bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Legal perspectives on black box recording devices in the operating environment
Authors: Dalen A S H M , Legemaate J , Schlack W S , Legemate D A , Schijven M P
Published: May 2019

Background

A video and medical data recorder in the operating theatre is possible, but concerns over privacy, data use and litigation have limited widespread implementation. The literature on legal considerations and challenges to overcome, and guidelines related to use of data recording in the surgical environment, are presented in this narrative review.

Methods

A review of PubMed and Embase databases and Cochrane Library was undertaken. International jurisprudence on the topic was searched. Practice recommendations and legal perspectives were acquired based on experience with implementation and use of a video and medical data recorder in the operating theatre.

Results

After removing duplicates, 116 citations were retrieved and abstracts screened; 31 articles were assessed for eligibility and 20 papers were finally included. According to the European General Data Protection Regulation and US Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, researchers are required to make sure that personal data collected from patients and healthcare professionals are used fairly and lawfully, for limited and specifically stated purposes, in an adequate and relevant manner, kept safe and secure, and stored for no longer than is absolutely necessary. Data collected for the sole purpose of healthcare quality improvement are not required to be added to the patient's medical record.

Conclusion

Transparency on the use and purpose of recorded data should be ensured to both staff and patients. The recorded video data do not need to be used as evidence in court if patient medical records are well maintained. Clear legislation on data responsibility is needed to use the medical recorder optimally for quality improvement initiatives.
Profiling of circulating tumor DNA in plasma of non‐small cell lung cancer patients, monitoring of epidermal growth factor receptor p.T790M mutated allelic fraction using beads, emulsion, amplification, and magnetics companion assay and evaluation in future application in mimicking circulating tumor cells
Authors: Garcia Jessica , Wozny Anne‐Sophie , Geiguer Florence , Delherme Aurélia , Barthelemy David , Merle Patrick , Tissot Claire , Jones Frederick S. , Johnson Chassidy , Xing Xiaobin , Xu Zhenyu , Edelstein Daniel L. , Brevet Marie , Souquet Pierre‐Jean , Rodriguez‐Lafrasse Claire , Payen Léa , Couraud Sébastien
Published: May 2019

Cell‐free plasma DNA (cfDNA) and mimicking circulating tumor cells (mCTCs) have demonstrated tremendous potential for molecular diagnosis of cancer and have been rapidly implemented in specific settings. However, widespread clinical adoption still faces some obstacles. The purpose was to compare the performance of a BEAMing (beads, emulsion, amplification, and magnetics) assay (OncoBEAM™‐epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR] [Sysmex Inostics]) and a next‐generation sequencing assay (NGS; 56G Oncology panel kit, Swift Bioscience) to detect the p.T790M EGFR mutation in cfDNA of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. CfDNA samples (n = 183) were collected within our hospital from patients having a known EGFR sensitizing mutation, and presenting disease progression while under first‐line therapy. EGFR mutations were detected using NGS in 42.1% of samples during progression in cfDNA. Testing using the OncoBEAM™‐EGFR assay enabled detection of the p.T790M EGFR mutation in 40/183 NSCLC patients (21.8%) versus 20/183 (10.9%), using the NGS assay. Samples that were only positive with the OncoBEAM™‐EGFR assay had lower mutant allelic fractions (Mean = 0.1304%; SD ± 0.1463%). In addition, we investigated the detection of p.T790M in mCTCs using H1975 cells. These cells spiked into whole blood were enriched using the ClearCellFX1 microfluidic device. Using the OncoBEAM™‐EGFR assay, p.T790M was detected in as few as 1.33 tumoral cells/mL. Overall, these findings highlight the value of using the OncoBEAM™‐EGFR to optimize detection of the p.T790M mutation, as well as the complementary clinical value that each of the mutation detection assay offers: NGS enabled the detection of mutations in other oncogenes that may be relevant to secondary resistance mechanisms, whereas the OncoBEAM™‐EGFR assay achieved higher sensitivity for detection of clinically actionable mutations.
Interaction with proactive and reactive agents in box manipulation tasks in virtual environments
Authors: Liu Kuan‐Yu , Volonte Matias , Hsu Yu‐Chun , Babu Sabarish V. , Wong Sai‐Keung
Published: May 2019

This paper studies the user collaboration experience with proactive and reactive agents in transporting boxes in virtual environments. Two main characters, the avatar and the agent, are controlled by a user and a controller, respectively. The user and the agent communicate with each other by voice. The agent can be proactive or reactive. The user follows the instruction issued by the proactive agent, whereas the user instructs the reactive agent to perform actions. The goal is to transport boxes to goal positions with orientation constraints. We conducted a user study to analyze the behaviors of participants in several aspects, including task completion time, path length, control experience, and co‐presence experience. We report our findings and make suggestions for future development.
Rational Design of Novel Phosphoinositide 3‐Kinase Gamma (PI3Kγ) Selective Inhibitors: A Computational Investigation Integrating 3D‐QSAR, Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Li Kan , Zhu Jingyu , Xu Lei , Jin Jian
Published: May 2019

