bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Multifunctional Fluorescent Sensor for Ag+ and Hg2+ detection in seawater
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Deng Ziqi , Feng Hongbo , Shao Bingqian , Liu Debing 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In order to detect Ag+ and Hg2+ in seawater, we explored a multifunctional fluorescence sensor. A multifunctional Ag+ and Hg2+ sensor was designed by using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as quenching agent, PicoGreen dye as fluorescent probe of base pairing double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), and combining the characteristics of Ag+ making C base mismatch and Hg2+ making T base mismatch. Meanwhile, the DNA logic gate was constructed by establishing logic circuit, truth table and logic formula. The relevant performances of the sensor were investigated. The results revealed that the sensor can detect Ag+ in the range of 100 nM to 700 nM with R2 = 0.98129, and its detection limit is 16.88 nM (3σ/ Slope). The detection range of Hg2+is 100 nM- 900 nM with R2 = 0.99725, and the detection limit is 5.59 nM (3σ/ Slope). An AND-AND-NOR-AND molecular logic gate has been successfully designed. with the characteristics of high sensitivity, multi-function and low cost, the recommended detection method has the potential to be applied to the detection of Ag+ and Hg2+ in seawater.
Engineered high-affinity dual targeting cellular nanovesicles for optimized cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Zhang Luyao , Zhao Xu , Niu Yanan , Ma Xiaoya , Yuan Wei , Ma Jie 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background: Dual targeting to immune checkpoints has achieved a better therapeutic efficacy than single targeting due to synergistic extrication of tumor immunity. However, most dual targeting strategies are usually antibody dependent which facing drawbacks of antibodies, such as poor solid tumor penetration and unsatisfied affinity. Therefore, we considered combining the genetic programming of immune checkpoint proteins with nanotechnology and expected to improve the therapeutic efficacy of existing strategies.
Methods: We engineered a cell membrane displaying a fusion protein composed of SIRPα and PD-1 variants, the high-affinity consensus (HAC) of wild-type molecules, and with which prepared fusion cellular nanovesicles (NVs). Through disabling both SIRPα/CD47 and PD-1/PD-L1 signaling, HAC NVs significantly activated the phagocytosis and antitumor effect of macrophages and T cells respectively.
Results: Therapeutic study revealed HAC NVs had good tumor penetration and excellent binding affinity to CD47 and PD-L1 on tumor cells in contrast to dual targeting with either anti-CD47 and anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies or the NVs expressing fusion protein of wild-type SIRPα and PD-1. Exhilaratingly, dual-blockade of CD47 and PD-L1 with HAC NVs exhibited best therapeutic efficacy, while retaining excellent biosafety.
Conclusion: This study provided a novel biomaterial against tumoral immune escape and more importantly an attractive biomimetic technology of protein delivery for multi-targeting therapies.
ACE – Inhibitor Induced Angioedema With Acute Kidney Failure : A Uniqe Case in Our Emergency Department
Authors: Dorter Melis , Sahin Selin Merve , Aktas Can 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a commonly prescribed and effective medication to treat hypertension [1] . ACE inhibitors are the leading cause of drug-induced angioedema in the United States because they are so widely prescribed.
ACE inhibitör anjioedema is mediated by bradykinins and less than 1% of those taking these medications may develop it [2]. Patients most commonly present with swelling of the lips, tongue, or face. Angioedema is an asymmetric, nonpitting swelling of the subcutaneous or submucosal tissues that most commonly affects nondependent areas. There is an absence of itching or urticaria in ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema, and the presence of urticaria suggests a different group of etiologies [3]. While this situation is considered rare, acute kidney failure findings with progressive angioedema are even more rare.
Case Presentation
We present a case of a 25-year-old man who lives with IgA nephritis presented with acute kidney failure findings and angioedema of the upper lip had progressed to the tongue and oropharynx during his treatment in the emergency department.
Conclusions
Our patient was unique in that symmetric lip swelling and acute kidney failure had completely improved. It is useful to discontinue the use of ACEI medications in patients who present with angioedema and initiate a new class of antihypertensive.
Mortality and short-term outcomes of preterm infants of multiple versus singleton gestations
Authors: Alhasoon Mohammad A , Alqahtani Bader M , Alreefi Mohammad A , Homedi Abdulaziz , Alnami Ghadah , Alsaif Saif A , Ali Kamal 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Objective
To compare mortality and major neonatal morbidities between singleton preterm infants and preterm infants of multiple gestations born between 23 + 0 to 32 + 6 weeks.
