bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Repeatability of Lac+ measurements in healthy human brain at 3 T
Authors: Armbruster Ryan , Wilson Neil , Elliott Mark A. , Liu Fang , Benyard Blake , Jacobs Paul , Swain Anshuman , Nanga Ravi Prakash Reddy , Reddy Ravinder 
Published: April 2024

PurposeIn vivo quantification of lactate has numerous applications in studying the pathology of both cerebral and musculoskeletal systems. Due to its low concentration (~0.5–1 mM), and overlap with lipid signals, traditional 1H MR spectra acquired in vivo using a small voxel and short echo time often result in an inadequate signal to detect and resolve the lactate peak, especially in healthy human volunteers.MethodsIn this study, using a semi‐LASER acquisition with long echo time (TE = 288 ms) and large voxel size (80 × 70 × 20 mm3), we clearly visualize the combined signal of lactate and threonine. Therefore, we call the signal at 1.33 ppm Lac+ and quantify Lac+ concentration from water suppressed spectra in healthy human brains in vivo. Four participants (22–37 years old; mean age = 28 ± 5.4; three male, one female) were scanned on four separate days, and on each day four measurements were taken. Intra‐day values are calculated for each participant by comparing the four measurements on a single day. Inter‐day values were calculated using the mean intra‐day measurements.ResultsThe mean intra‐participant Lac+ concentration, standard deviation (SD), and coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 0.49 to 0.61 mM, 0.02 to 0.07 mM, and 4% to 13%, respectively, across four volunteers. The inter‐participant Lac+ concentration, SD, and CV was 0.53 mM, ±0.06 mM, and 11%.ConclusionRepeatability is shown in Lac+ measurement in healthy human brain using a long echo time semi‐LASER sequence with a large voxel in about 3.5 min at 3 T.
Upper Esophageal Sphincter and Esophageal Motility Pathology on Manometry in Retrograde Cricopharyngeal Dysfunction
Authors: Yousef Andrew , Krause Amanda , Yadlapati Rena , Sharma Priya , Weissbrod Philip A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectiveThere exists a paucity of data regarding the mechanism and manometric findings in retrograde cricopharyngeal dysfunction (RCPD). In this study, we aimed to compare esophageal physiologic findings between patients with RCPD compared to an asymptomatic cohort.Study DesignCase‐control study.SettingTertiary Care Center.MethodsEsophageal high‐resolution impedance manometry was completed preoperatively in patients diagnosed with RCPD. Manometric data were compared between the RCPD and asymptomatic cohorts. A 2:1 age‐sex‐matched asymptomatic cohort was used as the control group. Treatment response was assessed among the RCPD cohort.ResultsThirty‐nine patients are included: 13 RCPD [mean age: 31.1 (SD: 12.6) years, female sex: 11 (85%)] and 26 asymptomatic [mean age: 32.1 (SD: 1.5) years, female sex: 22 (85%)]. The RCPD cohort, compared to the asymptomatic cohort, exhibited significantly greater upper esophageal sphincter (UES) length [4.5 (SD: 0.7) vs 3.7 (0.9) cm, P = .01] and higher UES basal pressures [91.9 (35.0) vs 49.7 (25.5) mm Hg, P = .002]. Patients with RCPD demonstrated higher rates of ineffective swallows [70.0% (31.6%) vs 15.4% (21.6%), P < .001] and incomplete bolus clearance [81% (22.0%) vs 21.8% (30.0%), P < .001]. All patients who underwent cricopharyngeal botulinum injections experienced initial improvement of symptoms with 3 patients requiring repeat intervention.ConclusionRCPD is associated with a longer UES, elevated UES basal pressures, and an increased incidence of ineffective esophageal motility. This study is the first to compare preoperative manometry results among patients with RCPD to those of an asymptomatic cohort, providing insights into the mechanism of RCPD.
