bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functionalized diamond nanoparticles as a drug delivery system: Loading and release study
Authors: Rouhani Parvaneh , Govindaraju Nirmal , Iyer Janaki K. , Kaul Rashmi , Kaul Anil , Singh Raj N. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common infectious disease in the United States, costing about $ 3.5 billion annually in treatment. As resistance to antibiotics becomes more common, a greater need for alternative treatments, including low‐dosage and cellular‐targeted antibiotic for treating UTIs, is required. Nanodiamond particles (NDPs) are attractive drug delivery platforms because of their stable, inert core and reactive but functionalizable surfaces. In addition, diamond nanoparticles show multiplicity of stable optical emission wavelengths offering a strong possibility that one or more of optical emissions can be used for optical transduction based biosensing applications. Recently and for the first time, a stable amoxicillin loading on purified and polyethyleneimine (PEI)‐functionalized NDPs has been demonstrated through our research. This research paper describes further study on the amoxicillin‐loaded NDPs by quantifying the amoxicillin loading on 6 and 25 nm NDPs and study of amoxicillin release at different pH as well as investigation of PEI release if any from these NDPs. As PEI is not detectable by UV–Vis spectrophotometer, we developed a technique of attaching copper ions to PEI polymer so that PEI can be traced and detected in the presence of amoxicillin by UV–Vis spectroscopy. The results showed that 1 g PEI‐functionalized 6 or 25 nm NDPs produced successful loading of 19 and 48 mg amoxicillin, respectively, as demonstrated by FTIR, dynamic light scattering (DLS) and UV–Vis characterization. The mechanism of drug release with respect to PEI is explained, and results show almost 85% of the drug is released in 20 hr in pH 4 at the body temperature. The results also demonstrated that there is no PEI release from the 25 nm NDPs, when the amoxicillin is released, which can be a therapeutic benefit property for drug delivery.
Boundary blow‐up rate of solutions to elliptic cooperative systems
Authors: Wang Ying 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis paper shows the existence, uniqueness, and boundary blow‐up rate of large solution of cooperative systems of the form
in a bounded smooth domain Ω⊂RN, bi(x) is nonnegative weight function that can be singular on ∂Ω, and the exponents verify λi∈R,ai>0,pi>1,qi>0 for i=1,2, and q1q2<p1p2.
P(MMA‐co‐AA) Nanoparticles Loaded with Clioquinol and Functionalized with TAT Peptide
Authors: Campos Izabella Maria Ferreira , de Barros Ivan Ricardo , Ferraz Helen Conceição , Pinto José Carlos 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPolymer nanoparticles produced through miniemulsion polymerizations can be used for design of drug encapsulation and targeted delivery systems. Particularly, the immobilization of functional groups on the surfaces of polymeric nanoparticles enables the development of targeted delivery systems, intended for particle absorption by specific body tissues, favoring the treatment of diseases. For this reason, in the present work poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐acrylic acid) (P(MMA‐co‐AA)) nanoparticles loaded with clioquinol are prepared through in situ miniemulsion polymerizations for the first time. Besides, nanoparticles are functionalized with a cell‐penetrating trans‐activating transcriptor (TAT) peptide for the first time, to show that incorporation of carboxylic groups (from acrylic acid (AA)) on the particle surfaces provides an effective route for functionalization of nanoparticles with biomolecules. Particularly, it is shown that spherical particles with average sizes between 60 and 100 nm and zeta potential of −50 mV are produced and that the TAT peptide is successfully immobilized onto the particle surfaces. Besides, it is also shown that the clioquinol encapsulation efficiency is equal to 97%. In vitro tests show that 50% of the initial load of clioquinol is released after 9 h of test.
Parallelized combined finite‐discrete element (FDEM) procedure using multi‐GPU with CUDA
Authors: Liu Quansheng , Wang Weiqin , Ma Hao 
Published: December 2019

