bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of (−)‐Podophyllotoxin and Related Aryltetralin Lignans
Authors: Li Jian , Zhang Xiao , Renata Hans 
Published: June 2019

Abstract(−)‐Podophyllotoxin is one of the most potent microtubule depolymerizing agents and has served as an important lead compound in antineoplastic drug discovery. Reported here is a short chemoenzymatic total synthesis of (−)‐podophyllotoxin and related aryltetralin lignans. Vital to this approach is the use of an enzymatic oxidative C−C coupling reaction to construct the tetracyclic core of the natural product in a diastereoselective fashion. This strategy allows gram‐scale access to (−)‐deoxypodophyllotoxin and is readily adaptable to the preparation of related aryltetralin lignans.
Declining size of adults and juvenile harvest threatens sustainability of a tropical gastropod, Lobatus gigas, fishery
Authors: Tewfik Alexander , Babcock Elizabeth A. , Appeldoorn Richard S. , Gibson Janet 
Published: June 2019

Abstract

Queen conch (Lobatus gigas) is a large herbivorous gastropod, found across the Caribbean, which forms the basis of important dive fisheries. Conch have a two‐phase shell growth pattern, first in shell length (SL), which ceases well before maturity, followed by growth in shell lip thickness (LT) into maturity. This growth pattern must be considered in determining the ideal size and associated maturity for sustainable harvest.
Shell morphology, sex organ development and soft tissue masses indicated that mature adult conchs at Glover's Atoll, Belize, were those with thick shell lips (≥10 mm), eroded shells and heavier soft tissue masses. Therefore, SL‐based regulations cannot serve as a proxy for maturity and harvest. The use of inappropriate minimum size limits (SL = 178 mm, 85 g market clean meat mass) has allowed significant juvenile harvest and the fishery appears to have truncated the SL size distribution of conchs with a flared shell lip (i.e. adults) over the last 15 years.
The reduced SL observed in lipped conchs may lead to a significant impact on the reproductive success of the population as well as diminished economic yield from the fishery, as smaller adult conchs of the same age have lower gonad and meat weight. We believe this to be the first documentation of a decline in the SL of adult queen conchs, and that the SL‐based size limits have contributed to this decline.
Refinement of the individual size‐based regulations for conch in Belize to LT will probably facilitate local recovery as well as regional harmonization of regulations. Future research in Belize should include movement dynamics of conch in relation to replenishment zone size and spillover as well as the importance of deep‐water conch to shallow‐water recruitment, which is thought to be limited.
BINOL Phosphoric Acid‐Catalyzed Asymmetric Mannich Reaction of Cyclic N‐Acyl Ketimines with Cyclic Enones
Authors: Reddy K. Nagarjuna , Rao M. V. Krishna , Sridhar B. , Subba Reddy B. V. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA highly enantio‐ and diastereoselective Mannich reaction of cyclic N‐acyl ketimines generated in situ from 3‐hydroxyisoindolin‐1‐ones with cyclic enones has been accomplished using a chiral phosphoric acid catalyst to afford the chiral isoindalinone derivatives in high yields with excellent enantioselectivities (upto 97 % ee). This is the first report on the synthesis of chiral isoindolin‐1‐ones bearing adjacent quaternary and tertiary stereogenic centers.
Engineering Metal–Organic Frameworks for the Electrochemical Reduction of CO2: A Minireview
Authors: Wang Riming , Kapteijn Freek , Gascon Jorge 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe electrochemical reduction of CO2 holds great promise for lowering the concentration of CO2 in the Earth′s atmosphere. However, several challenges have hindered the commercialization of this technology, including energy efficiency, the solubility of CO2 in the aqueous phase, and electrode stability. In this Minireview, we highlight and summarize the main advantages and limitations that metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) may offer in this field of research, either when used directly as electrocatalysts or when used as catalyst precursors.
