bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating the role of CRIPTO‐1 (TDGF‐1) in glioblastoma multiforme U87 cell line
Authors: Alowaidi Faisal , Hashimi Saeed M , Nguyen Maria , Meshram Mallika , Alqurashi Naif , Cavanagh Brenton L , Bellette Bernadette , Ivanovski Saso , Meedenyia Adrian , Wood Stephen A 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCripto‐1 has been implicated in a number of human cancers. Although there is high potential for a role of Cripto‐1 in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) pathogenesis and progression, few studies have tried to define its role in GBM. These studies were limited in that Cripto‐1 expression was not studied in detail in relation to markers of cancer initiation and progression. Therefore, these correlative studies allowed limited interpretation of Criptos‐1's effect on the various aspects of GBM development using the U87 GBM cell line. In this study, we sought to delineate the role of Cripto‐1 in facilitating pathogenesis, stemness, proliferation, invasion, migration and angiogenesis in GBM. Our findings show that upon overexpressing Cripto‐1 in U87 GBM cells, the stemness markers Nanog, Oct4, Sox2, and CD44 increased expression. Similarly, an increase in Ki67 was observed demonstrating Cripto‐1's potential to induce cellular proliferation. Likewise, we report a novel finding that increased expression of the markers of migration and invasion, Vimentin and Twist, correlated with upregulation of Cripto‐1. Moreover, Cripto‐1 exposure led to VEGFR‐2 overexpression along with higher tube formation under conditions promoting endothelial growth. Taken together our results support a role for Cripto‐1 in the initiation, development, progression, and maintenance of GBM pathogenesis. The data presented here are also consistent with a role for Cripto‐1 in the re‐growth and invasive growth in GBM. This highlights its potential use as a predictive and diagnostic marker in GBM as well as a therapeutic target.
Programmed cell death protein 4 deficiency suppresses foam cell formation by activating autophagy in advanced glycation end‐product low‐density lipoprotein–induced macrophages
Authors: Li Shan , Gao Guangdong , Wu Fuyun , Liu Dan , Zhao Hongyan , Ke Jing , Liu Ying , Li Fei , Li Jian , Chen Zongyun , Tang Zhiming , Bai Lei , Zhang Jinxuan , Zheng Wei , Chen Xin 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundAdvanced glycation end‐product is a modified form of low‐density lipoprotein (AGE‐LDL) and accelerates atherosclerosis through undefined mechanisms. Programmed cell death protein 4 (PDCD4), a transcriptional regulator, plays an important role in the regulation of autophagy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of PDCD4 involved in AGE‐LDL–induced foam cell formation.MethodsThe characterization of AGE‐LDL was measured by the thiobarbituric assay and agarose gel electrophoresis in vitro. RAW264.7, THP‐1 cell line and primary peritoneal macrophages of mice were transfected with shPDCD4 plasmid AGE‐LDL–induced foam cell formation was stained by Oil Red, and the levels of autophagy and apoptosis were determined by Western blot analysis. Autophagosome was observed with immunofluorescence microscopy. Mitochondrial membrane potential and autophagic flux were assessed by flow cytometry.ResultsAGE modification resulted in significant reduction of absorbance shown by thiobarbituric assay and augmentation of electrophoresis mobility. Further studies suggest that macrophages exposed AGE‐LDL triggered autophagy in the early stage of foam cell formation. PDCD4 deficiency enhanced lipoautophagy but inhibited apoptosis and mitochondria dysfunction. Previous studies have been reported that autophagy is an adaptive response might prevent lesional macrophage apoptosis. In our study, we found PDCD4 deficiency attenuated apoptosis and AGE‐LDL–induced foam cell formation relied on increased autophagy.ConclusionOur data revealed that PDCD4 deficiency can facilitate autophagy and benefit for AGE‐LDL–induced foam cell formation.
