bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of pattern generation in co‐cultures of embryonic spinal cord and skeletal muscle
Authors: Streit Jürg 
Published: July 2002

AbstractSpontaneous output patterns of embryonic spinal cord slices in vitro were investigated in order to study the formation of pattern‐generating networks. Patterns of spontaneous contractions of skeletal muscle fibers were recorded in co‐cultures of embryonic rat spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia and skeletal muscle. A part of these contractions was shown to be driven by spinal circuits. These neuron‐driven activity patterns changed from random to rhythmic when the inhibitory synapses in the spinal cord were blocked by strychnine, bicuculline or both. Rhythmic patterns consisted of bursts of activity (tetanic contractions) followed by periods of relaxation. The transition from random to rhythmic patterns occurred during a period of heavily increased rate of activity. Presynaptic inhibition was not involved critically in the generation of rhythmic patterns. Such patterns were, however, modulated through muscarinic and α‐adrenergic receptors. Neither NMDA nor glutamate nor its uptake blocker dihydrokainate induced rhythmic patterns of contraction, although NMDA in the presence of low magnesium increased moderately the rate of random activity. In order to study the size of pattern‐generating networks, parts of the spinal cord slices were sectioned during rhythmic activity. Tangential cuts at the lateral or dorsal side of the slices reduced either the rate or the duration of the bursts or both. Sagittal cuts suppressed the activity almost totally. These findings suggest that the pattern generators in the slices consist of excitatory networks covering the entire slice, and that these networks reverberate following spontaneous activity of some distributed elements.
Thyrotropin and prolactin responses to TRH in delusional (psychotic) and nondelusional depressed patients
Authors: Lykouras L , Markianos M , Papakostas Y , Malliaras D 
Published: July 2002

SummaryThe thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) responses to protirelin (TRH) were studied in 62 female unipolar depressive patients, 24 delusional (psychotic) and 38 nondelusional (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual [DSM]-III-R criteria). The TSH response to TRH was blunted (≤6 μlU/mL) in ten of the 24 delusional (41.6%) and in 18 of the 38 nondelusional (47.4%) patients, the difference being not significant. The TSH and PRL responses to TRH, calculated as area under the curve, were not different between the two groups. Similar results were obtained when the response patterns were compared by repeated measure analysis of covariance.
Chemoreflexsensitivity in chronic heart failure patients
Authors: Hennersdorf Marcus G. , Hillebrand Stefanie , Perings Christian , Strauer Bodo‐E. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractAims:Patients with heart failure are characterised by a disturbed sympathovagal balance, as could be shown by analyses of heart rate variability and baroreflexsensitivity. Furthermore, the modulation of ventilation is disturbed in those patients with an increased ventilation volume following the inhalation of hypoxic gas. This study should evaluate, whether heart failure patients have a decreased hyperoxic chemoreflexsensitivity associated with an increased rate of ventricular arrhythmias.Methods and results:Into this study, 49 consecutive patients were enrolled. Of these, 23 suffered from heart failure; the remaining had no evidence of heart failure and a normal left ventricular ejection fraction. All patients were investigated by analysing the reduction of heart rate following inhalation of pure oxygen. The difference of RR‐interval divided by the difference of the venous oxygen partial pressure both before and after oxygen inhalation resulted in the chemoreflexsensitivity. Patients with heart failure showed a significantly decreased chemoreflexsensitivity compared to those without (2.62±1.85 vs. 5.80±6.37 ms/mmHg, P<0.05). Of patients with heart failure, 69.6% had a decreased chemoreflexsensitivity below 3 ms/mmHg, in contrast to only 38.5% of the control group. Patients with decreased chemoreflexsensitivity showed significantly more non‐sustained ventricular tachycardias (46 vs. 4%, P<0.05) during Holter ECG.Conclusion:Patients with heart failure show a significantly decreased hyperoxic chemoreflexsensitivity. A decreased chemoreflexsensitivity is associated with an increased rate of non‐sustained ventricular tachycardias. This may be related to an increased sympathetic tone in these patients. The chemoreflexsensitivity may be important in arrhythmic risk stratification of patients with heart failure.
