bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A robust method for RNA extraction and purification from a single adult mouse tendon
Authors: Grinstein Mor , Dingwall Heather L. , Shah Rishita R. , Capellini Terence D. , Galloway Jenna L. 
Published: April 2018

BackgroundMechanistic understanding of tendon molecular and cellular biology is crucial toward furthering our abilities to design new therapies for tendon and ligament injuries and disease. Recent transcriptomic and epigenomic studies in the field have harnessed the power of mouse genetics to reveal new insights into tendon biology. However, many mouse studies pool tendon tissues or use amplification methods to perform RNA analysis, which can significantly increase the experimental costs and limit the ability to detect changes in expression of low copy transcripts.MethodsSingle Achilles tendons were harvested from uninjured, contralateral injured, and wild type mice between three and five months of age, and RNA was extracted. RNA Integrity Number (RIN) and concentration were determined, and RT-qPCR gene expression analysis was performed.ResultsAfter testing several RNA extraction approaches on single adult mouse Achilles tendons, we developed a protocol that was successful at obtaining high RIN and sufficient concentrations suitable for RNA analysis. We found that the RNA quality was sensitive to the time between tendon harvest and homogenization, and the RNA quality and concentration was dependent on the duration of homogenization. Using this method, we demonstrate that analysis ofScxgene expression in single mouse tendons reduces the biological variation caused by pooling tendons from multiple mice. We also show successful use of this approach to analyzeSox9andCol1a2gene expression changes in injured compared with uninjured control tendons.DiscussionOur work presents a robust, cost-effective, and straightforward method to extract high quality RNA from a single adult mouse Achilles tendon at sufficient amounts for RT-qPCR as well as RNA-seq. We show this can reduce variation and decrease the overall costs associated with experiments. This approach can also be applied to other skeletal tissues, as well as precious human samples.
Association between vitamin D concentrations and knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis
Authors: Cakar Murat , Ayanoglu Semih , Cabuk Haluk , Seyran Metin , Dedeoglu Suleyman Semih , Gurbuz Hakan 
Published: April 2018

Objectives
Osteoarthritis (OA) and vitamin D deficiency are common health conditions in older people. Whether vitamin D concentration is associated with knee OA is controversial. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between serum concentrations of vitamin D and osteoarthritic knee pain.

Subjects and Methods
Vitamin D concentrations were measured with the 25 hydroxyvitamin D test in patients presenting with clinical symptoms of primary knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis was graded on the Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale from anteroposterior and lateral radiographs. Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Patients completed a 10-cm visual analogue scale (VAS) for indicating pain and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Vitamin D concentration was defined as severely deficient (<10 ng/mL), insufficient (10 to 19 ng/mL), or normal (20 to 50 ng/mL).

Results
Of 149 patients (133 women), the mean age was 63.6 years. Mean vitamin D concentration was 11.53 ng/mL, and 90% patients were vitamin D deficient. Mean WOMAC score was 57.2, and VAS pain score was 7.5. Kellgren-Lawrence grade was 2 for 10 patients, grade 3 for 61, and grade 4 for 88. Mean BMI was 33.4. Mean values of VAS, WOMAC, and BMI did not differ by vitamin D status.

Conclusion
Serum vitamin D concentration is not associated with knee pain in patients with osteoarthritis.
Crystal structure of phosphomannose isomerase from Candida albicans complexed with 5‐phospho‐d‐arabinonhydrazide
Authors: Ahmad Lama , Plancqueel Stéphane , Dubosclard Virginie , Lazar Noureddine , Ghattas Wadih , Li de la Sierra‐Gallay Inès , van Tilbeurgh Herman , Salmon Laurent 
Published: April 2018

