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  • Article
    Sandker MJ, Petit A, Redout EM, Siebelt M, Müller B, Bruin P, Meyboom R, Vermonden T, Hennink WE, Weinans H.
    Biomaterials. 2013 Oct;34(32):8002-11.
    Sustained intra-articular drug delivery opens up new opportunities for targeted treatment of osteoarthritis. In this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo properties and performance of a newly developed hydrogel based on acyl-capped PCLA-PEG-PCLA specifically designed for intra-articular use. The hydrogel formulation consisted of a blend of polymers either capped with acetyl, or with 2-(2',3',5',-triiodobenzoyl, TIB) moieties. TIB was added to visualize the gel using μCT, enabling longitudinal quantification of its degradation. Blends containing TIB-capped polymer degraded in vitro (37 °C; pH 7.4 buffer) through dissolution over a period of ~20 weeks, and degraded slightly faster (~12 weeks) after subcutaneous injection in rats. This in vivo acceleration was likely due to active (enzymatic) degradation, shown by changes in polymer composition and molecular weight as well as the presence of macrophages. After intra-articular administration in rats, the visualized gel gradually lost signal intensity over the course of 4 weeks. Good cytocompatibility of acetyl-capped polymer based hydrogel was proven in vitro on erythrocytes and chondrocytes. Moreover, intra-articular biocompatibility was demonstrated using μCT-imaging and histology, since both techniques showed no changes in cartilage quality and/or quantity.
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  • Article
    Liu L, He H, Zhang M, Zhang S, Zhang W, Liu J.
    Biomaterials. 2014 Sep;35(27):8002-14.
    The primary aim of our current study was to utilize hyaluronic acid (HA) to decorate reconstituted high density lipoprotein (rHDL) loaded with lovastatin (LT), termed as HA-LT-rHDL, in order to investigate whether coating HA could efficiently evade from the undesired uptake of LT-rHDL in liver mediated by scavenger receptor class B type I (SR-BI) and then greatly accumulate LT-rHDL in atherosclerotic lesions via strong HA affinity to CD44 up-regulated at inflammatory sites such as atherosclerotic lesions, thus exerting enhanced atheroprotective efficacy. In vitro characterizations indicated the successful HA decoration onto the surface of LT-rHDL, which could be indirectly verified by the increased particle size, enhanced negative surface charge and reduced in vitro drug release rate after HA decoration. Compared with rHDL without HA, HA decoration endowed rHDL with better atherosclerotic lesions targeting efficiency and lower liver accumulation, proved by results from ex vivo imaging and tissue distribution. Furthermore, atheroprotective efficacy in model animal showed that HA-LT-rHDL had the best potent efficacy than other LT preparations, which was demonstrated by the fewest atherosclerotic lesions sizes, the most minimum mean intima-media thickness (MIT), the lowest macrophage infiltration and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), respectively. Above results demonstrated that the newly designed HA-LT-rHDL could decrease the non-targeted uptake by liver and deliver a large amount of drug into atherosclerotic lesions so as to efficiently suppress the advancement of atherosclerosis.
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  • Article
    Hu C, Wang L, Zhao Y, Ye M, Chen Q, Feng Z, Qu L.
    Nanoscale. 2014 Jul 21;6(14):8002-9.
    Both structural and compositional modulations are important for high-performance electrode materials in energy conversion/storage devices. Here hierarchical-structure nitrogen-rich hybrid porous carbon capsules with bamboo-like carbon nanotube whiskers (N-CC@CNTs) grown in situ have been specifically designed, which combine the advantageous features of high surface area, abundant active sites, easy access to medium and favorable mass transport. As a result, the newly prepared N-CC@CNTs show highly efficient catalytic activity in oxygen reduction reaction in alkaline media for fuel cells, which not only outperforms commercial Pt-based catalysts in terms of kinetic limiting current, stability and tolerance to methanol crossover effect, but is also better than most of the nanostructured carbon-based catalysts reported previously. On the other hand, as an anode material for lithium ion batteries, the N-CC@CNTs obtained also exhibit an excellent reversible capacity of ca. 1337 mA h g(-1) at 0.5 A g(-1), outstanding rate capability and long cycling stability, even at a current density of 20 A g(-1). The capacity is the highest among all the heteroatom-doped carbon materials reported so far, and is even higher than that of many of the composites of metal, metal oxides or metal sulfides with carbon materials.
