bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Incidence and Progression of Hallux Valgus: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Menz Hylton B. , Marshall Michelle , Thomas Martin J. , Rathod‐Mistry Trishna , Peat George M. , Roddy Edward 
Published: July 2021

ObjectiveHallux valgus is a common and disabling condition. The objective of the present study was to identify factors associated with hallux valgus incidence and progression.MethodsParticipants were from a population‐based prospective cohort study, the Clinical Assessment Study of the Foot. All adults ages ≥50 years who were registered at 4 general practices in North Staffordshire, UK, were invited to take part in a postal survey at baseline and at 7‐year follow‐up, which included health questionnaires and self‐assessment of hallux valgus using line drawings.ResultsComplete baseline and follow‐up data were available for 1,482 participants (739 women and 743 men, mean ± SD age 62.9 ± 8.1 years), of whom 450 (30.4%) had hallux valgus in at least 1 foot at baseline. Incident hallux valgus was identified in 207 (20.1%) participants (349 [15.4%] feet) and was associated with baseline age, poorer physical health, foot pain, and wearing shoes with a very narrow toe‐box shape between the ages of 20 and 29 years. Hallux valgus progression was identified in 497 (33.6%) participants (719 [24.3%] feet) but was not associated with any baseline factors.ConclusionIncident hallux valgus develops in 1 in 5 adults ages ≥50 years over a 7‐year period and is related to age, poorer physical health, foot pain, and previous use of constrictive footwear. Progression occurs in 1 in 3 adults. These findings suggest that changes in first metatarsophalangeal joint alignment may still occur beyond the age of 50 years.
Binding to Amyloid‐β Protein by Photothermal Blood‐Brain Barrier‐Penetrating Nanoparticles for Inhibition and Disaggregation of Fibrillation
Authors: Geng Hao , Pan Yu‐chen , Zhang Ran , Gao Dong , Wang Zijuan , Li Boying , Li Ning , Guo Dong‐sheng , Xing Chengfen 
Published: July 2021

AbstractExcess accumulation of amyloid‐β (Aβ) protein in the brain is the primary pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Inhibition of Aβ fibrillation and disaggregation of Aβ fibrils is an attractive therapeutic and preventive strategy for Aβ‐induced AD. Here, near infrared (NIR) light‐responsive nanoparticles (NPs) composed of amphiphilic guanidinocalix[5]arene (GC5A), 4‐(dodecyloxy)benzamido‐terminated methoxy poly(ethylene glycol), and photothermal conjugated polymer PDPP are fabricated. The NIR light‐responsive NPs can efficiently penetrate the blood‐brain barrier (BBB), inhibit amyloid‐β 42 (Aβ42) fibrillation, and disaggregate fibrils after NIR light irradiation. Through the advantage of containing GC5A, the NPs exhibit extremely strong binding affinity for the Aβ42 protein. Interestingly, upon NIR light irradiation, benefiting from the high photothermal conversion efficiency of PDPP, NPs generate local heat and effectively promote the BBB permeability. Moreover, NPs are multifunctional platforms for the inhibition of Aβ42 fibrillation and disaggregation of fibrils after irradiation with NIR light, distinctly reducing cytotoxicity and eliminating Aβ42 plaques in the hippocampus of AD mice. Hence, NPs provide an interesting strategy for the inhibition and disaggregation of Aβ42 fibrillation and present an excellent therapeutic strategy for amyloidosis.