Type I phosphomannose isomerases (PMIs) are zinc‐dependent monofunctional metalloenzymes catalysing the reversible isomerization of d‐mannose 6‐phosphate to d‐fructose 6‐phosphate. 5‐Phospho‐d‐arabinonhydrazide (5PAHz), designed as an analogue of the enediolate high‐energy intermediate, strongly inhibits PMI from Candida albicans (CaPMI). In this study, we report the 3D crystal structure of CaPMI complexed with 5PAHz at 1.85 Å resolution. The high‐resolution structure suggests that Glu294 is the catalytic base that transfers a proton between the C1 and C2 carbon atoms of the substrate. Bidentate coordination of the inhibitor explains the stereochemistry of the isomerase activity, as well as the absence of both anomerase and C2‐epimerase activities for Type I PMIs. A detailed mechanism of the reversible isomerization is proposed.
2‐Methoxypropanol‐1 [MAK Value Documentation in German language, 2018]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: April 2018

Abstract

The German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the maximum concentration at the workplace (MAK value) for 2‐methoxypropanol‐1 [
1589‐47‐5
]. Available publications and unpublished study reports are described in detail.

Critical effects of 2‐methoxypropanol‐1 are its irritancy and teratogenicity. A MAK value of 5 ml/m
3
had been set. By analogy with 2‐methoxypropylacetate‐1, this value is now reaffirmed.

Also, by analogy with 2‐methoxypropylacetate‐1 Peak Limitation Category I with excursion factor of 2 is set. 2‐Methoxypropanol‐1 ether remains assigned to Pregnancy Risk Group B and also remains designated with an “H” (for substances that can be absorbed through the skin in toxicologically relevant amounts).
Acetonitril [MAK Value Documentation in German language, 2018]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Acetonitrile causes an increased incidence of liver adenomas and carcinomas in rats at 400 ml/m
3
with a statistically significant trend. The number of basophilic foci in the liver is positively correlated with the exposure concentration. At 100 ml/m
3
the elevation is not statistically significant, however, these foci are regarded as preneoplastic lesions. From this concentration the former MAK value of 20 ml/m
3
was derived. It is now lowered to 10 ml/m
3
taking into account the increased respiratory volume at the workplace because the blood:air partition coefficient of acetonitrile is > 5 (see List of MAK and BAT values, chapters I b and I c). Since a systemic effect is critical, Peak Limitation Category II is retained. As the effects are probably due to the metabolites, the default excursion factor of 2 is confirmed despite the long half‐life of acetonitrile.

For rabbits, the NOAEL for developmental toxicity after gavage is 15 mg/kg body weight and day. After toxicokinetic scaling this dose corresponds to a concentration of 34 ml/m
3
at the workplace. Rabbits are more sensitive to acetonitrile than rats and humans and the developmental toxicity of acetonitrile is higher after gavage than after inhalation exposure as shown with rats. Therefore, the rabbit gavage data are not used to assign a Pregnancy Risk Group. The NOAEC for developmental toxicity in rats is 1600 ml/m
3
and after considering the increased respiratory volume at the workplace the difference to the MAK value is sufficient. Therefore, damage to the embryo or foetus is unlikely when the MAK value is observed and acetonitrile remains assigned to Pregnancy Risk Group C.
Methacrylic acid [MAK Value Documentation, 2016]
Authors: Hartwig A. ,   MAK Commission
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe German Commission for the Investigation of Health Hazards of Chemical Compounds in the Work Area has re‐evaluated the maximum concentration at the work place (MAK value) of methacrylic acid of 5 ml/m3, considering all toxicity endpoints. Available unpublished study reports and publications are described in detail. The critical effects of methacrylic acid are goblet cell hyperplasia/hypertrophy in the respiratory epithelia and reduced body weight gain in rats, probably a secondary effect of the irritation at 350 ml/m3in a 90‐day study. Since 2014 the Commission uses an empirical approach to set MAK‐values for substances with critical effects on the upper respiratory tract or the eyes. According to this approach, the NOAEC of 100 ml/m3corresponds to a work place air concentration of 33 ml/m3. As the goblet cell hyperplasia is judged to be adaptive and its incidence is not significantly increased, the MAK value is elevated to 50 ml/m3. Since local effects are critical, the assignment to Peak Limitation Category I and the excursion factor 2 are confirmed. Studies with the read‐across methyl methacrylate which is cleaved to methacrylic acid show that damage to the embryo or foetus is unlikely when the MAK value for methacrylic acid is observed, and the assignment to pregnancy risk group C is confirmed. Methacrylic acid and methyl methacrylate are not genotoxic. Carcinogenicity studies with methacrylic acid are lacking but methyl methacrylate is not carcinogenic. Skin contact does not contribute significantly to systemic toxicity and sensitization is not expected.
Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by ReS2 via a Two‐Electron Catalytic Reaction
Authors: Zhang Qin , Wang Wenjie , Zhang Jiaqian , Zhu Xiaohui , Zhang Qiqi , Zhang Yujing , Ren Zemian , Song Shuaishuai , Wang Jinming , Ying Zihao , Wang Rui , Qiu Xiaohui , Peng Tianyou , Fu Lei 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHighly efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution (PHE) is highly desirable for addressing the global energy crisis and environmental problems. Although much attention has been given to electron–hole separation, ridding photocatalysts of poor efficiency remains challenging. Here, a two‐electron catalytic reaction is developed by utilizing the distinct trion behavior of ReS2 and the efficient reduction of two H+ (2H+ + 2e− → H2) is realized. Due to the monolayer‐like structure of the catalyst, the free electrons in ReS2 can be captured by the tightly bound excitons to form trions consisting of two electrons and one hole. These trions can migrate to the surface and participate in the two‐electron reaction at the abundant active sites. As expected, such a two‐electron catalytic reaction endows ReS2 with a PHE rate of 13 mmol g−1 h−1 under visible light irradiation. Meanwhile, this reaction allows the typically poor PHE efficiency of pure transition metal dichalcogenides to be overcome. The proposed two‐electron catalytic reaction provides a new approach to the design of photocatalysts for PHE.
Mechanochemical‐Assisted Synthesis of High‐Entropy Metal Nitride via a Soft Urea Strategy
Authors: Jin Tian , Sang Xiahan , Unocic Raymond R. , Kinch Richard T. , Liu Xiaofei , Hu Jun , Liu Honglai , Dai Sheng 
Published: April 2018

