bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of high-modulus thermoset PUs of PCL-PTMG/CNW Biomaterials with different Soft Domain Architecture and Composition for high Shape Memory Performance
Authors: Aboueimehrizi Elahe , Makaremy Mohammad Amin , Bazrpash Sina , Noormohammadi Fatemeh , Darestani Yasaman Rahimi , Nourany Mohammad 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In this research work, a group of thermoset polyurethane (tPU) nanocomposites were synthesized. Poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL2000), Poly (tetramethylene glycol) (PTMG2000), and different architecture and compositions of PCL and PTMG were used as diols. Cellulose nanowhisker (CNW), with 1.0 wt% content, was used to cross-link the prepolymers and to produce high-modulus specimens for high shape memory performance. The analyses of crystallization showed that thermal stability of the PTMG and PCL crystallites decreases upon block copolymerization, blending and incorporation of the block copolymer into the blend (about 10\(℃\) decrease). Cross-linking of the prepolymers using CNW has also reduced the crystallites’ thermal stability to a large extent (about 50\(℃\) decrease). The results of the Dynamic Mechanical Thermal Analysis (DMTA) also showed that the thermoset PUs have a large elastic modulus at above room temperature (higher than 10 MPa) and very small tanδ height (below 0.15), which was attributed to its semi-crystalline nature and presence of CNW with high elastic modulus (110–220 GPa). The thermomechanical behavior of the tPUs proved to be ideal for acquiring high shape memory performance. The tPUs have also proved to be highly biocompatible.
A randomized trial of scapular exercises with electromyography biofeedback in oral cancer patients with accessory nerve dysfunction
Authors: Chen Yueh-Hsia , Liang Wei-An , Lin Chi-Rung , Huang Cheng-Ya 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of electromyography (EMG) biofeedback on scapular positions and muscle activities during scapular-focused exercises in oral cancer patients with accessory nerve dysfunction.Methods: Twenty-four participants were randomly allocated to the motor-control with biofeedback group (N=12) or the motor-control group (N=12) immediately after neck dissection. Each group performed scapular-focused exercises with conscious control of scapular orientation for three months. EMG biofeedback of upper trapezius (UT), middle trapezius (MT), and lower trapezius (LT) were provided in the motor-control with biofeedback group. Scapular symmetry measured by modified lateral scapular slide test; shoulder pain; active range of motion (AROM) of shoulder abduction; upper extremity function; maximal isometric muscle strength of UT, MT, and LT; and muscle activities during arm elevation/lowering in the scapular plane were evaluated at baseline and the end of the intervention.Results: After the 3-month intervention, only the motor-control with biofeedback group showed improving scapular symmetry. Although both groups did not show significant improvement in shoulder pain, increased AROM of shoulder abduction and muscle strength of the UT and MT were observed in both groups. In addition, only the motor-control with biofeedback group had improved LT muscle strength, upper extremity function, and reduced UT and MT muscle activations during arm elevation/lowering.Conclusions: Early interventions for scapular control training significantly improved shoulder mobility and trapezius muscle strength. Furthermore, by adding EMG biofeedback to motor-control training, oral cancer patients demonstrated greater effectiveness in stabilizing scapular position, muscle efficiency, and upper extremity function than motor-control training alone.Trial registration: Institutional Review Board: This study was approved by the Chang Gung Medical Foundation Institutional Review Board (Approval No: 201901788A3. Approval Date: 2 January, 2020). Clinical trial Registration: This trial was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04476004. Initial released Date: 16 July, 2020).
Improving perioperative efficiency in the management of surgical sets for trauma surgeries: the 4S approach.
