bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rheological and Antimicrobial Properties of Silica and silver Nanoparticles-reinforced K-carrageenan/hydroxyethyl Cellulose Composites for Food Packaging Applications
Authors: Rukmanikrishnan Balasubramanian , Ramalingam Srinivasan , Kim Sam Soo , Lee Jaewoong 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Sustainable food packaging films were developed using a combination of k-Carrageenan (C), hydroxyl ethyl cellulose (H), silicon dioxide (SiO2), and silver (Ag) nanoparticles. The CH-SiO2/Ag nanocomposites showed promising results, mainly due to their transparency, flexibility, low cost, and environmental friendliness. The structure and uniform morphology of the CH-SiO2/Ag nanocomposites were determined by FT-IR, XRD, and SEM analysis. Barrier properties (water vapor permeability-WVP), thermal properties (T5% loss, char yield), and mechanical properties determined for the CH and CH-SiO2/Ag nanocomposites, which improved by 3.3–1.9 ×10− 9gm/m2 Pas (WVP), 59.1-115.7 oC (T5%), 13.4–29.3 % (char yield), 23.8–41.5 MPa(tensile strength), and 22.3–28.9 (EB), respectively. The contact angles of the CH-SiO2/Ag nanocomposites were in the range of 60.1–76.4. The UV transmittance of the CH composites decreased with the addition of SiO2 and Ag nanoparticles. However, the transparency of the composites was not affected, and it inhibited UVA and UVB rays by the addition of Ag nanoparticles. The viscosity of the CH composites increased with the SiO2 content and decreased with the shear rate. All the composites exhibited shear-thinning behavior. The storage modulus of the prepared composites is higher than the loss modulus in the entire frequency region. Overall, SiO2 and Ag nanoparticles improved the hydrophilic nature of the CH-SiO2/Ag films and showed significant activity against six common food pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, and Cronobacter sakazakii. The synergistic combination of CH-SiO2/Ag nanocomposite has potential for packaging and other biomedical applications.
Complete Spatial Characterisation of N-glycosylation upon Striatal Neuroinflammation in the Rodent Brain
Authors: Rebelo Ana Lúcia , Gubinelli Francesco , Roost Pauline , Jan Caroline , Brouillet Emmanuel , Camp Nadja Van , Drake Richard R. , Saldova Radka , Pandit Abhay 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Neuroinflammation is an underlying pathology of all neurological conditions, the understanding of which is still being comprehended. A specific molecular pathway that has been overlooked in neuroinflammation is glycosylation (i.e. post-translational addition of glycans to the protein structure). N- glycosylation is a specific type of glycosylation with a cardinal role in the central nervous system (CNS), which is highlighted by congenital glycosylation diseases that result in neuropathological symptoms such as epilepsy and mental retardation. Changes in N- glycosylation can ultimately affect glycoproteins' functions, which will have an impact on cell machinery. Therefore characterisation of N- glycosylation alterations in a neuroinflammatory scenario can provide a potential target for future therapies.
Methods: With that aim, the unilateral intrastriatal injection of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the adult rat brain was used as a model of neuroinflammation. In vivo and post-mortem, quantitative and spatial characterisation of both neuroinflammation and N- glycome was performed at one-week post-injection of LPS. These aspects were investigated through a multifaceted approach based on positron emission tomography (PET), quantitative histology, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), liquid chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI).
Results: In the brain region showing LPS-induced neuroinflammation, a significant decrease in the abundance of sialylated and core fucosylated structures was seen (approximately 7.5% and 8.5%, respectively), whereas oligomannose N- glycans were significantly increased (13.5%). This was confirmed by MALDI-MSI, which provided a high-resolution spatial distribution of N- glycans allowing precise comparison between normal and diseased brain hemispheres.
Conclusions: Together, our data show for the first time the complete profiling of N- glycomic changes in a well-characterised animal model of neuroinflammation. These data represent a pioneering step to identify critical targets that may modulate neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative diseases.
