bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Concentration, source identification and potential human health risk assessment of heavy metals in chicken meat and egg in Bangladesh
Authors: Atique Ullah AKM , Afrin Shazia , Hosen Mohammad Mozammal , Musarrat Maesha , Ferdoushy Tania , Nahar Quamrun , Quraishi Shamshad B. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Chicken meat and hen egg are very popular foodstuffs around the world and highly consumed as curry, fast food, processed food, etc. assuming a promising source of protein. In the present study, the concentrations of Pb, Cd, Cr, As, Hg, Mn, Fe, and Zn in nationally representative samples of chicken meat and hen egg were determined and found in the range of 0.03–2.73, 0.01–0.015, 0.025–0.67, 0.04–0.06, 0.01–0.015, 0.15–0.63, 2.50–38.6, and 1.02–19.4 mg/kg-fw, respectively. The results demonstrated that only Pb exceeded the maximum allowable concentration (MAC) for dietary food. Multivariate statistical analyses depicted that anthropogenic activities were the major source of heavy metals in the investigated foodstuffs. Human health risks associated with the dietary intake of these metals through the consumption of chicken meat and hen egg were evaluated in terms of estimated daily intake (EDI), non-carcinogenic risk of individual heavy metal by target hazard quotient (THQ), total target hazard quotient (TTHQ) for combined metals and carcinogenic risk (CR) for lifetime exposure. The calculated values of EDI, THQ, TTHQ, and CR were below their respective permissible benchmarks indicating the safe consumption of the investigated foodstuffs with respect to heavy metal contamination.
Ramadan daily intermittent fasting reduces objectively assessed habitual physical activity among adults
Authors: Farooq Abdualziz , Chamari Karim , Sayegh Suzan , Akoum Maha El , Al-Mohannadi Abdulla Saeed 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Muslims around the world practice intermittent fasting during the month of Ramadan once each year. We hypothesized that daily physical activity could be impacted due to the inability to refuel and rehydrate in the fasting state. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effects of Ramadan fasting on daily physical activity in the adult community of Qatar. Methods: A cohort study design among adults registered with national physical activity community program. Data from a pedometer-based community program was used to extract 3 months of daily step counts before, during, and after Ramadan for the past five years (2015-2019). A survey was conducted among participants to determine fasting practice and other health and environmental factors. Results: A total of 209 participants completed the survey and provided valid data on physical activity. During Ramadan, the average steps per day decreased significantly (-385± SE 158) among participants who fasted (n=155) p=0.046 and increased (+731.4± SE 247) for the non- fasting participants (n=48) p=0.010. Conclusion: Fasting during Ramadan impacts the daily physical activity behavior among Muslims. Interventions should focus on creating awareness of the importance of maintenance of adequate physical activity for adults fasting during Ramadan.
Research on the design of stepping motor drive system controlled by single-chip microcomputer
Authors: Deng Cheng , Bian Erhui , Ge Zhishen 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
In order to meet the needs of operation and management of stepping motors in the Internet of things environment, this paper designed the software and hardware of the stepping motor drive system under the control of a single-chip microcomputer based on LabVIEW, which is a graphical programming platform developed by National Instruments Corporation of the United States, and tested and verified the functions of the system. The software part transmitted data between the host computer and the driver terminal based on a service cloud platform called Easy-Control, realizing the network real-time online management operation function. The hardware design made full use of the existing functions of the STM32F407ZGT6 single-chip microcomputer; moreover, the design of circuits was simplified by the special driver chip LV8726TA for stepping motor to increase system stability. The software and hardware of the system were developed on the LabVIEW platform, which had the advantages of high efficiency, short development cycle, low cost, and convenient function expansion. This work provides a scheme for the design and implementation of similar systems.
