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Author Şentürk, D.G.; De Backer, A.; Van Aert, S.
Title Element specific atom counting for heterogeneous nanostructures: Combining multiple ADF STEM images for simultaneous thickness and composition determination Type A1 Journal Article
Year (down) 2024 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy
Volume 259 Issue Pages 113941
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
Abstract In this paper, a methodology is presented to count the number of atoms in heterogeneous nanoparticles based on the combination of multiple annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF STEM) images. The different non-overlapping annular detector collection regions are selected based on the principles of optimal statistical experiment design for the atom-counting problem. To count the number of atoms, the total intensities of scattered electrons for each atomic column, the so-called scattering cross-sections, are simultaneously compared with simulated library values for the different detector regions by minimising the squared differences. The performance of the method is evaluated for simulated Ni@Pt and Au@Ag core-shell nanoparticles. Our approach turns out to be a dose efficient alternative for the investigation of beam-sensitive heterogeneous materials as compared to the combination of ADF STEM and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2024-02-19
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links
Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S. Van Aert). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0346.21N, GOA7723N, and EOS 40007495) and a postdoctoral grant to A. De Backer. S. Van Aert acknowledges funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF). Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2024 IF: 2.843
Call Number EMAT @ emat @ Serial 8996
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Author Şentürk, DG.; Yu, CP.; De Backer, A.; Van Aert, S.
Title Atom counting from a combination of two ADF STEM images Type A1 Journal Article
Year (down) 2024 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy
Volume 255 Issue Pages 113859
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy; Atom counting; Heterogeneous nanostructures; Multivariate Gaussian mixture model; 4D STEM; Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT) ;
Abstract To understand the structure–property relationship of nanostructures, reliably quantifying parameters, such as the number of atoms along the projection direction, is important. Advanced statistical methodologies have made it possible to count the number of atoms for monotype crystalline nanoparticles from a single ADF STEM image. Recent developments enable one to simultaneously acquire multiple ADF STEM images. Here, we present an extended statistics-based method for atom counting from a combination of multiple statistically independent ADF STEM images reconstructed from non-overlapping annular detector collection regions which improves the accuracy and allows one to retrieve precise atom-counts, especially for images acquired with low electron doses and multiple element structures.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001089064200001 Publication Date 2023-09-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S. Van Aert). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G034621N, G0A7723N, and EOS 40007495) and a postdoctoral grant to A. De Backer. S. Van Aert acknowledges funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF). Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2024 IF: 2.843
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:201008 Serial 8964
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Author Arteaga Cardona, F.; Jain, N.; Popescu, R.; Busko, D.; Madirov, E.; Arús, B.A.; Gerthsen, D.; De Backer, A.; Bals, S.; Bruns, O.T.; Chmyrov, A.; Van Aert, S.; Richards, B.S.; Hudry, D.
Title Preventing cation intermixing enables 50% quantum yield in sub-15 nm short-wave infrared-emitting rare-earth based core-shell nanocrystals Type A1 Journal Article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Nature communications Abbreviated Journal Nat Commun
Volume 14 Issue 1 Pages 4462
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Short-wave infrared (SWIR) fluorescence could become the new gold standard in optical imaging for biomedical applications due to important advantages such as lack of autofluorescence, weak photon absorption by blood and tissues, and reduced photon scattering coefficient. Therefore, contrary to the visible and NIR regions, tissues become translucent in the SWIR region. Nevertheless, the lack of bright and biocompatible probes is a key challenge that must be overcome to unlock the full potential of SWIR fluorescence. Although rare-earth-based core-shell nanocrystals appeared as promising SWIR probes, they suffer from limited photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). The lack of control over the atomic scale organization of such complex materials is one of the main barriers limiting their optical performance. Here, the growth of either homogeneous (α-NaYF<sub>4</sub>) or heterogeneous (CaF<sub>2</sub>) shell domains on optically-active α-NaYF<sub>4</sub>:Yb:Er (with and without Ce<sup>3+</sup>co-doping) core nanocrystals is reported. The atomic scale organization can be controlled by preventing cation intermixing only in heterogeneous core-shell nanocrystals with a dramatic impact on the PLQY. The latter reached 50% at 60 mW/cm<sup>2</sup>; one of the highest reported PLQY values for sub-15 nm nanocrystals. The most efficient nanocrystals were utilized for in vivo imaging above 1450 nm.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001037058500022 Publication Date 2023-07-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2041-1723 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 16.6 Times cited 1 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes D.H. would like to thank Dominique Ectors (Bruker AXS GmbH, Karlsruhe, Germany) for assistance and discussion on the PXRD data and TOPAS evaluations. The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the Helmholtz Association via: i) the Professorial Recruitment Initiative Funding (B.S.R.); ii) the Research Field Energy – Program Materials and Technologies for the Energy Transition – Topic 1 Photovoltaics (F.A.C., D.B., E.M., B.S.R., D.H.). This project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 innovation programme under grant agreement 823717. This work was supported by the European Research Council (grant 770887-PICOMETRICS to S.V.A. and Grant 815128-REALNANO to S.B.). The authors acknowledge financial support from the ResearchFoundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0346.21 N to S.V.A. and S.B.) and a postdoctoral grant (A.D.B.). The authors (B.A.A., O.T.B. and A.C.) acknowledge funding from the Helmholtz Zentrum München, the DFG-Emmy Noether program (BR 5355/2-1) and from the CZI Deep Tissue Imaging (DTI-0000000248). The authors (O.T.B. and D.H.) would like to thank the Helmholtz Imaging (ZT-I-PF-4-038-BENIGN). Approved Most recent IF: 16.6; 2023 IF: 12.124
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:198158 Serial 8808
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Author Lobato, I.; De Backer, A.; Van Aert, S.
Title Real-time simulations of ADF STEM probe position-integrated scattering cross-sections for single element fcc crystals in zone axis orientation using a densely connected neural network Type A1 Journal Article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy
Volume 251 Issue Pages 113769
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Quantification of annular dark field (ADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images in terms

of composition or thickness often relies on probe-position integrated scattering cross sections (PPISCS). In

order to compare experimental PPISCS with theoretically predicted ones, expensive simulations are needed for

a given specimen, zone axis orientation, and a variety of microscope settings. The computation time of such

simulations can be in the order of hours using a single GPU card. ADF STEM simulations can be efficiently

parallelized using multiple GPUs, as the calculation of each pixel is independent of other pixels. However, most

research groups do not have the necessary hardware, and, in the best-case scenario, the simulation time will

only be reduced proportionally to the number of GPUs used. In this manuscript, we use a learning approach and

present a densely connected neural network that is able to perform real-time ADF STEM PPISCS predictions as

a function of atomic column thickness for most common face-centered cubic (fcc) crystals (i.e., Al, Cu, Pd, Ag,

