bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Randomised, Crossover, Clinical Study to Assess Nicotine Pharmacokinetics and Subjective Effects of the BIDI® Stick ENDS Compared with Combustible Cigarettes and a Comparator ENDS in Adult Smokers
Authors: Fearon Ian , Gilligan Karin , Seltzer Ryan , McKinney Willie 
Published: November 2021

INTRODUCTION: Nicotine pharmacokinetic (PK) assessments of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are crucial to understand their ability to provide an alternative to cigarette smoking. Subjective effects data also strongly contribute to this understanding. The BIDI® Stick is a disposable ENDS product which contains 6% nicotine benzoate salt and various flavours. METHODS: In this study we assessed nicotine PK and subjective effects of BIDI® Stick ENDS in adult smokers, compared to cigarettes and a comparator ENDS product. During each of eight (8) study visits, volunteer smoker subjects randomly used one of either their usual brand (UB) of cigarette, a BIDI® Stick ENDS, or a comparator ENDS (JUUL 5% with Virginia Tobacco flavour), during both defined (10 puffs, 30 seconds apart) and _ad libitum _puffing sessions. Blood samples were collected at various time points and subjective effects questionnaires were administered. RESULTS: Plasma nicotine Cmax 0‑120 was not significantly different between BIDI® Stick ENDS with any flavour (range 15.3 (9.90) ng/ml for BIDI® Stick Winter to 17.6 (9.00) ng/ml for BIDI® Stick Classic) and UB cigarettes [16.2 (9.17) ng/ml]. AUC0-120 and Tmax 0‑120 values were also not significantly different between BIDI® Stick ENDS and UB cigarettes, while subjective effects measures were also similar between BIDI®Stick ENDS and UB cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS: BIDI® Stick ENDS delivered nicotine to users comparably to their UB cigarette and also elicited similar subjective effects such as satisfaction and relief. Thus, the BIDI®Stick ENDS may be a satisfying alternative to cigarettes among current smokers and may support their transitioning away from cigarette smoking.
LIPID PROFILE IN COPD PATIENTS
Authors: Bairwa Ramavatar , Pareek Pratibha 
Published: November 2021

Background: The COPD patients are expected to have a deranged lipid profile for various reasons like smoking, aging, and using such drugs as steroids. Aims of study to estimate the lipid profile level in COPD patients.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 COPD patients and including 50 control were enrolled in the study.
Results: The lipid profile in COPD patients, unpaired t test was performed and it was observed that COPD patients showed significantly higher serum levels of TC, TG, LDL and serum concentrations of HDL were also decreased significantly compared to controls.
Conclusion: COPD patients showed significantly higher serum cholesterol level in COPD patients as compared to controls.
Keywords: Total cholesterol, TG, COPD.
Peningkatan Motivasi dan Hasil Belajar Melalui Model Problem Based Learning
Authors: Ayudhityasari Rizky 
Published: November 2021

Tujuan penelitian ini untuk meningkatkan motivasi dan hasil belajar Bahasa Indonesia kelas III Sekolah Dasar Negeri 2 Bolopleret. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas. Subjek penelitian adalah siswa sekolah dasar kelas III yang berjumlah 25 siswa. Pengumpulan data menggunakan teknik dokumentasi, observasi, angket dan tes. Validitas data menggunakan teknik triangulasi sumber dan triangulasi metode. Analisis data dilakukan secara deskriptif baik secara kualitatif maupun kuantitatif. Hasil penelitian sebagai berikut: (1) Motivasi belajar siswa yang berkategori “tinggi” yang awalnya pada siklus I sebesar 64% atau 16 siswa. Pada siklus II menjadi 92% atau 23 siswa. 2) Hasil belajar siswa sebelum tindakan hanya mencapai 32% atau 8 siswa yang tuntas. Setelah tindakan pada siklus I, sebanyak 11 siswa atau sebesar 44% belum mencapai ketuntasan belajar, 14 siswa atau sebesar 56% telah tuntas. Siklus II meningkat menjadi 4 siswa atau sebesar 16% belum tuntas, 21 siswa atau sebesar 84% telah tuntas. Sehingga dapat disimpulkan bahwa model problem bases learning dapat meningkatkan motivasi dan hasil belajar siswa.
Increased level of malondialdehyde in preterm labor
Authors: Sari Yesi Mustika , Yerizel Eti 
Published: November 2021

