bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Twin-chain polymer networks loaded with nanostructured fluids for the selective removal of a non-original varnish from the Picasso “L’Atelier” at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice
Authors: Buemi Luciano Pensabene , Petruzzellis Maria Laura , Chelazzi David , Baglioni Michele , Mastrangelo Rosangela , Giorgi Rodorico , Baglioni Piero 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
This paper reports on the evaluation of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) “twin-chain” polymer network (TC-PN) combined with an oil-in-water nanostructured fluid (NSF) for the removal of a polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) varnish. Small Angle X-ray Scattering, Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, and Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy showed that the structure of the gel and the NSF are only minimally altered by loading the fluid into the gel. The NSF is partially free to diffuse through the network, but also interacts with the gel walls. During the cleaning, the dynamics of the fluid at the gel-substrate interface are controlled by the osmotic balance taking place among the interconnected pores. These features grant effective and controlled cleaning performances. The case study identified for this research is Pablo Picasso’s The Studio (L’Atelier, 1928), one of the masterpieces in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice (PGC). In 1969 the oil painting, originally unprotected, was wax-lined and then varnished using a PVAc varnish. Over the years, the white shades of the painting have been compromised by the yellowing of the varnish and soiling of deposits. On painting mock-ups, the NSF-loaded hydrogels allowed the swelling and softening of PVAc varnish and wax layers, which were then removed with gentle mechanical action. Effective varnish and wax removal at the micron scale, and the absence of residues from the cleaning system (gel and NSF), were confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) 2D imaging. The effective and safe removal of the aged PVAc varnish and wax layer from the surface of the painting was then carried out using the same cleaning protocol successfully tested on the mock-ups, setting the NSF-loaded PVA TC-PNs as robust and reliable tools for the cleaning of sensitive works of art.
Uncertainty analysis of tumour absorbed dose calculations in Molecular Radiotherapy
Authors: Finocchiaro Domenico , Gear Jonathan I , Fioroni Federica , Flux Glenn D , Murray Iain , Castellani Gastone , Versari Annibale , Iori Mauro , Grassi Elisa 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Internal dosimetry evaluation consists of a multi-step process ranging from imaging acquisition to absorbed dose calculations. Assessment of uncertainty is complicated and, for that reason, it is commonly ignored in clinical routine. However, it is essential for adequate interpretation of the results. Recently, the EANM published a practical guidance on uncertainty analysis for molecular radiotherapy based on the application of the law of propagation of uncertainty. In this study, we investigated the overall uncertainty on a sample of patient following the EANM guidelines. The aim of this study was to provide an indication of the typical uncertainties that may be expected from performing dosimetry, to determine parameters that have the greatest effect on the accuracy of calculations and to consider the potential improvements that could be made if these effects were reduced.Results: Absorbed doses and the relative uncertainties were calculated for a sample of 49 patients and a total of 154 tumours. A wide range of relative absorbed dose uncertainty values was observed (14 - 102%). Uncertainties associated with each quantity along the absorbed dose calculation chain (i.e. Volume, Recovery Coefficient, Calibration Factor, Activity, Time-Activity Curve Fitting, Time-Integrated Activity and Absorbed Dose) were estimated. An equation was derived to describe relationship between the uncertainty in the absorbed dose and the volume. The largest source of error was the VOI delineation. By postulating different values of FWHM, the impact of the imaging system spatial resolution on the uncertainties was investigated.Discussion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first analysis of uncertainty in molecular radiotherapy based on a cohort of clinical cases. Wide inter-lesion variability of absorbed dose uncertainty was observed. Hence, a proper assessment of the uncertainties associated with the calculations should be considered as a basic scientific standard. A model for a quick estimate of uncertainty without implementing the entire error propagation schema, which may be useful in clinical practice, was presented. Ameliorating spatial resolution may be in future the key factor for accurate absorbed dose assessment.
