bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of the sofosbuvir/velpatasvir combination for the treatment of patients with early mild to moderate COVID-19
Authors: Messina Vincenzo , Nevola Riccardo , Izzi Antonio , De Lucia Sposito Pellegrino , Marrone Aldo , Rega Roberto , Fusco Raffaele , Lumino Paolina , Rinaldi Luca , Gaglione Pasqualina , Simeone Filomena , Sasso Ferdinando Carlo , Maggi Paolo , Adinolfi Luigi Elio 
Published: April 2022

AbstractSARS-CoV-2 is still a health problem worldwide despite the availability of vaccines. Therefore, there is a need for effective and safe antiviral. SARS-CoV-2 and HCV necessitate RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) for replication; therefore, it has been hypothesized that RdRp inhibitors used to treat HCV may be effective treating SARS-CoV-2. Accordingly, we evaluated the effect of the sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (SOF/VEL) combination in early SARS-CoV-2 infection. A multicenter case–control study was conducted, enrolling 120 patients with mild or moderate COVID-19, of whom 30, HCV coinfected or not, received SOF/VEL tablets (400/100 mg) once daily for 9 days within a median of 6 days from the beginning of infection and 90 controls were treated with standard care. The primary endpoint was the effect on viral clearance, and the secondary endpoint was the improvement of clinical outcomes. Nasal swabs for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR were performed every 5–7 days. Between 5–14 days after starting SOF/VEL treatment, SAS-CoV-2 clearance was observed in 83% of patients, while spontaneous clearance in the control was 13% (p < 0.001). An earlier SARS-CoV-2 clearance was observed in the SOF/VEL group than in the control group (median 14 vs 22 days, respectively, p < 0.001) also when the first positivity was considered. None of the patients in the SOF/VEL group showed disease progression, while in the control group, 24% required more intensive treatment (high flow oxygen or noninvasive/invasive ventilation), and one patient died (p < 0.01). No significant side effects were observed in the SOF/VEL group. Early SOF/VEL treatment in mild/moderate COVID-19 seems to be safe and effective for faster elimination of SARS-CoV-2 and to prevent disease progression.
Prolonged treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 induces apoptosis in PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells
Authors: Tarjányi Oktávia , Haerer Julian , Vecsernyés Mónika , Berta Gergely , Stayer-Harci Alexandra , Balogh Bálint , Farkas Kornélia , Boldizsár Ferenc , Szeberényi József , Sétáló György 
Published: April 2022

AbstractRat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells were treated with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 and morphological changes were recorded. Initially, neuronal differentiation was induced but after 24 h signs of morphological deterioration became apparent. We performed nuclear staining, flow cytometry and WST-1 assay then analyzed signal transduction pathways involving Akt, p38 MAPK (Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase), JNK (c-Jun N-terminal Kinase), c-Jun and caspase-3. Stress signaling via p38, JNK and c-Jun was active even after 24 h of MG-132 treatment, while the survival-mediating Akt phosphorylation declined and the executor of apoptosis (caspase-3) was activated by that time and apoptosis was also observable. We examined subcellular localization of stress signaling components, applied kinase inhibitors and dominant negative H-Ras mutant-expressing PC12 cells in order to decipher connections of stress-mediating pathways. Our results are suggestive of that treatment with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 has a biphasic nature in PC12 cells. Initially, it induces neuronal differentiation but prolonged treatments lead to apoptosis.
Towards automation of the polyol process for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles
Authors: Wolf Jakob B. , Stawski Tomasz M. , Smales Glen J. , Thünemann Andreas F. , Emmerling Franziska 
Published: April 2022

AbstractMetal nanoparticles have a substantial impact across different fields of science, such as photochemistry, energy conversion, and medicine. Among the commonly used nanoparticles, silver nanoparticles are of special interest due to their antibacterial properties and applications in sensing and catalysis. However, many of the methods used to synthesize silver nanoparticles often do not result in well-defined products, the main obstacles being high polydispersity or a lack of particle size tunability. We describe an automated approach to on-demand synthesis of adjustable particles with mean radii of 3 and 5 nm using the polyol route. The polyol process is a promising route for silver nanoparticles e.g., to be used as reference materials. We characterised the as-synthesized nanoparticles using small-angle X-ray scattering, dynamic light scattering and further methods, showing that automated synthesis can yield colloids with reproducible and tuneable properties.
Experimental study and analytical model for the pore structure of epoxy latex-modified mortar
Authors: Li Pengfei , Lu Wei , An Xuehui , Zhou Li , Han Xun , Du Sanlin , Wang Chengzhi 
Published: April 2022

