bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biomimetic Scaffolds for Spinal Cord Applications Exhibit Stiffness‐Dependent Immunomodulatory and Neurotrophic Characteristics
Authors: Woods Ian , O'Connor Cian , Frugoli Lisa , Kerr Seán , Gutierrez Gonzalez Javier , Stasiewicz Martyna , McGuire Tara , Cavanagh Brenton , Hibbitts Alan , Dervan Adrian , O'Brien Fergal J. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractAfter spinal cord injury (SCI), tissue engineering scaffolds offer a potential bridge for regeneration across the lesion and support repair through proregenerative signaling. Ideal biomaterial scaffolds that mimic the physicochemical properties of native tissue have the potential to provide innate trophic signaling while also minimizing damaging inflammation. To address this challenge, taking cues from the spinal cord's structure, the proregenerative signaling capabilities of native cord components are compared in vitro. A synergistic mix of collagen‐IV and fibronectin (Coll‐IV/Fn) is found to optimally enhance axonal extension from neuronal cell lines (SHSY‐5Y and NSC‐34) and induce morphological features typical of quiescent astrocytes. This optimal composition is incorporated into hyaluronic acid scaffolds with aligned pore architectures but varying stiffnesses (0.8–3 kPa). Scaffolds with biomimetic mechanical properties (<1 kPa), functionalized with Coll‐IV/Fn, not only modulate primary astrocyte behavior but also stimulate the production of anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10 in a stiffness‐dependent manner. Seeded SHSY‐5Y neurons generate distributed neuronal networks, while softer biomimetic scaffolds promote axonal outgrowth in an ex vivo model of axonal regrowth. These results indicate that the interaction of stiffness and biomaterial composition plays an essential role in vitro in generating repair‐critical cellular responses and demonstrates the potential of biomimetic scaffold design.
Atomic Fe–N4/C in Flexible Carbon Fiber Membrane as Binder‐Free Air Cathode for Zn–Air Batteries with Stable Cycling over 1000 h
Authors: Yang Leping , Zhang Xu , Yu Lingxiao , Hou Jianhua , Zhou Zhen , Lv Ruitao 
Published: November 2021

AbstractNoble‐metal‐free, durable, and high‐efficiency electrocatalysts for oxygen reduction and evolution reaction (ORR/OER) are vital for rechargeable Zn–air batteries (ZABs). Herein, a flexible and free‐standing carbon fiber membrane immobilized with atomically dispersed Fe–N4/C catalysts (Fe/SNCFs‐NH3) is synthesized and used as air cathode for ZABs. The intertwined fibers with hierarchical nanopores facilitate the gas transportation, electrolyte infiltration and electron transfer. The large specific surface area exposes a high concentration of Fe–N4/C sites embedded in the carbon matrix. Modulation of local atomic configurations by sulfur doping in Fe/SNCFs‐NH3 catalyst leads to excellent ORR and enhanced OER activities. The as‐synthesized Fe/SNCFs‐NH3 catalyst demonstrates a positive half‐wave potential of 0.89 V and a small Tafel slope of 70.82 mV dec–1, outperforming the commercial Pt/C (0.86 V/94.74 mV dec–1) and most reported M–Nx/C (M = Fe, Co, Ni) catalysts. Experimental characterizations and theoretical calculations uncover the crucial role of S doping in regulating ORR and OER activities. The liquid‐state ZABs with Fe/SNCFs‐NH3 catalyst as air cathode deliver a large peak power density of 255.84 mW cm–2 and long‐term cycle durability over 1000 h. Solid‐state ZAB shows stable cycling at various flat/bent/flat states, demonstrating great prospects in flexible electronic device applications.
Hypothesis: Modulation of microglial phenotype in Alzheimer's disease drives neurodegeneration
Authors: Murchison Andrew G. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains to be elucidated. The amyloid hypothesis holds explanatory power but has limitations. This article suggests that amyloid deposition and increased permeability of the blood–brain barrier are independent early events in the disease process, which together fashion a distinct microglial activation phenotype. Downstream events including, phagocytosis of synapses and persistent glutamate signaling through N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors drive neurodegeneration and tau pathology. This hypothesis draws on several strands of evidence and aims to illuminate several of the unexplained temporal and spatial features of AD.
