bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Curcuminoids plus piperine improve nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A clinical trial
Authors: Panahi Yunes , Valizadegan Ghasem , Ahamdi Nobakht , Ganjali Shiva , Majeed Muhammed , Sahebkar Amirhossein 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a prevalent hepatic disease is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality related to the liver and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Lifestyle modification and good metabolic control is the first line of treatment, but not always efficacious in reversing NAFLD pathogenesis. Curcumin is a dietary phytochemical with hepatoprotective activities, though its low bioavailability is considered as a major challenge for clinical applications. Therefore, in this study, in order to improve the bioavailability of curcumin, it was coadministered with piperine and we investigated the effects of this bioavailability‐enhanced curcumin on serum hepatic enzymes, lipid profile, and glycemic indices in patients with NAFLD.MethodsIn this randomized controlled parallel‐group trial, 70 subjects with ultrasound‐determined NAFLD were randomized to either 500 mg curcuminoids coadministered with 5 mg piperine daily or placebo for 12 weeks. NAFLD severity (on the basis of sonography) and hepatic function was assessed at baseline and at the study end.ResultsSeventy subjects completed the study. Supplementation with curcuminoids plus piperine significantly reduced the hematocrit (P = 0.027), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P = 0.048) and the serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.035), aspartate aminotransferase (P = 0.042), alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.004), cholesterol (P < 0.016), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.017), Iron (P = 0.026), and Hemoglobin (P = 0.025) and increased total iron‐binding capacity (P = 0.003). However, except albumin, changes in other parameters were not statistically different between groups. In addition, administration of curcuminoids plus piperine significantly improved NAFLD severity (P < 0.001), which was statistically different compared with the placebo group (P = 0.022). Also, the percentage of improved patients was marginally higher in the curcuminoids plus piperine group when compared with the placebo group (P = 0.058).ConclusionThis study suggested beneficial effects of combined curcuminoids and piperine supplementation on disease severity in patients with NAFLD.
LncRNA F11‐AS1 suppresses liver hepatocellular carcinoma progression by competitively binding with miR‐3146 to regulate PTEN expression
Authors: Du Junkai , Chen Mingyue , Liu Jianfei , Hu Pan , Guan Hong , Jiao Xiaoqin 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAccumulating evidence has proved that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in cancer progression. The abnormal expression of lncRNAs might mediate cancer in various ways. Liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) is the third leading cause of tumor‐related deaths. Due to the difficulty in its early recognition, the therapeutic outcomes of LIHC are far from satisfactory. The lncRNA Coagulation Factor XI Antisense RNA 1 (F11‐AS1) is underexpressed in LIHC and suppresses LIHC progression in return. F11‐AS1 can bind with and negatively regulate miR‐3146, while miR‐3146 can bind with and negatively regulate PTEN. Moreover, F11‐AS1 positively regulates the messenger RNA and protein level of PTEN. Also, miR‐3146, F11‐AS1, and PTEN could all be immunoprecipitated by antibody against Ago2, indicating the existence of RNA–induced silencing complex. Therefore, F11‐AS1 mediates PTEN expression by acting as competing endogenous RNA of miR‐3146. Further rescue assays demonstrated that F11‐AS1 suppressed LIHC progression via such pattern. To sum up, F11‐AS1 suppresses LIHC progression by competitively binding with miR‐3146 to regulate PTEN expression. The F11‐AS1/miR‐3146/PTEN axis is brand new. Taken together, the results indicate that F11‐AS1 might serve as a therapeutic target of LIHC.
Novel short synthetic matrix attachment region for enhancing transgenic expression in recombinant Chinese hamster ovary cells
Authors: Jia Yan‐Long , Guo Xiao , Ni Tian‐Jun , Lu Jiang‐Tao , Wang Xiao‐Yin , Wang Tian‐Yun 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMatrix attachment regions (MARs) are DNA fragments with specific motifs that enhance transgenic expression; however, the characteristics and functions of these elements remain unclear. In this study, we designed and synthesized three short chimeric MARs, namely, SM4, SM5, and SM6, with different numbers and orders of motifs on the basis of the features and motifs of previously reported MARs, namely, SM1, SM2, and SM3, respectively. Expression vectors with six synthetic MARs flanking the down or upstream of the expression cassette for enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) were constructed and introduced into Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. Results indicated that the EGFP expression of the CHO cells with transfection bySM4, SM5, or SM6‐containing vectors was higher than that of those containing SM1, SM2, or SM3 regardless of the MAR insertion position. The improving effect of SM5 was particularly pronounced. Transgenic expression was further enhanced with the increasing SM5 copy number. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that several arrangements of the DNA‐binding motifs for CEBP, FAST, Hox, glutathione, and NMP4 may help increase transgenic expression levels and the average population of highly expressed cells. Our findings on novel synthetic MARs will help establish stable expression systems in mammalian cells.
