bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A three‐fields coupled numerical framework for transient deformation of thermo‐sensitive hydrogel
Authors: Xue Yiheng , Liu Zishun , Reddy J. N. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAs a common smart hydrogel, thermo‐sensitive hydrogel exhibits significant potential applications in the field of biological engineering due to its unique property of undergoing a substantial volume transition in response to temperature changes. For numerical implementation of thermo‐sensitive hydrogel, many approaches have been developed to simulate the transient deformation during fluid diffusion or heat conduction process. However, the numerical approach for the transient deformation during both fluid diffusion and heat conduction processes is still lacking. To this end, we develop a three‐field coupled finite element framework that can be used to simulate the transient deformation behavior of thermo‐sensitive hydrogel involving large deformation, fluid diffusion, and heat conduction. In the proposed framework, there exist three processes that deal with displacement, concentration, and temperature fields, separately. To realize the coupling of three fields, the separated solving processes are assembled together by using a two‐way coupled approach. Based on the developed finite element framework, the coupling effects between the concentration and temperature can be realized by defining a body flux and a temperature‐dependent diffusion coefficient without solving the complex coupling equations. The finite element framework is implemented in ABAQUS by utilizing several user subroutines. The numerical implementation is validated by comparing the numerical results of a hydrogel disk with experimental results. Furthermore, various numerical examples are simulated to investigate the applicability of the proposed finite element framework under different multi‐field coupling conditions. The proposed finite element scheme is proved to be an efficient and stable tool for numerically simulating the transient behavior of thermo‐sensitive hydrogel incorporating the phase transition effect.
Osseous harpoon heads of hunter‐gatherers from the lower Paraná wetland
Authors: Buc Natacha , Acosta Alejandro A. , Rombolá Lucia T. , Loponte Daniel M. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractHarpoons are part of the composite technologies, widely dispersed throughout the world. In South America, a unique type of throwing harpoon reveals a limited distribution, primarily discovered in hunter‐gatherer archaeological sites within the lower La Plata basin. Specifically, they are found in two archaeological units named Incised Pottery and Plain Pottery which are defined by different material properties but share several common aspects as well. Regarding bone tools, the primary distinction lies in the decoration of the items, contrasting with the ornamentation of the pottery. While the processes underlying regional variability in the archaeological assemblages is not yet fully understood, various types of artifacts show differences in morphology and stylistic features that can be linked to archaeological units. For this purpose, we examined 13 archaeological samples of harpoon heads considering morphological, physical, and metrical variation, as well as the operational sequence. As result, we observed variations in both morphology and decoration, while the metrical structure, the selection of raw material and the operational sequence remain unaltered. This phenomenon could be attributed to a recent process of social differentiation affecting external features, whereas the internal characteristics are connected to technique behaviors resistant to recent changes.
Excessive Preoperative Testing in Otolaryngology: A Retrospective Comparison of Primary Care and Perioperative Providers
Authors: D'Amiano Nina M. , Bertram Amanda , Matthew Stewart Charles , Stewart Rosalyn W. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo assess the association between provider type (primary care provider [PCP] or perioperative provider) and excessive preoperative testing.Study DesignCross‐sectional study.SettingAcademic medical center.MethodsElectronic medical records of adult patients who obtained an outpatient preoperative assessment and underwent surgery in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery during the first 2 weeks of January 2019 (n = 94) were reviewed. Patients receiving preoperative tests beyond those recommended by the guidelines were deemed to have had excessive testing. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the study population. Simple and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the association between the outcome and the predictor variables.ResultsOverall, 44.7% of preoperative evaluations had excessive testing. Patients who had their preoperative evaluation performed by a perioperative provider had 89% lower odds of having excessive preoperative testing compared to those evaluated by a PCP (odds ratio = 0.11, 95% confidence interval: [0.03, 0.37], P < .001). Female sex, younger age, and higher risk of major adverse cardiac events were associated with greater odds of excessive testing.ConclusionExcessive preoperative testing is more commonly performed by PCPs compared to perioperative providers. These results give preliminary evidence in support of a potential shift in the clinical responsibility of preoperative evaluation from PCPs to perioperative providers in order to reduce excessive testing and promote high‐value health care. The next steps include validating these findings, identifying reasons for differential guideline concordance, and intervening accordingly.
