bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virulence Inhibitors from Brazilian Peppertree Block Quorum Sensing and Abate Dermonecrosis in Skin Infection Models
Authors: Muhs Amelia , Lyles James T. , Parlet Corey P. , Nelson Kate , Kavanaugh Jeffery S. , Horswill Alexander R. , Quave Cassandra L.
Published: February 2017

Widespread antibiotic resistance is on the rise and current therapies are becoming increasingly limited in both scope and efficacy. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) represents a major contributor to this trend. Quorum sensing controlled virulence factors include secreted toxins responsible for extensive damage to host tissues and evasion of the immune system response; they are major contributors to morbidity and mortality. Investigation of botanical folk medicines for wounds and infections led us to study Schinus terebinthifolia (Brazilian Peppertree) as a potential source of virulence inhibitors. Here, we report the inhibitory activity of a flavone rich extract “430D-F5” against all S. aureus accessory gene regulator (agr) alleles in the absence of growth inhibition. Evidence for this activity is supported by its agr-quenching activity (IC50 2–32 μg mL−1) in transcriptional reporters, direct protein outputs (α-hemolysin and δ-toxin), and an in vivo skin challenge model. Importantly, 430D-F5 was well tolerated by human keratinocytes in cell culture and mouse skin in vivo; it also demonstrated significant reduction in dermonecrosis following skin challenge with a virulent strain of MRSA. This study provides an explanation for the anti-infective activity of peppertree remedies and yields insight into the potential utility of non-biocide virulence inhibitors in treating skin infections.
Chiral topological excitons in the monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Gong Z. R. , Luo W. Z. , Jiang Z. F. , Fu H. C.
Published: February 2017

We theoretically investigate the chiral topological excitons emerging in the monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides, where a bulk energy gap of valley excitons is opened up by a position dependent external magnetic field. We find two emerging chiral topological nontrivial excitons states, which exactly connects to the bulk topological properties, i.e., Chern number = 2. The dependence of the spectrum of the chiral topological excitons on the width of the magnetic field domain wall as well as the magnetic filed strength is numerically revealed. The chiral topological valley excitons are not only important to the excitonic transport due to prevention of the backscattering, but also give rise to the quantum coherent control in the optoelectronic applications.
Dysregulated autophagy increased melanocyte sensitivity to H2O2-induced oxidative stress in vitiligo
Authors: He Yuanmin , Li Shuli , Zhang Weigang , Dai Wei , Cui Tingting , Wang Gang , Gao Tianwen , Li Chunying
Published: February 2017

In vitiligo, melanocytes are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress owing to the pro-oxidant state generated during melanin synthesis and to the genetic antioxidant defects. Autophagy is a controlled self-digestion process which can protect cells against oxidative damage. However, the exact role of autophagy in vitiligo melanocytes in response to oxidative stress and the mechanism involved are still not clear. To determine the implications of autophagy for melanocyte survival in response to oxidative stress, we first detected the autophagic flux in normal melanocytes exposure to H2O2, and found that autophagy was significantly enhanced in normal melanocytes, for protecting cells against H2O2-induced oxidative damage. Nevertheless, vitiligo melanocytes exhibited dysregulated autophagy and hypersensitivity to H2O2-induced oxidative injury. In addition, we confirmed that the impairment of Nrf2-p62 pathway is responsible for the defects of autophagy in vitiligo melanocytes. Noteworthily, upregulation of the Nrf2-p62 pathway or p62 reduced H2O2-induced oxidative damage of vitiligo melanocytes. Therefore, our data demonstrated that dysregulated autophagy owing to the impairment of Nrf2-p62 pathway increase the sensitivity of vitiligo melanocytes to oxidative stress, thus promote the development of vitiligo. Upregulation of p62-dependent autophagy may be applied to vitiligo treatment in the future.
Label-free detection of myocardial ischaemia in the perfused rat heart by spontaneous Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Ohira Suguru , Tanaka Hideo , Harada Yoshinori , Minamikawa Takeo , Kumamoto Yasuaki , Matoba Satoaki , Yaku Hitoshi , Takamatsu Tetsuro
Published: February 2017

Raman spectroscopy, which identifies intrinsic molecular constituents, has a potential for determining myocardial viability under label-free conditions. However, its suitability for evaluating myocardial ischaemia is undetermined. Focusing on cytochromes, i.e., representative molecules reflecting mitochondrial activity, we tested whether Raman spectroscopy is applicable for evaluating myocardial ischaemia especially during early ischaemic phase. We obtained spontaneous Raman spectra of the subepicardial myocardium in the Langendorff-perfused rat heart upon 532-nm excitation before and during the “stopped-flow,” global ischaemia. Semi-quantitative values of the peak intensities at 750 and 1127 cm−1, which reflect reduced cytochromes c and b, increased immediately and progressively after induction of the stopped flow, indicating progressive reduction of the mitochondrial respiration. Such spectral changes emerged before the loss of 1) mitochondrial membrane potentials measured by the fluorescence intensity of tetramethyl rhodamine ethyl ester or 2) staining of the triphenyl tetrazolium chloride dye in the myocardium. The progressive increases in the Raman peaks by stopped flow were significantly retarded by ischaemic preconditioning. Sequential measurements of the peak intensities at 750 and 1127 cm−1 enabled early detection of the myocardial ischaemia based on the mitochondrial functions. These data suggest that Raman spectroscopy offers the potential to evaluate acute ischaemic heart under label-free conditions.
Optical Measurement of In-plane Waves in Mechanical Metamaterials Through Digital Image Correlation
Authors: Schaeffer Marshall , Trainiti Giuseppe , Ruzzene Massimo
Published: February 2017

