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Author Bengtson, C.; Bogaerts, A.
Title On the Anti-Cancer Effect of Cold Atmospheric Plasma and the Possible Role of Catalase-Dependent Apoptotic Pathways Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Cells Abbreviated Journal Cells
Volume 9 Issue 10 Pages 2330
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a promising new agent for (selective) cancer treatment, but the underlying cause of the anti-cancer effect of CAP is not well understood yet. Among different theories and observations, one theory in particular has been postulated in great detail and consists of a very complex network of reactions that are claimed to account for the anti-cancer effect of CAP. Here, the key concept is a reactivation of two specific apoptotic cell signaling pathways through catalase inactivation caused by CAP. Thus, it is postulated that the anti-cancer effect of CAP is due to its ability to inactivate catalase, either directly or indirectly. A theoretical investigation of the proposed theory, especially the role of catalase inactivation, can contribute to the understanding of the underlying cause of the anti-cancer effect of CAP. In the present study, we develop a mathematical model to analyze the proposed catalase-dependent anti-cancer effect of CAP. Our results show that a catalase-dependent reactivation of the two apoptotic pathways of interest is unlikely to contribute to the observed anti-cancer effect of CAP. Thus, we believe that other theories of the underlying cause should be considered and evaluated to gain knowledge about the principles of CAP-induced cancer cell death.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000584186700001 Publication Date 2020-10-21
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2073-4409 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited 2 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:173632 Serial 6429
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Author Demuynck, R.; Efimova, I.; Lin, A.; Declercq, H.; Krysko, D.V.
Title A 3D cell death assay to quantitatively determine ferroptosis in spheroids Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Cells Abbreviated Journal
Volume 9 Issue 3 Pages 703-713
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract The failure of drug efficacy in clinical trials remains a big issue in cancer research. This is largely due to the limitations of two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures, the most used tool in drug screening. Nowadays, three-dimensional (3D) cultures, including spheroids, are acknowledged to be a better model of the in vivo environment, but detailed cell death assays for 3D cultures (including those for ferroptosis) are scarce. In this work, we show that a new cell death analysis method, named 3D Cell Death Assay (3DELTA), can efficiently determine different cell death types including ferroptosis and quantitatively assess cell death in tumour spheroids. Our method uses Sytox dyes as a cell death marker and Triton X-100, which efficiently permeabilizes all cells in spheroids, was used to establish 100% cell death. After optimization of Sytox concentration, Triton X-100 concentration and timing, we showed that the 3DELTA method was able to detect signals from all cells without the need to disaggregate spheroids. Moreover, in this work we demonstrated that 2D experiments cannot be extrapolated to 3D cultures as 3D cultures are less sensitive to cell death induction. In conclusion, 3DELTA is a more cost-effective way to identify and measure cell death type in 3D cultures, including spheroids.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000529337400180 Publication Date 2020-03-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2073-4409 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited 5 Open Access
Notes ; Research in the D.V.K. group is supported by Fund for Scientific Research Flanders (1506218N, 1507118N, G051918N and G043219N) and Ghent University (Special Research Fund IOP 01/O3618). ; Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:167215 Serial 6446
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Author Das, P.P.; Guzzinati, G.; Coll, C.; Gomez Perez, A.; Nicolopoulos, S.; Estrade, S.; Peiro, F.; Verbeeck, J.; Zompra, A.A.; Galanis, A.S.
Title Reliable Characterization of Organic & Pharmaceutical Compounds with High Resolution Monochromated EEL Spectroscopy Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Polymers Abbreviated Journal Polymers-Basel
Volume 12 Issue 7 Pages 1434
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Organic and biological compounds (especially those related to the pharmaceutical industry) have always been of great interest for researchers due to their importance for the development of new drugs to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. As many new API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) and their polymorphs are in nanocrystalline or in amorphous form blended with amorphous polymeric matrix (known as amorphous solid dispersion—ASD), their structural identification and characterization at nm scale with conventional X-Ray/Raman/IR techniques becomes difficult. During any API synthesis/production or in the formulated drug product, impurities must be identified and characterized. Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) at high energy resolution by transmission electron microscope (TEM) is expected to be a promising technique to screen and identify the different (organic) compounds used in a typical pharmaceutical or biological system and to detect any impurities present, if any, during the synthesis or formulation process. In this work, we propose the use of monochromated TEM-EELS, to analyze selected peptides and organic compounds and their polymorphs. In order to validate EELS for fingerprinting (in low loss/optical region) and by further correlation with advanced DFT, simulations were utilized.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000556786700001 Publication Date 2020-06-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2073-4360 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.364 Times cited 6 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes C.C., F.P., S.E. acknowledges the Spanish government for projects MAT2016-79455-P, Research Network RED2018-102609-T and the FPI (BES-2017-080045) grant of Ministerio de Ciència, Innovación y Universidades. G.G. acknowledges support from a postdoctoral fellowship grant from the Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek—Vlaanderen (FWO). P.P.D., A.G.P., S.N. gratefully acknowledge much helpful discussion on EELS study for organic compounds with Dr. Andrey Chuvilin (CIC NANOGUNE, Donostia—San Sebastian, Spain). The authors also acknowledge Raúl Arenal (University de Zaragoza, Spain) for useful discussion on EELS. The authors acknowledge also Ulises Julio Amador Elizondo (Universidad CEU San Pablo, Spain) for kindly provide the aripiprazole and piroxicam samples for EELS study.; EUSMI_TA; Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:170603 Serial 6400
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Author Al-Emam, E.; Beltran, V.; De Meyer, S.; Nuyts, G.; Wetemans, V.; De Wael, K.; Caen, J.; Janssens, K.
