bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Densification of nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite powder via sintering: enhancing mechanical properties for biomedical applications
Authors: Akram Waseem , Khan Rafiullah , Amjad Muhammad , Muhammad Riaz , Yasir Muhammad 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The effect of compaction load, sintering temperature and soaking time on the sinter-ability and densification of Nano crystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) was assessed. The compaction and sinter-ability of HA particles was done at three different compaction loads and temperatures ranging from 1 ton to 5 ton and 850 °C to 1250 °C, respectively. Compaction of the green pellets was best achieved at 5-ton compaction load and it’s percent green densification was up to 50% of the theoretical density of HA (3.16g cm−3). For sintered density, the best results were achieved at a temperature of 1250 °C and a compaction load of 1 ton which were 98% of the theoretical density. Soaking time at these sintering temperatures was varied between 1 and 3 h and was found that with the variation of soaking time from 3 h to 1 h, the sintered density decreased tremendously at 850 °C from 85% to 50% whereas at higher temperatures the decrease in density was only 4 to 6%. The maximum hardness of 625 (±28) HV1 was obtained for HA sintered at 1250 °C with a soaking time of 3 h. Phase analyses were carried out using an x-ray diffractometer. The HA phase was stable even at the highest sintering temperature of 1250 °C and did not decompose into α tri-calcium phosphate (TCP) and β TCP. The grain size was reduced by decreasing soaking time and lowering sintering temperature.
Pre-task Intrinsic Cortical Activity in Novice and Experienced Military Specialists: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Silva R B , Ribeiro Pedro , Silva Siqueira Grace , Martins Cx Lilian 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Neuroscience studies brain dynamics through the analysis of electrical signals. Cortical activity estimated by electroencephalography brings accurate information about perceptions of human behavior. The examination of resting states in relation to subsequent behaviors indicates that intrinsic cortical activity (ICA) has implications for decision-making processes, especially when inserted in the context of military activities and associated with stress. The objective of this study was to compare the absolute alpha power (AAP) in the ICA in the pre-task moment of novice specialized military (NG) with experienced (ExpG), associating with the level of stress.

Materials and Methods
This was a cross-sectional, observational study with 19 military personnel (32.1 years old), divided into NG (10) and ExpG (9). The ICA was the outcome variable, with the level of stress and the time of specialization in military tasks as the exposure variables. ICA analysis were carried out based on the cortical areas to compare the ICA of the NG with that of the ExpG. The association of stress level with ICA was estimated by linear regression via linear models.

Results
There was a significant difference in almost all cortical areas, and the averages were always higher in Exp. The high stress level was associated with greater AAP both for the NG and for the ExpG, and at the medium level, the AAP was obtained, varying according to each cortical area.

Conclusion
The AAP in ExpG was significantly higher than that in NG, indicating a lower level of cortical activity and greater efficiency in sensory, motor, and visual tasks.
Patient and caregiver return to work after a primary brain tumor
Authors: Nicklin Emma , Phang Isaac , Short Susan C , Hoogendoorn Petra , Boele Florien W 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background
Studies focusing on the return to work (RTW) experiences of patients with a brain tumor (BT) are scarce. We aimed to explore, in-depth, the occupational expectations, experiences, and satisfaction of patients who RTW after a BT diagnosis and treatment, those not able to, and their family caregivers.

Methods
This multicenter, cross-sectional study utilized semi-structured interviews and reflexive thematic analysis. Interviews were conducted with adults diagnosed with primary BT, in employment/self-employed before diagnosis, currently in follow-up care, and also with their caregivers.

Results
In total, 23 interviews (17 patients/6 caregivers) took place. Five themes were developed: (1) Early (adjustments and) expectations: “Thought I would be back at work the following Monday”; pre-treatment patients wanted to be better informed about potential recovery time and side-effects. (2) Drivers to RTW: “Getting my life back on track”; RTW was seen as a symbol of normality and also dictated by financial pressures. (3) Experiences returning to work: “It’s had its ups and downs”: patients who had successfully returned were supported by employers financially, emotionally, and practically. (4) Required support: “He had surgery and that was it”: suggested support included a back-to-work scheme and comprehensive financial support. (5) Caring and paid work: The “juggling act”: carer’s work was significantly impacted; often reducing/increasing their working hours while managing increasing caring demands.

