bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LncRNA ANCR is positively correlated with transforming growth factor‐β1 in patients with osteoarthritis
Authors: Li Qingsong , Zhang Zhenxiang , Guo Shuguang , Tang Genlin , Lu Wei , Qi Xin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTransforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) signaling plays pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, while TGF‐β signaling in certain diseases models is regulated by the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) antidifferentiation noncoding RNA (ANCR). Therefore, ANCR may also participate in osteoarthritis. In this study, the expression of ANCR and TGF‐β1 in the plasma of osteoarthritis patients and healthy controls was detected by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The diagnostic value of ANCR for osteoarthritis was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The correlation between the plasma levels of ANCR and TGF‐β1 was analyzed by the Pearson correlation coefficient. The ANCR expression vector was transfected into cells of the human chondrocyte cell line CHON‐001 (ATCC CRL‐2846), and the effect on TGF‐β1 expression and cell proliferation was detected by Western blot and cell counting kit‐8 assay, respectively. We observed that the plasma levels of ANCR were significantly lower, while the plasma levels of TGF‐β1 were significantly higher in osteoarthritis patients than those in healthy controls. Downregulation of ANCR effectively distinguished osteoarthritis patients from healthy controls. ANCR and TGF‐β1 expression was negatively correlated in osteoarthritis patients but not in healthy controls. ANCR overexpression promoted the proliferation of chondrocytes and inhibited TGF‐β1 expression. We concluded that ANCR might participate in osteoarthritis by downregulating TGF‐β1 and promote the proliferation of chondrocytes.
Sweroside‐mediated mTORC1 hyperactivation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promotes osteogenic differentiation
Authors: Ding Yan , Jiang Huaji , Meng Biying , Zhu Biao , Yu Xiao , Xiang Guangda 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis paper aims to probe into the effect of sweroside (SOS) in osteoporosis (OP) and explains mechanisms of its molecular. Applying the ovariectomized (OVX) mouse model investigates the preventive effect of SOS against postmenopausal OP after 3 months of SOS treatment (120 mg/kg/day). Using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and micro computed tomography (CT) observed the morphology of OP in each group. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) was used to examine osteoblast markers. Experiments in vitro, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from C57/BL6 mice were treated with SOS for 14 days. The staining of alizarin red and alkaline phosphatase activity were measured, and the presentation of osteoblast markers was detected by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. BMSCs were also treated with 1 μg/mL SOS with or without rapamycin, the expression of protein S6 (PS6), P‐mTOR, runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), OSX, and osteocalcin (OCN) was detected by Western blotting. Experiments in vivo, HE results show that SOS can alleviate OP, CT results show that there are lower trabecular thickness, bone mineral density, and trabecular number in control OVX mice than those in the OVX + SOS group. IHC results showed that SOS can promote the expression of osteogenic markers and immunofluorescent results show that SOS can promote mTORC1 signal activation. Experiments in vitro revealed that SOS stimulated the activation of the mTORC1 signaling pathway and upregulated RUNX2, OSX, and OCN, rapamycin can reverse it. Our findings demonstrated that differentiated BMSCs into osteoblasts can be promoted by SOS via upregulating the expression of P‐mTOR, PS6, RUNX2, OSX, and OCN. SOS effectively prevented OP by hyperactivation of the mTORC1/PS6 signaling pathway.