Title Removal of a past varnish treatment from a 19th-century Belgian wall painting by means of a solvent-loaded double network hydrogel Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Polymers Abbreviated Journal Polymers-Basel
Volume 13 Issue 16 Pages 2651-20
Keywords A1 Journal article; Art; AXES (Antwerp X-ray Analysis, Electrochemistry and Speciation); Antwerp Cultural Heritage Sciences (ARCHES); Antwerp Electrochemical and Analytical Sciences Lab (A-Sense Lab); Antwerp X-ray Imaging and Spectroscopy (AXIS)
Abstract Polymeric materials have been used by painting conservator-restorers as consolidants and/or varnishes for wall paintings. The application of these materials is carried out when confronting loose paint layers or as a protective coating. However, these materials deteriorate and cause physiochemical alterations to the treated surface. In the past, the monumental neo-gothic wall painting 'The Last Judgment' in the chapel of Sint-Jan Berchmanscollege in Antwerp, Belgium was treated with a synthetic polymeric material. This varnish deteriorated significantly and turned brown, obscuring the paint layers. Given also that the varnish was applied to some parts of the wall painting and did not cover the entire surface, it was necessary to remove it in order to restore the original appearance of the wall painting. Previous attempts carried out by conservator-restorers made use of traditional cleaning methods, which led to damage of the fragile paint layers. Therefore, gel cleaning was proposed as a less invasive and more controllable method for gently softening and removing the varnish. The work started by identifying the paint stratigraphy and the deteriorated varnish via optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. A polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) hydrogel loaded with a number of solvents/solvent mixtures was employed in a series of tests to select the most suitable hydrogel composite. By means of the hydrogel composite loaded with 10% propylene carbonate, it was possible to safely remove the brown varnish layer. The results were verified by visual examinations (under visible light 'VIS' and ultraviolet light 'UV') as well as OM and FTIR spectroscopy.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000690248000001 Publication Date 2021-08-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2073-4360 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.364 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.364
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:181567 Serial 8470
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Author Canossa, S.; Graiff, C.; Crocco, D.; Predieri, G.
Title Water structures and packing efficiency in methylene blue cyanometallate salts Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Crystals Abbreviated Journal Crystals
Volume 10 Issue 7 Pages 558
Keywords A1 Journal article; Electron microscopy for materials research (EMAT)
Abstract Crystal structure prediction is the holy grail of crystal engineering and is key to its ambition of driving the formation of solids based on the selection of their molecular constituents. However, this noble quest is hampered by the limited predictability of the incorporation of solvent molecules, first and foremost the ubiquitous water. In this context, we herein report the structure of four methylene blue cyanometallate phases, where anions with various shapes and charges influence the packing motif and lead to the formation of differently hydrated structures. Importantly, water molecules are observed to play various roles as isolated fillings, dimers, or an infinite network with up to 13 water molecules per repeating unit. Each crystal structure has been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and evaluated with the aid of Hirshfeld surface analysis, focussing on the role of water molecules and the hierarchy of different classes of interactions in the overall supramolecular landscape of the crystals. Finally, the collected pieces of evidence are matched together to highlight the leading role of MB stacking and to derive an explanation for the observed hydration diversity based on the structural role of water molecules in the crystal architecture.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000554226900001 Publication Date 2020-07-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2073-4352 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 1.566 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes ; The Elettra Synchrotron (CNR Trieste) is gratefully acknowledged for the beamtime allocated at the beamline XRD1 (proposal nr 20175216). S.C. acknowledges the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) for supporting his research (grant nr. 12ZV120N). ; Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:171279 Serial 6653
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Author Gao, M.; Zhang, Y.; Wang, H.; Guo, B.; Zhang, Q.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Mode Transition of Filaments in Packed-Bed Dielectric Barrier Discharges Type A1 Journal article
Year 2018 Publication Catalysts Abbreviated Journal Catalysts
Volume 8 Issue 6 Pages 248
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We investigated the mode transition from volume to surface discharge in a packed bed dielectric barrier discharge reactor by a two-dimensional particle-in-cell/Monte Carlo collision method. The calculations are performed at atmospheric pressure for various driving voltages and for gas mixtures with different N2 and O2 compositions. Our results reveal that both a change of the driving voltage and gas mixture can induce mode transition. Upon increasing voltage, a mode transition from hybrid (volume+surface) discharge to pure surface discharge occurs, because the charged species can escape much more easily to the beads and charge the bead surface due to the strong electric field at high driving voltage. This significant surface charging will further enhance the tangential component of the electric field along the dielectric bead surface, yielding surface ionization waves (SIWs). The SIWs will give rise to a high concentration of reactive species on the surface, and thus possibly enhance the surface activity of the beads, which might be of interest for plasma catalysis. Indeed, electron impact excitation and ionization mainly take place near the bead surface. In addition, the propagation speed of SIWs becomes faster with increasing N2 content in the gas mixture, and slower with increasing O2 content, due to the loss of electrons by attachment to O2

molecules. Indeed, the negative O-2 ion density produced by electron impact attachment is much higher than the electron and positive O+2 ion density. The different ionization rates between N2 and O2 gases will create different amounts of electrons and ions on the dielectric bead surface, which might also have effects in plasma catalysis.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000436128600027 Publication Date 2018-06-15
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2073-4344 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.082 Times cited 7 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The authors are very grateful to Wei Jiang for the useful discussions on the particle-incell/ Monte-Carlo collision model. Approved Most recent IF: 3.082
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:152171 Serial 4991
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Author Liu, M.; Yi, Y.; Wang, L.; Guo, H.; Bogaerts, A
Title Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Value-Added Chemicals by Heterogeneous Catalysis and Plasma Catalysis Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Catalysts Abbreviated Journal Catalysts
Volume 9 Issue 3 Pages 275
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Due to the increasing emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), greenhouse effects are becoming more and more severe, causing global climate change. The conversion and utilization of CO2 is one of the possible solutions to reduce CO2 concentrations. This can be accomplished, among other methods, by direct hydrogenation of CO2, producing value-added products. In this review, the progress of mainly the last five years in direct hydrogenation of CO2 to value-added chemicals (e.g., CO, CH4, CH3OH, DME, olefins, and higher hydrocarbons) by heterogeneous catalysis and plasma catalysis is summarized, and research priorities for CO2 hydrogenation are proposed.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000465012800055 Publication Date 2019-03-18
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2073-4344 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.082 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China , DUT18JC42 32249 ; National Natural Science Foundation of China , 21503032 ; PetroChina Innovation Foundation , 2018D-5007-0501 ; Approved Most recent IF: 3.082
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @UA @ admin @ c:irua:158094 Serial 5162
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Author Michielsen, I.; Uytdenhouwen, Y.; Bogaerts, A.; Meynen, V.