Volume and Practice‐Setting Shift of Laryngology Procedures During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Reg‐ENT Database Analysis
Authors: Gray Raluca , Ryan Marisa A. , Mehta Vikas 
Published: April 2024

AbstractObjectiveThe onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic changed practice patterns throughout medicine. The purpose of this study is to evaluate changes in the volume and location setting of laryngology procedures after the onset of COVID‐19.Study DesignRetrospective database cohort study.SettingReg‐ENT registry.MethodsRetrospective review from 2017 to 2022 of patients who underwent a laryngology procedure identified by procedure code categorized by site of service code—“ambulatory surgical” versus “office” setting. Based on March 2020 as the cutoff point, the procedures were designated as pre‐COVID versus COVID time period.ResultsA total of 5989 patients underwent laryngology procedures. Forty‐two percent more procedures were performed in the COVID period (n = 3780) versus pre‐COVID (n = 2209). Pre‐COVID, the procedure distribution between office and ambulatory surgical setting was 70% (n = 1546) compared with 30% (663). This shifted to 77% (n = 2920) and 23% (n = 860) during COVID, P = .9. The most common diagnoses associated with laryngology procedures during the study period were vocal fold paralysis 47% (n = 2831), dysphonia 33% (n = 1392), and laryngotracheal stenosis 14% (n = 838). These trends remained in both pre‐COVID and COVID time periods. After the start of the pandemic, among patients undergoing laryngology procedures, there was a 93% increase (n = 284‐549) in the diagnosis of laryngotracheal stenosis, 70% increase (n = 520‐882 patients) in dysphonia and 69% increase (n = 1054‐1777) in vocal fold paralysis.ConclusionAn increase in laryngology procedures performed after the onset of the COVID‐19 pandemic was identified with an overall procedural shift to the office‐setting.
Shell‐sheddable and charge switchable magnetic nanoparticle as pH‐sensitive nanocarrier for targeted drug delivery applications
Authors: Aram Elham , Sadeghi‐Abandansari Hamid , Radmanesh Fatemeh , Khorasani Hamid Reza , Nowroozi Mohammad Reza , Hassanpour Ali , Baharvand Hossein , Sabour Davood 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA pH‐sensitive shell‐sheddable magnetic nanocarrier was prepared based on Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles coated with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and polyethyleneglycol (PEG). The PEI was coated on Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles through an electrostatic attraction and the PEG chains were connected to the PEI via pH‐sensitive benzoic‐imine bonds. The synthesized products and final nanocarrier were characterized with FT‐IR, 1H NMR, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta‐potential, TEM, and vibrating‐sample magnetometer (VSM). The PEI, as a middle layer, was used to load the curcumin (an anticancer drug) via van der Waals interactions and the shedding of PEG as a hydrophilic corona at the tumor pH (acidic) could induce the release of the drug. The curcumin loading content was found to be ~15% and curcumin‐loaded magnetic nanoparticles (C‐LMNs) showed more triggered release at the tumor pH (5.6) than physiological pH (7.4). In comparison to pure magnetic nanoparticles (MNs), the C‐LMNs showed more cytotoxicity to human prostate cancer cell (PC‐3) and also resulted in an increased rate of late apoptotic/necrotic PC‐3 cells, assessed by flow cytometry analysis. In conclusion, the C‐LMN as pH‐ and magnetic responsive nanocarrier showed good potential for targeted curcumin delivery in therapy of prostate cancer.
Unveiling the physico‐mechanical properties of kenaf yarn fiber‐reinforced acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composites: Effect of quasi‐isotropic lay‐up sequences
Authors: Fitri M. F. M. , Asyraf M. R. M. , Hassan S. A. , Ilyas R. A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe rapid advancement of polymer composites, particularly those reinforced with hybrid kenaf, has positioned them as viable structural materials across diverse industries such as automotive, defense, aerospace, marine, construction, and naval. Despite their growing popularity, recent advances in kenaf yarn‐reinforced thermoplastic acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) composites for structural applications need more comprehensive coverage in the literature. This article addresses this gap by critically examining the influence of quasi‐isotropic stacking orientation on water absorption, flexural strength, and impact properties in kenaf yarn fiber‐reinforced ABS composites. Prepared using hand layup and compression molding techniques, the composites featured varying stacking orientations, including 0°/0°/0°/0°, 0°/90°/0°/90°, −45°/90°/0°/45°, 90°/−45°/0°/45°, 90°/0°/45°/−45°, and 0°/45°/−45°/90° for kenaf yarn reinforced ABS. The findings reveal that the 0°/45°/−45°/90° configuration offers the best overall mechanical properties and water penetration resistance among quasi‐isotropic stacking sequences, exhibiting low water uptake and higher tensile and flexural strengths of 35.3 and 85.4 MPa, respectively, compared to other sequences. This suggests that incorporating ±45° plies contributes to a balanced distribution of mechanical strength and modulus across different directions, making the 0°/45°/−45°/90° configuration ideal for high‐strength structural applications in kenaf yarn/ABS composites.Highlights
Fiber stacking orientation is the key factor affecting the mechanical performance of kenaf‐based composites.
