bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Antitumor Efficacy of CpG Oligonucleotides is Improved by Encapsulation in Plant Virus‐Like Particles
Authors: Cai Hui , Shukla Sourabh , Steinmetz Nicole F. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractOligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) with CpG motifs have potent immunostimulatory effects on many subsets of immune cells. For example, Class B CpG‐ODNs, such as ODN1826 induce the phagocytic activity of macrophages by activating the Toll‐like receptor 9 signaling pathway. Systemic ODN delivery results in unfavorable pharmacokinetic profiles and can trigger adverse effects. To address this issue, plant virus‐like particles (VLPs) are developed for the targeted delivery of ODN1826 to tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs). ODN1826 is encapsulated by the in vitro disassembly and reassembly of Cowpea chlorotic mottle virus (CCMV), producing VLPs that are structurally analogous to the native virus. The encapsulation of ODN1826 in CCMV‐derived VLPs promotes ODN uptake by TAMs ex vivo and significantly enhance their phagocytic activity. The antitumor activity of the VLPs in vivo is also evaluated, revealing that the direct injection of ODN1826 VLPs into established tumors induces a robust antitumor response by increasing the phagocytic activity of TAMs in the tumor microenvironment. CCMV encapsulation significantly enhances the efficacy of ODN1826 compared to the free drug, slowing tumor growth and prolonging survival in mouse models of colon cancer and melanoma.
Polymeric Films for the Encapsulation, Storage, and Tunable Release of Therapeutic Microbes
Authors: Qiu Kunyu , Young Isabella , Woodburn Blaide M. , Huang Yirui , Anselmo Aaron C. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMicrobe‐based therapeutics (MBTs) are an emerging therapeutic modality for treating gastrointestinal infections and inflammatory bowel diseases. Current formulations for oral delivery of MBTs use capsules to achieve safe gastric transit, but oral formulations that control the spatiotemporal concentration of MBTs are yet to be developed, despite well‐established connections between all therapeutics and their location, concentration, and distribution at sites of action. The development of a multi‐functional polymer‐based encapsulation system to formulate MBTs for enhanced storage and delivery through formulation of a model MBT, Lactobacillus casei ATCC393, is reported here. This approach enables the additive inclusion of excipients and polymers to grant specific functions, toward the development of a modular MBT platform. Through addition of established excipients, the formulation provides long‐term storage of the encapsulated MBT. By adding higher molecular weight polymers, the release kinetics of the encapsulated MBTs can be modified. The inclusion of a mucoadhesive polymer significantly increases the adhesion force between the formulation and the intestinal tissue. Together, mucoadhesive and sustained release properties can be used to modulate the spatiotemporal concentration of MBTs. The formulation is compatible with standard oral capsules, thus maintaining existing clinical advantages of oral capsules while providing new functions from film encapsulation.
Spin‐Controlled Nonlinear Harmonic Generations from Plasmonic Metasurfaces Coupled to Intersubband Transitions
Authors: Kim Daeik , Chung Hyeongju , Yu Jaeyeon , Hwang Inyong , Park Seongjin , Demmerle Frederic , Boehm Gerhard , Amann Markus‐Christian , Belkin Mikhail A. , Jung Joo‐Yun , Lee Jongwon 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMetasurfaces that generate nonlinear optical responses provide new degrees of freedom for applications such as nonlinear holography, wave mixing, and new frequencies generation. To extend the utility of flat nonlinear optics, metasurfaces providing both giant nonlinear response for efficient frequency mixing in subwavelength films and a single‐beam output with a local wavefront control need to be developed. Metasurfaces with giant nonlinear response have recently been realized using the concept of intersubband polaritons. Separately, nonlinear metasurfaces providing a single‐beam nonlinear output with a local wavefront control have been studied. However, a metasurface platform that possesses both of these properties has yet to be demonstrated. Herein, the first such platform is presented and its operation for three‐ and four‐wave mixing processes is demonstrated. This approach is based on using Pancharatnam–Berry phase control of local nonlinear response and on employing meta‐atoms with specific symmetries to enable generation of only a single nonlinear beam. Experimentally, 400 nm‐thick metasurfaces with a wavefront‐controlled single‐beam output are demonstrated for second‐ and third‐harmonic generation at pump wavelength of approximately 10 µm. Power conversion efficiencies of 7.6 × 10−4% and 3.6 × 10−4% are obtained for the two nonlinear processes, respectively, at peak pumping intensity of only 80 kW cm−2.
