bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identifying Aflatoxin Resistance-related Proteins/Genes through Proteomics and RNAi Gene Silencing1
Authors: Chen Z-Y. , Brown R. L. , Guo B. Z. , Menkir A. , Cleveland T. E. 
Published: April 2009

AbstractAflatoxins are carcinogenic secondary metabolites produced mainly by Aspergillus flavus Link ex. Fries, and A. prarasiticus Speare during infection of susceptible crops, such as maize, cottonseed, peanuts and tree nuts. This paper will review research efforts in identifying aflatoxin resistance-related proteins/genes in maize. Similar strategies may be useful in peanut. For maize, although genotypes resistant to A. flavus infection or aflatoxin production have been identified, the incorporation of resistance into commercial lines has been slow due to the lack of selectable markers and poor understanding of host resistance mechanisms. Recently, resistance-associated proteins (RAPs) were identified through proteomic comparison of constitutive protein profiles between resistant and susceptible maize genotypes. These proteins belong to three major groups based on their peptide sequence homologies: storage proteins, stress-related proteins, and antifungal proteins. Preliminary characterization of some of these RAPs suggest that they play a direct role in host resistance, such as pathogenesis-related protein 10 (PR10), or an indirect role, such as glyoxalase I (GLX I), through enhancing the host stress tolerance. To verify whether these RAPs play a role in host resistance, RNA interference (RNAi) gene silencing technique was used to silence the expression of these genes in maize. RNAi vectors (glx I RNAi and pr10 RNAi) were constructed using Gateway technology, and then transformed into immature maize embryos using both bombardment and Agrobacterium infection. The extent of gene silencing in transgenic callus tissues ranged from 20% to over 99%. The RNAi silenced transgenic maize seeds have also been obtained from plants regenerated from Agrobacterium transformed callus lines. Kernel screen assay of the transgenic maize kernels demonstrated a significant increase in susceptibility to A. flavus colonization and aflatoxin production in some of the silenced transgenic lines compared with non-silenced control kernels, suggesting the direct involvement of these two proteins in aflatoxin resistance in maize.
Breeding Peanut for Resistance to Aflatoxin Contamination at ICRISAT
Authors: Nigam S. N. , Waliyar F. , Aruna R. , Reddy S. V. , Kumar P. Lava , Craufurd P. Q. , Diallo A. T. , Ntare B. R. , Upadhyaya H. D. 
Published: April 2009

Abstract
Peanut plays an important role in the livelihoods of poor farmers and in the rural economy of many developing countries. Aflatoxin contamination in peanut seeds, caused by Aspergillus flavus, hampers international trade and adversely affects health of consumers of peanut and its products. It can occur in the field when the crop is growing, during harvesting and curing, and in storage and transportation. Aflatoxin research on peanut at ICRISAT focuses on identification and utilization of genetic resistance to preharvest seed infection and aflatoxin production by A. flavus and pre and post harvest management practices to minimize contamination. Breeding for aflatoxin resistance has been a contentious issue in peanut for nearly four decades since the first report of host resistance to aflatoxin production by A. flavus. Despite global efforts, progress in aflatoxin resistance breeding has been limited due to the low level of resistance to different components of resistance (preharvest seed infection and aflatoxin production, and in vitro seed colonization by A. flavus), their variable performance due to high G × E interaction, lack of reliable screening protocols, and limited understanding of genetics of resistance. Efforts to combine the three independently inherited components of resistance did not produce expected results towards improving the host plant resistance to aflatoxin contamination. Although breeding lines have shown better performance for resistance to aflatoxin contamination at ICRISAT, they need wider evaluation under diverse growing conditions. The search for better sources of resistance in the cultivated and wild Arachis germplasm continues, and recent developments in the area of transgenic research through modification of aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway or use of genes with antifungal and anti-aflatoxin properties appear encouraging. Meanwhile, the available improved breeding lines coupled with pre and post harvest aflatoxin management practices can help to significantly reduce aflatoxin contamination in farmers' fields. It is expected that transgenic resistance against fungal infection and aflatoxin production in combination with conventional breeding efforts may lead to the development of agronomically superior peanuts that are free of aflatoxin contamination.
Survival of mossy cells of the hippocampal dentate gyrus in humans with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Seress László , Ábrahám Hajnalka , Horváth Zsolt , Dóczi Tamás , Janszky József , Klemm Joyce , Byrne Richard , Bakay Roy A. E. 
Published: April 2009

Object
Hippocampal sclerosis can be identified in most patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Surgical removal of the sclerotic hippocampus is widely performed to treat patients with drug-resistant mesial TLE. In general, both epilepsy-prone and epilepsy-resistant neurons are believed to be in the hippocampal formation. The hilar mossy cells of the hippocampal dentate gyrus are usually considered one of the most vulnerable types of neurons. The aim of this study was to clarify the fate of mossy cells in the hippocampus in epileptic humans.

