bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improved cadmium resistance and removal capacity in Pichia kudriavzevii A16 by sucrose preincubation
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Ma Ning , Guo Zhen , Chen Peng , Ma Ranran , Sun Xiaowen , Wang Dongfeng , Wang Junwei , Xu Ying 
Published: July 2019

AbstractRemoval of heavy metals from food material by growing micro‐organisms is limited by the toxicity to cells. In this study, different preincubation treatments were investigated to analyze their effects on cadmium resistance and removal ability of Pichia kudriavzevii A16 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae CICC1211. Sucrose preincubation improved the cadmium resistance of both yeast cells and increased the cadmium‐removal rate of P. kudriavzevii A16. An evident decrease of intracellular and cell‐surface cadmium accumulation was observed after sucrose preincubation, which may be the primary reason responsible for the improved cadmium resistance. Flow cytometry assay showed that sucrose significantly reduced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cell death rate of both yeasts under cadmium compared with those normally cultured cells. Under cadmium stress, the content of both protein carbonyls and malonyldialdehyde were also reduced by the addition of sucrose, the results were in accordance with the tendency of ROS, exhibiting a defending function of sucrose. Osmotic regulators as proline and trehalose were increased by sucrose preincubation in P. kudriavzevii A16 in the presence of cadmium. The results suggested that sucrose preincubation could be applied to improve cadmium resistance and removal rate of yeasts.
Raman study of the substrate influence on graphene synthesis using a solid carbon source via rapid thermal annealing
Authors: Bleu Yannick , Bourquard Florent , Loir Anne‐Sophie , Barnier Vincent , Garrelie Florence , Donnet Christophe 
Published: July 2019

AbstractWe report the results of a comparative investigation of graphene films prepared on Si(100) and fused silica (SiO2) combining pulsed laser deposition and rapid thermal annealing using Ni catalyst. The effect of modifying the substrate and/or growth temperature (600–1,000°C) of graphene synthesis was investigated by Raman microspectroscopy mapping. Graphene grown on Si(100) was multilayered, and various nickel silicide phases had formed underneath, revealing dependence on the growth temperature. Films prepared on SiO2 mainly comprised bilayered and trilayered graphene, with no traces of nickel silicide. Analysis of Raman D, G, and 2D peak intensities and positions showed that modifying the growth temperature had different effects when a Si(100) or a SiO2 substrate is used. These findings advance our understanding of how different combinations of substrate and thermal processing parameters affect graphene synthesis from solid carbon source using nickel as a catalyst. This knowledge will enable better control of the properties of graphene film (defects, number of layers, etc.) and will have a high potential impact on the design of graphene‐based devices for scientific or industrial applications.
Magnetic solid‐phase extraction of tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines using magnetic graphene composite as sorbent
Authors: Pang Yong‐Qiang , Chen Xiao‐Jing , Li Xiang‐Yu , Zhang Hong‐Fei , Jiang Xing‐Yi , Zhu Feng‐Peng , Luo Yan‐Bo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines are carcinogenic components in mainstream cigarette smoke. To explore tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamine release levels in cigarettes, a magnetic solid‐phase extraction procedure using magnetic graphene composite as sorbent for fast enrichment of tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamine was developed. Under optimal conditions, a tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamine determination method was successfully proposed by combining magnetic solid‐phase extraction procedure and high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The method's limit of detection for tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines in mainstream cigarette smoke ranged from 0.018 to 0.057 ng/cigarette. Good linearities were obtained with correlation coefficients above 0.9992. The accuracies of tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamines in a spiked mainstream cigarette smoke sample were from 89.3 to 109.4%, with a relative standard deviation of less than 11.2%. The proposed method has the merits of rapidity and high sensitivity. Finally, the method was successfully applied to tobacco‐specific N‐nitrosamine analysis in real samples.
