bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rebound increase in microRNA levels at the end of 5-FU-based therapy in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Badr Doaa , Fouad Mariam A. , Hussein Marwa , Salem Salem , Zekri Abdelrahman , Shouman Samia 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTreatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) based therapy is still used for colorectal cancer (CRC). Epigenetics has become a focus of study in cancer because of its reversibility besides its known regulatory functions. In this study, we will monitor the change in microRNAs (miRNAs) levels with 5-FU-based therapy at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment to be correlated with their prognostic potential. The expression levels of 5 miRNAs, namely miRNA223-3p, miRNA20a-5p, miRNA17-5p, miRNA19a-3p, and miRNA7-5p, were measured in the peripheral blood of 77 CRC patients, along with the expression of 3 proteins PTEN, ERK, and EGFR. At baseline, CRC patients had significantly higher levels of circulating miRNAs than healthy controls. This level was reduced after 3 months of 5-FU-based therapy, then increased after 6 months significantly in responder patients compared to non-responders. MiRNA19a-3p showed that significant pattern of change in the subgroups of patients with high ERK, EGFR, and PTEN protein levels, and its 6 months level after 5-FU-based therapy showed significance for the hazard of increased risk of disease recurrence and progression.
Game-based intradialytic non-weight-bearing exercise training on gait speed and balance in older adults with diabetes: a single-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Finco M. G. , Najafi Bijan , Zhou He , Hamad Abdullah , Ibrahim Rania , Al-Ali Fadwa 
Published: August 2023

AbstractOlder adults with diabetes receiving hemodialysis have impaired gait speed and balance compared to the general population, which have been associated with increased risks of falls and mortality. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a game-based intradialytic exercise training program (iExergame) on improving gait speed and balance. This was a single-blind randomized controlled trial. The intervention group (IG) received iExergame training using real-time audiovisual feedback with wearable inertial sensors. The control group (CG) received conventional training without any technology. Both trainings were intradialytic, non-weight-bearing, and used ankle range of motion. Gait and balance parameters were collected at baseline and 4-week follow-up. Data from 70 adults (age 64.2 ± 9.0 years) were analyzed. Compared to the CG, the IG showed greater changes between baseline and 4-week follow-up in several parameters. Gait parameters included faster speeds and longer stride lengths, particularly during dual task walking (p < 0.050). Balance parameters included reductions in center of mass (p = 0.004), ankle (p < 0.001), and hip (p = 0.010) sways during semi-tandem stance, particularly in users of assistive devices. iExergame training could improve gait speed and balance in this population and might be an option to increase intradialytic exercise adherence while reducing burdens of exercise administration.
Catalytic effect of high thermal conductive SiC on the kinetics and thermodynamics of vulcanization reaction of SBR/BR-filled nano-SiC
Authors: Rasouli Sajad , Zabihi Amirreza , Fasihi Mohammad 
Published: August 2023

AbstractNano-silicon carbide (SiC) as a high thermal conductive material with an intrinsic thermal conductivity of ~ 490 W/m K was used to improve the cure characteristics, kinetics, and thermodynamics of curing reaction of styrene-butadiene rubber/butadiene rubber (SBR/BR) compounds. The considerations were carried out by non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results revealed that the presence of SiC shifted the peak and end temperatures of the curing peak to lower temperatures. The calculated activation energy of the curing reaction based on the Kissinger approach showed a descent from 409.8 to 93.8 kJ/mol by adding SiC from 0 to 7.5 phr (part per hundred rubber). Moreover, the obtained Gibbs free energy variation and equilibrium constant of the curing reaction proved that the reaction was absolutely forced and irreversible, which can be increasingly characterized as a one-way process. According to the results, SiC accelerated the curing reaction because of the increment of heat transfer into the compound. This phenomenon caused the increment of enthalpy variation of the vulcanization reaction, particularly at the SiC content of 5 phr. The achieved kinetic parameters via fitting an autocatalytic model based on the Sestàk–Berggren model by the Màlek method to describe the kinetics of the curing reaction indicated that the SiC filler had a catalytic effect on the curing reaction of SBR/BR-SiC, particularly after 2.5 phr of the filler.
Acceptance and utilization efficiency of a purple durum wheat genotype by Sitophilus granarius (L.)
