bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Facile Carbon Quantum Dot‐Modified Reduction Approach Towards Tunable Sb@CQDs Nanoparticles for High Performance Sodium Storage
Authors: Liu Fei , Wang Yaping , Zhang Yifang , Lin Jiande , Su Qiong , Shi Junrong , Xie Xuefang , Liang Shuquan , Pan Anqiang
Published: February 2020

Antimony (Sb) has considerable specific capacity as an anode material for sodium‐ion batteries. However, the large volume expansion during alloying/dealloying with Na+ leads to poor cycling stability. Herein, we report the synthesis of Sb@carbon quantum dots (Sb@CQDs) composite via a facile one‐step reduction approach at room temperature. CQDs can modify the nucleation and growth of Sb particles during the reduction process and thus tune the size of Sb. Sb@CQDs particles with size of ∼7 nm can relieve the volume expansion and reduce the diffusion distance for sodium ions. Moreover, the residual CQDs in the obtained composite enhance the electronic conductivity. Benefited from the modification of CQDs, the Sb@CQDs composite delivers high specific capacity of 635 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and 334 mA h g−1 at 2 A g−1.
Analysis of thermoluminescence characteristics of a lithium disilicate glass ceramic using a nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input model
Authors: Işik Esme , Toktamiş Hüseyin , Işik İbrahim
Published: February 2020

Dental ceramics because of their translucency exemplify the most biologically realistic restorative materials for aesthetic rehabilitation and can be used to estimate dose accumulated as a result of a nuclear accident or attack. In this study, lithium disilicate ceramic obtained from Vivadent Ivoclar, Turkey was studied for its thermoluminescence (TL) properties. The lithium disilicate glass ceramic was irradiated with a 90Sr–90Y β‐source from 10 Gy to 6.9 kGy and the results read on a Harshaw 3500 reader. The TL peak of lithium disilicate ceramic showed sublinearity in the range 12 Gy to 6 kGy. The area under the TL glow curve increased by about 25% by the end of 10th measurement cycle. Fading values were also considered after irradiation. Lithium disilicate ceramic samples underwent 37% fading after 1 h and 59% fading after 1 week. In addition to the experimental study, a software‐based simulation study was also undertaken using a MATLAB system identification tool. Experimental studies are generally time consuming and some materials used for experiments are very expensive. In this study, experimental, and simulation results were compared and produced almost the same outcome with a similarity of more than 98%.
Corporate voluntary greenhouse gas reporting: Stakeholder pressure and the mediating role of the chief executive officer
Authors: Chithambo Lyton , Tingbani Ishmael , Agyapong Godfred Afrifa , Gyapong Ernest , Damoah Isaac Sakyi
Published: February 2020

The study sheds light on the extent to which various stakeholder pressures influence voluntary disclosure of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and how the impact is explained and moderated chief executive officer (CEO) characteristics of 215 FTSE 350 listed U.K. companies for the year 2011. The study developed a classification of GHG emission disclosure based on the guidelines of GHG Protocol, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Global Framework for Climate Risk Disclosure using content analysis. Evidence from the study suggests that some stakeholder pressure (regulatory, creditor, supplier, customer, and board control) positively impacts on GHG disclosure information by firms. We found that stakeholder pressure in the form of regulatory, mimetic, and shareholders pressure positively influenced the disclosure of GHG information. We also found that creditor pressure also had a significant negative relationship with GHG disclosure. Although CEO age had a direct negative effect on GHG voluntary disclosure, its moderation effect on stakeholder pressure influence on GHG disclosure was only significant on regulatory pressure.
Study on the targeted therapy of oral squamous cell carcinoma with a plasmid expressing PE38KDEL toxin under control of the SERPINB3 promoter
Authors: Wu Jiang , Guo Qiong , Zhang Guoliang , Zhao Liying , Lv Yvguang , Wang Jiaqi , Liu Jiguang , Shi Wei
Published: February 2020

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has a poor prognosis and a high risk of recurrence. To improve the efficacy of OSCC therapy, it is of great significance to explore gene therapy for OSCC. The use of specific genes to regulate the targeted expression of suicide genes is a hot topic in gene therapy for cancer. The SERPINB3 gene is highly active in squamous cell carcinoma, but nearly undetectable or present at a low level in normal tissues. This specificity suggests that the SERPINB3 promoter can be used for targeted OSCC therapy. Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes PE38KDEL, an exotoxin derivative, as a suicide gene used in gene therapy. A SERPINB3 promoter‐mediated PE38KDEL expression vector was created. The SERPINB3 gene expression was tested in different cell lines by RT‐qPCR and Western blotting, and the SERPINB3 promoter activity was detected by luciferase assay. The SERPINB3 promoter was more active in the TCA8113 cell line than in the other cell lines. The target therapeutic potential of the toxin vector pSERPINB3‐PE38KDEL was tested in the SERPINB3‐positive TCA8113 cell line, the SERPINB3‐negative MG63 cell line, and normal L02 cell line. The SERPINB3 gene was expressed at a high level in TCA8113 cells but a low level in MG63 and L02 cells. Transfection of the pSERPINB3‐PE38KDEL plasmid effectively inhibited the proliferation and invasion of TCA8113 cells and induced cell apoptosis, but no significant damage to MG63 and L02 cells was observed. The results of in vitro experiments indicated that the pSERPINB3‐PE38KDEL plasmid could be a promising strategy for targeted OSCC gene therapy.
Mn3+ Active Surface Site Enriched Manganese Phosphate Nano‐polyhedrons for Enhanced Bifunctional Oxygen Electrocatalyst
Authors: Chinnadurai Deviprasath , Nallal Muthuchamy , Kim Hee‐Je , Li Oi Lun , Park Kang Hyun , Prabakar Kandasamy
Published: February 2020

