bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 dose elicits stronger immune response in previously infected individuals than in SARS‐CoV2 naive persons
Authors: Ebrahim Fawzi , Alboueishi Asma , Alhudiri Inas M. , Tabal Salah Al , Lamami Yosra , Al Dwigen Samira , Ashleb Sondos , Ejenfawi Noha , Milad Mohamed B. , Rhoumah Hayat , El Meshri Salah Edin , Elzagheid Adam 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundCurrent vaccines against COVID‐19 effectively reduce morbidity and mortality and are vitally important for controlling the pandemic. Between December 2020 and February 2021, adenoviral vector vaccines such as ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca‐Oxford) were put in use. Recent reports demonstrate robust serological responses to a single dose of messenger RNA vaccines in individuals previously infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. We aimed to study the association between previous COVID‐19 infection and antibody levels after a single dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study was conducted on 657 individuals who were either convalescent or SARS‐CoV‐2 naive and had received one dose of ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca). A questionnaire was used to collect data on age, sex, and self‐reported history of COVID‐19 infection. We then compared the average levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) between the previously infected and COVID‐19‐naive participants.ResultsWe compared the antibody responses of individuals with confirmed prior COVID‐19 infection with those of individuals without prior evidence of infection. The mean antibody levels in those who reported no history of COVID‐19 infection were substantially lower than in those who were previously infected, in both males and females. Sex‐related differences were observed when we compared antibody levels between men and women. In males, anti‐S IgG antibody levels were higher in those who had been previously infected (156.1 vs. 87.69 AU/mL, p = .009), compared with the same pattern was observed in females (113.5 vs. 90.69 AU/mL, p = .005).ConclusionsPrevious COVID‐19 infection is associated with higher levels of SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies following ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca) vaccination. Our finding supports the notion that a single dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 administered post‐SARS‐CoV‐2 infection serves as an effective immune booster. This provides a possible rationale for a single‐dose vaccine regimen for previously infected individuals.
The functional role ofCST1andCCL26in asthma development
Authors: Hoyer Angela , Chakraborty Sandip , Lilienthal Ingrid , Konradsen Jon R. , Katayama Shintaro , Söderhäll Cilla 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundAsthma is the most common chronic disease in children with an increasing prevalence. Its development is caused by genetic and environmental factors and allergic sensitization is a known trigger. Dog allergens affect up to 30% of all children and dog dander‐sensitized children show increased expression of cystatin‐1 (CST1) and eotaxin‐3 (CCL26) in nasal epithelium. The aim of our study was to investigate the functional mechanism ofCST1andCCL26in the alveolar basal epithelial cell line A549.MethodsA549 cells were transfected with individual overexpression vectors forCST1andCCL26and RNA sequencing was performed to examine the transcriptomics. edgeR was used to identify differentially expressed genes (= DEG, |log2FC | ≥ 2, FDR < 0.01). The protein expression levels of A549 cells overexpressingCST1andCCL26were analyzed using the Target 96 inflammation panel from OLINK (antibody‐mediated proximity extension–based assay; OLINK Proteomics). Differentially expressed proteins were considered with a |log2FC| ≥ 1,p < .05.ResultsThe overexpression ofCST1resulted in a total of 27 DEG (1 upregulated and 26 downregulated) and the overexpression ofCCL26in a total of 137 DEG (0 upregulated and 137 downregulated). The gene ontology enrichment analysis showed a significant downregulation of type I and III interferon signaling pathway genes as well as interferon‐stimulated genes. At the protein level, overexpression ofCST1induced a significantly increased expression of CCL3, whereasCCL26overexpression led to increased expression of HGF, and a decrease of CXCL11, CCL20, CCL3 and CXCL10.ConclusionOur results indicate that an overexpression ofCST1andCCL26cause a downregulation of interferon related genes and inflammatory proteins. It might cause a higher disease susceptibility, mainly for allergic asthma, asCCL26is an agonist for CCR‐3‐carrying cells, such as eosinophils and Th2 lymphocytes, mostly active in allergic asthma.
