bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
LncRNA TP73‐AS1 predicts poor prognosis and functions as oncogenic lncRNA in osteosarcoma
Authors: Chen Xi , Zhou Yu , Liu Shuping , Zhang Desheng , Yang Xi , Zhou Qing , Song Yueming , Liu Yuehong 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTP73 antisense RNA 1 (TP73‐AS1), a novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), has been suggested to be deregulated in various human cancers and serve as a tumor suppressor or promoter, depending on tumor types. The role of TP73‐AS1 in osteosarcoma is still unknown. In our results, TP73‐AS1 was highly expressed in osteosarcoma tissue samples and cell lines compared with matching adjacent nontumor tissue specimens and a normal human osteoblast cell line, respectively. Moreover, high expression of TP73‐AS1 was statistically associated with advanced Enneking stage, large tumor size, present distant metastasis, and poor histological grade, while exhibiting no statistical association with age, sex, and tumor site. The survival analyses showed that patients with osteosarcoma with high expression of TP73‐AS1 obviously had lower overall survival than osteosarcoma patients with low expression of TP73‐AS1, and high expression of TP73‐AS1 was an independent poor prognostic factor for osteosarcoma patients. The experiments in vitro indicated that inhibition of TP73‐AS1 expression depressed osteosarcoma cell viability, migration, and invasion, and arrested cell cycle. In conclusion, TP73‐AS1 serves as oncogenic lncRNA participated in osteosarcoma progression.
Tangeretin inhibits streptozotocin‐induced cell apoptosis via regulating NF‐κB pathway in INS‐1 cells
Authors: Liu Yang , Han Jiakai , Zhou Zhenyu , Li Dandan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractOxidative stress is considered to play an important role in inducing the pancreatic β‐cells apoptosis and promoting the development of diabetes mellitus. Tangeretin is a plant‐derived flavonoid that retains antidiabetic effects. However, the role of tangeretin in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced β‐cell apoptosis remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of tangeretin on STZ‐induced cell apoptosis and the underlying mechanisms implicated in vitro. Our results showed that tangeretin improved the cell viability in STZ‐induced INS‐1 cells. Tangeretin reduced the increase of apoptosis ratio and revered the altered expressions of Bax and Bcl‐2 caused by STZ induction. Furthermore, the impairment of insulin secretion ability as well as a reduction in messenger RNA levels of insulin 1 and 2 was significantly attenuated by tangeretin in STZ‐induced INS‐1 cells. Moreover, tangeretin resulted in a significant decrease in reactive oxygen species content, accompanied by an evident increase in the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Mechanistic studies further revealed that tangeretin inhibited the NF‐κB pathway in STZ‐induced INS‐1 cells. These data indicated that tangeretin improved the cell apoptosis induced by STZ in INS‐1 cells, which might be partly due to its antioxidant potential. Furthermore, NF‐κB was found to be involved in the protective effect of tangeretin. Collectively, the results indicated that tangeretin could be used as a therapeutic approach for diabetes mellitus treatment.
Copy number variations in the GATA4, NKX2‐5, TBX5, BMP4 CRELD1, and 22q11.2 gene regions in Chinese children with sporadic congenital heart disease
Authors: Li Zhetao , Huang Jiwei , Liang Biao , Zeng Dingyuan , Luo Shiqiang , Yan Tizhen , Liao Fengwen , Huang Jun , Li Jingwen , Cai Ren , Deng Xine , Tang Ning 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundCongenital heart disease (CHD) is a common birth defect originating from both environmental and genetic factors. An overabundance of copy number variations (CNVs) affecting cardiac‐related genes has previously been detected in individuals with CHD.ObjectiveTo evaluate if the presence of CNVs in the 22q11.2 region, and to determine whether GATA4, NKX2‐5, TBX5, BMP, and CRELD1 genes contributed toward the pathogenesis of isolated incidences of CHDs in southwest China.MethodsIn total 167 patients from southwest China with sporadic CHD were studied, including 121 patients with ventricular septal defect (VSD), 24 with atrial septal defect (ASD), 12 with tetralogy of fallot (TOF), six VSD cases with TOF, two cases with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and two VSD cases with ASD. 22q11.2, GATA4, NKX2‐5, TBX5, BMP4, and CRELD1 regions were screened using MLPA and copy number variation sequencing (CNV‐Seq).ResultsA 2.5‐2.8 Mb deletion in the 22q11.2 region was identified in 5 patients with CHD. Two of these patients were diagnosed with VSD, while two had VSD and ASD, and the other had TOF. 5 patients correspond to the same classical DiGeorge syndrome. A 0.86 Mb duplication in the 22q11.2 region was identified in a PDA patient, whom was without extracardiac symptoms.ConclusionThese data suggest that copy number variation in the 22q11.2 region is common in CHD patients in southwest China. Regardless of the presence or absence of extracardiac symptoms, results also indicate that it is necessary to perform prenatal screening for CHD.
