bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smoking Prevalences of All Grades from Oldest Medical School in Turkey and Attitudes of Medical Students as a Potential Role Model
Authors: Bayramlar Osman Faruk , Karabey Selma , Koci Mert Burak , Bozdag Semih , Ozturk Hatice , Karakaya Nur Rana , Bahar Zeynep , Kocak Elif Nur , Surme Serkan , Karaca Esra
Published: February 2023

Background: Medical students are candidates for counseling tobacco addicts after graduation. In contrast, they have high rates of tobacco smoking.
Aims: Therefore, we aimed to determine the prevalence and dynamics of tobacco smoking among medical students from all grades and to determine its relationship with sociodemographic factors and content of medical education in order to formulate effective tobacco control measures.
Methods: A questionnaire prepared in cooperation with the 'World Health Organization' was applied as online to 697 medical students in 2020 as a randomized cross-sectional study covering all grades of the medical school. Tobacco Control lectures in school curriculum were also examined.
Results: While 3.3% of the students smoked when they just started the school, smoking prevalence reached a peak value of 31% in the grade-2 and decreased to 23% in the grade-6. Of the 135 smokers, 43% smoked their first cigarette during their medical education. “Having smoker best friends” was the most important factor in starting smoking (OR:14.89, p<0.001). Of smokers 59.3% (n=80) want to quit smoking. Only 20.7% of students who tried to quit smoking received professional help. The smoking risk was 12.5-fold higher in students who tried to use hookahs than never tried (p<0.001). The students who are expected to receive sufficient quantity and quality education, took only 1-hour lecture on tobacco control in the first two years of school.
Conclusion: Increased smoking rates indicate that psychosocial supporting mechanisms and tobacco control lectures should be developed to prevent students from starting smoking during the undergraduate medical education period.
GeloMyrtol could Improve Survival of Patients with Pseudomyxoma Peritonei: A Retrospective Case Control Study on 470 Patients from a Single Center
Authors: Zhao Xin , Lin Yu-Lin , Li Xin-Bao , Ma Ru , Zhang Ying , Li Yan
Published: February 2023

Background
To analyze the clinical efficacy of GeloMyrtol (GM) in treating pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP).
Methods
PMP patients treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) at Beijing Shijitan Hospital from July 2015 to April 2022 were included in this study. Patients who took GM before CRS + HIPEC were defined as study group and patients who did not take GM were defined as control group. Kaplan-Meier survival method was used to compare overall survival (OS) of two groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the independent prognostic factors.
Results
Among the included 470 PMP patients, 212 (45.1%) cases were in study group and 258 (54.9%) cases in control group. The median OS (mOS) was 156.3 (95%CI: not reached) months in the study group vs. 68.0 (95%CI: 51.9–84.1) months in the control group (P < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed 7 independent prognostic factors: grouping, operation history, histological grading, peritoneal cancer index (PCI), completeness of cytoreduction (CC), lymphatic metastasis and number of resected organs. Patients who did not take GM had a 2.786-fold higher risk of death than those who took GM before CRS + HIPEC (P < 0.001, 95%CI: 0.248–0.519).
Conclusions
GM could improve survival of PMP treated with CRS + HIPEC.
Testing the efficiency of capture methods for questing Hyalomma lusitanicum ticks (vector of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus)
Authors: Cuadrado-Matías Raúl , Casades-Martí Laia , Peralbo-Moreno Alfonso , Baz-Flores Sara , García-Manzanilla Edgar , Ruiz-Fons Francisco
Published: February 2023

Background
Available methods to census exophilic tick populations have limitations in estimating true population size due to their inability to capture a high proportion of the actual tick population. We currently ignore the efficacy of these methods to capture questing Hyalomma spp. ticks, vectors of the Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus. To address the need to accurately estimate questing densities of Hyalomma spp. we designed a field experiment to test the efficacy of blanket dragging, blanket flagging, CO2-baited traps, and and ad hoc designed method, absolute surface counts, in capturing adult Hyalomma lusitanicum ticks.
Methods
The experiment was designed in two stages to estimate the point (one-day sampling) and cumulative (three-day serial sampling) efficacy of the methods under varying sampling effort and habitat. Tick survival, host interference, and weather effects on efficacy were controlled for in multiple regression models.
Results
There was high variability in method efficacy for capturing ticks, which was also modulated by effort and habitat. The most effective method was absolute surface counts for both point estimates (39%) and cumulative efficacy (83%). CO2-baited traps reached a maximum efficacy of 37%, while blanket dragging and blanket flagging captured around 8% of the marked ticks.
Conclusions
Our results reveal the strengths and weaknesses of the different tick capture methods applied to study the demography of H. lusitanicum, and lay the groundwork for more accurate inferences about the true size of exophilic tick populations.
Rural women and ecotourism: modelling entrepreneurial behavior in Iran
Authors: Aghdasi Sahar , Najafabadi Maryam Omidi , Hosseini Seyed Jamal Farajollah
Published: February 2023