Title Altering conversion and product selectivity of dry reforming of methane in a dielectric barrier discharge by changing the dielectric packing material Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Catalysts Abbreviated Journal Catalysts
Volume 9 Issue 1 Pages 51
Keywords A1 Journal article; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract We studied the influence of dense, spherical packing materials, with different chemical compositions, on the dry reforming of methane (DRM) in a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) reactor. Although not catalytically activated, a vast effect on the conversion and product selectivity could already be observed, an influence which is often neglected when catalytically activated plasma packing materials are being studied. The alpha-Al2O3 packing material of 2.0-2.24 mm size yields the highest total conversion (28%), as well as CO2 (23%) and CH4 (33%) conversion and a high product fraction towards CO (similar to 70%) and ethane (similar to 14%), together with an enhanced CO/H-2 ratio of 9 in a 4.5 mm gap DBD at 60 W and 23 kHz. gamma-Al2O3 is only slightly less active in total conversion (22%) but is even more selective in products formed than alpha-Al2O3 BaTiO3 produces substantially more oxygenated products than the other packing materials but is the least selective in product fractions and has a clear negative impact on CO2 conversion upon addition of CH4. Interestingly, when comparing to pure CO2 splitting and when evaluating differences in products formed, significantly different trends are obtained for the packing materials, indicating a complex impact of the presence of CH4 and the specific nature of the packing materials on the DRM process.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000459732000051 Publication Date 2019-01-10
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2073-4344 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.082 Times cited 4 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.082
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:158666 Serial 5268
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Author Uytdenhouwen, Y.; Meynen, V.; Cool, P.; Bogaerts, A.
Title The Potential Use of Core-Shell Structured Spheres in a Packed-Bed DBD Plasma Reactor for CO2 Conversion Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Catalysts Abbreviated Journal Catalysts
Volume 10 Issue 5 Pages 530
Keywords A1 Journal article; Laboratory of adsorption and catalysis (LADCA); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract This work proposes to use core-shell structured spheres to evaluate whether it allows to individually optimize bulk and surface effects of a packing material, in order to optimize conversion and energy efficiency. Different core-shell materials have been prepared by spray coating, using dense spheres (as core) and powders (as shell) of SiO2, Al2O3, and BaTiO3. The materials are investigated for their performance in CO2 dissociation and compared against a benchmark consisting of a packed-bed reactor with the pure dense spheres, as well as an empty reactor. The results in terms of CO2 conversion and energy efficiency show various interactions between the core and shell material, depending on their combination. Al2O3 was found as the best core material under the applied conditions here, followed by BaTiO3 and SiO2, in agreement with their behaviour for the pure spheres. Applying a thin shell layer on the cores showed equal performance between the different shell materials. Increasing the layer thickness shifts this behaviour, and strong combination effects were observed depending on the specific material. Therefore, this method of core-shell spheres has the potential to allow tuning of the packing properties more closely to the application by designing an optimal combination of core and shell.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000546007000092 Publication Date 2020-05-11
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2073-4344 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.9 Times cited Open Access
Notes Interreg, Project EnOp ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, G.0254.14N ; Universiteit Antwerpen, Project SynCO2Chem ; We want to thank Jasper Lefevre (VITO) for assistance in the development of the coating suspension for the core-shell spheres. Approved Most recent IF: 3.9; 2020 IF: 3.082
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:169222 Serial 6364
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Author Li, S.; Ahmed, R.; Yi, Y.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Methane to Methanol through Heterogeneous Catalysis and Plasma Catalysis Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Catalysts Abbreviated Journal Catalysts
Volume 11 Issue 5 Pages 590
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Direct oxidation of methane to methanol (DOMTM) is attractive for the increasing industrial demand of feedstock. In this review, the latest advances in heterogeneous catalysis and plasma catalysis for DOMTM are summarized, with the aim to pinpoint the differences between both, and to provide some insights into their reaction mechanisms, as well as the implications for future development of highly selective catalysts for DOMTM.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000653609900001 Publication Date 2021-05-01
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2073-4344 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.082 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China, DUT18JC42 ; National Natural Science Foundation of China, 21503032 ; PetroChina Innovation Foundation, 2018D-5007-0501 ; TOP-BOF research project of the Research Council of the University of Antwerp, 32249 ; This research was funded by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China (DUT18JC42), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (21503032) PetroChina Innovation Foundation (2018D-5007-0501) and the TOP-BOF research project of the Research Council of the University of Antwerp (grant ID 32249). This research was supported by the China Scholarship Council (CSC). The authors warmly acknowledge CSC for their support. Approved Most recent IF: 3.082
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:177851 Serial 6753
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Author Gorbanev, Y.; Engelmann, Y.; van’t Veer, K.; Vlasov, E.; Ndayirinde, C.; Yi, Y.; Bals, S.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Al2O3-Supported Transition Metals for Plasma-Catalytic NH3 Synthesis in a DBD Plasma: Metal Activity and Insights into Mechanisms Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Catalysts Abbreviated Journal Catalysts
Volume 11 Issue 10 Pages 1230
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Movement Antwerp (MOVANT)
Abstract N2 fixation into NH3 is one of the main processes in the chemical industry. Plasma catalysis is among the environmentally friendly alternatives to the industrial energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. However, many questions remain open, such as the applicability of the conventional catalytic knowledge to plasma. In this work, we studied the performance of Al2O3-supported Fe, Ru, Co and Cu catalysts in plasma-catalytic NH3 synthesis in a DBD reactor. We investigated the effects of different active metals, and different ratios of the feed gas components, on the concentration and production rate of NH3, and the energy consumption of the plasma system. The results show that the trend of the metal activity (common for thermal catalysis) does not appear in the case of plasma catalysis: here, all metals exhibited similar performance. These findings are in good agreement with our recently published microkinetic model. This highlights the virtual independence of NH3 production on the metal catalyst material, thus validating the model and indicating the potential contribution of radical adsorption and Eley-Rideal reactions to the plasma-catalytic mechanism of NH3 synthesis.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000715656300001 Publication Date 2021-10-13
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2073-4344 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.082 Times cited 19 Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Catalisti, Moonshot P2C ; Research Foundation – Flanders, GoF9618n ; European Research Council, 810182 SCOPE 815128 REALNANO ; sygmaSB Approved Most recent IF: 3.082
Call Number EMAT @ emat @c:irua:183279 Serial 6815
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Author Privat-Maldonado, A.; Gorbanev, Y.; Dewilde, S.; Smits, E.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Reduction of Human Glioblastoma Spheroids Using Cold Atmospheric Plasma: The Combined Effect of Short- and Long-Lived Reactive Species Type A1 Journal article
Year 2018 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 10 Issue 11 Pages 394
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a promising technology against multiple types of cancer. However, the current findings on the effect of CAP on two-dimensional glioblastoma cultures do not consider the role of the tumour microenvironment. The aim of this study was to determine the ability of CAP to reduce and control glioblastoma spheroid tumours in vitro . Three-dimensional glioblastoma spheroid tumours (U87-Red, U251-Red) were consecutively treated directly and indirectly with a CAP using dry He, He + 5% H 2 O or He + 20% H 2 O. The cytotoxicity and spheroid shrinkage were monitored using live imaging. The reactive oxygen and nitrogen species produced in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) were measured by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and colourimetry. Cell migration was also assessed. Our results demonstrate that consecutive CAP treatments (He + 20% H 2 O) substantially shrank U87-Red spheroids and to a lesser degree, U251-Red spheroids. The cytotoxic effect was due to the short- and long-lived species delivered by CAP: they inhibited spheroid growth, reduced cell migration and decreased proliferation in CAP-treated spheroids. Direct treatments were more effective than indirect treatments, suggesting the importance of CAP-generated, short-lived species for the growth inhibition and cell cytotoxicity of solid glioblastoma tumours. We concluded that CAP treatment can effectively reduce glioblastoma tumour size and restrict cell migration, thus demonstrating the potential of CAP therapies for glioblastoma.
