bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Single‐cell Raman microspectroscopy‐based assessment of three intracanal disinfectants' effect on Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Liu Yuhan , Ma Yuying , Zhang Lijuan , Sun Xi , Yang Jiazhen , Li Xiuzhen , Li Fan , Chen Rongze , Zhu Pengfei , Xu Jian , Yang Fang 
Published: January 2022

AbstractEnterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) is frequently encountered in asymptomatic, persistent endodontic infections; thus, its control and eradication via disinfectants are important. To explore a disinfectant formulation that is effective yet with minimal side effects, here, we evaluated the susceptibility of E. faecalis to three intracanal disinfectants. We quantitatively assessed and compared the growth‐ or metabolism‐inhibiting effects of intracanal disinfectants via minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum inhibitory concentration based on metabolic activity (MIC‐MA), based on the broth dilution test and D2O‐probed single‐cell Raman spectra (SCRS), respectively. For sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX), the corresponding MIC was 0.45 g/L, 110 mg/L, and 6 mg/L, respectively. Under their respective MIC doses, metabolic activity of bacterial cells was reduced to 2%, 4%, and 2% remained at 8 h, yet recovered to a retention level of 90%, 97%, and 2% at 24 h. Despite the halting of growth, the remained metabolic activity suggests a “nongrowing but metabolically active” (NGMA) state that may lead to potential recurring infections. In contrast, at their respective MIC‐MA doses of 0.9 g/L, 220 mg/L, and 12 mg/L, metabolic activities of all cells were completely inhibited throughout 24‐h exposure. Furthermore, lower combined concentration of above three intracanal disinfectants can elicit equivalent metabolism‐inhibiting effect with that of solo use of each one at the MIC‐MA dose. Thus, binary combined use of disinfectants can outperform their solo use in controlling infection of E. faecalis and reducing side effects. In conclusion, the MIC‐MA derived from D2O‐probed single‐cell Raman microspectroscopy is a promising approach in quantitatively assessing disinfectants' antimicrobial efficacy via metabolic activity.
New Medium Bandgap Donor D‐A1‐D‐A2 Type Copolymers Based on Anthra[1,2‐b: 4,3‐b“:6,7‐c”'] Trithiophene‐8,12‐dione Groups for High‐Efficient Non‐Fullerene Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Keshtov Mukhamed. L. , Kuklin Serge. A. , Khokhlov Alexei.R. , Xie Zhiyuan , Alekseev Vladimir. G , Dahiya Hemraj , Singhal Rahul , Sharma Ganesh D. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA new acceptor unit anthra[1,2‐b: 4,3‐b': 6,7‐c'']trithiophene‐8,12‐dione (А3Т) (A2) is synthesized and used to design D‐A1‐D‐A2 medium bandgap donor copolymers with same thiophene (D) and A2 units but different A1, i.e., fluorinated benzothiadiazole (F‐BTz) and benzothiadiazole (BTz) denoted as P130 and P131, respectively. Their detailed optical and electrochemical properties are examined. The copolymers show good solubility in common organic solvents, broad absorption in the visible spectral region from 300 to 700 nm, and deeper HOMO levels of −5.45 and −5.34 eV for P130 and P131, respectively. Finally, an optimized polymer solar cell (PSC) based on P131 as the donor and narrow bandgap non‐fullerene small molecule acceptor Y6 demonstrated a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of >11.13%. To further improve the efficiency of the non‐fullerene PSC, the P130 is optimized by introducing a fluorine atom into the BTz unit, F‐BTz acceptor unit, and PCE PSC based on P130: Y6 active layer increased to >15.28%, which is higher than that for the non‐fluorinated analog P131:Y6. The increase in the PCE for former PSC is attributed to the more crystalline nature and compact π–π stacking distance, leading to more balanced charge transport and reduced charge recombination. These remarkable results demonstrate that A3T‐based copolymer P130 with F‐BTz as the second acceptor is a promising donor material for high‐performance PSCs.
