bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Binding Properties of a Polymer Obtained from Modification of Triticum aestivum Starch in Metronidazole Tablets Formulation
Authors: Nwachukwu Nkemakolam , Ugoeze Kenneth Chinedu , Alumona Azuka Ijoma 
Published: March 2021

Aim: The binding properties of a polymer obtained from modification of Triticum aestivum (TA) starch in metronidazole tablets formulation were evaluated.
Study Design: Experimental design.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, Nigeria from January to July, 2018.
Methods: TA seeds were steeped for 72 h, wet milled and the native Triticum aestivum starch (NTS) extracted. NTS (1kg) was oxidized by slurring in 4 L of 3.50% w/v sodium hypochlorite, washed to neutral pH with 95% v/v ethanol (MTS). MTS was dried at 60°C for 3 h, milled and classified (250 μm). The starches were characterized using standard methods and applied as binders at 1, 2 and 3% w/w in formulating metronidazole tablets using wet granulation. Methylcellulose and gelatin at similar concentrations were used as standards.
Results: The granules and tablets were evaluated using standard methods. NTS and MTS had similar properties with starch. The modification improved the densities, hydration capacity and flow properties of MTS. The granules flowed and compressed well. The tablets had minimal weight variation, hardness (≥ 4 kgF), friability (<1%) and disintegration (<15 min). Metronidazole release (≥ 85%) within 60 min existed in all the batches except batches containing 1% methylcellulose and 3% gelatine.
Conclusion: The results met with United States Pharmacopoeia specifications for oral uncoated metronidazole tablets. MTS performed better than NTS and compared well with methylcellulose and gelatin as binder in metronidazole tablet formulation.
Biochemical Characterization of Two Polygalacturonases Purified from the Digestive Juice of the Snail Limicolaria flammea
Authors: Kanga Armand Kouassi , Koffi Djary Michel , Sea Bernard Téhi , Gbotognon Jaures Oscar , Kouamé Lucien Patrice 
Published: March 2021

Polygalacturonases constitute the major part of pectinase preparations for many bioprocess purposes. Investigation on the digestive juice of snail Limicolaria flammea led to purification of two polygalacturonases named PG1 and PG2. Properties of these enzymes were examined to explore their potential in biotechnology applications. A three steps procedure including size exclusion, anion and cation exchange and hydrophobic interaction chromatography were used for purification. The enzymes PG1 and PG2 had native molecular weights of approximately 46 and 86 kDa, respectively and functioned both as monomeric structures. The purified polygalacturonases PG1 and PG2 showed optimum hydrolysis activities at 50°C in sodium acetate buffer pH 5.6. The common inhibitor of the two purified polygalacturonases activity were Mn2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, EDTA, SDS and L-cystein. NH3+ stimulate the polygalacturonase PG1 while Ba2+ was an activator for polygalacturonase PG2. Substrate specificity indicated that these enzymes hydrolyse a broad range of pectin from different sources. The highest activity of PG1 was observed with apple pectin and lemon pectin while PG2 showed its highest activity with orange pectin. The catalytic efficiency of PG1 was highest for lemon pectin (0.125 µmol/min/mL) and orange pectin (0.124 µmol/min/mL). PG2 displayed highest catalytic efficiency (0.325 µmol/min/mL) towards orange pectin. These results suggest that orange and lemon pectin would be the potential physiological substrates of the two purified enzymes.
The role of Controlled and Mole Drainage in Relation to Water Saving, Salt Accumulation on Sugar Beet Yield and Quality in North Nile Delta, Egypt
Authors: El-Ghannam Kh. M. , El-sherief Amira , Nageeb I. A. 
Published: March 2021

Two field experiments were conducted at Sidi Salem region, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, during two winter seasons 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 to study the impact of controlled drainage at 0.5, 0.75, 1.25 m and mole drain spacing 2 m on soil salinity, water-saving and sugar beet productivity. Results obtained that using controlled drainage saved irrigation water 24.56 and 11.35% in 1st season and 23.73 and 15.08% in 2nd season for 50, 75 cm depth of water table respectively, compared to 125 cm depth of water table. Application of mole drains seems to be more effective in decreasing soil salinity and sodicity especially, in the topsoil (0-60 cm) and narrow spacing between the plowed lines (2 m).Data showed that the water table level at 0.5 and 0.75 m treatments rose more rapidly and remained higher for longer time than the uncontrolled drainage treatment, the average water table depth was above specified depths between irrigation intervals from 3-7 days depending on the depth. There was a marked variation between the treatments that controlled drainage increased the yield at 0.50 m water table depth by 39 and 30% for both seasons, respectively. It can be concluded that the treatment of controlled drainage may give more profit than the uncontrolled one. At the same time, the contents of K+, Na+, alpha- amino N and alkalinity in root beet were insignificantly affected by controlled subsurface drainage in both seasons.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practices towards Malaria and the Use of Insecticide-Treated Net among Rural Dwellers in Mubi North Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria
Authors: Ezaka Ephraim Ibeabuchi , Ezeunala Mercy Nwakaego , Gabriel Obi Chidera , Chinasa Nwankwo Precious , Buba Babangida , Moses Dashar Tangkat , Chibueze Odoh Victor 
Published: March 2021

