bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of the dual wavelength picosecond laser for the treatment of benign pigmented lesions in Asians
Authors: Kung Ka‐yee , Shek Samantha Y.‐N. , Yeung Chi K. , Chan Henry H‐L. 
Published: October 2018

Background and ObjectivesCutaneous pigmentary disorders are both more common and more difficult to treat in patients with skin color given the higher melanin content in the epidermis. Although Q‐switched lasers are widely considered to be the standard treatment for both epidermal and dermal pigmentary conditions, a very high risk of post‐inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) of up to 25% is seen in patients with skin of color. Recently, the novel picosecond laser with pulse durations operating at sub‐nanosecond domains has been shown to be effective in tattoo removal and in the treatment of acne scars. The objective of this study is to examine the safety and efficacy of the dual wavelength picosecond laser for the treatment of benign pigmented skin lesions in Asian patients.MethodsTwelve subjects with benign pigmentary disorders and Fitzpatrick skin types III to IV were recruited in a prospective clinical study to examine the safety and efficacy of the dual wavelength picosecond laser. Patients were treated at approximately 2–6 week intervals depending of the type of lesion. The primary efficacy endpoint is the global percent of clearance which was evaluated by blinded observers using post treatment photographs compared to baseline photographs. Safety was evaluated before and after each laser treatment and patients were asked to rate the level of pain according to the Visual Analog Scale after each treatment session. Patient satisfaction was assessed at the completion of treatment with questionnaires. All patients were followed up at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the last treatment session.ResultsThe pigmentary conditions treated included melasma, freckles, lentiginies, café au lait macules, and Hori's macules. Three months after treatment, 53.8% of all pigments achieved excellent response (75–94% lightening,) 30.8% of pigments achieved good response (50–74% lightening,) and 7.7% of pigments achieved both fair (25–49% lightening) and poor responses (0–24% lightening), respectively. The average number of treatment sessions required to reach at least 50% clearance was 4.5 for melasma, 1 for freckles, 1.5 for lentigines and 1 for café au lait. The patient with Hori's macules did not reach 50% clearance after a total of six treatments. Sixty three percent of patients reported satisfaction in the subjective assessment, while 27.3% were neutral and 9.1% were very dissatisfied. The post inflammatory hyperpigmentation rate was 4.8% and 6.5% of subjects developed blistering as a side effect of treatment.ConclusionThe dual wavelength picosecond laser is a safe and effective treatment of benign pigmentary conditions in patients with skin of color. In particular, superior clinical efficacy is demonstrated for treatment of freckles and lentigines with a low risk of PIH. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:14–22, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Selecting lipopeptide‐producing, Fusarium‐suppressing Bacillus spp.: Metabolomic and genomic probing of Bacillus velezensis NWUMFkBS10.5
Authors: Adeniji Adetomiwa Ayodele , Aremu Oluwole Samuel , Babalola Olubukola Oluranti 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe results of this study indicate that the maize rhizosphere remains a reservoir for microbial strains with unique beneficial properties. The study sought to provide an indigenous Bacillus strain with a bioprotective potential to alleviate maize fusariosis in South Africa. We selected seven Bacillus isolates (MORWBS1.1, MARBS2.7, VERBS5.5, MOREBS6.3, MOLBS8.5, MOLBS8.6, and NWUMFkBS10.5) with biosuppressive effects against two maize fungal pathogens (Fusarium graminearum and Fusarium culmorum) based on 16S rDNA gene characterization and lipopeptide gene analysis. The PCR analysis revealed that lipopeptide genes encoding the synthesis of iturin, surfactin, and fengycin might be responsible for their antifungal activities. Few of the isolates also showed possible biosurfactant capability, and their susceptibility to known antibiotics is indicative of their eco‐friendly attributes. In addition, in silico genomic analysis of our best isolate (Bacillus velezensis NWUMFkBS10.5) and characterization of its active metabolite with FTIR, NMR, and ESI‐Micro‐Tof MS confirmed the presence of valuable genes clusters and metabolic pathways. The versatile genomic potential of our Bacillus isolate emphasizes the continued relevance of Bacillus spp. in biological management of plant diseases.