Investigation of the Therapeutic Potential of a Synergistic Delivery System through Dual Controlled Release of Camptothecin–Doxorubicin
Authors: Zhao Yongmei , Fletcher Nicholas L. , Gemmell Anna , Houston Zachary H. , Howard Christopher B. , Blakey Idriss , Liu Tianqing , Thurecht Kristofer J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAn ideal nanotherapeutic should enhance therapeutic efficacy of the drug while reducing side effects. This work reports development of a nanotherapeutic utilizing hyperbranched polymers as a platform for conjugating doxorubicin (DOX) and camptothecin (CPT) as potential synergistic therapies. The carrier also includes cyanine‐5 (Cy5) as an imaging tracer to monitor distribution and efficacy of the therapeutic, and a bispecific antibody (BsAb) as a cell targeting agent to increase accumulation and specificity for tumor tissue. The synergism of this drug combination is investigated by utilizing both redox‐ and hydrolytic release mechanisms of CPT and DOX, respectively. Drug release and cellular uptake studies confirm the proposed delivery mechanisms and subsequent intracellular trafficking of the drugs. In this particular case, a superadditive effect is observed in vitro for the two drugs when delivered by nanocarrier. This is enhanced when the carrier is targeted to epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) that is upregulated in the tumors. Moreover, tumor regression studies show that the synergistic therapeutic effect of combination nanocarriers has greater inhibition of xenograft tumor growth compared to treatments that deliver DOX or CPT alone, suggesting that codelivery of dual therapeutics using modular hyperbranched polymer carriers offers unique potential to regulate tumor growth.
Developing Enzyme‐Responsive Nanomedicine for Inhibition of hTERT Mitochondrial Translocation
Authors: Qin Hongshuang , Yan Zhengqing , Du Zhi , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang 
Published: February 2020

AbstractAlthough considerable efforts have been made to increase the sensitivity of anticancer agents, few strategies have been found to show general effects. Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is overexpressed in the majority of cancer cells. hTERT has been demonstrated to translocate to mitochondria and promote cell survival under cell stress, leading to significant resistance to chemotherapeutics in various cancer cells. Thus, inhibition of hTERT translocation from nuclei to mitochondria may be developed as an effective and general way to improve drug sensitivity. Herein, leptomycin B (LMB, a nuclear export inhibitor of hTERT) and doxorubicin are delivered into cancer cells by a mesoporous silica nanocarrier. This straightforward design can inhibit hTERT translocation and improve drug chemosensitivity in different types of cancer cells. Mechanism studies reveal that hTERT movement inhibition perturbs the protection of hTERT to mitochondria, exacerbating mitochondrial dysfunction and nuclear DNA damage. This work provides an effective method for increasing drug sensitivity based on telomerase location in cancer cells.
CACCT: An Automated Tool of Detecting Complicated Cardiac Malformations in Mouse Models
Authors: Chu Qing , Jiang Haobin , Zhang Libo , Zhu Dekun , Yin Qianqian , Zhang Hao , Zhou Bin , Zhou Wenzhang , Yue Zhang , Lian Hong , Liu Lihui , Nie Yu , Hu Shengshou 
Published: February 2020

AbstractCongenital heart disease (CHD) is the major cause of morbidity/mortality in infancy and childhood. Using a mouse model to uncover the mechanism of CHD is essential to understand its pathogenesis. However, conventional 2D phenotyping methods cannot comprehensively exhibit and accurately distinguish various 3D cardiac malformations for the complicated structure of heart cavity. Here, a new automated tool based on microcomputed tomography (micro‐CT) image data sets known as computer‐assisted cardiac cavity tracking (CACCT) is presented, which can detect the connections between cardiac cavities and identify complicated cardiac malformations in mouse hearts automatically. With CACCT, researchers, even those without expert training or diagnostic experience of CHD, can identify complicated cardiac malformations in mice conveniently and precisely, including transposition of the great arteries, double‐outlet right ventricle and atypical ventricular septal defect, whose accuracy is equivalent to senior fetal cardiologists. CACCT provides an effective approach to accurately identify heterogeneous cardiac malformations, which will facilitate the mechanistic studies into CHD and heart development.
