bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The self‐disproportionation of enantiomers (SDE): The effect of scaling down, potential problems versus prospective applications, possible new occurrences, and unrealized opportunities?
Authors: Han Jianlin , Wzorek Alicja , Soloshonok Vadim A. , Klika Karel D. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis commentary discusses an important, though not widely appreciated, chiral phenomenon of molecular chirality that effectively always occurs whenever nonracemic samples are subjected to practically any physicochemical process (e.g., force field, recrystallization, sublimation, even distillation, etc.) under totally achiral conditions external to the sample itself. The phenomenon is termed as the self‐disproportionation of enantiomers (SDE) and though ubiquitous, its presence may not always be readily apparent, or workers may be otherwise oblivious to its effects. In the particular case of chromatography, when the SDE is apparent, the enantiomeric excess (ee) of the chiral compound is observed to vary across an eluted peak, with anterior eluted portions either enantioenriched or enantiodepleted relative to the ee of the starting material, and conversely for the posterior eluted portions. Herein, we highlight various aspects of the SDE phenomenon as it pertains to chromatography and, in particular, the effect of scaling down chromatographic systems, the potential risk of problems that the SDE can cause, as well as opportunities for practical applications of the phenomenon, possible new occurrences of the SDE phenomenon to be searched for, and unrealized opportunities.
Effects of APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphisms on OPMD malignant transformation, and on susceptibility to and overall survival of oral cancer in Taiwan
Authors: Huang Hsin‐I , Chen Chung‐Ho , Wang Sheng‐Hung , Wang Li‐Hsuan , Lin Ying‐Chu 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe associations between malignant transformation of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), oral cancer development and prognosis, and apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) functional polymorphisms are unclear.MethodsPatients with OPMDs, patients with oral cancer, and healthy controls from the community were recruited to determine the effects of APE1 polymorphisms on malignant transformation, overall survival, and genetic susceptibility, respectively.ResultsThe APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphisms significantly correlated with a high hazard ratio for OPMD malignant transformation (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 2.29; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.44‐3.74) and low overall survival in oral cancer patients (AHR = 1.71, 95% CI = 1.11‐2.56) according to follow‐up and survival analysis. However, APE1 polymorphisms did not significantly correlate with development of oral cancer in the case‐control study and logistic regression analysis.ConclusionsThese results indicate that APE1 Asp148Glu polymorphisms may have indirect roles in increasing the OPMD malignant transformation rate and in decreasing overall survival in oral cancer patients.
High metastatic node number, not extranodal extension, as a node‐related prognosticator in surgically treated patients with nodal metastatic salivary gland carcinoma
Authors: Hsieh Cheng‐En , Hung Chia‐Yen , Lin Chien‐Yu , Chen Jiun‐Sheng , Chang Kai‐Ping , Aithala Sathvik Panambur , Lee Li‐Yu , Tsang Ngan‐Ming , Lu Chang‐Hsien , Chen Miao‐Fen , Cheng Yu‐Fan , Yeh Kun‐Yun , Wang Cheng‐Hsu , Chou Wen‐Chi 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe prognostic relevance of extranodal extension (ENE) for salivary gland carcinoma (SGC) remains unclear. The present study is undertaken to investigate the predictive significance of pathological nodal parameters in surgically treated patients with nodal metastatic SGC.MethodsThis multicenter cohort included 114 patients with pathologically proven node‐positive SGC between 2000 and 2014. Possible correlations of clinicopathological parameters and outcomes were examined.ResultsThe median follow‐up was 69 months (range, 11‐173 months). The multivariate analysis identified metastatic node number (1‐2 vs 3‐6; 1‐2 vs ≥7) as an independent predictor for regional control (P = 0.005; P = 0.02), locoregional control (P = 0.008; P = 0.04), distant metastasis‐free survival (P = 0.17; P = 0.006), disease‐free survival (P = 0.05; P = 0.002), and overall survival (P = 0.18; P = 0.009), whereas ENE was not associated with survival outcomes.ConclusionsMetastatic node number, not ENE, is an independent node‐related prognosticator for SGC. Integration of ENE into the American Joint Committee on Cancer 8th edition staging criteria may not improve prognostic performance.
