bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fifteen hub genes associated with progression and prognosis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma identified by coexpression analysis
Authors: Wang Yejinpeng , Chen Liang , Wang Gang , Cheng Songtao , Qian Kaiyu , Liu Xuefeng , Wu Chin‐Lee , Xiao Yu , Wang Xinghuan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractRenal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common type of renal tumor, and the clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most frequent subtype. In this study, our aim is to identify potential biomarkers that could effectively predict the prognosis and progression of ccRCC. First, we used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) data of ccRCC to identify 2370 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Second, the DEGs were used to construct a coexpression network by weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Moreover, we identified the yellow module, which was strongly related to the histologic grade and pathological stage of ccRCC. Then, the functional annotation of the yellow module and single‐samples gene‐set enrichment analysis of DEGs were performed and mainly enriched in cell cycle. Subsequently, 18 candidate hub genes were screened through WGCNA and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis. After verification of TCGA’s ccRCC data set, Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data set (GSE73731) and tissue validation, we finally identified 15 hub genes that can actually predict the progression of ccRCC. In addition, by using survival analysis, we found that patients of ccRCC with high expression of each hub gene were more likely to have poor prognosis than those with low expression. The receiver operating characteristic curve showed that each hub gene could effectively distinguish between localized and advanced ccRCC. In summary, our study indicates that 15 hub genes have great predictive value for the prognosis and progression of ccRCC, and may contribute to the exploration of the pathogenesis of ccRCC.
Ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase (CD73) is a potential target of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Shali Shalaimaiti , Yu Jiangang , Zhang Xin , Wang Xue , Jin Youping , Su Minsheng , Liao Xiaohong , Yu Jerry , Zhi Xiuling , Zhou Ping 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHigh expression of ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase (CD73) has been reported in a number of epithelium origin malignancies. Here, we hypothesize that CD73 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) growth and metastasis and that the effect is mediated by epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR). HCC cells with different malignancies and Tissue microarrays of the tumor and peritumoral liver tissues from 30 independent patients were used to examine CD73 and EGFR expression. Then, MTT and Ki67 detection, together with cell adhesion, invasion, and migration assays were used to evaluate the effects of CD73 on cell growth and metastasis. The expression of EGFR in HCC cells was also tested after suppressing or overexpressing CD73. Lastly, tumor tissues from nude mice, which had been injected subcutaneously with HCC cells, were transplanted subcutaneously into CD73−/− and wild‐type (WT) C57 mice. CD73 expression was higher in HCC cells with greater metastatic potentials and tumor tissues compared with low metastatic cells and peritumor tissues. CD73 and EGFR were coexpressed and positively correlated in tumor and peritumor liver tissues in HCC tissue microarrays. Up‐regulationof CD73 by plasmid transfection or by pharmacological agents promoted EGFR expression in HCC cells, whereas suppression of CD73 inhibited these effects. The growth of transplanted tumor tissues was dramatically slower in CD73−/− mice than in WT type mice in the in vivo experiments. CD73 promotes HCC growth and metastasis and upregulated the expression of EGFR in HCC. Thus, CD73 and EGFR are potential targets in the treatment of HCC.
Impaired DNA double‐strand breaks repair by kinesin family member 4A inhibition renders human H1299 non‐small‐cell lung cancer cells sensitive to cisplatin
Authors: Wan Qing , Shen Yong , Zhao Huzi , Wang Bei , Zhao Lei , Zhang Yongchen , Bu Xiaodong , Wan Meiling , Shen Chuanlu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPatients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are routinely treated with the platinum‐based chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin. The drug exerts anticancer effects via multiple mechanisms, including DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs). Enhanced DNA DSB repair capacity would be associated with innate or acquired drug resistance. However, despite strong evidence for the role of the chromokinesin kinesin family member 4A (KIF4A) in DSB repair, the relationship between the chromokinesin and cisplatin sensitivity of human NSCLC cells remains unknown. Furthermore, little is known regarding the effect of targeting KIF4A on the function of DSB repair‐related proteins in these cells. In the current study, we demonstrated that cisplatin treatment stimulated the expression of KIF4A protein in human NSCLC cells. Depletion of KIF4A by small interfering RNA significantly enhanced cisplatin‐induced cell cycle arrest in S and G2/M phases and cytotoxicity in human NSCLC cells. Furthermore, we found that KIF4A inhibition suppressed the ability of cisplatin to induce BRCA2 and Rad51 focus formation and limits the further increase in poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase 1 activity induced by cisplatin treatment in human NSCLC cells. These studies thus identify the chromokinesin KIF4A as a novel modulator of cisplatin sensitivity that is significantly enhanced by the chromokinesin in human NSCLC cells via multiple mechanisms.
