bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern and ESBL Prevalence of Bacteria Isolated from Street Vended Snacks
Authors: Anab-Atulomah Chidiebere , C. Oji Ngozi , N. Kanu Vivian 
Published: December 2021

Aims: The objective of the study was to ascertain the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and ESBL prevalence of bacteria isolated from snacks.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology (Laboratory Unit) Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike.
Methodology: The snacks were mashed aseptically, serially diluted and inoculated onto nutrient agar and MacConkey agar. Isolates were identified using standard microbiological procedures. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates and ESBL detection was done using disk diffusion method. ESBL production was confirmed using Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST) method following CLSI recommendations.
Results: Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhi, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the bacteria isolated with Escherichia coli as the most prevalent isolate with 42% occurrence in the samples screened. There was significant difference in the sensitivity of the bacteria isolates to the different antibiotics used at P=0.05. Salmonella Typhi isolates exhibited highest resistance to an antibiotic with 86% resistance to ciprofloxacin while Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates exhibited the lowest resistance to an antibiotic with 10% resistance to cefotaxime. Among the Gram-negative bacteria, 36% of suspected ESBL producing E. coli isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers indicating the highest occurrence.
Conclusion: The study confirmed the presence of bacteria in street vended snacks which exhibited high resistance to antibiotics that could be attributed to the presence of ESBL producers among the isolates.
Alteration in the Efficacy of in Vitro Vancomycin and Ceftazidime Prepared in Normal Saline Versus Balanced Salt Solution in the Management of Ocular Infections
Authors: Khaqan Hussain Ahmad , Hassan Laraib , Eric Sabah , Buksh Hasnain Muhammad , Naz Raheela , Haider Muhammad Ali 
Published: December 2021

Objective: The purpose of this review article is to highlight the efficacy of Vancomycin and Ceftazidime formulated in different solutions for ocular use in the management of microbiological Ocular infections varies.
Methodology: To locate and assess all relevant literature, we employed systematic review as a search approach, utilizing punctilious and unambiguous methodologies. We initiated by stipulating key terms and selecting appropriate databases for your literature search. To find replicable and reportable publications from high-quality peer-reviewed journals, we used Google Scholar, PubMed, and Research Gate.
Results: Ceftazidime precipitated at 37 degree Celsius, but not at room temperature, however it did not show any effect on the pH of the medium. In both the media of Normal Saline and Balanced Salt Solution, it precipitated on its own or when coupled with vancomycin. Ceftazidime was initially prepared in Balanced Salt Solution rather than Normal Saline, which resulted in further precipitation. Ceftazidime prepared in Normal Saline precipitated to 54% after 168 hours in the dialysis chambers, compared to 88% in Balanced Salt Solution. Ceftazidime synthesized in Normal Saline declined from an initial concentration of 137.5 to 73.4 µg/ml after 48 hours, while ceftazidime prepared in Balanced Salt Solution decreased to 6.3µg/ml. Vancomycin precipitation was inappreciable.
Conclusion: Vancomycin did not precipitate in Normal Saline or Balanced Salt Solution, according to this systemic study. Regardless of the presence of vancomycin, ceftazidime precipitated, and it precipitated more expeditiously if it was produced in Balanced Salt Solution rather than Normal Saline.
Frequency of Overweight Women and Ovarian Enlargement among Females Presented with Pelvic Pain Complains
Authors: Soomro Rukhsana , Brohi Zahida Parveen , Jabeen Asma , Rehman Afra , Rana Mehreen Yousaf 
Published: December 2021

