bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergistic effect of calcium chloride as coagulant and (chitosan-graft- polyacrylamide) as flocculant for anionic dyes removal from wastewater
Authors: Ali Batoul , Ezzo Hussam Addin , Karam Sami , Said Majd , Atassi Yomen 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

In this study, the coagulation-flocculation technique was used to achieve high removal ratio of organic anionic pollutants (taking methyl orange (MO) dye as a model) from highly polluted wastewater, 1000ppm. To this end, chitosan grafted polyacrylamide (Ch-g-PAM) was synthesized using both radical initiator H2O2 and microwave (MW) irradiation to accomplish the grafting reaction. Ch-g-PAM was used as a flocculation agent, while calcium ions were used as a coagulation agent. The grafting ratio was 400%. The prepared Ch-g-PAM was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The effects of reaction parameters on graft polymerization were studied, which were chitosan/acrylamide ratio, MW power, time of polymerization, and chitosan molecular weight. The effects of coagulant and flocculant concentrations, pH of the medium, and the initial dye concentration on the dye removal ratio were studied. The results showed a correlation between dye removal ratio and dye concentration, which indicates that the coagulation-flocculation technique is an effective pretreatment technique to remediate wastewater. Contaminated water with a concentration of MO dye as high as 1000 ppm was treated, with a removal ratio of 87.26% (i.e., 1 g of flocculant removes about 47g of MO dye from its 1000 ppm solution).
Development and validation of a competency-based assessment tool for public health workers in Shanghai community health centers: a population-based study
Authors: Chang Ruijie , Zhang Meihui , Li Rui , Zhu Qianqian , Dong Yinqiao , Liu Yujie , Chen Yufei , Wang Zuxin , Huang Hong , Cai Yong 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
The competence of public health workers is crucial for grassroots public health service capabilities. This study aimed to establish a competency model for public health workers and to test the reliability and validity of the model.
Methods
An evaluation indicators scale of competency of public health workers in Shanghai community health service centers (CHSCs) was constructed through a literature review, expert consultation, behavioral event interviews and questionnaire surveys. A questionnaire survey was carried out with 3809 public health workers from 249 Shanghai CHSCs to test the reliability and validity of the constructed scale.
Results
Exploratory factor analysis identified 5 common factors: comprehensive ability, professional spirit, professional knowledge, professional skills, research and development ability. The cumulative variance contribution rate was 62.241%. The factor load for each item ranged from 0.495 to 0.868. The overall Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the questionnaire was 0.985, for the five dimensions ranged from 0.916 to 0.969. The overall split-half reliability of the questionnaire was 0.842, and that of the five dimensions ranged from 0.913 to 0.952, with the Guttman split-half reliability coefficient ranging from 0.912 to 0.949. The correlation coefficients for all scale items with the total score ranged from 0.591 to 0.854 (P < 0.01). The correlation coefficients between each item and each dimension ranged from 0.434 to 0.925. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the model had a good fitting effect (χ2/df = 2.288, TLI = 0.943, CFI = 0.957, IFI = 0.958, NFI = 0.928, RMSEA = 0.081). Using self-efficacy, self-esteem, work pressure, work motivation, and job satisfaction as benchmarks, all dimensions of the scale demonstrated significant positive correlations with the total scores of various benchmark questionnaires.
Conclusions
The constructed scale of competency of public health workers in Shanghai CHSCs has good reliability and validity and can be used as a tool to evaluate the competency level of public health workers.
Supercritical carbon-dioxide (SC-CO2) extraction of lipids and carotenoids from Rhodotorula toruloides CBS 14 in comparison with conventional extraction methods
Authors: Nagaraj Yashaswini Nagavara , Blomqvist Johanna , Sampels Sabine , Pickova Jana , Sandgren Mats , Gajdoš Peter , Čertík Milan , Passoth Volkmar 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background
We conducted extractions using supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) and conventional solvent methods to extract lipids and carotenoids from R. toruloides CBS 14 cells grown on wheat straw hydrolysate. The lipid extracts were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC), and the carotenoids were identified and quantified using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC).
Results
Four main carotenoids in the extracts from both extraction methods were identified including β-carotene, γ-carotene, torularhodin, and torulene. Interestingly, torularhodin was the major carotenoid extracted using SC-CO2 extraction, followed by torulene. This was different from the conventional acetone extraction method, where β-carotene was the main carotenoid. After the conventional extraction, torularhodin and torulene underwent degradation due to the saponification step, which was necessary to remove lipids before UHPLC analysis. The total carotenoid concentration obtained from SC-CO2 extraction was 332.09 ± 27.32 μg/g dry weight compared to 19.9 ± 2.74 μg/g dry weight in acetone extraction. A small amount of carotenoids was observed to be lost into the lipid extract, but this loss was not as substantial as that seen with acetone extraction. Additionally, the total lipid content in samples extracted using SC-CO2 was significantly lower than that obtained using the conventional Folch method. GC analysis revealed that oleic acid was the major fatty acid in both lipid extracts, followed by palmitic acid and linoleic acid. Notably, the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids was higher in the extracts from the SC-CO2 method compared to the conventional method.
Conclusion
These findings indicate that the SC-CO2 extraction method outperformed conventional methods by preserving the integrity of unsaturated lipids and retaining an abundance of carotenoids, resulting in high-quality extracts.
Microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 2 potentiates host antiviral defenses by phosphorylating GEF-H1 at serine 645
Authors: Qi Xingmei 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