A2a adenosine receptor agonist improves endoplasmic reticulum stress in MIN6 cell line through protein kinase A/ protein kinase B/ Cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element‐binding protein/ and Growth Arrest And DNA‐Damage‐Inducible 34/ eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α pathways
Authors: Arasi Fatemeh P. , Shahrestanaki Mohammad K. , Aghaei Mahmoud 
Published: November 2018

AbstractEndoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is one of the main molecular events underlying pancreatic beta cell (PBC) failure, apoptosis, and a decrease in insulin secretion. Recent studies have highlighted the fundamental role of A2a adenosine receptor (A2aR) in potentiation of insulin secretion and proliferation of PBCs. However, possible protective effects of A2aR signaling against ER stress have not been elucidated yet. Thus, in the present study, we aimed to investigate the effects of A2aR activation in MIN6 beta cells undergoing tunicamycin (TM)‐mediated ER stress. A2aR expression and activity were evaluated using real‐time polymerase chain reaction and measurement of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), phospho‐protein kinase B or Akt (p‐Akt)/Akt, and phospho‐Cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element‐binding protein/CREB levels in response to a specific agonist (CGS 21680). Survival and proliferation in TM and CGS 21680 cotreated cells were evaluated using 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), annexin V–fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide staining, colony formation, and 5‐bromo‐2′‐deoxyuridine (Brdu) assays. In addition, the effects of A2aR stimulation on insulin secretion were evaluated using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2), phospho‐eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2α (p‐eIF2α)/eIF2α, growth arrest and DNA‐damage‐inducible 34 (GADD34), X‐box binding protein 1 (XBP‐1), spliced X‐box binding protein 1 (XBP‐1s), immunoglobulin heavy‐chain‐binding protein (BIP), and CCAAT‐enhancer‐binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) levels were evaluated using western blotting. Our results showed a decrease in A2aR expression and p‐Akt/Akt and p‐CREB/CREB levels in TM‐pretreated cells. We also mentioned that CGS 21680 effectively increased cell survival, proliferation, and insulin secretion in TM‐treated cells. The antiapoptotic effects were possibly mediated through Bcl‐2 upregulation. Our western blotting results indicated that A2aR effectively downregulated p‐eIF2α/eIF2α, XBP‐1, XBP‐1s, BIP, and CHOP levels, whereas GADD34 was upregulated. Altogether, the present study revealed that A2aR signaling through PKA/Akt/CREB mediators alleviated TM cytotoxicity effects in MIN6 beta cells. Thus, the stimulation of this receptor was seen as a new approach to control ER stress in the PBC cells.
Medical Cannabis: A plurimillennial history of an evergreen
Authors: Pisanti S. , Bifulco M. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe history of Cannabis goes along that of humankind, as speculated based on geographical and evolutionary models together with historic data collected to date. Its medical use is several thousand years old, as attested both by archeobotanical evidence of Cannabis remains and written records found in ancient texts from the sacred Vedic foundational texts of Ayurvedic medicine (about 800 before current era [BCE]) to the first known Pharmacopoea, the Chinese “Shen Nung Pen Ts'ao Ching” (1 century BCE). In this paper, we retrace the history of Cannabis traveling through the key stages of its diffusion among the most important ancient cultures up to our days, when we are facing a renaissance of its medical employment. We report through the centuries evidence of its use in numerous pathologic conditions especially for its anti‐inflammatory, antiseptic, and anticonvulsing properties that support the requirement to direct our present research efforts into the definitive understanding of its efficacy.
