bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational delineation and quantitative heterogeneity analysis of lung tumor on 18F-FDG PET for radiation dose-escalation
Authors: Wang Xiuying , Cui Hui , Gong Guanzhong , Fu Zheng , Zhou Jianlong , Gu Jiabing , Yin Yong , Feng Dagan
Published: July 2018

Quantitative measurement and analysis of tumor metabolic activities could provide a more optimal solution to personalized accurate dose painting. We collected PET images of 58 lung cancer patients, in which the tumor exhibits heterogeneous FDG uptake. We design an automated delineation and quantitative heterogeneity measurement of the lung tumor for dose-escalation. For tumor delineation, our algorithm firstly separates the tumor from its adjacent high-uptake tissues using 3D projection masks; then the tumor boundary is delineated with our stopping criterion of joint gradient and intensity affinities. For dose-escalation, tumor sub-volumes with low, moderate and high metabolic activities are extracted and measured. Based on our quantitative heterogeneity measurement, a sub-volume oriented dose-escalation plan is implemented in intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning system. With respect to manual tumor delineations by two radiation oncologists, the paired t-test demonstrated our model outperformed the other computational methods in comparison (p < 0.05) and reduced the variability between inter-observers. Compared to standard uniform dose prescription, the dosimetry results demonstrated that the dose-escalation plan statistically boosted the dose delivered to high metabolic tumor sub-volumes (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the doses received by organs-at-risk (OAR) including the heart, ipsilateral lung and contralateral lung were not statistically different (p > 0.05).
Vertical-type two-dimensional hole gas diamond metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors
Authors: Oi Nobutaka , Inaba Masafumi , Okubo Satoshi , Tsuyuzaki Ikuto , Kageura Taisuke , Onoda Shinobu , Hiraiwa Atsushi , Kawarada Hiroshi
Published: July 2018

Power semiconductor devices require low on-resistivity and high breakdown voltages simultaneously. Vertical-type metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) meet these requirements, but have been incompleteness in diamond. Here we show vertical-type p-channel diamond MOSFETs with trench structures and drain current densities equivalent to those of n-channel wide bandgap devices for complementary inverters. We use two-dimensional hole gases induced by atomic layer deposited Al2O3 for the channel and drift layers, irrespective of their crystal orientations. The source and gate are on the planar surface, the drift layer is mainly on the sidewall and the drain is the p+ substrate. The maximum drain current density exceeds 200 mA mm−1 at a 12 µm source-drain distance. On/off ratios of over eight orders of magnitude are demonstrated and the drain current reaches the lower measurement limit in the off-state at room temperature using a nitrogen-doped n-type blocking layer formed using ion implantation and epitaxial growth.
Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of PenA β-lactamase in acquired Burkholderia pseudomallei β-lactam resistance
Authors: Chirakul Sunisa , Norris Michael H. , Pagdepanichkit Sirawit , Somprasong Nawarat , Randall Linnell B. , Shirley James F. , Borlee Bradley R. , Lomovskaya Olga , Tuanyok Apichai , Schweizer Herbert P.
Published: July 2018

Therapy of Burkholderia pseudomallei acute infections is largely limited to a few β-lactam antibiotics such as ceftazidime or meropenem. Although relatively rare, resistance emergence during therapy leads to treatment failures with high mortality rates. In the absence of acquired external resistance determinants in B. pseudomallei emergence of β-lactam resistance is invariably caused by mutational modification of genomically encoded factors. These include the deletion of the ceftazidime target penicillin-binding protein 3 or amino acid changes in the Class A PenA β-lactamase that expand its substrate spectrum, as well as penA gene duplication and amplification or its overexpression via transcriptional up-regulation. Evidence is presented that penA is co-transcribed with the upstream nlpD1 gene, that the transcriptional terminator for nlpD1 serves as a penA attenuator and that generation of a new promoter immediately upstream of the terminator/attenuator by a conserved G to A transition leads to anti-termination and thus constitutive PenA expression and extended β-lactam resistance. Further evidence obtained with the extensively β-lactam resistant clinical isolate Bp1651 shows that in addition to PenA overexpression and structural mutations other adaptive mechanisms contribute to intrinsic and acquired B. pseudomallei β-lactam resistance.
Optimal fluorescent protein tags for quantifying protein oligomerization in living cells
Authors: Dunsing Valentin , Luckner Madlen , Zühlke Boris , Petazzi Roberto A. , Herrmann Andreas , Chiantia Salvatore
Published: July 2018

Fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy has become a popular toolbox for non-disruptive analysis of molecular interactions in living cells. The quantification of protein oligomerization in the native cellular environment is highly relevant for a detailed understanding of complex biological processes. An important parameter in this context is the molecular brightness, which serves as a direct measure of oligomerization and can be easily extracted from temporal or spatial fluorescence fluctuations. However, fluorescent proteins (FPs) typically used in such studies suffer from complex photophysical transitions and limited maturation, inducing non-fluorescent states. Here, we show how these processes strongly affect molecular brightness measurements. We perform a systematic characterization of non-fluorescent states for commonly used FPs and provide a simple guideline for accurate, unbiased oligomerization measurements in living cells. Further, we focus on novel red FPs and demonstrate that mCherry2, an mCherry variant, possesses superior properties with regards to precise quantification of oligomerization.
Rotation of stress fibers as a single wheel in migrating fish keratocytes
Authors: Okimura Chika , Taniguchi Atsushi , Nonaka Shigenori , Iwadate Yoshiaki
Published: July 2018

