bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Simplification of Dosimetry in 90Y-Radioembolization Therapy Using Dual Planar Images.
Authors: abuqbeitah mohammad , Akdağ Özgür , demir mustafa , asa sertaç , sönmezoğlu kerim 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Aim: The purpose was to provide practical and effective method for performing 90Y dosimetry with 99mTc-MAA. The impact of scatter and attenuation correction (AC) on the injected 90Y activity and absorbed doses to critical organs was also further target beyond this study.Material and Methods: 18 patients (F: 3, M: 15) were subjected to 90Y therapy. 99mTc-MAA (111-222 MBq) was injected into the targeted liver, followed by a whole-body scan (WBS) with peak-window at 140 keV (15% width), and one down-scatter window. SPECT/CT scan was acquired over the lungs and liver regions. The lung shunt fractions were fashioned from the standard WBS, scatter corrected WBS, only scatter corrected SPECT and SPECT/CT with attenuation and scatter correction. The absorbed doses to tumor and surrounding healthy tissue were estimated with alternative approaches involving AC-SC (SPECT/CT), NoAC-SC (SPECT), NoAC-NoSC+LSF (SC-WBS), AC-SC+LSF (WBS), and NoAC-NoSC+LSF (WBS).Results: The average LSF deviations between the standard LSF and those obtained from AC-SC, NoAC-SC, and SC-WBS was -50% (-29/-71), -32%(-8/-67), and -45%(-13/80), respectively. The prescribed 90Y activity (GBq/Gy) was decreased by a range of 2-11%, 1-9%, and 2-7% with using LSFs from AC-SC, NoAC-SC, SC-WBS images. The absorbed dose to tumour and healthy liver tissue were calculated as 112±90 Gy and 30±18 Gy/GBq by AC-SC (SPECT/CT), 117±108 and 30±22 by NoAC-SC (SPECT), 110±100 and 31±21 Gy/GBq by NoAC-NoSC+LSF (SC-WBS), 106±84 and 28±17 Gy/GBq by AC-SC+LSF (WBS), while the absorbed dose was 90±85 and 28±20 Gy/GBq by using NoAC-NoSC+ LSF (WBS). Overall, no significant difference (p< 0.05) in the tomour and the health liver dose between all the approaches with/and without scatter correction. However, the scatter correction caused a significant difference in the lung shunt fractions (p <0.05).Conclusion: Scatter correction has a significant effect on the lung shunt fractions, planned activity and number of 90Y treatments. However, a minimal or negligible change was occurred on the absorbed dose to tumours and surrounding healthy liver. The good agreement between SPECT/CT approach, and scatter corrected whole-body scan might be practical and effective route for 90Y dosimetry.
Pyrolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate Granules in Presence of Lewis Brønsted Acid Sites Catalysts
Authors: Shahi Aref , Roozbehani Behrooz , Mirdrikvand Mojtaba 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Among municipal polymer wastes, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a unique agent because of its widespread usage and broad range of gaseous products in its catalytic cracking process. Pyrolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in a semi-batch reactor was investigated using a Lewis Brønsted acid sites catalysts. Experiments were performed under isothermal condition to determine reaction kinetic parameters, product compositions, catalyst/PET mass ratio and temperature effect on the conversion. The products of reaction consist of gas, solid, and liquid phase with a maximum liquid product of 6% at 350 ºC. The optimal catalyst/PET mass ratio and temperature were determined. Additionally, the reaction order and activation energy for the reaction were detected.
Activity of probiotics from food origin for oxalate degradation
Authors: Ramadan Nariman , .Effat Baher A. M , Mehanna Nayra Sh. , F.Tawfik Nabil , Ibrahim Mohamed K. 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
There has been a concentrated attempt to introduce bacteria with oxalate degrading activity into the mammalian gut microbiota to enhance ecosystem function towards more effective oxalate degradation and prevent diseases. A few reports have studied Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as promising intestinal oxalate degrading probiotic to treat kidney stone disease. In the present study, a total of 495 LAB isolates from different dairy products samples were primary characterized. Eighty-eight of the isolates belonged to genus Lactobacillus and were screened for their ability to degrade oxalate. Twenty-three of isolated lactobacilli showed oxalate degradation ability. According to the diameter of clear zone and the viable count, ten isolates were the most potent isolates for oxalate degradation. After the genotypic identification using 16s rDNA sequencing for these potent isolates, only seven strains were belonging to genus Lactobacillus spp. Lactobacillus fermentum (5 strains) and Lactobacillus gastricus (2 strains). These isolates were assessed for potential probiotic properties in vitro for further in vivo assessment. In conclusion, they exhibited good probiotic characters that suggested them to serve as good probiotic candidates for managing hyperoxaluria.
