bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preoperative and postoperative anterior segment parameters of cataract patients with pseudoexfoliation evaluated using the Sirius–Scheimpflug system and a comparison with healthy subjects
Authors: Telek Hande Hüsniye , Özdemir Yaprak Arzu , Bilen Rabia Büşra Akden , Dinç Damla Nur , Balta Özgür
Published: November 2023

Purpose: Evaluation and comparison of anterior segment parameters before and after uncomplicated phacoemulsification surgery using the Sirius–Scheimpflug system in patients with and without pseudoexfoliation.
Methods: This retrospective study included 35 eyes of 35 patients without pseudoexfoliation who underwent phacoemulsification surgery (Group 1) and 40 eyes of 37 patients with pseudoexfoliation who underwent phacoemulsification surgery (Group 2). Anterior segment parameters of the patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively using the Sirius–Scheimpflug device. Central corneal thickness (CCT), anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber angle (ACA), and corneal volume (CV) values were evaluated.
Results: Significant difference was observed between the preoperative and postoperative 1st week, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month values of ACA and CV between patients with pseudoexfoliation and the control group (p< 0.05). In CCT measurements, the difference between the preoperative and postoperative values at 1 week and 1 month was significant (p < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was found between the values at 3 months and 6 months.
Conclusion: Phacoemulsification surgery results in a significant reduction in intraocular pressure, an increase in ACD, ACH, and CV, and a widening of the ACA. In patients with pseudoexfoliation, the change in parameters is more dramatic due to the stress exerted on the endothelium by the exfoliative material. When comparing patients with pseudoexfoliation to normal subjects, significant differences were observed, both preoperatively and postoperatively, particularly in CCT, ACA, and CV values.
Cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladode extracts as a growth medium for lactobacillus species: The case of Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus mali
Authors: Yaekob Ashenafi Teklay , Kasegn Melaku Mekonen , Egigu Etsay Mesele , Haftu Samson Zemikael , Gebremeskel Asqual Zeslassie , Semere Tesfakiros
Published: November 2023

Different commercially available culture media have been in use for the isolation and identification of microorganisms for many years. However, the high cost and limited availability culture media has been a problem in the local market of Tigray, Ethiopia that hinder researchers from carrying out their study. Therefore, the present study aimed to develop locally available cheap plant-based culture medium from cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) cladodes extract for the growth of Lactobacillus species. For this purpose, free external injuries of cactus pear cladode samples were collected from the vicinity of Adigrat, Tigray, Ethiopia. For the test two Lactobacillus species (Lactobacillus reuteri and Lactobacillus mali) were used. The growth of Lactobacillus species on cactus pear cladode agar and broth (4:100, 4:200 and 4:300 w/v) were evaluated and compared with de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) medium. All prepared cactus pear cladode agar (CPCA) media were transparent and free from particles and turbidity. Both tested Lactobacillus species were produced small, white and round colonies on CPCA at 72 hours without bad odor and any pigments. Exponential growth was observed in cactus pear cladode broth (4:200 w/v) in short time than other cactus pear cladode broth (4:100 and 4:300 w/v) medium. When compared with MRS medium (control), the colony counts of Lactobacillus species in cactus pear cladode broth (4:200 w/v) medium did not differ significantly (P < 0.05). The present study clearly showed that the cactus pear cladode (4:200 w/v) medium could be used as alternative culture medium to support growth of Lactobacillus species.
Mussel-Inspired Electroactive, Antibacterial and Antioxidative Composite Membranes with Incorporation of Gold Nanoparticles and Antibacterial Peptides for Enhancing Skin Wound Healing
Authors: Dong Yongkang , Wang Zheng , Wang Jiapeng , Sun Xuedi , Yang Xiaoyu , Liu Guomin
Published: November 2023

Large skin wound is one of the most important health problems in the world. Skin wound repair and tissue regeneration is a complex process involving many physiological signals, and effective wound healing remains a huge clinical challenge. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a strategy to rapidly kill bacteria, promote cell proliferation and accelerate wound healing. At present, electrical stimulation (ES) is often used in clinical treatment of skin wound, which can simulate endogenous biological current of the body and accelerate the repair process of skin wound. However, a single ES strategy is difficult to cover the entire wound area, which may lead to unsatisfactory therapeutic effect. To overcome this deficiency, it is essential to develop a collaborative treatment strategy that combines ES with other treatments. In this study, gold nanoparticles and antibacterial peptides Os were loaded on the surface of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) material through the reducibility and adhesion of polydopamine (PDA), and realized the improvement of the electrical activity, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and biocompatibility of the polymer material. At the same time, this composite membrane material (Os/Au-PDA@PLGA) combined with ES was used in wound therapy to improve wound healing rate. The results show that the new wound repair material has good biocompatibility and can effectively promote cell proliferation and migration. Through the combined application of gold nanoparticles and antibacterial peptides Os, the polymer materials have more efficient bactericidal and antioxidant effects. The antibacterial experiment results showed that gold nanoparticlescould further enhance the antibacterial activity of antibacterial peptides. Furthermore, the Au/Os-PDA@PLGA compositemembrane has good hydrophilicity and electrical activity, which can provide a more favorable cell microenvironment for wound healing. In vivo studies using a full-layer defect model in rats showed that the Au/Os-PDA@PLGA composite membrane had a better therapeutic effect than the pure PLGA material. More importantly, the combination of Au/Os-PDA@PLGA composite with ES significantly accelerated the rate of vascularization and collagen deposition, and promoted wound healing, compared with non-ES controls. Therefore, the combination of Au/Os-PDA@PLGA composite membranewith ES may provide a new strategy for the effective treatment of skin wound.
Association of risk factor and the number of risk factors with classification, GMFCS and comorbidity of CP
Authors: Gong Chao , Zeng Pei , Lian Beibei , Li Jiawei , Liu Jiahao , Liu Yuanyuan , Fang liya , Tian Huiling , Wang Luchuan , Jiang Zhimei , Guo Jin , Zhou Shaobo
Published: November 2023

