bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Flexible Si@C Electrode with Excellent Stability Employing an MXene as a Multifunctional Binder for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhang Peng , Zhu Qizhen , Guan Zhaoruxin , Zhao Qian , Sun Ning , Xu Bin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSilicon is a promising anode material with high capacity for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) but suffers from poor conductivity and large volume change during charge/discharge. Herein, by using two‐dimensional conductive MXene as a multifunctional binder instead of conventional insulating polymer binders such as poly(vinylidene fluoride) or carboxymethylcellulose sodium (PVDF and CMC, respectively), a free‐standing, flexible Si@C film was fabricated by simple vacuum filtration and directly used as anode for LIBs. In the MXene‐bonded Si@C film, MXene constructed a three‐dimensional conductive framework in which Si@C nanocomposites were embedded. Its loose and porous structure provided much space to buffer the large volume expansion of Si@C nanoparticles and thus led to significantly superior cycle stability compared with conventional CMC‐ and PVDF‐bonded Si@C electrodes. Moreover, the porous structure and the metallically conductive MXene offered fast ion transport and outstanding conductivity of the MXene‐bonded Si@C film, which were favorable for its rate performance. These results promise good potential of the MXene‐bonded Si@C film electrode for LIBs.
Clinical and financial implications of hospital malnutrition in Spain
Authors: Yárnoz‐Esquíroz Patricia , Lacasa Carlos , Riestra María , Silva Camilo , Frühbeck Gema 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of this review is to analyse the studies about cost and clinical implications that malnutrition causes in the Spanish hospitals.Material and methodsThe review of the literature was carried out through a bibliographic search in Web of Science following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) criteria and analyse the cost of treatment of malnourished and anorexia nervosa (AN) patientsResultsSeventeen studies with economic data related to malnutrition were included. The employment of a nutritional screening is the first tool to determinate the prevalence. Malnutrition is related to an incremental cost due to a longer hospital stay, expensive treatment, and higher rate of readmissions. Malnourished patients present more clinical complications, more infections, and higher mortality. No studies were found with economic data of AN in Spain.ConclusionsThe prevalence of malnutrition is over 20%, with the elderly patients being the most affected. Nutritional screening is not implanted in all Spanish hospitals in spite of its proven cost‐effectiveness. The cost and the clinical implications of malnutrition make this disease a health national problem. The knowledge of the real cost of AN treatment would increase the interest of public institutions on the development of specific Nutritional Screening tools for an early detection of AN.
Inequalities in elevated depressive symptoms in middle‐aged and older adults by rural childhood residence: The important role of education
Authors: Murchland Audrey R. , Eng Chloe W. , Casey Joan A. , Torres Jacqueline M. , Mayeda Elizabeth Rose 
Published: July 2019

ObjectivesTo quantify inequalities in the prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms by rural childhood residence and the extent to which childhood socioeconomic conditions and educational attainment contribute to this disparity.MethodsWe identified the prevalence of depressive symptoms among US‐born adults ages 50 years and older in the 1998 to 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (n = 16 022). We compared prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms (>4/8 symptoms) by rural versus nonrural childhood residence (self‐report) and the extent to which own education mediated this disparity. We used generalized estimating equations and marginal standardization to calculate predicted probabilities of elevated depressive symptoms.ResultsIn age, race/ethnicity, and sex‐adjusted models, rural childhood residence was associated with elevated depressive symptoms (OR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.12‐1.29; marginal predicted probability 10.5% for rural and 8.9% for nonrural childhood residence). Adjusting for US Census birth region and parental education attenuated this association (OR = 1.07; 95% CI, 0.99‐1.15; marginal predicted probability 9.9% for rural and 9.3% for nonrural). After additional adjustment for own education, rural childhood residence was not associated with elevated depressive symptoms (OR = 0.94; 95% CI, 0.87‐1.01; marginal predicted probability 9.2% for rural and 9.8% for nonrural).ConclusionsRural childhood residence was associated with elevated depressive symptoms in middle‐aged and older adults; birth region, parental education, and own education appear to contribute to this disparity.