Crawling migration plays an essential role in a variety of biological phenomena, including development, wound healing, and immune system function. Keratocytes are wound-healing cells in fish skin. Expansion of the leading edge of keratocytes and retraction of the rear are respectively induced by actin polymerization and contraction of stress fibers in the same way as for other cell types. Interestingly, stress fibers in keratocytes align almost perpendicular to the migration-direction. It seems that in order to efficiently retract the rear, it is better that the stress fibers align parallel to it. From the unique alignment of stress fibers in keratocytes, we speculated that the stress fibers may play a role for migration other than the retraction. Here, we reveal that the stress fibers are stereoscopically arranged so as to surround the cytoplasm in the cell body; we directly show, in sequential three-dimensional recordings, their rolling motion during migration. Removal of the stress fibers decreased migration velocity and induced the collapse of the left-right balance of crawling migration. The rotation of these stress fibers plays the role of a “wheel” in crawling migration of keratocytes.
Switching of the Chiral Magnetic Domains in the Hybrid Molecular/Inorganic Multiferroic (ND4)2[FeCl5(D2O)]
Authors: Rodríguez-Velamazán J. Alberto , Fabelo Oscar , Campo Javier , Rodríguez-Carvajal Juan , Qureshi Navid , Chapon Laurent C.
Published: July 2018

(ND4)2[FeCl5(D2O)] represents a promising example of the hybrid molecular/inorganic approach to create materials with strong magneto-electric coupling. Neutron spherical polarimetry, which is directly sensitive to the absolute magnetic configuration and domain population, has been used in this work to unambiguously prove the multiferroicity of this material. We demonstrate that the application of an electric field upon cooling results in the stabilization of a single-cycloidal magnetic domain below 6.9 K, while poling in the opposite electric field direction produces the full population of the domain with opposite magnetic chirality. We prove the complete switchability of the magnetic domains at low temperature by the applied electric field, which constitutes a direct proof of the strong magnetoelectric coupling. Additionally, we refine the magnetic structure of the ordered ground state, deducing the underlying magnetic space group consistent with the direction of the ferroelectric polarization, and we provide evidence of a collinear amplitude-modulated state with magnetic moments along the a-axis in the temperature region between 6.9 and 7.2 K.
Influence of a transverse static magnetic field on the orientation and peritectic reaction of Cu-10.5 at.% Sn peritectic alloy
Authors: Lu Zhenyuan , Fautrelle Yves , Ren Zhongming , Li Xi
Published: July 2018

Peritectic alloy Cu-10.5 at.% Sn was directionally solidified at various growth speeds under a transverse static magnetic field. The experimental results indicated that the magnetic field caused the deformation of macroscopic interface morphology, the crystal orientation of primary phase along solidification direction, and the occurrence of peritectic reaction. The numerical simulations showed that the application of the magnetic field induced the formation of a unidirectional thermoelectric magnetic convection (TEMC), which modified solute transport in the liquid phase thereby enriching the solute concentration both at the sample and tri-junction scales. The modification of solidification structures under the magnetic field should be attributed to TEMC driven heat transfer and solute transport.
In vivo MRI with Concurrent Excitation and Acquisition using Automated Active Analog Cancellation
Authors: Özen Ali Caglar , Atalar Ergin , Korvink Jan G. , Bock Michael
Published: July 2018

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides excellent cross-sectional images of the soft tissues in patients. Unfortunately, MRI is intrinsically slow, it exposes patients to severe acoustic noise levels, and is limited in the visualization of certain tissues such as bone. These limitations are partly caused by the timing structure of the MRI exam which first generates the MR signal by a strong radio-frequency excitation and later acquires the weak MRI signal. Concurrent excitation and acquisition (CEA) can overcome these limitations, but is extremely challenging due to the huge intensity difference between transmit and receive signal (up to 100 dB). To suppress the strong transmit signals during signal reception, a fully automated analog cancellation unit was designed. On a 3 Tesla clinical MRI system we achieved an on-resonance analog isolation of 90 dB between the transmit and receive path, so that CEA images of the head and the extremities could be acquired with an acquisition efficiency of higher than 90% at sound pressure levels close to background noise. CEA with analog cancellation might provide new opportunities for MRI in tissues with very short T2 relaxation times, and it offers a silent and time-efficient MRI acquisition.
Assessing the tolerance to room temperature and viability of freeze-dried mice spermatozoa over long-term storage at room temperature under vacuum
Authors: Kamada Yuko , Wakayama Sayaka , Shibasaki Ikue , Ito Daiyu , Kamimura Satoshi , Ooga Masatoshi , Wakayama Teruhiko
Published: July 2018

Freeze-drying has been frequently used to preserve food and microorganisms at room temperature (RT) for extended periods of time; however, its application to mammalian species is difficult. Here, we developed a method to prolong the stability of freeze-dried (FD) mice spermatozoa at RT for more than one year without using any cryoprotectant agents. Our data showed that maintaining a vacuum in ampoules is critical to ensuring the viability of FD spermatozoa, as the stability of spermatozoa DNA increased when imperfectly vacuumed ampoules were detected using a non-destructive test and eliminated. Finally a large number of healthy offspring were obtained from mice oocytes fertilized with FD spermatozoa stored at RT for more than one year. Although the birth rate from three-month stored spermatozoa was lower than that from one-day stored spermatozoa, no further reduction was observed even in one-year stored spermatozoa. Therefore, FD spermatozoa preserved in this study were highly tolerant to warm temperatures. This method of storage shows a great potential for the preservation of genetic resources of mammalian species, such as genetically-modified mouse strains, without the use of electric power.
Dynamics of Plasma Lipidome in Progression to Islet Autoimmunity and Type 1 Diabetes – Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention Study (DIPP)
Authors: Lamichhane Santosh , Ahonen Linda , Dyrlund Thomas Sparholt , Kemppainen Esko , Siljander Heli , Hyöty Heikki , Ilonen Jorma , Toppari Jorma , Veijola Riitta , Hyötyläinen Tuulia , Knip Mikael , Oresic Matej
Published: July 2018

