bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro Anti‐atherogenic Properties of N‐Heterocyclic Carbene Aurate(I) Compounds
Authors: Sioriki Eleni , Lordan Ronan , Nahra Fady , Van Hecke Kristof , Zabetakis Ioannis , Nolan Steven P. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe anti‐atherogenic (anti‐inflammatory) properties of various aurate(I) salts, of the general formula [NHC⋅H][AuCl2] (NHC=N‐heterocyclic carbene) were investigated. The aurates were easily synthesized and obtained in analytically pure form. In addition, the biological activity of these compounds against atheromatosis via in vitro inhibition of platelet‐activating factor (PAF)‐induced platelet aggregation was probed. All complexes were found to possess anti‐aggregatory properties in vitro with [IPr*⋅H][AuCl2] (6) being the most potent inhibitor of PAF at micromolar concentration. Based on our findings, we conclude that these simply assembled aurates are a very promising class of PAF inhibitors and anti‐inflammatory drugs.
Phase 1 study of the combination of vemurafenib, carboplatin, and paclitaxel in patients with BRAF‐mutated melanoma and other advanced malignancies
Authors: Bhatty Minny , Kato Shumei , Piha‐Paul Sarina A. , Naing Aung , Subbiah Vivek , Huang Helen J. , Karp Daniel D. , Tsimberidou Apostolia M. , Zinner Ralph G. , Hwu Wen‐Jen , Javle Milind , Patel Sapna P. , Hu Mimi I. , Varadhachary Gauri R. , Conley Anthony P. , Ramzanali Nishma M. , Holley Veronica R. , Kurzrock Razelle , Meric‐Bernstam Funda , Kwang Chae Young , Kim Kevin B. , Falchook Gerald S. , Janku Filip 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundBRAF inhibitors are effective against selected BRAFV600‐mutated tumors. Preclinical data suggest that BRAF inhibition in conjunction with chemotherapy has increased therapeutic activity.MethodsPatients with advanced cancers and BRAF mutations were enrolled into a dose‐escalation study (3+3 design) to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and dose‐limiting toxicities (DLTs).ResultsNineteen patients with advanced cancers and BRAF mutations were enrolled and received vemurafenib (480‐720 mg orally twice a day), carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] 5‐6 intravenously every 3 weeks), and paclitaxel (100‐135 mg/m2 intravenously every 3 weeks). The MTD was not reached, and vemurafenib at 720 mg twice a day, carboplatin at AUC 5, and paclitaxel at 135 mg/m2 were the last safe dose levels. DLTs included a persistent grade 2 creatinine elevation (n = 1), grade 3 transaminitis (n = 1), and grade 4 thrombocytopenia (n = 1). Non–dose‐limiting toxicities that were grade 3 or higher and occurred in more than 2 patients included grade 3/4 neutropenia (n = 5), grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia (n = 5), grade 3 fatigue (n = 4), and grade 3 anemia (n = 3). Of the 19 patients, 5 (26%; all with melanoma) had a partial response (PR; n = 4) or complete response (CR; n = 1); these responses were mostly durable and lasted 3.1 to 54.1 months. Of the 13 patients previously treated with BRAF and/or mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) inhibitors, 4 (31%) had a CR (n = 1) or PR (n = 3). Patients not treated with prior platinum therapy had a higher response rate than those who did (45% vs 0%; P = .045).ConclusionsThe combination of vemurafenib, carboplatin, and paclitaxel is well tolerated and demonstrates encouraging activity, predominantly in patients with advanced melanoma and BRAFV600 mutations, regardless of prior treatment with BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors.
