bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Development of a simultaneous bioreactor system for characterization of gas production kinetics of methanogenic archaea at high pressure
Authors: Pappenreiter Patricia Anna , Zwirtmayr Sara , Mauerhofer Lisa‐Maria , Rittmann Simon Karl‐Maria Rasso , Paulik Christian 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCultivation of methanogens under high pressure offers a great opportunity in biotechnological processes, one of which is the improvement of the gas‐liquid transfer of substrate gases into the medium broth. This article describes a newly developed simultaneous bioreactor system consisting of four identical cultivation vessels suitable for investigation of microbial activity at pressures up to 50 bar and temperatures up to 145°C. Initial pressure studies at 10 and 50 bar of the autotrophic and hydrogenotrophic methanogens Methanothermobacter marburgensis, Methanobacterium palustre, and Methanobacterium thermaggregans were performed to evaluate the reproducibility of the system as well as to test the productivity of these strains. The strains were compared with respect to gas conversion (%), methane evolution rate (MER) (mmol L‐1 h−1), turnover rate (h−1), and maximum conversion rate (kmin) (bar h−1). A pressure drop that can be explained by the reaction stoichiometry showed that all tested strains were active under pressurized conditions. Our study sheds light on the production kinetics of methanogenic strains under high‐pressure conditions. In addition, the simultaneous bioreactor system is a suitable first step screening system for analyzing the substrate uptake and/or production kinetics of gas conversion and/or gas production processes for barophilic or barotolerant microbes.
Toward enhanced hyperforin production in St. John's wort root cultures
Authors: Gaid Mariam , Grosch Jan‐Hendrik , Möller Steve , Beerhues Ludger , Krull Rainer 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDuring the past decades, several trials targeted a stable, sustainable and economic production of St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) extract. The value of this extract stems from its use to treat depression and skin irritation due to its hyperforin content. Previously, hyperforin‐forming in vitro root cultures were established. Here, detailed growth and production kinetics have been analyzed over 40 days of cultivation. In the first 10 days, sucrose was completely hydrolyzed to glucose and fructose. The ammonium consumption supported the increase in the biomass and hyperforin production. When sucrose was replaced with glucose/fructose, the linear growth phase started 6 days earlier and resulted in a higher space‐time‐yield. The maximum hyperforin production was 0.82 mg L−1 day−1, which was 67 % higher than in the sucrose‐supplemented standard cultivation. Buffering the sucrose‐supplemented medium with phosphate caused a 2.7‐fold increase in the product to biomass yield coefficient. However, the combination of monosaccharides and buffering conditions did not cause an appreciable improvements in the production performance of the shake flask approaches. A potential scalability from flask to lab‐scale stirred bioreactors has been demonstrated. The results obtained offer a basis for a scalable production of hyperforin and a sustainable source for a tissue culture‐based phytomedicine.
Louis Pasteur, Chemical Linguist: Founding the Language of Stereochemistry
Authors: Gal Joseph 
Published: May 2019

AbstractPasteur’s major discovery in chemistry was the recognition of molecular chirality, in 1848. He understood that his new science needed its own language, and introduced new terminology and nomenclature, thereby launching modern stereochemical language. He was eminently prepared for this task as a refined user of language, skills recognized by his election to the Académie française, the supreme institution for the protection and promotion of the French language. The terms chiral and chirality did not exist at the time and he adopted the French word dissymmétrie (dissymmetry) for the phenomenon of handedness. Although in his time almost nothing was known about molecular constitution and configuration, his insights allowed him to create useful language some of which is still used today in stereochemistry, e. g., racemic for the 1 : 1 mixture of the two enantiomers, and the use of the prefixes levo‐ and dextro‐ in the names of optically active substances. On the other hand, the limitations in the knowledge of organic chemistry at the time prevented him from creating some needed terms, e. g., for the phenomenon of diastereoisomerism. He also failed to adopt the enantio terminology introduced in the 1850s by German mineralogist Carl Friedrich Naumann. Analysis of Pasteur’s linguistic innovations is of interest from the point of view of the history of chemistry and is also useful in throwing light on the fundamental nature of the concepts of stereochemistry. Such understanding has acquired a new relevance due to the considerable misuse and misunderstanding of this language seen in the literature today.
