bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Responses to Cytokine Inhibitors Associated with Cellular Composition in Models of Immune‐Mediated Inflammatory Arthritis
Authors: Nielsen Morten A. , Lomholt Søren , Mellemkjær Anders , Andersen Morten N. , Buckley Christopher D. , Kragstrup Tue W.
Published: November 2019

Objective

Immune‐mediated inflammatory arthritis (IMIA) is a heterogeneous group of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and spondyloarthritis (SpA). Disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) target very different cellular components of the disease processes. Characterization of the pathobiological subtypes of IMIA could provide more specific treatment approaches for each disease. For example, RA has been proposed to consist of at least three synovial pathotypes (lymphoid, myeloid, and fibroid), and only a subgroup of RA patients have erosive disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of various DMARDs on different synovial cell subsets using human ex vivo models of IMIA.

Methods

Synovial fluid and blood samples were obtained from a study population consisting of patients with RA, PsA, or peripheral SpA with at least one swollen joint (n = 18). The DMARDs used in this study were methotrexate, adalimumab, etanercept, tocilizumab, anakinra, ustekinumab, secukinumab, tofacitinib, and baricitinib. Paired synovial fluid mononuclear cells (SFMCs), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and fibroblast‐like synovial cells (FLSs) were used in three different previously optimized ex vivo models.

Results

In SFMCs cultured for 48 hours, all DMARDs except anakinra decreased the production of monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)‐1. In SFMCs cultured for 21 days, only the two tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) inhibitors adalimumab and etanercept decreased the secretion of tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). In the FLS and PBMC 48‐hour co‐cultures, only tocilizumab (P < 0.001) and the two Janus kinase inhibitors tofacitinib and baricitinib (both P < 0.05) decreased the production of MCP‐1 by around 50%.

Conclusion

TNFα inhibition was effective in preventing inflammatory osteoclastogenesis, whereas tocilizumab, tofacitinib, and baricitinib had superior efficacy in cultures dominated by FLSs. Taken together, this study reveals that responses to cytokine inhibitors associate with cellular composition in models of IMIA. In particular, this study provides new evidence on the differential effect of DMARDs on leukocytes compared with stromal cells.
Internalized and Anticipated Stigmatization in Patients With Gout
Authors: Kleinstäuber Maria , Wolf Leonie , Jones Annie S. K. , Dalbeth Nicola , Petrie Keith J.
Published: November 2019

Objective

To investigate the relationship between stigma perception and demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables.

Methods

A sample of 50 patients with gout and prescribed urate‐lowering medication (84% were males, mean serum urate 0.34 mmol/l) completed questionnaires on internalized and anticipated stigma, demographics, clinical gout‐related variables, and psychosocial variables (illness perceptions, illness‐related disability, illness‐related body satisfaction, intentional nonadherence). Serum urate level was obtained from the most recent blood test.

Results

In this sample, 26% experienced internalized stigma, 26% expected to be stigmatized by friends or family members, and 14% by health care workers. Univariate regression analyses showed that younger age, ethnicity other than New Zealand European, increased severity of gout pain, cognitive and emotional illness perceptions, greater illness‐related disability, and increased intentional nonadherence to urate‐lowering medication were associated with increased internalized and anticipated stigma. Younger age, emotional illness response, and intentional nonadherence were the only variables explaining incremental variance of the experience of anticipated stigma in a multivariate regression model.

Conclusion

Internalized and anticipated illness‐related stigma was reported by a subgroup of patients with gout. The experience of stigma is associated with younger age, a negative emotional illness response, and intentions to not adhere with a medical treatment.
Rapid Biofabrication of Printable Dense Collagen Bioinks of Tunable Properties
Authors: Griffanti Gabriele , Rezabeigi Ehsan , Li Jingjing , Murshed Monzur , Nazhat Showan N.
Published: November 2019

Recent convergence of the 3D printing of tissue‐like bioinks and regenerative medicine offers promise in the high‐throughput engineering of in vitro tissue models and organoids for drug screening and discovery research, and of potentially implantable neo‐tissues with tailored structural, biological, and mechanical properties. However, the current printing approaches are not compatible with collagen, the native scaffolding material. Herein, a unique biofabrication approach that uses automated gel aspiration‐ejection (GAE) is reported to potentially overcome these challenges. Automated‐GAE generates highly defined, aligned, dense collagen gel bioinks of various geometries (i.e., cylindrical, quadrangular, and tubular), dimensions, as well as tunable microstructural and mechanical properties that modulate seeded cellular responses. By densifying initial naturally derived reconstituted collagen hydrogels incorporating cells, automated‐GAE generates mini‐tissue building blocks with tailored protein fibril density and alignment, as well as cell loading, density and orientation according to the intended use. Surprisingly, a simple mathematical relationship defining the bioink compaction factor is found to be highly effective in predicting the initial and temporal properties of the bioinks in culture. Therefore, automated‐GAE will potentially also enable a fourth dimension to biofabrication, where cell–cell communications and cell‐extracellular matrix interactions as a function of time in culture can be predicted and modeled.
Heme Cofactor‐Resembling Fe–N Single Site Embedded Graphene as Nanozymes to Selectively Detect H2O2 with High Sensitivity
Authors: Kim Min Su , Lee Junsang , Kim Hye Su , Cho Ara , Shim Kyu Hwan , Le Thao Nguyen , An Seong Soo A. , Han Jeong Woo , Kim Moon Il , Lee Jinwoo
Published: November 2019

