bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Patients with ≥pT2 Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma after Radical Nephroureterectomy and Prediction of Postoperative Intravesical Recurrence
Authors: Zhou Jie , Li 李帅帅 , Zhu Jiawei , Wen Rumin , Li Hailong 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether UTUC patients with pathologic ≥T2 and without distant metastasis (M0) benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy following radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) and look for the factors of postoperative bladder recurrence. Materials and Methods: We revised the clinical data of 398 pT2-4NxM0 patients treated with RNU between 2011 and 2021. Patients were treated with gemcitabine plus platinum adjuvant chemotherapy strategy within 90 days after RNU. All patients received at least 4 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. The Cox regression risk model was used to evaluate prognostic factors and risk factors for intravesical recurrence. Overall survival (OS) and Cancer-specific survival (CSS) were assessed using the Kaplan- Meier method. Possible side effects of chemotherapy were also actively monitored. Results: 105(26.4%) received adjuvant chemotherapy and 293(73.6%) did not. The median age was 61.5 years (mean66, range 33.0 to 90). The Median follow-up for the whole cohort after surgery was 64 months (mean34.7, range 1 to 129). The COX analysis revealed that gender (p= 0.023; HR 0.721), adjuvant chemotherapy(p＜0.001; HR 0.381), grade(p= 0.021; HR 1.693), and N stage (p＜0.001; HR 2.650) were independent clinicopathologically risk factors for predicting OS as well as CSS. The Kaplan–Meier curves showed that adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved the OS and CSS in UTUC patients. In addition, adjuvant chemotherapy improved the OS and CSS curves of lymph node-positive patients compared with the non-chemotherapy group. There were no serious or fatal adverse effects that occurred during chemotherapy. Meanwhile, the COX analysis presented that UTUC patients with concomitant bladder tumor are independent risk factors for intravesical recurrence after RNU. Conclusions: Gemcitabine combined with platinum chemotherapy after RNU significantly improved OS and CSS in UTUC patients with stage ≥ pT2 without severe side effects. UTUC patients with bladder tumors may be one of the high-risk groups for bladder tumor recurrence after RNU.
Adapting field-mosquito collection protocols for near-infrared spectroscopy implementation
Authors: Somé Bernard Mouonniba , Da Dari Fréderic Yannick , McCabe Ruth , Djègbè Nicaise Denis Codjo , Paré Lawata Inès Géraldine , Wermé Kadidia , Mouline Karine , Lefèvre Thierry , Ouédraogo Anicet Georges , Churcher Thomas S , Dabiré Roch Kounbobr 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has the potential to be a useful tool for assessing key entomological parameters including age, infectious status, and species of wild malaria mosquitoes. Before NIRS can be reliably used in the field at scale, methods for killing mosquitoes and conserving samples prior to NIRS scanning need to be further optimized. Studies have historically killed mosquitoes using chloroform, though this is not without health hazards and should not be used in human dwellings. It is also unclear which mosquito preservation method to use.Methods: Here we investigate the use of pyrethrum sprays, a commercially available insecticide spray in Burkina Faso, for killing mosquitoes. Laboratory-reared Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii were killed using either Kaltox Paalga®, a pyrethrum insecticide spray routinely used as part of indoor mosquito collections, or chloroform (the “gold standard”). Preservative methods were also investigated to determine their impact on NIRS accuracy in predicting laboratory-reared Anopheles and wild-caught mosquito species. After analysis of fresh samples, mosquitoes were stored in 80% ethanol or in silica gel for two weeks and reanalyzed by NIRS. In addition, experimentally-infected An. coluzzii and wild-caught An. gambiae sensus lato were scanned fresh to determine whether they contained sporozoites then stored in preservatives mentioned above for two weeks before being reanalyzed. Results: There is not a substantial difference in NIRS accuracy in differentiating between laboratory-reared An. gambiae and An. coluzzii killed with either insecticide (90%) or chloroform (92%). After preservation, NIRS accuracy was 90% when mosquitoes were killed using chloroform and preserved in silica gel or ethanol. The same accuracy was obtained using Kaltox to kill mosquitoes and silica gel for preservation, but was diminish when ethanol was used as a preservative (80%). For infection status, NIRS is able to differentiate infectious and uninfectious mosquitoes with slightly lower accuracy for both laboratory and wild-caught mosquitoes preserved in silica gel or ethanol. Conclusions: NIRS can classify An. gambiae s.l species killed by pyrethrum spray with no loss of accuracy. This insecticide may have practical advantages over chloroform for mosquitoes killing in NIRS analysis.
