bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular Characterisation of Gut Bacteria in Wista Rat After Green Tea Consumption
Authors: Emmanuel Joyce Uweh , Nkemkanma Agi Vivian , Constancy Aleru Prisca 
Published: December 2023

Green tea can influence the gut bacteria by either stimulating or hindering the growth of specific species. This experimental study was carried out in Rivers State, Nigeria to molecularly characterize gut bacteria in Wista rats after green tea consumption. Twenty-five (25) rats divided into five groups were used; each group had five (5) rats having an average weight range of 70g – 130g. After acclimatization of 2 weeks, groups (2, 3, 4 & 5) were feed with green tea extract based on standard method using oral gavage with rat feed pellet and water for seven (7) days and fourteen (14) days respectively based on their body weights and group 1 (control) was fed with rat feed pellet and water only for same duration and their weights recorded. Stool samples were collected aseptically by pulling from each group into sterile stool sample bottles and sent to the laboratory for immediate analysis. Conventional microbiological methods of culturing and molecular methods were utilized for identification of isolates, total heterotrophic plate count and antibiotic susceptibility were also done. The data from this study were analysed using SPSS version 23, to survey difference in gut bacterial count of wista rats after fed with green tea, rat weight across the study groups, and the values were expressed as mean ± SD at a 5% alpha level. The study reported a statistical difference in bacterial plate count at (P≤0.05) in Groups 2, 3, 4, and 5 after 14 Days of Acclimatization, after 7 days of Treatment and after further 14 Days of Treatment. Group 1 showed no statistical significance at P=0.212. Furthermore, there was significant difference in weight comparison at (P≤0.05) in rats contained in all groups after 7 days and after further 14 days of treatment, rats in group 1 showed weight gain. There was weight loss in all the treatment groups (2 ,3, 4, and 5). Antibiotic-resistant assay pattern of the isolates showed multiple drugs resistance to all the antibiotics used with Bacillus and Enterobacter being the most resistant isolates. The molecular characterization and identification of the isolates revealed close relatedness to Staphylococcus arlettae, Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter cancerogenus, Acinetobacter nosocomialis, Comamonas testosterone, Klebsiella veriicola, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus cereus, it showed that the molecular technique proved to be more specific and accurate than the convectional technique in the identification and characterization of the isolates. Also, the gut bacterial count of the rats that were treated with the tea were significantly raised indicating that the tea has the potential to influence the abundance and diversity of gut bacteria. As seen in this study, molecular characterisation of gut bacteria identifies bacteria upto their specie level and they are influenced by diet.
Residential Structural Racism and Prevalence of Chronic Health Conditions
Authors: Mohottige Dinushika , Davenport Clemontina A. , Bhavsar Nrupen , Schappe Tyler , Lyn Michelle J. , Maxson Pamela , Johnson Fred , Planey Arrianna M. , McElroy Lisa M. , Wang Virginia , Cabacungan Ashley N. , Ephraim Patti , Lantos Paul , Peskoe Sarah , Lunyera Joseph , Bentley-Edwards Keisha , Diamantidis Clarissa J. , Reich Brian , Boulware L. Ebony 
Published: December 2023

ImportanceStudies elucidating determinants of residential neighborhood–level health inequities are needed.ObjectiveTo quantify associations of structural racism indicators with neighborhood prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes, and hypertension.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis cross-sectional study used public data (2012-2018) and deidentified electronic health records (2017-2018) to describe the burden of structural racism and the prevalence of CKD, diabetes, and hypertension in 150 residential neighborhoods in Durham County, North Carolina, from US census block groups and quantified their associations using bayesian models accounting for spatial correlations and residents’ age. Data were analyzed from January 2021 to May 2023.ExposuresGlobal (neighborhood percentage of White residents, economic-racial segregation, and area deprivation) and discrete (neighborhood child care centers, bus stops, tree cover, reported violent crime, impervious areas, evictions, election participation, income, poverty, education, unemployment, health insurance coverage, and police shootings) indicators of structural racism.Main Outcomes and MeasuresOutcomes of interest were neighborhood prevalence of