Phosphoinositide 3‐kinase gamma (PI3Kγ) draws an increasing attention due to its link with deadly cancer, chronic inflammation and allergy. But the development of PI3Kγ selective inhibitors is still a challenging endeavor because of the high sequence homology with the other PI3K isoforms. In order to acquire valuable information about the interaction mechanism between potent inhibitors and PI3Kγ, a series of PI3Kγ isoform‐selective inhibitors were analyzed by a systematic computational method, combining 3D‐QSAR, molecular docking, molecular dynamic (MD) simulations, free energy calculations and decomposition. The general structure–activity relationships were revealed and some key residues relating to selectivity and high activity were highlighted. It provides precious guidance for rational virtual screening, modification and design of selective PI3Kγ inhibitors. Finally, ten novel inhibitors were optimized and P10 showed satisfactory predicted bioactivity, demonstrating the feasibility to develop potent PI3Kγ inhibitors through this computational modeling and optimization.
A Strategy for Discovering Heterochiral Bioactive Peptides by Using the OB2nP Library and SPOTs Method
Authors: Udagawa Hinako , Yoneda Takato H. , Masuda Ryo , Koide Takaki
Published: May 2019

d‐Amino acid containing peptides are promising as drug lead compounds because of their expected higher stability in vivo. A heterochiral random peptide library called the one‐bead–2n‐peptide (OB2nP) library, which can display 2n peptide diastereomers per bead, has been developed. Through screening of the OB2nP library and subsequent binding assay among the peptide diastereomers synthesized in parallel by means of the SPOTs method, new heterochiral mimotopes for the anti‐β‐endorphin monoclonal antibody have been obtained. One mimotope was a new ligand for the μ‐opioid receptor. The screening strategy enabled d‐amino acid containing drug leads to be obtained efficiently by expanding searchable chemical space without increasing the experimental scale.
Metastable 9‐Fluorenone: Blueshifted Fluorescence, Single‐Crystal‐to‐Single‐Crystal Reactivity, and Evaluation as a Multimodal Fingermark Visualization Treatment
Authors: Florence Grace E. , Bruce Katy A. , Shepherd Helena J. , Gee William J.
Published: May 2019

A metastable form of 9‐fluorenone (MS9F) has been characterized using Raman spectroscopy, fluorimetry, and X‐ray diffraction techniques. MS9F emits blue fluorescence (λmax=495 nm) upon 365 nm irradiation and undergoes a single‐crystal‐to‐single‐crystal (SCSC) transformation to reach the ground state form (GS9F) over approximately 30 minutes, whereupon it emits the expected green fluorescence. A structure–property relationship for this fluorescent behavior has been posited. MS9F and GS9F were applied as a means of visualizing latent fingermarks on a nonporous surface. This approach identified three different modes of fluorescent fingermark visualization using 9‐fluorenone.
Dual Activation of Aromatic Diels–Alder Reactions
Authors: Narsaria Ayush K. , Hamlin Trevor A. , Lammertsma Koop , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias
Published: May 2019

The unusually fast Diels–Alder reactions of [5]cyclophanes were analyzed by DFT at the BLYP‐D3(BJ)/TZ2P level of theory. The computations were guided by an integrated activation‐strain and Kohn–Sham molecular orbital analysis. It is revealed why both [5]metacyclophane and [5]paracyclophane exhibit a significant rate enhancement compared to their planar benzene analogue. The activation strain analyses revealed that the enhanced reactivity originates from 1) predistortion of the aromatic core resulting in a reduced activation strain of the aromatic diene, and/or 2) enhanced interaction with the dienophile through a distortion‐controlled lowering of the HOMO–LUMO gap within the diene. Both of these physical mechanisms and thus the rate of Diels–Alder cycloaddition can be tuned through different modes of geometrical distortion (meta versus para bridging) and by heteroatom substitution in the aromatic ring. Judicious choice of the bridge and heteroatom in the aromatic core enables effective tuning of the aromatic Diels–Alder reactivity to achieve activation barriers as low as 2 kcal mol−1, which is an impressive 35 kcal mol−1 lower than that of benzene.
Deviations from Beer's law in electronic absorption and circular dichroism: Detection for enantiomeric excess analysis
Authors: Tang Qiaozhi , Zhao Lu , Xie Jingqian , Liu Kai , Liu Weiping , Zhou Shanshan
Published: May 2019

The electronic absorption (UV) to circular dichroism (CD) signal ratio can be used for enantiomeric excess (ee) analysis within linear range. However, CD detection often requires a high sample concentration where deviations from Beer's law may occur. Individual enantiomers of four chiral compounds were separated from commercial racemates by semipreparative high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with chiral columns. They were used to trace possible deviations in both UV and CD detection on achiral HPLC with a photodiode array detector and a CD detector. The CD/UV ratios for samples with the same ee value decreased by up to 7.8 to 52% when the injection volume increased, indicating that the linear standard curve of ee versus CD/UV is only valid within a narrow range. To extend the sample amount to a wider range, a data‐processing method was developed based on two second‐order polynomial functions, which were constructed to fit the relationship between the intensities of the UV and CD signals for two enantiomers. Moreover, a more simplified method based on a third‐order polynomial function was established to calculate the ee values. The variations between the predicted and experimental ee values were within ±0.08 for both methods. To our knowledge, this is the first study that the deviations from Beer's law are considered in both UV and CD detection for ee analysis.
Direktes Herstellungsverfahren von Komposit‐Hohlfasermembranen mit sinusförmiger Geometrie
Authors: Roth Hannah , Alders Michael , Luelf Tobias , Emonds Stephan , Tepper Maik , Wessling Matthias
Published: May 2019