Methods
Of the 19 patients included in this study, 15 underwent temporal lobe resection because of drug-resistant TLE. Four patients were used as controls because they harbored tumors that had not invaded the hippocampus and they had experienced no seizures. Histological evaluation of resected hippocampal tissues was performed using immunohistochemistry.

Results
Mossy cells were identified in the control as well as the epileptic hippocampi by using cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptide immunohistochemistry. In most cases the number of mossy cells was reduced and thorny excrescences were smaller in the epileptic hippocampi than in controls; however, there was a significant loss of pyramidal cells and a partial loss of granule cells in the same epileptic hippocampi in which mossy cell loss was apparent. The loss of mossy cells could be correlated with the extent of hippocampal sclerosis, patient age at seizure onset, duration of epilepsy, and frequency of seizures.

Conclusions
In many cases large numbers of mossy cells were present in the hilus of the dentate gyrus when most pyramidal neurons of the CA1 and CA3 areas of the Ammon's horn were lost, suggesting that mossy cells may not be more vulnerable to epileptic seizures than the hippocampal pyramidal neurons.
Characteristics of auras in patients undergoing temporal lobectomy
Authors: Binder Devin K. , Garcia Paul A. , Elangovan Ganesh K. , Barbaro Nicholas M. 
Published: April 2009

Object
Prior studies suggest that aura semiology may have localizing value. However, temporal lobe aura characteristics and response to surgery have not been studied in large patient series.

Methods
The authors retrospectively analyzed the case records of 182 patients undergoing temporal lobectomy for medically intractable epilepsy at a single institution. They analyzed the frequency and type of auras and seizures preoperatively, and at 3 months and 1 year after temporal lobectomy. Auras were divided into medial semiology (rising epigastric, olfactory/gustatory, experiential, and fear) and lateral semiology (auditory, somatosensory, and visual), or other.

Results
Of 182 patients, 150 were included in this study. The preoperative prevalence of auras was 77%. Multiple types of auras were present in 20% of patients. The most common aura was rising epigastric (26% of all auras). Postoperatively, auras were eliminated in 63% of patients at 3 months and in 64% at 1 year. Seventy-seven patients (51%) were seizure-free and aura-free, 22 (15%) were seizure-free with auras, 26 (17%) had seizures but no auras, and 25 (17%) had seizures with auras. Despite having their auras eliminated, 6.7% of patients continued to have complex partial seizures. Lateral temporal auras were more than twice as likely as medial temporal auras to persist after surgery (p < 0.002).

Conclusions
While the majority of patients in the authors' series became seizure- and aura-free, a significant minority still had persistent auras. Patients with lateral temporal auras appear to be at increased risk for having persistent postoperative auras. The discrepancy between aura and seizure outcomes results in a small group of patients having persistent seizures but losing their auras postoperatively.
Real-time myocardial perfusion contrast echocardiography and regional wall motion abnormalities after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage
Authors: Abdelmoneim Sahar S. , Wijdicks Eelco F. M. , Lee Vivien H. , Daugherty Wilson P. , Bernier Mathieu , Oh Jae K. , Pellikka Patricia A. , Mulvagh Sharon L. 
Published: April 2009

Object
The pathophysiology of myocardial dysfunction after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) remains unclear. Using myocardial real-time perfusion contrast echocardiography (RTP-CE), the authors evaluated microvascular function in patients with acute SAH.

Methods
Over a 15-month period, 10 patients with acute SAH and evidence of cardiac dysfunction were prospectively enrolled. The authors performed RTP-CE within 48 hours of SAH diagnosis. Wall motion and myocardial perfusion were evaluated in 16 left ventricle segments. Qualitative and quantitative RTP-CE analyses were conducted to compare patients with and without regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMAs). Follow-up RTP-CE at a mean of 53.7 ± 43 days was undertaken in patients with baseline RWMAs.

