bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
C-reactive Protein is an Independent Predictor of Left Ventricular Mass in Offspring of Hypertensive Subjects in Nigeria
Authors: Akinlade O. M. , Akintunde A. A. , Akinlade F. T. , Adeyemi O. A. , Akande J. O. , Ayoola Y. A. , Opadijo O. G. , Omotoso A. B. O. 
Published: March 2020

Offspring of hypertensive parents have been shown to be at increased risk of developing systemic hypertension and adverse cardiovascular events later in life. The pathological antecedents of this are thought to be alterations in the structure and function of left ventricle. However, it is currently unclear if these abnormalities are due to genetic factors or a result of higher biomarker levels such as highly sensitive C reactive protein (hsCRP). An improved understanding of the associations of hsCRP with left ventricular structure may offer additional insight. Therefore, this study aims at determining the correlation of left ventricular mass with hsCRP among offspring of hypertensive parents compared with controls.
Methodology: A cross sectional Hospital based study, with 100 subjects and 100 controls. A questionnaire was administered to obtain relevant history, physical examination, blood tests, ECG, Echocardiography were done for the two groups. The results were analysed using SPSS 20. Results: The left ventricular mass and mass index was significantly elevated in the subjects compared with the control group. The median hsCRP was significantly higher in the subjects [1.85 (0.28-10.20) vs. 1.34 (0.17-8.49) mg/L: P < 0.010]. It progressively increases significantly as the number of parent with hypertension increases [1.34 (0.17-8.49), 2.00(0.28-9.66) and 2.54(0.91-10.20) mg/L P < 0.001] from zero, to single and both parent respectively. There was a significant correlation between hsCRP levels, blood pressure, left ventricular mass and left ventricular mass index (R = 0.165, 0.316, 0.274: P = 0.021, 0.004, 0.014) respectively.
Conclusion: The study shows that offspring of hypertensive parents had higher echocardiographic left ventricular mass, left ventricular mass index and hsCRP levels compared with controls and this hsCRP increases as the number of parents with hypertension increases. Blood pressure and left ventricular mass index increase with increasing Plasma hsCRP: This may suggest possible role of hsCRP in the development of hypertension and cardiac remodeling.
Long noncoding RNA SLC2A1‐AS1 regulates aerobic glycolysis and progression in hepatocellular carcinoma via inhibiting the STAT3/FOXM1/GLUT1 pathway
Authors: Shang Runze , Wang Miao , Dai Bin , Du Jianbing , Wang Jianlin , Liu Zekun , Qu Shibin , Yang Xisheng , Liu Jingjing , Xia Congcong , Wang Lin , Wang Desheng , Li Yu 
Published: March 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most lethal malignant diseases worldwide. Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC, its overall prognosis remains poor. Recent studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in various pathophysiological processes, including liver cancer. In the current study, we report that lncRNA SLC2A1‐AS1 is frequently downregulated in HCC samples, as shown by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis. SLC2A1‐AS1 deletion is significantly associated with recurrence‐free survival in HCC. By performing glucose uptake, lactate production and ATP detection assays, we found that SLC2A1‐AS1‐mediated glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) downregulation significantly suppressed glycolysis of HCC. In vitro Cell Counting Kit‐8, colony formation, transwell assays as well as in vivo tumorigenesis and metastasis assays showed that SLC2A1‐AS1 overexpression significantly suppressed proliferation and metastasis in HCC through the transcriptional inhibition of GLUT1. Results from fluorescence in situ hybridization, ChIP and luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that SLC2A1‐AS1 exerts its regulatory role on GLUT1 by competitively binding to transketolase and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and inhibits the transactivation of Forkhead box M1 (FOXM1) via STAT3, thus resulting in inactivation of the FOXM1/GLUT1 axis in HCC cells. Our findings will be helpful for understanding the function and mechanism of lncRNA in HCC. These data also highlight the crucial role of SLC2A1‐AS1 in HCC aerobic glycolysis and progression and pave the way for further research regarding the potential of SLC2A1‐AS1 as a valuable predictive biomarker for HCC recurrence.
G
eodermatophilus
Authors: Montero‐Calasanz Maria del Carmen 
Published: March 2020

Abstract

Ge.o.der.ma.to.phi'lus. Gr. fem. n.
ge
earth; Gr. neut. n.
derma
,
atos
skin; Gr. masc. adj.
philos
loving; N.L. masc. n.
Geodermatophilus
a group of microorganisms that live in the soil, yet that love the skin, by analogy to the genus
Dermatophilus
, the actinobacterial genus causing a skin disease, that has similar morphological features.