Objective: To determine the frequency of overweight females and ovarian enlargement among women presenting with pelvic pain complaints at rural Health facilities of district Tando Muhammad Khan.
Methodology: This descriptive study was conducted at physiology department of Sindh University with the collaboration of different rural health facilities of Tando Muhammad Khan, Sindh. All the females presented with pelvic pain and age more than 18 and up to 45 years were included. Body mass index (BMI) was assessed by the ratio of the individual's weight in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared (BMI = kg/m2). All the patients underwent ultrasound examination. Data collection was done by structured study proforma. Analysis of the data was done by the SPSS version 20.
Results: A total of 239 women with pelvic pain complaints were studied, their mean age was 32.79+4.31 years. Neoplastic ovarian lesions were seen amogn12.54% of the cases. Cystic ovarian lesions were among 30.54% of the females, 5.01% had ovarian mass and 21.33% females had mixed pathologies. BMI was normal among 62.76% cases, while 20.08% women were overweight, 03.34% were obese and 13.8%females were underweight.
Conclusion: Overweight females and ovarian enlargement were observed to be highly frequent among females presented with pelvic pain complaints. Cystic enlargement was observed to be the commonest cause of ovarian enlargement.
A Case Report: A 37 Years-old Women with Takayasu Arteritis
Authors: Sheikh Shakib H. , Raut Arti , Pohekar Savita , Ghungrud Dipali , Morey Swapna 
Published: December 2021

Background: A rarity of form of vasculitis, also known as TAK, induces inflammation in the walls of the major arteries in the body: the aorta and its main branches. The disease results from a body attack and inflammation of the walls of the arteries caused by the body's own immune system.
Case Presentation: A 37-years-old women had complaints of fever, giddiness, weakness of right upper limb and lower limb since1 day. After undergoing whole blood count, liver function examination, renal and MRI function checks, CT scan, angiography, etc. was studied. She was diagnosed with takayasu arteritis. She had past medical history of neck pain and numbness since January 2020. For these complaints her family members referred her in private hospital. There is no significant history of surgery in present, lower segment caesarean section and piles operation was done previously. Physical findings were normal except the Glasgow Coma Scale score was 11 that is, patient was semi-conscious, In General appearance patient activity was dull and weak due disease condition, Patient’s all routine investigations were normal except few like Total WBC count was increased (21,500cell /cm) due to increased infection, Granulocytes were increased that is 75 % due to infection and autoimmune disease, ESR was increased that is52mm/h. Angiography showed block in the right common carotid artery, MRI- showed Acute infract in left fronto temporo parietal region involving insular par ventricular white matter, absent flow in distal M1 segment of MCA.
Conclusion: The most frequently involved arteries and the angiographic trends in this Takayasu Arteritis study were subclavian arteries and carotid arteries. The difference between angiographic characteristics may lead to clinical differences. Operations and surgery should be carried out at various points in the course of the disease.
Determination of Patient Characteristics and Role of Physician Intervention for Uncontrolled Hypertension: A Risk for Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Memon Waseem Raja , Memon Shahzad , Makwana Dayaram , Rashid Abdul , Memon Beenish Ghafar , Aamer Nasrullah 
Published: December 2021

Objective: Our research was designed to evaluate the association of uncontrolled hypertension with coronary artery disease and analyze the role of intervention in preventing CAD mortality ratio.
Methodology: This case controlled single-center study was conducted in department of Medicine, Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences Nawabshah Pakistan from January 2020 to September 2021. In this study, BP screening was done among the adult population aged 50 years or over. All the recruited patients of coronary artery disease were divided into two main groups for a clinical trial; case (identified cases of uncontrolled hypertension) and the control group (without history of cardiovascular disorders and used medication for hypertension). For evaluating physician intervention, both groups were divided into two main groups for treatments; the standard Bp control (having <140 mm Hg SBP level) and the intensive blood pressure control (whose SPB <120 mm Hg). we used BP-lowering medication which adjusted the systolic blood pressure around 135–139 mm Hg in the standard group and less than 120 in intensive group.
Results: Overall the female prevalence was comparatively high (63.2%) than males (37%). No significant differences were found in the baseline characteristics of participants. In 42% of cases, we found coronary artery calcification. Univariate logistic analysis of our study demonstrates the association of CAD with age, smoking, and BMI. We also found a positive association of CAD with higher CRP, and uncontrolled hypertension.
Conclusion: Our study observed a significant association between uncontrolled hypertension and coronary artery disease. The results of our study concluded that interventions in terms of BP control might be affected due to pre-existing cardiovascular diseases. However, intensive BP treatment would help to reduce the mortality ratio of CAD patients.
Tertiary Care Orthopedic Hospital Experience to Find Effect of Dynamisation in Delayed Union Tibia Shaft Fracture
Authors: Adil Syed Salman , Khan Imran , Pahore Muhammad khan , Maheshwari Lachman Das , Lal Madan , Keerio Niaz Hussain , Noor Syed Shahid 
Published: December 2021