Mit dem direkten Spinnverfahren können Komposit‐Hohlfasermembranen in einem einstufigen Prozess hergestellt werden. Dabei wird die klassische Faserbildung mit einer Grenzflächenpolymerisation auf der Lumenseite der Hohlfaser überlagert. Für die Herstellung von sinusförmigen Hohlfasermembranen wird im herkömmlichen Nassspinnprozess zusätzlich die Lumenflüssigkeit während des Spinnens pulsiert. In dieser Arbeit wurden Komposit‐Hohlfasermembranen mit sinusförmiger Geometrie hergestellt. Die sinusförmige Geometrie kann Konzentrationspolarisationseffekte in Membrananwendungen reduzieren.
Short‐Range Structural Correlations in Amorphous 2D Polymers
Authors: Alexa Patrick , Oligschleger Christina , Gröger Pascal , Morchutt Claudius , Vyas Vijay , Lotsch Bettina V. , Schön J. Christian , Gutzler Rico , Kern Klaus
Published: May 2019

Many 2D covalent polymers synthesized as single layers on surfaces show inherent disorder, expressed for example in their ring‐size distribution. Systems which are expected to form the thermodynamically favored hexagonal lattice usually deviate from crystallinity and include high numbers of pentagons, heptagons, and rings of other sizes. The amorphous structure of two different covalent polymers in real space using scanning tunneling microscopy is investigated. Molecular dynamics simulations are employed to extract additional information. We show that short‐range correlations exist in the structure of one polymer, i. e. that polygons are not tessellating the surface randomly but that ring neighborhoods have preferential compositions. The correlation is dictated by the energy of formation of the ring neighborhoods.
Structural and functional responses of macroinvertebrate assemblages to long‐term flow variability at perennial and nonperennial sites
Authors: Mathers Kate L. , Stubbington Rachel , Leeming David , Westwood Christian , England Judy
Published: May 2019

Temporary streams constitute a significant proportion of rivers globally and are common in wet, cool, temperate regions. These heterogeneous ecosystems harbour high biodiversity associated with the dynamic turnover of taxa. Despite flow permanence being widely recognised as an important environmental control, few studies have characterised biotic responses to long‐term hydrological variability in temporary streams. We examined taxonomic and functional macroinvertebrate communities of perennial and nonperennial river reaches over a 26‐year period. Flow permanence resulted in spatial variation in taxonomic and functional macroinvertebrate communities. Nonperennial river reaches, which were characterised by dynamic habitat provision (lotic, lentic, and dry states) over the study period, supported more heterogeneous communities than perennial river reaches. Hydrological variables, in particular wetted width, water depth, and zero‐flow states, were instrumental in structuring taxonomic and functional communities, although the importance of substrate conditions increased in autumn. Hydrological conditions resulted in separation of perennial and nonperennial taxonomic communities regardless of season, whereas functional communities differed only in spring. Our results emphasise that understanding of community responses to hydrological variability is enhanced by analyses that concurrently explore taxonomic and functional responses to long‐term intraannual and interannual hydrological variability. Moreover, functional responses represent a robust method to test ecological responses to hydrological drivers. Further research that builds on our work is needed to inform the protection of both perennial and nonperennial streams as they adapt to ongoing environmental change.
Removal pattern mitigates negative, short‐term effects of stepwise Russian olive eradication on breeding birds
Authors: Valente Jonathon J. , McCune Kelsey B. , Tamulonis Rachel A. , Neipert Elizabeth S. , Fischer Richard A.
Published: May 2019

Invasive species can have disastrous ecological consequences, and management is often required to control these invasions and mitigate the damage. Yet in many systems, biological invaders can serve critical ecological roles, particularly where they have been long‐established or effectively replaced functionally similar native species. In such cases, eradicating invasions can have unintended consequences on other components of the ecosystem, and potential control measures must be viewed within an ecosystem‐wide context to ensure they do not cause more harm than good. On the lower Snake River in eastern Washington, invasive Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia) comprises 90% of the woody riparian vegetation in some areas. In this study, we experimentally removed half of the Russian olive from 0.5‐ha plots using three configuration patterns that varied in the amount of interspersion of remaining vegetation (n = 9 replicates) to evaluate the short‐term impact of a stepwise restoration strategy on breeding bird communities. We monitored plots for 5 yr and found that Russian olive removal on low interspersion treatments negatively affected occupancy rates for 50 of 52 species (96%) and significantly reduced richness by up to 2.41 (95% credible interval [CI] = 0.73, 4.14) species relative to control plots. These effects dampened with increasing interspersion, and occupancy rates of only 41 (79%) species decreased on high interspersion treatments, leading to non‐significant richness reductions of only 0.99 (95%CI = −0.70, 2.75) species. Given the dominance of Russian olive in this region, removing it eliminates critical habitat for birds that require woody structure for nesting and foraging. Thus, we caution managers to consider the potential short‐term negative impacts to the local fauna when planning invasive control efforts. However, we found that several riparian‐dependent species known to breed in the region were noticeably absent from our study plots, and short‐term losses in avian habitat may be tolerable where restoration of native vegetation supports greater diversity in the long term. In such restoration efforts, managers may be able to mitigate the negative effects of invasive shrub control by maintaining high interspersion among unmanipulated vegetation while waiting for native vegetation to re‐establish.
Empirical evidence that large marine predator foraging behavior is consistent with area‐restricted search theory
Authors: Bailey H. , Lyubchich V. , Wingfield J. , Fandel A. , Garrod A. , Rice A. N.
Published: May 2019