The innate immune system is essential for defending against pathogen invasions, effectively controlling infections, and triggering adaptive immune responses to eliminate infectious agents. This study unveils the pivotal role of Microtubule Affinity-Regulating Kinase 2 (MARK2) as a regulator of broad-spectrum antiviral immunity, specifically through its interaction with Guanine nucleotide exchange factor H1 (GEF-H1) and association with TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1). Crucially, the antiviral efficacy of MARK2 is dependent on its kinase activity, particularly its capability to phosphorylate GEF-H1 at serine 645. This phosphorylation event is a critical trigger for activating TBK1, leading to the induction of type I interferon (IFN-I) and interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). Our results demonstrate that GEF-H1 is an ISG, and promoted by MARK2. These findings not only establish MARK2 as a kinase for GEF-H1 but also reveal a previously unrecognized mechanism by which MARK2 potentiates host antiviral defenses. By enhancing IFN-I signaling through strategic phosphorylation of GEF-H1, MARK2 significantly bolsters the antiviral immune response, offering new insights into the molecular orchestration of cellular defense mechanisms.
Nonlinear and Dispersive Effects on Dark Soliton Interaction in Photonic Crystal Fibre
Authors: AL-Taie Mohammed Salim Jasim 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

This study presents a numerical method for solving the GNLSE and analyzing soliton interaction phenomena in the context of MATLAB. With this method, one can precisely capture the dynamics of solitons and explore their interactions. analyses the impact of nonlinear influences on soliton dynamics, including self-phase modulation, Brillion and Raman effects, and beginning separation distance. It also focuses on how higher-order dispersion variables shape soliton interactions. Our findings demonstrate the accuracy with which the proposed numerical approach may be used to predict and analyze soliton interaction processes. Through the flexible and effective framework that the MATLAB technique offers, researchers may analyze complicated nonlinear optical systems, get insight into the behavior of solitons in various media, and create optimal communication systems. This work advances our knowledge of soliton dynamics and offers a useful method for examining soliton behavior in nonlinear and dispersive media. The numerical method utilizing MATLAB that is given offers new possibilities for nonlinear optics research and systems for fiber optic communication.
Molecular diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases reveals a high frequency of Neisseria gonorrhoae infection among male urethritis patients and highlights the usefulness of molecular testing for clinical diagnosis in Burkina Faso.
Authors: Gomgnimbou Michel Kiréopori , Da Azouman , Belem Louis Robert W. , Gnada Kobo , Yao Karlhis Raymond , Sanou Arnaud Quetin , Sanou Armel Moumouni , Sanou Soufiane , Kania Dramane 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Sexually transmitted Diseases (STD) represent a public health problem due to their high prevalence worldwide and the emergence of multidrug resistance of responsible microorganisms. Medical laboratory diagnosis of sexually transmitted genital infections by traditional methods as culture remains extremely delicate, difficult or impossible (to find extremely fragile microorganisms that can be cultured). Thus, the use of molecular techniques constitutes an alternative to improve accurate diagnostic, personalized patients’ treatment and public health.
