bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Beneficial Potential of Banha-Sasim-Tang for Stress-Sensitive Functional Dyspepsia via Modulation of Ghrelin: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kim Sul-Ki , Joung Jin-Yong , Ahn Yo-Chan , Jung In-Chul , Son Chang-Gue 
Published: April 2021

Background: Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a highly complex pathophysiologic disease, which shows low recovery and high relapse rates. Therefore, a growing number of clinicians and patients are looking for alternative herbal medicine. Banha-Sasim-Tang (BST) is an herbal prescription for treating a wide range of dyspepsia in traditional Korean medicine (TKM).Aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of BST on FD in patients with psychological stress-related symptoms and to investigate the involvement of ghrelin. This study is registered at https://cris.nih.go.kr/with the identification number KCT 0002811.Materials and methods: A total of 31 participants with FD who met the Rome IV criteria and the psychological stress-related pattern were enrolled in a double-blind, randomized, and controlled study. Participants were randomly assigned to the BST group (10 g twice daily for 4 weeks) or placebo group. The primary endpoint was a change in the Nepean Dyspepsia Index–Korean (NDI-K) score. The secondary endpoints were changes in the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores and plasma ghrelin level.Results: All participants completed the study (n = 15 for BST, n = 16 for placebo). BST decreased NDI-K scores compared with placebo, but the difference was not statistically significant (37.40 ± 27.40 vs 22.50 ± 23.85, p = 0.12). VAS scores and plasma total ghrelin levels were significantly improved in patients who were treated with BST (3.19 ± 1.60 vs 1.38 ± 2.85, p = 0.03 for VAS and 105.69 ± 287.89 vs -142.31 ± 314.32, p = 0.03 for total ghrelin). No BST-related adverse effects were observed during the trial.Conclusion: Our results indicate the clinical potential of BST for FD patients and are the first study to show the modulation of plasma ghrelin as one of its corresponding mechanisms.Clinical Trial Registration:https://cris.nih.go.kr/, identifier KCT 0002811.
Fibroblast Growth Factor Type 2 (FGF2) Administration Attenuated the Clinical Manifestations of Preeclampsia in a Murine Model Induced by L-NAME
Authors: Martinez-Fierro Margarita L , Hernadez-Delgadillo Gloria Patricia , Flores-Mendoza Jose Feliciano , Alvarez-Zuñiga Claudia Daniela , Diaz-Lozano Martha Lizeth , Delgado-Enciso Ivan , Romero-Diaz Viktor Javier , Lopez-Saucedo Adrian , Rodriguez-Sanchez Iram Pablo , Marino-Martinez Ivan Alberto , Garza-Veloz Idalia 
Published: April 2021

Background: In preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, the poor remodeling of spiral arteries leads to placental hypoperfusion and ischemia, provoking generalized maternal endothelial dysfunction and, in severe cases, death. Endothelial and placental remodeling is important for correct pregnancy evolution and is mediated by cytokines and growth factors such as fibroblast growth factor type 2 (FGF2). In this study, we evaluated the effect of human recombinant FGF2 (rhFGF2) administration in a murine model of PE induced by NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) to test if rhFGF2 administration can lessen the clinical manifestations of PE.Methods: Pregnant rats were administrated with 0.9% of NaCl (vehicle), L-NAME (60 mg/kg), FGF2 (666.6 ng/kg), L-NAME+FGF2 or L-NAME + hydralazine (10 mg/kg) from the 10th to 19th days of gestation. Blood pressure (BP), urine protein concentrations and anthropometric values both rat and fetuses were assessed. Histological evaluation of organs from rats delivered by cesarean section was carried out using hematoxylin and eosin staining.Results: A PE-like model was established, and it included phenotypes such as maternal hypertension, proteinuria, and fetal growth delay. Compared to the groups treated with L-NAME, the L-NAME + FGF2 group was similar to vehicle: the BP remained stable and the rats did not develop enhanced proteinuria. Both the fetuses and placentas from rats treated with L-NAME + FGF2 had similar values of weight and size compared with the vehicle.Conclusion: The intravenous administration of rhFGF2 showed beneficial and hypotensive effects, reducing the clinical manifestations of PE in the evaluated model.
Cerebral Regional Homogeneity Alternation of Pregnant Women With Antenatal Depression During the Pandemic
Authors: Cheng Bochao , Meng Yajing , Zhou Yushan , Li Jinrong , Zeng Jianguang , Tan Xi , Zhang Kaiyou , Luo Ya , Zhang Yan 
Published: April 2021