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases among children in Western countries. Earlier metabolomics studies suggest that T1D is preceded by dysregulation of lipid metabolism. Here we used a lipidomics approach to analyze molecular lipids in a prospective series of 428 plasma samples from 40 children who progressed to T1D (PT1D), 40 children who developed at least a single islet autoantibody but did not progress to T1D during the follow-up (P1Ab) and 40 matched controls (CTR). Sphingomyelins were found to be persistently downregulated in PT1D when compared to the P1Ab and CTR groups. Triacylglycerols and phosphatidylcholines were mainly downregulated in PT1D as compared to P1Ab at the age of 3 months. Our study suggests that distinct lipidomic signatures characterize children who progressed to islet autoimmunity or overt T1D, which may be helpful in the identification of at-risk children before the initiation of autoimmunity.
Hippo pathway affects survival of cancer patients: extensive analysis of TCGA data and review of literature
Authors: Poma Anello Marcello , Torregrossa Liborio , Bruno Rossella , Basolo Fulvio , Fontanini Gabriella
Published: July 2018

The disruption of the Hippo pathway occurs in many cancer types and is associated with cancer progression. Herein, we investigated the impact of 32 Hippo genes on overall survival (OS) of cancer patients, by both analysing data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and reviewing the related literature. mRNA and protein expression data of all solid tumors except pure sarcomas were downloaded from TCGA database. Thirty-two Hippo genes were considered; for each gene, patients were dichotomized based on median expression value. Survival analyses were performed to identify independent predictors, taking into account the main clinical-pathological features affecting OS. Finally, independent predictors were correlated with YAP1 oncoprotein expression. At least one of the Hippo genes is an independent prognostic factor in 12 out of 13 considered tumor datasets. mRNA levels of the independent predictors coherently correlate with YAP1 in glioma, kidney renal clear cell, head and neck, and bladder cancer. Moreover, literature data revealed the association between YAP1 levels and OS in gastric, colorectal, hepatocellular, pancreatic, and lung cancer. Herein, we identified cancers in which Hippo pathway affects OS; these cancers should be candidates for YAP1 inhibitors development and testing.
Absolute Configurations of 14,15-Hydroxylated Prenylxanthones from a Marine-Derived Aspergillus sp. Fungus by Chiroptical Methods
Authors: Zhu Ao , Yang Meng-Yue , Zhang Ya-Hui , Shao Chang-Lun , Wang Chang-Yun , Hu Lian-Dong , Cao Fei , Zhu Hua-Jie
Published: July 2018

Determination of the absolute configrations for natural products is one of the most important and challenging tasks, especially when the molecules display high conformational flexibility. In this paper, eight new prenylxanthones, aspergixanthones A-H (1–8), and one known analogue (9), were isolated from the marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. ZA-01. The absolute configurations of C-14 and C-15 in 1–8 were difficult to be assigned due to the high conformational flexibility of the chains. To solve this problem, the experimental ECD, ORD, and VCD spectra of 1 were combined for analysis with the corresponding theoretical predictions for its different diastereomers. This study suggested that a concerted application of more than one chiroptical methods could be used as a preferable approach for the stereochemical characterizations of flexible molecules. Compounds 1–9 were evaluated for their cytotoxic and antibacterial activities. Among them, 6 showed cytotoxicity against the A-549 cell line with the IC50 value of 1.1 μM, and 7 exhibited antibacterial activity against Micrococcus lysodeikticus with the MIC value of 0.78 μg/mL.
Spiking neurons with short-term synaptic plasticity form superior generative networks
Authors: Leng Luziwei , Martel Roman , Breitwieser Oliver , Bytschok Ilja , Senn Walter , Schemmel Johannes , Meier Karlheinz , Petrovici Mihai A.
Published: July 2018

Spiking networks that perform probabilistic inference have been proposed both as models of cortical computation and as candidates for solving problems in machine learning. However, the evidence for spike-based computation being in any way superior to non-spiking alternatives remains scarce. We propose that short-term synaptic plasticity can provide spiking networks with distinct computational advantages compared to their classical counterparts. When learning from high-dimensional, diverse datasets, deep attractors in the energy landscape often cause mixing problems to the sampling process. Classical algorithms solve this problem by employing various tempering techniques, which are both computationally demanding and require global state updates. We demonstrate how similar results can be achieved in spiking networks endowed with local short-term synaptic plasticity. Additionally, we discuss how these networks can even outperform tempering-based approaches when the training data is imbalanced. We thereby uncover a powerful computational property of the biologically inspired, local, spike-triggered synaptic dynamics based simply on a limited pool of synaptic resources, which enables them to deal with complex sensory data.
Novel natural killer cell-mediated cancer immunotherapeutic activity of anisomycin against hepatocellular carcinoma cells
Authors: Kim Miok , Lee Seon-Jin , Shin Sangsu , Park Kang-Seo , Park Sang Yoon , Lee Chang Hoon
Published: July 2018