Sway and Disturbance Rejection Control for Varying Rope Tower Cranes Suffering from Friction and Unknown Payload Mass
Authors: Tian Zheng , Yu Lili , Ouyang Huimin , Zhang Guangming 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Tower cranes are well-known underactuated systems, where the design of controllers for them with time-varying rope length was weak in the past because of their complex dynamic characteristic. The payload oscillation will become worse when the jib slew angle, the trolley position and the rope length are changed simultaneously. The proposed method is designed based on robust adaptive sliding mode control via tracking non-zero initial reference trajectories, in which, frictions and lumped disturbances in the crane system are eliminated, as well as unknown payload mass is effectively estimated online. Lyapunov technique is combined with LaSalle's invariance theorem to design controller and analyze stability. Various and strict simulations are applied, which validate the effectiveness and extreme robustness of the proposed method.
Specific properties of shRNA-mediated CCR5 downregulation that enhance the inhibition of HIV-1 infection in combination with shRNA targeting HIV-1 rev
Authors: Cardona Maria E , Hinkula Jorma , Gustafsson Kristin , Christensson Birger , Wahren Britta , Mohamed Abdalla J , Smith Edvard C.I , Arteaga Jose H 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Treatment with RNAi against HIV-1 transcripts efficiently inhibits viral replication but induces selection of escape mutants; therefore, the CCR5 coreceptor was suggested as an additional target. Blocking viral and host transcripts improved the antiviral effect. We have used short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting the human CCR5 (shCCR5) or the HIV-1 rev (shRev) transcripts to demonstrate distinctive properties of anti-CCR5 shRNA: shCCR5 induced more sustained protection than shRev; partial reduction in CCR5 expression substantially decreased HIV-1 infection, and shCCR5 performed better than shRev in the mixed shRNA-treated and untreated cultures. These observations indicate that CCR5 inhibitors should be conveniently included in HIV-1 gene silencing treatment schedules when only a certain cell fraction is protected to further reduce endogenous virus in a properly ART-treated HIV-1 infected individual.
Improvement of stability for cellulose polymer by calcium oxide for application to porous materials
Authors: Lee Hye Ji , KANG SANG WOOK 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In this study, calcium oxide (CaO) was used as an additive to form pores in a cellulose acetate (CA) membrane and at the same time improve the thermal stability of the cellulose acetate membrane. When the CA/CaO membrane was exposed to water pressure, the solvent was removed from the CA matrix area plasticized by the CaO particle size and water channels were formed. In addition, the high melting point of CaO and its bonding with the carbonyl group of CA caused a crosslinking effect. We succeeded in membrane synthesis with a high porosity of 73.1% and flux data of 95.25 L/m2h at 8 bar, which was enhanced thermally with an increased decomposition temperature of 50°C on thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The pores generated in the cellulose acetate film were confirmed using a scanning electron microscope machine (SEM) and mercury porosimeter. Thermal stability and interactions in materials were measured using TGA and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR).
The Development Of Neutrosophic Form Of The Satisfaction With Life Scale And Proposal For A Confirmatory Analysis Based On Neutrosphic Logic
Authors: Duran Volkan , Topal Selçuk 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The main concept of neutrosophy, introduced by Smarandache (1998) is that any idea has not only a certain degree of truth but also a degree of falsity and indeterminacy in its own right. Although there are many applications of neutrosophy in different disciplines, the incorporation of its logic in education and psychology is rather scarce compared to other fields. In this study, the Satisfaction with Life Scale adapted into the Turkish by Dağlı and Baysal (2016) which was developed by Diener, Emmons, Larsen ve Griffin (1985) was converted into the neutrosophic form and the results were compared in terms of confirmatory analysis by convolutional neural networks. To sum up, two different formulas are proposed at the end of the study in order to determine the validity of any scale in terms of neutrosophy.
