bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The 28‐day survival rates of two cytokine‐adsorbing hemofilters for continuous renal replacement therapy: a single‐center retrospective comparative study
Authors: Kobashi Shuichi , Maruhashi Takaaki , Nakamura Tomoya , Hatabayashi Erika , Kon Akihide
Published: December 2018

Aim

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) with a cytokine‐adsorbing hemofilter (CAH) is effective in the treatment of sepsis. Two filter types, namely polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and surface‐treated AN69 (AN69ST) hemofilters, have been successfully used for CRRT, but no direct comparisons have been published to date. This study compared the efficacy, as measured by 28‐day survival rates, of PMMA and AN69ST hemofilters in patients receiving CAH‐CRRT.

Methods

This retrospective observational study reviewed the medical records of 142 patients who received CAH‐CRRT between November 2013 and February 2015.

Results

The 28‐day survival rates were higher in the AN69ST group than in the PMMA group for patients with or without sepsis (all patients, 79.4% versus 54.1%; patients with sepsis, 77.3% versus 50.0%; patients without sepsis, 83.3% versus 57.5%; P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed regarding 28‐day survival rates of patients with or without sepsis (AN69ST, 77.3% versus 83.3%; P = 0.51; PMMA, 50.0% versus 57.5%; P = 0.61) using the same hemofilter.

Conclusion

The AN69ST hemofilter could be more effective than PMMA hemofilters for improving the survival outcomes of patients with or without sepsis.
Prediction Algorithm of the Cat Spinal Segments Lengths and Positions in Relation to the Vertebrae
Authors: Shkorbatova Polina.Y. , Lyakhovetskii Vsevolod A. , Merkulyeva Natalia S. , Veshchitskii Alexandr A. , Bazhenova Elena Y. , Laurens Jean , Pavlova Natalia V. , Musienko Pavel E.
Published: December 2018

Detailed knowledge of the topographic organization and precise access to the spinal cord segments is crucial for the neurosurgical manipulations as well as in vivo neurophysiological investigations of the spinal networks involved in sensorimotor and visceral functions. Because of high individual variability, accurate identification of particular portion of the lumbosacral enlargement is normally possible only during postmortem dissection. Yet, it is often necessary to determine the precise location of spinal segments prior to in vivo investigation, targeting spinal cord manipulations, neurointerface implantations, and neuronal activity recordings. To solve this problem, we have developed an algorithm to predict spinal segments locations based on their relation to vertebral reference points. The lengths and relative positions of the spinal cord segments (T13‐S3) and the vertebrae (VT13‐VL7) were measured in 17 adult cats. On the basis of these measurements, we elaborated the estimation procedure: the cubic regression of the ratio of the segment's length to the lengths of the VL2 vertebra was used for the determination of segment's length; and the quadratic regression of the ratio of their positions in relation to the VL2 rostral part was used to determine the position of the segments. The coefficients of these regressions were calculated at the training sample (nine cats) and were then confirmed at the testing sample (eight cats). Although the quality of the prediction is decreased in the caudal direction, we found high correlations between the regressions and real data. The proposed algorithm can be further translated to other species including human. Anat Rec, 302:1628–1637, 2019. © 2018 American Association for Anatomy
Financial decision making
Authors: Greenberg Adam Eric , Hershfield Hal E.
Published: December 2018

Financial decisions can have lasting consequences for consumer welfare and other important decisions. This review summarizes contemporary literature on financial decision making vis‐à‐vis the promotion of financial well‐being, outlining work on financial behaviors that contribute to financial well‐being, psychosocial determinants of financial well‐being, and the role of situational factors in financial well‐being. In addition to reviewing recent research, this article draws attention to some open questions in the field and proposes a trajectory for productive pathways of future research.
Challenges in lipid production from lignocellulosic biomass using Rhodosporidium sp.; A look at the role of lignocellulosic inhibitors
Authors: Osorio‐González Carlos S. , Hegde Krishnamoorthy , Brar Satinder K , Kermanshahipour Azadeh , Avalos‐Ramírez Antonio
Published: December 2018

The use of lignocellulosic biomass biofuels is an attractive alternative because they do not put food safety at risk, they are a renewable source, and their use is limited. The use of microorganisms has now become more widespread to take advantage of the carbohydrates present in this raw material (cellulose and hemicellulose) and the products of its hydrolysis (glucose, xylose, arabinose, galactose, and mannose). The fatty acids obtained from oleaginous microorganisms are potential sources for the production of drop‐in biofuels. Rhodosporidium sp. is an oleaginous yeast that accumulates up to 70% of its biomass in the form of lipids and is highly adaptable to different types of substrates. This review discusses the different factors and challenges (genetic modification of strains, pretreatments, and inhibitor effects) in obtaining lipid from lignocellulosic biomass using Rhodosporidium sp. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
An adaptive character skinning algorithm based on the property of real skin
Authors: Wu Huayue
Published: December 2018

