bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of endogenous fluorescence in nonsmall lung cancerous cells: A comparison with nonmalignant lung normal cells
Authors: Awasthi Kamlesh , Chang Feng‐Lin , Hsieh Pei‐Ying , Hsu Hsin‐Yun , Ohta Nobuhiro 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMonitoring fluorescence properties of endogenous fluorophores such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in normal and cancerous cells provide substantial information noninvasively on biochemical and biophysical aspects of metabolic dysfunction of cancerous cells. Time‐resolved spectral profiles and fluorescence lifetime images of NADH and FAD were obtained in human lung nonsmall carcinomas (H661 and A549) and normal lung cells (MRC‐5). Both fluorophores show the fast and slowly decaying emission components upon pulsed excitation, and fluorescence spectra of NADH and FAD show blue‐ and red‐shifts, respectively, during their decay. All identified lifetime components of NADH and FAD were found to be shorter in cancerous cells than in normal cells, no matter how they were measured under different extra‐cellular conditions (cells suspended in cuvette and cells attached on glass substrate), indicating that the changes in metabolism likely altered the subcellular milieu and potentially also affected the interaction of NADH and FAD with enzymes to which these cofactors were bound. The intensity ratio of NADH and FAD of cancerous cells was also shown to be larger than that of normal cells.
Noninvasive detection of nanoscale structural changes in cornea associated with cross‐linking treatment
Authors: Zhou Yi , Alexandrov Sergey , Nolan Andrew , Das Nandan , Dey Rajib , Leahy Martin 
Published: February 2020

AbstractCorneal cross‐linking (CXL) using ultraviolet‐A (UVA) irradiation with a riboflavin photosensitizer has grown from an interesting concept to a practical clinical treatment for corneal ectatic diseases globally, such as keratoconus. To characterize the corneal structural changes, existing methods such as X‐ray microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, histology and optical coherence tomography (OCT) have been used. However, these methods have various drawbacks such as invasive detection, the impossibility for in vivo measurement, or limited resolution and sensitivity to structural alterations. Here, we report the application of oversampling nanosensitive OCT for probing the corneal structural alterations. The results indicate that the spatial period increases slightly after 30 minutes riboflavin instillation but decreases significantly after 30 minutes UVA irradiation following the Dresden protocol. The proposed noninvasive method can be implemented using existing OCT systems, without any additional components, for detecting nanoscale changes with the potential to assist diagnostic assessment during CXL treatment, and possibly to be a real‐time monitoring tool in clinics.
Study of adsorption properties of synthesized mesoporous silica doped with dysprosium and modified with nickel
Authors: Filippova Elena O. , Shafigulin Roman V. , Tokranov Alexander A. , Shmelev Alexander А. , Bulanova Andzhela V. , Pimerzin Andrey А. , Karaev Alexander A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMesoporous silica (MPS) modified with nickel and MPS doped with dysprosium and modified with nickel have been synthesized by the template method. The adsorbents are characterized by various techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, and X‐ray fluorescence analyses. The adsorption properties of the synthesized samples have been investigated by inverse gas chromatography. Furthermore, thermodynamic characteristics of the adsorption of test compound belonging to different classes of organic compounds were obtained. In addition, the contributions of the energy of specific interactions to the total adsorption energy were calculated. It is also shown that entropy plays the determining role in the adsorption of test compounds on synthesized mesoporous materials.