Pt, Au and Pb) along [100] and [111] zone axis orientations, root-mean-square displacements, and microscope

parameters. The proposed architecture is parameter efficient and yields accurate predictions for the PPISCS

values for a wide range of input parameters that are commonly used for aberration-corrected transmission

electron microscopes.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 001011617200001 Publication Date 2023-06-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S. Van Aert). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G034621N and G0A7723N) and a postdoctoral grant to A. De Backer. S. Van Aert acknowledges funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF), Belgium. Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2023 IF: 2.843
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:197275 Serial 8812
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Author Vingerhoets, R.; Spiller, M.; De Backer, J.; Adriaens, A.; Vlaeminck, S.E.; Meers, E.
Title Detailed nitrogen and phosphorus flow analysis, nutrient use efficiency and circularity in the agri-food system of a livestock-intensive region Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Journal of cleaner production Abbreviated Journal
Volume 410 Issue Pages 137278-13
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract The agri-food value chain is a major cause of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) emissions and associated environmental and health impacts. The EU's farm-to-fork strategy (F2F) demands an agri-food value chain approach to reduce nutrient emissions by 50% and fertilizer use by 20%. Substance flow analysis (SFA) is a method that can be applied to study complex systems such as the agri-food chain. A review of 60 SFA studies shows that they often lack detail by not sufficiently distinguishing between nodes, products and types of emissions. The present study aims to assess the added value of detail in SFAs and to illustrate that valuable indicators can be derived from detailed assessments. This aim will be attained by presenting a highly-detailed SFA for the livestock-intensive region of Flanders, Belgium. The SFA distinguishes 40 nodes and 1827 flows that are classified into eight different categories (e.g. by-products, point source emissions) following life cycle methods. Eight novel indicators were calculated, including indicators that assess the N and P recovery potential. Flanders has a low overall nutrient use efficiency (11% N, 18% P). About 55% of the N and 56% of the P embedded in recoverable streams are reused providing 35% and 37% of the total N and P input. Optimized nutrient recycling could replace 45% of N and 48% of P of the external nutrient input, exceeding the target set by the F2F strategy. Detailed accounting for N and P flows and nodes leads to the identification of more recoverable streams and larger N and P flows. More detailed flow accounting is a prerequisite for the quantification of technological intervention options. Future research should focus on including concentration and quality as a parameter in SFAs.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000991013600001 Publication Date 2023-04-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0959-6526 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 11.1 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 11.1; 2023 IF: 5.715
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:196227 Serial 7770
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Author De Backer, A.; Bals, S.; Van Aert, S.
Title A decade of atom-counting in STEM: From the first results toward reliable 3D atomic models from a single projection Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 113702
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Quantitative structure determination is needed in order to study and understand nanomaterials at the atomic scale. Materials characterisation resulting in precise structural information is a crucial point to understand the structure–property relation of materials. Counting the number of atoms and retrieving the 3D atomic structure of nanoparticles plays an important role here. In this paper, an overview will be given of the atom-counting methodology and its applications over the past decade. The procedure to count the number of atoms will be discussed in detail and it will be shown how the performance of the method can be further improved. Furthermore, advances toward mixed element nanostructures, 3D atomic modelling based on the atom-counting results, and quantifying the nanoparticle dynamics will be highlighted.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000953765800001 Publication Date 2023-02-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited 3 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S. Van Aert, Grant 815128 REALNANO to S. Bals, and Grant 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0267.18N, G.0502.18N, G.0346.21N, and EOS 30489208) and a postdoctoral grant to A. De Backer. S. Van Aert acknowledges funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF) . The authors also thank the colleagues who have contributed to this work over the years, including T. Altantzis, E. Arslan Irmak, K.J. Batenburg, E. Bladt, A. De wael, R. Erni, C. Faes, B. Goris, L. Jones, L.M. Liz-Marzán, I. Lobato, G.T. Martinez, P.D. Nellist, M.D. Rosell, A. Rosenauer, K.H.W. van den Bos, A. Varambhia, and Z. Zhang.; esteem3reported; esteem3JRA Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2023 IF: 2.843
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:195896 Serial 7236
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Author Lin, A.; Sahun, M.; Biscop, E.; Verswyvel, H.; De Waele, J.; De Backer, J.; Theys, C.; Cuypers, B.; Laukens, K.; Berghe, W.V.; Smits, E.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Acquired non-thermal plasma resistance mediates a shift towards aerobic glycolysis and ferroptotic cell death in melanoma Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Drug resistance updates Abbreviated Journal
Volume 67 Issue Pages 100914
Keywords A1 Journal article; Pharmacology. Therapy; ADReM Data Lab (ADReM); Center for Oncological Research (CORE); Proteinscience, proteomics and epigenetic signaling (PPES); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract To gain insights into the underlying mechanisms of NTP therapy sensitivity and resistance, using the firstever

NTP-resistant cell line derived from sensitive melanoma cells (A375).

Methods: Melanoma cells were exposed to NTP and re-cultured for 12 consecutive weeks before evaluation

against the parental control cells. Whole transcriptome sequencing analysis was performed to identify differentially

expressed genes and enriched molecular pathways. Glucose uptake, extracellular lactate, media acidification,

and mitochondrial respiration was analyzed to determine metabolic changes. Cell death inhibitors were

used to assess the NTP-induced cell death mechanisms, and apoptosis and ferroptosis was further validated via

Annexin V, Caspase 3/7, and lipid peroxidation analysis.

Results: Cells continuously exposed to NTP became 10 times more resistant to NTP compared to the parental cell

line of the same passage, based on their half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50). Sequencing and metabolic

analysis indicated that NTP-resistant cells had a preference towards aerobic glycolysis, while cell death analysis

revealed that NTP-resistant cells exhibited less apoptosis but were more vulnerable to lipid peroxidation and

ferroptosis.