Optimal Dichotomy of Temporal Scales and Boundedness/ Stability of Time – Varying Multidimensional Nonlinear Systems
Authors: Pinsky Mark 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
This paper develops a new approach to the estimation of the degree of boundedness/stability of multidimensional nonlinear systems with time-dependent nonperiodic coefficients – an essential task in various engineering and natural science applications. Known approaches to assessing the stability of such systems rest on the utility of Lyapunov functions and Lyapunov first approximation methodologies, typically providing conservative and computationally elaborate criteria for multidimensional systems of this category. Adequate criteria of boundedness of solutions to nonhomogeneous systems of this kind are rare in the contemporary literature. Lately, we develop a new approach to these problems which rests on bounding the evolution of the norms of solutions to initial systems by matching solutions of a scalar auxiliary equation we introduced in [1], [2] and [3]. Still, the technique advanced in [3] rests on the assumption that the average of the linear components of the underlying system is defined by a stable matrix of general position. The current paper substantially amplifies the application domain of this approach. It is merely assumed that the time – dependent linear block of the underlying system can be split into slow and fast varying components by application of any smoothing technique. This dichotomy of temporal scales is determined by the optimal criterion reducing the conservatism of our estimates. In turn, we transform the linear subsystem with slow-varying matrix in a diagonally dominant form by successive applications of the Lyapunov transforms. This prompts the development of novel scalar auxiliary equations embracing the estimation of the norms of solutions to our initial systems. Next, we formulate boundedness/ stability criteria and estimate the relevant regions of the underlying systems using analytical and abridged numerical reasoning. Lastly, we authenticate the developed methodology in inclusive simulations.
Should prostatectomy be performed in patients with bladder calculi concomitant benign prostatic obstruction who have not received medical treatment?
Authors: Anıl Hakan , Ünal Umut , Karamık Kaan , Ortoglu Ferhat , Erçil Hakan 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: The historical dogma that bladder calculi comprise the main indication for prostatic surgery has recently been questioned. In this study, we aimed to predict which patients should undergo simultaneous prostate and bladder calculi surgery or only bladder calculi removal by evaluating preoperative risk factors.Methods: One-hundred seventeen men with bladder stones and concomitant benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) who had not received medical treatment before were included in the study. In the first step, only the bladder calculi of the patients were removed and medical treatment for BPO was given. The patients who benefited from medical treatment during the follow-up were defined as Group 1, and the patients who required prostate surgery for any indication were Group 2. Risk factors for prostate surgery requirements were determined by comparing preoperative characteristics between the two groups with a logistic regression model.Results: In the follow-up of 117 patients with bladder stones removed and medical treatment initiated, 49 (41.9%) patients were found to have prostate surgery indications. The indication in 33 of 49 (67.3%) patients was medical treatment failure. Presence of intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) and post-voiding high residual urine volume was found to be preoperative risk factor for the requirement of future prostate surgery (Odds ratio: 2.071, 95% CI: 1.05-4.05, P=0.034, odds ratio:1.013, 95% CI:1.007-1.019, P <0.001). Conclusion: In patients who have not received medical treatment for BPO before, bladder calculi developing secondary to BPO do not always constitute an indication for prostate surgery.