A U.S. population‐based study of insurance disparities in cancer survival among adolescents and young adults
Authors: Colton Meryl D. , Goulding DeLayna , Beltrami Alina , Cost Carrye , Franklin Anna , Cockburn Myles G. , Green Adam L. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundAdolescents and young adults (AYA), patients age 15‐39, may experience worse outcomes than pediatric and adult patients. The aim of this paper was to document survival disparities associated with insurance status across the AYA age continuum in the United States.MethodsWe utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiologic, and End Results database to identify 66 556 AYA patients between 2007 and 2014 with 10 International Classification of Childhood Cancer diagnoses and calculated the Cox proportional hazard ratios of death for those with public or no insurance status compared to private insurance. The odds ratios of having a late stage of diagnosis by insurance status were also calculated.ResultsInsurance status was a statistically significant predictor of death for lymphoid leukemia (age 15‐19, 30‐34, and 35‐39), acute myeloid leukemia (age 15‐19 and 25‐29), Hodgkin lymphoma (all ages), non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (age 20‐24, 25‐29, 30‐34, and 35‐39), astrocytomas (age 30‐34), other gliomas (age 25‐29, 30‐34, and 35‐39), hepatic carcinomas (age 25‐29), fibrosarcomas, peripheral nerve and other fibrous tumors (age 30‐34), malignant gonadal germ cell tumors (age 20‐24, 25‐29, 30‐34, and 35‐39), and other and unspecified carcinomas (age 20‐24, 25‐29, 30‐34, and 35‐39), independent of stage at diagnosis. This hazard increased with age for most cancer types. Insurance status strongly predicted the odds of a metastatic cancer diagnosis for lymphoma, fibrosarcomas (age 15‐19), germ cell tumors, and other carcinomas.ConclusionsAYA in the US experience disparities in cancer survival based on insurance status, independent of late stage of presentation. Patients age 26‐39 may be especially vulnerable to health outcomes associated with poor socioeconomic status, treatment disparities, and poor access to care.
A case of inflammatory pseudotumor of the lung presenting as polymyalgia rheumatica
Authors: Tompkins Erin L. , Middlebrook Candice E.‐P. , Tracy Christopher L. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA common inflammatory condition, the investigation and diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica should be within the scope of a general physician's repertoire. While there is limited evidence to confirm the existence of polymyalgia rheumatica as a distinct paraneoplastic syndrome (Reumatismo. 2018;70(1):23), a broadened differential should be utilized prior to diagnosis of this disease.
Determining Metal Ion Complexation Kinetics with Fluorescent Ligands by Using Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy
Authors: Sharma Arjun , Sarkar Aranyak , Goswami Dibakar , Bhattacharyya Arunasis , Enderlein Jörg , Kumbhakar Manoj 
Published: June 2019

AbstractFluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) has been extensively used to measure equilibrium binding constants (K) or association and dissociation rates in many reversible chemical reactions across chemistry and biology. For the majority of investigated reactions, the binding constant was on the order of ∼100 M−1, with dissociation constants faster or equal to 103 s−1, which ensured that enough association/dissociation events occur during the typical diffusion‐determined transition time of molecules through the FCS detection volume. However, complexation reactions involving metal ions and chelating ligands exhibit equilibrium constants exceeding 104 M−1. In the present paper, we explore the applicability of FCS for measuring reaction rates of such complexation reactions, and apply it to binding of iron, europium and uranyl ions to a fluorescent chelating ligand, calcein. For this purpose, we exploit the fact that the ligand fluorescence becomes strongly quenched after binding a metal ion, which results in strong intensity fluctuations that lead to a partial correlation decay in FCS. We also present measurements for the strongly radioactive ions of 241Am3+, where the extreme sensitivity of FCS allows us to work with sample concentrations and volumes that exhibit close to negligible radioactivity levels. A general discussion of the applicability of FCS to the investigation of metal‐ligand binding reactions concludes our paper.
