bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
WITHDRAWN: Catecholamines in healthy and inflamed pulp of primary teeth
Authors: Damle Satyawan G , Chopal Nilika , Kamboj Gaurav , Dhindsa Abhishek , Sakhare Dhanashree , Dasgupta Shreya 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Introduction: The dental pulp, traditionally recognized for its roles in dentinogenesis and pain perception, is a dynamic macrocosm. Recent research has unveiled a complex network of neurotransmitters, with catecholamines, including dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline, emerging as a particularly understudied component. Objective: To elucidate the role of catecholamines in both inflamed and non-inflamed pulp of primary teeth. Documented scientific evidence suggests higher catecholamine levels in inflamed dental pulp, which significantly contribute to maintaining overall pulp health. Methods: Twenty children aged 6 to 8 were selected and categorized into healthy and inflamed pulp groups. After thorough clinical examination and radiographic evaluation, the teeth with deep carious lesions indicative of irreversible pulp changes were subjected to cold and heat tests. Only those teeth positively responding to heat and cold tests were finally included. The concentration of catecholamines was calculated based on the peak area found on HPLC graphs and the retention time of each catecholamine compared with the already established standard curves for pure drugs. Results: Statistical analysis was completed using SPSS for Windows- version 17.0. Independent t-test and Mann- Whitney U test were used for inter-group comparisons. The mean concentrations of Norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine in the inflamed pulp surpassed those in the healthy pulp. However, no significant differences in catecholamine concentrations between boys and girls were observed. Conclusion: Norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine concentrations were notably elevated in inflamed pulp compared to healthy pulp. Heightened catecholamine concentration is attributed to increased nerve stimulation, suggesting robust synthesis during stressful conditions like inflammation.
A novel methodology in truss damage localization by moving excitation among nodal points of the structure
Authors: Bahmanbijari Reza , Rahnema Hossein 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Monitoring the health of critical structures like truss systems has been a key focus for researchers in recent decades due to the growing number of constructed facilities and the associated risks of structural failures. This article introduces a novel laboratory testing method employing a moving source to identify damaged elements within the truss. By analyzing the vibration data collected from each nodal point of the truss, damaged elements are pinpointed through data processing. The proposed technique involves evaluating the Cumulative Damage Index (TDI) values derived from time and frequency domain analyses of nodal velocity responses recorded at upper nodes of the structure. Validation of this damage detection approach is conducted using seismic data obtained from a real truss structure and synthetic data generated through numerical simulations. A three-dimensional truss structure with dual spans is constructed in the laboratory for this purpose, and various numerical analyses are carried out. The findings demonstrate that the moving source method facilitates precise identification of failure locations and severity levels. Notably, an increase in TDI values at nodes correlates directly with a rise in damage severity within the affected member. However, the TDI pattern varies across different scenarios, with values changing based on the damaged member's position. Consequently, the TDI parameter serves as a valuable indicator for pinpointing the location and extent of damage throughout the structure during moving source tests.
Initiator-free synthesis of interpenetrating polymer networks via Bergman Cyclization
Authors: Binder Wolfgang , Cai Yue , Lehmann Florian , Thümmler Justus , Hinderberger Dariush 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs), consisting of two or more chemically independent networks, represent a significant type of polymer combination in modern industry, especially in automotive and medical devices. Diverse synthesis techniques and plentiful raw materials highlight IPNs in providing facile modifications of properties to meet specific needs. We here report on an initiator-free synthesis of interpenetrating polymer networks via Bergman cyclization (BC), acting as a triggered source for generating the second network via its reactive enediyne (EDY) moiety, embedded into the first network. (Z)-oct-4-ene-2,6-diyne-1,8-diol (diol-EDY) is targeted as the precursor of the second network, swollen into the first polyurethane network (PU), followed by radical polymerization. The formation of the IPN was monitored via electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, infrared-spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermal methods (DSC), proving the activation of the EDY-moiety and its subsequent crosslinking to form the second network. Stress − strain characterization and cyclic stress − strain investigations, together with TGA and DTG analysis, illustrate improved mechanical properties and thermal stability of the formed IPN compared to the initial PU-network. The method presented here is a novel and broadly applicable approach to generate IPNs, triggered by the EDY-activation via Bergman cyclization.