Evaluation of patients admitted with musculoskeletal tuberculosis: sixteen years’ experience from single center in Turkey
Authors: Ozdemir Mikail , Ozdemir Hanife Gulnihal 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

The aim of our study was to elaborate musculoskeletal system TB (tuberculosis) as a single-center experience.
Methods

This is a retrospective observational study conducted at a TB Dispensary in the east Mediterranean part of Turkey between 2004 and 2020. The clinical and demographic characteristics including age, gender, involvement location and duration of illness, presenting complaint, local examination findings, treatment outcome were retrieved and analyzed from the case files. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS Statistics version 17.0 (IBM). The normality of data analysed by using Kolmogorov-Smirnov. The descriptive statistics were reported as mean ± standard deviation, medians, and ranges (min-max).
Results

Overall, 31 patients (3.2%) (14 males, 17 females) with a mean age of 44.2 ± 16.7 years had musculoskeletal tuberculosis. The mean duration of disease was 12.9 ± 5.5 months. Of the 31 patients, six (19.4%) had concomitant pulmonary TB. One of the patients (3.2%) was in paediatrics age group, and two of them (6.4%) were in geriatric group. The most affected area was the vertebra. The most common complaint of the patients was back pain and seen in 22 patients (70.9%).
Conclusions

The physicians should be suspicious about the diagnosis of musculoskeletal TB infection. If the diagnosis and treatment is delayed, spinal damage and other consequences might be incurable.
COVID-19 Outcomes in Patients Undergoing B Cell Depletion Therapy and Those With Humoral Immunodeficiency States: A Scoping Review
Authors: Jones Jessica M , Faruqi Aiman J , Sullivan James K , Calabrese Cassandra , Calabrese Leonard H 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The role of humoral immunity has been well established in reducing infection risk and facilitating viral clearance in patients with COVID-19. However, the relationship between specific antibody responses and severity of COVID-19 is less well understood. To address this question and identify gaps in knowledge, we utilized the methodology of a scoping review to interrogate risk of infection and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 in patients with iatrogenic and inborn humoral immunodeficiency states based on existing literature. Among patients with iatrogenic B cell depletion, particularly with agents targeting CD20, our analysis found increased risk of severe COVID-19 and death across a range of underlying disease states. Among patients with humoral inborn errors of immunity with COVID-19, our synthesis found that patients with dysregulated humoral immunity, predominantly common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), may be more susceptible to severe COVID-19 than patients with humoral immunodeficiency states due to X-linked agammaglobulinemia and other miscellaneous form of humoral immunodeficiency. There were insufficient data to appraise the risk of COVID-19 infection in both populations of patients. Our work identifies potentially significant predictors of COVID-19 severity in patients with humoral immunodeficiency states and highlights the need for larger studies to identify clinical and biologic confounders of disease severity.
Combined Use of Carbon and Nitrogen Isotopes for Assessment of Soil Organic Matter Sources and Decomposition in a Typical Karst Area of Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, Southwestern China
Authors: Beckford Howard Omar , SONG Changshun , CHANG Cheng , JI Hongbing 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Soil organic matter (SOM) has substantial influence on geochemical cycle, soil stability and global climate change, however total organic carbon sequestration mechanisms in karst soil remain poorly understood. For this study we assess, total organic content (TOC), total nitrogen (TN), C/N ratio and isotopes of carbon and nitrogen in four soil profiles over critical karst area to investigate organic matter source, mechanisms that influence fractionation and factors affecting SOM in Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, Southwestern China. The results revealed that SOM comprised of mixed sources derived from both exogenous and endogenous materials. The soil profiles indicate intense vertical variation in δ13C and δ15N with an increase in both isotopes in the upper layers, deceased in δ13C below 20 cm and irregular fluctuation in δ15N with depth. Mechanisms such as mineralization and selective preservation influence isotopic fractionation in the upper soil surface, while translocation, nitrification and denitrification dominated the subsoil layers. Variation in TOC, TN and stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes were influence by vegetation cover, topography, soil water and external contribution. Moreover, the decrease in TOC and TN with depth were due to downward translocation of dissolved organic carbon and nitrogen caused by monsoon climate. Our results revealed that combination of TOC, TN, C/N, δ13C and δ15N can be used as proxy to decipher SOM source, external influence and stability of karst soils. Furthermore, the intense change in δ13C and δ15N throughout the soil profiles suggest that this karst soil is unstable which have implications for land management and carbon sequestration.
