bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Nutritional Therapy on Body Mass Index of Cancer Patients- A Pilot Study
Authors: shanthi S , Shambhavi .
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Nutritional issues are typically encountered throughout the treatment of cancer. Cancer cachexia is usually recognised as not only reduced bodily function and quality of life, but also poor positive outcome in patients. Naturally, Body Mass Index (BMI) is frequently used for determining nutritional status of a patient. Intervening nutritional problems of the patient leads to better prognosis. It is necessary to identify patients at-risk earlier and provide effective nutritional interventions. Aim: To determine the level of BMI and evaluate the effect of nutritional therapy on BMI and find its association with demographic characteristics. Materials and Methods: This was a quasi-experimental interventional trial conducted among 100 patients admitted in the hospital with a diagnosis of head, neck and breast cancers. Parameters assessed were baseline proforma, weight and height which were measured and BMI was calculated (BMI=kg/m2 in which kg is a individuals weight in kilograms and m2 is their height in meters squared) and classified as per World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines. Results: Before nutritional intervention 20% and 26% of patients were underweight in the experimental and control group respectively, whereas after 21 days 18% in experimental and 32% in control were underweight. Z score for post-test level of BMI in the experimental and control group were 2.125 and 2.34, respectively is greater than the tabulated value (Z=1.96 at p-value=0.05 level of significance), hence there was a significant difference between post-test level of BMI in the experimental and control group. High protein high caloric whole food was significant. Conclusion: Investigators concluded from the present study that nutrition therapy can help to maintain or improve the nutritional status among patients on cancer treatment.
Morbidity Pattern among Geriatric Population in a Rural Area of West Bengal: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Kumar Subhasish , Majumdar Sukanta , Paul Avijit , Bhattacharyya Nabanita
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Aging is associated with gradual accumulation of a wide variety of molecular and cellular damage resulting in different types of morbidities in geriatric population especially in rural areas in India where health infrastructure is insufficient. Aim: To assess socio-demographic profile and morbidity pattern of geriatric population in Memari-I block of East Burdwan district, West Bengal. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 436 rural geriatric population from October to December 2020 at Memari-I block in West Bengal and multistage proportionate population sampling was done. Data was collected through house-to-house survey by pretested predesigned structured schedule and data analysed with help of International Business Machines (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0. Results: Among the 436 study population, 263 (60.3%) were male and 272 (62.4%) were in the age group of 60-69 years. Out of total, 156 (35.7%) had pallor, 428 (98.2%) had Gastrointestinal (GI) and 403 (92.4%) had musculo-skeletal problems. Hypertension was found in 110 (41.8%) males and 124 (71.7%) females and diabetes were found in 30 (11.4%) males and 53 (30.6%) females. Diabetes and hypertension were significantly associated with age group (60-69 years), gender (female), Body Mass Index (BMI) (obese), and dependency on others. Conclusion: Geriatric population from the Memari block suffer from multiple co-morbidities, predominantly musculoskeletal disorders, GI disorder, hypertension and ophthalmic disorders. A significant number of study population were underweight and belonged to lower socio-economic group. Diabetes and hypertension showed significant association with age group (60-69 years), gender (female), BMI (obese) and dependency on others.
Logistical Aspects of Different Online Teaching- learning Methods among Medical Students during COVID-19 in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital, Thrissur, Southern India
Authors: Chandran Sajeevan Kundil , Vilambil Sajith , Nair Shajee Sivasankaran , Vijayan Sajna Mathumkunnath
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Due to the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) lockdown implemented by the government, we had to transform our classes into the online sphere. The most commonly used methods of online teaching in Government Medical College, Thrissur were, live online lectures, PowerPoint presentations with narrations, prerecorded videos and assignments. Aim: To assess the logistical aspects, merit and demerits of different online teaching-learning methods among phase-1 medical student in a tertiary care teaching hospital during COVID-19 lockdown Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2020 to September 2020, among phase-1 MBBS students of Government Medical College, Thrissur, Kerala, India. Data was collected from 161 students through a questionnaire consisting of two parts. The first part dealt with logistical aspects, like net connectivity, gadget, expenditure, financial burden, residence and eye strain with online teaching learning methods. The second part dealt with the merits and demerits of each type of teaching learning methods, according to the students. All statistical data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16. Qualitative data was expressed as a percentage. Results: A total of 97.5% population of students was able to frequently access the online classes. Online learning strained the eyes of 47.8% of students. Mobile phones were used by 92.5% of students for attending online classes internet connectivity was mainly through 4G (71.4%) followed by Wi-Fi (19.9%) connections. Their most preferred method of online learning was online live lectures (35.4%) followed by PowerPoint presentations with narrations (33.5%). Blended learning (online and traditional together) was best preferred method of learning (46.6%). Conclusion: Live online lectures and blended learning were preferred by the majority of students. Thus, the online classes can be continued along with the traditional teaching in future.
Effectiveness of Whatsapp as a Teaching Learning Tool for Problem Based Learning in Pharmacology: A Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Sengupta Parama , Sur Tania
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Instant Messaging Applications (IMAs) like Whatsapp has changed our lives including medical education in many ways. Aim: To explore and compare the effectiveness and acceptability of Whatsapp as a Teaching Learning (TL) tool for Small Group Learning (SGL) sessions when compared with traditional classroom based learning SGL sessions, for a specific topic (pharmacokinetics) in Pharmacology in Problem Based Learning (PBL) sessions. Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in a tertiary care government medical college in Eastern India on second phase Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students in the year 2021 over a period of five weeks (from March to April 2021). After Didactic Lecture (DL) on the topic, the willing students were randomly divided into two groups, group A (n=46) and group B (n=45). Then group A and group B students attended classroom based and Whatsapp based SGL sessions, respectively, for a period of five consecutive days on "Pharmacokinetics" using PBL method. Students appeared for a Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) based examination (predecided and prevalidated) of 30 marks before and after the SGL sessions. Next, group A students attended Whatsapp based PBL session on the same topic in the same manner as group B and vice-versa. Finally the students filled in a feedback form using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: The post-test scores for both the groups were significantly better compared to the pretest scores; however, there were no significant differences in the post-test scores of both the groups. Regarding students’ feedback on the type of SGL, except for enjoyment (p-value=0.0345) and interactiveness (p-value=0.022), there were no significant differences between the two group scores. The students significantly preferred combination of both types of SGL to either of them (p-value=0.001). Conclusion: In this study, Whatsapp based SGL showed comparable effectiveness as classroom based SGL as measured in terms of MCQ based examination scores. Except for interactiveness and interest, classroom based SGL was equally acceptable to the students as Whatsapp based SGL. Interestingly, the students preferred a combination of both the type of SGL to either of them on the particular topic of Pharmacology.
Wood-Based Industries of Jammu and Kashmir: A Review
Authors: Mushtaq Tahir , Gangoo S. A. , Sofi P. A. , Ishtiyak Ahmad Peerzada , Malik Abdul Rashid , Singh Amarjeet
Published: January 2022