Large‐Scale Synthesis of High‐Purity Isoguanosine and Resolution of its Crystal Structure by Microcrystal Electron Diffraction
Authors: Wang Kaichao , Liu Tiannan , Zhao Hang , Liu Jiang 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIsoguanosine (isoG) is a natural structural isomer of guanosine (G) with significant potential for applications in ionophores, genetics, gel formation, and cancer therapy. However, the cost of commercially available isoG on a gram scale is relatively high. To date, a detailed method for the large‐scale preparation of high‐purity isoG has not been reported. This study presented a simple and convenient approach for the large‐scale synthesis of isoG through the diazotization of 2,6‐diaminopurine riboside with sodium nitrite and acetic acid at room temperature. Further, this method could synthesize isoG derivatives (2’‐fluoro‐isoguanosine (1) and 2’‐deoxy‐isoguanosine (2)) from 2,6‐diaminopurine nucleoside derivatives using diazotization. The structural information of natural and modified nucleosides is crucial for the modification and substitution of DNA/RNA. This study obtained the single‐crystal structure of isoG for the first time and analyzed it in detail using microcrystal electron diffraction. The three‐dimensional supramolecular structure of isoG adopted similarly base‐pair motifs from π‐π stacking interaction of diverse layers, intramolecular hydrogen bonding, and distinct hydrogen bonding interactions from sugar residues. This study has contributed to further isoG modification and its applications in medicinal chemistry and materials.
A systematic review of cognitive and behavioral tools to differentiate behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia from other conditions
Authors: Flavell Joshua , Nestor Peter John 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is thought to be the commonest clinical presentation of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and is predominantly characterized by changes in behavior. In patients lacking unequivocal biomarker evidence of frontotemporal neurodegeneration, the clinical diagnosis of bvFTD is often unstable. In response, we conducted a systematic review and critical appraisal of cognitive and behavioral tools that have sought to differentiate bvFTD from other conditions. A systematic literature review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was conducted on December 31, 2023 for cognitive and behavioral tools that differentiated bvFTD from other cohorts. Ninety‐six studies were included. The quality appraisal of almost all studies was low and introduced a high risk of bias. The few studies that were of high quality had a prospective study design and recruited patients suspected (but not yet confirmed) to have bvFTD. These studies reported that behavioral tools (e.g., the Frontal Behavioral Inventory) and social cognition tests (e.g., the Ekman's Faces Test) had good test performance in differentiating bvFTD from a broad range of psychiatric and neurological conditions. Importantly, the review highlighted the extreme paucity of studies that have evaluated methods where, in Bayesian terms, there is genuine clinical uncertainty regarding a diagnosis of bvFTD. Most studies used healthy controls or typical Alzheimer's disease as comparators—groups that often have negligible pretest probability of bvFTD. In response, we propose a study design checklist for studies seeking to develop diagnostic algorithms in bvFTD research.
Obsessive–compulsive disorder induced by donepezil in a patient with Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Echizen Kohei , Hirose Daisuke 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundDonepezil, an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor commonly used to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD), is generally well tolerated. There have been no previous reports on donepezil‐induced obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD).Case PresentationThe patient, a retired man in his 70s diagnosed with AD, displayed OCD symptoms following donepezil initiation, exacerbating post‐stroke—specifically, a cerebral infarction in the right posterior limb of the internal capsule. Remarkably, the symptoms abated upon discontinuation of donepezil.ConclusionCaution should be exercised when using donepezil in patients with a history of stroke.
