bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopic Characterisation of a Bio‐Inspired Ni‐Based Proton Reduction Catalyst Bearing a Pentadentate N2S3 Ligand with Improved Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Gotico Philipp , Moonshiram Dooshaye , Liu Cunming , Zhang Xiaoyi , Guillot Régis , Quaranta Annamaria , Halime Zakaria , Leibl Winfried , Aukauloo Ally 
Published: November 2019

AbstractInspired by the sulfur‐rich environment found in active hydrogenase enzymes, a Ni‐based proton reduction catalyst with pentadentate N2S3 ligand was synthesised. When coupled with [Ru(bpy)3]2+ (bpy=2,2′‐bipyridine) as photosensitiser and ascorbate as electron donor in a 1:1 mixture of dimethylacetamide and aqueous ascorbic acid/ascorbate buffer, the catalyst showed improved photocatalytic activity compared with a homologous counterpart bearing a tetradentate N2S2 ligand. The mechanistic pathway of photoinduced hydrogen evolution was comprehensively analysed through optical transient absorption and time‐resolved X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, which revealed important electronic and structural changes in the catalytic system during photoirradiation. The NiII catalyst undergoes a photoinduced metal‐centred reduction to form a NiI intermediate with distorted square‐bipyramidal geometry. Further kinetic analyses revealed differences in charge‐separation dynamics between the pentadentate and tetradentate forms.
Influence of outlet orientation and variable tube length on high temperature zones of U‐tube trisection helical baffle electric heaters
Authors: Gu Huaduo , Chen Yaping , Wu Jiafeng , Song Ning , Yang Shifan 
Published: November 2019

AbstractNumerical simulation was performed to optimize temperature distribution especially at high temperature zones at the rear part of U‐tube bundle electric heaters with unique one‐plus‐two U‐tube layouts. The influences of variable tube lengths and different outlet nozzle orientations on flow and thermal features on axial separation trisection helical baffle schemes in contrast to segmental schemes were investigated. The results show that the variable tube length schemes can effectively ameliorate high temperature zones and obtain more uniform temperature fields. The mean heat transfer coefficient, h.t.c., and tube wall temperature, Tw, of the variable tube length scheme HV15(10)°‐180° are respectively 0.7% higher and 3.1 K lower than those of the normal scheme H15(10)°‐180°. The optimal relative position of the outlet and tube bundle for helical schemes is that the outlet axis is not only tangent to the last straight edge of the baffle but is also on the side near it, while the optimum outlet angle for the segmental scheme is 90° within the research scope. Compared with segmental scheme S200‐90°, the averaged heat transfer coefficients, h.t.c.s, and comprehensive indexes, h · Δp−1/3, of the helical baffle schemes HV15(10)°‐180°/HV15(10)°‐Ax respectively rise by 14.6/11.8% and 16.1/13.8%, while the average Tw declines by 40.7/33.3 K.
Assessing the effect of patient navigator assistance for psychosocial support services on health‐related quality of life in a randomized clinical trial in Latino breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors
Authors: Ramirez Amelie G. , Choi Byeong Yeob , Munoz Edgar , Perez Arely , Gallion Kipling J. , Moreno Patricia I. , Penedo Frank J. 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundAfter a diagnosis of prostate, breast, or colorectal cancer, Latinos experience higher mortality rates and lower health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in comparison with other ethnic/racial groups. Patient navigation (PN) and lay community health workers or promotores are effective in increasing cancer screening and early‐stage diagnosis among Latinos. However, little is known about the effect of PN on HRQOL among Latino cancer survivors.MethodsLatinos previously diagnosed with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer (n = 288) were randomized to 1 of 2 conditions: 1) the Patient Navigator LIVESTRONG Cancer Navigation Services (PN‐LCNS) survivor care program or 2) PN only. HRQOL was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–General, and cancer‐specific HRQOL was measured with the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Breast, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Prostate, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Colorectal for breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer survivors, respectively, at the baseline and at 3 follow‐up time points. Generalized estimating equation analyses were conducted to estimate the effect of condition on HRQOL with adjustments for covariates and baseline HRQOL.ResultsPN‐LCNS demonstrated a significant improvement in HRQOL in comparison with PN only for colorectal cancer survivors but not for breast and prostate cancer survivors.ConclusionsEnhanced PN improves HRQOL among Latino colorectal cancer survivors. Future research should identify the best strategies for engaging Latino survivors in PN programs. PN programs should also be adapted to address HRQOL concerns among Latina breast cancer survivors.