Limited dispersion and quick degradation of environmental DNA in fish ponds inferred by metabarcoding
Authors: Li Jianlong , Lawson Handley Lori J. , Harper Lynsey R. , Brys Rein , Watson Hayley V. , Di Muri Cristina , Zhang Xiang , Hänfling Bernd 
Published: June 2019

Abstract:BackgroundEnvironmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising tool for rapid, non‐invasive biodiversity monitoring.AimsIn this study, eDNA metabarcoding is applied to explore the spatial and temporal distribution of fish communities in two aquaculture ponds and to evaluate the detection sensitivity of this tool for low‐density species alongside highly abundant species.Materials & MethodsThis study was carried out at two artificially stocked ponds with a high fish density following the introduction and removal of two rare fish species.Results & DiscussionWhen two rare species were introduced and kept at a fixed location in the ponds, eDNA concentration (i.e., proportional read counts abundance) of the introduced species typically peaked after two days. The increase in eDNA concentration of the introduced fish after 43 hrs may have been caused by increased eDNA shedding rates as a result of fish being stressed by handling, as observed in other studies. Thereafter, it gradually declined and stabilised after six days. These findings are supported by the highest community dissimilarity of different sampling positions being observed on the second day after introduction, which then gradually decreased over time. On the sixth day, there was no longer a significant difference in community dissimilarity between sampling days. The introduced species were no longer detected at any sampling positions on 48 hrs after removal from the ponds. eDNA is found to decay faster in the field than in controlled conditions, which can be attributed to the complex effects of environmental conditions on eDNA persistence or resulting in the vertical transport of intracellular DNA and the extracellular DNA absorbed by particles in the sediment. The eDNA signal and detection probability of the introduced species were strongest near the keepnets, resulting in the highest community variance of different sampling events at this position. Thereafter, the eDNA signal significantly decreased with increasing distance, although the signal increased slightly again at 85 m position away from the keepnets.ConclusionsCollectively, these findings reveal that eDNA distribution in lentic ecosystems is highly localised in space and time, which adds to the growing weight of evidence that eDNA signal provides a good approximation of the presence and distribution of species in ponds. Moreover, eDNA metabarcoding is a powerful tool for detection of rare species alongside more abundant species due to the use of generic PCR primers, and can enable monitoring of spatial and temporal community variance.
Design and evaluation of a subcutaneous contraceptive implant training simulator
Authors: Dery Samuel K.K. , Kaufmann Elsie E. , Marzano David , Deininger Michael , Asem Charity K. , Sienko Kathleen H. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo design and fabricate a subcutaneous contraceptive implant insertion simulator, and to characterize the performance of nursing students trained with and without the simulator.MethodA cross‐sectional study was conducted on nursing students in Ghana who had no previous training in the insertion of contraceptive implants. They were given standardized training in insertion of implants from 25 April to 26 April, 2016, and then were randomly assigned to an intervention or control group. The control group watched insertions of live implants while the intervention group practiced using the simulator. Local materials were used to fabricate the simulator. The performance of both groups was assessed after the training.ResultsThe participants consisted of 50 nursing students. Those in the intervention group were more likely to: insert the implant accurately (95.2% vs 78.4%, P<0.001); take less time to complete an insertion (mean of 33.6 seconds vs 42.2 seconds, P<0.001); and commit fewer errors (1.9 vs 2.5, P=0.005) compared to the control group. In addition, participants rated the simulator high on 11/11 of the product requirements with the teaching (93.2%), learning (91.4%), and skill acquisition (88.6%) requirements being the highest rated.ConclusionA low‐cost, locally fabricated simulator is an effective tool for augmenting the current training protocol by improving insertion skills of contraceptive implants.