Mixing‐driven changes in distributions and abundances of planktonic microorganisms in a large, oligotrophic lake
Authors: Evans Kate A. , Peoples Logan M. , Ranieri John R. , Wear Emma K. , Church Matthew J. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTemperate lakes experience variation in mixing and stratification that affects the distributions, activities, abundances, and diversity of plankton communities. We examined temporal and vertical changes in the composition of planktonic microorganisms (including Bacteria and Archaea) in oligotrophic Flathead Lake, Montana. Using a combination of approaches that included 16S rRNA gene sequencing and flow cytometric determination of cell abundances, we found that the microbial community was responsive to variations in stratification and mixing at time scales ranging from episodic (scale of days) to seasonal. However, the impact of such physical dynamics varied among taxa, likely reflecting taxa‐specific responses to environmental changes that coincide with stratification and mixing (e.g., light availability and nutrient supply). During the early spring, periods of relatively short‐term (< 7 d) intermittency in stratification and mixing influenced the vertical distributions of specific microbial taxa, notably including the cyanobacteria. These events highlight time scales of biological responses to high‐frequency variations associated with lake stratification and mixing, particularly during the transition to the growing season in the early spring.
Sprayable Zwitterionic Antibacterial Hydrogel With High Mechanical Resilience and Robust Adhesion for Joint Wound Treatment
Authors: Hu Qinsheng , Du Yangrui , Bai Yangjing , Xing Dandan , Lang Shiying , Li Kaijun , Li Xinyun , Nie Yong , Liu Gongyan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWound healing in movable parts, including the joints and neck, remains a critical challenge due to frequent motions and poor flexibility of dressings, which may lead to mismatching of mechanical properties and poor fitting between dressings and wounds; thus, increasing the risk of bacterial infection. This study proposes a sprayable zwitterionic antibacterial hydrogel with outstanding flexibility and desirable adhesion. This hydrogel precursor is fabricated by combining zwitterionic sulfobetaine methacrylate (SBMA) with poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate‐co‐dopamine methacrylamide)‐modified silver nanoparticles (PSBDA@AgNPs) through robust electrostatic interactions. About 150 s of exposure to UV light, the SBMA monomer polymerizes to form PSB chains entangled with PSBDA@AgNPs, transformed into a stable and adhesion PSB–PSB@Ag hydrogel at the wound site. The resulting hydrogel has adhesive strength (15–38 kPa), large tensile strain (>400%), suitable shape adaptation, and excellent mechanical resilience. Moreover, the hydrogel displays pH‐responsive behavior; the acidic microenvironment at the infected wound sites prompts the hydrogel to rapidly release AgNPs and kill bacteria. Further, the healing effect of the hydrogel is demonstrated on the rat neck skin wound, showing improved wound closing rate due to reduced inflammation and enhanced angiogenesis. Overall, the sprayable zwitterionic antibacterial hydrogel has significant potential to promote joint skin wound healing.
Does the loot box open the door to addiction? A case report of gaming disorder with high charges for loot box purchases
Authors: Inaguma Tokuya , Misumi Sumiko , Funatogawa Tomoyuki , Nemoto Takahiro , Harima Hirohiko , Mizuno Masafumi 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundA loot box is a gaming term for an electronic lottery that randomly provides items that enhance the gaming experience. In recent years, loot boxes have been increasingly discussed as a risk factor of gaming disorder (GD). While they may be purchased for a few dollars at a time, the cumulative expenses resulting from their addictive use have become a social problem.Case PresentationThis paper presents a case of GD involving a substantial financial burden incurred through the use of a Japanese loot box called Gacha.ConclusionThe randomness in the selection of virtual items in loot boxes resembles gambling, triggering the reward system and contributing to an addiction to purchasing more loot boxes. For therapeutic purposes, understanding the motivations behind purchasing loot boxes and considering individual developmental characteristics are crucial to helping patients find satisfaction and a sense of achievement in activities besides gaming.
