bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phytochemical Screening, GC-MS Analysis and Antioxidant Activity of CurcurbitapepoL. usingIts Leaf Sample
Authors: Sunday Ezekwe Ahamefula , Nnedimma Nwadike Constance , Peter Wokocha Gift , Orlando George Boma 
Published: May 2021

This study evaluated the phytochemical screening, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and antioxidant activity of Curcurbitapepo L. using its leaf sample with standard methods. The sample used for the study was procured from Imo State University school farm and was properly identified. Result of phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, phlobactannins, proteins, and anthraquinnones, while the GC-MS analysis revealed a total of 78 compounds, out which Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (C24H38O4) had the highest molecular weight, 2,4,6-Octatriene, 2,6-dimethyl- (C10H16) had the highest peak area of 10.21% while Morphinan-6-ol, 4,5-epoxy-N-methyl-, (5α 6α- (C17H21NO2) had the highest retention time. The antioxidant activity of the studied sample was enhanced against the control. Some of the compounds as revealed by GC-MS analysis could be of healthcare or industrial importance. There is need for further studies on the leaf sample to ascertain further the observations of the present study. This study has evaluated the phytochemical screening, GC-MS analysis and antioxidant activity of C.pepo L. using its leaf sample.
Assessment of in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Authors: Mohsen Sarah Alaa , Deeb Fatma Ahmed El , Ramadan Ehab Sayed , Eissa Mai Abd El-Raouf 
Published: May 2021

Background: Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common and potentially debilitating disorder. Neuropsychological assessment provides unique complementary information that is critical for evaluating higher cortical abilities. This study aimed to assess the neuropsychological functions in OCD patients which can then point to the brain structures or pathways and to study the correlation between these assessments and different clinical variables.
Methods: This cross-sectional case control study had included sixty patients who were divided into two groups, Group I: thirty OCD patients diagnosed by DSM-IV and Group II: thirty healthy controls who were recruited from the community, matched with patients’ age, gender, and education.
Results: The age of onset in our study was 19.13 ± 0.35 years, the mean duration was 7.44 ± 3.88 years, 40% of the studied cases had severe OCD symptoms and 33.3% of them were compulsive cleaners. There was a high significant difference between the two groups regarding WCST in favor of the control group. There was a high significant difference between the two groups regarding ROCF where the control group showed better results than the OCD patients.
Conclusions: Neuropsychological test performance remains an informative and objective means of investigation, especially when applied to psychiatric disorders. The executive functions in OCD patients were impaired in comparison to the normal study subjects.
Exploration of Antioxidant and Anticancer Activity of Stephania japonica Leaves Extract
Authors: Islam Md. Dobirul , Islam Ariful , Tasnin Naoshia , Akter Syeda Farida , Uddin Md. Salim 
Published: May 2021

Aims: The demand for antioxidants from the natural source has drawn promising attention to outturn desired pharmacological effect by subsidizing the adverse effect for treating cancer. This study evaluated the antioxidant activity of Stephania japonica leaves extracts to explore the anticancer activity.
Methods: Antioxidant potential of crude extracts were evaluated using various methods which include total antioxidant activity, ferric reducing antioxidant assay, DPPH free radical, ABTS free radical, nitric oxide and superoxide anion radical scavenging assay. Anticancer activity was determined in vitro by MTT assay and in vivo on mice against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cell.
Results: Phytoconstituents with free radical scavenging capacity were quantified in terms of inhibitory concentration (IC50) with the values of 17.00±3.22 µg/mL, 33.30 ± 5.45 µg/mL, 43.70±5.26 µg/mL and 52.30±1.07 µg/mL in DPPH, ABTS, superoxide anion radical and nitric oxide free radical scavenging assay, respectively as the highest quencher, acetone extract of S. japonica leaves (ASJL). ASJL and methanol extract (MSJL) showed low lethal dose (LD50) values of 21.76 and 26.63, respectively indicating higher toxicity. In vitro anti-proliferative activity (MTT assay), ASJL and MSJL were exhibited 15.44±2.96 to 80.94±2.87 and 11.76±3.74 to 74.25±1.49 percent of cell growth inhibition, respectively at the concentration of 10.28 µg/mL to 833.33 µg/mL. In in vivo test, ASJL and MSJL at the dose of 100 mg/kg/day and 200 mg/kg/day (i.p.) showed cell growth inhibition of 58.25±4.24% to 79.09±2.45% and 46.26±2.68% to 61.74±4.41%, respectively on EAC cell tumor-bearing mice. The life span of intraperitoneal induced EAC cell bearing mice was increased to 29.05% and 57.02% on the treatment of ASJL with 100 and 200 mg/kg/day, respectively.