We report on a Digital Image Correlation-based technique for the detection of in-plane elastic waves propagating in structural lattices. The experimental characterization of wave motion in lattice structures is currently of great interest due its relevance to the design of novel mechanical metamaterials with unique/unusual properties such as strongly directional behaviour, negative refractive indexes and topologically protected wave motion. Assessment of these functionalities often requires the detection of highly spatially resolved in-plane wavefields, which for reticulated or porous structural assemblies is an open challenge. A Digital Image Correlation approach is implemented that tracks small displacements of the lattice nodes by centring image subsets about the lattice intersections. A high speed camera records the motion of the points by properly interleaving subse- quent frames thus artificially enhancing the available sampling rate. This, along with an imaging stitching procedure, enables the capturing of a field of view that is sufficiently large for subsequent processing. The transient response is recorded in the form of the full wavefields, which are processed to unveil features of wave motion in a hexagonal lattice. Time snapshots and frequency contours in the spatial Fourier domain are compared with numerical predictions to illustrate the accuracy of the recorded wavefields.
Responses of spatial-temporal dynamics of bacterioplankton community to large-scale reservoir operation: a case study in the Three Gorges Reservoir, China
Authors: Li Zhe , Lu Lunhui , Guo Jinsong , Yang Jixiang , Zhang Jiachao , He Bin , Xu Linlin
Published: February 2017

Large rivers are commonly regulated by damming, yet the effects of such disruption on bacterioplankton community structures have not been adequately studied. The aim of this study was to explore the biogeographical patterns present under dam regulation and to uncover the major drivers structuring bacterioplankton communities. Bacterioplankton assemblages in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) were analyzed using Illumina Miseq sequencing by comparing seven sites located within the TGR before and after impoundment. This approach revealed ecological and spatial-temporal variations in bacterioplankton community composition along the longitudinal axis. The community was dynamic and dominated by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria phyla, encompassing 39.26% and 37.14% of all sequences, respectively, followed by Bacteroidetes (8.67%) and Cyanobacteria (3.90%). The Shannon-Wiener index of the bacterioplankton community in the flood season (August) was generally higher than that in the impoundment season (November). Principal Component Analysis of the bacterioplankton community compositions showed separation between different seasons and sampling sites. Results of the relationship between bacterioplankton community compositions and environmental variables highlighted that ecological processes of element cycling and large dam disturbances are of prime importance in driving the assemblages of riverine bacterioplankton communities.
Plasmon-Enhanced Photocurrent using Gold Nanoparticles on a Three-Dimensional TiO2 Nanowire-Web Electrode
Authors: Yen Yin-Cheng , Chen Jau-An , Ou Sheng , Chen Yi-Shin , Lin Kuan-Jiuh
Published: February 2017

In this study, an anatase/rutile mixed-phase titanium dioxide (TiO2) hierarchical network deposited with Au nanoparticles (Au/TiO2 ARHN) was synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method followed by a simple calcination step. Such a unique structure was designed for improving the light harvest, charge transportation/separation, and the performance of photo-electro-chemical (PEC) cells. The properties of the as-synthesized Au/TiO2 ARHN in PEC cells were investigated by electrochemical measurements using a three-electrode system in a 1 M NaOH electrolyte. Remarkably, a 4.5-folds enhancement of the photocurrent for Au/TiO2 ARHN was observed as compared to that for TiO2 nanowire (NW), under AM1.5G solar illumination, suggesting its potential application in PEC cells. A mechanism has been proposed to explain the high photocurrent of Au/TiO2 ARHN in PEC water splitting.
Evaluation of Acridine Orange Derivatives as DNA-Targeted Radiopharmaceuticals for Auger Therapy: Influence of the Radionuclide and Distance to DNA
Authors: Pereira Edgar , do Quental Letícia , Palma Elisa , Oliveira Maria Cristina , Mendes Filipa , Raposinho Paula , Correia Isabel , Lavrado João , Di Maria Salvatore , Belchior Ana , Vaz Pedro , Santos Isabel , Paulo António
Published: February 2017

A new family of 99mTc(I)- tricarbonyl complexes and 125I-heteroaromatic compounds bearing an acridine orange (AO) DNA targeting unit was evaluated for Auger therapy. Characterization of the DNA interaction, performed with the non-radioactive Re and 127I congeners, confirmed that all compounds act as DNA intercalators. Both classes of compounds induce double strand breaks (DSB) in plasmid DNA but the extent of DNA damage is strongly dependent on the linker between the Auger emitter (99mTc or 125I) and the AO moiety. The in vitro evaluation was complemented with molecular docking studies and Monte Carlo simulations of the energy deposited at the nanometric scale, which corroborated the experimental data. Two of the tested compounds, 125I-C5 and 99mTc-C3, place the corresponding radionuclide at similar distances to DNA and produce comparable DSB yields in plasmid and cellular DNA. These results provide the first evidence that 99mTc can induce DNA damage with similar efficiency to that of 125I, when both are positioned at comparable distances to the double helix. Furthermore, the high nuclear retention of 99mTc-C3 in tumoral cells suggests that 99mTc-labelled AO derivatives are more promising for the design of Auger-emitting radiopharmaceuticals than the 125I-labelled congeners.
Selective separation of americium from europium using 2,9-bis(triazine)-1,10-phenanthrolines in ionic liquids: a new twist on an old story
Authors: Williams Neil J. , Dehaudt Jérémy , Bryantsev Vyacheslav S. , Luo Huimin , Abney Carter W. , Dai Sheng
Published: February 2017