Technical Note: Intrinsic raw data‐based CT misalignment correction without redundant data
Authors: Sawall Stefan , Hahn Andreas , Maier Joscha , Kuntz Jan , Kachelrieß Marc 
Published: October 2018

PurposeCT image reconstruction requires accurate knowledge of the used geometry or image quality might be degraded by misalignment artifacts. To overcome this issue, an intrinsic method, that is, a method not requiring a dedicated calibration phantom, to perform a raw data‐based misalignment correction for CT is proposed herein that does not require redundant data and hence is applicable to measurements with less than plus fan–angle of data.MethodsThe forward projection of a volume reconstructed from a misaligned geometry resembles the acquired raw data if no redundant data are used, that is, if less than plus fan–angle are used for image reconstruction. Hence, geometric parameters cannot be deduced from such data by an optimization of the geometry‐dependent raw data fidelity. We propose to use a nonlinear transform applied to the reconstructed volume to introduce inconsistencies in the raw data that can be employed to estimate geometric parameters using less than plus fan–angle of data. The proposed method is evaluated using simulations of the FORBILD head phantom and using actual measurements of a contrast‐enhanced scan of a mouse acquired using a micro‐CT.ResultsNoisy simulations and actual measurements demonstrate that the proposed method is capable of correcting for artifacts arising from a misaligned geometry without redundant data while ensuring raw data fidelity.ConclusionsThe proposed method extends intrinsic raw data‐based misalignment correction methods to an angular range of or less and is thus applicable to systems with a limited scan range.
Micromechanical approach to swelling behavior of capillary‐porous media with coupled physics
Authors: Eghbalian Mahdad , Pouragha Mehdi , Wan Richard 
Published: October 2018

SummaryA detailed multiscale analysis is presented of the swelling phenomenon in unsaturated clay‐rich materials in the linear regime through homogenization. Herein, the structural complexity of the material is formulated as a three‐scale, triple porosity medium within which microstructural information is transmitted across the various scales, leading ultimately to an enriched stress‐deformation relation at the macroscopic scale. As a side note, such derived relationship leads to a tensorial stress partitioning that is reminiscent of a Terzaghi‐like effective stress measure. Otherwise, a major result that stands out from previous works is the explicit expression of swelling stress and capillary stress in terms of micromechanical interactions at the very fine scale down to the clay platelet level, along with capillary stress emerging due to interactions between fluid phases at the different scales, including surface tension, pore size, and morphology. More importantly, the swelling stress is correlated with the disjoining forces due to electrochemical effects of charged ions on clay minerals and van der Waals forces at the nanoscale. The resulting analytical expressions also elucidate the role of the various physics in the deformational behavior of clayey material. Finally, the capability of the proposed formulation in capturing salient behaviors of unsaturated expansive clays is illustrated through some numerical examples.
BMI and Mortality in UK Biobank: Revised Estimates Using Mendelian Randomization
Authors: Wade Kaitlin H. , Carslake David , Sattar Naveed , Davey Smith George , Timpson Nicholas J. 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to obtain estimates of the causal relationship between BMI and mortality.MethodsMendelian randomization (MR) with BMI‐associated genotypic variation was used to test the causal effect of BMI on all‐cause and cause‐specific mortality in UK Biobank participants of White British ancestry.ResultsMR analyses supported a causal association between higher BMI and greater risk of all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] per 1 kg/m2: 1.03; 95% CI: 0.99‐1.07) and mortality from cardiovascular diseases (HR: 1.10; 95% CI: 1.01‐1.19), specifically coronary heart disease (HR: 1.12; 95% CI: 1.00‐1.25) and those excluding coronary heart disease/stroke/aortic aneurysm (HR: 1.24; 95% CI: 1.03‐1.48), stomach cancer (HR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.87‐1.62), and esophageal cancer (HR: 1.22; 95% CI: 0.98‐1.53), and a decreased risk of lung cancer mortality (HR: 0.96; 95% CI: 0.85‐1.08). Sex stratification supported the causal role of higher BMI increasing bladder cancer mortality risk (males) but decreasing respiratory disease mortality risk (males). The J‐shaped observational association between BMI and mortality was visible with MR analyses, but the BMI at which mortality was minimized was lower and the association was flatter over a larger BMI range.ConclusionsResults support a causal role of higher BMI in increasing the risk of all‐cause mortality and mortality from several specific causes.