Conclusions: The free radical scavenger of S. japonica leaves extract was stimulated the host immunity and inhibited the EAC cell growth through initiating the apoptosis cell death program. Therefore, S. japonica leaves might be utilized as a potent anticancer natural source.
Respiratory Morbidity in Neonates at or Near-Term in Relation to Mode of Delivery - A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Memon Fouzia Rasool , Naz Asma , Pathan Nusrat Fozia , Baloch Shahida , Jamali Ameer Ali , Wagan Fareeda , Ahmer Arslan 
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Antenatal corticosteroids are recommended by Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology for caesarean section planned before thirty-eight plus six weeks gestation. However, these steroids are, not suggested for labour induced electively after thirty four weeks.
Objective: This study’s aim is to enumerate the possibility of respiratory morbidity in neonates for various deliberated approaches of delivery between thirty-five and thirty eight weeks gestation.
Methodology: This study was carried out during June 2018 and December 2020 at a tertiary obstetric unit and analysed 3796 neonates delivered between thirty-five and thirty eight weeks gestation for neonatal admission due to respiratory morbidity.
Results: The risk for respiratory problems in spontaneous labour was 9.9% (16/161), 5.0% (12/238), 1.2% (5/426) and 0.64% (6/930) at thirty five, thirty six, thirty seven and thirty eight weeks of gestation respectively. For induced labour, it was 25% (4/16), 4.8% (5/104), 4.1% (13/318) and 0.82% (4/485) at thirty-five, thirty six, thirty seven and thirty eight weeks respectively. While the risk of respiratory morbidity in elective caesarean section, was 13.8% (4/29), 27.1% (13/48), 4.1% (5/122) and 2.8% (9/318) at thirty-five, thirty six, thirty seven and thirty eight weeks respectively. Overall chance of respiratory morbidity in neonates was 6% after elective caesarean section, 2.8% after labour induction and 2.2% after spontaneous labour (p< 0.0001). The number of neonates with respiratory problems born by elective C-section was only 31 out of total 132 (23.5%). Whereas this risk was 2.8% at 35-38 weeks and 5.0% at 35-37 weeks after induced labour.
Conclusion: Elective delivery at 35-38 weeks is linked to respiratory morbidity in new born babies. More research is required to assess the role of prophylactic corticosteroids preceding elective induction of labour.
Risk Factors during Pregnancy for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria
Authors: Sial Sikander Ali , Detho Amir Bux , Memon Fouzia Rasool , Parveen Kousar , Memon Shabana , Bukhari Sadia , Ahmer Arslan 
Published: May 2021

Introduction: Asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy (ABU) is poorly understood and neglected in developing countries. It causes certain lethal maternal and fetal consequences if left untreated including low weighted births, premature delivery, full-blown urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis.
Objective: Our aim was to explore such factors having bad impact on pregnancy associated with asymptomatic bacteriuria and aware our community about these unspoken perils so that ABU likelihood may be reduced. Prevalence varies country to country. Developing and low economic countries are suffered more than developed so thereby upgrading and providing basic amenities of life the risk factors may be reduced.
Materials and Methods: This was a cross sectional study carried out in department of pathology PUMHSW. Sample size was 377, all selected were 18 years and above. All urinary samples were collected in sterile container and labeled and immediately transported to microbiology laboratory. Dipstick test, wet mount microscopy and Gram's staining were done. Blood, MacConkey's agar was inoculated and streaked with inoculi. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Results: Samples found unlabeled (02) and contaminated (03) were dropped from study. A total of 372 were study samples. The most of patients were Gram negative 65(90.20%) predominantly Enterobacteriocae. When cultured, 72 were found growth positive (mixed plus pure) while 300 were negative. Risk factors were assayed in culture positive patients (ABU). A large number of patients (74%) belonged to lower economic class. Most common age group varied from 26-30 years (43%). Third trimester was the most common found in 37 patients ((49.3%). Gravid (G3 or more) were strong risk factors and were 55(73.3%). Most of patients were illiterate 65 (90.27%). The past history of UTI was a significant risk 46(63.88%) while anemia was found statistically insignificant 17(23.61).
