bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gestational Age as a Predictor of Pregnancy Outcome After Repeat Cerclage
Authors: Cai Benshuo , Na Xinni 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The role of repeat cerclage (RC) as a remedy for patients with prolapsed membranes after prior cerclage remains controversial. We aimed to investigate whether gestational age (GA) could be used as a valuable factor for predicting pregnancy outcome following RC in women with prolapsed membranes after prior cerclage. Methods: We retrospectively investigated the clinical data of 29 patients who underwent RC resulting from prolapsed membrane after prior cerclage. Receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and univariate analysis were performed to determine predictive factors. Patients were divided into two groups according to GA at RC, GA<24.2 weeks and GA≥24.2 weeks. Pregnancy outcomes were compared between groups.Results: The mean GA at prior cerclage was 16.5 weeks; mean GA at RC was 23.6 weeks. The mean GA at delivery was 27.8 weeks with a 69.0% neonatal survival rate. ROC curve and univariate analysis demonstrated that GA at RC was significantly predictive for neonatal survival (area under the curve: 0.928; p=0.000). Using a GA cut-off of ≥24.2 weeks at RC, the sensitivity and specificity of predicting neonatal survival were 93.75% and 61.54%, respectively. There was a significant difference in neonatal survival rate between the GA <24.2 weeks group and GA ≥24.2 weeks group (38.5% vs. 93.8%, p=0.003). Kaplan–Meier survival curves showed a lower incidence of neonatal death in the GA ≥24.2 weeks group (6.3%) compared with GA <24.2 weeks group (61.5%, p=0.023).Conclusions: GA could be a valuable factor for predicting pregnancy outcome post-RC in women with prolapsed membrane after prior cerclage.
Clinical Observation of Therapeutic Keratoplasties for Infectious Keratitis: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ma Yue , Zeng Yue , Zhang Xiao-Rong , Yao Jia , Huang Li-Ying , Hou En-Chong , Liu Huan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: To investigate the therapeutic outcomes of two types of keratoplasties in patients with infectious keratitis.Methods: This retrospective cohort study enrolled 52 consecutive patients (52 eyes) with medically uncontrolled infectious keratitis who underwent deep lamellar keratoplasty (DLKP) (n=16 eyes) or penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) (n=36 eyes; 24 nonperforated ulcers; 12 perforated ulcers) with a follow-up of 12 to 36 months (mean follow-up duration: DLKP, 24.6 months; PKP: 25.7 months) between June 2014 and 2019 at the Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University. The clinical characteristics, preoperative, and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcomes, therapeutic success rate, graft rejection, management, and complications were assessed.Results: The postoperative BCVA increased by 93.8% (15/16 eyes) and 77.2% (27/36 eyes) at the one-year follow-up in the DLKP and PKP groups, respectively: the differences were not statistically significant (p=0.149). The therapeutic success rates did not differ (statistically) significantly between the DLKP (81.2%) and PKP (80.6%) groups (p=0.953). The incidence of secondary glaucoma was 6.25% and 33.33% in the DLKP and PKP groups, respectively, and the difference between them was statistically significant (p=0.037). The graft survival rates at the one-year follow-up differed significantly between the DLKP (12.5%) and PKP (42.9%) groups (p=0.033).Conclusion: Infectious keratitis is common in male farmers in northern China. Therapeutic keratoplasty is the most commonly performed vision-saving procedure for patients with severe serious infectious keratitis, which can improve the quality of life significantly. Bandage contact lenses were commonly used to protect the cornea and ameliorate pain. DLKP and PKP elicited good clinical outcomes with respect to visual recovery and therapeutic success. The frequencies of graft rejection and complications were lower with DLKP compared to PKP. Surgery should be considered at the early stage in patients with refractory infectious keratitis to improve the therapeutic success.
