bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reciprocal Interactions Between Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and γδ T Cells Or Invariant Natural Killer T Cells
Authors: Prigione Ignazia , Benvenuto Federica , Bocca Paola , Battistini Luca , Uccelli Antonio , Pistoia Vito 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
The immunomodulatory activities of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide a rational basis for their application in the treatment of immune-mediated diseases, such as graft versus host disease and multiple sclerosis. The effects of MSCs on invariant natural killer T (iNKT) and γδ T cells, both involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, are unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of MSCs on in vitro expansion of these unconventional T-cell populations. MSCs inhibited iNKT (Vα24+Vβ11+) and γδ T (Vδ2+) cell expansion from peripheral blood mononuclear cells in both cell-to-cell contact and transwell systems. Such inhibition was partially counteracted by indomethacin, a prostaglandin E2 inhibitor. Block of indoleamine 2,3-deoxygenase and transforming growth factor β1 did not affect Vα24+Vβ11+ and Vδ2+ cell expansion. MSCs inhibited interferon-γ production by activated Vα24+Vβ11+ and impaired CD3-mediated proliferation of activated Vα24+Vβ11+ and Vδ2+ T cells, without affecting their cytotoxic potential. MSCs did not inhibit antigen processing/presentation by activated Vδ2+ T cells to CD4+ T cells. In contrast, MSCs were lysed by activated Vδ2+ T cells through a T-cell receptor-dependent mechanism. These results are translationally relevant in view of the increasing interest in MSC-based therapy of autoimmune diseases.
Tumor Immunotherapy Using Gene-Modified Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Loaded into Synthetic Extracellular Matrix Scaffolds
Authors: Compte Marta , Cuesta Ángel M. , Sánchez-Martín David , Alonso-Camino Vanesa , Vicario José Luís , Sanz Laura , Álvarez-Vallina Luís 
Published: December 2008

Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are appealing as gene therapy cell vehicles given their ease of expansion and transduction. However, MSCs exhibit immunomodulatory and proangiogenic properties that may pose a risk in their use in anticancer therapy. For this reason, we looked for a strategy to confine MSCs to a determined location, compatible with a clinical application. Human MSCs genetically modified to express luciferase (MSCluc), seeded in a synthetic extracellular matrix (sECM) scaffold (sentinel scaffold) and injected subcutaneously in immunodeficient mice, persisted for more than 40 days, as assessed by bioluminescence imaging in vivo. MSCs modified to express a bispecific α-carcinoembryonic antigen (αCEA)/αCD3 diabody (MSCdAb) and seeded in an sECM scaffold (therapeutic scaffolds) supported the release of functional diabody into the bloodstream at detectable levels for at least 6 weeks after implantation. Furthermore, when therapeutic scaffolds were implanted into CEA-positive human colon cancer xenograft-bearing mice and human T lymphocytes were subsequently transferred, circulating αCEA/αCD3 diabody activated T cells and promoted tumor cell lysis. Reduction of tumor growth in MSCdAb-treated mice was statistically significant compared with animals that only received MSCluc. In summary, we report here for the first time that human MSCs genetically engineered to secrete a bispecific diabody, seeded in an sECM scaffold and implanted in a location distant from the primary tumor, induce an effective antitumor response and tumor regression.
Protein Kinase A Regulatory Subunits in Human Adipose Tissue
Authors: Mantovani Giovanna , Bondioni Sara , Alberti Luisella , Gilardini Luisa , Invitti Cecilia , Corbetta Sabrina , Zappa Marco A. , Ferrero Stefano , Lania Andrea G. , Bosari Silvano , Beck-Peccoz Paolo , Spada Anna 
Published: December 2008

