bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Validated Quantification of Sudan Red Dyes in Spicery using TLC and a 16-bit Flatbed Scanner
Authors: Milz Barbara , Schnurr Philip , Grafmüller Jannis , Oehler Kevin , Spangenberg Bernd 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
We present a video-densitometric quantification method for Sudan red dyes in spices and spice mixtures, separated by TLC. Application was done band-wise in small dots using a 5 μL glass pipette. For separation, the RP-18 plates (20 × 20 cm with fluorescent dye; Merck, Germany, 1.05559) were developed in a vertical developing chamber without vapor saturation from the starting point to a distance of 70 mm by using acetonitrile, methanol, and aqueous ammonia solution (25%; 8 + 1.8 + 0.2, v/v) as mobile phase. The quantification is based on direct measurements using an inexpensive 16-bit flatbed scanner for color measurements (in red, green, and blue). Evaluation of only the green channel makes the measurements very specific. For linearization, an extended Kubelka-Munk expression for data transformation was used. The range of linearity covers more than two magnitudes and lies between 20 and 500 ng. The extraction from a 2 g sample with acetonitrile, evaporation, and reconstitution to 200 μL with methanol and the band-wise application (7 mm) of a 10 μL sample allows a statistically defined LOD of less than 500 ppb of Sudan red dyes. To perform the analysis, a separation chamber, RP-18 plates, 5 μL glass pipettes, and a 16-bit flatbed scanner for 105 € are needed; therefore, the separation method is inexpensive, fast, and reliable.
Cancer/testis antigen‐Plac1 promotes invasion and metastasis of breast cancer through Furin/NICD/PTEN signaling pathway
Authors: Li Yongfei , Chu Jiahui , Li Jun , Feng Wanting , Yang Fan , Wang Yifan , Zhang Yanhong , Sun Chunxiao , Yang Mengzhu , Vasilatos Shauna N. , Huang Yi , Fu Ziyi , Yin Yongmei 
Published: April 2018

Placenta‐specific protein 1 (Plac1) is a cancer/testis antigen that plays a critical role in promoting cancer initiation and progression. However, the clinical significance and mechanism of Plac1 in cancer progression remain elusive. Here, we report that Plac1 is an important oncogenic and prognostic factor, which physically interacts with Furin to drive breast cancer invasion and metastasis. We have shown that Plac1 expression positively correlates with clinical stage, lymph node metastasis, hormone receptor status, and overall patient survival. Overexpression of Plac1 promoted invasion and metastasis of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Co‐immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence cell staining assays revealed that interaction of Plac1 and Furin degraded Notch1 and generated Notch1 intracellular domain (NICD) that could inhibit PTEN activity. These findings are consistent with the results of microarray study in MDA‐MB‐231 cells overexpressing Plac1. A rescue study showed that inhibition of Furin and overexpression of PTEN in Plac1 overexpression cells blocked Plac1‐induced tumor cell progression. Taken together, our findings suggest that functional interaction between Plac1 and Furin enhances breast cancer invasion and metastasis and the Furin/NICD/PTEN axis may act as an important therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment.