Characteristics of American alligator bites on people in Florida
Authors: Woodward Allan R. , Leone Erin H. , Dutton Harry J. , Waller Jason E. , Hord Lindsey 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTHuman–American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) conflict in Florida, USA, has increased since the early 1970s, along with the recovery of the American alligator population. To better understand factors contributing to the risk of people being bitten by free‐ranging alligators in Florida, we evaluated the trend of alligator bites during 1971–2014 and examined characteristics associated with bites on people documented during 1948–2014. We classified 372 bites as either unprovoked or unintentionally provoked and used these in further analyses. Major injuries to victims occurred in 247 bite incidents. The estimated annual number of bites resulting in major injury to the victim increased from 3.5 to 7.0 during 1971–2014. The number of bites per Florida resident did not show a significant trend during 1971–2014. No significant change occurred in the frequency of fatal attacks during 1971–2014. Monthly frequency of bites was positively correlated with both mean maximum and mean minimum air temperatures but was not significantly correlated with testosterone concentration in adult male alligators, suggesting that bites are more likely related to feeding rates associated with seasonal fluctuations in ambient temperature than to aggression by male alligators during the breeding season. A high percentage of bites (41.8%) occurred in unnamed water bodies, which were generally small or man‐made. Most (93.7%) victims were Florida residents, and 58.7% resided close to the incident site. Victims were predominantly male (81.4%), and adults were more frequently victims than were adolescents or children. Most victims (93.9%) were in the water or near the shore when bitten. Victims were more likely to sustain major injuries if the bite occurred in deeper water. Male alligators were more frequently (76.9%) responsible for bites. We found only 1 instance in which a bite was associated with defense of eggs or young by an adult female alligator. Evidence of people feeding alligators before the bite was documented in 34.7% of bite incidents. Twenty‐two fatalities were attributed to alligator attacks, but we could not discern a pattern in the ages of victims. Alligators responsible for severe or fatal bites were predominantly in good condition with few deformities or injuries. Most alligator bites in Florida appeared to be attempts at feeding, although 36.8% of incidents entailed a single bite followed by immediate release, suggesting that alligators were unsure about their prey or were biting in defense. The risk of alligator bites can be reduced by educating people likely to interact with alligators and by selectively removing problem alligators in human residential areas and water bodies used regularly by people for swimming, wading, and shoreline activities. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
First Use of Optical Coherence Tomography on In Vivo Inflammatory Acne‐Like Lesions: A Murine Model
Authors: Hermsmeier Maiko , Sawant Tanvee , Chowdhury Khadiza , Nagavarapu Usha , Chan Kin F. 
Published: July 2019

Background and ObjectivesSuccessful outcomes of clinical studies for acne vulgaris depend greatly on achieving statistically significant reduction in acne lesion count and improvement in Investigator's Global Assessment score of the investigational drug product against its vehicle control. To date, there has not been a validated preclinical acne model to evaluate investigational drug products in order to improve the probability of clinical success. An inflammatory acne‐like lesion mouse model developed in‐house has previously been used for clinical guidance in our drug development program. In this study, we aim to implement and assess the adequacy of swept‐source optical coherence tomography (SS‐OCT) in quantifying the dynamic changes in inflammatory acne‐like lesions.Study Design/Materials and MethodsLive Propionibacterium acnes bacteria were injected intradermally resulting in inflammatory acne‐like lesions. Topical 1% and 2% minocycline gels were applied to the lesions in separate groups once daily for 2 weeks and compared with vehicle and untreated control groups. The growth of these lesions was monitored and measured with a ruler (height)/microcaliper (width)—an approach previously developed, and with SS‐OCT. The reliability of the two methods were assessed. Acquired OCT images across the apex of these inflammatory lesions were statistically analyzed for lesion volume reduction from baseline as well as between the treatment groups and the control groups.ResultsThe OCT technique allowed for reliable lesion volume analysis with varying conic profiles. After 14 days of topical minocycline treatments (1%, 2% minocycline), statistically significant reduction in lesion volume (P ≤ 0.05) based on OCT image analysis was observed compared with untreated and vehicle control groups as well as compared with baseline measurements. Under the right conditions, some morphological aspects of the
P. acnes injection site were discernible within the skin in images captured with OCT.ConclusionsWe demonstrated the first use of SS‐OCT in evaluating in vivo inflammatory acne‐like lesions in a murine model. Our findings support the use of OCT in assessing lesion size and evolution of P. acnes injection sites non‐invasively in preclinical in vivo studies, which could potentially lead to more consistent and predictable outcomes in clinical development. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Composite of Peptide‐Supramolecular Polymer and Covalent Polymer Comprises a New Multifunctional, Bio‐Inspired Soft Material
