bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Severity and Outcome of COVID-19 Cases by Haematological and Biochemical Markers at Tertiary Care Centre in India
Authors: Singh Amresh Kumar , Pandey Jayesh , Adhikari Indra Prasad , Gaur Vivek , Kumar Ankur , Prakash Satya , Tiwari Rajju 
Published: December 2020

Background: In December 2019, a cluster of pneumonia cases caused by a novel corona virus (2019-nCov), later named as severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) was detected in China. In India, 30th January 2020 first positive case ofSARS-CoV-2was reported from Kerala. The reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is the standard method of choice for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Certain biomarker molecules that are being evaluated for assessment of severity and prognosis are; D-dimer, C reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), complete blood counts (CBC) and serum ferritin. The elevated levels of these biomarkers were associated with extent of inflammation.
Objective: This prospective study was designed to assess the severity and prognosis of pneumonia cases caused by SARS-CoV-2 using different haematological and biochemical biomarkers.
Materials and Methods: This study was conducted among 242 participants attending covid-19 facility of BRD Medical College Gorakhpur, after confirmation by RT-PCR. Different haematological and biochemical biomarkers were analyzed using 5 ml fasting venous blood samples and these were analysed in auto analysers using standard protocol as per manufacturer’s instructions. Finally result was analyzed using standard statistical calculation by %positivity, confidence interval, p values and ≤ 0.05 is considered as statistically significant.
Results: Among a total of 242 COVID-19 cases based on different haematological and biomarkers assessment; 92 were critically ill and 150 non-critically ill. The mean ±SD of various haematological parameters among critically ill cases were; haemoglobin (13.0±1.8),TLC (13846.13±3903.76),PLT (92213.48±61415.07),NLR(36.5±30.4).The mean ±SD of the biochemical parameters of critically ill participant was; CRP 44.7±35.4 (95%CI 25.06,2.93),D. dimer 2.9±2.6 (95%CI 1.69,0.10), serum ferritin 1204.7±750.7 (95%CI 581.8,60.1),LDH 397.2±180.8 (95% CI 133.01,0.0163). The level of different haematological and biochemical parameters was raised also in non-critically ill cases but at lower side. Out of these 242 cases; 106 (43.8%) were died and 136 (56.2%) survived but the mortality was high in critically ill cases.
Conclusion: Our findings show that level of D-dimer, LDH, CRP, NLR and serum ferritin,can be used to assess the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 cases. Among these biomarkers; D-dimer levels correlate more precisely with severity and can be considered as a reliable prognostic marker.
Interfacial Engineering for Improved Photocatalysis in a Charge Storing 2D Carbon Nitride: Melamine Functionalized Poly(heptazine imide)
Authors: Kröger Julia , Jiménez‐Solano Alberto , Savasci Gökcen , Rovó Petra , Moudrakovski Igor , Küster Kathrin , Schlomberg Hendrik , Vignolo‐González Hugo A. , Duppel Viola , Grunenberg Lars , Dayan Cem B. , Sitti Metin , Podjaski Filip , Ochsenfeld Christian , Lotsch Bettina V. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCarbon nitrides constitute a class of earth‐abundant polymeric semiconductors, which have high potential for tunability on a molecular level, despite their high chemical and thermal inertness. Here the first postsynthetic modification of the 2D carbon nitride poly(heptazine imide) (PHI) is reported, which is decorated with terminal melamine (Mel) moieties by a functional group interconversion. The covalent attachment of this group is verified based with a suite of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques supported by quantum–chemical calculations. Using triethanolamine as a sacrificial electron donor, Mel‐PHI outperforms most other carbon nitrides in terms of hydrogen evolution rate (5570 µmol h−1 g−1), while maintaining the intrinsic light storing properties of PHI. The origin of the observed superior photocatalytic performance is traced back to a modified surface electronic structure and enhanced interfacial interactions with the amphiphile triethanolamine, which imparts improved colloidal stability to the catalyst particles especially in contrast to methanol used as donor. However, this high activity can be limited by oxidation products of donor reversibly building up at the surface, thus blocking active centers. The findings lay out the importance of surface functionalization to engineer the catalyst–solution interface, an underappreciated tuning parameter in photocatalytic reaction design.
