bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Treatment of Idiopathic Erectile Dysfunction in Men with the Opiate Antagonist Naltrexone—A Double‐Blind Study
Authors: BRENNEMANN W. , STITZ B. , Van AHLEN H. , BRENSING K. A. , KLINGMÜLLER D. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT Opiate antagonists can indirectly stimulate the secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone, as well as sexual functions in animals and humans. We therefore treated 20 otherwise healthy men with idiopathic erectile dysfunction aged 46.3 ± 2.7 years (mean ± SE, range 23.9–63.3) in a double‐blind study with an opiate antagonist, naltrexone, or placebo. The erectile dysfunction of these men had persisted for 3.6 ± 0.5 years despite libido maintenance; standard procedures had excluded any organic causes. Trial duration was 12 weeks overall. After a 4‐week forerun, the patients received at first 25 mg naltrexone/day orally or placebo for 4 weeks followed by 4 weeks of a 50‐mg dose of naltrexone/day or placebo. Each day the patients filled out a questionnaire detailing libido, degree of erection, frequency of sexual intercourse, and spontaneous morning erections. Serum concentrations of gonadotropins and testosterone were determined radioimmunologically in the initial stage and at the end of each phase. Both patient collectives had similar initial factors. The group treated with naltrexone showed a significant rise in spontaneous early morning erections during the treatment: from 2.8 ± 0.3 to 4.2 ± 0.3 a week (P < 0.001). The placebo group showed no significant change in spontaneous erections (2.4 ± 0.3 and 2.6 ± 0.3, respectively). The subjective parameters, however, such as libido, degree of erection, and frequency of sexual intercourse showed no significant difference within each group. There was no difference in LH, follicle‐stimulating hormone, or testosterone concentrations in both groups.Thus, treatment with naltrexone significantly raises the rate of spontaneous early morning erections when compared to controls. Other parameters, especially those of the frequency of sexual intercourse, were not significantly influenced by the dosage of the administered opiate antagonist The significance of the naltrexone‐induced rise in spontaneous morning erections requires more evaluation in a greater collective of patients with idiopathic erectile dysfunction.
A Review of Testicular Intratubular Germ Cell Neoplasia in Infertile Men
Authors: Bettocchi Carlo , Coker Charles B. , Deacon Judy , Parkinson Constance , Pryor John P. 
Published: October 2023

ABSTRACT: A group of 2,739 infertile men whose testes were biopsied during the investigation of infertility in the period from January 1955 to December 1992 have been reviewed. Unilateral intratubular germ cell neoplasia was seen in the testicular biopsies of 16 patients and was always associated with testicular atrophy (Johnsen score lower than 4). Germ cell tumors of the testis occurred in 50% of untreated patients within 6 years and the longest period of tumorfree follow‐up was 10 years. A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the incidence of tumors in a subset of 1,639 infertile men biopsied between 1955 and 1982. Three of the patients, without intratubular germ cell neoplasia on the biopsy, were found to have developed a germ cell tumor.The incidence and management of intratubular germ cell neoplasia in infertile men is discussed.
Learning organo‐transition metal catalyzed reactions by graph neural networks
Authors: Sakai Motoji , Kaneshige Mitsunori , Yasuda Koji 
Published: October 2023

AbstractChemical reaction outcome prediction presents a fundamental challenge in synthetic chemistry. Most existing machine learning (ML) approaches focus on chemical reactions of typical elements. We developed a simple ML model focused on organo‐transition metal‐catalyzed reactions (OMCRs). Instead of overall reactions observed in experiments, we let the ML model learn the sequence of simplified elementary reactions. This drastically reduced the complexity of the model and helped it find common patterns from distinct reactions. We let a graph neural network learn the reactivity index of a pair of atoms. The model was able to learn a wide variety of OMCRs, and the accuracy of reaction prediction reached 97%, even though the model has extremely fewer learnable parameters than other standards. The learned reactivity indices of bonds nicely summarize the knowledge of reactions in the dataset.
