bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retrospective Analysis of Patients Undergoing Total Thyroidectomy for the Last Three Years in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Mahalakshmi K. , BarathChinnaswami R. , Kamal V. Shruthi 
Published: November 2021

Background: The incidence of thyroid disorders has increased in the past decade in South India and the increase may be attributed to the phenomenon of overdiagnosis. The thyroid gland secretes hormones, which have various metabolic effects in the body. Most commonly the patients with thyroid disorders present with symptoms of hyperthyroid, hypothyroid and at times, though euthyroid, they may develop a swelling in the neck that has been caused by a goiter (single/multiple), thyroiditis, Grave’s disease, or thyroid carcinoma. In these conditions where there is an associated hyperthyroid or hypothyroid state, it is essential for the consulting physician to provide appropriate management with the aim of bringing the thyroid gland to a euthyroid state prior to further surgical methods. These benign and malignant conditions are initially medically managed but, surgical interventions are indicated sometimes. Total thyroidectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy, partial thyroidectomy, hemi thyroidectomy are the most common surgical procedures performed. Among these procedures, the total thyroidectomy procedure has been gaining an increase of incidence in the past decade.
Objectives: The aim of the study is to analyze the indication rate of various conditions requiring total thyroidectomy surgery, to analyze the most affected age group and sex and to know if the incidence rate coincides with the known international standard. The post-operative complication incidence is also analyzed.
Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted over a period of three years at Department of General Surgery, Saveetha Medical College, Thandalam.
Results: The study shows an increased occurrence between 21-40 years old age group, mostly affecting the female population. Nodular goiter is the most common indication for total thyroidectomy surgery, carcinomas are the second most common. Among carcinomas, papillary is the most common type observed in this study.
Conclusion: Total thyroidectomy is effective in treating several thyroid disorders and the risk of recurrence in subtotal, partial or hemi thyroidectomy outweighs the risk of complication during surgery in total thyroidectomy.
A Study on Post Operative Pain Assesment on Arrival Using Vas Score among Urological Procedures after general Anaesthesia vs. Regional Anaesthesia
Authors: Madhumithra K. S. Jaya , Priya Mohana 
Published: November 2021

Background: A Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) is a measurement that tries to measure a characteristic or attitude that is believed to range across a continuum of values and cannot easily be directly measured [1]. The 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) score is widely used to measure pain intensity after surgery. The main objective here is to compare the effectiveness and safety of general anaesthesia (GA) vs. regional anaesthesia (RA) in urological procedures with the help of VAS.
Methods: We enrolled a sequential, unselected cohort of fifty-two patients on arrival from surgery and used a VAS to quantify pain intensity. We compared changes in the VAS among patients who received either GA or RA for urological procedures. Patient’s comorbidities, vitals, pain visual analogue scale (VAS) are evaluated. Intraoperative and post-operative complications were recorded.
Results: Vital parameters were maintained at safe values throughout the procedure in both groups. Visual analogue pain score was lower in regional anaesthesia till one hour mark of post-operative period as compared with GA cluster (P <0.05). Patients in regional anaesthesia recorded lower consumption of analgesics during the post-operative day-0 as compared with GA cluster (P < 0.05). Post-operative shivering was higher in RA cluster than GA cluster (8% vs. 2%) whereas nausea and fever was higher in GA cluster than RA cluster (5% vs. 2% and 4% vs. 1% respectively). However, Patients in GA cluster recorded higher overall satisfaction scores than RA cluster.
Conclusion: Both GA and RA were effective and safe in Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy. It is observed that PCNL under RA was associated with significantly shorter operative time and hospital stay. Furthermore, postoperative pain scores were low, lower nausea and/or vomiting, and reduced analgesic requirements were noted in the RA group. However, GA provides heaps of satisfaction for patients.
Effect of Kabasura Kudineer Extract on Inflammatory Cytokines [Interleukin-6 and Tumour Necrosis Factor-α] in Lung Cancer Cell Line A549
Authors: Nisha M. Afrin , Preetha S. , Selvaraj J. , Sridevi G. 
Published: November 2021

