bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Radiomics in Oncology, Part 1: Technical Principles and Gastrointestinal Application in CT and MRI
Authors: Caruso Damiano , Polici Michela , Zerunian Marta , Pucciarelli Francesco , Guido Gisella , Polidori Tiziano , Landolfi Federica , Nicolai Matteo , Lucertini Elena , Tarallo Mariarita , Bracci Benedetta , Nacci Ilaria , Rucci Carlotta , Iannicelli Elsa , Laghi Andrea
Published: May 2021

Radiomics has been playing a pivotal role in oncological translational imaging, particularly in cancer diagnosis, prediction prognosis, and therapy response assessment. Recently, promising results were achieved in management of cancer patients by extracting mineable high-dimensional data from medical images, supporting clinicians in decision-making process in the new era of target therapy and personalized medicine. Radiomics could provide quantitative data, extracted from medical images, that could reflect microenvironmental tumor heterogeneity, which might be a useful information for treatment tailoring. Thus, it could be helpful to overcome the main limitations of traditional tumor biopsy, often affected by bias in tumor sampling, lack of repeatability and possible procedure complications. This quantitative approach has been widely investigated as a non-invasive and an objective imaging biomarker in cancer patients; however, it is not applied as a clinical routine due to several limitations related to lack of standardization and validation of images acquisition protocols, features segmentation, extraction, processing, and data analysis. This field is in continuous evolution in each type of cancer, and results support the idea that in the future Radiomics might be a reliable application in oncologic imaging. The first part of this review aimed to describe some radiomic technical principles and clinical applications to gastrointestinal oncologic imaging (CT and MRI) with a focus on diagnosis, prediction prognosis, and assessment of response to therapy.
Network Pharmacological Analysis through a Bioinformatics Approach of Novel NSC765600 and NSC765691 Compounds as Potential Inhibitors of CCND1/CDK4/PLK1/CD44 in Cancer Types
Authors: Mokgautsi Ntlotlang , Wang Yu-Chi , Lawal Bashir , Khedkar Harshita , Sumitra Maryam Rachmawati , Wu Alexander T. H. , Huang Hsu-Shan
Published: May 2021

Cyclin D1 (CCND1) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) both play significant roles in regulating cell cycle progression, while polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) regulates cell differentiation and tumor progression, and activates cancer stem cells (CSCs), with the cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) surface marker mostly being expressed. These oncogenes have emerged as promoters of metastasis in a variety of cancer types. In this study, we employed comprehensive computational and bioinformatics analyses to predict drug targets of our novel small molecules, NSC765600 and NSC765691, respectively derived from diflunisal and fostamatinib. The target prediction tools identified CCND1/CDK4/PLK1/CD44 as target genes for NSC765600 and NSC765691 compounds. Additionally, the results of our in silico molecular docking analysis showed unique ligand–protein interactions with putative binding affinities of NSC765600 and NSC765691 with CCND1/CDK4/PLK1/CD44 oncogenic signaling pathways. Moreover, we used drug-likeness precepts as our guidelines for drug design and development, and found that both compounds passed the drug-likeness criteria of molecular weight, polarity, solubility, saturation, flexibility, and lipophilicity, and also exhibited acceptable pharmacokinetic properties. Furthermore, we used development therapeutics program (DTP) algorithms and identified similar fingerprints and mechanisms of NSC765600 and NSC765691 with synthetic compounds and standard anticancer agents in the NCI database. We found that NSC765600 and NSC765691 displayed antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects against a panel of NCI-60 cancer cell lines. Based on these finding, NSC765600 and NSC765691 exhibited satisfactory levels of safety with regard to toxicity, and met all of the required criteria for drug-likeness precepts. Currently, further in vitro and in vivo investigations in tumor-bearing mice are in progress to study the potential treatment efficacies of the novel NSC765600 and NSC765691 small molecules.
Expression of Mismatch Repair Proteins in Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Gambichler Thilo , Abu Rached Nessr , Tannapfel Andrea , Becker Jürgen C. , Vogt Markus , Skrygan Marina , Wieland Ulrike , Silling Steffi , Susok Laura , Stücker Markus , Meyer Thomas , Stockfleth Eggert , Junker Klaus , Käfferlein Heiko U. , Brüning Thomas , Lang Kerstin
Published: May 2021

We aimed to assess for the first time the mismatch repair (MMR) protein expression in Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). Immunohistochemistry was performed for MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, and PMS2 on patients’ tumor tissue (n = 56), including neighbored healthy control tissue. In cases with low-level MMR expression (<10th percentile), we performed multiplex PCR in combination with high-resolution capillary electrophoresis in order to confirm microsatellite instability (MSI). Microscopic evaluation revealed a high median expression for all MMR proteins studied (91.6–96.3%). However, six patients (56/10.7%) had low-level MLH1 expression, six (55/10.9%) had low-level MSH2 expression, five (56/8.9%) had low-level MSH6 expression, and six (54/11.1%) had low-level PMS2 expression. Together, we observed nine (56/16.1%) patients who had low-level MMR expression of at least one protein. Of the patients with low-level MMR expression, MSI evaluation was possible in five cases, revealing one case with high-level MSI. In all MMR proteins assessed, low-level expression was significantly (p = 0.0004 to p < 0.0001) associated with a negative Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) status. However, the expression profiles of the MMR proteins did not correlate with clinical outcome measures such as disease relapse or death (p > 0.05). MCC appears to be a malignancy characterized by low-level MMR rather than completely deficient MMR in a subset of cases, predominantly affecting MCPyV-negative tumors. Future studies will establish whether this subset of MCC patients respond better to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.
Biomarker Identification through Multiomics Data Analysis of Prostate Cancer Prognostication Using a Deep Learning Model and Similarity Network Fusion
Authors: Wang Tzu-Hao , Lee Cheng-Yang , Lee Tzong-Yi , Huang Hsien-Da , Hsu Justin Bo-Kai , Chang Tzu-Hao
Published: May 2021

