bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low‐pressure plasma activation enables enhanced adipose‐derived stem cell adhesion
Authors: Kleinhans Claudia , Schmohl Lena , Barz Jakob , Kluger Petra J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractHuman adipose‐derived stem cells (hASCs) have become an important cell source for the use in tissue engineering and other medical applications. Not every biomaterial is suitable for human cell culture and requires surface modifications to enable cell adhesion and proliferation. Our hypothesis is that chemical surface modifications introduced by low‐discharge plasma enhance the adhesion and proliferation of hASCs. Polystyrene (PS) surfaces were modified either by ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2) or acrylic acid (AAc) plasma. The results show that the initial cell adhesion is significantly higher on all modified surfaces than on unmodified material as evaluated by bright field microscopy, live/dead staining, total DNA amount and scanning electron microscopy. The formation of focal adhesions was well pronounced on the Tissue Culture PS, NH3‐, and CO2‐plasma modified samples. The number of matured fibrillar adhesions was significantly higher on NH3‐plasma modified surfaces than on all other surfaces. Our study validates the suitability of chemical plasma activation and represents a method to enhance hASCs adhesion and improved cell expansion. All chemical modification promoted hASCs adhesion and can therefore be used for the modification of different scaffold materials whereby NH3‐plasma modified surfaces resulted in the best outcome concerning hASCs adhesion and proliferation.
Bioinformatics analysis of the prognosis and biological significance of HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 in gastric cancer
Authors: Fang Jian , Ge Xuhui , Xu Wenjing , Xie Jingjing , Qin Zhongke , Shi Liqing , Yin Wenjie , Bian Maohong , Wang Hao 
Published: October 2019

AbstractHigh mobility group box (HMGB) consists primarily of HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 proteins. Although abnormal HMGB expression is associated with various tumors, the relationship with gastric cancer (GC) remains unclear. In this study, HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 expression was analyzed using the Oncomine and TCGA databases. Correlations between HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 and clinicopathological factors were analyzed. cBioPortal was used to analyze HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 genetic alterations and its gene regulation network in GC tissue. HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 expression was higher in tumor tissues than in normal tissues, especially in GC. High HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 expression may predict a poor prognosis among patients with GC (hazard ratios [HR] = 1.90; 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.30−2.78]) and human digestive system neoplasm (HR = 1.85; 95% CI [1.64−2.10]). These findings suggest that HMGB1, HMGB2, and HMGB3 may be useful prognostic indicators for patients with GC.
Association of change in muscle mass assessed by D3‐creatine dilution with changes in grip strength and walking speed
Authors: Duchowny Kate A. , Peters Katherine E. , Cummings Steven R. , Orwoll Eric S. , Hoffman Andrew R. , Ensrud Kristine E. , Cauley Jane A. , Evans William J. , Cawthon Peggy M. ,   for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study Research Group
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundMuscle mass declines with age. However, common assessments used to quantify muscle mass are indirect. The D3‐creatine (D3Cr) dilution method is a direct assessment of muscle mass; however, longitudinal changes have not been examined in relation to changes in other measures of muscle mass, strength, and performance.MethodsA convenience sample of 40 men from the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men Study (mean age = 83.3 years, standard deviation = 3.9) underwent repeat assessment of D3Cr muscle mass, dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA) lean mass, grip strength, and walking speed at two time points approximately 1.6 years apart (2014–2016). One‐sample t‐tests and Pearson correlations were used to examine changes in DXA total body lean mass, DXA appendicular lean mass/height2, DXA appendicular lean mass/weight, D3Cr muscle mass, D3Cr muscle mass/weight, grip strength, walking speed, and weight.ResultsD3‐creatine muscle mass, D3Cr muscle mass/weight, grip strength, and walking speed all significantly declined (all P < 0.01). The change in DXA measures of lean mass was moderately correlated with changes in D3Cr muscle mass. There was no significant correlation between the change in DXA measures of lean mass and change in walking speed (all P > 0.05). The change in D3Cr muscle mass/weight was moderately correlated with change in walking speed (r = 0.33, P < .05). The change in grip strength was weakly correlated with the change in DXA measures of lean mass and D3Cr muscle mass (r = 0.19–0.32).ConclusionsThe results of our study provide new insights regarding the decline in muscle strength and D3Cr muscle mass. The D3Cr method may be a feasible tool to measure declines in muscle mass over time.