Authors: D’Isita Ilaria , Di Palma Antonella Marta , De Vita Pasquale , Germinara Giacinto Salvatore 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe granary weevil (Sitophilus granarius L.) is a major primary pest of stored cereals throughout the world. Among the major classes of plant secondary metabolites, flavonoids can affect insect feeding behaviour and their growth rate. In this study, the susceptibility of an anthocyanin-rich purple durum wheat genotype (T1303) to the granary weevil was evaluated in comparison with two yellow durum (Ofanto) and bread (Mec) wheat varieties. The feeding response and food utilisation efficiency by adult insects was also investigated by calculating nutritional indices in whole flour disk bioassays. Different levels of susceptibility to granary weevil emerged among genotypes tested. The mean food consumption by an insect, F1 progeny, and female parental offspring calculated for the T1303 genotype were significantly lower than those of yellow kernel wheat varieties. Moreover, T1303 genotype induced deterrence in the adult insects as demonstrated by the positive values of the food deterrence index. Besides, relative grow rate and efficiency conversion of ingested food indices were negative for T1303 and positive for both yellow wheat varieties indicating respectively a decrease and an increase of insect body weight during the bioassays. Finally, a higher mortality rate was recorded for insects fed on T1303 flour disks compared to disks obtained from yellow wheat varieties. These results provide evidence for the antifeedant and toxic effects of anthocyanins present in the T1303 pericarp against the granary weevil. Overall, this study contributes new insights into the mechanisms of host acceptance and food utilization by S. granarius and would be useful to identify antifeedant flavonoids as well as to develop varietal resistance-based strategies against this pest.
Minimizing outbreak through targeted blocking for disease control: a community-based approach using super-spreader node identification
Authors: Sheikhahmadi Amir , Bahrami Mehri , Saremi Hero 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has caused significant disruptions to the daily lives of individuals worldwide, with many losing their lives to the virus. Vaccination has been identified as a crucial strategy to combat the spread of a disease, but with a limited supply of vaccines, targeted blocking is becoming increasingly necessary. One such approach is to block a select group of individuals in the community to control the spread of the disease in its early stages. Therefore, in this paper, a method is proposed for solving this problem, based on the similarity between this issue and the problem of identifying super-spreader nodes. The proposed method attempts to select the minimum set of network nodes that, when removed, no large component remains in the network. To this end, the network is partitioned into various communities, and a method for limiting the spread of the disease to communities is proposed by blocking connecting nodes. Four real networks and four synthetics networks created using the LFR algorithm were used to evaluate the control of the disease by the selected set of nodes using each method, and the results obtained indicate better performance of the proposed method compared to other methods.
Investigating the associations of macular edema in retinitis pigmentosa
Authors: Arias Juan D. , Kalaw Fritz Gerald P. , Alex Varsha , Yassin Shaden H. , Ferreyra Henry , Walker Evan , Wagner Naomi E. , Borooah Shyamanga 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMacular edema (ME), the accumulation of intraretinal fluid in the macula, is a common sight affecting sequelae of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). However, it is unclear why some patients develop ME, and others do not. This study aims to identify associations between clinical-genetic factors in RP with ME. Patients with clinically confirmed RP cases were identified from the inherited retinal disease database at a large tertiary referral academic center. Demographic and genetic testing findings were noted. Additionally, optical coherence tomography volume scans were graded using a validated grading system. One hundred and six patients (73.1%) were found to have ME in at least one eye (OD = 88, mean = 37.9%, OS = 98, mean = 31.7%). Structurally, the presence of epiretinal membrane (ERM) (p < 0.007) and vitreo-macular traction (VMT) (p < 0.003) were significantly associated with ME. Additionally, X-linked (p < 0.032) and autosomal dominant inheritance (p < 0.039) demonstrated a significant association with ME, with RP1 (p < 0.045) and EYS (p < 0.017) pathogenic variants also significantly associated with ME. This study, in a large cohort of RP patients, confirms previous retinal structural associations for ME in RP and identifies potential new genetic associations.
Bonding performance of glass ionomer cement to carious dentin treated with different surface treatment protocols using silver diamine fluoride
Authors: Rinsathon Jarinya , Wiriyasuebpong Suthinee , Thariya Kunwara , Jiradechochai Panupong , Phetsuk Porada , Bouanil Sanit , Saikaew Pipop , Pawaputanon Na Mahasarakham Chantida 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis study investigated the influence of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) on the shear bond strength (SBS) to artificial carious dentin and GIC restorations with various SDF application protocols. Artificial caries were prepared on human dentin discs using bacteria model. These samples were randomly allocated to five groups (n = 10/group) according to the following treatment: (1) control group (CD): no treatment (2) CSR: dentin conditioner, SDF, and rinsing (3) CS: dentin conditioner and SDF (4) SRC: SDF, rinsing and dentin conditioner, and (5) SC: SDF and dentin conditioner. The treated-dentin surface was bonded with GIC and subjected to SBS test. Mean SBS was analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Surface morphology and elemental contents after surface treatment were examined (n = 3/group) by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). There was no significant difference in the mean SBS among CD (2.45 ± 0.99 MPa), CSR (1.76 ± 0.65 MPa), and SRC (2.64 ± 0.95 MPa). Meanwhile, the mean SBS of CS (0.35 ± 0.21 MPa) was significantly lower than the control and SRC group. SEM/EDX demonstrated deeper silver penetration in CSR and CS groups when compared to SRC and SC groups. SDF-modified GIC restorations resulted in significantly lower bond strength in CS and SC groups. The findings suggested treating the carious dentin surface with CSR and SRC protocol. SDF-treated carious dentin should be rinsed off prior to restore with GIC.