CKD, diabetes, and hypertension.ResultsA total of 150 neighborhoods with a median (IQR) of 1708 (1109-2489) residents; median (IQR) of 2% (0%-6%) Asian residents, 30% (16%-56%) Black residents, 10% (4%-20%) Hispanic or Latino residents, 0% (0%-1%) Indigenous residents, and 44% (18%-70%) White residents; and median (IQR) residential income of $54 531 ($37 729.25-$78 895.25) were included in analyses. In models evaluating global indicators, greater burden of structural racism was associated with greater prevalence of CKD, diabetes, and hypertension (eg, per 1-SD decrease in neighborhood White population percentage: CKD prevalence ratio [PR], 1.27; 95% highest density interval [HDI], 1.18-1.35; diabetes PR, 1.43; 95% HDI, 1.37-1.52; hypertension PR, 1.19; 95% HDI, 1.14-1.25). Similarly in models evaluating discrete indicators, greater burden of structural racism was associated with greater neighborhood prevalence of CKD, diabetes, and hypertension (eg, per 1-SD increase in reported violent crime: CKD PR, 1.15; 95% HDI, 1.07-1.23; diabetes PR, 1.20; 95% HDI, 1.13-1.28; hypertension PR, 1.08; 95% HDI, 1.02-1.14).Conclusions and RelevanceThis cross-sectional study found several global and discrete structural racism indicators associated with increased prevalence of health conditions in residential neighborhoods. Although inferences from this cross-sectional and ecological study warrant caution, they may help guide the development of future community health interventions.
Survival Outcomes and Patterns of Care for Stage II or III Resected Gastric Cancer by Race and Ethnicity
Authors: Wu S. Peter , Keshavjee Sara H. , Yoon Sam S. , Kwon Steve 
Published: December 2023

ImportanceMany multimodality treatment regimens exist for gastric adenocarcinoma, including neoadjuvant vs adjuvant chemotherapy, radiation, or both. Neoadjuvant therapy is recommended in the United States for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer; however, it is unknown whether the outcomes of neoadjuvant therapy are associated with race and ethnicity.ObjectiveTo evaluate the differences in outcomes by race and ethnicity of patients with noncardia gastric cancer undergoing surgical procedures with and without neoadjuvant therapy.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective cohort study examined the National Cancer Database from the American College of Surgeons for patients with clinical stage II or III gastric adenocarcinoma, excluding gastric cardia tumors, undergoing surgical resection procedures from January 2006 to December 2019. Statistical analysis was performed from December 2021 to May 2023.ExposurePatients were stratified by race and ethnicity, and their outcomes were analyzed for those who received and did not receive neoadjuvant therapy.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe Cox proportional hazard model was used to compare overall survival (OS) between racial and ethnic groups (Asian, Black, Hispanic, and White) overall and according to receipt of neoadjuvant therapy. Among those who received neoadjuvant therapy, proportional differences in pathological responses were calculated in each group.ResultsAmong a total of 6938 patients in the cohort, 4266 (61.4%) were male; mean (SD) age was 65.9 (12.8) years; 1046 (15.8%) were Asian, 1606 (24.3%) were Black, 1175 (17.8%) were Hispanic, and 3540 (53.6%) were White. Compared with other races and ethnicities, the group of White patients had significantly more who were 65 years or older with more comorbidities. White patients underwent surgical resection procedures alone without neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy more frequently than other races and ethnicities. Asian and Black patients had the highest proportion of being downstaged or achieving pathological complete response after neoadjuvant therapy. In multivariate models, perioperative chemotherapy was associated with improved OS (HR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.69-0.90]), whereas number of positive lymph nodes and surgical margins were associated with the largest decreases in OS. Asian and Hispanic race and ethnicity were associated with significantly improved OS compared with Black and White races (eg, Asian patients: HR, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.58-0.72]; and Hispanic patients: HR, 0.77 [95% CI, 0.69-0.85]). Black race was associated with improved OS compared with White race when receiving neoadjuvant therapy (HR, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.67-0.90]).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this large nationwide cohort study of survival outcomes among patients with resected clinical stage II or III gastric cancer, there were significant differences in response to treatment and OS between different racial and ethnic groups.