Conclusions
Future research focusing on RTW in neuro-oncology populations is needed. Interventions should be developed to improve employer/employee communication, and increase knowledge about BT care and possibilities for RTW, to support patients and caregivers towards sustained employment.
Searching for Majorana quasiparticles at vortex cores in iron-based superconductors
Authors: Machida Tadashi , Hanaguri Tetsuo 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The unambiguous detection of the Majorana zero mode (MZM), which is essential for future topological quantum computing, has been a challenge in recent condensed matter experiments. The MZM is expected to emerge at the vortex core of topological superconductors as a zero-energy vortex bound state (ZVBS), amenable to detection using scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS). However, the typical energy resolution of STM/STS has made it challenging to distinguish the MZM from the low-lying trivial vortex bound states. Here, we review the recent high-energy-resolution STM/STS experiments on the vortex cores of Fe(Se,Te), where the MZM is expected to emerge, and the energy of the lowest trivial bound states is reasonably high. Tunneling spectra taken at the vortex cores exhibit a ZVBS well below any possible trivial state, suggesting its MZM origin. However, it should be noted that ZVBS is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the MZM; a qualitative feature unique to the MZM needs to be explored. We discuss the current status and issues in the pursuit of such Majorananess, namely the level sequence of the vortex bound states and the conductance plateau of the ZVBS. We also argue for future experiments to confirm the Majorananess, such as the detection of the doubling of the shot-noise intensity and spin polarization of the MZM.
Comparison of Outcomes of Surgery Versus Implantable Device for the Treatment of Hearing Loss Associated With Congenital Aural Atresia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shannon Christian M. , Gutierrez Jorge A. , Nguyen Shaun A. , Meyer Ted A. , Lambert Paul R. 
Published: July 2023

Objective
To compare audiometric outcomes, complications, and revisions required for implantable bone-conduction devices (BCDs) versus atresia surgery for the treatment of hearing loss associated with congenital aural atresia.

Databases Reviewed
PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL.

Methods
Databases were searched for English articles from inception to July 1, 2022, for studies reporting audiometric outcomes or complications for either BCDs or atresia surgery for the treatment of congenital aural atresia. Main outcome measures included pure-tone audiometry, air-bone gap, speech reception threshold, associated complications, and rates of revision for each treatment option.

Results
We identified 973 abstracts, of which 89 were selected for data extraction and analysis. A total of 2,611 patients were included, 1,901 in the atresia surgery group and 710 in the BCDs group. A meta-analysis of single means was conducted for age and audiometric outcomes, and a meta-analysis of proportions was conducted for complications and revisions. The average short-term improvement in pure-tone audiometry for the BCDs group was 34.4 ± 1.6 dB compared with 22.4 ± 1.5 dB for the atresia surgery group, representing a significant difference (12.0 dB; 95% confidence interval, 11.9–12.2; p < 0.0001). A smaller proportion of complications were reported in the devices group (16.9%) compared with the atresia surgery group (45.7%). In addition, a smaller proportion of cases in the devices group required some degree of revision (17.8%) compared with the atresia surgery group (23.0%).

Conclusions
This study demonstrates that implantable BCDs have significantly better audiometric outcomes as well as a lower rate of complications and revisions required compared with atresia surgery.
Automated Radiomic Analysis of Vestibular Schwannomas and Inner Ears Using Contrast-Enhanced T1-Weighted and T2-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging Sequences and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Neves Caio A. , Liu George S. , El Chemaly Trishia , Bernstein Isaac A. , Fu Fanrui , Blevins Nikolas H. 
Published: July 2023

Objective
To objectively evaluate vestibular schwannomas (VSs) and their spatial relationships with the ipsilateral inner ear (IE) in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using deep learning.

Study Design
Cross-sectional study.

Patients
A total of 490 adults with VS, high-resolution MRI scans, and no previous neurotologic surgery.

Interventions
MRI studies of VS patients were split into training (390 patients) and test (100 patients) sets. A three-dimensional convolutional neural network model was trained to segment VS and IE structures using contrast-enhanced T1-weighted and T2-weighted sequences, respectively. Manual segmentations were used as ground truths. Model performance was evaluated on the test set and on an external set of 100 VS patients from a public data set (Vestibular-Schwannoma-SEG).

Main Outcome Measure(s)
Dice score, relative volume error, average symmetric surface distance, 95th-percentile Hausdorff distance, and centroid locations.

Results
Dice scores for VS and IE volume segmentations were 0.91 and 0.90, respectively. On the public data set, the model segmented VS tumors with a Dice score of 0.89 ± 0.06 (mean ± standard deviation), relative volume error of 9.8 ± 9.6%, average symmetric surface distance of 0.31 ± 0.22 mm, and 95th-percentile Hausdorff distance of 1.26 ± 0.76 mm. Predicted VS segmentations overlapped with ground truth segmentations in all test subjects. Mean errors of predicted VS volume, VS centroid location, and IE centroid location were 0.05 cm3, 0.52 mm, and 0.85 mm, respectively.

