bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel Superabsorbent Polymer Composites Based on α-Cellulose and Modified-Zeolite: Synthesis, Characterization, Water Absorbency and Water Retention Capacity
Authors: Fu Enfa , Zhang Sijia , Luan Yu , Zhang Yuting , Saghir Summaira , Xiao Zhanggang 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Most superabsorbent polymers (SAP) are fully based on synthetic polymer (from petroleum resources) but costly, nondegradable, and environment-unfriendly. To overcome these disadvantages, biodegradable and renewable natural materials are suggested to be added into SAP. In this article, a new kind of SAP composites was synthesized by using AA, AM, α-cellulose, and modified-zeolite (MZE) as raw materials. The prepared novel SAP composite was analyzed by FTIR, XRD, SEM and TGA. Then, its water absorbency and water retention capacity were evaluated. The AA and AM were successfully grafted on α-cellulose chains and the introduction of MZE as an inorganic filler which is uniformly dispersed in the SAP composite matrix, both resulting in more undulant and coarser surface with abundant hydrophilic groups for novel SAP composites. By contrast with poly(AA-co-AM), the water absorbency of prepared novel SAP composites is increased by 93.88% in distilled water and 89.58% in 0.9 wt.% NaCl solution, respectively. Meanwhile, the retained water time of these SAP composites is 11.2 hs evaluated at 50 °C, increasing the water retention capacity by 71.79%. Moreover, both Tonset and Tpeak of prepared novel SAP composites are slightly increased compared with α-cellulose-poly(AA-co-AM), showing the introduction of MZE can slightly improve the thermal stability of novel SAP composites. The excellent water absorbency and retention capacity of novel SAP composites show it can be used as a water-keeping material for agricultural and horticulture applications.
Change Point Detection For Clustered Expression Data In Short Time Series.
Authors: Sieg Miriam , Sciesielski Lina Katrin , Kirschner Karin , Kruppa Jochen 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background: In longitudinal studies, observations are made over time. Hence, the single observations at each time point are dependent, making them a repeated measurement. In this work, we explore a different, counterintuitive setting: At each developmental time point, a lethal observation is performed on the pregnant or nursing mother. Therefore, the single time points are independent. Furthermore, the observation in the offspring at each time point is correlated with each other because each litter consists of several (genetically linked) littermates. In addition, the observed time series is short from a statistical perspective as animal ethics prevent killing more mother mice than absolutely necessary, and murine development is short anyway. We solve these challenges by using multiple contrast tests and visualizing the change point by the use of confidence intervals.Results: We used linear mixed models to model the variability of the mother. The estimates from the linear mixed model are then used in multiple contrast tests.There are a variety of contrasts and intuitively, we would use the Changepoint method. However, it does not deliver satisfying results. Interestingly, we found two other contrasts, both capable of answering different research questions in change point detection: i) Should a single point with change direction be found, or ii) Should the overall progression be determined? The Sequen contrast answers the first, the McDermott the second. Confidence intervals deliver effect estimates for the strength of the potential change point. Therefore, the scientist can define a biologically relevant limit of change depending on the research question.Conclusion: We present a solution with effect estimates for short independent time series with observations nested at a given time point. Multiple contrast tests produce confidence intervals, which allow determining the position of change points or to visualize the expression course over time. We suggest to use McDermott’s method to determine if there is an overall significant change within the time frame, while Sequen is better in determining specific change points. In addition, we offer a short formula for the estimation of the maximal length of the time series.
Trends In Frailty And Its Associated Factors In Community Dwelling Elderly Indian Population During COVID-19 Pandemic- A Prospective Analytical Study.
Authors: Gautam Karan , Krishnan Shyam , Kumar Vijaya , Nayak Megha 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Background There is a scarcity of quality literature on the prevalence of frailty among community dwelling elderly in India. This study was originally planned to analyze the longitudinal trends in frailty status of community dwelling elderly in an Indian population as well to identify factors associated with frailty in the Indian context. However the recruitment phase of this study coincided with one of the largest lockdowns in history, associated with the COVID-19 Pandemic, and this gave us a unique opportunity to study the effects this pandemic enforced, absolutely necessary restrictions, had on the frailty status as well the factors affecting frailty in elderly.Methods A prospective observational study was designed and conducted amongst 19 community dwelling elderly of Dakshina Kannada District, in Karnataka India. Outcome variables of frailty(EPIF), Physical activity(PASE), functional mobility(TUG), gait speed(10 meter walk test), nutritional status(MNAT), body composition(BIA), and strength(dynamometry), were measured at baseline and on follow-up exactly after 3 months. The change occurring in these variables over the 3 month period was analyzed and the change in frailty was independently correlated with changes in each of the other outcomes.ResultsWe couldn’t identify any statistically significant difference in frailty over a period of 3 months. However there was a highly significant change in the physical activity status, lower extremity muscle strength, body composition, functional mobility, gait sped, and cognitive function in the same time period.Conclusion Though individual determinants of frailty in community dwelling changed over a 3 month period, these changes failed to produce any observable/measurable difference in frailty status.
The use of Early Warning System Scores in Pre-Hospital and Emergency Department Settings to Predict Clinical Deterioration: s Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Guan Gigi , Lee Crystal Man Ying , Begg Stephen , Crombie Angela , Mnatzaganian George 
Published: June 2021

