bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Subglottic Steroid injection on Blood Glucose in a Cohort of Patients With Subglottic Stenosis
Authors: Bensoussan Yael , Martinez Eduardo , Van Der Woerd Benjamin , Johns Michael , Nguyen Caroline , Watts Stephanie , O'Dell Karla 
Published: September 2022

ObjectiveThe objective of this work was to assess the effect of a single intralesional subglottic steroid injection on fasting blood glucose over 7 days in a cohort of patients with subglottic stenosis.MethodsA prospective cohort study of patients undergoing intralesional steroid injections at a tertiary academic center. Patients had baseline bloodwork performed, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), and hemoglobin A1C levels. Demographic data and risk factors were collected. Fasting capillary glucose (FCG) was measured using a capillary glucometer and performed by patients daily from days 0 to 7 after a single injection of Triamcinolone into the subglottic airway. Data were analyzed using descriptive and comparative statistics.ResultsEleven patients were enrolled, and 10 completed data collection over 7 days. All were female, with a mean age of 52.6 years (SD 17.5). Two patients were diabetic (non‐insulin dependent). There was a statistically significant increase in FCG on day 1 post‐injection (mean = 122.4 mg/dl compared to 100.7 mg/dl) that normalized for all patients within 24–72 h. The mean increase in FCG was 21.5% (SD 22.5%) of the initial value for the cohort. The diabetic group had statistically significant higher glucose values on day 1 compared to the non‐diabetic group (146.5 mg/dl compared to 117.0 mg/dl).ConclusionA single subglottic steroid injection appears to cause a transient increase in FCG 1 day post injection, which resolves after 24–72 h and can be more pronounced in diabetic patients.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 133:1590–1594, 2023
Oral Cancer Disparities in the Outer US‐affiliated Pacific Islands
Authors: Young Kurtis , Bulosan Hannah , Baksa Janos , Jeong Youngju , Buenconsejo‐Lum Lee E. , Birkeland Andrew C. 
Published: September 2022

Objective/HypothesisOral cancers in the US‐affiliated Pacific Islands are poorly described despite disproportionately higher incidences in certain jurisdictions. This study attempts to better characterize the incidence, staging, and management of oral cancers in this region.Study DesignRetrospective Epidemiological Study.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted across the US‐affiliated Pacific Islands between 2007 and 2019. Patient data were obtained for individuals with primary head and neck cancers from the Pacific Regional Central Cancer Registry database. All cohorts were age‐adjusted to the 2000 US Standard Population. Further analysis was performed on oral cavity cancers due to their clear predominance within the sample.ResultsA total of 585 patients with primary head and neck cancers were included. The average age was 54.5 ± 12.9 years, and most patients were male (76.8%). Oral cancer subsite analysis revealed the proportional incidence of buccal mucosa was higher in 5 of 9 jurisdictions when compared with the United States (p < 0.001). Tongue and lip cancers were not found to have significantly higher incidence proportions. Patients in the Pacific Islander group were less likely to be detected at earlier stages for cancers of the cheek and other mouth (p < 0.001), tongue (p < 0.001), and lips (p < 0.001) compared with the United States.ConclusionsMany Pacific Island populations are burdened with higher incidences of oral cancer with later staging. Further investigation is recommended to evaluate oral cancer‐related outcomes and mortality in this region.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 133:1899–1905, 2023
Corrosion of tensile wires covered with PA11 layers in simulated annulus environments at low CO2 pressure
Authors: Silva Pedro N. , Senatore Erica V. , Gomes Jose A. C. P. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractHigh‐strength carbon steel wires covered with polymer layers were exposed to different test environments simulating the conditions in the annulus of flexible pipes at low CO2 pressure and flooded with seawater. The polymer layers mimicked the antiwear tapes which are placed in between the steel layers of the tensile armor of the pipes. Specimens without the polymer layer were exposed to the same test environments for comparison and allowed identifying how the presence of the polymer layer influenced the corrosion mechanism. In some of the experiments, oxygen was introduced into the gas mixture to simulate fresh seawater entering the annulus after a breach in the outer sheath. Surface analysis of the corroded specimens after removal of corrosion scales was carried out by scanning electron microscopy, optical profilometry, and confocal microscopy. The polymer layers were observed to have a considerable effect on the corrosion morphology.