Wood-based industries fall under secondary economic activity. The industrial process involves changing the form of goods to enhance their value. To undertake the manufacturing of goods, inputs in the form of capital, labor, power, and raw materials are required. The output is a finished product that can either be used again as a raw material for another manufactured or consumed in its present form. The location of an industry, thus, largely depends on the avail­ability of raw materials, power, capital, labor, infrastructure, and managerial skill. The establishment of the wood industry is also influenced by the gen­eral climatic conditions, weather, industrial inertia, historical accident, and government policy. The Kashmiris have an age-old tradition in the manufacturing of, paper machines, willow-wicker, cricket bat and toys making are some of the important industries which pro­vide full or part-time employment to the people.
Preimplantation Genetic Testing: A Review of Past and Current
Authors: Elaimi Aisha
Published: January 2022

The field of medical genetics has seen significant and incredible advances in technology for the past several decades. Genetic technologies, particularly in the reproductive medicine discipline, represent a fresh era in medicine that may develop significantly in the coming years. The purpose of Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) in the situation of assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments with IVF (in vitro fertilization) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) is particularly controversial as it is done before implantation [1]. However, despite the successful application of PGT in the field of IVF in overcoming infertility and genetic defects, the techniques pose various limitations, and concerns that need to be addressed to enhance their success rate [2]. This review will introduce PGT and summarize the molecular techniques used in its application as well as highlight the future advances in the field.
Relationship between Peer Influence and Gamer’s Satisfaction in Purchasing Virtual Items for Online Mobile Games: Mediating Role of Hedonic Value
Authors: Chow Kin Man
Published: January 2022

Gaming has long been an interest of studies in the behaviour of youngsters. In particular, game players are spending increasing amount of expenses in purchasing gaming related items. Why mobile game players would purchase virtual items for their games? The aim of this study is to examine the mediating effect of hedonic value to the relationship between peer influence and gamer’s satisfaction. Anonymous questionnaire was used to collect data through a survey website. A total of 126 valid responses were collected in the survey. Data collected were first analysed using confirmatory factor analysis, and the conceptual framework was then examined by using the structural equation modelling. Results revealed that there exists a mediating effect of hedonic value on the relationship between peer influence and gamer’s satisfaction. They provide valuable insights to game developers and marketers on how to enhance gamer’s satisfaction by peer influence through enhancement of hedonic value.
Assessment of the Relationship between Reperfusion Success and T-peak to T-end Interval in Patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated with Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or Pharmacoinvasive Therapy
Authors: Abdo Elezaby Sara Kamel , El-Sheikh Ayman Ahmed , Abd Al-Aal Mohamed Ahmed , El-Masrie Magdi
Published: January 2022

Background: Acute coronary syndrome encompasses unstable angina, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). STEMI is mostly caused by coronary artery occlusion which treated either by fibrinolytic therapy or primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI). The aim of this work was to investigate the relationship between therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) interval and successful perfusion in patients with STEMI treated with pPCI or pharmaco-invasive therapy.

Methods: This cohort prospective study was carried out on 60 patients admitted to cardiology department in Tanta University Hospitals with STEMI. All patients were subjected to full medical history taking, clinical examination, laboratory investigations, electrocardiography, transthoracic echo Doppler study, coronary angiography, follow up for early outcome during hospital stay and late outcome after 3 months and assessment of thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) flow.