Reproducibility of Repeated Breathhold and Impact of Breathhold Failure in Whole Breast and Regional Nodal Irradiation in Prone Crawl Position
Authors: Deseyne Pieter , Speleers Bruno , Paelinck Leen , De Gersem Werner , De Neve Wilfried , Schoepen Max , Greveling Annick Van , Hulle Hans Van , Vakaet Vincent , Post Giselle , Monten Chris , Depypere Herman , Veldeman Liv 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In whole breast and regional nodal irradiation (WB + RNI), breathhold increases organ at risk (OAR) sparing. WB + RNI is usually performed in supine position, because positioning materials obstruct beam paths in prone position. Recent advancements allow prone WB + RNI (pWB + RNI) with increased sparing of OARs compared to supine WB + RNI. We evaluate positional and dosimetrical impact of repeated breathhold (RBH) and failure to breathhold (FTBH) in pWB + RNI. Twenty left-sided breast cancer patients were scanned twice in breathhold (baseline and RBH) and once free breathing (i.e. FTBH). Positional impact was evaluated using overlap index (OI) and Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). Dosimetrical impact was assessed by beam transposition from the baseline plan. Mean OI and DSC ranges were 0.01–0.98 and 0.01–0.92 for FTBH, and 0.73–1 and 0.69–1 for RBH. Dosimetric impact of RBH was negligible. FTBH significantly decreased minimal dose to CTV WBI, level II and the internal mammary nodes, with adequate mean doses. FTBH significantly increased heart, LAD, left lung and esophagus dose. OI and DSC for RBH and FTBH show reproducible large ROI positions. Small ROIs show poor overlap. FTBH maintained adequate target coverage but increased heart, LAD, ipsilateral lung and esophagus dose. RBH is a robust technique in pWB + RNI.
Effect of thiram on rat kidney: inhibition of brush border membrane and antioxidant enzymes, diminution of antioxidant capacity, enhanced DNA damage and DNA-protein cross-linking
Authors: Salam Samreen , Arif Amin , Khan Aijaz Ahmed , Mahmood Riaz 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Thiram is a dithiocarbamate pesticide that is widely used as a fungicide to protect crops and seeds, especially in China and India. Although thiram is considered relatively safe for humans but due to its persistent nature it may become a health hazard for human beings and animal if long term exposure takes place. The aim of the present work was to study the effects of oral administration of thiram on kidney of male rats given different doses of thiram (100, 250, 500, 750 mg/kg body weight) for 4 consecutive days. This treatment significantly reduced cellular glutathione and total sulfhydryl content but enhanced protein carbonyl and hydrogen peroxide levels. The plasma creatinine and BUN levels were also elevated indicating nephrotoxicity. The activities of antioxidant enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase and glutathione-S-transferase were significantly decreased. The antioxidant capacity was diminished resulting in less free radical quenching and metal reducing ability of kidney. Administration of thiram also led to inhibition of intestinal brush border membrane enzymes: alkaline phosphatase, leucine aminopeptidase, γ-glutamyl transferase and maltase. Activities of enzymes of glucose metabolism viz. glycolysis, citric acid cycle, pentose phosphate pathway and gluconeogenesis were also inhibited. Histopathology of kidney tissue revealed tubular dilation, tubular cast, breaking of apical cytoplasm and intestinal hemorrhage. A significant increase in DNA fragmentation, DNA strand breaks and DNA-protein cross-linking was also observed in thiram treated rats compare to control group. These changes in kidney could be due to marked perturbation in antioxidant defense system induced by free radicals generated upon exposure to thiram.
Managing Stress Effectively: A Longitudinal Transtheoretical Comparison of Successful Changers, Relapsers, and Non-Changers
Authors: Gökbayrak N. Simay , Redding Colleen , Evers Kerry , Lipschitz Jessica , Yusufov Miryam , Paiva Andrea , Velicer Wayne , Rossi Joseph , Robbins Mark , Prochaska James 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Background. Stress levels among Americans are considerable. This research examined Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change (TTM) constructs for stress management in groups organized by longitudinal progress (dynatypes): Maintainers, Relapsers, and Stable Non-Changers. Methods. Secondary data analysis of a computer-tailored intervention group examined construct use over time across the three groups. Adults (n=427) meeting criteria for not engaging in stress management behaviors at baseline comprised the analytic sample. Participants received three TTM-tailored feedback interventions to help facilitate change at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Demographics, Stage of Change, 10 Processes of Change, Decisional Balance (Pros and Cons), and Self-Efficacy were assessed at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. Repeated measures MANOVA followed by ANOVAs, with Tukey follow-up tests assessed differences in use of TTM constructs longitudinally across dynatype groups. Results. Ten of the 13 TTM constructs differentiated between Successful Changers and Stable Non-Changers at baseline and over time. Relapsers were more similar to Successful Changers than to Stable Non-Changers in their use of all constructs, except Self-Efficacy. Conclusion. Findings suggest that baseline cognitive and behavioral constructs can improve prediction of different intervention outcomes 18 months later.
