bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Molecular Characterization of Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 Isolated from Ready-to-eat Chicken Meat
Authors: Ajulo Oluwatoyin Hephzibah , Adetunji Olusola Victoria , Ajulo Olugbenga Matthew 
Published: April 2022

Background: Virulence genes are important in the pathogenesis of bacteria and in the mechanism of bacterial pathogenicity.
Objective: The study aimed at molecular detection of virulence genes such as sdiA, fimH, InvA and fliC and determination of similarity and links among the isolates.
Method: A total of 67 isolates including 4 controls were tested by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) with 4 primer pairs including invA, fliC, sdiA and fimH to avoid bias. Full sequences of the 16S-Sequencing gene of both strains were carried out with 29 Salmonella and 30 E. coli isolates that were positive for amplification at 1500bp.ward hierarchical clustering model and agglomeration procedure was used. Clustered grouping and relational affinity test were conducted and depicted by the dendrogram. Molecular identification and interpretation were done using BLASTn Protocol.
Result: None of the isolates were positive to the invA or fliC gene fragments. One isolate from each of Salmonella Typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7 was positive to sdiA and fimH respectively. Three E. coli isolates were positive with an amplification of 500bp which is specific for fimH genes. One of the isolates E459 showed amplification of fimH gene with multidrug resistance to 5 drugs namely Ceftazidime, Cefuroxime, Augmentin, Nitrofurantoin and Ampicillin. Four Salmonella isolates had an amplification of 274bp specific for sdiA gene. Two variants of E. coli O157:H7 (unit g1 and unit g2) were identified. A mutant strain Salmonella Typhimurium LTS (STMD1) causing human gastroenteritis was identified also, Salmonella Typhimurium DT104 isolated exhibited multiple resistant genes (ACSSuT, SGI1) against several antibiotics. These are of public health significance.
Conclusion: This study has indicated presence of sdiA and fimH genes in Salmonella typhimurium and E. coli 0157:H7 respectively isolated from ready-to-eat chicken meats from public eateries. It also indicated association of sdiA and fimH genes with multi-drugs resistance.
Different Techniques used for Stump Closure in Laparoscopic Appendectomy
Authors: Shafaqat . , Hassan Syed Ashraf , Rashid Haris , Ali Mir Arsalan , Khan Fatima Zehra , Sidhwani Santosh Kumar 
Published: April 2022

Background: The most prevalent surgical emergency for which patients present to the emergency room is acute appendicitis. Appendectomy is the surgical therapy for the problem, and it is one of the most common surgeries performed worldwide, with almost a quarter of all people (equally males and females) requiring one at some point in their lives. Methods that are used to close the stump in laparoscopic appendectomy include staplers, endo-loop, titanium clips, non-absorbable polymer clips (Hem-o-lock clips), hand-made loops, extracorporeal sliding knot, intra-corporeal ligation, ligature use or division with bipolar cautery.
Objective: To compare various methods of stumps closure in laparoscopic appendectomy.
Methods: This Double Blind – Randomized Quasi Experimental Trial was conducted upon a sample of 80 patients (selected using non-probability, consecutive sampling) in four groups (G1: Endoloop, G2: Intracorporeal Knotting with Vicryl Size 2/0, G3: Extracorporeal Knotting with Chromic Catalent no Zero, G4: Vicryl Intracorporeal Trans fixation of Stump with 2/0 vicryl) of 20 each. Data was recorded onto a structured questionnaire containing inquiries pertaining to basic biodata, sociodemographic details, disease history, operative notes and post-operative follow-up. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and MS. Excel.
Results: The mean age of the sample stood at 43.96 (SD ± 16.9) years, with the age ranging from 17 to 80 years. Study more females were presented in all four groups. They have shown insignificant statistical association with p-value of 0.983. Post-operative complication in every group was recorded as post-operative hemorrhage, knot slippage, abscess and surgical site infection. Overall in 9 (11.3%) of patients experienced different post-operative complications showed insignificant statistical association with the p-value of 0.945.
Conclusion: In current study we concluded that endoloop is the most efficient and less time consuming procedure used for the stump closure in the patient undergo laparoscopic appendectomy. Intra operative time taken is also less compared to other groups. Less number of intra-operative and post-operative complication were noted in the endoloop group. Hospital stay is also observed to be less in the endoloop group.