Conclusions: A preference towards aerobic glycolysis and ferroptotic cell death are key physiological changes in

NTP-resistance cells, which opens new avenues for further, in-depth research into other cancer types.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000925156500001 Publication Date 2022-12-29
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1368-7646 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 24.3 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The authors would like to thank Dr. Christophe Deben and Ms. Hannah Zaryouh (Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp) for the use and their help with the D300e Digital Dispenser and Spark® Cyto, as well as Ms. Rapha¨elle Corremans (Laboratory Pathophysiology, University of Antwerp) for the use of their lactate meter. The authors would also like to acknowledge the help from Ms. Tias Verhezen and Mr. Cyrus Akbari, who was involved at the start of the project but could not continue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors also acknowledge the resources and services provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center). This work was funded in part by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) and the Flemish Government. The FWO fellowships and grants that funded this work also include: 12S9221N (Abraham Lin), G044420N (Abraham Lin, Annemie Bogaerts), and 1S67621N (Hanne Verswyvel). We would also like to thank several patrons, as part of this research was funded by donations from different donors, including Dedert Schilde vzw, Mr. Willy Floren, and the Vereycken family. We would also like to acknowledge the support from the European Cooperation in Science & Technology (COST) Action on Therapeutical applications of Cold Plasmas (CA20114; PlasTHER). Approved Most recent IF: 24.3; 2023 IF: 10.906
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:193167 Serial 7240
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Author Zhang, Z.; Lobato, I.; De Backer, A.; Van Aert, S.; Nellist, P.
Title Fast generation of calculated ADF-EDX scattering cross-sections under channelling conditions Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2023 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal
Volume 246 Issue Pages 113671
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Advanced materials often consist of multiple elements which are arranged in a complicated structure. Quantitative scanning transmission electron microscopy is useful to determine the composition and thickness of nanostructures at the atomic scale. However, significant difficulties remain to quantify mixed columns by comparing the resulting atomic resolution images and spectroscopy data with multislice simulations where dynamic scattering needs to be taken into account. The combination of the computationally intensive nature of these simulations and the enormous amount of possible mixed column configurations for a given composition indeed severely hamper the quantification process. To overcome these challenges, we here report the development of an incoherent non-linear method for the fast prediction of ADF-EDX scattering cross-sections of mixed columns under channelling conditions. We first explain the origin of the ADF and EDX incoherence from scattering physics suggesting a linear dependence between those two signals in the case of a high-angle ADF detector. Taking EDX as a perfect incoherent reference mode, we quantitatively examine the ADF longitudinal incoherence under different microscope conditions using multislice simulations. Based on incoherent imaging, the atomic lensing model previously developed for ADF is now expanded to EDX, which yields ADF-EDX scattering cross-section predictions in good agreement with multislice simulations for mixed columns in a core–shell nanoparticle and a high entropy alloy. The fast and accurate prediction of ADF-EDX scattering cross-sections opens up new opportunities to explore the wide range of ordering possibilities of heterogeneous materials with multiple elements.
Address
Corporate Author Zezhong Zhang Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000995063900001 Publication Date 2022-12-28
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes European Research Council 770887 PICOMETRICS; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek No.G.0502.18N; Horizon 2020, 770887 ; Horizon 2020 Framework Programme; European Research Council, 823717 ESTEEM3 ; esteem3reported; esteem3JRa Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2023 IF: 2.843
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:195890 Serial 7251
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Author De Backer, J.
Title The versatile nature of cytoglobin, the Swiss army knife among globins, with a preference for oxidative stress Type Doctoral thesis
Year (down) 2023 Publication Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages XVIII, 232 p.
Keywords Doctoral thesis; Pharmacology. Therapy; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Proteinscience, proteomics and epigenetic signaling (PPES)
Abstract Since its discovery 20 years ago, many studies have been performed to gain insight into the functional role of cytoglobin (Cygb). However, Cygb has been proven to be a promiscuous protein. Yet, there is a consensus that Cygb is a cytoprotective protein involved in redox homeostasis. CYGB is a ubiquitously expressed hexacoordinated globin that is highly expressed in melanocytes and is often found to be downregulated during melanocyte-to-melanoma transition. In Chapter III, we investigated the molecular mechanism through which CYGB could be involved in redox regulation. Here, we showed that CYGB contains two redox-sensitive cysteine residues and that the formation of an intramolecular disulfide bridge resulted in the heme group becoming more accessible to external ligands. This supports the hypothesis that Cys38 and Cys83 serve as sensitive redox sensors. In Chapter IV we showed that CYGB mRNA and protein levels were elevated upon exposure to hypoxia. Interestingly, this upregulation was most likely HIF-2α-dependent. We propose that in melanoma, HIF-2α, rather than HIF-1α, positively regulates CYGB under hypoxic conditions in a cell type specific way. In Chapter V, the cytotoxic effect of indirect NTP treatment in two melanoma cell lines with divergent endogenous CYGB expression levels was investigated. We confirmed that NTP endows cytotoxicity that induces cell death through apoptosis and that this was mediated through the production of ROS. Moreover, we showed that CYGB protects melanoma cells from ROS-induced apoptosis by the scavenging of ROS. Interestingly, CYGB expression influenced the expression of NRF2 and HO-1. We identified the lncRNA MEG3 as a possible mechanism through which NRF2 expression and its downstream target HO-1 can be regulated by CYGB. In chapter VI, increased basal ROS levels and higher degree of lipid peroxidation upon RSL3 treatment contributed to the increased sensitivity of CYGB knockdown G361 cells to ferroptosis. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis demonstrates the enrichment of multiple cancer malignancy pathways upon CYGB knockdown, supporting a tumor-suppressive role for CYGB. Remarkably, CYGB expression regulation was identified as a critical determinant of the ferroptosis–pyroptosis therapy response. This suggests that CYGB is involved in the regulation of multiple modes of programmed cell death. FInally, we sought to delineate the RONS that are responsible for plasma-induced ICD. Our results highlight the importance of the short-lived species. Furthermore, we are first to demonstrate that NTP-created vaccine is safely prepared and offers complete protection. Moreover, we provide conclusive evidence that direct application of NTP induces ICD in melanoma.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access
Notes Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:193568 Serial 7277
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Author De Backer, A.; Van Aert, S.; Faes, C.; Arslan Irmak, E.; Nellist, P.D.; Jones, L.
Title Experimental reconstructions of 3D atomic structures from electron microscopy images using a Bayesian genetic algorithm Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2022 Publication N P J Computational Materials Abbreviated Journal npj Comput Mater
Volume 8 Issue 1 Pages 216
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract We introduce a Bayesian genetic algorithm for reconstructing atomic models of monotype crystalline nanoparticles from a single projection using Z-contrast imaging. The number of atoms in a projected atomic column obtained from annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images serves as an input for the initial three-dimensional model. The algorithm minimizes the energy of the structure while utilizing a priori information about the finite precision of the atom-counting results and neighbor-mass relations. The results show promising prospects for obtaining reliable reconstructions of beam-sensitive nanoparticles during dynamical processes from images acquired with sufficiently low incident electron doses.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000866500900001 Publication Date 2022-10-12
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2057-3960 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S.V.A. and Grant 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0267.18N, G.0502.18N, G.0346.21N) and a postdoctoral grant to A.D.B. L.J. acknowledges Science Foundation Ireland (SFI – grant number URF/RI/191637), the Royal Society, and the AMBER Centre. The authors acknowledge Aakash Varambhia for his assistance and expertise with the experimental recording and use of characterization facilities within the David Cockayne Centre for Electron Microscopy, Department of Materials, University of Oxford, and in particular the EPSRC (EP/K040375/1 South of England Analytical Electron Microscope).; esteem3reported; esteem3JRA Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:191398 Serial 7114
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Author De Backer, A.; Zhang, Z.; van den Bos, K.H.W.; Bladt, E.; Sánchez‐Iglesias, A.; Liz‐Marzán, L.M.; Nellist, P.D.; Bals, S.; Van Aert, S.
Title Element Specific Atom Counting at the Atomic Scale by Combining High Angle Annular Dark Field Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X‐ray Spectroscopy Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2022 Publication Small methods Abbreviated Journal Small Methods
Volume Issue Pages 2200875
