bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Valence‐Tuned Lithium Titanate Nanopowder for High‐Rate Electrochemical Energy Storage
Authors: Widmaier Mathias , Pfeifer Kristina , Bommer Lars , Presser Volker 
Published: February 2018

AbstractIn recent years, numerous studies have explored ways to overcome the low intrinsic electrical conductivity of lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12, LTO) for energy storage with lithium‐ion batteries. These approaches almost exclusively considered element doping and elaborate LTO‐carbon nanocomposites, whereas simple adjustment of the defect concentration remains largely unexplored. In our study, we tune the Ti3+/Ti4+ concentration of a commercial LTO nanopowder through oxygen vacancy formation during thermal annealing in hydrogen atmosphere. We investigate the impact of the treatment on material properties like energy band structure, electrical conductivity, crystallinity, phase distribution, surface chemistry, and particle morphology, and correlate these parameters to the electrochemical performance. At optimum treatment conditions, the intrinsic electrical conductivity can be greatly improved, while circumventing LTO phase transformations or amorphization. This enables the reduction of the carbon concentration to 5 mass%, while yielding a high electrode capacity of about 70 mAh/g (82 mAh/g based on active mass) at ultrahigh C‐rates of 100C. When combined with an activated carbon/lithium manganese oxide composite cathode, an excellent energy and power performance of 70 Wh/kg and 47 kW/kg were obtained (82 Wh/kg and 55 kW/kg based on active mass), while maintaining 83 % of its energy ratings after 5000 cycles at 10C (78 % after 15000 cycles at 100C).
The effect of 7,8,4´‐trihydroxyflavone on tyrosinase activity and conformation: Spectroscopy and docking studies
Authors: Shang Chao , Zhang Yongkui , You Xue , Guo Nihong , Wang Yang , Fan Yang , Liu Wenbin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTyrosinase is a ubiquitous enzyme that plays an essential role in the production of melanin. Effective inhibitors of tyrosinase have extensive applications in the medical, cosmetic and food industries. In this study, a combination of enzyme kinetics, ultraviolet (UV)‐visible absorption, fluorescence spectroscopic techniques and a computational simulation method was used to characterize the inhibitory mechanism of 7,8,4´‐trihydroxyflavone on tyrosinase. 7,8,4´‐Trihydroxyflavone was found to strongly inhibit the oxidation of l‐DOPA by tyrosinase with an IC50 value of 10.31 ± 0.41 μM. The inhibitory mechanism was determined to be reversible and non‐competitive with a Ki of 9.50 ± 0.40 μM. The UV absorption spectra showed that 7,8,4´‐trihydroxyflavone could chelate with copper ions and form a complex with tyrosinase. The intrinsic fluorescence of tyrosinase was quenched by 7,8,4´‐trihydroxyflavone through a static quenching mechanism. 7,8,4´‐Trihydroxyflavone was found to occupy a single binding site with a binding constant of 7.50 ± 1.20 × 104 M−1 at 298 K. The conformation of tyrosinase changed, and the microenvironment became more hydrophilic after 7,8,4´‐trihydroxyflavone binding. Thermodynamics parameters indicated that the binding was a spontaneous process and involved hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces. The binding distance was evaluated to be 4.54 ± 0.05 nm. Docking simulation analysis further authenticated that 7,8,4´‐trihydroxyflavone could form hydrogen bonds with the residues His244 and Met280 within the tyrosinase active site. Our results will contribute to further understanding of the inhibitory mechanisms of 7,8,4´‐trihydroxyflavone against tyrosinase and will facilitate future screening for tyrosinase inhibitors.
Enhancement of malate production through engineering of the periplasmic rTCA pathway in Escherichia coli
Authors: Guo Liang , Zhang Fan , Zhang Can , Hu Guipeng , Gao Cong , Chen Xiulai , Liu Liming 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe compartmentalization of enzymes into organelles is a promising strategy for limiting metabolic crosstalk and improving pathway efficiency; however, prokaryotes are unicellular organisms that lack membrane‐bound organelles. To mimic this natural compartmentalization, we present here the targeting of the reductive tricarboxylic acid (rTCA) pathway to the periplasm to enhance the production of malate. A multigene combination knockout strategy was used to construct a phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) pool. Then, the genes encoding phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and malate dehydrogenase were combinatorially overexpressed to construct a cytoplasmic rTCA pathway for malate biosynthesis; however, the efficiency of malate production was low. To further enhance malate production, the rTCA pathway was targeted to the periplasm, which led to a 100% increase in malate production to 18.8 mM. Next, dual metabolic engineering regulation was adopted to balance the cytoplasmic and periplasmic pathways, leading to an increase in malate production to 58.8 mM. The final engineered strain, GL2306, produced 193 mM malate with a yield of 0.53 mol/mol in 5 L of pH‐stat fed‐batch culture. The strategy described here paves the way for the development of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology in the microbial production of chemicals.