Black Phosphorus Quantum Dots Encapsulated Biodegradable Hollow Mesoporous MnO2: Dual‐Modality Cancer Imaging and Synergistic Chemo‐Phototherapy
Authors: Wu Yafeng , Chen Zixuan , Yao Zhipeng , Zhao Kaige , Shao Fengying , Su Juan , Liu Songqin 
Published: July 2021

AbstractTo achieve an accurate diagnosis and efficient tumor treatment, developing a facile and powerful strategy to build multifunctional nanotheranostics is highly desirable. Benefiting from the distinct characteristics of black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs), herein, a versatile nanoprobe (H‐MnO2/DOX/BPQDs) is constructed for dual‐modality cancer imaging and synergistic chemo‐phototherapy. The hollow mesoporous MnO2 (H‐MnO2) nanoparticles are sequentially decorated with a cationic polymer poly (allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and an anionic polymer poly (acrylic acid) (PAA). The obtained H‐MnO2‐PAH‐PAA is covalently grafted with BPQDs‐PEG‐NH2 via a carbodiimide cross‐linking reaction and then loaded with anti‐cancer drug DOX to form final nanoprobe H‐MnO2/DOX/BPQDs. Under the tumor microenvironment, H‐MnO2/DOX/BPQDs is degraded to release encapsulated functional molecules DOX and BPQDs. DOX acts as the chemotherapy and fluorescence imaging agent, and BPQDs endows the nanoprobe with photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT) abilities under dual laser irradiation of 630 and 808 nm. H‐MnO2 offers contrasts for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and facilitates conversion of endogenous H2O2 to oxygen, thereby relieving tumor hypoxia and enhancing PDT efficacy. All in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that the designed nanoprobe displays dual‐modality MRI/FL imaging and synergistic chemotherapy/PDT/PTT, which ultimately enhances the accuracy of cancer diagnosis and therapeutic performance.
Enantioselective Synthesis of SpirothiazolonesviaCooperative Catalysis
Authors: Franc Michael , Císařová Ivana , Veselý Jan 
Published: July 2021

AbstractCooperative amino‐ and palladium catalysis utilizing heterocyclic systems containing strongly coordinating and adsorptive sulfur atom remains an underdeveloped area. Herein, we describe an enantioselective cyclization of enals with thiazole derivatives catalyzed with the combination of achiral Pd(0) complexes and chiral secondary amines. Chiral spirocyclic thiazolones were produced in yields ranging from 41% to 98% with stereoselectivities (from 5:1 to 12:1 dr, and 95–99% ee). Moreover, the developed strategy allows access to highly substituted chiral cyclopentane derivatives by additional transformations of spirocyclic thiazolones.magnified image
Prevalence of incivility between ophthalmology and emergency medicine residents during interdepartmental consultations
Authors: Mgboji Glory E. , Woreta Fasika A. , Fliotsos Michael J. , Zafar Sidra , Ssekasanvu Joseph , Srikumaran Divya , Zhao Jiawei , Buccino Daniel L. , Regan Linda 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectivesSince incivility is linked to adverse effects in patient care and health care worker well‐being, evaluation of the prevalence of incivility during the formative years of residency training is warranted. The aim of this study was to determine the perceived presence and degree of incivility between emergency medicine (EM) and ophthalmology residents during emergency department (ED) consultations.MethodsWe conducted a single‐site, survey‐based study, targeted to ophthalmology and EM residents. The survey we distributed included questions adapted from validated and widely used surveys measuring incivility in the workplace (Workplace Incivility Scale) and incivility within the ED.ResultsOphthalmology (13/15, 86.7%) and EM (42/48, 87.5%) residents participated, with an overall response rate of 55 of 63 (87.3%). Most residents (47/55, 85.5%) reported some degree of incivility during consultations, with a greater proportion of females reporting incivility (100%) than males (77.4%, p = 0.033). A total of 52.7% of respondents reported occurrence of incivility on a quarterly basis; 21.8% reported monthly, 10.9% weekly, and none daily. Incivilities were reported most commonly during nonurgent consults (85.5%). The two most common incivilities reported by trainees were when the other party paid little attention to their statements or opinions (80% of residents) or doubted their professional judgment (74.5% of residents). More female trainees reported jokes being told at their expense compared to males (15.8% vs. 0%, p = 0.049). Residents most often attributed incivility to stress (78.2%), loss of empathy/burnout (63.6%), or attempts to shift responsibility to another party (60.0%). Among EM residents surveyed, incivility was identified as occurring most often during consultations with surgical specialties.ConclusionsIncivility during interdepartmental consultations between EM and ophthalmology is commonly reported by physicians‐in‐training. It occurs more often during consultations deemed as nonurgent and is more commonly reported by females. Given its associations with adverse outcomes, interventions to decrease incivility early in training may be warranted.
