bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shc inhibitor idebenone ameliorates liver injury and fibrosis in dietary NASH in mice
Authors: Jiang Joy X. , Tomilov Alexey , Montgomery Claire , Hui Chun Kui , Török Natalie J. , Cortopassi Gino 
Published: August 2021

AbstractShc expression rises in human nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) livers, and Shc‐deficient mice are protected from NASH—thus Shc inhibition could be a novel therapeutic strategy for NASH. Idebenone was recently identified as the first small‐molecule Shc inhibitor drug. We tested idebenone in the fibrotic methionine‐choline deficient (MCD) diet and the metabolic fast food diet (FFD) mouse models of NASH. In the fibrotic MCD NASH model, idebenone reduced Shc expression and phosphorylation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and Shc expression in the liver; decreased serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase; and attenuated liver fibrosis as observed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and hydroxyproline quantification. In the metabolic FFD model, idebenone administration improved insulin resistance, and reduced inflammation and fibrosis shown with qPCR, hydroxyproline measurement, and histology. Thus, idebenone ameliorates NASH in two mouse models. As an approved drug with a benign safety profile, Idebenone could be a reasonable human NASH therapy.
Leukemia associated RUNX1T1 gene reduced proliferation and invasiveness of glioblastoma cells
Authors: Kumar Parveen , Verma Vivek , Mohania Dheeraj , Gupta Surbhi , Babbar Avneet K. , Rathi Bhawna , Dhanda Rakesh S. , Yadav Manisha 
Published: August 2021

AbstractRUNX1T1 has been found to be mutated in different cancers such as prostate, lung, colon, and breast cancer. A recent computational study involving the TCGA database of glioma patients found RUNX1T1 as one of the downregulated driver genes associated with poor overall survival of glioma patients. Hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) is upregulated in glioma and has been associated with the severity and drug resistance of glioma. Previously, we have shown that RUNX1T3 degrades HIF1α affecting the proliferation of leukemia cells. We hypothesize that RUNX1T1 might be associated with the growth and development of glioma through the regulation of HIF1α. We have evaluated the expression level of RUNX1T1 at different stages of glioma and the effect of RUNX1T1 on the proliferation and invasiveness of glioblastoma cells in vitro. We further looked at the effect of RUNX1T1 on the expression and stability of HIF1α in vitro. Expression of RUNX1T1 was significantly downregulated, both at RNA and protein levels in glioma samples as studied by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. While expression of HIF1α was higher in glioma tissues compared with its level in the normal brain. In vitro studies demonstrated that RUNX1T1 interacted with HIF1α and recruited HIF1α modification factor such as PHD2 and GSK3β causing hydroxylation of HIF1α following ubiquitination by FBW7. RUNX1T1 led to the degradation of HIF1α and decreased proliferation/invasiveness of glioblastoma cell lines. Further, RUNX1T1 increased the effectiveness of temozolomide (TMZ), a conventional glioma drug toward glioblastoma cell lines. This study indicates that downregulation of RUNX1T1 might play an important role in the severity and development of glioma.
Impact of hydrofluoric acid treatment on the composition, electrical conductivity, and structure of carbonized metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Zhang Zhao‐Quan , Tsai Chang‐Chih , Li Bing‐Han , Lin Chia‐Her , Lee Szetsen 
Published: August 2021

AbstractMetal–organic frameworks (MOFs) containing V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zr were pyrolyzed under nitrogen flow. The products of carbonized MOFs (CMOFs) contain metal oxides and carbonaceous residues, which were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), electrical conductivity (EC), and Raman spectroscopy. To remove the metallic components in CMOFs, hydrofluoric acid (HF) treatment was performed. PXRD analysis showed that only Mn, Co, Ni, and Zr, but not V, Cr, Fe, and Cu, could be completely removed from CMOFs after HF treatment. In fact, PXRD analysis also revealed that during the formation of CMOFs, not only metal oxides, but also metal carbides were formed. The change of the EC of CMOFs after HF treatment was found to be mainly contributed from the metal components, whereas the carbon (graphitic) components played minor roles. The effect of HF treatment on the structure of CMOF was not significant as verified by the Raman analysis of the intensity ratio between D band and G band.
