bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Diagnosis of Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis When Serology and Biopsies are Negative
Authors: Teames Charles , Highland Julie , Cox Daniel , Elstad Mark , Koening Curry , Smith Marshall 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectiveGranulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) is a potentially fatal condition which often manifests in the head and neck. Currently, diagnosis relies on antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (c‐ANCA) serology and mucosal or renal biopsy. However, a significant proportion of patients with GPA limited to the head and neck are seronegative and biopsy negative. This study evaluates the role of clinical diagnosis of GPA in the absence of positive laboratory findings.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingAcademic Tertiary Medical Center.MethodsThis was a retrospective review of 143 patients treated in an outpatient otolaryngology clinic at a tertiary care hospital for known or suspected GPA from 1998 to 2021. Presenting symptoms, C‐ANCA status at initial presentation, biopsy results, long‐term serology results, and time to initiation of treatment were analyzed.ResultsTwenty‐six of 143 (18.2%) patients were seronegative; only 3 of these patients (12%) had positive biopsies. Seventeen (73.9%) of these patients presented with nasal and sinus disease and 12 (52.2%) presented with airway involvement. Only 4 (17.4%) patients had renal involvement. Delay in treatment of patients with negative laboratory workup ranged from 0 months to 11 years. All patients who were seronegative and/or biopsy negative at presentation responded clinically to immunosuppressive therapy.ConclusionGPA cases are often limited to the upper respiratory tract, making diagnosis difficult, particularly in seronegative patients. These results suggest that, when GPA is suspected, despite negative serology, the diagnosis of GPA should be made on clinical grounds, and empiric therapy encouraged to prevent delay in treatment.
Consumers' variety‐seeking behaviors under time pressure: Based on regulatory focus and excitement levels
Authors: Yang Yi‐weng , Liu Jia , Wang Yi 
Published: May 2024

AbstractVariety‐seeking behavior has received substantial attention in marketing literature. Although various explanations of the causes of variety‐seeking explore the influence of consumers' internal psychological characteristics on behavioral decisions, few studies have been conducted on external factors. With the fast pace of modern life and the increasing trend of online shopping, consumers often face time constraints when making purchasing decisions. This study examines the impact of time pressure as a significant external environmental factor on consumers' variety‐seeking behavior. A conceptual framework is developed based on construal level theory to uncover the influencing mechanism of time pressure on variety‐seeking behavior while also considering the effects of the consumer's personality and emotional state. We conducted two experiments to investigate the moderating effect of regulatory focus from the personality perspective and excitement level from the emotional state perspective. Study 1 found that time pressure significantly affects variety‐seeking behavior. Additionally, consumers with prevention regulatory focus tend to exhibit more variety‐seeking behavior when not under time pressure. Study 2 supports the main effect and shows that the level of excitement affects the impact of time pressure on variety‐seeking behavior. Therefore, this study contributes to the literature on consumer behavior and purchasing decisions by presenting a robust theoretical framework that provides practical insights and implications for enterprise managers.
Enhancing energy storage property of polypropylene‐based sandwich composites with surface‐modified nonzero dimensional nanomaterials
Authors: Bai Yating , Zhao Hang , Yin Lei , Bai Jinbo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPolypropylene (PP) is a classical organic material for dielectric capacitor, exhibiting typical linear charge–discharge characteristics. However, its low energy density fails to meet the operating requirements of high‐power and energy storage systems. In this study, techniques such as spray‐coating, lamination hot‐pressing, melt blending, and in situ melt‐drawing are employed to fabricate PP‐based sandwich‐structured composite dielectrics. The outer layers consist of BN nanosheets (BNNSs)/PP composite, while the middle layer comprises Ba0.7Sr0.3TiO3@Polydopamine (BST@PDA)/PP. The introduction of BNNSs with a wide bandgap improves the breakdown strength of composites. BST@PDA increases the overall polarization of the composites and alleviates the local electric field concentration caused by hetero‐interfacial field distortion. When the filling concentration of BNNSs is 0.10 wt% and that of BST@PDA nanowires is 3 wt%, the composite demonstrates a high dielectric constant and low dielectric loss. Additionally, the sandwich‐structured composite, exhibiting a high charge–discharge efficiency of 97.80%, presents enhanced breakdown strength (Eb ~ 453 MV/m) and increased energy storage density (Ue ~ 5.67 J/cm3), which are 39.38% and 189.29% higher than neat PP (325 MV/m, 1.96 J/cm3), respectively. This study offers a viable and efficient approach to augment the energy storage density of PP‐based dielectrics.