This study is to identify potential multiomics biomarkers for the early detection of the prognostic recurrence of PC patients. A total of 494 prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) patients (60-recurrent included) from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) portal were analyzed using the autoencoder model and similarity network fusion. Then, multiomics panels were constructed according to the intersected omics biomarkers identified from the two models. Six intersected omics biomarkers, TELO2, ZMYND19, miR-143, miR-378a, cg00687383 (MED4), and cg02318866 (JMJD6; METTL23), were collected for multiomics panel construction. The difference between the Kaplan–Meier curves of high and low recurrence-risk groups generated from the multiomics panel achieved p-value = 5.33 × 10−9, which is better than the former study (p-value = 5 × 10−7). Additionally, when evaluating the selected multiomics biomarkers with clinical information (Gleason score, age, and cancer stage), a high-performance prediction model was generated with C-index = 0.713, p-value = 2.97 × 10−15, and AUC = 0.789. The risk score generated from the selected multiomics biomarkers worked as an effective indicator for the prediction of PRAD recurrence. This study helps us to understand the etiology and pathways of PRAD and further benefits both patients and physicians with potential prognostic biomarkers when making clinical decisions after surgical treatment.
Clinical Guideline-Guided Outcome Consistency for Surgically Resected Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Kuroda Hiroaki , Sugita Yusuke , Masago Katsuhiro , Takahashi Yusuke , Nakada Takeo , Sasaki Eiichi , Sakakura Noriaki , Yamaguchi Rui , Matsushita Hirokazu , Hida Toyoaki
Published: May 2021

Clinical guidelines can help reduce the use of inappropriate therapeutics due to localism and individual clinician perspectives. Nevertheless, despite the intention of clinical guidelines to achieve survival benefit or desirable outcomes, they cannot ensure a robust outcome. This retrospective study aimed to investigate whether guideline-consistency, including adjuvant treatments after surgical resection (ATSR) and guideline-matched first-line treatment for recurrence (GMT-R), according to the genomic profiles and immune status, could influence overall survival (OS). From 2006 to 2017, the clinical data of 308 patients with stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) after surgical resection were evaluated. ATSR and GMT-R were allowed in 164 (53.2%) and 129 (62.3%) patients cases after surgical pulmonary resection, among which 207 (67.2%) recurrences were identified. The 5-year OS in guideline-consistent cases was significantly better than that in guideline-inconsistent cases (p < 0.01). Subgroup analyses further showed that the 5-year OS after propensity adjustment was significantly better in guideline-consistent than in guideline-inconsistent cases (p < 0.01), but not in either ATSR or GMT-R (p = 0.24). These data suggest that the guideline-consistent alternatives, which comprise ATSR or GMT-R, can contribute to survival benefits in pathological stage III NSCLC. However, only either ATSR or GMT-R has a potential survival benefit in these patients.
Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Improves Outcomes in Definitive Radiochemotherapy for Anal Cancer Whilst Reducing Acute Toxicities and Increasing Treatment Compliance
Authors: Possiel Jacqueline , Ammon Hanne Elisabeth , Guhlich Manuel , Conradi Lena-Christin , Ghadimi Michael , Wolff Hendrik Andreas , Schirmer Markus Anton , Samel Stephan , Mügge Michael , Rieken Stefan , Leu Martin , Dröge Leif Hendrik
Published: May 2021

Background: Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) is the standard of care in chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for anal cancer. Until now, only a limited number of studies have analyzed the results with VMAT (volumetric modulated arc therapy). We conducted a retrospective study on patients treated at our institution. Patients and Methods: We included patients who received curative CRT for anal cancer. We compared VMAT-treated and 3DCRT (3D conformal radiotherapy)-treated patients. We analyzed toxicities (acute: CTCAE criteria; late: LENT/SOMA criteria), treatment compliance, overall survival, cancer-specific survival (CSS), distant control (DC), and locoregional control. Results: A total of 149 patients (3DCRT: n = 87, VMAT: n = 62) were included. The median follow-up was longer in 3DCRT-treated patients (3DCRT: 61.3 months; VMAT: 39.1 months; p < 0.05). VMAT-treated patients had more G3 tumors (3DCRT: 12/87 (13.8%); VMAT: 18/62 (29.0%), p < 0.001). VMAT reduced acute toxicities ≥grade 3 (3DCRT: n = 48/87 (55.2%); VMAT: n = 11/62 (17.7%), p < 0.001). VMAT improved treatment compliance (less interruptions/delays) (3DCRT: 37/87, 42.5%; VMAT: 4/62, 6.5%; p < 0.001), provided a shorter median overall treatment time (3DCRT: 41 days; VMAT: 38 days; p = 0.02), and gave a higher median absolute 5-fluorouracil dose (3DCRT: 13,700 mg; VMAT: 14,400 mg; p = 0.001). Finally, we found improved CSS (p = 0.02; 3DCRT: 81.9% at 3 years; VMAT: 94.1% at 3 years) and DC (p = 0.01; 3DCRT: 89.4% at 3 years; VMAT: 100.0% at 3 years) with VMAT. Summary: Our study is the first to demonstrate improved treatment compliance and outcomes with VMAT for anal cancer. Previous studies have indicated that organs at risk sparing might be more improved with the use of VMAT vs. with conventional IMRT. Future studies should address whether these advantages lead to a further reduction in CRT-associated morbidity.
Near Infrared Photoimmunotherapy; A Review of Targets for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Kato Takuya , Wakiyama Hiroaki , Furusawa Aki , Choyke Peter L. , Kobayashi Hisataka
Published: May 2021

