bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tracing Tumor‐Derived Exosomal PD‐L1 by Dual‐Aptamer Activated Proximity‐Induced Droplet Digital PCR
Authors: Lin Bingqian , Tian Tian , Lu Yinzhu , Liu Dan , Huang Mengjiao , Zhu Lin , Zhu Zhi , Song Yanling , Yang Chaoyong 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTumor‐derived exosomal proteins have emerged as promising biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, but the quantitation accuracy is hindered by large numbers of normal cell‐derived exosomes. Herein, we developed a dual‐target‐specific aptamer recognition activated in situ connection system on exosome membrane combined with droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) (TRACER) for quantitation of tumor‐derived exosomal PD‐L1 (Exo‐PD‐L1). Leveraging the high binding affinity of aptamers, excellent selectivity of dual‐aptamer recognition, and the high sensitivity of ddPCR, this method exhibits significant sensitivity and selectivity for tracing tumor‐derived Exo‐PD‐L1 in a wash‐free manner. Due to the excellent sensitivity, the level of tumor‐derived Exo‐PD‐L1 detected by TRACER can distinguish cancer patients from healthy donors, and for the first time was identified as a more reliable tumor diagnostic marker than total Exo‐PD‐L1. The TRACER strategy holds great potential for converting exosomes into reliable clinical indicators and exploring the biological functions of exosomes.
Improved CO2/CH4 separation performance of mixed‐matrix membrane by adding ZIF‐7‐NH2 nanocrystals
Authors: Qian Junfeng , Wu Tingting , Shi Jianqun , Chang Hao , Liu Donghui , Pan Yichang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMembrane‐based technology is an attractive alternative in terms of CO2 separation. Pebax‐based membranes are regarded as potential candidates for CO2 separation due to the favorable interaction between its poly (ethylene oxide) chains with CO2 molecules and inorganic fillers. However, the separation performance for CO2/CH4 mixture is still suffered from the moderate gas permeability and selectivity. To overcome this problem, in this work, amino‐functionalized zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF‐7‐NH2) nanocrystals were used as fillers to blend with Pebax 1657 for fabricating mixed‐matrix membranes (MMMs). XRD, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), scanning electron microscope, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance characterization indicated that ZIF‐7‐NH2 with the highest crystallinity was synthesized. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Young's modulus showed that it has good interfacial interaction. Gas separation test results showed that both the CO2 permeability and CO2/CH4 selectivity of the 31 wt% ZIF‐7‐NH2/Pebax MMMs increased by 80 and 170%, respectively. The improved performance is attributed to the addition of ZIF‐7‐NH2 nanocrystals and the favorable interfacial interactions between the polymer and ZIF‐7‐NH2 nanocrystals. Furthermore, the polyvinylidene fluoride supported hollow fiber composite membranes also exhibit the long‐term stability for CO2/CH4 separation.
Influence of uniaxial compression on the shape memory behavior of vitrimer composite embedded with tension‐programmed unidirectional shape memory polymer fibers
Authors: Afful Henry Quansah , Ibekwe Samuel , Mensah Patrick , Li Guoqiang 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTension programmed shape memory polymer (SMP) fibers have been used as sutures for closing wide‐opened cracks per the close‐then‐heal strategy. However, the composite may be subjected to compression loading during service. These compression loads can reduce the amount of recoverable strain in these pre‐tensioned fibers, limiting their ability to close cracks. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of in‐service compression loading on the shape memory effect (SME) of composites consisting of SMP fiber and SMP matrix. To this end, pre‐stretched shape memory Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) fibers were embedded into a shape memory vitrimer to obtain composite samples with different fiber volume fractions. The SME of both the PET fiber and the vitrimer was investigated. The effect of compression load on the SME of the composite was studied. It is found that, uniaxial compression on the composite along the fiber direction significantly reduced the shrinking ability of the embedded pre‐tensioned SMP fibers. Hence, this is a factor that needs to be considered when designing such types of self‐healing composites.
Effect of functionality and content of epoxidized soybean oil on the physical properties of a modified diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A resin system
Authors: Lim Seok Jin , Kim Dae Su 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPartially epoxidized soybean oil (pESO) and fully epoxidized soybean oil (fESO) were used respectively to modify a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA) resin system in this study. The pESO was prepared by epoxidizing soybean oil and the fESO was purchased as it was commercially available. DGEBA/ESO ratio of the epoxy resin system was changed from 100/0 to 70/30 and triethylenetetramine was used as a curing agent. Impact strength of the bio‐epoxy resin system with fESO increased with ESO content, but the system with pESO decreased with ESO content. The bio‐epoxy resin system with pESO showed higher tensile strength and elongation at break than the system with fESO at ESO 30 wt%. Tensile modulus and thermal degradation temperature decreased with ESO content and glass transition temperature was highest at 20 wt% ESO regardless of epoxide functionality of ESO. The performance of the DGEBA/ESO bio‐epoxy resin system could be tailored by changing ESO content and functionality.