CTR9‐mediated JAK2/STAT3 pathway promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human glioma cells
Authors: Xu Yang , Chen Jiaguo , He Gao , Zhang Yuhai 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundCTR9 (Cln three requiring 9) has been reported to be implicated in protein modification and oncogenesis of several human cancers. However, the protein expression and mechanism of CTR9 in glioma progression remain unclear.MethodsWe analyzed mRNA expression of CTR9 and CTR9‐related survival curves in the public database. Then, we detected CTR9 expression in glioma tissues and constructed U251 and U87 cells with stable silencing or overexpression of CTR9. Cell function tests and Western blot were conducted to explore the effects of CTR9 on glioma proliferation, invasion and migration, and the specific mechanism. All the date was presented as means ± SEM. Two‐sample t test and one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to identify whether there was a significant difference between each group of data.ResultsWe found that CTR9 was overexpressed in glioma and inversely associated with glioma patient survival. The results manifested that knockdown of CTR9 suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells, while overexpression facilitated them. The underlying molecular mechanism may involve the regulation of JAK2/STAT3 pathway by CTR9.ConclusionOur present study indicates that CTR9 is highly expressed in glioma and related to glioma grading and prognosis. CTR9 regulates malignant behaviors of glioma cells by activating JAK2/STAT3 pathway. Therefore, CTR9 may be a promising biomarker for the targeted therapy and prognosis evaluation of glioma.
The effect of A1298c polymorphism of the MTHFR gene on anti‐Müllerian hormone levels: experimental and Web‐based analysis
Authors: Shahrokhi Seyedeh Zahra , Kazerouni Faranak , Ghaffari Firouzeh , Hadizadeh Morteza , Zolfaghary Zahra 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe 5,10‐methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is an important enzyme of folate and methionine metabolism, which is expressed in human oocytes and preimplantation. Due to the involvement of MTHFR in female reproduction, we tend to evaluate the influence of MTHFR A1298C polymorphism on ovarian marker reserves such as serum anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in women after in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).MethodsA total of 100 women, who underwent ART treatment due to male factor infertility, were recruited into this study. MTHFR A1298C polymorphism was detected by polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) technique, and serum AMH concentrations were measured by an ultrasensitive enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsWomen with the CC genotype had higher AMH levels (4.15 ± 1.67 ng/ml), albeit not significant, than carriers with other genotypes after ovarian stimulation. No significant differences existed in terms of miscarriage and live birth rates among different genotype groups.ConclusionThe presence of the C mutant allele of the 1298 polymorphism in the MTHFR gene led to an increasing trend in serum AMH concentrations; however, the numbers of oocytes retrieved decreased in women with mutated genotypes. The influence of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism on embryo quality and pregnancy rate after ART cycles remains unclear.
Automatic cell counting for phase‐contrast microscopic images based on a combination of Otsu and watershed segmentation method
Authors: Lin Yuefei , Diao Yong , Du Yongzhao , Zhang Jianguang , Li Ling , Liu Peizhong 
Published: August 2021

AbstractCell counting plays a vital role in biomedical researches. However, manual cell counting is time‐consuming, laborious, and low efficiency and has a high counting error rate problem. An automatic counting approach for Hela cells of phase‐contrast microscopic images is proposed based on the combination of Otsu and watershed segmentation methods to solve the mentioned issues. Firstly, image preprocessing is performed. Secondly, the Otsu method was used to obtain an automatic global optimal threshold for segmentation to achieve batch counting of images. Thirdly, the marker watershed was performed to separate adherent cells and to avoid over‐segmentation simultaneously. Finally, cells in phase‐contrast microscopic images were counted by detecting the numbers of connected domains in the binary image. Taking the manual counting result as the counting standard and MIS, INC, and ACC are used as evaluation indicators. The experimental results showed that the average values of MIS, INC, and ACC of the proposed method are only 3.31%, 3.49%, and 96.69%, respectively. Additionally, each cell image was counted only takes 0.65 s on averagely. To further test the performance of the proposed method, a comparative experiment was carried out by Image J, and the result shows that the proposed method has a better counting performance with a higher average accuracy of 96.55% to Image J with 93.39%.The proposed method for cell counting is simple, feasible, fast and high accurate, and it can be used as an effective method for cell counting of the phase‐contrast microscopic images.
