bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Acylase‐containing polyurethane coatings with anti‐biofilm activity
Authors: Grover Navdeep , Plaks Joseph G. , Summers Samantha R. , Chado Garrett R. , Schurr Michael J. , Kaar Joel L. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTDue to the prevalence of biofilm‐related infections, which are mediated by bacterial quorum sensing, there is a critical need for materials and coatings that resist biofilm formation. We have developed novel anti‐biofilm coatings that disrupt quorum sensing in surface‐associated bacteria via the immobilization of acylase in polyurethane films. Specifically, acylase from Aspergillus melleus was covalently immobilized in biomedical grade polyurethane coatings via multipoint covalent immobilization. Coatings containing acylase were enzymatically active and catalyzed the hydrolysis of the quorum sensing (QS) molecules N‐butyryl‐L‐homoserine lactone (C4‐LHL), N‐hexanoyl‐L‐homoserine lactone (C6‐LHL), and N‐(3‐oxododecanoyl)‐L‐homoserine lactone (3‐oxo‐C12‐LHL). In biofilm inhibition assays, immobilization of acylase led to an approximately 60% reduction in biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 10145 and PAO1. Inhibition of biofilm formation was consistent with a reduction in the secretion of pyocyanin, indicating the disruption of quorum sensing as the mechanism of the coating activity. Scanning electron microscopy further showed that acylase‐containing coatings contained far fewer bacterial cells than control coatings that lacked acylase. Moreover, acylase‐containing coatings retained 90% activity when stored dry at 37°C for 7 days and were more stable than the free enzyme in physiological conditions, including artificial urine. Ultimately, such coatings hold considerable promise for the clinical management of catheter‐related infections as well as the prevention of infections in orthopedic applications (i.e., on hip and knee prostheses) and on contact lenses. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2016;113: 2535–2543. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microfluidics‐based 3D cell culture models: Utility in novel drug discovery and delivery research
Authors: Gupta Nilesh , Liu Jeffrey R. , Patel Brijeshkumar , Solomon Deepak E. , Vaidya Bhuvaneshwar , Gupta Vivek 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe implementation of microfluidic devices within life sciences has furthered the possibilities of both academic and industrial applications such as rapid genome sequencing, predictive drug studies, and single cell manipulation. In contrast to the preferred two‐dimensional cell‐based screening, three‐dimensional (3D) systems have more in vivo relevance as well as ability to perform as a predictive tool for the success or failure of a drug screening campaign. 3D cell culture has shown an adaptive response to the recent advancements in microfluidic technologies which has allowed better control over spheroid sizes and subsequent drug screening studies. In this review, we highlight the most significant developments in the field of microfluidic 3D culture over the past half‐decade with a special focus on their benefits and challenges down the lane. With the newer technologies emerging, implementation of microfluidic 3D culture systems into the drug discovery pipeline is right around the bend.
Transition from traditional to LMS supported examining: A case study in computer engineering
Authors: Draskovic Drazen , Misic Marko , Stanisavljevic Zarko 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTModern education is hard to imagine without the use of e‐learning tools, but still the transition from traditional “paper‐and‐pencil” examining to electronic exams is to some extent cautious. Although course administration and exam evaluation are much easier with learning management systems, there are concerns among teaching staff, that electronic tests simplify examination process compared to paper tests and classic examining. At the University of Belgrade, School of Electrical Engineering, e‐learning tools are used at several exams, mostly as a secondary tool to aid with laboratory exercises. In this paper, we show our experience with four courses from the computer engineering study program that are to various extent moved to Moodle LMS, and electronic examining. We mostly concentrate on certain aspects of transition from paper tests to electronic exams. We present 12 different transformations needed to conform to electronic examining and automated evaluation, and discuss benefits and drawbacks of such a transition. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 24:775–786, 2016; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21750
Recent Progress in Aptamer‐Based Functional Probes for Bioanalysis and Biomedicine
Authors: Zhang Huimin , Zhou Leiji , Zhu Zhi , Yang Chaoyong 
Published: May 2016

AbstractNucleic acid aptamers are short synthetic DNA or RNA sequences that can bind to a wide range of targets with high affinity and specificity. In recent years, aptamers have attracted increasing research interest due to their unique features of high binding affinity and specificity, small size, excellent chemical stability, easy chemical synthesis, facile modification, and minimal immunogenicity. These properties make aptamers ideal recognition ligands for bioanalysis, disease diagnosis, and cancer therapy. This review highlights the recent progress in aptamer selection and the latest applications of aptamer‐based functional probes in the fields of bioanalysis and biomedicine.
