bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pharmacodynamics of fluoroquinolones
Authors: Dalhoff A. 
Published: July 2002

Abstract
Fluctuating concentrations of three fluoroquinolones (moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin and ofloxacin) and a β-lactam (amoxycillin) were used in vitro to simulate antibiotic concentrations in human serum after oral doses of antibiotics. The antibiotics were tested against Staphylococcus aureus 12241 and Streptococcus pneumoniae 4241. Moxifloxacin and sparfloxacin were also tested against Escherichia coli Neumann. Human serum concentrations of moxifloxacin and ciprofloxacin were also simulated in an in-vivo murine thigh muscle model against S. aureus,S. pneumoniae and E. coli. Ciprofloxacin, sparfloxacin and ofloxacin had a dose-independent effect on Gram-positive organisms beyond their optimal dose that gave a maximum effect, as did amoxycillin. In contrast, moxifloxacin had a dose-dependent and therefore concentration-dependent effect on both Gram-positive and β-lactam-susceptible and-resistant Gram-negative organisms. The marked activity of moxifloxacin against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms was confirmed in an in-vivo model. A human dose equivalent of 200 mg moxifloxacin reduced viable counts of S. pneumoniae below the limit of detection and regrowth did not occur. S. aureus was eliminated almost as effectively as S. pneumoniae. A 200 mg dose of moxifloxacin completely eliminated the original inoculum of E. coli within 6 h. Treatment of S. aureus with ciprofloxacin (250 or 500 mg) resulted in a dose-independent decrease in viable counts by approximately 3.5 log 10 cfu/mL. A 125 mg dose of ciprofloxacin almost completely eliminated the original inoculum of E. coli within 8 h, whereas both the 250 mg and 500 mg doses reduced viable counts below the limit of detection. Thus, the in-vitro and in-vivo pharmacodynamic models used in this study established that moxifloxacin was highly effective against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria.
Lentiviral Vectors for Gene Therapy
Authors: Wang Xiao‐Yu , He Zhi‐Yao 
Published: September 2022

AbstractLentiviral vector (LV) originated from human immunodeficiency virus is the common gene transfer vector in gene therapy. With the development over the past two decades, the safety, specific targeting and transduction efficiency of LV have been improved continually. In terms of safety, the virus genome was split into several plasmids and their accessory gene elements were removed. Specific viral envelope protein and posttranscriptional regulatory elements were introduced in LV system for the tissues' specific targeting and transduction efficiency. Based on these improvements, LV has been used widely in gene therapy especially for treatments of haemoglobinopathies, B cell leukaemia, immunodeficiency diseases and neurodegenerative diseases.Key ConceptsLentiviral vector derived from the human immunodeficiency virus and its development needs the evaluation and selection of virus genome elements for safe and efficient gene transfer.Lentiviral vector has shown its efficiency and safety in many clinical trials and approved gene therapy drugs.For the transduction efficiency, specific target and safety, lentiviral vector is modified and improved continuously. Currently, scientists focus on the more effective promoter, specific envelope protein, and inducible and regulatable expression system.The random insertional mutagenesis and high production cost remain the challenges in the lentiviral vector application.Lentiviral vector performs well in haematological and immune system partial due to theex vivotransduction and transfusion back into blood flow which circumvent the shortage like relative lower titre and insertional mutagenesis.
Thymus Microenvironment: Maintenance, Ageing and Strategies for Thymus Regeneration Following Damage
Authors: Alsharif Abdulaziz , Chidgey Ann P 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe thymus is the major site of T‐lymphocyte production. Nonlymphoid elements, referred to as the thymic stroma, create the thymic microenvironment required to govern differentiation, maturation and tolerance induction of haematopoietic precursors into immune‐competent, nonautoreactive T cells. Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are integral to thymopoiesis but are affected by ageing. From the onset of puberty, a proportional imbalance of TEC subpopulations coincides with a dramatic numerical loss of developing T cells. By middle‐age numerical loss of TECs accompanies further loss of thymocytes. Ongoing functional impediment of bipotent thymic epithelial progenitor cells (TEPC) has been proposed as one possible underlying cause and is more apparent in males. As such, endogenous recovery following thymic damage, such as from chemotherapy, in middle‐aged males relies heavily on proliferation of residual immature and mature TECs than through homeostatic differentiation of bipotent TEPC evident in middle‐aged females. Various strategies have been proposed to enhance thymus recovery following cytoablative therapies; however, thus far, temporary suppression of sex hormone production appears to have the most wide‐ranging impact on enhancing mature TEC replenishment and thymopoiesis.Key ConceptsThymic epithelial cells are critical for T cell development.Single‐cell transcriptomics and mapping identified more TEC subsets than first realised.Mature thymic medullary epithelial cells are essential for the presentation of self‐antigens for central tolerance induction.During age‐related thymus involution, an imbalance in TEC subsets accompanies the numerical loss of developing T cells from the onset of puberty.Postnatal bipotent thymic epithelial progenitor cells (TEPC) undergo functional attenuation from puberty with sexual dimorphism apparent.Increased reliance on activation and proliferation of enduring single‐lineage cortical and medullary TEC precursors for mature TEC maintenance during ageing.Thymic damage induces homeostatic TEC replenishment via bipotent TEPC in middle‐aged females but is restricted to proliferation and differentiation of single lineage progenitors in middle‐aged males.Temporary suppression of sex hormone production as a strategy for thymus regeneration releases the postpubertal TEPC functional block in males.Therapeutic strategies with clinical potential include adoptive transfer ofin vitrogenerated progenitor T cells, exogenous administration of cytokines and growth factors, and temporary sex steroid inhibition.
Filamentous Bacteriophages: Biology and Applications
Authors: Rakonjac Jasna 
Published: September 2022