Antibiotic resistance genes in different animal manures and their derived organic fertilizer
Authors: Xu Yan , Li Houyu , Shi Rongguang , Lv Jiapei , Li Bihan , Yang Fengxia , Zheng Xiangqun , Xu Jian 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: The prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in animal manure poses a threat to environmental safety. Organic fertilizers fermented by livestock and poultry manure are directly applied to farmland and have the potential to cause outbreaks of bacterial resistance in agricultural environments. This study investigated the composition of ARGs in different animal manures and their derived organic fertilizers. Results: The results showed that the abundance of several ARGs, such as sul 2, Tet B-01, Tet G-01 and Tet M-01, in organic fertilizer samples was 12%~96% lower than that in animal manure. However, the abundance of Tet K and erm C was higher in animal manure than in organic fertilizers. No correlation between ARGs and environmental factors such as pH, TN, and antibiotics was observed by redundancy analysis (RDA). Procrustes analysis revealed a significant correlation between bacterial community structures and ARG abundance (r=0.799, p<0.01). Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis suggested that microorganisms in organic fertilizer may be derived from animal manure. Additionally, the abundance of pathogenic bacteria (especially Actinomadura ) would increase rather than decrease in manure compared to organic fertilizer. Conclusion: The diversity and abundance of most ARGs significantly decreased from animal manure to organic fertilizer. Microorganisms in the prepared organic fertilizer may mainly be inherited from the animal manure. The results also showed that the pathogens in the prepared organic fertilizer would significantly reduce, but would still cause partial pathogen proliferation.
Coupling Alkaline Conversion Zn Anode with Acidic Proton-insertion MoO3 Cathode for High-voltage Aqueous Rechargeable Hybrid Battery
Authors: Cai Pingwei , Ding Yichun , Liu Yangjie , Wen Zhenhai 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Hydrogen ions (H+) and hydroxide ions (OH-) are regarded as ideal charge carriers for rechargeable batteries thanks to their small size, high ion mobility, low cost, and wide flexibility compared to the metal ions. However, the implementation of storage of both H+ and OH- in one electrochemical energy device face grand challenge due to incompatibility between H+ and OH-. Herein, we report an alkali-acid Zn-MoO3 hybrid battery that employ H+ and OH- as charge carriers of cathode and anode, respectively, in which the insertion/deinsertion of H+ take place on layer structured MoO3 cathode in acid while OH- are involved in alkaline conversion Zn anode, which offers a promising route to well address the incompatible issues of H+ and OH- in one electrolyte. The as-built hybrid battery can deliver a high open-circuit voltage of 1.85 V, a high rate capability, a high capacity of 158 mAh g-1 at a current density of 5 A g-1, and excellent capacity retention of above 90% over 200 cycles. This work sheds light on the development of aqueous energy devices with high voltage and energy density through materials engineering and device optimization.
Imaging features of hepatocellular carcinoma with bile duct tumor thrombus：a multicenter study
Authors: Huang Li-Ming , Wu Jun-Yi , Bai Yan-Nan , Wu Jia-Yi , Wei Yong-Gang , Zhang Zhi-Bo , Yan Mao-Lin 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: There are still difficult and challenging problems in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with bile duct tumor thrombus (BDTT) before operation. This study aimed to analyze the imaging features of HCC with B1-B3 BDTT. Methods: The clinicopathological data and imaging findings of 30 HCC patients with B1-B3 BDTT from three high-volume institutions were retrospectively reviewed. Eighteen patients underwent computed tomography (CT) scans and twelve patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans before operation, respectively. The diagnosis of HCC with BDTT was conﬁrmed by postoperative pathologic examination.Results: According to Japanese classification, 5 patients were classified as B1 BDTT, 12 B2, 13 B3, and 82 B4, respectively. The HCC lesions were detected in all patients, and the localized bile duct dilation were detected in 28 (93.3%) patients. The BDTT was observed in all B3 patients and 3 B2 patients, but it was not observed in all B1 patients on CT or MRI. The BDTT showed relatively hypoattenuation on plain CT scans and T1W images, relatively hyperattenuation signals on T2W. The BDTT showed hyperattenuation at hepatic arterial phase with washout at portal venous phase. The localized biliary dilation showed no enhancement at hepatic arterial phase and no progressively delayed enhancement at portal venous phase, but it was more obvious at portal venous phase on CT.Conclusions: The HCC lesions and the localized bile duct dilatation on CT or MRI scans are imaging features of HCC with BDTT, which might facilitate the early diagnosis for B1-B3 BDTT.