Fars province, as one of the most susceptible ecotourism regions of Iran, has paid attention to the establishment of ecotourism residences with the priority of rural women through ecotourism entrepreneurial training in recent years. In this regard, the present study investigates the effective factors on entrepreneurial behavior with Fars rural women ecotourism approach in Iran. The participants of the study were 431 of rural women in Fars and 205 were determined by Cochran formula. It is inferred from the results that step-by-step procedure of changing norms towards the acceptance of rural women entrepreneurs as well as the acceptance of ecotourism culture through the establishment of local and regional institutions and organizations in a context of family support with strong bonds of commitment, solidarity, environmental and infrastructural foundations will lead to a strong desire to constitute ecotourism residence by rural women.
Neuroendocrine tumours of the orbit: report of three cases and a literature review
Authors: Qiao JunYi , Wang yujiao , He weimin
Published: February 2023

Background

Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) are malignancies originating from neuroendocrine cells. NETs mainly occur in the gastrointestinal tract and lungs and can metastasise to the eye orbit in rare cases. We analysed three orbital NET cases in the present study and described their clinicopathologic factors, treatments and prognosis.

Case presentation

Three orbital NET cases were described in the present study. The average age of the patients was 59 years old. One patient was male, and two were female. Two of them showed ocular symptoms, including unilateral proptosis and eyelid mass; the other showed systemic symptoms as Cushing syndrome. The three patients underwent surgical resection of the tumour. Tumours were analysed using immunohistochemistry assays and were positive for PCK and EMA. Besides, two patients were positive for CD56 and Syn. Cases 1 and 2 were pathologically diagnosed with "neuroendocrine carcinoma", refused treatment, and died three months later. Case 3 was diagnosed with a "neuroendocrine tumour", and after the operation, the Cushing syndrome symptoms gradually disappeared. Finally, no recurrence was found after four years of follow-up.

Conclusion

Neuroendocrine tumours can originate from orbit and show different clinical manifestations due to the different types of orbital NETs. Pathology can clarify the diagnosis, classification and grading, provide a reference value for treatment strategy and prognosis.
Health risk of heavy metals from the consumption of cucumber in Darrehshahr Township, west of Iran
Authors: Mortazavi Samar , Khodadadi Tarokh , Mazloomi Sajad , Nourmoradi Heshmatollah , Mirzaei Mehri
Published: February 2023

Because of the routine consumption of vegetables and the possibility of heavy metals contamination, it can threaten the health of consumers. In this investigation, the concentration and human health risks of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Cu, and Ni) were evaluated in the harvested cucumber samples in nine villages of the Darrehshahr Township, Iran. The average concentrations of elements in all the villages were ranked as follows: Zn < Pb < Cu < Ni < Cd. The concentration of Cd (except village I) and Pb as toxic pollutants in all the samples were higher than maximum levels (ML) of Iran standard. Among all the studied elements, only EDI and EWI values of Pb were found to be higher than recommended value limits of Iran standard. THQ (Target Hazard Quotient) of all the elements except Pb was less than 1and was in the order Pb > Cu > Zn > Ni > Cd. So, the health risk of cucumber consumption, because of Pb, was high. Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) in all the villages was more than 10. It represented that the health risk for non-carcinogenic diseases due to long term cucumber consumption would be high. Based on the results, there is a health risk from consumption of cucumber grown in Darrehshahr Township because of high Pb concentration.
FEATURES OF NEUROCOGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS IN PATIENTS WITH MILD COGNITIVE DISORDER OF DIFFERENT ETIOLOGY
Authors: Chyniak Olha
Published: February 2023

Introduction. Mild cognitive disorder (MCD) is a heterogeneous syndrome that involves problems with memory, speech, and thinking that are inconspicuous and do not affect the patient's independence and daily life. The article considers similarities and differences in the neurocognitive profiles of patients with mild cognitive disorders of various etiologies.
Materials and methods. We examined 60 people: 30 subjects aged 50 to 83 years with a mild cognitive disorder of various etiologies and 30 relatively healthy individuals as the control group. All patients underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the brain. We used the psychometric method and the following scales: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA), the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR); the results were analyzed using the method of statistical processing.
Results. According to the results of neurocognitive testing, no significant differences were found in the total scores (p = 0.6209), in particular, using the MMSE scale in patients with non-anamnestic (nMCD) and anamnestic (aMCD) мild cognitive disorder and мild cognitive disorder (aMCD). However, patients with nMCD showed significantly lower results with subtests: "attention and calculation" (p = 0.0443). According to the MoCA scale, patients with nMCD had a higher score vs. patients with aMCD (p = 0.0457), namely in the "delayed recall" subtests (p = 0.0102). Patients with nMCD had significantly lower results with the "attention and calculation" subtest (p = 0.0468). No significant differences were found between the groups of patients with MCD according to the results of testing with the FAB scale (p = 0.4778). According to some subtests of the ADAS-cog scale, patients with aMCD showed worse results with the "word recall" test (p = 0.0069) and "word recognition" (p = 0.0350). In patients with nMCD, lower scores were observed for the subtests "concentration and distractibility" (p = 0.0468), "number cancellation task" (p = 0.0217), and "passing the labyrinth" (p = 0.0015). Patients with aMCD showed significantly lower cognitive abilities than patients with nMCD. Consequently, patients with aMCD may be significantly at high risk of progression to Alzheimer's disease.
Conclusions. After comparing the data of neurocognitive profiles, we established that in patients with anamnestic мild cognitive disorder, the clinical picture presented with a pronounced memory disorder, especially delayed recall, while the patients with non-anamnestic мild cognitive disorder were characterized by regulatory cognitive impairment (attention and calculation, reduced speed of thinking, impaired planning of activities).
The MoCA and ADAS-cog scores had better diagnostic accuracy and specificity for the detection and differential diagnosis of mild cognitive disorders than the MMSE scale.
Nitrogen fertilization strategies with protected urea for tropical grasses in an integrated crop-livestock system
Authors: Barros Dhiéssica Morgana Alves , Rodrigues Rosane Cláudia , Costa Clésio dos Santos , Andrade Alex Carvalho , Sousa Giovanne Oliveira C. , Fernandes Leonardo Santana , Ramos Raphael da Silva , Lana Rogério de Paula , Shigaki Francirose , Santos Jocélio Araújo dos , Lima Juliana Rodrigues Lacerda de , Dutra Jefferson Auteliano Carvalho , Costa Kátia Aparecida de Pinho , Jesus Ana Paula Ribeiro de , Santos Francisco Naysson de Sousa
Published: February 2023

