bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A study of skin marker alignment using different diamond‐shaped light fields for prone breast external‐beam radiation therapy
Authors: Xu Huijun , Cheston Sally B. , Gopal Arun , Zhang Baoshe , Chen Shifeng , Yu Suhong , Hall Andrea , Dudley Sara 
Published: August 2022

AbstractFor breast cancer patients treated in the prone position with tangential fields, a diamond‐shaped light field (DSLF) can be used to align with corresponding skin markers for image‐guided radiation therapy (IGRT). This study evaluates and compares the benefits of different DSLF setups.Seventy‐one patients who underwent daily tangential kilovoltage (kV) IGRT were categorized retrospectively into four groups: (1) DSLF field size (FS) = 10 × 10 cm2, gantry angle = 90° (right breast)/270° (left breast), with the same isocenter as treatment tangential beams; (2) same as group 1, except DSLF FS = 4 × 4 cm2; (3) DSLF FS = 4 × 4–6 × 8 cm2, gantry angle = tangential treatment beam, off‐isocenter so that the DSLF was at the approximate breast center; and (4) No‐DSLF. We compared their total setup time (including any DSLF/marker‐based alignment and IGRT) and relative kV‐based couch shift corrections. For groups 1–3, DSLF‐only dose distributions (excluding kV‐based correction) were simulated by reversely shifting the couch positions from the computed tomography plans, which were assumed equivalent to the delivered dose when both DSLF and IGRT were used.For patient groups 1–4, the average daily setup time was 2.6, 2.5, 5.0, and 8.3 min, respectively. Their mean and standard deviations of daily kV‐based couch shifts were 0.64 ± 0.4, 0.68 ± 0.3, 0.8 ± 0.6, and 1.0 ± 0.6 cm. The average target dose changes after excluding kV‐IGRT for groups 1–3 were−0.2%, −0.1%, and +0.4%, respectively, whereas DSLF‐1 was most efficient in sparing heart and chest wall, DSLF‐2 had lowest lung Dmax; and DSLF‐3 maintained the highest target coverage at the cost of highest OAR dose.In general, the use of DSLF greatly reduces patient setup time and may result in smaller IGRT corrections. If IGRT is limited, different DSLF setups yield different target coverage and OAR dose sparing. Our findings will help DSLF setup optimization in the prone breast treatment setting.
Trigeminovascular effects of propranolol in men and women, role for sex steroids
Authors: Rubio‐Beltrán Eloísa , Schoon Rianne M. , van den Berg Jeffrey , Schuiling‐Veninga Catharina C. M. , Koch Birgit C. P. , Villalón Carlos M. , Versmissen Jorie , Danser A. H. Jan , van den Meiracker Anton H. , Ibrahimi Khatera , MaassenVanDenBrink Antoinette 
Published: August 2022