Purpose: The COVID-19 epidemic has been a threat to the health of people all over the world. Various precautions during COVID-19 in China have kept a large number of people in isolation, and this has inconvenienced and placed enormous stress on pregnant women. Pregnant women are more likely to suffer from antenatal depression (ANDP) with social isolation or low social support. This research aims to investigate the neurobiological mechanisms underlying ANDP, which impedes early detection and intervention in this disorder.Methods: A total of 43 singleton pregnant women who experienced isolation were recruited, including 21 treatment-naïve ANDP patients and 22 healthy pregnant women (HPW). To explore the intrinsic cerebral activity alternations in ANDP using resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI), we assessed the local regional homogeneity (ReHo) differences in two groups using the voxel-based whole-brain analysis. The correlation between the regional functional abnormalities and clinical variables in ANDP patients was also examined.Results: Compared with HPW, ANDP patients showed decreased ReHo in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, right insular and the cluster coving the right ventral temporal cortex (VTC), amygdala (AMG), and hippocampus (HIP). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores of ANDP patients negatively correlated with the ReHo in the right VTC, AMG, and HIP.Conclusion: Elucidating the neurobiological features of ANDP patients during COVID-19 is crucial for evolving adequate methods for early diagnosis, precaution, and intervention in a future epidemic.
Assessment of Suicide Risks During the First Week Immediately After Discharge From Psychiatric Inpatient Facility
Authors: Madsen Trine , Egilsdottir Eybjørg , Damgaard Chanette , Erlangsen Annette , Nordentoft Merete 
Published: April 2021

Background: The suicide rate in first week after psychiatric discharge is alarmingly high. Although a risk assessment prior to discharge is standard praxis, it can be difficult to take into consideration the obstacles that patient will meet once discharged. A follow-up-visit during the first week after discharge is an opportunity to reevaluate whether a person may be at risk of suicide.Aim: To determine how many patients, of those who were assessed, were evaluated to be at elevated risk of suicide during the first week after psychiatric discharge and secondarily to identify predictors of this and predictors for receiving a follow-up visit during first week after discharge.Methods: All patients discharged between March 1st 2018 to January 17th 2019 were offered a home visit including a systematic risk assessment. Socio-demographics and clinical variables were obtained from medical records and logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of a higher suicide risk assessment as well as receiving a follow-up visit.Results: Information from 1905 discharges were included. Of these, 1,052 were seen in follow-up meetings. Risk assessments was conducted in a total of 567 discharge procedures, of which 28 (5%) had an elevated risk of suicide. A history of suicide attempt, suicide risk having been the reason for admission, a first diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder was associated with an elevated risk of suicide after discharge.Conclusion: Follow-up visits could serve as an important tool to identify people whose suicidal risk were overlooked at discharge or exposed to severe stressors after discharge.
Clinical Randomized Comparison of Medetomidine and Xylazine for Isoflurane Balanced Anesthesia in Horses
Authors: Wiederkehr Alexandra , Barbarossa Andrea , Ringer Simone K. , Jörger Fabiola B. , Bryner Marco , Bettschart-Wolfensberger Regula 
Published: April 2021