Rational Design of an Ultrasensitive and Highly Selective Chemodosimeter by a Dual Quenching Mechanism for Cysteine Based on a Facile Michael‐Transcyclization Cascade Reaction
Authors: Li Xiangmin , Zheng Yongjun , Tong Hongjuan , Qian Rui , Zhou Lin , Liu Guixia , Tang Yun , Li Hao , Lou Kaiyan , Wang Wei 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDifferentiation of biologically important thiols, such as cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (Hcy), and glutathione (GSH) is still a challenging task. Herein, we present a novel fluorescent chemodosimeter capable of selectively detecting Cys over other biothiols including Hcy and GSH and other amino acids by a facile thiol‐Michael addition/transcyclization rearrangement cascade click process. The unique transcyclization step is critical for the selectivity as a result of the kinetically favorable formation of a six‐membered ring with the Cys Michael adduct. Moreover, the probe adopts a distinctive dual quenching mechanism—photoinduced electron transfer (PET) and photoinduced intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) to deliver a drastic turn‐on fluorescence response only at the Cys‐selective transcylization step. The judicious selection of strong electron‐withdrawing naphthalimide fluorophore with maleimide group enhances the electrophilicity and thus reactivity for the cascade process leading to fast detection and ultrasensitivity with a detection limit of 2.0 nm (S/N=3). The probe has demonstrated its practical utility potential in Cys imaging in live cells.
The Enhancement on Proton Conductivity of Stable Polyoxometalate‐Based Coordination Polymers by the Synergistic Effect of MultiProton Units
Authors: Li Jing , Cao Xue‐Li , Wang Yuan‐Yuan , Zhang Shu‐Ran , Du Dong‐Ying , Qin Jun‐Sheng , Li Shun‐Li , Su Zhong‐Min , Lan Ya‐Qian 
Published: May 2016

AbstractTwo novel polyoxometalate (POM)‐based coordination polymers, namely, [Co(bpz)(Hbpz)][Co(SO4)0.5(H2O)2(bpz)]4 [PMoVI8MoV4VIV4O42]⋅13 H2O (NENU‐530) and [Ni2(bpz)(Hbpz)3(H2O)2][PMoVI8MoV4VIV4O44]⋅8 H2O (NENU‐531) (H2bpz=3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethyl‐4,4′‐bipyrazole), were isolated by hydrothermal methods, which represented 3D networks constructed by POM units, the protonated ligand and sulfate group. In contrast with most POM‐based coordination polymers, these two compounds exhibit exceptional excellent chemical and thermal stability. More importantly, NENU‐530 shows a high proton conductivity of 1.5×10−3 S cm−1 at 75 °C and 98 % RH, which is one order of magnitude higher than that of NENU‐531. Furthermore, structural analysis and functional measurement successfully demonstrated that the introduction of sulfate group is favorable for proton conductivity. Herein, the syntheses, crystal structures, proton conductivity, and the relationship between structure and property are presented.