Results: There was a statistically non-significant difference regarding age, gender, hypertension and diabetes between both groups. Regarding vessel affected, in group I, there were 20% with RCA lesion, 46.7% with LAD lesion and 33.3% with LCX lesion while in group II there were 30% with RCA lesion, 43.3% with LAD lesion, 20% with LCX lesion and 6.7% was LM with statistically non-significant difference between the groups. In comparison TPE preprocedural and TPE post-procedural in successful PCI group, there was statistically highly significant difference with P value 0.001. While comparing TPE preprocedural and TPE Postprocedural in failed PCI group, there was statistically non-significant difference with P value =0.09. ROC curve analysis was done to pick up the best cut off value of TPE at admission for prediction of Pharmaco-invasive group which revealed TPE at admission more than 104.5 with sensitivity 73.3% and specificity 63.3%. Area under the curve 0.725 with 95% CI ranged from 0.596 to 0.854.

Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that prolonged TPE interval is associated with ischemia and thus shortened TPE could be used as a marker for reperfusion success. TPE prolongation also associated with poor prognosis in patients with STEMI
Investigations on Biosuppression of Wilt Disease in Tomato Using Cell-Free Culture Filtrate of Phytopathogenic Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici
Authors: Abiodun Borisade Omotoso , Rosemary Olofin Adeola , Falade M. J.
Published: January 2022

Potency of cell-free culture filtrate of pathogenic Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici as systemic defense inducer against wilt disease in tomato was tested by treating seedlings with the filtrate before pathogen challenge. Infective conidia and the cell-free culture filtrate were prepared from F. oxysporum (Sensu lato) previously isolated from wilt diseased affected plants. Growth relations of the isolates were characterized under ambient temperature (25 ± 2°C) and viability of the infective conidia of the two isolates were evaluated. Treatments were done as follows: (a) treatment of seedlings with infective conidia only (Treatment-A) (b) culture filtrate treatment only (Treatment-B) (c) treatment with culture filtrate followed by inoculation with infective conidia (Treatment-C) and (d) the control which consisted of plants sprayed with sterile distilled water only (Treatment-D). Effects of fungal conidia on tomato seed germination as well as some agronomic characters of the tomato plants and disease incidence under treatments A, B, C and D were evaluated. The growth and sporulation rates of the F. oxysporum F-isolate-1 were 12.1 mm day-1 and 6.5 x 104 conidia cm-2 colony area respectively and the values for the second isolate, F-Isolate 2 were 6.1 mm day-1 and 5.4 x 104 conidia cm-2 colony area. The germination rates of the infective conidia of F-isolate 1 and F-Isolate 2 after 24 hours incubation period at ambient temperature were 70% and 85% respectively. Treatment of tomato seeds with conidia suspension containing 1.0 x 106 had no statistically significant effects on seed germination [F(2,12)=0.148, P=0.64]; the mean percentage germination of the seeds treated with F-Isolate 1, F-Isolate 2 conidia and the control were 52%,46% and 52% respectively after five days. In the Treatment-A (Infective conidia only), F-Isolate 1 and F-isolate 2 caused 100% and 80% wilt of the plant populations at 7 weeks post-inoculation, when the tomato plants were 9 weeks old and no wilt was recorded in the control. There was no wilt recorded under Treatment-B and Treatment-C also, but there was reduced flowering and the mean percentage number of leaves showing chlorosis were significantly higher than the control [F (4, 192) =6.641, P=0.001]. When the plants were 10 weeks old, withered branches at the lower vegetal strata and the senescent leaves in the control were comparable with that recorded under Treatment-B and Treatment-C (F (4, 159) =3.563, P=0.08].
Phosphate-buffered Formalin Fixative Under Controlled Fixation Temperature Yielded Excellently Preserved Histomorphology
Authors: Onyegbula Kenneth C. , Oluwaloye Gideon T.
Published: January 2022

Aim: Using mouse liver as experimental model, this study attempts to identify a formalin-based fixative and fixation temperature that jointly provides the best balance of preservation of tissue morphology.

Methodology: Liver samples from fifty (50) albino mice aged between of 6 to 8 weeks consisting of both male and female was harvested following cervical dislocation and randomly distributed into control and experimental groups. Control samples were fixed in 10mL of 10% formalin at 25oC, 30oC, 35oC, 40oC, 45oC, 50oC, 55oC and 60oC respectively for 24 hours, while experimental samples were each fixed in equal volume of phosphate-buffered 10% formalin (pH 7.2, 7.4, 7.6 and 7.8) at the same temperature and time duration regimen and processed for general tissue morphology. Nuclear, cytoplasm and cell membrane morphology were assessed as evidence of the combined effectiveness of fixative and fixation temperature. Morphology was scored using a four-point grading scale with 1 being poor and 4 being excellent.

Results: Nuclear, cytoplasm and cell membrane morphology were excellently preserved in tissue fixed with phosphate-buffered 10% formalin (pH 7.2) at 45oC. Tissue fixed with 10% formalin at 35oC exhibited excellent nuclear and cell membrane morphology, while excellent preservation of cell membrane morphology were observed in tissues fixed with 10% formalin at 40oC, phosphate-buffered 10% formalin (pH 7.4) at 55oC and 60oC, (pH 7.6) at 50oC and 55oC and (pH 7.8) at 55oC respectively. Furthermore, excellent preservation of nuclear morphology was observed in tissue fixed with phosphate-buffered 10% formalin (pH 7.8) at 60oC.

