bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Key mutations in the spike protein of SARS‐CoV‐2 affecting neutralization resistance and viral internalization
Authors: Wang Qiong , Ye Sheng‐Bao , Zhou Zhi‐Jian , Song A‐Ling , Zhu Xi , Peng Jia‐Mei , Liang Rui‐Min , Yang Chen‐Hui , Yu Xiao‐Wei , Huang Xun , Yu Jie , Qiu Ye , Ge Xing‐Yi 
Published: December 2022

AbstractTo control the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic, a variety of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) vaccines have been developed. However, the rapid mutations of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike (S) protein may reduce the protective efficacy of the existing vaccines which is mainly determined by the level of neutralizing antibodies targeting S. In this study, we screened prevalent S mutations and constructed 124 pseudotyped lentiviral particles carrying these mutants. We challenged these pseudoviruses with sera vaccinated by Sinovac CoronaVac and ZF2001 vaccines, two popular vaccines designed for the initial strain of SARS‐CoV‐2, and then systematically assessed the susceptivity of these SARS‐CoV‐2 variants to the immune sera of vaccines. As a result, 14 S mutants (H146Y, V320I + S477N, V382L, K444R, L455F + S477N, L452M + F486L, F486L, Y508H, P521R, A626S, S477N + S698L, A701V, S477N + T778I, E1144Q) were found to be significantly resistant to neutralization, indicating reduced protective efficacy of the vaccines against these SARS‐CoV‐2 variants. In addition, F486L and Y508H significantly enhanced the utilization of human angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2, suggesting a potentially elevated infectivity of these two mutants. In conclusion, our results show that some prevalent S mutations of SARS‐CoV‐2 reduced the protective efficacy of current vaccines and enhance the infectivity of the virus, indicating the necessity of vaccine renewal and providing direction for the development of new vaccines.
Possible transmission of COVID‐19 epidemic by a dog as a passive mechanical carrier of SARS‐CoV‐2, Chongqing, China, 2022
Authors: Zhou Chunbei , Wu Ailin , Ye Sheng , Zhou Zongliang , Zhang Hongjun , Zhao Xiyou , Wang Ya , Wu Huan , Ruan Dandan , Chen Shuang , Tang Wenge , Xu Shibin , Li Qin , Su Kun 
Published: December 2022

AbstractAn outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) was reported in Yongchuan district of Chongqing, China in March 2022, while the source was unknown. We aimed to investigate the origin and transmission route of the virus in the outbreak. We conducted field investigations for all cases and collected their epidemiological and clinical data. We performed gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis for the cases, and draw the epidemic curve and the case relationship chart to analyze interactions and possible transmission mode of the outbreak. A total of 11 cases of COVID‐19, including 5 patients and 6 asymptomatic cases were laboratory‐confirmed in the outbreak. The branch of the virus was Omicron BA.2 which was introduced into Yongchuan district by a traveler in early March. Patient F and asymptomatic case G had never contact with other positive‐infected individuals, but close contact with their pet dog that sniffed the discarded cigarette butts and stepped on the sputum of patient B. Laboratory test results showed that the dog hair and kennel were positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), and the 10 isolates were highly homologous to an epidemic strain in a province of China. The investigation suggested that the contaminated dog by SARS‐CoV‐2 can act as a passive mechanical carrier of the virus and might transmit the virus to humans through close contact. Our findings suggest that during the COVID‐19 pandemic, increasing hygiene measures and hand washing after close contact with pets is essential to minimize the risk of community spread of the virus.
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) gum: A functional ingredient with promising properties and applications in food and pharmaceuticals—A review
Authors: Dhull Sanju Bala , Bamal Pooja , Kumar Manoj , Bangar Sneh Punia , Chawla Prince , Singh Ajay , Mushtaq Waseem , Ahmad Mudasir , Sihag Sunita 
Published: December 2022

AbstractFenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) is an annual plant belonging to the family Leguminosae or Fabaceae. The seeds of fenugreek contain 26.8% soluble fiber chemically identified as galactomannans with properties similar to soluble fiber of guar seeds and psyllium husk and so on. Galactomannans are biopolymers consisting of linear core poly (1,4)‐β‐D‐mannan backbone having varying degrees of D‐galactosyl substituents attached by 1,6‐glycosidic linkages. Different galactomannans derived from various legumes usually differ in molecular weight, ratio of mannose to galactose, and the mode and place of linkages of galactose moieties to the mannan backbone. Fenugreek gum has a galactose to mannose ratio of 1:1, showing the highest amount of galactose resulting in its highest water solubility compared with guar and locust bean gum. It suggested that the galactose and mannose moieties are linked uniformly in fenugreek gum resulting in maximum hydration and solubility. This M/G ratio affects the physicochemical properties of galactomannans and is inversely related to the solubility of gum. Galactomannans sterically stabilize the emulsions against flocculation and coalescence by getting adsorbed onto oil droplets. In addition to this, galactomannans are all found to exhibit some surface, interfacial, and emulsification activities. Because of these properties, it is preferred over other natural hydrocolloids as an excellent ingredient for various food applications. As a hydrocolloid, fenugreek gum provides texture, appeal, gelling, thickening, emulsifying, stabilizing, and encapsulating properties. In the present review, we summarized the extraction, purification, chemical, functional properties, molecular structure, thermal and rheological behavior of gum isolated from fenugreek seeds, and then vital application of this traditional source of hydrocolloids in food, pharmaceutical, and other industries.
