bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New variants of COVID‐19 (XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16, the “Arcturus”): A review of highly questioned concerns, a brief comparison between different peaks in the COVID‐19 pandemic, with a focused systematic review on expert recommendations for prevention, vaccination, and treatment measures in the general population and at‐risk groups
Authors: Pourriyahi Homa , Hajizadeh Nima , Khosravi Mina , Pourriahi Homayoun , Soleimani Sanaz , Hosseini Nastaran Sadat , Mohammad Arash Pour , Goodarzi Azadeh 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIntroductionThe COVID‐19 pandemic has taken many forms and continues to evolve, now around the Omicron wave, raising concerns over the globe. With COVID‐19 being declared no longer a “public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC),” the COVID pandemic is still far from over, as new Omicron subvariants of interest and concern have risen since January of 2023. Mainly with the XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 subvariants, the pandemic is still very much “alive” and “breathing.”MethodsThis review consists of five highly concerning questions about the current state of the COVID Omicron peak. We searched four main online databases to answer the first four questions. For the last one, we performed a systematic review of the literature, with keywords “Omicron,” “Guidelines,” and “Recommendations.”ResultsA total of 31 articles were included. The main symptoms of the current Omicron wave include a characteristically high fever, coughing, conjunctivitis (with itching eyes), sore throat, runny nose, congestion, fatigue, body ache, and headache. The median incubation period of the symptoms is shorter than the previous peaks. Vaccination against COVID can still be considered effective for the new subvariants.ConclusionGuidelines recommend continuation of personal protective measures, third and fourth dose boosters, along with administration of bivalent messenger RNA vaccine boosters. The consensus antiviral treatment is combination therapy using Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir, and the consensus for pre‐exposure prophylaxis is Tixagevimab and Cilgavimab combination. We hope the present paper raises awareness for the continuing presence of COVID and ways to lower the risks, especially for at‐risk groups.
FSGT capsule inhibits IL‐1β‐induced inflammation in chondrocytes and ameliorates osteoarthritis by upregulating LncRNA PACER and downregulating COX2/PGE2
Authors: He Mingyu , Liu Jian , Sun Yanqiu , Chen Xiaolu , Wang Jue , Gao Wu 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and potential mechanism of Fengshi Gutong capsule (FSGTC) in osteoarthritis (OA) inflammation.MethodsThe impact of FSGTC on laboratory indicators of OA patients was explored using data mining technology and association rule analysis. Then, the OA cell model was constructed by inducing chondrocytes (CHs) with interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β). In the presence of FSGTC intervention, the regulatory mechanism of PACER/COX2/PGE2 in OA‐CH viability and inflammatory responses was evaluated.ResultsRetrospective data mining showed that FSGTC effectively reduced inflammation indexes (ESR, HCRP) of OA patients. Cell experiments showed that LncRNA PACER (PACER) silencing inhibited the proliferation activity of OA‐CHs, increased the level of COX2 protein, elevated the levels of PGE2, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β, and decreased the levels of IL‐4 and IL‐10 (p < .01). On the contrary, FSGTC‐containing serum reversed the effect of PACER silencing on OA‐CHs (p < .01). After the addition of COX2 pathway inhibitor, the proliferation activity of OA‐CHs was enhanced; the levels of PGE2, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β were decreased while the levels of IL‐4 and IL‐10 were increased (p < .01).ConclusionFSGTC inhibits IL‐1β‐induced inflammation in CHs and ameliorates OA by upregulating PACER and downregulating COX2/PGE2.
