bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of oestrogen on vulvovaginal candidosis
Authors: He Yufei , Tang Ruoyu , Deng Jie , Cai Tongkai , He Ping , Wu Jianhua , Cao Yongbing 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAs a frequently occurring infectious disease mainly caused by Candida albicans, vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC) affects more than 100 million women worldwide every year. Multiple factors that influence C. albicans colonisation have been linked to the incidence of VVC, including high levels of circulating oestrogen due to pregnancy, the use of oral contraceptives, and hormone replacement therapy. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the mechanism(s) by which oestrogen contributes to VVC, which might provide meaningful guidance to the prevention and treatment of this disease.
Simulation‐based assessment of care for an infant with cardiogenic shock in the emergency department
Authors: Alsaedi Hani , Berrens Zachary J. , Lutfi Riad , Weinstein Elizabeth , Montgomery Erin E , Pearson Kellie J. , Kirby Michelle L. , Abu‐Sultaneh Samer , Abulebda Kamal , Thammasitboon Satid 
Published: October 2021

AbstractBackgroundCongenital heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of infant deaths associated with birth defects. Neonates with undiagnosed CHD often present to general emergency departments (GEDs) for initial resuscitation that are less prepared than paediatric centres, resulting in disparities in the quality of care. Neonates with undiagnosed CHD represent a challenge; thus, it is necessary for GEDs to be prepared for this population.AimTo evaluate the process of resuscitative care provided to a neonate in cardiogenic shock due to CHD in the GEDs in a simulated setting and to describe the impact of teams and GED variables on the process of care.MethodsThis is a prospective simulation‐based assessment of the process of care provided to a neonate with coarctation of the aorta in cardiogenic shock. Simulation sessions were conducted at participating GEDs utilizing each GED's interdisciplinary team and resources. The primary outcome was adherence to best practice, as measured by a 15‐item overall composite adherence score (CAS). In addition, we stratified the overall CAS into CHD‐critical items and the general resuscitation items CAS. The secondary outcome was the impact of the team's and GED's characteristics on the scores.ResultsThis study enrolled 32 teams from 12 GEDs. Among 161 participants, 103 (63.97%) were registered nurses, 33 (20.50%) were physicians, 17 (10.56%) were respiratory therapists, and 8 (4.97%) were other medical professionals. The overall median CAS was 84, with the CHD‐critical items having a median CAS of 34.5. The most underperformed tasks are checking pulses on the upper and lower extremities (44%), obtaining blood pressure in the upper and lower extremities (25%), and administering prostaglandin E1 (22%).ConclusionsUsing in situ simulation in a set of GEDs, we revealed gaps in the resuscitation care of neonates with CHD in cardiogenic shock.Relevance to clinical practiceThese findings highlight the importance of targeted improvement programs for high‐stakes illnesses in GED.
Left bundle branch area pacing versus right ventricular pacing in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation requiring ventricular pacing
Authors: Wang Zhao , Zhu Haojie , Li Xiaofei , Yao Yan , Liu Zhimin , Fan Xiaohan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractPurposeThis study aims to assess whether left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) can result in favorable clinical and echocardiographic outcomes among patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (PeAF).MethodsWe prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with PeAF if they required ventricular pacing and had left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) > 35%. During the same period, two experienced operators performed LBBAP and right ventricular pacing (RVP). All‐cause death and heart failure hospitalization (HFH) were routinely followed after procedure. The primary outcome was the composite endpoints of all‐cause death or HFH.ResultsLBBAP was successful in 49 of 52 patients (94.2%), whereas 44 patients received RVP. During a mean follow‐up of 13.9 ± 7.0 months, LBBAP group presented with higher ventricular pacing percentage (80% vs. 50.9%, p = .04) and narrower paced QRS duration (117.2 ± 18.8 ms vs. 151.8 ± 13.7 ms, p < .001) than RVP group. The primary endpoint was slightly reduced in LBBAP group than RVP without reaching statistical significance (7.7% vs. 11.4%, p = .48). Compared with baseline, we observed significant changes in LVEF (+0.7% vs. −2.2%, p = .007) and left atrial diameter (−1.63 mm vs. +1.23 mm, p = .011) between LBBAP and RVP.ConclusionOur results indicate possible effect of LBBAP on reverse remodeling of left atrium and a trend towards favorable clinical outcomes in patients with PeAF requiring high burden of ventricular pacing when compared with RVP.
The Behavior of Triplet Thymine in a Model B‐DNA Strand. Energetics and Spin Density Localization Revealed by ab initio Molecular Dynamics Simulations†*
Authors: Allahkaram Laleh , Monari Antonio , Dumont Elise 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACTAmong the naturally occurring nucleobases, thymine presents the lowest triplet state, hence it represents a hotspot for energy transfer and photosensitization. In turn, the population of the triplet state may lead to thymine dimerization and hence to the production of toxic DNA lesions and has been the subject of intensive theoretical and experimental investigations. Relying on QM/MM molecular dynamics simulations, we have sought to situate the energy of the lowest triplet state of thymine embedded in a B‐DNA environment. The energy gap varies between 305 and 329 kJ mol−1 when a single thymine is treated at the quantum chemistry level, depending on its position in the model double‐stranded 16‐bp oligonucleotide. The energy of triplet state decreases up to 300 kJ mol−1, due to polarization effects, when we consider coupled stacked nucleobases up to the inclusion of four nucleobases. Our value lies in good agreement with the energy inferred experimentally by Miranda and coworkers (270 kJ mol−1), and our theoretical exploration opens the door to investigations toward other more complex and biologically relevant environments, such as thymines embedded in nucleosome core particles. Our investigations also provide a reference for further studies using semi‐empirical approaches such as density functional‐based tight‐binding, allowing to further rationalize sequence effects.
Depth Penetration of Light into Skin as a Function of Wavelength from 200 to 1000 nm
Authors: Finlayson Louise , Barnard Isla R. M. , McMillan Lewis , Ibbotson Sally H. , Brown C. Tom A. , Eadie Ewan , Wood Kenneth 
Published: October 2021