Manganese‐based electrocatalyst has a great attention for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) applications, since the discovery of active centre in nature photosynthesis system. The Mn oxidation state optimization and structural defect engineering are essential to get a highly active Mn‐based catalytic materials. MnP showed a good water oxidation activity with a lower overpotential of 286 mV to reach the current density of 10 mA/cm2 and a Tafel slope of 76 mV/dec. Also, the electron transfer number calculated from both the rotating disk electrode and rotating ring‐disk electrode techniques is a quasi‐4 electron transfer process with an onset and halfwave potential of 0.998 V and 0.936 V vs RHE respectively. MnP achieved a higher limiting kinetic current of 5.7 mA/cm2 and a very low H2O2 yield of 1.6 %. Chronoamperometry and cyclic voltammetry studies confirmed the long‐term stability and durability of the prepared catalyst. The variance metrics ΔE [Ej10−Ej‐3] is used to estimate the overall activity from the potential difference between OER overpotential at 10 mA/cm2 and ORR kinetic current at 3 mA/cm2. MnP shows very low ΔE (0.58 V) which demonstrate an efficient bifunctional activity in ORR and OER reactions. This work might shed new light on the development of MnP based bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst.
g‐C3N4/Co Nanohybrids for Ultra‐sensitive Simultaneous Detection of Uric Acid and Dopamine
Authors: Wang Minmin , Zhang Mengke , Zhu Jinli , Wang Jin , Hu Lanping , Sun Tongming , Wang Miao , Tang Yanfeng
Published: February 2020

A highly sensitive and selective electrochemical sensor based on g‐C3N4/Co nanohybrids was developed for simultaneous detection of uric acid and dopamine. The g‐C3N4/Co nanohybrid modified electrode shows excellent catalytic response towards the oxidation of uric acid and dopamine, with an anodic peak during differential pulse voltammetry at around 300 mV and 150 mV (Ag/AgCl) taken at pH 7.4, respectively. Good linear relationships between peak current intensities and concentrations were obtained in the range of 1 to 1000 μM and 1 to 400 μM for uric acid and dopamine, and the limit of detection (S/N=3) was 0.4 μM and 0.5 μM, respectively. Further analysis revealed the key role of synergistic effect of Co NPs and g‐C3N4 in boosting the oxidation of uric acid and dopamine. The newly developed sensor was successfully applied to human serum samples for a fast‐electrochemical determination of uric acid. These results demonstrate that the g‐C3N4/Co nanohybrid is a promising candidate of advanced electrode material in electrochemical sensing and other electrocatalytic applications.
Inside/Outside: Post‐Synthetic Modification of the Zr‐Benzophenonedicarboxylate Metal–Organic Framework
Authors: Mohmeyer Alexander , Schäfer Malte , Schaate Andreas , Locmelis Sonja , Schneider Andreas M. , Behrens Peter
Published: February 2020

The Zr‐based metal–organic framework, Zr‐bzpdc‐MOF, contains the photoreactive linker molecule benzophenone‐4,4′‐dicarboxylate (bzpdc) which imparts the possibility for photochemical post‐synthetic modification. Upon irradiation with UV light, the keto group of the benzophenone moiety will react with nearly every C−H bond‐containing molecule. Within this paper, we further explore the photochemical reactivity of the Zr‐bzpdc‐MOF, especially with regard to which restrictions govern internal versus external reactions. We show that apart from reactions with C−H bond‐containing molecules, the MOF reacts also with water. By studying the reactivity versus linear alcohols we find a clear delineation in that shorter alcohol molecules (up to butanol as a borderline case) react with photoexcited keto groups throughout the whole crystals whereas longer ones react only with surface‐standing keto groups. In addition, we show that with the alkanes n‐butane to n‐octane, the reaction is restricted to the outer surface. We hypothesize that the reactivity of the Zr‐bzpdc‐MOF versus different reagents depends on the accessibility of the pore system which in turn depends mainly on the size of the reagents and on their polarity. The possibility to direct the post‐synthetic modification of the Zr‐bzpdc‐MOF (selective modification of the whole pore system versus surface modification) gives additional degrees of freedom in the design of this metal–organic framework for shaping and for applications.
A Polyoxometalate‐Based Binder‐Free Capacitive Deionization Electrode for Highly Efficient Sea Water Desalination
Authors: Liu Hang , Zhang Juan , Xu Xinxin , Wang Qiang
Published: February 2020

Capacitive deionization is a promising technique in sea water desalination. Compared with common electrodes, mixed capacitive‐deionization electrodes exhibit better performance in sea water desalination because they integrate pseudocapacitance and electric double‐layer capacitance in one system. Herein, a 3D binder‐free mixed capacitive‐deionization electrode was fabricated by direct electrodeposition of SiW12O404− and polyaniline on a 3D exfoliated graphite carrier. In this electrode, SiW12O404−/polyaniline composite particles with a size of about 100–120 nm are dispersed homogenously on the 3D exfoliated graphite carrier. Its specific capacitance reaches 352 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. With increasing current from 1 to 20 A g−1, the specific capacitance only decays by 32 %. When employed in sea water desalination, the performance of this mixed capacitive‐deionization electrode is also excellent. At 1.2 V, the salt adsorption capacity of this mixed electrode reaches 23.1 mg g−1 with a salt adsorption rate of 1.38 mg g−1 min−1 in 500 mg L−1 NaCl. The performance of this electrode is well retained after 30 cycles. The excellent sea water desalination performance originates from the synergistic effect between SiW12O404− and polyaniline. This work has developed polyoxometalate as a new material for capacitive‐deionization electrodes.
Carbon Nitride as a Ligand: Selective Hydrogenation of Terminal Alkenes Using [(η5‐C5Me5)IrCl(g‐C3N4‐κ2N,N’)]Cl
Authors: Coulson Ben , Lari Leonardo , Isaacs Mark , Raines Daniel J. , Douthwaite Richard E. , Duhme‐Klair Anne‐K.
Published: February 2020