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  • Article
    García-Zubia LC, Hernández-Velasco J, Hernández-Díaz JC, Simental-Rodríguez SL, López-Sánchez CA, Quiñones-Pérez CZ, Carrillo-Parra A, Wehenkel C.
    PeerJ. 2019;7:e8002.
    BACKGROUND: Spatial genetic structure (SGS) analysis is a powerful approach to quantifying gene flow between trees, thus clarifying the functional connectivity of trees at population and landscape scales. The findings of SGS analysis may be useful for conservation and management of natural populations and plantations. Pinus cembroides is a widely distributed tree species, covering an area of about 2.5 million hectares in Mexico. The aim of this study was to examine five natural seed stands of P. cembroides in the Sierra Madre Occidental to determine the SGS at population (within the seed stand) and landscape (among seed stands) levels in order to establish guidelines for the conservation and management of the species. We hypothesized that P. cembroides, in which the seeds are dispersed by birds and mammals, creates weaker SGS than species with wind-dispersed seeds.
    METHODS: DNA fingerprinting was performed using the amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) technique. In order to estimate the SGS at population and landscape levels, we measured the geographical (spatial) distance as the Euclidean distance. We also estimated the genetic distances between individuals using the pairwise kinship coefficient.
    RESULTS: The results showed non-significant autocorrelation in four out of five seed stands studied (i.e., a mainly random distribution in the space of the genetic variants of P. cembroides at population level).
    DISCUSSION: SGS was detected at the landscape scale, supporting the theory of isolation by distance as a consequence of restricted pollen and seed dispersal. However, the SGS may also have been generated by our sampling strategy. We recommended establishing a close network of seed stands of P. cembroides to prevent greater loss of local genetic variants and alteration of SGS. We recommend seed stands of P. cembroides of a minimum width of 225 m.
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  • Article
    Xu H, Zhou B, Zhou P, Zhou J, Shen Y, Yu FC, Lu LL.
    Chem Commun (Camb). 2016 Jun 28;52(51):8002-5.
    Divergent cascade syntheses constitute a highly attractive and challenging area in synthetic chemistry, and can exhibit unexpected chemoselectivity. Herein, a Brønsted acid-controlled protocol is described for the efficient catalysis of two different reactions, namely acylation cascade- and [1+2+3]-type cyclization of enaminones and isatins for the concise synthesis of highly functionalized pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinolin-1-ones and spirooxindoles in the presence of carboxylic acids and KHSO4, respectively. The observed chemoselectivity was reasonably explained by trapping the intermediate α,β-unsaturated 2-oxindoles, and the source of the hydroxyl group, carbocation intermediate, and amination reaction were also evaluated.
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  • Article
    Jenko J, Gorjanc G, Kovač M, Ducrocq V.
    J Dairy Sci. 2013;96(12):8002-13.