Results
Ten patients with SAH and evidence of cardiac dysfunction were prospectively enrolled. There were 3 men and 7 women whose mean age was 63.5 ± 10.1 years. The authors documented evidence of RWMAs in 6 patients. Normal perfusion was demonstrated by RTP-CE in all patients at baseline and follow-up, despite the presence of RWMAs. Compared with patients presenting with normal wall motion, in patients with RWMAs there was a trend for higher quantitative RTP-CE parameters, suggesting hyperemia with mean myocardial blood flow velocity (β, s−1) of 1.08 ± 0.61 (95% CI 0–2.61) compared with 1.62 ± 0.64 (95% CI 0.94–2.29) and myocardial blood flow (A × β, dB/s) of 0.99 ± 0.41 (95% CI 0–2.0) versus 1.63 ± 0.86 (95% CI 0.72–2.53). Follow-up RTP-CE was feasible in 3 patients with RWMAs. Regional systolic function was restored in those who completed follow-up.

Conclusions
The authors found that RTP-CE readily evaluates microvascular function in patients with SAH. Wall motion and perfusion dissociation were observed. Quantitative RTP-CE showed a trend for microvascular hyperemia in patients with RWMAs, suggesting that post-SAH myocardial dysfunction could occur in the absence of microvascular dysfunction.
Automated treatment planning for whole breast irradiation with individualized tangential IMRT fields
Authors: Zaratim Giulianne Rivelli Rodrigues , dos Reis Ricardo Gomes , dos Santos Marcos Antônio , Yagi Nathalya Ala , Oliveira e Silva Luis Felipe 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPurposesThis study aimed to develop and validate algorithms for automating intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) planning in breast cancer patients, with a focus on patient anatomical characteristics.Material and MethodsWe retrospectively selected 400 breast cancer patients without lymph node involvement for automated treatment planning. Automation was achieved using the Eclipse Scripting Application Programming Interface (ESAPI) integrated into the Eclipse Treatment Planning System. We employed three beam insertion geometries and three optimization strategies, resulting in 3600 plans, each delivering a 40.05 Gy dose in 15 fractions. Gantry angles in the tangent fields were selected based on a criterion involving the minimum intersection area between the Planning Target Volume (PTV) and the ipsilateral lung in the Beam's Eye View projection. ESAPI was also used to gather patient anatomical data, serving as input for Random Forest models to select the optimal plan. The Random Forest classification considered both beam insertion geometry and optimization strategy. Dosimetric data were evaluated in accordance with the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) 1005 protocol.ResultsOverall, all approaches generated high‐quality plans, with approximately 94% meeting the acceptable dose criteria for organs at risk and/or target coverage as defined by RTOG guidelines. Average automated plan generation time ranged from 6 min and 37 s to 9 min and 22 s, with the mean time increasing with additional fields. The Random Forest approach did not successfully enable automatic planning strategy selection. Instead, our automated planning system allows users to choose from the tested geometry and strategy options.ConclusionsAlthough our attempt to correlate patient anatomical features with planning strategy using machine learning tools was unsuccessful, the resulting dosimetric outcomes proved satisfactory. Our algorithm consistently produced high‐quality plans, offering significant time and efficiency advantages.
Dismantlable Coronated Nanoparticles for Coupling the Induction and Perception of Immunogenic Cell Death
Authors: Liang Huan , Xu Chunchen , Guo Daoxia , Peng Fei , Chen Nan , Song Haiyun , Ji Xiaoyuan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTherapy‐induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) can initiate both innate and adaptive immune responses for amplified anti‐tumor efficacy. However, dying cell‐released ICD signals are prone to being sequestered by the TIM‐3 receptors on dendritic cell (DC) surfaces, preventing immune surveillance. Herein, dismantlable coronated nanoparticles (NPs) are fabricated as a type of spatiotemporally controlled nanocarriers for coupling tumor cell‐mediated ICD induction to DC‐mediated immune sensing. These NPs are loaded with an ICD inducer, mitoxantrone (MTO), and wrapped by a redox‐labile anti‐TIM‐3 (αTIM‐3) antibody corona, forming a separable core–shell structure. The antibody corona disintegrates under high levels of extracellular reactive oxygen species in the tumor microenvironment, exposing the MTO‐loaded NP core for ICD induction and releasing functional αTIM‐3 molecules for DC sensitization. Systemic administration of the coronated NPs augments DC maturation, promotes cytotoxic T cell recruitment, enhances tumor susceptibility to immune checkpoint blockade, and prevents the side effects of MTO. This study develops a promising nanoplatform to unleash the potential of host immunity in cancer therapy.