Biosynthesis of a ganoderic acid in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by expressing a cytochrome P450 gene from Ganoderma lucidum
Authors: Wang Wen‐Fang , Xiao Han , Zhong Jian‐Jiang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGanoderic acid (GA), a triterpenoid from the traditional Chinese medicinal higher fungus Ganoderma lucidum, possesses antitumor and other significant pharmacological activities. Owing to the notorious difficulty and immaturity in genetic manipulation of higher fungi as well as their slow growth, biosynthesis of GAs in a heterologous host is an attractive alternative for their efficient bioproduction. In this study, using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a host, we did a systematic screening of cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP450) gene candidates from G. lucidum, which may be responsible for the GA biosynthesis from lanosterol but have not been functionally characterized. As a result, overexpression of a CYP450 gene cyp5150l8 was firstly found to produce an antitumor GA, 3‐hydroxy‐lanosta‐8, 24‐dien‐26 oic acid (HLDOA) in S. cerevisiae, as confirmed by HPLC, LC‐MS and NMR. A final titer of 14.5 mg/L of HLDOA was obtained at 120 hr of the yeast fermentation. Furthermore, our in vitro enzymatic experiments indicate that CYP5150L8 catalyzes a three‐step biotransformation of lanosterol at C‐26 to synthesize HLDOA. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the heterologous biosynthesis of GAs. The results will be helpful to the GA biosynthetic pathway elucidation and to future optimization of heterologous cell factories for GA production.
What are the green technologies for sustainable housing development? An empirical study in Ghana
Authors: Darko Amos , Chan Albert Ping Chuen , Owusu Emmanuel Kingsford 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe housing industry is a major contributor to global climate change, environmental pollution, and resource depletion. The adoption of green technologies in housing development is a way to realize sustainable development goals. This research aims to identify the green technologies that are important to achieve sustainable housing development, in particular Accra, Ghana. Due to differences in climate, focusing on Accra helps validate the findings of this study. To achieve the objective, 28 green technologies were identified from a comprehensive literature review, and a questionnaire survey was done with 43 professionals with green building experience. The results indicated that application of natural ventilation, application of energy‐efficient lighting systems, optimizing building orientation and configuration, application of energy‐efficient high efficient heating, ventilation, and air‐conditioning system, and installation of water‐efficient appliances and fixtures were the five most important green technologies to achieve sustainable housing development. Furthermore, water efficiency technologies and energy efficiency technologies had the highest level of importance. The identified green technologies form a conceptual framework which can be used to guide the identification and selection of green technologies for sustainable housing development. The research findings would be useful for industry professionals responsible for decision making during the design stage of housing developments. Theoretically, this study adds to the literature by presenting one of the first studies in its kind focusing on green technologies for sustainable housing development within the Ghanaian context.