Objective: To explore the characteristics of risk factors in children with CP, focusing on the effects of single risk factors and the number of risk factors on the classification, GMFCS, and comorbidities of CP.
Methods: The medical records of children with CP hospitalized from 2015 to 2023 were reviewed. The effects of nine risk factors, such as Hyperbilirubinemia, asphyxia, and HIE, on the classification, GMFCS and comorbidity of CP were studied.
Results: Among the 536 children with CP, 476 (88.8%) had obvious risk factors. Preterm birth or/and low birth weight was the most common risk factor 243 (45.3%). Children with CP combined with two risk factors were the most common, 147 cases (27.4 %). The number of risk factors in children with CP existing with epilepsy and/or hearing impairment seemed to have fewer risk factors, but existing with spastic quadriplegia was more likely to have more risk factors (≥4). If children with CP had 1-6 risk factors, the intellectual disability and GMFCS≥Ⅳ were more common in the various number of risk factor groups, but spastic hemiplegia and ataxia were less common.
Conclusion: Risk factors were more common in children with severe classification, high levels of GMFCS, and intellectual disability.
The pathogenic mutations of APOA5 in Chinese patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis
Authors: Liu Yuxin , Dai Si , Qin Shuqi , Zhou Jing , Wang Zhendan , Yin Guojian
Published: November 2023

Background and aims:
To study the role of gene mutations in the development of severe hypertriglyceridemia in patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP), especially different APOA5 mutations.
Methods:
Whole exome sequencing was performed on 163 patients with HLAP and 30 patients with biliary acute pancreatitis (BAP). The products of pathogenic mutations in APOA5were visualized using software simulations. The clinical data of the patients were also collected and analyzed.
Results:
1. Compared with BAP patients, pathogenic mutations of APOA5 were frequent in HLAP patients; among them, heterozygous mutation of p.G185C was the most common.
2. All six pathogenic mutations of APOA5 identified in this study (p.S35N, p.D167V, p.G185C, p.K188I, p.R223C, p.H182fs) were positively correlated with severe hypertriglyceridemia; they were all in the important domains of apolipoprotein A-V (apoA-V). p.R223C has the potential to be one of the most deleterious mutations to apoA-V, considering the specific position of residue 223 and the altered amino acid property.
3. Four new APOA5 mutations were identified, namely c.563A>T, c.667C>T, c.788G>A and c.544_545 insGGTGC.
Conclusions:
The pathogenic mutations of APOA5 were specific to the HLAP patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia in China, and identifying such mutations had clinical significance in elucidating the etiology and subsequent treatment.
A New Workflow for the Effective Curation of Membrane Permeability Data from Open ADME Information
Authors: Esaki Tsuyoshi , Yonezawa Tomoki , Ikeda Kazuyoshi
Published: November 2023

Membrane permeability is an in vitro parameter that represents a compounds apparent permeability (Papp) and is one of the key ADME parameters in drug development. Caco-2 cell lines are the cell lines most commonly used to measure Papp. Other cell lines, such as the Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK), LLC-Pig Kidney 1 (LLC-PK1), and Ralph Russ Canine Kidney (RRCK) cell lines, have also been used to estimate Papp. Therefore, constructing in silico models to estimate Papp using the MDCK, LLC-PK1, and RRCK cell lines is necessary. Collecting extensive amounts of in vitro Papp data using these cell lines is crucial to construct in silico models. An open database helps in the collection of extensive measurements of various compounds covering a vast chemical space; however, concerns have been reported on the use of data published in open databases without checking their accuracy and quality. We developed a new workflow supporting for automatic curating Papp data measured in the MDCK, LLC-PK1, and RRCK cell lines collected from ChEMBL using KNIME. The workflow consisted of four main phases. Data were extracted from ChEMBL and filtered to identify the target protocols. A total of 1680 high-quality entries were retained after checking 436 articles. As a result, the cost of building highly accurate predictive models has been significantly reduced by automating the collection of reliable measurement data. The workflow is freely available, can be easily updated by anyone, and has high reusability. Our study provides an opportunity for researchers to analyze data quality and accelerate the development of helpful in silico models for effective drug discovery.
Construction and application of coal seam roof stability evaluation model based on AHP-entropy weight TOPSIS method
Authors: Huo Bingjie , Xia Pingchuan , JIN Jingjue , Li Tao , ZHANG Songtao
Published: November 2023