ABSTRACTAn increase in the use of light‐based technology and medical devices has created a demand for informative and accessible data showing the depth that light penetrates into skin and how this varies with wavelength. These data would be particularly beneficial in many areas of medical research and would support the use and development of disease‐targeted light‐based therapies for specific skin diseases, based on increased understanding of wavelength‐dependency of cutaneous penetration effects. We have used Monte Carlo radiative transport (MCRT) to simulate light propagation through a multi‐layered skin model for the wavelength range of 200–1000 nm. We further adapted the simulation to compare the effect of direct and diffuse light sources, varying incident angles and stratum corneum thickness. The lateral spread of light in skin was also investigated. As anticipated, we found that the penetration depth of light into skin varies with wavelength in accordance with the optical properties of skin. Penetration depth of ultraviolet radiation was also increased when the stratum corneum was thinner. These observations enhance understanding of the wavelength‐dependency and characteristics of light penetration of skin, which has potential for clinical impact regarding optimizing light‐based diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for skin disease.
Phagocytic Activity of Rat Primary Astrocytes Is Regulated by Insulin and Ganglioside GM1
Authors: Sokolova T. V. , Rychkova M. P. , Basova N. E. , Vasilev D. S. , Avrova N. F. , Yefimova M. G. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
A timely and efficient removal of apoptotic cells and their
fragments is essential to maintain tissue homeostasis in normal
and pathological conditions. Since the removal of apoptotic substrates
is executed by the cells endowed with phagocytic activity, the issue
of its regulation is of particular interest. In this work, we studied
the effect of two biologically active substances, insulin and ganglioside
GM1, on phagocytic activity of rat primary astrocytes. We showed
that cell incubation with 1 µM insulin significantly decreased the
phagocytic activity of astrocytes (58.5% vs. control), whereas the
incubation with 10 µM GM1 caused an increase in phagocytic activity
(133.4% vs. control). Preincubation of brain astrocytes with GM1
completely blocked the inhibitory effect of insulin. These results
can be instrumental in developing novel therapeutic strategies for
the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases accompanied by the emergence
of apoptotic substrates.
Risks and benefits of reinduction ipilimumab/nivolumab in melanoma patients previously treated with ipilimumab/nivolumab
Authors: Chapman Paul B , Jayaprakasam Vetri Sudar , Panageas Katherine S , Callahan Margaret , Postow Michael A , Shoushtari Alexander N , Wolchok Jedd D , Betof Warner Allison 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundIn melanoma patients who progress after prior ipilimumab/nivolumab (ipi/nivo) combination immunotherapy, there is no information regarding the risks and benefits of reinduction ipi/nivo.MethodsThis was a retrospective review of 26 melanoma patients treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) since 2012 who received reinduction ipi/nivo at least 6 months following completion of an initial course of ipi/nivo. We collected data on demographics, genetics, immune-related adverse events (irAEs), best overall responses (BORs), time to treatment failure (TTF) and overall survival (OS).ResultsThe BOR rate (complete response+partial response) was 74% (95% CI 52% to 90%) after the first course of ipi/nivo but only 23% (95% CI 8% to 45%)) after reinduction. Response to reinduction did not correlate with response to the initial course. Among the 16 patients who had an objective response to the first course, only four (25%) responded to reinduction. Of five patients who did not respond to the first course, one responded to reinduction. For all patients, median TTF was 5.3 months after reinduction; TTF was shorter for reinduction than for the first course in 85% of patients. Median OS from reinduction was 8.4 months; estimated 2-year OS was 18%. Although reinduction was associated with fewer irAEs than the initial course of ipi/nivo (58% of patients vs 85% of patients in the initial course), eight (31%) patients experienced at least one new irAE after the second course.ConclusionsBOR rate and TTF were markedly less favorable after reinduction with ipi/nivo than after the initial course of ipi/nivo. Reinduction ipi/nivo was associated with frequent irAEs although less frequent than for the initial course.
Prediction of large vessel occlusion for ischaemic stroke by using the machine learning model random forests
Authors: Wang Jianan , Zhang Jungen , Gong Xiaoxian , Zhang Wenhua , Zhou Ying , Lou Min 
Published: October 2021

