bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell death markers in patients with cirrhosis and acute decompensation
Authors: Macdonald Stewart , Andreola Fausto , Bachtiger Patrik , Amoros Alex , Pavesi Marco , Mookerjee Rajeshwar , Zheng Yu Bao , Gronbaek Henning , Gerbes Alexander L. , Sola Elsa , Caraceni Paolo , Moreau Richard , Gines Pere , Arroyo Vicente , Jalan Rajiv
Published: October 2017

The aims of this study were to determine the role of cell death in patients with cirrhosis and acute decompensation (AD) and acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) using plasma‐based biomarkers. The patients studied were part of the CANONIC (CLIF Acute‐on‐Chronic Liver Failure in Cirrhosis) study (N = 337; AD, 258; ACLF, 79); additional cohorts included healthy volunteers, stable patients with cirrhosis, and a group of 16 AD patients for histological studies. Caspase‐cleaved keratin 18 (cK18) and keratin 18 (K18), which reflect apoptotic and total cell death, respectively, and cK18:K18 ratio (apoptotic index) were measured in plasma by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. The concentrations of cK18 and K18 increased and the cK18:K18 ratio decreased with increasing severity of AD and ACLF (P < 0.001, respectively). Alcohol etiology, no previous decompensation, and alcohol abuse were associated with increased cell death markers whereas underlying infection was not. Close correlation was observed between the cell death markers and, markers of systemic inflammation, hepatic failure, alanine aminotransferase, and bilirubin, but not with markers of extrahepatic organ injury. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick‐end labeling staining confirmed evidence of greater hepatic cell death in patients with ACLF as opposed to AD. Inclusion of cK18 and K18 improved the performance of the CLIF‐C AD score in prediction of progression from AD to ACLF (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Cell death, likely hepatic, is an important feature of AD and ACLF and its magnitude correlates with clinical severity. Nonapoptotic forms of cell death predominate with increasing severity of AD and ACLF. The data suggests that ACLF is a heterogeneous entity and shows that the importance of cell death in its pathophysiology is dependent on predisposing factors, precipitating illness, response to injury, and type of organ failure. (Hepatology 2018;67:989–1002)
Applications of Cucurbit[n]urils (n=7 or 8) in Pharmaceutical Sciences and Complexation of Biomolecules
Authors: Yin Hang , Wang Ruibing
Published: October 2017

Cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) are two key members of the cucurbit[n]uril (CB[n]) family of macrocycles. Because of the good water solubility of CB[7] and the unique ternary binding properties of CB[8], these two macrocycles have attracted increasing attentions in recent years. In particular, many promising reports of exciting applications regarding CB[7] and CB[8] have emerged in the pharmaceutical sciences and complexations of biomolecules, which has become one of the most important areas of potential applications of CB[n]s. This review summarizes the applications of macrocyclic CB[7], CB[8] and their derivatives as supramolecular platforms that have been developed in recent years within the field of pharmaceutical sciences and biomolecular sciences, and discusses the current challenges and future prospects of this area.
The effect of fertility treatment on adverse perinatal outcomes in women aged at least 40 years
Authors: Harlev Avi , Walfisch Asnat , Oran Eynan , Har‐Vardi Iris , Friger Michael , Lunenfeld Eitan , Levitas Eliahu
Published: October 2017

Objective

To compare perinatal outcomes between spontaneous conception and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) among patients of advanced maternal age.

Methods

The present retrospective study included data from singleton pregnancies of women aged at least 40 years who delivered between January 1, 1991, and December 31, 2013, at Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel. Demographic, obstetric, and perinatal data were compared between pregnancies conceived with ART (in vitro fertilization [IVF] or ovulation induction) and those conceived spontaneously. Multiple regression models were used to define independent predictors of adverse outcomes.

Results

A total of 8244 singleton pregnancies were included; 229 (2.8%) following IVF, 86 (1.0%) following ovulation induction, and 7929 (96.2%) were spontaneous. Preterm delivery (P<0.001), fetal growth restriction (FGR) (P<0.001), and cesarean delivery (P<0.001) demonstrated linear associations with the conception mode; the highest rates for each were observed for IVF, with decreased rates for ovulation induction and spontaneous conception. The incidence of gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders were highest among pregnancies following ART. No association was observed between conception mode and perinatal mortality. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that IVF was independently associated with increased odds of preterm delivery (P<0.001) and FGR (P=0.027) compared with spontaneous conception.