Scale‐down studies for the scale‐up of a recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum fed‐batch fermentation: loss of homogeneity leads to lower levels of cadaverine production
Authors: Olughu Williams , Nienow Alvin , Hewitt Chris , Rielly Chris 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe loss of efficiency and performance of bioprocesses on scale‐up is well known, but not fully understood. This work addresses this problem, by studying the effect of some fermentation gradients (pH, glucose and oxygen) that occur at the larger scale in a bench‐scale two‐compartment reactor [plug flow reactor (PFR) + stirred tank reactor (STR)] using the cadaverine‐producing recombinant Corynebacterium glutamicum DM1945 Δact3 Ptuf‐ldcC_OPT. The new scale‐down strategy developed here studied the effect of increasing the magnitude of fermentation gradients by considering not only the average cell residence time in the PFR (τPFR), but also the mean frequency at which the bacterial cells entered the PFR (fm) section of the two‐compartment reactor.RESULTSOn implementing this strategy the cadaverine production decreased on average by 26%, 49% and 59% when the τPFR was increased from 1 to 2 min and then 5 min respectively compared to the control fermentation. The carbon dioxide productivity was highest (3.1‐fold that of the control) at a τPFR of 5 min, but no losses were observed in biomass production. However, the population of viable but non‐culturable cells increased as the magnitude of fermentation gradients was increased. The new scale‐down approach was also shown to have a bigger impact on fermentation performance than the traditional one.CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrated that C. glutamicum DM1945 Δact3 Ptuf‐ldcC_OPT physiological response was a function of the magnitude of fermentation gradients simulated. The adaptations of a bacterial cell within a heterogeneous environment ultimately result in losses in fermentation productivity as observed here. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Effect of patient size on image quality in radiotherapy kV planar verification imaging: a phantom study
Authors: Chan Sara , Giles Eileen , Newmarch Lyndal , Short Michala 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIntroductionThis study aimed to determine a maximal pelvic separation and waist circumference in pelvic patients to guide radiation therapists in acquiring kilovoltage (kV) planar images of acceptable quality for treatment verification.MethodsA pelvic anthropomorphic phantom modified with different bolus thicknesses was imaged at various default kV exposure settings. Radiation therapists rated image quality and acceptance/rejection of these images for treatment verification.ResultsSixteen radiation therapists participated in the study. Image quality was inversely proportional to phantom size. AP and lateral kV images were acceptable for treatment verification up to a waist circumference of 143 cm.ConclusionsExposure settings for kV image verification of large patients should be individualised to avoid unnecessary patient radiation dose through repeated imaging.
A correlation analysis of HHV infection and its predictive factors in an HIV‐seropositive population in Yunnan, China
Authors: Ren Li , Wang Binghui , Miao Zhijiang , Liu Pan , Zhou Shiyi , Feng Yun , Yang Shuting , Xia Xueshan , Wang Kunhua 
Published: October 2019

AbstractHuman herpesviruses (HHVs) have a particularly high prevalence in certain high‐risk populations and cause increased morbidity and mortality in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Screening and treating subclinical HHV infections reduce human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection incidence, disease progression, and transmission. However, there are few studies on HHVs, HIV coinfection rates, and their related risk factors. We aimed to clarify the prevalence of all eight HHVs in peripheral blood samples collected from HIV‐positive patients, and explore the association of HHV infection in HIV‐positive patients in an HIV‐seropositive population in Yunnan. We recruited 121 HIV‐positive patients with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 45 healthy individuals. All the eight HHVs were detected using polymerase chain reaction and their epidemiological information and clinical data were collected and statistically analyzed. A high prevalence of HHVs (89.3%) was observed in individuals with HIV infections and with herpes simplex virus (HSV)‐2 (65.3%), and HSV‐1 (59.5%) being the most common. Coinfection with more than two different HHVs was more common in patients with HIV infections receiving HAART (72.7%) than in healthy controls. Older age, being married, higher HIV‐1 plasma viral loads, and use of antiviral protease inhibitors were independently correlated with an increased frequency of HHVs, but we found no association with CD4 count, WHO HIV clinical stage, and HIV infection duration. Our findings are of great significance for the prevention of HHV opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS and their clinical treatment.