Synthesis, Molecular Modeling and Biological Evaluation of Novel Imatinib Derivatives as Anticancer Agents
Authors: Günay Fulya , Balta Sevcan , Ng Yuk Yin , Ulucan Özlem , Turgut Zuhal , Gunkara Omer Tahir 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Different derivatives of imatinib, the first targeted BCR-ABL fusion tyrosine kinase inhibitor, were synthesized by a 3-step reaction method. Firstly, benzamide derivative was obtained then aryl piperazine groups or morpholine were linked by the SN2 reaction. Lastly, palladium catalyzed C-N coupling reaction was conducted with hetaryl amine groups. The structures of the new compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods. For quantitative evaluation of the biological activity of the compounds, MTT assays were performed, where four BCR-ABL negative leukemic cell lines (Jurkat, REH, NALM6 and MOLT4), one BCR-ABL+ cell line (K562) and one non-leukemic cell line (Hek293T) were incubated with various concentrations of the derivatives. Although imatinib was specifically designed for the BCR-ABL protein, our results showed that it was also effective on BCR-ABL negative cell lines except for REH cell line. Molecular docking simulations suggest that except for compound 6, the compounds prefer a DFG-out conformation of the ABL kinase domain. Among them, compound 10 has the highest affinity for ABL kinase domain that is close to the affinity of imatinib. The common rings between compound 10 and imatinib adopt exactly the same conformation and same type of interactions in the ATP binding site with the ABL kinase domain.
Pandemic-stage propagation dynamics in South Africa suggest pre-existing cross-reactive protection against severe Covid-19
Authors: Engelbrecht Francois , Madhi Shabir , Scholes Robert 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Early in the Covid-19 outbreak, it was speculated that pre-existing cross-reactive immunity from prior BCG vaccination or exposure to common cold human coronaviruses might confer some protection against Covid-19. Following a year of circulation of SARS-CoV-2 through the world, epidemiological dynamics allow a test of this hypothesis. A dynamic epidemiological model was fitted to the Covid-19 attributed ‘excess deaths’ in South Africa, a country with a long-standing BCG vaccination program and where social-economic circumstances potentially result in frequent exposure to common cold coronaviruses. We show that Covid-19 propagation dynamics in South Africa are consistent with an initially fully susceptible population (no prior cross-immunity protecting against infection), but this requires assuming values of the infection fatality rate (IFR) below or at the lower plausible range (0.31 to 0.53) of internationally reported values. This suggests that some form of pre-existing protection against severe Covid-19 may exist in South Africa. The observed disease propagation dynamics can be explained by both long-lasting immunity and various scenarios of reinfection in the presence of the more transmissible B.1.351 variant, which is also relatively resistant to antibodies induced by infections of prototype SARS-CoV-2. All scenarios of reinfection also require assuming a low IFR in order to replicate the observed attributes of the outbreak.
Health Awareness of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Its Complications in Lebanon: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ahmadieh Hala , Aboudib Khaled , Dassouki Weam , Charbaji Loulwa , El-Dassouki Mohammad Ali Ali , Khalaf Iman Al 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder that has many different presentations in females. However, females with this disorder, and due to their lack of awareness, usually have delayed diagnosis and treatment. The objective of this study is to assess knowledge about PCOS amongst Lebanese women in the reproductive age group.Methods: Cross sectional study was performed on 421 women of age group 18-51 years from all governorates in Lebanon. Written informed consent and participants were included through the help of convenient sampling. A well-conducted questionnaire was constructed and the study was approved by the Institutional Review Board’s Committee at Beirut Arab University (BAU) prior to data collection. Data entry was completed with SPSS (IBM version 23.1) and analyzed descriptive measurements like mean and standard deviation were used for quantitative variables, whereas percentages were used for qualitative variables. Frequencies were assessed for categorical variables. Chi-Square test and P-values, were used to compare between qualitative variables.Results: Among 421 participants, 75% were aware of the term PCOS. More than 60% knew about the various signs and symptoms associated with PCOS but around half were aware about its complications. Around two-third agreed that exercise was one of the methods that could alleviate PCOS symptoms, and around 57% agreed that weight loss could decrease symptoms as well.Conclusions: The results of the present study show that Lebanese women were aware of common symptoms of PCOS. On the other hand, their knowledge was minimal regarding more complex manifestations and complications of PCOS.