Effects of digitization on enterprise growth performance: Mediating role of strategic change and moderating role of dynamic capability
Authors: Li Na , Wang Xiaohong , Zhang Shaopeng 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe importance of enterprise digitization is growing. This study examines the influence of digitization on enterprise growth performance (GP), taking into account the mediating effects of strategic change (STR) and the moderating effects of dynamic capability (DY). Through an empirical examination of panel data for listed A‐share manufacturing enterprises in China from 2016 to 2020, we document a positive relationship between digitization and GP. Our results also indicate that STR plays a mediating role between digitization and GP while DY positively moderates the promoting effect of digitization on GP. This research helps to improve our understanding of the effect mechanism and boundary conditions of digitization in relation to GP. Further, our conclusions can offer guidance to help managers make informed decisions about enterprise digitization.
Does immediate skin‐to‐skin contact at caesarean sections promote uterine contraction and recovery of the maternal blood haemoglobin levels? A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Pérez‐Jiménez José Miguel , Luque‐Oliveros Manuel , Gonzalez‐Perez Diego , Rivera‐Sequeiros Adriana , Rodriguez‐Blanco Cleofás 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAimWe analysed whether immediate skin‐to‐skin contact between the healthy newborn and the mother after a caesarean section has a modulatory role on postpartum haemorrhage and uterine contraction.DesignUnblinded, randomized clinical trial, simple random sampling, conducted in women undergoing caesarean sections.MethodsOf the population identified, the caesarean section total (N = 359), 23.2% (N = 83) met the inclusion criteria: scheduled caesarean section, accepting skin‐to‐skin contact, good level of consciousness. They were randomly allocated to the intervention group, skin‐to‐skin contact (N = 40), and to the control group, usual procedure (N = 40). There were three losses. Clinical variables: plasma haemoglobin, uterine contraction, breastfeeding, postoperative pain, were measured, and subjective variables: maternal satisfaction, comfort, comparison with previous caesarean section and newborn crying.ResultsWomen with skin‐to‐skin contact had greater uterine contraction after caesarean section. The maternal plasma haemoglobin levels at discharge were significantly higher. It was associated with higher breastfeeding rate, satisfaction, comfort levels and with less maternal pain and less crying in the newborn.
The correctness and completeness of documentation of parameters on the partographs used by midwives in primary healthcare facilities in midwestern Uganda: A retrospective descriptive study
Authors: Bahizi Archbald , Munguiko Clement , Masereka Enos Mirembe 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAimThis study was conducted to determine the correctness and completeness of documentation of partographs.DesignThis was a retrospective descriptive study.MethodsWe included 365 partographs of deliveries conducted from January 1st to October 31st 2019. Data were collected using a checklist and analysed descriptively. The study based on 13 partograph parameters.ResultsAbout 8–13 parameters were correctly documented in 71.5 % of the partographs. About 38.9%, 24.7%, 99.7%, 22.5% and 16 % of the partographs had no documentation of obstetric risk factors, foetal heart rate, colour of liquor, uterine contractions and cervical dilatation respectively. About 12.1% of the cervicographs crossed the action line and 61.4% of partographs where cervicographs crossed the action line had no documentation of action(s) taken.
The Combination of Electrochemistry and Microfluidic Technology in Drug Metabolism Studies
Authors: Grint Isobel , Crea Francesco , Vasiliadou Rafaela 
Published: September 2022

AbstractDrugs are metabolized within the liver (pH 7.4) by phase I and phase II metabolism. During the process, reactive metabolites can be formed that react covalently with biomolecules and induce toxicity. Identifying and detecting reactive metabolites is an important part of drug development. Preclinical and clinical investigations are conducted to assess the toxicity and safety of a new drug candidate. Electrochemistry coupled to mass spectrometry is an ideal complementary technique to the current preclinical studies, a pure instrumental approach without any purification steps and tedious protocols. The combination of microfluidics with electrochemistry towards the mimicry of drug metabolism offers portability, low volume of reagents and faster reaction times. This review explores the development of microfluidic electrochemical cells for mimicking drug metabolism.
