bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Prevalence of bla and qnr Genes in Salmonella Enterica Isolated from Slaughtered Pork
Authors: Calayag Alyzza Marie B. , Widmer Kenneth W. , Rivera Windell L. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: Salmonella enterica is known as one of the most common foodborne pathogens worldwide. While salmonellosis is usually self-limiting, severe infections may require antimicrobial therapy. However, increasing resistance of Salmonella to antimicrobials, particularly fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins, is of utmost concern. The present study aimed to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of S. enterica isolated from pork, the major contributor in Philippine livestock production.Results: Our results show that 61.2% of the isolates carried antimicrobial resistance genes qnrS and blaTEM. While qnrA (12.9%) and qnrB (39.3%) were found less frequently, co-carriage of blaTEM and one to three qnr subtypes was observed in 45.5% of the isolates. Co-carriage of blaTEM and blaCTX-M was also observed in 3.9% of the isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed that majority of the isolates were non-susceptible to ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and 13.5% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant.Conclusions: High prevalence rates of S. enterica carrying antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG), specifically the presence of isolates co-carrying resistance to both ß-lactams and fluoroquinolones, raise a concern on antimicrobial use in the Philippine hog industry and on possible transmission of ARG to other bacteria.
Myofascial trigger-point compression therapy as an adjunct to exercise program is superior in alleviating chronic low back pain compared to exercise program alone- A retrospective non-randomized study.
Authors: Masarwa Rawan , Uri Ofir , Peled Givon , Laufer Gil , Gutman Gabriel , Behrbalk Eyal 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Introduction: Current guidelines for the treatment of low back pain (LBP) endorse physical exercise programs and a range of non-pharmacological complementary therapies. Myofascial trigger points (MTP) compression therapy is a well-established form of manual therapy, which aims to induce temporary ischemia and over-stimulation of mechanoreceptors over a desired area in order to restore tissue normal functional conditions required for healing response. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the effect of MTP compression therapy as an adjunct to active exercise program in alleviating chronic non-specific low back pain.Methods: One-hundred and three patients with chronic non-specific LBP were retrospectively reviewed, 45 of them were treated with MTP compression therapy as an adjunct to physical exercise program and 58 were treated with exercise program alone. Pain and functional scores were compared before initiating treatment and at 3-month follow-up. Results: Pain reduction at 3-month follow-up was 5.6 points (0-10 numerical scale) in the combined treatment group compared to 3.6 points in the exercise program alone group (p<0.01). Oswestry Disability Index improved by 36 and 22 points respectively (p<0.01) and SF-12 life quality score improved by 41 and 29 points respectively (p<0.01). Conclusions: Myofascial trigger points compression therapy as an adjunct to active exercise program provides superior pain and disability relief compared to active exercise program alone for patients with chronic LBP.
Candidate Genes and Stable QTL for Grain Yield and Seed Size in Durum Wheat
Authors: Mangini Giacomo , Blanco Antonio , Nigro Domenica , Signorile Massimo Antonio , Simeone Rosanna 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: In wheat grain yield is expressed as the product of different components. Among these, thousand kernels weight (TKW) reflects the combination of several grain related traits including grain length (GL), grain width (GW) and area. Grain weight is also affected by phenological traits, such as heading time (HT) and plant height (PH). To detect stable QTL and candidate genes involved in phenotypic control of grain yield, a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from two elite durum wheat cultivars (Liberdur and Anco Marzio) was evaluated for yield components and grain related traits for three growing seasons in southern Italy. The mapping population was genotyped with a 90K SNP array and a high-density genetic linkage map with 5134 markers was obtained.Results: A total of 30 QTL were detected on the durum RIL population including 9 stable QTL for TKW (2 QTL), GL, GW (2 QTL), AREA, HT and PH (2 QTL) distributed on 1B, 2A, 3A and 6B chromosomes. Interestingly, a QTL cluster mapped on 2A included a major QTL for HT explaining at least 70% of phenotypic variance and co-located with a QTL for YLD, TKW, GL and GW and AREA, respectively. In the physical position of this QTL cluster a photoperiod sensitivity gene (Ppd-A1) was found. Serine carboxypeptidase, Big Grain 1 and β-fructofuranosidase candidate genes were mapped in clusters containing stable QTL. Candidate genes involved in auxin metabolism were also found in QTL clusters in which a QTL for AREA was declared. Conclusions: This study showed that yield components and phenological traits had higher inheritances than grain yield, allowing an accurate stable QTL cluster detection. This was a powerful requisite to physically map QTL on the reference durum wheat genome and to identify candidate genes strongly affecting the genetic grain yield network.