Near-infrared photoimmunotherapy (NIR-PIT) is a newly developed cancer treatment that uses an antibody-photoabsorber (IRDye700DX) conjugate (APC) that is activated by NIR light irradiation. In September 2020, the first APC and laser system were conditionally approved for clinical use in Japan. A major benefit of NIR-PIT is that only APC-bound cancer cells that are exposed to NIR light are killed by NIR-PIT; thus, minimal damage occurs in adjacent normal cells. These early trials have demonstrated that in addition to direct cell killing, there is a significant therapeutic host immune response that greatly contributes to the success of the therapy. Although the first clinical use of NIR-PIT targeted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), many other targets are suitable for NIR-PIT. NIR-PIT has now been applied to many cancers expressing various cell-surface target proteins using monoclonal antibodies designed to bind to them. Moreover, NIR-PIT is not limited to tumor antigens but can also be used to kill specific host cells that create immune-permissive environments in which tumors grow. Moreover, multiple targets can be treated simultaneously with NIR-PIT using a cocktail of APCs. NIR-PIT can be used in combination with other therapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, to enhance the therapeutic effect. Thus, NIR-PIT has great potential to treat a wide variety of cancers by targeting appropriate tumor cells, immune cells, or both, and can be augmented by other immunotherapies.
Emerging Role of Fascin-1 in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Treatment of the Gastrointestinal Cancers
Authors: Ristic Bojana , Kopel Jonathan , Sherazi Syed A. A. , Gupta Shweta , Sachdeva Sonali , Bansal Pardeep , Ali Aman , Perisetti Abhilash , Goyal Hemant
Published: May 2021

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, including esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers, remain as one of the leading causes of death worldwide, with a large proportion accounting for fatalities related to metastatic disease. Invasion of primary cancer occurs by the actin cytoskeleton remodeling, including the formation of the filopodia, stereocilia, and other finger-like membrane protrusions. The crucial step of actin remodeling in the malignant cells is mediated by the fascin protein family, with fascin-1 being the most active. Fascin-1 is an actin-binding protein that cross-links filamentous actin into tightly packed parallel bundles, giving rise to finger-like cell protrusions, thus equipping the cell with the machinery necessary for adhesion, motility, and invasion. Thus, fascin-1 has been noted to be a key component for determining patient diagnosis and treatment plan. Indeed, the overexpression of fascin-1 in GI tract cancers has been associated with a poor clinical prognosis and metastatic progression. Moreover, fascin-1 has received attention as a potential therapeutic target for metastatic GI tract cancers. In this review, we provide an up-to-date literature review of the role of fascin-1 in the initiation of GI tract cancers, metastatic progression, and patients’ clinical outcomes.
The Present and Future of Neoadjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer Treatment
Authors: Martí Covadonga , Sánchez-Méndez José Ignacio
Published: May 2021

Endocrine therapy (ET) has established itself as an efficacious treatment for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancers, with a reduction in recurrence rates and increased survival rates. The pre-surgical approach with chemotherapy (NCT) has become a common form of management for large, locally advanced, or high-risk tumors. However, a good response to NCT is not usually expected in ER+ tumors. Good results with primary ET, mainly in elderly women, have encouraged studies in other stages of life, and nowadays neoadjuvant endocrine treatment (NET) has become a useful approach to many ER+ breast cancers. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the current state of art regarding the present and the future role of NET.
5-ALA Fluorescence Is a Powerful Prognostic Marker during Surgery of Low-Grade Gliomas (WHO Grade II)—Experience at Two Specialized Centers
Authors: Hosmann Arthur , Millesi Matthias , Wadiura Lisa I. , Kiesel Barbara , Mercea Petra A. , Mischkulnig Mario , Borkovec Martin , Furtner Julia , Roetzer Thomas , Wolfsberger Stefan , Phillips Joanna J. , Berghoff Anna S. , Hervey-Jumper Shawn , Berger Mitchel S. , Widhalm Georg
Published: May 2021