Despite advances in the clinical management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), this form of cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Currently, there are few treatment options for advanced HCC. Therefore, novel treatment strategies for HCC are required. Here, we described the promising antitumour effects of anisomycin, which exerts both direct killing effects and natural killer cell (NK)-mediated immunotherapeutic effects in HCC. To better elucidate the mechanisms through which anisomycin mediates its antitumour effects, we performed a genome-scale transcriptional analysis. We found that anisomycin treatment of HCC differentially modulated a broad range of immune regulation-associated genes. Among these immune regulation-associated genes, we found that lymphocyte function-associated antigen-3 (LFA-3, also called CD58), whose expression was significantly increased in anisomycin-treated HCC cells, was a critical player in NK-mediated immunotherapeutic effects. Furthermore major histocompatibility complex molecules class I (MHC-I) on HCC cells were also significantly regulated by treatment of anisomycin. Those adhesion molecules like CD58, MHC-I, and ICAM4 should be important for immune synapse formation between NK cells and HCC cells to boost NK-mediated immunotherapeutic effects. Notably, this is the first report of NK-dependent immunomodulatory effects of anisomycin suggesting anisomycin as a novel therapeutic drug for treatment of HCC.
Swelling-controlled Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Day Candace Minhthu , Barclay Thomas G. , Song Yunmei , Garg Sanjay
Published: July 2018

Polymeric smart materials have a significant role in providing tuneable and sustained release of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs. This chapter is a review on the use of swelling controlled drug delivery systems in the pharmaceutical industry, examining the evolution of swellable polymeric materials into effective delivery systems for therapeutic agents. Within the sub-classes of swelling devices, swellable matrices and superdisintegrants, the discussion of swellable controlled drug delivery devices and systems focus on their structures, properties, and swelling mechanisms. Major factors influencing the manner of drug release will also be investigated, as will mathematical models used to predict drug release characteristics. In the final section, the potential drawbacks of swellable controlled drug delivery systems will be discussed.
Speciation of morin and rutin in black tea,Cymbopogon citratusand fruit infusions by adsorption voltammetry using screen-printed carbon electrodes coated with chitosan: effect of pH on speciation
Authors: Nagles Edgar , García-Beltrán Olimpo , Hurtado John
Published: July 2018

This paper presents the versatility of chitosan in the preparation of modified electrodes without the use of other substances.
Hierarchical three-dimensional manganese doped cobalt phosphide nanowire decorated nanosheet cluster arrays for high-performance electrochemical pseudocapacitor electrodes
Authors: Zhu Guilei , Yang Lin , Wang Weiyi , Ma Min , Zhang Jie , Wen Hao , Zheng Dengchao , Yao Yadong
Published: July 2018

Hierarchical Mn–CoP nanoarray exhibits boosted electrochemical performances for asymmetric supercapacitors with high energy densities of 35.21 and 30.87 W h kg−1 at power densities of 193 and 1939 W kg−1.
Structural insight into the catalytic mechanism of a cis-epoxysuccinate hydrolase producing enantiomerically pure d(−)-tartaric acid
Authors: Dong Sheng , Liu Xi , Cui Gu-Zhen , Cui Qiu , Wang Xinquan , Feng Yingang
Published: July 2018

The catalytic mechanism for the high stereoselectivity and product enantioselectivity of a cis-epoxysuccinate hydrolase producing d(−)-tartaric acids was elucidated.
Highly concentrated electrolyte solutions for 4 V class potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Hosaka Tomooki , Kubota Kei , Kojima Haruka , Komaba Shinichi
Published: July 2018

A highly concentrated potassium bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide/1,2-dimethoxyethane electrolyte solution enables stable cycling of a high voltage potassium-ion battery.
Synthesis of hydrophobic MIL-53(Al) nanoparticles in low molecular weight alcohols: systematic investigation of solvent effects
Authors: Warfsmann Jan , Tokay Begum , Champness Neil R.
Published: July 2018

Employing methanol as a reaction solvent when preparing MIL-53(Al) leads to a highly porous MOF without the requirement of an energy-consuming activation process.
Micellar and bicontinuous microemulsion structures show different solute–solvent interactions: a case study using ultrafast nonlinear infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Zang Jinger , Feng Minjun , Zhao Juan , Wang Jianping
Published: July 2018

Using aqueous and organic probes to simultaneously explore the structural dynamics of reverse micellar and bicontinuous microemulsion structures.
Analysis of epoxy functionalized layers synthesized by plasma polymerization of allyl glycidyl ether
Authors: Manakhov Anton , Fuková Šárka , Nečas David , Michlíček Miroslav , Ershov Sergey , Eliaš Marek , Visotin Maxim , Popov Zakhar , Zajíčková Lenka
Published: July 2018

The deposition of epoxide groups by plasma polymerization opens new horizons for robust and quick immobilization of biomolecules on any type of substrate.
Molecular structure of octadecylphosphonic acids during their self-assembly on α-Al2O3(0001)
Authors: Meltzer Christian , Yu Hui , Peukert Wolfgang , Braunschweig Björn
Published: July 2018

The formation of octadecylphosphonic acid (ODPA) self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) from 2-propanol solutions on hydroxylated α-Al2O3(0001) surfaces was studied in situ and in real time at the solid/liquid interface.
Effects of intramolecular hydrogen bonding and sterically forced non-coplanarity on organic donor/acceptor two-photon-absorbing molecules
Authors: Stewart David J. , Kannan Ramamurthi , Grusenmeyer Tod A. , Artz Jacob M. , Long Stephanie L. , Yu Zhenning , Cooper Thomas M. , Haley Joy E. , Tan Loon-Seng
Published: July 2018