Prenatal exposure to consumer product chemical mixtures and size for gestational age at delivery
Authors: Bommarito Paige A , Welch Barrett M. , Keil Alexander P , Baker George P , Cantonwine Dave E , McElrath Thomas F , Ferguson Kelly K. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background: While fetal growth is a tightly regulated process, it is sensitive to environmental exposures that occur during pregnancy. Many commonly used consumer products contain chemicals that can disturb processes underlying fetal growth. However, mixtures of these chemicals have been minimally examined. We investigated associations between prenatal exposure to 33 consumer product chemicals (nine organophosphate ester flame retardant [OPE] metabolites, 12 phthalate metabolites, and 12 phenols) and the odds of small- or large-for-gestational age (SGA and LGA) births.Methods: This case-control study was comprised of SGA (N = 31), LGA (N = 28), and appropriate for gestational age control (N = 31) births selected from the larger LIFECODES cohort. Biomarkers of exposure to consumer product chemicals were quantified in maternal urine collected from up to three study visits during pregnancy. In a single-pollutant approach, odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of SGA and LGA associated with an interquartile range (IQR)-increase in exposure biomarkers were estimated using multinomial logistic regression. In a multi-pollutant approach, quantile g-computation was used to jointly estimate the OR (95% CI) of SGA and LGA per simultaneous one quartile-change in all biomarkers belonging to each chemical class. Results: Among the 33 biomarkers analyzed, 20 were detected in at least 50% of the participants. After adjusting for potential confounders, we observed reduced odds of LGA in association with higher urinary concentrations of several exposure biomarkers. For example, an IQR-increase in the OPE metabolite, diphenyl phosphate, was associated with lower odds of LGA births (OR: 0.40 [95% CI: 0.18, 0.87]). Using quantile g-computation, we estimated lower odds of an LGA birth for higher OPE metabolite concentrations (OR: 0.49 [95% CI: 0.27, 0.89]) and phthalate metabolite concentrations (OR: 0.23 [95% CI: 0.07, 0.73]). Associations between consumer product chemicals and SGA were largely null. Conclusions: Joint exposure to OPEs and phthalates was associated with lower odds of delivering LGA. Associations with LGA could indicate a specific impact of these exposures on the high end of the birth weight spectrum. Future work to understand this nuance in the associations between consumer product chemical mixtures and fetal growth is warranted.
The observed thermal anomaly as an earthquake Precursor: A case study from the 1993 Latur earthquake prone area in Western India
Authors: Dimri Vijay P , Padhy Simanchal , Mondal N C , Reddy G K , Ramacharyulu G G. , Singh V S , Sonkamble S , Shanker C 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
We report and discuss monitoring of short-term variations of widely used multi-geophysical parameters in Latur-Killari area in western India, the region that witnessed a major devastating earthquake in 1993. An abnormal rise in atmospheric temperature of more than 20°C at 11200 m height was observed in the air-flight just 100 km away from Latur during a monsoon period. We investigated the cause of such abnormal rise in temperature in relation to the seismicity of the area for the 1993 Latur earthquake along with the continuous monitoring of ground water level and soil Helium gas for a week under a precursory 'quick please' operation in the study area. There were no seismic signals associated with this precursor rise that led to the suspension of the operation after a week time. It is also observed that this thermal anomaly is not followed by any major earthquake over the area, which has larger implications in atmosphere research area, suggesting a detailed investigation of such anomaly that may provide a better insight into the precursory behavior of the observed thermal anomaly by overcoming the constraints of accurate retrieval of temperature due to inadequate penetration of Satellite based thermal sensor into thick clouds. Findings of this study certainly call for continuous monitoring of temperature over the earthquake prone areas to gain insight into the physics of short-lived variation in temperature over spatially limited extent, especially over the earthquake prone areas for improved seismic hazard assessment.
Usefulness of 0.5% Hyperbaric Bupivacaine with Dexmedetomidine on Spinal Anaesthesia in Lower Limb Orthopaedic Patients
Authors: N R Arjun  , Nischala Reddy G  , K. Narayana Prasad  , Uthkala B Hegde  
Published: January 2021