Modulating response of sunflower (Hellianthus annuus) to induced salinity stress through application of engineered urea functionalized hydroxyapatite nanoparticles
Authors: Ullah Rehman , Sher Safia , Muhammad Zahir , Afriq Jan Saiqa , Nafees Muhammad 
Published: August 2021

AbstractAgro‐nanotechnology aims to improve the quality and quantity of plants and plant products while preserving environmental health. Contemporary anecdotal studies that provide representation of the use of nanostructures as fertilizers, pesticides, and plant growth regulators have highlighted the need to determine the effect of such modified nanofertilizers on transforming plant yield under abiotic stress. Present study was performed to modulate the physiological response of Hellianthus annuus through the application of Urea capped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (Urea‐HANPs) in stressed environment. Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were synthesized via co‐precipitation method, functionalized with urea and characterized through a series of contemporary techniques of transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. We observed that Urea‐HANPs significantly (p < .05) ameliorated resistivity in plant to osmotic stress by enhancing agronomic and physiobiochemical attributes. Elevated chlorophyll contents were reported from tested leaves treated with Urea‐HANPs in T6 (0.05 M NaCl + 10 μg/ml Urea‐HANP) under induced salinity stress. Data revealed significant decrease in osmolytes at T3 (0.1 M NaCl), and T4 (0.2 M NaCl) which was significantly ameliorated in T9 (0.1 M NaCl + 10 μg/ml Urea‐HANPs) and T12 (0.2 M NaCl + 10 μg/ml Urea‐HANPs). The antioxidant system was boosted up by the application of Urea‐HANPs preventing the plant from oxidative stress by scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS). It has been concluded that alleviation in impact of osmotic stress on plant through the use of Urea‐HANPs was coupled with elevation in photosynthetic performance, stimulation of osmolytes and boosting antioxidant system of plants.
Raman needle arthroscopy for in vivo molecular assessment of cartilage
Authors: Kroupa Kimberly R. , Wu Man I , Zhang Juncheng , Jensen Magnus , Wong Wei , Engiles Julie B. , Schaer Thomas P. , Grinstaff Mark W. , Snyder Brian D. , Bergholt Mads S. , Albro Michael B. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe development of treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) is burdened by the lack of standardized biomarkers of cartilage health that can be applied in clinical trials. We present a novel arthroscopic Raman probe that can “optically biopsy” cartilage and quantify key extracellular matrix (ECM) biomarkers for determining cartilage composition, structure, and material properties in health and disease. Technological and analytical innovations to optimize Raman analysis include (1) multivariate decomposition of cartilage Raman spectra into ECM‐constituent‐specific biomarkers (glycosaminoglycan [GAG], collagen [COL], water [H2O] scores), and (2) multiplexed polarized Raman spectroscopy to quantify superficial zone (SZ) COL anisotropy via a partial least squares–discriminant analysis‐derived Raman collagen alignment factor (RCAF). Raman measurements were performed on a series of ex vivo cartilage models: (1) chemically GAG‐depleted bovine cartilage explants (n = 40), (2) mechanically abraded bovine cartilage explants (n = 30), (3) aging human cartilage explants (n = 14), and (4) anatomical‐site‐varied ovine osteochondral explants (n = 6). Derived Raman GAG score biomarkers predicted 95%, 66%, and 96% of the variation in GAG content of GAG‐depleted bovine explants, human explants, and ovine explants, respectively (p < 0.001). RCAF values were significantly different for explants with abrasion‐induced SZ COL loss (p < 0.001). The multivariate linear regression of Raman‐derived ECM biomarkers (GAG and H2O scores) predicted 94% of the variation in elastic modulus of ovine explants (p < 0.001). Finally, we demonstrated the first in vivo Raman arthroscopy assessment of an ovine femoral condyle through intraarticular entry into the synovial capsule. This study advances Raman arthroscopy toward a transformative low‐cost, minimally invasive diagnostic platform for objective monitoring of treatment outcomes from emerging OA therapies.
