bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Retinal pigment epithelium-specific CLIC4 mutant is a mouse model of dry age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Chuang Jen-Zen , Yang Nan , Nakajima Nobuyuki , Otsu Wataru , Fu Cheng , Yang Howard Hua , Lee Maxwell Ping , Akbar Armaan Fazal , Badea Tudor Constantin , Guo Ziqi , Nuruzzaman Afnan , Hsu Kuo-Shun , Dunaief Joshua L. , Sung Ching-Hwa 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness among the elderly. Dry AMD has unclear etiology and no treatment. Lipid-rich drusen are the hallmark of dry AMD. An AMD mouse model and insights into drusenogenesis are keys to better understanding of this disease. Chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4) is a pleomorphic protein regulating diverse biological functions. Here we show that retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-specific Clic4 knockout mice exhibit a full spectrum of functional and pathological hallmarks of dry AMD. Multidisciplinary longitudinal studies of disease progression in these mice support a mechanistic model that links RPE cell-autonomous aberrant lipid metabolism and transport to drusen formation.
Differences between expert reported and patient reported burden of disease rankings
Authors: Broekharst Damien S. E. , Bloem Sjaak , Groenland Edward A. G. , van Raaij W. Fred , van Agthoven Michel 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMany attempted to develop burden of disease rankings for the purpose of resource allocation, priority setting, cost-effectiveness evaluation, and service development in healthcare. As this proved difficult the World Health Organization commissioned expert panels to develop internally consistent burden of disease rankings. Although these rankings provide valuable insight in the biomedical burden of different diseases, they do not yet provide insight in the psychological burden of different diseases experienced and reported by patients on a daily basis. Since expert reported and patient reported burden of disease could differ, deviations between expert reported and patient reported burden of disease rankings are likely. To explore how these rankings differ, it is important to develop patient reported burden of disease rankings and compare these to expert reported burden of disease rankings. In this study patient reported burden of disease rankings were developed by ranking the subjective health experience of patients. To measure subjective health experience an online questionnaire was administered to a large panel of Dutch citizens. The final sample consisted of 58,490 panel members. This final sample contained 36 diseases and was largely representative of the Dutch population. The data were analysed by using reliability tests, descriptive statistics and Spearman rank-order correlation coefficients. This study shows that expert reported and patient reported burden of disease rankings could differ. Burden of cardiovascular diseases ranks low on patient reported burden of disease rankings, while it ranks higher on expert reported burden of disease rankings. Burden of psychiatric diseases and gastrointestinal diseases ranks high on patient reported burden of disease rankings, while it ranks lower on expert reported burden of disease rankings. Burden of pain diseases ranks high on patient reported burden of disease rankings, while it is still overlooked in expert reported burden of disease rankings. This study suggests that it can be beneficial to develop and utilize patient reported burden of disease rankings in addition to the already existing expert reported burden of disease rankings in order to establish a more comprehensive perspective on burden of disease. This could improve decision-making on resource allocation, priority setting, cost-effectiveness evaluation, and service development in healthcare.
Facial mask personalization encourages facial mask wearing in times of COVID-19
Authors: Palcu Johanna , Schreier Martin , Janiszewski Chris 
Published: January 2022

AbstractOne of the most cost-effective strategies for fighting the spread of COVID-19 is the use of facial masks. Despite health officials’ strong efforts to communicate the importance or wearing a mask, compliance has been low in many countries. In the present paper we propose a novel behavior-intervention strategy to encourage people to wear facial masks. Three studies show that the personalization of a mask, as a form of identity expression, increases mask wearing intentions and, by extension, the percentage of individuals who wear facial masks. Given that mask wearing remains a necessity after deployment of the first vaccines, novel approaches to encouraging mask wearing are essential. Linking facial mask wearing to an individual’s identity is a promising strategy.