High‐dose chemotherapy plus peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for patients with relapsed germ cell tumors and active brain metastases
Authors: Kalra Maitri , Adra Nabil , Hanna Nasser , Abonour Rafat , Einhorn Lawrence H. 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundThe optimal management of progressive brain metastases in patients with germ cell tumors (GCTs) remains unsettled. This study reports the management of 25 consecutive patients with relapsed GCTs and progressive brain metastases undergoing high‐dose chemotherapy (HDCT) with peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) at Indiana University from 2006 to 2016.MethodsAll patients were planned to undergo HDCT, which consisted of carboplatin at 700 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3 plus etoposide at 750 mg/m2 on days 1 to 3, followed by PBSCT on day 5 for 2 cycles. Patients were treated with brain metastectomy, stereotactic radiotherapy or whole‐brain radiotherapy, HDCT alone, or a combination thereof. All 25 patients had progressive brain metastases at the time of initiating HDCT. Patient and disease characteristics, management of brain metastases, and outcomes were measured. Platelet transfusions were given to maintain platelet counts > 30,000/µL; the goal was >50,000/µL when there were signs of prior or active hemorrhaging.ResultsTwenty‐two of 25 patients completed both courses of HDCT. The median α‐fetoprotein level was 7.5 ng/mL (range, 1.6‐1130 ng/mL), and the human chorionic gonadotropin level was 31.3 IU/mL (range, 0.5‐25,601 IU/mL). At a median follow‐up of 24.5 months (range, 0.4‐117 months), 11 patients (44%) were alive with no evidence of disease, 2 patients were alive with relapsed disease, and 12 patients had died of disease progression or complications from HDCT. Fifteen patients developed progressive brain metastases despite radiation and/or craniotomy before HDCT, and 8 of these patients were alive without evidence of disease. There were no intracranial hemorrhagic events leading to death.ConclusionsPatients with relapsed GCTs and progressive brain metastases are curable with multimodality therapy that includes HDCT and peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
Pitfalls of FNA diagnosis of thymic tumors
Authors: Wang Minhua , Kundu Uma , Gong Yun 
Published: November 2019

BackgroundFine‐needle aspiration (FNA), a minimally invasive and cost‐effective procedure, often is used in the initial diagnosis of thymic lesions. However, the diagnosis can be challenging. Knowledge of the diagnostic pitfalls is important to improve diagnostic accuracy.MethodsThe authors retrospectively searched the pathology database of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center for FNA cases using the keywords “thymoma” or “thymic” in cytologic diagnoses or in corresponding final histologic diagnoses rendered from January 2002 to June 2018. The authors reviewed the FNA diagnostic accuracy and pitfalls in comparison with the final histologic diagnoses.ResultsA total of 118 FNA cases were identified from 115 patients. The FNA diagnoses were concordant with the final pathologic diagnoses in 110 cases (93.2%), including thymoma (97 cases), atypical thymoma (5 cases), and thymic carcinoma (8 cases). Discrepant FNA and final diagnoses were noted in 8 tumors (6.8%): thymoma versus atypical thymoma/thymic carcinoma (3 tumors), thymoma versus lymphoma (2 tumors), suspicious for lymphoma versus thymoma (1 tumor), and T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma versus thymoma (2 tumors). Factors contributing to misinterpretation included intrinsic limitations of the FNA sample (sampling error and a lack of histologic architecture information) and similarities of the cytologic and immunophenotypic features of lymphocyte‐rich thymoma and T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma.ConclusionsAn accurate FNA diagnosis of thymic tumors can be rendered in the majority of cases. Diagnostic pitfalls can be encountered in rare cases. It is important to handle each case carefully to avoid erroneous diagnoses that may lead to inappropriate treatment.
