bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound Evaluation for Extremity Deep Vein Thrombus in COVID‐19‐Positive Patients: Exam Positivity Rate and Association With D‐Dimer Level
Authors: Bello Hernan R. , Heilbrun Marta E. , Kallas Omar N. , Thongkham Dean W. , Powell Cindy D. , Moreno Courtney C. 
Published: September 2021

ObjectivesDetermine the rate of positive extremity ultrasound exams for DVT in patients with COVID‐19 and assess for differences in laboratory values in patients with and without DVT, which could be used as a surrogate to decide the need for further evaluation with ultrasound.MethodsRetrospective case control study with 1:2 matching of cases (COVID‐19+ patients) to controls (COVID‐19− patients) based on age, gender, and race. Laboratory values assessed were serum D‐dimer, fibrinogen, prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, and C‐reactive protein. Demographic variables, comorbidities, and clinical variables including final disposition were also evaluated. P‐values for categorical variables were calculated with the chi‐square test or Fisher's exact test. P‐values for continuous variables were compared with the use of a two‐tailed unpaired t‐test.ResultsThe rate of extremity ultrasound exams positive for DVT were similar in patients with (14.7%) and without (19.3%) COVID‐19 (P = .423). No significant difference was observed in laboratory values including the D‐dimer level in COVID‐19 patients without (mean 9523.9 ng/mL (range 339 to >60,000)) or with DVT (mean 13,663.7 ng/mL (range 1193–>60,000)) (P = .475). No differences were found in demographic variabilities or co‐morbidities among COVID‐19 patients with and without extremity DVT.ConclusionsWe found no statistically significant difference in rate of positive DVT studies between COVID‐19+ and COVID‐19− patients. D‐dimer levels are elevated, in some cases markedly, in COVID‐19 patients with and without DVTs and therefore these data do not support their use as a surrogate when assessing the need for ultrasound evaluation.
Investigation of potential neuropharmacological activity of neostigmine‐glycopyrrolate for intraoperative neural monitoring in thyroid surgery
Authors: Oh Moon Young , Lee Jung‐Man , Won Dongwook , Huang Tzu‐Yen , Wu Che‐Wei , Dionigi Gianlorenzo , Kim Hoon Yub , Seo Miyeon , Choi Hyun Suk , Chai Young Jun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIntraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) is frequently used in thyroid surgery to reduce recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. The use of neuromuscular blockade agent to facilitate tracheal intubation, is a common cause of IONM failure. We performed a retrospective analysis to assess the efficacy of neostigmine‐glycopyrrolate as a neuromuscular blockade reversal agent for IONM during thyroid surgery. Rocuronium (0.6 mg/kg) was administered for muscle relaxation. Neostigmine (2 mg) and glycopyrrolate (0.4 mg) were administered immediately after intubation. Cricothyroid muscle‐twitch response upon external branch of superior laryngeal nerve stimulation and electromyography amplitudes of vagal and recurrent laryngeal nerves before (V1, R1) and after thyroid resection (V2, R2) were recorded. Fifty patients (23 males, 27 females) were included in the analysis. The diagnoses comprised 43 papillary thyroid carcinomas and seven benign diseases. The mean time between rocuronium injection and neostigmine‐glycopyrrolate injection was 5.1 ± 1.2 min, and the mean time from neostigmine‐glycopyrrolate injection to successful cricothyroid muscle twitching upon external branch of superior laryngeal nerve stimulation was 21.0 ± 4.5 min. All patients had V1 and R1 amplitudes of more than 500 μV each, with mean V1 and R1 amplitudes of 985.3 ± 471.6 μV and 1177.2 ± 572.7 μV, respectively. Neostigmine‐glycopyrrolate was effectively used as a neuromuscular blockade reversal agent for IONM in thyroid surgeries without a significant increase in bucking events. Administration of neostigmine‐glycopyrrolate immediately after intubation can be recommended for successful NMB reversal to facilitate IONM during thyroid surgery.