Background: Kabasura kudineer is widely known for its anticancer efficiency. Kabasura kudineer is a customary formulation used by siddha practitioners for effectively managing common respiratory illness. Herbal medicines are acknowledged as a great approach to lung cancer therapy. Aim of the study is to know about the anticancer property of Kabasura kudineer extract on inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in lung cancer cell line (A549).
Materials and Methods: Human lung cancer cell line (A549) was purchased from National Centre for Cell Sciences (NCCS), Pune, India. Cell viability test was done by MTT assay. Gene expression analysis was done by Real Time-PCR. The obtained data were analysed statistically by one-way analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple range test with Graph Pad Prism version 5 to analyse the significance. The significance was considered at p<0.05 level in Duncan’s test.
Results and Discussion: Kabasura kudineer caused a marked increase in cell death in dose dependent manner. AT the end of 48 hours, maximum inhibition was at 400 and 500 μg/ml. Kabasura kudineer extract reduced the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α compared to the control cells.
Conclusion: This study concluded that Kabasura kudineer extract has anticancer activity on lung cancer cell lines (A549).
Virtual Screening to Identify the Protein Network Interactions of Triclosan with Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Hariprasanth T. K. , Priyadharsini J. Vijayashree , Girija A. S. Smiline , Ganesh P. Sankar 
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Triclosan is considered to be an important ingredient in toothpastes and mouth rinses. Several studies have reported contradictory results regarding the antimicrobial effect of triclosan. Hence, the present in silico study intends to identify the potential targets of triclosan in two common dental pathogens Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis.
Aim: To identify the protein network interactions of triclosan in Streptococcus mutans and Enterococcus faecalis by virtual screening method.
Materials and Methods: The STITCH v5.0 database was initially used for identifying drug-protein interactions followed by VICMPred and VirulentPred which was employed to identify functional class of the proteins and its virulence property. Finally, BepiPred v1.0 Linear Epitope Prediction tool was used to identify the potential epitopes of the virulent proteins.
Results: Triclosan was found to interact with crucial proteins in S. mutans and E. faecalis which could contribute to severe forms of periodontitis and endodontic diseases.
Conclusion: Taken together, the present study provides the preliminary data on the potential targets of triclosan in common dental pathogens. Further experimental validation is warranted to provide concrete evidence on the molecular targets of dental pathogens.
Decoding the Genetic Alterations in Genes of Fibroblast Growth Factor Family and Their Possible Association with HNSCC
Authors: Akshaya A. , Priyadharsini J. Vijayashree , Girija A. S. Smiline , Ganesh P. Sankar , Poddar Nidhi 
Published: November 2021

Introduction: HNSCC is a type of cancer in the oral and pharynx region. Several mutations/variations are observed in these cancer phenotypes. Fibroblast growth factor belongs to the family of heparin binding growth factors. FGFs are multifunctional proteins with a wide variety of effects; they are most commonly mitogens. Their expression pattern correlates with invasion of HNSCC.
Aim: To assess the genetic alterations in genes of the fibroblast growth factor family and their association with HNSCC.
Materials and Methods: The demographic data and samples of 528 HNSCC patients was collected from the cBioportal database. Oncoprint analysis was done to assess the amplification and genetic alterations of the members of the FGF gene family. String analysis was performed to evaluate the protein-protein interaction. The information about previous reported mutation and correlation with novel and reported mutation was obtained using GnomAD analysis.
Results and Discussion: FGF3,4 and 19 genes showed maximum variation (25%). FGF4 and FGF19 genes showed maximum amplification in addition to deletion mutation. Excitingly FGF3, FGF4 and FGF19 genes showed similar amplification patterns in most of the HNSCC patients. Statistical significant difference in the gene expression of FGF3 9.578 x 10-3 observed between normal and primary tumour. S. Findings showed many novel mutations and also 4 reported mutations ie:FGF1, FGF12, FGF20, FGF21
Conclusion: Our present study concludes that more evidence is required to confirm their association with HNSCC.
Role of Steroids and Other Immunomodulators in Treatment of COVID-19
Authors: Rakshna M. , Arunkumar A. S. , Mahadevan Laya 
Published: November 2021