Current methods for character skinning usually include weight binding and automatic skinning such as linear blend skinning (LBS) and dual quaternion skinning (DQS). However, weight binding is a tedious work; LBS and DQS suffer from their own artifacts. The latest research studies could produce better effect; however, their application in real‐time situations is limited due to the requirement of a large amount of first‐phase preparations and huge computation. This paper proposed a new approach that uses the property of real skin for skinning, which could produce a more natural and realistic effect and could greatly promote skinning efficiency. An optimized mathematical model is also used to compute mesh deformation; therefore, the render speed is greatly promoted and the effect of bulging muscles and fat could also be simulated.
Impacts of Cys392, Asp393, and ATP on the FAD Binding, Photoreduction, and the Stability of the Radical State of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Cryptochrome
Authors: Xu Lei , Wen Bin , Shao Wengui , Yao Pengcheng , Zheng Wei , Zhou Zhiqiang , Zhang Yao , Zhu Guoping
Published: December 2018

Plant cryptochromes (CRYs) are blue‐light receptors that regulate light‐dependent growth, development, and circadian rhythms. A flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor is bound to the photolyase homology region (PHR) of plant CRYs and can be photoreduced to a neutral radical state under blue light. This photoreaction can trigger subsequent signal transduction. Plant CRYs can also bind an ATP molecule adjacent to FAD in a pocket of the PHR. Chlamydomonas reinhardtii contains a single plant CRY, named Chlamydomonas photolyase homologue 1 (CPH1). In CPH1, Cys392 and Asp393 are located near the FAD cofactor. Here we have shown that replacing Cys392 with Ser has little effect on the properties of CPH1. The C392N mutant, however, showed a faster photoreduction rate than wild‐type CPH1, together with a significantly lower oxidation rate of the neutral radical state. Substituting an Asn residue for Asp393 in CPH1 improved the binding affinity for FAD as well as the stability of the neutral radical, but photoreduction in the case of this mutant was severely inhibited. In the presence of ATP, CPH1 and its mutants exhibited significantly higher binding affinity for FAD and slower oxidation of the neutral radical. These results reveal that the residues at site 392 and the presence of ATP can tune the stability of the neutral radical, that the Asp residue at site 393 is crucial for photoreduction, and that the photoreduction rate is not determined merely by the stability of the neutral radical in CPH1.
Oxygen Vacancy‐rich Anatase TiO2 Hollow Spheres Via Liquid Nitrogen Quenching Process for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Wang Gan , Zhang Lijuan , Yan Baolin , Luo Jianmin , Su Xintai , Yue Fan
Published: December 2018

Development of novel methods to obtain highly active catalysts for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution is desired. This work reports a facile preannealing‐quenching strategy to synthesize oxygen vacancy‐rich anatase TiO2 hollow spheres. TiO2 hollow spheres are first synthesized via a versatile kinetics‐controlled coating method and then subjected to high temperature preannealing followed by rapid quenching in liquid‐nitrogen (−196 °C). The as‐quenched samples appear light grey suggesting the presence of abundant surface oxygen vacancies, which are subsequently confirmed by the comprehensive analyses of XRD, XPS and EPR spectra. The oxygen vacancies induced by quenching process are proved to have promoted the light adsorption and inhibited the recombination of photo‐induced charges for TiO2 hollow spheres, which obviously improve the photocatalytic performance of those samples. The results showed that the TiO2 hollow spheres quenched at 500 °C exhibited a robust stability and the most excellent photocatalytic performance for hydrogen evolution (413.5 μmol h−1) over other quenched samples and it displayed 1.51 times higher performance than that of samples normally cooled at 500 °C (273.7 μmol h−1). Herein, this liquid‐nitrogen quenching strategy presented here provides an effective route for the synthesis of high‐performance TiO2 for water splitting and have a promising prospect in the other application.
Electrocatalytic N2 Fixation over Hollow VO2 Microspheres at Ambient Conditions
Authors: Zhang Rong , Guo Haoran , Yang Li , Wang Yuan , Niu Zhiguo , Huang Hong , Chen Hongyu , Xia Li , Li Tingshuai , Shi Xifeng , Sun Xuping , Li Baihai , Liu Qian
Published: December 2018

Electrochemical N2 fixation has gained much attention as an environmentally friendly and sustainable process for NH3 production at ambient conditions. Its efficiency depends greatly on identifying highly active electrocatalysts with good stability. In this work, we propose the use of VO2 hollow microspheres as a robust non‐precious metal catalyst for the N2 reduction reaction (NRR). The catalyst operates efficiently and stably at neutral pH to high Faradaic efficiency (3.97 %) and NH3 yield (14.85 μg h−1 mg−1cat.) under an applied potential of −0.7 V (vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode). Note that this catalyst also presents a high selectivity for NH3 synthesis without N2H4 generation. Density functional theory reveals that the energetically favorable pathway for NRR is *N2→*NNH→*NHNH→*NHNH2→*NH2NH2→*NH2+NH3→*NH3+NH3→2NH3, where the first hydrogenation step to form *NNH is the potential‐determining step.
Cellular organization and boundary formation in craniofacial development
Authors: Kindberg Abigail A. , Bush Jeffrey O.
Published: December 2018