The intercropping of corn and grass allows for the production of grains, and simultaneously, the recuperation and renovation of pastures. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of N doses on the yield, structure, chemical-bromatological characteristics, and the N use efficiency of Brachiara brizantha cultivars in an integrated crop-livestock system. The experimental design was completely randomized, with four replications, in a slip-plot scheme. The plots were formed of two grass plants, Marandu and Paiaguás, intercropped with corn and subplots composed of nitrogen doses (70, 100, and 130 kg N ha-1). During the system’s establishment (1st cycle), the Paiaguás grass presented higher values for all morphogenic and structural characteristics and higher forage yield when compared to Marandu grass. After the corn harvest, the interaction effect of the N doses and the cultivars for the foliar structure emergence and the number of living leaves was observed. The variables foliar elongation rate, stem elongation rate, and phyllochron were not influenced by any of the investigated factors (P>0.05). The highest DM content was obtained with the application of 100 kg ha-1 of N, whereas, for the other chemical characteristics, there was only an effect among the cultivars. Paiaguás grass exhibited the highest levels of NDF, ADF, lignin, and MM. CP levels were not influenced by the factors studied. Marandu grass and the use of 70 kg N ha-1 are recommended for intercropping with corn
Parsley (Petroselinum crispum): chemical composition and antibacterial activity of essential oil from organic against foodborne pathogens
Authors: Franciscato Lidaiane Mariah Silva dos Santos , Mendes Suelen Sorato , Frederico Camila , Gonçalves José Eduardo , Faria Maria Graciela Iecher , Gazim Zilda Cristiani , Ruiz Suelen Pereira
Published: February 2023

Microbial contamination is a serious problem for food industries, potentially leading to foodborne diseases that affect human health. Petroselinum crispum, popularly known as parsley, can be used for the production of biologically active essential oil. Considering the demand for novel natural products to control microorganisms, this study aimed to analyze the chemical composition and antibacterial activity of P. crispum essential oil from organic cultivation. Essential oil was extracted by hydrodistillation from the aerial part of P. crispum cv. plain (plain leaf type) at 70 days of age and analyzed for chemical composition by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antibacterial activity was evaluated against five bacterial pathogens by the broth microdilution method. The essential oil yield was 0.02% and the major compounds were apiol (61.94%) and myristicin (9.33%). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of essential oil ranged from 1.70 to 10.00 mg mL−1, with the best activities against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. These results demonstrate that apiol-rich essential oil from organic P. crispum shows promise as an antibacterial agent in food and pharmaceutical industries
Effect of coconut water concentration and planting media on growth and post-harvest characters of large chili using multivariate and non-parametric analyses
Authors: Ulfa Fachirah , Anshori Muhammad Fuad , Amin Rusdayani , Iqbal Aisyah Amini
Published: February 2023