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Language Wos 000451307700001 Publication Date 2018-10-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN (down) 2072-6694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes The authors thank Paul Cos (Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Antwerp) for providing EPR equipment and Christophe Hermans for his help with the immunohistochemical experiments. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:154871 Serial 5065
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Author Shaw, P.; Kumar, N.; Hammerschmid, D.; Privat-Maldonado, A.; Dewilde, S.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Synergistic Effects of Melittin and Plasma Treatment: A Promising Approach for Cancer Therapy Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 11 Issue 8 Pages 1109
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Melittin (MEL), a small peptide component of bee venom, has been reported to exhibit anti-cancer effects in vitro and in vivo. However, its clinical applicability is disputed because of its non-specific cytotoxicity and haemolytic activity in high treatment doses. Plasma-treated phosphate buffered saline solution (PT-PBS), a solution rich in reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) can disrupt the cell membrane integrity and induce cancer cell death through oxidative stress-mediated pathways. Thus, PT-PBS could be used in combination with MEL to facilitate its access into cancer cells and to reduce the required therapeutic dose. The aim of our study is to determine the reduction of the effective dose of MEL required to eliminate cancer cells by its combination with PT-PBS. For this purpose, we have optimised the MEL threshold concentration and tested the combined treatment of MEL and PT-PBS on A375 melanoma and MCF7 breast cancer cells, using in vitro, in ovo and in silico approaches. We investigated the cytotoxic effect of MEL and PT-PBS alone and in combination to reveal their synergistic cytological effects. To support the in vitro and in ovo experiments, we showed by computer simulations that plasma-induced oxidation of the phospholipid bilayer leads to a decrease of the free energy barrier for translocation of MEL in comparison with the non-oxidized bilayer, which also suggests a synergistic effect of MEL with plasma induced oxidation. Overall, our findings suggest that MEL in combination with PT-PBS can be a promising combinational therapy to circumvent the non-specific toxicity of MEL, which may help for clinical applicability in the future.
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Language Wos 000484438000069 Publication Date 2019-08-03
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN (down) 2072-6694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited 1 Open Access
Notes We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), grant number 12J5617N. We are thankful to Maksudbek Yusupov for his valuable discussions, and to the Center for Oncological Research (CORE), for providing the facilities for the experimental work. The computational work was carried out using the Turing HPC infrastructure at the CalcUA core facility of the University Antwerp, a division of the Flemish Supercomputer Center VSC, funded by the Hercules Foundation, the Flemish Government (department EWI), and the University of Antwerp. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:161630 Serial 5286
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Author Bekeschus, S.; Freund, E.; Spadola, C.; Privat-Maldonado, A.; Hackbarth, C.; Bogaerts, A.; Schmidt, A.; Wende, K.; Weltmann, K.-D.; von Woedtke, T.; Heidecke, C.-D.; Partecke, L.-I.; Käding, A.
Title Risk Assessment of kINPen Plasma Treatment of Four Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines with Respect to Metastasis Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 11 Issue 9 Pages 1237
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Cold physical plasma has limited tumor growth in many preclinical models and is, therefore, suggested as a putative therapeutic option against cancer. Yet, studies investigating the cells’ metastatic behavior following plasma treatment are scarce, although being of prime importance to evaluate the safety of this technology. Therefore, we investigated four human pancreatic cancer cell lines for their metastatic behavior in vitro and in chicken embryos (in ovo). Pancreatic cancer was chosen as it is particularly metastatic to the peritoneum and systemically, which is most predictive for outcome. In vitro, treatment with the kINPen plasma jet reduced pancreatic cancer cell activity and viability, along with unchanged or decreased motility. Additionally, the expression of adhesion markers relevant for metastasis was down-regulated, except for increased CD49d. Analysis of 3D tumor spheroid outgrowth showed a lack of plasma-spurred metastatic behavior. Finally, analysis of tumor tissue grown on chicken embryos validated the absence of an increase of metabolically active cells physically or chemically detached with plasma treatment. We conclude that plasma treatment is a safe and promising therapeutic option and that it does not promote metastatic behavior in pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in ovo.
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Language Wos 000489719000022 Publication Date 2019-08-23
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
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ISSN (down) 2072-6694 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor Times cited 4 Open Access
Notes The authors acknowledge that this work was supported by grants funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), grant number 03Z22DN11. We want to thank the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) for providing funding to APM under the “long stay abroad” scheme (grant code V415618N). APM and AB acknowledge financial support from the Methusalem project. Technical support by Felix Niessner and Antje Janetzko is gratefully acknowledged. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:162106 Serial 5357
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Author Biscop,; Lin,; Boxem,; Loenhout,; Backer,; Deben,; Dewilde,; Smits,; Bogaerts,
Title Influence of Cell Type and Culture Medium on Determining Cancer Selectivity of Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 11 Issue 9 Pages 1287
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Increasing the selectivity of cancer treatments is attractive, as it has the potential to reduce side-effects of therapy. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is a novel cancer treatment that disrupts the intracellular oxidative balance. Several reports claim CAP treatment to be selective, but retrospective analysis of these studies revealed discrepancies in several biological factors and culturing methods. Before CAP can be conclusively stated as a selective cancer treatment, the importance of these factors must be investigated. In this study, we evaluated the influence of the cell type, cancer type, and cell culture medium on direct and indirect CAP treatment. Comparison of cancerous cells with their non-cancerous counterparts was performed under standardized conditions to determine selectivity of treatment. Analysis of seven human cell lines (cancerous: A549, U87, A375, and Malme-3M; non-cancerous: BEAS-2B, HA, and HEMa) and five different cell culture media (DMEM, RPMI1640, AM, BEGM, and DCBM) revealed that the tested parameters strongly influence indirect CAP treatment, while direct treatment was less affected. Taken together, the results of our study demonstrate that cell type, cancer type, and culturing medium must be taken into account before selectivity of CAP treatment can be claimed and overlooking these parameters can easily result in inaccurate conclusions of selectivity.
