bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A network of epigenomic and transcriptional cooperation encompassing an epigenomic master regulator in cancer
Authors: Wilson Stephen , Filipp Fabian Volker
Published: June 2018

Coordinated experiments focused on transcriptional responses and chromatin states are well-equipped to capture different epigenomic and transcriptomic levels governing the circuitry of a regulatory network. We propose a workflow for the genome-wide identification of epigenomic and transcriptional cooperation to elucidate transcriptional networks in cancer. Gene promoter annotation in combination with network analysis and sequence-resolution of enriched transcriptional motifs in epigenomic data reveals transcription factor families that act synergistically with epigenomic master regulators. By investigating complementary omics levels, a close teamwork of the transcriptional and epigenomic machinery was discovered. The discovered network is tightly connected and surrounds the histone lysine demethylase KDM3A, basic helix-loop-helix factors MYC, HIF1A, and SREBF1, as well as differentiation factors AP1, MYOD1, SP1, MEIS1, ZEB1, and ELK1. In such a cooperative network, one component opens the chromatin, another one recognizes gene-specific DNA motifs, others scaffold between histones, cofactors, and the transcriptional complex. In cancer, due to the ability to team up with transcription factors, epigenetic factors concert mitogenic and metabolic gene networks, claiming the role of a cancer master regulators or epioncogenes. Significantly, specific histone modification patterns are commonly associated with open or closed chromatin states, and are linked to distinct biological outcomes by transcriptional activation or repression. Disruption of patterns of histone modifications is associated with the loss of proliferative control and cancer. There is tremendous therapeutic potential in understanding and targeting histone modification pathways. Thus, investigating cooperation of chromatin remodelers and the transcriptional machinery is not only important for elucidating fundamental mechanisms of chromatin regulation, but also necessary for the design of targeted therapeutics.
Mini-hemagglutinin vaccination induces cross-reactive antibodies in pre-exposed NHP that protect mice against lethal influenza challenge
Authors: van der Lubbe Joan E. M. , Huizingh Jeroen , Verspuij Johan W. A. , Tettero Lisanne , Schmit-Tillemans Sonja P. R. , Mooij Petra , Mortier Daniella , Koopman Gerrit , Bogers Willy M. J. M. , Dekking Liesbeth , Meijberg Wim , Kwaks Ted , Brandenburg Boerries , Tolboom Jeroen T. B. M. , Schuitemaker Hanneke , Roozendaal Ramon , Kuipers Harmjan , Zahn Roland C.
Published: June 2018

Seasonal vaccines are currently the most effective countermeasure against influenza. However, seasonal vaccines are only effective against strains closely related to the influenza strains contained in the vaccine. Recently a new hemagglutinin (HA) stem-based antigen, the so-called “mini-HA”, has been shown to induce a cross-protective immune response in influenza-naive mice and non-human primates (NHP). However, prior exposure to influenza can have a profound effect on the immune response to subsequent influenza infection and the protective efficacy of vaccination. Here we show that mini-HA, compared to a trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV), elicits a broadened influenza-specific humoral immune response in NHP previously exposed to influenza. Serum transfer experiments showed that antibodies induced by both mini-HA and seasonal vaccine protected mice against lethal challenge with a H1N1 influenza strain heterologous to the H1 HA included in the TIV. However, antibodies elicited by mini-HA showed an additional benefit of protecting mice against lethal heterosubtypic H5N1 influenza challenge, associated with H5 HA-specific functional antibodies.
Author Correction: Avian Influenza H5N6 Viruses Exhibit Differing Pathogenicities and Transmissibilities in Mammals
Authors: Zhao Zongzheng , Guo Zhendong , Zhang Chunmao , Liu Lina , Chen Ligong , Zhang Cheng , Wang Zhongyi , Fu Yingying , Li Jiaming , Shao Huabin , Luo Qingping , Qian Jun , Liu Linna
Published: June 2018

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.
The CAMI-score: A Novel Tool derived From CAMI Registry to Predict In-hospital Death among Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients
Authors: Song Chenxi , Fu Rui , Dou Kefei , Yang Jingang , Xu Haiyan , Gao Xiaojin , Li Wei , Gao Guofeng , Zhao Zhiyong , Liu Jia , Yang Yuejin
Published: June 2018

Risk stratification of patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is of clinical significance. Although there are many existing risk scores, periodic update is required to reflect contemporary patient profile and management. The present study aims to develop a risk model to predict in-hospital death among contemporary AMI patients as soon as possible after admission. We included 23417 AMI patients from China Acute Myocardial Infarction (CAMI) registry from January 2013 to September 2014 and extracted relevant data. Patients were divided chronologically into a derivation cohort (n = 17563) to establish the multivariable logistic regression model and a validation cohort (n = 5854) to validate the risk score. Sixteen variables were identified as independent predictors of in-hospital death and were used to establish CAMI risk model and score: age, gender, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, creatinine level, white blood cell count, serum potassium, serum sodium, ST-segment elevation on ECG, anterior wall involvement, cardiac arrest, Killip classification, medical history of hypertension, medical history of hyperlipidemia and smoking status. Area under curve value of CAMI risk model was 0.83 within the derivation cohort and 0.84 within the validation cohort. We developed and validated a risk score to predict in-hospital death risk among contemporary AMI patients.
Regulation of extracellular matrix elements and sarcomerogenesis in response to different periods of passive stretching in the soleus muscle of rats
Authors: Peviani Sabrina M. , Guzzoni Vinicius , Pinheiro-Dardis Clara M. , Silva Yara P. da , Fioravante Alisson C. R. , Sagawa Adriana H. , Delfino Gabriel B. , Durigan João L. Q. , Salvini Tania F.
Published: June 2018