Switchable deep eutectic solvent driven micellar extractive fermentation of ultrapure fibrin digesting enzyme from Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Muniasamy Ramya , Balamurugan Bhavani Sowndharya , Rajamahendran Devi , Rathnasamy Senthilkumar 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFibrinolytic protease (FLP) is a therapeutic enzyme used in the treatment of thrombolytic diseases. The present study proposed the concept of pH-driven swappable micellar two-phase extraction for the concurrent production and purification of FLP from Bacillus subtilis at cloud point extraction. Extractive fermentation was carried out with a pH swap mechanism and FLP was extracted to the top phase by surfactant deep eutectic solvents (SDES). Shrimp waste was chosen as a sustainable low-cost substrate that yielded a maximum protease of 185 U/mg. Six SDESs were synthesized with nonionic surfactants as hydrogen bond donors and quaternary ammonium salts as hydrogen bond acceptors and their association was confirmed by H1 NMR. Thermophysical investigation of the synthetic SDES was accomplished as a function of temperature. Response surface methodology for extractive fermentation was performed with the concentration of SADES (35% w/v), Na2SO4 (15% w/v) and pH (6.3) as variables and the enzyme activity (248 IU/mg) as a response. Furthermore, purification using gel filtration chromatography was used to quantify the amount of enzyme obtained in the extraction phase (849 IU/ml). After final purification with an anion exchange column, the maximum purity fold (22.32) with enzyme activity (1172 IU/ml) was achieved. The in-vitro fibrinolytic activity has been confirmed using a fibrin plate assay.
The impact of antimicrobial stewardship program designed to shorten antibiotics use on the incidence of resistant bacterial infections and mortality
Authors: Huang Ling-Ju , Chen Su-Jung , Hu Yu-Wen , Liu Chun-Yu , Wu Ping-Feng , Sun Shu-Mei , Lee Shih-Yi , Chen Yin-Yin , Lee Chung-Yuan , Chan Yu-Jiun , Chou Yueh-Ching , Wang Fu-Der 
Published: January 2022

AbstractReassessing the continuing need for and choice of antibiotics by using an antibiotic “time out’’ program may reduce unnecessary treatment. This study aimed to explore the effect of an antibiotic stewardship program (ASP) on the antibiotics consumption, incidence of resistant bacterial infections and overall hospital mortality in a tertiary medical center during the study period 2012–2014. An ASP composed of multidisciplinary strategies including pre-prescription approval and post-approval feedback and audit, and a major “time out’’ intervention (shorten the default antibiotic prescription duration) usage was introduced in year 2013. Consumption of antibiotics was quantified by calculating defined daily doses (DDDs). Interrupted time series (ITS) analysis was used to explore the changes of antibiotics consumption before and after intervention, accounting for temporal trends that may be unrelated to intervention. Our results showed that following the intervention, DDDs showed a decreased trend in overall (in particular the major consumed penicillins and cephalosporins), in both intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU, and in non-restrictive versus restrictive antibiotics. Importantly, ITS analysis showed a significantly slope change since intervention (slope change p value 0.007), whereas the incidence of carbapenem-resistant and vancomycin-resistant pathogens did not change significantly. Moreover, annual overall mortality rates were 3.0%, 3.1% and 3.1% from 2012 to 2014, respectively. This study indicates that implementing a multi-disciplinary strategy to shorten the default duration of antibiotic prescription can be an effective manner to reduce antibiotic consumption while not compromising resistant infection incidence or mortality rates.
Prediction of diabetes mellitus induced by steroid overtreatment in adrenal insufficiency
Authors: Guarnotta Valentina , Tomasello Laura , Giordano Carla 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTo assess the differences between patients with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) and prediabetes/diabetes mellitus (DM) in secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI). We cross-sectionally evaluated 102, out of a total of 140, patients with SAI, who were on hydrocortisone (HC) (n = 50) and cortisone acetate (n = 52) replacement therapy. Clinical, anthropometric, and metabolic parameters were compared in patients with NGT (n = 60) and DM (n = 42). Patients with prediabetes/DM have a more marked family history of DM (p = 0.002), BMI (p < 0.001), higher waist circumference (p < 0.001), total cholesterol (p = 0.012), LDL-cholesterol (p = 0.004), triglycerides (p = 0.031), fasting glucose (p = 0.002), fasting insulin (p = 0.035), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (p = 0.018), HOMA-IR (p = 0.039), area under curves of glucose (p = 0.001) and insulin (p = 0.002), HbA1c (p < 0.001), Visceral adiposity index (VAI) (p = 0.038) and lower ISI-Matsuda (p = 0.008) and oral disposition index (p < 0.001) than patients with NGT. Multivariate analysis showed that family history of DM and VAI are independent predictive factors for DM in patients with SAI. Family history of DM and VAI can be predictors of the development of DM in patients with SAI and need to be investigated during steroid replacement therapy. Interestingly, the type and the dose of replacement steroid do not impact on diabetes mellitus.