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID- 19), the newly discovered infectious disease is caused by an infection with a novel virus belonging to the family Coronaviridae named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2(SARS-CoV-2). SARS-CoV-2-infected cells produce substances that can induce injury to lung cells as the focus of initiation of COVID-19 during the incubation period. These substances bind to receptors on the target cells. Corticosteroids bind to specific intracellular cytoplasmic receptors in target tissues. The receptor hormone recruits co-activator or co-repressor proteins after dimerizing. In severe COVID-19 patients develop a systemic inflammatory response that leads to lung injury and multisystem organ dysfunction. Even though evidence consistently supporting the use of steroids in ARDS and pneumonia is hard to come by the potent anti-inflammatory effects of steroids are postulated to prevent the deleterious effects of the severe inflammation seen in COVID pneumonia. A monoclonal antibody cocktail consisting of Casirivimab and Imdevimab is another promising therapeutic option in patients at high risk of deterioration. Used early in the disease process they prevent hospitalization and further morbidity.
Color‐Tunable Dual Persistent Emission Via a Triplet Exciton Reservoir for Temperature Sensing and Anti‐Counterfeiting
Authors: Li Feiyang , Qian Cheng , Lu Jinyu , Ma Yun , Zhang Kenneth Yin , Liu Shujuan , Zhao Qiang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractOrganic persistent luminescent materials attract great attention, but most of them exhibit single luminescence color with one emission band, which limits their applications in optoelectronic, sensing, and bioimaging fields. Herein, an effective strategy to achieve dual persistent emission is proposed by utilizing the triplet excited state in the single‐molecule 6,12‐diphenyl‐5,6,11,12‐tetrahydroindolo[3,2‐b]carbazole derivatives. Experimental data and theoretical calculations suggest that the triplet excited state operates as a triplet exciton reservoir to stockpile and provide long‐lived excitons for room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) and thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) in aggregate state. Moreover, tunable emission color is achieved through the regulation of RTP and TADF emission by introducing aromatic and aliphatic bromine atoms. Finally, dual persistent emission with a long lifetime of 0.26 s and a persistent luminescence quantum yield of 10% is obtained in single‐component materials, and these luminophores are used for visual temperature detection and anti‐counterfeiting.
Finite‐Size Analysis of Thermal States Quantum Cryptography with the Optimal Noise
Authors: Yang Fangli , Qiu Daowen , Chen Liuping , Wan Xiangkui 
Published: November 2021

AbstractA modified thermal states quantum cryptography is proposed by adding the noise at Bob's side and the impact of finite‐size effects focused on by performing the channel estimation. An optimal noise which can maximize the key rate is demonstrated to exist and, by using numeric simulations, is shown to vary with the transmission distance. Adding the optimal noise can enhance the effectiveness of the thermal states quantum cryptography protocol under noisy and lossy channel in terms of secret key rate, the maximum transmission distance and the tolerable channel noise. Although finite‐size effects deteriorate the performance of thermal quantum cryptography, this approach can compensate the impact of this degradation, and even make the performance of the modified protocol in the finite‐size regime better than that of the original protocol in the ideal asymptotic regime.
Ensuring patient safety by rational choice of color masterbatch for medical device applications—A case study investigating the properties of an ABS/SAN blend colored by different masterbatches based on styrenic polymers
Authors: Günther Björn , Kremser Thomas , Susoff Markus , Formanek Petr , Fery Andreas , Wießner Sven 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe coloration of plastics is an important quality feature of medical devices, and it is most frequently done by using masterbatches. This study investigates the influence of masterbatches with different carrier resins on the impact resistance and the morphology of an acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS)/styrene‐acrylonitrile (SAN) blend. The experimental results were compared with thermodynamical models based on Hansen and Flory–Huggins theory. The models, as well as notched impact testing, indicated strong immiscibility and incompatibility when using a masterbatch carrier based on polystyrene (PS). Immiscibility was confirmed by morphology studies that revealed the formation of PS‐droplets with increasing masterbatch content. Masterbatches based on ABS and SAN showed no significant impact and theoretical calculations were in good accordance with mechanics and morphology. The proposed theoretical calculation of solubility between blend partners potentially allows a prediction for selecting a suitable masterbatch carrier.
Unemployment and cancer screening: Baseline estimates to inform health care delivery in the context of COVID‐19 economic distress
Authors: Fedewa Stacey A. , Yabroff K. Robin , Bandi Priti , Smith Robert A. , Nargis Nigar , Zheng Zhiyuan , Drope Jeffrey , Jemal Ahmedin 
Published: November 2021