Hypoglossal Nerve Stimulator Implantation in an Ambulatory Surgery Center Versus Hospital
Authors: Morse Elliot , Han Catherine , Suurna Maria 
Published: September 2021

Objectives/HypothesisHypoglossal nerve stimulator (HGNS) implantation is highly effective in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in select patient populations that are intolerant of continuous positive airway pressure. Implantation surgery is traditionally performed in hospital outpatient departments (HOPD) due to concern about anesthetic effects and airway manipulation in an OSA population. In this study, we examined complications and efficiency of HGNS implantation in an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) versus HOPD.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsPatients with HGNS implantation performed between May 2015–January 2021 at our HOPD or ACS were included. Patient‐related characteristics, surgical times, and postoperative complications were obtained via chart review. Reimbursement data on a national level for Medicare patients were calculated based on publicly available data from the Center for Medicare Services. Patient characteristics, surgical times, and complications were summarized as medians with interquartile ranges (IQRs) and proportions in each surgical setting group as appropriate. These were compared between surgical setting groups via Wilcoxon rank‐sum testing and χ2 testing.ResultsA total of 122 patients were included. Patients in the HOPD group had significantly higher median apnea‐hypopnea index (AHI) (42.0 [IQR 27.9–51.0]) compared to the ASC group (31.0 [IQR 21.0–44.2], P = .005). The intervals between in‐room and case start, case finish and out‐of‐room, and time in the postoperative area were significantly shorter in the ASC group compared to the HOPD group. Reimbursement on a national level was estimated at 18% lower for patients with surgery performed at the ASC. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications.ConclusionsHGNS implantation in an ASC is safe and more efficient than in a HOPD, and may also be more cost‐effective.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 132:706–710, 2022
Post‐Tonsillectomy Ibuprofen: Is There a Dose‐Dependent Bleeding Risk?
Authors: Losorelli Steven D. , Scheffler Patrick , Qian Z. J. , Lin Hung‐Fu C. , Truong Mai Thy 
Published: September 2021

Objectives/HypothesisPost‐tonsillectomy hemorrhage (PTH) is a potentially life‐threatening complication. A recent meta‐analysis suggests that ibuprofen may increase the risk of PTH. The aims of this study were to 1) re‐evaluate the effect of ibuprofen on PTH given additional recent evidence and 2) to evaluate a potential dose effect of ibuprofen.Study DesignMeta‐analysis and meta‐regression; single‐institution retrospective review.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review of the literature and a meta‐analysis of 12 studies comparing postoperative ibuprofen analgesia to non‐nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) controls. Next, we performed a meta‐regression analysis to assess for an effect of dose, if any, on rates of PTH. Five studies specifying a dose of 5 mg/kg (828 patients, 1,411 controls) and 7 studies using 10 mg/kg (5,633 patients, 7,656 controls) were included. We then conducted a novel single‐institution, retrospective review of data for 1,046 patients prescribed intermediate‐dose 7.5 mg/kg ibuprofen.ResultsIbuprofen was not associated with an increased rate of PTH (log odds ratio [OR], 0.21; 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.15, 0.57). Meta‐regression showed that ibuprofen dose (5 and 10 mg/kg) did not have a statistically significant effect on PTH (OR, 1.32; 95% CI 0.30, 5.84). Uncontrolled, aggregate rates of PTH across all studies were 2.29% (N = 828) for 5 mg/kg and 4.65% (N = 5,633) for 10 mg/kg dosing. The rate of secondary hemorrhage in patients prescribed 7.5 mg/kg ibuprofen was 3.10% (N = 1,046).ConclusionWe found no statistically significant increased risk of PTH when ibuprofen is prescribed at the low or high range of commonly used clinical dosages, compared to a non‐ibuprofen regimen. Further studies with less heterogeneity are needed to determine if there is a clinically relevant dose‐dependent difference in PTH with ibuprofen.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 132:1473–1481, 2022
Assessment of karst rocky desertification from the local to regional scale based on unmanned aerial vehicle images: A case‐study of Shilin County, Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Dai Guanghui , Sun Hu , Wang Bin , Huang Conghong , Wang Wenli , Yao Yang , Li Ninglv , Ou Xiaokun , Zhang Zhiming 
Published: September 2021

AbstractKarst rocky desertification is a major ecologic and geologic problem in Southwest China that has restricted the sustainable development of society and the economy. Many methods have been used to evaluate rocky desertification based on satellite remote sensing, but the results of these methods are affected by the heterogeneous surroundings of the karst region and the low resolution of sensors. In this study, a new method that combines satellite images and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images was used to quantitatively extract information and evaluate rocky desertification. First, we extracted the bare rock ratio from the local high‐resolution UAV images, and then the regression models were established between the bare rock ratio of UAV images and the band reflectivity and eight rock indices of satellite images to invert the bare rock ratio at the county scale. The results showed that the overall accuracy and F1 of the classification of UAV images was 97% and 90%, respectively. The linear regression model between the reflectivity of the pixels in band 2 of the LANDSAT image and the bare rock ratio extracted from the UAV images was the best (R2 = 0.86). In addition, our method in which rocky desertification was assessed by the inversion model based on UAV images and LANDSAT images was superior to the traditional approach based on vegetation coverage. These results suggested that we can extract information on rocky desertification based on high‐resolution UAV images and assess rocky desertification by the inversion model from the local to regional scale.