Investigation of cool‐season species, seeding rate, and nitrogen fertilization in sod production: I. Establishment and sod tensile strength
Authors: Braun Ross C. , Watkins Eric , Hollman Andrew B. , Mihelich Nicole T. , Patton Aaron J. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractNew regulations aimed at reducing soil erosion along with changing building and residential codes are increasing sod demand, especially low‐input species, which are currently in very short supply and require research.Replicated field experiments were established in Indiana and Minnesota to quantify the effect of turfgrass species (strong creeping red fescue [Festuca rubra L. ssp. rubra Gaudin], Chewings fescue [F. rubra ssp. commutata Gaudin], tall fescue [F. arundinacea Schreb.], and Kentucky bluegrass [Poa pratensis L.]), seeding rate (1, 2, and 3 pure live seed cm−2), andN fertilization (98, 196, and 294 kg N ha−1 yr−1) on the production, quality, and harvest limitations of sod. Sod strength and handling were measured at sod harvests from 11 to 24 months after planting (MAP). Results indicate that strong creeping red fescue produces quality sod, likely because of the fast establishment and rhizomatous growth habit, and had higher or similar sod strength as Kentucky bluegrass at optimum N rates. Optimum N rates for strong creeping red fescue were two to three times lower than Kentucky bluegrass. Chewings fescue had less sod strength than strong creeping red fescue but more than tall fescue, and at times similar to Kentucky bluegrass. Overall, turfgrass species had the largest effect on sod strength and handling, while seeding or N rates had less impact on sod strength, especially with fine fescues. Sod growers may be able to produce fine fescue sod with good sod strength using lower seeding and N rates, and shorter production periods.
Polyvinyl alcohol/silver electrospun nanofibers: Biocidal filter media capturing virus‐size particles
Authors: Blosi Magda , Costa Anna Luisa , Ortelli Simona , Belosi Franco , Ravegnani Fabrizio , Varesano Alessio , Tonetti Cinzia , Zanoni Ilaria , Vineis Claudia 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn response to the nowadays battle against SARS‐CoV‐2, we designed a new class of high performant filter media suitable to advance the facemask technology and provide new efficient widespread solutions against virus propagation. By means of the electrospinning technology we developed filter media based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers doped with AgNPs combining three main performance requirements: high air filtration efficiency to capture nanometer‐size particles, low airflow resistance essential to ensure breathability and antimicrobial activity to inactivate aerosolized microorganisms. PVA/AgNPs electrospun nanofibers were produced by electrospinning the dispersion of colloidal silver into the PVA water solution. A widespread physicochemical characterization was addressed to the Ag colloidal suspension. The key functional performances of the electrospun nanofibers were proven by water stability, antibacterial activity, and filtration efficiency and pressure drop measurements performed under conditions representative of facemasks. We assessed a total bacterial depletion associated to a filtering efficiency towards nano‐aerosolized particles of 97.7% higher than required by the EN149 standard and a pressure drop in line with FFP1 and FFP2 masks, even at the highest filtration velocity. Such results pave the way to the application of PVA/AgNPs electrospun nanofibers in facemasks as advanced filtering media for protecting against airborne microorganisms.
Biosensors based on aptamer‐conjugated gold nanoparticles: A review
Authors: Nooranian Samin , Mohammadinejad Arash , Mohajeri Taraneh , Aleyaghoob Ghazaleh , Kazemi Oskuee Reza 
Published: July 2021

AbstractSimply synthetized gold nanoparticles have been highly used in medicine and biotechnology as a result of their biocompatibility, conductivity, and being easily functionalized with biomolecules such as aptamer. Aptamer‐conjugated gold nanoparticle structures synergically possess characteristics of both aptamer and gold nanoparticles including high binding affinity, high biocompatibility, enhanced target selectivity, and long circulatory half‐life. Aptamer‐conjugated gold nanoparticles have extensively gained considerable attention for designing of biosensing systems due to their interesting optical and electrochemical features. Moreover, biosensors based on aptamer‐gold nanoparticles are easy to use, with fast response, and inexpensive which make them ideal in individualized medicine, disease markers detection, food safety, and so forth. Moreover, due to high selectivity and biocompatibility of aptamer‐gold nanoparticles, these biosensing platforms are ideal tools for targeted drug delivery systems. The application of this nanostructure as diagnostic and therapeutic tool has been developed for detection of cancer in the early stage by detecting cancer biomarkers, pathogens, proteins, toxins, antibiotics, adenosine triphosphate, and other small molecules. This review obviously demonstrates that this nanostructure effectively is applicable in the field of biomedicine and possesses potential of commercialization aims.