AbstractCrystalline high‐entropy ceramics (CHC), a new class of solids that contain five or more elemental species, have attracted increasing interest because of their unique structure and potential applications. Up to now, only a couple of CHCs (e.g., high‐entropy metal oxides and diborides) have been successfully synthesized. Here, a new strategy for preparing high‐entropy metal nitride (HEMN‐1) is proposed via a soft urea method assisted by mechanochemical synthesis. The as‐prepared HEMN‐1 possesses five highly dispersed metal components, including V, Cr, Nb, Mo, Zr, and simultaneously exhibits an interesting cubic crystal structure of metal nitrides. By taking advantage of these unique features, HEMN‐1 can function as a promising candidate for supercapacitor applications. A specific capacitance of 78 F g−1 is achieved at a scan rate of 100 mV s−1 in 1 m KOH. In addition, such a facile synthetic strategy can be further extended to the fabrication of other types of HEMNs, paving the way for the synthesis of HEMNs with attractive properties for task‐specific applications.
Stereospecific Nucleophilic Substitution with Arylboronic Acids as Nucleophiles in the Presence of a CONH Group
Authors: Tian Duanshuai , Li Chengxi , Gu Guoxian , Peng Henian , Zhang Xumu , Tang Wenjun 
Published: April 2018

AbstractStereospecific nucleophilic substitution was achieved for the first time with arylboronic acids as nucleophiles. This transition‐metal‐free coupling between chiral α‐aryl‐α‐mesylated acetamides and arylboronic acids provided access to a series of chiral α,α‐diaryl acetamides with excellent enantioselectivity and moderate to good yields. The CONH functionality proved to be crucial for bridging the reactants and promoting the reaction. Efficient syntheses of a cannabinoid CB1 receptor ligand, the antidepressant (S)‐diclofensine, and a key chiral building block of the inhibitor implitapide were successfully accomplished by using this method.
Fucose Migration in Intact Protonated Glycan Ions: A Universal Phenomenon in Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Mucha Eike , Lettow Maike , Marianski Mateusz , Thomas Daniel A. , Struwe Weston B. , Harvey David J. , Meijer Gerard , Seeberger Peter H. , von Helden Gert , Pagel Kevin 
Published: April 2018