Disorder‐Broadened Phase Boundary with Enhanced Amorphous Superconductivity in Pressurized In2Te5
Authors: Zhao Yi , Ying Tianping , Zhao Lingxiao , Wu Juefei , Pei Cuiying , Chen Jing , Deng Jun , Zhang Qinghua , Gu Lin , Wang Qi , Cao Weizheng , Li Changhua , Zhu Shihao , Zhang Mingxin , Yu Na , Zhang Lili , Chen Yulin , Chen Chui‐Zhen , Yu Tongxu , Qi Yanpeng 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAs an empirical tool in materials science and engineering, the iconic phase diagram owes its robustness and practicality to the topological characteristics rooted in the celebrated Gibbs phase law free variables (F) = components (C) – phases (P) + 2. When crossing the phase diagram boundary, the structure transition occurs abruptly, bringing about an instantaneous change in physical properties and limited controllability on the boundaries (F = 1). Here, the sharp phase boundary is expanded to an amorphous transition region (F = 2) by partially disrupting the long‐range translational symmetry, leading to a sequential crystalline–amorphous–crystalline (CAC) transition in a pressurized In2Te5 single crystal. Through detailed in situ synchrotron diffraction, it is elucidated that the phase transition stems from the rotation of immobile blocks [In2Te2]2+, linked by hinge‐like [Te3]2− trimers. Remarkably, within the amorphous region, the amorphous phase demonstrates a notable 25% increase of the superconducting transition temperature (Tc), while the carrier concentration remains relatively constant. Furthermore, a theoretical framework is proposed revealing that the unconventional boost in amorphous superconductivity might be attributed to an intensified electron correlation, triggered by a disorder‐augmented multifractal behavior. These findings underscore the potential of disorder and prompt further exploration of unforeseen phenomena on the phase boundaries.
Broadband Complete Polarization Control via Inverse‐Designed Photonic Crystal Slabs
Authors: Deng Ruhuan , Wang Xinhao , Zuo Yi , Liu Zhen , Wang Feifan , Peng Chao , Li Tongyu , Liu Wenzhe , Liu Xiaohan , Shi Lei 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPolarization is a crucial characteristic of electromagnetic fields, and the ability to fully control it has many useful applications. While novel nanophotonic devices have been designed to achieve unprecedented capability to manipulate light on demand, their usage in the complete control of polarization states for the transmitted light has been relatively limited, and traditional design methods always produce devices with narrow operation bandwidths. In this work, a two‐phase topology optimization strategy is proposed in conjunction with adjoint method to inverse design photonic crystal slabs capable of complete polarization control. It successfully produces devices operating over a broad bandwidth that is significantly larger than the current state‐of‐the‐art designs, and their performances are also robust to material loss. This is also find that the C2v symmetry of the structure can regularize the problem, so that less simulation time and faster convergence can be obtained without compromising performance. This study demonstrates the power of the inverse design method, which can be further applied to achieve more complex polarization control and beyond.
Zirconium‐Pentacarboxylate Frameworks with Coexisted 4‐ and 9‐Connected Zr6 Clusters for Detection and Removal of Tetracycline Hydrochloride
Authors: Peng Tianyou , Han Chao‐Qin , Zhou Kang , Wang Lei , Xu Guozhong , Liu Xiao‐Yuan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDue to the varying connectivity of Zr6 cluster and unlimited carboxylic acid‐based organic linkers, zirconium‐based metal‐organic frameworks (Zr‐MOFs) exhibit the most abundant structural diversity. However, Zr‐MOFs possessing more than one kind of Zr6 clusters in a single structure have not yet been reported. Herein, four new pentacarboxylic acids are synthesized to prepare Zr‐MOFs, HIAM‐4051 to HIAM‐4054. As a result, due to the different lengths of linkers, two novel underlying nets (typ and cqh) are found in these four MOFs with coexisting 4‐ and 9‐connected Zr6 clusters. Furthermore, by changing the acceptor groups in the linker skeleton, the emission of results Zr‐MOFs can be customized from blue, yellow–green to red. The nano‐sized HIAM‐4053‐NS exhibits high sensitivity and efficient adsorption for tetracycline hydrochloride with 0.22 µm detection limit and ≈0.6 g g−1 removal capacity. To the best of the knowledge, this work is the first example of constructing Zr‐MOFs using pentacarboxylic acids as organic linkers and the first report of Zr‐MOFs with coexisted Zr6 connectivities in a single MOF matrix. This study provides a novel insight for the construction of Zr‐MOFs with unprecedented structures, which will not only enrich the structure diversity but also offer more opportunity to extend the applications of Zr‐MOFs.