Room‐Temperature Preparation of Covalent Organic Framework Membrane for Nanofiltration
Authors: Li Baoju , Nan Pihan , Gao Zhuangzhuang , Tang Bin , Qiu Shilun , Fang Qianrong 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe uniquely tunable nature of covalent organic frameworks (COFs), whose pore size and stability can be controlled by choosing diverse organic building blocks and linkage types, makes COFs potential candidates for the membrane separation. Therefore, the preparation of membranes with effective separation efficiency based on COFs has aroused great interest among researchers. Although solvothermal approach has been the most popular method for the preparation of COF membranes, fabricating COF membranes at room temperature (RT) will provide a simple and captivating strategy for separation membranes. Herein, a P‐COF membrane on porous alumina substrate at RT, showing 99.7% rejection of rhodamine B and excellent water permeance up to 52 L m−2 h−1 bar−1, which can effectively purify wastewater is successfully obtained. P‐COF is directly grown on alumina to form the composite membrane, which enhances the mechanical strength of COF membrane and avoids the risk of damaging the membrane structure during the transfer process of self‐standing membrane. Moreover, P‐COF membrane is grown at RT, which is more energy efficient than the conventional solvothermal method. Thus, it is of great significance to obtain COF membranes with excellent nanofiltration performance in a simple and mild condition to alleviate environmental and energy concerns.
Commercial pure titanium – A potential candidate for cardiovascular stent
Authors: Mohanta M. , Thirugnanam A. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe most commonly used metal alloys for manufacturing coronary artery stents platforms are 316 L stainless steel, cobalt‐chromium, tantalum, and titanium alloys. Cobalt‐based alloys have several advantages: good flexibility, radial strength, and better radiopacity. But still, concern about their cytotoxicity exists. In comparison, commercially pure titanium possesses excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility properties. However, it faces a problem with its mechanical strength during the development of stents, thereby deteriorating its radial strength and making it a poor radiopaque element. This review illustrated the properties of titanium and strategies to overcome the disadvantages of commercially pure titanium: Surface treatment, polymer coating, and warm treatment. The importance of radiopacity and radial strength in post‐clinical imaging techniques and metals compatibility with the imaging devices are also introduced. The findings suggest that by controlling the springback effect via warm treatment, the elastic energy of commercially pure titanium decreases and hence, prevent the recoiling phenomenon. The reduction in the recoiling effect may improve the radial strength of titanium. This work has addressed the limitations of commercially pure titanium to overcome them in the future while developing as a cardiovascular stent.
Preparation and characterization of activated carbon modified by potassium for carbon dioxide/methane adsorption and separation
Authors: Song X. , Gong J. , Zeng Y. , Wang L. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn this study, potassium nitrate, which was confirmed feasible to improve the adsorption capacity of carbon dioxide and separation of carbon dioxide/methane mixture, was utilized to modify the commercial coconut shell activated carbon. Three parameters, including potassium ion concentration, modification temperature and modification time, were investigated. The best sample is obtained when impregnating in potassium nitrate solution of 0.1 mol L−1 at 55 °C for 12 h according to its adsorbed amount capacity and separation effect. The saturated adsorbed amount of carbon dioxide on the optimal sample reaches up to 12.25 mmol g−1. In addition, the selectivity for a binary mixture with volume ratio of 60/40, 50/50 and 40/60, which is considered in the range of typical landfill gas, are 6.86, 6.62 and 6.39, increasing by 45.9 %, 43.6 % and 41.4 %, respectively. The adsorbent obtained in this study is promising in the adsorption and separation of carbon dioxide and methane industrially. Moreover, the method of modifying by potassium ion provides a potential way in improving the property of the adsorbents.