Excited-state decay rate constant is controlled by hydrogen bonding, which is switched from intramolecular to intermolecular by choice of solvent.
High-rate solar-light photoconversion of CO2 to fuel: controllable transformation from C1 to C2 products
Authors: Sorcar Saurav , Thompson Jamie , Hwang Yunju , Park Young Ho , Majima Tetsuro , Grimes Craig A. , Durrant James R. , In Su-Il
Published: July 2018

Controlled shifting of the CO2 reduction product from C1 to C2 hydrocarbons obtained with graphene wrapped blue titania under solar light.
Milk fat protectsBifidobacterium animalissubsp.lactisBb-12 fromin vitrogastrointestinal stress in potentially synbiotic table spreads
Authors: dos Santos Clara Simone , de Souza Cínthia Hoch Batista , Padilha Marina , Gioielli Luiz Antonio , Ract Juliana Neves Rodrigues , Saad Susana Marta Isay
Published: July 2018

ConventionalversusqPCR-PMA showed the resistance ofBifidobacteriumBb-12 during GI stress. The table spreads’ high lipid content might have protected individual cells.
Deconstructing the physical processes of digestion: reductionist approaches may provide greater understanding
Authors: Lentle R. G.
Published: July 2018

I provide a broad overview of the physical factors that govern intestinal digestion with a view to outlining the quantitative work that is required to determine the relative importance of these factors in the digestion of particular foods.
C–H functionalization enabled stereoselective Ugi-azide reaction to α-tetrazolyl alicyclic amines
Authors: Haldar Surajit , Saha Subhajit , Mandal Sumana , Jana Chandan K.
Published: July 2018

An unprecedented stereoselective C–H functionalization enabled Ugi-azide (CH-Ugi-azide) reaction to access α-tetrazolyl alicyclic amines directly from N-heterocycles is reported.
Macroporous–mesoporous carbon supported Ni catalysts for the conversion of cellulose to polyols
Authors: Zhang Bin , Chen Bin , Douthwaite Mark , Liu Qiang , Zhang Chao , Wu Qifan , Shi Ruhui , Wu Peixuan , Zhao Fengyu , Hutchings Graham
Published: July 2018

The macro–mesoporous carbon supported Ni catalysts (Ni/MMC) are synthesized to effectively promote cellulose conversion.
Synthesis, characterization and electrochemistry of polycyclic fused aromatic pyrroles and their conjugated polymers
Authors: Bhanvadia Viraj J. , Mankad Yash J. , Patel Arun L. , Zade Sanjio S.
Published: July 2018

Two conjugated polymers, based on the polycyclic fused aromatic pyrrole-based compound naphthobipyrrole, are synthesized using electrochemical polymerization and chemical polymerization.
Chemoenzymatic synthesis of a cholesterol-g-poly(amine-co-ester) carrier for p53 gene delivery to inhibit the proliferation and migration of tumor cells
Authors: Dong Mengmeng , Chen Jiawen , Yang Jiebing , Jiang Wei , Han Haobo , Li Quanshun , Yang Yan
Published: July 2018

An amphiphilic cholesterol-g-poly(amine-co-ester) synthesizedviaa chemoenzymatic route has been successfully applied as a carrier in p53 gene delivery.
Transient security transistors self-supported on biodegradable natural-polymer membranes for brain-inspired neuromorphic applications
Authors: Hu Wennan , Jiang Jie , Xie Dingdong , Wang Shitan , Bi Kaixi , Duan Huigao , Yang Junliang , He Jun
Published: July 2018

Physically transient neuromorphic electronic devices are proposed using an AZO electric-double-layer thin-film transistor self-supported on biodegradable sodium alginate membranes.
Hematite iron oxide nanoparticles: apoptosis of myoblast cancer cells and their arithmetical assessment
Authors: Wahab Rizwan , Khan Farheen , Al-Khedhairy Abdulaziz A.
Published: July 2018

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) forms iron oxide nanoparticles (NPs) which are thermally stable and have various electrochemical and optochemical applications.
MSC exosome works through a protein-based mechanism of action
Authors: Toh Wei Seong , Lai Ruenn Chai , Zhang Bin , Lim Sai Kiang
Published: July 2018

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) exosome specifically defines the 50–200 nm vesicles that are secreted into the extracellular space when multivesicular bodies in the MSC fuse with the plasma membrane. However, the exosome is just one of several 50–200 nm extracellular vesicles (EVs) known to be secreted by cells. Nevertheless, the term ‘MSC exosome’ is often used to describe populations of 50–200 nm EVs that are prepared from culture medium conditioned by MSCs on the basis that these populations collectively exhibited typical exosome-associated proteins such as endosomal proteins, TSG101 and Alix, and tetraspanin proteins, CD9, CD63 and CD81. They also carry a rich diverse RNA cargo. MSC exosomes are increasingly implicated as the mediator of many of the MSC-associated therapeutic potencies. They elicit therapeutic activity by delivering their cargo of potentially therapeutic proteins and RNAs to the recipient cells. The therapeutic potency of MSC exosomes is usually rationalized on the presence of a biologically relevant protein or RNA in the MSC exosome. In the present paper, we expanded this rationale beyond a physical presence to include biologically relevant concentration, biochemical functionality and the potential to elicit an appropriate timely biochemical response. Based on these, we propose that MSC exosomes most probably work through the protein rather than the RNA.
Predictive calculation of ion current environment of dc transmission line based on ionised flow model of embedded short‐term wind speed
Authors: Yi Yong , Chen Zhengying , Tang Wenxi , Wang Liming
Published: July 2018