Adult neurogenesis and gliogenesis in the dorsal and ventral canine hippocampus
Authors: Bekiari Chryssa , Grivas Ioannis , Tsingotjidou Anastasia , Papadopoulos Georgios C. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractDentate gyrus (DG) of the mammalian hippocampus gives rise to new neurons and astrocytes all through adulthood. Canine hippocampus presents many similarities in fetal development, anatomy, and physiology with human hippocampus, establishing canines as excellent animal models for the study of adult neurogenesis. In the present study, BrdU‐dated cells of the structurally and functionally dissociated dorsal (dDG) and ventral (vDG) adult canine DG were comparatively examined over a period of 30 days. Each part's neurogenic potential, radial glia‐like neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferation and differentiation, migration, and maturation of their progenies were evaluated at 2, 5, 14, and 30 days post BrdU administration, with the use of selected markers (glial fibrillary acidic protein, doublecortin, calretinin and calbindin). Co‐staining of BrdU+ cells with NeuN or S100B permitted the parallel study of the ongoing neurogenesis and gliogenesis. Our findings reveal the comparatively higher populations of residing granule cells, proliferating NSCs and BrdU+ neurons in the dDG, whereas newborn neurons of the vDG showed a prolonged differentiation, migration, and maturation. Newborn astrocytes were found all along the dorso‐ventral axis, counting however for only 11% of newborn cell population. Comparative evaluation of adult canine and rat neurogenesis revealed significant differences in the distribution of resident and newborn granule cells along the dorso‐ventral axis, division pattern of adult NSCs, maturation time plan of newborn neurons, and ongoing gliogenesis. Concluding, spatial and temporal features of adult canine neurogenesis are similar to that of other gyrencephalic species, including humans, and justify the comparative examination of adult neurogenesis across mammalian species.
Heuristics for concurrent task scheduling on GPUs
Authors: López‐Albelda B. , Lázaro‐Muñoz A. J. , González‐Linares J. M. , Guil Nicolas 
Published: November 2019

SummaryConcurrent execution of tasks in GPUs can reduce the computation time of a workload by overlapping data transfer and execution commands. However, it is difficult to implement an efficient runtime scheduler that minimizes the workload makespan as many execution orderings should be evaluated. In this paper, we employ scheduling theory to build a model that takes into account the device capabilities, workload characteristics, constraints, and objective functions. In our model, GPU tasks scheduling is reformulated as a flow shop scheduling problem, which allow us to apply and compare well‐known heuristics already developed in the operations research field. In addition, we develop a new heuristic, specifically focused on executing GPU commands, that achieves better scheduling results than previous ones. It leverages on a precise GPU command execution model for both computation and data transfers to carry out more advantageous scheduling decisions. A comprehensive evaluation, showing the suitability and robustness of this new approach, is conducted in three different NVIDIA architectures (Kepler, Maxwell, and Pascal). Results confirm the proposed heuristic achieves the best results in more than 90% of the experiments. Furthermore, a comparison has been made with MPS (Multi‐Process Service), the NVIDIA API that deals with the execution of concurrent tasks, which shows that our solution obtains speed‐ups ranging from 1.15 to 1.20.
Effect of enclosure on reproductive allocation of wheatgrass Agropyron mongolicum populations in desert steppes
Authors: Li Guoqi , Zhao Panpan , Shao Wenshan , Jin Changqing , Song Lixiao , Chen Yanyun 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPlants generally adopt different reproductive strategies to adapt to their environments and increase their fitness. Here, we studied the effects of enclosure cultivation on the reproductive allocation of a wheatgrass species Agropyron mongolicum in the Desert steppes of Northern China. The results showed that: (a) after enclosure cultivation, the height, clump width, coverage, and clump biomass of A. mongolicum significantly increased by 78.96% (p = .040), 63.50% (p = .013), 50.89% (p = .032), and 205.38% (p = .022), respectively, whereas density did not show a significant change (p = .330). (b) Enclosure cultivation significantly affected the biomass of A. mongolicum. Compared with cultivation outside the fence, root, leaf, and spike biomass of A. mongolicum inside the fence significantly increased by 183.52% (p = .020), 334.09% (p = .011), and 381.25% (p = .005), respectively. In addition, root biomass was the highest among the components (38.53 and 13.59 g inside and outside the fence, respectively) and spike biomass was the lowest (6.16 and 1.28 g inside and outside the fence, respectively). (c) Enclosure cultivation affected elemental nutrient allocation and the caloric values of various components of A. mongolicum, and the caloric values are positively correlated with carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents. Enclosure cultivation significantly reduced carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus in the roots, as well as nitrogen and phosphorus in the spikes, but significantly increased nitrogen in the spikes by 9.78%. The caloric values of A. mongolicum inside and outside the fence in decreasing order were as follows: spikes > leaves > stems > roots. Comparison of cultivation effects between inside and outside the fence showed that the caloric values of the spikes and roots significantly increased by 0.92% and 1.60%, respectively, whereas those of the leaves significantly decreased by 0.70%. Our results demonstrate that the reproductive allocation of elemental nutrients and caloric values in nonreproductive and reproductive organs are plastic to arid environments.
