bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bojungikgi-tang improves skin barrier function and immune response in atopic dermatitis mice fed a low aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand diet
Authors: Ahn You Mee , Shin Sarah , Jang Ji-hye , Jung Jeeyoun 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is an essential regulator of skin barrier function and a ligand-activated transcription factor that is highly active in the epidermis. The herbal medicine Bojungikgi-tang (BJIKT) has been reported to be effective against allergies and immune diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of BJIKT on the skin barrier, AhR target signaling, and immune response in AD mice fed a low-AhR ligand diet are not well understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of the AhR ligand in skin inflammation using an AD-induced mouse model fed a low-AhR ligand diet (LowAhR + AD).
Methods: AD was induced with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), and BJIKT was administered orally daily for ten weeks. Serum IgE, splenocyte IL-4, and IFN-γ levels, skin barrier genes, and AhR target gene expressions were analyzed using RNA-sequencing analysis. Spleen tissues were extracted for fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis to analyze the effect of BJIKT on immune responses. A correlation analysis was conducted to analyze the correlation between immune markers and skin barrier genes and AhR target genes.
Results: BJIKT alleviated AD symptoms in AD mice and decreased the numbers of neutrophils and eosinophils, as well as the levels of IgE, IL-4, and IFN-γ in splenocytes. Additionally, BJIKT significantly reduced epithelial skin thickness and transepidermal water loss (TEWL) values and reversed the decreased expression of skin barrier genes. BJIKT also considerably altered the expression of AhR target genes, including Ahr, Ahrr, cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1), and CYP1B1. Furthermore, AhR target pathway genes were negatively correlated with immune cell subtypes, including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and macrophages (CD11b + F4/80+) at the systemic level.
Conclusions: BJIKT can regulate AhR activation and may help reduce inflammation in AD by regulating the expression of skin barrier genes and immune responses. However, further studies on the effects of BJIKT on AD, BJIKT components, and the regulation of the AhR signaling pathway are required to more comprehensively reveal the underlying mechanisms. Keywords: BJIKT; low-AhR ligand diet; atopic dermatitis; skin barrier; inflammation; immune response
Survival of microorganisms during two-year exposure in outer space near the ISS
Authors: Deshevaya Elena A. , Fialkina Svetlana V. , Shubralova Elena V. , Tsygankov Oleg S. , Khamidullina Natalia M. , Vasilyak Leonid M. , Pecherkin Vladimir Ya. , Shcherbakova Viktoria A. , Nosovsky Andrey M. , Orlov Oleg I. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The results of the "Test" experiment on the study of the survival and variability of microorganisms in open space near the International Space Station are presented. It was found that after two years of exposure, spore-forming bacteria of the species Bacillus subtilis, fungi of the species Aurobasidium pullulans and archaea of the species Methanosarcina mazei S-6T, deposited on cotton wool, are able to survive, and their numbers decreased equally, regardless of whether the microorganisms belong to different taxonomic groups. Such duration of microorganism survival may be the result of their dehydration and partial lyophilization in the vacuum of near-Earth space. A study of the radiation resistance of the fungus species Aurobasidium pullulans after two-year stay in space revealed that resistance to gamma radiation increased in 30% of subcultures compared to the original culture. It was found that the response to the action of different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and 1% chlorine in the control strain Aurobasidium pullulans VKM F-1116 is more pronounced than in the studied surviving strains on the ISS of a similar species.
Misinformation and COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Kampala, Uganda: A Comparison of Health Care Workers and the General Public
Authors: Atuheirwe Maxine , Richard Otim , Male Keneth Junior , Stella Ahimbisibwe , Sackey Joachim , Sande Obondo James 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
COVID-19 has greatly impacted communities worldwide, more so in developing countries. To successfully resolve the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccination coverage of more than 80% is required. However, this has been impacted by misinformation that has increased COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Limited studies have assessed the effect of COVID-19 misinformation on vaccine acceptance, especially in Africa. This assessed the current understanding of COVID-19 vaccination as well as the effect of circulating misinformation on vaccine uptake among healthcare workers (HCWs) versus the general public (GP) in Uganda.
