bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of High Power Laser Therapy on Patients with Chronic Discogenic Sciatica: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Abdelmageed Shaima M. , Galal Dina Othman Shokri Morsi , Elserty Noha 
Published: February 2022

Back Ground: Sciatica is a frequent clinical illness that may be intensely painful, disabling, and life-altering.
Objectives: The goal of this research was to see how high-power laser therapy affects the intensity of pain, angle of straight leg raise, six-minute walk test and electrophysiological studies in patients with chronic discogenic sciatica.
Methods: A lumbar disc herniation at L5-S1 caused chronic unilateral sciatica in thirty-six male patients were included in this study. The patients have been divided into 2 identical groups [the control group (G1) and the study group (G2)] randomly. Participants in the control group (G1) got a designed physiotherapy program that included ultrasound, stretching exercise, back muscles strengthening exercise and sciatic nerve flossing technique. While patients in the study group (G2) got the same designed physiotherapy program as G1 plus high power laser therapy (HPLT). The outcome measures were latency and amplitude of Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex) for evaluating S1 nerve root function, visual analog scale (VAS) for evaluating pain level, angle of straight leg raise (SLR) and six-minute walk test (6MWT) for assessing functional impairment. Both groups were assessed before and after 4 weeks of therapy.
Results: The findings demonstrated that both groups showed a significant reduction in pain level and latency of H-reflex following therapy. The angle of SLR, 6-minute walking distance (6MWD), and the amplitude of the H-reflex all improved significantly in both groups. After therapy, the study group's VAS and H reflex latency were significantly decreased than the control group's (p < 0.01). In addition, the study group's 6MWD, angle of SLR, and H reflex amplitudes were significantly increased than the control group's (p < 0.01) following therapy.
Conclusion: High power laser therapy (HPLT) is a successful treatment for patients suffering from chronic discogenic sciatica.
Layer‐by‐Layer Assembled Smart Antibacterial Coatings via Mussel‐Inspired Polymerization and Dynamic Covalent Chemistry
Authors: Yang Lei , Li Lin , Li Haotian , Wang Tianyou , Ren Xiancheng , Cheng Yiyun , Li Yiwen , Huang Quan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBacterial colonization on the surface of medical implanted devices and bacterial infection‐induced biofilm have been a lethal risk for patients of clinical treatment. While antibacterial coatings fabricated by layer‐by‐layer (LBL) assembly techniques have been well explored, the facile preparation of substrate‐independent smart antibacterial coatings with on‐demand antibiotics release profile and excellent antibacterial performance is still urgently needed. In this work, this goal is addressed by LBL assembly fabrication of robust antibacterial coatings using naturally occurring and commercially available building blocks (i.e., aminoglycosides, 5,6‐dihydroxyindole, and formylphenylboronic acid) via the subsequentially performed mussel‐inspired polymerization and dynamic covalent chemistries. The resulting antibacterial coatings on different substates all presente a dynamic feature (i.e., pH‐responsive), on‐demand antibiotics release properties, and highly effective antibacterial performance both in vitro and in vivo. It is envisioned that this work can expand the scope of LBL assembly technique toward the next generation of robust and universal antibacterial coating materials by using natural building blocks and readily available chemistries.
Co‐Aggregation Induced by Amphiphilic Membrane Interface for the Capture of Trace Endocrine Disruptors from Water
Authors: Ouyang Qi , Gui Qilin , Liu Chang , Chen Xiaonong 
Published: February 2022

AbstractEndocrine disruptors (EDCs) are widely detected in water resources owing to the abuse of plastic products, posing a serious global concern. Unfortunately, the rapid, effective, and economical removal of trace EDCs from water remains a significant challenge. Herein, a novel adsorptive membrane (PVPM) with excellent recyclability and stability is prepared by the UV‐initiated grafting of poly(N‐vinylpyrrolidone) (PNVP) onto the surface of polypropylene fibrous membrane (PPM). The PVPM exhibits high flux, low‐pressure drop, and excellent adsorption performance. It can efficiently capture trace (10 µg L−1) EDCs with a removal efficiency of 99%. Notably, the adsorption performance of the PVPM remains unchanged even in river water. A mechanism for the adsorption is proposed based on adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics. Specifically, dynamic hydrophobic microdomains are generated between amphiphilic PNVP and EDCs and form co‐aggregates on the PPM substrate. This co‐aggregation is responsible for the large adsorption capacity for EDCs. A large decrease in the free energy (−16.65 kJ mol−1) of the adsorption process provides additional evidence for the strong adsorption affinity of the PVPM to EDCs. This study introduces a new pathway for designing low‐cost and high‐performance membrane adsorbents for prompt and efficient capture of trace EDCs from water.
