bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional Regulatory Mechanisms in Adipose and Muscle Tissue Associated with Composite Glucometabolic Phenotypes
Authors: Langefeld Carl D. , Comeau Mary E. , Sharma Neeraj K. , Bowden Donald W. , Freedman Barry I. , Das Swapan K. 
Published: January 2018

ObjectiveTissue‐specific gene expression is associated with individual metabolic measures. However, these measures may not reflect the true but latent underlying biological phenotype. This study reports gene expression associations with multidimensional glucometabolic characterizations of obesity, glucose homeostasis, and lipid traits.MethodsFactor analysis was computed by using orthogonal rotation to construct composite phenotypes (CPs) from 23 traits in 256 African Americans without diabetes. Genome‐wide transcript expression data from adipose and muscle were tested for association with CPs, and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) were identified by associations between cis‐acting single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and gene expression.ResultsThe factor analysis identified six CPs. CPs 1 through 6 individually explained 34%, 12%, 9%, 8%, 6%, and 5% of the variation in 23 glucometabolic traits studied. There were 3,994 and 929 CP‐associated transcripts identified in adipose and muscle tissue, respectively; CP2 had the largest number of associated transcripts. Pathway analysis identified multiple canonical pathways from the CP‐associated transcripts. In adipose and muscle, significant cis‐eQTLs were identified for 558 and 164 CP‐associated transcripts (q‐value < 0.01), respectively.ConclusionsAdipose and muscle transcripts comprehensively define pathways involved in regulating glucometabolic disorders. Cis‐eQTLs for CP‐associated genes may act as primary causal determinants of glucometabolic phenotypes by regulating transcription of key genes.
Spaced Titania Nanotube Arrays Allow the Construction of an Efficient N‐Doped Hierarchical Structure for Visible‐Light Harvesting
Authors: Nguyen Nhat Truong , Ozkan Selda , Tomanec Ondrej , Zboril Radek , Schmuki Patrik 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRegularly spaced TiO2 nanotubes were prepared by anodizing a titanium substrate in triethylene glycol electrolyte at elevated temperature. In comparison to conventional TiO2 nanotubes, spaced nanotubes possess an adjustable spacing between the individual nanotubes; this allows for controlled buildup of a hierarchical nanoparticle‐on‐nanotube structure. Here, we use this principle for layer‐by‐layer decoration of the tubes with TiO2 nanoparticles. The hierarchical structure after N doping and NH3 treatment at 450 °C shows a significant enhancement of visible‐light absorption, although it only carries a low doping concentration of nitrogen. For optimized N‐doped and particle‐decorated spaced TiO2 nanotubes, a considerable improvement in photocatalytic activity is obtained in comparison with conventional N‐doped TiO2 nanotubes or comparable N‐doped nanoparticle films. This is attributed to an enhanced visible‐light absorption through the N‐doped nanoparticle shell and a fast charge separation between the shell and the one‐dimensional nanotubular core.
In Immunopeptidomics We Need a Sniper Instead of a Shotgun
Authors: Faridi Pouya , Purcell Anthony W. , Croft Nathan Paul 
Published: January 2018

AbstractImmunopeptidomics employs the use of mass spectrometry to identify and quantify peptides presented on the surface of cells by major histocompatibility complex (MHC; human leukocyte antigen [HLA], in humans) molecules, an essential component of adaptive immunity. Currently, immunopeptidomics follows the same or similar workflows as the more established field of shotgun proteomics, yet inherent differences between these two fields create significant drawbacks for the former. In this viewpoint, we would like to highlight such technical issues and provide suggestions for novel workflows that would increase peptide sequencing coverage, depth, and confidence, collectively enhancing the capabilities of the field of immunopeptidomics.
Epigenetic markers in circulating cell‐free DNA as prognostic markers for survival of castration‐resistant prostate cancer patients
Authors: Hendriks Rianne J. , Dijkstra Siebren , Smit Frank P. , Vandersmissen Johan , Van de Voorde Hendrik , Mulders Peter F. A. , van Oort Inge M. , Van Criekinge Wim , Schalken Jack A. 