Board leadership structures in international joint ventures
Authors: Reuer Jeffrey J. , Klijn Elko 
Published: July 2019

AbstractResearch summaryWe examine board leadership structures in international joint ventures (IJVs) and investigate the determinants of CEO duality (i.e., the CEO also serves as chair). In contrast to corporate governance research emphasizing principal‐agent conflicts in corporations, we argue that duality in IJVs can impair the board's execution of its responsibilities when the chair reflects the interests of one of the partners. We consider how unique characteristics of IJVs as organizational forms can exacerbate such governance challenges. In addition, we investigate how formal and relational governance mechanisms supporting IJVs might mitigate these concerns and lead parent firms to adopt unified board leadership structures. By joining the IJV and corporate governance literatures, we identify some of the distinctive properties and determinants of this facet of IJV governance.Managerial SummaryA key facet of governance is whether the CEO also serves as chair of an organization's board. CEO duality can promote unity of command and decisive decision‐making, but can also have serious drawbacks. Our paper is unique in investigating CEO duality for international joint ventures (IJVs) rather than unitary corporations. In this context, the chair might prioritize one partner's interests over another partner's, particularly when the chair was appointed by that partner. This problem magnifies when IJVs are prone to conflicts or need to be adapted, so partners might wish to separate the CEO and chair roles when engaging in IJVs involving broad scope or operating in uncertain environments. However, well‐specified contracts can limit CEO discretion and protect partners from these downsides of duality.
Effect of viscous dissipation on Cu‐water and Cu‐kerosene nanofluids of axisymmetric radiative squeezing flow
Authors: Rout B. C. , Mishra S. R. , Thumma Thirupathi 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis paper analyzes the axisymmetric squeezing current phenomena of Cu‐water and Cu‐kerosene for two dimensional nanofluid between two parallel plates. The effects of thermal radiation with velocity slip are also enhancing the subject as well. The similarity approach has been adopted to obtain the ordinary differential equations from partial differential equations. The solution of these complex coupled nonlinear equations is obtained analytically using the variation parameter method. For the corroboration of the current result, we have matched with prior results in particular cases and concluded that both the results coincide with each other. Computations are obtained for velocity and temperature profiles for different pertinent parameters along with skin friction and Nusselt number and presented via graphs and tables.
Induction of LOX by TGF‐β1/Smad/AP‐1 signaling aggravates rat myocardial fibrosis and heart failure
Authors: Lu Min , Qin Qingzhu , Yao Jungong , Sun Lin , Qin Xinglei 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis study aims to evaluate the efficacy of lysyl oxidase (LOX) inhibition in regulating rat myocardial fibrosis and chronic heart failure (CHF) and to validate the regulation of LOX by TGF‐β1/Smad2/3 signaling in this process. A rat model of CHF was established by abdominal aortic coarctation. The renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) indexes (PRA, ACE2, Ang II, and ALD), cardiac function indicators (LVEF, LVFS, SAP, DAP, and LVEDP), ventricular remodeling‐ and fibrosis‐related indicators (hydroxyproline, collagen deposition,and MMP‐2/9), and morphological changes of myocardial tissues were examined. Rat cardiac fibroblasts (RCFs) were used in vitro assays. CHF patients showed increased LOX activity, accompanied by activated RAAS and TGF‐β1. Furthermore, inhibition of LOX by β‐aminopropionitrile (BAPN) mitigated the RAAS activation and attenuated cardiac dysfunction, ventricular remodeling, myocardial fibrosis, and collagen deposition in CHF rats. Moreover, TGF‐β1 signaling diminished the LOX inhibition‐mediated antiheart failure effect. Further assays showed that TGF‐β1/Smad2/3 signaling increased expression of c‐jun (AP‐1 transcription factor subunit), which transcriptionally induced LOX expression. Additionally, BAPN abrogated the TGF‐β1‐mediated increase in cell proliferation and levels of MMP‐2/9 and collagen I/III in RCFs. In conclusion, LOX can be induced by TGF‐β1/Smad/AP‐1 signaling and LOX inhibition attenuates rat myocardial fibrosis and CHF.
