bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced performance of Fe‐JUL‐15 prepared by ultrasonic method through the photo‐degradation of ibuprofen
Authors: Guettaia D. , Boudjemaa A. , Bachari K. , Mokhtari M.
Published: October 2017

The present study involves the degradation of ibuprofen (IBP) anti‐inflammatory drug used in the pharmaceutical sector by photo‐catalysis, photolysis and photo‐Fenton processes. IBP degradation through these processes was investigated under UV irradiation used a catalyst based on iron incorporated in mesoporous silica framework (JUL‐15). The catalyst was characterized by XRD, BET, FTIR, diffuse reflectance UV‐Vis, SEM/EDX, and electrical conductivity. The photo‐catalytic properties of this material were evaluated via IBP degradation by varying different parameters as the pH levels, the concentration of IBP and the catalyst amount. The IBP abatement was monitored by UV‐visible spectrophotometry and HPLC. The characterization results indicated that, the material has a small particles size and a specific surface area above 109 m2 g−1. The optical band gap (∼ 1.4 eV) obtained from Kubelka‐Munk equation was well suited in the UV region. A higher degradation was observed with an initial catalyst concentration of 0.25 g/L. Moreover, the catalyst demonstrates significant photo‐degradation after 210 min under UV light (lamp's wavelength of 254 nm). © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 738–745, 2018
Preparation and effectiveness of slow‐release silicon fertilizer by sintering with iron ore tailings
Authors: Hu Pan , Zhang Yihe , Zhou Yurui , Ma Xi , Wang Xinke , Tong Wangshu , Luan Xinglong , Chu Paul K.
Published: October 2017

Recycling of iron ore tailings (IOT) which are by‐products of iron ore processing has attracted attention but there have been few studies on their use as fertilizers. In this study, slow‐release silicon fertilizers are prepared from iron tailings by solid‐phase sintering and characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The solubility results acquired from the optimal sample (Si‐IOT) indicate that the available SiO2 is 20.77% and that of available K2O is 18.43% in 0.50 mol L−1 HCl. For 10 g of Si‐IOT in 200 mL of distilled water at 25°C, the cumulative release of K2O is 4.32% in the first day and 19.4% in 28 days and that of SiO2 is 2.12% in the first day and 16.30% in 28 days. The performance satisfies the Chinese national standard for slow‐release fertilizers and Chinese agricultural standard for silicon fertilizers. The results obtained from Si‐IOT pertaining to release of heavy metals indicate that heavy metals will not affect the quality of the crops and pakchoi growth is improved. Hence, they are potential raw materials for slow‐release silicon fertilizers. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1011–1019, 2018
Anaerobic co‐digestion of rice straw and soybean straw to increase biogas production by pretreatment with trichoderma reesei RUT C30
Authors: Deng Yuanfang , Dai Benlin , Xu Jiaxing , Liu Xiaoyan , Xu Jiming
Published: October 2017

This study aim to enhance biogas production for the co‐digestion of rice straw and soybean straw (RSS), pretreatment of fermentation materials by Trichoderma reesei RUT C30 were investigated. The pretreatments were done at 30°C for 72 h, and anaerobic digestion for 5 weeks. The results showed that the cumulative biogas yield from pretreatment co‐digestion group RSS (214.1 NmL/g TSsubstrate) was 318% higher than the untreated group CG RSS (51.2 NmL/g TSsubstrate). The cumulative methane yield from RSS was 94.3 NmL CH4/g TSsubstrate, which was 807% higher than that of untreated group (CG RSS 10.4 NmL CH4/g TSsubstrate), and 90% of potential biogas generation was reached in 17 days, which was 39% shorter than that of pretreatment mono‐digestion groups (28 days). These results suggested that rice and soybean straw co‐digestion exhibits a positive synergistic effect and Trichoderma reesei RUT C30 provides an effective method for improving biogas production. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 1050–1057, 2018
Evolution of sandstone peak‐forest landscapes – insights from quantifying erosional processes with cosmogenic nuclides
Authors: May Jan‐Hendrik , Huang He‐Qing , Fujioka Toshiyuki , Fink David , Codilean Alexandru , Yu Guo‐An , Ma Yuanxu , Wulf Gerwin , Gu Jing
Published: October 2017

The sandstone peak‐forest landscape in Zhangjiajie UNESCO Global Geopark of Hunan Province, China, is characterized by >3000 vertical pillars and peak walls of up to 350 m height, representing a spectacular example of sandstone landform variety. Few studies have addressed the mechanisms and timescales of the longer‐term evolution of this landscape, and have focused on fluvial incision. We use in situ cosmogenic nuclides combined with GIS analysis to investigate the erosional processes contributing to the formation of pillars and peak‐forests, and discuss their relative roles in the formation and decay of the landscape. Model maximum‐limiting bedrock erosion rates are the highest along the narrow fluvial channels and valleys at the base of the sandstone pillars (~83–122 mm kyr−1), and lowest on the peak wall tops (~2.5 mm kyr−1). Erosion rates are highly variable and intermediate along vertical sandstone peak walls and pillars (~30 to 84 mm kyr−1). Catchment‐wide denudation rates from river sediment vary between ~26 and 96 mm kyr−1 and are generally consistent with vertical wall retreat rates. This highlights the importance of wall retreat for overall erosion in the sandstone peak‐forest. In combination with GIS‐derived erosional volumes, our results suggest that the peak‐forest formation in Zhangjiajie commenced in the Pliocene, and that the general evolution of the landscape followed our sequential refined model: (i) slow lowering rates following initial uplift; (ii) fast plateau dissection by headward knickpoint propagation along joints and faults followed by; (iii) increasing contribution of wall retreat in the well‐developed pillars and peak‐forests and a gradual decrease in overall denudation rates, leading to; (iv) the final consumption of pillars and peak‐forests. Our study provides an approach for quantifying the complex interplay between multiple geomorphic processes as required to assess the evolutionary pathways of other sandstone peak‐forest landscapes across the globe. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Degradation and Detoxification of Water Environment in Single‐chamber Air‐cathode Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs)
Authors: Gambino E. , Toscanesi M. , Del Prete F. , Flagiello F. , Falcucci G. , Minutillo M. , Trifuoggi M. , Guida M. , Nastro R. A. , Jannelli E.
Published: October 2017