Anchoring a homogeneous catalyst onto a heterogeneous support facilitates separation of the product from the catalyst, and catalyst‐substrate interactions can also modify reactivity. Herein we describe the synthesis of composite materials comprising carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) as the heterogeneous support and the well‐established homogeneous catalyst moiety [Cp*IrCl]+ (where Cp*=η5‐C5Me5), commonly used for catalytic hydrogenation. Coordination of [Cp*IrCl]+ to g‐C3N4 occurs directly at exposed edge sites with a κ2N,N’ binding motif, leading to a primary inner coordination sphere analogous to known homogeneous complexes of the general class [Cp*IrCl(NN‐κ2N,N’)]+ (where N,N’=a bidentate nitrogen ligand). Hydrogenation of unsaturated substrates using the composite catalyst is selective for terminal alkenes, which is attributed to the restricted steric environment of the outer coordination sphere at the edge‐sites of g‐C3N4.
Single‐Chain Magnet Based on Cobalt(II) Thiocyanate as XXZ Spin Chain
Authors: Rams Michał , Jochim Aleksej , Böhme Michael , Lohmiller Thomas , Ceglarska Magdalena , Rams Marek M. , Schnegg Alexander , Plass Winfried , Näther Christian
Published: February 2020

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Michał Rams at Jagiellonian University (Kraków, Poland) and colleagues at Christian‐Albrechts‐Universität zu Kiel, Friedrich‐Schiller‐Universität Jena, and Helmholtz‐Zentrum Berlin. The image represents a 1D coordination polymer with Co(II) spins that are flipped by photons during an EPR experiment. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201903924.
Current Statistical Considerations and Regulatory Perspectives on the Planning of Confirmatory Basket, Umbrella, and Platform Trials
Authors: Collignon Olivier , Gartner Christian , Haidich Anna‐Bettina , James Hemmings Robert , Hofner Benjamin , Pétavy Frank , Posch Martin , Rantell Khadija , Roes Kit , Schiel Anja
Published: February 2020

Master protocols have received a growing interest during the last years. By assigning patients to specific substudies, they aim at targeting and accelerating clinical development. Given their complexity, basket, umbrella, and platform designs have raised challenging regulatory and statistical questions, especially the control of multiplicity in confirmatory trials. In basket trials, regulatory assessment of the benefit/risk in pooled populations and choice of the treatment indication is challenging. We provide here our perspectives on these topics. In master protocols, as long as the statistical hypotheses tested between the different substudies are independent, no supplementary adjustment for multiplicity over the different substudies should be required. Moreover, sharing a control arm within an umbrella or a platform trial investigating different drugs would not require a correction for the type I error rate, whereas the chance of multiple false positive regulatory decisions should be recognized. In basket trials, pooling across substudies requires a rationale supporting the intended indication and should be preplanned. Assessment of the benefit/risk in pooled target populations can be complicated by differences in design or in efficacy/safety signals between the substudies. While trials governed by a master protocol can offer logistic and financial advantages, more experience is needed to gain a deeper insight into this novel framework.
Lower eGFR is associated with increased probability of liver fibrosis in Chinese diabetic patients
Authors: Wang Yuying , Yu Yuetian , Wan Heng , Chen Yi , Xia Fangzhen , Zhang Wen , Zhang Kun , Gu Xinjie , Zhang Yihao , Lin Zhiqi , Yu Yuefeng , Wang Ningjian , Lu Yingli
Published: February 2020

Background

Kidney dysfunction is linked to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression including fibrosis, steatosis, or inflammation. We aimed to explore whether lower levels of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was associated with increased probability of liver fibrosis.

Methods

Two thousand six hundred eighty‐nine subjects enrolled from Shanghai, China, were included in this study. NAFLD fibrosis score (NFS) was used to risk stratify NAFLD patients for fibrosis. eGFR was used to assess kidney function. The association of eGFR level with elevated NFS, and thus high risk of fibrosis, was analysed by linear regression and multinomial logistic regression. The predictive power of eGFR was evaluated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

A negative association was found between eGFR and NFS (B = −0.21, 95% CI, −0.37 to −0.04, P = .016). As eGFR quartiles decreased, the prevalence of probable fibrosis increased after adjusting for age, sex, current smoking, waist circumference, duration of diabetes, HbA1c, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance (HOMA‐IR) (Q4: reference; Q3: 1.49, 95% CI, 0.82‐2.71; Q2: 1.88, 95% CI, 0.97‐3.67; Q1: 2.70, 95% CI, 1.36‐5.37, Pfor trend = .002, 1SD increment: 0.73, 95% CI, 0.58‐0.92). The eGFR level can be an effective indicator in differentiating patients with probable presence of fibrosis from those without (AUROC: 0.71, cut‐off point: 92.78 mL/min/1.73 m2, P < .001).