ERCC1 and telomere status in breast tumours treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and their association with patient prognosis
Authors: Gay‐Bellile Mathilde , Romero Pierre , Cayre Anne , Véronèse Lauren , Privat Maud , Singh Shalini , Combes Patricia , Kwiatkowski Fabrice , Abrial Catherine , Bignon Yves‐Jean , Vago Philippe , Penault‐Llorca Frédérique , Tchirkov Andreï 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDysfunctional telomeres and DNA damage repair (DDR) play important roles in cancer progression. Studies have reported correlations between these factors and tumour aggressiveness and clinical outcome in breast cancer. We studied the characteristics of telomeres and expression of ERCC1, a protein involved in a number of DNA repair pathways and in telomere homeostasis, to assess their prognostic value, alone or in combination, in 90 residual breast tumours after treatment with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). ERCC1 status was investigated at different molecular levels (protein and gene expression and gene copy‐number variations) by immunohistochemistry, qRT‐PCR and quantitative multiplex fluorescent‐PCR (QMF‐PCR). A comprehensive analysis of telomere characteristics was performed using qPCR for telomere length and qRT‐PCR for telomerase (hTERT), tankyrase 1 (TNKS) and shelterin complex (TRF1, TRF2, POT1, TPP1, RAP1 and TIN2) gene expression. Short telomeres, high hTERT and TNKS expression and low ERCC1 protein expression were independently associated with worse survival outcome. Interestingly, ERCC1 gains and losses correlated with worse disease‐free (p = 0.026) and overall (p = 0.043) survival as compared to survival of patients with normal gene copy‐numbers. Unsupervised hierarchical clustering of all ERCC1 and telomere parameters identified four subgroups with distinct prognosis. In particular, a cluster combining low ERCC1, ERCC1 gene alterations, dysfunctional telomeres and high hTERT and a cluster with high TNKS and shelterin expression correlated with poor disease‐free (HR= 5.41, p= 0.0044) and overall survival (HR= 6.01, p= 0.0023) irrespective of tumour stage and grade. This comprehensive study demonstrates that telomere dysfunction and DDR can contribute synergistically to tumour progression and chemoresistance. These parameters are predictors of clinical outcome in breast cancer patients treated with NCT and could be useful clinically as prognostic biomarkers to tailor adjuvant chemotherapy post‐NCT.
The Association Between Complementary and Alternative Medicine and Health Status Following Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Shafiq Ali , Jayaram Natalie , Gosch Kensey L. , Spertus John A. , Buchanan Donna M. , Decker Carole , Kosiborod Mikhail , Arnold Suzanne V. 
Published: May 2016

ABSTRACTBackgroundComplementary and alternative medicines (CAM) are commonly used in patients with cardiovascular disease. Although there is lack of evidence regarding the benefit of CAM on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, health‐status benefits could justify CAM use.HypothesisAdoption of mind‐body CAM after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is associated with improved health status, though other forms of CAM are not associated with health‐status improvement.MethodsPatients with AMI from 24 US sites were assessed for CAM use (categorized as mind‐body, biological, and manipulative therapies) prior to and 1 year after AMI. Among patients who reported not using CAM prior to their AMI, association of initiating CAM on patients' health status at 1 year after AMI was assessed using Angina Frequency and Quality of Life domains from the Seattle Angina Questionnaire and the Short Form‐12 Physical and Mental Component scales. Multivariable regression helped examine association between use of different CAM therapies and health status.ResultsAmong 1884 patients not using CAM at the time of their AMI, 33% reported initiating ≥1 forms of CAM therapy 1 year following AMI: 62% adopted mind‐body therapies, 42% adopted biological therapies, and 15% began using manipulative therapies. In both unadjusted and adjusted analyses, we found no association between different types of CAM use and health‐status improvement after AMI.ConclusionsThere was no association between CAM use and health‐status recovery after AMI. Until randomized trials suggest otherwise, these findings underscore the importance of focusing on therapies with proven effectiveness after AMI.
Iridium Complexes as a Roadblock for DNA Polymerase during Amplification
Authors: Chandra Falguni , Kumar Prashant , Tripathi Suman Kumar , Patra Srikanta , Koner Apurba L. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractIridium‐based metal complexes containing polypyridyl‐pyrazine ligands show properties of DNA intercalation. They serve as roadblocks to DNA polymerase activity, thereby inhibiting the polymerization process. Upon the addition of increasing concentrations of these iridium complexes, a rapid polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based assay reveals the selective inhibition of the DNA polymerization process. This label‐free approach to study the inhibition of fundamental cellular processes via physical roadblock can offer an alternative route toward cancer therapy.