Craniofacial morphogenesis is a highly dynamic process that requires changes in the behaviors and physical properties of cells in order to achieve the proper organization of different craniofacial structures. Boundary formation is a critical process in cellular organization, patterning, and ultimately tissue separation. There are several recurring cellular mechanisms through which boundary formation and cellular organization occur including, transcriptional patterning, cell segregation, cell adhesion and migratory guidance. Disruption of normal boundary formation has dramatic morphological consequences, and can result in human craniofacial congenital anomalies. In this review we discuss boundary formation during craniofacial development, specifically focusing on the cellular behaviors and mechanisms underlying the self‐organizing properties that are critical for craniofacial morphogenesis.
Abnormal morphological and functional nature of bone marrow stromal cells provides preferential support for survival of acute myeloid leukemia cells
Authors: Yehudai‐Resheff Shlomit , Attias‐Turgeman Shira , Sabbah Rawan , Gabay Tal , Musallam Raneem , Fridman‐Dror Anna , Zuckerman Tsila
Published: December 2018

Hematopoietic progenitors, residing in the bone marrow (BM) niche, are supported by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). Cytogenetic and molecular aberrations in these progenitors lead to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The BM‐MSC role in leukemogenesis is not fully elucidated. In the current study, anex‐vivosystem of patient's own stroma (POS), best mimicking thein‐vivoBM niche, has been developed aiming to unravel interactions and crosstalk between MSCs and AML cells. POS derived from AML patients at diagnosis (Dx), relapse (Rx) and remission (Rm) was compared to healthy donor MSCs in terms of their morphology, growth pattern, support of leukemia cell viability and cytokine profile. Compared to control MSCs, POS (Dx/Rx, Rm) demonstrated a reduced proliferation rate (35%), significantly slower expansion, enlarged cell area (3–4‐fold) and provided preferential support to leukemic cells of the same individual. Cytokine profiling showed significantly higher secreted phosphoprotein‐1 (SPP1) expression in Dx/Rx and Rm POS compared to healthy MSCs. Additionally, the angiopoietin‐1 expression was elevated in Dx/Rx POS with a further increase in the AML cell presence. In conclusion, the fact that POS derived in active disease and remission exhibited similar morphological and functional characteristics, might imply the involvement of the BM niche in leukemogenesis.
The histone chaperone complex FACT promotes proliferative switch of G0 cancer cells
Authors: Bi Ling , Xie Chanlu , Yao Mu , Thae Hnit Su Su , Vignarajan Soma , Wang Yilun , Wang Qian , Xi Zhichao , Xu Hongxi , Li Zhong , de Souza Paul , Tee Andrew , Wong Matthew , Liu Tao , Zhao Xiaodong , Zhou Jia , Xu Ling , Dong Qihan
Published: December 2018

Cancer cell repopulation through cell cycle re‐entry by quiescent (G0) cell is thought to be an important mechanism behind treatment failure and cancer recurrence. Facilitates Chromatin Transcription (FACT) is involved in DNA repair, replication and transcription by eviction of histones or loosening their contact with DNA. While FACT expression is known to be high in a range of cancers, the biological significance of the aberrant increase is not clear. We found that in prostate and lung cancer cells FACT mRNA and protein levels were low at G0 compared to the proliferating state but replenished upon cell cycle re‐entry. Silencing of FACT with Dox‐inducible shRNA hindered cell cycle re‐entry by G0 cancer cells, which could be rescued by ectopic expression of FACT. An increase in SKP2, c‐MYC and PIRH2 and a decrease in p27 protein levels seen upon cell cycle re‐entry were prevented or diminished when FACT was silenced. Further, using mVenus‐p27K− infected cancer cells to measure p27 degradation capacity, we confirm that inhibition of FACT at release from quiescence suppressed the p27 degradation capacity resulting in an increased mVenus‐p27K− signal. In conclusion, FACT plays an important role in promoting the transition from G0 to the proliferative state and can be a potential therapeutic target to prevent prostate and lung cancer from progression and recurrence.
New subcutaneous PowerFlow port results in cost and time‐savings in a busy outpatient apheresis clinic
Authors: Williams Lance A. , Arnesen Christine , Gunn Christina , Boshell Michael N. , Pham Huy P. , Guillory Bryan , Adamski Jill , Marques Marisa B.
Published: December 2018

Many vascular access options, such as subcutaneous ports, are currently on the market for use in both medication infusion and for procedures, such as therapeutic plasma exchange and extracorporeal photopheresis. We compared the cost and time necessary to complete apheresis procedures using either Angiodynamic's Vortex or Bard's PowerFlow subcutaneous ports by reviewing our experience on two patients undergoing long‐term apheresis treatments with at least 10 procedures with each type of port. We analyzed the cost of needles and thrombolytic therapy, staff time, overall procedure length, and the total time the patient was in the apheresis unit. We also compared flow rates and alarm rates between the two ports. In this small pilot study, use of the PowerFlow port resulted in significant cost and time savings, with mixed results for flow rates. Our results need to be confirmed in a larger patient population prior to recommending wide implementation of Bard's PowerFlow port.
Effect of STOX1 on recurrent spontaneous abortion by regulating trophoblast cell proliferation and migration via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Li Zhifang , Zhou Guiju , Jiang Longfan , Xiang Huifen , Cao Yunxia
Published: December 2018