Published: January 2018

Background: Noninvasive biomarkers to guide personalized treatment for castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) are needed. In this study, we analyzed hypermethylation patterns of two genes (GSTP1 and APC) in plasma cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) of CRPC patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the cfDNA concentrations and levels of the epigenetic markers and to assess the value of these biomarkers for prognosis.Methods: In this prospective study, patients were included before starting new treatment after developing CRPC. The blood samples were collected prior to start of the treatment and at three time points thereafter. cfDNA was extracted from 1.5 mL of plasma and before performing a methylation‐specific PCR, bisulfate modification was carried out.Results: The median levels of cfDNA, GSTP1, and APC copies in the baseline samples of CRPC patients (n = 47) were higher than in controls (n = 30). In the survival analysis, the group with baseline marker levels below median had significant less PCa‐related deaths (P‐values <0.02) and did not reach the median survival point. The survival distributions for the groups were statistically significant for the cfDNA concentration, GSTP1 and APC copies, as well as PSA combined with GSTP1 + APC (P‐values <0.03). Furthermore, there were strong positive correlations between PSA and marker response after starting treatment (P‐values <0.04).Conclusions: In conclusion, this study showed the kinetics of methylated cfDNA (GSTP1 and APC) in plasma of CRPC patients after starting treatment. Furthermore, the value of the markers before treatment is prognostic for overall survival. These results are promising for developing a test to guide treatment‐decision‐making for CRPC patients.
Adipocytes affect castration‐resistant prostate cancer cells to develop the resistance to cytotoxic action of NK cells with alterations of PD‐L1/NKG2D ligand levels in tumor cells
Authors: Xu Lijun , Shen Mingjing , Chen Xiaodong , Zhu Rongying , Yang Dong‐Rong , Tsai Ying , Keng Peter C. , Chen Yuhchyau , Lee Soo Ok 
Published: January 2018

BackgroundObesity affects prostate cancer (PCa) progression, and the periprostatic adipose tissue adjacent to the prostate is considered a driving force of disease progression. Adipocytes are the main cell population in adipose tissues and their paracrine role contributes to PCa progression, however its implication in modulating immune reactions remains largely unknown. We investigated the adipocyte role in controlling the susceptibility of castration‐resistant PCa (CRPC) cells to the cytotoxic action of natural killer (NK) cells.MethodsUsing primary NK cells as the NK cell source, NK cell cytotoxicities to CRPC cells, either control media treated or adipocyte‐conditioned media (CM) treated, were tested in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release‐based assays. The levels of programmed death receptor ligand (PD‐L1) and NK group 2D (NKG2D) ligands in adipocyte CM‐treated CRPC cells were analyzed in qPCR analyses. Effects of blocking adipocyte action on altering PD‐L1/NKG2D ligand levels and the susceptibility of CRPC cells to NK cell cytotoxicity were investigated.ResultsWe found NK cell cytotoxicity to CRPC cells decreases when tumor cells are treated with adipocyte CM associated with PD‐L1 and NKG2D ligand level alterations. Further, we discovered that the JAK/Stat3 signaling pathway was responsible for the adipocyte CM effect. Two adipokine molecules, IL‐6 and leptin, were shown to be important in activation of the JAK/Stat3 signaling in CRPC cells to modulate the PD‐L1/NKG2D ligand level alteration. Adding the inhibitors of JAK/Stat3 signaling or neutralizing antibodies of IL‐6 or leptin increased the susceptibility of CRPC cells to NK cell action.ConclusionsBlocking the adipocyte effect by inhibiting the IL‐6/leptin‐JAK/Stat3 signaling axis may enhance NK cell mediated immunity to CRPC cells and this strategy may help to develop future therapeutics to treat obese PCa patients.