Plin3 protects against alcoholic liver injury by facilitating lipid export from the endoplasmic reticulum
Authors: Gu Yu , Yang Ying , Cao Xiangmei , Zhao Yuanlin , Gao Xing , Sun Chao , Zhang Feng , Yuan Yuan , Xu Yuqiao , Zhang Jin , Xiao Liming , Ye Jing 
Published: May 2019

AbstractHepatic lipid accumulation is the most common pathological characteristic of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). In mammalian cells, excess neutral lipids are stored in lipid droplets (LDs). As a member of perilipin family proteins, Plin3 was recently found to regulate the LD biogenesis. However, the roles and mechanism of Plin3 in ALD progression remain unclear.Herein, we found that alcohol stimulated Plin3 expression in both mouse livers and cultured AML12 mouse hepatic cells, which was accompanied by excess LD accumulation in hepatocytes. The elevations of Plin3 in alcohol‐treated hepatocytes paralleled with the levels of both PPARα and γ, and the protein degradation of Plin3 was also reduced after alcohol exposure. Moreover, Plin3 knockdown increased cellular sensitivity to alcohol‐induced apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, and inflammatory cytokines release, including TNF‐α, IL‐1, and IL‐6β. Notably, alcohol exacerbated triglycerides (TG) accumulation in the ER and caused ER dilation in Plin3‐knockdown AML12 cells. Finally, we observed that Plin3 interacted with dynein subunit Dync1i1 and mediated the colocalization of LDs and microtubules, while high concentration of alcohol disrupted microtubules and caused dispersion of excess small LDs in cytoplasm.Summarily, Plin3 promotes lipid export from the ER and reduces ER lipotoxic stress, thereby, protecting against alcoholic liver injury. Moreover, Plin3 could be an adapter protein mediating LD transport by microtubules. This study explored the roles of Plin3 in alcohol‐induced hepatic injury, suggesting Plin3 as a potential target for the prevention of ALD progression.
LncRNA Erbb4‐IR promotes esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) by downregulating miR‐145
Authors: Zhang Yan , Zhang Li , Wang Ruimin , Wang Bin , Hua Peiyan , Li Jindong 
Published: May 2019

AbstractErbb4‐IR is a recently identified lncRNA with pivotal functions in renal injury. The present study investigated the roles of Erbb4‐IR in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). It was observed that Erbb4‐IR was upregulated in tumor tissues of patients with ESCC. Plasma levels of Erbb4‐IR in patients with ESCC were positively correlated with expression levels of Erbb4‐IR in tumor tissues. MicroRNA‐145 (miR‐145) was downregulated in tumor tissues and inversely correlated with Erbb4‐IR only in tumor tissues. Erbb4‐IR overexpression led to downregulated miR‐145, and increased rates of ECSS cell proliferation and decreased rates of ECSS cell apoptosis. Overexpression of miR‐145 showed no significant effects on Erbb4‐IR expression, but played an opposite role on cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis. In addition, miR‐145 overexpression attenuated the effects of Erbb4‐IR overexpression. Therefore, lncRNA Erbb4‐IR may promote ESCC by downregulating miR‐145.
LncRNA‐MEG3 inhibits cell proliferation and invasion by modulating Bmi1/RNF2 in cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Li Jinglin , Jiang Xingming , Li Chunlong , Liu Yueping , Kang Pengcheng , Zhong Xiangyu , Cui Yunfu 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a mortal cancer with gradually increasing incidences all over the world, whereas effective diagnosis and treatment for this disease are still lacking. As a classical long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) has been reported to exhibit pivotal regulatory roles in the occurrence and development of various digestive system tumors. Nevertheless, the clinical relevance and biological function of MEG3 in CCA remain largely unclear. In this study, MEG3 expression was significantly downregulated in both CCA tissues and cells in comparison with that in nontumor controls, respectively, and this downexpression was prominently associated with advanced TNM stage, lymph node invasion, and poor survival. Moreover, decreased MEG3 was an independent forecaster of poor prognosis for CCA patients. Functionally, MEG3 overexpression inhibited CCA growth in vitro and in vivo. Enhanced MEG3 also suppressed migration and invasion of CCLP‐1 and QBC939 cells by reversing epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. On the contrary, the proliferation, metastasis, and EMT were facilitated via knocking down MEG3. In addition, the expression of B lymphoma Mo‐MLV insertion region 1 (Bmi1) and RING finger protein 2 was impacted by gain or loss of MEG3, furthermore, the malignant processes induced by MEG3 knockdown were rescued by means of silencing Bmi1. These data suggested that MEG3 caused tumor suppressive effects partly through mediating polycomb repressive complex 1. Our findings elucidate that MEG3 exerts critical functions in CCA development and likely acts as a promising tumor indicator or intervention target for CCA.
