bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dentin tubule occlusion by a 38% silver diamine fluoride gel: an in vitro investigation
Authors: Kiesow Andreas , Menzel Matthias , Lippert Frank , Tanzer Jason M. , Milgrom Peter 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Objective
Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is effective in treatment of dentin hypersensitivity and caries lesions. However, the non-viscous solution does not easily allow clinicians to control the application area. A 38% SDF experiment gel was compared in vitro to commercial SDF for its ability to penetrate and occlude dentinal tubules.

Materials and methods
Human root surface dentin specimens were treated with gelled or standard 38% SDF or negative control. Penetration behavior was established by Drop Shape Analysis. Precipitates at the surface and within tubules were analyzed by SEM and EDX after treatment; Results: penetration depths up to 500 µm were observed for both SDF formulations. Both formulations occluded dentinal tubules similarly. Precipitates on the dentin surface and within dentinal tubules were found for both SDF formulations, with a slight tendency for the experimental gel SDF product to be more abundant than the commercially available one. Discussion: behavior of the experimental 38% SDF gel formulation appeared indistinguishable from the commercial 38% SDF product with respect to dentinal tubule penetration and occlusion.

Conclusions
The experimental 38% SDF gel may be a suitable intervention for the prevention of dentin hypersensitivity.
Handheld SERS coupled with QuEChERs for the sensitive analysis of multiple pesticides in basmati rice
Authors: Logan Natasha , Haughey Simon A. , Liu Lin , Burns D. Thorburn , Quinn Brian , Cao Cuong , Elliott Christopher T. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPesticides are a safety issue globally and cause serious concerns for the environment, wildlife and human health. The handheld detection of four pesticide residues widely used in Basmati rice production using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is reported. Different SERS substrates were synthesised and their plasmonic and Raman scattering properties evaluated. Using this approach, detection limits for pesticide residues were achieved within the range of 5 ppb-75 ppb, in solvent. Various extraction techniques were assessed to recover pesticide residues from spiked Basmati rice. Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe (QuEChERs) acetate extraction was applied and characteristic spectral data for each pesticide was obtained from the spiked matrix and analysed using handheld-SERS. This approach allowed detection limits within the matrix conditions to be markedly improved, due to the rapid aggregation of nanogold caused by the extraction medium. Thus, detection limits for three out of four pesticides were detectable below the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) of 10 ppb in Basmati rice. Furthermore, the multiplexing performance of handheld-SERS was assessed in solvent and matrix conditions. This study highlights the great potential of handheld-SERS for the rapid on-site detection of pesticide residues in rice and other commodities.
Elucidating functional epitopes within the N-terminal region of malaria transmission blocking vaccine antigen Pfs230
Authors: Miura Kazutoyo , Takashima Eizo , Pham Thao P. , Deng Bingbing , Zhou Luwen , Huang Wei-Chiao , Diouf Ababacar , Gebremicale Yonas T. , Tachibana Mayumi , Ishino Tomoko , Richter King C. , Lovell Jonathan F. , Long Carole A. , Tsuboi Takafumi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPfs230 is a leading malaria transmission blocking vaccine (TBV) candidate. Comprising 3135 amino acids (aa), the large size of Pfs230 necessitates the use of sub-fragments as vaccine immunogens. Therefore, determination of which regions induce functional antibody responses is essential. We previously reported that of 27 sub-fragments spanning the entire molecule, only five induced functional antibodies. A “functional” antibody is defined herein as one that inhibitsPlasmodium falciparumparasite development in mosquitoes in a standard membrane-feeding assay (SMFA). These five sub-fragments were found within the aa 443–1274 range, and all contained aa 543–730. Here, we further pinpoint the location of epitopes within Pfs230 that are recognized by functional antibodies using antibody depletion and enrichment techniques. Functional epitopes were not found within the aa 918–1274 region. Within aa 443–917, further analysis showed the existence of functional epitopes not only within the aa 543–730 region but also outside of it. Affinity-purified antibodies using a synthetic peptide matching aa 543–588 showed activity in the SMFA. Immunization with a synthetic peptide comprising this segment, formulated either as a carrier-protein conjugate vaccine or with a liposomal vaccine adjuvant system, induced antibodies in mice that were functional in the SMFA. These findings provide key insights for Pfs230-based vaccine design and establish the feasibility for the use of synthetic peptide antigens for a malaria TBV.