AbstractObjectiveAssess whether propranolol modulates the trigeminovascular system in both men and women.MethodsWe investigated the effect of propranolol (80 mg, 90 min after oral administration, corresponding to Tmax) on the increase in dermal blood flow of the forehead skin (innervated by the trigeminal nerve) by capsaicin application (0.6 mg/mL) and electrical stimulation (0.2–1.0 mA) before and after placebo (grapefruit juice) or propranolol (oral solution diluted in grapefruit juice) in a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled cross‐over study, including healthy males (n = 10) and females on contraceptives (n = 11). Additionally, we compared our results with data from the Dutch IADB.nl prescription database by analyzing the change in triptan use after propranolol prescription in a population similar to our dermal blood flow study subjects (males and females, 20–39 years old).ResultsDermal blood flow responses to capsaicin were significantly attenuated after propranolol, but not after placebo. When stratifying by sex, no significant changes in the capsaicin‐induced dermal blood flow were observed in females after propranolol, whereas they remained significant in males. Dermal blood flow responses to electrical stimulation were not modified in any case. In our prescription database study, after propranolol, a more pronounced decrease in triptan use was observed in male patients than in female patients.InterpretationPropranolol (80 mg) inhibits capsaicin‐induced increases in dermal blood flow in a sex‐dependent manner. In patients, a more pronounced decrease in triptan use is observed in males when compared with females, suggesting an interaction between propranolol and sex steroids in the modulation of the trigeminovascular system.
Sprayable Hydrogel for Instant Sealing of Vascular Anastomosis
Authors: Muñoz Taboada Gonzalo , Dosta Pere , Edelman Elazer R. , Artzi Natalie 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBleeding‐related complications following vascular surgeries occur in up to half of the patients—500 000 cases annually in the United States alone. This results in additional procedures, increased mortality rate, and prolonged hospitalization, posing a burden on the healthcare system. Commercially available materials rely, in large, on forming covalent bonds between the tissue and the biomaterial to achieve adhesion. Here, it is shown that a biomaterial based on oxidized alginate and oxidized dextran together with polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer amine provides simultaneous electrostatic and covalent interactions between the biomaterial and the tissue, maximizing adhesion. This study finds that the material withstands supraphysiological pressures (≈300 mmHg) and prevents bleeding in a rabbit aortic puncture model and in a pig carotid bilateral poly(tetrafluoroethylene) graft model—achieving superior performance to commercially available materials such as Tisseel and BioGlue. Material biocompatibility is validated in comprehensive in vitro and in vivo studies in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines, including in vitro neutral red uptake test, subcutaneous implantation in rabbits, ames genotoxicity, and guinea pig maximization test. This material has the potential to provide with adequate seal and reduced complications following complex vascular surgeries, including hard‐to‐seal tissue–graft interfaces.
Resistive Switching of Self‐Assembled Silver Nanowire Networks Governed by Environmental Conditions
Authors: Diaz Schneider Juan Ignacio , Angelomé Paula Cecilia , Granja Leticia Paula , Quinteros Cynthia Paula , Levy Pablo Eduardo , Martínez Eduardo David 
Published: August 2022

AbstractPercolating networks formed by coated metallic nanowires have recently shown to exhibit memristive properties, opening a path for the development of neuromorphic systems. In this work, the resistive switching phenomena occurring in percolative networks of silver nanowires (AgNWs) coated with a thin layer of polyvinylpyrrolidone is studied. By performing voltage‐driven excursions, the highly‐conductive pristine state irreversibly changes to a higher resistance state. Such an electroforming procedure enables the switching among multiple resistance states. The stability and controllability of the resistance levels are found to be highly dependent on the initial state and the environmental conditions. In low relative humidity environments, the system displays the most controlled switching operation, while in high humidity environments the system shows a high conductance level. Samples with hysteretic response display sharp and spontaneous transitions to different resistance states, exhibiting multilevel memory device features. Both behaviors can be associated with regions of high local concentration of AgNWs that can couple or decouple from the conduction paths according to external stimuli. Conductivity is determined at a fundamental level by electrochemical processes at critical junctions in which water molecules play a key role. These results are relevant for the development of AgNWs‐based electronics and in‐hardware neuromorphic computing.
Converting adults with sickle cell disease from full agonist opioids to buprenorphine: A reliable method with safety and early evidence of reduced acute care utilization
Authors: David Mandy S. , Jones Jennifer , Lauriello Ashley , Nnake Ijeoma , Plazas Montana Manuela , Lasko Kyra , Buri‐Nagua Carlos , Olagbaju Yetunde , Williams Elizabeth , Sears Matthew , Salzberg Benjamin , Lanzkron Sophie M. , Carroll C. Patrick 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBuprenorphine, a novel opioid with complex pharmacology, is effective for treating pain and is qualitatively safer than high‐dose full agonist opioid therapy; but transitioning to buprenorphine can be technically complex and carries some risk of precipitated withdrawal. We report our clinic's experience converting 36 patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) from full agonist opioids to buprenorphine using a method developed in the past 10 years. Thirty of these patients were induced using a standard outpatient protocol and six were induced during medical admissions. Typically, patients were on high‐dose chronic opioid therapy (COT) with inadequate response, and often with very high acute care utilization. Unlike prior case series, the method of induction, dosing, and management of withdrawal are detailed, as are post‐induction adverse events. There were seven adverse events in the first 3 days following standard induction, and two of which were judged to be definitely related to the induction but none with any lasting sequelae. At 6 months follow‐up, five participants had discontinued buprenorphine (16.67%), and overall acute care visits dropped from a mean of 10.50 (SD 11.35) in the 6 months pre‐induction to 2.89 (SD 3.40) in the 6 months post‐induction. In an appropriately interdisciplinary care setting, buprenorphine shows promise as a safe alternative to COT with early evidence of benefit for high‐utilizing patients with SCD.
To donate, or not to donate, that is the question: Latino insights into brain donation
Authors: Morlett Paredes Alejandra , Guareña Lesley A. , Stickel Ariana M. , Schairer Cynthia E. , González Hector M. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIntroductionLatinos are underrepresented in brain autopsy research on Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The study's purpose is to identify Latinos’ attitudes about brain donation (BD) to inform methods by which researchers can increase autopsy consent.MethodsForty Latinos (mean age: 59.4 years) completed a semi‐structured interview and were presented with educational information about BD. Participants completed a questionnaire assessing their understanding of BD and willingness to donate their brain for research.ResultsAmong participants, there was near unanimous support for BD to study ADRD after hearing educational information. However, prior to the information presented, participants reported a lack of knowledge about BD and demonstrated a possibility that misunderstandings about BD may affect participation.DiscussionWhile nearly all study participants agree that donating is beneficial for research and for future generations, the lack of BD information must be addressed to help support positive attitudes and willingness for participation.
Be4B12+: A Covalently Bonded Archimedean Beryllo‐Borospherene
Authors: Dong Xue , Liu Yu‐qian , Liu Xin‐bo , Pan Sudip , Cui Zhong‐hua , Merino Gabriel 
Published: August 2022

