bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chemical Stability of Framboidal Pyrite Containing Geogenic Arsenic in Alluvial Sediments
Authors: Ueshima Masato , Hashimoto Yohey , Sakanakura Hirofumi 
Published: October 2019

The number of underground construction projects is increasing worldwide, resulting in the production of a huge amount of waste excavated material. Excavated soils from alluvial plains are rich in pyrite. When these soils are exposed to air, the pyrite oxidizes, resulting in the generation of H2SO4, which acidifies the soil and releases potentially harmful trace metals and metalloids such as arsenic into the environment. Polarized light microscopy and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) revealed the presence of framboidal pyrite within the shells of microorganisms in alluvial soil samples collected in Japan. Analysis with FE‐SEM/energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA) revealed that this framboidal pyrite contained As. When soaked in distilled water for 6 h or in 1 M HCl for 2 h, the framboidal pyrite remained unchanged; however, when it was soaked in 10% H2O2 for 6 h, it was oxidized and swelling was observed on the surface of pyrite microcrystals. A 1 M HCl extraction test indicated that arsenic release from framboidal pyrite would be difficult under acidic conditions. Framboidal pyrite in alluvial sediment is stable at low pH; however, it is unstable under oxidative conditions, suggesting that waste alluvial soil should be kept under reducing conditions. The chemical stability of geogenic arsenic in pyrite in soils and sediments provides a useful way to determine a correct handling of the soils for reclamation or as a covering material.Core Ideas
Chemical stability of framboidal pyrite in acidic or oxidative conditions was examined.
Geogenic As was accumulated mostly in framboidal pyrite.
Framboidal pyrite was stable in acidic conditions but was unstable in oxidative conditions.
Improving Topical Skin Delivery of Monocrotaline Via Liposome Gel-based Nanosystems
Authors: Yu Jiandong , Chen Zhi , Yin Yan-zhi , Tang Chaoyuan , Hu Enying , Zheng Shuang , Liu Qi , Xiong Yang 
Published: October 2019

Background:
In this study, a liposomal gel based on a pH-gradient method was used to increase
the skin-layer retention of monocrotaline (MCT) for topical administration.

Methods:
Using the Box-Behnken design, different formulations were designed to form liposome suspensions
with optimal encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and stability factor (KE). In order to keep MCT
in liposomes and accumulate in skin slowly and selectively, MCT liposome suspensions were engineered
into gels.

Results:
A pH-gradient method was used to prepare liposome suspensions. The optimal formulation of
liposome suspensions (encapsulation efficiency: 83.10 ± 0.21%) was as follows: MCT 12 mg, soybean
phosphatidyl choline (sbPC) 200 mg, cholesterol (CH) 41 mg, vitamin E (VE) 5 mg, and citric acid
buffer solution (CBS) 4.0 10 mL (pH 7.0). The final formulation of liposomal gels consisted of 32 mL
liposome suspensions, 4.76 mL deionized water, 0.40 g Carbopol-940, 1.6 g glycerol, 0.04 g
methylparaben, and a suitable amount of triethanolamine for pH value adjustment. The results of in
vitro drug release showed that MCT in liposomal gels could be released in 12 h constantly in physiological
saline as a Ritger-Peppas model. Compared with plain MCT in gel form, liposomal MCT in gel had
higher skin retention in vitro.

Conclusion:
In this study, liposomal gels were formed for greater skin retention of MCT. It is potentially
beneficial for reducing toxicities of MCT by topical administration with liposomal gel.
Role of Granulocyte-colony Stimulating Factor in the Protection of Cerebral Vascular Endothelium, White Matter, and Cognition
Authors: Tuo Minghui , Xiao Yunyue , Xu Yan , Wang Lisha , Wei Xin , Zhang Lei 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) has protective effects on
many neurological diseases. The effects of G-CSF on vascular endothelium and White Matter
(WM) injury in Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (CSVD) were explored in this study via a model of
spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) in order to elucidate the mechanism of G-CSF in Vascular
Cognitive Impairment (VCI).

Methods:
24-week-old male SHRs were randomly divided into the treatment group and model
group, with the same age Wistar rats as the control group. The novel object recognition test
(NORT) and Morris water maze were conducted after 7 days of G-CSF(50ug/kg) or normal saline
treatment to examine their non-spatial and spatial cognitive functions. After that, a transmission
electron microscope (TEM) and FLB staining were used to observe the vascular endothelial cell
and WM damage. Furthermore, the expression of VEGF, MMP-9, Caspase-3, TUNEL and BrdULaminin
in the cortical area was detected by immunostaining methods.

