bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation and screening for limonin‐producing endophytic bacteria from Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. cv. Shatian Yu
Authors: Zhang Jinhua , Zang Sanli , Bai Baoqing , Fan Sanhong 
Published: December 2018

AbstractLimonin, a compound of highly oxidized triterpenoids, has potential functions in preventing or slowing the occurrences of many diseases. In this study, five different bacterial strains were isolated and identified from Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. cv. Shatian Yu. Morphological characteristics and 16S rRNA gene sequencing identified them as Bacillus spp, in which two limonin‐producing endophytes named P and P9 were discovered by high‐performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry using an inorganic salt medium and two natural media; also the production was greater in natural medium 1 (4.377 and 0.299 mg/L, respectively) than in natural medium 2 (0.159 and 0.025 mg/L, respectively). The growth and fermentation characteristics of strain P were studied, and during the liquid cultivation of Bacillus sp. P, limonin began to accumulate at the eighth hour in the inorganic salt medium, peaked at the 16th hour, and then decreased sharply. Single‐factor experiments revealed that the optimum fermentation conditions for limonin production included 14‐H‐old cells, 15% inoculum, and 3 g/L glucose.
Solution effects on the self‐association of a water‐soluble peptoid
Authors: Fuller Amelia A. , Huber Jonathan , Jimenez Christian J. , Dowell Kalli M. , Hough Samuel , Ortega Alberto , McComas Kyra N. , Kunkel Jeffrey , Asuri Prashanth 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA desire to replicate the structural and functional complexity of proteins with structured, sequence‐specific oligomers motivates study of the structural features of water‐soluble peptoids (N‐substituted glycine oligomers). Understanding the molecular‐level details of peptoid self‐assembly in water is essential to advance peptoids' application as novel materials. Peptoid 1, an amphiphilic, putatively helical peptoid previously studied in our laboratory, shows evidence of self‐association in aqueous solution. In this work, we evaluate how changes to aqueous solution conditions influence the self‐association of 1. We report that changes to pH influence the fluorescence and CD spectroscopic features as well as the peptoid's interaction with a solvatochromic fluorophore and its apparent size as estimated by size exclusion chromatography. Addition of guanidine hydrochloride and ammonium sulfate also modulate spectroscopic features of the peptoid, its interaction with a solvatochromic fluorophore, and its elution in size exclusion chromatography. These data suggest that the ordering of the self‐assembly changes in response to pH and with solvent additives and is more ordered at higher pH and in the presence of guanidine hydrochloride. The deeper understanding of the self‐association of 1 afforded by these studies informs the design of new stimuli‐responsive peptoids with stable tertiary or quaternary structures.
Extension of the yeast metabolic model to include iron metabolism and its use to estimate global levels of iron‐recruiting enzyme abundance from cofactor requirements
Authors: Dikicioglu Duygu , Oliver Stephen G. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractMetabolic networks adapt to changes in their environment by modulating the activity of their enzymes and transporters; often by changing their abundance. Understanding such quantitative changes can shed light onto how metabolic adaptation works, or how it can fail and lead to a metabolically dysfunctional state. We propose a strategy to quantify metabolic protein requirements for cofactor‐utilising enzymes and transporters through constraint‐based modelling. The first eukaryotic genome‐scale metabolic model to comprehensively represent iron metabolism was constructed, extending the most recent community model of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae metabolic network. Partial functional impairment of the genes involved in the maturation of iron‐sulphur (Fe‐S) proteins was investigated employing the model and the in silico analysis revealed extensive rewiring of the fluxes in response to this functional impairment, despite its marginal phenotypic effect. The optimal turnover rate of enzymes bearing ion cofactors can be determined via this novel approach; yeast metabolism, at steady state, was determined to employ a constant turnover of its iron‐recruiting enzyme at a rate of 3.02 × 10
−11 mmol·(g biomass)
−1·h
−1.
