bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rare earth elements’ waste management for smartphones’ touch screens by system dynamics modelling
Authors: Konyalıoğlu Aziz Kemal , Bereketli Ilke 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Developments in smartphones’ technology affect mobile phone use rates in the world. Increasing use of internet in the last 10 years parallelly force people to use smartphones not only in the work but also in their private lives. This high amount of consumption brings together the problem of excessive amount of waste, and also raises environmental concerns about how to treat them in the end-of-life phase of the smartphones. It is known that a classic smartphone, which is composed of battery, electronics, case part and touch screen, can be dissembled and recycled even though less than 20% of smartphones are going through reusing and recycling in the world. One of the problematic parts of the smartphones’ waste management is the touch screen. Rare earth elements used in touch screens are scarce sources, which are mainly silver, gold, palladium, indium, gadolinium, terbium, yttrium and lanthanum, and these elements cannot be easily substituted. In case they are not reused or recycled, they will be lost forever. In this paper, it is aimed to propose a system dynamics model for rare earth elements’ reuse and recycling in smartphones’ touch screens by a closed loop supply chain view. The design of the system dynamics modelling is operated and simulated by Anylogic and Stella simulation softwares which give perspective to observe how to better manage rare earth elements’ closed loop supply chain in order to increase the rate of reuse and recycling by considering important and relative factors of waste management system.
Angiocholitis due to Hydatid Cyst of the liver fistulized in the bile ducts: Comparative study between surgical treatment and endoscopic treatment
Authors: Marghich Omar , Hamdane Amine , Anis Tarek , Alila Mohamed , ousadden Abdelmalek , Taleb Khalid Ait , Ibrahimi Sidi Adil , benajah dafr-allah , Mazaz Khalid , Benjelloun EL Bachir 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Liver hydatid is a parasitic disease considered benign but can become dangerous because of its complications. The fistula in biliary tract remains one of the most feared complications by its frequency, morbidity and mortality.Materials and methods:We present a descriptive and comparative retrospective study at the university hospital Hassan II of Fez. This study was carried out on 63 cases of angiocholitis on hydatid cyst of the liver fistulized in the bile ducts and extends over a period of 5 years from January 2015 to December 2019. The objective of this study is to evaluate and compare the contribution of different therapeutic modalities in the treatment of cystic biliary fistula (Surgical treatment against endoscopic treatment).Results: Surgical treatment was used in 22 patients against 41 patients who underwent endoscopic treatment. The success rate of endoscopic treatment was higher than that of surgical treatment (83% against 73 %, p = 0.350). The mortality rate was reduced in the endoscopy group compared with patients in the surgery group (5% against 14 %, p = 0.226). General morbidity and major morbidity were higher significantly in patients treated surgically (General morbidity: surgery 41% against 2% for endoscopy, P0.05Conclusion:Endoscopic treatment should be considered as the treatment of choice for angiocholitis due to hydatid cyst of the liver fistulized in the bile ducts.
Epigenetic Regulation of Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Debilitates Insulin Resistance Associated Alzheimer Disease Condition in Rats
Authors: Kakoty Violina , KC Sarathlal , Dubey Sunil , Yang Chih Hao , Taliyan Rajeev 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Insulin resistance (IR) and accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers are potential causative factor for Alzheimer Disease (AD). Simultaneously, enhanced clearance level of these oligomers through autophagy activation bring novel insights into their therapeutic paradigm. Autophagy activation is negatively correlated with mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and dysregulated mTOR level due to epigenetic alterations can further culminate towards AD pathogenesis. Therefore, in the current study we explored the neuroprotective efficacy of rapamycin and vorinostat in-vitro and in-vivo. Aβ1−42 treated SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to rapamycin (20µM) and vorinostat (4µM) to analyse mRNA expression of amyloid precursor protein (APP), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neuronal growth factor (NGF), beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3-phosphatidylethanolamine conjugate, lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 and microtubule associated protein 2. In order to develop IR condition, rats were fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 8weeks and then subjected to intracerebroventricular Aβ1−42 administration. Subsequently, their treatment was initiated with rapa (1mg/kg, i.p.) and vori (50mg/kg, i.p.) once daily for 28days. Morris water maze was performed to govern cognitive impairment followed by sacrification for subsequent biochemical and histological estimations. For all the measured parameters, a significant improvement was observed amongst the combination treatment group in contrast to that of the HFD + Aβ1−42 group and that of the groups treated with the drugs alone. Outcomes of the present study thus suggest that combination therapy with rapa and vori provide a prospective therapeutic approach to ameliorate AD symptoms exacerbated by IR.