Phosphoinositide‐specific phospholipase C in normal human liver and in alcohol abuse
Authors: Fais Paolo , Leopizzi Martina , Di Maio Valeria , Longo Lucia , Della Rocca Carlo , Tagliaro Franco , Bortolotti Federica , Lo Vasco Vincenza Rita 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe phosphoinositide (PI) signal transduction pathway participates in liver metabolism. Abnormal activity or expression of PI‐specific phospholipase C (PLC) enzymes has been described in different liver diseases. We resume the role of the PI metabolism in liver and PLC abnormalities in different liver diseases. Moreover, we present the results of PLC analyses in a normal human liver and an alcohol‐damaged liver. PLC enzymes and the expression of the corresponding genes in liver biopsies from individuals deceased for complications of the alcoholic liver disease (ALD) at different stages compared with normal controls (deceased individuals with histologically normal livers without alcohol addiction anamnesis) were analyzed by using immunohistochemistry and molecular biology techniques. The expression panel of PLCs was described in normal and alcohol abuse liver. Our observations suggest that the regulation of PLC expression might be due to posttranscriptional events and that alcohol affects the epigenetic control of PLC expression belonging to PI signaling. We also describe the alternate expression of PLCB1 and PLCH1 genes in liver. Our results corroborate literature data suggesting that PLC enzymes are differently expressed in normal versus pathological liver, playing a role in the histopathogenesis of liver tissue damage. The expression and/or localization of selected PLC isoforms is especially affected in alcohol‐related liver tissue histopathology. Our present observations confirm that the modulation of protein synthesis plays a role in the regulation of PLC enzymes. We also suggest that this modulation might act at the transcription level. Further studies are required to investigate related epigenetic mechanisms.
Pre‐eclampsia onset and SPARC: A possible involvement in placenta development
Authors: Tossetta Giovanni , Fantone Sonia , Giannubilo Stefano R. , Marinelli Busilacchi Elena , Ciavattini Andrea , Castellucci Mario , Di Simone Nicoletta , Mattioli‐Belmonte Monica , Marzioni Daniela 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPre‐eclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder commonly diagnosed in the latter half of pregnancy and it is a leading cause of intrauterine fetal growth retardation (IUGR). The aim of this study was to investigate the localization and the role of SPARC, secreted protein acidic, and rich in cysteine, in PE and PE–IUGR placentas in comparison with normal placentas. SPARC was mainly expressed in the villous and extravillous cytotrophoblastic cells in first trimester, whereas in PE, PE–IUGR and at term placentas, SPARC immunostaining was visible in both cytotrophoblastic cells and syncytiotrophoblast. SPARC expression significantly decreased in normal placenta from first to third trimester and a further significant reduction was demonstrated in PE and PE–IUGR. The latter downregulation of SPARC depends on hypoxic condition as shown by in vitro models. In conclusion, SPARC can play a pivotal role in PE and PE–IUGR onset and it should be considered as a key molecule for future investigations in such pathologies.
A genetic variant in LINGO2 contributes to the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in a Chinese population
Authors: Su Tong , Ren Qingxia , Lu Yingying , Tai Wen , Zhu Yuan , Li Zhengying , Wen Juan , Hu Lingmin , Zhang Le , Ma Jiehua 
Published: November 2018

AbstractGenome‐wide association studies (GWASs) showed that three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs10968576, rs1412239, and rs824248) in the leucine‐rich repeat and Ig domain containing 2 (LINGO2) were associated with obesity or type 2 diabetes (T2D). We aimed to determine the influence of the LINGO2 variants on the gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk. Thus, we performed a case–control study including 964 GDM cases and 1,021 controls to test the associations between the three LINGO2 variants (rs10968576, rs1412239, and rs824248) and susceptibility to GDM. Logistic regression analyses showed no significant association between LINGO2 variations (rs10968576 and rs1412239) and GDM susceptibility, but we observed that LINGO2 rs824248 A > T was significantly associated with an increased risk of GDM using the dominant model (TT/AT vs. AA: adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.05–1.51; p = 0.012) and the additive model (TT vs. AT vs. AA: adjusted OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.03–1.31; p = 0.016). In the additive model, a stronger risk effect of rs824248 was observed among obese women (prepregnancy body mass index [BMI] > 22 kg/m2, adjusted OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.12–1.59) compared with that in lean women (prepregnancy BMI ≤ 22 kg/m2, adjusted OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.86–1.21; p = 0.029 for heterogeneity test). Further interactive analyses also detected a significant multiplicative interaction between rs824248 and prepregnancy BMI for the risk of GDM (p = 0.041). These findings indicate that LINGO2 rs824248 may serve as a susceptibility marker for GDM in Chinese females.