A logical relationship for schizophrenia, bipolar, and major depressive disorder. Part 4: Evidence from chromosome 4 high‐density association screen
Authors: Tang Jian , Chen Xing , Cai Bin , Chen Gang 
Published: November 2018

AbstractConvergent evidence from genetics, symptomatology, and psychopharmacology imply that there are intrinsic connections between schizophrenia (SCZ), bipolar disorder (BPD), and major depressive disorder (MDD). Familial clustering of SCZ, BPD, and MDD was systematically investigated [Aukes et al. (2012); Genetics in Medicine 14(3): 338–341], and any two or even three of these disorders could co‐exist in some families. A total of 56,134 SNPs on chromosome 4 were genotyped by Affymetrix Genome‐Wide Human SNP array 6.0 on 119 SCZ, 253 BPD (Type‐I), 177 MDD patients, and 1,000 controls in a relative homogenous population in China. Susceptibility genes on chromosome 4 for the three major psychiatric disorders were systematically identified including outstanding genes (CXCL13, FSTL5, GLRB, KCNIP4, LPHN3, MAPK10, NPFFR2, NSUN7, PCDH10, PCDH7, PPA2, PPARGC1A, SCD5, SCFD2, and UNC5C). Unexpectedly, flanking genes for up to 93.67% of the associated SNPs were also confirmed in an enlarged cohort of 986 SCZ patients. Taken all relevant evidence together, our chromosome 4 results implicate that both of bipolar and major depressive disorders might be subtypes of SCZ rather than independent disease entity. Furthermore, similar evidence was also observed on chromosome 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 [2018; The Journal of Comparative Neurology 526(1):59–79; Chen et al. (2017); American Journal of Translational Research 9(5):2473–2491; Chen et al. (2016); Current Molecular Medicine, 16(9):840–854; Chen et al. (2015); Behavioural Brain Research, 293:241–51; Chen et al. (2016); Molecular Neurobiology, 54(8):5868–5882].
Design, Synthesis and Computational Study of Fluorinated Quinoxaline‐Oligothiophene‐based Conjugated Polymers with Broad Spectral Coverage
Authors: Gedefaw Desta , Hedström Svante , Xia Yuxin , Persson Petter , Andersson Mats R. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDonor‐acceptor (D‐A) copolymers typically show two absorption peaks in the visible region, flanking a valley region of limited absorptivity. One strategy for more panchromatic light harvesting is to incorporate side‐groups orthogonal to the polymer backbone, which enable 2D π conjugation and can give rise to additional absorption peaks. Here we design and synthesize two D‐A polymers which both carry a fluorinated quinoxaline acceptor unit, but while P1 includes a benzodithiophene donor moiety with thiophene side‐groups (2D‐BDT), the P2 polymer lacks 2D conjugation in its simpler pentathiophene donor segment. The P1 polymer consequently shows an atypical absorption profile with more panchromatic absorption with no apparent valley in the spectrum. In order to understand the structure‐electronic relations, the optical and electrochemical properties were predicted using a previously developed computational approach. The predicted optical properties show very good agreement with the experimental results. Solar cells made from P1 show a short‐circuit current more than twice as large as P2, attributed to its enhanced spectral coverage. However, poor fill factors limit the preliminary power conversion efficiencies to 3.3 % for P1 and 1.0 % for P2 as blended with PCBM[70] in a 1 : 1.5 (w/w) ratio.
Preparation of a Hierarchically Porous Lead/Carbon Composite and Its Application in Lead‐Carbon Batteries
Authors: Gao Yunfang , Wan Huojun , Xia Yunchuan , Xu Xin , Wu BaoLiang 
Published: November 2018

AbstractA novel and scalable lead‐modified phenolic resin‐based carbon material (Pb/PRC) has been successfully prepared by using lead‐modified phenolic resin (Pb/PR) as a precursor, toluene as a pore‐forming agent, and KOH as an activating agent. The Pb/PRC composite presents a hierarchically porous nanosphere structure, and this structure contributes to prolong its cycling life under high‐rate partial state‐of‐charge (HRPSoC) operation. Pb/PRC with nano‐lead can effectively inhibit hydrogen evolution and provide pseudocapacitance. Compared with a blank negative plate, a lead‐carbon battery with Pb/PRC displays 18 000 cycles under HRPSoC operation and exhibits a capacity of 100 mA h g−1 at 2 C discharge rate.