AbstractFucose is an essential deoxysugar that is found in a wide range of biologically relevant glycans and glycoconjugates. A recurring problem in mass spectrometric analyses of fucosylated glycans is the intramolecular migration of fucose units, which can lead to erroneous sequence assignments. This migration reaction is typically assigned to activation during collision‐induced dissociation (CID) in tandem mass spectrometry (MS). In this work, we utilized cold‐ion spectroscopy and show for the first time that fucose migration is not limited to fragments obtained in tandem MS and can also be observed in intact glycan ions. This observation suggests a possible low‐energy barrier for this transfer reaction and generalizes fucose migration to an issue that may universally occur in any type of mass spectrometry experiment.
Synthesis of Vibegron Enabled by a Ketoreductase Rationally Designed for High pH Dynamic Kinetic Reduction
Authors: Xu Feng , Kosjek Birgit , Cabirol Fabien L. , Chen Haibin , Desmond Richard , Park Jeonghan , Gohel Anupam P. , Collier Steven J. , Smith Derek J. , Liu Zhuqing , Janey Jacob M. , Chung John Y. L. , Alvizo Oscar 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDescribed here is an efficient stereoselective synthesis of vibegron enabled by an enzymatic dynamic kinetic reduction that proceeds in a high‐pH environment. To overcome enzyme performance limitations under these conditions, a ketoreductase was evolved by a computationally and structurally aided strategy to increase cofactor stability through tighter binding.
Fluorimetric determination of febuxostat in dosage forms and in real human plasma via Förster resonance energy transfer
Authors: El‐Gizawy Samia M. , Atia Noha N. , Hosny Noha M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA rapid, simple, selective and precise fluorimetric method was developed and validated for determination of a selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor; febuxostat (FBX) in pharmaceutical formulations and in human plasma. The proposed method is based on quenching effect of FBX on the fluorescence intensity of terbium (Tb3+) through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from Tb3+ to FBX. The formed complex was measured at λex. 320 nm/λem. 490 nm against a reagent blank. Fluorescence intensity of Tb3+ was diminished when FBX was added. A linear relationship between the fluorescence quenching value of the formed complex
and the concentration of FBX was investigated. The reaction conditions and the fluorescence spectral properties of the complex have been studied. The linearity range of the developed method was 1.0–16.0 μg/ml. The suggested method was applied successfully for the estimation of FBX in bulk powder, dosage forms and spiked plasma samples with excellent recoveries (96.79–98.89%). In addition, the developed method has been successfully applied for determination of FBX in real plasma samples collected from healthy volunteers with good recoveries (82.06–85.65%). All obtained results of the developed method were statistically analyzed and validated according to ICH (International Conference on Harmonization) guidelines.
The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of curcumin and its metabolites in mice
Authors: Wang Junjun , Yu Xuejin , Zhang Ling , Wang Ling , Peng Zhihong , Chen Yong 
Published: April 2018