Authors: Chakraborty Priyadarshi , Ghosh Moumita , Schnaider Lee , Adadi Nofar , Ji Wei , Bychenko Darya , Dvir Tal , Adler‐Abramovich Lihi , Gazit Ehud 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPeptide‐based supramolecular hydrogels are utilized as functional materials in tissue engineering, axonal regeneration, and controlled drug delivery. The Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) ligand based supramolecular gels have immense potential in this respect, as this tripeptide is known to promote cell adhesion. Although several RGD‐based supramolecular hydrogels have been reported, most of them are devoid of adequate resilience and long‐range stability for in vitro cell culture. In a quest to improve the mechanical properties of these tripeptide‐based gels and their durability in cell culture media, the Fmoc‐RGD hydrogelator is non‐covalently functionalized with a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer, chitosan, resulting in a composite hydrogel with enhanced gelation rate, mechanical properties and cell media durability. Interestingly, both Fmoc‐RGD and Fmoc‐RGD/chitosan composite hydrogels exhibit thixotropic properties. The utilization of the Fmoc‐RGD/chitosan composite hydrogel as a scaffold for 2D and 3D cell cultures is demonstrated. The composite hydrogel is found to have notable antibacterial activity, which stems from the inherent antibacterial properties of chitosan. Furthermore, the composite hydrogels are able to produce ultra‐small, mono‐dispersed, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) arranged on the fiber axis. Therefore, the authors' approach harnesses the attributes of both the supramolecular‐polymer (Fmoc‐RGD) and the covalent‐polymer (chitosan) component, resulting in a composite hydrogel with excellent potential.
Distinct Subthalamic Coupling in the ON State Describes Motor Performance in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Ozturk Musa , Abosch Aviva , Francis David , Wu Jianping , Jimenez‐Shahed Joohi , Ince Nuri F. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveCross‐frequency coupling has been reported in the STN of patients with PD, but its significance and functional role are still not well understood. This study investigates pharmacological modulations of subthalamic oscillations and their nonlinear cross‐frequency interactions across three consecutive cycles over unique 24‐hour‐long recordings.BackgroundIdentifying neurobiomarkers for PD can drive the development of novel personalized treatments by providing objective assessment of impairment. In particular, distinct frequency bands in LFP recordings and their interaction with one another have been shown to modulate with dopaminergic medication and thus, proposed as such biomarkers.MethodsWe recorded local field potentials 3 weeks postoperatively from externalized leads in 9 patients and correlated the neural patterns with improvements in motor signs over three medication intake cycles. We used two modalities to assess symptoms in the unmedicated OFF and the l‐dopa–induced motor ON state: a subsection of the UPDRS and a keyboard tapping score measuring bradykinesia.ResultsIn the OFF state, the amplitude of high‐frequency oscillations in the 200‐ to 300‐Hz range was coupled with the phase of low‐beta (13–22 Hz) in all patients. After transition to the ON state, three distinct coupling patterns were observed among subjects. Among these, patients showing ON coupling between high‐beta (22–30 Hz) and high‐frequency oscillations in the 300‐ to 400‐Hz range had significantly greater improvement in bradykinesia, according to the keyboard scores.ConclusionObserving diminished coupling in the ON state, previous studies have hypothesized that the sole existence of coupling in STN has an “impeding” effect on normal processes, and thus it was considered to be pathological. In contrast, our observation of ON state coupling at distinct frequencies associated with the improvements in motor features suggest that the underlying mechanism of coupling might have impeding or enhancing effects depending on the coupled frequencies. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Long QT syndrome in chromosome 7q35q36.3 deletion involving KCNH2 gene: Warning for chlorpheniramine prescription
Authors: Di Stolfo Giuseppe , Accadia Maria , Mastroianno Sandra , Leone Maria P. , Palumbo Orazio , Palumbo Pietro , Potenza Domenico , Maccarone Pasquale , Sacco Michele , Russo Aldo , Carella Massimo 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe deletion of the distal 7q region is a rare chromosomal syndrome characterized by wide phenotypic manifestations including growth and psychomotor delay, facial dysmorphisms, and genitourinary malformations.MethodsWe describe a 6‐year‐old child with a 12‐Mb deletion of the region 7q35q36.3.ResultsAmong the deleted genes, two genes have cardiac implications: PRKAG2 (OMIM #602743), associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, cardiac conduction disease, and sudden death, and KCNH2 (OMIM #152427), coding for a cardiac potassium channel involved in long QT syndrome, unmasked by the chlorpheniramine treatment. At same time, the SHH gene (OMIM #600725), encoding sonic hedgehog, a secreted protein that is involved in the embryonic development, is deleted.ConclusionOur report underlines potential cardiac complications linked to the common pharmacological treatment in this rare multiorgan and proteiform disease.