Adjuvant radiation for positive margins in adult head and neck sarcomas is associated with improved survival: Analysis of the National Cancer Database
Authors: Cannon Richard B. , Kull Amanda J. , Carpenter Patrick S. , Francis Sam , Buchmann Luke O. , Monroe Marcus M. , Lloyd Shane , Hitchcock Ying J. , Cannon Donald , Weis John R. , Houlton Jeffrey J. , Hunt Jason P. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundAdult head and neck (H&N) sarcomas are a rare malignancy with limited data delineating the role of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT), particularly for a positive surgical margin. There are no randomized trials supporting the use of PORT, therefore treatment trends vary between institutions. A positive margin predicts recurrence and poor survival outcomes. This study uses the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to investigate whether PORT improves overall survival (OS) in adult H&N sarcomas with a positive margin and how utilization has changed.MethodsPatients (n = 1142) in the NCDB from 2004‐2013 with adult H&N sarcomas who underwent resection and had a positive margin.ResultsFactors significantly associated with increased utilization of PORT were: having insurance, salivary gland primary site, high‐risk histology, poor differentiation, and a macroscopic positive margin. Treatment with PORT was associated with improved 5‐year OS for all patients with a positive margin (57% vs 48%; P = .002), both microscopic (57% vs 49%; P = .010) and macroscopic (57% vs 41%; P = .036). Improved OS was significant after controlling for other known covariates on multivariate analysis (HR: 0.76; [0.64‐0.90]; P = .002). Treatment at a community‐based facility was an independent predictor for reduced OS (HR: 1.37; [1.15‐1.64]; P < .001). The percentage utilization (53%) of PORT for these patients did not change significantly over time.ConclusionPORT provides a significant survival benefit for adult H&N sarcoma patients with either a microscopic or macroscopic positive margin; however, PORT is underutilized. Treatment at academic/research cancer programs was associated with increased utilization of PORT and improved survival outcomes.
Regulation of PTEN/AKT/FAK pathways by PPARγ impacts on fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Yan Rui , Wang Yuanyuan , Shi Mingjun , Xiao Ying , Liu Lirong , Liu Lingling , Guo Bing 
Published: January 2019

AbstractRenal tubular epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF) are important pathological features of diabetic nephropathy (DN). However, the regulatory mechanism underlying EMT and TIF are still unclear. Previous studies showed that the decrease in the expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) was closely related to the aggravation of DN, but no published study showed how PTEN participated in the regulation of EMT and TIF. In this study, the rat proximal tubular epithelial cells (NRK52E) and C57BL mice and human kidney tissues were used as the research objects to investigate the mechanism underlying the regulatory effect of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors γ (PPARγ) on PTEN and its influence on EMT and TIF, the regulation of PTEN's dual activity of lipid phosphatase/protein phosphatase by the serine threonine protein kinase B(AKT)/focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signaling pathway, and the role of PTEN in EMT and TIF. The results showed that PPARγ regulated the expression of PTEN at a transcriptional level and further regulated EMT and TIF. This dual activity could regulate the phosphorylation level of AKT and FAK and also affect FAK transcription. However, the 129 mutant of PTEN (PTEN‐G129E) lost the lipid phosphatase activity, and its protein phosphatase activity was involved only in EMT and renal fibrosis through regulating FAK phosphorylation. This study systematically elucidated the role of PPARγ/PTEN/AKT/FAK signaling pathway in EMT and TIF during the pathogenesis of DN.
