bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation of self‐regulating/anti‐adhesive hydrogels and their ability to promote healing in burn wounds
Authors: Liang Min , Chen Zhongmin , Wang Fuping , Liu Lan , Wei Runan , Zhang Mei 
Published: October 2018

AbstractFew burn dressings can self‐regulate the optimal humidity levels that are required for wound healing, while also providing good anti‐adhesive properties to prevent damage that can occur when wound dressings are changed. Consequently, a water‐soluble carboxymethylcellulose sodium/sodium alginate/chitosan (CMC‐Na/SA/CS) composite hydrogel has been developed as a potential burn wound dressing, with orthogonal testing revealing an optimal ratio of CMC‐Na, SA, and CS as 2, 3, and 1 wt % for hydrogel preparation, respectively. The resultant hydrogel has been formulated into composite wound dressings that were then used for the treatment of deep second degree burn wounds in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. Analysis of the physical properties of this dressing revealed that it exhibits good water vapor permeability properties that promote the healing of deep second‐degree burn wounds. The pro‐healing mechanism of the dressing has been investigated Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was upregulated and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) expression was downregulated in the early periods of wound healing, with upregulation of bFGF then occurring at a later stage of wound healing. At the same time, the wound dressing decreased the levels of tumor necrosis factor‐α and interleukin‐6, thus validating its beneficial effect on the wound healing process at a biomolecular level. In conclusion, this new hydrogel dressing was shown to exhibit excellent self‐regulatory and anti‐adhesive properties that synergistically promote the healing of burn wounds in rats, thus providing promising results that may have clinical applications. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1471–1482, 2019.
High modulus hydrogels for ophthalmic and related biomedical applications
Authors: Bhamra Tarnveer S. , Tighe Brian J. , Li Jiffan 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis paper presents three families of semi‐interpenetrating polymer network (SIPN) hydrogels based on an ester‐based polyurethane (EBPU) and hydrophilic monomers: N,N‐dimethylacrylamide (NNDMA), N‐vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) and acryloylmorpholine (AMO) as potential materials for keratoprosthesis, orthokeratology and mini‐scleral lens application. Hydrogels sheets were synthesized via free‐radical polymerization with methods developed in‐house. SIPN hydrogels were characterized for their equilibrium water content, mechanical and surface properties. Three families of optically clear SIPN‐based hydrogels have been synthesized in the presence of water with >10% of composition attributable to EBPU. Water contents of SIPN materials ranged from 30% to 70%. SIPNs with ≤15% EBPU of total composition showed little influence to mechanical properties, whereas >15% EBPU contributed significantly to an increase in material stiffness. In the hydrated state, SIPNs with ≤15% EBPU of total composition show little difference in polar component (γp) of surface free energy, whereas for >15% EBPU there is a decrease in γp. The EBPU SIPN hydrogels display complementary material properties for keratoprosthesis, orthokeratology, and mini‐scleral applications. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1645–1653, 2019.
In‐situ 2D bacterial crystal growth as a function of protein concentration: An atomic force microscopy study
Authors: Moreno‐Cencerrado Alberto , Iturri Jagoba , Toca‐Herrera José L. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe interplay between protein concentration and (observation) time has been investigated for the adsorption and crystal growth of the bacterial SbpA proteins on hydrophobic fluoride‐functionalized SiO2 surfaces. For this purpose, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been performed in real‐time for monitoring protein crystal growth at different protein concentrations. Results reveal that (1) crystal formation occurs at concentrations above 0.08 µM and (2) the compliance of the formed crystal decreases by increasing protein concentration. All the crystal domains observed presented similar lattice parameters (being the mean value for the unit cell: a = 14.8 ± 0.5 nm, b = 14.7 ± 0.5 nm, γ = 90 ° ± 2). Protein film formation is shown to take place from initial nucleation points which originate a gradual and fast extension of the crystalline domains. The Avrami equation describes well the experimental results. Overall, the results suggest that protein‐substrate interactions prevail over protein–protein interactions.Research Highlights