Using the hand layup technique, six stacking orientations (0°/0°/0°/0°, 0°/90°/0°/90°, −45°/90°/0°/45°, 90°/−45°/0°/45°, 90°/0°/45°/−45°, and 0°/45°/−45°/90°) were employed to create kenaf fiber‐reinforced ABS composites.
A quasi‐isotropic sequence of 0°/45°/−45°/90° allows the least water penetration due to the strategic placement of ±45° plies in the middle layers of composites.
0°/45°/−45°/90° configuration offers the best flexural and tensile properties due to better force distribution within the ±45° plies in the middle layers.
Under surface morphological analysis, the optimal fiber stacking sequence contributes to fewer voids and fiber pull‐outs.
Transient interdomain interactions in free USP14 shape its conformational ensemble
Authors: Salomonsson Johannes , Wallner Björn , Sjöstrand Linda , D'Arcy Pádraig , Sunnerhagen Maria , Ahlner Alexandra 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe deubiquitinase (DUB) ubiquitin‐specific protease 14 (USP14) is a dual domain protein that plays a regulatory role in proteasomal degradation and has been identified as a promising therapeutic target. USP14 comprises a conserved USP domain and a ubiquitin‐like (Ubl) domain separated by a 25‐residue linker. The enzyme activity of USP14 is autoinhibited in solution, but is enhanced when bound to the proteasome, where the Ubl and USP domains of USP14 bind to the Rpn1 and Rpt1/Rpt2 units, respectively. No structure of full‐length USP14 in the absence of proteasome has yet been presented, however, earlier work has described how transient interactions between Ubl and USP domains in USP4 and USP7 regulate DUB activity. To better understand the roles of the Ubl and USP domains in USP14, we studied the Ubl domain alone and in full‐length USP14 by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and used small angle x‐ray scattering and molecular modeling to visualize the entire USP14 protein ensemble. Jointly, our results show how transient interdomain interactions between the Ubl and USP domains of USP14 predispose its conformational ensemble for proteasome binding, which may have functional implications for proteasome regulation and may be exploited in the design of future USP14 inhibitors.
The proteomic landscape of fall armyworm oral secretion reveals its role in plant adaptation
Authors: Zhang Xian , Li Pai , Tang Yin , Mu Yu‐Pei , Liu Jie , Wang Mu‐Yang , Wang Wei , Mao Ying‐Bo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe fall armyworm (FAW, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith)) is a polyphagous agricultural pest with rapidly evolving adaptations to host plants. We found the oral secretion (OS) of FAW from different plants influences plant defense response differentially, suggesting its role in adapting to host plants. However, the protein expression profile of FAW OS respond to different plants is largely unknown.RESULTSHere, from the mass spectrometry assay, we identified a total of 256 proteins in the OS of FAW fed on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), tobacco (Nicotiana benthamiana Domin), maize (Zea mays L.) and artificial diet. The FAW OS primarily comprise of 60 proteases, 32 esterases and 92 non‐enzymatic proteins. It displays high plasticity across different diets. We found that more than half of the esterases are lipases which have been reported as insect elicitors to enhance plant defense response. The lipase accumulation in cotton‐fed larvae was the highest, followed by maize‐fed larvae. In the presence of lipase inhibitors, the enhanced induction on defense genes in wounded leaves by OS was attenuated. However, the putative effectors were most highly accumulated in the OS from FAW larvae fed on maize compared to those fed on other diets. We identified that one of them (VRLP4) reduces the OS‐mediated induction on defense genes in wounded leaves.CONCLUSIONTogether, our investigation presents the proteomic landscape of the OS of FAW influenced by different diets and reveals diet‐mediated plasticity of OS is involved in FAW adaptation to host plants. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Flowering Ocimum gratissimum intercropped in tea plantations attracts and reduces Apolygus lucorum populations
Authors: Lun Xiaoyue , Jin Meina , Chen Zejun , Cao Yan , Zhang Xiangzhi , Xu Xiuxiu , Li Yusheng , Wang Hanyue , Zhang Zhengqun 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBACKGROUNDApolygus lucorum is one of the most important piercing‐sucking insect pests of the tea plant In this study, we assessed the attractiveness of basil plants to A. lucorum and the effectiveness of Ocimum gratissimum L. in the control of A. lucorum. The control efficiency of main volatile chemicals emitted from O. gratissimum flowers was also evaluated.RESULTSAmong seven basil varieties, O. gratissimum was more attractive to A. lucorum adults and was selected as a trap plant to assess its attractiveness to A. lucorum and effects on natural enemies in tea plantations. The population density of A. lucorum on trap strips of O. gratissimum in tea plantations was significantly