Improving the Economic Performance of Remanufacturing Systems through Flexible Design Strategies: A Case Study Based on Remanufacturing Laptop Computers for the Cambodian Market
Authors: Low Jonathan Sze Choong , Ng Yen Ting 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAlthough numerous studies have highlighted the contributions of remanufacturing to sustainable development and the circular economy, the decision for a company to take up this strategy is riddled with uncertainties, especially when significant capital investment is involved. To improve the economic performance of a remanufacturing system in the face of uncertainties, we propose a methodological framework for flexible design of remanufacturing systems. Its application is demonstrated using a case study based on remanufacturing laptop computers for the Cambodian market. Through the case study, we show how one can explore the opportunity of setting up a remanufacturing system, study its economic feasibility and design flexible strategies to improve its economic performance in the face of uncertainties. More interestingly, we demonstrate how Monte Carlo simulation can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of different flexible design strategies in dealing with the uncertainties. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
The prognostic value of CYP2C subfamily genes in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Xiangkun , Yu Tingdong , Liao Xiwen , Yang Chengkun , Han Chuangye , Zhu Guangzhi , Huang Ketuan , Yu Long , Qin Wei , Su Hao , Liu Xiaoguang , Peng Tao 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCytochrome P2C (CYP2C) subfamily members (CYP2C8, CYP2C9, CYP2C18, and CYP2C19) are known to participate in clinical drug metabolism. However, the association between CYP2C subfamily members and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. This study investigated the prognostic value of CYP2C subfamily gene expression levels with HCC prognosis. Data of 360 HCC patients in The Cancer Genome Atlas database and 231 in the Gene Expression Omnibus database were analyzed. Kaplan–Meier analysis and a Cox regression model were used to ascertain overall survival and recurrence‐free survival, and to calculate median survival time using hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). In TCGA database, low expression of CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 in tumor tissue was associated with a short median survival time (all crude P = 0.001, adjusted P = 0.004, P = 0.047, and P = 0.020, respectively). In TCGA database, joint effects analysis of the combinations of CYP2C8 and CYP2C9, CYP2C8 and CYP2C19, and CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 revealed that high expression of two genes (group 4; group IV, group d) was associated with a reduced risk of death as compared to low expression (group 1, group I, and group a) (adjusted P = 0.005, P = 0.013, and P = 0.016, respectively). In TCGA database, joint effects analysis of CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 showed that the risk of death from HCC was lower for groups C and D than for group A (adjusted P = 0.012 and P = 0.008, respectively). CYP2C8, CYP2C9, and CYP2C19 gene expression levels are potential prognostic markers of HCC following hepatectomy.
PARP inhibitor olaparib sensitizes cholangiocarcinoma cells to radiation
Authors: Mao Yize , Huang Xin , Shuang Zeyu , Lin Guohe , Wang Jun , Duan Fangting , Chen Jianlin , Li Shengping 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a highly malignant tumor with resistance to radiotherapy alone. Olaparib, a highly potent poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, has been shown to sensitize many types of tumor to radiotherapy. However, the effect of olaparib, either as monotherapy or as combination therapy with radiotherapy, on CCA is not known, and our study aimed to explore this. To assess radiosensitization in three CCA cell lines (QBC939, HuH28 and TFK‐1), viability and clonogenic assays were conducted. The absorbed radiation doses were 0 Gy, 2 Gy, 4 Gy, and 6 Gy; olaparib concentrations were 0 nmol/L, 1 nmol/L, 10 nmol/L, 100 nmol/L, 1000 nmol/L, 2500 nmol/L, 5000 nmol/L and 10 000 nmol/L. The mechanism of olaparib radiosensitization was explored by Western blotting. Immunofluorescence staining and flow cytometry were conducted to explore DNA damage and apoptosis. The radiosensitivity of CCA cells was enhanced by olaparib, which alone had little effect on the CCA cell lines without BRCA mutations. The degree of radiosensitization increased with increasing doses of olaparib by viability and clonogenic assays in vitro. Olaparib was able to enhance the effect of radiation by inhibiting PARP1, inducing DNA lesions and apoptosis. These findings emphasize the role of olaparib in the radiosensitization of CCA cells.
Racial/ethnic disparities in de novo metastases sites and survival outcomes for patients with primary breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer
Authors: Akinyemiju Tomi , Sakhuja Swati , Waterbor John , Pisu Maria , Altekruse Sean F. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRacial disparities in cancer mortality still exist despite improvements in treatment strategies leading to improved survival for many cancer types. In this study, we described race/ethnic differences in patterns of de novo metastasis and evaluated the association between site of de novo metastasis and breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer mortality. Data were obtained from the Surveillance Epidemiology and Ends Results (SEER) database from 2010 to 2013 and included 520,147 patients ages ≥40 years with primary diagnosis of breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer. Site and frequency of de novo metastases to four sites (bone, brain, liver, and lung) were compared by race/ethnicity using descriptive statistics, and survival differences examined using extended Cox regression models in SAS 9.4. Overall, non‐Hispanic (NH) Blacks (11%) were more likely to present with de novo metastasis compared with NH‐Whites (9%) or Hispanics (10%). Among patients with breast cancer, NH‐Blacks were more likely to have metastasis to the bone, (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.15–1.37), brain (OR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.57–3.25), or liver (OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.35–1.93), while Hispanics were less likely to have metastasis to the liver (OR: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.60–0.97) compared with NH‐Whites. Among patients with prostate cancer, NH‐Blacks (1.39, 95% CI: 1.31–1.48) and Hispanics (1.39, 95% CI: 1.29–1.49) were more likely to have metastasis to the bone. Metastasis to any of the four sites evaluated increased overall mortality by threefold (for breast cancer and metastasis to bone) to 17‐fold (for prostate cancer and metastasis to liver). Racial disparities in mortality remained after adjusting for metastasis site in all cancer types evaluated. De novo metastasis is a major contributor to cancer mortality in USA with racial differences in the site, frequency, and associated survival.