Detection of homogentisic acid by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Tokuhara Yasunori , Ohara Kazuaki , Morinishi Tatsuya , Yamaguchi Kentaro , Tada Satoshi 
Published: October 2023

AbstractObjectiveHomogentisic acid (HGA) is excreted in excessive amounts in the urine of patients with alkaptonuria, which is a hereditary metabolic disorder of phenylalanine and tyrosine. Therefore, the detection of HGA in urine is useful for the diagnosis of alkaptonuria. To evaluate the detection of HGA, we confirmed the color shift of HGA solutions and analyzed them by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI‐MS).MethodsWe observed the color change of the HGA solutions under different pH conditions (pH 6.0, 7.0, and 8.0) and examined the influences of adding potassium hydroxide (KOH) and ascorbic acid (AA) to the HGA solutions. Then, we analyzed the chemical reaction in HGA solutions using ESI‐MS.ResultsThe HGA solution at pH 8.0 became brown after incubation at room temperature for 24 h and became darker brown with the addition of KOH; however, HGA solutions at pH 6.0 and 7.0 showed no color changes. The brown color change of the HGA solution at pH 8.0 was also inhibited by AA. Moreover, all HGA sample solutions showed the deprotonated molecular ion peak at m/z 167.035 in the negative ion mode after incubation at room temperature for 24 h and with the addition of KOH and AA.ConclusionWe identified the molecular ion of HGA in all sample solutions by ESI‐MS, regardless of different pH conditions, color changes, or the presence of AA. These results suggest that spectral analysis by ESI‐MS is suitable for the detection of HGA and the diagnosis of alkaptonuria.
Differential effects of Western diet and traumatic muscle injury on skeletal muscle metabolic regulation in male and female mice
Authors: Heo Junwon , Schifino Albino G. , McFaline‐Figueroa Jennifer , Miller David L. , Hoffman Jessica R. , Noble Emily E. , Greising Sarah M. , Call Jarrod A. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundThis study was designed to develop an understanding of the pathophysiology of traumatic muscle injury in the context of Western diet (WD; high fat and high sugar) and obesity. The objective was to interrogate the combination of WD and injury on skeletal muscle mass and contractile and metabolic function.MethodsMale and female C57BL/6J mice were randomized into four groups based on a two‐factor study design: (1) injury (uninjured vs. volumetric muscle loss [VML]) and (2) diet (WD vs. normal chow [NC]). Electrophysiology was used to test muscle strength and metabolic function in cohorts of uninjured + NC, uninjured + WD, VML + NC and VML + WD at 8 weeks of intervention.ResultsVML‐injured male and female mice both exhibited decrements in muscle mass (−17%, P < 0.001) and muscle strength (−28%, P < 0.001); however, VML + WD females had a 28% greater muscle mass compared to VML + NC females (P = 0.034), a compensatory response not detected in males. VML‐injured male and female mice both had lower carbohydrate‐ and fat‐supported muscle mitochondrial respiration (JO2) and less electron conductance through the electron transport system (ETS); however, male VML–WD had 48% lower carbohydrate‐supported JO2 (P = 0.014) and 47% less carbohydrate‐supported electron conductance (P = 0.026) compared to male VML + NC, and this diet–injury phenotype was not present in females. ETS electron conductance starts with complex I and complex II dehydrogenase enzymes at the inner mitochondrial membrane, and male VML + WD had 31% less complex I activity (P = 0.004) and 43% less complex II activity (P = 0.005) compared to male VML + NC. This was a diet–injury phenotype not present in females. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), β‐hydroxyacyl‐CoA dehydrogenase, citrate synthase, α‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and malate dehydrogenase metabolic enzyme activities were evaluated as potential drivers of impaired JO2 in the context of diet and injury. There were notable male and female differential effects in the enzyme activity and post‐translational regulation of PDH. PDH enzyme activity was 24% less in VML‐injured males, independent of diet (P < 0.001), but PDH enzyme activity was not influenced by injury in females. PDH enzyme activity is inhibited by phosphorylation at serine‐293 by PDH kinase 4 (PDK4). In males, there was greater total PDH, phospho‐PDHser293 and phospho‐PDH‐to‐total PDH ratio in WD mice compared to NC, independent of injury (P ≤ 0.041). In females, PDK4 was 51% greater in WD compared to NC, independent of injury (P = 0.025), and was complemented by greater phospho‐PDHser293 (P = 0.001).ConclusionsMales are more susceptible to muscle metabolic dysfunction in the context of combined WD and traumatic injury compared to females, and this may be due to impaired metabolic enzyme functions.