A herbicide structure–activity analysis of the antimalarial lead compound MMV007978 against Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Corral Maxime G , Leroux Julie , Tresch Stefan , Newton Trevor , Stubbs Keith A , Mylne Joshua S 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTBACKGROUNDTo fight herbicide‐resistant weeds, new herbicides are needed; particularly ones with new modes of action. Building on the revelation that many antimalarial drugs are herbicidal, here we focus on the Medicines for Malaria Venture antimalarial lead compound MMV007978 that has herbicidal activity against the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana.RESULTSTwenty‐two variations of the lead compound thiophenyl motif revealed that change was tolerated provided ring size and charge were retained. MMV007978 was active against select monocot and dicot weeds, and physiological profiling indicated that its mode of action is related to germination and cell division. Of interest is the fact that the compound has a profile that is currently not found among known herbicides.CONCLUSIONWe demonstrate that the antimalarial compound MMV007978 is also herbicidal and that exploiting lead compounds that are often understudied could lead to the identification of interesting herbicidal scaffolds. Further structural investigation of MMV007978 could provide improved herbicidal chemistries with a potential new mode of action. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Isoflavonoids from Brazilian red propolis down‐regulate the expression of cancer‐related target proteins: A pharmacogenomic analysis
Authors: Nani Bruno Dias , Franchin Marcelo , Lazarini Josy Goldoni , Freires Irlan Almeida , da Cunha Marcos Guilherme , Bueno‐Silva Bruno , de Alencar Severino Matias , Murata Ramiro Mendonça , Rosalen Pedro Luiz 
Published: January 2018

Vestitol and neovestitol are bioactive isoflavonoids isolated from Brazilian red propolis, a unique Apis melifera type of propolis botanically originated from Dalbergia ecastophyllum. Although these molecules have relevant biological effects, including anticancer and immunomodulatory activities, their mechanism(s) of action and the affected pathways remain largely unknown. Here, we carried out a pharmacogenomic analysis to investigate the effects of vestitol and neovestitol on the whole‐genome expression in human tumor cells, particularly cancer‐related target proteins. HeLa cells were exposed to the compounds at IC20 and genomic information of treated cells was analyzed using the Illumina transcriptome system and GeneGo MetaCore software. Our results showed that vestitol (IC20 = 214.7 μM) reduced the expression of genes enrolled with the alpha tubulin (fold −3.7), tubulin in microtubules (fold −3.7), and histone h3 (fold = −3.03), and that treatment with neovestitol (IC20 = 102.91 μM) downregulated prostaglandin E synthase gene (fold = −3.12), which are considered ideal targets for anticancer therapy. These data open avenues for the study of vestitol and neovestitol as potential promising candidates for anticancer therapy. Toxicological, non‐clinical, and clinical validation of the findings presented herein is needed.
Projected climate change impacts on hydrologic flow regimes in the Great Plains of Kansas
Authors: Chatterjee S. , Daniels M.D. , Sheshukov A.Y. , Gao J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAlteration of flow regimes due to change in climate and its potential impact on habitat and species has become a major cause of concern for riverine ecosystems. Areas that are more vulnerable to such changes are semiarid river systems or regions experiencing intermittent flow and cyclic droughts. Although ecological changes are expected to occur with flow regime alterations, the biological changes cannot be predicted until the flow in such regions is analysed. This study addresses this concern by providing an analysis of flow for a semiarid river basin in the Central Great Plains from a 50 and 100‐year projection climate data. The projected data for these two periods are then compared with 30‐year historical data to determine changes in flow. Five major components of flow regime, magnitude, duration, and timing of annual extreme water conditions, frequency and duration of high and low pulses, and rate and frequency of water condition changes, were examined with respect to climate change for their impact on the ecology of the basin. This analysis strongly suggests that inter‐ and intra‐annual changes in flow regimes will result in the intensified drying of the basin represented by the increased number of low flow periods followed by higher occurrences of high flow events of shorter duration with expected changes in climate.
Red‐Emitting Magnetic Nanocomposites Assembled from Ag‐Decorated Fe3O4@SiO2 and Y2O3:Eu3+: Impact of Iron‐Oxide/Silver Nanoparticles on Eu3+ Emission
Authors: Khan Latif U. , Zambon Luis F. M. , Santos Jacinete L. , Rodrigues Rodrigo V. , Costa Luelc S. , Muraca Diego , Pirota Kleber R. , Felinto Maria C. F. C. , Malta Oscar L. , Brito Hermi F. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe new multistep approach for co‐assembling magnetic iron oxide nanoflowers with red‐emitting Y2O3:Eu3+ to form luminescent and magnetic nanocomposites was reported. The Fe3O4 core prepared by solvothermal method was layered by SiO2 shell and decorated with small size spherical Ag nanoparticles as well as further coated with Y2O3:Eu3+ luminophore. The nanoflower shape Fe3O4 core of size ∼110 nm and crystalline cubic structure of bifunctional iron‐oxide@Y2O3:Eu3+, Fe3O4@SiO2@Y2O3:Eu3+ and Fe3O4@SiO2‐Ag@Y2O3:Eu3+ (1 mol%) nanomaterials were confirmed from X‐rays diffraction, EDS spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. The static magnetic measurements supported and manifested nonsuperparamagnetic behavior of the materials at 300 K. The iron oxides are usually luminescence quenchers. In order to rationalize this effect, their optical properties based on their emission spectral data and luminescence decay curves were studied. Experimental intensity parameters (Ωλ), lifetimes (τ), intrinsic quantum yield (
) as well as radiative (Arad) and non‐radiative (Anrad) decay rates were calculated to probe the local chemical environment of the Eu3+ ion and to better understand the phenomena of iron oxide induced luminescence quenching. The highest value of the intrinsic quantum yield (
=74%) for the α‐Fe2O3@Y2O3:Eu3+ (1 mol%) among all the luminescent and magnetic nanocomposites suggests that α‐Fe2O3 phase induces a lower luminescence quenching then Fe3O4/γ‐Fe2O3. The SiO2 thin layer leads to improve the luminescence efficiency, whereas the Ag nanoparticles act as luminescence quencher. These novel Eu3+ nanomaterials may act as a red emitting layer for magnetic and light converting molecular devices.
