bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sponge‐like chitosan‐based nanostructured antibacterial material as a topical hemostat
Authors: Bal‐Ozturk Ayca , Karal‐Yilmaz Oksan , Akguner Zeynep Puren , Aksu Soner , Tas Arzu , Olmez Hulya 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTIn this study, chitosan/alginic acid/zinc oxide (CHI/AA/ZnO) nanostructured hydrogel sponges were fabricated by incorporating ZnO nanoparticles (<100 nm) into polymer matrix to develop a new potential biomaterial for hemorrhage control. For this purpose, the crosslinked CHI/AA/ZnO nanostructured sponges were synthesized by freeze‐drying technique. Genipin was used as a crosslinker. The prepared chitosan‐based sponges were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy—energy‐dispersive spectroscopy analysis. The effects of ZnO content on the physicochemical characteristics of sponge‐like nanostructured hydrogels were evaluated by swelling ratio in two different pH values. Physical immobilization of dexamethasone as a model drug in hydrogel matrix resulted sustained release of drug more than 3 days. Antibacterial activity of hydrogel sponges was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus. The cytotoxicity and hemostatic efficacy of crosslinked CHI/AA/ZnO sponge like‐nanostructured hydrogels was evaluated in vitro and in vivo, respectively. The results of this study demonstrated that the prepared CHI/AA/ZnO nanostructured sponge had the potential to be an antibacterial topical hemostat. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47522.
Performance of quaternized poly(vinyl alcohol)‐based electrolyte membrane in passive alkaline DEFCs application: RSM optimization approach
Authors: Zakaria Z. , Kamarudin S. K. 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTDirect ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) have emerged as potential tools for producing sustainable energy for portable devices due to their high energy density and their safe and nontoxic fuel source. However, the main problem of DEFCs is the sluggish oxidation of ethanol and fuel crossover from the anode side to the cathode side. Nafion membranes are commonly used as the electrolyte membrane in DEFCs, but they have a high production cost and high ethanol permeability. Thus, this work studies the performance of an alternative electrolyte membrane that is based on a quaternized poly(vinyl alcohol) (QPVA) polymer in passive alkaline DEFCs. The composition of the QPVA‐based membranes was optimized with potassium hydroxide (KOH) as an ion charge carrier and by the inorganic filler graphene oxide (GO). The membrane properties were influenced by KOH and GO. The effect of these two parameters on the performance of the QPVA‐based membranes was investigated for its ion‐exchange capacity and ionic conductivity and selectivity using the response surface methodology to optimize the membrane composition. The QPVA‐based membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and field emission scanning electron microscope. The membrane properties were influenced by KOH concentration doping and GO filler loading, which affect the membrane selectivity and, consequently, the overall performance of the passive alkaline DEFCs. Finally, the maximum power density of the passive DEFCs was improved from 5.8 to 11.3 W cm−2 at 30 °C, 13.7 mW cm−2 at 60 °C, and 19.3 mW cm−2 at 90 °C, respectively, in ambient air. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47526.
TGF β‐1 and WNT Signaling Pathways Collaboration Associated with Cochlear Implantation Trauma‐Induced Fibrosis
Authors: Bas Esperanza , Anwar Mir R. , Van De Water Thomas R. 
Published: January 2019

ABSTRACTThe crosstalk between TGF‐β1 and WNT pathways has been proven to regulate aspects of the development and tissue homeostasis processes. Recently, it has been demonstrated this collaboration also takes place during fibrotic diseases, where TGF‐β1 activates the WNT/β‐catenin pathway that results in dedifferentiation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, increased production of extracellular matrix components and fibrosis. Independent studies show the functions of these molecules during the development of the inner ears in several different species. However, little is known about the collaboration between TGF‐β1 and WNT in the injured inner ear and particularly how this collaboration affects the fibrotic process that often occurs following cochlear implantation. First, we used a cochlear explant model to study the effect of electrode insertion trauma and TGF‐β1 signaling in activation of the WNT pathway. Finally, adult TopGal mutant mice were used in vivo to track the activation of the WNT/β‐catenin in response to EIT. A chronic inflammatory response, increased cell proliferation and tissue remodeling are hallmarks of fibrotic disease. This study explores and highlights the collaboration between the TGF‐β1 and WNT pathways in the trauma‐initiated fibrotic process within the implanted cochlea. WNT signaling is involved in the development of the inner ear and therefore a potential target in hair cell regeneration therapies. However, in light of our observations from the current study, manipulation of the WNT pathway by gene therapy techniques in the pathological ear seems a very complex process with an increased risk of inducing excessive fibrosis thereby compromising the efficacy of implant function. Anat Rec, 303:608–618, 2020. © 2019 American Association for Anatomy
Brief social attention bias modification for children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Alvares Gail A. , Chen Nigel T. M. , Notebaert Lies , Granich Joanna , Mitchell Ciara , Whitehouse Andrew J. O. 
