bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patients with periodontitis and erectile dysfunction suffer a greater incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events: A prospective study in a Spanish population
Authors: Mesa Francisco , Arrabal‐Polo Miguel Angel , Magan‐Fernandez Antonio , Arrabal Miguel , Martin Amada , Muñoz Ricardo , Rodriguez‐Agurto Alejandro , Bravo Manuel 
Published: December 2021

AbstractBackgroundPeriodontitis and erectile dysfunction (ED) have been linked with cardiovascular disease. The association of periodontitis and ED with the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events has not been previously assessed. The aim of this study was to determine if the presence of periodontitis and ED has any effect on the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events.MethodsMale patients that attended the Urology service were enrolled in a prospective study. Erectile dysfunction was diagnosed according to the International Index of Erectile Function. Sociodemographic data and periodontal clinical parameters were gathered (pocket probing depth, clinical attachment loss, bleeding on probing (BoP), plaque index and number of teeth) at baseline. Major adverse cardiovascular events occurred both before and during the follow‐up time were registered. Bivariate analyses, as well as a multivariate analysis were performed, adjusting for potential confounders.ResultsA total of 158 patients were included, with a mean follow‐up of 4.2 years. A greater number of major adverse cardiovascular events occurred in the group that presented periodontitis and ED (P = 0.038). After adjusting by age and previous cardiovascular disease in the multivariate analysis, the annual major adverse cardiovascular event rate was estimated to be 3.7 times higher in the same group (P = 0.049). Other periodontal clinical variables together with ED supported these results and were close to statistical significance.ConclusionsPatients with periodontitis and ED, adjusted by age and a cardiovascular disease, showed 3.7 times more risk of suffering major adverse cardiovascular events after mean follow‐up of 4.2 years.
Integrating periphyton and surfacewater–groundwatermethods to understand lake ecosystem processes
Authors: Atkins Karen S. , Shannon Thomas P. , Meyer Michael F. , Oleksy Isabella A. , Framsted Nicholas T. , Gurung Deviyani , Ladwig Robert 
Published: December 2021

AbstractGroundwater–surface water (GW–SW) interactions represent an important, but less visible, linkage in lake ecosystems. Periphyton is most abundant at the GW–SW interface and can rapidly assimilate nutrients from the water column. Despite the importance of periphyton in regulating whole‐lake metabolism, they are less well studied or monitored in comparison with planktonic taxa and pelagic systems. This is in stark contrast to studies of flowing waters and wetlands, where variability in GW–SW connectivity and periphyton productivity is more often incorporated into study designs. To bridge the gap between groundwater's influence on lake benthic communities, this synthesis aims to prime researchers with information necessary to incorporate groundwater and periphyton sampling into lake studies and equip investigators with tools that will facilitate cross‐disciplinary collaboration. Specifically, we (1) propose how to overcome barriers associated with studying littoral ecological‐hydrological dynamics; (2) summarize field, laboratory, and modeling techniques for assessing spatiotemporal periphyton patterns and benthic hydrological fluxes; and (3) identify paths for hydrological techniques to be incorporated into ecological studies, deepening our understanding of whole‐lake ecosystem function. We argue that coupling hydrological and periphyton measurements can yield dualistic insights into lake ecosystem functioning: how benthic periphyton modulate constituents within groundwater, and conversely, the extent to which constituents in groundwater modulate the productivity of periphyton assemblages. We assert that priming ecologists and hydrologists alike with a shared understanding of how each discipline studies the nearshore zone presents a tangible path forward for both integrating these disciplines and further contextualizing lake processes within the limnological landscape.