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract A new methodology is presented to count the number of atoms in multimetallic nanocrystals by combining energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF STEM). For this purpose, the existence of a linear relationship between the incoherent HAADF STEM and EDX images is exploited. Next to the number of atoms for each element in the atomic columns, the method also allows quantification of the error in the obtained number of atoms, which is of importance given the noisy nature of the acquired EDX signals. Using experimental images of an Au@Ag core–shell nanorod, it is demonstrated that 3D structural information can be extracted at the atomic scale. Furthermore, simulated data of an Au@Pt core–shell nanorod show the prospect to characterize heterogeneous nanostructures with adjacent atomic numbers.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000862072700001 Publication Date 2022-09-30
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2366-9608 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 12.4 Times cited 5 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S.V.A., Grant 815128 REALNANO to S.B., and Grant 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0267.18N, G.0502.18N, G.0346.21N) and a postdoctoral grant to A.D.B.; esteem3reported; esteem3JRA Approved Most recent IF: 12.4
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:191570 Serial 7109
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Author De wael, A.; De Backer, A.; Yu, C.-P.; Sentürk, D.G.; Lobato, I.; Faes, C.; Van Aert, S.
Title Three Approaches for Representing the Statistical Uncertainty on Atom-Counting Results in Quantitative ADF STEM Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2022 Publication Microscopy and microanalysis Abbreviated Journal Microsc Microanal
Volume Issue Pages 1-9
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract A decade ago, a statistics-based method was introduced to count the number of atoms from annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (ADF STEM) images. In the past years, this method was successfully applied to nanocrystals of arbitrary shape, size, and composition (and its high accuracy and precision has been demonstrated). However, the counting results obtained from this statistical framework are so far presented without a visualization of the actual uncertainty about this estimate. In this paper, we present three approaches that can be used to represent counting results together with their statistical error, and discuss which approach is most suited for further use based on simulations and an experimental ADF STEM image.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000854930500001 Publication Date 2022-09-19
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1431-9276 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record
Impact Factor 2.8 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 770887 and No. 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through grants to A.D.w. and A.D.B. and projects G.0502.18N, G.0267.18N, and EOS 30489208. S.V.A. acknowledges TOP BOF funding from the University of Antwerp. The authors are grateful to L.M. Liz-Marzán (CIC biomaGUNE and Ikerbasque) for providing the samples. esteem3reported; esteem3jra Approved Most recent IF: 2.8
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:190585 Serial 7119
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Author De Backer, J.; Maric, D.; Zuhra, K.; Bogaerts, A.; Szabo, C.; Vanden Berghe, W.; Hoogewijs, D.
Title Cytoglobin Silencing Promotes Melanoma Malignancy but Sensitizes for Ferroptosis and Pyroptosis Therapy Response Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2022 Publication Antioxidants Abbreviated Journal Antioxidants
Volume 11 Issue 8 Pages 1548
Keywords A1 Journal article; Pharmacology. Therapy; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Proteinscience, proteomics and epigenetic signaling (PPES)
Abstract Despite recent advances in melanoma treatment, there are still patients that either do not respond or develop resistance. This unresponsiveness and/or acquired resistance to therapy could be explained by the fact that some melanoma cells reside in a dedifferentiated state. Interestingly, this dedifferentiated state is associated with greater sensitivity to ferroptosis, a lipid peroxidation-reliant, iron-dependent form of cell death. Cytoglobin (CYGB) is an iron hexacoordinated globin that is highly enriched in melanocytes and frequently downregulated during melanomagenesis. In this study, we investigated the potential effect of CYGB on the cellular sensitivity towards (1S, 3R)-RAS-selective lethal small molecule (RSL3)-mediated ferroptosis in the G361 melanoma cells with abundant endogenous expression. Our findings show that an increased basal ROS level and higher degree of lipid peroxidation upon RSL3 treatment contribute to the increased sensitivity of CYGB knockdown G361 cells to ferroptosis. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis demonstrates the enrichment of multiple cancer malignancy pathways upon CYGB knockdown, supporting a tumor-suppressive role for CYGB. Remarkably, CYGB knockdown also triggers activation of the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and subsequent induction of pyroptosis target genes. Altogether, we show that silencing of CYGB expression modulates cancer therapy sensitivity via regulation of ferroptosis and pyroptosis cell death signaling pathways.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000846411000001 Publication Date 2022-08-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2076-3921 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 7 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 7
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:190686 Serial 7102
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Lin, A.; De Backer, J.; Quatannens, D.; Cuypers, B.; Verswyvel, H.; De La Hoz, E.C.; Ribbens, B.; Siozopoulou, V.; Van Audenaerde, J.; Marcq, E.; Lardon, F.; Laukens, K.; Vanlanduit, S.; Smits, E.; Bogaerts, A.
Title The effect of local non‐thermal plasma therapy on the<scp>cancer‐immunity</scp>cycle in a melanoma mouse model Type University Hospital Antwerp
Year (down) 2022 Publication Bioengineering & Translational Medicine Abbreviated Journal Bioengineering & Transla Med
Volume Issue Pages
Keywords University Hospital Antwerp; A1 Journal article; Pharmacology. Therapy; Engineering sciences. Technology; ADReM Data Lab (ADReM); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE); Proteinscience, proteomics and epigenetic signaling (PPES)
Abstract Melanoma remains a deadly cancer despite significant advances in immune checkpoint blockade and targeted therapies. The incidence of melanoma is also growing worldwide, which highlights the need for novel treatment options and strategic combination of therapies. Here, we investigate non-thermal plasma (NTP), an ionized gas, as a promising, therapeutic option. In a melanoma mouse model, direct treatment of tumors with NTP results in reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival. Physical characterization of NTP treatment in situ reveals the deposited NTP energy and temperature associated with therapy response, and whole transcriptome analysis of the tumor identified several modulated pathways. NTP treatment also enhances the cancer-immunity cycle, as immune cells in both the tumor and tumor-draining lymph nodes appear more stimulated to perform their anti-cancer functions. Thus, our data suggest that local NTP therapy stimulates systemic, anti-cancer immunity. We discuss, in detail, how these fundamental insights will help direct the translation of NTP technology into the clinic and inform rational combination strategies to address the challenges in melanoma therapy.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000784103500001 Publication Date 2022-04-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2380-6761 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Vlaamse regering, 1S67621N 1S76421N G044420N 12S9221N 12S9218N ; The authors would like to thank and acknowledge Christophe Hermans, Ho Wa Lau, and Hilde Lambrechts for their help with sectioning and preparing the IHC slides. The authors would also like to thank Dani Banner for designing the ergonomic NTP applicator handle and Hasan Baysal for 3D printing the pieces used in this experiment. We would also like to thank several patrons, as part of this research was funded by donations from different donors, including Dedert Schilde vzw, Mr Willy Floren, and the Vereycken family. Some of the resources and services used in this work were provided by the VSC (Flemish Supercomputer Center) The data that support the findings of this study are available from the Flemish Government. The FWO fellowships and grants that funded this work also include: 12S9218N (Abraham Lin), 12S9221N (Abraham Lin), G044420N (Abraham Lin, Annemie Bogaert, and Steve Vanlanduit), 1S76421N (Delphine Quatannens), and 1S67621N (Hanne Verswyvel). Figure 7 was created with BioRender.com. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:187909 Serial 7056
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Sentürk, D.G.; De Backer, A.; Friedrich, T.; Van Aert, S.
Title Optimal experiment design for element specific atom counting using multiple annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy detectors Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2022 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy
Volume 242 Issue Pages 113626
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract This paper investigates the possible benefits for counting atoms of different chemical nature when analysing multiple 2D scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images resulting from independent annular dark field (ADF) detector regimes. To reach this goal, the principles of statistical detection theory are used to quantify the probability of error when determining the number of atoms in atomic columns consisting of multiple types of elements. In order to apply this theory, atom-counting is formulated as a statistical hypothesis test, where each hypothesis corresponds to a specific number of atoms of each atom type in an atomic column. The probability of error, which is limited by the unavoidable presence of electron counting noise, can then be computed from scattering-cross sections extracted from multiple ADF STEM images. Minimisation of the probability of error as a function of the inner and outer angles of a specified number of independent ADF collection regimes results in optimal experimental designs. Based on simulations of spherical Au@Ag and Au@Pt core–shell nanoparticles, we investigate how the combination of two non-overlapping detector regimes helps to improve the probability of error when unscrambling two types of atoms. In particular, the combination of a narrow low angle ADF detector with a detector formed by the remaining annular collection regime is found to be optimal. The benefit is more significant if the atomic number Z difference becomes larger. In

