bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Use of Doxycycline in a Renal Impaired Patient with Enteroccocal Sepsis
Authors: Iwuafor Anthony A. , Abraka Bode Akashie , Mbu Patrick Ntui , Ide Christian , Erengwa Princewill Chinedu , Ekeng Bassey Ewa 
Published: July 2021

Aim: This report highlights the use of doxycycline therapy other than the more standard regimen that includes an aminoglycoside in the management of enterococcal infection in patients with renal impairment without causing further damages to the kidney due to aminoglycoside therapy.
Presentation of Case: A case of enteroccocal septicemia in a 29-year-old woman who was admitted on account of acute kidney injury secondary to pregnancy induced hypertension in the setting of pre-eclampsia. She was referred from another centre where she had emergency caesarean section done on account of severe pre-eclampsia at 36 weeks gestational age. Blood culture yielded Enterococcus species. When other antibiotic regimen failed, she was started on doxycycline. Patient had good clinical response and was discharged 7 days after commencement of doxycycline.
Discussion: Enteroccoci have emerged as important agent of human disease largely because of their resistance to antimicrobial agents. They are important nosocomial pathogens capable of causing serious and potentially life-threatening infections, including sepsis. The incidence of enteroccocal infections, mainly hospital-acquired, has increased over the past 2 decades and isolates with novel mechanism of resistance to antimicrobial agents are more and more frequent. Furthermore, they have great capacity for transmitting these resistances to other species and even to other genera.
Conclusion: Doxycycline is a safe and effective alternative antibiotic for the treatment of enterococcal sepsis in patients with impaired renal status.
Isoeucommin A attenuates kidney injury in diabetic nephropathy through the Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway
Authors: Huang Qi , Ouyang Dong‐Sheng , Liu Qiong 
Published: July 2021

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common complication in patients with diabetes and a leading cause of mortality. The management of DN in the clinic still remains a challenge. Therefore, the identification of novel compounds for DN treatment and their characterization in preclinical DN models are crucial. Isoeucommin A is a lignan compound isolated from Eucommia ulmoides Oliv, which has not been studied in detail. Our aim was to investigate the effect of Isoeucommin A in DN and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms though which Isoeucommin A acts in vitro and in vivo. We first isolated and purified Isoeucommin A by microporous resin column chromatography and studied the mass spectrogram, as well as the structure of Isoeucommin A, by high‐resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy and NMR, respectively. We further established an in vivo rat DN model and measured the changes of blood glucose, body weight, kidney index (KI), blood urea nitrogen, creatinine (CRE), glutathione, malondialdehyde (MDA), SOD, albumin (ALB) and urinary ALB to CRE ratios on treatment with Isoeucommin A. In addition, we measured SOD, MDA, glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β), phosphorylated (p)‐GSK‐3β, nuclear factor erythroid‐derived 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) levels by quantitative real‐time PCR and western blot, and estimated cell viability by a 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐tetrazolium bromide assay. After Isoeucommin A treatment, body weight, as well as SOD, glutathione, HO‐1 and Nrf2 expression levels, in DN rats increased in a dose‐dependent manner. In contrast, the levels of blood glucose, KI, blood urea nitrogen, CRE, urinary ALB to CRE ratio, tumor necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, interleukin‐6 and MDA decreased significantly. In addition, Isoeucommin A protected H2O2‐stimulated renal tubular epithelial cells from oxidative stress and activated the Nrf2/HO‐1 signaling pathway in high‐glucose‐stimulated human renal mesangial cells. In conclusion, Isoeucommin A could alleviate inflammation and oxidative stress in in vitro and in vivo DN models and thus attenuate kidney injury by activating the Nrf2/HO‐1 signaling pathway. Isoeucommin A could have the potential to be used as an effective drug for the treatment of DN.
