bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
SERS‐based sensor for direct L‐selectin level determination in plasma samples as alternative method of tumor detection
Authors: Kowalska Aneta Aniela , Nowicka Ariadna B. , Szymborski Tomasz , Piecyk Patrycja , Kamińska Agnieszka 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSelectin ligands are present on the surface of tumor cells, for this reason lowering the L‐selectin level in the blood and lymph can indicate presence of the tumor. Therefore the selectin level in the plasma are potential targets for anticancer therapy. We demonstrate the surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)‐based sensor for the determination of L‐selectin level in biological samples that can be used in medical diagnosis. The combination of SERS with the method of multivariate analysis as principle component analysis (PCA) allows to strengthen the presented data analysis. The loadings of PCA permit to indicate those vibration modes, that are the most important for the assumed identification (bands at 1574, 1450, 1292 cm−1). Two bands at 1286 and 1580 cm−1 were selected for the determination of the calibration curve (bands intensities I1286/I1580 ratio). The L‐selectin level of biological samples can be read, directly from the calibration curve. The presented sensor is as a sensitive tool with good specificity and selectivity of L‐selectin, even in the case of coexistence of P‐ and E‐selectin.
Bioenergetic signature as a target of zinc oxide nanoparticles in Ehrlich ascitic carcinoma‐bearing mice
Authors: Morsy Sara , Abd‐Ellatif Rania N. , Soliman Nema A. , Ibrahim Wafaa M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe current study aims to evaluate the modulatory effect of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the bioenergetic signature biomarkers in the Ehrlich ascitic carcinoma (EAC) model. To achieve this goal, 90 female albino mice were included in this study and were divided into six equal groups (n   =15 per group): saline‐treated group, ZnO NP‐treated, EACs‐bearing mice, and three groups of EACs‐bearing mice treated with ZnO NPs at a dose of 20 mg/kg every other day, 10 mg/kg every other day, 10 mg/kg every day, respectively, for 14 days. The tissues from treated groups and control groups were homogenized and used for the assay of glyceraldehyde 3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and F1 beta subunit of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase levels, as well as the determination of lactate level. The survival time of mice was improved in all ZnO NP‐treated groups, especially in EACs‐bearing mice treated with ZnO NPs at a dose of 10  mg/kg every other day. This improvement was associated with an increased F1 beta subunit of ATP synthase level and a decreased GAPDH level. Also, the lactate level was significantly decreased in all treated groups when compared with the untreated group. The overall effect was the increased bioenergetic signature as compared with EC.These results implied that ZnO NPs have a significant efficacy against cancer cells and they significantly increased the bioenergetic signature.
Generation and initial characterization of novel tumour organoid models to study human pancreatic cancer‐induced cachexia
Authors: Vaes Rianne D.W. , van Dijk David P.J. , Welbers Tessa T.J. , Blok Marinus J. , Aberle Merel R. , Heij Lara , Boj Sylvia F. , Olde Damink Steven W.M. , Rensen Sander S. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe majority of patients with pancreatic cancer develops cachexia. The mechanisms underlying cancer cachexia development and progression remain elusive, although tumour‐derived factors are considered to play a major role. Pancreatic tumour organoids are in vitro three‐dimensional organ‐like structures that retain many pathophysiological characteristics of the in vivo tumour. We aimed to establish a pancreatic tumour organoid biobank from well‐phenotyped cachectic and non‐cachectic patients to enable identification of tumour‐derived factors driving cancer cachexia.MethodsOrganoids were generated from tumour tissue of eight pancreatic cancer patients. A comprehensive pre‐operative patient assessment of cachexia‐related parameters including nutritional status, physical performance, body composition, and inflammation was performed. Tumour‐related and cachexia‐related characteristics of the organoids were analysed using histological stainings, targeted sequencing, and real‐time–quantitative PCR. Cachexia‐related factors present in the circulation of the patients and in the tumour organoid secretome were analysed by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsThe established human pancreatic tumour organoids presented typical features of malignancy corresponding to the primary tumour (i.e. nuclear enlargement, multiple nucleoli, mitosis, apoptosis, and mutated KRAS and/or TP53). These tumour organoids also expressed variable levels of many known cachexia‐related genes including interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), TNF‐α, IL‐8, IL‐1α, IL‐1β, Mcp‐1, GDF15, and LIF. mRNA expression of IL‐1α and IL‐1β was significantly reduced in organoids from cachectic vs. non‐cachectic patients (IL‐1α: −3.8‐fold, P = 0.009, and IL‐1β: −4.7‐fold, P = 0.004). LIF, IL‐8, and GDF15 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in organoids from cachectic vs. non‐cachectic patients (LIF: 1.6‐fold, P = 0.003; IL‐8: 1.4‐fold, P = 0.01; GDF15: 2.3‐fold, P < 0.001). In line with the GDF15 and IL‐8 mRNA expression levels, tumour organoids from cachectic patients secreted more GDF15 and IL‐8 compared with organoids from non‐cachectic patients (5.4 vs. 1.5 ng/mL, P = 0.01, and 7.4 vs. 1.3 ng/mL, P = 0.07, respectively).ConclusionsThis novel human pancreatic tumour organoid biobank provides a valuable tool to increase our understanding of the mechanisms driving cancer cachexia. Our preliminary characterization of the secretome of these organoids supports their application in functional studies including conditioned medium approaches and in vivo transplantation models.