Guided inquiry activity linking thermodynamic parameters of protein unfolding to structure using differential scanning fluorimetry data in the biophysical chemistry classroom
Authors: Emery Patrick , Yezierski Ellen J. , Page Richard C. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractVisualizations are useful tools for helping students to understand chemistry concepts at the particulate level. A classroom activity was developed based on learning theory and evidence‐based practices, combining protein visualization with thermodynamic parameters from differential scanning fluorimetry (DSF) data analysis. Coding of student responses showed that many students were able to establish the desired connections among protein structure, thermodynamic parameters, and experimental data analysis, while a few did not recognize all the differences between the folded and unfolded forms of the protein. The activity elicits student prior knowledge through the pre‐class activity, has the students examine the interactions within a protein molecule through the PyMOL activity, introduces DSF analysis using the learning cycle through the Guided Inquiry activity, and tests student learning through the post‐class activity. Upon completing the activity, the majority of students successfully met the learning goals. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(1):67–75, 2018.
Computational strategy for visualizing structures and teaching biochemistry
Authors: Abreu Paula Alvarez , Carvalho Karina de Lima , Rabelo Vitor Won‐Held , Castro Helena Carla 
Published: December 2018

AbstractComputational techniques have great potential to improve the teaching‐learning. In this work, we used a computational strategy to visualize three‐dimensional (3D) structures of proteins and DNA and help the student to comprehend biochemistry concepts such as protein structure and function, substrate, and inhibitors as well as DNA structural features. The practical classes included tutorials to be done in the computer using structures from Protein Data Bank and a free 3D structure visualization software, Swiss PDB Viewer. The activity was done with 76 students from biology and pharmacy undergraduate courses. Questionnaires were administered to evaluate the knowledge regarding specific biochemistry contents before and after the activity and the opinion of the students. An overall increased percentage of correct answers post‐classes (75.91%) were observed in comparison to pre‐classes (35.53%). All the students indicated that it could contribute to the learning of DNA and protein structure contents; approximately 90% stated that it enables structures visualization or makes the learning and understanding easier. Therefore, the strategy has shown to be effective, allowing the contextualization of biochemistry themes and may complement theoretical classes. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 47(1):76–84, 2018.
Application of mass spectrometry in silkworm research—Review
Authors: Sun Fan , Ye Chong Jun , Li Bing , Wang Taichu , Fan Tao 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIn this first mass spectrometry‐focused review paper, we will review current applications of mass spectrometry in the area of silkworm research. We will focus our review on the following two most important areas as they are currently being researched by scientists. Firstly, the proteomics of proteins in the process of silkworm lifecycle has generated knowledge about previous undetected proteins, some of which might possess therapeutic effects. Secondly, fatty acids, which are the other major components in silkworm, have several potential medical applications. We will also highlight potential areas warranting further investigation.
Metabolomic variation in wild and cultured cordyceps and mycelia of Isaria cicadae
Authors: He Yaqiong , Zhang Wancun , Peng Fan , Lu Ruili , Zhou Hong , Bao Guanhu , Wang Bin , Huang Bo , Li Zengzhi , Hu Fenglin 
Published: December 2018

AbstractIsaria cicadae is one of the fungi used in traditional Chinese medicine with the longest tradition. It is used not only as a herbal medicine but also as a health food in Asia, together with cultured cordyceps and mycelia of the fungus used as substitute. However, the differences in their metabolite are unknown. Using a high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS)‐based metabolomic method, we found that the fungus varies in its metabolism during growth on wild insects, artificially raised insects and artificial medium. There were 109 discriminatory metabolites detected in the samples by orthogonal projection to latent structure discriminant analysis and one‐way ANOVA. High level of nonribosomal peptides (NRPs) only existed in the insect portions of the wild cordyceps (WI) and cultured cordyceps (CI), revealing that immunostimulation of the host insects enhanced the synthesis of NRPs in the fungus. The finding of a significantly higher level of sphingolipids in both the insect portions (WI, CI) and the coremia of the wild cordyceps (WC) and cultured cordyceps (CC) but not in cultured mycelia (CM) of I. cicadae implies that the immunostimulation of the live insects can induce the fungus to produce more sphingolipids, and this enhanced ability is probably heritable. Apart from NRPs and sphingolipids, the insect portions also contained higher levels of bioactive compounds such as lateritin, anisomycin, streptimidone and ustiloxins. In contrast, the coremium groups (WC, CC) and CM contained 10‐fold less NRP but much higher levels of sanative metabolites such as tocotrienol, 3′‐deoxy‐hanasanagin, γ‐aminobutyric acid and phospholipids than the insect portions. The significantly higher content of antioxidants in WC, CC and CM than in WI and CI suggests that environmental oxygen has a significant effect on the metabolites. The temperature stress which the wild cordyceps encounters during growth is responsible for the relatively high content of trehalose. These findings indicate that the immunity of the host insect and growth environment have a strong impact on the metabolomic variation in Isaria cicadae. The variation in metabolites suggests differential utilization value for the insect portions, coremia and mycelia of the fungus.