MiR‐92b‐3p promotes neurite growth and functional recovery via the PTEN/AKT pathway in acute spinal cord injury
Authors: Chen Zixian , Li Zheng , Jiang Chang , Jiang Xiaoxing , Zhang Jian 
Published: May 2019

AbstractEmerging evidence indicates that microRNAs play an important role in neural remodeling, including neurite growth, after acute spinal cord injury (ASCI). This study aims to identify the mechanism by which miR‐92b‐3p regulates neurite growth in vivo and in vitro. Adult Sprague–Dawley rats were selected to establish the ASCI model, and the expressions of miR‐92b‐3p and phosphate and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN) were quantified at different time points. The interaction between miR‐92b‐3p and PTEN was further detected in the PC12 cell line and dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Neurite growth proteins (GAP43 and NF‐200) were assessed by western blotting after miR‐92b‐3p mimics treatment. The PTEN/AKT pathway‐related proteins and their roles in miR‐92b‐3p regulation were also identified using western blotting and immunofluorescence in vitro through LY294002, an AKT inhibitor. The effect of miR‐92b‐3p was further determined in vivo according to the Basso‐Beattie‐Bresnahan (BBB) Scale and GAP43 and NF‐200 expressions. miR‐92b‐3p was downregulated after ASCI, while PTEN showed a simultaneous opposing trend. Overexpression of miR‐92b‐3p downregulated PTEN expression and promoted phosphorylation of AKT, as well as the expression of GAP43 and NF‐200 in PC12 cells. Furthermore, the dual‐luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR‐92b‐3p exerted its effect by targeting PTEN's 3ʹ‐untranslated regions and that this effect could be counteracted by AKT phosphorylation blocker LY294002 through western blotting and immunofluorescence. Moreover, miR‐92b‐3p could also improve the BBB scale as well as GAP43 and NF‐200 expression levels in vivo. Collectively, these results indicate that miR‐92b‐3p promotes neurite growth and functional recovery through the PTEN/AKT pathway in ASCI.
Hydrothermal synthesis of a two‐dimensional g‐C3N4/MoS2/MnOOH composite material and its potential application as photocatalyst
Authors: Jiménez‐Rangel Kristel Yurien , Lartundo‐Rojas Luis , García‐García Alejandra , Cipagauta‐Díaz Sandra , Mantilla Angeles , Samaniego‐Benítez José Enrique 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDEnvironmental pollution and energy crisis are nowadays considered among the most important problems facing humanity. Several strategies have been proposed to solve them, being photocatalysis a very promising one because of its ease of application and low cost. In the search for active photocatalysts, those based on graphite‐like carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) are becoming good alternatives for various reactions. In this work, the properties of g‐C3N4/MoS2/MnOOH composite material and its photocatalytic behavior for the production of hydrogen (H2) under UV radiation were investigated.RESULTSThe composite material was synthesized by applying a combination of thermal condensation and hydrothermal methods. According to the results of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), ultraviolet diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV‐DRS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), good dispersion of the phases and the formation of a heterojunction were observed. The band gap value of the composite material, calculated by the Kubelka–Munk equation using the values obtained from UV‐DRS analysis, was lower than those of the individual components, while it also had a much longer electron–hole recombination time, according to photoluminescence analysis. As a consequence of a synergistic effect, the activity of the proposed composite photocatalyst was superior in the reaction of water splitting, with a kinetic constant of 466 μmol h−1 and a production rate of 1750 μmol H2 h−1 (50 and 21% higher than those obtained with MoS2 and g‐C3N4, respectively).CONCLUSIONBecause of its high activity and stability, g‐C3N4/MoS2/MnOOH composite photocatalyst is an excellent alternative for H2 production by the water splitting reaction. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
A novel silica xerogel synthesized from volcanic tuff as an adsorbent for high‐efficient removal of methylene blue: parameter optimization using Taguchi experimental design
