bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recent perspectives of nanotechnology in burn wounds management: a review
Authors: Na Ruan , Wei Tian 
Published: May 2021

Objective: The burden of the management of problematic skin wounds characterised by a compromised skin barrier is growing rapidly. Almost six million patients are affected in the US alone, with an estimated market of $25 billion annually. There is an urgent requirement for efficient mechanism-based treatments and more efficacious drug delivery systems. Novel strategies are needed for faster healing by reducing infection, moisturising the wound, stimulating the healing mechanisms, speeding up wound closure and reducing scar formation. Methods: A systematic review of qualitative studies was conducted on the recent perspectives of nanotechnology in burn wounds management. Pubmed, Scopus, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsychINFO databases were all systematically searched. Authors independently rated the reporting of the qualitative studies included. A comprehensive literature search was conducted covering various resources up to 2018–2019. Traditional techniques aim to simply cover the wound without playing any active role in wound healing. However, nanotechnology-based solutions are being used to create multipurpose biomaterials, not only for regeneration and repair, but also for on-demand delivery of specific molecules. The chronic nature and associated complications of nonhealing wounds have led to the emergence of nanotechnology-based therapies that aim at facilitating the healing process and ultimately repairing the injured tissue. Conclusion: Nanotechnology-based therapy is in the forefront of next-generation therapy that is able to advance wound healing of hard-to-heal wounds. In this review, we will highlight the developed nanotechnology-based therapeutic agents and assess the viability and efficacy of each treatment. Herein we will explore the unmet needs and future directions of current technologies, while discussing promising strategies that can advance the wound-healing field
Σ-Shaped Bifurcation Curves
Authors: Acharya A. , Fonseka N. , Quiroa J. , Shivaji R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWe study positive solutions to the steady state reaction diffusion equation of the form:−Δu=λf(u); Ω∂u∂η+λu=0; ∂Ω$$\begin{array}{} \displaystyle \left\lbrace \begin{matrix} -{\it\Delta} u =\lambda f(u);~ {\it\Omega} \\ \frac{\partial u}{\partial \eta}+ \sqrt{\lambda} u=0;~\partial {\it\Omega}\end{matrix} \right. \end{array}$$whereλ> 0 is a positive parameter,Ωis a bounded domain in ℝNwhenN> 1 (with smooth boundary∂ Ω) orΩ= (0, 1), and∂u∂η$\begin{array}{} \displaystyle \frac{\partial u}{\partial \eta} \end{array}$is the outward normal derivative ofu. Heref(s) =ms+g(s) wherem≥ 0 (constant) andg∈C2[0,r) ∩C[0, ∞) for somer> 0. Further, we assume thatgis increasing, sublinear at infinity,g(0) = 0,g′(0) = 1 andg″(0) > 0. In particular, we discuss the existence of multiple positive solutions for certain ranges ofλleading to the occurrence ofΣ-shaped bifurcation diagrams. We establish our multiplicity results via the method of sub-supersolutions.
Exercise-induced changes in miRNA expression in coronary artery disease
Authors: Mayr Barbara , Müller Edith E. , Schäfer Christine , Droese Silke , Schönfelder Martin , Niebauer Josef 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNA molecules that control gene expression by translational inhibition. Exercise has been shown to affect several miRNAs’ expression in healthy subjects, but this has not yet been studied in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Since exercise training confers beneficial long-term effects and may also trigger acute coronary events, it is of utmost interest to be able to identify those who are risk for untoward effects. Therefore, we set out to assess miRNA expression in response to maximal ergospirometry in patients with CAD.

Methods
Total RNA was extracted from blood drawn immediately before and 5 min after maximal cycle-ergospirometry (10 male and 10 female CAD patients). A qRT-PCR was performed for 187 target miRNAs associated with endothelial function/dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, myocardial infarction, and sudden cardiac death.

Results
In response to a maximal ergospirometry, 33 miRNAs significantly changed their expression levels. Of these miRNAs 16 were significantly differently expressed between gender. Using multi-variance analysis, nine miRNAs (let-7e-5p; miR-1; miR-19b-1-5p; miR-103a-3p; miR-148b-3p; miR-181b-5p; miR-188-5p; miR-423-5p; miR-874-3p) showed significantly different responses to maximal ergospirometry between genders.