Treating LRRK2‐Related Parkinson's Disease by Inhibiting the mTOR Signaling Pathway to Restore Autophagy
Authors: Cui Weitong , Yang Xiao , Chen Xingyu , Xiao Dexuan , Zhu Junyao , Zhang Mei , Qin Xin , Ma Xiaohong , Lin Yunfeng 
Published: July 2021

AbstractParkinson's disease (PD) is the most common chronic neurodegenerative disease and is characterized by motor dysfunctions. Pathogenic mutations in leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are a major cause of the neurotoxicity that causes PD. As an inhibitor of LRRK2 activity, vitamin B12 (VB12) is a promising therapeutic option for PD and is shown to restore autophagy in PD models. However, the dependence on transporters and the extremely low brain tissue utilization of VB12 limit its therapeutic effects. Based on this, VB12‐loaded tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (TVC) is synthesized and its effectiveness in the model of PD induced with 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine is evaluated. TVC provides better recovery of autophagy than free VB12 did both in vivo and in vitro, leading to enhanced clearing of abnormal protein accumulations and restoration of PD motor symptoms. It is believed that TVC has broad therapeutic potential in the treatment of PD and similar neurodegenerative diseases.
15N fate in maize cropping system in response to black soil fertility improvement in China
Authors: Fu HaiMei , Duan YingHua , Zhu Ping , Gao HongJun , Xu MingGang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractApplications of high amounts of nitrogen (N) fertilizer are essential for obtaining sustainable maize (Zea mays L.) yields but also result in low N‐use efficiency (NUE) and cause a series of environmental problems. To optimize fertilizer management, it is necessary to determine the effects of soil fertility improvement on NUE and the fate of N fertilizer. In this study, we conducted a 15N tracer pot experiment involving five different fertilizer treatments in soils with five different total organic carbon levels under field conditions. The average NUE ranged from 36 to 56% 15N‐urea and 0.1 to 0.2% residual N in the first and second seasons. The N retained in the soil ranged from 10 to 28%, and the N lost to water and the atmosphere ranged from 29 to 39% in the five soils. Compared with that in the low‐fertility soils, NUE in the high‐fertility soils was 20–45% greater, and N loss was 1 –6% lower. The results showed that higher soil fertility corresponded to higher NUE and lower N loss. We suggest that although the local customary N fertilizer application rate (N3; 165 kg N/ha) in the study area is reasonable for low‐fertility soils, after soil fertility improvements, an approximately 50% reduction of N fertilizer should be implemented.
Precise Encoding of Triple‐Bond Raman Scattering of Single Polymer Nanoparticles for Multiplexed Imaging Application
Authors: Zhu Wei , Cai Er‐Li , Li Hao‐Zheng , Wang Ping , Shen Ai‐Guo , Popp Jürgen , Hu Ji‐Ming 
Published: July 2021

AbstractStimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy in combination with innovative tagging strategies offers great potential as a universal high‐throughput biomedical imaging tool. Here, we report rationally tailored small molecular monomers containing triple‐bond units with large Raman scattering cross‐sections, which can be polymerized at the nanoscale for enhancement of SRS contrast with smaller but brighter optical nanotags with artificial fingerprint output. From this, a class of triple‐bond rich polymer nanoparticles (NPs) was engineered by regulating the relative dosages of three chemically different triple‐bond monomers in co‐polymerization. The bonding strategy allowed for 15 spectrally distinguishable triple‐bond combinations. These accurately structured nano molecular aggregates, rather than long‐chain macromolecules, could establish a universal method for generating small‐sized biological SRS imaging tags with high sensitivity for high‐throughput multi‐color biomedical imaging.
Effective and Rapid Removal of Polar Organic Micropollutants from Water by Amide Naphthotube‐Crosslinked Polymers
Authors: Yang Liu‐Pan , Ke Hua , Yao Huan , Jiang Wei 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIt is challenging to remove polar organic micropollutants from water through adsorption‐mediated processes. Macrocycle‐crosslinked polymers were recently shown to be effective adsorbents for nonpolar or charged organic micropollutants through specific host–guest binding, but are rarely used for the treatment of neutral and polar organic micropollutants. This is due to the challenge of recognizing polar molecules in water by macrocyclic hosts. In this research, we report two amide naphthotube‐crosslinked polymers which can effectively and rapidly adsorb a wide scope of polar organic micropollutants from water through biomimetic molecular recognition. Amide naphthotubes possess hydrogen bonding sites in their deep hydrophobic cavities and can effectively bind polar organic micropollutants in water through the hydrophobic effects and shielded hydrogen bonds. The cross‐linked polymers containing amide naphthotubes are even able to remove a complex mixture of organic micropollutants from water and the used materials can be easily regenerated through washing with MeOH or EtOH. This research provides a solution for the treatment of polar organic micropollutants by using biomimetic molecular recognition in water.