Am(iii) is efficiently extracted from Eu(iii) in a single contact with a bis(triazine)-1,10-phenanthroline dissolved in an ionic liquid.
Isolation of a chiral anthracene cation radical: X-ray crystallography and computational interrogation of its racemization
Authors: Ivanov Maxim V. , Thakur Khushabu , Bhatnagar Anshul , Rathore Rajendra
Published: February 2017

Chiral cation-radicals hold significant promise as charge-transfer materials, chiroptical switches, and catalysts for enantioselective synthesis. Herein we identify a chiral anthracene derivative that forms a robust cation-radical salt as established by X-ray crystallography and DFT calculations.
Adsorption dynamics of molecular nitrogen at an Fe(111) surface
Authors: Nosir M. A. , Martin-Gondre L. , Bocan G. A. , Díez Muiño R.
Published: February 2017

We present an extensive theoretical study of N2 adsorption mechanisms on an Fe(111) surface.
Optimization of highly sensitive YAG:Cr3+,Nd3+ nanocrystal-based luminescent thermometer operating in an optical window of biological tissues
Authors: Marciniak L. , Bednarkiewicz A. , Drabik J. , Trejgis K. , Strek W.
Published: February 2017

The highest relative sensitivity of YAG:Cr3+,Nd3+ luminescent thermometers in physiological temperature range was 3.48% K−1.
Amphiphilic nanosheet self-assembly at the water/oil interface: computer simulations
Authors: Xiang Wenjun , Zhao Shuangliang , Song Xianyu , Fang Shenwen , Wang Fen , Zhong Cheng , Luo Zhaoyang
Published: February 2017

The self-assembly of amphiphilic Janus triangular-plates at the water/oil interface is simulated for the first time.
Oxidation potentials of phenols and anilines: correlation analysis of electrochemical and theoretical values
Authors: Pavitt Ania S. , Bylaska Eric J. , Tratnyek Paul G.
Published: February 2017

New experimental and theoretical oxidation potentials for substituted phenols and anilines give improved correlations to kinetic data with manganese oxides.
Metal organic framework based catalysts for CO2 conversion
Authors: Maina James W. , Pozo-Gonzalo Cristina , Kong Lingxue , Schütz Jürg , Hill Matthew , Dumée Ludovic F.
Published: February 2017

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are hybrid crystalline materials, exhibiting high specific surface areas, controllable pore sizes and surface chemistry.
Copper(ii) complexes with benzhydrazone-related ligands: synthesis, structural studies and cytotoxicity assay
Authors: Cindrić Marina , Bjelopetrović Alen , Pavlović Gordana , Damjanović Vladimir , Lovrić Jasna , Matković-Čalogović Dubravka , Vrdoljak Višnja
Published: February 2017

The present study reports the synthesis and characterization of copper(ii) complexes with benzhydrazone-related ligands. They were screened for their cytotoxic activityin vitroin THP-1 and HepG2 human cancer cell lines.
The severe impact of in vivo-like microfluidic flow and the influence of gemini surfactants on amyloid aggregation of hen egg white lysozyme
Authors: Gospodarczyk W. , Kozak M.
Published: February 2017

The formation of amyloid plaques is being intensively studied, as this process underlies severe human diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, and the exact mechanism of this specific aggregation has not been resolved yet.
Multiscale modelling of heat conduction in all-MoS2 single-layer heterostructures
Authors: Mortazavi Bohayra , Rabczuk Timon
Published: February 2017

We developed a combined atomistic-continuum multiscale modeling to explore the effective thermal conductivity of all-MoS2 single-layer heterostructures.
Antifungal activity and mechanism of heat-transformed ginsenosides from notoginseng against Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton rubrum, and Trichophyton mentagrophytes
Authors: Xue Peng , Yang Xiushi , Sun Xiaoyan , Ren Guixing
Published: February 2017

The improved antifungal activity of notoginseng can be attributed to the formation of less polar ginsenosides by heat transformation.
Electrospray technique in fabricating perovskite-based hybrid solar cells under ambient conditions
Authors: Lin Pei-Ying , Chen Yueh-Ying , Guo Tzung-Fang , Fu Yaw-Shyan , Lai Li-Chung , Lee Chung-Kwang
Published: February 2017

An electrospray technique was applied to deposit solidified crystals as precursors on a substrate and to investigate halide exchange and phase transformation in a solid state reaction with heat treatment for fabricating perovskite layers in a planar heterojunction solar cell.
Low-cost and massive preparation of nitrogen-doped porous carbon for supercapacitor application
Authors: Hao Yanxia , Xu Feng , Qian Meng , Xu Jijian , Zhao Wei , Huang Fuqiang
Published: February 2017

Massive synthesis of nitrogen-doped porous carbon with superior supercapacitor performance.
Synthesis of spiro-oxoindoles through Pd-catalyzed remote C–H alkylation using α-diazocarbonyl compounds
Authors: Pérez-Gómez Marta , Hernández-Ponte Sergio , Bautista Delia , García-López José-Antonio
Published: February 2017

In this communication we describe a new route to spiro-oxoindole derivatives through a novel Pd-catalyzed cascade process.
B–H functionalization of the monocarba-closo-dodecaborate anion by rhodium and iridium catalysis
Authors: Shen Yunjun , Pan Yani , Zhang Kang , Liang Xuewei , Liu Jiyong , Spingler Bernhard , Duttwyler Simon
Published: February 2017

The regioselective derivatization of the monocarba-closo-dodecaborate anion via catalytic B–H bond activation is reported.
Cobalt salt-catalyzed carbocyclization reactions of α-bromo-N-phenylacetamide derivatives
Authors: Cheng Yi-Chen , Chen Ying-Yu , Chuang Che-Ping
Published: February 2017