Conclusions
We report for the first time that in patients with CAD, miRNA expression is amenable to maximal ergospirometry and that the extent of changes differs between genders. Affected by exercise and gender were miRNAs that are associated, among others, with pathways for glucose metabolism, oxidative stress, and angiogenesis. Future studies should assess whether disease-specific miRNA expression in response to maximal exercise might serve as a marker for patient outcome.
Comparative evaluation of cardioprotective activity of Gala and Fuji apple juice against isoprenaline-induced cardiotoxicity in rats
Authors: Ahmad Shoaib , Mahmood Tarique , Kumar Ranjan , Bagga Paramdeep , Ahsan Farogh , Shamim Arshiya , Ansari Abdullah , Shariq Mohammad 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Objectives
Comparative evaluation of cardioprotective activity of Gala and Fuji apple juice against isoprenaline induced cardiotoxicity in rats.

Methods
Rats (125–150 g) were orally administered Gala (GA) and Fuji (FA) apple juice (3 mL/day, per oral) for 13 days. Myocardial injury was inducted on 14th and 15th day by the administration of Isoprenaline (85 mg/kg/day, subcutaneous).

Results
In treated group i.e. GA and FA, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), Troponin-I level and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was reduced while glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) level was significantly increased. Marked reduction in cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipids, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) was observed while high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level increased significantly. In tissue and serum total serum protein (TSP) level, Albumin, Globulin and A/G ratio increased very significantly in the treated group while the level of white blood corpuscles (WBC), haemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total fibrinogen (TF), bleeding time (BT), c-reactive protein (C-rP), red blood corpuscles (RBC), clotting time (CT) and prothrombin time (PT) showed a significant rise in the level. The level of Sialic acid, hexose, fucose and hexosamine was highly significantly increased, there was an increase in the level of K+ and glycogen while a significant reduction in electrolyte and glucose level was observed when all these parameters were compared to Isoprenaline (ISO) group. The above findings were supported by histopathological examination of hearts. Cardioprotective activity was compared with standard drug, metoprolol. On comparative analysis of both juices, GA juices have found more effective when compared to FA juice.

Conclusions
The study was concluded that Gala and Fuji apple possessed significant prophylactic and protective effects against Isoprenaline-induced cardiotoxicity in rats through maintaining inhibiting lipid peroxidation, endogenous antioxidant enzyme activities and cytokine levels.
Psychometric validation of the modified Naranjo algorithm used in homeopathy for chronic cases
Authors: Manchanda Rajkumar , Rutten Lex , Dogra Atanu , Chakraborty Parthasarathi , Misra Alok , Chakma Abhijit , Prasad Varanasi Gayatri , Singh Pramodji , Kundu Chittaranjan , Koley Munmun , Saha Subhranil 
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Objectives
The modified Naranjo algorithm assesses the physician assigned cause-effect relationship for homeopathic medicines. It is being adopted in homeopathy researches, but not yet validated systematically. We intended to validate the modified Naranjo algorithm by examining its psychometric properties.

Methods
An online survey sought agreement of 25 experts on the 10 items of the tool on 5-point agreement scale. Next, 285 responses from collected prospectively from chronic cases enrolled under the clinical verification program of the council in 2018 were subjected to testing of construct validity using exploratory principal component analysis (PCA). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA; n=150) was performed to verify the goodness-of-fit of the model. Reliability was tested using internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and inter-rater reliability by kappa statistics.

Results
Experts’ responses mean values were 4 or higher (i.e. responses were relevant) and standard deviations were less than 1 (i.e. less heterogeneous). In PCA using varimax, all the items loaded above the pre-specified value of 0.4 and identified 4 components explaining 64.1% of variation. The goodness-of -fit of the 4-component CFA model was acceptable (chi-square 89.253, p<0.001). Internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha 0.7) was borderline; test–retest reliability was acceptable. Kappa statistics was moderate to fair, but poor for few of the items.

