Degenerate polynomial patches of degree 11 for almostGC 2 interpolation over triangles

We consider the problem of interpolating scattered data in ³ by analmost geometrically smoothGC ² surface, where almostGC ² meansGC ² except in a finite number of points (the vertices), where the surface isGC ¹. A local method is proposed, based on employing so-called degenerate triangular Bernstein-Bézier patches. We give an analysis of quintic patches forGC ¹ and patches of degree eleven for almostGC ² interpolation.     

Base‐Stabilized Boryl and Cationic Haloborylene Complexes of Iron

The synthesis of base‐stabilized boryl and borylene complexes is reported. An N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC)‐stabilized iron–dihydroboryl complex was prepared by two different routes including methane liberation and salt elimination. A range of base‐stabilized iron–dichloroboryl complexes was prepared by addition of Lewis bases to boryl complexes. Base‐stabilized, cationic monochloroborylene complexes were synthesized from these boryl complexes by halide abstraction by using weakly coordinating anions.     

Isolation of a Neutral Boron‐Containing Radical Stabilized by a Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Carbene

Utilizing a cyclic (alkyl)(amino)carbene (CAAC) as a ligand, neutral CAAC‐stabilized radicals containing a boryl functionality could be prepared by reduction of the corresponding haloborane adducts. The radical species with a duryl substituent was fully characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray structural analysis, EPR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. Compared to known neutral boryl radicals, the isolated radical species showed larger spin density on the boron atom. Furthermore, the compound that was isolated is extraordinarily stable to high temperatures under inert conditions, both in solution and in the solid state. Electrochemical investigations of the radical suggest the possibility to generate a stable formal boryl anion species.     

Evaluation of 3D Printed Gelatin‐Based Scaffolds with Varying Pore Size for MSC‐Based Adipose Tissue Engineering

Adipose tissue engineering aims to provide solutions to patients who require tissue reconstruction following mastectomies or other soft tissue trauma. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) robustly differentiate into the adipogenic lineage and are attractive candidates for adipose tissue engineering. This work investigates whether pore size modulates adipogenic differentiation of MSCs toward identifying optimal scaffold pore size and whether pore size modulates spatial infiltration of adipogenically differentiated cells. To assess this, extrusion‐based 3D printing is used to fabricate photo‐crosslinkable gelatin‐based scaffolds with pore sizes in the range of 200–600 µm. The adipogenic differentiation of MSCs seeded onto these scaffolds is evaluated and robust lipid droplet formation is observed across all scaffold groups as early as after day 6 of culture. Expression of adipogenic genes on scaffolds increases significantly over time, compared to TCP controls. Furthermore, it is found that the spatial distribution of cells is dependent on the scaffold pore size, with larger pores leading to a more uniform spatial distribution of adipogenically differentiated cells. Overall, these data provide first insights into the role of scaffold pore size on MSC‐based adipogenic differentiation and contribute toward the rational design of biomaterials for adipose tissue engineering in 3D volumetric spaces.     

Characterization of the early stages of programmed cell death in maize root cells by using comet assay and the combination of cell electrophoresis with annexin binding

An emerging topic in plant biology is whether plant cells display similar elements of programmed cell death (PCD) as animal cells do. We have studied cell death in maize roots exposed to cold stress by using fluorescence microscopy, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), DNA gel electrophoresis, single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE), cell electrophoresis, and annexin binding techniques. The results showed that cell death in maize root cells triggered by cold stress was accompanied by a subset of features characteristic of animal PCD such as nuclear condensation and fragmentation, and oligonucleosomal DNA fragmentation. In addition to DNA laddering and TUNEL positivity, a "comet" pattern indicative of DNA breakage appeared as short as after one day of treatment. The maize root cell PCD process was also accompanied by an increase in negative surface charge of the dying cells due to exposure of phosphatiolylserine (PS) from inner to outer membrane. After annexin binding, however, the enhanced electrophoretic mobility (EPM) of the dying cells decreased nearly to normal values. This result suggests that the combination between cell electrophoresis and annexin binding provides a quantitative method for monitoring PS exposure during plant PCD.     

Impact of Collection Volume and DNA Extraction Method on the Detection of Biomarkers and HPV DNA in First-Void Urine

The potential of first-void (FV) urine as a non-invasive liquid biopsy for detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA and other biomarkers has been increasingly recognized over the past decade. In this study, we investigated whether the volume of this initial urine stream has an impact on the analytical performance of biomarkers. In parallel, we evaluated different DNA extraction protocols and introduced an internal control in the urine preservative. Twenty-five women, diagnosed with high-risk HPV, provided three home-collected FV urine samples using three FV urine collection devices (Colli-Pee) with collector tubes that differ in volume (4, 10, 20 mL). Each collector tube was prefilled with Urine Conservation Medium spiked with phocine herpesvirus 1 (PhHV-1) DNA as internal control. Five different DNA extraction protocols were compared, followed by PCR for GAPDH and PhHV-1 (qPCR), HPV DNA, and HBB (HPV-Risk Assay), and ACTB (methylation-specific qPCR). Results showed limited effects of collection volume on human and HPV DNA endpoints. In contrast, significant variations in yield for human endpoints were observed for different DNA extraction methods (p < 0.05). Additionally, the potential of PhHV-1 as internal control to monitor FV urine collection, storage, and processing was demonstrated.