BackgroundsThe timely identification of large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the prehospital stage is extremely important given the disease morbidity and narrow time window for intervention. The current evaluation strategies still remain challenging. The goal of this study was to develop a machine learning (ML) model to predict LVO using prehospital accessible data.MethodsConsecutive acute ischaemic stroke patients who underwent CT or MR angiography and received reperfusion therapy within 8 hours from symptom onset in the Computer-based Online Database of Acute Stroke Patients for Stroke Management Quality Evaluation-II dataset from January 2016 to August 2021 were included. We developed eight ML models to integrate National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) items with demographics, medical history and vascular risk factors to identify LVO and validate its efficiency.ResultsFinally, 15 365 patients were included in the training set and 4215 patients were included in the test set. On the test set, random forests (RF), gradient boosting machine and extreme gradient boosting presented area under the curve (AUC) of 0.831 (95% CI 0.819 to 0.843), which were higher than other models, and RF presented the highest specificity (0.827). In addition, the AUC of RF was higher than other scales, and the accuracy of the model was improved by 6.4% compared with NIHSS. We also found the top five items of identifying LVO were total NIHSS score, gaze deviation, level of consciousness (LOC), LOC commands and motor left leg.ConclusionsOur proposed model could be a useful screening tool to predict LVO based on the prehospital accessible medical data.Trial registration numberNCT04487340.
Numerical investigations on propane-air filtration premixed combustion process in randomly packed beds
Authors: Jiang Linsong , Zhang Yang , Suo Shaoyi , Shen Zhao , Sun Ying , Yin Zhicheng 
Published: October 2021

In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) randomly packed bed model is established to research the filtration combustion process. 3D numerical simulation of premixed combustion in the randomly packed bed is carried out, and the temperature distributions and flame propagation characteristics are predicted and discussed. Simulation results show that the change rules of the temperature field and the flame surface in the random model are consistent with the classical theory, and the stochastic packed model is more promising for numerical simulation of filtration combustion in comparison with the traditional regular structures.
Enhanced surface plasmon resonance in gold nanoparticles dewetted on monolayer hexagonal boron nitride
Authors: Abdullah Mohd Faizol 
Published: October 2021