Association of the Leukocyte Immunoglobulin‐like Receptor A3 Gene With Neutrophil Activation and Disease Susceptibility in Adult‐Onset Still’s Disease
Authors: Wang Mengyan , Liu Mengru , Jia Jinchao , Shi Hui , Teng Jialin , Liu Honglei , Sun Yue , Cheng Xiaobing , Ye Junna , Su Yutong , Chi Huihui , Liu Tingting , Wang Zhihong , Wan Liyan , Meng Jianfen , Ma Yuning , Yang Chengde , Hu Qiongyi 
Published: December 2020

ObjectiveAdult‐onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a severe autoinflammatory disease. Neutrophil activation with enhanced neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation is involved in the pathogenesis of AOSD. Functional leukocyte immunoglobulin‐like receptor A3 (LIR‐A3; gene name LILRA3) has been reported to be associated with many autoimmune diseases. We aimed to investigate the association of LILRA3 with disease susceptibility and neutrophil activation in AOSD.MethodsThe LILRA3 deletion polymorphism and its tagging single‐nucleotide polymorphism rs103294 were genotyped in 164 patients with AOSD and 305 healthy controls. The impact of LILRA3 on clinical features and messenger RNA expression was evaluated. Plasma levels of LIR‐A3 were detected using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the correlation between LIR‐A3 plasma levels and disease activity and levels of circulating NET‐DNA was investigated. LIR‐A3–induced NETs were determined using PicoGreen double‐stranded DNA dye and immunofluorescence analysis in human neutrophils and a neutrophil‐like differentiated NB4 cell line transfected with LIR‐B2 small interfering RNA.ResultsThe findings from genotyping demonstrated that functional LILRA3 was a risk factor for AOSD (11% in AOSD patients versus 5.6% in healthy controls; odds ratio 2.089 [95% confidence interval 1.030–4.291], P = 0.034), and associated with leukocytosis (P = 0.039) and increased levels of circulating neutrophils (P = 0.027). Functional LILRA3 messenger RNA expression was higher in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (P < 0.0001) and neutrophils (P < 0.001) of LILRA3+/+ patients. Plasma levels of LIR‐A3 were elevated in patients with AOSD (P < 0.0001) and correlated with disease activity indicators and levels of circulating NET–DNA complexes. Finally, enhanced NET formation was identified in neutrophils from healthy controls and patients with inactive AOSD after stimulation of the neutrophils with LIR‐A3. Moreover, NET formation was impaired in NB4 cells after knockdown of LILRB2 gene expression.ConclusionOur study provides the first evidence that functional LILRA3 is a novel genetic risk factor for the development of AOSD and that functional LIR‐A3 may play a pathogenic role by inducing formation of NETs.
Introduction of team‐based learning improves understanding of glucose metabolism in biochemistry among undergraduate students
Authors: Eguchi Hironobu , Sakiyama Haruhiko , Naruse Hitoshi , Yoshihara Daisaku , Fujiwara Noriko , Suzuki Keiichiro 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTeam‐based learning (TBL) is an active learning method used in many educational institutions. However, there are few examples of its use in basic medicine, such as biochemistry in medical schools. This study used TBL to teach glucose metabolism to first‐year medical students. The process was in four phases: preclass preparation, readiness assurance tests, advanced questions, and a TBL test, with peer evaluation and a questionnaire. There were positive correlations between the TBL test, peer evaluation, and individual readiness test performance. Tests were taken immediately after learning and 2 weeks later, and scores decreased significantly less with TBL than traditional lectures (−2.3% vs. −17.5%). This suggests that TBL was more effective than traditional lectures in supporting knowledge retention. We used a Moodle system to facilitate communication between students and teachers, and this was evaluated positively by both groups. It was particularly useful for managing TBL. These findings suggest that TBL could be used to improve student performance in biochemistry.