Cascade Formation of C3‐Unsymmetric Spirooxindoles via PhI(OAc)2‐Mediated Oxidative C−C/C−N Bond Formation
Authors: Sun Jiyun , Li Guangchen , Zhang Guangtao , Cong Ying , An Xuechan , Zhang‐Negrerie Daisy , Du Yunfei 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA series of C3‐unsymmetric spirooxindoles were achieved by reaction of diphenylmalonamides with PhI(OAc)2 (PIDA) under metal‐free conditions. Control experiments suggest that the hypervalent iodine‐mediated reaction undergoes a cascade process involving an oxidative C−C bond formation preceeding an oxidative C−N bond formation.magnified image
Nanoscale Artificial Plasmonic Lattice in Self‐Assembled Vertically Aligned Nitride–Metal Hybrid Metamaterials
Authors: Huang Jijie , Wang Xuejing , Hogan Nicki L. , Wu Shengxiang , Lu Ping , Fan Zhe , Dai Yaomin , Zeng Beibei , Starko‐Bowes Ryan , Jian Jie , Wang Han , Li Leigang , Prasankumar Rohit P. , Yarotski Dmitry , Sheldon Matthew , Chen Hou‐Tong , Jacob Zubin , Zhang Xinghang , Wang Haiyan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractNanoscale metamaterials exhibit extraordinary optical properties and are proposed for various technological applications. Here, a new class of novel nanoscale two‐phase hybrid metamaterials is achieved by combining two major classes of traditional plasmonic materials, metals (e.g., Au) and transition metal nitrides (e.g., TaN, TiN, and ZrN) in an epitaxial thin film form via the vertically aligned nanocomposite platform. By properly controlling the nucleation of the two phases, the nanoscale artificial plasmonic lattices (APLs) consisting of highly ordered hexagonal close packed Au nanopillars in a TaN matrix are demonstrated. More specifically, uniform Au nanopillars with an average diameter of 3 nm are embedded in epitaxial TaN platform and thus form highly 3D ordered APL nanoscale metamaterials. Novel optical properties include highly anisotropic reflectance, obvious nonlinear optical properties indicating inversion symmetry breaking of the hybrid material, large permittivity tuning and negative permittivity response over a broad wavelength regime, and superior mechanical strength and ductility. The study demonstrates the novelty of the new hybrid plasmonic scheme with great potentials in versatile material selection, and, tunable APL spacing and pillar dimension, all important steps toward future designable hybrid plasmonic materials.
An Assembled Nanocomplex for Improving both Therapeutic Efficiency and Treatment Depth in Photodynamic Therapy
Authors: Cao Hongqian , Wang Lei , Yang Yang , Li Juan , Qi Yanfei , Li Yue , Li Ying , Wang Hao , Li Junbai 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPhotodynamic therapy (PDT) shows unique selectivity and irreversible destruction toward treated tissues or cells, but still has several problems in clinical practice. One is limited therapeutic efficiency, which is attributed to hypoxia in tumor sites. Another is the limited treatment depth because traditional photosensitizes are excited by short wavelength light (<700 nm). An assembled nano‐complex system composed of oxygen donor, two‐photon absorption (TPA) species, and photosensitizer (PS) was synthesized to address both problems. The photosensitizer is excited indirectly by two‐photon laser through intraparticle FRET mechanism for improving treatment depth. The oxygen donor, hemoglobin, can supply extra oxygen into tumor location through targeting effect for enhanced PDT efficiency. The mechanism and PDT effect were verified through both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The simple system is promising to promote two‐photon PDT for clinical applications.
Bifunctional Ligand Enables Efficient Gold‐Catalyzed Hydroalkenylation of Propargylic Alcohol
Authors: Liao Shengrong , Porta Alessio , Cheng Xinpeng , Ma Xu , Zanoni Giuseppe , Zhang Liming 
Published: April 2018

AbstractUsing the previously designed biphenyl‐2‐ylphosphine ligand, featuring a remote tertiary amino group, the first gold‐catalyzed intermolecular hydroalkenylation of alkynes has been developed. Synthetically valuable conjugated dienyl alcohols are formed in moderate to good yields. A range of alkenyltrifluoroborates are allowed as the alkenyl donor, and no erosion of alkene geometry and/or the propargylic configuration are detected. DFT calculations confirm the critical role of the remote basic group in the ligand as a general‐base catalyst for promoting this novel gold catalysis with good efficiency.
Lipase‐Catalyzed Dynamic Kinetic Resolution of C1‐ and C2‐Symmetric Racemic Axially Chiral 2,2′‐Dihydroxy‐1,1′‐biaryls
Authors: Moustafa Gamal A. I. , Oki Yasuhiro , Akai Shuji 
Published: April 2018

AbstractWe have discovered that the racemization of configurationally stable, axially chiral 2,2′‐dihydroxy‐1,1′‐biaryls proceeds with a catalytic amount of a cyclopentadienylruthenium(II) complex at 35–50 °C. Combining this racemization procedure with lipase‐catalyzed kinetic resolution led to the first lipase/metal‐integrated dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic axially chiral biaryl compounds. The method was applied to the synthesis of various enantio‐enriched C1‐ and C2‐symmetric biaryl diols in yields of up to 98 % and enantiomeric excesses of up to 98 %, which paves the way for new developments in the field of asymmetric synthesis.