Dysregulated expression of STAT1, miR‐150, and miR‐223 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of coronary artery disease patients with significant or insignificant stenosis
Authors: Saadatian Zahra , Nariman‐Saleh‐Fam Ziba , Bastami Milad , Mansoori Yasser , Khaheshi Isa , Parsa Saeed Alipour , Daraei Abdolreza , Vahed Sepideh Zununi , Yousefi Bahman , Kafil Hossein Samadi , Eyvazi Shirin , Ghaderian Sayyed Mohammad Hossein , Omrani Mir Davood 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCoronary artery disease (CAD) is a multicellular disease characterized by chronic inflammation. Peripheral blood‐mononuclear cells (PBMCs), as a critical component of immune system, actively cross‐talk with pathophysiological conditions induced by endothelial cell injury, reflecting in perturbed PBMC expression. STAT1 is believed to be relevant to CAD pathogenesis through regulating key inflammatory processes and modulating STAT1 expression play key roles in fine‐tuning CAD‐related inflammatory processes. This study evaluated PBMC expressions of STAT1, and its regulators (miR‐150 and miR‐223) in a cohort including 72 patients with CAD with significant ( ≥ 50%) stenosis, 30 patients with insignificant ( < 50%) coronary stenosis (ICAD), and 74 healthy controls, and assessed potential of PBMC expressions to discriminate between patients and controls. We designed quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) assays and identified stable reference genes for normalizing PBMC quantities of miR‐150, miR‐223, and STAT1 applying geNorm algorithm to six small RNAs and five mRNAs. There was no significant difference between CAD and ICAD patients regarding STAT1 expression. However, both groups of patients had higher levels of STAT1 than healthy controls. miR‐150 and miR‐223 were differently expressed across three groups of subjects and were downregulated in patients compared with healthy controls, with the lowest expression levels being observed in patients with ICAD. ROC curves suggested that PBMC expressions may separate between different groups of study subjects. PBMC expressions also discriminated different clinical manifestations of CAD from ICADs or healthy controls. In conclusion, the present study reported PBMC dysregulations of STAT1, miR‐150, and miR‐223, in patients with significant or insignificant coronary stenosis and suggested that these changes may have diagnostic implications.
Understanding the molecular interaction of human argonaute‐2 and miR‐20a complex: A molecular dynamics approach
Authors: Mallick Bidyut , Sharma Ashish Ranjan , Lee Sang‐Soo , Chakraborty Chiranjib 
Published: July 2019

AbstractArgonaute‐2 (AGO2), a member of the Argonaute family, is the only member possessing catalytic and RNA silencing activity. In here, a molecular dynamics (MDs) simulation was performed using the crystal structure of human AGO2 protein complex with miR‐20a. miR‐20a is involved with various kind of biological process like heart and lung development, oncogenic process, etc. In precise, MD simulation was carried out with AGO2 protein complex with wild type, two mutant sites and four mutant sites in guided microRNA (miRNA). It has been noted that root‐mean‐square deviation (RMSD) of atomic positions of nucleic acid for wild type and two mutant sites guided miRNA has the same pattern of fluctuations, which stabilizes around 0.27 nm after 2 ns. Cα atom of AGO2 protein in the complex shows that this complex with wild type and two mutant site mutation duplex has a stable RMSD value after 20 ns, ranging between 0.14 and 0.21 nm. From the root‐mean‐square fluctuation (RMSF), we observed an increased pattern of fluctuations for the atoms of four mutant complex of AGO2‐miR‐20a complex. This increased RMSF of non‐mutated nucleic acids is contributed by U‐A bond breaking at the site of the nucleotide of U2 of guided miRNA, as observed from the duplex structure taken at different time steps of the simulation. Superimposed structure of the miRNA‐mRNA duplex for the three complexes depicts that the three miRNA‐mRNA duplexes are stable during the simulation. Current work demonstrates the possible correlations between the conformational changes of this AGO2‐miR‐20a duplex structure and the interactions of different atoms.
Thermal decomposition mechanisms of the energetic benzotrifuroxan:1,3,3‐trinitroazetidine cocrystal using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Xie Huimin , Zhu Weihua 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAb initio molecular dynamics simulations were performed to investigate the thermal decomposition mechanisms of the energetic benzotrifuroxan (BTF):1,3,3‐trinitroazetidine (TNAZ) cocrystal at high temperature. It is found that there are four initial reaction mechanisms involved in the decomposition of the cocrystal. Subsequent decomposition channels can be divided into three types: BTF‐chain isomerization, C─NO2 bond homolysis, and ring opening. After that, one main path is that long chains decomposed into small radicals gradually after the ring opening. The other is that a new ring was formed after the ring opening and then it will break by degrees. Releasing of the H radicals and oxygen‐containing groups plays an important role in the whole decomposition process. We also studied the release mechanisms of nitrogen gas and carbon dioxide in the later decomposition stage. Our study may provide new insights into the initiation mechanisms and subsequent decomposition of cocrystal explosives at high temperature.
