bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Liposomes‐Camouflaged Redox‐Responsive Nanogels to Resolve the Dilemma between Extracellular Stability and Intracellular Drug Release
Authors: Ma Jinfeng , Deng Hongzhang , Zhao Fuli , Deng Liandong , Wang Weiwei , Dong Anjie , Zhang Jianhua 
Published: May 2018

AbstractLiposomes have shown great promises for pharmaceutical applications, but still suffer from the poor storage stability, undesirable drug leakage, and uncontrolled drug release. Herein, liposomes‐camouflaged redox‐responsive nanogels platform (denoted as “R‐lipogels”) is prepared to integrate the desirable features of sensitive nanogels into liposomes to circumvent their intrinsic issues. The results indicate that drug‐loaded R‐lipogels with controlled size and high stability not only can achieve a very high doxorubicin (DOX)‐loading capacity (12.9%) and encapsulation efficiency (97.3%) by ammonium sulfate gradient method and very low premature leakage at physiological condition, but also can quickly release DOX in the reducing microenvironment of tumor cells, resulting in effective growth inhibition of tumor cells. In summary, the strategy given here provides a facile approach to develop liposomes–nanogels hybrid system with combined beneficial features of stealthy liposomes and responsive nanogels, which potentially resolves the dilemma between systemic stability and intracellular rapid drug release.
Polyimide/Graphene Nanocomposites with Improved Gas Barrier and Thermal Properties due to a “Dual‐Plane” Structure Effect
Authors: Liu Yiwu , Liu Junjie , Ding Qian , Tan Jinghua , Chen Zhiquan , Chen Junyi , Zuo Xuri , Tang Ao , Zeng Kejian 
Published: May 2018

AbstractGraphene nanosheets are prepared by solution‐phase exfoliation of graphite and successfully incorporated with polyimide to obtain polyimide/graphene (DABPI/G) nanocomposites via in situ polymerization. Compared with those of pure DABPI, the DABPI/G nanocomposites exhibit better barrier and thermal properties. The oxygen and water vapor transmission rates of the DABPI/G (0.5 wt%) nanocomposite are 0.69 cm3m−2d−1and 0.44 g m−2d−1, respectively, which are 92 and 85% lower than those of pure DABPI. Meanwhile, the DABPI/G (0.5 wt%) nanocomposite exhibits excellent thermal stability with a Td5%of 578 °C and a coefficient of thermal expansion of −0.19 ppm K−1. The excellent barrier and thermal properties of DABPI/G nanocomposites are mainly attributed to the fine dispersion and orientation of the graphene nanosheets, increased crystallinity, and low free volume of the DABPI matrix. These are the result of the “dual‐plane” structure effect, which is the synergistic orientation effect between the rigid planar molecular chains of DABPI and the nanosheets of graphene.
Nanocrystalline Cellulose for Anisotropic Magnetoelectric Composites
Authors: Zong Yan , Yue Zhilian , Higgins Michael J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe emergence of piezoelectric polymers in magnetoelectric (ME) composites enables flexible and low‐cost device fabrication though notably gives rise to the highest ME output voltages to date. Accordingly, the highest piezoresponsive polymers, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and its copolymers, are exclusively studied despite an inventory of unexplored piezoelectric polymers such as naturally occurring cellulose, that is only recently demonstrated in ME composites. Herein, the development of nanocrystalline cellulose (CNC)‐based ME composites is reported on. Two types of CNC, nanospheres and nanowhiskers, are synthesized and incorporated in laminate composite, which exhibit a giant αME (>1 V cm−1 Oe−1). By successfully reconstructing the orientated cellulose fibril structures found in natural plants using spinning‐induced alignment of CNC nanowhiskers, an anisotropic effect originating from the piezoelectric phase in ME composites is attained. The anisotropic effect produces output voltages an order of magnitude higher than those in current polymer‐based particulate ME vector sensing composites with 0–3 configurations.
