test cohort, 23% validation cohort.ConclusionsEstablished ECG criteria for the detection of LVH lack sufficient sensitivity in obesity patients. We propose new criteria for the detection of LVH in obesity patients with improved sensitivity, approaching known sensitivity of the most commonly used ECG criteria in lean subjects.
Infrared‐Assisted Synthesis of Prebiotic Glycine
Authors: Scuderi Debora , Pérez‐Mellor Ariel , Lemaire Joël , Indrajith Suvasthika , Bardaud Jean‐Xavier , Largo Antonio , Jeanvoine Yannick , Spezia Riccardo 
Published: January 2020

AbstractA novel approach has been developed to synthesize complex organic molecules (COMs) relevant to prebiotic chemistry, using infrared (IR) radiation to trigger the reaction. An original laboratory reactor working at low gas density and using IR irradiation was developed. In this way, glycine, the simplest brick of life, has been synthesized by assisting ion–molecule reaction with IR laser light. The ion‐molecule complex constituted by acetic acid and hydroxylamine was formed in a mass spectrometer reactor and then irradiated with IR photons. As photoproducts, we obtained both glycine structures and some of its isomers. Anharmonic vibrational frequency calculations and fragmentation dynamics simulations allow for a better interpretation of the experimental data. This novel approach can be now extended to study other new synthetic pathways responsible for the formation of further COMs also with potential prebiotic relevance.
Wild Dictyostelium discoideum social amoebae show plastic responses to the presence of nonrelatives during multicellular development
Authors: Noh Suegene , Christopher Lauren , Strassmann Joan E. , Queller David C. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWhen multiple strains of microbes form social groups, such as the multicellular fruiting bodies of Dictyostelium discoideum, conflict can arise regarding cell fate. Both fixed and plastic differences among strains can contribute to cell fate, and plastic responses may be particularly important if social environments frequently change. We used RNA‐sequencing and photographic time series analysis to detect possible conflict‐induced plastic differences between wild D. discoideum aggregates formed by single strains compared with mixed pairs of strains (chimeras). We found one hundred and two differentially expressed genes that were enriched for biological processes including cytoskeleton organization and cyclic AMP response (up‐regulated in chimeras), and DNA replication and cell cycle (down‐regulated in chimeras). In addition, our data indicate that in reference to a time series of multicellular development in the laboratory strain AX4, chimeras may be slightly behind clonal aggregates in their development. Finally, phenotypic analysis supported slower splitting of aggregates and a nonsignificant trend for larger group sizes in chimeras. The transcriptomic comparison and phenotypic analyses support discoordination among aggregate group members due to social conflict. These results are consistent with previously observed factors that affect cell fate decision in D. discoideum and provide evidence for plasticity in cAMP signaling and phenotypic coordination during development in response to social conflict in D. discoideum and similar microbial social groups.
Estimating population density of insectivorous bats based on stationary acoustic detectors: A case study
Authors: Milchram Markus , Suarez‐Rubio Marcela , Schröder Annika , Bruckner Alexander 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Automated recording units are commonly used by consultants to assess environmental impacts and to monitor animal populations. Although estimating population density of bats using stationary acoustic detectors is key for evaluating environmental impacts, estimating densities from call activity data is only possible through recently developed numerical methods, as the recognition of calling individuals is impossible.

We tested the applicability of generalized random encounter models (gREMs) for determining population densities of three bat species (Common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Northern bat Eptesicus nilssonii, and Natterer's bat Myotis nattereri) based on passively collected acoustical data. To validate the results, we compared them to (a) density estimates from the literature and to (b) Royle–Nichols (RN) models of detection/nondetection data.

Our estimates for M. nattereri matched both the published data and RN‐model results. For E. nilssonii, the gREM yielded similar estimates to the RN‐models, but the published estimates were more than twice as high. This discrepancy might be because the high‐altitude flight of E. nilssonii is not accounted for in gREMs. Results of gREMs for P. pipistrellus were supported by published data but were ~10 times higher than those of RN‐models. RN‐models use detection/nondetection data, and this loss of information probably affected population estimates of very active species like P. pipistrellus.