Conclusions

Among patients of advanced maternal age, ART were independently associated with increased FGR and preterm delivery rates compared with spontaneous pregnancies; perinatal mortality was comparable.
Preparing Preservice Educators to Teach Critical, Place‐Based Literacies
Authors: Mendoza Anna
Published: October 2017

Secondary education means helping students develop a diverse repertoire of literacy skills, but the focus has been on disciplinary and digital literacies practiced by geographically distributed communities (an international, middle class curriculum) rather than on practices associated with orality, the trades, and minority, immigrant, and Indigenous knowledges. In contrast, critical approaches to literacy instruction recognize the need to incorporate students’ place‐based funds of knowledge into the curriculum. To illustrate one such approach, this article presents a case study of practitioner research in a secondary teacher education program. Although the syllabus of a core course on adolescent literacies focused on academic and digital ones, teacher candidates who participated in a form of qualitative inquiry called Indigenous métissage had much to say about place‐based funds of knowledge in their subject areas during a field trip and class discussion. These findings suggest that critical, place‐based literacy may be an untapped resource in teacher education.
Collagen‐inducing biologization of prosthetic material for hernia repair: Polypropylene meshes coated with polyP/collagen
Authors: Ackermann Maximilian , Wang Xiaohong , Wang Shunfeng , Neufurth Meik , Schröder Heinz C. , Isemer Friedrich‐Eckart , Müller Werner E.G.
Published: October 2017

Prostethic mesh material such as nonabsorbable polypropylene used in open and laparoscopic hernia repair are characterized by controllable mechanical properties but may elicit undesirable physiological reactions due to the nonphysiological inert polymer material. We succeeded in developing a biocompatible coating for these meshes, based on a physiological inorganic polymer, polyphosphate (polyP) that is morphogenetically active and used as a metabolic energy source, and a collagen matrix. The polyP/collagen hydrogel material was prepared by a freeze‐extraction method, with amorphous Ca‐polyP microparticles. Electron microscopy (SEM and REM) studies revealed that the polyP/collagen coats are built up of ≈50 nm‐sized microparticles deposited onto the collagen matrix which forms a continuous layer around the polypropylene fibers that also spans the mesh pores. This bioresorbable inorganic/organic hybrid coat was found to be degraded during three days of incubation in medium/serum. The biomechanical properties of the coated meshes are comparable to those of the unmodified polypropylene meshes, with a higher toughness in longitudinal orientation and a more pronounced extensibility in the transverse orientation. The polyP/collagen coating improved cell attachment to the polypropylene meshes and strongly increase the growth of fibroblasts (MC3T3‐E1 cells). Furthermore, those mats upregulate the expression of the gene encoding the stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1), a mesenchymal stem cells attracting chemokine in the fibroblasts. We conclude that coating of inert polymer meshes with a biocompatible, collagen‐inducing polyP/collagen inorganic/organic hybrid layer may improve tissue integration of the meshes and the outcome of surgical hernia repair and may redudce the foreign body reaction in contaminated field. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2109–2121, 2018.
Artificial urine and FBS supplemented media in cytocompatibility assays for PLGA‐PEG‐based intravesical devices using the urothelium cell line UROtsa
Authors: Arndt P. , Leistner N. D. , Neuss S. , Kaltbeitzel D. , Brook G. A. , Grosse J.
Published: October 2017

European and German directives for approval of new medical devices require tests for cytotoxicity in relevant media, since urine can influence cytotoxicity of biodegradable devices. The aim of this study was to determine the long‐term cytotoxicity of PLGA‐b‐mPEG (PLGA‐PEG) polymer carriers and artificial urine (AU) to human UROtsa cells. Benign urothelial UROtsa cells were incubated in fetal bovine serum‐containing RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with a range of concentrations of AU for 24 h and 7 days. Cell viability was determined by the XTT assay and by live/dead staining. The cytotoxicity of medium containing degradation products from PLGA‐PEG carriers was also tested on the UROtsa cells in AU‐containing and control medium. PLGA‐PEG carriers exhibited no cytotoxicity to UROtsa cells after 24 h of incubation. However, after 7 days, cytotoxicity was observed, but this was largely attributable to the effects of 30% AU on the cells. Compared to phosphate buffer saline (PBS) and normalized to RPMI 1640 medium, significant cytotoxicity was observed by 24 h in medium containing 50% AU and by 7 days in medium containing 30% AU. Live/Dead staining confirmed proliferation results and no pH‐changes could be observed. Here we demonstrate for the first time the impact of AU on standard cytotoxicity tests related to biomaterials for urinary‐tract applications. Our study showed cytotoxic effects of high concentrations of 50% AU by 24 h and by physiological concentrations of AU (i.e., 30%) by 7 days. We have also demonstrated that PLGA‐PEG has no cytotoxic effects in the appropriate AU‐containing test environment. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2140–2147, 2018.
A novel modeling approach for evaluating microbial mechanism and design of contact stabilization process
Authors: Allı Buşra , İnsel Güçlü , Sözen Seval , Orhon Derin
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

The paper offers a novel interpretation of microbial mechanisms and evaluates the assets of contact stabilization (CS) using multi‐component modelling. A model structure re‐defining microbial processes is adopted, where the function of the contact tank was limited to the utilization of soluble substrate fractions and that of the stabilization tank essentially involved endogenous decay and removal of the adsorbed particulate substrate.

RESULTS

The model was used to simulate the microbial behaviour and performance of CS in comparison with a conventional activated sludge system (CAS), at an SRT range between 6 and 15 d. The results were confirmed by a stoichiometric description of the process using relevant mass balance relationships, which identified the role of major parameters in system behaviour and performance. A rational process design procedure was proposed based on modelling and process stoichiometry.