This study was conducted to determine the best practices for combination of planting media and coconut water concentration on large chilies growth characteristics using multivariate analysis. The second aim was to determine the best combination of temperature and cultivation combination for post-harvest characteristics of large chilies using non-parametric analyses. The study was conducted in Jeneponto Regency, Indonesia, at 100 meters above sea level with dusty clay soil and 21-34 °C temperatures. The study used two experimental set up. The first experiment was arranged in split-plot design with planting media (combination of soil, compost or husk charcoal) as main factor (3 level) and concentrations of coconut water as subplot (4 levels). The second experiment was the temperature conditions (the room and refrigeration temperature conditions) as the post-harvest experiment after the first experiment that arranged with a nested design. The observation parameters were consisted of 9 growth parameters in the first experiment analyzed by multivariate analyses and 2 post-harvest parameters in the second stage by non-parametric analyses. Based on the results of multivariate and non-parametric analyses, increase was observed in the cultivation technology effectiveness. The variance of growth and post-harvest characteristics of large chilies were more influenced by the coconut water than the planting media effect. Furthermore, the best concentration of coconut water in large chilli is expected to occur at 15%, with a blend of refrigeration temperature for post-harvest treatment. This value is recommended in the urban farming of large chillies, using organic applications
Seed inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi propagules enhanced yield, biomass accumulation, and plant vigor of soybeans (Glycine max) and maize (Zea mays)
Authors: Pedroso Rafael Munhoz , Medeiros Carlos Antônio , Ometto Alexandre , Paes Viviane , Andrade Eduardo Figueiredo de , Inman Scott , Silva Jefferson Rangel da , Pedroso Gabriel Munhoz
Published: February 2023

Hyphal networks, resulting from mutualistic symbiotic associations between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), improve plant growth and nutrition by enhancing root access to a significantly larger soil surface area, which increases nutrient availability and translocation within the plant-host. Considering the limitations imposed by the low nutrient availability commonly found in the highly weathered soils of Brazil, the positive effects of AMF could benefit the production of important plant species, such as soybeans and maize. Multiple trials were thus carried out to investigate growth and yield responses of two major crops of Brazil, soybeans and maize, in response to mycorrhizal symbiosis originated from the inoculation of a mixture of four AMF species at seed treatment. Five soybean and seven maize field trials were conducted in the 2018/2019 growing season in different regions of Brazil. Two product rates (10 or 20 ml ha-1) were tested under two P fertilization levels (0% and 100%). We observed that plant growth-promoting effects were observed in response to AMF inoculation in both crops and both rates (10 and 20 ml ha-1 and regardless of P fertilization). Moreover, treatments inoculated with AMF propagule, but not mineral fertilized with P, presented growth improvements either similar or better than the untreated P-fertilized control. Both crops yield was increased when the highest product rate was applied in combination with P fertilization relative to the P-fertilized untreated control. Our results show that EndoFuse is an alternative to facilitate important crops cultivation.
Relationships between human resource management practices, employee satisfaction, service quality, and employee service behavior in the hotel industry
Authors: Mohammed Abu Hussein Alhareth , Montaser Mohammad Al , Alheet Ahmad , Hussein Abu Joma Mahmoud , Abu lehyeh Salman
Published: February 2023

The hotel industry is critical in developing the economy. Moreover, it is the largest and most rapidly growing industry in Jordan. Employee satisfaction is a crucial element for the success of any organization, particularly in the hotel industry. Therefore, this study aims to examine the influence of human resource management (HRM) practices since these constructs could influence different outcomes at the workplace, such as employee satisfaction, service quality, and employee service behavior in the hotel industry. The study has undertaken five primary HRM practices – recruitment, capability, compensation, performance appraisal, and training and development (T&D) – to measure their impact on employee satisfaction, service quality, and employee service behavior. Data were collected from 290 employees and 290 customers of Jordan’s hotels across all categories in the four main tourist attractions: Amman, Petra, Aqaba, and the Dead Sea. A quantitative approach was employed using various statistical tools such as mean, tabulation of data, correlation, and ANOVA by SPSS software. The results indicated that HRM practices positively affect service quality, employee service behavior, and employee satisfaction. It was also found that when employees in Jordan’s hotel industry demonstrate excellent service behavior, the customer perceptions of service quality increase. Finally, effective human resource management strategy systematically organizes all individual human resource management measures to directly influence employee satisfaction, service behavior, and service quality in a way that leads hotels to achieve organizational success.
The relationships between childlessness and educational attainment among women born between 1920 and 1979 in Hungary
Authors: Laura Szabó
Published: February 2023

Using comprehensive, individual-level census and micro census data from 1970 to 2016, our analysis seeks to answer the question of how the level of childlessness has changed in Hungary among women born between 1920 and 1979. Are there any differences by educational attainment and how the extent of childlessness would have changed if there had been no expansion in education? Our results indicate that the proportion of childless women has changed over time, both overall and within each educational group. The level of childlessness among women with different educational attainment has become increasingly similar to that of women with secondary education. Convergence was strongest between those with primary and vocational education. The level of childlessness among women with secondary and tertiary education has also become similar, although it remained consistently higher for college and university graduates. We also set up two hypothetical childlessness scenarios. In the fixed education scenario, the educational composition of women born in 1945–1949 was held constant and was projected to all birth cohorts. In the fixed childlessness by education scenario, we held the childlessness rate constant within all educational categories of women born in 1955–1959 and projected it onto the other birth cohorts. For both scenarios we calculated the overall childlessness for each cohort. Our calculations indicate that the change in the composition of women by educational attainment had a smaller effect on overall childlessness rates than the change in the level of childlessness among women with different levels of schooling.
OCORRÊNCIA DE AGROTÓXICOS EM SOLOS ARGILOSOS E ARENOSOS APÓS APLICAÇÃO EM PASTAGENS E CANA-DE-AÇÚCAR
Authors: Feitosa Ingrid , Munin Nívea , Goulart Bianca , Montagner Cassiana
Published: February 2023