Glucose addition‐induced changes in the growth and chemical compositions of a freshwater microalga Chlorella kessleri
Authors: Deng Xiang‐Yuan , Xue Chun‐Ye , Chen Biao , Amoah Philip Kwabena , Li Da , Hu Xiao‐Li , Gao Kun 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDIn recent years, mixotrophic culture of algal cells has been gaining increasing interest, largely because it offers an efficient means of commercial production of lipids and other value‐added products. In this work, the impacts of glucose addition on the biomass production, chemical composition and fatty acid profiles of Chlorella kessleri were investigated to exploit the relationships between extra organic carbon and changes in the distribution of chemical compositions in algal cells.RESULTSResults showed that C. kessleri grew fast in the mixotrophic cultures with a maximum algal biomass and specific growth rate of 4.46 g L−1 and 1.27 day−1, respectively. Glucose in the cultures was absorbed and utilized effectively by this alga, whose uptake efficiencies ranged from 88.2% to 98.3%, but it had a negative impact on the synthesis of photosynthetic pigments. Additionally, the culture's pH and chemical composition, including pigments, carbohydrate, protein and lipids, in this alga varied with the change of glucose concentrations in the cultures. The fatty acid profiles of this alga indicated that its biomass could be used as live feeds in aquaculture or a good‐quality feedstock for biodiesel production.CONCLUSIONSThese results suggested that adding an extra organic carbon source (glucose) to a photoautotrophic culture was a potentially effective way to improve the performance in mixotrophically culture of microalgae, for example in terms of higher biomass and lipid production. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Optimization and Applicability of a Novel Sensor for Potentiometric Determination of Anionic Surfactants
Authors: Samardžić Mirela , Petrušić Sanja , Hajduković Mateja , Škobić Marija 
Published: November 2018

AbstractNovel potentiometric sensors for anionic surfactant (AS) determination, with different percentages of tetraoctadecylammonium tetraphenylborate (TODA‐TPB) as sensing materials and different electrolytes (sodium chloride, lithium chloride, sodium dodecyl sulfate (NaDS), sodium tetraphenylborate, sodium acetate, and potassium chloride) at varied concentration levels, were developed and compared. The sensor with best response characteristics was further characterized. It had a fast response time (5 s), a low signal drift (2.0 and 2.9 mV h−1 in a detergent solution and NaDS, respectively), a wide pH working range (3–11), and a longer lifetime of 6 months. This novel sensor was characterized with Nernstian response toward NaDS (−58.0 mV decade−1 of activity), a wide working range (1.3 · 10−7–5 · 10−3 M), and a low limit of detection (1.0 · 10−7 M). It proved to be an accurate and reliable sensor for AS determination in multicomponent mixtures of AS and household wastewater using a potentiometric titration method. Nonionic surfactants, which are commonly mixed with AS in commercial products to obtain better properties of products, had an insignificant impact on AS determination.
A review on conventional and biotechnological approaches in white pepper production
Authors: Aziz Nurul S , Sofian‐Seng Noor‐Soffalina , Mohd Razali Noorul S , Lim Seng Joe , Mustapha Wan AW 
Published: November 2018

ABSTRACTWhite pepper is the dried seeds obtained from pepper berries (Piper nigrum L.) after the removal of the pericarp. It has been widely used as seasoning and condiments in food preparation. Globally, white pepper fetches a higher price compared to black pepper due to its lighter colour, preferable milder flavour and pungency. Increasing global demand of the spice outpaced the supply as the conventional production method used is laborious, lengthy and also not very hygienic. The most common conventional method is water retting but can also include pit soil, chemical, boiling, steaming and mechanical methods. The introduction of a biotechnological approach has gained a lot of interest, as it is a more rapid, convenient and hygienic method of producing white pepper. This technique involves the application of microorganisms and/or enzymes. This review highlights both conventional and latest biotechnological processes of white pepper production. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Disentangling the effects of high permittivity materials on signal optimization and sample noise reduction via ideal current patterns
Authors: Vaidya Manushka V. , Sodickson Daniel K. , Collins Christopher M. , Lattanzi Riccardo 
Published: November 2018

PurposeTo investigate how high‐permittivity materials (HPMs) can improve SNR when placed between MR detectors and the imaged body.MethodsWe used a simulation framework based on dyadic Green’s functions to calculate the electromagnetic field inside a uniform dielectric sphere at 7 Tesla, with and without a surrounding layer of HPM. SNR‐optimizing (ideal) current patterns were expressed as the sum of signal‐optimizing (signal‐only) current patterns and dark mode current patterns that minimize sample noise while contributing nothing to signal. We investigated how HPM affects the shape and amplitude of these current patterns, sample noise, and array SNR.ResultsIdeal and signal‐only current patterns were identical for a central voxel. HPMs introduced a phase shift into these patterns, compensating for signal propagation delay in the HPMs. For an intermediate location within the sphere, dark mode current patterns were present and illustrated the mechanisms by which HPMs can reduce sample noise. High‐amplitude signal‐only current patterns were observed for HPM configurations that shield the electromagnetic field from the sample. For coil arrays, these configurations corresponded to poor SNR in deep regions but resulted in large SNR gains near the surface due to enhanced fields in the vicinity of the HPM. For very high relative permittivity values, HPM thicknesses corresponding to even multiples of λ/4 resulted in coil SNR gains throughout the sample.ConclusionHPMs affect both signal sensitivity and sample noise. Lower amplitude signal‐only optimal currents corresponded to higher array SNR performance and could guide the design of coils integrated with HPM.