Over the past decade, the catalytic activity of nanozymes has been greatly enhanced, but their selectivity is still low and considered a critical issue to overcome. Herein, Fe–N4 single site embedded graphene (Fe–N‐rGO), which resembles the heme cofactor present in natural horseradish peroxidase, shows a marked enhancement in peroxidase‐like catalytic efficiency of up to ≈700‐fold higher than that of undoped rGO as well as excellent selectivity toward target H2O2 without any oxidizing activity. Importantly, when Fe or N is doped alone or when Fe is replaced with another transition metal in the Fe–N4 site, the activity is negligibly enhanced, showing that mimicking the essential cofactor structure of natural enzyme might be essential to design the catalytic features of nanozymes. Density functional theory results for the change in Gibbs free energy during the peroxide decomposition reaction explain the high catalytic activity of Fe–N‐rGO. Based on the high and selective peroxidase‐like activity of Fe–N‐rGO, trace amounts of H2O2 produced from the enzymatic reactions from acetylcholine and cancerous cells are successfully quantified with high sensitivity and selectivity. This work is expected to encourage studies on the rational design of nanozymes pursuing the active site structure of natural enzymes.
Biomedical Applications of DNA‐Based Hydrogels
Authors: Gačanin Jasmina , Synatschke Christopher V. , Weil Tanja
Published: November 2019

Nucleic acids are gaining significant attention as versatile building blocks for the next generation of soft materials. Due to significant advances in the chemical synthesis and biotechnological production, DNA becomes more widely available enabling its usage as bulk material in various applications. This has prompted researchers to actively explore the unique features offered by DNA‐containing materials like hydrogels. In this review article, recent developments in the field of hydrogels that feature DNA as a component either in the construction of the material or as functional unit within the construct and their biomedical applications are discussed in detail. First, different synthetic approaches for obtaining DNA hydrogels are summarized, which allows classification of DNA materials according to their structure. Then, new concepts, properties, and applications are highlighted such as DNA‐based biosensor devices, drug delivery platforms, and cell scaffolds. With the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine being awarded to cancer immunotherapy underscoring the importance of this therapy, DNA hydrogel systems designed to modulate the immune system are introduced. This review aims to give the reader a timely overview of the most important and recent developments in this emerging class of therapeutically useful materials of DNA‐based hydrogels.
Tailoring Aerogels and Related 3D Macroporous Monoliths for Interfacial Solar Vapor Generation
Authors: Hu Xiaozhen , Zhu Jia
Published: November 2019

Interfacial solar vapor generation is emerging as a promising water treatment technology with high solar energy efficiency and minimized carbon footprint. Among various kinds of materials development, aerogels, with inherent high porosity, lightweight, enhanced absorption, and minimized thermal conductivity, are attracting significant attention for achieving high‐performance solar vapor generation. Herein, recent progress in tailoring aerogels (such as graphene [oxide], carbon nanotubes, and polymer aerogels) and related 3D macroporous architectures for interfacial solar vapor generation is presented. Furthermore, the challenges and opportunities associated with employing aerogels in solar vapor generation are also discussed.
Void‐Free 3D Bioprinting for In Situ Endothelialization and Microfluidic Perfusion
Authors: Ouyang Liliang , Armstrong James P. K. , Chen Qu , Lin Yiyang , Stevens Molly M.
Published: November 2019

Two major challenges of 3D bioprinting are the retention of structural fidelity and efficient endothelialization for tissue vascularization. Both of these issues are addressed by introducing a versatile 3D bioprinting strategy, in which a templating bioink is deposited layer‐by‐layer alongside a matrix bioink to establish void‐free multimaterial structures. After crosslinking the matrix phase, the templating phase is sacrificed to create a well‐defined 3D network of interconnected tubular channels. This void‐free 3D printing (VF‐3DP) approach circumvents the traditional concerns of structural collapse, deformation, and oxygen inhibition, moreover, it can be readily used to print materials that are widely considered “unprintable.” By preloading endothelial cells into the templating bioink, the inner surface of the channels can be efficiently cellularized with a confluent endothelial layer. This in situ endothelialization method can be used to produce endothelium with a far greater cell seeding uniformity than can be achieved using the conventional postseeding approach. This VF‐3DP approach can also be extended beyond tissue fabrication and toward customized hydrogel‐based microfluidics and self‐supported perfusable hydrogel constructs.
Atomic Layer Deposition on Dispersed Materials in Liquid Phase by Stoichiometrically Limited Injections
Authors: Le Monnier Benjamin P. , Wells Frederick , Talebkeikhah Farzaneh , Luterbacher Jeremy S.
Published: November 2019

