bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamics of microbiome composition during anaerobic digestion of different renewable resources
Authors: Favale Nicoletta , Costa Stefania , Summa Daniela , Sabbioni Silvia , Mamolini Elisabetta , Tamburini Elena , Scapoli Chiara 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND
This study, using the whole metagenomic sequencing approach, provides an insight in the microbial dynamics that occurred during the anaerobic digestion of two crop substrates with different lignocellulose composition: cereal grains and grape pomace.
RESULTS
A total of 15 strains were identified as specifically characterising the two substrates. Among them some strains never detected in biogas reactors were identified: Clostridium isatidis, Methanothermobacter wolfeii and Methanobacter sp MB1 in cereal grains samples and Acetomicrobium hydrogeniformans, Acetomicrobium thermoterrenum in grape pomace samples.
CONCLUSIONS
The presence of bacteria as Acetomicrobium sp. and P.mucosa, involved in the degradation of lipids and protein-rich substrates, together with Methanosarcina sp. and P.bacterium 1109, able to tolerate high hydrogen pressures and high ammonia concentration derived by aminoacids degradation, suggest that a more complex syntrophic community is established in lignin-cellulose-enriched substrates; this evidence may help the development of new strategies to optimize the anaerobic digestion process of these kind of biomasses.
Uncertainty and decision-making in Critical Care: lessons from managing COVID-19 ARDS for the next pandemic
Authors: Matsumoto Kenki , Prowle John , Puthucheary Zudin , Cecconi Maurizio , Fazzini Brigitta , Malcolm Hannah , Nydahl Peter , Osman Magda , Santini Alessandro , Schaller Stefan , Thomson William , Berk Danielle van den , de Poll Marcel van , Stephens Timothy 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
COVID-19 ARDS was an emergent syndrome that led to high volumes of critically ill ventilated patients. We explored influences on decision-making regarding management of COVID-19 ARDS mechanical ventilation to identify modifiable factors to improve preparedness for future pandemics.
Methods
A systematic review of existing literature and small group interviews informed the development of an international questionnaire (UK, Italy, Germany and Netherlands) on factors influencing COVID-19 ARDS ventilation decision-making in critical care professionals.
Participants were asked to rank four high-level themes in order of importance: disease (uncertainties around COVID-19 ARDS), contextual (cognitive strain), environmental (structural logistics) and team factors. Participants also ranked the subthemes within each theme. Thematic analysis was used to derive findings from qualitative data. Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney U and Kendall’s Tau were used for quantitative data analysis.
Results
Patient factors (co-morbidities, clinical and biochemical parameters) were the most heavily studied influences in the literature on decision-making regarding organ support, whereas uncertainty was one of the least explored subthemes. In total, 371 critical care professionals from 4 professional groups in 4 countries responded to the questionnaire. Disease uncertainty (lack of applicable guidelines and unfamiliarity with pathophysiology) was ranked as the most important influence on ventilation decision-making for COVID-19 ARDS across regions, professions and experience levels. This was followed by team, then contextual, then environmental factors (p<0.001). Participants were underconfident in their decision-making (median score: 9 out of 20), and this was unaffected by experience (p=0.79) or profession (p=0.58). Higher disease certainty, however, led to increased confidence (p<0.001). Major influences on disease uncertainty were the pathophysiology and natural history of COVID-19 ARDS, information sharing and experience over time. Modifiable influences on disease uncertainty were positive team factors and resource limitations.
Conclusion
Future pandemic preparedness programmes should target modifiable influences such as information sharing, teamworking and resource limitations to mitigate against the negative influence of uncertainty and thereby improve decision-making overall.
Epidemiology of upper limb skin and soft tissue infections requiring surgical intervention in Saskatoon, Canada: A retrospective chart review
Authors: Yanko Emma J , Miller Rachel L , Ramadan Retaj H , Groot Gary , Thomson Chris 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background: Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) are a leading cause of hospital admission and engagement with the health care system amongst people who inject drugs (PWID). The current study aims to describe the epidemiology of SSTIs requiring surgical intervention in Saskatoon, Canada.
