bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Solubility‐Controlled Room‐Temperature Synthesis of Cesium Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals
Authors: Kirakosyan Artavazd , Kim Yeonho , Sihn Moon Ryul , Jeon Min‐Gi , Jeong Jong‐Ryul , Choi Jihoon 
Published: November 2020

AbstractAll‐inorganic lead halide perovskite (IHP) nanocrystals (NC) have demonstrated to be a promising active material in a wide range of optoelectronic applications due to their chemical and thermal stability compared to organic‐inorganic perovskite NCs. However, the synthetic procedure of IHP NC generally requires a high‐temperature reaction of the precursors due to their limited solubility. Alternatively, the affinity of the precursor elements to the solvent was controlled to enhance their solubility in the liquid phase, and thus the enhanced kinetics in the crystallization process. Here, we show how the controlled solubility of Cs salts (i. e., Cs halide, acetate, carbonate) influences on their crystallization process and their optical properties. The formation of highly luminescent CsPbX3 (X=Cl, Br, and mixed Br/Cl and Br/I) NCs with a well‐controlled crystallinity and morphology provide fundamental insights into their crystallization process, broadening their applications in the optoelectronic devices.
Cancer Cell Membrane Technology for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Rao Chethana , Mishra Pushpendra Mani , Yadav Aditya , Nandi Chayan Kanti 
Published: November 2020

AbstractEven after decades of research, one of the most significant challenges in nanotechnology‐based cancer therapy is to increase the target specificity and to reduce the side effects. As a result, even after substantial progress in lab‐scale research, clinical trials have mostly failed. One of the emerging new strategies to increase the target specificity and to increase the chemotherapeutic efficacy is to mimic biological moieties using cellular membranes. Owing to its preferential accumulation at the tumor site, cancer cell membrane presents itself as a promising surface functionalization to the nanocarriers. This review aims to summarize recent reports on the cancer cell membrane and the hybrid membrane‐associated research for the comprehensive understanding of their successful implementation in cancer therapy.
Base Editing in Human Cells to Produce Single‐Nucleotide‐Variant Clonal Cell Lines
Authors: Vasquez Carlos A. , Cowan Quinn T. , Komor Alexis C. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractBase‐editing technologies enable the introduction of point mutations at targeted genomic sites in mammalian cells, with higher efficiency and precision than traditional genome‐editing methods that use DNA double‐strand breaks, such as zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription‐activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)–CRISPR‐associated protein 9 (CRISPR‐Cas9) system. This allows the generation of single‐nucleotide‐variant isogenic cell lines (i.e., cell lines whose genomic sequences differ from each other only at a single, edited nucleotide) in a more time‐ and resource‐effective manner. These single‐nucleotide‐variant clonal cell lines represent a powerful tool with which to assess the functional role of genetic variants in a native cellular context. Base editing can therefore facilitate genotype‐to‐phenotype studies in a controlled laboratory setting, with applications in both basic research and clinical applications. Here, we provide optimized protocols (including experimental design, methods, and analyses) to design base‐editing constructs, transfect adherent cells, quantify base‐editing efficiencies in bulk, and generate single‐nucleotide‐variant clonal cell lines. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.Basic Protocol 1: Design and production of plasmids for base‐editing experimentsBasic Protocol 2: Transfection of adherent cells and harvesting of genomic DNABasic Protocol 3: Genotyping of harvested cells using Sanger sequencingAlternate Protocol 1: Next‐generation sequencing to quantify base editingBasic Protocol 4: Single‐cell isolation of base‐edited cells using FACSAlternate Protocol 2: Single‐cell isolation of base‐edited cells using dilution platingBasic Protocol 5: Clonal expansion to generate isogenic cell lines and genotyping of clones
Model‐Informed Drug Development for Antimicrobials: Translational PK and PK/PD Modeling to Predict an Efficacious Human Dose for Apramycin
Authors: Sou Tomás , Hansen Jon , Liepinsh Edgars , Backlund Maria , Ercan Onur , Grinberga Solveiga , Cao Sha , Giachou Paraskevi , Petersson Anna , Tomczak Magdalena , Urbas Malgorzata , Zabicka Dorota , Vingsbo Lundberg Carina , Hughes Diarmaid , Hobbie Sven N. , Friberg Lena E. 