Electrochemical Supercapacitors: From Mechanism Understanding to Multifunctional Applications
Authors: Chen Jingwei , Lee Pooi See 
Published: December 2020

AbstractElectrochemical supercapacitors (SC) with high power and long cycle life have been extensively studied and applied in certain areas. However, a majority of the efforts have been devoted to developing SCs with improved performance through novel electrode/electrolytes design. The full mechanistic understanding of SCs based on different electrode materials has not yet been realized. In addition, exploration of new functions for SCs to widen their applications must be accelerated. In this essay, the use of advanced characterization methods (in situ X‐ray diffraction, in situ X‐ray scattering, in situ atomic force microscopy, in situ nuclear magnetic resonance, in situ Raman/infrared spectroscopy, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, scanning electrochemical microscopy, etc.) to unveil the electrochemical process of SCs from different aspects will be discussed. The working principles, information to be extracted, and case studies of respective methods will be presented. The multipronged mechanism studies of electrode properties inspire and enable exploration of extra functions within the same electrochemical SCs. Realization of mechanically deformable, low‐temperature, color tunable, self‐healable, and self‐chargeable SCs; integrated SC‐sensors; and SC‐actuators with adoption of new electrode/electrolyte/current collectors/configurations are showcased. The remaining issues hindering the wide exploitation of SCs and the future development trend of SCs are also discussed.
Usage of peptidases by SARS‐CoV‐2 and several human coronaviruses as receptors: A mysterious story
Authors: Shatizadeh Malekshahi Somayeh , Yavarian Jila , Shafiei‐Jandaghi Nazanin‐Zahra 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCoronaviruses recognize a variety of host receptors to infect many humans and animals. Newly emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) recognizes angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) to gain entry into different cells. Interestingly, besides SARS‐CoV2, four other human coronaviruses (HCoVs) use three different ectopeptidases (ACE2, dipeptidyl peptidase 4, and aminopeptidase N) as receptors independent of their common peptidase activity. This issue has led to the important question “why do several HCoVs rely on peptidases as their receptors?.” In this paper, we discussed to answer this question. Mostly, it seems that the use of peptidases by HCoVs may be more related to their widespread presence on target cells and also viruses prefer to take advantage of molecules with relatively low affinity for their natural ligands through evolving a stronger binding affinity to the surface receptors for entry and endocytosis. Meanwhile evolutionary conservation of these receptors may allow HCoVs to switch between different host species. Finally, the choice of peptidases by HCoVs may reflect the “trial and error” nature of evolution. In conclusion, substantial efforts are needed to get a strong picture of this fascinating question and poorly explored area. Detailed understanding of the entry mechanisms offers opportunities for the development of refined strategies to stop viruses.
Homology modeling and molecular docking study of biogenic Muga silk nanoparticles as putative drug‐binding system
Authors: Asapur Prithvi C. , Sahare Purushottam D. , Mahapatra Santosh Kumar , Banerjee Indrani 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe recent emergence of natural biopolymers as drug delivery vehicles is attributed to their biodegradability and less systemic toxicity. Muga silk nanoparticles were prepared using microwave radiolysis method and were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, circular dichroism, X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. To find the applicability in the drug delivery system of these nanoparticle and to know the binding site(s), a computational study was carried out. The structure of the Muga protein is predicted using homology modeling, which is further used for molecular docking. The in silico molecular docking between the Muga silk nanoparticles and three United States Food and Drug Administration‐approved model drugs of doxorubicin, remdesivir and dexamethasone was performed. The binding capabilities and binding energy of the Muga silk proteins with these drugs are determined. The basic idea of the active site and the residues involved in the binding of the drugs/ligands is also studied. Doxorubicin showed the highest binding affinity of −8.7 kcal/mol and that of the remdesivir and dexamethasone are found to be −7.2 and −7.9 kcal/mol, respectively. Such high binding affinity(ies) would help for slow drug release kinetics and the other two drugs can be loaded when the requirement is for sustained drug release. The data were also validated using the UV–vis. spectroscopy.