L‐Arginine Increases Postprandial Circulating GLP‐1 and PYY Levels in Humans
Authors: Amin Anjali , Neophytou Christina , Thein Shermaine , Martin Niamh M , Alamshah Amin , Spreckley Eleanor , Bloom Stephen R. , Murphy Kevin G. 
Published: October 2018

ObjectiveThe satiating effect of protein compared with other nutrients has been well described and is thought to be mediated, in part, by gut hormone release. Previously, it has been shown that oral L‐arginine acts as a GLP‐1 secretagogue both in vitro and in vivo in rodents. Here, the effect of L‐arginine on gut hormone release in humans was investigated.MethodsThe hypothesis was tested in two separate studies. The first study assessed the tolerability of oral L‐arginine in healthy human subjects. The second study assessed the effect of oral L‐arginine on gut hormone release following an ad libitum meal. Subjects were given L‐arginine, glycine (control amino acid), or vehicle control in a randomized double‐blind fashion.ResultsAt a dose of 17.1 mmol, L‐arginine was well tolerated and stimulated the release of plasma GLP‐1 (P < 0.05) and PYY (P < 0.001) following an ad libitum meal. Food diaries showed a trend toward lower energy intake and particularly fat intake following L‐arginine treatment.ConclusionsL‐arginine can significantly elevate GLP‐1 and PYY in healthy human volunteers in combination with a meal. Further work is required to investigate whether L‐arginine may have utility in the suppression of appetite and food intake.
Tumor and endothelial cells collaborate via transcellular receptor complexes
Authors: Sarabipour Sarvenaz , Mac Gabhann Feilim 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMany cellular signaling pathways are initiated by cell‐surface ligand‐sensing complexes that incorporate not just one but multiple receptors. Most studies focus on receptors coexpressed on a single cell (cis interactions), but complexes containing receptors on adjacent cells (trans interactions) are also possible. Recent work by Morin et al published in this journal provides critical evidence for such trans interactions between Neuropilin‐1 (NRP1) expressed on human tumor cells and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) expressed on adjacent endothelial cells, with the ligand VEGFA binding and bridging the two receptors. They show that the formation of these complexes is correlated with reduced tumor proliferation and increased patient survival. They also observe trans NRP1‐VEGFA‐VEGFR2 repressing angiogenesis and cis NRP1‐VEGFA‐VEGFR2 increasing angiogenesis in selected cancers. The distinct molecular signature of each tumor and each patient will determine which type of complexes dominate and will influence prognosis and treatment. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discordant roles for FGF ligands in lung branching morphogenesis between human and mouse
Authors: Danopoulos Soula , Thornton Matthew E , Grubbs Brendan H , Frey Mark R , Warburton David , Bellusci Saverio , Al Alam Denise 
Published: October 2018

AbstractFibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling plays an important role in lung organogenesis. Over recent decades, FGF signaling in lung development has been extensively studied in animal models. However, little is known about the expression, localization, and functional roles of FGF ligands during human fetal lung development. Therefore, we aimed to determine the expression and function of several FGF ligands and receptors in human lung development. Using in situ hybridization (ISH) and RNA sequencing, we assessed their expression and distribution in native human fetal lung. Human fetal lung explants were treated with recombinant FGF7, FGF9, or FGF10 in air–liquid interface culture. Explants were analyzed grossly to observe differences in branching pattern as well as at the cellular and molecular level. ISH demonstrated that FGF7 is expressed in both the epithelium and mesenchyme; FGF9 is mainly localized in the distal epithelium, whereas FGF10 demonstrated diffuse expression throughout the parenchyma, with some expression in the smooth muscle cells (SMCs). FGFR2 expression was high in both proximal and distal epithelial cells as well as the SMCs. FGFR3 was expressed mostly in the epithelial cells, with lower expression in the mesenchyme, while FGFR4 was highly expressed throughout the mesenchyme and in the distal epithelium. Using recombinant FGFs, we demonstrated that FGF7 and FGF9 had similar effects on human fetal lung as on mouse fetal lung; however, FGF10 caused the human explants to expand and form cysts as opposed to inducing epithelial branching as seen in the mouse. In conjunction with decreased branching, treatment with recombinant FGF7, FGF9, and FGF10 also resulted in decreased double‐positive SOX2/SOX9 progenitor cells, which are exclusively present in the distal epithelial tips in early human fetal lung. Although FGF ligand localization may be somewhat comparable between developing mouse and human lungs, their functional roles may differ substantially. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bioreducible poly(amido amine) copolymers derived from histamine and agmatine for highly efficient gene delivery