Experimental characterization and numerical study on the interlaminar fracture toughness of carbon fibre reinforced polymer laminates reinforced with carbon nanotubes
Authors: Kumar M. , Kumar P. , Bhadauria S.S. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe present study is focused on the nanoreinforcement of carbon fiber reinforced polymer laminates to evaluate its effect on delamination growth in double cantilever beam specimen. Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes were sprayed on the laminate interface using air‐brush spraying technique. Three nanofiller contents of 0.05 wt.%, 0.1 wt.%, and 0.5 wt.% were examined to evaluate the mode I fracture toughness (GIC) in a double cantilever beam specimen and the results were compared with the base laminate (0.0 % carbon nanotubes). The average mode I fracture toughness of composite laminates increased from 180.6 J/m2 to 270.92 J/m2 due to the addition of 0.05 wt.% multi‐walled carbon nanotubes, and to 268.27 J/m2 for 0.1 wt.% multi‐walled carbon nanotubes. Mechanisms for the increase in GIC of the nanofiller reinforced laminates are discussed based on the experimental results and microscopic study of fractured specimen surfaces from scanning electron microscopy. Energy dissipation from carbon nanotube bridging ahead of the crack front is the major toughening mechanism resulting in improved fracture toughness. Numerical simulations of delamination growth were performed as well by using virtual crack closure technique analysis in Abaqus. The R‐curve behaviour from the experiments is implemented in the finite element modeling of delamination growth to validate the effect of nanoreinforcements.
Deciphering the role of host species for two Mycobacterium bovis genotypes from the European 3 clonal complex circulation within a cattle‐badger‐wild boar multihost system
Authors: Canini Laetitia , Modenesi Gabriela , Courcoul Aurélie , Boschiroli Maria‐Laura , Durand Benoit , Michelet Lorraine 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBovine tuberculosis is a common disease affecting cattle and wildlife worldwide. Mycobacterium bovis circulation in wildlife decreases the efficacy of surveillance and control programs in cattle. Strains of the European 3 clonal complex are the most frequent in France. The aim of our work was hence to investigate the role played by cattle and wildlife species in the circulation of two M. bovis European 3 strains circulation. WGS of M. bovis strains collected between 2010 and 2017 in two distinct areas (Nouvelle‐Aquitaine region, NAq, and Côte‐d'Or département, CdO), from badgers, wild boars, and cattle were used in an evolutionary model to infer the transition between the three species. We computed host species transition and persistence between two consecutive nodes and the average number of transitions per tree. In total, 144 and 218 samples were collected respectively in CdO and NAq. In CdO, three between‐species transition rates stood out: from cattle to badgers, from badgers to wild boars, and from wild boars to cattle. In NAq an additional fourth transition rate was identified: from badgers to cattle. However, host transition remained a rare event. Our results suggest that wild boars could be an intermediary host between badgers and cattle in the circulation of the studied strains in CdO and NAq. Our results also highlight the differences between these two areas, suggesting that the transition pattern does not only depend on the host species and other ecological, landscape and anthropic factors are important.
New era for emerging therapeutic targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER 3) in advanced nonsmall cell lung cancer and metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Ahmed Yasar , Mahgoub Thamir , Sindi Maha Al , Berenguer‐Pina José J. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractHuman epidermal growth factor receptor 3 (HER3) is a member of the transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase family. Upregulation of HER3 pathway has been implicated as a mechanism of resistance in solid tumors, particularly in estrogen receptor positive, HER2 positive breast cancer and epidermal growth factor (EGFR) mutant nonsmall cell lung cancer. Several studies suggest that HER3 overexpression represents a negative prognostic biomarker associated with poor survival. Preclinical and clinical studies of anti‐HER3 investigational therapies suggest that expression of the HER3 ligand, neuregulin, may predict response to treatment. Despite its emergence as a key cancer therapeutic target, HER3 cannot be targeted with traditional tyrosine kinase inhibitors therapy due to its weak kinase activity. Monoclonal and bispecific antibodies targeting HER3 have been developed and tested in early phase trials. Objective responses were limited when first‐generation HER3‐specific monoclonal antibodies were investigated as monotherapies in phase 1 and 2 clinical trials for nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and metastatic breast cancer (MBC). MBC and NSCLC HER3 specific antibody‐drug conjugates have shown encouraging results in resistance in cancer cells, particularly in those that overexpress HER3. These agents have shown some promise in early phase trials in both NSCLC and MBC setting in heavily pretreated patients with varying degrees of response. It is unclear which subgroup of patients will truly benefit from targeting HER3 as these therapies are under investigation.
