bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serrapeptase impairs biofilm, wall, and phospho-homeostasis of resistant and susceptible Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Katsipis Georgios , Pantazaki Anastasia A. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus biofilms are implicated in hospital infections due to elevated antibiotic and host immune system resistance. Molecular components of cell wall including amyloid proteins, peptidoglycans (PGs), and lipoteichoic acid (LTA) are crucial for biofilm formation and tolerance of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Significance of alkaline phosphatases (ALPs) for biofilm formation has been recorded. Serrapeptase (SPT), a protease of Serratia marcescens, possesses antimicrobial properties similar or superior to those of many antibiotics. In the present study, SPT anti-biofilm activity was demonstrated against S. aureus (ATCC 25923, methicillin-susceptible strain, methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA)) and MRSA (ST80), with IC50 values of 0.67 μg/mL and 7.70 μg/mL, respectively. SPT affected bacterial viability, causing a maximum inhibition of − 46% and − 27%, respectively. Decreased PGs content at [SPT] ≥ 0.5 μg/mL and ≥ 8 μg/mL was verified for MSSA and MRSA, respectively. In MSSA, LTA levels decreased significantly (up to − 40%) at lower SPT doses but increased at the highest dose of 2 μg/mL, a counter to spectacularly increased cellular and secreted LTA levels in MRSA. SPT also reduced amyloids of both strains. Additionally, intracellular ALP activity decreased in both MSSA and MRSA (up to − 85% and − 89%, respectively), while extracellular activity increased up to + 482% in MSSA and + 267% in MRSA. Altered levels of DING proteins, which are involved in phosphate metabolism, in SPT-treated bacteria, were also demonstrated here, implying impaired phosphorus homeostasis. The differential alterations in the studied molecular aspects underline the differences between MSSA and MRSA and offer new insights in the treatment of resistant bacterial biofilms.

Key points
• SPT inhibits biofilm formation in methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus.
• SPT treatment decreases bacterial viability, ALP activity, and cell wall composition.
• SPT-treated bacteria present altered levels of phosphate-related DING proteins.

Graphical Abstract
Pancreaticoduodenectomy After Liver Transplantation: A Single‐Center Experience
Authors: Blake Caleb , Almerey Tariq , Hyman David , Nguyen Justin , Stauffer John A. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study is to report the feasibility and short‐term outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) in patients who have undergone orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).MethodsWe performed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained pancreatic surgical database for all patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) after liver transplant from January 1995 until June 2022. Demographics, indications for pancreatic resection, liver transplant and time from liver transplant to PD were reported. Operative mortality and morbidity were recorded within 90 days of surgery. Continuous variables were recorded as mean and range, while categorical variables were summarized using frequency and percentage. Postoperative complications within 90 days from PD were graded based on Clavien–Dindo classification with major complication recorded as grade IIIa or higher. Additionally, a comprehensive literature review was performed.ResultsA total of 916 patients who underwent PD at our institution between January 1995 and June 2022 were identified, and 9 patients had previous OLT. Five patients were females and 4 males with a mean age of 65 years (range 51–78). Average body mass index (BMI) was 30.8. Two patients had major complications, and three patients had minor complications. No clinically relevant POPF, PPH or DGE were observed. One patient died within 90 days from PD due to ischemic biliary pancreatic limb causing intrabdominal sepsis.ConclusionAlthough uncommon, PD after OLT is feasible with acceptable outcomes at high volume institutions and if performed by experienced surgeons.
Nanoporous adsorbents for hydrogen storage
Authors: Hirscher Michael , Zhang Linda , Oh Hyunchul 
Published: January 2023