AbstractCurcumin (CUR) is the major active component of turmeric and plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of many chronic diseases such as respiratory and neurodegenerative disease. In the present work, a rapid and simple LC–MS/MS method was developed to investigate the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of CUR and its metabolites in mice after intravenous administration of CUR (20 mg/kg). The results showed that the values of AUC0–∞ were 107.0 ± 18.3, 6.0 ± 1.2 and 12.0 ± 4.0 (mg/L) min, and those for t1/2z were 32.4 ± 10.8, 6.4 ± 2.4 and 5.6 ± 1.8 min for CUR, dihydrocurcumin (DHC) and tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) in plasma, respectively. CUR and THC could be detected in liver while CUR and DHC were detected in kidney. Only CUR was detected in brain. These findings indicated that THC was the main metabolite of CUR in plasma. The exposure of CUR in plasma was 6‐fold greater than that in liver, kidney and brain.
Supported Molecular Catalysts
Authors: Pagliaro Mario , Sels Bert F. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThis Editorial presents the Special Issue on Supported Molecular Catalysts as a forum to discuss recent advances in the immobilization and heterogenization of molecular catalysts. The scope ranges from organic synthesis and highly selective reactions through to photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, including advances in enzyme immobilization methodology. The outcome is a wide spectrum of papers encompassing all the old formal domains of catalysis research of both primary and secondary research.
The Role of Onium Salts in the Pro‐Oxidant Effect of Gold Nanoparticles in Lipophilic Environments
Authors: Baschieri Andrea , Del Secco Benedetta , Zaccheroni Nelsi , Valgimigli Luca , Amorati Riccardo 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMetal nanoparticles are reported to be toxic due to the generation of free radicals at their surface. Relatively inert thiol‐capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been reported to induce radical formation in the presence of hydroperoxides, which would conflict with their potential use as inert scaffolds for the design of novel nano‐antioxidants. With the aim of clarifying this aspect, we investigated the pro‐oxidant activity of dodecanethiol‐capped AuNPs (∼5 nm diameter), prepared through the Brust–Schiffrin synthesis, by oxygen‐uptake kinetic studies. The pro‐oxidant activity was found to be proportional to the impurities of the transfer agent tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB) left from the synthesis and decreased on repeated washing of the nanoparticles. Under identical settings similar batches of AuNP (∼9 nm diameter) prepared through the Ulman method without onium salts showed no pro‐oxidant behavior. The alternative onium phase‐transfer agents Oct4NBF4 (Oct=octyl), Hex4NBF4 (Hex=hexyl), and Hex4NPF6 were comparatively investigated and showed lower pro‐oxidant activity depending on the counterion (Br−>PF6−>BF4−).
Peripherally Metalated Porphyrins with Applications in Catalysis, Molecular Electronics and Biomedicine
Authors: Longevial Jean‐François , Clément Sébastien , Wytko Jennifer A. , Ruppert Romain , Weiss Jean , Richeter Sébastien 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPorphyrins are conjugated, stable chromophores with a central core that binds a variety of metal ions and an easily functionalized peripheral framework. By combining the catalytic, electronic or cytotoxic properties of selected transition metal complexes with the binding and electronic properties of porphyrins, enhanced characteristics of the ensemble are generated. This review article focuses on porphyrins bearing one or more peripheral transition metal complexes and discusses their potential applications in catalysis or biomedicine. Modulation of the electronic properties and intramolecular communication through coordination bond linkages in bis‐porphyrin scaffolds is also presented.
Current Advances in Semiconductor Nanomaterial‐Based Photoelectrochemical Biosensing
Authors: Zang Yang , Fan Jing , Ju Yun , Xue Huaiguo , Pang Huan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractPhotoelectrochemical (PEC) analysis is a new detection technique developed in recent years, which has the advantages of high sensitivity, low background signal and desirable selectivity, obtaining the great progress in sensing applications. Semiconductor nanomaterials with excellent photoelectric activity have played a vital role in the construction of PEC sensing platform. Thus, this Review introduces the recent advances of semiconductor nanomaterials‐based PEC analysis, and describes the typical PEC sensing strategies. Some representative nanomaterials, including metallic oxides, metallic sulfides, graphitic carbon nitride, transition‐metal dichalcogenides and quantum dots, are summarized for advanced PEC devices, as well as their applications in nucleic acid analysis, immunoassays, cell detection, protein and enzyme sensing, and small biomolecule monitoring. Finally, some future opportunities and challenges of PEC biosensing are also discussed.
Single‐Molecule Force Spectroscopy Reveals Self‐Assembly Enhanced Surface Binding of Hydrophobins
Authors: Li Bing , Wang Xin , Li Ying , Paananen Arja , Szilvay Géza R. , Qin Meng , Wang Wei , Cao Yi 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHydrophobins have raised lots of interest as powerful surface adhesives. However, it remains largely unexplored how their strong and versatile surface adhesion is linked to their unique amphiphilic structural features. Here, we develop an AFM‐based single‐molecule force spectroscopy assay to quantitatively measure the binding strength of hydrophobin to various types of surfaces both in isolation and in preformed protein films. We find that individual class II hydrophobins (HFBI) bind strongly to hydrophobic surfaces but weakly to hydrophilic ones. After self‐assembly into protein films, they show much stronger binding strength to both surfaces due to the cooperativity of different interactions at nanoscale. Such self‐assembly enhanced surface binding may serve as a general design principle for synthetic bioactive adhesives.