AbstractConcrete repair and rehabilitation prolong the effective service lives of structures and are important topics in the building field worldwide. Epoxy latex-modified cementitious materials have shown promise for a number of applications in building and construction, but the mix design processes remain arbitrary because their pore structures are not well understood. Porosity and pore size distributions are pore structure parameters that have direct effects on the mechanical properties and durability of concrete. In this paper, mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) was used to analyze the porosities and pore size distributions of epoxy latex-modified mortars. The effects of the polymer-to-cement ratio on the pore structures of epoxy latex-modified mortars were investigated. Mortars with polymer-to-cement ratios of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% were cured for 7, 28, 60, and 90 days in this study. Images of specimen microstructures were obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), which showed that increases in the amount of epoxy latex added caused the proportion of micropores in the mortar to decrease, while the proportion of macropores and gel pores increased. The pore size distribution of epoxy latex-modified mortar was described with a composite logarithmic model. Relationships between the pore size distribution and the polymer-to-cement ratio and the curing age were obtained. The method described herein might be sufficiently accurate and convenient to evaluate or predict the pore size distribution of an epoxy latex-modified mortar, i.e., by determining the statistical distribution and analyzing the probability. The process for design of the polymer concrete mix ratio will be facilitated by methods that accurately describe the structure of the epoxy latex-modified mortar.
Single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals aberrant stromal cells and heterogeneous endothelial cells in alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Authors: Liao Zheting , Jin Yu , Chu Yuhao , Wu Hansen , Li Xiaoyu , Deng Zhonghao , Feng Shuhao , Chen Nachun , Luo Ziheng , Zheng Xiaoyong , Bao Liangxiao , Xu Yongqing , Tan Hongbo , Zhao Liang 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAlcohol-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a disabling disease with a high incidence and elusive pathogenesis. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to explore the transcriptomic landscape of mid- and advanced-stage alcohol-induced ONFH. Cells derived from age-matched hip osteoarthritis and femoral neck fracture samples were used as control. Our bioinformatics analysis revealed the disorder of osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation of stromal cells in ONFH and altered regulons such as MEF2C and JUND. In addition, we reported that one of the endothelial cell clusters withACKR1expression exhibited strong chemotaxis and a weak angiogenic ability and expanded with disease progression. Furthermore, ligand-receptor-based cell-cell interaction analysis indicated that ACKR1+ endothelial cells might specifically communicate with stromal cells through the VISFATIN and SELE pathways, thus influencing stromal cell differentiation in ONFH. Overall, our data revealed single cell transcriptome characteristics in alcohol-induced ONFH, which may contribute to the further investigation of ONFH pathogenesis.
A platinum(IV) prodrug strategy to overcome glutathione-based oxaliplatin resistance
Authors: Fronik Philipp , Gutmann Michael , Vician Petra , Stojanovic Mirjana , Kastner Alexander , Heffeter Petra , Pirker Christine , Keppler Bernhard K. , Berger Walter , Kowol Christian R. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractClinical efficacy of oxaliplatin is frequently limited by severe adverse effects and therapy resistance. Acquired insensitivity to oxaliplatin is, at least in part, associated with elevated levels of glutathione (GSH). In this study we report on an oxaliplatin-based platinum(IV) prodrug, which releases L-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO), an inhibitor of glutamate-cysteine ligase, the rate-limiting enzyme in GSH biosynthesis. Two complexes bearing either acetate (BSO-OxOAc) or an albumin-binding maleimide (BSO-OxMal) as second axial ligand were synthesized and characterized. The in vitro anticancer activity of BSO-OxOAc was massively reduced in comparison to oxaliplatin, proving its prodrug nature. Nevertheless, the markedly lower intracellular oxaliplatin uptake in resistant HCT116/OxR cells was widely overcome by BSO-OxOAc resulting in distinctly reduced resistance levels. Platinum accumulation in organs of a colorectal cancer mouse model revealed higher tumor selectivity of BSO-OxMal as compared to oxaliplatin. This corresponded with increased antitumor activity, resulting in significantly enhanced overall survival. BSO-OxMal-treated tumors exhibited reduced GSH levels, proliferative activity and enhanced DNA damage (pH2AX) compared to oxaliplatin. Conversely, pH2AX staining especially in kidney cells was distinctly increased by oxaliplatin but not by BSO-OxMal. Taken together, our data provide compelling evidence for enhanced tumor specificity of the oxaliplatin(IV)/BSO prodrug.
Lewis acid–base pair doping of p-type organic semiconductors
Authors: Peterson Kelly A. , Chabinyc Michael L. 
Published: April 2022

