bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Herp knockout protects against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice on a high fat diet
Authors: Lei Zhi‐Xiong , Wang Juan‐Juan , Li Kang , Liu Ping 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThis study aims to discover the role of Homocysteine‐induced ER protein (Herp) deficiency in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). After 8 weeks of feeding with normal‐fat diet (NFD) or HFD, WT (wild type) and Herp−/− mice were measured for the body weight, liver weight and serum biochemical parameters. HE, Oil Red O, and Sirius red stainings were used to evaluate the histopathological changes of liver tissues. QRT‐PCR, Western blotting and Immunohistochemistry were employed to detect the mRNA and protein expression. TUNEL staining was used to observe the hepatocyte apoptosis. Herp knockout reduced the liver/body weight ratio of mice fed with HFD with the decreased serum levels of TG, TC, HDL, LDL, GGT, Hcy, ALT, and AST. Besides, WT mice fed with HFD presented obvious steatosis, inflammation and hepatocytes ballooning, which was relieved in Herp−/− mice. HFD‐induce NFALD mice demonstrated increased Oil Red, Sirius red, and α‐SMA staining than NFD‐induced mice, but mice in the Herp−/− + HFD group was lower than the WT + HFD group. HFD‐induce NFALD mice showed up‐regulated expression of Grp78, Chop, and Atf4 in liver tissues when compared with NFD fed mice. However, regarding to the mice fed with HFD, Herp deficiency decrease in the expression of Grp78, Chop, and Atf4 in liver tissues with the reduced hepatocyte apoptosis. Herp was highly expressed in HFD‐induced NAFLD mice. Herp knockout improved liver function and histopathological conditions with the decreased hepatocyte apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) of HFD‐induce NFALD mice.
Fast Hydrolytically Degradable 3D Printed Object Based on Aliphatic Polycarbonate Thiol‐Yne Photoresins
Authors: Wu Yimei , Simpson Miriam Cather , Jin Jianyong 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLike the thiol‐ene addition reaction, the thiol‐yne addition reaction can be initiated thermally and photochemically. The latter route therefore can be utilized for vat photopolymerization‐based additive manufacturing (AM). In this work, the following is reported (1) the synthesis of an aliphatic polycarbonate oligomer with a pendant alkyne functional group as a hydrolytically degradable “yne” component; (2) a new thiol‐yne photoresin formulation that has been applied in digital light processing (DLP) 405nm 3D printing to print objects with high resolution (50 µm layer thickness); and (3) the successful demonstration of fast hydrolytic degradation of a 3D printed object in aqueous alkaline solution. Therefore, the incorporation of an aliphatic polycarbonate alkyne component and ester thiols in the photoresin formulation is effective for imparting the ability to do fast hydrolytic degradation of 3D printed objects.
Testing repository engineered barrier systems for cracks ‐ a challenge
Authors: Effner U. , Mielentz F. , Niederleithinger E. , Friedrich C. , Mauke R. , Mayer K. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIm Jahr 2011 hat der Bundestag in Deutschland den Ausstieg aus der Kernenergie beschlossen. Der angefallene Abfall wird mehr als hunderttausend Jahre eine derartig hohe Aktivität besitzen, dass er eine erhebliche Gefahr für nachfolgende Generationen darstellen kann. Dieser radioaktive Abfall soll in tiefen geologischen Formationen (z. B. Salz, Ton oder Kristallin) sicher endgelagert werden. Die Endlager werden mittels sogenannter geotechnischer Abdichtbauwerke (Schacht‐ bzw. Streckenverschlüsse) verschlossen, wofür u. a. Zement‐ oder Sorel‐basierte Baustoffe (Betone) in Frage kommen. Die Beschreibung des Dichtvermögens dieser Bauwerke ist unabdingbar. In der Forschungsphase werden verschiedene Werkstoffe untersucht und Methoden für die zerstörungsfreie Untersuchung der Bauwerke als Mittel der Qualitätsprüfung entwickelt. Hierbei ist der Nachweis der Rissfreiheit bzw. die Detektion möglicher Risse ein vorrangiges Thema. In den letzten Jahren konnten bereits umfangreiche Erfahrungen mit der Untersuchung von in‐situ‐Versuchsobjekten in Realmaßstab gesammelt werden. Die Messungen wurden im Endlager für radioaktive Abfälle Morsleben am in‐situ‐Versuch “Abdichtbauwerk im Steinsalz” und in der Grube Teutschenthal am Großversuch GV2 durchgeführt. Es ist gelungen mit einem neu entwickelten Ultraschall‐Messsystem Eindringtiefen bis ca. 9,0 m zu realisieren. Die Messungen mit dem Large Aperture Ultrasonic System in Kombination mit der Rekonstruktion‐Methode Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique zeigen, dass die zerstörungsfreie Prüfung von Abdichtbauwerken möglich und die Nutzung des Messsystems zur Qualitätssicherung bei der Erstellung der Verschlussbauwerke vielversprechend ist.
Phenylketonuria in Portugal: Genotype–phenotype correlations using molecular, biochemical, and haplotypic analyses
Authors: Ferreira Filipa , Azevedo Luísa , Neiva Raquel , Sousa Carmen , Fonseca Helena , Marcão Ana , Rocha Hugo , Carmona Célia , Ramos Sónia , Bandeira Anabela , Martins Esmeralda , Campos Teresa , Rodrigues Esmeralda , Garcia Paula , Diogo Luísa , Ferreira Ana Cristina , Sequeira Silvia , Silva Francisco , Rodrigues Luísa , Gaspar Ana , Janeiro Patrícia , Amorim António , Vilarinho Laura 
Published: January 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe impairment of the hepatic enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) causes elevation of phenylalanine levels in blood and other body fluids resulting in the most common inborn error of amino acid metabolism (phenylketonuria). Persistently high levels of phenylalanine lead to irreversible damage to the nervous system. Therefore, early diagnosis of the affected individuals is important, as it can prevent clinical manifestations of the disease.MethodsIn this report, the biochemical and genetic findings performed in 223 patients diagnosed through the Portuguese Neonatal Screening Program (PNSP) are presented.ResultsOverall, the results show that a high overlap exists between different types of variants and phenylalanine levels. Molecular analyses reveal a wide mutational spectrum in our population with a total of 56 previously reported variants, most of them found in compound heterozygosity (74% of the patients). Intragenic polymorphic markers were used to assess the haplotypic structure of mutated chromosomes for the most frequent variants found in homozygosity in our population (p.Ile65Thr, p.Arg158Gln, p.Leu249Phe, p.Arg261Gln, p.Val388Met, and c.1066‐11G>A).ConclusionOur data reveal high heterogeneity at the biochemical and molecular levels and are expected to provide a better understanding of the molecular basis of this disease and to provide clues to elucidate genotype–phenotype correlations.
The Human Milk Oligosaccharides 3‐FL, Lacto‐N‐Neotetraose, and LDFT Attenuate Tumor Necrosis Factor‐α Induced Inflammation in Fetal Intestinal Epithelial Cells In Vitro through Shedding or Interacting with Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1
Authors: Cheng Lianghui , Kong Chunli , Wang Wenjia , Groeneveld Andre , Nauta Arjen , Groves Matthew R. , Kiewiet Mensiena B. G. , de Vos Paul 
Published: January 2021