Background: The present study was conducted to assess the usefulness of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine on spinal anesthesia in lower limb orthopedic patients. Subjects and Methods: This study involved 50 patients with ASA Grade I and II of both genders. Patients were randomly allocated into group I (n=25) Patients received Dexmedetomidine 0.5 µ g/kg over 15 minutes using an infusion pump 20 minutes prior to SAB and group II (n=25) Intraoperatively HR, BP and SpO2 were measured and noted. Results: The mean heart rate at baseline was 80.00 8.49 in group I and 81.80 8.74 in group II. The mean heart rate at 5 minutes was 73.80 13.38 in group I which was significantly higher (p=0.02) compared to 65.63 12.45 in group II. The mean arterial pressure at baseline was 97.64 5.24 in group I and 97.73 6.96 in group II suggesting MAP in both groups was comparable. The MAP at 5 minutes was 90.73 14.65 in group I which was significantly higher (p=0.01) compared to 81.22 11.64 in group II, suggesting a greater fall from the baseline in group II compared to group I. The MAP in both groups was found to be comparable at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120 minutes (p>0.05). The oxygen saturation in both groups was found to be comparable at all time intervals. The duration of onset of sensory blockade (Time is taken to reach T10 level) in 53.33% of patients in Group I is between 1 to 2 minutes (60 to 120 seconds) and less than 1 minute (60 seconds) in 46.67% of patients. The average mean time and standard deviation of onset of sensory blockade in Group I is 66 44.14 seconds. Conclusion: Authors found that dexmedetomidine was given intravenously as premedication before spinal anaesthesia using injection bupivacaine results in a quicker onset of analgesia, prolonged duration of sensory, motor block and well balanced hemodynamic parameters.
Improving wastewater treatment plant performance by applying CFD models for design and operation: selected case studies
Authors: Patziger M. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Hydrodynamic simulation (CFD: computational fluid dynamics) is one of the major tools for planning the reconstruction and operation of the structures in wastewater treatment plants, and its routine use is commonplace because of the cost savings and efficiency gains that can be achieved. This paper provides examples of how CFD can contribute to substantial improvements in the overall efficiency of wastewater treatment plants.The case studies presented in the paper include rarely investigated issues, such as the operation of aerated grit chambers, performance of primary settling tanks, mixing performance in oxidation ditches and return sludge control. The results show that: (1) air intake rate can be strongly decreased in most of the grit chambers, (2) optimization of the inlet geometry design of primary settling tanks is crucial, especially at high loads caused by storm events, (3) mixer performance design based on current design guidelines is often of an unnecessarily high capacity, (4) sludge recirculation rate should be optimized by CFD investigations based on secondary settling tank performance.
Carotid Arterial Stiffness and Cerebral Blood Flow in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Tomoto Tsubasa , Sugawara Jun , Tarumi Takashi , Chiles Collin , Curtis Bryon , Pasha Evan P. , Cullum C. Munro , Zhang Rong 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Central arterial stiffness is an emerging risk factor of age-related cognitive
impairment and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms
remain unclear.