Scaffolds with Tunable Properties Constituted by Electrospun Nanofibers of Polyglycolide and Poly(ε‐caprolactone)
Authors: Keridou Ina , Franco Lourdes , Turon Pau , del Valle Luís J. , Puiggalí Jordi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractElectrospun scaffolds constituted by different mixtures of two biodegradable polyesters are prepared. Specifically, materials with well differentiated properties can be derived from the blending of hydrophilic polyglycolide (PGA) and hydrophobic poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL), which are also two of the most applied polymers for biomedical uses. Electrospinning conditions are selected in order to get homogeneous and continuous fibers with diameters in the nano/micrometric range. These conditions are also applied to load the different scaffolds with curcumin (CUR) and polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) as hydrophobic and hydrophilic bactericide compounds, respectively. Physicochemical characterization of both unloaded and loaded scaffolds is performed and involved Fourier transform infrared and 1H NMR spectroscopies, morphological observations by scanning electron microscopy, study of thermal properties through calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, and evaluation of surface characteristics through contact angle measurements. Release behavior of the loaded scaffolds is evaluated in two different media. Results point out a well differentiated behavior where the delivery of CUR and even PHMB are highly dependent on the PGA/PCL ratio, the capability of the medium to swell the polymer matrix, and the diffusion of the selected solvent into the electrospun fibers. All samples show a bactericide effect in both hydrophilic cell culture and hydrophobic agar media.
Complex interpolation of Herz‐type Triebel–Lizorkin spaces
Authors: Drihem Douadi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe study complex interpolation of Herz‐type Triebel–Lizorkin spaces by using the Calderón product method. Additionally we present complex interpolation between Herz‐type Triebel–Lizorkin spaces and Triebel–Lizorkin spaces . Moreover, we apply these results to obtain the complex interpolation of Triebel–Lizorkin spaces equipped with power weights and between (or ) spaces and Herz spaces.
Conformational Changes and Dynamics during Adsorption of Macromolecules with Different Degree of Polymerization Studied by Monte Carlo Simulations
Authors: Sabater i Serra Roser , Torregrosa Cabanilles Constantino , Meseguer Dueñas José María , Gómez Ribelles José Luis , Molina‐Mateo José 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDynamics of multilayer adsorption of macromolecules with different degree of polymerization is studied by coarse‐grained Monte Carlo simulations, focusing on both the interface macromolecule‐surface and chain–chain interaction in and out of equilibrium conditions. The interfacial interaction between the solid flat surface and the macromolecules is modeled by means of a Lennard–Jones potential, and inter‐ and intrachain interactions are simulated using bond angle, bond length, and Lennard–Jones potentials. The results show that local and conformational motions near the glass transition temperature promote configurations with minimal energy, which induce better space efficiency and favor aligned conformations at the interface. In this context, it is also found that restriction of movement, together with the connectivity effect exerted by the partially adsorbed segments, leads to a range of chain lengths that maximizes the molecular groups adsorbed.
Chimeric HDAC inhibitors: Comprehensive review on the HDAC‐based strategies developed to combat cancer
Authors: Hesham Heba M. , Lasheen Deena S. , Abouzid Khaled A.M. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRecently, molecular hybridization paradigm became an interesting and smart way to defeat the multifaceted cancer disease by a single molecular entity that acts via several mechanisms just like a magic bullet. Also, HDAC is an important epigenetic target in drug discovery, and the HDAC inhibitors showed successful pattern as cytotoxic agents. Because of their flexible structure activity relationship, it was easy to link them to other anticancer scaffolds. So, many dual action HDAC inhibitors have been developed and most of these hybrids have higher potency than the constituting parents in fighting of the cancer cells. This review describes potential applications of chimeric HDAC inhibitors, which simultaneously modulate not only HDAC but also multiple targets, in treatment of relapsing and drug‐resistant cancers. We have nearly collected most of the reported dual action HDAC inhibitors yet to provide a comprehensive guide for the drug discovery process for developing more efficient anticancer agents.