Gradual exposure to Coriolis force induces sensorimotor adaptation with no change in peripersonal space
Authors: Leclere Nicolas X. , Sarlegna Fabrice R. , Coello Yann , Bourdin Christophe 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe space immediately surrounding the body is crucial for the organization of voluntary motor actions and seems to be functionally represented in the brain according to motor capacities. However, despite extensive research, little is known about how the representation of peripersonal space is adjusted to new action capacities. Abrupt exposure to a new force field has been shown to cause the representation of peripersonal space to shrink, possibly reflecting a conservative spatial strategy triggered by consciously-perceived motor errors. The present study assessed whether the representation of peripersonal space is influenced by gradual exposure of reaching movements to a new force field, produced by a stepwise acceleration of a rotating platform. We hypothesized that such gradual exposure would induce progressive sensorimotor adaptation to motor errors, albeit too small to be consciously perceived. In contrast, we hypothesized that reachability judgments, used as a proxy of peripersonal space representation, would not be significantly affected. Results showed that gradual exposure to Coriolis force produced a systematic after-effect on reaching movements but no significant change in reachability judgments. We speculate that the conscious experience of large motor errors may influence the updating of the representation of peripersonal space.
Amino acid residue at position 188 determines the UV-sensitive bistable property of vertebrate non-visual opsin Opn5
Authors: Fujiyabu Chihiro , Sato Keita , Nishio Yukimi , Imamoto Yasushi , Ohuchi Hideyo , Shichida Yoshinori , Yamashita Takahiro 
Published: January 2022

AbstractOpsins are G protein-coupled receptors specialized for photoreception in animals. Opn5 is categorized in an independent opsin group and functions for various non-visual photoreceptions. Among vertebrate Opn5 subgroups (Opn5m, Opn5L1 and Opn5L2), Opn5m and Opn5L2 bind 11-cis retinal to form a UV-sensitive resting state, which is inter-convertible with the all-trans retinal bound active state by photoreception. Thus, these opsins are characterized as bistable opsins. To assess the molecular basis of the UV-sensitive bistable property, we introduced comprehensive mutations at Thr188, which is well conserved among these opsins. The mutations in Opn5m drastically hampered 11-cis retinal incorporation and the bistable photoreaction. Moreover, T188C mutant Opn5m exclusively bound all-trans retinal and thermally self-regenerated to the original form after photoreception, which is similar to the photocyclic property of Opn5L1 bearing Cys188. Therefore, the residue at position 188 underlies the UV-sensitive bistable property of Opn5m and contributes to the diversification of vertebrate Opn5 subgroups.
A fully noble-metal-free electrocatalyst based on a cobalt-polyoxometalate immobilized in a layered double hydroxide for water oxidation at neutral pH
Authors: Yu Li , Liang Qin 
Published: January 2022

We synthesized an immobilized catalyst [PCoW11O39]5-/Tris-LDH (Co-POM/T-LDH). This is the first time that a POM-based immobilized catalyst, devoid of any noble metal, as an efficient and durable electrocatalyst for water oxidation at neutral pH.
Inspiratory Muscle Training for Asthmatic Patients: A Meta-Analysis
of Randomized Controlled Studies
Authors: Chen Ying , Fu Haibin 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Introduction The efficacy of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) for asthma
control remains controversial. We conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis
to explore the influence of IMT on asthma control.
Methods We search PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane
library databases through May 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
assessing the efficacy of IMT for asthma control. This meta-analysis is
performed using the random-effect model.
Results Six RCTs are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with
control group for asthma, IMT can remarkably increase MIP (SMD=3.32;
95% CI=1.73 to 4.91; P<0.0001) and decrease dyspnea
scores (SMD=−0.77; 95% CI=−1.34 to
−0.21; P=0.007), but has no obvious effect on FEV1
(SMD=0.36; 95% CI=−0.74 to 1.45; P=0.52)
or FVC (SMD=2.09; 95% CI=−0.70 to 4.89;
P=0.14).