Geographic concordance of genetic barriers in New Zealand coastal marine species
Authors: Arranz Vanessa , Fewster Rachel M. , Lavery Shane D. 
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Comparative phylogeography is recognized as a powerful tool to discern common patterns of connectivity across species, information that can be crucial in assisting the design of protected area networks.
Previously, qualitative analyses have been undertaken in New Zealand waters in order to find concordance in marine dispersal barriers. This study presents the first attempt to quantitatively measure the congruence in genetic divergence breaks among 21 New Zealand marine coastal invertebrates, while accounting for the effects of variable sampling scale, life history traits and marker type.
Previously recognized phylogeographic barriers to dispersal were found to be significant across species, such as the North–South Island differentiation and a northern genetic break at Cape Reinga. Low‐dispersal species exhibited additional locations of common significant divergence. Some of the differences in genetic barriers observed among species may be more related to the habitat type of the species (intertidal zone or subtidal) and the marker type used in the study (mitochondrial DNA or microsatellites), than to the dispersal traits of the species (high or low dispersal).
Despite some limitations, the approach implemented here has significant advantages and permits the use of data from a wide variety of studies. This study provides the first quantitative insight into community‐wide genetic barriers within New Zealand's coastal marine ecosystem and provides directions for future investigations of this type in other regions.
Ophthalmic drugs: in vitro paraoxonase 1 inhibition and molecular docking studies
Authors: Çalışkan Büşra , Demir Yeliz , Türkeş Cüneyt 
Published: November 2021

AbstractGlaucoma is a neuropathy disorder and is generally treated by drugs. Allergic conjunctivitis is a common ophthalmologic disease. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) is an organophosphate hydrolyzer and antiatherogenic enzyme. PON1 is known for preventing atherosclerosis through lipid‐modifying features, as well as which has decisive actions of antiapoptosis, anti‐inflammatory, antithrombosis, and antiadhesion antioxidant activity properties. Thus, reducing the enzyme levels in hyperthyroidism, chronic renal failure, glaucoma, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases is a significant risk. This study was tested some ophthalmic drugs used to treat the diseases, such as glaucoma and allergic conjunctivitis, mentioned above, travoprost, latanoprost, ketotifen, emedastine, and olopatadine, for their inhibition activities against PON1. These drugs displayed the potent inhibition effect with IC50 values ranging between 14.95 ± 0.15 and 299.60 ± 4.07 μM and KI constants ranging from 9.71 ± 2.63 to 261.50 ± 59.98 μM. Besides, the molecular docking analyses of the competitive inhibitors, travoprost, emedastine, and olopatadine, were performed to understand the binding interactions on the enzyme's binding site. According to both in vitro and in silico analysis results, travoprost had the most potent effect on PON1 enzyme activity.
A review of the syntheses of flavanones, thioflavanones, and azaflavanones from 2'‐substituted chalcones
Authors: In Lee Jae 
Published: November 2021

AbstractFlavanones have been prepared by the cyclization of 2'‐hydroxychalcones using acidic reagents, such as H2SO4, HX, CF3COOH, CH3SO3H, KF‐celite, or SiO2. Treatment of 2'‐hydroxychalcones with bases, such as LiOH, KOH, NaOAc, K2CO3, pyridine, Et3N, or N‐methylimidazole afforded flavanones. The conversion of 2'‐hydroxychalcones to flavanones has been conducted using Co(salpr), K3Fe(CN)6, CuO, or Ni(Tfacac)2. Thioflavanones have been prepared by deprotecting and cyclizing S‐protected chalcones using AgNO3, HBr, CF3COOH, or NaOH and by adding NaSH or KCS2OEt to 2'‐halochalcones and subsequent substitution. Azaflavanones have been prepared by cyclizing 2'‐aminochalcones using acidic reagents, such as H3PO4, HCl, silica chloride, or K‐10 clay. Furthermore, treatment of 2'‐aminochalcones with Lewis acids, such as ZnCl2, SbCl3, Yb(OTf)3, InCl3, TaBr5, or CeCl3 afforded azaflavanones, and chiral azaflavanones were prepared by cyclizing 2'‐aminochalcones in the presence of per‐6‐ABCD, chiral amine, BINOL‐phosphoric acid, or thiourea catalyst.
Clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters and outcomes of COVID‐19 in cancer and non‐cancer patients from a tertiary Cancer Centre in India
Authors: Mirgh Sumeet P. , Gokarn Anant , Rajendra Akhil , More Ashwini , Kamtalwar Sujit , Katti Kritika S. , Singh Anuj , Goli Vasu Babu , Ravind Rahul , Madala Ravikrishna , Kakoti Sangeeta , Maitre Priyamvada , Punatar Sachin , Chichra Akanksha , Patil Amar , Trivedi Bhakti , Joshi Amit , Patkar Nikhil , Tembhare Prashant , Khanka Twinkle , Rajpal Sweta , Chatterjee Gaurav , Kannan Sadhana , Subramanian P.G. , Murthy Vedang , Shetty Nitin , Chavan Preeti , Bhat Vivek , Nair Sudhir , Khattry Navin , Gupta Sudeep 
Published: November 2021

AbstractBackgroundThere is paucity of data regarding clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters and outcomes of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) in cancer versus non‐cancer patients, particularly from India.Materials and MethodsThis was an observational, single‐centre, retrospective analysis of patients with laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 hospitalised in our institution between 22 May 2020 and 1 December 2020. We compared baseline clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters and outcomes of COVID‐19 (overall mortality, time to discharge) between cancer and non‐cancer patients.ResultsA total of 200 COVID‐19 infection episodes were analysed of which 109 (54.5%) were patients with cancer and 91 (45.5%) were patients without cancer. The median age was 43 (interquartile range [IQR]:32–57), 51 (IQR: 33–62) and 38 (IQR: 31.5–49.3) years; of whole cohort, cancer and non‐cancer patients, respectively. Comparison of outcomes showed that oxygen requirement (31.2% [95% CI: 22.6–40.7] vs. 17.6% [95% CI: 10.4–26.9]; p = 0.03), median time to discharge (11 days [IQR: 6.75–16] vs. 6 days [IQR: 3–9.75]; p < 0.001) and mortality (10.0% [95% CI: 5.2–17.3] vs. 1.1% [95% CI: 0.03–5.9]; p = 0.017) were significantly higher in patients with cancer. In univariable analysis, factors associated with higher mortality in the whole cohort included diagnosis of cancer (10.1% vs. 1.1%; p = 0.027; odds ratio [OR]: 7.04), age ≥60 (17.4% vs. 2.6%; p = 0.001; OR: 7.38), oxygen requirement (22% vs. 0.6%; p < 0.001; OR: 29.01), chest infiltrates (19.2% vs. 1.4%; p < 0.001; OR: 22.65), baseline absolute lymphocyte count <1 × 109/L (10.8% vs. 1.9%; p = 0.023; OR:5.1), C‐reactive protein >1 mg% (12.8% vs. 0%; p = 0.027; OR: 24.69), serum procalcitonin >0.05 ng/ml (22.65% vs. 0%; p = 0.004; OR: 4.49) and interleukin‐6 >6 pg/ml (10.8% vs. 1.3%; p = 0.036; OR: 3.08). In multivariable logistic regression, factors significantly associated with mortality were oxygen requirement (p = 0.005; OR: 13.11) and high baseline procalcitonin level (p = 0.014; OR: 37.6).ConclusionCancer patients with COVID‐19 have higher mortality and require longer hospital stay. High procalcitonin levels and oxygen requirement during admission are other factors that affect outcomes adversely.
Effect of targeted therapy and immunotherapy on advanced nonsmall‐cell lung cancer outcomes in the real world
Authors: Shokoohi Aria , Al‐Hashami Zamzam , Moore Sara , Pender Alexandra , Wong Selina K. , Wang Ying , Leung Bonnie , Wu Jonn , Ho Cheryl 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe evolution of diagnosis and treatment of advanced nonsmall‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has led to increasing the use of targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors. The study goal was to assess the effect of molecular testing and the introduction of new therapies on overall survival (OS). All patients with stage IV NSCLC referred to BC Cancer were included in the study. Four 1‐year time cohorts were created based on molecular testing implementation and funded drug availability: C1 baseline (2009), C2 EGFR TKI access (2011), C3 ALK inhibitor access (2015), C4 immunotherapy availability (2017). Baseline demographics, disease characteristics, and systemic therapy details were collected retrospectively. OS was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method and compared using the log‐rank test. There were 3421 patients identified with stage IV NSCLC and 1319 (39%) received systemic therapy. In the four 1‐year time cohorts C1/C2/C3/C4: driver mutation‐targeted treatment increased 1/17/27/34% (of total systemic therapy), as did treatment with any line immunotherapy <1/1/9/38%. Median OS with best supportive care (BSC) was 3.4/3.1/3.2/2.9 m (p = 0.16) and with systemic treatment 9.9/10.9/13.9/15.0 m (p < 0.001). Median OS by treatment exposure was BSC 3.1 m, chemotherapy only 7.3 m, targeted therapy 17.5 m, and immunotherapy 20.7 m. In our real‐world study, following the introduction of targeted therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors, there was a significant improvement in OS in each successive time cohort concordant with advancements in therapeutic options.