Enhanced Hole Extraction of WOx/V2Ox Dopant‐Free Contact for p‐type Silicon Solar Cell
Authors: Liu Zongtao , Lin Wenjie , Chen Zhiming , Chen Daming , Chen Yifeng , Shen Hui , Liang Zongcun 
Published: February 2022

AbstractNonstoichiometric vanadium oxide V2Ox has been demonstrated to serve as a hole‐selective contact in crystalline silicon solar cells. A reaction between V2Ox deposited by thermal evaporation and silicon can, however, result in a decreased work function (WF) and reduce hole selectivity. A straightforward and workable solution is presented in this study, which partially restores the WF of V2Ox as deposited on silicon and improving solar cell efficiency, avoiding the use of amorphous silicon. Incorporating WOx into the Ag/V2Ox1/Si structure, to form Ag/WOx/V2Ox2/Si, x1<x2, the WF determined by nonstoichiometric ratio, i.e., x, of V2Ox increases, enhancing the field passivation effect and reducing the rear recombination, which leads to a 11 mV increase in open‐circuit voltage and a 0.90 mA cm−2 increase in short‐circuit current. Finally, the solar cell gains an absolute improvement of ≈1.0% in power conversion efficiency.
Collagen‐Tannic Acid Spheroids for β‐Cell Encapsulation Fabricated Using a 3D Bioprinter
Authors: Clua‐Ferré Laura , De Chiara Francesco , Rodríguez‐Comas Júlia , Comelles Jordi , Martinez Elena , Godeau Amelie Luise , García‐Alamán Ainhoa , Gasa Rosa , Ramón‐Azcón Javier 
Published: February 2022

AbstractType 1 Diabetes results from autoimmune response elicited against β‐cell antigens. Nowadays, insulin injections remain the leading therapeutic option. However, injection treatment fails to emulate the highly dynamic insulin release that β‐cells provide. 3D cell‐laden microspheres have been proposed during the last years as a major platform for bioengineering insulin‐secreting constructs for tissue graft implantation and a model for in vitro drug screening platforms. Current microsphere fabrication technologies have several drawbacks: the need for an oil phase containing surfactants, diameter inconsistency of the microspheres, and high time‐consuming processes. These technologies have widely used alginate for its rapid gelation, high processability, and low cost. However, its low biocompatible properties do not provide effective cell attachment. This study proposes a high‐throughput methodology using a 3D bioprinter that employs an ECM‐like microenvironment for effective cell‐laden microsphere production to overcome these limitations. Crosslinking the resulting microspheres with tannic acid prevents collagenase degradation and enhances spherical structural consistency while allowing the diffusion of nutrients and oxygen. The approach allows customization of microsphere diameter with extremely low variability. In conclusion, a novel bio‐printing procedure is developed to fabricate large amounts of reproducible microspheres capable of secreting insulin in response to extracellular glucose stimuli.
Generative Adversarial Networks‐Based Synthetic Microstructures for Data‐Driven Materials Design
Authors: Narikawa Ryuichi , Fukatsu Yoshihito , Wang Zhi‐Lei , Ogawa Toshio , Adachi Yoshitaka , Tanaka Yuji , Ishikawa Shin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractTo understand the material paradigm, data‐driven material design necessitates both microstructural input and output in the form of visual images. Therefore, generative adversarial networks (GAN)‐based deep convolutional GAN, cycle‐consistent GAN, and super‐resolution GAN techniques are used to generate, translate, and improve the quality of microstructural images in this study. The reconstructed virtual microstructural images are realistic and indistinguishable from the real ones. Furthermore, using GAN techniques to reconstruct microstructural image suggests promising ways to design desired microstructures using parameterized descriptors and image augmentation, which are expected to advance data‐driven materials research.