The predictive calculation and wind effect on the ion flow environment of dc transmission line are evaluated by embedded short‐term wind speed based ionised flow model. The wind has a major impact on the electric field and ion current density profiles. In the ionised flow model of embedded short‐term wind speed, the short‐term wind speed is calculated by using time series model and Kalman filter algorithm. The ionised field considering short‐term wind speed is solved by finite‐element method with acceleration technique and time‐domain finite volume method. The algorithm is validated by the coaxial cylinder electrode configuration and practical bipolar dc transmission configuration. Computational results are made to provide a physical understanding of wind effect on the corona formation process. In the timescale of long‐term prediction, the time evolution behaviour of ground‐level ion current density and electric field with time‐varying wind speed is estimated.
Wideband planar monopole antenna for digital TV reception and UHF band communications
Authors: Kim Tae‐Hyung , Kim Yuna , Yoo Tae‐Hoon , Yook Jong‐Gwan
Published: July 2018

A novel wideband planar monopole antenna is proposed for wireless communication services and digital TV broadcasting signal reception in the ultra‐high‐frequency (UHF) band. The proposed antenna is a variation of the conventional planar triangular monopole. To obtain wideband characteristics and high gain, a notch is cut at the top side, and several steps are added to the oblique sides of a triangular patch. In addition, slopes are created at the front‐ and back‐side ground planes, in order to further increase the bandwidth. Impedance matching has been optimised by adjusting the gap between the patch and the ground plane. The measured results show that the bandwidth is 2610 MHz in the range of 450–3060 MHz (148.72% bandwidth), which covers the entire UHF band. In the operating frequency range, the peak and the average peak gains in the E‐plane were 2.73–6.09 and 4.62 dBi, respectively.
Design and analysis of optically controlled pattern reconfigurable planar Yagi–Uda antenna
Authors: Zhang Yuwei , Lin Shu , Yu Shang , Liu Guan Jun , Denisov Alex
Published: July 2018

A novel pattern reconfigurable planar optically controlled Yagi–Uda antenna is proposed. The antenna comprises a director, a driven dipole, a reflector and the substrate. The two parasitic elements loaded with positive intrinsic negative (PIN) photodiodes in the middle, applied as manipulating switches, are capable of varying the radiation pattern by transforming their physical structures. A prototype of the proposed antenna along with PIN photodiodes was fabricated to verify the concept of optically controlled pattern reconfiguration. The simulated and experimental results indicate that the curves and radiation patterns of the proposed antenna in both the PIN switches' on and off state are similar; however, the direction of maximum radiation differs between these two states by . Good unidirectional radiation patterns with the front‐to‐back ratios of 12 and 8 dB are obtained. About 10 dB impedance bandwidth can reach 15% and the maximum gain is more than 6.3 dBi. This study proposes a three‐element equivalent current radiation model based on the current distribution from simulation, which can explain the directional radiation characteristics of the designed antenna well. This pattern reconfigurable antenna can be optically controlled remotely, reducing the effects of controlling network on the antenna radiator.
Sequential approximate optimisation for statistical analysis and yield optimisation of circularly polarised antennas
Authors: Koziel Slawomir , Bekasiewicz Adrian
Published: July 2018

The study addresses a problem of low‐cost statistical analysis and yield optimisation of circularly polarised (CP) microstrip antennas. For the sake of computational efficiency, auxiliary response surface approximation models are utilised to establish a fast representation of the expensive full‐wave electromagnetic (EM)‐simulation antenna model. The surrogate permits feasible Monte Carlo (MC) analysis using a large number of random samples (necessary to maintain low variance of yield estimation). The sequential approximate optimisation is then utilised to carry out a robust design, where at each iteration, a new surrogate model is established in a relocated domain. The design objectives are set for the in‐band axial ratio and impedance bandwidth. For illustration purposes, a planar CP antenna with two feed line stubs is considered. Accurate yield estimation is obtained at the cost of only a hundred of EM antenna simulations despite a large number of independent geometry parameters. Yield improvement from the initial value of 63.5% at the nominal design to 99% is achieved at the cost of 300 EM analyses. Comparison with conventional MC analysis is also provided demonstrating the accuracy of the presented approach.
Nasenseptumplastik und Nasenmuschelbehandlung – ambulant oder stationär?
Authors: Stölzel Katharina
Published: July 2018

Menezes AS et al. Septal and turbinate surgery: is overnight essential? Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2018; 275: 131–138

Die ambulante Operation von Nasenscheidewand und Nasenmuschel ist zunehmende Praxis. Allerdings wird dieses Thema kontrovers diskutiert. Portugiesische Kopf- und Halschirurgen überprüften anhand eigener Daten, mit welchen unerwarteten Krankenhauswiederaufnahmen und Komplikationen zu rechnen ist.
Algorithms For Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder: Efficacy and Cost-Effectiveness
Authors: Bauer Michael , Rush A. , Ricken Roland , Pilhatsch Maximilian , Adli Mazda
Published: July 2018