The protective effect of nigeglanine on dextran sulfate sodium‐induced experimental colitis in mice and Caco‐2 cells
Authors: Gao Xue‐jiao , Tang Bin , Liang Hui‐huang , Yi Li , Wei Zi‐gong 
Published: June 2019

AbstractUlcerative colitis (UC) was a nonspecific inflammatory disease. The treatment of UC is imperative. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of nigeglanine on dextran sulfate sodium‐induced UC in experimental mice and Caco‐2 cells and define the underlying mechanism. The nigeglanine was shown a significant protective effect on the colon, significantly reduced the weight and colon length loss and inhibited intestinal epithelial cell damage. Nigeglanine also reduced proinflammatory factors and increased anti‐inflammatory factor production. The results indicate that nigeglanine suppresses the nuclear factor kappa B and mitogen‐activated protein kinases pathways in addition to NLRP3 inflammasome action, inhibiting colon epithelial cell pyroptosis. Surprisingly, ZO‐1 and occludin protein levels increased with nigeglanine treatment, suggesting that nigeglanine plays a protective role in barrier integrity, reducing colitis progression. The present study suggests that dietary therapy with nigeglanine may be a useful treatment for prophylaxis and palliative UC.
Low‐level LIBS and Raman data fusion in the context of in situ Mars exploration
Authors: Rammelkamp Kristin , Schröder Susanne , Kubitza Simon , Vogt David S. , Frohmann Sven , Hansen Peder B. , Böttger Ute , Hanke Franziska , Hübers Heinz‐Wilhelm 
Published: June 2019

AbstractLaser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and Raman spectroscopy are powerful key techniques for the geoanalytical exploration of extraterrestrial bodies, especially when combined. Their data are complementary, which motivates the question of how it can be best combined to maximize the scientific output. For this study, LIBS and Raman data from pure sulfates and their mixtures as well as from other Mars‐relevant salts such as carbonates, chlorides, perchlorates, and sulfates in a basaltic matrix were measured and investigated. All measurements were performed with miniaturized setups, and LIBS experiments were done in simulated Martian atmospheric conditions. Multivariate data analysis (MVA) techniques such as principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) were employed to evaluate the potential for identifying the sulfates or the salts in the basalt with LIBS and Raman data alone and with their low‐level fused data. We found that low‐level data fusion, that is, combination of LIBS and Raman spectra at the data level, can improve the identification of sulfates and salts. Although the approach of low‐level data fusion aims to use all relevant information from both techniques, we observed that not all benefits from the single models are completely represented by the fused model. The computation and performance of appropriate MVA models are affected by the weighting of the single spectra in the combined one, by the dimensionality of the MVA models, and in case of PLS‐DA, by the given input data. From this study, we conclude that generally, data fusion of LIBS and Raman is an advantage for the identification of unknown samples but that more levels, especially, high‐level data fusion (decision level), should be further investigated.
Kinetic and Mechanistic Insights into Thermally Initiated Polymerization of Cyanate Esters with Different Bridging Groups
Authors: Galukhin Andrey , Liavitskaya Tatsiana , Vyazovkin Sergey 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis study investigates the kinetics of thermally initiated polymerization of aryl cyanates with different bridging fragments ((CH3)2C, S, and O). To minimize the effect of impurities on the kinetics, the aryl cyanates are synthesized in a highly pure form. The rates of polymerization are measured by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and treated by an advanced isoconversional method. The DSC measurements indicate that the ((CH3)2C‐ and S‐bridging monomers have, respectively, the lowest and highest reactivities. The observed variation of the activation energy with conversion and temperature is determined to be in agreement with the two‐step kinetic model by Kamal. Estimating the parameters of the Kamal model has provided mechanistic insights into the polymerization process. The enhanced reactivity of the S‐bridged monomer is found to be associated with acceleration of the first step that demonstrates an increased value of the preexponential factor. The acceleration is linked to higher polarizability of this monomer that can promote stronger intermolecular interaction and preferred orientation of the reacting species.