SummaryThis paper focuses on the efficiency of finite discrete element method (FDEM) algorithmic procedures in massive computers and analyzes the time‐consuming part of contact detection and interaction computations in the numerical solution. A detailed operable GPU parallel procedure was designed for the element node force calculation, contact detection, and contact interaction with thread allocation and data access based on the CUDA computing. The emphasis is on the parallel optimization of time‐consuming contact detection based on load balance and GPU architecture. A CUDA FDEM parallel program was developed with the overall speedup ratio over 53 times after the fracture from the efficiency and fidelity performance test of models of in situ stress, UCS, and BD simulations in Intel i7‐7700K CPU and the NVIDIA TITAN Z GPU. The CUDA FDEM parallel computing improves the computational efficiency significantly compared with the CPU‐based ones with the same reliability, providing conditions for achieving larger‐scale simulations of fracture.
High‐resolution diffusion MRI studies of development in pregnant mice visualized by novel spatiotemporal encoding schemes
Authors: Bao Qingjia , Liberman Gilad , Solomon Eddy , Frydman Lucio 
Published: December 2019

This study introduces an MRI approach to map diffusion of water in vivo with high resolution under challenging conditions; the approach's potential is then used in diffusivity characterizations of embryos and fetoplacental units in pregnant mice, as well as of newborn mice in their initial postnatal period. The method relies on performing self‐referenced spatiotemporal encoded MRI acquisitions, which can achieve the motional and susceptibility immunities needed to target challenging regions such as a mouse's abdominal cavity in a single shot. When suitably combined with zooming‐in and novel interleaving procedures, these scans can overcome the inhomogeneity and sensitivity challenges arising upon targeting ≈100 μm in‐plane resolutions, and thereby enable longitudinal development studies of abdominal organs that have hitherto eluded in vivo diffusion‐weighted imaging. This is employed here to follow processes related to embryonic implantation and placentation, including the final stages of mouse gastrulation, the development of white matter in fetal brains, the maturation of fetal spines, and the evolution of the different layers making up mouse hemochorial placentas. The protocol's ability to extract diffusivity information in challenging regions as a function of embryonic mouse development is thus demonstrated, and its usefulness as a tool for visualizing pregnancy‐related developmental changes in rodents is discussed.
Enhanced miscibility and strain resistance of blended elastomer/π‐conjugated polymer composites through side chain functionalization towards stretchable electronics
Authors: Pakhnyuk Viktoria , Onorato Jonathan W , Steiner Emily J , Cohen Theodore A , Luscombe Christine K 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis work presents improved compatibility in an elastomer/π‐conjugated polymer blend through side chain functionalization of the electronic polymer. Poly[(3‐(6‐bromohexyl)thiophene)‐ran‐(3‐hexylthiophene)] (P3BrxHT, x = 0%–100%) was synthesized (i) to improve miscibility with polybutadiene (PB) elastomer through altered π–π interactions and (ii) to covalently bond across phase‐segregated interfaces. Functionalization led to morphology with reduced domain sizes to improve crack onset strain from 7% to 40%. Furthermore, UV‐activated crosslinking reinforced mechanically weak interfaces and yielded at least an additional 40% increase in crack onset strain. Charge mobility in PB/P3BrxHT organic field‐effect transistors showed minimal dependence on bromide concentration and no negative effects from crosslinking. Functionalization was an effective method to reduce brittleness in PB/P3BrxHT blends through morphology modification and crosslinking to improve stability towards strain for potential stretchable electronic applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
A DFT study on optical, electronic, and charge transport properties of star‐shaped benzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′:5,6‐b″]trithiophene oligomers
Authors: Tripathi Anuj , Kozaderov Oleg , Shikhaliev Khidmet , Prabhakar Chetti 
Published: December 2019