High‐Quality Graphene Using Boudouard Reaction
Authors: Grebenko Artem K. , Krasnikov Dmitry V. , Bubis Anton V. , Stolyarov Vasily S. , Vyalikh Denis V. , Makarova Anna A. , Fedorov Alexander , Aitkulova Aisuluu , Alekseeva Alena A. , Gilshtein Evgeniia , Bedran Zakhar , Shmakov Alexander N. , Alyabyeva Liudmila , Mozhchil Rais N. , Ionov Andrey M. , Gorshunov Boris P. , Laasonen Kari , Podzorov Vitaly , Nasibulin Albert G. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractFollowing the game‐changing high‐pressure CO (HiPco) process that established the first facile route toward large‐scale production of single‐walled carbon nanotubes, CO synthesis of cm‐sized graphene crystals of ultra‐high purity grown during tens of minutes is proposed. The Boudouard reaction serves for the first time to produce individual monolayer structures on the surface of a metal catalyst, thereby providing a chemical vapor deposition technique free from molecular and atomic hydrogen as well as vacuum conditions. This approach facilitates inhibition of the graphene nucleation from the CO/CO2 mixture and maintains a high growth rate of graphene seeds reaching large‐scale monocrystals. Unique features of the Boudouard reaction coupled with CO‐driven catalyst engineering ensure not only suppression of the second layer growth but also provide a simple and reliable technique for surface cleaning. Aside from being a novel carbon source, carbon monoxide ensures peculiar modification of catalyst and in general opens avenues for breakthrough graphene‐catalyst composite production.
MC1R diversity and its role in skin pigmentation variation in West Maharashtra, India
Authors: Jonnalagadda Manjari , Bharti Neeraj , Kasibhatla Sunitha Manjari , Wagh Mayur A. , Joshi Rajendra , Ozarkar Shantanu , Ashma Richa 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectivesMC1R polymorphisms have been reported to be under a selective constraint in populations inhabiting high UVR regions such as Africans; however, these patterns are not consistent. Here we analyze the MC1R gene in West Maharashtra, India to see if sequence diversity corresponds to their diverse pigmentary profiles and if MC1R is constrained in dark skinned tribal as compared to lighter skinned caste populations.MethodsA 2648 bp region of this gene was sequenced in 102 individuals and the data was compared for π, ϴ diversity indices. Tajima's D was assessed for signatures of purifying selection and MC1R variants were associated with MI measures using the additive, dominant, and recessive models. Pairwise FST was tested among study populations and between study populations and 1000 Genomes regional samples.ResultsMC1R diversity was not uniquely patterned among castes and tribes. Non‐synonymous variants rs2228479A, rs1805007_T, and rs885479_A showed low variability in these populations. Selection tests did not indicate any constraint on MC1R and pairwise FST were also low among the study populations (−0.0163 to 0.06112). The SNP rs3212359 was significantly associated with MI measures when tested using different association models.ConclusionsWe do not find evidence of a selective constraint on MC1R. The presence of a large number of unique haplotypes and low FST values at this locus suggests that MC1R polymorphisms may not be influencing pigmentation variation among castes and tribes in this region. Observed associations between rs3212359 and MI measures need to be validated through studies on larger samples and in‐vitro functional studies.
Healthcare costs of dementia diseases before, during and after diagnosis: Longitudinal analysis of 17 years of Swedish register data
Authors: Persson Sofie , Saha Sanjib , Gerdtham Ulf‐G. , Toresson Håkan , Trépel Dominic , Jarl Johan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIntroductionThis study examines health‐care costs attributed to dementia diseases in the 10 years prior to, during, and 6 years after diagnosis.MethodsUsing administrative register data for people diagnosed with dementia (2010–2016) in southern Sweden (n = 21,184), and a comparison group without dementia, health‐care costs over 17 years were examined using longitudinal regression analysis.ResultsAverage annual health‐care costs per person were consistently higher before diagnosis in the dementia group (10 years before: Swedish krona (SEK) 2063, P < .005 and 1 year before: SEK8166, P < .005). At diagnosis, health‐care costs were more than twice as high (SEK44,410, P < .005). Four to 6 years after diagnosis, there was no significant different in costs compared to comparators.DiscussionExcess health‐care cost arise as early as 10 years before a formal diagnosis of dementia, and while there is a spike in cost after diagnosis, health‐care costs are no different 4 years after. These findings question currently accepted assumptions on costs of dementia.