AbstractA new class of beryllium‐boron clusters, beryllo‐borospherene, is described herein theoretically. When beryllium is gradually added to the B12 motif, it undergoes drastic structural modifications. The global minimum of the Be4B12+ cluster is an Archimedean beryllo‐borospherene in a 2A1 electronic ground state, composed of four boron triangles linked at each corner, resulting in a truncated tetrahedron with four B6 rings capped with four beryllium atoms. Beryllium forms strong bonding with the boron clusters through strong electrostatic and covalent interactions. For instance, the bonding between a beryllium atom and Be3B12 unit is best described as a Be+ fragment in a 2P excited state forming a strong and polarized electron‐sharing bond with Be3B12, followed by several dative interactions by employing its vacant s, p, and very high‐lying d orbitals. Counterintuitively, for an s‐block element, the p orbitals of beryllium are the most crucial atomic orbitals for bonding rather than s orbitals.
Improving the through‐thickness electrical conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites using interleaving conducting veils
Authors: Waqas Muhammad , Robert Colin , Arif Urwah , Radacsi Norbert , Ray Dipa , Koutsos Vasileios 
Published: August 2022

AbstractIn this study, thin carbon fiber‐based conducting veils were used as interleaving materials to improve the through‐thickness electrical conductivity of carbon fiber reinforced composites. Carbon fiber (CF) or nickel‐coated carbon fiber (NiCF) veils were used as interlayers between standard carbon fiber reinforcement fabrics. The through‐thickness electrical conductivity of the interleaved composites with CF or NiCF veils improved over 50 fold, from 0.18 to 9.47 and 9.16 S/cm, respectively, compared to the control specimens. However, the interleaved specimens exhibited a ca. 20%–24% reduction in their interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and flexural strength. The introduction of conducting veils facilitated establishing an electrical pathway between the carbon fabric plies by reducing the non‐conducting resin rich zone in the interlaminar region. This established an electrically conductive pathway across the thickness of the laminate. This study reveals that conducting veil‐interleaved composites can meet a functional integration requirement of the aerospace sector for electrical properties, and can find applications in lightning protection, EMI shielding, and structural health monitoring.
Numerical simulations on thermomechanical performance of 3D printed chopped carbon fiber‐reinforced polyamide‐6 composites: Effect of infill design
Authors: Al Rashid Ans , Koç Muammer 
Published: August 2022