The caliber of segmental and subsegmental vessels in COVID-19 pneumonia is enlarged: a distinctive feature in comparison with other forms of inflammatory and thromboembolic disease
Authors: Ambrosetti Maria Chiara , Battocchio Giulia , Fava Cristiano , Bejko Tatjana , Tacconelli Evelina , Minuz Pietro , Crisafulli Ernesto , Mansueto Giancarlo 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objective: to compare COVID-19 patients’ vessel caliber with that of normal lungs and lungs interested by other inflammatory and thromboembolic processes. Methods: between March and April 2020, 42 patients affected by COVID-19 pneumonia [COV-P] underwent a CT scan of the lung at Verona University Hospital for clinical indications. Lung images were compared to 4 different groups of patients (normal lung [NL], distal thromboembolism [DTE], bacterial and fungal pneumonia [Bact-P, Fung-P]) by a 4-year-experienced radiologist. Results: COV-P patients’ segmental and subsegmental vessels, as evaluated as the ratio with the corresponding bronchial branch (V/B ratio) were larger with respect to NL, DTE in the apparently healthy parenchyma, a result confirmed in the zones of opacification with respect to Bact-P and Fung-P. Conclusions: This is the first study to comparatively showing that segmental and subsegmental COVID-19 patients’ vessel caliber is significantly enlarged. This is a distinctive feature of COVID-19 pneumonia suggesting distinct pathophysiology as compared to other inflammatory and thromboembolic diseases and alerting radiologists to consider it when evaluating CT scan of suspected patients.
Salvianolate lyophilized injection induced autophagy against neuronal apoptosis through the Akt/mTOR pathway in Neuro-2a cells
Authors: Li Dongna , Ma Mengmeng , Zhang Wenqi , Xu Yangyang , Wang Shaoxia , Chai Lijuan , Guo Hong , Hu Limin 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Stroke remains a worldwide health problem. Salvianolate lyophilized injection (SLI) is one of the most widely-used in clinics in China for treating stroke. Our previous research found that SLI protects against stroke by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation. Whether SLI has other biological effects on stroke remains unknown. Methods: Neuro-2a (N2a) cells were treated with SLI (10, 25, 50μg/ml) and exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) as an in vitro model of ischemic stroke. Then, cell apoptosis was assessed using flow cytometry, apoptosis and autophagy related proteins were investigated by western blotting. Autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) pretreatment was used to detect the apoptosis effect of SLI on N2a cells. Results: In this work, we verified that SLI promoted cell proliferation, inhibited cell injury and apoptosis in OGD/R-induced N2a cells. The increase the expression of autophagy markers LC3 and Beclin-1, and decrease autophagy substrate protein p62 demonstrated the induction of autophagy by SLI. Additionally, we found that SLI activation of autophagy significantly preceded inhibition of apoptosis in N2a. Pretreatment with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA could antagonize the protective effect of SLI on inhibiting apoptosis, which may be related to the Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. Conclusions: The present study indicated that SLI has potential as a novel therapy for ischemic stroke, and its possible mechanism is to induced autophagy and inhibit apoptosis through blocking Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in OGD/R-induced N2a cells, providing new insights into the mechanism of SLI in the treatment of stroke.