A total of 83 clinical samples including urethral discharge and urine samples from individual patients with symptoms of urethritis received were analyzed using traditional methods and a commercial real-time PCR (qPCR) method.
Out of 83 urethritis patients, n = 55 (66.26%) were positive to at least one of the STD pathogens detected by qPCR. qPCR assay was more sensitive (50/83, positive cases) compared to culture (15/83, positive cases) and light microscopy (28/83, positive cases). The most prevalent NTD pathogen in the suspected patients was N. gonorrhoeae with 60.24% (50/83) based on real-time PCR diagnosis. Among the positive cases to STD pathogens, Neisseria gonorrhoeae had the highest frequency 49/55 (89.01 %) followed low frequencies of Trichomonas vaginalis 4/55 (7.27%) and Chlamydia trachomatis 1/55 (1.82 %).
This highlights high prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae infection in urethritis male patients and a very important misdiagnosis using traditional routine methods in Burkina Faso by medical laboratories. Thus, this situation may impact negatively patients personalized treatment and care and public health with possible rapid emergence of multidrug resistant strains.
This study also highlights the urgent need to optimize culture for the diagnosis of NTD pathogens in Burkina Faso and the usefulness and the need for the introduction of molecular diagnostic methods in routine diagnosis for the detection of NTD pathogens in the medical laboratories in Burkina Faso.
Safety Assessment of Cat’s Whiskers Flavonoid in Development Toxicity of Zebrafish Embryos
Authors: Das Rajat , Maji Himangshu Sekhar , Haldar Pallab Kanti , Bala Asis 
Published: December 2024

Introduction:
The pharmacological significance of 5-hydroxy-3,7,4'-trimethoxy flavone
(5HTMF), a flavonoid isolated from Cleome gynandra L. (Capparidaceae), in mononuclear
lymphocytes of patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) has been well-documented. In previous
studies, the anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritis activity of CWF was reported.

Method:
However, there is a lack of information on the toxicity of 5HTMF. This study aimed to
assess the embryonic toxicity of 5HTMF on zebrafish embryos, using dexamethasone as a standard
for liver toxicity. At 12 hours post fertilization (hpf), no significant toxicity from 5HTMF was
observed on allantoic membrane development.

Results:
By 24 hpf, 20% of embryos showed minor changes in tail development at a 100 μM
concentration of 5HTMF, while dexamethasone (10 μM) disrupted the allantoic membrane in
61.11% of embryos. In the liver toxicity assay, 5HTMF did not show any significant toxicity.

Conclusion:
At 48 hpf, dexamethasone exhibited substantial toxicity at a concentration of 10 μM.
In conclusion, the findings suggest that 5HTMF may be a safe and non-toxic dietary supplement
for treating chronic inflammatory conditions such as RA.
Inducing Neural Fate: The Impact of Phenylacetate and Calcium on Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Differentiation
Authors: Ghiasi Mohsen , Hajipur Mohammad , Ghollasi Marzieh , Dayani Abdolreza , Moradi Mohammad-Taher , Salimi Ali 
Published: December 2024

Introduction:
Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are considered a promising
source for cell replacement therapy in degenerative and traumatic conditions. This study explores
the effects of phenylacetate and calcium on the neural differentiation of hADSCs for regenerative
medicine. We assessed cell viability and cytotoxicity using the MTT assay, revealing that
treatment with 1μM phenylacetate significantly enhanced cell viability compared to control
groups over five days, while higher concentrations resulted in cytotoxic effects.

