bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mie Scatter and Interfacial Tension Based Real‐Time Quantification of Colloidal Emulsion Nucleic Acid Amplification
Authors: Nicolini Ariana M. , Toth Tyler D. , Kim Samuel Y. , Mandel M. Alejandra , Galbraith David W. , Yoon Jeong‐Yeol 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThis work demonstrates for the first time rapid, real‐time Mie scatter sensing of colloidal emulsion nucleic acid amplification directly from emulsion droplets. Loop‐mediated isothermal amplification is used in this study, and, to our knowledge, has not previously been used in a colloidal emulsion platform. Interfacial tension values (γ) associated with bulk protein adsorption and denaturation at the oil–water interface exhibit characteristic changes in the absence or presence of amplification. In the presence of target and amplicon, emulsions maintain a constant 300–400 nm diameter, whereas emulsions formed with no target control show a rapid decrease in droplet diameter to <100 nm over the first 20 min of incubation. This method is validated using whole bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus MSSA and Escherichia coli O157:H7) and whole virus (Potato virus Y and Zika virus) samples suspended in water, buffer, or serum‐like matrices. Short‐term formation of colloidal emulsion is quantified via 60° scatter monitoring, where the initial slope of scattering intensity is utilized to confirm target amplification in less than 5 min. The unique benefits of this method render it more cost‐effective and field‐deployable than existing methods, while being adaptable to a multitude of targets, sample matrices, and nucleic acid amplification tests.
Injectable Mussel‐Inspired Immobilization of Platelet‐Rich Plasma on Microspheres Bridging Adipose Micro‐Tissues to Improve Autologous Fat Transplantation by Controlling Release of PDGF and VEGF, Angiogenesis, Stem Cell Migration
Authors: Zhou Shaolong , Chang Qiang , Lu Feng , Xing Malcolm 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPlatelets‐rich plasma (PRP) can produce growth factors (GFs) to improve angiogenesis. However, direct injection of PRP does not lead to highly localized GFs. The current study employs a mussel‐inspired polydopamine to immobilize PRP on gelatin microspheres (GMs) with the purpose of bridging adipose micro‐tissues to help implanted fat survive (GM‐pDA‐PRP). Enhanced PRP adhesion leads to a prolonged and localized production of GFs, which is verified by platelet counting and by ELISA of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and of platelet derived growth factors (PDGFs). The GM‐pDA‐PRP “hatches” a microenvironment for the proliferation of adipose‐derived stem cells. After the adipose micro‐tissue has bridged with GM‐pDA‐PRP after 16 weeks, triple‐fluorescence staining reveals that the mature adipocytes, blood vessels, and capillaries are arranged like in normal adipose tissue. The survival fat increases significantly compared to that in control, PRP, and GM‐PRP groups (84.8 ± 11.4% versus 47.8 ± 8.9%, 56.9 ± 9.7%, and 60.2 ± 10.5%, respectively). Both histological assessments and CD31 immunofluorescence indicate that the improvement of angiogenesis in GM‐pDA‐PRP is higher than in the fat graft group (6.4‐fold in quantitative CD31 positive cells). The CD34 positive cells in the GM‐pDA‐PRP group are around 3.5‐fold the amount in the fat graft group, which suggests that more stem cells migrate to the implant area. Cell proliferation staining shows that the number of Ki67 positive cells is around five times as high as that in the fat graft group.
Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells over a Broad Temperature Window: The Role of the Charge Carrier Extraction
Authors: Shao Shuyan , Liu Jian , Fang Hong‐Hua , Qiu Li , ten Brink Gert H. , Hummelen Jan C. , Koster L. Jan Anton , Loi Maria Antonietta 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe mechanism behind the temperature dependence of the device performance in hybrid perovskite solar cells (HPSCs) is investigated systematically. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the reference cell using [60]PCBM as electron extraction layer (EEL) drops significantly from 11.9% at 295 K to 7% at 180 K. The deteriorated charge carrier extraction is found as the dominant factor causing this degradation. Temperature dependent spectroscopy and charge transport studies demonstrate that the poor electron transport in the [60]PCBM EEL at low temperature leads to inefficient charge carrier extraction. It is further demonstrated that the n‐type doping of [60]PCBM EEL or the use of an EEL (fulleropyrrolidine with a triethylene glycol monoethyl ether side chain) with higher electron transport capability is an effective strategy to achieve HPSCs working efficiently over a broad temperature range. The devices fabricated with these highly performing EELs have PCEs at 180 K of 16.7% and 18.2%, respectively. These results support the idea that the temperature dependence of the electron transport in the EELs limits the device performance in HPSCs, especially at lower temperatures and they also give directions toward further improvement of the PCE of HPSCs at realistic operating temperatures.