IRMS delta values (13C) of nandrolone and testosterone products available in the UK: Implications for anti‐doping
Authors: Brailsford Alan D. , Majidin Wan Noor Mahirah , Wojek Nick , Cowan David A. , Walker Christopher 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAnabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are the most widely abused class of drugs by athletes and thus represent a significant problem to the anti‐doping community. Confirmation of a doping violation for AAS cannot always be based on their presence alone due to the endogenous production of some steroids. Both testosterone (and its metabolites) and the major diagnostic metabolite of nandrolone (19‐norandrosterone) are produced endogenously. Gas chromatography–combustion–isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC–C–IRMS) is used in such cases to differentiate between the administration of a synthetic preparation and endogenous steroid production by measurement of their differing carbon isotope (13C/12C) ratio. The purpose of this study was to investigate the availability of steroid preparations in the UK with a 13C content analytically indistinguishable from that of endogenous steroids. Fourteen preparations containing nandrolone (n = 9) and testosterone (n = 5) were analyzed. The δ13C values were determined using GC–C–IRMS and the identity of the steroid preparations was confirmed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Ten steroid preparations displayed δ13C values within the range expected for synthetic steroids (less than −27‰). However, four nandrolone preparations displayed δ13C values that overlap with the values considered to be endogenous in origin (range: −26 to −16‰). Misuse of these preparations could prevent the confirmation of nandrolone administration using GC–C–IRMS in anti‐doping cases.
Generation and characterization of Megf6 null and Cre knock‐in alleles
Authors: Wang Ye , Song Hejie , Wang Wenfeng , Zhang Zhen 
Published: November 2018

SummaryMegf6, a member of MEGF (multiple EGF‐like domains) protein family, is a conserved high molecular weight protein with 30 EGF‐like domains. Although many members of the MEGF protein family are essential for embryonic development and homeostasis, the role of Megf6 in development and physiology is still unknown. Here, we generated Megf6‐deficient mice using CRISPR‐Cas9 technique and showed that Megf6 is dispensable for embryonic development. We also constructed the Megf6Cre allele to study Megf6‐expressing cell lineages. Our results showed that Megf6‐expressing cells contribute to the periotic mesenchyme and its derivatives, skin epidermis, certain cells in brain and ribs. Therefore, the Megf6Cre allele can be a useful tool for conditional deletion in these tissues, in particular for periotic mesenchyme deletion.
3D Multilayered paper‐ and thread/paper‐based microfluidic devices for bioassays
Authors: Neris Natalia M. , Guevara Ricardo D. , Gonzalez Ariana , Gomez Frank A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn this paper we describe the fabrication of novel 3D microfluidic paper‐based analytical devices (3D‐μPADs) and a 3D microfluidic thread/paper‐based analytical device (3D‐μTPAD) to detect glucose and BSA through colorimetric assays. The 3D‐μPAD and 3D‐μTPAD consisted of three (wax, heat pressed wax‐printed paper, single‐sided tape) and four (hole‐punched single‐sided tape, blank chromatography circles, heat‐pressed wax‐printed paper, hole‐punched single‐sided tape containing trifurcated thread) layers, respectively. The saturation curves for each assay were generated for all platforms. For the glucose assay, a solution of glucose oxidase (GOx), horseradish peroxidase, and potassium iodide was flowed through each platform and, upon contact with glucose, generated a yellow‐brown color indicative of the oxidation of iodide to iodine. For the protein assay, BSA was flowed through each device and, upon contact with citrate buffer and tetrabromophenol blue, resulted in a color change from yellow to blue. The devices were dried, scanned, and analyzed yielding a correlation between either yellow intensity and glucose concentration or cyan intensity and BSA concentration. A similar glucose assay, using unknown concentrations of glucose in artificial urine, was conducted and, when compared to the saturation curve, showed good correlation between the theoretical and actual concentrations (percent differences <10%). The development of 3D‐μPADs and 3D‐μTPADs can further facilitate the use of these platforms for colorimetric bioassays.
Epigenetic Clocks
Authors: Guevara Elaine E. , Lawler Richard R. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractRecent research has revealed clock‐like patterns of epigenetic change across the life span in humans. Models describing these epigenetic changes have been dubbed “epigenetic clocks,” and they can not only predict chronological age but also reveal biological age, which measures physiological homeostasis and deterioration over the life span. Comparative studies of the epigenetic clocks of different primate species are likely to provide insights into the evolution of life history schedules, as well as shed light on the physiological and genetic bases of aging and aging‐related diseases. Chronological age estimation using clock‐based calculators may also offer biological anthropologists a useful tool for applying to forensic and demographic studies.