Method:
Additionally, qualitative analysis through Acridine orange/ethidium bromide (AO/EB)
staining indicated normal cellular characteristics at lower phenylacetate concentrations, whereas
higher doses led to observable cell death. A subsequent evaluation of intracellular calcium levels
demonstrated a significant increase when hADSCs were treated with both phenylacetate and calcium.

Results:
The neural differentiation potential was further assessed through the relative quantification
of neuronal-specific genes, showing marked upregulation of NSE, Oligo-2, β-tubulin III, and
MAP-2 in all treatment groups compared to controls. Immunohistochemistry confirmed elevated
protein expression of neural markers in cultures supplemented with phenylacetate and calcium.

Conclusion:
These findings suggest that phenylacetate, particularly in conjunction with calcium,
enhances the neural differentiation of hADSCs, highlighting its potential utility in regenerative
medicine strategies targeting neurodegenerative conditions.
Predicting Distant Metastatic Sites in Cancer Using miRNA and mRNA Expression Data
Authors: Mamatkarimov Dostonjon , Kang Jiahui , Han Kyungsook 
Published: December 2024

Background:
Cancer patients with metastasis face a much lower survival rate and a higher
risk of recurrence than those without metastasis. So far, several learning methods have been proposed
to predict cancer metastasis, but most of these methods are intended to predict lymph node
metastasis rather than distant metastasis. Distant metastasis is more difficult to predict than lymph
node metastasis because distant metastasis is detected after a comprehensive examination of the entire
body, and there are not enough publicly available tumor samples with distant metastasis that
can be used for training and learning methods. Predicting distant metastatic sites is even more challenging
than predicting whether distant metastasis will occur or not.

Methods:
The problem of predicting distant metastatic sites is a multi‐class and multi‐label classification
problem; there are more than two classes for distant metastatic sites (bone, brain, liver, lung,
and other organs), and a single sample can have multiple labels for multiple metastatic sites. We
transformed the multi‐label and multi‐class problem into multiple single‐label binary issues. For
each metastatic site, we built a random forest model that deals with binary classification and linked
the models along a chain.

Results:
Testing the model on miRNA and mRNA expression datasets of several cancer types
showed a high performance in all performance measures. In the comparison of our model with other
methods, our method outperformed the others.

Conclusion:
We developed a new method for predicting multiple metastatic sites using miRNA and
mRNA expression data. The technique will be useful in predicting distant metastatic sites before
distant metastasis occurs, which in turn will help clinicians determine treatment options for cancer
patients.
Recent Advances on upper limb Rehabilitation Robot
Authors: Zhang Weixi , Zhu Xinrui , Du Heng , Zhang Yongde 
Published: December 2024

Background:
With advances in medical technology and an aging population, the number
of patients with upper limb movement disorders has increased, who are facing difficulties in selfcare
and occupational integration. Traditional rehabilitation methods have limitations, such as unstable
results, long cycle times, and insufficient resources. Therefore, upper limb rehabilitation robotics
has emerged, combining robotics, medicine, and other fields to simulate upper limb movement for
targeted rehabilitation training in order to improve effectiveness, shorten the cycle, and reduce the
burden on therapists.

Objective:
This study aimed to introduce the classification, advantages and disadvantages, and development
trend in existing upper limb rehabilitation robots and provide a basis for other researchers
to understand the current status of their development and future trends.

Methods:
Various studies and patents on upper limb rehabilitation robots were reviewed, revealing
the structural characteristics, along with the advantages and disadvantages, of typical robotic arms
used for upper limb rehabilitation.

Results:
Through the analysis of various upper limb rehabilitation robots, the characteristics and
problems of upper limb rehabilitation robots were identified, and the development trend of upper
limb rehabilitation robots was prospected.