Authors: Ribes-Iborra Julio , Segarra Borja , Cortés-Tronch Victor , Quintana Javier , Galvain Thibaut , Muehlendyck Christian , Escalona Elena , Battaglia Suzanne , Navarrete-Dualde Jorge 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background The perioperative management of the surgical instruments and implants that comprise sets for trauma surgeries has been identified as a complex and resource-intensive activity due to non-standardized inventories, redundant surgical instruments and unnecessary sterilization cycles. The 4S Intelligent Trauma Care program aims to improve process efficiency and thereby reduce environmental impact by utilizing standardized inventories, a sterile implant portfolio, a barcode that enables a digital safety certification, and a digitized restocking service. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to investigate the impact of the introduction of the 4S program for the management of surgical sets in open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) trauma surgeries.Methods This was a single-center, prospective, comparative study of ORIF trauma surgeries undertaken pre- and post-implementation of the 4S program (30 pre- and 30 post-implementation procedures). The primary outcome was the proportion of procedures with fewer than two sterilization cycles. Secondary outcomes were the number of sterilization cycles per procedure, set processing time across departments, total set processing costs, number of missing or damaged implants, number of cleaning cycles per procedure, time taken to assemble containers for sterilization, number of containers entering the autoclave per procedure, environmental impact, number of baskets entering the cleaning machine per procedure, and staff satisfaction.ResultsImplementation of the 4S program resulted in a reduction in the mean number of sterilization cycles required from 2.1 to 1.0 (p<0.001). Pre-implementation, only 30.0% of procedure sets were sterilized within one cycle, compared to 100.0% post-implementation (p<0.001). A reduction in the mean set processing time of 24.1% in the OR and 35.3% in the sterilization department was observed. Mean set processing costs pre-implementation were €81.23, compared to €50.30 post-implementation. Furthermore, implementation was associated with significant reductions in water and electricity usage per procedure, and increased staff satisfaction.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the substantial time and cost savings, positive environmental impact and staff satisfaction that can be achieved by streamlining surgical set management through the 4S program. To our knowledge, this is the first study of this type and our findings are anticipated to be generalizable to other hospitals and surgical specialties.
Structural analysis of monomeric RNA-dependent polymerases revisited
Authors: Jácome Rodrigo , Campillo-Balderas José Alberto , Becerra Arturo , Lazcano Antonio 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
In the past few years, our understanding of the RNA virosphere has changed dramatically due to the growth and spurt of metagenomics, exponentially increasing the number of RNA viral sequences, and providing a better understanding of their range of potential hosts. As of today, the only conserved protein among RNA viruses appears to be the monomeric RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. This enzyme belongs to the right-hand DNA-and RNA polymerases, which also includes reverse transcriptases and eukaryotic replicative DNA polymerases. The ubiquity of this protein in RNA viruses makes it a unique evolutionary marker and an appealing broad-spectrum antiviral target. In this work pairwise structural comparisons of viral RdRps and RTs were performed, including tertiary structures that have been obtained in the last few years. The resulting phylogenetic tree shows that the RdRps from (+)ss- and dsRNA viruses might have been recruited several times throughout the evolution of mobile genetic elements. RTs also display multiple evolutionary routes. We have identified a structural core comprising the entire palm, a large moiety of the fingers and the N-terminal helices of the thumb domain, comprising over 300 conserved residues, including two regions that we have named the “knuckles” and the “hypothenar eminence”. The conservation of an helix bundle in the region preceding the polymerase domain confirms that (-)ss and dsRNA Reoviruses’ polymerases share a recent ancestor. Finally, the inclusion of DNA polymerases into our structural analyses suggests that monomeric RNA-dependent polymerases might have diverged from B-family polymerases.
Assessment of Natural Radioactivity Concentration and Radiological Risk in Tanjung Enim’s Coal Mine, South Sumatra Indonesia
Authors: Ramadhany Muhammad Farhan , Wijaya Gede Sutresna , Muharini Anung 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Environmental radioactivity analysis has been carried out to determine the level of environmental radioactivity and the potential radiological hazards at Tanjung Enim’s coal mine. Gamma spectroscopy method has been carried out to identify radionuclides and their types of activity. The results of radionuclide concentration are used to determine the radiological hazard index and become input data for the Residual Radioactivity Onsite 7.2 application to determine the dose rate and long-term cancer potential received by workers in coal mines. The results obtained for the average concentration of radionuclide activity in coal samples are 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K are 72.468 Bq/kg, 86.905 Bq/kg, and 1802.049 Bq/kg, respectively. While the soil samples 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K respectively 79.205 Bq/kg, 100.209 Bq/kg, and 1443.275 Bq/kg. The radionuclide concentrations of both samples exceeded the UNSCEAR and worldwide reported averages for coal and soil. The average radiological hazard index for coal samples, namely Raeq, Hin, and Hex, was 335.500 Bq/kg, 1.102, 0.906, respectively. While the soil samples were 333.636 Bq/kg, 1.115, and 0.901, respectively. The index parameter is already lower than the UNSCEAR recommendation except for Hin, so there is a potential radiological hazard in internal pathways such as respiratory and digestive organs for mining workers. The total annual effective dose rate based on 5 RESRAD-Onsite 7.2 pathways, namely external gamma, inhalation, radon, soil ingestion, and drinking water, is 1.675 mSv/year, exceeding the dose limits determined by ICRP, 1 mSv/year. The ELCR is 6.625×10-3 which exceeds the UNSCEAR recommendation, 2.4×10-4. Based on the results, it is necessary to intervene in the mining environment of the Tanjung Enim’s coal mine.