Role of Cationic Groove and Hydrophobic Residues in Phosphatidylinositol‐Dependent Membrane‐Binding Properties of Tks5‐Phox Homology Domain
Authors: Gorai Sukhamoy , Paul Debasish , Borah Rituparna , Haloi Nandan , Santra Manas Kumar , Manna Debasis 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTyrosine kinase substrate with 5 Src homology 3 domains (Tks5) regulates several important cellular functions and is crucial for invadosome formation. The phox homology (PX) domain of Tks5 interacts with phosphatidylinositols (PIPs) and essential for Tks5‐induced invadosome formation. However, PIP‐binding specificity of the Tks5‐PX domain is not clear and its membrane recruitment mechanism also not known. To understand how PX domain deferentially interacts with the PIPs, we quantitatively determined the PIP‐binding properties. These measurements revealed that PX domain has strong PIP‐binding selectivity for PI(3,4)P2 and PI(3)P lipids. Mutational studies showed that the presence of hydrophobic residues at the putative membrane binding surface and basic residues within the PIP‐binding pocket are essential for its membrane penetration and binding properties. In vitro PIP‐selectivity correlates well with the cellular localization patterns of the wild‐type and mutant PX domains in A549 cells. The hydrophobic residues play a crucial role in cellular localization and translocation studies. The mutational analysis allowed for understanding these cellular activities and results are in accordance with their membrane binding properties. Based on our findings, we describe characteristic membrane binding properties of Tks5‐PX domain, in which the protein first interacts with specific PIP‐containing membrane and then its hydrophobic residues partially penetrate into the membrane.
I2‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Disulfides by NaBH4 Mediated Reductive Coupling of Phenylsulfonyl Imidazoles
Authors: Shi Yun , Chen Shi‐Ping , Zhang Fangdong , Chen Baohua 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe use of sodium borohydride as reductant allows the efficient I2/Phen‐catalyzed reductive coupling of phenylsulfonyl imidazoles, generating the S−S coupling products in moderate to good yields. The mild and non‐metal catalytic conditions display excellent functional group tolerance. This work suggests a new transformation via imidazolyl as a leaving group.
Surfactant‐Induced Preparation of Highly Dispersed Ni‐Nanoparticles Supported on Nanocrystalline ZrO2for Chemoselective Reduction of Nitroarenes
Authors: Shukla Astha , Singha Rajib K. , Sengupta Manideepa , Sasaki Takehiko , Pendem Chandrashekar , Bal Rajaram 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMetal‐support interaction plays crucial role in heterogeneous catalysis, stabilizing the active metal species during catalysis. We report here the successful preparation of highly dispersed nickel nanoparticles supported ZrO2nanocrystals, which showed excellent performance toward catalytic reduction of nitroarenes to their corresponding amines, where metal‐support interaction plays the key role in enhancing the activity and stability of catalyst. The catalyst was synthesized by a single step hydrothermal method using CTAB (cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide) as a structure‐ directing agent and PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) as capping agent. Prepared catalyst was characterized by BET‐surface area, Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP‐AES), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Temperature programmed reduction (TPR), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infra‐red (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, RAMAN spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA‐DTA), UV‐vis spectroscopy and Extended X‐ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis. Results obtained from XRD and TPR analysis of 4.9% Ni‐ZrO2, support the presence of highly dispersed and subtle Ni (below 5 nm) nanoparticles supported on nanocrystalline ZrO2. Prepared 4.9 wt% Ni‐ZrO2catalyst showed 100% conversion ofp‐nitrophenol with >99% selectivity top‐aminophenol in aqueous medium at 60 °C, in presence of molecular H2(1.0 MPa). Superior activity of 4.9% Ni‐ZrO2was due to presence of very small (below 5 nm), uniformly distributed, highly dispersed nickel nanoparticle having good metal‐support interaction. Prepared 4.9% Ni‐ZrO2catalyst was recycled up to eight successive runs without any significant loss in catalytic activity.