Introduction:To assess drug plasma levels, preanesthetic sedation, cardiopulmonary effects during anesthesia and recovery in horses anesthetized with isoflurane combined with medetomidine or xylazine.Study design:Prospective blinded randomized clinical study.Animals:Sixty horses undergoing elective surgery.Methods:Thirty minutes after administration of antibiotics, flunixine meglumine or phenylbutazone and acepromazine horses received medetomidine 7 μg kg−1(group MED) or xylazine 1.1 mg kg−1(group XYL) slowly intravenously (IV) and sedation was assessed 3 min later. Anesthesia was induced with ketamine/diazepam and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen/air and medetomidine 3.5 μg kg−1h−1or xylazine 0.69 mg kg−1h−1. Ringer's acetate 10 mL kg−1h−1and dobutamine were administered to maintain normotension. All horses were mechanically ventilated to maintain end-tidal carbon dioxide pressures at 45 ± 5 mmHg (5.3–6.7 kPa). Heart rate (HR), invasive arterial blood pressures, inspired and expired gas compositions, pH, arterial blood gases, electrolytes, lactate and glucose were measured. For recovery all horses received intramuscular morphine 0.1 mg kg−1and medetomidine 2 μg kg−1or xylazine 0.3 mg kg−1IV. Recovery was timed and scored using three different scoring systems. Plasma samples to measure medetomidine and xylazine concentrations were collected at predetermined timepoints. Repeatedly measured parameters were analyzed using a two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance for differences between groups and over time;p&lt; 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Mean arterial blood pressures (MAP) stayed within normal ranges but were higher (p= 0.011) in group XYL despite significant lower dobutamine doses (p= 0.0003). Other measured parameters were within clinically acceptable ranges. Plasma levels were at steady state during anesthesia (MED 2.194 ± 0.073; XYL 708 ± 18.791 ng mL−1). During recovery lateral recumbency (MED 42.7 ± 2.51; XYL 34.3 ± 2.63 min;p= 0.027) and time to standing (MED 62.0 ± 2.86; XYL 48.8 ± 3.01 min;p= 0.002) were significantly shorter in group XYL compared to group MED. Recovery scores did not differ significantly between groups.Conclusion and Clinical Relevance:In horses anesthetized with isoflurane and medetomidine or xylazine, xylazine maintained higher MAP, reduced the dobutamine consumption and recovery time, whilst overall recovery quality was unaffected.
Fluorescence intensity changes depending on viscoelasticity of lipid shell coating microbubbles labeled with an indocyanine green derivative
Authors: Yoshida K. , Ebata M. , Kaneko C. , Zhang Y. , Shibata Y. , Saito K. , Toyota T. , Hayashi H. , Yamaguchi T. 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Lipid-coated microbubbles (MBs) with an indocyanine green (ICG) derivative were fabricated for ultrasound and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence dual imaging. We characterized the NIR-fluorescence intensity, stability and viscoelastic properties of the encapsulating lipid shell, focusing on the influence of the ICG derivative and lipid compositions. In terms of the NIR fluorescence intensity, the fluorescence intensity of the MBs (with the ICG derivative) was significantly affected by the lipid composition of the MB shell. Regarding the contrast agent used for ultrasound imaging, the stability of the MBs and viscoelastic properties of shell also depended on the lipid compositions, while the incorporation of the ICG derivative into the MB shells had a negligible effect. The performance of this contrast agent for ultrasound and NIR fluorescence dual-imaging exhibited a significant trade-off relationship for the lipid composition.
EXTENSION ACTIVITIES PROVIDED TO RICE FARMERS IN RAISING THE AWARENESS FOR COMPOST MANUFACTURE IN AL-DIWANIYAH PROVINCE
Authors: Al-Salhi A. T. H. 
Published: April 2021

This study was aimed to determine extension activities provided to rice farmers in raising the awareness for compost manufacture in Al-Diwaniyah province and investigate the level of awareness of rice farmers in the field of compost manufacturing, as well as the problems facing farmers when manufacturing compost, mythology a questionnaire design to collect data from rice farmers during 2018 . The research society consisted of the agricultural departments of the directorate of Agriculture in Al Diwaniyah province. A random sample was taken from rice farmers related to the agricultural departments in the Directorate of Agriculture with their (632) farmers, The results of this study inculcated that the level of awareness for the farmers in the manufacture of compost, The average tends to weak in their awareness, The role of the agricultural extension has also just through extension seminars, which is considered one of the most extension activities were used to rice farmers of compost manufacturing, In addition, there is an absence of workers in the field of composting of rice residues, It could be to pay adequate attention to the rice crop as a strategic crop through the utilization of its waste and the elimination of environmental pollution that occurs as a result of burning those waste.
BIOACTIVITY CHARACTERIZATION OF PURIFIED RECOMBINANT HYPOTHETICAL PROTEIN CODED BY OPEN READING FRAME-112 OF STREPTOMYCES.
Authors: Al-Obaidi R. M. , Salih G. F. , Nore B. F. 
Published: April 2021

