bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Irrigation of peritoneal cavity with cold atmospheric plasma treated solution effectively reduces microbial load in rat acute peritonitis model
Authors: Oztan Mustafa Onur , Ercan Utku Kürşat , Aksoy Gokmen Ayşegül , Simsek Fatma , Ozdemir Gizem Dilara , Koyluoglu Gökhan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAccurate and timely diagnosis of appendicitis in children can be challenging, which leads to delayed admittance or misdiagnosis that may cause perforation. Surgical management involves the elimination of the focus (appendectomy) and the reduction of the contamination with peritoneal irrigation to prevent sepsis. However, the validity of conventional irrigation methods is being debated, and novel methods are needed. In the present study, the use of cold plasma treated saline solution as an intraperitoneal irrigation solution for the management of acute peritonitis was investigated. Chemical and in vitro microbiological assessments of the plasma-treated solution were performed to determine the appropriate plasma treatment time to be used in in-vivo experiments. To induce acute peritonitis in rats, the cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) model was used. Sixty rats were divided into six groups, namely, sham operation, plasma irrigation, CLP, dry cleaning after CLP, saline irrigation after CLP, and plasma-treated saline irrigation after CLP group. The total antioxidant and oxidant status, oxidative stress index, microbiological, and pathological evaluations were performed. Findings indicated that plasma-treated saline contains reactive species, and irrigation with plasma-treated saline can effectively inactivate intraperitoneal contamination and prevent sepsis with no short-term local and/or systemic toxicity.
Global and localized network characteristics of the resting brain predict and adapt to foreign language learning in older adults
Authors: Kliesch Maria , Becker Robert , Hervais-Adelman Alexis 
Published: March 2022