When prey is patchily distributed, predators are expected to spend more time searching for food in proximity of recent prey captures before searching in other areas. This behavior, known as area‐restricted search, results in predators remaining localized in areas where prey had been detected previously because of the higher probability of encountering additional prey. However, few studies have tested these predictions on marine species because of the difficulties of observing feeding behavior. In this study, we utilized passive acoustic detections of echolocating dolphins to identify foraging behavior. C‐PODs (click train detectors) were deployed for two years with an acoustic recorder attached to the same mooring during the second year. The time series of feeding buzzes, indicative of foraging behavior, revealed that both bottlenose (Tursiops truncatus) and common dolphins (Delphinus delphis) were more likely to stay in the area longer when foraging activity was high at the beginning of the encounter. The probability of foraging was also higher following previous foraging activity. This suggests that dolphins were feeding on spatially patchy prey and previous foraging experience influenced their movement behavior. This is consistent with the predictions of area‐restricted search behavior, a nonrandom foraging strategy.
Post‐pacemaker implant QRS duration and heart failure admission in patients with sick sinus syndrome and complete atrioventricular block
Authors: Lee Wei‐Chieh , Fang Hsiu‐Yu , Chen Huang‐Chung , Chen Yung‐Lung , Tsai Tzu‐Hsien , Pan Kuo‐Li , Lin Yu‐Sheng , Chen Mien‐Cheng
Published: May 2019

Aims

High demand right ventricular pacing may elicit left ventricular systolic dysfunction known as pacing‐induced cardiomyopathy, increasing the risks of heart failure (HF) hospitalization. Percentage of demand ventricular pacing is different between patients with sick sinus syndrome (SSS) and those with complete atrioventricular block (CAVB). This study aims to compare the incidence of HF admission and pacing‐induced cardiomyopathy between patients with SSS and CAVB.

Methods and results

A total of 824 patients who received single ventricular or dual‐chamber pacemaker implantation at our hospital between January 2003 and December 2012 were recruited for the study. Patients with HF, those without complete cardiac echocardiography, and those with significant coronary artery disease were excluded. Finally, 315 patients with SSS and 289 patients with CAVB were enrolled in this study. The CAVB group had a higher pacing percentage (39.37 ± 9.17% vs. 83.82 ± 33.06%; P < 0.001), longer pacing QRS duration (142.56 ± 33.02 ms vs. 156.63 ± 25.18 ms; P < 0.001), and higher prevalence of follow‐up left ventricular ejection fraction ≤40% (1.3% vs. 4.2%; P = 0.040). However, the incidence of HF admission was similar between the two groups (log‐rank P = 0.647). Age [hazard ratio (HR), 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.121, 1.054–1.193], diabetes mellitus (HR, 95% CI: 2.667, 1.159–6.136), pacing QRS duration ≥163 ms (HR, 95% CI: 3.506, 1.491–8.247), and left atrial size (HR, 95% CI: 1.070, 1.012–1.131) were independent predictors of HF admission. The Kaplan–Meier curve showed a significant difference in HF admission over a 3.5 year follow‐up period (3.5 years: P value = 0.004; 5 years: P value = 0.002) between patients with pacing QRS duration ≥163 and <163 ms.

Conclusions

There was no difference in HF admission between patients with SSS and CAVB, although the CAVB group had a higher pacing percentage. Post‐pacemaker implant pacing QRS duration ≥163 ms was the most important predictor of HF admission.
High‐Temperature Reversible Phase Transition and Switchable Dielectric and Semiconductor Properties in a 2D Hybrid [(C3H12N2O)CdCl4]n
Authors: Wang Chang‐Feng , Fan Xiao‐Wei , Tan Yu‐Hui , Wei Wen‐Juan , Tang Yun‐Zhi
Published: May 2019

Solid reversible phase transitions in organic‐inorganic hybrids exhibiting both high temperatures and multifunction are comparatively rare. Here we present a novel “ABX4” type two dimensional organic‐inorganic hybrid [(C3H12N2O)CdCl4]n (1) (A = C3H12N2O = deprotonated 1,3‐Diamino‐2‐propanol, B = Cd and X = Cl), which showing ultra‐high solid reversible phase transition temperature of 393 K. The experiment results show that this reversible phase transition is due to the combined actions of order‐disorder and the pendulum of d1,3‐diamino‐2‐propanol guest molecules as well as the twist of Cd–Cl–Cd anions framework. In addition, both UV/Vis diffuses reflectance spectrometry and DFT calculation confirms that 1 has a direct band gap with value close to 4.40 eV. These results indicate that 1 has dielectric switchable property and potential applications in semiconductors.
Investigation of the Formation of Free and Bound 2‐ and 3‐Monochloropropane‐1,2‐Diols During Deep Frying of Leavened Dough Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Turan Semra , Solak Rukiye , Keskin Sule
Published: May 2019

This study aims to determine the effects of frying temperature, frying time, and salt content of dough on free and/or ester‐bound 2‐ and 3‐monochloropropanediols (MCPD) content of leavened dough and frying oil using response surface methodology. According to the results, the amount of ester‐bound 3‐MCPD in fried dough is 4.83–55.00 μg kg−1 dough and free 3‐MCPD is 2.69–50.97 μg kg−1 in fat‐free dough. All process parameters affect the amount of free 3‐MCPD of fried dough significantly (p < 0.05). Moreover, the salt content of the dough does not significantly (p > 0.05) affect the amount of ester‐bound 3‐MCPD in fried dough. Binary interaction of frying temperature and time is significant (p < 0.05) for free and ester‐bound 3‐MCPD content of dough samples. 3‐D plots show that high frying temperature and extended time during deep‐frying result in high levels of free and ester‐bound 3‐MCPD in leavened doughs. A quadratic model is obtained for ester‐bound 2‐MCPD of the fried doughs and frying oil as a function of frying temperature, frying time, and dough salt content. Optimum frying conditions are also determined to minimize generation of MCPD compounds.