Manipulation of Biomolecule‐Modified Liquid‐Metal Blobs
Authors: Yu Yue , Miyako Eijiro 
Published: September 2017

AbstractSoft and deformable liquid metals (LMs) are building components in various systems related to uncertain and dynamic task environments. Herein we describe the development of a biomolecule‐triggered external‐manipulation method involving LM conjugates for the construction of future innovative soft robotics operating in physiological environments. Functional soft hybrids composed of a liquid‐metal droplet, a thiolated ligand, and proteins were synthesized for the expression of diverse macroscopic commands, such as attachment to cells, binary fusion, and self‐propelled movement through molecular recognition and enzymatic reactions. Our technology could be used to create new state‐of‐the‐art soft robots for chemical and biomedical engineering applications.
Improved Electrochemical Cycling Durability in a Nickel Oxide Double‐Layered Film
Authors: Hou Shuai , Zhang Xiang , Tian Yanlong , Zhao Jiupeng , Geng Hongbin , Qu Huiying , Zhang Hangchuan , Zhang Kun , Wang Binsheng , Gavrilyuk Alexander , Li Yao 
Published: September 2017

AbstractFor the first time, a crystalline–amorphous double‐layered NiOx film has been prepared by reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering. This film has exhibited improved electrochemical cycling durability, whereas other electrochromic parameters have been maintained at the required level, namely, a short coloration/bleaching time (0.8 s/1.1 s) and an enhanced transmittance modulation range (62.2 %) at λ=550 nm. Additionally, the double‐layered film has shown better reversibility than that of amorphous and crystalline single‐layered films.
Long‐term outcomes in patients treated with proton therapy for localized prostate cancer
Authors: Takagi Masaru , Demizu Yusuke , Terashima Kazuki , Fujii Osamu , Jin Dongcun , Niwa Yasue , Daimon Takashi , Murakami Masao , Fuwa Nobukazu , Okimoto Tomoaki 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe aim of this retrospective study was to report long‐term clinical outcomes in patients treated with proton therapy (PT) for localized prostate cancer. Between 2001 and 2014, 1375 consecutive patients were treated with PT. Patients were classified into prognostic risk groups based on the National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria. Freedom from biochemical relapse (FFBR), cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and incidence of late gastrointestinal (GI)/genitourinary (GU) toxicities were calculated. Multivariate analysis was performed to identify clinical prognostic factors for FFBR and late toxicities. The median follow‐up period was 70 months (range, 4–145 months). In total, 99% of patients received 74 Gy (relative biologic effectiveness [RBE]); 56% of patients received neoadjuvant androgen deprivation therapy. For the low‐, intermediate‐, high‐, and very high‐risk groups, 5‐year FFBR was 99% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 96–100%), 91% (95% CI, 88–93%), 86% (95% CI, 82–89%), and 66% (95% CI, 53–76%), respectively, and 5‐year CSS was 100% (95% CI, 100–100%), 100% (95% CI, 100–100%) , 99% (95% CI, 97–100%), and 95% (95% CI, 94–98%), respectively. Patient age, T classification, Gleason score, prostate‐specific antigen, and percentage of positive cores were significant prognostic factors for FFBR. Grade 2 or higher GI and GU toxicities were 3.9% and 2.0%. Patient age was a prognostic factor for both late GI and GU toxicities. This study represents the largest cohort of patients treated with PT for localized prostate cancer, with the longest follow‐up to date. Our results demonstrate that the biochemical control of PT is favorable particularly for high‐ and very high‐risk patients with lower late genitourinary toxicity and indicates the necessity of considering patient age in the treatment protocols.