Development of dipyridine‐based coordinative polymers for reusable heterogeneous catalysts
Authors: Chang Hsiang‐Chun , Li Jia‐Qi , Lin Ching‐Kai , Hsu Yu‐Jung , Tu Tsung‐Han , Hsieh Yi‐Liang , Hsu Hsiu‐Hao , Lee Gene‐Hsiang , Liu Yi‐Hung , Peng Chi‐How 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPoly(di(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl acrylate) (PDPyMA), which was obtained by the free radical polymerization of designed coordinative monomer of di(pyridin‐2‐yl)methyl acrylate, is able to coordinate with various metal ions to form heterogeneous catalysts for diverse catalytic reactions. The Pd and Cu complexes supported by PDPyMA were developed for the heterogeneous Suzuki‐Miyaura reaction and Friedel‐Crafts alkylation, respectively. The PDPyMA‐based catalysts showed no significant decline of reactivity after five times recycling. However, the hydrolysis of the PDPyMA backbone under alkaline conditions limited the catalytic efficiency of this heterogeneous catalyst so that the coordinative monomer was redesigned as 1,1‐di(pyridine‐2‐yl)‐2‐(4‐vinylphenyl)ethan‐1‐ol and then 2,2′‐(1‐methoxy‐2‐(4‐vinylphenyl)ethane‐1,1‐diyl)dipyridine (MVPhDPy). With copolymerization of N‐isopropyl acrylamide (NIPAM), the efficiency of polymer‐based heterogeneous catalysts could be further raised, demonstrated by the increased turn over number in the Suzuki‐Miyaura reaction, which approached 5,260 by using the catalyst formed from poly(MVPhDPy‐co‐NIPAM) and Pd(OAc)2. poly(MVPhDPy‐co‐NIPAM) copolymer, therefore, could be a versatile platform to support different metal ions for various heterogeneous catalytic reactions.
TIGAR impedes compression‐induced intervertebral disc degeneration by suppressing nucleus pulposus cell apoptosis and autophagy
Authors: Li Zhiliang , Shao Zengwu , Chen Songfeng , Huang Donghua , Peng Yizhong , Chen Sheng , Ma Kaige 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTo investigate whether TP53‐induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator (TIGAR) participates in compression‐induced intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration, and to determine the regulatory effect of TIGAR on nucleus pulposus (NP) cell autophagy and apoptosis following compression‐induced injuries. IVD tissues were collected from human patients undergoing surgery (n = 20) and skeletally mature Sprague‐Dawley rats (n = 15). Initially, the effect of compression on the expression of TIGAR was evaluated with in vivo and in vitro models. In addition, TIGAR was silenced to investigate the regulatory effect of TIGAR on compression‐induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, autophagy, and apoptosis in rat NP cells. Furthermore, the P53 inhibitor pifithrin‐α (PFTα) and SP1 inhibitor mithramycin A were employed to detect expression level changes of TIGAR and autophagy‐associated target molecules. TIGAR expression of NP cells increased gradually in human degenerative IVDs and in rat NP cells under compression both in vivo and in vitro. TIGAR knockdown enhanced compression‐induced intracellular ROS generation and the NADPH/NADP+ and GSH/GSSG ratios. Moreover, TIGAR knockdown amplified the compression‐induced caspase‐3 activation and the apoptosis rate of rat NP cells. Likewise, knockdown of TIGAR significantly accelerated LC3B expression and autophagosome formation in rat NP cells during compression‐induced injuries. The results also established that mithramycin A could inhibit TIGAR expression and autophagy levels in NP cells under compression conditions, while PFTα had no similar effect. Our data demonstrated that TIGAR acted as an important endogenous negative regulator of ROS levels, which might inhibit compression‐induced apoptosis and autophagy through SP1‐dependent mechanisms.