Hb I: A α‐globin chain variant causing unexpected HbA1c results
Authors: Xu Anping , Sun Jian , Li Jie , Chen Weidong , Zheng Ruoyang , Han Zhonghou , Ji Ling 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundHbA1c is the standard bio‐marker for glycemic control in patients with diabetes. Here, we report a α‐globin chain variant and evaluate its effect on HbA1c measurements.MethodsA 21‐year‐old female was suspected of harboring a hemoglobin variant following HbA1c measurement during a routine examination using Variant II Turbo 2.0 (Bio‐Rad). An oral glucose tolerance test was performed using an AU5800 clinical chemistry system (Beckman Coulter). HbA1c was reanalyzed using D10 (Bio‐Rad), Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing (Sebia), and Premier Hb9210 (Trinity Biotech). Hemoglobin analysis was performed using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on the Bio‐Rad Variant II (β‐thalassemia short program) and capillary electrophoresis (CE, Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing, Hb program). Sanger sequencing of α and β genes was also conducted.ResultsHbA1c was initially measured at 24.2% using Variant II Turbo 2.0. For the oral glucose tolerance test, fasting glucose, 1‐hour, and 2‐hour levels were recorded as 4.25, 7.89, and 5.34 mmol/L, respectively. Subsequently, HbA1c values determined by D10, Capillarys 2 Flex Piercing (HbA1c program), and Premier Hb9210 were 4.5% (26 mmol/mol), no HbA1c value, and 4.8 (29 mmol/mol), respectively. Hemoglobin analyzed using CE and HPLC revealed an abnormal hemoglobin. Sanger sequencing identified a transversion mutation of the α2 gene [CD16(AAG>GAG), Lys>Glu, HBA2: c.49 A>G], corresponding to a Hb I variant.ConclusionAn unusually high HbA1c or discordance between blood sugar and HbA1c values should alert about the possibilities of hemoglobin variants.
Wnt/β‐catenin signaling cascade: A promising target for glioma therapy
Authors: He Lu , Zhou Hong , Zeng Zhiqing , Yao Hailun , Jiang Weiping , Qu Hongtao 
Published: September 2018

AbstractGlioma is one of the most treatment‐refractory intracranial tumors, and the aberrant expressed Wnt/β‐catenin pathway is closely associated with glioma malignancy. In this regard, Wnt/β‐catenin signaling has been reported to play an essential role in cellular proliferation, migration, invasion, and angiogenesis, therefore contributing to glioma progression. However, the underlying mechanisms of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling involvement in gliomagenesis remain unknown. Here, we present an overview of the Wnt components and then go on to summarize the current knowledge describing the multitude of roles of Wnt/β‐catenin in glioma, which are mediated by transcription factors, microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and so on. In the latter portion of the review, we elaborate the increasing apparent crosstalk of Wnt/β‐catenin pathway with PI3K/AKT signaling involved in these processes. Ultimately, compounds targeting the Wnt/β‐catenin are described in glioma. As better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms to glioma malignancies increases, Wnt/β‐catenin cascade may represent an area of developmental glioma therapeutics focus.