The prediction of the individual prognosis of low-grade glioma (LGG) patients is limited in routine clinical practice. Nowadays, 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) fluorescence is primarily applied for improved intraoperative visualization of high-grade gliomas. However, visible fluorescence is also observed in rare cases despite LGG histopathology and might be an indicator for aggressive tumor behavior. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the value of intraoperative 5-ALA fluorescence for prognosis in LGG patients. We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with newly diagnosed histopathologically confirmed LGG and preoperative 5-ALA administration at two independent specialized centers. In this cohort, we correlated the visible intraoperative fluorescence status with progression-free survival (PFS), malignant transformation-free survival (MTFS) and overall survival (OS). Altogether, visible fluorescence was detected in 7 (12%) of 59 included patients in focal intratumoral areas. At a mean follow-up time of 5.3 ± 2.9 years, patients with fluorescing LGG had significantly shorter PFS (2.3 ± 0.7 vs. 5.0 ± 0.4 years; p = 0.01), MTFS (3.9 ± 0.7 vs. 8.0 ± 0.6 years; p = 0.03), and OS (5.4 ± 1.0 vs. 10.3 ± 0.5 years; p = 0.01) than non-fluorescing tumors. Our data indicate that visible 5-ALA fluorescence during surgery of pure LGG might be an already intraoperatively available marker of unfavorable patient outcome and thus close imaging follow-up might be considered.
Mast Cells: A New Frontier for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Lichterman Jake N. , Reddy Sangeetha M.
Published: May 2021

Mast cells are unique tissue-resident immune cells of the myeloid lineage that have long been implicated in the pathogenesis of allergic and autoimmune disorders. More recently, mast cells have been recognized as key orchestrators of anti-tumor immunity, modulators of the cancer stroma, and have also been implicated in cancer cell intrinsic properties. As such, mast cells are an underrecognized but very promising target for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the role of mast cells in shaping cancer and its microenvironment, the interaction between mast cells and cancer therapies, and strategies to target mast cells to improve cancer outcomes. Specifically, we address (1) decreasing cell numbers through c-KIT inhibition, (2) modulating mast cell activation and phenotype (through mast cell stabilizers, FcεR1 signaling pathway activators/inhibitors, antibodies targeting inhibitory receptors and ligands, toll like receptor agonists), and (3) altering secreted mast cell mediators and their downstream effects. Finally, we discuss the importance of translational research using patient samples to advance the field of mast cell targeting to optimally improve patient outcomes. As we aim to expand the successes of existing cancer immunotherapies, focused clinical and translational studies targeting mast cells in different cancer contexts are now warranted.
How Lipids Contribute to Autophagosome Biogenesis, a Critical Process in Plant Responses to Stresses
Authors: Gomez Rodrigo Enrique , Lupette Josselin , Chambaud Clément , Castets Julie , Ducloy Amélie , Cacas Jean-Luc , Masclaux-Daubresse Céline , Bernard Amélie
Published: May 2021

Throughout their life cycle, plants face a tremendous number of environmental and developmental stresses. To respond to these different constraints, they have developed a set of refined intracellular systems including autophagy. This pathway, highly conserved among eukaryotes, is induced by a wide range of biotic and abiotic stresses upon which it mediates the degradation and recycling of cytoplasmic material. Central to autophagy is the formation of highly specialized double membrane vesicles called autophagosomes which select, engulf, and traffic cargo to the lytic vacuole for degradation. The biogenesis of these structures requires a series of membrane remodeling events during which both the quantity and quality of lipids are critical to sustain autophagy activity. This review highlights our knowledge, and raises current questions, regarding the mechanism of autophagy, and its induction and regulation upon environmental stresses with a particular focus on the fundamental contribution of lipids. How autophagy regulates metabolism and the recycling of resources, including lipids, to promote plant acclimation and resistance to stresses is further discussed.
Highly Sensitive and Multiplexed In Situ RNA Profiling with Cleavable Fluorescent Tyramide
Authors: Xiao Lu , Labaer Joshua , Guo Jia
Published: May 2021

Understanding the composition, regulation, and function of complex biological systems requires tools that quantify multiple transcripts at their native cellular locations. However, the current multiplexed RNA imaging technologies are limited by their relatively low sensitivity or specificity, which hinders their applications in studying highly autofluorescent tissues, such as formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues. To address this issue, here we develop a multiplexed in situ RNA profiling approach with a high sensitivity and specificity. In this approach, transcripts are first hybridized by target-specific oligonucleotide probes in pairs. Only when these two independent probes hybridize to the target in tandem will the subsequent signal amplification by oligonucleotide hybridization occur. Afterwards, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is applied to further amplify the signal and stain the target with cleavable fluorescent tyramide (CFT). After imaging, the fluorophores are chemically cleaved and the hybridized probes are stripped by DNase and formamide. Through cycles of RNA staining, fluorescence imaging, signal cleavage, and probe stripping, many different RNA species can be profiled at the optical resolution. In applying this approach, we demonstrated that multiplexed in situ RNA analysis can be successfully achieved in both fixed, frozen, and FFPE tissues.
Onset of Senescence and Steatosis in Hepatocytes as a Consequence of a Shift in the Diacylglycerol/Ceramide Balance at the Plasma Membrane
Authors: Deevska Gergana , Dotson Patrick P. , Mitov Mihail , Butterfield D. Allan , Nikolova-Karakashian Mariana
Published: May 2021