Perinatal exposure to diesel exhaust origin secondary organic aerosol induces autism-like behavior in rats
Authors: Shwe Tin Tin Win , Thu Chaw Kyi Tha , Fujitani Yuji , Tsukahara Shinji , Hirano Seishiro 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social communication, social interactions and repetitive behaviors. The etiology of autism remains unknown and its molecular basis is not well understood. Both genetic and environmental factors may contribute ASD. In this study, we used diesel exhaust origin secondary organic aerosol (DE-SOA) as environmental pollutants. The aim of present study is to examine autism-like behaviors and related gene expressions in rats exposed to DE-SOA perinatally. Sprague-Dawley pregnant rats were exposed to clean air (control), diesel exhaust (DE) and DE-SOA in the exposure chamber for 5 h per day, 5days a week from gestational day 8 to postnatal day 21. At postnatal day 21, the male and female offspring rats were allocated into three different groups as follows: 1) rats exposed to clean filtered air; 2) rats exposed to DE; 3) rats exposed to DE-SOA. Social behaviors were investigated at 10 ~ 13-weeks-old rats using a 3-chambered social behavior test, social dominance tube test and marble burying test. Prefrontal cortex was collected under deep anesthesia to examine neurological and immunological markers, glutamate concentration, mast cell and microglia activation using real-time RT-PCR method, ELISA method and immunohistochemical analysis.
Results

DE-SOA-exposed male and female rats showed poor sociability and social novelty preference, socially dominant behavior and increased repetitive behavior compared with the control rats. The mRNA expression levels of serotonin receptor (5-HT(5B)) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) were down-regulated whereas interleukin 1 β (IL-β), and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) were upregulated in the prefrontal cortex of male and female rats exposed to DE-SOA compared to the control rats. In addition, the expression of mast cells and microglia marker ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule (Iba)1 were increased in the prefrontal cortex of male and female rats exposed to DE-SOA. Glutamate concentration was increased significantly in the prefrontal cortex of both male and female rats exposed to DE-SOA.
Conclusion

Our results indicate that perinatal exposure to DE-SOA may induce autism-like behavior in rats by modulating neurological and immunological markers in the prefrontal cortex.
Identification of prognostic-associated genes in colorectal cancer based on genome-wide expression profiles
Authors: Hou Siyu , Zhang Jinfeng , Chen Yanbo , Ning Shipeng , Li Guozheng , Zhang Xingda , Pang Da 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC), a severe disease in the world. The dysregulation of genes plays a significant role in cancer. Method: In the present study, we first identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of CRC in the GSE71187 data set from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. And through GO terminology and Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway, the up-regulated DEG and down-regulated genes were enriched. Then, we selected hub genes and studied their related prognostic value through protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and integrated bioinformatics analysis. Finally, 7 genes with prognostic value were obtained by survival analysis and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models, as well as verified in the Oncomine and UALCAN database.Result: A total of 3,588 DEGs were identified with 1,474 upregulated and 3,114 downregulated. Then, GO terms and Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that upregulated DEGs and down-regulated genes were mainly involved in important GO terms and KEGG pathway, for example, defense response to other organism, leukocyte differentiation and epidermis developmen. In the PP network analysis, 6 hub modules and 86 module genes were identified. In the end, 7 genes with prognostic value were obtained through survival and multi-factor analysis. They have significant differences in varying degrees at the level of DNA, mRNA and protein.Conclusion: The results of the study may provide novel insight into the genes and associated pathways involved in CRC, and aid the identifcation of novel therapeutic targets and prognostic marker of CRC.