Polymorphisms of acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 2 and alcohol dehydrogenase 1B on the malignant transformation of vocal cord leukoplakia: A Chinese cohort
Authors: Han Ping , Li Yixin , Liang Faya , Ye Yuchu , Wang Jingyi , Li Xiaojuan , Ouyang Nengtai , Huang Xiaoming 
Published: January 2022

AbstractSevere dysplasia of vocal cord leukoplakia (VCL) is more likely to occur in laryngeal carcinoma. Alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase are both important enzymes in alcohol metabolism. This study aimed to investigate the incidence rate of malignant transformation in patients with VCL and the role of drinking habits and ALDH2 and ADH1B genetic polymorphisms in the malignant transformation of VCL. From January 2007 to January 2017, 136 cases of VCL were included in this retrospective analysis. Information on medical history, alcohol and tobacco consumption habits, ALDH2 and ADH1B genotypes, gastroesophageal reflux, and clinical pathological characteristics of VCL was collected. As a result, patients had a median follow‐up of 9.6 years (interquartile range: 7.5–12.5 years). Twenty‐three of 136 VCL patients finally developed laryngeal carcinoma, resulting in a cumulative malignant transformation rate of 16.9%. Cox regression analysis demonstrated that the independent risk factors for the malignant transformation of VCL included age over 60 years (hazard ratio [HR]: 13.872, p < 0.001), ALDH2 *2 allele status (HR: 9.694, p < 0.001), alcohol (HR: 10.011, p < 0.001) and tobacco (HR: 8.869, p < 0.001) exposure after operation, and drinking frequency (HR: 2.178, p = 0.016). Therefore, among patients over 60 years old, an ALDH2‐inactivating mutation and excessive ethanol and tobacco consumption are potential contributors to the malignant transformation of VCL.
Infectious Agents as Potential Drivers of α‐Synucleinopathies
Authors: Linard Morgane , Ravier Alix , Mougué Louisa , Grgurina Iris , Boutillier Anne‐Laurence , Foubert‐Samier Alexandra , Blanc Frédéric , Helmer Catherine 
Published: January 2022

Abstractα‐synucleinopathies, encompassing Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy, are devastating neurodegenerative diseases for which available therapeutic options are scarce, mostly because of our limited understanding of their pathophysiology. Although these pathologies are attributed to an intracellular accumulation of the α‐synuclein protein in the nervous system with subsequent neuronal loss, the trigger(s) of this accumulation is/are not clearly identified. Among the existing hypotheses, interest in the hypothesis advocating the involvement of infectious agents in the onset of these diseases is renewed. In this article, we aimed to review the ongoing relevant factors favoring and opposing this hypothesis, focusing on (1) the potential antimicrobial role of α‐synuclein, (2) potential entry points of pathogens in regard to early symptoms of diverse α‐synucleinopathies, (3) pre‐existing literature reviews assessing potential associations between infectious agents and Parkinson's disease, (4) original studies assessing these associations for dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy (identified through a systematic literature review), and finally (5) potential susceptibility factors modulating the effects of infectious agents on the nervous system. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Monte Carlo calculated calibration settings for commercially available nuclear medicine ionization chambers
Authors: Pain Cameron Dennis , O'Keefe Graeme Joseph , Scott Andrew Mark 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPurposeA method for calculating nuclear medicine ionization chamber (NMIC) calibration settings with a Monte Carlo model is presented and validated against physical measurements. This work provides Monte Carlo–calculated calibration settings for select isotopes with no current manufacturer recommendations and a method by which NMIC manufacturers or standards laboratories can utilize highly detailed specifications to calculate comprehensive lists of calibration settings for general isotopes.MethodsA Monte Carlo model of a Capintec PET series NMIC was developed and used to calculate the chamber response to relevant radioactive decay products over an energy range relevant to nuclear medicine. The photon detection efficiency (PDE) of a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector was modeled and physically validated to facilitate measurements of NMIC calibration settings with HPGe detector spectroscopy. Modeled NMIC response to various isotopes was compared against spectroscopic measurements and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)‐validated calibration settings to validate the Monte Carlo–calculated NMIC calibration settings.ResultsHPGe detector PDE was validated against the physical measurements to within at confidence and used to measure calibration settings, which produced activity readings , , , and different than those validated by NIST for C, F, Ga, and Cu respectively. The Monte Carlo model of the NMIC reproduced measured calibration settings to within at confidence for isotopes with a sufficiently small yield of low energy photons.ConclusionsA method of calculating NMIC calibration settings with Monte Carlo modeling has been developed and validated against HPGe detector spectroscopy. NMIC manufacturers or standards laboratories can use more detailed specifications of the chamber geometries to extend the applicability of this method to a wider range of isotopes.