Methods: This was a quantitative cross-sectional study conducted among HCWs and the GP in Kampala, Uganda. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data. A total of 564 participants were recruited, and of these, 311 were HCWs, and 253 were GP. Data were analyzed using frequency distributions and Chi-square tests. SPSS version 22.0 was used to conduct all study analyses.
Results: This study revealed that the proportion of vaccinated HCWs (77.4%) was significantly higher than that of vaccinated GP (64.4%, p= 0.010).
Nearly all study participants were aware of COVID-19 vaccines (96.7%). The study showed that the majority of the study participants (89.7%) were exposed to rumors about the unconfirmed bad COVID-19 vaccine side effects, and this information left the majority hesitant about getting vaccinated (81.1%) and not willing to take up the vaccines (55%). Conclusions: The study showed a negative impact of misinformation on vaccine uptake and could be the most significant contributor to vaccine hesitancy in future vaccine programs
First case of meningoencephalitis and bacteremia with Flavobacterium lindanitolerans
Authors: Zurbuchen Rebecca , de Roche Mirjam , Galimanis Aikaterini , Narr Kerstin , Dubuis Olivier , Resch Christiane , Ziaka Mairi 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Purpose: Flavobacterium lindanitolerans is an environmental gram-negative, non-spore-forming rod which is usually not considered to be a human pathogen. Isolation from human clinical samples has been described only once. Herein, we report the first case of meningoencephalitis and bacteremia with Flavobacterium lindanitolerans.
Methods: Report of clinical, imaging, and laboratory findings, treatment considerations, and outcome.
Case description: A 76-year-old female presented herself with fever, headache, alteration of mental status, marked meningism, and dysarthria. Lumbar puncture demonstrated cerebrospinal fluid findings consistent with bacterial meningitis and a broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy was initiated. Blood and cerebrospinal fluid cultures revealed growth of Flavobacterium lindanitolerans. Based on antimicrobial susceptibilities testing antibiotic treatment was changed to levofloxacin, resulting in a remission of the clinical symptoms after 21 days of treatment.
Conclusion: Flavobacterium species are extremely rare human pathogens. However, some of them have been reported to cause opportunistic infections. We describe the first case of meningoencephalitis and bacteremia caused by Flavobacterium lindanitolerans which was effectively treated with levofloxacin for 21 days.
VG111, A novel formulation (VG111) demonstrating clinical evidence of anti-pathogenic activity and accelerated wound healing in humans and companion animals
Authors: Singhal Lipika , Kaushik Swati , Panda Rajendra Kumar , Malik Yashpal Singh , Verma Rahul K , Ghosh Deepa , Singh Navdeep , Kaur Paviter , Batra Priyam , Khare Siddhant , Thakur Vipul , Kumar Rajesh , Shekhar Nishant , Chakraborty Surajit , Bhattacharya Shalmoli , Singh Inderjeet , Vasisht Karan , Sharma Ashish , Singh Kanwar Arshjot , Gautam Vikas 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

VG111, a novel natural product formulation developed at PGIMER, Chandigarh is an attempt to meet the requirements of an ideal wound healing product. The present study demonstrates the efficacy of VG111 in antimicrobial assay, in tissue-regeneration,and in direct application-based wound healing. VG111 was able to kill major human pathogens, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Escherichia coli, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), while biofilm clearance was observed for Pseudomonas aeruginosa PA14 and Stenotrophomonas sepilia. Scratch assay and cytokine estimation in VG111-treated RAW464.7 cell lines show that it enhances cell migration and limits host inflammatory response by lowering IL-6 and TNF-α levels. VG111 application in canine and human patients’ representative cases provides evidence of remarkable wound healing and improved recovery. In particular, its potential to treat aggravated wounds in diabetic patients without the need of administering additional antibiotics in patients on steroids and obviating the need of skin graft adds on to make this natural product formulation to be a game-changer in the segment.