Enhancement of select cognitive domains with rosiglitazone implicates dorsal hippocampus circuitry sensitive to PPARγ agonism in an Alzheimer's mouse model
Authors: Cortez IbDanelo , Hernandez Caterina M. , Dineley Kelly T. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionSeveral clinical studies have tested the efficacy of insulin‐sensitizing drugs for cognitive enhancement in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, as type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a well‐recognized risk factor for AD. Pilot studies assessing FDA‐approved diabetes drugs in subjects with early‐stage disease have found cognitive benefit in subjects comorbid for insulin resistance. In AD mouse models with concomitant insulin resistance, we have shown that 4 weeks of RSG can reverse peripheral and central insulin resistance concomitant with rescue of hippocampus‐dependent fear learning and memory and hippocampal circuitry deficits in 9‐month‐old (9MO) Tg2576 mice with no effect in wild‐type (WT) mice. Bioinformatics analysis of genomic and proteomic data reveals an intimate link between PPARγ and MAPK/ERK signaling in the hippocampus. We then demonstrated a direct interaction between PPARγ and phospho‐ERK in vitro and in vivo during memory consolidation. The translational value of this discovery is evidenced by the positive correlational relationship between human AD postmortem brain levels of pERK‐PPARγ nuclear complexes with cognitive reserve.MethodsWe tested whether insulin sensitizer therapy could rescue spatial navigation, context discrimination, and object recognition learning and memory in aged wild‐type and Tg2576 mice in addition to hippocampus‐dependent contextual fear learning and memory, as we have previously reported.ResultsWe found that rosiglitazone treatment improved cognitive domains that predominantly rely upon the dorsal hippocampus rather than those that additionally engage the ventral hippocampus.ConclusionThese results suggest that insulin sensitizer therapy with rosiglitazone improved age‐ and AD‐related learning and memory deficits in circuit selective ways.
Circulating CEA‐positive and EpCAM‐negative tumor cells might be a predictive biomarker for recurrence in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Miki Yuichiro , Yashiro Masakazu , Kuroda Kenji , Okuno Tomohisa , Togano Shingo , Masuda Go , Kasashima Hiroaki , Ohira Masaichi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIt has been reported that circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are beneficial for predicting tumor stage or treatment response. Although epithelial cell adhesion molecules (EpCAMs) and cytokeratin (CK) have been often used for the identification of CTCs, other tumor markers have not been fully investigated as detecting tools for CTCs. Thus, this study aims to clarify the significance of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA, CD66e)‐positive CTCs in patients with gastric cancer. A total of 150 patients with gastric cancer were enrolled in this study. The mononuclear fraction of peripheral blood was enriched by Ficoll. The number of cells was enumerated depending on the positivity of EpCAM and CEA or CK by flow cytometry. The association of these cells with clinicopathologic characteristics was investigated. The mean age was 70 (range 28–92). The macroscopic type of gastric cancer was classified as 0/1/2/3/4/5 in 59/11/22/38/16/4 patients, respectively. Seventy‐one patients (47.3%) were diagnosed with intestinal‐type cancer, while 76 patients (50.7%) were diagnosed with the diffuse type. The mean numbers of cells with EpCAM−CK+, EpCAM+CK−, EpCAM+CK+, EpCAM−CEA+, EpCAM+CEA−, and EpCAM+CEA+ were 618, 237, 19.9, 1147, 291, and 7.41, respectively. The number of EpCAM−CEA+cells was significantly higher in patients with stage II–III and IV than in patients with stage I. The 3‐year RFS rate in patients with a high number of EpCAM−CEA+cells (>=622) was 57.5%, while it was 79.3% in patients with a low number of EpCAM−CEA+cells (<622) (log‐rank p = 0.0079). Thus, we conclude that CEA‐positive CTCs will be a clinically beneficial biomarker in patients with gastric cancer.
Clinical presentations and outcomes of COVID‐19 infection in sickle cell disease patients: Case series from Komfo Anokye teaching hospital, Ghana
Authors: Hardy Yasmine O. , Amenuke Divine A. Y. , Abukari Yakubu , Oti‐Acheampong Alexander , Hutton‐Mensah Kojo , Amoah‐Dankwah James , Amoabeng Kontoh Samuel , Danso Kwabena Asimeng , Berchie Patrick Opoku , Otu‐Ansah Caleb 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPatients with sickle cell disease and COVID‐19 may not have a more dire outcome than the general population. Nevertheless, they may present with acute chest syndrome and other sickle cell crises which should be aggressively managed.
Validation of an oncology‐specific opioid risk calculator in cancer survivors
Authors: Riviere Paul , Vitzthum Lucas K. , Nalawade Vinit , Deka Rishi , Furnish Timothy , Mell Loren K. , Rose Brent S. , Wallace Mark , Murphy James D. 