The value of MUNIX as an objective electrophysiological biomarker of disease progression in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy
Authors: Okhovat Ali Asghar , Advani Soroor , Ziaadini Bentolhoda , Panahi Akram , Salehizadeh Saeideh , Nafissi Shahriar , Haghi Ashtiani Bahram , Rajabally Yusuf A. , Fatehi Farzad 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIntroduction/AimsObjective outcome measures to monitor treatment response and guide treatment are lacking in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). In this study we aimed to evaluate the motor unit number index (MUNIX) as an outcome measurement in patients with CIDP and determine the correlation of MUNIX with functional and standard electrodiagnostic tests in a single follow‐up study.MethodsWe evaluated MUNIX of the abductor pollicis brevis, abductor digiti minimi, and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles bilaterally. Muscle force was assessed by Medical Research Council Sum Score (MRCSS). Functional measures used were the Overall Neuropathy Limitation Score (ONLS) and the Rasch‐built Overall Disability Scale (R‐ODS) score at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. Standard electrophysiology was evaluated by the Nerve Conduction Study Score (NCSS).ResultsTwenty patients were included at baseline, and 16 completed the follow‐up study. Significant correlations were found between the MUNIX sum score and both MRCSS and NCSS at baseline, between both the pinch strength and grip and upper limb MUNIX at baseline and follow‐up, and between MUNIX of TA and both lower limb MRCSSs with lower limb ONLS at baseline and follow‐up. Significant correlations also were found between MUNIX sum score change and MRCSS change, R‐ODS change, and ONLS change.DiscussionMUNIX changes correlated with strength and electrophysiological improvements in CIDP patients. This suggests that MUNIX may represent a useful objective biomarker for patient follow‐up.
Review of needle electromyography complications in thrombocytopenic cancer patients
Authors: Zein Mazen , Tummala Sudhakar , Prince Laura , Fu Jack B. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIntroduction/AimsNeedle electromyography (EMG) is understood to be a relatively safe procedure based on clinical experience. There are no evidence‐based guidelines for EMG procedures in thrombocytopenic patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is an increased risk of bleeding complications associated with needle EMG in patients with thrombocytopenia.MethodsThis retrospective study included patients with a primary cancer and thrombocytopenia who underwent needle EMG between January 1, 2016 and October 30, 2020. Patients' medical records were reviewed for demographics; diagnoses; platelet counts within a 7‐day period of EMG examination; concurrent use of anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications; number of sites sampled by needle EMG, including anatomical differentiation of paraspinal and both deep and superficial limb muscles; and associated complications not limited to bleeding within 30 days of EMG examination.ResultsThe initial data search identified 198 patients with a documented diagnosis of thrombocytopenia; 124 met these criteria and were included in the study. A total of 1001 muscle sample sites were documented, with 111 sites in paraspinal muscles, 876 sites in superficial limb muscles, and 14 sites within deep limb muscles. Five patients were concurrently using therapeutic anticoagulation and 3 were using antiplatelet medications. There were no clinically significant complications, but five minor incidents were documented in the medical records within 30 days post‐EMG examination.DiscussionOur findings suggest that bleeding complications from standard needle EMG in oncology patients with documented thrombocytopenia are rare. Testing of high‐risk muscles in this patient population appears to be safe.
Free vibration optimization of a sandwich structure with a hybrid composite grid core
Authors: Kermani Alireza , Ehsani Amir 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThis study presents the multi‐objective optimization of weight and cost concerning the vibration behavior of a sandwich structure. In this regard, the maximization of frequency against the minimization of the structure's weight or cost is considered the objective functions in the optimization algorithm. For this purpose, a sandwich structure with two composite skins and an orthotropic grid core is designed. The design variables including the core geometrical variables, and the type of the applied composite materials for each group of stiffeners of the core. The first‐order shear deformation theory and the Ritz method have been used to obtain the natural frequencies of the plates. Eventually, optimization has been performed using the genetic algorithm.