Waste sugarcane bagasse‐derived nanocatalyst for microwave‐assisted transesterification: Thermal, kinetic and optimization study
Authors: Nazir Muhammad H. , Ayoub Muhammad , Zahid Imtisal , Shamsuddin Rashid B. , Zulqarnain  , Ameen Mariam , Sher Farooq , Farrukh Sarah 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe production of biodiesel has increased globally during the last decade to overcome the problems of increasing prices of petro‐diesel and the depletion of fossil fuels. The present study aimed to utilize agro‐waste sugarcane bagasse (SCB) to synthesize a heterogeneous acid catalyst for biodiesel production using waste cooking oil. Waste sugarcane bagasse was converted into biochar through partial carbonization and activated via sulfonation by using acid solutions of different concentration i.e., 1M, 3M, 5M and concentrated sulfuric acid at a sulfonation temperature of 180 °C for 5 h. The prepared catalysts were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) technique, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and the Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen and Sulfur (CHNS) analyzer. The prepared catalyst exhibited an excellent surface area of 20.78 m2 g–1 and a total acid density of 3.94 mmol g–1. The biodiesel production process was optimized by varying reaction temperature from (40–70 °C), methanol to oil molar ratio (5:1–20:1), catalyst loading (1–7 wt.%) and reaction time (5–25 min) by using a microwave reactor. The maximum conversion of 95.45% and yield of 92.12% was obtained under optimum conditions: catalyst loading 5 wt%, methanol‐to‐oil molar ratio (15:1), temperature (60 °C) after 15 min. The results of the experiments were validated by using response surface methodology, which validated the predicted model. The kinetic study of experiments showed that the use of sulfonated catalysts lowered the activation energy (10.5 kJ mol–1) and reactants attained an equilibrium point after a short interval under microwave heating. Reusability of catalyst up to seven cycles with 77.34% yield of biodiesel using low‐grade feedstock showed that the catalyst is stable and can be used for sustainable biodiesel production. The utilization of wastes for catalyst synthesis and for biodiesel production can help to minimize the overall production cost of biodiesel. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Pairing of orthogonal chaperones with a cytochrome P450 enhances terpene synthesis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Kim Jae‐Eung , Son So‐Hee , Oh Seung Soo , Kim Sun Chang , Lee Ju Young 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe supply of terpenes is often limited by their low extraction yield from natural resources, such as plants. Thus, microbial biosynthesis has emerged as an attractive platform for the production of terpenes. Many strategies have been applied to engineer microbes to improve terpene production capabilities; however, functional expression of heterologous proteins such as cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s) in microbes is a major obstacle. This study reports the successful pairing of cognate chaperones and P450s for functional heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This chaperone pairing was exploited to facilitate the functional assembly of the protopanaxadiol (PPD) biosynthesis pathway, which consists of a P450 oxygenase and a P450 reductase redox partner originating from Panax ginseng and Arabidopsis thaliana, respectively. We identified several chaperones required for protein folding in P. ginseng and A. thaliana and evaluated the impact of the coexpression of the corresponding chaperones on the synthesis and activity of PPD biosynthesis enzymes. Expression of a chaperone from P. ginseng (PgCPR5), a cognate of PPD biosynthesis enzymes, significantly increased PPD production by more than 2.5‐fold compared with that in the corresponding control strain. Thus, pairing of chaperones with heterologous enzymes provides an effective strategy for the construction of challenging biosynthesis pathways in yeast.
Nitrilase immobilization and transposition from a micro‐scale batch to a continuous process increase the nicotinic acid productivity
Authors: Teepakorn Chalore , Zajkoska Petra , Cwicklinski Gregory , De Berardinis Véronique , Zaparucha Anne , Nonglaton Guillaume , Anxionnaz‐Minvielle Zoé 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIn recent years, many biocatalytic processes have been developed for the production of chemicals and pharmaceuticals. In this context, enzyme immobilization methods have attracted attention for their advantages, such as continuous production and increased stability. Here, enzyme immobilization methods and a collection of nitrilases from biodiversity for the conversion of 3‐cyanopyridine to nicotinic acid were screened. Substrate conversion over 10 conversion cycles was monitored to optimize the process. The best immobilization conditions were found with cross‐linking using glutaraldehyde to modify the PMMA beads. This method showed good activity over 10 cycles in a batch reactor at 30 and 40°C. Finally, production with a new thermostable nitrilase was examined in a continuous packed bed reactor, showing very high stability of the biocatalytic process at a flow rate of 0.12 ml min–1 and a temperature of 50°C. The complete conversion of 3‐cyanopyridine was obtained over 30 days of operation. Future steps will concern reactor scale‐up to increase the production rate with reasonable pressure drops.