AbstractResting brain (rs) activity has been shown to be a reliable predictor of the level of foreign language (L2) proficiency younger adults can achieve in a given time-period. Since rs properties change over the lifespan, we investigated whether L2 attainment in older adults (aged 64–74 years) is also predicted by individual differences in rs activity, and to what extent rs activity itself changes as a function of L2 proficiency. To assess how neuronal assemblies communicate at specific frequencies to facilitate L2 development, we examined localized and global measures (Minimum Spanning Trees) of connectivity. Results showed that central organization within the beta band (~ 13–29.5 Hz) predicted measures of L2 complexity, fluency and accuracy, with the latter additionally predicted by a left-lateralized centro-parietal beta network. In contrast, reduced connectivity in a right-lateralized alpha (~ 7.5–12.5 Hz) network predicted development of L2 complexity. As accuracy improved, so did central organization in beta, whereas fluency improvements were reflected in localized changes within an interhemispheric beta network. Our findings highlight the importance of global and localized network efficiency and the role of beta oscillations for L2 learning and suggest plasticity even in the ageing brain. We interpret the findings against the background of networks identified in socio-cognitive processes.
Characterizing the neurocognitive profiles of children with moyamoya disease using the Das Naglieri cognitive assessment system
Authors: Kusano Yusuke , Funaki Takeshi , Ueda Keita , Nishida Noyuri , Tanaka Kanade , Miyamoto Susumu , Matsuda Shuichi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAlthough cognitive impairment is well-documented in children with moyamoya disease (MMD), selective decline in specific neurocognitive domains remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to characterize the neurocognitive profile of children with MMD using the Das Naglieri Cognitive Assessment System (CAS) and the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition (WISC-IV). We analyzed the neurocognitive data of 30 children (median age, 7 years) with MMD who were assessed with the CAS and the WISC-IV before surgery. We focused on the comparison of standard scores and intraindividual differences across domains. The CAS scores significantly varied across four measures (standard scores, p < 0.001; intraindividual differences, p < 0.001). Post-hoc analyses revealed that the standard scores and intraindividual differences for successive processing were significantly lower than those for planning and attention. The WISC-IV scores did not significantly vary among the four measures, although the working memory index was the lowest among the four measures. The within-individual weakness in successive processing, a form of working memory function, may be a distinct characteristic of children with MMD. The CAS may be more sensitive than the WISC-IV for detecting this selective neurocognitive weakness in children with MMD.
First-principles calculations of high-pressure physical properties anisotropy for magnesite
Authors: Liu Zi-Jiang , Sun Xiao-Wei , Zhang Cai-Rong , Zhang Shun-Jing , Zhang Zheng-Rong , Jin Neng-Zhi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe first-principles calculations based on density functional theory with projector-augmented wave are used to study the anisotropy of elastic modulus, mechanical hardness, minimum thermal conductivity, acoustic velocity and thermal expansion of magnesite (MgCO3) under deep mantle pressure. The calculation results of the phase transition pressure, equation of state, elastic constants, elastic moduli, elastic wave velocities and thermal expansion coefficient are consistent with those determined experimentally. The research results show that the elastic moduli have strong anisotropy, the mechanical hardness gradually softens with increasing pressure, the conduction velocity of heat in the [100] direction is faster than that in the [001] direction, the plane wave velocity anisotropy first increases and then gradually decreases with increasing pressure, and the shear wave velocity anisotropy increases with the increase of pressure, the thermal expansion in the [100] direction is greater than that in the [001] direction. The research results are of great significance to people’s understanding of the high-pressure physical properties of carbonates in the deep mantle.
Liver fat in adult survivors of severe acute malnutrition
Authors: Thompson Debbie S. , Royal-Thomas Tamika Y. N. , Tennant Ingrid A. , Soares Deanne P. , Byrne Christopher D. , Forrester Terrence E. , Gluckman Peter D. , Boyne Michael S. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe association between severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in early childhood and liver fat in adults is unknown. We hypothesized that exposure to SAM, especially severe wasting, is associated with fatty liver later in life. In this observational study, abdominal CT was used to quantify mean liver attenuation (MLA) and liver:spleen attenuation ratio (L/S). Birth weight (BW), serum lipids, insulin resistance (homeostatic model assessment), anthropometry and intrabdominal fat were collected. Mean differences between diagnostic groups were tested and hierarchical regression analysis determined the best predictors of liver fat. We studied 88 adult SAM survivors and 84 community participants (CPs); age 29.0 ± 8.4 years, BMI 23.5 ± 5.0 kg/m2 (mean ± SDs). SAM survivors had less liver fat than CPs (using L/S) (p = 0.025). Severe wasting survivors (SWs) had lower BW (-0.51 kg; p = 0.02), were younger, thinner and had smaller waist circumference than oedematous malnutrition survivors (OMs). In the final regression model adjusting for age, sex, birth weight and SAM phenotype (i.e., oedematous malnutrition or severe wasting), SWs had more liver fat than OMs (using MLA) (B = 2.6 ± 1.3; p = 0.04) but similar liver fat using L/S (p = 0.07) and lower BW infants had less liver fat (MLA) (B = -1.8 ± 0.8; p = 0.03). Greater liver fat in SWs than OMs, despite having less body fat, supports our hypothesis of greater cardiometabolic risk in SWs. Other postnatal factors might influence greater liver fat in survivors of severe wasting, suggesting the need to monitor infants exposed to SAM beyond the acute episode.
Short term feeding of industrial hemp with a high cannabidiolic acid (CBDA) content increases lying behavior and reduces biomarkers of stress and inflammation in Holstein steers
Authors: Kleinhenz Michael D. , Weeder Mikaela , Montgomery Shawnee , Martin Miriam , Curtis Andrew , Magnin Geraldine , Lin Zhoumeng , Griffin Jason , Coetzee Johann F. 
Published: March 2022