miR‐199a‐3p and miR‐214‐3p improve the overall survival prediction of muscle‐invasive bladder cancer patients after radical cystectomy
Authors: Ecke Thorsten H. , Stier Katja , Weickmann Sabine , Zhao Zhongwei , Buckendahl Laura , Stephan Carsten , Kilic Ergin , Jung Klaus 
Published: September 2017

AbstractTo improve the clinical decision‐making regarding further treatment management and follow‐up scheduling for patients with muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) after radical cystectomy (RC), a better prediction accuracy of prognosis for these patients is urgently needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) based on a previous study as prognostic markers for overall survival (OS) after RC in models combined with clinicopathological data. The expression of six miRNAs (miR‐100‐5p, miR‐130b‐3p, miR‐141‐3p, miR‐199a‐3p, miR‐205‐5p, and miR‐214‐3p) was measured by RT‐qPCR in formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissue samples from 156 MIBC patients who received RC in three urological centers. Samples from 2000 to 2013 were used according to their tissue availability, with follow‐up until June 2016. The patient cohort was randomly divided into a training (n = 100) and test set (n = 56). Seventy‐three samples from adjacent normal tissue were used as controls. Kaplan–Meier, univariate and multivariate Cox regression, and decision curve analyses were carried out to assess the association of clinicopathological variables and miRNAs to OS. Both increased (miR‐130b‐3p and miR‐141‐3p) and reduced (miR‐100‐5p, miR‐199a‐3p, and miR‐214‐3p) miRNA expressions were found in MIBC samples in comparison to nonmalignant tissue samples (P < 0.0001). miR‐199a‐3p and miR‐214‐3p were independent markers of OS in Cox regression models with the significant clinicopathological variables age, tumor status, and lymph node status. The prediction model with the clinicopathological variables was improved by these two miRNAs in both sets. The predictive benefit was confirmed by decision curve analysis. In conclusion, the inclusion of both miRNAs into models based on clinical data for the outcome prediction of MIBC patients after RC could be a valuable approach to improve prognostic accuracy.
Bubble dynamic behaviours at various capillary orifices in a bioreactor with methane oxidizing bacteria suspension
Authors: Tang Qin‐Yuan , Guo Cheng‐Long , Pei Hong‐Shan , Guo Fei‐Qiang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBubble dynamic behaviour has a significant influence on methane bioconversion because a gas mixture including methane and oxygen is usually supplied into a bioreactor with a methane oxidizing bacteria suspension via capillary orifice, forming bubbles. In the work, bubble dynamic behaviours at various capillary orifices were experimentally visualized, as well as the movement of microorganisms was observed during bubble formation evolution. The experimental results showed the chemotaxis effect and the bubble expansion as two key factors affecting the movement of microorganisms in the bioreactor with methane oxidizing bacteria suspension. At the incline angle of 90°, the equivalent departure diameter and departure volume were the smallest, while the departure time was the shortest. With increasing inner diameter, the equivalent departure diameter and departure volume increased, but the waiting time was the longest and the departure time was the shortest at the inner diameter of 0.3 mm. In addition, the successive inrush of bubbles forming at the capillary orifice with 90° incline angle and 0.1 mm inner diameter resulted in the shock of the gas‐liquid interface, affecting the bubble dynamic behaviour. The results in this work contribute to the design of a high‐productivity bioreactor with an optimized aeration system for enhancing mass transfer of methane from the bubble to the bacteria suspension and subsequent methane bioconversion.