Examine the Vitamin-D Status of HCV-Infected Patients and Control in Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Abbas Muhammad , Ghani Hafiz Usman , Rauf Huda , Zulfiqar Saba , Usman Muhammad , Rehman Abdul 
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Hepatitis C virus is a serious health issue that can remain fatal owing to their dire repercussions. HCV causes approximately 710,500 deaths each year, has over 190 million individuals affected
Objective: Serum Vitamin-D has an important part in inflammatory and infections illnesses, particularly liver diseases. The purpose of this experiment was to examine the Vitamin-D status of HCV-diseased cases and control in Lahore, Pakistan.
Methods: From the 25th of August, 2019 to the 25th of February, 2020, we conducted randomized cross-sectional research on 78 people at Services Hospital in Lahore. Fifty-one individuals tested positive for hepatitis C RNA-PCR (25 salaried cirrhotic and 25 decompensated cirrhotic cases). In addition, 24 healthy controls were selected who did not have liver problems. ARTUS ® HCV QS-RGQ V1 was used to perform HCV RNA–PCR. Chemiluminescence was used to determine vitamin D levels. For descriptive statistics, SPSS version 20 was employed.
Results: When compared to untreated (32.43 ng/mL), average level of Vitamin-D in Treated patients remained considerably inferior in supplied and fluid resuscitation hepatocellular carcinoma (28.88 ng/mL & 21.67 ng/mL, respectively). In this research, 78.6 percent of HCV patients had suboptimal Vitamin-D levels. Vitamin-D deficiency (22-28 ng/mL) was seen in both healthy people (46.9 percent) and HCV sufferers (38.3 percent) (P 0.002). Furthermore, Vitamin-D levels were shown to have an inverse association with more multi - organ failure, having 56.3 percent of respiratory failure cirrhosis people undergoing from Vitamin-D insufficiency, relative to 14.7 percent in the recovered cirrhotic groups (P 0.0002).
Conclusion: Suboptimal levels of Vitamin-D (inadequacy before lack) remain more common in hepatitis C comparison to well controls. Vitamin-D insufficiency were found to be directly related to somatic symptoms.
Clinical Presentation of Patients of Carcinoma of Rectum and Different Modalites of Treatment
Authors: Laghari Ahsan Ali , Baloch Tufail Ahmed , Katyar Ishrat Rahim , Shaikh Shiraz , Laghari Zameer Husain , Laghari Qumber Ali , Ahmer Arslan 
Published: April 2022

Objectives: To determine the clinical presentation of patients of Carcinoma of Rectum and Different modalities of treatment.
Methodology: This was a Prospective observational study conducted in from May 2019 to April 2021 at Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS) Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan. The study comprises 50 patients. All were admitted from Outpatient Department (OPD). All patients were evaluated fully after history & Clinical examinations Digital Rectal Examination (DRE) with Proctoscope and specific investigations of, Stool DR, Fecal occult blood, ultra sound of abdomen and pelvis, Sigmoidoscopy, Colonoscopy with biopsy, Barium enema, C T Scan of Abdomen, chest & pelvis, MRI Abdomen &Pelvis, PECT Scan, Anorectal or Endoluminal Ultra sound, Tumor Marker CEA, Monoclonal Antibodies, LDH level, LFT for liver. and X- Ray chest PA view. Complete blood picture (CBC) Blood urea, sugar, serum electrolyte, HBSAG, HCV, & HIV, COVID -19, LFT, PT, APTT, INR and ECG for fitness purpose and general assessment.
Results: In this study 50 patients of carcinoma of Rectum were reported. The maximum number of patients were in age group between 12 to 80 years. Out of 50 patient, 15 patients were presented with Altered Bowel habit (Constipation and Diarrhea) & Spurious Morning Diarrhea , 13 patients were presented with Altered Bowel habit (Constipation & Diarrhea) Spurious Morning Diarrhea ,With Bleeding per rectum. Out of 50 patients 15 patients were diagnosed stage 1 ,13 patients were diagnosed stage 11, 9 patients were diagnosed stage 111, 13 patients were diagnosed stage 1V. Out of 50 patients 28 patients were treated with anterior resection, 15 patients initially treated with New adjuvant therapy followed by patients were treated APR with TME, immunotherapy, gene therapy. 4 patients were treated initially diversion colostomy, then Neo adjuvant therapy, 3 patients were treated laparotomy, colostomy, hart men procedure, Chemo radio therapy, Immunotherapy, Gene therapy.