Inverse optimization in minimum cost flow problems on countably infinite networks
Authors: Nourollahi Sevnaz , Ghate Archis 
Published: November 2018

AbstractGiven the costs and a feasible solution for a minimum cost flow problem on a countably infinite network, inverse optimization involves finding new costs that are close to the original ones and that make the given solution optimal. We study this problem using the weighted absolute sum metric to quantify closeness of cost vectors. We provide sufficient conditions under which known results from inverse optimization in minimum cost flow problems on finite networks extend to the countably infinite case. These conditions ensure that recent duality results on countably infinite linear programs can be applied to our setting. Specifically, they enable us to prove that the inverse optimization problem can be reformulated as a capacitated, minimum cost circulation problem on a countably infinite network. Finite‐dimensional truncations of this problem can be solved in polynomial time when the weights equal one, which yields an efficient solution method. The circulation problem can also be solved via the shadow simplex method, where each finite‐dimensional truncation is tackled using the usual network Simplex algorithm that is empirically known to be computationally efficient. We illustrate these results on an infinite horizon shortest path problem.
Development and psychometric evaluation of the Job Demands in Nursing Scale and Job Resources in Nursing Scale: Results from a national study
Authors: Penz Kelly L. , Kosteniuk Julie G. , Stewart Norma J. , MacLeod Martha L. P. , Kulig Judith C. , Karunanayake Chandima P. , Kilpatrick Kelley 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAimTo develop and test the psychometric properties of the Job Resources in Nursing (JRIN) Scale and the Job Demands in Nursing (JDIN) Scale.DesignCross‐sectional survey.MethodsA three‐phase process of instrument development and psychometric evaluation was employed: Phase 1: development of a 42‐item JRIN Scale and 60‐item JDIN Scale through extensive literature review, expert consultation and an iterative content evaluation; Phase 2: pilot survey of 89 nurses and use of item discrimination analysis to estimate the internal consistency reliability of each subscale and reduce the length of each scale; Phase 3: Modified scales were tested in a nationwide survey of 3,822 rural/remote nurses, including use of exploratory factor analysis.ResultsThe 24 items related to job resources favoured a six‐factor structure, accounting for 63% of the variance, Cronbach's alpha 0.88. The 22 items related to job demands favoured a six‐factor structure, accounting for 59% of the variance, Cronbach's alpha 0.84.
Deep eutectic solvent as a green solvent for enhanced extraction of narirutin, naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin from Aurantii Fructus
Authors: Liu Yongjing , Zhang Hua , Yu Hongmin , Guo Suhua , Chen Dawei 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIntroductionIn the present study, a green and efficient extraction method using deep eutectic solvents as extraction solvent was developed for extracting the four major active compounds narirutin, naringin, hesperidin and neohesperidin from Aurantii Fructus.MethodologyA series of tunable deep eutectic solvents were prepared and investigated by mixing choline chloride or betaine to different hydrogen‐bond donors, and betaine/ethanediol was found to be the most suitable extraction solvent. To achieve the best extraction yield, the primary factors affecting the extraction efficiency, such as hydrogen‐bond acceptor/hydrogen‐bond donor ratio, water content in deep eutectic solvents, extraction temperature, solid/liquid ratio and extraction time, were investigated.ResultsThe optimal extraction conditions were 40% of water in betaine/ethanediol (1:4) at 60°C for heated extraction of 30 min and solid/liquid ratio 1:100 g/mL. Under the optimum extraction condition, the extraction yields of narirutin, naringin, hesperidin, and neohesperidin were 8.39 ± 0.61, 83.98 ± 1.92, 3.03 ± 0.35 and 35.94 ± 0.63 mg/g, respectively, which were much higher than those of methanol as extraction solvent (5.5 ± 0.48, 64.23 ± 1.51, 2.16 ± 0.15 and 30.14 ± 0.62 mg/g).ConclusionThe present results showed that deep eutectic solvents could be promising green and efficient solvents for extraction of the bioactive ingredients from traditional Chinese medicine.