Methods: This retrospective chart review assessed patients with a primary diagnosis of upper limb SSTIs requiring surgical intervention at St. Paul’s Hospital and Royal University Hospital (Saskatoon, Canada) between January 1 and December 31, 2020.
Results: 38 eligible patients with a median age of 34 years and M:F of 21:17 were identified. 31 (81.6%) smoked cigarettes and 19 (50.0%) used intravenous drugs. A majority of SSTIs were unilateral infections involving the hand 22 (57.9%) or upper arm 11 (28.9%). Ten (26.3%) patients had a prior SSTI requiring surgical management. Necrotizing fasciitis was diagnosed in 7 (18.4%) patients, two of which, required amputation of the affected hand or arm. The median length of hospital stay was 6 days (IQR: 4 – 14.5). Ten patients left the hospital against medical advice, before completion of treatment; of these patients, 8 (80.0%) were PWID.
Conclusion: Harm reduction strategies may help address the rising incidence and recurrence of SSTIs in the injection drug use population. Involvement of addiction services and social work during hospital admission may reduce the rate of patient-directed discharge, facilitating the completion of treatment. Furthermore, increased access to needle exchange programs in the community may reduce the number of SSTIs caused by contaminated injection equipment in the PWID population.
Dermatology Education in U.S. Ophthalmology Residency: A Survey of the Program Directors
Authors: Fan Winnie , Nekoonam Rojina , Ramanathan Saras , Twigg Amanda 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Many ocular conditions have associated dermatological findings. However, the inclusion of dermatology education in U.S. Ophthalmology residency programs remains limited. This study aims to characterize dermatology education in U.S. ophthalmology residency programs through the opinions of program directors (PDs).
Method
The authors designed and electronically distributed a national survey in August 2022 to PDs of 124 ophthalmology residency programs. The survey instruments examined the availability and characteristics of dermatology rotation, the PDs’ perceptions of such rotation, and their perspectives on trainees’ dermatology knowledge. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize survey responses. Sample t-tests were used to compare responses between PDs from programs with and without dermatology rotation.
Results
49 PDs (39.5%) responded to the survey. Most programs (n = 27 [61.4%]) did not offer dermatology rotations and, of these programs, most (n = 15 [83.3%]) did not consider increasing dermatology exposure important. 57.1% (n = 8) of PDs at residency programs with dermatology rotation considered such education beneficial for their trainees. PDs at programs with dermatology rotation rated their residents to be more comfortable with shave biopsy than those from programs without (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Dermatology rotations were uncommon among U.S. ophthalmology residencies. Perceptions towards dermatology education varied among PDs, with those from programs with dermatology rotation expressing more favorable opinions.
EC-Conf: A ultra-fast diffusion model for molecular conformation generation with equivariant consistency
Authors: Fan Zhiguang , Yang Yuedong , Xu Mingyuan , Chen Hongming 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Despite recent advancement in 3D molecule conformation generation driven by diffusion models, its high computational cost in iterative diffusion/denoising process limits its application. Here, an equivariant consistency model (EC-Conf) was proposed as a fast diffusion method for low-energy conformation generation. In EC-Conf, a modified SE (3)-equivariant transformer model was directly used to encode the Cartesian molecular conformations and a highly efficient consistency diffusion process was carried out to generate molecular conformations. It was demonstrated that, with only one sampling step, it can already achieve comparable quality to other diffusion-based models running with thousands denoising steps. Its performance can be further improved with a few more sampling iterations. The performance of EC-Conf is evaluated on both GEOM-QM9 and GEOM-Drugs sets. Our results demonstrate that the efficiency of EC-Conf for learning the distribution of low energy molecular conformation is at least two magnitudes higher than current SOTA diffusion models and could potentially become a useful tool for conformation generation and sampling.