Conclusion: Carcinoma of Rectum is a common problem all over the world. Patients of carcinoma rectum can present diarrhea, constipation, bleeding per rectum, spurious morning diarrhea if not diagnose, and treat the patient in early stage, patients live style will be complicated.
Computed Tomography of the Chest to Screen for Interstitial Lung Disease in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis at Expert Scleroderma Centers in the United States
Authors: Bernstein Elana J. , Assassi Shervin , Castelino Flavia V. , Chung Lorinda , Correia Chase , Evnin Luke B. , Frech Tracy M. , Gordon Jessica K. , Skaug Brian A. , Hant Faye N. , Hummers Laura K. , Sandorfi Nora , Shah Ami A. , Shanmugam Victoria K. , Steen Virginia D. , Khanna Dinesh 
Published: April 2022

ObjectiveAlthough a high‐resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scan of the chest is the gold standard test for the detection of interstitial lung disease (ILD), there is no consensus among rheumatologists regarding the use of HRCT to screen for ILD in their patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). The aims of this study were to describe the HRCT ordering practices at SSc centers in the United States and to determine which patient characteristics are associated with HRCT performance.MethodsWe performed a prospective cohort study of patients with SSc enrolled in the US‐based Collaborative National Quality and Efficacy Registry (CONQUER). We performed univariate logistic regression followed by multivariable logistic regression to determine which patient characteristics were associated with HRCT performance.ResultsOf the 356 patients with SSc enrolled in CONQUER, 286 (80.3%) underwent HRCT at some point during their disease course. On multivariable analyses, missing total lung capacity percent predicted (odds ratio [OR] 3.26, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.53‐7.41, P = 0.007) was positively associated with ever having undergone HRCT, whereas a positive anti‐centromere antibody (OR 0.27, 95% CI: 0.12‐0.61, P = 0.008) and missing forced vital capacity percent predicted (OR 0.29, 95% CI: 0.10‐0.80, P = 0.005) were negatively associated with ever having undergone HRCT. There was a trend toward a positive association between crackles on pulmonary exam and ever having undergone HRCT (OR 2.28, 95% CI: 0.97‐6.05, P = 0.058), although this relationship did not reach statistical significance.ConclusionThe majority of patients with SSc enrolled in CONQUER underwent HRCT. A positive anti‐centromere antibody was the key clinical variable inversely associated with performance of HRCT.
Activated Ni–OH Bonds in a Catalyst Facilitates the Nucleophile Oxidation Reaction
Authors: Chen Wei , Wang Yanyong , Wu Binbin , Shi Jianqiao , Li Yingying , Xu Leitao , Xie Chao , Zhou Wang , Huang Yu‐Cheng , Wang Tehua , Du Shiqian , Song Minglei , Wang Dongdong , Chen Chen , Zheng Jianyun , Liu Jilei , Dong Chung‐Li , Zou Yuqin , Chen Jun , Wang Shuangyin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe nucleophile oxidation reaction (NOR) is of enormous significance for organic electrosynthesis and coupling for hydrogen generation. However, the nonuniform NOR mechanism limits its development. For the NOR, involving electrocatalysis and organic chemistry, both the electrochemical step and non‐electrochemical process should be taken into account. The NOR of nickel‐based hydroxides includes the electrogenerated dehydrogenation of the Ni2+–OH bond and a spontaneous non‐electrochemical process; the former determines the electrochemical activity, and the nucleophile oxidation pathway depends on the latter. Herein, the space‐confinement‐induced synthesis of Ni3Fe layered double hydroxide intercalated with single‐atom‐layer Pt nanosheets (Ni3Fe LDH‐Pt NS) is reported. The synergy of interlayer Pt nanosheets and multiple defects activates Ni–OH bonds, thus exhibiting an excellent NOR performance. The spontaneous non‐electrochemical steps of the NOR are revealed, such as proton‐coupled electron transfer (PCET; Ni3+–O + X–H = Ni2+–OH + X•), hydration, and rearrangement. Hence, the reaction pathway of the NOR is deciphered, which not only helps to perfect the NOR mechanism, but also provides inspiration for organic electrosynthesis.
