bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effective Removal of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solution by Reinforced Sodium Alginate/Polyethyleneimine/Graphene Oxide Composite Aerogels
Authors: Gao Bo , Wei Fei , Yang Hongwei , Li Ji 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
A reinforced composite aerogel absorbent was synthesized using a green chemistry method and an environmentally friendly freeze-drying technique. The absorbent consisted of sodium alginate, Polyethyleneimine (PEI), and graphene oxide (GO). The ability of the absorbent to remove Cr(Ⅵ) ions from aqueous solutions was studied. PEI was a nitrogen source for Cr(Ⅵ) removal and a cross-linking agent for GO sheets, while SA was a reinforcing material. The aerogel was investigated using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, texture analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Batch studies were conducted to investigate the effect of pH and contact time on adsorption. The results indicated that the SA/PEI/GO aerogel had a maximum adsorption capacity of 174.05 mg/g for Cr(Ⅵ) at pH 2. The adsorption mechanism was described using the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The aerogel demonstrated good regeneration ability and satisfactory recovery for Cr(Ⅵ) even after five cycles. These findings suggest that the composite aerogel could be a promising adsorbent for efficiently removing Cr(Ⅵ) from wastewater.
L-mimosine induces melanoma cell apoptosis through reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial apoptosis pathway
Authors: Pan Zhaohai , Lei Dan , Yang Zihui , Ge Heng , Wang Guoli , Li Minjing , Zheng Qiusheng , Lin Haiyan , Li Defang 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Clinical data have shown that emerging therapies are still not effective in controlling melanoma growth. L-mimosine is known to fight against the growth of various tumors, but the in vitro and in vivo studies of L-mimosine against melanoma are still lacking in detailed studies. In this study, we used MTT assay, plate colony formation assay, and flow cytometry analysis to evaluate the anti-melanoma effect of L-mimosine. The results showed that L-mimosine inhibited melanoma cells (A375 and B16) proliferation by increasing the apoptosis rate. In a mechanistic study, we found that L-mimosine obviously decreased the permeability of mitochondrial membrane by downregulating Bax and upregulating Bcl-2, after which it significantly increased the levels of reactive oxygen species, cytoplasmic cytochrome C, cleaved caspase 9, and cleaved caspase 3, leading to melanoma cell apoptosis. Furthermore, we found that antioxidant NAC obviously counteracted the inhibitory effect of L-mimosine on melanoma cell growth in vitro and in vivo. The results suggested that L-mimosine induced melanoma cell apoptosis through a reactive oxygen species–dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. The results of this study will provide some data and theoretical support for the research on the anti-melanoma mechanism of L-mimosine.
Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial to investigate the effectiveness of thoracic epidural and paravertebral blockade in reducing chronic post-thoracotomy Pain: 2 (TOPIC 2)
Authors: Shelley Ben , Goebel Andreas , Grant Stephen , Jackson Lousie , Jarett Hugh , Jepson Marcus , Kerr Amy , Marczin Nandor , Mehta Raj , Melody Teresa , Middleton Lee , Naidu Babu , Szentgyorgyi Lajos , Tearne Sarah , Watkins Ben , Wilson Matthew , Worrall Andrew , Yeung Joyce , Smith Fang Gao 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Thoracotomy is considered one of the most painful surgical procedures and can cause debilitating chronic post-surgical pain lasting months or years postoperatively. Aggressive management of acute pain resulting from thoracotomy may reduce the likelihood of developing chronic pain. This trial compares the two most commonly used modes of acute analgesia provision at the time of thoracotomy (thoracic epidural blockade (TEB) and paravertebral blockade (PVB)) in terms of their clinical and cost effectiveness in preventing chronic post-thoracotomy pain.