gREM models provided realistic estimates of bat population densities based on automatically recorded call activity data. However, the average flight altitude of species should be accounted for in future analyses. We suggest including flight altitude in the calculation of the detection range to assess the detection sphere more accurately and to obtain more precise density estimates.
A hydrate blockage detection apparatus for gas pipeline using ultrasonic focused transducer and its application on a flow loop
Authors: Li Xingbo , Liu Yu , Liu Zheyuan , Chu Jiawei , Song Yongchen , Yu Tao , Zhao Jiafei 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis paper introduces a novel apparatus and the analyzing method for hydrate blockage detection in natural gas pipeline using the ultrasonic focused testing technique. The apparatus mainly consists of three parts: an ultrasonic focused transducer, a supporting guide track and a positioning ruler for the transducer. It can be installed by fixing the guide track onto the pipe outer wall, and the distance of the transducer to the pipe wall can be adjusted with the positioning ruler. The reflection signals of hydrate surfaces can be then received and recorded by an oscilloscope. The hydrate thickness thus can be calculated by multiplying the ultrasonic velocity with the time difference between two reflections. A calibrating test using this apparatus certified that it can provide an accurate measurement of both the pipe wall thickness and the hydrate blockage thickness from outside of the pipe. A maximum hydrate thickness of 50 mm can be measured due to the high penetrability of the ultrasonic. The feasibility of applying this apparatus to the metal pipeline was verified with a carbon steel cylinder with ice attached on the inner wall. A 360° blockage profile around the cylinder was obtained with a step angle of 5°. The accuracy of measured thickness and cross‐sectional area of the blockage can reach 96% and 91%, respectively. Finally, an application test was conducted on a full visible flow loop of 35 mm inner diameter and 49 m length. The test results showed that the hydrate blockage contour measurement can be achieved with this apparatus despite the gas and water flow in the loop. This hydrate blockage detection apparatus can be applied to gas‐dominated pipelines in which hydrate mainly forms on the wall. Early warning of hydrate blockage can be further studied based on the measurement results using this apparatus.
Novel dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV and angiotensin‐I‐converting enzyme inhibitory peptides released from quinoa protein by in silico proteolysis
Authors: Guo Huimin , Richel Aurore , Hao Yuqiong , Fan Xin , Everaert Nadia , Yang Xiushi , Ren Guixing 
Published: January 2020

AbstractQuinoa protein has been paid more and more attention because of its nutritional properties and beneficial effects. With the development of bioinformatics, bioactive peptide database and computer‐assisted simulation provide an efficient and time‐saving method for the theoretical estimation of potential bioactivities of protein. Therefore, the potential of quinoa protein sequences for releasing bioactive peptides was evaluated using the BIOPEP database, which revealed that quinoa protein, especially globulin, is a potential source of peptides with dipeptidyl peptidase‐IV (DPP‐IV) and angiotensin‐I‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities. Three plant proteases, namely papain, ficin, and stem bromelain, were employed for the in silico proteolysis of quinoa protein. Furthermore, four tripeptides (MAF, NMF, HPF, and MCG) were screened as novel promising bioactive peptides by PeptideRanker. The bioactivities of selected peptides were confirmed using chemical synthesis and in vitro assay. The present work suggests that quinoa protein can serve as a good source of bioactive peptides, and in silico approach can provide theoretical assistance for investigation and production of functional peptides.
Performance on the standard and hearing‐impaired Montreal Cognitive Assessment in cochlear implant users
Authors: Parada Jennifer C. , Hillyer Jake , Parbery‐Clark Alexandra 
Published: January 2020

