bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RNA purification-free detection of SARS-CoV-2 using reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
Authors: Lai Meng Yee , Suppiah Jeyanthi , Thayan Ravindran , Ismail Ilyiana , Mustapa Nur Izati , Soh Tuan Suhaila Tuan , Hassan Afifah Haji , Peariasamy Kalaiarasu M. , Lee Yee Leng , Lau Yee Ling 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Current diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection relies on RNA purification prior to amplification. Typical extraction methods limit the processing speed and turnaround time for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing.

Methods
Here, we applied reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification directly onto human clinical swabs samples to amplify the RNA from SARS-CoV-2 swab samples after processing with chelating resin.

Results
By testing our method on 64 samples, we managed to develop an RT-LAMP assay with 95.9% sensitivity (95% CI 86 to 99.5%) and 100% specificity (95% CI 78.2–100%).

Conclusion
The entire process including sample processing can be completed in approximately 50 min. This method has promising potential to be applied as a fast, simple and inexpensive diagnostic tool for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.
Association between blood coagulability and migraine
Authors: Fahmy Ebtesam Mohamed , Hamdy Mona Salah Eldin , Mahmoud Reem Medhat , Elshebawy Haidy 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
An association between migraine and stroke has been suggested for a long period, although conclusive evidence has not been reported. Several theories about hypercoagulability have been proposed for the association of ischemic stroke and migraine especially migraine with aura. This study aimed to assess blood coagulability in patients with migraine.

Results
Mean serum levels of protein S and anti-thrombin III were significantly lower in migraine patients compared to control subjects. Migraine patients showed abnormal MRI findings in the form of white matter hyper-intense lesions and ischemic foci compared to healthy controls. A significant negative correlation was detected between serum protein C level and intensity of migraine headache. Also, a significant correlation was found between deficient serum protein S and abnormal findings in brain MRI. Serum protein C deficiency is an independent predictor for migraine intensity grade.

Conclusions
There is an association between migraine and hypercoagulability, which may indicate increased risk of cerebral ischemic events in migraine patients and suggest adding prophylactic therapy to the management strategies of such patients.
Olivetolic acid, a cannabinoid precursor in Cannabis sativa, but not CBGA methyl ester exhibits a modest anticonvulsant effect in a mouse model of Dravet syndrome
Authors: Anderson Lyndsey L. , Udoh Michael , Everett-Morgan Declan , Heblinski Marika , McGregor Iain S. , Banister Samuel D. , Arnold Jonathon C. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Objective
Cannabigerolic acid (CBGA), a precursor cannabinoid in Cannabis sativa, has recently been found to have anticonvulsant properties in the Scn1a+/- mouse model of Dravet syndrome. Poor brain penetration and chemical instability of CBGA limits its potential as an anticonvulsant therapy. Here, we examined whether CBGA methyl ester, a more stable analogue of CBGA, might have superior pharmacokinetic and anticonvulsant properties. In addition, we examined whether olivetolic acid, the biosynthetic precursor to CBGA with a truncated (des-geranyl) form, might possess minimum structural requirements for anticonvulsant activity. We also examined whether olivetolic acid and CBGA methyl ester retain activity at the epilepsy-relevant drug targets of CBGA: G-protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) and T-type calcium channels.

Methods
The brain and plasma pharmacokinetic profiles of CBGA methyl ester and olivetolic acid were examined following 10 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration in mice (n = 4). The anticonvulsant potential of each was examined in male and female Scn1a+/- mice (n = 17–19) against hyperthermia-induced seizures (10–100 mg/kg, i.p.). CBGA methyl ester and olivetolic acid were also screened in vitro against T-type calcium channels and GPR55 using intracellular calcium and ERK phosphorylation assays, respectively.

Results
CBGA methyl ester exhibited relatively limited brain penetration (13%), although somewhat superior to that of 2% for CBGA. No anticonvulsant effects were observed against thermally induced seizures in Scn1a+/- mice. Olivetolic acid also showed poor brain penetration (1%) but had a modest anticonvulsant effect in Scn1a+/- mice increasing the thermally induced seizure temperature threshold by approximately 0.4°C at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Neither CBGA methyl ester nor olivetolic acid displayed pharmacological activity at GPR55 or T-type calcium channels.