Timescale of π‐Stacking Formation in a Benzene Trimer Cation Formed by Ionization of the Parent Neutral Trimer: A Direct Ab Initio Molecular Dynamics Study
Authors: TACHIKAWA Hiroto , MIYAZAWA Yoshiyuki , IURA Ryoshu 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe π‐stacking interaction plays a crucial role in structural arrangements and molecular assemblies in several molecular systems. In the present study, π‐stacking formation in the benzene trimer cation, (Bz)3+, following ionization of the parent neutral benzene trimer, (Bz)3, was investigated using direct ab initio molecular dynamics to elucidate the timescale of π‐stacking formation and reaction mechanism in the ionized state. Cyclic (Bz)3 was chosen as the benzene cluster. After ionizing (Bz)3, the structure drastically changed to a double π‐stacking form. The (Bz)3+ product vibrated between two structural forms, (Bz‐Bzc)+—Bz ↔ Bz—(Bzc‐Bz)+, where Bzc is a benzene molecule located in the central position of (Bz)3+ and (Bzc‐Bz)+ represents a dimer core composed of the benzene dimer cation. The timescale of π‐stacking formation was calculated as 300–380 fs. The absorption spectrum of (Bz)3+ was blue‐shifted as a function of time. We discuss the reaction mechanism based on the theoretical results.
Synthesis of β‐Amino Alcohols Using Ethyl 2‐Cyano‐2‐(2‐nitrobenzenesulfonyloxyimino)acetate (o‐NosylOXY)
Authors: Manne Srinivasa Rao , Chandra Jyoti , Giri Rajat Subhra , Kalita Tapasi , Mandal Bhubaneswar 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe describe a mild and efficient method for the direct synthesis of β‐amino alcohols from N‐protected amino acids using ethyl‐2‐cyano‐2‐(2‐nitrophenylsulfonyloxyimino)acetate (ortho‐NosylOXY). The reaction sequence includes activation of carboxylic acid, followed by reduction with sodium borohydride, resulting in β‐amino alcohols in good yields. This method is compatible with various N‐protecting groups as well as the side chain protecting groups of amino acids. The excellent racemization suppression capability and recyclable nature of ortho‐NosylOXY is an added feature to the in‐situ activation mediated carboxylic acid reduction.
Engineered Carbon Nanotubes: Review on the Role of Surface Chemistry, Mechanistic Features, and Toxicology in the Adsorptive Removal of Aquatic Pollutants.
Authors: Mishra Nirmalendu S. , Kuila Aneek , Nawaz Ahmad , Pichiah Saravanan , Leong Kah Hon , Jang Min 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe advent of nanotechnology has led to the development of new nanomaterials with enriched material properties over the conventional. These nanomaterials find wide application in numerous fields including environmental predominantly on water purification. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are one among the nanomaterials widely employed for such application. Therefore, the present review emphasizes on the exceptional abilities of CNT especially in the removal of organics and inorganics from aquatic streams. Though numerous reviews were published in this subject most of them focused on the synthesis and specific applications. The authors learned that there is a wider gap on the review that presents the mechanistic features like the development of active sites, the effect of curvature, inclusion of heteroatoms, methods for the enhancement of affinity and selectivity through functionalization, the introduction of defects and the chemistry involved in their interaction with various category of pollutants. Hence, the present review delivers a clear understanding of the above‐said factors in a comprehensive way. The article explicits on the various surface modification techniques (i.e covalent, non‐covalent, defect and endohedral) along with their effects on the sorption efficiency. Further, the review also provides a clear picture of the toxicological aspects of the CNT. The authors strongly believe that the present review will aid in the understanding and design of multifunctional CNT towards environmental application in a comprehensive manner.