Validation of International Working Group response criteria in higher‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes: A report on behalf of the MDS Clinical Research Consortium
Authors: Komrokji Rami S. , Al Ali Najla H , Sallman David , Padron Eric , DeZern Amy E. , Barnard John , Roboz Gail J. , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , List Alan , Steensma David P. , Sekeres Mikkael A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe utility of the International Working Group (IWG) 2006 response criteria for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) as a surrogate endpoint for outcomes is unclear. We assessed the validity of the IWG 2006 response criteria in a large cohort of higher‐risk MDS patients (pts) treated at centers from the MDS Clinical Research Consortium. The best overall response rate (ORR) by IWG 2006 criteria to first‐line therapy among 597 evaluable pts was 38% and include complete response (CR) 16%, marrow CR (mCR) 2%, partial response (PR) 10%, hematological improvement (HI) 10%, stable disease (SD) 33%, and progressive disease (PD) 24%. CR was associated with a better overall survival (OS) compared to all other response groups (P < 0.001). Among 470 pts treated with hypomethylating agent (HMA) as first‐line therapy, the overall Response Rate, defined as HI or better was 39%. The median OS from time of best response was 21 mo, 8 mo, 14 mo, 12 mo, 13 mo, and 8 mo for CR, mCR, PR, HI, SD, and PD, respectively (P < 0.001). We validated those results in a separate cohort of 539 higher‐risk MDS pts treated at Moffitt Cancer Center who received first‐line HMA therapy, particularly addressing the value of mCR and mCR+HI. mCR alone without HI, SD, and PD outcomes were inferior to CR, PR, mCR+HI, and HI. In conclusion, CR by IWG 2006 response criteria can be used as a surrogate endpoint for OS in higher‐risk MDS pts. Any response associated with restoration of effective hematopoiesis is associated with better outcome.
AL amyloidosis: The effect of fluorescent in situ hybridization abnormalities on organ involvement and survival
Authors: Ozga Michael , Zhao Qiuhong , Benson Don , Elder Patrick , Williams Nita , Bumma Naresh , Rosko Ashley , Chaudhry Maria , Khan Abdullah , Devarakonda Srinivas , Kahwash Rami , Vallakati Ajay , Campbell Courtney , Parikh Samir V. , Almaani Salem , Prosek Jason , Bittengle Jordan , Pfund Katherine , LoRusso Samantha , Freimer Miriam , Redder Elyse , Efebera Yvonne , Sharma Nidhi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBackgroundSystemic light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a clonal plasma‐cell neoplasm that carries a poor prognosis. Although AL amyloidosis and Multiple Myeloma (MM) can co‐exist and share various cytogenetic chromosomal abnormalities, little is known about Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and its prognostic relevance in AL amyloidosis.Aim:The study aims to evaluate the most prevalent FISH cytogenetic abnormalities in AL patients as independent prognostic factors, and assess the impact of cytogenetics on the survival of high‐risk cardiac AL patients.Materials & MethodsThis retrospective study reviewed 113 consecutive AL patients treated at The Ohio State University (OSU). Patients were divided into subgroups based on FISH data obtained within 90 days of diagnosis. Hyperdiploidy was defined as trisomies of at least 2 chromosomal loci. Primary endpoints were progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Kaplan Meier curves were used to calculate PFS and OS. The log‐rank test and Cox proportional hazard models were used to test the equality of survival functions and further evaluate the differences between groups.ResultsFISH abnormalities were detected in 76% of patients. Patients with abnormal FISH trended toward lower overall survival (OS) (p=0.06) and progression free survival (PFS) (p=0.06). The two most prevalent aberrations were translocation t(11;14) (39%) and hyperdiploidy‐overall (38%). Hyperdiploidy‐overall was associated with worsening PFS (p=0.018) and OS (p=0.03), confirmed in multivariable analysis. Patients with del 13q most frequently had cardiac involvement (p=0.006) and was associated with increased bone marrow plasmacytosis (p=0.02). Cardiac AL patients with no FISH abnormalities had much improved OS (p=0.012) and PFS (p=0.018)ConclusionsOur findings ultimately reveal the association of hyperdiploidy on survival in AL amyloidosis patients, including the high‐risk cardiac AL population.