Performance of ChatGPT, human radiologists, and context-aware ChatGPT in identifying AO codes from radiology reports
Authors: Russe Maximilian F. , Fink Anna , Ngo Helen , Tran Hien , Bamberg Fabian , Reisert Marco , Rau Alexander 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWhile radiologists can describe a fracture’s morphology and complexity with ease, the translation into classification systems such as the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Osteosynthesefragen (AO) Fracture and Dislocation Classification Compendium is more challenging. We tested the performance of generic chatbots and chatbots aware of specific knowledge of the AO classification provided by a vector-index and compared it to human readers. In the 100 radiological reports we created based on random AO codes, chatbots provided AO codes significantly faster than humans (mean 3.2 s per case vs. 50 s per case, p < .001) though not reaching human performance (max. chatbot performance of 86% correct full AO codes vs. 95% in human readers). In general, chatbots based on GPT 4 outperformed the ones based on GPT 3.5-Turbo. Further, we found that providing specific knowledge substantially enhances the chatbot’s performance and consistency as the context-aware chatbot based on GPT 4 provided 71% consistent correct full AO codes for the compared to the 2% consistent correct full AO codes for the generic ChatGPT 4. This provides evidence, that refining and providing specific context to ChatGPT will be the next essential step in harnessing its power.
Synthesis of water soluble ionic liquid copolymers based on acrylamide and investigation of their properties in flocculating of clay suspensions
Authors: Faridi Shirin , Mobinikhaledi Akbar , Moghanian Hassan , Shabanian Meisam 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTo overcome water absorption and swelling by clay mineral layers, it is very important to develop stabilizing additives for water-based drilling fluids, where organic polymers are used as raw materials. Acrylamide copolymers, acting as flocculating agents, have the potential to separate minerals such as montmorillonite. In this study, three water-soluble copolymers containing acrylamide-amphoter, acrylamide-amphoter-anion, and acrylamide-amphoter-cation were synthesized and characterized using various analytical techniques, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and derivative thermal gravimetric techniques. These copolymers were employed as flocculants to treat water suspensions containing montmorillonite particles, and a range of analytical methods, such as sedimentation volume measurement, scanning electron microscopy analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, and contact angle measurement, were employed to identify the relationship between inhibitive performance. The flocculation of montmorillonite plates was attributed to the electrostatic attractions between montmorillonite and the synthesized copolymers. High molecular weight copolymers offer greater thermal stability and better flocculation characteristics for water-based drilling fluids. Among the tested copolymers, the acrylamide-amphoter-anion sample, with the highest molecular weight, exhibited the best performance as a coagulant when compared to the other copolymers.
Perceptual decisions interfere more with eye movements than with reach movements
Authors: Matsumiya Kazumichi , Furukawa Shota 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPerceptual judgements are formed through invisible cognitive processes. Reading out these judgements is essential for advancing our understanding of decision making and requires inferring covert cognitive states based on overt motor actions. Although intuition suggests that these actions must be related to the formation of decisions about where to move body parts, actions have been reported to be influenced by perceptual judgements even when the action is irrelevant to the perceptual judgement. However, despite performing multiple actions in our daily lives, how perceptual judgements influence multiple judgement-irrelevant actions is unknown. Here we show that perceptual judgements affect only saccadic eye movements when simultaneous judgement-irrelevant saccades and reaches are made, demonstrating that perceptual judgement-related signals continuously flow into the oculomotor system alone when multiple judgement-irrelevant actions are performed. This suggests that saccades are useful for making inferences about covert perceptual decisions, even when the actions are not tied to decision making.
Multiscale mechanics and molecular dynamics simulations of the durability of fiber-reinforced polymer composites
Authors: Lin Kui , Wang Zhanlong 
Published: August 2023

AbstractFiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have gained widespread applications in many engineering fields, making it imperative to study long-term performance under service conditions. Due to their heterogeneity and multifield coupling conditions, the long-term performance of FRP composites has become a complex scientific problem that involves multiscale and multidisciplinary aspects. With advancements in nanotechnology and computational power, researchers have increasingly conducted studies on the deterioration mechanisms and durability of FRP composites using top-down experiments and bottom-up multiscale simulations. Here, we review micro- and nano-mechanics in relation to the durability of FRP composites, including progress in the use of atomic and molecular simulations. We elucidate the role of multiscale methods, particularly molecular dynamics simulations, in the study of FRP composites and outline its prospects, to illustrate how micro- and nano-mechanics contribute to research on the durability of FRP composites.