The influence of microelectrogenesis on PAHs degradation and detoxification operated by Pseudomonadaceae, Bacillaceae, Staphylococcaceae and Enterobacteriaceae was investigated in water environment. Single chamber, air‐cathode MFCs and bioreactors were filled with the microbial pool (107–108 CFU mL−1) inoculated in a 400 mL Winogradsky saline solution containing no other carbon and energy source than naphthalene (80 ppm), phenanthrene (40 ppm), pyrene (40 ppm), benzo(a)pyrene (20 ppm). MFCs and bioreactors operated at 25 °C for thirteen weeks. Power Density (PD) and Current Density (CD) outputs as well as PAHs degradation rate were measured. The toxic effect of PAHs suspension vs. Raphidocelis subcapitata was quantified by EC1, EC20, EC50, LOEC and NOEC calculations. The results showed a significant variability in PD and CD outputs, with highest PD of 300 mW m−3 and 25 mA m−3. After 5 weeks, the overall PAHs concentration in MFCs decreased of a 90%. COD and TOC removal respectively of 62% and 73% after 11 weeks was achieved in MFC inoculated with bacteria (MFC2). Ecotoxicological tests showed for MFCs a lower toxic effect vs. P. subcapitata when bacteria are present. Microelectrogenesis just sped up microbial metabolism rather than take advantage from the interaction of PAHs with graphite electrodes.
Carbon‐supported Pt‐Co Nanowires as a Novel Cathode Catalyst for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Lv H. , Wang J. , Yan Z. , Li B. , Yang D. , Zhang C.
Published: October 2017

Carbon‐supported Pt‐Co nanowires (Pt‐Co NWs/C) were prepared through a soft surfactant template method as cathode catalysts for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). The mass activity of the Pt‐Co NWs/C (0.125 A mgPt−1) is 1.5 times higher than that of commercial Pt/C for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The accelerated durability test (ADT) showed a loss of 14.7% in electrochemically active surface areas (ECSA) for the Pt‐Co NWs/C, and 35% for the Pt/C after 3,000 cycles between 0.6 and 1.15 V, indicating that stability was enhanced for the Pt‐Co NWs/C relative to the Pt/C catalyst. The membrane electrode assembly (MEA) employed as‐synthesized Pt‐Co NWs/C as cathode catalyst with a loading of 0.4 mgPtCo cm−2 generated a maximum power density of 2.01 kW gPt−1, which is higher than that of the Pt/C (1.85 kW gPt−1). Besides, after 100 h galvanostatic operation condition of 1,000 mA cm−2, the Pt‐Co NWs/C also exhibited enhanced durability with 71.4 mW cm−2 mass power density loss and 11.8% ECSA loss, as compared with 99.4 mW cm−2 and 24.8% for the Pt/C, respectively. These results suggest that the formation of the interconnected nanowire networks structure of Pt‐Co NWs/C catalyst is favorable to improve activity and durability.
Targeted deep sequencing of effusion cytology samples is feasible, informs spatiotemporal tumor evolution, and has clinical and diagnostic utility
Authors: Leichsenring Jonas , Volckmar Anna‐Lena , Kirchner Martina , Kazdal Daniel , Kriegsmann Mark , Stögbauer Fabian , Bockmayr Teresa , Klauschen Frederick , Herth Felix J.F. , Penzel Roland , Warth Arne , Schirmacher Peter , Endris Volker , Stenzinger Albrecht
Published: October 2017

