bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum Hepcidin Level in Obese Children and Adolescents: It’s Association with Iron Deficiency Anemia
Authors: Nashar Mahmoud Ibrahim El , EL-Shafiey Rasha Mohamed Gamal , Saad Mohammed Attia , Hamam Mohammed Amr 
Published: March 2021

Background: Childhood obesity is a worldwide chronic public health problem. It was found that obesity is associated with iron deficiency and iron profile abnormalities, which appear to be caused by several factors such as decreased intake, insufficient bioavailability, and deficient intestinal iron uptake as well as iron release from stores because of an over expression of hepcidin.
Aim of the Work: Was to estimate serum hepcidin levels in obese children and adolescents and to evaluate its relation with iron deficiency anemia in these children.
Subjects and Methods: The current study included 50 patients recruited from the Nutrition Clinic of Pediatric Department at Tanta University Hospital, 25 of them were obese with iron deficiency anemia and the other 25 were obese without iron deficiency anemia and 25 healthy children and adolescents of matched age and sex enrolled as controls. All studied children were subjected to complete history taking, thorough clinical examination including anthropometric measures (Weight, height, Body mass index), assessment of pubertal status using Tanner criteria and laboratory investigations including: CBC, BUN, creatinine, ALT, AST, stool analysis, occult blood in stool, CRP, iron profile, Serum Hepcidin, abdominal ultrasound.
Results: There were significant differences between patients and control group as regard Weight, BMI and their z scores. Significantly lower levels of hemoglobin, serum ferritin, serum iron and transferrin saturation in obese children with IDA than obese children without IDA and controls and significantly higher levels of TIBC were found in obese children with IDA compared to obese children without IDA and controls. As regard CRP it was significantly higher in obese children than controls. Serum hepcidin was significantly higher in obese children than controls but there is no significant difference between obese children with IDA and obese children without IDA. Significant positive correlation between Serum hepcidin levels and BMI in obese children was found. Conclusion: Serum hepcidin level was significantly higher in obese children and adolescents in comparison with healthy lean control with no significant difference between obese children with IDA and obese children without IDA. So, estimation of serum hepcidin level is not diagnostic but it may be beneficial in screening of iron deficiency anemia in pediatric obese individuals. Further studies with larger sample size are needed to verify these findings.
Demonstration of the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (Mic) and Minimal Bactericidal Concentration(Mbc) of Both Moringa oleifera and Gongronema latifolium Extracts Mixture against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli
Authors: Obroh Ajirioghene A. , Oshim Ifeanyi O. , Odeyemi Oluwayemisi , Urama Evelyn U. , Olise Nkechi A. 
Published: March 2021

Background: Moringa oleifera and Gongronema latifolium have many nutritional values that contain bioactive components such as alkaloids, saponin, tannin, steroids and terpenoids, as antimicrobials.
Objective: The general purpose of this study was to evaluate the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimal bactericidal concentration(MBC) of both Moringa oleifera and Gongronema latifolium extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi and Escherichia coli.
Method: This is laboratory experimental research involving post test only control group design using the Kirby Bauer dilution method. With treatment combination of Moringa oleifera and Gongronema latifolium extracts concentration ranging from 50-200 mg/ml and positive control (gentamycin).
Result: Mininum bacterial concentration was found between 6.25 mg /ml – 12.5mg /ml for Moringa oleifera and Gongronema latifolium extracts while minimum inhibitory concentration of Moringa oleifera and Gongronema latifolium was found between 12.5 mg / ml – 25.0 mg/ml respectively. U-Mann whitney results showed that the value of p < 0.05 were significant. In this study, the Staphylococcus aureus showed the highest inhibition zone diameter compared to other isolates.
Conclusion: The results from this work affirms the use of Moringa oleifera and Gongronema latifolium as antimicrobials and emplores the attention of pharmaceutical companies to exploit production of antibiotics for treatment of infections resulting from Salmonella typhi and Staphylococcus aureus isolates.
Enhanced Wirebonding Technique on QFN Device with Critical Die Reference
Authors: Pulido Jonathan C. , Gomez Frederick Ray I. 