Abstract

Background:
It is unclear which Early Warning System (EWS) score best predicts in-hospital deterioration when applied in the emergency department (ED) or pre-hospital setting.
Methods:
This systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the predictive abilities of five commonly used EWS scores: National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and its updated version NEWS2, Modified Early Warning Score (MEWS), Rapid Acute Physiological Score (RAPS) and Cardiac Arrest Risk Triage (CART). Outcomes of interest included admission to ICU, up-to-≥3-day and 30-day mortality. Pooled estimates were calculated using DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models, constructed by type of EWS score, cut-off points, outcomes, and study setting. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-regressions investigated between study heterogeneity. Funnel plots tested for publication bias.
Results:
A total of 11,565 articles was identified, of which 15 were included. Eight and seven articles conducted in the ED and pre-hospital settings, respectively. In the ED, MEWS and NEWS at cut-off points of 3, 4, or 6 had similar pooled diagnostic odds ratios (DOR) to predict 30-day mortality, ranging from 4.05 (Confidence Interval (CI) 2.35–6.99) to 6.48 (95% CI 1.83–22.89), p = 0.757. The ability of MEWS (cut-off point ≥ 3) to predict ICU admission had a similar pooled DOR of 5.54 (95% CI 2.02–15.21). In the pre-hospital setting, EWS scores failed to predict 30-day mortality. Using high cut-off points of 5, 7, or 9, their predictability improved when assessing up-to-≥3-day mortality with DOR ranging from 11.60 (95%, CI 9.75–13.88) to 20.37 (95% CI 13.16–31.52).Publication bias was not detected. Participants’ age explained 92% of between-study variance.
Conclusion:
EWS scores’ predictability of clinical deterioration improves when applied on patient populations that are already in the ED or hospital. The high thresholds used and the scores’ failure to predict 30-day mortality make them less suited for use in the pre-hospital setting.
The effectiveness of interventions on nutrition social behaviour change communication in improving child nutritional status within the first 1000 days: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mahumud Rashidul Alam , Uprety Sophiya , Wali Nidhi , Renzaho Andre M.N. , Chitekwe Stanley 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the robustness of designs and tools used in NSBCC interventions and establish their effectiveness. EBSCOhost as an umbrella database including Medline (Ovid) and CINAHL, EMBASE and ProQUEST databases were searched for peer-reviewed articles from January 1960 to October 2018. Additional sources were searched to identify all relevant studies including grey literature. Studies’ biases were assessed according to Cochrane handbook. Pooled estimate of effectiveness of interventions on infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and child nutritional status with 95% confidence intervals were measured using random-effects models. Eighty studies were included in this review: Fifty-one (64%) were cluster randomised trials (RCTs), 13 (16%) were RCTs and 16 (20%) quasi-experimental. Of the included studies, 22 (27%) measured early initiation of breastfeeding, 38 (47%) measured exclusive breastfeeding, 29 (36%) measured minimum dietary diversity, 21 (26%) measured minimum meal frequency, 26 (32%) measured HAZ, 23 (29%) measured WHZ, 27 (34%) measured WAZ, 20 (25%) measured stunting, 14 (17%) measured wasting, and 11 (14%) measured underweight. The overall intervention’s effect was significant for EBF (OR = 1.73; 95% CI: 1.35–2.11, p < 0.001), HAZ (Standardized Mean Differences, SMD = 0.19; 95% CI: 0.17–0.21; p < 0.001), WHZ (SMD = 0.02; 95% CI: 0.004 to 0.04; p < 0.001), and WAZ (SMD = 0.04; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.06; p < 0.001). Evidence shows the effectiveness of NSBCC in improving EBF and child anthropometric outcomes. Further research should test the impact on child nutritional status with clearly specified and detailed NSBCC interventions.
A simple alternative for Rh phenotyping red cells that have a persistently positive Rh control
Authors: Hardman J.T. , Beck M.L. , Lamley P. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Investigation of a patient’s red cell sample with a persistently positive Rh control revealed that if the patient’s red cells were treated with ZZAP, then incubated at 37°C with commercial Rh-typing reagents, then washed four times with saline, the positive Rh control could be circumvented and the Rh phenotype readily determined. One hundred red cell samples of known Rh phenotype were treated with ZZAP and coated with autoantibody to resemble the cells of the index case. Accurate results were obtained when these modified cell samples were tested against Rh typing reagents from three manufacturers using a 37°C incubation followed by four saline washes. The procedure, termed Z37W, appears to be a simple alternative that can assist in determination of Rh phenotypes when the Rh control is positive.
Water and sustainable development
Authors: Bozorg-Haddad Omid , Komijani Samira , Goharian Erfan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