Abstract3D printing (3DP) of polymer composite products and solutions mainly relies on experimental techniques for research & development and product/process/system understanding. Several studies experimentally investigated the effect of infill patterns and densities on the mechanical performance of 3D printed polymer composites. However, due to the unlimited design flexibility of 3DP processes and polymer composite recipes, it is vital to explore numerical simulation tools to speed up research and development time and reduce costs. In this study, we present the development of computational modeling for 3D printed polymer composites using a numerical simulation tool (Digimat‐AM®) to predict the fused filament fabrication process‐induced deflections, residual stresses, and warpage in 3D printed specimens. Digimat‐AM® provides a platform to simulate the fabrication of 3D printed parts, which can assist the designers, engineers, and researchers to predict the manufacturing and resulting product issues beforehand. This study aims to understand the effect of different infill patterns and densities on deflections, residual stresses, warpage, and mechanical properties on 3D printed samples. A significant impact of infill pattern and density is observed on deflections, residual stresses, and warpages from numerical simulation results. In addition, the mechanical testing simulations were performed on the specimens with 3DP process‐induced defects obtained from the process simulation results. Finally, the numerical simulation results for mechanical testing were validated and compared with physical testing on 3D printed specimens. The results found a satisfactory agreement where differences remain with an acceptable range of 0.22%–7.27%.
Experimental quantification of multiple point‐source pollution effects on juvenile freshwater mussels in a stream exposure gradient
Authors: Barák Vojtěch , Jahelková Václava , Simon Ondřej , Bílý Michal , Douda Karel 
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Population declines in freshwater mussels (Unionida) resulting from failed recruitment, together with episodic water pollution potentially leading to juvenile mussel mortality, are often suspected (but rarely well documented), even in the most strictly protected aquatic areas.
The aim of this study was to test a robust design for an in situ investigation of the water pollution effects on juvenile freshwater pearl mussel (FPM, Margaritifera margaritifera) in the protected Malše River (Czech Republic), which acts as a model system. A 30‐km river reach was delineated to include a section with previously recorded episodic multiple point‐source pollution events, as well as downstream and upstream control sections. Juvenile FPMs in open water mesh cages were exposed to river water at 15 sites in 42 exposure units (342 juveniles in individual chambers), and their survival and shell growth were assessed after a 33‐day period of low‐flow and high‐temperature conditions. The main physicochemical indicators related to municipal water pollution were measured weekly.
The study results confirmed significantly impaired water quality indicated by episodic changes in total ammonia nitrogen (up to 1.037 mg L−1), total phosphorus (up to 0.516 mg L−1) and oxygen saturation (down to 75.0%) in the impaired section. While the growth of FPM (corrected for temperature effects) was significantly increased (shell length increment: 32.7 ± 9.7% – impaired, 26.4 ± 10.0% – control sections; mean ± SD), the survival (mean ± SD) of juveniles was significantly decreased in the impaired section (86.4 ± 12.5%) compared with the control sections (97.4 ± 5.7%).
This study has demonstrated the capacity of applying a caged bivalve model at a fine spatial scale within a longitudinal river profile to document the impacts of water pollution. The methodology applied here may provide a useful tool for assessing and improving the level of water quality management and is applicable in FPM action plans and stream biotope conservation in general.
Design, synthesis, and evaluation of novel 3,4‐isoxazolediamide derivatives for the combination treatment of azole‐resistant candidiasis
Authors: Liu Lei , Sun Yixiang , Gao Zixuan , Yin Wenbo , Jiang Hong , Wu Tianxiao , Sun Yin , Qin Qiaohua , Zhao Dongmei , Cheng Maosheng 
Published: August 2022

AbstractInvasive fungal infections are emerging as serious infectious diseases worldwide. Due to the frequent emergence of resistance, the cure for invasive fungal infections is often unachievable. The molecular chaperone Hsp90 provides a promising target because it supports survival, virulence, and drug resistance in a variety of pathogens. Herein, we report on the structural optimization and structure–activity relationship studies of 3,4‐isoxazolediamide analogs. As a new class of fungal Hsp90 inhibitor, compound B25 was found to have good synergistic effects with fluconazole and to avoid potential mammalian toxicity. It also showed remarkable metabolic stability in vitro. Collectively, B25 could be a promising lead compound for drug discovery targeting fungal Hsp90 and deserves further investigation.
Mechanistic study of the antibacterial potential of the prenylated flavonoid auriculasin against Escherichia coli
Authors: Mohamed Malik S. , Abdelkader Karim , Gomaa Hesham A. M. , Batubara Afnan S. , Gamal Mohammed , Sayed Ahmed M. 
Published: August 2022

