bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Tonsil cancer treated with radiotherapy during a pregnancy: a case report
Authors: Martinez Pineda Wendy Jazmin , Calva Espinosa Angel Luis , Gonzalez Noguez Alicia Guillermina , Osorio Solis Carlos , Vacio Olguin Alvar Jose 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntroduction:Cancer during pregnancy has an incidence of 1/1,000, and when diagnosed, the most common ones are breast cancer (1/10,000), Hodgkin’s lymphoma (1/6,000), and head and neck cancer (1/10,000). If a diagnosis is made during pregnancy, the treatment cannot wait until delivery, and there is concern about the effects that radiotherapy may have on the foetus. The multidisciplinary group has to assess and ethically make decisions with regard to the mother and foetus.Clinical case:A 35-year-old female, a carrier of Behcet’s disease, underwent 5 years of treatment with hydroxychloroquine, prednisone and low-molecular-weight heparin (the patient being a carrier of Behcet’s disease, there is a high risk for cancer of the oral cavity and oropharynx with an HR of 2·11, so the cancer could be related to the tonsil). The patient’s oncological situation started on December 2017 with a volume increase in preauricular, parotid and right mandibular angle, with a progressive growth. At this time, the foetus was of 17·5 weeks of gestation. An oral cavity tumour that invaded the right retromolar triangle was observed, and upon biopsy, a basaloid squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed.Radiotherapy treatment was started at 22 weeks of gestation; intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) was planned with a dose of 69·96 Gy to the primary tumour and 59·4 Gy to ganglion levels II, III and IV, bilaterally in 33 fractions. At fraction 27 a significant decrease in tumour volume was noted, so adaptive radiotherapy was performed to complete the treatment. Currently the patient has no clinical evidence of tumour pathology.Discussion:The risk of radiation exposure in pregnant women (after 20 weeks of gestation), being treated for cancers of the tonsil, reaching the foetus is minimal, with a reduced risk of a few or no effects.Conclusions:Radiotherapy in tonsil cancer has been shown to be effective in combination with chemotherapy for local control of the disease. In the case of this pregnant patient, radiotherapy, as the only modality, provided local control and little exposure of radiation to the foetus.
Tracing Geophysical Indicators of Fluid‐Induced Serpentinization in the Pampean Flat Slab of Central Chile
Authors: Nikulin A. , Bourke J. R. , Domino J. R. , Park J. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAn apparent gap in the Andean volcanic arc in the Pampean section of the subduction zone in Chile (~28°–33°S) marks a section of flat slab subduction. In this tectonic environment, the fate of fluids released from the subducting Nazca slab remains uncertain and the degree of their interaction with the basal layer of the continental lithosphere is poorly understood. Results of a RF investigation and forward modeling effort at three long‐running stations of the Chilean National Seismic Network allow us to constrain the position of the subducting Nazca slab and to address the physical properties of the interplate contact zone in Central Chile. Our observations suggest a transition in seismic character, from a weakly anisotropic contact in the normally subducting section north of the flat slab region to a strongly anisotropic plate contact within the flat slab region. We attribute this change to a transition from sheared olivine to serpentinized peridotite generated as a result of fluid release across the flat slab. This interpretation is supported by forward modeling synthetic RFs at each of the stations. We propose that the identified layer extends across the flat slab region, acting as a mineral reservoir that captures and, possibly, transports fluids from the dehydrating Nazca Plate as it subducts below South America. We note that the Ps converted phase at the slab interface at southernmost station GO04 suffers a 2‐s discontinuity at 180° back azimuth, consistent with a 15–20‐km scarp or kink in the Nazca slab to the south of the station.