Published: December 2020

BackgroundClinical guidelines recommend that providers risk‐stratify patients with cancer before prescribing opioids. Prior research has demonstrated that a simple cancer opioid risk score might help identify to patients with cancer at the time of diagnosis with a high likelihood of long‐term posttreatment opioid use. This current project validates this cancer opioid risk score in a generalizable, population‐based cohort of elderly cancer survivors.MethodsThis study identified 44,932 Medicare beneficiaries with cancer who had received local therapy. Longitudinal opioid use was ascertained from Medicare Part D data. A risk score was calculated for each patient, and patients were categorized into low‐, moderate‐, and high‐risk groups on the basis of the predicted probability of persistent opioid use. Model discrimination was assessed with receiver operating characteristic curves.ResultsIn the study cohort, 5.2% of the patients were chronic opioid users 1 to 2 years after the initiation of cancer treatment. The majority of the patients (64%) were at low risk and had a 1.2% probability of long‐term opioid use. Moderate‐risk patients (33% of the cohort) had a 5.6% probability of long‐term opioid use. High‐risk patients (3.5% of the cohort) had a 75% probability of long‐term opioid use. The opioid risk score had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.869.ConclusionsThis study found that a cancer opioid risk score could accurately identify individuals with a high likelihood of long‐term opioid use in a large, generalizable cohort of cancer survivors. Future research should focus on the implementation of these scores into clinical practice and how this could affect prescriber behavior and patient outcomes.Lay Summary

A novel 5‐question clinical decision tool allows physicians treating patients with cancer to accurately predict which patients will persistently be using opioid medications after completing therapy.
Follow‐up of patients subjected to direct and indirect pulp capping of young permanent teeth. A retrospective study
Authors: Llena Carmen , Hernández Miriam , Melo Maria , Sanz José Luis , Forner Leopoldo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectiveA retrospective study of the success rate of direct pulp capping (DPC) and indirect pulp capping (IPC) was carried out in children between 6–14 years‐old, considering separately primary caries or caries affecting teeth with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH).Material and methodsData were collected in a dental public health service. Following the inclusion criteria, 232 treatments were analyzed. Success was defined by the presence of a functional tooth without clinical signs or symptoms of pulpal or periapical disease. The success rate was correlated to patient gender, the affected tooth and the indication of therapy using the chi‐squared and Fisher exact test. The success time related to treatment type was evaluated through the Mann–Whitney test.ResultsThe IPC and DPC success rate was 99.4%, and 84.6%, respectively (p = .01). Success was significantly lower when caries affected teeth with MIH than when caries affected teeth without MIH (p = .01). The mean survival for DPC and IPC was 14.07 ± 1.30 and 15.98 ± 0.80 months, respectively (p = .07).ConclusionsWhen caries were located in teeth that were not affected by MIH, IPC was significantly more successful than DPC, but did not differ significantly when caries were placed in teeth with MIH.Key points
Minimally invasive therapy is a successful approach for decayed young permanent teeth.
The success of IPC was greater than the success of DPC wen caries was placed in teeth not affected by MIH.
In teeth not affected by MIH the success of DPC or IPC did not differ significantly.
Implant functionalization with mesoporous silica: A promising antibacterial strategy, but does such an implant osseointegrate?
Authors: Vandamme Katleen , Thevissen Karin , Mesquita Marcelo F. , Coropciuc Ruxandra‐Gabriella , Agbaje Jimoh , Thevissen Patrick , da Silva Wander José , Vleugels Jozef , De Cremer Kaat , Gerits Evelien , Martens Johan A. , Michiels Jan , Cammue Bruno P. A. , Braem Annabel 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesNew strategies for implant surface functionalization in the prevention of peri‐implantitis while not compromising osseointegration are currently explored. The aim of this in vivo study was to assess the osseointegration of a titanium‐silica composite implant, previously shown to enable controlled release of therapeutic concentrations of chlorhexidine, in the Göttingen mini‐pig oral model.Material and MethodsThree implant groups were designed: macroporous titanium implants (Ti‐Porous); macroporous titanium implants infiltrated with mesoporous silica (Ti‐Porous + SiO2); and conventional titanium implants (Ti‐control). Mandibular last premolar and first molar teeth were extracted bilaterally and implants were installed. After 1 month healing, the bone in contact with the implant and the bone regeneration in the peri‐implant gap was evaluated histomorphometrically.ResultsBone‐to‐implant contact and peri‐implant bone volume for Ti‐Porous versus Ti‐Porous + SiO2 implants did not differ significantly, but were significantly higher in the Ti‐Control group compared with Ti‐Porous + SiO2 implants. Functionalization of titanium implants via infiltration of a SiO2 phase into the titanium macropores does not seem to inhibit implant osseointegration. Yet, the importance of the implant macro‐design, in particular the screw thread design in a marginal gap implant surgery set‐up, was emphasized by the outstanding results of the Ti‐Control implant.ConclusionsNext‐generation implants made of macroporous Ti infiltrated with mesoporous SiO2 do not seem to compromise the osseointegration process. Such implant functionalization may be promising for the prevention and treatment of peri‐implantitis given the evidenced potential of mesoporous SiO2 for controlled drug release.