STOX1 is a transcription factor that is implicated in the high prevalence of human gestational diseases. It has been studied in various types of gestational diseases using different molecular and cellular biological technologies. However, the effect and detailed mechanism of storkhead box 1 (STOX1) in recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) remain unknown. This study aimed to explore the effect and detailed mechanism of STOX1 in human trophoblast cells. The result showed that downregulation of STOX1 by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) led to a decrease in proliferation and migration in HTR‐8/SVneo cells, while it induced the apoptosis of HTR‐8/SVneo cells. Moreover, the result showed that trophoblast cells expressed lower levels of pAKT and p85 subunits after treatment with STOX1 shRNA when compared with control. However, overexpression of STOX1 obviously increased the pAKT and p85 protein expressions. Transfection of pcDNA‐AKT plasmid increased cell proliferation and migration in HTR‐8/SVneo cells while suppressed the apoptosis of HTR‐8/SVneo cells. Furthermore, inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway by a specific inhibitor promoted cell apoptosis and aggravatedly suppressed cell proliferation and migration of HTR‐8/SVneo cells. On the other hand, upregulation of the PI3K/Akt pathway could increase the relative expression level of Bcl‐2 and decrease the relative expression levels of Bax and Bim, while inhibition of the PI3K/Akt pathway led to adverse results. Our results demonstrated that inhibition of STOX1 could suppress trophoblast cell proliferation and migration, while promote apoptosis through inhibiting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. These findings might provide a new fundamental mechanism for regulating RSA and could be used to prevent and treat RSA in clinic.
A two‐CpG‐based prognostic signature for oral squamous cell carcinoma overall survival
Authors: Chen Yanping , Hei Naiheng , Zhao Jianguang , Peng Shixiong , Yang Kaicheng , Chen He , Cui Zifeng , Jin Linyu , Sun Ran , Guo Jingxin
Published: December 2018

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) represents one of the most common head and neck cancer that with dire prognosis due partly to the lack of reliable prognostic biomarker. Here, we aimed to develop a CpG site–based prognostic signature through which we could accurately predict overall survival (OS) of patients with OSCC. We obtained OSCC‐related DNA methylation and gene expression data sets from the public accessible Gene Expression Omnibus. Correlations between methylation level of CpG sites and OS of patients with OSCC were assessed by univariate Cox regression analysis followed by robust likelihood‐based survival analysis on those CpG sites with permutation P < 0.05 for further screening the optimal CpG sites for OSCC OS prediction based on the risk score formula that composed of the methylation level of optimal CpG sites weighted by their regression coefficients. Besides, differential expression genes (DEGs) and differential methylation genes (DMGs) in OSCC samples compared with normal samples were obtained and shared genes were considered as vital genes in OSCC tumorgenesis and progression. As a result, two CpG sites including cg17892178 and cg17378966 that located in NID2 and IDO1, respectively, were identified as the optimal prognostic signatures for OSCC OS. In addition, 12 overlapping genes between DEGs and DMGs that closely associated with inflammation or blood and tissue development–related biological processes were obtained. In conclusions, this study should provide valuable signatures for OSCC diagnosis and treatment.
Clinical and molecular characteristics of bladder urothelial carcinoma subtypes
Authors: Li Ying , Yang Kai , Li Ke , Liu He , Zhao Siqi , Jiao Mingli , Fu Xinru
Published: December 2018

Bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) is a common malignancy with high heterogeneity. A reasonable molecular subtyping can facilitate biological study and personalized therapy of BLCA. In this study, unsupervised consensus clustering was used to acquire the molecular subtypes of BLCA based on messenger RNA (mRNA) and microRNA (miRNA) data. Gene signature markers and canonical signaling pathways were compared between different subtypes. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) was used for the functional annotation of overexpressed genes in different subtypes for Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways. Three molecular subtypes were identified including C1 (luminal‐P53 like), C2 (luminal‐other), and C3 (basal‐immune‐squamous). C2 was different from C1 and C3 in clinical characteristics, including younger, better prognosis, and a higher proportion of papillary, Asian, low‐grade, early‐stage, lymph node negative, and complete remission patients (P < 0.05). Three molecular subtypes also showed distinct mRNA and miRNA expression patterns. luminal and P53‐like markers were highly expressed in subtype C1, luminal markers were highly expressed in subtype C2, and basal, EMT/claudin‐low, immune and squamous‐differentiation markers were highly expressed in subtype C3. In addition, highly expressed genes in C1 were involved in extracellular signal transduction and cell‐cell interaction, highly expressed genes in C2 were associated with oxygen transport, energy and steroid metabolism, and highly expressed genes in C3 were related with inflammatory, immune, cytokine, and signal transduction. BLCA in different molecular subtypes showed different clinical and molecular characteristics and personalized therapy needed to be adopted according to the molecular subtypes.
Overexpressed circ_0029426 in glioblastoma forecasts unfavorable prognosis and promotes cell progression by sponging miR‐197
Authors: Zhang Guifang , Sun Weibo , Zhu Liangfu , Feng Yingpu , Wu Liheng , Li Tianxiao
Published: December 2018