higher than that on tea at 10–20 m away from the trap strips. Intercropping O. gratissimum with tea plants, at high‐density significantly reduced A. lucorum population levels. Eucalyptol, limonene, β‐ocimene, and linalool were the four dominant components in the O. gratissimum flower volatiles, and their emissions showed a gradual upward trend over the sampling period. Olfactometer assays indicated that eucalyptol and dodecane showed attraction to A. lucorum. High numbers of A. lucorum were recorded on limonene, eucalyptol, and myrcene‐baited yellow sticky traps in field trials in which 11 dominant volatiles emitted by O. gratissimum flowers were evaluated.CONCLUSIONOur research indicated that the aromatic plant O. gratissimum and its volatiles could attract A. lucorum and planting O. gratissimum has the potential as a pest biocontrol method to manipulate A. lucorum populations in tea plantations. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Does birthplace affect intergenerational social mobility of migrants in urban escalators? Evidence from China
Authors: Cai Yuying , Wang Jiejing , Zhang Yanji 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThere is a growing body of literature on the effects of escalator regions on intergenerational social mobility (ISM) of migrants. Nevertheless, the role of migrant origins in migration outcomes remain neglected. To address this gap, this study attempts to investigate whether migrants' birthplaces continue to have an impact after they move to escalator regions and the mechanism of this impact. Using data from the 2010, 2013, and 2015 Chinese General Social Survey, our findings suggest that the effect of escalator regions on migrants' ISM varies according to the size of their birthplace. Furthermore, the birthplace effect on migrants' ISM when relocating to escalator regions is partially mediated by the birthplace effect on education. Finally, it was found that this birthplace effect varies according to dynamic human capital; migrants with high levels of dynamic human capital can overcome the birthplace effect after relocating to escalator regions.
Impact of current and previous sperm findings on outcomes of intrauterine insemination
Authors: Taniguchi Maki , Kanasaki Haruhiko , Oride Aki , Okada Hiroe , Imamura Kayo , Kyo Satoru 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPurposeTo examine the association between semen characteristics and outcomes of intrauterine insemination (IUI).MethodsThis retrospective analysis examined 1380 IUI procedures involving 421 couples. The association of clinical pregnancy with pre‐ and post‐wash sperm characteristics was assessed.ResultsPre‐ and post‐wash sperm characteristics did not differ between IUI cycles that resulted in pregnancy and those that did not. When the motility of pre‐wash sperm was below the normal range (<42%) established by the World Health Organization (WHO), the pregnancy rate was significantly lower. In the IUI cycles when post‐wash sperm motility was below the WHO standard, pregnancy was not achieved. The frequency of improvement in post‐wash sperm motility in repeated IUI cycles appeared to correlate with the success of future IUI cycles. At the fourth IUI cycle, pregnancy was not achieved unless the post‐wash sperm motility was normal in at least two of three attempts. When post‐wash sperm concentration was below the normal range, the woman's age did not affect the IUI outcomes.ConclusionsSperm motility above the lower limit of the WHO criteria in post‐wash semen samples is an important factor in IUI outcomes.
Management strategies following implantation failure of euploid embryos
Authors: Kuroda Keiji 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundEuploid blastocyst implantation failure may result from embryonic factors undetectable by preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT‐A); however, various nonembryonic factors can also intricately interfere with implantation. This review seeks to clarify evidence‐based testing and treatments for implantation failure after euploid embryo transfer.MethodsWe conducted a review of the literature on implantation failure after euploid embryo transfer or multiple embryo transfer cycles, which mainly included systematic reviews and meta‐analyses.ResultsThe recommended tests for implantation failure include (1) hysteroscopy, (2) endometrial CD138 immunohistochemistry and bacterial culture, (3) serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3, and (4) thrombophilia screening. Based on diagnostic findings, the following treatments have been recommended: (1) antibiotics for chronic endometritis, (2) vitamin D replacement, (3) lifestyle modification, and (4) low‐dose aspirin starting from the postimplantation period for thrombophilia. Moreover, frozen–thawed single euploid blastocyst transfer using assisted hatching and hyaluronan‐enriched transfer medium may support embryo implantation.ConclusionTo ensure a successful pregnancy in subsequent embryo transfers, simple, inexpensive, and evidence‐based tests and treatments should be selected.