Retention in Individual Trauma-Focused Treatment Following Family-Based Treatment Among US Veterans
Authors: Dodge Jessica , Sullivan Kathrine , Grau Peter P. , Chen Charity , Sripada Rebecca , Pfeiffer Paul N. 
Published: December 2023

ImportanceDespite the availability of several empirically supported trauma-focused interventions, retention in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) psychotherapy is poor. Preliminary efficacy data shows that brief, family-based interventions may improve treatment retention in a veteran’s individual PTSD treatment, although whether this occurs in routine clinical practice is not established.ObjectiveTo characterize receipt of family therapy among veterans diagnosed with PTSD and evaluate whether participation in family therapy is associated with an increased likelihood of completing individual trauma-focused treatment.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective cohort study used the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Informatics and Computing Infrastructure to extract electronic health record data of participants. All participants were US veterans diagnosed with PTSD between October 1, 2015, and December 31, 2019, who attended at least 1 individual trauma-focused treatment session. Statistical analysis was performed from May to August 2023.ExposuresReceipt of any family psychotherapy and subtype of family-based psychotherapy.Main Outcomes and MeasuresMinimally adequate individual trauma-focused treatment completion (ie, 8 or more sessions of trauma-focused treatment in a 6-month period).ResultsAmong a total of 1 516 887 US veterans with VHA patient data included in the study, 58 653 (3.9%) received any family therapy; 334 645 (23.5%) were Black, 1 006 168 (70.5%) were White, and 86 176 (6.0%) were other race; 1 322 592 (87.2%) were male; 1 201 902 (79.9%) lived in urban areas; and the mean (SD) age at first individual psychotherapy appointment was 52.7 (15.9) years. Among the 58 653 veterans (3.9%) who received any family therapy, 36 913 (62.9%) received undefined family therapy only, 15 528 (26.5%) received trauma-informed cognitive-behavioral conjoint therapy (CBCT) only, 5210 (8.9%) received integrative behavioral couples therapy (IBCT) only, and 282 (0.5%) received behavioral family therapy (BFT) only. Compared with receiving no family therapy, the odds of completing individual PTSD treatment were 7% higher for veterans who also received CBCT (OR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.01-1.13]) and 68% higher for veterans received undefined family therapy (OR, 1.68 [95% CI, 1.63-1.74]). However, compared with receiving no family therapy care, veterans had 26% lower odds of completing individual PTSD treatment if they were also receiving IBCT (OR, 0.74 [95% CI, 0.66-0.82]).Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study of US veterans, family-based psychotherapies were found to differ substantially in their associations with individual PTSD psychotherapy retention. These findings highlight potential benefits of concurrently providing family-based therapy with individual PTSD treatment but also the need for careful clinical attention to the balance between family-based therapies and individual PTSD treatment.
Step Serial Sectioning in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Unknown Primary
Authors: Hardman John C. , Harrington Kevin , O’Leary Ben , Robinson Max , Paleri Vinidh 
Published: December 2023

ImportancePatients with suspected head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary (HNSCCUP) may undergo tonsillectomy and tongue base mucosectomy (TBM) to help identify clinicoradiologically occult primary disease. It is hypothesized that when these diagnostic specimens are analyzed, conventional histopathological (CH) techniques risk missing small primary tumors that may be hidden in the tissue blocks.ObjectiveTo establish the outcomes of a step serial sectioning (SSS) histopathological technique vs CH when analyzing diagnostic tissue specimens from TBM and tonsillectomy performed for HNSCCUP.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThe MOSES prospective multicenter noninterventional cohort study was conducted over a 25-month period from November 2019 at secondary and tertiary care ear, nose, and throat departments in the United Kingdom and included adults with clinicoradiologically occult HNSCCUP who were undergoing TBM.InterventionConventional histopathological techniques performed on TBM and tonsillectomy specimens at participating centers, followed by SSS performed at the central laboratory.Main OutcomeIdentification of cancer on central histopathological review of TBM and tonsillectomy specimens.ResultsTissue from 58 eligible patients was analyzed (median [range] age, 58 [47-82] years; 10 women [17%]), with 20 480 sections cut in the laboratory and 4096 sections directly examined by a pathologist (median [range], 64 [28-135] per patient). The overall identification rate for TBM following SSS according to study protocol was 50.0% (95% CI, 37.5%-62.5%) and by subgroups was 42.9% (95% CI, 21.4%-67.4%) when performed following a negative bilateral tonsillectomy, 46.7% (95% CI, 24.8%-69.9%) at the same time as bilateral tonsillectomy, and 57.1% (95% CI, 36.5%-75.5%) following historic tonsillectomy. Conventional histopathological techniques at central review identified 2 undiagnosed primary tumors and revised the diagnosis of 2 other cases (1 nonmalignant and another down staged). Step serial sectioning identified a single additional tumor: an ipsilateral synchronous tongue base tumor for which a contralateral tumor had been identified on CH. Multifocal disease was seen in 5 (8.6%); all were human papillomavirus–related and in the tongue base.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this multicenter cohort study of patients undergoing TBM for HNSCCUP, SSS was associated with added considerable histopathological workload with minimal additional diagnostic benefit. A second opinion for conventional histological techniques may be more beneficial. Synchronous primary disease should be considered when planning diagnostic oropharyngeal surgery for these patients.