Actinobacteria / Actinobacteria / Geodermatophilales / Geodermatophilaceae / Geodermatophilus

Gram‐reaction‐positive, aerobic, and pleomorphic cells with a tendency to form cauliflower‐like aggregates (multilocular sporangia). Zoospores are present. Reproduction by both bipartition and budding. It is also frequent to observe color switch from light red to dark colors at maturity. Mesophiles. Neutrophiles to moderate alkaliphiles. Grow well on glucose–yeast extract–malt extract (GYM)
Streptomyces
agar. The peptidoglycan contains
meso
‐diamonopimelic acid. The predominant menaquinone is MK‐9(H
4
). The polar lipid profile always involves diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and an unidentified glycolipid. The major cellular fatty acids are iso‐C
16:0
and iso‐C
15:0
. The whole‐cell sugar pattern frequently includes ribose, mannose, glucose, and galactose. Member of the class
Actinobacteria
, order
Geodermatophilales
, and family
Geodermatophilaceae
. Representatives are frequently found in dry soils. Well known by their high tolerance to oxidative stress.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 74.0–76.0 (genome analysis).

Type species
:
Geodermatophilus obscurus
Luedemann 1968
AL
, emend. Montero‐Calasanz et al. 2017.
Bottom‐Up Synthesis of Advanced Carbonaceous Anode Materials Containing Sulfur for Na‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Tzadikov Jonathan , Levy Natasha Ronith , Abisdris Liel , Cohen Reut , Weitman Michal , Kaminker Ilia , Goldbourt Amir , Ein‐Eli Yair , Shalom Menny 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe fabrication of sulfur‐containing carbonaceous anode materials (CS) that show exceptional activity as anode material in Na‐ions batteries is reported. To do so, a general and straightforward bottom‐up synthesis of CS materials with precise control over the sulfur content and functionality is introduced. The new synthetic path combined with a detailed structural analysis and electrochemical studies provide correlations between i) the sulfur content and chemical species and ii) the structural, electronic, and electrochemical performance of the associated materials. As a result, the new CS substances demonstrate excellent activity as Na‐ion battery anode materials, reaching capacity values above 500 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1, as well as high reversible sodium storage capabilities and excellent cycling durability. The results reveal the underlying working principles of carbonaceous materials, alongside the storage mechanism of the Na+ ions in these advanced sodium‐ion battery anode materials and provide a new avenue for their practical realization.
TFT Channel Materials for Display Applications: From Amorphous Silicon to Transition Metal Dichalcogenides
Authors: Shim Gi Woong , Hong Woonggi , Cha Jun‐Hwe , Park Jung Hwan , Lee Keon Jae , Choi Sung‐Yool 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAs the need for super‐high‐resolution displays with various form factors has increased, it has become necessary to produce high‐performance thin‐film transistors (TFTs) that enable faster switching and higher current driving of each pixel in the display. Over the past few decades, hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) has been widely utilized as a TFT channel material. More recently, to meet the requirement of new types of displays such as organic light‐emitting diode displays, and also to overcome the performance and reliability issues of a‐Si:H, low‐temperature polycrystalline silicon and amorphous oxide semiconductors have partly replaced a‐Si:H channel materials. Basic material properties and device structures of TFTs in commercial displays are explored, and then the potential of atomically thin layered transition metal dichalcogenides as next‐generation channel materials is discussed.
Aggregation‐Induced Circularly Polarized Luminescence: Chiral Organic Materials for Emerging Optical Technologies
Authors: Nitti Andrea , Pasini Dario 
Published: March 2020

