bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flexible and UV Resistant Films Based on Thiophene‐Substituted Conjugated Microporous Polymers Bearing Alkyl Chains: Tuning of Rigidity into Soft
Authors: Ren Feng , Wang Fei , Pan Yu , Sun Hanxue , Zhu Zhaoqi , Ma Chonghua , Xiao Chaohu , Liang Weidong , Chen Lihua , Li An 
Published: February 2018

AbstractConjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) are usually formed as rigid π‐conjugated networks and insoluble in common solutions which in turn have limitations in molding or process for applications due to its unprocessability. In this work, a series of CMPs containing thiophene‐moieties (SCMPs) are obtained by dibromothiophene with carbon branched chain and ethynylbenzene monomers. The solubility of the SCMPs would be significantly improved by tuning the length of alkyl chains in alkyl‐substituted dibromothiophene monomers. SCMPs products bearing different alkyl‐substituted dibromothiophene moiety exhibit an interesting transition from insolubility to solubility in most common organic solvents, which would greatly improve its processability. Taking advantage of its solubility, freestanding SCMPs films and flexible and transparent UV resistant PDMS films based on SCMPs coatings can be easily fabricated by simple coating methods. These finding may provide a possibility for future design and fabrication of soluble and processable CMPs by rational design and tuning alkyl‐substituted aromatic monomers.
Investigation of mechanical properties of auxetic woven polymer composite material
Authors: Hussain M. , Nawab Y. , Rizwan Z. , Mumtaz A. , Basit A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractContrary to normal materials, the auxetic/meta‐materials expand transversally as well as longitudinally when subjected to longitudinal load and contract in both directions on compression. In this work, auxeticity is obtained in composites reinforced with carbon woven fabrics placed at certain angles. The auxetic effect on the mechanical properties of the prepared carbon/epoxy composites was investigated. The mechanical properties include the tensile, flexural and impact properties. It is found that the tensile properties are not affected by the auxetic effect; however, the flexural and impact properties are significantly enhanced by the auxetic effect.
Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Properties of Oryzanol Concentrate in Reducing Diabetic Nephropathy via SREBP1 Downregulation Rather than β‐Oxidation
Authors: G. Bhaskaragoud , V. Geetha , T. Sharanappa , A. S. Mohan Kumar , C. Hema Kumar , G. Suresh Kumar 
Published: February 2018

ScopeDiabetic nephropathy (DN) is a micro‐vascular complication of chronic diabetes. Sterol regulatory element binding protein1 (SREBP1) participation in the development of DN is reported. Oryzanol concentrate (OC) at 0.1% and 0.3% is tested for its antioxidant and hypolipidemic effects. The aim of the work is to study the involvement of OC in the amelioration of DN in STZ‐induced diabetic animal model.Methods and resultsAnimals were grouped into starch, high‐fat, and OC‐treated control/diabetic groups (SFC/SFD, HFC/HFD, OFC/OFD). The markers of DN, increased glomerular filtration rate and kidney weight, were evident in HFD and reduced in OFD group by ≈1.09 and ≈1.3 fold, respectively. The amelioration of defensive antioxidant enzyme activities and lipid peroxidation, expressions of lipid‐associated biomolecules (SREBP1 and FAS) were also observed. HFD showed increased ECM accumulation of glycoproteins, particularly Type IV collagen, fibronectin. SREBP1‐associated gene transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) was reduced on treatment (OFD ≈ 1.3 fold) as to HFD (≈2.7 fold).ConclusionOryzanol concentrate, having hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties, also downregulated the lipid biosynthesis through reduced SREBP1–TGF‐β interactions (EMSA) and could effectively ameliorate DN. Gene (ACC2, Cpt1, and ACOX) expression studies showed that β‐oxidation was not involved in reducing DN.