Methods
TOPIC 2 is a multi-centre, open-label, parallel group, superiority, randomized controlled trial, with an internal pilot investigating the use of TEB and PVB in 1026 adult (≥ 18 years old) patients undergoing thoracotomy in up to 20 thoracic centres throughout the UK. Patients (N = 1026) will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either TEB or PVB. During the first year, the trial will include an integrated QuinteT (Qualitative Research Integrated into Trials) Recruitment Intervention (QRI) with the aim of optimizing recruitment and informed consent. The primary outcome is the incidence of chronic post-surgical pain at six months post-randomisation defined as ‘worst chest pain over the last week’ equating to a visual analogue score greater than, or equal to 40mm indicating at least a moderate level of pain. Secondary outcomes include acute pain, complications of regional analgesia and surgery, health related quality of life, mortality and a health economic analysis.
Discussion
Both TEB and PVB have been demonstrated to be effective in the prevention of acute pain following thoracotomy and nationally practice is divided. Identification of which mode of analgesia is both clinically and cost effective in preventing chronic post-thoracotomy pain could ameliorate the debilitating effects of chronic pain, improving health related quality of life, facilitating return to work and caring responsibilities and resulting in a cost saving to the NHS.
Trial registration
NCT03677856 [ClinicalTrials.gov] registered September 19th 2018. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03677856. First patient recruited 8th January 2019.
Neuronal Connectivity as a Determinant of Cell Types and Subtypes
Authors: Liu Lijuan , Yun Zhixi , Manubens-Gil Linus , Chen Hanbo , Xiong Feng , Dong Hong-Wei , Zeng Hongkui , Hawrylycz Michael , Ascoli Giorgio , Peng Hanchuan 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Classifications of single neurons at brain-wide scale is a powerful way to characterize the structural and functional organization of a brain. We acquired and standardized a large morphology database of 20,158 mouse neurons, and generated a whole-brain scale potential connectivity map of single neurons based on their dendritic and axonal arbors. With such an anatomy-morphology-connectivity mapping, we defined neuron connectivity types and subtypes (both called “c-types” for simplicity) for neurons in 31 brain regions. We found that neuronal subtypes defined by connectivity in the same regions may share statistically higher correlation in their dendritic and axonal features than neurons having contrary connectivity patterns. Subtypes defined by connectivity show distinct separation with each other, which cannot be recapitulated by morphology features, population projections, transcriptomic, and electrophysiological data produced to date. Within this paradigm, we were able to characterize the diversity in secondary motor cortical neurons, and subtype connectivity patterns in thalamocortical pathways. Our finding underscores the importance of connectivity in characterizing the modularity of brain anatomy, as well as the cell types and their subtypes. These results highlight that c-types supplement conventionally recognized transcriptional cell types (t-types), electrophysiological cell types (e-types), and morphological cell types (m-types) as an important determinant of cell classes and their identities.
Optimizing the Utilization of Maternal and Reproductive Healthcare Services among Women in Low-Resourced Nigerian Settings
Authors: Ene Jacinta Chibuzor , Ajibo Henry Tochukwu 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Quality care delivery is an essential lifesaving intervention for maternal healthcare and reduction in mortality from preventable reproductive conditions. In African countries like Nigeria, numerous perceptions and militating factors present unique challenges in optimizing the utilization of maternal and reproductive healthcare services. As women continuously evolve away from the utilization of healthcare services, achieving universal health coverage for all emerges as a matter of concern.
Method
A phenomenological and descriptive research design was used. The study participants comprised a total of 38 women including those in anti-natal care, postal-natal and two medical social workers. They were purposively selected from four healthcare institutions in Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Result
Findings revealed that most rural women at the prenatal stage, utilize maternal healthcare services, but at the postnatal stage, they reject reproductive healthcare services owing to certain perceptions. Concerns about sub-optimal utilization of maternal and reproductive healthcare services were found under enabling, predisposing and need factors. Evidence-based interventions were instituting health insurance policies, improving the healthcare sector, personnel, collaboration among stakeholders, and grass-roots community education. Participants showed little knowledge of social workers’ engagement in healthcare institutions.