An Optimized Langendorff-free Method for Isolation and Characterization of Primary Adult Cardiomyocytes
Authors: Nikouee Azadeh , Yap John Q. , Rademacher David J. , Kim Matthew , Zang Qun Sophia 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Isolation of adult mouse cardiomyocytes is an essential technique for advancing our understanding of cardiac physiology and pathology, and for developing therapeutic strategies to improve cardiac health. Traditionally, cardiomyocytes are isolated from adult mouse hearts using the Langendorff perfusion method in which the heart is excised, cannulated, and retrogradely perfused through the aorta. While this method is highly effective for isolating cardiomyocytes, it requires specialized equipment and technical expertise. To address the challenges of the Langendorff perfusion method, researchers have developed a Langendorff-free technique for isolating cardiomyocytes. This Langendorff-free technique involves anterograde perfusion through the coronary vasculature by clamping the aorta and intraventricular injection. This method simplifies the experimental setup by eliminating the need for specialized equipment and cannulation of the heart. Here, we introduce an updated Langendorff-free method for isolating adult mice cardiomyocytes that builds on the Langendorff-free protocols developed previously. In this method, the aorta is clamped in situ, and the heart is perfused using a peristaltic pump, water bath, and an injection needle. This simplicity makes cardiomyocyte isolation more accessible for researchers who are new to cardiomyocyte isolation or are working with limited resources. In this report, we provide a step-by-step description of our optimized protocol. In addition, we present example studies of analyzing mitochondrial structural and functional characteristics in isolated cardiomyocytes treated with and without the acute inflammatory stimuli lipopolysaccharide (LPS).
Epidemiology of pediatric sleep disordered breathing in children with tonsillar enlargement at Tikur Anbessa comprehensive Specialized Hospital and Yekatit 12 Hospital, Ethiopia
Authors: Betsu Kibra Demtsu , Mengesha Assefa Tesfaye , Ketema Siraw Girum 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background: Pediatric sleep disordered breathing has become widely recognized only in the last few decades as likely cause of significant morbidity, mortality and poor school performance among children. The objective of this study to study the descriptive and analytical epidemiology of pediatric sleep disordered breathing in Tikur Anbessa Specialized hospital & Yekatit 12 hospital.
Methods: children aged 2-18 years with tonsillar enlargement attending otolaryngology clinics of Tikur Anbessa comprehensive specialized hospital and Yekatit 12 hospitals were enrolled. We used questioner which was filled by residents by asking the children and their family. Our questioner includes questions on socio demography, recurrence of tonsillitis and questions of pediatric sleep questioner. Physical examination includes tonsillar size, weight, and height measurement. In addition we used lateral neck x-ray to identify adenoidal enlargement. Pediatric sleep questioner is considered positive for obstructive sleep apnea if 33% (8 out of 22) of the answered questions are yes. The association between dependent and in dependent variables was assessed and presented using descriptive statistics, and logistic regression.
Results: A total of 212 children were involved. 31.1% ( 66) had no snoring , 35.4 % ( 75) had simple snoring , and 33.5 % ( 71) had obstructive sleep apnea. Univariate binary logstic regression showed that age and body habitus were significantly associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Multivariate binary logistic regression also showed ,age 2-7 years were 2.55 times likely to develop OSA when compared to 8-18years old children .We also found negative association between normal body habitus and obstructive sleep apnea when compared to wasted children.
Conclusion: The significant risk factor for development OSA in children is age 2-7 year. We consider the negative association between normal body habitus and obstructive sleep apnea when compared to wasting is due to failure to thrive in children with obstructive sleep apnea.
Cytotoxic study against L20B cell line, spectral characterizations and DFT theoretical calculations for new dioxidovanadium(V) complexes with dinitrogen donor ligands
Authors: Alajrawy othman , Hadi Huda A. , Al-Luhaibi Roaa S. Awad , Sabar Sarah S. , Ahmed Mohammed , Dawood Ashour 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Two dioxidovanadium(V) complexes have been prepared with dinitrogen atoms donor (o-phenylenediamine (OPD) and dithiooxamide (DTO)) ligands. The cytotoxicity studies of the prepared complexes against the L20B cell line showed that they have moderated activity against the L20B cell line. The complexes were characterized by different spectral techniques such as FT-IR, UV-Vis., mass, 1H-NMR spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity, and finally the spectral data were compared with the data obtained by the DFT theoretical calculations. The obtained spectroscopic data confirmed that the two ligands are coordinated from the two amine groups and in cis-conformation with the two oxygen atoms. The experimental and theoretical calculations showed that the two complexes are mononuclear with proposed distorted octahedral structures. The complexes are very stable, the electronic energies are (-773.10 and − 907.56 a.u.), the HOMO orbitals energies are (-0.386 and − 0.504 a.u.), and the LUMO orbitals energies are (-0.213 and − 0.421 a.u.) for the complexes; respectively. The bond angles around the vanadium(V) atoms are in the range (69.44–91.36 A°), and the dihedral angles are in the range (111.22-161.94 °). Calculations explained the complexes are polarized (3.39–5.28) more than the free ligands (0.002-3.00). The electronic transition in the complex (2) (0.083) is less than for the complex (1) (0.173). The complexes showed good solubility in water. Finally, the best cytotoxic result is for the complex (1) against the L20B cell lines and this open the door to use this complex with oral administration in future studies.
