bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Amidated Scolopin‐2 inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of Hela cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Yan Weili , Lu Jia , Li Guiting , Wei Huiyuan , Ren Wen‐Hua 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the effect of Scolopin‐2, a cationic antimicrobial peptide from centipede venoms, and amidated Scolopin‐2 on Hela cell viability in vitro and in vivo. The cellular proliferation was investigated with the MTT assay. Confocal laser scanning, flow cytometry, and Western blot analysis were employed to localize Scolopin‐2‐NH2 in Hela cells and to study the caused cells apoptosis. We subcutaneously injected Hela cells into BALB/c nude mice and studied if Scolopin‐2‐NH2 suppressed tumor growth in the mice. Scolopin‐2‐NH2 inhibited Hela proliferation in vitro in a dose‐dependent manner with an IC50 of 35 μM. In addition, Scolopin‐2‐NH2 combined with mitochondria and regulated caspase‐related apoptosis pathways in Hela cells. Scolopin‐2‐NH2 significantly suppressed tumor growth in the tumor‐bearing mice without side effects, such as weight loss or abnormal changes in tissues, including liver, spleen, kidney, and lung. These results indicate Scolopin‐2‐NH2 may be a good therapeutic candidate for the treatment of Hela cervical cancer.
Application of a sensitive and specific LC‐ESI‐MS/MS method for the simultaneous quantification of twelve bioactive components in dog plasma for an intravenous pharmacokinetic study of Yiqifumai Injection in beagle dogs
Authors: Zhang Fugeng , Qiao Xiaoli , Lu Hui , Zhang Shaoqiang , Du Wuxun , Xiao Xuefeng 
Published: April 2018

AbstractYiqifumai Injection is a lyophilized powder preparation widely used to treat coronary heart disease. However, its in vivo bioactive components and pharmacokinetic behavior remain unknown. Therefore a sensitive and specific LC–MS/MS was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification of eight saponins and four lignans in beagle dog plasma. The plasma samples were pretreated by protein precipitation with methanol–acetonitrile (1:1, v/v). Chromatographic separation of all the 12 analytes and estazolam (internal standard, IS) was successfully accomplished on an Ultimate® XB‐C8 column (100 × 2.1 mm, 3 μm) with a gradient elution system. The total running time was 8 min with a flow rate of 0.40 mL/min. Acquisition of mass spectrometric data was performed via positive electrospray ionization in multiple reaction monitoring mode. The assay was fully validated in terms of selectivity, linear range, lower limit of quantitation, precision, accuracy, matrix effect, recovery and stability. This validated method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetics of 12 bioactive components after intravenous administration of Yiqifumai Injection to beagle dogs at a dose of 0.541 g/kg.
An Oxidative Bioconjugation Strategy Targeted to a Genetically Encoded 5‐Hydroxytryptophan
Authors: Sarathi Addy Partha , Italia James S. , Chatterjee Abhishek 
Published: April 2018

AbstractApproaches that enable the chemoselective, covalent modification of proteins in a site‐specific manner have emerged as a powerful technology for a wide range of applications. The electron‐rich unnatural amino acid 5‐hydroxytryptophan was recently genetically encoded in both Escherichia coli and eukaryotes, thereby allowing its site‐specific incorporation into virtually any recombinant protein. Herein, we report the chemoselective conjugation of various aromatic amines to full‐length proteins under mild, oxidative conditions that target this site‐specifically incorporated 5‐hydroxytryptophan residue.
Effect of the Crystallographic Phase of Ruthenium Nanosponges on Arene and Substituted‐Arene Hydrogenation Activity
Authors: Ghosh Sourav , Jagirdar Balaji R. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIdentifying crystal structure sensitivity of a catalyst for a particular reaction is an important issue in heterogeneous catalysis. In this context, the activity of different phases of ruthenium catalysts for benzene hydrogenation has not yet been investigated. The synthesis of hcp and fcc phases of ruthenium nanosponges by chemical reduction method has been described. Reduction of ruthenium chloride using ammonia borane (AB) and tert‐butylamine borane (TBAB) as reducing agents gave ruthenium nanosponge in its hcp phase. On the other hand, reduction using sodium borohydride (SB) afforded ruthenium nanosponge in its fcc phase. The as prepared hcp ruthenium nanosponge was found to be catalytically more active compared to the as prepared fcc ruthenium nanosponge for hydrogenation of benzene. The hcp ruthenium nanosponge was found to be thermally stable and recyclable over several cycles. This self‐supported hcp ruthenium nanosponge shows excellent catalytic activity towards hydrogenation of various substituted benzenes. Moreover, the ruthenium nanosponge catalyst was found to bring about selective hydrogenation of aromatic cores of phenols and aryl ethers to the respective alicyclic products without hydrogenolysis of the C−O bond.
