bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ampicillin & Gentamicin V/S 3rd Generation Cephalosporin for the Management of Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Children; A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Kumar Aneel , Rais Heena , Prakash Arit , Ali Amin , Jung Sandeep , Siddiqui Fatima Ghayas 
Published: January 2022

Background: Community acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common cause of childhood morbidity, attributed to every 1 in 500 hospitalization of children under the age of 5 years. While science made therapeutic advancements to battle CAP, the pathogens too have acquired resistance to many drugs. In this fight for dominance, Ampicillin plus Gentamicin and 3rd Gen Cephalosporins are nowadays the cornerstone of treatment. However, their efficacy varies in different parts of the world owing to differing levels of drug resistance.
Objective: To compare the effect of Ampicillin and Gentamicin vs. third generation cephalosporin in treatment of severe community acquired pneumonia.
Methodology: This Randomized Controlled Trial was conducted at the Dept. of Pediatrics (Ziauddin University Hospital) upon a sample of 74 patients (in two equal groups) of either gender, aged 2 months to 5 years, presenting with CAP. After taking written informed consent, data was recorded onto a pre-structured questionnaire containing inquiries pertaining to basic biodata, sociodemographic details, presenting complaints, immunization status of the pneumococcal and HIB vaccine, laboratory values, and treatment outcome.
Results: The mean age of the sample stood at 15 months (SD ± 3) with a majority of the sample comprising of male children (52.7%). The mean weight stood at 8.7 kg (SD ± 0.9) and the mean height was recorded to be 74.2 cm (SD ± 11). The commonest symptoms included fever, fast breathing, chest in-drawing and added sounds. It was revealed that both treatments achieved successful treatment outcomes in all patients with no mortality. The resolution of symptoms however varied with faster resolution observed in the Cephalosporin group.
Conclusion: After careful consideration, it can be concluded that 3rd generation cephalosporins is more efficacious at treatment of CAP with significantly faster resolution of disease symptoms.
Extent of and Reasons for Discontinuation and Nonpublication of Interventional Trials on Connective Tissue Diseases: An Observational Study
Authors: Brigante Alejandro , Russo Barbara , Mongin Denis , Lauper Kim , Allali Danièle , Courvoisier Delphine S. , Iudici Michele 
Published: January 2022

ObjectiveTo assess the proportion, the reasons, and the factors associated with the discontinuation or nonpublication of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on connective tissue diseases (CTDs).MethodsWe searched all interventional RCTs on CTDs registered in ClinicalTrials.gov since 2000. Two reviewers selected studies according to prespecified eligibility criteria. Completion status, publication status, and reported reasons for discontinuation or nonpublication were retrieved on ClinicalTrials.gov, through literature search, and by contacting investigators. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with study noncompletion and nonpublication.ResultsWe included 175 studies, mostly phase III, placebo‐controlled trials on pharmacologic treatments recruiting patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (51%), systemic sclerosis (20%), Sjögren's syndrome (12%), or other CTDs. Fifty‐eight (33%) had been discontinued, mainly for insufficient patient accrual, with no differences in discontinuation rates across the CTDs (P > 0.5). Forty‐six (35%) of 130 studies having included at least 1 patient were unpublished, and 86 (65%) were published in a peer‐reviewed journal after a median of 24 months (interquartile range 15–41) from completion, with a significantly higher publication rate in completed versus discontinued studies (81% versus 22%; P < 0.001). We were able to obtain reasons for nonpublication in one‐third of cases. Small sample size (<100 participants) was the only factor associated with study noncompletion and nonpublication.ConclusionOne of 3 registered RCTs on CTDs fails to be completed or published. This represents a waste of resources and raises ethical concerns regarding hidden clinical data and unfruitful participation by patients.