Glioblastoma‐activated pericytes support tumor growth via immunosuppression
Authors: Sena Isadora F. G. , Paiva Ana E. , Prazeres Pedro H. D. M. , Azevedo Patrick O. , Lousado Luiza , Bhutia Sujit K. , Salmina Alla B. , Mintz Akiva , Birbrair Alexander 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGlioblastoma multiforme is the most common and aggressive primary brain tumor, with an extremely poor prognosis. The lack of detailed knowledge about the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in glioblastoma development restricts the design of efficient therapies. A recent study using state‐of‐art technologies explores the role of pericytes in the glioblastoma microenvironment. Glioblastoma‐activated pericytes develop an immunosuppressive phenotype, reducing T‐cell activation through the induction of an anti‐inflammatory response. Strikingly, pericytes support glioblastoma growth in vitro and in vivo. Here, we describe succinctly the results and implications of the findings reported in pericytes' and glioblastomas' biology. The emerging knowledge from this study will be essential for the treatment of brain tumors.
Adult nodular lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma: treatment modality utilization and survival
Authors: Alonso Clayton , Dutta Sunil W. , Mitra Nandita , Landsburg Daniel J. , Zaorsky Nicholas G. , Grover Surbhi , Peterson Jennifer , Trifiletti Daniel M. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractEarly‐stage nodular lymphocyte‐predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) is associated with a favorable prognosis. Our aim was to evaluate the patterns of care of radiotherapy utilization in this disease and to define the relationship between treatment modality and survival. The National Cancer Database was queried for patients with stages I‐II NLPHL diagnosed from 2004 to 2012. Patients were compared based on primary therapy into four categories: radiotherapy, chemotherapy, both, or neither. Covariate‐adjusted and propensity score‐weighted (PS) Cox proportional hazards models were used, adjusting for potential factors confounding survival. After exclusions, 1420 patients were evaluated, 571 (40%) received radiotherapy alone, 318 (22%) received chemotherapy alone, 351 (25%) received both, and 180 (13%) received neither. Younger patient age (P = 0.001), female gender (P = 0.019), and chemotherapy use (P < 0.001) were associated with decreased radiotherapy utilization. On PS, radiation alone (HR = 0.298, P < 0.001) and chemoradiotherapy (HR = 0.258, P < 0.001) were associated with improved survival compared to no upfront therapy, but the use of chemotherapy alone did not statistically differ compared to no initial therapy (HR = 0.784, P = 0.078). In this large database analysis, over one‐third of patients with early‐stage NLPHL did not receive radiotherapy as a component of initial therapy. The omission of upfront radiotherapy was associated with inferior survival.