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a well‐established vapor‐phase technique for depositing thin films with high conformality and atomically precise control over thickness. Its industrial development has been largely confined to wafers and low‐surface‐area materials because deposition on high‐surface‐area materials and powders remains extremely challenging. Challenges with such materials include long deposition times, extensive purging cycles, and requirements for large excesses of precursors and expensive low‐pressure equipment. Here, a simple solution‐phase deposition process based on subsequent injections of stoichiometric quantities of precursor is performed using common laboratory synthesis equipment. Precisely measured precursor stoichiometries avoid any unwanted reactions in solution and ensure layer‐by‐layer growth with the same precision as gas‐phase ALD, without any excess precursor or purging required. Identical coating qualities are achieved when comparing this technique to Al2O3 deposition by fluidized‐bed reactor ALD (FBR‐ALD). The process is easily scaled up to coat >150 g of material using the same inexpensive laboratory glassware without any loss in coating quality. This technique is extended to sulfides and phosphates and can achieve coatings that are not possible using classic gas‐phase ALD, including the deposition of phosphates with inexpensive but nonvolatile phosphoric acid.
A‐Site Management for Highly Crystalline Perovskites
Authors: Si Haonan , Zhang Zheng , Liao Qingliang , Zhang Guangjie , Ou Yang , Zhang Suicai , Wu Hualin , Wu Jing , Kang Zhuo , Zhang Yue
Published: November 2019

An in‐depth understanding and effective suppression of nonradiative recombination pathways in perovskites are crucial to their crystallization process, in which supersaturation discrepancies at different time scales between CH3NH3I (MAI, methylammonium iodide) and PbI2 remain a key issue. Here, an A‐site management strategy via the introduction of an A‐site placeholder cation, NH4+, to offset the deficient MA+ precipitation by occupying the cavity of Pb–I framework, is proposed. The temporarily remaining NH4+ is substituted by subsequently precipitated MA+. The temperature‐dependent crystallization process with the generation and consumption of a transient phase is sufficiently demonstrated by the dynamic changes in crystal structure characteristic peaks through in situ grazing‐incidence X‐ray diffraction and the surface potential difference evolution through temperature‐dependent Kelvin probe force microscopy. A highly crystalline perovskite is consequently acquired, indicated by the enlarged grain size, lowered nonradiative defect density, prolonged carrier lifetime, and fluorescence lifetime imaging. Most importantly, it is identified that the A‐site IMA defect is responsible for such crystal quality optimization based on theoretical calculations, transient absorption, and deep‐level transient spectroscopy. Furthermore, the universality of the proposed A‐site management strategy is demonstrated with other mixed‐cation perovskite systems, indicating that this methodology successfully provides guidance for synthesis route design of highly crystalline perovskites.
A Novel Ultrastable and High‐Performance Electrode Material for Asymmetric Supercapacitors Based on ZIF‐9@Polyaniline
Authors: Guo Hao , Xu Mengni , Yue Liguo , Li Qi , Wu Ning , Wang Mingyue , Wang Xiaoqiong , Yang Wu
Published: November 2019

Nanoflower‐like composites have greater contact area and more redox reactive centers, which have great potential in the application of electrode materials for supercapacitors. A nonconductive polymer binder is usually used in preparation of electrodes, which causes an increase in interface resistance and a decrease in material active sites. Here, polyaniline (PANI) and ZIF‐9 are directly grown on the Ni foam (ZIF‐9@PANI/NF) by a simple solvothermal method without a nonconductive polymer binder. A nanoflower array is grown on the NF, which can be directly used as electrode material of supercapacitor. The attachment of PANI facilitates electron transfer and increases the conductivity of the material. At a current density of 1 A g−1, the specific capacitance is up to 7 times that of the ZIF‐9. The assembled asymmetric supercapacitor has a high energy density of 52 Wh kg−1at a power density of 800 W kg−1, remaining 90.1% after 50 000 cycles. These great electrochemical properties show the material has good market development prospects for energy storage device.
Gain‐Assisted Active Spoof Plasmonic Fano Resonance for High‐Resolution Sensing of Glucose Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Zhou Yong Jin , Li Qiao Yu , Zhao Hong Zhou , Cui Tie Jun
Published: November 2019

Fano resonance has received much attention in recent years due to its promising applications in surface enhanced phenomena, sensing, and nonlinear optics. However, it is challenging to achieve both high quality (Q) factor and high intensity using the Fano resonance. Different from active switching/tuning of plasmonic Fano resonances, gain‐assisted active spoof plasmonic Fano resonance is for the first time proposed to enhance both the Q factor and resonance intensity significantly, in which a subwavelength amplifier chip is incorporated into a passive plasmonic structure composed of two stacked corrugated metal rings. Experimental results show that the Q factor of the Fano resonance is increased from 49 to 2802, and the resonance intensity is improved from 19.89 to 37.42 dB. The high performance of the active plasmonic structure makes the limit of detection reach to 10 mg dL−1, and thus the minute change of glucose aqueous solutions has been successfully detected.
Self‐Healing Hydrogels and Cryogels from Biodegradable Polyurethane Nanoparticle Crosslinked Chitosan
Authors: Lin Tzu‐Wei , Hsu Shan‐hui
Published: November 2019