Occurrence, human health and ecotoxicological risk assessment of pesticides in surface waters of the River Nile's Rosetta Branch, Egypt
Authors: Eissa Fawzy Ismail , Al-Sisi Mahmoud , Ghanem Khaled 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
In Egypt, the shortage of freshwater resources and their pollution constitutes a growing concern. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (i) monitor the occurrence and spatiotemporal variations of 100 pesticides in surface water samples collected monthly (from July 2018 to June 2019) from El-Rahawy, Sabal, and Tala sampling sites along the Rosetta branch of the River Nile in Egypt, (ii) identify potential non-carcinogenic health risks for the local people through the lifetime consumption of contaminated drinking water, and (iii) perform an ecological risk assessment of aquatic organisms upon exposure to pesticides detected in surface waters based on the risk quotients (RQs) method. Of the 100 pesticides analyzed, 22 belonging to 11 chemical families were detected, and 75.5% of surface water samples were contaminated with one or more pesticide residues. The most frequently detected pesticide was malathion (57%), followed by chlorpyrifos (54%), atrazine (23%), and carbendazim (20%). Spatial distribution showed that the El-Rahawy site had the highest pesticide load (38.47 µg/L), and Sabal had the lowest (16.29 µg/L). Temporal variations revealed that the highest total pesticide concentrations were detected in summer (27.98 µg/L) compared to spring (23.16 µg/L), winter (19.18 µg/L), and autumn (11.85 µg/L). For non-carcinogenic risks of pesticides detected in surface water, the target hazard quotient (THQ) values were less than one. This implies that there is no potential human risk from exposure to drinking water at the sites under study. However, 13 pesticides presented high-risk quotients (RQ > 1), posing potential ecological risks to aquatic organisms.
Fabrication of thermo-regulating cotton fabric with enhanced flame retardancy via layer-by-layer assembly
Authors: Chen Yunbo , Zhu Xiangyu , Li Xiang , Wang Bijia , Mao Zhiping , Feng Xueling , Sui Xiaofeng , Xu Hong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The lack of thermo-regulation functionality and high flammability of cotton fabrics greatly restrict their application in high-performance fields. Herein, we report a versatile layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly strategy for introducing to cotton fabrics a multilayered coating consisted of phase change microcapsules and ammonium polyphosphate, endowing them with thermo-regulating and flame retardancy. The coated fabrics were characterized by limiting oxygen index (LOI), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and infrared thermal imaging. The fabric deposited with 20 bilayers (MCPM/APP-20) showed improved flame retardancy with a LOI of 24.4% and residual carbon of 34.24%. It also shows a melting enthalpy of 30.16 J/g, which transferred to a temperature difference of 6.4 ℃ compared with pristine cotton. The functional endowed by the LbL assembly was reasonably durable, with melting enthalpy and residual carbon of MPCM/APP-20 reduced to 17.14 J/g and 19.82% after 30 laundering cycles. These results suggest that LbL assembly was a convenient way for functionalization of cotton fabrics.
