bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Volume‐Stable Collagen Matrix and Modified Coronally Advanced Flap to Treat Multiple Gingival Recessions Associated With Partially Restored Non‐Carious Cervical Lesions: A Case Report
Authors: Santamaria Mauro Pedrine , Miguel Manuela Maria Viana , Rossato Amanda , Bonafé Ana Carolina Ferreira , Ferraz Laís Fernanda Ferreira , dos Santos Lucio Murilo , Mathias‐Santamaria Ingrid Fernandes
Published: December 2020

Introduction

Gingival recession (GR) is a prevalent problem that is related to esthetic demands and dentin hypersensitivity. Frequently, GR is associated with non‐carious cervical lesion (NCCLs) forming a combined defect (CD), which requires restorative and surgical treatment. Connective tissue graft procedures allow predictable root coverage but can result in patient discomfort.

Case Presentation

This first case report describes multiple GRs associated with B+ NCCL at teeth #4 and #6 of a 27‐year‐old patient with a thin periodontal phenotype. The aim of this report was to evaluate the 6‐month outcome of a new volume‐stable collagen matrix (VCMX) combined with modified coronally advanced flap (MCAF) and partial restoration to treat CDs. After 6 months, significant improvement was observed regarding CD coverage (69.05%), recession reduction (2.25 mm), gingival thickness gain (0.74 mm), and keratinized tissue width gain (0.75 mm). In addition, excellent esthetic evaluation and patient comfort were achieved by using the biomaterial.

Conclusion

VCMX associated with MCAF and partial restoration may be an option to treat multiple recession defects plus B+ NCCLs.
Propensity to use smartbands to engage with brands and the moderating role of the bandwagon effect on satisfaction
Authors: Oyedele Adesegun , Goenner Emily
Published: December 2020

This study investigated factors that predict propensity to use smartbands to engage with brands. The study shows that the bandwagon effect moderates the relationship between self‐monitoring, personal attachment, ease of use, convenience value, and satisfaction with smartbands. Since the strong bandwagon effect diminishes the relationship between perceived ease of use and satisfaction levels, managers can take steps to moderate that relationship. As compared to previous customer engagement studies rooted in the traditional idea of personalized communication with consumers, such as customized emails and messages, this study underscores the importance of community engagement by studying the bandwagon effect to see how different customers respond to brand engagement through smartbands. Suggestions for managers are provided.
Can human brands help consumers eat better? Influence of emotional brand attachment, self‐identification, and brand authenticity on consumer eating habits
Authors: Guèvremont Amélie
Published: December 2020

This research studies the positive role of culinary human brands in helping consumers improve their eating habits (i.e., eat healthier, adopt a varied diet, and cook more) through the influence of emotional brand attachment—induced by actual and ideal self‐congruence—and while considering the moderating role of perceived brand authenticity. An online questionnaire was administered to 501 adults from a panel. Participants had to meet specific criteria—having a strong interest in food and cooking and being highly attached to a culinary human brand. Results were analyzed through structural equation modeling. Results reveal the influence of attachment in helping consumers improve their eating habits. The role of connection with consumer identity in inducing attachment is supported and characterized by a greater impact of the actual self. The moderating influence of brand authenticity is confirmed. This research suggests that culinary human brands can positively influence consumer food‐related decisions by serving as relevant identity resources. Results indicate that focusing on authenticity is a promising strategy to pursue human brands. Overall, this research calls for brands to think about how they can positively impact consumer lives, more specifically by helping them make better food decisions, ultimately contributing to their well‐being.
Chemical Constituents of Species in the Genus Pleione (Orchidaceae) and the Implications from Molecular Phylogeny
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhang Lin‐Fei , Deng Yu , Qin Jiao , Zhang Shi‐Bao , Hu Jiang‐Miao
Published: December 2020

Pleiones are popular ornamental orchids and different species of Pleione are long being used as traditional medicine in many Asian countries. However, previous chemical investigations of the genus Pleione are restricted to only a few species. In the present study, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of Pleione plants was established, which in particular, eight common peaks were confirmed in 16 species/hybrids. Three of the compounds corresponding to the chromatographic peaks were identified by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI‐tandem‐MS). HPLC analysis confirmed the studied taxa shared most of chemical compounds but the content of chemical compounds was significantly different between species. Comparison of hierarchical clustering result with phylogenetic tree revealed that closely related species have higher similarities in chemical constituents. In consideration of low chemical similarity between spring‐flowering and autumn‐flowering species, we suggest a discrimination of these two groups during medicinal use of the genus Pleione. Species with a large pseudobulb and with high content of a certain compound should be given priority in future artificial cultivation and medicinal cultivar breeding. We hope our findings will contribute to the quality control and promote conservation of such endangered plant group.
miR‐34a attenuates myocardial fibrosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy mice via targeting Pin‐1
Authors: Zhang Xiao‐long , Zhang Gang , Bai Ze‐hong
Published: December 2020