The role of blocking circulation and emerging open water feedbacks on Greenland cold‐season air temperature variability over the last century
Authors: Ballinger Thomas J. , Hanna Edward , Hall Richard J. , Carr J. Rachel , Brasher Saber , Osterberg Erich C. , Cappelen John , Tedesco Marco , Ding Qinghua , Mernild Sebastian H. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSubstantial marine, terrestrial, and atmospheric changes have occurred over the Greenland region during the last century. Several studies have documented record‐levels of Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) summer melt extent during the 2000s and 2010s, but relatively little work has been carried out to assess regional climatic changes in other seasons. Here, we focus on the less studied cold‐season (i.e., autumn and winter) climate, tracing the long‐term (1873–2013) variability of Greenland's air temperatures through analyses of coastal observations and model‐derived outlet glacier series and their linkages with North Atlantic sea ice, sea surface temperature (SST), and atmospheric circulation indices. Through a statistical framework, large amounts of west and south Greenland temperature variance (up to r2 ~ 50%) can be explained by the seasonally‐contemporaneous combination of the Greenland Blocking Index (GBI) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO; hereafter the combination of GBI and NAO is termed GBI). Lagged and concomitant regional sea‐ice concentration (SIC) and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) seasonal indices account for small amounts of residual air temperature variance (r2 < ~10%) relative to the GBI. The correlations between GBI and cold‐season temperatures are predominantly positive and statistically‐significant through time, while regional SIC conditions emerge as a significant covariate from the mid‐20th century through the conclusion of the study period. The inclusion of the cold‐season Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) in multivariate analyses bolsters the air temperature variance explained by the North Atlantic regional predictors, suggesting the remote, background climate state is important to long‐term Greenland temperature variability. These findings imply that large‐scale tropospheric circulation has a strong control on surface temperature over Greenland through dynamic and thermodynamic impacts and stress the importance of understanding the evolving two‐way linkages between the North Atlantic marine and atmospheric environment in order to more accurately predict Greenland seasonal climate variability and change through the 21st century.
Soil drought and circulation types in a longitudinal transect over central Europe
Authors: Řehoř Jan , Brázdil Rudolf , Trnka Miroslav , Lhotka Ondřej , Balek Jan , Možný Martin , Štěpánek Petr , Zahradníček Pavel , Mikulová Katarína , Turňa Maroš 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAmong the variables that can be employed to characterize agricultural drought, soil drought is of particular importance. This contribution uses gridded soil‐drought values calculated from the SoilClim model for the 1961–2019 period to analyse soil drought episodes (based on the 10th percentile) in four lowlands, relatively homogeneous regions in central Europe that provide a longitudinal transect over central Europe. These areas are predominantly located at altitudes of below 400 m asl and include central Bohemia, southern Moravia and an adjacent part of Slovakia, southern Slovakia and eastern Slovakia. The results indicate that, after 1990, such episodes occurred largely in the summer half‐year (April–September), accompanied by an increasing linear trend in the 1961–2019 period, while the situation was reversed in the winter half‐year (October–March). Selected drought episodes are further divided into three phases (Phase I – origin, Phase II – course, Phase III – end) and investigated separately in terms of precipitation and objective classification of circulation types based on flow strength, direction and vorticity. Decreases in the frequency of precipitation‐rich cyclonic and the directional types associated with higher daily precipitation totals, together with increases in precipitation‐poor anticyclonic types, were responsible for soil‐drought Phases I and II, with the opposite pertaining to Phase III. Differences in the effects of circulation types on precipitation and soil‐drought occurrence were considerable, particularly for central Bohemia compared with the other three regions. The results obtained are also discussed with respect to data uncertainty and their broader spatiotemporal context.