Remarkable Carbon Dioxide Hydrogenation to Ethanol on a Palladium/Iron Oxide Single‐Atom Catalyst
Authors: Caparrós Francisco J. , Soler Lluís , Rossell Marta D. , Angurell Inmaculada , Piccolo Laurent , Rossell Oriol , Llorca Jordi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe hydrogenation of CO2 into value‐added chemicals is one of the most investigated methods to reduce CO2 emissions in the atmosphere and thereby contributes to a sustainable chemical industry. Whereas the catalytic hydrogenation of CO2 into methanol and synthetic hydrocarbons is well established, the effective and selective transformation of CO2 into higher alcohols is still challenging. Here, we show that Pd single atoms anchored on the surface of Fe3O4 are very active for the hydrogenation of CO2 to ethanol at 300 °C, even at atmospheric pressure. By comparing various Pd/MOx catalysts, we conclude that the metal–oxide interface has a strong influence on catalytic behavior.
Risk of oral tongue cancer among immunocompromised transplant recipients and human immunodeficiency virus‐infected individuals in the United States
Authors: Tota Joseph E. , Engels Eric A. , Madeleine Margaret M. , Clarke Christina A. , Lynch Charles F. , Ortiz Ana P. , Hernandez Brenda Y. , Chaturvedi Anil K. 
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUNDOral tongue cancer incidence has increased among whites in the United States; however, the cause remains unknown. If an infectious agent is implicated, then elevated risk would be expected among immunosuppressed individuals.METHODSBy using population‐based registry linkage information from the US Transplant Cancer Match and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) Cancer Match studies, the authors examined the risk of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) among immunocompromised transplantation recipients and HIV‐infected individuals. In addition, the risks of oropharyngeal SCC (strongly related to human papillomavirus infection; modestly affected by immunosuppression), other tobacco/alcohol‐related oral cavity SCCs (not thought to be infection/immunosuppression‐related), and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma of oral cavity/pharynx (strongly related to Epstein‐Barr virus; profoundly affected by immunosuppression) were evaluated.RESULTSCompared with the general population, the risk of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma was strongly increased (standardized incidence ratio [SIR] > 8.0). The risk of all SCCs was modestly and similarly elevated among transplantation recipients (SIR range, 2.2‐2.7; Pheterogeneity = .2); whereas, among HIV‐infected individuals, the risk of oral tongue SCC was higher compared with the risk of other SCCs (SIR, 3.0 vs 1.7 [for oropharyngeal SCCs] and 2.3 [for other oral cavity SCCs]; Pheterogeneity < .001). The risk of SCCs was significantly higher among men, older individuals, and whites; and risk increased with the time since transplantation/AIDS onset. The risk of oral tongue SCC was significantly higher among HIV‐infected men who have sex with men compared with the average risk in HIV‐infected individuals (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 2.0).CONCLUSIONSSimilar modest increases in the risk of oral tongue and other oral cavity SCCs do not suggest that an infectious agent or exposure profoundly affected by immunosuppression underlies the increase in oral tongue cancer. Cancer 2018;124:2515‐22. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Polypharmacy and patterns of prescription medication use among cancer survivors
Authors: Murphy Caitlin C. , Fullington Hannah M. , Alvarez Carlos A. , Betts Andrea C. , Lee Simon J. Craddock , Haggstrom David A. , Halm Ethan A. 