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is characterized by myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of microRNA (miR)‐34a on myocardial fibrosis in DCM and its potential mechanism of targeting Pin‐1 signaling. Vimentin and Pin‐1 proteins in mouse cardiac tissues were detected by immunohistochemical staining. Locked nucleic acid in situ hybridization was used to measure miR‐34a expression in cardiac tissues. Primary mouse cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) were transfected with a mimics control/miR‐34a mimics or Pin‐1 plasmid and cultured in high‐glucose (HG) Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium. The miR‐34a levels were measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The apoptosis and viability of transfected cells were detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling and Cell Counting Kit‐8 assays respectively. A cell migration experiment and dual‐luciferase reporter assay were also performed. The body weight and fasting blood glucose of DCM mice were significantly higher than those in the control (CTL) group. In addition, DCM mice had decreased serum insulin levels and impaired cardiac function. The number of CFs in the DCM group was higher than in the CTL group and Pin‐1 expression was upregulated. The expression level of miR‐34a in the cardiac tissue of mice in the DCM group was obviously downregulated compared with the CTL group. The HG stimulation of CFs for 48 h significantly downregulated the expression level of miR‐34a and was associated with increased Type I collagen expression, cell viability, and migration and decreased apoptosis. However, these effects could be reversed by overexpressing miR‐34a in HG‐induced CFs. Furthermore, we found that Pin‐1 was a direct target of miR‐34a. Our results suggest that miR‐34a can attenuate myocardial fibrosis in DCM by reducing Type I collagen production, cell viability, and migration and increasing the apoptosis of CFs by targeting Pin‐1 signaling.
Predicting the Sonochemical Efficiency for Water Decontamination: An Upscaled Numerical Approach
Authors: Kerboua Kaouther , Hamdaoui Oualid , Alghyamah Abdulaziz
Published: December 2020

A numerical modeling approach is presented, predicting the sonochemical efficiency for water decontamination integrally based on microscale activity of a single bubble, coupled to macroscale energetic balance on a batch sonochemical reactor volume. The sonochemical efficiency is axed on the powerful oxidative effect of HO• radicals on organic substrates. Spatial average values of bubble number densities were estimated at each instant of the acoustic period along a reactor of a hypothetical length λ. As a direct result, the kinetics of the sonochemical emergence of HO• led to spatial average production rates of 0.251 and 0.299 µmol dm−3min−1 under respective frequencies of 20 and 443 kHz, for a defined irradiation time of 50 µs.
Ferrous to Ferric Transition in Fe‐Phthalocyanine Driven by NO2 Exposure
Authors: Cojocariu Iulia , Carlotto Silvia , Sturmeit Henning Maximilian , Zamborlini Giovanni , Cinchetti Mirko , Cossaro Albano , Verdini Alberto , Floreano Luca , Jugovac Matteo , Puschnig Peter , Piamonteze Cinthia , Casarin Maurizio , Feyer Vitaliy , Schneider Claus Michael
Published: December 2020

Due to its unique magnetic properties offered by the open‐shell electronic structure of the central metal ion, and for being an effective catalyst in a wide variety of reactions, iron phthalocyanine has drawn significant interest from the scientific community. Nevertheless, upon surface deposition, the magnetic properties of the molecular layer can be significantly affected by the coupling occurring at the interface, and the more reactive the surface, the stronger is the impact on the spin state. Here, we show that on Cu(100), indeed, the strong hybridization between the Fe d‐states of FePc and the sp‐band of the copper substrate modifies the charge distribution in the molecule, significantly influencing the magnetic properties of the iron ion. The FeII ion is stabilized in the low singlet spin state (S=0), leading to the complete quenching of the molecule magnetic moment. By exploiting the FePc/Cu(100) interface, we demonstrate that NO2 dissociation can be used to gradually change the magnetic properties of the iron ion, by trimming the gas dosage. For lower doses, the FePc film is decoupled from the copper substrate, restoring the gas phase triplet spin state (S=1). A higher dose induces the transition from ferrous to ferric phthalocyanine, in its intermediate spin state, with enhanced magnetic moment due to the interaction with the atomic ligands. Remarkably, in this way, three different spin configurations have been observed within the same metalorganic/metal interface by exposing it to different doses of NO2 at room temperature.
Ring Expansion of Thiolactams via Imide Intermediates: An Amino Acid Insertion Strategy
Authors: Shang Jing , Thombare Varsha J. , Charron Carlie L. , Wille Uta , Hutton Craig A.
Published: December 2020

The AgI‐promoted reaction of thiolactams with N‐Boc amino acids yields an N‐(α‐aminoacyl) lactam that can rearrange through an acyl transfer process. Boc‐deprotection results in convergence to the ring‐expanded adduct, thereby facilitating an overall insertion of an amino acid into the thioamide bond to generate medium‐sized heterocycles. Application to the site‐specific insertion of amino acids into cyclic peptides is demonstrated.
Remote colorimetric measurements by hyperspectral lidar compared to contact conventional colorimetry
Authors: Angelini Federico , Felici Anna C. , Franchi Martina , Spizzichino Valeria
Published: December 2020