CONCLUSION

The CS process achieved effective carbon removal with a much smaller footprint and/or aeration volume with respect to CAS, due to its ability to work at significantly higher volumetric organic loadings; its flexibility to be operated at much higher SRT compared with CAS with the same HRT, allowed minimizing sludge production and sustaining a microbial composition also supporting nitrification. However, process stoichiometry reflected that the CS process, despite its significant advantages, should not be considered a suitable candidate for maximizing sludge harvest and energy recovery. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Purification of influenza virus‐like particles using sulfated cellulose membrane adsorbers
Authors: B Carvalho Sofia , Fortuna A Raquel , Wolff Michael W , Peixoto Cristina , M Alves Paula , Reichl Udo , JT Carrondo Manuel
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Vaccines based on virus‐like particles (VLPs) are an alternative to inactivated viral vaccines that combine good safety profiles with strong immunogenicity. In order to be economically competitive, efficient manufacturing is required, in particular downstream processing, which often accounts for major production costs. This study describes the optimization and establishment of a chromatography capturing technique using sulfated cellulose membrane adsorbers (SCMA) for purification of influenza VLPs.

RESULTS

Using a design of experiments approach, the critical factors for SCMA performance were described and optimized. For optimal conditions (membrane ligand density: 15.4 µmol cm−2, salt concentration of the loading buffer: 24 mmol L‐1 NaCl, and elution buffer: 920 mmol L‐1 NaCl, as well as the corresponding flow rates: 0.24 and 1.4 mL min−1), a yield of 80% in the product fraction was obtained. No loss of VLPs was detected in the flowthrough fraction. Removal of total protein and DNA impurities were higher than 89% and 80%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Use of SCMA represents a significant improvement compared with conventional ion exchanger membrane adsorbers. As the method proposed is easily scalable and reduces the number of steps required compared with conventional purification methods, SCMA could qualify as a generic platform for purification of VLP‐based influenza vaccines. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Evaluation of the efficiency of three extraction conditions for the immunochemical detection of allergenic soy proteins in different food matrices
Authors: Amponsah Amma , Nayak Balunkeswar
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown the need to improve soy allergen extraction using different extraction conditions to ensure more accurate results in allergen detection. This study investigated some of these extraction conditions to confirm that these methods, especially ultrasound‐assisted extraction (UAE) and the use of Laemmli buffer instead of the conventional extraction with phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS), could be helpful in improving the extraction step in allergen detection.

RESULTS

Higher total soluble protein was obtained in all samples extracted with Laemmli buffer alone and in combination with ultrasound. For immunochemical detection of soy proteins by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), comparable detection was observed in extracts from all extraction conditions in all commercial samples with the exception of table cracker and veggie burger, where significantly higher detection was seen in extracts from Laemmli buffer only. For the dry mix and cookie samples, the degree of soy protein detection with ELISA varied among the different extraction conditions, but overall, extraction with only Laemmli buffer showed higher detection.

CONCLUSION

Laemmli buffer with conventional extraction and UAE may be better alternatives or additional extraction methods in soy allergen detection. Different food matrices performed differently (whether it was for the recovery of total proteins or detection by ELISA) under different extraction conditions. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of functional extruded snacks by utilizing paste shrimp (Acetes spp.): process optimization and quality evaluation
Authors: Kumar Raushan , Xavier KA Martin , Lekshmi Manjusha , Dhanabalan Vignaesh , Thachil Madonna T , Balange Amjad K , Gudipati Venkateshwarlu
Published: October 2017

BACKGROUND

Functional extruded snacks were prepared using paste shrimp powder (Acetes spp.), which is rich in protein. The process variables required for the preparation of extruded snacks was optimized using response surface methodology. Extrusion temperature (130–144 °C), level of Acetes powder (100–200 g kg−1) and feed moisture (140–200 g kg−1) were selected as design variables, and expansion ratio, porosity, hardness, crispness and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance value were taken as the response variables.

RESULTS

Extrusion temperature significantly influenced all the response variables, while Acetes inclusion influenced all variables except porosity. Feed moisture content showed a significant quadratic effect on all responses and an interactive effect on expansion ratio and hardness. Shrimp powder incorporation increased the protein and mineral content of the final product. The extruded snack made with the combination of extrusion temperature 144.59 °C, feed moisture 178.5 g kg−1 and Acetes inclusion level 146.7 g kg−1 was found to be the best one based on sensory evaluation.