Imaging mass spectrometry of gold nanoparticles in a tissue section as an immunohistochemical staining mass probe
Authors: Muko Daiki , Ikenaga Takanori , Kasai Masanori , Rabor Janice B. , Nishitani Atsushi , Niidome Yasuro 
Published: September 2018

AbstractFor analysis of low abundance peptides in a tissue section, immunohistochemical staining through antibody‐antigen interaction is a usual technique. The antibody is conjugated with a probe moiety that aids in highly sensitive detection. Gold nanoparticles, which show excellent chemical stability and variation of surface modifications, are expected to act as a sensitive mass probe to desorb gold ions (Au+, Au2+, Au3+) that are distinguishable from fragment ions from organic molecules. Here, green fluorescent proteins (GFP) in a tissue section of a transgenic zebrafish were detected by the gold mass probe conjugated with antibodies. Due to the efficient ionization and desorption of gold ions, imaging mass spectrometry of Au2+ ions indicated the distribution of gold nanoparticles stained in a tissue section, and the mass signal distribution was consistent with the area where the GFP‐expressing cells were distributed. Conventional immunofluorescence techniques showed intense autofluorescence that come from intrinsic fluorophores in the tissue section. In contrast, the gold nanoparticles acted as an immunostaining mass probe that displayed significantly lower background signals.
Electron transfer dissociation mass spectrometry of acidic phosphorylated peptides cationized with trivalent praseodymium
Authors: Commodore Juliette J. , Cassady Carolyn J. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe lanthanide ion praseodymium, Pr(III), was employed to study metallated ion formation and electron transfer dissociation (ETD) of 27 biological and model highly acidic phosphopeptides. All phosphopeptides investigated form metallated ions by electrospray ionization (ESI) that can be studied by ETD to yield abundant sequence information. The ions formed are [M + Pr − H]2+, [M + Pr]3+, and [M + Pr + H]4+. All biological phosphopeptides with a chain length of seven or more residues generate [M + Pr]3+. For biological phosphopeptides, [M + Pr]3+ undergoes more backbone cleavage by ETD than [M + Pr – H]2+ and, in some cases, full sequence coverage occurs. Acidic model phosphorylated hexa‐peptides and octa‐peptides, composed of alanine residues and one phosphorylated residue, form exclusively [M + Pr – H]2+ by ESI. Limited sequence information is obtained by ETD of [M + Pr – H]2+ with only metallated product ions being generated. For two biological phosphopeptides, [M + Pr + H]4+ is observed and may be due to the presence of at least one residue with a highly basic side chain that facilitates the addition of an extra proton. For the model phosphopeptides, more sequence coverage occurs when the phosphorylated residue is in the middle of the sequence than at either the N‐ or C‐terminus. ETD of the metallated precursor ions formed by ESI generates exclusively metallated and nonmetallated c‐ and z‐ions for the biological phosphopeptides, while metallated c‐ions, z‐ions, and a few y‐ions form for the model phosphopeptides. Most of the product ions contain the phosphorylated residue indicating that the metal ion binds predominantly at the deprotonated phosphate group. The results of this study indicate that ETD is a promising tool for sequencing highly acidic phosphorylated peptides by metal adduction with Pr (III) and, by extension, all nonradioactive lanthanide metal ions.
EM‐driven constrained miniaturization of antennas using adaptive in‐band reflection acceptance threshold
Authors: Johanesson David O. , Koziel Slawomir , Bekasiewicz Adrian 
Published: September 2018

AbstractNumerical optimization of geometry parameters is a critical stage of the design process of compact antennas. It is also challenging because size reduction is constrained by the necessity of fulfilling imposed electrical performance requirements. Furthermore, full‐wave electromagnetic (EM) analysis needs to be used for reliable performance evaluation of the antenna structure, which is computationally expensive. In this paper, an improved procedure for optimization‐driven design miniaturization of antenna structures is considered. We investigate the properties of explicit formulation with the footprint area minimization being a primary design objective and a penalty function introduced to control reflection characteristic of the antenna at hand. Deficiencies of this approach are pointed out, in particular, difficulties in exploring the boundary of the feasible part of the design space (otherwise necessary due to the fact that the reflection constraint is normally active at the minimum size antenna design). A novel formulation with adaptive adjustment of the maximum acceptable in‐band reflection level threshold is proposed and demonstrated to be superior over the conventional (fixed threshold) setup, ie, leading to smaller footprints without degrading electrical performance parameters. Our considerations are illustrated using 2 broadband antenna structures.
Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly for Artificial Biology: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Cheng Gong , Pérez‐Mercader Juan 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe study of the origin of life and current undergoing efforts to produce artificial chemical systems mimicking the behavior of natural living systems have emerged as a hot topic at the interfaces among disciplines. In these two problems, the spontaneous generation of free‐energy gradients by means of material interfaces plays a central role and, until recently, hindered progress. Polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) is a promising strategy for the formation of polymeric vesicles from a homogeneous mixture which, in the form of artificial biology, may reflect and inform the generation of vesicular structures in primitive Earth. In the past few years, PISA has been used for the construction of biomimetic vesicles or artificial protocells in artificial biology. These not only give inspiration for decoding some aspects of the origin of life in arbitrary environments but also offer potential for building innovative functional systems with a wide variety of applications. In this review, a brief summary of some of the unique possibilities offered by PISA and the development of PISA in exploration of artificial biology is provided, while some of the allied current challenges, limitations, and opportunities in this exciting field are highlighted.
Bipaddle chimaeric forehead flap: A new technique for simultaneous lining and cutaneous reconstruction in case of full thickness defects of the nose
Authors: Brunetti Beniamino , Tenna Stefania , Barone Mauro , Cassotta Gabriella , Casale Manuele , Persichetti Paolo 
Published: September 2018

IntroductionMany techniques have been described to treat full thickness nasal defects. The authors introduce the bipaddle chimaeric forehead flap (BCFF), a new alternative technique to achieve simultaneous lining and cutaneous reconstruction in case of full thickness hemi‐nasal defects, presenting surgical details and applications for its clinical use.Patients and methodsFrom June 2015 to April 2017, 10 patients presenting with oncological full thickness defects involving nasal sidewall and/or nasal ala were reconstructed with the BCFF technique. Mean age was 69.4 years. The chimaeric flap was composed of 2 paddles (cutaneous and periosteal), nourished by a single supratrochlear pedicle, which were used to independently reconstruct the deficient cutaneous and mucosal layers of the nose. Cartilage grafts were used in 8/10 patients.ResultsMean surgical time was 114 minutes. An intermediate thinning operation was performed in 3 out of 10 patients. All the flaps survived with no partial necrosis or cartilage exposure observed. Viability and mucosalization of the periosteal paddle was documented both intra‐operatively (during the 2nd stage of the operation) and postoperatively (with fiberoptic rhinoscopy performed 3 months after the procedure). Clinical follow‐up period ranged from 4 to 24 months postoperatively. The final result was judged sufficient, good and excellent in 1, 5, and 4 cases, respectively.ConclusionsThe BCFF technique may be a new alternative approach to address full thickness hemi‐nasal defects with no extra donor site morbidity, allowing primary placement of structural cartilage grafts and immediate definition of the nasal subunits to be reconstructed.
Upregulation of HB‐EGF, Msx.1, and miRNA Let‐7a by administration of calcitonin through mTOR and ERK1/2 pathways during a window of implantation in mice
Authors: Shokrzadeh Naser , Alivand Mohammad Reza , Abedelahi Ali , Hessam Shariati Mohammad Bakhtiar , Niknafs Behrooz 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundSuccessful implantation of embryos requires endometrial receptivity. Calcitonin is one of the factors influencing the implantation window. This study aimed to evaluate calcitonin effects on endometrial receptivity. To this end, the effects of calcitonin on the implantation window in the ovarian stimulation and the normal ovarian cycle were investigated by the morphological study of the endometrium as well as the expression of MSX.1, HB‐EGF, and micro‐RNA (miRNA) Let‐7a; then the mechanisms of calcitonin effects were studied through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathways.Materials and MethodsA total of 64 Bulb/c mice were divided into two groups: Normal ovarian cycle and ovarian stimulation. Each group consisted of four subgroups: Ctrl, CT, PP242, and CT + PP242. Calcitonin and PP242 were injected on the fourth day of pregnancy and 24 hr later all the mice were killed. Uterine tissue samples were used for morphological analysis and the endometrial epithelial and the stromal cells were isolated from myometrium for evaluation of gene and protein expression.ResultsOvarian stimulation increased the phosphorylation levels of mTOR and ERK1/2 and the expression of miRNA Let‐7a. Calcitonin injection increased the expression of HB‐EGF, Msx.1, and miRNA Let‐7a in a normal ovarian cycle and in ovarian‐stimulated mice. It also increased eukaryotic initiation factor 4E‐binding protein 1 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in normal ovarian cycles.ConclusionCalcitonin improved the receptivity of the uterine endometrium by upregulation of the HB‐EGF, Msx.1, and miRNA Let‐7a likely through mTOR and ERK1/2 signaling pathway.