Published: November 2020

Apramycin represents a subclass of aminoglycoside antibiotics that has been shown to evade almost all mechanisms of clinically relevant aminoglycoside resistance. Model‐informed drug development may facilitate its transition from preclinical to clinical phase. This study explored the potential of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) modeling to maximize the use of in vitro time‐kill and in vivo preclinical data for prediction of a human efficacious dose (HED) for apramycin. PK model parameters of apramycin from four different species (mouse, rat, guinea pig, and dog) were allometrically scaled to humans. A semimechanistic PK/PD model was developed from the rich in vitro data on four Escherichia coli strains and subsequently the sparse in vivo efficacy data on the same strains were integrated. An efficacious human dose was predicted from the PK/PD model and compared with the classical PK/PD index methodology and the aminoglycoside dose similarity. One‐compartment models described the PK data and human values for clearance and volume of distribution were predicted to 7.07 L/hour and 26.8 L, respectively. The required fAUC/MIC (area under the unbound drug concentration‐time curve over MIC ratio) targets for stasis and 1‐log kill in the thigh model were 34.5 and 76.2, respectively. The developed PK/PD model predicted the efficacy data well with strain‐specific differences in susceptibility, maximum bacterial load, and resistance development. All three dose prediction approaches supported an apramycin daily dose of 30 mg/kg for a typical adult patient. The results indicate that the mechanistic PK/PD modeling approach can be suitable for HED prediction and serves to efficiently integrate all available efficacy data with potential to improve predictive capacity.
Urochloa spp. multivariate performance: Similarities and divergences among intra‐ and interspecific populations
Authors: Matias Filipe Inácio , Candido Anderson Ramires , Machado Wyverson Kim Rocha , Cesar do Amaral Pedro Nelson , Dias Alexandre Menezes , Borges do Valle Cacilda , Barrios Sanzio Carvalho Lima , Valerio José Raul , Torres Fabricia Zimermann Vilela , Verzignassi Jaqueline Rosemeire , de Arruda Cassia Oliveira Camargo Barros , Gouveia Beatriz Tomé , Nobre Alana Aparecida Amarilha 
Published: November 2020

AbstractMultivariate analysis is a tool that breeders can use to compare populations and select genotypes for specific purposes. This study used principal component analysis to compare three intraspecific and three interspecific populations of Urochloa spp. based on insect resistance, agronomic, and seed production characteristics. This multivariate strategy exposed completely different profiles and important differences among these populations despite their close genomic ancestry. In general, interspecific populations had greater variability than intraspecific populations for agronomic traits, seed production, and spittlebug resistance. Consequently, crosses among different species, whenever possible, are a better option to obtain new Urochloa breeding populations. However, the breeding of intraspecific populations is also an excellent option to improve specific traits related to each species, which can then be used to speed the breeding in the interspecific programs. Multivariate analysis demonstrated substantial variability within progenies of the interspecific Urochloa populations that can be used to improve insect resistance and productivity of tropical pastures.
Hydrogen Production by Steam Electrolysis in Solid Acid Electrolysis Cells
Authors: Fujiwara Naoya , Nagase Hironori , Tada Shohei , Kikuchi Ryuji 
Published: November 2020

AbstractHydrogen production by steam electrolysis at intermediate temperatures has potential for both the high energy conversion efficiency and the flexible operability suitable for the utilization of renewable energy resources. Employment of proton‐conducting solid acid electrolytes at around 200 °C is considered promising but has rarely been investigated. Here, steam electrolysis was performed at 160–220 °C using a solid acid electrolysis cell (SAEC) composed of a CsH2PO4/SiP2O7 composite electrolyte and Pt/C electrodes. Hydrogen production was successfully demonstrated with Faraday efficiencies around 80 %. Key factors affecting the SAEC stability were investigated in detail for the first time. It was revealed that a certain part of the electrolyte migrated into the porous anode structure during the operation. The migrated electrolyte prevented the gas diffusion and flooded the Pt/C catalyst layer. It was also found that carbonaceous materials in the anode was oxidized, leading to the decrease in the number of electrochemically active sites. Based on the findings, Pt mesh was employed as an alternative anode. The SAEC with the Pt mesh anode showed superior stability, demonstrating the importance of the anode design. The present work provides a comprehensive view of the stability issues, which is essential for the development of durable and practical SAECs.