Conclusion: Phosphate-buffered 10% formalin at a temperature of 45oC and pH 7.2 provide an excellent formalin-based fixative and fixation temperature that adequately preserves the microanatomy of tissue for histopathology examination.
Effect of Micronutrients on Growth of Onion (Allium cepa L.)
Authors: Kumar Siddharth , Singh Manoj Kumar , Kumar Mukesh , Alam Khursheed
Published: January 2022

Onion is one of the most important bulb crop grown all over the India. It belongs to family Alliaceae and locally known as Pyaj. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of micronutrients on growth of Onion (Allium cepa L.) during Rabi season of 2019-2020 at the Horticultural Research centre of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut (U.P.). The experiment was laid out in Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. The maximum plant height (27.18, 43.32, 49.22 and 47.45 cm at 30, 60, 90 and at harvest after days of transplanting, respectively), number of leaves (5.11, 8.83, 12.87 and 13.98 at 30, 60, 90 and at harvest after days of transplanting, respectively), diameter of stem per plant (6.64, 8.97, 11.13 and 10.95 mm at 30, 60, 90 and at harvest after days of transplanting, respectively) and length of longest leaf at harvesting (43.56 cm) were reported under treatment T9 -RDF + Zinc Sulphate 20 Kg ha-1 + Borax 10 Kg ha-1 whereas the minimum values for above parameters were recorded under T11- control. Hence application of RDF + Zinc Sulphate 20 Kg ha-1 + Borax 10 Kg ha-1 is worth recommendable for formers to get significantly better growth of Rabi onion.
Prevalence and Characterization of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus from Meat Retail Shops and Meat Handlers in the Buea Municipality, Cameroon
Authors: Nkie Esemu Seraphine , Ahmadou Yaya Fondzenyuy , Nkengum Wandah Peterson , Kaah Keneh Nene , Kfusi Jerome Achah , Smith Stella Ifeanyi , Ndip Lucy Mande , Ndip Roland Ndip
Published: January 2022

Aim: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a notorious multidrug-resistant biovar of S. aureus associated with infections that result in high morbidity and mortality in humans and animals. Its persistence in both host and non-host environments adds a major ecological dimension to the problem, thereby making it a one health challenge. This study determined the prevalence and antibiotic resistance patterns of MRSA from meat retail shops and meat handlers in the Buea municipality in addition to basic hygiene practices implemented in the meat retail shops.

Study Design: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 260 samples (comprising 52 swabs each from weighing balances, butchering slabs, cutting knives, hands of meat handlers and meat samples) were randomly obtained and subjected to microbiological analysis. Data on sociodemographic characteristics of meat handlers and basic hygiene practices were captured in a questionnaire.

Methodology: After enrichment, each sample was inoculated on mannitol salt agar and DNA extracted from presumptive S. aureus isolates for detection of the nuc gene. MRSA was identified by oxacillin disk diffusion and confirmed by amplification of the mecA gene. All MRSA isolates were challenged with 10 commonly used antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.

Results: A total of 27 MRSA isolates were recovered from hand swabs (5.8%), meat (15.4%), knives swabs (21.2%) and butchering slabs (9.6%). All (100%) MRSA were resistant to ampicillin and cefepime followed by ofloxacin (92.6%), ciprofloxacin (81.5%) and vancomycin (37%). High susceptibility was observed for gentamicin (100%) and amikacin (100%). All isolates were multidrug-resistant and comprised 11 antibiotypes. Most meat handlers (71.2%) did not have basic meat safety training, while 90.4% of the meat retail shops did not have a nearby water source.

Conclusion: Our results indicate that meat retail shops could be a potential reservoir of MRSA in the environment and meat handlers need more basic meat safety training.
Heavy Metals Contamination and Human Health Risk Asssessment Via Consumption of Medicinal Plants from Amassoma Community, Bayelsa State of Nigeria
Authors: Assayomo Ebimobowei , Patrick Solomon Brepi , Ajimmy Ruth Angobrakumor , Odikeme Eyidenghabofa David , Ogbo Ahiakwo Bright
Published: January 2022

Aims: Man-made activities such as excessive oil exploration, automobile emissions, gas flaring and agricultural activities tend to elevate the concentrations of heavy metals in the surrounding. Heavy metals have the tendency to accumulate in plant roots, which may result to heavy metal contamination.

Objectives: This study aimed at evaluating the concentration of heavy metals such as Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Nickel and Zinc (Zn) in Pawpaw fruits, seeds, leaf and Scent leaf from Amosoma community in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The concentrations of these metals were used to assess the human health risk melted to the consumers of the vegetables and fruits.

Materials and Methods: Sixteen different vegetables and fruit samples comprising of Pawpaw and Scent leaves were digested and analyzed for heavy metals using Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (F-AAS).

Results: The result of the present study reviewed that Pb, Cd, Ni, and Zn ranged from 1.090 ± 0.01 - 5.990 ± 0.06; 0.213 ± 0.03 - 1.317 ± 0.02; 2.810 ± 0.04 - 4.767 ± 0.09; and 0.793 ± 0.01 -5.303 ± 0.02 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of Pb, Cd, and Ni in some of the analyzed pawpaw and scent leaf samples exceeded the permissible limit as recommended by WHO/FAO, EC/CODEX and NAFDAC respectively. The concentrations of Zn were below the permissible limit as recommended by WHO/FAO. The Estimated Daily Intake (EDI) of Pb and Cd exceeded the oral reference dose (RfDo) however; Ni and Zn fall within the oral RfDo. The Target Hazard Quotient (THQ) and Hazard Index (HI) values of Pb, Cd, Ni and Zn were less than 1. The Carcinogenic Risk (CR) of Cd and Ni exceeded the range of permissible predicted lifetime risks for carcinogens as recommended by US EPA, meanwhile, the carcinogenic risk of Pb was within the permissible predicted lifetime risks as recommended by USEPA.