Exponential Isothermal Amplification of Nucleic Acids and Assays for Proteins, Cells, Small Molecules, and Enzyme Activities: An EXPAR Example
Authors: Reid Michael S. , Le X. Chris , Zhang Hongquan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIsothermal exponential amplification techniques, such as strand‐displacement amplification (SDA), rolling circle amplification (RCA), loop‐mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA), helicase‐dependent amplification (HDA), and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), have great potential for on‐site, point‐of‐care, and in situ assay applications. These amplification techniques eliminate the need for temperature cycling, as required for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), while achieving comparable amplification yields. We highlight here recent advances in the exponential amplification reaction (EXPAR) for the detection of nucleic acids, proteins, enzyme activities, cells, and metal ions. The incorporation of fluorescence, colorimetric, chemiluminescence, Raman, and electrochemical approaches enables the highly sensitive detection of a variety of targets. Remaining issues, such as undesirable background amplification resulting from nonspecific template interactions, must be addressed to further improve isothermal and exponential amplification techniques.
PHBV‐TiO2 mats prepared by electrospinning technique: Physico‐chemical properties and cytocompatibility
Authors: Braga Natália F. , Vital Daniel A. , Guerrini Lilia M. , Lemes Ana P. , Formaggio Daniela M. D. , Tada Dayane B. , Arantes Tatiane M. , Cristovan Fernando H. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractOne of the most important challenges in tissue engineering research is the development of biomimetic materials. In this present study, we have investigated the effect of the titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles on the properties of electrospun mats of poly (hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), to be used as scaffold. The morphology of electrospun fibers was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both pure PHBV and nanocomposites fibers were smooth and uniform. However, there was an increase in fiber diameter with the increase of TiO2 concentration. Thermal properties of PHBV and nanocomposite mats were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). DSC analysis showed that the crystallization temperature for PHBV shifts to higher temperature in the presence of the nanoparticles, indicating that TiO2 nanoparticles change the process of crystallization of PHBV due to heterogeneous nucleation effect. TGA showed that in the presence of the nanoparticles, the curves are shifted to lower temperatures indicating a decreasing in thermal stability of nanocomposites compared to pure PHBV. To produce scaffolds for tissue engineering, it is important to evaluate the biocompatibility of the material. Cytotoxicity assay showed that TiO2 nanoparticles were not cytotoxic for cells at the concentration used to synthesize the mats. The proliferation of cells on the mats was evaluated by the MTT assay. Results showed that the nanocomposite samples increased cell proliferation compared to the pure PHBV. These results indicate that continuous electrospun fibrous scaffolds may be a good substrate for tissue regeneration.
Accurate O2 delivery enabled benzene biodegradation through aerobic activation followed by denitrification‐coupled mineralization
Authors: Liu Zhuolin , Zhou Chen , Ontiveros‐Valencia Aura , Luo Yi‐Hao , Long Min , Xu Hua , Rittmann Bruce E. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAlthough benzene can be biodegraded when dissolved oxygen is sufficient, delivering oxygen is energy intensive and can lead to air stripping the benzene. Anaerobes can biodegrade benzene by using electron acceptors other than O2, and this may reduce costs and exposure risks; the drawback is a remarkably slower growth rate. We evaluated a two‐step strategy that involved O2‐dependent benzene activation and cleavage followed by intermediate oxidation coupled to NO3− respiration. We employed a membrane biofilm reactor (MBfR) featuring nonporous hollow fibers as the means to deliver O2 directly to a biofilm at an accurately controlled rate. Benzene was mineralized aerobically when the O2‐supply rate was more than sufficient for mineralization. As the O2‐supply capacity was systematically lowered, O2 respiration was gradually replaced by NO3− respiration. When the maximum O2‐supply capacity was only 20% of the demand for benzene mineralization, O2 was used almost exclusively for benzene activation and cleavage, while respiration was almost only by denitrification. Analyses of microbial community structure and predicted metagenomic function reveal that Burkholderiales was dominant and probably utilized monooxygenase activation, with subsequent mineralization coupled to denitrification; strict anaerobes capable of carboxylative activation were not detected. These results open the door for a promising treatment strategy that simultaneously ameliorates technical and economic challenges of aeration and slow kinetics of anaerobic activation of aromatics.
Polyclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis: Report of three cases
Authors: Marcondes Natália Aydos , Schneider Laiana , Spindler Bianca Michel , Fernandes Flavo Beno , Faulhaber Gustavo Adolpho Moreira 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundPersistent polyclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis (PPBL) is a rare benign condition characterized by a polyclonal B‐cell lymphocytosis with binucleated lymphocytes. We hereby report three cases of PPBL.MethodsFlow cytometry immunophenotyping was performed in peripheral blood samples from three patients with clinical suspicion of lymphoproliferative disease.ResultsCase 1 was a female middle‐aged smoker; Case 2 was an elderly male; and Case 3 was a non‐smoker female. Flow cytometry evaluation of all cases revealed an expansion of mature B‐cells, with a normal Kappa/Lambda light chain ratio; B‐cell lymphocytes of Cases 2 and 3 had CD5 coexpression; Case 3 also had monocytosis.ConclusionsDiagnose of PPBL is important in order to avoid unnecessary diagnostic procedures and therapy. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Self‐esteem and peer‐perceived social status in early adolescence and prediction of eating pathology in young adulthood
Authors: Smink Frédérique R.E. , van Hoeken Daphne , Dijkstra Jan Kornelis , Deen Mathijs , Oldehinkel Albertine J. , Hoek Hans W. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveSelf‐esteem is implied as a factor in the development of eating disorders. In adolescence peers have an increasing influence. Support for the role of self‐esteem in eating disorders is ambiguous and little is known about the influence of social status as judged by others. The present study investigates whether self‐esteem and peer status in early adolescence are associated with eating pathology in young adulthood.MethodThis study is part of TRAILS, a longitudinal cohort study on mental health and social development from preadolescence into adulthood. At age 11, participants completed the Self‐Perception Profile for Children, assessing global self‐esteem and self‐perceptions regarding social acceptance, physical appearance, and academic competence. At age 13, peer status among classmates was assessed regarding likeability, physical attractiveness, academic performance, and popularity in a subsample of 1,007 participants. The Eating Disorder Diagnostic Scale was administered at age 22. The present study included peer‐nominated participants with completed measures of self‐perception at age 11 and eating pathology at age 22 (N = 732; 57.8% female).ResultsIn a combined model, self‐perceived physical attractiveness at age 11 and peer popularity at age 13 were inversely correlated with eating pathology at 22 years, while likeability by peers at age 13 was positively related to eating pathology.DiscussionBoth self‐perceptions and peer status in early adolescence are significant predictors of eating pathology in young adults. Specific measures of self‐esteem and peer‐perceived status may be more relevant to the prediction of eating pathology than a global measure of self‐esteem.
Feasibility randomized‐controlled trial of online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for patients with complex chronic pain in the United Kingdom
Authors: Scott W. , Chilcot J. , Guildford B. , Daly‐Eichenhardt A. , McCracken L.M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has growing support for chronic pain. However, more accessible treatment delivery is needed. This study evaluated the feasibility of online ACT for patients with complex chronic pain in the United Kingdom to determine whether a larger trial is justified.MethodsParticipants with chronic pain and clinically meaningful disability and distress were randomly assigned to ACT online plus specialty medical pain management, or specialty medical management alone. Participants completed questionnaires at baseline, and 3‐ and 9‐month post‐randomization. Primary feasibility outcomes included recruitment, retention and treatment completion rates. Secondary outcomes were between‐groups effects on treatment outcomes and psychological flexibility.ResultsOf 139 potential participants, 63 were eligible and randomized (45% recruitment rate). Retention rates were 76–78% for follow‐up assessments. Sixty‐one per cent of ACT online participants completed treatment. ACT online was less often completed by employed (44%) compared to unemployed (80%) participants. Fifty‐six per cent of ACT online participants rated themselves as ‘much improved’ or better on a global impression of change rating, compared to only 20 per cent of control participants. Three‐month effects favouring ACT online were small for functioning, medication and healthcare use, committed action and decentring, medium for mood, and large for acceptance. Small‐to‐medium effects were maintained for functioning, healthcare use and committed action at 9 months.ConclusionsOnline ACT for patients with chronic pain in the United Kingdom appears feasible to study in a larger efficacy trial. Some adjustments to treatment and trial procedures are warranted, particularly to enhance engagement among employed participants.SignificanceThis study supports the feasibility of online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain in the United Kingdom and a larger efficacy trial. Refinements to treatment delivery, particularly to better engage employed patients, may improve treatment completion and outcomes.