A Cyclic Nano-reactor Achieving Enhanced Photodynamic Tumor Therapy by Reversing Multiple Resistances
Authors: Liu Peng , Zhou Yanbin , Shi Xinyi , Yuan Yu , Peng Ying , Luo Qiange , Ding Jinsong , Li Yong , Zhou Wenhu 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a clinically implemented modality to combat malignant tumor, while its efficacy is largely limited by several resistance factors from tumor microenvironment (TME), such as hypoxia, anti-oxidant systems, and ATP-dependent tumor adaptive resistances. Considering the complexity of tumor, simultaneously remodeling multiple TME is preferred to revitalize the PDT for enhanced cancer treatment. Results: Here, a targeting nano-reactor was facilely constructed to reverse the multiple resistances of PDT by incorporating glucose oxidase (GOx) and chlorin e6 (Ce6) into poly (D, L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/ metal-organic framework (MOF) core-shell nanoassembly, with surface deposition of hyaluronic acid (HA) stabilized MnO2. The nano-reactor could selectively target tumor cells by virtue of surface HA modification, and once internalization, a few reactions were initiated to modulate TME. Glucose was consumed by GOx to inhibit ATP generation, and the produced H2O2 was catalyzed by MnO2 to generate O2 for tumor hypoxia alleviation and photodynamic sensitization, and glutathione (GSH) was also effectively depleted by MnO2 to suppress the tumor antioxidant defense. Consequently, the nano-reactor achieved robust PDT with amplified tumor therapy via intravenous injection.Conclusions: This nano-reactor offers a multifunctional nanoplatform to sensitize TME-limited tumor treatment means via reversing multiple resistances.
The Association Between Health-related Quality of Life and Physical Activity in Postmenopausal Korean Women: Findings From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Park Juran , Kim Ho Jun , Min Kyungha , EUM YOON HEE , Lee Sung-Ha , Hwang Hee-Jin , Kim Jong Seung , Oh Bumjo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Physical activity (PA) in postmenopausal women provides some relief of menopausal symptoms and improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This study used a cross-sectional database to investigate the association between PA level and HRQoL in postmenopausal Korean women.Methods: This study investigated 8,122 postmenopausal women who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI to VII (2014–2018). Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and Euro quality of life-5 dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire were used to collect data about the participants’ PA level and HRQoL. The adjusted Odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for each dimensional problem of EQ-5D were derived using multi-variable logistic regression. Mean EQ-5D index scores were compared according to PA level groups.Results: The aORs of each dimension of HRQoL of low PA group versus moderate PA group were 0.67 (95% CI 0.57–0.78) for mobility, 0.71 (95% CI 0.55–0.92) for self-care, 0.64 (95% CI 0.53–0.78) for daily activities, and 0.75 (95% CI 0.66–0.86) for pain/discomfort. Mean EQ–5D scores of the moderate PA (0.927 ± 0.120 vs. 0.884 ± 0.163, P < 0.001) and high PA (0.913 ± 0.144 vs. 0.884 ± 0.163, P = 0.023) groups were significantly higher than that of the low PA group.Conclusions: PA level was found to be associated with better HRQoL among postmenopausal Korean women. This was especially significant in participants who were participating with a moderate level of PA. Additional studies are needed to analyze the persistence and long-term effects of PA on HRQoL.