CONCLUSION

The study suggests that use of Acetes species for the development of extruded snacks will serve as a means of utilization of Acetes as well as being a rich source of proteins for human consumption, which would otherwise remain unexploited as a by‐catch. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Complications After Endoscopic Laryngopharyngeal Surgery
Authors: Kishimoto Yo , Sogami Tohru , Uozumi Ryuji , Funakoshi Makiko , Miyamoto Shin‐ichi , Kitamura Morimasa , Suzuki Chiaki , Muto Manabu , Tateya Ichiro , Omori Koichi
Published: October 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

Endoscopic laryngopharyngeal surgery (ELPS), a hybrid of head and neck surgery and gastrointestinal endoscopic treatment, has been attracting attention as a new therapeutic modality for superficial laryngopharyngeal cancers. Although this technique is less invasive than traditional open procedures, some complications including postoperative bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema, or aspiration pneumonia can occur after treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the complications associated with ELPS to better understand the indications for this procedure.

Study Design

Retrospective medical chart review.

Methods

One hundred five patients with 159 laryngeal or pharyngeal lesions were treated with ELPS between August 2009 and September 2015 at Kyoto University Hospital. In total, 147 resections were performed, and complications after the resections were reviewed.

Results

Of the 147 resections, postoperative bleeding, subcutaneous emphysema, and aspiration pneumonia were observed in 10, 17, and 10 cases, respectively. All cases with postoperative bleeding and aspiration pneumonia occurred in patients over 65 years of age. A history of taking anticoagulation/platelet medications, and macroscopic 0–IIa lesions were shown to correlate with postoperative bleeding after ELPS. Resection of lesions in the pyriform sinus was found to be associated with subcutaneous emphysema.

Conclusions

All complications after ELPS were safely managed. A history of taking anticoagulation/platelet medications and macroscopic 0–IIa lesions were identified as risk factors for postoperative bleeding, whereas resection of pyriform sinus lesions was found to be a risk factor for subcutaneous emphysema. These risk factors should be carefully considered when treating pharyngeal and laryngeal lesions by ELPS.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:1546–1550, 2018
New gap results on the 4‐dimensional sphere
Authors: Barbosa Ezequiel , Freitas Allan , Gonçalves Antonio Rosivaldo
Published: October 2017

A result showed by M. Gursky in ensures that any metric g on the 4‐dimensional sphere satisfying and is isometric to the round metric. In this note, we prove that there exists a universal number i0 such that any metric g on the 4‐dimensional sphere satisfying and is isometric to the round metric. Moreover, there exists a universal such that any metric g on the 4‐dimensional sphere with nonnegative sectional curvature, and is isometric to the round metric. This last result slightly improves a rigidity theorem also proved in .
Does organizational creativity always drive market performance?
Authors: Boso Nathaniel , Donbesuur Francis , Bendega Terver , Annan Jonathan , Adeola Ogechi
Published: October 2017

This study develops and tests arguments that the relationship between organizational creativity and market performance is channeled through new product development (NPD) capability, and that the indirect effect of creativity on performance, via NPD capability, is conditional upon levels of environment dynamism and market responsiveness. The proposed relationships are tested on a sample of 221 small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in a major sub‐Saharan African market. Findings from the study indicate that process and product NPD capabilities partially mediate the effect of novelty and usefulness elements of organizational creativity on market performance. The study further finds that while environment dynamism weakens the indirect effects of novelty and usefulness of organizational creativity, via process and product NPD capabilities, on market performance, the effects are strengthened under conditions of greater responsiveness to target market needs. A theoretical contribution from this study is the finding that how organizational creativity dimensions drive market performance is more complex than previously thought: it depends on whether or not organizational creativity components are first used to develop an organization's process and product innovation capabilities, and whether target market environment conditions are dynamic and an organization has ability to respond to target market demands.
Lipo‐Protein Emulsion Structure in the Diet Affects Protein Digestion Kinetics, Intestinal Mucosa Parameters and Microbiota Composition
Authors: Oberli Marion , Douard Véronique , Beaumont Martin , Jaoui Daphné , Devime Fabienne , Laurent Sandy , Chaumontet Catherine , Mat Damien , Le Feunteun Steven , Michon Camille , Davila Anne‐Marie , Fromentin Gilles , Tomé Daniel , Souchon Isabelle , Leclerc Marion , Gaudichon Claire , Blachier François
Published: October 2017

Scope

Food structure is a key factor controlling digestion and nutrient absorption. We test the hypothesis that protein emulsion structure in the diet may affect digestive and absorptive processes.

Methods & Results

Rats (n = 40) are fed for 3 weeks with two diets chemically identical but based on lipid–protein liquid‐fine (LFE) or gelled‐coarse (GCE) emulsions that differ at the macro‐ and microstructure levels. After an overnight fasting, they ingest a 15N‐labeled LFE or GCE test meal and are euthanized 0, 15 min, 1 h, and 5 h later. 15N enrichment in intestinal contents and blood are measured. Gastric emptying, protein digestion kinetics, 15N absorption, and incorporation in blood protein and urea are faster with LFE than GCE. At 15 min time point, LFE group shows higher increase in GIP portal levels than GCE. Three weeks of dietary adaptation leads to higher expression of cationic amino acid transporters in ileum of LFE compared to GCE. LFE diet raises cecal butyrate and isovalerate proportion relative to GCE, suggesting increased protein fermentation. LFE diet increases fecal Parabacteroides relative abundance but decreases Bifidobacterium, Sutterella, Parasutterella genera, and Clostridium cluster XIV abundance.