Lewis acid–base pairs can be used as p-type dopants for semiconducting polymers. This co-doping process greatly enhances the doping efficiency of B(C6F5)3 and leads to high conductivity in solution processed films of regioregular P3HT.
Overview of WiFi fingerprinting‐based indoor positioning
Authors: Shang Shuang , Wang Lixing 
Published: April 2022

AbstractLocation‐based services have attracted significant attention since the concept of Industry 4.0 was proposed and the ‘Internet +’ era began owing to its social and commercial value. Many scholars have attempted to introduce machine learning in indoor fingerprint positioning to improve indoor positioning accuracy, enhance system robustness, reduce costs, and improve the performance of indoor positioning methods. A comprehensive overview of indoor positioning technology, its methods, and classifications is provided. Furthermore, a detailed review of the application of WiFi fingerprinting and machine learning methods in indoor positioning is presented, and the advantages and disadvantages of these methods when applied to indoor positioning are analyzed. This study summarizes the difficulties and challenges encountered by indoor positioning and suggests development directions.
Robust service provisioning of service function chain under demand uncertainty
Authors: Qiu Hang , Tang Hongbo , You Wei , Xu Mingyan , Wang Kai 
Published: April 2022

AbstractIn network function virtualization, resource allocation is one of the key techniques to ensure the QoS of service requests in face of the uncertain traffic demand and traffic fluctuation of user services. The previous related works usually assume that the traffic demand is a deterministic value and then reallocate substrate resources to deal with the demand uncertainty and traffic fluctuation during operation. In response to performance degradation caused by demand uncertainty and traffic fluctuation, the paper models the service function chain orchestration under demand uncertainty as a robust optimization problem, where the parameter Γ is introduced to control the conservativeness of the solution. On this basis, the strong duality theory is used to transform the original problem into a mixed‐integer linear programming, and then devise an exact Robust Service Provisioning (RSP) algorithm. The simulation evaluation demonstrates that the proposed algorithm could achieve different levels of robustness and make a trade‐off between robustness and cost. The impact of Γ value on the realized robustness and price of robustness is also analysed. Thus, the algorithm proposed could get an effective service function chain orchestration scheme under uncertain traffic demands and provide a reference of the total cost.
Partial and statistical CSI based precoding for reduced‐CP OTFS with inter‐slot‐interference pre‐cancellation
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Du Peng , Wang Jiang 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis work studies the precoding methods for the reduced cycle‐prefix (CP) orthogonal time frequency space (OTFS) modulation to simplify the receiver design. First, a system model is established which shows that there are both intra‐slot‐interference and inter‐slot‐interference in the reduced‐CP OTFS system. Then, the precoding operation is proposed to pre‐cancel the inter‐slot‐interference in the reduced‐CP OTFS system so that the bit error rate (BER) performance can be greatly improved. According to how much channel state information (CSI) needs to be fed back, precoding methods for two different cases are proposed: the partial CSI feedback case and the partial and statistical CSI feedback case. Among them, the partial and statistical CSI based precoding method has very small feedback burden. Simulation results of the BER performance of the proposed precoding methods for reduced‐CP OTFS are reported and compared under different system parameters.
Multi‐application multi‐port DC–DC converter consisting six ports with four main operation modes
Authors: Mohammadi Tanha Kambiz , Abbasi Vahid , Mohammadi Kourosh 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThis paper proposes a multi‐port DC–DC converter consisting of three input ports and two output ports extendable to three. The converter is designed based on quadratic boost converter, a technique for bidirectional port, an auxiliary source and two output ports with opposite polarities. Designed method of the configuration makes it suitable for multi‐applications with flexible operations. Connection of the converter to a bipolar system is possible due to opposite polarities of output ports. In addition, output voltage can be doubled by series connection between the two out ports and it is introduced as the third output port of the converter. The other advantages of the converter are its appropriate voltage gain, performance in stand‐alone mode with storage port and possibility of boosting voltage with similar voltage gains in different operation modes. To validate feasibility of the converter and investigate coordination of its performance with theory, a prototype is prepared for 120 W output power.
Administration of Orexin-A into the Rat Thalamic Paraventricular
Nucleus Enhances the Naloxone Induced Morphine Withdrawal
Authors: Babaie Fatemeh , Kourosh-Arami Masoumeh , Farhadi Mona 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Objective Orexin neuropeptides are implicated in physical dependence on
opioids and expression of withdrawal symptoms in drug abuse. The paraventricular
nucleus of the midline thalamus (PVT) has a high expression of orexin receptors.
The current research studied the effect of orexin-A in the PVT area on the
development of behavioral indices produced by morphine withdrawal in rats.
Methods Male Wistar rats weighing 250–300 gr were utilised. To
produce drug dependence, morphine (6, 16, 26, 36, 46, 56, and
66 mg/kg, 2 ml/kg) was injected at an interval
of 24 hrs for 7 days. To assess the involvement of the orexin in withdrawal
syndrome, we injected orexin-A (100 μM, 200 nl) into the
PVT for 7 days before each morphine injection. On the day after the last
injection of morphine, naloxone (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected
to elicit the morphine withdrawal symptoms which were observed and checked for
25 min.
Results The results of the current research showed that the orexin-A in
PVT enhances the severity of behavioral symptoms prompted by the injection of
naloxone in drug-dependent rats.
Conclusions These observations imply that targeting the orexin receptors
in PVT might exhibit a new therapeutic strategy for the future treatment of
dependence.
Lessons Learnt from an 11-year Experience with Lymphatic Surgery and a Systematic Review of Reported Complications: Technical Considerations to Reduce Morbidity
Authors: Ciudad Pedro , Escandón Joseph M. , Manrique Oscar J. , Bustos Valeria P. 
Published: April 2022