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Corporate Author Thesis
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Language Wos 000489719000072 Publication Date 2019-09-01
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Impact Factor Times cited 9 Open Access
Notes the Research Foundation Flanders, 12S9218N – ; Universiteit Antwerpen, – ; Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:162097 Serial 5360
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Author Van Loenhout, J.; Flieswasser, T.; Freire Boullosa, L.; De Waele, J.; Van Audenaerde, J.; Marcq, E.; Jacobs, J.; Lin, A.; Lion, E.; Dewitte, H.; Peeters, M.; Dewilde, S.; Lardon, F.; Bogaerts, A.; Deben, C.; Smits, E.
Title Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Treated PBS Eliminates Immunosuppressive Pancreatic Stellate Cells and Induces Immunogenic Cell Death of Pancreatic Cancer Cells Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 11 Issue 10 Pages 1597
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 Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers with a low response to treatment and a five-year survival rate below 5%. The ineffectiveness of treatment is partly because of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, which comprises tumor-supportive pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). Therefore, new therapeutic strategies are needed to tackle both the immunosuppressive PSC and pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs). Recently, physical cold atmospheric plasma consisting of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species has emerged as a novel treatment option for cancer. In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of plasma-treated phosphate-buffered saline (pPBS) using three PSC lines and four PCC lines and examined the immunogenicity of the induced cell death. We observed a decrease in the viability of PSC and PCC after pPBS treatment, with a higher efficacy in the latter. Two PCC lines expressed and released damage-associated molecular patterns characteristic of the induction of immunogenic cell death (ICD). In addition, pPBS-treated PCC were highly phagocytosed by dendritic cells (DCs), resulting in the maturation of DC. This indicates the high potential of pPBS to trigger ICD. In contrast, pPBS induced no ICD in PSC. In general, pPBS treatment of PCCs and PSCs created a more immunostimulatory secretion profile (higher TNF-α and IFN-γ, lower TGF-β) in coculture with DC. Altogether, these data show that plasma treatment via pPBS has the potential to induce ICD in PCCs and to reduce the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment created by PSCs. Therefore, these data provide a strong experimental basis for further in vivo validation, which might potentially open the way for more successful combination strategies with immunotherapy for PDAC.
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Language Wos 000498826000194 Publication Date 2019-10-19
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Impact Factor Times cited 6 Open Access
Notes Universiteit Antwerpen, NA ; Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, 11E7719N 1121016N 1S32316N 12S9218N 12E3916N ; Agentschap Innoveren en Ondernemen, 141433 ; Kom op tegen Kanker, NA ; Stichting Tegen Kanker, STK2014-155 ; The authors express their gratitude to Christophe Hermans, Céline Merlin, Hilde Lambrechts, and Hans de Reu for technical assistance; and to VITO for the use of the MSD reader (Mol, Belgium). Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:163328 Serial 5436
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Author Privat-Maldonado, A.; Bengtson, C.; Razzokov, J.; Smits, E.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Modifying the Tumour Microenvironment: Challenges and Future Perspectives for Anticancer Plasma Treatments Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 11 Issue 12 Pages 1920
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Tumours are complex systems formed by cellular (malignant, immune, and endothelial cells, fibroblasts) and acellular components (extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents and secreted factors). A close interplay between these factors, collectively called the tumour microenvironment, is required to respond appropriately to external cues and to determine the treatment outcome. Cold plasma (here referred as ‘plasma’) is an emerging anticancer technology that generates a unique cocktail of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species to eliminate cancerous cells via multiple mechanisms of action. While plasma is currently regarded as a local therapy, it can also modulate the mechanisms of cell-to-cell and cell-to-ECM communication, which could facilitate the propagation of its effect in tissue and distant sites. However, it is still largely unknown how the physical interactions occurring between cells and/or the ECM in the tumour microenvironment affect the plasma therapy outcome. In this review, we discuss the effect of plasma on cell-to-cell and cell-to-ECM communication in the context of the tumour microenvironment and suggest new avenues of research to advance our knowledge in the field. Furthermore, we revise the relevant state-of-the-art in three-dimensional in vitro models that could be used to analyse cell-to-cell and cell-to-ECM communication and further strengthen our understanding of the effect of plasma in solid tumours.
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Language Wos 000507382100097 Publication Date 2019-12-02
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Notes Figure 4 was created using resources from the ‘Mind the Graph’ platform, free trial version. Spheroid image obtained in collaboration with Sander Bekeschus (INP Greifswald, Germany); organoid image kindly provided by Christophe Deben (Center for Oncological Research, University of Antwerp, Belgium). Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:164892 Serial 5437
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Author Verloy, R.; Privat-Maldonado, A.; Smits, E.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment for Pancreatic Cancer–The Importance of Pancreatic Stellate Cells Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 12 Issue 10 Pages 2782
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal disease with low five-year survival rates of 8% by conventional treatment methods, e.g., chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. PDAC shows high resistance towards chemo- and radiotherapy and only 15–20% of all patients can have surgery. This disease is predicted to become the third global leading cause of cancer death due to its significant rise in incidence. Therefore, the development of an alternative or combinational method is necessary to improve current approaches. Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatments could offer multiple advantages to this emerging situation. The plasma-derived reactive species can induce oxidative damage and a cascade of intracellular signaling pathways, which could lead to cell death. Previous reports have shown that CAP treatment also influences cells in the tumor microenvironment, such as the pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs). These PSCs, when activated, play a crucial role in the propagation, growth and survival of PDAC tumors. However, the effect of CAP on PSCs is not yet fully understood. This review focuses on the application of CAP for PDAC treatment and the importance of PSCs in the response to treatment.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000584150700001 Publication Date 2020-09-28
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Notes Server Medical Art templates were used for creating figures. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:172454 Serial 6418
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Author Clemen, R.; Heirman, P.; Lin, A.; Bogaerts, A.; Bekeschus, S.