Noninvasive Injectable Optical Nanosensor‐Hydrogel Hybrids Detect Doxorubicin in Living Mice
Authors: Cohen Zachary , Alpert Dave J. , Weisel Adam C. , Ryan Amelia , Roach Arantxa , Rahman Syeda , Gaikwad Pooja V. , Nicoll Steven B. , Williams Ryan M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractWhile the tissue‐transparent fluorescence of single‐walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) imparts substantial potential for use in non‐invasive biosensors, the development of non‐invasive systems is yet to be realized. Here, the functionality of a SWCNT‐based nanosensor in several injectable SWCNT‐hydrogel systems, ultimately finding SWCNT encapsulation in a sulfonated methylcellulose hydrogel optimal for detection of ions, small molecules, and proteins is investigated. It is found that the hydrogel system and nanosensor signal are stable for several weeks in live mice. Then, it is found that this system successfully detects local injections of the chemotherapeutic agent doxorubicin in mice. Future studies to adapt this device for the detection of other analytes in animals and, ultimately, patients are anticipated.
Mechanochromic Palettes of Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Elastomers for Visual Signaling
Authors: Park Hyewon , Lee Hye Joo , Ahn Hyungju , Han Woong Chan , Yun Hee Seong , Choi Yun‐Seok , Kim Dae Seok , Yoon Dong Ki 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMechanochromic photonic materials present promising prospects for enhancing diverse facets of human life. Cholesteric liquid crystal elastomers (CLCEs) present immediate mechanochromic properties, allowing their utility in various fields, including camouflages, textiles, and anticounterfeiting. Nonetheless, it is essential to provide differentiated color information corresponding to diverse types and degrees of deformation for practical use in real life. Herein, the mechanochromic responses of CLCEs are investigated using their optical rotation under compression and uniaxial stretching. The CLCEs exhibit the same reflection colors indistinguishable for compression and uniaxial stretching due to their contracted pitches. In contrast, the linearly polarized light passing through deformed CLCEs can be modulated by optical rotation, resulting in distinct transmission colors that can be discerned through mechanical deformations. A visual signaling system with color information derived from optical rotation is demonstrated. By comprehending and manipulating the mechanoresponsive behavior of CLCEs, these materials can be advanced into innovative solutions with enhanced functionality and performance, thereby broadening their applications for human life enhancement.
An Ab Initio Investigation of Ultra‐Low Thermal Conductivity in Organically Functionalized TaS2${\rm TaS}_2$
Authors: Siddi Francesco , Cappai Antonio , Colombo Luciano , Melis Claudio 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAn ab initio characterization of the impact of tert‐Butyl isocyanate () functionalization on lattice thermal conductivity is presented. Such a system has been previously synthetized and experimentally charachterized, showing that the incorporation of covalently bonded on bulk leads to a dramatic in‐plane lattice thermal conductivity decrease by more than two orders of magnitudes. To elucidate these experimental findings, detailed calculations of the phonon dispersion relations and scattering rates in are performed. The analysis is addressed to discern the impact of inter‐layer covalently bonded molecules on these phonon properties, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms of the observed thermal conductivity decrease. Present calculations provide evidence that the observed lattice thermal conductivity reduction is attributed to two effects: the increase of inter‐layer separation and the presence of low‐frequency molecular optical modes. The first inhibits specific Van der Waals quasi‐acoustic inter‐layer vibrational modes contributing as much as in bulk . The second effect dramatically decreases the phonon group velocities as a consequence of phonon‐crossing phenomena among low‐frequency molecular modes and acoustic modes, eventually leading to a strong reduction of all phonon lifetimes.