Authors: Guzel Kaya Gülcihan , Yilmaz Elif , Deveci Huseyin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn this study, silica xerogel was synthesized using volcanic tuff instead of expensive silica precursors at ambient pressure drying. The mesoporous silica xerogel with unique structural and textural properties was evaluated as an adsorbent for methylene blue (MB) removal from aqueous solution. Taguchi method was applied to optimize controllable factors (contact time, initial MB concentration, silica xerogel dose, temperature and pH) for MB removal.RESULTSThe temperature was determined as the most significant factor with percentage contribution of 54.50%. MB removal efficiency was 96.18% at optimum conditions (contact time: 60 min, initial MB concentration: 20 ppm, silica xerogel dose: 0.0016 g mL−1, temperature: 40 °C, pH: 5). The experimental data fitted with the Langmuir isotherm, yielding a maximum adsorption capacity of 51.967 mg g−1. MB desorption process was performed depending on eluent concentration and contact time. Maximum desorption efficiency was specified as 88% using 1 M hydrochloric acid for 4 h. The silica xerogel was easily recycled with retaining approximately 70% of adsorption efficiency after five cycles.CONCLUSIONIn the light of the promising results, the silica xerogel can be used as an effective adsorbent in many environmental applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Pathophysiology of propionic and methylmalonic acidemias. Part 2: Treatment strategies
Authors: Haijes Hanneke A. , van Hasselt Peter M. , Jans Judith J. M. , Verhoeven‐Duif Nanda M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDespite realizing increased survival rates for propionic acidemia (PA) and methylmalonic acidemia (MMA) patients, the current therapeutic regimen is inadequate for preventing or treating the devastating complications that still can occur. The elucidation of pathophysiology of these complications allows us to evaluate and rethink treatment strategies. In this review we display and discuss potential therapy targets and we give a systematic overview on current, experimental and unexplored treatment strategies in order to provide insight in what we have to offer PA and MMA patients, now and in the future. Evidence on the effectiveness of treatment strategies is often scarce, since none were tested in randomized clinical trials. This raises concerns, since even the current consensus on best practice treatment for PA and MMA is not without controversy. To attain substantial improvements in overall outcome, gene, mRNA or enzyme replacement therapy is most promising since permanent reduction of toxic metabolites allows for a less strict therapeutic regime. Hereby, both mitochondrial‐associated and therapy induced complications can theoretically be prevented. However, the road from bench to bedside is long, as it is challenging to design a drug that is delivered to the mitochondria of all tissues that require enzymatic activity, including the brain, without inducing any off‐target effects. To improve survival rate and quality of life of PA and MMA patients, there is a need for systematic (re‐)evaluation of accepted and potential treatment strategies, so that we can better determine who will benefit when and how from which treatment strategy.
TIMP2 Polymorphisms Association With Curve Initiation and Progression of Thoracic Idiopathic Scoliosis in the Caucasian Females
Authors: Andrusiewicz Mirosław , Harasymczuk Piotr , Janusz Piotr , Biecek Przemysław , Żbikowska Aleksandra , Kotwicka Małgorzata , Kotwicki Tomasz 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTIdiopathic scoliosis (IS) etiology remains unclear, but strong genetic background is suggested. Previously reported TIMP2 study indicates an association of genic rs8179090 with IS progression in a Han Chinese population. However, there has been a lack of investigation into intragenic TIMP2 polymorphisms in IS patients. We recruited 100 Caucasian females with IS and 100 controls. Patients were subdivided accordingly to: progression rate, curve severity, joint mobility, and curve pattern. Allele‐specific‐polymerase chain reaction based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer was applied to evaluate nine TIMP2 polymorphisms. Distribution of genotype and allele frequency in only one polymorphism (rs11658743) differed in case–control study. Four of the polymorphisms (rs2277700, rs11077401, rs2376999, and rs4789934) showed non‐equal distributions either in genotype or/and allele distributions in the patients of different progression rates. The rs11077401 was related to curve severity patients distinction and the rs8179090 distinguished patients with different joint mobility level. Two polymorphisms either differed statistically in case of curve patterns subgrouping (rs8068674 and rs8179090) or showed a slight tendency toward significance in the recessive model of allele distributions (rs9916809 and rs8179090). The remaining two polymorphisms (rs2377005, rs11658743) showed no association with either clinical or radiographic IS characteristics. The influence of the G allele of the rs8179090 on the clinical course of IS has not yet been confirmed. We identified four TIMP2 polymorphisms (rs11077401, rs2376999, rs2277700, and rs4789934) that were associated with a higher risk of the progressive IS form. Further genetic association studies based on suggested clinical criteria would be necessary to validate TIMP2 polymorphisms associated with the curve progression. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2217–2225, 2019