A robust assessment of rainfall erosivity changes over China through an ensemble of high-resolution climate models
Authors: Weng Xuerou , Zhu Jinxin , Wang Dagang , Wang Shuo , Tang Guoping , Luo Ming 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Spatiotemporal variation in rainfall erosivity resulting from changes in rainfall characteristics due to climate change has implications for soil erosion in developing countries. It is of great significance to understand the past and future changes of rainfall erosivity and its implications in different regions of China on a national scale to promote soil and water conservation planning. In this paper, China is divided into eight first-class areas of soil and water conservation zoning. The multi-climate model and multi-emission scenario approach to characterize the spatiotemporal projection of rainfall erosivity and assess variations of rainfall erosivity in China consists of 5 regional climate models (RCMs) and two Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5 and 8.5 (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) scenarios for the baseline period (1986-2005) and future periods (2071-2090). The result indicates that compared with observational data, the performance of the MCLM and PRECIS is better than other models in reproducing the spatial distribution and annual cycle of rainfall erosivity in China. There is an increasing trend in the annual rainfall erosivity from the baseline climate up to the RCMs, for all the RCMs, with an average change in erosivity of about 13.0% and 22.1% under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 respectively. Under the RCP 8.5 scenario, the absolute value of rainfall erosivity increased by 797.8 and 969.7 MJ·mm·hm-2·h-1 respectively in the South China red soil region and the North China mountainous region, indicating that climate warming will greatly enhance the potential erosion capacity of rainfall in these two areas. Meanwhile, the Southwest China karst region and Qinghai Tibet Plateau region are more sensitive to radiation forcing. According to the changes in rainfall erosivity, local soil conditions, vegetation coverage, and other factors in different regions, taking soil and water conservation measures is conducive to reducing the risk of soil erosion caused by climate change.
Effects of smoking on the tissue regeneration-associated functions of human endometrial stem cells via a novel target gene SERPINB2
Authors: Park Se-Ra , Kim Seong-Kwan , Kim Soo-Rim , LEE Hwa Yong 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Smokers directly inhale mainstream cigarette smoke, which contains numerous known and potential toxic substances, and thus, smoking is expected to have broad harmful effects that cause tissue injury and dysfunction. Interestingly, many studies have suggested that the recent decline in female fertility and increased rate of spontaneous abortion could be associated with increased smoking rates. Indeed, women that smoked for 10 years or more were reported to have a ~20% higher infertility rate than women that had never smoked. However, the reasons for the underlying harmful aspects of smoking on female fertility remain a matter of debate. Importantly, a previous study revealed that resident endometrial stem cell deficiency significantly limits the cyclic regeneration potential of endometrium, which in turn, decreases successful pregnancy outcomes. In this context, we postulated that exposure to mainstream cigarette smoke extracts might decrease female fertility by inhibiting the functions of resident endometrial stem cells.Methods: We investigated whether cigarette mainstream smoke exposure directly inhibits various tissue regeneration-associated functions of endometrial stem cells, such as self-renewal, migration, pluripotency, and differentiation capacity in vitro. Next, we determined whether SERPINB2 mediates cigarette smoke-induced suppressive effects on various tissue regeneration-associated functions by depleting SERPINB2 expression with specific shRNA targeting SERPINB2. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with low (0.5 mg/kg) or high (1 mg/kg) doses of cigarette smoke extract (10 times for two weeks), and endometrial stem cells were then isolated from mice uterine tissuesResults: We found that exposure to cigarette smoke extracts remarkably suppressed various tissue regeneration-associated functions of endometrial stem cells, such as self-renewal, migration, multilineage differentiation ability, and pluripotency in vitro and in vivo by activating the SERPINB2 gene. Indeed, cigarette smoke-induced inhibitory effects on various endometrial stem cell functions were significantly abolished by SERPINB2 knockdown. Conclusions: These findings provide valuable information on the harmful effects of cigarette smoking on resident endometrial stem cells and hopefully will facilitate the developments of promising therapeutic strategies for subfertile or infertile women that smoke cigarettes.
