bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urban Noise Pollution Assessment and its Non-Auditory Health Effects on the Residents of Chiniot and Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan
Authors: Farooqi Zia Ur Rahman , Ahmad Iftikhar , Zeeshan Nukshab , Ilic Predrag , Imran Muhammad , Saeed Muhammad Farhan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Noise pollution is an emerging global problem therefore, it is imperative to determine noise level especially in the urban environment and its implications on human health. The objectives of this study were i) to assess the urban noise pollution and traffic density of Chiniot and Jhang and ii) to determine non-auditory health effects of noise pollution on the residents of both cities. Noise pollution was examined from 181 locations (103 from Jhang and 78 from Chiniot) and categorized into hospitals, educational, religious and recreational, residential, industrial areas, and traffic intersections. Noise levels measurements were taken using integrated sound level meter. The urban noise data showed 82% of the sites in Jhang and 95% in Chiniot exceeded the noise limits set by NEQS-Pak and WHO. Moreover, higher intensity of noise pollution (≥ 100 dB) was recorded in Chiniot (17 sites) than in Jhang (1 site). Regression analysis showed relatively strong relationship of traffic density with noise at Chiniot (R2 = 0.48) compared to Jhang (R2 = 0.31). However, spatial variability of noise with traffic density was observed at both cities. Survey study revealed that all the respondents in Jhang and Chiniot suffered from many noise related health problems such as annoyance (53 and 51%), depression (45 and 47%), dizziness (61 and 65%), headache (67 and 64%), hypertension (71 and 56%), hearing loss (53 and 56%), physiological stress (65 and 65%), sleeplessness (81 and 84%), and tinnitus (70 and 62%) due to noise, respectively. It is concluded that noise pollution is higher in Chiniot due to high traffic density resulted from higher population density and cottage industry. It is recommended that vehicles maintenance, family and urban planning could be effective measures to reduce urban noise pollution.
WITHDRAWN: Vitamin E has Protective Effects on Mice Adrenal Gland which are Exposed to Immobilization Stress
Authors: AŞIR FIRAT , Nergiz Yusuf , Pala Ayşegül 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background
To investigate the protective effect of vitamin E on mice adrenal glands in immobilization stress and to examine post-stress behavioral changes. Twenty-eight male, 10-week-old, BALB/C mice weighing 30 grams were divided into four groups. Mice were placed in a cage where no movement was allowed 6 hours/day for 7 days for immobilization stress. 0.1ml saline was administered to the control group and the stress group for 7 days, whereas 30 mg/kg/day vitamin E was administered orogastrically 1 hour before immobilization stress in the vitamin E and stress + vitamin E group. At the end of the 7th day, all animals were subjected to open field, elevated-plus maze (anxiety) and forced swimming (depression) tests. Left adrenal glands were dissected for routine paraffin tissue protocol. Sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Azan. Malonaldehyde (MDA) levels were also measured in the adrenal tissues.
Results
Anxiety symptoms were not significant between groups (0.582). Depression level (p = 0.024) and MDA values (p = 0.01) were the highest in the stress group, which was significantly higher than that of the vitamin E group. In the hematoxylin-eosin sections of the stress group, cortical atrophy, medullary hypertrophy, dilated capillaries, and hemorrhage were observed. Azan staining revealed a thinned capsule, cortical fibrosis, and intense fibrosis in the stress group. Histological structure was protected in the stress + vitamin E group, but dilatation and interstitial fibrosis were also detected.
Conclusion
Immobilization stress may cause some psychopharmacological, morphometric, and histopathologic changes in mouse adrenal glands, and vitamin E may largely protect the gland from these effects.
Systematic Identification of the Cancer Pathways and Molecules Related With Breast Cancer Immunogenicity
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Xu Silu , Huang Lingli , Wang Lei , Wu Nan 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
To identify molecular features related to immunogenic activity in breast cancer (BC) and provide new targets and directions for BC immunotherapy. We first used ESTIMATE to evaluate the degree of immune cell infiltration of the BC patients in TCGA and METABRIC, and explore the relationship between the degree of immune cell infiltration and prognosis of breast cancer patients. Then, we identified the cancer pathways, proteins, miRNAs related to BC immunogenicity, and predicted miRNAs target genes and identified the pathways related to target genes with KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. We also explored the correlation between PD-L1 expression level and cancer pathways and found that PD-L1 expression showed a positive association with cancer pathways. In this article we have successfully identified several cancer pathways, proteins, miRNAs and their target genes, which could be as promising new target for BC immunotherapy. And PD-L1 blockade therapy may be more effective in BC patients with the activation of some cancer pathways.
Effect of COVID-19 on the risk of household demand for health care in Togo
Authors: TOSSOU Yaovi 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