Imaging findings of synovial cyst arising at temporomandibular joint: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Ishikawa Hiroki , Kotaki Shinya , Ikeda Chihoko , Yoshida Hiroaki , Ariji Yoshiko , Iseki Tomio 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundTMJ synovial cyst with few symptoms is rare. It was detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); furthermore, we present the review that focused imaging findings.Case presentationA 48‐year‐old female complained TMJ discomfort during mouth opening. MRI showed a lesion that exhibited high signal intensity on T2‐weighted images behind the condylar head. The lesion was a cyst lined by synovial cells.ConclusionSynovial cysts frequently cause swelling and pain; however, some cases produce few symptoms. MRI is considered useful for diagnosing synovial cysts. All TMJ pathogenesis should be addressed during TMJ surgery to prevent recurrence of synovial cysts.
Tumor necrosis factor‐alpha genetic variants and its interaction with smoking and tobacco chewing in oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer
Authors: Shahi Yadvendra , Kakkar Kavita , Samadi Fahad Mansoor , Mukherjee Sayali 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIntroductionOral cancer is one of the most common cancers in Northern India. Carcinogenic substances found in cigarette or tobacco can cause inflammation of the lining of oral cavity and pathogenesis of oral cavity cancer. Tumor necrosis factor is a pro‐inflammatory cytokine involved in the immunoinflammatory diseases. The aim of this research was to determine the impact of smoking and tobacco chewing and polymorphism in TNFα −238 G/A and TNFα −308 G/A, on the risk to precancerous oral lesions and oral cavity cancer.MethodsGenotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism method in 75 patients with oral cavity cancer, 75 patients confirmed with precancerous lesions, and 100 controls.ResultsTNFα −238 G/A SNP was not associated with the risk of oral precancerous lesions or oral cavity cancer. TNFα −308 G/A was strongly associated with precancerous lesions and oral cancer. No correlation was found between smoking or tobacco chewing habits and TNFα −238 and TNFα −308 G/A polymorphism with oral precancerous lesions and oral cavity cancer.ConclusionThe study shows no significant interaction between smoking or tobacco chewing habits and polymorphism in TNFα −238 and TNFα −308 G to A with precancerous lesions and oral cancer although TNFα −308 G/A was strongly associated with precancerous lesions and oral cancer.
Graphene nanoplatelet filled elastomer composites; influence of different matrices on the dispersion, electrical and mechanical properties
Authors: Pradhan Sudip , Goswami Debottam , Ratna Debdatta , Chattopadhyay Santanu 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis work aims to correlate the dispersion tendencies and the cause/effect relationships that are generated when a carbonaceous nanofiller is disseminated in three different elastomer matrices. We have incorporated graphene nanoplatelets (GnP) into three different elastomer matrices, namely polychloroprene rubber (CR), hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) at different concentrations. The composites were fabricated by a dual mixing technique, which facilitates dispersion and the formation of a network‐like structure. This method improves the electrical conductivity of the final composite by enhancing the electron mobility and also improves the mechanical properties. GnP particles are very well dispersed and show an optimum concentration of 5 phr in CR, 8 phr in HNBR, and 10 phr in EVA with respect to their mechanical properties. In addition, modeling of the electrical conductivity was performed for the EVA‐GnP composite within the delineations of the existing conductivity models for a better understanding of the mechanism of electrical conduction. The EVA‐GnP seems to be the best fit for a composite material possessing enhanced mechanical as well as electrical properties for various applications.