Use of human splenocytes in an innovative humanised mouse model for prediction of immunotherapy‐induced cytokine release syndrome
Authors: Matas‐Céspedes Alba , Brown Lee , Mahbubani Krishnaa T , Bareham Bethany , Higgins Jackie , Curran Michelle , de Haan Lolke , Lapointe Jean‐Martin , Stebbings Richard , Saeb‐Parsy Kourosh 
Published: November 2020

AbstractObjectivesHumanised mice have emerged as valuable models for pre‐clinical testing of the safety and efficacy of immunotherapies. Given the variety of models available, selection of the most appropriate humanised mouse model is critical in study design. Here, we aimed to develop a model for predicting cytokine release syndrome (CRS) while minimising graft‐versus‐host disease (GvHD).MethodsTo overcome donor‐induced variation, we directly compared the in vitro and in vivo immune phenotype of immunodeficient NSG mice reconstituted with human bone marrow (BM) CD34+ haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or spleen mononuclear cells (SPMCs) from the same human donors. SPMC engraftment in NSG‐dKO mice, which lack MHC class I and II, was also evaluated as a strategy to limit GvHD. Another group of mice was engrafted with umbilical cord blood (UCB) CD34+ HSCs. Induction of CRS in vivo was investigated upon administration of the anti‐CD3 monoclonal antibody OKT3.ResultsPBMC‐ and SPMC‐reconstituted NSG mice showed short‐term survival, with engrafted human T cells exhibiting mostly an effector memory phenotype. Survival in SPMC‐reconstituted NSG‐dKO mice was significantly longer. Conversely, both BM and UCB‐HSC models showed longer survival, without demonstrable GvHD and a more naïve T‐cell phenotype. PBMC‐ and SPMC‐reconstituted mice, but not BM‐HSC or UCB‐HSC mice, experienced severe clinical signs of CRS upon administration of OKT3.ConclusionPBMC‐ and SPMC‐reconstituted NSG mice better predict OKT3‐mediated CRS. The SPMC model allows generation of large experimental groups, and the use of NSG‐dKO mice mitigates the limitation of early GvHD.
A paradoxical phenomenon: Intense pulsed light‐induced hypertrichosis, a brief review
Authors: Baah Natasha , Chacon Anna H. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe advancement of laser and light therapies have allowed patients of all races and ethnicities access to different methods for removing unwanted hairs that can cause emotional distress and impact one's quality of life. Despite their effectiveness, these technologies are not without their risks, such as the well‐known side effects of blister formation, erythema, crusting, and postinflammatory hypo‐ and hyperpigmentation. However, one adverse effect that seems to remain a clinical mystery is paradoxical hypertrichosis. Paradoxical hypertrichosis is the growth of fine, dark hair in treated areas or untreated areas close to the area treated on the face and neck, more frequently affecting those with darker skin (Fitzpatrick III‐VI) and darker hair color, and most associated with those having undergone the intense pulsed laser and long‐pulse alexandrite laser, although, this adverse reaction is likely common to all current and laser and light hair removal devices, despite the unknown prevalence and varying incidence rates. This phenomenon is not well understood, although explanations include the activation of dormant hair follicles by the intense pulse light flashlamp's suboptimal fluences and the synchronization of hair growth cycles caused by direct light stimulation.