Barriers on the demand side of the health care system are as important as supply side factors in deterring patients from obtaining effective treatment during COVID-19. Developing countries, including Togo, have focused on reducing the risk of health care use during this period by ensuring basic health care services, as an important policy to improve health outcomes and meet international obligations to make health services accessible.
Methods

The data used come from a national household survey conducted from 8 to 17 July 2020 covering all 44 districts of Togo's 6 health regions. In each district capital, a minimum of 30 households were included by a systematic random draw at two levels (district then household). On the basis of these data, the multinomial regression model is used to identify the risk factors for the demand for health care services during COVID-19.
Results

A total of 1946 (with a response rate of 98.3%) participants were included in the study. The conclusion on households over 60 years of age indicates that the relative risk ratio (RRR = 23.97; 95% CI = 0.93; 615.38) allows households to practice self-medication instead of modern care structures. The multinomial model revealed that the relative risk ratio of activities before COVID-19 (RRR = 4.879; 95% CI = 1.018; 23.38) allows households to maintain their choice of self-medication and (RRR = 3.139; 95% CI = 0.91; 0.829) to prefer public health centre. As an educated head of household (RRR = 0.192; 95% CI = 0.017, 2.113) he prefers the choice of private health centre during COVID-19.
Conclusions

This study found that the majority (30.49%) of patients sought health care. The analysis shows that the loss of employment, pre-COVID-19 activities in households and regions not infected by the pandemic allow households to remain in the choice of health care demand (self-medication and public hospitals) despite the impacts of COVID-19. On the other hand, the level of higher education and age determine an alternative choice of health care provision by households. Therefore, policy makers need to put a particular emphasis on social policies to address household health shocks.
Preparation of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) with uniform diameter distribution from okara by ultrasonic and high-speed stirring treatment method using deep eutectic solvent
Authors: Li Peiyi , Lei Haozhe , Wang Yumeng , Liu Hezhen , Jian Boxing , Liu Ruiyan , Li Xinping 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) is a nanomaterial with excellent performance. It is an important issue to control the CNF diameter during its preparation. In this study, a green and environmentally friendly method for rapid CNF preparation with great cost advantage is reported. Deep eutectic solvent (DES) and different mechanical treatment methods were used to obtain CNF with different diameter distribution. The results showed that ultrasonic treatment resulted in CNF with a uniform diameter distribution of 28 nm and high-speed stirring treatment resulted in CNF with a uniform diameter distribution of 27 nm. The method of using high-speed stirring to prepare CNF has great energy consumption advantages compared with traditional high-pressure homogenization methods. The yield of okara CNF before and after DES treatment is not much different. The recovery rate of DES achieved more than 90% and demonstrated excellent treatment effect indicating DES-pretreatment for okara CNF preparation is economical, convenient and effective.
How to measure premature mortality? A proposal combining “relative” and “absolute” approaches
Authors: Mazzuco Stefano , Suhrcke Marc , Zanotto Lucia 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background : the concept of "premature mortality" is at the heart of many national and global health measurement and benchmarking efforts. However, despite the intuitive appeal of its underlying concept, it is far from obvious how to best operationalise it. The previous work offers at least two basic approaches: an absolute and a relative one. The former -- and far more widely used -- sets a unique age threshold (e.g. 65 years), below which deaths are defined as premature. The relative approach derives the share of premature deaths from the country--specific age distribution of deaths in the country of interest. The biggest disadvantage of the absolute approach is that of using a unique, arbitrary threshold for different mortality patterns, while the main disadvantage of the relative approach is that its estimate of premature mortality strongly depends on how the senescent deaths distribution is defined in each country.\\

Method : we propose to overcome some of the downsides of the existing approaches, by combining features of both, using a hierarchical model, in which senescent deaths distribution is held constant for each country as a pivotal quantity and the premature mortality distribution is allowed to vary across countries. In this way, premature mortality estimates become more comparable across countries with similar characteristics.\\

Results : the proposed hierarchical models provides results which lead to shared conclusions researchers developed analyzing the specific countries. In particular, we find a relatively high premature mortality for United States and Denmark.