Ceramide and diacylglycerol (DAG) are bioactive lipids and mediate many cellular signaling pathways. Sphingomyelin synthase (SMS) is the single metabolic link between the two, while SMS2 is the only SMS form located at the plasma membrane. SMS2 functions were investigated in HepG2 cell lines stably expressing SMS2. SMS2 overexpression did not alter sphingomyelin (SM), phosphatidylcholine (PC), or ceramide levels. DAG content increased by approx. 40% and led to downregulation of DAG-dependent protein kinase C (PKC). SMS2 overexpression also induced senescence, characterized by positivity for β-galactosidase activity and heterochromatin foci. HepG2-SMS2 cells exhibited protruded mitochondria and suppressed mitochondrial respiration rates. ATP production and the abundance of Complex V were substantially lower in HepG2-SMS2 cells as compared to controls. SMS2 overexpression was associated with inflammasome activation based on increases in IL-1β and nlpr3 mRNA levels. HepG2-SMS2 cells exhibited lipid droplet accumulation, constitutive activation of AMPK based on elevated 172Thr phosphorylation, increased AMPK abundance, and insensitivity to insulin suppression of AMPK. Thus, our results show that SMS2 regulates DAG homeostasis and signaling in hepatocytes and also provide proof of principle for the concept that offset in bioactive lipids’ production at the plasma membrane can drive the senescence program in association with steatosis and, seemingly, by cell-autonomous mechanisms.
Major Depression: One Brain, One Disease, One Set of Intertwined Processes
Authors: Filatova Elena V. , Shadrina Maria I. , Slominsky Petr A.
Published: May 2021

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a heterogeneous disease affecting one out of five individuals and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Presently, MDD is considered a multifactorial disease with various causes such as genetic susceptibility, stress, and other pathological processes. Multiple studies allowed the formulation of several theories attempting to describe the development of MDD. However, none of these hypotheses are comprehensive because none of them can explain all cases, mechanisms, and symptoms of MDD. Nevertheless, all of these theories share some common pathways, which lead us to believe that these hypotheses depict several pieces of the same big puzzle. Therefore, in this review, we provide a brief description of these theories and their strengths and weaknesses in an attempt to highlight the common mechanisms and relationships of all major theories of depression and combine them together to present the current overall picture. The analysis of all hypotheses suggests that there is interdependence between all the brain structures and various substances involved in the pathogenesis of MDD, which could be not entirely universal, but can affect all of the brain regions, to one degree or another, depending on the triggering factor, which, in turn, could explain the different subtypes of MDD.
Biosynthesis and Functions of Very-Long-Chain Fatty Acids in the Responses of Plants to Abiotic and Biotic Stresses
Authors: Batsale Marguerite , Bahammou Delphine , Fouillen Laetitia , Mongrand Sébastien , Joubès Jérôme , Domergue Frédéric
Published: May 2021

Very-long-chain fatty acids (i.e., fatty acids with more than 18 carbon atoms; VLCFA) are important molecules that play crucial physiological and structural roles in plants. VLCFA are specifically present in several membrane lipids and essential for membrane homeostasis. Their specific accumulation in the sphingolipids of the plasma membrane outer leaflet is of primordial importance for its correct functioning in intercellular communication. VLCFA are found in phospholipids, notably in phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine, where they could play a role in membrane domain organization and interleaflet coupling. In epidermal cells, VLCFA are precursors of the cuticular waxes of the plant cuticle, which are of primary importance for many interactions of the plant with its surrounding environment. VLCFA are also major components of the root suberin barrier, which has been shown to be fundamental for nutrient homeostasis and plant adaptation to adverse conditions. Finally, some plants store VLCFA in the triacylglycerols of their seeds so that they later play a pivotal role in seed germination. In this review, taking advantage of the many studies conducted using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model, we present our current knowledge on the biosynthesis and regulation of VLCFA in plants, and on the various functions that VLCFA and their derivatives play in the interactions of plants with their abiotic and biotic environment.
The New Approach to a Pattern Recognition of Volatile Compounds: The Inflammation Markers in Nasal Mucus Swabs from Calves Using the Gas Sensor Array
Authors: Kuchmenko Tatiana , Shuba Anastasiia , Umarkhanov Ruslan , Lvova Larisa
Published: May 2021

This paper discusses the application of two approaches (direct and inverse) to the identification of volatile substances by means of a gas sensor array in a headspace over nasal mucus swab samples taken from calves with differing degrees of respiratory damage. We propose a unique method to visualize sensor array data for quality analysis, based on the spectra of cross mass sensitivity parameters. The traditional method, which requires an initial sensor array trained on the vapors of the individual substances (database accumulation)—with their further identification in the analyzed bio-samples through the comparison of the analysis results to the database—has shown unsatisfactory performance. The proposed inverse approach is more informative for the pattern recognition of volatile substances in the headspace of mucus samples. The projection of the calculated parameters of the sensor array for individual substances in the principal component space, acquired while processing the sensor array output from nasal swab samples, has allowed us to divide animals into groups according to the clinical diagnosis of their lung condition (healthy respiratory system, bronchitis, or bronchopneumonia). The substances detected in the gas phase of the nasal swab samples (cyclohexanone, butanone-2,4-methyl-2-pentanone) were correlated with the clinical state of the animals, and were consistent with the reference data on disease markers in exhaled air established for destructive organism processes.
Red-Shifted Environmental Fluorophores and Their Use for the Detection of Gram-Negative Bacteria
Authors: Megia-Fernandez Alicia , Klausen Maxime , Mills Bethany , Brown Gillian E. , McEwan Heather , Finlayson Neil , Dhaliwal Kevin , Bradley Mark
Published: May 2021