TRPV1–FAAH–COX: The Couples Game in Pain Treatment
Authors: Aiello Francesca , Carullo Gabriele , Badolato Mariateresa , Brizzi Antonella 
Published: May 2016

AbstractPain is a complex sensation involving the perception and transduction of diverse environmental pain stimuli with cognitive and emotional processing by the central nervous system. It can manifest as acute or chronic pain. Pain is controlled by a series of enzymes and receptors, implicated in a variety of interconnected mechanisms and pathways. In fact, several studies have shown the cannabinoid receptor 1 and the transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 1 to be new players in modulating the sophisticated pain transduction system at the central level. At the peripheral level, the perception of pain involves cyclooxygenases and fatty acid amide hydrolase, as recent studies demonstrate. This Minireview describes the physiological aspects of the receptors and enzymes mentioned above and focuses on the consideration of dual mechanisms as a new therapeutic approach in the treatment of pain.
Emerging trends in surgical and adjuvant radiation therapies among women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ
Authors: Shiyanbola Oyewale O. , Sprague Brian L. , Hampton John M. , Dittus Kim , James Ted A. , Herschorn Sally , Gangnon Ronald E. , Weaver Donald L. , Trentham‐Dietz Amy 
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUNDThe use of surgery and radiation therapy in treating ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) is directed by treatment guidelines and evidence from research. This study investigated recent patterns in DCIS treatment by demographic factors.METHODSData for women diagnosed with DCIS between 1998 and 2011 (n = 416,232) in the National Cancer Data Base were assessed for trends in treatment patterns by age group, calendar year, ancestral/ethnic group, and geographic region. The likelihood of receiving specific treatment modalities was analyzed with multivariable logistic regression.RESULTSDCIS cases were most frequently treated with breast‐conserving surgery (BCS) and adjuvant radiation (45.6%). After an initial rise, the use of adjuvant radiation after BCS plateaued at approximately 70% after 2007, with increasing utilization of mastectomy beyond 2005. In addition, there was an increasing trend in postmastectomy reconstruction over time, and women of African ancestry (odds ratio [OR], 0.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.66‐0.72) and Hispanic women (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.78‐0.89) were less likely to undergo reconstruction in comparison with women of European ancestry. A similar trend was observed in contralateral risk‐reducing mastectomy utilization, with women of European ancestry having a more rapid rise in the utilization of contralateral risk‐reducing mastectomy in comparison with all other ancestral/ethnic groups.CONCLUSIONSRecent trends demonstrate a plateau in radiation therapy administration after BCS along with increasing utilization of mastectomy, reconstruction, and contralateral risk‐reducing mastectomy. There are substantial differences in treatment utilization according to ancestry/ethnicity and geographical region. Further studies examining patient‐physician decision making surrounding DCIS treatment are warranted. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2810–2818. © 2016 American Cancer Society
Comparative effectiveness of surgical and nonsurgical therapy for advanced laryngeal cancer
Authors: Lin Chun Chieh , Fedewa Stacey A. , Prickett Kara K. , Higgins Kristin A. , Chen Amy Y. 