Published: January 2019

Reduced social attention is a hallmark feature in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), emerging as early as the first year of life. This difference represents a possible mechanism impacting upon the development of more complex social‐communicative behaviors. The aim of this study was to develop and test the efficacy of a novel attention bias modification paradigm to alter social attention, specifically orienting to faces. Children with ASD (n = 66), aged between 5 and 12 years, were randomized to play either a social attention training or control game for 15 min. Children playing the training game were reinforced for attending to and engaging with social characters, whereas children in the control group were equally rewarded for attending to both social and non‐social characters. Eye‐tracking measures were obtained before and after gameplay. There was a significant increase in the percentage of first fixations to faces, relative to objects, after social attention training compared to a control group, associated with a medium effect size (partial η = 0.15). The degree of social attention change in the training group was inversely associated with restricted and repetitive behaviors and moderated by comorbid attention deficit hyperactivity disorder diagnoses, suggestive of differential training effects based on individual symptom profiles. By using the principles of attention bias modification, we demonstrated that social attention can be acutely modified in children with ASD, with an increased tendency to orient attention toward faces after brief social attention training. Modifying attentional biases may therefore represent a potential novel mechanism to alter the development of social communication trajectories. Autism Res 2019, 12: 527–535 © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummarySome children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) do not look at faces or eyes as much as their non‐ASD peers do. Using a game where players have to pay attention to characters with faces to score points, we found that children playing the game began to look more at faces, even outside of the game. Looking at faces is an important prerequisite to many social interactions, telling us about others' emotions and states of attention—things that become harder to understand when they are not seen. If children with ASD could use games to help train looking at faces in real life, then they may be in a better position to understand and participate in social exchanges.
Cobalt Nanoparticles Confined in Carbon Cages Derived from Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks as Efficient Oxygen Electrocatalysts for Zinc‐Air Batteries
Authors: Chen Xuncai , Yu Zixun , Wei Li , Yuan Ziwen , Sui Xiao , Wang Yanqing , Huang Qianwei , Liao Xiaozhou , Chen Yuan 
Published: January 2019

AbstractRechargeable zinc (Zn)‐air batteries are a potential solution to effectively incorporate electricity generated from renewable energy sources into our daily consumption, which requires electrocatalysts to catalyze the oxygen‐reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on the air electrode. Here, we report a high‐performance bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst by confining cobalt (Co) nanoparticles in nitrogen (N)‐doped porous carbon cages derived from a metal‐organic framework, i. e., ZIF‐8. Co precursors were first impregnated into ZIF‐8 by a double solvent method. Afterward, carbonization produces highly dispersed Co nanoparticles (with the average diameter of 6.2 nm) confined in N (11.4 at.%) doped porous carbon cages (434.5 m2 g−1). This electrocatalyst exhibits excellent catalytic activity for both ORR and OER with long‐term stability. It delivers a half‐wave potential of 0.838 V vs. reversible hydrogen electrode, an electron transfer number of 3.9 for ORR, an overpotential of 0.411 V at 10 mA cm−2, and a Tafel slope of 71.2 mV dec−1 for OER. Rechargeable Zn‐air batteries assembled using this electrocatalyst demonstrate an open‐circuit potential of 1.48 V, a specific capacity of 731.1 mAh g−1, and good rechargeability. The simple and efficient method can confine metal nanoparticles in porous carbon cages, which can be further explored to synthesize novel electrocatalysts for various energy conversion applications.