Objective:
We tested the hypothesis that carotid arterial stiffness is associated with reduced cerebral
blood flow (CBF) and increased cerebrovascular resistance (CVR) in patients with amnestic mild cognitive
impairment (MCI), a prodromal stage of AD.

Methods:
Fifty-four patients with amnestic MCI and 24 cognitively normal subjects (CN) of similar
age and sex to MCI patients underwent measurements of CBF and carotid β-stiffness index using ultrasonography
and applanation tonometry. Total CBF was measured as the sum of CBF from both the
internal carotid and vertebral arteries, and divided by total brain tissue mass (assessed with MRI) to
obtain normalized CBF (nCBF).

Results:
Relative to CN subjects, MCI patients showed lower nCBF (53.3 ± 3.2 vs 50.4±3.4 mL/100
g/min, P < 0.001) and higher CVR (0.143 ± 0.019 vs 0.156 ± 0.023 mmHg/mL/min, P < 0.015). Multiple
linear regression analysis showed that nCBF was negatively associated with carotid β-stiffness
index (B = -0.822, P < 0.001); CVR was positively associated with carotid systolic pressure (B = 0.001,
P < 0.001) after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, and MCI status.

Conclusion:
These findings suggest that carotid artery stiffening may contribute at least in part to the
reduced nCBF and increased CVR in patients with MCI associated with augmented carotid arterial
pulsatility.
Crocus Sativus L. (Saffron) in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment: Bioactive Effects on Cognitive Impairment
Authors: D’Onofrio Grazia , Nabavi Seyed Mohammad , Sancarlo Daniele , Greco Antonio , Pieretti Stefano 
Published: January 2021

:
Crocus sativus L. (saffron) appears to own neuroprotective effects on cognitive impairment
in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The purpose of this work is to review evidence
and mechanisms of saffron-induced therapeutic outcomes and measureable cognitive benefits in
AD.

:
The literature was reviewed, and preclinical and clinical studies were identified. In vitro and in
vivo preclinical studies were selected according to these criteria: 1) development of saffron pharmacological
profile on biological or biophysical endpoints; 2) evaluation of saffron efficacy using animal
screens as an AD model, and 3) duration of the studies of at least 3 months. As for the clinical
studies, the selection criteria included: 1) patients aged ≥ 60, 2) AD diagnosis according to National
Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association (NIAAA) criteria, and 3) appropriate procedures to
assess cognitive, functional, and clinical status. A total of 1477 studies published until November
2020 were identified during an initial phase, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria and were selected
for this review.

:
Seventeen in vitro and in vivo preclinical studies have described the efficacy of saffron on cognitive
impairment in animal models of AD, highlighting that crocin appears to be able to regulate glutamate
levels, reduce oxidative stress, and modulate Aβ and tau protein aggregation. Only four clinical
studies have indicated that the effects of saffron on cognitive impairment were not different
from those produced by donepezil and memantine and that it had a better safety profile.

:
Saffron and its compounds should be further investigated in order to consider them a safer alternative
in AD treatment.
Vortioxetine vs. Other Antidepressants in Patients with Major Depressive Episode With or Without Substance Use Disorder
Authors: Kotzalidis Georgios D. , Lombardozzi Ginevra , Matrone Marta , Amici Emanuela , Perrini Filippo , Cuomo Ilaria , De Filippis Sergio 
Published: January 2021

Background:
Major Depressive Episodes (MDEs) may characterise many psychiatric disorders.
Its pharmacotherapy is laid with unmet needs, rendering the testing of new drugs necessary.

Objective:
To compare the effects of vortioxetine with those of other antidepressants (OADs) in a
1-year naturalistic setting.

Methods:
We included 126 adult patients with anMDE in the course of major depressive (MDD),
bipolar (BD), or schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSOPDs), with or without substance use disorder
(SUD), who received 5-20 mg/day oral vortioxetine, and compared them with 100 patients receiving
OADs at baseline and after 1, 3, 8, and 12 months on their scores on the MADRS, the CGIS,
the 24-item BPRS, the YMRS, the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, a Visual Analogue Scale for
craving, the Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale, and the WHOQOL-BREF.

Results:
Patients on vortioxetine improved similarly to those on OADs on all measures, independently
from having or not a comorbid SUD. However, they improved with time better than their
OADcounterparts if affected by BD or SSOPDs, but not MDD, on the CGI-S, BPRS depression,
anxiety, and manic symptoms. SUD hampered the response of anxiety to treatment. Men improved
on depression with time better than women.