Comprehensive Identification of Principal Lipid Classes and Tocochromanols in Silkworm (Antheraea pernyi and Bombyx mori) Pupae Oils
Authors: Wang Weifei , Xu Long , Zou Yuxiao , Pang Daorui , Shi Wei , Mu Lixia , Li Erna , Lan Dongming , Wang Yonghua , Liao Sentai 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA comprehensive identification of lipid compositions and tocochromanols in Antheraea pernyi (A. pernyi) and Bombyx mori (B. mori) pupae oil is reported in the present study. Fatty acid profiling shows that both oils contain high levels (79.67% vs 71.11%) of unsaturated fatty acids, especially linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Moreover, linolenic acid is preferentially enriched at the sn‐2 positions of triacylglycerols (TAGs). Liquid chromatograph‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) analysis demonstrates that POO (TAG with one palmitoyl and two oleoyls) is the primary TAG form with percentages of 20.18% in A. pernyi and 15.00% in B. mori. The dominating phospholipid species are phosphatidylcholine (PC, 30.40% vs 54.61%) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE, 34.82% vs 20.39%). Four sterol constituents with total contents of 382.56 ± 3.12 and 371.65 ± 2.98 µg g−1 are identified and analyzed quantitatively. Additionally, the levels of tocochromanols (20.15 ± 0.89 vs 17.15 ± 0.71 mg g−1) are quantified in both silkworm pupae oils. Overall, silkworm oil acts as an enriched source of functional lipids and tocochromanols.Practical Applications: A systematic investigation on the principal lipid classes and tocochromanols of Antheraea pernyi pupae and Bombyx mori pupae oil is reported in this study. The informative data provide supporting evidence for comprehensive utilization of silkworm oil for production of nutritional and healthy products.
Prostate Cancer Phenotype Influences Bone Mineralization at Metastasis: A Study Using an In Vitro Prostate Cancer Metastasis Testbed
Authors: Molla MD Shahjahan , Katti Dinesh R , Iswara Jairam , Venkatesan Renugopalakrishnan , Paulmurugan Ramasamy , Katti Kalpana S 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACTIn this study, two types of prostate cancer cell lines, highly metastatic PC‐3 and low metastatic MDA PCa 2b (PCa) were cultured on bone mimetic scaffolds to recapitulate metastasis to bone. A unique in vitro 3D tumor model that uses a sequential culture (SC) of human mesenchymal stem cells followed by seeding with cancer cells after bone formation was initiated to study the phenotype‐specific interaction between prostate cancer cells and bone microenvironment. The PCa cells were observed to be less prolific and less metastatic, and to form multicellular tumoroids in the bone microenvironment, whereas PC‐3 cells were more prolific and were highly metastatic, and did not form multicellular tumoroids in the bone microenvironment. The metastatic process exhibited by these two prostate cancer cell lines showed a significant and different effect on bone mineralization and extracellular matrix formation. Excessive bone formation in the presence of PC‐3 and significant osteolysis in the presence of PCa were observed, which was also indicated by osteocalcin and MMP‐9 expression as measured by ELISA and qRT‐PCR. The field emission scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the structure of mineralized collagen in the presence of PC‐3 is different than the one observed in healthy bone. All experimental results indicated that both osteolytic and osteoblastic bone lesions can be recapitulated in our tumor testbed model and that different cancer phenotypes have a very different influence on bone at metastasis. The 3D in vitro model presented in this study provides an improved, reproducible, and controllable system that is a useful tool to elucidate osteotropism of prostate cancer cells. © 2019 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Generation and phenotype analysis of CysLTR1 L118F mutant mice
Authors: Hu Xiaojun , Mao Junjie , Zhou Bin , Zhang Huitao , Li Bing , Pang Pengfei , Shan Hong 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCysteinyl leukotrienes (CysLTs) are a group of eicosanoids that regulate the pathogenesis of various human diseases, mainly by signaling through the cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLTR1). The aim of this study was to generate and examine the phenotype of CysLTR1 L118F mutant mice. CysLTR1 L118F mutant mice were generated by the simultaneous microinjection of single guide RNA, Cas9 messenger RNA, and donor plasmid into fertilized mouse eggs. The morphological and behavioral characteristics of the resultant CysLTR1 L118F mutant mice were analyzed using an animal phenotype analysis platform, which included the assessment of body length, tail length, grip strength, and locomotor activity. Immunoprecipitation coupled with mass spectrometry was performed to identify CysLTR1‐interacting proteins, and the intracellular calcium levels were determined using fluorometric imaging plate reader assays. The body length and tail length of CysLTR1 L118F mutant mice were significantly increased compared with wild‐type mice. In addition, the grip strength and locomotor activity were remarkably elevated in L118F mutant mice compared with wild‐type mice. Only three proteins were found to interact with both wild‐type and CysLTR1 L118F proteins, whereas 4 and 13 additional proteins interacted exclusively with wild‐type and mutant CysLTR1, respectively. Lastly, the responsiveness of cardiac muscle cells to CysLTs were significantly impaired by the L118F substitution in CysLTR1 proteins. The CysLTR1 L118F point mutation induced significant changes in the mouse morphology and behavior, which might be mediated by alterations of its protein interaction profile.