Characteristics and clinical significance of polyploid giant cancer cells in laryngeal carcinoma
Authors: Liu Hui‐Ting , Xia Tian , You Yi‐Wen , Zhang Qi‐Cheng , Ni Hao‐sheng , Liu Yi‐Fei , Liu Yuan‐Ru , Xu Yu‐Qing , You Bo , Zhang Zhen‐Xin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractObjectivesWe aimed to construct an induction system for polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs), as well as to investigate PGCC features and clinical significance.MethodsA laryngeal neoplasm‐PGCC induction system was constructed using paclitaxel liposomes (PTX). We used western blots to compare expression of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition‐related proteins, stem cell interrelated proteins, and cyclin‐associated proteins. We then measured PGCC count in tissue samples of patients with laryngeal neoplasms and analyzed its relationship with prognosis. Statistical significance was determined using t‐tests.ResultsPTX successfully induced PGCCs. Western blotting showed that CyclinB1, CDC25C, CDK1, E‐cadherin, and EIF‐4A expression decreased in PGCCs compared with normal cancer cells, whereas vimentin and CD133 expression increased. Number of PGCCs in laryngeal cancer tissues and overall survival time were inversely correlated (P < .05).ConclusionsPTX successfully induces PGCC formation in laryngeal carcinoma, which may be the cause of poor prognosis in patients with laryngeal cancer.Level of Evidence: 4.
Olfactory dysfunction in passive vs active smoking
Authors: Çengel Kurnaz Senem , Tahir Emel , Kavaz Esra 
Published: September 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study is to assess the olfactory functions of passive smokers compared to active smokers and nonsmokers.MethodsThis prospective case‐control study included 30 nonsmokers, 30 passive smokers, and 30 active smoker participants. All groups were matched for gender and age. The Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test 22 (SNOT‐22) and Sniffin' Sticks test battery were administered to all subjects. Threshold (T), discrimination (D), and identification (I) scores were noted. Olfactory function was subjectively assessed as 0: severe dysfunction and 5: no problem.ResultsOverall, TDI scores of active smokers (24.78 ± 3.02) and passive smokers (24.90 ± 2.45) were significantly lower than nonsmokers (34.23 ± 3.46). There was no statistically significant difference between passive smokers and smokers (F(2,87) = 13.47, P < .001)). All subscores are negatively affected by active or passive smoking. The greatest impact of smoking was on threshold scores (η2T = 0.719), followed by identification (η2I = 0.353) and discrimination (η2D = 0.282) scores. SNOT‐22 and TDI scores were weakly (r = −.352) correlated as subjective assessment, and TDI scores were moderately correlated (r: .539) (P values < .001). Age and pack‐years cigarette dosage had a negative effect on the TDI score (TDI = 26.386 − (0.084 × age) − (0.072 × Pack.Year)) according to stepwise linear regression model (F = 10.187; P = .001).ConclusionsPassive smoking has nearly the same adverse effect on olfactory function as active smoking. The threshold scores are the most negatively affected. The olfactory effect of cigarette smoke may not be directly related to nasal inflammation. Olfactory neuronal pathways should be investigated to elucidate the exact pathophysiology.Level of Evidence3b.