Conclusions : while our hybrid approach overcomes some of the problems of the previous measures, some issues needs further work. In particular the choice of the group of countries a given country is assigned to and the choice of the benchmarks within the groups. Hence our proposed method, combined with further study addressing the clustering issue, could provide a valid alternative way to measure and compare premature mortality across countries.
Combination of PRL-3 Inhibitor with Sorafenib Synergistically Promotes AML Apoptosis
Authors: Chen Xiaomin , Rong Dade , Cai Wanhua , Tong Xiuzhen , Wang Haihe 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Phosphatase of regenerating liver-3 (PRL-3) is recognized as a novel independent crucial driver for AML progression. Thus, the specific inhibitor of PRL-3 would be a potential therapeutic agent to AML in clinic, but there is no such preclinical application reported yet. Here we evaluated the cytotoxicity of PRL-3 inhibitor, BR-1, against AML cells ML-1 and MOLM-13. Meanwhile, the effect of BR-1 on the biological characteristics of AML cells and the underlying mechanism were investigated along with the combination of BR-1 and sorafenib on AML cell viability. Our results show that BR-1 promotes apoptosis by inactivation of JAK/STAT5 and PI3K/AKT pathways, while inhibits cell proliferation through arresting cell cycle in the S phase. In addition, combination of BR-1 with a FLT3 inhibitor, sorafenib can further improve the therapeutic effect on AML. Thus, our results demonstrated that BR-1 would be a novel and potent therapeutic agent to AML, and its combination with other anti-AML drugs would be a promising strategy to AML therapy.
Luminescence Properties and Energy Transfer of Tm3+-Eu3+ double Doped LiLaSiO4 Phosphors
Authors: Wu Xiulan , Du Liang , Ren Qiang , Hai Ou 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
A series of LiLaSiO4:yTm3+, zEu3+ phosphors were prepared by high temperature solid-phase reaction. The microstructure, luminescence performance and quantum yield of the phosphors are characterized by XRD, SEM and fluorescence spectrometer. When the monitoring wavelength is 360 nm, LiLaSiO4:yTm3+ phosphors showed a sharp emission peak at 460 nm, corresponding to the 7F0→5D2 energy level transition, and the concentration quenching point of Tm3+ ions was y = 0.015. When the monitoring wavelength is 360 nm, LiLaSiO4:yTm3+, zEu3+ phosphors have emission peaks of Tm3+ and Eu3+ ions at 460 and 618 nm, respectively. As the molar mass fraction of Eu3+ ions doped increases, the luminous intensity of Tm3+ ions gradually decrease, and the luminous intensity of Eu3+ ions increases first and then decreases, and the concentration quenching point of Eu3+ ions was z = 0.08. The energy transfer of Tm3+→Eu3+ ions through electric dipole- electric dipole interactions is demonstrated by the luminous intensity variation law and fluorescence lifetime. By changing the doping ratio of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions, the full-color control of the phosphor luminescent color from blue to red can be achieved.
Zak Gene֝s Expression in Patients With Helicobacter Pylori Infection
Authors: Khani Delniya , Hedayati Manouchehr Ahmadi , Sheikhesmaeili Farshad , Ghadiany Roghaie , Nasseri Sherko 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: ZAK protein is a member of the MLK family proteins defined as mediators in the cell cycle. A survey of zak gene expression in gastric antral epithelial cells (GAECs) of gastritis and gastric adenocarcinoma patients with Helicobacter pylori genotypes infection can elucidate carcinogenesis of H. pylori genotypes.Methods: In a case-control study, zak gene expression was evaluated in GAECs biopsy samples of gastritis patients with (n 23) and without H. pylori infection (n 27) and gastric adenocarcinoma patients with (n 21) and without (n 32) H. pylori infection. The zak gene expression was measured using the relative Real-Time RT PCR.Results: zak gene expression was higher in GAECs of gastritis cancer than in gastric adenocarcinoma, indicating the protective effect of ZAK against gastric cancer (p< 0.005). Conclusion: Reducing zak gene expression has the negative corelations with H. pylori infection and gastric adenocarcinoma.
Association of Urinary Prostaglandin E2 Metabolite and Mortality among Adults
Authors: Wen Wanqing , Yang Gong , Cai Qiuyin , Shu Xiao-ou , Zheng Wei 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

