bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dipole‐bound states and substituent effects of Breslow intermediates in the enolate form
Authors: Hsieh Ming‐Hsiu , Huang Gou‐Tao , Yu Jen‐Shiang K. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBreslow intermediates play crucial roles in both umpolung and redox reactions in N‐heterocyclic carbene catalysis. Compared to the well‐known nucleophilic character, the electronic structure of Breslow intermediates on the radical route is still unclear. We investigate the potential energy surfaces with high‐level ab initio methods for four typical Breslow intermediates in both of their enol and enolate forms. In the enol form, high energies of around 60 kcal/mol to the Rydberg‐like states and those higher than 120 kcal/mol to remove an electron demonstrate that the enol Breslow intermediates tend not to generate radicals unless strong oxidants are present. The low‐lying dipole‐bound states and small electron detachment energies in the enolate form in contrast show that the enolate Breslow intermediates are possible precursors to radicals. More importantly, metastable dipole‐bound states exist in the imidazole‐ and the triazole‐based enolate Breslow intermediates. Energies to detach one electron of several enolate Breslow intermediates reveal that the bulky and electron‐withdrawing groups stabilize the singlet ground states, which explains that the utilization of such substituents can lead to successful isolation for Breslow intermediates in experiments.
Combination of anlotinib and gemcitabine promotes the G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma in vitro
Authors: Fan Shanshan , Ge Yang , Liu Jian , Liu Heshu , Yan Rui , Gao Tianbo , Fan Xiaona , Xiao Zeru , An Guangyu 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundIntrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a malignant carcinoma with high rate of mortality. The current treatment is ineffective with poor survival time. Therefore, there is an urgent need for effective therapeutic drug regimens. The multi‐target tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) anlotinib has been approved for treating non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC); however, the combined therapeutic regimen of anlotinib for ICC has not been investigated yet. This study aims to investigate the inhibitory effect of anlotinib and the mechanism of gemcitabine combination for ICC treatment.MethodsTwo ICC cell lines, HCCC‐9810 and RBE cells, were used in this study. Cell Counting Kit‐8 (CCK‐8) was used to study the cell viability, and flow cytometry (FCM) was used to evaluate the apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. Compusyn software was used to calculate the combination index (CI) of anlotinib and gemcitabine. The protein expression rate of cleaved PARP/PARP and cleaved caspase‐3/caspase‐3 was detected by Western blotting.ResultsOur result showed that the anlotinib and gemcitabine combination significantly inhibits the growth of ICC cell lines. Compusyn software results showed that the combination regimen had an anti‐tumor synergistic effect. FCM results showed that it promoted apoptosis. Moreover, it increased the protein expression rate of cleaved PARP/PARP and cleaved caspase‐3/caspase‐3. Finally, we found a synergistic anti‐tumor effect by increasing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest.ConclusionThe combination of anlotinib and gemcitabine can increase the anti‐tumor effect and may be a potential therapeutic drug regimen in a clinical setting.