Two‐dimensional high performance liquid chromatography purification of underivatized urinary testosterone and metabolites for compound‐specific stable carbon isotope analysis
Authors: Lalonde Karine , Barber Andrew , Ayotte Christiane 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTestosterone doping in sports is detected through the measurement of the carbon isotopic signature (δ13C) of testosterone and its metabolites in urine. A critical step in achieving accurate and precise δ13C values during compound‐specific stable carbon isotope analysis (CSIA) is the removal of interfering matrix components. To this end, the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) recommends the use of high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as a method of sample pretreatment. We provide a description of an automated two‐dimensional HPLC (2D‐HPLC) purification method for urine extracts that has made possible the CSIA of underivatized steroids, requiring only 36 min per sample. Eight urinary steroids including testosterone (T) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and four of their metabolites as well as two endogenous reference compounds were collected during HPLC purification. Comparative GC chromatograms are used to contrast the efficiency of two‐dimensional (2D) purification to a previously established 1D‐HPLC method. The 2D purification leads to improved sample purity while simultaneously decreasing the analysis time, allowing for unprecedented sample throughput. Precision of δ13C for all analyzed compounds in negative and positive controls was 0.5‰ or better, which is comparable with the precision of pure reference materials at similar intensities.
Morphometric and genetic evidence for four species of gentoo penguin
Authors: Tyler Joshua , Bonfitto Matthew T. , Clucas Gemma V. , Reddy Sushma , Younger Jane L. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractGentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) are found across the Southern Ocean with a circumpolar distribution and notable genetic and morphological variation across their geographic range. Whether this geographic variation represents species‐level diversity has yet to be investigated in an integrative taxonomic framework. Here, we show that four distinct populations of gentoo penguins (Iles Kerguelen, Falkland Islands, South Georgia, and South Shetlands/Western Antarctic Peninsula) are genetically and morphologically distinct from one another. We present here a revised taxonomic treatment including formal nomenclatural changes. We suggest the designation of four species of gentoo penguin: P. papua in the Falkland Islands, P. ellsworthi in the South Shetland Islands/Western Antarctic Peninsula, P. taeniata in Iles Kerguelen, and a new gentoo species P. poncetii, described herein, in South Georgia. These findings of cryptic diversity add to many other such findings across the avian tree of life in recent years. Our results further highlight the importance of reassessing species boundaries as methodological advances are made, particularly for taxa of conservation concern. We recommend reassessment by the IUCN of each species, particularly P. taeniata and P. poncetii, which both show evidence of decline.
Microwave‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis of Cu‐doped TiO2 nanoparticles for efficient dye‐sensitized solar cell with improved open‐circuit voltage
Authors: Sahu Kirti , Dhonde Mahesh , Murty Vemparala Venkata Satyanarayana 
Published: November 2020

SummaryAn important reason for the underlying power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) is the low open‐circuit voltage (Voc). Considerable efforts have been made to increase the Voc of DSSCs by suppressing charge carrier recombination dynamics, co‐sensitization, and other strategies. Herein, we report an enhancement of the Voc by the incorporation of Cu into TiO2 microstructure via microwave‐assisted hydrothermal synthesis. The prepared nanoparticles and the photoanodes were tested for their efficacy with various structural, optical, and electrical characterization tools. It was found that the incorporation of Cu2+ into TiO2 lattice raises its conduction band (CB) edge and shifted the Fermi level upwards, which contribute towards enhanced Voc. A significant enhancement in Voc from 0.714 to 0.781 V was observed by the Cu incorporation. An optimized 1 wt% Cu modified TiO2 DSSC has shown an efficiency of 6.94% with a high Voc of 0.762 V.
