bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Membranes Self‐Assembled at the Interface between Peptides and Polymer Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Yosefi Gal , Bitton Ronit 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBiocompatible and biodegradable molecules capable of spontaneous self‐assembly into hierarchical structures have the potential to serve as building blocks for complex scaffolds for cell culture. These scaffolds are meant to mimic the natural environment required for successful cell growth. Thus, they must be precisely designed and present specific mechanical and structural properties along with required biological and chemical cues. Combining the hierarchical structure and chemical functionality of a peptide with the stability of a polymer has led to the formation of complex and stable biomaterials. Among these hybrid biomaterials, macroscopic membranes self‐assembled at the aqueous interface between self‐assembling peptides and polymer solutions have gained attention over the past decade. The goal of this mini‐review is to highlight the advantages and challenges of utilizing polymer/peptide self‐assembled macroscopic membranes toward the development of novel platforms for the study of the interaction of different cells with their environment. As most of the membranes features are determined as soon as they assemble, this review begins with a detailed description of the membranes formation mechanism, which evolved and developed over the years. The variety of membranes formed using different peptides and polymers is then described, with special focus placed on their unique structure. Then the bio‐functions of the membranes and their emerging potential for bio‐applications are presented. In the final section, the shortcomings preventing an extended use of these membranes as well as their future prospects, are discussed. This mini‐review aims to give light to an emerging niche of biomaterials capable of forming hierarchical structures utilizing natural building blocks and the naturally occurring process of self‐assembly, providing an innovative approach for creating scaffolds that mimic the natural extracellular environment.
Ginkgolides and Huperzine A for complementary treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Villegas Cecilia , Perez Rebeca , Petiz Lyvia Lintzmaier , Glaser Talita , Ulrich Henning , Paz Cristian 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by gradual deterioration of cognitive function, memory, and inability to perform daily, social, or occupational activities. Its etiology is associated with the accumulation of β‐amyloid peptides, phosphorylated tau protein, and neuroinflammatory and oxidative processes in the brain. Currently, there is no successful pharmacological treatment for AD. The few approved drugs are mainly aimed at treating the symptoms; however, due to the increasing discovery of etiopathological factors, there are great efforts to find new multifunctional molecules to slow down the course of this neurodegenerative disease. The commercial Ginkgo biloba formulation EGb 761® and Huperzine A, an alkaloid present in the plant Huperzia serrata, have shown in clinical trials to possess cholinergic and neuroprotective activities, including improvement in cognition, activities of daily living, and neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD patients. The purpose of this review is to expose the positive results of intervention with EGb 761® and Huperzine in patients with mild to moderate AD in the last 10 years, highlighting the pharmacological functions that justify their use in AD therapy.
Herbal inhibitors of SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro effectively ameliorate acute lung injury in mice
Authors: Du Xinyi , Xu Longxin , Ma Yiming , Lu Shuaiyao , Tang Kegong , Qiao Xiangyu , Liu Jiaqi , Wang Xiaona , Peng Xiaozhong , Jiang Chengyu 
Published: April 2022

AbstractCoronavirus disease 2019, a newly emerging serious infectious disease, has spread worldwide. To date, effective drugs against the disease are limited. Traditional Chinese medicine was commonly used in treating COVID‐19 patients in China. Here we tried to identify herbal effective lipid compounds from the lipid library of 92 heat‐clearing and detoxication Chinese herbs. Through virtual screening, enzymatic activity and inhibition assays, and surface plasmon resonance tests, we identified lipid compounds targeting the main protease (Mpro) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) and verified their functions. Here, we found that natural lipid compounds LPC (14:0/0:0) and LPC (16:0/0:0) could target SARS‐CoV‐2 Mpro, recover cell death induced by SARS‐CoV‐2, and ameliorate acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) induced by bacterial lipopolysaccharides and virus poly (I:C) mimics in vivo and in vitro. Our results suggest that LPC (14:0/0:0) and LPC (16:0/0:0) might be potential pan remedy against ARDS.
Genetic diversity of norovirus associated with outbreaks in school children with acute gastroenteritis in Changzhou, China, 2018–2019
Authors: Li Qiong , Yao Ping , Jiang Jingyi , Mao Xujian , Wang Fengming , Zhang Wanju 
Published: April 2022