Facilely Constructed Two-Sided Microstructure Interfaces Between Electrodes and Cellulose Paper Active Layer: Eco-Friendly, Low-Cost and High-Performance Piezoresistive Sensor
Authors: Duan Zaihua , Jiang Yadong , Huang Qi , Wang Si , Zhao Qiuni , Zhang Yajie , Liu Bohao , Yuan Zhen , Wang Yang , Tai Huiling 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
The microstructure plays an important role in improving the sensing performance of pressure sensor. However, the design of microstructural active layer of pressure sensor usually involves complex process and expensive raw materials. Herein, the common polyester conductive electrodes and cellulose paper that both have inherent microstructure surface are ingeniously combined to form two-sided microstructure interfaces for low-cost, eco-friendly and high-performance flexible piezoresistive pressure sensor. In order to obtain conductive and low-cost active layer paper, daily carbon ink, which is usually used for writing, is preferred as a conductive material. Meanwhile, we experimentally confirm that the proposed structure is also suitable for other conductive materials, such as carbon nanotubes. The results show that as-fabricated piezoresistive sensor has high pressure sensitivities of 5.54 and 1.61 kPa−1 in the wide linear ranges of 0.5−5 and 5−60 kPa, respectively, and good durability (5000 cycles under 2 kPa). The sensing mechanism of the piezoresistive sensor is analyzed by combining the characterization results and finite element simulation. Benefitting from the high sensing performance, the good flexibility and non-toxic property, the piezoresistive sensor is demonstrated for multiple wearable applications (e.g., wrist pulse, speech recognition, finger bending, abdominal respiration, counting steps, and pressure distribution). This work provides a simple and universal strategy for the design of piezoresistive sensor from the microstructure interfaces between electrodes and active layer.
The Usefulness of Saliva in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring of Caffeine in Preterm Infants.
Authors: García-Robles Ana , Solaz-García Álvaro , Verdú-Andrés Jorge , Poveda-Andrés José Luis , Cañada-Martínez Antonio José , Cháfer-Pericás Consuelo , Ponce-Rodriguez Henry Daniel , Torres Máximo Vento , Sáenz-González Pilar 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Aim

To verify if the concentrations of caffeine in saliva are comparable to the serum concentrations in preterm infants treated with caffeine for apnoea of prematurity.
Methods

Prospective observational study. Eligible patients were newborn infants < 37 weeks of gestational age treated with oral or intravenous caffeine for apnoea of prematurity. Two paired samples of saliva-blood were collected per patient. Tube solid phase microextraction coupled on-line to capillary liquid chromatography with diode array detection were used for analysis.
Results

A total of 47 newborns with a median gestational age 28 [26–30] weeks and mean of 1.11 ± 0.4 kg of birth weight. Median postmenstrual age, when samples were collected, was 31 [29–33] weeks. Serum caffeine median levels of 19.30 µg/mL [1.9–53.90]and salivary caffeine median levels of 16.36 µg/mL [2.20–56.90] were obtained. There was a strong positive Pearson’s correlation between the two variables r = 0.83 (p < 0.001).
Conclusion

The measurement of caffeine salivary concentrations after intravenous or oral administration offers an alternative to serum caffeine monitoring in apnoea of prematurity.
Chlorogenic Acid and Geniposide Combination Prevents NASH in Rats Fed High-fat diet via Microbiota and TLR4-LPS Pathway
Authors: Zhou Zhijia , Xu Lingxia , Zhang Shaoliang , Xu Shilin , Yang Yanmiao , Qu Ning , Lai Penghua , Li Xiaoying , Zhang Ting , Sun Xue , Gao Liangqin , Lu Dawei , Wang Yujie , Liang Huiqing , Chen Shaodong 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Objective: Chlorogenic acid and geniposide (CG) are derived from traditional Chinese medicine, Yinchenhao Recipe (QCHR), and can improve the clinical efficacy of NASH patients. This study investigated the effects of CG on NASH and expounded its Potential mechanism of action through the LPS-TLR4 pathway and microbiota. Methods: Rats were randomized into Control (C), Model (M), Chlorogenic Acid and Geniposide (CG), Pioglitazone (PH) and Bifico (B) groups. After an 8-week high-fat diet (HFD), CG, PH and B oral treatment were initiated and carried out for a further 8 weeks. The stool samples were used in a16S rDNA V4 highly variable region measurement method in order to regulate the role of CG in gut microbiota. The concentrations of triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in LPS were detected by the corresponding methods. Results: Observations were made that CG significantly improved the pathology of the liver and terminal ileum tissue. The accumulation of TG and the content of inflammatory cytokines in the liver were significantly decreased and the abundance of Proteobacteria was significantly down-regulated. The expression of TLR4, AP-1, MyD88, and phosphorylated NF-κB p65 were significantly decreased. All the findings above indicated that CG was highly effective in improving the composition of gut microbiota, decreasing the production of endogenous LPS, and reducing the secretion of inflammatory cytokines through the gut-liver axis.Conclusion: CG can regulate the abundance and diversity of the intestinal microbial community and improve liver inflammation and steatosis in NASH rats by reducing LPS-TLR4-mediated inflammation.