addition, we show the benefit of subdividing the detector regime into three collection areas for heterogeneous nanostructures based on a structure consisting of three types of elements, e.g., a mixture of Au, Ag and Al atoms. Finally, these results are compared with the probability of error resulting when one would ultimately use a pixelated 4D STEM detector and how this could help to further reduce the incident electron dose.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000873778100001 Publication Date 0000-00-00
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to S. Van Aert and Grant 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through project fundings (G.0346.21N and EOS 30489208) and a postdoctoral grant to A. De Backer. S. Van Aert acknowledges funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF).; esteem3reported; esteem3jra Approved Most recent IF: 2.2
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:190925 Serial 7118
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De Backer, J.; Lin, A.; Berghe, W.V.; Bogaerts, A.; Hoogewijs, D.
Title Cytoglobin inhibits non-thermal plasma-induced apoptosis in melanoma cells through regulation of the NRF2-mediated antioxidant response Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2022 Publication Redox Biology Abbreviated Journal Redox Biol
Volume 55 Issue Pages 102399
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Proteinscience, proteomics and epigenetic signaling (PPES)
Abstract Melanoma arises from pigment-producing cells called melanocytes located in the basal layers of the epidermis of the skin. Cytoglobin (CYGB) is a ubiquitously expressed hexacoordinated globin that is highly enriched in me­lanocytes and frequently downregulated during melanomagenesis. Previously, we showed that non-thermal plasma (NTP)-produced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) lead to the formation of an intra­ molecular disulfide bridge that would allow CYGB to function as a redox-sensitive protein. Here, we investigate the cytotoxic effect of indirect NTP treatment in two melanoma cell lines with divergent endogenous CYGB expression levels, and we explore the role of CYGB in determining treatment outcome. Our findings are consistent with previous studies supporting that NTP cytotoxicity is mediated through the production of RONS and leads to apoptotic cell death in melanoma cells. Furthermore, we show that NTP-treated solutions elicit an antioxidant response through the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (NRF2). The knock­ down and overexpression of CYGB respectively sensitizes and protects melanoma cells from RONS-induced apoptotic cell death. The presence of CYGB enhances heme-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and NRF2 protein expression levels, whereas the absence impairs their expression. Moreover, analysis of the CYGB-dependent transcriptome demonstrates the tumor suppressor long non-coding RNA maternally expressed 3 (MEG3) as a hitherto unde­ scribed link between CYGB and NRF2. Thus, the presence of CYGB, at least in melanoma cells, seems to play a central role in determining the therapeutic outcome of RONS-inducing anticancer therapies, like NTP-treated solutions, possessing both tumor-suppressive and oncogenic features. Hence, CYGB expression could be of in­ terest either as a biomarker or as a candidate for future targeted therapies in melanoma.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000844595100002 Publication Date 0000-00-00
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2213-2317 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 11.4 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was funded in part by the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) and the Flemish Government. The FWO fellowships and grants that funded this work include: 12S9221 N (Abraham Lin) and G044420 N (Abraham Lin and Annemie Bogaerts). Joey De Backer acknowledges a visiting fellowship from the University of Fribourg. David Hoogewijs acknowledges support by the Swiss National Science Foundation (grants 31003A173000 and 310030207460). Approved Most recent IF: 11.4
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:190635 Serial 7101
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Hudry, D.; De Backer, A.; Popescu, R.; Busko, D.; Howard, I.A.; Bals, S.; Zhang, Y.; Pedrazo‐Tardajos, A.; Van Aert, S.; Gerthsen, D.; Altantzis, T.; Richards, B.S.
Title Interface Pattern Engineering in Core‐Shell Upconverting Nanocrystals: Shedding Light on Critical Parameters and Consequences for the Photoluminescence Properties Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2021 Publication Small Abbreviated Journal Small
Volume Issue Pages 2104441
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis (ELCAT)
Abstract Advances in controlling energy migration pathways in core-shell lanthanide (Ln)-based hetero-nanocrystals (HNCs) have relied heavily on assumptions about how optically active centers are distributed within individual HNCs. In this article, it is demonstrated that different types of interface patterns can be formed depending on shell growth conditions. Such interface patterns are not only identified but also characterized with spatial resolution ranging from the nanometer- to the atomic-scale. In the most favorable cases, atomic-scale resolved maps of individual particles are obtained. It is also demonstrated that, for the same type of core-shell architecture, the interface pattern can be engineered with thicknesses of just 1 nm up to several tens of nanometers. Total alloying between the core and shell domains is also possible when using ultra-small particles as seeds. Finally, with different types of interface patterns (same architecture and chemical composition of the core and shell domains) it is possible to modify the output color (yellow, red, and green-yellow) or change (improvement or degradation) the absolute upconversion quantum yield. The results presented in this article introduce an important paradigm shift and pave the way toward the emergence of a new generation of core-shell Ln-based HNCs with better control over their atomic-scale organization.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000710758000001 Publication Date 2021-10-25
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 1613-6810 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 8.643 Times cited 17 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support provided by the Helmholtz Recruitment Initiative Fellowship (B.S.R.) and the Helmholtz Association's Research Field Energy (Materials and Technologies for the Energy Transition program, Topic 1 Photovoltaics and Wind Energy). The authors would like to thank the Karlsruhe Nano Micro Facility (KNMF) for STEM access. This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Grant agreement no. 770887 PICOMETRICS to S.V.A. and Grant agreement no. 815128 REALNANO to S.B.). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through Projects no. G.0502.18N, G.0267.18N, and a postdoctoral grant to A.D.B. T.A. acknowledges funding from the University of Antwerp Research fund (BOF). This project had received funding (EUSMI proposal #E181100205) from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant agreement no 731019 (EUSMI). D.H. would like to thank “CGFigures” for helpful tutorials on 3D graphics with Blender.; sygmaSB Approved Most recent IF: 8.643
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:183285 Serial 6817
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author De wael, A.; De Backer, A.; Lobato, I.; Van Aert, S.
Title Modelling ADF STEM images using elliptical Gaussian peaks and its effects on the quantification of structure parameters in the presence of sample tilt Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2021 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy
Volume Issue Pages 113391