Steroid sulfatase deficiency causes cellular senescence and abnormal differentiation by inducing Yippee-like 3 expression in human keratinocytes
Authors: Baek Hyoung-Seok , Kwon Tae-Uk , Shin Sangyun , Kwon Yeo-Jung , Chun Young-Jin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Human steroid sulfatase (STS) is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), estrone sulfate (E1S), and cholesterol sulfate. Abnormal expression of STS causes several diseases including colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer and refractory skin disease. In particular, accumulation of intracellular cholesterol sulfate by STS deficiency leads to a skin disorder with abnormal keratinization called X-linked ichthyosis (XLI). To determine the detailed mechanisms of XLI, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis using human keratinocyte HaCaT cells treated with cholesterol and cholesterol sulfate. Of the genes with expression changes greater than 1.5-fold, Yippee-like 3 (YPEL3), a factor expected to affect cell differentiation, was found. Induction of YPEL3 causes permanent growth arrest, cellular senescence, and inhibition of metastasis in normal and tumor cells. In this study, we demonstrate that YPEL3 expression was induced by STS deficiency and, using the CRISPR/Cas9 system, a partial knockout (STS +/-) cell line was constructed to establish a disease model for XLI studies. Furthermore, we show that increased expression of YPEL3 in STS-deficient cell lines promoted cellular senescence and expression of keratinization-related proteins such as involucrin and loricrin. Our results suggest that upregulation of YPEL3 expression by STS deficiency may play a crucial role in inducing cellular senescence and abnormal differentiation in human keratinocytes. Keywords: STS XLI CRISPR/Cas9 YPEL3 Keratinocyte
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Paediatric Residency Training Programme in Sudan: Challenges and the Way Forward
Authors: Mohamed Inaam N , Nasr Safaa , Omer Ilham M 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: The clinical education and hands-on training are affected by the disruption of formal health care delivery and the emergency need to adapt the new rapidly evolving Covid 19 pandemic .Here we aim to determine the impact of COVID-19 paediatric on residency program training in Sudan.Methods: This study was carried out in the period from December 2020 – January 2021. A designed questionnaire was distributed using Google form, 186 trainees responded. Results: The study included 186 trainees of whom 152 (83.5%) females and 30(16.5%) males. Of whom 15 (8.2%) acquired infection with Covid 19. Comparing the work load and teaching opportunities in the year 2019 to 2020 it was very clear that there is decrease in working load and training opportunities during Covid 19 pandemic. Almost all trainees fully agreed that their training was severely affected during Covid 19 pandemic locked down. Trainees raised the issue of being stressed by transmitting the infection to their families and the working environments.Conclusion: The undue effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on residency paediatric training is well documented. Different innovative alternative teaching methods must be implemented to maintain quality of education, and research.
Fuzzy-based adaptive asymptotic tracking control design for uncertain MIMO nonlinear systems with state constraints
Authors: Liu Yongchao , Zhu Qidan 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This article concentrates on designing an adaptive fuzzy asymptotic tracking control strategy for uncertain multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear systems with state constraints and unknown virtual control coefficients (UVCCs). Such design apply the fuzzy logic systems to approximate unknown dynamics, and an asymptotic controller is recursively constructed by employing a bound estimation method and some smooth functions. The predefined state constrains are guaranteed by virtue of barrier Lyapunov function. Different from the reporting achievements, the restrictive assumption about the prior knowledge of UVCCs is removed in our context. By fusing the lower bounds of UVCCs into iterative Lyapunov functions, the stability of the controlled system is guaranteed. Finally, simulation example is conducted to exhibit the validity of theoretical findings.