Photoresponsive Luminescence Switching of Metal‐Free Organic Phosphors Doped Polymer Matrices
Authors: Zang Lixin , Shao Wenhao , Kwon Min Sang , Zhang Zhiguo , Kim Jinsang 
Published: October 2020

AbstractA new type of luminescence switching behavior based on phosphorescence enhancement from a series of metal‐free organic phosphors doped polymers by UV‐irradiation is investigated. This phenomenon is observed only from pairs of organic phosphors and polymer matrices having a combination of appropriate triplet exciton lifetime and oxygen permeability. Systematic investigation reveals that the luminescence switching behavior of organic phosphors embedded in a specific polymeric matrix stems from the conversion of triplet oxygens to singlet oxygens by UV‐irradiation, leading to the unique phosphorescence enhancement of organic phosphors. Visualization of latent information by UV‐irradiation is demonstrated toward novel secure information communication applications.
Solar‐Driven Electrochemical CO2 Reduction with Heterogeneous Catalysts
Authors: Creissen Charles E. , Fontecave Marc 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe simultaneous mitigation of CO2 emissions and direct generation of value‐added chemicals has motivated research in solar‐driven electrochemical CO2 reduction. Here, devices incorporating heterogeneous catalysts that operate under bias‐free aqueous conditions are categorized and compared, encompassing photoelectrochemical (PEC), photovoltaic‐electrochemical (PV‐EC), and combined approaches (PV‐PEC). The best‐performing PEC systems are currently those based on integrated photoelectrodes featuring protective layers. However, the highest overall performances in terms of current density and solar‐to‐carbon efficiency are exhibited by PV‐EC cells that make use of gas‐fed flow cell technology. The advantages of individual components in each device type are assessed to provide future directions for research in solar‐driven CO2 reduction.
Synthetic DNA for Cell‐Surface Engineering
Authors: Shi Peng , Wang Yong 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe cell membrane is not only a physical barrier, but also a functional organelle that regulates the communication between a cell and its environment. The ability to functionalize the cell membrane with synthetic molecules or nanostructures would advance cellular functions beyond what evolution has provided. The aim of this Minireview is to introduce recent progress in using synthetic DNA and DNA‐based nanostructures for cell‐surface engineering. We first introduce chemical conjugation and physical binding methods for monovalent and polyvalent surface engineering. We then introduce the application of these methods for either the promotion or inhibition of cell–environment communication in numerous applications, including the promotion of cell–cell recognition, regulation of intracellular pathways, protection of therapeutic cells, and sensing of the intracellular and extracellular microenvironments. Lastly, we summarize current challenges existing in this area and potential solutions to solve these challenges.
Towards Understanding the Reactivity and Optical Properties of Organosilicon Sulfide Clusters
Authors: Hanau Katharina , Schwan Sebastian , Schäfer Moritz R. , Müller Marius J. , Dues Christof , Rinn Niklas , Sanna Simone , Chatterjee Sangam , Mollenhauer Doreen , Dehnen Stefanie 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe report the extension of the class of organotetrel sulfide clusters with further examples of the still rare silicon‐based species, synthesized from RSiCl3 with R=phenyl (Ph, I), naphthyl (Np, II), and styryl (Sty, III) with Na2S. Besides known [(PhSi)4S6] (IV), new compounds [(NpSi)4S6] (1) and [(StySi)4S6] (2) were obtained, the first two of which underwent reactions with [AuCl(PPh3)] to form ternary complexes. DFT studies of cluster dimers helped us understand the differences between the habit of {Si4S6}‐ and {Sn4S6}‐based compounds. Crystalline 1 showed a pronounced nonlinear optical response, while for intrinsically amorphous 2, the chemical damage threshold seems to inhibit a corresponding observation. Calculations within the independent particle approximation served to rationalize and compare electronic and optical excitations of [(RSi)4S6] clusters (R=Ph, Np). The calculations reproduced the measured data and allowed for the interpretation of the main spectroscopic features.