Conclusions

Lower levels of eGFR were associated with higher NFS and thus greater risk of presence of fibrosis in patients with NAFLD and T2DM. Individuals with NAFLD and diabetes should carefully monitor eGFR and receive regular urinalysis, especially when advanced fibrosis is suspected.
Scenario planning as strategic activity: A practice‐orientated approach
Authors: Bowman Gary , MacKay R. Bradley
Published: February 2020

Scenario planning has become detached from its roots in strategic management. The dominance of strategy process research and the search for links to performance and impact have pushed researchers away from strategy perspectives. While the cognitive stream of research has provided many insights, a practice approach is presented as an alternative theoretical perspective that reestablishes the role of strategy in a scenario planning process. Within a strategy‐as‐practice perspective, three areas of significance to practice‐orientated scenario planning research emerge: situated practice, macro influences, and micro activities. Scholarly attention to these areas can enhance current theoretical and practical understanding of scenario planning.
RETRACTED: Consequences of hydrogenated vegetable fat substitution with Ajwa seed oil on physicochemical and nutritional aspects of functional cookies
Authors: Raza Muhammad Qasim , Arshad Muhammad Umair , Arshad Muhammad Sajid , Anjum Faqir Muhammad , Imran Ali , Ahmed Aftab , Munir Haroon
Published: February 2020

The core objectives of the current study were to explore and compare the proximate and nutritive composition of both types of cookies prepared either with Ajwa seed oil (ASO) or hydrogenated vegetable fat (HVF) and comparative analysis of the antioxidantal potential of both cookies and to reconnoiter the storage effects on the quality parameters of the cookies over a period of 60 days. Outcomes revealed that the cookies prepared with the ASO were superior (p < .05) in fat% and energy as compared to the cookies with HVF. Due to the presence of functional moieties, ASO cookies were found with better palatability, increased shelf life with enhanced physical properties and better functionality. Therefore, the findings of the current study revealed that ASO could be used as an alternative fat source for the preparation of novel functional cookies instead of conventional vegetable fats.
Carboniferous–Early Permian sedimentary rocks from the north‐eastern Erenhot, North China: Implications on the tectono‐sedimentary evolution of the south‐eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt
Authors: Ji Zejia , Zhang Zhicheng , Yang Jinfu , Chen Yan , Tang Jianzhou
Published: February 2020

Reconstructing the Late Palaeozoic tectonic process of the Hegenshan Ophiolite Belt is critical for evaluating the protracted accretion and collision history of the south‐eastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The Carboniferous–Permian sedimentary rocks near the Erenhot area are key to revealing the evolutionary history of the Hegenshan Ocean. In this study, new stratigraphic, geochemical, and detrital zircon U–Pb age analyses were conducted on three Carboniferous–Early Permian strata (viz., Halatumiao, Amushan, and Benbatu formations). Deposition of the Halatumiao Formation began around 313 Ma, inferred from a zircon U–Pb age from a lower tuff layer. The end of deposition is constrained by two later intrusive high‐K granite plutons that give ages of 277–285 Ma. The predominant detrital zircon group in these strata is characterized by ages of 340–290 Ma, high positive εHf(t) values, and juvenile TDM2 ages, which suggest adjacent and unitary juvenile provenances. The Halatumiao Formation mainly consists of blackish fine‐grained sedimentary rocks with a thickness of 6–7 km implying a high sedimentation rate and a stable hydrodynamic condition. Thus, the Halatumiao Formation most likely indicates the existence of a deep and wide ocean basin under an effect of long‐lived and continuous extension. The Amushan Formation has a comparable depositional age to the Halatumiao Formation, based on three detrital zircon Palaeozoic age populations with peaks of 317, 389, and 441 Ma, but contains more complex provenances. The Benbatu Formation has an earlier deposition age between ca. 324 and 314 Ma. Its detrital zircons yield a predominant age group at around 410–440 Ma but lack syn‐sedimentary Late Palaeozoic age. Unlike the Halatumiao Formation, the two other formations are considerably smaller in terms of their deposition thickness and outcrop area. The transition from Benbatu to Amushan and Halatumiao formations records the development of a gradually deeper and wider ocean basin in response to a back‐arc extensional setting from the Late Carboniferous to the Early Permian.
Vasomodulators and Liver Transplantation for Portopulmonary Hypertension: Evidence From a Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Deroo Rebecca , Trépo Eric , Holvoet Tom , De Pauw Michel , Geerts Anja , Verhelst Xavier , Colle Isabelle , Van Vlierberghe Hans , Fallon Michael B. , Raevens Sarah
Published: February 2020

Background and Aims

Untreated portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH) carries a poor prognosis. Previous reports have described vasomodulator (VM) therapy and liver transplantation (LT) as treatment options. We aimed to provide summary estimates on the endpoints of pulmonary hemodynamics and survival in patients with PoPH, treated with different modalities.

Approach and Results

We performed a systematic review with meta‐analysis of mainly observational and case‐control studies describing no treatment, VM, LT, or VM + LT in patients with PoPH. Twenty‐six studies (1,019 patients) were included. Both VM and VM + LT improve pulmonary hemodynamics. A substantial proportion of patients treated with VM become eligible for LT (44%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 31‐58). Pooled estimates for 1‐, and 3‐year postdiagnosis survival in patients treated with VM were 86% (95% CI, 81‐90) and 69% (95% CI, 50‐84) versus 82% (95% CI, 52‐95) and 67% (95% CI, 53‐78) in patients treated with VM + LT. Of note, studies reporting on the effect of VM mainly included Child‐Pugh A/B patients, whereas studies reporting on VM + LT mainly included Child‐Pugh B/C. Seven studies (238 patients) included both patients who received VM only and patients who received VM + LT. Risk of death in VM‐only–treated patients was significantly higher than in patients who could be transplanted as well (odds ratio, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.4‐8.8); however, importantly, patients who proceeded to transplant had been selected very strictly. In 50% of patients, VM can be discontinued post‐LT (95% CI, 38‐62).