Reassessing the role of tracheobronchomalacia in persistent wheezing
Authors: Guo Qian , Fu Wenlong , Du Jielin , Dai Jihong , Geng Gang , Yan Li , Yang Ting , Li Ying , Liu Jingyue , Chen Jianchuan , Liu Zheng , Yuan Xiaoping , Deng Dan , Tian Daiyin 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundTracheobronchomalacia (TBM) is often manifested as wheezing. Reassessing the role of TBM in persistent wheezing in children is essential.MethodsWe selected children who were diagnosed with TBM by bronchoscopy and who underwent bronchoscopic reexamination for persistent wheezing or chronic cough between January 2009 and July 2019. The clinical and bronchoscopy data were collected and retrospectively reviewed. For statistical analysis, we used the Kaplan–Meier method, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Fisher exact test.ResultsA total of 79 patients (57 males and 22 females) were included. The median age of the first TBM diagnosis was 7 (interquartile [IQR] 4–11) months. The median age of the first wheezing episode was 4 (IQR 3–7) months. During the time interval between the two bronchoscopies, malacia lesions resolved in 50 patients (63.3%), improvement was seen in 14 patients (17.7%), no change was observed in 11 patients (13.9%), and the condition was aggravated in 4 patients (5.1%). The malacia lesions in 37 patients resolved before 2 years of age. Among the 50 resolved patients, 22 patients (44.0%) reported wheezing three times or more between bronchoscopy evaluations, and 13 of these 22 patients (59.1%) with atopy or family history of allergic diseases were ultimately diagnosed with bronchial asthma.ConclusionsIn children with persistent wheezing, the role of TBM should be reassessed, especially in those with atopy or family history of allergic diseases, and bronchial asthma should be considered early.
Adherence to inhaled therapies over 4 years in people with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Manika Katerina , Hatziagorou Elpis , Kotoulas Serafeim‐Chrysovalantis , Kyrvasili Syrmo‐Styliani , Sourla Evdokia , Kouroukli Eleana , Sionidou Maria , Papadaki Eleni , Tsanakas John 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundThis study examined the drug‐specific and overall adherence of teenagers and adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) to inhaled therapies, to assess the degree of adherence, stability over a period of 4 years, and its association with health outcomes.MethodsFifty‐five participants (30 women and 25 men) aged 14 years or older from two CF centers were enrolled in a retrospective review of inhaled medication adherence over 4 years. Adherence was assessed by the number of doses that were obtained by each participant based on the “e‐prescription.gr” platform and the calculation of the medication possession ratio (MPR).ResultsThe mean composite MPR (cMPR) for the entire research period was 0.75 ± 0.19. A total of 43.4% of participants showed a variance of adherence <25%. Participants with stable adherence had a significantly higher mean cMPR compared with those with variable adherence (0.86 ± 0.16 vs. 0.66 ± 0.17, p < 0.001). A statistically significant difference between groups of patients with different degrees of mean cMPR and mean weight was observed (p = 0.011). Patients with a mean cMPR ≥0.80 weighed significantly more than those with moderate and low adherence. In addition, mean weight correlated significantly with the mean cMPR (Β [95% confidence interval] = 14.845 [0.191–29.498], r = 0.269, p = 0.047).ConclusionsIn our setting, the cMPR was easy to assess and showed that adherence was probably better than expected. The association of cMPR with weight should be further investigated. Stable adherence seemed to be related to high adherence. This observation could enhance our understanding of people with CF and their approach to treatment.
Antiinflammatory potential of nano‐curcumin as an alternative therapeutic agent for the treatment of mild‐to‐moderate hospitalized COVID‐19 patients in a placebo‐controlled clinical trial
Authors: Asadirad Ali , Nashibi Roohangiz , Khodadadi Ali , Ghadiri Ata A , Sadeghi Mahvash , Aminian Azam , Dehnavi Sajad 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe present study conducted a placebo‐controlled clinical trial to evaluate the impact of nano‐curcumin on the inflammatory cytokines in mild‐to‐moderate hospitalized COVID‐19 patients. A total of 60 COVID‐19 patients were randomly divided into nano‐curcumin and control groups, and then they received 240 mg/day nano‐curcumin for 7 days. The clinical manifestation and laboratory parameters in patients were recorded on days 0 and seven. Also, SYBR Green real‐time PCR and ELISA techniques were implicated in assessing the mRNA expression of IFN‐γ, IL‐1β, IL‐6, MCP‐1, and TNF‐α and the serum levels of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α inflammatory mediators, respectively. Although the clinical manifestations and laboratory parameters improved via the nano‐curcumin treatment, the mRNA expression of IFN‐γ (p = 0.006) and TNF‐α (p = 0.04) were significantly reduced. Besides, a considerable difference was observed between the nano‐curcumin and control groups in the expression of IFN‐γ (p = 0.001), IL‐1β (p = 0.0002), and IL‐6 (p = 0.008). In addition, there was a significant difference between the nano‐curcumin and control groups in the serum levels of IL‐1β (p = 0.042). The evidence demonstrated that nano‐curcumin could be implicated as a complementary medication to act as an antiinflammatory agent and inhibit inflammatory complications.