Covalent Organic Framework as an Efficient Protection Layer for a Stable Lithium‐Metal Anode
Authors: He Jiarui , Bhargav Amruth , Manthiram Arumugam 
Published: February 2022

AbstractLithium (Li) metal shows great potential for achieving high‐energy‐density rechargeable batteries. However, the practical applications of Li‐metal batteries are still challenged by the formation of Li dendrites and unstable solid‐electrolyte interphase (SEI) on metallic Li. Herein, a thin covalent organic framework layer is in situ fabricated on Li (COF‐Li) to suppress Li dendrite growth and mitigate the side reaction on the Li anode. The COF has a periodic and uniform porosity, allowing for selectively sieving Li ions and guiding a uniform Li deposition. As a result, the COF‐Li exhibits a non‐dendrite morphology during repeated Li plating/stripping and demonstrates a remarkable cycle life over 13 200 h with an extremely low overpotential of only 16 mV at a high current density of 10 mA cm−2 and a high areal capacity of 10 mAh cm−2.
Behavioral skills training to teach college students to free‐pour standard servings of alcohol
Authors: Strickland Meagan A. , Kohn Carolynn S. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCollege student members of Greek Letter Organizations (GLOs) report high levels of alcohol consumption, which is associated with adverse academic and health consequences. Those who report lower consumption also report counting their drinks, which requires the ability to identify and pour standard servings of alcohol, skills college students generally lack. Behavioral skills training (BST) has been used to teach students to pour standard servings of beer. However, little is known about whether BST is effective when used in a small‐group format or with other alcohol types, and whether skills generalize across time and novel cups. We used a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design to address these gaps. After receiving small group BST, all participants poured beer accurately, most poured accurately at follow‐up, and about half poured accurately into a novel cup. After receiving individual BST, participants' pours of liquor were variable and most required additional training.
Short‐chain alcohols inactivate an immobilized industrial lipase through two different mechanisms
Authors: Mangiagalli Marco , Ami Diletta , de Divitiis Marcella , Brocca Stefania , Catelani Tiziano , Natalello Antonino , Lotti Marina 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBroadly used in biocatalysis as acyl acceptors or (co)‐solvents, short‐chain alcohols often cause irreversible loss of enzyme activity. Understanding the mechanisms of inactivation is a necessary step toward the optimization of biocatalytic reactions and the design of enzyme‐based sustainable processes. The functional and structural responses of an immobilized enzyme, Novozym 435 (N‐435), exposed to methanol, ethanol, and tert‐butanol, are explored in this work. N‐435 consists of Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB) adsorbed on polymethacrylate beads and finds application in a variety of processes involving the presence of short‐chain alcohols. The nature of the N‐435 material required the development of an ad hoc method of structural analysis, based on Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy, which was complemented by catalytic activity assays and by morphological observation by transmission electron microscopy. The inactivation of N‐435 was found to be highly dependent on alcohol concentration and occurs through two different mechanisms. Short‐chain alcohols induce conformational changes leading to CALB aggregation, which is only partially prevented by immobilization. Moreover, alcohol modifies the texture of the solid support promoting the enzyme release. Overall, knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying N‐435 inactivation induced by short‐chain alcohols promises to overcome the limitations that usually occur during industrial processes.
