bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expression and production of recombinant scorpine as a potassium channel blocker protein in Escherichia coli
Authors: Seyfi Roghayyeh , Babaeipour Valiollah , Mofid Mohammad Reza , Kahaki Fatemeh Abarghooi 
Published: October 2018

AbstractScorpine is a cationic protein from the venom of Pandinus imperator, belonging to potassium channel blocker family, which has been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antiplasmodia activities. In the present study, a pET‐44a vector containing scorpine synthetic gene with T7 Promoter (pET 44a‐His6‐Nus‐His6‐tev‐scorpine) was transferred into Escherichia coli Rosetta‐gami B (DE3) for soluble expression of the protein in the cytoplasm and its overproduction. After confirming recombinant scorpine peptide expression using SDS–PAGE and Western blot, augmentation of production was performed during two stages. At first, effects of three parameters including carbon source concentration of medium, temperature, and induction time were investigated in terrific broth (TB) medium. Afterward, the overexpression was performed by response surface methodology in TB + glucose. Under the optimized conditions, the highest production of 3.5 g/L in the TB + glucose medium (7.5 g/L glucose, induction at OD600 = 3.5 and 25 °C) was increased to 4.1 g/L in TB medium (2.5 g/L glycerol, induction at OD600 = 0.7 and 25 °C). Then, in order to increase the amount of protein production, effects of carbon concentration in the fermenter under the primary optimized condition was investigated. The amount of produced recombinant protein increased from 0.12 to 2.1 g/L.H. The results were similar to previous studies on optimizing and increasing the production of recombinant protein and in particular recombinant scorpine.
Effects of generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and dietary compounds on phenylephrine metabolism in LS180 human intestinal cells
Authors: Zhang Zhenxian , Gerk Phillip M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPhenylephrine (PE) has low and variable oral bioavailability in humans, due in part to presystemic metabolism by sulfation. LS180 cells were used as a model of the human intestinal epithelium to examine phenylephrine metabolism and its inhibition by generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and dietary compounds. Curcumin, zingerone, resveratrol, guaiacol, pterostilbene and isoeugenol significantly inhibited phenylephrine disappearance, while vanillin, propylparaben and eugenol did not. However, when propylparaben was combined with either vanillin or eugenol, the phenylephrine disappearance was significantly inhibited. These data suggest that these compounds or combinations thereof may have potential to improve phenylephrine oral bioavailability.
Chemiluminescence‐based aptasensors for various target analytes
Authors: Sun Yue , Lu Jianzhong 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAptamers (DNA or RNA) have complex three‐dimensional shapes that can bind to specific targets. Relative to antibodies, aptamers benefit from their low cost of production, easy chemical modification, high chemical stability, reproducibility, and low levels of immunogenicity and toxicity. However, the true value of aptamers lies in their simplicity by which these molecules can be engineered into sensors as bio‐recognition elements in diagnostics, drug discovery and therapy, environmental monitoring and food quality testing, etc. Many different types of techniques, such as optical, electrochemical, radiochemical and piezoelectronic methods, have been applied for the design of aptamer‐based methods, in which chemiluminescence (CL) detection techniques have become very popular in recent years. This review focuses on the recent advances in the development of aptamer‐based CL sensors for different target detection. We highlight specific examples that showcase the use of aptamers in practical applications, and provide the challenges and opportunities in this promising field.
Synthesis, characterization and optical property investigation of CdS nanoparticles
Authors: Bharti D.B. , Bharati Avinash V. , Wankhade Atul V. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMicrowave‐assisted routes have attracted much attention for nanoparticle synthesis because of minimal solvent use and rapid, high efficiency and controlled morphology. Cadmium sulphide (CdS) nanoparticles form the line between bulk and molecular states of materials and show variation in their physical and chemical properties. Cadmium sulphate and thiourea were used as precursors during this synthesis. These are included in the category of practical semiconductor metal sulphides, which are extensively used as catalysts and optical materials. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) patterns confirmed that CdO nanoparticles are crystalline and have a hexagonal phase with crystal sizes that agree with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data. UV–visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were used to evaluate optical properties using band gap energy measurements.