Event‐triggered distributed consensus control of nonlinear multi‐agent systems with unknown Bouc–Wen hysteresis input and DoS attacks
Authors: Guo Shiyu , Xu Ning , Niu Ben , Zhao Xudong , Ahmad Adil M. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractIn this paper, the event‐triggered distributed consensus tracking control problem for a class of multi‐agent systems (MASs) is studied, where denial‐of‐service (DoS) attacks and Bouc‐Wen hysteresis inputs are considered in the communication channel and the actuator, respectively. First, when communication networks are subject to malicious DoS attacks, the connection weights of the communication topology graphs are affected. To address this problem, this paper establishes topological models of the communication network using a switching topology method, and gives connection recovery strategies for the communication network. Second, in order to save communication resources, a distributed control protocol based on an event‐triggered mechanism and locally deployed estimator is designed for DoS signals occurring in the communication network of states and control inputs. In addition, the effect of unknown Bouc–Wen hysteresis input is eliminated using the Nussbaum‐type function. Then, based on Lyapunov stability theory, the boundedness of all signals in the closed‐loop system is verified, and the objective of consensus control is achieved. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme is demonstrated by numerical and practical simulation examples.
Cellular‐Scale Matrix Stiffness Gradient at Soft‐Hard Tissue Interfaces Regulates Immunophenotype of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Zhang Hui , Ma Yufei , Shu Wenya , Wang Yijie , Cao Chunyu , Wan Wanting , Shi Nianyuan , Wei Zhao , Pei Dandan , Li Ang , Xu Feng 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSoft‐hard tissue interfaces are widespread in the human body, where matrix stiffness gradient at the cellular scale is a typical biophysical cue that cells experience. However, most studies have focused on the large‐scale matrix stiffness gradient that affected cell fate. It is still necessary to elucidate the impact of cellular‐scale matrix stiffness gradient on cell behavior and function, such as mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) immunoregulation. In this study, it is observed that stiffness gradient strength (SGS) at a typical soft‐hard tissue interface (e.g., periodontal ligament (PDL)‐alveolar bone (AB) enthesis) in periodontitis is lower than that in health, due to low mineral content gradient there. Meanwhile, MSCs residing at PDL‐AB enthesis in periodontitis show an anti‐inflammatory phenotype (i.e., MSC2). To investigate how the stiffness gradient affects the MSC immunoregulation, both high and low SGS in vitro is recapitulated. Combined with mathematical modeling, low SGS minimizes the ability of cell polarization in guiding the MSC2, which is probably driven by the reduced polarization of integrin β1 clusters and myosin IIB, leading to H4K16ac localization‐dependent chromatin opening that facilitates TLR3 gene expression. This study establishes the molecular mechanisms by which MSCs respond to cellular‐scale stiffness gradient at PDL‐AB enthesis for regulating the immunophenotype development.
