bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, molecular dynamics simulation and adsorption study of different pollutants on functionalized mesosilica
Authors: Pelalak Rasool , Soltani Roozbeh , Heidari Zahra , Malekshah Rahime Eshaghi , Aallaei Mohammadreza , Marjani Azam , Rezakazemi Mashallah , Shirazian Saeed
Published: January 2021

Experimental and computational works were carried out on a new type of mesoporous silica. In the experimental section, functionalized hollow mesosilica spheres were prepared via a facile technique and then evaluated using some analytical techniques (FESEM, TEM, L-XRD, FTIR, BET-BJH, and TGA). The obtained results revealed that the synthesized material had hollow structure with a diamino-grafted porous shell. The molecular separation of crystal Violet (CV) and neutral Red (NR) dyes from water were investigated by adsorption process using the synthesized powder. Influence of adsorbent loading was evaluated as adsorption ability and dyes removal efficiency. Also, the obtained modeling results revealed appropriate fitting of data with non-linear Langmuir model. The theoretical studies were employed to study the adsorption and removal mechanism of cationic (CV and NR) and anionic (orange II (OII)) dyes using molecular dynamics calculations. Moreover, the simulation outcomes provided valuable information about quantum chemical properties including the HOMO–LUMO maps, chemical reactivity, global softness (σ) and hardness (η) for silica-linker-water-dyes components.
Metagenomic insights of the infant microbiome community structure and function across multiple sites in the United States
Authors: Casaburi Giorgio , Duar Rebbeca M. , Brown Heather , Mitchell Ryan D. , Kazi Sufyan , Chew Stephanie , Cagney Orla , Flannery Robin L. , Sylvester Karl G. , Frese Steven A. , Henrick Bethany M. , Freeman Samara L.
Published: January 2021

The gut microbiome plays an important role in early life, protecting newborns from enteric pathogens, promoting immune system development and providing key functions to the infant host. Currently, there are limited data to broadly assess the status of the US healthy infant gut microbiome. To address this gap, we performed a multi-state metagenomic survey and found high levels of bacteria associated with enteric inflammation (e.g. Escherichia, Klebsiella), antibiotic resistance genes, and signatures of dysbiosis, independent of location, age, and diet. Bifidobacterium were less abundant than generally expected and the species identified, including B. breve, B. longum and B. bifidum, had limited genetic capacity to metabolize human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), while B. infantis strains with a complete capacity for HMOs utilization were found to be exceptionally rare. Considering microbiome composition and functional capacity, this survey revealed a previously unappreciated dysbiosis that is widespread in the contemporary US infant gut microbiome.
Robust MFC anti-windup scheme for LTI systems with norm-bounded uncertainty
Authors: Mo Xiao-Qin , Zhou Mi , Wang Yuan , Guo Shang-Jia
Published: January 2021

On the basic of the fact that all signals in the practical system are always bounded, this paper proposes a 4-degree-of-freedom (DoF) anti-windup scheme for saturated systems with parametric uncertainty. A fairly straightforward tuning rule is introduced to the robust stability analysis for the proposed anti-windup structure under the framework of IQC (Integral Quadratic Constraint). And the sufficient stability conditions are derived to check the reasonable definiteness of the related transfer function. Moreover, the control design for disturbance response and set-point tracking response are two separate part in this proposed scheme. Numerical example demonstrates the effectiveness and the considerable performance improvement of the anti-windup compensator that is designed by the proposed technique.
A deep learning based framework for the registration of three dimensional multi-modal medical images of the head
Authors: Islam Kh Tohidul , Wijewickrema Sudanthi , O’Leary Stephen
Published: January 2021

Image registration is a fundamental task in image analysis in which the transform that moves the coordinate system of one image to another is calculated. Registration of multi-modal medical images has important implications for clinical diagnosis, treatment planning, and image-guided surgery as it provides the means of bringing together complimentary information obtained from different image modalities. However, since different image modalities have different properties due to their different acquisition methods, it remains a challenging task to find a fast and accurate match between multi-modal images. Furthermore, due to reasons such as ethical issues and need for human expert intervention, it is difficult to collect a large database of labelled multi-modal medical images. In addition, manual input is required to determine the fixed and moving images as input to registration algorithms. In this paper, we address these issues and introduce a registration framework that (1) creates synthetic data to augment existing datasets, (2) generates ground truth data to be used in the training and testing of algorithms, (3) registers (using a combination of deep learning and conventional machine learning methods) multi-modal images in an accurate and fast manner, and (4) automatically classifies the image modality so that the process of registration can be fully automated. We validate the performance of the proposed framework on CT and MRI images of the head obtained from a publicly available registration database.
Rats sniff out pulmonary tuberculosis from sputum: a diagnostic accuracy meta-analysis
Authors: Kanaan Reem , Farkas Nelli , Hegyi Péter , Soós Alexandra , Hegyi Dávid , Németh Katalin , Horváth Orsolya , Tenk Judit , Mikó Alexandra , Szentesi Andrea , Balaskó Márta , Szakács Zsolt , Vasas Andrea , Csupor Dezső , Gyöngyi Zoltán
Published: January 2021