Broadband Asymmetric Transmission of Linearly Polarized Mid‐Infrared Light Based on Quasi‐3D Metamaterials
Authors: Whiting Eric B. , Goldflam Michael D. , Kang Lei , Sinclair Michael B. , Musick Katherine M. , Campbell Sawyer D. , Burckel D. Bruce , Werner Douglas H. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMetamaterials consisting of subwavelength resonators offer an exciting opportunity for realizing asymmetric transmission (AT) of linearly polarized light. However, to date, only moderate/narrow‐band AT responses have been obtained in metadevices based on stacked planar nanostructures. Here, leveraging a combination of a genetic algorithm (GA) based optimization method and a membrane projection lithography (MPL) fabrication approach, a quasi‐3D metamaterial for broadband AT of linearly polarized mid‐infrared light is demonstrated. Facilitated by the customized GA, an efficient exploration of 3D plasmonic meta‐atoms with broken mirror symmetry in the light propagation direction allows the satisfaction of the rigorous conditions for AT of linearly polarized waves over a broad wavelength range. Confirmed by surface current analysis, the observed AT behavior is attributed to the resonant coupling between the plasmonic nanostructures located on the two orthogonal walls of the MPL cavities. Incorporating an advanced inverse‐design method and a state‐of‐art fabrication technique, the methodology used in the present study provides a promising route for exploiting 3D metamaterials with sophisticated functionalities via effectively exploring the high‐dimensional parametric space offered by true 3D meta‐atoms.
Ultrathin Si Nanosheets Dispersed in Graphene Matrix Enable Stable Interface and High Rate Capability of Anode for Lithium‐ion Batteries
Authors: Ren Yang , Xiang Lizhi , Yin Xucai , Xiao Rang , Zuo Pengjian , Gao Yunzhi , Yin Geping , Du Chunyu 
Published: January 2022

AbstractOwing to the thinness and large lateral size, 2D Si materials exhibit very promising prospects as the high‐performance anodes of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). However, the facile synthesis of ultrathin 2D Si nanosheets (Si‐NSs) and their efficient application still remain a great challenge. Herein, the fabrication of ultrathin Si‐NSs with the average thickness of <2 nm is demonstrated using a unique etching‐reduction protocol. After hybridizing with graphene, the as‐prepared Si‐NSs@rGO material delivers ultrahigh rate capability (2395.8 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1 and 1727.3 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1), long cycling lifespan (1000 cycles at 2 A g−1 with a capacity decay rate of 0.05% per cycle) and high average Coulombic efficiency (99.85% during 1000 cycles). The superior performance is attributed to the ultrathinness of Si‐NSs that greatly improves the diffusivity and reversibility of Li+ ions. This work provides a strategy for fabricating a high‐rate‐capability anode material to meet the growing demand for high power density LIBs.
Electric Field‐Driven Control of Cholesteric Cellulose Nanocrystal Orientation and Morphology
Authors: Qu Dan , Zussman Eyal 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA new insight into the control of the helix axis direction and pitch of an aqueous suspension of cellulose nanocrystal‐derived lyotropic liquid crystals by electric field strength and frequency is presented. At low frequency, liquid crystalline cellulose nanocrystals exhibit anomalous negative birefringence, with the helix axis lying parallel to the electric field, followed by a helix pitch decrease upon increasing the field strength. In contrast, they initially show a positive birefringence at high frequency, with the helix axis perpendicular to the electric field and increasing helix pitch with increasing field strength. When the electric field strength is further increased, the helix axis rotates orthogonally to align parallel to the electric field, producing negative birefringence. Such electric field‐induced manipulation of liquid crystalline cellulose nanocrystal helix axis orientation and pitch can set the stage for various fascinating soft matter nanotechnology applications.
Family perspectives on gaps in health care for people with Down syndrome
Authors: King Emily , Remington Mason , Berger Heidi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPatients with Down syndrome (DS) have significant specialized healthcare needs. Our objective was to understand what families of patients with DS perceive to be the most pressing gaps in health care, barriers to attendance at a DS specialty clinic, and what they thought a specialty healthcare clinic for people with DS ought to include as part of the clinical package. A qualitative survey was distributed nationally through the online platform SurveyMonkey. We divided respondents into two groups: those who attended a DS specialty clinic (n = 141) and those who did not (n = 100). Data were cleaned and analyzed in RStudio 3.6.3. Results demonstrate that families value mental health services, therapies (e.g., physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy), developmental specialists, dietitians, and educational advocates. Lack of clear advertisement, especially within low‐income communities, a lack of awareness of DS specialty clinics, and travel time to clinics constituted significant barriers to care. These findings are arguably of benefit to those who direct DS specialty clinics because they offer direction for resource allocation in a time of increasing healthcare costs and financial scrutiny.