Background: The pathophysiological mechanism associated with spontaneous preterm delivery is oxidative stress through the increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to lipid peroxidation. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is one of the biomarkers of oxidative stress produced through the lipid peroxidation process.
Objective: The aim of this study is to observe the difference in MDA levels among preterm labor compared to full-term labor.
Methods: Observational research was conducted with a comparative cross-sectional design. Maternal venous blood samples were taken from private hospitals and midwives in Padang city and Aro Suka Hospital Solok Regency. Samples were selected by consecutive sampling and divided into two groups with a total of 40 samples. MDA level was measured using the spectrophotometry method.
Results: MDA levels in preterm delivery were 3,6±0.42 nmol/mL and in full-term delivery were 2.9±0.33 nmol/mL.
Conclusion: There was a significant difference in MDA levels between preterm labor and full-term delivery. MDA levels in preterm childbirth were higher than MDA levels in full-term delivery.
Tingkat Efisiensi Pada Usahatani Padi Sawah di Desa Noelbaki, Kabupaten Kupang, NTT
Authors: Suek Johanna , Ritan Yosefa Bernadina Nitit , Pudjiastuti Sondang 
Published: November 2021

Efisiensi dapat dicapai dengan meminimalkan sumber daya yang dibutuhkan untuk memproduksi output tertentu, atau memaksimalkan output yang dihasilkan dari sumber daya tertentu. Penggunaan sumberdaya yang efisien dapat meningkatkan produktivitas. Seberapa efisienkah penggunaan sumberdaya pada usahatani padi sawah, diinvestigaasi melalui studi yang bertujuan mengestimasi faktor-faktor produksi yang mempengaruhi usahatani padi sawah dan mengukur tingkat efisiensinya. Penelitian dilaksanaan di Desa Noelbaki Kecamatan Kupang Tengah Kabupaten Kupang. Penentuan populasi secara secara sengaja dengan pertimbangan petani pemilik lahan sawah. Pengambilan contoh secara acak sebanyak 60. Analisis data fungsi produksi stochastic frontier Cobb-Douglas, dan fungsi biaya Cobb-Douglas Stochastic Frontier untuk memperoleh nilai efisiensi ekonomi sedangkan efisiensi alokatif merupkan hasil bagi dari efisiensi teknis terhadap efisiensi ekonomi. Hasil studi menunjukkan bahwa faktor produksi luas lahan, benih, pupuk, tenaga kerja berpengaruh nyata terhadap produksi padi sawah sedangkan faktor produksi pestisida tidak berpengaruh nyata. Penggunaan input faktor pada usahatani padi sawah dapat dikatakan cukup efisien secara teknis dan ekonomi dengan nilai rata-rata masing-masing masing sebesar 0,81±0,11 dan 0,84±0,15. Sedangkan efisiensi alokatif sangat efisien dengan nilai rata-rata sebesar 0,99±0,21.
Preparation and Characterization of Chinese Leek Extract Incorporated Cellulose Composite Films
Authors: Zeng Qiying , Xiao Naiyu , Zhang Xueqin , Luo Wenhan , Xiao Gengshen , Zhai Wanjing , Zhong Le , Lan Bifeng 
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to prepare microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) films with good mechanical properties via plasticization using a Chinese leek (CL, Allium tuberosum) extract. The microstructure, crystal structure, mechanical properties, barrier ability, and thermal properties of the films were investigated. The chemical structure analysis of CL extract showed the existence of cellulose, lignin, and low-molecular-weight substances, such as polysaccharides, pectins, and waxes, which could act as plasticizers to enhance the properties of MCC:CL biocomposite films. The results of scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy analyses indicated the good compatibility between MCC and CL extract. When the volume ratio of MCC:CL was 7:3, the MCC:CL biocomposite film exhibited the best comprehensive performance in terms of water vapor permeability (2.11 × 10–10 g/m·s·Pa), elongation at break (13.2 ± 1.8%), and tensile strength (24.7 ± 2.5 MPa). The results of a UV absorption analysis demonstrated that the addition of CL extract improved the UV-shielding performance of the films. Therefore, this work not only proposes a facile method to prepare MCC films with excellent mechanical properties via plasticization using CL extract but also broadens the potential applications of MCC films in the packaging area.
Genetic and Phenotypic Variability in Chinese Patients With Branchio-Oto-Renal or Branchio-Oto Syndrome
Authors: Feng Haifeng , Xu Hongen , Chen Bei , Sun Shuping , Zhai Rongqun , Zeng Beiping , Tang Wenxue , Lu Wei 
Published: November 2021