In Sub-Saharan Africa, African giant pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus) are trained to identify TB patients by smelling sputum. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the data to see if this novel method is comparable to traditional laboratory screening and detection methods like Ziehl–Neelsen stain-based assays (ZN) and bacterial culture. The search and data processing strategy is registered at PROSPERO (CRD42019123629). Medline via PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for the keywords “pouched rat” and “tuberculosis”. Data from 53,181 samples obtained from 24,600 patients were extracted from seven studies. Using sample-wise detection, the sensitivity of the studies was 86.7% [95% CI 80.4–91.2%], while the specificity was 88.4% [95% CI 79.7–93.7%]. For patient-wise detection, the sensitivity was 81.3% [95% CI 64.0–91.4%], while the specificity was 73.4% [95% CI 62.8–81.9%]. Good and excellent classification was assessed by hierarchical summary receiver-operating characteristic analysis for patient-wise and sample-wise detections, respectively. Our study is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of the above relatively inexpensive and rapid screening method. The results indicate that African giant pouched rats can discriminate healthy controls from TB individuals by sniffing sputum with even a higher accuracy than a single ZN screening.
Application of subject-specific adaptive mechanical loading for bone healing in a mouse tail vertebral defect
Authors: Malhotra Angad , Walle Matthias , Paul Graeme R. , Kuhn Gisela A. , Müller Ralph
Published: January 2021

Methods to repair bone defects arising from trauma, resection, or disease, continue to be sought after. Cyclic mechanical loading is well established to influence bone (re)modelling activity, in which bone formation and resorption are correlated to micro-scale strain. Based on this, the application of mechanical stimulation across a bone defect could improve healing. However, if ignoring the mechanical integrity of defected bone, loading regimes have a high potential to either cause damage or be ineffective. This study explores real-time finite element (rtFE) methods that use three-dimensional structural analyses from micro-computed tomography images to estimate effective peak cyclic loads in a subject-specific and time-dependent manner. It demonstrates the concept in a cyclically loaded mouse caudal vertebral bone defect model. Using rtFE analysis combined with adaptive mechanical loading, mouse bone healing was significantly improved over non-loaded controls, with no incidence of vertebral fractures. Such rtFE-driven adaptive loading regimes demonstrated here could be relevant to clinical bone defect healing scenarios, where mechanical loading can become patient-specific and more efficacious. This is achieved by accounting for initial bone defect conditions and spatio-temporal healing, both being factors that are always unique to the patient.
A nuclear protein, PfMORC confers melatonin dependent synchrony of the human malaria parasite P. falciparum in the asexual stage
Authors: Singh Maneesh K. , Tessarin-Almeida Giulliana , Dias Barbara K. M. , Pereira Pedro Scarpellli , Costa Fahyme , Przyborski Jude M. , Garcia Celia R. S.
Published: January 2021

The host hormone melatonin is known to modulate the asexual cell-cycle of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum and the kinase PfPK7 is fundamental in the downstream signaling pathways. The nuclear protein PfMORC displays a histidine kinase domain and is involved in parasite cell cycle control. By using a real-time assay, we show a 24 h (h) rhythmic expression of PfMORC at the parasite asexual cycle and the expression is dramatically changed when parasites were treated with 100 nM melatonin for 17 h. Moreover, PfMORC expression was severely affected in PfPK7 knockout (PfPK7−) parasites following melatonin treatment. Parasites expressing 3D7morc-GFP shows nuclear localization of the protein during the asexual stage of parasite development. Although the PfMORC knockdown had no significant impact on the parasite proliferation in vitro it significantly changed the ratio of the different asexual intraerythrocytic stages of the parasites upon the addition of melatonin. Our data reveal that in addition to the upstream melatonin signaling pathways such as IP3 generation, calcium, and cAMP rise, a nuclear protein, PfMORC is essential for the hormone response in parasite synchronization.
The antimalarial efficacy and mechanism of resistance of the novel chemotype DDD01034957
Authors: Miguel-Blanco Celia , Murithi James M. , Benavente Ernest Diez , Angrisano Fiona , Sala Katarzyna A. , van Schalkwyk Donelly A. , Vanaerschot Manu , Schwach Frank , Fuchter Matthew J. , Billker Oliver , Sutherland Colin J. , Campino Susana G. , Clark Taane G. , Blagborough Andrew M. , Fidock David A. , Herreros Esperanza , Gamo Francisco Javier , Baum Jake , Delves Michael J.
Published: January 2021

New antimalarial therapeutics are needed to ensure that malaria cases continue to be driven down, as both emerging parasite resistance to frontline chemotherapies and mosquito resistance to current insecticides threaten control programmes.Plasmodium, the apicomplexan parasite responsible for malaria, causes disease pathology through repeated cycles of invasion and replication within host erythrocytes (the asexual cycle). Antimalarial drugs primarily target this cycle, seeking to reduce parasite burden within the host as fast as possible and to supress recrudescence for as long as possible. Intense phenotypic drug screening efforts have identified a number of promising new antimalarial molecules. Particularly important is the identification of compounds with new modes of action within the parasite to combat existing drug resistance and suitable for formulation of efficacious combination therapies. Here we detail the antimalarial properties of DDD01034957—a novel antimalarial molecule which is fast-acting and potent against drug resistant strains in vitro, shows activity in vivo, and possesses a resistance mechanism linked to the membrane transporter PfABCI3. These data support further medicinal chemistry lead-optimization of DDD01034957 as a novel antimalarial chemical class and provide new insights to further reduce in vivo metabolic clearance.
Changes in metabolic syndrome status affect the incidence of end-stage renal disease in the general population: a nationwide cohort study
Authors: Koh Eun Sil , Do Han Kyung , Kim Mee Kyoung , Kim Eun Sook , Lee Min-Kyung , Nam Ga Eun , Hong Oak-Kee , Kwon Hyuk-Sang
Published: January 2021