Authors: Sun Yanping , Liu Hui , Xing Haonan , Lang Lang , Cheng Lin , Yang Tianzhi , Yang Li , Ding Pingtian 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHistamine (HIS) can facilitate the endosomal escape of polyplexes via the ‘proton sponge effect’ because of its imidazole groups. Agmatine (AGM) can improve the transmembrane process of polyplexes as a result of its guanidinium groups. Therefore, HIS and AGM were used as amino monomers to react with cystamine bisacrylamide (CBA) through Michael addition. The synthesized peptide‐mimicking poly(CBA‐HIS/AGM)s showed high transfection efficiency and low cytotoxicity, indicating their great potential as gene carriers. The results also demonstrated that the effects of HIS and AGM on the properties of poly(CBA‐HIS/AGM)s were different: HIS could increase their buffering capacities and bioreducibility, but AGM could facilitate their plasmid DNA packaging and condensing abilities. In addition, the results of transfection mechanism studies indicated that poly(CBA‐HIS/AGM) polyplexes entered into cells mainly via clathrin‐dependent endocytosis and they could efficiently escape the endosome, indicating endosomal escape was not the limiting step for gene delivery based on these polymers. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
How does the type of counterion influence the polymerization rate and thermal properties of tailored choline‐based linear‐ and star‐shaped poly(ionic liquid)s PILs?
Authors: Maksym Paulina , Tarnacka Magdalena , Wolnica Kamila , Dzienia Andrzej , Zięba Andrzej , Kaminski Kamil , Paluch Marian 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTThe synthesis of tailored [2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]‐trimethylammonium chloride (ChMA/Cl−) and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate) imide (ChMA/NTf2−)‐based ionic homopolymers by sustainable activators generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method has been demonstrated. Linear and four‐arm star‐shaped macromolecules were obtained with the use of two synthetic strategies: (a) direct polymerization of ionic monomers with counterions differing in hydrophilicity (prepolymerization) and (2) modification by ion exchange from Cl− to NTf2− (postpolymerization) using both classical ATRP initiator and pentaerythritol‐based initiator. The effect of counterions on the polymerization kinetics and the physicochemical and thermodynamical properties of resulted poly(ionic liquid)s (PILs) has been investigated. Results showed that polymerizations of ChMA/NTf2− proceeded with higher rate in comparison to ChMA/Cl− one independently on the predetermined topologies (linear and four‐arm star‐shaped). From thermodynamical point of view, the glass transition temperature Tg increased with molecular weight Mn for linear‐ and star‐shaped PILs for both types of counterion. In addition, star‐shaped polymers of comparable Mn to linear ones were characterized by slightly higher Tg values. The resulting polyelectrolytes, after modification via exchange of Cl− anions to NTf2− ones were characterized by much higher Tg in comparison to those produced by direct polymerization of ionic monomer, indicating the crucial role of postpolymerization modification on thermodynamical properties of PILs. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2681–2691
Deep Ultraviolet Emitting Scintillators for Biomedical Applications: The Hard Way of Downsizing LuPO4:Pr3+
Authors: Espinoza Sara , Volhard Max‐Fabian , Kätker Heike , Jenneboer Heike , Uckelmann Anne , Haase Markus , Müller Matthias , Purschke Martin , Jüstel Thomas 
Published: October 2018

AbstractPr3+‐doped LuPO4 emits UV radiation between 225 and 280 nm, where DNA shows strong absorption bands. Therefore, a systematic study of the luminescence of Pr3+ doped LuPO4 is performed: Different doping concentrations, particles sizes, and excitation schemes (vacuum UV at 160 nm and X‐rays 50 kV, 2 mA, tungsten target) are compared. The emission spectra in the UV range depends on the excitation energy and the particle size. Microcrystalline particles (6 µm) comprising 1% Pr3+ display the highest emission intensity at 234 nm upon vacuum UV as well as X‐ray excitation. Sub‐microscale particles (20–50 nm) of LuPO4:Pr3+ (1%) show the same UV emission under X‐ray excitation as the larger particles but do not emit under vacuum UV excitation. Colloidal nanoscale particles (5 nm) do not show emission in the UV‐C range. Based on the high‐density and strong X‐ray absorption of LuPO4, the implementation of Pr3+ doped LuPO4 particles of suitable size (20–50 nm) could improve the well‐established radiation therapy. Owing to the strong absorption and low penetration depth of UV‐C radiation in biological tissue, Pr3+‐doped LuPO4 particles located directly in cancerous tumors could allow for additional treatment with cell‐damaging UV‐C radiation.