Conclusions
Olivetolic acid displayed modest anticonvulsant activity against hyperthermia-induced seizures in the Scn1a+/- mouse model of Dravet syndrome despite poor brain penetration. The effect was, however, comparable to the known anticonvulsant cannabinoid cannabidiol in this model. Future studies could explore the anticonvulsant mechanism(s) of action of olivetolic acid and examine whether its anticonvulsant effect extends to other seizure types.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound as a screening-tool for rheumatoid arthritis: results of the “Rheuma-Truck” screening and awareness initiative
Authors: Lautwein Alexander , Ostendorf Benedikt , Vordenbäumen Stefan , Liedmann Aiko , Brinks Ralph , Giulini Mario , Ohrndorf Sarah , Backhaus Marina , Acar Hasan , Sander Oliver , Richter Jutta G. , Schneider Matthias , Sewerin Philipp 
Published: January 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) as a screening tool for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients in a rheumatology-screening program.Patients and methodsTo raise awareness for rheumatic diseases, a mobile rheumatology office was deployed in different cities of Germany (“Rheuma-Truck”). Standardized questionnaire assessment, testing for rheumatoid factor and citrullinated peptide antibodies and medical student driven MSUS of the clinically dominant hand/foot including wrist, MCP-II, -III, -V, PIP-II, -III, MTP-II and -V were offered free of charge to the population. In case of suspicious results, a rheumatologist was consulted.ResultsIn MSUS, 192 of 560 selected volunteers (aged 18–89, mean 52.7 years; 72.9% female) had suspicious findings including synovitis or erosions primarily affecting the MTP-II (11.8%), dorsal wrist (8.9%), and MCP-II (7%). 354 of the 560 volunteers further visited a rheumatologist of whom 76 were diagnosed with RA. According to the ‘US7 Score’, a sum scores ≥ 5 was significantly predictive for RA (odds ratio (OR) 5.06; confidence interval (CI) 0.83–35.32). 313 volunteers displayed signs of OA including osteophytes, while MCP-II (36.2%), MCP-III (14.8%), and the wrist (10.5%) were mostly affected. Diagnosis of RA was favoured over OA if the wrist (OR 4.2; CI 1.28–13.95), MTP-II (OR 1.62; CI 1.0–2.6), and MCP-V (OR 2.0; CI 1.0–3.8) were involved.ConclusionMedical student driven MSUS by the ‘US7 Score’ can facilitate diagnosis of RA in rheumatology-screening programs due to the level of the score and the affected joints. A high rate of unknown OA signs was detected by MSUS. A mobile rheumatology office displays an opportunity to screen patients for RA and OA.
A multiple regression assessment of the biomineral urease activity from urine drainpipes of California public restrooms
Authors: Lim Kahui , Leverenz Harold , Wademan Cara , Barnum Samantha 
Published: January 2022

AbstractClogging and odor is strongly associated with ureolytic biomineralization in waterless and low-flow urinal drainage systems in high usage settings. These blockages continue to hinder widespread waterless and low-flow urinal adoption due to subsequent high maintenance requirements and hygiene concerns. Through field observations, hypothesis testing, and multiple regression analysis, this study attempts to characterize, for the first time, the ureolytic activity of the biomineralization found in alternative technologies located at 9 State-owned restrooms. Multiple regression analysis (n = 55, df = 4, R2 = 0.665) suggests that intrasystem sampling location ($$ \hat{\upbeta} $$

β
̂

= 1.23, p < 0.001), annual users per rest area ($$ \hat{\upbeta} $$

β
̂

= 0.5, p = 0.004), and the volatile solids to total solids mass fraction ($$ \hat{\upbeta} $$