Core concerns: The need for a governance framework to protect global Internet infrastructure
Authors: Broeders Dennis , Sukumar Arun 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe war in Ukraine has underscored the risks and threats to global Internet infrastructure from geopolitically motivated cyber operations. The Domain Name System and core protocols responsible for the routing, forwarding, and security of Internet traffic have been exploited by actors in Russia and Ukraine for denial‐of‐service attacks, surveillance, and censorship. Additionally, states have tried to compel organisations that maintain and govern such infrastructure to cut Russia off from the Internet. These cyber operations and sanctions targeting the ‘public core of the internet’ have serious transboundary effects, and threaten the stability and functionality of the Internet. Most such attacks appear, at the time of writing, to have been buffeted by the internet's resilience, but there is equally the risk that the Ukraine war becomes a permissive, norm‐constitutive moment for similar operations in the future targeting its core physical, institutional and logical infrastructure. The technical community, a growing number of states and other stakeholders have been arguing for the protection of the ‘public core’ of the internet for nearly a decade, anchoring the concept in policy, multistakeholder and diplomatic fora and documents. This paper, while noting that states increasingly acknowledge the need to protect the public core of the internet, argues that norms and international law are still ill‐equipped to regulate damaging cyber operations, given unsettled questions regarding the sovereignty of states over global Internet infrastructure, and the precise scope of their existing international obligations towards its protection.
Switch Volmer‐Heyrovsky to Volmer‐Tafel Pathway for Efficient Acidic Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution by Correlating Pt Single Atoms with Clusters
Authors: Wang Junhui , Zang Wenjie , Liu Ximeng , Sun Jianguo , Xi Shibo , Liu Weihao , Kou Zongkui , Shen Lei , Wang John 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAs cost‐effective catalysts, platinum (Pt) single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have attracted substantial attention. However, most studies indicate that Pt SACs in acidic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) follow the slow Volmer‐Heyrovsky (VH) mechanism instead of the fast kinetic Volmer‐Tafel (VT) pathway. Here, this work propose that the VH mechanism in Pt SACs can be switched to the faster VT pathway for efficient HER by correlating Pt single atoms (SAs) with Pt clusters (Cs). Our calculations reveal that the correlation between Pt SAs and Cs significantly impacts the electronic structure of exposed Pt atoms, lowering the adsorption barrier for atomic hydrogen and enabling a faster VT mechanism. To validate these findings, this work purposely synthesize three catalysts: l‐Pt@MoS2, m‐Pt@MoS2 and h‐Pt@MoS2 with low, moderate, and high Pt‐loading, having different distributions of Pt SAs and Cs. The m‐Pt@MoS2 catalyst with properly correlating Pt SAs and Cs exhibits outstanding performance with an overpotential of 47 mV and Tafel slope of 32 mV dec−1. Further analysis of the Tafel values confirms that the m‐Pt@MoS2 sample indeed follows the VT reaction mechanism, aligning with the theoretical findings. This study offers a deep understanding of the synergistic mechanism, paving a way for designing novel‐advanced catalysts.
Verschub der Oderbrücke Küstrin
Authors: Haspel Lorenz , Ambrasas Povilas , Hornberger Lukas 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBei der Errichtung von selbstverankerten Bogenbrücken hat sich die Vormontage auf einer einfach zugänglichen Vormontagefläche mit anschließendem Verschub in die Endlage als wirtschaftliche und schnelle Montagevariante etabliert. Am Beispiel der Planung und Umsetzung der Eisenbahnüberführung Oder bei Küstrin werden in diesem Beitrag verschiedene Konzepte für einen Längsverschub über die Oder mit und ohne Einsatz von Pontons sowie ihre jeweiligen Besonderheiten beschrieben. Ein wesentlicher Einflussfaktor ergibt sich aus dem stark variierenden Wasserstand der Oder im Zusammenhang mit dem für einen Pontoneinsatz erforderlichen Mindestwasserstand zum Zeitpunkt des Verschubs. Das mögliche Auftreten sprunghafter Steigerungen des Pegels erfordert weitere Überlegungen zur Risikominimierung. Für eine Variante ohne Ponton, dafür mit einer bauzeitlichen Hilfsstütze im Fluss, sprechen neben der Unabhängigkeit vom Wasserstand auch die besonderen Eigenschaften des Hängernetzes: Die verwendeten Carbonzugglieder mit kettengliedartigen Anschlüssen können eine wiederkehrende Entlastung im Montagezustand schadlos überstehen. Damit eröffnet sich die Möglichkeit für einen Einschub mit ortsfesten Verschublagern ohne Aussteifung des Hängernetzes. Basierend auf den hier beschriebenen Untersuchungen und den Erfahrungen bei der Umsetzung kann diese Variante für die Montage von Netzbogenbrücken mit Carbonhängern in Zukunft von vornherein berücksichtigt werden.