Measuring operational and quality-adjusted efficiency of Chilean water companies
Authors: Sala-Garrido Ramon , Mocholí-Arce Manuel , Molinos-Senante Maria , Maziotis Alexandros 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe path to a sustainable management of the urban water cycle requires the assessment of both operational and quality-adjusted efficiency in a unified manner. This can be done by the use of non-radial Data Envelopment Analysis models. This study used Range Adjusted Measure models to evaluate the operational, quality-adjusted, and operational & quality-adjusted efficiency (O&QAE) scores of the Chilean water industry including water leakage and unplanned interruptions as undesirable outputs. It was found that on average water utilities presented large O&QAE scores over time. The mean O&QAE score was 0.964 which means that water utilities could further reduce costs and undesirable outputs by 3.6% on average, while trying to expand the scale of operation. This finding suggests that excellent quality-adjusted efficiency at an efficient expenditure could be feasible. It was also evidenced that customer density, mixed water resources, and ownership influenced the O&QAE of Chilean water companies.
Artificial intelligence for diagnosis and Gleason grading of prostate cancer: the PANDA challenge
Authors: Bulten Wouter , Kartasalo Kimmo , Chen Po-Hsuan Cameron , Ström Peter , Pinckaers Hans , Nagpal Kunal , Cai Yuannan , Steiner David F. , van Boven Hester , Vink Robert , Hulsbergen-van de Kaa Christina , van der Laak Jeroen , Amin Mahul B. , Evans Andrew J. , van der Kwast Theodorus , Allan Robert , Humphrey Peter A. , Grönberg Henrik , Samaratunga Hemamali , Delahunt Brett , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Häkkinen Tomi , Egevad Lars , Demkin Maggie , Dane Sohier , Tan Fraser , Valkonen Masi , Corrado Greg S. , Peng Lily , Mermel Craig H. , Ruusuvuori Pekka , Litjens Geert , Eklund Martin ,   the PANDA challenge consortium, Brilhante Américo , Çakır Aslı , Farré Xavier , Geronatsiou Katerina , Molinié Vincent , Pereira Guilherme , Roy Paromita , Saile Günter , Salles Paulo G. O. , Schaafsma Ewout , Tschui Joëlle , Billoch-Lima Jorge , Pereira Emíio M. , Zhou Ming , He Shujun , Song Sejun , Sun Qing , Yoshihara Hiroshi , Yamaguchi Taiki , Ono Kosaku , Shen Tao , Ji Jianyi , Roussel Arnaud , Zhou Kairong , Chai Tianrui , Weng Nina , Grechka Dmitry , Shugaev Maxim V. , Kiminya Raphael , Kovalev Vassili , Voynov Dmitry , Malyshev Valery , Lapo Elizabeth , Campos Manuel , Ota Noriaki , Yamaoka Shinsuke , Fujimoto Yusuke , Yoshioka Kentaro , Juvonen Joni , Tukiainen Mikko , Karlsson Antti , Guo Rui , Hsieh Chia-Lun , Zubarev Igor , Bukhar Habib S. T. , Li Wenyuan , Li Jiayun , Speier William , Arnold Corey , Kim Kyungdoc , Bae Byeonguk , Kim Yeong Won , Lee Hong-Seok , Park Jeonghyuk 
Published: January 2022

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) has shown promise for diagnosing prostate cancer in biopsies. However, results have been limited to individual studies, lacking validation in multinational settings. Competitions have been shown to be accelerators for medical imaging innovations, but their impact is hindered by lack of reproducibility and independent validation. With this in mind, we organized the PANDA challenge—the largest histopathology competition to date, joined by 1,290 developers—to catalyze development of reproducible AI algorithms for Gleason grading using 10,616 digitized prostate biopsies. We validated that a diverse set of submitted algorithms reached pathologist-level performance on independent cross-continental cohorts, fully blinded to the algorithm developers. On United States and European external validation sets, the algorithms achieved agreements of 0.862 (quadratically weighted κ, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.840–0.884) and 0.868 (95% CI, 0.835–0.900) with expert uropathologists. Successful generalization across different patient populations, laboratories and reference standards, achieved by a variety of algorithmic approaches, warrants evaluating AI-based Gleason grading in prospective clinical trials.