During the course of disease, many cancer patients eventually present with metastatic disease including peritoneal or pleural spread. In this context, cytology specimens derived from ascites or pleural effusion may help to differentiate malignant from benign conditions and sometimes yield diagnosis of a malignancy. However, even when supported by immunohistochemistry, cytological interpretation can be challenging, especially if tumor cellularity is low. Here, we investigated whether targeted deep sequencing of formalin‐fixed and paraffin embedded (FFPE) cytology specimens of cancer patients is feasible, and has diagnostic and clinical impact. To this end, a cohort of 20 matched pairs was compiled, each comprising a cytology sample (FFPE cell block) and at least one biopsy/surgical resection specimen serving as benchmark. In addition, 5 non‐malignant effusions were sequenced serving as negative‐controls. All samples yielded sufficient libraries and were successfully subjected to targeted sequencing employing a semiconductor based next‐generation sequencing platform. Using gene panels of different size and composition, including the Oncomine Comprehensive Assay, for targeted sequencing, somatic mutations were detected in the tissue of all 20 cases. Of these, 15 (75%) harbored mutations that were also detected in the corresponding cytology samples. In four of these cases (20%), additional private mutations were detected in either cytology or tissue samples, reflecting spatiotemporal tumor evolution. Of the five remaining cases, three (15%) showed wild type alleles in cytology material whereas tumor tissue had mutations in interrogated genes. Two cases were discordant, showing different private mutations in the cytology and in the tissue sample, respectively. In summary, sequencing of cytology specimens (FFPE cell block) reflecting spatiotemporal tumor evolution is feasible and yields adjunct genetic information that may be exploitable for diagnostics and therapy.
Age and genesis of the Gangcha gold deposit, western Qinling orogen, China
Authors: Kong Chi Seng , Shen Junfeng , Santosh M. , Li Shengrong , Cao Weidong , Peng Zidong , Liu Haiming , Li Jinchun , Li Jie , Bao Lin
Published: October 2017

The Gangcha gold deposit in Hezuo, Gansu, China, is a newly discovered medium‐scale (19 tons) epithermal deposit occurring within the western Qinling orogenic belt. The Daguanshan Formation, represented by metamorphosed volcanic–clastic rock suite, is the main ore‐bearing strata. Gold occurs mainly as submicroscopic inclusions in sulphides and quartz. The hydrothermal alteration is characterized by mid‐ to low‐temperature mineral assemblages such as pyrite, arsenopyrite, and fluorspar. We report results from Rb–Sr isotopic dating of pyrites in the main orebody, which yield an isochron age of 225.3 ± 3.4 to 229.9 ± 4.7 Ma suggesting that the mineral deposit formed during the middle Triassic within a collisional orogenic setting. The initial 87Sr/86Sr value of pyrite (0.710326 to 0.710349) is lower than that of the continental crust and higher than that of the mantle. The S isotope data of pyrites from the deposit show a narrow range from 0.6‰ to 1.3‰ with an average of 0.975‰. Their Pb isotopes exhibit characteristics of a crust–mantle mixed source with a μ (238U/204Pb) of 9.39 to 9.53 and a ω (232Th/204Pb) of 36.81 to 38.14. The S and Pb isotopic composition indicates that ore‐forming materials were derived from a magma sourced in the lower crust, which also incorporated mantle components.
Sources of ore‐forming material for Pb‐Zn deposits in the Sichuan‐Yunnan‐Guizhou triangle area: Multiple constraints from C‐H‐O‐S‐Pb‐Sr isotopic compositions
Authors: Kong Zhigang , Wu Yue , Liang Ting , Zhang Feng , Meng Xuyang , Lu Lin
Published: October 2017

The Sichuan‐Yunnan‐Guizhou Pb‐Zn triangle area is located in the western margin of the Yangtze Block and comprises more than 400 ore deposits or prospects. This triangular area contains 200 million tons of ores at average grades of 5 wt.% Pb and 10 wt.% Zn. The Pb‐Zn ore bodies are mainly distributed as stratoid and vein types within the Neoproterozoic to Permian carbonate rocks, which are typical epigenetic Pb‐Zn mineralizations. Previous studies have mainly focused on individual deposits. In this study, the compositions of C‐H‐O‐S‐Pb‐Sr isotopes of approximately 20 typical deposits are summarized and studied in detail to reveal the source of the ore‐forming material. δ13CPDB ‐ δ18OSMOW isotopic compositions of the hydrothermal calcite, dolomite, and fluid inclusions show that CO2 in the ore‐forming fluids could have been derived from marine carbonate with subordinate incorporation of organic matter. In addition, δDH2O ‐ δ18OH2O isotopic studies also indicate the multisource features of the ore‐forming fluids, for example, meteoric water and metamorphic water; meanwhile, some deposits are related to organic fluids. The δ34S values of most sulphide minerals range from +9.0‰ to +28.6‰, similar to late Neoproterozoic to Permian seawater sulphate (+8.0‰ to +38.7‰). This similarity suggests that the reduced sulphur in sulphides could have been mainly derived from the thermochemical sulphate reduction of the host strata seawater sulphate. In addition, thermal decomposition of sulphur‐bearing organic matter could have provided some of the reduced sulphur for mineralization in some Pb‐Zn deposits. The Pb isotopic compositions of the sulphides from most deposits are totally homogeneous and located between the crustal Pb and orogenic Pb evolution curves. Comparing these deposits with the regional basement rocks, sedimentary strata, and Permian Emeishan basalts, we propose that the metals for Pb‐Zn mineralization were mainly derived from the basement rocks and sedimentary country rocks. For some deposits (e.g., Jinshachang) with highly radiogenic Pb isotopic compositions, their Pb mainly originated from Precambrian basement carbonaceous slate and Lower Cambrian shales. The (87Sr/86Sr)t ratios of sphalerite, hydrothermal calcite, and fluorite range from 0.7099 to 0.7469, higher than those of the regional sediments and the Emeishan basalts, but lower than those of the Proterozoic basement rocks. Such features also indicate the mixing source for Sr in sulphides and ore‐forming fluids. The comprehensive study of multiple C‐H‐O‐S‐Pb‐Sr isotopes from typical deposits suggests mixed sources for the ore‐forming fluids and materials in this triangular area.
Evolving stratigraphy of a Middle Triassic fluvial‐dominated sheet sandstone: The Otter Sandstone Formation of the Wessex Basin (UK)
Authors: Newell Andrew J.
Published: October 2017