AbstractHydrogen storage in absorbents as activated carbons has been rarely investigated; however, about 25 years ago, the development of new nanomaterials, initiated by Iijima’s discovery of carbon microtubules, started new hopes. Unfortunately, initial results on high hydrogen uptake in carbon nanotubes at ambient conditions could not be independently reproduced; however, at cryogenic conditions, these novel nanomaterials just behaved as activated carbons with an uptake proportional to the surface area. Shortly after, the development of coordination polymers with permanent porosity opened a new route to nanoporous materials with ultra-high internal surfaces. Mainly metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been attracting a great deal of attention in recent years, as very high gravimetric hydrogen capacities can be achieved at 77 K. Cryogenic storage by physisorption of hydrogen molecules will safely operate at low pressures, is fully reversible, and possesses fast kinetics. This mini-review shows the rapid development in this field over the past 25 years. Exemplarily, the main focus is on results obtained in the hydrogen storage laboratory in Stuttgart and their connection to Applied Physics A.
Perioperative external ventricular drainage vs. no-EVD strategy in pediatric posterior fossa tumors—pilot study results
Authors: Krause Matthias , Meixensberger Jürgen , von Einsiedel Hagen Graf , Gräfe Daniel , Nestler Ulf 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Pediatric brain tumors of the posterior fossa often present with occlusive hydrocephalus. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) or ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) has been established for definite hydrocephalus treatment. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact and safety of perioperative temporary external ventricular CSF drainage (EVD) placement on postoperative hydrocephalus outcome compared to a no-EVD strategy.

Patients and methods
In a prospective database, 36 posterior fossa tumor patients of 2–18 years were included with a follow-up of 1 year. Fifty-eight percent presented with preoperative hydrocephalus. Patients were assigned to non-hydrocephalus group: group I (n = 15) and to preoperative hydrocephalus, group IIa with EVD placement (n = 9), and group IIb without EVD (n = 12).

Results
Median age of patients was 8.1 years (range 3.17 to 16.58 years). One-third of 21 hydrocephalus patients required ETV or VPS (n = 7). Occurrence of de novo hydrocephalus in group I after surgery was not observed in our cohort. Age and histology were no confounding factor for EVD placement between group IIa and IIb (p = 0.34). The use of EVD did not result in better control of hydrocephalus compared to no-EVD patients considering pre- and postoperative MRI ventricular indices (p = 0.4). Perioperative placement of an EVD resulted in a threefold risk for subsequent VPS or ETV (group IIa 55.5% vs group IIb 16.6%): relative risk for EVD patients compared to no-EVD patients with hydrocephalus was 3.3 (CI = 1.06–13.43, p = 0.09).

Conclusion
Perioperative EVD placement appears to harbor a threefold relative risk of requiring subsequent permanent CSF diversion in children above 2 years. EVD was not more effective to control ventricular enlargement compared to tumor removal alone. The no-EVD strategy was safe and did not result in postoperative complications. Thus, to evaluate potential adverse effects on hydrocephalus outcome by EVD placement, a prospective study is warranted to falsify the results.
Placeboeffekte in der Schmerztherapie
Authors: Kunkel Angelika , Bingel Ulrike 
Published: January 2023

ZusammenfassungErwartungen von Patienten beeinflussen die Wahrnehmung und neuronale Verarbeitung akuter und chronischer Schmerzen und modulieren die Wirksamkeit einer analgetischen Behandlung. Die Behandlungserwartung ist nicht nur die wichtigste Determinante der Placeboanalgesie. Behandlungserwartungen beeinflussen auch Wirksamkeit und Verträglichkeit „aktiver“ pharmakologischer und nichtpharmakologischer Schmerzbehandlungen. Jüngste Erkenntnisse über die psychologischen und neurobiologischen Mechanismen, die den Effekten von Behandlungserwartungen zugrunde liegen, ermöglichen und fordern die systematische Integration und Modulation von Behandlungserwartungen in schmerzmedizinischen Behandlungskonzepten. Eine solche Strategie verspricht, die Schmerztherapie zu optimieren und die Belastung durch unerwünschte Nebenwirkungen sowie den Missbrauch von Analgetika zu verhindern oder zu verringern. Diese Übersicht beleuchtet aktuelle Konzepte, neueste Errungenschaften, aber auch Herausforderungen und offene Forschungsfragen.
Tuber wenchuanense, a holarctic truffle with a wide range of host plants and description of its ectomycorrhiza with spruce
Authors: Mleczko Piotr , Hilszczańska Dorota , Karpowicz Filip , Kozak Maciej , Leonardi Marco , Rosa-Gruszecka Aleksandra , Tereba Anna , Pacioni Giovanni 
Published: January 2023