In spite of multiple new treatment options, chronic and treatment refractory courses still are a major challenge in the treatment of depression. Providing algorithm-guided antidepressant treatments is considered an important strategy to optimize treatment delivery and avoid or overcome treatment-resistant courses of major depressive disorder (MDD). The clinical benefits of algorithms in the treatment of inpatients with MDD have been investigated in large-scale, randomized controlled trials. Results showed that a stepwise treatment regimen (algorithm) with critical decision points at the end of each treatment step based on standardized and systematic measurements of response and an algorithm-guided decision-making process increases the chances of achieving remission and optimizes prescription behaviors for antidepressants. In conclusion, research in MDD revealed that systematic and structured treatment procedures, the diligent assessment of response at critical decision points, and timely dose and treatment type adjustments make the substantial difference in treatment outcomes between algorithm-guided treatment and treatment as usual.
Combination of Antibiotic Treatment with the Thrombin Inhibitor Recombinant Hirudin for the Therapy of Experimental Klebsiella pneumoniae Sepsis
Authors: Dickneite Gerhard , Czech Jörg
Published: July 2018

Rats which were infected with the gramnegative pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae develop disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), multi-organ failure (MOF) and finally die in a septic shock. We investigated the therapeutic effect of antibiotic (tobramycin) treatment combined with the infusion of the highly specific thrombin inhibitor rec. hirudin. Although administration of 2 mg/kg tobramycin alone leads to a decrease of the bacterial burden, DIC could not be prevented. Infusion of rec. hirudin (0.25 mg/kg x h) for 4 h (start of treatment 1 h post infection), in addition to a bolus administration of tobramycin, led to an amelioration of DIC parameters as fibrinogen, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) and platelets. Serum transaminase levels (GOT, GPT) as a marker of MOF were significantly improved by rec. hirudin, the T50 value increased from 17 h in the tobramycin group to 42 h in the tobramycin + rec. hirudin giuup, muilality rates were 90% or 60%, respectively. Combination of heparin (10011/kg x h) and tobramycin was not effective on survival.
Triglyceride Lipase Activity and Human Platelets
Authors: Lote Knut , Lowery Carol
Published: July 2018

The activity of triglyceride lipases in human postheparin plasma is significantly higher in platelet rich than platelet poor plasma. This holds for total activity, lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, and hepatic triglyceride lipase (H-TGL) activity.

Gel filtration of platelet rich postheparin plasma on Sepharose 2 B will separate platelets from triglyceride lipase activity.

The very small triglyceride lipase activity of isolated platelets is inhibited by 1.0 M NaCl, slightly inhibited by specific antibody to hepatic lipase, and not influenced by specific antibody to lipoprotein lipase.
Spontaneous Platelet Aggregation in Cerebrovascular Disease II
Authors: Hoogenduk E M G , Jenkins C S P , van Wijk E M , Vos J , ten Cate J W
Published: July 2018

A group of 186 patients with Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIA) or cerebral Infarction (Cl) was found to demonstrate in vitro Spontaneous Platelet Aggregation (SPA) in 39% of those studied. Of the 176 normal subjects studied the incidence of in vitro SPA was found to be 5%. Further investigation of the phenomenon of SPA revealed that:

1. it is associated with ADP-hyperaggregability, i. e. the threshold concentration to induce second wave aggregation is decreased;

2. it is dependant on the increase in pH which occurs in platelet-rich plasma stirring in an aggregometer while concurrent ADP-hyperaggregability is independant of this change in pH;

3. it is associated with malondialdehyde production and the release of endogenous 5- hydroxytryptamine; and that

4. in addition Km and Vmax values for [14C]-5HT incorporation are normal; and that

5. no gross abnormalities of the platelet membrane glycoproteins were apparent although occasionally glycoprotein III was found to be increased.

This study demonstrates abnormal platelet behaviour in patients with TIA and Cl where the enzyme system involved in thromboxane production is sufficiently stimulated, by stirring alone, to induce aggregation of platelets and the release reaction.

Acetylsalicylic acid abolishes SPA and prolongs the bleeding time with similar characteristics as has been described for normal individuals. Plasma (3-thromboglobulin levels are significantly increased in the patients studied. However, no correlation was established with the incidence of in vitro SPA.
Fibrinogen Zurich I: Impaired Release of Fibrinopeptide A
Authors: Hofmann V , Gati W P , Straub P W
Published: July 2018

Fibrinogen Zurich I is characterized by an abnormal fibrin monomer polymerization. It consists of two fractions of molecules, one with a normal aggregation and one not aggregating at all and interfering with the aggregation of the normal population. Using a radioimmunoassay for fibrinopeptide A, only approximately half of the expected fibrinopeptide A could be recovered after thrombin or Defibrase proteolysis. The defective fibrinopeptide A release could be confirmed by measurement of the N-terminal Gly/Tyr ratio. It is likely that the abnormal fibrin monomer aggregation of the abnormal fraction of fibrinogen Zurich I is due to the defective fibrinopeptide A release of this fraction.
Liquoid Induced Stasis and the Generalized Shwartzman Reaction
Authors: Nordstoga Knut
Published: July 2018

The composition of the occlusive material within dilated glomerular capillaries, following intravenous injections of Liquoid in blue foxes, was studied electron microscopically; it was found that it mainly consisted of a debris in which disintegrated red cells constituted the major component. Damaged platelets and necrotic endothelial remnants were other components. These observations were interpreted as a result of glomerular stasis, and it was concluded that stasis in glomerular capillaries is a basic event in the development of the renal lesions accompanying the generalized Shwartzman reaction.
Circulating Dermatan Sulfate and Heparan Sulfate/Heparin Proteoglycans in Children Undergoing Liver Transplantation
Authors: Mitchell Lesley , Superina Ricardo , Delorme Michael , Vegh Patsy , Berry Leslle , Hoogendoorn Hugh , Andrew Maureen
Published: July 2018