Mode and Polarization‐Division Multiplexing Based on Silicon Nitride Loaded Lithium Niobate on Insulator Platform
Authors: Han Xu , Jiang Yongheng , Frigg Andreas , Xiao Huifu , Zhang Pu , Nguyen Thach Giang , Boes Andreas , Yang Jianhong , Ren Guanghui , Su Yikai , Mitchell Arnan , Tian Yonghui 
Published: December 2021

AbstractMode and polarization‐division multiplexing technologies (MDM and PDM) can offer considerable parallelism for optical multiplexing biosensors, complex optical neural networks, and high‐capacity optical interconnects, while requiring only a single‐wavelength laser source. Thanks to the mature fabrication processes of silicon nitride and superior material properties of lithium niobate, the silicon nitride loaded lithium niobate on insulator (LNOI) platform allows the integration of high‐speed optical modulators and optical (de)multiplexing devices to achieve high‐capacity and low‐cost photonic integrated circuits suitable for data communication applications. In this contribution, MDM and PDM are investigated in a silicon nitride loaded LNOI (X‐cut) platform. As a proof of concept, an asymmetrical directional coupler‐based mode (de)multiplexer (MMUX) and polarization splitter‐rotator (PSR) are designed, fabricated, and experimentally demonstrated. The measured insertion losses are lower than 1.46 and 1.49 dB, while the inter‐modal crosstalk is lower than −13.03 and −17.75 dB for the MMUX and PSR, respectively, for a wavelength range of 1525–1565 nm. A 40 Gbps data transmission experiment demonstrates the data transmission capabilities of the fabricated devices. The measured eye diagrams are clear and wide‐open, and the bit error rate measurements show reasonable power penalties, indicating good device performance.
Efficacy and safety of picosecond 755‐nm alexandrite laser for treatment of nevus of Ota in Taiwanese children: A retrospective study
Authors: Yang Chin‐Yi , Shih I‐Hsin , Huang Yau‐Li , Hu Sindy 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of picosecond 755‐nm alexandrite laser in the treatment of nevus of Ota in children.Materials and MethodsA retrospective study was conducted by reviewing medical charts and photographs of 86 Taiwanese children with various types of nevus of Ota between January 2017 and September 2020. Picosecond 755‐nm alexandrite laser therapy was used to treat pigmentary lesions. Percent clearance of lesions during treatment and the treatment time required to achieve 95%–100% clearance were determined.ResultsAccording to Tanino's classification or Peking University Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) classification of nevus of Ota, most patients belonged to Tanino's Type II (32%) and Type III (38%) or PUMCH Type IIb (33%) and Type IIIb (26%), which indicated that the nevus was mainly distributed in the forehead, upper and lower eyelid, zygomatic, cheek, and temple regions. After treatment with picosecond 755‐nm alexandrite laser, 96.5% of the patients achieved 95%–100% clearance with an average of 4.3 treatment sessions. The earlier onset of lesions (before 5 months of age) and the darker Fitzpatrick skin types (type IV vs. type III) significantly increased the number of treatments required to achieve clear response, while sex, age at first treatment, Tanino's classification of nevus, and color of nevus had no significant effect. Posttreatment hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation was transient and resolved within 6 months. No serious response of the skin was evident.ConclusionPicosecond 755‐nm alexandrite laser treatment of nevus of Ota in children was safe and effective. The treatment was well‐tolerated, and only a few transient, minor side effects occurred.
Semi‐Crystalline Poly(thioether) Prepared by Visible‐Light‐Induced Organocatalyzed Thiol‐ene Polymerization in Emulsion
Authors: Le Cuong Minh Quoc , Schrodj Gautier , Ndao Ibrahima , Bessif Brahim , Heck Barbara , Pfohl Thomas , Reiter Günter , Elgoyhen Justine , Tomovska Radmila , Chemtob Abraham 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA photocatalytic thiol‐ene aqueous emulsion polymerization under visible‐light is described to prepare linear semicrystalline latexes using 2,2’‐dimercaptodiethyl sulfide as dithiol and various dienes. The procedure involves low irradiance (3 mW cm−2), LED irradiation source, eosin‐Y disodium as organocatalyst, low catalyst loading (<0.05% mol), and short reaction time scales (<1 h). The resulting latexes have molecular weights of about 10 kg mol−1, average diameters of 100 nm, and a linear structure consisting only of thioether repeating units. Electron‐transfer reaction from a thiol to the triplet excited state of the photocatalyst is suggested as the primary step of the mechanism (type I), whereas oxidation by singlet oxygen generated by energy transfer has a negligible effect (type II). Only polymers prepared with aliphatic dienes such as diallyl adipate or di(ethylene glycol) divinyl ether exhibit a high crystallization tendency as revealed by differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. Ordering and crystallization are driven by molecular packing of poly(thioether) chains combining structural regularity, compactness, and flexibility.