AFM enables to monitor protein crystallization in real‐time.
AFM high‐resolution determines lattice parameters and viscoelastic properties.
S‐layer crystal growth rate increases with protein concentration.
Avrami equation models protein crystal growth.
A simplified method of preparation of mammalian intestine samples for scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Skrzypek Tomasz H. , Kazimierczak Waldemar 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDue to strong tissue hydration and complex architecture of the mucous membrane, appropriate preparation of inhomogeneous gastrointestinal tissues, especially from the intestine, for scanning electron microscopy is still a challenge and requires constant improvement of preparation techniques. In this article, we describe a simplified method of preparation of small intestinal mucosa tissues for observations in a scanning electron microscope. We emphasized the most important points in the preparation process that, when ignored, may result in formation of numerous artifacts and the inability to analyze the samples reliably. The developed technique facilitates proper animal tissue sampling in the field conditions, reducing the time of tissue collection and sample preparation as well as the total process costs. The fixative of choice, that is, buffered formalin, fixes, and stiffens the processed tissues properly, which is especially important in preservation of long, highly hydrated intestinal villi without shrinkage artifacts. The method described has been successfully used in comparative studies of the development of small intestines in mammals (pigs, mice, rats), reptiles, and birds (hens).
Natural Resource Dependency and Entrepreneurship: Are Nations with High Resource Rents Cursed?
Authors: Chambers Dustin , Munemo Jonathan 
Published: October 2018

AbstractTesting the hypothesis that the resource curse promotes rent‐seeking behaviour at the expense of entrepreneurship, we examine the relationship between natural resource rents and new business creation using a panel of 116 countries spanning the period 2001–2012. We find that nations with heavy natural resource extraction exhibit less entrepreneurial activity, but this negative relationship is greatly reduced and even reversed in nations possessing a threshold level of governance quality. Unfortunately, the group of nations exceeding this threshold consists primarily of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development members. These results support the hypothesis that the resource curse, when left unchecked by weak institutions, promotes rent‐seeking behaviour that harms entrepreneurship. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cultural Immersion in Counselor Education: Trends, Prevalence, and Common Components
Authors: Shannonhouse Laura R. , Myers Jane E. , Barrio Minton Casey A. 
Published: October 2018

Cultural immersion (CI) is a common pedagogy to prepare counselors for work with diverse clients. However, little is known regarding how CI is used across counselor education programs. This exploratory study established quantitative baseline data on how programs prepare, implement, and evaluate CI. Current practice is compared with CI components found in the literature, particularly those established in the multicultural immersion experience model of Pope‐Davis, Breaux, and Liu (1997), which is itself grounded in contact theory.La inmersión cultural (CI, por sus siglas en inglés) es una pedagogía común para preparar a los consejeros para trabajar con clientes diversos. Sin embargo, se sabe poco acerca de cómo se usa la CI en distintos programas de educación. Este estudio exploratorio estableció unos datos de base cuantitativos sobre cómo los programas preparan, implementan y evalúan la CI. Se compara la práctica actual con los componentes de CI hallados en la literatura, en especial aquellos establecidos en el modelo de experiencia de inmersión multicultural de Pope‐Davis, Breaux y Liu (1997), que a su vez está basado en la teoría de contacto.
Pitfalls in liver MRI: Technical approach to avoiding misdiagnosis and improving image quality
Authors: Yacoub Joseph H , Elsayes Khaled M. , Fowler Kathryn J. , Hecht Elizabeth M. , Mitchell Donald G. , Santillan Cynthia , Szklaruk Janio 
Published: October 2018