In order to evaluate the stability of the roof of a coal seam accurately and reliably, a TOPSIS evaluation model of the stability of the immediate roof a coal seam, combined with the AHP method and entropy weight method, was developed. Ten (10) commonly used evaluation indices are selected to establish the index system for evaluating the stability of the immediate roof of the coal seam. The AHP and entropy weighting methods combine subjective and objective weightings of the thirty (30) field data sets from a mine in Inner Mongolia. The most important indicators affecting the stability of the immediate roof of the coal seam are the lithology combination of the roof and the strength of he roof combination. The TOPSIS method calculates and scores the weighted evaluation matrix to assess the degree of stability of the immediate roof of 30 groups of field data. The results show that the AHP-entropy weight TOPSIS model, combining subjective and objective weighting and multi-level combination, can be used to analyse the stability of the immediate roof of the coal seam. The evaluation results are better than those of the AHP and entropy weight TOPSIS model. The combination weighting method improves the precision of the TOPSIS model evaluation. The research results can help control rocks surrounding the roadway, the selection of support equipment and the choice of parameter.
Synthesis of silver nanoparticles from oleander using a green method, and their application in enhancing photocatalytic degradation of MB with TiO2 &CuO Nanocomposite
Authors: Shawky Amira M. , Elshypany Rania , Sharkawy Heba M. El , Mubarak Mahmoud F. , Selim Hanaa
Published: November 2023

The tertiary composite of TiO2/CuO @ Ag (TCA) were synthesized by the solid state method using different ratios of TiO2/CuO NCs and Ag NPs. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of nanocomposites were analysed by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–Vis/DRS) and Photoluminescence (PL) spectrophotometry. The results showed enhanced activity of TCA hybrid nanocrystals in oxidizing MB in water under visible light irradiation compared to pure TiO2. The photocatalytic performance TCA samples increased with suitable Ag content. The results show that the photo degradation efficiency of the TiO2 compound improved from 13% to 85% in the presence of TiO2-CuO and to 98.87% in the presence of Ag containing TiO2-CuO, which is 7.6 times higher than that of TiO2. Optical characterization results show enhanced nanocomposite absorption in the visible region with long lifetimes between e/h+ at optimal TiO2-CuO/Ag (TCA2) ratio. Reusable experiments indicated that the prepared TCA NC photo catalysts were stable during MB photodegradation and had practical applications for environmental remediation.
Interpersonal activity knowledge graph for organizations
Authors: SOUNCHIO Serge SONFACK , HALGUIETA Trawina , NGUEKEU Baudelaire Ismael TANKEU , GENESTE Laurent , KAMSU-FOGUEM Bernard
Published: November 2023

Knowledge is essential for organizations' growth, allowing them to solve problems, make decisions, innovate, and stay competitive. Within organizations, there is, on the one hand, explicit knowledge that is easy to capture, represent, and share. On the other hand, there is tacit knowledge possessed and acquired by individuals during their activities, which, unlike explicit knowledge, is difficult to capture, formalize, store, or share within organizations. However, organizations have granted more interest and effort in representing, sharing, and reasoning from explicit knowledge. Nevertheless, to access tacit knowledge, organizations rely on methods such as meetings, mentoring, question answering, or interviews, which are not efficient for personal know-how within organizations.
This study elaborates on the construction of interpersonal activity graphs from semantic web perspectives to represent, share, and reason from organizations' knowledge possessed by individuals regarding their activities. The established activity-centered graph is based on an extension of the activity theory framework. This representation captures the knowledge of persons regarding their activities in a graph form, making it understandable and shareable while offering means to reason and query it.
Petrogenesis and tectonic setting of late Permian–Early Triassic granitic rocks in the western Qaidam Basin, Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Gao Wanli , Wang Zongxiu , Jiang Wan
Published: November 2023

Occurring after the early Palaeozoic collisional orogeny and continental deep subduction, late Palaeozoic tectonic magmatism in the northern Qaidam Tectonic Belt (NQTB) related to the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean has become a critical issue. We performed a detailed geochronological and geochemical study of Lenghu (LH) granitic rocks in the western NQTB to obtain better constraints on the subduction processes of the Palaeo-Tethys Ocean in the northern Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. LA–ICP–MS U–Pb dating of zircons from LH granitic rocks in the western NQTB yields emplacement ages of 253 ± 4 Ma and 264 ± 4 Ma, indicating a two-stage emplacement process. Geochemical analyses show that both the late Permian and Early Triassic granitic rocks have low A/CNK and A/NK values and are enriched in LILEs (Rb, Th, Ba, Zr, and Hf) and depleted in HFSEs (Sr, P, Ti, Nd, and Ta). The SREE contents range from 36 to 189 ppm, and the samples are enriched in LREEs (LREE/HREE =1.5–7.3). Values of (La/Yb)N range between 0.9 and 6.5, and all samples show negative Eu anomalies (δEu =0.2–0.6), with typical characteristics of island arc magmatism. The two-stage granitic rocks have εHf(t) values of -3.7 to +8.0 and yield a two-stage depleted mantle Hf model age of 1.51-0.78 Ga. The data suggest that the late Permian–Early Triassic granitic rocks were derived from partial melting of Proterozoic crust-related mafic to intermediate rocks with significant crust–mantle interactions. The results, combined with regional magmatic information, indicate that the South Kunlun Oceanic plate might have experienced plate rollback in the late Permian and plate retraction in the Triassic under the Kunlun–Qaidam Block.
Rapid Intensification of Typhoon Haiyan 2013: Atmospheric and Climatological Analysis using Open-source Data
Authors: Dasallas Lea , Lee Seungsoo
Published: November 2023