Periodontitis is associated with systemic inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction in patients with lacunar infarct
Authors: Leira Yago , Rodríguez‐Yáñez Manuel , Arias Susana , López‐Dequidt Iria , Campos Francisco , Sobrino Tomás , D'Aiuto Francesco , Castillo José , Blanco Juan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBackgroundPeriodontitis has been associated with lacunar infarct (LI), a type of cerebral small vessel disease. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether periodontitis is associated with increased circulating levels of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction biomarkers in patients with LI.MethodsOne hundred twenty patients with LI and 120 healthy controls underwent a full‐mouth periodontal examination. The periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) was calculated for each participant. Demographic, medical, and neurological information were recorded from all of them. In addition, blood samples were collected in order to investigate differences in terms of interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐10, pentraxin (PTX) 3, soluble fragment of tumor necrosis factor‐like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK) and amyloid‐beta (Aβ) peptides (i.e., Aβ1‐40, and Aβ1‐42) measured in serum.ResultsPeriodontitis was independently associated with increased levels of IL‐6 (R2 = 0.656, P < 0.001), PTX3 (R2 = 0.115, P < 0.001), sTWEAK (R2 = 0.527, P < 0.001), and Aβ1‐40 (R2 = 0.467, P < 0.001) in patients with LI. Within patients with poor outcome, PISA positively correlated with IL‐6 (r = 0.738, P < 0.001), PTX3 (r = 0.468, P = 0.008), sTWEAK (r = 0.771, P < 0.001), and Aβ1‐40 (r = 0.745, P < 0.001).ConclusionsOur data suggest a link between periodontitis, systemic inflammatory response, and disruption of the vascular endothelial function in patients with LI. Experimental studies are needed to elucidate possible pathways through which periodontitis could lead to this systemic inflammatory state with impairment of the endothelial function in LI. Further longitudinal studies with large samples are warranted to confirm our findings.
Comparative volatile compounds and primary metabolites profiling of pitaya fruit peel after ozone treatment
Authors: Wu Qixian , Zhang Zhengke , Zhu Hong , Li Taotao , Zhu Xiangrong , Gao Huijun , Yun Ze , Jiang Yueming 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDOzone treatment can effectively inhibit fruit decay in many fruits during postharvest storage. However, little information is available for pitaya fruit.RESULTSOzone treatment significantly reduced the decay rate and induced the enzyme activities of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase, and also reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species. In total, 103 metabolites were detected and changed the content after ozone treatment, including 54 primary metabolites and 49 aromatic compounds. After significance and importance analysis, 37 metabolites were important. Some metabolites were induced by peel senescence to respond to senescence stress, including d‐fructose, d‐glucose, mannose, inositol, galactonic acid, ethanedioic acid and stearic acid. Some metabolic products of peel senescence were reduced by ozone treatment, including d‐arabinose, glucaric acid, galacturonic acid, 1‐hexanol, 4‐ethylcyclohexanol, β‐linalool, palmitoleic acid and 2‐hydroxy‐cyclopentadecanone. Some metabolites induced by ozone treatment might play a vital role in delaying the senescence and decay, including malic acid, succinic acid, pentenoic acid, eicosanoic acid, 2‐hexenal, hexanal, 2‐heptenal, 4‐heptenal, 2‐octenal and nitro m‐xylene.CONCLUSIONOzone treatment significantly reduced decay and prolonged shelf‐life without reducing fruit quality. In total, 37 metabolites might play an important role in ozone delayed fruit decay. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Valuing nonmarket benefits of participatory sport events using willingness to travel: Payment card versus random selection with mitigation of hypothetical bias
Authors: Whitehead John C. , Wicker Pamela 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis study estimates the monetary value of nonmarket benefits to participants of a cycling event using a willingness to travel question. It compares different question formats and types of data. Using 3 years of data (2014–2016) from a postrace survey (n = 976), the results show that the random selection format produces 2.1 (stated preference data) and 2.5 times (revealed preference data) higher monetary values than the payment card. The magnitude of hypothetical bias, that is, the extent to which respondents overestimate their return visitation, is 21%. Hence, monetary values are highly sensitive to question formats and types of data.