AbstractFilamentous bacteriophages (family Inoviridae) contain a circular single‐stranded DNA genome packaged into long filaments. They do not lyse bacteria; instead, they are secreted into the environment without killing the host. Well‐studiedEscherichia coli‐infecting Ff phages (f1, fd or M13) replicate episomally; however, most filamentous phage in other organisms are ‘lysogenic’. Filamentous phage diversity and range were vastly underestimated until 2019, when bioinformatic analyses of prokaryotic genomes and shot‐gun metagenomes discovered 10,295 novel filamentous phage‐derived prophages in nearly all bacterial phyla and in some archaea. Some filamentous phages enhance the virulence of their host organisms, the most striking example being the CTXφ ofVibrio cholerae, which encodes cholera toxin.E. coliFf phages are the workhorse of phage display technology, whose most notable ‘products’ are therapeutic recombinant antibodies. Ff phages are also being used as a particulate vaccine carriers or diagnostic particles and in nanotechnology as templates for assembly of nanostructures.Key ConceptsFilamentous bacteriophages are long filaments (6–7 nm × >500 nm) that contain a single‐stranded circular DNA genome.Filamentous bacteriophages replicate via a rolling‐circle mechanism, one strand at a time.Filamentous bacteriophages do not lyse the cells; they are released by secretion, using a dedicated filamentous phage assembly secretion system.Filamentous phage secretion‐assembly requires the proton‐motive force and ATP.Some filamentous phages replicate exclusively as episomes, while others also integrate their genomes into the host chromosome, forming a lysogen. Induction of the lysogen does not result in cell lysis.Ff filamentous phages ofE. coli(f1, M13 and fd) have been used interchangeably as vectors and helper phages in DNA sequencing, as a protein display platform in phage display technology and as a template for assembly of nanostructures in nanotechnology.Filamentous phages are widely distributed among bacteria and archaea and are present in virtually all major microbial ecological niches. Recent genome and metagenome analyses discovered 10,295 filamentous phages within bacterial and archaeal genomes.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzedortho‐CH Bond Arylation Reactions
Authors: Bruneau Christian , Gramage‐Doria Rafael 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe highly selective ruthenium‐catalyzedortho‐CH bond arylations have met a level of maturity that makes them an attractive tool to achieve unique organic transformations. By means of the manifold mechanisms operating in the presence of different arylating agents and reaction conditions, these methodologies have succeeded in reducing the wastes/steps toward the desired molecules as well as enlarging the chemical space by affording molecules impossible to obtain otherwise. The key achievements in this area are discussed in this article.
Adaptive predefined‐time tracking control for high‐order strict‐feedback nonlinear systems with unknown mismatched disturbances
Authors: Jia Fanlin , Huang Jie , He Xiao 
Published: September 2022