Published: March 2021

Wirebonding is one of the most challenging assembly manufacturing processes in semiconductor packaging industry. This paper discussed the wirebonding challenge and the solution to mitigate misplaced ball issues and prevent pattern recognition alignment errors. Parameter optimization particularly on wirebond looping was done to ensure that the silicon die’s L-fiducial is visible and not obstructed by the wires, which is the operator point or die reference of the unit during wirebonding setup. Ultimately, the optimized wirebonding parameter prevented the pattern recognition alignment error and misplaced ball issues during the lot process. For future works, the configuration and technique could be applied on packages with the similar situation.
Assessment of Physicochemical and Bacteriological Quality of Well Water Samples in Ido Community, Nigeria
Authors: Akani N. P. , Amadi L. O. , Amafina I. M. 
Published: March 2021

This study was carried out to investigate the physicochemical and bacteriological quality of well water samples in Ido community. Thirty water samples were collected from five different wells ( six samples from each well) and subjected to standard microbiological and physicochemical analysis. All physicochemical properties showed difference (p<0.05) in all the wells analyzed except temperature and turbidity. Temperature ranged between 25.3±3.50C and 26±2.350C; pH, 6.3±0.7 and 6.9±0.3; electrical conductivity, 127.6±1.9 and 157.8±7.7μs/cm; total suspended solids, 25.2±8.9 and 53.2±1.8mg/l; turbidity, 0.15±0.7 and 1.20±1.4NTU; dissolved oxygen, 4.40±2.8 and 5.35±2.1 mg/l; Biological Oxygen Demand, 9.40±2.8 and15.4±2.8mg/l; Chemical Oxygen Demand, 177.2±1.6 and 260.3±1.6mg/l; chloride, 59.8±8.5 and 101.2±2.6mg/l and total hardness, 246.6±1.9 and 395.6±2.7mg/l. All values fell within WHO standards except Chemical Oxygen Demand (WHO Standard 40mg/l) and total hardness (WHO Standard 100mg/l). Results of microbial population did not show any difference (p>0.05) across the wells. However, Total Heterotrophic Bacteria ranged from 2.15±0.91×104 to 5.3±0.86×104cfu/ml; total coliform, 3.00±0.77×104 to 6.18±0.73×104 cfu/ml; Total feacal coliform, 2.61±0.71×104 to 4.39±0.76×104 cfu/ml; Total vibrio count, 2.68±0.81× 103 to 4.4±0.86×103 cfu/ml; Total salmonella shigella count. 2.02±0.84×103 to 4.8±0.95×103 cfu/ml. Total coliform bacteria ranged from 220 to > 1600 coliform MPN index /100ml-1, while thermo tolerant coliform bacteria ranged from 220 to 1600 coliform MPN index /100ml-1. A total of forty bacterial isolates belonging to ten genera were identified. They include species of Bacillus 22 (26.4%), Staphylococcus 14(16.8%), Vibrio 13(15.7%), Serratia 6(7.3%), Enterobacter 6(7.3%), Chromobacterium 4(4.8%), Salmonella 4 (4.9%), Shigella 4(4.8%) and E. coli 4(4.8%). This result highlights the fact that well water in Ido community are not safe microbiologically for drinking without additional treatment such as boiling or disinfection and this could lead to outbreak of water borne diseases. Good and proper environmental and personal hygiene is advocate especially by the users of those wells to prevent their contamination with bacterial pathogens.
Correlations between building performances and design parameters of double‐skin facade utilizing perforated screen
Authors: Srisamranrungruang Thanyalak , Hiyama Kyosuke 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of a perforated sheet combined with a double‐skin facade (DSPF) by varying the important building parameters, such as perforation percentage, facade orientation, and the thickness of the double‐skin facade (DSF). This study determines the energy‐saving, natural ventilation, and daylight performance of an office building in Tokyo, Japan by conducting simulations. This study discovers that the DSPF thickness does not influence the performances much and the DSPF thickness of 0.5 m is recommended. For daylighting, the system with the 40% perforation percentage on the south and 10% perforation percentage on the west is the best case of daylight access without disturbing glare in the particular view of this study. To balance natural ventilation and daylight when installing perforated screens, this research demonstrated the net heat removal in spring when the perforated percentage of 50% on the south and 30% on the west is recommended. In autumn, the net heat removal when the perforated percentage of 10% on the south and 30% on the west is recommended. This research demonstrated that the total net heat removal when the perforated percentage of 10% on the south and 30% on the west are recommended for removing heat throughout a year.