Simultaneous multislice triple‐echo steady‐state (SMS‐TESS) T1, T2, PD, and off‐resonance mapping in the human brain
Authors: Heule Rahel , Celicanin Zarko , Kozerke Sebastian , Bieri Oliver 
Published: February 2018

PurposeTo investigate the ability of simultaneous multislice triple‐echo steady‐state (SMS‐TESS) imaging to provide quantitative maps of multiple tissue parameters, i.e., longitudinal and transverse relaxation times (T1 and T2), proton density (PD), and off‐resonance (ΔB0), in the human brain at 3T from a single scan.MethodsTESS acquisitions were performed in 2D mode to reduce motion sensitivity and accelerated by an SMS excitation scheme (CAIPIRINHA) with SENSE reconstruction. SMS‐acceleration factors (R) of 2 and 4 were evaluated. The in vitro and in vivo validation process included standard reference scans to analyze the accuracy of T1, T2, and ΔB0 estimates, as well as single‐slice TESS measurements.ResultsFor R = 2, the quantification of T1, T2, PD, and ΔB0 was overall reliable with marginal noise enhancement. T1 and T2 values were in good agreement with the reference measurements and single‐slice TESS. For R = 4, the agreement of ΔB0 with the standard reference was excellent and the determination of T1, T2, and PD was reproducible; however, increased variations in T1 and T2 values with respect to single‐slice TESS were observed.ConclusionSMS‐TESS has shown potential to offer rapid simultaneous T1, T2, PD, and ΔB0 mapping of human brain tissues.
Proinflammatory role of blister fluid‐derived exosomes in bullous pemphigoid
Authors: Fang Hui , Shao Shuai , Jiang Man , Dang Erle , Shen Shengxian , Zhang Jieyu , Qiao Pei , Li Caixia , Wang Gang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBullous pemphigoid is an autoimmune inflammatory disorder characterized by the presence of autoantibodies against bullous pemphigoid autoantigens, leading to dermal–epidermal separation with consequent blister formation. However, whether and how the components of blister fluid exacerbate the progression of bullous pemphigoid is unclear. Exosomes are nanometre‐sized vesicles released from cells into the body fluid, where they can transmit signals throughout the body. In the present study, we isolated and characterized exosomes from blister fluids of patients with bullous pemphigoid, evaluated their proinflammatory role, and identified the underlying molecular mechanisms. We found that exosomes isolated from blister fluids of patients with bullous pemphigoid showed the expected size and expressed the marker proteins CD63, CD81, and CD9. Additionally, blister fluid‐derived exosomes were internalized by human primary keratinocytes, inducing the production of critical inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Western blotting analysis showed robust and rapid activation of the extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 signalling pathways in human primary keratinocytes after stimulation with blister fluid‐derived exosomes. We also found that blister fluid‐derived exosomes indirectly induced neutrophil trafficking by upregulating C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 8 in vitro. Furthermore, CD63 was localized mostly to keratinocytes and infiltrative granulocytes in skin lesions, suggesting that these cells were the possible sources of exosomes in blister fluid. Using mass spectrometry, we analysed the proteomes of blister fluid‐derived exosomes and identified a variety of proteins implicated in inflammatory and immune responses. Together, our findings provide strong evidence that blister fluid‐derived exosomes are involved in the local autoinflammatory responses of the skin associated with bullous pemphigoid. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mutiple DICER1‐related lesions associated with a germline deep intronic mutation
Authors: Verrier Florian , Dubois d'Enghien Catherine , Gauthier‐Villars Marion , Bonadona Valérie , Faure‐Conter Cécile , Dijoud Frédérique , Stoppa‐Lyonnet Dominique , Houdayer Claude , Golmard Lisa 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGermline DICER1 pathogenic variants predispose to numerous benign and malignant tumors. In this report, we describe DICER1 gene analysis in an adolescent diagnosed with multinodular goiter, ovarian Sertoli–Leydig cell tumor, and lung cyst. DICER1 mutational screening at the DNA level failed to detect any pathogenic variant. Subsequent messenger RNA (mRNA) analysis revealed a 132 nucleotide intronic sequence exonization. This truncating event was caused by a deep intronic mutation generating a de novo acceptor splice site. This study demonstrates that some undetected DICER1 mutations should be investigated at the mRNA level.