Two novel, water-soluble, merocyanine fluorophores were readily prepared by microwave-assisted synthesis. Full optical characterization was performed in a series of protic and aprotic solvents, and the dyes displayed fluorescence in the red region with up to a 20-fold decrease in brightness in water, demonstrating a strong environmental sensitivity hereby termed as solvato-fluorogenicity (to distinguish from solvatochromism). Shorter fluorescent lifetimes were also measured in water, which confirmed this character. These dyes were conjugated to a modified polymyxin scaffold that allowed fluorescence “switch-on” upon binding to Gram-negative bacterial membranes, and selective fluorescence detection of bacteria in a wash-free protocol.
Mechanical Ventilation, Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide, Increased Fraction of Inspired Oxygen and the Increased Risk for Adverse Short-Term Outcomes in Cooled Asphyxiated Newborns
Authors: Giannakis Stamatios , Ruhfus Maria , Markus Mona , Stein Anja , Hoehn Thomas , Felderhoff-Mueser Ursula , Sabir Hemmen
Published: May 2021

Neonates treated with therapeutic hypothermia (TH) following perinatal asphyxia (PA) suffer a considerable rate of disability and mortality. Several risk factors associated with adverse outcomes have been identified. Mechanical ventilation might increase the risk for hyperoxia and hypocapnia in cooled newborns. We carried out a retrospective study in 71 asphyxiated cooled newborns. We analyzed the association of ventilation status and adverse short-term outcomes and investigated the effect of the former on pCO2 and oxygen delivery before, during and after TH. Death, abnormal findings on magnetic resonance imaging, and pathological amplitude-integrated electroencephalography traces were used to define short-term outcomes. The need for mechanical ventilation was significantly higher in the newborns with adverse outcomes (38% vs. 5.6%, p = 0.001). Compared to spontaneously breathing neonates, intubated newborns suffered from significantly more severe asphyxia, had significantly lower levels of mean minimum pCO2 over the first 6 and 72 h of life (HOL) (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively) and increased supply of inspired oxygen, which was, in turn, significantly higher in the newborns with adverse outcomes (p < 0.01). Intubated newborns with adverse short-term outcomes had lower levels of pCO2 over the first 36 HOL. In conclusion, need for mechanical ventilation was significantly higher in newborns with more severe asphyxia. In ventilated newborns, level of encephalopathy, lower pCO2 levels, and increased oxygen supplementation were significantly higher in the adverse short-term outcomes group. Ventilatory parameters need to be carefully monitored in cooled asphyxiated newborns.
Costs and Distributional Effects of Climate Transformation of the Vehicle Fleet in the EU
Authors: Gren Ing-Marie , Aklilu Abenezer Zeleke
Published: May 2021

This study estimates the minimum total cost and distributional effects among countries transforming the car fleet in the EU to reduce emissions of carbon dioxides by 2050 by switching from fossil fuel-driven passenger cars to hybrid and electric-driven cars. Minimum cost is estimated using a dynamic optimization model in which costs are calculated as decreases in consumer surplus in the demand for vehicles under given annual increases in travel demand, carbon efficiency and technological improvement of electric cars. Distributional effects are calculated for the cost-effective allocation of costs among the EU member states and UK. Calculations are made for different emission reductions, and the cost for achieving a 60% reduction from the 1990 emission level ranges between 0.13% and 0.61% of the EU’s GDP depending on assumptions about development of travel demand and carbon efficiency. The results indicate a slightly regressive allocation in most scenarios, where the cost share is relatively high for low income countries.
Quantification of High Resolution Pulsed RF GDOES Depth Profiles for Mo/B4C/Si Nano-Multilayers
Authors: Yang Hao , Lian Songyou , Chapon Patrick , Song Yibing , Wang Jiangyong , Xu Congkang
Published: May 2021

Pulsed-radio frequency glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (Pulsed-RF-GDOES) has exhibited great potential for high resolution (HR) depth profiling. In this paper, the measured GDOES depth profile of 60 × Mo (3 nm)/B4C (0.3 nm)/Si (3.7 nm) was quantified by employing the newly extended Mixing-Roughness-Information depth (MRI) model. We evaluated the influences of the thickness and sputtering rate on the depth profile of very thin layers. We demonstrated that a method using the full width at half maximum (FWHM) value of the measured time-concentration profile for determining the sputtering rate and the corresponding thickness was not reliable if preferential sputtering took place upon depth profiling.
Assessment of Icephobic Coatings—How Can We Monitor Performance Durability?
Authors: Rehfeld Nadine , Speckmann Björn , Schreiner Claus , Stenzel Volkmar
Published: May 2021

Significant progress in the field of icephobic coatings has raised a demand for evaluation criteria to assess and monitor the related icephobic effects and their durability. The initial coating performance in preventing ice formation and reducing ice adhesion needs to be proven over a given period by withstanding technically relevant stressors. In this study, silanized polyurethane (PUR) coatings are assessed in conjunction with a standardized accelerated ultraviolet (UV)-ageing procedure in order to identify potential monitoring tools that are also applicable during in-service inspections. Wettability and roughness parameters are recorded after pre-defined ageing intervals, compared with the ice adhesion strength, and tested using a modified centrifuge. Correlation assessments indicate that the chosen parameters cannot generally be used for the monitoring of icephobic effects for the selected material class. It is more likely that specific coating parameter sets need to be defined for in-service monitoring, as an important step towards the integration of icephobic coatings into technical applications.
Multifunctional Polymer Coatings of Fusible Interlinings for Sewing Products
Authors: Kornilova Nadezhda , Bikbulatova Albina , Koksharov Sergey , Aleeva Svetlana , Radchenko Olga , Nikiforova Elena
Published: May 2021