Prostaglandins play a critical role in inflammatory response. It has become widely accepted that chronic inflammation is a driving force behind many chronic diseases, such as cancers and cardiovascular diseases, the major causes of death in the world today. The studies on the association between biomarkers of inflammation and mortality are limited.
Methods

To investigate the association of urinary PGE-M, a stable end-product of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) with overall and cause-specific mortality and examine potential effect modifiers, we obtained urinary PGE-M levels of 2,927 non-cancerous adults from our previous case-control studies nested in the Shanghai Women’s Health Study and Shanghai Men’s Health Study, two cohort studies conducted in Shanghai, China. We collected mortality data and modifiable factors associated with urinary PGE-M were obtained from the parent cohort studies.
Results

Using linear regression models, we found that high urinary PGE-M levels were significantly associated with low education, heaving smoking, old age at urine collection, and abdominal obesity. Using Cox proportional hazards models, we found that increase (per standard deviation) of urinary PGE-M levels were significantly associated with overall mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.19, 95% confidence interval: 1.07, 1.33) and particularly deaths from cardiometabolic diseases (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.27, 95% confidence interval: 1.11, 1.44). The increased death risks persisted across different time intervals during the follow-up and were stronger among participants who were younger than 60 (P = 0.0014 for all- cause mortality and P = 0.007 for deaths from cardiometabolic diseases) at urine collection or perhaps among those who had higher education.
Conclusions

High urinary PGE-M levels were associated with a significantly increased risk of all causes of death and particularly deaths from cardiometabolic diseases. Improving lifestyles, e.g., stopping smoking and controlling body weight, would help decrease mortality through decreasing over-production of PGE2.
Chronic Elevation of Troponin I Predicts the Extent of Coronary Artery Disease in Hemodialysis Patients Presenting with Acute Enzyme Elevation
Authors: Taha Mohamad , Taha Ahmad , Dasa Osama , Alom Modar , Abdelgadir Yasir , Winchester David 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

Chronic elevation of cardiac troponin I (cTn-I) has been associated with severe angiographic coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis. However, for patients presenting with an acute rise in serum cTn-I levels, the association is less clear.
Methods

We performed a single-center retrospective analysis of 364 hemodialysis patients. Using coronary angiography, we correlated the asymptomatic baseline elevation of cTn-I with the severity of coronary artery stenosis when hemodialysis patients present with acute symptomatic elevation in serum cTn-I above baseline levels.
Results

In hemodialysis patients presenting with a rise in serum cTn-I above baseline levels, 59% had severe CAD, and 17% had no angiographic evidence of CAD. Hemodialysis patients with severe CAD had significantly higher baseline cTn-I levels compared to patients with non-severe CAD or normal coronaries (p < 0.0001). Baseline elevation of cTn-I in the severe CAD group was correlated with the degree of CAD occlusion (R2 of 0.56, p < 0.0001), fitting a positive linear model. Furthermore, baseline cTn-I differentiates between patients with and without severe CAD with a test accuracy of 0.72 (95% CI, 0.69–0.75, p < 0.001). At a value of ≥ 0.2 ng/mL (cutoff value for myocardial necrosis), the specificity of baseline cTn-I for underlying severe CAD was 0.95.
Conclusions