Preparation and insecticidal performance of sustained‐release cinnamon essential oil microemulsion
Authors: Shi Weiwei , Yan Ruixiang , Huang Liqiang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDTo improve the utilization rate of cinnamon essential oil and compensate for the shortcomings of its easy decomposition and oxidation, the microemulsion of cinnamon essential oil was prepared using Tween 80 and anhydrous ethanol as surfactant and cosurfactant, respectively. The effects of the surfactant type, Km value, preparation temperature and aqueous pH on the quality of the microemulsion were studied via a pseudo‐ternary phase diagram. The slow‐release performance of cinnamon essential oil microemulsion and the control performance of the insect repellent package on the rice weevil were characterized.RESULTSThe results showed that, when Tween 80 was used as a surfactant and anhydrous ethanol was used as a cosurfactant, the Km value was 3:1, preparation temperature was 40 °C, aqueous pH was 5 and prepared cinnamon essential oil microemulsion was of the O/W type. The microemulsion had strong stability and a 81.5‐nm concentrated particle size distribution, and possessed excellent embedding and sustained‐release effects. The prepared insect repellent active package prolongs the use time and the effect of cinnamon essential oil. The repellent rate of the rice weevil was as high as 100% after 48 h, and the contact mortality and fumigation mortality rates of the rice weevil also reached 96.67% and 86.67%, respectively, after 96 h.CONCLUSIONThe prepared cinnamon essential oil microemulsion and active packaging had a good sustained‐release effect. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Acetal‐Based Functional Epoxide Monomers: Polymerizations and Applications
Authors: Baek Jinsu , Kim Minseong , Park Youngsin , Kim Byeong‐Su 
Published: August 2021

AbstractProtecting group chemistry is essential for various organic transformation and polymerization processes. In particular, conventional anionic ring‐opening polymerization (AROP) often requires proper protecting group chemistry because it is typically incompatible with most functional groups due to the highly basic and nucleophilic conditions. In this context, many functional epoxide monomers with proper protecting groups are developed, including the acetal group as a representative example. Since the early introduction of ethoxyethyl glycidyl ether, there is significant development of acetal‐based monomers in the polyethers. These monomers are now utilized not only as protecting groups for hydroxyl groups under AROP conditions but also as pH‐responsive moieties for biomedical applications, further expanding their utility in the use of functionalized polyethers. Recent progress in this field is outlined from their synthesis, polymerization, and biomedical applications.
Synthesis and Self‐Assembly of Stimuli‐Responsive Amphiphilic Dendrimers
Authors: Myung Sayun , Kim Gwang Mo , Noh Hyeongju , Kim Ho‐Joong , Yang Si Kyung 
Published: August 2021

AbstractThe synthesis of stimuli‐responsive amphiphilic dendrimers consisting of two or three hydrophobic octadecyl groups linked to either a second or third generation hydrophilic polylysine dendron through disulfide linkage is reported. The polylysine dendrimers functionalized with four or eight tert‐butyloxycarbonyl (Boc)‐protected amino groups are characterized by 1H NMR spectroscopy and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry. With the positively charged versions generated by removing the Boc groups, their ability to form spherical micelles that can be readily disassembled in the presence of glutathione (GSH) is demonstrated. The self‐assembly behavior is monitored by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). The amphiphilic dendritic systems containing cleavable disulfide linkage serve as key building blocks for generating stimuli‐responsive supramolecular architectures.