Glutathione S‐transferase kappa 1 is positively related with sperm quality of porcine sperm
Authors: Zeng Fanwen , Li Chengde , Huang Jianhao , Xie Shefeng , Zhou LeLe , Meng Li , Li Li , Wei Hengxi , Zhang Shouquan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe glutathione S‐transferase (GST) superfamily members play an important role in the male reproductive tract and sperm physiology. However, the expression profiles of some members of this protein family and their effect on sperm quality remain unclear. In this study, we found that GST kappa 1 (GSTK1) encoded protein is abundant in the testes and capacitated sperm acrosome. Western blot analysis revealed that the decreased abundance of GSTK1 was observed in low motile spermatozoa; moreover, GSTK1 expression decreased in sperm stored at 17°C under a long preservation time. In vitro analyses revealed that GSTK1 had no significant effect on sperm motility, capacitation, or acrosome reaction. Notably, after capacitated sperm were incubated with 4 and 8 μg/ml anti‐GSTK1 antibodies, the fertilization rate significantly decreased in vitro fertilization assay. The current study demonstrates that GSTK1 is correlated with sperm quality and is a promising marker for the assessment of sperm quality and provides a basis for understanding the potential molecular mechanism for targeting pathogenic factors in male infertility.
A randomized placebo‐controlled phase 3 study of mesenchymal stem cells induced to secrete high levels of neurotrophic factors in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Cudkowicz Merit E. , Lindborg Stacy R. , Goyal Namita A. , Miller Robert G. , Burford Matthew J. , Berry James D. , Nicholson Katharine A. , Mozaffar Tahseen , Katz Jonathan S. , Jenkins Liberty J. , Baloh Robert H. , Lewis Richard A. , Staff Nathan P. , Owegi Margaret A. , Berry Donald A. , Gothelf Yael , Levy Yossef S. , Aricha Revital , Kern Ralph Z. , Windebank Anthony J. , Brown Robert H. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroduction/AimsAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative illness with great unmet patient need. We aimed to evaluate whether mesenchymal stem cells induced to secrete high levels of neurotrophic factors (MSC‐NTF), a novel autologous cell‐therapy capable of targeting multiple pathways, could safely slow ALS disease progression.MethodsThis randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study enrolled ALS participants meeting revised El Escorial criteria, revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS‐R) ≥25 (screening) and ≥3 ALSFRS‐R points decline prior to randomization. Participants received three treatments of MSC‐NTF or placebo intrathecally. The primary endpoint evaluated efficacy of MSC‐NTF through a responder analysis and safety. A change in disease progression post‐treatment of ≥1.25 points/mo defines a clinical response. A pre‐specified analysis leveraged baseline ALSFRS‐R of 35 as a subgroup threshold.ResultsOverall, MSC‐NTF treatment was well tolerated; there were no safety concerns. Thirty‐three percent of MSC‐NTF and 28% of placebo participants met clinical response criteria at 28 wk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.33, P = .45); thus, the primary endpoint was not met. A pre‐specified analysis of participants with baseline ALSFRS‐R ≥ 35 (n = 58) showed a clinical response rate at 28 wk of 35% MSC‐NTF and 16% placebo (OR = 2.6, P = .29). Significant improvements in cerebrospinal biomarkers of neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and neurotrophic factor support were observed with MSC‐NTF, with placebo unchanged.DiscussionThe study did not reach statistical significance on the primary endpoint. However, a pre‐specified subgroup suggests that MSC‐NTF participants with less severe disease may have retained more function compared to placebo. Given the unmet patient need, the results of this trial warrant further investigation.