Macrophages protect against loss of adipose tissue during cancer cachexia
Authors: Erdem Merve , Möckel Diana , Jumpertz Sandra , John Cathleen , Fragoulis Athanassios , Rudolph Ines , Wulfmeier Johanna , Springer Jochen , Horn Henrike , Koch Marco , Lurje Georg , Lammers Twan , Olde Damink Steven , van der Kroft Gregory , Gremse Felix , Cramer Thorsten 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundCancer cachexia represents a central obstacle in medical oncology as it is associated with poor therapy response and reduced overall survival. Systemic inflammation is considered to be a key driver of cancer cachexia; however, clinical studies with anti‐inflammatory drugs failed to show distinct cachexia‐inhibiting effects. To address this contradiction, we investigated the functional importance of innate immune cells for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)‐associated cachexia.MethodsA transgenic HCC mouse model was intercrossed with mice harbouring a defect in myeloid cell‐mediated inflammation. Body composition of mice was analysed via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and microcomputed tomography. Quantitative PCR was used to determine adipose tissue browning and polarization of adipose tissue macrophages. The activation state of distinct areas of the hypothalamus was analysed via immunofluorescence. Multispectral immunofluorescence imaging and immunoblot were applied to characterize sympathetic neurons and macrophages in visceral adipose tissue. Quantification of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in mouse serum was performed with a multiplex immunoassay. Visceral adipose tissue of HCC patients was quantified via the L3 index of computed tomography scans obtained during routine clinical care.ResultsWe identified robust cachexia in the HCC mouse model as evidenced by a marked loss of visceral fat and lean mass. Computed tomography‐based analyses demonstrated that a subgroup of human HCC patients displays reduced visceral fat mass, complementing the murine data. While the myeloid cell‐mediated inflammation defect resulted in reduced expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in the serum of HCC‐bearing mice, this unexpectedly did not translate into diminished but rather enhanced cachexia‐associated fat loss. Defective myeloid cell‐mediated inflammation was associated with decreased macrophage abundance in visceral adipose tissue, suggesting a role for local macrophages in the regulation of cancer‐induced fat loss.ConclusionsMyeloid cell‐mediated inflammation displays a rather unexpected beneficial function in a murine HCC model. These results demonstrate that immune cells are capable of protecting the host against cancer‐induced tissue wasting, adding a further layer of complexity to the pathogenesis of cachexia and providing a potential explanation for the contradictory results of clinical studies with anti‐inflammatory drugs.
Intravoxel incoherent motion imaging of the kidney: The application in patients with hyperuricemia
Authors: Cheng Zhong‐Yuan , Feng You‐Zhen , Hu Jun‐Jiao , Lin Qi‐Ting , Li Wei , Qian Long , Cai Xiang‐Ran 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundHyperuricemia is an independent risk factor for onset and progression of kidney disease. However, there remains a lack of a reliable and noninvasive biomarker to identify and monitor the changes of renal function in patients with hyperuricemia.PurposeTo assess the utility of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) parameters in identifying the early changes of renal function in patients with hyperuricemia.Study TypeRetrospective case–control study.PopulationEighty‐four male participants, including asymptomatic hyperuricemia (AH, 27 cases), gouty arthritis (GA, 31 cases), and 26 age‐matched healthy controls.Field Strength/Sequence3.0T; intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM).AssessmentDifferences in the IVIM parameters among the three groups were assessed. Pure molecular diffusion (D value); perfusion‐related diffusion (D* value); pseudodiffusion fraction (f value); apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC value); estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Also, they were correlated with eGFR.Statistical TestsBonferroni test, Tamhane's T2 method, and Pearson correlation analysis.ResultsThe D values in renal cortex and medulla significantly decreased from the control, AH to GA groups (P < 0.05). The GA patients had a significantly lower cortical f value than the controls and AH patients (P < 0.05). The medullary f values in the AH and GA patients were significantly lower than that in the controls (P < 0.05). Also, the cortical and medullary ADC values had similar results across the three groups (P < 0.05), except for the comparison between the AH and GA groups (P = 0.668, P = 0.111, respectively). No significant correlation was found between any IVIM parameters with eGFR.Data ConclusionIVIM imaging may be helpful for detecting the early changes of renal function induced by hyperuricemia. The D value could be the most sensitive IVIM‐derived parameter in the assessment of renal function in patients with hyperuricemia in this study.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy Stage: 3J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:833–840.