Typhoon Haiyan 2013, one of the most powerful typhoons in the Western North Pacific (WNP) Basin, had undergone rapid intensification (RI) before landfall, resulting to destructive storm surges in the southeastern part of the Philippines. This research aims to investigate the environmental conditions that had led to the intensification, through the use of open-source meteorological and climatological data. Observed and long-term averaged values of sea surface temperature (SST), vertical windshear (VWS), mid-tropospheric relative humidity (MTRH), and mean sea level pressure (MSLP) were compared and analyzed. Additionally, the roles of climate variations such as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO) and the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) were also investigated. Results indicate that the intensification was triggered by higher-than-average SST, weak VWS for 1000 − 500 hPa and 850 − 700 hPa levels, and high and increasing MTRH. Findings also imply that the WNP Subtropical High appeared to be strong during the event, ENSO was in neutral phase, QBO was in favorable westerly phase, and MJO was leaning towards its ending phase in the Pacific. This research demonstrates the collaborative use of open-access data for meteorological and climatological analysis, enabling a better understanding of weather extremes, facilitating more accurate predictions in the future.
Catastrophic Basilar Artery and Superior Cerebellar Stroke in a 28 year old Female – Case Report
Authors: Ahmad Ihsaan , Enea Kristine , Rosenthal Johanna
Published: November 2023

Background
This report highlights details of a posterior fossa stroke case with the aim of improving efforts in recognition and early goal directed management of this potentially deadly condition.
Case presentation:
A 28-year-old female with morbid obesity (BMI over 60) was transferred from an outside hospital for a suspected posterior stroke. Her last known normal was eight hours prior, when she started to feel hot, lethargic, nauseated, and began vomiting. Early NCCT and CTA were difficult reads while the CTP was negative in what was later to be determined to be a basilar and superior cerebellar artery ischemic stroke. Note, an MRI was not able to be obtained due to the patient’s large body habitus. A head CT thirty hours after symptom onset, displayed significant ischemic changes with a suspected transforaminal herniation.
Conclusions
A negative CTP study and inability to obtain an MRI lead to delays in potential life saving procedures; guidelines in this realm could benefit future management of patients with suspected posterior circulation strokes when imaging modalities are either non-diagnostic or unattainable.
Causal relationship between gut microbiota and malignant lymphoma:a two-way two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Shixue Laoguo , Xiaoyu Xu , Ning Mo , Jing Tang , Yanfeng Jiang , Xianye Huang , Shanlin Duan , Weizhen Wu , Hening Li , Jie Ma
Published: November 2023

Background
The significance of gut microbiota in human health is gaining attention, leading to a rise in observational and clinical studies focused on understanding the factors and mechanisms that influence gut microbiota in various malignancies, such as lymphoma.However, the precise causative link between the gut microbiota and malignant lymphoma remains uncertain.In recent times, the employment of Mendelian randomization(MR) analysis in investigating the gut microbiota has demonstrated substantial scientific merit in uncovering the association between the intestinal microbiota and various diseases. Moreover, the utilization of MR analysis holds promise in elucidating the causative link that exists between the gut microbiota and lymphoma.
Materials and methods
Bidirectional two-sample MR analysis was used to examine the causal relationship between malignant lymphoma and gut microbiota. The summary of gut microbiota statistics used in this study came from a large-scale genome-wide MiBioGen consortium project involving 18,340 subjects from a multi-ethnic group. Summary statistics for malignant lymphoma were obtained from the OPEN GWAS website with the participation of 490,803 European subjects. According to the inclusion standard screening single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) as a tool variable (IV), the potential causative link between gut microbiota and malignant lymphoma was examined by inverse variance weighting method, MR-Egger method, weighted median method, weighted model method and simple mode method. Then, reverse MR analysis was performed on bacteria found to be causally related to malignant lymphoma in forward MR analysis.
Results
In this study, seven causal relationships between intestinal microbiota and malignant lymphoma were determined by five MR analyses, phylon Bacteroidetes (odds ratio (OR) = 1.31,95% CI = 1.02–1.68,P = 0.032),class Bacilli(OR = 1.22 ,95% CI = 1.00-1.49,P = 0.048),family Rikenellaceae(OR = 1.27 ,95% CI = 1.04–1.55,P = 0.022),genus Eubacterium nodatum group(OR = 1.13 ,95% CI = 1.00-1.27,P = 0.046),genus Oxalobacter(OR = 1.23 ,95% CI = 1.06–1.43,P = 0.006),genus Parabacteroides(OR = 1.41 ,95% CI = 1.41–1.99,P = 0.049), there was a causal relationship between the genus Sellimonas(OR = 1.18 ,95% CI = 1.03–1.35,P = 0.016) and malignant lymphoma, and no significant level pleiotropy and heterogeneity were found in the instrumental variables. It should be noted that there is no reverse causality between malignant lymphoma and gut microbiota.
Conclusion
This investigation delved into a plausible causal connection between the gut microbiota and malignant lymphoma. It presents a novel concept and theoretical foundation for future research on the intestinal flora's relationship to lymphoma.
Health Information-Seeking Behaviour on High-Risk Behaviour among Adolescents
Authors:   National Heart Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ab Hakimee Nabila Iezzah , Atan Ashikin ,   Department of Professional Nursing Studies, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Pahang, Malaysia, Sutantri Sutantri ,   School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Lee Siew Pien ,   Department of Special Care Nursing, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Pahang, Malaysia
Published: November 2023