Modeling of Semibatch Solution Radical Copolymerization of Butyl Methacrylate and 2‐Hydroxyethyl Acrylate
Authors: Schier Jan E. S. , Zhang Min , Grady Michael C. , Hutchinson Robin A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractNonfunctional monomer feedstocks containing alkyl meth(acrylate) components such as butyl acrylate (BA) and butyl methacrylate (BMA) are replaced or augmented with functional monomers such as 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and 2‐hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) to produce reactive polymer chains of lowered molar mass for application in solvent‐borne automotive coatings. The introduction of such polar and functional reactants affects the radical copolymerization kinetics and introduces solvent dependencies. A series of BMA/HEA experiments are performed to determine the influence of these changing kinetic parameters under starved‐feed semibatch operating conditions. A comparison with BMA/BA copolymerizations shows that the influence of hydrogen bonding is small, with the semibatch system well controlled to HEA contents of up to 50 wt%. Thus, the experiments are well represented by a comprehensive generalized copolymerization model that considers relevant methacrylate and acrylate side‐reactions and uses the chain growth parameters measured in previous kinetic investigations.
The Effect of Water Temperature, Angling Time, and Dissolved Oxygen on the Survival of Largemouth Bass Subjected to Simulated Angling and Tournament Handling Procedures
Authors: Keretz Kevin R. , Dinken Colin P. , Allen Peter J. , Colvin Michael E. , Schramm Harold L. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
The Largemouth Bass Micropterus salmoides is the most sought-after species by recreational and tournament anglers in the United States. Survival of angled and tournament-handled Largemouth Bass has been related to numerous factors, but the independent effects of water temperature, angling time, and live-well dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration on survival have not been measured. Understanding the independent effects of these factors on fish survival is necessary to formulate realistic models to predict population effects of catch-and-release and tournament angling throughout the year. Survival responses to water temperature, angling time, and live-well DO concentration are also needed to develop guidelines useful for maximizing survival of released Largemouth Bass. Five-day survival of Largemouth Bass larger than 300 mm was evaluated after simulated catch-and-release and tournament handling (8 h of confinement in aerated live wells and a weigh-in before release) over the range of water temperatures typically encountered by Largemouth Bass anglers (17–33°C) while also testing independent effects of simulated angling time (1 and 3 min), live-well temperature change (∆T = 0, −4, and +4°C), and live-well DO (2.0, 5.5, and 8.5 mg/L). Survival of fish subjected to catch and immediate release was 100% at all temperatures measured, and survival of tournament-caught fish was over 80% at temperatures of 29°C or less but declined at 33°C. Survival decreased with increased simulated angling time at high temperatures and at a DO level of 2.0 mg/L in live wells. Survival rates and probabilities provided in this study should be considered best-case estimates because all fish were handled carefully and not subjected to hook wounding. However, results suggest that high survival of angled and tournament-handled Largemouth Bass is possible with short angling times and appropriate live-well management.
A novel scaled boundary finite element formulation with stabilization and its application to image‐based elastoplastic analysis
Authors: He Ke , Song Chongmin , Ooi Ean Tat 
Published: May 2018

SummaryDigital images are increasingly being used as input data for computational analyses. This study presents an efficient numerical technique to perform image‐based elastoplastic analysis of materials and structures. The quadtree decomposition algorithm is employed for image‐based mesh generation, which is fully automatic and highly efficient. The quadtree cells are modeled by scaled boundary polytope elements, which eliminate the issue of hanging nodes faced by standard finite elements. A novel, simple, and efficient scaled boundary elastoplastic formulation with stablisation is developed. In this formulation, the return‐mapping calculation is only required to be performed at a single point in a polytope element, which facilitates the computational efficiency of the elastoplastic analysis and simplicity of implementation. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed technique for performing the elastoplastic analysis of high‐resolution images.