AbstractWe present a study of optical and electronic properties along with reorganization energies in benzo[1,2‐b:3,4‐b′:5,6‐b″]trithiophene (BTT) and its oligomers. The primary objective of this work is to study the effect of the addition of BTT units to the core BTT, on the absorption, electronic, and charge transport properties, using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The absorption spectra of all molecules were calculated by employing time‐dependent DFT (TDDFT) methodology. The results show that the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), HOMO‐LUMO energy gap, ionization potentials (IPs), electron affinities (EAs), and reorganization energies (λ) are dramatically affected upon the addition of each BTT unit to the core BTT.
History‐informed strategy research: The promise of history and historical research methods in advancing strategy scholarship
Authors: Argyres Nicholas S. , De Massis Alfredo , Foss Nicolai J. , Frattini Federico , Jones Geoffrey , Silverman Brian S. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractResearch SummaryThe last decade has witnessed an increasing interest in the use of history and historical research methods in strategy research. We discuss how and why history and historical research methods can enrich theoretical explanations of strategy phenomena. In addition, we introduce the notions of “history‐informed strategy research,” distinguishing between the dimensions of “history to theory” and “history in theory” and discussing various under‐utilized methods that may further work on history‐informed strategy research. We then discuss how contemporary research contributes to history‐informed research within the strategy field, examine key methodological and empirical challenges associated with such research, and develop an agenda for future research.Managerial SummaryFirms are increasingly making use of their historical past as they reflect on their identities and how these can be used strategically. At the same time, strategy researchers are paying increasing to the use of historical research methods, as well as to how firms use history strategically. We take stock on the role of history in strategy research, outline the key strategic issues that can be informed by a historical way of doing research, discuss the available historical methods, and offer suggestions for future research in the history/strategy intersection.
Cover Image, Volume 12, Issue 1
Authors: Mukund Kavitha , Subramaniam Shankar 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe cover image is based on the Advanced Review Skeletal Muscle: A Review of Molecular Structure and Function, In Health and Disease, by Kavitha Mukund and Shankar Subramaniam. https://doi.org/10.1002/wsbm.1462
image
Efficacy of oral administration of cystine and theanine in colorectal cancer patients undergoing capecitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery: a multi-institutional, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, phase II trial (JORTC-CAM03)
Authors: Hamaguchi Reo , Tsuchiya Takashi , Miyata Go , Sato Toshihiko , Takahashi Kenichi , Miura Koh , Oshio Hiroshi , Ohori Hisatsugu , Ariyoshi Keisuke , Oyamada Shunsuke , Iwase Satoru 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Purpose
Capecitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients often causes adverse events (AEs), such as diarrhea, stomatitis, anorexia, and hand-foot syndrome (HFS). Cystine and theanine were reported to attenuate some chemotherapy-associated AEs, and hence are also expected to attenuate capecitabine-induced AEs. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of cystine/theanine treatment in colorectal cancer patients undergoing capecitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery.

Methods
A total of 100 colorectal cancer patients treated with capecitabine as an adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery were randomly allocated into the cystine/theanine group (n = 52) or the placebo group (n = 48). The primary endpoint was incidence rate of diarrhea of grade 1 or higher in accordance with the Common Terminology Criteria for AEs (CTCAE) v.4.0, Japanese Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) version. The secondary endpoints included incidence rates of other AEs (CTCAE v.4.0-JCOG), as well as the incidence rate of HFS according to the HFS grading scale.

Results
There were no significant differences in capecitabine-induced AEs between the two groups. However, the incidence rate of diarrhea of grade 1 or higher tended to be lower in the cystine/theanine group than the placebo group (18.4% vs. 28.9%, p = 0.169) as well as the incidence rate of HFS of grade 1 or higher (CTCAE v.4.0-JCOG or HFS grading scale) (67.4% vs. 77.8%, p = 0.185, 67.3% vs. 80.0%, p = 0.124, respectively).

Conclusion
This trial demonstrated that cystine/theanine treatment of colorectal cancer patients undergoing capecitabine-based adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery is safe and has the tendency to reduce the incidence rate of diarrhea or HFS.