Decreasing pH impairs sexual reproduction in a Mediterranean coral transplanted at a CO2 vent
Authors: Marchini Chiara , Gizzi Francesca , Pondrelli Thomas , Moreddu Lisa , Marisaldi Luca , Montori Francesco , Lazzari Valentina , Airi Valentina , Caroselli Erik , Prada Fiorella , Falini Giuseppe , Dubinsky Zvy , Goffredo Stefano 
Published: September 2021

ABSTRACTOcean acidification, due to the increase of carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere and its absorption by the oceans, affects many aspects of marine calcifying organisms' biology, including reproduction. Most of the available studies on low pH effects on coral reproduction have been conducted on tropical species under controlled conditions, while little information is reported for either tropical or temperate species in the field. This study describes the influence of decreasing pH on sexual reproduction of the temperate non‐zooxanthellate colonial scleractinian Astroides calycularis, transplanted in four sites along a natural pH gradient at the underwater volcanic crater of Panarea Island (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). The average pH values of each site (range: pHTS 8.07–7.40) match different scenarios of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for the end of the century. After 3 months under experimental conditions, the reproductive parameters of both oocytes and spermaries (abundance, gonadal index, and diameters) seem to be unaffected by low pH. However, a delay in spermary development in the pre‐fertilization period and a persistence of mature oocytes in the fertilization period were observed in the most acidic site. Furthermore, no embryos were found in colonies from the two most acidic sites, suggesting a delay or an interruption of the fertilization process due to acidified conditions. These findings suggest a negative effect of low pH on A. calycularis sexual reproduction. However, long‐term experiments, including the synergistic impact of pH and temperature, are needed to predict if this species will be able to adapt to climate change over the next century.
On‐Surface RAFT Polymerization using Oxygen to form Triblock Copolymer Brushes
Authors: Lee Ji Hoon , Seo Hyun Ji , Lee Seung Yeon , Cho Woo Kyung , Son Kyung‐sun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSurface‐initiated polymerization of various monomers (methacrylic acid, methacrylate, acrylate, acrylamide, and zwitterionic monomer) is conducted to form triblock copolymer brushes using oxygen‐initiated reversible addition−fragmentation chain‐transfer polymerization in the presence of air. An ellipsometry analysis, water contact angle analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy confirm the successful formation of polymer brushes with complex architectures on a silicon substrate.
One dimensional weighted Ricci curvature and displacement convexity of entropies
Authors: Sakurai Yohei 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn the present paper, we prove that a lower bound on the 1‐weighted Ricci curvature is equivalent to a convexity of entropies on the Wasserstein space. Based on such characterization, we provide some interpolation inequalities such as the Prékopa–Leindler inequality, the Borel–Branscamp–Lieb inequality, and the Brunn–Minkowski inequality under the curvature bound.
An Inspection into Multifarious Ways to Synthesize Poly(Amino Acid)s
Authors: Zheng Botuo , Bai Tianwen , Tao Xinfeng , Ling Jun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractPoly(α‐amino acid)s (PAAs) attract growing attention due to their essential role in the application as biomaterials. To synthesize PAAs with desired structures and properties, scientists have developed various synthetic techniques with respective advantages. Here, different approaches to preparing PAAs are inspected. Basic features and recent progresses of these methods are summarized, including polymerizations of amino acid N‐carboxyanhydrides (NCAs), amino acid N‐thiocarboxyanhydrides (NTAs), and N‐phenoxycarbonyl amino acids (NPCs), as well as other synthetic routes. NCA is the most classical monomer to prepare PAAs with high molecular weights (MWs). NTA polymerizations are promising alternative pathways to produce PAAs, which can tolerate nucleophiles including alcohols, mercaptans, carboxyl acids, and water. By various techniques including choosing appropriate solvents or using organic acids as promoters, NTAs polymerize to produce polypeptoids and polypeptides with narrow dispersities and designed MWs up to 55.0 and 57.0 kg mol−1, respectively. NPC polymerizations are phosgene‐free ways to synthesize polypeptides and polypeptoids. For the future prospects, detail investigations into polymerization mechanisms of NTA and NPC are expected. The synthesis of PAAs with designed topologies and assembly structures is another intriguing topic. The advantages and unsettled problems in various synthetic ways are discussed for readers to choose appropriate approaches for PAAs.