The role of loops B and C in determining the potentiation of GABAA receptors by midazolam
Authors: Moody Olivia A. , Jenkins Andrew 
Published: November 2018

AbstractMany benzodiazepines are positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of GABAA receptors that cause sedation, hypnosis, and anxiolysis. Benzodiazepines bind GABAA receptors at the extracellular interface of the α and γ subunits. Within the α subunit, the benzodiazepine binding site is defined by three highly conserved structural loops, loops A‐C. Although previous mutagenesis studies have identified His102 in Loop A as important for benzodiazepine modulation of GABAA receptors, the functional roles of many of the other conserved residues in loops A‐C remain incompletely understood. In this study, we made single mutations in loops A‐C of the benzodiazepine binding‐site across all six α subunits. We used whole‐cell patch clamp recording to measure the functional effects of these mutations on midazolam potentiation. The results showed that mutating the threonine in loop B and serine in loop C (Thr163 and S206 in human α1) did not abolish the receptors’ responsiveness to midazolam, as the α1(H102R) mutation did. The loop C mutations exhibited a novel array of α‐isoform specific effects on midazolam potentiation. The α3(S230I) and α5(S209I) mutations had the largest effect on midazolam potentiation, increasing the efficacy of midazolam. Novel benzodiazepines targeting loop C may represent a future direction for designing new drugs that specifically alter the activity of α3‐ and α5‐containing GABAA receptors.
Unit reliability and integrity process development and implementation
Authors: Hanning David 
Published: November 2018

A little over 10 years ago, Chevron developed and implemented an Asset Reliability Process with the goal of improving the reliability of our facilities, with a strong focus on improving the availability of our facilities. This was known as URIP or our Unit Reliability Improvement Process. The building blocks of this process include subprocedures for:
Design for reliability
Reliability opportunity identification and resolution
Risk assessment and asset strategy
Surveillance and condition monitoring
Proactive maintenance
Maintenance and failure prevention
While we were successful in improving the availability of our facilities with the implementation of URIP, we continued to experience incidents and unplanned downtime associated with the integrity of our assets. As a result, we identified the need to revise our process to place a greater focus on asset integrity. This presentation describes the development and implementation of our revised reliability process, which we have renamed as our Unit Reliability and Integrity Process. The resulting asset care program still includes the subprocedures listed above, with the incorporation of asset integrity requirements. © 2018 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 38: e12018, 2019
His‐Tag‐Epitope Imprinted Thermoresponsive Magnetic Nanoparticles for Recognition and Separation Thyroid Peroxidase Antigens from Whole Blood Samples
Authors: Turan Eylem 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn the epitope imprinting method, a short peptide, even without a defined tertiary structure, can be used as the template to produce protein‐selective polymers. In this study, His‐tag‐epitope imprinted magnetic nanoparticles (EMIP‐MNPs) were prepared via epitope imprinting method onto the surface of the magnetic nanoparticles for specific recognition and separation of thyroid peroxidase antigens (TPO). 3‐(Trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate (TMSPM), copper (II) acrylate (Cu(II)Ac) and N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) were chosen as functional monomers. Ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate (EGDMA) and 2,2’‐azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) were selected as crosslinking agent and initiator, respectively. The EMIP‐MNPs were prepared within 30 min by epitope imprinting method which was shorter than the surface imprinting method. The prepared EMIP‐MNPs were thermosensitive and showed selective affinity to target TPO antigens. Moreover, the EMIP‐MNPs were easily and quickly recognized and separated to target antigens from the whole blood sample.