OBJECTIVE—In human adipocytes, the cAMP-dependent pathway mediates signals originating from β-adrenergic activation, thus playing a key role in the regulation of important metabolic processes, i.e., lipolysis and thermogenesis. Cyclic AMP effects are mainly mediated by protein kinase A (PKA), whose R2B regulatory isoform is the most expressed in mouse adipose tissue, where it protects against diet-induced obesity and fatty liver development. The aim of the study was to investigate possible differences in R2B expression, PKA activity, and lipolysis in adipose tissues from obese and nonobese subjects.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The expression of the different PKA regulatory subunits was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and real-time PCR in subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue samples from 20 nonobese and 67 obese patients. PKA activity and glycerol release were evaluated in total protein extract and adipocytes isolated from fresh tissue samples, respectively.
RESULTS—Expression techniques showed that R2B was the most abundant regulatory protein, both at mRNA and protein level. Interestingly, R2B mRNA levels were significantly lower in both subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissues from obese than nonobese patients and negatively correlated with BMI, waist circumference, insulin levels, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance. Moreover, both basal and stimulated PKA activity and glycerol release were significantly lower in visceral adipose tissue from obese patients then nonobese subjects.
CONCLUSIONS—Our results first indicate that, in human adipose tissue, there are important BMI-related differences in R2B expression and PKA activation, which might be included among the multiple determinants involved in the different lipolytic response to β-adrenergic activation in obesity.
Conservative management of 386 cases of unilateral vestibular schwannoma: tumor growth and consequences for treatment
Authors: Bakkouri Wissame El , Kania Romain E. , Guichard Jean-Pierre , Lot Guillaume , Herman Philippe , Huy Patrice Tran Ba 
Published: December 2008

Object
The object of this study was to evaluate the natural history, pattern, and occurrence of tumor growth and its consequences for treatment of small-sized vestibular schwannomas (VSs).

Methods
From 1990 to 2005, 386 patients underwent conservative management for VS because of the following: age > 60 years, poor health/medical risks, risk of deterioration of good hearing, small tumor size, minimal or no incapacitating symptoms, and/or patient preference. Tumor size was measured by MR imaging according to the guidelines of the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium. The first MR imaging study was performed 1 year after diagnosis, and subsequent imaging was performed yearly or every 2 years depending on the appearance of new symptoms, tumor growth, or both.

Results
Sixty-one patients were lost to follow-up the first year after presentation. Of the 325 patients for whom 1-year follow-up data were available, 39 showed tumor growth ≥ 3 mm. Conservative management was discontinued for these 39 patients. The patients who returned for follow-up were evaluated at 1- or 2-year intervals depending on tumor growth. The authors extrapolated to obtain data for 2-year intervals, yielding data for 160, 56, 21, and 8 patients at 3, 5, 7, and 9 years after initial presentation, respectively. The overall mean tumor growth rate (±standard deviation) was 1.15 ± 2.4 mm/year. This rate was estimated by pooling all values of tumor growth that had been determined for all patients and dividing by the total number of “events,” with each assessment constituting an event. In 58.6% of patients, the annual tumor growth rate was < 1 mm/year; in 29.2%, 1–3 mm/year; and in 12.2%, ≥ 3 mm/ year. The growth rates of intrameatal (1.02 ± 1.8 mm/year) and extrameatal (1.40 ± 3.1 mm/year) tumors did not differ significantly. No significant association was found between tumor growth rate and sex, age, initial hearing status, or initial tumor grade. Delay in diagnosis was the only significant factor associated with tumor growth rate. During follow-up, conservative management was discontinued for 77 (23.7%) of the 325 patients for whom at least 12-month follow-up data were available; surgery was performed in 60 (77.9%) and radiation therapy in 17 (22.1%).

Conclusions
The results of this study support the role of a conservative “wait-and-scan” policy of management for small-sized VSs because most have a slow growth rate. Long-term neuroimaging follow-up is needed even with non-growing tumors.
Insular gliomas: the case for surgical management
Authors: Simon Matthias , Neuloh Georg , von Lehe Marec , Meyer Bernhard , Schramm Johannes 
Published: December 2008

Object
Treatment for insular (paralimbic) gliomas is controversial. In this report the authors summarize their experience with microsurgical resection of insular tumors.

Methods
The authors analyzed complications, functional outcomes, and survival in a series of 101 operations performed in 94 patients between 1995 and 2005.

Results
A > 90% resection was achieved in 42%, and 70–90% tumor removal was accomplished in 51% of cases. Functional outcomes varied considerably between patient subgroups. For example, in neurologically intact patients ≤ 40 years of age with WHO Grade I–III tumors, good outcomes (Karnofsky Performance Scale Score 80–100) were seen in 91% of cases. Predictors of an unfavorable functional outcome included histological features of glioblastoma, advanced age, and a low preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale score. One year after surgery, 76% of patients who had presented with epilepsy were seizure free or experienced only isolated, nondebilitating seizures. Surprisingly good survival rates were seen after surgery for anaplastic gliomas. The median survival for patients with anaplastic astrocytomas (WHO Grade III) was 5 years, and the 5-year survival rate for those with anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors was 80%. Independent predictors of survival included younger age, favorable histological features (WHO Grade I and oligodendroglial tumors), Yaşargil Type 5A/B tumors with frontal extensions, and more extensive resections.