Background: The unique nature of adolescence makes youths highly susceptible to high-risk behaviours. Thus, prevention and health promotion are imperative for this influential age. Despite various approaches towards health promotion, knowledge related to adolescent health is still low among Malaysian adolescents. This study aims to investigate adolescent health information-seeking behaviours related to high-risk behaviours. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 370 adolescents aged 10 years old–19 years old throughout Malaysia. The questionnaire used was adapted from a previous study and the pilot study resulted in Cronbach’s alpha of 0.85. IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0 software was used for data analysis at two statistical levels: descriptive and inferential (Mann-Whitney U test). Result: The most important health information needs related to high-risk behaviour according to the adolescents were ‘violence’ (3.72 score out of 5), ‘sexual activity-related disease’ (3.64 score out of 5) and ‘physical activity and effect of lack in physical activity’ (3.61 score out of 5). ‘Physician’ (4.01 score out of 5) and ‘the internet’ (3.95 score out of 5) were the most important sources for obtaining health information related to high-risk behaviours. The main criterion for the quality of health information was the ‘validity and reliability of the information’ (4.55 score out of 5). The findings indicate that adolescents have a positive attitude towards health information-seeking behaviour, although slight differences between boys and girls are exhibited. The most common barrier to health information seeking experienced by adolescents is ‘difficulty in determining the quality of information found’. Conclusion: Adolescents tend to use professional and informal sources, have good criteria in the selection of information and have a considerably high interest in seeking health information related to high-risk behaviour.
Using the Simulated Patient Method to Evaluate the Community Pharmacy Management of Childhood Diarrhoea: A Systematic Review
Authors:   Doctoral Program in Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Pramestutie Hananditia Rachma ,   Department of Community Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia, Kristina Susi Ari ,   Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Lazuardi Lutfan ,   Department of Health Policy and Management, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Widayanti Anna Wahyuni ,   Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Published: November 2023

The simulated patient method has been widely used to assess community pharmacy practice in the management of childhood diarrhoea. In such a process, a community pharmacist is required to explore a patient’s history, choose the right medication and provide drug-related information. The aim of this review was to evaluate the aforementioned practice. A comprehensive literature search was carried out over Sage Journal, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar, and the analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Eligible articles were those published from 2011 to 2021 and original studies that used the simulated patient method to examine the pharmaceutical services provided by pharmacists in relation to childhood diarrhoea. The eight studies that satisfied the eligibility criteria were reviewed. These investigations were undertaken in Brazil, Nigeria, Turkey, Ethiopia and Pakistan. Five of the studies focused on history taking with regard to the characteristics of diarrhoea and revealed that the evaluated pharmacists asked about patient histories. In terms of therapy, three studies indicated that the evaluated pharmacists recommended the administration of oral rehydration salts. Pharmacies should improve their history-taking process, provide drug related information and recommend therapies to increase the knowledge of simulated patients about diarrhoea treatment in children.
Optimal charging station placement for autonomous robots in drinking water networks
Authors: Castro-Gama Mario , Hassink-Mulder Yvonne
Published: November 2023

Drinking water utilities and commercial vendors are developing battery-powered autonomous robots for the internal inspection of pipelines. However, these robots require nearby charging stations next to the pipelines of the water distribution networks (WDN). This prompts practical questions about the minimal number of charging stations and robots required. To address the questions, an integer linear programming optimization is formulated, akin to set covering, based on the shortest path of the charging stations to each node along a pipeline. The optimization decisions revolve around designating nodes as charging stations, considering the maximum distance (δmax) at which a robot can cover a hard constraint. For optimal placement, two objective formulations are proposed: (i) minimize the total number of stations, representing total cost; and (ii) maximize the total redundancy of the system. The methodology is applied to three WDN topologies (i.e. Modena, FiveReservoirs, and E-Town). Results show the influence of topology on the total number of stations, the number of robots, and the redundancy of the charging stations network. A trade-off between δmax and total number of stations emphasizes robot battery capacity's significance.
Analytical and numerical solutions of radially symmetric aquifer thermal energy storage problems
Authors: Birhanu Zerihun Kinfe , Kitterød Nils-Otto , Krogstad Harald E. , Kværnø Anne
Published: November 2023