The following is an illustrative review of common pitfalls in liver MRI that may challenge interpretation. This article reviews common technical and diagnostic challenges encountered when interpreting dynamic multiphasic T1‐weighted imaging, hepatobiliary phase imaging, and diffusion‐weighted imaging of the liver. Additionally, each section includes suggestions for avoiding diagnostic and technical errors.Level of Evidence: 5Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:41–58.
Abnormal Hippocampal Subfields May Be Potential Predictors of Worse Early Response to Antidepressant Treatment in Drug‐Naïve Patients With Major Depressive Disorder
Authors: Hu Xiaoxiao , Zhang Lianqing , Hu Xinyu , Lu Lu , Tang Shi , Li Hailong , Bu Xuan , Gong Qiyong , Huang Xiaoqi 
Published: October 2018

BackgroundPrevious studies had proved that hippocampal volume has predictive value for antidepressant response in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the exact subregion of the hippocampus relevant to the predictive role of antidepressants response is not known.PurposeTo explore which hippocampal subfield volumes might predict an early response to first‐time use of antidepressants in drug‐naïve MDD patients.Study TypeProspective.PopulationThirty‐eight drug‐naïve MDD patients (mean illness duration = 1.6 years) and 55 healthy control subjects (HCS).Field Strength/Sequence3.0T MRI, T1‐weighted, 3D, SPGR sequence.AssessmentThe hippocampal subfields and total intracranial volume were measured with FreeSurfer. The response to antidepressants was evaluated by the reduction rate of the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression score (RRS) after a 6‐week routine clinical antidepressant treatment.Statistical TestsThe relationship between hippocampal subfield volumes and RRS was explored using partial correlation analysis. Volume differences among early responding patients (ERP), nonresponding patients (NRP), and HCS were examined by multivariate analysis of covariance. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of volumes as predictors.ResultsNRP had significantly larger volumes than both ERP and HCS in bilateral subiculum, cornu ammonis (CA) 1 and left CA2/3, CA4/dentate gyrus (DG) (all P < 0.01, false discovery rate corrected). Significant negative correlations were found between the RRS and volumes of left subiculum (P = 0.004), CA2/3 (P = 0.008), and CA4/DG (P = 0.004) in the whole MDD group. ROC analysis demonstrated that the left subiculum exhibited the highest accuracy for differentiating NRP from ERP, with a sensitivity of 76.9% and specificity of 80%.Data ConclusionThese findings propose that volumes of certain hippocampal subfields may be associated with antidepressant treatment and this has potential use in clinical applications for treatment selection in patients with MDD at an early stage.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 4J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1760–1768.
Resource selection of a recently translocated elk population in Missouri
Authors: Smith Trenton N. , Rota Christopher T. , Keller Barbara J. , Chitwood M. Colter , Bonnot Thomas W. , Hansen Lonnie P. , Millspaugh Joshua J. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTElk (Cervus canadensis) have been successfully translocated to 11 states in the United States and 1 Canadian province in eastern North America. Availability of suitable habitat is an important factor in determining the success of relocations, but there is limited information on habitat selection of elk in eastern deciduous forests. Our objective was to determine resource selection of male and female elk recently translocated in the Ozark Mountains, Missouri, USA. We placed global positioning system (GPS) collars on all translocated adult elk. We modeled seasonal resource selection as a function of 9 habitat‐related covariates using a hierarchical Bayesian discrete choice model. Forage openings (cultivated fields providing forage for wildlife), glades, and cool‐season grasslands (pastures) had high probabilities of elk use. Areas with vegetation type heterogeneity, low canopy cover, and far from paved roads but close to 2‐track roads also had high probabilities of elk use. The availability of open lands, such as glades, pastures, and forage openings, appears to be important for elk in all seasons in forest‐dominated landscapes and may help encourage site fidelity following translocation and reduce conflict with private property as the population becomes established. Managers of elk populations in similar ecosystems should ensure sufficient availability of open lands, which might be met through maintenance of forage openings and restoration of natural open lands. Additionally, restoration efforts can benefit from post‐translocation monitoring that allows managers to improve upon externally derived habitat models through a process of adaptive restoration planning and habitat management. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.
Tuning the Thermal Properties of Azopolymers Synthesized by Post‐Functionalization of Poly(propargyl Methacrylate) with Azobenzene Azides: Influence on the Generation of Linear and Circular Birefringences
Authors: Roche Alejandro , García‐Juan Hugo , Royes Jorge , Oriol Luis , Piñol Milagros , Audia Biagio , Pagliusi Pasquale , Provenzano Clementina , Cipparrone Gabriella 
Published: October 2018