Hydrogels are widely used in tissue engineering owing to their high water retention and soft characteristics. It remains a challenge to develop hydrogels with tunable degradation rates, proper environmental responsiveness, and injectability. In this study, biodegradable difunctional polyurethane (DFPU) nanoparticle dispersions are synthesized from an eco‐friendly waterborne process involving the use of glyoxal. Such DFPU is used to crosslink chitosan (CS). Schiff base linkages between DFPU and CS successfully produce self‐healing hydrogels at room temperature. Moreover, cryogels are generated after being frozen at −20 °C. These gels are found to be sensitive to low pH and amine‐containing molecules owing to the property of Schiff bases. Furthermore, the degradation rates can be adjusted by the type of the component oligodiols in DFPU. Rheological evaluation verifies the excellent self‐healing properties (≈100% recovery after damage). Both the self‐healing gels and cryogels are injectable (through 26‐gauge and 18‐gauge needles, respectively) and biocompatible. Rat implantation at 14 d shows the low immune responses of cryogels. The functionalized biodegradable polyurethane nanoparticles represent a new platform of crosslinkers for biomacromolecules such as chitosan through the dynamic Schiff reaction that may give rise to a wide variety of self‐healing gels and cryogels for biomedical applications.
3D‐Printed Sugar Scaffold for High‐Precision and Highly Sensitive Active and Passive Wearable Sensors
Authors: Ho Dong Hae , Hong Panuk , Han Joong Tark , Kim Sang‐Youn , Kwon S. Joon , Cho Jeong Ho
Published: November 2019

In this study, a pairing of a previously unidentified 3D printing technique and soft materials is introduced in order to achieve not only high‐resolution printed features and flexibility of the 3D‐printed materials, but also its light‐weight and electrical conductivity. Using the developed technique and materials, high‐precision and highly sensitive patient‐specific wearable active or passive devices are fabricated for personalized health monitoring. The fabricated biosensors show low density and substantial flexibility because of 3D microcellular network‐type interconnected conductive materials that are readily printed using an inkjet head. Using high‐resolution 3D scanned body‐shape data, on‐demand personalized wearable sensors made of the 3D‐printed soft and conductive materials are fabricated. These sensors successfully detect both actively changing body strain signals and passively changing signals such as electromyography (EMG), electrodermal activity (EDA), and electroencephalogram EEG. The accurately tailored subject‐specific shape of the developed sensors exhibits higher sensitivity and faster real‐time sensing performances in the monitoring of rapidly changing human body signals. The newly developed 3D printing technique and materials can be widely applied to various types of wearable, flexible, and light‐weight biosensors for use in a variety of inexpensive on‐demand and personalized point‐of‐care diagnostics.
How to Report Record Open‐Circuit Voltages in Lead‐Halide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Krückemeier Lisa , Rau Uwe , Stolterfoht Martin , Kirchartz Thomas
Published: November 2019

Open‐circuit voltages of lead‐halide perovskite solar cells are improving rapidly and are approaching the thermodynamic limit. Since many different perovskite compositions with different bandgap energies are actively being investigated, it is not straightforward to compare the open‐circuit voltages between these devices as long as a consistent method of referencing is missing. For the purpose of comparing open‐circuit voltages and identifying outstanding values, it is imperative to use a unique, generally accepted way of calculating the thermodynamic limit, which is currently not the case. Here a meta‐analysis of methods to determine the bandgap and a radiative limit for open‐circuit voltage is presented. The differences between the methods are analyzed and an easily applicable approach based on the solar cell quantum efficiency as a general reference is proposed.
EML1‐associated brain overgrowth syndrome with ribbon‐like heterotopia
Authors: Oegema Renske , McGillivray George , Leventer Richard , Le Moing Anne‐Gaëlle , Bahi‐Buisson Nadia , Barnicoat Angela , Mandelstam Simone , Francis David , Francis Fiona , Mancini Grazia M. S. , Savelberg Sanne , van Haaften Gijs , Mankad Kshitij , Lequin Maarten H.
Published: November 2019

EML1 encodes the protein Echinoderm microtubule‐associated protein‐like 1 or EMAP‐1 that binds to the microtubule complex. Mutations in this gene resulting in complex brain malformations have only recently been published with limited clinical descriptions. We provide further clinical and imaging details on three previously published families, and describe two novel unrelated individuals with a homozygous partial EML1 deletion and a homozygous missense variant c.760G>A, p.(Val254Met), respectively. From review of the clinical and imaging data of eight individuals from five families with biallelic EML1 variants, a very consistent imaging phenotype emerges. The clinical syndrome is characterized by mainly neurological features including severe developmental delay, drug‐resistant seizures and visual impairment. On brain imaging there is megalencephaly with a characteristic ribbon‐like subcortical heterotopia combined with partial or complete callosal agenesis and an overlying polymicrogyria‐like cortical malformation. Several of its features can be recognized on prenatal imaging especially the abnormaly formed lateral ventricles, hydrocephalus (in half of the cases) and suspicion of a neuronal migration disorder. In conclusion, biallelic EML1 disease‐causing variants cause a highly specific pattern of congenital brain malformations, severe developmental delay, seizures and visual impairment.
Manufacturing of polymer/metal composites by fused deposition modeling process with polyethylene
Authors: Nabipour Mojtaba , Akhoundi Behnam , Bagheri Saed Arvin
Published: November 2019