OCCURRENCE OF PESTICIDES IN CLAY AND SANDY SOILS AFTER APPLICATION IN PASTURE AND SUGARCANE CROPS. Sugarcane is considered one of the greatest alternatives for the biofuels sector due to the high potential in the production of ethanol and its respective by-products. Processes of converting degraded pastures into sugarcane crops have been increasingly common in Brazil, as well as the use of pesticides to control plant diseases and pests in several crops. The objective of this work was to evaluate the occurrence of 2,4-D, ametryn, tebuthiuron, fipronil and its degradation products (fipronil sulfide and fipronil sulfone) in clay and sandy soils when applied to pasture and sugarcane management. Solid-liquid extraction and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry were used to quantify the compounds. The optimized method was validated with the following parameters: linear range from 0.5 to 300 μg L-1; linearity (r) > 0.99; precision with CV from 1.0 to 15.0%; accuracy of 60 to 117%, instrumental limit of detection (LOD) from 0.1 to 1.0 μg L-1 and instrumental limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.5 μg L-1 for all pesticides, except 2,4-D (5.0 μg L-1). Pesticides concentrations of the experimental farms ranged from 0.1 to 266 μg kg-1, with the highest concentrations found in the months of pesticide’s application. The results showed the persistence of some pesticides in the soils even after months of use.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of two-component sponge hectopative agents in acute in vivo experiment
Authors: Lipatov Vyacheslav A. , Denisov Artem A. , Petrosyan Sargis E. , Klimenko Artem E. , Panov Anatoly A. , Bobrovskaya Elena A.
Published: February 2023

Currently, the effective stop of parenchymal bleeding that has developed for various reasons: trauma, planned and emergency surgical interventions, is a serious challenge for modern clinical surgery. Today, in the arsenal of doctors there are a large number of hemostatic agents that affect the coagulation process, however, local hemostatics attract much attention, since they have a significant advantage - the absence of a systemic effect on the blood coagulation system. The objective: in a comparative aspect, to study the effectiveness of two-component sponge hemostatic agents in the model of marginal liver resection in vivo. Materials and methods. In a comparative aspect, we studied the hemostatic activity of samples of local application hemostatic agents "TachoComb" (No. 1), prototypes of two-layer spongy hemostatic agents based on sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose of various viscosities (No. 2), Surgicel Fibrillar. Rats under inhalation anesthesia underwent a median laparotomy, modeled marginal resection of the left lobe of the liver. Bleeding was stopped by applying the compared samples, while recording the amount of blood loss and bleeding time. In order to assess the statistical significance of differences between study groups, the Mann-Whitney test (p≤0.05) was used. Results. The minimum time to stop bleeding was noted in group No. 2. When comparing the volume of blood loss, no statistically significant differences were found. Conclusion. The use of samples of two-layer sponge hemostatic agents developed and tested in the experiment based on the sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose of various viscosities in stopping parenchymal bleeding in laboratory animals is not inferior to the currently used local hemostatics in terms of blood loss and statistically significantly accelerates the process of stopping bleeding.
Physical development indicators of female applicants to a military educational organization based on anthropometric studies and body composition components
Authors: Gaivoronsky Ivan V. , Semenov Alexey A.
Published: February 2023

There are no data in the scientific literature on the study and assessment of body parameters and physical development of female applicants to military educational organizations. Objective: to study anthropometric, functional indices, body composition and the main indices of physical development of female applicants to a military educational organization. Materials and methods. The object of the study was 257 practically healthy girls aged 17 years who passed a medical commission in the military commissariats at the place of conscription. Anthropometric research was carried out according to the classical method, taking into account the recommendations of D.B. Nikityuk (2013) using a standard set of anthropometric tools. Results. With the help of anthropometric indices, morphological and functional indicators, body composition and centile assessment of the normal range a characteristic of physical development was given. A wide variability of anthropometric, functional indicators and body composition in the studied girls-entrants was revealed. Conclusion. The results obtained can be used in the preparation of regulatory documents for the selection of females in the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, as well as standards for the physical development of adolescent girls.
Camera-based intelligent stream stage sensing for decentralized environmental monitoring
Authors: Sermet Yusuf , Demir Ibrahim
Published: February 2023

Accurate, vast, and real-time coverage of water level monitoring is crucial for the advancement of environmental research, specifically in the areas of climate change, water distribution, and natural disaster preparedness and management. The current state of the monitoring network requires an immediate solution to produce low-cost and accurate water level measurement sensors. This research presents a novel methodology for intelligent stream stage measurement, creating a distinct opportunity for a low-cost, camera-based embedded system that will measure water levels and share surveys to support environmental monitoring and decision-making. It is implemented as a stand-alone device that utilizes a registry of structures and points of interest (POI) along with the core modules of the application logic: (1) deep-learning powered water segmentation; (2) visual servoing; and (3) POI geolocation computation. The implementation relies on a Raspberry-Pi with a motorized camera for automated measurements and is supported by a Proportional–Integral–Derivative controller and multiprocessing. For future work, the involvement of the camera supports further use cases such as recognizing objects (e.g., debris, trees, humans, and boats) on the water surface. Additionally, the method shown can be made into a Progressive Web Application (PWA) that can be used on smartphones to allow crowdsourced citizen science applications for environmental monitoring.
Contribution of wastewater-based epidemiology to SARS-CoV-2 screening in Brazil and the United States
Authors: Henriques Taciane Barbosa , Cassini Servio Túlio , de Pinho Keller Regina
Published: February 2023