EnDairy: An Ensemble Learning-based Framework for Efficient Dairy Product Identification
Authors: Wang Pengbo , Yan Junyi , Li Yilin , Zuo Enguang , Sun Xuan , Xu Yuzheng , Yan Ziwei , Lv Xiaoyi 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Food safety has been a worldwide concern, and raw materials’ adulteration is oneof the significant factors contributing to this problem. Camel milk has high nutri-tional and economic value but faces adulteration problems. With time-consuming,poor stability, and low accuracy, the existing adulteration identification frame-works are limited applications. This paper proposes an efficient dairy adulterationidentification framework (EnDairy) based on an ensemble learning algorithmto solve these problems. Specifically, samples are identified by comparing theprobabilistic prediction values obtained and the optimal threshold by data pre-processing and weak learners iteration fusion into a strong learner. In this paper,we used a batch of camel milk data to verify the effectiveness of EnDairy in realscenarios. We tested its discriminative ability for data with missing values byfeature mask. The results show that EnDairy performs well; the AUC and Recallvalues are equal and 0.986 and 0.981 for the 10% and 20% feature mask treat-ments, respectively. The time taken by the identification model is only 0.637sand 0.648s. EnDairy ensures the accuracy of identification and effectively reducesthe economic and time costs, which can provide supportive information for camelmilk regulation, promote dairy product safety, and advance health for all.
Electroluminescence and hyperphosphorescence from stable blue Ir(III) carbene complexes with suppressed efficiency roll-off
Authors: CHI Yun , YAN Jie , Zhou Dong-Ying , Liao Liang-Sheng , Kuhn Martin , Zhou Xiuwen , Yiu Shek-Man 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Efficient Förster energy transfer from a phosphorescent sensitizer to a thermally activated delayed fluorescent terminal emitter constitutes a potential solution for achieving superb blue emissive organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), which are urgently needed for high-performance displays. Herein, we report the design of four Ir(III) metal complexes, f-ct1a ‒ d, bearing functionalized imidazo[4,5-b]pyrazinylidene fragments that are supported by an aryl cyclometalate, a vertically arranged N-aryl appendage, and two peripheral tert-butyl substituents. These Ir(III) phosphors exhibit efficient true-blue emissions and a fast radiative decay lifetime. More importantly, they also undergo facile isomerization in the presence of catalysts (NaOAc and TsOH) at elevated temperature and, hence, allow for the mass production of either emitter by chromatographic separation, followed by thermal recycling of other isomers. One OLED device with doped f-ct1c shows a peak wavelength at 472 nm and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 20.0%. Upon introduction of the terminal emitter ν-DABNA, the resulting hyper-OLED exhibits a true-blue color (CIEy = 0.11), a FWHM of 18 nm, a maximum EQE of 35.5% and a high EQE of 20.3% at 5000 cd m‒2, paving the way for innovative blue OLED technology.
Excellent survival in relapsed stage I testicular cancer
Authors: Speicher Philip , Fankhauser Christian D. , Lorch Anja , Ardizzone Davide , Helnwein Simon , Hoch Dennis , Hermanns Thomas , Beyer Jörg , Akhoundova Dilara 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background Two thirds of patients with germ-cell cancer (GCC) present as clinical stage I (CSI). Following orchiectomy, active surveillance (AS) has become their standard management. However, 15–50% of patients eventually relapse with metastatic disease after AS. Relapses need to be detected early in order to achieve cure and avoid overtreatment.Methods We retrospectively analyzed consecutive GCC patients treated at two Swiss academic centers between 2010 and 2020. Patients with stage IS and extragonadal primaries were excluded. We compared disease characteristics and survival outcomes of patients relapsed from initial CSI to patients with de novo metastatic disease. Primary endpoint was the IGCCCG category at the time of relapse. Main secondary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).Results We identified 360 GCC patients with initial CSI and 245 de novo metastatic patients. After a median follow-up of 47 months, 81 of 360 (22.5%) CSI patients relapsed: 41 seminoma (Sem) and 40 non-seminoma (NSem) patients. All Sems relapsed in the IGCCCG good prognosis group. NSem relapsed with good 29/40 (72.5%) and intermediate 11/40 (27.5%) prognostic features; 95.1% of relapses occurred within five years post-orchiectomy. Only 3 relapsed NSem patients died from metastatic disease. Five-year OS for relapsed CSI patients was 100% for Sem and 87% (95% CI: 61–96%) for NSem patients; five-year PFS was 92% (95% CI: 77–97) and 78% (95% CI: 56–90) for Sem and NSem, respectively. When stratified by IGCCCG prognostic groups, good risk relapsed patients had a trend towards better OS and PFS as compared to de novo metastatic patients.Conclusions GCC patients who relapse after initial CSI can be detected early by active surveillance and have an excellent survival.