A Co(ii)-catalyzed carbocyclization reaction for the synthesis of 4-substituted quinolin-2-(1H)-ones is described.
One-pot construction of sterically challenging and diverse polyarylphenols via transition-metal-free benzannulation and their potent in vitro antioxidant activity
Authors: Maezono Shizuka Mei Bautista , Poudel Tej Narayan , Lee Yong Rok
Published: February 2017

One pot novel synthesis of highly functionalized polyarylphenols via benzannulation under transition-metal-free conditions and their antioxidant activities are described.
(1S)-(−)-N-Trifluoromethylthio-2,10-camphorsultam and its derivatives: easily available, optically pure reagents for asymmetric trifluoromethylthiolation
Authors: Zhang He , Leng Xuebing , Wan Xiaolong , Shen Qilong
Published: February 2017

Optically pure reagents that are able to deliver a trifluoromethylthio group with good to excellent enantioselectivities.
The influence of the central acceptor unit on the optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic performance of A–D–A–D–A-type co-oligomers
Authors: Ata Ibrahim , Popovic Duško , Lindén Mika , Mishra Amaresh , Bäuerle Peter
Published: February 2017

A series of A–D–A–D–A co-oligomers was developed and implemented as donor materials in solution-processable organic solar cells showing the dependence of molecular structures on the power conversion efficiency upon solvent vapor annealing.
Correction: Iridium catalysts with modular axial-unfixed biphenyl phosphine–oxazoline ligands: asymmetric hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids
Authors: Wang Qian , Zhang Zongpeng , Chen Caiyou , Yang Hailong , Han Zhengyu , Dong Xiu-Qin , Zhang Xumu
Published: February 2017

Correction for ‘Iridium catalysts with modular axial-unfixed biphenyl phosphine–oxazoline ligands: asymmetric hydrogenation of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids’ by Qian Wang et al., Org. Chem. Front., 2017, DOI: 10.1039/c6qo00677a.
Soft colloidal lithography
Authors: Weiler M. , Pacholski C.
Published: February 2017

Soft colloidal lithography utilizes stimuli-responsive hydrogel microgels for controlling independently lattice constant and colloidal diameter in highly ordered 2D arrays.
Nitrogen-doped TiO2(B) nanorods as high-performance anode materials for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries
Authors: Yang Yingchang , Liao Shijia , Shi Wei , Wu Yundong , Zhang Renhui , Leng Senlin
Published: February 2017

Nitrogen-doped TiO2(B) nanorods exhibit high specific capacity, good cycling stability and enhanced rate capability when utilized in sodium-ion batteries.
Correction: Self-immolative polymers as novel pH-responsive gate keepers for drug delivery
Authors: Gisbert-Garzaran M. , Lozano D. , Vallet-Regí M. , Manzano M.
Published: February 2017

Correction for ‘Self-immolative polymers as novel pH-responsive gate keepers for drug delivery’ by M. Gisbert-Garzaran et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 132–136.
Cognitive behavioural therapy on improving the depression symptoms in patients with diabetes: a meta-analysis of randomized control trials
Authors: Wang Zhi-da , Xia Yu-fei , Zhao Yue , Chen Li-ming
Published: February 2017

This meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the effect of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in improving the depression symptoms of patients with diabetes. Literature search was conducted in PubMed and Embase up to October 2016 without the initial date. The pooled SMD (standard mean difference) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by Revman 5.3. Subgroup analyses were performed by type of diabetes and evaluation criteria of depression. A total of five randomized control trials involving 834 patients with diabetes mellitus (including 417 patients in CBT group and 417 patients in control group) were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled estimates indicated significant improvement of depression by CBT compared with routine approaches in overall outcomes (SMD =–0.33, 95% CI =–0.46 to –0.21, P<0.00001), post-intervention outcomes (SMD =–0.43, 95% CI =–0.73 to –0.12, P=0.006) and outcomes after 12 months intervention (SMD =–0.38, 95% CI = –0.54 to –0.23, P<0.0001). Subgroup analyses showed that the results were not influenced by the type of diabetes. However, the effect of CBT on improving the depression symptoms disappeared when only using CES-D (Centre for Epidemiological Studies scale for Depression) to evaluate depression.
12‐Channel, 480 Gbit/s optical receiver analogue front‐end in 0.13 μm BiCMOS technology
Authors: Chen Yingmei , Li Jiquan , Zhang Zhen , Wang Hui , Zhang Yunan
Published: February 2017

A compact 12‐channel 480 Gbit/s optical receiver analogue front‐end (AFE) for parallel optical transmission systems has been implemented in 0.13 μm SiGe BiCMOS technology. The transimpedance amplifier of AFE employed common‐gate amplifier and negative feedback structure to decrease input impedance and broaden bandwidth. The limiting amplifier adopted modified Cherry–Hooper amplifier with active feedback technique to stabilise current and acquire high gain simultaneously. Without on‐chip spiral inductors, the spacing of adjacent channels is constricted to 250 μm and the chip area is only 3350 × 700 μm. With the psuedo‐random binary sequence (PRBS) input data, the maximum operating rate of the AFE is 38.7 Gbit/s; meanwhile, the root mean square (RMS) jitter is 2.16 ps and the single‐ended output amplitude of 183.7 mV is achieved. The power consumption of each channel is 150 mW from a 3.3 V supply.
Reduced basis approximation of large scale parametric algebraic Riccati equations
Authors: Schmidt Andreas , Haasdonk Bernard
Published: February 2017