Obesity and cancer: A mechanistic overview of metabolic changes in obesity that impact genetic instability
Authors: Kompella Pallavi , Vasquez Karen M. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObesity, defined as a state of positive energy balance with a body mass index exceeding 30 kg/m2 in adults and 95th percentile in children, is an increasing global concern. Approximately one‐third of the world's population is overweight or obese, and in the United States alone, obesity affects one in six children. Meta‐analysis studies suggest that obesity increases the likelihood of developing several types of cancer, and with poorer outcomes, especially in children. The contribution of obesity to cancer risk requires a better understanding of the association between obesity‐induced metabolic changes and its impact on genomic instability, which is a major driving force of tumorigenesis. In this review, we discuss how molecular changes during adipose tissue dysregulation can result in oxidative stress and subsequent DNA damage. This represents one of the many critical steps connecting obesity and cancer since oxidative DNA lesions can result in cancer‐associated genetic instability. In addition, the by‐products of the oxidative degradation of lipids (e.g., malondialdehyde, 4‐hydroxynonenal, and acrolein), and gut microbiota‐mediated secondary bile acid metabolites (e.g., deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid), can function as genotoxic agents and tumor promoters. We also discuss how obesity can impact DNA repair efficiency, potentially contributing to cancer initiation and progression. Finally, we outline obesity‐related epigenetic changes and identify the gaps in knowledge to be addressed for the development of better therapeutic strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity‐related cancers.
The economic benefits of invasive species management
Authors: Hanley Nick , Roberts Michaela 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Invasive species are known to cause significant negative impacts to ecosystems and to people.

In this paper, we outline the nature of these economic impacts, and then present a range of approaches for estimating the economic costs of invasive species (including impacts on biodiversity), and thus the benefits of management programmes. The importance of thinking clearly about the most appropriate context for valuation is stressed.

We provide examples of the application of non‐market valuation approaches to invasive species management, and show how such methods can be used to measure public preferences over how control is undertaken.

We discuss some important problems in applying economic valuation methods in this context.

A plain language summary is available for this article.
Influence of fiber content on rheological and mechanical properties of pineapple leaf fibers‐polypropylene composites prepared by twin‐screw extrusion
Authors: Berzin Françoise , Amornsakchai Taweechai , Lemaitre Alain , Castellani Romain , Vergnes Bruno 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPineapple leaf fiber (PALF) is an agricultural waste that could be used as a reinforcing fiber for thermoplastic polymers. Therefore, it is important to characterize the properties of these composites. In this paper, PALF was used to prepare polypropylene‐based composites by twin‐screw extrusion. The objective was to evaluate the influence of the fiber content (between 10 and 30 wt%) on the rheological and mechanical properties of the composites. Variations in fiber dimensions (length, diameter, aspect ratio) along the screws were analyzed and revealed limited degradation in the tested condition. The rheological behavior of the composites was directly impacted by the fiber content, with a regular increase of the viscosity and the development of a melt yield stress above 20 wt% PALF. The mechanical properties showed an increase in Young's modulus (+115% at 30 wt% PALF) and stress at break (+72% at 30 wt% PALF), proportional to the fiber content, but a sharp decrease in elongation at break (from 980% to 10% at 30 wt% PALF). These results confirm that the fiber content is the main parameter controlling the rheological and mechanical properties of the PALF/PP composites and that this fiber from agricultural waste can be considered as a good candidate for various applications of PP‐based composites.