β
̂

= 0.59, p = 0.003), are statistically significant influencers of the ureolytic activity of biomineral samples (p < 0.05). Conversely, ureC gene abundance (p = 0.551), urinal type (p = 0.521) and sampling season (p = 0.956) are not significant predictors of biomineral ureolytic activity. We conclude that high concentrations of the urease alpha subunit, ureC, which can be interpreted as proxy measure of a strong, potentially ureolytic community, does not necessarily mean that the gene is being expressed. Future studies should assess ureC transcriptional activity to measure gene expression rather than gene abundance to assess the relationship between environmental conditions, their role in transcription, and urease activities. In sum, this study presents a method to characterize biomineral ureolysis. This study establishes baseline values for future ureolytic inhibition treatment studies that seek to improve the usability of urine collection and related source separation technologies.
Obesity, preoperative weight loss, and telemedicine before total joint arthroplasty: a review
Authors: Seward Michael W. , Chen Antonia F. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe preoperative period prior to elective total joint arthroplasty (TJA) is a critical time for lifestyle interventions since a scheduled surgery may help motivate patients to lose weight. Weight loss may reduce complications associated with obesity following TJA and enable patients with severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] > 40 kg/m2) to become eligible for TJA, as many institutions use a 40 kg/m2 cut-off for offering surgery. A comprehensive review was conducted to (1) provide background on complications associated with obesity following TJA, (2) synthesize prior research on the success rate of patients losing weight after being denied TJA for severe obesity, (3) discuss bariatric surgery before TJA, and (4) propose mobile health telemedicine weight loss interventions as potential weight loss methods for patients preoperatively.It is well established that obesity increases complications associated with TJA. In total knee arthroplasty (TKA), obesity increases operative time, length of stay, and hospitalization costs as well as the risk of deep infection, revision, and component malpositioning. Obesity may have an even larger impact on complications associated with total hip arthroplasty (THA), including wound complications and deep infection. Obesity also increases the risk of hip dislocation, aseptic loosening, and venous thromboembolism after THA.Synthesis of the only two studies (n = 417), to our knowledge, that followed patients denied TJA for severe obesity demonstrated that only 7% successfully reduced their BMI below 40 kg/m2 via lifestyle modifications and ultimately underwent TJA. Unfortunately, bariatric surgery may only increase certain post-TKA complications including death, pneumonia, and implant failure, and there is limited research on preoperative weight loss via lifestyle modification. A review of short-term mobile health weight loss interventions that combined personalized counseling with self-monitoring via a smartphone app found about 5 kg of weight loss over 3-6 months. Patients with severe obesity have more weight to lose and may have additional motivation to do so before TJA, so weight loss results may differ by patient population. Research is needed to determine whether preoperative mobile health interventions can help patients become eligible for TJA and produce clinically significant weight loss sufficient to improve postoperative outcomes.
Role of portal color Doppler ultrasonography as noninvasive predictive tool for esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients
Authors: Nouh Mohamed Alaa ELdin , Abd-Elmageed Mohamed Kamel , Amer Amany Abas Mohamed , ELhamouly Moamena Said 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Esophageal varices (EV) is the most common apprehensive complication of portal hypertension in patients with cirrhotic liver. Guidelines recommend Upper gastro-intestinal endoscopic screening for EV in patients with newly diagnosed chronic cirrhosis (Imperiale et al. in Hepatology 45(4):870–878, 2007). Yet, it is invasive, time consuming and costly. To avoid unnecessary endoscopy, some studies have suggested Doppler ultrasound examination as simple, and noninvasive tool in prediction and assessment of severity of EV (Agha et al. in Dig Dis Sci 54(3):654–660, 2009). Our study was to assess the role of different Doppler indices of portal vein, hepatic and splenic arteries as a noninvasive tool for prediction of esophageal varices in cirrhotic patients.

Results
This prospective case control study was conducted on 100 cirrhotic liver patients and 100 of healthy volunteers as control group. Patients were subjected to clinical examination, upper gastrointestinal tract endoscopy, abdominal ultrasonography with duplex Doppler evaluation of different portal Doppler hemodynamic indices were done for each patient. The results revealed that portal vein diameter, hepatic artery pulsatility index, portal hypertensive index, portal vein flow velocity, portal congestion index have high sensitivity for prediction of EV. However, Splenic artery resistance index, hepatic artery resistance index HARI, liver vascular index and platelet count/spleen diameter have less sensitivity for prediction of EV.