Accumulating studies indicates that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an imperative role in modulating cancer progression and metastasis. In the previous study, elevated circ_0029426 was first observed in glioblastoma (GBM) tissues compared with normal tissues by circRNA microarray. Our aim is to study the function and mechanism of circ_0029426 in GBM. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect relative circ_0029426 expression in GBM tissue samples and cells. Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate the expression of circ_0029426 and clinical parameters.The Kaplan‐Meier method and Cox regression were analyzed to evaluate the link between circ_0029426 expression and the overall survival of patients with GBM. Loss/gain‐of function experiments were performed to measure GBM cell growth, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. Dual luciferase reporter assays were applied to detect the binding ability between circ_0029426 and miR‐197. As a result, the circ_0029426 expression is tightly correlated with patients’ clinical severity and prognosis. Functionally, circ_0029426 strikingly promoted cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and inhibited cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, miR‐197 was predicted and verified to be sponged by circ_0029426. More importantly, the oncogenic functions of circ_0029426 are partially attributed to its suppression on miR‐197. Collectively, circ_0029426 may be taken as a potential therapeutic target for GBM.
Naproxen attenuates osteoarthritis progression through inhibiting the expression of prostaglandinl‐endoperoxide synthase 1
Authors: Wang Cuijiang , Wang Fei , Lin Fen , Duan Xiaohong , Bi Binna
Published: December 2018

Objective

This study aims to test the effect of naproxen treatment and the biological target of naproxen for treating osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in OA synovial tissues and normal counterparts were analyzed by messenger RNA microarray analysis. R package (weighted gene coexpression network analysis) was used to divide DEGs into several modules and determine the hub genes in each module. The expression level of prostaglandin‐endoperoxide synthase 1 (
PTGS1) in OA synovial cells and tissues was verified by a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. Transwell assay evaluated the numbers of cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, Safranin O and fast green staining and hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed on joints from anterior cruciate ligament transection mice.

Results

Microarray analysis determined PTGS1 was the hub gene in the black module, which was overexpressed in OA synovial cells and tissues compared with normal synovial cells. OA synovial cells transfected with sh‐PTGS1 showed downregulation of PTGS1. After treatment with naproxen, the expression of PTGS1 sharply decreased in the OA group. The migration and invasion of OA synovial cells increased, whereas the cell apoptosis rate decreased when PTGS1 was overexpressed. However, the cell migration and invasion decreased, whereas cells apoptosis increased when it was treated with naproxen. Naproxen could also influence the expression level of six OA‐related genes: LUBRICIN, matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP‐13), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), ACAN, COL2A1, and COL1A1.

Conclusion

We validated that naproxen could suppress the expression of PTGS1 in synovial cells. Moreover, naproxen could inhibit the migration/invasion ability of OA synoviocytes and promote the apoptosis rate OA synoviocytes.
Synthesis and Anti‐proliferative Activity of N,N′‐bis‐substituted 1,2,4‐Triazolium Salts against Breast Cancer and Prostate Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Lin Zi Jie , Bies Jared , Johnson Shanina S. , Gorden John D. , Strickland Jacqueline F. , Frazier Monica , Meyers Jonathan M. , Shelton Kerri L.
Published: December 2018

A series of 1,4‐N,N′‐bis‐substituted 1,2,4‐triazolium bromide salts were synthesized and tested for anti‐proliferative activity. 1,4‐Bis(naphthalen‐2‐ylmethyl)‐1,2,4‐triazolium bromide (2) showed activity against MDA‐MB‐468 breast cancer and PC‐3 prostate cancer cell lines.
Impact of Balloon Diameter on Dilation Outcomes in a Model of Rabbit Subglottic Stenosis
Authors: Schweiger Cláudia , Hart Catherine K. , Tabangin Meredith E. , Cohen Aliza P. , Roetting Nicholas J. , de Alarcón Alessandro
Published: December 2018

Objective

To determine the appropriate balloon size for dilation using a previously described reproducible survival animal model of subglottic stenosis.

Study Design

Prospective animal study.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study including 16 New Zealand White rabbits. The airway of each animal was sized with an endotracheal tube (ETT), and subglottic stenosis (SGS) was endoscopically induced using Bugbee electrocautery to 75% of the circumference of the subglottis, followed by 4‐hour intubation. Two weeks postoperatively, the rabbits' airways were sized and then dilated using a 6‐, 7‐, 8‐, or 9‐mm balloon, with four animals in each experimental group. Following dilation, animals were again sized and subsequently euthanized. The cricoid lumen was measured microscopically in each animal.

Results

Prior to inducing stenosis, all animals were sized with a 3.5 ETT. After inducing injury but prior to dilation, airways showed grade 2 SGS that sized with a 2.5 ETT with no leak. Postdilation, animals dilated with 6‐ or 7‐mm balloons (n = 8) sized with a 3.0 ETT, and animals dilated with an 8‐ or 9‐mm balloon (n = 8) sized with a 3.5 ETT. Postdilation median cricoid lumen measurements were 12.5 mm2 (6‐mm balloon), 13.92 mm2 (7 mm), 16.83 mm2 (8 mm), and 17.15 mm2 (9 mm); two cricoid fractures occurred in the 9‐mm group.