RETRACTED: Neurological risks arising from the bioaccumulation of heavy metal contaminants: A focus on mercury
Authors: Dong Tianyu , Li Hanxuan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study investigated the concentrations of heavy metals in the water sources of the upstream region of the Huangpu River, the Yangtze River Estuary, and various areas in Shanghai, as well as the heavy metal concentrations in the blood of Shanghai residents. It aimed to analyze the heavy metal elements absorbed by the human body and the resulting pathological effects. The results revealed that surface water primarily contains five heavy metals: copper (Cu), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg), while water sediments primarily contain seven heavy metals: Cu, cadmium (Cd), Pb, chromium (Cr), Zn, As, and Hg. The main heavy metals present in the human body are Pb, Hg, As, and Cd. By reviewing previous articles, it was found that heavy metal concentrations in human blood are higher than those in surface water, suggesting uncertainties in the heavy metal content of surface water and its tendency to settle at the bottom. Furthermore, a comparison of heavy metal content in sediments revealed that Hg is the most readily absorbed heavy metal by the human body and is also a toxic environmental pollutant. Within the cell, Hg is highly toxic to mitochondria and may cause oxidative stress and neurodegenerative disease. This study concludes that water sediments serve as the major source of pollution in the human body and pose significant health risks, thereby necessitating the implementation of effective preventive measures.
T‐plate contoured to 90° to stabilise the scapular spine and acromion in a complex, comminuted scapular fracture in a Dachshund
Authors: Johnson Daisy , Silveira Francisco 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA 7.2 kg, 7‐month old, male dachshund presented after a road traffic accident. Computer tomography revealed a pneumothorax, which was treated conservatively, and a type 1 extra‐articular unstable comminuted scapular fracture. A 5‐hole 2.0‐mm T‐plate was contoured to 90°, allowing the spine of the scapula to be fixated to the scapular body. Two locking‐compression plates were used in the infraspinatus and supraspinatus fossae to further stabilise the scapula. The above construct allowed for good reduction and stabilisation of the scapular fracture. Recovery was uncomplicated, and at 7 weeks post‐operatively the patient was sound on the operated leg with radiographic evidence of ongoing fracture healing, with minimal bony callus formation. The owners were contacted 7 months after surgery and reported an excellent recovery with no lameness. This report highlights that a contoured T‐plate can be used successfully to stabilise fractures of the scapular spine.
NMR spectroscopy for metabolomics in the living system: recent progress and future challenges
Authors: Peng Yun , Zhang Zeting , He Lichun , Li Conggang , Liu Maili 
Published: January 2024

AbstractMetabolism is a fundamental process that underlies human health and diseases. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques offer a powerful approach to identify metabolic processes and track the flux of metabolites at the molecular level in living systems. An in vitro study through in-cell NMR tracks metabolites in real time and investigates protein structures and dynamics in a state close to their most natural environment. This technique characterizes metabolites and proteins involved in metabolic pathways in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. In vivo magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) enables whole-organism metabolic monitoring by visualizing the spatial distribution of metabolites and targeted proteins. One limitation of these NMR techniques is the sensitivity, for which a possible improved approach is through isotopic enrichment or hyperpolarization methods, including dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) and parahydrogen-induced polarization (PHIP). DNP involves the transfer of high polarization from electronic spins of radicals to surrounding nuclear spins for signal enhancements, allowing the detection of low-abundance metabolites and real-time monitoring of metabolic activities. PHIP enables the transfer of nuclear spin polarization from parahydrogen to other nuclei for signal enhancements, particularly in proton NMR, and has been applied in studies of enzymatic reactions and cell signaling. This review provides an overview of in-cell NMR, in vivo MRS, and hyperpolarization techniques, highlighting their applications in metabolic studies and discussing challenges and future perspectives.