Noninvasive cardiac hemodynamics monitoring of acute myocardial ischemia in rats using near‐infrared spectroscopy: A pilot study
Authors: Chen Sifan , Li Qiao , Pan Qinyu , Yin Qiuyan , Yue Liang , Zhang Peng , Chen Gong , Liu Weichao 
Published: June 2024

AbstractNoninvasive and real‐time optical detection of cardiac hemodynamics dysfunction during myocardial ischemia remains challenging. In this study, we developed a near‐infrared spectroscopy device to monitor rats' myocardial hemodynamics. The well‐designed system can accurately reflect the hemodynamics changes by the classic upper limb ischemia test. Systemic hypoxia by disconnecting to the ventilator and cardiac ischemia by coronary artery slipknot ligation was conducted to monitor myocardial hemodynamics. When systemic hypoxia occurred, ΔHbR and ΔtHb increased significantly, whereas ΔHbO decreased rapidly. When coronary blood flow was obstructed by slipknots, cardiothoracic ΔHbO immediately begins to decline, while ΔHbR also significantly increases. Simultaneously, SpO2did not show any obvious changes during myocardial ischemia, while SpO2decreased significantly during systemic hypoxia. These results demonstrated that cardiothoracic hemodynamics stemmed from myocardial ischemia. This pilot study demonstrated the practicality of noninvasive, low‐cost optical monitoring for cardiac oxygenation dysfunction in rats.
Effects of solar radiations on stratum corneum hydration: Part II, protective action of solar filters
Authors: Assi Ali , Michael‐Jubeli Rime , Duplan Hélène , Baillet‐Guffroy Arlette , Tfayli Ali , Jacques‐Jamin Carine 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe skin surface lipids (SSLs) film, composed of sebum and keratinocyte membrane lipids, is crucial to the barrier function of the stratum corneum (SC). The first part of this study investigated the impact of solar radiation on the SC based on a novel hydration and dehydration approach using Raman spectroscopy. The SSLs were found to absorb solar light, and thus participate to the protection of the skin surface. However, the protective function of the SSLs may be limited and is dependent to the heterogenous distribution of SSLs over the body surface. To ensure comprehensive protection, synergistic measures such as the application of solar filters are necessary. In this second part of the study, we have evaluated the limits of the protection capacity of SSLs and explored the protective action of a solar filters on both SSLs composition and the water hydration and dehydration kinetics in the SC.
Solvation model effects on the static first hyperpolarizability of a push–pull π‐conjugated molecule
Authors: Lu Shih‐I , Wang Bo‐Cheng 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn this work, we presented the results of density functional theory calculations for the static first hyperpolarizability for one representative push–pull π‐conjugated molecule, 2‐dimethylamino‐7‐nitrofluorene, in six organic solvents (p‐dioxane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran, acetone, acetonitrile, and dimethylsulfoxide) spanning a large range of dielectric constant. The finite‐field formalism was used to calculate the longitudinal component of the static first hyperpolarizability. The solvent effect was calculated using two distinct polarizable continuum solvation models: the linear response and the state‐specific polarizable continuum models. The calculations demonstrated the existence of solvation model effects on the property of interest, which warranted further analysis. The two‐level model was then employed to illustrate the impact of solvation model. Our findings suggested that the state‐specific polarizable continuum model gave a decrease of the dipole moment of the excited state in high polarity solvent for a bathochromic molecule whose excited state should have a larger polarization than its ground state.
Management of twin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence with microwave ablation: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Stellon Michael A. , Joshi Devashish S. , Beninati Michael , Antony Kathleen M. , Bohrer Justin , Hinshaw J. Louis , Monroe Eric , Winchester Casey , Lobeck Inna 
Published: June 2024

AbstractTwin reversed arterial perfusion (TRAP) sequence carries a high mortality risk to the “pump twin.” Management involves disrupting blood flow to the acardiac mass. In this case, the pregnant patient presented at 20 weeks 6 days with Stage IIb TRAP Sequence and underwent percutaneous ultrasound‐guided microwave ablation (MWA) of the acardiac mass at 21 weeks 0 days. The probe traversed the thorax of the acardiac mass and ablated the confluence of the umbilical vessels. A healthy child was delivered at 33 weeks 5 days gestation. This report demonstrates the utility of MWA in TRAP sequence and describes a novel approach.