Conclusion: The result from the present study indicate that the fruits and leaves from pawpaw and scent leaf may be contaminated with Pb, Cd, and Ni and the exposed population may be at risk of developing cancer due to carcinogenic ingestion of Cd and Ni over time.
Autoimmune Disease and Chronic Illness in KSA (Cross Sectional Study)
Authors: Balbaid Eman AbdulAziz , Alarnaouti Miasser Mustafa , Abousada Hoda Jehad , Albloshi Sahar Abdulhaq , AlAhmar Salma Ali , Almohammadi Sarah Salem , Alzahrani Hanan Misfer , AlAbdali Aisha Zaher , AlHarbi Abdulaziz Abdullah , Asiri Abdulelah Ali , Bukhari Mohammed Abed , Aljohani Ziyad Sultan , Sabrah Gaith Abdullah , Alshaalan Mosaab Mansour , Yousef Mawaddah Kamal
Published: January 2022

Background: The shortage of prevalence data based on a representative sample of the general population, as well as the small number of disorders covered in co-morbidity studies, are major issues in autoimmune disease research. In this study, the incidence of autoimmune illnesses in a representative sample of Saudi Arabia's general population is documented, and the hypothesis of an overall relationship between these diseases is explored.

Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study to spot light on the prevalence of autoimmune disease among Saudi population. Since the aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of autoimmune disease and their relationship with chronic illnesses among Saudi, this is the suitable design for this research. The study was carried out among Saudi population. Data were collected from general population using questionnaire. Participants were chosen via probability simple random sampling technique. Participants were selected from the general population. The expected number of sample size was 700 participants. However, the study included 802 participants.

Results: The study included the participation of 802 participants from both genders and different age groups in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. There were 436 female participants (54.4%) and 366 males (45.6%) took place in this study. The most prevalent age group was 45-54 years (n= 232, 28.9%). There were 199 participants reported having a family history of autoimmune diseases (24.8%). Furthermore, there were 186 participants who are using medications for high cholesterol level (23.2%) with no significant for gender (P= 0.08). Diabetes was prevalent among 203 participants (25.3%), blood pressure disorder (n= 211, 26.3%), ulcerative colitis (n= 137, 17.1%) and other comorbid conditions.

Conclusion: In conclusion, this survey confirm relatively high prevalence of autoimmune disease among Saudi population. In addition, participants suffered from additionally comorbid conditions.
Bullous Disease of Diabetes (Bullosis Diabeticorum)
Authors: Hussein Mohammed Salah , Alqahtani Shatha Saeed Mohammed , Almutawa Amani Hussain , Alqahtany Batool Mesfer , Ismail M. Albulushi Amer , Almutawa Ayat Hussain , Alharbi Alaa Saleh , Almutairi Elaf Saad , Alhashim Maab Jassim , Aldawish Sarah Naif , Almohaishi Hassan Ali A. , Alharbi Hamed Hamad B. , Almuhanna Mohammed Nabil A. , Alfaraj Dhiyaa Jaber
Published: January 2022

Acanthosis nigricans, acrochordrons, diabetic dermatopathy, necrobiosis lipoidica, and bullous diabeticorum are some of the cutaneous symptoms of diabetes. Bullous illness (bullosis diabeticorum) is a blistering, non-inflammatory condition of the acral skin. Diabetes bullous illness is more common in people who have had diabetes for a long time or who have many comorbidities. Although the actual cause is uncertain, it is likely to be multifactorial. Neuropathy, nephropathy, vasculopathy, and UV (ultraviolet) light are all suggested to have a role. BD is most likely caused by the various problems that come with poorly managed diabetes. The exact number of people who have BD is unknown. The majority of case studies in the literature were based on a small number of cases. Bullous diabeticorum is a restrictive diagnosis, which necessitates a histological study that includes direct immunofluorescence to rule out other vesicobullous illnesses. In terms of BD management, no strong consensus has formed. The blisters have historically been thought to be self-limiting, with bullae resolving in 2 to 6 weeks if left untreated. In some cases antibiotic may be used. In this article we’ll be looking at Bullosis Diabeticorum. Its etiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment.
Suppression of FoxO1 mRNA by β2‐adrenoceptor–cAMP signaling through miR‐374b‐5p and miR‐7a‐1‐3p in C2C12 myotubes
Authors: Shimamoto Saki , Nakashima Kazuki , Nishikoba Nao , Kohrogi Rukana , Ohtsuka Akira , Fujimura Shinobu , Ijiri Daichi
Published: January 2022