Metaplastic breast cancer: Prognostic and therapeutic considerations
Authors: Corso Giovanni , Frassoni Samuele , Girardi Antonia , De Camilli Elisa , Montagna Emilia , Intra Mattia , Bottiglieri Luca , Margherita De Scalzi Alessandra , Fanianos Denise Mattar , Magnoni Francesca , Invento Alessandra , Toesca Antonio , Conforti Fabio , Bagnardi Vincenzo , Viale Giuseppe , Colleoni Marco Angelo , Veronesi Paolo 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIntroductionMetaplastic breast cancer (MBC) is a rare condition of breast tumor with different subtypes, considered a disease with worse prognosis; treatments and survival are often unclear and conflicting.MethodsWe consecutively collected 153 primary MBCs of different subtypes. Breast surgery, neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment, clinic‐pathological factors, number and type of events during follow‐up were considered to evaluate overall survival (OS) and invasive disease‐free survival (IDFS).ResultsThe majority of MBC was triple‐negative (TN) subtype (88.7%), G3 (95.3%), pN0 (70.6%), and with high levels of Ki‐67 (93.5%). For OS and IDFS, no significant associations were seen between the different MBC subtypes. The matched triple‐negative MBC (TNMBC) and ductal TNBC cohorts had similar prognosis both in terms of OS (p = .411) and IDFS (p = .981). We observed a positive trend for TNMBC patients treated in the adjuvant setting with the cyclofosfamide, methotrexate, 5‐fluorouracil protocol for better OS (p = .090) and IDFS (p = .087). A poor or absent response rate was observed in the neoadjuvant setting.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that metaplastic and ductal breast cancers with TN phenotype are similar in terms of overall and disease‐free survival. Metaplastic cancers are poorly responsive to neoadjuvant treatment, and in the absence of novel targeted therapies, surgical treatment remains the first choice.
Metastatic renal cell carcinoma to the pancreas: Clinical features and treatment outcome
Authors: Shin Teak Jun , Song Cheryn , Jeong Chang Wook , Kwak Cheol , Seo Seongil , Kang Minyong , Chung Jinsoo , Hong Sung‐Hoo , Hwang Eu Chang , Park Jae Young , Lee Hakmin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesMetastatic renal cell carcinoma to the pancreas (PM‐RCC) is infrequent; we sought to describe the characteristics of PM‐RCC and analyze the outcome following treatment.MethodsData of 3107 mRCC patients treated between 1992 and 2007 from the Korean Renal Cancer Study Group database were obtained to identify 300 (9.7%) PM‐RCC patients. Characteristics and survival were analyzed and compared to the rest of the mRCC, according to the timing of metastasis and surgical treatments received.ResultsPM‐RCC was younger at initial diagnosis (55.0 vs. 58.2 years), more frequently in women (30.3% vs. 22.3%), and metachronous (65.3% vs. 41.9%) with a longer disease‐free period (82.0 vs. 33.0 months). Overall survival (OS) was significantly better in PM‐RCC but pancreas metastasectomy was associated with improved OS only among metachronous PM‐RCC. In the 132 metachronous PM‐RCC with pancreas metastasectomy, median recurrence‐free survival was 17.2 months and we found Heng risk group (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.384, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.213–4.684), younger age (HR = 0.965, 95% CI = 0.945–0.987), shorter interval to pancreas metastasis (HR = 0.993, 95% CI = 0.986–0.999), and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status to be predictive of early progression following pancreas metastasectomy.ConclusionCompared to the other mRCC, PM‐RCC demonstrated a favorable prognosis. Pancreas metastasectomy was associated with prolonged survival in the metachronous PM‐RCC with a long progression‐free period.