This study was aimed to investigate the Open Reading Frame-112 (ORF-112) gene, which encoded for a hypothetical 218 amino acids protein in Streptomyces bacteria. A complete ORF-112 gene was synthesized, with addition of a 6xHis-Tag at the N-terminal location. The synthesized DNA nucleotides were sub-cloned into bacterial expression plasmid pBAT4. The pBAT4-ORF-112 plasmid transformed in bacterial cells BL21(De3)pLysS, intended for protein over expression, induced by isopropyl β- d-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The IMAC affinity chromatography technique was deployed for protein purifications. Highly-purified fractions of ORF-112 were achieved by using affinity Ni++-columns. The purified ORF-112 protein was tested for possible biological activity. The SDS-PAGE analysis exhibited a soluble 30 kDa size purified ORF-112 protein which showed a slight gel shifting from the predicted size. The virulent activity test on purified fractions of ORF-112 was measured using the Disk Diffusion Test and it disclosed a clear zone formed in response to fungi Candida albicans growth. The data implies that the ORF-112 protein has an acceptable protective effect against the fungus C. albicans as compared to positive control ketoconazole (KCZ) (P < 0.05) while the protein has a significantly lower protective effect against the fungus than Itraconazole (ICZ) (P > 0.05). The results clarify the hypothetical ORF-112 protein is a novel protein with protective response effect against fungi cells C. albicans on disk-diffusion.test.
EXPLORING ENGLISH FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDENTS’ LEARNING STRATEGIES IN READING ELT MATERIALS
Authors: Meliasari Rahayu 
Published: April 2021

This research aimed to reveal the type of language learning strategies dominantly used by the learners and the least type of learning strategies used by the learners. There were 10 students who were taken as the sample of participants. They are students who officially enrolled in Academic Reading Class in the second semester of English Study Program of Teacher Training and Education Faculty (FKIP) Tanjungpura University in Academic Year 2016/2017. Questionnaire consisting of 40 statements was distributed for data collection which in turn were analyzed by using mean score calculation. The analysis of the data revealed that the mean score of metacognitive learning style was 4.0 which indicated that this type of learning strategy fell into the highest frequency used by the students. Meanwhile, the average score for cognitive strategies was 3.7 in which it is categorized as the second rank of the learning strategy mostly used by the learners. The analysis toward compensation strategy resulted 3.5 for the mean score, and the average score for affective and social strategy reached average at 3.1 and 3.0 respectively. By contrast, memory strategy is the least type of learning strategy used by the students, reaching the mean only at 2,9.Keywords: EFL, Language Learning Strategies, Reading, ELT Materials
Ph, Kadar Fenolat Total, Dan Aktivitas Antioksidan Kefir Susu Kambing Yang Ditambahkan Seduhan Kopi Robusta (Skr)
Authors: Pratama Mochamad Dwi , Wulansari Putri Dian , Frasiska Nurul 
Published: April 2021

Kefir susu kambing dengan penambahan seduhan kopi robusta (SKR) dimungkinkan dapat meningkatkan kualitas fungsional, karena kandungan antioksidan yang dimilikinya. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh penambahan SKR pada kefir susu kambing dan menentukan level persentase pemberian SKR yang maksimal. Penelitian dilakukan secara eksperimental menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap dengan 5 perlakuan dan 5 ualangan. Level penambahan SKR pada pembuatan kefir sebanyak 0; 5; 10; 15 dan 20 %. Parameter yang dianalisis meliputi pH diukur menggunakan pH meter, kadarpolifenol total menggunakan reagen Folin-Ciocalceu, dan aktivitas antioksdian ditetentukan dengan metode DPPH. Data yang diperoleh dianalisis menggunakan uji ANOVA, dan jika berpengaruh nyata atau siginifikan dilanjut menggunakan uji beda Tukey. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa penambahan SKR terhadap nilai pH sangat berpengaruh nyata (P<0.05),kadarpolifenol total dan aktivitas antioksidan mengalami peningktan dibandingkan perlakuan P0 atau kontrol. Semakin tinggi penambahan SKR dalam pembuatan kefir maka semakin tinggi pula nilai pH yang dihasilkan. Penambahan SKR sebanyak 20% menghasilkan kefir dengan kadar pH 4.35, nilai pH ini masih masuk standar pH susu fermentasi untuk susu fermentasi. Kadar polifenol total pada penelitian ini semakin meningkat dengan semakin banyaknya penambahan SKR. Penambahan SKR sebanyak 20% menghasilkan kadar polifenol total sebesar 684.4686 mg/L lebih tinggi 70% dibandingkan control. Sampel kefir yang diperkaya 20% SKR menunjukan nilai aktivitas antioksdian paling tinggi DPPH IC50 sebesar 554.3444. Kesimpulan penelitian ini bahwa penambahan SKR efektif meningkatkan aktivitas antioksdian, kadar fenolat total, dan pH kefir sesuai standar susu fermentasi.
Peer support programs in the fields of medicine and nursing: a systematic search and narrative review
Authors: Pereira Lara , Radovic Tamara , Haykal Kay-Anne 
Published: April 2021