Title Physical Plasma-Treated Skin Cancer Cells Amplify Tumor Cytotoxicity of Human Natural Killer (NK) Cells Type A1 Journal article
Year 2020 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 12 Issue 12 Pages 3575
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Skin cancers have the highest prevalence of all human cancers, with the most lethal forms being squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. Besides the conventional local treatment approaches like surgery and radiotherapy, cold physical plasmas are emerging anticancer tools. Plasma technology is used as a therapeutic agent by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Evidence shows that inflammation and adaptive immunity are involved in cancer-reducing effects of plasma treatment, but the role of innate immune cells is still unclear. Natural killer (NK)-cells interact with target cells via activating and inhibiting surface receptors and kill in case of dominating activating signals. In this study, we investigated the effect of cold physical plasma (kINPen) on two skin cancer cell lines (A375 and A431), with non-malignant HaCaT keratinocytes as control, and identified a plasma treatment time-dependent toxicity that was more pronounced in the cancer cells. Plasma treatment also modulated the expression of activating and inhibiting receptors more profoundly in skin cancer cells compared to HaCaT cells, leading to significantly higher NK-cell killing rates in the tumor cells. Together with increased pro-inflammatory mediators such as IL-6 and IL-8, we conclude that plasma treatment spurs stress responses in skin cancer cells, eventually augmenting NK-cell activity.
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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000601901900001 Publication Date 2020-11-30
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Notes This work was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), grant numbers 03Z22DN11 and 03Z22Di1; The authors acknowledge the technical assistance of Eric Freund, Julia Berner, Sanjeev Kumar Sagwal, Christina Wolff, Felix Niessner, Walison Brito, and Lea Miebach. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:173863 Serial 6442
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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 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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Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000614960600001 Publication Date 2021-02-02
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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 Shaw, P.; Kumar, N.; Privat-Maldonado, A.; Smits, E.; Bogaerts, A.
Title Cold Atmospheric Plasma Increases Temozolomide Sensitivity of Three-Dimensional Glioblastoma Spheroids via Oxidative Stress-Mediated DNA Damage Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 13 Issue 8 Pages 1780
Keywords A1 Journal article; Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT); Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent and aggressive primary malignant brain tumor in adults. Current standard radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy with the alkylating agent temozolomide (TMZ) yield poor clinical outcome. This is due to the stem-like properties of tumor cells and genetic abnormalities in GBM, which contribute to resistance to TMZ and progression. In this study, we used cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) to enhance the sensitivity to TMZ through inhibition of antioxidant signaling (linked to TMZ resistance). We demonstrate that CAP indeed enhances the cytotoxicity of TMZ by targeting the antioxidant specific glutathione (GSH)/glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) signaling. We optimized the threshold concentration of TMZ on five different GBM cell lines (U251, LN18, LN229, U87-MG and T98G). We combined TMZ with CAP and tested it on both TMZ-sensitive (U251, LN18 and LN229) and TMZ-resistant (U87-MG and T98G) cell lines using two-dimensional cell cultures. Subsequently, we used a three-dimensional spheroid model for the U251 (TMZ-sensitive) and U87-MG and T98G (TMZ-resistant) cells. The sensitivity of TMZ was enhanced, i.e., higher cytotoxicity and spheroid shrinkage was obtained when TMZ and CAP were administered together. We attribute the anticancer properties to the release of intracellular reactive oxygen species, through inhibiting the GSH/GPX4 antioxidant machinery, which can lead to DNA damage. Overall, our findings suggest that the combination of CAP with TMZ is a promising combination therapy to enhance the efficacy of TMZ towards the treatment of GBM spheroids.
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Language Wos 000644001200001 Publication Date 2021-04-08
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Impact Factor Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes We thank the Department of Biomedical Sciences, and the Laboratory of Protein Science, Proteomics & Epigenetic Signalling, at the University of Antwerp, for providing the facilities for the cell experiments. We are also grateful to Peter Ponsaerts from the Laboratory of Experimental Haematology, at the University of Antwerp, for providing the fluorescence microscope. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:177779 Serial 6746
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Author Logie, E.; Chirumamilla, C.S.; Perez-Novo, C.; Shaw, P.; Declerck, K.; Palagani, A.; Rangarajan, S.; Cuypers, B.; De Neuter, N.; Mobashar Hussain Urf Turabe, F.; Kumar Verma, N.; Bogaerts, A.; Laukens, K.; Offner, F.; Van Vlierberghe, P.; Van Ostade, X.; Berghe, W.V.
Title Covalent Cysteine Targeting of Bruton’s Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) Family by Withaferin-A Reduces Survival of Glucocorticoid-Resistant Multiple Myeloma MM1 Cells Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Cancers Abbreviated Journal Cancers
Volume 13 Issue 7 Pages 1618
Keywords A1 Journal article; ADReM Data Lab (ADReM); Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine – Antwerp (PLASMANT)
Abstract Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy characterized by plasma cells’ uncontrolled growth. The major barrier in treating MM is the occurrence of primary and acquired therapy resistance to anticancer drugs. Often, this therapy resistance is associated with constitutive hyperactivation of tyrosine kinase signaling. Novel covalent kinase inhibitors, such as the clinically approved BTK inhibitor ibrutinib (IBR) and the preclinical phytochemical withaferin A (WA), have, therefore, gained pharmaceutical interest. Remarkably, WA is more effective than IBR in killing BTK-overexpressing glucocorticoid (GC)-resistant MM1R cells. To further characterize the kinase inhibitor profiles of WA and IBR in GC-resistant MM cells, we applied phosphopeptidome- and transcriptome-specific tyrosine kinome profiling. In contrast to IBR, WA was found to reverse BTK overexpression in GC-resistant MM1R cells. Furthermore, WA-induced cell death involves covalent cysteine targeting of Hinge-6 domain type tyrosine kinases of the kinase cysteinome classification, including inhibition of the hyperactivated BTK. Covalent interaction between WA and BTK could further be confirmed by biotin-based affinity purification and confocal microscopy. Similarly, molecular modeling suggests WA preferably targets conserved cysteines in the Hinge-6 region of the kinase cysteinome classification, favoring inhibition of multiple B-cell receptors (BCR) family kinases. Altogether, we show that WA’s promiscuous inhibition of multiple BTK family tyrosine kinases represents a highly effective strategy to overcome GC-therapy resistance in MM.
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Language Wos 000638328000001 Publication Date 2021-03-31
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Notes The authors thank Eva Lion, Head of Tumor Immunology Group of the Laboratory of Experimental Hematology (University of Antwerp), for kindly providing GC‐resistant U266 cells. Approved Most recent IF: NA
Call Number PLASMANT @ plasmant @c:irua:177781 Serial 6751
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Author Zarafshani, K.; Sharafi, L.; Azadi, H.; Van Passel, S.