Theoretical simulation of surface‐enhanced resonance Raman spectroscopy of cytosine and its tautomers
Authors: Sharafdini Raziyeh , Mohammadpour Mozhdeh , Ramazani Shapour , Jamshidi Zahra 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe primary challenge of spectroscopic techniques in selective detection and characterization of tautomeric structures of DNA and RNA bases, and moreover, the accurate interpretation and explanation of the experimental results are the main motives of theoretical studies. Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) can be a powerful approach to distinguish cytosine in the presence of its tautomers. For this respect, herein, the theoretical simulation of the SERS spectra of cytosine and its three most stable tautomers adsorbed on silver clusters is carried out. The calculations of SERS spectra is based on the excited‐state energy gradient approximation as a well‐established approach that gives us the knowledge about the properties of excited states and their effect on the pattern of spectra. The good consistency of this theoretical simulation in solution and also the gas phase with the experimental results is achieved and represents the capacity of the current theoretical investigations to interpret and supplement the experimental findings.
Measuring Home‐Range Changes Following Density Reduction of Australian Brushtail Possum
Authors: Margetts Belinda I. , Ross James G. , Buckley Hannah L. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTIt is not clear whether animals consistently change their home ranges in response to density reduction. This is important to understand for better management of pest species where sustained control is required. Our objective was to measure whether home ranges of Australian brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) change following density reduction, using global positioning system (GPS) tracking. We experimentally reduced the densities of 2 populations (1 high‐density at 7 possums/ha and 1 low‐density at 1.5 possums/ha) and did not manipulate another population. We then monitored home ranges of individual possums. The high‐density manipulated population had a significant increase in home‐range size and overlap within 5 weeks following reduction, whereas the other 2 populations did not. This research suggests that changes in possum home ranges following control are likely influenced by the initial density of the pest population. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
A Hidden Epidemic of “Intermediate Risk” Oropharynx Cancer
Authors: Sandulache Vlad C. , Wilde David C. , Sturgis Erich M. , Chiao Elizabeth Y. , Sikora Andrew G. 
Published: October 2019

ObjectivesOropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) incidence is rapidly increasing in the United States and around the world, driven in large part by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV associated OPSCC (HPV+OPSCC) has been shown to have improved response to treatment relative to tobacco‐associated OPSCC. However, improvement in patient survival has not been uniform. Subsets of OPSCC patients in the US and around the world continue to have poor oncologic outcomes. Although the drivers of this phenomenon remain unclear, there is increasing evidence that tobacco exposure plays an important role in modulating HPV+OPSCC clinical outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a review of the literature.ResultsWe discuss the potential biological and epidemiological interplay between tobacco and HPV exposure in the context of OPSCC. Multiple retrospective and prospective cohorts show that HPV+OPSCC patients with a history of tobacco exposure have response to treatment and clinical outcomes distinct from HPV+OPSCC non‐smokers which poses clinical and scientific challenges to be addressed over the next decade.ConclusionsThe interaction between tobacco exposure and HPV infection in the context of OPSCC has significant implications for both standard of care treatment regimens and development of novel therapeutic approaches, in particular those which incorporate immunomodulatory agents.Level of Evidence5