Aquifer thermal energy storage (ATES) systems offer reduced energy costs, lower carbon emissions, and increased energy resilience. The feasibility, however, depends on several factors and usually require optimization. We study an ATES system with injection and extraction wells (cf. graphical abstract). The purpose of the investigation was to calculate the recovery factor of an ATES system with a cyclic repetition of injection and pumping. In the paper, we discuss analytical and numerical radial solutions of differential equations for heat transport in water-saturated porous media. A similar solution was obtained for a 2-D-horizontal confined aquifer with a constant radial flow. Numerical solutions were derived by using a high-resolution Lagrangian approach suppressing spurious oscillations and artificial dispersion. The numerical solution and the analytical solutions give consistent results and match each other well. The solutions describe instantaneous and delayed heat transfer between fluid and solid, as well as time-varying water flow. In hydrological terms, these solutions are relevant for a wide range of problems where groundwater reservoirs are utilized for extraction and storage (namely, irrigation; water supply; geothermal extraction).
Estimating IDF curves under changing climate conditions for different climate regions
Authors: Gül Burak , Kayaalp Necati
Published: November 2023

Although climate models can highlight potential shifts in intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) curves, their limited geographical and temporal resolutions limit their direct use in predicting sub-daily heavy precipitation. To use global or regional model outputs to predict urban short-term precipitation, approaches that give the requisite level of spatial and temporal downscaling are required, and these processes remain one of the difficulties that have demanded intensive effort in recent years. Although no novel methods are given in this work, there are few studies in the literature that investigate the impact of climate change on the analysis and design of infrastructure-related engineering structures. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to determine the potential changes in IDF curves because of climate change. The equidistance quantile matching method was used to turn future rainfall forecast data from global climate models (HadGEM2-ES, MPI-ESM-MR, and GFDL-ESM2M) corresponding to RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios into standard duration rainfall data, and new IDF curves were generated. These IDF curves corresponded very well with those generated from observed data (R2 ≈ 1). The HadGEM2-ES model predicts up to a 25% rise in rainfall intensity, whereas the other two models expect up to a 50% drop.
Experiences from integrating water and sanitation safety planning in small systems in rural Serbia
Authors: van den Berg Harold , Rickert Bettina , Lock-Wah-Hoon Jerome , Jovanovic Dragana , Bijelovic Sanja , Gligorijevic Snezana , Karadzic Vesna , Vasic Milena , de Roda Husman Ana Maria
Published: November 2023

The WHO recommends a risk management approach to ensure safe drinking-water and sanitation, so-called Water Safety Planning and Sanitation Safety Planning. However, applying these risk management approaches separately in small-scale drinking-water supply and sanitation systems might be challenging for rural communities with limited human, financial, and administrative resources. An integrated approach seems a better option. In this study, an integrated water and sanitation safety planning (iWSSP) approach was developed together with guidance and training material for the practical application of this novel approach. The integrated approach was piloted in three small systems in rural Serbia to identify benefits and suggestions for improvement which can be used for potential future scaling-up. Implementing iWSSP at the pilot sites contributed to a better understanding of both drinking-water supply and sanitation systems. It also resulted in increased awareness, knowledge, and understanding among staff of drinking-water supply and sanitation services. Key experts, including external facilitators, played a crucial role in the implementation of iWSSP. Future scaling-up of the integrated approach could be enabled if more guidance, easy-to-use training materials and templates become available which can be adapted and updated as needed.
Assessment of the water content of the soil and utilization of the energy balance model to promote environmentally friendly development of green, low-carbon industries
Authors: Xiang Qianhe
Published: November 2023

The use of energy balance models to study the water content of soil can effectively solve some problems in agricultural production, ecosystem management, and environmental management. The application of the energy balance model requires a large amount of data, and its application in agricultural production is proposed mainly for the prediction and evaluation of the water content of the soil. Various water content values of the soil were determined using an energy balance model and an oven-drying method. The natural water content of the sandy soil determined by oven drying was between 30% and 40% for the sample soil from the same batch, with the second sandy soil sample having the highest value of 39.2% and the 15th sandy soil sample having the lowest value of 30.3%. The natural water content of sandy soils determined using an energy balance model was between 30% and 35%, among which the natural water content of the fifth sandy soil sample was the lowest at 30.12% and the natural water content of the third sandy soil sample was the highest at 34.46%.
Modeling the total outflow of reservoirs using Wavelet-developed approaches: a case study of the Mahabad Dam reservoir, Iran
Authors: Emadi Alireza , Zamanzad-Ghavidel Sarvin , Boroomandnia Arezoo , Fazeli Sina , Sobhani Reza
Published: November 2023