The Middle Triassic (Anisian) Otter Sandstone Formation of the Wessex Basin (UK) has long been considered a single undivided geological formation, but building on previous work, it is shown here to have a remarkably well‐defined internal stratigraphy that is evident not only in the fluvial sedimentary architecture but also in the colour, grain size, sorting, and whole‐rock geochemistry of the sandstones. The Otter Sandstone Formation is here divided into four named members of very different character (West Down Member, Otterton Ledge Member, Chiselbury Bay Member, and Pennington Point Member). The study highlights the importance of outcrop‐to‐subsurface correlation in stratigraphic studies, which suggests several major unconformities within the Otter Sandstone Formation. The Otter Sandstone Formation provides evidence for an increase in humidity throughout the early Middle Triassic, with an upward decrease in the proportion of calcrete and an apparent increase in channel size. Whole‐rock major and trace geochemistry (chemostratigraphy) is widely used in the subdivision and correlation of red‐bed sheet sandstones, and it is shown here that data, even when used in a very raw and unprocessed way, can be a useful stratigraphic discriminant. Fluvial sheet sandstones are often regarded as relatively homogeneous aquifer units, but this study shows that changes in fluvial style and background climate can introduce major changes to the geometry and physical properties of the aquifer or reservoir. The recognition of thin marker beds such as palaeosols can be particularly critical for the correlation of thick fluvial sheet sandstones.
The phenomenon of young talent management in Russia—A context‐embedded analysis
Authors: Muratbekova‐Touron Maral , Kabalina Veronika , Festing Marion
Published: October 2017

This article describes the particularities of young talent management (TM) in Russia and explains them through a context‐specific analysis. It adopts a multilevel perspective that acknowledges the relevance of context at three levels: the macro environment, the organizational, and the individual. Data were gathered through 46 interviews with HR managers and young talents from six Russian companies and six Russian subsidiaries of foreign multinational companies (MNCs) active in a variety of industries. Following the contextualization approach, this study offers important insights into the interplay between macro, organizational, and individual factors as well as their isolated or interrelated effects on TM. While multilevel contextualization provides the rationale behind certain TM practices and the particular focus on young talents in Russia, it also explains why Russian companies are inspired by global best TM practices. Thus, contextualization allows for explaining the coexistence of a specific environment and nonspecific (global best) TM practices. Important particularities are revealed also when compared to the results of TM studies in other emerging countries. The article contributes not only to the TM discussion, but also to the wider field of international human resource management and the international management literature regarding contextualization.
Diagnostic pathology of early systemic cancer: ERBB2 gene amplification in single disseminated cancer cells determines patient survival in operable esophageal cancer
Authors: Hoffmann Martin , Pasch Sophie , Schamberger Thomas , Maneck Matthias , Möhlendick Birte , Schumacher Sarah , Brockhoff Gero , Knoefel Wolfram Trudo , Izbicki Jakob , Polzer Bernhard , Stoecklein Nikolas H. , Klein Christoph A.
Published: October 2017

Early metastatic dissemination and evolution of disseminated cancer cells (DCCs) outside the primary tumor is one reason for the failure of adjuvant therapies because it generates molecular genotypes and phenotypes different from primary tumors, which still underlie therapy decisions. Since ERBB2 amplification in esophageal DCCs but not in primary tumor cells predict outcome, we aimed to establish an assay with diagnostic reliability for single DCCs or circulating tumor cells. For this, we evaluated copy number alterations of more than 600 single DCCs from multiple cancer types to define reference regions suitable for quantification of target regions, such as ERBB2. We then compared ERBB2 quantitative PCR (qPCR) measurements with fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) data of various breast cancer cell lines and identified the aberration‐calling threshold. The method was applied to two independent cohorts of esophageal cancer patients from Hamburg (n = 59) and Düsseldorf (n = 53). We found a high correlation between the single cell qPCR assay and the standard FISH assay (R = 0.98) and significant associations between amplification and survival for both patient cohorts (Hamburg (HH), p = 0.033; Düsseldorf (D), p = 0.052; pooled HH + D, p = 0.002) when applied to DCCs of esophageal cancer patients. Detection of a single ERBB2‐amplified DCC was the most important risk factor for death from esophageal cancer (relative risk = 4.22; 95% CI = 1.91–9.32; p < 0.001). In our study, we detected ERBB2‐amplified cells in 7% of patients. These patients could benefit from anti‐ERBB2 targeting therapies.
Second‐trimester levels of fetoplacental hormones among women with placenta accreta spectrum disorders
Authors: Pekar‐Zlotin Marina , Melcer Yaakov , Maymon Ron , Jauniaux Eric
Published: October 2017

Maternal serum human chorionic gonadotropin could be a useful biomarker in the prenatal diagnosis of placenta accreta spectrum disorders.
Protective roles of hepatic gamma‐aminobutyric acid signaling in acute ethanol exposure‐induced liver injury
Authors: Wang Shuanglian , Sui Shaofeng , Liu Zhiyan , Peng Cheng , Liu Jia , Luo Dan , Fan Xinhuan , Liu Chuanyong , Lu Wei‐Yang
Published: October 2017