Structural and Electronic Impact of an Asymmetric Organic Ligand in Diammonium Lead Iodide Perovskites
Authors: Silver Scott , Xun Sangni , Li Hong , Brédas Jean‐Luc , Kahn Antoine 
Published: February 2020

AbstractReduced dimensionality forms of perovskites with alternating layers of organic ligands are a promising class of materials for achieving stable perovskite solar cells. Most work until now has focused on phases utilizing two ammonium terminated ligands per formula unit. However, phases utilizing a single diammonium ligand per formula unit are advantageous in that they can potentially have a thinner insulating organic layer between Pb‐halide layers, yet the structural effects on their optoelectronic properties are not yet well understood. In this study two organic ligands, butane 1,4‐diammonium (BDA) and N,N‐dimethylpropane diammonium (DMPD), are investigated as spacers in n = 1, 2D perovskites. Using ultraviolet and inverse photoelectron spectroscopies, BDAPbI4 is shown to have a larger transport gap by 350 meV and a larger exciton binding energy by 140 meV than DMPDPbI4. Through density functional theory calculations, the cause of this difference is traced to the out‐of‐plane tilting of the Pb‐halide octahedra provoked by the asymmetric ligand in DMPDPbI4. Parallel channels of nearly straight PbIPb bonds are formed in one direction, leading to enhanced electronic coupling and higher band dispersion in that direction. In BDAPbI4, no such channels exist, resulting in greater electronic confinement and a larger bandgap and exciton binding energy.
Physical growth and body adiposity patterns in children and adolescents at high altitudes in Peru: Proposed percentiles for assessment
Authors: Cossio‐Bolaños Marco A. , Sanchez‐Macedo Lucila , Lee Andruske Cynthia , Fuentes‐López Jose , Limachi‐Flores Mary , Apaza‐Cruz Jorge , Mamani‐Velásquez Donny , Mamani‐Luque Ofelia , Sulla‐Torres Jose , Gomez‐Campos Rossana 
Published: February 2020

AbstractObjectivesThis study's purpose was to compare physical growth (PG) patterns of children and adolescents living at high elevations with those of other geographic regions, relate body adiposity indicators, and develop percentile reference tables for assessing physical growth and body adiposity.MethodsThe sample included 1536 children and adolescents ages 5.0 to 17.9 years from Puno (Peru) located between 3821 and 4349 m above sea level. Weight, height, arm and waist circumferences (WC), and three skinfolds measurements were recorded. Body mass index (BMI) and waist‐height Index (WHI) were calculated.ResultsPG patterns for children living at a high altitude reflected similar values for weight, height, and arm circumference (AC) to those of their counterparts living in Puno (Peru) and La Paz (Bolivia). When compared with children living at moderate altitudes in Peru, they showed slightly lower PG values. BMI explained between 41% and 64% of the variance in sum of the skinfolds, while WC explained between 47% and 66%. HWI was not a strong predictor of variation in sum of skinfolds. Percentiles were generated for WC and the sum of skinfolds.ConclusionWeight, height, and, arm and waist circumference patterns for children and adolescents living at high altitudes were similar to those of La Paz (Bolivia). WC and the sum of the skinfolds were better indicators for analyzing abdominal obesity compared to BMI and WHI. The percentiles proposed may be a useful tool for identifying high risk of developing overweight disorders in pediatric populations living at high altitudes.