Few studies have investigated the impact of a change in metabolic syndrome (MetS) components on clinical renal outcomes in the general population. Using nationally representative data from the Korean National Health Insurance System, 13,310,924 subjects who underwent two health examinations over 2 years and were free from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from 2009 to 2012 were followed to the end of 2016. The subjects were divided into four groups according to the change in MetS components between the two visits over 2 years: no MetS (–/–), post-MetS (–/+), pre-MetS (+/–), and both MetS (+/+). After a median follow up of 5.11 years, 18,582 incident ESRD cases were identified. In the multivariate adjusted model, the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the development of ESRD in the both-MetS (+/+) group compared with the no-MetS (–/–) group was 5.65 (95% CI, 5.42–5.89), which was independent of age, sex, and baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate. Additionally, the HR for the pre-MetS (+/–) group versus the no-MetS (–/–) group was 2.28 (2.15–2.42). In subgroup analysis according to renal function, the impact of a change in MetS on the incidence of ESRD was more pronounced in individuals with advanced renal dysfunction. Subjects with resolved MetS components had a decreased risk of ESRD, but not as low as those that never had MetS components. This provides evidence supporting the strategy of modulating MetS in the general population to prevent the development of ESRD.
Heat dissipation in subterranean rodents: the role of body region and social organisation
Authors: Vejmělka František , Okrouhlík Jan , Lövy Matěj , Šaffa Gabriel , Nevo Eviatar , Bennett Nigel Charles , Šumbera Radim
Published: January 2021

The relatively warm and very humid environment of burrows presents a challenge for thermoregulation of its mammalian inhabitants. It was found that African mole-rats dissipate body heat mainly through their venter, and social mole-rats dissipate more body heat compared to solitary species at lower temperatures. In addition, the pattern of the ventral surface temperature was suggested to be homogeneous in social mole-rats compared to a heterogeneous pattern in solitary mole-rats. To investigate this for subterranean rodents generally, we measured the surface temperatures of seven species with different degrees of sociality, phylogeny, and climate using infrared thermography. In all species, heat dissipation occurred mainly through the venter and the feet. Whereas the feet dissipated body heat at higher ambient temperatures and conserved it at lower ambient temperatures, the ventral surface temperature was relatively high in all temperatures indicating that heat dissipation to the environment through this body region is regulated mainly by behavioural means. Solitary species dissipated less heat through their dorsum than social species, and a tendency for this pattern was observed for the venter. The pattern of heterogeneity of surface temperature through the venter was not related to sociality of the various species. Our results demonstrate a general pattern of body heat exchange through the three studied body regions in subterranean rodents. Besides, isolated individuals of social species are less able to defend themselves against low ambient temperatures, which may handicap them if staying alone for a longer period, such as during and after dispersal events.
Opposite correlation of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D- and 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D-metabolites with gestational age, bone- and lipid-biomarkers in pregnant women
Authors: Tsuprykov Oleg , Elitok Saban , Buse Claudia , Chu Chang , Krämer Bernhard Karl , Hocher Berthold
Published: January 2021

25-Hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) need to be bound to carrier proteins to be transported to their target cells. The majority of either 25OHD or 1,25(OH)2D is bound to vitamin D-binding protein (DBP), a smaller fraction is bound to albumin and only very small amounts of 25OHD or 1,25(OH)2D are free. Albumin-bound 25OHD or 1,25(OH)2D is relatively easily available after dissociation from albumin. Thus, the sum of free and albumin-bound forms is called bioavailable 25OHD and bioavailable 1,25(OH)2D. Total 25OHD and 1,25(OH)2D are defined as the sum of free, albumin-bound and DBP-bound 25OHD and 1,25(OH)2D, respectively. This cross-sectional study in 427 pregnant women compared the correlation of the six vitamin D compounds with biomarkers of bone health, lipid metabolism, kidney function, endocrine parameters, and group B water-soluble vitamins. Among the 25OHD metabolites analysed, total 1,25(OH)2D showed clearly the best correlation with calcium, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, adiponectin, LDL, HDL, urea, thyroxine, and group B water-soluble vitamins. When comparing the three 25OHD metabolites, both free 25OHD and bioavailable 25OHD showed overall good correlations with calcium, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, adiponectin, LDL, HDL, urea, thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and group B water-soluble vitamins, The correlations of 1,25(OH)2D and 25OHD metabolites went always in opposite directions. Only PTH correlates always inversely with all six vitamin D compounds. In conclusion, free 25(OH)D and bioavailable 25(OH)D are more precise determinants of the vitamin D status than total 25(OH)D in normal pregnancy, whereas total 1,25(OH)2D is superior to free and bioavailable 1,25(OH)2D. Except for PTH, correlations of 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D metabolites with typical clinical chemistry readouts go in opposite directions.
Thermoelectricity of near-resonant tunnel junctions and their relation to Carnot efficiency
Authors: Popp Matthias A. , Erpenbeck André , Weber Heiko B.
Published: January 2021