Canopy Velocity Models Recreate Variation in Zero Plane Displacement and Roughness Length for Momentum
Authors: Kunadi Ashvath Singh , Silberstein Richard , Thompson Sally E 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Zero plane displacement length (d0) and roughness length for momentum (z0m), describe the aerodynamic characteristics of a land surface and govern its fluxes. Usually, d0 and z0m are assumed to be constants representing the physical characteristics of the surface, such as the canopy height or leaf area index. Prior evidence in the literature and our examination of OzFlux and Ameriflux sites data show that d0 and z0m variation occurs at sites with vegetated canopies, but is almost absent in a short-canopy grassland, and cannot be adequately explained by variations in wind or friction velocity. We hypothesize that in sites with vegetated canopies, variation in d0 and z0m arises from the canopy's response to the wind.
The hypothesis was developed by matching four analytical canopy velocity models to a logarithmic above-canopy velocity profile at canopy height. This generated d0 and z0m in terms of 2 non-dimensional terms, the canopy momentum absorption capacity (a parameter) and a (measurable) Peclet number. We tested the velocity profiles from Ozflux and Ameriflux sites. These tests produced estimates of canopy momentum absorption capacity which varied consistently with phenological changes in the canopies. Conversely, simple linear regression of d0 and z0m against wind speed and friction velocity generated fitting parameters that did not exhibit physically interpretable variations. The canopy velocity models were able better to much of the variations in d0 and z0m. This technique can be applied at any eddy covariance site where velocity is measured at the canopy height.
Demonstration of a roll-to-roll-configurable, all-solution-based progressive assembly of flexible transducer devices consisting of functional nanowires on micropatterned electrodes
Authors: Han Inhui , Song Jungkeun , Kim Kwangjun , Kim Hyein , Son Hyunji , Kim Minwook , Lee Useung , Choi Kwangjin , Ji Hojae , Lee Sung Ho , Kwak Moon Kyu , Ok Jong G. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
We demonstrate continuous fabrication of flexible transducer devices consisting of interdigitated (IDT) Ag microelectrodes interconnected by ZnO nanowires (ZNWs), created via serially connected solution-processable micro- and nanofabrication processes. On an Ag layer obtainable from the mild thermal reduction of an ionic Ag ink coating, the roll-to-roll-driven photolithography process (termed photo roll lithography (PRL)) followed by wet-etching can be applied to continuously define the IDT microelectrode structure. Conformal ZNWs can then be grown selectively on the Ag electrodes to interconnect them via an Ag-mediated hydrothermal ZNW growth that does not require high-temperature seed sintering. Given that all of these constitutive processes are vacuum-free and solution-processable at a low temperature, and are compatible with continuous processing onto flexible substrates, they can be eventually configured into the roll-to-roll-processable progressive assembly. Through parametric optimizations of processes consisting of the roll-to-roll-configurable, solution-based progressive assembly of nanostructures (ROLSPAN), a flexible transducer consisting of ZNW-interconnected, PRL-ed IDT Ag electrodes can be developed. This flexible architecture faithfully performs UV sensing as well as optoelectronic transduction. The ROLSPAN concept along with its specific applicability to flexible devices may inspire many diverse functional systems requiring high-throughput low-temperature fabrication over large-area flexible substrates.