ObjectivesCommonly used cognitive screening tools were not originally developed for patients with hearing loss (HL) and rely heavily on the ability to hear the instructions and test stimuli. Recently, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was modified for use with hearing‐impaired populations (ie, HI‐MoCA). In order to investigate the clinical utility of the HI‐MoCA, we assessed performance between the standard MoCA and HI‐MoCA among postlingually deafened cochlear implant (CI) users.MethodsWe administered the standard MoCA and HI‐MoCA to 21 CI users and compared their performance. We assessed differences in pass/fail status when items from the attention and language sections and the delayed recall task were removed.ResultsThere was no significant difference in performance between the standard MoCA and HI‐MoCA. Participants scored higher on both test versions when the delayed recall task was removed. Participants also performed better on the delayed recall task on the HI‐MoCA than on the standard MoCA.ConclusionsWhile our findings suggest that the modality of presentation for the MoCA does not influence overall performance for postlingually deafened CI users, visual presentation of stimuli impacted performance on delayed recall. Furthermore, irrespective of presentation modality, our participants scored higher on both MoCA versions when the delayed recall task was removed. Clinically, modifications to the presentation of the MoCA might not be necessary for CI users; however, clinicians should be aware that the delayed recall task is inherently harder for these patients.
Synoptic and meteorological conditions during extreme snow cover ablation events in the Great Lakes Basin
Authors: Suriano Zachary J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSnow cover ablation in the Great Lakes basin is a common and hydrologically important process during the cold season, contributing to a majority of the basin's runoff, and less frequent, extreme ablation events are highly impactful due to an increased flooding risk and warrant specific investigation. A brief climatology of extreme ablation events is presented, where extreme is considered within the top 5% of the distribution. Using synoptic classification techniques, individual weather patterns associated with extreme snow ablation in the Great Lakes basin are isolated. A single pattern deemed the most influential in generating extreme ablation events, southerly flow‐1, is examined in detail, and three case studies are presented to determine the meteorological conditions and surface energy fluxes responsible for ablation. Over 75% of extreme events are associated with southerly flow patterns that predominantly ablate snow with sensible heat fluxes, while rain‐on‐snow patterns induce the remaining extreme events from 1980–2009. Type southerly flow‐1 is responsible for 45% of the extreme events and is characterized by strong southerly advection of warm air into the basin, where sensible heat fluxes of 45–125 Wm−2 are responsible for the majority of energy transfer into the snowpack. When compared with an average ablation event, an extreme ablation event for southerly flow‐1 exhibits air temperatures, dew point temperatures, and wind speeds that are 3.8°C, 3.0°C, and 1.2 ms−1 warmer and faster than an average event, indicating a greater potential for larger ablation.
Sensitivity analysis and uncertainty assessment in water budgets simulated by the variable infiltration capacity model for Canadian subarctic watersheds
Authors: Lilhare Rajtantra , Pokorny Scott , Déry Stephen J. , Stadnyk Tricia A. , Koenig Kristina A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this study, we evaluate uncertainties propagated through different climate data sets in seasonal and annual hydrological simulations over 10 subarctic watersheds of northern Manitoba, Canada, using the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) model. Further, we perform a comprehensive sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of the VIC model using a robust and state‐of‐the‐art approach. The VIC model simulations utilize the recently developed variogram analysis of response surfaces (VARS) technique that requires in this application more than 6,000 model simulations for a 30‐year (1981–2010) study period. The method seeks parameter sensitivity, identifies influential parameters, and showcases streamflow sensitivity to parameter uncertainty at seasonal and annual timescales. Results suggest that the Ensemble VIC simulations match observed streamflow closest, whereas global reanalysis products yield high flows (0.5–3.0 mm day−1) against observations and an overestimation (10–60%) in seasonal and annual water balance terms. VIC parameters exhibit seasonal importance in VARS, and the choice of input data and performance metrics substantially affect sensitivity analysis. Uncertainty propagation due to input forcing selection in each water balance term (i.e., total runoff, soil moisture, and evapotranspiration) is examined separately to show both time and space dimensionality in available forcing data at seasonal and annual timescales. Reliable input forcing, the most influential model parameters, and the uncertainty envelope in streamflow prediction are presented for the VIC model. These results, along with some specific recommendations, are expected to assist the broader VIC modelling community and other users of VARS and land surface schemes, to enhance their modelling applications.
Organelle specific simultaneous Raman/green fluorescence protein microspectroscopy for living cell physicochemical studies
Authors: Wattanavichean Nungnit , Nishida Ikuhisa , Ando Masahiro , Kawamukai Makoto , Yamamoto Tatsuyuki , Hamaguchi Hiro‐o 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWe demonstrate a novel bio‐spectroscopic technique, “simultaneous Raman/GFP microspectroscopy”. It enables organelle specific Raman microspectroscopy of living cells. Fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, whose mitochondria are green fluorescence protein (GFP) labeled, is used as a test model system. Raman excitation laser and GFP excitation light irradiate the sample yeast cells simultaneously. GFP signal is monitored in the anti‐Stokes region where interference from Raman scattering is negligibly small. Of note, 13 568 Raman spectra measured from different points of 19 living yeast cells are categorized according to their GFP fluorescence intensities, with the use of a two‐component multivariate curve resolution with alternate least squares (MCR‐ALS) analysis in the anti‐Stokes region. This categorization allows us to know whether or not Raman spectra are taken from mitochondria. Raman spectra specific to mitochondria are obtained by an MCR‐ALS analysis in the Stokes region of 1389 strongly GFP positive spectra. Two mitochondria specific Raman spectra have been obtained. The first one is dominated by protein Raman bands and the second by lipid Raman bands, being consistent with the known molecular composition of mitochondria. In addition, the second spectrum shows a strong band of ergosterol at 1602 cm−1, previously reported as “Raman spectroscopic signature of life of yeast.”