AbstractTuber wenchuanenseascomata (Ascomycota, Pezizales), a species originally described from Sichuan (China), were found in the Tatra Mountains in southern Poland. The purpose of this work was to (i) report and assess the first case of the holarctic natural distribution of aTuberspecies, (ii) amend the original description of the species, (iii) summarize data on its host plants and (iv) describe its ectomycorrhiza. Specimens ofTuber wenchuanensefrom the Tatra Mountains were studied morphologically and molecularly. The ectomycorrhiza of this truffle withPicea abieswas described for the first time. The distribution ofT. wenchuanense, which is reconstructed based on sequences deposited in the publicly available nucleotide sequence databases, makes it the first holarcticTuberspecies and the one with the northernmost habitat. In fact, its habitat is confined mainly to mountain coniferous forests and alpine and arctic tundra; although, according to known observations, the fruiting bodies ofT. wenchuanensecan be produced only under conifers. Based on the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer, this species appears to have low genetic variability over the entire distribution range. The phylogenetic tree showed that some of the unidentified phylotypes from the Rufum clade found by other researchers belong toT. wenchuanense. The ecological implications of these findings are discussed.
Influenza A virus strain PR/8/34, but neither HAM/2009 nor WSN/33, is transiently inhibited by the PB2-targeting drug paliperidone
Authors: Panagiotidis Georgios-Dimitrios , Müller Christin , Binder Marco , Weber Friedemann 
Published: January 2023

AbstractInfluenza A virus (FLUAV) is a significant human pathogen. In silico structural analysis (PMID 28628827) has suggested that the FDA-approved drug paliperidone interferes with the binding of the FLUAV polymerase subunit PB2 to the nucleoprotein NP. We found that paliperidone inhibits FLUAV A/PR/8/34 early after infection of canine MDCK II, human A549, and human primary bronchial cells, but not at late time points. No effect was detectable against the strains A/Hamburg/05/2009 and A/WSN/33. Moreover, paliperidone indeed disturbed the interaction between the PB2 and the NP of A/PR/8/34 and reduced early viral RNA and protein synthesis by approximately 50%. Thus, paliperidone has measurable but transient and virus-strain-restricted effects on FLUAV.
Hunting for ecological indicators: are large herbivore skeleton measures from harvest data useful proxies for monitoring?
Authors: Pedersen Åshild Ø. , Bårdsen Bård-Jørgen , Veiberg Vebjørn , Irvine Robert Justin , Hansen Brage B. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Hunter-collected data and samples are used as indices of population performance, and monitoring programs often take advantage of such data as ecological indicators. Here, we establish the relationships between measures of skeleton size (lower jawbone length and hind-leg length) and autumn carcass mass of slaughtered individuals of known age and sex of the high Arctic and endemic Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus). We assess these relationships using a long-term monitoring dataset derived from hunted or culled reindeer. The two skeleton measures were generally strongly correlated within age class. Both jaw length (R2 = 0.78) and hind-leg length (R2 = 0.74) represented good proxies of carcass mass. These relationships were primarily due to an age effect (i.e. due to growth) as the skeleton measures reached an asymptotic size at 4–6 years of age. Accordingly, strong positive correlations between skeleton measures and carcass mass were mainly evident at the young age classes (range r [0.45–0.84] for calves and yearlings). For the adults, these relationships weakened due to skeletal growth ceasing in mature animals causing increased variance in mass with age—potentially due to the expected substantial impacts of annual environmental fluctuations. As proxies for carcass mass, skeleton measurements should therefore be limited to young individuals. Although body mass is the ‘gold standard’ in monitoring large herbivores, our results indicate that skeleton measures collected by hunters only provide similar valuable information for young age classes, particularly calves and yearlings. In sum, jaw length and hind-leg length function as proxies identical to body mass when documenting the impacts of changing environmental conditions on important state variables for reindeer and other herbivores inhabiting highly variable environments.
Effect of pulp prehydrolysis conditions on dissolution and regenerated cellulose pore structure
Authors: Koistinen Antti , Phiri Josphat , Kesari Kavindra Kumar , Vuorinen Tapani , Maloney Thaddeus 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWhen producing regenerated cellulose materials, e.g., fibers and films, pulp fibers are first dissolved in a solvent and then regenerated in an antisolvent. The pulp properties have a significant impact on the dissolution. This study examines the effect of pulp prehydrolysis conditions on pulp structure, subsequent dissolution in cold aqueous NaOH/ZnO solvent, and regenerated cellulose film properties. The fiber and regenerated cellulose swelling and pore structure is addressed. Once-dried kraft pulp was activated in acid hydrolysis at two temperatures, 60 and 80 °C. The hydrolysis primarily affected the cellulose degree of polymerization (DP), and its reduction dramatically improved the pulp dissolution. Surprisingly, higher hydrolysis temperature did not increase the fiber hornification. DP reduction marginally effected the pulp swelling properties but had a significant effect on the regenerated film swelling. The regenerated films contained cellulose II, and their wet porosity correlated inversely with the DP. Low hydrolysis temperature films remained more porous after critical point drying.
Polar sampler: A novel Bernoulli sampler using polar codes with application to integer Gaussian sampling
Authors: Wang Jiabo , Ling Cong 
Published: January 2023