Retracted: MicroRNA‐145 performs as a tumor suppressor in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting phospholipase C epsilon 1
Authors: Tang Chun , He Jin‐Yuan , Yu Chao , Wang Pei‐Jie , Huang Shao‐Hong , Zheng Hong‐Jie , Yan Dong‐Qing , Zhang Jun‐Hang , Li Yun 
Published: January 2019

AbstractEsophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the leading pathologic type in China. miR‐145 has been reported to be downregulated in multiple tumors. This study was aimed to investigate the role of miR‐145 in ESCC. miR‐145 expression was investigated in 65 ESCC samples as well as four ESCC cell lines by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Targetscan 6.2 website (http://www.targetscan.org/) was used to predict the targets of miR‐145. Expression of phospholipase C epsilon 1 (PLCE1) messenger RNA and protein was detected by qRT‐PCR or Western blot. MTT and wound healing assay were conducted to explore the effects of miR‐145 on the proliferation and migration of ESCC cell lines, respectively. miR‐145 was significantly decreased in ESCC tissues. An inverse correlation between miR‐145 and invasion depth and TNM stage were observed. PLCE1 was a direct target of miR‐145, and the expression of PLCE1 was inversely correlated with miR‐145 expression in ESCC tissues. In addition, overexpression of miR‐145 suppressed cell proliferation and migration in ESCC cells. The enforced expression of PLCE1 partially reversed the suppressive effect of miR‐145. These results prove that miR‐145 may perform as a tumor suppressor in ESCC by targeting PLCE1.
microRNA‐26a‐5p affects myocardial injury induced by coronary microembolization by modulating HMGA1
Authors: Kong Binghui , Qin Zhenbai , Ye Ziliang , Yang Xuefei , Li Lang , Su Qiang 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCoronary microembolization (CME) occurs when atherosclerotic plaque debris is detached during the treatment of acute coronary syndrome with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI). The complications of distal microvascular embolism, including local myocardial inflammation, are the main causes of myocardial damage and are a strong predictor of poor long‐term prognosis and major cardiac adverse events. microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the pathophysiological processes of cardiovascular inflammatory diseases. Dysregulation of microRNA (miR)‐26a‐5p, in particular, is associated with a variety of cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of miR‐26a‐5p in CME‐induced myocardial injury is unclear. In this study, we developed an animal model of CME by injecting microembolic balls into the left ventricle of rats and found that miR‐26a‐5p expression decreased in myocardial tissue in response. Using a miR‐26a‐5p mimic, echocardiography, hematoxylin‐eosin staining, and Western blot analysis we found that the diminished cardiac function and myocardial inflammation induced by CME is alleviated by miR‐26a‐5p overexpression. Furthermore, our results show that inhibitors of miR‐26a‐5p have the opposite effect. In addition, in vitro experiments using real‐time PCR, Western blot analysis, and a dual luciferase reporter gene show that HMGA1 is a target gene of miR‐26a‐5p. Thus, overexpression of miR‐26a‐5p could be a novel therapy to improve CME‐induced myocardial damage.
Drying of cellulose nanocrystal gel beads using supercritical carbon dioxide
Authors: Li Yiwen , Jiang Hua , Han Binbin , Zhang Yang 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe effects of the conditions for the supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) drying of cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) wet gel were investigated on the residual solvent content, the shrinkage and the microstructure of the ensuing aerogel.RESULTSThe scCO2 drying of CNC wet gel could be divided into a spillage phase and an extraction phase. In the first phase, just a very short time after the beginning of drying, shrinkage occurred and more than half of the solvent was removed. No further shrinkage was observed thereafter, but the solvent continued to be exponentially removed. Increasing pressure, temperature and time were favorable for solvent removal and the reduction of aerogel shrinking. The shrinkage increased the pore size inside the aerogel and made the outer surface of the CNC aerogel much denser than its interior. To preserve the original microstructure of the wet gel, the optimal drying was performed at 11.04 MPa and 40 °C for 120 min. At these conditions, the shrinkage ratio was only inversely proportional to the CNC content in the wet gel.CONCLUSIONCNC aerogel was obtained with a shrinkage ratio of 3.1%, a surface area of 387 m2 g−1 and an average pore size of 7.2 nm using 3.0% (w/w) CNC wet gel. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
The microstructure of buccal cavity and alimentary canal of Siganus rivulatus: Scanning electron microscope study
Authors: Sayed Alaa El‐Din H. , Mahmoud Usama M. , Essa Fatma 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe microstructure of the oral cavity and alimentary canal of herbivorous fish Siganus rivulatus collected from the Red Sea were investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that S. rivulatus has three types of teeth, tri‐cusped, bi‐cusped, and papilliform. A taste bud (Type I) was recorded in the oropharyngeal cavity. Characteristic styles of microridges on the cell's surface inside the buccal cavity were recorded. Also, the distribution of the mucous cells in the lining of the mouth cavity, alimentary canal was observed. Mucosal folds along the distinct parts of alimentary canal, showed characteristic pattern which was complex in the intestinal mucosa. The results concluded that there are characteristic microstructures according to feeding habitat compared with other bony fishes.