Malaria continues to be a critical health issue globally with more cases from the WHO African region and has remained endemic in Nigeria despite the possession of insecticide-treated nets. This present study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitude and practice regarding malaria and the use of ITNs as a malaria prevention strategy among rural dwellers in Mubi North Local Government Area, Adamawa State, Nigeria. A systematic questionnaire was used to get responses from a total of 304 households from January to March 2020 with only one adult interviewed per household. The respondents were the heads of the household. In their absence, a responsible adult above eighteen years, chosen by the family was interviewed. 99.3% (302) of the respondents agreed that malaria is caused as a result of a mosquito bite. The majority (90.8%) of them also agreed that ITN prevents mosquito bites, while 86.8% of them had ITNs. The study participants identified Fever (82.2%) and Headache (33.9%) as the most common evidence of malaria. Our study participants applied various preventive measures against mosquito bites such as the use of ITNs (86.5%), clearing breeding sites around their homes (28.3%), use of insecticidal sprays (18.8%), and wearing protective clothing’s (6.9%). This study has shown that respondents had good knowledge and attitude towards malaria and ITN, and also employed various measures to reduce the prevalence of malaria in the area.
Pattern of Prescription of Anti-malarial Drugs in the Primary Health Care Facilities in Sokoto State Nigeria
Authors: Ango U. M. , Oche M. O. , Kaoje A. U. , Bello M. M. , Umar M. T. , Adamu A. , Kalgo Y. F. , Basakkwace S. A. , Musa A. 
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Prescription practices for malaria have been shown to influence the emergence of resistance to antimalarial drugs. Appropriate antimalarial drug use contributes to reductions in morbidity and mortality due to malaria with a consequent socioeconomic benefit, thus the success of a new malaria treatment policy would depend on the adherence of health care providers and patients to treatment recommendations. This study aimed to determine the prescribing pattern of anti-malaria in primary health care facilities in Sokoto State.
Methods: A cross sectional study was carried-out in the Primary Health Care facilities in Sokoto State. Screening of prescription forms from the patients who presented at the outpatient clinic during the period of the study in the selected health facilities was done at the point of exit, and only those with antimalarial prescription were consecutively selected. An interviewer administered questionnaire was used to obtained brief history of the illness among 276 respondents who were enrolled in to the study. Record of Rapid Diagnostic Test (mRDT) for the diagnosis of the malaria was obtained from the patients and or their caregivers. Data were analyzed using IBM® SPSS version 20 statistical packages.
Results: Majority 85 (30.8%) of the respondents were aged ≤ 1-10 years followed by 21-30 years 81 (29.3) Of the 276 antimalarial prescription forms obtained from the respondents, artemisinin- based combination therapy (ACT) was 166 (60.1%) and monotherapy was 110 (39.9%). The commonest artemisinin-based combination therapy prescribed for the respondents was Artemether-Lumefantrine 141 (84.9%) followed by Artesunate- Amodiaquine 16 (9.6%). The commonest oral mono-therapy prescribed was Sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine 28 (75.7%) while the most prescribed injectable monotherapy was artemether 59 (80.8%). Rapid Diagnostic Test for malaria (mRDT) was done for 274 (99.3%) respondents; those with mRDT positive were 238 (86.9%). The commonest presenting symptoms was fever 274 (99.3%) flowed by headache 225 (80.7%) and loss of appetite 215 (77.9%).
Conclusion: The pattern of antimalarial prescription observed in this study was mainly artemisinin-based combination therapy. However, antimalarial monotherapy is still being prescribed. There is need for regular training of the health care workers on the appropriate treatment of malaria using the national guideline for treatment of malaria. Regular supply and availability of ACTs in all health facilities across the state will ensure full compliance with national guideline for malaria treatment using ACTs.
Weight Management and Dietary Style Modifications among University Students
Authors: Ahmed Mona Abdelgadir 
Published: March 2021