The algebraic Riccati equation (ARE) is a matrix valued quadratic equation with many important applications in the field of control theory, such as feedback control, state estimation or ℋ∞-robust control. However, solving the ARE can get very expensive in applications that arise from semi-discretized partial differential equations. A further level of computational complexity is introduced by parameter dependent systems and the wish to obtain solutions rapidly for varying parameters. We thus propose the application of the reduced basis (RB) methodology to the parametric ARE by exploiting the well known low-rank structure of the solution matrices. We discuss a basis generation procedure and analyze the induced error by deriving a rigorous a posteriori error bound. We study the computational complexity of the whole procedure and give numerical examples that prove the efficiency of the approach in the context of linear quadratic (LQ) control.
Caudal Regression Syndrome in a 12-Year-Old Boy Associated with Thecal Sac Ending at Fifth Lumbar Vertebrae Associated with Caudal Stenotic Dural Sac and Thickened Filum Terminale, Bifid Lumbar Vertebrae with Sacral Vertebral Agenesis: Pentads Defects
Authors: Satyarthee Guru , Mahapatra Ashok
Published: February 2017

Caudal regression syndrome is characterized by a spectrum of structural defects of the caudal vertebral region, varying from isolated agenesis or dysgenesis of coccyx to lumbosacral agenesis. It may be associated with congenital anomaly, spinal cord, distal genitourinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract. The authors report late presentation of caudal regression syndrome in a 12-year-old male student who had low backache and deformity of foot since childhood. He developed urinary incontinence by the age of 7 years. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed complete agenesis of lower three sacral and coccyx vertebral segments, with spina bifida of lower lumbar vertebra, stenosis of lumbar dural sac and thecal sac ending at L5, associated thickened filum terminale, and tethered cord. He underwent L2–L5 laminectomy with duraplasty and detethering of cord. Intraoperatively, markedly overcrowded lumbar and sacral nerve roots were observed. He noticed improvement of foot weakness and relief of backache following surgery.
Estrone and Estradiol Levels in Breast Cancer Patients Using Anastrozole Are Not Related to Body Mass Index
Authors: Coscia Eduardo Borges , Sabha Maricene , Gerenutti Marli , Groppo Francisco Carlos , Bergamaschi Cristiane de Cássia
Published: February 2017

Objective Obesity is associated with an increased risk for breast cancer. Recent studies have shown that aromatase inhibitors may be less effective in women with a high body mass index (BMI). The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between the BMI and plasma estrone and estradiol levels in postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer using anastrozole.

Methods In this cohort study, the patients were divided into three groups according to BMI (normal weight, overweight and obese) to compare and correlate plasma hormone levels before starting anastrozole hormone therapy and three months after treatment. Plasma hormone levels were compared for age and use of chemotherapy.

Results A statistically significant reduction in estrone and estradiol levels was observed between baseline and three months after starting the anastrozole treatment (p < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in plasma estrone and estradiol levels among the BMI groups (p > 0.05), but a significant reduction in plasma estrone levels was observed after three-months' treatment relative to baseline in all groups, as well as a reduction in estradiol in the obese group (p < 0.05). The use of chemotherapy and age > 65 years had no influence on plasma steroid levels.

Conclusion Changes in estrone and estradiol levels in the studied groups were not associated with BMI, chemotherapy or age.
Nasalance Changes Following Various Endonasal Surgeries
Authors: Amer Hazem , Elaassar Ahmed , Anany Ahmad , Quriba Amal
Published: February 2017

Introduction There is change in nasalance post endonasal surgery which is not permanent.

Objectives The objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term nasalance changes following different types of endonasal surgeries.

Methods We included in this study patients who underwent sinonasal surgery at the Otorhinolaryngology Department in Zagazig University Hospitals from February 2015 until March 2016. We divided the patients into two groups according to the surgeries they underwent: Group (A) was the FESS group and group (B), the septoturbinoplasty group. We checked nasalance using a nasometer before and after the sinonasal surgery.

Results Nasalance increased at one month after the operation in both groups. However, it returned to nearly original levels within three months postoperatively.

Conclusion FESS, septoplasty, and turbinate surgery may lead to hypernasal speech. This hypernasal speech can be a result of change in the shape and diameter of the resonating vocal tract. Hypernasal speech in these circumstances may be a temporary finding that can decrease with time. Surgeons should inform their patients about the possibility of hypernasality after such types of surgery, especially if they are professional voice users.
Transient Hemi-Lower Limb Ischemia in the Newborn: Arterial Thrombosis or Persistent Sciatic Artery?
Authors: Kirino Makiko , Ochiai Masayuki , Ichiyama Masako , Inoue Hirosuke , Kusuda Takeshi , Kinjo Tadamune , Ishimura Masataka , Ohga Shouichi
Published: February 2017

Neonatal thromboembolism occurs with various predispositions and triggers. Early diagnosis of the thrombosis is challenging and essential for the therapeutic interventions. We herein report two newborns who presented with transient hemi-lower limb ischemia due to (1) arterial thrombosis or (2) a persistent sciatic artery (PSA). The patient with arterial thrombosis showed elevations of fibrin degradation product and D-dimer and received antithrombin and heparin intravenously. The patient with PSA was immediately assessed by a contrast-enhanced computed tomography because of a transient ischemic episode with no evidence of hypercoagulability. Newborns suspected of having arterial thrombosis may need urgent surgical intervention along with thrombolytic and anticoagulant therapy to prevent organ ischemia and amputation of extremities. Conversely, some PSA cases have reportedly been treated conservatively. This vascular anomaly was previously reported as a cause of lower limb ischemia only in a newborn. PSA is a critical differential diagnosis of neonatal arterial thrombosis that needs urgent therapeutic intervention.
Symptomatic Multiple Level Lateral Meningoceles with Intraspinal Meningocele: A Case Study and Its Surgical Management
Authors: Velho Vernon , Guthe Sachin , Survashe Pravin , Darade Poonam
Published: February 2017