We present a conceptual study motivated by electrical and thermoelectrical measurements on various near-resonant tunnel junctions. The squeezable nano junction technique allows the quasi-synchronous measurement of conductance G, I(V) characteristics and Seebeck coefficient S. Correlations between G and S are uncovered, in particular boundaries for S(G). We find the simplest and consistent description of the observed phenomena in the framework of the single level resonant tunneling model within which measuring I(V) and S suffice for determining all model parameters. We can further employ the model for assigning thermoelectric efficiencies $$\eta $$
η
without measuring the heat flow. Within the ensemble of thermoelectric data, junctions with assigned $$\eta $$
η
close to the Carnot limit can be identified. These insights allow providing design rules for optimized thermoelectric efficiency in nanoscale junctions.
More than redox, biological organic ligands control iron isotope fractionation in the riparian wetland
Authors: Lotfi-Kalahroodi Elaheh , Pierson-Wickmann Anne-Catherine , Rouxel Olivier , Marsac Rémi , Bouhnik-Le Coz Martine , Hanna Khalil , Davranche Mélanie
Published: January 2021

Although redox reactions are recognized to fractionate iron (Fe) isotopes, the dominant mechanisms controlling the Fe isotope fractionation and notably the role of organic matter (OM) are still debated. Here, we demonstrate how binding to organic ligands governs Fe isotope fractionation beyond that arising from redox reactions. The reductive biodissolution of soil Fe(III) enriched the solution in light Fe isotopes, whereas, with the extended reduction, the preferential binding of heavy Fe isotopes to large biological organic ligands enriched the solution in heavy Fe isotopes. Under oxic conditions, the aggregation/sedimentation of Fe(III) nano-oxides with OM resulted in an initial enrichment of the solution in light Fe isotopes. However, heavy Fe isotopes progressively dominate the solution composition in response to their binding with large biologically-derived organic ligands. Confronted with field data, these results demonstrate that Fe isotope systematics in wetlands are controlled by the OM flux, masking Fe isotope fractionation arising from redox reactions. This work sheds light on an overseen aspect of Fe isotopic fractionation and calls for a reevaluation of the parameters controlling the Fe isotopes fractionation to clarify the interpretation of the Fe isotopic signature.
Alpha-Klotho is a novel predictor of treatment responsiveness in patients with heart failure
Authors: Taneike Manabu , Nishida Makoto , Nakanishi Kaori , Sera Fusako , Kioka Hidetaka , Yamamoto Ryohei , Ohtani Tomohito , Hikoso Shungo , Moriyama Toshiki , Sakata Yasushi , Yamauchi-Takihara Keiko
Published: January 2021

Heart failure is a major cause of death with an increasing population of elderly individuals. Several studies have demonstrated the involvement of soluble alpha-Klotho (sαKl) in various diseases. However, the correlation between sαKl and heart failure remains to be understood. The aim of this study is to investigate the levels and role of sαKl in patients with heart failure. Twenty-eight consecutive patients with acute heart failure (19 male, 9 female), admitted to the Osaka University Hospital from 2010 to 2018, were enrolled in this study. Mean NYHA score, left ventricular ejection fraction and BNP were 3.3, 17.0% and 588 pg/mL, respectively. SαKl significantly increased in heart failure patients. SαKl on admission were significantly higher in patients with heart failure who showed improvement after intensive treatment than that in patients who did not show improvement after the treatment. SαKl levels decreased significantly in patients who showed improvement. Interestingly, sαKl levels increased in male patients with heart failure, but not in female patients. Our data suggest that soluble αKl may be a novel biomarker for the responsiveness against treatment in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Our findings may help developing a personalized therapy for different patients with heart failure.
On the robustness of an eastern boundary upwelling ecosystem exposed to multiple stressors
Authors: Diogoul Ndague , Brehmer Patrice , Demarcq Hervé , El Ayoubi Salaheddine , Thiam Abou , Sarre Abdoulaye , Mouget Anne , Perrot Yannick
Published: January 2021

The resistance of an east border upwelling system was investigated using relative index of marine pelagic biomass estimates under a changing environment spanning 20-years in the strongly exploited southern Canary Current Large marine Ecosystem (sCCLME). We divided the sCCLME in two parts (north and south of Cap Blanc), based on oceanographic regimes. We delineated two size-based groups (“plankton” and “pelagic fish”) corresponding to lower and higher trophic levels, respectively. Over the 20-year period, all spatial remote sensing environmental variables increased significantly, except in the area south of Cap Blanc where sea surface Chlorophyll-a concentrations declined and the upwelling favorable wind was stable. Relative index of marine pelagic abundance was higher in the south area compared to the north area of Cap Blanc. No significant latitudinal shift to the mass center was detected, regardless of trophic level. Relative pelagic abundance did not change, suggesting sCCLME pelagic organisms were able to adapt to changing environmental conditions. Despite strong annual variability and the presence of major stressors (overfishing, climate change), the marine pelagic ressources, mainly fish and plankton remained relatively stable over the two decades, advancing our understanding on the resistance of this east border upwelling system.
Dynamic swimming pattern of Pseudomonas aeruginosa near a vertical wall during initial attachment stages of biofilm formation
Authors: Khong Nicole Zi-Jia , Zeng Yukai , Lai Soak-Kuan , Koh Cheng-Gee , Liang Zhao-Xun , Chiam Keng-Hwee , Li Hoi-Yeung
Published: January 2021