Predictors of response to erenumab after 12 months of treatment
Authors: Baraldi Carlo , Castro Flavia Lo , Cainazzo Maria Michela , Pani Luca , Guerzoni Simona 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectiveErenumab is a monoclonal antibody acting against calcitonin gene‐related peptide receptor and approved for the preventive treatment of chronic migraine. The aim of the present study is to identify clinical predictors of good response in patients with chronic migraine and medication overuse‐headache.Material and methodsThis was a retrospective single‐center not funded study. Enrolled patients were affected by chronic migraine and medication overuse‐headache treated with erenumab monthly, up to 1 year. At 1 year, patients were classified as good responders if they displayed a ≥50% reduction in the number of headache days per months compared to the baseline.ResultsAfter 1 year, a significant improvement in the number of headache days per months, analgesic consumption, 6‐items headache impact test, and migraine disability assessment questionnaire scores were obtained compared to the baseline. Patients who obtained a ≥50% reduction in the number of headache days per month compared to the baseline displayed a longer history of medication overuse‐headache, a higher number of painkillers taken per month at the baseline and a higher number of failed preventive treatments in the past.ConclusionsPatients with longer medication overuse‐headache duration, higher analgesic intake, and a higher number of previous preventive treatment failures may receive less benefit with erenumab.
Centronuclear myopathy due to a de novo nonsense variant and a maternally inherited splice‐site variant in TTN: A case report
Authors: Huang Sheng , Ma Yinan , Zhang Yu , Xiong Hui , Chang Xingzhi 
Published: July 2021

AbstractNext‐generation sequencing has resulted in an explosion of rare de novo TTN variants. The clinical interpretation of these de novo variants in patients with recessive titinopathy is very difficult. Here, we provided a useful way to identify compound heterozygous mutations with a de novo one.
Analysis of Hydrocyclone Geometry via Rapid Optimization Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Liu Lin , Zhao Lixin , Reifsnyder Samuel , Gao Sheng , Jiang Minzheng , Huang Xueqiang , Jiang Minghu , Liu Yang , Rosso Diego 
Published: July 2021

AbstractHydrocyclones exploit density gradients for the centrifugal separation of dispersions in a continuous liquid. Selection of the geometrics for optimal separation is case specific, like the media characteristics. The existing optimization method based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) provides a powerful analytical tool but requires long computational times. The most common praxis for CFD optimization is via the single‐factor optimization method (SFOM). In this study, a novel approach is presented as an improved rapid optimization method that implements a dynamic‐mesh and user‐defined function optimization method (DUOM). The DUOM adapts the dynamic‐mesh approach from other applications to the optimization analysis of hydrocyclones. The DUOM reduced the computational time by 31.1 %, compared to the SFOM.
Bedeutung von Makromolekülen im Kampf gegen das Coronavirus
Authors: Köhler Jens , Thoma Anne , Braun Susanne , Pich Andrij , Herrmann Andreas 
Published: July 2021

ZusammenfassungDie Rolle der Polymere in der Pandemiebekämpfung sind vielfältig. Sie reichen von der persönlichen Schutzausrüstung mit Brillen und Visieren aus Polyethylenterephthalat (PET) und Polycarbonat (PC) über die Mund‐Nasen‐Bedeckungen mit inneren Lagen aus feinem, schmelzgeblasenem Polypropylen‐Vlies bis hin zu den Abstrichstäbchen aus Polystyrol und Nylon oder Viskose, die in der Diagnostik verwendet werden. Die mRNA‐Impfstoffe von BioNTech/Pfizer und Moderna, welche die ersten Vakzine in Europa waren, die als Corona‐Vakzine zugelassen wurden, basieren auf sequenz‐definierten Polyanionen, die schnell und ohne großen Aufwand hergestellt und an auftretende Virusmutationen angepasst werden können. Ohne den vielfältigen Einsatz von Polymeren wird es demnach kein schnelles Ende der Pandemie geben.