bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genetically engineered cell membrane-coated nanoparticles for antibacterial and immunoregulatory dual-function treatment of ligature-induced periodontitis
Authors: Deng Yangjia , Ren Mingxing , He Ping , Liu Fengyi , Wang Xu , Zhou Chongjing , Li Yuzhou , Yang Sheng 
Published: January 2023

Purpose: In order to overcome the problem that conventional pharmacological treatments of periodontitis cannot effectively synergizing antimicrobial and immunomodulation, inspired by the critical role of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in bacterial recognition and immune activation, we demonstrated a combined antibacterial-immunoregulatory strategy based on biomimetic nanoparticles.Methods: Functioned cell membranes and silk fibroin nanoparticles (SNs) loaded with minocycline hydrochloride (Mino) were used to prepare a biomimetic nanoparticle (MSNCs). SNs and MSNCs were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope, size, zeta potential, dispersion index. At the same time, SNs were characterized by cell counting kit-8 and real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). TLR4-expressing cell membranes were characterized by RT-PCR and western blot (WB). Cell membrane coating was characterized by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), the Bradford staining and WB. Then, Laser confocal, flow cytometry and agar plate coating were evaluated in vitro with antibacterial effects, RT-PCR was simultaneously evaluated with immunoregulatory effects. Finally, Anti-inflammatory treatment of MSNCs was evaluated in a ligature-induced periodontitis (LIP) mouse model.Results: Successfully prepared cell membranes overexpressing TLR4 and constructed MSNCs. In vitro studies had shown that MSNCs effectively targeted bacteria via TLR4 and acted as molecular decoys to competitively neutralize lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the microenvironment as well as inhibit inflammatory activation of macrophages. In vivo, MSNCs effectively attenuated periodontal tissue inflammation and alveolar bone loss in a LIP mouse model.Conclusion: MSNCs have good targeted antibacterial and immunoregulatory effects, and provide a new and effective strategy for the treatment of periodontitis and have good potential for application in various types of pathogenic bacterial infections.
Cellular analysis and metagenomic next-generation sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in the distinction between pulmonary non-infectious and infectious disease
Authors: Pan Yilin , Zhang Xue , Sun Yi , Zhang Yingying , Bao Wuping , Yin Dongning , Zhang Pengyu , Zhang Min 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundThe aim of the current study was to investigate the clinical value of cellular analysis and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in differentiating pulmonary non-infectious and infectious diseases in immunocompetent patients.MethodsThe present retrospective study was conducted from December 2017 to March 2020, and included immunocompetent patients with suspected pulmonary infection. High-resolution computed tomography, total cell counts and classification of BALF, conventional microbiological tests (CMTs), laboratory tests and mNGS of BALF were performed. Patients were assigned to pulmonary non-infectious disease (PNID) and pulmonary infectious disease (PID) groups based on final diagnoses. PNID-predictive values were analyzed via areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs). Optimal cutoffs were determined by maximizing the sum of sensitivity and specificity.ResultsA total of 102 patients suspected of pulmonary infection were enrolled in the study, 23 (22.5%) with PNID and 79 (77.5%) with PID. The diagnostic efficiency of BALF mNGS for differentiating PID from PNID was better than that of CMTs. Neutrophil percentage (N%) and the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (N/L) in BALF were significantly lower in the PNID group than in the PID group. The AUCs for distinguishing PNID and PID were 0.739 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.636–0.825) for BALF N%, 0.727 (95% CI 0.624–0.815) for BALF N/L, and 0.799 (95% CI 0.702–0.876) for BALF mNGS, with respective cutoff values of 6.7%, 0.255, and negative. Joint models of BALF mNGS combined with BALF N/L or BALF N% increased the respective AUCs to 0.872 (95% CI 0.786–0.933) and 0.871 (95% CI 0.784–0.932), which were significantly higher than those for BALF mNGS, BALF N%, and BALF N/L alone.ConclusionsBALF N% ≤ 6.7% or BALF N/L ≤ 0.255 combined with a negative BALF mNGS result can effectively distinguish PNID from PID in immunocompetent patients with suspected pulmonary infection. BALF mNGS outperforms CMTs for identifying pathogens in immunocompetent patients, and the combination of mNGS and CMTs may be a better diagnostic strategy.