Positron emission tomography/computed tomography outperforms MRI in the diagnosis of local recurrence and residue of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: An update evidence from 44 studies
Authors: Li Zhanzhan , Li Yanyan , Li Na , Shen Liangfang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractStudies on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in five electronic databases were systematically searched online from the inception to June 5, 2018. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the updated Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2. Data of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and the 95% confidence intervals were pooled using a bivariate random‐effect model. Forty‐four studies with 61 groups of data and totally 3369 patients were included in the qualitative and quantitative synthesis analysis. The overall estimated sensitivity and specificity of positron emission tomography/computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET‐CT/MRI) for local recurrent/residual NPC were 0.90 and 0.85, respectively. The pooled area under the curve of (AUC) of PET‐CT/MRI in the summary receiver operator characteristic curve was 0.94. Subgroup analysis showed MRI vs PET‐CT had lower sensitivity (0.83 vs 0.92) and specificity (0.78 vs 0.89). The AUCs of MRI and PET‐CT were 0.87 and 0.96, respectively. No‐cross of 95% CI was found in MRI vs PET/CT (0.87‐0.90 vs 0.94‐0.98). Meta‐regression showed PET/CT vs MRI was a potential source of heterogeneity. PET/CT and MRI both showed quite high overall ability in diagnosing local recurrent/residual NPC, but the subgroup analysis indicated PET‐CT was superior over MRI in diagnosis of local recurrence and residue of NPC after radiotherapy. The examination methods affected the heterogeneity within studies.
Surgical Treatment of a Cemental Tear‐Associated Bony Defect Using Hyaluronic Acid and a Resorbable Collagen Membrane: A 2‐Year Follow‐Up
Authors: Pilloni Andrea , Nardo Flavia , Rojas Mariana A. 
Published: December 2018

IntroductionA cemental tear (CeT) is a special type of surface root fracture that may cause periodontal and even periapical tissue destruction.Unfortunately, there is limited knowledge as to how these rare cases can effectively be treated. The present case is believed to be the first reported in the literature treating a bony defect caused by a cemental tear with hyaluronic acid (HA) and a collagen membrane. The aim of this case report is to present a regenerative surgical approach with clinical and tomographic success and stability at 2‐year follow‐up.Case PresentationA 61‐year‐old patient presented with spontaneous pain and gingival swelling over his right central maxillary incisor. Radiographically, a radiolucent area was observed in the medial third between both central incisors. The tomographic evaluation showed a buccal bone dehiscence and a bony defect. Once the differential diagnosis with an endodontic‐periodontal lesion and root fracture was performed, CeT was the presumptive diagnosis. During the exploratory flap surgery, a small root fragment (CeT) on the mesial side of the tooth was founded and removed. The bony lesion was treated with hyaluronic acid (HA) and a resorbable collagen membrane. At 2‐year follow‐up clinical, radiographic, and tomographic success was observed.ConclusionA CeT‐associated bony defect could be successfully treated after removing cemental fragments and performing a regenerative approach using HA and a resorbable collagen membrane.