Conclusion

Protein emulsion structure regulates digestion kinetics and gastrointestinal physiology, and could be targeted to improve food health value.
Scan–rescan of axcaliber, macromolecular tissue volume, and g‐ratio in the spinal cord
Authors: Duval Tanguy , Smith Victoria , Stikov Nikola , Klawiter Eric C. , Cohen‐Adad Julien
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Recent MRI techniques have been introduced that can extract microstructural information in the white matter, such as the density or macromolecular content. Translating quantitative MRI to the clinic raises many challenges in terms of acquisition strategy, modeling of the MRI signal, artifact corrections, and metric extraction (template registration and partial volume effects). In this work, we investigated the scan–rescan repeatability of several quantitative MRI techniques in the human spinal cord.

Methods

AxCaliber metrics, macromolecular tissue volume, and the fiber g‐ratio were estimated in the spinal cord of eight healthy subjects, scanned and rescanned the same day in two different sessions.

Results

Scan–rescan repeatability deviation was 3% for all metrics, in average in the white matter of all subjects. Intraclass correlation coefficient was up to 0.9. A three‐way analysis of variance showed significant effects of white matter pathway, laterality, and subject.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that quantitative MRI gives stable measurements of white matter microstructure in the spinal cord of healthy subjects. Our findings remain to be evaluated in diseased populations. Magn Reson Med 79:2759–2765, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Quality of clinical brain tumor MR spectra judged by humans and machine learning tools
Authors: Kyathanahally Sreenath P. , Mocioiu Victor , Pedrosa de Barros Nuno , Slotboom Johannes , Wright Alan J. , Julià‐Sapé Margarida , Arús Carles , Kreis Roland
Published: October 2017

Purpose

To investigate and compare human judgment and machine learning tools for quality assessment of clinical MR spectra of brain tumors.

Methods

A very large set of 2574 single voxel spectra with short and long echo time from the eTUMOUR and INTERPRET databases were used for this analysis. Original human quality ratings from these studies as well as new human guidelines were used to train different machine learning algorithms for automatic quality control (AQC) based on various feature extraction methods and classification tools. The performance was compared with variance in human judgment.

Results

AQC built using the RUSBoost classifier that combats imbalanced training data performed best. When furnished with a large range of spectral and derived features where the most crucial ones had been selected by the TreeBagger algorithm it showed better specificity (98%) in judging spectra from an independent test‐set than previously published methods. Optimal performance was reached with a virtual three‐class ranking system.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that feature space should be relatively large for the case of MR tumor spectra and that three‐class labels may be beneficial for AQC. The best AQC algorithm showed a performance in rejecting spectra that was comparable to that of a panel of human expert spectroscopists. Magn Reson Med 79:2500–2510, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Polypropylene copolymer films: Heat sealing and oligomer/additive migration
Authors: Ganguly Ranadip
Published: October 2017

Ease of heat sealing and oligomer/additive migration are two important and often interrelated phenomena that affect the engineering performance of high clarity polypropylene random copolymer (RCP) films. From a fundamental standpoint, this work investigates the non‐standard microstructural aspects that play a critical role in the heat sealing process of semicrystalline polymer films. Two different propylene–ethylene copolymers having widely different seal initiation temperatures (SITs) but similar melting points were chosen for this study. The contribution of both the amorphous phase and the crystalline phase to heat sealing was investigated utilizing dynamic mechanical analysis and thermal fractionation differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. Results indicate that the melting distribution of the thermally fractionated material plays a critical role in determining SIT while the effect of the mobility of the amorphous phase was found to be insignificant. In order to deeply understand the molecular origin of this difference in melting distribution or lamellar thickness distribution, the composition distribution of the co‐monomer was measured using Gel Permeation Chromatography‐Infra‐Red (GPC‐IR) and found to be fundamentally different. In addition, this work systematically studies the effect of oligomer/additive migration on optics, co‐efficient of friction (CoF), and most importantly heat sealing behavior. Migration is found to dramatically increase the SIT and haze while decrease the CoF of PP RCP films. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1479–1484, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging: A Novel Tool for the Identification and Classification of Amyloidosis
Authors: Winter Martin , Tholey Andreas , Kristen Arnt , Röcken Christoph
Published: October 2017