Identification of novel Plasmodium vivax proteins associated with protection against clinical malaria
Authors: Mazhari Ramin , Takashima Eizo , Longley Rhea J. , Ruybal-Pesantez Shazia , White Michael T. , Kanoi Bernard N. , Nagaoka Hikaru , Kiniboro Benson , Siba Peter , Tsuboi Takafumi , Mueller Ivo 
Published: January 2023

As progress towards malaria elimination continues, the challenge posed by the parasite species Plasmodium vivax has become more evident. In many regions co-endemic for P. vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, as transmission has declined the proportion of cases due to P. vivax has increased. Novel tools that directly target P. vivax are thus warranted for accelerated elimination. There is currently no advanced vaccine for P. vivax and only a limited number of potential candidates in the pipeline. In this study we aimed to identify promising P. vivax proteins that could be used as part of a subunit vaccination approach. We screened 342 P. vivax protein constructs for their ability to induce IgG antibody responses associated with protection from clinical disease in a cohort of children from Papua New Guinea. This approach has previously been used to successfully identify novel candidates. We were able to confirm previous results from our laboratory identifying the proteins reticulocyte binding protein 2b and StAR-related lipid transfer protein, as well as at least four novel candidates with similar levels of predicted protective efficacy. Assessment of these P. vivax proteins in further studies to confirm their potential and identify functional mechanisms of protection against clinical disease are warranted.
Photodynamic nasal SARS-CoV-2 decolonization shortens infectivity and influences specific T-Cell responses
Authors: Fernandez-Montero Alejandro , Zuaznabar Jon , Pina-Sanchez Manuel , Maestro Sheila , Martin-Navarro Loreto , Muñoz-Rodríguez Natalia , Olagüe Cristina , Pastrana Marta , Martínez-Fernández Maria , Camps Gracian , Rodriguez Jose Antonio , Marchese Francesco P. , Zazpe Jon , Pozuelo Marta , Del Pozo José Luis , Quiroga Jorge , Pineda-Lucena Antonio , Reina Gabriel , Kolenda Jack , Moreno-Galarraga Laura , Gonzalez-Aseguinolaza Gloria , Rua Marta , Smerdou Cristian , Carmona-Torre Francisco , Argemi Josepmaria 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundThe main objective was to evaluate the efficacy of intranasal photodynamic therapy (PDT) in SARS-CoV-2 mildly symptomatic carriers on decreasing the infectivity period. SARS-CoV-2-specific immune-stimulating effects and safety were also analysed.MethodsWe performed a randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial in a tertiary hospital (NCT05184205). Patients with a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR in the last 48 hours were recruited and aleatorily assigned to PDT or placebo. Patients with pneumonia were excluded. Participants and investigators were masked to group assignment. The primary outcome was the reduction in in vitro infectivity of nasopharyngeal samples at days 3 and 7. Additional outcomes included safety assessment and quantification of humoral and T-cell immune-responses.FindingsPatients were recruited between December 2021 and February 2022. Most were previously healthy adults vaccinated against COVID-19 and most carried Omicron variant. 38 patients were assigned to placebo and 37 to PDT. Intranasal PDT reduced infectivity at day 3 post-treatment when compared to placebo with a β-coefficient of -812.2 (CI95%= -478660 – -1.3, p&lt;0.05) infectivity arbitrary units. The probability of becoming PCR negative (ct&gt;34) at day 7 was higher on the PDT-group, with an OR of 0.15 (CI95%=0.04-0.58). There was a decay in anti-Spike titre and specific SARS-CoV-2 T cell immunity in the placebo group 10 and 20 weeks after infection, but not in the PDT-group. No serious adverse events were reported.InterpretationIntranasal-PDT is safe in pauci-symptomatic COVID-19 patients, it reduces SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and decelerates the decline SARS-CoV-2 specific immune-responses.