Graphical abstract
Target-induced hot spot construction for sensitive and selective surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection of matrix metalloproteinase MMP-9
Authors: Jin Huihui , Liu Tianqing , Sun Dan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractStudies have found that matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) plays a significant role in cancer cell invasion, metastasis, and tumor growth. But it is a challenge to go for highly sensitive and selective detection and targeting of MMP-9 due to the similar structure and function of the MMP proteins family. Herein, a novel surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensing strategy was developed based on the aptamer-induced SERS “hot spot” formation for the extremely sensitive and selective determination of MMP-9. To develop the nanosensor, one group of gold nanospheres was modified with MMP-9 aptamer and its complementary strand DNA1, while DNA2 (complementary to DNA1) and the probe molecule 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) (DTNB) were grafted on the surface of the other group of gold nanospheres. In the absence of MMP-9, DTNB located on the 13-nm gold nanospheres has only generated a very weak SERS signal. However, when MMP-9 is present, the aptamer preferentially binds to the MMP-9 to construct MMP-9–aptamer complex. The bare DNA1 can recognize and bind to DNA2, which causes them to move in close proximity and create a SERS hot spot effect. Due to this action, the SERS signal of DTNB located at the nanoparticle gap is greatly enhanced, achieving highly sensitive detection of MMP-9. Since the hot spot effect is caused by the aptamer that specifically recognizes MMP-9, the approach exhibits excellent selectivity for MMP-9 detection. Based on the benefits of both high sensitivity and excellent selectivity, this method was used to distinguish the difference in MMP-9 levels between normal and cancer cells as well as the expression of MMP-9 from cancer cells with different degrees of metastasis. In addition, this strategy can accurately reflect the dynamic changes in intracellular MMP-9 levels, stimulated by the MMP-9 activator and inhibitor. This strategy is expected to be transformed into a new technique for diagnosis of specific cancers related to MMP-9 and assessing the extent of cancer occurrence, development and metastasis.
Graphical Abstract
Design of effective suction force sensible vacuum gripper by a 6-axis force sensor
Authors: Izumi Sou , Ikemoto Shuhei 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study proposes a vacuum gripper that can measure the effective suction force applied to an object using a 6-axis force sensor. The object falling in a vacuum gripper occurs when a gap between the object and the pad no longer allows the negative pressure in the chamber. This is rephrased as the absence of a compression force between the object and the pad. Therefore, the force distribution that the attached object pushes the pad during suction reflects the external force, i.e. the effective suction force, required to remove the object. To confirm the validity of the developed vacuum gripper, we conducted an experiment where the developed vacuum gripper sucks a flat plate. As a result, we confirmed that the 6-axis force sensor’s signals mean the effective suction force by applying an external force to remove the place.
Status of the invasion of Carpobrotus edulis in Uruguay based on citizen science records
Authors: Grattarola Florencia , Rodríguez-Tricot Lucía , Zarucki Matías , Laufer Gabriel 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCarpobrotus edulis, a highly invasive plant species repeatedly introduced along the Atlantic coast of South America, poses a significant threat to the ecological integrity of coastal dune ecosystems in Uruguay. This study used 15 years of iNaturalist records to assess the magnitude of Carpobrotus invasion, focusing on its distribution, abundance, and reproductive phenology. Through the analysis of georeferenced and dated data, we determined that Carpobrotus has spread extensively, covering a 10-km-wide coastal area and occupying approximately 220 km along the Atlantic coast and the outer Rio de la Plata estuary. Records have increased in the last three years, with a summer prevalence of 52.9%, due to higher activity on the platform. The species exhibited two flowering peaks in spring and autumn, suggesting an extended reproductive period. The widespread presence of this species in both natural and urbanized areas highlights the urgent need for effective management strategies to mitigate its impact on native biodiversity. Utilizing citizen science platforms like iNaturalist has been instrumental in monitoring and documenting processes of invasion. However, further investigations are necessary, particularly in less sampled regions, to fully understand the extent of Carpobrotus invasion. To protect the country’s coastal ecosystems, it is crucial for local authorities to reassess current practices related to non-native species ornamental planting. By addressing the invasion of C. edulis, the ecological integrity of coastal dune ecosystems can be preserved, ensuring the survival of native flora and fauna along Uruguay’s Atlantic coast.