Combinatorial screening of polymer nanoparticles for their ability to recognize epitopes of AAV‐neutralizing antibodies
Authors: Piletska Elena V. , Mirkes Eugeny , Piletsky Stanislav S. , Abosoglu Hasan , Cassim Alfeshani , Chu Edmund , Doughty Simon , Eganda Shaun‐Jones , Fuchigami Hikari , Hussein Aleah , Olickal Meedhu , Parmar Neelay , Sebastian Akhil , Piletsky Sergey A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA library of 17 nanoparticles made of acrylate and methacrylate copolymers is prepared, characterized, and screened against six epitopes of adeno‐associated viruses (AAV)‐neutralizing antibodies to assess their affinity and specificity. Peptide epitopes are immobilized onto the surface of glass beads, packed in filtration microplates, and incubated with fluorescein‐labelled nanoparticles. Following intense washing, the affinity of nanoparticles to immobilized epitopes is assessed by measuring the fluorescence of captured nanoparticles. The results show that polar monomers, acrylic acid in particular, have a positive impact on polymer affinity towards all peptides used in this study. The presence of hydrophobic monomers, on other hand, has a negative impact on polymer binding. The composition of peptides used in this study has no noticeable impact on the affinity of synthesized nanoparticles. The affinity of nanoparticles with the highest affinity to peptide targets does not exceed millimolar level. Overall, it is found that the synthesized library showed modest affinity but lacked specificity, which should be further “tuned,” for example, by using molecular imprinting to achieve an acceptable level of affinity and specificity for practical application.
Norovirus‐associated gastroenteritis, Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil, 2014‐2017
Authors: Guarines Klarissa M. , Mendes Renata P. G. , de Magalhães Jurandy J. F. , Pena Lindomar 
Published: November 2019

AbstractNorovirus (NoV) is currently the leading cause of nonbacterial gastroenteritis. In Brazil, few studies have characterized the molecular, epidemiological and clinical features of NoV‐associated gastroenteritis. This study aimed to describe the molecular and clinicoepidemiological findings of NoV infections in patients of all ages throughout Pernambuco state, Northeast Brazil. Thus, 1135 stool samples were analyzed from patients with gastroenteritis from Pernambuco state. NoV was detected by enzyme immunoassay in 125 (11.01%) samples. Regarding gender distribution, 55 (44.00%) patients were female and 70 (56.00%) male. Their ages ranged from 5 days to 87 years, and the group most affected by NoV infection (88.00%) was children under 3 years. Complete clinical information was available for 88 out of 125 NoV‐positive patients. Diarrhea was present in all patients and vomiting was reported in 60 patients (68.68%). Nine patients (10.22%) had bloody stools and 46 (52.27%) had a fever, with temperatures ranging from 37.90°C to 39.90°C (mean 38.20°C). NoV was detected mainly in the summer‐autumn seasons. Genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses identified four different NoV GII genotypes circulating in this area of the country. Therefore, our study provided valuable information about the clinics and epidemiology of NoV infection in tropical settings and will assist health authorities to develop better control strategies against this important pathogen.