Design, synthesis, molecular docking, and spectral studies of new class of carbazolyl polyhydroquinoline derivatives as promising antibacterial agents with noncytotoxicity towards human mononuclear cells from peripheral blood
Authors: Venkatapathy Karuppan , Magesh Chinnaiyan J. , Lavanya Gnanamani , Perumal Paramasivam T. , Prema Sekar 
Published: February 2020

AbstractIn the present study, we report the design and eco‐benign synthesis of new class of carbazolyl‐1,4‐dihydropyridine (1,4‐CDHP) and carbazolyl‐1,8‐dioxodecahydroacridine (CAD) derivatives via a three‐component coupling reaction of substituted carbazole aldehydes, ethyl acetoacetate/dimedone, and ammonium acetate under solvent‐free conditions at 112°C to 115°C. We also report an efficient one‐pot synthesis of new class of carbazolyl polyhydroquinoline (CPQ) derivatives via a four‐component coupling reaction of substituted ethyl acetoacetate, dimedone, ammonium acetate, and carbazole aldehydes in acetonitrile/water medium (3:1) at 73°C to 75°C in moderate yields. All the products were thoroughly characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), mass spectral, and CHN analysis. The synthesized heterocyclic compounds were evaluated for their in vitro antibacterial activity against pathogenic strains of both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the active compounds was evaluated by macrodilution method. The CPQ derivative (8a) displayed superior antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella typhi with the MIC values of 16.0 to 32.0 μg/mL in comparison with the reference drug. The mechanism of antibacterial action of the CPQ derivatives was investigated via scanning electron microscope (SEM) studies. The molecular docking studies indicate that the CPQ derivative (8a) binds to the cell wall protein of E coli and P aeruginosa by formation of hydrogen bonds with amino acid residues (TYR328 and GLU249) of the bacterial cell wall protein. The 1,4‐CDHP, CAD, and CPQ derivatives were either noncytotoxic or exhibited minimal cytotoxicity towards human mononuclear cells from peripheral blood. All the products were evaluated for Lipinski rule of five (RO5) and were found to have good oral bioavailability.
TiCl4‐Et3N‐mediated one‐step synthesis of γ‐alkylidenebutenolides from ketones: Application to natural product synthesis
Authors: Li Xingyi , Wang Yanhong , Fu Kai , Hu Zhiyong , Li Zhichun , Ma Wenbing , Xun Miao‐Miao , Yuan Changchun 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTiCl4‐Et3N‐mediated condensation of ketones with methyl pyruvate afforded γ‐alkylidene butenolides via a tandem cross‐aldol addition/dehydroxylation/intramolecular lactonization process in one‐pot. The application of the methodology to the straightforward synthesis of elem‐1,3,7,8‐tetraen‐8,12‐olide, chloranthalactone A, and dehydromenthofurolactone, is demonstrated.
Altered Functional Connectivity of Hypothalamus in Lifelong Premature Ejaculation Patients
Authors: Gao Ming , Feng Nana , Wu Jiayu , Sun Jianhua , Zhang Lei , Guo Xinlong , Yuan Jianlin , Guo Jun , Liu Peng 
Published: February 2020

BackgroundAs one of the most prevalent sexual dysfunctions in men, lifelong premature ejaculation (PE) often leads to patient distress. The hypothalamus is implicated in the ejaculatory control of healthy males. However, we do not know whether the hypothalamus‐related intrinsic connectivity is altered in lifelong PE patients.PurposeTo investigate abnormal intrinsic connectivity of the hypothalamus in lifelong PE patients compared with healthy controls (HCs).Study TypeProspective pilot study using cross‐sectional data of patients and HCs.SubjectsForty‐seven lifelong PE patients and 30 HCs were included in this study.Field Strength/Sequence3.0T MRI scanner for T1‐weighted imaging using spoiled gradient recalled echo sequence and functional imaging using a single‐shot gradient recalled echo sequence.AssessmentPreprocessing of MRI data and hypothalamus‐seeded functional connectivity (FC) computation were performed using DPABI4.1.Statistical TestsThe two‐sample t‐test within SPM12 was adopted to examine possible alterations of intrinsic connectivity of hypothalamus in lifelong PE patients compared with HCs including anxiety and depression scores as covariates (false discovery rate‐corrected, P < 0.05). The correlation analysis was then used to assess possible associations between the imaging findings and clinical features in the patient group (Bonferroni‐corrected, P < 0.05).ResultsCompared with HCs, lifelong PE patients had decreased hypothalamus‐seeded FC in the left orbitofrontal cortex, bilateral insula, superior temporal cortex, superior temporal pole, middle temporal cortex, left fusiform, right parahippocampal gyrus, and right cerebellum. The intravaginal ejaculatory latency time positively correlated with the mean z‐score from the hypothalamus‐insula (r = 0.45) and hypothalamus‐cerebellum (r = 0.48) intrinsic connectivity, separately.Data ConclusionWe have shown that hypothalamus‐seeded FC alterations and the correlations between the aforementioned abnormal FC alterations and intravaginal ejaculatory latency time. The current findings may promote the understanding of the hypothalamus‐related neural mechanisms involved in the abnormal ejaculatory information processing in lifelong PE patients.Level of Evidence1Technical Efficacy Stage3 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;52:778–784.