Frailty score and outcomes of patients undergoing vascular surgery and amputation: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Shujie , Dunn Riley , Jackson Mark , Morley Nicola , Sun Jing 
Published: January 2023

IntroductionFrailty is associated with adverse postoperative health outcomes, including increased mortality, longer length of stay, higher rehospitalization, and other complications. There are many frailty assessment tools are to assess the level of frailty in vascular surgery patients. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between the frailty levels described by different frailty scores and adverse postoperative health outcomes among hospitalized vascular surgery patients and patients undergoing amputation.MethodsStudies utilizing frailty scores and similar frailty assessment tools to describe frailty and investigate the association between frailty and health outcomes were searched. The primary outcomes of this study were in-hospital mortality, postdischarge mortality, length of hospital stay, rehospitalization, and discharge location. Additional outcomes included postoperative myocardial infarction, postoperative renal failure, cerebrovascular accident and stroke, comorbidities, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels. Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools were used for quality assessment.ResultsIn total, 24 studies with 1,886,611 participants were included in the final analysis. The overall results found that higher in-hospital mortality and postdischarge mortality were significantly associated with frailty. Frailty was also found to be significantly associated with a longer length of hospital stay, higher rehospitalization, and higher likelihood of non-home discharge. In addition, the results also showed that frailty was significantly associated with all kinds of comorbidities investigated, except chronic kidney disease. However, lower eGFR levels were significantly associated with frailty.ConclusionAmong patients who underwent all types of vascular surgery and those who underwent amputations, assessment of frailty was significantly associated with adverse postoperative outcomes and multiple comorbidities.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=336374, identifier CRD42022336374.
Seismic effects of loess slopes using physical modeling and numerical simulation
Authors: Wujian Yan , Xinxin Tian , Zhijian Wu , Ping Wang , Lin Kang 
Published: January 2023

A large shaking-table test of a loess slope with a geometric similarity ratio of 1:25 was established as a prototype model of the loess landslide in Yongguang Village, which occurred during the 2013 Minxian–Zhangxian M6.6 earthquake. Combined with finite-element–numerical-simulation software, the dynamic response characteristics of the loess slope were compared and analyzed under the action of the same Minxian horizontal seismic wave characteristics. The results show that the seismic waves observed in the model test and numerical simulation clearly exhibit non-linear amplification effects along the slope surface and in the loess vertical direction, reaching a maximum value at the top of the slope. The ground-motion acceleration waveforms observed in the model test and numerical simulation at each observation point of the slope were similar, and the horizontal peak ground acceleration (PGA) obtained from the numerical simulation at these locations was larger than that of the slope top. The horizontal aSimulated-max/aModel-max values ranged from 1.5 to 2.2 and the vertical aSimulated-max/aModel-max values were more discrete in the range of 0.5–2.7, while the horizontal and vertical-PGA-amplification factors at the slope surface were similar. The Fourier amplitude and main horizontal frequencies were mainly distributed between 0.1 and 12 Hz. The Fourier spectrum observed in the model test was approximately 0.5 Hz, while the main frequency of the vertical Fourier spectrum was approximately 4 Hz. Additionally, the main frequency of the horizontal and vertical Fourier spectra observed in the numerical simulation was approximately 2 and 1.2 Hz, respectively.
Hydrogeochemical characteristics and water-rock interaction mechanism of coalbed-produced water in the Linfen mining area, eastern margin of Ordos Basin, China
Authors: Guo Zhidong , Bao Yuan , Wang Yubin , Yuan Yang , Li Zhengyan , Wang Yaya , Xia Lin , Liu Weibin , Ma Jianli 
Published: January 2023

Linfen mining area is one of the main coalbed methane industrial bases in the eastern margin of Ordos Basin, China. However, there are few studies on the hydrogeochemical characteristics of coalbed-produced water in the area. This article collected water samples from 14 coalbed methane drainage wells and analyzed the ionic concentrations, hydrogen and oxygen isotopes, dissolved inorganic carbon isotopes (δ13CDIC) and trace elements. The results showed that the water of Nos. Five and eight coal seams are both Cl-Na type. The total dissolved solids content was high, ranging from 5011.45 mg/L to 23405.39 mg/L. Hydrogen and oxygen isotope data indicated that the coalbed-produced water in the study area is recharged from atmospheric precipitation. In addition, the HCO3− in the produced water of No. Five coal seam and No. Eight coal seam was negatively correlated with δ13CDIC. The value δ13CDIC in the produced water of No. Five coal seam was heavier than that of No. Eight coal seam. These indicate that microbial degradation occurred more strongly in No. Five coal seam than in No. Eight coal seam. The water-rock interaction in the study area was found to be dominated by cation exchange and dissolution filtration through the relationships between anion and cation.