Microfluidic‐based nanoemulsion of Ocimum basilicum extract: Constituents, stability, characterization, and potential biomedical applications for improved antimicrobial and anticancer properties
Authors: Ahmad Irfan , Al‐dolaimy F. , Kzar Mazin Hadi , Kareem Ashwaq Talib , Mizal Thair L. , Omran Aisha A. , Alazbjee Adeeb Abdulally Abdulhussien , Obaidur Rab Safia , Eskandar Mamdoh , Alawadi Ahmed Hussien , Alsalamy Ali 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis paper reports on the findings from a study that aimed to identify and characterize the constituents of Ocimum basilicum extract using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis, as well as assess the physicochemical properties and stability of nanoemulsions formulated with O. basilicum extract. The GC–MS analysis revealed that the O. basilicum extract contained 22 components, with Caryophyllene and Naringenin identified as the primary active constituents. The nanoemulsion formulation demonstrated excellent potential for use in the biomedical field, with a small and uniform particle size distribution, a negative zeta potential, and high encapsulation efficiency for the O. basilicum extract. The nanoemulsions exhibited spherical morphology and remained physically stable for up to 6 months. In vitro release studies indicated sustained release of the extract from the nanoemulsion formulation compared to the free extract solution. Furthermore, the developed nanoformulation exhibited enhanced anticancer properties against K562 cells while demonstrating low toxicity in normal cells (HEK293). The O. basilicum extract demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, and Staphylococcus epidermidis, with a potential synergistic effect observed when combined with the nanoemulsion. These findings contribute to the understanding of the constituents and potential applications of O. basilicum extract and its nanoemulsion formulation in various fields, including healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Further optimization and research are necessary to maximize the efficacy and antimicrobial activity of the extract and its nanoformulation.Research Highlights
This study characterized the constituents of O. basilicum extract and assessed the physicochemical properties and stability of its nanoemulsion formulation.
The O. basilicum extract contained 22 components, with Caryophyllene and Naringenin identified as the primary active constituents.
The nanoemulsion formulation demonstrated excellent potential for biomedical applications, with sustained release of the extract, low toxicity, and enhanced anticancer and antimicrobial properties.
The findings contribute to the understanding of the potential applications of O. basilicum extract and its nanoemulsion formulation in healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, highlighting the need for further optimization and research.
Psychosocial issues of individuals undergoing surveillance for increased risk of melanoma and pancreatic cancer due to a germline CDKN2A variant: A focus group study
Authors: Klatte Derk C. F. , Onnekink Anke M. , Hinnen Chris , van Doorn Remco , Potjer Thomas P. , van Leerdam Monique E. , Bleiker Eveline M. A. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIndividuals with a germline CDKN2A pathogenic variant (PV) are at high risk of developing melanoma and pancreatic cancer and are therefore offered surveillance. The potential advantages and disadvantages associated with genetic testing and surveillance are discussed during medical counseling, although little is known about the associated psychosocial factors that are relevant to this population. This study sought to provide a qualitative exploration of psychosocial factors related to genetic testing and participation in skin and pancreatic surveillance in (potential) carriers of a CDKN2A PV. Fifteen individuals—both at‐risk individuals and confirmed variant carriers—participated in one of the three online focus groups. Pre‐defined discussion topics, including genetic testing, cancer surveillance, influence on lifestyle and family planning, were discussed. Patients reported that important reasons to engage in genetic testing included the possibility to participate in surveillance to gain control over their cancer risk and to get clarification on the potential carrier status of their children. We observed considerable differences in risk perception and experienced burden of surveillance. Knowledge of the PV has had a positive influence on lifestyle factors and altered attitudes toward life in some. Most participants were not aware of preimplantation genetic testing. This focus group study provided insight into a variety of psychosocial themes related to (potential) carriership of a CDKN2A PV. Future efforts should focus on identifying those who may benefit from additional psychosocial support, development of a centralized source of information, and assessing the knowledge, needs, and timing of counseling for family planning.