Objective Wearable Measures and Subjective Questionnaires for Predicting Response to Spinal Cord Stimulation Therapy in People with Chronic Pain
Authors: Heros Robert , Patterson Denis , Huygen Frank , Skaribas Ioannis , Schultz David , Wilson Derron , Fishman Michael , Falowski Steven , Moore Gregory , Kallewaard Jan Willem , Dehghan Soroursh , Kyani Anahita , Mansouri Misagh 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a highly effective therapy for treating and management of refractory chronic pain. However, complex nature of pain and infrequent in-clinic visits, determining subject’s long-term response to the therapy remains difficult. Frequent measurement of pain in this population can help with early diagnosis, disease progression monitoring, and evaluating long-term therapeutic efficacy. This paper compares the utilization of the common subjective patient-reported outcomes with objective measures captured through a wearable device for predicting the response to SCS therapy.
Method: Data is from the ongoing international prospective post-market REALITY clinical study, which collects long-term patient-reported outcomes from 557 subjects and the sub-study designed for collecting additional wearables data on a subset of participants for up to six months after SCS implantation. We first implemented a combination of dimensionality reduction algorithms and correlation analyses to explore the mathematical relationships between objective wearable data and subjective patient-reported outcomes. We then developed machine learning models to predict SCS therapy outcome based on the subject’s response to NRS or PGIC.
Results: Principal component analysis results showed that psychological aspects of pain were closely associated with heart rate variability, while movement-related measures were closely associated with patient-reported outcomes related to physical function and social role participation. Our machine learning models using objective wearable data predicted both PGIC and NRS outcomes with high accuracy in the absence of subjective data. The prediction accuracy was higher for PGIC compared with the NRS using subjective-only measures primarily driven by the patient satisfaction feature. Similarly, the PGIC questions, reflects an overall change since the study onset and could be a better predictor of long-term therapy outcome.
Conclusions: The significance of this study is to introduce a novel use of wearable data collected from a subset of patients to capture multi-dimensional aspects of pain and compare the prediction power with the subjective data from a larger data set. The discovery of pain digital biomarkers could result in a better understanding of the patient’s response to therapy and their general well-being.
Incidence of birth defects in Hunan Province, China: an in-depth cross-analysis according to gender, residence, and maternal age
Authors: Zhou Xu , Cai Shenglan , Wang Hua , Fang Junqun , Gao Jie , Kuang Haiyan , Xie Donghua , He Jian , Wang Aihua 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objective There is some evidence that birth defects are related to maternal age, gender, and residence, but in-depth studies need to be included. To define the relationships between gender, residence, maternal age, and a broad range of birth defects, we examined surveillance data from the Birth Defects Surveillance System in Hunan Province.Methods Data were obtained from the Birth Defects Surveillance System in Hunan Province, China, 2010–2020. Incidences of birth defects (number of cases per 10000 fetuses (births and deaths at 28 weeks of gestation and beyond)) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by residence, gender, maternal age, year, and 23 specific defects. Crude odds ratios (ORs) were calculated to examine the association of each maternal characteristic with birth defects.Results Our study included 1619376 fetuses, and 30596 fetuses had at least one birth defect diagnosis. The incidence of birth defects was 188.94/10000 (95%CI: 186.82-191.05). Birth defects were more frequent in males than females (210.46 vs. 163.03/10000, OR = 1.30, 95%CI: 1.27–1.33), in urban areas than rural areas (223.61 vs. 162.90/10000, OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.35–1.41), and in mothers ≥ 35 years old compared to mothers 25–29 years old (206.35 vs. 187.79/10000, OR = 1.10, 95%CI: 1.06–1.14). Cleft palates were more frequent in males, and nine specific defects were more frequent in females. Five specific defects were more frequent in rural areas, and eight were more frequent in urban areas. Compared to mothers 25–29 years old, five specific defects were more frequent in mothers < 20 years old, seven specific defects had higher incidences in mothers 20–24 years old, two specific defects had higher incidences in mothers 30–34 years old, and ten specific defects had higher incidences in mothers ≥ 35 years old.Conclusion Our data indicate that gender, residence, and maternal age differences in the incidences of birth defects and most specific defects are common. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain these differences. Our study is of great significance for researchers attempting to identify novel risk factors for birth defects.