Life skills development of students in Japanese high schools: What is underpinning whole-person education by homeroom teachers?
Authors: Kassai Haruna 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Homeroom teachers in Japan are responsible for the whole-person education of students, which includes fostering students’ life skills. They provide their teaching based on their own beliefs because there are no official guidelines for homeroom teaching. Since there are very few previous studies on homeroom teachers’ beliefs, this research aims to understand homeroom teachers’ beliefs, which underpin their teaching, and establish a foothold for future research. In order to explore what kinds of students’ life skills homeroom teachers wish to foster through their teaching, data were collected through a questionnaire from 42 homeroom teachers in three different Japanese high schools. Moreover, online interviews were conducted with 16 teachers of the 42 participants to gain insights about factors that affect the formation of their beliefs. According to the findings, homeroom teachers especially emphasise fostering skills to build relationships with others and attitudes to follow rules in society. Furthermore, rather than teacher education, the personal experiences of each teacher affect the formation of these beliefs. These results suggest that to maintain the quality of whole-person education by homeroom teachers, it would be effective to provide teacher trainings focusing on homeroom teaching or opportunities to share beliefs with other teachers.
The Effects of Tetrahydrocurcumin on Adriamycin and Taxane resistance in Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer Cells
Authors: KOCDOR Mehmet Ali , KAYA Yagmur , ATES Halil , BILDIK Ezel , KOCDOR Hilal 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Purpose Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is rare but one of the most lethal human malignancy. Despite the advances in cancer treatments, ATC remained incurable due to a lack of effective treatments. ATC cells display resistance against all cytostatics. Adriamycin and taxanes have been used with limited efficacy. There is an urgent need for new treatments and less toxic substances that will enhance the effectiveness of current treatments. One of the most effective curcumin derivative, tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), appears to have several anti-cancer and anti-MDR (multidrug resistance) actions. Thus, we aimed to compare the anti-cancer efficacy of THC with adriamycin and docetaxel, as well as evaluate the anti-MDR action of two drugs in ATC cell lines, if any. Methods We used MTT test to find the IC50 values for Adriamycin (Adr), docetaxel (Doce) and THC (Cur). The cells were treated with IC50 and half-IC50 (IC25) doses. IC25 doses were also used for drug combinations. Wound healing assay, spheroid formation in soft agar, oxidative stress analysis, flow-cytometrically apoptosis, and multidrug resistance activity factor analysis (MAF) for MDR1 (P-gp), MRP1/2, BCRP expressions were performed in both cell lines. Results THC was more potent than docetaxel and adriamycin on cell migration, spheroid formation, anti-oxidant capacity, and apoptosis induction at LD50 dose in both cell lines. THC-induced MAF suppression was found particularly for MDR1 in both cell lines. Whereas adriamycin and docetaxel treatments lead to increased MRP1/2 and BCRP expressions. THC suppressed these actions dose dependent manner. Conclusion THC can modify MDR protein expressions and stem cell properties, which can increase the efficacy of doxorubicin and adriamycin in treating anaplastic thyroid cancer. THC has anti-cancer potential that is comparable to these two cytostatics. Curcumin could be considered an adjunctive component of the ATC treatment.
Systematical comparison reveals distinct brain transcriptomic features in models of depression induced by gut microbiota dysbiosis and chronic stress
Authors: Gui Siwen , Liu Yiyun , Pu Juncai , Wang Dongfang , Zhong Xiaogang , Chen Weiyi , Chen Xiaopeng , Chen Yue , Chen Xiang , Tao Wei , Xie Peng 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a devastating psychiatric illness caused by various etiologies. Both chronic stress and gut microbiome dysbiosis are implicated in the pathogenesis of MDD. However, limited research was undertaken to delineate the distinct effects of these two pathogenic factors on the brain transcriptome. We generated and compared transcriptomic features of anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) from depressive-like mice induced by gut microbiome dysbiosis and canonical chronic stress paradigms, including gene expression pattern and network characteristics. The data derived from MDD patients served as a reference standard to filter the molecular alterations associated with the disorder. Chronic stress induced a plethora of altered genes and biological functions associated with depression, central to which are mitochondrial dysfunction. However, gut microbiota dysbiosis specifically regulated a limited scope of genes and biological mechanisms, targeting the aberrations in vesicular transport systems and the perturbation of autophagy pathways. Network analysis revealed that hierarchical gene co-expression specifically affected by gut microbiota dysbiosis, rather than chronic stress. The further functional clustering analysis and the central distribution of the inflammation-related differentially expressed genes suggested the intricate interplay between disrupted autophagy processes, microglia-mediated inflammation, and synaptic dysfunctions in the network influenced by gut microbiota dysbiosis. Our findings revealed the distinctive transcriptomic alterations of brain shaped by gut microbiota and chronic stress in development of MDD and contributed to understanding the heterogeneity of depression. Additionally, we have provided a valuable data resource and bioinformatic analysis template for further studies.