Conclusions
Statistical evaluations indicate that the modified Naranjo algorithm is useful, but needs improvement.
Investigating the performance of all-optical AND logic gate based on FWM effect in SOA at low power
Authors: Hejib Pragya , Kaur Sanmukh 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
In the present work, the performance of the all-optical AND logic gate using four wave mixing in wide band semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) has been analyzed for different modulation formats. The two binary inputs of all-optical AND gate are modulated by return to zero and non-return to zero (NRZ) modulation formats. The quality factor (Q-factor) has been examined on the basis of critical parameters of SOA. The obtained results show that the acceptable Q-factor (>6) is possible with the proposed design at input signal power even as low as 50 μW (−13 dBm), when the data is modulated in NRZ on-off keying (OOK) format.
Aspects on bond strength in sheet structures from TMP and CTMP – a review
Authors: Pettersson Gunilla , Norgren Sven , Engstrand Per , Rundlöf Mats , Höglund Hans 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHigh yield pulps (HYP), manufactured in mechanical and chemimechanical pulping processes, are mainly used in graphic papers and paper grades where a high bulk is preferable, like in paperboards. Moreover, packaging papers with very high demands on both dry and wet strength could be manufactured from HYP in a near future. Preferred bonds between fibre components (long fibres, shortened fibres and fines) in the various paper grades are quite different. In the review, plausible effects of mechanical interlocking, intermolecular interactions (“physical bonding”), hydrogen bonds, intermixing of polymers, additives and possible specific interactions in the formation of strong bonds in sheet structures from HYP are discussed. A required condition for high bond strength in sheets from HYP furnishes is that fibre components are forced into sufficiently close contact. This is to a great extent impeded if the fibre walls are too stiff. Consequently, the current review focuses on both how fibre fractions should preferably be developed for different end uses and how suitable bonds might be achieved in different paper grades. The ideal type of bonds is certainly different depending on the demands on the final paper quality.
Novel potentiometric methods for the estimation of bisoprolol and alverine in pharmaceutical forms and human serum
Authors: Elgendy Khaled , Elmosallamy Mohamed A.F. , Soltan Moustafa K. , Amin Alaa S. , Elshaprawy Dina S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTwo new potentiometric sensors were created for the quantification of bisoprolol fumarate and alverine citrate in bulk pharmaceutical dosage forms and human serum. Bisoprolol and alverine sensors were manufactured by combining potassium tetrakis (p-chlorophenyl) borate ion pairs to serve as electroactive substances, plasticized poly (vinyl chloride) matrix membranes, ando-nitrophenyl octyl ether. They demonstrated high responses over the concentration ranges of 1.0×10−6to 1.0×10−2mol L−1bisoprolol and alverine with close to Nernstian cationic slopes of 52 and 56 mV decade−1, respectively. The detection limits for bisoprolol and alverine were 2.6×10−6and 1.75×10−6mol L−1, respectively. For both medications, the response time was instantaneous (2.0 s). The working pH ranges for bisoprolol and alverine were 4.50–8.50 and 2.00–8.80, respectively. For both sensors, the life cycle was long (3 months). The sensors were used in pharmaceutical dosage types for the assay of bisoprolol and alverine, recording average recoveries of 99.40% and 99.98% respectively and were also successfully used for estimating the two drugs in human serum with an average recovery of 99.60% for both drugs. For all multiple staged interfering materials, the reported latest potentiometric sensor methods displayed high selectivity. The current sensor obtained a high percentage recovery and an excellent relative standard deviation compared with those obtained from previously published methods.
The Use of Dishwashers in Commercial Enterprises – An Initial Analysis
Authors: Kerschgens Svenja , Esmarch-Rummler Britta von , Stamminger Rainer 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
The requirements for commercial dishwashers differ fundamentally from those for domestic dishwashers. For commercial dishwashers, capacity and programme duration are the main factors. Accordingly, different designs are offered for the different types of requirement. Comprehensive data on the usage behaviour of commercial dishwashers is scarcely available. Within the framework of face-to-face interviews, 200 companies in Germany and Denmark were visited to record their user behaviour. With the help of the data obtained, not only errors in the usage behaviour were found, but also indications of unnecessarily high water and energy consumption, which, inter alia, lead to increased costs for the companies. The results show that manual pre-rinsing in particular leads to increased water consumption. Furthermore, the dishwashers are only partially loaded, which leads to more wash cycles than necessary. In order to ensure the optimal utilisation and correct user behaviour of commercial dishwashers, while simultaneously reducing the impact on the environment, there is an urgent need to educate users better on how to use them correctly.
Wahrnehmung der Nachhaltigkeitsmaßnahmen von Bergbahnen – Erkenntnisse aus Deutschland, Österreich und der Schweiz
Authors: Amacher Hoppler Anna , Rosenberg-Taufer Barbara , Walter David K. , Meier-Crameri Ursina , Heinrich Carmen 
Published: May 2021