Study on pyrolysis law of shale gas oil-based drilling cuttings : kinetics and product characteristics
Authors: Liu Pu , Li wei , T Ruifeng , Zhongbin LIU , Zhang Bi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
oil-based cuttings(OBDC)is a typical hazardous waste produced in the process of shale gas field development, and pyrolysis has been proved to be an effective treatment method, that can recover the harmful components and achieve resource reuse. In this paper, thermogravimetric experiments were carried out to study the pyrolysis kinetics, and the effects of pyrolysis temperature on the gas phase yield, oil quality and solid phase heavy metal migration were analyzed. The results show that the pyrolysis of OBDC is divided into three stages, and the light hydrocarbon cracking stage is the key control step of the pyrolysis process. In addition, the maximum weight loss rate of the sample with high heating rate appears at a higher temperature. Friedman (FM), Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), Starink conversion methods can well fit the weight loss curve, and the estimated average activation energy is 185.5,184.16,166.17 and 176.03 kJ / mol, respectively. The estimated values are close and more accurate. The activation energy increases with the deepening of the reaction process. The solid phase products after pyrolysis accounted for more than 70% of the main products. The pyrolysis temperature had a great influence on the liquid phase yield, and the oil phase yield decreased by 1.17% from 450°C to 500°C. In the recovered mineral oil before and after pyrolysis: C15 ~ C28 pyrolysis C10 ~ C14 increased by 2.89%, C15 ~ C28 volatilization decreased by 3.26%, and high temperature aging increased C29 ~ C36 by 0.63%; aromatic hydrocarbons, as the coking parent, change from low ring to high ring. In addition, the content of heavy metals in the residue increased after pyrolysis, and more heavy metals were enriched in the residue. This study is helpful for the solidification of heavy metals and the recycling of solid waste, which is conducive to reducing energy and resource consumption and improving the processing technology of production.
JCPyV Infection is Highly Prevalent in UTUC: Implications for Oncogenic Factors and Pathological Staging
Authors: Chao Chun‐Nun , Hung Chi-Feng , Lai Wei‑Hong , Tung Chun-Liang , Yeh Wan-Yun , Yang Kai-Wu , Wang Meilin , Lai Ya-Yan , Chen Pei-Lain , Shen Cheng-Huang 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a subtype of urothelial carcinoma that shares similarities with bladder cancer but is more aggressive. Human polyomaviruses (HPyVs) have been found in UTUC; however, the association of the viral large T antigen (LT) protein and the tumor suppressor protein, p53, post-infection with the clinical characteristics of UTUC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of the JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) and BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) in UTUC and their correlation with cancer progression among the southwest Taiwanese population from 2020 to 2022.
Methods
A total of 72 paraffin-embedded UTUC tissue samples and 41 adjacent normal tissue samples were collected from 72 patients. Nested polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used to detect viral DNA and genotypes. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of early protein LT and cellular p53 protein.
Results
The overall prevalence of HPyVs was higher in UTUC samples than in normal tissue samples (65.3% [47/72] vs 17.1% [7/41]). Among the UTUC samples with HPyVs, JCPyV and BKPyV were detected in 62.5% (45/47) and 2.8% (2/47) of the samples, respectively. JCPyV-TW-3 was the predominant strain of JCPyV infection. In UTUC samples, the LT protein positivity rate was 65.3%, and the p53 protein was prevalent in 45.8%. JCPyV infection increased the risk of UTUC by 9.13-fold, and this increased by another 9.13-fold with LT protein expression. The risk of UTUC was higher by 7.83-fold in those with p53 expression and by 8.58-fold in those with co-expression of LT and p53. Compared with males, females had a 5.19-fold higher probability for both JCPyV infection and LT expression. The probability of LT and p53 co-expression was 4.15-fold higher in females. Patients aged ≥ 65 years had a 2.98-fold higher probability of p53 expression. In the advanced stages, the probability of virus-induced LT expression was 3.18-fold higher, and the probability of LT and p53 co-expression was 2.86-fold higher.