AbstractIndustrial hemp (IH) is defined as Cannabis sativa containing < 0.3% delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and was legalized in the 2018 Farm Bill. The impact of cannabinoids in IH fed to livestock, especially after repeat exposure, has not been thoroughly investigated. Sixteen male castrated Holstein cattle weighting (± SD) 447 ± 68 kg were enrolled onto the study. Cattle were allocated into two treatment groups either receiving IH (HEMP, n = 8) or a control (CNTL, n = 8). Cattle in the HEMP group were fed 25 g IH mixed in 200 g of grain once a day for 14 days to target a daily dose of 5.5 mg/kg of cannabidiolic acid (CBDA). Behavior was continuously monitored with accelerometers and blood samples were collected at predetermined time points for plasma cannabinoid, serum cortisol, serum haptoglobin, liver enzymes, serum amyloid A, and prostaglandin E2 concentrations. The HEMP group spent a mean 14.1 h/d (95% CI 13.6–14.6 h/d) lying compared to the 13.4 h/d (95% CI 12.9–13.8 h/d) for the CNTL cattle (P = 0.03). Cortisol concentrations in the HEMP group were lower than the CNTL group (P = 0.001). Cattle in the HEMP group demonstrated an 8.8% reduction in prostaglandin E2 concentrations from baseline compared to a 10.2% increase from baseline observed in the CNTL group. No differences for haptoglobin or serum amyloid A were observed. These results suggest that feeding IH with a high CBDA content for 14 days increases lying behavior and decreases biomarkers of stress and inflammation in cattle.
Bio inspired general artificial muscle using hybrid of mixed electrolysis and fluids chemical reaction (HEFR)
Authors: Zakeri Ramin , Zakeri Reza 
Published: March 2022

AbstractOne of the issues in the field of soft-robotic systems is that how to create a fast displacement mechanism which it operates close to nature. This paper presents a deep study of hybrid of mixed electrolysis and fluids chemical reaction (HEFR) method for general applications, considering contraction/expansion of a single/multiple (taped) soft bio-inspired actuators in various conditions and a practical instance of a moving wing mechanism. This research extends the recent study of corresponding author’s team (Zakeri and Zakeri, Deformable airfoil using hybrid of mixed integration electrolysis and fluids chemical reaction (HEFR) artificial muscle technique. Sci Rep 11:5497, 2021) that previous study concentrated on just single bio actuator in deformable airfoil. This work offers a general artificial muscle which it employs the hybrid of mixed electrolysis (electrolysis module with 10 mL capacity without any separation of materials such as O2 or H2), two fluids for chemical reaction (sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3 (s)) and acetic acid (CH3COOH (l))) and also multilayer soft skin bags (40 × 30 mm). The analyzed parameters are amount of displacement (contraction/expansion) over time (response time), the ratio of output force to total weight and extremely low expense of manufacturing. The main results are as follows: the released energy from 1 mL sodium bicarbonate, 10 mL acetic acid and a 12 V electrolysis module have ability to give a response time less than 1 s (25 mm expansion and 4 mm contraction) with 12 W power consumption and also bio actuator can easily displace a 250 g object (total weight of components is almost 33 g). Also, it has been shown that the response time of mixed electrolysis in the proposed inactive solution (without any fresh chemical reaction) will be nine times to pure water. In the active solution (refresh chemical reaction), response time of HEFR will be accelerated 2.44 times to pure chemical reaction. By applying the multilayer soft skin bags or soft actuators (multi contraction and multi expansion model), a practical movable flapping wing has been presented which a full cycle of flapping would take 2 s. The proposed method has ability to show a quick response time, without making any noise, very low construction cost and practical for general and frequent uses.
Characteristics of recurrent cases after conservative therapy in adolescent lumbar spondylolysis
Authors: Tatsumura Masaki , Gamada Hisanori , Okuwaki Shun , Eto Fumihiko , Nagashima Katsuya , Mammoto Takeo , Hirano Atsushi , Funayama Toru , Yamazaki Masashi 
Published: March 2022

AbstractOccasionally lumbar spondylolysis in adolescents will recur after conservative treatment. The goal of this study was to retrospectively review the conditions in which recurrence transpired in a subset of adolescent patients diagnosed with acute lumbar spondylolysis. A retrospective survey was conducted in 141 patients who had been treated for spondylolysis and had obtained bone union. Twenty subjects were selected who had recurrent lumbar spondylolysis after returning to sports activity following the initial spondylolysis treatment. There were 18 males and two females with an average age at the time of initial visit of 13.3 years and 14.1 years at the time of recurrence. The average period of initial treatment was 101 days, and the average time to recurrence after healing was 149 days. There were three cases at L3, two cases at L4 and 15 cases at L5. At recurrence, 18 patients had unilateral involvement and two patients presented with bilateral occurrence. Four cases did not achieve bony union. In this study, the recurrence rate was 13.2%. Eighty percent of cases had recurrence within six months after healing. After recurrence, 20% of the cases reached pseudoarthrosis. It is useful to take regular MRI images to detect recurrence within six months after returning to sports.
TNF inhibitors increase the risk of nontuberculous mycobacteria in patients with seropositive rheumatoid arthritis in a mycobacterium tuberculosis endemic area
Authors: Park Dong Won , Kim Yun Jin , Sung Yoon-Kyoung , Chung Sung Jun , Yeo Yoomi , Park Tai Sun , Lee Hyun , Moon Ji-Yong , Kim Sang-Heon , Kim Tae-Hyung , Yoon Ho Joo , Sohn Jang Won 
Published: March 2022