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUNDThe population of cancer survivors is rapidly growing in the United States. Long‐term and late effects of cancer, combined with the ongoing management of other chronic conditions, make survivors particularly vulnerable to polypharmacy and its adverse effects. In the current study, the authors examined patterns of prescription medication use and polypharmacy in a population‐based sample of cancer survivors.METHODSUsing data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), the authors matched cancer survivors (5216 survivors) with noncancer controls (19,588 controls) by age, sex, and survey year. Polypharmacy was defined as ≥5 unique medications. The authors estimated the percentage of respondents prescribed medications within therapeutic classes and total prescription expenditures.RESULTSA higher percentage of cancer survivors were prescribed ≥5 unique medications (64.0%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 62.3%‐65.8%) compared with noncancer controls (51.5%; 95% CI, 50.4%‐52.6%), including drugs with abuse potential. Across all therapeutic classes, a higher percentage of newly (≤1 year since diagnosis) and previously (>1 years since diagnosis) diagnosed survivors were prescribed medications compared with controls, with large differences observed with regard to central nervous system agents (65.8% [95% CI, 62.3%‐69.3%] vs 57.4% [95% CI, 55.3%‐59.5%] vs 46.0% [95% CI, 45.0%‐46.9%]). Specifically, nearly 10% of survivors were prescribed benzodiazepines and/or opioids compared with approximately 5% of controls. Survivors had more than double the prescription expenditures (median of $1633 vs $784 among controls). Findings persisted across age and comorbidity categories.CONCLUSIONSCancer survivors were prescribed a higher number of unique medications, including drugs with abuse potential, thereby increasing their risk of adverse drug events, financial toxicity, poor adherence, and drug‐drug interactions. Cancer 2018;124:2850‐2857. © 2018 American Cancer Society
Sunlight‐Driven Hydrogen Production Using an Annular Flow Photoreactor and g‐C3N4‐Based Catalysts
Authors: Muñoz‐Batista Mario J. , Rodríguez‐Padrón Daily , Puente‐Santiago Alain R. , Kubacka Anna , Luque Rafael , Fernández‐García Marcos 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSimple modifications of g‐C3N4 (CN) have been studied to maximize hydrogen production under sunlight irradiation conditions. The relatively low surface area CN obtained was subjected to an exfoliation process which 1) increases available catalytic area and 2) modulates the semiconductor charge photohandling. MnOx and metallic Pt, which can act as co‐catalysts, were subsequently added on the surface of exfoliated or bulk counterparts, producing an active material suitable for sunlight applications. The resulting catalysts were fully characterized using a multi‐technique approach. The combination of results indicates that optical properties are strongly defined by the delaminated process whereas the minority phases do not cause physico‐chemical variation of the CN structure. Materials without Pt did not show activity under the investigated reaction conditions. In addition, the collaborative effect of the minority phases on the exfoliated CN was confirmed through a strict quantum efficiency calculation. Stability of the most active sample was similarly examined.
Transparent Composites Made from Tunicate Cellulose Membranes and Environmentally Friendly Polyester
Authors: Zhao Yadong , Moser Carl , Henriksson Gunnar 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA series of optically transparent composites were made by using tunicate cellulose membranes, in which the naturally organized cellulose microfibrillar network structure of tunicate tunics was preserved and used as the template and a solution of glycerol and citric acid at different molar ratios was used as the matrix. Polymerization through ester bond formation occurred at elevated temperatures without any catalyst, and water was released as the only byproduct. The obtained composites had a uniform and dense structure. Thus, the produced glycerol citrate polyester improved the transparency of the tunicate cellulose membrane while the cellulose membrane provided rigidity and strength to the prepared composite. The interaction between cellulose and polyester afforded the composites high thermal stability. Additionally, the composites were optically transparent and their shape, strength, and flexibility were adjustable by varying the formulation and reaction conditions. These composites of cellulose, glycerol, and citric acid are renewable and biocompatible and have many potential applications as structural materials in packaging, flexible displays, and solar cells.
Microbial metabolites, short‐chain fatty acids, restrain tissue bacterial load, chronic inflammation, and associated cancer in the colon of mice
Authors: Kim Myunghoo , Friesen Leon , Park Jeongho , Kim Hyungjin M. , Kim Chang H. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe intestinal immune system is regulated by microbes and their metabolites. The roles of gut microbial metabolites in regulating intestinal inflammation and tumorigenesis are incompletely understood. We systematically studied the roles of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and their receptors (GPR43 or GPR41) in regulating tissue bacterial load, acute versus chronic inflammatory responses, and intestinal cancer development. SCFA receptor‐, particularly GPR43‐, deficient mice were defective in mounting appropriate acute immune responses to promote barrier immunity, and developed uncontrolled chronic inflammatory responses following epithelial damage. Further, intestinal carcinogenesis was increased in GPR43‐deficient mice. Dietary fiber and SCFA administration suppressed intestinal inflammation and cancer in both GPR43‐dependent and independent manners. The beneficial effect of GPR43 was not mediated by altered microbiota but by host tissue cells and hematopoietic cells to a lesser degree. We found that inability to suppress commensal bacterial invasion into the colonic tissue is associated with the increased chronic Th17‐driven inflammation and carcinogenesis in the intestine of GPR43‐deficient mice. In sum, our results reveal the beneficial function of the SCFA‐GPR43 axis in suppressing bacterial invasion and associated chronic inflammation and carcinogenesis in the colon.