Method
This is a retrospective cohort study of preterm infants (23 + 0 to 32 + 6 weeks gestational age) born at King Abdul-Aziz Medical City Riyadh (KAMC-R) between January 2016 to December 2020.
Results
Total of 803 preterm infants were included: 567 (70.6%) were singletons, 158 (19.6%) were twins and 36 (4.5%) infants were triplets and higher multiples. The mortality was significantly higher in preterm infants of multiple gestations compared to singleton (12.3% vs. 7.9%; p = 0.003; OR, 2.2; CI, 1.3–3.7). Preterm infants of multiple gestations had an increased risk of ROP (11% vs. 6.5%; P = 0.033; OR, 1.1, CI, 1.04–2.99), BPD at 36 weeks PMA (29.7% vs. 20.5%; P = 0.003; OR, 1.7; CI, 1.2–2.5) and sepsis (24.2% vs 17.5%, P = 0.044; OR, 1.5; CI, 1.01–2.2) compared to preterm singletons. There were no differences in mortality and adverse neonatal outcomes between twins and higher multiples.
Conclusion
Preterm infants of multiple gestations suffered higher mortality and neonatal morbidities compared to preterm singleton infants despite a higher utilization of maternal antenatal steroids and better antenatal care.
Efficacy and LASSO-derived Predictors of Long-term Iontophoresis-assisted Transepithelial Corneal Cross-linking for Progressive Keratoconus
Authors: Liu Yu , shen Dan , Wang Haoyu , Qi Mengying , Zeng Qingyan 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Purpose: To report the 3 year efficacy and predictors of transepithelial corneal cross-linking assisted by iontophoresis (I-CXL) for 10 min using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression in Chinese patients with progressive keratoconus.
Methods: This retrospective study included 30 eyes of 25 patients, of mean age 18.48 ± 4.02 years (range: 11 to 28 years). All patients underwent stromal imbibition of riboflavin solution for iontophoresis for 10 min, followed by epithelium-on CXL. The uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA; in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution [LogMAR] units), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA; in LogMAR units), spherical equivalent (SE); max keratometry (Kmax); minimum corneal thickness (MCT); the index of surface variance (ISV); the index of vertical asymmetry (IVA); the keratoconus index (KI); the center keratoconus index (CKI); and the index of height decentration (IHD), corneal optical coherence tomography (OCT), and confocal microscopy were evaluated at baseline and postoperatively at 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months. Predictors of changes in CDVA and Kmax 3-year postoperatively compared with baseline were analyzed using the LASSO regression with internal tenfold cross-validation, as indicated by average root mean squared error (RMSE) and R-squared (R2) values.
Results: Corneal OCT at 1 month detected the demarcation line in 24 eyes (80%), at a mean depth of 238.97 ± 53.69 μm. Average CDVA improved from 0.26 ± 0.17 LogMAR at baseline to 0.19 ± 0.13 LogMAR at 3 years (P < 0.05), average Kmax decreased from 59.72 ± 8.71 diopters (D) at baseline to 58.03 ± 7.96 D at 3 years (Delta: −1.68 ± 3.15 D, P < 0.05). ISV, IVA, KI, and IHD also decreased significantly. After LASSO regression for predictor selection, ten parameters (age, gender, baseline UDVA, CDVA, SE, MCT, ISV, IVA, KI, and IHD) were the predictors of CDVA changes 3 years after I-CXL (RMSE = 0.0054; R2 = 0.89). Age, baseline MCT, KI, and CKI value were associated with Kmax changes (RMSE = 7.3828; R2 = 0.57).
Conclusions: I-CXL for 10 min is safe and effective in patients with keratoconus, with good 3 year outcomes and the symmetry indices could predict the improvement of CDVA at 3 year after I-CXL.
The impact of environmental management on business performance: evidence from the hotel industry
Authors: Chiu Chia-Ning 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Although the topic of environmental sustainability and firm performance is an ongoing debate, existing research studies have not yielded conclusive results yet. This study examines how macro-environmental factors affect the business performance of hotels using panel data with two stage least squares and robustness models for confirmation. The empirical results reveal that macro-environmental factors such as implementing recycling and reducing waste have statistically significant impacts on the hotel industry. Moreover, cities or counties with lower air quality index create a positive environment, leading to tourists being more likely to stay at the hotels there. The managerial implication of this study will provide novel insights to hotel operators and governmental and environmental planners into the development of environmental sustainability, which will in turn benefit the hotel industry and increase the competitiveness of tourist destinations.