Dermatoscopic features of pyogenic granuloma in children
Authors: Yu Shijuan , Wang Hua , Tan Qi , Wang Li , Luo Xiaoyan , He Jingyi 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe clinical appearances of Pyogenic granuloma (PG) in children are not as typical as in adults. Meanwhile, skin biopsy is hard to accept for parents in most of time. Therefore, data of PG in children has been deprived. To analyze the dermoscopic features of PG in children in order to improve the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment and to reduce the probability of invasive examination. A single‐center retrospective study conducted from 1 January 2022 to 30 August 2022 summarized and analyzed the clinical data and dermoscopic features of patients clinically diagnosed with PG. A total of 36 patients were involved, 61.11% were males, 72.22% occurred in the face. Over 50% patients had the following dermoscopic patterns: reddish homogeneous area (100%), white collarette (91.7%), yellow‐white scales (69.4%), vascular structures (52.8%), and white rail lines (55.6%). Regression analysis found that gender and courses of disease had a statistically significant impact on part of the dermoscopic patterns. The proportions of dermoscopic features with yellow‐white scales (69.4%), dark red scabs (27.8%), and bleeding (27.8%) in this study were higher than in previous studies (26.7%, 10%, and 10%, respectively). Dermoscope is a practical diagnostic tool for PG in children. It is necessary to consider gender, disease course and lesion locations when PG is diagnosed using dermoscope. The characteristics of yellow‐white scales, dark red scabs, and bleeding are the microscopic features that distinguish pediatric patients with PG from adult patients, which should be given special attention to in pediatric patients.
Thermal stimuli response diphenylmethane diisocyanate‐based polyurethane elastomer via adjustable silicon‐induced distinctive microstructure
Authors: Fang Yu , Jiang An‐ji , Huang Jin , Zhang Peng 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe segment character of polyurethanes (PUs) determines the micromorphology and properties. The effective segment regulation can customize the favorable performance of PUs. Herein, silicon covalent‐modified polyurethanes (MPUs) were prepared by incorporating diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and diphenyl silanediol (DPSD) into PU molecules as hard segments via a two‐step method. Distinctive microphase separation structures from sheet morphology to radial sheet or withered flower‐like microdomain were formed by adjusting hydrogen bonding of hard segments and post‐treatment techniques. Thus, with the addition of DPSD in hard segments, the thermo‐optic responses for MPUs occurred due to the different microphase evolution under thermal effect. And with the further addition of DPSD, the effect of thermal stimuli on the transmittance gradually weakened. It was very clear that with increasing the temperature, the transmittance of MPUs showed a gradual increase owing to melting the microcrystals or destroying the ordered accumulation of hard segments. Meanwhile, the high mechanical properties were obtained, higher 15 times tensile strength and more than 100 times elastic modulus than those of pure PU as well as the excellent thermal stability. In sum, this study was of great significance for developing new functionalized PU materials.Highlights
Polyurethanes were prepared by inducing modified silicon functionality.
The distinctive microphase separation evolution of MPUs was found.
Thermal stimuli responses showed a gradual decrease due to different structure.
High mechanical properties and thermal stability were also obtained.