An enigmatic soft tissue creeping phenomenon: The spontaneous peri‐implant mucosa margin and papilla growth. A retrospective clinical study
Authors: Agabiti Ivo , Apaza Alccayhuaman Karol Alí , Nakajima Yasushi , Botticelli Daniele 
Published: December 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of the present retrospective study was to evaluate papillae filling rate and buccal margins coronal growth in implant‐supported prostheses which were over‐contoured at the apical buccal third to form a rearmost collar zone, thus mimicking a false root.Material and methodsThe influence of adjacent elements, teeth, implants, or pontics was examined. One‐hundred and three crowns have been assessed in photographs taken on 61 patients after prosthesis delivering and at last follow‐up (mean 2.8 years). The Jemt index was adopted to evaluate papillae growth at the baseline and follow‐up as follows: 0, absence of papilla; 1, less than half of interdental embrasure height; 2, more than half of interdental embrasure height; 3, fully papilla filled interdental embrasure. Index score 4, papilla hyperplasia was not included. Moreover, the coronal growth (or recession) of buccal mucosa in implant‐supported crowns was assessed.ResultsAt baseline, a total of 29 papillae had a 0 score, while only two scored 3 with complete papilla formation. On follow‐up, only one papilla scored 0, while 46 scored 3 with complete interdental embrasures filling. The highest papilla score was registered from first year crown insertion and likewise in interdental embrasures located between two implants or implants and pontics. Moreover, the buccal margin growth was observed in almost 80% of crowns. Such findings seem to indicate that buccal margin and papilla around implant‐supported crowns presented a coronal growth over time, especially during its first year. The average papilla growth between two implants was no lower than that observed in papilla present between implants and natural teeth.ConclusionsRecessed areas at collar of implant‐supported prostheses appear to positively influence papillae and buccal margin growth, especially in its first year. Papilla growth between two implants was similar to that observed between implants and natural teeth.
The Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films Technique Predicts Sediment Nickel Toxicity to the Amphipod Melita plumulosa
Authors: Gillmore Megan L. , Price Gwilym A.V. , Golding Lisa A. , Stauber Jenny L. , Adams Merrin S. , Simpson Stuart L. , Smith Ross E.W. , Jolley Dianne F. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
The geographical shift of nickel mining to small island countries of the Southeast Asia and Melanesia region has produced a need to assess the environmental risk associated with increased sediment nickel exposure to benthic estuarine/marine biota. Chemical measurements of nickel concentration and potential bioavailability, including the use of diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT), were compared to effects on 10-d reproduction of the epibenthic estuarine/marine amphipod Melita plumulosa in nickel-spiked sediments and field-contaminated sediments with different characteristics. The 10% effect concentrations (EC10s) for amphipod reproduction ranged from 280 to 690 mg/kg total recoverable nickel, from 110 to 380 mg/kg dilute acid–extractable nickel, and from 34 to 87 μg Ni/m2/h DGT-labile nickel flux. Nickel bioavailability was lower in sediments with greater total organic carbon, clay content, and percentage of fine particles. Measurements of DGT-labile nickel flux at the sediment–water interface integrated exposure to nickel from porewater, overlying water, and ingested sediment exposure pathways and were found to have the strongest relationship with the biological response. At most, there was a 29% reduction in 10-d M. plumulosa reproduction relative to the control when exposed to nickel from field-contaminated sediments collected from nickel laterite mining regions of New Caledonia. The DGT technique can be used as a complementary tool to measure the bioavailability of nickel in estuarine/marine sediments, especially sediments that are in nickel laterite mining regions where there are no or few toxicity data available for determining biological effects on local species. Based on the combined data set of the 3 nickel-spiked sediments a DGT-labile nickel EC10 threshold of 50 (30–69) μg Ni/m2/h was determined. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:1266–1278. © 2020 SETAC
Improved ultra‐high performance liquid chromatographic method for simultaneous determination of five gout‐related metabolites in human serum
Authors: Kang Lu , Liu Ju , Zhang Hongyang , Jiang Min , Jin Yidian , Zhang Min , Hu Ping 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCreatinine and purines are gout‐related metabolites commonly quantified by liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet and mass spectrometry. However, the high cost of liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry hindered its extensive use in ordinary hospitals and clinical laboratories. Using the traditional liquid chromatography method, the full separation of these metabolites in complex biological samples is still not achieved. In this study, an improved ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet spectroscopy method was reported for quantitative determination of five gout‐related metabolites (i.e., creatinine, uric acid, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and inosine) in human serum within 10 min. A UHPLC system equipped with a hydrophilic C18 column was used to improve separation, shorten analysis time, and increase analysis throughput. The performance of the method was validated by evaluating linearity (squared correlation coefficient > 0.9991), recovery (92.8–100.0%, with relative standard deviation < 4.7%), accuracy (relative errors < 14.6%), precision (0.2‐4.1% for intraday and 2.1‐7.3% for interday) and stability (‐14.1 to 8.3% in autosampler for 12 h and ‐13.3 to 2.2% for freeze‐thaw cycles). This method was successfully applied to quantify gout‐related metabolites in serum samples of healthy controls and gout patients, which was expected to be used in the clinical investigation of gout at different stages.