Lidars have many applications in different fields, including the field of Cultural Heritage. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a scanning hyperspectral lidar prototype developed at ENEA Center of Frascati as a useful tool for colorimetric analysis when samples cannot be studied with standard contact instruments. A certified X‐Rite Color‐checker sample, consisting of 24 colored blocks with a coordinated colorimetric certificate, was analyzed. In order to obtain colorimetric data from the reflectance spectra, the precepts of the Commission de l'Éclairage were followed and an algorithm was developed to calculate the color difference between the certified values of the Color‐checker and commercial and non‐commercial spectrophotometers and those obtained by the lidar, confirming this latter as a useful tool for remote colorimetry.
A botnets control strategy based on variable forgetting rate of control commands
Authors: Wang Song , Elahi Haroon , Hu Yanzhu , Zhang Yixin , Wang Jiao
Published: December 2020

Botnets take advantage of the vulnerabilities in the device‐to‐device (D2D) communication in the Internet of Things (IoT) systems. The infect devices may become part of the command and control mechanism of Botnets. These infected devices may forget control commands to remain undetected. State‐of‐the‐art control models for botnets based on how devices are infected and patched in IoT systems while dealing with Botnets assume that the rate at which IoT devices forget the control commands (forgetting rate) is constant and known. These control models ignore the possible variability of the forgetting rate, which may enable bots to operate without being detected. This research fills this gap by proposing a modeling‐based strategy that considers the changes in equipment states and repair speed when the forgetting rate is variable. In this regard, first, based on the state‐of‐the‐art botnets control model, the effect of variation in the forgetting rate is analyzed. After that, an improved strategy is proposed for the botnets control model when the forgetting rate is unknown. Finally, the experimental evaluation of the proposed strategy is performed that proves the correctness of the proposed control strategy.
Highly Efficient Sodium‐Ion Storage Enabled by an rGO‐Wrapped FeSe2 Composite
Authors: Zhang Yawei , Wu Yuanke , Zhong Wei , Xiao Fangyuan , Kashif Aslam Muhammad , Zhang Xuan , Xu Maowen
Published: December 2020

Exploitation of superior anode materials is a key step to realize the pursuit of high‐performance sodium‐ion batteries. In this work, a reduced graphene oxide‐wrapped FeSe2 (FeSe2@rGO) composite derived from a metal–organic framework (MOF) was synthesized to act as the anode material of sodium‐ion batteries. The MOF‐derived carbon framework with high specific surface area could relieve the large volumetric change during cycling and ensure the structural stability of electrode materials. Besides, the rGO conductive network allowed to promote the electron transfer and accelerate reaction kinetics as well as to provide a protection role for the internal FeSe2. As a result, the FeSe2@rGO composite exhibited a high capacity of 350 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles at 5 A g−1. Moreover, in situ XRD was conducted to explore the reaction mechanism of the FeSe2@rGO composite upon sodiation/de‐sodiation. Importantly, the presented method for the synthesis of MOF‐derived materials wrapped by rGO could not only be used for FeSe2@rGO‐based sodium‐ion batteries but also for the different transition metal‐based composite materials for electrochemical devices, such as water splitting and sensors.
A selected small molecule prevents inflammatory osteolysis through restraining osteoclastogenesis by modulating PTEN activity
Authors: Chen Yueqi , Hu Wenhui , Wang Yiran , Li Yuheng , Li Xiaoming , Li Haibo , Tang Yong , Zhang Lincheng , Dong Yutong , Yang Xiaochao , Wei Ye , Dong Shiwu
Published: December 2020

Background

Inflammatory osteolysis is a severe infectious bone disorder that occurs during orthopaedic surgery and is caused by disruptions in the dynamic balance of bone matrix homeostasis, which makes this condition a burden on surgical procedures. Developing novel therapeutic drugs about inhibiting excessive osteoclastogenesis acts as an efficient approach to preventing inflammatory bone destruction.

Methods

To study this, we explored the potential effects and mechanisms of compound 17 on inflammatory osteolysis in vitro. Meanwhile, a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced calvarial osteolysis mouse model was used to evaluate the protective effect of compound 17 on inflammatory bone destruction in vivo.

Results

In our study, we found that compound 17 could inhibit osteoclast (OC) differentiation and bone resorption during RANKL and LPS stimulation in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner, while compounds 5 and 13 did not have the same effects. Mechanistically, compound 17 promoted phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) activity by reducing PTEN ubiquitination, thereby restraining the RANKL‐induced NF‐κB pathway, resulting in the inhibition of the expression of osteoclastogenesis‐related genes and the formation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Additionally, we also investigated whether compound 17 could negatively modulate macrophage polarization and repolarization due to its anti‐inflammatory effects. Moreover, compound 17 also plays an important role in osteoblast differentiation and mineralization. In vivo experiments showed that compound 17 could effectively protect mice from LPS‐induced inflammatory bone destruction by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and inflammation.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results show that compound 17 might play protective role in inflammatory bone destruction through inhibiting osteoclastogenesis and inflammation. These findings imply a possible role of compound 17 in inflammatory osteolysis‐related diseases.
Hydrothermal Approach for Reticular Synthesis of Coordination Assemblies with Dicarboxylatotetramethyldistannoxanes as the Secondary Building Units
Authors: Shankar Ravi , Dubey Archishmati
Published: December 2020