Conclusions

VM and VM + LT both improve pulmonary hemodynamics and prognosis in PoPH. In a strictly selected subpopulation of cases where LT is indicated based on severe liver disease and where LT is considered safe and feasible, treatment with VM + LT confers a better prognosis. Considering successful VM, 44% can proceed to LT, with half being able to postoperatively stop medication.
The Couette flow of a conducting Jeffrey fluid when the walls are lined with deformable porous material
Authors: Sunil Babu G. , Sreenadh S. , Gopi Krishna G. , Mishra Satyaranjan
Published: February 2020

The paper deals with the flow, past a deformable porous channel bounded by finite deformable porous layer with moving rigid parallel plates. Transverse magnetic field is also applied and incorporated in the momentum equation. The coupled nonlinear equations are transformed to ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with suitable choice of similarity transformation. Further, these sets of nonlinear ODEs are solved analytically and are used to get results for the flow phenomena. The effects of the porous layer thickness and the drag on the flow phenomena are discussed graphically. It is observed that rigid velocity decreases with increasing in the drag, whereas the decrease in the deformable is noted. It is clear to see that the retards in solid displacement are shown with enhancing viscosity parameter η.
Immunologic impact of chemoradiation in cervical cancer and how immune cell infiltration could lead toward personalized treatment
Authors: Lippens Lien , Van Bockstal Mieke , De Jaeghere Emiel A. , Tummers Philippe , Makar Amin , De Geyter Sofie , Van de Vijver Koen , Hendrix An , Vandecasteele Katrien , Denys Hannelore
Published: February 2020

We investigated the potential of tumor‐infiltrating immune cells (ICs) as predictive or prognostic biomarkers for cervical cancer patients. In total, 38 patients treated with (chemo)radiotherapy and subsequent surgery were included in the current study. This unique treatment schedule makes it possible to analyze IC markers in pretreatment and posttreatment tissue specimens and their changes during treatment. IC markers for T cells (CD3, CD4, CD8 and FoxP3), macrophages (CD68 and CD163) and B cells (CD20), as well as IL33 and PD‐L1, were retrospectively analyzed via immunohistochemistry. Patients were grouped in the low score or high score group based on the amount of positive cells on immunohistochemistry. Correlations to pathological complete response (pCR), cause‐specific survival (CSS) and metastasis development during follow‐up were evaluated. In analysis of pretreatment biopsies, significantly more pCR was seen for patients with CD8 = CD3, CD8 ≥ CD4, positive IL33 tumor cell (TC) scores, IL33 IC < TC and PD‐L1 TC ≥5%. Besides patients with high CD8 scores, also patients with CD8 ≥ CD4, CD163 ≥ CD68 or PD‐L1 IC ≥5% had better CSS. In the analysis of posttreatment specimens, less pCR was observed for patients with high CD8 or CD163 scores. Patients with decreasing CD8 or CD163 scores between pretreatment and posttreatment samples showed more pCR, whereas those with increasing CD8 or decreasing IL33 IC scores showed a worse CSS. Meanwhile, patients with an increasing CD3 score or stable/increasing PD‐L1 IC score showed more metastasis during follow‐up. In this way, the intratumoral IC landscape is a promising tool for prediction of outcome and response to (chemo)radiotherapy.
Classification of motor imagery electroencephalography signals using continuous small convolutional neural network
Authors: Rong Yuying , Wu Xiaojun , Zhang Yumei
Published: February 2020

As an important part of brain‐computer interface (BCI), the electroencephalography (EEG) technology of motor imagery (MI) has been gradually recognized for its great theoretical value and practical application. In this study, in view of the different MI tasks corresponding to active region of the EEG signals, we adopt a two‐dimensional form including time, frequency, and electrode location information, then we design a classification method containing continuous small convolutional neural network (CSCNN). This method is mainly used for feature extraction through continuous small convolutional kernels and one rectangle convolutional kernel, and the softmax classifier for classification. In the experiment, classification accuracy and kappa value are used as evaluation criteria to verify the effectiveness of the method proposed in this study. For classification accuracy, BCI competition IV data set 2b is used to compare with the other five classification methods (CNN, CNN‐SAE, stacked autoencoder [SAE], support vector machine [SVM], and one‐dimensional convolution combined with gated recurrent unit [1DCGRU]). The results demonstrate that the overall accuracy of CSCNN is higher than other methods, and CSCNN obtains an average accuracy of 82.8%. For kappa value, BCI competition IV data set 2b is used to compare with the other three methods (filter bank common spatial pattern [FBCSP], Twin SVM, and CNN‐SAE). The performance of CSCNN is better with an average value of 0.663. Overall, the results show that CSCNN maintains a small number of parameters and improves the classification accuracy.
Evaluation of 1‐mm‐diameter endothelialized dense collagen tubes in vascular microsurgery
Authors: Li Xuanyue , Xu Jing , Bartolák‐Suki Erzsébet , Jiang John , Tien Joe
Published: February 2020