AbstractCryptographic constructions based on hard lattice problems have emerged as a front runner for the standardization of post-quantum public-key cryptography. As the standardization process takes place, optimizing specific parts of proposed schemes, e.g., Bernoulli sampling and integer Gaussian sampling, becomes a worthwhile endeavor. In this work, we propose a novel Bernoulli sampler based on polar codes, dubbed “polar sampler”. The polar sampler is information theoretically optimum in the sense that the number of uniformly random bits it consumes approaches the entropy bound asymptotically. It also features quasi-linear complexity and constant-time implementation. An integer Gaussian sampler is developed using multilevel polar samplers. Our algorithm becomes effective when sufficiently many samples are required at each query to the sampler. Security analysis is given based on Kullback–Leibler divergence and Rényi divergence. Experimental and asymptotic comparisons between our integer Gaussian sampler and state-of-the-art samplers verify its efficiency in terms of entropy consumption, running time and memory cost. We envisage that the proposed Bernoulli sampler can find other applications in cryptography in addition to Gaussian sampling.
What Works in Preventing Emerging Social Anxiety: Exposure, Cognitive Restructuring, or a Combination?
Authors: de Mooij Brechtje , Fekkes Minne , Miers Anne C. , van den Akker Alithe L. , Scholte Ron H. J. , Overbeek Geertjan 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPrograms that aim to reduce symptoms of social anxiety in children generally include multiple components, such as exposure and cognitive restructuring. It is unknown if separate components yield positive intervention effects in children or whether a combination of components is required. We investigated the effectiveness of exposure, cognitive restructuring, and a combination of both components in reducing social anxiety symptoms and anxiety-related social-emotional outcomes in an indicated-prevention setting. To this end, we conducted a cluster-randomized microtrial using a sample of 191 children aged 8 to 13 years (M = 10.48, SD = 1.10). Children with elevated social anxiety symptoms participated in one of three group interventions, each lasting four weeks, and completed a questionnaire on four measurement occasions. Latent change models demonstrated that the intervention with either exposure or cognitive restructuring reduced social anxiety symptoms and anxiety-related outcomes. The analyses showed that both of these intervention components were effective, with more favorable effects for exposure. Combining exposure and cognitive restructuring techniques did not yield greater benefit than either component alone. Future research should investigate whether specific components may be more effective for particular subgroups (e.g., based on sex or level of behavioral inhibition) in more detail.
Energy Storage with Highly-Efficient Electrolysis and Fuel Cells: Experimental Evaluation of Bifunctional Catalyst Structures
Authors: Wagner Enno , Delp Erik , Mishra Rakesh 
Published: January 2023