Prevalence of LUTS and urodynamics results in obese women
Authors: Pereira Thairo A. , D'ancona Carlos A. L. , Cândido Elaine C. , Achermann Arnold P. P. , Chaim Elinton A. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroductionObesity is a well‐known risk factor for lower urinary tract disorders. Lifestyle plays an essential role in the etiology of the symptoms, negatively affecting self‐esteem and quality of social, professional, and sexual life.ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms and urodynamic patterns in obese women and to compare to nonobese volunteers.MethodsOveractive bladder (OAB) questionaries (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire [ICIQ]‐OAB) and stress urinary incontinence (SUI) (ICIQ‐short form) were applied to the participants. They underwent a physical exam and urodynamics except for the control group.ResultsA total of 109 women completed the protocol and 20 were in the control group. The average age was 43.0 years, and the average body mass index was 45.12 ± 7.64 kg/m2 and control was 44.5 years, and 29.95 ± 5.08 kg/m2. The OAB symptoms in the obese group were 31.20%, 55.95% higher than the control group (20.0%). The prevalence of SUI in the obese group was 20.20%, an increase of 34.53% compared with the control group (15.00%). The urodynamic study (UDS) showed that the morbidly obese women have a first sensation earlier than the obese or severely obese, as well as the first desire to void. The Valsalva leak point pressure of morbidly obese women was significantly higher than the others.ConclusionAmong obese women, either the prevalence of SUI or OAB is significantly higher than the nonobese female population. Regarding UDS, the pattern is similar to the clinic diagnostic. The grade of obesity is directly associated with an impairment of the patient's cystometric capacity.
Stable warfarin dose prediction in sub‐Saharan African patients: A machine‐learning approach and external validation of a clinical dose–initiation algorithm
Authors: Asiimwe Innocent G. , Blockman Marc , Cohen Karen , Cupido Clint , Hutchinson Claire , Jacobson Barry , Lamorde Mohammed , Morgan Jennie , Mouton Johannes P. , Nakagaayi Doreen , Okello Emmy , Schapkaitz Elise , Sekaggya‐Wiltshire Christine , Semakula Jerome R. , Waitt Catriona , Zhang Eunice J. , Jorgensen Andrea L. , Pirmohamed Munir 
Published: December 2021

AbstractWarfarin remains the most widely prescribed oral anticoagulant in sub‐Saharan Africa. However, because of its narrow therapeutic index, dosing can be challenging. We have therefore (a) evaluated and compared the performance of 21 machine‐learning techniques in predicting stable warfarin dose in sub‐Saharan Black‐African patients and (b) externally validated a previously developed Warfarin Anticoagulation in Patients in Sub‐Saharan Africa (War‐PATH) clinical dose–initiation algorithm. The development cohort included 364 patients recruited from eight outpatient clinics and hospital departments in Uganda and South Africa (June 2018–July 2019). Validation was conducted using an external validation cohort (270 patients recruited from August 2019 to March 2020 in 12 outpatient clinics and hospital departments). Based on the mean absolute error (MAE; mean of absolute differences between the actual and predicted doses), random forest regression (12.07 mg/week; 95% confidence interval [CI], 10.39–13.76) was the best performing machine‐learning technique in the external validation cohort, whereas the worst performing technique was model trees (17.59 mg/week; 95% CI, 15.75–19.43). By comparison, the simple, commonly used regression technique (ordinary least squares) performed similarly to more complex supervised machine‐learning techniques and achieved an MAE of 13.01 mg/week (95% CI, 11.45–14.58). In summary, we have demonstrated that simpler regression techniques perform similarly to more complex supervised machine‐learning techniques. We have also externally validated our previously developed clinical dose–initiation algorithm, which is being prospectively tested for clinical utility.