Results:
Our results showed that G-CSF promoted the expression of VEGF and BrdU+-Laminin+
endothelial cells, but down-regulated the level of MMP-9, thus significantly repaired the cerebral
vascular endothelial cells and perivascular structure in SHR. The WM damage, the expression of
caspase-3 and the apoptosis rate decreased after G-CSF treatment. Ultimately, G-CSF improved
the non-spatial cognitive function in SHR rather than the spatial cognitive function.

Conclusion:
Therefore, our findings indicated that G-CSF might facilitate the improvement of
non-spatial cognitive function in CSVD by repairing endothelial cells and alleviating WM damage.
Erythrocyte Amyloid Beta Peptide Isoform Distributions in Alzheimer and Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Järemo Petter , Jejcic Alenka , Jelic Vesna , Shahnaz Tasmin , Oweling Magnus , Winblad Bengt , Behbahani Homira 
Published: October 2019

Introduction:
We recently showed that Amyloid Beta (Aβ)40 accumulates in erythrocytes and
possibly causes cell damage as evidenced by an increased number of assumed injured low-density
(kg/L) erythrocytes. Furthermore, we have suggested a separation technique to isolate and concentrate
such damaged red blood cells for subsequent analysis.

Objectives:
We isolated high- and low-density erythrocytes and investigated the accumulation patterns
of the Aβ peptides (Aβ40, Aβ42, and Aβ43) in Alzheimer (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and
Subjective Cognitive Impairment (SCI).

Methods:
Whole blood was fractionated through a density gradient, resulting in two concentrated highand
presumed injured low-density erythrocyte fractions. After cell lysis, intracellular Aβ40, Aβ42, and
Aβ43 were quantified by ELISA.

Results:
In both high- and low-density erythrocytes, Aβ40 displayed the lowest concentration in MCI,
while it was equal and higher in AD and SCI. Aβ40 was detected at a 10-fold higher level than Aβ42, and
in injured low-density erythrocytes, the lowest quantity of Aβ42 was found in AD and MCI. Aβ40 exhibited
a 100-fold greater amount than Aβ43, and lighter erythrocytes of MCI subjects displayed less intracellular
Aβ43 than SCI.

Conclusion:
Red blood cell accumulation patterns of Aβ40, Aβ42, and Aβ43 differ significantly between
AD, MCI, and SCI. The data must be verified through larger clinical trials. It is, however, tenable that
Aβ peptide distributions in erythrocyte subpopulations have the potential to be used for diagnostic purposes.
Biological Evaluation of 8-Hydroxyquinolines as Multi-Target Directed Ligands for Treating Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Knez Damijan , Sosič Izidor , Pišlar Anja , Mitrović Ana , Jukič Marko , Kos Janko , Gobec Stanislav 
Published: October 2019

Background:
Accumulating evidence suggests that multi-target directed ligands have great
potential for the treatment of complex diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).

Objective:
To evaluate novel chimeric 8-hydroxyquinoline ligands with merged pharmacophores as potential
multifunctional ligands for AD.

Methods:
Nitroxoline, PBT2 and compounds 2-4 were evaluated in-vitro for their inhibitory potencies
on cathepsin B, cholinesterases, and monoamine oxidases. Furthermore, chelation, antioxidative properties
and the permeability of Blood-Brain Barrier (BBB) were evaluated by spectroscopy-based assays
and the inhibition of Amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation was determined in immunoassay. Cell-based assays
were performed to determine cytotoxicity, neuroprotection against toxic Aβ species, and the effects of
compound 2 on apoptotic cascade.

Results:
Compounds 2-4 competitively inhibited cathepsin B β-secretase activity, chelated metal ions
and were weak antioxidants. All of the compounds inhibited Aβ aggregation, whereas only compound 2
had a good BBB permeability according to the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay. Tested
ligands 2 and 3 were not cytotoxic to SH-SY5Y and HepG2 cells at 10 μM. Compound 2 exerted neuroprotective
effects towards Aβ toxicity, reduced the activation of caspase-3/7 and diminished the apoptosis
of cells treated with Aβ1-42.