Relative expression of three key genes involved in the hormonal cycle of the freshwater amphipod, Gammarus pulex
Authors: Gismondi Eric , Joaquim‐Justo Célia 
Published: January 2019

AbstractEcdysteroids and sesquiterpenoids are the two groups of hormones controlling molt and growth processes in amphipods, and are mostly represented by ecdysone (i.e., 20‐hydroxyecdysone) and methyl farnesoate (MF), respectively. The endocrine system responsible for their syntheses is located in the cephalothorax and is composed of three main organs: the X‐organ/sinus gland complex (XO), the Y‐organ (YO) and the mandibular organ. Ecdysone synthesis is negatively controlled by the molt‐inhibiting hormone (MIH) produced by XO, and its signal is mediated through the ecdysteroid receptor (EcR); whereas the MF production is limited by the farnesoic acid O‐methyltransferase enzyme (FAMeT). As little is known on MIH, EcR, and FAMeT in amphipods, this study focused on the evaluation of the expression variations of the gene of these three proteins in Gammarus pulex, during the embryonic development and the molt cycle of females. Results highlighted the presence of ecr and famet genes from the first stages of the embryogenesis, suggesting key roles in the embryo development. The mih gene was only measured from Stage 3 of embryogenesis, probably related to the gastrulation and the cephalothorax development. Regardless of the gene, a strong overexpression was also measured at the hatch time. Besides, differential expression levels of mih, ecr, and famet genes through the molt cycle were observed. The highest expressions of the three genes were measured at the premolt stage, confirming key roles of MIH and EcR in the ecdysteroid pathways, and also suggesting the involvement of the FAMeT enzyme during the ecdysis in G. pulex.
A comprehensive and user‐friendly framework for 3D‐data visualisation in invertebrates and other organisms
Authors: Semple Thomas L. , Peakall Rod , Tatarnic Nikolai J. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMethods for 3D‐imaging of biological samples are experiencing unprecedented development, with tools such as X‐ray micro‐computed tomography (μCT) becoming more accessible to biologists. These techniques are inherently suited to small subjects and can simultaneously image both external and internal morphology, thus offering considerable benefits for invertebrate research. However, methods for visualising 3D‐data are trailing behind the development of tools for generating such data. Our aim in this article is to make the processing, visualisation and presentation of 3D‐data easier, thereby encouraging more researchers to utilise 3D‐imaging. Here, we present a comprehensive workflow for manipulating and visualising 3D‐data, including basic and advanced options for producing images, videos and interactive 3D‐PDFs, from both volume and surface‐mesh renderings. We discuss the importance of visualisation for quantitative analysis of invertebrate morphology from 3D‐data, and provide example figures illustrating the different options for generating 3D‐figures for publication. As more biology journals adopt 3D‐PDFs as a standard option, research on microscopic invertebrates and other organisms can be presented in high‐resolution 3D‐figures, enhancing the way we communicate science.