The use of autogenous tooth bone graft powder in the treatment of osseous defects after impacted mandibular third molar extraction: a prospective split-mouth observational clinical pilot study
Authors: Wushou Alimujiang , Zheng Yan , Han Yu , Han Fang-kai , Yang Zhi-cheng 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background:Impaction of mandibular third molars (M3) is one of the most common diseases. Extraction of M3 usually exacerbates osseous defects at the distal aspect of the adjacent second molar (M2). BonMaker® ATB has been cited as a novel autogenous bone grafting material. The aim of this pilot study was to introduce a novel method for repairing the distal osseous defects of M2 after the surgical removal of M3 with autogenous tooth graft powder (ATGP).Method:A total of five patients were enrolled in this prospective split-mouth observational clinical pilot study. Third molars were extracted unilaterally from patients with proximal alveolar bone loss ≥5 mm of M3. The ATGP was prepared chairside and randomly implanted in one of the M3 extraction sockets, and the other side was treated with a blank and considered the control site. Patients were followed up at six months.ResultsThe five patients included three males and two females. Their ages ranged from 25 to 30 years, with a median of 27 years. Primary wound healing without complications was achieved in all the patients. There was a greater tendency for swelling of the cheeks and trismus to occur at the experimental site on the third postoperative day. Compared with the control site, the experimental site exhibited progressive bone filling and ossification in the sixth postoperative month. Moreover, the probing pocket depth of the experimental site was lower than that of the control site.ConclusionThe results of this study demonstrate that ATGP effectively and economically repairs distal osseous defects of M2. Further study is required to validate the effectiveness with a larger study population.
Calcium carbonate alleviates calcium deficiency through changes in the gut microbiota and metabolites
Authors: He Xiaodong , Liu Tianshu , Yu Hai , Wang Shuai , Li Huimin 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The use of non-drug intervention for calcium deficiency has attracted attention in recent years. Although calcium carbonate is the preferred raw material for calcium supplements, the mechanism of its anti-calcium deficiency effect from the perspective of intestinal flora and metabolomics is rarely reported. In this study, we compare the abundance of intestinal flora and the expression levels of fecal and plasma metabolites in control rats fed with basic diet, low calcium fed rats, and calcium carbonate treated rats. The results revealed that compared with low-calcium rat, calcium content and bone mineral density of the midpoint and distal femur of rats in the oral calcium carbonate group were significantly improved. 16S rRNA sequencing and metabonomics analysis showed that calcium carbonate intervention altered the composition of intestinal microbiota and metabolic profiles in feces and plasma of low-calcium fed rats. Further, correlation analysis showed that selected intestinal flora were significantly correlated with metabolites enriched in feces and plasma. In conclusion, calcium carbonate intervention has the potential to reduce calcium deficiency and related symptoms, while affecting intestinal microbiota composition and metabolic characteristics in low-calcium rats. This study highlights scientific evidence for the potential effect of calcium carbonate as a calcium supplement on calcium deficiency.
Is metformin the only culprit for cognitive impairment in diabetes?