Excitability of anterior horn cells after periodic or discrete repetitive movements
Authors: Kurobe Masataka , Matsubara Hiroyuki , Suzuki Toshiaki 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIntroduction/AimsIt has been well established that spasticity interferes with smooth joint movements. Although the degree of spasticity is related to the excitability of anterior horn cells and is thought to improve after repetitive movements, the effect of the rhythm of repetitive movements on the excitability of anterior horn cells remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the excitability of anterior horn cells after periodic and discrete repetitive movements using F waves.MethodsRight‐handed, healthy subjects were recruited for this study. Subjects then performed periodic or discrete repetitive thumb abduction movements for 10 seconds, measuring the F waves before, immediately after, and then 2 and 4 minutes after performing these movements. Specifically, the F waves were recorded from the abductor pollicis brevis muscle, after median nerve stimulation at the wrist. Next, the F/M amplitude ratio, which was used to evaluate the excitability of anterior horn cells, was compared before, immediately after, and 2 and 4 minutes after each task.ResultsA total of 12 subjects participated in this study. In the periodic task, the F/M amplitude ratio was found to be significantly decreased immediately after the task compared with before the task, but there was no significant difference between the other trials. Conversely, in the discrete task, there was no significant difference in the F/M amplitude ratio between trials.DiscussionPeriodic repetitive movements were found to temporarily reduce the excitability of anterior horn cells.
Location of urban micro‐consolidation centers to reduce the social cost of last‐mile deliveries of cargo: A heuristic approach
Authors: Arrieta‐Prieto Mario , Ismael Abdelrahman , Rivera‐Gonzalez Carlos , Mitchell John E. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractUrban deliveries of goods have become a rising challenge due to the increase of online shopping in addition to the traditional business‐to‐business (B2B) dynamics. To maintain a satisfactory level of service, carriers must conduct delivery operations under restrictive environments, creating undesirable externalities such as congestion and pollution. Urban micro‐consolidation centers (UMCs) are defined as on‐street or off‐street spaces where all the deliveries within a certain radius are dropped and reconsolidated to be delivered by more sustainable last‐leg modes. Their main purpose is to mitigate such negative externalities. This work formulates the last‐mile delivery problem assisted by UMCs as a mixed‐integer quadratically‐constrained program and develops a greedy heuristic solution, inspired by the decomposition algorithms for large‐scale optimization. The simulation results and a case study in Manhattan, New York show how the heuristic provides reasonable results with respect to the exact solution while also shedding light on how its solution can be utilized for freight‐efficient urban design and policy planning.
Five‐year follow‐up of a family‐based multidisciplinary program for children with obesity
Authors: Wild Cervantée E. K. , Wynter Lisa E. , Triggs Christopher M. , Derraik José G. B. , Hofman Paul L. , Anderson Yvonne C. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to determine 5‐year outcomes from a 12‐month, family‐based, multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention program for children.MethodsThis study was the 5‐year follow‐up of a randomized clinical trial comparing a low‐intensity control group (home‐based assessments) with a high‐intensity intervention group (assessments plus weekly sessions) in New Zealand. Participants were aged 5 to 16 years with BMI ≥ 98th centile or > 91st centile with weight‐related comorbidities. The primary outcome was BMI standard deviation score (BMISDS). Secondary outcomes included various health markers.ResultsOf the 199 children included in the study at baseline (47% who identified as Māori, 53% who identified as female, 28% in the most deprived quintile, mean age = 10.7 years, mean BMISDS = 3.12), 86 completed a 5‐year assessment (43%). BMISDS reduction at 12 months was not retained (control = 0.00 [95% CI: −0.22 to 0.21] and intervention = 0.17 [95% CI: −0.01 to 0.34];p= 0.221) but was greater in participants aged <10 years versus >10 years at baseline (−0.15 [95% CI: −0.33 to 0.03] vs. 0.21 [95% CI: 0.03 to 0.40];p= 0.008). BMISDS trajectory favored participants with high attendance (p= 0.013). There were persistent improvements in water intake and health‐related quality of life in both groups as well as reduced sweet drink intake in the intervention group.ConclusionsThis intervention, with high engagement from those most affected by obesity, did not achieve long‐term efficacy of the primary outcome. Attendance and age remain important considerations for future interventions to achieve long‐term BMISDS reduction.