Lateral meningocele is rare disorder of unknown etiology that represents herniation of leptomeninges through enlarged neural foramina. Most patients are asymptomatic and do not need treatment. A symptomatic case with neurologic deficit requires well-planned surgical approach. We report a case of 9-year-old boy who presented with mid backache and progressive asymmetric paraparesis with urinary incontinence. The patient did not appear to have any neurologic disorder. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of spine revealed bilateral multiple thoracic and lumbar paraspinal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) intensity cystic lesions projecting from the neural foramen and extending laterally suggesting multiple bilateral meningoceles. He was surgically treated, meningocele repair was done, and thecoperitoneal shunt was inserted. Postoperatively he improved symptomatically. Bilateral multiple lateral meningoceles are very rare entity and those who are surgically treated are few. We emphasize our innovative surgical approach to this case.
Intraoperative optische Kohärenztomografie – eine aktuelle Übersicht klinischer Studien zur Anwendung im Vorder- und Hinterabschnitt
Authors: Augustin A.
Published: February 2017

Die intraoperative optische Kohärenztomografie (iOCT) stellt einen weiteren, erheblichen Entwicklungsschritt in der ophthalmologischen Bildgebung dar – erstmals sind nun hochaufgelöste OCT-Darstellungen nicht nur prä- und postoperativ, sondern auch intraoperativ verfügbar. In den letzten Jahren wurden intraoperative OCT-Technologien intensiv erforscht und von ersten, handgehaltenen, über auf das Mikroskop aufmontierten Systemen bis hin zu vollständig in das Operationsmikroskop integrierten Systemen weiterentwickelt. Diese liefern uns während eines chirurgischen Eingriffs bei quasi unverändertem Arbeitsumfeld in Echtzeit 3-dimensionale OCT-Bilder und bieten uns so zusätzlich zur Mikroskopansicht weitere Informationen, wie z. B. zu Mikrostrukturen der Netzhaut oder der Kornea, die die Operationsstrategie bei Vorder- und Hinterabschnittseingriffen beeinflussen können. Wie jede neue Technologie weist auch die iOCT derzeit noch einige Limitationen auf, wie z. B. durch die Instrumente hervorgerufene Abschattungen des darunterliegenden Gewebes oder fehlende Tracking-Systeme. Daher ist zum derzeitigen Stand der Technologie noch etwas Geschick erforderlich, um chirurgische Manöver mit der iOCT in Echtzeit nachzuverfolgen. Dies wird durch zukünftige Weiterentwicklungen sicherlich behoben werden. Auch wenn die iOCT nicht für alle Prozeduren erforderlich ist, so kann es doch bei vielen chirurgischen Eingriffen am Vorder- bzw. Hinterabschnitt schon heute zu mehr Sicherheit und Kontrolle beitragen, wie zahlreiche Studien und Fallserien zeigen. Insbesondere bei der Entfernung vitreomakulärer Traktionen oder epiretinaler Membranen (ERM-Peeling) wie auch bei der Operation von Makulaforamina bietet die iOCT den Chirurgen eine deutliche Unterstützung, indem sie zur besseren Visualisierung transparenter Strukturen beiträgt, eine direkte Erfolgskontrolle ermöglicht und in bestimmten Fällen den Einsatz von Farbstoffen überflüssig macht. Auch bei lamellären hornhautchirurgischen Eingriffen sowie in der Glaukomchirurgie kann die iOCT zu mehr Kontrolle und Präzision beitragen. Zudem können mithilfe der iOCT neue wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse zu verschiedenen Pathologien gewonnen, Auswirkungen chirurgischer Manöver auf die okuläre Strukturen besser evaluiert und somit chirurgische Manöver langfristig optimiert werden. Zur besseren Beurteilung des Nutzens der iOCT für verschiedene chirurgische Prozeduren werden zukünftig weitere prospektive Studien erforderlich sein.
Epi-Bowman-Keratektomie: klinische Beurteilung einer neuen Variante der Surface Ablation
Authors: Taneri S. , Kießler S. , Rost A. , Schultz T. , Elling M. , Dick B.
Published: February 2017

Ziel Kürzlich wurde ein neues Instrument zur Entfernung des Hornhautepithels vor Excimer-Laser Surface Ablation oder kollagener Quervernetzung (CXL) vorgestellt, das Epi-Clear™-Keratom (Orca Surgical, Kiryat-Shmona, Israel). Wir wollten die Literatur bez. klinischer Ergebnisse und Vor- und Nachteilen im Vergleich zu anderen Methoden der Epithelabrasio analysieren.

Methode In PubMed wurden zuletzt am 09. 11. 2016 folgende Stichwörter zur Literatursuche eingegeben: „Epi-Bowman Keratectomy“, „Epi-clear“, „Epikeratome“. Weiterhin wurde online bei internationalen augenärztlichen Kongressen (European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons [ESCRS] und American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery [ASCRS]) nach Postern und Präsentationen gesucht sowie beim Hersteller nach Veröffentlichungen angefragt. Die Literatursuche ergab 1 Peer-Review-Publikation, 1 Non-Peer-Review-Veröffentlichung, 18 themenrelevante Poster und Präsentationen über den refraktiven Einsatz des Epi-Clear-Keratoms, 2 Poster für die Anwendung vor CXL und 1 Präsentation zur experimentellen Nutzung des Epi-Clear-Keratoms zur Entfernung eines Pterygiums.