β2‐Adrenoceptor (β2‐AR) signaling decreases the transcriptional activity of forkhead box O (FoxO), but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we investigated how β2‐AR signaling regulates the protein abundance of FoxO and its transcriptional activity in skeletal muscle. We observed that stimulation of β2‐AR with its selective agonist, clenbuterol, rapidly decreased FoxO1 mRNA expression, and this was accompanied by a decrease in either FoxO1 protein level or FoxO transcriptional activity. We subsequently observed that miR‐374b‐5p and miR‐7a‐1‐3p were rapidly upregulated in response to β2‐AR stimulation. Transfection with mimics of either miRNA successfully decreased FoxO1 mRNA. Moreover, because β2‐AR stimulation increased cAMP concentration, pretreatment with an adenylyl cyclase inhibitor canceled out these effects of β2‐AR stimulation. These results suggest that β2‐AR stimulation results in rapid upregulation of miR‐374b‐5p and miR‐7a‐1‐3p in myotubes, which in turn results in a decrease in FoxO1 mRNA expression via the β2‐AR–cAMP signaling pathway.
Lewis fucose is a key moiety for the recognition of histo‐blood group antigens by GI.9 norovirus, as revealed by structural analysis
Authors: Kimura‐Someya Tomomi , Kato‐Murayama Miyuki , Katsura Kazushige , Sakai Naoki , Murayama Kazutaka , Hanada Kazuharu , Shirouzu Mikako , Someya Yuichi
Published: January 2022

Noroviruses have been identified as major causative agents of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis in humans. Histo‐blood group antigens (HBGAs) are thought to play a major role among the host cellular factors influencing norovirus infection. Genogroup I, genotype 9 (GI.9) is the most recently identified genotype within genogroup I, whose representative strain is the Vancouver 730 norovirus. However, the molecular interactions between host antigens and the GI.9 capsid protein have not been investigated in detail. In this study, we demonstrate that the GI.9 norovirus preferentially binds Lewis antigens over blood group A, B, and H antigens, as revealed by an HBGA binding assay using virus‐like particles. We determined the crystal structures of the protruding domain of the GI.9 capsid protein in the presence or absence of Lewis antigens. Our analysis demonstrated that Lewis fucose (α1–3/4 fucose) represents a key moiety for the GI.9 protein–HBGA interaction, thus suggesting that Lewis antigens might play a critical role during norovirus infection. In addition to previously reported findings, our observations may support the future design of antiviral agents and vaccines against noroviruses.
Interest rates
Authors: GIBBS MATT
Published: January 2022

Societies of the ancient world used interest rates on a wide variety of loans to finance expenses ranging from the personal through to maritime commerce. We see this most clearly in ancient Greece and Rome, but while this concept seems familiar to us, interest rates were established in very different ways; these rates did, however, affect the ancient economies in which they were used, sometimes dramatically.
Metallurgy, Greece and Rome
Authors: REHREN THILO
Published: January 2022

The practice of metallurgy, that is the smelting of ore to metal and the manufacture of metal objects, underpinned much of Greek and Roman economic and cultural activity. Copper, tin, and lead were widely used for tools, decorative, and monetary purposes. Gold and silver were mostly used for coinage, jewelry, and tableware. Particularly during the Roman period, iron and steel were the most commonly used metals for tools and nails, and a wide range of weapons. The principles of metallurgical activity remained broadly the same from the Greek to the Roman periods, while the practical implementation and scale of operation increased significantly during this period.
Monopoly
Authors: Gibbs Matt
Published: January 2022

The control and regulation of certain products and services, or monopolies, was not unknown in the ancient world. These were often under the direct control of the state, but they could be leased out to private hands through licenses or concessions. The aim generally appears to have been to extract the most revenue possible in return for a minimum outlay.
Mancipium
Authors: Banfi Antonio
Published: January 2022

The word
mancipium
(likely from
manu capere
, “take with the hand”) was used in Roman law mainly to express the idea of both power and belonging of someone to someone or something.
Ducenarii
Authors: Whately Conor
Published: January 2022

This entry is about
ducenarii
, both an equestrian rank and an officer's rank in the Roman Empire.
Geta (Publius Septimius Geta Augustus)
Authors: Imrie Alex
Published: January 2022

Publius Septimius Geta (189–211
ce
) ruled the empire alongside his father, Septimius Severus, and older brother, Caracalla, from 209 to 211. Much of his life was characterized by a fierce rivalry with Caracalla, which resulted in Geta's murder in December 211.
Lamashtu
Authors: Scurlock Joann
Published: January 2022

Lamashtu was daughter of the sky‐god Anu and was cast from heaven for her taste for human flesh. She preyed on pregnant women and young children and was causal agent of typhoid fever. To neutralize her she was given a husband, Pazuzu.
Clinical Academic Rheumatology: A Boon for Health Systems
Authors: D'Anna Kathleena M. , Lynch Carlos Silva , Cabling Marven , Torralba Karina D. , Downey Christina
Published: January 2022

Objective

Finding a balance between clinical and scholarly productivity is a challenge for many academic clinician‐educator rheumatologists. An examination of workload and downstream revenue determines if the financial value generated by services rendered by rheumatologists are proportionate to the financial value created for a health system. A 2005 study found that academic rheumatologists generate $10.02 for every $1.00 they receive for an office visit.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of ordering and billing practices of 5 full‐time clinician‐educator rheumatologists from August 2017 to February 2019 was conducted. Individual workload is defined as averaged full‐time equivalent workload based on time spent on clinical and academic duties. Academic productivity was reviewed. Revenue‐generating activities that benefited the division directly and downstream revenue were collected. Revenue was extrapolated based on volumes of referrals, publicly available drug costs, and estimated Medicare reimbursement values (average sales price) of representative drugs.