In this study, production of metal/polymer composites using polyethylene as the matrix with various contents of metal powder was investigated. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) process is one of the most popular and conventional additive manufacturing methods to produce three‐dimensional (3D) specimens from computer‐aided design data with complex geometry and lower prices in comparison with the alternative methods. Given the advantages of this process, it seems inevitable for the development of new materials. Utilizing semicrystalline plastics impose challenges for producing parts due to printing issues such as distortion and warpage. In this experimental work, a compounding production line was implemented to produce composite filaments with 25, 50, and 75 wt % of copper powder suitable for the FDM process. After dealing with printing issues, flexural, electrical conductivity, and bulk density tests were done. The micrographs of the specimens were examined via scanning electron microscopy to reveal the distribution of the copper particles. It is believed that the metal/polymer filament could be used to print new 3D parts. The material could be utilized in electromagnetic structures for some specific applications, such as shielding, with new properties. Also, by solving printing problems for a semicrystalline polymer, it can be encouraging to examine printing process for other rarely used thermoplastics. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48717.
Continuous and smooth differentiator based on adaptive sliding mode control for a quad‐rotor MAV
Authors: Castañeda Herman , Rodriguez Jonathan , Gordillo José Luis
Published: November 2019

This paper addresses the design of flight control for a micro air vehicle type quad‐rotor, which assumes partial measurements of outputs and uncertainties/perturbations affecting the aircraft performance. Under such conditions, the approach is a continuous and smooth differentiator based on an adaptive sliding mode controller. The differentiator output is a sufficiently smooth and accurate estimation of the full state even in the presence of noise, such that it allows calculation of the control law. The adaptive sliding control ensures that the quad‐rotor tracks desired trajectories subject to external disturbances, where its adaptive gains use a minimal gain large enough to remain on the sliding mode, but increases their value to reject perturbations as soon as they appear. Furthermore, a closed loop analysis of the controller observer scheme and numerical simulations shows the feasibility and advantages of the proposed method.
Liposoluble compounds from Ganoderma lipsiense grown on solid red rice medium with antiparasitic and antibacterial properties
Authors: Costa Tania Maria , Lenzi Juliana , Paganelli Camila Jeriani , Filho Hercílio Higino da Silva , Alberton Michele Debiasi , Tavares Lorena Benathar Ballod , de Oliveira Débora
Published: November 2019

Liposoluble molecules are a group of compounds that display potent biological and therapeutic properties. The present study aimed to identify liposoluble molecules produced by Ganoderma lipsiense grown in red rice medium using solid‐state fermentation (SSF) techniques, and to investigate the antigiardial and antibacterial activities potential of extracts in vitro. Eighteen fatty acids and derivatives were identified by gas chromatograph‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) analysis in G. lipsense extract. Qualitative (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance) characterizations identified the steroid ergosta‐6,22‐diene‐3β,5α,8α‐triol in purified hexane subfraction (HEXsf) F19 isolated from hexane fraction (HEXf) of crude extract (CE). Ergosta‐6,22‐diene‐3β,5α,8α‐triol exhibited significant inhibitory activity against Giardia duodenalis throphozoites (93.6%) in in vitro assays. CE and HEXf inhibited 95.38% and 92.74% of the G. duodenalis throphozoites in 100 µg mL−1, whereas CE and their fractions dichloromethane (DCMf) and ethyl acetate (EAf) showed antibacterial activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus at 500 µg mL−1. Importantly, some liposoluble compounds produced and identified in G. lipsiense are unpublished for this species. This is first report for the production of ergosta‐6,22‐diene‐3β,5α,8α‐triol by G. lipsiense and its antiparasitic activity.
Recent chemo‐/biosensor and bioimaging studies based on indole‐decorated BODIPYs
Authors: Ozcan Emrah , Kazan Hasan Huseyin , Çoşut Bunyemin
Published: November 2019

BODIPY is an important fluorophores due to its enhanced photophysical and chemical properties including outstanding thermal/photochemical stability, intense absorption/emission profiles, high photoluminescence quantum yield, and small Stokes' shifts. In addition to BODIPY, indole and its derivatives have recently gained attention because of their structural properties and particularly biological importance, therefore these molecules have been widely used in sensing and biosensing applications. Here, we focus on recent studies that reported the incorporation of indole‐based BODIPY molecules as reporter molecules in sensing systems. We highlight the rationale for developing such systems and evaluate detection limits of the developed sensing platforms. Furthermore, we also review the application of indole‐based BODIPY molecules in bioimaging studies. This article includes the evaluation of indole‐based BODIPYs from synthesis to characterization and a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of developed reporter systems, making it instructive for researchers in various disciplines for the design and development of similar systems.
A project based innovative approach to an embedded systems course laboratory in software engineering education
Authors: Üstünel Hakan
Published: November 2019

In the software development process, which must be coded depending on the platform, software engineering students should have the optimum hardware competence. In this study, the embedded systems course in the software engineering curriculum is replanned based on the project development process. Sixty software engineering students formed the sample of the research. The sample was divided into two groups, as study and control groups. Presentations of the projects developed by taking into account the multivariate project development stages were realised. A measurement instrument was developed to determine whether there is a change in the attitudes of software engineering students towards embedded systems and related technologies (α = 0.829). At the end of the course, it was determined that the attitudes of the students (survey group) who took the embedded systems course and those who did not take this course (control group) differed significantly. This differentiation is in favour of the survey group.
Anti‐tumor effects of an antagonistic mAb against the ASCT2 amino acid transporter on KRAS‐mutated human colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Hara Yuta , Minami Yushi , Yoshimoto Soshi , Hayashi Natsumi , Yamasaki Akitaka , Ueda Shiho , Masuko Kazue , Masuko Takashi
Published: November 2019