Extension of human GCSF serum half-life by the fusion of albumin binding domain
Authors: Nikravesh Fatemeh Yadavar , Shirkhani Samira , Bayat Elham , Talebkhan Yeganeh , Mirabzadeh Esmat , Sabzalinejad Masoumeh , Aliabadi Hooman Aghamirza Moghim , Nematollahi Leila , Ardakani Yalda Hosseinzadeh , Sardari Soroush 
Published: January 2022

AbstractGranulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) can decrease mortality of patients undergo chemotherapy through increasing neutrophil counts. Many strategies have been developed to improve its blood circulating time. Albumin binding domain (ABD) was genetically fused to N-terminal end of GCSF encoding sequence and expressed as cytoplasmic inclusion bodies within Escherichia coli. Biological activity of ABD-GCSF protein was assessed by proliferation assay on NFS-60 cells. Physicochemical properties were analyzed through size exclusion chromatography, circular dichroism, intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetic properties were also investigated in a neutropenic rat model. CD and IFS spectra revealed that ABD fusion to GCSF did not significantly affect the secondary and tertiary structures of the molecule. DLS and SEC results indicated the absence of aggregation formation. EC50 value of the ABD-GCSF in proliferation of NFS-60 cells was 75.76 pg/ml after 72 h in comparison with control GCSF molecules (Filgrastim: 73.1 pg/ml and PEG-Filgrastim: 44.6 pg/ml). Animal studies of ABD-GCSF represented improved serum half-life (9.3 ± 0.7 h) and consequently reduced renal clearance (16.1 ± 1.4 ml/h.kg) in comparison with Filgrastim (1.7 ± 0.1 h). Enhanced neutrophils count following administration of ABD-GCSF was comparable with Filgrastim and weaker than PEG-Filgrastim treated rats. In vitro and in vivo results suggested the ABD fusion as a potential approach for improving GCSF properties.
Pterostilbene downregulates BCR/ABL and induces apoptosis of T315I-mutated BCR/ABL-positive leukemic cells
Authors: Kawakami Shohei , Tsuma-Kaneko Mitsuyo , Sawanobori Masakazu , Uno Tomoko , Nakamura Yoshihiko , Matsuzawa Hideyuki , Suzuki Rikio , Onizuka Makoto , Yahata Takashi , Naka Kazuhito , Ando Kiyoshi , Kawada Hiroshi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn this study, we examined the antileukemic effects of pterostilbene, a natural methylated polyphenol analog of resveratrol that is predominantly found in berries and nuts, using various human and murine leukemic cells, as well as bone marrow samples obtained from patients with leukemia. Pterostilbene administration significantly induced apoptosis of leukemic cells, but not of non-malignant hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. Interestingly, pterostilbene was highly effective in inducing apoptosis of leukemic cells harboring the BCR/ABL fusion gene, including ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-resistant cells with the T315I mutation. In BCR/ABL+ leukemic cells, pterostilbene decreased the BCR/ABL fusion protein levels and suppressed AKT and NF-κB activation. We further demonstrated that pterostilbene along with U0126, an inhibitor of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway, synergistically induced apoptosis of BCR/ABL+ cells. Our results further suggest that pterostilbene-promoted downregulation of BCR/ABL involves caspase activation triggered by proteasome inhibition-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress. Moreover, oral administration of pterostilbene significantly suppressed tumor growth in mice transplanted with BCR/ABL+ leukemic cells. Taken together, these results suggest that pterostilbene may hold potential for the treatment of BCR/ABL+ leukemia, in particular for those showing ABL-dependent TKI resistance.
Entropy generation of MHD flow of sodium alginate (C6H9NAO7) fluid in thermal engineering
Authors: Abdelhameed T. N. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn this paper, impacts of magnetic field and porosity on the entropy generation of sodium-alginate (C6H9NaO7) fluid are studied. C6H9NaO7 is taken over a moving and heated vertical wall. Heat transfer is due to free convection. Initially, the problem is formulated in the form of PDEs along with physical conditions and then written in non-dimensional form. Problem is solved via Laplace transform and expression in analytical form is established for temperature and velocity field. The related relations for entropy generation and Bejan number and entropy generation are also examined. Nusselt number and Skin-friction are calculated and plotted in graphs. For numerical computations, a finite difference scheme is used using MATLAB software. The results in tables and graphs are discussed for embedded parameters. It is found that the magnetic field and porosity have strong influence on velocity, entropy generation and Bejan number. For greater Hartman number, entropy generation magnitude is greater compared to the Bejan number, conversely, this variation in Bejan number is more efficient. The porosity effect showed that if the medium is more porous, the entropy generation can decreases 50% when porosity increase from Ka = 1 to Ka = 2, however the Bejan number increases.