Preparation and in vitro evaluation for amorphous solid dispersion of azithromycin
Authors: Alsayad Rawan , laham Antoun 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
The present work aimed to formulate azithromycin as amorphous solid dispersion for bitter taste masking, improving stability in an acid medium, and reducing the side effects. Solid dispersion with pH-dependent polymers (Eudragit L100, Eudragit S100) were prepared by the solvent evaporation method. The influence of polymer and drug-polymer ratio on production yields and loading% were evaluated. The F2 (AZI: L100 1:4) that gave the highest yield and loading (96 ± 0.3, 92.3 ± 0.07 respectively) was examined using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT‑IR), Powder X‑ray diffraction (PXRD) and Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Taste masking evaluation was performed in vitro by two methods (in vitro drug release at saliva pH, and comparison of bitter taste threshold with the optimal formulation). (FT‑IR) study displayed that there was no interaction happen between azithromycin and Eudragit L100. DSC and PXRD emphasized the conversion of azithromycin from the crystalline to the amorphous form and entrapped inside the solid dispersion. In vitro, taste assessment detected no azithromycin release in salvia pH (6.8) within 5 min and minimal release in pH 1.2 which indicate this method might be a suitable approach to achieve taste masking of AZI and to improve stability in acid conditions.
Nickel/Photoredox Dual-Catalyzed Regioselective Alkyl-Aminoalkylation of Alkenes
Authors: Ye Fu , Yang Yiqian , Wang Wenlong , Yuan Weiming 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Selective alkene dialkylation represents one of the most challenging transformations in alkene difunctionalization reactions. Here, we report an excellent site-selective dialkylation of alkenes via photoredox/nickel dual catalysis. Taking advantage of the synergistic catalytic model, excellent orthogonal substrate activation could be achieved to address otherwise difficult-to-controlled chemo- and regioselectivity issues. Alkyl halides and alkyl tertiary amines are used as mild alkylating reagents, thus bypassing the use of sensitive organometallic reagents. The present strategy shows a broad scope for both alkyl electrophiles and nucleophiles, and provides a facile access to valuable β-amino acid derivatives, which are key structural units among numerous biologically active compounds.
Engineering a facile and versatile nanoplatform to facilitate the delivery of multiple agents for targeted breast cancer chemo-immunotherapy
Authors: Bahreyni Amirhossein , Mohamud Yasir , Zhang Jingchun , Luo Honglin 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Background
There is growing evidence showing that single administration of immunotherapeutic agents has limited efficacy in a number of cancer patients mainly due to tumor heterogeneity and immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. In this study, a novel nanoparticle-based strategy was applied to achieve efficient tumor-targeted therapy by combining chemotherapeutic agents, i.e., doxorubicin (Dox) and melittin (Mel), with an immune checkpoint inhibitor (PD-L1 DsiRNA). The proposed nanoparticle was prepared by the formation of a complex between Mel and PD-L1 DsiRNA (Dicer-substrate short-interfering RNA), followed by the loading of Dox. The surface of the resultant particles (DoxMel/PD-L1 DsiRNA) was then modified with hyaluronic acid (HA) to increase their stability and distribution. In addition, HA can also act as a tumor-targeting agent through binding to its receptor CD44 on the surface of cancer cells.
Results
We demonstrated that the surface engineering of DoxMel/PD-L1 DsiRNA with HA significantly enhances its specificity towards breast cancer cells. Moreover, we observed a noticeable reduction in PD-L1 expression together with a synergistic effect of Dox and Mel on killing cancer cells and inducing immunogenic cell death, leading to significantly diminished tumor growth in 4T1-breast tumor bearing Balb/c mice, improved survival rate and extensive infiltration of immune cells including cytotoxic T cells into the tumor microenvironment. Safety analysis revealed that there is no significant toxicity associated with the developed nanoparticle.
Conclusion
All in all, the proposed targeted combination treatment strategy can be considered as a useful method to reduce cancer-associated mortality.