KRAS mutations are detected in numerous human cancers, but there are few effective drugs for KRAS‐mutated cancers. Transporters for amino acids and glucose are highly expressed on cancer cells, possibly to maintain rapid cell growth and metabolism. Alanine‐serine‐cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2) is a primary transporter for glutamine in cancer cells. In this study, we developed a novel monoclonal antibody (mAb) recognizing the extracellular domain of human ASCT2, and investigated whether ASCT2 can be a therapeutic target for KRAS‐mutated cancers. Rats were immunized with RH7777 rat hepatoma cells expressing human ASCT2 fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP). Splenocytes from the immunized rats were fused with P3X63Ag8.653 mouse myeloma cells, and selected and cloned hybridoma cells secreting Ab3‐8 mAb were established. This mAb reacted with RH7777 transfectants expressing ASCT2‐GFP proteins in a GFP intensity‐dependent manner. Ab3‐8 reacted with various human cancer cells, but not with non‐cancer breast epithelial cells or ASCT2‐knocked out HEK293 and SW1116 cells. In SW1116 and HCT116 human colon cancer cells with KRAS mutations, treatment with Ab3‐8 reduced intracellular glutamine transport, phosphorylation of AKT and ERK, and inhibited in vivo tumor growth of these cells in athymic mice. Inhibition of in vivo tumor growth by Ab3‐8 was not observed in HT29 colon and HeLa uterus cancer cells with wild‐type KRAS. These results suggest that ASCT2 is an excellent therapeutic target for KRAS‐mutated cancers.
Synthesis of Cyclic Sulfite Diesters and their Evaluation as Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Donors
Authors: Malwal Satish R. , Pardeshi Kundansingh A. , Chakrapani Harinath
Published: November 2019

Although sulfur dioxide (SO2) finds widespread use in the food industry as its hydrated sulfite form, a number of aspects of SO2 biology remain to be completely understood. Of the tools available for intracellular enhancement of SO2 levels, most suffer from poor cell permeability and a lack of control over SO2 release. We report 1,2‐cyclic sulfite diesters as a new class of reliable SO2 donors that dissociate in buffer through nucleophilic displacement to produce SO2 with tunable release profiles. We provide data in support of the suitability of these SO2 donors to enhance intracellular SO2 levels more efficiently than sodium bisulfite, the most commonly used SO2 donor for cellular studies.
Mechanical properties of the drug‐eluting bioresorbable magnesium scaffold compared with polymeric scaffolds and a permanent metallic drug‐eluting stent
Authors: Barkholt Trine Ø. , Webber Bruce , Holm Niels R. , Ormiston John A.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

To compare on the bench the physical and mechanical properties of Magmaris, a magnesium bioresorbable scaffold (BRS), with Absorb and DESolve polymeric BRS and a permanent metallic stent.

Background

Understanding the mechanical and physical properties of BRS is crucial for appropriate implantation and postdilatation.

Methods

Testing was performed in fluid at 37°C and in silicone bifurcation phantoms with a 30° angle between main branch (MB) and side branch.

Results

The 3.0‐mm Magmaris BRS did not fracture after MB postdilatation up to 4.4 mm in contrast to the Absorb where the safe postdilatation diameter was 3.7 mm. For dilatation through stent cells, there were no Magmaris fractures with 3.0‐mm noncompliant (NC) balloons inflated to nominal pressure. Mini‐kissing balloon postdilatation with two 3.0‐mm NC balloons up to 17 atm was without fracture except for an outlier. Longitudinal and radial strengths were similar for Magmaris and Absorb BRS. The crossing profile for the Magmaris was larger than other devices. Recoil 120 min after deployment was the greatest for Magmaris but 120 min after 3.5 mm postdilatation all devices had similar diameters.

Conclusions

The Magmaris BRS was more resistant to strut fracture than Absorb. It had a larger crossing profile than other devices and similar radial and longitudinal strengths to Absorb. While recoil after deployment was greater with Magmaris, 120 min after 3.5 mm postdilatation all devices had similar diameters.
Ternary Complex Formation by Cucurbit[7]uril Leads to Large Shifts in the Reduction Potentials of Suitable Viologens
Authors: Zheng Yeting , Kaifer Angel E.
Published: November 2019

This work addresses the effects of supramolecular complexation by cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) on the cell potential of aqueous batteries based on ferrocene and 4,4′‐bipyridinum (viologen) electroactive materials. It was previously known that the oxidation potential of cationic ferrocene derivatives is shifted to more positive values by the formation of highly stable 1 : 1 binary complexes with CB[7]. Here, we found that the formation of 1 : 2 ternary complexes between suitably designed viologens and CB[7] leads to a pronounced shift to more negative values in the first one‐electron reduction potential of the viologen. Combining these two effects, we predict that the corresponding aqueous redox flow battery (RFB) ‐containing cationic ferrocene in the catholyte and viologen in the anolyte‐ will exhibit a potential of 1.04 V in the absence of CB[7] and 1.30 V in the presence of suitable concentrations of CB[7]. This substantial potential increase might be improved in future research, as the supramolecular complexation effect seems to be rather general.
A Delicate Balance between Antiferromagnetism and Ferromagnetism: Theoretical and Experimental Studies of A2MRu5B2 (A=Zr, Hf; M=Fe, Mn) Metal Borides
Authors: Shankhari Pritam , Bakshi Nika G. , Zhang Yuemei , Stekovic Dejan , Itkis Mikhail E. , Fokwa Boniface P. T.
Published: November 2019