Photothermal Disintegration of 3T3 Derived Fat Droplets by Irradiated Silica Coated Upconversion Nanoparticles
Authors: Gupta Akash , Lam Cheang Weng , Wu Chien Ting , Yang De‐Ming , Chattopadhyay Surojit 
Published: October 2018

AbstractExcessive accumulation of fat cells leads to obesity—a predominantly urban public health concern. Photothermal therapy (PTT) can be a novel strategy to control the fat droplets using deep penetrating infra‐red light absorption in upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs). First, silica (SiO2) coated UCNPs embedded in commercial butter is shown to demonstrate photothermal heating (with photothermal conversion efficiency ≈60%) to gain a maximum temperature rise of ≈26 ºC (to 50 ºC) when exposed to 980 nm laser (5 min, 1 W) irradiation that melts the butter. The same UCNPs @SiO2 are used to study the PTT effect in mouse 3T3 cell derived fat cells in vitro. The 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay on differentiated 3T3 cells reveals low cytotoxicity (cell viability >70%) up to 400 ppm concentration of the UCNP@SiO2. Absorption studies on Oil Red O stained fat droplets, in 3T3 cells incubated with 50 ppm (50 μL) of UCNP@SiO2, shows 50% (untreated control = 100%) decrease of the 510 nm band post irradiation indicating ≈50% of droplet disintegration by PTT. Time lapse videography shows severe droplet agitation resulting in cytoskeletal re‐arrangement in the irradiated, as well as only resistively heated cells with the UCNPs confirming a thermal effect.
Coexistence of safety and security: Synchronized redundant system with security enhancements
Authors: Valdivia Leonardo J. , Adin Iñigo , Añorga Javier , Arrizabalaga Saioa , Mendizabal Jaizki 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA malicious attack on a safety‐critical system can derive in an undesired behavior of the system that may result in a failure. In this case, the reliability of the device is decreased, and it might affect directly to safety. Therefore, the security is also an essential issue to consider in the design of safety‐critical systems. The main problem when safety and security are considered is to make them work together without interfering each other. A safety‐critical device needs to be certified following standards like IEC‐61508, and any security mechanisms must not affect this certification. This paper describes a system that integrates safety and security mechanisms to improve reliability without affecting safety certification. With the aim of reaching the required safety level, a redundant system is considered. This system is an n out of m distributed and synchronized voter. The synchronization method is based on the precision time protocol (IEEE‐1588) allowing that all devices on a local network have the same time.
Density functional theory and ab initio studies on hyperfine coupling constants of phosphinyl radicals
Authors: Witwicki Maciej 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe 31P hyperfine coupling constants for various phosphinyl radicals were calculated using density functional theory (DFT) as well as the ab initio orbital‐optimized spin‐component‐scaled MP2 (OO‐SCS‐MP2) and coupled cluster methods (with relaxed and unrelaxed density). However before that, electron correlation in phosphinyl radicals was investigated by means of the fractional occupation number weighted electron density (FOD). The isotropic hyperfine coupling constants for phosphinyl radicals posed a considerable challenge to DFT; among other issues, the well‐known functional B3LYP substantially underperformed, but TPSS0 provided highly accurate results. Two tested double hybrid functionals, namely B2PLYP and mPW2PLYP, and OO‐SCS‐MP2 were found to be reasonably accurate. The unbalanced description of spin polarization in the valance region was identified as the root of the problems of DFT methods with correct prediction of the isotropic hyperfine coupling constants. In calculations at the coupled cluster level, relaxed and unrelaxed density matrices were tested and both were proved to provide highly satisfactory results for phosphinyl radicals. This was confirmed for a set of small paramagnetic species.