ScopeHuman milk oligosaccharides (hMOs) can attenuate inflammation by modulating intestinal epithelial cells, but the mechanisms of action are not well‐understood. Here, the effects of hMOs on tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) induced inflammatory events in gut epithelial cells are studied.Methods and resultsThe modulatory effects of 2’‐fucosyllactose, 3‐fucosyllactose (3‐FL), 6’‐sialyllactose, lacto‐N‐tetraose, lacto‐N‐neotetraose (LNnT), lactodifucotetraose (LDFT), and lacto‐N‐triaose (LNT2) on immature (FHs 74 Int) and adult (T84) intestinal epithelial cells with or without TNF‐α are determined. Interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) secretion in FHs 74 Int and T84 are quantified to determine hMO induced attenuation of inflammatory events by ELISA. 3‐FL, LNnT, and LDFT significantly attenuate TNF‐α induced inflammation in FHs 74 Int, while LNT2 induces IL‐8 secretion in T84. In addition, microscale thermophoresis assays and ELISA are used to study the possible mechanisms of interaction between effective hMOs and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1). 3‐FL, LNnT, and LDFT exert TNFR1 ectodomain shedding while LNnT also shows binding affinity to TNFR1 with a Kd of 900 ± 660 nM.ConclusionThe findings indicate that specific hMO types attenuate TNF‐α induced inflammation in fetal gut epithelial cells through TNFR1 in a hMO structure‐dependent fashion suggest possibilities to apply hMOs in management of TNF‐α dependent diseases.
Design of an optimized multilayer absorber into the MWIR and LWIR bands
Authors: Bolakis Christos , Vazouras Christos , Michalis Pantelis , Giakos George 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this article, we propose a new approach for effective detection of infrared (IR) radiation, using an absorber consisting of two successive metal‐dielectric layers. To this end, a low cost, high‐efficiency composite IR absorber structure consisting of a set of two double‐layered element of thin metal layers paired with dielectric materials is presented. The proposed composite absorber can be tuned based on the metal layer sheet resistance and the thickness of various poly‐Si media; by appropriate choice of physical, electrical, and optical parameters, so that maximal absorption over both mid‐wave IR band regions (MWIR) and long wavelength IR band regions (LWIR) (3–12 μm), is achieved. The outcome of study indicates that the presented absorber configuration may be a promising candidate for integration into microbolometric detectors; while offering improved efficiency and functionality, for not critical timing applications, synchronously in both the MWIR and LWIR atmospheric thermal windows.
Monte Carlo computation of 3D distributions of stopping power ratios in light ion beam therapy using GATE‐RTion
Authors: Bolsa‐Ferruz Marta , Palmans Hugo , Boersma David , Stock Markus , Grevillot Loïc 
Published: January 2021