The liver produces dermatan sulfate (DS), heparan sulfate (HS) and heparin glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and in the presence of hepatic disease, tissue levels of the DS GAG increase dramatically. We hypothesized that in children undergoing liver transplantation plasma levels of DS would be increased. Plasma from children undergoing liver transplantation were tested preoperative, intra operative and post operative at 24-48 h, and 1-3 weeks. Fluctuating levels of DS, HS and heparin anticoagulant activity were detected at all timepoints. The anticoagulant activity was purified and gel chromatography of the material displayed a mean Mr 110,000 D. Reductive elimination decreased the mean Mr 24,000 D indicating the activity resides on a proteoglycan (PG). The purified material was subjected to further chromatography and two peaks of anticoagulant activity resolved, compatible with at least two separate PGs, one with DS GAG chains and the additional PG(s) with HS and heparin GAG chains.
Characterization of the Structural Requirements for a Carbohydrate Based Anticoagulant with a Reduced Risk of Inducing the Immunological Type of Heparin-associated Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Greinacher Andreas , Alban Susanne , Dummel Veronika , Franz Gerhard , Mueller-Eckhardt Christian
Published: July 2018

HAT is the most frequent drug induced immune-thrombocytopenia. We recently identified multimolecular PF4/heparin complexes as the major antigen. In order to evaluate the structural requirements for formation of the antigenic complex, we chemically synthesized 13 glucan sulfates and used 5 heparin fractions (2.4-4.8 kD) and a synthesized pentasaccharide, representing the antithrombin III binding sequence of heparin, to further characterize the HAT antigen. In the presence of glucan sulfates and heparin, HAT antibodies caused platelet activation typically at low but not at high concentrations, as measured by 14C-5HT release. The concentration range giving the activation pattern depended on the degree of sulfation (DS) and molecular weight (MW) of the glucan sulfates but not on the type of glycosidic linkage of a polysaccharide. With linear glucan sulfates with a chain length of 35 monosaccharides, the critical DS to form the HAT antigen ranged between 0.60 and 1.20. Glycosidic branched glucan sulfates were able to form the HAT antigen at a lower DS and a lower MW than linear glucan sulfates. Platelet activation by HAT-antibodies in the presence of linear curdlan sulfate fractions was dependent on their MW. At a low concentration (0.01 µM) medium-size fractions (60 kD) caused platelet activation but neither small (12 kD) nor large fractions (>150 kD) did. At higher concentrations (2 µM) the opposite reaction pattern was observed. In the case of heparin, the optimal chain length for forming the HAT antigen is a hexadecasaccharide (4.8 kD). Antigen generation decreased with larger and smaller fractions. For 50% platelet activation by HAT antibodies increasing concentrations of heparin were necessary using heparins with decreasing MW: 0.02 ± 0.015 µM (4.8 kD), 0.09 ± 0.016 pM (3.0 kD), 0.8 ± 0.21 µM (2.4 kD). In the presence of the pentasaccharide, HAT antibodies did not cause platelet activation atany concentration tested, nor bound to PF4-pentasaccha- ride complexes in a PF4 based ELISA system. We conclude that generation of the HAT antigen is dependent on the ratio of MW and DS of a glucan sulfate. We conclude from this study that a carbohydrate based anticoagulant with a reduced risk of forming the HAT antigen should be linear with a DS<0.6 or a MW <2.4 kD. These data might be important for the design of new drugs for parenteral anticoagulation.
Antigenic and Functional Expression of Tissue Factor in Endotoxin Stimulated U937 Cells: Regulation of Activity by Calcium Ionophore A23187
Authors: Consonni R , Bertina R M
Published: July 2018

Tissue Factor (TF) is a transmembrane glycoprotein that serves as cofactor for Factor VII (FVII) in the initiation of blood coagulation and that is differentially expressed in a number of cell types, being constitutively expressed in some and inducible in others. We studied the localization and the functional activity of TF in monocytic leukemia U937 cells at different time intervals after lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulation, and the effect of calcium ionophore on the surface expressed TF.

Exposure of U937 cells to 10 µg/ml LPS resulted in a time dependent increase of TF expression that reached a maximum at 12 h for TF antigen and at 24 h for TF activity. Blocking of surface TF with inhibitory anti-TF antibody abolished >93% of the activity of lysed cells stimulated for 24 h, while it blocked only 80% of the activity in lysed cells stimulated for 12 h suggesting that at that time about 20% of TF is not accessible for the antibody. Even at 24 h when the specific activity of surface expressed TF is 5.5 times higher than at 12 h, this specific activity is still 10 fold lower than that of TF in lysed cells. Addition of Ca++ ionophore A23187 to LPS stimulated cells resulted in a fast increase of TF activity that was dependent on the dose of ionophore, on the extracellular Ca++ concentration and on the time that the cells had been incubated with LPS. Kinetic analysis of Factor X hydrolysis by the TF/FVII complex demonstrated that the addition of ionophore resulted in an increase of both the Vmax and the apparent Km, however, without affecting the catalytic efficiency of the reaction.

These data suggest that in U937 cells part of the TF induced by LPS is cryptic, that the specific activity of surface expressed tissue factor increases with time and that intracellular changes in Ca++ concentration can be important in the regulation of the expression of TF activity on the cell surface.