Selective Synthesis of Single‐Handed Helical Polymers from Achiral Monomer and a Mechanism Study on Helix‐Sense‐Selective Polymerization
Authors: Zhou Li , Xu Xun‐Hui , Jiang Zhi‐Qiang , Xu Lei , Chu Ben‐Fa , Liu Na , Wu Zong‐Quan 
Published: October 2020

AbstractInspired by the exquisite helices in Nature, fabrication of helical materials with controlled handedness has attracted considerable attention. Herein, we report on precis synthesis of single left‐ and right‐handed helical polyisocyanides through living polymerization of achiral monomers using chiral palladium catalysts under helix‐sense‐selective manner. Mechanism study revealed that the yielded helices with opposite handedness showed different activity of the living chain end. The helix with unfavored handedness was self‐terminated, while the one with favored handedness showed high activity and could undergo chain propagation to form a high molecular weight polymer with maintained single‐handed helicity.
A Tandem Solar Biofuel Cell: Harnessing Energy from Light and Biofuels
Authors: Riedel Marc , Höfs Soraya , Ruff Adrian , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Lisdat Fred 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe report on a photobioelectrochemical fuel cell consisting of a glucose‐oxidase‐modified BiFeO3photobiocathode and a quantum‐dot‐sensitized inverse opal TiO2photobioanode linked to FAD glucose dehydrogenase via a redox polymer. Both photobioelectrodes are driven by enzymatic glucose conversion. Whereas the photobioanode can collect electrons from sugar oxidation at rather low potential, the photobiocathode shows reduction currents at rather high potential. The electrodes can be arranged in a sandwich‐like manner due to the semi‐transparent nature of BiFeO3, which also guarantees a simultaneous excitation of the photobioanode when illuminated via the cathode side. This tandem cell can generate electricity under illumination and in the presence of glucose and provides an exceptionally high OCV of about 1 V. The developed semi‐artificial system has significant implications for the integration of biocatalysts in photoactive entities for bioenergetic purposes, and it opens up a new path toward generation of electricity from sunlight and (bio)fuels.
Cellulose acetate ultrafiltration membranes customized with copper oxide nanoparticles for efficient separation with antifouling behavior
Authors: Vetrivel Selvaraj , Saraswathi Meenakshi Sundaram Sri Abirami , Rana Dipak , Divya Kumar , Nagendran Alagumalai 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCellulose acetate (CA) nanocomposite ultrafiltration membranes are fabricated with copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles with the aim of improving efficient protein separation and antifouling performance. CuO nanoparticles are synthesized from cupric nitrate using a wet precipitation method and characterized by FTIR and XRD. CA/CuO nanocomposite membranes fabricated using 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt% of CuO nanoparticles individually by simple phase inversion technique. The CA nanocomposite membrane with 0.5 wt% of hydrophilic CuO exhibited enhanced PWF of 118.6 Lm−2 h−1 due to the improvement in porosity and water uptake. This is in good agreement with the enhanced hydrophilicity of the CA/CuO nanocomposite membranes results observed in surface contact angle and morphological investigations. Further, 95.5% of BSA separation and 94.7% of flux recovery ratio (FRR) indicates its superior antifouling potential caused due to the presence of the hydration layer at the CA/CuO membrane surface. Among all the fabricated membranes, the CA‐0.5 nanocomposite membrane with 0.5 wt% of CuO exhibited superiorly improved hydrophilicity, water permeation, BSA separation, and antifouling performance indicates its potential use in water and wastewater treatment applications.