Conclusion:
Taken together, our data suggest that compound 2 holds a promise to be used as a multifunctional
ligand for AD.
Development, Optimization, Characterization and Impact of In vitro Lipolysis on Drug Release of Telmisartan Loaded SMEDDS
Authors: Verma Ravinder , Kaushik Deepak 
Published: October 2019

Objective:
The objective of the current research is systematic optimization and development
of microemulsion preconcentrates to get better solubility that results in improvement of oral bioavailability
profile of Telmisartan utilizing D-optimal mixture design.

Methods:
Solubility studies in a variety of lipidic ingredients and optimization of formulations were
carried out for the development of liquid SMEDDS. D-optimal mixture design was utilized for assessing
the interaction performance of desired responses (such as % cumulative drug release and globule
size) and optimized using desirability approach. The optimized batch was evaluated for its % cumulative
drug release and globule size performance for determining the dissolution rate and oral bioavailability
of drug.

Results:
The optimized batch (F-8), which contained 10% oil (Capmul MCM EP), 45% surfactant
(Labrasol) and 45% co-surfactant (Transcutol HP) resulted in desired qualities of measured responses
with 84.6nm globule size and 98.5% drug release within 15 minutes. Optimized SMEDDS showed brilliant
goodness of fit between drug release. Stability studies indicated stability of the optimized
SMEDDS batch over 3-month storage at 40°C/75% RH and improved dissolution rate in contrast to
pure API. The optimized SMEDDS showed no impact of in vitro lipolysis on drug release.

Conclusion:
Developed and optimized SMEDDS showed improved in vitro dissolution rate and dissolution
profile in contrast to pure drug. These investigations further confirm dose reduction in SMEDDS
by gaining an equivalent therapeutic profile with non-SMEDDS formulation. This research work successfully
shows the potential usage of SMEDDS for delivery of BCS-II class drugs.
Nonclinical Sexual Health Support for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, and Other Sexually Transmitted Infections in Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men: Protocol for a European Community Health Worker Online Survey (ECHOES)
Authors: Sherriff Nigel , Huber Jorg , McGlynn Nick , Llewellyn Carrie , Pollard Alex , Lorente Nicolas , Folch Cinta , Cawley Caoimhe , Panochenko Oksana , Krone Michael , Dutarte Maria , Casabona Jordi 
Published: October 2019

Background
The term “community health worker” (CHW) can apply to a wide range of individuals providing health services and support for diverse populations. Very little is known about the role of CHWs in Europe working in nonclinical settings who promote sexual health and prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM).

Objective
This paper describes the development and piloting of the first European Community Health Worker Online Survey (ECHOES) as part of the broader European Union-funded ESTICOM (European Surveys and Trainings to Improve MSM Community Health) project. The questionnaire aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of CHWs providing sexual health services to gay, bisexual, and other MSM in European settings.

Methods
ECHOES comprises three superordinate domains divided into 10 subsections with 175 items (routed) based on a scoping exercise and literature review, online prepiloting, and Europe-wide consultation. Additional piloting and cognitive debriefing interviews with stakeholders were conducted to identify comprehension issues and improve the clarity, intelligibility, accessibility, and acceptability of the survey. Psychometric properties, including internal consistency of the standardized scales used as part of the survey were examined. The final survey was available to 33 countries in 16 languages.

Results
Recruitment closed on January 31, 2018. Data from 1035 CHWs were available for analysis after application of the exclusion criteria. The findings of the ECHOES survey and the wider ESTICOM project, are now available from the ESTICOM website and/or by contacting the first author.

Conclusions
The findings of this survey will help characterize, for the first time, the diverse role of CHWs who provide sexual health services to gay, bisexual, and other MSM in Europe. Importantly, the data will be used to inform the content and design of a dedicated training program for CHWs as part of the larger ESTICOM project and provide recommendations for MSM-specific strategies to improve sexual health in general and to reduce the incidence and prevalence of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other STIs in particular.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
RR1-10.2196/15012
Identifying Barriers and Enablers to Attending Diabetic Retinopathy Screening in Immigrants to Canada From Ethnocultural Minority Groups: Protocol for a Qualitative Descriptive Study
Authors: Dogba Maman Joyce , Brent Michael H , Bach Catherine , Asad Sarah , Grimshaw Jeremy , Ivers Noah , Légaré France , Witteman Holly O , Squires Janet , Wang Xiaoqin , Sutakovic Olivera , Zettl Mary , Drescher Olivia , van Allen Zack , McCleary Nicola , Tremblay Marie-Claude , Linklater Stefanie , Presseau Justin 
Published: October 2019

Background
Immigrants to Canada belonging to ethnocultural minority groups are at increased risk of developing diabetes and complications, including diabetic retinopathy, and they are also less likely to be screened and treated. Improved attendance to retinopathy screening (eye tests) has the potential to reduce permanent complications, including blindness.