CD206‐positive myeloid cells bind galectin‐9 and promote a tumor‐supportive microenvironment
Authors: Enninga Elizabeth Ann L , Chatzopoulos Kyriakos , Butterfield John T , Sutor Shari L , Leontovich Alexey A , Nevala Wendy K , Flotte Thomas J , Markovic Svetomir N 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn patients with metastatic melanoma, high blood levels of galectin‐9 are correlated with worse overall survival and a bias towards a Th2 inflammatory state supportive of tumor growth. Although galectin‐9 signaling through TIM3 on T cells has been described, less is known about the interaction of galectin‐9 with macrophages. We aimed to determine whether galectin‐9 is a binding partner of CD206 on macrophages and whether the result of this interaction is tumor‐supportive. It was determined that incubation of CD68+ macrophages with galectin‐9 or anti‐CD206 blocked target binding and that both CD206 and galectin‐9 were detected by immunoprecipitation of cell lysates. CD206 and galectin‐9 had a binding affinity of 2.8 × 10−7 m. Galectin‐9 causes CD206+ macrophages to make significantly more FGF2 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP‐1), but less macrophage‐derived chemokine (MDC). Galectin‐9 had no effect on classical monocyte subsets, but caused expansion of the non‐classical populations. Lastly, there was a positive correlation between increasing numbers of CD206 macrophages and galectin‐9 expression in tumors, and high levels of CD206 macrophages correlated negatively with melanoma survival. These results indicate that galectin‐9 binds to CD206 on M2 macrophages, which appear to drive angiogenesis and the production of chemokines that support tumor growth and poor patient prognoses. Targeting this interaction systemically through circulating monocytes may therefore be a novel way to improve local anti‐tumor effects by macrophages. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Small RNA and transcriptome sequencing reveal the role of miR‐199a‐3p in inflammatory processes in cystic fibrosis airways
Authors: Bardin Pauline , Marchal‐Duval Emmeline , Sonneville Florence , Blouquit‐Laye Sabine , Rousselet Nathalie , Le Rouzic Philippe , Corvol Harriet , Tabary Olivier 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal genetic disease, caused by CFTR (cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator) gene mutations. CF is characterized by an ionic imbalance and thickened mucus, which impair mucociliary clearance and promote bacterial colonization and the establishment of infection/inflammation cycles. However, the origin of this inflammation remains unclear, although microRNAs (miRNAs) are suspected to be involved. MiRNAs are small non‐coding RNAs that bind to the 3′‐untranslated regions (UTRs) of target gene mRNA, thereby repressing their translation and/or inducing their degradation. The goal of this study was to investigate the role of microRNAs associated with pulmonary inflammation in CF patients. Through the analysis of all miRNAs (miRNome) in human primary air–liquid interface cultures, we demonstrated that miR‐199a‐3p is the only miRNA downregulated in CF patients compared to controls. Moreover, through RNA sequencing (transcriptome) analysis, we showed that 50% of all deregulated mRNAs are linked directly or indirectly to the NF‐κB pathway. To identify a specific target, we used bioinformatics analysis to predict whether miR‐199a‐3p targets the 3′‐UTR of IKBKB, which encodes IKKβ, a major protein in the NF‐κB pathway. Subsequently, we used bronchial explants from CF patients to show that miR‐199a‐3p expression is downregulated compared to controls and inversely correlated with increases in expression of IKKβ and IL‐8. Through functional studies, we showed that miR‐199a‐3p modulates the expression of IKBKB through a direct interaction at its 3′‐UTR in bronchial epithelial cells from CF patients. In miR‐199a‐3p overexpression experiments, we demonstrated that for CF cells, miR‐199a‐3p reduced IKKβ protein expression, NF‐κB activity, and IL‐8 secretion. Taken together, our findings show that miR‐199a‐3p plays a negative regulatory role in the NF‐κB signalling pathway and that its low expression in CF patients contributes to chronic pulmonary inflammation. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
New approach for fast identification of cyclitols by MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry
Authors: Al‐Suod Hossam , Pomastowski Paweł , Ligor Magdalena , Railean‐Plugaru Viorica , Buszewski Bogusław 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIntroductionAlfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the subject of many studies due to its numerous chemical constituents and beneficial properties. Among these constituents are cyclitols, which have attracted attention due to the variety of biological properties they have.ObjectiveA rapid and sensitive analytical procedure based on matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionisation technique with time‐of‐flight and mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) analysis was used for the first time for the identification of three cyclitols from different parts of alfalfa.MethodologyPlant extracts were prepared and purified using Soxhlet extraction and solid‐phase extraction (SPE). Then, samples were dissolved in α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid (HCCA) matrix, and subjected to MALDI‐TOF‐MS analysis.ResultsThe ion at m/z 524.0 was distributed in all standards and in leaves and stem extracts. In turn, the signal at m/z 335.1 was found in all standards and all alfalfa extracts. The ion at m/z144.1 was found just for d‐chiro‐inositol and distributed in all extracts. Both signals at m/z 265.9 and 250.0 were found only in l‐chiro‐inositol standard and the extract of stem. However, the ion at m/z 177.1 was found in d‐pinitol standard and the extract of leaves. Based on molecular weights, information on fragment ions obtained by MALDI‐TOF‐MS, and the chemistry of cyclitols, we successfully identified three cyclitols (d‐chiro‐inositol, l‐chiro‐inositol, d‐pinitol) in different parts of alfalfa (leaves, stem, flowers).ConclusionThe obtained results in this study proved that MALDI‐TOF‐MS is a rapid, sensitive and very powerful tool for identification of cyclitols within plants and has the potential to differentiate between enantiomers.