Are Hatchery-Reared Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout Effective Predators on Juvenile Native Fish?
Authors: Ward David L. , Morton-Starner Rylan , Vaage Ben 
Published: September 2018

Abstract
Hatchery-reared Rainbow Trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and Brown Trout Salmo trutta are typically fed exclusively on commercially prepared pelleted feeds and have no experience catching or consuming live fish at the time of stocking. Despite this lack of predation experience, it is commonly assumed that stocked Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout will adversely impact native fish populations by preying upon juvenile native fish. We evaluated the relative predation effectiveness of wild-caught Rainbow Trout (210–389 mm TL) and Brown Trout (185–313 mm TL) compared with hatchery-reared Rainbow Trout (198–321 mm TL) and Brown Trout (196–290 mm TL). We used Bonytail Gila elegans (60–85 mm TL), Humpback Chub Gila cypha (24–59 mm TL), and Roundtail Chub Gila robusta (40–65 mm TL) as prey in overnight predation trials conducted in the laboratory from 2013 to 2016. After 14 d in a captive setting, wild Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout consumed &gt;70% of prey in trials with no cover, while hatchery-reared fish consumed &lt;30% of prey. In addition, we evaluated if the predation ability of hatchery fish would improve over time by feeding them Fathead Minnows Pimephales promelas, rather than pelleted feed, for up to 30 d. Predation success of Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout increased by an average of 28% and 21%, respectively, after 14 d of eating exclusively fish. Rainbow Trout tested after 30 d of eating fish increased in their ability to catch and eat small prey by an average of 29%. The predation effectiveness of hatchery-reared fish appears to improve with experience eating live fish. Although stocking Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout does increase the number of predators present in natural systems, the relative predation threat posed by hatchery-reared fish may be less than that of wild fish, especially in locations where stocked fish do not persist. Lack of experience in catching fish and the effects of captive rearing practices and environments on both physiology and behavior all likely contribute to reduced predation effectiveness of hatchery Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.
Improved surface hydrophilicity and antifouling property of nanofiltration membrane by grafting NH2‐functionalized silica nanoparticles
Authors: Huang Kai , Quan Xiao , Li Xipeng , Tezel F. Handan , Li Baoan 
Published: September 2018

Organic fouling has been a major impediment for the widespread application of nanofiltration membranes because it could degrade the performance and shorten the service life of such membranes. In this study, the NH2‐functionalized silica nanoparticles (NH2–SiO2 NPs) were grafted on the surface of commercial NF90 membrane to improve the hydrophilicity and antifouling property with the N‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl)‐N‐ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride coupled with the N‐hydroxysuccinimide (EDC/NHS) to activate carboxyl groups on the membrane surface. The surface roughness (Ra) of this modified membrane decreased from value of 47.4 nm of the pristine membrane to 43 nm. The water contact angle of the modified membrane decreased from 48.4° to 15°, indicating the high hydrophilicity of the surface. Moreover, the EDC/NHS membrane showed good stability when it was exposed to the ruinous physical stress (2‐min sonication). The optimized grafting conditions, including the SiO2 concentration (0.5 wt%), the activation time of EDC/NHS (20 min), and the reaction time of NH2–SiO2 NPs with membrane surface (12 h), were obtained by a series of experiments. Under the antifouling test of 36 hours with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as foulants, the EDC/NHS membrane lost 42.1% and 49.6% of its initial flux, respectively, which is lower than that of the pristine membrane (52.2% and 68%, respectively). After cleaning with deionized water for 2 hours, the EDC/NHS membrane also showed significant improvement of flux recovery ratio (92% and 87%, respectively) than did the pristine membrane (70.3% and 60%, respectively).