In this paper, the effect of dewetted gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) is discussed along with the changes in surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Au is sputtered on monolayer hBN/SiO2/Si substrate for a varied duration and subjected to thermal annealing. Monolayer hBN is verified by spectroscopic ellipsometry using the Tauc–Lorentz model, while the AuNPs are modeled using a combination of Gauss, Cody–Lorentz, and Tanguy dispersion laws. Sputtering of Au on hBN/SiO2/Si results in a film-like layer compared to the one on SiO2/Si. Before annealing, the improved uniformity of Au on hBN/SiO2/Si diminished the SPR wavelength, [Formula: see text], when the sputter duration exceeded 30 s, much sooner compared to 120 s from the one on SiO2/Si. After annealing, the [Formula: see text] is vibrant for all samples around 2.3 eV. Au dewetted more on hBN due to higher surface tension. Large dewetted AuNPs supported by hBN result in higher photon extinction at [Formula: see text]. The longest sputter duration of 120 s on hBN/SiO2/Si (mean size 53 nm) exhibited an 11.2% higher extinction coefficient compared to the one on SiO2/Si (mean size 39.6 nm). Findings support the advantages of preparing plasmonic AuNPs by dewetting on monolayer hBN.
A Phase 0 Trial of Ceritinib in Patients with Brain Metastases and Recurrent Glioblastoma
Authors: Mehta Shwetal , Fiorelli Roberto , Bao Xun , Pennington-Krygier Chelsea , Derogatis Alanna , Kim Seongho , Yoo Wonsuk , Li Jing , Sanai Nader 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Purpose:
Ceritinib is an orally bioavailable, small-molecule inhibitor of anaplastic lympoma kinase (ALK), insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGFR1), and focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which are highly expressed in glioblastoma and many brain metastases. Preclinical and clinical studies indicate that ceritinib has antitumor activity in central nervous system (CNS) malignancies. This phase 0 trial measured the tumor pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of ceritinib in patients with brain metastasis or recurrent glioblastoma.

Patients and Methods:
Preoperative patients with brain tumors demonstrating high expression of pSTAT5b/pFAK/pIGFR1 were administered ceritinib for 10 days prior to tumor resection. Plasma, tumor, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected at predefined timepoints following the final dose. Total and unbound drug concentrations were determined using LC-MS/MS. In treated tumor and matched archival tissues, tumor PD was quantified through IHC analysis of pALK, pSTAT5b, pFAK, pIGFR1, and pIRS1.

Results:
Ten patients (3 brain metastasis, 7 glioblastoma) were enrolled and no dose-limiting toxicities were observed. Ceritinib was highly bound to human plasma protein [median fraction unbound (Fu), 1.4%] and to brain tumor tissue (median Fu, 0.051% and 0.045% in gadolinium-enhancing and -nonenhancing regions respectively). Median unbound concentrations in enhancing and nonenhancing tumor were 0.048 and 0.006 μmol/L, respectively. Median unbound tumor-to-plasma ratios were 2.86 and 0.33 in enhancing and nonenhancing tumor, respectively. No changes in PD biomarkers were observed in the treated tumor samples as compared to matched archival tumor tissue.

Conclusions:
Ceritinib is highly bound to plasma proteins and tumor tissues. Unbound drug concentrations achieved in brain metastases and patients with recurrent glioblastoma were insufficient for target modulation.
Roosting habits and habitats of the Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius Temminck, 1825 in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: M. Pandian  , S. Suresh  
Published: October 2021