Risk factors for the development of bronchiolitis obliterans in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia: A retrospective study with dose‐response analysis
Authors: Zhong Linping , Lin Jilei , Dai Jihong 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTo investigate and analyze the relevant risk factors for bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia, a retrospective study of children with severe adenovirus pneumonia was performed in 34 cases that developing BO and 105 cases not developing BO in Children's hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2015 to February 2019. The multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors which were significantly associated with development of BO after the univariate analysis, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to find out the cut‐off value for the significant relevant factors. A nonlinear dose‐response relationship between risk factors and the risk of BO was assessed by restricted cubic spline model. Three factors were independently associated with development of BO, which were length of fever (OR 1.129, 95% CI 1.033‐1.234), dyspnea (OR 3.922, 95% CI 1.060‐14.514) and invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 6.861, 95% CI 1.854‐25.387). The cut‐off value of length of fever were 10.5 days. A linear dose‐response relationship between length of fever and occurrence of BO was observed (P = .57 for nonlinearity). Children with severe adenovirus pneumonia who have a longer duration of fever (especially more than 10.5 days), have dyspnea or require invasive mechanical ventilation in the acute phase are more likely to develop BO.
A weak cation exchanger by encapsulating silica with maleic anhydride–modified polyvinyl alcohol
Authors: Liu Xuefang , Yang Chen , Zhang Feifang , Geng Huiliang , Yang Bingcheng 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA novel weak cation exchanger is described by encapsulating silica with a (or multiple) layer(s) of maleic anhydride–modified polyvinyl alcohol coating(s). The preparation method is facile and fast, which is simply performed by dipping silica particles into maleic anhydride–modified polyvinyl alcohol solution as‐synthesized, then filtering and curing thermally, and finally generating a thin coating onto silica particles. Multiple layers of maleic anhydride–modified polyvinyl alcohol coatings can be generated by repeating above steps, offering an easy way to manipulate the capacity. The obtained weak cation exchanger demonstrated high separation efficiency and good selectivity toward common inorganic cations, for example, high plate count of 81 000 per meter was obtained for NH4+. Simultaneous separation of alkali and alkaline earth metals could be achieved within 14 min under isocratic conditions.
Effectiveness of a Home‐based Head and Neck Lymphedema Management Program: A Pilot Study
Authors: Yao Theresa , Beadle Beth , Holsinger C. Floyd , Starmer Heather M. 