A General Approach to Design Dual Ratiometric Fluorescent and Photoacoustic Probes for Quantitatively Visualizing Tumor Hypoxia Levels In Vivo
Authors: Zhang Shuping , Chen Hua , Wang Liping , Qin Xue , Jiang Bang‐Ping , Ji Shi‐Chen , Shen Xing‐Can , Liang Hong 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHerein, we describe an energy balance strategy between fluorescence and photoacoustic effects by sulfur substitution to transform existing hemicyanine dyes (Cy) into optimized NIRF/PA dual ratiometric scaffolds. Based on this optimized scaffold, we reported the first dual‐ratio response of nitroreductase probe AS‐Cy‐NO2, which allows quantitative visualization of tumor hypoxia in vivo. AS‐Cy‐NO2, composed of a new NIRF/PA scaffold thioxanthene‐hemicyanine (AS‐Cy‐1) and a 4‐nitrobenzene moiety, showed a 10‐fold ratiometric NIRF enhancement (I773/I733) and 2.4‐fold ratiometric PA enhancement (PA730/PA670) upon activation by a biomarker (nitroreductase, NTR) associated with tumor hypoxia. Moreover, the dual ratiometric NIRF/PA imaging accurately quantified the hypoxia extent with high sensitivity and high imaging depth in xenograft breast cancer models. More importantly, the 3D maximal intensity projection (MIP) PA images of the probe can precisely differentiate the highly heterogeneous oxygen distribution in solid tumor. Thus, this study provides a promising NIRF/PA scaffold that may be generalized for the dual ratiometric imaging of other disease‐relevant biomarkers.
Electron beam penetration of poly (methyl methacrylate)/colemanite composite irradiated at low earth orbit space radiation environment
Authors: Bel Tayfun , Mehranpour Shima , Şengül Atilla Volga , Camtakan Zeynep , Baydogan Nilgun 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPoly (methyl methacrylate) modification by colemanite (CMT) addition has ensured beta shielding improvement. This study has connected with space environmental utilization with Kibo Japanese Experiment Module on International Space Station at low earth orbit. Space environment experiment was performed by using Kibo Experiment Handrail Attachment Mechanism–ExHAM. The changes in beta transmission of the composite were examined (by Sr‐90 radioisotope) before and after space environmental utilization and details on beta penetration capacity was examined to protect the equipment (used in aviation and aerospace industries) from space radiation. Beta attenuation variations have indicated composite densification with beta attenuation enhancement after CMT addition.
Evolution of the electrical resistivity at rest and during oscillatory shearing of co‐continuous morphology (PP/PMMA)/MWCNT systems
Authors: Gammoudi Saoussen , Rodrigue Denis , Mighri Frej 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn this work, a modified parallel‐disks configuration on a strain‐controlled ARES rheometer (TA Instrument) was used to study the evolution of the electrical resistivity at rest and during oscillatory shearing of a co‐continuous immiscible polymer blend morphology based on polypropylene and /polymethyl(methacrylate) (PP/PMMA) in which various amounts (0–3 wt%) of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) were added. The co‐continuity of both PP and PMMA phases allowed the buildup of a conductive network due to the preferential localization of the conductive MWCNT at the interface between PP and PMMA. Under a stepwise increase of the oscillatory strain amplitude below a critical value (γc = 6.3%), a significant decrease in the electrical resistivity was observed for MWCNT concentrations above the percolation threshold (0.3 wt%) due to the conductive paths induced by both thermal (Brownian) motion and oscillatory shearing. However, for deformation amplitudes higher than γc, the resistivity increased due to the destruction of the MWCNT paths induced by the large deformation imposed on the PP/PMMA interface. These observations were also confirmed by the evolution of the storage modulus (G′) which remained constant for γc < 6.3% (linear viscoelastic regime), while the values decreased above γc due to the destruction of the system's morphology.