Photo‐Induced Hydrogel Formation Based on g‐C3N4 Nanosheets with Self‐Cross‐Linked 3D Framework for UV Protection Application
Authors: Ye Boyong , Yao Chengkai , Yan Mengdie , Zhang Huanhuan , Xi Fengna , Liu Jiyang , Li Benxia , Dong Xiaoping 
Published: November 2018

AbstractComposite hydrogels of graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (CNNS) and polyacrylamide (PAM) with superior UV absorption and visible transparence capabilities are reported. CNNS is employed not only as a photocatalytic initiator to trigger the polymerization of acrylamide, but also as a cross‐linker to 3D connected PAM chains via hydrogen bonds. The obtained CNNS/PAM hydrogels are highly moldable for preparing various forms, and have good mechanical properties, self‐healing ability, and photo‐stability. Furthermore, the composite hydrogels have a wide spectral range for UV absorption compared to conventional UV protective materials. Besides the complete screening of UVB (280–315 nm) in sun radiation, the CNNS/PAM hydrogel film can also filter >95% UVA radiation (315–400 nm) by regulating the coating thickness, meanwhile retaining a high visible transmittance. Therefore, the CNNS/PAM hydrogels have potential applications for shielding UV radiation. Additionally, this strategy provides a common and facile route to fabricate functional composite hydrogels via photo‐induced polymerization.
Oligo‐Urea with No Alkylene Unit Self‐Assembles into Rod‐Like Objects in Water
Authors: Han Shuaiyuan , Nicol Erwan , Niepceron Frédérick , Colombani Olivier , Pensec Sandrine , Bouteiller Laurent 
Published: November 2018

AbstractLong and rigid objects formed by self‐assembly in water are useful as templates or for their rheological or biological properties. They are usually obtained by combining hydrogen bonding and strong hydrophobic interactions brought by an alkyl or alkylene chain. A simple access to well‐defined rod‐like assemblies in water is reported based on a penta‐urea sticker directly connected to poly(ethylene oxide) side chains. These assemblies are characterized by an average length of several hundreds of nanometers and a monodisperse radius (4.5 nm) resulting from a reduced lateral aggregation of the stickers.
Quaternization of a Polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) Isoporous Membrane: An Approach to Tune the Pore Size and the Charge Density
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhen , Rahman Md. Mushfequr , Abetz Clarissa , Bajer Barbara , Wang Jiali , Abetz Volker 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIsoporous integral asymmetric membranes derived from the self‐assembly of block copolymers combined with the non‐solvent‐induced phase separation (SNIPS) have gained great attention. To extend their utility, good control over pore size and surface functionality in a facile manner is highly desirable. Here, an approach is proposed to achieve this by quaternization of the poly(4‐vinylpyridine) moiety of a polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) SNIPS membrane using alkyl iodides via a scalable gas‐solid heterogeneous reaction. By changing the size of the alkyl groups of the quaternization agent and the degree of quaternization, the effective pore size of the membrane is tailored in a wide range from the ultrafiltration to the nanofiltration regime. A quaternization of approximately half of the 4VP repeating units of the membranes with methyl iodide, ethyl iodide, or 1‐propyl iodide leads to a retention of methylene blue from a 10 mg L−1 aqueous solution of 96%, 87%, and 83%, respectively.
Circularly polarized 2 × 2 microstrip antenna array for application as a reflectarray feed
Authors: Farias Roger L. , Peixeiro Custódio , Heckler Marcos V. T. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis article describes a circularly polarized 2 × 2 microstrip antenna array with corporate feeding to be used at K‐Band (18.7‐19.2 GHz) as a reflectarray feed. A design approach is proposed for the improvement of axial ratio and impedance bandwidths of circularly polarized microstrip antenna arrays with sequential rotation. A parametric analysis is also proposed to evaluate accurately the array phase center position. An array prototype has been designed, fabricated, and tested. The good agreement obtained between simulation and experimental results provides validation of the design approach and proof of the proposed concept.