Conclusion:
MDEs responded to vortioxetine similarly to OADs by improving in depression, general
psychopathology, anxiety, suicidal thinking, and quality-of-life, independently from SUD comorbidity.
MDEs of patients with BD or SSOPDs on vortioxetine responded better than that of patients
on OADs. Clinical Trial Registration No. 17354N.
New Insights into the Microstructural Analysis of Graphene Oxide
Authors: Soni Jay , Sethiya Ayushi , Sahiba Nusrat , Dhaka Mahendra Singh , Agarwal Shikha 
Published: January 2021

Aim and Objective:To explore the impact of synthesis conditions (temperature and time) on the properties of developed Graphene Oxide (GO).Background:A highly promising approach has been used for the synthesis of graphene oxide (GO) from graphite flakes using the modified Hummers method. Concentrated sulfuric acid was used as an intercalating agent and the oxidation was done with the help of potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide.Methods:The present method does not need expensive membranes for the filtration of Carbon and metalcontaining residues. The pre-cooling method is used to eradicate the explosive behavior of intermediate steps. The high quality of synthesized graphene oxides was confirmed by a series of characterization techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy.Results:The results indicated the presence of Oxygen-containing functional groups, and a rise in the Oxygen content confirmed the synthesis of high-quality graphene oxide.Conclusion:As per obtained experimental findings and subsequent analysis, the synthesized high-quality graphene oxide could be used in the design of membranes for water treatment applications.
Quantification of Smoking Characteristics Using Smartwatch Technology: Pilot Feasibility Study of New Technology
Authors: Cole Casey Anne , Powers Shannon , Tomko Rachel L , Froeliger Brett , Valafar Homayoun 
Published: January 2021

Background
While there have been many technological advances in studying the neurobiological and clinical basis of tobacco use disorder and nicotine addiction, there have been relatively minor advances in technologies for monitoring, characterizing, and intervening to prevent smoking in real time. Better understanding of real-time smoking behavior can be helpful in numerous applications without the burden and recall bias associated with self-report.

Objective
The goal of this study was to test the validity of using a smartwatch to advance the study of temporal patterns and characteristics of smoking in a controlled laboratory setting prior to its implementation in situ. Specifically, the aim was to compare smoking characteristics recorded by Automated Smoking PerceptIon and REcording (ASPIRE) on a smartwatch with the pocket Clinical Research Support System (CReSS) topography device, using video observation as the gold standard.

Methods
Adult smokers (N=27) engaged in a video-recorded laboratory smoking task using the pocket CReSS while also wearing a Polar M600 smartwatch. In-house software, ASPIRE, was used to record accelerometer data to identify the duration of puffs and interpuff intervals (IPIs). The recorded sessions from CReSS and ASPIRE were manually annotated to assess smoking topography. Agreement between CReSS-recorded and ASPIRE-recorded smoking behavior was compared.

Results
ASPIRE produced more consistent number of puffs and IPI durations relative to CReSS, when comparing both methods to visual puff count. In addition, CReSS recordings reported many implausible measurements in the order of milliseconds. After filtering implausible data recorded from CReSS, ASPIRE and CReSS produced consistent results for puff duration (R2=.79) and IPIs (R2=.73).

Conclusions
Agreement between ASPIRE and other indicators of smoking characteristics was high, suggesting that the use of ASPIRE is a viable method of passively characterizing smoking behavior. Moreover, ASPIRE was more accurate than CReSS for measuring puffs and IPIs. Results from this study provide the foundation for future utilization of ASPIRE to passively and accurately monitor and quantify smoking behavior in situ.
Internal Auditing Outsourcing, Nonaudit Services, and Audit Fees
Authors: Abdul Wahab Effiezal Aswadi , Gist Willie. E. , Gul Ferdinand A. , Mat Zain Mazlina 
Published: January 2021

SUMMARY
This study examines the relationship between outsourced internal audits, nonaudit services, and audit fees. We use Malaysian data to show that client firms that outsource their internal auditing function (IAF) are associated with lower external audit fees than those with in-house IAF. Moreover, this negative relationship is significantly stronger for firms that purchase greater amounts of nonaudit services (NAS) from the auditor. The results suggest that an auditor who provides NAS to a client and thus earns additional overall revenue is willing to accept lower audit fees provided a high audit quality can be achieved through reliance on outsourced IAF.
JEL Classifications: M42.