Gluten viscoelasticity: Rapid method for classification of soft‐like wheat genotypes
Authors: Montagner Souza Thiago , de Miranda Martha Zavariz , Mateus Prando Andre , Tilley Michael , Payton Mark E. , Rayas‐Duarte Patricia 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackground and objectivesStandard empirical methods to assess wheat quality are difficult to perform, interpret, time consuming and require a large amount of sample. A rapid uniaxial compression instrument based on measuring height of gluten during compression and recovery is reported. The objective of this study was to determine in a set of soft‐like wheat genotypes from Brazil the best conditions to extract the gluten and analyze the efficiency of the method separating categories based on gluten viscoelastic properties.FindingsThe independent variables evaluated were as follows: (a) technological quality categories and gluten extraction method; (b) amount of 2% NaCl solution (w/v) added for dough formation; (c) mixing time; and (d) washing time. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and means compared by protected LSD test (p < 0.05). The best conditions for gluten extraction and analysis were obtained with 4.4 ml of 2% NaCl solution, mixing for 20 s, and washing for 3 min. Elastic recovery of gluten showed a strong correlation (r) with standard methods used to classify wheat (dough strength r = 0.988, stability r = 0.963).ConclusionThe elastic recovery was able to separate the gluten samples in three categories efficiently and may be a useful tool in breeding programs and flour mills quality control.Significance and noveltyA novel method for determining elastic recovery of gluten from soft‐type wheat genotypes was developed. The set of samples had high correlation of gluten elastic recovery with key quality parameters. Advantages of the test include rapid analysis time (less than 5 min) and small sample size (10 g of flour).
Ejection fraction, B‐type natriuretic peptide and risk of stroke and acute myocardial infarction among patients with heart failure
Authors: Greenberg Barry , Peterson Eric D. , Berger Jeffrey S. , Laliberté François , Zhao Qi , Germain Guillaume , Lejeune Dominique , Wu Jennifer W. , Lefebvre Patrick , Fonarow Gregg C. 
Published: December 2018

BackgroundReal‐world data on the clinical outcomes of heart failure (HF) across the spectrum of ejection fraction (EF) and the prognostic value of B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) have not been well examined.HypothesisThe real‐world association between the clinical outcomes of HF and EF or BNP levels may differ across different EF or BNP values.MethodsThe Optum Integrated Claims‐Clinical data (07/2009‐09/2016) was used to identify adult patients with ≥1 HF diagnosis during hospitalization or emergency room visit. Three EF cohorts were formed: reduced (rEF; EF < 40%), mid‐range (mrEF; EF 40%‐49%), and preserved EF (pEF; EF ≥ 50%). Stratifications by BNP levels were performed using median BNP as cutoff between high vs low BNP (H‐BNP vs L‐BNP).ResultsIn total, 7005 HF patients with EF measurements (2456 patients with both HF and BNP measurements) were identified. rEF patients had higher risk of stroke (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.57, P = 0.010) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) (HR = 2.42, P < 0.001) compared to pEF patients. H‐BNP was associated with a significantly higher risk of mortality (P < 0.001). rEF patients with H‐BNP had a significantly higher risk of stroke than those with L‐BNP.ConclusionsPatients with rEF had a significantly higher rate of stroke and AMI vs pEF patients, as did patients with H‐BNP vs L‐BNP. The present study is the first to show the real‐world association of EF and BNP (alone and in combination) with clinical outcomes, further supporting the recommendation to use these markers in clinical practice. These results may help to guide future recommendations and improve the clinical management of HF.