Enhancing thromboprophylaxis after colorectal cancer surgery in China: Bridging the gap between evidence and implementation through pathway optimization
Authors: Gu Zhi‐Chun , Dai Meng‐Fei , Wei Qi , Yan Yi‐Dan , Zheng Jian‐Yong , Wang Gui‐Ying , Wei Zheng‐Qiang , Jing Chang‐Qing , Li Yong‐Xiang , Zhou Dong‐Bing , Lin Mou‐Bin , He Xian‐Li , Li Fan , Liu Qian , Tu Shi‐Liang , Wang Zhen‐Jun , Li Ang , Lin Hou‐wen , Yao Hong‐Wei , Zhang Zhong‐Tao ,   The CRC‐VTE Investigators
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe CRC‐VTE trial conducted in China revealed a significant occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients following colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery, raising concerns about implementing thromboprophylaxis measures. The present study aimed to identify and analyze inappropriate aspects of current thromboprophylaxis practices.MethodsThis study performed an analysis of the CRC‐VTE trial, a prospective multicenter study that enrolled 1836 patients who underwent CRC surgery. The primary objective was to identify independent risk factors for VTE after CRC surgery using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, among the cases in which VTE occurred, the appropriateness of thromboprophylaxis was assessed based on several factors, including pharmacologic prophylaxis, time to initiate prophylaxis, drug selection, drug dosage, and duration of pharmacologic prophylaxis. Based on the analysis of the current state of thromboprophylaxis and relevant clinical guidelines, a modified Delphi method was used to develop a clinical pathway for VTE prophylaxis after CRC surgery.ResultsIn this analysis of 1836 patients, 205 (11.2%) were diagnosed with VTE during follow‐up. The multifactorial analysis identified several independent risk factors for VTE, including age (≥70 years), female sex, varicose veins in the lower extremities, intraoperative blood transfusion, and the duration of immobilization exceeding 24 h. None of the patients diagnosed with VTE in the CRC trial received adequate thromboprophylaxis. The main reasons for this inappropriate practice were the omission of thromboprophylaxis, delayed initiation, and insufficient duration of thromboprophylaxis. We developed a specialized clinical pathway for thromboprophylaxis after CRC surgery to address these issues.ConclusionsThis study offers a comprehensive nationwide evaluation of existing thromboprophylaxis practices in patients after CRC surgery in China. A specialized clinical pathway was developed to address the identified gaps and improve the quality of care. This clinical pathway incorporates explicit, tailored, detailed recommendations for thromboprophylaxis after CRC surgery.
“If I have a limited amount of time left, this is not how I want to spend it”: A qualitative descriptive study of factors influencing daily life participation following a cancer diagnosis
Authors: Shivakumar Nirmala , King Allison A. , Lyons Kathleen D. , L’Hotta Allison J. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveFollowing a cancer diagnosis, restricted participation in daily life is common. Restricted participation can be temporary or long lasting. The aim of this study was to characterize how daily life participation is impacted following a cancer diagnosis.MethodsEligible individuals included adults (>18 years) with any stage/grade brain, breast, colorectal, or lung cancer in any phase of treatment or post‐treatment. Participants completed a semi‐structured interview about how their life participation was impacted following their cancer diagnosis. Data were analyzed through team‐based thematic analysis.ResultsForty adults, 10 per disease category, participated. Four themes were identified that supported or hindered daily life participation: (1) self‐expectations, (2) expectations of others, (3) awareness of mortality, and (4) symptoms and side effects of cancer. Participants discussed how their cancer experience resulted in a reprioritization of what they valued doing in their life. However, many survivors struggled to adapt and described a tension between their need to adapt to their current life circumstances and their contrasting desire to stay connected with their pre‐cancer selves through daily life participation. The mental health challenges associated with decreased participation were also outlined by participants.ConclusionsCancer survivors' daily life participation is influenced by expectations from themselves and others, awareness of mortality, and disease symptoms/side effects. Future interventions can target these domains to supports survivors' life participation.
Evolution of dose distribution for a 125I eye plaque using MCNPX and Plaque Simulator software
Authors: Poorbaygi Hosein , Sardari Elham , Aghamiri Seyed Mahmoud Reza , Sheibani Shahab , Arjmand Mojtaba , Moradi Somayeh , Ghassemi Fariba 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectiveEye plaque radiation therapy is the treatment of choice for small‐ and medium‐sized choroidal melanomas. This study investigated the dose distribution around eye plaques containing 125I seeds to treat ocular melanoma using Monte Carlo N‐Particle eXtended (MCNPX) and Plaque Simulator (PS) software.MethodsDosimetry evaluation and comparison of the resulting isodose curves for 125I COMS plaques were performed using the MCNPX code. The isodose curves and dose distributions were calculated using PS treatment planning for a 125I COMS plaque.ResultsIn the validation, the maximum relative difference between the results of this study and those reported in other literature was approximately 9%–10% for the COMS plaques. The dose distributions of MCNPX were lower than those of PS with a relative difference of approximately 27.7%–35.4%. The dose distribution may differ depending on the 125I source spectra and seed design used in the two methods. In addition, the dose algorithm used in PS made a major contribution to the relative differences between the results.ConclusionThe PS did not provide accurate details of dose distribution near the surface of the plaque insert. The source parameters used in each program should be studied more carefully to determine the source of the differences in the estimated dose values.