The atypical Gaoligong orocline: Its geodynamic origin and evolution
Authors: Chiu Yu-Ping , Yeh Meng-Wan , Lee Tung-Yi 
Published: January 2023

Various orocline systems around the India–Eurasia collision zone have long been recognized and studied. Different portions of the India–Eurasia boundaries represent various scales and models of orocline-forming processes, such as the Baluchistan orocline formed by multiple deformation events and the Himalayan orocline formed by a mixture of complex structural mechanisms. The curvature from the eastern Himalayan syntaxis through east Burma to west Yunnan showed a unique convex curvature toward the mantle wedge. This is different from the concave Baluchistan orocline and the Himalayan orocline. The unique geometry of the Gaoligong orocline shows an N-S trend for the northern section and a NE-SW trend for the southern section. This curvature also marks the boundary between the Tengchong and Baoshan blocks along the Santaishan suture in western Yunnan, China. Our structural reconstruction identified five deformation events: 1) D1 is km-scale upright folding, which only affected the Neoproterozoic meta-sedimentary unit, 2) D2 recumbent folding, which only developed in the southern section of the Gaoligong orocline, 3) D3 large-scale gently westward-inclined thrust folding, 4) D4 right-lateral shear belt, and 5) the D5 normal faults. Since the D3 structure is the earliest event that shows penetrative foliation development along the orocline, we consider D1 and D2 as pre-orocline-forming events. The geometry of the Gaoligong orocline is controlled by the distribution of the Ordovician basement between the Tengchong and Baoshan blocks. Both north and south sections experienced the same structural evolution since D3 (a fault-propagation fold system occurred between 40 Ma and 28 Ma), D4 (steep right-lateral shear belt occurred between 28 Ma and 15 Ma), and D5 (normal faults after 15 Ma). The curvature first developed as a shovel-like top-to-the-NE thrust plane (S3) that formed under amphibolite-facies conditions between 40 Ma and 28 Ma. The following deformation events (D4 and D5) show orocline parallel foliation development under lower metamorphic conditions, indicating that the curvature of the Gaoligong orocline is not generated by additional rotation along multiple deformation events. However, due to the lack of orocline parallel foliation development for S3, and the lack of a proper position of the indenter, the Gaoligong orocline cannot be classified as a primary orocline nor a rotational orocline. The curved geometry is an interference pattern of topography relief to the shovel-like thrust plane that developed during D3. Our new reconstructed structural evolution concludes that the Gaoligong orocline is an “atypical” orocline.
Benchmark shielding calculations for fusion and accelerator-driven sub-critical systems
Authors: Iwamoto Yosuke , Tsuda Shuichi , Ogawa Tatsuhiko 
Published: January 2023

We conducted benchmark calculations of neutron-shielding experiments for fusion applications such as (1) Neutron spectra in iron shields with 14 MeV neutrons; and (2) Leakage neutron spectra from various sphere piles by 14 MeV neutrons, and for Accelerator-Driven Sub-Critical system (ADS) such as (3) Neutron energy spectra after transmission through iron and concrete shields using a quasi-monochromatic neutron source, (4) Thick target neutron yield produced by high-energy heavy ion incidence on a thick target, and (5) Induced radio activity in concrete exposed to secondary particles produced by heavy-ion incident reaction on an iron target by using the Particle and Heavy Ion Transport code System (PHITS). For case (1), the calculated neutron energy spectra using the nuclear data libraries, JENDL-4.0, agreed with the experimental data in iron shields. For the cases (2) of Al, Ti, Cr, and As piles, the neutron energy spectra calculated with JENDL-4.0 agreed with the experimental results well. For the case (3), the neutron spectra calculated with JENDL-4.0/HE reproduced the experimental data because the proton data library of7Li can produce source neutrons for proton incident reactions. For the case (4), calculated results for thick target neutron spectra produced by a 400 MeV per nucleon carbon incident reaction on lead reproduced the experimental data well. For the case (5) with a neutron source produced by the 200–400 MeV per nucleon heavy-ion incident reaction, the calculated results of the reaction rate depth profiles of197Au (n, γ)198Au reactions reproduced the experimental results within a factor of 2. Overall, PHITS with nuclear data libraries reproduced the experimental data sufficiently well. Thus, PHITS has a potential application in the design of advanced reactor systems, such as fusion and ADS facilities. This experimental data are also useful in validating nuclear reaction models in other Monte Carlo codes and evaluating nuclear data libraries for advanced reactor systems.