Conclusion
Functional network of care between private and public healthcare systems is the key to optimizing maternal and reproductive healthcare utilization. The study recommends stakeholder and community engagement in achieving functional networks of care, strengthening relational linkages between frontline health workers and equipping rural women with better knowledge on optimal utilization of maternal and reproductive healthcare services among women in low-and middle-income societies.
An efficient and aberration-free off-plane grating spectrometer and monochromator for EUV – soft X-ray applications
Authors: Li Kui , Popmintchev Dimitar , Li Ruixuan , Zhang Guangyin , Meng Runyu , Ma Yongjun , Xu Hao , Tang Jiyue , Ke Changjun , Qiu Jisi , Ma Yunfeng , Popmintchev Tenio , Zhang Xiaoshi , Fan Zhongwei , Li Jie 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
We demonstrate a novel dual-optic imaging EUV-X-ray spectrometer and monochromator that attains an unprecedented throughput efficiency exceeding 60% theoretically, along with a superior spectral resolution of λ/Δλ>200. Exploiting the benefits of the conical diffraction geometry, the optical system is globally optimized in multidimensional parameter space to guarantee optimal imaging performance over a broad spectral range while maintaining circular and elliptical polarization states at the first, second, and third diffraction orders. Moreover, our analysis indicates minimal temporal dispersion, with pulse broadening confined within 80 fs, which enables ultrafast spectroscopic and pump-probe measurements with femtosecond accuracy. Furthermore, the spectrometer can be effortlessly transformed into a monochromator spanning the EUV–soft X-ray spectral region. Such capability allows coherent diffractive imaging applications to be conducted with highly monochromatic light in a broad spectral range and extended to the soft X-ray region with minimal photon loss. Thus, enhancing the imaging resolution and enabling the investigation of bio and nano samples. In addition, the advanced design incorporates optimized spatio-temporal parameters, facilitating cutting-edge versatile EUV - X-ray applications.
Silencing POLE2 promotes apoptosis and inhibits proliferation of oral squamous cell carcinomasby inhibiting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Authors: Ge Shengyou , Wang Kexin , Meng Yuxiang , He Zongxuan , Yang Xiaochen , Shang Wei , Wang Lin 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the head and neck at present, but its occurrence and progression mechanism is still unclear, and effective targeting drugs are still lacking. The second major subunit (POLE2) of DNA polymerase catalyzes the prolongation of new strand replication and modifies the exonuclease domain activity. Our previous study found that it is associated with OSCC progression, but the mechanism remains unclear.
Methods: The expression of POLE2 in OSCC tissues was detected by immunological method. POLE2 expression was inhibited in OSCC cells, and cell function was detected by RT-PCR and Western Blot. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration were detected by colony formation, MTT, flow cytometry, wound healing and Transwell.
Results: The expression level of POLE2 gene in OSCC was significantly higher than that in normal tissues. In addition, POLE2 gene expression level was statistically correlated with tumor classification and prognosis. Silencing POLE2 during the progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma can inhibit the proliferation of oral cancer cells and promote cell apoptosis. Animal experimental results also supported a positive correlation between PORE2 and OSCC tumor formation, which was consistent with previous results. We further confirmed that POLE2 up-regulated the knockdown of apoptosis-promoting proteins (BIM) in Caspase3, CD40, CD40L, DR6, Fas, IGFBP-6, P21 and SMAC. In addition, POLE2 regulates OSCC development by inhibiting THE PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
Conclusion: POLE2 is closely related to the progress of OSCC. POLE2 may be a potential target for OSCC treatment in the future.
Transarterial Interventions in Civilian Gunshot Wound Injury: Experience from a Level-1 Trauma Center
Authors: Yu Qian , Lionberg Alex , Zane Kylie , Ungchusri Ethan , Du Jonathan , Nijhawan Karan , Clarey Austin , Navuluri Rakesh , Ahmed Osman , Prakash Priya , Leef Jeffrey , Funaki Brian 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Purpose: To assess the effectiveness of trans-arterial vascular interventions in treatment of civilian gunshot wounds (GSW).