The Electrochemical Sodiation of FeSb2: New Insights from Operando 57Fe Synchrotron Mössbauer and X‐Ray Absorption Spectroscopy
Authors: Fehse Marcus , Bessas Dimitrios , Darwiche Ali , Mahmoud Abdelfattah , Rahamim Guy , La Fontaine Camille , Hermann Raphael P. , Zitoun David , Monconduit Laure , Stievano Lorenzo , Sougrati Moulay T. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe front cover artwork is provided by Marcus Fehse at the ESRF (France) and collaborators. Graphical editing support by Alexandra Moullec is kindly acknowledged. The image demonstrates how synchrotron radiation is important to study battery materials for many different applications. Read the full text of the Article at10.1002/batt.201800075.
A liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry approach for study the tissue distributions of five components of crude and salt‐processed Radix Achyranthes in rats
Authors: Tao Yi , Yan Jizhong , Cai Baochang 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis study developed a robust and reliable approach using liquid chromatography– tandem mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of five saponins in rat tissues: β‐ecdysterone, chikusetsusaponin IV, ginsenoside Ro, 25S‐inokosterone and chikusetsusaponin IVa. This is the first report on a comparative tissue distribution study of crude and salt‐processed Radix Achyranthes in rats. After one‐step protein precipitation by acetonitrile, the tissue samples were sent to LC–MS/MS for multiple reaction monitoring. The retention times of the five saponins and internal standard were 1.77, 3.14, 3.01, 1.83, 3.26 and 4.77 min. The standard curves showed good linear regression (r2 > 0.9991) in the range of 10.3–1562.5 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy and precision were within 15% of the nominal concentration. The recoveries of the five saponins were 92.0–99.9%. Finally, this approach was successfully applied to tissue distribution analysis of the five saponins after oral administration of crude and salt‐processed Radix Achyranthes in rats. The largest concentration of the five saponins was observed in kidney after salt‐processing, which indicated that processing could enhance the bioavailability.
Leptin attenuates cerebral ischemic injury in rats by modulating the mitochondrial electron transport chain via the mitochondrial STAT3 pathway
Authors: Hu Shijun , Cheng Daobin , Peng Dingtian , Tan Jing , Huang Yanlan , Chen Chunyong 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundAccording to recent studies, leptin may exert a neuroprotective function by affecting the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). During stress, STAT3 regulates mitochondrial oxidative stress and reduces apoptosis.ObjectiveIn the present study, we hypothesized that leptin increases STAT3 phosphorylation in the mitochondria and protects against mitochondrial oxidative stress in rats subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).ResultsLeptin reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and we confirmed that the mechanism underlying this change involved the enzymatic activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I and II. In addition, leptin increased the level of STAT3 Ser727 phosphorylation in the mitochondria.ConclusionsBased on these results, leptin may regulate mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymatic activities via mitochondria‐targeted STAT3 to reduce ROS production and protect brain tissues from mitochondrial oxidative stress during cerebral ischemia.
Human papillomavirus types in cervical high‐grade lesions or cancer among Nordic women—Potential for prevention
Authors: Dovey de la Cour Cecilie , Guleria Sonia , Nygård Mari , Trygvadóttir Laufey , Sigurdsson Kristjan , Liaw Kai‐Li , Hortlund Maria , Lagheden Camilla , Hansen Bo T. , Munk Christian , Dillner Joakim , Kjaer Susanne K. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractIt is valuable to establish a population‐based prevaccination baseline distribution of human papillomavirus (HPV) types among women with high‐grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or 3 and cervical cancer in order to assess the potential impact of HPV vaccination. In four countries (Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Iceland), we collected consecutive series of cervical cancers (n = 639) and high‐grade precancerous cervical lesions (n = 1240) during 2004‐2006 before implementation of HPV vaccination and subjected the specimens to standardized HPV genotyping. The HPV prevalence was 82.7% (95% confidence interval [CI] 79.0‐86.4) in CIN2, 91.6% (95% CI 89.7‐93.5) in CIN3, and 86.4% (95% CI 83.7‐89.1) in cervical cancer. The most common HPV types in CIN2/3 were HPV16 (CIN2: 35.9%, 95% CI 31.2‐40.6; CIN3: 50.2%, 95% CI 46.8‐53.6) and HPV31 (CIN2: 10.9%, 95% CI 7.8‐13.9; CIN3: 12.1%, 95% CI 9.9‐14.3), while HPV16 and HPV18 were the most frequent types in cervical cancer (48.8%, 95% CI 44.9‐52.7 and 15.3%, 95% CI 12.5‐18.1, respectively). The prevalence of HPV16/18 decreased with increasing age at diagnosis in both CIN2/3 and cervical cancer (P < 0.0001). Elimination of HPV16/18 by vaccination is predicted to prevent 42% (95% CI 37.0‐46.7) of CIN2, 57% (95% CI 53.8‐60.5) of CIN3 and 64% (95% CI 60.3‐67.7) of cervical cancer. Prevention of the five additional HPV types HPV31/33/45/52/58 would increase the protection to 68% (95% CI 63.0‐72.2) in CIN2, 85% (95% CI 82.4‐87.2) in CIN3 and 80% (95% CI 77.0‐83.2) in cervical cancer. This study provides large‐scale and representative baselines for assessing and evaluating the population‐based preventive impact of HPV vaccination.