PurposeThis paper presents a novel method for the calculation of three‐dimensional (3D) Bragg–Gray water‐to‐detector stopping power ratio (sw,det) distributions for proton and carbon ion beams.MethodsContrary to previously published fluence‐based calculations of the stopping power ratio, the sw,det calculation method used in this work is based on the specific way GATE/Geant4 scores the energy deposition. It only requires the use of the so‐called DoseActor, as available in GATE, for the calculation of the sw,det at any point of a 3D dose distribution. The simulations are performed using GATE‐RTion v1.0, a dedicated GATE release that was validated for the clinical use in light ion beam therapy.ResultsThe Bragg–Gray water‐to‐air stopping power ratio (sw,air) was calculated for monoenergetic proton and carbon ion beams with the default stopping power data in GATE‐RTion v1.0 and the new ICRU90 recommendation. The sw,air differences between the use of the default and the ICRU90 configuration were 0.6% and 5.4% at the physical range (R80 — 80% dose level in the distal dose fall‐off) for a 70 MeV proton beam and a 120 MeV/u carbon ion beam, respectively. For protons, the sw,det results for lithium fluoride, silicon, gadolinium oxysulfide, and the active layer material of EBT2 (radiochromic film) were compared with the literature and a reasonable agreement was found. For a real patient treatment plan, the 3D distributions of sw,det in proton beams were calculated.ConclusionsOur method was validated by comparison with available literature data. Its equivalence with Bragg–Gray cavity theory was demonstrated mathematically. The capability of GATE‐RTion v1.0 for the sw,det calculation at any point of a 3D dose distribution for simple and complex proton and carbon ion plans was presented.
Possible utilization of salivary IFN‐γ/IL‐4 ratio as a marker of chronic stress in healthy individuals
Authors: Takemori Yuika , Sasayama Daimei , Toida Yukiyo , Kotagiri Minori , Sugiyama Nobuhiro , Yamaguchi Masaki , Washizuka Shinsuke , Honda Hideo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIntroductionSeveral studies show that psychological stress reduces Th1/Th2 ratio in blood samples. However, evidence is scarce regarding the cytokine alterations during stress in saliva. We investigated the influence of chronic stress on Th1/Th2 ratio and cytokine profiles in the saliva of healthy individuals. Further, we examined the associations of the salivary cytokine levels with sleep and attention problems, which are closely related with psychological stress.MethodsSalivary levels of 27 cytokines were measured by multiplex bead array assays in 31 healthy young individuals (health science students and hospital staff consisting of 11 men and 20 women, mean age [standard deviation] =21.5 [0.8] years). The Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K10) and Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS) were administered to assess subjective chronic psychological stress and sleep problems. Further, participants were asked to wear Actigraph GT3X accelerometers for 3 days to assess the total sleep time. Attention problems were assessed by administering the Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA‐CPT).ResultsThirteen cytokines with >80% detectable results were included in the main analyses. The IFN‐γ/IL‐4 ratio, which is a commonly used index for Th1/Th2 ratio, showed significant negative correlations with the K10 and AIS scores. None of the cytokines were significantly associated with sex, body mass index, sleep index measured by Actigraph, or IVA‐CPT scores.ConclusionChronic stress may be associated with alterations of the Th1/Th2 balance in salivary cytokine production. IFN‐γ/IL‐4 ratio in saliva may serve as a potential biomarker of chronic stress in healthy individuals.
RAS Amplification as a Negative Predictor of Benefit from Anti-EGFR–Containing Therapy Regimens in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Schrock Alexa B. , Lee Jessica K. , Sandhu Jaideep , Madison Russell , Cho-Phan Cheryl , Snider Jeremy W. , Castellanos Emily , Venstrom Jeffrey M. , Fakih Marwan 
Published: January 2021

Abstract

Background
RAS short variant (SV) mutations in colorectal cancer (CRC) are associated with lack of benefit from epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody (EGFRmAb). However, the clinical implications for RAS amplification (RASa) as a biomarker for anti-EGFR therapy in CRC remain ill defined.