    Survival analysis techniques for sire-maternal grandsire (MGS) and animal models were used to test the genetic evaluation of longevity in a Slovenian Brown cattle population characterized by small herds. Three genetic models were compared: a sire-MGS model for bulls and an approximate animal model based on estimated breeding values (EBV) from the sire-MGS model for cows, an animal model, and an animal model based on the estimated variance components from the sire-MGS model. In addition, modeling the contemporary group effect was defined as either a herd or a herd-year (HY) effect. With various restrictions on the minimum HY group size (from 1 to 10 cows per HY), changes in estimates of variance components, and consequently also in EBV, were observed for the sire-MGS and animal models. Variance of contemporary group effects decreased when an HY effect was fitted instead of a herd effect. In the case of a sire-MGS model, estimates of additive genetic variance were mostly robust to changes in minimum HY group size or fitting herd or HY effect, whereas they increased in the animal model when HY instead of herd effects was fitted, possibly revealing some confounding between cow EBV and contemporary group effect. Estimated heritabilities from sire-MGS models were between 0.091 and 0.119 and were mainly influenced by the restriction on the HY group size. Estimated heritabilities from animal models were higher: between 0.125 and 0.160 when herd effect was fitted and between 0.171 and 0.210 when HY effect was fitted. Rank correlations between the animal model and the approximate animal model based on EBV from the sire-MGS model were high: 0.94 for cows and 0.93 for sires when a herd effect was fitted and 0.90 for cows and 0.93 for sires when an HY effect was fitted. Validation performed on the independent validation data set revealed that the correlation between sire EBV and daughter survival were slightly higher with the approximate animal model based on EBV from the sire-MGS model compared with the animal model. The correlations between the sire EBV and daughter survival were higher when the model included an HY effect instead of a herd effect. To avoid confounding and reduce computational requirements, it is suggested that the approximate animal model based on EBV from the sire-MGS model and HY as a contemporary group effect is an interesting compromise for practical applications of genetic evaluation of longevity in cattle populations.
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  • Article
    Singh A, Khanduri S, Khan N, Yadav P, Husain M, Khan AU, Khan M, Jain S.
    Cureus. 2020 May 07;12(5):e8002.
    Objective The present study was carried out to assess the accuracy of dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) in the morphological and chemical characterization of ureteric calculi along with the prediction of the grade of urinary obstruction. Methods This was a prospective observational study that included 100 cases with ultrasonography (USG)-diagnosed ureteric calculi that underwent surgery or had spontaneous expulsion of ureteric calculi. At enrolment, DECT was performed for an in vivo evaluation of volume, chemical composition, and grade of obstruction by subjective assessment of the perinephric edema. After surgical intervention, in vitro evaluation of volume was done by fluid displacement followed by infrared spectroscopy (IRS) for chemical composition. DECT findings were compared with the biochemical analysis and degree of obstruction was validated against excretory CT urograms. Sensitivity, specificity, and the positive predictive and negative predictive values of DECT were assessed. Results No significant difference was observed between the mean volume of stones by fluid displacement (65.1±77.61 mm3) and DECT assessment (66.09±81.78 mm3). IRS revealed the composition of stones as hydroxyapatite, uric acid, cysteine, oxalic acid, and mixed type in 48, 23, 15, five, and nine cases. The sensitivity and specificity of DECT for hydroxyapatite, uric acid, cysteine, oxalic acid, and mixed types were 89.6% and 88.5%, 82.6% and 97.5%, 86.7% and 96.5%, 80% and 98.9%, and 88.9% and 98.9%, respectively. On CT urography, a total of 35 had a high-grade and 65 had a low-grade obstruction, whereas DECT revealed high- and low-grade obstructions in 42 and 58 cases. The sensitivity and specificity of DECT for a high-grade obstruction were 94.3% and 86.2%. Conclusions The findings of the study showed that DECT provides comprehensive information regarding the morphological, chemical, and anatomical characterization of ureteric stones.
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  • Article
    Liu S, Qiu C, Li W, Li X, Liu F, Hu G.
    Sci Rep. 2024 04 05;14(1):8002.
    Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often a common comorbidity in critically ill patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study explored the relationship between blood urea nitrogen to serum albumin ratio (BAR) and mortality in T2DM patients with CKD in intensive care unit (ICU). Patients were recruited from the Medical Information Mart database, retrospectively. The primary and secondary outcomes were 90-day mortality, the length of ICU stay, hospital mortality and 30-day mortality, respectively. Cox regression model and Kaplan-Meier survival curve were performed to explore the association between BAR and 90-day mortality. Subgroup analyses were performed to determine the consistency of this association. A total of 1920 patients were enrolled and divided into the three groups (BAR < 9.2, 9.2 ≤ BAR ≤ 21.3 and BAR > 21.3). The length of ICU stay, 30-day mortality, and 90-day mortality in the BAR > 21.3 group were significantly higher than other groups. In Cox regression analysis showed that high BAR level was significantly associated with increased greater risk of 90-day mortality. The adjusted HR (95%CIs) for the model 1, model 2, and model 3 were 1.768 (1.409-2.218), 1.934, (1.489-2.511), and 1.864, (1.399-2.487), respectively. Subgroup analysis also showed the consistency of results. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis revealed similar results as well that BAR > 21.3 had lower 90-day survival rate. High BAR was significantly associated with increased risk of 90-day mortality. BAR could be a simple and useful prognostic tool in T2DM patients with CKD in ICU.
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  • Article
    Carter ED, Walker PN.
    J Glob Health. 2022;12:08002.
    Background: Cesarean section (c-section) is an essential tool for preventing, stillbirths, maternal, and newborn death. However, data on coverage of medically necessary c-section is limited in low- and middle-income settings.
    Methods: We estimated national c-section coverage using household survey data from 98 low- and middle-income countries. To disaggregate elective and medically necessary c-sections, we estimated the proportion of women in each survey wealth quintile who gave birth via c-section assuming a denominator that 12.5% of births necessitate a c-section delivery. We capped stratum coverage at 100%. We estimated national c-section coverage weighting for the proportion of births occurring in each wealth quintile. We examined 1) variation in estimated c-section by wealth quintile, national income classification, and stage in the obstetric transition, 2) how varying definitions impact the classification of countries' access to c-section, and 3) correlation between c-section and related mortality outcomes.
    Results: Both increasing national and household wealth are associated with increasing levels of c-section coverage and c-section rate. C-section coverage was highly inequitable by wealth within a country. Differentials in coverage were most pronounced in countries with c-section rates below 10%; however, some countries showed significant gaps in c-section coverage in poor subpopulations despite high c-section rates nationally. The choice of indicator and threshold altered whether a country was classified as having adequate access to c-section services. C-section coverage estimates showed a stronger relationship with closely related health outcomes than national c-section rates.
    Conclusions: Generating estimates of c-section coverage is crucial for gauging gaps in c-section access. Our approach for calculating c-section coverage using stratification by wealth to adjust for potential elective c-sections is supported by the strong correlations between household wealth and subnational c-section rate, and the association between our coverage estimates and health outcomes at a national level. Looking at national c-section rates alone may paint an inaccurate picture of c-section access and mask subnational inequities in coverage. The need to accurately measure access to c-section will continue to increase as growth in LMICs drives inequities in coverage and introduces dual concerns related to c-section overuse in some populations while others lack access to care.
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  • Article
    Liao Y, Weber J, Faul CF.
    Chem Commun (Camb). 2014 Jul 28;50(59):8002-5.
    Conjugated microporous polytriphenylamine networks with surface areas of 530 m(2) g(-1) were synthesized via Buchwald-Hartwig coupling, resulting in high CO2 uptake (up to 6.5 wt%) and CO2-N2 selectivity (75) at 1 bar and 303 K.
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  • Article
    Lee GY, Yao C, Hwang SJ, Ma J, Joehanes R, Lee DH, Ellison RC, Moore LL, Liu C, Levy D.
    Sci Rep. 2023 05 17;13(1):8002.
    Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Given the critical roles of the immune system and inflammatory signals in the pathogenesis of CVD, we hypothesized that interrogation of CVD-related proteins using integrative genomics might provide new insights into the pathophysiology of RA. We utilized two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) for causal inference between circulating protein levels and RA by incorporating genetic variants, followed by colocalization to characterize the causal associations. Genetic variants from three sources were obtained: those associated with 71 CVD-related proteins measured in nearly 7000 Framingham Heart Study participants, a published genome-wide association study (GWAS) of RA (19 234 cases, 61 565 controls), and GWAS of rheumatoid factor (RF) levels from the UK Biobank (n = 30 565). We identified the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), a critical inflammatory pathway protein, as putatively causal and protective for both RA (odds ratio per 1-standard deviation increment in inverse-rank normalized sRAGE level = 0.364; 95% confidence interval 0.342-0.385; P = 6.40 × 10-241) and RF levels (β [change in RF level per sRAGE increment] = - 1.318; SE = 0.434; P = 0.002). Using an integrative genomic approach, we highlight the AGER/RAGE axis as a putatively causal and promising therapeutic target for RA.
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  • Article
    Verma E, Choi MH, Kar N, Baker LA, Skrabalak SE.
    Nanoscale. 2024 Apr 25;16(16):8002-8012.
    Metal nanocrystals (NCs) produced by colloidal synthesis have a variety of structural features, such as different planes, edges, and defects. Even from the best colloidal syntheses, these characteristics are distributed differently in each NC. This inherent heterogeneity can play a significant role in the properties displayed by NCs. This manuscript reports the use of electrochemistry to synthesize Au NCs in a system evaluated to track individual NC growth trajectories as a first step toward rapid identification of NCs with different structural features. Au nanocubes were prepared colloidally and deposited onto a glassy carbon electrode using either electrospray or an airbrush, resulting in well-spaced Au nanocubes. The Au nanocubes then served as seeds as gold salt was reduced to deposit metal at constant potential. Deposition at constant potential facilitates overgrowth on the Au nanocubes to achieve new NC shapes. The effects of applied potential, deposition time, precursor concentration, and capping agents on NC shape evolution were studied. The outcomes are correlated to results from traditional colloidal syntheses, providing a bridge between the two synthetic strategies. Moreover, scanning electron microscopy was used to image the same NCs before and after deposition, linking individual seed features to differences in deposition. This ability is anticipated to enable tracking of individual growth trajectories of NCs to elucidate sources of heterogeneity in NC syntheses.
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  • Article
    Lopes H, Silva SP, Carvalho JP, Machado J.
    Sci Rep. 2022 May 14;12(1):8002.
    In order to predict the evolution of the vulcanization process of cork-rubber slabs, a numerical approach was developed combining heat transfer by conduction and kinetics models. A one-dimensional model was applied to predict the evolution of temperature and degree of cure at different stages of the vulcanization of a cork-rubber composite. Also, due to the degradation verified by the compound, an existent reversion model was added to the problem. Based on rheometer data, cure and reversion parameters were determined. Experimental data were used to determine the thermal properties of the compound, assuming a constant value or according to its degree of cure and temperature. The results obtained by simulation showed a good correspondence with experimental results, even when assuming constant thermal properties. The application of the proposed methodology provides information about the optimum process parameters for each thickness slab, without compromising the homogeneity and characteristics of the final product, which can be a valuable tool during the development and product stages of cork-rubber composites.
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  • Article
    Ariafard A, Tabatabaie ES, Aghmasheh S, Najaflo S, Yates BF.
    Inorg Chem. 2012 Aug 06;51(15):8002-13.
    Density functional theory has been used to investigate the oxidation of a guanine nucleotide by platinum(IV), a process that can be important in the degradation of DNA. For the first time, we have provided a comprehensive mechanism for all of the steps in this process. A number of intermediates are predicted to occur but with short lifetimes that would make them difficult to observe experimentally. A key step in the mechanism is electron transfer from guanine to platinum(IV), and we show that this is driven by the loss of a chloride ligand from the platinum complex after nucleophilic attack of 5'-phosphate to C8 of guanine. We have investigated several different initial platinum(IV) guanine adducts and shown that the adduct formed from replacement of an axial chlorine ligand in the platinum(IV) complex undergoes oxidation more easily. We have studied adenine versus guanine adducts, and our results show that oxidation of the former is more difficult because of disruption of the aromatic π system that occurs during the process. Finally, our results show that the acidic hydrolysis step to form the final oxidized product occurs readily via an initial protonation of N7 of the guanine.