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) is a consequence of heavy and prolonged alcohol consumptions. We previously demonstrated a hepatic gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling system that protects the liver from toxic injury. The present study was designed to investigate the role of the hepatic GABA signaling system in the process of acute ethanol exposure‐induced liver injury. Our results showed that the expression of GABA synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase and type A GABA receptor (GABAAR) subunits was upregulated in ethanol‐treated mice compared with saline‐treated controls. Remarkably, pretreatment of mice with GABA (1.5 mg kg−1 body weight, intraperitoneal injection [i.p.]) or with the GABAAR agonist muscimol (1.2 mg kg−1 body weight, i.p.) protected the liver against ethanol toxicity and improved liver function, whereas pretreatment of mice with the GABAAR antagonist bicuculline (2.0 mg kg−1 body weight, i.p.) worsened the liver function. Further analyses suggest that GABAAR‐mediated signaling protects the liver from ethanol injury by, at least partially, inhibiting the IRE1α‐ASK1‐JNK pro‐apoptotic pathway in hepatocytes in the process of ethanol‐induced endoplasmic reticulum stress response.
Reconnectable fiberscopes for chronic in vivo deep‐brain imaging
Authors: Pochechuev M. S. , Fedotov I. V. , Ivashkina O. I. , Roshchina M. A. , Meshchankin D.V. , Sidorov‐Biryukov D. A. , Fedotov A. B. , Anokhin K. V. , Zheltikov A. M.
Published: October 2017

Reconnectable bundles consisting of thousands of optical fibers are shown to enable high‐quality image transmission, offering a platform for the creation of implantable fiberscopes for minimally invasive in vivo brain imaging. Experiments on various lines of transgenic mice verify the performance of this fiberscope as a powerful tool for chronic in vivo neuroimaging using genetically encoded calcium indicators, neuronal activity markers as well as axon growth regulators and brain‐specific protein drivers in deep regions of live brain.
Biological effects of Er:YAG laser irradiation on the proliferation of primary human gingival fibroblasts
Authors: Kong Sophannary , Aoki Akira , Iwasaki Kengo , Mizutani Koji , Katagiri Sayaka , Suda Tomonari , Ichinose Shizuko , Ogita Mayumi , Pavlic Verica , Izumi Yuichi
Published: October 2017

We investigated the biological effects of Er:YAG laser (2940‐nm; DELight, HOYA ConBio, Fremont, California) irradiation at fluences of 3.6, 4.2, 4.9, 6.3, 8.1 or 9.7 J cm−2 at 20 or 30 Hz for 20 or 30 seconds on primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs). Irradiation at 6.3 J cm−2 promoted maximal cell proliferation, determined by WST‐8 assay and crystal violet staining, but was accompanied by lactate dehydrogenase release, on day 3 post‐irradiation. Elevation of ATP level, Ki67 staining, and cyclin‐A2 mRNA expression confirmed that Er:YAG affected the cell cycle and increased the number of proliferating cells. Transmission electron microscopy showed alterations of mitochondria and ribosomal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) at 3 hours post‐irradiation at 6.3 J cm−2, and the changes subsided after 24 hours, suggesting transient cellular injury. Microarray analysis revealed up‐regulation of 21 genes involved in heat‐related biological responses and ER‐associated degradation. The mRNA expression of heat shock protein 70 family was increased, as validated by Real‐time PCR. Surface temperature measurement confirmed that 6.3 J cm−2 generated heat (40.9°C post‐irradiation). Treatment with 40°C‐warmed medium increased proliferation. Laser‐induced proliferation was suppressed by inhibition of thermosensory transient receptor potential channels. Thus, despite causing transient cellular damage, Er:YAG laser irradiation at 6.3 J cm−2 strongly potentiated HGF proliferation via photo‐thermal stress, suggesting potential wound‐healing benefit.
In it together: Exploring how belonging to a youth activist group enhances well‐being
Authors: Montague Anne C. , Eiroa‐Orosa Francisco Jose
Published: October 2017

Despite some evidence that being an activist, particularly during adolescence, can positively affect well‐being, activism has been relatively neglected in both psychology and youth civic engagement research. This study aimed to address this gap by exploring how being an activist as a teenager can positively affect personal development and well‐being. Seven focus groups comprising adolescent human rights activists were conducted in classrooms throughout the United Kingdom. Inductive thematic analysis was used to identify four dominant themes–A place to go, Power in numbers, Skilling‐up, and In it together—which are discussed in relation to existing literature. Because findings from this study suggest that there are a number of positive psychological benefits to being a youth activist, implications for psychology and youth civic engagement are also considered.
Physiological plasticity in lizard embryos exposed to high‐altitude hypoxia
Authors: Cordero Gerardo A. , Andersson Bea Angelica , Souchet Jeremie , Micheli Gaëlle , Noble Daniel W.A. , Gangloff Eric J. , Uller Tobias , Aubret Fabien
Published: October 2017