Socioeconomic and demographic inequalities in stage at diagnosis and survival among colorectal cancer patients: evidence from a Swiss population‐based study
Authors: Feller Anita , Schmidlin Kurt , Bordoni Andrea , Bouchardy Christine , Bulliard Jean‐Luc , Camey Bertrand , Konzelmann Isabelle , Maspoli Manuela , Wanner Miriam , Zwahlen Marcel , Clough‐Gorr Kerri M. ,   the SNC and the NICER Working Group
Published: February 2018

AbstractSocioeconomic inequalities in cancer stage at diagnosis and survival are important public health issues. This study investigates the association between socioeconomic position (SEP) and colorectal cancer (CRC) stage at diagnosis and survival in Switzerland, a European country with highest level of medical facilities and life expectancy. We used population‐based CRC data from seven Swiss cantonal cancer registries 2001–2008 (N = 10,088) linked to the Swiss National Cohort (SNC). Follow‐up information was available until the end of 2013. SEP was estimated based on education. The association between cancer stage and SEP was assessed using logistic regression models including cancer localization (colon/rectum), sex, age, civil status, urbanity of residence, language region, and nationality (Swiss/non‐Swiss). Survival was analyzed using competing risk regressions reporting subhazard ratios (SHRs) for the risk of dying due to CRC. We observed a social gradient for later stage CRC with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of 1.11 (95% CI: 0.97–1.19) and 1.28 (95% CI: 1.08–1.50) for middle and low SEP compared to high SEP. Further, single compared to married people had elevated odds of being diagnosed at later stages. Survival was lower in patients with CRC with low SEP in the unadjusted model (SHR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.07–1.30). After adjustment for stage at diagnosis and further sociodemographic characteristics, significant survival inequalities by SEP disappeared but remained for non‐Swiss compared to Swiss citizens and for patients living in nonurban areas compared to their urban counterparts. Swiss public health strategies should facilitate equal access to CRC screening and optimal CRC care for all social groups and in all regions of Switzerland.
Being present: oncologists' role in promoting advanced cancer patients' illness understanding
Authors: Cohen Simon M. , Maciejewski Renee C. , Shah Manish A. , Trevino Kelly M. , Shen Megan J. , Maciejewski Paul K. , Prigerson Holly G. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRealistic illness understanding is essential to an advanced cancer patient's ability to make informed medical decisions at the end of life. This study sought to determine whether advanced cancer patients better understood the late stage of their cancer if an oncologist, compared to other members of the care team, was present to discuss their scan results. Data were derived from a multi‐institutional, longitudinal cohort study of patients recruited between 2010 and 2015. Patients (n = 209) with late‐stage cancers (metastatic cancers that progressed after at least one chemotherapy regimen) were interviewed before and after clinic visits in which scan results were discussed. Patients reported pre‐ and postvisit if their cancer was at a late stage. Postvisit, patients reported if they discussed scan results with an oncologist or another oncology provider (i.e., oncology fellow, oncology resident, nurse practitioner, nurse, physician's assistant, or other). Logistic regression analysis was used to determine if the presence of an oncologist during scan results discussions differentially predicted the patients' likelihood of postvisit late‐stage illness understanding (LSIU). Propensity weighting was used to correct for sociodemographic imbalances between groups, and previsit LSIU and the presence of multiple providers were controlled for in the logistic regression analyses. After propensity‐weighted adjustment and controlling for previsit LSIU and the presence of multiple providers, patients were 2.6 times more likely (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.2, 6.0; P = 0.021) to report that their disease was late stage if an oncologist was present for the scan results discussion compared to if an oncologist was absent. The presence of an oncologist during scan results discussions was associated with a higher likelihood of patients acknowledging being in a late stage of their disease. These results suggest that oncologist involvement in scan results discussions is associated with advanced cancer patients having better prognostic understanding.
Effect of Fluorination on Skin Sensitization Potential and Fragrant Properties of Cinnamyl Compounds
Authors: Charpentier Julie , Emter Roger , Koch Heinz , Lelièvre Dominique , Pannecoucke Xavier , Couve‐Bonnaire Samuel , Natsch Andreas , Bombrun Agnes 
Published: February 2018

A series of three α‐ and three β‐fluorinated representatives of the family of cinnamate‐derived odorants (cinnamaldehyde (1), cinnamyl alcohol (2), and ethyl cinnamate (3)) as used as fragrance ingredients is described. Olfactive evaluation shows that the fluorinated compounds exhibit a similar odor profile to their parent compounds, but the olfactive detection thresholds are clearly higher. In vitro evaluation of the skin sensitizing properties with three different assays indicates that α‐fluorination of Michael acceptor systems 1 and 3 slightly improves the skin sensitization profile. α‐Fluorocinnamyl alcohol 2b is a weaker skin sensitizer than cinnamyl alcohol 2a by in vitro tests and the fluorinated product drops below the sensitization threshold of the KeratinoSens® assay. On the other hand, β‐fluorination of compounds 1 – 3 results in highly reactive products which display a worsened in vitro skin sensitization profile.