The never-ending exploitation of natural resources after the industrial revolution has caused irreversible damage to our environment and life. This vast resource deployment was expected to finally decelerate after the emergence of the Sustainable Development paradigm in the late 1980s. The concept of sustainable development aims to balance the tradeoff between supply and the needs of societies to also preserve the needs of future generations. Nonrenewable resources, especially water, have been at the heart of sustainable development goals. Sustainable Water Management (SWM) is an essential component of sustainable development. To achieve SWM, various water management challenges, in both developing and developed countries, should be addressed by attracting stakeholders to invest in water system efficiency and improvement projects, as well as by recycling and reusing water. To assess sustainable management policies and practices, evaluation of performance metrices – such as the Water Resources Sustainability Index, reliability, resiliency and vulnerability, and the Stability Index – is imperative. A cost-efficient policy should also facilitate the attainment of sustainability in all socioeconomic, and environmental sectors.
Drinking water quality, exposure and health risk assessment for the school-going children at school time in the southwest coastal of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Md. Aminur , Islam Md. Rashidul , Kumar Sazal , Al-Reza Sharif M. 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Scarcity of safe drinking water in the coastal regions throughout the world has long been recognized due to hydrological vulnerability and natural disaster, which is severe in developing countries like Bangladesh. This study focuses on trace metal(loid)s contamination and their associated health risks for primary school children from the consumption of tubewell water at school time in the vulnerable southwest coastal region of Bangladesh. The average content of electrical conductivity (EC), turbidity, chloride, total dissolved solids (TDSs), hardness, iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) were 1,983.6 ± 1,434.6 μS cm−1, 10.46 ± 10.3 NTU, 676.3 ± 648.1, 1,089.1 ± 788.6, 560.6 ± 326.6, 2.18 ± 1.99, and 0.19 ± 0.36 mg L−1, respectively, which exceeded their respective health-based guideline values. The concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) were lower than the World Health Organization provisional guideline values. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the EC of groundwater is dependent on TDS, chlorides, and other cations contributing to hardness, while turbidity results from the Fe content in groundwater. The hazard quotients (HQs) of As, Fe, Mn, and Zn intake were lower than unity for both boys and girls, indicating no non-carcinogenic risks to the children. However, cancer risks (CRs) from As exposure through drinking water were 1.5 and 1.8 times higher than the provisional safe value of 10−4 for boys and girls, indicating a lifetime cancer risk to the school-going children. Therefore, prompt and effective monitoring is a crying need to ensure water's continuous usability for drinking purposes in the study area.
Direct resource recovery from sewage using a combined system of anaerobic-aerobic biological treatment and food production
Authors: Tanikawa Daisuke , Shimomura Kenta , Motokawa Daisuke , Itoiri Yuya , Kimura Zen-Ichiro 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
A combined system of an anaerobic baffled reactor (ABR), a down-flow hanging sponge (DHS) reactor, an aquarium tank (AT), and a constructed wetland (CWL) was proposed as a new concept for sewage treatment. The ABR and DHS reactor, AT, and CWL were applied for biological sewage treatment, bioassay, and nutrient removal with food production, respectively. Killifishes and tomatoes were cultivated in the AT and CWL, respectively. In the ABR, 81.3% of total chemical oxygen demand and 76.5% of total biochemical oxygen demand were removed at 5.1 h of hydraulic retention time (HRT). Most remaining organic matter and 47.1% of ammonia were removed in the DHS reactor. In the CWL, 97.0% of total inorganic nitrogen and 78.6% of phosphate were removed with 3.87 kg/m2 of tomatoes producing yield at 4.4 days of HRT. In addition, anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria Candidatus Scalindua and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria Nitrospira and Nitorosococcus were considered as contributors to nitrogen removal in the CWL. The final effluent's water can be utilized as recycled water by installation of sand filtration and disinfection processes. Therefore, the proposed system can be applied as a low-energy, low-cost sewage treatment system with direct resource recovery.
Loperamide-induced Constipation Activates Inflammatory
Signaling Pathways in the Mid Colon of SD Rats Via Complement
C3 and its Receptors
Authors: Choi Yun Ju , Kim Ji Eun , Lee Su Jin , Gong Jeong Eun , Jang Miran , Hong Jin Tae , Hwang Dae Youn 
Published: June 2021

Background:
Complement component 3 (C3) receptors play an important
role as inflammatory mediators in the innate immune system, although their mechanisms
were not well studied during constipation.