Allylthiourea‐mediated self‐healing hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol): Enhanced cell viability/biocompatibility and sustained drug release
Authors: Yadav Paramjeet , Afgan Shere , Pal Krishtan , Jaiswal Sheetal , Goswami Pooja , Prakash Ravi , Kumar Rajesh , Koch Biplob , Maiti Pralay 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHydrogel‐based materials represent promising candidates for drug delivery. In our research, we synthesized a series of hydrogels—PVATU‐1 (2:1), PVATU‐2 (1:1), and PVATU‐3 (0.5:1)—by adjusting the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) ratio while maintaining a constant ratio of allylthiourea (ATU) monomer and glutaraldehyde cross‐linker, aiming to understand their impacts on gelation. These PVATU hydrogels displayed impressive swelling in neutral conditions and exhibited visible self‐healing capabilities. Notably, PVATU‐1 shows superior mechanical strength among the variants. Surface analysis using AFM and SEM unveiled porous structures within the hydrogels, while thermal stability tests indicated their resilience up to 200°C. DSC analysis revealed minimal variation in glass transition temperatures (Tg), affirming stability. A distinct endothermic peak around 250–350°C across all hydrogels confirmed their semi‐crystalline nature, corroborated by powder XRD. Noteworthy, PVATU‐1 demonstrated optimal loading and releasing efficiency for levofloxacin, with 74.5% loading and 82.8% releasing efficiency within 18 h. Biocompatibility assessments on HeLa cells affirmed the nontoxicity of PVATU hydrogel treatments.
One‐shot design elevates functional expression levels of a voltage‐gated potassium channel
Authors: Weinstein Jonathan Jacob , Saikia Chandamita , Karbat Izhar , Goldenzweig Adi , Reuveny Eitan , Fleishman Sarel Jacob 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMembrane proteins play critical physiological roles as receptors, channels, pumps, and transporters. Despite their importance, however, low expression levels often hamper the experimental characterization of membrane proteins. We present an automated and web‐accessible design algorithm called mPROSS (https://mPROSS.weizmann.ac.il), which uses phylogenetic analysis and an atomistic potential, including an empirical lipophilicity scale, to improve native‐state energy. As a stringent test, we apply mPROSS to the Kv1.2–Kv2.1 paddle chimera voltage‐gated potassium channel. Four designs, encoding 9–26 mutations relative to the parental channel, were functional and maintained potassium‐selective permeation and voltage dependence in Xenopus oocytes with up to 14‐fold increase in whole‐cell current densities. Additionally, single‐channel recordings reveal no significant change in the channel‐opening probability nor in unitary conductance, indicating that functional expression levels increase without impacting the activity profile of individual channels. Our results suggest that the expression levels of other dynamic channels and receptors may be enhanced through one‐shot design calculations.