Conclusions
A deep learning system can segment VS and IE structures in high-resolution MRI scans with excellent accuracy. This technology offers promise to improve the clinical workflow for assessing VS radiomics and enhance the management of VS patients.
Quantitative Evaluations of Vestibular Function in Patients With Petrous Apex Cholesterol Granulomas Treated With an Endoscopic Transsphenoidal Approach: A Report of Two Cases
Authors: Fujiwara Yuuki , Fujiwara Keishi , Motegi Hiroaki , Ishi Yukitomo , Morita Shinya , Hoshino Kimiko , Fukuda Atsushi , Nakamaru Yuji , Homma Akihiro 
Published: July 2023

Objective
We report two cases of petrous apex cholesterol granuloma (PACG) treated with an endoscopic transsphenoidal approach. Vestibular functions of the two patients were evaluated quantitatively by video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) and/or vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs).

Patients
Two patients with PACG who experienced episodes of dizziness are presented.

Intervention
An endoscopic transsphenoidal approach to PACG.

Main Outcome Measure
The preoperative and postoperative vestibular functions as evaluated by vHIT and VEMP.

Results
Two cases of PACG were treated by a transsphenoidal approach. The internal auditory canal was compressed by the PACG in both cases. The patients both experienced episodes of dizziness before surgery and preoperative vestibular testing including vHIT and VEMP indicated dysfunction of vestibular nerves. After surgery, their symptoms were completely resolved, and the vestibular testing results were improved.

Conclusions
This article is noteworthy for being the first to publish quantitative vestibular function testing for patients with PACG with vestibular dysfunction. PACG may show various symptoms, with dizziness being one of the most common symptoms. In cases in which the internal auditory canal is compressed by the PACG, vestibular functions should be evaluated by vHIT and VEMP. In the present cases, dizziness was found to be resolved by surgery to release the compression on internal auditory canal. Based on the present cases, the transsphenoidal approach is considered to be both safe and effective.
Pharmacological Evaluations of Select Herbal Extracts on TLR7/8-induced Cytokine and Chemokine Production in Macrophage-like Cells
Authors: Dagar Manisha , Priya Kamala , Dikshit Madhu , Kumar Ajay 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACTInflammation is an innate immune response triggered by harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, tissue injury, or toxins. The purpose is to eliminate the source of infection and initiate the healing process. However, an excessive acute inflammatory response can lead to severe and life-threatening complications, as seen during recent pandemics. In the context of viral infections, the activation of the TLR7/8 signaling pathway has been implicated in excessive cytokine secretion. In this study, we aimed to replicate the perturbed inflammatory environment resulting from the activation of the TLR7/8 specific agonists, imiquimod, and resiquimod.We utilized macrophage-like cells, as macrophages are the first responders during infections and secrete key pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β) to recruit immune cells to the site of infection. Herbal medicines have been traditionally used for centuries to enhance respiratory immune function. In the present study, we employed a prophylactic approach, where macrophage-like THP1 cells, differentiated with PMA, were pre-treated with select herbal extracts/formulations prior to TLR7/8 activation in the presence of agonists.Several medicinal plants and formulations known for their therapeutic potential in respiratory ailments were investigated, includingWithania somnifera, Tinospora cordifolia, Glycyrrhiza glabra,and AYUSH-64, an herbal formulation. The gene expression and corresponding secreted levels of various inflammatory mediators were measured using RT-PCR and ELISA methods, respectively, in treated and untreated differentiated THP1 cells induced with TLR7/8 agonists. Comparatively, the gene expression of inflammatory markers was significantly higher in resiquimod-induced cells than in imiquimod-treated cells. Notably,Withania somniferademonstrated pronounced prophylactic efficacy compared to other herbs/formulations, as evidenced by reduction in expression of majority of investigated inflammatory marker genes.
A Vibrating Ingestible BioElectronic Stimulator Modulates Gastric Stretch Receptors for Illusory Satiety
Authors: Srinivasan Shriya S. , Alshareef Amro , Hwang Alexandria , Bryne Ceara , Kuosmann Johannes , Ishida Keiko , Jenkins Joshua , Liu Sabrina , Madani Wiam Abdalla Mohammed , Hayward Alison M , Fabian Niora , Traverso Giovanni 
Published: July 2023