Zusammenfassung
Nachhaltigkeit ist in der Bergbahnbranche nicht eine Selbstverständlichkeit, auch wenn nachhaltige Praktiken existieren. Um Handlungsempfehlungen für das strategische Management machen zu können, wurden 1500 Gäste von deutschen, österreichischen und schweizerischen Bergbahnunternehmen in einer Onlinebefragung nach ihrer Wahrnehmung der Nachhaltigkeitsmaßnahmen von Bergbahnen befragt. Insgesamt ist Nachhaltigkeit nur für jeden zehnten Wintergast ein entscheidendes Auswahlkriterium, um zu einer Bergbahn zu reisen. Allerdings werden von einer Mehrheit der Gäste Belastungen durch die Bergbahnaktivitäten wahrgenommen. Gleichzeitig werden die von Bergbahnen umgesetzten Nachhaltigkeitsmaßnahmen nur von einer Minderheit bemerkt. Somit besteht sowohl bei der Umsetzung als auch der Kommunikation Potenzial.
Uso de modelos mixtos en el análisis de estudios de homogeneidad para ensayos de aptitud
Authors: Molina Castro Gabriel Ignacio , Venegas-Padilla Jimmy , Calderón-Jiménez Bryan 
Published: May 2021

Los ensayos de aptitud han demostrado ser una herramienta poderosa para evaluar la calidad de las mediciones. El presente trabajo evalúa las ventajas del uso de modelos mixtos lineales frente a modelos tradicionales de efectos aleatorios en estudios de homogeneidad aplicados en ensayos de aptitud, y describe su aplicación en ejemplo para la medición de elementos de agua potable, correspondiente al ensayo de aptitud DMQ-001-2018 del LCM. Ambos modelos fueron ajustados y evaluados para los datos de medición de calcio (Ca) y magnesio (Mg) utilizando el software estadístico R. Se evidenció la presencia de una tendencia por medición para Mg (p = 0.0005), pero no para Ca (p = 0.4265). Un análisis de las componentes de incertidumbre por falta de homogeneidad (uhom) y por repetibilidad (ur) demostró la similitud entre los modelos cuando no existe una tendencia (modelo mixto: uhom = 0.4536 mg/L y ur = 0.4643 mg/L, modelo aleatorio: uhom = 0.4705 mg/L y ur = 0.4494 mg/L). Sin embargo, diferencias significativas fueron observadas cuando existen tendencias (modelo mixto: uhom = 3.0468 ∙ 10-6 mg/L y ur = 0.0842 mg/L, modelo aleatorio: uhom = no estimable y ur = 0.2343 mg/L). Se evidenciaron ventajas para el modelo mixto lineal en comparación con el modelo tradicional, resaltando la posibilidad de eliminar indefiniciones en la estimación de uhom y la mitigación de posibles sobreestimaciones de ur. Finalmente, se brinda un código programado en R para procesar datos de estudios de homogeneidad basado en el ajuste de un modelo mixto lineal.
Humidifier disinfectant, sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC): Assessment of respiratory effects to protect workers’ health
Authors: Seo DongSeok , Jo JiMin 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Biocides are used to control and remove all harmful organisms. In South Korea, they are used in humidifier disinfectants and have been found to cause lung disease in users. Hence, efforts have been focused on studying the toxicity of biocides in workers who handle them. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of inhalation exposure to sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) to protect the health of workers handling NaDCC. F344 rats were exposed to 0.8-, 4-, and 20-mg/m3 of NaDCC for 6 hours per day, 5 days per week for 14 days, and the recovery period after exposure was 14 days.In the 20-mg/m3 exposure group, we observed a decrease in food intake in females, a weight loss in males, and a decrease in partially active thromboplastin time in males and females 2 weeks after exposure. We noted a decrease in white blood cells in males in the 4- and 20-mg/m3 exposed groups. Both males and females in the 20-mg/m3 group and males in the 4-mg/m3 group showed irritation in the larynx related to test substance exposure. However, these findings were not observed in the recovery group. The main target organs affected by repeated 2-week inhalation exposure to NaDCC were the nasal cavity and larynx in the upper respiratory tract. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level (NOAEL) was considered to be 0.8 mg/m3 because the effects related to exposure of NaDCC were observed even at of 4 mg/m3. In addition, these effects were found to be reversible.