15N mass balance technique for measuring ammonia losses from soil surface‐applied slurries containing various additives
Authors: Schmidhalter Urs 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundAnthropogenic ammonia emissions, primarily derived from agriculture, lead to air pollution, soil acidification, and surface water eutrophication, all of which adversely affect human health and ecosystems. Slurry treatment technologies in the form of additives represent an underutilized means of reducing gaseous emissions. Information regarding the potential of additives to reduce ammonia in soil surface‐applied slurries is scarce.AimThis study aims to develop a 15N mass balance technique to quantitatively measure ammonia losses from different slurries containing multiple additives that are applied to outdoor soil‐filled containers.MethodsThe experiments were performed under free‐air conditions. Isotopically labeled slurries from biogas, cattle, and pigs containing 18 additives were surface‐applied to soil‐filled containers and exposed for 72 or 48 h. The additives included inorganic and organic adsorbents, five amounts of sulfuric acids, molasses ± effective microorganisms, and water dilution. After termination of the ammonia loss period, a suite of soil preparation steps for the quantitative recovery of the labeled ammonium remaining in the soil was developed, and subsequently the loss of NH4‐N was determined.ResultsIn the control treatments, ammonia losses from biogas, cattle slurries, and pig slurries averaged 54.4%, 33.9%, and 11.0%, respectively. The adsorbents did not decrease or only slightly decreased ammonia emissions. Ammonia abatement by sulfuric acid was nearly complete at pH values of 5.9 and 5.8 for the biogas and pig slurry, respectively, and about 80% at pH 5.2 for the cattle slurry. In comparison, more moderately decreased pH values with sulfuric acid showed a similar reduction as molasses and a 1:1 dilution for the three slurries. Adding microorganisms to the molasses did not further decrease ammonia losses.ConclusionThe newly developed 15N mass balance technique, which allows a precise estimate of ammonia losses, can serve as a reference method to assess ammonia losses from field‐applied slurries containing various additives and as a standard comparison technique for other ammonia measurement techniques.
Low‐molecular‐weight reduced sulfur substances: A major component of nonvolatile dissolved organic sulfur in the Pacific Ocean
Authors: Fourrier Pierre , Dulaquais Gabriel 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) reduced sulfur substances (RSS) composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) was examined along the GEOTRACES US‐GP15 section in the Pacific Ocean. We demonstrate that LMW RSS constitutes a significant fraction of nonvolatile dissolved organic sulfur (DOS). While thiols such as glutathione were below our detection limit (300 pM), RSS containing two carbon (C) sulfur (S) bonds were present at concentrations in the hundreds of nM range. RSS accumulation was observed in subtropical waters. The most likely source of these RSS is microbial alteration of sulfurized DOM with production of secondary thioamidated metabolites. RSS are initially produced by cyanobacteria to mitigate copper and oxidative stress induced by UV‐B irradiance. A preferential remineralization of RSS over dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the upper 350 m suggests a partial lability of LMW DOS. Deeper, homogeneous concentrations and C : S ratio indicate increasing stability of this LMW DOS.
Harnessing the Regenerative Potential of Purified Bovine Dental Pulp and Dentin Extracellular Matrices in a Chitosan/Alginate Hydrogel
Authors: Gould Maree L. , Downes Nerida J. , Woolley Adele G. , Hussaini Haizal M. , Ratnayake Jithendra T. , Ali Mohammad Azam , Friedlander Lara T. , Cooper Paul R. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractWhen a tooth is diseased or damaged through caries, bioactive molecules are liberated from the pulp and dentin as part of the natural response to injury and these are key molecules for stimulating stem cell responses for tissue repair. Incorporation of these extracellular‐matrix (ECM)‐derived molecules into a hydrogel model can mimic in vivo conditions to enable dentin–pulp complex regeneration. Here, a chitosan/alginate (C/A) hydrogel is developed to sequester bovine ECM extracts. Human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) are cultured with these constructs and proliferation and cytotoxicity assays confirm that these C/A hydrogels are bioactive. Sequential z‐axis fluorescent imaging visualizes hDPCs protruding into the hydrogel as it degraded. Alizarin red S staining shows that hDPCs cultured with the hydrogels display increased calcium‐ion deposition, with dentin ECM stimulating the highest levels. Alkaline phosphatase activity is increased, as is expression of transforming growth factor‐beta as demonstrated using immunocytochemistry. Directional analysis following phase contrast kinetic image capture demonstrates that both dentin and pulp ECM molecules act as chemoattractants for hDPCs. Data from this study demonstrate that purified ECM from dental pulp and dentin when delivered in a C/A hydrogel stimulates dental tissue repair processes in vitro.