Efficient relay-aided device-to-device communication in 5G mm-Wave cellular network: A dual mode approach
Authors: Sarma Subhra Sankha , Hazra Ranjay 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Relay aided device-to-device (D2D) communication has the potential to increase the capacity and coverage of the network and enhance the quality of service (QoS). Here, in this paper we propose a single cell where D2D and cellular users co-exist in an underlaying 5G mm-Wave cellular network. Two modes are proposed for D2D communication which minimizes the interference namely, direct and relay mode. Direct mode operates at 2 GHz carrier frequency while relay mode implements full duplex amplify and forward (FDAF) relay strategy at 28 GHz frequency. Conditions are applied on the derived expression for radius of coverage, R t for switching of modes. The closed form expressions of performance metrices namely, spectral efficiency (SE) and energy efficiency (EE) are derived using stochastic geometry as a tool for both the modes to evaluate the system performance. Expressions for probability distribution function (PDF) and cumulative distribution function (CDF) are also derived and verified using simulation. Further, simulation results validate the efficacy of the proposed scheme. Also, comparison of the proposed method with the existing methods depicts the better performance of the system.
Exploring Factors Associated with Preferences for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Self-Sampling among Racially- and Ethnically-Diverse Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Xiong Serena , Ghebre Rahel , Kulasingam Shalini , Mason Susan , Pratt Rebekah , Lazovich DeAnn 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
BACKGROUND
Cervical cancer rates have declined since the implementation of cervical cancer screening methods such as Pap tests. However, Pap tests are still underutilized by many minority women due to limited awareness about human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, difficulties accessing health care services, and cultural or religious beliefs. HPV self-sampling has been proposed as an alternative to overcome some of these barriers. The objective of this study was to assess awareness, self-efficacy, and preferences of HPV self-sampling among racially- and ethnically-diverse women.
METHODS
From May – November 2021, women, ages 30–65 years old, were recruited in person and virtually to complete an online survey. The survey included 15 sociodemographic questions and five outcome measures related to HPV self-sampling: (1) awareness of test; (2) self-efficacy to conduct test; (3) location preference of test (clinic vs. home); 4) collector preference for screening strategy (self-collected vs. clinician-collected); and 5) preference of cervical cancer screening strategy (HPV self-sampling vs. Pap test). Modified Poisson regression was conducted to assess exploratory associations between sociodemographic variables and each outcome measure; relative risks were adjusted for age.
RESULTS
A total of 420 women completed the online survey, of which 32.4% identified as Non-Hispanic white, 22.2% as Hispanic, 12.6% as Black/African-American, 28.3% as Asian, 1.9% as American Indian/Alaskan Native, and 1.4% as more than two races. The majority of women had not heard of HPV self-sampling (93.5%), but reported high self-efficacy (75.3%). Women also reported higher preferences for completing an HPV test in the clinic (52.2%) and for performing a self-collected HPV test themselves (58.7%), yet would choose a traditional Pap test over HPV self-sampling (56.0%).
CONCLUSION
The low level of HPV self-sampling awareness, across all racial and ethnic groups, suggests a strong opportunity to promote widespread educational efforts around this new tool. While many women, including those that are racially- and ethnically-diverse, still prefer the Pap test, the biggest barrier to their potential uptake of HPV self-sampling is a strong reliance on provider expertise. Future research should leverage the provider role in HPV self-sampling interventions as well as explore the feasibility of home-based or clinic-based HPV self-sampling approaches.
SARS-CoV-2 infection of human brain microvascular endothelial cells leads to inflammatory activation through NF-κB non-canonical pathway and mitochondrial remodeling
Authors: Torices Silvia , Motta Carolline , Rosa Barbara da , Marcos Anne , Alvarez-Rosa Liandra , Siqueira Michele , Moreno-Rodriguez Thaidy , Matos Aline , Caetano Braulia , Martins Jessica , Gladulich Luis , Loiola Erick , Bagshaw Olivia , Stuart Jeffrey , Siqueira Marilda , Stipursky Joice , Toborek Michal , Adesse Daniel 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Neurological effects of COVID-19 and long-COVID-19 as well as neuroinvasion by SARS-CoV-2 still pose several questions and are of both clinical and scientific relevance. We described the cellular and molecular effects of the human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) in vitro infection by SARS-CoV-2 to understand the underlying mechanisms of viral transmigration through the Blood-Brain Barrier. Despite the low to non- productive viral replication, SARS-CoV-2-infected cultures displayed increased apoptotic cell death and tight junction protein expression and immunolocalization. Transcriptomic profiling of infected cultures revealed endothelial activation via NF-κB non-canonical pathway, including RELB overexpression, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Additionally, SARS-CoV-2 led to altered secretion of key angiogenic factors and to significant changes in mitochondrial dynamics, with increased mitofusin-2 expression and increased mitochondrial networks. Endothelial activation and remodeling can further contribute to neuroinflammatory processes and lead to further BBB permeability in COVID-19.