Amyloidosis is a group of diseases caused by extracellular accumulation of fibrillar polypeptide aggregates. So far, diagnosis is performed by Congo red staining of tissue sections in combination with polarization microscopy. Subsequent identification of the causative protein by immunohistochemistry harbors some difficulties regarding sensitivity and specificity. Mass spectrometry based approaches have been demonstrated to constitute a reliable method to supplement typing of amyloidosis, but still depend on Congo red staining. In the present study, we used matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging coupled with ion mobility separation (MALDI‐IMS MSI) to investigate amyloid deposits in formalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded tissue samples. Utilizing a novel peptide filter method, we found a universal peptide signature for amyloidoses. Furthermore, differences in the peptide composition of ALλ and ATTR amyloid were revealed and used to build a reliable classification model. Integrating the peptide filter in MALDI‐IMS MSI analysis, we developed a bioinformatics workflow facilitating the identification and classification of amyloidosis in a less time and sample‐consuming experimental setup. Our findings demonstrate also the feasibility to investigate the amyloid's protein composition, thus paving the way to establish classification models for the diverse types of amyloidoses and to shed further light on the complex process of amyloidogenesis.
Reaction mechanism of chitosan/acrylamides dimer: A DFT study
Authors: Gao Xujing , Liu Wentao , Liu Hao , He Suqin , Tang Mingsheng , Zhu Chengshen
Published: October 2017

Environment‐sensitive hydrogel is a sensitive hydrogel that responses to outside stimuli. A new temperature‐ and pH‐sensitive hydrogel is able to been prepared by radiation polymerization or emulsion polymerization method combining with the excellent thermosensitive poly(N‐isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM), and the pH‐sensitive chitosan (CS). However, it is different to understand the reaction mechanisms thoroughly unless we can obtain more details at the molecular level. In this work, the reaction mechanism of chitosan and acrylamides (AMs, that is AM or NIPAM) dimer was shed light on by using the density functional theory (DFT), to investigate all possible reaction channels and reveal the underlying nature of polymerization at the micro level. The geometric structures of all stationary points in the reaction pathways were optimized. The reaction takes place via 3 possible reaction channels, which are RCSN + AMs → RCSN/AMs, RCSO3 + AMs → RCSO3/AMs, and RCSO5 + AMs → RCSO5/AMs. Comparing the energy barriers of these reaction pathways at a higher level, RCSO5 + AMs → RCSO5/AMs is the main pathway for forming RCS/AMs. According to the variations of bond‐lengths and the corresponding vibration peaks, it is confirmed that there are intramolecular hydrogen bond interactions in RCSO3/AMs dimer and RCSO5/AMs dimer.
Atmospheric pressure surface modification and cross‐linking of UHMWPE film and inside HDPE tube by transporting discharge
Authors: Valinataj Omran Azadeh , Baitukha Alibi , Pulpytel Jerome , Sohbatzadeh Farshad , Arefi‐Khonsari Farzaneh
Published: October 2017

In this work, the surface modification of ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), a linear polymer, by a helium transporting discharge at atmospheric pressure was investigated by means of FTIR, AFM, XPS, ToF‐SIMS, and contact angle measurements. Two types of discharge configurations, that is, jet and glow of the transporting discharge for the surface treatment of polymer substrates were studied. The results show that the position of the UHMWPE polymer substrates plays an important role in the surface modification and stability of the treatment. The polymer substrates placed inside the transporting discharge tube present more stable wettability and surface modification. In addition, the transporting discharge was used to modify the inner surface of the high density polyethylene tube.
Thermal Behavior and Decomposition Kinetics of Bis(2,2,2‐trinitroethyl)‐oxalate as a High Energy Dense Oxidizer and its Mixture with Nitrocellulose
Authors: Abd‐Elghany Mohamed , Klapötke Thomas M. , Elbeih Ahmed
Published: October 2017

A new propellant formulation (NC‐BTNEOx) based on bis(2,2,2‐trinitroethyl)oxalate (BTNEOx) as a high energy dense oxidizer (HEDO) mixed with nitrocellulose (NC) matrix was prepared and studied. BTNEOx was prepared and characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). Photos of the prepared formulation obtained by scanning electron microscope (SEM) clarified a good mixing of the nitrocellulose (NC) matrix with BTNEOx. A smokeless burning was observed and recorded for the prepared NC‐BTNEOx by a high speed camera. The thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of the NC matrix, BTNEOx and their mixture have been investigated nonisothermally by using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Isoconversional (model‐free) methods; Kissinger, Ozawa and Flynn−Wall (OFW) and Kissinger−Akahira−Sunose (KAS), were used to determine the kinetic parameters of the studied samples. The results proved that BTNEOx has melting temperature at 104.1 °C and maximum peak temperature at 200.6 °C, also it has effective activation energy in the range of 107–110 kJ/mol. The prepared NC‐BTNEOx has no endothermic peak and has exothermic peak at 201.7 °C which means that a composite might be formed due to the mixing of BTNEOx with NC. The prepared NC‐BTNEOx has effective activation energy in the range of 172–180 kJ/mol. BTNEOx required more study to proof the possibility of replacing the nitroglycerine in a smokeless double base propellant.
Dielectric Losses of Paper in the THz Domain: Literature Review, Needs for Future Research, and Prospective Solutions
Authors: Huber Patrick , Martinez Philippe , Guers Cyril , Garet Frédéric , Borel Pascal
Published: October 2017