Conclusion:
Upper limb rehabilitation robots have many advantages, such as good adaptability,
personalized customization, safety and reliability, etc., but they also have some disadvantages, such
as difficult control, high manufacturing cost, and short service life. In the future, upper limb rehabilitation
robots will develop towards simpler structures, greater comfort, affordability, diverse functions,
better efficacy, and increased safety.
Determination of Efinaconazole in Plasma using Validated LC-MS/MS Technique
Authors: S. Govindarajan , I.V Asharani 
Published: December 2024

Background:
Efinaconazole is a topical antifungal medication that is effective against fungal infections of the toenails. In addition, due to its application on the skin, min-imal systemic absorption takes place on the epidermic layer, which leads to the availability of lower-level concentration in the bloodstream. Although several reported methods in the literature describe the quantification of Efinaconazole using conventional techniques like HPTLC and HPLC, these methods lack the necessary sensitivity and selectivity to be direct-ly applied for quantification in biological samples.

Objective:
Current research work aimed to develop a rapid, specific, selective, and sensitive method using plasma as one of the biological samples for quantification of Efinaconazole (EZ) in the presence of Fluconazole (FZ) as an internal standard by tandem mass spectrome-try (LC-MS/MS).

Methods:
Chromatographic separation was achieved with a Thermo Hypersil Gold (100 mm x 2.1mm, 1.9 μm) UPLC column using a mobile phase composed of 20% formic acid-water (0.1%) and 80% methanol. Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) was employed for sample prepa-ration. Efinaconazole and the internal standard were detected using the heated electrospray ionization (HESI) technique in parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) mode.

Results:
The developed method displayed a linearity range of 1 to 2000 pg/mL (0.001-2 ng/mL). Precision and accuracy for the lower limit of quantitation, low, mid, and high-quality control (QC) levels demonstrated a variance of less than 5% and an accuracy of 99 to 103%. Long-term stability was confirmed under various conditions, including storage in an auto-sampler, at room temperature, in a deep freezer, and after freeze-thaw cycles.

Conclusion:
The validated LC-MS/MS method has exceptional sensitivity, specificity, se-lectivity, rapid analysis, minimal requirement of sample quantity, wide dynamic range of concentration, robustness, and reproducibility, making it an indispensable tool, especially in fields of in vitro Permeation Testing (IVPT), in vitro Release Testing (IVRT), Pharmacoki-netic, Toxicology, Clinical studies, and in drug development program for the quantification of Efinaconazole

conclusion:
The validated LC-MS/MS method is having exceptional sensitivity, specificity, selectivity, rapid analysis, minimal requirement of sample quantity, wide dynamic range of concentration, robustness, and reproducibility, make it an indispensable tool especially in fields of In-Vitro Permeation Testing (IVPT), In Vitro Release Testing (IVRT), Pharmacokinetic, Toxicology, Clinical studies, and in drug development program for the quantification of Efinaconazole.
Current Advancements: Application of Artificial Intelligence in Drug Discovery and Development
Authors: Buragohain Parishmita , Prasad Shristi , Kimneiniang N. , Das Hrishikesh , Rajak Prakash , Pathak Hemanta 
Published: December 2024

Background:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a branch of science and technology and an
indispensable part of many fields of research in today’s world. Especially in the area of pharmaceutical
research and drug development, AI has conferred numerous aids for many inventions as
well as discoveries. There have been a lot of advancements and progress in the way that AI is incorporated
into the pharmaceutical field, and with time, newer updates have come up which have
eased many areas of this field.

Objective:
This review aims to provide a basic understanding of and information related to the
role of AI in the pharmaceutical field, be it research, drug development, or even the process of dispensing
and compounding.

Methods:
The literature study was carried out extensively through various databases like Google
Scholar, PubMed, ScienceDirect, etc. to support this review. The information which was collected
was analyzed and arranged accordingly.

Results and Discussions:
From the survey that was carried out, it was found that there are many
important roles of AI that have helped the pharmacists and researchers in multiple sectors of the
pharmaceutical field. Thus, AI can be considered as a valuable tool to speed up different processes
and results can be obtained fast.

Conclusion:
The application of AI in the pharmaceutical sector has guided formulators and researchers
in ways that were not possible earlier. Therefore, with the help of AI various manual
and complex processes can now be easily accomplished without the unnecessary expenditure of resources,
time, and money.