Conclusions
JCPyV infection is highly prevalent in UTUC, and the concurrent high expression of LT and p53 can be a useful biomarker for treatment and prognosis.
Physiological Impact of N95 Masks on Obese Operating Room Staff: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Authors: 犬牙 川宇 , 钡 燕哲 , 高 袁磊 , 刘 余 , 杨 绍中 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Obesity and mask both may increase the cardiopulmonary burden on medical staff. The physiological impact of surgical masks (SMs) and N95 masks on obese operating room staff remains uncertain. This study aimed to determine whether wearing N95 masks for 4 hours significantly affected physiological indices in obese medical staff compared to surgical masks (SMs).
Methods
In this randomized controlled two-phase crossover trial, the physiological impacts of wearing SMs and N95 masks for 4 hours was analysed among 20 obese operating room staff. The primary outcome was the change in venous carbon dioxide partial pressure (PvCO2) levels at 4-hour intervention. Secondary outcomes included venous oxygen pressure (PvO2), bicarbonate (HCO3−) and pH levels at 4-hour intervention, end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (PetCO2), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate (RR), pulse rate (PR) and blood pressure (BP) at immediately, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, and 4 h after mask wear. Dyspnoea, palpitations, headache were assessed with the visual analogue scale (VAS) score. Linear mixed models were used for comparative analysis.
Results
Twenty participants (age 32.2 [6.0] years; BMI 32.8 [2.1] kg/m2; 45% female) completed the study. Compared with the no-mask condition, both SM and N95 masks wearing for 4 hours caused PvCO2, HCO3−, PetCO2, and RR levels increased slightly in obese operating room staff. N95 masks had a statistically significant rather than clinically significant impact on PvCO2 (mean [95% CI], 1.4 [0.8, 1.9], P < 0.001) and RR (0.6 [0.1, 1.1)], P = 0.023) compared with SM. There was no significant difference between the two types of masks in terms of PvO2, pH, SpO2, PR, and BP. The three subjective VAS scores gradually increased over wear time. After more than 2 hours, the N95 group showed significantly increased than SM group.
Conclusion
Obese operating room staff continuously wearing SM or N95 masks 4 hours showed almost no difference in physiological impacts. It is recommended to wear N95 masks under high-risk conditions for better protection.
Clinical trial registration: NCT05950256.
Synthesis and molecular docking of novel indazole derivatives with DFT studies
Authors: Gopi Bandaru , Vijayakumar Vijayaparthasarathi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
A series of 3-carboxamide indazoles (8a-8z) has been synthesized using an amide coupling technique. The derivatives were described using various spectroscopic methods such as 1H NMR, 13C NMR, IR, MASS spectral data. Density function theory (DFT) calculations revealed that compounds 8a, 8c, and 8s had the largest energy gaps among all the compounds. The study also included testing of AutoDock4 and the graphical user interface of Auto-Dock Tools, which identified three derivatives—8v, 8w, and 8y—with the maximum binding energy.
Role of TRPC6 in apoptosis of skeletal muscle ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Xie Dong-Ge , Li Jun-Hao , Zhong Yun-Long , Han Han , Zhang Jia-Ji , Zhang Zhong-Qing , Li Shou-Tian 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Skeletal muscle ischaemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a prevalent condition encountered in clinical practice, characterised by muscular dystrophy. Owing to limited treatment options and poor prognosis, it can lead to movement impairments, tissue damage, and disability. This study aimed to determine and verify the influence of transient receptor potential canonical 6 (TRPC6) on skeletal muscle IRI, and to explore the role of TRPC6 in the occurrence of skeletal muscle IRI and the signal transduction pathways activated by TRPC6 to provide novel insights for the treatment and intervention of skeletal muscle IRI.