An Incremental Snapshot System using Smart Backup for Persistent Disks in Cloud
Authors: S Veena , Aravindhar D.John , Sudha L. , Aruna K.B. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Periodical snapshots also called persistent disk snapshots are an essential feature associated with every cloud-hosted virtual instance, which minimizes the risk of unexpected data loss in the server and unavailability issues. The conventional method of creating a snapshot of a production-level server is done by temporarily disabling write access to data during the backup, either by stopping the accessing applications or by using the locking API provided by the operating system to enforce exclusive read access. This is not tolerable for high-availability always-online systems, in which service stoppages are not bearable. In order to solve this downtime issue in high-availability systems, the backup can be performed in a smarter way as incremental snapshots in which a read-only copy of the dataset frozen at a point in time is stored as snapshot by allowing applications to continue processing and writing their data to the instance. Also, incremental snapshots work in a way that only blocks which are different from the former snapshots are processed and stored in the subsequent one.This smart backup will reduce the overall space requirement of the snapshot system by storing only the differences in file storage blocks. Also, when implemented this will save energy and infrastructure requirements of the cloud provider as well as the cost and time of the end-user to create a low- latency server.
Success! Facilitating Choice for Renal Patients in The Tropics With Central Venous Lines to Maintain The Integrity of Their Dressings While Attending to Personal Hygiene: A Multi-Phase Study
Authors: Smyth Wendy , McArdle Joleen , Wicking Kristin , Quayle Kimberley , Nagle Cate 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Aim: To explore individual patients’ choices in personal hygiene, while maintaining the integrity of catheter exit site dressings between dialysis sessions.Background:For patients undergoing haemodialysis via a central venous catheter (CVC), infection is a major life-limiting risk. Meticulous attention to keeping the exit site dressing clean and dry is an essential defence in preventing infections. It is difficult to maintain the integrity of water-resistant dressings in tropical environments. Design:A three-phase exploratory study was conducted in a northern Australian Renal Service. Methods:Phase One employed a cross-sectional survey of nurses on the acceptability and feasibility of two hygiene options: bathing wipes and a waterproof dressing cover. Phase Two used conversational-style interviews with patients about their hygiene preferences, how they endeavoured to keep their dressings dry, and impressions regarding the provided options. Phase Three was a series of case studies of patients trialling the provided options. The STROBE checklist was used.Results:Phase 1: Nurses (n=37) considered both options acceptable and feasible, noting some practical concerns related to their use.Phase 2: Patients (n=27) described hygiene preferences and difficulties they encountered with keeping dressings dry. They were enthusiastic about trying the proposed options. Phase 3: Patients (n=22) appreciated being able to shower without wetting their exit site dressings. Individuals were inventive in modifying the application and use of the waterproof cover according to their body shape and exit site location. Although participants liked both options, the waterproof covering was most popular and most frequently used. Intactness of the dressings was 83% during the trial; there were no CVC-associated infections during the study.Conclusion:Assisting patients keep their dressings dry and intact during personal hygiene in a tropical environment promoted dignity and autonomy.Implications for clinical practice:Patients demonstrated their willingness to undertake a more active role in their dressing care.