Curriculum making as relational practice: A qualitative ego‐network approach
Authors: Hizli Alkan Sinem 
Published: December 2020

AbstractProfessional networks of teachers have been well documented in education studies but there is still a need for a fine‐grained analysis of teachers' ego‐networks in the context of curriculum making. It is important to understand the nature and dynamics of teachers' connections and how teachers mediate their practices accordingly. This study employed a qualitative approach to examine eight secondary school teachers' ego‐networks from Scotland and Wales, which were constructed to talk about curriculum making. The aim of this study is to explore curriculum making as relational practice and to examine the structure, composition and the content of teachers' networks by drawing upon a critical realist perspective. Findings suggested that the qualities the relationships possess (relational goods & evils), context (national and organisational) and teacher agency are the three mechanisms to understand how teachers‐mediated curriculum making through their ego‐networks.
Nano‐Sized Au Particle‐Modified Carbon Nanotubes as an Effective and Stable Cathode for Li−CO2 Batteries
Authors: Kong Yulong , Gong Hao , Song Li , Jiang Cheng , Wang Tao , He Jianping 
Published: December 2020

AbstractLithium‐carbon dioxide (Li−CO2) batteries show a great potential in the fields of CO2 fixation and energy storage, and moreover the research of Li−CO2 batteries is of great significance to the practical application of Lithium‐air (Li‐air) batteries. However, the sluggish kinetics and high charging potential causing by the wide band gap insulator Li2CO3 make it extremely important to research cathode catalysts that can promote the decomposition of Li2CO3 and reduce the charge potential. Here, we prepared a composite of Au nanoparticles uniformly distribute on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) network (AuNPs/CNTs) as an efficient cathode catalyst. Benefitted by the small sized Li2CO3 which is easier to decompose during charge process, the AuNPs/CNTs‐based batteries exhibit a high specific capacity of 6399 mAh g−1, a low overpotential of 1.53 V and a stable cycling performance of 46 cycles, demonstrating the conspicuous catalytic performance of AuNPs/CNTs.
Unique Solvatochromic Behavior of Unsymmetrical Platinum‐Dithiolene Complexes Coordinated by 4,4’‐Dinonyl‐2,2’‐Bipyridine
Authors: Hori Aoi , Kim Yuna , Tahara Keishiro , Kadoya Tomofumi , Yamada Jun‐ichi , Kubo Kazuya 
Published: December 2020

AbstractUnsymmetrical metal dithiolene complexes [(nonyl‐bpy)Pt(dmit)] (1) and [(nonyl‐bpy)Pt(C8H4S8)] (2) (nonyl‐bpy=4,4‐dinonyl‐2,2‐bypiridine, dmit=4,5‐disulphanyl‐1,3‐dithiol‐2‐thionate(2−), C8H4S82−=2‐{(4,5‐ethylenedithio)‐1,3‐dithiole‐2‐ylidene}‐1,3‐dithiole‐4,5‐dithiolate(2−)) are synthesized in this study. For 1, two electronic absorption bands at approximately 466 and 584 nm in chloroform are observed and assigned to an intra‐ligand π−π* transition in the dmit moiety and an intramolecular‐mixed metal/ligand‐to‐ligand charge transfer transition (LL'CT) from its highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) to the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), respectively. Complex 2 exhibits two absorption bands at approximately 450 and 676 nm in chloroform. Both bands correspond to LL'CT from HOMO‐1 to LUMO and HOMO to LUMO. With increasing solvent polarity, the absorption bands from the HOMO‐LUMO transitions for 1 and 2 shift hypsochromically. Conversely, the 1 and 2 absorption bands exhibit red and blue shifts, respectively.