The aim of the study was to improve the range of adhesive interlining materials for clothes to add to the product a complex of improved consumer (shape stability, wear resistance) and special (protective, health-improving) properties. We have found that the modification of the adhesive coating of interlining materials with oligoacrylates provides a transition from the traditional discrete 2D glue interlayers between the bonded materials formation to the highly branched 3D structures of the interfacial layer of composites creation. Using dynamic light scattering method, IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, gas adsorption, optical and scanning probe microscopy, methods of textile materials science, we have identified technological approaches that ensure the polymer coating penetration into the intrafiber nanopore spaces of the textile layers. We have identified ways to control the elastic-deformation properties of composites in the modifying the adhesive interlining material process in order to design its properties for the requirements of various garment models. We found a unique possibility of using graftable oligoacrylate dispersion to stabilize the nanodispersed state of functional fillers (silica, nanoferrites) and increase the uniformity of their distribution in the composite structure.
Droplet Dynamics and Freezing Delay on Nanoporous Microstructured Surfaces at Condensing Environment
Authors: Raiyan Asif , Mohammadian Behrouz , Sojoudi Hossein
Published: May 2021

Superhydrophobic surfaces have aroused great interest for being promising candidates in applications such as self-cleaning, anti-icing, and corrosion resistance. However, most of the superhydrophobic surfaces lose their anti-wettability in low surface temperature and high humidity. The loss of superhydrophobicity by condensed liquid is a very common practical incident, yet to be understood properly. Here we report the wettability of the superhydrophobic nanoporous surfaces in condensation and freezing environments. Various structured surfaces fabricated with carbon nanotubes (CNT) and coated by an ultrathin, conformal, and low surface energy layer of poly (1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecylacrylate) (pPFDA) are exploited in humid conditions. Droplet impact dynamics, condensate characteristics, and freezing time delays are investigated on the CNT micropillars with various geometries along with the CNT forest and two commercially available anti-wetting coatings, NeverWet and WX2100. Nanoporous microstructured CNT pillars with the favorable topological configuration demonstrated complete droplet bouncing, significant freezing delays, and considerable durability during several icing/de-icing cycles. This study provides an understanding on the preferable geometry of the highly porous CNT micropillars for retaining hydrophobicity and preventing ice formation, which is of practical importance for the rational development of anti-wetting surfaces and their applications in low temperatures and humid conditions.
Physical Vapour Deposited Biomedical Coatings
Authors: Stuart Bryan W. , Stan George E.
Published: May 2021

This Special Issue was devoted to developments made in Physical Vapour Deposited (PVD) biomedical coatings for various healthcare applications. The scrutinized PVD methods were Radio-Frequency Magnetron Sputtering (RF-MS), Cathodic Arc Evaporation, Pulsed Electron Deposition and its variants, Pulsed Laser Deposition, and Matrix Assisted Pulsed Laser Evaporation (MAPLE), due to their great promise especially in the dentistry and orthopaedics. These methods have yet to gain traction for industrialization and large-scale application in biomedicine. A new generation of implant coatings can be made available by the (1) incorporation of organic moieties (e.g., proteins, peptides, enzymes) into thin films by innovative methods such as combinatorial MAPLE, (2) direct coupling of therapeutic agents with bioactive glasses or ceramics within substituted or composite layers via RF-MS, or (3) by innovation in high energy deposition methods such as arc evaporation or pulsed electron beam methods.
Two Co(II)-Based MOFs Constructed from Resorcin[4]Arene Ligand: Syntheses, Structures, and Heterogeneous Catalyst for Conversion of CO2
Authors: Lu Bing-Bing , Han Xue , Feng Cheng-Jie , Wang Duo , Ye Fei
Published: May 2021

Two Co(II)-based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) with open channels, [(CH3)2NH2]2[Co5L(H2O)8]·4H2O (1) and [Co6L(DMF)2(H2O)8]·2H2O (2), were synthesized using resorcin[4]arene ligand (H12L). Compounds 1 and 2 exhibit different 3D microporous framework structures: 1 possesses two kinds of open channels parallel to the a-axis (ca. 5.0 × 5.0 Å) and the b-axis (ca. 4.0 × 6.0 Å), and 2 is an open framework with a window size of 5.6 × 5.6 Å. The activated crystal 1 involves many Lewis acid sites; thus, 1 shows prominent activity and recyclability for the reaction of carbon dioxide coupled with epoxides. Most strikingly, catalyst 1 can be reused for five successive cycles and provides outstanding catalytic activity.
The Electro-Optical Properties and Adhesion Strength of Epoxy-Polymercaptan-Based Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Films
Authors: Chen Gang , Hu Wei , Zhou Le , Zhang Huimin , Wang Ling , Zhang Cuihong , Sun Jian , Zhang Lanying , Yuan Xiaotao , Zhu Siquan
Published: May 2021

Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) films were prepared by thermal polymerization-induced phase separation in epoxy/polymercaptan/liquid crystal (LC)/accelerator mixtures. The effects of the concentration of LC and accelerator, the curing temperature, and the structure of epoxy monomer on the electro-optical (E-O) properties and adhesion strength of the PDLC films were studied systematically via E-O, peel strength, DSC, IR, and gel measurements. It showed that different polymer structures and the properties of the polymer can be obtained by changing the compositions and the curing temperature, which had significant impacts on the E-O properties of the PDLC films. Meanwhile, the polymer matrix with high glass-transition temperature (Tg) and small pore size will improve the adhesion strength of the PDLC film, and these kinds of epoxy-polymercaptan-based PDLC films have better performance than traditional acrylate-based PDLC in the aspect of the adhesion strength. This work may provide some inspiration in preparing epoxy-polymercaptan-based PDLC films, which both have excellent E-O performance and good adhesion strength, towards roll-to-roll processes and large-scale flexible applications.
Process Parameter Optimization Framework for the Selective Laser Melting of Hastelloy X Alloy Considering Defects and Solidification Crack Occurrence
Authors: Kitano Houichi , Kusano Masahiro , Tsujii Masakazu , Yumoto Atsushi , Watanabe Makoto
Published: May 2021