Objective: Our study was designed to evaluate the effect of dynamisation in delayed union tibia shaft fractures.
Methodology: This prospective study was conducted at the Orthopedic Department, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical College, from March 2020 to March 2021. During this timeframe total of 20 patients who underwent dynamisation for reamed intramedullary nailing were recruited. After two successive visits, those patients whose fracture failed to show progressive signs of callus formation underwent dynamisation. We removed the single static screw from the longer fracture segment to perform the dynamisation procedure. We inserted a poller screw slightly medial to the nail from anterior to posterior to provide additional stability to the proximal fragment. Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 23.0. For evaluating the success of dynamisation Chi-square test was used.
Results: The mean age of recruited patients was reported as 35.92 years ranging from 16 years to 63 years old. Out of these twenty cases, 17 were male (85%). The mean time duration of nailing was reported as 35.4 hours. Total fourteen patients were immediately treated with nailing within 20 hours of injury, while the rest six underwent delayed nailing. Total four cases of tibial fracture were turned out as failure because the patient failed to achieve union after dynamisation and underwent augmentation plating with bone grafting for the complete union.
Conclusion: Delayed dynamisation is a convenient and cost-effective technique to achieve union in femoral shaft fractures. Overall, our study reported an 80% success rate but failed to achieve early dynamisation in comminuted fractures.
Does working at home compromise mental health? A study on European mature adults in COVID times
Authors: Perelman Julian , Serranheira Florentino , Pita Barros Pedro , Laires Pedro 
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed working at home (WAH) into the exclusive mode of working for many European workers. Although WAH will likely remain after COVID-19, its consequences on workers’ health are unclear. This study examines the association of WAH and the change of four mental health (MH) domains.

Methods
We used data from the last wave of the Survey on Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe, collected in June and July 2020 on European people aged 50 and older. We restricted our analysis to people aged 50–65 who were working before COVID-19 (N = 7065). We modeled the risk of worsening of depression and anxiety feelings, sleeping trouble, and feelings of loneliness as a function of the working situation (usual setting, at home and usual setting, at home only), using logistic regressions. A first model adjusted for sociodemographic variables, a second one adding country fixed effects, and the last one adding the stringency of COVID-19-related restrictions.

Results
WAH was significantly associated with a worsening of all MH symptoms. Nevertheless, when the stringency index was factored in, no significant association of WAH was found with any of the health outcomes except for anxiety feelings (+4.3% points). However, the increased anxiety feelings among people in WAH were not greater than the one observed among nonworkers.