AbstractNorovirus is one of the major causes of outbreaks and sporadic cases of acute gastroenteritis in school children. Obtaining local genotype diversity information regarding norovirus is important for developing and evaluating prevention strategies of the transmission of this virus in school children. Clinical specimens, obtained from the routine acute gastroenteritis surveillance network from 2018 to 2019, were primarily tested using commercial real‐time PCR Kit. Samples with Ct value less than 25 were selected and used for complete genome sequencing and those with Ct value between 25 and 30 were selected and used for he partial VP1 and RdRp regions sequencing. Phylogenetic trees of the viral genome were constructed by using the neighbor‐joining method with bootstrap analysis of 1000 replicates in MEGA 6.0. Epidemiological surveillance of acute intestinal infections (n = 384) showed high‐level detection (73.18%) of human norovirus in school endemic acute gastroenteritis events in Changzhou, with obvious epidemic characteristics in autumn and winter. Through genotyping, it was found that 93.12% of norovirus were GII, including GII.2, GII.3, GII.4, GII.6, GII.7, and GII.17. By October 2019, two norovirus genotypes, GII.4[P31] and GII.17[P17], became the preponderant epidemic strains. Phylogenetic analysis of the new GII.17[P17] complete genomes showed close relationship with Miyagi strain identified in Japan in 2015, and GII.4[P31] showed close relationship with Jinan strain indentified in China in 2017. The study highlights the emerging role of GII.4[P31] and GII.17[P17] in causing endemic acute gastroenteritis outbreaks at school children, in Changzhou, China in 2019.
Evaluation and multimodel projection of seasonal precipitation extremes over central Asia based on CMIP6 simulations
Authors: Dike Victor Nnamdi , Lin Zhaohui , Fei Kece , Langendijk Gaby S. , Nath Debashis 
Published: April 2022

AbstractCentral Asia faces an increasing challenge related to water resources arising from severe droughts and floods that have impacted the region in the past decades. Using a comprehensive set of extreme precipitation indices, we assess the performance of CMIP6 models in representing observed precipitation extremes and investigate future responses of these extremes to greenhouse gas emissions under four shared socioeconomic pathways (SSP). Particularly, this study identifies robust signals of projected changes in spring and summer precipitation extremes over central Asia. Results show that the CMIP6 models reasonably reproduced the spatial distribution and variability of precipitation extremes over southern central Asia (SCA) and northern central Asia (NCA) during the spring and summer seasons, respectively. Across the SSPs, the CMIP6 models project a decrease in total spring wet‐day precipitation amount (PRCPTOT) over SCA and a significant increase in PRCPTOT over the NCA. The projected changes are characterized by a significant increase in maximum consecutive 5‐day precipitation (RX5day), wet‐day intensity (SDII), and the number of heavy precipitation days (R10mm); these suggest that the spring will be characterized by intense precipitation extremes. Moreover, no significant change is projected for consecutive wet days (CWD) and dry spells (CDD) over SCA. Nonetheless, the CMIP6 models project a significant increase in summer PRCPTOT over SCA and a decrease in summer PRCPTOT, RX5day, R10mm, SDII, and CWD over NCA while projecting a significant and robust increase in dry spells. It is also found that the severity of the projected dry spell deepens across the SSP spectra and gets more pronounced towards the end of the 21st century. Notably, the intermodel spread of the precipitation extremes is smaller during the spring over SCA, larger during the summer season over NCA, and more probable in the warmer future.
Demographics of children with feeding difficulties from a large electronic health record database
Authors: Edwards Sarah T. , Glynn Earl F. , Slogic Michael , Davis Ann M. , Killian Haley J. , Cocjin Jose , Attard Thomas M. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBackgroundFeeding difficulties are among the most common concerns expressed by parents in younger children. However, few studies have reported on the characteristics of patients with clinically significant feeding diagnoses. The aim of the current study is to describe the characteristics of patients diagnosed with feeding difficulties including concurrent conditions, age, and sex, sampled nationwide utilizing the Cerner Health Facts Database.MethodsWe identified patients with a diagnosis of feeding difficulties (ICD‐9 783.3 or ICD‐10 R63.3), age 7 months to 17 years, with an outpatient visit between 2010 and 2017. The demographics and complex clinical conditions of this population were categorized. The cohort was then collapsed into a matrix defining recognized phenotype codes for ICD‐9 and ICD‐10 diagnoses to identify associated conditions.ResultsWe identified 39,674 patients (0.95%) representing 101,684 encounters from 68 health systems across the United States; 43% of patients were female. Gastrointestinal conditions were the most common, followed by malnutrition, developmental and behavioral diagnoses, and neurologic conditions.ConclusionsThis study is one of the most robust studies defining the prevalence, demographic characteristics, and phenotypic profiling of patients with feeding difficulties. Our observations have implications on screening and resource allocation to recognize and manage this poorly understood population.
Reproducible fabrication of gold nanostar monolayers for surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy‐based trace detection
Authors: Zhang Feng , Yang Xian , Wang Dan , Yu Linfeng , Hu Yanfang , Zhu Aonan , Zhang Cancan , Zheng Yunxiang , Yin Tailang , Zhang Yuying , Xie Wei 
Published: April 2022