Conclusions
Insular tumor surgery carries substantial complication rates. However, surprisingly similar figures have been reported in large unselected craniotomy series and also after alternative treatment regimens. In view of the oncological benefits of resective surgery, our data would therefore argue for microsurgery as the primary treatment for most patients with a presumed WHO Grade I–III tumor. Patients with glioblastomas and/or age > 60 years require a more cautious approach.
How to Study DNA and Proteins by Linear Dichroism Spectroscopy
Authors: Rodger Alison 
Published: December 2008

The technique of linear dichroism (LD) is a simple absorbance technique that uses two polarised light beams. Since only oriented molecules show different absorbances for different polarisations, LD detects only oriented molecules. In aqueous solutions, flow orientation is an attractive orientation methodology as it selects long molecules or molecular assemblies. LD thus is selective for molecules that are particularly challenging to study by more standard biophysical techniques. In this article, a brief review of the application of LD to DNA, DNA–drug systems, DNA–protein enzymatic complexes, fibrous proteins and membrane peptides and proteins is given.
Treatment Failure and Long-Term Prescription Risk for Guideline-Recommended Hypnotics in Japan
Authors: Takeshima Masahiro , Yoshizawa Kazuhisa , Ogasawara Masaya , Kudo Mizuki , Itoh Yu , Ayabe Naoko , Mishima Kazuo 
Published: April 2024

ImportanceAlthough insomnia guidelines recommend the use of several individual hypnotics, the most useful hypnotic for treating insomnia in a clinical setting remains unclear.ObjectiveTo determine which guideline-recommended hypnotics have lower risks of monotherapy failure and which hypnotics have a higher risk of long-term prescription for insomnia treatment.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective observational cohort study used data from the Japan Medical Data Center Claims Database from April 1, 2005, to March 31, 2021. Participants included adults whose first prescribed pharmaceutical treatment for insomnia was guideline-recommended hypnotic monotherapy. Data were analyzed from December 24, 2022, to September 26, 2023.ExposuresSuvorexant, ramelteon, eszopiclone, zolpidem, and triazolam monotherapy.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was monotherapy failure, defined as a change in hypnotic or having an additional hypnotic prescribed for insomnia within 6 months of the first prescription of a guideline-recommended hypnotic monotherapy. The secondary outcome was monotherapy discontinuation, defined as no prescription of any hypnotic for 2 consecutive months within 6 months after prescribing a guideline-recommended hypnotic in patients for whom monotherapy did not fail. Monotherapy failure and discontinuation were compared using Cox proportional hazards and logistic regression models, respectively.ResultsThe study included 239 568 adults (median age, 45 [IQR, 34-55] years; 50.2% women) whose first prescription for insomnia was guideline-recommended hypnotic monotherapy. During the 6-month follow-up period, 24 778 patients (10.3%) experienced failure of monotherapy with a guideline-recommended hypnotic. In comparison with eszopiclone, there were more cases of monotherapy failure for ramelteon (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 1.23 [95% CI], 1.17-1.30; P &amp;lt; .001), fewer cases for zolpidem (AHR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.81-0.87]; P &amp;lt; .001) and triazolam (AHR, 0.82 [95% CI, 0.78-0.87]; P &amp;lt; .001), and no significant difference between suvorexant and eszopiclone. Among those without monotherapy failure, monotherapy was discontinued in 84.6% of patients, with more discontinuations for ramelteon (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.31 [95% CI, 1.24-1.40]; P &amp;lt; .001) and suvorexant (AOR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.15-1.26]; P &amp;lt; .001) than for eszopiclone and no significant difference between zolpidem or triazolam and eszopiclone.Conclusions and RelevanceDue to uncontrolled confounding factors in this cohort study, no conclusions regarding the pharmacologic properties of guideline-recommended hypnotics can be drawn based on these results. Further studies accounting for confounding factors, including diagnoses of chronic vs acute insomnia disorder, insomnia and psychiatric symptom severity, and physician attitudes toward hypnotic prescription, are needed.
Measuring the benefit of increased transparency and control in news recommendation
Authors: Tintarev Nava , Knijnenburg Bart P. , Willemsen Martijn C. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPersonalized news experiences powered by recommender systems permeate our lives and have the potential to influence not only our opinions, but also our decisions. At the same time, the content and viewpoints contained within news recommendations are driven by multiple factors, including both personalization and editorial selection. Explanations could help users gain a better understanding of the factors contributing to the news items selected for them to read. Indeed, recent works show that explanations are essential for users of news recommenders to understand their consumption preferences and set intentions in line with their goals, such as goals for knowledge development and increased diversity of content or viewpoints. We give examples of such works on explanation and interactive interface interventions which have been effective in influencing readers' consumption intentions and behaviors in news recommendations. However, the state‐of‐the‐art in news recommender systems currently fall short in terms of evaluating such interventions in live systems, limiting our ability to measure their true impact on user behavior and opinions. To help understand the true benefit of these interfaces, we therefore call for improving the realism of studies for news.
Functional Copolymer Derived Self‐Adapting LiF‐Rich Interphase Toward Deep Cycling Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Wang Aoxuan , Nie Yanxin , Zhao Yumeng , Xu Dehua , Zhang Linxue , Zhao Zhengfei , Ren Libin , Zhou Shoubin , Liu Xingjiang , Luo Jiayan 
Published: April 2024