Correlation of crystal violet biofilm test results of Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates with Raman spectroscopic read‐out
Authors: Ebert Christina , Tuchscherr Lorena , Unger Nancy , Pöllath Christine , Gladigau Frederike , Popp Jürgen , Löffler Bettina , Neugebauer Ute 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBiofilm‐related infections occur quite frequently in hospital settings and require rapid diagnostic identification as they are recalcitrant to antibiotic therapy and make special treatment necessary. One of the standard microbiological in vitro tests is the crystal violet test. It indirectly determines the amount of biofilm by measuring the optical density (OD) of the crystal violet‐stained biofilm matrix and cells. However, this test is quite time‐consuming, as it requires bacterial cultivation up to several days. In this study, we correlate fast Raman spectroscopic read‐out of clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates from 47 patients with different disease background with their biofilm‐forming characteristics. Included were low (OD < 10), medium (OD ≥ 10 and ≤20), and high (OD > 20) biofilm performers as determined by the crystal violet test. Raman spectroscopic analysis of the bacteria revealed most spectral differences between high and low biofilm performers in the fingerprint region between 750 and 1150 cm−1. Using partial least square regression (PLSR) analysis on the Raman spectra involving the three categories of biofilm formation, it was possible to obtain a slight linear correlation of the Raman spectra with the biofilm OD values. The PLSR loading coefficient highlighted spectral differences between high and low biofilm performers for Raman bands that represent nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and proteins. Our results point to a possible application of Raman spectroscopy as a fast prediction tool for biofilm formation of bacterial strains directly after isolation from the infected patient. This could help clinicians make timely and adapted therapeutic decision in future.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing has greater prognostic value than sarcopenia in oesophago‐gastric cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy and surgical resection
Authors: West Malcolm A , Baker William CA , Rahman Saqib , Munro Alicia , Jack Sandy , Grocott Michael PW , Underwood Timothy J , Levett Denny ZH ,   For the Fit‐4‐Surgery Consortium
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundSarcopenia (low skeletal muscle mass), myosteatosis (low skeletal muscle radiation‐attenuation) and fitness are independently associated with postoperative outcomes in oesophago‐gastric cancer. This study aimed to investigate (1) the effect of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) on sarcopenia, myosteatosis and cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), (2) the relationship between these parameters, and (3) their association with postoperative morbidity and survival.MethodsBody composition analysis used single slice computed tomography (CT) images from chest (superior to aortic arch) and abdominal CT scans (third lumbar vertebrae). Oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold (VO2 at AT) and at peak exercise (VO2 Peak) were measured using CPET. Measurements were performed before and after NAT and an adjusted regression model assessed their association.ResultsOf the 184 patients recruited, 100 underwent surgical resection. Following NAT skeletal muscle mass, radiation‐attenuation and fitness reduced significantly (p < 0.001). When adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, only pectoralis muscle mass was associated with VO2 Peak (p = 0.001). VO2 at AT and Peak were associated with 1‐year survival, while neither sarcopenia nor myosteatosis were associated with morbidity or survival.ConclusionSkeletal muscle and CPET variables reduced following NAT and were positively associated with each other. Cardiorespiratory function significantly contributes to short‐term survival after oesophago‐gastric cancer surgery.
Using a Continuous Traumatic Stress Framework to Examine Ongoing Adversity Among Indian Women from Slums: A Mixed‐Methods Exploration
Authors: Potluri Sriramya , R. Patel Anushka 
Published: August 2021

AbstractGender‐based violence (GBV) is pervasive among Indian women. Although posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological outcome of GBV, it might not accurately capture the experiences of Indian women from slums, who face continued stressors (i.e., ongoing adversity). Continuous traumatic stress (CTS) is a framework used to characterize experiences of ongoing adversity. This mixed‐method study investigated the applicability of the CTS framework for characterizing ongoing adversity and the psychological impacts of ongoing adversity among GBV‐exposed Indian women from slums. Indian women from slums (N = 100) completed all study measures; a subset (n = 47) completed qualitative interviews analyzed using deductive coding and thematic analysis to identify core CTS characteristics. To examine the impact of ongoing adversity on participants’ psychological symptom severity in the full sample, we performed an ANCOVA on PTSD symptom severity and an ANOVA on anxiety and depression symptom severity. Interviewed participants described the context of stressor conditions as pervasive, reported stressor conditions existed in the present or future rather than the past, had difficulty discriminating between real versus imagined threat, and demonstrated absent external protective systems. Results indicated that ongoing adversity was associated with significantly more severe PTSD, F(1, 96) = 9.86, p < .001; anxiety, F(1, 98) = 20.31, p < .001; and depression, F(1, 98) = 25.24, p < .001. The CTS framework is valuable for characterizing ongoing adversity and its related mental health impacts among GBV‐exposed Indian women from slums. Assessment and intervention in slum communities must account for ongoing adversity.