Obstructed Surface States as the Descriptor for Predicting Catalytic Active Sites in Inorganic Crystalline Materials
Authors: Li Guowei , Xu Yuanfeng , Song Zhida , Yang Qun , Zhang Yudi , Liu Jian , Gupta Uttam , Süβ Vicky , Sun Yan , Sessi Paolo , Parkin Stuart S. P. , Bernevig B. Andrei , Felser Claudia 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe discovery of new catalysts that are efficient and sustainable is a major research endeavor for many industrial chemical processes. This requires an understanding and determination of the catalytic origins, which remains a challenge. Here, a novel method to identify the position of active sites based on searching for crystalline symmetry‐protected obstructed atomic insulators (OAIs) that have metallic surface states is described. The obstructed Wannier charge centers (OWCCs) in OAIs are pinned by symmetries at some empty Wyckoff positions so that surfaces that accommodate these sites are guaranteed to have metallic obstructed surface states (OSSs). It is proposed and confirmed that the OSSs are the catalytic activity origins for crystalline materials. The theory on 2H‐MoTe2, 1T′‐MoTe2, and NiPS3 bulk single crystals is verified, whose active sites are consistent with the calculations. Most importantly, several high‐efficiency catalysts are successfully identified just by considering the number of OWCCs and the symmetry. Using the real‐space‐invariant theory applied to a database of 34 013 topologically trivial insulators, 1788 unique OAIs are identified, of which 465 are potential high‐performance catalysts. The new methodology will facilitate and accelerate the discovery of new catalysts for a wide range of heterogeneous redox reactions.
Simultaneous Electrochemical Exfoliation and Covalent Functionalization of MoS2 Membrane for Ion Sieving
Authors: Mei Liang , Cao Zhonglin , Ying Ting , Yang Ruijie , Peng Huarong , Wang Gang , Zheng Long , Chen Ye , Tang Chuyang Y. , Voiry Damien , Wang Haihui , Farimani Amir Barati , Zeng Zhiyuan 
Published: April 2022

AbstractTransition metal dichalcogenide membranes exhibit good antiswelling properties but poor water desalination property. Here, a one‐step covalent functionalization of MoS2 nanosheets for membrane fabrication is reported, which is accomplished by simultaneous exfoliating and grafting the lithium‐ion‐intercalated MoS2 in organic iodide water solution. The lithium intercalation amount in MoS2 is optimized so that the quality of the produced 2D nanosheets is improved with homogeneous size distribution. The lamellar MoS2 membranes are tested in reverse osmosis (RO), and the functionalized MoS2 membrane exhibits rejection rates of >90% and >80% for various dyes (Rhodamine B, Crystal Violet, Acid Fuchsin, Methyl Orange, and Evans Blue) and NaCl, respectively. The excellent ion‐sieving performance and good water permeability of the functionalized MoS2 membranes are attributed to the suitable channel widths that are tuned by iodoacetamide. Furthermore, the stability of the functionalized MoS2 membranes in NaCl and dye solutions is also confirmed by RO tests. Molecular dynamics simulation shows that water molecules tend to form a single layer between the amide‐functionalized MoS2 layers but a double layer between the ethanol‐functionalized MoS2 (MoS2‐ethanol) layers, which indicates that a less packed structure of water between the MoS2‐ethanol layers leads to lower hydrodynamic resistance and higher permeation.
Understanding Enhanced Ionic Conductivity in Composite Solid‐State Electrolyte in a Wide Frequency Range of 10–2–1010 Hz
Authors: Zhang Kai‐Lun , Li Na , Li Xu , Huang Jun , Chen Haosen , Jiao Shuqiang , Song Wei‐Li 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe ionic conductivity of composite solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) can be tuned by introducing inorganic fillers, of which the mechanism remains elusive. Herein, ion conductivity of composite SSEs is characterized in an unprecedentedly wide frequency range of 10–2–1010 Hz by combining chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectrum, and dielectric spectrum. Using this method, it is unraveled that how the volume fraction v and surface fluorine content xF of TiO2 fillers tune the ionic conductivity of composite SSEs. It is identified that activation energy Ea is more important than carrier concentration c in this game. Specifically, c increases with v while Ea has the minimum value at v = 10% and increases at larger v. Moreover, Ea is further correlated with the dielectric constant of the SSE via the Marcus theory. A conductivity of 3.1×10–5 S cm−1 is obtained at 30 °C by tuning v and xF, which is 15 times higher than that of the original SSE. The present method can be used to understand ion conduction in various SSEs for solid‐state batteries.