Objective:
The aim of this study is to investigate the regulatory role of C3 and its
receptors' downstream signaling during constipation.

Methods:
Alterations in the C3, C3a receptor (C3aR), and C3b receptor (C3bR)
expressions, PI3K/AKT pathway, RhoA/MLC pathway, MAP kinase pathway, and
inflammatory cytokine expressions were measured in the mid colon of loperamide (Lop)
treated SD rats.

Results:
Lop treatment successfully induced constipation phenotypes, including
decreased stool parameters and histological structure alterations. The expression levels
of C3 were significantly increased, whereas expressions of C3aR and C3bR were
decreased during Lop-induced constipation. Moreover, significant upregulation was
observed in the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, and GSK3β in mid colons of Lop
treated SD rats. The expression of RhoA and phosphorylation of MLC were also
enhanced in the Lop treated group. Furthermore, a similar pattern was detected in the
MAP kinase pathway and inflammatory cytokine expressions. Subsequent to the Lop
treatment, the phosphorylation of ERK and p38, as well as the mRNA levels of NF-κB,
TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1α were remarkably increased in the mid colon.

Conclusion:
These results indicate that Lop-induced constipation is tightly linked to the
downregulation of C3aR and C3bR expressions, and upregulation of the C3 and C3Rs
downstream signaling pathway, including PI3K/AKT, RhoA/MLC, and MAP kinase
pathways as well as inflammatory cytokine expressions in the mid colon of SD rats.
Fabrication of Chitosan-coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Bearing Rosuvastatin as a Drug Delivery System
Authors: Dini Ghasem , Ghahfarokhi Mojdeh Rahnama , Movahedi Behrooz 
Published: June 2021

Aim:In this work, to improve the solubility and bioavailability of the rosuvastatin (RSV) drug, chitosan-coated mesoporous silica nanoparticles (CS-MSNs) as a drug delivery system were fabricated.Methods:To do this, first MSNs with a maximum specific surface area were synthesized from sodium silicate as silica source and different molar ratios of cethyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and pluronics (P123, PEO20PPO17PEO20) as surfactants via the sol-gel process. Then, the synthesized MSNs were coated by CS polymer with the help of (3-glycidoxypropyl)methyldiethoxysilane (GPTMS) as a linker between MSNs and CS. Subsequently, the RSV drug was loaded into the synthesized CS-coated MSNs. The products were characterized by different techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The in vitro drug release profile of the fabricated DDS was evaluated in a typical phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution at different pH values (i.e., 4, 6, and 7.4) for 48 h. To assess the cytotoxicity, the viability of the human fibroblast cells exposed to the fabricated DDS was also examined.Results:The results showed that at an optimal molar ratio of P123/CTAB, the amorphous MSNs with a specific surface area of about 1080 m2/g, a pore diameter of 4 nm, a pore volume of 1.1 cm3/g, and an average size of about 30 nm were synthesized. Also, the presence of all the components, including the CS coating and the RSV drug, was confirmed in the structure of the fabricated DDS by FTIR analysis. Due to the pH-responsive feature of the CS coating, the RSV drug release from the fabricated DDS showed a reasonable environmental response; as the pH value of the PBS solution decreased, the degree of drug release increased.Conclusion:The CS coating enhanced the cytotoxicity of the fabricated DDS and led to sustainable drug release behavior, which would provide a beneficial approach for drug delivery technology.
Curcumin Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting NLRP1-dependent Neuronal Pyroptosis
Authors: Huang Lifa , Li Xu , Liu Yajun , Liang Xiaolong , Ye Hui , Yang Chao , Hua Lin , Zhang Xin 
Published: June 2021

Background:
Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury is caused by a blood reperfusion injury
in the ischemic brain and usually occurs in the treatment stage of ischemic disease, which can
aggravate brain tissue injury.

Objective:
Curcumin was reported to exert a good therapeutic effect on neural cells against ischemia-
reperfusion injury, However, the mechanism is not clear.

Methods:
In this study, Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation (OGD) model of fetal rat cerebral cortical
neurons and the Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) model of rats were employed to mimic
cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in vitro and in vivo, respectively.

Results:
We confirmed that curcumin has a promotive effect on neuronal proliferation and an inhibitory
effect on neuronal pyroptosis. Furthermore, we found that curcumin could improve cerebral
infarction. The results of western blotting showed that curcumin down-regulated the expression
of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein-, leucine-rich repeats-, and
pyrin domain-containing protein 1 (NLRP1), cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease 1 (caspase-1),
gasdermin D (GSDMD), IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and iNOS proteins in OGD and MCAO models. NLRP1-
dependent neuronal pyroptosis played an important role in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion
injury.

Conclusion:
Curcumin could effectively inhibit NLRP1-dependent neuronal pyroptosis by suppressing
the p38 MAPK pathway and therefore exerted neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia-
reperfusion injury.