On-chip structure-switching aptamer-modified magnetic nanobeads for the continuous monitoring of interferon-gamma ex vivo
Authors: Liu Guozhen , Cao Chaomin , Ni Shengnan , Feng Shilun , Wei Hui 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCytokines are cell signaling molecules that indicate the health status of the body. In this study, we developed a microfluidic device integrated with structure-switching aptamers capable of continuously tracking the concentration of the cytokine interferon gamma (IFN-γ) in cell culture medium and blood serum. First, a ferrocene (Fc)-labeled structure-switching signaling aptamer with a hairpin structure targeting IFN-γ was immobilized on magnetic nanobeads by the strongest noncovalent interactions between streptavidin and biotin. The aptamer-modified magnetic nanobeads were trapped on a customized microfluidic chip by a magnetic field to form the sensing interface. The binding of IFN-γ could trigger the hairpin structure of the aptamer to unfold, pushing Fc redox molecules away from the sensing interface and consequently switching off the electrochemical signal. The change in the redox current of Fc was quantitatively related to the concentration of IFN-γ in a linear range of 10–500 pg mL−1 and with the lowest detection limit of 6 pg mL−1. This microfluidic device was specific to IFN-γ in the presence of overabundant serum proteins and allowed the continuous monitoring of IFN-γ without adding exogenous reagents. It provided a universal point-of-care biosensing platform for the real-time detection of a spectrum of analytes.
Fabrication of sharp silicon hollow microneedles by deep-reactive ion etching towards minimally invasive diagnostics
Authors: Li Yan , Zhang Hang , Yang Ruifeng , Laffitte Yohan , Schmill Ulises , Hu Wenhan , Kaddoura Moufeed , Blondeel Eric J. M. , Cui Bo 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMicroneedle technologies have the potential for expanding the capabilities of wearable health monitoring from physiology to biochemistry. This paper presents the fabrication of silicon hollow microneedles by a deep-reactive ion etching (DRIE) process, with the aim of exploring the feasibility of microneedle-based in-vivo monitoring of biomarkers in skin fluid. Such devices shall have the ability to allow the sensing elements to be integrated either within the needle borehole or on the backside of the device, relying on capillary filling of the borehole with dermal interstitial fluid (ISF) for transporting clinically relevant biomarkers to the sensor sites. The modified DRIE process was utilized for the anisotropic etching of circular holes with diameters as small as 30 μm to a depth of >300 μm by enhancing ion bombardment to efficiently remove the fluorocarbon passivation polymer. Afterward, isotropic wet and/or dry etching was utilized to sharpen the needle due to faster etching at the pillar top, achieving tip radii as small as 5 μm. Such sharp microneedles have been demonstrated to be sufficiently robust to penetrate porcine skin without needing any aids such as an impact-insertion applicator, with the needles remaining mechanically intact after repetitive penetrations. The capillary filling of DRIE-etched through-wafer holes with water has also been demonstrated, showing the feasibility of use to transport the analyte to the target sites.
High resolution non-invasive intraocular pressure monitoring by use of graphene woven fabrics on contact lens
Authors: Zhang Yushi , Chen Yufeng , Man Tianxing , Huang Dong , Li Xiao , Zhu Hongwei , Li Zhihong 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMonitoring intracorporal pressures are important for health care and diagnosis. In this work, a contact lens tonometer employing graphene woven fabrics (GWFs), which indicate great sensibility of resistance to strain, flexibility, stretchability, transparency, and biocompatibility, is proposed for real-time monitoring intraocular pressure (IOP) with high resolution. The mechanical properties of the device during the deformation were analyzed, and the sensitivity of the fabricated device was tested on a mimic human eyeball. In vitro experiments on porcine eyes were executed to test the effectiveness of the device. The change rate of resistance under different IOP was tested. Also, the relationship between the current changes and IOP variation when keeping the voltage constant for different devices was obtained. The contact lens tonometers with GWFs as high-resolution sensing element have shown a promising prospective to realize the low-cost disposable sensing contact lens with lower power.