Human–desertification coupling relationship in a karst region of China
Authors: Xu Erqi , Zhang Hongqi 
Published: August 2021

AbstractForward and reverse succession of karst rocky desertification (KRD) occur simultaneously and are linked to human activity, thus presenting a mutual feedback loop. Previous studies have focused on the unilateral human‐driven mechanism of KRD or KRD's impact on social–economic activities. These lack quantitative measurement and an in‐depth understanding of the interactions involved. Therefore, this study builds and applies a novel model for measuring the coupling relationship and degree between KRD and social–economic activity in the Guizhou karst region of China. The results show an overall improvement but local deterioration in KRD from 2000 to 2011; conversely, social–economic activity intensities increased during that time period. With their spatio‐temporal variation, positive and negative human–desertification coupling relationships with an increased coupling degree are found. Different coupling relationship types between KRD and social–economic development, including urbanization, economic development, and household income, are shown. We found that KRD is strongly positively coupled with specific human behavior intensities, such as population movement, steep slope cultivation, and ecological restoration. An inverted U‐shaped curve is observed in the coupling index of KRD and urbanization within different development levels. Negative coupling at a low urbanization level indicates the limitation of the karst physical environment upon social–economic development. Positive coupling with increasing urbanization implies a conflict between environment protection and social–economic development. A return to negative coupling in several counties with high urbanization levels indicates a “win–win” for ecology and the economy. The proposed coupling model's effectiveness is demonstrated, informing differentiated strategies for combating KRD and improving social–economic development.
Fluoroscopy‐guided percutaneous lithotripsy using FREDDY laser for giant gallstones: Preliminary experience
Authors: Wang Wujie , Wang Wei , Liu Bin , Li Yuliang 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectivesPercutaneous treatment of symptomatic cholelithiasis with large gallstones remains a challenge. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new method for the removal of giant gallstones with percutaneous lithotripsy using a frequency‐doubled double‐pulse neodymium: YAG (FREDDY) laser.Materials and MethodsThis study included 16 patients (7 males, 9 females; mean age, 63.4 ± 14.9 years) with giant gallstones who experienced the recurrence of cholecystitis and were not eligible for operation. The percutaneous transcystic approach was established using an 8‐French sheath. A 6‐French steerable sheath were inserted through the sheath. FREDDY laser lithotripsy was performed to break the stones into fragments. The stone fragments were extracted through the 6‐French sheath or pushed into the duodenum using a balloon catheter. Cholecystography was performed before removing the catheter. Follow‐up ultrasound or computed tomography examination were performed.ResultsGallstone clearance was accomplished in 16 (100%) patients at the initial assessment. Eleven patients underwent one session, and five patients underwent two sessions. Residual stones were found in 3 (18.8%) patients during the follow‐up period. Peritonitis was found in two (12.5%) patients and hemocholecyst was detected in one (6.3%) patient. No procedure‐related deaths occurred.ConclusionPercutaneous lithotripsy using a FREDDY laser may be an effective and safe alternative choice for treating giant gallstones, especially for patients who are not eligible for cholecystectomy.
Quantitative evaluation of prospective motion correction in healthy subjects at 7T MRI
Authors: Sciarra Alessandro , Mattern Hendrik , Yakupov Renat , Chatterjee Soumick , Stucht Daniel , Oeltze‐Jafra Steffen , Godenschweger Frank , Speck Oliver 
Published: August 2021

PurposeQuantitative assessment of prospective motion correction (PMC) capability at 7T MRI for compliant healthy subjects to improve high‐resolution images in the absence of intentional motion.MethodsTwenty‐one healthy subjects were imaged at 7 T. They were asked not to move, to consider only unintentional motion. An in‐bore optical tracking system was used to monitor head motion and consequently update the imaging volume. For all subjects, high‐resolution T1 (3D‐MPRAGE), T2 (2D turbo spin echo), proton density (2D turbo spin echo), and (2D gradient echo) weighted images were acquired with and without PMC. The images were evaluated through subjective and objective analysis.ResultsSubjective evaluation overall has shown a statistically significant improvement (5.5%) in terms of image quality with PMC ON. In a separate evaluation of every contrast, three of the four contrasts (T1, T2, and proton density) have shown a statistically significant improvement (9.62%, 9.85%, and 9.26%), whereas the fourth one () has shown improvement, although not statistically significant. In the evaluation with objective metrics, average edge strength has shown an overall improvement of 6% with PMC ON, which was statistically significant; and gradient entropy has shown an overall improvement of 2%, which did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionBased on subjective assessment, PMC improved image quality in high‐resolution images of healthy compliant subjects in the absence of intentional motion for all contrasts except , in which no significant differences were observed. Quantitative metrics showed an overall trend for an improvement with PMC, but not all differences were significant.