C1q/tumor necrosis factor‐related protein‐3 improves renal fibrosis via inhibiting notch signaling pathways
Authors: Chen Xinpan , Wu Yiru , Diao Zongli , Han Xue , Li Dishan , Ruan Xiongzhong , Liu Wenhu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractC1q/tumor necrosis factor‐related protein‐3 (CTRP3) has been extensively reported as an important role involved in antifibrosis, antiapoptosis, and anti‐inflammation. However, the role of CTRP3 involved in renal fibrosis remains unclear. Our current study explored the role of CTRP3 in renal fibrosis and its underlying mechanisms by using serums and renal biopsy specimens from renal fibrosis patients and control subjects, rats models with the surgery of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) and human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (HRPTEpiCs). We found that circulating levels of CTRP3 had no significant difference between renal fibrosis patients and healthy subjects; however, renal CTRP3 expression was markedly downregulated in the fibrotic region with an abundant expression of collagen‐I. In UUO rat models, circulating levels of CTRP3 have not changed with the prolonged obstruction of the kidney; renal CTRP3 expression was decreased with the severity of renal fibrosis; adenovirus‐mediated CTRP3 treatment inhibited renal interstitial fibrosis. In vitro experiments revealed that CTRP3 attenuates TGF‐β1 induced tubular epithelial cells fibrotic changes; CTRP3 knockdown facilitates the expression of fibrotic markers in TGF‐β1‐induced HRPTEpiCs; recombinant CTRP3 or adenovirus‐mediated CTRP3 overexpression significantly inhibited the Notch signaling pathway‐associated factors, and knockdown of CTRP3 increased TGF‐β1‐mediated activation of the Notch signaling pathways. Collectively, our current study found that CTRP3 could improve renal fibrosis, to some extent, through inhibiting the Notch pathway.
Effects of CXCL4/CXCR3 on the lipopolysaccharide‐induced injury in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Wang Xiaolin , Zhao Zhenzhen , Zhu Kaimin , Bao Rui , Meng Yan , Bian Jinjun , Wan Xiaojian , Yang Tao 
Published: May 2019

AbstractChemokines and inflammatory response of endothelial cells is crucial in the development and progression of inflammatory disease. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a well‐known factor to trigger inflammatory response and induce damage of endothelial cells. The present study used lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs) to investigate the function of chemokine CXC chemokine ligand 4 (CXCL4) and its receptor CXC chemokine receptor 3 (CXCR3) in inflammatory‐induced endothelial injury. LPS exposure (50, 100, 200 ng/ml) to HUVECs induced a dose‐ and time‐dependent increase in CXCL4 and CXCR3 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. The LPS‐induced endothelium hyperpermeability was inhibited by the addition of CXCL4 neutralizing antibody. Moreover, the addition of CXCL4 neutralizing antibody abolished the effects of LPS on tight junction (TJ) protein expression (occludin claudin‐4 and Zonula occluden‐1[ZO‐1]) and p38 phosphorylation, which is supported by the observation of increased TJ protein expression and decreased p38 phosphorylation in LPS‐treated HUVECs. SB203580, a p38 inhibitor, protected HUVECs from CXCL4‐stimulated damage. In conclusion, CXCL4/CXCR3, which was enhanced by LPS, may be involved in endothelial proliferation, apoptosis, and permeability via the p38 signaling pathway.
Appetite and food intake results from phase I studies of anamorelin
Authors: Blum Robert A. , Mair Stuart , Duus Elizabeth M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundLoss of appetite and body weight are potentially devastating, highly prevalent cancer complications. The ghrelin receptor is a mediator of appetite and metabolism, and anamorelin is a novel, orally administered ghrelin receptor agonist. Effects on appetite and food intake may influence body‐weight gain but can be difficult to measure in multi‐site studies. Here, we summarize two single‐centre trials.MethodsBoth trials were phase I, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, partly/wholly crossover studies of healthy young adults. Study 102 tested single anamorelin doses of 1–20 mg. Assessments included post‐dose self‐ratings on 100 mm visual analogue scales for hunger, anticipated eating pleasure, and anticipated quantity of food consumption. Study 101 tested single 10, 25, and 50 mg doses. Assessments included the same scales plus caloric intake beginning 4 h post‐dose.ResultsStudy 102 treated 16 male subjects (mean age, 26.3 years). Mean hunger scores generally increased after all treatments, with significant differences from placebo (P < 0.05) in the 5 mg anamorelin group at 0.5 and 1 h post‐dose (+8.2 and +13.2 mm). Results for other scales were similar. Study 101 treated nine male subjects (mean age, 26.3 years). Pooled findings for anamorelin 25 and 50 mg vs. placebo showed significant mean increases in hunger scores at all but 1 pre‐prandial time point, including the first assessment, 0.5 h post‐dose (+10.9 vs. +0.7 mm, P = 0.0077), and the last assessment, 4 h post‐dose (+32.7 vs. +7.0 mm, P = 0.0170), with a significant mean 18.4% increase vs. placebo in caloric intake (P = 0.0148).ConclusionsIn single‐centre studies of healthy adults, single anamorelin doses of 1–20 mg elicited modest increases in hunger, and single doses of 25 and 50 mg achieved significant increases in hunger and caloric intake. The findings are consistent with dose‐related weight gain reported in a prior phase I study as well as multi‐centre findings in cachectic cancer patients and expand the evidence supporting anamorelin as a potential intervention.