Development and validation of a prediction model to estimate risk of acute pulmonary embolism in deep vein thrombosis patients
Authors: Li You , He Yuncong , Meng Yan , Fu Bowen , Xue Shuanglong , Kang Mengyang , Duan Zhenzhen , Chen Yan , Wang Yifan , Tian Hongyan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractVenous thromboembolism (VTE), clinically presenting as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE). Not all DVT patients carry the same risk of developing acute pulmonary embolism (APE). To develop and validate a prediction model to estimate risk of APE in DVT patients combined with past medical history, clinical symptoms, physical signs, and the sign of the electrocardiogram. We analyzed data from a retrospective cohort of patients who were diagnosed as symptomatic VTE from 2013 to 2018 (n = 1582). Among them, 122 patients were excluded. All enrolled patients confirmed by pulmonary angiography or computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and compression venous ultrasonography. Using the LASSO and logistics regression, we derived a predictive model with 16 candidate variables to predict the risk of APE and completed internal validation. Overall, 52.9% patients had DVT + APE (773 vs 1460), 47.1% patients only had DVT (687 vs 1460). The APE risk prediction model included one pre-existing disease or condition (respiratory failure), one risk factors (infection), three symptoms (dyspnea, hemoptysis and syncope), five signs (skin cold clammy, tachycardia, diminished respiration, pulmonary rales and accentuation/splitting of P2), and six ECG indicators (SIQIIITIII, right axis deviation, left axis deviation, S1S2S3, T wave inversion and Q/q wave), of which all were positively associated with APE. The ROC curves of the model showed AUC of 0.79 (95% CI, 0.77–0.82) and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.76–0.84) in the training set and testing set. The model showed good predictive accuracy (calibration slope, 0.83 and Brier score, 0.18). Based on a retrospective single-center population study, we developed a novel prediction model to identify patients with different risks for APE in DVT patients, which may be useful for quickly estimating the probability of APE before obtaining definitive test results and speeding up emergency management processes.
Dysfunction of low-density neutrophils in peripheral circulation in patients with sepsis
Authors: Sun Ran , Huang Jiamin , Yang Yunxi , Liu Lu , Shao Yiming , Li Linbin , Sun Bingwei 
Published: January 2022

AbstractLow-density neutrophils (LDNs) have been described in tumors and various autoimmune diseases, where they exhibit immune dysfunction and alter disease progression. Nevertheless, LDNs have been rarely reported in sepsis. We studied sepsis patients admitted to the intensive care unit. Wright-Giemsa stain assay and Transmission electron microscopy were performed to detect the morphology of neutrophils. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the number and function of LDNs. Concentration of cytokines was measured using ELISA. Neutrophil chemotaxis was examined using an under-agarose chemotaxis model. We found that LDNs were significantly elevated in patients with sepsis. Phenotypes and morphological characteristics suggest that LDNs may be formed by mixtures of neutrophils at various maturation stages. In vitro experiments showed that LDN formation was closely associated with neutrophil degranulation. We preliminarily discussed changes in immune function in LDNs. Compared with high-density neutrophils, expression levels of CXC chemokine receptor 4 on LDN surfaces were increased, phagocytotic capacity was decreased, and life span was prolonged. The chemotactic ability of LDNs was significantly reduced, possibly related to the increased expression of P2X1. These data suggest that LDNs are essential components of neutrophils in sepsis. To clarify the source and dysfunction mechanism of LDN in sepsis may be helpful for the diagnosis and treatment of sepsis in the future.
The impact of calcitriol and estradiol on the SARS-CoV-2 biological activity: a molecular modeling approach
Authors: Mansouri Alireza , Kowsar Rasoul , Zakariazadeh Mostafa , Hakimi Hassan , Miyamoto Akio 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is currently a big concern around the world. Recent reports show that the disease severity and mortality of COVID-19 infected patients may vary from gender to gender with a very high risk of death for seniors. In addition, some steroid structures have been reported to affect coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, function and activity. The entry of SARS-CoV-2 into host cells depends on the binding of coronavirus spike protein to angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2). Viral main protease is essential for the replication of SARS-CoV-2. It was hypothesized that steroid molecules (e.g., estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisone and calcitriol) could occupy the active site of the protease and could alter the interaction of spike protein with ACE2. Computational data showed that estradiol interacted more strongly with the main protease active site. In the presence of calcitriol, the binding energy of the spike protein to ACE2 was increased, and transferring Apo to Locked S conformer of spike trimer was facilitated. Together, the interaction between spike protein and ACE2 can be disrupted by calcitriol. Potential use of estradiol and calcitriol to reduce virus invasion and replication needs clinical investigation.