AbstractA series of side‐chain polymers with a bifunctional repeating unit are prepared by post‐polymerization functionalization of poly(propargyl methacrylate) (PPMA) with several azides derived from bis(hydroxymethyl)propionic acid (bis‐MPA). The azide incorporates one photoresponsive 4‐cyanoazobenzene unit and one photoinert promesogenic moiety at each repeating unit. Both the effect of the photoinert (4‐cyanobipheynyl vs 4‐cyanotolane) and of the linking group (ester vs carbamate) on the liquid crystalline properties and the generation of optical anisotropy, linear or circular birefringences are explored.
Tetra‐PEG‐Based Nano‐Enhanced Hydrogel with Excellent Mechanical Properties and Multi‐Functions
Authors: Wang Lina , Lei Kun , Li Zhao , Wang Xinling , Xiao Haijun , Zheng Zhen 
Published: October 2018

AbstractFurther improving mechanical performances of the tetra‐PEG hydrogel and simultaneously endowing it with functionalities remains a challenge. Herein, rGO is introduced into the tetra‐PEG network to construct a tetra‐PEG/rGO nanocomposite (NC) hydrogel with improved mechanical performances and functionalities. The hydrogel is prepared by in situ simultaneous polymerization of clickable tetra‐PEG macromonomers (TAPEG and TPPEG) and reduction of GO in one pot. The amount of rGO introduced into the hydrogel network is determined and can be controlled through tuning the feed ratio of the GO to the macromonomers. The tetra‐PEG/rGO NC hydrogel displays drastically improved mechanical performances including tensile properties, compressive properties, and fatigue resistance compared to the pristine clickable tetra‐PEG hydrogel. SEM, FT‐IR, and loading–unloading experiments indicate that interactions between rGO sheets and tetra‐PEG segments contribute to the mechanical improvement. Furthermore, the tetra‐PEG/rGO NC hydrogel exhibits selective dye adsorption ability and near‐infrared light responsiveness. The tetra‐PEG/rGO NC hydrogel with excellent mechanical performances and functionalities is highly promising in many areas such as dye absorption, remote light‐controlled devices, and tissue engineering.
A Low‐Cost Polyaniline@Textile‐Based Multifunctional Sensor for Simultaneously Detecting Tactile and Olfactory Stimuli
Authors: Tang Xing , Wu Congyi , Zhang Tian , Zhou Tingting , Wang Hao , Xie Changsheng , Zeng Dawen 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMultifunctional sensors are those able to respond to both physical and chemical stimuli and potentially capable of differentiating two or more signals. However, a low‐cost multifunctional sensor able to distinguish different signals is hard to fabricate. Here, a low‐cost polyaniline@textile‐based multimodal sensor is demonstrated to be able to simultaneously detect and distinguish tactile and olfactory stimuli in a single pixel. The multifunctional sensor has a high pressure sensitivity over a wide range of pressures (300 Pa–30 kPa) and an excellent linear response to NH3 at room temperature. More importantly, it can differentiate different stimuli due to different mechanisms for pressure sensing and gas sensing. With its low cost and multiple functionality, the sensor is promising for practical applications in wearable electronics and human health monitoring.
Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased glycolysis in prodromal and early Parkinson's blood cells
Authors: Smith Amy M. , Depp Constanze , Ryan Brent J. , Johnston Geoffrey I. , Alegre‐Abarrategui Javier , Evetts Samuel , Rolinski Michal , Baig Fahd , Ruffmann Claudio , Simon Anna Katharina , Hu Michele T. M. , Wade‐Martins Richard 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTBackground: Although primarily a neurodegenerative process, there is increasing awareness of peripheral disease mechanisms in Parkinson's disease. To investigate disease processes in accessible patient cells, we studied peripheral blood mononuclear cells in recently diagnosed PD patients and rapid eye movement‐sleep behavior disorder patients who have a greatly increased risk of developing PD. We hypothesized that peripheral blood mononuclear cells may recapitulate cellular pathology found in the PD brain and investigated these cells for mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress.Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and studied from PD patients, rapid eye movement‐sleep behavior disorder patients and age‐ and sex‐matched control individuals from the well‐characterized Oxford Discovery cohort. All participants underwent thorough clinical assessment.Results: Initial characterization showed that PD patients had elevated levels of CD14 + monocytes and monocytes expressing C‐C motif chemokine receptor 2. Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress were increased in PD patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells, with elevated levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species specifically in patient monocytes. This was combined with reduced levels of the antioxidant superoxide dismutase in blood cells from PD patients and, importantly, also in rapid eye movement‐sleep behavior disorder patients. This mitochondrial dysfunction was associated with a concomitant increase in glycolysis in both PD and rapid eye movement‐sleep behavior disorder patient blood cells independent of glucose uptake or monocyte activation.Conclusions: This work demonstrates functional bioenergetic deficits in PD and rapid eye movement‐sleep behavior disorder patient blood cells during the early stages of human disease. © 2018 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Validation and application of a fast Monte Carlo algorithm for assessing the clinical impact of approximations in analytical dose calculations for pencil beam scanning proton therapy
Authors: Huang Sheng , Souris Kevin , Li Siyang , Kang Minglei , Barragan Montero Ana Maria , Janssens Guillaume , Lin Alexander , Garver Elizabeth , Ainsley Christopher , Taylor Paige , Xiao Ying , Lin Liyong 
Published: October 2018