Elevated baseline cTn-I has good accuracy for anticipating more advanced angiographic CAD when hemodialysis patients present with a symptomatic rise in serum cTn-I above baseline levels. Baseline elevation of cTn-I can be used for cardiac disease risk management in hemodialysis patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of CAD.
Risk Factors for Decrease in The Cross-Sectional Area of the Paraspinal Muscle in 1,849 Individuals: A 10-Year Longitudinal Study
Authors: Murata Yoichi , Nakamura Eiichiro , Tsukamoto Manabu , Nakagawa Toru , Takeda Masaru , Kozuma Mio , Kadomura Takayuki , Narusawa Kenichiro , Shimizu Kenji , Uchida Soshi , Hayashi Takeshi , Sakai Akinori 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We investigated longitudinal losses of paraspinal muscle area in healthy individuals in a 10-year longitudinal retrospective observational study. Data from 1,849 individuals (1,690 men, 159 women) screened using computed tomography were examined. Logistic regression was performed to determine risk factors associated with paraspinal muscle area decreases; the area was significantly decreased at 10 years compared with the area at baseline regardless of age or sex, starting at 30 years of age. In regression analysis, only aging (≥50s [odds ratio [OR], 1.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05–2.84; p=0.03] and ≥60s [OR, 2.67; 95% CI, 1.55–4.60; p<0.001]) was a risk factor for psoas major area decreases. Age ≥60 years (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.24–3.39; p=0.005), body mass index ≥25 kg/m2 (OR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.01–1.73; p=0.04), and visceral fat ≥100 cm2 (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.20–2.15; p=0.001) were risk factors for erector muscle area decreases; physical activity ≥900 kcal/week (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.50–0.94; p=0.02) reduced erector muscle area loss in males. Our study demonstrated that walking >45 minutes daily could reduce paraspinal muscle loss, which in turn can decrease the risk of falls and low-back pain and might eventually help prevent sarcopenia.
Preliminary Analysis of African Swine Fever Virus Carriage and Transmission by Mosquitoes
Authors: Qin Weiyun , Gao Zhongcheng , Wu Shenglong , Bao Wenbin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundMosquitoes are important insect vectors, but whether they can carry and transmit African swine fever virus (ASFV) in large-scale pig farms in China is unknown. ResultsIn this study, probe qPCR analysis was performed on mosquitoes from five pig farms with ASF virus (ASFV). Analysis of ASFV in 463 mosquitoes yielded negative cycle threshold (CT) value), and detection remained negative after mixing samples from all five pig farms. ConclusionsTherefore, mosquitoes appear unlikely to transmit ASFV, and pose little threat to large-scale pig farms. Thus, farms should continue to follow normal mosquito control procedures when formulating strategies for the prevention and control of ASF.
A structural modeling to understand the relationship among food safety knowledge, attitude, and self-reported HACCP practices in restaurant employees in Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Md. Jahid , Uddin Rayhan , Islam G. M. Rabiul 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Nowadays most people have their meals outside of their homes and largely depend on the restaurants’ made food. Consequently consumers exposed themselves to risk and become vulnerable to illness caused by food. Unsafe food preparation and handling by restaurants’ workers have made food safety a concern for public health. The study was aimed to examine the relationships among food safety knowledge, attitude, and hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) practices in restaurant employees in Bangladesh. Methods: A total of 360 employees from 120 restaurants participated in a face-to-face interview through a structured questionnaire comprising four sections: demographic characteristics, food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices. The mean scores for each survey item were calculated and used in structural equation modeling (SEM), designed to assess interrelationships among the three sections related to food safety. Results: Participants obtained a correct average score of 53.32% in food safety knowledge, with the highest and lowest correct scores in good hygiene practices (GHPs) and HACCP practices, respectively. The highest score in the attitude section belonged to “self-improvement”, followed by “food safety concern”. A negative correlation was observed between knowledge with practices, knowledge with attitudes, and a positive correlation was observed between practices with attitudes. A significant positive correlation was observed between HACCP practices with shelf improvement (r = 0.54, p < 0.05) and the knowledge toward food poisoning with GHP practices (r = 0.55, p < 0.05). Self-improvement and food safety concern are negatively correlated with food poisoning, GHP, and HACCP practice. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the restaurant employees in Bangladesh often have lack of knowledge regarding food safety and HACCP. There is an immediate need for education and training among restaurant employees in order to improve knowledge and attitude on safe HACCP practice.