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is a valuable tool for investigating the existence, prevalence, and spread of pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, in a given population. WBE, proposed as part of the SARS-CoV-2 surveillance strategy for monitoring virus circulation, may complement clinical data and contribute to reducing the spread of the disease through early detection. In developing countries such as Brazil, where clinical data are scarce, information obtained from wastewater monitoring can be crucial for designing public health interventions. In the United States, the country with the largest number of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 cases worldwide, WBE programs have begun to be carried out to investigate correlations with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) clinical data and support health agencies in decision-making to prevent the spread of the disease. This systematic review aimed to assess the contribution of WBE to SARS-CoV-2 screening in Brazil and the United States and compare studies conducted in a developed and developing country. Studies in Brazil and the United States showed WBE to be an important epidemiological surveillance strategy in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. WBE approaches are useful for early detection of COVID-19 outbreaks, estimation of clinical cases, and assessment of the effectiveness of vaccination program.
Chromium(III) adsorption removal from acidic solutions by isomeric and tunnel-structural iron oxyhydroxides
Authors: Xiong Huixin , Xu Jing , Li Shiqing , Xu Yiqun
Published: February 2023

Iron oxyhydroxides for heavy metal treatment have attracted wide attention. In this work, iron oxyhydroxides of isomeric FeOOH (GpI) and tunnel-structural schwertmannite/akaganéite (GpII) were selected to study chromium (Cr(III)) adsorption removal from acidic aqueous solutions by batch experiments, under various reaction time, adsorbate/adsorbent level, pH and anions. Adsorption processes well fitted to pseudo-second-order kinetics (R2 = 0.992–0.999, except for 0.829 for Lep). Isotherm data could be fitted by Langmuir (R2 = 0.901–0.985), Freundlich (R2 = 0.884–0.985) and Temkin (R2 = 0.845–0.961) models at pH 3.7. Langmuir maximum adsorption capacities (mg/g) were 10.4−18.8 (FeOOH, except for 3.08 for Gth2) in GpI, and 20.60/43.40 (Sch-Chem/Sch-Bio) and 12.80/24.70 (Aka-Chem/Aka-Bio) in GpII. Adsorption capacities would gradually increase as Cr(III) concentrations increased within 0−40 mg/L, and could be markedly affected by the SO42- and H2PO4- anions. There were stable adsorption capacities at about pH 3.7, and then increased at pH 3.7–4.1. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results showed that adsorption mechanisms were electrostatic interaction and surface complexation. In addition, three optimal bio-/chem-schwertmannite and lepidocrocite adsorbents had good reusable properties and treating abilities of Cr(III)-polluted waters at pH 4.0. These results could provide a theoretical basis for the application of iron oxyhydroxides in removing Cr(III) from acid wastewaters.
LncRNA PVT1 as a Novel Biomarker for Diabetes-related
Complications
Authors: Qiu Xinyan , Chen Jinlan , Yang Jingjie , Hu Jiahui , Fan Peng , Yuan Chengfu
Published: February 2023

Diabetes is now afflicting an expanding population, and it has become a major
source of concern for human health. Diabetes affects several organs and causes chronic
damage and dysfunction. It is one of the three major diseases that are harmful to human
health. Plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 is a member of long non-coding RNA.
PVT1 expression profile abnormalities have been reported in diabetes mellitus and its
consequences in recent years, suggesting that it may contribute to the disease's progression.
Relevant literature from the authoritative database “PubMed” are retrieved and summarized
in detail. Mounting evidence reveals that PVT1 has multiple functions. Through
sponge miRNA, it can participate in a wide variety of signal pathways and regulate the
expression of a target gene. More importantly, PVT1 is crucially implicated in the regulation
of apoptosis, inflammation, and so on in different types of diabetes-related complications.
PVT1 regulates the occurrence and progression of diabetes-related diseases. Collectively,
PVT1 has the potential to be a useful diagnostic and therapeutic target for diabetes
and its consequences.
Apolipoprotein A-1 as a Potential Biomarker for Solid Tumors: A
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Aalami Amir Hossein , Aalami Farnoosh , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: February 2023

Background:

The diagnostic value of apolipoprotein A-I (ApoA-I) as a marker
of different malignancies has been reported in several investigations; however, the results
have been contradictory. The current meta-analysis examined the association between
ApoA-I levels and human malignancies.