In-situ pressureless sintering MgAlON-MgO ceramic from spent MgO-C brick towards friction material and refractory applications
Authors: Cheng Xiang , Miao Xiwang , Liu Lei , Zhang Ying , Guo Min , Cheng Fangqin , Zhang Mei 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
MgAlON-MgO ceramic was in-situ synthesized at 1600℃ from spent MgO-C brick by pressureless sintering towards friction material and refractory applications, respectively. The flexural strength of MgAlON-MgO ceramic reaches as high as 172MPa with 11.1% utilization ratio of spent MgO-C brick. Moreover, MgAlON-MgO ceramic still has a good flexural strength up to 46MPa when utilization ratio of spent MgO-C brick increases to 52.9%. The impurities introduced by the spent brick distribute in MgAlON-MgO ceramic in the form of CaMgSiO4 and MgFe2O4. CaMgSiO4 increases the density of MgAlON-MgO ceramic and subsequently enhance its flexural strength, while MgFe2O4 has no more obvious effect on those of the ceramic. Hence, MgAlON-MgO ceramic with different strength can be controllably prepared by simply adjusting utilization ratio of spent MgO-C brick, which maybe use as the friction material and refractory.
Effects of Co-Culture of Graphene Oxide Scaffolds with Different Concentrations and Umbilical Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the Proliferation and Differentiation of Stem Cells
Authors: Liu Aifeng , Chen Jixin , Gong Shuwei , Wei Qiang , Yuan Ye 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: The main role of the scaffold materials is to enable cells to survive in the scaffold binding as while as to further promote their proliferation and differentiation ability. For mesenchymal stem cell, the scaffold could provide an environment for them to maintain their phenotype, and synthesize all necessary molecules and proteins. Generally, scaffold materials for stem cell need to possess basic characteristics such as high porosity, large surface area, surface rigidity and biodeg-radability. Thus, the two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO) with oxygen-containing functional groups may be suitable scaffold materials for mesenchymal stem cell culture. In this study, the effect of GO on the value-added differentiation activity of mesenchymal stem cell was systematically investigated. Results: It was found that low concentration of GO and sufficient concentration of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells are suitable for the second Co-culture. Furthermore, the addition of hyaluronic acid will make this culture more evenly distributed. Conclusions: The adsorption of GO on umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can also make the two closely linked, which avoids the impact of animal joint activities on cells.
Entropy-Time Relationship in an Isochoric Adiabatic System
Authors: Ros Francisco 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The fundamental equation that connects the magnitudes entropy and time has been found out by static thermodynamics for the first time: dS/S = dVI/V0 = kdτ, VI internal volume. Constant k also equals dT/Tdτ and is an individual characteristic for each isochoric adiabatic system in evolution. The constancy of k does not hold for a nonisochoric adiabatic system. In such manner time is introduced in the frame of thermodynamic variables as a genuine magnitude. The theoretically deduced entropy-time differential equation is empirically upheld by Newton cooling law. It was found in connection with an a priory, uncritical notion of thermodynamic equilibrium that irreversible heat capacity (CIR = TΔS/ΔT) drawing near to thermodynamic equilibrium is an indicator for the equilibrium. CIR is alike to statistical Boltzmann H in the approach to thermodynamic equilibrium, and the undisclosed connection of H with temperature is presented. The integrated entropy-time equation was modified by rotation of the coordinate axes to fulfill the necessary thermodynamic condition that pertinent irreversible heat (QIR = TΔS) is smaller than reversible heat (dQ = TdS), which is not embodied in the primitive S-τ differential equation. This thermodynamically indispensable rotation gives rise to an otherwise naive maximal entropy and an entropy-time maximum point. The transformation conveys a contraction of both entropy and time and is in agreement with the principle of minimal action.