Impact of COVID-19, cancer survivorship and patient-provider communication on mental health in the US Difference-In-Difference
Authors: Kim Jiyeong , Linos Eleni , Dove Melanie S. , Hoch Jeffrey S. , Keegan Theresa H. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPoor mental health has been found to be more prevalent among those with cancer and is considered a public health crisis since COVID-19. This study assessed the impact of COVID-19 and cancer survivorship on mental health and investigated factors, including online patient-provider communications (OPPC; email/internet/tablet/smartphone), associated with poor mental health prior to and during the early COVID-19. Nationally representative Health Information National Trends Survey data during 2017–2020 (n = 15,871) was used. While the prevalence of poor mental health was high (40–42%), Difference-In-Difference analyses revealed that cancer survivorship and COVID-19 were not associated with poor mental health. However, individuals that used OPPC had 40% higher odds of poor mental health. Low socioeconomic status (low education/income), younger age (18–64 years), and female birth gender were also associated with poor mental health. Findings highlight the persistence of long-standing mental health inequities and identify that OPPC users might be those who need mental health support.
Lens opacities in the horse: a clinical classification
Authors: Matthews Andrew G. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractLens opacities, including cataracts, are frequent findings during routine ophthalmic examination in the horse, and clinicians often experience difficulty in predicting the potential progression and consequences on visual function of these opacities. This has particular relevance to the prepurchase examination. The present study proposes a descriptive classification of the more common lens opacities observed in the horse based principally on their morphological origin. This classification provides a basis for objective prediction of the probable progression of lens opacities, in particular cataracts, in the horse.
A Cross-sectional Analysis of 556 Eyes Entering the Homburg Aniridia Centre
Authors: Fries Fabian Norbert , Náray Annamária , Munteanu Cristian , Stachon Tanja , Lagali Neil , Seitz Berthold , Szentmáry Nóra , Käsmann-Kellner Barbara 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose Congenital aniridia is a severe malformation of almost all eye segments. In addition, endocrinological, metabolic, and central nervous systems diseases may be present. In order to develop better treatment options for this rare disease, an aniridia center must be established. The purpose of this work is to summarize ophthalmic findings of aniridia subjects examined at the Department of Ophthalmology, Saarland University Medical Center in Homburg.
Methods Our retrospective single-center study included patients who underwent a comprehensive ophthalmic examination through the head of the KiOLoN (“Kinderophthalmologie”, Orthoptics, Low Vision and Neuroophthalmology) Unit of the department between June 2003 and January 2022. Data at the first examination time point have been included.
Results Of 286 subjects, 556 eyes of (20.1 ± 20.1 years; 45.5% males) were included. There was nystagmus in 518 (93.7%) eyes, and strabismus in 327 (58.8%) eyes. There were 436 (78.4%) eyes with age-appropriate axial length, 104 (18.7%) eyes with microphthalmos, and 13 (2.3%) eyes with buphthalmos. There was iris malformation with atypical coloboma in 34 eyes (6.1%), more than 6 clock hours of iris remnants in 61 eyes (10.9%), less than 6 clock hours of iris remnants in 96 eyes (17.2%), and complete aniridia in 320 (57.5%) eyes. The patients were graded according to the following aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK) stages: Stage 0 (96 eyes [17.2%], no keratopathy), Stage 1 (178 eyes [32.0%]), Stage 2 (107 eyes [19.2%]), Stage 3 (67 eyes [12.0%]), Stage 4 (62 eyes [11.1%]), Stage 5 (45 eyes [8.0%]). There was secondary glaucoma in 307 (55.5%), macular hypoplasia in 395 (71.4%), and congenital optic nerve head pathology in 223 (40.3%) eyes. The iris malformation type
was significantly positively correlated with AAK stage, lens properties, presence of glaucoma, congenital macular, and optic nerve head properties (p < 0.001 for all), while complete aniridia showed the most complications.
Conclusions At the Homburg Aniridia Center, the most common ophthalmic signs in congenital aniridia were AAK, iris malformation, cataract, and macular hypoplasia. The iris malformation type may indicate future expression of AAK, cataract, and glaucoma development and it is correlated with a congenital optic nerve head and macular pathology. Our registry will support further detailed longitudinal analysis of ophthalmic and systemic diseases of aniridia subjects during long-term follow-up.