Methods:

We reviewed the databases and retrieved papers for analysis until November
1st, 2021. Random-effects meta-analysis was performed to construct the pooled diagnostic
parameters. To find the causes of heterogeneity, we utilized Spearman threshold effect
analysis and subgroup analysis. The I2 and Chi-square tests were used to examine the
heterogeneity. Moreover, subgroup analyses were performed based on sample type
(serum/urine) and geographical region of study. Finally, publication bias was explored using
Begg's and Egger’s tests.

Results:

A total of 11 articles involving 4,121 participants (2,430 cases and 1,691 controls)
were included. The overall pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR),
negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the
curve (AUC) were 0.764 (95% CI: 0.746 - 0.781), 0.795 (95% CI: 0.775 - 0.814), 5.105
(95% CI: 3.313 - 7.865), 0.251 (95% CI: 0.174 - 0.364), 24.61 (95% CI: 12.22 - 49.54),
and 0.93, respectively. In subgroup analyses, better diagnostic values were found for
urine samples and East Asian Countries (China, Korea, and Taiwan).

Conclusion:

Urinary ApoA-I levels may serve as a favorable diagnostic marker for cancer.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy Treatment: The MTOR Regulatory
Intervention
Authors: Lashgari Naser-Aldin , Roudsari Nazanin Momeni , Shayan Maryam , Eshraghi Sadaf , Momtaz Saeideh , Jamialahmadi Tannaz , Abdolghaffari Amir Hossein , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: February 2023

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a hereditary disorder affecting neurons and
muscles, resulting in muscle weakness and atrophy. Most SMA cases are diagnosed during
infancy or early childhood, the most common inherited cause of infant mortality without
treatment. Still, SMA might appear at older ages with milder symptoms. SMA patients
demonstrate progressive muscle waste, movement problems, tremors, dysphagia,
bone and joint deformations, and breathing difficulties. The mammalian target of rapamycin
(mTOR), the mechanistic target of rapamycin, is a member of the phosphatidylinositol
3-kinase-related kinase family of protein kinases encoded by the mTOR gene in
humans. The mTOR phosphorylation, deregulation, and autophagy have shown dissimilarity
amongst SMA cell types. Therefore, exploring the underlying molecular process in
SMA therapy could provide novel insights and pave the way for finding new treatment
options. This paper provides new insight into the possible modulatory effect of mTOR/
autophagy in SMA management.
Probiotics, as Adjuvant Therapy and Preventive Measure on Progression,
and Complications of Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Galeana-Patiño Carlos Enrique , Ortiz Mario Isidoro , Cariño-Cortés Raquel , López-Santillán Iris Cristina , Castro-Rosas Javier , Gómez-Aldapa Carlos Alberto , Muñoz-Pérez Víctor Manuel
Published: February 2023

Background:

Preclinical and clinical evidence implies that destructive therapies in local
and malignant tissue are frequently used on patients with head and neck cancer. Consequently, the
microbiome of the treated and adjacent regions is affected. Disruption of the normal microbiome
plays an important role not only in the disease progression but also in its emergence, therefore new
therapies involving probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics have been developed to control or regulate
this microbial disruption.

Objective:

This review aims to describe the current and potential uses of probiotics at different
stages of development of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, as an adjuvant therapy to prevent
common complications such as radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) and its role in other
areas.

Methods:

Currently, there is no widely effective strategy to treat or prevent this kind of cancer.
Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy are the three main treatments for head and neck
cancer. Some therapies can also cause long-term health problems, or complications which might
change the way you eat, talk, hear and breathe.

Results:

The main uses for which probiotics have been studied are: Prevention and reduction of
severity of RIOM, change in dental plaque to reduce dysbiosis, and reduction of complications in
post-operated patients. Potential uses of probiotics include the reduction of disease initiation and
progression by reducing local inflammation caused by bacteria and other organisms.

Conclusion:

The incidence and severity of RIOM may be lessened by probiotics. To establish its
uses in additional clinical settings, though, more studies are necessary.
Transarterial Chemoembolization Followed by Hepatic Arterial Infusion
Chemotherapy Combined a Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor for Treatment of
Large Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Chen Bin , Dai Haitao , Yang Jianyong , Zhang Guiyuan , Wen Chunyong , Xiang Xianhong , Lin Run , Huang Yonghui
Published: February 2023

Objective:

Evaluate the efficacy and safety of transarterial chemoembolization (TACE)
sequential with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) and a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)
for unresectable large hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods:

Patients with HCC size > 70 mm were included. They received 1-3 cycles of TACE and
sequential HAIC every 3-6 weeks for 2-6 cycles, with each cycle given over a period of 48 hours
(oxaliplatin plus fluorouracil/leucovorin). Patients also received sorafenib or lenvatinib beginning at
the first TACE cycle and continuing until disease progression. Objective response rate (ORR) at 3
months was the primary endpoint. Progression-free survival (PFS) and safety were the secondary
endpoints.