Metal‐rich borides with the Ti3Co5B2‐type structure represent an ideal playground for tuning magnetic interactions through chemical substitutions. In this work, density functional theory (DFT) and experimental studies of Ru‐rich quaternary borides with the general composition A2MRu5B2 (A=Zr, Hf, M=Fe, Mn) are presented. Total energy calculations show that the phases Zr2FeRu5B2 and Hf2FeRu5B2 prefer ground states with strong antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions between ferromagnetic (FM) M‐chains. Manganese substitution for iron lowers these antiferromagnetic interchain interactions dramatically and creates a strong competition between FM and AFM states with a slight preference for AFM in Zr2MnRu5B2 and for FM in Hf2MnRu5B2. Magnetic property measurements show a field dependence of the AFM transition (TN): TN is found at 0.1 T for all phases with predicted AFM states whereas for the predicted FM phase it is found at a much lower magnetic field (0.005 T). Furthermore, TN is lowest for a Hf‐based phase (20 K) and highest for a Zr‐based one (28 K), in accordance with DFT predictions of weaker AFM interactions in the Hf‐based phases. Interestingly, the AFM transitions vanish in all compounds at higher fields (>1 T) in favor of FM transitions, indicating metamagnetic behaviors for these Ru‐rich phases.
Chiral Imidazolidin‐4‐one with catalytic amount of Dicationic ionic liquid act as a recoverable and reusable Organocatalyst for asymmetric Diels‐Alder reaction
Authors: Deepa  , Yadav Geeta Devi , Chaudhary Pooja , Aalam Mohd Jubair , Meena Dhan Raj , Singh Surendra
Published: November 2019

Imidazolidin‐4‐one is used as a recoverable organocatalyst for the asymmetric Diels‐Alder reaction in the presence of catalytic amount of dicationic ionic liquid and trifluoroacetic acid as a co‐catalyst. The Diels‐Alder reaction between model substrate cyclopentadiene and crotonaldehyde gave the product in 95% conversion and 87% ee of the endo‐product. The catalyst was shown better reusability when the 20 mol% of dicationic ionic liquid was used and catalyst was reused upto 5 cycles, conversion remains upto 3 recycles but ee of endo‐9 was slightly droped.
Ir/Phase‐Transfer‐Catalysis Cooperatively Catalyzed Asymmetric Cascade Allylation/2‐aza‐Cope Rearrangement: An Efficient Route to Homoallylic Amines from Aldimine Esters†
Authors: Wei Liang , Xiao Lu , Wang Zuo‐Fei , Tao Hai‐Yan , Wang Chun‐Jiang
Published: November 2019

Summary of main observation and conclusion

Herein, we developed an Ir/phase‐transfer‐catalysis cooperatively catalyzed asymmetric cascade allylation/2‐aza‐Cope rearrangement of aldimine esters to prepare synthetically important homoallylic amines in good yields with excellent enantioselectivities. Compared with the bimetallic catalytic system to realize this transformation, the current cooperative Ir/tetrabutyl ammonium bromide catalytic system provides an alternative but more practical approach, which not only simplify the manipulation process but also increase the cost efficiency.
Physical activity is reduced prior to ventricular arrhythmias in patients with a wearable cardioverter defibrillator
Authors: Burch Ashley E. , D'Souza Benjamin , Gimbel J. Rod , Rohrer Ursula , Masuda Tsuyoshi , Sears Samuel , Scherr Daniel
Published: November 2019

Introduction

The utility of accelerometer‐based activity data to identify patients at risk of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) has not previously been investigated. The aim of the current study was to determine whether physical activity is associated with manifesting spontaneous sustained VT/VF requiring emergent defibrillation in patients with an ejection fraction of ≤35%.

Methods

Patients consecutively prescribed a wearable cardioverter defibrillator (WCD) from April 2015 to May 2018 were included. Shock data and 4 weeks of physical activity data, beginning with the first week of WCD wear, were analyzed.

Results

Based on the ROC curve outcome generated from 4057 patients, average daily step count during the first week accurately predicted those patients with sustained VT/VF compared to those without (shocked (n = 81) vs nonshocked (n = 3976) area under the curve, c‐index = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.65‐0.77, P < .001). An average cutoff of 3637 daily steps during week 1 separated the groups. Patients who averaged fewer than 3637 steps per day during the first week of WCD use were 4.3 times more likely to experience a shock than those who walked more than 3637 steps per day (OR = 4.29, 95% CI = 2.58‐7.15, P < .001).