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  • Article
    Belay JB, Habtu NG, Ancha VR, Hussen AS.
    Heliyon. 2021 Sep;7(9):e08002.
    The alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) pretreatment of cladodes of cactus (Opuntia ficus-indica) for biogas production was evaluated based on the delignification of cladodes of cactus. The effects of alkaline hydrogen peroxide concentration (30% w/w solution) and the pretreatment time (3, 6, 9, and 12 h) were evaluated at pH 11.5, temperature of 30 °C, and 180 rpm for removal of lignin. A batch of anaerobic digestion experiments were conducted at mesophilic temperature conditions (37 ± 1 °C) with the pretreated biomass. The feed stock (cladodes of cactus) used in this study contained 12.51 ± 1.25 cellulose, 16.34 ± 2.93% hemicellulose, and 10.45 ± 2.31% lignin, and the balance were (carbohydrate, protein, lipid, and ash). After AHP pretreatment, the lignocellulosic content of the feed stock was changed to 12.50 ± 1.84%, 13.63 ± 3.23%, and 7.49 ± 3.05% for cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin respectively. The AHP pretreatment of cladodes of cactus highly affected the lignin structure relative to cellulose and hemicellulose. The alkaline hydrogen peroxide pretreatment resulted in a higher amount of biogas produced from 877.9 ± 15.12 ml biogas/g VS to 1613.5 ± 10.76 ml biogas/g VS which is an 83.4% increment and decreased after 9 h treatment to 1398.8 ± 17.8 ml biogas/g VS. In addition, the measured methane yields range from 302.48 ± 0.33 to 602.65 ± 3.24 ml CH4/g VS. The results showed that alkaline hydrogen peroxide pretreatment of cladodes of cactus is an effective strategy for enhance biogas yield.
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  • Article
    Slominski AT, Kim TK, Qayyum S, Song Y, Janjetovic Z, Oak ASW, Slominski RM, Raman C, Stefan J, Mier-Aguilar CA, Atigadda V, Crossman DK, Golub A, Bilokin Y, Tang EKY, Chen JY, Tuckey RC, Jetten AM, Song Y.
    Sci Rep. 2021 04 13;11(1):8002.
    The interactions of derivatives of lumisterol (L3) and vitamin D3 (D3) with liver X receptors (LXRs) were investigated. Molecular docking using crystal structures of the ligand binding domains (LBDs) of LXRα and β revealed high docking scores for L3 and D3 hydroxymetabolites, similar to those of the natural ligands, predicting good binding to the receptor. RNA sequencing of murine dermal fibroblasts stimulated with D3-hydroxyderivatives revealed LXR as the second nuclear receptor pathway for several D3-hydroxyderivatives, including 1,25(OH)2D3. This was validated by their induction of genes downstream of LXR. L3 and D3-derivatives activated an LXR-response element (LXRE)-driven reporter in CHO cells and human keratinocytes, and by enhanced expression of LXR target genes. L3 and D3 derivatives showed high affinity binding to the LBD of the LXRα and β in LanthaScreen TR-FRET LXRα and β coactivator assays. The majority of metabolites functioned as LXRα/β agonists; however, 1,20,25(OH)3D3, 1,25(OH)2D3, 1,20(OH)2D3 and 25(OH)D3 acted as inverse agonists of LXRα, but as agonists of LXRβ. Molecular dynamics simulations for the selected compounds, including 1,25(OH)2D3, 1,20(OH)2D3, 25(OH)D3, 20(OH)D3, 20(OH)L3 and 20,22(OH)2L3, showed different but overlapping interactions with LXRs. Identification of D3 and L3 derivatives as ligands for LXRs suggests a new mechanism of action for these compounds.