Functional dystonia: A case‐control study and risk prediction algorithm
Authors: Stephen Christopher D. , Perez David L. , Chibnik Lori B. , Sharma Nutan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveFunctional dystonia (FD) is a disabling and diagnostically challenging functional movement disorder (FMD). We sought to identify historical predictors of FD vs. other primary dystonias (ODs) and develop a practical prediction algorithm to guide neurologists.Methods1475 consecutive new patient medical records were reviewed at an adult/pediatric tertiary‐referral dystonia clinic from 2005 to 2017. Ninety‐nine met criteria for clinically established FD (85 adults and 14 pediatric), paired with 99 age/dystonia distribution‐matched OD. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of FD and disability. We formed a prediction algorithm, assessed using the area under the receiver operating curve (AUC).ResultsMultivariate logistic regression analysis investigating independent predictors of FD (P < 0.001) followed by development of a prediction algorithm showed that the most robust predictors included abrupt onset, spontaneous resolution/recurrence, pain, cognitive complaints, being on or pursuing disability, lifetime mood/anxiety disorder, comorbid functional somatic disorders, and having ≥3 medication allergies. The prediction algorithm had utility for both adult and pediatric FD, with excellent sensitivity/specificity (89%/92%) and an area under the curve (AUC) 0.95 (0.92‐0.98). Greater disability (modified Rankin Scale) independently correlated with a number of functional examination features, unemployment/not attending school, number of medication allergies, and younger age of presentation. FD patients were high health‐care utilizers and were more frequently prescribed opiates/opioids and benzodiazepines (P < 0.003).InterpretationThis case‐control study provides an algorithm to guide clinicians in gauging their index of suspicion for a FD, with diagnostic confirmation subsequently informed by neurological examination. While this algorithm requires prospective validation, health‐care utilization data underscore the importance and need for more research in FD.
Direct Emission of Continuously Varying Polarization of Light by Surface Treatment of a Mesogenic Luminophore
Authors: Seo Young‐Kyo , Lee You‐Jin , Kim Jae‐Hoon , Yu Chang‐Jae 
Published: March 2021

AbstractControl of the polarized light generated from a luminophore has been intensively studied in organic light emitting diodes due to an enhancement of light intensity. The direct emission of highly circularly polarized light has been reported in a twist stacking of an achiral conjugated polymer by boundary surface effect without any chiral dopant. Although the twisted configuration of the emitting layer was obtained by applying different boundary conditions to two interfaces of the conjugated polymer, little study has been performed on the effect of the interfaces of the mesogenic polymer so far. Here, twist‐angle‐varying configuration in a single luminophore is designed and demonstrated to investigate an interfacial effect such as surface anchoring phenomena of conjugated mesogenic polymer. The continuously varying twisted configuration is fabricated by applying the circularly and unidirectionally rubbing method to the lower and the upper interfaces of the mesogenic luminophore, respectively. The surface anchoring and bulk elastic properties of luminophores are systematically analyzed to investigate twist deformation. Furthermore, a self‐luminous light source generating continuously varying polarization of light is demonstrated. The proposed light source can generate multi‐polarization states including linearly polarized, right‐handed circularly polarized, and left‐handed circularly polarized light in a single substrate.
CUL4B Promotes Breast Carcinogenesis by Coordinating with Transcriptional Repressor Complexes in Response to Hypoxia Signaling Pathway
Authors: Huang Wei , Zhang Jingyao , Huo Miaomiao , Gao Jie , Yang Tianshu , Yin Xin , Wang Pei , Leng Shuai , Feng Dandan , Chen Yang , Yang Yang , Wang Yan 
Published: March 2021

AbstractCullin4B (CUL4B) is a scaffold protein of the CUL4B‐Ring E3 ligase (CRL4B) complex. However, the role of CUL4B in the development of breast cancer remains poorly understood. Here it is shown that CRL4B interacts with multiple histone deacetylase (HDAC)‐containing corepressor complexes, including MTA1/NuRD, SIN3A, CoREST, and NcoR/SMRT complexes. It is demonstrated that CRL4B/NuRD(MTA1) complexes cooccupy the E‐cadherin and AXIN2 promoters, and could be recruited by transcription factors including Snail and ZEB2 to promote cell invasion and tumorigenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Remarkably, CUL4B responded to transformation and migration/invasion stimuli and is essential for multiple epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling pathways such as hypoxia. Furthermore, the transcription of CUL4B is directedly activated by hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) and repressed by the ERα‐GATA3 axis. Overexpressing of CUL4B successfully induced CSC‐like properties. Strikingly, CUL4B expression is markedly upregulated during breast cancer progression and correlated with poor prognosis. The results suggest that CUL4B lies at a critical crossroads between EMT and stem cell properties, supporting CUL4B as a potential novel target for the development of anti‐breast cancer therapy.