Hydrothermal reaction of trimethyltin chloride with 1,2,4,5‐benzenetetracarboxylic acid (H4L1), 2,3‐pyridinedicarboxylic acid (H2L2) or 1,4,5,8‐naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid 4,5‐anhydride (H2L3) under optimized pH (5–6) and temperature (130 °C) results in the isolation of new dicarboxylatotetramethyldistannoxane‐based two‐/three‐dimensional coordination assemblies, [{Me2Sn(L1)0.25}2O] (1, 2 as supramolecular isomers), [{Me2Sn(L2)0.5}2O] (3) and [{Me2Sn(L3)0.5}2O] (4). The reaction in each case proceeds with selective cleavage of Sn–C bond. Analogous reaction of trimethyltin chloride with H4L1 at 100 °C affords [Me3Sn(L1)0.25] (5). The supramolecular coordination isomers 1 and 2 with cds and lvt network topologies, respectively are the first representatives among the distannoxane family; the latter confers large solvent accessible voids of 37 % per unit cell. The formation of ladder distannoxane, [{Me2Sn(O2C)}2O]2 as a common structural motif in 1, 3 and 4 is a manifestation of a predefined geometry of the inorganic secondary building unit (SBU) and follows the benchmark of reticular chemistry approach. The coordination assembly, 5 adopts an eight‐connected uninodal net that belongs to bcu topology. These are thermally stable up to 250–400 °C and retain their crystallinity even after exposure to hydrothermal treatment for 24 h.
Optimization and validation of a new approach based on CE‐HRMS for the screening analysis of novel psychoactive substances (cathinones, phenethylamines, and tryptamines) in urine
Authors: Gottardo Rossella , Sorio Daniela , Soldati Giulia , Ballotari Marco , Porpiglia Nadia Maria , Tagliaro Franco
Published: December 2020

The continuous introduction in the market of new psychoactive drugs (NPS) represents a well‐known international emergency. Indeed, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime are paying great attention to the spread of NPS. In addition to the traditional analytical approaches based on GC‐MS and HPLC‐MS, also CE coupled with MS has proved to be a precious tool for the toxicological screening of biosamples. On these grounds, the aim of the present work was to test the application of CE‐HRMS as a new screening tool for the rapid detection of these novel drugs in urine. Separations were performed in an uncoated fused‐silica capillary with id of 75 μm with a total length of 100 cm, by applying a constant voltage of 15 kV. The QTOF‐MS was implemented with an electrospray ion source operating in positive ionization full scan mode in the range of 100–1000 m/z. Under these conditions, different NPS has been tested, including eight cathinones, five phenethylamine, and seven tryptamines. The method was validated after optimization of the following analytical parameters: BGE composition and pH, separation voltage, sheath liquid composition, and flow rate and ESI source settings. The applicability of the method was successfully tested by analyzing a series of real urine samples obtained from drug users.
Resolving mode mixing in boiling water reactors instability analysis using variational mode decomposition
Authors: Montalvo Cristina , Gavilán Carlos J. , García‐Berrocal Agustin , Torres Luis A.
Published: December 2020

In dynamic, complex and nonlinear systems, the analysis of transients, instabilities or unusual events is fundamental, as well as the knowledge of the system's behavior in the frequency space. What is usual in this type of study is to have discrete and digitally acquired data, due to a sampling process with a determined period or frequency. Extracting information from this data set is done by numerical methods, such as the Fourier Transform (FFT), the Hilbert‐Huang Transform (HHT) or techniques from chaos mathematics (Attractors). In this way we have scarce data, with some loss of information, analyzed with numerical techniques that introduce, also, some dilution of the information. In particular, the techniques of analysis in the frequency space, by their very nature, blur, frequencies and bandwidths. This leads in some cases to the identification of unsuitable or very wide frequencies or intervals, which make the extracted information unusable. To this effect, we have studied the VMD technique that provides more real and representative frequencies of the system as well as narrower bandwidths that make possible better identification of phenomena and influences. This technique has been applied to the analysis of thermohydraulic instabilities in nuclear boiling water reactors (BWR). The cases had already been analyzed with STFT and HHT techniques. The results of the application of the VMD shows that the mode mixing is solved, so modes obtained are monofrequency and these frequency bands are narrower than in previous methodologies. This improved performance allows using backbone plots for identifying which modes are excited in instabilities events.
Partial leaching effect to Pt decorated Pd‐Fe/C nanoparticles for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Zhang Libo , Wang Xiaoran , Bayati Maryam , Xu Ben Bin , Liu Terence Xiaoteng , Zhu Hong
Published: December 2020