Development and validation of an undergraduate laboratory activity exploring the dna analysis of pet food
Authors: Waldo Jennifer Turner , Pereira Melanie , Rahman Mohammad , Siconolfi Jessica 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA novel experiment has been developed with a goal of enhancing engagement and deepening understanding of fundamental molecular biology concepts. In this laboratory activity, students investigate the composition of pet foods through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis. By conducting this experiment, students address a scientific question that has the potential to be of personal interest and they gain an appreciation of the power of genetic analysis. To develop this activity, ingredient lists of popular pet foods were surveyed and eight different components were selected to be the subject of inquiry. Reaction conditions for qPCR were validated and optimized, and a simple, efficient, and student‐friendly protocol was developed. A cohort of upper‐level biology students extracted DNA from pet foods and conducted the qPCR reactions. Specificity of amplification was determined by conducting melting point analysis and agarose gel electrophoresis of the products. Student reactions were analyzed and efficacy of this approach for deepening understanding of fundamental biochemical and molecular biology concepts was documented. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(5):536–546, 2018.
Clinical characteristics and quality of life in Chinese patients with multiple system atrophy
Authors: Du Juan‐Juan , Wang Tian , Huang Pei , Cui Shishuang , Gao Chao , Lin Yiqi , Fu Rao , Zhou Haiyan , Chen Shengdi 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectivesMultiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes early sustained disability and poor health‐related quality of life (HrQoL). The clinical features and their effects on the HrQoL of patients in China have received little attention in the research literature. We evaluated the clinical characteristics and HrQoL of Chinese patients with MSA.Materials and MethodsA total of 143 patients with MSA from the Department of Neurology, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, were enrolled in the study from March 2014 to May 2017. Basic demographic data, motor symptoms, non‐motor symptoms, and HrQoL were assessed and compared with data from 198 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) who were matched by age, gender, and disease duration. Factors influencing the HrQoL of MSA patients were also analyzed.ResultsThe ratio of patients with predominant parkinsonism (MSA‐P) and prominent cerebellar ataxia (MSA‐C) was 95:48 among the 143 MSA patients. MSA‐P patients had a longer disease duration (p = 0.002), higher levodopa equivalent daily dose (p < 0.001), higher scores on the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) I (p = 0.026), UMSARS II (p < 0.001), UMSARS IV (p = 0.019), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (p = 0.001), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (p = 0.013), and lower scores on measures of olfaction (p = 0.021) and cognitive function (p = 0.044) than the MSA‐C patients. Stepwise regression analysis showed that depression, anxiety, degree of disability, and disease severity were independent predictors of decreased HrQoL.ConclusionsThe results indicate that MSA‐P patients have more severe motor impairment, hyposmia, depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and lower HrQoL than MSA‐C patients. Depression, anxiety, degree of disability, and disease severity are predictors of poor HrQoL among Chinese patients with MSA.
Worry is associated with inefficient functional activity and connectivity in prefrontal and cingulate cortices during emotional interference
Authors: Barker Holly , Munro James , Orlov Natasza , Morgenroth Elenor , Moser Jason , Eysenck Michael W. , Allen Paul 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIntroductionAnxiety is known to impair attentional control particularly when Task demands are high. Neuroimaging studies generally support these behavioral findings, reporting that anxiety is associated with increased (inefficient) activity in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) during attentional control Tasks. However, less is known about the relationship between worry (part of the cognitive dimension of trait anxiety) and DLPFC/ACC function and connectivity during attentional control. In the present study, we sought to clarify this relationship.MethodsForty‐one participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during a composite Faces and Scenes Task with high and low emotional interference conditions. Individual worry levels were assessed using the Penn State Worry Questionnaire.ResultsDuring high but not low emotional interference, worry was associated with increased activity in ACC, DLPFC, insula, and inferior parietal cortex. During high emotional interference, worry was also associated with reduced functional connectivity between ACC and DLPFC. Trait anxiety was not associated with changes in DLPFC/ACC activity or connectivity during either Task condition.ConclusionsThe results are consistent with cognitive models that propose worry competes for limited processing resources resulting in inefficient DLPFC and ACC activity when Tasks demands are high. Limitations of the present study and directions for future work are discussed.