Conclusions IMT may benefit to the treatment of asthma.
Spectrum of Adrenal Lesions on Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology: A Tertiary Care Centre Experience
Authors: Kaur Pavneet , Soni Ankita , Tyagi Ruchita , Kaur Harpreet , Selhi Kanwarpal S. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Introduction Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is an easy, quick, and specialized technique to distinguish neoplastic from non-neoplastic adrenal lesions, yet limited to tertiary care centers. It helps in analyzing symptomatic, as well as incidental adrenal lesions with high sensitivity and specificity.
Aim This study was conducted to determine the cytological spectrum of adrenal lesions in a tertiary care center.
Material and Methods This was a retrospective study which included a total of 19 cases of adrenal FNAC received from June 2017 till June 2019 in a north Indian tertiary care university hospital. All the lesions were broadly classified into non-neoplastic and neoplastic categories. The non-neoplastic lesions were divided into infective causes and cystic lesions. Neoplastic lesions were further grouped into benign and malignant lesions. Immunohistochemical findings were retrieved from the hospital records wherever accessible.
Results A total of 19 cases were aspirated, of which 16 cases (84.20%) yielded satisfactory material. Six cases (31.57%) showed non-neoplastic pathology of which one was a cystic lesion, three were infective (two histoplasmosis and one tuberculosis), and two showed only benign adrenal cortical cells in a setting of known extra-adrenal primary malignancy. The neoplastic group comprised of 10 cases (52.63%) of which 4 cases showed metastatic carcinomatous deposits from a known extra-adrenal primary malignancy and 6 cases showed primary adrenal neoplasm (one case of myelolipoma, one case of pheochromocytoma, and four cases of adrenal neoplasm) which were then subjected to biopsy and immunohistochemistry. A final diagnosis of pheochromocytoma was made in three cases, adrenocortical carcinoma in one case, and one case was inconclusive because of nonrepresentative biopsy.
Conclusion Image-guided fine-needle aspiration cytology of adrenal lesions helps to determine the exact nature of the infection, avoids unnecessary surgery, and helps in targeted management. However, histopathological evaluation with immunohistochemistry remains the diagnostic modality of choice with regard to neoplastic lesions.
The time complexity of self-assembly
Authors: Gartner Florian M. , Graf Isabella R. , Frey Erwin 
Published: January 2022

SignificanceAn important limiting factor for self-assembly processes is the time it takes to assemble large structures with high yield. While equilibrium self-assembly systems slowly relax toward a state of minimal free energy, nonequilibrium systems offer various ways to control assembly processes and to optimize their time efficiency. We show that these different control scenarios can informatively be characterized by their time complexity, i.e., their scaling of the assembly time with the structure size, analogous to algorithms for computational problems. Especially for large structures, differences in the time complexity of the scenarios lead to strongly diverging time efficiencies. Most significantly, we show that by effectively regulating the supply of constituents, high resource and time efficiency can be achieved for self-assembly processes.
A simple model of thermal conduction in human skin: temperature perception and thermal effusivity
Authors: Oss Stefano 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
In this work we address the well-known fact that upon touching different materials, even if at the same environment temperature, one perceives warmer or cooler sensations depending on properties other than temperature itself. A simple, one-dimensional, non-stationary model for thermal behavior of the human skin layer is devised mainly with educational purposes and the associated Fourier heat equation is solved and discussed. In particular, we emphasize the fact that thermal conductivity alone is not adequate to properly characterize different thermal sensations and the so-called effusivity is instead needed to support a quantitative description. We also obtain some information, within the framework of this model, about the specific response of the skin thermal receptors. We furthermore suggest a possible, direct experimental estimate of thermal effusivity based on the use of infrared imaging in a demonstrative and educational perspective.