Studying the swimming behaviour of bacteria in 3 dimensions (3D) allows us to understand critical biological processes, such as biofilm formation. It is still unclear how near wall swimming behaviour may regulate the initial attachment and biofilm formation. It is challenging to address this as visualizing the movement of bacteria with reasonable spatial and temporal resolution in a high-throughput manner is technically difficult. Here, we compared the near wall (vertical) swimming behaviour of P. aeruginosa (PAO1) and its mutants ΔdipA (reduced in swarming motility and increased in biofilm formation) and ΔfimX (deficient in twitching motility and reduced in biofilm formation) using our new imaging technique based on light sheet microscopy. We found that P. aeruginosa (PAO1) increases its speed and changes its swimming angle drastically when it gets closer to a wall. In contrast, ΔdipA mutant moves toward the wall with steady speed without changing of swimming angle. The near wall behavior of ΔdipA allows it to be more effective to interact with the wall or wall-attached cells, thus leading to more adhesion events and a larger biofilm volume during initial attachment when compared with PAO1. Furthermore, we found that ΔfimX has a similar near wall swimming behavior as PAO1. However, it has a higher dispersal frequency and smaller biofilm formation when compared with PAO1 which can be explained by its poor twitching motility. Together, we propose that near wall swimming behavior of P. aeruginosa plays an important role in the regulation of initial attachment and biofilm formation.
Leprosy incidence and risk estimates in a 33-year contact cohort of leprosy patients
Authors: Hacker Mariana Andrea , Sales Anna Maria , Duppre Nádia Cristina , Sarno Euzenir Nunes , Moraes Milton Ozório
Published: January 2021

Reduction in incidence has been associated with the introduction of novel approaches, like chemo/immune-prophylaxis. Incidence determined through follow-up cohort studies can evaluate the implementation of these innovative policies towards control and prevention. We have assessed the incidence in our contacts cohort over past 33 years, considering the effect of demographic and clinical variables. Survival analysis was used to estimate the risk of leprosy. A total of 9024 contacts were evaluated, of which 192 developed leprosy, resulting in an overall incidence of 1.4/1000 person-years. The multivariate analysis showed that the major risk factors were (i) contact from MB index cases and (ii) consanguinity (iii) intra household contact. Lower risk was detected for contacts with BCG scar who were revaccinated. There was a significant decrease in accumulated risk between the 2011–2019 period compared with 1987, probably linked to the improvement in laboratory tools to monitor contacts, thereby providing early diagnosis of contacts at intake and reduction of transmission. Our findings suggest that a combination of contact surveillance and tracing, adequate neurodermatological examination, and availability of molecular tools is highly effective in supporting early diagnosis, while a second dose of the BCG vaccination can exert extra protection.
Positive lymph node ratio is an index in predicting prognosis for remnant gastric cancer with insufficient retrieved lymph node in R0 resection
Authors: Wang Honghu , Qi Hao , Liu Xiaofang , Gao Ziming , Hidasa Iko , Aikebaier Ailixier , Li Kai
Published: January 2021

The staging system of remnant gastric cancer (RGC) has not yet been established, with the current staging being based on the guidelines for primary gastric cancer. Often, surgeries for RGC fail to achieve the > 15 lymph nodes needed for TNM staging. Compared with the pN staging system, lymph node ratio (NR) may be more accurate for RGC staging and prognosis prediction. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 208 patients who underwent R0 gastrectomy with curative intent and who have ≤ 15 retrieved lymph nodes (RLNs) for RGC between 2000 and 2014. The patients were divided into four groups on the basis of the NR cutoffs: rN0: 0; rN1: > 0 and ≤ 1/6; rN2: > 1/6 and ≤ 1/2; and rN3: > 1/2. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates for rN0, rN1, rN2, and rN3 were 84.3%, 64.7%, 31.5%, and 12.7%, respectively. Multivariable analyses revealed that tumor size (p = 0.005), lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.023), and NR (p < 0.001), but not pN stage (p = 0.682), were independent factors for OS. When the RLN count is ≤ 15, the NR is superior to pN as an important and independent prognostic index of RGC, thus predicting the prognosis of RGC patients more accurately.
Evaluation of the correlation between porphyrin accumulation in cancer cells and functional positions for application as a drug carrier
Authors: Nishida Koshi , Tojo Toshifumi , Kondo Takeshi , Yuasa Makoto
Published: January 2021

Porphyrin derivatives accumulate selectively in cancer cells and are can be used as carriers of drugs. Until now, the substituents that bind to porphyrins (mainly at the meso-position) have been actively investigated, but the effect of the functional porphyrin positions (β-, meso-position) on tumor accumulation has not been investigated. Therefore, we investigated the correlation between the functional position of substituents and the accumulation of porphyrins in cancer cells using cancer cells. We found that the meso-derivative showed higher accumulation in cancer cells than the β-derivative, and porphyrins with less bulky substituent actively accumulate in cancer cells. When evaluating the intracellular distribution of porphyrin, we found that porphyrin was internalized by endocytosis and direct membrane permeation. As factors involved in these two permeation mechanisms, we evaluated the affinity between porphyrin-protein (endocytosis) and the permeability to the phospholipid bilayer membrane (direct membrane permeation). We found that the binding position of porphyrin affects the factors involved in the transmembrane permeation mechanisms and impacts the accumulation in cancer cells.
The relationships between LncRNA NNT-AS1, CRP, PCT and their interactions and the refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children
Authors: Chen Ping , Huang Zheng , Chen Lumin , Zhuang Shihao , Lin Hongli , Xie Jianfeng , Zheng Kuicheng
Published: January 2021