Only a small fraction of cells produce assembled capsids during transfection‐based manufacturing of adeno‐associated virus vectors
Authors: Dash Shantoshini , Sharon David M. , Mullick Alaka , Kamen Amine A. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPlasmid transfection of mammalian cells is the dominant platform used to produce adeno‐associated virus (AAV) vectors for clinical and research applications. Low yields from this platform currently make it difficult to supply these activities with adequate material. In an effort to better understand the current limitations of transfection‐based manufacturing, this study examines what proportion of cells in a model transfection produce appreciable amounts of assembled AAV capsid. Using conformation‐specific antibody staining and flow cytometry, we report the surprising result that despite obtaining high transfection efficiencies and nominal vector yields in our model system, only 5%–10% of cells appear to produce measurable levels of assembled AAV capsids. This finding implies that considerable increases in vector titer could be realized through increasing the proportion of productive cells. Furthermore, we suggest that the flow cytometry assay used here to quantify productive cells may be a useful metric for future optimization of transfection‐based AAV vector manufacturing platforms.
TAVR operator volumes, trends, and geographic variations amongst Medicare beneficiaries in the United States
Authors: Simpson Timothy F. , Kheiri Babikir , Chadderdon Scott , Song Howard K. , Lantz Gurion , Cigarroa Joaquin , Zahr Firas , Golwala Harsh 
Published: February 2022

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) operator procedural volumes, and describe temporal and geographic trends.BackgroundTAVR is the standard of care for most patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis. Despite an association between operator procedural volume and outcomes, nationwide TAVR operator volumes have been incompletely described.MethodsWe queried the National Medicare Provider Utilization and Payment Database for transfemoral TAVRs from 2014 to 2018. Annual operator volume, state and regional volumes, and longitudinal trends were extracted and analyzed using descriptive statistics.ResultsIn 2018, the mean annual operator volume was 23.6 TAVRs. The highest 1% of operators by volume performed 7.6% of total TAVR procedures in the United States, while 35.7% of operators performed 10 or fewer TAVRs per year. From 2014 to 2018, there was a 53.9% annualized increase in TAVRs, and the mean annual volume per operator grew from 12.5 to 23.6. There was more than five‐fold variability in the density of operators (range 0.35–1.79 operators per 100,000 population) and mean operator volume by state (range 14.2–52.4 TAVRs per operator).ConclusionsIn this nationally representative study of operators performing transfemoral TAVRs among Medicare patients, we found the mean annual volume of TAVR in 2018 to be 23.6 and has increased since 2014. There was considerable variability in operator density and procedural volumes, with a significant proportion of operators performing 10 or fewer TAVRs per year. Ambiguity remains in regard to the optimal balance of procedural requirements to sustain high efficacy outcomes and ensure critical access to TAVR therapies.
Identification of two variants in AGRN and RPL3L genes in a patient with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia suggesting new candidate disease genes and digenic inheritance
Authors: Jaouadi Hager , Chabrak Sonia , Lahbib Saida , Abdelhak Sonia , Zaffran Stéphane 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCatecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is an arrhythmogenic syndrome characterized by life‐threatening arrhythmias, a normal resting electrocardiogram and the absence of overt structural heart abnormalities. Mutations in RyR2 gene account for the large part of CPVT cases. Less frequently, mutations in CASQ2 gene have been linked to the recessive form of the disease. Overall, approximately 35% of CPVT patients remain without a genetic etiology implying that other genes might be found causative of the disease. Here, we present a 6‐year‐old boy born to first‐degree related parents, with a typical phenotype of CPVT and a family history of sudden cardiac death of his brother at 7 years. A trio‐based whole exome sequencing was performed, and we identified a homozygous variant in AGRN gene and a heterozygous variant in RPL3L gene. We hypothesized that the presence of the homozygous variant in AGRN accounts for the CPVT phenotype in this family and the heterozygous variant in RPL3L gene may act as a modifier gene. Further studies are needed to determine the role of these genes in CPVT.
Storming the castle: A case report of multi‐system dysregulation in a child with Castleman disease
Authors: DeMarsh Samantha J. , Kendel Nicole E. , Bacha Christine , Ardoin Stacy P. , Kahwash Samir , Rose Melissa J. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCastleman disease is a non‐clonal, lymphoproliferative disorder rarely seen in children. Presented is a 12‐year‐old male with progressive abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. Diagnostic testing revealed multi‐organ system involvement and the diagnosis was ultimately made with tissue biopsy. Marked disease regression occurred after high‐dose steroids and continued interleukin‐6 inhibition.