Doctor hopping and doctor shopping for prescription opioids associated with increased odds of high‐risk use
Authors: Young Sean G. , Hayes Corey J. , Aram Jonathan , Tait Mark A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPurposeEarly detection of risky behaviors involving prescription opioids can assist prescribers in implementing safer prescribing. Patient‐to‐prescriber travel patterns may indicate potential opioid misuse. We introduce doctor hopping, patients bypassing nearby prescribers in favor of more distant ones, as a new spatial estimation of potentially risky behavior, and compare with traditional doctor shopping metrics.MethodsWe examined all filled opioid prescriptions between 2015 and 2016 from the Arkansas Prescription Drug Monitoring Program. We calculated patient‐to‐prescriber travel times and number of prescribers bypassed for each prescription, adjusted for payment method. Opioid recipients traveling further than the nearest urban area and bypassing more prescribers than 99% of other recipients from the same zip code were identified as doctor hoppers. We calculated odds ratios to evaluate how doctor hopping and doctor shopping correspond to high‐risk opioid uses.ResultsApproximately 0.72% of all opioid recipients in Arkansas engaged in doctor hopping two or more times during the study period. Rates of doctor hopping varied spatially but were more common in rural areas. Doctor shopping was more common in urban areas. Both hopping and shopping were significantly associated with higher odds of engaging in high‐risk opioid use. The combination of doctor hopping and doctor shopping metrics can predict high‐risk use better than either metric alone and may allow for earlier detection than doctor shopping alone.ConclusionsDoctor hopping is positively associated with high‐risk opioid use and is distinct from and complementary to doctor shopping. We recommend Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) vendors incorporate similar spatial analyses into their systems.
An automated, laser‐based measurement system for nitrous oxide isotope and isotopomer ratios at nanomolar levels
Authors: Ji Qixing , Grundle Damian S. 
Published: June 2019

RationaleNitrous oxide (N2O) is an atmospheric trace gas regulating Earth's climate, and is a key intermediate of many nitrogen cycling processes in aquatic ecosystems. Laser‐based technology for N2O concentration and isotopic/isotopomeric analyses has potential advantages, which include high analytical specificity, low sample size requirement and reduced cost.MethodsAn autosampler with a purge‐and‐trap module is coupled to a cavity ring‐down spectrometer to achieve automated and high‐throughput measurements of N2O concentrations, N2O isotope ratios (δ15Nbulk and δ18O values) and position‐specific isotopomer ratios (δ15Nα and δ15Nβ values). The system provides accuracy and precision similar to those for measurements made by traditional isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) techniques.ResultsThe sample sizes required were 0.01–1.1 nmol‐N2O. Measurements of four N2O isotopic/isotopomeric references were cross‐calibrated with those obtained by IRMS. With a sample size of 0.50 nmol‐N2O, the measurement precision (1σ) for δ15Nα, δ15Nβ, δ15Nbulk and δ18O values was 0.61, 0.33, 0.41 and 0.43‰, respectively. Correction schemes were developed for sample size‐dependent isotopic/isotopomeric deviations. The instrumental system demonstrated consistent measurements of dissolved N2O concentrations, isotope/isotopomer ratios and production rates in seawater.ConclusionsThe coupling of an autosampler with a purge‐and‐trap module to a cavity ring‐down spectrometer not only significantly reduces sample size requirements, but also offers comprehensive investigation of N2O production pathways by the measurement of natural abundance and tracer level isotopes and isotopomers. Furthermore, the system can perform isotopic analyses of dissolved and solid nitrogen‐containing samples using N2O as the analytical proxy.
A Facile Sunlight‐Induced Synthesis of Phenylalanine‐Conjugated Cholic Acid‐Stabilized Silver and Gold Nanoparticles for Colorimetric Detection of Toxic Hg2+, Cr6+ and Pb2+ Ions
Authors: Annadhasan Mari , Kasthuri Jayapalan , Rajendiran Nagappan 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAn efficient and eco‐friendly procedure for the synthesis of highly stable silver (Ag) and gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) using phenylalanine conjugated cholic acid (CPhe) in aqueous medium has been developed.These NPs were prepared under natural sunlight irradiation, in which CPhe acts both as self‐reducing and capping agent. The size and shape of the NPs were optimized by changing the ratio of the concentration of CPheand Au3+ ions, pH of the solution, sunlight irradiation and reaction time.The optical properties of the nanoparticles (NPs) were studied using UV‐visible spectroscopy. Size and morphology of the NPs were analyzed using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM) and dynamic light scattering techniques (DLS) techniques. The interaction of CPhe on the NPs surface were studied by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra.The synthesized Ag and Au NPs solutions were found to be highly stable for more than a year. The prepared NPs were used as probes for highly selective and sensitive detection of heavy metal ions (Hg2+, Cr6+ and Pb2+) by colorimetric in aqueous medium with a detection limit in the range ofnanomolar concentrations.