Coping with novel environments may be facilitated by plastic physiological responses that enable survival during environmentally sensitive life stages. We tested the capacity for embryos of the common wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) from low altitude to cope with low‐oxygen partial pressure (hypoxia) in an alpine environment. Developing embryos subjected to hypoxic atmospheric conditions (15–16% O2sea‐level equivalent) at 2,877 m above sea level exhibited responses common to vertebrates acclimatized to or evolutionarily adapted to high altitude: suppressed metabolism, cardiac hypertrophy, and hyperventilation. These responses might have contributed to the unaltered incubation duration and hatching success relative to the ancestral, low‐altitude, condition. Even so, hypoxia constrained egg energy utilization such that larger eggs produced hatchlings with relatively low mass. These findings highlight the role of physiological plasticity in maintaining fitness‐relevant phenotypes in high‐altitude environments, providing impetus to further explore altitudinal limits to ecological diversification in ectothermic vertebrates.
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy: A promising cell‐based therapy for treatment of myocardial infarction
Authors: Shafei Ayman El‐Sayed , Ali Mahmoud Ahmed , Ghanem Hazem G. , Shehata Ahmed I. , Abdelgawad Ahmed A. , Handal Hossam R. , Talaat Kareem A. , Ashaal Ahmed E. , El‐Shal Amal S.
Published: October 2017

For decades, mesenchymal stem (MSCs) cells have been used for cardiovascular diseases as regenerative therapy. This review is an attempt to summarize the types of MSCs involved in myocardial infarction (MI) therapy, as well as its possible mechanisms effects, especially the paracrine one in MI focusing on the studies (human and animal) conducted within the last 10 years. Recently, reports showed that MSC therapy could have infarct‐limiting effects after MI in both experimental and clinical trials. In this context, various types of MSCs can help cardiac regeneration by either revitalizing the cardiac stem cells or revascularizing the arteries and veins of the heart. Furthermore, MSCs could produce paracrine growth factors that increase the survival of nearby cardiomyocytes, as well as increase angiogenesis through recruitment of stem cell from bone marrow or inducing vessel growth from existing capillaries. Recent research suggests that the paracrine effects of MSCs could be mediated by extracellular vesicles including exosomes. Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) released by MSCs are promising therapeutic hotspot target for MI. This could be attributed to the role of miRNA in cardiac biology, including cardiac regeneration, stem cell differentiation, apoptosis, neovascularization, cardiac contractility and cardiac remodeling. Furthermore, gene‐modified MSCs could be a recent promising therapy for MI to enhance the paracrine effects of MSCs, including better homing and effective cell targeted tissue regeneration. Although MSC therapy has achieved considerable attention and progress, there are critical challenges that remains to be overcome to achieve the most effective successful cell‐based therapy in MI.
Molecular Hybridization‐Guided Construction of Convolutamydine A‐fused β‐Ionone Scaffolds and their Biological Evaluation for Anticancer Activities
Authors: Liu Xiong‐Wei , Yang Jun , Wang Guan‐Lian , Gong Yi , Feng Ting‐Ting , Liu Xiong‐Li , Cao Yu , Zhou Ying , Yuan Wei‐Cheng
Published: October 2017

Described herein is a facile and efficient methodology toward the synthesis of novel convolutamydine A‐incorporated β‐ionone scaffold 3 from an Aldol addition event of β‐ionone to isatins via enamine Et2NH catalysis. Products featuring a quaternary carbon center were smoothly obtained in good yields (up to 96% yield). This protocol also represents the first construction of ionone skeleton‐fused oxindole molecules, thus leading to new knowledge in the fields of both molecular complexity and diversity‐oriented synthesis and the lead compound discovery. Furthermore, their biological activities against human leukemia cells K562 have been preliminarily demonstrated by in vitro assays. The results demonstrated that most of these compounds obtained by this protocol showed comparable with or even much better than the positive control of Cisplatin.
Gills of the medaka (Oryzias latipes): A scanning electron microscopy study
Authors: Leguen Isabelle
Published: October 2017

The general morphology and surface ultrastructure of the gills of adult and larvae medaka (Oryzias latipes) were studied in freshwater and seawater using scanning electron microscopy. The gills of all examined fish were structurally similar to those of other teleosts and consisted of four pairs of arches supporting (i) filaments bearing lamellae and (ii) rakers containing taste buds. Three cell types, specifically pavement cells, mitochondria‐rich cells (MRCs), and mucous cells, constituted the surface layer of the gill epithelium. Several distinctive characteristics of medaka gills were noted, including the presence of regularly distributed outgrowth on the lamellae, enlarged filament tips, the absence of microridges in most pavement cells in the filament and lamellae and the presence of MRCs in the arch at the filament base. A rapid mode of development was recorded in the gills of larval fish. At hatching, the larvae already had four arches with rudimentary filaments, rakers, and taste buds. The rudimentary lamellae appeared within 2 days after hatching. These results suggest the early involvement of larval gills in respiratory and osmoregulation activities. The responses of the macrostructures and microstructures of gills to seawater acclimation were similar in larvae and adult fish and included modification of the apical surface of MRCs, confirming the importance of these cells in osmoregulation. The potential roles of these peculiarities of the macrostructures and microstructures of medaka gills in the major functions of this organ, such as respiration and osmoregulation, are discussed.
Automated curve fitting and unsupervised clustering of manganese oxide Raman responses
Authors: Mulè G. , Burlet C. , Vanbrabant Y.
Published: October 2017