The effect of base value neglect on consumer evaluations of cost‐justified price increases
Authors: Rikala Veli‐Matti 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCost‐justified price increases are an important method for raising prices. However, little attention has been paid to how numeric framing affects their perceived fairness and thus purchase intentions. Building on research on price fairness and percentage processing, this article proposes that (i) a dual‐percentage frame, where both the price increase and the cost increase are presented as percentages, typically generates higher perceived fairness than alternative numeric frames as long as the percentage of the price increase does not exceed the percentage of the cost increase; and that (ii) this fairness advantage arises because a large proportion of consumers neglect the base values associated with the two percentages of a dual‐percentage frame when evaluating whether the price increase improves the firm's absolute profit. Evidence from a series of experiments supports both propositions. The article concludes with a discussion of the theoretical and managerial implications of the findings.
Chemical Constituents of the Essential oil fromCuminum cyminumL. and Its Antifungal Activity againstPanax notoginsengPathogens
Authors: Huo Ying‐Ying , Li Tian‐Tian , Yang Jing , Huang Heng‐Yu , Chen Chuan‐Jiao , Xu Fu‐Rong , Dong Xian 
Published: November 2021

AbstractCuminum cyminumL. (Cumin) is a flavoring agent that is commonly used worldwide, and is rich in essential oil. Essential oils (Eos) have been intensively investigated in regard to their potential for disease control in plants, which is provided a chance for the blossom of green pesticides. The chemical components of Cumin essential oil (CEO) were revealed by GC/MS, such as cuminaldehyde (44.53 %),p‐cymene (12.14 %), (−)‐β‐pinene (10.47 %) andγ‐terpinene (8.40 %), and found they can inhibit the growth ofP. notoginseng‐associated pathogenic fungi in vitro and the inhibitory effect of cuminaldehyde was similar to that of hymexazol. SEM and TEM images demonstrated that cuminaldehyde and CEO increased cell permeability and disrupted membrane integrity. The expression of disease‐related genes ofFusarium oxysporumshowed that CEO induced the expression of most genes, which disrupted biosynthesis, metabolism and signaling pathways. These studies verified the potential of CEO as a plant fungicide that is environmentally friendly and provided ideas for developing new products for controlling root diseases that affectP. notoginseng.
Insights into the Role of Graphene/Graphene‐hybrid Nanocomposites in Antiviral Therapy
Authors: Wu Xinyun , Manickam Sivakumar , Wu Tao , Pang Cheng Heng 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic outbreak has affected the lives of people globally on many different levels. Whilst a few antiviral drugs have been recommended for COVID‐19, there are no dedicated drugs available for this disease, yet. A virus pandemic could potentially induce severe public health threats, as well as economic and social consequences. Therefore, the discovery of effective, safe, and inexpensive antiviral agents is of great importance. Graphene has extraordinary properties. A series of successful biomedical applications involving graphene/graphene‐hybrid nanocomposites (G/GHNs) have been reported in recent years, including graphene‐based biosensor and related drug delivery system. This review is focused on the properties, synthesis routes, and applications of G/GHNs in antiviral therapy aiming to understand and highlight the unique properties of graphene and its derivatives, particularly for antiviral therapy, to evaluate and discuss the quality of graphene prepared via various preparation methods, to present the recent development of G/GHNs and their antiviral activities in prevention, detection and treatment, to offer perspective outlooks on the role of G/GHNs in antiviral therapy.