Dose‐escalation is needed for gross disease in high‐risk neuroblastoma
Authors: Casey Dana L. , Kushner Brian H. , Cheung Nai‐Kong V. , Modak Shakeel , LaQuaglia Michael P. , Wolden Suzanne L. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundLocoregional failure is common after subtotal resection in high‐risk neuroblastoma. Although a dose of 21 Gy radiation therapy (RT) is standard for treatment of high‐risk neuroblastoma after gross total resection, the dose needed for local control of patients with gross residual disease at the time of RT is unknown. We sought to evaluate local control after 21–36 Gy RT in patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma undergoing subtotal resection.MethodsAll patients with high‐risk neuroblastoma who received RT to their primary site from 2000 to 2016 were reviewed. Of the 331 patients who received consolidative RT to their primary site, 19 (5.7%) underwent subtotal resection and were included in our analysis. Local failure (LF) was correlated with biologic prognostic factors and dose of RT.ResultsMedian follow‐up among surviving patients was 6.0 years. Median RT dose was 25 Gy (range, 21 Gy–36 Gy). The 5‐year cumulative incidence of LF among all patients was 17.2%. LF at 5 years was 30% in those who received <30 Gy versus 0% in those who received 30–36 Gy (P = 0.12). There was a trend towards improved local control in patients with tumor size ≤10 cm at diagnosis (P = 0.12). The 5‐year event‐free and overall survival were 44.9% and 68.7%, respectively.ConclusionAfter subtotal resection, patients who received less than 30 Gy had poor local control. Doses of 30–36 Gy are likely needed for optimal control of gross residual disease at the time of consolidative RT in high‐risk neuroblastoma.
Successful hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for osteopetrosis using reduced intensity conditioning
Authors: Shadur Bella , Zaidman Irina , NaserEddin Adeeb , Lokshin Elana , Hussein Fatma , Oron Hodaya Cohen , Avni Batia , Grisariu Sigal , Stepensky Polina 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundInfantile malignant osteopetrosis (IMO) is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by defective osteoclast activity, with hematopoietic bone marrow transplant being the only available cure. Over the past several years, new conditioning regimes and donor options have emerged, thus extending the possibility of cure to a greater number of patients and improving the outcomes of bone marrow transplant. Here we detail the outcomes of bone marrow transplant in a cohort of 31 patients treated with a combination of fludarabine, treosulphan, thiotepa, and antithymocyte globulin.ProceduresThirty‐one patients with IMO who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with fludarabine, treosulphan, thiotepa, and antithymocyte globulin at our center from 2012 to 2017 are retrospectively reviewed in this study. Twenty‐six patients were transplanted from 10/10 matched donors (13 from siblings, 11 from unrelated, and two from extended family donors), four from 9/10 matched unrelated donors, and one from a 9/10 matched family donor.ResultsOverall survival was 100% with a median follow‐up of 363 days (range 74–1891). There were 12 cases of acute graft versus host disease (GvHD) (38.7%), no cases of veno‐occlusive disease, and eight cases of hypercalcemia (25.8%). Almost 80% of patients suffered viral reactivations with two cases of Epstein–Barr‐virus‐driven post‐transplant lymphoproliferative disease. All cases of GvHD and viral reactivation were successfully treated.ConclusionsWe conclude that transplantation in children with IMO using fludarabine, treosulphan, thiotepa, and antithymocyte globulin is safe and effective and should be performed as early as possible following diagnosis, prior to the development of severe disease sequelae.
Molecular characterization and multidisciplinary management of Gerbich hemolytic disease of the newborn
Authors: Levitt Rebecca N. , Gourri Elise , Gassner Christoph , Banez‐Sese Grace , Salam Abdus , Denomme Gregory A. , Yang Elizabeth 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGerbich (Ge) antigens are high frequency red cell antigens expressed on glycophorin C (GYPC) and glycophorin D. Hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) due to Gerbich antibody is rare and presents a clinical challenge, as Gerbich negative blood is scarce. We report a case of HDFN due to maternal Ge3 negative phenotype and anti‐Ge3 alloimmunization, successfully managed by transfusion of maternal blood. Molecular testing revealed that the mother has homozygous deletion of exon 3 of GYPC, the father is homozygous wildtype for GYPC, and the infant is obligate heterozygote expressing Ge3.