Practical Applications: Consumption of MCPDs and their esters, which are process contaminants, might adversely affect human health. Therefore, determination of free and ester‐bound MCPD is important in frying oils and fried foods like fried doughs. This research shows the usability of response surface methodology for the investigation of the generation of free and ester‐bound MCPD compounds in fried doughs and frying oil depends on the process conditions. The effects of repeated frying on the content of these contaminants can be demonstrated by quadratic models. To minimize these contaminants during the repeated deep‐frying of leavened doughs, the process conditions should be controlled. The knowledge obtained may provide information about fried‐food safety in terms of MCPD compounds.

Fried doughs are consumed in most parts of the world. Frying of leavened dough may lead to the formation of free and ester‐bound 2‐ or 3‐monochloropropanediols (2‐ or 3‐MCPD). In this study, the effects of frying temperature, frying time, and dough salt content on the content of MCPD compounds in leavened doughs and frying oil are investigated using response surface methodology.
Unprecedented Reactivity of β‐Iodovinyl Sulfones: An Efficient Synthesis of β‐Keto Sulfones and β‐Keto Thiosulfones
Authors: Reddy Raju Jannapu , Kumar Jangam Jagadesh , Kumari Arram Haritha
Published: May 2019

An unprecedented reactivity of (E)‐β‐iodovinyl sulfones in the presence of NaOAc is reported. The (E)‐β‐iodovinyl sulfones were treated with NaOAc in DMSO/H2O to yield β‐keto sulfones in moderate to high yields. A novel oxidative difunctionalization of β‐iodovinyl sulfones with thiosulfonates and NaOAc in DMF has been developed. This metal‐free oxosulfenylation is an operationally simple to access a wide range of β‐keto thiosulfones (α‐thioaryl‐β‐keto sulfones) in moderate to high yields. The transformations were reliable at gram‐scale, thus illustrating its efficiency and practicality. A plausible mechanism for the protocol is also proposed.
Spontaneous imagined contact and intergroup relations: Quality matters
Authors: Stathi Sofia , Guerra Rita , Di Bernardo Gian Antonio , Vezzali Loris
Published: May 2019

While research on experimental interventions that aim to improve outgroup attitudes via contact imagery grows, it is important to examine if contact imagery that occurs in spontaneous, non‐experimentally controlled conditions drives attitudes, and in what direction. To answer this, we constructed and validated a spontaneous imagined intergroup contact scale (SIICS) that differentiates between frequency, quality and elaboration of the spontaneous imagery of outgroups. In three correlational studies (NPortugal = 305, NUnited Kingdom = 185, NItaly = 276), we tested the role of spontaneous imagined contact frequency, quality and elaboration in predicting attitudes and social distance (Studies 1–3) and intended behaviour (Study 3) toward immigrant groups. Results demonstrated that spontaneous imagined contact quality consistently predicted key outcome variables above and beyond the other two dimensions. Importantly, the effects were significant while controlling for other potent forms of direct and indirect contact. Implications of the findings for theory and practice are discussed.
On‐chip technology for single‐cell arraying, electrorotation‐based analysis and selective release
Authors: Keim Kevin , Rashed Mohamed Z. , Kilchenmann Samuel C. , Delattre Aurélien , Gonçalves António F. , Éry Paul , Guiducci Carlotta
Published: May 2019

This paper reports a method for label‐free single‐cell biophysical analysis of multiple cells trapped in suspension by electrokinetic forces. Tri‐dimensional pillar electrodes arranged along the width of a microfluidic chamber define actuators for single cell trapping and selective release by electrokinetic force. Moreover, a rotation can be induced on the cell in combination with a negative DEP force to retain the cell against the flow. The measurement of the rotation speed of the cell as a function of the electric field frequency define an electrorotation spectrum that allows to study the dielectric properties of the cell. The system presented here shows for the first time the simultaneous electrorotation analysis of multiple single cells in separate micro cages that can be selectively addressed to trap and/or release the cells. Chips with 39 micro‐actuators of different interelectrode distance were fabricated to study cells with different sizes. The extracted dielectric properties of Henrietta Lacks, human embryonic kidney 293, and human immortalized T lymphocytes cells were found in agreements with previous findings. Moreover, the membrane capacitance of M17 neuroblastoma cells was investigated and found to fall in in the range of 7.49 ± 0.39 mF/m2.
Analyte focusing by micelle collapse for liquid extraction surface analysis coupled with capillary electrophoresis of neutral analytes on a solid surface
Authors: Jeong Sunkyung , Shakerian Farid , Chung Doo Soo
Published: May 2019