Differing disease phenotypes of Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Moyamoya disease in female siblings of a Korean family
Authors: Park Joonhong , Jang Woori , Han Ji Yoon 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundVariable disease phenotypes can be influenced by several factors such as allelic variation, environmental factors, genetic modifiers, and genotype–environment interaction. Herein to the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the coexistence of DMD and RNF213 gene mutations in a Korean family with differing disease phenotypes of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Moyamoya disease (MMD) in each female sibling.MethodsDeletion or duplication of the exon in DMD was screened using multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA). Subsequently, single exon deletion or duplication identified by MLPA was confirmed by Sanger sequencing. On the other hand, a common missense mutation [NM_001256071.2:c.14429G>A (p.Arg4810Lys)] related to MMD in exon 60 of RNF213 was also identified by Sanger sequencing.ResultsThree female family members carried the same disease‐causing mutations, c.9953_9954delAG of DMD and c.14429G>A of RNF213. Two (II‐2 and II‐3) of these siblings suffer from the disease but exhibited different DMD or MMD symptoms, while the mother (I‐2) seemed almost unaffected.ConclusionThis report illustrates the difficulty that might be encountered in the interpretation of complex clinical manifestations when different genetic defects affecting neuromuscular and vascular diseases coexist.
Five novel NF1 gene pathogenic variants in 10 different Chinese families with neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Chen Linlin , Xue Feng , Xu Jia , He Jinwei , Fu Wenzhen , Zhang Zhenlin , Kang Qinglin 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundNeurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disorder with equal sex incidence that is characterized by neurofibromas, café‐au‐lait macules, axillary freckling, optic pathway tumor, distinctive osseous lesion, and iris Lisch nodules. Inactivating variants in the NF1 gene have been identified to be correlated with NF1. This tumor suppressor gene is located at 17q11.2.MethodsTen affected NF1 probands and their available relatives from 10 unrelated Chinese families with neurofibromatosis type 1 were clinically studied. All of these probands mainly complained of osseous lesions. PCR was used to analyze and sequence the variants. We collected both laboratory and radiological information.ResultsWe detected five novel pathogenic variants including two de novo variants in these 10 families: one missense variant, p.Cys709Arg(c.2125T>C), in exon 18 and four frameshift variants: p.Leu1459Profs*2(c.4436dupT) in exon 34; p.Lys99Argfs*4(c.296delA) in exon 4; p.Leu762Cysfs*2(c.2283delA) in exon 19; and p.Leu1522Ilefs*53(c.4562_4563dupAT) in exon 34.ConclusionNovel pathogenic variants in the NF1 gene in these families correlated with the phenotype and genotype and explained the clinical manifestations of these patients. The results help us to understand the genetic basis of patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 in China. Our study expands the pathogenic variant spectrum of the NF1 gene and may be helpful in genetic counseling and prenatal genetic diagnosis.