Materials and Methods: A retrospective review was performed at a level-1 trauma center to include 46 consecutive adults admitted due to GSW related hemorrhage and treated with endovascular interventions from 7/2018 to 7/2022. Patient demographics and procedural metrics were retrieved. Primary outcomes of interest include technical success and in-hospital mortality. Factors of mortality were assessed using a logistic regression model.
Results: Twenty-one patients were brought to the endovascular suite directly (endovascular group) from the trauma bay and 25 patients after treatment in the operating room (OR group). The OR group had higher hemodynamic instability (48.0% vs 19.0%, p=0.040), lower hemoglobin (12.9 vs 10.1, p=0.001) and platelet counts (235.2 vs 155.1, p=0.003), and worse APACHE score (4.1 vs 10.2, p<0.0001) at the time of initial presentation. Technical success was achieved in all 40 cases in which targeted embolization was attempted (100%). Empiric embolization was performed in 6/46 (13.0%) patients based on computed tomographic angiogram (CTA) and operative findings. Stent-grafts were placed in 3 patients for subclavian artery injuries. Availability of pre-intervention CTA was associated with shorter fluoroscopy time (19.8±12.1 vs 30.7±18.6 minutes, p=0.030). A total of 41 patients were discharged in stable condition (89.1%). Hollow organ injury was associated with mortality (p=0.039).
Conclusion: Endovascular embolization and stenting were effective in managing hemorrhage due to GSW in a carefully selected population. Hollow organ injury was a statistically significant predictor of mortality. Pre-intervention CTA enabled targeted, shorter and equally effective procedures.
Viruses under the Antarctic Ice Shelf are active and potentially involved in global nutrient cycles
Authors: Vila-Nistal Marina , Rosenova Aleksandra , Lopez-Simon Javier , Martínez-Pérez Clara , Baltar Federico , De Corte Daniele , Martinez-Garcia Manuel 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Viruses significantly influence the functioning of marine ecosystem. However, our comprehension of viruses inhabiting the dark ocean remains limited. This is particularly so beneath Antarctic ice shelves, despite exerting a profound influence on global carbon cycle and climate system. Here, we uncover the viral diversity, biogeography, activity and their role as metabolic facilitators of microbes beneath the Ross Ice Shelf. The viral community was mainly comprised of novel, endemic viruses adapted to polar and mesopelagic environments. Extremely low abundance of genes related to lysogenic lifestyle (<3%) did not support a predominance of the Piggyback-the-Winner, consistent with a low productive habitat. Our results indicate a viral community actively infecting the key ammonium and sulfur-oxidizing chemolithoautotrophs (e.g. Nitrosopumilus spp, Thioglobus spp.), supporting a kill-the-winner. These viruses carry specific auxiliary metabolic genes involved in nitrogen, sulfur and phosphorus acquisition. Altogether, the viruses under Antarctic ice shelves are involved in reprograming the metabolism of ecologically cornerstone microbes that maintain primary production in these chemosynthetically-driven ecosystems, which have a major role in global nutrient cycles.
Scenario reduction-based simulation method for efficient serviceability assessment of earthquake-damaged water distribution systems ​
Authors: Jia Rui , Du Kun , Song Zhigang , Xu Wei , Zheng Feifei 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Water distribution systems are vulnerable to earthquake damage, highlighting the need to assess their seismic serviceability. While existing simulation-based methods have shown promise in providing accurate assessments, their applicability to large networks is limited by the prohibitive computational burden associated with sampling a sufficiently large space and the prolonger time of simulations. To bridge this gap, this paper introduces a scenario reduction-based simulation method that efficiently evaluates the serviceability of earthquake-damaged WDSs. Specifically, Monte Carlo simulation is first employed to generate a sufficient number of earthquake-damaged scenarios (e.g., 10,000), while a novel linear pressure estimation method (LPEM) is developed to approximate nodal pressures for each scenario. Subsequently, the proposed approach categorizes and selects representative scenarios based on their pressure similarities, enabling the assessment of system serviceability using a reduced set of representative scenarios. This approach significantly reduces the computational load without sacrificing estimation accuracy. The feasibility of the proposed method is evaluated using four benchmark networks, namely Grid, Modena, C-Town, and Exnet, under varying seismic intensities. The application of the LPEM yields promising results, with most errors in nodal pressure estimation below 3 m and all R2 values exceeding 0.9. Furthermore, the proposed scenario reduction approach, utilizing only five representative scenarios, effectively estimates system serviceability with nearly all errors below 10%. Notably, increasing the number of representative scenarios to fifty further reduces most errors to below 5%, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed method.