AbstractLithium metal batteries (LMBs) are the best candidates for high‐energy density system. However, the unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) caused by notorious lithium dendrite growth and huge volume fluctuation under practical conditions hinders its commercialization. Here, a functional copolymer composed of monomer is designed with ordered −CF2− groups grafted to viscoelastic backbone to provide homogeneous and self‐adapting in situ LiF‐rich interface. Hence, the robust interface facilitates rapid Li+ flux and suppresses dendritic Li growth. Furthermore, an elastic composite lithium metal anode (FELMA) based on the designed functional copolymer is fabricated through a cost‐effective approach. The FELMA shows excellent cycle stability with ultra‐low volume expansion rate of 0.16% per cycle after 200 cycles at the condition of 3 mA cm−2–3 mAh cm−2. The full batteries assembled with high‐loading LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811, 4.1 mAh cm−2) cathode can maintain 80% capacity retention after 320 cycles under N/P = 2.17 and E/C = 2.68 g Ah−1, with the cycling life increased by 220% than Li||NCM811. A prototype 418 Wh kg−1 pouch cell (5.16 Ah) with N/P ratio of 0.88 and E/C ratio of 2.39 g Ah−1 shows stable cycling.
Dynamic High‐Capacity Structural‐Color Encryption Via Inkjet Printing and Image Recognition
Authors: Li Rujun , Li Kaixuan , Deng Xiao , Jiang Congzhi , Li An , Xue Luanluan , Yuan Renxuan , Liu Quan , Zhang Zongbo , Li Huizeng , Song Yanlin 
Published: April 2024

AbstractStimuli‐responsive structural‐color materials have received widespread attention in information encryption due to the significant color changes under different stimuli. However, the trade‐off between the capacity of information input, security level, cost, and large‐area manufacturing greatly limits the application of structural colors in encryption. Herein, dynamic high‐capacity and high‐resolution encryption are achieved by implementing printed total internal reflection (TIR) structural color and computer‐aided image recognition. The printed TIR microstructures are prepared with relative humidity (RH) responsive polymer, which form a heterogeneous wettability system, and can exhibit vibrant color variation with humidity. As the implemented RH is changed, the printed microstructures will expand or shrink precisely, enabling a full‐color modulation across the visible light range. With the color change, each structural‐color pixel can be specifically encoded, allowing for this to encrypt dynamic information within the same pattern at different RHs. Furthermore, This study can precisely integrates tremendous different pixels and easily prepare various encrypted patterns, which guarantee the high‐capacity information input in a low‐cost way. Moreover, through computer programming and algorithm reading, the structural‐color patterns can be decoded and decrypted in real‐time, thus offering great potential for further encryption, anti‐counterfeiting, multiplexing encoding, and data storage.
Seeding Atomic Silver into Internal Lattice Sites of Transition Metal Oxide for Advanced Electrocatalysis
Authors: Song Wenjun , He Kun , Li Chenghang , Yin Ruonan , Guo Yaqing , Nie Anmin , Li Yanshuai , Yang Keqin , Zhou Mengting , Lin Xiaoruizhuo , Wang Zheng‐Jun , Ren Qingqing , Zhu Shaojun , Xu Ting , Liu Suya , Jin Huile , Lv Jing‐Jing , Wang Shun , Yuan Yifei 
Published: April 2024

