bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Qualitative Assessment of X-Ray Machines’ Mechanical Parameters at Some Selected Diagnostic Centres in Nigeria
Authors: R. Owoade Latifat , I. Akinlade Bidemi , P. Farai Idowu 
Published: September 2022

Introduction: This study assessed the present status of conventional X-Ray machines used for common diagnostic X-Ray examinations in Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: Total of 112 X-Ray machines from 106 diagnostic centres from six geopolitical zones in Nigeria were considered. Structured questionnaires and Diavolt Dosimeter were respectively used for data collection and measurements of parameters: Half-Value Layer (HVL), tube voltage (kVp) reproducibility, kVp accuracy and beam output linearity/stability.
Results: By zonal distribution of X-Ray units, the highest number (36%) and the least (7%) was from the south-west and south-south respectively. In all, 71% were owned by private institutions, 71% were non-mobile, 64% were operated on 3-phase generator and 35% were within the age of ten years. The HVLs of 97% of the X-Ray units were within the standard thickness of 2.3 mmAl (at 80 kVp, 100 cm FFD), 88% have acceptable kVp reproducibility and 51% have kVp accuracy within ±5%. Only X-Ray units (64%) operated on 3-phase generator produced beam output that are within acceptable stability.
Conclusion: This study showed that some (65%) of the X-Ray units considered are aged (>10 years) and about 49% of the units failed kVp accuracy test. This may be due to inconsistency in the quality assurance checks of X-Ray units by some diagnostic centres, especially those in the south-south region. The authors therefore recommended strict measures, to be put in place by the regulatory authority, that will make all diagnostic centres in Nigeria to comply with the requirements for peaceful radiation practices.
Comparison of Post-operative Pain in Patients with Platysma Muscle Suture versus no Suture for Wound Closure after Thyroid Surgery
Authors: Rehman Mehmood Ur , Taj Mazar , Ali Mehmood , Akbar Shakeel , Bashir Muhammad Zakaryya , Yasir Muhammad 
Published: September 2022

Objective: To assess the post-operative pain in patients with platysma muscle suture versus without platysma muscle suture used for wound closure after thyroidectomy.
Study Design: Randomized clinical trial.
Duration: January 2020 to March 2021.
Setting: Department of General Surgery, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi.
Methods: A total number of 68 patients planned for primary thyroid surgery, aged 18-60 years of both genders were included in this study. Patients were divided into two equal groups using draw randomization. In Group I: platysma muscle suture was used during wound closure after thyroidectomy. In Group II: No platysma suture was used during wound closure after thyroidectomy. Postoperative pain score was noted at 24 hours after thyroidectomy.
Results: Mean age of patients was 39.25±11.68 years. Mean body mass index (BMI) of patients was 24.48±3.60 kg/m2. Mean duration of surgery was 88.81±15.22 minutes. Mean postoperative pain score was 2.78±1.37. There were 39 (57.35%) females and 29 (42.65%) female patients. There were 18 (26.47%) patients having ASA I, 44 (64.71%) having ASA status II and 06 (8.82%) patients having ASA status III. There were 18 (26.47%) patients with hemi-thyroidectomy and 50 (73.53%) with total thyroidectomy. Post-operative pain score was 3.26±1.50 in with platysma muscle suture and 2.29±1.03 in without platysma suture (p-value 0.003).
Conclusion: As per current research, postoperatively, there was less discomfort related to the incision when the platysma muscle suture was not used. Further studies with a larger sample size is warranted.
Outcomes 12 Months After Temperature-Controlled Radiofrequency Device Treatment of the Nasal Valve for Patients With Nasal Airway Obstruction
Authors: Han Joseph K. , Silvers Stacey L. , Rosenthal Jon N. , McDuffie Chad M. , Yen David M. 
Published: September 2022