Conclusion

The postdilation cricoid lumen diameter increased with increased balloon size, and the use of an 8‐mm balloon achieved the largest cricoid lumen diameter without causing fracture. Further research is necessary to determine the ideal duration of dilation and optimal intervals between dilations.

Level of Evidence

NA

Laryngoscope, 129:2409–2413, 2019
Trends in female leadership at high‐profile otolaryngology journals, 1997–2017
Authors: Litvack Jamie R. , Wick Elizabeth H. , Whipple Mark E.
Published: December 2018

Objectives

To determine the proportion and relative advancement of women in leadership positions at high‐impact otolaryngology journals.

Methods

Nine clinical otolaryngology journals were selected based on high impact factor and subspecialty representation (journal impact factor, 2016: 1.16–2.95). The proportion of women editorial board members associate and/or section editors, and/or editor‐in‐chief was measured from 1997 to 2017. Comparisons were made to the proportion of women otolaryngology faculty at U.S. medical schools in 2017.

Results

From 1997 to 2017, female editorial board membership increased from 7.2% (range: 0.0%–12.8%) to 17.7% (range: 10.9%–38.9%) (P = 0.0001). In 2017, the proportion of female editorial board members was significantly less than the proportion of female academic otolaryngology faculty (17.7% vs. 27.7%, P = 0.0001), and there was threefold variation between journals. From 1997 to 2017, the proportion of female associate and/or section editors increased from 9.3% (range: 0.0–27.3) to 20.9% (range: 5.3% to 45.5%) (P = 0.09). In 2017, the proportion of female associate and/or section editors was not significantly different than the proportion of female associate or full professor academic otolaryngology faculty (20.9% vs. 19.5%, P = 0.73), but there was ninefold variation between journals.

Conclusion

Women were underrepresented on eight of nine otolaryngology editorial boards but appropriately represented at the associate and/or section editorship level. There was remarkable variation in representation at individual journals, which may provide future opportunities to examine best practices. Disparity exists in leadership at the most senior level of these high‐profile otolaryngology journals: none had women editor‐in‐chiefs.

Level of Evidence

NA

Laryngoscope, 129:2031–2035, 2019
A Comparison of Methods for Classifying Female Sablefish Maturity and Skip Spawning Outside the Spawning Season
Authors: Rodgveller C. J.
Published: December 2018

Ovarian development in Sablefish Anoplopoma fimbria was classified using three methods for samples collected during July and August in the Gulf of Alaska, approximately 6–8 months prior to spawning. Although not an ideal time for predicting future spawning, this is when survey platforms, such as longline and trawl vessels, are available annually. The three maturity classification methods included (1) macroscopic classification at sea by trained scientists but with these personnel varying throughout the survey period, (2) macroscopic classification after the survey from photographs by a single, highly trained scientist (standardized macroscopic), and (3) a microscopic evaluation of ovarian structures from histological slides. Based on certain oocyte development characteristics, the second half of August was identified as the time period when maturity could be the most accurately classified in the Gulf of Alaska. Age and length at maturity were estimated to be earlier or smaller, respectively, on some portions of the survey, when macroscopic at-sea methods were used as opposed to standardized macroscopic or microscopic methods. Skip spawning was documented throughout the survey but at a lower rate than was reported in other studies (2% versus 6% and 21%), indicating that the rate of skip spawning is likely variable. The results demonstrate that accurate maturity classifications may be determined from collections during nonpreferable months when histology or the standardized macroscopic method is used. Identifying skip spawning is likely reliant on microscopic analysis, and so a combination of the standardized macroscopic method along with limited histological sampling, to identify skip spawning rates or to classify maturity when there is uncertainty at sea, may be the most time- and cost-effective option for species similar to Sablefish that skip spawn.
Synthesis and characterization of cellulose acetate from royal palm tree agroindustrial waste
Authors: Battisti Rodrigo , Hafemann Eduardo , Claumann Carlos Alberto , Machado Ricardo Antonio Francisco , Marangoni Cintia
Published: December 2018

This study provides a novel value‐added utilization of the agroindustrial waste of royal palm tree leaf sheath to produce cellulose acetate. One of the motivations of this work was the fact that Brazil is one of the largest heart of palm producers in the world. However, as a result of extraction and processing, tons of waste are generated and discharged to the environment. Such waste is rich in lignocellulosic material, which could be reused to obtain derivatives of interest and commercial value. The synthesis of cellulose acetate was performed through a homogeneous acetylation reaction. Three different conditions were tested for delignification of the raw material, which resulted in a reduction in lignin content from 17.75 to 7.72%. The highest yield of cellulose acetate reached 99.5%, with degree of substitutions ranging between 2.08 and 2.82, which indicates satisfactory conversion. The Fourier transform infrared spectrum showed that practically all hydroxyl groups were replaced by acetate groups; this was also confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that the cellulose acetate crystallinity index was 8.9%. This demonstrates the viable potential of cellulose acetate production with low cost and use of highly available agroindustrial waste. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:891–898, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Cucurbitacin B inhibits the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells by altering the biomechanical properties of cells
Authors: Liang Jing , Zhang Xiao‐Lan , Yuan Jin‐Wei , Zhang Hao‐Ran , Liu Dan , Hao Jian , Ji Wei , Wu Xiong‐Zhi , Chen Dan
Published: December 2018