Longitudinal analysis of symptoms in the Ehlers‐Danlos syndromes
Authors: Schubart Jane R. , Mills Susan E. , Schaefer Eric W. , Bascom Rebecca , Francomano Clair A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractOur study extends a cross‐sectional dataset on the Ehlers‐Danlos syndromes (EDS) assembled by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), under a protocol entitled Clinical and Molecular Manifestations of Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue. We were successful in contacting 171 of the original 252 participants with EDS. Our study cohort included 91 participants who completed at least one of the following surveys: Brief Pain Inventory (BPI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI‐20), and Short Form (SF‐36) Health Survey, at both baseline and follow‐up. Follow‐up surveys occurred a median of 11.6 years after the baseline survey. We used mixed effects linear regression models to examine the change in scores for multiple indices reported by participants. There were small mean changes reflected in our estimates for the EDS population as a whole. There was wide heterogeneity between reported individual experiences, with some participants markedly improved and some dramatically worse. Men had a greater increase in mean pain severity over time than women. This is the first study to report a decade of longitudinal data in EDS.
Direct Lactamization of β‐Arylated δ‐Aminopentanoic Acid Carboxamides: En Route to 4‐aryl‐2‐Piperidones, Piperidines, Antituberculosis Molecule Q203 (Telacebec) and its Analogues
Authors: Tomar Radha , Bhattacharya Debabrata , Arulananda Babu Srinivasarao 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWe report the synthesis of 4‐aryl‐2‐piperidone, 4‐arylpiperidine motifs, antituberculosis molecule Q203 (Telacebec) and its analogues. Direct lactamization of β‐C−H arylated N‐phthaloyl δ‐aminopentanoic acid carboxamides yielded 4‐aryl‐2‐piperidone (4‐aryl‐δ‐valerolactam) scaffolds. The required β‐C−H arylated N‐phthaloyl δ‐aminopentanoic acid carboxamides were assembled via the Pd(II)‐catalyzed, 8‐aminoquinoline‐aided, sp3 β‐C−H activation and arylation method. The β‐C−H arylated N‐phthaloyl δ‐aminopentanoic acid carboxamides containing both 8‐aminoquinoline and N‐phthaloyl protecting groups directly underwent the hydrazine‐mediated lactamization to afford 4‐aryl‐2‐piperidones. 4‐Aryl‐2‐piperidone scaffolds were then converted into N‐functionalized 4‐aryl‐2‐piperidones, 4‐arylpiperidines, which are structurally closer to bio‐active 4‐aryl‐ 2‐piperidone and piperidine motifs. A synthetic route for assembling antituberculosis molecule Q203 and its analogues from the corresponding 4‐aryl‐2‐piperidones was also shown.
TFA/DMSO‐Promoted Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling of Hetaryl Thiols with Indoles: Access to 3‐(Hetarylsulfenyl)indole under Mild Conditions
Authors: Truong Tan Sang , Retailleau Pascal , Nguyen Thanh Binh 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTFA/DMSO combination was found to efficiently promote the cross‐dehydrogenative coupling of a wide range of hetaryl thiols with indole derivatives, leading to 3‐(hetarylsulfenyl)indoles in good‐to excellent yields under mild heating conditions. Two‐fold hetarylsulfenylation of indoles in 2‐ and 3‐positions could be conveniently achieved by simply adapting the molar ratio of the starting materials.
In Situ Self‐Assembly of Bispecific Peptide for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Wang Man‐Di , Lv Gan‐Tian , An Hong‐Wei , Zhang Ni‐Yuan , Wang Hao 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPrecise and effective manipulation of protein functions still faces tremendous challenges. Herein we report a programmable peptide molecule, consisted of targeting and self‐assembly modules, that enables specific and highly efficient assembly governed by targeting receptor proteins. Upon binding to the cell membrane receptor, peptide conformation is somewhat stabilized along with decreased self‐assembly activation energy, promoting peptide‐protein complex oligomerization. We first design a GNNQQNY‐RGD peptide (G7‐RGD) to recognize integrin αVβ3 receptor for proof‐of‐concept study. In the presence of αVβ3 protein, the critical assembly concentration of free G7‐RGD decreases from 525 to 33 μM and the resultant G7‐RGD cluster drives integrin receptor oligomerization. Finally, a bispecific assembling peptide antiCD3‐G7‐RGD is rationally designed for cancer immunotherapy, which validates CD3 oligomerization and concomitant T cell activation, leading to T cell‐mediated cancer cell cytolysis.