Microwave pyrolysis of sludge for potential use as land application and biofuel
Authors: Lin Kuo‐Hsiung , Zeng Jun‐Yan , Chiang Hung‐Lung 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDA microwave pyrolysis was conducted to treat two sludge cakes for the production of liquid oil and sludge residues. The application of pyrolysis technology, the safety of land disposal of pyrolysis residue, and the quality of the derived biofuel were evaluated.RESULTSResults indicated that the total pore volume increased with increases in the mesopore size range in the case of both sludge residues after increasing the pyrolysis temperature. Low carbon, hydrogen, and sulfur content and high nitrogen content were observed in the oil derived from the chemical industry sludge. As a result, the pyrolysis liquid chemical sludge oils had heat values of 9600 to 9700 kcal kg−1 at 673–1073 K, which was slightly lower than the 9800–10 000 kcal kg−1 found for the petrochemical sludge.CONCLUSIONAfter pyrolysis, the amount of 16 polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the residue and oil were significantly reduced in both the chemical sludge and petrochemical sludge at 673–1073 K. The high pyrolysis liquid oil heat values for both types of sludge indicated their potential for use as a biofuel to produce energy. The 16 PAH content in the pyrolysis residues was higher than the European standard of 6 mg kg−1, and they were thus not acceptable for soil and agricultural applications. However, as reported in the literature, using a pyrolysis temperature above 1073 K may further reduce the PAH content of the pyrolysis residue to meet regulatory standards. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Soluble recombinant pyruvate oxidase production in Escherichia coli can be enhanced and inclusion bodies minimized by avoiding pH stress
Authors: Zhang Jianguo , Lu Junwen , Su Erzheng 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDRecombinant pyruvate oxidase (pod) is in high demand owing to its broad application in biochemical analysis and low yield from wild microbial strains. Recombinant Escherichia coli harboring pET28a‐pod is an efficient producer of pod, facilitating its production in high yield. Optimizing cultivation using shake flasks is necessary for high‐level soluble pod production.RESULTSDuring recombinant E. coli cultivation, 96.9% of pod activity was lost, and 3.1% of residual pod activity remained in a 25 mL working volume in 250 mL flasks owing to accumulation of pod in insoluble inclusion bodies. pH stress was the factor responsible for this phenomenon based on investigating dissolved oxygen and carbon source addition. Residual pod activity was increased to 43.3, 88.0 and 61.5% by maintaining the pH at 5.0, 6.0 and 7.0 respectively during the induction phase, which decreased inclusion body formation and increased production of soluble pod. Glycerol addition increased the cell density and volumetric pod activity to 21 243.3 U L−1 at pH 6.0 after 64 h induction.CONCLUSIONSoluble pod is converted to inclusion bodies under pH stress conditions, and this can be avoided by pH maintenance. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Consortium of plant growth‐promoting bacteria improves spinach (Spinacea oleracea L.) growth under heavy metal stress conditions
Authors: Shilev Stefan , Babrikova Ivelina , Babrikov Todor 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDHeavy metal contamination results in oxidative stress to plants and leads to decreased plant growth and development. Affected plants cannot be efficiently used in phytoremediation studies and their potential may be significantly reduced. In many cases, bioaugmentation with plant growth‐promoting bacteria is used as a strategy to alleviate this stress condition.RESULTSIsolates were found to possess 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate (ACC) deaminase, to produce indole‐3‐acetic acid (IAA) siderophores and to solubilize phosphates, while identification revealed that the isolates belonged to the genera Pseudomonas and Bacillus. Out of the 17 isolates, ten were found to possess ACC deaminase activity, producing 1–3.2 μmol mg−1 h−1 of α‐ketobutyrate and siderophores of catechol and hydroxamate type. A higher quantity of IAA was observed in the case of isolate SGPI 41 (65 μg mL−1). In addition, the inoculation of consortia of isolates led to decreased accumulation of Cd, Pb and Zn in the whole plant but at the same time increased the plant biomass by up to 100% compared with the un‐inoculated control.CONCLUSIONSThe use of beneficial bacteria possessing plant growth‐promoting traits is a very useful approach to alleviating heavy metal stress to plants and can be successfully applied in phytoremediation strategies. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Right heart masses in a patient with endometrial stromal sarcoma