Methods
In vivo ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) and in vitro hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) models were established, and data were comprehensively analysed at histopathological, cellular, and molecular levels, along with the evaluation of the exercise capacity in mice.
Results
By comparing TRPC6 knockout mice with wild-type mice, we found that TRPC6 knockout of TRPC6 could reduced skeletal muscle injury after I/R or H/R, of skeletal muscle, so as therebyto restoringe some exercise capacity inof mice. TRPC6 knockdown can reduced Ca2+ overload in cells, therebyo reducinge apoptosis. In additionAdditionally,, we also found that TRPC6 functionsis not only a key ion channel involved in skeletal muscle IRII/R injury, but also can affects Ca2+ levels and then phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) signalling pathway. by knocking downTherefore, knockdown of TRPC6, so as to alleviated the injury inducedcaused by skeletal muscle I/R or and H/R.
Conclusions
These findingsdata indicate that the presence of TRPC6 exacerbatescan aggravate the injury of skeletal muscle injury after I/Rischemia/reperfusion, leading towhich not only causes Ca2+ overload and apoptosis., Additionally, it impairsbut also reduces the self- repair ability of cells by inhibiting the expression of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway. ETo exploringe the function and role of TRPC6 in skeletal muscle maycan presentprovide a novelew approachidea for the treatment of skeletal muscle IRIischemia/reperfusion injury.
A cross-sectional survey to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding genetic disorders and testing among non-genetic clinicians of Armed Forces, India
Authors: Das Gourab , Kumar Pramod , Chauhan Lakshita , Kumar Amit , Dwivedi Aradhana 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Field of genetics is undergoing rapid advances, with availability of multiple genetic tests in clinical practice. Patients with genetic disorders are mostly attended by non-genetic clinicians. Sufficient knowledge about genetics amongst non-genetic clinicians is required for good clinical practice. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices regarding genetic disorders and testing among non genetic clinicians of Armed Forces, India. An online survey of non genetic clinicians of Indian Armed Forces was conducted followed by statistical analysis. Total 262 non-genetic clinicians took part in this survey. Most respondents are well aware of genetic disorders, need for genetic testing and counseling. However, non-geneticist clinicians find it difficult to choose appropriate genetic tests. Moreover, most of the respondents are not versed with advances in the field viz. next generation sequencing technologies etc. Similar to other regions worldwide, there exist a gap in knowledge of genetic disorders and testing amongst non genetic clinicians. The gap further hampers the best clinical practices.
Performance Analysis of RIS-assisted 6G Vehicular Networks with NOMA under Diverse Channel Conditions
Authors: Shah Hetal , Patel Dhaval , Thumar Vinay , Ding Zhiguo , Sun Sumei 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

The evolution of vehicular networks towards sixth-generation (6G) applications necessitates meeting the stringent requirements of low latency, high spectrum efficiency, and ubiquitous connectivity. This paper proposes leveraging re-configurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) in tandem with non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) as a promising solution to address these demands. We investigate the performance of NOMA in RIS-assisted vehicular networks from both theoretical and practical perspectives under diverse channel conditions including line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS). Conventionally, the performance of vehicular networks has been evaluated by assuming that the channels between the BS, RIS, and vehicles are identically distributed, which is not realistic in practice. Therefore, this paper evaluates the outage probability , ergodic rate, and sum rate performance of RIS-enabled vehicular NOMA networks over independent but not identically distributed (i.n.i.d) Nakagami-m 1 fading channels. Analytical expressions for the cumulative distribution function of LOS and NLOS channels from the BS to the RIS and from the RIS to the vehicles are derived by taking into consideration the i.n.i.d channel characteristics. The obtained channel characteristics are then used to procure closed-form expressions for the outage probability and ergodic capacity as well as simplify the expressions of the outage probability and ergodic capacity for asymptotic analysis at a high signal-to-noise ratio. The presented analytical and simulation results demonstrate that incorporating RIS with a higher number of reflecting elements can significantly improve the outage and rate performance of vehicular networks.