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract A small sample tilt away from a main zone axis orientation results in an elongation of the atomic columns in ADF STEM images. An often posed research question is therefore whether the ADF STEM image intensities of tilted nanomaterials should be quantified using a parametric imaging model consisting of elliptical rather than the currently used symmetrical peaks. To this purpose, simulated ADF STEM images corresponding to different amounts of sample tilt are studied using a parametric imaging model that consists of superimposed 2D elliptical Gaussian peaks on the one hand and symmetrical Gaussian peaks on the other hand. We investigate the quantification of structural parameters such as atomic column positions and scattering cross sections using both parametric imaging models. In this manner, we quantitatively study what can be gained from this elliptical model for quantitative ADF STEM, despite the increased parameter space and computational effort. Although a qualitative improvement can be achieved, no significant quantitative improvement in the estimated structure parameters is achieved by the elliptical model as compared to the symmetrical model. The decrease in scattering cross sections with increasing sample tilt is even identical for both types of parametric imaging models. This impedes direct comparison with zone axis image simulations. Nonetheless, we demonstrate how reliable atom-counting can still be achieved in the presence of small sample tilt.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000704334200001 Publication Date 2021-09-24
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.843 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 770887 and No. 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through grants to A.D.w. and A.D.B. and projects G.0502.18N, G.0267.18N, and EOS 30489208. S.V.A. acknowledges TOP BOF funding from the University of Antwerp.; esteem3JRA; esteem3reported Approved Most recent IF: 2.843
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:181462 Serial 6810
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Attri, P.; Kaushik, N.K.; Kaushik, N.; Hammerschmid, D.; Privat-Maldonado, A.; De Backer, J.; Shiratani, M.; Choi, E.H.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Plasma treatment causes structural modifications in lysozyme, and increases cytotoxicity towards cancer cells Type A1 Journal Article
Year (down) 2021 Publication International Journal Of Biological Macromolecules Abbreviated Journal Int J Biol Macromol
Volume 182 Issue Pages 1724-1736
Keywords A1 Journal Article; Lysozyme; Cold atmospheric plasma; Cancer cell death; Plasma, laser ablation and surface modeling Antwerp (PLASMANT) ;
Abstract Bacterial and mammalian proteins, such as lysozyme, are gaining increasing interest as anticancer drugs. This study aims to modify the lysozyme structure using cold atmospheric plasma to boost its cancer cell killing effect. We investigated the structure at acidic and neutral pH using various experimental techniques (circular dichroism, fluorescence, and mass spectrometry) and molecular dynamics simulations. The controlled structural modification of lysozyme at neutral pH enhances its activity, while the activity was lost at acidic pH at the same treatment conditions. Indeed, a larger number of amino acids were oxidized at acidic pH after plasma treatment, which results in a greater distortion of the lysozyme structure, whereas only limited structural changes were observed in lysozyme after plasma treatment at neutral pH. We found that the plasma-treated lysozyme significantly induced apoptosis to the cancer cells. Our results reveal that plasma-treated lysozyme could have potential as a new cancer cell killing drug.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000675794700005 Publication Date 2021-05-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0141-8130 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.671 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Japan Society for the Promotion of Science; We gratefully acknowledge the European H2020 Marie SkłodowskaCurie Actions Individual Fellowship “Anticancer-PAM” within Horizon2020 (grant number 743546). This work was also supported by JSPS-KAKENHI grant number 20K14454. NK thanks to National Research Foundation of Korea under Ministry of Science and ICT (NRF2021R1C1C1013875) of Korean Government. The computational work was carried out using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the Universiteit Antwerpen (UA), a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI) and the UA. Approved Most recent IF: 3.671
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:178813 Serial 6792
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de Backer, A.; Fatermans, J.; den Dekker, A.J.; Van Aert, S.
Title Statistical parameter estimation theory : principles and simulation studies Type H2 Book chapter
Year (down) 2021 Publication Advances in imaging and electron physics T2 – Advances in imaging and electron physics Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 29-72
Keywords H2 Book chapter; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Abstract In this chapter, the principles of statistical parameter estimation theory for a quantitative analysis of atomic-resolution electron microscopy images are introduced. Within this framework, electron microscopy images are described by a parametric statistical model. Here, parametric models are introduced for different types of electron microscopy images: reconstructed exit waves, annular dark-field (ADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images, and simultaneously acquired ADF and annular bright-field (ABF) STEM images. Furthermore, the Cramér-Rao lower bound (CRLB) is introduced, i.e. a theoretical lower bound on the variance of any unbiased estimator. This CRLB is used to quantify the precision of the structure parameters of interest, such as the atomic column positions and the integrated atomic column intensities.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2021-03-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume 217 Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 978-0-12-824607-8; 1076-5670 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ERC Consolidator project funded by the European Union grant #770887 Picometrics Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177527 Serial 6788
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de Backer, A.; Fatermans, J.; den Dekker, A.J.; Van Aert, S.
Title Optimal experiment design for nanoparticle atom counting from ADF STEM images Type H2 Book chapter
Year (down) 2021 Publication Advances in imaging and electron physics T2 – Advances in imaging and electron physics Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 145-175
Keywords H2 Book chapter; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Abstract In this chapter, the principles of detection theory are used to quantify the probability of error for atom counting from high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HRSTEM) images. Binary and multiple hypothesis testing have been investigated in order to determine the limits to the precision with which the number of atoms in a projected atomic column can be estimated. The probability of error has been calculated when using STEM images, scattering cross-sections or peak intensities as a criterion to count atoms. Based on this analysis, we conclude that scattering cross-sections perform almost equally well as images and perform better than peak intensities. Furthermore, the optimal STEM detector design can be derived for atom counting using the expression of the probability of error. We show that for very thin objects the low-angle annular dark-field (LAADF) regime is optimal and that for thicker objects the optimal inner detector angle increases.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2021-03-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume 217 Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 978-0-12-824607-8; 1076-5670 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ERC Consolidator project funded by the European Union grant #770887 Picometrics Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177530 Serial 6785
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de Backer, A.; Fatermans, J.; den Dekker, A.J.; Van Aert, S.
Title Introduction Type H2 Book chapter