Objective
This study aims to identify the barriers and enablers of attending diabetic retinopathy screening among ethnocultural minority immigrants living with diabetes in Quebec and Ontario, Canada, to inform the development of a behavior change intervention to improve diabetic retinopathy screening attendance.

Methods
The research question draws on the needs of patients and clinicians. Using an integrated knowledge translation approach, the research team includes clinicians, researchers, and patient partners who will contribute throughout the study to developing and reviewing materials and procedures, helping to recruit participants, and disseminating findings. Using a convenience snowball strategy, we will recruit participants from three target groups: South Asian and Chinese people, and French-speaking people of African descent. To better facilitate reaching these groups and support participant recruitment, we will partner with community organizations and clinics serving our target populations in Ontario and Quebec. Data will be collected using semistructured interviews, using topic guides developed in English and translated into French, Mandarin, Hindi, and Urdu, and conducted in those languages. Data collection and analysis will be structured according to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF), which synthesizes predominant theories of behavior change into 14 domains covering key modifiable factors that may operate as barriers or enablers to attending eye screening. We will use directed content analysis to code barriers and enablers to TDF domains, then thematic analysis to define key themes within domains.

Results
This study was approved for funding in December 2017, and the research ethics board approved the conduct of the study as of January 13, 2018. Data collection then began in April 2018. As of August 28, 2018, we have recruited 22 participants, and analysis is ongoing, with results expected to be published in 2020.

Conclusions
Findings from this study will inform the codevelopment of theory-informed, culturally- and linguistically-tailored interventions to support patients in attending retinopathy screening.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)
DERR1-10.2196/15109
Attitudes Toward Health Care Virtual Communities of Practice: Survey Among Health Care Workers
Authors: Yada Nicole , Head Milena 
Published: October 2019

Background
Virtual communities of practice (VCoPs) have been shown to be an effective means for knowledge and research uptake, but little is known about why health care workers choose to use them. The elaboration likelihood model (ELM) is a theoretical model of persuasion that distinguishes between different routes of information processing that influence attitude formation and change. To date, no research has investigated the antecedents to these processing routes for VCoPs within a health care setting. In understanding these determinants, VCoPs can be appropriately designed to increase their chances of use and value among health care professionals.

Objective
Our aim is to explore how motivation and ability affect attitudes toward using VCoPs for those working in health care.

Methods
Data were collected from 86 health care workers using an online survey at two Canadian health care conferences. Participants were shown a mock VCoP and asked about their perceptions of the online platform and related technologies. The survey instrument was developed based on previously validated scales to measure participants’ ability and motivation toward using a VCoP. Attitudes were assessed both at the beginning and end of the study; intention to use the platform was assessed at the end.

Results
Ability (expertise with CoPs and VCoPs) was found to directly affect intention to use the system (P<.001 and P=.009, respectively) as was motivation (P<.001). Argument quality had the greatest effect on formed attitudes toward VCoPs, regardless of the user’s level of experience (lower expertise: P=.04; higher expertise: P=.003). Those with higher levels of CoPs expertise were also influenced by peripheral cues of source credibility (P=.005 for attitude formation and intention to use the system) and connectedness (P=.04 for attitude formation; P=.008 for intention to use the system), whereas those with lower levels of CoP expertise were not (P>.05). A significant correlation between formed attitude and intention to use the VCoPs system was found for those with higher levels of expertise (P<.001).