Conclusion: Asymptomatic bacteriuria is frequent in pregnant females and significantly increased when compounded by past history of UTI and low socioeconomic status. Therefore, it is necessary for mothers to be screened for ABU. There is a need of rapid and reliable screening methods so that upcoming disease burden can be reduced.
Mortality in Ankylosing Spondylitis According to Treatment: A Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study of 5,900 Patients From Israel
Authors: Ben‐Shabat Niv , Shabat Aviv , Watad Abdulla , Kridin Khalaf , Bragazzi Nicola Luigi , McGonagle Dennis , Comaneshter Doron , Cohen Arnon D. , Amital Howard 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveIn this large population‐based study we aimed: 1) to assess mortality in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) compared to the general population, considering demographics, comorbidities, and treatment, and 2) to assess factors associated with mortality within patients with AS.MethodsThis study was designed as a retrospective cohort study using the electronic database of the largest health maintenance organization in Israel. All patients with AS diagnosed between 2002 and 2018 were included. Controls were matched by age, sex, clinic, and enrollment time. Follow‐up continued until death or the end of the study.ResultsThe study comprised 5,930 AS patients and 29,018 matched controls who were followed up for a median period of 7.5 years. There were 667 deaths within the AS cohort and 2,919 deaths within controls; the mean age at death was 76.9 years and 77.1 years, respectively (P = 0.74). A total of 3,249 AS patients (54.8%) were treated only with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, 1,760 (29.7%) were treated with tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi), and 1,687 (28.4%) with disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). Mortality rates were increased among AS patients compared to controls, with an age‐ and sex‐adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.19 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.10–1.30). The association was significant for men (HR 1.15 [95% CI 1.04–1.27]) and women (HR 1.32 [95% CI 1.13–1.54]), and after adjusting for background comorbidities (HR 1.14 [95% CI 1.05–1.24]). AS patients treated with TNFi or with a combination of TNFi and DMARDs did not have significant difference in mortality rates compared to controls (HR 0.67 [95% CI 0.38–1.18] and HR 0.93 [95% CI 0.69–1.25], respectively). Age, male sex, mean C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels and general comorbidities were predictors of mortality within the AS cohort.ConclusionAS patients had an increased mortality risk compared to the general population after adjusting for age, sex, and baseline comorbidities. AS patients treated with TNFi did not demonstrate excess mortality compared to matched controls. Within the AS cohort, age, male sex, background comorbidities, and higher CRP levels were identified as risk factors for mortality.
Evidence‐Based Research on Effectiveness of Periodontal Treatment in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Silva Daniela S. , Costa Flávio , Baptista Isabel P. , Santiago Tânia , Lund Hans , Tarp Simon , daSilva José A. P. , Christensen Robin 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveTo gauge the evidence of periodontal therapy's impact on measures of disease activity and systemic inflammatory burden in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsA search for randomized trials and controlled cohort studies of RA patients with periodontitis was conducted on April 7, 2019, with an update on December 17, 2020 in PubMed, Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trial Registry Platform portal. Two reviewers screened titles and abstracts and selected papers for full‐text review. We used Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT)–endorsed outcome domains for RA trials and summarized continuous outcomes using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). We evaluated inconsistency using the I2 statistic and combined SMDs using random‐effects models for the meta‐analyses; fixed‐effect meta‐analyses were used for sensitivity analysis. To explore heterogeneity, we added stratified/meta‐regression analyses, expressed in T2.ResultsOf the 1,909 studies identified, 9 (including 10 comparisons) were eligible for quantitative synthesis (n = 388). Evidence suggested a favorable effect of periodontal treatment on disease activity (SMD –0.88 [95% CI –1.38, –0.38]; n = 311). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to judge the estimates' certainty; evidence rated as having low or very low certainty indicated that any possible effect of periodontal treatment in RA is likely to change as more evidence is provided. Selection bias and RA medication stability were highlighted as sources of heterogeneity between studies.ConclusionThere is an urgent need for a well‐designed prospective cohort study (preferably a randomized controlled trial) of patients with RA and periodontitis using rigorous protocols, standardized diagnostic criteria, data collection, and adequate duration of follow‐up.