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUNDThe treatment of patients with advanced stage laryngeal cancer includes surgery or concurrent chemoradiation (CRT). Although CRT has become more common in recent years, to the authors' knowledge, the effectiveness of complete CRT in improving survival over surgery has not been studied.METHODSThe authors examined patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare claims‐linked data set with locoregional laryngeal cancer who were diagnosed between 1997 and 2007. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard analyses were conducted to compare overall and cause‐specific 5‐year survival rates between treatment modalities, adjusting for patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. A propensity score‐matched subcohort also was used to compare survival.RESULTSOf the 3212 patients in the study cohort, 42% underwent surgery and 18% underwent CRT. Only approximately one‐quarter of patients who were treated with CRT completed the courses. In adjusted analyses, the authors were unable to reject the null hypothesis of no difference in 5‐year all‐cause or cause‐specific mortality risk between patients treated with surgery and patients undergoing complete CRT (hazards ratio, 1.25 [95% confidence interval, 0.91‐1.71; P = .16] and hazard ratio, 1.41 [95% confidence interval, 0.9‐2.2; P = .14], respectively). Older age, not currently married, Medicaid eligibility, and prior cancer history were found to be associated with a higher risk of mortality (P<.05).CONCLUSIONSPatients with advanced laryngeal cancer who underwent complete CRT were found to have overall and cause‐specific survival rates similar to those of patients undergoing surgery. However, a substantial percentage of patients who initiated CRT did not complete the course. Although CRT provides organ preservation, the benefits and trade‐offs of CRT and total laryngectomy should be discussed fully with patients. The importance of completing the full course of CRT should be emphasized. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2845–2856. © 2016 American Cancer Society
Accuracy of urinary human papillomavirus testing for the presence of cervical human papillomaviruses and higher grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia
Authors: Piyathilake Chandrika J. , Badiga Suguna , Chambers Michelle M. , Brill Ilene K. , Matthews Roland , Partridge Edward E. 
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUNDAlthough urine‐based testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) is being explored as a practical approach for cervical cancer screening, whether the results differ by age, race, or indicators of excess body weight or in populations exposed to HPV vaccines has not been documented by previous studies. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of urinary HPV testing for the presence of cervical HPVs and high‐grade cervical intraepithelial lesions (grade 2 and 3 cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN]) by the aforementioned population characteristics.METHODSThe study population consisted of 502 women diagnosed with different grades of CIN. HPV testing was performed with paired urine and cervical cell DNA with the Roche Diagnostics Linear Array test. Agreement coefficient 1 and probabilities were calculated to determine the accuracy of urinary HPV testing for the presence of cervical HPVs and CIN lesions.RESULTSSubstantial to almost perfect agreement (0.66‐0.83) was observed in the detection of any HPV genotype in urine specimens versus cervical specimens, regardless of the population characteristics. Although the positive predictive value for the detection of CIN lesions was relatively low, the negative predictive value for CIN‐3 was high (≥90%) among women positive for any of the urinary or cervical high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) genotypes or HPV genotypes not included in currently available HPV vaccines.CONCLUSIONSThe results demonstrate that urinary HPV testing provides highly satisfactory results for excluding the possibility of any cervical HPV infections, including HPV types not included in vaccines and CIN lesions associated with any HR‐HPV, regardless of a woman's age, race, or excess body weight. Cancer 2016. © 2016 American Cancer Society. Cancer 2016;122:2836–2844. © 2016 American Cancer Society
Expression of homeobox genes in the mouse olfactory epithelium
Authors: Parrilla Marta , Chang Isabelle , Degl'Innocenti Andrea , Omura Masayo 
Published: May 2016

AbstractHomeobox genes constitute a large family of genes widely studied because of their role in the establishment of the body pattern. However, they are also involved in many other events during development and adulthood. The main olfactory epithelium (MOE) is an excellent model to study neurogenesis in the adult nervous system. Analyses of homeobox genes during development show that some of these genes are involved in the formation and establishment of cell diversity in the MOE. Moreover, the mechanisms of expression of odorant receptors (ORs) constitute one of the biggest enigmas in the field. Analyses of OR promoters revealed the presence of homeodomain binding sites in their sequences. Here we characterize the expression patterns of a set of 49 homeobox genes in the MOE with in situ hybridization. We found that seven of them (Dlx3, Dlx5, Dlx6, Msx1, Meis1, Isl1, and Pitx1) are zonally expressed. The homeobox gene Emx1 is expressed in three guanylate cyclase+ populations, two located in the MOE and the third one in an olfactory subsystem known as Grüneberg ganglion located at the entrance of the nasal cavity. The homeobox gene Tshz1 is expressed in a unique patchy pattern across the MOE. Our findings provide new insights to guide functional studies that aim to understand the complexity of transcription factor expression and gene regulation in the MOE. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2713–2739, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.