MicroRNAs associated with lung squamous cell carcinoma: New prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets
Authors: Qi Lingyu , Gao Chundi , Feng Fubin , Zhang Tingting , Yao Yan , Wang Xue , Liu Cun , Li Jia , Li Jie , Sun Changgang 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundWith the development in research, the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the occurrence and metastasis, and prognosis of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) have received extensive attention. This study aims to identify new biomarkers and pivotal genes associated with LUSC prognosis through bioinformatics.Materials and methodsWe downloaded miRNA and messenger RNA samples related to LUSC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Following initial data screening and preprocessing, we utilized the R platform and a range of analysis tools (miRDB, TargetScanHuman7.2, DAVID, and Cytoscape_v3.5.1) to analyze the TCGA data and identify highly specific and sensitive biomarkers.ResultsWe finally identified 12 miRNAs and six central genes closely related to the overall survival of patients with LUSC. We found that high expression of 7 miRNAs (miR‐301b, miR‐383, miR‐512, miR‐515, miR‐525, miR‐577, and miR‐5682) and low expression of five miRNAs (miR‐448, miR‐486, miR‐4732,miR‐4732, miR‐516, and miR‐1911) can significantly improve the overall survival rate of patients with LUSC. The six central genes DLGAP5, CENPA, CHEK1, LRRK2, CALB1, and TOP2A are directly or indirectly involved in the formation and metastasis of LUSC and could, therefore, be considered as target genes for drug therapy.ConclusionWith the development in research, the importance of miRNAs in the occurrence and metastasis and prognosis of LUSC have received extensive attention. This study aims to identify new biomarkers and pivotal genes associated with LUSC prognosis through bioinformatics.
PTPN2 induced by inflammatory response and oxidative stress contributed to glioma progression
Authors: Wu Liquan , Wang Fang , Xu Jiang , Chen Zhibiao 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMalignant glioma remains the most frequent form of primary brain tumors all over the world. The gliomagenesis is characterized by various molecular processes such as neoplastic transformation, dysregulation of the cell cycle, and angiogenesis. Among these biomolecular events, the existence of inflammation and oxidative stress pathways in the development of glioma has been reported. PTPN2 is associated with several inflammatory disorders. However, the biological role of PTPN2 in inflammation responses and oxidative stress pathways involved in glioma remains poorly known. Here, we focused on its function in glioma development. Here, we observed that PTPN2 was significantly increased in glioma especially in a grade‐dependent manner. Meanwhile, interferon‐γ and tumor necrosis factor‐α, which have been identified as crucial inflammation cytokines, were able to trigger PTPN2 expression in a dose‐dependent course in T98G cells. Then, we found that PTPN2 was oxidated and inactivated by H2O2. Meanwhile, H2O2 induced glioma cell colony formation capacity and increased ki‐67 expression confirmed by flow cytometry assay. Finally, T98G cells were transfected with PTPN2 shRNA and it was shown that knockdown of PTPN2 obviously inhibited T98G cell colony formation and induced cell apoptosis. In summary, our findings indicated that PTPN2 could be induced by inflammatory response and oxidative stress and its deficiency depressed glioma cell growth.
Method of levels therapy for first‐episode psychosis: The feasibility randomized controlled Next Level trial
Authors: Griffiths Robert , Mansell Warren , Carey Timothy A. , Edge Dawn , Emsley Richard , Tai Sara J. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of Method of Levels (MOL) for people experiencing first‐episode psychosis (FEP) to inform decision making about the therapy's suitability for further testing in a larger clinical trial.MethodA parallel group randomized controlled trial design was used. Participants (N = 36) were allocated to receive either treatment as usual (TAU) or TAU plus MOL. Recruitment and retention in the trial and the acceptability of the MOL intervention were the primary outcomes.ResultsThe recruitment target was met within the planned time frame. Retention in the trial at final follow‐up was 97%, substantially higher than the 80% threshold prespecified as a successful feasibility outcome. Participant feedback provided initial evidence of the acceptability of the study design and intervention for this population.ConclusionResults support progressing to a larger trial of MOL for FEP. Recommendations for the design of future trials are provided.