Human Skin‐Mimicking Ionogel‐Based Electronic Skin for Intelligent Robotic Sorting
Authors: Xia Xuemeng , Cao Xinyi , Zhang Bao , Zhang Leiqian , Dong Jiancheng , Qin Jingjing , Xuan Pengyang , Liu Leyao , Sun Yi , Fan Wei , Ling Shengjie , Hofkens Johan , Lai Feili , Liu Tianxi 
Published: June 2024

AbstractCreating bionic intelligent robotic systems that emulate human‐like skin perception presents a considerable scientific challenge. This study introduces a multifunctional bionic electronic skin (e‐skin) made from polyacrylic acid ionogel (PAIG), designed to detect human motion signals and transmit them to robotic systems for recognition and classification. The PAIG is synthesized using a suspension of liquid metal and graphene oxide nanosheets as initiators and cross‐linkers. The resulting PAIGs demonstrate excellent mechanical properties, resistance to freezing and drying, and self‐healing capabilities. Functionally, the PAIG effectively captures human motion signals through electromechanical sensing. Furthermore, a bionic intelligent sorting robot system is developed by integrating the PAIG‐based e‐skin with a robotic manipulator. This system leverages its ability to detect frictional electrical signals, enabling precise identification and sorting of materials. The innovations presented in this study hold significant potential for applications in artificial intelligence, rehabilitation training, and intelligent classification systems.
Incentive contract design for reducing carbon emissions in the supply chain under asymmetric information
Authors: Zhou Jianheng , Wu Bo 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn light of the volatility of market demand and carbon trading prices, this study examines the effects of two carbon policies—the carbon tax policy and the cap‐and‐trade policy—as well as various information structures on the supply chain's carbon emission reduction incentives. A brand incentivizes the carbon abatement effort of an upstream supplier through a two‐part contract in the form of a fixed salary and a proportional incentive. We discover that, under some circumstances, the brand may benefit more from the unobservability of supply chain information. The brand bundles the risk of uncertainty with the supplier through the proportional incentive. In classical incentive contracts, only the cost is considered and the positive effect of risk conveyance is often ignored. In our study, the brand needs to investigate a trade‐off between the benefit of risk conveyance and the drawback of the incentive cost. On one hand, the proportional incentive characterizes the incentive cost. The brand increases the incentive intensity due to the unobservable effort of the supplier. On the other hand, it also has a risk conveyance effect. Specifically, the proportional incentive decreases with the correlation coefficient under the cap‐and‐trade policy. Additionally, there are situations in which consumer surplus benefits from the observability of supply chain information. However, supply chain information transparency is harmful to consumer surplus as supplier risk aversion increases.
Identification of 3‐ketocapnine reductase activity within the human microbiota
Authors: Wu Xiaotong , Hou Lukuan , Zhang Haili , Ma Yi , Wang Jufang , Cai Mingwei , Tang Xiaoyu 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe microbial synthesis of sulfonolipids within the human body is likely involved in maintaining human health or causing diseases. However, the enzymes responsible for their biosynthesis remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified and verified the role of 3‐ketocapnine reductase, the third‐step enzyme, in the four‐step conversion of l‐phosphoserine into sulfobacin B both in vivo and in vitro. This finding builds upon our previous research into sulfonolipid biosynthesis, which focused on the vaginal bacterium Chryseobacterium gleum DSM 16776 and the gut bacterium Alistipes finegoldii DSM 17242. Through comprehensive gene mapping, we demonstrate the widespread presence of potential sulfonolipid biosynthetic genes across diverse bacterial species inhabiting various regions of the human body. These findings shed light on the prevalence of sulfonolipid‐like metabolites within the human microbiota, suggesting a potential role for these lipid molecules in influencing the intricate biointeractions within the complex microbial ecosystem of the human body.