A facile route to produce high‐performance Pt@Pd‐Fe/C oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalysts are explained in this article. The surface modification of partial leaching of Fe from Pd‐Fe nanoparticles followed by Pt decoration using microwave‐assisted method has largely enhanced the catalytic performances. Herein, we show that alloying Pd with Fe atoms improves the catalytic activity toward ORR by expending lattices to tune the strain and ligand effect. Further modification by partially leaching Fe atoms from the core surface can increase the active sites, the trace amounts of Pt decorated on the modified Pd‐Fe cores improved the ORR activity and stability by controlling the strain effect and ligand effect between Pt, Fe and Pd. Such a special designed structure interacts to give further improved the ORR catalytic performances which is higher than commercial Johnson Matthey Pt/C catalysts, and shed a light of mass production low‐cost catalyst.
Towards cough sound analysis using the Internet of things and deep learning for pulmonary disease prediction
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Abhishek Kumar , Ghalib Muhammad R. , Nerurkar Pranav , Shah Kunjal , Chandane Madhav , Bhirud Sunil , Patel Dhiren , Busnel Yann
Published: December 2020

Cough is a symptom in over a hundred respiratory diseases. The audio features in cough signals contain erudition about the predicament of the respiratory system. Using deep learning or signal processing, these features can be used to build an effective disease prediction system. However, cough analysis remains an area that has received scant attention from machine learning researchers. This can be attributed to several factors such as inefficient ancillary systems, high expenses in obtaining datasets, or difficulty in building classifiers. This article categorized and reviewed the current progress on cough audio analysis for the classification of pulmonary diseases. It also explored potential future issues in research. In addition, it proposed a model for the classification of 10 serious pulmonary ailments commonly seen in Indian adolescents. The proposed model is evaluated against four existing state‐of‐the‐art techniques in the literature.
Managing groundwater for building resilience for sustainable agriculture in South Asia
Authors: Sikka Alok K. , Alam Mohammad Faiz , Pavelic Paul
Published: December 2020

South Asia's heavy reliance on groundwater for irrigated agricultural production supports the livelihoods of tens of millions of smallholder farmers but is being undermined by rampant overexploitation of groundwater. Without major intervention, this is expected to be further exacerbated by growing demand and climate change. Groundwater management, scientific and evidence‐based, can make an important contribution to managing unsustainable groundwater use and strengthening the climate resilience of farmers due to groundwater's unique storage characteristics. This study brings together a set of strategies and solutions to better manage groundwater that cover the augmentation of groundwater recharge through managed aquifer recharge, management of groundwater demand through participatory groundwater management and other methods, and the harnessing synergies of co‐dependent sectors. The opportunities, constraints and available evidence for each are analysed and the boundaries, barriers and specificities identified to establish entry points for positive change through policies and implementation programmes.
Expression levels of miR‐27a, miR‐329, ABCA1, and ABCG1 genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and their correlation with serum levels of oxidative stress and hs‐CRP in the patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Rafiei Ali , Ferns Gordon A. , Ahmadi Reza , Khaledifar Arsalan , Rahimzadeh‐Fallah Tina , Mohmmad‐Rezaei Mina , Emami Shohreh , Bagheri Nader
Published: December 2020

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease with high mortality worldwide. The reverse cholesterol transport pathway in macrophage plays an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD) and is strongly controlled by regulatory factors. The microRNAs can promote or prevent the formation of atherosclerotic lesions by post‐transcriptional regulation of vital genes in this pathway. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the expression levels of miR‐27a, miR‐329, ABCA1, and ABCG1 genes and serum levels of hs‐CRP, ox‐LDL, and indices of oxidative stress in the patients with established CAD and controls. A total of 84 subjects (42 patients with CAD and 42 controls) were included in this study. Expression levels of miR‐27a‐3p, miR‐329‐3p, ABCA1, and ABCG1 genes in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and serum concentration of hs‐CRP and ox‐LDL were measured by real time‐PCR and ELISA, respectively. Also, oxidative stress parameters in the serum were evaluated by ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays. ABCA1 and ABCG1 gene expression in PBMC and serum concentration of FRAP were significantly lower in the CAD group compared to the control group. Expression levels of miR‐27a and miR‐329 and serum levels of hs‐CRP, ox‐LDL, and MDA were significantly higher in the CAD group compared to the control group. Serum levels of hs‐CRP, ox‐LDL, and expression level of miR‐27a have inversely related to ABCA1 and ABCG1 gene expression in all the subjects. An increase in the expression levels of miR‐27a and miR‐329 may lead to the progression of atherosclerosis plaque by downregulating the expression of ABCA1 and ABCG1 genes.
Graph decompositions in projective geometries
Authors: Buratti Marco , Nakić Anamari , Wassermann Alfred
Published: December 2020

Let PG be the ‐dimensional projective space over and let be a simple graph of order for some . A design over is a collection of graphs (blocks) isomorphic to with the following properties: the vertex set of every block is a subspace of PG; every two distinct points of PG are adjacent in exactly blocks. This new definition covers, in particular, the well‐known concept of a design over corresponding to the case that is complete. In this study of a foundational nature we illustrate how difference methods allow us to get concrete nontrivial examples of ‐decompositions over or for which is a cycle, a path, a prism, a generalized Petersen graph, or a Moebius ladder. In particular, we will discuss in detail the special and very hard case that is complete and , that is, the Steiner 2‐designs over a finite field. Also, we briefly touch the new topic of near resolvable designs over . This study has led us to some (probably new) collateral problems concerning difference sets. Supported by multiple examples, we conjecture the existence of infinite families of Γ‐decompositions over a finite field that can be obtained by suitably labeling the vertices of Γ with the elements of a Singer difference set.
A cross‐sectional multicenter survey on the future of dental education in the era of COVID‐19: Alternatives and implications
Authors: Haridy Rasha , Abdalla Moamen A. , Kaisarly Dalia , Gezawi Moataz El
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has significantly challenged dental education. This study investigated the procedures outlined by dental faculty members to maintain quality dental education in a safe bioenvironment and adequately control the risk of cross‐infection