AbstractWith the roll-out of renewable energies, highly-efficient storage systems are needed to be developed to enable sustainable use of these technologies. For short duration lithium-ion batteries provide the best performance, with storage efficiencies between 70 and 95%. Hydrogen based technologies can be developed as an attractive storage option for longer storage durations. But, common polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzers and fuel cells have round-trip system efficiencies of only 30–40%, and platinum and rare iridium catalysts are needed. Thus, it is a major challenge to increase the energy conversion efficiency of electrolyzers and fuel cells significantly, and at the same time to use non-precious catalysts. The present work experimentally examines the usefulness of a bifunctional NiC catalyst in two different assemblies: an alkaline fuel cell (AFC) with electrolyte gap and gas diffusion electrodes and an alkaline membrane electrolyzer (AEL). The performance characteristics of the novel system are compared with a reversible PEM fuel cell. While the AEL reaches acceptable power densities, the PEM based system still performs better than the proposed system. The AFC with an electrolyte gap provides remarkable results as it shows vanishingly small overvoltage during electrolysis at temperatures around 90 °C and current density of 100 mA cm−2: an electrolyzer efficiency of about 100% could be achieved for the single cell. The round-trip efficiency was also very high: 65% were realized with 50 mA cm−2. While the current density must be improved, this is a promising result for designing highly-efficient energy storage systems based on alkaline fuel cells.
Concentration-Dependent Domain Evolution in Reaction–Diffusion Systems
Authors: Krause Andrew L. , Gaffney Eamonn A. , Walker Benjamin J. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractPattern formation has been extensively studied in the context of evolving (time-dependent) domains in recent years, with domain growth implicated in ameliorating problems of pattern robustness and selection, in addition to more realistic modelling in developmental biology. Most work to date has considered prescribed domains evolving as given functions of time, but not the scenario of concentration-dependent dynamics, which is also highly relevant in a developmental setting. Here, we study such concentration-dependent domain evolution for reaction–diffusion systems to elucidate fundamental aspects of these more complex models. We pose a general form of one-dimensional domain evolution and extend this to N-dimensional manifolds under mild constitutive assumptions in lieu of developing a full tissue-mechanical model. In the 1D case, we are able to extend linear stability analysis around homogeneous equilibria, though this is of limited utility in understanding complex pattern dynamics in fast growth regimes. We numerically demonstrate a variety of dynamical behaviours in 1D and 2D planar geometries, giving rise to several new phenomena, especially near regimes of critical bifurcation boundaries such as peak-splitting instabilities. For sufficiently fast growth and contraction, concentration-dependence can have an enormous impact on the nonlinear dynamics of the system both qualitatively and quantitatively. We highlight crucial differences between 1D evolution and higher-dimensional models, explaining obstructions for linear analysis and underscoring the importance of careful constitutive choices in defining domain evolution in higher dimensions. We raise important questions in the modelling and analysis of biological systems, in addition to numerous mathematical questions that appear tractable in the one-dimensional setting, but are vastly more difficult for higher-dimensional models.
The reproducibility of MTV and TLG of soft tissue tumors calculated by FDG-PET: Comparison between the lower limit by the fixed value SUV 2.5 and that value by 30% of SUVmax
Authors: Iwasa Hitomi , Nagamachi Shigeki , Nakayama Shizuhide , Yamamoto Takuaki , Yoshimitsu Kengo 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Purpose
We evaluated the reproducibility calculating volume-based FDG-PET/CT parameters, i.e., metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG), in soft tissue tumors.

Materials and methods
Fifty-three cases with soft tissue tumors were analyzed retrospectively. The conditions determining the lower limit of MTV were fixed value SUV 2.5 or 30% of SUVmax. To investigate the agreement of the measurements by two radiologists, %difference, the correlation coefficients and Bland–Altman plot were analyzed. We compared these parameters in both intra- and inter-operator for evaluating the agreement in the measurements.

Results
The values of % difference were excellent, 0.2–3.5%, in the intra-operator in all calculated volume-based parameters. In both inter- and intra-operator analysis, the values of % differences were lower in the parameters calculated by SUV 2.5 fixed value as a lower threshold compared with those calculated by 30% of SUVmax as a lower threshold. The correlation coefficient in MTV30% for inter-operator were 0.84 or 0.87, those were lower than values by the intra-operator evaluation. Nevertheless, the correlation coefficients were higher than 0.84 in every parameter. Particularly, correlation coefficient in the parameters calculated by SUV 2.5 fixed value was better than those calculated by 30% of SUVmax. The Bland–Altman plot analysis showed good agreement for all parameters, particularly in the intra-operator examinations. However, in the inter-operator study, some variances were noted in every condition.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the reproducibility of measuring volume-based FDG-PET/CT parameters of soft tissue tumors was good, particularly, in the measurement by fixed lower limit value SUV 2.5 in the intra-operator.