Direct Electrodeposition of Superhydrophobic and Highly Oleophobic Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP) and Poly(3,4‐propylenedioxypyrrole) (PProDOP) Nanofibers
Authors: Mortier Claudio , Darmanin Thierry , Guittard Frédéric 
Published: September 2017

AbstractInspired by surface properties in nature, we develop for the first time nanofibers of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxypyrrole) (PEDOP) and poly(3,4‐propylenedioxypyrrole) (PProDOP) with superhydrophobic and highly oleophobic properties via electropolymerization. This was achieved by grafting fluorinated chains onto the alkylenedioxy cycle of PEDOP and PProDOP, while keeping NH groups free. We use a novel strategy to prepare EDOP and ProDOP with a hydroxyl group on the cycle by reaction with epibromohydrin, which is followed by grafting of fluorinated chains. The highest surface properties are obtained with the shortest fluorinated chains (C4F9) due to the formation of nanofibers and the dimension of these nanofibers can be controlled by changing the base monomer (EDOP or ProDOP). This work can be of interest to researchers working in many fields such as the control of wetting properties but also in the development of conducting polymers, membranes, and sensors. For example, EDOT and ProDOT are actually the most‐employed monomers to obtain conducting polymers and here we show that EDOP and ProDOP derivatives have similar electropolymerization properties, which shows the importance of this manuscript for the scientific community. Moreover, the possibility to substitute on the NH groups will be another possiblity to obtain multifunctional polymers, while the NH groups can also be used to obtain pH‐sensitive polymers.
Rational Design of Sulfur‐Doped Copper Catalysts for the Selective Electroreduction of Carbon Dioxide to Formate
Authors: Huang Yun , Deng Yilin , Handoko Albertus D. , Goh Gregory K. L. , Yeo Boon Siang 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe selective electroreduction of CO2 to formate (or formic acid) is of great interest in the field of renewable‐energy utilization. In this work, we designed a sulfur‐doped Cu2O‐derived Cu catalyst and showed that the presence of sulfur can tune the selectivity of Cu significantly from the production of various CO2 reduction products to almost exclusively formate. Sulfur is doped into the Cu catalysts by dipping the Cu substrates into ammonium polysulfide solutions. Catalyst films with the highest sulfur content of 2.7 at % showed the largest formate current density (j
) of −13.9 mA cm−2 at −0.9 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), which is approximately 46 times larger than that previously reported for Cu(110) surfaces. At −0.8 V versus RHE, the faradaic efficiency of formate was maintained at approximately 75 % for 12 h of continuous electrolysis. Through the analysis of the evolution of the j
and j
values with the sulfur content, we show that sulfur doping increases formate production and suppresses the hydrogen evolution reaction. Ag–S and Cu–Se catalysts did not exhibit any significant enhancement towards the reduction of CO2 to formate. This demonstrates clearly that sulfur and copper acted synergistically to promote the selective formation of formate. A hypothesis about the role of sulfur is proposed and discussed.
Comparative analysis of landscape effects on spatial genetic structure of the big brown bat and one of its cimicid ectoparasites
Authors: Talbot Benoit , Vonhof Maarten J. , Broders Hugh G. , Fenton Brock , Keyghobadi Nusha 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIdentification of landscape features that correlate with genetic structure permits understanding of factors that may influence gene flow in a species. Comparing effects of the landscape on a parasite and host provides potential insights into parasite‐host ecology. We compared fine‐scale spatial genetic structure between big brown bats (Eptesicus fuscus) and their cimicid ectoparasite (Cimex adjunctus; class Insecta) in the lower Great Lakes region of the United States, in an area of about 160,000 km2. We genotyped 142 big brown bat and 55 C. adjunctus samples at eight and seven microsatellite loci, respectively, and inferred effects of various types of land cover on the genetic structure of each species. We found significant associations between several land cover types and genetic distance in both species, although different land cover types were influential in each. Our results suggest that even in a parasite that is almost entirely reliant on its hosts for dispersal, land cover can affect gene flow differently than in the hosts, depending on key ecological aspects of both species.