Dietary restriction after cold snare polypectomy of colorectal polyp for prevention of delayed bleeding
Authors: Mochida Kentaro , Ishibashi Fumiaki , Suzuki Sho , Saito Daisuke , Kawakami Tomohiro , Kobayashi Konomi , Nagai Mizuki , Morishita Tetsuo 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackground and AimCold snare polypectomy (CSP) for small colorectal polyps is a safe technique; however, there is little evidence on whether dietary restriction after CSP is essential. This study aimed to determine whether dietary restriction after CSP is necessary to prevent delayed bleeding.MethodsThis is a randomized, controlled, non‐inferiority trial conducted between November 2021 and March 2022. Patients with non‐pedunculated small colorectal polyps (<10 mm) and who did not take anticoagulants were randomly allocated to two groups: (i) the normal diet (ND) group, and (ii) the low‐residue diet (LRD) group. The ND group was instructed to eat anything after CSP, whereas the LRD group was advised to take LRD for 3 days after CSP. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of delayed major bleeding that needed endoscopic hemostasis.ResultsA total of 193 patients (average 57.5 years old, 51.9% male) were enrolled in the study. Subsequently, 97 and 96 patients were allocated to the ND and LRD group, respectively. The occurrence of delayed major bleeding was 1.0% in the ND group and 2.1% in the LRD group (95% confidence interval [CI]: −4.4% to 2.4%; difference: −1.1%), which showed the non‐inferiority of the ND group. In addition, there was no difference between the two groups with respect to the occurrence of minor delayed bleeding (3.1% and 4.2%, respectively; difference: −1.1% [95% CI: −6.4% to 4.2%]).ConclusionDietary restriction after CSP for low‐bleeding‐risk colorectal polyps is not necessary for the prevention of delayed bleeding (Registration number: UMIN000045669).
Characterization of B‐cell receptor clonality and immunoglobulin gene usage at multiple time points during active SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Arons Evgeny , Henry Kiersten , Haas Christopher , Gould Mory , Tsintolas Jack , Mauter Jack , Zhou Hong , Burbelo Peter D. , Cohen Jeffrey I. , Kreitman Robert J. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAlthough monoclonal antibodies to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) are known, B‐cell receptor repertoire and its change in patients during coronavirus disease‐2019 (COVID‐19) progression is underreported. We aimed to study this molecularly. We used immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) variable region (IGHV) spectratyping and next‐generation sequencing of peripheral blood B‐cell genomic DNA collected at multiple time points during disease evolution to study B‐cell response to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in 14 individuals with acute COVID‐19. We found a broad distribution of responding B‐cell clones. The IGH gene usage was not significantly skewed but frequencies of individual IGH genes changed repeatedly. We found predominant usage of unmutated and low mutation‐loaded IGHV rearrangements characterizing naïve and extrafollicular B cells among the majority of expanded peripheral B‐cell clonal lineages at most tested time points in most patients. IGH rearrangement usage showed no apparent relation to anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody titers. Some patients demonstrated mono/oligoclonal populations carrying highly mutated IGHV rearrangements indicating antigen experience at some of the time points tested, including even before anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies were detected. We present evidence demonstrating that the B‐cell response to SARS‐CoV‐2 is individual and includes different lineages of B cells at various time points during COVID‐19 progression.
Influence of geomagnetic activity on the southern atmosphere and its cross‐seasonal association with SAM
Authors: Luo Guining , Qin Jun , Huang Sijing , Wang Yajuan , Mbululo Yassin 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis study investigates the interannual cross‐seasonal association between the winter energetic particle precipitation, which is related to the geomagnetic activity (GA), and the southern annular mode (SAM) in the following summer by employing the ERA5 reanalysis dataset. The results reveal a marked negative correlation between these variables on an interannual timescale. Therefore, we analyse the GA signatures in the southern atmosphere and find that the evolution of SAM to the negative phase driven by GA may be caused by the following two mechanisms: First, for high GA levels, the middle and lower stratospheric polar vortex becomes weaker from October to November, with considerable changes in the stratospheric thermal structure and more anomalous planetary wave upwelling, accompanied by weakening of the circumpolar westerly. Over time, the anomalous signal from the upper layer can be transmitted downward and is conducive to inducing and strengthening the negative SAM in the following summer, which may serve as the stratospheric pathway for the geomagnetic impact on the SAM and Southern Hemisphere (SH) climate. Second, another possible way is that the preceding GA also appreciably regulates negative anomalies in the Ferrel circulation in SH, implying poleward anomalies in the direction of the pressure gradient, which promotes the development and enhancement of the negative phase of the SAM. In addition, easterly quasi‐biennial oscillation conditioning plays a positive role in the response of the southern atmosphere to geomagnetic forcing, thereby strengthening the connection between them.