Changes in cellular biomechanical properties affect cell migration and invasion. The natural compound Cucurbitacin B (CuB) has potent anticancer activity; however, the mechanism underlying its inhibitory effect on breast cancer metastasis needs further study. Here, we showed that low‐dose CuB inhibited adhesion and altered the viscoelasticity of breast cancer cells, thereby, reducing cell deformability. In vitro and in vivo experiments proved that CuB effectively inhibited the migration and invasion of breast cancer cells. Further studies have found that CuB downregulated the expression of F‐actin/vimentin/FAK/vinculin in breast cancer cells, altering the distribution and reorganization of cytoskeletal proteins in the cells. CuB inhibited signaling by the Rho family GTPases RAC1/CDC42/RhoA downstream of integrin. These findings indicate that CuB has been proven to mediate the reorganization and distribution of cytoskeletal proteins of breast cancer cells through RAC1/CDC42/RhoA signaling, which improves the mechanical properties of cell adhesion and deformation and consequently inhibits cell migration and invasion.
Layered Topological Insulators and Semimetals for Magnetoresistance Type Sensors
Authors: Zhang Minhao , Wang Xuefeng , Song Fengqi , Zhang Rong
Published: December 2018

Magnetoresistance (MR) type sensors are transducers that can vary their resistances sensitively in response to an applied magnetic field. Recently, topological quantum materials have drawn the increased attention for sensor applications due to their novel MR effects. Here, a range of MR effects occurring in the layered 3D topological insulators and topological semimetals are briefly reviewed. The MR effects include the extremely large nonsaturating MR, the giant anisotropic MR, and the unique spin‐valve‐like MR. The large MR ratios, the high MR anisotropy, and the low 1/f noise allow sensors to have the high sensitivity over a wide range of temperatures and magnetic fields. It is anticipated that the layered topological quantum materials with their excellent MR performance and structural flexibility would provide an ideal platform for new‐generation magnetic sensor applications.
Computational Screening of Efficient Single‐Atom Catalysts Based on Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g‐C3N4) for Nitrogen Electroreduction
Authors: Chen Zhe , Zhao Jingxiang , Cabrera Carlos R. , Chen Zhongfang
Published: December 2018

The development of low‐cost and efficient electrocatalysts for nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) at ambient conditions is crucial for NH3 synthesis and provides an alternative to the traditional Harber‐Bosch process. Herein, by means of density functional theory (DFT) computations, the catalytic performance of a series of single metal atoms supported on graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) for NRR is evaluated. Among all the candidates, the Gibbs free energy change of the potential‐determining step for five single‐atom catalysts (SACs), namely Ti, Co, Mo, W, and Pt atoms supported on g‐C3N4 monolayer, is lower than that on the Ru(0001) stepped surface. In particular, the single tungsten (W) atom anchored on g‐C3N4 (W@g‐C3N4) exhibits the highest catalytic activity toward NRR with a limiting potential of −0.35 V via associative enzymatic pathway, and can well suppress the competing hydrogen evolution reaction. The high NRR activity and selectivity of W@g‐C3N4 are attributed to its inherent properties, such as significant positive charge and large spin moment on the W atom, excellent electrical conductivity, and moderate adsorption strength with NRR intermediates. This work opens up a new avenue of N2 reduction for renewable energy supplies and helps guide future development of single‐atom catalysts for NRR and other related electrochemical process.
Oxygen Vacancy Tuning toward Efficient Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction to C2H4
Authors: Gu Zhengxiang , Yang Na , Han Peng , Kuang Min , Mei Bingbao , Jiang Zheng , Zhong Jun , Li Li , Zheng Gengfeng
Published: December 2018

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) is a promising approach to solve both renewable energy storage and carbon‐neutral energy cycles, while the capability of selective reduction to C2+ products has still been quite limited. In this work, partially reduced copper oxide nanodendrites with rich surface oxygen vacancies (CuOx–Vo) are developed, serving as excellent Lewis base sites for enhanced CO2 adsorption and subsequent electrochemical reduction. Theoretical calculations reveal that these oxygen vacancy‐rich CuOx surfaces provide strong binding affinities to the intermediates of *CO and *COH, but weak affinity to *CH2, thus leading to efficient formation of C2H4. As a result, the partially reduced CuOx nanodendrites exhibit one of the highest C2H4 production Faradaic efficiencies of 63%. The electrochemical stability test further shows that the C2H4 Faradaic efficiency strongly depends on the oxygen vacancy density in CuOx, which can further be regenerated for several cycles, thus suggesting the critical role of oxygen vacancies for the C2 product selectivity.
An Ultra‐low Concentration of Gold Nanoparticles Embedded in the NiO Hole Transport Layer Boosts the Performance of p‐i‐n Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Xiao Shuang , Xu Fang , Bai Yang , Xiao Junyan , Zhang Teng , Hu Chen , Meng Xiangyue , Tan Hairen , Ho Ho‐Pui , Yang Shihe
Published: December 2018