SummaryThe problem of practical predefined‐time tracking control is con sidered for high‐order strict‐feedback nonlinear systems subject to unknown mismatched disturbances. The exact bound of the mismatched disturbances is unknown in this study. A novel adaptive predefined‐time tracking control strategy based on backstepping is proposed by applying a predefined time stability theory. Using the designed tracking controller, all signals are bounded, and a user‐defined bound on the tracking error is ensured in a predefined interval, independent of initial states. The estimation parameters associated with the upper bound of the disturbances are updated adaptively, making the system robust to the disturbances. Simulation studies are conducted to illustrate the performance of the proposed control strategy.
Controller design for nonlinear systems subject to both input saturation and asymmetry time‐varying state constraints: A novel network‐based approach
Authors: Li Na , Zhu Shan‐Liang , He Wen‐Jing , Han Yu‐Qun 
Published: September 2022

SummaryIn this article, the issues of asymmetric input saturation and asymmetric time‐varying state constraints are integrated into nonlinear systems for the first time, and a new adaptive tracking control strategy is proposed based on the multi‐dimensional Taylor network (MTN) method. Firstly, by introducing a continuous auxiliary function, the input saturation is transformed into a smooth model with bounded error. Secondly, MTNs are employed to estimate nonlinear functions, asymmetric barrier Lyapunov functions (ABLFs) are constructed to make all state variables meet asymmetric constraints, and then a novel control scheme with simple structure is developed via backstepping. Thirdly, according to the Lyapunov stability theory, it is proved that all signals in the closed‐loop systems are bounded, and all state variables do not violate the constraints. Finally, three examples show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme.
Functional Coating from Amyloid Superwetting Films
Authors: Jin Tonghui , Peydayesh Mohammad , Li Mingqin , Yao Yang , Wu Di , Mezzenga Raffaele 
Published: September 2022