Stretching is a common method used to prevent muscle shortening and improve limited mobility. However, the effect of different time periods on stretching-induced adaptation of the extracellular matrix and its regulatory elements have yet to be investigated. We aimed to evaluate the expression of fibrillar collagens, sarcomerogenesis, metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and gene expression of the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulators in the soleus (SOL) muscle of rats submitted to different stretching periods. The soleus muscles were submitted to 10 sets of passive stretching over 10 (St 10d) or 15 days (St 15d) (1 min per set, with 30 seconds’ rest between sets). Sarcomerogenesis, muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), and MMP activity and mRNA levels in collagen (type I, III and IV), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), growth factor-beta (TGF-β), and lysyl oxidase (LOX) were analyzed. Passive stretching over both time periods mitigated COL-I deposition in the SOL muscle of rats. Paradoxically, 10 days of passive stretching induced COL-I and COL-III synthesis, with concomitant upregulation of TGF-β1 and CTGF at a transcriptional level. These responses may be associated with lower LOX mRNA levels in SOL muscles submitted to 10 passive stretching sessions. Moreover, sarcomerogenesis was observed after 15 days of stretching, suggesting that stretching-induced muscle adaptations are time-dependent responses.
In situ impedance spectroscopy of filament formation by resistive switches in polymer based structures
Authors: Kotova M. S. , Drozdov K. A. , Dubinina T. V. , Kuzmina E. A. , Tomilova L. G. , Vasiliev R. B. , Dudnik A. O. , Ryabova L. I. , Khokhlov D. R.
Published: June 2018

It is shown that the impedance spectroscopy allows identification of the resistive switching mechanisms in complex composite structures. This statement was demonstrated on an example of organic based sandwich structures with a modified polymer matrix as an active element. The impedance spectroscopy scanning was performed for a series of intermediate states formed within the switching process. Analysis of the experimentally obtained impedance spectra shows that the electron transport is provided by delocalized charge carriers and proceeds via conducting filaments formed in a highly resistive matrix. The filament configuration changes during the switching. With the shift from isolating to conducting states, single isolated filaments are reorganized into a branched network.
PrESOgenesis: A two-layer multi-label predictor for identifying fertility-related proteins using support vector machine and pseudo amino acid composition approach
Authors: Bakhtiarizadeh Mohammad Reza , Rahimi Maryam , Mohammadi-Sangcheshmeh Abdollah , Shariati J Vahid , Salami Seyed Alireza
Published: June 2018

Successful spermatogenesis and oogenesis are the two genetically independent processes preceding embryo development. To date, several fertility-related proteins have been described in mammalian species. Nevertheless, further studies are required to discover more proteins associated with the development of germ cells and embryogenesis in order to shed more light on the processes. This work builds on our previous software (OOgenesis_Pred), mainly focusing on algorithms beyond what was previously done, in particular new fertility-related proteins and their classes (embryogenesis, spermatogenesis and oogenesis) based on the support vector machine according to the concept of Chou’s pseudo-amino acid composition features. The results of five-fold cross validation, as well as the independent test demonstrated that this method is capable of predicting the fertility-related proteins and their classes with accuracy of more than 80%. Moreover, by using feature selection methods, important properties of fertility-related proteins were identified that allowed for their accurate classification. Based on the proposed method, a two-layer classifier software, named as “PrESOgenesis” (https://github.com/mrb20045/PrESOgenesis) was developed. The tool identified a query sequence (protein or transcript) as fertility or non-fertility-related protein at the first layer and then classified the predicted fertility-related protein into different classes of embryogenesis, spermatogenesis or oogenesis at the second layer.
Quantification of cyanobacterial cells via a novel imaging-driven technique with an integrated fluorescence signature
Authors: Jin Chao , Mesquita Maria M. F. , Deglint Jason L. , Emelko Monica B. , Wong Alexander
Published: June 2018

A novel imaging-driven technique with an integrated fluorescence signature to enable automated enumeration of two species of cyanobacteria and an alga of somewhat similar morphology to one of the cyanobacteria is presented to demonstrate proof-of-concept that high accuracy, imaging-based, rapid water quality analysis can be with conventional equipment available in typical water quality laboratories-this is not currently available. The results presented herein demonstrate that the developed method identifies and enumerates cyanobacterial cells at a level equivalent to or better than that achieved using standard manual microscopic enumeration techniques, but in less time, and requiring significantly fewer resources. When compared with indirect measurement methods, the proposed method provides better accuracy at both low and high cell concentrations. It extends the detection range for cell enumeration while maintaining accuracy and increasing enumeration speed. The developed method not only accurately estimates cell concentrations, but it also reliably distinguishes between cells of Anabaena flos-aquae, Microcystis aeruginosa, and Ankistrodesmus in mixed cultures by taking advantage of additional contrast between the target cell and complex background gained under fluorescent light. Thus, the proposed image-driven approach offers promise as a robust and cost-effective tool for identifying and enumerating microscopic cells based on their unique morphological features.
Without 1α-hydroxylation, the gene expression profile of 25(OH)D3 treatment overlaps deeply with that of 1,25(OH)2D3 in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Susa Takao , Iizuka Masayoshi , Okinaga Hiroko , Tamamori-Adachi Mimi , Okazaki Tomoki
Published: June 2018