BackgroundDuring the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, US unemployment rates rose to historic highs, and they remain nearly double those of prepandemic levels. Employers are the most common source of health insurance among nonelderly adults. Thus, job loss may lead to a loss of health insurance and reduce access to cancer screening. This study examined associations between unemployment, health insurance, and cancer screening to inform the pandemic's potential impacts on early cancer detection.MethodsUp‐to‐date and past‐year breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer screening prevalences were computed for nonelderly respondents (aged <65 years) with 2000‐2018 National Health Interview Survey data. Multivariable logistic regression models with marginal probabilities were used to estimate unemployed‐versus‐employed unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios.ResultsUnemployed adults (2000‐2018) were 4 times more likely to lack insurance than employed adults (41.4% vs 10.0%; P < .001). Unemployed adults had a significantly lower up‐to‐date prevalence of screening for cervical cancer (78.5% vs 86.2%; P < .001), breast cancer (67.8% vs 77.5%; P < .001), colorectal cancer (41.9 vs 48.5%; P < .001), and prostate cancer (25.4% vs 36.4%; P < .001). These differences were eliminated after accounting for health insurance coverage.ConclusionsUnemployment was adversely associated with up‐to‐date cancer screening, and this was fully explained by a lack of health insurance. Ensuring the continuation of health insurance coverage after job loss may mitigate the pandemic's economic distress and future economic downturns' impact on cancer screening.
Multicycling of Epoxy Thermoset Through a Two‐Step Strategy of Alcoholysis and Hydrolysis using a Self‐Separating Catalysis System
Authors: Zhao Xu , Liu Xuehui , Feng Ke , An Wen‐Li , Tian Fei , Du Rongcheng , Xu Shimei , Chen Li , Wu Gang , Wang Yu‐Zhong 
Published: November 2021