ImportanceNasal valve collapse is a primary cause of nasal airway obstruction (NAO). Patients with NAO and nasal valve collapse experience a variety of symptoms that lower their quality of life, such as nasal congestion, headache, sleep disturbance, daytime sleepiness, and snoring.ObjectiveTo determine if active treatment of the nasal valve with a temperature-controlled radiofrequency (TCRF) device, previously demonstrated superior to a sham procedure at 3 months, was safe and associated with sustained improvements in symptoms of NAO through 12 months.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn a prospective, multicenter, single-blinded, randomized clinical trial, patients in 16 centers in the US with index procedures between August and December 2020 were assigned to TCRF device treatment of the nasal valve or a sham control procedure (no RF energy). Patients had a baseline Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) Scale score of 55 or greater with nasal valve collapse as the primary or substantial contributor to NAO. After primary end point evaluation at 3 months, eligible patients in the sham control arm crossed over to active treatment. Data analysis was performed between April and May 2022.InterventionsPatients were treated bilaterally with the TCRF device at 4 or fewer nonoverlapping areas on the nasal mucosa at the junction of the upper and lower lateral cartilage on the lateral nasal wall.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary end point measure was responder rate, defined as 20% or greater reduction in NOSE Scale score or 1 or greater reduction in NOSE Scale clinical severity category.ResultsA total of 108 patients received active treatment (77 as index active treatment, 31 after crossover). The mean (SD) age of patients was 48.5 (12.3) years; 66 (61.1%) were women. The combined group of patients receiving active treatment had a mean baseline NOSE Scale score of 76.3 (95% CI, 73.6-79.1). At 12 months (n = 88), the responder rate was 89.8% (95% CI, 81.7%-94.5%). The NOSE Scale score improved from baseline (mean change, −44.9 [95% CI, −52.1 to −37.7]). No device/procedure-related serious adverse events were reported.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this follow-up of a cohort from a randomized clinical trial, the minimally invasive TCRF device, previously demonstrated to be superior to a sham procedure, was safe and associated with improvement in symptoms of NAO through 12 months postprocedure.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04549545
Postvaccinal GABA‐B receptor antibody encephalitis after ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 vaccination
Authors: Ahn Seon‐Jae , Lee Soon‐Tae , Chu Kon 
Published: September 2022

AbstractSeveral cases of autoimmune encephalitis have been reported after ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 (AZD1222) vaccination. We encountered a male patient who presented with generalized tonic‐clonic seizures, cognitive decline, and gait disturbance that occurred suddenly after the second dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV‐19 vaccine. Clinical presentation and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) test results were compatible with limbic encephalitis. Synaptic autoantibody tests confirmed serum and CSF GABA B receptor antibodies were present. The patient was treated with immunotherapy with intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab. This GABA‐B receptor antibody encephalitis case occurred presumably due to transient autoantibody production following vaccine administration.
A Nanoplasmonic Portable Molecular Interaction Platform for High‐Throughput Drug Screening
Authors: Fan Hongli , Huang Liping , Li Rui , Chen Mingqian , Huang Junjie , Xu Hao , Hu Wenjun , Liu Gang L. 
Published: September 2022

AbstractA fast and reliable method for the detection of molecular interactions in real‐time is necessary for drug screening and control of infections or diseases. Therefore, this study aims to develop a high‐throughput portable nanoplasmonic platform. This is done by integrating a nanocup array‐enhanced surface plasmon resonance (NanoSPR) sensor with a standard 96‐well plate or a simple eight‐pillar device, which can offer rapid and label‐free interaction analysis and highly sensitive binding kinetics for drug screening. To fabricate the wafer‐level NanoSPR biosensor, nanoimprint lithography, electron beam evaporation, and bonding technology have been used to offer low‐cost production on a mass scale. Meanwhile, a variety of ready‐to‐use NanoSPR biosensors are separately modified to demonstrate the high‐quality binding kinetics and affinity of different biomolecular interactions. Owing to their unique optical properties, the two developed portable NanoSPR devices provide the possibility of having a portable benchtop molecular interaction instrument that is very promising for meeting the needs of personal and laboratory testing. This study may pave the way for NanoSPR biosensors to achieve high‐throughput and easy‐to‐use molecular interaction analysis with outstanding performance.
Inducing the Solid–Liquid Conversion of Zinc Metal Anode in Alkaline Electrolytes by a Complexing Agent
Authors: Wu Wanlong , Yang Xianpeng , Wang Kuo , Lin Zirui , Shi Hua‐Yu , Sun Xiaoqi 
Published: September 2022