Results

The total revenue by physician that benefited the division directly was $597,203, with evaluation and management codes accounting for $174,456. Downstream revenue by physician totaled $2,119,437. The largest contributor was from referrals to the hospital‐based infusion center, at $1,287,496. The downstream revenue generated by rheumatologist per dollar of evaluation and management services was found to be $12.14 ($9.37 in 2005 dollars).

Conclusion

For every $1 generated though office visits by 5 practicing academic rheumatologists at our institution, $12.14 was generated through downstream revenue, which, when adjusted for inflation, shows stability in the value generated by academic rheumatologists ($10.02 versus $9.37).
Designing Artificial Fluorescent Proteins: Squaraine‐LmrR Biophosphors for High Performance Deep‐Red Biohybrid Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Ferrara Sara , Mejias Sara H. , Liutkus Mantas , Renno Giacomo , Stella Francesca , Kociolek Irene , Fuenzalida‐Werner Juan Pablo , Barolo Claudia , Coto Pedro B. , Cortajarena Aitziber L. , Costa Rubén D.
Published: January 2022

Biophosphors with fluorescent proteins (FPs) are promising candidates to replace rare‐earth color down‐converting filters for white light‐emitting diodes (LEDs). There is, however, a lack of deep‐red FPs meeting high photostabilities, photoluminescence quantum yields (ϕ), and throughput expression yields. Herein, a new approach for the design of highly emissive and stable deep‐red biophosphors combining an artificial FP (Lactococcal multidrug resistance Regulator (LmrR) as protein host and an archetypal red‐emitting squaraine (S) as guest) with a polymer network is demonstrated toward high performing deep‐red biohybrid LEDs (Bio‐HLEDs). At first, the best protein pocket (aromaticity, polarity, charge, etc.) to stabilize S in water is determined using four LmrR variants (position 96 with tryptophan, histidine, phenylalanine, and alanine). Computational and time‐resolved spectroscopic findings suggest that the tryptophan is instrumental toward achieving artificial red‐emitting FPs with ϕ > 50% stable over weeks. These features are further enhanced in the polymer coating (ϕ > 65% stable over months) without affecting emission color. Finally, deep‐red Bio‐HLEDs are fabricated featuring external quantum efficiencies of 7% and stabilities of ≈800 h. This represents threefold enhancement compared to reference devices with S‐polymer color filters. Overall, this work highlights a new design for highly emissive deep‐red biophosphors, achieving record performance in deep‐red protein‐LEDs.
Micro‐Redoxcapacitor: A Hybrid Architecture Out of the Notorious Energy‐Power Density Dilemma
Authors: Cao Zhiqian , Hu Haibo , Ho Derek
Published: January 2022

Insufficient areal energy density along with unstable delivery, resulting from a linearly sloped time‐voltage response rooting in redox‐free/surface‐redox operating mechanisms severely restricts the application scenarios of micro‐supercapacitors. Herein, by coupling silver nanowires (AgNWs) between MXene interlayers with the help of bacterial cellulose (BC) as bio‐dispersant toward MXene/AgNWs&BC hybrid cathode to pair with Zn anode, a novel Zn2+‐Cl− dual‐ions micro‐redox capacitor (MRC) employing polyacrylamide/ZnCl2 + NH4Cl hydrogel electrolyte is first present. The introduced AgNWs nanopillars alleviate the MXene nanosheets restacking to facilitate Cl− transfer kinetics, and concurrently strengthen the charge storage capacity and output stability benefiting from a flat discharge plateau stemming from the extra phase transition behavior (Ag⇔AgCl). Thus, an appealing dual energy storage mechanism, featuring i) expedited Cl− diffusion involved de/intercalation and ii) reversible solid‐to‐solid conversion of Ag/AgCl redox couple confined between MXene interlayers, is established and revealed by in situ XRD/Raman analyses. Consequently, remarkably boosted areal energy density up to 227 μWh cm−2 along with significantly improved output stability and suppressed notorious self‐discharge behavior, are achieved in the resultant MRC. This work provides a brand new strategy for designing innovative MXene‐based MRC featuring a hybrid charge storage mechanism of ions‐intercalation and phase conversion to simultaneously realize high and steady energy output.
Electrochemical Biosensors Employing Hybridization Chain Reaction: From Structural Design to Applications
Authors: Li Hongxing , Li Xun , Li Shaoguang , Shang Zhiwei , Li Hui , Xia Fan
Published: January 2022

Electrochemical biosensors are one of the most emerging sensor technologies for many applications including disease diagnosis, environmental monitoring, and food safety, etc. They often rely on amplification strategies to achieve ultrasensitivity for the specific analytes of interest, as they feature extremely low abundance, such as ctDNA and other protein‐type cancer biomarkers. Among all the amplification strategies, hybridization chain reaction (HCR) is extremely cost‐effective, simple, enzyme‐free, and reacts under isothermal conditions, thus often employed in the electrochemical biosensors towards the goal of sensitivity enhancement. By coupling HCR and electrochemistry, it has proved to benefit a great variety of analytes, including ions, small molecules, nucleic acids, proteins, and cells, etc. Given the recent advance of HCR‐amplified electrochemical biosensors, here one aims to review the significant achievements of this platform over the past 10 years, covering their design in HCR constructs in response to the respective targets, and their challenges and opportunities.
Organic Field‐Effect Transistors Based on Ternary Blends Including a Fluorinated Polymer for Achieving Enhanced Device Stability
Authors: Tamayo Adrián , Salzillo Tommaso , Mas‐Torrent Marta
Published: January 2022