Fast pesticide analysis using low‐pressure gas chromatography paired with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer equipped with short collision cell technology
Authors: Jensen Kirk R. , Dane A. John , Cody Robert B. 
Published: January 2022

RationaleA proof of concept showing GC–MS/MS analysis time for pesticides can be dramatically reduced while maintaining a similar separation efficiency by combining a low‐pressure gas chromatography (LPGC) column with the enhanced selected reaction monitoring (SRM) switching speed of the short collision cell of a JEOL JMS‐TQ4000GC.MethodsTriple‐quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (standard EI + at 70 eV) was used to measure pesticides eluting from a low‐pressure gas chromatograph capillary column. Three transitions for each of 244 pesticide compounds were measured within an 11‐min analysis time, and the data were checked to confirm the method's reproducibility and ability to distinguish all three transitions for each pesticide.ResultsAll three transitions for all 244 pesticides were detected in the standard mixture at 1X concentration within the 11‐min analysis time. Relative standard deviation (RSD) of peak areas was less than 15% for 242 pesticides, and I/Q RSDs were less than 10% for 242 compounds. Retention time RSD over 15 replicates was less than 0.1%.ConclusionsResults show that analysis time can be markedly decreased using an LPGC column, and that the ability of the short collision cell to distinguish a large number of coeluting peaks makes the two technologies a natural pairing. The effective measurement of pesticides within a short time could benefit any scientists doing pesticide analysis work.
Investigating the impact of eliciting and being responsive to students' initial ideas on productive disciplinary engagement across a unit
Authors: Gray Ron , Rogan‐Klyve Allyson , Canipe Martha M. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn this study, we examined the ways in which two middle school science teachers elicited and were responsive to students' initial science ideas for explaining an anchoring phenomenon while teaching the same model‐based learning unit focused on plate tectonics. Data sources included student models, classroom video, and classroom artifacts. Our analysis revealed a connection between the elicitation of initial ideas, teacher responsiveness to those ideas, and the continued use of those ideas by the students across the unit as evidenced in their individually constructed models. In both classrooms, variation in initial ideas seen on the first day narrowed as students engaged in activities designed to challenge their ideas and present the scientifically accepted explanation of the phenomenon. In one classroom, however, far more ideas were surfaced early, and those ideas were utilized by students as they made sense of the phenomenon. In the other classroom, far fewer ideas were surfaced early and those that were all but disappeared once the unit activities began suggesting student ideas were less likely to be utilized as a sense‐making resource. This study contributes to a growing understanding of the importance of eliciting and responding to students' initial ideas in students' productive disciplinary engagement across an instructional unit.
Effective grey‐box testing with partial FSM models
Authors: Sachtleben Robert , Peleska Jan 
Published: January 2022

SummaryFor partial, nondeterministic, finite state machines, a new conformance relation called strong reduction is presented. It complements other existing conformance relations in the sense that the new relation is well suited for model‐based testing of systems whose inputs are enabled or disabled, depending on the actual system state. Examples of such systems are graphical user interfaces and systems with interfaces that can be enabled or disabled in a mechanical way. We present a new test generation algorithm producing complete test suites for strong reduction. The suites are executed according to the grey‐box testing paradigm: it is assumed that the state‐dependent sets of enabled inputs can be identified during test execution, while the implementation states remain hidden, as in black‐box testing. We show that this grey‐box information is exploited by the generation algorithm in such a way that the resulting best‐case test suite size is only linear in the state space size of the reference model. Moreover, examples show that this may lead to significant reductions of test suite size in comparison to true black‐box testing for strong reduction.