Natural manganese oxides characterization represents a challenge due to the broad variety of their structures and geochemical compositions along with a frequent poor crystallinity. This characterization requires the ability to conduct both a phase separation and a phase association operation. In this paper, the Raman spectra acquired on a selection of natural manganese oxide minerals are first processed with an automated curve‐fitting model called MnOx. The adjustment of convolution envelope is realized, thanks to the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm applied on a set of randomly generated seed pseudo‐Voigt curves. The application conditions of the automated curve‐fitting and, in particular, the number of seed curves are investigated with regards to the risk of overfitting. The MnOx model outputs are in a second step treated by data mining techniques and in particular by unsupervised clustering methods. This data processing shows promising results in terms of phase separation when the number of clusters is equivalent to the number of phases. By contrast, the decrease of number of clusters leads to a phase association which reflects spectral affinities between phases. This result shows the existence of 6 to 7 vibrational bands in Mn oxides Raman spectra, with contrasting behaviours between clustering. Thereby, vibrational bands located in the low wave number domain (<510 cm−1) are more mobile and therefore more sensitive to structural modifications, while bands with higher wave number are less affected by structural changes. Besides these results, Raman responses collected during this study provide new refinement regarding the spectral content of some Mn oxides in particular todorokite, nsutite, and chalcophanite. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo imaging of the internal nasal valve during different conditions using optical coherence tomography
Authors: Englhard Anna S. , Wiedmann Maximilian , Ledderose Georg J. , Lemieux Bryan , Badran Alan , Jing Joseph C. , Chen Zhongping , Volgger Veronika , Wong Brian J. F.
Published: October 2017

Objective

Previously, we proposed long‐range optical coherence tomography (LR‐OCT) to be an effective method for the quantitative evaluation of the nasal valve geometry. Here, the objective was to quantify the reduction in the internal nasal valve angle and cross‐sectional area that results in subjective nasal airway obstruction and to evaluate the dynamic behavior of the valve during respiration using LR‐OCT.

Methods

For 16 healthy individuals, LR‐OCT was performed in each naris during: 1) normal respiration, 2) peak forced inspiration, 3) lateral nasal wall depression (to the onset of obstructive symptoms), and 4) after application of a topical decongestant. The angle and the cross‐sectional area of the valve were measured.

Results

A reduction of the valve angle from 18.3° to 14.1° (11° in Caucasians and 17° in Asians) and a decrease of the cross‐sectional area from 0.65 cm2 to 0.55 cm2 led to subjective nasal obstruction. Forceful breathing did not significantly change the internal nasal valve area in healthy individuals. Application of nasal decongestant resulted in increased values.

Conclusion

LR‐OCT proved to be a fast and readily performed method for the evaluation of the dynamic behavior of the nasal valve. The values of the angle and the cross‐sectional area of the valve were reproducible, and changes in size could be accurately delineated.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 128:E105–E110, 2018
In Vivo Characterizations of the Immune Properties of Sericin: An Ancient Material with Emerging Value in Biomedical Applications
Authors: Jiao Zhanying , Song Yu , Jin Yang , Zhang Cheng , Peng Dong , Chen Zhenzhen , Chang Panpan , Kundu Subhas C. , Wang Guobin , Wang Zheng , Wang Lin
Published: October 2017

The biosafety of sericin remains controversial. The misunderstanding regarding sericin causing adverse biological responses have been clarified by extensively reviewing relevant literatures and experimentally demonstrating that sericin exhibits mild inflammatory responses, negligible allergenicity, and low immunogenicity in vivo. This study supports that sericin is biosafe as a natural biomaterial.
Rheological Study of Soft Matters: A Review of Microrheology and Microrheometers
Authors: Liu Wei , Wu Chi
Published: October 2017

Rheological properties of soft matter like polymer solutions/gels, colloidal dispersions, and biological materials have been extensively studied by macroscopic methods. Recently, a set of microrheometers has emerged as powerful tools to investigate the dynamics and structures of homogeneous or heterogeneous soft matter at the micro‐ or nanoscale. In this review, these microrheometers, including some novel hybrid microrheometers are summarized and compared.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy characterization based on fractal features: Evaluation on a publicly available dataset
Authors: Orlando José Ignacio , van Keer Karel , Barbosa Breda João , Manterola Hugo Luis , Blaschko Matthew B. , Clausse Alejandro
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most widespread causes of preventable blindness in the world. The most dangerous stage of this condition is proliferative DR (PDR), in which the risk of vision loss is high and treatments are less effective. Fractal features of the retinal vasculature have been previously explored as potential biomarkers of DR, yet the current literature is inconclusive with respect to their correlation with PDR. In this study, we experimentally assess their discrimination ability to recognize PDR cases.

Methods

A statistical analysis of the viability of using three reference fractal characterization schemes — namely box, information, and correlation dimensions — to identify patients with PDR is presented. These descriptors are also evaluated as input features for training and regularized logistic regression classifiers, to estimate their performance.

Results

Our results on MESSIDOR, a public dataset of 1200 fundus photographs, indicate that patients with PDR are more likely to exhibit a higher fractal dimension than healthy subjects or patients with mild levels of DR (). Moreover, a supervised classifier trained with both fractal measurements and red lesion‐based features reports an area under the ROC curve of 0.93 for PDR screening and 0.96 for detecting patients with optic disc neovascularizations.