Sex‐biased gene expression in the frontal cortex of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) and potential behavioral correlates
Authors: Nogueira Viviane Brito , Imparato Danilo Oliveira , de Souza Sandro José , de Sousa Maria Bernardete Cordeiro 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIntroductionThe common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus), a small New World monkey, has been widely used as a biological model in neuroscience to elucidate neural circuits involved in cognition and to understand brain dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders. In this regard, the availability of gene expression data derived from next‐generation sequencing (NGS) technologies represents an opportunity for a molecular contextualization. Sexual dimorphism account for differences in diseases prevalence and prognosis. Here, we explore sex differences on frontal cortex of gene expression in common marmoset's adults.MethodsGene expression profiles in six different tissues (cerebellum, frontal cortex, liver, heart, and kidney) were analyzed in male and female marmosets. To emphasize the translational value of this species for behavioral studies, we focused on sex‐biased gene expression from the frontal cortex of male and female in common marmosets and compared to humans (Homo sapiens).ResultsIn this study, we found that frontal cortex genes whose expression is male‐biased are conserved between marmosets and humans and enriched with “house‐keeping” functions. On the other hand, female‐biased genes are more related to neural plasticity functions involved in remodeling of synaptic circuits, stress cascades, and visual behavior. Additionally, we developed and made available an application—the CajaDB—to provide a friendly interface for genomic, expression, and alternative splicing data of marmosets together with a series of functionalities that allow the exploration of these data. CajaDB is available at cajadb.neuro.ufrn.br.ConclusionThe data point to differences in gene expression of male and female common marmosets in all tissues analyzed. In frontal cortex, female‐biased expression in synaptic plasticity, stress, and visual processing might be linked to biological and behavioral mechanisms of this sex. Due to the limited sample size, the data here analyzed are for exploratory purposes.
FOXP3 inhibits MYC expression via regulating miR‐198 and influences cell viability, proliferation and cell apoptosis in HepG2
Authors: Duan Xiaohui , Jiang Bo , Yang Jianhui , Zhou Lixue , Tian Bingzhang , Mao Xianhai 
Published: October 2018

AbstractObjectiveOur study aimed to explore the effects of FOXP3 expression on liver neoplasms cells and to further investigate the relationship between FOXP3 and proto‐oncogene MYC.MethodsQRT‐PCR was used for assessment of FOXP3 expression in liver neoplasms tissues and para‐carcinoma tissues. The effects of FOXP3 on cell viability were determined by CCK8 assay, clone formation experiment, and flow cytometry. For miRNA selection, chips were used to figure out the differentially expressed miRNAs in FOXP3‐overexpressing HepG2 cells. The result was followed by bioinformatics prediction to screen the possible MYC‐targeted miRNAs, and it was examined by dual luciferase assay and ChIP assay. The expression levels of MYC protein and apoptosis‐associated proteins (bcl2 and bax) were measured by Western blot assay.ResultsIt showed an under‐regulated expression of FOXP3 in liver neoplasm tissues from qRT‐PCR results. Overexpression of FOXP3 contributed to cell apoptosis as well as suppressed tumor cells’ proliferation. MiR‐198 was detected to be highly expressed in FOXP3‐overexpressing HepG2 cells. FOXP3 regulated the transcription level of miR‐198 by binding to its promoter sequence and overexpressed miR‐198 could suppress tumor cells’ proliferation and promote cell apoptosis. There existed targeted relationship between miR‐198 and MYC gene. MiR‐198 inhibited cancer by suppressing the expression of MYC in liver neoplasm.ConclusionFOXP3 up‐regulated miR‐198 expression by binding to its promoter sequence specifically, while miR‐198 inhibited proto‐oncogene MYC via targeted relationship. High level of miR‐198 contributed to the apoptosis of tumor cells and suppressed cell viability meanwhile.