Enhanced Near‐Infrared Shielding and Light Scattering Using Surface‐Roughened Hybrid Hollow Microparticles Synthesized with Polymer and TiO2@Al(OH)3 for Cosmetic Applications
Authors: Han Nuri , Kim Min Gyu , Kim Sung Wook , Shin Min Kyu , Kim Su Ji , Kim Moo Sung , Lee Sang Rin , Lee Jun Bae , Pyun Seung Beom , La Ju A , Song Ji Eun , Cho Eun Chul 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSome materials and their micro‐/nanostructures are explored to shield near‐infrared (NIR) light. However, the structural role of polymeric matrices in terms of the sensitivity to NIR light and the scattering/absorption characteristics of particles bearing inorganic colloids lack understanding. To understand this issue further, a polymer–inorganic hybrid microparticle is synthesized, where submicrometer‐sized TiO2 core‐thin aluminium hydroxide shell colloids (TiO2@Al(OH)3) are dispersed in a roughened polymer hollow particle matrix. They exhibit higher light extinction at NIR frequencies and higher light scattering efficiencies in the NIR regions compared to hybrid solid microparticles and a simple mixture of inorganic and polymer hollow microparticles. Owing to these characteristics, a cosmetic formulation containing the roughened hybrid hollow microparticles effectively suppresses the increase in the temperatures of artificial skin upon the illumination of a simulated sunlight, without displaying skin whitening which is caused by including much inorganic colloids in the formulation. The present results are helpful to those who manipulate the optical characteristics of inorganic particles whose geometries are hardly tailored. The results are also practically helpful to those who want to block NIR light by reducing the amount of inorganic particles.
Redox‐regulated methionine oxidation of Arabidopsis thaliana glutathione transferase Phi9 induces H‐site flexibility
Authors: Tossounian Maria‐Armineh , Wahni Khadija , Van Molle Inge , Vertommen Didier , Astolfi Rosado Leonardo , Messens Joris 
Published: May 2018

AbstractGlutathione transferase enzymes help plants to cope with biotic and abiotic stress. They mainly catalyze the conjugation of glutathione (GSH) onto xenobiotics, and some act as glutathione peroxidase. With X‐ray crystallography, kinetics, and thermodynamics, we studied the impact of oxidation on Arabidopsis thaliana glutathione transferase Phi 9 (GSTF9). GSTF9 has no cysteine in its sequence, and it adopts a universal GST structural fold characterized by a typical conserved GSH‐binding site (G‐site) and a hydrophobic co‐substrate‐binding site (H‐site). At elevated H2O2 concentrations, methionine sulfur oxidation decreases its transferase activity. This oxidation increases the flexibility of the H‐site loop, which is reflected in lower activities for hydrophobic substrates. Determination of the transition state thermodynamic parameters shows that upon oxidation an increased enthalpic penalty is counterbalanced by a more favorable entropic contribution. All in all, to guarantee functionality under oxidative stress conditions, GSTF9 employs a thermodynamic and structural compensatory mechanism and becomes substrate of methionine sulfoxide reductases, making it a redox‐regulated enzyme.