Liquid extraction surface analysis (LESA) has an advantage of directly sampling analytes on a surface, thus avoiding unnecessary dilution by homogenization of the bulk sample commonly practiced in solid sample analysis. By combining LESA with CE, the additional advantage of separating analytes before detection can be accomplished. For neutral molecules, MEKC needs to be used. Since the detection sensitivity of CE in general suffers from the small capillary dimension, analyte focusing by micelle collapse was employed for enhanced extraction in LESA and sample preconcentration for MEKC. In addition, using a commercial CE instrument, the LESA process was performed much faster and more reliably compared to our first demonstration of LESA‐CE using a homemade CE setup. Three neutral water‐insoluble pesticides sprayed on an apple skin were directly extracted, preconcentrated, and analyzed by the automated LESA‐analyte focusing by micelle collapse‐MEKC with high sensitivity in 10 min. The relative standard deviations of the migration times and peak heights were 0.8–2.1 and 1.2–3.0%, respectively when ametryn was used as an internal standard. The limits of detection obtained with UV absorbance at 200 nm were 1.8–6.4 ppb.
Micronuclei Formation by Promutagens in Metabolism‐Incompetent V79 Cells Interacting With Activation‐Proficient Cells in Various Experimental Settings
Authors: Zhu Na , Hu Keqi , Li Zihuan , Chen Yuting , Liu Yungang
Published: May 2019

The accessibility of reactive metabolites to test cells is critical for a genotoxic response. However, sulfo‐conjugates formed outside may not readily enter cells, and some metabolites formed by cytochromes P450 (CYPs) may not endure transport. This topic was addressed in the present study, using V79 cells engineered for human CYPs and/or a sulfotransferase (SULT). First, 1‐methylpyrene, 1‐hydroxymethylpyrene, benzo[a]pyrene, and aflatoxin B1 significantly induced micronuclei in V79‐hCYP1A2‐hSULT1A1, V79‐hSULT1A1, V79‐hCYP1A1, and V79‐hCYP1A2 cells, respectively. Subsequently, we used these cell lines as external activating systems in various experimental settings in combination with V79‐derived target cells lacking critical enzymes. 1‐Methylpyrene (activated by CYPs and SULTs sequentially) showed an activity similar to that in V79‐hCYP1A2‐hSULT1A1 cells, in each following model: a mixed V79‐hCYP1A2:V79‐hSULT1A1 (1:1) culture, exposure of V79‐hCYP1A2 to 1‐methylpyrene followed by transfer of medium to V79‐hSULT1A1 target cells, and V79‐hSULT1A1 communicating with V79‐hCYP1A2 through 0.4‐μm pores and over a 1‐mm distance in a unique transwell system. These results suggest ready transfer of 1‐hydroxymethylpyrene formed in V79‐hCYP1A2 to V79‐hSULT1A1 for further activation. In the last two models, with V79‐hSULT1A1 for activation and V79‐Mz as target, 1‐hydroxymethylpyrene induced micronuclei mildly, suggesting limited intercellular transfer of the ultimate genotoxicant, 1‐sulfooxymethylpyrene. Benzo[a]pyrene induced micronuclei in V79‐Mz communicating with V79‐hCYP1A1 via porous membranes, whereas aflatoxin B1 was inactive in V79‐Mz communicating with V79‐hCYP1A2. Our results suggest that the sulfo‐conjugate tested may have difficulty entering cells for a genotoxic effect, and the reactive metabolite of aflatoxin B1, unlike that of benzo[a]pyrene, could not travel an adequate distance to enter cells. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 61:224–234, 2020. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Shake table tests of structures subject to pounding
Authors: Crozet Vincent , Politopoulos Ioannis , Chaudat Thierry
Published: May 2019

Pounding between adjacent structures during earthquakes may significantly modify their response in terms of forces and displacements. In addition, it has a considerable influence on acceleration and thus on floor response spectra. Therefore, pounding may be unfavorable to the response of equipment. Despite extensive research in this field, the effects of pounding on structures are difficult to quantify accurately. This article presents results of shake table tests carried out on two representative scale adjacent structures subject to pounding. Besides investigating the effects of the gap between structures and the excitation signal, this study examines also the effect of tying the two structures together by means of rigid links to suppress pounding. The results of the experimental campaign are then compared with those of numerical simulations. Analyses and experimental results show good agreement regarding both impact forces and interstorey drifts.
Advances in computational morphodynamics using the International River Interface Cooperative (iRIC) software
Authors: Shimizu Yasuyuki , Nelson Jonathan , Arnez Ferrel Kattia , Asahi Kazutake , Giri Sanjay , Inoue Takuya , Iwasaki Toshiki , Jang Chang‐Lae , Kang Taeun , Kimura Ichiro , Kyuka Tomoko , Mishra Jagriti , Nabi Mohamed , Patsinghasanee Supapap , Yamaguchi Satomi
Published: May 2019

Results from computational morphodynamics modeling of coupled flow–bed–sediment systems are described for 10 applications as a review of recent advances in the field. Each of these applications is drawn from solvers included in the public‐domain International River Interface Cooperative (iRIC) software package. For mesoscale river features such as bars, predictions of alternate and higher mode river bars are shown for flows with equilibrium sediment supply and for a single case of oversupplied sediment. For microscale bed features such as bedforms, computational results are shown for the development and evolution of two‐dimensional bedforms using a simple closure‐based two‐dimensional model, for two‐ and three‐dimensional ripples and dunes using a three‐dimensional large‐eddy simulation flow model coupled to a physics‐based particle transport model, and for the development of bed streaks using a three‐dimensional unsteady Reynolds‐averaged Navier–Stokes solver with a simple sediment‐transport treatment. Finally, macroscale or channel evolution treatments are used to examine the temporal development of meandering channels, a failure model for cantilevered banks, the effect of bank vegetation on channel width, the development of channel networks in tidal systems, and the evolution of bedrock channels. In all examples, computational morphodynamics results from iRIC solvers compare well to observations of natural bed morphology. For each of the three scales investigated here, brief suggestions for future work and potential research directions are offered. © 2019 The Authors Earth Surface Processes and Landforms Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd
New lattice Boltzmann model for the compressible Navier‐Stokes equations
Authors: Kataoka Takeshi , Hanada Takaya
Published: May 2019