The effect of the structure of the anion of an ionic liquid on the rate of reaction at a phosphorus centre
Authors: Butler Bradley J. , Harper Jason B. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe effects of a series of 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium based ionic liquids containing different anions on the reaction of ethanol‐d6 with diethyl chlorophosphate were investigated. Addition of each of the salts considered resulted in an increase in the rate constant; the extent of this increase was dependent on the proportion of the ionic liquid in the reaction mixture. In contrast to previous studies, the ionic liquid effects continued to change at high proportions of these salts in the reaction mixture. Temperature‐dependent kinetic analyses were used to determine the microscopic origins of the rate constant enhancement. Correlations between the activation parameters and the coordinating ability of the anion of the ionic liquid (as measured using the Kamlet‐Taft βN parameter) suggest an additional interaction to those discussed previously. Importantly, these correlations suggest the opportunity for quantification of potential ionic liquid solvent effects in these systems.
Triple redox/temperature responsive diselenide‐containing homopolypeptide micelles and supramolecular hydrogels thereof
Authors: Gao Yuanfeng , Dong Chang‐Ming 
Published: February 2018

ABSTRACTStimuli‐responsive polypeptides are receiving much attention for drug delivery systems and tissue engineering scaffolds; however, it is challenging to construct multiple‐responsive polypeptides and one‐component polymeric hydrogels. Herein, a novel type of triple redox/temperature‐responsive diselenide‐containing poly(methoxydiethylene glycol‐l‐glutamate) homopolypeptide was facilely synthesized by selenocystamine‐initiated ring‐opening polymerization in DMF at 30 °C, and their chemical structures and physical properties were fully characterized by means of 1H NMR, GPC, FT‐IR, WAXD, and CD. They self‐assembled into spherical micelles in aqueous solution, which possess a lower critical solution temperature, redox‐responsiveness inherited from diselenide bond, and the triple stimuli‐sensitive self‐assembly behaviors, as characterized by means of turbidity, DLS, TEM, and zeta potential measurements. The diselenide‐containing homopolypeptides formed supramolecular hydrogels at room temperature, exhibiting a thermal gel–sol transition. The rheological tests evidence that the mechanical modulus of the hydrogel is independent of angular frequency within 100 rad/s and at 25 °C, in which the storage modulus of G′ is order of magnitude greater than the loss modulus of G″, displaying a solid‐like elastic behavior. Moreover, the mechanical modulus of the hydrogel can be tuned by changing the chain length of the homopolypeptide, the 10‐mM 1,4‐dithiothreitol (DTT) reduction, and 1 mM H2O2 oxidation, respectively. Consequently, this work provides a simple strategy to fabricate triple‐stimuli responsive polypeptide micelles and one‐component hydrogels. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 1067–1077
Robotic rectal surgery in Korea: Analysis of a nationwide registry
Authors: Baek Se‐Jin , Kwak Jung‐Myun , Kim Jin , Kim Seon‐Hahn , Park Sungsoo ,   for the Korean Association of Robotic Surgeons (KAROS) Study Group
Published: February 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study is to analyze the progress and the present state of application of robotic rectal surgery in Korea.MethodsWe used data from patients who underwent robotic, laparoscopic or open approaches for four types of operative procedures between 2006 and 2014: (1) anterior resection (AR), (2) low anterior resection (LAR), (3) intersphincteric resection (ISR) and (4) abdominoperineal resection (APR).ResultsThe number of hospitals performing robotic rectal surgery has increased. Low anterior resection accounts for the largest percentage of robotic surgeries (mean 67.2%), and the number and proportion of ISRs performed robotically have increased rapidly (mean 22.6%). In addition, the dependence on robotic methods for ISR and APR increased rapidly over the study period.ConclusionThe use of robotic rectal surgery has widened over the last decade in Korea, and it has been convergent with surgeries for rectal lesions located near the anal verge.
Novel sliding mode control for multi‐input–multi‐output discrete‐time system with disturbance
Authors: Hou Huazhou , Zhang Qingling 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThis paper investigates sliding mode control for multi‐input–multi‐output discrete‐time system with disturbances. First of all, a novel nonlinear sliding surface, named as hyperbolic hybrid switching sliding surface, is proposed. Two different types of hyperbolic functions are introduced into the proposed sliding surface. Due to the changing of values of the hyperbolic functions, sliding surface switching occurs during the control process, which ensures that both settling time and overshoot can be decreased. The sliding mode controller is obtained based on a novel nonlinear reaching law. The nonlinear reaching law contains several parameters, and by properly designing these parameters, we can decrease the bounds of the sliding variables to small values. The stability analysis of the sliding motion is carried out from singular system viewpoint. Finally, simulation examples and comparison examples are presented to illustrate that the system performance is improved obviously by proposed novel sliding mode control, and the system is robust to the disturbances.