Harnessing X‐Ray Energy‐Dependent Attenuation of Bismuth‐Based Nanoprobes for Accurate Diagnosis of Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Wu Shiman , Meng Xianfu , Jiang Xingwu , Wu Yelin , Zhai Shaojie , Wang Xiaoshuang , Liu Yanyan , Zhang Jiawen , Zhao Xinxin , Zhou Yan , Bu Wenbo , Yao Zhenwei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractTimely detection of liver fibrosis by X‐ray computed tomography (CT) can prevent its progression to fatal liver diseases. However, it remains quite challenging because conventional CT can only identify the difference in density instead of X‐ray attenuation characteristics. Spectral CT can generate monochromatic imaging to specify X‐ray attenuation characteristics of the scanned matter. Herein, an X‐ray energy‐dependent attenuation strategy originated from bismuth (Bi)‐based nanoprobes (BiF3@PDA@HA) is proposed for the accurate diagnosis of liver fibrosis. Bi element in BiF3@PDA@HA can exhibit characteristic attenuation depending on different levels of X‐ray energy via spectral CT, and that is challenging for conventional CT. In this study, selectively accumulating BiF3@PDA@HA nanoprobes in the hepatic fibrosis areas can significantly elevate CT value for 40 Hounsfield units on 70 keV monochromatic images, successfully differentiating from healthy livers and achieving the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. Furthermore, the enhancement produced by the BiF3@PDA@HA nanoprobes in vivo increases as the monochromatic energy decreases from 70 to 40 keV, optimizing the conspicuity of the diseased areas. As a proof of concept, the strategically designed nanoprobes with energy‐dependent attenuation characteristics not only expand the scope of CT application, but also hold excellent potential for precise imaging‐based disease diagnosis.
The CNOT4 Subunit of the CCR4‐NOT Complex is Involved in mRNA Degradation, Efficient DNA Damage Repair, and XY Chromosome Crossover during Male Germ Cell Meiosis
Authors: Dai Xing‐Xing , Jiang Yu , Gu Jia‐Hui , Jiang Zhi‐Yan , Wu Yun‐Wen , Yu Chao , Yin Hao , Zhang Jue , Shi Qing‐Hua , Shen Li , Sha Qian‐Qian , Fan Heng‐Yu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe CCR4‐NOT complex is a major mRNA deadenylase in eukaryotes, comprising the catalytic subunits CNOT6/6L and CNOT7/8, as well as CNOT4, a regulatory subunit with previously undetermined functions. These subunits have been hypothesized to play synergistic biochemical functions during development. Cnot7 knockout male mice have been reported to be infertile. In this study, viable Cnot6/6l double knockout mice are constructed, and the males are fertile. These results indicate that CNOT7 has CNOT6/6L‐independent functions in vivo. It is also demonstrated that CNOT4 is required for post‐implantation embryo development and meiosis progression during spermatogenesis. Conditional knockout of Cnot4 in male germ cells leads to defective DNA damage repair and homologous crossover between X and Y chromosomes. CNOT4 functions as a previously unrecognized mRNA adaptor of CCR4‐NOT by targeting mRNAs to CNOT7 for deadenylation of poly(A) tails, thereby mediating the degradation of a subset of transcripts from the zygotene to pachytene stage. The mRNA removal promoted by the CNOT4‐regulated CCR4‐NOT complex during the zygotene‐to‐pachytene transition is crucial for the appropriate expression of genes involved in the subsequent events of spermatogenesis, normal DNA double‐strand break repair during meiosis, efficient crossover between X and Y chromosomes, and ultimately, male fertility.