Repositioning small molecule drugs as allosteric inhibitors of the BFT‐3 toxin from enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis
Authors: Jimenez‐Alesanco Ana , Eckhard Ulrich , Asencio del Rio Marta , Vega Sonia , Guevara Tibisay , Velazquez‐Campoy Adrian , Gomis‐Rüth Francesc Xavier , Abian Olga 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBacteroides fragilis is an abundant commensal component of the healthy human colon. However, under dysbiotic conditions, enterotoxigenic B. fragilis (ETBF) may arise and elicit diarrhea, anaerobic bacteremia, inflammatory bowel disease, and colorectal cancer. Most worrisome, ETBF is resistant to many disparate antibiotics. ETBF's only recognized specific virulence factor is a zinc‐dependent metallopeptidase (MP) called B. fragilis toxin (BFT) or fragilysin, which damages the intestinal mucosa and triggers disease‐related signaling mechanisms. Thus, therapeutic targeting of BFT is expected to limit ETBF pathogenicity and improve the prognosis for patients. We focused on one of the naturally occurring BFT isoforms, BFT‐3, and managed to repurpose several approved drugs as BFT‐3 inhibitors through a combination of biophysical, biochemical, structural, and cellular techniques. In contrast to canonical MP inhibitors, which target the active site of mature enzymes, these effectors bind to a distal allosteric site in the proBFT‐3 zymogen structure, which stabilizes a partially unstructured, zinc‐free enzyme conformation by shifting a zinc‐dependent disorder‐to‐order equilibrium. This yields proBTF‐3 incompetent for autoactivation, thus ablating hydrolytic activity of the mature toxin. Additionally, a similar destabilizing effect is observed for the activated protease according to biophysical and biochemical data. Our strategy paves a novel way for the development of highly specific inhibitors of ETBF‐mediated enteropathogenic conditions.
Influence of force field choice on the conformational landscape of rat and human islet amyloid polypeptide
Authors: Moore Sandra J. , Deplazes Evelyne , Mancera Ricardo L. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractHuman islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) is a naturally occurring, intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) whose abnormal aggregation into toxic soluble oligomers and insoluble amyloid fibrils is a pathological feature in type‐2 diabetes. Rat IAPP (rIAPP) differs from hIAPP by only six amino acids yet has a reduced tendency to aggregate or form fibrils. The structures of the monomeric forms of IAPP are difficult to characterize due to their intrinsically disordered nature. Molecular dynamics simulations can provide a detailed characterization of the monomeric forms of rIAPP and hIAPP in near‐physiological conditions. In this work, the conformational landscapes of rIAPP and hIAPP as a function of secondary structure content were predicted using well‐tempered bias exchange metadynamics simulations. Several combinations of commonly used biomolecular force fields and water models were tested. The predicted conformational preferences of both rIAPP and hIAPP are typical of IDPs, exhibiting dominant random coil structures but showing a low propensity for transient α‐helical conformations. Predicted nuclear magnetic resonance Cα chemical shifts reveal different preferences with each force field towards certain conformations, with AMBERff99SBnmr2/TIP4Pd showing the best agreement with the experiment. Comparisons of secondary structure content demonstrate residue‐specific differences between hIAPP and rIAPP that may reflect their different aggregation propensities.
The feasibility and value of assessing patient‐reported outcomes in pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: DuBrock Hilary M. , Reddy Yogesh N. , Durst Louise A. , Schroeder Darrell R. , Park Grace , Cajigas Hector R. , Kane Garvan C. , Kushwaha Sudhir S. , McCully Robert B. , Murphy Joseph G. , Anand Vidhu , Krowka Michael J. , Frantz Robert P. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive pulmonary vascular disease that negatively impacts health‐related quality of life (HRQOL). The PAH‐symptoms and impact (PAH‐SYMPACT) questionnaire is a validated disease‐specific patient‐reported outcome (PRO) instrument that assesses a patient's symptoms and the impact of PAH and its treatment on well‐being. We performed a single‐center prospective cohort study of patients with PAH to determine the feasibility of assessing PROs in clinical practice and to determine the association between PAH‐SYMPACT domains and clinical characteristics and outcomes. One hundred and ten patients completed the 1‐day version of the PAH‐SYMPACT questionnaire which consists of 22 Likert‐scale questions that assess HRQOL across four domains: cardiopulmonary (CP) symptoms, cardiovascular (CV) symptoms, physical impact (PI), and cognitive and emotional (CE) impact. Higher scores indicate worse HRQOL. Patients were predominantly female (n = 86, 78%) with a mean age of 57.8 ± 16.2 years. While several patient characteristics were associated with CP and PI domains, few were associated with CV and CE domains. PI and CE impact scores were associated with recent hospitalizations and mortality and CE impact score was independently associated with an increased risk of death after adjustment for disease severity (hazard ratio: 3.29, 95% confidence interval: 1.56–6.91, p = 0.002). In conclusion, the assessment of PROs in clinical practice using the PAH‐SYMPACT questionnaire is both feasible and valuable. PAH‐SYMPACT scores have independent prognostic value and are not adequately reflected by traditional measures of disease severity. These findings underscore the importance of assessing HRQOL in clinical practice.