High frequency paper‐based electronics is developing fast, with smart yet low cost applications in view. However, the dielectric losses of paper remain a difficult hurdle to overcome. First, the literature on the topic is reviewed and the contributions from moisture, air, mineral filler, and wood constituents to dielectric losses are highlighted. Then, the guidelines for future research are defined, including the need for systematic comparisons in controlled moisture conditions. In an effort to produce low loss materials for paper‐based electronics, it is proposed here to impregnate paper with a low loss substance, after removing residual water.
Improvement of Photoelectrochemical and Stability Properties of Electrodeposited Cu2O Thin Films by Annealing Processes
Authors: Jamali Soolmaz , Moshaii Ahmad , Mohammadian Nasim
Published: October 2017

The synthesization of Cu2O thin films by electrodeposition for photoelectrochemical water splitting is reported. The synthesized Cu2O samples are annealed at different temperatures between 300 and 500 °C. The XRD analysis and SEM images indicate that the sample without annealing includes Cu2O grains with pyramid shape. With annealing to more than 300 °C, due to the oxidization of the sample, a thin layer of CuO appears on the original Cu2O film and the crystalline signatures of such CuO structure increase with annealing at higher temperatures. The photoelectrochemical measurements indicate that annealing pure Cu2O by more than 300 °C, remarkably increases the photocurrent achieved from this photocathode. The effect is accompanied with considerable improvement of chemical stability of the original Cu2O electrode during water splitting. Such protection effect, which is originated from generation of CuO on the samples, increases with the annealing temperature up to 500 °C. However, the best photocurrent from the Cu2O/CuO composite is obtained from the annealing temperature of about 400 °C. The results of impedance analysis of various annealed samples indicate that annealing at a higher temperature, better charge transfer occurs both at the interface of photocathode/electrolyte and inside the photocathode.
Post‐disaster assessment with unmanned aerial vehicles: A survey on practical implementations and research approaches
Authors: Recchiuto Carmine Tommaso , Sgorbissa Antonio
Published: October 2017

In this paper, we provide a review of the principal aspects related to search & rescue (SAR) with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), with particular interest in the phase of post‐disaster assessment (PDA). Some areas of interest related to this topic have been chosen for the analysis: the aerial platforms used in the field, multirobot software architectures, onboard sensors and simultaneous localization and mapping approaches, terrain coverage algorithms, autonomous navigation techniques, and human‐swarm interfaces. All these aspects have been analyzed with respect to the state‐of‐the‐art, and also in relation to the project PRISMA, which focuses on the development and deployment of robots and autonomous systems that can operate in emergency scenarios, with a specific reference to monitoring and real‐time intervention.
Fos Promotes Early Stage Teno-Lineage Differentiation of Tendon Stem/Progenitor Cells in Tendon
Authors: Chen Jialin , Zhang Erchen , Zhang Wei , Liu Zeyu , Lu Ping , Zhu Ting , Yin Zi , Backman Ludvig J. , Liu Huanhuan , Chen Xiao , Ouyang Hongwei
Published: October 2017

Stem cells have been widely used in tendon tissue engineering. The lack of refined and controlled differentiation strategy hampers the tendon repair and regeneration. This study aimed to find new effective differentiation factors for stepwise tenogenic differentiation. By microarray screening, the transcript factor Fos was found to be expressed in significantly higher amounts in postnatal Achilles tendon tissue derived from 1 day as compared with 7-days-old rats. It was further confirmed that expression of Fos decreased with time in postnatal rat Achilles tendon, which was accompanied with the decreased expression of multiply tendon markers. The expression of Fos also declined during regular in vitro cell culture, which corresponded to the loss of tendon phenotype. In a cell-sheet and a three-dimensional cell culture model, the expression of Fos was upregulated as compared with in regular cell culture, together with the recovery of tendon phenotype. In addition, significant higher expression of tendon markers was found in Fos-overexpressed tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs), and Fos knock-down gave opposite results. In situ rat tendon repair experiments found more normal tendon-like tissue formed and higher tendon markers expression at 4 weeks postimplantation of Fos-overexpressed TSPCs derived nonscaffold engineering tendon (cell-sheet), as compared with the control group. This study identifies Fos as a new marker and functional driver in the early stage teno-lineage differentiation of tendon, which paves the way for effective stepwise tendon differentiation and future tendon regeneration.
High Relaxivity Gadolinium‐Polydopamine Nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Zhao , Carniato Fabio , Xie Yijun , Huang Yuran , Li Yiwen , He Sha , Zang Nanzhi , Rinehart Jeffrey D. , Botta Mauro , Gianneschi Nathan C.
Published: October 2017

This study reports the preparation of a series of gadolinium‐polydopamine nanoparticles (GdPD‐NPs) with tunable metal loadings. GdPD‐NPs are analyzed by nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion and with a 7‐tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. A relaxivity of 75 and 10.3 mM−1 s−1 at 1.4 and 7 T is observed, respectively. Furthermore, superconducting quantum interference device magnetometry is used to study intraparticle magnetic interactions and determine the GdPD‐NPs consist of isolated metal ions even at maximum metal loadings. From these data, it is concluded that the observed high relaxivities arise from a high hydration state of the Gd(III) at the particle surface, fast rate of water exchange, and negligible antiferromagnetic coupling between Gd(III) centers throughout the particles. This study highlights design parameters and a robust synthetic approach that aid in the development of this scaffold for T1‐weighted, high relaxivity MRI contrast agents.
Driving to Work: The Front Seat Work of Paramedics to and from the Scene
Authors: Corman Michael K.
Published: October 2017