Functional roles of ST8SIA3-mediated sialylation of striatal dopamine D2 and adenosine A2A receptors
Authors: Lin Chien-Yu , Lai Hsing-Lin , Chen Hui-Mei , Siew Jian-Jing , Hsiao Cheng-Te , Chang Hua-Chien , Liao Kuo-Shiang , Tsai Shih-Chieh , Wu Chung-Yi , Kitajima Ken , Sato Chihiro , Khoo Kay-Hooi , Chern Yijuang 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSialic acids are typically added to the end of glycoconjugates by sialyltransferases. Among the six ST8 α-N-acetyl-neuraminide α-2,8-sialyltransferases (ST8SIA) existing in adult brains, ST8SIA2 is a schizophrenia-associated gene. However, the in vivo substrates and physiological functions of most sialyltransferases are currently unknown. The ST8SIA3 is enriched in the striatum. Here, we showed that ablation of St8sia3 in mice (St8sia3-KO) led to fewer disialylated and trisialylated terminal glycotopes in the striatum of St8sia3-KO mice. Moreover, the apparent sizes of several striatum-enriched G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) (including the adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) and dopamine D1/D2 receptors (D1R and D2R)) were smaller in St8sia3-KO mice than in WT mice. A sialidase treatment removed the differences in the sizes of these molecules between St8sia3-KO and WT mice, confirming the involvement of sialylation. Expression of ST8SIA3 in the striatum of St8sia3-KO mice using adeno-associated viruses normalized the sizes of these proteins, demonstrating a direct role of ST8SIA3. The lack of ST8SIA3-mediated sialylation altered the distribution of these proteins in lipid rafts and the interaction between D2R and A2AR. Locomotor activity assays revealed altered pharmacological responses of St8sia3-KO mice to drugs targeting these receptors and verified that a greater population of D2R formed heteromers with A2AR in the striatum of St8sia3-KO mice. Since the A2AR-D2R heteromer is an important drug target for several basal ganglia diseases (such as schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease), the present study not only reveals a crucial role for ST8SIA3 in striatal functions but also provides a new drug target for basal ganglia-related diseases.
Structure of a bound peptide phosphonate reveals the mechanism of nocardicin bifunctional thioesterase epimerase-hydrolase half-reactions
Authors: Patel Ketan D. , d’Andrea Felipe B. , Gaudelli Nicole M. , Buller Andrew R. , Townsend Craig A. , Gulick Andrew M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) underlie the biosynthesis of many natural products that have important medicinal utility. Protection of the NRPS peptide products from proteolysis is critical to these pathways and is often achieved by structural modification, principally the introduction of d-amino acid residues into the elongating peptide. These amino acids are generally formed in situ from their l-stereoisomers by epimerization domains or dual-function condensation/epimerization domains. In singular contrast, the thioesterase domain of nocardicin biosynthesis mediates both the effectively complete l- to d-epimerization of its C-terminal amino acid residue (≥100:1) and hydrolytic product release. We report herein high-resolution crystal structures of the nocardicin thioesterase domain in ligand-free form and reacted with a structurally precise fluorophosphonate substrate mimic that identify the complete peptide binding pocket to accommodate both stereoisomers. These structures combined with additional functional studies provide detailed mechanistic insight into this unique dual-function NRPS domain.
Highly active ruthenium metathesis catalysts enabling ring-opening metathesis polymerization of cyclopentadiene at low temperatures
Authors: Song Kitaek , Kim Kunsoon , Hong Daeun , Kim Jungwon , Heo Chae Eun , Kim Hugh I. , Hong Soon Hyeok 
Published: August 2019

AbstractDevelopment of versatile ruthenium olefin-metathesis catalysts with high activity, stability, and selectivity is a continuous challenge. Here we report highly controllable ruthenium catalysts using readily accessible and versatile N-vinylsulfonamides as carbene precursors. Catalyst initiation rates were controlled in a straightforward manner, from latent to fast initiating, through the facile modulation of the N-vinylsulfonamide ligands. Trifluoromethanesulfonamide-based catalysts initiated ultrarapidly even at temperatures as low as −60 °C and continuously propagated rapidly, enabling the enthalpically and entropically less-favored ring-opening metathesis polymerizations of low-strained functionalized cyclopentene derivatives, some of which are not accessible with previous olefin-metathesis catalysts. To our surprise, the developed catalysts facilitated the polymerization of cyclopentadiene (CPD), a feedstock that is easily and commonly obtainable through the steam cracking of naphtha, which has, to the best of our knowledge, not been previously achieved due to its low ring strain and facile dimerization even at low temperatures (below 0 °C).
A bioinspired optoelectronically engineered artificial neurorobotics device with sensorimotor functionalities
Authors: Karbalaei Akbari Mohammad , Zhuiykov Serge 
Published: August 2019

AbstractDevelopment of the next generation of bio- and nano-electronics is inseparably connected to the innovative concept of emulation and reproduction of biological sensorimotor systems and artificial neurobotics. Here, we report for the first time principally new artificial bioinspired optoelectronic sensorimotor system for the controlable immitation of opto-genetically engineered neurons in the biological motor system. The device is based on inorganic optical synapse (In-doped TiO2 nanofilm) assembled into a liquid metal (galinstan) actuator. The optoelectronic synapse generates polarised excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic potentials to trigger the liquid metal droplet to vibrate and then mimic the expansion and contraction of biological fibre muscle. The low-energy consumption and precise modulation of electrical and mechanical outputs are the distinguished characteristics of fabricated sensorimotor system. This work is the underlying significant step towards the development of next generation of low-energy the internet of things for bioinspired neurorobotic and bioelectronic system.