Method

Dental educators from dental schools around the world were invited to join an online survey considering different demographic factors. The survey consisted of 31 questions that were classified into separate sections, including academic characteristics, college size and facilities, action taken after announcement of the COVID‐19 pandemic, perception of the pandemic, opinion regarding teaching, patient flow, possible facilities to implement for short‐ and long‐term plans, and actions suggested to deal with the COVID‐19 pandemic

Results

Two hundred‐twelve responses were received. Respondents commonly agreed that COVID‐19 will have major negative effects on dental education, adversely affecting all clinical disciplines. Shifting to virtual curricula, simulation labs, and distant learning were the prevailing actions taken in different dental colleges during the pandemic. Special attention was raised by the majority of respondents regarding dental aerosolizing procedures, preferring to postpone their training to a postpandemic/later phase. Coinciding opinions suggested adopting a future dynamic hybrid strategy analysis that combines online distant learning, virtual simulation, and haptic labs together with traditional direct clinical training on real patients

Conclusion

The future of dental education will have far‐reaching changes in strategies and tools to cope with COVID‐19 pandemic and the postpandemic requirements of an effective, yet safe, dental learning environment. Dental colleges need to invest in infection precautions and in modern virtual education and training facilities.
Photonic Technologies for Liquid Biopsies: Recent Advances and Open Research Challenges
Authors: Dell'Olio Francesco , Su Judith , Huser Thomas , Sottile Virginie , Cortés‐Hernández Luis Enrique , Alix‐Panabières Catherine
Published: December 2020

The recent development of sophisticated techniques capable of detecting extremely low concentrations of circulating tumor biomarkers in accessible body fluids, such as blood or urine, could contribute to a paradigm shift in cancer diagnosis and treatment. By applying such techniques, clinicians can carry out liquid biopsies, providing information on tumor presence, evolution, and response to therapy. The implementation of biosensing platforms for liquid biopsies is particularly complex because this application domain demands high selectivity/specificity and challenging limit‐of‐detection (LoD) values. The interest in photonics as an enabling technology for liquid biopsies is growing owing to the well‐known advantages of photonic biosensors over competing technologies in terms of compactness, immunity to external disturbance, and ultrahigh spatial resolution. Some encouraging experimental results in the field of photonic devices and systems for liquid biopsy have already been achieved by using fluorescent labels and label‐free techniques and by exploiting super‐resolution microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, surface‐enhanced Raman scattering, and whispering gallery mode resonators. The current state‐of‐the‐art is critically reviewed here, starting from the requirements imposed by the detection of the most common circulating biomarkers. Open research challenges are considered together with competing technologies, and the most promising paths of improvement are discussed for future applications.
A Pichia biosensor for high‐throughput analyses of compounds that can influence mosquito behavior
Authors: Varela Julia Nogueira , Yadav Vikramaditya G.
Published: December 2020

Mosquitoes utilize their sense of smell to locate prey and feed on their blood. Repellents interfere with the biochemical cascades that detect odors. Consequently, repellants are highly effective and resource‐efficient alternatives for controlling the spread of mosquito‐borne illnesses. Unfortunately, the discovery of repellents is slow, laborious, and error‐prone. To this end, we have taken a giant stride toward improving the speed and accuracy of repellant discovery by constructing a prototypical whole‐cell biosensor for accurate detection of mosquito behavior‐modifying compounds such as repellants. As a proof‐of‐concept, we genetically engineered Pichia pastoris to express the olfactory receptor co‐receptor (Orco) of Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. This transmembrane protein behaves like a cationic channel upon activation by stimulatory odorants. When the engineered Pichia cells are cultured in calcium‐containing Hank's buffer, induction of the medium with a stimulatory odorant results in an influx of calcium ions into the cells, and the stimulatory effect is quantifiable using the calcium‐sequestering fluorescent dye, fluo‐4‐acetoxymethyl ester. Moreover, the stimulatory effect can be titrated by adjusting either the concentration of calcium ions in the medium or the level of induction of the stimulatory odorant. Subsequent exposure of the activated Pichia cells to a repellant molecule inhibits the stimulatory effect and quenches the fluorescent signal, also in a titratable manner. Significantly, the modular architecture of the biosensor allows easy and efficient expansion of its detection range by co‐expressing Orco with other olfactory receptors. The high‐throughput assay is also compatible with robotic screening infrastructure, and our development represents a paradigm change for the discovery of mosquito repellants.
p21‐activated kinase 4 promotes the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by targeting LASP1
Authors: Huang Hui , Xue Qianqian , Du Xiaoge , Cui Jie , Wang Jing , Cheng Dan , Li Jiaqiong , Zheng Yaqiu , Huang Guojing , Zhang Keke , Liu Kangdong , Lu Jing , Zhao Jimin , Chen Xinhuan , Dong Ziming , Li Xiang
Published: December 2020