AbstractTailoring the hydrophilicity of solid surfaces with a strong affinity to water has been extensively explored in the last 20 years, but studies have been limited to the single function of wettability. Here, the multifunctional properties of tailored surface films are extended from exhibiting superwettability to facilitating biological activities. It is shown that amyloid fibrils can be universally coated onto various substrates, such as fabrics (non‐woven organic masks), metal meshes, polyethersulfone (PES), glass, and more, endowing the resulting surfaces with excellent performance in oil/water mixture and emulsion separation, antifouling, and antifogging. Moreover, the biocompatible crosslinked amyloid fibril coatings can serve as a platform for biocatalytic activities by immobilizing enzymes, as shown in the 2,2′‐azino‐bis (3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulphonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) oxidation and Reactive Black 5 (RB5) degradation by laccase from Trametes versicolor. The study provides a universal approach to modifying surface morphology and chemical properties via fibrous protein templates, opening the way to unexplored bio‐based applications and functionalities.
Gender differences in emergency medicine resident assessment: A scoping review
Authors: Menchetti Isabella , Eagles Debra , Ghanem Dana , Leppard Jennifer , Fournier Karine , Cheung Warren J. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractBackgroundGrowing literature within postgraduate medical education demonstrates that female resident physicians experience gender bias throughout their training and future careers. This scoping review aims to describe the current body of literature on gender differences in emergency medicine (EM) resident assessment.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review which adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines. We included research involving resident physicians or fellows in EM (population and context), which focused on the impact of gender on assessments (concept). We searched seven databases from the databases' inception to April 4, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened citations, completed full‐text review, and abstracted data. A third reviewer resolved any discrepancies.ResultsA total of 667 unique citations were identified; 10 studies were included, and all were conducted within the United States. Four studies reported differences in EM resident assessments attributable to gender within workplace‐based assessments (qualitative comments and quantitative scores) by both attending physicians and nonphysicians. Six studies investigating clinical competency committee scores, procedural scores, and simulation‐based assessments did not report any significant differences attributable to gender.ConclusionsThis scoping review found that gender bias exists within EM resident assessment most notably at the level of narrative comments typically received via workplace‐based assessments. As female EM residents receive higher rates of negative or critical comments and discordant feedback documented on assessment, these findings raise concern about added barriers female EM residents may face while progressing through residency and the impact on their clinical and professional development.
Wheat yield and protein estimation with handheld‐ and UAV‐based reflectance measurements
Authors: Walsh Olga S. , Marshall Juliet , Jackson Chad , Nambi Eva , Shafian Sanaz , Jayawardena Dileepa M. , Lamichhane Ritika , Owusu Ansah Emmanuella , McClintick‐Chess Jordan R. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractPrecision agriculture provides efficient means of obtaining real‐time data to guide nitrogen (N) management based on predicted crop profitability. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy of using in‐season measurements (plant height, biomass weight, biomass N, soil plant analysis development [SPAD], GreenSeeker [GS] normalized difference vegetative index [NDVI], and unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] NDVI) at Feekes 5 (tillering) and Feekes 10 (anthesis) to estimate wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) yield and protein. The secondary aim was to determine whether the accuracy of yield and protein prediction varies by wheat class and cultivar. Six cultivars—hard red spring (HRS) wheat ‘Jefferson’ and ‘SY Basalt’, hard white spring (HWS) wheat ‘Dayn’ and ‘UI Platinum’, and soft white spring (SWS) wheat ‘Seahawk’ and ‘UI Stone’—were planted at two locations in Idaho in 2018–2020. Plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications with each cultivar evaluated at seven N rates (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 kg N ha–1). The determination of the Pearson correlation coefficients revealed that all parameters were linearly correlated with yield except for SPAD at Feekes 5 and biomass weight at Feekes 10. Although estimation of in‐season grain protein remains a challenge, NDVI was strongly correlated with yield especially at Feekes 5. The accuracy of yield prediction was similar for all wheat classes. Comparable accuracy of yield estimation was achieved with GS NDVI and UAV NDVI. Both hand‐held and aerial‐based spectral measurements could be used to prescribe N rates to be applied during tiller formation when wheat yield can be optimized.
A turn in species conservation for hairpin banksias: demonstration of oversplitting leads to better management of diversity
Authors: Wilson Trevor C. , Rossetto Maurizio , Bain David , Yap Jia‐Yee S. , Wilson Peter D. , Stimpson Margaret L. , Weston Peter H. , Croft Larry 
Published: September 2022

AbstractPremiseUnderstanding evolutionary history and classifying discrete units of organisms remain overwhelming tasks, and lags in this workload concomitantly impede an accurate documentation of biodiversity and conservation management. Rapid advances and improved accessibility of sensitive high‐throughput sequencing tools are fortunately quickening the resolution of morphological complexes and thereby improving the estimation of species diversity. The recently described and critically endangered Banksia vincentia is morphologically similar to the hairpin banksia complex (B. spinulosa s.l.), a group of eastern Australian flowering shrubs whose continuum of morphological diversity has been responsible for taxonomic controversy and possibly questionable conservation initiatives.MethodsTo assist conservation while testing the current taxonomy of this group, we used high‐throughput sequencing to infer a population‐scale evolutionary scenario for a sample set that is comprehensive in its representation of morphological diversity and a 2500‐km distribution.ResultsBanksia spinulosa s.l. represents two clades, each with an internal genetic structure shaped through historical separation by biogeographic barriers. This structure conflicts with the existing taxonomy for the group. Corroboration between phylogeny and population statistics aligns with the hypothesis that B. collina, B. neoanglica, and B. vincentia should not be classified as species.ConclusionsThe pattern here supports how morphological diversity can be indicative of a locally expressed suite of traits rather than relationship. Oversplitting in the hairpin banksias is atypical since genomic analyses often reveal that species diversity is underestimated. However, we show that erring on overestimation can yield negative consequences, such as the disproportionate prioritization of a geographically anomalous population.
Georgia state spinal muscular atrophy newborn screening experience: Screening assay performance and early clinical outcomes
Authors: Elkins Kathryn , Wittenauer Angela , Hagar Arthur F. , Logan Rachel , Sekul Elizabeth , Xiang Yijin , Verma Sumit , Wilcox William R. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe purpose of this study is to provide the results of the newborn screening (NBS) program for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) in the state of Georgia to determine disease incidence, time to diagnosis and treatment, and early outcomes. NBS for SMA was performed using real time PCR assays from February 2019 through February 2020 in a pilot phase of screening. This method continued as part of our official state panel, and here we describe the pilot period as well as the first year of standard screening through February 2021. Medical records of infants with a positive NBS were reviewed for time to confirmation and neurologic evaluation, SMN2 copy number, clinical information, and treatment. Descriptive statistics were applied. Of the 301,418 samples screened, there were 15 true positive (eight males) and 24 false positive cases. One patient was missed due to human error early in the pilot phase and presented after symptom onset. The incidence of SMA in Georgia is approximately 1 in 18,840 births per year. After the pilot phase, the false positive rate was found to be so low that all patients who test positive were immediately referred to neurology for further care. Four patients died prior to intervention. Ten patients received intervention. Gene therapy was the preferred treatment. One patient was lost to follow‐up; another was clinically followed. In conclusion, trends for treated patients show improved or stable motor function. Long‐term follow‐up will help determine the durability of treatment.
Switchable Metal Sites in Metal–Organic Framework MFM‐300(Sc): Lewis Acid Catalysis Driven by Metal–Hemilabile Linker Bond Dynamics
Authors: Peralta Ricardo A. , Lyu Pengbo , López‐Olvera Alfredo , Obeso Juan L. , Leyva Carolina , Jeong Nak Cheon , Ibarra Ilich A. , Maurin Guillaume 
Published: September 2022