Solid-state NMR spectroscopy based atomistic view of a membrane protein unfolding pathway
Authors: Xiao Peng , Bolton David , Munro Rachel A. , Brown Leonid S. , Ladizhansky Vladimir 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMembrane protein folding, structure, and function strongly depend on a cell membrane environment, yet detailed characterization of folding within a lipid bilayer is challenging. Studies of reversible unfolding yield valuable information on the energetics of folding and on the hierarchy of interactions contributing to protein stability. Here, we devise a methodology that combines hydrogen-deuterium (H/D) exchange and solid-state NMR (SSNMR) to follow membrane protein unfolding in lipid membranes at atomic resolution through detecting changes in the protein water-accessible surface, and concurrently monitoring the reversibility of unfolding. We obtain atomistic description of the reversible part of a thermally induced unfolding pathway of a seven-helical photoreceptor. The pathway is visualized through SSNMR-detected snapshots of H/D exchange patterns as a function of temperature, revealing the unfolding intermediate and its stabilizing factors. Our approach is transferable to other membrane proteins, and opens additional ways to characterize their unfolding and stabilizing interactions with atomic resolution.
Corrosion-resistant carbide-reinforced martensitic steel by Cu modification
Authors: Zhang Chen , Yamanaka Kenta , Bian Huakang , Chiba Akihiko 
Published: August 2019

AbstractCarbide-reinforced martensitic steels, known as high-speed steels (HSSs), have been used as tool materials in various industries because of their high hardness and wear resistance. Nonetheless, such steels show severe degradation when used in a corrosive environment because typical Cr2O3 films, which generally realise passivity in these alloys, do not often work effectively. Here, we demonstrate that the corrosion resistance of a high-carbon-containing Fe–Cr–W-based alloy in a sulfuric acid solution can be significantly improved by the addition of trace Cu. The enrichment of Cu at the surface of the alloy as corrosion proceeds is key to inhibiting further corrosion. A theoretical model for a micro corrosion cell, which should be applicable to any material employed under the same corrosion conditions in fields such as the chemical and energy industries, was developed to interpret the experimental observations.
The improved properties and microstructure of β-solidify TiAl alloys by boron addition and multi steps forging process
Authors: Xiao Shulong , Chen Yuyong , Li Mingao , Xu Lijuan , Tian Jing , Zhang Dongdong , Yang Jianhui 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA novel forging process has been designed for better mechanical properties of Ti-43Al-6Nb-1Mo-1Cr-(0,0.6)B alloys in this paper. Multi step forging process could provide much finer microstructure, higher room-temperature strength, increased high-temperature strength and elongation with these alloys. The forged alloys without boron exhibit strength and elongation as 676.05 ± 11.37 MPa and 41.32 ± 1.38% at 800 °C, while the average grain size represents as 12.63 ± 3.77 μm. The forged alloys with 0.6 at.% B represent better mechanical properties than the forged alloys without boron, due to the refined microstructure with dispersive borides. Meanwhile, the detailed mechanism of increased strength and elongation caused by finer microstructure were concluded and discussed.
Photoswitchable Spasers with a Plasmonic Core and Photoswitchable Fluorescent Proteins
Authors: Harrington Walter N. , Novoselova Marina V. , Bratashov Daniil N. , Khlebtsov Boris N. , Gorin Dmitry A. , Galanzha Ekaterina I. , Zharov Vladimir P. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPhotoswitchable fluorescent proteins (PFPs) that can change fluorescence color upon excitation have revolutionized many applications of light such as tracking protein movement, super-resolution imaging, identification of circulating cells, and optical data storage. Nevertheless, the relatively weak fluorescence of PFPs limits their applications in biomedical imaging due to strong tissue autofluorecence background. Conversely, plasmonic nanolasers, also called spasers, have demonstrated potential to generate super-bright stimulated emissions even inside single cells. Nevertheless, the development of photoswitchable spasers that can shift their stimulated emission color in response to light is challenging. Here, we introduce the novel concept of spasers using a PFP layer as the active medium surrounding a plasmonic core. The proof of principle was demonstrated by synthesizing a multilayer nanostructure on the surface of a spherical gold core, with a non-absorbing thin polymer shell and the PFP Dendra2 dispersed in the matrix of a biodegradable polymer. We have demonstrated photoswitching of spontaneous and stimulated emission in these spasers below and above the spasing threshold, respectively, at different spectral ranges. The plasmonic core of the spasers serves also as a photothermal (and potentially photoacoustic) contrast agent, allowing for photothermal imaging of the spasers. These results suggest that multimodal photoswitchable spasers could extend the traditional applications of spasers and PFPs in laser spectroscopy, multicolor cytometry, and theranostics with the potential to track, identify, and kill abnormal cells in circulation.