The association of tooth loss, toothbrushing, and quality of life among cancer survivors
Authors: Yan Rui , Chen Xuefen , Gong Xiaohuan , Wang Jiwei , Yu Jinming 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundTooth loss contributes physically and psychologically to health, and quality of life has been a key indicator of the cancer survivors. However, it is less clear whether tooth loss has impact on cancer survivors’ quality of life. Our study aimed to investigate the association between tooth loss, toothbrushing, and quality of life in cancer survivors.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted among 9125 cancer survivors in Shanghai, China. Sociodemographic characteristics, frequency of tooth brushing, number of tooth loss were collected using a self‐reported questionnaire. Quality of life was measured using the EORTC QLQ‐C30. Chi‐square test was used to compare the distribution of tooth loss and toothbrushing frequency among various cancer sites, sociodemographic factors, socioeconomic status, health conditions. Multiple linear regression models were performed to estimate the effects of tooth loss and toothbrushing on quality of life.ResultsParticipants diagnosed with cancer of oral cavity, pharynx, and nasopharynx reported higher percentage of 11+ tooth loss. Cancer survivors with toothbrushing ≥2 times/d reported higher scores in physical, cognitive, and social function and had milder nausea and vomiting, compared with ones with toothbrushing <2 times/d. Tooth loss was associated with milder physical, role and emotional function scores, and severer fatigue, nausea/vomiting, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, and diarrhea.ConclusionsThis is the first study to investigate the impact of toothbrushing and tooth loss on quality of life among cancer survivors. Tooth loss was associated with milder physical, role and emotional function scores, and severer fatigue, nausea/vomiting, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation and diarrhea. Toothbrushing had significant positive effect on cancer survivors’ quality of life. The present study also provided several public health strategies to improve oral health among cancer survivors.
A real‐world, population‐based study of patterns of referral, treatment, and outcomes for advanced pancreatic cancer
Authors: Abdel‐Rahman Omar , Xu Yuan , Tang Patricia A. , Lee‐Ying Richard M. , Cheung Winson Y. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundTo describe patterns of referral, consultation, and treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer patients in a population‐based health care system and to evaluate the impact of these factors on outcomes.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of population‐based cancer data from the province of Alberta, Canada. We analyzed patients diagnosed with either locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma from 2009 to 2016 and evaluated their patterns of referral to a cancer center, consultation with oncology, and treatment with active anticancer therapies. Logistic regression models were constructed to determine the factors associated with referral, late oncology assessment, and late receipt of treatment.ResultsWe identified 1621 pancreatic cancer patients. Median age was 70 years, 50% were men, and 51% had a Charlson index of 2+. Within this cohort, only 884 (54%) patients were referred to one of the provincial cancer centers. Adjusting for confounders in logistic regression models, older age and worse comorbidity scores were associated with nonreferral (both P < 0.01). In multivariable analysis among treated patients, the following factors were associated with improved overall survival, including younger age, earlier stage, and better comorbidity scores (all P < 0.01). Neither referral to consultation times nor consultation to treatment times correlated with outcomes. Importantly, nonreferred patients were more likely to use acute care services, including longer total duration of hospitalizations and more frequent visits with physician specialists.ConclusionA significant proportion of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer were never referred to a cancer center. Nonreferred patients were more likely to utilize specific health care resources.