Trial registration
UMIN000024784
Work tool-related eye injuries: Helsinki Ocular Trauma Study
Authors: Sahraravand Ahmad , Haavisto Anna-Kaisa , Puska Päivi , Leivo Tiina 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPurposeTo quantify and characterize the epidemiology, treatments, long-term outcome, and use of resources for work tool-related eye injuries and their severity.MethodsWe included all new patients with a work tool-related eye injury treated at the Helsinki University Eye Hospital in 1 year. The data were from hospital records, examinations, and patient questionnaires. The follow-ups were at 3 months and 6 years.ResultsWork tools caused 3% (37/1151) of all eye injuries. The mean age was 37 and 84% were men. Most injuries (84%) occurred at work (17) or at home (15). There were 14 minor injuries, 12 contusions, 9 open globe injuries (OGI), and 2 eyelid wounds. The annual incidence of work tool-related eye injuries was 2.4/100,000 and hospitalization 0.6/100,000. At 6-year follow-up, we re-examined 18 patients and 17 were interviewed by phone. Four patients were blinded. We recorded 690 sick leave days and 43 major operations. No traumatic glaucoma was diagnosed. Fifteen patients needed lifelong follow-up. Permanent impairment occurred in 30% (11) of work tool-related eye injuries, from whom, nine were caused by manual tools. Work tools comprised 10% of the permanently impaired, but 2.5% of the non-permanently impaired cases among all eye injuries (1151).ConclusionThe proportional difference between the permanently impaired and the non-permanently impaired was higher in work tool-related eye injuries than other causes reported in previous Helsinki Ocular Trauma Studies. High-risk injuries were mainly caused by manual tools and nails and resulted in OGI.
Characterizing health state utilities associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy: a systematic review
Authors: Szabo Shelagh M. , Audhya Ivana F. , Malone Daniel C. , Feeny David , Gooch Katherine L. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundPreferences for health states for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) are necessary to assess costs and benefits of novel therapies. Because DMD progression begins in childhood, the impact of DMD on health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) affects preferences of both DMD patients and their families. The objective of this review was to synthesize published evidence for health state utility from the DMD patient and caregiver perspectives.MethodsA systematic review was performed using MEDLINE and Embase, according to best practices. Data were extracted from studies reporting DMD patient or caregiver utilities; these included study and patient characteristics, health states considered, and utility estimates. Quality appraisal of studies was performed.ResultsFrom 888 abstracts, eight publications describing five studies were identified. DMD utility estimates were from preference-based measures presented stratified by ambulatory status, ventilation, and age. Patient (or patient–proxy) utility estimates ranged from 0.75 (early ambulatory DMD) to 0.05 (day-and-night ventilation). Caregiver utilities ranged from 0.87 (for caregivers of adults with DMD) to 0.71 (for caregivers of predominantly childhood patients). Both patient and caregiver utilities trended lower with higher disease severity. Variability in utilities was observed based on instrument, respondent type, and country. Utility estimates for health states within non-ambulatory DMD are under reported; nor were utilities for DMD-related health states such as scoliosis or preserved upper limb function identified.ConclusionPublished health state utilities document the substantial HRQoL impacts of DMD, particularly with disease progression. Additional research in patient utilities for additional health states, particularly in non-ambulatory DMD patients, is warranted.
Haemodynamic efficacy of microaxial left ventricular assist device in cardiogenic shock: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: van Dort D. I. M. , Peij K. R. A. H. , Manintveld O. C. , Hoeks S. E. , Morshuis W. J. , van Royen N. , Ten Cate T. , Geuzebroek G. S. C 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe Impella percutaneous mechanical circulatory support device is designed to augment cardiac output and reduce left ventricular wall stress and aims to improve survival in cases of cardiogenic shock. In this meta-analysis we investigated the haemodynamic effects of the Impella device in a clinical setting. We systematically searched all articles in PubMed/Medline and Embase up to July 2019. The primary outcomes were cardiac power (CP) and cardiac power index (CPI). Survival rates and other haemodynamic data were included as secondary outcomes. For the critical appraisal, we used a modified version of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services quality assessment form. The systematic review included 12 studies with a total of 596 patients. In 258 patients the CP and/or CPI could be extracted. Our meta-analysis showed an increase of 0.39 W [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.24, 0.54], (p = 0.01) and 0.22 W/m2 (95% CI: 0.18, 0.26), (p < 0.01) for the CP and CPI, respectively. The overall survival rate was 56% (95% CI: 0.50, 0.62), (p = 0.09). The quality of the studies was moderate, mostly due to the presence of confounders. Our study suggests that in patients with cardiogenic shock, Impella support seems effective in augmenting CP(I). This study merely investigates the haemodynamic effectiveness of the Impella device and does not reflect the complete clinical impact for the patient.
The contribution of ‘chitoumou’, the edible caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi, to the food security of smallholder farmers in southwestern Burkina Faso
Authors: Payne Charlotte L. R. , Badolo Athanase , Cox Sioned , Sagnon Bakary , Dobermann Darja , Milbank Charlotte , Scarborough Pete , Sanon Antoine , Bationo Fernand , Balmford Andrew 
Published: December 2019