To investigate the relationships between LncRNA NNT-AS1, CRP, PCT and their interactions and the refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in children. Serum levels of LncRNA NNT-AS1 of RMPP and non-RMPP (NRMPP) patients were detected by real-time PCR, and were analyzed together with serum c-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT). Correlations between LncRNA NNT-AS1 and CRP and PCT were analyzed by Pearson correlation test. The ROC curve was used to analyze the potential of LncRNA NNT-AS1, CRP and PCT as biomarkers for predicting RMPP. Logistic regression crossover model and the Excel compiled by Andersson et al. were used to analyze the interactions among the biomarkers. We found that LncRNA NNT-AS1, CRP and PCT were all highly expressed in patients with RMPP. LncRNA NNT-AS1 could positively correlate with the expressions of CRP and PCT, and jointly promote the occurrence of RMPP. The combined diagnosis of LncRNA NNT-AS1, CRP and PCT could predict the occurrence of RMPP.
Stress testing reveals gaps in clinic readiness of image-based diagnostic artificial intelligence models
Authors: Young Albert T. , Fernandez Kristen , Pfau Jacob , Reddy Rasika , Cao Nhat Anh , von Franque Max Y. , Johal Arjun , Wu Benjamin V. , Wu Rachel R. , Chen Jennifer Y. , Fadadu Raj P. , Vasquez Juan A. , Tam Andrew , Keiser Michael J. , Wei Maria L.
Published: January 2021

Artificial intelligence models match or exceed dermatologists in melanoma image classification. Less is known about their robustness against real-world variations, and clinicians may incorrectly assume that a model with an acceptable area under the receiver operating characteristic curve or related performance metric is ready for clinical use. Here, we systematically assessed the performance of dermatologist-level convolutional neural networks (CNNs) on real-world non-curated images by applying computational “stress tests”. Our goal was to create a proxy environment in which to comprehensively test the generalizability of off-the-shelf CNNs developed without training or evaluation protocols specific to individual clinics. We found inconsistent predictions on images captured repeatedly in the same setting or subjected to simple transformations (e.g., rotation). Such transformations resulted in false positive or negative predictions for 6.5–22% of skin lesions across test datasets. Our findings indicate that models meeting conventionally reported metrics need further validation with computational stress tests to assess clinic readiness.
Cetuximab functionalization strategy for combining active targeting and antimigration capacities of a hybrid composite nanoplatform applied to deliver 5-fluorouracil: toward colorectal cancer treatment
Authors: Chen Ranran , Huang Yuanjian , Wang Lu , Zhou Jiahui , Tan Yuqian , Peng Chaofan , Yang Peng , Peng Wen , Li Jie , Gu Qiou , Sheng Yuchen , Wang Yan , Shao Guoqiang , Zhang Qing , Sun Yueming
Published: January 2021

The CTX-SLB-MSN targeted nanoplatform has a substantial potential in combinational therapy against colorectal cancer.
Comparison of the effects of cation and phosphorus doping in cobalt-based spinel oxides towards the oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Yao Lili , Yang Wenxiu , Niu Yongjian , Liu Jiming , Zhang Shun , Wu Shuyi , Deng Zhennan , Ma Lin , Wang Cheng , Cao Zhensheng
Published: January 2021

Phosphorus incorporation further boosted the OER activity of cation-doped Co-based spinel oxides via remarkably tuning the oxygen vacancies, crystallinity and electrochemically active surface area on the surface.
Synthesis of polyaramids in γ-valerolactone-based organic electrolyte solutions
Authors: Winters Jonas , Bolia Raheed , Dehaen Wim , Binnemans Koen
Published: January 2021

Organic Electrolyte Solutions from γ-valerolactone and [C8MIm][Cl] can be used as benign alternative solvents to replace NMP in the synthesis and direct spinning of the m-aramid poly-m-phenylene isophthalamide (PMIA).
SPION-decorated organofunctionalized MCM48 silica-based nanocomposites for magnetic solid-phase extraction
Authors: Garcia-Osorio Daniel , P. Nogueira Helton , Gonçalves Josué M. , Toma Sergio H. , Garcia-Segura Sergio , Araki Koiti
Published: January 2021

(a) Cubic structures formed by CTAB above critical micellar concentration used as a template to generate highly ordered mesoporous silica. (b) Photo showing the magnetic recovery of MCM48/SPION/C8 nanocomposite in 60 s.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of a monocyclic Fc-binding antibody-recruiting molecule for cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Sasaki Koichi , Muguruma Kyohei , Osawa Rento , Fukuda Akane , Taniguchi Atsuhiko , Kishimura Akihiro , Hayashi Yoshio , Mori Takeshi , Katayama Yoshiki
Published: January 2021

A monocyclic Fc-binding peptide “15-Lys8Leu” enables simple preparation of a Fc-binding antibody-recruiting molecule (Fc-ARM), which induces potent cytotoxicity against folate receptor positive cancer cells via NK cell-mediated immune response.
Cleavable linkers and their application in MS-based target identification
Authors: Beard Hester A. , Korovesis Dimitris , Chen Suyuan , Verhelst Steven H. L.
Published: January 2021