Phosphorylation Mechanism Switching in Histidine Kinases Is a Tool for Fast Protein Evolution: Insights From AlphaFold Models
Authors: Olivieri Federico A. , Marti Marcelo A. , Wetzler Diana E. 
Published: June 2024

ABSTRACTHistidine kinases (HKs) are a central part of bacterial environmental‐sensing two‐component systems. They provide their hosts with the ability to respond to a wide range of physical and chemical signals. HKs are multidomain proteins consisting of at least a sensor domain, dimerization and phosphorylation domain (DHp), and a catalytic domain. They work as homodimers and the existence of two different autophosphorylation mechanisms (cis and trans) has been proposed as relevant for pathway specificity. Although several HKs have been intensively studied, a precise sequence‐to‐structure explanation of why and how either cis or trans phosphorylation occurs is still unavailable nor is there any evolutionary analysis on the subject. In this work, we show that AlphaFold can accurately determine whether an HK dimerizes in a cis or trans structure. By modeling multiple HKs we show that both cis‐ and trans‐acting HKs are common in nature and the switch between mechanisms has happened multiple times in the evolutionary history of the family. We then use AlphaFold modeling to explore the molecular determinants of the phosphorylation mechanism. We conclude that it is the difference in lengths of the helices surrounding the DHp loop that determines the mechanism. We also show that very small changes in these helices can cause a mechanism switch. Despite this, previous evidence shows that for a particular HK the phosphorylation mechanism is conserved. This suggests that the phosphorylation mechanism participates in system specificity and mechanism switching provides these systems with a way to diverge.
Functions and regulations of insect gut bacteria
Authors: Han Shuncai , Akhtar Muhammad Rehan , Xia Xiaofeng 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe insect gut is a complicated ecosystem that inhabits a large number of symbiotic bacteria. As an important organ of the host insect, the symbiotic bacteria of the insect gut play very important roles in regulating physiological and metabolic processes. Recently, much progress has been made in the study of symbiotic bacteria in insect guts with the development of high‐throughput sequencing technology and molecular biology. This review summarizes the primary functions of symbiotic bacteria in insect guts, such as enhancing insecticide resistance, facilitating food digestion, promoting detoxification, and regulating mating behavior and egg hatching. It also addresses some possible pathways of gut bacteria symbiont regulation governed by external habitats, physiological conditions and immunity of the host insect. This review provides solid foundations for further studies on novel theories, new technologies and practical applications of symbiotic bacteria in insect guts. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Association of mildly elevated pulmonary vascular resistance with major cardiovascular events in pulmonary hypertension and chronic kidney disease: A retrospective cohort analysis
Authors: Martinez Manzano Jose M. , Prendergast Alexander , John Tara , Leguizamon Raul , McLaren Ian , Khan Rasha , Geller Andrew , Wattanachayakul Phuuwadith , Malin John , Jarrett Simone A. , Lo Kevin Bryan , Benzaquen Sadia , Witzke Christian 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPulmonary hypertension (PH) is associated with adverse outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Our study suggests mildly elevated pulmonary vascular resistance ( > 2 to ≤ 3) is independently associated with major adverse cardiovascular events at 1‐year follow‐up. Early diagnosis of precapillary PH in CKD patients can potentially improve clinical outcomes.