Non-volatile electric field-mediated magnetic anisotropy in CoZr/ PMN-PT structure
Authors: Wang Zhiling , Zhu Dengyu , Liu Fufu , Zhou Cai , Jiang Changjun 
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Although electric field mediated the magnetic anisotropy in ferromagnetic/ferroelectric structure have an intense report, the angle between the magnetic uniaxial anisotropy and strain anisotropy influencing the rearrangement of the magnetic moment has not well investigated.Methods: Keithley 2410 direct current power supply was used to provide voltage through the Cu wires. Static magnetic properties of CoZr layer were measured through VSM (MicroSense EV9). Dynamic magnetic properties were obtained by FMR (JEOL JES-FA 300 spectrometer, power of 1-mW, X-band at 8.969 GHz).Results and Discussion: Electric field-mediated, room-temperature magnetic anisotropy of CoZr/Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–PbTiO3 (PMN–PT) structures, in which easy axis of CoZr layer along either direction of [01-1] or [100] of PMN–PT, was investigated. Measured with vibrating sample magnetometer, for [01-1] easy-axis direction sample, when an electric field was applied, these directions of easy axis and hard axis remains unchanged. However, for [100] easy-axis direction sample, these directions of easy axis and hard axis were changed obviously with applying electric field, attributable to the competition between magnetic uniaxial anisotropy of CoZr layer and piezostrain anisotropy of PMN-PT substrate. Nevertheless, change of the resonance magnetic field with electric field–measured by ferromagnetic resonance–exhibited non-volatile behavior, which possibly indicates magnon-driven magnetoelectric coupling existing in CoZr/PMN–PT structures.
The effects of cognitive impairment on the multi-scale dynamics of standing postural control during visual-search in older men
Authors: Zhou Junhong , Manor Brad , McCarten John Riley , Wade Michael G. , Jor’dan Azizah J. 
Published: January 2023

BackgroundCognitive impairment disrupts postural control, particularly when standing while performing an unrelated cognitive task (i.e., dual-tasking). The temporal dynamics of standing postural sway are “complex,” and such complexity may reflect the capacity of the postural control system to adapt to task demands. We aimed to characterize the impact of cognitive impairment on such sway complexity in older adults.MethodsForty-nine older adult males (Alzheimer’s disease (AD): n = 21; mild cognitive impairment (MCI): n = 13; cognitively-intact: n = 15) completed two 60-s standing trials in each of single-task and visual-search dual-task conditions. In the dual-task condition, participants were instructed to count the frequency of a designated letter in a block of letters projected on screen. The sway complexity of center-of-pressure fluctuations in anterior–posterior (AP) and medial-lateral (ML) direction was quantified using multiscale entropy. The dual-task cost to complexity was obtained by calculating the percent change of complexity from single- to dual-task condition.ResultsRepeated-measures ANOVAs revealed significant main effects of group (F &gt; 4.8, p &lt; 0.01) and condition (F = 7.7, p &lt; 0.007) on both AP and ML sway complexity; and significant interaction between group and condition for ML sway complexity (F = 3.7, p = 0.03). The AD group had the lowest dual-task ML complexity, as well as greater dual-task cost to ML (p = 0.03) compared to the other two groups. Visual-search task accuracy was correlated with ML sway complexity in the dual-task condition (r = 0.42, p = 0.007), and the dual-task cost to ML sway complexity (r = 0.39, p = 0.01) across all participants.ConclusionAD-related cognitive impairment was associated with a greater relative reduction in postural sway complexity from single- to dual-tasking. Sway complexity appears to be sensitive to the impact of cognitive impairment on standing postural control.