The mirid predator Macrolophus basicornis smells and avoids eggs of Tuta absoluta parasitized by Trichogramma pretiosum
Authors: Lenteren Joop C. van , Bueno Vanda H.P. , Santos-Silva Mariana , Montes Flavio C. , Cusumano Antonino , Fatouros Nina E. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Biological control, which uses natural enemies to reduce pest populations, is a non-polluting powerful method to manage impacts of (invasive) pests. Currently, polyphagous mirid predators are increasingly used in commercial, augmentative biological control. Information about their foraging behaviour is essential, especially if one intends to use several natural enemies for control of one or more pests in a crop, to detect if negative intraguild effects occur. We studied a case of intraguild predation (IGP) involving a predator, Macrolophus basicornis, of the worldwide invasive South American tomato leaf miner Tuta absoluta, and explored how this predator deals with prey parasitized by Trichogramma pretiosum. Behavioural observations show that M. basicornis predators contacted significantly fewer old, parasitized eggs of T. absoluta than recently parasitized ones. Olfactometer tests revealed that predators could smell differences between volatiles of tomato leaves infested with eggs of different quality to locate suitable prey. They preferred volatiles from leaflets with unparasitized eggs above control leaflets, and, moreover, preferred volatiles from leaflets with recently parasitized eggs over volatiles of leaflets with 5-day old parasitized eggs. When predators and parasitoids are used together to control T. absoluta, parasitoids should be introduced days before predators to prevent high levels of IGP.
Value of C-reactive protein, white blood cells and neutrophils to distinguish appendicitis in pediatric patients
Authors: Kaur Manvinder , Oltean Irina , Grandpierre Viviane , Larocca Victoria , Tsampalieros Anne , Barrowman Nick , Nasr Ahmed 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

The value for ordering laboratory tests like CRP for appendicitis in children is debatable. The objective of this study was to determine the diagnostic utility of CRP, WBC, and NP to differentiate acute and perforated appendicitis. A retrospective cohort study of pediatric patients referred for appendicitis at CHEO from January 2016 to January 2019 was conducted. Comparisons of laboratory test results were made using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. ROC curves were used to examine diagnostic utility. One hundred and eighty (101 male) of 899 children with appendicitis had CRP, WBC, and NP levels available with a median age of 11.1 (8.1, 13.7) years. There were 93 (51.7%) patients with acute appendicitis and 87 (48.3%) were perforated. The median CRP level for patients with acute appendicitis was 20.3 (6.9, 38.3) versus 65.3 (48.7, 180.8) for perforated appendicitis (p <0.001). The area under the ROC curve for CRP was 85.1 % (95% C.I. 79.5-90.7), higher than that of WBC’s 68.1 % (95% C.I. 60.1- 76.1). Our study demonstrates that CRP can achieve good sensitivity without compromising specificity. These findings suggest that CRP performs better than WBC and NP in terms of discriminating between acute versus perforated appendicitis.
Labor &amp; Delivery Operating Room Staffing and Operating Efficiency Using Queueing Theory
Authors: Lim Grace , Lim Annamarie J. , Quinn Beth , MBBCh Brendan Carvalho , Zakowski Mark , Lynde Grant C. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Introduction: Strategies to achieve efficiency in non-operating room locations have been described, but emergencies and competing priorities in a birth unit can make setting optimal staffing and operation benchmarks challenging. This study used Queuing Theory Analysis (QTA) to identify optimal birth center staffing and operating room (OR) resources using real-world data.
Methods: Data from a Level 4 Maternity Center (9,626 births/year, cesarean delivery (CD) rate 32%) were abstracted for all labor and delivery OR activity from July 2019 - June 2020. QTA has two variables: Mean Arrival Rate, λ and Mean Service Rate µ. QTA formulas computed probabilities: P0 = 1-(λ/ µ) and Pn = P0 (λ/µ)n where n = number of patients. P0…n is the probability there are zero patients in the queue at a given time. Multiphase multichannel analysis was used to gain insights on optimal staff and space utilization assuming a priori safety parameters (i.e., 30 min decision to incision in unscheduled CD; ≤5 min for emergent CD; no greater than 8 hours for nil per os time). To achieve these safety targets, a <0.5% probability that a patient would need to wait was assumed.
Results: There were 4,017 total OR activities and 3,092 CD in the study period. Arrival rate λ was 0.45 (patients per hour) at peak hours 07:00-19:00 while λ was 0.34 over all 24 hours. The service rate per OR team (µ) was 0.87 (patients per hour) regardless of peak or overall hours. The number of server teams (s) dedicated to OR activity was varied between two and five. Over 24 hours, the probability of no patients in the system was P0 = 0.61, while the probability of 1 patient in the system was P1 = 0.23, and the probability of 2 or more patients in the system was P≥2 = 0.05 (P3 = 0.006). However, between peak hours 07:00-19:00, λ = 0.45, µ = 0.87, s = 3, P0 = 0.48; P1 = 0.25; and P≥2 = 0.07 (P3 = 0.01, P4 = 0.002, P5 = 0.0003).