Weight management is a long term approach to a healthy life style. It includes a balance of healthy eating and physical exercise to equate energy expenditure and energy intake. Weight management depends on your body need and according to the basal metabolic rate. A descriptive cross- sectional study was conducted based on the questionnaire that were distributed among under graduated students. In a case study group, a total of 200 females aged less than 25 years old were taken into consolidation. All the female participants were from Saudi Arabia Healthy females without any complication who were the students of Albaha University enrolled in 2017, participated in the questionnaire.
The Study Aimed: Is to know the dietary style modification during weight management among female university students.
The Specific Objectives: Is to find out the reasons for body weight management, to evaluate the different methods used in weight management , and also to assess different knowledge of university female students and their body management interesting and also to give them advice about the correct way for body weight management. The data analysis only covers (42). Students who were concerned in weight management (included criteria) and exclude all students who were not concerned in weight management (210) (excluded criteria). The questionnaire variables include demographic (question about age resident and the student knowledge about her weight (According to the body mass index) that represents how many of females are underweight, normal weight and obese. The questionnaire also covered other information about their normal physical activities and dietary modification.
Efficacy of Extra-Oral Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Mandibular Teeth Extraction
Authors: Raza Ali , Shahzad Muhammad , Gul Ameer , Abro Babar , Kumbhar Aftab Ahmed , Ahmed Bashir 
Published: March 2021

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of Extra oral inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) technique in terms of pain during injection, onset of anesthesia and pain during extraction of mandibular teeth.
Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out at the department of Oral & Maxillo-facial Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro / Hyderabad, from May 2018 to November 2018. All patients in the age range of 18-45 years regardless of gender and having sub-mucous fibrosis were included. Affected teeth were diagnosed via clinical examination, intra oral periapical radiograph (IOPAR) and Orthopantomogram (OPG). Mandibular teeth were anesthetised by extra oral inferior alveolar nerve block. Visual analog scale was used to record severity of the pain during the injection of anesthesia and during the extraction. Onset of the anesthesia was recorded in minutes. Data was documented via self-made proforma and analyzed by SPSS 20 version 20.
Results: Overall 64 cases were studied. Out of which 34 were males and 30 were females. In most of the cases pain was not found, while 8 cases showed mild pain and 4 showed moderate pain. During extraction, there was no pain among 46 patients, while 10 had mild pain and only 8 had moderate pain.
Conclusion: It was concluded that extra oral inferior alveolar nerve block technique is the best treatment option with less pain during injection, rapid onset of anesthesia, and less pain during extraction.
Antibodies to Both Ro52 and Ro60 for Identifying Sjögren's Syndrome Patients Best Suited for Clinical Trials of Disease‐Modifying Therapies
Authors: Armağan Berkan , Robinson Susan A. , Bazoberry Adriana , Perin Jamie , Grader‐Beck Thomas , Akpek Esen K. , Kim Jean , Baer Alan N. 
Published: March 2021