Radiotherapy for Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Concomitant With Hypoproteinemia: a Case Report
Authors: Jia Zhongfei , Wang Wenxi , Yang Jie , Song Meng , Wang Yuxiang 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Malignant tumors frequently combined with hyperfibrinogenemia, rarely with hypofibrinogenemia.Case presentation: This study reports a 60-year-old male patient of mid-thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) with hypofibrinogenemia who presented at our hospital because of a swallowing disorder and dull pain in the upper abdomen. An initial test indicated his plasma fibrinogen (FIB) level was 0.88 g/L (reference range: 2.38–4.98 g/L). After multiple infusions of fresh plasma and supplements of FIB and cryoprecipitate, he maintained a FIB level above 1.0 g/L. We administered radical radiotherapy (RT) for the ESCC, and his FIB level gradually normalized during the RT period. The symptoms from ESCC gradually resolved, and we classified the patient as having stable disease at the end of the RT period. After 10 months follow-up, the patient have achieved partial response (PR). At that time, the patient had no increased tendency for bleeding and his FIB level was 0.97 g/L. At the last follow-up, the patient has survival about 18 months. Conclusions: it was considered the hypofibrinogenemia in this ESCC patient to be a consequence of paraneoplastic syndrome.
Combining WV-2 Images and Tree Physiological Factors to Detect Damage Stages of Populus gansuensis by Asian Longhorned Beetle (Anoplophora glabripennis) at the Tree Level
Authors: zhou quan , Zhang Xudong , Yu Linfeng , Ren Lili , Luo Youqing 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background

Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), commonly known as Asian longhorned beetle (ALB), is a wood-boring insect that can cause lethal infestation to multiple borer leaf trees. In Gansu Province, northwest China, ALB has caused a large number of deaths of a local tree species Populus gansuensis. The damaged area belongs to Gobi desert where every single tree is artificially planted and is extremely difficult to cultivate. Therefore, the monitoring of the ALB infestation at the individual tree level in the landscape is necessary. Moreover, the determination of an abnormal phenotype that can be obtained directly from remote-sensing images to predict the damage degree can greatly reduce the cost of field investigation and management.
Methods

Multispectral WorldView-2 (WV-2) images and 5 tree physiological factors were collected as experimental materials. One-way ANOVA of the tree’s physiological factors helped in determining the phenotype to predict damage degrees. The original bands of WV-2 and derived vegetation indices were used as reference data to construct the dataset of a prediction model. Variance inflation factor and stepwise regression analyses were used to eliminate collinearity and redundancy. Finally, three machine learning algorithms—Random Forest(RF), Support Vector Machine༈SVM༉, Classification And Regression Tree༈CART༉—were applied and compared to find the best classifier for predicting the damage stage of individual P. gansuensis.
Results

The confusion matrix of RF achieved the highest overall classification accuracy (86.2%) and the highest Kappa index value (0.804), indicating the potential of using WV-2 imaging to accurately detect damage stages of individual trees. In addition, the canopy color was found to be positively correlated with P. gansuensis’ damage stages.
Conclusions

A novel method was developed by combining WV-2 and tree physiological index for semi-automatic classification of three damage stages of P. gansuensis infested with ALB. The canopy color was determined as an abnormal phenotype that could be directly assessed using remote-sensing images at the tree level to predict the damage degree. These tools are highly applicable for driving quick and effective measures to reduce damage to pure poplar forests in Gansu Province, China.
Mechanical and rheological properties of partial replacement of carbon black by treated ultrafine calcium carbonate in natural rubber compounds
Authors: Maria Vitor Peixoto Klienchen de , Paiva Fábio , Cabrera Flávio Camargo , Hiranobe Carlos Toshiyuki , Ribeiro Gabriel Deltrejo , Paim Leonardo Lataro , Job Aldo Eloizo , Santos Renivaldo José dos 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
The present research aimed to develop natural rubber (NR) hybrid composites reinforced with treated ultrafine calcium carbonate/carbon black (CC/CB). The influence of CC/CB with various filler ratios (50/0, 40/10, 30/20, 20/30, 10/40 and 0/50) on mechanical properties and cure characteristics of the vulcanizates was investigated and their reinforcing efficiency was compared aiming to achieve the best ratio for CB partial substitution as compared to composites with CC and CB incorporated separately. The CC30/CB20 composites reached around to 17 MPa similar strength at break response compared to CC0/CB50 (16.83 MPa). Elongation at break increased 48% in relation to CC0/CB50. Hardness maintain similar values compare to high concentration of CB composites. Crosslink density results revealed similar chain number in rubber matrix representing better interaction between CC/CB. Scanning electron microscopy studies also reveal a good filler dispersion between filler particles and matrix. The results shown that the new material can be an alternative filler for partial substitution of CB conserving mechanical properties.