We have developed a fundamentally new type of simple lattice Boltzmann (LB) model for the compressible Navier‐Stokes equations based on the kinetic system proposed by Sone. The model uses the kinetic equation of free‐molecular type in the streaming process and modifies the distribution function to its Chapman‐Enskog type at each time step. Compared with the current LB models, the proposed model is superior in the following two points: (i) there are no inherent errors associated with the Knudsen number; (ii) any flow parameters, including three transport coefficients, can be chosen freely according to our convenience. Numerical tests and error estimates confirm the above statements.
The dynamics of the skeletal muscle: A systems biophysics perspective on muscle modeling with the focus on Hill‐type muscle models
Authors: Schmitt Syn , Günther Michael , Häufle Daniel F. B.
Published: May 2019

Skeletal muscle is one of the most fascinating and crucial ingredients of motion generation in nature. Since the beginning of science, people dedicate their life as researchers to enhance knowledge about this biological motor. Thus, the scientific knowledge about the skeletal muscle is overwhelmingly broad and detailed. This contribution collects knowledge about the active and passive dynamics of skeletal muscle. Furthermore, it highlights a special perspective in which not only the muscle itself, but also the role muscles play in the interaction with other structures is studied. The first section introduces this systems biophysics perspective, which clusters the investigation of the relations, interactions and dependencies between muscles and the other structures in the movement apparatus. In the second section, the muscles are considered in more detail by describing three approaches to muscle modeling. The third section deals with recent advances based on Hill‐type models, such as, for example, the integration of mass.
Cytogenetic analysis of 130 renal oncocytomas identify three distinct and mutually exclusive diagnostic classes of chromosome aberrations
Authors: Anderson Christopher B. , Lipsky Michael , Nandula Subhadra V. , Freeman Christopher E. , Matthews Thomas , Walsh Caitlin E. , Li Gen , Szabolcs Matthias , Mansukhani Mahesh M. , McKiernan James M. , Murty Vundavalli V.
Published: May 2019

The cytogenetic alterations in renal oncocytoma (RO) are poorly understood. We analyzed 130 consecutive RO for karyotypic alterations. Clonal chromosome abnormalities were identified in 63 (49%) cases, which could be categorized into three classes of mutually exclusive cytogenetic categories. Class 1 (N = 20) RO had diploid karyotypes with characteristic 11q13 rearrangement in balanced translocations with 10 or more different chromosome partners in all cases. We identified recurrent translocation partners at 5q35, 6p21, 9p24, 11p13‐14, and 11q23, and confirmed that CCND1 gene rearrangement at 11q13 utilizing fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Class 2 RO (N = 25) exhibited hypodiploid karyotypes with loss of chromosome 1 and/or losses of Y in males and X in females in all cases. The class 3 tumors comprising of 18 cases showed diverse types of abnormalities with the involvement of two or more chromosomes exclusive of abnormalities seen in classes 1 and 2 tumors. Furthermore, karyotypically uninformative cases were subjected to FISH analysis to identify classes 1 and 2 abnormalities. In this group, we found similar frequencies of CCND1 rearrangement, loss of chromosome 1 or Y as with karyotypically abnormal cases. We validated our results against 91 tumors from the Mitelman database. Correlation of clinical data with all the three classes of ROs showed no clear evidence of overall patient survival. Our findings support the hypothesis that RO exhibit three principal cytogenetic categories, which may have different roles in initiation and/or progression. These cytogenetic markers provide a key tool in the diagnostic evaluation of RO.
Hospitalized burn injury risk associated with benzodiazepines and Z‐drugs in elders: A population‐based case‐control study
Authors: Chen Pei‐Jung , Yu Nan‐Wen , Tsai Hui‐Ju , Hwang Chih‐Wan , Chiu Yu‐Wen , Tsay Wen‐Ing , Hsu Jui , Chang Chia‐Ming
Published: May 2019

Objective

To examine the association between benzodiazepines (BZDs) and Z‐drugs treatment and risk of burn injury in elders.

Methods

We designed a nested case‐control study. All subjects were aged 65 and older and enrolled in the National Health Insurance program in Taiwan, 2003 to 2012; 813 cases were identified with burn injury for the first time in their inpatient claims, and they were individually matched to 4879 controls based on age, gender, and index year. Benzodiazepines and Z‐drugs usage (doses, duration, half‐life) and the other covariates including comorbidities, health care utilization, and psychotropic medications used in the 365 days before index events were examined.

Results

A significant increased risk of burn injury hospitalization in elders was observed among current Z‐drugs users compared with nonusers (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.59, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.23, 2.07]). BZDs at high (AOR = 1.81, 95% CI [1.12, 2.94] and medium dosage (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI [1.15, 2.04] and Z‐drugs at medium dosage (AOR = 1.60, 95% CI [1.20, 2.12]) were all significantly increased the burn‐related injury requiring hospitalization. Polypharmacy of anxiolytic and hypnotic BZDs, long‐ and short‐acting BZDs, and more than one BZD with or without Z‐drugs also increased the risk.