AbstractRapid, simple, and reliable detection of toxics at trace level is of great significance for public health. Surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as a powerful vibrational spectroscopic technique for molecules probing provides great advantages in trace detection; however, the low reproducibility of SERS signals from spot to spot and substrate to substrate remains a great challenge restricting its real applications. Here, we report a facile method for reproducibly preparing highly uniform self‐assembled monolayers of gold nanostars (Au NSs SAM) as SERS substrates using the classic Langmuir–Blodgett technique and introduced a statistical method to explore the signal reproducibility by t test. Our results show that the Au NSs SAM substrates fabricated in the same batch and different batches generated constant SERS signals without statistical differences and could detect dye molecules CV, R6G, and RhB in solution at concentrations as low as 10−8, 10−8, and 10−7 M, respectively. We then applied the Au NSs SAM for trace detection of Tetracycline (TC), one of the most widespread antibiotics entering the food chain and threatening the ecological balance. A detection limit of 0.05 μg/ml was achieved, with a linear response between SERS signal and TC concentration in the range of 0.05–10 μg/ml. Overall, this uniform Au NSs SAM could be reproducibly fabricated to provide a reliable platform for trace detection of TC residues or other toxics in water and is expected to have broad applications in different fields including environmental monitoring, food security, and so on.
Development of nano Bio LC columns for the search of acetylcholinesterase molecular targets
Authors: André Claire , Guillaume Yves Claude 
Published: April 2022