Lack of water reserves in artificial reservoirs poses serious challenges in meeting various human requirements, especially during periods of water scarcity. In the current research, the Total Outflow (TO) of the Mahabad Dam reservoir has been estimated under six scenarios including the Monthly Cumulative Rainfall (MCR), Snow Water Equivalent (SWE), Stream Flow (SF), Mean Temperature (T), Pan Evaporation (Ep), Sediment Flushing Gate Outlet (SFGO), Penstock Outflow (PO), Evaporation Losses (EL), Cumulative Non-Scheduled Discharge (CNSD), Live Storage Volume (LSV), Water Surface Area (WSA), Monthly Water Level (MWL), Total Allocated Water (TAW), and Generated Power (GP) variables for the 2001–2021 period. Estimation of TO is accomplished via individual and wavelet-developed (W-developed) data-mining approaches, including Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), wavelet-ANNs (WANNs), adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), wavelet-ANFIS (WANFIS), Gene Expression Programming (GEP), and wavelet-GEP (WGEP). The obtained values of RMSE for WGEP1–WGEP6 models account for 5.917, 2.319, 4.289, 8.329, 10.713, and 9.789 million cubic meters (MCM), respectively, based on the following scenarios: reservoir inlet elements, reservoir outlet elements, consumption, storage characteristic, climate, and energy. This research revealed that combining the wavelet theory (WT) with individual models can be a powerful method to improve the modeling performance in the TO estimation.
Design and spatial pattern optimization for a sponge city using factor analysis and geographical statistics to restore urban resilience: A case study in a coastal area of China
Authors: Yuan Yingwei , Zhang Qian , Chen Sheming , Chen Feiwu , Zhang Mucheng
Published: November 2023

The sponge city is a new concept of stormwater management for ecological city construction, which aims to restore water-cycle processes and reduce runoff. Cities in coastal districts are suffering from serious instability due to high population density, urbanization, and land-use changes. However, previous research contains few evaluations of balancing urban ecological indicators of sponge city performance, including geographical, environmental, economic, and social factors, and their effect on resilience at a macro level to develop low-impact development schemes. In this study, we developed an integrated framework using factor analysis, geographical statistics, multi-objective analysis, and remote sensing methods to extract the factors influencing sponge city resilience and to establish spatial pattern schemes. The results indicated that the urbanization degree and plant adaptability had the greatest impact on sponge city performance, with weights of 45 and 27%, respectively. Sponge city spatial pattern schemes performed the best in the combination scenario of 14.8–46.8% green roofs (by area ratio) supported by grooves and rain barrels +10% herbaceous basins divided into units by ecological tree pools +10% permeable pavements and sidewalks. This scenario balanced facilities and cost to optimize the spatial pattern, which improved sponge city adaptability and urban ecological conditions.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater from dormitory buildings in a university campus: comparison with individual testing results
Authors: Williams Brandi B. , Newborn Aaron , Karamat Ayesha , Zamcho Fanella , Salerno Jennifer L. , Gillevet Patrick M. , Farris David , Wintermeyer Stephen F. , Van Aken Benoit
Published: November 2023

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for monitoring COVID-19 has been largely used to detect the spread of the disease at the community level. From February to December 2022, we collected 24-h composite sewage samples from dormitory buildings in George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia, USA) housing approximately 5,200 resident students. SARS-CoV-2 RNA extraction was achieved using an automated system based on magnetic nanoparticles. Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was performed using reverse transcription quantitative PCR based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) N1 and N2 assays. From the 362 samples collected, 86% showed positive detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Wastewater monitoring was able to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA in 96% of the samples from buildings housing students with COVID-19. Over the period of study, we observed significant correlations between the SARS-CoV-2 concentration (copy number mL−1) in wastewater and the number of positive cases on campus based on individual saliva testing. Although several reports have been published on the wastewater monitoring of COVID-19 in university campuses, our study is one of the very few that provides results that were obtained during the last phase of the pandemic (roughly the year 2022), when the large majority of students were vaccinated and back on campus.
Scenarios of the Near Future: Sustainable Development, Retreat or Collapse and Regeneration?
Authors: Nováček Pavel
Published: November 2023

The elementary “map of the near future” could consist of three basic scenarios: sustainable development; sustainable retreat; or collapse and regeneration. Sustainable development remains the most serious attempt at finding an answer to the question of how to allow all people and nations to develop and improve their quality of life, while preserving functional ecosystems and a healthy environment for humankind. James Lovelock was the first to articulate the idea that it is too late for sustainable development and that we should strive for sustainable retreat. For Lovelock, the deadliest issue is the ongoing climate change, as it is irreversible and only can be mitigated. Sustainable retreat is hard to enforce politically and difficult to absorb mentally. Collapse of a civilization is a decrease in population size or political, economic, and social complexity over a large area for a long time. The collapse of a society does not usually come in the form of a sudden and apocalyptic downfall. Whether a society collapses or not depends on the society´s response to its problems and its capacity to solve them. A collapse is usually followed by rebirth and regeneration. This is a pattern in nature. Human society has followed a similar trend. Regardless how big a crisis is, it always presents an opportunity for catharsis and hope for a new beginning. However, there is no guarantee of the results.
miR-628-5p is a Potential Novel Prognosis Biomarker, Associated with Immune
Infiltration in Bladder Urothelial Carcinoma
Authors: Huang Hong , Xu Qingchun , Zhang Yonghai , Zhou Yizhou , Ma Kaiqun , Luo Yingxun
Published: November 2023

Background::

microRNA-628-5p (miR-628-5p) has a significant impact on certain types of cancer.
The precise function of miR-628-5p in the context of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA) remains ambiguous.