Robust upper bounds for American put options
Authors: Du Ye , Xue Shan , Liu Yanchu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we develop robust and model‐free upper bounds for American put option prices. Our bounds have all of those appealing features of the upper bounds for European options provided in DeMarzo et al. (2016, Robust option pricing: Hannan and Blackwell meet Black and Scholes, Journal of Economic Theory, 410‐434) but cover more popular derivatives in practice. Numerical and empirical investigations illustrate the performance of our method.
Price discovery among SSE 50 Index‐based spot, futures, and options markets
Authors: Ahn Kwangwon , Bi Yingyao , Sohn Sungbin 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis paper studies the contribution of newly launched SSE 50 Index‐based options and futures to price discovery. We find that the derivatives markets quickly begin exhibiting price leadership over the corresponding spot market, despite their short history; the information share from both derivatives markets rose from 59.84% in mid‐2015 to 84.6% in mid‐2017. Using substantial regulation changes during the sample period, we test the trading cost hypothesis. The increases in derivatives transaction costs do not immediately impede their roles in price discovery. Findings suggest that in nascent and immature markets, investors’ trading experience matters more than trading costs.
Indian equity options: Smile, risk premiums, and efficiency
Authors: Jain Sonali , Varma Jayanth R. , Agarwalla Sobhesh Kumar 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWe study the pricing of equity options in India which is one of the world's largest options markets. Our findings are supportive of market efficiency: A parsimonious smile‐adjusted Black model fits option prices well, and the implied volatility (IV) has incremental predictive power for future volatility. However, the risk premium embedded in IV for Single Stock Options appears to be higher than in other markets. The study suggests that even a very liquid market with substantial participation of global institutional investors can have structural features that lead to systematic departures from the behavior of a fully rational market while being “microefficient.”
Effective feature learning and fusion of multimodality data using stage‐wise deep neural network for dementia diagnosis
Authors: Zhou Tao , Thung Kim‐Han , Zhu Xiaofeng , Shen Dinggang 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn this article, the authors aim to maximally utilize multimodality neuroimaging and genetic data for identifying Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its prodromal status, Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), from normal aging subjects. Multimodality neuroimaging data such as MRI and PET provide valuable insights into brain abnormalities, while genetic data such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) provide information about a patient's AD risk factors. When these data are used together, the accuracy of AD diagnosis may be improved. However, these data are heterogeneous (e.g., with different data distributions), and have different number of samples (e.g., with far less number of PET samples than the number of MRI or SNPs). Thus, learning an effective model using these data is challenging. To this end, we present a novel three‐stage deep feature learning and fusion framework, where deep neural network is trained stage‐wise. Each stage of the network learns feature representations for different combinations of modalities, via effective training using the maximum number of available samples. Specifically, in the first stage, we learn latent representations (i.e., high‐level features) for each modality independently, so that the heterogeneity among modalities can be partially addressed, and high‐level features from different modalities can be combined in the next stage. In the second stage, we learn joint latent features for each pair of modality combination by using the high‐level features learned from the first stage. In the third stage, we learn the diagnostic labels by fusing the learned joint latent features from the second stage. To further increase the number of samples during training, we also use data at multiple scanning time points for each training subject in the dataset. We evaluate the proposed framework using Alzheimer's disease neuroimaging initiative (ADNI) dataset for AD diagnosis, and the experimental results show that the proposed framework outperforms other state‐of‐the‐art methods.