Adaptive tracking control for a class of random pure‐feedback nonlinear systems with Markovian switching
Authors: Yao Liqiang , Zhang Weihai 
Published: February 2018

SummaryThis note studies the tracking control problem for a class of random pure‐feedback nonlinear systems with Markovian switching and unknown parameters. An adaptive tracking controller is constructed by introducing an auxiliary integrator subsystem and using the improved backstepping method such that the closed‐loop system has a unique solution that is globally bounded in probability. Meanwhile, the tracking error can converge to an arbitrarily small neighborhood of zero via the parameter regulation technique. The efficiency of the tracking controller designed in this paper is demonstrated by simulation examples.
Estimating recurrence and incidence of preterm birth subject to measurement error in gestational age: A hidden Markov modeling approach
Authors: Albert Paul S. 
Published: February 2018

Prediction of preterm birth as well as characterizing the etiological factors affecting both the recurrence and incidence of preterm birth (defined as gestational age at birth ≤ 37 wk) are important problems in obstetrics. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) consecutive pregnancy study recently examined this question by collecting data on a cohort of women with at least 2 pregnancies over a fixed time interval. Unfortunately, measurement error due to the dating of conception may induce sizable error in computing gestational age at birth. This article proposes a flexible approach that accounts for measurement error in gestational age when making inference. The proposed approach is a hidden Markov model that accounts for measurement error in gestational age by exploiting the relationship between gestational age at birth and birth weight. We initially model the measurement error as being normally distributed, followed by a mixture of normals that has been proposed on the basis of biological considerations. We examine the asymptotic bias of the proposed approach when measurement error is ignored and also compare the efficiency of this approach to a simpler hidden Markov model formulation where only gestational age and not birth weight is incorporated. The proposed model is compared with alternative models for estimating important covariate effects on the risk of subsequent preterm birth using a unique set of data from the NICHD consecutive pregnancy study.
Design, Docking, and Synthesis of Quinoline‐2H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3(4H)‐ones as Potent Anticancer and Antitubercular Agents
Authors: Somagond Shilpa M. , Kamble Ravindra R. , Kattimani Pramod P. , Shaikh Saba Kauser J. , Dixit Sheshagiri R. , Joshi Shrinivas D. , Devarajegowda Hirihalli C. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA new series quinoline‐2H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐3(4H)‐ones 7 g‐n and 11 g‐n were designed and synthesized. Docking studies of title compounds with DNA (PDB: 1AU5) and with long‐chain enoyl‐acyl carrier protein reductase (InhA) enzyme (PDB ID: 4TZK) as anticancer and antitubercular targets showed good insights on the possible interactions. Further, the compounds were tested for in vitro anticancer activity against HeLa human cervix tumor cell line and also in vitro antitubercular activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv [MTB] (ATCC‐27294). Some of the compounds exhibited promising activities in both the protocols. Hence, these compounds may be considered as pharmacological lead molecules of interest.
A Facile, Convenient and Catalyst‐Free One‐Pot Route to Fluorescent Pyrrolo[3, 4‐c]pyridines via Multicomponent Strategy in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Maity Pampa , Chaudhuri Tandrima , Mukhopadhyay Chhanda 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA unique, convenient and efficient multicomponent one‐pot synthetic approach to access a wide variety of pyrrolo[3, 4‐c] pyridines has been developed. This is the first report of the direct synthesis of pyrrolo[3, 4‐c]pyridine amido‐triones from primary amines, malononitrile and dialkylacetylenedicarboxylate in an aqueous medium without using any catalyst. The newly synthesized compounds are fluorescent in nature and photophysical properties of some selective compounds have been carried out. In addition, a comparative photophysical study of some selective fluorophores was also performed in a wide variety of solvents.