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract in humans. Several studies have indicated that PAK4 is associated with the risk of ESCC and may be a potential druggable kinase for ESCC treatment. However, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown. The aim of our study is to identify the functional role of PAK4 in ESCC. To determine the expression of PAK4 in ESCC, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were performed, and the results showed that PAK4 is significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues and cell lines compared with normal controls and normal esophageal epithelial cell line. To further investigate the role of PAK4 in ESCC, cell viability assays, anchorage‐independent cell growth assays, wound healing assays, cellular invasion assays, in vivo xenograft mouse models, and metastasis assays were conducted, and the results showed that PAK4 can significantly facilitate ESCC proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. To determine the potential target of PAK4 in ESCC progression, a pull‐down assay was performed, and the results showed that LASP1 may be a potential target of PAK4. An immunoprecipitation assay and confocal microscopy analysis confirmed that PAK4 can bind to and colocalize with LASP1 in vitro and in cells. Notably, rescue experiments further illustrated the mechanistic network of PAK4/LASP1. Our research reveals the oncogenic roles of PAK4 in ESCC and preliminarily elucidates the mechanistic network of PAK4/LASP1 in ESCC.
Tocilizumab inhibits IL‐8 and the proangiogenic potential of triple negative breast cancer cells
Authors: Alraouji Noura N. , Aboussekhra Abdelilah
Published: December 2020

Triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive subtype of the disease with lack of recognized molecular targets for therapy. TNBC cells are known to secrete high levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and IL‐8, which promote angiogenesis and favor the growth and spread of the disease. In the present study, we have shown that the humanized anti‐IL‐6 receptor tocilizumab (Actemra) is also a potent inhibitor of IL‐8 in TNBC cells. Similar effect was also obtained by specific IL‐6 inhibition either by small interfering RNA or by neutralizing antibody. Likewise, neutralizing IL‐8 with specific antibody downregulated IL‐8 and inhibited the IL‐6/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and nuclear factor‐κB pathways. Interestingly, simultaneous co‐inhibition of IL‐6 and IL‐8 did not increase the effects of the single inhibitors. Additionally, we present clear evidence that tocilizumab has potent antiangiogenic effect. Indeed, tocilizumab abolished the ability of TNBC cells to induce the differentiation of endothelial cells into network‐like tubular structures in vitro and impaired neovascularization in humanized breast orthotopic tumor xenografts. This was associated with tocilizumab‐dependent downregulation of the main proangiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor A and its coactivator hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 both in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, tocilizumab could be of great therapeutic value for TNBC patients through targeting angiogenesis.
The synthesis of multiblock copolymer brush based on DSPAAC and CuAAC click reaction
Authors: Xiao Lifen , Li Jie , Li Wenyi , Li Wei , Huang Geng
Published: December 2020

Multiblock copolymer brushes have broad application in thermoplastic elastomers, drug delivery, porous materials, and nanolithography due to their unique structure and properties. In this research, a novel multiblock copolymer brush (PHEA‐g‐PEG)x‐co‐ (PEG23)y was synthesized by combining the efficient double strain‐promoted azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (DSPAAC) and copper‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) click reactions. The gel permeation chromatography (GPC), proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (1H NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the prepared polymers. The results demonstrated that the novel multiblock copolymer brush was successfully prepared. The mole ratio was 1/0.84 between block PHEA‐g‐PEG and block PEG23, and the grafting density was 100%. The AFM image showed the morphologies of cylinder, sphere, and beads on a string owning to the random distribution of PHEA‐g‐PEG and PEG.
On the one‐dimensional Morse potential as limit of a class of multiparameter exponential‐type radial potential
Authors: Peña José Juan , Morales Jesús , García‐Ravelo Jesús , Avendaño Jaime , García‐Martínez Jesús
Published: December 2020

Despite their differences, the exponential‐type radial potential and the Morse potential can be compared not only analytically but also through spectroscopic calculations. In this work, the eigensolutions of the Schrödinger equation coming from the hypergeometric differential equation are used to show the relationship that exist between the Morse potential and a class of multiparametric exponential‐type radial (MER) potential. To do that, we rewrite the MER potential and its corresponding energy spectrum such that their main parameters as its depth V0, the equilibrium point re and its width parameter β explicitly appear in the potential. After, through the infinity limit applied to the re parameter we show that the MER potential tends to the Morse potential. Likewise, under the same limit, the energy spectrum and the number of bound states tend to those of the Morse potential which indicates the equivalence of using the Morse potential or MER potentials in the calculation of spectroscopic transitions for diatomic molecules. As a useful application, we select particular values of the involved parameters in the MER potential in such a way that leads to the Poschl–Teller II potential. Thus, after apply the aforementioned limit to this potential, it is shown that energy spectrum and number of states correspond to those of Morse potential. Although the usefulness of the proposal is exemplified in the case of the molecule HCl35 and the radial Posch–Teller potential, the method can be straightforwardly used with other specific exponential‐type radial potentials as well as with other diatomic molecules.
Cisplatin under oriented external electric fields: A deeper insight into electrochemotherapy at the molecular level
Authors: Zhang Li , Ye Ya‐Ling , Zhang Xiao‐Ling , Li Xiang‐Hui , Chen Qiao‐Hong , Chen Jing‐Hua , Sun Wei‐Ming
Published: December 2020