Recent Advancements on Spin Engineering Strategies for Highly Efficient Electrocatalytic Oxygen Evolution Reactions
Authors: Zhao Wenli , Yang Jieyu , Xu Fenghua , Weng Baicheng 
Published: April 2024

AbstractOxygen evolution reaction (OER) is a widely employed half‐electrode reaction in oxygen electrochemistry, in applications such as hydrogen evolution, carbon dioxide reduction, ammonia synthesis, and electrocatalytic hydrogenation. Unfortunately, its slow kinetics limits the commercialization of such applications. It is therefore highly imperative to develop highly robust electrocatalysts with high activity, long‐term durability, and low noble‐metal contents. Previously intensive efforts have been made to introduce the advancements on developing non‐precious transition metal electrocatalysts and their OER mechanisms. Electronic structure tuning is one of the most effective and interesting ways to boost OER activity and spin angular momentum is an intrinsic property of the electron. Therefore, modulation on the spin states and the magnetic properties of the electrocatalyst enables the changes on energy associated with interacting electron clouds with radical absorbance, affecting the OER activity and stability. Given that few review efforts have been made on this topic, in this review, the‐state‐of‐the‐art research progress on spin‐dependent effects in OER will be briefed. Spin engineering strategies, such as strain, crystal surface engineering, crystal doping, etc., will be introduced. The related mechanism for spin manipulation to boost OER activity will also be discussed. Finally, the challenges and prospects for the development of spin catalysis are presented. This review aims to highlight the significance of spin engineering in breaking the bottleneck of electrocatalysis and promoting the practical application of high‐efficiency electrocatalysts.
In Situ Formation of Heterojunction in Composite Lithium Anode Facilitates Fast and Uniform Interfacial Ion Transport
Authors: Fang Shan , Wang Huasong , Zhao Shangquan , Yu Miaomiao , Liu Xiang , Li Yong , Wu Fanglin , Zuo Wenhua , Zhou Naigen , Ortiz Gregorio F. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractLithium metal is a highly promising anode for next‐generation high‐energy‐density rechargeable batteries. Nevertheless, its practical application faces challenges due to the uncontrolled lithium dendrites growth and infinite volumetric expansion during repetitive cycling. Herein, a composite lithium anode is designed by mechanically rolling and pressing a cerium oxide‐coated carbon textile with lithium foil (Li@CeO2/CT). The in situ generated cerium dioxide (CeO2) and cerium trioxide (Ce2O3) form a heterojunction with a reduced lithium‐ion migration barrier, facilitating the rapid lithium ions migration. Additionally, both CeO2 and Ce2O3 exhibit higher adsorbed energy with lithium, enabling faster and more distributed interfacial transport of lithium ions. Furthermore, the high specific surface area of 3D skeleton can effectively reduce local current density, and alleviate the lithium volumetric changes upon plating/stripping. Benefiting from this unique structure, the highly compact and uniform lithium deposition is constructed, allowing the Li@CeO2/CT symmetric cells to maintain a stable cycling for over 500 cycles at an exceptional high current density of 100 mA cm−2. When paired with LiNi0.91Co0.06Mn0.03O2 (NCM91) cathode, the cell achieves 74.3% capacity retention after 800 cycles at 1 C, and a remarkable capacity retention of 81.1% after 500 cycles even at a high rate of 4 C.
Effective abdominal ultrasonographic detection of pancreatic cystic lesions using artificial intelligence‐assisted noise reduction
Authors: Watabe Hirotsugu , Yasumura Kayo , Fukai‐Watabe Shiho , Watabe Tokumu 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIntroductionPatients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) exhibit a high incidence of pancreatic cancer. An IPMN presents as a pancreatic cystic lesion (PCL). Artificial intelligence (AI) can be used to enhance ultrasonographic images. We retrospectively evaluated the utility of AI‐assisted ultrasonography in terms of PCL detection.MethodsIn total, 969 patients who underwent artificial narrow intelligence‐assisted transabdominal ultrasound examinations (AI group) were compared with 943 patients who underwent non‐AI‐assisted examinations (control group). The morphological changes and the frequencies of newly detected PCLs were compared between the groups.ResultsThe PCL detection rate was significantly higher in the AI group than in the control group (1.25 ± 0.36 and 0.21 ± 0.15%, respectively; p = .008). AI‐assisted ultrasound evaluation was independently associated with enhanced PCL detection (odds ratio: 5.83, 95% confidence interval: 1.29–26.29, p = .02). PCLs smaller than 8 mm and all PCLs in the pancreatic tail were detected in the AI group.PCL morphological changes were more common in the AI group than in the control group (63.6 ± 14.5 and 16.7 ± 15.2%, respectively; p = .04).ConclusionAI‐assisted transabdominal ultrasonography enhances the PCL detection rate. The use of AI is likely to increase the IPMN detection rate.