Objective::

We aimed to investigate the role of miR-628-5p in BLCA.

Methods::

The samples were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Statistics were employed to
evaluate the correlation and predictive significance of miR-628-5p. We analyzed the target genes and regulatory
network of miR-628-5p and the correlation between miR-628-5p and immune infiltration. The expression
of miR-628-5p in BLCA cells was confirmed by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR).

Results::

miR-628-5p exhibited differential expression across various types of cancer. There was a significant
association between high expression of miR-628-5p and primary therapy outcome (p < 0.05). High expression
of miR-628-5p was observed to be associated with poorer overall survival (HR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.06-1.90; p =
0.02), progress free survival (HR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.17-2.11; p = 0.003), and disease specific survival (HR:
1.83; 95% CI: 1.28-2.62; p = 0.001) in BLCA. miR-628-5p was an independent prognostic factor in BLCA
and may be involved in the development of the disease through various pathways, including focal adhesion,
ECM-receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway, and among others.
miR-628-5p expression was significantly correlated with immune infiltration in BLCA patients. Compared to
normal bladder epithelial cells, BLCA cell lines exhibited a significant upregulation of miR-628-5p.

Conclusion::

It is possible that miR-628-5p could serve as a hopeful therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker
for individuals with BLCA.
Chemistry and Therapeutic Aspect of Triazole: Insight into the Structure-activity Relationship
Authors: Sharma Shikha , Mittal Nitin , Banik Bimal Krishna
Published: November 2023

The triazole ring is a highly significant heterocycle that occurs naturally in many commodities and
is a common feature in pharmaceuticals. Recently, heterocyclic compounds and their derivatives have been
getting a lot of attention in medicinal chemistry because they have a lot of pharmacological and biological potential.
For example, a lot of drugs have nitrogen-containing heterocyclic moieties. The triazole ring is often
used as a bio-isostere of the oxadiazole nucleus. The oxygen atom in the oxadiazole nucleus is replaced by
nitrogen in the triazole analogue. This article explores the pharmacological properties of the triazole moiety,
including but not limited to antibacterial, analgesic, anticonvulsant, anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antitubercular,
antimalarial, antioxidant, antiviral, and other properties. Additionally, we discuss the diverse multi-
target pharmacological activities exhibited by triazole-based compounds. Based on a literature review, it is
evident that triazole-based chemicals hold significant potential for various applications.
Nrf2 Regulates the Expression of CYP2D6 by Inhibiting the Activity of Krüppel-Like
Factor 9 (KLF9)
Authors: Siswanto Ferbian Milas , Handayani Maria Dara Novi , Firmasyah Rita Dewi , Oguro Ami , Imaoka Susumu
Published: November 2023

Aims:

The aim of the present study is to gain insight into the biology of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and
cancer to drive translational advances enabling more effective prevention and/or potential treatments.

Background:

The expression of Cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) is correlated with various diseases such as PD
and cancer; therefore, exploring its regulatory mechanism at transcriptional levels is of interest. NF-E2-related
factor 2 (Nrf2) has been known to be responsible for regulating phase II and phase III drug-metabolizing genes.

Objectives:

The objectives of this study are to investigate the transcriptional regulation of CYP2D6 by Nrf2 and to
analyze its role in PD and cancer.

Methods:

Nrf2 was transiently expressed in human hepatoma Hep3B cells, and the expression of CYP2D6 was
examined by RT-qPCR. The promoter activity of CYP2D6 and the DNA binding of Nrf2 were examined by luciferase
and ChIP assay, respectively. We then investigated the expression and correlation of Nrf2 and CYP2D6 in
the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets.

Results:

In the present study, we demonstrated that Nrf2 down-regulated CYP2D6 mRNA expression in hepatoma
Hep3B cells. Mechanistically, Nrf2 binds to the antioxidant responsive element (ARE) in the proximity of krüppel-
like factor 9 (KLF9)-binding site within the −550/+51 of CYP2D6 promoter. The inhibition and activation of
Nrf2 enhanced and suppressed KLF9 effects on CYP2D6 expression, respectively. The expression levels of Nrf2
and CYP2D6 were upregulated and downregulated in the PD patient GEO datasets compared to the healthy control
tissues, and Nrf2 was negatively correlated with CYP2D6. In liver cancer patients, decreased CYP2D6 levels
were apparent and associated with a lower probability of survival.

Conclusion:

Our work revealed the inhibitory role of Nrf2 in regulating CYP2D6 expression. Moreover, Nrf2-
dependent regulation of CYP2D6 can be used as a prognostic factor and therapeutic strategy in PD and liver cancer.