Transcriptional alteration of genes linked to gastritis concerning Helicobacter pylori infection status and its virulence factors
Authors: Mirbagheri Seyedeh Zohre , Bakhtiari Ronak , Yaseri Hashem Fakhre , Foroushani Abbas Rahimi , Eshraghi Seyyed Saeed , Alebouyeh Masoud 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background Helicobacter pylori infection and heterogeneity in its pathogenesis could describe diversity in the expression of inflammatory genes in the gastric tissue. We aimed to investigate transcriptional alteration of genes linked to gastritis concerning the H. pylori infection status and its virulence factors. Methods and Results Biopsy samples of 12 infected and 12 non-infected patients with H. pylori that showed moderate chronic gastritis were selected for transcriptional analysis. Genotyping of H. pylori strains was done using PCR and relative expression of inflammatory genes was compared between the infected and non-infected patients using relative quantitative real-time PCR. Positive correlations between transcriptional changes of IL8 with TNF-α and Noxo1 in the infected and TNF-α with Noxo1, MMP7, and Atp4A in the non-infected patients were detected. Six distinct genotypes of H. pylori were detected that showed no correlation with gender, ethnicity, age, endoscopic findings, and transcriptional levels of host genes. Irrespective of the characterized genotypes, our results showed overexpression of TNF-α, MMP7, Noxo1, and ATP4A in the infected and IL-8, Noxo1, and ATP4A in the non-infected patients. Conclusions A complexity in transcription of genes respective to the characterized H. pylori genotypes in the infected patients was detected in our study. The observed difference in co-regulation of genes linked to gastritis in the infected and non-infected patients proposed involvement of different regulatory pathways in the inflammation of the gastric tissue in the studied groups.
The Tabriz Older People Survey (TOPS-2019): A community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Araj-Khodaei Mostafa , Sanaie Sarvin , Nejadghaderi Seyed Aria , Sullman Mark J M , Sis Sirous Samei , Yousefi Zahra , Safiri Saeid , Azizi-Zeinalhajlou Akbar 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Population aging and its consequences area substantial global concern. The growth in the numbers of older people is one of the most important factors increasing the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on society. The Tabriz Older People Survey (TOPS) aimed to understand the socio-demographics, health-related behaviors, and health profile of older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of 1362 community dwelling older adults in Tabriz, the most populated city in the northwest of Iran. The sampling method was probability proportionate to size (PPS). Data collection was conducted in the households of the participants from summer 2019 to winter 2020. Trained interviewers administered the questionnaire, which measured socio-demographics, anthropometrics, social support, sleep quality, mental health, past medical history, dietary habits, traditional medicine, physical activity, and other health-related behaviors. Results: The sample of 1362 consisted of 56.4% fameless and 54.4% were young older people (60-69 years old). Almost half of the sample were completely illiterate. There was no daily walking in 13.3% of the sample, with women reporting a more sedentary lifestyle than males. Out of the 1362 participants, 135 (9.9%) were current smokers, which was higher in males (20.9% vs. 1.5%) and more than 88% of people who lived alone were women. In terms of sleep quality, anxiety, depression, cognitive status, daily functioning, and social support, men were significantly better than women. Hypertension and stroke were the most and least common underlying diseases (81.0% vs. 6.2%). Conclusions: The findings suggest that older women are significantly worse than older males in terms of social and disability related measures, as well as having a higher burden from some NCDs. The results of this study might help regional health policymakers to identify targets for improving the quality of life among community-housed geriatrics.
Dual transcriptomics to determine interferon-gamma independent host response to intestinal Cryptosporidium parvum infection
Authors: O’Connor Roberta M. , Perdomo Andrés M. Tibabuzo , Garfoot Andrew L. , Gallego-Lopez Gina M , Cavazos Carolina Mendoza , Knoll Laura 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Protective immune responses to Cryptosporidium parvum, a zoonotic, gastrointestinal parasite, are primarily dependent on the presence of interferon-gamma (IFNγ). We discovered that treatment with soluble T. gondii antigen (STAg) reduces Cryptosporidium parvum shedding in the absence of IFNγ. To identify the protective IFNγ independent responses elicited by STAg, we conducted a transcriptomic analysis of intestinal sections of IFNγ-deleted, C. parvum infected or uninfected mice treated with STAg or PBS.