AbstractTransition metal oxides (TMOs) are widely studied for loading of various catalysts due to their low cost and high structure flexibility. However, the prevailing close‐packed nature of most TMOs crystals has restricted the available loading sites to surface only, while their internal bulk lattice remains unactuated due to the inaccessible narrow space that blocks out most key reactants and/or particulate catalysts. Herein, using tunnel‐structured MnO2, this study demonstrates how TMO's internal lattice space can be activated as extra loading sites for atomic Ag in addition to the conventional surface‐only loading, via which a dual‐form Ag catalyst within MnO2 skeleton is established. In this design, not only faceted Ag nanoparticles are confined onto MnO2 surface by coherent lattice‐sharing, Ag atomic strings are also seeded deep into the sub‐nanoscale MnO2 tunnel lattice, enriching the catalytically active sites. Tested for electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR), such dual‐form catalyst exhibits a high Faradaic efficiency (94%), yield (67.3 mol g−1 h−1) and durability (≈48 h) for CO production, exceeding commercial Ag nanoparticles and most Ag‐based electrocatalysts. Theoretical calculations further reveal the concurrent effect of such dual‐form catalyst featuring facet‐dependent eCO2RR for Ag nanoparticles and lattice‐confined eCO2RR for Ag atomic strings, inspiring the future design of catalyst–substrate configuration.
Bio‐Inspired Pressure‐Dependent Programmable Mechanical Metamaterial with Self‐Sealing Ability
Authors: Ghavidelnia Naeim , Slesarenko Viacheslav , Speck Olga , Eberl Christoph 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSelf‐sealing is one of the fascinating functions in nature that enables living material systems to respond immediately to damage. A prime plant model is Delosperma cooperi, which can rapidly self‐seal damaged succulent leaves by systematically deforming until the wound closes. Inspired by this self‐sealing principle, a novel programmable mechanical metamaterial has been developed to mimic the underlying damage management concept. This material is able to react autonomously to changes in its physical condition caused by an induced damage. To design this ability into the programmable metamaterial, a permeable unit cell design has been developed that can change size depending on the internal pressure. The parameter space and associated mechanical functionality of the unit cell design is simulated and analyzed under periodic boundary conditions and various pressures. The principles of self‐sealing behavior in designed metamaterials are investigated, crack closure efficiency is identified for different crack lengths, the limitations of the proposed approach are discussed, and successful crack closure is experimentally demonstrated in the fabricated metamaterial. Although this study facilitates the first step on the way of integrating new bio‐inspired principles in the metamaterials, the results show how programmable mechanical metamaterials might extend materials design space from pure properties to life‐like abilities.
Extraordinary Enhancement of Nonlinear Optical Interaction in NbOBr2 Microcavities
Authors: Chen Wenduo , Zhu Song , Duan Ruihuan , Wang Chongwu , Wang Fakun , Wu Yao , Dai Mingjin , Cui Jieyuan , Chae Sang Hoon , Li Zhipeng , Ma Xuezhi , Wang Qian , Liu Zheng , Wang Qi Jie 
Published: April 2024

Abstract2D materials are burgeoning as promising candidates for investigating nonlinear optical effects due to high nonlinear susceptibilities, broadband optical response, and tunable nonlinearity. However, most 2D materials suffer from poor nonlinear conversion efficiencies, resulting from reduced light‐matter interactions and lack of phase matching at atomic thicknesses. Herein, a new 2D nonlinear material, niobium oxide dibromide (NbOBr2) is reported, featuring strong and anisotropic optical nonlinearities with scalable nonlinear intensity. Furthermore, Fabry‐Pérot (F‐P) microcavities are constructed by coupling NbOBr2 with air holes in silicon. Remarkable enhancement factors of ≈630 times in second harmonic generation (SHG) and 210 times in third harmonic generation (THG) are achieved on cavity at the resonance wavelength of 1500 nm. Notably, the cavity enhancement effect exhibits strong anisotropic feature tunable with pump wavelength, owing to the robust optical birefringence of NbOBr2. The ratio of the enhancement factor along the b– and c–axis of NbOBr2 reaches 2.43 and 5.27 for SHG and THG at 1500 nm pump, respectively, which leads to an extraordinarily high SHG anisotropic ratio of 17.82 and a 10° rotation of THG polarization. The research presents a feasible and practical strategy for developing high‐efficiency and low‐power‐pumped on‐chip nonlinear optical devices with tunable anisotropy.