AbstractChirality is becoming increasingly important in the design of organic materials with functional properties, when bulk anisotropy is needed. In the past decades, a plethora of chiral organic materials have been studied and developed. Nanostructures have brought substantial advancement to the realization of organic‐molecule‐based devices, and the possibilities for solid‐state light emission are very promising in view of potential applications. Scientific approaches to the realization of chiral emissive materials are indeed growing exponentially. The chiral nanostructures discussed are related both to the way in which luminescence is generated and the way in which it is detected. As to the former, the focus will be on organic chromophores with aggregation‐induced emission properties, so that emission is present, or at least largely amplified, when the molecules are in the aggregated state. As to the latter, the focus will be on the ability and a quantitative comparison of organic nanostructures capable of circularly polarized emission.
What Happens during Thermal Post‐Treatment of Powder Aerosol Deposited Functional Ceramic Films? Explanations Based on an Experiment‐Enhanced Literature Survey
Authors: Exner Jörg , Nazarenus Tobias , Hanft Dominik , Kita Jaroslaw , Moos Ralf 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPowder aerosol deposition (PAD) is a unique ceramic spray coating method that produces dense and well‐adhering thick‐films directly at room temperature, without requiring any heating or sintering. After the successful film formation, mechanical film properties like hardness or plasma resistance are remarkably good. However, when it comes to electrical properties like permittivity or electrical conductivity, the nanocrystalline structure of PAD films combined with high internal strains deteriorates partly the characteristic properties. The electrical conductivity may already be present within the as‐deposited films. However, it is mostly lowered by several orders of magnitude. Therefore, a thermal post‐deposition annealing is oftentimes required. In this work, electrically conducting films produced by powder aerosol deposition are surveyed based on published data. Their microstructural and electrical behavior during the post‐deposition annealing treatment is summarized and reasons for the lowered electrical conductivity are identified. Additionally, the processes taking place during annealing, which eventually allow to regain bulk‐like functional properties, are examined. A universal annealing behavior is found that leads to a quantitative recommendation for the suitable film annealing temperatures to regain the electrical conductivities.
Laser‐Induced Graphene for Electrothermally Controlled, Mechanically Guided, 3D Assembly and Human–Soft Actuators Interaction
Authors: Ling Yun , Pang Wenbo , Li Xiaopeng , Goswami Shivam , Xu Zheng , Stroman David , Liu Yachao , Fei Qihui , Xu Yadong , Zhao Ganggang , Sun Bohan , Xie Jingwei , Huang Guoliang , Zhang Yihui , Yan Zheng 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMechanically guided, 3D assembly has attracted broad interests, owing to its compatibility with planar fabrication techniques and applicability to a diversity of geometries and length scales. Its further development requires the capability of on‐demand reversible shape reconfigurations, desirable for many emerging applications (e.g., responsive metamaterials, soft robotics). Here, the design, fabrication, and modeling of soft electrothermal actuators based on laser‐induced graphene (LIG) are reported and their applications in mechanically guided 3D assembly and human–soft actuators interaction are explored. Over 20 complex 3D architectures are fabricated, including reconfigurable structures that can reshape among three distinct geometries. Also, the structures capable of maintaining 3D shapes at room temperature without the need for any actuation are realized by fabricating LIG actuators at an elevated temperature. Finite element analysis can quantitatively capture key aspects that govern electrothermally controlled shape transformations, thereby providing a reliable tool for rapid design optimization. Furthermore, their applications are explored in human–soft actuators interaction, including elastic metamaterials with human gesture‐controlled bandgap behaviors and soft robotic fingers which can measure electrocardiogram from humans in an on‐demand fashion. Other demonstrations include artificial muscles, which can lift masses that are about 110 times of their weights and biomimetic frog tongues which can prey insects.
A Multifunctional Electronic Skin Empowered with Damage Mapping and Autonomic Acceleration of Self‐Healing in Designated Locations
Authors: Khatib Muhammad , Zohar Orr , Saliba Walaa , Haick Hossam 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIntegrating self‐healing capabilities into soft electronic devices and sensors is important for increasing their reliability, longevity, and sustainability. Although some advances in self‐healing soft electronics have been made, many challenges have been hindering their integration in digital electronics and their use in real‐world conditions. Herein, an electronic skin (e‐skin) with high sensing performance toward temperature, pressure, and pH levels—both at ambient and/or in underwater conditions is reported. The e‐skin is empowered with a novel self‐repair capability that consists of an intrinsic mechanism for efficient self‐healing of small‐scale damages as well as an extrinsic mechanism for damage mapping and on‐demand self‐healing of big‐scale damages in designated locations. The overall design is based on a multilayered structure that integrates a neuron‐like nanostructured network for self‐monitoring and damage detection and an array of electrical heaters for selective self‐repair. This system has significantly enhanced self‐healing capabilities; for example, it can decrease the healing time of microscratches from 24 h to 30 s. The electronic platform lays down the foundation for the development of a new subcategory of self‐healing devices in which electronic circuit design is used for self‐monitoring, healing, and restoring proper device function.
A Flexible Ceramic/Polymer Hybrid Solid Electrolyte for Solid‐State Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Pan Kecheng , Zhang Lan , Qian Weiwei , Wu Xiangkun , Dong Kun , Zhang Haitao , Zhang Suojiang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCeramic/polymer hybrid solid electrolytes (HSEs) have attracted worldwide attentions because they can overcome defects by combining the advantages of ceramic electrolytes (CEs) and solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). However, the interface compatibility of CEs and SPEs in HSE limits their full function to a great extent. Herein, a flexible ceramic/polymer HSE is prepared via in situ coupling reaction. Ceramic and polymer are closely combined by strong chemical bonds, thus the problem of interface compatibility is resolved and the ions can transport rapidly by an expressway. The as‐prepared membrane demonstrates an ionic conductivity of 9.83 × 10−4 S cm−1 at room temperature and a high Li+ transference numbers of 0.68. This in situ coupling reaction method provides an effective way to resolve the problem of interface compatibility.
Blueprinting Photothermal Shape‐Morphing of Liquid Crystal Elastomers
Authors: Kuenstler Alexa S. , Chen Yuzhen , Bui Phuong , Kim Hyunki , DeSimone Antonio , Jin Lihua , Hayward Ryan C. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractLiquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are an attractive platform for dynamic shape‐morphing due to their ability to rapidly undergo large deformations. While recent work has focused on patterning the director orientation field to achieve desired target shapes, this strategy cannot be generalized to material systems where high‐resolution surface alignment is impractical. Instead of programming the local orientation of anisotropic deformation, an alternative strategy for prescribed shape‐morphing by programming the magnitude of stretch ratio in a thin LCE sheet with constant director orientation is developed here. By spatially patterning the concentration of gold nanoparticles, uniform illumination leads to gradients in photothermal heat generation and therefore spatially nonuniform deformation profiles that drive out‐of‐plane buckling of planar films into predictable 3D shapes. Experimentally realized shapes are shown to agree closely with both finite element simulations and geometric predictions for systems with unidirectional variation in deformation magnitude. Finally, the possibility to achieve complex oscillatory motion driven by uniform illumination of a free‐standing patterned sheet is demonstrated.
Continuous Directional Water Transport on Integrating Tapered Surfaces
Authors: Feng Shile , Wang Qianqian , Xing Yan , Hou Yongping , Zheng Yongmei 
Published: March 2020