Oil Absorption of Potato Slices Pre‐Dried by Three Kinds of Methods
Authors: Jia Bo , Fan Daming , Yu Lin , Li Jinwei , Duan Zhenhua , Fan Liuping 
Published: April 2018

During frying process, pre‐drying affects oil content of samples, but whether and how pre‐drying affects oil absorption remains unclear. In this study, the effect of pre‐drying, including hot air (HD), vacuum microwave (VMD), and infrared (IRD), on the water and oil state breaking force of fried potato slices is investigated. The results show that pre‐drying of HD, VMD, and IRD can effectively hinder the oil absorption of fried potato slices and have no negative effects on its breaking force. Compared to the control, the total oil content (TOs) of potato slices with initial water content of 50 g 100 g−1 (wb) pre‐dried by HD or VMD or IRD reduces by 47.29%, 46.46%, and 39.20%, respectively. Penetrated surface oil (PSO) is the main factor which attributed to TOs reduction of fried potato slices after pre‐drying. Compared to the control, PSO of potato slices pre‐dried by HD, MVD, and IRD decreases by 61.53%, 58.62%, and 55.38%, respectively. Low field nuclear magnetic resonance shows that pre‐drying can significantly shorten the transverse relaxation time (T2) and decrease the proportion of the water from the vacuole (M23) of potato slices (p < 0.05). Confocal laser scanning microscopy and stereomicroscope images show that oil content and distribution of fried potato slices are different due to the changes of initial water state produced by pre‐drying.Practical Applications: Low‐oil foods could be helpful to decrease the incidence of obesity, high blood pressure, and coronary disease. Making sure how the pre‐drying affects the oil absorption behavior and quality is important to process the low‐oil potato slices that still retain the desirable characteristics. The research on the effects of pre‐drying on oil absorption could contribute to the exploration of oil reduction mechanism and help to process the low‐oil and high quality product.The effect of pre‐drying on the water evaporation and oil absorption, and breaking force of fried potato slices, are investigated, and results show that pre‐drying reduced the oil content and PSOs is the main factor. However, it has no negative effects on its breaking force. The pre‐drying changed moisture states and water distribution meanwhile, affect the oil fraction and distribution.
Thiazole orange as an everyday replacement for ethidium bromide and costly DNA dyes for electrophoresis
Authors: O'Neil Casey S. , Beach Jacie L. , Gruber Todd D. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDNA gel electrophoresis is a standard tool of biochemistry and molecular biology laboratories. The common dye ethidium bromide suffers from toxicity concerns and requires the use of damaging ultraviolet light. We observe that exposing plasmid DNA to a UV transilluminator for only 1 s results in detectable loss of colonies following transformation, suggesting rapid accumulation of DNA damage. SYBR Safe, a commercial product, is marketed as a safe alternative to ethidium bromide and has excellent sensitivity with nondamaging blue light, but suffers from prohibitively high costs. We show that thiazole orange, the parent compound of SYBR Safe, is an excellent, simple, and inexpensive alternative to these dyes. It is excitable with safe blue light or UV light, with DNA detection limits in agarose gels similar to ethidium bromide and SYBR Safe (1–2 ng/lane). Thiazole orange safely allows the use of nondamaging blue light at the same cost as ethidium bromide.