Disruptions in Rheumatology Care and the Rise of Telehealth in Response to the COVID‐19 Pandemic in a Community Practice–Based Network
Authors: George Michael D. , Danila Maria I. , Watrous Daniel , Reddy Shanmugapriya , Alper Jeffrey , Xie Fenglong , Nowell W. Benjamin , Kallich Joel , Clinton Cassie , Saag Kenneth G. , Curtis Jeffrey R. 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveThe effect of the COVID‐19 pandemic on community‐based rheumatology care and the use of telehealth is unclear. We undertook this study to investigate the impact of the pandemic on rheumatology care delivery in a large community practice–based network.MethodsUsing a community practice–based rheumatologist network, we examined trends in in‐person versus telehealth visits versus canceled visits in 3 time periods: pre–COVID‐19, COVID‐19 transition (6 weeks beginning March 23, 2020), and post–COVID‐19 transition (May‐August). In the transition period, we compared patients who received in‐person care versus telehealth visits versus those who cancelled all visits. We used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with canceled or telehealth visits.ResultsPre–COVID‐19, there were 7,075 visits/week among 60,002 unique rheumatology patients cared for by ~300 providers practicing in 92 offices. This number decreased substantially (24.6% reduction) during the COVID‐19 transition period for in‐person visits but rebounded to pre–COVID‐19 levels during the post–COVID‐19 transition. There were almost no telehealth visits pre–COVID‐19, but telehealth increased substantially during the COVID‐19 transition (41.4% of all follow‐up visits) and slightly decreased during the post–COVID‐19 transition (27.7% of visits). Older age, female sex, Black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, lower socioeconomic status, and rural residence were associated with a greater likelihood of canceling visits. Most factors were also associated with a lower likelihood of having telehealth versus in‐office visits. Patients living further from the rheumatologists’ office were more likely to use telehealth.ConclusionCOVID‐19 led to large disruptions in rheumatology care; these disruptions were only partially offset by increases in telehealth use and disproportionately affected racial/ethnic minorities and patients with lower socioeconomic status. During the COVID‐19 era, telehealth continues to be an important part of rheumatology practice, but disparities in access to care exist for some vulnerable groups.
Association of Superficial Cartilage Transverse Relaxation Time With Osteoarthritis Disease Progression: Data From the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Biomarker Study of the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Fuerst David , Wirth Wolfgang , Gaisberger Martin , Hunter David J. , Eckstein Felix 
Published: May 2021

ObjectiveTo study whether layer‐specific cartilage transverse relaxation time (T2) and/or longitudinal change is associated with clinically relevant knee osteoarthritis (OA) disease progression.MethodsThe Foundation for the National Institutes of Health Biomarker Consortium was a nested case–control study on 600 knees from 600 Osteoarthritis Initiative participants. Progressor knees had both medial tibiofemoral radiographic joint space width (JSW) loss (≥0.7 mm) and a persistent increase in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score (≥9 on a 0–100 scale) at 24–48 months from baseline (n = 194). Multiecho spin‐echo (MESE) magnetic resonance images (MRIs) for cartilage T2 analysis had been acquired in the right knees only (97 progressor knees). These were compared to 104 control knees without JSW or pain progression. Fifty‐three knees had JSW progression, and 57 pain progression only. Cartilage thickness segmentations obtained from double‐echo steady‐state MRI were matched to MESE MRI to extract superficial and deep femorotibial cartilage T2. Superficial medial femorotibial compartment (MFTC) T2 at baseline was the primary, and change in deep MFTC T2 between baseline and 12 months was the secondary analytic outcome of this post hoc exploratory study.ResultsBaseline superficial MFTC T2 was significantly elevated in progressor knees (adjusted mean 47.2 msec [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 46.5, 48.0]) and JSW progression only knees (adjusted mean 47.3 msec [95% CI 46.3, 48.3]), respectively, versus non‐progressor knees (45.8 msec [95% CI 45.0, 46.5]) after adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, WOMAC pain score, and medial joint space narrowing grade (analysis of covariance). Change in T2 was not significantly associated with case status.ConclusionBaseline superficial, but not deep, medial cartilage T2 is associated with clinically relevant disease progression in knee OA.