Vector Magnetometry Based on Polarimetric Optically Detected Magnetic Resonance
Authors: Reuschel Philipp , Agio Mario , Flatae Assegid M. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractA robust technique is introduced for vector magnetometry based on polarimetry and optically detected magnetic resonance of ensembles of negatively charged nitrogen‐vacancy (NV–) centers in diamond without a magnetic bias field. Ensembles provide a far greater signal‐to‐noise ratio than single centers, and their creation requires less effort. Previous methods for vector magnetometry using ensembles of NV– centers relied on a calibrated magnetic bias field or on complex detection techniques to distinguish the crystal axes. Instead, this work uses out‐of‐plane polarized light to selectively excite NV– centers oriented along specific crystal axes. This approach is general for other spin‐1 color centers with symmetry, and it is compatible with standard microscopy methods, such as scanning probe, superresolution, confocal, and wide‐field imaging.
Removal of contamination in helium for precise SF6‐based Δ36S measurements
Authors: Yu Xiaoxiao , Yin Binyan , Lin Mang 
Published: September 2022

RationaleQuantifications of quadruple sulfur isotopic compositions (δ34S, Δ33S, and Δ36S) of sulfur‐bearing compounds in nature are valuable for providing new insights into the Earth's evolution such as the crust–mantle cycle, oxygenation of atmosphere and oceans, and the origin and evolution of early life. SF6‐based isotope ratio mass spectrometry is the most widely used method of quantification, but Δ36S measurements at high precision and accuracy have always been technically difficult due to the low abundance of 36S (~0.01%). In this paper, we identify a major source of isobaric interferences (i.e., contamination in helium carrier gas in the gas chromatography purification step) and propose a simple strategy to solve this problem.MethodsAn SF6 fluorination and purification system was built. Laboratory SF6 reference gas and international Ag2S standard (IAEA‐S1) were used as reference materials to test our method. Contamination from helium carrier gas (99.999%) was purified by a simple two‐step cryogenic method to allow for accurate and precise measurements of Δ36S using the SF6‐based isotope ratio mass spectrometry method.ResultsWithout proper purification of helium carrier gas, large errors in Δ36S measurements were found. Measured Δ36S values of SF6 with trace contamination from helium were >10‰ higher than expected values. Using a newly developed purification strategy, the difference in Δ36S values of SF6 before and after passing through the gas chromatography is less than instrumental errors (<0.2‰). Our improved method yielded an overall Δ36S precision for IAEA‐S1 of 0.12‰ (n = 6). This precision is comparable to that found by other laboratories around the world.ConclusionOur simple two‐step cryogenic method significantly improved the accuracy and precision of Δ36S measurements and is therefore recommended for future determination of quadruple sulfur isotopic compositions in natural samples.
Attitude tracking control of spacecraft with preset‐time preset‐bounded convergence
Authors: Zou An‐Min , Liu Yangyang 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThis article addresses the issue of attitude tracking control of rigid spacecraft in the existence of bounded external disturbances. By introducing a smooth time‐varying scaling function, a preset‐time sliding mode surface is designed. Then, a nonsingular and continuous preset‐time preset‐bounded attitude tracking control scheme is developed. The distinctive feature of the present control law is that the size of the convergence region and the settling time can be prescribed a priori. In addition, the proposed control scheme exhibits superiority in reducing the magnitude of the applied control torques and saving energy. At last the feasibility of the derived control protocol is illustrated by numerical simulations including a comparative example.