Methods
Genomic analysis was performed using the Foundation Medicine (FM) comprehensive genomic profiling database of 37,233 CRC cases. Clinical outcomes were assessed using two independent cohorts: the City of Hope (COH) cohort of 338 patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC) and the Flatiron Health–FM real-world clinicogenomic database (CGDB) of 3,904 patients with mCRC.

Results
RASa was detected in 1.6% (614/37,233) of primarily mCRC. RASa 6–9 (n = 241, 39%), 10–19 (n = 165, 27%), and ≥ 20 (n = 209, 34%) copy number subsets had co-RAS SV/BRAF V600E in 63%/3%, 31%/0.6%, and 4.8%/0% of cases, respectively. In the COH cohort, six patients with RASa (13–54 copies) received EGFRmAb, four of six had progressive disease, two had stable disease, and median time to treatment discontinuation (TTD) was 2.5 months. Of the CGDB EGFRmAb-treated patients, those with RASa (n = 9) had median TTD of 4.7 months and overall survival (OS) of 11.4 months, those with RAS SV (n = 101) had median TTD and OS of 5.3 and 9.4 months, and those with RAS/BRAF wild-type (n = 608) had median TTD and OS of 7.6 and 13.7 months.

Conclusion
Patients with RASa without RAS mutations (1.1% of mCRC) may have poor outcomes on EGFRmAb, although numbers herein were small, and interpretation is confounded by combination chemotherapy. Larger independent studies are warranted to determine if RASa, including degree of amplification, may act similarly to RAS mutation as a resistance mechanism to EGFRmAb therapies.

Implications for Practice
Genomic data suggest that RAS amplification occurs as the sole RAS/RAF alteration in &gt;1% of colorectal cancer cases and that degree of amplification inversely correlates with co-occurring MAPK pathway alterations. Preliminary clinical evidence suggests that RAS amplification may function similarly to RAS mutation as a negative predictor of benefit from anti-epidermal growth factor receptor therapies in colorectal cancer. More clinical data are needed, and comprehensive genomic profiling, including detection of RAS amplification, should be used in trial design to inform therapy selection.
Recent progress in micro‐/nano‐fibrillar reinforced polymeric composite foams
Authors: Zhao Chongxiang , Mark Lun Howe , Kim Sundong , Chang Eunse , Park Chul B. , Lee Patrick C. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractManufacture of thermoplastic foams with a fine cellular structure (a higher expansion ratio, a higher cell density, and smaller cell sizes) is challenging work due to the weak viscoelastic behavior and the unsuitable crystallization behavior of common thermoplastic materials. In this work, a novel method of making microcellular foams with micro‐/nano‐fibrillar reinforced polymeric composites (M/NFC) is introduced, which shows various advantages compared to conventional foams. The M/NFC foams have improved cellular structures, excellent mechanical properties, and enhanced thermal insulation properties, which make them popular candidates for structural applications and insulative products. Various methods to manufacture of M/NFC foam are summarized. To understand the fundamental mechanisms of the foaming enhancement by incorporating micro‐/nano‐size fibrils, the rheological and crystallization behavior of the M/NFC are analyzed. It is shown that the micro‐/nano‐fibrils can strengthen the melt strength, induce faster crystallization, and increase the number of crystals. Due to the improvement of the cell morphology and the stiffness of the cell walls, the reinforced foams have superior mechanical properties. A hierarchically porous structure in high expansion ratio reinforced foams has also been developed. It is believed that the nano‐size holes in the cell walls can further reduce the thermal conductivity of the foams.
Multifunctionality and intrinsic disorder of royal jelly proteome
Authors: Uversky Vladimir N. , Albar Abdulgader H. , Khan Rizwan H. , Redwan Elrashdy M. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractRoyal Jelly (RJ) is a gelatinous white‐yellowish fluid, possessing a sour taste and a slight phenolic smell that is secreted by the hypopharyngeal and mandibular salivary glands of the nurse honeybees, and is used in nutrition of larvae and adult queens. Similar to other substances associated with the activities of honeybees, RJ not only contains nutritive components, such as carbohydrates, proteins, peptides, lipids, vitamins, and mineral salts, but also represents a natural ingredient with cosmetic and health‐promoting properties. RJ is characterized by remarkable multifunctionality, possessing numerous biological activities. Although this multifunctionality of RJ can be considered as a consequence of its complex nature, many proteins and peptides in RJ are polyfunctional entities themselves. In this article, we show that RJ proteins contain different levels of intrinsic disorder, have sites of post‐translational modifications, can be found in multiple isoforms, and many of them possess disorder‐based binding sites, suggesting that the conformational ensembles of the RJ proteins might undergo change as a result of their interaction with specific binding partners. All these observations suggest that the multifunctionality of proteins and peptides from RJ is determined by their structural heterogeneity and polymorphism, and serve as an illustration of the protein structure‐function continuum concept.
Locked‐In Syndrome: Practical Rehabilitation Management
Authors: Farr Ellen , Altonji Kathryn , Harvey Richard L. 
Published: January 2021