Comparative morphology of cheliceral muscles using high‐resolution X‐ray microcomputed‐tomography in palpimanoid spiders (Araneae, Palpimanoidea)
Authors: Wood Hannah M. , Parkinson Dilworth Y. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractSpiders are important predators in terrestrial ecosystems, yet we know very little about the principal feeding structures of spiders, the chelicerae, which are functionally equivalent to “jaws” or “mandibles” and are an extremely important aspect of spider biology. In particular, members of Palpimanoidea have evolved highly unusual cheliceral morphologies and functions, including high‐speed, ballistic movements in mecysmaucheniid spiders, the fastest arachnid movements known thus far, and the elongated, highly maneuverable chelicerae of archaeids that use an attack‐at‐a‐distance strategy. Here, using micro‐Computed‐Tomography scanning techniques, we perform a comparative study to examine cheliceral muscle morphology in six different spider specimens representing five palpimanoid families. We provide a hypothesis for homology in palpimanoid cheliceral muscles and then compare and contrast these findings with previous studies on other non‐palpimanoid spiders. We document and discuss two sets of cheliceral muscles in palpimanoids that have not been previously observed in other spiders or which may represent a position shift compared to other spiders. In the palpimanoids, Palpimanus sp., Huttonia sp., and Colopea sp. showed similar cheliceral muscle anatomy. In Eriauchenius ranavalona, which has highly maneuverable chelicerae, some of the muscles have a more horizontal orientation, and there is a greater degree of cheliceral muscle divergence. In Zearchaea sp. and Aotearoa magna, some muscles have also shifted to a more horizontal orientation, and in Zearchaea sp., a species with a ballistic, high‐speed predatory strike, there is a loss of cheliceral muscles. This research is a first step toward understanding cheliceral form and function across spiders.
Modeling of circular fractal antenna using BFO‐PSO–based selective ANN ensemble
Authors: Pattnaik Suman , Pattnaik Shyam Sundar , Dhaliwal Balwinder Singh 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAccurate design of miniaturized antenna is constrained by the limited well‐formulated exact mathematical expressions. Demands for smart devices with features like portability, implantability, and configurability have further placed bigger challenges in front of the antenna design engineers or scientists. As a part of the search for various solutions, many innovative approaches have been proposed by various authors in different literatures. Application of soft computing is also another design approach to accurate design of fractal antenna. Here, the authors have attempted to propose a better solution to miniaturized antenna and its design. A fractal antenna based on circular outer geometry has been proposed as a solution to the search of miniaturized antennas, and a particle swarm optimization–based selective artificial neural networks ensemble is developed, which is employed as the objective function of a bacterial foraging optimization algorithm leading to a hybridized algorithm. The developed hybrid algorithm is utilized to develop the proposed antenna at 2.45 GHz. A good agreement of the simulated, desired, and experimental results validates the proposed design approach.
Pressurized liquid extraction of cyclitols and sugars: optimization of extraction parameters and selective separation
Authors: Al‐Suod Hossam , Ratiu Ileana‐Andreea , Górecki Ryszard , Buszewski Bogusław 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCyclitols and sugars were obtained as a mixture from Medicago sativa L., in a comparative study by using maceration, and pressurized liquid extraction, as a modern and green extraction techniques. The influence of extraction parameters including: extraction temperature, time and number of cycles on the content of sugars and cyclitols was investigated based on response surface methodology. The highest total amount of sugars and cyclitols (62.27 ± 2.30 and 50.35 ± 0.77 mg/g of dry material, respectively) was obtained when extraction was performed at 88°C, for 22 min, in two cycles. The methodology used involved extraction, purification, selective separation (using yeast and anion exchange resin) and derivatization, followed by gas chromatography ‐mass spectrometry analysis. The use of yeast treatment realized an effective fractionation of cyclitols and sugars, which allowed the removal of most sugars. The involvement of anion exchange resin after yeast allowed the removal of sugar alcohols and lactose, together with other sugar traces remained and to obtain a solution containing six cyclitols. The recrystallization of dry residue after solvent evaporation, from ethanol, allowed us to obtain 14.65 mg of white pure crystals identified with NMR spectroscopy, liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, optical rotation and melting point as analysis D‐pinitol.