Authors: Tadic Marijana , Belyavskiy Evgeny , Cuspidi Cesare , Pieske Burkert , Haßfeld Sabine 
Published: May 2019

AbstractWe present the case of a 61‐year‐old woman with a large tumoral infiltration extending from the pelvis throughout the inferior vena cava inferior to the right atrium, protruding into the right ventricle and right ventricular outflow tract. She had been treated 10 years before for low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma by hysterectomy and adnexectomy followed by hormone‐ and radio‐therapy. Due to cancer recurrence, she underwent peritonectomy, appendectomy, and resection of terminal ileum.
Morphology of the third instar larva of Colobopterus quadratus (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) using scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Li Ce , Lu Ying , Fang Hong , Jiang Lu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAphodiinae are a large cosmopolitan subfamily of Scarab beetles (Scarabaeoidea: Scarabaeidae), playing an important role during dung decomposition. Many aspects, especially immature stages, of these dung beetles have not yet been recorded due to their comparative small body sizes and lacking of striking rolling behavior. In this study, the third instar larva of Colobopterus quadratus is morphologically described using scanning electron microscopy. The larva is atypical for the combination of following morphological features: (a) the larval antennae are five‐segmented; (b) the clypeus bears 4 minute protuberances on dorsal surface; (c) the epitorma on epipharynx is ventrally protuberant; (d) the scissorial area of left mandible is broad and blade‐like; (e) the raster is furnished with six glabrous protuberances and two rows of pali arranged in V‐shape. Some significant ultra‐morphological features were discovered in larval Aphodiinae for the first time. The presence of blade‐like incisor on the left mandible implies the potential root cutting ability.
Intraseasonal modulation of spring‐strong wind events associated with convection in northeastern Argentina
Authors: Otero Federico , Alvarez Mariano S. , Salio Paola , Vera Carolina 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe relationship between intraseasonal variability (IS; 10–90 days) and days which registered convection‐associated strong surface wind events (CSSWE) over northeastern Argentina (NEA) was studied. The climatological behaviour of these strong wind events showed a higher duration and occurrence in austral spring. CSSWE were categorized as a function of the wet and dry phases of the spring‐season intraseasonal (spring‐SIS) index, which describes the activity of the leading pattern of IS‐filtered outgoing longwave radiation (IS‐OLR) during that season in eastern South America. A modulation of the IS variability over localized and mesoscale phenomena as the CSSWE was found, showing significant peaks of wind variability in that timescale, and especially the submonthly timescale. The CSSWE were categorized according to the phases of the spring‐SIS pattern and most of them occurred before or during a wet phase, especially for the longer CSSWE. Moreover, the detection of CSSWE days during and before a dry phase was scarce. Rossby wave trains were observed to organize the circulation on intraseasonal timescales that configure regional cyclonic anomalies in such way that favours the development of CSSWE, promoting mid‐level ascents over NEA and northerly advection of humidity to the region. Together with the composites of IS‐OLR anomalies and the spectra of wind velocity, they support the fact that the higher‐frequency IS variability is the primary influence for the development of CSSWE.