Recently, the antiproliferative action of 1,25(OH)2D3 (1,25D3), an active metabolite of vitamin D3, in the management of prostate cancer has been argued rigorously. In this study, we found that at a physiological concentration, 25(OH)D3 (25D3), the precursor of 1,25D3 and an inactive form of vitamin D because of its much weaker binding activity to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) compared with 1,25D3, had a gene expression profile similar to that of 1,25D3 in prostate cancer LNCaP cells. By immunocytochemistry, western blotting, and CYP27B1 and/or VDR knockdown by small interfering RNAs, we found that 10−7 M 25D3, which is within its uppermost physiological concentration in the bloodstream, induced VDR nuclear import and robustly activated its target genes in the virtual absence of CYP27B1 expression. Comprehensive microarray analyses verified 25D3 bioactivity, and we found that 25D3 target gene profiles largely matched those of 1,25D3, while the presence a small subset of 25D3- or 1,25D3-specific target genes was not excluded. These results indicated that 25D3 shares bioactivity with 1,25D3 without conversion to the latter. Metallothionein 2A was identified as a 1,25D3-specific repressive target gene, which might be a prerequisite for 1,25D3, but not 25D3, to exert its anti-proliferative action in LNCaP cells.
Efficacy of two different dosages of levofloxacin in curing Helicobacter pylori infection: A Prospective, Single-Center, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Gan Huo-Ye , Peng Tie-Li , Huang You-Ming , Su Kai-Hua , Zhao Lin-Li , Yao Li-Ya , Yang Rong-Jiao
Published: June 2018

Bismuth + proton pump inhibitor (PPI) + amoxicillin + levofloxacin is one of the bismuth quadruple therapy regimens widely used for the eradication of H. pylori infection. The recommended dosage of levofloxacin is 500 mg once daily or 200 mg twice daily to eradicate H. pylori infection. The aim of the present open-label, randomized control trial was to compare the effectiveness, safety, and compliance of different dosages of levofloxacin used to cure Helicobacter pylori infection. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive esomeprazole, amoxicillin, colloidal bismuth pectin and levofloxacin 500 mg once/day (group A) or levofloxacin 200 mg twice/day (group B) for 14 days. The primary outcome was the eradication rates in the intention-to-treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses. Overall, 400 patients were enrolled. The eradication rates in group A and group B were 77.5% and 79.5% respectively, in the ITT analysis, and 82.9% and 86.4%, respectively, in the PP analysis. No significant differences were found between two groups in terms of eradication rate, adverse effects or compliance. Oral levofloxacin 200 mg twice daily was similar in efficacy for eradicating H. pylori infection to oral levofloxacin 500 mg once daily but with lower mean total costs.
Detection of exogenous substances in latent fingermarks by silver-assisted LDI imaging MS: perspectives in forensic sciences
Authors: Lauzon Nidia , Chaurand Pierre
Published: June 2018

For over one hundred years, the fingerprint has reigned as one of the most trusted pieces of forensic evidence for suspect identification. Today, modern imaging mass spectrometry technology allows to correlate molecular information to the fingerprint giving us valuable insights into a suspect lifestyle and behaviour.
Improvements in identification and quantitation of pesticide residues in food by LC-QTOF using sequential mass window acquisition (SWATH®)
Authors: Parrilla Vázquez P. , Lozano A. , Ferrer C. , Martínez Bueno M. J. , Fernández-Alba A. R.
Published: June 2018

The efficiency of a data independent acquisition by the sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ions (SWATH®) in high resolution accurate mass spectrometry was evaluated for pesticide residue analysis.
Single-site labeling of lysine in proteins through a metal-free multicomponent approach
Authors: Chilamari Maheshwerreddy , Kalra Neetu , Shukla Sanjeev , Rai Vishal
Published: June 2018

Precise protein engineering is achieved using a metal-free multicomponent approach. It enables the installation of probes and the synthesis of antibody–drug conjugates.
Redox neutral [4+2] benzannulation of dienals and tertiary enaminones for benzaldehyde synthesis
Authors: Yang Lu , Wei Li , Wan Jie-Ping
Published: June 2018

The [4+2] benzannulation reactions between tertiary enaminones and dienals have been developed for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized benzaldehydes, providing a new access to benzaldehydes alongside the classical formylation strategy.
Multi-step phase-cycling in a free-electron laser-powered pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer
Authors: Wilson C. Blake , Aronson Samuel , Clayton Jessica A. , Glaser Steffen J. , Han Songi , Sherwin Mark S.
Published: June 2018

Optomechanical multi-step phase cycling enables free electron laser-powered 240 GHz pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance electron spin relaxation measurements.
Multiphoton Rydberg and valence dynamics of CH3Br probed by mass spectrometry and slice imaging
Authors: Hafliðason Arnar , Glodic Pavle , Koumarianou Greta , Samartzis Peter C. , Kvaran Ágúst
Published: June 2018

Multiphoto-fragmentation (i.e. photodissociation and photoionization) processes for CH3Br determined by mass resolved multiphoton ionization and slice imaging.
Coupling between the mesoscopic dynamics and shear stress of a room-temperature ionic liquid
Authors: Yamaguchi Tsuyoshi
Published: June 2018

Shear viscosity of an ionic liquid is governed by the dynamics of the charge-alternation mode irrespective of the presence of the domain structure.
Interface engineering and solid-state organization for triindole-based p-type organic thin-film transistors
Authors: Reig Marta , Bagdziunas Gintautas , Ramanavicius Arunas , Puigdollers Joaquim , Velasco Dolores
Published: June 2018

Role of the solid-state organization of the semiconductor and of its interface with the dielectric on the OTFT performance.
Titanium-oxo clusters functionalized with catecholate-type ligands: modulating the optical properties through charge-transfer transitions
Authors: Lv Hai-Ting , Li Hua-Min , Zou Guo-Dong , Cui Ying , Huang Yang , Fan Yang
Published: June 2018