Regiochemistry of Donor Dendrons Controls the Performance of Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Dendrimer Emitters for High Efficiency Solution‐Processed Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Sun Dianming , Saxena Rishabh , Fan Xiaochun , Athanasopoulos Stavros , Duda Eimantas , Zhang Ming , Bagnich Sergey , Zhang Xiaohong , Zysman‐Colman Eli , Köhler Anna 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe potential of dendrimers exhibiting thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) as emitters in solution‐processed organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) has to date not yet been realized. This in part is due to a poor understanding of the structure–property relationship in dendrimers where reports of detailed photophysical characterization and mechanism studies are lacking. In this report, using absorption and solvatochromic photoluminescence studies in solution, the origin and character of the lowest excited electronic states in dendrimers with multiple dendritic electron‐donating moieties connected to a central electron‐withdrawing core via a para‐ or a meta‐phenylene bridge is probed. Characterization of host‐free OLEDs reveals the superiority of meta‐linked dendrimers as compared to the already reported para‐analogue. Comparative temperature‐dependent time‐resolved solid‐state photoluminescence measurements and quantum chemical studies explore the effect of the substitution mode on the TADF properties and the reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) mechanism, respectively. For TADF dendrimers with similarly small ∆EST, it is observed that RISC can be enhanced by the regiochemistry of the donor dendrons due to control of the reorganization energies, which is a heretofore unexploited strategy that is distinct from the involvement of intermediate triplet states through a nonadiabatic (vibronic) coupling with the lowest singlet charge transfer state.
Solvent Selective Effect Occurs in Iodinated Adamantanone Ferroelectrics
Authors: Xu Lei , Zhang Yao , Jiang Huan‐Huan , Zhang Nan , Xiong Ren‐Gen , Zhang Han‐Yue 
Published: April 2022

AbstractOrganic ferroelectrics, as a type of crystalline compound, are generally solution processing. However, for most crystalline compounds, the changing of solvent would not influence the crystalline phase, let alone their physical performance. Here, the solvent selective effect occurs in the iodinated adamantanone ferroelectrics. By changing the solvent with different polarities, the ferroelectric crystals can be induced in two different phases, which is unprecedented to the knowledge. More strikingly, this solvent‐induced transformation could realize the physical performance optimization in the orthorhombic phase (orth‐I‐OA, obtained from ethanol) with a stronger second harmonic generation (SHG) response, greater piezoelectric coefficient d33 of 5 pC N−1, and larger spontaneous polarization (Ps) of 3.43 µC cm−2 than those of monoclinic one (mono‐I‐OA, obtained from ethyl acetate). Such an intriguing phenomenon might be closely related to solvent polarity. Based on the quantitative and qualitative analyses, the similar interaction energies of these two phases suggest that their transformation could be easily realized via changing the solvent. This work provides new insights into the chemical design and performance optimization of organic ferroelectrics.
Structural, Dynamic, and Chemical Complexities in Zinc Anode of an Operating Aqueous Zn‐Ion Battery
Authors: Qian Guannan , Zan Guibin , Li Jizhou , Lee Sang‐Jun , Wang Yong , Zhu Yingying , Gul Sheraz , Vine David J. , Lewis Sylvia , Yun Wenbing , Ma Zi‐Feng , Pianetta Piero , Lee Jun‐Sik , Li Linsen , Liu Yijin 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAqueous Zn‐ion battery is a promising technology for electrochemical energy storage. The formation of Zn dendrites, however, can jeopardize the cell cycle life and thus, hinders the industrial adoption of this technology. A fundamental understanding of the kinetic mechanisms is crucial for improving the Zn‐ion battery. Here, in situ and operando X‐ray microscopy methods are utilized to visualize the Zn plating and stripping behaviors under different electrochemical conditions. It is demonstrated that the substrate curvature, local morphology, electrochemical protocols, and the surface chemistry can collectively affect the Zn plating behavior. These results provide new insights for developing the next‐generation dendrite‐free and long‐span aqueous Zn‐ion battery.