Identification and Quantitative Determination of Resin Acids from Corsican Pinus pinasterAiton Oleoresin Using 13C‐NMR Spectroscopy
Authors: Ottavioli Joséphine , Paoli Mathieu , Casanova Joseph , Tomi Félix , Bighelli Ange 
Published: January 2019

AbstractTwenty‐three resin samples have been obtained by tapping from individual Pinus pinaster adult trees grown in Corsica and submitted to acido‐basic partition. Identification and quantitative determination of resin acids has been carried out using 13C‐NMR spectroscopy following a method developed by our group. The main components were dehydroabietic acid (up to 37.6 %), levopimaric acid (up to 35.5 %) and abietic acid (up to 24.7 %). A lignan, pinoresinol, has been identified in some samples. Within the 23 compositions, submitted to k‐means analysis and Principal Component Analysis, two clusters have been perfectly differentiated, whose compositions were dominated by dehydroabietic acid (Group I, M=23.5 %, SD=6.3) and levopimaric acid (Group II, M=21.2 %; SD=6.2), respectively. Both compositions have been observed in the three locations of harvest.
Epigenetic Players of Chromatin Structure Regulation in Plasmodium falciparum
Authors: Jabeena C. A. , Rajavelu Arumugam 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe protozoan parasite Plasmodium has evolved to survive in different hosts and environments. The diverse strategies of adaptation to different niches involve differential gene expression mechanisms mediated by chromatin plasticity that are poorly characterized in Plasmodium. The parasite employs a wide variety of regulatory mechanisms to complete their life cycle and survive inside hosts. Among them, epigenetic‐mediated mechanisms have been implicated for controlling chromatin organization, gene regulation, morphological differentiation, and antigenic variation. The differential gene expression in parasite is largely dependent on the nature of the chromatin structure. The histone core methylation marks and methyl mark readers contribute to chromatin dynamics. Here, we review the recent developments on various epigenetic marks and its enzymes in the Plasmodium falciparum, how these marks play a key role in the regulation of transcriptional activity of variable genes and coordinate the differential gene expression. We also discuss the possible roles of these epigenetic marks in chromatin structure regulation and plasticity at various stages of its development.