Title Vulnerability assessment models to drought : toward a conceptual framework Type A1 Journal article
Year 2016 Publication Sustainability Abbreviated Journal Sustainability-Basel
Volume 8 Issue 6 Pages 1-21
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract Drought is regarded as a slow-onset natural disaster that causes inevitable damage to water resources and to farm life. Currently, crisis management is the basis of drought mitigation plans, however, thus far studies indicate that effective drought management strategies are based on risk management. As a primary tool in mitigating the impact of drought, vulnerability assessment can be used as a benchmark in drought mitigation plans and to enhance farmers ability to cope with drought. Moreover, literature pertaining to drought has focused extensively on its impact, only awarding limited attention to vulnerability assessment as a tool. Therefore, the main purpose of this paper is to develop a conceptual framework for designing a vulnerability model in order to assess farmers level of vulnerability before, during and after the onset of drought. Use of this developed drought vulnerability model would aid disaster relief workers by enhancing the adaptive capacity of farmers when facing the impacts of drought. The paper starts with the definition of vulnerability and outlines different frameworks on vulnerability developed thus far. It then identifies various approaches of vulnerability assessment and finally offers the most appropriate model. The paper concludes that the introduced model can guide drought mitigation programs in countries that are impacted the most by drought.
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Language Wos 000378776800084 Publication Date 2016-06-23
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Impact Factor 1.789 Times cited 15 Open Access
Notes ; ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.789
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:134331 Serial 6278
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Author Mahdei, K.N.; Pouya, M.; Taheri, F.; Azadi, H.; Van Passel, S.
Title Sustainability indicators of irans developmental plans : application of the sustainability compass theory Type A1 Journal article
Year 2015 Publication Sustainability Abbreviated Journal Sustainability-Basel
Volume 7 Issue 11 Pages 14647-14660
Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract The main purpose of this study was to analyze Irans developmental plans in order to examine and compare their direction and conformity with the sustainable development theory via the compass of sustainability. The approach involves a content analysis used in line with qualitative research methodologies. The results indicated that, in the first developmental plans, there was no direct reference to sustainable development. In the second to fifth plans, the main focus was on the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of development; which were common elements seen in the policies of all the plans. An analysis of the fourth plan revealed that expressions related to sustainable development appeared more frequently, indicating a stronger emphasis on sustainable development by decision-makers.
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Language Wos 000369088600013 Publication Date 2015-11-03
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Impact Factor 1.789 Times cited 3 Open Access
Notes ; The authors wish to thank Bethany Gardner from the Department of Linguistics, Binghamton University for her kind help in improving the English of this text. The corresponding author is a beneficiary of Fulbright scholarship at Binghamton University-State University of New York. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.789; 2015 IF: 0.942
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:129874 Serial 6256
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Author Biely, K.; Maes, D.; Van Passel, S.
Title Market power extended : from Foucault to Meadows Type A1 Journal article
Year 2018 Publication Sustainability Abbreviated Journal Sustainability-Basel
Volume 10 Issue 8 Pages 2843-23
Keywords A1 Journal article; Economics; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract Market power is a complex matter that is approximated with quantitative indicators within economics. However, these indicators may not fully capture market power, or they may fail to identify it, although it may be present. Moreover, a quantitative approach restricts market power as a concept, impeding the ability to discuss its relationship with other concepts, such as sustainability. This paper extends the definition of market power, following Foucaults understanding of power and the associated theoretical discussions of power from different disciplines. We extended Foucaults work by including systems thinking to capture the importance of the prevalent systems paradigm, which is the ultimate initiator of action. Apart from distinguishing different elements of power, we also integrate an instrumental view on the elements of power. The developed frame allows us to understand the dynamic character of power as a force that strives to maintain or ameliorate the position of the paradigm that it serves. Based on this frame, we outline how this extended understanding of power can be used to analyze market power itself, and its relation with sustainability.
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Language Wos 000446767700259 Publication Date 2018-08-10
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Impact Factor 1.789 Times cited 1 Open Access
Notes ; This research was performed within the frame of the HORIZON 2020 project SUFISA with the grant agreement number 635577. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.789
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:154139 Serial 6224
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Author Buyle, M.; Audenaert, A.; Billen, P.; Boonen, K.; Van Passel, S.
Title The future of Ex-Ante LCA? Lessons learned and practical recommendations Type A1 Journal article
Year 2019 Publication Sustainability Abbreviated Journal Sustainability-Basel
Volume 11 Issue 19 Pages 5456
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM); Biochemical Wastewater Valorization & Engineering (BioWaVE); Energy and Materials in Infrastructure and Buildings (EMIB)
Abstract Every decision-oriented life cycle assessment (LCAs) entails, at least to some extent, a future-oriented feature. However, apart from the ex-ante LCAs, the majority of LCA studies are retrospective in nature and do not explicitly account for possible future effects. In this review a generic theoretical framework is proposed as a guideline for ex-ante LCA. This framework includes the entire technology life cycle, from the early design phase up to continuous improvements of mature technologies, including their market penetration. The compatibility with commonly applied system models yields an additional aspect of the framework. Practical methods and procedures are categorised, based on how they incorporate future-oriented features in LCA. The results indicate that most of the ex-ante LCAs focus on emerging technologies that have already gone through some research cycles within narrowly defined system boundaries. There is a lack of attention given to technologies that are at a very early development stage, when all options are still open and can be explored at a low cost. It is also acknowledged that technological learning impacts the financial and environmental performance of mature production systems. Once technologies are entering the market, shifts in market composition can lead to substantial changes in environmental performance.
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Language Wos 000493525500315 Publication Date 2019-10-01
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Impact Factor 1.789 Times cited 4 Open Access
Notes ; Thanks to Koen Breemersch for providing insightful and useful comments on draft versions of this manuscript. This work was supported by the University of Antwerp and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO). The authors also acknowledge anonymous reviewers for the constructive suggestions and the stimulating discussion. ; Approved Most recent IF: 1.789
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:162571 Serial 6205
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Author Finizola e Silva, M.; Van Passel, S.