Ergebnisse Im Vergleich mit anderen bekannten Methoden der Surface Ablation, z. B. alkoholassistierte PRK oder PRK mittels Hornhautschaber, scheint die Epi-Bowman-Keratektomie™ (EBK™) mindestens gleiche, teils auch bessere Ergebnisse zu liefern. So wird nach EBK u. a. von geringeren Schmerzen, geringerer Haze-Bildung und einer kürzeren Heilungszeit berichtet. Auch sei die Erholung der Sehleistung schneller als mit anderen Methoden. Auch im Rahmen einer CXL wurde eine signifikant kürzere Heilungszeit im direkten Vergleich zur Epithelabrasio mittels Hornhautschaber und ein geringeres Schmerzempfinden der Patienten beschrieben.

Schlussfolgerung Zusammenfassend scheint das Epi-Clear-Keratom ein vielversprechendes Instrument zur Epithelabrasio vor refraktiver Laserablation zu sein. Allerdings fehlt noch eine überzeugende Erklärung zum prinzipiellen Vorteil. Außerdem scheint das Epi-Clear-Keratom besonders bei CXL Vorteile zu bieten, da hier die Bowman-Membran dauerhaft geschont wird. Dennoch sind für eine abschließende Beurteilung weitere Studien mit höherer Belastbarkeit (kontrolliert, randomisiert und in ausreichender Fallzahl) nötig.
The confinement of an annealed branched polymer by a potential well
Authors: Grosberg Alexander Y. , Kelly Joshua , Bruinsma Robijn
Published: February 2017

The Lifshitz equation for the confinement of a linear polymer in a spherical cavity of radius R has the form of the Schrödinger equation for a quantum particle trapped in a potential well with flat bottom and infinite walls at radius R. We show that the Lifshitz equation of a confined annealed branched polymer has the form of the Schrödinger equation for a quantum harmonic oscillator. The harmonic oscillator potential results from the repulsion of the many branches from the potential walls. Mathematically, it must be obtained from the solution of the equation of motion of a second, now classical, particle in a non-linear potential that depends self-consistently on the eigenvalue of the quantum oscillator. The resulting confinement energy has a 1/R4 dependence on the confinement radius R, in agreement with scaling arguments. We discuss the application of this result to the problem of the confinement of single-stranded RNA molecules inside spherical capsids.
High saturation intensity in InAs/GaAs quantum dot solar cells and impact on the realization of the intermediate band concept at room-temperature
Authors: Li Tian , Dagenais Mario
Published: February 2017

High optical saturation intensity at room temperature is reported for an ensemble of undoped quantum dots. The non-linearity of the light-generated-current under resonant excitation from the valence band to the intermediate band is shown to be made up of two components: a background two-photon absorption term and a resonant optical saturation term. It is argued that the solar intensity is much lower than the saturation intensities involved for the first and second transitions in the intermediate band solar cell under 1-sun illumination and therefore prevents exciting an appreciable amount of population in the terminal level that can be ionized to the continuum and generate an appreciable additional current. This additional current is required for enhancing the energy conversion efficiency of a solar cell based on the intermediate band concept. Operating at cryogenic temperatures leads to a reduction in the saturation intensity but it might not be sufficient for increasing the energy conversion efficiency, unless concentrated sun light, and/or high density of quantum dots, and/or quantum dots with a lifetime more comparable to the radiative lifetime are used. The conclusions of this paper are also expected to apply to other quantum dot systems.
The evolution of galaxies in the mirror of the coagulation equation
Authors: Kontorovich V. M.
Published: February 2017

Smoluchowski equation and its generalizations, describing the merger of the particles, allow us to understand the main stages of the formation of galaxy mass functions, established as a result of mergers, and their evolution and thus provides an explanation for the results of long-term observations with the Hubble Space Telescope and large ground-based telescopes.
Field induced phase transitions and energy harvesting performance of (Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 single crystal
Authors: Zhuo Fangping , Li Qiang , Li Yuanyuan , Gao Jinghan , Yan Qingfeng , Zhang Yiling , Xi Xiaoqing , Chu Xiangcheng , Cao Wenwu
Published: February 2017

(Pb,La)(Zr,Sn,Ti)O3 (PLZST) single crystals with composition close to the morphotropic phase boundary had been grown by the flux method. The antiferroelectric-ferroelectric phase switching electric field was 0.8 kV/mm. Temperature-dependent dielectric and polarization versus electric field hysteresis loops revealed that the electric field induced ferroelectric phase could transform back into the antiferroelectric phase at depolarization temperature (145 °C). An enhanced pyroelectric coefficient value of 1.46 μC/cm2/K was obtained at 145 °C, which is several times larger than that of conventional pyroelectric materials. Furthermore, multiple peak pyroelectric responses and an enhanced harvested energy density value of 0.4 J/cm3 were achieved in the PLZST crystal. The enhanced harvested energy density and multiple peak pyroelectric responses make the PLZST crystal a promising candidate for high sensitive temperature sensors and energy conversion technologies.
Mechanical and electromagnetic properties of 3D printed hot pressed nanocarbon/poly(lactic) acid thin films
Authors: Kotsilkova R. , Ivanov E. , Todorov P. , Petrova I. , Volynets N. , Paddubskaya A. , Kuzhir P. , Uglov V. , Biró I. , Kertész K. , Márk G. I. , Biró L. P.
Published: February 2017