Double Bonuses Achieved in Single‐Atom Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Evolution: Enhanced Reaction Kinetics and Reinforced Electrochemical Reconstruction
Authors: Liu Xue , Jing Shaojie , Wang Kaiwen , Ban Chaogang , Ding Junjie , Feng Yajie , Duan Youyu , Ma Jiangping , Yu Danmei , Han Xiaodong , Wang Cong , Gan Liyong , Zhou Xiaoyuan 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSingle metal atoms decorated on earth‐abundant transition‐metal‐based supports have attracted intensive attention toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) due to their decent activity and low cost. However, further optimizing the catalytic performance is severely plagued by the limited active sites. Conventional optimization relies primarily on increasing the metal loading but is extremely difficult. Thus, it is imperative to go beyond the current design paradigms. Herein, it is reported that the anchored highly active single metal atoms can reinforce the electrochemical reconstruction of the supports and thus yield more substrate active sites. Consequently, increased amount of active sites and enhanced intrinsic activity can be readily realized simultaneously. Taking Ni2P4O12 decorated with single Ir atoms as a typical example, an extraordinary activity of η10 = 186 mV and η100 = 238 mV and robust stability up to 108 h are achieved. Mechanistic study uncovers that the reinforced reconstruction of Ni2P4O12 originates from the promoted PO43− leaching by single Ir atoms, which is an intrinsic feature of the supports to achieve such reinforcement. The proposed concept, decorating single metal atoms on supports featured by facile anion leaching, opens a new avenue to the design of practical electrocatalysts for efficient OER.
Transitioning Towards Asymmetric Gel Polymer Electrolytes for Lithium Batteries: Progress and Prospects
Authors: Agnihotri Tripti , Ahmed Shadab Ali , Tamilarasan Elango Balaji , Hasan Rehbar , Su Wei‐Nien , Hwang Bing Joe 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe utilization of liquid electrolytes (LEs) concerns inevitable dendrite growth and safety issues. In contrast, solid polymer electrolytes suffer from unsettled low ionic conductivity and interfacial impedance issues. The intermediary gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) improve safety by incorporating a sturdy polymer matrix and ionic conductivity as an advantage of percolating LEs responsible for gelation. The overall stability and compatibility of GPEs with different electrode materials depend on the polymers, plasticizers, and precursors utilized. No single polymer has a wide energy gap to exhibit stability against Li metal anodes and oxidative stability against high‐voltage cathodes. Thereafter, symmetric GPEs (SGPEs) possess limitations while simultaneously satisfying the two electrode requirements, which hinders their practical applications. Asymmetric GPEs (ASGPEs) generally comprise a bilayer or gradient structure, wherein the side contacting the cathode is modified to promote oxidative stability for a stable cathode electrolyte interface (CEI). The corresponding side in contact with the anode is modified to be mechanically and chemically compatible with dendritic lithium. Overall, asymmetric structural engineering enables electrode compatibility while maintaining the physical competency of GPEs. Herein, the focus is to summarize the current transition from SGPEs to asymmetric ones, which promotes multifunctionality while overcoming specific constraints associated with the electrodes.
Atmospheric Humidity Underlies Irreproducibility of Formamidinium Lead Iodide Perovskites
Authors: Park Keonwoo , Tan Shaun , Kodalle Tim , Lee Do‐Kyoung , Abdelsamie Maged , Park Ji‐Sang , Lee Joo‐Hong , Jung Sung‐Kwang , Ko Jeong Hoon , Park Nam‐Gyu , Sutter‐Fella Carolin M. , Yang Yang , Lee Jin‐Wook 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMetal halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are infamous for their batch‐to‐batch and lab‐to‐lab irreproducibility in terms of stability and performance. Reproducible fabrication of PSCs is a critical requirement for market viability and practical commercialization. PSC irreproducibility plagues all levels of the community; from institutional research laboratories, start‐up companies, to large established corporations. In this work, the critical function of atmospheric humidity to regulate the crystallization and stabilization of formamidinium lead triiodide (FAPbI3) perovskites is unraveled. It is demonstrated that the humidity content during processing induces profound variations in perovskite stoichiometry, thermodynamic stability, and optoelectronic quality. Almost counterintuitively, it is shown that the presence of humidity is perhaps indispensable to reproduce phase‐stable and efficient FAPbI3‐based PSCs.