AbstractEdible insects have been advocated as a means to combat food insecurity, which is prevalent in West Africa. In this study we look at the contribution of the shea caterpillar Cirina butyrospermi, colloquially known as ‘chitoumou’, to the food security of smallholder households in rural southwestern Burkina Faso. We used a mixed methods approach to understand the relationship between caterpillar collection, consumption, and sale by smallholder households, and their seasonal food security status. We found that caterpillars are an important source of food and income for households, significantly increasing the household consumption of animal protein and, with shea nuts, representing the main income source for the majority of women. We also found that food security is higher during caterpillar season, and that household-level food security during this season can be predicted by the amount of caterpillars collected, consumed and sold. However, this relationship holds only during the caterpillar season, suggesting that the positive impact of caterpillars on food security is temporally limited. We conclude that the shea caterpillar is an example of an edible insect that is crucial for seasonal food security in a widespread agricultural system.
In vitro probiotic characterization of high GABA producing strain Lactobacilluas brevis DSM 32386 isolated from traditional “wild” Alpine cheese
Authors: Mancini Andrea , Carafa Ilaria , Franciosi Elena , Nardin Tiziana , Bottari Benedetta , Larcher Roberto , Tuohy Kieran M. 
Published: December 2019

Abstract
Purpose
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) is recognised as a potential metabolic bioactive food ingredient with increasing evidence of its effects on the gut-brain axis and systemic metabolic health. Different lactic acid bacteria are capable of producing GABA, particularly strains of Lactobacillus brevis. In this study, we characterized a Lb. brevis isolated from traditional alpine cheese (Lb. brevis DSM 32386) for its ability to accumulate high levels of GABA in the culture medium and for other important probiotic phenotypic traits.

Methods
In vitro analysis were used to study the Lb. brevis DSM 32386 probiotic traits and the gene expression involved in GABA production

Result
Lactobacillus brevis DSM 32386 converted monosodium glutamate to GABA more efficiently than the type strain Lb. brevis DSM 20054, resulting in more than 200% of GABA produced. This ability seemed to be related to the higher transcriptional activation of the gene encoding for the glutamate (gad) decarboxylase antiporter (gadC) and regulator (gadR). Lactobacillus brevis DSM 32386 performed well in vitro under the stress conditions mimicking the gastro-intestinal tract, being resistant to acid pH (pH 2.5) and growing in simulated pancreatic fluid and 0.3% ox-bile.

Conclusion
These preliminary studies indicate that Lb. brevis DSM 32386 holds promise as a starter for GABA-rich dairy fermented foods and possibly a promising next-generation probiotic microorganism in the context of the gut (microbiota):brain axis.