The importance of input sequence set to consensus‐derived proteins and their relationship to reconstructed ancestral proteins
Authors: Nixon Charlotte , Lim Shion A. , Sternke Matt , Barrick Doug , Harms Michael J. , Marqusee Susan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA protein sequence encodes its energy landscape—all the accessible conformations, energetics, and dynamics. The evolutionary relationship between sequence and landscape can be probed phylogenetically by compiling a multiple sequence alignment of homologous sequences and generating common ancestors via Ancestral Sequence Reconstruction or a consensus protein containing the most common amino acid at each position. Both ancestral and consensus proteins are often more stable than their extant homologs—questioning the differences between them and suggesting that both approaches serve as general methods to engineer thermostability. We used the Ribonuclease H family to compare these approaches and evaluate how the evolutionary relationship of the input sequences affects the properties of the resulting consensus protein. While the consensus protein derived from our full Ribonuclease H sequence alignment is structured and active, it neither shows properties of a well‐folded protein nor has enhanced stability. In contrast, the consensus protein derived from a phylogenetically‐restricted set of sequences is significantly more stable and cooperatively folded, suggesting that cooperativity may be encoded by different mechanisms in separate clades and lost when too many diverse clades are combined to generate a consensus protein. To explore this, we compared pairwise covariance scores using a Potts formalism as well as higher‐order sequence correlations using singular value decomposition (SVD). We find the SVD coordinates of a stable consensus sequence are close to coordinates of the analogous ancestor sequence and its descendants, whereas the unstable consensus sequences are outliers in SVD space.
Protein purification via consecutive histidine–polyphosphate interaction
Authors: Zhou Zihao , Jin Jin , Deng Xu , Jia Zongchao 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWhile nickel‐nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni‐NTA) has greatly advanced recombinant protein purification, its limitations, including nonspecific binding and partial purification for certain proteins, highlight the necessity for additional purification such as size exclusion and ion exchange chromatography. However, specialized equipment such as FPLC is typically needed but not often available in many laboratories. Here, we show a novel method utilizing polyphosphate (polyP) for purifying proteins with histidine repeats via non‐covalent interactions. Our study demonstrates that immobilized polyP efficiently binds to histidine‐tagged proteins across a pH range of 5.5–7.5, maintaining binding efficacy even in the presence of reducing agent DTT and chelating agent EDTA. We carried out experiments of purifying various proteins from cell lysates and fractions post‐Ni‐NTA. Our results demonstrate that polyP resin is capable of further purification post‐Ni‐NTA without the need for specialized equipment and without compromising protein activity. This cost‐effective and convenient method offers a viable approach as a complementary approach to Ni‐NTA.
Increased α2,3‐sialyl N‐glycosylated prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA) in post‐DRE urine is associated with high grade group prostate cancer
Authors: Mackay Stephen , Oduor Ian O. , Burch Tanya C. , Main Brian P. , Troyer Dean A. , Semmes Oliver J. , Nyalwidhe Julius O. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIntroductionAberrant glycosylation of proteins is an important hallmark in multiple cancers. Prostate‐specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a highly glycosylated protein with 10 N‐linked glycosylation sites, is an Food and Drug Administration approved theranostic for prostate cancer. However, glycosylation changes in PSMA that are associated with prostate cancer disease progression have not been fully characterized.MethodsWe investigated whether urinary PSMA sialylation correlate with high‐grade prostate cancer. Urine samples were collected from men after digital rectal examination (DRE) before prostate biopsy. Lectin‐antibody enzyme‐linked immunoassay was used to quantify α2,3‐sialyl PSMA in post‐DRE urine samples from subjects with benign prostate tumors, Grade Group 1 prostate cancer and those with Grade Group ≥2 disease.ResultsThere are significant increases in α2,3‐sialylated PSMA in patients with Grade Group ≥2 disease compared to benign (p = 0.0009) and those with Grade Group 1 disease (p = 0.0063). There were no significant differences in α2,3‐sialyl PSMA levels between Grade Group 1 and benign prostate tumors (p = 0.7947).ConclusionsOur study shows that there are significant differences in the abundance of α2,3‐sialylated PSMA in post‐DRE urines from disease stratified prostate cancer patients, and the increase is correlated with progression and disease severity. The detection of increased PSMA sialyation in post‐DRE urines from patients with higher Grade Group ≥2 disease states provides novel untapped potential for the development of prognostic biomarkers for prostate cancer. Specifically, quantitation of α2,3‐sialylated PSMA shows potential for discriminating between benign to intermediate grade disease, which is a significant clinical challenge in staging and risk stratification of prostate cancer.