Published: February 2020

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare outcomes in patients with head and neck lymphedema receiving either a home‐based lymphedema treatment program or a hybrid approach including both home‐based treatment and regular clinical visits.MethodsOutcomes were assessed in patients receiving head and neck lymphedema rehabilitation. Baseline measures of neck, submental, and facial edema were obtained and repeated following treatment. A home program was recommended for all patients, and those receiving hybrid care received the same recommendations as well as a visit with the lymphedema therapist for additional treatment. Their outcomes were compared using standard statistical analysis.ResultsFifty consecutive individuals were included, 25 in each group. Adherence to at least 50% of recommended treatment was reported in 68% of those receiving home‐based treatment and 84% of those receiving hybrid care. Significant improvement was demonstrated for 66% of patients. There was no statistically significant difference between treatment groups with regard to clinically significant improvement (P = .15). Patients receiving hybrid therapy demonstrated treatment advantages regarding facial edema (P = .037). Adherence to treatment was associated with clinical improvement (P = .047).ConclusionsComparable benefits were observed regardless of whether patients had a home‐based or hybrid lymphedema treatment approach. These data suggest a home‐based treatment approach may be appropriate for patients unable to participate in clinical sessions. However, for patients with significant facial edema, a hybrid approach may be preferable. Adherence was associated with better outcomes. Given these findings, future investigations should consider strategies to improve adherence to optimize the outcomes lymphedema treatment.Level of Evidence3b Laryngoscope, 2020
Composites with AIEgens for Temperature Sensing and Strain Measurement
Authors: Meng Biwei , Zhang Yurong , Ma Peng‐Cheng 
Published: February 2020

AbstractTraditional fluorescent molecules are easily quenched in most solid applications. Materials with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristics offer a new way to solve this problem. In this paper, polymer composites consisting of tetraphenylethene (TPE) with AIE properties and polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) are developed by a simple blending method. The prepared material shows a variable fluorescent emission with different TPE concentrations in the polymer matrix. Such a unique phenomenon arises mainly from the transition of the AIEgen from the crystal to the amorphous state. Interestingly, the fluorescent emission of composites is strongly affected by external factors, such as temperature and mechanical conditions, thus giving the material a stimuli‐sensitive fluorescence property. Specifically, the fluorescence intensity of composites decreases with an increasing temperature, and the same response exhibits when the mechanical force is applied to the material. The excellent response of composites to the temperature and mechanical deformation guarantees the sensory applications of the developed material.
Efficient Polymer Solar Cells Employing Solution‐Processed Conjugated Polyelectrolytes with Differently Charged Side Chains
Authors: Shi Yueqin , Yu Zhanyang , Lu Xiaoxiao , Zhang Jun 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPoly(6‐(4,7‐dimethyl‐2H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐2‐yl)‐N,N,N‐trimethylhexan‐1 aminium iodide) (PBTz‐TMAI) and poly(sodium 4‐(4,7‐dimethyl‐2H‐benzo[d] [1,2,3]triazol‐2‐yl)butane‐1‐sulfonate) (PBTz‐SO3Na) based on the same benzotriazole‐conjugated backbone but with ammonium and sulfonated side chains are designed and synthesized through side‐chain functionalization and Yamamoto polymerization, respectively, and are used as the cathode interlayers in fullerene‐ and non‐fullerene‐based polymer solar cells. The interfacial modification of PBTz‐TMAI and PBTz‐SO3Na onto the active layer achieves good energy alignment at cathode electrodes and optimized exciton‐dissociation efficiency from the active layer. Consequently, the power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 7.8% and 9.6% are obtained for the fullerene PTB7:PC71BM‐based and non‐fullerene PBDB‐T:ITIC‐based polymer solar cells (PSCs) with PBTz‐SO3Na interlayer. The PCS devices based on PTB7:PC71BM and PBDB‐T:ITIC active layers with PBTz‐TMAI interlayer achieved a remarkably improved performance with PCEs of 8.2% and 10.2%, respectively.
The Most Bothersome Aspects of Off Periods Reported by Individuals with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Chahine Lana M. , Edison Briana , Daeschler Margaret , Mantri Sneha , Kahl Steven , Rapoport Robyn , Goyle Arina , Precht Chelle , Kopil Catherine , Marras Connie 
Published: February 2020

ABSTRACTIntroductionThe off periods in Parkinson's disease have a significantly negative impact on quality of life. What the most bothersome aspects of off periods are from the patient's perspective are not well studied, nor is the degree to which screening tools for wearing off such as the Wearing Off Questionnaires (WOQs) capture what bothers patients most.MethodsA questionnaire was deployed to eligible participants of Fox Insight, an online study of individuals with self‐reported Parkinson's disease. Inclusion criteria were the use of ≥1 dopaminergic medications and an affirmative response to a question on experiencing off periods. Participants provided free‐text responses regarding the top 3 most bothersome symptoms they experience when off. A determination was made regarding whether each response would have been captured by the 32‐item, 19‐item, and 9‐item WOQs.ResultsThe final sample had 2106 participants, a mean age of 66.6 years, 52.3% were men, and had a disease duration of 4.9 years. The WOQ‐32 items covered all of the most bothersome symptoms for 53.2% of respondents. Among bothersome aspects of off not captured by the WOQs, 597 (66.2%) were specific symptoms, with freezing of gait, apathy, and memory problems being the most common. The functional consequences of off periods were most bothersome to 232 (25.7%), with walking problems being the most common. The emotional response to off periods was the most bothersome aspect to 169 respondents (18.7%).DiscussionThis study emphasizes the value of narrative data in understanding patient experiences, and what bothers patients most about off periods. The WOQs, although of established utility in the screening for wearing off, may not capture those symptoms most bothersome to patients.