Long‐billed curlew nest site selection and success in the Intermountain West
Authors: Coates Stephanie E. , Wright Benjamin W. , Carlisle Jay D. 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTGrassland birds have experienced steeper population declines between 1966 and 2015 than any other bird group on the North American continent, and migratory grassland birds may face threats in all stages of their annual cycle. The grassland‐associated long‐billed curlew (Numenius americanus) is experiencing population declines in regional and local portions of their North American breeding range. The nesting period is an important portion of the annual cycle when curlews may face demographic rate limitations from a suite of threats including predators and anthropogenic disturbance. We compared nest sites to random sites within breeding territories to examine nest site selection, and modeled correlates of nesting success for 128 curlew nests at 5 Intermountain West sites. Nest sites were 6 times more likely than random sites to be situated adjacent to existing cowpies. Additionally, curlews selected nest sites with shorter vegetation, and less bare ground, grass, and shrub cover than at random sites within their territories. Nest success varied widely among sites and ranged from 12% to 40% in a season with a mean of 27% for all nests during the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Higher nest success probability was associated with higher curlew densities in the area, greater percent cover of conspicuous objects (cowpies, rocks) near the nest, and higher densities of black‐billed magpies (Pica hudsonia) and American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos) at the site. We also found increased probability of nesting success with increased distance from a nest to the nearest potential perch in that territory. Given the central role of working lands to curlews in much of the Intermountain West, understanding limitations to nesting success in these diverse landscapes is necessary to guide adaptive management strategies in increasingly human‐modified habitats. We suggest some grazing and irrigation practices already provide suitable nesting conditions for curlews, and others may require only minor temporal shifts to improve compatibility. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Practice patterns and outcomes following radiation dose de‐escalation for oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: White Richard , Abel Stephen , Hasan Shaakir , Verma Vivek , Greenberg Larisa , Colonias Athanasios , Wegner Rodney E. 
Published: May 2019

Objectives/HypothesisNumerous trials are evaluating radiotherapy (RT) de‐escalation for human papillomavirus (HPV)‐mediated (HPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Herein, we evaluated the degree to which de‐escalated RT is delivered in the United States, as well as comparative outcomes with full‐dose RT as stratified for HPV status.Study DesignRetrospective database review.MethodsWe identified patients diagnosed with OPSCC in the National Cancer Database, excluding those with stage I/II disease, unknown HPV status, receiving surgery or not receiving external beam radiation therapy to the primary site, receipt of radiation doses >75 or <54 Gy, radiation treatment course duration <25 or >75 days, and unknown or inadequate (<2 months) follow‐up. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified variables associated with delivery of de‐escalated RT (<66 Gy). Overall survival of HPV+ and non–HPV‐mediated (HPV−) disease was compared between full‐dose and de‐escalated approaches.ResultsAltogether, 617 and 551 patients were HPV+ and HPV−, respectively. De‐escalated RT was delivered in 16.9% HPV+ and 15.2% of HPV− disease, respectively. Older patients and omission of systemic therapy were more likely to receive de‐escalated RT. In HPV+ patients, 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates were 83% and 80% in the de‐escalated cohort versus 83% and 78% in the full‐dose group (P = .83). In HPV− patients, corresponding 3‐ and 5‐year survival rates were 29% and 23% versus 61% and 51% (P = .001).ConclusionsNational utilization of de‐escalated RT for OPSCC is low (15%–20%), but does not seem to impact overall survival in HPV+ (but not HPV−) patients. The caveats of this heterogeneous, retrospective analysis require corroboration from a number of ongoing randomized trials.Level of Evidence2c Laryngoscope, 130:E171–E176, 2020