A multi‐layered nerve guidance conduit design adapted to facilitate surgical implantation
Authors: Belanger Kayla , Schlatter Guy , Hébraud Anne , Marin Frédéric , Testelin Sylvie , Dakpé Stéphanie , Devauchelle Bernard , Egles Christophe 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackground and AimsThe gold standard procedure after a severe nerve injury is the nerve autograft, yet this technique has drawbacks. In recent years, progress has been made in the development of artificial nerve guides to replace the autograft, but no device has been able to demonstrate superiority. The present study introduces an adaptable foundation design for peripheral nerve regeneration.MethodsSilk fibroin was electrospun, creating a tri‐layered material with aligned fiber surfaces and a randomly deposited fiber interior. This material was rolled into a micro‐channeled conduit, which was then enveloped by a jacket layer of the same tri‐layered material.ResultsThe proposed implant design succeeds in incorporating various desirable aspects of synthetic nerve guides, while facilitating the surgical implantation process for medical application. The aligned fiber surfaces of the conduit support axon guidance, while the tri‐layered architecture improves its structural integrity compared with a fully aligned fiber material. Moreover, the jacket layer creates a small niche on each end which facilitates surgical implantation. An in vivo study in rats showed that nerve regeneration using this device was comparable to results after direct suture.ConclusionThis proof‐of‐principle study, therefore, advances the development of tissue engineered nerve grafts by creating an optimized guidance conduit design capable of successful nerve regeneration.
Bldesin, the first functionally characterized pathogenic fungus defensin with Kv1.3 channel and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities
Authors: Luo Xudong , Zhu Wen , Ding Li , Ye Xiangdong , Gao Huanhuan , Tai Xuejiao , Wu Zheng , Qian Yi , Ruan Xuzhi , Li Jian , Li Shan , Chen Zongyun 
Published: November 2018

AbstractFungus defensin is a kind of important natural peptide resource, such as plectasin from the soil fungus Pseudoplectania nigrella with potential application in the antimicrobial peptide lead drug discovery. Here, a fungus defensin named Bldesin with Kv1.3 channel and serine protease inhibitory activities was first explored. By GST‐Bldesin fusion expression and enterokinase cleaving strategy, recombinant Bldesin was obtained successfully. Antimicrobial assays showed that Bldesin had potent activity against Gram‐positive
Staphylococcus aureus, but had no effect on Gram‐negative
Escherichia coli. Electrophysiological experiments showed that Bldesin had Kv1.3 channel inhibitory activity. Serine protease inhibitory associated experiments showed that Bldesin had unique chymotrypsin protease inhibitory, elastase protease inhibitory, and serine protease‐associated coagulation inhibitory activities. To the best of our knowledge, Bldesin is the first functionally characterized pathogenic fungus defensin with Kv1.3 channel and chymotrypsin inhibitory activities and highlighted novel pharmacological effects of fungus‐derived defensin peptides.
Upregulated circular RNA circ_0007534 indicates an unfavorable prognosis in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and regulates cell proliferation, apoptosis, and invasion by sponging miR‐625 and miR‐892b
Authors: Hao Liguo , Rong Wei , Bai Lianjie , Cui Hongsheng , Zhang Shuli , Li Yuanchun , Chen Datong , Meng Xin 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNAs) have been regarded as critical regulators of human diseases and biological markers in some types of malignancies, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Recently, circ_0007534 has been identified as a novel cancer‐related circRNA. Nevertheless, its clinical relevance, functional roles, and mechanism have not been studied in PDAC. In the current study, real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) was used to detect the expression of circ_0007534 in 60‐paired PDAC tissue samples and different cell lines. Loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function assays were performed to detect cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastatic properties affected by circ_0007534. An animal study was also carried out. The luciferase reporter assay was performed to uncover the underlying mechanism of circ_0007534. As a result, circ_0007534 was overexpressed not only in PDAC tissues but also in a panel of PDAC cell lines, and this overexpression is closely associated with advanced tumor stage and positive lymph node invasion. In addition, circ_0007534 may be regarded as an independent prognostic factor for patients with PDAC. For the part of functional assays, circ_0007534 significantly increased cell proliferation, migratory, and invasive potential of PDAC cells. Circ_0007534 could inhibit cell apoptosis partly via a Bcl‐2/caspase‐3 pathway. The xenograft study further confirmed the cell growth promoting the role of circ_0007534. Mechanistically, miR‐625 and miR‐892b were sponged by circ_0007534. The oncogenic functions of circ_0007534 is partly dependent on its regulation of miR‐625 and miR‐892b. In conclusion, our study illuminates a novel circRNA that confers an oncogenic function in PDAC.