Investigation of intermediate CAG alleles of the HTT in the general population of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in comparison with a sample of Huntington disease‐affected families
Authors: Apolinário Thays A. , da Silva Iane dos Santos , Agostinho Luciana de Andrade , Paiva Carmen L. A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractBackgroundHuntington disease (HD) (MIM: 143100) is a severe autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of CAG trinucleotides (>35) in the HTT.ObjectiveTo investigate the frequency of intermediate CAG alleles (IAs) in individuals residing in Rio de Janeiro city with no familial history of HD (general population, GP) in comparison with a sample of individuals from families presenting with HD who were previously investigated by our group (affected sample, AS).ResultsThe frequency of normal CAG alleles was 96.2%, while that of IAs was 3.6%, and that of reduced penetrance alleles was 0.2% in the GP (n = 470 chromosomes); 7.2% (17/235 individuals) of the GP presented an IA in heterozygosis with a normal allele. There was no statistically significant difference between the frequencies of the IAs in the GP and in the AS (p = .9). The most frequent haplotype per normal allele was (CAG)17‐(CCG)7 (101/461) and per IA was (CAG)27‐(CCG)7 (6/17) in the GP. These haplotypes were also the most frequent in the normal and IA chromosomes of the AS, respectively.ConclusionThe genetic profiles of the IAs obtained from GP and AS were rather similar. It is important to investigate the frequencies of the IAs because expansions arise from a step‐by‐step mechanism in which, during intergenerational transmission, large normal alleles can generate IAs, which are then responsible for generating de novo HD mutations. The genetic investigation of IAs in the GP was also important because it was focused on the population of Rio de Janeiro, an understudied group. CCG7 was the most frequent CCG allele in linkage disequilibrium with normal, intermediate, and expanded CAG alleles, similar to the Western Europe population. However, a more robust investigation, in conjunction with haplogroup determination (A, B, or C), will be required to elucidate the ancestral origin of the HTT mutations in Brazilians.
Technical Note: Accurate replication of soft and bone tissues with 3D printing
Authors: Okkalidis Nikiforos , Marinakis George 
Published: February 2020

PurposeThe fabrication of a realistic patient‐specific skull phantom employing for the first time a new filament extrusion rate method, for the accurate replication of soft and bone tissues both in Hounsfield Units (HU) range and in texture.MethodsAn in‐house developed software was used for the fabrication of the phantom taking into account all the HU of a patient’s Computed Tomography (CT) images, replicating the organs voxel‐by‐voxel without the need of a uniform three‐dimensional printing pattern. Two commercially available materials were used; the polylactic acid (PLA) filament for the soft tissues, and a mixture of 50% of PLA and 50% of gravimetric powdered stone for the bone tissues. Additionally, a layer of small amounts of PLA were also extruded on the fabricated bones.ResultsThe replicated anatomy of the phantom was very close to the patient’s one, achieving a similar range of HU without creating any air gaps and variations on the replicated HU, which are the main artifacts observed when a standard infill density and pattern is employed. The maximum measured HU values of the replicated bone tissues were at about 900.ConclusionsThe results indicated an accurate replication of the soft tissues HU, and a significant improvement of the bone tissue HU replication. Further investigation on materials of high density in conjunction with the filament extrusion rate method may provide custom‐made realistic phantoms for diagnostic and lower energy radiation such as in superficial, orthovoltage, and electron beam radiotherapy.