AbstractThe aim of this study is to examine the impact of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFI) on nontuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) infection in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in a mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) endemic area. We selected 1089 TNFI-treated RA patients and 4356 untreated RA patients using propensity-matching analysis according to age, gender, and Charlson comorbidity index using the Korean National Health Insurance Service database from July 2009 to December 2010. Both groups were followed-up until the end of 2016 to measure the incidence of mycobacterial diseases. The incidence rate of NTM in TNFI-treated RA group was similar to those of MTB (328.1 and 340.9 per 100,000 person-years, respectively). The adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of NTM for TNFI-treated RA compared to untreated RA was 1.751(95% CI 1.105–2.774). The risk of TNFI-associated NTM in RA was 2.108-fold higher among women than men. The age-stratified effects of TNFI on NTM development were significantly high in RA patients aged 50–65 years (aHR 2.018). RA patients without comorbidities had a higher incidence of NTM following TNFI treatment (aHR 1.742). This real-world, observational study highlights the need to increase awareness of NTM in TNFI-treated RA patients in an MTB endemic area.
An ultrasensitive microfluidic approach reveals correlations between the physico-chemical and biological activity of experimental peptide antibiotics
Authors: Cama Jehangir , Al Nahas Kareem , Fletcher Marcus , Hammond Katharine , Ryadnov Maxim G. , Keyser Ulrich F. , Pagliara Stefano 
Published: March 2022

AbstractAntimicrobial resistance challenges the ability of modern medicine to contain infections. Given the dire need for new antimicrobials, polypeptide antibiotics hold particular promise. These agents hit multiple targets in bacteria starting with their most exposed regions—their membranes. However, suitable approaches to quantify the efficacy of polypeptide antibiotics at the membrane and cellular level have been lacking. Here, we employ two complementary microfluidic platforms to probe the structure–activity relationships of two experimental series of polypeptide antibiotics. We reveal strong correlations between each peptide’s physicochemical activity at the membrane level and biological activity at the cellular level. We achieve this knowledge by assaying the membranolytic activities of the compounds on hundreds of individual giant lipid vesicles, and by quantifying phenotypic responses within clonal bacterial populations with single-cell resolution. Our strategy proved capable of detecting differential responses for peptides with single amino acid substitutions between them, and can accelerate the rational design and development of peptide antimicrobials.
Impact behaviour of 3D printed cellular structures for mouthguard applications
Authors: Saunders John , Lißner Maria , Townsend David , Petrinic Nik , Bergmann Jeroen 
Published: March 2022

AbstractEthylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) is the most popular material for manufacturing mouthguards. However, EVA mouthguards are problematic, for example inconsistent thicknesses across the mouthguard. Additive manufacturing provides a promising solution to this problem, as it can manufacture mouthguards with a greater precision. This paper compares the energy dissipation of EVA, the current material used for mouthguards, to various designs of a 3D printed material, some of which contain air cells. Impact testing was carried out at three different strain rates. The Split-Hopkinson bar was used for medium and high strain rate tests, and an Instron test rig was used for low strain rate testing. The best performing design dissipated 25% more energy than EVA in the medium and high strain rate testing respectively while the low strain rate testing was inconclusive. This research has shown that additive manufacturing provides a viable method of manufacturing mouthguards. This opens up the opportunity for embedding electronics/sensors into additive manufactured mouthguards.
In-situ interfacial compatibilization via edge-sulfurated few layer graphene during the formation of crosslinked graphene-rubber nanocomposites
Authors: Krishnan Sangeeth , M.G Maya , Das Akhil , Bhargavan Suja , Ganesan Krithika , Sivaram Swaminathan , Vadivelu Prabha , Ragupathy Lakshminarayanan 
Published: March 2022