Charge transfer transitions effectively modulated the optical properties of the catecholate-type ligand functionalized titanium-oxo clusters [Ti8(μ3-O)2(μ2-O)2(μ2-OiPr)4(OiPr)8(O3PC6H5)4(cat)2] and [Ti8(μ3-O)2(μ2-O)2(μ2-OiPr)4(OiPr)8(O3PC6H5)4(O2C10H6)2].
Facile synthesis of silk-cocoon S-rich cobalt polysulfide as an efficient catalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Wang Chao , Wang Tanyuan , Liu Jiajie , Zhou Yue , Yu Daiwei , cheng Jeng-Kuei , Han Fei , Li Qing , Chen Jitao , Huang Yunhui
Published: June 2018

A silk-cocoon structured S-rich cobalt polysulfide (CoSx, x ≈ 3.9) catalyst with high HER activity has been developed for the first time.
Mesoporous cobalt/manganese oxide: a highly selective bifunctional catalyst for amine–imine transformations
Authors: Dutta Biswanath , March Seth , Achola Laura , Sahoo Sanjubala , He Junkai , Shirazi Amin Alireza , Wu Yang , Poges Shannon , Pamir Alpay S. , Suib Steven L.
Published: June 2018

Cobalt doped mesoporous manganese oxide: an excellent oxidative catalyst (for producing asymmetric imines with >98% selectivity) with significant reductive properties.
Chiral copper-salen complex grafted over functionalized mesoporous silica as an efficient catalyst for asymmetric Henry reactions and synthesis of the potent drug (R)-isoproterenol
Authors: Halder Mita , Bhanja Piyali , Islam Md. Mominul , Bhaumik Asim , Islam Sk. Manirul
Published: June 2018

A new chiral Cu(ii)@AFS-1 catalyzed asymmetric Henry reaction (ee = 94%, yield 96%) and diastereoselective Henry reaction have been reported. Additionally, drug (R)-(−)-isoproterenol was synthesized using this protocol.
Enhancement of microphase ordering and mechanical properties of supramolecular hydrogen-bonded polyurethane networks
Authors: Hermida-Merino Daniel , O'Driscoll Ben , Hart Lewis R. , Harris Peter J. , Colquhoun Howard M. , Slark Andrew T. , Prisacariu Cristina , Hamley Ian W. , Hayes Wayne
Published: June 2018

Enhanced thermoreversible and mechanical properties in supramolecular polyurethanes have been realised by the incorporation of flexible DBDI derived hard segments.
Correction: Highly sensitive and wearable gas sensors consisting of chemically functionalized graphene oxide assembled on cotton yarn
Authors: Kang Min-A. , Ji Seulgi , Kim Seongjun , Park Chong-Yun , Myung Sung , Song Wooseok , Lee Sun Sook , Lim Jongsun , An Ki-Seok
Published: June 2018

Correction for ‘Highly sensitive and wearable gas sensors consisting of chemically functionalized graphene oxide assembled on cotton yarn’ by Min-A. Kang et al., RSC Adv., 2018, 8, 11991–11996.
Student progression on chemical symbol representation abilities at different grade levels (Grades 10–12) across gender
Authors: Chi Shaohui , Wang Zuhao , Luo Ma , Yang Yuqin , Huang Min
Published: June 2018

Chemical symbol representation is used extensively in chemistry classrooms; however, due to its abstract nature, many students struggle with learning and effectively utilizing these symbolic representations, which can lead to ongoing failure in subsequent chemistry learning. Taking the perspective of learning progressions, this study identifies how students’ abilities in chemical symbol representation progress at different grade levels (Grade 10–12), across the genders. A sample of 713 students—254 tenth graders, 262 eleventh graders and 197 twelfth graders—was selected from three senior secondary schools located in Jiangsu, China. A measurement instrument developed in a former study was used to measure students’ chemical symbol representation abilities and students’ raw scores were converted into Rasch scale scores, allowing for direct comparisons of students of different grades. The results of chi-squared tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that chemical symbol representation abilities are affected by statistically significant gender and grade effects. Students from higher grades performed better than students from lower grades, and generally, male students obtained a higher mean score than did their female peers. The findings also revealed that there was a statistically significant interaction effect between gender and grade. While male students started out with a much higher mean score in Grade 10, by Grade 11 there was not much of a difference between male and female students’ mean scores, and female students’ mean score was higher than male students’ mean score by Grade 12.
Safety of laparoscopic graspers with different configurations during liver tissue clamping
Authors: Wang Jin , Ma Li , Li Wei , Zhou Zhongrong
Published: June 2018

Laparoscopic graspers often induce liver damage when large forces are applied during clamping. Here, the safety of graspers with different edge curvature radii, teeth profiles, and jaw windows was evaluated experimentally using a tissue damage assessment method based on in vivo compression tests in a rabbit liver model. The results showed that the degree of damage to liver tissue was associated with the deformation in the tissue and the grasper configuration. Changing the jaw teeth profile from a wedge to a sine, increasing the curvature radius of the jaw edge, reducing the contact coefficient of the square window of the jaw, and increasing the length of the window edge alleviated the damage to liver tissue when a clamping force of 2 N was applied. The results can guide the selection and design of non‐traumatic graspers.
End‐to‐end training algorithm for conceptor‐based neural networks
Authors: Qian Guangwu , Zhang Lei , Zhang Qianjun
Published: June 2018

Since a conceptor, achieving direction‐selective damping of high‐dimensional network signals, usually takes the form of a projection matrix and is deduced analytically, a conceptor‐based neural network is thought to be untrainable with backpropagation and gradient‐descent algorithms from end to end. It limits the application of conceptors. To address this issue, an algorithm is proposed to train conceptor‐based neural networks from end to end with gradient‐descent algorithms. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first work of such an end‐to‐end training algorithm. To develop this algorithm, a softmax‐like loss function involved with conceptors is constructed empirically. Based on this loss function, corresponding gradients are deduced by using backpropagation method so that it is possible to train conceptor neural networks from end to end with a gradient‐descent algorithm. Several experiments are conducted to show the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed training algorithm.
Simultaneous bearing fault diagnosis and severity detection using a LAMSTAR network‐based approach
Authors: He Miao , He David
Published: June 2018