AbstractControllable directional transport of droplets is ubiquitous in nature and essential in many practical applications, which is based on disparity of physical structures and surface energy. Despite vast innovations in liquid transport strategies to generate liquid transport at a wide spectrum and various scales, the transport distance is limited due to the drawback of unwanted pinning of contact lines. Here, a continuous, directional, and long‐range transport system of fog droplets on integrating tapered surface inspired by spider silk and butterfly wing is reported. A new phenomenon occurs at the joint of integrating tapered surface: liquid film switches periodically between convex‐continuous and concave‐intermittent, which promotes the rapid surface reconstruction and fog droplet collection. The transport dynamics of fog droplets and rapid surface reconstruction facilitate highly effective water harvesting task.
High‐Accuracy Photoplethysmography Array Using Near‐Infrared Organic Photodiodes with Ultralow Dark Current
Authors: Simone Giulio , Tordera Daniel , Delvitto Ezequiel , Peeters Bart , van Breemen Albert J. J. M. , Meskers Stefan C. J. , Janssen René A. J. , Gelinck Gerwin H. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractReflectance oximeters based on organic photodiode (OPD) arrays offer the potential to map blood pulsation and oxygenation via photoplethysmography (PPG) over a large area and beyond the traditional sensing locations. Here, an organic reflectance PPG array based on 16 × 16 OPD pixels is developed. The individual pixels exhibit near‐infrared sensitivity up to ≈950 nm and low dark current density in the order of 10−6 mA cm−2. This results in high‐quality PPG signals. Analysis of the full PPG waveform yields insight on the artery stiffness and the quality of blood circulation, demonstrating the potential of these arrays beyond pulse oximetry and heart‐rate calculation.
Flexible but Mechanically Robust Hazy Quantum Dot/Glass Fiber Reinforced Film for Efficiently Luminescent Surface Light Source
Authors: Lee Hyunhwan , Kim Yun Hyeok , Lim Young‐Woo , Jang Junho , Kang Seung‐Mo , Bae Byeong‐Soo 
Published: March 2020