AbstractPrimary alkaline aqueous batteries with Zn metal anodes have been commercialized and show great promise for secondary batteries. However, Zn undergoes a solid–liquid–solid reaction among Zn, Zn(OH)42−, and ZnO in alkaline electrolytes, and the insulating ZnO formed on the surface easily passivates Zn underneath. Herein, a complexing agent of Br− is added into the KOH electrolyte. Zn is oxidized to Zn–Br complexes instead of Zn(OH)42− during discharge, the former of which exhibits higher solubility. Therefore, Zn undergoes a solid–liquid reaction, and the passivation by ZnO is effectively avoided. Zn is reversibly deposited during charge to form a flat surface on the electrode. Thanks to the excellent kinetics and reversibility of the solid–liquid conversion process, the symmetric cell exhibits a polarization voltage of ≈8 mV at 1 mA cm−2 and only increases to 36 mV at 10 mA cm−2. The cycle life is extended to 900 h at 1 mA cm−2 and 0.5 mA h cm−2, which is 22× of the one in the KOH electrolyte. The KOH/KBr electrolyte is also applicable to a Zn||MnO2 battery, which delivers 92.5% capacity retention after 500 cycles. This study presents an effective strategy to uncover alternative reaction paths for zinc electrode in rechargeable batteries.
Bio‐Inspired Wrinkled Photonic Elastomer with Superior Controllable and Mechanically Stable Structure for Multi‐Mode Color Display
Authors: Lin Ruicheng , Qi Yong , Kou Donghui , Ma Wei , Zhang Shufen 
Published: September 2022

AbstractColor is an excellent carrier of information between organisms. Photonic elastomers that convert abstract mechanical information into intuitive color information have shown great potential in various application fields. However, angular correlation of structural colors and monotonous color conversion mode affect the accuracy of material information reading and the applicability in diverse application scenarios. Here, inspired by a kind of bright blue spider‐ Poecilotheria metallica, a new wrinkled photonic elastomer structure is reported. Through wrinkling stretchable 1D photonic crystals (1DPCs), photonic elastomers with both one‐directional and omni‐directional angle‐independent brilliant structural colors are realized. It is worth noting that with the hybrid 1DPC and polydimethylsiloxane substrate support, the wrinkled photonic structure and structural color remain stable after 1000 strain cycles, and mechanochromic sensitivity can reach 3.25 nm/%, indicating strong structural stability and sensitive deformation performance under stress. More importantly, by comprehensively manipulating micro‐wrinkle structure and lattice spacing of the photonic films, the structural color can achieve delayed discoloration and invisible‐visible reversible switching performance only through a single strain direction. The proposed wrinkled photonic elastomers have a broad application value in the fields of visual strain sensing, wearable devices, and information encryption. Furthermore, it provides a new strategy for color regulation of photonic materials.
Active Manipulation of Functional Droplets on Slippery Surface
Authors: Han Keyu , Wang Zubin , Han Xiao , Wang Xuan , Guo Pu , Che Pengda , Heng Liping , Jiang Lei 
Published: September 2022

AbstractDroplet manipulation has drawn enormous attention due to its important role in technological applications from energy and environment to human health. However, the facilely active manipulation of functional droplets on a nonresponsive slippery surface remains a great challenge. Here, triggered by external stimuli (light irradiation, electric field, and magnetic field), an active manipulation of functional droplets is reported, that is propelling the droplets on a nonresponsive slippery surface, without the need fosurface responsiveness. The driven forces are the asymmetrical forces induced by external stimuli. Moreover, the proof‐of‐concept experiments of the coalescence, micro reaction, anti‐gravity force manipulation, and screening of different droplets under external stimuli are demonstrated. All the results indicate that this work can offer a feasible strategy for actively manipulating droplets independent of surface responsiveness and facilitate the development of chemical detection, microfluidics, bioanalysis, and medicines.
Stabilizing Zn Anode Interface by Simultaneously Manipulating the Thermodynamics of Zn Nucleation and Overpotential of Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Wang Huibo , Li Heng , Tang Yuxin , Xu Zhu , Wang Kexuan , Li Qingyuan , He Bingchen , Liu Yi , Ge Mingzheng , Chen Shi , Hao Tianwei , Xing Guichuan , Zhang Yanyan 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe uncontrollable dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and other side‐reactions, originating from the zinc anode, have severely restricted the practical application of aqueous zinc–ion batteries (ZIBs). To address these challenges, a stable solid‐electrolyte‐interface (SEI) layer is constructed through introducing sericin molecules as an electrolyte additive to modulate the Zn nucleation and overpotential of hydrogen evolution. This SEI layer increases the nucleation overpotential during Zn plating, leading to the finer‐grained, dense, and uniform Zn deposition. Meanwhile, the lower unoccupied molecular orbital molecules in SEI layer have a higher reduction potential than H2O, inhibiting hydrogen production, and subsequently suppressing the Zn dendritic and interfacial side‐reactions. Consequently, the Zn|Zn symmetric cells with sericin additives exhibit an extremely prolonged cycling lifetime of 4446 h compared with to bare Zn electrode of 53 h at 1.0 mA cm−2/1.0 mAh cm−2, and a high average Coulombic efficiency of 99.29% under a high cumulative plated capacity of 1.0 Ah cm−2tested in Zn|Cu cells. Moreover, the assembled full cells using Na2V6O16·3H2O cathodes endure 2000 cycles with high capacity retention of 81.7% at 5.0 A g−1. This study sheds new light on modulating the process of Zn nucleation and overpotential of H2evolution for durable Zn anode design.
Chiral Hydrogel Accelerates Re‐Epithelization in Chronic Wounds via Mechanoregulation
Authors: Zhu Hanting , Xing Chao , Dou Xiaoqiu , Zhao Yu , Peng Yinbo , Feng Chuanliang , Fang Yong 
Published: September 2022

AbstractChronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), are a serious clinical problem. It is a challenge for the conventional wound dressings to achieve the desirable therapeutic efficacy due to the lack of biomimetic structural environment for rapid re‐epithelization. Inspired by the naturally existing chiral structures in skin, a novel amino acid‐based chiral hydrogel dressing is developed, consisting of left‐handed or right‐handed helical fibers self‐assembled by l/d–phenylalanine derivatives. Compared to the levorotatory chiral hydrogel (LH), the dextral chiral hydrogel (DH) shows the ability to enhance cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration, and strongly promotes diabetic wound healing and re‐epithelialization with a drug‐free mode. Interestingly, the dextral chiral hydrogel is able to actively increase adsorption of type I collagen and promote proliferation and migration of keratinocyte in an integrin and YAP‐mediated manner. This study not only provides a novel strategy for treatment of chronic wounds by utilizing dextral chiral hydrogel dressings, but also unveils the molecular mechanism for effect of dextral chiral structures on the promoted proliferation of keratinocyte.
Ghrelin Bridges DMV Neuropathology and GI Dysfunction in the Early Stages of Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Liu Yizhen , Wang Weiwei , Song Ning , Jiao Lingling , Jia Fengju , Du Xixun , Chen Xi , Yan Chunling , Jiao Jianwei , Jiao Qian , Jiang Hong 
Published: September 2022

AbstractGhrelin contributes to the communication between the brain and gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Both decreased ghrelin levels and functional GI disorders are early events in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and animal models. However, the reason is not clear. Here it is found that choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)‐positive neurons in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMV), are lost in PD transgenic mice. In response to the selective damaging of DMV neurons with mu p75‐SAP, a rapid reduction both in plasma total and active ghrelin levels is observed. While by contrast, chemogenetic activation of DMV cholinergic neurons can increase the plasma ghrelin levels. Impairment of cholinergic neurons is accompanied by GI disorders, including decreased stool wet weight, stool dry weight, small intestine advancing rate, and gastric emptying rate, while exogenous ghrelin treatment can partially ameliorate GI dysfunction of A53T α‐synuclein transgenic mice. Using pseudorabies virus retrograde trace method, the existence of a direct pathway from the stomach fundus to the DMV is shown. Taken together, the findings suggest that the reduction in plasma ghrelin levels in the early stages of PD may be the result of the lesion of cholinergic neurons in the DMV, thus linking neurodegeneration and GI dysfunction in PD.
Self‐Encapsulated Cu Grid for Highly Transparent Conductive Electrode for Transparent Heater and Electrochemical Supercapacitor Applications
Authors: Raman Vivekanandan , Selvaraj Aravindha Raja , Kim Seong‐Won , Prabakar Kandasamy , Kim Han‐Ki 
Published: September 2022