AbstractComplications experienced during lymphatic surgery have not been ubiquitously reported, and little has been described regarding how to prevent them. We present a review of complications reported during the surgical management of lymphedema and our experience with technical considerations to reduce morbidity from lymphatic surgery. A comprehensive search across different databases was conducted through November 2020. Based on the complications identified, we discussed the best approach for reducing the incidence of complications during lymphatic surgery based on our experience. The most common complications reported following lymphovenous anastomosis were re-exploration of the anastomosis, venous reflux, and surgical site infection. The most common complications using groin vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT), submental VLNT, lateral thoracic VLNT, and supraclavicular VLNT included delayed wound healing, seroma and hematoma formation, lymphatic fluid leakage, iatrogenic lymphedema, soft-tissue infection, venous congestion, marginal nerve pseudoparalysis, and partial flap loss. Regarding intra-abdominal lymph node flaps, incisional hernia, hematoma, lymphatic fluid leakage, and postoperative ileus were commonly reported. Following suction-assisted lipectomy, significant blood loss and transient paresthesia were frequently reported. The reported complications of excisional procedures included soft-tissue infections, seroma and hematoma formation, skin-graft loss, significant blood loss, and minor skin flap necrosis. Evidently, lymphedema continues to represent a challenging condition; however, thorough patient selection, compliance with physiotherapy, and an experienced surgeon with adequate understanding of the lymphatic system can help maximize the safety of lymphatic surgery.
Survey of Areas Underserved by Plastic Surgery in Japan
Authors: Sato Makoto 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background In Japan, there is a large regional disparity in plastic surgery availability. In order for plastic surgery to be widely available for all citizens, it is essential for at least one plastic surgery facility to be located in each secondary medical zone.
Methods Using the Japan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery homepage and some databases, we extracted data on secondary medical zones that do not have a plastic surgery facility. The national and regional coverage rates were calculated. The coverage rate for each group divided by the degree of population concentration was also calculated.
Results We found that 147 of 344 secondary medical zones did not have a plastic surgery facility, and the area coverage rate was found to be 57.27% nationwide. The coverage rate in terms of population was 87.07% (correlation coefficient of area and population coverage = 0.983). The area coverage rates in Hokkaido-Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku-Shikoku, and Kyushu-Okinawa districts were 47.46, 72.15, 76.47, 62.79, 52.08, and 32.81%, respectively. The corresponding population coverage rates were 79.92, 91.62, 94.27, 90.59, 80.68, and 69.54%, respectively. The area coverage rates in metropolitan areas, provincial cities, and rural areas were 98.08, 75.90, and 15.87%, respectively. In contrast, the area coverage rate of dermatology was 62.79% and that of orthopaedics was 97.09%.
Conclusion Unfortunately, it is estimated that more than 40% of secondary medical zones are underserved by plastic surgery, and 13% of the population is not able to fully benefit from this specialty in Japan.