Unraveling the interplay between the leucine zipper and forkhead domains of FOXP2: Implications for DNA binding, stability and dynamics
Authors: Perumal Cardon Maria , Thulo Monare , Buthelezi Sindisiwe , Naicker Previn , Stoychev Stoyan , Lakhi Aasiya , Fanucchi Sylvia 
Published: May 2024

AbstractFOXP2 is a transcription factor associated with speech and language. Like other FOX transcription factors, it has a DNA binding region called the forkhead domain (FHD). This domain can exist as a monomer or a domain swapped dimer. In addition to the FHD, the leucine zipper region (LZ) of FOXP2 is also believed to be associated with both DNA binding and oligomerization. To better understand the relationship between DNA binding and oligomerization of FOXP2, we investigated its structure, stability and dynamics, focusing specifically on the FHD and the LZ. We did this by using two constructs: one containing the isolated FHD and one containing both the LZ and the FHD (LZ‐END). We demonstrate in this work, that while the FHD maintains a monomeric form that is capable of binding DNA, the LZ‐END undergoes a dynamic transition between oligomeric states in the presence of DNA. Our findings suggest that FOXP2's LZ domain influences DNA binding affinity through a change in oligomeric state. We show through hydrogen exchange mass spectroscopy that certain parts of the FHD and interlinking region become less dynamic when in the presence of DNA, confirming DNA binding and oligomerization in these regions. Moreover, the detection of a stable equilibrium intermediate state during LZ‐END unfolding supports the idea of cooperation between these two domains. Overall, our study sheds light on the interplay between two FOXP2 domains, providing insight into the protein's ability to respond dynamically to DNA, and enriching our understanding of FOXP2's role in gene regulation.
The effects of oxygenation on acute vasodilator challenge in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Rockstrom Matthew D. , Jin Ying , Peterson Ryan A. , Hountras Peter , Badesch David , Gu Sue , Park Bryan , Messenger John , Forbes Lindsay M. , Cornwell William K. , Bull Todd M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIdentification of long‐term calcium channel blocker (CCB) responders with acute vasodilator challenge is critical in the evaluation of patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Currently there is no standardized approach for use of supplemental oxygen during acute vasodilator challenge. In this retrospective analysis of patients identified as acute vasoresponders, treated with CCBs, all patients had hemodynamic measurements in three steps: (1) at baseline; (2) with 100% fractional inspired oxygen; and (3) with 100% fractional inspired oxygen plus inhaled nitric oxide (iNO). Those meeting the definition of acute vasoresponsiveness only after first normalizing for the effects of oxygen in step 2 were labeled “iNO Responders.” Those who met the definition of acute vasoresponsiveness from a combination of the effects of 100% FiO2 and iNO were labeled “oxygen responders.” Survival, hospitalization for decompensated right heart failure, duration of CCB monotherapy, and functional data were collected. iNO responders, when compared to oxygen responders, had superior survival (100% vs. 50.1% 5‐year survival, respectively), fewer hospitalizations for acute decompensated right heart failure (0% vs. 30.4% at 1 year, respectively), longer duration of CCB monotherapy (80% vs. 52% at 1 year, respectively), and superior 6‐min walk distance. Current guidelines for acute vasodilator testing do not standardize oxygen coadministration with iNO. This study demonstrates that adjusting for the effects of supplemental oxygen before assessing for acute vasoresponsiveness identifies a cohort with superior functional status, tolerance of CCB monotherapy, and survival while on long‐term CCB therapy.
Ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography Q‐Exactive‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry and molecular network analysis alongside network pharmacology to elucidate the active constituents and mechanism of action of Huahong tablet in treating pelvic inflammatory disease
Authors: Li Shuang , Liu Zhiyan , Zeng Haiping , Fu Jinyu , Sun Mo , Bao Chun , Zhang Chenning 
Published: May 2024

RationaleHuahong tablet, a commonly used clinical Chinese patent medicine, shows good efficacy in treating pelvic inflammation and other gynaecological infectious diseases. However, the specific composition of Huahong tablets, which are complex herbal formulations, remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to identify the active compounds and targets of Huahong tablets and investigate their mechanism of action in pelvic inflammatory diseases.MethodsWe utilised ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography Q‐Exactive‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry and the relevant literature to identify the chemical components of Huahong tablets. The GNPS database was employed to further analyse and speculate on the components. Potential molecular targets of the active ingredients were predicted using the SwissTargetPrediction website. Protein–protein interaction analysis was conducted using the STRING database, with visualisation in Cytoscape 3.9.1. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID database. Additionally, a traditional Chinese medicine–ingredient–target–pathway network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.10.1. Molecular docking validation was carried out to investigate the interaction between core target and specific active ingredient.ResultsA total of 66 chemical components were identified, and 41 compounds were selected as potential active components based on the literature and the TCMSP database. Moreover, 38 core targets were identified as key targets in the treatment of pelvic inflammatory diseases with Huahong tablets. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed 986 different biological functions and 167 signalling pathways.ConclusionThe active ingredients in Huahong tablets exert therapeutic effects on pelvic inflammatory diseases by acting on multiple targets and utilising different pathways. Molecular docking confirmed the high affinity between the specific active ingredients and disease targets.
Preparation and Evaluation of FeMnTi Monolithic Catalysts for High‐Efficiency CO Oxidation
Authors: Tang Xinyue , Zhang Zizhuang , Wang Junchao , Wen Liuduan , Liu Baodan 
Published: May 2024

AbstractA comprehensive study was conducted on the synthesis of FeMnTi monolithic catalysts using plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) process combined with hydrothermal method followed by depositing active nanostructures. As synthesized catalysts were characterized using a series of techniques for morphology, structure and surface chemical state investigations. Meanwhile, the CO light‐off curves demonstrate that they possess excellent low‐temperature catalytic performance compared with TiO2 based single transition oxides. Specifically, FeMnTi(0.10, 4) can achieve 100 % conversion at 201 °C, which is due to the homogeneous elements distribution, large surface area and high surface activity. The supersaturation of the deposited solution and deposition time determine the growth of MnOx and the FeMnTi(0.10, 4) has the most suitable Fe/Mn atom ratio of 2.5. Furthermore, the electron transfer between Fe (Fe2+ and Fe3+) and Mn (Mn2+, Mn3+ and Mn4+) ensures the excellent redox properties. The synthetic strategy proposed in this work has general applicability for synthesizing multiple transition oxides monolithic catalysts not only for CO oxidation.
Evaluation of Catalytic Conditions for Dye Discoloration Using Nano‐TiO2Films: A Fractional Factorial Design Approach
Authors: Naranjo‐Castañeda Felix Antonio , García‐Rocha Miguel , Gallardo‐Hernández Salvador , Bahena‐Uribe Daniel , Mendoza‐Álvarez Julio Gregorio , Rodríguez‐Vázquez Refugio 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn this research, selected catalytic activity conditions of nano Cu‐TiO2films were evaluated through a 2IV4−1Fractional Factorial Design for methylene blue discoloration. The following conditions were set at two levels: dye concentration (mg/L) (A) at 3.13 and 5.81; aeration (psi) (B) with and without; radiation (nm) (C) at 320 (UV) and 470 (Visible); and nano‐TiO2films (D) without and with Cu‐doping. Films were prepared by the Sol‐Gel dip‐coating method and characterized using X‐ray diffraction, revealing an anatase phase in TiO2; and anatase, rutile, and brookite crystalline phases in Cu‐doped nano‐TiO2, with average band gap energies of 3.82 and 3.77 eV. The catalytic activity of films was significantly affected (p<0.05) by aeration (0.0002), radiation (0.001), and Cu‐doped nano‐TiO2(0.004). Dye concentration did not have a significant effect; however, the AC interaction was significant (p=0.015). A discoloration efficiency of 46.23 % was obtained with 5.81 mg/L dye concentration using Cu‐doped TiO2, with UV radiation and without aeration, whereas a 52.32 % efficiency was achieved with 3.13 mg/L dye concentration using non Cu‐doped TiO2. Using factorial designs allows us to identify the main variables and their interactions to determine the optimal conditions for the catalytic activity of nano‐TiO2.