Title Climate-Smart Agriculture in the Northeast of Brazil: An Integrated Assessment of the Aquaponics Technology Type A1 Journal Article
Year 2020 Publication Sustainability Abbreviated Journal Sustainability-Basel
Volume 12 Issue 9 Pages 3734
Keywords A1 Journal Article; aquaponics; Aquaponova; Brazil; semi-arid region; food insecurity; cost–benefit analysis; socio-economic approach; climate-smart agriculture; Engineering Management (ENM) ;
Abstract The purpose of this study is to determine if aquaponic systems can reduce food insecurity in the semi-arid regions of Brazil and generate income for the beneficiaries. Aquaponics is a potentially sustainable way to produce food based on gardening, hydroponics and aquaculture. A case study, based on a project called Aquaponova, was developed. The aquaponic systems currently used in the project are non-commercial and designed for households with limited resources. The data based on six existing systems within this project were used to compare the costs and the benefits. The cost–benefit analysis covers four scenarios and three financing options. The results show that aquaponic systems have a large potential and can reduce food insecurity in semi-arid regions while generating income for the beneficiaries. Even if the system only produces 40% of the total estimated production, the system will still be feasible. However, the low opportunity cost of labour is an essential factor for obtaining these positive results. Moreover, the social benefits, such as a community spirit and the health benefits of the system, should not be underestimated.
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Language Wos 000537476200232 Publication Date 2020-05-05
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Impact Factor 3.9 Times cited Open Access
Notes We would like to express our gratitude to Francisco Fechine Borges who introduced Maíra Finizola e Silva the basics of aquaponics and gave her the opportunity to base her research on the data from the Aquaponova project. We would also like to thank the participants of the 2nd LA SDEWES conference in Buenos Aires (9–12 February 2020) for the useful comments and suggestions. Approved Most recent IF: 3.9; 2020 IF: 1.789
Call Number ENM @ enm @c:irua:170074 Serial 6382
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Author Tessema, G.A.; van der Borg, J.; Van Rompaey, A.; Van Passel, S.; Adgo, E.; Minale, A.S.; Asrese, K.; Frankl, A.; Poesen, J.
Title Benefit segmentation of tourists to geosites and its implications for sustainable development of geotourism in the Southern Lake Tana Region, Ethiopia Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Sustainability Abbreviated Journal Sustainability-Basel
Volume 14 Issue 6 Pages 3411-3425
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract Geotourism is a sustainable type of tourism that focuses on the geological and geomorphological heritages of an area, and the associated cultural and biodiversity features. Though the popularity of geotourism is rapidly growing, research on the demand side, particularly on segmenting tourists to geosites and understanding their profiles, is limited. This obviously makes the designing of effective tourism policies that aim at developing geotourism sustainably very difficult. Hence, the main objectives of this study were to segment and profile tourists to geosites based on the benefits sought, and to show its implications for sustainable development of geotourism. With a survey of 415 tourists, this study clustered tourists to geosites in the southern Lake Tana region in Ethiopia based on the benefits sought. A factor-cluster method was applied to segment the tourists. The study identified four distinct segments: Activity-Nature Lovers, Culture Lovers, Nature-Culture Lovers, and Want-It-Alls. These segments differed in their demographic, trip, and behavioral characteristics. The findings implied that for sustainable development, destination managers and marketers need to customize their geotourism product development and marketing strategies based on the needs and characteristics of each market segment.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000774527600001 Publication Date 2022-03-15
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2071-1050 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.9 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.9
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:188043 Serial 7353
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Author Dehhaghi, S.; Choobchian, S.; Ghobadian, B.; Farhadian, H.; Viira, A.-H.; Stefanie, H.I.; Van Passel, S.; Azadi, H.
Title Five-year development plans of renewable energy policies in Iran : a content analysis Type A1 Journal article
Year 2022 Publication Sustainability Abbreviated Journal Sustainability-Basel
Volume 14 Issue 3 Pages 1501
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Engineering Management (ENM)
Abstract Renewable energy (RE) policies can play an effective role in the development of renewable resources. The main goal of this paper was to conduct a content analysis on RE development policies in Iran's five-year National Development Plan (NDP) by investigating upstream national documents. To achieve the goal, 29 upstream documents related to RE were identified and analyzed through a systematic literature review. Then, a qualitative content analysis was applied to analyze the documents. The results showed that Iran's current RE policies need to be reviewed, reformed, and strengthened. For example, lack of sufficient attention to renewable heat and fuel was one of the deficiencies of RE policies in Iran's five-year NDP. The decentralization of policymaking in the unified organization was also one of the weaknesses in the policymaking process of the RE. Iran can develop sustainable and clean RE policies by using sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydropower, wave, and tidal power. The paper concludes that, although RE policies have the potential for development in Iran due to environmental, social, and economic advantages, they could face some infrastructural, managerial, socio-cultural, and economic challenges. Accordingly, effective and innovative policymaking is required to meet such challenges.
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Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000754912800001 Publication Date 2022-01-28
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2071-1050 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 3.9 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 3.9
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:186501 Serial 7358
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Author Winterstetter, A.; Grodent, M.; Kini, V.; Ragaert, K.; Vrancken, K.C.M.
Title A review of technological solutions to prevent or reduce marine plastic litter in developing countries Type A1 Journal article
Year 2021 Publication Sustainability Abbreviated Journal Sustainability-Basel
Volume 13 Issue 9 Pages 4894
Keywords A1 Journal article; Engineering sciences. Technology; Sustainable Energy, Air and Water Technology (DuEL)
Abstract Growing global plastic production combined with poor waste collection has led to increasing amounts of plastic debris being found in oceans, rivers and on shores. The goal of this study is to provide an overview on currently available technological solutions to tackle marine plastic litter and to assess their potential use in developing countries. To compile an inventory of technological solutions, a dedicated online platform was developed. A total of 51 out of initially 75 submitted solutions along the plastics value chain were assessed by independent experts. Collection systems represent more than half of the shortlisted solutions. A quarter include processing and treatment technologies, either as a stand-alone solution (30%) or, more commonly, in combination with a first litter capturing step. Ten percent offer digital solutions. The rest focuses on integrated waste management solutions. For each stage in the source-to-sea spectrum-land, rivers, sea-two illustrative examples are described in detail. This study concludes that the most cost-effective type of solution tackles land-based sources of marine litter and combines technology with people-oriented practices, runs on own energy sources, connects throughout the plastics value chain with a convincing valorization plan for captured debris, and involves all relevant stakeholders.
Address
Corporate Author Thesis
Publisher Place of Publication Editor
Language Wos 000650920900001 Publication Date 2021-04-27
Series Editor Series Title Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume Series Issue Edition
ISSN (down) 2071-1050 ISBN Additional Links UA library record; WoS full record; WoS citing articles
Impact Factor 1.789 Times cited Open Access OpenAccess
Notes Approved Most recent IF: 1.789
Call Number UA @ admin @ c:irua:178368 Serial 7396
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