AbstractUncommon reversible guest‐induced metal‐hemilabile linker bond dynamics in MOF MFM‐300(Sc) was unraveled to switch on/switch off catalytic open metal sites. The catalytic activity of this MOF with non‐permanent open metal sites was demonstrated using a model Strecker hydrocyanation reaction as a proof‐of‐concept. Conclusively, the catalytic activity was evidenced to be fully reversible, preserving the conversion performance and structure integrity of MFM‐300(Sc) over multiple cycles. These experimental findings were corroborated by quantum‐calculations that revealed a reaction mechanism driven by the Sc‐open metal sites. This discovery paves the way towards the design of new effective and easily regenerable heterogeneous MOF catalysts integrating switchable metal sites.
Boosting Hydrogen Evolution Reaction by Phase Engineering and Phosphorus Doping on Ru/P‐TiO2
Authors: Zhou Shizheng , Jang Haeseong , Qin Qing , Hou Liqiang , Kim Min Gyu , Liu Shangguo , Liu Xien , Cho Jaephil 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSynergistic optimization of the elementary steps of water dissociation and hydrogen desorption for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media is a challenge. Herein, the Ru cluster anchored on a trace P‐doped defective TiO2substrate (Ru/P‐TiO2) was synthesized as an electrocatalyst for the HER; it exhibited a commercial Pt/C‐like geometric activity and an excellent mass activity of 9984.3 mA mgRu−1at −0.05 V vs. RHE, which is 34.3 and 18.7 times higher than that of Pt/C and Ru/TiO2, respectively. Experimental and theoretical studies indicated that using a rutile‐TiO2‐crystal‐phase substrate enhanced the HER activity more than the anatase phase. Rich surface oxygen vacancies on rutile‐TiO2facilitated the adsorption and dissociation of water, while the partial substitution of Ti4+with P5+enhanced H2generation by facilitating hydrogen spillover from the Ru site to the surface P site, synergistically enhancing the HER activity.
Clinical Issues—October 2022
Authors: Cahn Julie 
Published: September 2022

THIS MONTHVerifying patient identity before blood product administrationKey words: patient identification, patient verification, blood transfusion, blood management, wristband.Surgical site infection risk with allogeneic blood administrationKey words: patient blood management, restrictive transfusion triggers, allogeneic blood products, intraoperative blood salvage, surgical site infection.Information on topical thrombinKey words: hemostatic agents, licensed biological product, hemostasis, bovine thrombin, human thrombin.Safe use of topical thrombinKey words: severe adverse events, hemostatic agents, accidental injection, accidental intravascular uptake, product labeling.