Origin of the catalytic activity at graphite electrodes in vanadium flow batteries
Authors: Radinger Hannes , Ghamlouche Ahmad , Ehrenberg Helmut , Scheiba Frieder 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
For many electrochemical devices that use carbon-based materials such as electrolyzer, supercapacitors, and batteries, oxygen functional groups (OFGs) are considered essential to facilitate electron transfer. Researchers implement surface-active OFGs to improve the electrocatalytic properties of graphite felt electrodes in vanadium flow batteries. Herein, we show that graphitic defects and not OFGs are responsible for lowering the activation energy barrier and thus enhance the charge transfer properties. This is proven by a thermal deoxygenation procedure, in which specific OFGs are removed before electrochemical cycling. The electronic and microstructural changes associated with deoxygenation are studied by quasi in situ X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopy. The removal of oxygen groups at basal and edge planes improves the activity by introducing new active edge sites and carbon vacancies. OFGs hinder the charge transfer at the graphite‒electrolyte interface. This is further proven by modifying the sp2 plane of graphite felt electrodes with oxygen-containing pyrene derivatives. The electrochemical evolution of OFGs and graphitic defects are studied during polarization and long-term cycling conditions. The hypothesis of increased activity caused by OFGs was refuted and hydrogenated graphitic edge sites were identified as the true reason for this increase.
Adverse Impact of Climate Change on Mambioko Community Dependent Forest and Local Perception on Vulnerabilities and Responses-Centre Region of Cameroon
Authors: Nghogekeh Tieminie Robinson , Chia Eugene Loh , Chupezi Tieguhong Julius 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background: Forest ecosystems have important environmental and ecological dimensions which provide livelihoods to Millions of people globally. Forest provides services that are directly link to micro and macro climate, water and soil resources, plants and animals’ diversity, food production and food securities and energy resources This study was undertaken to identify and assess climate change vulnerabilities and impacts on the livelihoods of forest dependent communities in Mambioko community forest in the Centre Region of Cameroon. Methods: Primary data was collected from 120 households; key informants, focus group discussions and was supplemented with secondary data from desk review of relevant literature. Results: Forest resources were generally perceived by forest dependent communities as declining. Climate Change was observed to have impacted on their major livelihood’s activities/resources of forest dependent communities by way of prolonged drought, erratic rainfall pattern, and variability in rainfall intensity. These trends have consequently led to drying of rivers and streams, shift in cropping season, reduced yield, frequent and extreme warm conditions among others. The use of irrigation, crop diversification, household income diversification through alternative livelihood activities and increase in size of cultivated farms are among the different measures being adopted by communities to cope up with the effects of climate change. Using socio-economic indicators, the bimodal agro ecological zone is vulnerable to climate change impact. The zone has relatively higher dependency on climate sensitive livelihood activities/resources, limited diversified income sources and moderate access to climate change information. Conclusions: This study conclude that in an attempt to help forest dependent communities cope up with climate change impacts, fundamental issues such as non-climate dependent alternative livelihood activities, access to climate, sustainable agricultural practices and sustainable forest resources management are key areas for various multidisciplinary intervention.
Machine Learning Models for Image-Based Diagnosis and Prognosis of COVID-19: Systematic Review
Authors: Montazeri Mahdieh , ZahediNasab Roxana , Farahani Ali , Mohseni Hadis , Ghasemian Fahimeh 
Published: March 2021