Results: STAg treatment reduced oocyst shedding in C. parvum infected IFNγ deleted mice. Gene ontology analysis of the intestinal transcriptomes suggested that both C. parvum infection and STAg treatment changes the transcript abundance of genes involved in the host cell membrane, intracellular and extracellular transport, and immune responses. We found in high abundance 37 genes related to IFN type I response in infected mice treated with STAg. Among these genes, members of the oligoadenylate synthetase and Schlafen family were identified.
Conclusions: STAg treatment of C. parvum infected mice induced both host immune and metabolism changes associated with a reduction in shedding. Several components of the type I interferon immune response were more abundant in the ileum of C. parvum infected in IFNγ-deleted mice. Future studies will explore the role of type I IFN mediated immune responses in controlling C. parvum infections. STAg treatment appears to only affects the host transcriptome while the parasite transcriptome remains unaffected. Several C. parvum genes, including mucin genes, are more abundant during infection of animals, which opens new avenues in C. parvum research.
Contraceptive discontinuation among women of reproductive age in Papua New Guinea
Authors: Dadzie Louis Kobina , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Tetteh Justice Kanor , Salihu Tarif , Okyere Joshua , Yaya Sanni 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background Papua New Guinea has one of the lowest contraceptive prevalence rates among women of reproductive age in the Western Pacific Region and this makes contraceptive discontinuation in this country a critical public health issue worth studying. This study sought to assess factors associated with contraceptive discontinuation among women of reproductive age in Papua New Guinea. MethodsThe data used for the analysis were obtained from Papua New Guinea Demographic and Health Survey which was conducted in 2016–2018. The outcome variable for this study was contraceptive discontinuation among women of reproductive age. Crude odds ratios and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using binary logistic regression.ResultsAbout 33.26% of the women discontinued injectables, 19.15% discontinued pills and 3.77% discontinued other contraception methods. Women aged 20-24 [aOR=2.12, CI= [=[1.04,4.31] through to those aged 30-34 [aOR=1.98, CI=1.03,3.79] had higher odds to discontinue contraceptive usage compared to those aged 45-49. Women with no information on choice of contraception [aOR=2.85, CI=2.31,3.51], those with two or more births in the last five years [aOR=2.35, CI=1.65,3.35] and those living in the Highland region [aOR=1.71, CI=1.28,2.29] were more likely to discontinue contraceptive usage compared with those with information on contraceptive choices, those with no births and those living in the Island region respectively. However, women in the rural areas [aOR=0.78, CI=0.61,0.99], those who are undecided in their desire for more children [aOR=0.61, CI=0.37,1.00], women using LARC [aOR=0.10, CI=0.06,0.15], injectables [aOR=0.43, CI=0.30,0.63] and other modern methods including condom [aOR=0.22, CI=0.15,0.34] were less likely to discontinue contraceptive usage. ConclusionA nationwide mass education on the benefits of contraception is recommended for the Papua New Guinea National Department Of Health to tackle the key findings of this study which were high contraceptive discontinuation prevalence with lack of information on choice, disproportionately high contraceptive discontinuation rate in the Highland Region and the desire to give birth to more than two children as some factors associated with contraceptive discontinuation in Papua New Guinea.