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  • Article
    Nandhikonda P, Heagy MD.
    Chem Commun (Camb). 2010 Nov 14;46(42):8002-4.
    The synthesis and photophysical characterization of a new white-light fluorophore is described. The optimization of excitation wavelengths allows the naphthalimide (NI) dyes to display blue, green or white light emission depending on the excitation wavelength.
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  • Article
    Lima E, Davies P, Kaler J, Lovatt F, Green M.
    Sci Rep. 2020 05 14;10(1):8002.
    Variable selection in inferential modelling is problematic when the number of variables is large relative to the number of data points, especially when multicollinearity is present. A variety of techniques have been described to identify 'important' subsets of variables from within a large parameter space but these may produce different results which creates difficulties with inference and reproducibility. Our aim was evaluate the extent to which variable selection would change depending on statistical approach and whether triangulation across methods could enhance data interpretation. A real dataset containing 408 subjects, 337 explanatory variables and a normally distributed outcome was used. We show that with model hyperparameters optimised to minimise cross validation error, ten methods of automated variable selection produced markedly different results; different variables were selected and model sparsity varied greatly. Comparison between multiple methods provided valuable additional insights. Two variables that were consistently selected and stable across all methods accounted for the majority of the explainable variability; these were the most plausible important candidate variables. Further variables of importance were identified from evaluating selection stability across all methods. In conclusion, triangulation of results across methods, including use of covariate stability, can greatly enhance data interpretation and confidence in variable selection.
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  • Article
    Xie X, Hu K, Fang D, Shang L, Tran SD, Cerruti M.
    Nanoscale. 2015 May 07;7(17):7992-8002.
    Graphene-nanoparticle (NP) composites have shown potential in applications ranging from batteries to, more recently, tissue engineering. Graphene and NPs should be integrated into uniform free-standing structures for best results. However, to date, this has been achieved only in few examples; in most cases, graphene/NP powders lacking three-dimensional (3D) structure were produced. Here we report a facile and universal method that can be used to synthesize such structures based on colloidal chemistry. We start from aqueous suspensions of both graphene oxide nanosheets and citrate-stabilized hydroxyapatite (HA) NPs. Hydrothermal treatment of the mixtures of both suspensions reduces graphene oxide to graphene, and entraps colloidal HA NPs into the 3D graphene network thanks to a self-assembled graphite-like shell formed around it. Dialysis through this shell causes uniform NP deposition onto the graphene walls. The resulting graphene-HA gels are highly porous, strong, electrically conductive and biocompatible, making them promising scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. This method can be applied to produce a variety of free-standing 3D graphene-based nanocomposites with unprecedented homogeneity.
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  • Article
    Soitu C, Feuerborn A, Deroy C, Castrejón-Pita AA, Cook PR, Walsh EJ.
    Sci Adv. 2019 06;5(6):eaav8002.
    An effective transformation of the cell culture dishes that biologists use every day into microfluidic devices would open many avenues for miniaturizing cell-based workflows. In this article, we report a simple method for creating microfluidic arrangements around cells already growing on the surface of standard petri dishes, using the interface between immiscible fluids as a "building material." Conventional dishes are repurposed into sophisticated microfluidic devices by reshaping, on demand, the fluid structures around living cells. Moreover, these microfluidic arrangements can be further reconfigured during experiments, which is impossible with most existing microfluidic platforms. The method is demonstrated using workflows involving cell cloning, the selection of a particular clone from among others in a dish, drug treatments, and wound healing. The versatility of the approach and its biologically friendly aspects may hasten uptake by biologists of microfluidics, so the technology finally fulfills its potential.
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