Electrochemotherapy is an effective strategy for the treatment of solid tumors by exposing tumor cells to electric fields to enhance the bioactivity of non‐permeable or low permeable anticancer drugs, such as cisplatin. To understand the improved efficiency of cisplatin in the electrochemotherapy, the effects of oriented external electric fields (OEEFs) on the geometric structure and relevant electronic properties of cisplatin have been systemically investigated by density functional theory (DFT) computations in this work. Our results reveal that the presence of selective OEEFs on cisplatin can not only weaken its Pt‐Cl bonds, but also enhance the intramolecular charge transfer in it, which effectively accelerates the critical hydrolysis step involved in the mechanism of biological activity for this drug. Moreover, the chosen OEEFs can facilitate the attack of the singly aquated cis‐[Pt(NH3)2(H2O)Cl]+ on DNA, and enlarge the water solubility of cisplatin and its aquated product. These OEEF‐induced geometric and electronic modifications can indeed help to improve the antitumor activity of cisplatin, which provides a deeper insight into the higher efficacy of electrochemotherapy than traditional chemotherapy from a molecular point of view.
An early experience with the Senhance surgical robotic system in colorectal surgery: a single‐institute study
Authors: Lin Chun‐Chi , Huang Sheng‐Chieh , Lin Hung‐Hsin , Chang Shih‐Ching , Chen Wei‐Shone , Jiang Jeng‐Kai
Published: December 2020

Background

We present our initial single‐centre experience with Senhance surgical robot‐assisted colorectal surgery and examine its safety and feasibility.

Methods

From June 2019 to December 2019, patients who underwent Senhance surgical robot‐assisted colorectal surgery in our hospital were retrospectively analysed. We focused on the short‐term outcomes.

Results

In total, 46 patients were enrolled in the study. Colorectal cancer was the most common indication for surgery (39 patients). The median total operation time was 283 min, and the median blood loss was 50 cc. Meanwhile, the median number of harvested lymph nodes was 20. Elderly age, advanced American Society of Anaesthesiologists stage, and right‐sided colon surgery were associated with the occurrence of complications greater than grade III.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate the feasibility and safety of the Senhance surgical robotic system in colorectal surgery. Care should be taken regarding the indications and patient selection.
Robustness analysis of uncertain time‐varying systems using integral quadratic constraints with time‐varying multipliers
Authors: Fry J. Micah , Abou Jaoude Dany , Farhood Mazen
Published: December 2020

This article presents a dissipativity approach for robustness analysis using the framework of integral quadratic constraints (IQCs). The derived results apply for linear time‐varying nominal systems with uncertain initial conditions. IQC multipliers are used to describe the sets of allowable uncertainty operators, and signal IQC multipliers are used to describe the sets of allowable disturbance signals. The novel concepts of dichotomic nodes and their corresponding factorizations are introduced, which allow for the aforementioned multipliers to be general time‐varying operators. The results are illustrated via the robustness analysis of a flight controller for an unmanned aircraft system tasked to perform a Split‐S maneuver.
Relationship between environmental variables and egg abundance of the four major Chinese carps, downstream of the Three Gorges Reservoir
Authors: Xu Wei , Yang Zhi , Yi Ran , Yao Jinzhong , Chen Xiaojuan
Published: December 2020

Reservoir “eco‐operation” is an ecological flow regulation measure, such as mimicking a flood process to stimulate fish spawning. Since 2011, the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) eco‐operation trials have been carried out to facilitate the spawning of the four major Chinese carps (FMCC) below the Gezhouba Dam. Until now, the response of FMCC spawning to new hydrologic conditions is seldom documented. Using ecological monitoring data from 2012 to 2017, this study analyses annual variations in environmental factors and FMCC spawning, and the correlations between them. During the date of FMCC egg occurrence, there was no significant difference both in annual mean water temperature (TEM) and water transparency (TRA) among years, while there was significant difference in annual mean river flow. The annual egg abundance of FMCC ranged from 135 to 610 million, with an average of 286 million. The peak spawning of FMCC occurred 3 to 5 times annually, while the scattered spawning occurred about 2 to 3 times. Classification and Regression Trees and Random Forests were used to model the daily egg abundance of FMCC. Daily flow (FLO) and flow increase multiple (FIM) were determined as the most important factors for FMCC spawning. The models predicted daily egg abundance of FMCC in the Shashi section could reach to 3.16 × 107 ind. for FLO exceeding 10,000 m3/s and FIM below 49.12. The results might be helpful to deeply understand the role of flood peak process on fish spawning and the optimization of TGR eco‐operation on FMCC spawning.