Conclusion
Measuring the portal hemodynamic indices can help physicians as noninvasive predictors of EV in cirrhotic patients to restrict the need for unnecessary endoscopic screening especially when endoscopic facilities are limited.
Brain magnetic resonance imaging surface-based analysis and cortical thickness measurement in relapsing remission multiple sclerosis
Authors: Baghdadi Michael , Badwey Manal Ezzat , Khalil Mohamed , Dawoud Rasha Mahmoud 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background
Damage occurs in the brain tissue in MS which appears normal on standard conventional imaging (normal appearing brain tissue). This slow, evolving damage can be monitored by nonconventional advanced MR imaging techniques. New techniques for the measurement of cortical thickness have been validated against histological analysis and manual measurements. The aim of our study was to study the role of MRI surface-based analysis and cortical thickness measurement in the evaluation of patients with Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis and to detect if there is localized rather than generalized cortical atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis patients and correlating these findings with clinical data.

Results
30 patients and 30 healthy control were included in this study and they were subjected to cortical thickness analysis using MRI. The patients in our study showed decreased thickness of the precentral, paracentral, postcentral, posterior cingulate cortices and mean cortical thickness in both hemispheres when compared with the normal control group. Statistical analysis was significant (P value < 0.05) for the precentral, paracentral, postcentral, posterior cingulate cortices and mean cortical thickness in both hemispheres. On the other hand, statistical analysis was not significant (P value > 0.05) for other cortices. There was a significant negative correlation between the precentral, paracentral, postcentral, posterior cingulate cortices and mean cortical thickness in both hemispheres and EDSS scores with correlation coefficients ranging from − 0.9878 to − 0.7977.

Conclusions
MRI and post-processing segmentation analysis for cortical thickness is non-invasive imaging techniques that can increase the level of diagnostic confidence in diagnosis of MS patients and should be included as routine modality when evaluating patients with MS.
Model development and prediction of anti-icing longevity of asphalt pavement with salt-storage additive
Authors: Zhang Yan , Deng Yong , Shi Xianming 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis study established a systematic simulation framework to predict the anti-icing longevity of a thin overlay of asphalt pavement with salt-storage additive (APSSA). The water and chloride transport in the overlay when subjected to varying precipitation, temperature, thermal cracking, and fatigue cracking over time were modeled using a Finite Element Method based software. The simulation included two parts: water transport followed by chloride transport. Water transport that obeys the law of conservation of mass was modeled using the phase transport in porous media (phtr) interface of COMSOL, while chloride transport based on Fick’s second law was modeled with the transport of diluted species (tds) interface. The simulation results show that the anti-icing function of a 16-mm thick overlay was fully effective in 2 years and 5 years for the minimum pavement temperature above -3.4 °C and -2.4 °C, respectively. These two pavement temperatures are equivalent to 97.4-percentile and 96.3-percentile of historical hourly pavement temperature near Pullman, Washington.
Graphical abstract
Environmental hazard of polypropylene microplastics from disposable medical masks: acute toxicity towards Daphnia magna and current knowledge on other polypropylene microplastics
Authors: Jemec Kokalj Anita , Dolar Andraž , Drobne Damjana , Marinšek Marjan , Dolenec Matej , Škrlep Luka , Strmljan Gregor , Mušič Branka , Škapin Andrijana Sever 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of disposable plastics, including medical masks, which have become a necessity in our daily lives. As these are often improperly disposed of, they represent an important potential source of microplastics in the environment. We prepared microplastics from polypropylene medical masks and characterised their size, shape, organic chemical leaching, and acute toxicity to the planktonic crustacean Daphnia magna. The three layers of the masks were separately milled and characterised. Each of the inner frontal, middle filtering, and outer layers yielded different types of microplastics: fibres were obtained from the inner and outer layer, but irregular fragments from the middle layer. The shape of the obtained microplastics differed from the initial fibrous structure of the intact medical mask layers, which indicates that the material is deformed during cryo-milling. The chemical compositions of plastics-associated chemicals also varied between the different layers. Typically, the inner layer contained more chemicals related to antimicrobial function and flavouring. The other two layers also contained antioxidants and their degradation products, plasticisers, cross-linking agents, antistatic agents, lubricants, and non-ionic surfactants. An acute study with D. magna showed that these microplastics do not cause immobility but do physically interact with the daphnids. Further long-term studies with these microplastics are needed using a suite of test organisms. Indeed, studies with other polypropylene microplastics have shown numerous adverse effects on other organisms at concentrations that have already been reported in the environment. Further efforts should be made to investigate the environmental hazards of polypropylene microplastics from medical masks and how to handle this new source of environmental burden.
Latent subtypes of manic and/or irritable episode symptoms in two population-based cohorts
Authors: Arathimos Ryan , Fabbri Chiara , Vassos Evangelos , Davis Katrina A. S. , Pain Oliver , Gillett Alexandra , Coleman Jonathan R. I. , Hanscombe Ken , Hagenaars Saskia , Jermy Bradley , Corbett Anne , Ballard Clive , Aarsland Dag , Creese Byron , Lewis Cathryn M. 
Published: January 2022