Predictive value of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and breast cancer prognosis
Authors: Li Xiaomin , Tan Qiuwen , Li Hongjiang , Yang Xiaoqin 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBackgroundTumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) are predictive for the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) of breast cancer. However, little is known about the predictive value of TILs for axillary lymph node involvement after NAC.MethodsWe analyzed 282 breast cancer patients who were operated following NAC and curative surgery from 2008 to 2018. TILs were assessed in core needle biopsies before NAC, and the biopsies were divided into three groups: low (0%–10% immune cells in stromal tissue within the tumor), intermediate (11%–59%), and high (≥60%). The patients were followed for an average of 63 months (range, 2–116 months). We analyzed retrospectively the predictive value of TILs for the response to NAC, including pathological complete response (pCR) and axillary lymph node involvement (positive lymph node ratio (LNR; the ratio of the number of nodes involved to the total number of nodes dissected)). The prognostic values of TILs and LNR were assessed.ResultsA pCR was achieved in 27 of 188 patients (14.4%) in the low‐TIL group, in 14 of 57 patients (24.6%) in the intermediate‐TIL group, and in 13 of 37 (35.1%) in the high‐TIL group (p = .007). Among patients who underwent axillary lymph node dissection after NAC, patients with high TILs had lower LNR (p = 0021) compared with the other groups. Kaplan‐Meier analysis showed that overall survival (OS; p < .001) and disease‐free survival (p < .001) were significantly longer for patients with low LNR (≤0.2). TILs were positively correlated with disease‐free survival (p = .028), but TILs did not correlate with OS (p = .171). Moreover, by multivariable analysis, LNR independently affected disease‐free survival (p < .001).ConclusionsTILs may be predictive for pCR rate, postoperative residual lymph node involvement, and disease‐free survival of breast cancer patients. High TILs may suggest favorable outcomes.
Modeling the role of riverine organic matter in hypoxia formation within the coastal transition zone off the Pearl River Estuary
Authors: Yu Liuqian , Gan Jianping , Dai Minhan , Hui Chiwing Rex , Lu Zhongming , Li Dou 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGlobally expanding hypoxia in estuaries and coastal oceans has largely been attributed to the elevated river nutrient inputs, whereas the role of river‐delivered terrestrial organic matter (OMterr) in hypoxia formation has been less investigated. This study uses a coupled physical‐biogeochemical model and observations to investigate how OMterr directly (via remineralization) and indirectly (via the nutrients released from OMterr remineralization) promotes hypoxia development in the coastal transition zone off the Pearl River Estuary. Results show that direct contribution of OMterr remineralization to total oxygen consumption by terrestrial and marine organic matter negatively correlates with salinity, decreasing from over 60% in the upper estuary to nearly 0% in the far reaches of the river plume, and is higher in the upstream (average 30%) than the downstream region (average 18%). Nevertheless, the nutrients released from OMterr remineralization greatly sustain an indirect contribution to oxygen depletion and hypoxia formation downstream. The increasing relative importance of indirect over the direct effect of OMterr to hypoxia along the plume path is a combined result of the wind‐driven eastward shelf current and the OMterr‐released nutrients being advected farther downstream than the sinking OMterr. This highlights that without including the indirect effect of OMterr may underestimate the role of OMterr in hypoxia formation in aquatic systems. Examinations of the hypoxia response to varying riverine loads further suggest that reducing the nutrient and OMterr loads is required for hypoxia mitigation in the upstream region while reducing the nutrient load alone is more effective in mitigating hypoxia in the downstream.
Seasonal and interannual variability of the Queen Maud Gulf ecosystem derived from sediment trap measurements
Authors: Dezutter Thibaud , Lalande Catherine , Darnis Gérald , Fortier Louis 
Published: October 2020

AbstractSeveral years of monitoring in the northern Canadian Arctic Archipelago contrast with a lack of repeated measurements in Queen Maud Gulf. As sea ice cover declines and maritime traffic increases along the Northwest Passage, Queen Maud Gulf, including the protected national historic sites of the HMS Erebus and HMS Terror wrecks, may experience drastic environmental changes. As part of the Kitikmeot Marine Ecosystems Study, moored oceanographic devices including a sediment trap were deployed in Queen Maud Gulf over three consecutive annual cycles from October 2015 to August 2018 to study the functioning of this geographic bottleneck along the Northwest Passage. Seasonal and interannual variability in total particulate matter (TPM), particulate organic carbon (POC), and microalgal fluxes were investigated in relation to wind speed, snow depth, sea ice cover, water temperature, and current velocity. Zooplankton and meroplankton present in the sediment trap were enumerated to monitor their composition and seasonal development. Landfast ice breakup consistently occurred in early June, followed by sea ice breakup in July. The release of sea ice algae was initiated in March 2016, May 2017, and June 2018, whereas peaks in diatom fluxes occurred in August or September. Sustained abundance of pelagic copepods and meroplankton suggested an ecosystem sufficiently productive to support the year‐round development of the pelagic and benthic communities. Elevated autumn TPM and POC fluxes reflected wind‐induced mixing and resuspension in the absence of ice cover. Our results provide a baseline for evaluating the impact of environmental changes on the Queen Maud Gulf marine ecosystem.