AbstractPlastic has now become a contradiction between civilization and pollution that human society has to resolve. The recycling of thermosetting plastics in waste plastics is a huge challenge since they are difficult to remold like thermoplastic plastics due to their high crosslinking density. Here, a new strategy was developed to achieve multicycling of anhydride‐cured epoxy thermosets. The process consisted of mild and high‐efficiency alcoholysis catalyzed by potassium phosphate/low‐boiling alcohol system, and subsequent fast hydrolysis to obtain degradation products rich of carboxyl groups. The degradation products were reused as curing agent to prepare new anhydride‐cured epoxy thermosets without sacrifice of high strength and stability. Moreover, the new epoxy thermosets could still be repeatedly recycled using the same protocol. The insolubility of potassium phosphate in ethanol at room temperature made the separation and reuse of the catalyst more convenient. The use of low‐boiling alcohol not only allowed high‐efficiency degradation but also enabled easy separation from the degradation products. The excellent degradation performance was attributed to the improved swelling of the thermoset and the increased solubility of potassium phosphate induced by small amounts of water in the alcohol. This research provides a recycling method that can reintegrate thermoset waste plastics into remodeling ones under the background of circular economy.
The dopamine membrane transporter plays an active modulatory role in synaptic dopamine homeostasis
Authors: Formisano Rosaria , Rosikon Katarzyna D. , Singh Abhyudai , Dhillon Harbinder S. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractModulatory mechanisms of neurotransmitter release and clearance are highly controlled processes whose finely tuned regulation is critical for functioning of the nervous system. Dysregulation of the monoamine neurotransmitter dopamine can lead to several neuropathies. Synaptic modulation of dopamine is known to involve pre‐synaptic D2 auto‐receptors and acid sensing ion channels. In addition, the dopamine membrane transporter (DAT), which is responsible for clearance of dopamine from the synaptic cleft, is suspected to play an active role in modulating release of dopamine. Using functional imaging on the Caenorhabditis elegans model system, we show that DAT‐1 acts as a negative feedback modulator to neurotransmitter vesicle fusion. Results from our fluorescence recovery after photo‐bleaching (FRAP) based experiments were followed up with and reaffirmed using swimming‐induced paralysis behavioral assays. Utilizing our numerical FRAP data we have developed a mechanistic model to dissect the dynamics of synaptic vesicle fusion, and compare the feedback effects of DAT‐1 with the dopamine auto‐receptor. Our experimental results and the mechanistic model are of potential broader significance, as similar dynamics are likely to be used by other synaptic modulators including membrane transporters for other neurotransmitters across species.
Cyanobacterial weathering in warming periglacial sediments: Implications for nutrient cycling and potential biosignatures
Authors: Demirel‐Floyd Cansu , Soreghan Gerilyn S. , Madden Megan E. Elwood 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe cryosphere hosts a widespread microbial community, yet microbial influences on silicate weathering have been historically neglected in cold‐arid deserts. Here we investigate bioweathering by a cold‐tolerant cyanobacteria (Leptolyngbya glacialis) via laboratory experiments using glaciofluvial drift sediments at 12°C, analogous to predicted future permafrost surface temperatures. Our results show threefold enhanced Si weathering rates in pre‐weathered, mixed‐lithology Antarctic biotic reactors compared to abiotic controls, indicating the significant influence of microbial life on weathering. Although biotic and abiotic weathering rates are similar in Icelandic sediments, neo‐formed clay and Fe‐(oxy)hydroxide minerals observed in association with biofilms in biotic reactors are common on Icelandic mafic minerals, similar to features observed in unprocessed Antarctic drifts. This suggests that microbes enhance weathering in systems where they must scavenge for nutrients that are not easily liberated via abiotic pathways; potential biosignatures may form in nutrient‐rich systems as well. In both sediment types we also observed up to fourfold higher bicarbonate concentrations in biotic reactors relative to abiotic reactors, indicating that, as warming occurs, psychrotolerant biota will enhance bicarbonate flux to the oceans, thus stimulating carbonate deposition and providing a negative feedback to increasing atmospheric CO2.
Momenten‐Auflager‐Interaktion von mehrfeldrig gespannten Sandwichelementen
Authors: Engel Alexander , Lange Jörg 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSelbsttragende Sandwichelemente mit beidseitigen Metall‐Deckschichten werden im Bauwesen i. d. R. als Mehrfeldträger geplant und verbaut. Hierbei tritt an den Zwischenauflagern stets eine Interaktion zwischen dem druckbelasteten Deckblech und der orthogonal dazu wirkenden Auflagerkraft auf, welche die Biegetragfähigkeit reduzieren kann. Viele Einflussfaktoren auf die reduzierte Tragfähigkeit bleiben in der momentanen Zulassungspraxis (und Bemessung) unberücksichtigt. Im Rahmen eines von der DFG geförderten Forschungsprojekts wurden daher experimentelle, numerische sowie analytische Untersuchungen an Sandwichelementen durchgeführt. Es wurden wesentliche Einflüsse auf die reduzierte Knitterspannung unter einer einwirkenden Querdruckbelastung quantifiziert und ein möglicher Lösungsansatz aufgezeigt, um diese künftig – z. B. im Rahmen der Zulassungsversuche – berücksichtigen zu können.
Metallprofildächer unter PV‐Anlagen
Authors: Raabe Oliver , Pfaff Ute 
Published: November 2021

AbstractIn einigen deutschen Bundesländern wurde bzw. wird gesetzlich festgeschrieben, dass künftig bei Neubauten verpflichtend eine Solaranlage (im Folgenden PV‐Anlage genannt) installiert werden muss, mit Photovoltaikelementen zur Erzeugung von Strom bzw. mit Solarelementen zur primären Erwärmung von Wasser. Auch eine bundesweite Gesetzesinitiative gibt es dazu schon. Bei Industrieneubauten werden häufig als Dacheindeckung dünnwandige Metallprofildächer verwendet, auf die PV‐Anlagen montiert werden. Industriell vorgefertigte Metallprofildächer bestehen z. B. aus Trapezprofilen, Stehfalzprofilen und Sandwichelementen. Es werden dabei spezielle, auf den jeweiligen Typ der Metallprofildächer abgestimmte Befestigungssysteme eingesetzt. Die Erfahrung hat gezeigt, dass, obwohl PV‐Anlagen seit vielen Jahren bei Metallprofildächern eingesetzt werden, die Besonderheiten bei der Verwendung nicht bekannt sind bzw. nicht beachtet werden. Im folgenden Beitrag wird auf den Einfluss der PV‐Anlagen auf die vorgenannten Metallprofildächer hinsichtlich der formalen Grundlagen, Belastungsansätze, statischen Nachweise, Begeh‐ bzw. Betretbarkeit und Korrosionsschutzanforderungen eingegangen.