Storage Conditions Affect Oxidative Stability and Nutritional Composition of Freeze‐Dried Nannochloropsis salina
Authors: Safafar Hamed , Langvad Simon , Møller Per , Jacobsen Charlotte 
Published: September 2017

Microalgae biomass is known as a promising sustainable source of bioactive compounds. Application of microalgae biomass in food and feed products requires information regarding storage stability and optimized storage conditions to minimize unwanted deterioration which downgrades the bioactive composition of microalgae biomass. In order to investigate the worsening of the nutritional quality of freeze dried biomass, a multifactorial storage experiment was conducted on a high EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) Nannochloropsis salina biomass. The storage time (0–56 days), storage temperature (5, 20, and 40 °C and packaging conditions (under vacuum and ambient pressure) used as main factors. During the 56 days of storage, both time and temperature strongly influenced the oxidation reactions which result in deterioration of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, tocopherols, and EPA. Lipid deterioration occurred both due to enzyme‐induced lipolysis and autoxidation. Carotenoids and α‐tocopherol contents decreased during storage, but may still have prevented EPA from higher oxidative deteriorations due to their powerful antioxidant properties. Oxidation reactions, which resulted in the creation of primary and secondary volatile oxidation products, occurred mainly at the first days of storage. The resulting volatile compounds(measured by head space gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry) declined further until day 56, probably due to reaction with amino acids, or decomposition to low molecular weight tertiary oxidation compounds. Storage of microalgae at low temperature is more effective than vacuum packaging.Practical Applications: Microalgae are known as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds, and their industrial scale application is growing very fast. Application of microalgae biomass in food, feed, or cosmetics requires the knowledge of the optimum storage conditions to prevent the value‐added compounds from deterioration. Results of this study improve our understanding of the chemical deterioration under different storage conditions and can help the producers/customers to extend the shelf life of microalgae biomass by choosing correct storage conditions.The storage time and conditions influenced the bioactive compounds in freeze‐dried microalgae biomass.
Optimizing combination of vascular endothelial growth factor and mesenchymal stem cells on ectopic bone formation in SCID mice
Authors: Dreyer Chris H. , Kjærgaard Kristian , Ditzel Nicholas , Jørgensen Niklas R. , Overgaard Søren , Ding Ming 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIntroduction: Insufficient blood supply may limit bone regeneration in bone defects. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes angiogenesis by increasing endothelial migration. This outcome, however, could depend on time of application. Sheep mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice were used in this study to evaluate optimal time points for VEGF stimulation to increase bone formation.Methods: Twenty‐eight SCID (NOD.CB17‐Prkdcscid/J) mice had hydroxyapatite granules seeded with 5 × 105MSCs inserted subcutaneous. Pellets released VEGF on days 1–7, days 1–14, days 1–21, days 1–42, days 7–14, and days 21–42. After 8 weeks, the implant‐bone‐blocks were harvested, paraffin embedded, sectioned, and stained with both hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry for human vimentin (hVim) staining. Blood samples were collected for determination of bone‐related biomarkers in serum.Results: The groups with 5 × 105MSCs and VEGF stimulation on days 1–14 and days 1–21 showed more bone formation when compared to the control group of 5 × 105MSCs alone (p < 0.01). Serum biomarkers had no significant values. The hVim staining confirmed the ovine origin of the observed ectopic bone formation.Conclusion: Optimal bone formation of MSCs was reached when stimulating with VEGF during the first 14 or 21 days after surgery. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 3326–3332, 2017.
Response of preosteoblasts to titanium with periodic micro/nanometer scale grooves produced by femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Chen Peng , Miyake Masayoshi , Tsukamoto Masahiro , Tsutsumi Yusuke , Hanawa Takao 
Published: September 2017

AbstractTo investigate the cellular response to designed topography in vitro, we studied the adhesion, proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and calcification of mouse preosteoblasts (MC3T3‐E1) cultured on titanium (Ti) surfaces with periodic micrometer scale grooves containing nanometer scale ripples in the vertical direction fabricated by single‐shot, femtosecond laser irradiation (fsTi). The surface composition and chemical state of fsTi were almost the same as those of mirror‐polished Ti without femtosecond laser irradiation (mTi). Cells cultured on fsTi were highly aligned, whereas the cell proliferation rate on fsTi was less than that on mTi. Higher gene expressions of Spp1 and Bglap1 were detected in cells cultured on fsTi than those on mTi, indicating that the periodic micro/nanometer scale grooves topography promoted osteogenic differentiation and calcification. This initial activation of osteoinduction on fsTi generated calcified deposits that were thicker and larger than those on mTi and hence, osteoconductivity was promoted on fsTi. Our findings indicate that femtosecond laser irradiation is a technique with potential for controlling biomaterial–cell interfaces and, in particular, the promotion of osseointegration of Ti. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 3456–3464, 2017.