Top-level para-karate: kata competition performance analysis
Authors: Augustovicova Dusana , Hadza Radovan , Hruby Michal , Magyar Adrian , Biesen Debbie Van 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Purpose:Para-karate has been gaining popularity at a rapid pace; however, it appears that there is currently limited scientific research on the subject. This study aims to examine the preference of katas performed at para-karate top-level events and investigate a connection between the sport class (type of impairment) and the kata selection.
Methods:Data includes information on katas from 9 events- 4 World Para-karate Championships (2016, 2018, 2021, 2023) and 5 European Para-Karate Championships (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023). Altogether 906 katas were performed - 567 by males, 339 by females. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test.
Results:During the competition, top para-karate athletes used 61% of the official WKF kata list (62 katas out of 102). The most popular katas were Gojushiho Sho (selected in 19.9% of all performances), Unsu (11.5%), Kanku Sho (9.5%), Suparinpei (6.7%), Jion (6.2%) and others. There was a significant relationship between sport class and the selected katas (p≤0.05). For K30 the most popular kata was Unsu (15%), and for K10 and K21+K22 Gojushiho Sho (16.6% and 30.3% respectively).
Conclusions: The choice of kata for para-karate athletes depends on their impairment, severity of the impairment, and years of experience. Most intellectually impaired athletes individually used only one and the most challenging type of kata for them with a proven lower fast-slow ratio of movement to succeed.
Decoding public’s real-time emotional and cognitive responses to the changing climate on social media
Authors: Liao Qiuyan , Xu Yucan , YUAN Jiehu , Li Sijia 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The existing research on the associations between climate change-related events and mental well-being outcomes warrants several gaps. These studies either used a mono approach such as cross-sectional surveys or focused on clinical mental health outcomes. Moreover, the underlying mechanism channelling changing climate and real-time emotional well-being as well as their pro-environmental action were seldom studied. This study aimed to address these gaps by integrating multiple data sources, including social media posts about climate change on Weibo (n = 76,514), regional meteorological data (n(records) = 216,476), and regional vulnerability data in China. This study proposed and tested a novel mechanism linking meteorological factors and emotional well-being through three cognitive responses (thinking styles, social affiliations, and somatosensory experiences), and explored their relationships with individuals’ pro-environmental tendencies. Additionally, this study examined the moderating role of regional vulnerability and seasonal effects in the impact of climate change on public emotional well-being. The results revealed that extreme hot days and hotter temperatures were associated with more negative emotional well-being and lower pro-environmental tendencies and that these effects were mediated by individuals’ analytical-intuitive thinking style, social affiliations, and somatosensory experiences and moderated by seasons and regional population density. The implications of these findings for climate change communication and intervention were discussed, emphasizing the role of cognitive responses of the public to enhance coping abilities for climate change and promote pro-environmental behaviours.
Piloting a Community Health and Well-being Worker Model in Cornwall: a guide for implementation and spread
Authors: Tredinnick-Rowe John , Byng Richard , Brown Tamsyn , Chapman Donna 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
This paper evaluates the introduction of ten Community Health and Well-being Workers (CHWW) in four pilot sites across Cornwall. The period evaluated was from the initial start in June 2022 until June 2023, covering the project setup and implementation across a range of Primary Care Networks (PCNs) and Voluntary sector partners (VSCO).
Methods
All ten CHWWs and their managers at each site were interviewed to understand the barriers and enablers to implementation and wider learning that could be captured around the project setup. Qualitative methods were used for data collection, including semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Transcripts were thematically analysed for cross-cutting themes, as well as site-specific effects.
Results
In terms of learning, we cover the following key areas, which were of most importance to the successful implementation of the pilot:
The CHWW's were introduced into an already established, successful social prescribing (SP) system by the time the CHWW project began. CHWWs can access some of the same training and office space as SPs, with overlapping meeting schedules allowing them joint input on some topics. It seemed that all the pre-work in terms of relationships and learning about a similar role helped a rapid implementation.
Each site's CHWW management structure uses the same line management as the SPs. Roles were clustered together to remove duplication, maximise coverage and triaging of residents.
The largest barrier to overcome was integrating VSCO staff into NHS systems. Conversely, hosting CHWWs within an NHS organisation has pros and cons, namely better access to NHS data and staff, but longer lead-in time for registration on systems, and more bureaucracy for procurement/spend.
Conclusions
Looking to the future, the pilot’s success has spread the programme to the other integrated care areas in the country, with ongoing plans for further roll out and evaluation in the coming years.