Blenderized food tube feeding in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Spurlock Amy Y. , Johnson Teresa W. , Pritchett Ali , Pierce Leah , Hussey Jenna , Johnson Kelly , Carter Holly , Davidson Stephen L. , Mundi Manpreet S. , Epp Lisa , Hurt Ryan T. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundPatients with headand neck cancer (HNC) are at high risk for malnutrition before and during chemoradiation treatment. Many will also require tube feeding to address declines in energy intake, weight, and quality of life (QOL) caused by the impact of treatment on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Blenderized tube feeding (BTF) may ameliorate these adverse conditions.MethodsIn this open‐label, prospective pilot study, 30 patients with HNC who required feeding tube placement were recruited to switch from standard commercial formula after 2 weeks to a commercially prepared BTF formula. Weight, body mass index (BMI), GI symptoms, and QOL scores were tracked for 6 weeks from the first week of feeding tube placement.ResultsOf the 16 patients who completed the 6‐week assessment period, weights and BMI scores for 15 patients trended upward. For most patients, QOL and oral intake increased and GI symptoms decreased over the 6‐week period, particularly during weeks 3 and 4, when the impact of treatment is particularly exacting on patients with HNC.ConclusionBTF effectively mitigated weight loss, GI symptoms, QOL scores, and total energy intake in this group of patients with HNC who received tube feeding for 6 weeks.
Synthesis, characterization and applications of conductive polymers: A brief review
Authors: Poddar Akhil K. , Patel Siddharth S. , Patel Hitesh D. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractIn view of increasing applications of electro‐conductive polymers in various fields such as electronics, smart textiles, sensors, energy storage, and medical. Researchers & Scientists from all over the world have continuously investigating the intrinsic conductive polymers (CPs) and its doping process to gain appreciable electrical conductivity suitable for particular applications. Its unique features such as superior stability, processability, workability, light weight, corrosion resistant, tailoribility, flexibility, and gaining wide range of electrical conductivity on doping drives CPs as a possible substitute for metals and semiconductors. An effort has been made to bring various aspects of CPs viz. different methods of synthesis, its applications, doping techniques, characterization techniques, and current trends of its utility. This review article clearly specifies about the different techniques available for the synthesis of CPs such as Polyacetylene, Polyaniline, Polypyrrole, Polyphenylene, Polythiophene, Polyphenyl vinylene, and Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) via polymerization using chemical, plasma, electro‐chemical, photo‐chemical, metathesis methods, and so on, and their electrical conductivity values achieved with and without dopants.
Thermally stable poly‐Si tunnel junctions enabling next‐generation high‐efficiency Si solar cells
Authors: Ng Xin Ren , Lai Donny , Wang Puqun , Aberle Armin G. , Stangl Rolf , Lin Fen 
Published: August 2021

AbstractWe demonstrate thermally stable polysilicon (poly‐Si)‐based tunnel junctions (TJs), that is, n+‐poly‐Si/p+‐poly‐Si/SiOx and n+‐poly‐Si/SiOx/p+‐poly‐Si/SiOx, for passivating a silicon wafer, selectively extracting holes, and being compatible with the high‐temperature firing process of screen‐printed metal contacts. An additional interfacial oxide between the n+‐poly‐Si and p+‐poly‐Si layers enhances thermal stability and acts as a barrier layer to mitigate dopant interdiffusion between the adjacent poly‐Si layers, without significantly increasing the contact resistance. The TJ's thermal stability is investigated by analysing the TJ recombination current density J0 and effective contact resistance ρc after high‐temperature firing (740°C to 840°C) of nonmetallised samples. We evaluate two different TJ applications via efficiency potential calculations: (1) When the TJ is applied on the front side of a passivated‐contact Si bottom cell for 2‐terminal tandem cells, a calculated add‐on efficiency of 9.9% for the Si bottom‐cell can be achieved with the inclusion of the interfacial oxide; (2) to enable conventional metal screen‐printing on a p+‐poly‐Si layer, the TJ is applied on the rear side of a single‐junction Si solar cell, giving a calculated cell efficiency potential of 23.6% at 1‐Sun condition. For such a configuration, in the absence of an interfacial oxide between the adjacent poly‐Si layers, the cell efficiency potential improves with peak firing temperature. In summary, we successfully develop thermally stable hole‐extracting TJs for the two aforementioned applications that are fully compatible with existing industrial silicon solar cell fabrication processes.