In chemical proteomics workflows, cleavable linkers are increasingly used to facilitate target identification by mass spectrometry. This review discusses the various types of cleavable linkers and their application areas.
Structure and luminescence of DNA-templated silver clusters
Authors: Gonzàlez-Rosell Anna , Cerretani Cecilia , Mastracco Peter , Vosch Tom , Copp Stacy M.
Published: January 2021

DNA can stabilize silver clusters with sequence-tuned fluorescence. We review recent advances in understanding of the structures and properties of DNA-templated silver clusters, their rational design and ordered arrangement, and emerging challenges.
A long-term stable paper-based glucose sensor using a glucose oxidase-loaded, Mn2BPMP-conjugated nanocarrier with a smartphone readout
Authors: Yoo Soyeon , Min Kiyoon , Tae Giyoong , Han Min Su
Published: January 2021

A paper-type sensor system was devised using an enzyme-loaded, artificial peroxidase-conjugated nanocarrier to maintain long-term stability with smartphone readout.
Spherical core–shell alumina support particles for model platinum catalysts
Authors: Geerts Lisa , Geerts-Claes Hannelore , Skorikov Alexander , Vermeersch Julie , Vanbutsele Gina , Galvita Vladimir , Constales Denis , Chandran C. Vinod , Radhakrishnan Sambhu , Seo Jin Won , Breynaert Eric , Bals Sara , Sree Sreeprasanth Pulinthanathu , Martens Johan A.
Published: January 2021

Pt loaded alumina spheres, combined with a zeolite, are presented as a flexible model bifunctional catalyst.
Heterometallic {DyIII2FeII2} grids with slow magnetic relaxation and spin crossover
Authors: Zhang Yu , Yang Qianqian , Lu Jingjing , Guo Mei , Li Xiao-Lei , Tang Jinkui
Published: January 2021

The self-assembly of a DyIIIion, an FeIIion and a multitopic H2L ligand produces novel [2 × 2] {DyIII2FeII2} grids exhibiting slow magnetic relaxation and spin crossover.
Self-powered materials obtained by interfacing functional assemblies with energy harvesting films
Authors: Tong Wangshu , Wang Zhihao , Wang Xuemei , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Yihe , An Qi
Published: January 2021

This review summarizes recently developed self-powered devices built by interfacing the electricity generation units and the electricity consumption units without being connected by an electric circuit.
Self-assembly of bovine serum albumin (BSA)–dextran bio-nanoconjugate: structural, antioxidant and in vitro wound healing studies
Authors: Rohiwal Sonali S. , Ellederova Z. , Tiwari Arpita P. , Alqarni Mohammed , Elazab Sara T. , El-Saber Batiha Gaber , Pawar Shivaji H. , Thorat Nanasaheb D.
Published: January 2021

Glycation of proteins is often considered as a method to improve their functional properties for promising applications in wound healing.
Production of jet-fuel-range molecules from biomass-derived mixed acids
Authors: Jamalzade Elnaz , Kashkooli Koorosh , Griffin Liam , van Walsum G. Peter , Schwartz Thomas J.
Published: January 2021

Mixed acids from open culture fermentation can be catalytically upgraded to long-chain species suitable for use in jet fuel applications.
Efficient synthesis of polyether polyols in simple microreactors
Authors: Shu Jiahui , Yu Liang , Ding Rong , Zhang Lixiong
Published: January 2021

High-quality polyether polyols with different molecular weights were efficiently synthesized in simple microreactors.
Revealing the deterministic components in active avalanche-like dynamics
Authors: Tiwari Ishant , Upadhye Swanith , Akella V. S. , Parmananda P.
Published: January 2021

An ensemble of autonomous camphor discs exhibits avalanche-like dynamics with a characteristic/natural frequency. Furthermore, the dynamics show a resonant response to external forcing indicating the presence of a deterministic component in the system.
A highly active CH4 catalyst correlated with solid oxide fuel cell anode performance
Authors: Su Yuanhui , Wei Tao , Li Yining , Yin Baoyi , Huan Yu , Dong Dehua , Hu Xun , Huang Bolong
Published: January 2021

Methane catalytic abilities are considered to be an important and direct form of experimental evidence for evaluating the efficacy of MIEC anodes for SOFCs with CH4 as the fuel gas.
Hierarchically reversible crosslinking polymeric hydrogels with highly efficient self-healing, robust mechanical properties, and double-driven shape memory behavior
Authors: Xue Shishan , Wu Yuanpeng , Liu Guanfei , Guo Meiling , Liu Yuhan , Zhang Tao , Wang Zhanhua
Published: January 2021

A hierarchically reversible crosslinked hydrogel has been designed with excellent mechanical properties, efficient self-healability and double-driven shape memory effect (pH, Ca2+). A soft catcher actuator was constructed, which could catch a plastic fish in Ca2+ solution.
Multifunctional conductive hydrogels and their applications as smart wearable devices
Authors: Chen Zhen , Chen Yujie , Hedenqvist Mikael S. , Chen Chi , Cai Chao , Li Hua , Liu Hezhou , Fu Jun
Published: January 2021

Multifunctional conductive hydrogels with representative preparation strategies and related properties.
New sparse array for non‐circular sources with increased degrees of freedom
Authors: Shaikh Abdul Hayee , Dang Xiaoyu , Khoso Imran. A. , Huang Daqing
Published: January 2021