Antimicrobial silicone rubbers based on photocatalytically active additives
Authors: Fischer Theresa , Suttor Susana , Mansi Salma , Osthues Lucas , Mela Petra 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe modification of plastics to generate germ‐reducing surface materials is a promising strategy to decrease nosocomial infections in hygiene‐sensitive areas. In this paper, photocatalytically active nanoparticles were incorporated as additives, not as a coating, into silicone rubber matrix material to produce elastic antibacterial bulk materials. Samples with 5 wt% and 10 wt% of two different types of TiO2 and ZnO were prepared and investigated. The thermal analysis of the developed materials showed a complete vulcanization of the developed materials and slight modifications of mechanical properties were found. Investigations of the surface of the materials indicated no changes in the wettability of the surfaces or in their fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT‐IR) spectra, suggesting no degradation of the developed material. The photocatalytic activity on the surface of the test samples was investigated by microbial tests with Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas fluorescens, and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Depending on the additive type and the test germs, the samples showed different intensities of a germ‐reducing effect (up to >99,999%).
Robust superhydrophobic fabrics by infusing structured polydimethylsiloxane films
Authors: Celik Nusret , Torun Ilker , Ruzi Mahmut , Onses M. Serdar 
Published: July 2021

AbstractSuperhydrophobic coatings have large application potential in self‐cleaning textiles. Low durability, high cost of fabrication, and environmental concerns over the usage of chemicals such as fluorocarbons limit the utilization of superhydrophobic coatings. This study reports a convenient and inexpensive approach to fabricate robust and fluorine‐free superhydrophobic fabrics based on the transfer of structured polymer films and hydrophobic nanoparticles. In this approach, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) is infused between sheets of fabric and paper, followed by curing and removal of the paper. This process results in a fabric infused with PDMS whose structure is a negative replica of the paper surface. Then, hydrophobic nanoparticles are sprayed onto the structured PDMS side of the fabric. The infusion of PDMS and subsequent deposition of the hydrophobic nanoparticles enables strong bonding, as shown by the excellent solvent stability of the superhydrophobic fabric under ultrasonication. The proposed approach is universal in that it can be applied to almost any textiles, which upon coating, exhibited superhydrophobicity with a water contact angle of 172° and a sliding angle of 3°. Furthermore, the superhydrophobic fabric showed robust durability against water spray impact and mechanical bending where it can keep superhydrophobicity for at least 200 cycles of each test.
Edwards SAPIEN XT transcatheter pulmonary valve implantation: 5‐year follow‐up in a French Registry
Authors: Le Ruz Robin , Plessis Julien , Houeijeh Ali , Baruteau Alban‐Elouen , Le Gloan Laurianne , Warin Fresse Karine , Karsenty Clément , Petit Jérôme , Godart François , Hascoët Sébastien , Guérin Patrice 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis study sought to investigate patient intermediate‐term outcomes after transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) with Edwards SAPIEN valve.BackgroundThe Edwards SAPIEN valve, initially designed for percutaneous aortic valve replacement, has been approved for TPVR in patients with dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tracts (RVOT), but only short‐term follow‐up has been reported.MethodsFrom 2011 to 2016, 62 patients undergoing successful TPVR using the SAPIEN XT valve were consecutively included into the study. Primary efficacy and safety endpoints were defined as freedom from valve‐reintervention and freedom from infective endocarditis at last follow‐up, respectively.ResultsThe primary efficacy outcome was met for 87.1% patients after a mean follow‐up of 4.6 ± 1.8 years, corresponding to a freedom of reintervention at 5 years of 89% (95% CI 74.8–95.6%). Reinterventions were exclusively due to recurrent obstruction, no significant valvular regurgitation was observed. One case of infective endocarditis was reported, corresponding to a rate of 0.35% per patient‐year (95% CI 0.01–2.00%). At 5 years, freedom from infective endocarditis was 98.4% (95% CI 89.1–99.8%). Six patients died or were transplanted due to advanced cardiac failure, without relationship with TPVR. In univariate analysis, reintervention was associated with young age, a smaller tube‐graft, a higher pulmonary valve gradient after the procedure and a ratio of largest implanted stent diameter to invasive balloon conduit diameter over 1.35.ConclusionsThis study documents the mid‐term safety and efficacy of the Edwards SAPIEN XT valve in patients with dysfunctional RVOT, and identifies a patient profile associated with an uncertain benefit–risk balance.