The effects of tumor size and postoperative radiotherapy for patients with adult low‐grade (WHO grade II) infiltrative supratentorial astrocytoma/oligodendroglioma: A population‐based and propensity score matched study
Authors: Lin Dong‐Dong , Deng Xiang‐Yang , Zheng Dong‐Dong , Gu Cheng‐Hui , Yu Li‐Sheng , Xu Shang‐Yu , Li Dan‐Dong , Fang Jun‐Hao , Yin Bo , Sheng Han‐Song , Lin Jian , Zhang Xiao‐Lei , Zhang Nu 
Published: October 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe update of 2018 NCCN guidelines (central nervous system cancers) recommended the risk classification of postoperative patients diagnosed as adult low‐grade (WHO grade II) infiltrative supratentorial astrocytoma/oligodendroglioma (ALISA/O) should take tumor size into consideration. Moreover, the guidelines removed postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for low risk patients. Our study aimed to explore the specific tumor size to divide postoperative patients into relatively low‐ or high risk subgroups and the effect of PORT for ALISA/O patients.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study choosing 1277 postoperative ALISA/O patients from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The X‐tile analysis provided the optimal cutoff point based on tumor size. The differences between surgery alone and surgery +RT groups were balanced by propensity score‐matched analysis. The multivariable analysis and the nomogram evaluated multiple prognostic factors based on cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsX‐tile plots defined 59 mm (P < 0.001) as the optimal cutoff tumor size value in terms of CSS, which was verified in multivariate analysis (P < 0.001). The Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed that the surgery alone had higher CSS and OS than surgery +RT, while the low risk group had no statistical significance after propensity score match. Multivariable analysis showed that surgery +RT was independently associated with diminished OS and CSS for high risk group, which had no statistical significance for low‐risk group.ConclusionsOur study suggested that tumor size of 59 mm was an optimal cutoff point to divide postoperative patients into relatively low‐ or high risk subgroups. PORT may not benefit patients, while the effects of PORT for low risk patients need further research.
Genomewide identification of a novel six‐LncRNA signature to improve prognosis prediction in resectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wu Ying , Wang Peng‐Shuo , Wang Ben‐Gang , Xu Lu , Fang Wan‐Xia , Che Xiao‐Fang , Qu Xiu‐Juan , Liu Yun‐Peng , Li Zhi 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe current prognostic long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) signatures for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are still controversial and need to be optimized by systematic bioinformatics analyses with suitable methods and appropriate patients. Therefore, we performed the study to establish a credible lncRNA signature for HCC outcome prediction and explore the related mechanisms. Based on the lncRNA profile and the clinical data of carefully selected HCC patients (n = 164) in TCGA, six of 12727 lncRNAs, MIR22HG, CTC‐297N7.9, CTD‐2139B15.2, RP11‐589N15.2, RP11‐343N15.5, and RP11‐479G22.8 were identified as the independent predictors of patients’ overall survival in HCC by sequential univariate Cox and 1000 times Cox LASSO regression with 10‐fold CV, and multivariate Cox analysis with 1000 times bootstrapping. In the Kaplan‐Meier analysis with patients trichotomized by the six‐lncRNA signature, high‐risk patients showed significantly shorter survival than mid‐ and low‐risk patients (log‐rank test P < 0.0001). According to the ROCs, the six‐lncRNA signature showed superior predictive capacity than the two existing four‐lncRNA combinations and the traditional prognostic clinicopathological parameter TNM stage. Furthermore, low MIR22HG and CTC‐297N7.9, but high CTD‐2139B15.2, RP11‐589N15.2, RP11‐343N15.5, and RP11‐479G22.8, were, respectively, demonstrated to be related with the malignant phenotypes of HCC. Functionally, the six lncRNAs were disclosed to involve in the regulation of multiple cell cycle and stress response‐related pathways via mediating transcription regulation and chromatin modification. In conclusion, our study identified a novel six‐lncRNA signature for resectable HCC prognosis prediction and indicated the underlying mechanisms of HCC progression and the potential functions of the six lncRNAs awaiting further elucidation.
Animating predator and prey fish interactions
Authors: Podila Sahithi , Zhu Ying 
Published: October 2018

AbstractFish exhibit a wide variety of behavior, including swimming and schooling. Animating a school of fish is difficult because of the large number of fish and because a school of fish often swims in distinctive and coordinated patterns, particularly when they are attacked by a predator. Previous work in computer graphics has not provided satisfactory models to simulate the many distinctive interactions between a school of prey fish and their predator. In this paper, we present a fish school escape behavior model that can simulate 12 fish escape maneuvers identified in biological studies: compact, avoid, fast avoid, skitter, fountain, flash, ball, split, join, herd, vacuole, and hourglass. This behavior animation model can free an animator from dealing with the low‐level animations but instead controls the fish behavior on a higher level by modifying a state machine and a small set of system parameters.