Bearings are one of the most important components in many industrial machines. Effective bearing fault diagnosis and severity detection are critical for keeping the machines operate normally and safe. In this study, the problem of simultaneous bearing fault diagnosis and severity detection with deep learning is addressed. Existing solutions developed using deep learning rely on fault feature extraction using complicated signal processing techniques. They perform bearing fault diagnosis and severity detection separately and normally require extensive supervised fine tuning. This study presents an effective deep learning‐based solution using a large memory storage and retrieval (LAMSTAR) neural network. The developed approach can automatically extract self‐learned fault features and perform bearing fault diagnosis and severity detection simultaneously. The structure of the LAMSTAR network is determined by optimally selecting the sliding box size of the input time–frequency matrix. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is validated using data collected from rolling element bearing tests.
Molybdenum gratings as a high‐temperature refractory platform for plasmonic heat generators in the infrared
Authors: Nunez‐Sanchez Sara , Dominguez Andrade Hugo , Harwood Jan , Bickerton Ian , Fox Neil A. , Cryan Martin J.
Published: June 2018

The aim of this work is to study the heating efficiency of refractory microstructures by excitation of surface plasmon polaritons in the far infrared that can be used for high‐temperature applications. The work has designed metal grating couplers on molybdenum films to maximise the absorption of a 10.6 µm CO2 laser light source. Molybdenum has been chosen since it is an industrial refractory metal combined with the fact that its optical properties in the far infrared are similar to gold but with stable high‐temperature performance. Linear gratings have been used as plasmonic couplers on large area substrates produced by laser milling. Real‐time absolute temperature measurements have been performed showing a 42% increase in the maximum achievable temperature from 702 to 985 K.
Signifikante Verbesserung des atopischen Ekzems durch Therapie mit synbiotischem Badezusatz
Authors: Axt-Gadermann M.
Published: June 2018

Hintergrund Aktuelle Untersuchungen belegen, dass sowohl das intestinale als auch das dermale Mikrobiom für die menschliche Gesundheit von Bedeutung sind. Das intestinale Mikrobiom beeinflusst zahlreiche Immunfunktionen und ist wahrscheinlich auch in die Entwicklung atopischer Erkrankungen involviert. Daneben sind aber auch Interaktionen zwischen dermalen Mikroorganismen und dem spezifischen Immunsystem bekannt. In den vergangenen Jahren sind die Effekte von Pro- und Präbiotika ausführlich untersucht worden. Es hat sich gezeigt, dass sowohl die interne als auch die externe Anwendung pro- oder präbiotischer Präparate bei der Behandlung atopischer Erkrankungen wirksam sein könnte.

Fragestellung Wir überprüften in der vorliegenden, randomisierten, einfachblinden, placebokontrollierten Studie, ob ein synbiotisches Nahrungsergänzungsmittel (Madena Darmkur®), das wir als Badezusatz verwendeten, Einfluss auf typische Symptome des atopischen Ekzems hat.

Material und Methode 30 Probanden mit atopischem Ekzem wurden über einen Zeitraum von zwei Wochen mit einem Synbiotikum bzw. Placebo lokal behandelt. Am Anfang, nach einer Woche und am Ende der Studie wurde der Schweregrad von Pruritus, allgemeiner Hautbeschaffenheit, Trockenheit, Exkoriation, Abschuppung und Einschränkungen beim manuellen Arbeiten oder Gehen bestimmt.

Ergebnis Die Behandlung mit synbiotischen Bädern führte zu signifikanten und relevanten Veränderungen aller Parameter sowohl nach einer als auch nach zwei Wochen topischer Anwendung. In der Kontrollgruppe traten keinerlei signifikante Verbesserungen auf.

Diskussion Synbiotische Externa erschließen zukünftig möglicherweise neue Ansätze für die Therapie des atopischen Ekzems. Weitere Studien sind notwendig, um geeignete Bakterienstämme zu identifizieren und mehr Informationen über Dosierung und Wirkmechanismen zu erhalten.
Optoacoustic Imaging Detects Hormone-Related Physiological Changes of Breast Parenchyma
Authors: Abeyakoon Oshaani , Morscher Stefan , Dalhaus Nina , Ford Steven J. , Mendichovszky Iosif A. , Manavaki Roido , Wallis Matthew , Moyle Penelope , Woitek Ramona , Patterson Andrew , Torheim Turid , Joseph James , Gonzalez Isabel Quiros , Bohndiek Sarah , Gilbert Fiona J.
Published: June 2018

Purpose Optoacoustic imaging with ultrasound (OPUS) can assess in-vivo perfusion/oxygenation through surrogate measures of oxy, deoxy and total hemoglobin content in tissues. The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the ability of OPUS to detect physiological changes in the breast during the menstrual cycle and to determine qualitative/quantitative metrics of normal parenchymal tissue in pre-/post-menopausal women. The secondary aim was to assess the technique’s repeatability.

Materials and Methods We performed a prospective ethically approved study in volunteers using OPUS (700, 800 and 850 nm wavelengths) in the proliferative/follicular and secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. Regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn on the most superficial region of fibroglandular tissue and same-day intra-observer repeatability was assessed. We used t-tests to interrogate differences in the OPUS measurements due to hormonal changes and interclass correlation coefficients/Bland-Altman plots to evaluate the repeatability of mean ROI signal intensities.