Growing MASnI3 perovskite single-crystal films by inverse temperature crystallization
Authors: Yuan Zhenghe , Zhou Jianheng , Zhang Yu , Ma Xue , Wang Jie , Dong Jianchao , Lu Feifei , Han Dongyuan , Kuang Bo , Wang Ning 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Perovskite single-crystal films are promising candidates for high-performance perovskite optoelectronic devices due to their optoelectrical properties. However, there are few reports of single-crystal films of tin based perovskites. Here, for the first time, we realize the controllable growth and preparation of lead-free tin perovskite MASnI3 single crystals via inverse temperature crystallization (ITC) strategy with γ–butyrolactone (GBL) as solvent. The solubility characteristics of MASnI3 in GBL are clarified by quantitative analytical method. Highly repeatability experiments are further demonstrated using this unique solubility and ITC properties. Sequentially, using space limiting method, tin perovskite MASnI3 single-crystal thin films are fabricated with micron-scale thickness, which is highly desired for efficient tin perovskite solar cells. Our MASnI3 single-crystal thin films show typical single-crystalline features including strongly optical absorbance with sharp absorption edges, pure-phase x-ray diffraction patterns, and absence of Sn(IV) x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. We believe that our findings will further broaden the application prospects of tin perovskite MASnI3 single crystals and cause a new upsurge in exploring the field of lead-free perovskite single-crystal growth.
Summary of the 3rd International Workshop on Gas-Dynamic Trap based Fusion Neutron Source (GDT-FNS)
Authors: Chen Zhibin , Bagryansky Peter , Zeng Qiusun , Zou Jingting , Zhang Keqing , Wang Zhen , Jia Jiangtao , Zhang Shichao , Dong Liang , Zha Xiang , Tian Han , Yakovlev Dmitry , Prikhodko Vadim , Meyster Andrey , Sun Xuan , Ågren Olov , Sandomirsky Andrey , Shmigelsky Evgeniy , Li Qing , Sakamoto Mizuki , Xu Zelin , Ji Quan , Chen Size , Han Yuncheng , Li Gang , Moiseenko Vladimir , Lee Dong Won , Kotelnikov Igor , Zhuang Yan , Wang Dongyao , Yu Jie , Ivanov Alexander 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
The 3rd International Workshop on Gas-Dynamic Trap-based Fusion Neutron Source (GDT-FNS) was held through the hybrid mode on 13–14 September 2021 in Hefei, China, jointly organized by the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the Budker Institute of Nuclear Physics (BINP), Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). It followed the 1st GDT-FNS Workshop held in November 2018 in Hefei, China, and the 2nd taking place in November 2019 in Novosibirsk, Russian Federation. With the financial support from CAS and China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), this workshop was attended by more than 80 participants representing 20 institutes and universities from seven countries, with oral presentations broadcast via the Zoom conferencing system. Twenty-two presentations were made with topics covering design and key technologies, simulation and experiments, steady-state operation, status of the ALIANCE project, multi applications of neutron sources, and other concepts (Tokamaks, Mirrors, FRC, Plasma Focus, etc). The workshop consensus was made including the establishment of the ALIANCE International Working Group. The next GDT-FNS workshop is planned to be held in May 2022 in Novosibirsk.
Analysis and particle-in-cell simulation on the similarity relation during an ion extraction process
Authors: Wang Yao-Ting , Chen Jian , Li He-Ping , Jiang Dong-Jun , Zhou Ming-Sheng 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Ion extraction time is one of the key parameters for an ion extraction process. Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation can provide a detailed description on the charged-particle behaviours during the ion extraction process in a decaying plasma. However, the PIC modelling is a very time-consuming task with very small space step (~ Debye length) and time step (~ inverse of plasma frequency), as well as a massive number of macro-particles, especially for the cases in multi-dimensions and large geometrical sizes. In this paper, based on the sheath expansion and ion-acoustic rarefaction wave propagation model, a similarity relation of ion extraction time with different geometrical sizes of the ion extraction regions is established. The theoretical analysis shows that, by changing the magnitude of the externally applied voltage to keep the ion extraction flux equal, the ion extraction time is proportional to the geometrical size ratio. Then, the PIC simulations on the ion extraction process are conducted, which show that there exists a good consistency with the theoretical analysis and previous experimental data. This research is helpful for promoting numerical simulations facing actual ion extraction processes with large geometrical sizes and provides theoretical guidance for improving the ion extraction efficiencies in applications.