Results:

From January 2020 to December 2020, 41 patients were included, who were divided into
the drug-eluting bead TACE (DEB-TACE) group (n=13) and conventional TACE (cTACE) group
(n=28). The overall ORR was 56.1% (23/41) using mRECIST criteria and 34.1% (14/41) using RECIST1.1
criteria. The median PFS of the cohort was 8 months. The ORR of the DEB-TACE group
was 76.9% (10/13) vs. 46.4% (13/28) for the cTACE group (p = 0.06). The median PFS of the DEBTACE
group was 12 months, and 6 months in the cTACE group (p = 0.09). Conversion hepatectomy
was performed in 2 patients in the DEB-TACE group (15.4%), and in 3 patients in the cTACE
group (10.7%). ALT/AST elevated, hypertension, nausea, and vomiting were the common treatment
related adverse events. There was no treatment related death.

Conclusion:

TACE sequential with HAIC combined a TKI is a well-tolerated and promising tripletherapy
for large, unresectable HCC.
Green Chemistry Approach for the Synthesis of Isoxazole Derivatives and
Evaluation of their Anti-epileptic Activity
Authors: Panda Krishna Chandra , Varaha Bera Ravi Kumar Venkata , Sahoo Biswa Mohan , Swain Parijat
Published: February 2023

Background:

Green strategy involves the design, synthesis, processing, and use of chemical
substances by eliminating the generation of chemical hazards. This approach focuses on atom
economy, use of safer solvents or chemicals, consumption of energy, and decomposition of the chemical
substances to non-toxic materials which are eco-friendly.

Objective:

So, the microwave irradiated heating method is considered a green and sustainable technique
for the development of novel heterocyclic scaffold-like isoxazole derivatives via chalcones.
Isoxazole derivatives play a vital role due to their diverse pharmacological activities such as antibiotic
(Sulfamethoxazole, Cloxacillin, Flucloxacillin, Cycloserine), anti-fungal (Drazoxolon), Antirheumatic
(Leflunomide), antidepressant (Isocarboxazid), antineoplastic (Acivicin), anticonvulsant (Zonisamide),
antipsychotic (Risperidone) and anti-inflammatory drugs (Valdecoxib), etc.

Methods:

The isoxazole derivatives were synthesized with the help of microwave irradiation that follows
green chemistry protocol.

Results:

The titled compounds were subjected to antiepileptic evaluation to determine their therapeutic
potential.

Conclusion:

The use of microwave radiation enhances the rate of the reaction which leads to high selectivity
with improved product yields in comparison with the traditional heating methods. The tested
compounds exhibited promising antiepileptic activity as compared to the standard drug (Phenytoin).
A Review of the Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children and Adolescents’
Mental Health
Authors: Deborah Omoleye Damilola , Olubukola Abidakun Oluwayemisi , Oluwadamilola Akinje Rachael , Hannah Ademuyiwa Oluwaseun , Mofoluwaso Fasogbon Beatrice
Published: February 2023

Disaster poses a huge threat to physical health as much as mental health, and COVID-19 is not any different. Understanding that physical and social factors can all contribute to mental health disruptions explains the rising concern of the global community about the impacts of COVID-19 on mental health, especially among the vulnerable, including children and adolescents. It is imperative to explore the diverse impacts of COVID-19 on the paediatric age group, especially to better address its effect and adequately strategize for its resulting conditions. This narrative re-view, therefore, explores literature reports on the effect of the pandemic on the mental health of children and adolescents. As observed in the literature, COVID-19 did not only threaten the physi-cal health of children and adolescents but also their mental health, especially in terms of anxiety, depression, sleep alteration, etc. In this paper, we have discussed interventions, such as adequate sleep, healthy lifestyles, and nutritious foods, to improve paediatric mental health even after the pandemic.
Eating and Mealtime Behaviors in Vietnamese Children with Autism
Spectrum Disorder: A Study Using the Brief Autism Mealtime Behaviors
Inventory
Authors: Ha Nguyen Thanh , Trang Do Thi Hanh , Anh Hoang Khac Tuan , Ha Le Thi Thu
Published: February 2023

Background:

There has been an increase in the number of children with autism
spectrum disorder (ASD), in whom problems with eating behaviors are often present. The use of
a standardized questionnaire to assess the eating behaviors of children with ASD in Vietnam has
not been paid due attention.

Objective:

This study aims to assess eating behaviors in children with ASD aged 3-11 years using
the Brief Autism Mealtime Behaviors Inventory (BAMBI), thereby providing additional evidence
to inform interventions in ASD children in Vietnam.

Methods:

An online survey using the BAMBI was conducted with parents of 85 children with
ASD and parents of 175 typically developing (TD) children between April 2020 and April 2021.

Results:

The study revealed a higher risk of eating behavior problems among children with ASD
compared to TD children (p < 0.0001). The differences between the two groups were statistically
significant in 17 out of 18 items of the BAMBI. The study results also point out that in autistic
children, the scores of 4/8 behaviors in the “limited variety” group were highest, which exceeded
three points, while none of the behaviors relating to “food refusal” or “features of autism”
reached three points.

Conclusion:

Future studies using direct observations with larger samples are needed to further
investigate eating disorders among children with ASD.