The stability of organic semiconductors (OSCs) is strongly hampered by the presence of water molecules. One approach that has been proved to lead to organic field‐effect transistors with an enhanced performance is the use of blends of OSCs with insulating binding polymers. In this work, the fabrication of OSC thin films based on polymeric ternary blends including a hydrophobic fluorinated polymer is reported as a novel route to engineer long‐term reliable organic field‐effect transistors (OFET) devices. In particular, OFETs based on blends of bis(triisopropylsilylethynyl)pentacene (TIPS) with polystyrene (PS) and poly(pentafluorostyrene) (PFS) are explored. The PS:PFS ratio is tuned in order to find the optimum formulation. It is shown that films including 20% of PFS in the polymeric blend exhibit an improved device performance, which is reflected by a low bias stress and an exceptional environmental stability, without significantly hampering the OFET mobility. This work advocates that adding a small percentage of fluorinated polymers in OSC blends is a promising route to realize more reliable and stable devices without importantly compromising the device mobility.
Hydroxy‐Group‐Enriched In2O3 Facilitates CO2 Electroreduction to Formate at Large Current Densities
Authors: Liu Zhengzheng , Lv Ximeng , Zhang Junbo , Guan Anxiang , Yang Chao , Yan Shuai , Chen Yangshen , Liu Kunhao , Zheng Gengfeng
Published: January 2022

The development of catalysts and electrochemical systems for CO2 electroreduction has achieved substantial progress recently, while the long‐time operation of electrolyzing CO2 to formate with high activity and selectivity remains as a major challenge, due to the continuous carbonate precipitation at elevated pHs. Herein, hexagonal phase In2O3 (h‐In2O3) is demonstrated with a monodispersed porous nanosphere structure that can serve as an efficient electrocatalyst for converting CO2 to formate, with a peak Faradaic efficiency of 98%, high partial current densities for producing formate, and outstanding electrochemical stability, substantially exceeding cubic phase In2O3 and most of the previously reported electrocatalysts. Both experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the excellent activity and stability are attributed to the enhanced adsorption and activation of CO2 on the h‐In2O3 surface, and the rich surface hydroxyl groups further facilitate the inhibition of carbonate formation. This work suggests attractive features of the phase engineering to modulate surface hydroxyl groups for efficient and robust catalysts for CO2 electroreduction.
Revealing the Competition between Defect‐Trapped Exciton and Band‐Edge Exciton Photoluminescence in Monolayer Hexagonal WS2
Authors: Wu Ke , Zhong Hongxia , Guo Quanbing , Tang Jibo , Yang Zhenyu , Qian Lihua , Yuan Shengjun , Zhang Shunping , Xu Hongxing
Published: January 2022

Monolayer transition‐metal dichalcogenides grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) always contain certain types of defects that dramatically affect their electronic and optical properties. For CVD‐grown hexagonal WS2 monolayer, complex photoluminescence (PL) patterns are commonly observed, but the defect‐related optical mechanisms are still not well understood. Here, by combining the optical and structural characterizations and ab initio calculations, the correlation between the patterned PL emission and the details of defects in CVD‐grown hexagonal WS2 monolayer are revealed. The temperature‐dependent PL spectra show the correlation between the defect‐trapped and band‐edge exciton emission. The high‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy identifies the positive correlation between the density of WSx‐vacancy and PL intensity. In the end, the ab initio calculations and molecule adsorption PL spectra show that the coexistence of p‐ and n‐doping effects, caused by the W and S complex vacancy, weakens the modulation of molecular adsorption on PL intensity. This work gives new insights into the origin of the inhomogeneous PL distribution in WS2 monolayer, which provides important guidance in the regulation of electronic and optical properties of transition‐metal dichalcogenides via defect engineering.
Transmission–Reflection‐Integrated Quadratic Phase Metasurface for Multifunctional Electromagnetic Manipulation in Full Space
Authors: Wang Jiangyu , Zhang Zuojun , Huang Cheng , Pu Mingbo , Lu Xinjian , Ma Xiaoliang , Guo Yinghui , Luo Jun , Luo Xiangang
Published: January 2022

Metasurface has shown significant advantages in full‐space multifunctional electromagnetic (EM) manipulation due to its strong design capability. Here, a novel transmission–reflection‐integrated metasurface is proposed, which can simultaneously manipulate beam direction and polarization states. Through ingenious design based on the quadratic phase distribution, such a metasurface can dynamically control the beam deflection direction in both transmission and reflection modes by shifting the position of the feeding source. In addition, arbitrarily polarized EM waves can be generated based on the dual‐beam coherent interference method. The above EM functions are experimentally demonstrated at microwave frequencies. The wide‐angle beam steering performance is realized in full space, and its scanning range is beyond ±60°. More remarkably, the deflecting beam with different polarization states can be obtained by simultaneously illuminating the metasurface from the reflection and transmission sides with a specific phase difference. The measured results are in excellent accordance with the numerically simulated results, thus verifying the EM manipulation capability of the metasurface. The proposed design provides a new approach to achieve multifunctional beam manipulation in full space, which holds great promise in integrated optics, radar detection, and wireless communication.