Radiation safety of ultra‐high dose rate electron accelerators for FLASH radiotherapy
Authors: Præstegaard Lars Hjorth 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundAn ultra‐high dose rate (UHDR) electron accelerator for FLASH radiotherapy (RT) produces very intense bremsstrahlung by the interaction of the electron beam with objects both inside and outside of the accelerator. The bremsstrahlung dose per pulse is typically 1–2 orders of magnitude larger than that of conventional RT x‐ray treatment of the same energy, and for electron energies above 10 MeV, the bremsstrahlung produces substantially more induced radioactivity outside the accelerator than for conventional RT. Therefore, a thorough radiation safety assessment is mandatory prior to the operation of a UHDR electron accelerator.PurposeTo evaluate the radiation safety of a prototype FLASH‐enabled Varian TrueBeam accelerator and to develop a general framework for assessment of all key radiation safety properties of a UHDR electron accelerator for FLASH RT.MethodsProduction of bremsstrahlung and induced radioactivity by a UHDR electron accelerator is modeled by various analytical methods. The analytical modeling is compared with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) bremsstrahlung yield data as well as measurements of primary bremsstrahlung outside the bunker and induced radioactivity of irradiated thick targets for a FLASH‐enabled 16 MeV Varian TrueBeam electron accelerator. In addition, the analytical modeling is complemented by measurements of secondary bremsstrahlung inside/outside the bunker and neutrons at the maze entrance.ResultsCalculated bremsstrahlung yields deviate maximum 8.5% from NIST data, and all measurements of primary bremsstrahlung and induced radioactivity agree with calculations, validating the analytical tools. In addition, it is found that scattering foil bremsstrahlung dominates primary bremsstrahlung and the main source of secondary bremsstrahlung is the irradiated object outside the accelerator. It follows that primary and secondary bremsstrahlung outside the bunker can be calculated using the same simple formalism as that used for conventional RT. Measured primary bremsstrahlung tenth‐value layers for concrete of the simple formalism are in good agreement with NCRP and IAEA data, while measured secondary bremsstrahlung tenth‐value layers for concrete are considerably lower than NCRP and IAEA data. All calculations and measurements form a general framework for assessment of all key radiation safety properties of a UHDR electron accelerator.ConclusionsThe FLASH‐enabled Varian TrueBeam accelerator is safe for normal operation (max. 99 pulses per irradiation) in a bunker designed for at least 15 MV conventional x‐ray treatment unless the UHDR workload is much larger than the x‐ray workload. A similar finding applies to other UHDR electron accelerators. However, during beam tuning, radiation survey, or other tests with extended irradiation time, the UHDR workload may become very large, necessitating the implementation of additional safety measures.
The impact of patients' pre‐treatment expectations on immunosuppressive treatment outcomes in myasthenia gravis: A pilot correlational study
Authors: Frisaldi Elisa , Ferrero Bruno , Di Liberto Alessandra , Barbiani Diletta , Camerone Eleonora Maria , Piedimonte Alessandro , Vollert Jan , Cavallo Roberto , Zibetti Maurizio , Lopiano Leonardo , Shaibani Aziz , Benedetti Fabrizio 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIntroduction/AimsThe impact of treatment expectations on active treatment outcomes has not been specifically investigated in neuromuscular disorders. We thus explored in myasthenia gravis (MG) the contribution of patients' pre‐treatment expectations combined with an immunosuppressant drug on treatment outcomes.MethodsThis pilot correlational study involved 17 patients with generalized MG, scheduled to start immunosuppressant azathioprine. At baseline, a healthcare professional administered: (i) the Stanford Expectations of Treatment Scale; (ii) a structured checklist paper form asking patients which side‐effects they expected to develop after starting azathioprine, coupled with a standardized framing of statements. Quantitative Myasthenia Gravis (QMG) score and daily dose of concomitant drugs were assessed by neurologists as clinical outcomes. Clinical outcomes and side‐effects were re‐assessed at 3 and 6 months, and clinical outcomes were monitored at 18 months.ResultsClinically significant improvement in the QMG scores was achieved at 3 or 6 months. The level of state anxiety appeared to act as moderator of pre‐treatment negative expectations (strong, positive, indicative correlation, rs = .733, p = .001). The latter were, in turn, associated with the fulfillment of side‐effects that patients expected to develop with the new treatment (moderate, positive, indicative correlation, rs = .699, p = .002). No significant correlation emerged between positive and negative expectations.DiscussionOur findings show a very quick clinical response and also suggest that patients' expectations and anxiety contributed to treatment outcomes, highlighting the importance of promoting safety messages and education strategies around newly introduced treatments. Future goals include evaluating a larger cohort that includes a matched control group.