Handgrip Strength Could Be an Early Predictor of Cognitive Impairment in the Chinese Population
Authors: Su Hang , Sun Xiaokang , Li Fang , Guo Qihao 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
BackgroundThis study aimed to explore the level and changes of handgrip strength in pre-clinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD participates, and to evaluate the association between handgrip strength and cognitive function.Methods1431 participants from the memory clinic of Shanghai JiaoTong University Affiliated Sixth People’s Hospital and community were enrolled into the final analysis, included 596 AD, 288 mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 547 normal individuals (NC). All participants received a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment. Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), montreal cognitive assessment-Basic (MoCA-BC), and the Chinese version of the Addenbrooke’s cognitive examination (ACE-III-CV) were used as cognitive tests. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted to assess the power of the handgrip strength as a screening measure to discriminate AD and MCI.ResultsThe results showed that participants with lower handgrip strength had lower MMSE, MoCA-BC, and ACE-III-CV scores (P <0.05). Handgrip strength in the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group was significantly lower than that of normal individuals (NC), and the AD group had a further decline (both P<0.01). Multivariate logistic regression was performed with the handgrip strength quartiles, the results showed ORs of AD for increasing levels of handgrip strength were 1.00, 0.58 (0.46–0.78), 0.51 (0.36–0.73), and 0.50 (0.35–0.68), showing a decreasing trend (Pfor trend < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated that the handgrip strength cut-off points for identification of AD were16.8 kg and 20.7 kg among the female participates above and under 70 yrs, 24.4 kg and 33.3 kg for the male participates above and under 70 yrs, respectively.ConclusionsStronger handgrip strength was associated with better performances on cognitive function, handgrip strength could be an early predictor of cognitive impairment in the Chinese population. The current study provides a foundation for non-cognitive features as early predictors of cognitive impairment, researches on the association between frailty and cognition will be further developed in the future.
Clinical Assessment of Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (Imci) Given by Professionals Trained Between 2012 and 2015 in Colombia: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Cañas Jovana Alexandra Ocampo , Sierra Andrés Mauricio García , Mora Yaira Yohanna Pardo , Oliveros Diana Sofía Rios , Galvis Álvaro José Ayala , Flórez Luis Jorge Hernández , Rueda Jhon Sebastián Patiño 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

In Colombia, official statistics indicate that infant mortality by 2020 would reach 7.22 per thousand live births. Prevalent and preventable diseases represent 70% of total infant mortality, so strategies such as Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) are still relevant for the country. This research seeks to establish whether the professionals trained in IMCI between 2011 and 2015 apply the strategy in the prevention and care of children under 5 years of age.
Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out in general practitioners, nurses and pediatricians who had some level of training in the IMCI strategy between 2012 and 2015. A survey based on the basic competences established in the framework of the IMCI strategy was used: evaluate, classify, and treat and, in addition, the basic care registry component was incorporated.
Results

Skills in the IMCI Strategy were observed in 259 consultations for children. 229 children were between 2 months and 5 years old, 30 children were between 0 and 2 months old (84.4% vs 11.6%, respectively). 51.4% of the evaluations were carried out in the Public Health Service Provider Institutions (HPIs) compared to 48.6% (126/259) in the private HPI. In children from 0 to 2 months, 92% of general practitioners, 82.58% of nurses, and 59.39% of pediatricians correctly assessed danger signs. In children from 2 months to 5 years, the health professional who best evaluated the danger signs was the pediatrician with a 70% correct evaluation, followed by nurses and general practitioners with a 65% correct evaluation.
Conclusions

Pediatricians were shown to perform better on the IMCI strategy in children 2 to 5 years of age. However, in the 0–2-month age group, general practitioners and nurses outperformed pediatricians on the IMCI strategy
Midterm Outcomes After Arthroscopic Coracoid Decompression Combined With Manipulation for the Treatment of Frozen Shoulder Associated With Subcoracoid Impingement
Authors: Jin Shengyang , Wang Xiaohong , He Yu , Huang Wei , Wang Ze , Meng Chunqing , Wang Hong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background

Patients with frozen shoulder (FS) suffer considerably, and some also present with subcoracoid impingement. However, effective treatments for frozen shoulder associated with subcoracoid impingement (FSASI) are limited. Primary purpose of this study was to introduce an arthroscopic coracoid decompression method combined with manipulation to treat FSASI and investigate its mid-term efficacy.
Methods

From April 2015 to May 2018, 177 patients with frozen shoulder who had no positive response to conservative therapy after a minimum of 6 months underwent arthroscopic coracoid decompression combined with manipulation. Shoulder condition was evaluated using the abbreviated Constant-Murley score (ACMS) and the modified University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale (MUCLA) preoperatively; at the 1st, 3rd, and 6th months postoperatively; and at the final follow-up (May 15, 2020).