A study of factors affecting women’s lived experiences in STEM
Authors: Prieto-Rodriguez Elena , Sincock Kristina , Berretta Regina , Todd Juanita , Johnson Sarah , Blackmore Karen , Wanless Erica , Giacomini Anna , Gibson Lauren 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe number of women employed in STEM in Australia is increasing, however, they continue to remain underrepresented in most industries. A significant corpus of literature on female underrepresentation has emerged in the past 20 years, however, many of those studies focus on educational access and retention and not many look at the lived experiences of women after they have left higher education. In this article, we take a different stance and explore the heterogeneous experiences of female STEM professionals in regional Australia. Through the qualitative analysis of 25 interviews, we learn what women have endured, accepted, and valued on their individual STEM journeys. While these journeys are often quite different, our interviewees independently reported having experienced similar societal prejudices and possessing similar personality traits. Our data reveals that resilience and determination proved vital for these women, as did a strong early interest in STEM. Our interviews also unearth issues in which women’s opinions are fiercely divided, such as whether positive discrimination has been a barrier or an enabler for their careers. Based on what we have learnt from their accounts, we argue that these women have ‘survived’ their work environments despite structural barriers, only due to their determination, resilience and fervent interest.
Electronic and mechanical anharmonicities in the vibrational spectra of the H-bonded, cryogenically cooled X− · HOCl (X=Cl, Br, I) complexes: Characterization of the strong anionic H-bond to an acidic OH group
Authors: Stropoli Santino J. , Khuu Thien , Boyer Mark A. , Karimova Natalia V. , Gavin-Hanner Coire F. , Mitra Sayoni , Lachowicz Anton L. , Yang Nan , Gerber R. Benny , McCoy Anne B. , Johnson Mark A. 
Published: April 2022

We report vibrational spectra of the H2-tagged, cryogenically cooled X− · HOCl (X = Cl, Br, and I) ion–molecule complexes and analyze the resulting band patterns with electronic structure calculations and an anharmonic theoretical treatment of nuclear motions on extended potential energy surfaces. The complexes are formed by “ligand exchange” reactions of X− · (H2O)n clusters with HOCl molecules at low pressure (∼10−2 mbar) in a radio frequency ion guide. The spectra generally feature many bands in addition to the fundamentals expected at the double harmonic level. These “extra bands” appear in patterns that are similar to those displayed by the X− · HOD analogs, where they are assigned to excitations of nominally IR forbidden overtones and combination bands. The interactions driving these features include mechanical and electronic anharmonicities. Particularly intense bands are observed for the v = 0 → 2 transitions of the out-of-plane bending soft modes of the HOCl molecule relative to the ions. These involve displacements that act to break the strong H-bond to the ion, which give rise to large quadratic dependences of the electric dipoles (electronic anharmonicities) that drive the transition moments for the overtone bands. On the other hand, overtone bands arising from the intramolecular OH bending modes of HOCl are traced to mechanical anharmonic coupling with the v = 1 level of the OH stretch (Fermi resonances). These interactions are similar in strength to those reported earlier for the X− · HOD complexes.