Background: Branchio-oto-renal syndrome (BOR) and branchio-oto syndrome (BOS) are rare autosomal dominant disorders defined by varying combinations of branchial, otic, and renal anomalies. Here, we characterized the clinical features and genetic etiology of BOR/BOS in several Chinese families and then explored the genotypes and phenotypes of BOR/BOS-related genes, as well as the outcomes of auditory rehabilitation in different modalities.Materials and Methods: Probands and all affected family members underwent detailed clinical examinations. Their DNA was subjected to whole-exome sequencing to explore the underlying molecular etiology of BOR/BOS; candidate variants were validated using Sanger sequencing and interpreted in accordance with the American College of Medical Genetics guidelines. In addition, a literature review concerning EYA1 and SIX1 alterations was performed to explore the genotypes and phenotypes of BOR/BOS-related genes.Results: Genetic testing identified the novel deletion (c.1425delC, p(Asp476Thrfs*4); NM_000,503.6), a nonsense variant (c.889C &gt; T, p(Arg297*)), and two splicing variants in the EYA1 gene (c.1050+1G &gt; T and c.1140+1G &gt; A); it also identified one novel missense variant in the SIX1 gene (c.316G &gt; A, p(Val106Met); NM_005,982.4). All cases exhibited a degree of phenotypic variability between or within families. Middle ear surgeries for improving bone-conduction component hearing loss had unsuccessful outcomes; cochlear implantation (CI) contributed to hearing gains.Conclusion: This is the first report of BOR/BOS caused by the SIX1 variant in China. Our findings increase the numbers of known EYA1 and SIX1 variants. They also emphasize the usefulness of genetic testing in the diagnosis and prevention of BOR/BOS while demonstrating that CI for auditory rehabilitation is a feasible option in some BOR/BOS patients.
Case Report: Use of Liposomal Amphotericin B in Low Doses in Patients With Visceral Leishmaniasis
Authors: Ren Danfeng , Cao Wenya , Liu Xiaojing , Han Qunying , Fan Wanhu , Li Guoliang , Xia Han , Zhang Xi 
Published: November 2021

Background: No consensus has been reached regarding the optimal therapy for visceral leishmaniasis (VL), which affects ~12 million people worldwide.Case Presentation: This report described four cases of VL encountered in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University between October 2019 and December 2020. Of the four patients, one patient experienced relapse after antimonial treatment, and the remaining patients had primary VL (including one patient with impaired kidney function and one patient with hemophagocytic syndrome). All patients received a novel treatment protocol, namely the low-dose L-AmB therapy, which was characterized by a low initial dose, cautious dose escalation, and low-dose therapy as maintenance. All patients were cured without severe complications, and there was no further recurrence during follow-up.Conclusions: This case series demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the low-dose L-AmB therapy for VL patients, providing novel treatment protocol for the VL.
Proportional Changes in Cognitive Subdomains During Normal Brain Aging
Authors: Statsenko Yauhen , Habuza Tetiana , Gorkom Klaus Neidl-Van , Zaki Nazar , Almansoori Taleb M. , Al Zahmi Fatmah , Ljubisavljevic Milos R. , Belghali Maroua 
Published: November 2021