Small‐Angle X‐Ray Scattering Studies of Block Copolymer Nano‐Objects: Formation of Ordered Phases in Concentrated Solution During Polymerization‐Induced Self‐Assembly
Authors: Rymaruk Matthew J. , O'Brien Cate T. , György Csilla , Darmau Bastien , Jennings James , Mykhaylyk Oleksandr O. , Armes Steven P. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe report that polymerization‐induced self‐assembly (PISA) can be used to prepare lyotropic phases comprising diblock copolymer nano‐objects in non‐polar media. RAFT dispersion polymerization of benzyl methacrylate (BzMA) at 90 °C using a trithiocarbonate‐capped hydrogenated polybutadiene (PhBD) steric stabilizer block in n‐dodecane produces either spheres or worms that exhibit long‐range order at 40 % w/w solids. NMR studies enable calculation of instantaneous copolymer compositions for each phase during the BzMA polymerization. As the PBzMA chains grow longer when targeting PhBD80–PBzMA40, time‐resolved small‐angle X‐ray scattering reveals intermediate body‐centered cubic (BCC) and hexagonally close‐packed (HCP) sphere phases prior to formation of a final hexagonal cylinder phase (HEX). The HEX phase is lost on serial dilution and the aligned cylinders eventually form disordered flexible worms. The HEX phase undergoes an order–disorder transition on heating to 150 °C and a pure HCP phase forms on cooling to 20 °C.
Iron(II)‐Catalyzed Aerobic Biomimetic Oxidation of Amines using a Hybrid Hydroquinone/Cobalt Catalyst as Electron Transfer Mediator
Authors: Guðmundsson Arnar , Manna Srimanta , Bäckvall Jan‐E. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHerein we report the first FeII‐catalyzed aerobic biomimetic oxidation of amines. This oxidation reaction involves several electron transfer steps and is inspired by biological oxidation in the respiratory chain. The electron transfer from the amine to molecular oxygen is aided by two coupled catalytic redox systems, which lower the energy barrier and improve the selectivity of the oxidation reaction. An iron hydrogen transfer complex was utilized as the substrate‐selective dehydrogenation catalyst along with a bifunctional hydroquinone/cobalt Schiff base complex as a hybrid electron transfer mediator. Various primary and secondary amines were oxidized in air to their corresponding aldimines or ketimines in good to excellent yield.
Metal Complex Lipids for Fluid–Fluid Phase Separation in Coassembled Phospholipid Membranes
Authors: Ohtani Ryo , Anegawa Yuka , Watanabe Hikaru , Tajima Yutaro , Kinoshita Masanao , Matsumori Nobuaki , Kawano Kenichi , Yanaka Saeko , Kato Koichi , Nakamura Masaaki , Ohba Masaaki , Hayami Shinya 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWe demonstrate a fluid–fluid phase separation in 1,2‐dimyristoyl‐sn‐glycero‐3‐phosphocholine (DMPC) membranes using a metal complex lipid of type [Mn(L1)] (1; HL1=1‐(2‐hydroxybenzamide)‐2‐(2‐hydroxy‐3‐formyl‐5‐hexadecyloxybenzylideneamino)ethane). Small amount of 1 produces two separated domains in DMPC, whose phase transition temperatures of lipids (Tc) are both lower than that of the pristine DMPC. Variable temperature fluorescent microscopy for giant‐unilamellar vesicles of DMPC/1 hybrids demonstrates that visible phase separations remain in fluid phases up to 37 °C, which is clearly over the Tc of DMPC. This provides a new dimension for the application of metal complex lipids toward controlling lipid distributions in fluid membranes.
Porous hollow fibers with controllable structures templated from high internal phase emulsions
Authors: Gong Xuehui , Yang Peipei , Rohm Kristen , Zhong Yi , Zhao Boran , Manas‐Zloczower Ica , Baskaran Harihara , Feke Donald L. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA technique to fabricate hollow fibers with porous walls via templating from high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) has been demonstrated. This technique provides an environmentally friendly process alternative to conventional methods for hollow‐fiber productions that typically use organic solvents. HIPEs containing acrylate monomers were extruded into an aqueous curing bath. Osmotic pressure effects, manipulated through differences in salt concentration between the curing bath and the aqueous phase within the HIPE were used to control the hollow structures of polyHIPE fibers. The technique was used to produce porous fibers (with millimeter‐scale diameters and micron‐scale pores) having a hollow core (with a diameter of 50%–75% of the fiber diameter). Two potential applications of the hollow fibers were demonstrated. In vitro drug release studies using these hollow fibers show a controlled release profile that is consistent with the microstructure of the porous fiber wall. In addition, the presence of pores in the walls of polyHIPE fibers also enable size‐selective loading and separation of functional materials from an external suspension.