Conclusions

The fractal dimension of the vasculature increases with the level of DR. Furthermore, PDR screening using multiscale fractal measurements is more feasible than using their derived fractal dimensions. Code and further resources are provided at https://github.com/ignaciorlando/fundus-fractal-analysis.
Fast multiresolution data acquisition for magnetic particle imaging using adaptive feature detection
Authors: Gdaniec Nadine , Szwargulski Patryk , Knopp Tobias
Published: October 2017

Purpose

Magnetic particle imaging is a tomographic imaging modality capable of determining the distribution of magnetic nanoparticles with high temporal resolution. The spatial resolution of magnetic particle imaging is influenced by the gradient strength of the selection field used for spatial encoding. By increasing the gradient strength, the spatial resolution is improved, but at the same time the imaging volume decreases. For a high‐resolution image of an extended field‐of‐view, a multipatch approach can be used by shifting the sampling trajectory in space. As the total imaging timescales with the number of patches, the downside of the multipatch method is the degradation of the temporal resolution.

Methods

The purpose of this work was to develop a scanning procedure incorporating the advantages of imaging at multiple gradient strengths. A low‐resolution overview scan is performed at the beginning followed by a small number of high‐resolution scans at adaptively detected locations extracted from the low‐resolution scan.

Results

By combining all data during image reconstruction, it is possible to obtain a large field‐of‐view image of anisotropic spatial resolution. It is measured in a fraction of time compared to a fully sampled high‐resolution field of view image.

Conclusions

Magnetic particle imaging is a flexible imaging method allowing to rapidly scan small volumes. When scaling magnetic particle imaging from small animal to human applications, it will be essential to keep the acquisition time low while still capturing larger volumes at high resolution. With our proposed adaptive multigradient imaging sequence, it is possible to capture a large field of view while keeping both the temporal and the spatial resolution high.
A parallel multiselection greedy method for the radial basis function–based mesh deformation
Authors: Li Chao , Xu Xinhai , Wang Jinyu , Xu Liyang , Ye Shuai , Yang Xuejun
Published: October 2017

Greedy algorithm has been widely adopted for the point selection procedure of radial basis function–based mesh deformation. However, in large deformation simulations with thousands of points selected, the greedy point selection will be too expensive and thus become a performance bottleneck. To improve the efficiency of the point selection procedure, a parallel multiselection greedy method has been developed in this paper. Multiple points are selected at each step to accelerate the convergence speed of the greedy algorithm. In addition, 2 strategies are presented to determine the specific selecting number. The parallelization of the greedy point selection is realized on the basis of a master‐slave model, and a hybrid decomposition algorithm is proposed to address the load imbalance problem. Numerical benchmarks show that both our multiselection method and the parallelization could obviously improve the point selection efficiency. Specifically, total speedups of 20 and 55 are separately obtained for the 3D undulating fish with 106 cell mesh and the 3D rotating hydrofoil with 11 million cell mesh.
Improving the hydrophilic and antifouling properties of poly(vinyl chloride) membranes by atom transfer radical polymerization grafting of poly(ionic liquid) brushes
Authors: Cheng Yuan‐Yuan , Du Chun‐Hui , Wu Chun‐Jin , Sun Kai‐Xiang , Chi Nian‐Ping
Published: October 2017

In this study, poly(1‐butyl‐3‐vinylimidazolium bromide) (PBVIm‐Br) was grafted onto the poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) membrane surface via a 2‐step atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) reaction. Poly(2‐hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (PHEMA) was grafted onto the membrane surface by aqueous ATRP reaction; then, BVIm‐Br was introduced onto the surface of the PHEMA‐modified PVC membrane through traditional ATRP reaction. The analysis of surface chemistry confirmed the successful grafting of PHEMA and PBVIm‐Br on PVC membrane surface, and the grafting density (GD) of PBVIm‐Br gradually increased as the grafting time was prolonged. The modified membrane exhibited a positive charge and significantly enhanced surface hydrophilicity. The static water contact angle of the membrane surface decreased from 92.3° to 51.6° as the GD of the PBVIm‐Br brushes increased. Filtration experiments indicated that the water flux of the modified membrane increased with increasing GD, and their recovered fluxes were more than twice than the original. In addition, the total fouling ratio of the membranes decreased from 89% in M0 to 67% in M5, and most of the fouling was reversible as the GD of PBVIm‐Br brushes increased. These results indicated that the positive charged poly(ionic liquid) brushes featuring hydrophilic properties would have potential applications in membrane separation.
Dynamics of entangled supramolecular polymer networks in presence of high‐order associations of strong hydrogen bonding groups
Authors: Jangizehi Amir , Ghaffarian Seyed Reza , Ahmadi Mostafa
Published: October 2017

Dynamics of entangled polymer chains in the melt state are deliberately excluded in most of the studies on supramolecular polymer networks by utilizing nonentangled precursor chains. Relaxation of the system mainly depends on the dissociation of the associative groups in latter case and nonentangled chains deliver nothing to resist afterward. Conversely, in an entangled system, relaxation of polymer chains and dissociation of associative groups can occurred parallel. Supramolecular networks based on an entangled precursor polymer with different levels of strong associating ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) groups are synthesized to screen the corresponding effects on the dynamics of the system. Binary‐associated UPy groups phase separate into collective assemblies by stacking and form high‐order, needle‐like domains at higher UPy contents. Relaxation of polymer chains is significantly hindered due to the trapping of polymer segments between UPy stacks. Above a certain threshold of UPy content (~4 mol%), the plateau level and final relaxation time of networks show a significant jump, which is attributed to the onset of high‐order association of UPy groups.