Dirac lines and loop at the Fermi level in the time-reversal symmetry breaking superconductor LaNiGa2
Authors: Badger Jackson R. , Quan Yundi , Staab Matthew C. , Sumita Shuntaro , Rossi Antonio , Devlin Kasey P. , Neubauer Kelly , Shulman Daniel S. , Fettinger James C. , Klavins Peter , Kauzlarich Susan M. , Aoki Dai , Vishik Inna M. , Pickett Warren E. , Taufour Valentin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractUnconventional superconductors have Cooper pairs with lower symmetries than in conventional superconductors. In most unconventional superconductors, the additional symmetry breaking occurs in relation to typical ingredients such as strongly correlated Fermi liquid phases, magnetic fluctuations, or strong spin-orbit coupling in noncentrosymmetric structures. In this article, we show that the time-reversal symmetry breaking in the superconductor LaNiGa2 is enabled by its previously unknown topological electronic band structure, with Dirac lines and a Dirac loop at the Fermi level. Two symmetry related Dirac points even remain degenerate under spin-orbit coupling. These unique topological features enable an unconventional superconducting gap in which time-reversal symmetry can be broken in the absence of other typical ingredients. Our findings provide a route to identify a new type of unconventional superconductors based on nonsymmorphic symmetries and will enable future discoveries of topological crystalline superconductors.
Organic carbon burial in Mediterranean sapropels intensified during Green Sahara Periods since 3.2 Myr ago
Authors: Grant Katharine M. , Amarathunga Udara , Amies Jessica D. , Hu Pengxiang , Qian Yao , Penny Tiah , Rodriguez-Sanz Laura , Zhao Xiang , Heslop David , Liebrand Diederik , Hennekam Rick , Westerhold Thomas , Gilmore Stewart , Lourens Lucas J. , Roberts Andrew P. , Rohling Eelco J. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractDark organic-rich layers (sapropels) have accumulated in Mediterranean sediments since the Miocene due to deep-sea dysoxia and enhanced carbon burial at times of intensified North African run-off during Green Sahara Periods (GSPs). The existence of orbital precession-dominated Saharan aridity/humidity cycles is well known, but lack of long-term, high-resolution records hinders understanding of their relationship with environmental evolution. Here we present continuous, high-resolution geochemical and environmental magnetic records for the Eastern Mediterranean spanning the past 5.2 million years, which reveal that organic burial intensified 3.2 Myr ago. We deduce that fluvial terrigenous sediment inputs during GSPs doubled abruptly at this time, whereas monsoon run-off intensity remained relatively constant. We hypothesize that increased sediment mobilization resulted from an abrupt non-linear North African landscape response associated with a major increase in arid:humid contrasts between GSPs and intervening dry periods. The timing strongly suggests a link to the onset of intensified northern hemisphere glaciation.
Experiments on plasma dynamics of electrical wire explosion in air
Authors: Han Ruoyu , Li Chen , Yuan Wei , Ouyang Jiting , Wu Jiawei , Wang Yanan , Ding Weidong , Zhang Yongmin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBesides a typical high‐density plasma source, electrical explosion of conductors is also indispensable in switches, nanomaterial synthesis, shock‐wave sources, etc. In this paper, an experimental study regarding plasma dynamics of electrical wire explosions (μs‐timescale) is presented, with spatiotemporal resolved diagnostics. Pure Cu/Ni wire and Cu‐Ni alloy wire were used and compared. The alloy wire usually has a higher resistivity, resulting in a higher initial energy deposition (heating) rate. Abel inverse transformation indicated that the plasma radiation focussed on the outer region of the discharge channel for the alloy wire. In addition, the metallic vapour determined by the material properties had a considerable influence on the plasma process and resulting nanomaterials. In particular, both transverse and axial‐layered structures were observed in alloy wire vapour. In addition, for the first time, the expanding arc‐like plasma of explosion products was understood and examined from aspects of material properties and energy relaxation. The later stage of wire explosion resembled the state of regular metal vapour arcs under 1 MPa pressure. Finally, the core factor for the fast energy deposition stage of wire explosion was ascertained. Correlations between pre‐exposition circuit parameters and post‐explosion dynamic effects were found, which is significant for practical applications.