Recent years have witnessed increasing demand for selective laser melting (SLM) in practical applications; however, determining the appropriate process parameter range remains challenging. In this study, a framework was developed to determine the appropriate process parameter range considering the occurrence of defects and cracks by conducting a single-track test and thermal elastoplastic analysis. Keyholing, balling, and the residual unmelted regions were considered defects. The occurrence of solidification cracking, which is predominant in the SLM of solution-strengthened Ni-based alloys, was considered. Using the proposed framework, we could fabricate a part with largely no defects or cracks, except for the edges, under the determined optimal process parameters.
Effect of Unburned Pulverized Coal on the Melting Characteristics and Fluidity of Blast Furnace Slag
Authors: Xiang Dongwen , Shen Fengman , Jiang Xin , Gao Qiangjian , Zheng Haiyan
Published: May 2021

A substantial amount of attention has been paid to viscosity due to its substantial effect on the fluid dynamics of molten blast furnace slag and slag metal reaction kinetics during the pyrometallurgy process. To clarify the influence mechanism of unburned pulverized coal (UPC) on blast furnace (BF) slag viscosity, the effects of different contents of UPC on the BF slag viscosity, free-running temperature and viscous flow activation energy were investigated. The slag viscosity was measured by the rotating cylinder method, and the microstructure of the cooled slag was observed by SEM. As a result, the main reason for a change in the slag viscosity, free-running temperature and viscous flow activation energy was that the UPC entering the slag formed a large number of white particles that predominantly comprised deposited carbon and a high melting point solid solution. In addition, the disintegration or polymerization of the SixOyz- structure was also a contributing factor. When the content of the UPC was 0.6%, the free-running temperature and viscous flow activation energy of slag were 1623 K and 120.969 kJ/mol, respectively, which are lower than those of the slag without UPC. However, the free-running temperature and viscous flow activation energy increased to 1668 K and 286.625 kJ/mol, respectively, when the content of UPC increased to 4%, which are higher than those of slag without UPC.
Cancer Testis Antigen, NOL4, Is an Immunogenic Antigen Specifically Expressed in Small-Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Kim Ye-Rin , Kim Ki-Uk , Lee Jung-Hee , Kim Deok-Won , Chung Jae-Heun , Kim Yeong-Dae , Shin Dong-Hoon , Lee Min-Ki , Shin Yong-Il , Lee Sang-Yull
Published: May 2021

To identify cancer/testis (CT) antigens and immunogenic proteins, immunoscreening of testicular and small-cell lung cancer cell line NCI-H889 cDNA libraries was performed using serum obtained from a small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) patient. We obtained 113 positive cDNA clones comprised of 74 different genes, designated KP-SCLC-1 through KP-SCLC-74. Of these genes, 59 genes were found to be related to cancers by EMBASE analysis. Three of these antigens, including KP-SCLC-29 (NOL4), KP-SCLC-59 (CCDC83), and KP-SCLC-69 (KIF20B), were CT antigens. RT-PCR and western blot analysis showed that NOL4 was frequently present in small-cell lung cancer cell lines (8/9, 8/9). In addition, NOL4 mRNA was weakly, or at a low frequency, or not detected in various cancer cell lines. Our results reveal that NOL4 was expressed at protein levels in small-cell lung cancer tissues (10/10) but not detected in lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma by immunohistochemical analysis. Serological response to NOL4 was also evaluated by western blot assay using NOL4 recombinant protein. A humoral response against NOL4 proteins was detected in 75% (33/44) of small-cell lung cancer patients and in 65% (13/20) of healthy donors by a serological western blot assay. These data suggest that NOL4 is a specific target that may be useful for diagnosis and immunotherapy in SCLC.
Inventory and Geographical Affinities of Algerian Cumacea, Isopoda, Mysida, Lophogastrida and Tanaidacea (Crustacea Peracarida)
Authors: Bakalem Ali , Pezy Jean-Philippe , Dauvin Jean-Claude
Published: May 2021

This study records the number of Peracarida (Cumacea, Isopoda, Mysida, Lophogastrida and Tanaidacea) from Algerian coastal waters. A total of 170 species are reported with the highest richness observed in the Isopoda (71 species), then the Cumacea with 43 species, the Mysida and Tanaidacea with 27 species each and the Lophogastrida with only two species. The diversity of Peracarida in Algeria is high, corresponding to 60% of the species recorded for the Mediterranean Sea. A geographical analysis of the distribution of the species shows that the Algerian fauna has a close similarity with taxa reported from both the European and African coasts of the Atlantic Ocean. This reflects the influence of Atlantic waters along the North African coasts extending from Morocco to Tunisia in the south of the Mediterranean Sea, which is related to the connection via the Strait of Gibraltar. For the Algerian coasts only five Peracarida species may be considered as Non-Indigenous Species.