Conclusion: QTA is a useful tool to inform birth center OR efficiency while upholding assumed safety standards and factoring peaks and troughs of daily activity. Our findings suggest QTA is feasible to guide staffing for maternity centers of all volumes through varying model parameters. QTA can inform individual hospital-level decisions in setting staffing and space requirements to achieve safe and efficient maternity perioperative care.
Seasonal Fluctuation and Preference for Wild Fruits of Drosophila suzukii in Cultivated and Noncultivated Areas of Blackberry Crops
Authors: Rebollar-Alviter Angel , Barreto-Barriga Ornella , Pérez-Pérez Monserrat , Flores-González Erick , Juárez-Gutiérrez Ana Celestina , Samuel Pineda-Guillermo , Segura-Ledesma Sergio D , Ibarra-Bautista Bernardino 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Spotted-wing Drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii Matsumura (Diptera: Drosophilidae), is one of the most important pests of berry crops globally. Knowledge of the seasonal fluctuation of SWD population in cultivated and noncultivated areas of blackberry, in relation to preference for wild fruits, can contribute to the development of effective management strategies. In this study, the seasonal dynamics of SWD was determined in cultivated blackberry (Rubus sp.) and noncultivated areas. Moreover, the preference of SWD for wild fruits growing in the blackberry producing region in Michoacán, Mexico, was determined. From 2013 to 2015, field surveys were performed on the seasonal dynamics of SWD. Furthermore, to determine whether the wild and noncultivated plants in this region were hosts to SWD, choice and no-choice experiments were performed, using fruits, under laboratory conditions. The seasonal fluctuation of SWD was not only influenced by wild plant species as alternate hosts, but also by cultural practices, such as the mowing down of blackberry plants and the vegetation surrounding the blackberry crop. In addition to cultivated blackberry, Psidium guajava, Rubus adenotrichos, Spondias mombin, and Prunus serotina var. capuli are reported as new hosts for SWD in the study region. The results of this study will help develop sustainable regional management of this invasive pest in blackberry crops in Mexico.
WITHDRAWN: Nanoparticle Drug Eluting Stents for Treatment of Coronary Re-stenosis in unsteady non- Newtonian magneto-hemodynamics: Computational fluid dynamic simulation
Authors: Vasu B. , Tripathi Jayati , Bég O. Anwar , Gorla Rama Subba Reddy , Kuharat S. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Stent implantation has been a significant breakthrough in the treatment of atherosclerosis. Permanent stent embedding affects the hemodynamics of diseased arteries and can lead to re-stenosis. The deployment of drug eluting stents (DES) has proven to be a very beneficial clinical strategy and has been shown to reduce significantly the possibility of subsequent re-stenosis. The dispensation of drugs designed with biodegradable polymer nanoparticles as carriers has also emerged as a very robust development capitalizing on biocompatibility and increasing capacity to expedite prolonged drug release times. Motivated by this progress, the present study investigates theoretically and numerically the two-dimensional laminar magneto-hemodynamic flow through a DES implanted diseased artery subject to an extra-corporeal (external) magnetic field. The arterial section also features an overlapped stenosis closer to the inlet. Coated hybrid magnetic hybrid nanoparticles are considered by combining titania and alumina. The Carreau model is utilized to simulate non-Newtonian characteristics of blood. To solve the emerging highly non-linear non-dimensional conservation equations with associated boundary conditions, the forward time centred space (FTCS) finite difference technique has been deployed. Comprehensive solutions are displayed for all key flow characteristics in DES implanted arterial transport to aid in understanding the effects of nanoscale, magnetic and biorheological parameters. Comparison between the cases where a stent is present or absent, shows that higher magnitudes of blood flow velocity are achieved by embedding drug eluting stent through diseased artery i. e. greater flow acceleration is achieved. An elevation in hybrid nanoparticle volume fractions (ϕ1, ϕ2) also achieves substantial flow acceleration. The hybrid nanoparticles inclusion in blood is therefore demonstrated to be beneficial for combatting impeded hemodynamics in diseased artery blood circulation. The computations also confirm that via implanting the drug eluting stent, the chances of later re-stenosis are considerably reduced. Detailed graphical plots and tables for a range of emerging parameters are also presented.