Giant ice rings on lakes and field observations of lens‐like eddies in the Middle Baikal (2016–2017)
Authors: Kouraev Alexei V. , Zakharova Elena A. , Rémy Frédérique , Kostianoy Andrey G. , Shimaraev Mikhail N. , Hall Nicholas M. J. , Zdorovennov Roman E. , Suknev Andrey Ya 
Published: October 2019

AbstractGiant ice rings (diameter 5–7 km) detected on lakes Baikal (Russia) and Hovsgol (Mongolia) are a surface manifestation of intrathermocline lens‐like eddies under ice cover. By analyzing satellite imagery, we have detected new ice rings in 2016 and very old ones in 1969 for Lake Baikal. We have also discovered a giant ice ring on a new water body—Lake Teletskoye in the Altai Republic (Russia). Our recent field observations in the Middle Baikal have high temporal and spatial resolution and coverage and include temperature and current measurements over a long (1.5 month) period. In 2016, an eddy was detected in February and then an eddy and ice ring were detected in March at the same location. In 2017, another eddy was detected in February. This eddy was not stationary, as it was detected 6 km from its initial position in March, and thus no ice ring formed. The results of our field observations provide new data on the size and shape of the eddies. Indirect and direct measurements of currents and temporal evolution of the temperature field make it possible to estimate the rotation period (3 d) for the eddy in 2016 and assess the timing of movement, position, and displacement speed of the eddy in 2017. Thermal infrared Landsat imagery before ice formation in November–December 2015 shows that the eddy in 2016 was formed by the wind‐induced outflow from the Barguzin bay.
Preparation of Bismuth Oxide Thin Films by Spray Pyrolysis Method and Its Characterizations
Authors: Jadhav C. H. , Pagare Pavan K. , Inamdar K. K. , Kadam L. D. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe Bi2O3 thin films were prepared onto glass substrates by spray pyrolysis method. The Bi2O3 thin films optimized at 320 °C spray pyrolysis temperature. The crystal structure, crystallite size, and surface morphology of Bi2O3 thin films were studied by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, respectively. The X‐ray diffraction pattern of Bi2O3 thin films show polycrystalline in nature. The SEM images show porous morphology of Bi2O3 thin films. The optical absorption spectra of films were examined in order to study their band gap energy. The optical study shows a direct band gap of 2.90 eV for Bi2O3 films.
Supercapacitive Performance of Electrodeposited Cobalt Oxide Electrode
Authors: Dhole Indrajeet A. , Tonape Mallikarjun M. , Pawar Udayraj T. , Gavande Shubhangi S. , Pawar Shailesh G. , Patil V. B. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMetal oxide based supercapacitors have emerged as one of the most elegant storage systems with exclusive characteristics with high power density and long‐term cycling stability. Cobalt oxide (Co3O4) has particularly obtained rising interest due to their natural abundance, environment friendly, low cost, and high specific capacitance. Co3O4 thin film electrodes were successfully deposited via a simple and easy galvanostatic electrodeposition technique on to cheap stainless steel substrate. As‐deposited thin films were heated at 500 °C for its conversion to Co3O4. These films were characterized for XRD, SEM, and CA to understand the structural, morphological and wettability properties of Co3O4 electrode. By using cyclic voltammetry, charge‐discharge study and supercapacitive behavior of Co3O4 electrode were examined. The Co3O4 electrode showed maximum specific capacitance of 554 F g–1 at 5 mV s–1 in 1 m NaOH electrolyte. The specific energy, specific power, and coulombic efficiency showed 16.32 Wh kg–1, 11.72 kW kg–1, and 94.2%, respectively. The results clearly evidenced that those devices based on Co3O4 electrodes are promising energy storage devices for microelectronic applications as well as high energy supercapacitors.