Transconjunctival excision of an orbital conjunctival cyst using computer‐assisted 3‐D surgical planning in a dog
Authors: Burn Jessica B. , Komáromy András M. , Sledge Dodd G. , Smedley Rebecca , Coe Sarah E. , Kim Sun Young 
Published: July 2021

AbstractInvestigation of exophthalmos and blood‐colored discharge from the left ventral punctum in a dog was consistent with a conjunctival cyst in the orbit. 3‐D prints of the cyst and surrounding facial bones identified a successful transconjunctival approach without an orbitotomy and patency of the left lacrimal duct was reestablished.
Ataxic gait
Authors: Bhaskar Shalini , Tengku Kamadjaja Aziz Tengku Ahmad Hidayat , Paramajothy Vanita 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAtaxia as the main complaint in a young patient prompts to diagnose neurodegenerative diseases. Not all ataxias are irreversible. We present a video of a patient in the clinic with ataxia diagnosed as subacute combined degeneration of the cord.
External cervical resorption detected via cone‐beam computed tomography in a patient with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody–associated disease: A case report
Authors: Munenaga Syuichi , Usuda Momoko , Ouhara Kazuhisa , Maetani Yuta , Kajiya Mikihito , Matsuda Shinji , Furusho Hisako , Miyauchi Mutsumi , Nakamori Masahiro , Maruyama Hirofumi , Nishi Hiromi , Kawaguchi Hiroyuki 
Published: July 2021

AbstractExternal cervical resorption may occur in patients with MOG antibody–associated disease, which is clearly detected on cone‐beam computed tomography. Therefore, dental screening is essential for these patients before initiating bisphosphonate therapy. Larger sample sizes are crucial to determine any possible association between external cervical resorption and MOG antibody–associated disease.
An unusual presentation of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma on mammography: Case report
Authors: Mohamed Anas , Younes Ahmed I. , Stalls Stephen , Kousar Aisha , Li Tian 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAlthough rare, breast CLL/SLL should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a breast mass. A high index of suspicion is needed to differentiate this neoplasm from more common breast carcinomas like solid variant of invasive lobular carcinoma.
Fatal cerebral venous sinus thrombosis as a manifestation of uncontrolled systemic lupus erythematosus in a young African female
Authors: Sadiq Abid M. , Assey Emmanuel V. , Sadiq Adnan M. , Dekker Marieke C. J. , Howlett William P. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn a young patient with systemic lupus erythematosus presenting with status epilepticus and neurological deficits, early brain imaging, risk factor identification and prompt treatment of underlying lupus flare‐up and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis could significantly improve the management and prognosis.
Magnetic NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles Prepared via Non‐Aqueous Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis for Application in Electrocatalytic Water Oxidation
Authors: Simon Christopher , Zakaria Mohamed Barakat , Kurz Hannah , Tetzlaff David , Blösser André , Weiss Morten , Timm Jana , Weber Birgit , Apfel Ulf‐Peter , Marschall Roland 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPhase‐pure spinel‐type magnetic nickel ferrite (NiFe2O4) nanocrystals in the size range of 4 to 11 nm were successfully synthesized by a fast and energy‐saving microwave‐assisted approach. Size and accessible surface areas can be tuned precisely by the reaction parameters. Our results highlight the correlation between size, degree of inversion, and magnetic characteristics of NiFe2O4 nanoparticles, which enables fine‐tuning of these parameters for a particular application without changing the elemental composition. Moreover, the application potential of the synthesized powders for the electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction in alkaline media was demonstrated, showing that a low degree of inversion is beneficial for the overall performance. The most active sample reaches an overpotential of 380 mV for water oxidation at 10 mA cm−2 and 38.8 mA cm−2 at 1.7 V vs. RHE, combined with a low Tafel slope of 63 mV dec−1.