The work paramedics do in the front of the ambulance on their way to and from the scene is central to the safety and well‐being of both paramedics and patients. However, most research on paramedics and emergency medical services assumes rather than empirically explores the actual happenings of what paramedics do in the front of their ambulance. In this article, I move beyond this taken‐for‐granted understanding of front‐seat work by taking readers in the front of the ambulance and exploring the hidden work paramedics do on their way to and from the scene. I draw on data from an institutional ethnography into the socially organized work and work settings of paramedics, which included over 200 hours of observations and over 100 interviews with paramedics. This article adds to research on the sociology of work and health and illness by focusing explicitly on how paramedics give meaning to their work setting, the social conditions and relations central to their work practices, and how their work knowledge is actually put into practice. In doing so, I shed light on an ever‐important occupational group in health care that has garnered little sociological attention to date.
mRNA transport in fungal top models
Authors: Niessing Dierk , Jansen Ralf‐Peter , Pohlmann Thomas , Feldbrügge Michael
Published: October 2017

Eukaryotic cells rely on the precise determination of when and where proteins are synthesized. Spatiotemporal expression is supported by localization of mRNAs to specific subcellular sites and their subsequent local translation. This holds true for somatic cells as well as for oocytes and embryos. Most commonly, mRNA localization is achieved by active transport of the molecules along the actin or microtubule cytoskeleton. Key factors are molecular motors, adaptors, and RNA‐binding proteins that recognize defined sequences or structures in cargo mRNAs. A deep understanding of this process has been gained from research on fungal model systems such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Ustilago maydis. Recent highlights of these studies are the following: (1) synergistic binding of two RNA‐binding proteins is needed for high affinity recognition; (2) RNA sequences undergo profound structural rearrangements upon recognition; (3) mRNA transport is tightly linked to membrane trafficking; (4) mRNAs and ribosomes are transported on the cytoplasmic surface of endosomes; and (5) heteromeric protein complexes are, most likely, assembled co‐translationally during endosomal transport. Thus, the study of simple fungal model organisms provides valuable insights into fundamental mechanisms of mRNA transport boosting the understanding of similar events in higher eukaryotes. WIREs RNA 2018, 9:e1453. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1453

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Recognition

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > RNA–Protein Complexes

RNA Export and Localization > RNA Localization
Meeting report of the 8th International Conference on cGMP “cGMP: generators, effectors, and therapeutic implications” at Bamberg, Germany, from June 23 to 25, 2017
Authors: Friebe Andreas , Sandner Peter , Schmidtko Achim
Published: October 2017

Although the Nobel Prize for the discovery of nitric oxide (NO) dates back almost 20 years now, the knowledge about cGMP signaling is still constantly increasing. It looks even so that our understanding of the role of the soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) and particulate guanylyl cyclase (pGC) in health and disease is in many aspects at the beginning and far from being understood. This holds even true for the therapeutic impact of innovative drugs acting on both the NO/sGC and the pGC pathways. Since cGMP, as second messenger, is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous diseases within the cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal, and endocrine systems and also plays a role in neuronal, sensory, and tumor processes, drug applications might be quite broad. On the 8th International Conference on cGMP, held in Bamberg, Germany, world leading experts came together to discuss these topics. All aspects of cGMP research from the basic understanding of cGMP signaling to clinical applicability were discussed in depth. In addition, present and future therapeutic applications of cGMP-modulating pharmacotherapy were presented (http://www.cyclicgmp.net/index.html).
Synthesis, Characterization, Surface Properties and Micellization Behaviour of Imidazolium‐based Ionic Liquids
Authors: Pillai Prathibha , Pal Nilanjan , Mandal Ajay
Published: October 2017

Ionic liquids (IL) have emerged as a prospective new material for a wide range of industrial applications, owing to their unique structures and properties. Hence, understanding the structure–property relationships of IL is very important for both fundamental and industrial applications. In this study, a series of imidazolium‐based IL with different chain lengths, namely C8mimBF4, C10mimBF4 and C12mimBF4, were synthesized. Their molecular structures were confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) revealed that the IL synthesized were thermally stable in the desired temperature range. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) results of IL was analyzed in order to understand the effect of alkyl length on micellar size. Conductivity and surface tension measurements were carried out to determine the adsorption and aggregation characteristics in aqueous solutions. The influences of temperature as well as alkyl chain length on viscosity were also investigated. Surface adsorption parameters such as surface excess, minimum area, effectiveness and efficiency were also determined from equilibrium surface tension data. A careful analysis of the thermodynamic aspects of air‐ionic liquid aqueous systems reveals that free energies of adsorption are favoured over micellization for all systems.