Synthesis of Cyclopropenols Enabled by Visible‐Light‐Induced Organocatalyzed [2+1] Cyclization
Authors: Zhou Gang , Shen Xiao 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAlthough the synthesis of common cyclopropenes has been well studied, the access to cyclopropenols is rather limited. Herein, we report the first synthesis of α‐trifluoromethylated cyclopropenols via 2+1 cycloaddition reactions between alkynes and trifluoroacylsilanes, enabled by visible‐light‐induced organocatalysis. The novel ambiphilic donor–acceptor carbenes derived from trifluoroacetylsilanes reacted efficiently with both activated and non‐activated alkynes. The reaction features simple operation, mild conditions, broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. The synthetic potential of the reaction is highlighted by the gram‐scale reactions and first synthesis of α‐trifluoromethylated cyclopropanols through the combination of the 2+1 cyclization and high diastereoselective hydrogenation reaction in one pot.
Causal inference in case of near‐violation of positivity: comparison of methods
Authors: Léger Maxime , Chatton Arthur , Le Borgne Florent , Pirracchio Romain , Lasocki Sigismond , Foucher Yohann 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn causal studies, the near‐violation of the positivity may occur by chance, because of sample‐to‐sample fluctuation despite the theoretical veracity of the positivity assumption in the population. It may mostly happen when the exposure prevalence is low or when the sample size is small. We aimed to compare the robustness of g‐computation (GC), inverse probability weighting (IPW), truncated IPW, targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE), and truncated TMLE in this situation, using simulations and one real application. We also tested different extrapolation situations for the sub‐group with a positivity violation. The results illustrated that the near‐violation of the positivity impacted all methods. We demonstrated the robustness of GC and TMLE‐based methods. Truncation helped in limiting the bias in near‐violation situations, but at the cost of bias in normal conditions. The application illustrated the variability of the results between the methods and the importance of choosing the most appropriate one. In conclusion, compared to propensity score‐based methods, methods based on outcome regression should be preferred when suspecting near‐violation of the positivity assumption.
Effect of various aqueous extracting agents on fluorescence properties of waste tea residue derived carbon dots (WTR‐CDs): Comparative spectroscopic analysis
Authors: Mote Umesh S. , Gore Anil H. , Panja Sumit Kumar , Kolekar Govind B. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFluorescent carbon dots (CDs) are one of the important carbonaceous nanomaterials in the area of nanoscience and nanotechnology because of their interesting physical as well as chemical properties. Herein we studied the effect of various aqueous extracting agents on fluorescence properties of waste tea residue‐based carbon dots (WTR‐CDs). WTR‐CDs are firstly synthesized by utilizing kitchen waste‐based carbonaceous biomass. To check the role of various aqueous media during the course of WTR‐CDs synthesis from carbonized carbon powder, extraction of WTR‐CDs was carried out in various kinds of aqueous media viz., only aqueous (100% water, WT), aqueous‐alcoholic (10% ethanol, ET), aqueous‐acidic (10% acetic acid, AA), and aqueous‐basic (10% ammonia, AM). The consequences of extracting agents on the photophysical properties of final WTR‐CDs‐WT, WTR‐CDs‐ET, WTR‐CDs‐AA and WTR‐CDs‐AM were also discussed in detail. We have observed interesting blue shift fluorescence spectra in acidic medium for WTR‐CDs‐AA and polar protic solvents compared to polar aprotic medium. The solvatochromic behaviour of WTR‐CDs‐WT in model polar and non‐polar solvent was also studied. The effect of cationic, anionic and non‐anionic surfactants on the fluorescence of WTR‐CDs‐WT was also evaluated. The proposed findings may help researchers in the near future to obtain fast, easy and direct synthesize CDs from a variety of biomass‐based precursors under different aqueous conditions.
Quantification of rosiglitazone in rat plasma and tissues via LC–MS/MS: Method development, validation, and application in pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies
Authors: Garikapati Kusuma Kumari , Ammu V. V. V. Ravi Kiran , Krishnamurthy Praveen Thaggikuppe , S. T. Narenderan , B. Babu , Nagappan Krishnaveni 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA bioanalytical method for the quantification of rosiglitazone in rat plasma and tissues (adipose tissue, heart, brain, bone, and kidney) using LC–MS/MS was developed and validated. Chromatographic separation was achieved on a Gemini C18 column (50 × 4.6 mm, 3 μm) using a mobile phase consisting of 10 mM ammonium formate (pH 4.0) and acetonitrile (10:90, v/v) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min and injection volume of 10 μL (internal standard: pioglitazone). LC–MS detection was performed with multiple reaction monitoring mode using target ions at m/z → 358.0 and m/z → 357.67 for rosiglitazone and pioglitazone (internal standard), respectively. The calibration curve showed a good correlation coefficient (r2) over the concentration range of 1–10,000 ng/mL. The mean percentage recoveries of rosiglitazone were found to be over the range of 92.54–96.64%, with detection and lower quantification limit of 0.6 and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. The developed method was validated per U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines and successfully utilized to measure rosiglitazone in plasma and tissue samples. Further, the developed method can be utilized for validating specific organ‐targeting delivery systems of rosiglitazone in addition to conventional dosage forms.
Pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of trans‐ferulic acid‐4‐β‐glucoside in rats using UPLC–MS/MS
Authors: Xia Tongchao , Yang Yuqi , Li Le , Tan Yuting , Chen Yuan , Wang Shengyan , Ye Liming , Bao Xu , Yang Junyi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTrans‐ferulic acid‐4‐β‐glucoside (FAG) is a monomer extracted from Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata, which is a potential candidate for the prevention and treatment of cold injury. To determine the concentration of FAG in rats, it is essential to develop an ultra‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with MS/MS method. Chromatographic separation was achieved by an Acquity UPLC BEH C18 column (2.1 × 50 mm, 1.7 μm). A Xevo triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometer was used to quantitatively determine FAG in the negative‐ion mode. The standard calibration curve was linear over the concentration range of 0.1–100 μg/mL and 0.0626–31.28 μg/g for rat plasma and liver tissue homogenate samples, respectively. The inter‐ and intra‐batch precision (% relative standard deviation) of the assay was ≤8.29%, and accuracy (% relative error) ranged from −7.41 to 10.99%. The matrix effect was between 92.99 and 102.39%. The oral absolute bioavailability of FAG was obtained as 1.80%. The results of tissue distribution suggested that FAG spread rarely in the liver and brown adipose, which was not propitious to exert its ability to treat cold injury. In general, these studies were significant to provide necessary information for further study.
Stability‐indicating liquid chromatography method development and validation for impurity profiling of montelukast sodium in bulk drug and tablet dosage form
Authors: Pasham Mohan , Haridasyam Sharath Babu , Boppy N. V. V. D. Praveen , Venkatanarayana Muvvala , Palakurthi Ashok Kumar 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMontelukast sodium (MLS) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist drug used in the treatment of asthma, bronchospasm, allergic rhinitis and urticaria. A reversed‐phase high performance liquid chromatography method was developed to separate, identify and quantitative determination of MLS and its eight known organic impurities in tablet dosage form using a C18 column and mobile phases consisting of a gradient mixture of pH 2.5 phosphate buffer and acetonitrile. The stability‐indicating character of the developed method was proven using stress testing (1 m HCl at 80°C/30 min, 1 m NaOH at 80°C/30 min, H2O at 80°C/30 min, 3% H2O2 at 25°C/1 min, dry heat at 105°C/10 h and UV–vis light/4 days) and was validated for specificity, quantitation limit, linearity, precision, accuracy and robustness. For MLS and its eight known impurities, the quantitation limits, linearity and recoveries were 0.015–0.03 μg/ml, correlation coefficient > 0.997 (R2 > 0.995) and 85.5–107.0%, respectively. The developed chromatographic method is suitable for impurity profiling and also for assay determination of MLS in bulk drugs and pharmaceutical formulations. The mass values (m/z) of newly formed degradation products (DP1 and DP2) of montelukast sodium were identified using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.
Serious adverse events related to transcatheter aortic valve replacement are infrequent: FORWARD 3‐years
Authors: Belardi Jorge , Lamelas Pablo 
Published: January 2022

Key Points
Long‐term information about clinical events related to transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is needed to be considered in younger populations.
The overall rate of endocarditis, reintervention, and clinical valve thrombosis was low at 3 years.
These results highlight that adverse events related to TAVR are infrequent at intermediate follow‐up and support the use of TAVR in clinical practice.
Left ventricular aneurysm: What is the role of surgical or percutaneous interventions?
Authors: Grines Cindy L. , Voeltz Michele 
Published: January 2022

Key Points
The chance of developing left ventricular (LV) aneurysm after anterior ST‐segment myocardial infarction is reduced with ACE inhibitors, beta‐blockers early (within 24 h of symptom onset) and rapid reperfusion.
Anterior LV aneurysm increases the risk of angina, heart failure, arrhythmia, stroke, and death.
LV partitioning with surgery or percutaneous devices improve LV volumes and ejection fraction, but trials have not yet proven sustained clinical benefits.