Utilization of C(sp3)‐Carboxylic Acids and Their Redox‐Active Esters in Decarboxylative Carbon−Carbon Bond Formation
Authors: Karmakar Sukhen , Silamkoti Arundutt , Meanwell Nicholas A. , Mathur Arvind , Gupta Arun Kumar 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOver the last several years, radical‐mediated decarboxylative cross‐coupling reactions employing alkyl carboxylic acids have emerged as a powerful tool for the regiospecific construction of carbon−carbon bonds. Under thermal or photocatalytic conditions, a wide variety of C(sp3)‐carboxylic acids and their redox‐active esters undergo decarboxylative C−C bond formation with suitable reactant partners, leading to complex chemical scaffolds with wide‐ranging applications. This synthetic strategy has several advantages over the more conventional organometallic reagents, including abundant starting material availability and high functional group tolerance associated with the mild reaction conditions. This review article highlights recent developments in the functionalization of α‐heteroatom‐substituted carboxylic acids as well as the more challenging unactivated acids, with representative examples discussed against the backdrop of insightful comments on reaction mechanisms. In addition, examples of the synthesis of natural products, drug molecules, and the late‐stage modification of bioactive molecules employing this non‐traditional C−C bond formation strategy are included. This review has been categorized into three main sections that are organized around the type of C−C bond being forged: C(sp3)−C(sp2), C(sp3)−C(sp3), and C(sp3)−C(sp). Further, the reactions of carboxylic acids and their redox‐active esters have been organized separately in each section.magnified image
Engineering Copper Iodide (CuI) for Multifunctional p‐Type Transparent Semiconductors and Conductors
Authors: Liu Ao , Zhu Huihui , Kim Myung‐Gil , Kim Junghwan , Noh Yong‐Young 
Published: May 2021

AbstractDeveloping transparent p‐type semiconductors and conductors has attracted significant interest in both academia and industry because metal oxides only show efficient n‐type characteristics at room temperature. Among the different candidates, copper iodide (CuI) is one of the most promising p‐type materials because of its widely adjustable conductivity from transparent electrodes to semiconducting layers in transistors. CuI can form thin films with high transparency in the visible light region using various low‐temperature deposition techniques. This progress report aims to provide a basic understanding of CuI‐based materials and recent progress in the development of various devices. The first section provides a brief introduction to CuI with respect to electronic structure, defect states, charge transport physics, and overviews the CuI film deposition methods. The material design concepts through doping/alloying approaches to adjust the optoelectrical properties are also discussed in the first section. The following section presents recent advances in state‐of‐the‐art CuI‐based devices, including transparent electrodes, thermoelectric devices, p–n diodes, p‐channel transistors, light emitting diodes, and solar cells. In conclusion, current challenges and perspective opportunities are highlighted.
Evaluating the freeze tolerance of bermudagrass genotypes
Authors: Gopinath Lakshmy , Moss Justin Quetone , Wu Yanqi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBermudagrasses (Cynodon spp.) are commonly used in golf courses, athletic fields, and home lawns in the transitional climatic region of the United States. Winterkill, however, is a major concern for bermudagrasses grown in this region. Controlled environment testing is a reliable method to evaluate freeze tolerance contributing to the selection of freeze tolerant genotypes. Therefore, this study was designed to test the freeze tolerance of two elite experimental genotypes, OKC1873 and OKC1406, along with two industry standards (‘Tifway’ and ‘Tahoma 31’), by exposing them to various freeze temperatures (−4 to −14 ℃) in a controlled environment. The freezing test was replicated in time, and the mean lethal temperature to kill 50% of the population (LT50) for each genotype was determined. Tifway (freeze‐sensitive standard) had an LT50 value of −7.0 ℃. The genotype OKC1873 (−7.2 ℃), was in the same statistical group as Tifway. Tahoma 31 was the best‐performing genotype with the lowest LT50 value of −9.1 ℃. The genotype OKC1406 (−8.8 ℃) was in the same statistical group as Tahoma 31. Top‐performing experimental genotypes will move on for further screening in replicated field trials for future consideration for commercial release based on qualities such as improved freeze tolerance, desirable turfgrass quality, and sufficient disease resistance.