Dietary micro-fibrillated cellulose improves gut health and piglet performance at weaning
Authors: Uddin Md Karim , Mahmud Md. Rayhan , Hasan Shah , Peltoniemi Olli , Oliviero Claudio 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background: Weaning is an abrupt and stressful event for piglets, characterized by reduced feed intake, low weight- gain, indigestion, and diarrhea. In addition, during this period, piglets face different stressors and possible infections, making it very urgent to develop alternative feeding strategies to prevent these clinical problems. Dietary fiber (DF) supplementation is one of the strategies to prevent on-farm infections, which has the capability to improve gut health and piglet performance. Among the beneficial DFs, micro-fibrillated cellulose (MFC), is a new-generation plant-derived innovative feed ingredient; it originates from sugar-beet pulp and has a hyper-branched structure with the ability to form shear-thinning hydrogel and a high water-binding capacity. We therefore aimed to determine the effects of MFC supplementation on performance of piglets before and after weaning. We included 45 sows and their piglets in this trial and monitored the results until piglets were seven weeks of age. Sows received 75 g during gestation and 100 g MFC during lactation. Pre-weaning and post-weaning piglets’ diets contained 1% of MFC for creep feed and 2% as post-weaning feed.Results: Piglets supplemented with MFC had higher body weight and average daily growth (ADG) at pre- and post-weaning than did control piglets. MFC supplementation also increased fecal total volatile fatty acids (VFA), especially butyrate content, and reduced diarrhea incidence post-weaning. Ruminococcus, Roseburia, Intestinibacter, and Oribacterium genera were highly abundant in MFC piglets, whereas, Escherichia_Shigella, Campylobacter, and Parabacteroides were higher in control piglets.Conclusion: MFC-supplemented piglets exhibited superior intestinal health and production performance after weaning, perhaps due to changes in their intestinal development, and improved intestinal permeability attributable to the MFC supplementation to piglets at different stages until seven weeks of age. In addition, VFA, specially butyrate, may play a crucial role in growth of mucosa and in enterocyte differentiation, and may improve barrier function. MFC supplementation stimulated growth of butyrate- producing bacteria and reduced pathogenic bacteria. It is evident that supplementation of MFC in feed to young piglets can improve growth performance and volatile fatty-acid content and reduce post-weaning diarrhea.
Investigation on the feasibility of recycled polyvinylidene difluoride polymer from used membranes for removal of methylene blue: experimental and DFT studies
Authors: Patel Raj Vardhan , Raj Gopika B. , Chaubey Shweta , Yadav Anshul 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
This study reports the feasibility of recycled polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) beads to decolourize methylene blue (MB) from aqueous streams. The beads were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) for its morphological and structural analysis. The effect of various process parameters such as adsorbent dose, initial concentration, contact time, and pH was studied. The first principle density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to investigate the underlying mechanism behind the adsorption process. The MB dye adsorption on recycled PVDF beads followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm, indicating the adsorption was chemical and monolayer. The maximum adsorption capacity obtained was 27.86 mg g−1. The adsorption energy of MB-PVDF predicted from the DFT study was –64.7 kJ mol−1. The HOMO-LUMO energy gap of PVDF decreased from 9.42 eV to 0.50 eV upon interaction with MB dye due to the mixing of molecular orbitals. The DFT simulations showed that the interaction of the MB dye molecule was from the electronegative N atom of the MB dye molecule, implying that electrostatic interactions occurred between the recycled PVDF beads and the positively charged quaternary ammonium groups in MB dye. The present study demonstrates the potential of recycled PVDF beads for a low-cost dye removal technique from textile wastewater.