Although much progress has been made in engineering vascular grafts for large‐ and small‐diameter arterial repair or bypass, the extension of these results to the microsurgical size scale has been challenging. Here, we evaluated the use of dense collagen tubes (outer diameter 1 mm, inner diameter 0.5 mm) for vascular microsurgery as interpositional grafts to the femoral artery of Lewis rats. These tubes were formed by dehydrating tubular collagen gels around a mandrel, crosslinking them with genipin, seeding with syngeneic endothelial cells, and culturing before implantation by suture anastomosis. The retention of a confluent endothelial lining inside the tubes after mock surgical handling depended strongly on the crosslinker concentration and culture time. Optimized preparation conditions enabled retention of endothelium after mock surgical handling in ~80% of tubes and maintenance of patency 7 days after implantation in ~40% of grafts. Histological analysis showed the development of granulation tissue and the presence of CD31‐positive structures on the inner and outer surfaces of implants. This study provides a proof‐of‐principle demonstration that endothelialized dense collagen tubes can remain patent for up to 7 days after vascular microsurgery, and points to the importance of mild scaffold crosslinking for maintaining firm endothelial adhesion.
Selective metal ion transport through polymer inclusion membrane containing surfactin as carrier reagents
Authors: Sun Chang , Zhou Chenggang , Zhang Dan , Shen Shusu
Published: February 2020

Metal ion selective polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) was prepared by using cellulose triacetate as matrix, surfactin (SF) as ion carrier, and 2‐nitrophenyl n‐octyl ether as plasticizer. The structure and morphology of the prepared PIM were characterized by means of thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of plasticizer and the amount of SF to ionic membrane flux were investigated, and the optimized component was obtained thereof. The selectivity of the membrane toward metal cation was studied and the order of Ni(II) > Ca(II) > Co(II) > Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Mg(II) was followed. In addition, the durability of the PIM was studied by successive reuse of the membrane, and the ionic flux slightly decreased after five cycles of reuse, indicating the excellent durability of the PIM.
PSMC6 promotes osteoblast apoptosis through inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway activation in ovariectomy‐induced osteoporosis mouse model
Authors: Zhang Ying , Cao Xiangyang , Li Peifeng , Fan Yanan , Zhang Leilei , Li Wuyin , Liu Youwen
Published: February 2020

There is now increasing evidence which suggests a key role for osteoblast apoptosis in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis. Here, we evaluated the role and mechanism of proteasome 26S subunit, ATPase (PSMC) 6, a protein that is highly expressed in bone. Gene expression pattern had been extracted based on database of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). GEO2R was employed for analyses, while the DAVID database was adopted to further analyze the gene ontology (GO) as well as Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genomes pathway (KEGG) enrichment. Then, the Search Tool Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) was utilized to carry out interaction regulatory network for the top 200 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). A key gene, called PSMC6, was identified by Cytoscape 3.6.0. The OVX osteoporosis model was established in female C57BL/6 mice by full bilateral ovariectomy. According to our findings, PSMC6 gene knockout would elevate bone mineral density (BMD) and the phosphorylation level of PI3K protein and increased the protein level of cleaved caspase‐3/‐9 in OVX osteoporosis mice. Further, MTT, bromodeoxyuridine, and flow cytometry assays revealed that PSMC6 inhibition promoted the progression of cell cycle and cell proliferation, whereas, PSMC6 overexpression promoted the apoptosis and inhibited cell cycle progression and cell proliferation in vitro. Besides, we found that PI3K activation significantly decreased PSMC6‐induced osteoblast apoptosis and promoted cell proliferation through regulating the protein levels of p53, cyclinD1, and cleaved caspase‐3/9. In conclusion, PSMC6 aggravated the degree of OVX‐induced osteoporosis by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signal transduction pathway, thereby promoting the apoptosis of osteoblasts.
Pak2 inhibition promotes resveratrol‐mediated glioblastoma A172 cell apoptosis via modulating the AMPK‐YAP signaling pathway
Authors: Xing Jin , Wang Zhihan , Xu Hao , Liu Chaobo , Wei Zilong , Zhao Liang , Ren Li
Published: February 2020

As a polyphenolic compound, resveratrol (Res) is widely present in a variety of plants. Previous studies have shown that Res can inhibit various tumors. However, its role in c remains largely unexplored. In the present study, we first demonstrated that Res inhibited cell viability and induced apoptosis of glioblastoma A172 cell. Further experiments showed that Res induced mitochondrial dysfunction and activated the activity of caspase‐9. Functional studies have found that Res treatment is associated with an increase in the expression of Pak2. Interestingly, inhibition of Pak2 could further augment the proapoptotic effect of Res. Mechanistically, Pak2 inhibition induced reactive oxygen species overproduction, mitochondria‐JNK pathway activation, and AMPK‐YAP axis suppression. However, overexpression of YAP could abolish the anticancer effects of Res and Pak2 inhibition, suggesting a necessary role played by the AMPK‐YAP pathway in regulating cancer‐suppressive actions of Res and Pak2 inhibition. Altogether, our results indicated that Res in combination with Pak2 inhibition could further enhance the anticancer property of Res and this effect is mediated via the AMPK‐YAP pathway.
Hypermethylated RASSF1 and SLC5A8 promoters alongside BRAFV600E mutation as biomarkers for papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Khatami Fatemeh , Larijani Bagher , Heshmat Ramin , Nasiri Shirzad , Haddadi‐Aghdam Mohammad , Teimoori‐Toolabi Ladan , Tavangar Seyed M.
Published: February 2020