Background
Accurate and timely diagnosis and effective prognosis of the disease is important to provide the best possible care for patients with COVID-19 and reduce the burden on the health care system. Machine learning methods can play a vital role in the diagnosis of COVID-19 by processing chest x-ray images.

Objective
The aim of this study is to summarize information on the use of intelligent models for the diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19 to help with early and timely diagnosis, minimize prolonged diagnosis, and improve overall health care.

Methods
A systematic search of databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, IEEE, ProQuest, Scopus, bioRxiv, and medRxiv, was performed for COVID-19–related studies published up to May 24, 2020. This study was performed in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) guidelines. All original research articles describing the application of image processing for the prediction and diagnosis of COVID-19 were considered in the analysis. Two reviewers independently assessed the published papers to determine eligibility for inclusion in the analysis. Risk of bias was evaluated using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool.

Results
Of the 629 articles retrieved, 44 articles were included. We identified 4 prognosis models for calculating prediction of disease severity and estimation of confinement time for individual patients, and 40 diagnostic models for detecting COVID-19 from normal or other pneumonias. Most included studies used deep learning methods based on convolutional neural networks, which have been widely used as a classification algorithm. The most frequently reported predictors of prognosis in patients with COVID-19 included age, computed tomography data, gender, comorbidities, symptoms, and laboratory findings. Deep convolutional neural networks obtained better results compared with non–neural network–based methods. Moreover, all of the models were found to be at high risk of bias due to the lack of information about the study population, intended groups, and inappropriate reporting.

Conclusions
Machine learning models used for the diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19 showed excellent discriminative performance. However, these models were at high risk of bias, because of various reasons such as inadequate information about study participants, randomization process, and the lack of external validation, which may have resulted in the optimistic reporting of these models. Hence, our findings do not recommend any of the current models to be used in practice for the diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19.
BREAST CANCER ACTIVITY OF ISOLATED COMPOUND FROM TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA AERIAL
Authors: A SREEDEVI , RETNA A MALAR 
Published: March 2021

Objectives: The present study undertaken to explore antioxidant and the cell line study of isolated compound from ethanol extract from Tinospora cordifolia belongs to the family Menispermaceae.
Methods: The air dried powdered sample of aerial parts of T. cordifolia was extracted in a Soxhlet using five different solvents. Most active ethanol extracts were purified using silica gel column chromatography. Characterized the structure of the isolated compound using Fourier transform infrared spectrum, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry studies. Antioxidant and anticancer activity of isolated compound was determined using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.
Results: Magnoflorine was isolated from most active ethanol extract from aerial parts of T. cordifolia which shows maximum antioxidant activity 64% at the tested concentration 500 μg/ml. The percentage of cell viability varied from 53.3% at the minimum tested concentration 3.12 μg/ml to 1.9% at the maximum tested concentration 100 μg/ml.
Conclusion: The isolated characterized compounds would be useful to prepare plant-based pharmaceutical preparation to treat various diseases linked with human diseases.
PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL OF PTEROCARPUS SANTALINUS L.F. PLANT PARTS
Authors: B BHARATHI , NBL PRASAD 
Published: March 2021

Objective: Oxidation is a normal process in many biological metabolisms in living beings, but in this technology era radiation, pollution, irregular life style, and unhealthy diet leads to excessive oxidation resulting in imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals in body called oxidative stress, which may result in cardiac problems, diabetes, and carcinogenic diseases. Therefore, exploration of natural antioxidants in flora and fauna is becoming important. In this motive a phytochemical study was taken up on various parts of Pterocarpus santalinus L.f. plant belonging to Leguminosae family to check the presence of antioxidant activity (AA).
Methods: The leaves, flowers, fruits, and roots of this plant were extracted with six different organic solvents from polar to non-polar. To estimate the AA of these extracts, four types of antioxidant tests were done on them, namely, α, α – Diphenyl – β – Picryl - Hydrazyl free radical scavenging activity (DPPH RSA) assay, relative reducing power (RRP) assay, Ferric thiocyanate (FTC) assay, and β - carotene bleaching assay with Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT) as synthetic standard.
Results: In extraction, Me extracts showed highest yields. Qualitative phytochemical screening has revealed many bioactive components in the Me and Et extracts of plant parts majorly. In DPPH RSA assay, Me extracts of leaves showed RSA activity almost equal to reference standard. In RRP assay, Me floral extracts showed AA higher than standard. FTC and β – Carotene assays showed that Me sample extracts possess good AA than BHT. In FTC assay, lower absorption values specify high AA, whereas in β – Carotene assay, high absorption values indicate high AA of the sample extracts.
Conclusion: Among six solvents methanol showed highest extraction efficiency and also revealed highest number of phytochemicals in its extracts. These four AA assays revealed that the methanol extracts of all plant parts, that is., leaves, roots, fruits, and flowers possess better AA compared other solvent extracts.
STUDY OF ACCESSORY SUPRAORBITAL FORAMEN IN NORTH INDIAN HUMAN SKULL
Authors: P NIRALA KAMTA , GUPTA AMRITA , SHUKLA SAGUN , GUPTA SUBHASH 
Published: March 2021