AbstractBacterial resistance is spreading in an alarming manner, outpacing the rate of development of new antibacterial agents and surging the need for effective alternatives. Prenylated flavonoids are a promising class of natural antibiotics with reported activity against a wide range of resistant pathogens. Here, a large library of natural flavonoids (1718 structures) was virtually screened for potential candidates inhibiting the B‐subunit of gyrase (Gyr‐B). Twenty‐eight candidates, predominated by prenylated flavonoids, appeared as promising hits. Six of them were selected for further in vitro antibacterial and Gyr‐B enzyme inhibitory activities. Auriculasin is presented as the most potent antibacterial candidate, with a MIC ranging from 2 to 4 µg/ml against two clinically isolated multidrug‐resistant Escherichia coli strains. Mechanistic antibacterial analysis revealed auriculasin inhibitory activity towards the Gyr‐B enzyme on the micromolar scale (IC50 = 0.38 ± 0.15 µM). Gyr‐B interaction was further detailed by conducting an isothermal titration calorimetric experiment, which revealed a competitive inhibition with a high affinity for the Gyr‐B active site, achieved mostly through enthalpic interactions (ΔGbinding = −10.69 kcal/mol). Molecular modeling and physics‐based simulations demonstrated the molecule's manner of fitting inside the Gyr‐B active site, indicating a very potential nucleus for the future generation of more potent derivatives. To conclude, prenylated flavonoids are interesting antibacterial candidates with anti‐Gyr‐B mechanism of action that can be obtained from a plant‐derived flavonoid.
Label‐free Sensing of Main Protease Activity of SARS‐CoV‐2 with an Aerolysin Nanopore
Authors: Zhou Xin , Tang Ruping , Li Yusen , Zhang Shusheng , Xi Dongmei 
Published: August 2022

AbstractThe main protease (Mpro), which is highly conserved and plays a critical role in the replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), is a natural biomarker for SARS‐CoV‐2. Accurate assessment of the Mpro activity is crucial for the detection of SARS‐CoV‐2. Herein, we report a nanopore‐based sensing strategy that uses an enzyme‐catalyzed cleavage reaction of a peptide substrate to measure the Mpro activity. The peptide was specifically cleaved by the Mpro, thereby releasing the output products that, when translocated through aerolysin, quantitatively produced the signature current events. The proposed method exhibited high sensitivity, allowing the detection of Mpro concentrations as low as 1 nM without the use of any signal amplification techniques. This simple, convenient, and label‐free nanopore assay may expand the diagnostic tools for viruses.
Risk of exposure to prescription opioids in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: A nationwide longitudinal study
Authors: Hsu Ju‐Wei , Tsai Shih‐Jen , Bai Ya‐Mei , Huang Kai‐Lin , Su Tung‐Ping , Chen Tzeng‐Ji , Chen Mu‐Hong 
Published: August 2022

AbstractWhether children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are more likely to be exposed to prescription opioids than others remains unknown. The Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was employed, and 14,849 children and adolescents with ASD and 148,490 age‐ and sex‐matched non‐ASD controls were enrolled between 2001 and 2009 and followed up till the end of 2011. Those exposed to prescription opioids during the follow‐up period were identified. Patients with ASD were more likely to be exposed to prescription opioids (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.95, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.50–5.45), including intravenous or intramuscular opioids (HR: 5.80, 95% CI: 5.23–6.43) and oral or transcutaneous opioids (HR: 2.32, 95% CI: 1.87–2.89), than were non‐ASD controls. Furthermore, the ASD cohort had the increased likelihood of cumulative exposure of >14 days (HR: 6.19, 95% CI: 4.91–7.79) and >30 days (HR: 7.17, 95% CI: 5.19–9.90) to prescription opioids compared with the control cohort. ASD was a risk factor for exposure to prescription opioids. Close monitoring of prescription opioid use is necessary for at‐risk children and adolescents with ASD, such as those having with or chronic pain. We found that patients with ASD were more likely to be exposed to prescription opioids, including intravenous or intramuscular opioids and oral or transcutaneous opioids, than were non‐ASD controls. We suggest that close monitoring of prescription opioid use is necessary for at‐risk children and adolescents with ASD, such as those having with or chronic pain.