3D video tracking analysis reveals that mosquitoes pass more successfully through holes of a permethrin-treated than an untreated net
Authors: Fatou Mathurin , Müller Pie 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
In addition to killing, mosquito nets treated with permethrin have been claimed to repel mosquitoes, reducing their success in passing through a holed net. We have tested this hypothesis by tracking mosquitoes in a modified World Health Organization tunnel test. In the original assay, mosquitoes are released at one end of the tunnel and have to pass through a holed piece of net to reach the bait at the other end while mortality and feeding rates are recorded upon exposure. Since the original test does not reveal how mosquitoes move within the tunnel, we combined the assay with a 3D infrared video camera system. We tracked susceptible and permethrin-resistant Anopheles gambiae s.s. as they moved in the tunnel and interacted with an untreated or a permethrin-treated net. Surprisingly, while permethrin increased the mortality and reduced the blood-feeding rates, twice as many mosquitoes passed through the holes of the permethrin-treated net. The 3D flight trajectories reveal that upon exposure to a permethrin-treated net, both insecticide susceptible and resistant An. gambiae s.s. show an increased contact-disengagement or ‘excitation’, thereby augmenting their chance of getting through the holes in the net. The study underlines the complexity of behavioural mode of actions of insecticides.
Analysis of risk factors for seizures and short-term reoccurrence of seizures in febrile children with SARS-CoV-2 infection: an observational study
Authors: Jiang Jipeng , Shen Zhengsong , cao jie 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background:With the epidemic of the Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2) variant Omicron, its accompanying neurological manifestations have gradually attracted attention.The main objective of this study was to compare seizures in febrile children with and without coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) and to conduct a short-term follow-up in the COVID-19 positive group to investigate the risk factors for short-term recurrence of seizures in children with febrile seizures(FS).
Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University for fever and seizures between October 1 and December 30, 2022.Based on the results of SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), the patients were divided into a COVID-19 positive group and a COVID-19 negative group.Moreover,we followed up patients in the COVID-19-positive group for 3 months using outpatient or telephone follow-up, and the main content of follow-up included whether the patients had seizures after discharge and whether there were neurological abnormalities.
Results:Compared with the COVID-19-negative group, the COVID-19-positive group had a higher proportion of seizure duration ≥ 15 minutes(18.7%VS5.1%;P=0.001), seizure ≥ 2 time(54.4%VS41.0%;P=0.024), status epilepticus(15.4%VS5.1%;P=0.005), and Electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities(29.4%VS13.6%;P=0.016).Seizures ≥2 time[P=0.015,OR(95% CI)=4.632(1.347-15.928)], peak temperature ≤39°C[P=0.001,OR(95% CI)=6.296(2.059-19.254)], and history of convulsions[P=0.005,OR(95% CI)=5.628(1.707-18.550)] were risk factors for recurrence of seizures within a short period of time in children with covid-19 infected febrile convulsions.In the COVID-19 positive group, three patients died and four patients had residual cognitive or motor dysfunction.
Conclusions:The seizures were more severe in the COVID-19 positive group compared to the COVID-19 negative group.In addition, patients with COVID-19 who present with seizures and persistent impaired consciousness need to be alerted to serious neurological disorders such as acute necrotizing encephalopathy.