Alpha dose modeling in diffusing alpha‐emitters radiation therapy. Part II: Lattice studies
Authors: Heger Guy , Dumančić Mirta , Roy Arindam , Arazi Lior 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBackgroundDiffusing alpha‐emitters radiation therapy (“DaRT”) is a new method, presently in clinical trials, which allows treating solid tumors by alpha particles. DaRT relies on interstitial seeds carrying μCi‐level 224Ra activity on their surface, which release a chain of short‐lived alpha emitters that spread throughout the tumor volume primarily by diffusion. Alpha dose calculations in DaRT are based on describing the transport of alpha emitting atoms, requiring new modeling techniques.PurposeA previous study introduced a simplified framework, the “diffusion–leakage (DL) model,” for DaRT alpha dose calculations, and employed it to a point source, as a basic building block of arbitrary configurations of line sources. The aim of this work, which is divided into two parts, is to extend the model to realistic seed geometries (in Part I), and to employ single‐seed calculations to study the properties of DaRT seed lattices (Part II). Such calculations can serve as a pragmatic guide for treatment planning in future clinical trials.MethodsWe employ the superposition of single‐seed solutions, developed in Part I, to study the alpha dose in DaRT seed lattices and investigate the sensitivity of the required seed activity and spacing to changes in the DL model parameters and to seed placement errors.ResultsWe show that the rapid fall‐off of the dose, which guarantees sparing healthy tissue already 2–3 mm away from the tumor, strongly favors a hexagonal, rather than square, seed placement pattern. Realistic variations in the seed manufacturing parameters (224Ra activity and emission rate of its daughters) are shown to have a negligible effect on the required lattice spacing. On the other hand, tumor parameters (i.e., diffusion lengths and 212Pb leakage probability), as well as seed placement errors, have a significant effect.ConclusionsIn most cases, hexagonal lattice spacing on the scale of ∼3.5–4.5 mm using seeds carrying a few μCi/cm 224Ra will enable overcoming realistic uncertainties in measured tumor environment parameters, as well as seed placement errors, and result in therapeutically relevant alpha dose levels.
Efficacy of termoablative fractional CO2 laser (Monnalisa Touch) in stress urinary incontinence
Authors: Montera Roberto , Ficarola Fernando , Angioli Roberto , Terranova Corrado , Nardone Carlo De Cicco , Guzzo Federica , Plotti Francesco , Luvero Daniela 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPurposeUsually, in stress urinary incontinence (SUI), nonsurgical therapy such as pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and lifestyle changes are proposed before surgical treatment. Laser therapy has recently been recommended for the treatment of SUI, helping to reconstruct the collagen that supports the vagina and the pelvic floor. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of SUI treatment with a CO2 intravaginal laser in patients waiting for anti‐incontinence surgery (TVT‐O).MethodsThis is a prospective, case–control study. Fifty‐two patients have been included in our study and we divided them into two groups: atrophy and no atrophy. We also adopted a control group retrospectively identified from our database of patients undergoing PFMT. The subjective estimation of SUI symptoms before and after treatment was evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale before and after 1, 6, and 12 months of treatment. The objective evaluation with the urodynamic study with the stress test and a 3‐day voiding diary to count the number of episodes of incontinence, before and after treatment.ResultsThe intravaginal CO2 laser improved all the parameters considered for SUI in both groups. Its results were more relevant in the atrophy group, in comparison to the no atrophy group, even if they were both statistically significant. There were no statistically significant differences for all the parameters evaluated for SUI between laser treatment and PFMT in the control group.ConclusionThe CO2 laser is well‐tolerated, minimally invasive, safe, and showing efficacy for SUI. More studies are needed to consider it as first‐instance therapy, like PFMT, or at least, as a bridge therapy to surgery.
Time‐restricted eating did not alter insulin sensitivity or β‐cell function in adults with obesity: A randomized pilot study
Authors: Bantle Anne E. , Lau Kheng Joe , Wang Qi , Malaeb Samar , Harindhanavudhi Tasma , Manoogian Emily N. C. , Panda Satchidananda , Mashek Douglas G. , Chow Lisa S. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractObjectiveDecreased insulin sensitivity and impairment of β‐cell function predate and predict development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Time‐restricted eating (TRE) might have a benefit for these parameters. The objective of this pilot study was to investigate this possibility.MethodsSecondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial comparing 12 weeks of TRE (8‐hour eating window) to unrestricted eating (non‐TRE) was performed. Participants were adults with overweight or obesity and without diabetes. Two‐hour oral glucose tolerance testing was performed at baseline and end‐intervention. Glucose tolerance test‐derived measures of insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and β‐cell function were compared between groups.ResultsParticipants (17 women/3 men with mean [SD] age 45.5 [12.1] years and BMI 34.1 [7.5] kg/m2) with a prolonged eating window (15.4 [0.9] hours) were randomized to TRE (n = 11) or non‐TRE (n = 9). The quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI), Stumvoll index, Avignon index, insulinogenic index, insulin area under the curve/glucose area under the curve, and oral disposition index did not differ between the TRE and non‐TRE groups at end‐intervention.ConclusionsIn adults with overweight or obesity and without diabetes, TRE did not significantly alter insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, or β‐cell function over a 12‐week intervention. Whether TRE is beneficial in adults with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus warrants further investigation.