Results 22 pre-menopausal and 8 post-menopausal volunteers were recruited. 21 participants underwent repeatability examinations. OPUS intensity values were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) at all excitation wavelengths in the secretory compared to the proliferative/follicular phase. Post-menopausal volunteers showed similar optoacoustic values to the proliferative/follicular phase of pre-menopausal volunteers. The repeatability of the technique was comparable to other handheld ultrasound modalities.

Conclusion OPUS detects changes in perfusion/vascularity related to the menstrual cycle and menopausal status of breast parenchyma.
Geschäftsführer Gesucht: Kölner Klinik-Klüngel
Authors: Kohrs Jens
Published: June 2018

Irgendwie passt das ja zu Deutschlands Karnevalshochburg: Nach dem Rauswurf von Roman Lovenfosse-Gehrt als Geschäftsführer der städtischen Kliniken Köln treibt die Neubesetzung der Position kuriose Blüten. Ein quasi schon gewählter Kandidat ist wieder abgesprungen.
Lieferengpass bei Antibiotika: Wie man aus der Not eine Tugend machen kann
Authors: Hölbling Catrin
Published: June 2018

Ein Lieferengpass für ein Antibiotikum zwang vor rund einem Jahr Kliniken weltweit, auf andere Mittel auszuweichen. Eine aktuelle Studie in der Fachzeitschrift „DMW Deutsche Medizinische Wochenschrift“ zeigt, wie das Uniklinikum Frankfurt/Main Nachteile für die Patienten vermied und dabei sogar noch Geld einsparte.
Schutzschirmverfahren: Die Sonderform der Eigenverwaltung
Authors: Kolb Tilo
Published: June 2018

Mit einem Schutzschirmverfahren können sich Kliniken Luft und Zeit verschaffen. Welche Voraussetzungen Krankenhäuser erfüllen müssen, um diesen Weg zu beschreiten, und welche Besonderheiten und Vorteile ein Schutzschirmverfahren hat, haben wir hier für Sie zusammengefasst.
OP-Management und Gesetzeslage: Obacht! Justitia wacht im Saal
Authors: Heiß Tanja
Published: June 2018

Verantwortlichkeiten und Kompetenzen müssen neu gedacht werden, damit OPs gesetzeskonform und zukunftsfähig aufgestellt sind, meint Gastautorin Tanja Heiß.
One-Pot Construction of 3-Phthalimido-1,5-benzodiazepine-2-one Derivatives via in situ Activation of N,N-Phthaloyl-serine
Authors: Obara Nobuhiro , Watanabe Takeshi , Asakawa Tomohiro , Kan Toshiyuki , Tanaka Takao
Published: June 2018

The Michael addition of dehydroalanine-activated ester in situ generated from N,N-phthaloyl-serine with o-phenylenediamine followed by cyclization has been established under mild conditions, which afforded 3-phthalimido-1,5-benzodiazepine-2-one derivatives in moderate to good yields.
Die Ultrastruktur der Thrombozyten bei der konstitutionellen Thrombopathie (v. Willebrand-Jürgens) mit einem Beitrag zur submikroskopischen Orthologie der Thrombozyten
Authors: Schulz H , Jürgens R , Hiepler E
Published: June 2018

Von 6 genealogisch stark belasteten Fällen mit hereditärer konstitutioneller Thrombopathie (v. Willebrand-Jürgens) sowie von 8 Kontrollen wurde eine reine Fraktion aus unbeschädigten Thrombozyten hergestellt und mit der Ultrafeinschnittmethode elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht.

Die Thrombozyten weisen bei konstitutioneller Thrombopathie eine geringe Anisozytose mit vielen etwa 1,3 bis 1,8 μ großen Mikroplättchen und einigen bis zu 5 μ großen Riesenplättchen auf. Die Zellmembran der Thrombozyten mißt 60 Å und ist intakt. Das Granulomer setzt sich normalerweise aus vier verschiedenen Bestandteilen, die wir als Granulomer α, ß, γ, δ bezeichnen, zusammen. Die meisten Granula der Thrombozyten gehören zum Granulomer α. Sie sind ovale Körper mit einer dichten, homogenen Grundsubstanz und einer 50 Å dicken Außenmembran. Zum Granulomer β rechnen wir die in geringer Anzahl vorkommenden Mitochondrien. Das Granulomer γ setzt sich aus herdförmig angeordneten Mikrobläschen, die manchmal zu Tubuli erweitert sind, zusammen. Das Granulomer δ besteht aus ovalen Zytosomen mit gespeichertem Ferritin.

Die schwersten Veränderungen bei der konstitutionellen Thrombopathie finden sich an den ovalen Granula des Granulomers α, so daß man von einer Labilität des Granulomers α sprechen kann. Die ovalen Granula sind kleiner als in den Kontrollfällen und haben einen Längsdurchmesser von 177 mμ der Querdurchmesser beträgt 100 mμ. Die Grundsubstanz einiger ovaler Granula ist aufgehellt. Andere Granula haben die Gestalt eines Trommelschlegels. Der Stab des Trommelschlegels ist gewöhnlich 0,35 μ lang, kann aber auch bis zu 0,8 μ lang sein. Die Stabbreite beträgt regelmäßig 410 Å. Im Kopf des Trommelschlegels beobachtet man hin und wieder ein 75 Å breites Netzwerk. Die Mitochondrien sowie die Zytosomen mit gespeichertem Ferritin sind nur sehr selten nachweisbar. Die Mikrobläschen messen 250 bis 540 Å. Im Gegensatz zu normalen Thrombozyten sind sie um 100 Å größer und bilden kein endoplasmatisches tubuläres System.