Discussion
Our findings show that WAH was not a major cause of mental health deterioration among European mature adults during the first month of the pandemic. Further evidence is needed on WAH under post-COVID-19 “normal” circumstances.
Virus‐Inspired Hollow Mesoporous Gadolinium‐Bismuth Nanotheranostics for Magnetic Resonance Imaging‐Guided Synergistic Photodynamic‐Radiotherapy
Authors: Liu Zongjunlin , Wang Peiyuan , Xie Fang , Chen Jianhao , Cai Meimei , Li Yang , Yan Jianghua , Lin Qin , Luo Fanghong 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe anti‐tumor efficacy of single photodynamic therapy (PDT) and radiotherapy (RT) has been greatly affected by inadequate tumor uptake of photo/radiation sensitizers, limited laser penetration depth, and radiation sickness caused by high doses of X‐rays. Here, the authors report a biomimetic coronavirus‐inspired hollow mesoporous gadolinium/bismuth nanocarrier loaded with a new NIR photosensitizer HB (termed as HB@VHMBi‐Gd) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐guided synergistic photodynamic‐RT. HB@VHMBi‐Gd displayed a faster cellular uptake rate than the conventional spherical HMBi‐Gd loaded with HB (HB@SHMBi‐Gd) because of rough surface‐enhanced adhesion. After intravenous injection, HB@VHMBi‐Gd is efficiently delivered to the tumor and rapidly invades the tumor cells by surface spikes. Interestingly, lysosomal acidity can trigger the degradation of VHMBi‐Gd to produce ultrasmall nanoparticles to amplify the X‐ray attenuation ability and enhance MRI contrast and radiosensitization. Under laser and X‐ray irradiation, HB@VHMBi‐Gd significantly enhances 1O2 generation from HB to induce activation of caspase 9/3 and inhibition of C‐myc, while enhancing hydroxyl radical generation from Bi2O3 to induce intense DNA breakage. By synergistically inducing cell apoptosis by distinct reactive oxygen species (ROS), HB@VHMBi‐Gd exhibits superior anticancer efficacy with ≈90% tumor inhibition. They envision that biomimetic virus‐inspired hollow hybrid metal nanoparticles can provide a promising strategy for imaging‐guided synergistic photodynamic‐RT.
Double‐Side‐Coated Grid‐Type Mechanical Membrane Biosensor Based on AuNPs Self‐assembly and 3D Printing
Authors: Zhang Qiang , Dong Zhao , Dong Xiushan , Duan Qianqian , Ji Jianlong , Liu Yan , Pei Zhen , Ji Chao , Sang Shengbo 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe membrane based on receptor functionalization provides a new paradigm for the development of mechanical biosensors. However, improvement of sensitivity and test accuracy is still a challenge for mechanical biosensors in practical application. Herein, a surface stress mechanical biosensor (MBioS) based on double‐side‐gold nanoparticale (AuNP)‐coated grid‐type polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane (D‐G‐MBioS) and 3D printing for human serum albumin (HSA) detection is developed. The surface stress is amplified by the grid coupling sandwich immune structure to improve the sensitivity of the MbioS, successfully reducing limite of detection (LOD) by two orders of magnitude. By self‐assembly of AuNPs, the double‐side‐coated PDMS membrane is prepared, and the detection accuracy of the sensor is improved. The 3D printing is employed to improve the consistency of the MBioS. The D‐G‐MBioS system is constructed, realizing the HSA detection in range of 0–50 µg mL−1 with a LOD of 20.6 ng mL−1. In addition, the D‐G‐MBioS based on sandwich assay is exhibited the high specificity, selectivity, stability, and repeatability. Especially, the D‐G‐MBioS can detect the HSA in real samples. This study provides a way to improve the sensitivity of mechanical biosensor.
Tailoring of Visible Light Driven Photocatalytic Activities of Flower‐Like BiOBr Microparticles Towards Wastewater Purification Application
Authors: Wang Can , Du Peng , Duan Xiangmei , Luo Laihui , Li Weiping 
Published: December 2021

AbstractPhotocatalysis acts as an important role in controlling wastewater purification. However, it is still a huge challenge to obtain highly‐efficient visible light driven photocatalysts. Herein, flower‐like BiOBr microparticles with splendid photocatalytic activities are developed. The electronic structure of BiOBr host is explored via the first‐principles density function theory. Besides, the impact of some external factors on the photocatalytic properties of BiOBr compounds is studied. In comparison, the flower‐like BiOBr microparticles have the best photocatalytic behaviors and they can degrade RhB within 10 min with a high K value of 0.498. Moreover, via using heat treatment, the light harvest ability and phase structure of flower‐like BiOBr microparticles are hardly altered, while their photocatalytic capacity is tailored due to the modified specific surface area and pore volume as well as the diverse charge separation efficiency. Furthermore, through altering the pH value of solvent, the resultant compounds exhibit totally different photocatalytic behaviors, and these products achieved at pH = 7 exhibit the best properties. Additionally, the designed photocatalysts have excellent recyclability and the photocatalytic mechanism is determined by h+, ·O2−, and ·OH. These achievements imply that the flower‐like BiOBr microparticles are promising candidates for visible light driven photocatalysts to realize wastewater purification.
Growth of Hybrid Chiral Thin Films by Molecular Layer Deposition Zinc/Cysteine as a Case Study
Authors: Yemini Reut , Blanga Shalev , Aviv Hagit , Perelshtein Ilana , Teblum Eti , Dery Shahar , Gross Elad , Mastai Yitzhak , Noked Malachi , Lidor‐Shalev Ortal 
Published: December 2021