New Bicyclic Lactone by Biotransformation of β-caryophyllene using
Aspergillus niger
Authors: Al-Dulaimi Qutaiba , Mohammad Mohammad Yasin , Al-Najdawi Manal , Al-Hiari Yusuf M. , Haniffa Haroon M. , Choudhary M. Iqbal 
Published: June 2022

Abstract:
Microbial transformation of β-caryophyllene (1) by suspended cell cultures of the plant
pathogen fungus Aspergillus niger, resulted in the production of one major metabolite. This metabolite
was identified as (3aR,11aS, E)-9-methyl-4-methylene-3a,4,7,10,11,11a-hexahydro-2H-furo[3,2-
c]oxecine-2,6(3H)-dione (2), by different spectroscopic methods. Metabolite 2 was found to be a new
compound. The proposed pathway for the synthesis of compound 2 was also explained.
Phytosome: An Effective Transdermal Drug Delivery System for Phytoconstituents
Authors: Mahmoudabad Arezoo Gohari , Shirshahi Vahid , Mehrabi Mohsen , Gheybi Fatemeh , Gharravi Anneh Mohammad , Salehi Majid , Masoudi Alireza 
Published: June 2022

Abstract:Herbal medicine and phytochemicals have always been great therapeutic options to treat various diseases due to their compatibility, safety, easy production, low cost and side effects. However, low absorption rate ,and poor bioavailability are notable challenges that have limited the use of most phytoconstituents. To address these challenges, different drug delivery methods have been proposed for generating operative carrier systems for phytochemicals. Among them, transdermal drug delivery (TDD) using nanophytosome has been introduced as a promising candidate for the delivery of insoluble phytoconstituents. Phytosomes can overcome skin barriers, and are therefore effective carriers for herbal medicines. They are generally produced by combining phytoconstituent agents in medicinal plant extracts with phospholipid molecules. They have improved the clinical applications of phytoconstituents such as polyphenols by enhancing their bioavailability and uptake. In this review, main benefits of transdermal delivery systems, advantages of nanophytosome over other lipid nanoparticles in TDD of phytochemicals, and methods of phytosome preparation and characterization are briefly reviewed.
In silico Identification of Potential Small Molecules Targeting Six Proteins in Nipah Virus using Molecular Docking, Pharmacophore and Molecular Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Joy Amitha , John Arun , Padman Midhila , Praveena P. 
Published: June 2022

Introduction:Nipah virus (NiV) is a highly pathogenic zoonotic virus of the genus Henipavirus, which causes severe respiratory illness and deadly encephalitis with a fatality rate of 50%-70 % in humans. A total of 16 NiV proteins are available in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) of which six proteins belong to the structural class.Method:In this study, a cluster of six proteins of classes Viral attachment glycoproteins (2VWD, 2VSM), Fusion glycoprotein (5EVM, 6PD4), Matrix protein (6BK6), and Phosphoprotein (4HEO) were considered as potential therapeutic targets. Here, 25 small molecule inhibitors were chosen which include 23 natural compounds with antiviral properties and 2 antiviral drug molecules as control. The potential inhibitors among the selected compounds were identified based on docking score, significant intermolecular interactions, ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) properties, pharmacophore and toxicity studies. Moreover, 100 nanoseconds molecular dynamics simulation was carried out for the best selected compound with all protein targets to understand the stability and binding strength.Result and Discussion:In this study, we propose that the baicalin was found to be the most potential lead molecule with higher binding affinity, strong bonded interactions, favorable pharmacophore features and higher complex stability.Conclusion:Hence, the compound identified shall prove effective against the Nipah virus targeting the viral attachment glycoprotein.