This paper pertains to the study on roosting habits and habitats of the Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius Temminck, 1825 in 12 villages of four northern districts—Vellore, Krishnagiri, Tiruvannamalai, and Viluppuram—of Tamil Nadu. Studies targeted roosting tree species, population status, diurnal-roosting behaviour, interactions with other animals, and probable threats to the species. A total of 22,365 individuals of the species were observed in 72 roosting colonies in 72 trees belonging to nine families, 11 genera, and 13 species. The tree species that harbored the greatest population of P. medius (n= 12,465) were those of Tamarindus indica L. (Fabaceae) (n= 39), followed by Ficus religiosa L. (Moraceae) (n= 3,960), Madhuca latifolia J.F. Macbr. (Sapotaceae) (n= 2,760), and Ficus benghalensis L. (Moraceae) (n= 1,620). One-Way ANOVA revealed that a significant relationship exists between colony size and tree diameter at breast height (dbh), and their canopy size (p <0.05). However, no significant difference occurred between the colony size and tree height. The time taken for emergence of individuals of the colony from the canopy for foraging varied between 20 and 40 min after 1750 h in the evening. The species mostly roosted on trees proximal to human settlements, electrical power lines, and water bodies. Individuals of P. medius used various tree species in different areas in different geographical regions and did not maintain any consistency in roosting tree species selection. A majority of individuals (88.7 %; n= 887) were found roosting using both legs and a minority of P. medius (11.3 %; n= 113) were clinging to tree branches using one. Individuals of P. medius flew to nearby water bodies to quench thirst and cool their bodies. Mating was observed during day roost in 146 pairs including male-female fellatio in seven pairs. Smoke from shrines in sacred groves, pruning of branches for various cultural reasons, populations of House Crow Corvus splendens (Vieillot, 1817) (Corvidae), Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789) and Black Kite Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783) (both Accipitridae) were key disturbances to roosting populations of P. medius.
Evaluation of fish diversity and abundance in the Kabul River with comparisons between reaches above and below Kabul City, Afghanistan
Authors: Kelzang Ugyen , Habibi Ahmad Farid , Thoni Ryan J. 
Published: October 2021

The fish fauna of the Kabul River downstream of the City of Kabul face threats from increasing human population such as pollution, overfishing, and increased development. Despite the rapid increase of these activities leading to threats to fishes in the Kabul River, no studies have examined the changes in diversity, distribution, and abundance of fish fauna in the Kabul River surrounding of Kabul City. In this study, the Kabul River was divided into two zones (upstream and downstream) consisting of six sampling sites (3 sites per zone). Of the total of 1,190 fishes collected, Cypriniformes was the dominant order with one family, six genera, and eight species. Cyprinidae was the dominant family of that order with 81.4% (n= 969) of total individuals. Species abundance was higher in the upstream reaches in almost all analyses. Upstream sites recorded 11 species, while seven species were recorded from downstream sites. Fish species richness was significantly higher upstream versus downstream reaches (9.67 ± 1.53 vs. 6.33 ± .58; U= .00, z= -1.99, p= .04, r= .81). Species diversity upstream was significantly higher than downstream (H’= 1.90 ± 0.15, D1= 0.81 ± 0.02). Similarly, species evenness was also higher upstream than downstream (J’= 0.84 ± 0.01). Low diversity, abundance, and evenness in downstream reaches are likely due to anthropogenic activities affecting the river in and around Kabul City.
Rajnarayan Basu and His “Science of Religion”: The Emergence of Religious Studies through Exchanges between Bengali and Christian Reformers, Orientalists, and Theosophists
Authors: Strube Julian 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
This article explores the genealogy of the “science of religion” developed by the Bengali intellectual Rajnarayan Basu (1826–1899). One of my central aims is to demonstrate that a “science of religion,” or Religionswissenschaft in the sense of Friedrich Max Müller, has emerged within a global context that was actively shaped by “non-Western” actors. To this end, I will focus on exchanges between the Indian reform movement of the Brahmo Samaj, Christian Unitarians, Transcendentalists, orientalist scholars, and members of the Theosophical Society. All these actors were concerned with the origin of religion, its modern meaning, and its function in shaping the future of society. Building on an analysis of the global exchanges revolving around these issues, special attention is paid to the inherent tensions between religious universalism and a nationalist insistence on “true religion,” which directly pertains to contested demarcations between reform and revival, or modernity and tradition.
Global Religious History in Theory and Practice
Authors: Bergunder Michael 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
“Global religious history” derives its name from the German phrase “globale Religionsgeschichte”. This term articulates an approach that aims to be relevant to the whole field of religious studies, and it encompasses theoretical debates, particularly in the areas of postcolonialism and gender studies. Thus, “Global” embodies, acknowledges, and incorporates all prevalent terms of and the parameters for the global constitution of present-day academia and society. “Religious” means that it concerns religious studies. “History” denotes a genealogical critique as the central research interest. Historicization in that sense is not limited to philological research of sources from the past but also relevant to any research based on data from contemporary anthropological fieldwork or other empirical methods. This approach also aims to provide a pertinent influence on research practice, and seeks to circumvent any artificial segregation of theory and practice.