AbstractAtomic and molecular layer deposition (ALD and MLD) are techniques based on surface‐directed self‐limiting reactions that afford deposition of films controlled at the monolayer level and with extreme conformality, even on ultra‐high‐aspect‐ratio and porous substrates. These methodologies are typically used to deposit thin films with desirable physical properties and functionality. Here, the MLD process is harnessed to demonstrate the growth of molecularly thin chiral films that inherit a desirable chemical property directly from the source precursor: using this innovative technique, enantioselective nanosurfaces are managed to be grown. Specifically, the formation of a Zn/Cysteine nanostructure by MLD is demonstrated for both the l‐ and d‐ enantiomers. The reaction and growth mechanism of these chiral hybrid inorganic‐organic nanosurfaces are studied via various experimental procedures; their enantioselectivity is also demonstrated. The findings contribute to the understanding of the structure and chiral nature of hybrid inorganic‐organic nanosurfaces and open the path to the bottom‐up synthesis of diverse chiral nanosurfaces. These chiral nanostructures may play a key role in many aspects of chiral chemistry and are valuable for both fundamental science and practical applications.
SymPhas—General Purpose Software for Phase‐Field, Phase‐Field Crystal, and Reaction‐Diffusion Simulations
Authors: Silber Steven A. , Karttunen Mikko 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis work develops a new open source application programming interface (API) and software package called SymPhas for simulations of phase‐field, phase‐field crystal, and reaction‐diffusion models, supporting up to three dimensions and an arbitrary number of fields. SymPhas delivers two novel program capabilities: 1) User specification of models from the associated dynamical equations in an unconstrained form and 2) extensive support for integrating user‐developed discrete‐grid‐based numerical solvers into the API. The capability to specify general phase‐field models is primarily achieved by developing a novel symbolic algebra functionality that can formulate mathematical expressions at compile time; is able to apply rules of symbolic algebra such as distribution, factoring, and automatic simplification; and support user‐driven expression tree manipulation. A modular design based on the C++ template meta‐programming paradigm is applied to the symbolic algebra library and general API implementation to minimize application runtime and increase the accessibility of the API for third party development. SymPhas is written in C/C++ and emphasizes high‐performance capabilities via parallelization with OpenMP and the C++ standard library. SymPhas is equipped with a forward Euler solver and a semi‐implicit Fourier spectral solver. Sample implementations and simulations of several phase‐field models are presented, generated using the semi‐implicit Fourier spectral solver.
Self‐Enhancing Gel Polymer Electrolyte by In Situ Construction for Enabling Safe Lithium Metal Battery
Authors: Chen Dongli , Zhu Ming , Kang Peibin , Zhu Tao , Yuan Haocheng , Lan Jinle , Yang Xiaoping , Sui Gang 
Published: December 2021

AbstractLithium metal battery (LMB) possessing a high theoretical capacity is a promising candidate of advanced energy storage devices. However, its safety and stability are challenged by lithium dendrites and the leakage of liquid electrolyte. Here, a self‐enhancing gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) is created by in situ polymerizing 1,3‐dioxolane (DOL) in the nanofibrous skeleton for enabling safe LMB. The nanofiber membrane possesses a better affinity with poly‐DOL (PDOL) than commercial separator for constructing homogeneous GPE with enhanced ion conductivity. Furthermore, polydopamine is introduced on nanofiber membrane to form hydrogen bonding with PDOL and bis((trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl)imide anion, dramatically improving the mechanical strength, ionic conductivity, and transference number of GPE. Besides, molecular dynamic simulation is used to reveal the intrinsic factors of high ionic conductivity and reinforcing effect in the meantime. Consequently, the LiFePO4//Li batteries using self‐enhancing GPE show extraordinary cyclic stability over 800 cycles under high current density of 2 C, with a capacity decay of 0.021% per cycle, effectively suppressing the growth of lithium dendrites. This ingenious strategy is expected to manufacture advanced performance and high safety LMBs and compatible with the current battery production.