Peritoneal HPV‐DNA test in cervical cancer (PIONEER study): A proof of concept
Authors: Bizzarri Nicolò , Pedone Anchora Luigi , Cattani Paola , De Vincenzo Rosa , Marchetti Simona , Conte Carmine , Chiantera Vito , Gallotta Valerio , Gueli Alletti Salvatore , Vizzielli Giuseppe , Costantini Barbara , Fagotti Anna , Fanfani Francesco , Scambia Giovanni , Ferrandina Gabriella 
Published: November 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of peritoneal human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in different clinical cervical cancer (CC) settings, and its association with potential clinical and/or histological factors. This is a single‐center, prospective, observational study. Consecutive patients with newly diagnosed or recurrent/persistent CC, between March 2019 and April 2020, were included. A group of patients undergoing surgery for benign gynecological conditions was included as control group. All patients underwent HPV‐DNA test in the cervix and in the peritoneal cavity simultaneously at time of surgery. Two‐hundred seventy‐two patients had cervical and peritoneal HPV test analyzed. Cervical and peritoneal HPV positivity (PHP) was found in 235 (88.0%) and 78 (28.7%) patients, respectively; the prevalence of PHP was 17.7% in early stage, 28.8% in locally advanced cervical cancer (LACC) and 46.6% in the metastatic/persistent/recurrent setting (P = .001). No control patient was found to have peritoneal HPV infection. Higher frequency of PHP was documented in patients with larger tumor size (P = .003), presence of cervical HPV 16/18 genotypes (P < .001), higher number of cervical high‐risk (HR)‐HPV per patient (P = .018) and peritoneal carcinomatosis (P < .001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that lack of preoperative cervical conization in early stages (P = .030), while higher International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage (P = .021) and presence of cervical HPV 16/18 (P = .001) in LACC, was associated with PHP. This is a proof‐of‐concept study. A number of potential clinical implications, including prognosis, could be obtained by further studies.
Targeting stromal cell Syndecan‐2 reduces breast tumour growth, metastasis and limits immune evasion
Authors: Loftus Paul G. , Watson Luke , Deedigan Laura M. , Camarillo‐Retamosa Eva , Dwyer Róisín M. , O'Flynn Lisa , Alagesan Senthilkumar , Griffin Matthew , O'Brien Timothy , Kerin Michael J. , Elliman Stephen J. , Barkley Laura R. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractTumour stromal cells support tumourigenesis. We report that Syndecan‐2 (SDC2) is expressed on a nonepithelial, nonhaematopoietic, nonendothelial stromal cell population within breast cancer tissue. In vitro,syndecan‐2 modulated TGFβ signalling (SMAD7, PAI‐1), migration and immunosuppression of patient‐derived tumour‐associated stromal cells (TASCs). In an orthotopic immunocompromised breast cancer model, overexpression of syndecan‐2 in TASCs significantly enhanced TGFβ signalling (SMAD7, PAI‐1), tumour growth and metastasis, whereas reducing levels ofSDC2in TASCs attenuated TGFβ signalling (SMAD7, PAI‐1, CXCR4), tumour growth and metastasis. To explore the potential for therapeutic application, a syndecan‐2‐peptide was generated that inhibited the migratory and immunosuppressive properties of TASCs in association with reduced expression of TGFβ‐regulated immunosuppressive genes, such asCXCR4and PD‐L1. Moreover, using an orthotopic syngeneic breast cancer model, overexpression of syndecan‐2‐peptide in TASCs reduced tumour growth and immunosuppression within the TME. These data provide evidence that targeting stromal syndecan‐2 within the TME inhibits tumour growth and metastasis due to decreased TGFβ signalling and increased immune control.
Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro evaluation of the starch‐based α‐amylase responsive hydrogels
Authors: Davoodi‐Monfared Parviz , Akbari‐Birgani Shiva , Mohammadi Saeed , Kazemi Foad , Nikfarjam Nasser , Nikbakht Mohsen , Mousavi Seyed Asadollah 
Published: November 2020

AbstractControlled‐release drug delivery systems are promising platforms in medicine. Among various types of material in drug delivery, hydrogels are interesting ones. They are water‐soluble and tissue compatible polymers with a high capacity to carry and release drugs in a controllable manner. In this study, we introduce the synthesis, characterization, and application of an α‐amylase responsive hydrogel in controlled drug delivery. The newly synthesized starch‐based hydrogels structurally characterized by means of Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A proapoptotic drug, doxorubicin, was loaded into the hydrogels and the controlled release of the drug was assessed in the presence of α‐amylase and ultimately it was evaluated to controlled‐drug release in vitro and subsequently in killing cancer cells. Our results highlight the effectiveness of temporal drug delivery using α‐amylase responsive hydrogels in killing cancer cells.