BackgroundMood disorders are characterised by pronounced symptom heterogeneity, which presents a substantial challenge both to clinical practice and research. Identification of subgroups of individuals with homogeneous symptom profiles that cut across current diagnostic categories could provide insights in to the transdiagnostic relevance of individual symptoms, which current categorical diagnostic systems cannot impart.AimsTo identify groups of people with homogeneous clinical characteristics, using symptoms of manic and/or irritable mood, and explore differences between groups in diagnoses, functional outcomes and genetic liability.MethodWe used latent class analysis on eight binary self-reported symptoms of manic and irritable mood in the UK Biobank and PROTECT studies, to investigate how individuals formed latent subgroups. We tested associations between the latent classes and diagnoses of psychiatric disorders, sociodemographic characteristics and polygenic risk scores.ResultsFive latent classes were derived in UK Biobank (N = 42 183) and were replicated in the independent PROTECT cohort (N = 4445), including ‘minimally affected’, ‘inactive restless’, active restless’, ‘focused creative’ and ‘extensively affected’ individuals. These classes differed in disorder risk, polygenic risk score and functional outcomes. One class that experienced disruptive episodes of mostly irritable mood largely comprised cases of depression/anxiety, and a class of individuals with increased confidence/creativity reported comparatively lower disruptiveness and functional impairment.ConclusionsFindings suggest that data-driven investigations of psychopathological symptoms that include sub-diagnostic threshold conditions can complement research of clinical diagnoses. Improved classification systems of psychopathology could investigate a weighted approach to symptoms, toward a more dimensional classification of mood disorders.
Dynamics in direct two-photon transition by frequency combs
Authors: Dan Lin , Xu Hao , Guo Ping , Zhao Jianye 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Based on the proposed theoretical model of a three-level system, the optical Bloch equations including the direct two-photon transition (DTPT) process using the optical frequency comb (OFC) were derived and the population distribution of particles in the upper states varying with the velocity of the atoms was obtained. Comparing to the resonance two-photon transition process, that population was increased by a factor of 1.4 without the Doppler shift, which is consistent with our previous experimental results. Simultaneously, the relationships between momentum transfers, and atomic velocity and pulse number were analyzed. When applied to a multi-level system it was found that the population of particles in the excited states increased by a few percentages. The novel approach of DTPT using OFC improved the utilization of comb teeth and atoms, increased the momentum transfer path, reduced the reachable Doppler temperature limit, and encouraged us to use OFC to cool multiple elements simultaneously through the DTPT process. By analyzing the Doppler temperature of 133Cs and 87Rb in one dimension, it was found that this process can lower a temperature below 100 mK and generate dipolar molecules 133Cs87Rb via photoassociation, which provides us with a new tool to create dipolar molecules and to investigate their complex rovibrational spectra in ultra-cold chemistry.
Mentoring High-Impact Undergraduate Research Experiences
Authors: Moore Jessie L. , Myers Angela , McConnell Hayden 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
This article illustrates the Ten Salient Practices of Undergraduate Research Mentors with examples for English studies. The authors include both one-to-one and research-team examples, recognizing that although much English scholarship is solitary, peers and near peers play key roles in high-quality, mentored undergraduate research experiences.