Discussion

Average daily step counts are lower in WCD patients who manifest spontaneous VT/VF. Whether these findings represent a causal or correlational relationship, future studies to encourage a minimum daily step count in high‐risk patients may impact the incidence of sustained VT/VF.
Novel approaches for glioblastoma treatment: Focus on tumor heterogeneity, treatment resistance, and computational tools
Authors: Valdebenito Silvana , D'Amico Daniela , Eugenin Eliseo
Published: November 2019

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive primary brain tumor. Currently, the suggested line of action is the surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and treatment with the adjuvant temozolomide, a DNA alkylating agent. However, the ability of tumor cells to deeply infiltrate the surrounding tissue makes complete resection quite impossible, and, in consequence, the probability of tumor recurrence is high, and the prognosis is not positive. GBM is highly heterogeneous and adapts to treatment in most individuals. Nevertheless, these mechanisms of adaption are unknown.

Recent findings

In this review, we will discuss the recent discoveries in molecular and cellular heterogeneity, mechanisms of therapeutic resistance, and new technological approaches to identify new treatments for GBM. The combination of biology and computer resources allow the use of algorithms to apply artificial intelligence and machine learning approaches to identify potential therapeutic pathways and to identify new drug candidates.

Conclusion

These new approaches will generate a better understanding of GBM pathogenesis and will result in novel treatments to reduce or block the devastating consequences of brain cancers.
HEMA 3 Staining: A Simple Alternative for the Assessment of Myoblast Differentiation
Authors: Levitt Danielle E. , Adler Katherine A. , Simon Liz
Published: November 2019

Skeletal muscle tissue regeneration requires quiescent satellite cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation. Regenerative capacity of satellite cells can be studied in vitro by differentiating under low‐serum conditions (2% to 5%) to form multinucleated myotubes. Myotubes are fixed and stained, and indices of differentiation are quantified. Jenner and Giemsa stains are typically used for myotube staining; however, this staining process can be variable depending on factors such as stain pH, staining time, and time since stain preparation. This article includes protocols for myoblast isolation, proliferation, and differentiation in vitro; Jenner‐Giemsa staining; HEMA 3 staining; and quantification. Representative images using each staining method and quantification are included. The protocols identify critical steps and considerations for cell culture and each staining method and provide an even simpler alternative to Jenner‐Giemsa staining. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Basic Protocol 1: Primary myoblast isolation

Alternate Protocol 1: Plating cryopreserved myoblasts

Basic Protocol 2: Myoblast passage and expansion

Basic Protocol 3: Myoblast differentiation

Basic Protocol 4: HEMA 3 staining

Alternate Protocol 2: Jenner‐Giemsa staining

Basic Protocol 5: Quantification of myotube density

Basic Protocol 6: Quantification of fusion index

Basic Protocol 7: Quantification of myotubes per field
An efficient and lightweight multi‐scroll chaos‐based hardware solution for protecting fingerprint biometric templates
Authors: Azzaz Mohamed Salah , Tanougast Camel , Maali Abdelmadjid , Benssalah Mustapha
Published: November 2019

This paper presents a new efficient and lightweight approach for enhancing the security of biometric models, namely, fingerprint templates, against possible attacks. The proposed design is based on Vernam stream cipher in which the key generator is designed in the hardware manner. The designed cryptosystem consists of using multi‐scroll chaotic system that is characterized by a large key space and can be generated N×N grid multi‐scroll attractors, with a good behavior of chaotic dynamic. The hardware approach is carried out through describing Euler method by VHDL. Field‐programmable gate array (FPGA) experimental results validate the developed architecture while still providing a good compromise between hardware resources and performance. Indeed, security analysis also shows that the designed encryption algorithm is robust against statistical, brute force, and entropy attacks. Therefore, it can be considered as a lightweight security solution, which could be very useful in many embedded applications namely securing biometric authentication systems.
A statistical forecasting approach to metapopulation viability analysis
Authors: Howell Paige E. , Hossack Blake R. , Muths Erin , Sigafus Brent H. , Chenevert‐Steffler Ann , Chandler Richard B.
Published: November 2019

Conservation of at‐risk species is aided by reliable forecasts of the consequences of environmental change and management actions on population viability. Forecasts from conventional population viability analysis (PVA) are made using a two‐step procedure in which parameters are estimated, or elicited from expert opinion, and then plugged into a stochastic population model without accounting for parameter uncertainty. Recently developed statistical PVAs differ because forecasts are made conditional on models fitted to empirical data. The statistical forecasting approach allows for uncertainty about parameters, but it has rarely been applied in metapopulation contexts where spatially explicit inference is needed about colonization and extinction dynamics and other forms of stochasticity that influence metapopulation viability. We conducted a statistical metapopulation viability analysis (MPVA) using 11 yr of data on the federally threatened Chiricahua leopard frog (Lithobates chiricahuensis) to forecast responses to landscape heterogeneity, drought, environmental stochasticity, and management. We evaluated several future environmental scenarios and pond restoration options designed to reduce extinction risk. Forecasts over a 50‐yr time horizon indicated that metapopulation extinction risk was <4% for all scenarios, but uncertainty was high. Without pond restoration, extinction risk is forecasted to be 3.9% (95% CI 0–37%) by year 2066. Restoring six ponds by increasing their hydroperiod reduced extinction risk to <1% and greatly reduced uncertainty (95% CI 0–2%). Our results suggest that managers can mitigate the impacts of drought and environmental stochasticity on metapopulation viability by maintaining ponds that hold water throughout the year and keeping them free of invasive predators. Our study illustrates the utility of the spatially explicit statistical forecasting approach to MPVA in conservation planning efforts.