Circulating cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) has been considered as a diagnostic source to track genetic and epigenetic alterations in cancer. We aimed to study mutation in addition to the methylation status in the promoter regions of RASSF1 and SLC5A8 genes in tissues and circulating free DNA samples of patients affected with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and thyroid nodules as controls. BRAFV600E mutation was studied by ARMS‐scorpion real‐time polymerase chain reaction method in 57 PTC and 45 thyroid nodule cases. Methylation status of RASSF1 and SLC5A8 promoter regions was analyzed by methylation‐specific high‐resolution melting curve analysis. BRAFV600E mutation was found in 39 (68.4%) out of 57 PTC tissue samples, while in 33 (49.1%) cases of cfDNA, this mutation was detected. The frequency of BRAFV600E mutation in cfDNA was significantly different between metastatic and nonmetastatic PTC cases (22 of 33 PTC cases vs. 5 of 34 thyroid nodule samples). Methylation levels of three promoter regions of SLC5A8 and proximal promoter region of RASSF1 was significantly different between PTC and thyroid nodule cases in both cfDNA and tissue DNA. In addition, the methylation status of these two genes in tissue DNA was reflected in methylation status observed in cfDNA. This study confirmed that BRAFV600E mutation is better for discrimination between papillary thyroid carcinoma and thyroid nodules. On the other hand, hypermethylation in the more proximal promoter regions to RASSF1 and SLC5A8 genes showed higher sensitivity and more acceptable specificity for this discrimination.
Role of iNOS in osteoarthritis: Pathological and therapeutic aspects
Authors: Ahmad Nashrah , Ansari Mohammad Y. , Haqqi Tariq M.
Published: February 2020

Accumulating evidence suggests that inflammation has a key role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Nitric oxide (NO) has been established as one of the major inflammatory mediators in OA and drives many pathological changes during the development and progression of OA. Excessive production of NO in chondrocytes promotes cartilage destruction and cellular injury. The synthesis of NO in chondrocytes is catalyzed by inducible NO synthase (iNOS), which is thereby an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of OA. A number of direct and indirect iNOS inhibitors, bioactive compounds, and plant‐derived small molecules have been shown to exhibit chondroprotective effects by suppressing the expression of iNOS. Many of these iNOS inhibitors hold promise for the development of new, disease‐modifying therapies for OA; however, attempts to demonstrate their success in clinical trials are not yet successful. Many plant extracts and plant‐derived small molecules have also shown promise in animal models of OA, though further studies are needed in human clinical trials to confirm their therapeutic potential. In this review, we discuss the role of iNOS in OA pathology and the effects of various iNOS inhibitors in OA.
TGFβ mediated LINC00273 upregulation sponges mir200a‐3p and promotes invasion and metastasis by activating ZEB1
Authors: Sarkar Arnab , Rahaman Ashikur , Biswas Ipsita , Mukherjee Gopeswar , Chatterjee Subhrangsu , Bhattacharjee Shamee , Mandal Deba Prasad
Published: February 2020

Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) is a prominent cytokine that promotes tumor progression by activating epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). This study indicated that TGFβ exerted metastasis by inducing zinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and a long noncoding RNA, LINC00273, expressions in A549 cells. Knocking down LINC00273 diminished TGFβ induced ZEB1 expression as well as metastasis. Mechanistically, LINC00273 acted as a molecular sponge of microRNA (miR)‐200a‐3p which liberate ZEB1 to perform its prometastatic functions. LINC00273 knockdown and miR200a3p mimic transfection of A549 cells were used for validating the link between TGFβ and LINC00273 induced metastasis. RNA pulldown and luciferase assay were performed to establish mir200a‐3p‐LINC00273 interaction. High expressions of LINC00273, TGFβ, and ZEB1 with concurrent low miR200a‐3p expression had been verified in vivo and in patient samples. Overall, LINC00273 promoted TGFβ‐induced lung cancer EMT through miR‐200a‐3p/ZEB1 feedback loop and may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in lung cancer metastasis.
Clinical Pharmacology and Safety of Trifarotene, a First‐in‐Class RARγ‐Selective Topical Retinoid
Authors: Wagner Nathalie , Benkali Khaled , Alió Sáenz Alessandra , Poncet Michel , Graeber Michael
Published: February 2020

Trifarotene is a new drug with retinoic acid receptor activity and selectivity for retinoic acid receptor‐γ. The reported studies aimed at assessing the clinical pharmacology and safety of trifarotene. The clinical pharmacology of topical trifarotene up to 100 µg/g was extensively investigated through 2 maximal usage pharmacokinetic trials (MUsT) conducted in adult (≥18 years) and pediatric patients (9‐17 years) with moderate to severe acne and two studies conducted in healthy volunteers: 1 thorough QTC study and 1 drug‐drug interaction study with concomitantly administered oral levonorgestrel (0.15 mg)/ethinyl estradiol (0.03 mg). Safety assessments included adverse event reporting and assessment of erythema, scaling, dryness, and stinging/burning using a scale from 0 = none to 4 = severe, as well as the evaluation of the systemic safety of trifarotene through routine laboratory testing. Systemic absorption of trifarotene was generally unquantifiable in the target population, especially when applied at 50 µg/g. QTC investigations did not show any risk of cardiovascular health issues; trifarotene did not reduce the systemic exposure to oral contraceptives such as levonorgestrel/ethinyl estradiol. Safety analyses did not show local or systemic safety concerns with trifarotene up 100 µg/g, a dose twice as high as the intended market dose. Results showed that trifarotene 50 µg/g cream is well tolerated and safe, even when applied under maximized conditions in adults and pediatric acne patients presenting with severe acne. Daily use of trifarotene 50 µg/g cream was not associated with cardiovascular effects and did not result in drug‐drug interaction in women of childbearing potential using oral contraception.
Molecularly imprinted polyaniline molecular receptor–based chemical sensor for the electrochemical determination of melamine
Authors: Regasa Melkamu B. , Soreta Tesfaye R. , Femi Olu E. , Ramamurthy Praveen C. , Kumar Saravana
Published: February 2020