Background: Neuroscience lacks a reliable method of screening the early stages of dementia.Objective: To improve the diagnostics of age-related cognitive functions by developing insight into the proportionality of age-related changes in cognitive subdomains.Materials and Methods: We composed a battery of psychophysiological tests and collected an open-access psychophysiological outcomes of brain atrophy (POBA) dataset by testing individuals without dementia. To extend the utility of machine learning (ML) classification in cognitive studies, we proposed estimates of the disproportional changes in cognitive functions: an index of simple reaction time to decision-making time (ISD), ISD with the accuracy performance (ISDA), and an index of performance in simple and complex visual-motor reaction with account for accuracy (ISCA). Studying the distribution of the values of the indices over age allowed us to verify whether diverse cognitive functions decline equally throughout life or there is a divergence in age-related cognitive changes.Results: Unsupervised ML clustering shows that the optimal number of homogeneous age groups is four. The sample is segregated into the following age-groups: Adolescents ∈ [0, 20), Young adults ∈ [20, 40), Midlife adults ∈ [40, 60) and Older adults ≥60 year of age. For ISD, ISDA, and ISCA values, only the median of the Adolescents group is different from that of the other three age-groups sharing a similar distribution pattern (p &gt; 0.01). After neurodevelopment and maturation, the indices preserve almost constant values with a slight trend toward functional decline. The reaction to a moving object (RMO) test results (RMO_mean) follow another tendency. The Midlife adults group's median significantly differs from the remaining three age subsamples (p &lt; 0.01). No general trend in age-related changes of this dependent variable is observed. For all the data (ISD, ISDA, ISCA, and RMO_mean), Levene's test reveals no significant changes of the variances in age-groups (p &gt; 0.05). Homoscedasticity also supports our assumption about a linear dependency between the observed features and age.Conclusion: In healthy brain aging, there are proportional age-related changes in the time estimates of information processing speed and inhibitory control in task switching. Future studies should test patients with dementia to determine whether the changes of the aforementioned indicators follow different patterns.
Computer-Delivered Cognitive Training and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Patients With HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Ownby Raymond L. , Kim Jae 
Published: November 2021

Objective: HIV infection is associated with impaired cognition, and as individuals grow older, they may also experience age-related changes in mental abilities. Previous studies have shown that computer-based cognitive training (CCT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) may be useful in improving cognition in older persons. This study evaluated the acceptability of CCT and tDCS to older adults with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder, and assessed their impact on reaction time, attention, and psychomotor speed.Methods: In a single-blind randomized study, 46 individuals with HIV-associated mild neurocognitive disorder completed neuropsychological assessments and six 20-min training sessions to which they had been randomly assigned to one of the following conditions: (1) CCT with active tDCS; (2) CCT with sham tDCS, or (3) watching educational videos with sham tDCS. Immediately after training and again 1 month later, participants completed follow-up assessments. Outcomes were evaluated via repeated measures mixed effects models.Results: Participant ratings of the intervention were positive. Effects on reaction time were not significant, but measures of attention and psychomotor speed suggested positive effects of the intervention.Conclusion: Both CCT and tDCS were highly acceptable to older persons with HIV infection. CCT and tDCS may improve cognitive in affected individuals.Clinical Trial Registration: [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT03440840].
Region-Specific Neurovascular Decoupling Associated With Cognitive Decline in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Shang Song’an , Zhang Hongying , Feng Yuan , Wu Jingtao , Dou Weiqiang , Chen Yu-Chen , Yin Xindao 
Published: November 2021

Background: Cognitive deficits are prominent non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and have been shown to involve the neurovascular unit (NVU). However, there is a lack of sufficient neuroimaging research on the associated modulating mechanisms. The objective of this study was to identify the contribution of neurovascular decoupling to the pathogenesis of cognitive decline in PD.Methods: Regional homogeneity (ReHo), a measure of neuronal activity, and cerebral blood flow (CBF), a measure of vascular responses, were obtained from patients with PD with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and normal cognition (NC) as well as matched healthy controls (HCs). Imaging metrics of neurovascular coupling (global and regional CBF-ReHo correlation coefficients and CBF-ReHo ratios) were compared among the groups.Results: Neurovascular coupling was impaired in patients with PD-MCI with a decreased global CBF-ReHo correlation coefficient relative to HC subjects (P &lt; 0.05). Regional dysregulation was specific to the PD-MCI group and localized to the right middle frontal gyrus, right middle cingulate cortex, right middle occipital gyrus, right inferior parietal gyrus, right supramarginal gyrus, and right angular gyrus (P &lt; 0.05). Compared with HC subjects, patients with PD-MCI showed higher CBF-ReHo ratios in the bilateral lingual gyri (LG), bilateral putamen, and left postcentral gyrus and lower CBF-ReHo ratios in the right superior temporal gyrus, bilateral middle temporal gyri, bilateral parahippocampal gyri, and right inferior frontal gyrus. Relative to the HC and PD-NC groups, the PD-MCI group showed an increased CBF-ReHo ratio in the left LG, which was correlated with poor visual–spatial performance (r = −0.36 and P = 0.014).Conclusion: The involvement of neurovascular decoupling in cognitive impairment in PD is regionally specific and most prominent in the visual–spatial cortices, which could potentially provide a complementary understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying cognitive deficits in PD.
The Correlation Between Hearing Loss, Especially High-Frequency Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline Among the Elderly
Authors: Diao Tongxiang , Ma Xin , Zhang Junbo , Duan Maoli , Yu Lisheng 
Published: November 2021