AbstractThe conducting metallic grid is a prominent viable candidate for an alternative to indium tin oxide for optoelectronic devices. This metallic grid tends to oxidize quickly, and to avoid oxidization, a passivation layer must be added, which drastically compromises the transmittance. The fabrication of a highly flexible, highly transparent, and conductive copper grid electrode with an outstanding sheet resistance of 0.11 Ω □−1, and excellent transparency of 93.13% is reported. This copper electrode resists oxidization with the help of poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), and even after exposing the electrode to the ambient atmosphere, it shows excellent sheet resistance of 0.12 Ω □−1. This is achieved by the in situ formation of an oxidization‐resistive light‐absorbing PEDOT:PSS layer that encapsulates the Cu microparticles during electrodeposition. The electrode shows excellent mechanical stability with good electromagnetic interference shielding of 19 dB. Moreover, the electrode is developed as a thin film heater, and subjects to electrochemical analysis, which shows a specific capacitance of 81.58 mF cm−2 for supercapacitor application.
In Situ Visualizing the Interfacial Failure Mechanism and Modification Promotion of LAGP Solid Electrolyte toward Li Metal Anode
Authors: Cui Can , Zeng Cheng , Huang Guxin , Feng Xin , Zhang Yue , Zhai Tianyou , Li Huiqiao 
Published: September 2022

AbstractIn‐depth understanding the failure process of solid‐state electrolyte (SSE) and providing potential solutions are crucial for the development of solid‐state batteries (SSBs). Typical techniques are powerful to investigate the chemical/electrochemical degradation of SSE. While, mechanical failure, which would undoubtedly affect battery performance, is difficult to detect by normal techniques and lack effective characterizations. Herein, via in situ electrochemical SEM, the dynamic failure process of SSE is observed, revealing the continuously generated side‐reaction layer and the stress‐induced cracks are the main origins. C3N4 (CN) is introduced as the modification layer for Li and SSE. Via in situ scanning electron microscope, Li growth is regulated by CN from dendrite‐like to particulate‐like growth. The properties of electronic transportation and ionic migration in CN are quantitatively measured, and CN promotion mechanism is revealed. Thanks to CN layer, the interfacial side‐reaction is restrained, simultaneously, Li+ flux becomes well‐distributed for dense Li deposition, preventing stress‐induced mechanical failure in SSE. Li symmetrical batteries with CN can endure the maximum current density up to 2.0 mA cm−2 and stably cycle for 3000 h at 300 µA cm−2. This work suggests a promising method to circumvent SSE degradation against Li and open opportunities for future SSBs.
Do postoperative infectious complications really affect long‐term survival in colorectal cancer surgery? A multicenter retrospective cohort study
Authors: Matsuda Akihisa , Maruyama Hiroshi , Akagi Shinji , Inoue Toru , Uemura Kenichiro , Kobayashi Minako , Shiomi Hisanori , Watanabe Manabu , Arai Hiroki , Kojima Yutaka , Mizuuchi Yusuke , Yokomizo Hajime , Toiyama Yuji , Miyake Toru , Yokoyama Yasuyuki , Ishimaru Kei , Takeda Shigeru , Yaguchi Yoshihisa , Kitagawa Yuko 
Published: September 2022

AbstractAimTo investigate the impact of postoperative infection (PI), surgical site infection, and remote infection (RI), on long‐term outcomes in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).MethodsThe Japan Society for Surgical Infection conducted a multicenter retrospective cohort study involving 1817 curative stage I/II/III CRC patients from April 2013 to March 2015. Patients were divided into the No‐PI group and the PI group. We examined the association between PI and oncological outcomes for cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) using Cox proportional hazards models and propensity score matching.ResultsTwo hundred and ninety‐nine patients (16.5%) had PIs. The 5‐year CSS and OS rates in the No‐PI and PI groups were 92.8% and 87.6%, and 87.4% and 83.8%, respectively. Both the Cox proportional hazards models and propensity score matching demonstrated a significantly worse prognosis in the PI group than that in the No‐PI group for CSS (hazard ratio: 1.60; 95% confidence interval: 1.10‐2.34; P = .015 and P = .031, respectively) but not for OS. RI and the PI severity were not associated with oncological outcomes. The presence of PI abolished the survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy.ConclusionsThese results suggest that PI after curative CRC surgery is associated with impaired oncological outcomes. This survival disadvantage of PI was primarily derived from surgical site infection, not RI, and PI induced lower efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy. Strategies to prevent PI and implement appropriate postoperative treatment may improve the quality of care and oncological outcomes in patients undergoing curative CRC surgery.