An effective image compression technique based on burrows wheeler transform with set partitioning in hierarchical trees
Authors: Arunpandian Sekar , Dhenakaran Subbaiah S. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn this article, the efficient image compression which consists of Burrows–Wheeler transform (BWT) with set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT). The main phases of the proposed system are: partitioning, compression of non‐ROI areas, Fusion and compression of ROI areas. To enhance the propose of the proposed methodology, the morphological functions are updated by dividing two types of images with the consideration of dilation and erosion control. After that, the convolution and correlation in the deformation provide good accuracy of the segmentation at the fastest speed. In this proposed methodology, SPIHT encryption is a lossy compression technique aimed at understanding the non‐ROI area, while the BWT is a lossless compression technique performed to achieve a summary of the ROI area. Finally, separating these two parts of the image merges the image and reconstructs it to the desired quality. The test sends a variety of images and analyzes the performance of the proposed system using compression ratio and PSNR measurements.
Pricklier with the proper predator? Predator‐induced small‐scale changes of spinescence in Daphnia
Authors: Diel Patricia , Rabus Max , Laforsch Christian 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPhenotypic plasticity in defensive traits is a common response of prey organisms to variable and unpredictable predation regimes and risks. Cladocerans of the genus Daphnia are keystone species in the food web of lentic freshwater bodies and are well known for their ability to express a large variety of inducible morphological defenses in response to invertebrate and vertebrate predator kairomones. The developed defenses render the daphnids less susceptible to predation. So far, primarily large‐scale morphological defenses, like helmets, crests, and tail‐spines, have been documented. However, less is known on whether the tiny spinules, rather inconspicuous traits which cover many Daphnia’s dorsal and ventral carapace margins, respond to predator kairomones, as well. For this reason, we investigated two Daphnia species (D. magna and D. longicephala) concerning their predator kairomone‐induced changes in dorsal and ventral spinules. Since these small, inconspicuous traits may only act as a defense against predatory invertebrates, with fine‐structured catching apparatuses, and not against vertebrate predators, we exposed them to both, an invertebrate (Triops cancriformis or Notontecta maculata) and a vertebrate predator (Leucaspius delineatus). Our results show that the length of these spinules as well as spinules‐covered areas vary, likely depending on the predator the prey is exposed to. We further present first indications of a Daphnia species‐specific elongation of the spinules and an increase of the spinules‐bearing areas. Although we cannot exclude that spinescence is altered because it is developmentally connected to changes in body shape in general, our results suggest that the inducible alterations to the spinule length and spinules‐covered areas disclose another level of predator‐induced changes in two common Daphnia species. The predator‐induced changes on this level together with the large‐scale and ultrastructural defensive traits may act as the overall morphological defense, adjusted to specific predator regimes in nature.
Using genomics to guide seed‐sourcing at the right taxonomical level for ecological restoration projects: The complex case of Carex bigelowii s.lat. in Norway
Authors: Westergaard Kristine Bakke , Kyrkjeeide Magni Olsen , Brandrud Marie Kristine 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThere is a growing demand for ecological restoration using suitable seeds following international standards or national legal demands for local seed‐sourcing. However, before selecting the appropriate geographic origin of seeds, it is vital to explore taxonomic complexity related to the focal taxa. We used ddRAD‐seq to screen genomic diversity within Carex bigelowii s.lat. focussing on Norway. This species complex is considered a candidate for seeding, but presents considerable morphological, ecological, and genetic variation. The genetic structure of 132 individuals of C. bigelowii s.lat., including Carex nigra as an outgroup, was explored using ordinations, clustering analyses, and a genetic barrier algorithm. Two highly divergent clusters were evident, supporting the recognition of two taxonomic units “C. dacica” and C. bigelowii “subsp. bigelowii”. Previously defined seed‐sourcing regions for C. bigelowii s.lat. did not consider the known taxonomic complexity, and therefore interpreted the overall genetic structure as seed‐sourcing regions, not taxa. We estimated genetic neighborhood sizes within each taxon to be 100–150 km and 300 km, respectively, indicating species‐specific delimitations of local seed‐sourcing regions. Frequent hybrids, local genetic distinctiveness, and suggested ecotypes add complexity to the discussed seed‐sourcing regions. Our results show how genomic screening of diversity and structure in a species complex can alleviate the taxonomic impediment, inform practical questions, and legal requirements related to seed‐sourcing, and together with traditional taxonomic work provide necessary information for a sound management of biodiversity.