AbstractEffective therapies for obesity either require invasive surgical or endoscopic interventions or high patient adherence, making it challenging for the nearly 42% of American adults who suffer from obesity to effectively manage their disease. Gastric mechanoreceptors sense distension of the stomach and perform volume-dependent vagal signaling to initiate the gastric phase and influence satiety. In this study, we developed a new luminal stimulation modality to specifically activate these gastric stretch receptors to elicit a vagal afferent response commensurate with mechanical distension. Here we developed the Vibrating Ingestible BioElectronic Stimulator (VIBES) pill - an ingestible device that performs luminal vibratory stimulation to activate mechanoreceptors and stroke mucosal receptors, which induces serotonin release as well as yields a hormonal metabolic response commensurate with a fed state. We evaluated VIBES across 108 meals in swine which consistently led to diminished food intake (∼40%, p< 0.0001) and minimized the weight gain rate (p< 0.03) as compared to untreated controls. Application of mechanoreceptor biology could transform our capacity to help patients suffering from nutritional disorders.
Revisiting a classical theory of sensory specificity: assessing consistency and stability of thermosensitive spots
Authors: Ezquerra-Romano Ivan , Clements Michael F. , di Costa Steven , Iannetti Gian Domenico , Haggard Patrick 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThermal sensitivity is not uniform across the skin, and is particularly high in small (∼1mm2) regions termed ‘thermosensitive spots’. These spots are thought to reflect the anatomical location of specialised thermosensitive nerve endings from single primary afferents. Thermosensitive spots provide foundational support for “labelled line” or specificity theory of sensory perception, which state that different sensory qualities are transmitted by separate and specific neural pathways. This theory predicts a highly stable relation between repetitions of a thermal stimulus and the resulting sensory quality, yet these predictions have rarely been tested systematically. Here we present the qualitative, spatial and repeatability properties of 334 thermosensitive spots on the dorsal forearm sampled across 4 separate sessions. In line with previous literature, we found that spots associated with cold sensations (112 cold spots, 34%) were more frequent than spots associated with warm sensations (41 warm spots, 12%). Still more frequent (165 spots, 49%) were spots that elicited inconsistent sensations when repeatedly stimulated by the same temperature. Remarkably, only 13 spots (4%) conserved their position between sessions. Overall, we show unexpected inconsistency of both the perceptual responses elicited by spot stimulation and of spot locations across time. These observations call to revise the traditional view that thermosensitive spots reflect the location of individual thermosensitive, unimodal primary afferents serving as specific labelled lines for corresponding sensory qualities.New & NoteworthyThermosensitive spots are clustered rather than randomly distributed, and have highest density near the wrist. Surprisingly, we found that thermosensitive spots elicit inconsistent sensory qualities and are unstable over time. Our results question the widely believed notion that thermosensitive spots reflect the location of individual thermoreceptive, unimodal primary afferents, that serve as labelled lines for corresponding sensory qualities.
On the structure of an evolutionary transition: dependence and cohesion in incipient endosymbioses
Authors: Athreya Gaurav S. , Czuppon Peter , Gokhale Chaitanya S. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractHow did biological organisms become so complex? Endosymbiosis is the prototypical example of an egalitarian evolutionary transition and is central to the origins of many complex biological systems. Why do only some symbioses undergo evolutionary transitions, and how does the host-symbiont relationship change during this process? Here, we characterise endosymbiosis by two emergent collective-level properties: the relationship between the host and symbiont (mutual dependence) and reproduction (reproductive cohesion). Using methods from adaptive dynamics, we study the co-evolution of the traits underlying these properties. Our central result is a robust demonstration that even when investments in dependence and cohesion are uncorrelated, host-symbiont mutual dependence arises faster than reproductive cohesion. Further, we show that the collective’s formation and shared fate, coupled with different generation times of the host and symbiont, leads to an emergent asymmetry in how much they invest in the collective. Lastly, we account for biological realism that previous models have ignored and show that this can preclude a successful evolutionary transition towards stable endosymbiosis. Together, this work uncovers a fundamental property of endosymbioses, highlighting the immense effects of simple ecological factors and providing a clear way forward for theoretical and empirical investigations.
Two distinct mechanisms of flavoprotein spectral tuning revealed by low-temperature and time-dependent spectroscopy
Authors: Nikolaev Andrey , Tropina Elena V. , Boldyrev Kirill N. , Maksimov Eugene G. , Borshchevskiy Valentin , Mishin Alexey , Yudenko Anna , Kuzmin Alexander , Kuznetsova Elizaveta , Semenov Oleg , Remeeva Alina , Gushchin Ivan 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACTFlavins such as flavin mononucleotide or flavin adenine dinucleotide are bound by diverse proteins, yet have very similar spectra when in the oxidized state. Recently, we developed new variants of flavin-binding protein CagFbFP exhibiting notable blue (Q148V) or red (I52V A85Q) shifts of fluorescence emission maxima. Here, we use time-resolved and low temperature spectroscopy to show that whereas the chromophore environment is static in Q148V, an additional protein-flavin hydrogen bond is formed upon photoexcitation in the I52V A85Q variant. Consequently, in Q148V, excitation, emission and phosphorescence spectra are shifted, whereas in I52V A85Q, excitation and low-temperature phosphorescence spectra are relatively unchanged, while emission spectrum is altered. We also determine X-ray structures of the two variants to reveal the flavin environment and complement the spectroscopy data. Our findings illustrate two distinct color tuning mechanisms of flavin-binding proteins and pave the way for engineering of new variants with improved optical properties.TOC GRAPHICS