We constructed a new type of light-weight, nanocarbon based thin film material having good mechanical properties, thermal stability, and electromagnetic shielding efficiency. Our method, 3D printing combined with hot pressing, is a cheap and industrially upscalable process. First a sandwich structure was created by layer-to-layer deposition of alternating 100 μm thick nanocarbon containing plastic layers and 100 μm thick pristine plastic layers, repeated as building blocks. The 3D printed samples were hot pressed to obtain thin films of 10–30 μm thickness. We used a commercial nanocarbon 3D printing filament (Black Magic). TEM investigations revealed the nanocarbon filler to be a mixture of graphene sheets, short carbon nanotubes, fishbone nanotubes, graphitic nanoparticles, and carbon black. Small-angle X-ray scattering and X-ray diffraction studies showed some amorphization of the nanocarbon filler as a consequence of the hot pressing. The nanoindentation hardness, nanoscratch hardness, and Young's modulus increase gradually by increasing the number of layers in the films, due to an increase of the amount of nanocarbon filler. Microwave absorption also increases continuously with the number of nanocarbon layers, reaching 40% for 3 nanocarbon layers. We demonstrate that unlike most conventional composites loaded with nanocarbons having pronounced dielectric properties, when the real part of permittivity Re(ε) is much higher than its imaginary part Im(ε) at high frequencies, a combination of 3D printing and hot pressing allows the fabrication of composites with Re ε ≈ Im ε in a very broad frequency range (0.2–0.6 THz). Our new 3D printed—hot pressed thin films may compete with the CVD graphene sandwiches in electromagnetic shielding applications because of their easier processability and low cost.
Stable tetragonal phase and magnetic properties of Fe-doped HfO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Sales T. S. N. , Cavalcante F. H. M. , Bosch-Santos B. , Pereira L. F. D. , Cabrera-Pasca G. A. , Freitas R. S. , Saxena R. N. , Carbonari A. W.
Published: February 2017

In this paper, the effect in structural and magnetic properties of iron doping with concentration of 20% in hafnium dioxide (HfO2) nanoparticles is investigated. HfO2 is a wide band gap oxide with great potential to be used as high-permittivity gate dielectrics, which can be improved by doping. Nanoparticle samples were prepared by sol-gel chemical method and had their structure, morphology, and magnetic properties, respectively, investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with electron back scattering diffraction (EBSD), and magnetization measurements. TEM and SEM results show size distribution of particles in the range from 30 nm to 40 nm with small dispersion. Magnetization measurements show the blocking temperature at around 90 K with a strong paramagnetic contribution. XRD results show a major tetragonal phase (94%).
An illustrated inventory of the sea slugs of New South Wales, Australia (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia)
Authors: Nimbs Matt J. , Smith Stephen D.A.
Published: February 2017

Although the Indo-Pacific is the global centre of diversity for the heterobranch sea slugs, their distribution remains, in many places, largely unknown. On the Australian east coast, their diversity decreases from approximately 1000 species in the northern Great Barrier Reef to fewer than 400 in Bass Strait. While occurrence records for some of the more populated sections of the coast are well known, data are patchy for more remote areas. Many species have very short lifecycles, so they can respond rapidly to changes in environmental conditions. The New South Wales coast is a recognised climate change hot-spot and southward shifts in distribution have already been documented for several species. However, thorough documentation of present distributions is an essential prerequisite for identifying further range extensions. While distribution data are available in the public realm, much is also held privately as photographic collections, diaries and logs. This paper consolidates the current occurrence data from both private and public sources as part of a broader study of sea slug distribution in south-eastern Australia and provides an inventory by region. A total of 382 species, 155 genera and 54 families is reported from the mainland coast of New South Wales.
Bilingual bonds
Authors: Hammer Kate
Published: February 2017

This paper investigates the perception of ‘being yourself’ when speaking in the second language (L2) in the context of mobility-migration. Participants consist of 149 highly educated sequential Polish-English bilinguals who relocated to the UK at the average age of 23, and underwent processes of acculturation. The independent variables in this study include acculturation level, social network profile, language of attachment in adulthood, language dominance, length of residence, predicted future domicile, gender, and age of L2 acquisition (AoA). The study employs both emic and etic approaches. The findings reveal strong links between the perception of being yourself in L2 and acculturation level, social network profile, language dominance, predicted future domicile, and language of attachment. The results show that sociocultural and psychological integration into the new society and culture are strongly linked to the perception of being yourself in L2. This study adds acculturation and attachment perspectives to current research on the perception of feeling different when using languages learnt later in life.
Electrical Guidance Efficiency of Downstream‐Migrating Juvenile Sea Lampreys Decreases with Increasing Water Velocity
Authors: Miehls Scott M. , Johnson Nicholas S. , Haro Alex
Published: February 2017

We tested the efficacy of a vertically oriented field of pulsed direct current (VEPDC) created by an array of vertical electrodes for guiding downstream‐moving juvenile Sea Lampreys Petromyzon marinus to a bypass channel in an artificial flume at water velocities of 10–50 cm/s. Sea Lampreys were more likely to be captured in the bypass channel than in other sections of the flume regardless of electric field status (on or off) or water velocity. Additionally, Sea Lampreys were more likely to be captured in the bypass channel when the VEPDC was active; however, an interaction between the effects of VEPDC and water velocity was observed, as the likelihood of capture decreased with increases in water velocity. The distribution of Sea Lampreys shifted from right to left across the width of the flume toward the bypass channel when the VEPDC was active at water velocities less than 25 cm/s. The VEPDC appeared to have no effect on Sea Lamprey distribution in the flume at water velocities greater than 25 cm/s. We also conducted separate tests to determine the threshold at which Sea Lampreys would become paralyzed. Individuals were paralyzed at a mean power density of 37.0 µW/cm3. Future research should investigate the ability of juvenile Sea Lampreys to detect electric fields and their specific behavioral responses to electric field characteristics so as to optimize the use of this technology as a nonphysical guidance tool across variable water velocities.

Received April 26, 2016; accepted November 1, 2016 Published online February 13, 2017