Design of MIMO antenna to interference inherent for ultra wide band systems using defected ground structure
Authors: Babu K Vasu , Anuradha Bhuma 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA compact monopole ultra wide band (UWB) antenna is analyzed and described with defect in ground plane. By introducing four arcs at the edges of square patch is achieved an UWB antenna ranging from 3.1 to 10 GHz. Arranging the antenna elements in close proximity of spatial diversity is introduced without establishing the strong mutual coupling. The measured IBW's (impedance bandwidth's) are 3.0 to 4.0 GHz (1000 MHz), 5.6 to 4.3 GHz (1300 MHz), and 9.5 to 8.4 GHz (1100 MHz) occupied the bandwidth from 2.0 to 10.0 GHz which covers Bluetooth, WLAN, and ultra wideband for VSWR ≤2. The average value of the gain in antenna is 5.04 dBi with a small variation of ±1.20 dBi for the whole entire IBW. This antenna shows better radiation patterns like an omnidirectional with a narrow compact size having an area of 2100 mm2 (60 × 35 mm) and spacing between the two square patches is 0.05 λ0.
Technical Note: Quality assurance of proton central axis pencil‐beam spread‐out Bragg peak using large‐diameter multilayer ionization chambers
Authors: Wang Peng , Zhu Mingyao , Langen Katja 
Published: July 2019

PurposeThe aim of this work is to describe a method of machine quality assurance (QA) by measuring proton spread‐out Bragg peak constructed by the integrated depth dose via a large‐diameter (12‐cm) multilayer ionization chamber (LD‐MLIC).MethodsTwo types of contours are used to create the nominal plan. The final nominal plan is composed of mixed‐energy proton pencil‐beam spots located close to the central axis. The integrated depth dose (IDD) curve contains a flat SOBP region. The LD‐MLIC–measured IDD was compared to the IDD curve exported from the treatment planning system (TPS). In addition, three plans with intentionally modified energy layers to simulate wrong‐delivered energy layers were created and measured by the LD‐MLIC. The water equivalent thickness (WET) difference between the inserted and replaced energies was 0.2 cm. Six weeks of measurements were analyzed. A low‐pass filter was introduced to mitigate the high‐frequency noise in the IDD signal ratios. The filtered IDD signal ratios between the modified plans in different weeks and the baseline were used to check the energy accuracy.ResultsThe differences between the LD‐MLIC–measured and TPS‐exported IDDs of the nominal plan were within 2% in most parts of the curve. Bumps/dips (~1%) were noted in the filtered IDD ratio between the modified plans and the baseline.ConclusionsThe LD‐MLIC can be used to check the accuracy of multiple energies Bragg peak locations quickly in proton machine QA. The LD‐MLIC was sensitive in identifying an erroneous energy with 0.2 cm in WET.
Undernutrition and hyperandrogenism during pregnancy: Role in programming of cardiovascular disease and infertility
Authors: Mossa Francesca , Latham Keith E. , Ireland James J. , Veiga‐Lopez Almudena 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMaternal nutritional status programs the development of several systems in female offspring, with effects that depend on the severity, duration, and window of development when the nutritional perturbation is imposed. On the basis of the developmental origins of health and disease concept, we hypothesize that gestational low caloric intake may induce maternal subclinical hyperandrogenism during early pregnancy and compromise cardiovascular health and fertility in the female offspring. To examine this possibility, a literature search for human and animal studies was conducted using two electronic databases, PubMed and Cochrane until April 2019 to address the following questions: (a) Do androgens have a developmental role in cardiovascular and ovarian development? (b) Is excess maternal testosterone linked to cardiovascular disease and infertility? and (c) Could early pregnancy undernutrition enhance maternal androgen production and compromise health and fertility in female offspring? The observations reviewed, establish a potential causative link between maternal undernutrition and subclinical hyperandrogenism with hypertension and reduced ovarian reserve in the progeny. Further studies in appropriate models are needed to better understand whether low energy intake and subclinical maternal hyperandrogenism during early pregnancy can negatively affect the health of the female offspring.