Scar Dancing Syndrome: Peripheral Trauma Induced Involuntary Hyperkinesia around Surgical Incision
Authors: Yang Xiaodong , Li Hongxia , Hallett Mark , Wan Xinhua , Wu Yiwen 
Published: December 2020

ABSTRACTBackgroundPeripherally induced movement disorders represent a rare and debated complication of peripheral trauma. It is difficult to determine a causal relationship between peripheral injuries and subsequent movement disorders.CasesHere, we introduce and characterize four patients with post‐surgical scar‐associated movement disorders, a peripherally‐induced rippling movement disorder confined to the muscles just under a long surgical incision scar, appearing weeks to months after surgery. This novel ‘scar dancing’ syndrome does not spread to adjacent muscles and persists during sleep.ConclusionScar dancing syndrome expands the phenotypic spectrum of peripherally induced movement disorders, in which movement disorder is confined to a long surgical incision site.
Patient with CATSPER3 mutations‐related failure of sperm acrosome reaction with successful pregnancy outcome from intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
Authors: Wang Jiaxiong , Tang Hui , Zou Qinyan , Zheng Aiyan , Li Hong , Yang Shenmin , Xiang Jingjing 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPurposeThis study is intended to investigate the candidate pathogenic gene in a patient with primary infertility but without the defect in routine semen parameters from a consanguineous family and explore the potential impacts of mutations on assisted reproductive technology outcome.MethodsWhole‐exome sequencing (WES) was carried out. A variant in his family found by WES was verified by Sanger sequencing. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was applied to obtain a successful outcome.ResultsA Cation Channel of Sperm 3(CATSPER3) homozygous variant (NM_ 178019.3:exon5:c.707T>A, p.L236*) was identified for the first time. The anti‐CD46 immunofluorescence analysis revealed the failure of sperm acrosome reaction (AR) caused by the mutation. ICSI treatment was successful.ConclusionThis is the first report of a homozygous pathogenic CATSPER3 mutation. This mutation may cause male infertility with the failure of AR but without the defect in routine semen parameters. ICSI was supposed to be the most appropriate therapy.
Accessibility of support structures in topology optimization for additive manufacturing
Authors: van de Ven Emiel , Ayas Can , Langelaar Matthijs , Maas Robert , van Keulen Fred 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAdditive manufacturing (AM) and topology optimization (TO) have a synergetic relation, as AM can produce complex TO designs, and TO provides high‐performance parts that utilize the form freedom provided by AM. Recently, TO has been tailored more toward AM with the inclusion of the minimum allowable overhang angle as a design constraint: resulting designs can be built without any support structures. This work is an extension thereof, by allowing support structures only if they are accessible, such that they can be removed after manufacturing. This is achieved by applying a conventional overhang filter twice, combined with basic operations such as geometry inversion, union, and intersection. The result is an accessibility‐aware overhang filter that can be incorporated in TO. Compared with conventional overhang filtered designs, the accessibility filter results in increased part performance and better convergence behavior. Furthermore, a modular filter structure is presented to easily construct the accessibility filter, and its effectiveness is demonstrated on several numerical cases.