Das Hyalomer besteht normalerweise und bei der konstitutionellen Thrombopathie aus einer grauen homogenen bis fein granulären Grundsubstanz und mehreren Pseudopodien, die kein Granulomer enthalten. In der Thrombozytenfrak-tion finden sich bei der konstitutionellen Thrombopathie außerdem Reste von Endothelblasen, die als Zeichen einer vaskulären Schädigung anzusehen sind.
The Inactivation of Plasma-Thromboplastin
Authors: Deutsch E , Mammen E
Published: June 2018

1. Anti-plasmathromboplastin activity is found in plasma and in serum.

2. The anti-plasmathromboplastin activity was increased in the majority of patients with hemophilia A and B, with chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenia, uremia, and in the cases of obstetrical afibrinogenemia, obstructive jaundice and Morbus Addison examined. It was reduced in patients with hepatitis and with cirrhosis of the liver.

3. The anti-plasmathromboplastin of serum is stable on storage; it is inactivated at temperatures over 60° C; it is partially adsorbed on the ion exchange resins ICR 50 and XE 64; it is not adsorbed on BaSO4, Al2O3, Al(OH)3, Kaolin and asbestos filter pads; its activity is increased after treatment with the ion exchange resin XE 88. It is not dialysable and not soluble in ether. It inactivates plasmathromboplastin gradually. After repeated additions of plasmathromboplastin its activity is exhausted.

4. Two materials with anti-plasmathromboplastin activity could be separated by fractionation with ammonium sulfate, with ethanol or by changing the pH. These two materials differ in their physical properties and in their mode of action.

Anti-plasmathromboplastin I is precipitated with 33% saturated ammonium sulfate, with 15% saturation with ethanol, or at pH 6.0; it is unstable on storage, it is inactivated at 70° C; it is partially adsorbed on the cation exchange resins XE 88 and ICR 50, and completely on XE 64. It inactivates plasmathromboplastin gradually. It is more stable, when oxygen is absent or cystein is added.

Anti-plasmathromboplastin II remains in solution after 80% saturation with ammonium sulfate, 53.3% saturation with ethanol, or at pH 5.0. It is storage and heat stable; it is dialysable; it is not adsorbed on cation exchange resin ICR 50; its activity is increased by treatment with ion exchange resins XE 64 and XE 88. Its action is immediate,

Both anti-plasmathromboplastins migrate with the α-globulin-fraction.

5. The anti-plasmathromboplastin has no phosphatase activity. It does not inactivate platelet equivalents before they have reacted with plasma and serum factors to form plasmathromboplastin. Its action seems to be stoichiometric. The action is not influenced by calcium concentrations in a range from 3 to 14 mg%.

6. The difference in the degree of inactivation of plasmathromboplastin with the use of our method as compared to the method of E g l i is due to the difference in the proportions of plasmathromboplastin and anti-plasmathromboplastin used in the tests.
Control of Anticoagulant Treatment
Authors: Winterstein A
Published: June 2018

Les thrombokinases cérébrales humaines sont le plus indiquées à la méthode de Quick. Elles font connaître une spécification individuelle, une specification des tissus et des espèces. En plus leur activité est influencée par le mode de fabrication, par le degré de sèchement, par la concentration, par la température lors de l’extraction, par la vitesse de centrifugation et par la température du bain-marie. Les thrombokinases sont surtout propres à être utilisées si les temps de coagulation sont courts et si les différences des temps de coagulation entre le sang de 100% et de 25% sont longues.
Über einen neuen Accelerator der Blntthrombokinasebildimg
Authors: Fisch U
Published: June 2018

Es wird eine Methode beschrieben, welche die ersten Stufen der Blutthrombokinasebildung zu analysieren gestattet (der Zwischenprodukt-I-Bildungstest).

Die im Normalserum vorhandenen und an BaSO4 adsorbierbaren Gerinnungsfaktoren werden papierelektrophoretisch getrennt und ihr Verhalten im Zwischenprodukt-I-Bildungstest untersucht.

Es wird dabei ein neuer Accelerator der Blutthrombokinasebildung nachgewiesen, für den wir den Namen Vorphasenaccelerator vorschlagen.

Der Vorphasenaccelerator wird mit der einstufigen F.-IX-Bestimmungs-methode nach Geiger, Duckert und Koller (16) erfaßt. Er ist aber vom F. IX verschieden, da er im Gegensatz zu letzterem nur auf die Geschwindigkeit der Blutthrombokinasebildung einwirkt und die Menge der entstehenden Thrombokinase unbeeinflußt läßt. Er ist auch nicht imstande, den Gerinnungsdefekt eines Hämophilie-B-Blutes zu normalisieren.

Die physiologischen und physikalisch-chemischen Eigenschaften des Vorphasenaccelerators werden beschrieben und seine Beziehungen zu anderen bekannten Gerinnungsfaktoren und besonders zum ,,Faktor-X-Phänomen” diskutiert.
Histologische Untersuchungen über die Retraktion
Authors: Benthaus J , Grünberg H
Published: June 2018

Die morphologischen Veränderungen, die sich an Fibrin und Blutplättchen während der Retraktion von Plasmagerinnseln abspielen, werden an Präparaten demonstriert, die mit histologischer Technik gewonnen wurden. Verminderung des strukturierten Fibrins und Zunahme der Plättchengröße sind die wesentlichsten Befunde. Daraus wird eine Hypothese über den Mechanismus der Retraktion abgeleitet.
The Mode of Action of Thrombin
Authors: Laki K , Gladner Jules A. , Folk J. E , Kominz D. R
Published: June 2018

The peptides liberated from fibrinogen by the action of thrombin have been isolated on modified cellulose adsorbents. These peptides have been characterized by sedimentation-diffusion measurements by quantitative amino acid analysis, and by C-terminal analysis. Both peptides were found to contain arginine as C-terminal amino acid. Thrombin thus splits specific arginyl-glycine bonds in the fibrinogen molecule. The specificity of thrombin is discussed in view of the finding that the active center of thrombin is similar to that of trypsin and chymotrypsin.
Singular value decomposition based impulsive noise reduction in multi-frequency phase-sensitive demodulation of electrical impedance tomography
Authors: Hao Zhenhua , Cui Ziqiang , Yue Shihong , Wang Huaxiang
Published: June 2018