AbstractHerein, we report various physico-chemical approaches to probe the nature of the interface between few layers graphene (FLG) and carboxylated nitrile rubber (XNBR) nanocomposites prepared through efficient blending of XNBR latex with an aqueous dispersion of FLG. The extent of physical interaction between FLG and XNBR was investigated using Lorentz–Park and Cunneen–Russell models. The chemical interface between FLG and sulfur crosslinked XNBR was studied using model reactions between sulfur and graphene in presence of zinc 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (ZMBT). We propose that an edge sulfurated FLG is formed, which could chemically bond with XNBR during the vulcanization process. Density Functional Theory (DFT) was employed to unravel the mechanistic insights, which support this hypothesis and suggest a kinetically favorable sulfuration of both XNBR and FLG. The formation of a chemical bond between edge-FLG and XNBR through the proposed intermediacy of sulfurated FLG leads to the observed improvement in mechanical properties of the nanocomposites.
Alpha and theta peak frequency track on- and off-thoughts
Authors: Hua Jingyu , Wolff Annemarie , Zhang Jianfeng , Yao Lin , Zang Yufeng , Luo Jing , Ge Xianliang , Liu Chang , Northoff Georg 
Published: March 2022

AbstractOur thoughts are highly dynamic in their contents. At some points, our thoughts are related to external stimuli or tasks focusing on single content (on-single thoughts), While in other moments, they are drifting away with multiple simultaneous items as contents (off-multiple thoughts). Can such thought dynamics be tracked by corresponding neurodynamics? To address this question, here we track thought dynamics during post-stimulus periods by electroencephalogram (EEG) neurodynamics of alpha and theta peak frequency which, as based on the phase angle, must be distinguished from non-phase-based alpha and theta power. We show how, on the psychological level, on-off thoughts are highly predictive of single-multiple thought contents, respectively. Using EEG, on-single and off-multiple thoughts are mediated by opposite changes in the time courses of alpha (high in on-single but low in off-multiple thoughts) and theta (low in on-single but high in off-multiple thoughts) peak frequencies. In contrast, they cannot be distinguished by frequency power. Overall, these findings provide insight into how alpha and theta peak frequency with their phase-related processes track on- and off-thoughts dynamically. In short, neurodynamics track thought dynamics.
Reading and erasing of the phosphonium analogue of trimethyllysine by epigenetic proteins
Authors: Belle Roman , Kamps Jos J. A. G. , Poater Jordi , Kumar Kiran , Pieters Bas J. G. E. , Salah Eidarus , Claridge Timothy D. W. , Paton Robert S. , Bickelhaupt F. Matthias , Kawamura Akane , Schofield Christopher J. , Mecinović Jasmin 
Published: March 2022

AbstractNε-Methylation of lysine residues in histones plays an essential role in the regulation of eukaryotic transcription. The ‘highest’ methylation mark, Nε-trimethyllysine, is specifically recognised by Nε-trimethyllysine binding ‘reader’ domains, and undergoes demethylation, as catalysed by 2-oxoglutarate dependent JmjC oxygenases. We report studies on the recognition of the closest positively charged Nε-trimethyllysine analogue, i.e. its trimethylphosphonium derivative (KPme3), by Nε-trimethyllysine histone binding proteins and Nε-trimethyllysine demethylases. Calorimetric and computational studies with histone binding proteins reveal that H3KP4me3 binds more tightly than the natural H3K4me3 substrate, though the relative differences in binding affinity vary. Studies with JmjC demethylases show that some, but not all, of them can accept the phosphonium analogue of their natural substrates and that the methylation state selectivity can be changed by substitution of nitrogen for phosphorus. The combined results reveal that very subtle changes, e.g. substitution of nitrogen for phosphorus, can substantially affect interactions between ligand and reader domains / demethylases, knowledge that we hope will inspire the development of highly selective small molecules modulating their activity.