Seismic Behaviour of Piles in Non-Liquefiable and Liquefiable Soil
Authors: Hussein Fouad , Naggar Hesham El 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
This paper investigates the nonlinear soil-pile-structure interaction (SPSI) employing three-dimensional (3D) nonlinear finite element models (FEM) verified with the results of large-scale shaking table tests of model pile groups-superstructure systems. The responses of piles in both liquefiable and non-liquefiable soil sites to ground motion with varying intensities were evaluated considering both kinematic and inertial interaction. The calculated piles and soil responses agreed well with the responses measured during the shaking events. The numerical models correctly predicted the different pile deformation modes that were exhibited in the experiments. The finite element analysis (FEA) was then employed to perform a parametric study to evaluate the kinematic and inertial effects on the piles' response, considering different ground motion levels and piles characteristics. It was found that the bending moment of piles in the liquefiable site increases significantly, compared to the non-liquefiable site, due to the loss of lateral support of the liquified soil, and the maximum bending moment occurs at the interface between the liquified and liquefied sand layers. The inertial interaction contributes the most to the bending moments at the pile top and the interface between the top clay and liquefied loose sand layers. For piles with a larger diameter, the bending moment due to kinematic interaction increases significantly, and the bending moment distribution corresponds to short (rigid) pile behaviour. In addition, the piles at the saturated site displace laterally as a rigid body during strong ground motions because the pile base loses the lateral support due to the soil liquefaction. Finally, the kinematic interaction effect becomes more significant for piles with higher elastic modulus.
Coexisting Respiratory Comorbidities Increase Mortality in Patients with Asthma: National Cohort Study
Authors: Yeo Yoomi , Lee Hyun , Ryu Jiin , Chung Sung Jun , Park Tai Sun , Park Dong Won , Kim Sang-Heon , Kim Tae Hyung , Sohn Jang Won , Yoon Ho Joo , Min Kyung Hoon , Moon Ji-Yong 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Background: Asthmatic patients are generally considered to have an increased risk of mortality compared with subjects without asthma. However, this issue has less evaluated using nationally representative data. Moreover, it is unclear whether respiratory comorbidities other than chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are associated with increased mortality in asthmatic patients compared with subjects without.Methods: Using a nationally representative sample database, we performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with asthma and age- sex-matched control cohort. We estimated hazard ratio (HR) and stratified the asthma cohort based on respiratory comorbidities.Results: During a median 8.9-year follow-up, the overall mortality rate was higher in the asthma cohort than in the control cohort (p<0.001). The hazard ratio (HR) for mortality in the asthma cohort compared with the control cohort was 1.13. The effects of asthma on mortality were more evident in males, patients under medical aid, and subjects with COPD. Respiratory comorbidities were significantly associated with increased risk of mortality in asthmatic patients compared with controls (COPD, adjusted HR, aHR=1.49; bronchiectasis, aHR=1.43; lung cancer, aHR=4.11; pneumonia, aHR=1.59).Conclusions: Patients with asthma had a higher mortality rate compared with subjects without asthma. Coexisting pulmonary comorbidities were the primary cause of higher mortality in patients with asthma