Recently, sparse arrays have received considerable attention as they provide larger array aperture and increased degrees‐of‐freedom (DOFs) compared to uniform linear arrays. These features are essential to enhance the direction‐of‐arrival estimation performance. However, most of the existing sparse arrays are mainly designed for circular sources and realize limited increment in DOFs for non‐circular sources. In this letter, a new sparse array configuration for non‐circular sources is presented, which significantly increases the achievable DOFs and improves the direction‐of‐arrival estimation performance. The proposed geometry comprises two effectively configured uniform linear arrays that exploit the characteristics of non‐circular sources and extend the array aperture. For a given number of sensors, its virtual array is advantageously a hole‐free uniform linear array. Moreover, the precise sensor locations, achievable DOFs, and optimal distribution of physical sensors are determined analytically by closed‐form expressions. Owing to these benefits, the proposed array efficiently resolve multiple sources in under‐determined conditions and achieves better direction‐of‐arrival estimation performance than its counterpart structures. Simulation results validate the superiority of the proposed configuration.
Effect of dual‐wavelength (visible and near‐infrared) light sources on non‐contact heart rate detection
Authors: Jung H. , Pham T. T. A. , Park S.
Published: January 2021

Image sensors can achieve non‐contact detection of heart rate to predict the physiological status of the driver in an automotive driver monitoring system. However, the performance of such methods depends on the intensity of the light source. In this study, the effects of visible (VIS) and near‐infrared (NIR) light sources on heart rate measurement are investigated. The custom‐built setup employs Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors for visible and dual visible and near‐infrared spectra, in addition to the controllable light sources with visible and near‐infrared wavelengths. As a reference heart rate, a photoplethysmogram signal from an heart rate sensor is employed. Upon image acquisition, heart rate is estimated based on the facial images with varying intensities of visible and near‐infrared light sources under dim light conditions (10–50 lx). Compared to the values obtained using the visible light source alone, the signal‐to‐noise of the extracted signal increases and the root mean square error of the estimated heart rate decreases when the dual visible and near‐infrared light is applied. This study demonstrates that the use of dual visible and near‐infrared light sources can enhance the performance of non‐contact heart rate measurements, which could be applied to monitor the driver's status under dim light conditions.
E‐band broadband digital controlled phase‐inverting variable gain amplifier in 65‐nm CMOS
Authors: Feng Yikun , Zhao Dixian
Published: January 2021

This letter reports an E‐band phase‐inverting variable gain amplifier in 65‐nm complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS) technology. A fractional bit based structure with replica cells is proposed to minimise the phase error and ensure the tuning accuracy between different gain modes. This structure has 9‐bits digital‐controlled amplifiers and allows 180° phase shifting. The implemented phase‐inverting variable gain amplifier achieves 16 dB tuning range and 0.5 dB tuning step at 80 GHz. The root mean square (RMS) gain and phase errors across −3 dB bandwidth (i.e. 72–87 GHz) are less than 0.3 dB and 2.7°, respectively. The phase‐inverting variable gain amplifier consumes 8 mW at 1 V supply voltage.
Local bi‐directional funnel network for salient object detection
Authors: Pan Zefeng , Li Junxia , Wang Ziyang
Published: January 2021

Existing deep‐learning–based saliency detection methods mainly design a sophisticated architecture to integrate multi‐level convolutional features, for example, recurrent network or bi‐directional message passing model, and achieve gratifying performance. However, the direct transmission of information with large span, for example, the information from the deepest layer and the shallowest layer, may lead to antagonistic problems. To address this problem, we propose a local bi‐directional funnel network (LBDFN) to effectively integrate multi‐level features for salient object detection. In the proposed local bi‐directional funnel network, a local bi‐directional feature integration (LBDFI) module is designed to fuse the features with similar properties from adjacent convolution layers, which can solve the problem of mismatch between fusion features well. The extensive experiments on five saliency detection datasets clearly demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art approaches.
Energy efficient neural stimulator with dynamic supply modulation
Authors: Samiei Aria , Hashemi Hossein
Published: January 2021

This paper reports an automatically reconfigurable series–parallel switched‐capacitor step‐down DC–DC converter for neural stimulation applications, fabricated with a 0.13 μm standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor process. The stimulator chip can generate pre‐programmed biphasic or dynamically programmed arbitrary current waveforms, up to ±127 μA peak with 7‐bit resolution. To improve the power efficiency, the supply voltages of the stimulating current sources are dynamically modulated following the output voltage. The functionality of the stimulator is verified in vitro using parylene‐based microelectrode arrays in phosphate‐buffered saline.
Hydrogen‐assisted nitrogen incorporation in zinc oxynitride films grown by rf sputtering
Authors: Choi Jaewon , Jeon Wonjin , Mun Jiyoon , Jo Jungyol
Published: January 2021

Zinc oxynitride has good electrical characteristics applicable for thin‐film transistors in display devices. Since nitrogen has lower reactivity compared to oxygen, tiny amount of background oxygen can prohibit nitrogen incorporation into the films. In order to minimise the effects of oxygen, hydrogen gas was introduced during sputtering growth. The main hypothesis was that the hydrogen gas would react with oxygen to lower the oxygen density in the vacuum chamber. The films were grown by rf sputtering using zinc metal target and nitrogen gas. Energy dispersive spectroscopy results showed that nitrogen incorporation in the grown films was increased by the additional hydrogen. It was also shown that nitrogen pulsing was an effective method to maintain a reliable target condition.