Title: Sex disparities in the prevalence of disabilities: A population-based study in a low-income community
Authors: Orellano-Colón Elsa M , Suárez-Pérez Erick L. , Rivero-Méndez Marta , Boneu-Meléndez Claudia X. , Varas-Díaz Nelson , Lizama-Troncoso Mauricio , Jiménez-Velázquez Ivonne Z. , León-Astor Arelí , Jutai Jeffrey W. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Functional disability continues to be a significant public health problem that increases older adults’ vulnerability to experience a diminished quality of life, loss of independence, higher healthcare costs and health services utilization, and increased risks of mortality. Thus, we aimed to study the prevalence of disabilities by sex according to the types of daily living activities, controlling for specific sociodemographic variables among older Hispanics from low-income communities.Methods: We used a cross-sectional epidemiological research design, considering a complex sampling design of households to interview adults ≥65 years living in low-income communities in Puerto Rico. Functional disability was measured by the PROMIS ® Physical Function Short Form-20 T-score. The prevalences of disability were estimated using the logistic regression model, weighting by the effect of the sampling. Our estimated prevalences were compared between sexes using the prevalence ratio (PR), which was estimated with logistic regression models, controlling for age, income, number of chronic conditions, high and low impact of chronic conditions in functional disabilities, marital status, and sampling design.Results: We recruited 211 older Hispanics from randomly selected sample. Their mean age was 74.4 ± 7.1 years, with female predominance (57.3%). The estimated prevalence of physical function disability using T-score among females was 2.70 (95% CI: 1.4, 5.1) times the estimated prevalence of physical function disability among males. Women were more likely to report functional disabilities in instrumental activities of daily living, self-care activities, and functional mobility compared to males. These sex differences were largely explained by differences in disability-related chronic conditions.Conclusions: The females in our study bear the greater burden of physical function disability in their adult age. Health policies as well as future studies should be targeted at reducing the burden of physical function disabilities in different types of daily activities through gender sensitive disability self-management programs.
“Is the Health System Ready?” – a Qualitative Exploration of Stakeholders’ Opinion About the Feasibility of Preconception Care Services in the Nigerian Health System
Authors: Ojifinni Oludoyinmola Omobolade , Ibisomi Latifat 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background Preconception care (PCC) services aim to improve reproductive health outcomes through the provision of biomedical, behavioural and social health interventions to women and couples before conception occurs. Countries that have deployed PCC services have policies that guide the services provided. In Nigeria, PCC is poorly developed and is often provided in an opportunistic manner with no guidelines in place to direct the provision. This study explored the opinions of policymakers and health workers about the feasibility of deploying PCC services in the country. Methods This study was a cross-sectional exploration of opinions about PCC service deployment within the Nigerian health system in which 39 in-depth interviews were conducted with policymakers at the federal and state tiers of government as well as health workers at the tertiary, secondary and primary levels of health care. The transcripts were analysed thematically using a hybrid of deductive and inductive coding on MAXQDA 2018 qualitative data analysis software. Results Four main themes emerged from the data – issues around policy for PCC, service integration and collaboration, health system readiness and challenges to PCC service deployment. While noting that the country has no PCC policy, participants identified existing policies into which PCC can be integrated. The participants also described the importance of policy to PCC provision and provided information on existing collaborations that can help the policy development and implementation process. Although many of the participants believed the health system is prepared for PCC deployment, they identified challenges related to policy formulation and implementation, including financial challenges that could hinder the process. Conclusion Deployment of PCC services in the Nigerian health system is achievable as there are existing health-related policies into which the guidelines can be integrated. However, there is a need to consider the possible implementation challenges and address them as part of the planning process.