Calycosin stimulates the osteogenic differentiation of rat calvarial osteoblasts by activating the IGF1R/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway
Authors: Fang Yaoyao , Xue Zhiyuan , Zhao Lianggong , Yang Xiuyan , Yang Yafei , Zhou Xianglin , Feng Shilan , Chen Keming 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCalycosin has been reported to have a strong osteogenic activity and a positive correlation with anti‐osteoporosis effects. However, its precise mechanism of action remains unclear. Since insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) signaling and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) signaling have been shown to play a pivotal role in regulating osteogenesis, we hypothesized that the osteogenic activity of calycosin is mediated by these signaling pathways. Rat calvarial osteoblasts (ROBs) were cultured in osteogenic medium containing calycosin with or without GSK1904529A (GSK) or LY294002 (LY) (inhibitors of IGF1R and PI3K, respectively). The effects on cell proliferation, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, calcified nodules, mRNA or protein expression of osteogenic genes [alkaline phosphatase (Alpl), collagen type I (Col1a1), runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), Osterix, and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (Bmp2)], and phosphorylation of IGF1R and Akt were examined. The present results showed that calycosin enhanced cell proliferation, ALP activity and Alizarin Red‐S staining in a dose‐dependent manner in the range of 10−8–10−6 M, while an inhibitory effect was observed at 10−5 M. Treatment at the optimal concentration (10−6 M, a physiologically achievable concentration) increased mRNA levels of osteogenic genes and phosphorylation of IGF1R and Akt. Furthermore, treatment with GSK or LY partly reversed the effects of calycosin on ROBs, as indicated by the decreases in calycosin‐induced ALP activity, calcified nodules and osteogenic gene expression. These results suggest that the osteogenic effect of calycosin partly involves the IGF1R/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
Hemoglobin: A New Biocatalyst for the Synthesis of 2‐substituted Benzoxazoles via Oxidative Cyclization
Authors: Li Fengxi , Li Zhengqiang , Tang Xuyong , Cao Xinyu , Wang Chunyu , Li Jialin , Wang Lei 
Published: January 2019

AbstractEfficient and mild synthesis of a series of 2‐substituted benzoxazoles via oxidative cyclization catalyzed by hemoglobins reported here for the first time. Satisfactory yields (84 %–97 %) and mild reaction conditions make this method highly viable for practical applications.
Metal‐Organic Frameworks as Hosts for Fluorinated Azobenzenes: A Path towards Quantitative Photoswitching with Visible Light
Authors: Hermann Daniela , Schwartz Heidi A. , Werker Melanie , Schaniel Dominik , Ruschewitz Uwe 
Published: January 2019

AbstractFifteen new photochromic hybrid materials were synthesized by gas phase loading of fluorinated azobenzenes, namely ortho‐tetrafluoroazobenzene (tF‐AZB), 4H,4H′‐octafluoroazobenzene (oF‐AZB), and perfluoroazobenzene (pF‐AZB), into the pores of the well‐known metal‐organic frameworks MOF‐5, MIL‐53(Al), MIL‐53(Ga), MIL‐68(Ga), and MIL‐68(In). Their composition was analysed by elemental (CHNS) and DSC/TGA. For pF‐AZB0.34@MIL‐53(Al), a structural model based on high‐resolution synchrotron powder diffraction data was developed and the host‐guest and guest‐guest interactions were elucidated from this model. These interactions of O−H⋅⋅⋅F and π⋅⋅⋅π type were confirmed by significant shifts of the O−H frequencies in loaded and unloaded MOFs of the MIL‐53 and MIL‐68 series. Most remarkably, all of the synthesized F‐AZB@MOF systems can be switched with visible light, and some of them show almost quantitative (>95 %) photo‐isomerization between its E and Z forms with no significant fatigue after repeated switching cycles.
Acetic Anhydride as an Oxygen Donor in the Non‐Hydrolytic Sol–Gel Synthesis of Mesoporous TiO2 with High Electrochemical Lithium Storage Performances
Authors: Wang Yanhui , Kim Sanghoon , Louvain Nicolas , Alauzun Johan G. , Mutin P. Hubert 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAn original, halide‐free non‐hydrolytic sol–gel route to mesoporous anatase TiO2 with hierarchical porosity and high specific surface area is reported. This route is based on the reaction at 200 °C of titanium(IV) isopropoxide with acetic anhydride, in the absence of a catalyst or solvent. NMR spectroscopic studies indicate that this method provides an efficient, truly non‐hydrolytic and aprotic route to TiO2. Formation of the oxide involves successive acetoxylation and condensation reactions, both with ester elimination. The resulting TiO2 materials were nanocrystalline, even before calcination. Small (about 10 nm) anatase nanocrystals spontaneously aggregated to form mesoporous micron‐sized particles with high specific surface area (240 m2 g−1 before calcination). Evaluation of the lithium storage performances shows a high reversible specific capacity, particularly for the non‐calcined sample with the highest specific surface area favouring pseudo‐capacitive storage: 253 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and 218 mAh g−1 at 1 C (C=336 mA g−1). This sample also shows good cyclability (92 % retention after 200 cycles at 336 mA g−1) with a high coulombic efficiency (99.8 %). Synthesis in the presence of a solvent (toluene or squalane) offers the possibility to tune the morphology and texture of the TiO2 nanomaterials.