Aqueous Route Synthesis of PAni Electrodes by Chemical Bath Deposition and Their Cyclic Voltammetric Analyses at Different Scan Rates
Authors: Thokale Shilpa P. , Kore Rohan M. , Kambale Sandesh V. , Thakur Amarsingh V. , Lokhande Balkrishna J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe present work elaborates the aqueous route synthesis of polyaniline (PAni) electrodes for supercapacitors using chemical bath deposition (CBD) method and study of effective of scan rate on the cyclic voltammetric (CV) behavior. In the synthesis work, 1 m aniline and 1 m H2SO4 were taken in 2:2 ratio and kept for constant stirring and 1 m aqueous solution of (NH4)2S2O8 was added slowly in it. Stainless steel substrates were immersed in the reaction bath at room temperature for 1 h. The formation of PAni was confirmed by FT‐IR spectroscopic study. XRD analysis confirms the amorphous nature of the prepared PAni thin films. Contact angle study shows the hydrophilic behavior of the PAni electrodes. Obtained electrodes were subjected to cyclic voltammetric study at various scan rate from 5 to 100 mV s–1 in 1 m KOH electrolyte. Observed maximum specific capacitance was 516.34 F g–1 at 5 mV s–1 scan rate.
A sparse orthogonal collimator for small animal intensity‐modulated radiation therapy part I: Planning system development and commissioning
Authors: Woods Kaley , Nguyen Dan , Neph Ryan , Ruan Dan , O'Connor Daniel , Sheng Ke 
Published: October 2019

PurposeTo achieve more translatable preclinical research results, small animal irradiation needs to more closely simulate human radiotherapy. Although the clinical gold standard is intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), the direct translation of this method for small animals is impractical. In this study we describe the treatment planning system for a novel dose modulation device to address this challenge.MethodsUsing delineated target and avoidance structures, a rectangular aperture optimization (RAO) problem was formulated to penalize deviations from a desired dose distribution and limit the number of selected rectangular apertures. RAO was used to create IMRT plans with highly concave targets in the mouse brain, and the plan quality was compared to that using a hypothetical miniaturized multileaf collimator (MLC). RAO plans were also created for a realistic application of mouse whole liver irradiation and for a highly complex two‐dimensional (2D) dose distribution as a proof‐of‐principle. Beam commissioning data, including output and off‐axis factors and percent depth dose (PDD) curves, were acquired for our small animal irradiation system and incorporated into the treatment planning system. A plan post‐processing step was implemented for aperture size‐specific dose recalculation and aperture weighting reoptimization.ResultsThe first RAO test case achieved highly conformal doses to concave targets in the brain, with substantially better dose gradient, conformity, and target dose homogeneity than the hypothetical miniaturized MLC plans. In the second test case, a highly conformal dose to the liver was achieved with significant sparing of the kidneys. RAO also successfully replicated a complex 2D dose distribution with three prescription dose levels. Energy spectra for field sizes 1 to 20 mm were calculated to match the measured PDD curves, with maximum and mean dose deviations of 4.47 ± 0.30% and 1.71 ± 0.18%. The final reoptimization of aperture weightings for the complex RAO test plan was able to reduce the maximum and mean dose deviations between the optimized and recalculated dose distributions from 10.3% to 6.6% and 4.0% to 2.8%, respectively.ConclusionsUsing the advanced optimization techniques, complex IMRT plans were achieved using a simple dose modulation device. Beam commissioning data were incorporated into the treatment planning process to more accurately predict the resulting dose distribution. This platform substantially reduces the gap in treatment plan quality between clinical and preclinical radiotherapy, potentially increasing the value and flexibility of small animal studies.
Constitutive modeling of nonlinear compressive behavior of fiber reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Chen Guangwei , Suo Xiaojuan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAn elastic‐plastic constitutive model to describe the nonlinear compressive stress‐strain behavior of fiber reinforced polymer composites was developed under the plane stress condition. Model predictions are based on the tensile properties and a tensile/compressive asymmetry coefficient. A variety of tensile and compressive tests were carried out on 0°, 15°, 45°, and 90° unidirectional and ±30° and ±45° angle‐ply thermosetting and thermoplastic polymer composite laminates to obtain the material parameters and validate the model, while the finite element implementation and applications to three‐point bending loading are discussed in the next investigation.