Peer-provided services exist in many different domains and professions. However, there is a knowledge gap in the existing programs’ descriptions and grouping that hinders creating new high-quality peer support programs. The objectives of this article are two-fold in describing existing peer support programs published in the literature in the medical field and evaluating their descriptive quality. Six electronic databases, grey literature, and reference lists were systematically searched. Studies reporting the existence of a support program delivered by peers and its description or methodology were included. Studies targeting patients and children were excluded. 11 articles were included in the qualitative synthesis and explored in detail. A total of 2155 peers participated in support programs in the fields of medicine, nursing, or both. Programs in other professional fields were not found. Programs were described in five different countries. Three methods of peer support delivery were found: in person, online, and mixed varying in their goals, duration, peer training supervision and participant demographics and number. Program descriptions were rated as good, fair, or poor using a verified rating scale. There are numerous well-described programs varying in their methodology and type of delivery. Thus, the emergence of new programs can be based on such models that have been well-described in the literature.
Aggression, Body Esteem and Self-Esteem among College Students: Exploring the Influence of Gender
Authors: Kalsoom Um E , Noureen Khaista 
Published: April 2021

OBJECTIVES:
Finding out the role of gender in aggression, self-esteem, and body esteem was the purpose of this study.
METHODOLOGY:
A cross-sectional research design was used. Different universities in Peshawar were visited, and 300 students were selected as a sample (N=300), which consisted of both boys (N=150) and girls (N=150) from the age-group 17-22 years. Purposive sampling technique was used to collect the data, and the measuring tools used were Rosenberg Self-Esteem, Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire, and Body-Esteem Questionnaire.
RESULTS:
Although the research didn’t prove any difference in gender roles regarding self-esteem, it was revealed that boys are more aggressive as compared to girls. Furthermore, a correlation between self-esteem, body-esteem, and aggression was reported.
CONCLUSION:
The study gave the conclusion that gender has a role in levels of aggression found in students; however, both boys and girls are equally affected regarding self-esteem and body-esteem.
Risk Factors of Premature Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Mudassir Mujaddid , Iqbal Javed , Arshad Muhammad Shafique , Raza Ali , Qureshi Qudsia Anjum 
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the commonest and leading causes of death throughout the world. It is becoming common in the younger age group as well. This study was carried out to analyze the risk factors present in young patients who presented with acute Myocardial Infarction (M.I).
Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, we included 120 patients of age 20-35 years of age who presented with the first episode of acute M.I. Study was conducted at Pakistan Institute Of Medical Sciences, Islamabad, department of cardiology for all patients with first MI from 1st February 2016 to 31st January 2018. Twelve risk factors were studied including Gender, Hypertension, Diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, sedentary lifestyle, family history of premature CAD, obesity, smoking, dietary habits, profession, socioeconomic stress, drug addictions. The frequency of risk factors was calculated.
Results: Results showed that some of the risk factors were present in higher proportion e.g. smoking, sedentary lifestyle, poor dietary habits, and stressful socioeconomic conditions. Most of the patients in the younger age group were drivers. The results of our study showed that male patients were higher(93.3%) in proportion to female patients (6.7%). 33% of patients were drivers, 13% plumbers, 13% shopkeepers, 10% businessmen, 8% laborers, 5% policemen, 5% students, 5% bank officers, 3% engineers, 2% teachers, 1% doctors. 68.3% of patients were smokers. 58.3% of patients were having high-stress scores. 23.3% of patients were having moderate stress score.18.3% were having a low-stress score. 56% of patients were having dyslipidemia.48% of patients were obese. Family history was present in 26.7% of patients.
Conclusion: For patients presenting with premature CAD, Some of the modifiable risk factors include hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, fatty dietary habits, obesity, smoking, diabetes, dyslipidemia. The profession also affects the development of IHD as is evident from our study. So primary preventive strategies need to be implied to prevent the development of IHD, especially in individuals who are at risk.