The heterologous expression and characterization of a novel chitinase with dual catalytic domains discovered from a wetland soil metagenome
Authors: Dai Yumei , Yang Feng , Liu Xiao , Wang Hongling , Yan Zhiying 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Microbial chitinases have attracted a lot of attention because of their great potential in many applications. Metagenome-based approach obtains the target genes from the environment directly without culturing the microbes and is becoming a powerful tool to discover the novel chitinases.Results: Gene P1724 was found in a chitin-enriched microbial community from a wetland on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau using the metagenomic approach. The translated protein sequence of P1724 was predicted to have two GH18 catalytic domains and showed very low similarities with any known and hypothetical chitinases. The gene sequence of P1724 , its N-terminal GH18 domain ( P1724nGH18 ), or C-terminal GH18 domain ( P1724cGH18 ) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Using colloid chitin as substrate, these purified recombinant chitinases showed maximum hydrolytic activities at 40 °C, pH 5.0-6.0 and 0-0.5 M NaCl, and were cold adaptive since they were still active at 4 °C; the activities of three chitinases were decreased with the presence of Cu 2+ and EDTA, but increased with Ba 2+ and Ca 3+ ; all three chitinases showed both chitotiosidase and endochitinase activities, and could hydrolyze chitosan as well. Other than these common characteristics, P1724 and P1724nGH18 shared more similarity in temperature and pH stabilities, NaCl tolerance and substrate affinity, suggesting the N-terminal GH18 domain contributed more than the C-terminal GH18 did in biochemical characteristics of P1724. k cat / K m value (catalytic efficiency) of P1724 was significantly higher than the sum values of P1724nGH18 and P1724cGH18, which indicated that two GH18 domains of P1724 worked cooperatively in degrading chitin.Conclusion: Compared to most microbial chitinases that contain only one catalytic domain, P1724 contains two and was firstly discovered by the metagenomic approach. P1724, its N-terminal and C-terminal catalytic domains were heterologously expressed and characterized. These three recombinant chitinases are phylogenetically distant to any chitinases studied so far, have unique hydrolytic mode, high catalytic efficiency and so new promising candidates for chitinases in applications. In addition, this study broadens the knowledge of unknown chitinases in nature and shows a natural strategy for enzyme engineering by adding other catalytic domain(s).
Measuring Equity of Access to Health Services in Practice: Example of Eye Health Outreach Camps in Rural Malawi
Authors: Trotignon Guillaume , Jones Iain , Ali Shaneez Saeed , Mugwang’a Ziporah , Engels Thomas , Bechange Stevens , Kamwendo Effie , Schmidt Elena 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Introduction

Equity in the access and use of health services is critical if countries are to make progress towards universal health coverage and address the systematic exclusion of the most vulnerable groups. The purpose of this study was to assess if the Co-ordinated Approach To Community Health programme implemented by Sightsavers was successful in reaching the poorest population and people living with disabilities in Kasungu district, Malawi. Outreach camps were organized to provide a range of integrated eye care services.
Methods

Between April and September 2017, data on socio-economic status, household characteristics and functional disability were collected from patients attending at eye camps in Kasungu district, Malawi. Results were compared to Demographic Health Surveys and Integrated Household Surveys data. Using asset-based questions on household characteristics (EquityTool© and Simple Poverty Scorecard©) and the Washington Group Short Set of Questions, individuals were categorized by wealth quintiles, poverty status, and functional disability status.
Results

A total of 1,358 participants participated in the study. The study shows that self-reported data on household characteristics and assets are reliable and can be collected in clinical settings (instead of relying on direct observations).Individuals attending outreach camps were poorer in terms of relative wealth and absolute poverty rates compared to the rest of the population in Kasungu. It was estimated that 9% of the participants belonged to the poorest quintile compared to 4% for the population in Kasungu (DHS 2015–2016). The ultra-poverty rate was also lower among respondents (13%) compared to 15% for Kasungu district (IHS 2017). The functional disability rate was 27.5% for study participants, and statistically higher among women and relatively poorer household dwellers.
Conclusions

Our study shows that existing tools can be reliably used and combined to assess equity of access to health services for vulnerable groups of the population. The findings suggest that the programme was successful in reaching the poorest people of the Kasungu district population as well as those with non-visual disabilities through outreach camps. However, it is essential to use sub-national data (district or regional level) from recent surveys for the purpose of benchmarking in order to produce accurate results.