Two‐Color Analysis of Leukocytes Labeled by Modified RBCs and Their Fragments
Authors: Al‐Essa Mohamed K. , Melzer Susanne , Tárnok Attila 
Published: December 2018

AbstractRed blood cells (RBCs) are attractive tools for surface modification to adhere specifically to molecules, cellular fragments (e.g., microvesicles), or whole cells for potential use in bioanalytical assays or as a delivery vehicle in targeted therapy. Within this study, we have loaded RBCs with fluorochrome‐conjugated antibodies (Ab) against CD45 and CD22 leukocyte markers and evaluated the conjugation process by microscopy. We have assessed the potential application of RBCs fragments generated from conjugated RBCs for targeting Cyto‐Trol control cells by flow cytometric (FCM) approaches. Based on their scattering and fluorescence characteristics (FITC and PE expression), modified RBCs and their fragments, Cyto‐Trol cells, and clusters of both were distinguished by two color FCM analysis. Fragments with anti‐human Kallestad Ab as a nonspecific FITC conjugate had less than 20% binding to Cyto‐Trol controls compared to CD45‐FITC Ab conjugate with nearly 100% binding capacity. Cyto‐Trol‐microvesicle‐clusters were more than 45% positive for either FITC or PE. Anti‐CD22‐PE modified RBCs fragments were also useful in staining and showing about 19.5% positively stained events in the Cyto‐Trol region. The proof‐of‐concept shows, that specific antibody can be attached to RBCs, and generated fragments can be useful to stain target cells for FCM analysis. © 2018 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
Jejunal leiomyosarcoma: Report of a rare case diagnosed on cytology
Authors: Elhence Poonam Abhay , Rao Meenakshi , Vishnoi Jeewan Ram , Meena Virendra 
Published: December 2018

AbstractJejunal leiomyosarcomas (LMS) are extremely rare. Of all the mesenchymal tumors of the small intestine, Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (GIST) comprise the majority. LMS of the small intestine have been documented as isolated reports or only a very small percentage of the smooth muscle tumors of the small intestine. Furthermore, cytological evaluation and preoperative diagnosis of small intestinal LMS is not well documented, even though cytology of small intestinal GISTs has been studied. Since preoperative diagnosis is useful in differentiating benign from malignant lesions, correctly staging malignant lesions and identifying the plan of management, preoperative cytological evaluation assumes a great significance. We report a case of jejunal leiomyosarcoma diagnosed on cytology.Key MessagesAlthough extremely rare, small intestinal LMS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of small intestinal mesenchymal lesions. FNAC, with preparation of cell block, and subsequent IHC can help in the preoperative diagnosis and formulating a plan of management of the patients.
Characterization and in vitro phase I microsomal metabolism of designer benzodiazepines: An update comprising flunitrazolam, norflurazepam, and 4'‐chlorodiazepam (Ro5–4864)
Authors: Moosmann Bjoern , Bisel Philippe , Westphal Folker , Wilde Maurice , Kempf Jürgen , Angerer Verena , Auwärter Volker 
Published: December 2018

AbstractThe number of newly appearing benzodiazepine derivatives on the new psychoactive substances (NPS) drug market has increased over the last couple of years totaling 23 ‘designer benzodiazepines’ monitored at the end of 2017 by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. In the present study, three benzodiazepines [flunitrazolam, norflurazepam, and 4′‐chlorodiazepam (Ro5–4864)] offered as ‘research chemicals' on the Internet were characterized and their main in vitro phase I metabolites tentatively identified after incubation with pooled human liver microsomes. For all compounds, the structural formula declared by the vendor was confirmed by gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC–MS), liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (LC MS/MS), liquid chromatography−quadrupole time of flight−mass spectrometry (LC−QTOF−MS) analysis and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The metabolic steps of flunitrazolam were monohydroxylation, dihydroxylation, and reduction of the nitro function. The detected in vitro phase I metabolites of norflurazepam were hydroxynorflurazepam and dihydroxynorflurazepam. 4’‐Chlorodiazepam biotransformation consisted of N‐dealkylation and hydroxylation. It has to be noted that 4′‐chlorodiazepam and its metabolites show almost identical LC–MS/MS fragmentation patterns to diclazepam and its metabolites (delorazepam, lormetazepam, and lorazepam), making a sufficient chromatographic separation inevitable. Sale of norflurazepam, the metabolite of the prescribed benzodiazepines flurazepam and fludiazepam, presents the risk of incorrect interpretation of analytical findings.