Circular RNAs: A novel biomarker for cervical cancer
Authors: Chaichian Shala , Shafabakhsh Rana , Mirhashemi Seyyed Mehdi , Moazzami Bahram , Asemi Zatollah 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBesides messenger RNAs, recent RNA‐Seq and biochemical analysis showed another type of RNAs as a product of splicing which is named circular RNA (circRNA). Evidence demonstrated that circRNAs are abundant in the cells and are able to show cell/tissue‐specific expression or tissue developmental stage which suggest that circRNAs may have regulatory potentials. In recent years, researchers have focused attention on circRNAs because of their key functions in various cellular mechanisms. CircRNAs also have the potential to be as promising biomarkers for diagnosis of various diseases such as cancer. Growing up evidence has shown the various roles of circRNAs in multiple cancers. In recent years, cervical cancer as one of the main causes of cancer death in women has been interesting for molecular research. CircRNAs are one of the novel objects which have recently been evaluated in this cancer. The improvement in our knowledge of the roles of circRNAs in cervical cancer may lead to new transcription therapeutic approaches to cervical cancer inhibition. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to review many studies which examined the role of circRNAs in cervical cancer carcinogenesis and progression up till date and to summarize possible mechanisms of action of circRNAs in cervical neoplasm.
Waste products from the poultry industry: a source of high‐value dietary supplements
Authors: Stiborova Hana , Kronusova Olga , Kastanek Petr , Brazdova Lada , Lovecka Petra , Jiru Monika , Belkova Beverly , Poustka Jan , Stranska Milena , Hajslova Jana , Demnerova Katerina 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe production and consumption of chicken has doubled in the last 17 years. Since slaughter yields range from 70 to 80%, during production various chicken waste residues are generated. One of these residues is waste created after the mechanical separation of chicken meat (W‐MSM). The goal of the circular economy is to manage this waste and transform it into a valuable product.RESULTSW‐MSM was subjected to hydrolysis by the proteolytic enzymes pepsin and papain to obtain bioactive compounds. Papain digestion resulted in several times higher yields of chondroitin sulfate (CS), hyaluronic acid (HA), peptides and amino acids in comparison with pepsin. The hydrolysis conditions were further optimized using the software Design Expert to evaluate the impact of added enzyme, buffer and duration of the hydrolysis. In addition, the scale‐up of this process was verified with 5 kg of W‐MSM and the obtained product contained approximately 77% (w/w) of peptides, 9% (w/w) of CS, 7% (w/w) of HA and 4% (w/w) of amino acids.CONCLUSIONSWe tested and optimized the method for evaluating the direct waste from poultry processing and transformed it into a product containing bioactive compounds which can be utilized as an ingredient for improving the properties of feed. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of the Qatari R336C cystathionine β‐synthase protein in mice
Authors: Gupta Sapna , Gallego‐Villar Lorena , Wang Liqun , Lee Hyung‐Ok , Nasrallah Gheyath , Al‐Dewik Nader , Häberle Johannes , Thöny Beat , Blom Henk J. , Ben‐Omran Tawfeg , Kruger Warren D. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractClassical homocystinuria is a recessive inborn error of metabolism caused by mutations in the cystathionine beta‐synthase (CBS) gene. The highest incidence of CBS deficiency in the world is found in the country of Qatar due to the combination of high rates of consanguinity and the presence of a founder mutation, c.1006C>T (p.R336C). This mutation does not respond to pyridoxine and is considered severe. Here we describe the creation of a mouse that is null for the mouse Cbs gene and expresses human p.R336C CBS from a zinc‐inducible transgene (Tg‐R336C Cbs
−/−). Zinc‐treated Tg‐R336C Cbs
−/− mice have extreme elevation in both serum total homocysteine (tHcy) and liver tHcy compared with control transgenic mice. Both the steady‐state protein levels and CBS enzyme activity levels in liver lysates from Tg‐R336C Cbs
−/− mice are significantly reduced compared to that found in Tg‐hCBS Cbs
−/− mice expressing wild‐type human CBS. Treatment of Tg‐R336C Cbs
−/− mice with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib results in stabilization of liver CBS protein and an increase in activity to levels found in corresponding Tg‐hCBS Cbs
−/− wild type mice. Surprisingly, serum tHcy did not fully correct even though liver enzyme activity was as high as control animals. This discrepancy is explained by in vitro enzymatic studies of mouse liver extracts showing that p.R336C causes reduced binding affinity for the substrate serine by almost 7‐fold and significantly increased dependence on pyridoxal phosphate in the reaction buffer. These studies demonstrate that the p.R336C alteration effects both protein stability and substrate/cofactor binding.