Mitogen‐activated protein kinase‐activated protein kinase‐2 (MK2) and its role in cell survival, inflammatory signaling, and migration in promoting cancer
Authors: Morgan Deri , Berggren Kiersten L. , Spiess Colby D. , Smith Hannah M. , Tejwani Ajay , Weir Scott J. , Lominska Christopher E. , Thomas Sufi M. , Gan Gregory N. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractCancer and the immune system share an intimate relationship. Chronic inflammation increases the risk of cancer occurrence and can also drive inflammatory mediators into the tumor microenvironment enhancing tumor growth and survival.The p38 MAPK pathway is activated both acutely and chronically by stress, inflammatory chemokines, chronic inflammatory conditions, and cancer. These properties have led to extensive efforts to find effective drugs targeting p38, which have been unsuccessful. The immediate downstream serine/threonine kinase and substrate of p38 MAPK, mitogen‐activated‐protein‐kinase‐activated‐protein‐kinase‐2 (MK2) protects cells against stressors by regulating the DNA damage response, transcription, protein and messenger RNA stability, and motility. The phosphorylation of downstream substrates by MK2 increases inflammatory cytokine production, drives an immune response, and contributes to wound healing.By binding directly to p38 MAPK, MK2 is responsible for the export of p38 MAPK from the nucleus which gives MK2 properties that make it unique among the large number of p38 MAPK substrates. Many of the substrates of both p38 MAPK and MK2 are separated between the cytosol and nucleus and interfering with MK2 and altering this intracellular translocation has implications for the actions of both p38 MAPK and MK2.The inhibition of MK2 has shown promise in combination with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy as a method for controlling cancer growth and metastasis in a variety of cancers. Whereas the current data are encouraging the field requires the development of selective and well tolerated drugs to target MK2 and a better understanding of its effects for effective clinical use.
Detection of rapidly accumulating stress‐induced SUMO in prostate cancer cells by a fluorescent SUMO biosensor
Authors: Yin Rui , Song Jiacheng , Esquela‐Kerscher Aurora , Kerscher Oliver 
Published: September 2021

AbstractSUMO conjugates and SUMO chains form when SUMO, a small ubiquitin‐like modifier protein, is covalently linked to other cellular proteins or itself. During unperturbed growth, cells maintain balanced levels of SUMO conjugates. In contrast, eukaryotic cells that are exposed to proteotoxic and genotoxic insults mount a cytoprotective SUMO stress response (SSR). One hallmark of the SSR is a rapid and massive increase of SUMO conjugates in response to oxidative, thermal, and osmotic stress. Here, we use a recombinant fluorescent SUMO biosensor, KmUTAG‐fl, to investigate differences in the SSR in a normal human prostate epithelial cell line immortalized with SV40 (PNT2) and two human prostate cancer cell lines that differ in aggressiveness and response to androgen (LNCaP and PC3). In cells that grow unperturbed, SUMO is enriched in the nuclei of all three cell lines. However, upon 30 min of exposure to ultraviolet radiation or oxidative stress, we detected significant cytosolic enrichment of SUMO as measured by KmUTAG‐fl staining. This rapid enrichment in cytosolic SUMO levels was on average fivefold higher in the LNCaP and PC3 prostate cancer cell lines compared to normal immortalized PNT2 cells. Additionally, this enhanced enrichment of cytosolic SUMO was reversible as cells recovered from stress exposure. Our study validates the use of the fluorescent KmUTAG‐fl SUMO biosensor to detect differences of SUMO levels and localization between normal and cancer cells and provides new evidence that cancer cells may exhibit an enhanced SSR.
Al3+ solvation in solutions of aluminum nitrate in a protic ionic liquid: Nuclear magnetic resonance verification of the solvation shell composition
Authors: Matveev Vladimir V. , Ievlev Alexandr , Šoltésová Mária , Štěpánková Helena , Lähderanta Erkki , Varela Luis M. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe closest environment of Al3+ cations was analyzed in detail in solutions of aluminum nitrate in the prototypical protic ionic liquid ethyl ammonium nitrate (EAN) using 1H and 14N nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. For Al (NO3)3–EAN mixtures with different water content, a quantitative analysis of the integral intensities of the 1H and 14N signals was carried out and the composition of the first solvation shell of the aluminum cation was refined.