pH and magnetic field responsive protein‐inorganic nanohybrid conjugated with biotin: A biocompatible carrier system targeting lung cancer cells
Authors: Purushothaman Bindhya K , Maheswari P Uma , Sheriffa Begum K M Meera 
Published: October 2020

AbstractMulti‐stimuli responsive carrier systems, specifically targeting tumor cells are of high significance to improve the efficacy of cancer chemotherapy. In the present study, we have developed, characterized, and biologically evaluated magnetic casein‐calcium ferrite hybrid biopolymeric carrier conjugated with biotin for targeted delivery of cinnamaldehyde to lung carcinoma. The dual stimuli‐responsive carrier was successfully synthesized with small size, good stability, and high drug encapsulation efficiency. Natural drug cinnamaldehyde was encapsulated in the hybrid carrier, on which biotin was conjugated to facilitate selective cellular uptake. The prepared drug‐carrier system exhibited pH‐responsive drug release behavior with a higher release rate under acidic conditions, which can be effectively applied in targeted cancer chemotherapy. The superparamagnetic nature of calcium ferrite enabled magnetically‐modulated drug delivery with faster drug release, reaching 85.5% within 4 h, in response to magnetic field stimulus. Kinetic modeling of drug release projected the diffusion‐controlled release mechanism. Cell viability assay performed on L929 fibroblast and A549 lung cancer cells verified the biocompatibility and cytotoxicity of the developed formulation, respectively. The nanohybrid carrier significantly increased the anticancer potential of cinnamaldehyde with an 18‐fold reduction in the IC50 value, signifying the biotin‐functionalized protein‐inorganic nanohybrid as an efficient multifunctional platform for targeted drug delivery.
Disparities in mortality‐to‐incidence ratios by race/ethnicity for female breast cancer in New York City, 2002‐2016
Authors: Nobel Tamar B. , Asumeng Charles K. , Jasek John , Van Beck Kellie C. , Mathur Ruchi , Qiao Baozhen , Brown Jennifer J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundRacial disparities in New York City (NYC) breast cancer incidence and mortality rates have previously been demonstrated. Disease stage at diagnosis and mortality‐to‐incidence ratio (MIR) may present better measures of differences in screening and treatment access. Racial/ethnic trends in NYC MIR have not previously been assessed.MethodsMammogram rates were compared using the NYC Community Health Survey, 2002‐2014. Breast cancer diagnosis, stage, and mortality were from the New York State Cancer Registry, 2000‐2016. Primary outcomes were MIR, the ratio of age‐adjusted mortality to incidence rates, and stage at diagnosis. Joinpoint regression analysis identified significant trends.ResultsMammogram rates in 2002‐2014 among Black and Latina women ages 40 and older (79.9% and 78.4%, respectively) were stable and higher than among White (73.6%) and Asian/Pacific‐Islander women (70.4%) (P < .0001). There were 82 733 incident cases of breast cancer and 16 225 deaths in 2000‐2016. White women had the highest incidence, however, rates among Black, Latina, and Asian/Pacific Islander women significantly increased. Black and Latina women presented with local disease (Stage I) less frequently (53.2%, 57.6%, respectively) than White (62.5%) and Asian/Pacific‐Islander women (63.0%). Black women presented with distant disease (Stage IV) more frequently than all other groups (Black 8.7%, Latina 5.8%, White 6.0%, and Asian 4.2%). Black women had the highest breast cancer mortality rate and MIR (Black 0.25, Latina 0.18, White 0.17, and Asian women 0.11).ConclusionsMore advanced disease at diagnosis coupled with a slower decrease in breast cancer mortality among Black and Latina women may partially explain persistent disparities in MIR especially prominent among Black women. Assessment of racial/ethnic differences in screening quality and access to high‐quality treatment may help identify areas for targeted interventions to improve equity in breast cancer outcomes.
Interpretation of the color due to the ubiquitous nonenzymatic browning phenomena in foods
Authors: Pepa Lorena S. , Rodríguez Silvio D. , dos Santos Ferreira Cristina , Buera María del Pilar 
Published: October 2020

bstractMany foods are subject to browning by heat treatment or long storage times. Either if it is a sign of quality decrease or a desirable feature, it is necessary to characterize fully the color of what is perceived as “brown.” In this paper, we define three stages of browning in foods, ranging from yellow, reddish‐brown to dark brown, showing that the commonly employed indexes are not sufficient to describe the later stages of browning, corresponding to the darker colors. Frequently absorbance at a single wavelength, two‐dimensional (2D) diagrams, browning index depending on one chromatic coordinate or just L* are employed to describe color in the browning processes in food systems. While these tools are adequate enough to define the evolution of the reaction, they fail to properly characterize the brown color quality: they evaluate either lightness (1D) or the chromatic aspects (2D). In this work, we fully characterized browning in 3D color spaces. The limits for the appropriate use of the different indexes were also defined, according to the browning stage.
Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration cytology diagnosis of upper gastrointestinal tract mesenchymal tumors: Impact of rapid onsite evaluation and correlation with histopathologic follow‐up
Authors: Gilani Syed M. , Muniraj Thiruvengadam , Aslanian Harry R. , Cai Guoping 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundMesenchymal tumors (MTs) of upper gastrointestinal tract (UGIT) can show morphologic overlap thus posing a diagnostic challenge. This study evaluated the role of endoscopic ultrasound‐guided fine needle aspiration (EUS‐FNA) cytology in the diagnosis of UGIT‐MTs and impact of rapid onsite evaluation (ROSE).MethodsWe retrospectively search our electronic database between January 2001 and August 2019 for cases that underwent EUS‐FNA for a submucosal/or intramural upper GI tract mass forming lesions. Data pertinent to immunostain expression in UGIT‐MTs was also collected.ResultsWe identified 139 cases, of which 72 cases had subsequent surgical resection. The cytologic diagnoses included nondiagnostic, negative, atypical, suspicious for neoplasm and positive for neoplasm (PFN) in 11, 7, 11, 10, and 100 cases, respectively. Diagnosis of PFN was rendered in 51 of 69 cases with ROSE (74%) and in 49 of 70 cases without ROSE (70%). However, the cases with ROSE had a higher percentage of cases being precisely classified than without ROSE (86% vs 61%, P < .05). On comparison of cytologic cases with cell block (CB) (n = 118) and without CB (n = 21), ROSE was performed in 67 (57%) and 2 (10%) cases, respectively (P < .01). All the cases with diagnosis of PFN were confirmed on subsequent surgical resection.ConclusionEUS‐FNA has a diagnostic yield of 72% for UGIT‐MTs. ROSE could improve diagnostic performance by further classifying MTs, probably via securing adequate lesional material for cell block for additional ancillary testing and precise diagnosis.
Macrosystems EDDIE teaching modules significantly increase ecology students' proficiency and confidence working with ecosystem models and use of systems thinking
Authors: Carey Cayelan C. , Farrell Kaitlin J. , Hounshell Alexandria G. , O'Connell Kristin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSimulation models are increasingly used by ecologists to study complex, ecosystem‐scale phenomena, but integrating ecosystem simulation modeling into ecology undergraduate and graduate curricula remains rare. Engaging ecology students with ecosystem simulation models may enable students to conduct hypothesis‐driven scientific inquiry while also promoting their use of systems thinking, but it remains unknown how using hands‐on modeling activities in the classroom affects student learning. Here, we developed short (3‐hr) teaching modules as part of the Macrosystems EDDIE (Environmental Data‐Driven Inquiry & Exploration) program that engage students with hands‐on ecosystem modeling in the R statistical environment. We embedded the modules into in‐person ecology courses at 17 colleges and universities and assessed student perceptions of their proficiency and confidence before and after working with models. Across all 277 undergraduate and graduate students who participated in our study, completing one Macrosystems EDDIE teaching module significantly increased students' self‐reported proficiency, confidence, and likely future use of simulation models, as well as their perceived knowledge of ecosystem simulation models. Further, students were significantly more likely to describe that an important benefit of ecosystem models was their “ease of use” after completing a module. Interestingly, students were significantly more likely to provide evidence of systems thinking in their assessment responses about the benefits of ecosystem models after completing a module, suggesting that these hands‐on ecosystem modeling activities may increase students’ awareness of how individual components interact to affect system‐level dynamics. Overall, Macrosystems EDDIE modules help students gain confidence in their ability to use ecosystem models and provide a useful method for ecology educators to introduce undergraduate and graduate students to ecosystem simulation modeling using in‐person, hybrid, or virtual modes of instruction.