Objective: This research was aimed at telling the anatomical characteristics of the accessory supraorbital foramen (ASOF) in relation to the main supraorbital foramen (SOF), which is necessary in clinical situations that require regional surgical procedures.
Methods: A total dedicated to the presence and location of 72 dry Indian adults of unknown age and sex were investigated. In each skull, the ASOF location was measured on both sides with a Vernier caliper metal case, with the SOF as the reference point. The total number of accessory foramen was also noted.
Results: Accessory infraorbital foramens (IOFs) were seen only in 4.16% in our study and all seen were single in number. Half of those accessory foramen were present on medial and rest half were present on superomedial position as compared to the main IOF. Half among present accessory foramens were located at a distance of <2 mm and half were located at a distance of more than 2 mm. The mean location of accessory IOF was at 7.07 mm from main IOF.
Conclusion: Knowledge of the anatomical characteristics of ASOF can have major effects on surgical and local anesthetic preparation blockage of the super orbital nerves. Additional guidance for surgeons may be provided with information on the foramens obtained from this study. The surgeons should note this during the nerve block as damage to either branch will lead to sensory impairment and incomplete blocking of the nerve.
ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE ABOUT PACKAGE INSERTS AMONG MEDICAL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL QUESTIONNAIRE-BASED STUDY
Authors: PRABHA MP SNEHA , S PRABHAKARAN SONISH 
Published: March 2021

Objective: The objective of our study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding package inserts (PIs) among medical undergraduates of a Government Medical College in Kerala, India
Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was carried out on 100 medical students. It was conducted with the consent of all participants and after the approval of Institutional Review Board and Ethics Committee. Pre-validated 15 items questionnaire was used to elicit responses about knowledge, attitude, and practice with a scoring scheme of +1 for “yes”/positive response and 0 for “no/I don’t know”/negative response. Data analyzed using “SPSS” and responses were expressed as mean scores and percentages.
Results: Statistical analysis (response rate 98%) revealed that 88.2% have seen PIs but only 18.4% had the knowledge of drug acts governing the information to be provided on PIs in India. About 78.6% agreed PIs are necessary add-on to drug information. About 62.2% opined that PIs must be in regional language along with English. About 100% agreed that written information in PIs is difficult to read and understand. About 66.3% feel that doctors must instruct patients to read PIs thoroughly. About 71.4% have referred PIs as a source of knowledge for Indication/Contraindication/ Adverse Effects/Drug interaction. About 95.9% would like to refer PIs in future while prescribing as physician.
Conclusion: We conclude that participants have positive attitude toward PIs but have less knowledge as compared with developed countries. Results suggest the need for escalating knowledge and awareness among medical students about PIs which, in turn, help to minimize medication errors.
FORMULATION DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION OF GELUCIRE BEADS OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUG FOR FLOATING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM USING 32 FACTORIAL DESIGNS
Authors: RANKA KHUSHBOO , S RATHORE KAMAL 
Published: March 2021

Objective: The aim of this study was to design and to optimize lipid based beads for multiunit floating drug delivery of ramipril.
Methods: The beads prepared by melt-solidification method. In the investigation 32 full factorial design was used to investigate the joint influence of two formulation variable amount of Gelucire (X1) and Tween 20 (X2) as independent variable and the percentage drug release in 1 (Y1), 6 (Y2), and 12 h (Y3) as dependent variable. Gelucire 43/01 has chosen for release retardant and Tween 20 for solubility enhancement and drug loading agent.
Results: The results of multiple linear regression analysis indicated that for obtain a floating drug delivery, the optimum concentrations of both the lipid and drug loading agent should be used. The factorial models were used to prepare optimized floating beads and optimized formulations showed controlled release profiles for the extended period of more than 12 h.
Conclusion: From the study, it was concluded that beads of Gelucire for sparingly water-soluble drug ramipril can provide controlled release for extended period.