Oral cancer on the gingiva in patients with proliferative leukoplakia: A study of 30 cases
Authors: Bagan Jose , Murillo‐Cortes Judith , Leopoldo‐Rodado Manuel , Sanchis‐Bielsa Jose M. , Bagan Leticia 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundProliferative verrucous leukoplakia, recently coined as proliferative leukoplakia (PL), is associated with a strong tendency to recur after treatment and an elevated rate of malignant transformation. We compared the clinical characteristics of patients with gingival PL with and without progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma.MethodsThe patients were divided into two groups: group 1 included 33 patients with gingival PL that did not progress to cancer, and group 2 included 30 patients with PL who developed malignant transformation during follow‐up. We compared age, sex, tobacco habit, clinical characteristics of gingival PL lesions, and location, tumor‐node‐metastasis (TNM) stage, and clinical characteristics of gingival malignancy between groups.ResultsFemale sex was predominant in the group with gingival cancer, and simultaneous involvement of the buccal mucosa, tongue, and palate was more common in this group than in the group without cancer. PL lesions were also largest in the group of patients with cancer. Most gingival cancer occurred in areas with teeth and took the form of oral ulceration. TNM stage I was most common.ConclusionsThe simultaneous presence of lesions on the buccal mucosa, grade of lesion extension, and presence of ulcerative lesion were significantly associated with gingival cancer in patients with PL.
Determination of multiple pesticide residues in teas by gas chromatography with accurate time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Li Jianxun , Teng Xiaoyu , Wang Wenwen , Zhang Zijuan , Fan Chunlin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this work, gas chromatography tandem with electron ionization and full‐scan high‐resolution mass spectrometry with a time‐of‐flight mass analyzer was evaluated for analyzing pesticide residues in teas. The relevant aspects for mass spectrometry analysis, including the resolution and mass accuracy, acquisition rate, temperature of ion source, were investigated. Under acquisition condition in 2‐GHz extended dynamic range mode, accurate mass spectral library including 184 gas chromatography detectable pesticides was established and retrieval parameters were optimized. The mass spectra were consistent over a wide concentration range (three orders) with good match values to those of NIST (EI‐quadrupole). The methodology was verified by the validation of 184 pesticides in four tea matrices. A wide linear range (1–1000 μg/kg) was obtained for most compounds in four matrices. Limit of detection, limit of quantification, and limit of identification values acquired in this study could satisfy the requirements for maximum residue levels prescribed by the European Community. Recovery studies were performed at three concentrations (10, 50, and 100 μg/kg). Most of the analytes were recovered at an acceptable range of 70–120% with relative standard deviations ≤ 20% in four matrices. The potential extension of qualitative screening scope makes gas chromatography tandem with electron ionization and mass spectrometry with a time‐of‐flight mass analyzer a more powerful tool compared with gas chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry.
Yttria‐based sol–gel coating for capillary microextraction online coupled to high‐performance liquid chromatography
Authors: Jillani Shehzada Muhammad Sajid , Alhooshani Khalid 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis work about the development of yttria‐based polymeric coating using [bis(hydroxyethyl) amine] terminated polydimethylsiloxanes and yttrium trimethoxyethoxide inside the capillary. The coated capillary was utilized for online capillary microextraction and high‐performance liquid chromatography analysis. The prepared coating material was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectrometry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The coated capillary with polymer presented better extraction efficiency compared with the pure yttria‐based coated capillary with applicability in extreme pH environments (pH 0–pH 14). Excellent extraction towards polyaromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, phenols, and amides was observed with limit of detection ranging from 0.18 to 7.35 ng/mL (S/N = 3) and reproducibility in between 0.6 and 6.8% (n = 3). Capillary‐to‐capillary extraction analysis has presented reproducibility between 4.1 and 9.9%. The analysis provided linear response for seven selected phenols in the range of 5–200 ng/mL with R2 values between 0.9971 and 0.9998. The inter‐day, intra‐day, and capillary‐to‐capillary reproducibility for phenols was also <10%. Real sample analysis by spiking 5, 50, and 200 ng/mL of phenols in wastewater and pool‐water produced recovery between 84.7 and 94.3% and reproducibility within 7.6% (n = 3).