Molecularly imprinted polymer‐modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE)‐based electrochemical sensor is prepared using the electropolymerization of aniline in the presence of melamine (MA) as a template. In this work, the advantages of molecularly imprinted conducting polymers (MICPs) and electroanalytical methods were combined to obtain an electronic device with better performances. The sensor performance was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV) with the linear range of 0.6‐16 × 10−9M, quantification limit of 14.9 × 10−10M, and detection limit of 4.47 × 10−10M (S/N = 3). The selectivity of the sensor was tested in the presence of acetoguanamine (AGA), diaminomethylatrazine (DMT), casein, histidine, and glycine interfering molecules taken at the triple concentration with MA that demonstrated too small current response compared with that of the analyte indicating high specificity of the sensor towards the template. The sensor was successfully applied to determine MA in infant formula samples with significant recovery greater than 96% and relative standard deviation (RSD) less than 4.8%. Moreover, the good repeatability, recyclability, and stability make this sensor device promising for the real‐time monitoring of MA in different food stuffs.
Exposure to hepatitis E virus in hemodialysis patients from west‐central Poland
Authors: Bura Maciej , Łagiedo‐Żelazowska Małgorzata , Michalak Michał , Mozer‐Lisewska Iwona , Grzegorzewska Alicja E.
Published: February 2020

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes travel‐related but also locally acquired infections in industrialized parts of the world, including European countries. Food and blood transfusions are possible sources of transmission. Infections caused by zoonotic variants of the virus (particularly HEV‐3) may progress to chronic liver disease in a nonnegligible proportion of immunocompromised people. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of serological markers of HEV infection in 189 patients on renal replacement therapy (RRT, currently on hemodialysis, HD) living in west‐central Poland and to determine the factors related to HEV exposure in this group. Testing was carried out using commonly used commercial assays (Wantai Biological Pharmacy Enterprise Co, Beijing, China). Anti‐HEV IgG was detected in 94 patients (49.7%); none of the participants had anti‐HEV IgM or HEV Ag. Patients on RRT (HD) for less than 6 months were significantly more likely to be anti‐HEV IgG‐positive than dependent of RRT (HD) for more than half a year (80% vs 47%; P = .014). Exposure to HEV in patients from west‐central Poland is frequent, but no clear sources of this infection have been identified. There were no serological features of ongoing liver disease caused by HEV in the study subjects.
Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Propylene Oxide by Double Metal Complex in Micro‐Reactor
Authors: Zhao Jing , Li Bo‐Geng , Bu Zhi‐Yang , Fan Hong
Published: February 2020

The ring‐opening polymerization of propylene oxide catalyzed by double metal complex (DMC) is carried out in continuous micro‐reactor (C‐MR). It is found that the monomer conversion at the C‐MR outlet is usually 100% within 2 min of average residence time, which means that the polymerization rate in the C‐MR is faster than that in a traditional semi‐continuous tank reactor. However, the induction period still exists in the polymerization in C‐MR, but can be shortened by increasing the reaction temperature or the micro‐reactor length. The mechanism of monomer coordination and ring opening on DMC during the induction period is confirmed by the 1H NMR analysis of the samples obtained under very short average residence time. The molecular weight distribution (MWD) of product from C‐MR is generally narrow, which indicates that the process still maintain the characteristics of the “living” polymerization. That is, there is a very high rate ratio of chain transfer to chain propagation provided by the DMC catalyst. However, with the same average residence time, the MWD of product from the longer C‐MR is broader, which can be attributed to the increase of the chain propagation rate caused by rise of pressure.
Baked hydrogel from corn starch and chitosan blends cross‐linked by citric acid: Preparation and properties
Authors: Peidayesh Hamed , Ahmadi Zahed , Khonakdar Hossein Ali , Abdouss Majid , Chodák Ivan
Published: February 2020

Citric acid (CA)–modified hydrogels from corn starch and chitosan were synthesized using a semidry condition. This strategy has great benefits of friendly environment because of the absence of organic solvents and compatible with the industrial process. The hydrogel blends were prepared with starch/chitosan ratios of 75/25, 50/50, and 25/75. The thermal stability, morphology, water absorption, weight loss in water, and methylene blue absorption were determined. Multi‐carboxyl structure of CA could result in a chemical cross‐linking reaction between starch, chitosan, and CA. The cross‐linking reaction between free hydroxyl groups of starch, amino groups of chitosan, and carboxyl groups of CA has been confirmed by attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR‐IR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis. The water absorption properties of CA‐modified hydrogel blends were increased significantly compared with the native starch and chitosan. Moreover, the hydrogel blends modified with CA showed good water resistance and gel content. The morphology study confirmed the complete chemical cross‐linking and porous structure of hydrogel blends. The hydrogel blend with the starch/chitosan ratio of 50/50 presented powerful absorption of methylene blue as well as chemical cross‐linking reaction and dense structure. In sum, the hydrogel blend comprising 50% starch and 50% chitosan has the potential to be applied for water maintaining at large areas, for example, in agriculture.