Conclusions
This research found that both user ability and motivation play an important and positive role in the attitude toward and adoption of health care VCoPs. Unlike previous ELM research, evidence-based arguments were found to be an effective messaging tactic for improving attitudes toward VCoPs for health care professionals with both high and low levels of expertise. Understanding these factors that influence the attitudes of VCoPs can provide insight into how to best design and position such systems to encourage their effective use among health care professionals.
Identifying Opioid Use Disorder in the Emergency Department: Multi-System Electronic Health Record–Based Computable Phenotype Derivation and Validation Study
Authors: Chartash David , Paek Hyung , Dziura James D , Ross Bill K , Nogee Daniel P , Boccio Eric , Hines Cory , Schott Aaron M , Jeffery Molly M , Patel Mehul D , Platts-Mills Timothy F , Ahmed Osama , Brandt Cynthia , Couturier Katherine , Melnick Edward 
Published: October 2019

Background
Deploying accurate computable phenotypes in pragmatic trials requires a trade-off between precise and clinically sensical variable selection. In particular, evaluating the medical encounter to assess a pattern leading to clinically significant impairment or distress indicative of disease is a difficult modeling challenge for the emergency department.

Objective
This study aimed to derive and validate an electronic health record–based computable phenotype to identify emergency department patients with opioid use disorder using physician chart review as a reference standard.

Methods
A two-algorithm computable phenotype was developed and evaluated using structured clinical data across 13 emergency departments in two large health care systems. Algorithm 1 combined clinician and billing codes. Algorithm 2 used chief complaint structured data suggestive of opioid use disorder. To evaluate the algorithms in both internal and external validation phases, two emergency medicine physicians, with a third acting as adjudicator, reviewed a pragmatic sample of 231 charts: 125 internal validation (75 positive and 50 negative), 106 external validation (56 positive and 50 negative).

Results
Cohen kappa, measuring agreement between reviewers, for the internal and external validation cohorts was 0.95 and 0.93, respectively. In the internal validation phase, Algorithm 1 had a positive predictive value (PPV) of 0.96 (95% CI 0.863-0.995) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 0.98 (95% CI 0.893-0.999), and Algorithm 2 had a PPV of 0.8 (95% CI 0.593-0.932) and an NPV of 1.0 (one-sided 97.5% CI 0.863-1). In the external validation phase, the phenotype had a PPV of 0.95 (95% CI 0.851-0.989) and an NPV of 0.92 (95% CI 0.807-0.978).

Conclusions
This phenotype detected emergency department patients with opioid use disorder with high predictive values and reliability. Its algorithms were transportable across health care systems and have potential value for both clinical and research purposes.
Training of Trainers (TOT) bagi Para Instruktur Bahasa Korea di LPK (Lembaga Pelatihan Kerja) Bahasa Korea di Indonesia
Authors: Nugroho Suray Agung 
Published: October 2019

The community service (Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat/PkM) held in 2019 is a continuation of PkM which was carried out in 2018 on how LPK (Lembaga Pelatihan Kerja) instructors and students interpret the EPS TOPIK (Employment Permit System – Test of Proficiency in Korean Language). Based on the assessment of the ability and weaknesses of prospective PMI (Pekerja Migran Indonesia=Indonesian Migrant Workers) in understanding Korean, the Korean Language and Culture Program conducted the second PkM which was specifically intended for instructors at LPK through Training of Trainers (ToT). The ToT participants were 30 instructors, members of PELBAKORI (Association of Korean Language LPK in Indonesia). The material provided in this ToT were: (a) Important steps to mastering Korean vocabulary and grammar and (b) Points to ponder in understanding Korean culture.--------------------------------------------------------------PkM yang dilakukan pada tahun 2019 ini adalah kelanjutan dari PkM yang dilaksanakan pada tahun 2018 tentang bagaimana instruktur LPK (Lembaga Pelatihan Kerja) dan peserta didik memaknai EPS TOPIK (Employment Permit System-Test of Proficiency in Korean Language). Berdasarkan asesmen kemampuan dan kelemahan para calon PMI (Pekerja Migran Indonesia) dalam memahami bahasa Korea yang telah diperoleh dalam kegiatan PkM tahap pertama, Prodi Bahasa dan Kebudayaan Korea merancang PkM kedua yang khusus ditujukan untuk para instruktur di LPK, yaitu Training of Trainers (ToT) bagi pengajar bahasa Korea di LPK-LPK Bahasa Korea. Peserta ToT berjumlah 30 instruktur di LPK penyelenggara kursus bahasa Korea yang tergabung dalam PELBAKORI (Perhimpunan LPK Bahasa Korea se-Indonesia). Materi yang diberikan dalam ToT ini adalah (a) langkah-langkah penting dalam menguasai tata bahasa dan kosakata bahasa Korea dan (b) pengetahuan sekitar budaya Korea.