Computer simulation of the enantioselective separation of weak bases in an online capillary electrophoresis based microanalysis configuration comprising sulfated cyclodextrin as selector
Authors: Mikkonen Saara , Thormann Wolfgang 
Published: April 2018

AbstractComputer simulation was utilized to characterize the electrophoretic processes occurring after reactant mixing in an online assay format used for monitoring the enantioselective N‐demethylation of ketamine to norketamine in the presence of highly sulfated γ‐cyclodextrin (HS‐γ‐CD). The incubated reaction mixture (at pH 7.4 and without chiral selector) is bracketed by a low pH BGE containing 2% HS‐γ‐CD as chiral selector, thereby forming a discontinuous buffer system. Upon power application, simulation provides insight into the formation of moving boundaries and new zones together with the prediction of the behavior of ketamine and norketamine enantiomers. The analytes first migrate cationically in a zone electrophoretic manner until they come in contact with HS‐γ‐CD upon which enantioseparation is initiated. Complexation has a focusing effect and the electrophoretic transport becomes reversed, that is, toward the anode. Simulation revealed that the initial conditions for the chiral separation, including buffer components concentrations, pH, and ionic strength, are different than those in the BGE. As a consequence thereof, the experimentally determined complexation parameters for the BGE were unable to correctly describe the migration behavior of the analytes in this column section. An increase in the input binding constants by a factor of two to four, as a result of the decreased ionic strength, resulted in simulation data that agreed with experimental findings.
Automated Scoring of Nonnative Speech Using the SpeechRaterSMv. 5.0 Engine
Authors: Chen Lei , Zechner Klaus , Yoon Su‐Youn , Evanini Keelan , Wang Xinhao , Loukina Anastassia , Tao Jidong , Davis Lawrence , Lee Chong Min , Ma Min , Mundkowsky Robert , Lu Chi , Leong Chee Wee , Gyawali Binod 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis research report provides an overview of the R&D efforts at Educational Testing Service related to its capability for automated scoring of nonnative spontaneous speech with theSpeechRaterSMautomated scoring service since its initial version was deployed in 2006. While most aspects of this R&D work have been published in various venues in recent years, no comprehensive account of the current state of SpeechRater has been provided since the initial publications following its first operational use in 2006. After a brief review of recent related work by other institutions, we summarize the main features and feature classes that have been developed and introduced into SpeechRater in the past 10 years, including features measuring aspects of pronunciation, prosody, vocabulary, grammar, content, and discourse. Furthermore, new types of filtering models for flagging nonscorable spoken responses are described, as is our new hybrid way of building linear regression scoring models with improved feature selection. Finally, empirical results for SpeechRater 5.0 (operationally deployed in 2016) are provided.
Dissolved organic matter variations in coastal plain wetland watersheds: The integrated role of hydrological connectivity, land use, and seasonality
Authors: Hosen Jacob D. , Armstrong Alec W. , Palmer Margaret A. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDissolved organic matter (DOM) is integral to fluvial biogeochemical functions, and wetlands are broadly recognized as substantial sources of aromatic DOM to fluvial networks. Yet how land use change alters biogeochemical connectivity of upland wetlands to streams remains unclear. We studied depressional geographically isolated wetlands on the Delmarva Peninsula (USA) that are seasonally connected to downstream perennial waters via temporary channels. Composition and quantity of DOM from 4 forested, 4 agricultural, and 4 restored wetlands were assessed. Twenty perennial streams with watersheds containing wetlands were also sampled for DOM during times when surface connections were present versus absent. Perennial watersheds had varying amounts of forested wetland (0.4–82%) and agricultural (1–89%) cover. DOM was analysed with ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration, and bioassays. Forested wetlands exported more DOM that was more aromatic‐rich compared with agricultural and restored wetlands. DOM from the latter two could not be distinguished suggesting limited recovery of restored wetlands; DOM from both was more protein‐like than forested wetland DOM. Perennial streams with the highest wetland watershed cover had the highest DOC levels during all seasons; however, in fall and winter when temporary streams connect forested wetlands to perennial channels, perennial DOC concentrations peaked, and composition was linked to forested wetlands. In summer, when temporary stream connections were dry, perennial DOC concentrations were the lowest and protein‐like DOM levels the highest. Overall, DOC levels in perennial streams were linked to total wetland land cover, but the timing of peak fluxes of DOM was driven by wetland connectivity to perennial streams. Bioassays showed that DOM linked to wetlands was less available for microbial use than protein‐like DOM linked to agricultural land use. Together, this evidence indicates that geographically isolated wetlands have a significant impact on downstream water quality and ecosystem function mediated by temporary stream surface connections.