Conclusions

BZDs and Z‐drugs prescriptions in elders may be associated with increased risk of burn injury hospitalization. When prescribing BZDs and Z‐drugs, clinicians should exercise caution with the elderly to minimize risks.
Teeth category classification via seven‐layer deep convolutional neural network with max pooling and global average pooling
Authors: Li Zhi , Wang Shui‐Hua , Fan Rui‐Rui , Cao Gang , Zhang Yu‐Dong , Guo Ting
Published: May 2019

Accurately classify teeth category is important in further dental diagnosis. Analyzing huge dental data, that is, identifying the teeth category, is often a hard task. Current automatic methods are based on computer vision and deep learning approaches. In this study, we aimed to classify the teeth category into four classes: incisor, canine, premolar, and molar. Cone beam computed tomography was used to collect the data. We proposed a seven‐layer deep convolutional neural network with global average pooling to identify teeth category. Data augmentation method was used to enlarge the size of training dataset. The results showed the sensitivities of incisor, canine, premolar, and molar teeth are 88%, 86%, 84%, and 90%, respectively. The average sensitivity is 87.0%. We validated max pooling gives better results than average pooling. Our method is better than three state‐of‐the‐art approaches.
Low‐photobleaching line‐scanning confocal microscopy using dual inclined beams
Authors: Tang Jialei , Han Kyu Young
Published: May 2019

Confocal microscopy is an indispensable tool for biological imaging due to its high resolution and optical sectioning capability. However, its slow imaging speed and severe photobleaching have largely prevented further applications. Here, we present dual inclined beam line‐scanning (LS) confocal microscopy. The reduced excitation intensity of our imaging method enabled a 2‐fold longer observation time of fluorescence compared to traditional LS microscopy while maintaining a good sectioning capability and single‐molecule sensitivity. We characterized the performance of our method and applied it to subcellular imaging and three‐dimensional single‐molecule RNA imaging in mammalian cells.
Regional gene therapy with 3D printed scaffolds to heal critical sized bone defects in a rat model
Authors: Alluri Ram , Song Xuan , Bougioukli Sofia , Pannell William , Vakhshori Venus , Sugiyama Osamu , Tang Amy , Park Sang‐Hyun , Chen Yong , Lieberman Jay R.
Published: May 2019

The objective of the present study was to assess the ability of transduced rat bone marrow cells (RBMCs) that overexpress BMP‐2 loaded on a three‐dimensionally (3D) printed scaffold to heal a critical sized rat femoral defect. Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) scaffolds were 3D printed to fit a critical sized rat femoral defect. The RBMCs were transduced with a lentiviral (LV) vector expressing BMP‐2 or GFP. The rats were randomized into the following treatment groups: (1) RBMC/LV‐BMP‐2 + TCP, (2) RBMC/LV‐GFP + TCP, (3) nontransduced RBMCs + TCP, (4) TCP scaffold alone. The animals were euthanized at 12 weeks and evaluated with plain radiographs, microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT), histology, histomorphometry, and biomechanically. Each LV‐BMP‐2 + TCP treated specimen demonstrated complete healing of the femoral defect on plain radiographs and micro‐CT. No femurs healed in the control groups. Micro‐CT demonstrated that LV‐BMP‐2 + TCP treated femoral defects formed 197% more bone volume compared to control groups (p< 0.05). Histologic analysis demonstrated bone formation across the TCP scaffold, uniting the femoral defect on both ends in the LV‐BMP‐2 + TCP treated specimens. Biomechanical assessment demonstrated similar stiffness (p= 0.863), but lower total energy to failure, peak torque, and peak displacement (p< 0.001) of the femurs treated with LV‐BMP‐2 + TCP when compared to the contralateral control femur. Regional gene therapy induced overexpression of BMP‐2 via transduced RBMCs combined with an osteoconductive 3D printed TCP scaffold can heal a critically sized femoral defect in an animal model. The combination of regional gene therapy and 3D printed osteoconductive scaffolds has significant clinical potential to enhance bone regeneration.
Taguchi's methods to optimize the properties and bioactivity of 3D printed polycaprolactone/mineral trioxide aggregate scaffold: Theoretical predictions and experimental validation
Authors: Bhargav Aishwarya , Min Kyung‐San , Wen Feng Lu , Fuh Jerry Ying Hsi , Rosa Vinicius
Published: May 2019

Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) can provide bioactivity to poly‐caprolactone (PCL), which is an inert polymer used to print scaffolds. However, testing all combinations of scaffold characteristics (e.g., composition, pore size, and distribution) to optimize properties of scaffolds is time‐consuming and costly. The Taguchi's methods can identify characteristics that have major influences on the properties of complex designs, hence decreasing the number of combinations to be tested. The objective was to assess the potential of Taguchi's methods as a predictive tool for the optimization of bioactive scaffold printed using electro‐hydro dynamic jetting. A three‐level approach assessed the influence of PCL/MTA proportion, pore size, fiber dimension and number of layers in pH, degradation rate, porosity, yield strength, and Young's modulus. Data were analyzed using Tukey's honest significant difference test, analysis of mean and signal‐to‐noise ratio (S/N) test. Cytocompatibility and differentiation potential were assessed for 5 and 30 days using dental pulp stem cells and analyzed with one‐way analysis of variance (proliferation) or Mann–Whitney (qPCR). The S/N ratio and analysis of mean showed that fiber diameter and composition were the most influential characteristics in all properties. The experimental data confirmed that the addition of MTA to PCL increased the pH and scaffold degradation. Only PCL and PCL with 4% MTA allowed cell proliferation. The latter increased the genetic expression of ALP, COL‐1, OCN, and MSX‐1. The theoretical predictions were confirmed by the experiments. The Taguchi's identified the inputs that can be disregarded to optimize 3D printed meshed bioactive scaffolds.