Identification of Splice Regulators of Fibronectin-EIIIA and EIIIB by Direct Measurement of Exon Usage in a Flow-Cytometry Based CRISPR Screen
Authors: Hensel Jessica A. , Heineman Brent D. , Kimble Amy L. , Jellison Evan R. , Reese Bo , Murphy Patrick A. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The extracellular matrix protein fibronectin (FN) is alternatively spliced in a variety of inflammatory conditions, resulting in increased inclusion of alternative exons EIIIA and EIIIB. Inclusion of these exons affects fibril formation, fibrosis, and inflammation. To define upstream regulators of alternative splicing in FN, we have developed an in vitro flow-cytometry based assay, using RNA-binding probes to determine alternative exon inclusion level in aortic endothelial cells. This approach allows us to detect exon inclusion in the primary transcripts themselves, rather than in surrogate splicing reporters. We validated this assay in cells with and without FN-EIIIA and –EIIIB expression. In a small-scale CRISPR KO screen of candidate regulatory splice factors, we successfully detected known regulators of EIIIA and EIIIB splicing, and detected several novel regulators. Finally, we show the potential in this approach to broadly interrogate upstream signaling pathways in aortic endothelial cells with a genome-wide CRISPR-KO screen, implicating the TNFalpha and RIG-I-like signaling pathways and genes involved in the regulation of fibrotic responses. Thus, we provide a novel means to screen the regulation of splicing of endogenous transcripts, and predict novel pathways in the regulation of FN-EIIIA inclusion.
Influences of Different Implant Material Combinations on the Stress Distribution of the Foot Following Total Ankle Replacement: a Finite Element Analysis
Authors: Yu Jian , Zhao Dahang , Chen Wen-Ming , Chu Pengfei , Wang Shuo , Zhang Chao , Huang Jiazhang , Wang Xu , Ma Xin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background

A proper combination of implant materials for Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) may reduce stress at the implant and the foot. This study aimed to investigate the biomechanical influences for different implant material combinations using the finite element (FE) method.
Methods

A validated foot model was modified to simulate TAR with the INBONE II ankle system at the second peak ground reaction force. Six types of materials were used (Ceramic, cobalt–chromium–molybdenum alloy (CoCrMo), Titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V), carbon-fiber-reinforced Polyether-ether-ketone (CFR-PEEK), Polyether-ether-ketone (PEEK), and used ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)).
Results

The von Mises stress at the bearing articular surface decreased with implant stiffness. The combination of CFR-PEEK on UHMWPE presented the lowest stress of 14.82 MPa. A low implant stiffness of the talar component, rather than the bearing, relieved the stress at the resected surface of the talus.
Conclusions

Soft implant material provided a stress reduction at the bearing and adjacent bones. CFR-PEEK seemed to be a good alternative to implant metal components.
Evaluation of the Effect of Myopic Femtosecond Laser Assisted-LASIK on Anterior Chamber Flare Values and Corneal Endothelial Cells: A Prospective Before-and-After Study
Authors: Özbilen Kemal Turgay , Altınkurt Emre , Ceylan Nihan Aksu , Bilgin Gizem Sayar , Gözüm Nilüfer 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to investigate whether femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK (FS-LASIK) surgery causes inflammation in the anterior chamber and to analyze its effect on endothelial cells.Methods This prospective, longitudinal study included 60 eyes of 30 patients (19 females) who had undergone FS-LASIK surgery due to myopia and myopic astigmatism. Endothelial cell density (ECD) and morphological measurements were performed using a specular microscopy, and laser flare photometry was used to measure the anterior chamber flare values on the day of surgery. iFS™ Advanced FS and VISX STAR S4-IR Wavescan Excimer Laser platforms were used. Flare measurements were repeated on the postoperative 1st day and 7th day and the 1st and 3rd months. The endothelial measurements were repeated in the 3rd month.Results Preoperatively, the mean flare was 5.34 ± 1.13 photons/ms; it was 6.02 ± 2.0 on the postoperative 1st day, 5.78 ± 1.98 on the 7th day, 5.77 ± 3.16 in the 1st month, and 5.45 ± 1.13 in the 3rd month. A significant difference was observed between the preoperative values and the postoperative 1st day values (p = 0.010). The decrease in the ECD was statistically significant, with an average of 120.3 ± 260 cell-count/mm2 (p = 0.001) and a minimal change in the coefficient of variation (p = 0.043). A significant correlation was found between the increase in the flare value on the postoperative 1st day and the preoperative flare value (r = -0.281, p = 0.015). A significant correlation was found between the decrease in ECD and the preoperative ECD (r = 0.434, p < 0.001)Conclusion FS-LASIK only causes minimal inflammation in the anterior chamber on the 1st preoperative day; additionally, a statistically significant decrease of 4.2% and minimal morphological changes were noted in the endothelial cells.