NiOx is a promising hole transport material for p‐i‐n perovskite solar cells (PVSCs) on account of its high mobility, excellent stability and prospect for large‐scale fabrication. However, the typical conductivity of NiOx is low because of the low carrier concentration, which consequently compromises its photovoltaic performance. Herein, we show that the carrier concentration of NiOx can be improved by as much as three times through embedding a small concentration (0.11 At%) of gold nanoparticles (Au‐NPs), 2–3 nm in diameter, into the NiOx thin film. The enhancement is due to the formation of Ohmic contact between Au and NiOx while avoiding direct contact between Au and perovskite. All key parameters of the PVSC, namely Jsc, Voc, and FF have improved, and the overall efficiency shows a significant improvement from 17.8% to 20.2%. The small size, low concentration, and Ohmic contact nature of the embedded Au‐NPs, together with this simple method point to a new promising direction for developing high performance PVSCs.
Revisiting the Optimal Nano‐Morphology: Towards Amorphous Organic Photovoltaics
Authors: Nunzi Jean‐Michel , Lebel Olivier
Published: December 2018

Organic photovoltaic cells commonly use an active layer with a polycrystalline bulk heterojunction. However, for simplifying the fabrication process, it may be worthwhile to use an amorphous active layer to lessen the burden on processing to achieve optimal performance. While polymers can adopt amorphous phases, molecular glasses, small molecules that can readily form glassy phases and do not crystallize over time, offer an appealing alternative, being monodisperse species. Our group has developed a series of reactive molecular glasses that can be covalently bonded to chromophores to form glass‐forming adducts, and this strategy has been used to synthesize glass‐forming donor and acceptor materials. Herein, the results of devices incorporating these materials in either partially or fully amorphous active layers are summarized. Additionally, these molecular glasses can be used as ternary components in crystalline systems to enhance efficiency without perturbing the morphology.
Energy systems modeling: Trends in research publication
Authors: Machado Pedro Gerber , Mouette Dominique , Villanueva Luz D. , Esparta A. Ricardo , Mendes Leite Bruno , Moutinho dos Santos Edmilson
Published: December 2018

This study analyzes 34 tools through 442 publications on energy systems modeling, aiming to identify the most relevant trends in research and the research gaps in energy planning. For detecting these gaps, the publications analyzed were categorized based on pre‐defined criteria regarding geographical coverage, sectoral coverage, time horizon, analytical approach and energy source. The categories were designed to be a broad classification with the appropriate level of information required to differentiate between models. The results show that there is a lack of studies concerned with better understanding the energy systems in Africa and South America. Environmentally‐oriented publications account for 50.4% of all the publications studied. Modelers have thus shown a greater interest in studying issues related to climate change mitigation than in other areas of the energy chain.

This article is categorized under:

Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy

Energy Policy and Planning > Systems and Infrastructure

Concentrating Solar Power > Economics and Policy
Integrability, duality and sigma models
Authors: Fateev V. A. , Litvinov A. V.
Published: December 2018

Abstract

We introduce and study conformal field theories specified by W −algebras commuting with certain set of screening charges. These CFT’s possess perturbations which define integrable QFT’s. We establish that these QFT’s have local and non-local Integrals of Motion and admit the perturbation theory in the weak coupling region. We construct factorized scattering theory which is consistent with non-local Integrals of Motion and perturbation theory. In the strong coupling limit the S−matrix of this QFT tends to the scattering matrix of the O(N) sigma model. The perturbation theory, Bethe ansatz technique, renormalization group approach and methods of conformal field theory are applied to show, that the constructed QFT’s are dual to integrable deformation of O(N) sigma-models.
The availability of drug by liposomal drug delivery
Authors: Smits Evelien A. W. , Soetekouw José A. , Pieters Ebel H. E. , Smits Coen J. P. , de Wijs-Rot Nicolette , Vromans Herman
Published: December 2018

Lately, the usefulness of liposomal drug delivery systems has been debated. To better understand the underlying pharmacokinetics of the targeted drug delivery by liposomes, individual encapsulated and non-encapsulated drug concentrations in blood, tumor, liver, spleen and kidneys were quantified after i.v. administration of liposomal prednisolone phosphate in mice. Kinetic analysis shows that the tumor influx of encapsulated drug is not dominant compared to the uptake by the other tissues. Further, from a quantitative point of view, the availability of non-encapsulated drug in the tumor tissue after liposomal delivery is not pronounced as compared to the other tissues studied. However, drug release in the tumor seems more extended than in the other tissues and the non-encapsulated drug concentration decreases more slowly in the tumor than in the liver and spleen. The spleen shows a high affinity for the uptake of encapsulated drug as well as the release of drug from the liposomes. Subsequently, released drug in the spleen, and possibly also in other tissues, is probably quickly redistributed towards the blood and other tissues. This also impairs the drug delivery effect of the liposomes. In contrast to the released drug in the central circulation, liver and spleen, the released drug concentration in the tumor remains at a fairly constant level likely due to the extended release kinetics from the liposomes. These extended release characteristics in the tumor most probably contribute to the beneficial effect. Nevertheless, it should be noted that larger released drug concentrations are formed in healthy tissues.