Croconaine‐Based Polymer Particles as Contrast Agents for Photoacoustic Imaging
Authors: Jansen Felicitas , Lamla Markus , Mauthe Diana , Fischer Stephan , Barth Holger , Kuehne Alexander J. C. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIn the development and optimization of imaging methods, photoacoustic imaging (PAI) has become a powerful tool for preclinical biomedical diagnosis and detection of cancer. PAI probes can improve contrast and help identify pathogenic tissue. Such contrast agents must meet several requirements: they need to be biocompatible, and absorb strongly in the near‐infrared (NIR) range, while relaxing the photoexcited state thermally and not radiatively. In this work, polymer nanoparticles are produced with croconaine as a monomer unit. Small molecular croconaine dyes are known to act as efficient pigments, which do not show photoluminescence. Here, for the first time croconaine copolymer nanoparticles are produced from croconic acid and a range of aromatic diamines. Following a dispersion polymerization protocol, this approach yields monodisperse particles of adjustable size. All synthesized polymers exhibit broad absorption within the NIR spectrum and therefore represent suitable candidates as contrast agents for PAI. The optical properties of these polymer particles are discussed with respect to the relation between particle size and outstanding photoacoustic performance. Biocompatibility of the polymer particles is demonstrated in cell viability experiments.
Synthesis and Encapsulation of Uniform Star‐Shaped Block‐Macromolecules
Authors: Waibel Kevin A. , Moatsou Dafni , Meier Michael A. R. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractLinear uniform oligomers synthesized via a two‐step iterative cycle are postmodified with uniform octaethylene glycol monomethyl ether and finally coupled via azide‐alkyne cycloaddition to yield uniform star‐shaped block macromolecules with a mass ranging from 10 to 14 kDa. Each of the molecules is carefully characterized by NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC) to underline their purity as well as their uniformity. The obtained star‐shaped macromolecules are investigated in their ability to encapsulate dye molecules by carrying out qualitative solid–liquid phase transfer experiments.
Racemic S‐(ethylsulfonyl)‐dl‐cysteine N‐Carboxyanhydrides Improve Chain Lengths and Monomer Conversion for β‐Sheet‐Controlled Ring‐Opening Polymerization
Authors: Bauer Tobias A. , Muhl Christian , Schollmeyer Dieter , Barz Matthias 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe secondary structure formation of polypeptides not only governs folding and solution self‐assembly but also affects the nucleophilic ring‐opening polymerization of α‐amino acid‐N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCAs). Whereby helical structures are known to enhance polymerization rates, β‐sheet‐like assemblies reduce the propagation rate or may even terminate chain growth by precipitation or gelation. To overcome these unfavorable properties, racemic mixtures of NCAs can be applied. In this work, racemic S‐(ethylsulfonyl)‐dl‐cysteine NCA is investigated for the synthesis of polypeptides, diblock and triblock copolypept(o)ides. In contrast to the polymerization of stereoregular S‐(ethylsulfonyl)‐l‐cysteine NCA, the reaction of S‐(ethylsulfonyl)‐dl‐cysteine NCA proceeds with a rate constant of up to kp = 1.70 × 10−3 L mol−1 s −1 and is slightly faster than the enatiopure polymerization. While the polymerization of S‐(ethylsulfonyl)‐l‐cysteine NCA suffers from incomplete monomer conversion and degrees of polymerization (DPs) limited to 30–40, racemic mixtures yield polypeptides with DPs of up to 102 with high conversion rates and well‐defined dispersities (1.2–1.3). The controlled living nature of the ring‐opening polymerization of S‐(ethylsulfonyl)‐dl‐cysteine NCA thus enables the synthesis of triblock copolymers by sequential monomer addition. This methodology allows for precise control over DPs of individual blocks and yields uniform triblock copolymers with symmetric molecular weight distributions at a reduced synthetic effort.