Technical Note: EPID's response to 6 MV photons in a strong, parallel magnetic field
Authors: Rathee Satyapal , Fallone B. Gino , Steciw Stephen 
Published: November 2018

PurposeElectronic portal imaging devices (EPIDs) are potentially useful for dosimetric verification in integrated MRI‐linac systems. This work presents the reproducibility, linearity, image lag, and radiation field profiles in a conventional EPID, with and without a 0.5 T parallel magnetic field present in a 6 MV photon beam.MethodsAn aS500 EPID was modified to function in strong magnetic fields. All measurements were made using the linac‐MR installed at the Cross Cancer Institute. The EPID remained stationary on the couch between the measurements made with and without magnetic field. We measured short‐term reproducibility of dark and flood fields, signal linearity from 1 to 500 MU irradiations, and image lag post 100 MU irradiation. An ion chamber was used to measure any linac output variations to correct the EPID signal due to these variations for the duration of experiment. X‐axis and Y‐axis radiation field profiles were obtained from the EPID image resulting from a 10 × 10 cm2 radiation field delivery.ResultsThe average pixel value (±standard deviation) of flood field with and without magnetic fields were 57,876 ± 379 and 57,703 ± 366, respectively, and the corresponding average dark field pixel values were −32.05 ± 0.85 and −32.19 ± 0.97. The maximum difference in image linearity data with and without magnetic field is 0.2% which is well within the measurement uncertainty of 0.65%. Similarly, the image lag curves, with and without the magnetic field, were nearly identical. The first measured point, with mean lag signal of 1.44% without and 1.41% with magnetic field, shows that the largest difference is well below the uncertainty in the EPID signal measurement. The radiation field profiles obtained with and without magnetic fields were nearly identical; 91.3% of the X‐axis and 95.2% of the Y‐axis profile points pass a gamma criterion of 1% and 1 mm.ConclusionsA conventional EPID imager with a 0.1 cm copper plate responds to 6 MV photons similarly irrespective of the strong magnetic field being off or on in the parallel orientation to the radiation beam. Thus, the EPID is a potentially useful tool for pretreatment dosimetric verification in linac‐MR systems using parallel magnetic field.
CT automated exposure control using a generalized detectability index
Authors: Khobragade P. , Rupcich Franco , Fan Jiahua , Crotty Dominic J. , Kulkarni Naveen M. , O'Connor Stacy D. , Foley W. Dennis , Schmidt Taly Gilat 
Published: November 2018

PurposeIdentifying an appropriate tube current setting can be challenging when using iterative reconstruction due to the varying relationship between spatial resolution, contrast, noise, and dose across different algorithms. This study developed and investigated the application of a generalized detectability index () to determine the noise parameter to input to existing automated exposure control (AEC) systems to provide consistent image quality (IQ) across different reconstruction approaches.MethodsThis study proposes a task‐based automated exposure control (AEC) method using a generalized detectability index (). The proposed method leverages existing AEC methods that are based on a prescribed noise level. The generalized metric is calculated using lookup tables of task‐based modulation transfer function (MTF) and noise power spectrum (NPS). To generate the lookup tables, the American College of Radiology CT accreditation phantom was scanned on a multidetector CT scanner (Revolution CT, GE Healthcare) at 120 kV and tube current varied manually from 20 to 240 mAs. Images were reconstructed using a reference reconstruction algorithm and four levels of an in‐house iterative reconstruction algorithm with different regularization strengths (IR1–IR4). The task‐based MTF and NPS were estimated from the measured images to create lookup tables of scaling factors that convert between and noise standard deviation. The performance of the proposed ‐AEC method in providing a desired IQ level over a range of iterative reconstruction algorithms was evaluated using the American College of Radiology (ACR) phantom with elliptical shell and using a human reader evaluation on anthropomorphic phantom images.ResultsThe study of the ACR phantom with elliptical shell demonstrated reasonable agreement between the predicted by the lookup table and measured in the images, with a mean absolute error of 15% across all dose levels and maximum error of 45% at the lowest dose level with the elliptical shell. For the anthropomorphic phantom study, the mean reader scores for images resulting from the ‐AEC method were 3.3 (reference image), 3.5 (IR1), 3.6 (IR2), 3.5 (IR3), and 2.2 (IR4). When using the ‐AEC method, the observers’ IQ scores for the reference reconstruction were statistical equivalent to the scores for IR1, IR2, and IR3 iterative reconstructions (P > 0.35). The ‐AEC method achieved this equivalent IQ at lower dose for the IR scans compared to the reference scans.ConclusionsA novel AEC method, based on a generalized detectability index, was investigated. The proposed method can be used with some existing AEC systems to derive the tube current profile for iterative reconstruction algorithms. The results provide preliminary evidence that the proposed ‐AEC can produce similar IQ across different iterative reconstruction approaches at different dose levels.