PurposeMonte Carlo (MC) dose calculation is generally superior to analytical dose calculation (ADC) used in commercial TPS to model the dose distribution especially for heterogeneous sites, such as lung and head/neck patients. The purpose of this study was to provide a validated, fast, and open‐source MC code, MCsquare, to assess the impact of approximations in ADC on clinical pencil beam scanning (PBS) plans covering various sites.MethodsFirst, MCsquare was validated using tissue‐mimicking IROC lung phantom measurements as well as benchmarked with the general purpose Monte Carlo TOPAS for patient dose calculation. Then a comparative analysis between MCsquare and ADC was performed for a total of 50 patients with 10 patients per site (including liver, pelvis, brain, head‐and‐neck, and lung). Differences among TOPAS, MCsquare, and ADC were evaluated using four dosimetric indices based on the dose‐volume histogram (target Dmean, D95, homogeneity index, V95), a 3D gamma index analysis (using 3%/3 mm criteria), and estimations of tumor control probability (TCP).ResultsComparison between MCsquare and TOPAS showed less than 1.8% difference for all of the dosimetric indices/TCP values and resulted in a 3D gamma index passing rate for voxels within the target in excess of 99%. When comparing ADC and MCsquare, the variances of all the indices were found to increase as the degree of tissue heterogeneity increased. In the case of lung, the D95s for ADC were found to differ by as much as 6.5% from the corresponding MCsquare statistic. The median gamma index passing rate for voxels within the target volume decreased from 99.3% for liver to 75.8% for lung. Resulting TCP differences can be large for lung (≤10.5%) and head‐and‐neck (≤6.2%), while smaller for brain, pelvis and liver (≤1.5%).ConclusionsGiven the differences found in the analysis, accurate dose calculation algorithms such as Monte Carlo simulations are needed for proton therapy, especially for disease sites with high heterogeneity, such as head‐and‐neck and lung. The establishment of MCsquare can facilitate patient plan reviews at any institution and can potentially provide unbiased comparison in clinical trials given its accuracy, speed and open‐source availability.