Proposed subtypes of post‐COVID‐19 syndrome (or long‐COVID) and their respective potential therapies
Authors: Yong Shin Jie , Liu Shiliang 
Published: December 2021

SummaryThe effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), a highly transmissible infectious respiratory disease that has initiated an ongoing pandemic since early 2020, do not always end in the acute phase. Depending on the study referred, about 10%–30% (or more) of COVID‐19 survivors may develop long‐COVID or post‐COVID‐19 syndrome (PCS), characterised by persistent symptoms (most commonly fatigue, dyspnoea, and cognitive impairments) lasting for 3 months or more after acute COVID‐19. While the pathophysiological mechanisms of PCS have been extensively described elsewhere, the subtypes of PCS have not. Owing to its highly multifaceted nature, this review proposes and characterises six subtypes of PCS based on the existing literature. The subtypes are non‐severe COVID‐19 multi‐organ sequelae (NSC‐MOS), pulmonary fibrosis sequelae (PFS), myalgic encephalomyelitis or chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), post‐intensive care syndrome (PICS) and medical or clinical sequelae (MCS). Original studies supporting each of these subtypes are documented in this review, as well as their respective symptoms and potential interventions. Ultimately, the subtyping proposed herein aims to provide better clarity on the current understanding of PCS.
Fluorine Engineered Self‐Supported Ultrathin 2D Nickel Hydroxide Nanosheets as Highly Robust and Stable Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution and Urea Oxidation Reactions
Authors: Patil Swati J. , Chodankar Nilesh R. , Hwang Seung‐Kyu , Rama Raju Ganji Seeta , Huh Yun‐Suk , Han Young‐Kyu 
Published: December 2021

AbstractDeveloping highly efficient noble‐metal‐free electrocatalysts with a scalable and environmentally friendly synthesis approach remains a challenge in the field of electrocatalytic water splitting. To overcome this problem, self‐supported fluorine‐modified 2D ultrathin nickel hydroxide (F‐Ni(OH)2) nanosheets (NSs) for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR) are prepared with a scalable and ascendant one‐step synthesis route. The enhanced redox activity, electrical conductivity and a great number of exposed active sites of the heterogeneous catalysts improve charge migration for the electrocatalytic reactions. The density of states of the d orbitals of the Ni atoms significantly increases near the Fermi level, thereby indicating that the Ni atoms near the F‐dopants promote electrical conduction in the Ni(OH)2 monolayer. The F‐Ni(OH)2 electrocatalyst exhibits notable OER and UOR activity with onset potentials of 1.43 and 1.16 V versus RHE, respectively required to reach 10 mA cm−2, which are comparable to those of commercial noble‐metal‐based electrocatalysts. With RuCo‐OH nanospheres, the settled F‐Ni(OH)2||RuCo‐OH cell requires merely 1.55 and 1.37 V to reach 10 mA cm−2 with superb durability for 24 h in overall water and urea electrolysis, respectively. Overall, high‐quality, and efficient noble‐metal‐free electrocatalysts for overall water and urea electrolysis can be prepared with a simple, scalable, and reproducible preparation method.
Efficient CO2 Electroreduction to Ethanol by Cu3Sn Catalyst
Authors: Shang Longmei , Lv Ximeng , Zhong Lixiang , Li Shuzhou , Zheng Gengfeng 
Published: December 2021

AbstractElectrochemical carbon dioxide reduction to ethanol suggests a potential strategy to reduce the CO2 level and generate valuable liquid fuels, while the development of low‐cost catalysts with high activity and selectivity remains a major challenge. In this work, a bimetallic, low‐entropy state Cu3Sn catalyst featuring efficient electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to ethanol is developed. This low‐entropy state Cu3Sn catalyst allows a high Faradaic efficiency of 64% for ethanol production, distinctively from the high‐entropy state Cu6Sn5 catalyst with the main selectivity toward producing formate. At an industry‐level current density of −900 mA cm−2, the Cu3Sn catalyst exhibited excellent stability for over 48 h in a membrane‐electrode based electrolyzer. Theoretical calculations indicate that the high ethanol selectivity on Cu3Sn is attributed to its enhanced adsorption of several key intermediates in the ethanol production pathway. Moreover, the life‐cycle assessment reveals that using the Cu3Sn electrocatalyst, an electrochemical CO2‐to‐ethanol electrolysis system powered by wind electricity can lead to a global warming potential of 120 kgCO2‐eq for producing 1 ton of ethanol, corresponding to a 55% reduction of carbon emissions compared to the conventional bio‐ethanol process.