A novel acetylcholinesterase Nano liquid chromatography capillary column (75 μm i.d. × 50 mm length) was developed for the fast screening of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and the evaluation of their molecular recognition mechanism. Biotinylated acetylcholinesterase was immobilized on a streptavidin Nano liquid chromatography capillary column. Because of the very strong streptavidin‐biotin interaction, the acetylcholinesterase immobilization step performed by frontal analysis is very fast (required less than 10 min), and the amount of immobilized acetylcholinesterase was in the microgram range (1 μg). The yellow anion obtained from the enzymatic reaction detected at 412 nm was achieved within 60 s, and the immobilized acetylcholinesterase retained 96% of the initial activity beyond 90 days. This column was successfully applied for the discrimination of weak affinity ligands to acetylcholinesterase from nonbinders, which is the heart of fragment‐based drug design. This column was used for the determination of the IC50 values of a series of inhibitor molecules. In addition, it was demonstrated that competitive experiments could be performed with our miniaturized system to confirm the existence and binding pocket of a ligand to acetylcholinesterase contained in a methanol plant extract. The results revealed that our acetylcholinesterase Nano liquid chromatography capillary column developed in this work represents a useful tool for the rapid screening of inhibitor candidates and evaluation of the action mechanism.
Robust, Superhydrophobic, and Self‐Healing Films with Hierarchical Nacre Mimetics: A High‐Efficiency and “Green” Route Based on Solvent‐Free Polyurethane/Modified Graphene Oxide Composites
Authors: Luo Xiaomin , Qin Rong , Feng Jianyan , Zhang Peng , Wang Wenqi , Ren Huijun , Kong Hui , Hu Wenjie 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSuperhydrophobic and self‐cleaning materials have attracted tremendous attention because of their broad applications. However, it is still challenging to develop excellent films exhibiting both reparable superhydrophobic and robust mechanical properties by an environmentally friendly method. Inspired by a natural nacre structure, the novel multi‐layered inorganic‐organic films consisting of n‐octadecylamine‐modified graphene oxide (NGO) and solvent‐free self‐healing polyurethane synthesized by Diels‐Alder reaction (SFPU‐DA) are demonstrated. Through the layer‐by‐layer assembly technology, super‐hydrophobic and self‐repairing solvent‐free polyurethane composite films (NGO/SFPU‐DA films) are prepared. The NGO/SFPU‐DA composite films exhibit healing of surface creases and cracks within 120 s at 120 °C. Meanwhile, the contact angle and sliding angle of the films can be as high as 151° and 8°, respectively. Noticeably, even after 21 times of rubbing, the superhydrophobicity of the obtained films does not significantly reduce. In addition, the tensile strength and peel strength of NGO/SFPU‐DA films can reach 22.6 MPa and 88.6 N/30 mm. Moreover, the steel coated with NGO/SFPU‐DA films exhibits lower corrosion current density and better corrosion resistance than the single NGO/SFPU‐DA film and uncoated steel. The method may provide an effective way to obtain excellent self‐cleaning materials with long service life.
Helical Microdomains with Homochirality Trapped in a Gyroid Network from Symmetric AB1CB2D Pentablock Quaterpolymer Melt Studied by Monte Carlo Simulation
Authors: Suzuki Jiro , Takano Atsushi , Matsushita Yushu 
Published: April 2022

AbstractPhase behavior of symmetric ABCBD pentablock quaterpolymers, where B and B are the same polymer component, having the conditions of and , where denotes the volume fraction of component , is investigated by Monte‐Carlo simulation. At the larger region, , tetragonally packed A, C, and D cylinders in B matrix and hierarchically complex lamellar structures are observed depending on . At the smaller region, , a new phase is observed in between the cylindrical and lamellar phases, in which the C‐domain forms a three‐dimensionally periodic network wrapped with the level surface of the Schoen's Gyroid surface, while the A and D phases stay as the alternating helical domains with the same helical sense, i.e., having homochirality and A and D domains mutually reveal tetragonal symmetry. Thus, while the symmetric ABC terpolymers form a pair of gyroid networks, but the present quaterpolymers represent a single gyroid C‐network, where the A and D helices are nicely fitted to {100} homochiral holes of the gyroid template.
Level I PD‐MCI Using Global Cognitive Tests and the Risk for Parkinson's Disease Dementia
Authors: Boel Judith A. , de Bie Rob M.A. , Schmand Ben A. , Dalrymple‐Alford John C. , Marras Connie , Adler Charles H. , Goldman Jennifer G. , Tröster Alexander I. , Burn David J. , Litvan Irene , Geurtsen Gert J. ,   MDS Study Group Mild Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson's Disease
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe criteria for PD‐MCI allow the use of global cognitive tests. Their predictive value for conversion from PD‐MCI to PDD, especially compared to comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, is unknown.MethodsThe MDS PD‐MCI Study Group combined four datasets containing global cognitive tests as well as a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment to define PD‐MCI (n = 467). Risk for developing PDD was examined using a Cox model. Global cognitive tests were compared to neuropsychological test batteries (Level I&II) in determining risk for PDD.ResultsPD‐MCI based on a global cognitive test (MMSE or MoCA) increases the hazard for developing PDD (respectively HR = 2.57, P = 0.001; HR = 4.14, P = <0.001). The C‐statistics for MMSE (0.72) and MoCA (0.70) were lower than those based on neuropsychological tests (Level I = 0.82; Level II = 0.81). Sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy balance was best in Level II.ConclusionMMSE and MoCA predict conversion to PDD. However, Level II neuropsychological assessment seems the preferred assessment for PD‐MCI.
A phase‐shifterless experimental scheme for power combination of two magnetrons utilizing a single RF power amplifier
Authors: Shahid Muhammad Atayyab , Khan Tariq Mairaj , Qamar‐ul‐Hassan Muhammad , Khaliq Muhammad Waseem , Zarin Syed Wahab , Ashraf Muhammad Mubashar 
Published: April 2022