Occurrence of lemurs in landscapes and their species‐specific scale responses to habitat loss
Authors: Steffens Travis S. , Mercado Malabet Fernando , Lehman Shawn M. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractStudies on the impact of habitat loss on species occurrence consistently find that the amount of habitat (measured as patch area) is a major determinant of species occurrence at a patch‐level. However, patch‐level research may fail to detect important patterns and processes only observable at a landscape‐level. A landscape‐level approach that incorporates species‐specific scale responses is needed to better understand what drives species occurrence. Our aim was to determine the landscape‐level scale of effect of habitat amount on the occurrence of three species of nocturnal lemurs (Cheirogaleus medius, Microcebus murinus, and M. ravelobensis). We surveyed line transects to determine the occurrence of three lemur species within a fragmented landscape of deciduous dry forest and anthropogenic grassland in northwestern Madagascar. To determine the scale of effect of habitat loss on lemur occurrence, we compared logistic regression models of occurrence against habitat amount among eight different landscape scales using Akaike's Information Criterion values. We found differing scale responses among the lemurs in our study. Occurrence of C. medius responded to habitat amount at scales between 0.5–4 ha, M. murinus at scales between 1 and 4 ha and M. ravelobensis at scales between 0.125 and 4 ha. We suggest that the scale of effect for C. medius is mediated by their ability to hibernate. A relatively lower scale‐response for Microcebus spp. likely reflect their omnivorous diet, small habitat requirements, and limited dispersal ability. Differences in scale responses between M. murinus and M. ravelobensis are likely a result of differing dispersal ability and responses to edge effects between these species. Our study is among the first on lemurs to show the value of a landscape‐level approach when assessing the effects of habitat loss on species occurrence.
Shaping Microcrystals of Metal–Organic Frameworks by Reaction–Diffusion
Authors: Park Jun Heuk , Paczesny Jan , Kim Namhun , Grzybowski Bartosz A. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWhen components of a metal–organic framework (MOF) and a crystal growth modulator diffuse through a gel medium, they can form arrays of regularly‐spaced precipitation bands containing MOF crystals of different morphologies. With time, slow variations in the local concentrations of the growth modulator cause the crystals to change their shapes, ultimately resulting in unusual concave microcrystallites not available via solution‐based methods. The reaction–diffusion and periodic precipitation phenomena 1) extend to various types of MOFs and also MOPs (metal–organic polyhedra), and 2) can be multiplexed to realize within one gel multiple growth conditions, in effect leading to various crystalline phases or polycrystalline formations.
Preparation of molecularly imprinted fluorescence sensor based on carbon quantum dots via precipitation polymerization for fluorescence detection of tetracycline
Authors: Wei Xiao , Lv Liang , Zhang Zhendong , Guan Weisheng 
Published: February 2020

AbstractA facile and effective method was proposed to prepare the molecularly imprinted fluorescence sensor with carbon quantum dots, which were modified vinyl groups by acrylic acid on the surface. The obtained fluorescence composite material was investigated by transmission electron microscope and Fourier transform infrared spectra. After the experimental conditions were optimized, a linear range of 1.0–60 μmol L−1 was obtained and the detection limit was 0.17 μmol L−1. The novel fluorescence sensor can be successfully used to detect tetracycline in real samples. This study provides a convenient strategy for selective recognition and rapid detection of tetracycline in the complex environment.
Recent Advances in the Synthesis, Surface Modifications and Applications of Core‐Shell Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanospheres
Authors: Zuo Bin , Li Wanfang , Wu Xiaoqiang , Wang Shige , Deng Qinyue , Huang Mingxian 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe hierarchically structured core‐shell magnetic mesoporous silica nanospheres (Mag‐MSNs) have attracted extensive attention, particularly in studies involving reliable preparations and diverse applications of the multifunctional nanomaterials in multi‐disciplinary fields. Intriguingly, Mag‐MSNs have been prepared with well‐designed synthesis strategies and used as adsorbent materials, biomedicines, and in proteomics and catalysis due to their excellent magnetic responsiveness, enormous specific surface area and readiness for surface modifications. Through a carefully designed surface modification of Mag‐MSNs, the performance and application prospects of the material are greatly improved. Typically, the introduction of various molecular matrices into the shell of Mag‐MSNs facilitates the combination of surface modifications and magnetic separation technology. So far, as sustainable chemistry is concerned, it is important to recover the functionalized core‐shell Mag‐MSNs after the reaction and reuse them without losing activity. In this review, the design conceptions and the construction of core‐shell Mag‐MSNs are discussed. Furthermore, various surface modification approaches of core‐shell Mag‐MSNs are summarized, and recent applications of these functionalized nanomaterials in the fields of biomedicine, catalysis, proteomics and wastewater treatment are exemplified.
Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms Associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Guerini Franca Rosa , Bolognesi Elisabetta , Chiappedi Matteo , Mensi Maria Martina , Fumagalli Oscar , Rogantini Chiara , Zanzottera Milena , Ghezzo Alessandro , Zanette Michela , Agliardi Cristina , Costa Andrea Saul , Sotgiu Stefano , Carta Alessandra , Al Daghri Nasser , Clerici Mario 
Published: February 2020

Vitamin D is endowed with a number of biological properties, including down‐regulation of inflammation, and might contribute to the pathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Vitamin D binds to the vitamin D Receptor (VDR); the biological activity of the ensuing complex depends on VDR FokI, BsmI, ApaI, and TaqI gene polymorphisms. We evaluated such Single Nucletoide Polymorphismsm (SNPs) in a cohort of 100 Italian families with ASD children. FokI genotype distribution was skewed in ASD children compared with their healthy sibs (Pc = 0.03 2 df) and to a group of 170 Italian healthy women (HC) (Pc = 0.04 2 df). FokI genotype and allelic distribution skewing were also observed in mothers of ASD children compared to HC (Pc = 0.04 2 df). Both Transmission Disequilibrium Test for single loci and haplotype analysis distribution revealed a major FokI (C) allele‐mediated protective effect, which was more frequently transmitted (73%) than not transmitted to healthy sibs (P = 0.02). A protective FokI‐, BsmI‐, ApaI‐, and TaqI (CCAG) haplotype was more frequently carried by healthy sibs than by ASD children (P = 1 × 10−4; OR: 0.1, 95% CI: 0.03–0.4) too. Finally, a strong gene‐dose association of FokI (T) allele with both higher Childhood Autism Rating Scale score (Pc = 0.01) and, particularly, with hyperactivity behavior (Pc = 0.006) emerged in ASD children. Because the protein produced by the FokI (T) allele is transcriptionally less active than that produced by the FokI (C) allele, the reduced biological activity of the vitamin D/VDR complex prevalent in ASD could favor ASD‐ and maternal immune activation‐ associated inflammation. Vitamin D supplementation might be useful in preventative and rehabilitation protocols for ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 680–690. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryVitamin D deficiency and Vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphisms are associated with structural and functional brain abnormalities and behavioral disorders. We analyzed the association of VDR gene polymorphisms in a cohort of 100 Italian families with ASD children. A strong correlation between one of the VDR polymorphisms and hyperactivity behavior was evidenced in ASD children. In healthy mothers, the same VDR polymorphism was also correlated with an increased risk of giving birth to children with ASD.
Personality pathology severity, cluster type and specific therapeutic interventions in outpatient psychotherapy
Authors: H. Cersosimo Bianca , J. Hilsenroth Mark 
Published: February 2020

AbstractWe explored the relationship between severity of personality pathology, cluster type and therapeutic interventions (psychodynamic–interpersonal [PI] and cognitive–behavioural [CB]) in 76 outpatients across two early sessions (3rd and 9th) of psychodynamic psychotherapy, while accounting for patients' baseline global symptom severity. Pretreatment personality pathology severity was assessed using the Personality Disorder Index (PDI), where DSM‐IV Axis II PD was assigned a value of 2, subclinical traits and features were assigned a 1 and absence of Axis II psychopathology was assigned a 0. Interrater reliability of personality pathology severity was excellent (ICC [1, 1]: 0.85). Interrater agreement for Cluster A (κ = 0.75), Cluster B (κ = 0.92) and Cluster C (κ = 0.70) was high. Interventions were coded with Comparative Psychotherapy Process Scale (CPPS) from videotapes, and reliability was excellent (CPPS‐PI = 0.86; CPPS‐CB = 0.78). Stepwise linear regressions indicated that therapists' focus on mood shift/topic avoidance (B = 0.29, p = .009) and future events (B = −0.26, p = .020) predicted Axis II severity. Overall use of PI techniques and Cluster A personality disorder (CLA) were positively correlated (r = .312, p = .006). Stepwise binomial logistic regressions indicated that therapists' focus on uncomfortable feelings (B = 1.915, p = .008) and explaining rationale behind approach (B = 1.276, p =. 038) predicted CLA. All results remained significant when controlling for patients' baseline general symptomatology (Brief Symptom Inventory‐Global Severity Index [BSI‐GSI]), except for the relation between explaining rationale and CLA. Discussion highlights how using psychodynamic treatment model, therapists' focus on patient's in‐session affect expression and explaining rationale behind approach are highly relevant when working with CLA patients.