Objective: The relation between cognition and hearing loss has been increasingly paid high attention, however, few studies have focused on the role of high-frequency hearing loss in cognitive decline. This study is oriented to role of hearing loss especially high-frequency hearing loss in cognitive impairment among elderly people (age ≥ 60 years).Methods: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale (MoCA) and pure tone audiometry were used to investigate the hearing loss and cognitive function of 201 elderly people older than 60 years. Factors possibly related to cognitive impairment including age, years of education, occupation, living conditions, history of otologic diseases, and high blood pressure were registered. This study consisted of two parts. First, univariate analysis and multiple linear regressions were performed to analyze the possible influencing factors of cognitive function among the 201 elderly people. Second, average hearing thresholds of low frequencies (250, 500 Hz), intermediate frequencies (1 k, 2 kHz), and high frequencies (4 k, 8 kHz) were calculated to screen out 40 cases with high-frequency hearing loss alone and 18 cases with normal hearing. Univariate analysis was used to compare the general condition, cognitive function, and each cognitive domain between the two groups, analyzing the relation between high-frequency hearing loss and cognitive function.Result: We found that age, years of education, pure tone average (PTA), occupation, living condition, history of otologic diseases, years of self-reported hearing loss, and hypertension history were related to cognitive function. Furthermore, age, education experience, duration of self-reported hearing loss, and hypertension were independent factors (p &lt; 0.05). PTA was negatively related with attention, orientation, and general cognition (p &lt; 0.05). There were only 18 cases (9.0%) with normal hearing, and 40 cases (19.9%) with abnormal high-frequency hearing alone. The overall cognitive function showed no significant difference between them (p &gt; 0.05); in contrast, the speech and abstract ability were significantly decreased in cases with high-frequency hearing loss (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: The increase of PTA among the elderly may affect the overall cognition by reducing attention and orientation. High-frequency hearing loss alone can affect the language and abstract ability to a certain extent, which is worthy of more attention.
The Double Burden of Malnutrition at the Individual Level Among Adults: A Nationwide Survey in the Philippines
Authors: de Juras Aileen R. , Hsu Wan-Chen , Hu Susan C. 
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Double burden of malnutrition (DBM) is a fast-evolving public health challenge. The rising prevalence of obesity and diet-related non-communicable diseases alongside persistent nutritional deficiencies are compelling problems in many developing countries. However, there is limited evidence on the coexistence of these conditions in the same individual among community-dwelling adults. This cross-sectional study describes the various forms of DBM and examines the determinants of DBM at the individual level among adults in the Philippines.Materials and Methods: A nationwide dataset from the 2013 Philippine National Nutrition Survey was used. The final study sample consisted of 17,157 adults (8,596 men and 8,561 non-pregnant and non-lactating women). This study focused on three DBM types within adults: (#1) Underweight and at least one cardiometabolic risk factor (Uw + ≥1 CMRF), (#2) Anemia and at least one cardiometabolic risk factor (An + ≥1 CMRF), (#3) Vitamin A deficiency or iodine insufficiency and at least one cardiometabolic risk factor (Other MND + ≥1 CMRF). The total double burden of malnutrition was also evaluated as the sum of the aforementioned three types. Logistic regression models were used to assess associations between socio-demographic and lifestyle factors and DBM.Results: The prevalence of the three types of DBM were: type #1, 8.1%; type #2, 5.6%; type #3, 20.6%, and the total DBM prevalence was 29.4%. Sex, age, educational attainment, employment status, wealth quintile, and alcohol drinking were the risk factors for DBM. In contrast, marital status, smoking, and physical activity were associated with the different DBM types.Conclusion: The study findings contribute to the current state of knowledge on the broad spectrum of individual-level DBM. Understanding the disparities of this phenomenon could guide integrated actions directed to the concomitance of malnutrition in various forms and cardiometabolic disease risks.