Authors: Boloor Archith , H Yeshwanth 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
BackgroundAs diabetic patients conventionally are on a long-term prescription for metformin, it is important to identify any increase in their risk for developing cognitive disorders. Hence, an attempt was made here to study the cognitive impairment by using Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (MoCA) as a possible predictor of development of cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetics on metformin therapy.Methods400 Type 2 diabetics on metformin containing anti-diabetic regimen were enrolled between sept 2016 and September 2018 and data recorded, cognitive test MoCA was administered and a score of less than 26 was considered abnormal. Results In this study, the participants on metformin had a mean MoCA score of 20.17±2.06, while those on other drugs had a mean score of 21.11±3.06. Thus, metformin use has significant impact on the cognitive abilities of its user.ConclusionsAmongst patients receiving medical therapy for control of type 2 diabetes, participants using metformin showed a very high prevalence rate of abnormal MoCA scores (85%).
Anti-colorectal cancer of Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf. and targets prediction via network pharmacology and molecular docking study
Authors: Dai Weibo , Yang Jing , Liu Xin , Mei Quanxi , Peng Weijie , Hu Xianjing 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Background: Ardisia gigantifolia Stapf. (AGS), a Chinese folk medicine widely grows in the south of China and is traditionally used for treating rheumatism, the pain of bone and muscle, and traumatic injury. Several studies reported that AGS could inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer, liver cancer, and bladder cancer cell lines. However, little is known about its anti-colorectal cancer (CRC) efficiency. Methods: In the present study, a combination of MTT assay, network pharmacological analysis, bioinformatics, and molecular docking study was used to investigate the active ingredients, targets of AGS against CRC, as well as the potential mechanism.Results: MTT assay showed that three kinds of fractions from AGS, including the n-butanol extract (NBAGS), ethyl acetate fraction (EAAGS), and petroleum ether fraction (PEAGS) significantly inhibited the proliferation of CRC cells, with the IC50 values of 197.24, 264.85, 15.45 μg/mL on HCT116 cells, and 523.6, 323.59, 150.31 μg/mL on SW620 cells, respectively. Eleven active ingredients, including 4-O-galloylbergenin, 11-O-galloylbergenin, 11-O-protocatechuoylbergenin, 11-O-syringylbergenin, ardisiacrispin B, bergenin, epicatechin-3-gallate, gallic acid, quercetin, stigmasterol, stigmasterol-3-o-β-D-glucopyranoside were identified. A total of 173 targets related to the bioactive components and 21572 targets related to CRC were picked out through database searching. Based on the crossover targets of AGS and CRC, a protein-protein interaction network was built up by the String database, from which it was concluded that the core targets would be SRC, MAPK1, ESR1, HSP90AA1, MAPK8. Besides, GO analysis showed that the numbers of biological process, cellular component and molecular function of AGS against CRC were 1079, 44, and 132, respectively, and KEGG pathway enrichment indicated that 96 signaling pathways in all would probably be involved in AGS against CRC, among which MAPK signaling pathway, lipid, and atherosclerosis, proteoglycans in cancer, prostate cancer, adherens junction would probably be the major pathways. The docking study verified that AGS had multiple ingredients and multiple targets against CRC. Conclusion: Our study showed that AGS had good anti-CRC potency with the characteristics of multi-ingredients, -targets, and -signaling pathways.
Study effect of weather conditions on the allegro-inflammatory factors and clinical symptoms of allergic rhinitis
Authors: Tan Congming , Xin Yuan , Liu Wenjun , Luo Yan 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Allergic rhinitis is one of the allergic diseases that initiated by Th2 immune response and mediators are main reason of clinical symptoms. In the patients, environmental factors are main triggers of allergic reactions. Therefore, effects of climate conditions (warm, cold, humid and dry) on allergic rhinitis were evaluated. AR model was produced under the four different conditions. Then, Clinical symptoms (sneezing and nasal rubbing), total IgE, histamine, IL-4 LTB4, LTC4 and gene expression of CysLT1R, HRH1, and MUC5a were studied. Nasal rubbing, histamine level, gene expression of MUC5a and HRH1 in the AR-C, sneezing in the AR-D, LTB4 and LTC4 levels and gene expression of CysLT1R in the AR-W groups were significantly (P < 0.05) increased compared to the AR group. The level of total IgE and IL-4 had no significant changes (P > 0.05). Air temperature and humidity had effect on AR pathophysiology and, weather conditions can be important factor in control and treatment of AR.