AbstractLocked‐in syndrome is a rare and devastating condition that results in tetraplegia, lower cranial nerve paralysis, and anarthria with preserved cognition, vertical gaze, and upper eyelid movements. Although acute management is much like that of any severe stroke, rehabilitation and recovery of these patients have not been previously described. Challenges relevant to this population include blood pressure management and orthostasis, timing and appropriateness of reinstating oral feeding, ventilatory support, decannulation after tracheostomy, bowel and bladder management, vestibular dysfunction, and eye care. Targeted rehabilitation of head, neck, and trunk stability to improve function, and proper fit in an appropriate wheelchair are essential to assist with mobility. Rehabilitation interventions should include a focus on distal motor control and upright tolerance training followed by balance and mobility exercises. In addition, special considerations must be given to developing early methods of communication through use of augmentative systems to call for help and express needs. These systems along with additional technology provide the basis to promote connectivity to family and friends through the use of social media and the internet. Establishment of communication, mobility, and connectivity is essential in promoting independence, autonomy, and improving quality of life. Overall, with specialized rehabilitative care and access to the proper equipment, long‐term outcomes and quality of life in these patients can be favorable.
The improved photosensitivity of photosensitive polyimides containing o‐nitrobenzyl ether groups induced by the addition of photoacid generator
Authors: Song Gwang‐Sik , Heo Youn‐Jung , Baek Jeong Ju , Lee Hyosun , Bae Geun Yeol , Choi Kyung Ho , Koh Won‐Gun , Shin Gyojic 
Published: January 2021

AbstractIn this article, photosensitive polyimides (PSPIs) with photosensitive groups, o‐nitrobenzyl ether groups (Nb), were successfully synthesized based on 2,2′‐dihydroxy benzophenone‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride and on diamine containing ethylene glycol chains (ODA). Also, a series of polyimide (PI), ODA‐1‐PI, ODA‐3‐PI, and ODA‐5‐PI with a number of ethylene glycol chains of 1, 3, and 5 were prepared to investigate the relationship between structure and solubility. Interestingly, ODA‐5‐PI, which possesses a large number of ethylene glycols, exhibited the most excellent solubility. Therefore, due to the good solubility of ODA‐5‐PI in organic solvents and alkaline solutions, a PSPI, poly(1,4‐phenyleneoxy‐3,6,9,12,15‐pentaoxaoctane‐1,4‐phenylene‐2,2′‐di[2‐nitrobenzyloxy]benzophenone‐3,3′,4,4′‐tetracarboxdiimide), named ODA‐5‐PSPI, was synthesized by linking Nb, which is a photosensitive group. Aiming at producing positive tone patterns, the synthesized ODA‐5‐PSPI was exposed to UV irradiation and then to a post‐exposure bake. Afterward, it was developed using a 2.38 wt% tetramethylammonium hydroxide solution. Furthermore, a photoacid generator (PAG) was additionally incorporated for a micropatterning process. Notably, in the presence of the PAG, the photocleavage of ODA‐5‐PSPI occurred not only by the intramolecular rearrangement of Nb but also by its hydrolysis reaction. As a result, due to the synergistic effect of photocleavage, the micropatterning of ODA‐5‐PSPI with PAG could be clearly obtained with less energy (2.0 J/cm2) compared with that without PAG (3.6 J/cm2). Therefore, through the addition of PAG, the photosensitivity was improved by 45%.