Year (down) 2021 Publication Advances in imaging and electron physics T2 – Advances in imaging and electron physics Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 1-28
Keywords H2 Book chapter; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2021-03-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume 217 Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 978-0-12-824607-8; 1076-5670 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ERC Consolidator project funded by the European Union grant #770887 Picometrics Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177525 Serial 6784
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Fatermans, J.; de Backer, A.; den Dekker, A.J.; Van Aert, S.
Title Image-quality evaluation and model selection with maximum a posteriori probability Type H2 Book chapter
Year (down) 2021 Publication Advances in imaging and electron physics T2 – Advances in imaging and electron physics Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 215-242
Keywords H2 Book chapter; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Abstract The maximum a posteriori (MAP) probability rule for atom column detection can also be used as a tool to evaluate the relation between scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) image quality and atom detectability. In this chapter, a new image-quality measure is proposed that correlates well with atom detectability, namely the integrated contrast-to-noise ratio (ICNR). Furthermore, the working principle of the MAP probability rule is described in detail showing a close relation to the principles of model-selection methods.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2021-03-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume 217 Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 978-0-12-824607-8; 1076-5670 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ERC Consolidator project funded by the European Union grant #770887 Picometrics Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177532 Serial 6782
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de Backer, A.; Fatermans, J.; den Dekker, A.J.; Van Aert, S.
Title General conclusions and future perspectives Type H2 Book chapter
Year (down) 2021 Publication Advances in imaging and electron physics T2 – Advances in imaging and electron physics Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 243-253
Keywords H2 Book chapter; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Abstract This chapter provides an overview of statistical and quantitative methodologies that have pushed (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) toward accurate and precise measurements of unknown structure parameters for understanding the relation between the structure of a material and its properties. Hereby, statistical parameter estimation theory has extensively been used which enabled not only measuring atomic column positions, but also quantifying the number of atoms, and detecting atomic columns as accurately and precisely as possible from experimental images. As a general conclusion, it can be stated that advanced statistical techniques are ideal tools to perform quantitative electron microscopy at the atomic scale. In the future, statistical methods will continue to be developed and novel quantification procedures will open up new possibilities for studying material structures at the atomic scale.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2021-03-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume 217 Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 978-0-12-824607-8; 1076-5670 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ERC Consolidator project funded by the European Union grant #770887 Picometrics Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177533 Serial 6781
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de Backer, A.; Fatermans, J.; den Dekker, A.J.; Van Aert, S.
Title Efficient fitting algorithm Type H2 Book chapter
Year (down) 2021 Publication Advances in imaging and electron physics T2 – Advances in imaging and electron physics Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 73-90
Keywords H2 Book chapter; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract An efficient model-based estimation algorithm is introduced to quantify the atomic column positions and intensities from atomic-resolution (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) images. This algorithm uses the least squares estimator on image segments containing individual columns fully accounting for overlap between neighboring columns, enabling the analysis of a large field of view. To provide end-users with this well-established quantification method, a user friendly program, StatSTEM, is developed which is freely available under a GNU public license. In this chapter, this efficient algorithm is applied to three different nanostructures for which the analysis of a large field of view is required.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2021-03-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume 217 Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 978-0-12-824607-8; 1076-5670 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ERC Consolidator project funded by the European Union grant #770887 Picometrics Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177528 Serial 6778
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author de Backer, A.; Fatermans, J.; den Dekker, A.J.; Van Aert, S.
Title Atom counting Type H2 Book chapter
Year (down) 2021 Publication Advances in imaging and electron physics T2 – Advances in imaging and electron physics Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 91-144
Keywords H2 Book chapter; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Abstract In this chapter, a statistical model-based method to count the number of atoms of monotype crystalline nanostructures from high-resolution annular dark-field (ADF) scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images is discussed in detail together with a thorough study on the possibilities and inherent limitations. We show that this method can be applied to nanocrystals of arbitrary shape, size, and atom type. The validity of the atom-counting results is confirmed by means of detailed image simulations and it is shown that the high sensitivity of our method enables us to count atoms with single atom sensitivity.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2021-03-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume 217 Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 978-0-12-824607-8; 1076-5670 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ERC Consolidator project funded by the European Union grant #770887 Picometrics Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177529 Serial 6776
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Fatermans, J.; de Backer, A.; den Dekker, A.J.; Van Aert, S.
Title Atom column detection Type H2 Book chapter
Year (down) 2021 Publication Advances in imaging and electron physics T2 – Advances in imaging and electron physics Abbreviated Journal
Volume Issue Pages 177-214
Keywords H2 Book chapter; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT); Vision lab
Abstract By combining statistical parameter estimation and model-order selection using a Bayesian framework, the maximum a posteriori (MAP) probability rule is proposed in this chapter as an objective and quantitative method to detect atom columns from high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HRSTEM) images. The validity and usefulness of this approach is demonstrated to both simulated and experimental annular dark-field (ADF) STEM images, but also to simultaneously acquired annular bright-field (ABF) and ADF STEM image data.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos Publication Date 2021-03-06
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume 217 Series Issue Edition
ISSN ISBN 978-0-12-824607-8; 1076-5670 Additional Links UA library record
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access Not_Open_Access
Notes ERC Consolidator project funded by the European Union grant #770887 Picometrics Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:177531 Serial 6775
Permanent link to this record
 