Clinical Evaluation of a Photonic Crystal Sensor for Glucose Monitoring in Urine
Authors: Lan Yunhe , Xue Min , Qiu Lili , Meng Zihui 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSelf‐monitoring of blood glucose is not only an effective method to treat diabetes, but also a painful invasive process to patients. To develop a noninvasive technique, we evaluated the clinical performance of a polymerized crystalline colloidal array (PCCA) sensor for glucose monitoring in urine. A two‐dimensional crystalline colloidal array (CCA) was assembled using polystyrene particles and further embedded into 3‐acrylamidophenylboronic acid functionalized hydrogel. 101 urine samples were tested, and the glucose concentrations was calculated by the particle spacing of PCCA. All the urine samples were also analyzed by automated urine analyzers. Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses showed a linear relationship between the PCCA results with a range of 0.4‐53.3 mmol L−1 and the Cobas® 8000 references (r=0.914; [PCCA]=0.9281 [HK] + 2.0585 mmol L−1). Cohen's kappa (κ) statistic with 0.65 (sig < 0.05) showed the PCCA results had moderate agreement with references. Also, Bland‐Altman plot showed that AX‐4030 sensor's systematic error was higher than PCCA sensor (mean=7.4813 > 0.5271 mmol L−1). The PCCA urine glucose biosensor has the advantages of fast fabrication, low cost, easy operation and high sensitivity, which provides a promising technique for noninvasive point‐of‐care glucose monitoring.
Nanoclusters of Dicyanocuprate(I) Anions in Aqueous Solutions: Investigating Cuprophilic Interactions
Authors: Nicholas Aaron D. , Connolly Roger P. , Szewczyk Thomas E. , Patterson Howard H. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe oligomerization of cyanocuprate(I) ions in aqueous solutions lacking and containing alkali cyanide salts (NaCN/KCN) has been investigated by infrared, Raman, and low temperature luminescence spectroscopy. In solution metallophilic interactions between Cu(I) metal centers bind the ions together into ∼1D chains. The structure and luminescence assignment of these nanoclusters was determined using simple Group Theory and Density Functional Theory calculations. Measurements show that the presence of KCN and NaCN in solution drives oligomerization of CuCN2− ions to higher order nanoclusters. Calculations of dimer and trimer clusters with K+ and Na+ ions indicate that alkali metals favor the formation of linear clusters as opposed to those that are bent. These findings fill an important gap in the understanding of d10 cyanometallate oligomers given the prevalence of cyanocuprate(I) in metal‐organic frameworks.
Development of a new solvent‐assisted dispersive solid‐phase extraction followed by ion mobility spectrometry for trace determination of organophosphorus pesticides in environmental water samples
Authors: Aladaghlo Zolfaghar , Fakhari Ali Reza 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn this research, an effective sample preparation method called solvent‐assisted dispersive solid‐phase extraction followed by corona discharge ion mobility spectrometry was proposed for the trace determination of organophosphorus pesticides in environmental water samples. In this method, to maximize the interaction surface between target analytes and sorbent, the sorbent was dispersed into the aqueous sample. In this technique, the sorbent was dispersed at very low levels using a solution of sorbent and disperser solvent into the aqueous sample. Then, a cloudy solution was created by dispersing the sorbent particles in aqueous solution. After the interaction of organophosphorus pesticides and benzil, the cloudy solution was centrifuged and organophosphorus pesticides in the solid phase were dissolved in ethanol. In order to obtain the best extraction efficiency, the optimization of parameters affecting this method was examined. After optimization, the results were obtained as follows: pH of solution: 7.0, sorbent: benzil, 2% w/v, disperser solvent: ethanol, 500 µL, and centrifuge: centrifuged at 6000 rpm for 2 min. The presented method showed low method detection limit (0.3 ng mL−1), excellent preconcentration factor (368–376), good linearity (>0.994), repeatability (RSD < 4.1%), and high recoveries (92–94%).