Frequency‐dependent top‐down modulation of temporal summation by anodal transcranial direct‐current stimulation of the primary motor cortex in healthy adults
Authors: Hughes S.W. , Ali M. , Sharma P. , Insan N. , Strutton P.H. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBackgroundTranscranial direct‐current stimulation (tDCS) applied over the primary motor cortex has been shown to be effective in the treatment of a number of chronic pain conditions. However, there is a lack of understanding of the top‐down analgesic mechanisms involved.MethodIn this study, we investigated the effects of tDCS on the facilitation of subjective sensory and pain scores using a transcutaneous electrically evoked measure of temporal summation. In this randomized, blinded, cross‐over study healthy subjects received a single stimulus given at 0.9× pain threshold (pTh) over the L5 dermatome on the lateral aspect of the right leg, followed by a train of 5 stimuli given at 0.5, 1, 5 and 20 Hz before and after 20 min of sham or anodal tDCS (2 mA) applied over the primary motor cortex. Ratings of sensation and pain intensity were scored on a visual analogue scale (VAS).ResultsTemporal summation leading to pain only occurred at higher frequencies (5 and 20 Hz). Sham or real tDCS had no effect over temporal summation evoked at 5 Hz; however, there was a significant analgesic effect at 20 Hz. Sham or real tDCS had no effect over acute, single stimuli‐evoked responses.ConclusionThese results indicate that anodal tDCS applied to the primary motor cortex preferentially modulates temporal summation induced by high‐frequency electrical stimulation‐induced pain. The inhibitory effects of tDCS appear to be dynamic and dependent on the degree of spinal cord excitability and may explain the higher analgesic efficacy in patients with moderate to severe chronic pain symptoms.SignificanceThe analgesic effects of tDCS are dependent on spinal cord excitability. This work provides insight into top‐down modulation during acute pain and temporal summation. This knowledge may explain why tDCS has a higher analgesic efficacy in chronic pain patients.
Forensic applicability of multi‐allelic InDels with mononucleotide homopolymer structures
Authors: Zhang Shu , Zhu Qiang , Chen Xiaogang , Zhao Yuancun , Zhao Xiaohong , Yang Yiwen , Gao Zehua , Fang Ting , Wang Yufang , Zhang Ji 
Published: April 2018

AbstractInsertion/deletion polymorphisms (InDels), which possess the characteristics of low mutation rates and a short amplicon size, have been regarded as promising markers for forensic DNA analysis. InDels can be classified as bi‐allelic or multi‐allelic, depending on the number of alleles. Many studies have explored the use of bi‐allelic InDels in forensic applications, such as individual identification and ancestry inference. However, multi‐allelic InDels have received relatively little attention. In this study, InDels with 2–6 alleles and a minor allele frequency ≥0.01, in Chinese Southern Han (CHS), were retrieved from the 1000 Genomes Project Phase III. Based on the structural analysis of all retrieved InDels, 17 multi‐allelic markers with mononucleotide homopolymer structures were selected and combined in one multiplex PCR reaction system. Sensitivity, species specificity and applicability in forensic case work of the multiplex were analyzed. A total of 218 unrelated individuals from a Chinese Han population were genotyped. The combined discriminatory power (CDP), the combined match probability (CMP) and the cumulative probability of exclusion (CPE) were 0.9999999999609, 3.91E‐13 and 0.9956, respectively. The results demonstrated that this InDel multiplex panel was highly informative in the investigated population and most of the 26 populations of the 1000 Genomes Project. The data also suggested that multi‐allelic InDel markers with monomeric base pair expansions are useful for forensic applications.