Endangered Atlantic Sturgeon in the New York Wind Energy Area: implications of future development in an offshore wind energy site
Authors: Ingram Evan Corey , Cerrato Robert M. , Dunton Keith J. , Frisk Michael G. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractImminent development of offshore wind farms on the outer continental shelf of the United States has led to significant concerns for marine wildlife. The scarcity of empirical data regarding fish species that may utilize development sites, further compounded by the novelty of the technology and inherent difficulty of conducting offshore research, make identification and assessment of potential stressors to species of concern problematic. However, there is broad potential to mitigate putatively negative impacts to seasonal migrants during the exploration and construction phases. The goal of this study was to establish baseline information on endangered Atlantic Sturgeon in the New York Wind Energy Area (NY WEA), a future offshore development site. Passive acoustic transceivers equipped with acoustic release mechanisms were used to monitor the movements of tagged fish in the NY WEA from November 2016 through February 2018 and resulted in detections of 181 unique individuals throughout the site. Detections were highly seasonal and peaked from November through January. Conversely, fish were relatively uncommon or entirely absent during the summer months (July–September). Generalized additive models indicated that predictable transitions between coastal and offshore habitat were associated with long-term environmental cues and localized estuarine conditions, specifically the interaction between photoperiod and river temperature. These insights into the ecology of marine-resident Atlantic Sturgeon are crucial for both defining monitoring parameters and guiding threat assessments in offshore waters and represent an important initial step towards quantitatively evaluating Atlantic Sturgeon at a scale relevant to future development.
Comprehensive in vitro characterization of PD-L1 small molecule inhibitors
Authors: Ganesan Aravindhan , Ahmed Marawan , Okoye Isobel , Arutyunova Elena , Babu Dinesh , Turnbull William L. , Kundu Joydeb Kumar , Shields Justin , Agopsowicz Katharine Cheryl , Xu Lai , Tabana Yasser , Srivastava Nutan , Zhang Guangzhi , Moon Tae Chul , Belovodskiy Alexandr , Hena Mostofa , Kandadai Appan Srinivas , Hosseini Seyedeh Nargess , Hitt Mary , Walker John , Smylie Michael , West Frederick G. , Siraki Arno G. , Lemieux M. Joanne , Elahi Shokrollah , Nieman James A. , Tyrrell D. Lorne , Houghton Michael , Barakat Khaled 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBlockade of the programmed cell death 1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) interaction has emerged as a powerful strategy in cancer immunotherapy. Recently, there have been enormous efforts to develop potent PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors. In particular, Bristol-Myers Squibb (BMS) and Aurigene Discovery Technologies have individually disclosed several promising PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, whose detailed experimental data are not publicly disclosed. In this work, we report the rigorous and systematic in vitro characterization of a selected set of potent PD-1/PD-L1 macrocyclic peptide (BMSpep-57) and small-molecule inhibitors (BMS-103, BMS-142) from BMS and a peptidomimetic small-molecule inhibitor from Aurigene (Aurigene-1) using a series of biochemical and cell-based assays. Our results confirm that BMS-103 and BMS-142 are strongly active in biochemical assays; however, their acute cytotoxicity greatly compromised their immunological activity. On the other hand, Aurigene-1 did not show any activity in both biochemical and immunological assays. Furthermore, we also report the discovery of a small-molecule immune modulator, whose mode-of-action is not clear; however, it exhibits favorable drug-like properties and strong immunological activity. We hope that the results presented here will be useful in guiding the development of next-generation PD-1/PD-L1 small molecule inhibitors.