AbstractVarious coherent power combining schemes have been developed with high power magnetrons to meet the increasing industrial demands of HPM and Wireless Power Transfer applications.In this paper, we propose a power combining scheme for two 1.25 kW magnetrons, based on phase‐shifter less philosophy. The proposed scheme utilizes a single signal generator synthesizing the injection signal for both magnetrons. A single RF Power Amplifier (PA) amplifies the injection signal for both magnetrons to the power level required by Adler's criteria. The amplified signal is then divided by 2:1 RF power divider. The divided signals are subsequently used for injection locking of both magnetrons through same length coaxial cables. The output power of the two magnetrons is combined in a symmetric H‐plane T‐combiner. Since both magnetrons follow the phase of a common injection source the instantaneous phase deviation in their injection‐locked responses is minimal, leading to a combining efficiency of 95%.
Motion corrected silent ZTE neuroimaging
Authors: Ljungberg Emil , Wood Tobias C. , Solana Ana Beatriz , Williams Steven C. R. , Barker Gareth J. , Wiesinger Florian 
Published: April 2022

PurposeTo develop self‐navigated motion correction for 3D silent zero echo time (ZTE) based neuroimaging and characterize its performance for different types of head motion.MethodsThe proposed method termed MERLIN (Motion Estimation & Retrospective correction Leveraging Interleaved Navigators) achieves self‐navigation by using interleaved 3D phyllotaxis k‐space sampling. Low resolution navigator images are reconstructed continuously throughout the ZTE acquisition using a sliding window and co‐registered in image space relative to a fixed reference position. Rigid body motion corrections are then applied retrospectively to the k‐space trajectory and raw data and reconstructed into a final, high‐resolution ZTE image.ResultsMERLIN demonstrated successful and consistent motion correction for magnetization prepared ZTE images for a range of different instructed motion paradigms. The acoustic noise response of the self‐navigated phyllotaxis trajectory was found to be only slightly above ambient noise levels (<4 dBA).ConclusionSilent ZTE imaging combined with MERLIN addresses two major challenges intrinsic to MRI (i.e., subject motion and acoustic noise) in a synergistic and integrated manner without increase in scan time and thereby forms a versatile and powerful framework for clinical and research MR neuroimaging applications.
Detection of electrostatic molecular binding using the water proton signal
Authors: Zhou Yang , Bie Chongxue , van Zijl Peter C. M. , Xu Jiadi , Zou Chao , Yadav Nirbhay N. 
Published: April 2022

PurposeSaturation transfer MRI has previously been used to probe molecular binding interactions with signal enhancement via the water signal. Here, we detail the relayed nuclear overhauser effect (rNOE) based mechanisms of this signal enhancement, develop a strategy of quantifying molecular binding affinity, i.e., the dissociation constant (), and apply the method to detect electrostatic binding of several charged small biomolecules. Another goal was to estimate the detection limit for transient receptor‐substrate binding.Theory and MethodsThe signal enhancement mechanism was quantitatively described by a three‐step magnetization transfer model, and numerical simulations were performed to verify this theory. The binding equilibria of arginine, choline, and acetyl‐choline to anionic resin were studied as a function of ligand concentration, pH, and salt content. Equilibrium dissociation constants () were determined by fitting the multiple concentration data.ResultsThe numerical simulations indicate that the signal enhancement is sufficient to detect the molecular binding of sub‐millimolar (∼100 μM) concentration ligands to low micromolar levels of molecular targets. The measured rNOE signals from arginine, choline, and acetyl‐choline binding experiments show that several magnetization transfer pathways (intra‐ligand rNOEs and intermolecular rNOEs) can contribute. The rNOEs that arise from molecular ionic binding were influenced by pH and salt concentration. The molecular binding strengths in terms of ranged from 70–160 mM for the three cations studied.ConclusionThe capability to use MRI to detect the transient binding of small substrates paves a pathway towards the detection of micromolar level receptor‐substrate binding in vivo.