Novel hybrid ravine vulnerability index‐based identification of potential reclamation zones for Western India
Authors: Singh Gaurav , Dinesh D. , Moharana P. C. , Singh R. S. , Kar Saswat Kumar , Kakade Vijay , Jinger Dinesh , Singh A. K. , Kumar Raj , Bhatnagar P. R. , Kumar Gopal , Madhu M. , Tailor B. L. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe ravine is often regarded as the worst instance of how water erosion is causing land deterioration. The farmers' livelihoods are often threatened by the ravine's expansion into the surrounding 50 m buffer zone, leaving them with no choice except to work as landless workers. Due to the high expense of ravine restoration, it is not economically possible to begin the process of reclamation in all of the ravine lands at once. As a result, it is necessary to recognize the prospective regions to bring in reclamation activities. In this work, the ravine vulnerability index for the Mahi ravine in Western India was developed using a cutting‐edge hybrid methodology. For the development of the ravine vulnerability index, it was determined that the sand, silt, clay, organic carbon, soil erodibility factor, slope, stream power index, topographic wetness index, sediment transport index, and cover factor were crucial components. Weights were applied to various parameters based on the perceived significance of each parameter in relation to another in the decision matrix of the analytical hierarchical process. The number of iterations made to reach a consistency ratio of under 10% to determine the final priority weights for each parameter. The sediment transport index had the lowest priority weight (1.4), whereas the sand had the highest priority weight (28.5). For reclamation purposes, the prospective active zones inside the designated ravine's 50‐m buffer zone, which covered an area of 63,031 acres, were determined. According to the ground truth‐validated ravine vulnerability index, possible reclamation zones were found in the 16,703 ha (26.50%) region of Mahi ravine, which was given extremely high priority. As per the Mahi ravine's land capacity classification, 20,275 ha (32.16%) of it is arable land, and 18,687 ha (29.65%) of it is non‐arable land that is ideal for soil and water conservation treatments.
Green Synthesis of UV‐Reactive Polycarbonates from Levoglucosenone and 5‐Hydroxymethyl Furfural
Authors: Kayishaer Aihemaiti , Annatelli Mattia , Hansom Chloe M , Mouterde Louis M. M. , Peru Aurélien A. M. , Aricò Fabio , Allais Florent , Fadlallah Sami 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThis study focuses on the synthesis of fully renewable polycarbonates (PCs) starting from cellulose‐based platform molecules levoglucosenone (LGO) and 2,5‐bis(hydroxymethyl)furan (BHMF). These unique bio‐based PCs are obtained through the reaction of a citronellol‐containing triol (Triol‐citro) derived from LGO, with a dimethyl carbonate derivative of BHMF (BHMF‐DC). Solvent‐free polymerizations are targeted to minimize waste generation and promote an eco‐friendly approach with a favorable environmental factor (E‐factor). The choice of metal catalyst during polymerization significantly influences the polymer properties, resulting in high molecular weight (up to 755 kDa) when Na2CO3 is employed as an inexpensive catalyst. Characterization using nuclear magnetic resonance confirms the successful incorporation of the furan ring and the retention of the terminal double bond of the citronellol pendant chain. Furthermore, under UV irradiation, the presence of both citronellol and furanic moieties induces singular structural changes, triggering the formation of three distinct structures within the polymer network, a phenomenon herein occurs for the first time in this type of polymer. These findings pave the way to new functional materials prepared from renewable monomers with tunable properties.