AbstractColor conversion films with haze have aroused interest for use in surface light sources for display and lighting applications. Surface patterning or addition of light scattering particles to the color‐conversion film induces haze and consequently, improves the photoluminescence (PL) extraction. Herein, a CdSe/CdZnS quantum dots (QDs)‐embedded glass fiber reinforced siloxane hybrid (QD‐GFRH) film with high haze value is demonstrated, originating from refractive index mismatch between glass fiber and methacrylate‐phenyl functionalized siloxane matrix. The hazy QD‐GFRH film shows a twofold improvement in PL extraction, as well as robust mechanical properties, such as low thermal expansion (13 × 10−6 K−1) and high deformation resistance (E = 11.8 GPa), compared to conventional polymers. Because QDs are chemically dispersed inside the film by covalent crosslinking with siloxane matrix, the QD‐GFRH film exhibits long‐term (30 days) thermal and chemical stability against heat and moisture conditions [85 °C/5% relative humidity (RH), and 85 °C/85% RH]. Furthermore, the yellow photoemissive QD‐GFRH film, with a smooth surface and large scale (A4 size, 210 mm × 297 mm size), is applied as a color‐conversion film on a blue light‐emitting diode and it covers a large color gamut (107% relative to National Television System Committee).
Immunostimulatory TLR7 Agonist‐Nanoparticles Together with Checkpoint Blockade for Effective Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Huang Ching‐Hsin , Mendez Natalie , Echeagaray Oscar Hernandez , Weeks Joi , Wang James , Yao Shiyin , Blair Sarah L. , Gude Natalie , Trogler William C. , Carson Dennis A. , Hayashi Tomoko , Kummel Andrew C. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMono‐ or dual‐checkpoint inhibitors for immunotherapy have changed the paradigm of cancer care; however, only a minority of patients responds to such treatment. Combining small molecule immunostimulators can improve treatment efficacy, but they are restricted by poor pharmacokinetics. In this study, conjugated TLR7 agonists onto silica nanoparticles show extended drug localization after intratumoral injection. The nanoparticle‐based TLR7 agonist increases immune stimulation by activating the TLR7 signaling pathway. When treating CT26 colon cancer, nanoparticle conjugated TLR7 agonists increase T cell infiltration into the tumors by >4× and upregulate expression of the interferon γ gene compared to its unconjugated counterpart by ≈2×. Toxicity assays establish that the conjugated TLR7 agonist is a safe agent at the effective dose. When combined with checkpoint inhibitors that target programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) and cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte‐associated protein 4 (CTLA‐4), a 10–100× increase in immune cell migration is observed; furthermore, 100 mm3 tumors are treated, and a 60% remission rate is observed including remission at contralateral noninjected tumors. The data show that nanoparticle‐based TLR7 agonists are safe and can potentiate the effectiveness of checkpoint inhibitors in immunotherapy resistant tumor models and promote a long‐term specific memory immune function.