Results

Eight patients were lost to follow-up, and 169 were included in the final analysis. The mean follow-up duration was 38.22 (range, 24–60) months. The ACMS improved from 16.39 ± 2.99 points (preoperative) to 72.08 ± 1.04 points at the last follow-up (p < 0.001). The MUCLA improved from 10.84 ± 0.71 points (preoperative) to 32.94 ± 0.74 points at the last follow-up (p < 0.001). Improvements in ACMS and MUCLA scores were significant in the first 3 months, then leveled off, and remained stable between the 6th month and the final follow-up. Recovery of forward flexion and abduction progressed synchronously, and almost full scores were achieved (9.96 ± 0.08 and 9.92 ± 0.11 points, respectively). Some patients lost ranges of motion: eight patients partially lost forward flexion and abduction, four partially lost external rotation, and fourteen partially lost internal rotation. The ACMS pain rating score improved from 1.12 ± 0.68 (preoperative) to 13.06 ± 0.71 points, and the MUCLA pain rating score improved from 1.67 ± 0.27 (preoperative) to 8.94 ± 0.43 points (last follow-up). Most improvements occurred in the first month after surgery. Timely pain improvement can effectively help patients improve sleep; complaints of sleep disturbance decreased significantly postoperatively. No complications or recurrence occurred.
Conclusion

Arthroscopic coracoid decompression combined with manipulation was an alternative method for treating FSASI, and satisfactory results were maintained through midterm follow-up.
CD82&nbsp;Protects Against Glaucomatous Axonal Transport Deficits via mTORC1&nbsp;Activation in Mice
Authors: Zhao Yin , Ye Meng , Huang Jingqiu , Mou Qianxue , Luo Jing , Hu Yuanyuan , Lou Xiaotong , Yao Ke , Zhao Bowen , Duan Qiming , Li Xing , Zhang Hong 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Background: Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide characterized by progressive optic nerve degeneration and retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss. Axonal transport deficits have been demonstrated to be the earliest crucial pathophysiological changes underlying axonal degeneration in glaucoma. The critical feature of this pathological process and the significance of early intervention remain to be further explored. Here, we explore the role of a tetraspanin superfamily member CD82 in protection of glaucomatous neurodegeneration in an acute ocular hypertension mouse model. Methods:Expression level of CD82 in retina was examined before and after an acute ocular hypertension (AOHT) model in mouse. Overexpression of CD82 was achieved by intraocular injection of adeno-associated virus vector expressing CD82. Axonal transport deficits were evaluated by intravitreally injected Cholera toxin B (CTB) from eyes to superior colliculus and the distribution of endogenous synaptophysin. Subsequent optic nerve (ON) degeneration phenotypes were also examined including axon loss, myelin damage, and Aβ accumulation. In vitro neurite outgrowth assay was performed in SH-SY5Y cells with Cd82-plasmid transfection. Another optic nerve crush (ONC) model was taken to further validate the neuroprotective effects of CD82 by evaluation of axonal regeneration, RGC survival, and visual function of mice. Downstream pathway of CD82 was analyzed by qPCR examination and western blotting analysis as well as phenotype detection.Results:We found a transient downregulation of CD82 after acute IOP elevation, with parallel emergence of axonal transport deficits. Overexpression of CD82 with AAV2/9 vector in mouse retina improved optic nerve (ON) axonal transport and ameliorated subsequent axon degeneration. In vitro neurite outgrowth assay displayed longer neurite length of SH-SY5Y cells with transfection of Cd82-plasmid. Moreover, CD82 overexpression could stimulate ON regeneration and restore mouse vision after an optic nerve crush model. CD82 exerted protective effect through upregulation of TRAF2, which was an E3 ubiquitin ligase and activated mTORC1 through K63-linked ubiquitylation and intracellular repositioning of Raptor. Conclusions:These findings indicate that CD82 overexpression protects against glaucomatous axonal transport deficits through TRAF2-dependent activation of mTORC1 pathway, which offers deeper insights into tetraspanins superfamily and demonstrated potential neuroprotective strategy in glaucoma treatments.