As an important means in electrical impedance tomography (EIT), multi-frequency phase-sensitive demodulation (PSD) can be viewed as a matched filter for measurement signals and as an optimal linear filter in the case of Gaussian-type noise. However, the additive noise usually possesses impulsive noise characteristics, so it is a challenging task to reduce the impulsive noise in multi-frequency PSD effectively. In this paper, an approach for impulsive noise reduction in multi-frequency PSD of EIT is presented. Instead of linear filters, a singular value decomposition filter is employed as the pre-stage filtering module prior to PSD, which has advantages of zero phase shift, little distortion, and a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in digital signal processing. Simulation and experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method can effectively eliminate the influence of impulsive noise in multi-frequency PSD, and it was capable of achieving a higher SNR and smaller demodulation error.
Silicon quantum dots for energetic material applications
Authors: Adams Sarah K. , Piekiel Nicholas W. , Ervin Matthew H. , Morris Christopher J.
Published: June 2018

In its history as an energetic material, porous silicon has demonstrated flame speeds in excess of 3 km s−1, tunable combustion behavior, and high energy output, which in theory makes it a very attractive energetic system. In practice, its application within the field is limited by porous silicon's typical substrate-adhered form and caustic chemical processing requirements that limit how and when porous silicon is made. In this work, we have relieved porous silicon of these constraints by creating reactive silicon quantum dots from free-standing porous silicon films. The resulting material is composed of crystalline silicon nanoparticles with diameters as small as 2 nm that retain the chemical properties of the original films including the SiH2 termination layer. The fabricated silicon particles were characterized using FTIR Spectroscopy, TEM, and EDS for determining the size and the chemical composition. For testing as an energetic material fuel, porous silicon was mixed with an oft used oxidizer, sodium perchlorate. During open-channel combustion tests, silicon quantum dots mixed with sodium perchlorate demonstrated flame speeds over 2.5 km s−1, while bomb calorimetry tests showed an average heat of combustion of 7.4 kJ g−1. These results demonstrate the ability to retain the porous silicon material properties that allow for highly energetic material reactions to occur, despite the additional processing steps to create silicon quantum dots. This opens the door for the use of porous silicon in the bulk of the energetic material application space, much of which was previously limited due to the substrate-attached nature of typical porous silicon.
Instrumentation for in situ flow electrochemical Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM)
Authors: Prabu Vinod , Obst Martin , Hosseinkhannazer Hooman , Reynolds Matthew , Rosendahl Scott , Wang Jian , Hitchcock Adam P.
Published: June 2018

We report the design and performance of a 3-electrode device for real time in situ scanning transmission X-ray microscopy studies of electrochemical processes under both static (sealed, non-flow) conditions and with a continuous flow of electrolytes. The device was made using a combination of silicon microfabrication and 3D printing technologies. The performance is illustrated by results of a study of copper deposition and stripping at a gold working electrode. X-ray absorption spectromicroscopy at the Cu 2p edge was used to follow the evolution as a function of potential and time of the spatial distributions of Cu(0) and Cu(i) species electro-deposited from an aqueous solution of copper sulphate. The results are interpreted in terms of competing mechanisms for the reduction of Cu(ii).
Investigation of multilayer WS2 flakes as charge trapping stack layers in non-volatile memories
Authors: Wang Hong , Ren Deliang , Lu Chao , Yan Xiaobing
Published: June 2018

In this study, the non-volatile flash memory devices utilize tungsten sulfide flakes as the charge trapping stack layers were fabricated. The sandwiched structure of Pd/ZHO/WS2/ZHO/WS2/SiO2/Si manifests a memory window of 2.26 V and a high density of trapped charges 4.88 × 1012/cm2 under a ±5 V gate sweeping voltage. Moreover, the data retention results of as-fabricated non-volatile memories demonstrate that the high and low capacitance states are enhanced by 3.81% and 3.11%, respectively, after a measurement duration of 1.20 × 104 s. These remarkable achievements are probably attributed to the defects and band gap of WS2 flakes. Besides, the proposed memory fabrication is not only compatible with CMOS manufacturing processes but also gets rid of the high-temperature annealing process. Overall, this proposed non-volatile memory is highly attractive for low voltage, long data retention applications.
Linear and nonlinear analysis of kinetic Alfven waves in quantum magneto-plasmas with arbitrary temperature degeneracy
Authors: Sadiq Nauman , Ahmad Mushtaq , Farooq M. , Jan Qasim
Published: June 2018

Linear and nonlinear kinetic Alfven waves (KAWs) are studied in collisionless, non-relativistic two fluid quantum magneto-plasmas by considering arbitrary temperature degeneracy. A general coupling parameter is applied to discuss the range of validity of the proposed model in nearly degenerate and nearly non-degenerate plasma limits. Linear analysis of KAWs shows an increase (decrease) in frequency with the increase in parameter ζ(δ) for the nearly non-degenerate (nearly degenerate) plasma limit. The energy integral equation in the form of Sagdeev potential is obtained by using the approach of the Lorentz transformation. The analysis reveals that the amplitude of the Sagdeev potential curves and soliton structures remains the same, but the potential depth and width of soliton structure change for both the limiting cases. It is further observed that only density hump structures are formed in the sub-alfvenic region for value Kz2>1. The effects of parameters ζ, δ on the nonlinear properties of KAWs are shown in graphical plots. New results for comparison with earlier work have also been highlighted. The significance of this work to astrophysical plasmas is also emphasized.