Association of nonpharmacologic chronic pain management with function in a low‐income population: Evidence from a survey of a sample of Latinos from five states
Authors: Schmiesing Allie , Liang Yuanyuan , Turner Barbara J. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractBackgroundLow‐income minority populations often confront barriers to professional nonpharmacologic management of chronic pain and, without this care, may have poorer daily function.ObjectiveTo examine the association of professional nonpharmacologic chronic pain management in the past year categorized as physical interventions or mind‐body interventions with current functional status.DesignOnline, population‐based survey.SettingCommunity‐dwelling Latinos from five southwestern states (California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico).ParticipantsThe survey was offered to all Latino online panel members aged 35 to 75 years in 5 states (N = 1007). With weights, this sample represented 11,016,135 persons. Of 516 respondents (51%), 486 (94%) had valid surveys and, of these, 102 members (21%) had chronic noncancer pain. With weights, they represented 1,140,170 persons with chronic pain.InterventionsNot applicable.Main outcome measuresDaily impairment in mobility and in activities of daily living (ADLs).ResultsOf the weighted sample, 37.2% reported daily impairment in mobility and 29.4% in ADLs. Professional physical interventions for chronic pain were received by 41.2% and mind‐body interventions received by 33.4% but usually with physical interventions. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of daily mobility impairment for respondents who used physical interventions with mind‐body interventions or alone were both less than 0.10 (p < .01) versus none. Only professional physical intervention was associated with decreased odds for daily impairment in ADLs (AOR = 0.07; 95% confidence interval = 0.01 to 0.94; p = .045).ConclusionsIn a weighted sample of Latinos with chronic pain, professional physical interventions reduced the likelihood of daily impairment in mobility and ADLs.
The effect of dual‐task testing on the balance and gait of people with lower limb amputations: A systematic review
Authors: Omana Humberto , Madou Edward , Montero‐Odasso Manuel , Payne Michael W. , Viana Ricardo , Hunter Susan W. 
Published: August 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo systematically review the literature on the effect of dual‐task testing on the balance and gait of people with lower limb amputations (PLLA).Literature SurveyDatabases MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched in duplicate (inception to December 1, 2020).MethodologyInclusion criteria: participants were adults with transtibial, knee‐disarticulation, transfemoral, or bilateral lower limb amputations; balance or gait was paired with a secondary task; and studies were peer‐reviewed and published in English. Two authors independently reviewed articles and consensus was required. A standardized data extraction sheet was used to gather study relevant information in duplicate. Methodological quality of reporting was examined using the Downs and Black Scale. A meta‐analysis was unable to be performed owing to substantial participant and protocol heterogeneity among the studies included.SynthesisOf 3950 articles screened, 22 met inclusion criteria. Four assessed dual‐task balance and 18 dual‐task gait. During single‐task standing, PLLA demonstrated higher sway distance and sway velocity than controls (CN); however, a greater dual‐task effect was observed only for sway velocity. Gait pace, rhythm, variability, asymmetry, and postural control were observed to be worse in PLLA relative to CN during single‐task. Dual‐task gait testing resulted in a disproportionally reduced pace and rhythm and increased asymmetry in PLLA compared to CN.ConclusionsPeople with lower limb amputations have impaired balance and gait, which is affected by dual‐task to a greater degree compared to healthy adults. An examination of how PLLA‐specific factors such as level of amputation, reason for amputation, and experience with a prosthesis affect dual‐task performance has not yet been thoroughly explored. Future research should continue to characterize the cognitive‐mobility link to better understand the challenges associated with the use of a prosthesis.