 
Author Lin, A.; Razzokov, J.; Verswyvel, H.; Privat-Maldonado, A.; De Backer, J.; Yusupov, M.; Cardenas De La Hoz, E.; Ponsaerts, P.; Smits, E.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Oxidation of Innate Immune Checkpoint CD47 on Cancer Cells with Non-Thermal Plasma Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2021 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 13 Issue 3 Pages 579
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Laboratory for Experimental Hematology (LEH); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Non-thermal plasma (NTP) therapy has been emerging as a promising cancer treatment strategy, and recently, its ability to locally induce immunogenic cancer cell death is being unraveled. We hypothesized that the chemical species produced by NTP reduce immunosuppressive surface proteins and checkpoints that are overexpressed on cancerous cells. Here, 3D in vitro tumor models, an in vivo mouse model, and molecular dynamics simulations are used to investigate the effect of NTP on CD47, a key innate immune checkpoint. CD47 is immediately modulated after NTP treatment and simulations reveal the potential oxidized salt-bridges responsible for conformational changes. Umbrella sampling simulations of CD47 with its receptor, signal-regulatory protein alpha (SIRPα), demonstrate that the induced-conformational changes reduce its binding affinity. Taken together, this work provides new insight into fundamental, chemical NTP-cancer cell interaction mechanisms and a previously overlooked advantage of present NTP cancer therapy: reducing immunosuppressive signals on the surface of cancer cells.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000614960600001 Publication Date 2021-02-02
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2072-6694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes We thank Erik Fransen (University of Antwerp; Antwerp, Belgium) for his help and guidance on the statistical analysis. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:176455 Serial 6709
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Author Liu, P.; Arslan Irmak, E.; De Backer, A.; De wael, A.; Lobato, I.; Béché, A.; Van Aert, S.; Bals, S.
Title Three-dimensional atomic structure of supported Au nanoparticles at high temperature Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2021 Publication Nanoscale Abbreviated Journal Nanoscale
Volume 13 Issue Pages
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Au nanoparticles (NPs) deposited on CeO2 are extensively used as thermal catalysts since the morphology of the NPs is expected to be stable at elevated temperatures. Although it is well known that the activity of Au NPs depends on their size and surface structure, their three-dimensional (3D) structure at the atomic scale has not been completely characterized as a function of temperature. In this paper, we overcome the limitations of conventional electron tomography by combining atom counting applied to aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy images and molecular dynamics relaxation. In this manner, we are able to perform an atomic resolution 3D investigation of supported Au NPs. Our results enable us to characterize the 3D equilibrium structure of single NPs as a function of temperature. Moreover, the dynamic 3D structural evolution of the NPs at high temperatures, including surface layer jumping and crystalline transformations, has been studied.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000612999200029 Publication Date 2020-12-29
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 2040-3364 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 7.367 Times cited 13 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This work was supported by the European Research Council (Grant 815128 REALNANO to SB, Grant 770887 PICOMETRICS to SVA, Grant 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through grants to A. D. w. and A. D. B. and project funding G.0267.18N.; sygma; esteem3JRA; esteem3reported Approved Most recent IF: 7.367
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:174858 Serial 6665
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Author De wael, A.; De Backer, A.; Van Aert, S.
Title Hidden Markov model for atom-counting from sequential ADF STEM images: Methodology, possibilities and limitations Type A1 Journal article
Year (down) 2020 Publication Ultramicroscopy Abbreviated Journal Ultramicroscopy
Volume 219 Issue Pages 113131
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract We present a quantitative method which allows us to reliably measure dynamic changes in the atomic structure of monatomic crystalline nanomaterials from a time series of atomic resolution annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy images. The approach is based on the so-called hidden Markov model and estimates the number of atoms in each atomic column of the nanomaterial in each frame of the time series. We discuss the origin of the improved performance for time series atom-counting as compared to the current state-of-the-art atom-counting procedures, and show that the so-called transition probabilities that describe the probability for an atomic column to lose or gain one or more atoms from frame to frame are particularly important. Using these transition probabilities, we show that the method can also be used to estimate the probability and cross section related to structural changes. Furthermore, we explore the possibilities for applying the method to time series recorded under variable environmental conditions. The method is shown to be promising for a reliable quantitative analysis of dynamic processes such as surface diffusion, adatom dynamics, beam effects, or in situ experiments.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000594770500003 Publication Date 2020-10-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN 0304-3991 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 2.2 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant Agreement No. 770887 and No. 823717 ESTEEM3). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO, Belgium) through grants to A.D.w. and A.D.B. and projects G.0502.18N and EOS 30489208. Approved Most recent IF: 2.2; 2020 IF: 2.843
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:172449 Serial 6417
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