ObjectiveTo assess anti‐Ro52 and anti‐Ro60 serologic profiles as markers of clinically relevant phenotypic subsets of patients with Sjögren's syndrome (SS).MethodsFrom a cohort of 839 consecutive patients with suspected or established SS seen in our multidisciplinary SS center, we compared the association of key phenotypic features in 390 patients who fulfilled SS classification criteria and in the parent cohort, stratifed by the presence of both anti‐Ro60 and anti‐Ro52, anti‐Ro60 alone, and anti‐Ro52 alone.ResultsThe SS cohort included 227 patients (58%) with both anti‐Ro60 and anti‐Ro52, 65 (17%) with anti‐Ro60 alone, 58 (15%) with anti‐Ro52 alone, and 40 (10%) with neither antibody. Those with both anti‐Ro60 and anti‐Ro52 had a significantly increased prevalence of abnormal ocular surface staining, focal lymphocytic sialadenitis with focus score ≥1, antinuclear antibody ≥1:320, anti‐SSB/La, rheumatoid factor, and IgG ≥15.6 gm/liter (P < 0.0016 for all). The groups with isolated anti‐Ro52 and anti‐Ro60 were equivalent to each other in their phenotypic associations, except for rheumatoid factor, which was higher in the anti‐Ro52 alone group. The associations of these Ro antibody serologic profiles were similar in the parent cohort, except for additional associations with salivary gland enlargement and parotid gland ultrasound score.ConclusionSS patients with both anti‐Ro60 and anti‐Ro52 antibodies are distinguished by a higher prevalence of markers of B‐cell hyperactivity and glandular inflammation. Antibody reactivity to both Ro60 and Ro52 may thus serve as an important inclusion criterion for SS patients in clinical trials where the therapeutic agent targets pathways mediating these pathogenic abnormalities.
Carbon‐Supported High‐Entropy Oxide Nanoparticles as Stable Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reactions
Authors: Li Tangyuan , Yao Yonggang , Ko Byung Hee , Huang Zhennan , Dong Qi , Gao Jinlong , Chen Wilson , Li Jianguo , Li Shuke , Wang Xizheng , Shahbazian‐Yassar Reza , Jiao Feng , Hu Liangbing 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNanoparticles supported on carbonaceous substrates are promising electrocatalysts. However, achieving good stability for the electrocatalysts during long‐term operations while maintaining high activity remains a grand challenge. Herein, a highly stable and active electrocatalyst featuring high‐entropy oxide (HEO) nanoparticles uniformly dispersed on commercial carbon black is reported, which is synthesized via rapid high‐temperature heating (≈1 s, 1400 K). Notably, the HEO nanoparticles with a record‐high entropy are composed of ten metal elements (i.e., Hf, Zr, La, V, Ce, Ti, Nd, Gd, Y, and Pd). The rapid high‐temperature synthesis can tailor structural stability and avoid nanoparticle detachment or agglomeration. Meanwhile, the high‐entropy design can enhance chemical stability to prevent elemental segregation. Using oxygen reduction reaction as a model, the 10‐element HEO exhibits good activity and greatly enhances stability (i.e., 92% and 86% retention after 12 and 100 h, respectively) compared to the commercial Pd/C electrocatalyst (i.e., 76% retention after 12 h). This superior performance is attributed to the high‐entropy compositional design and synthetic approach, which offers an entropy stabilization effect and strong interfacial bonding between the nanoparticles and carbon substrate. The approach promises a viable route toward synthesizing carbon‐supported high‐entropy electrocatalysts with good stability and high activity for various applications.
Air‐Stable Self‐Powered Photodetectors Based on Lead‐Free CsBi3I10/SnO2 Heterojunction for Weak Light Detection
Authors: Hao Dandan , Liu Dapeng , Shen Yukuan , Shi Qianqian , Huang Jia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLead halide perovskites (LHPs) have been widely investigated in photodetection applications owing to their intriguing optoelectronic properties. However, the application of LHPs‐based photodetectors (PDs) is hindered because of the toxicity of lead and instability in ambient air. Here, an air‐stable self‐powered photodetector is designed based on all‐inorganic lead‐free CsBi3I10/SnO2 heterojunction. The device exhibits broad spectral response in both UV and visible light, fast response on µs scale, and decent long‐term stability. The device holds a faster response speed (tr/td = 7.8/8.8 µs), among the best reported self‐powered lead‐free perovskites photodetectors. More importantly, the device can display obvious photoresponses even under ultra‐weak light intensity as low as 10 pW cm–2, showing better weak‐light sensitivity than previously reported lead‐free perovskites photodetectors, to the best of our knowledge. Moreover, the device holds good air stability in the 73 days test without encapsulation. These results suggest that CsBi3I10/SnO2‐based self‐powered PDs with high photodetection capability possess enormous potential in stable and broadband PDs for weak light detection in the future.
Inter‐Sample and Intra‐Sample Variability in Electronic Properties of Methylammonium Lead Iodide
Authors: Hong Min Ji , Labram John G. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractWhile the challenges associated with the stability of metal halide perovskites are well known and intensely studied, variability in electronic properties represents an equally significant, yet seldom studied, challenge that could potentially slow or inhibit the commercial viability of these systems. In this work, the contactless characterization technique time‐resolved microwave conductivity (TRMC) is used to quantify the variability in electronic properties of the prototypical perovskite, methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) both between different samples, and at different locations within the same sample. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a quasi‐automated image‐analysis strategy, it is possible to evaluate the metrics of heterogeneity in surface microstructure and correlate them with the electronic properties as obtained by TRMC. Substantial intra‐sample and inter‐sample variation is observed in the mobility‐yield product in samples prepared following differing protocols, and in samples prepared following identical protocols.
Plasmonic Alloys Reveal a Distinct Metabolic Phenotype of Early Gastric Cancer
Authors: Su Haiyang , Li Xinxing , Huang Lin , Cao Jing , Zhang Mengji , Vedarethinam Vadanasundari , Di Wen , Hu Zhiqian , Qian Kun 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGastric cancer (GC) is a multifactorial process, accompanied by alterations in metabolic pathways. Non‐invasive metabolic profiling facilitates GC diagnosis at early stage leading to an improved prognostic outcome. Herein, mesoporous PdPtAu alloys are designed to characterize the metabolic profiles in human blood. The elemental composition is optimized with heterogeneous surface plasmonic resonance, offering preferred charge transfer for photoinduced desorption/ionization and enhanced photothermal conversion for thermally driven desorption. The surface structure of PdPtAu is further tuned with controlled mesopores, accommodating metabolites only, rather than large interfering compounds. Consequently, the optimized PdPtAu alloy yields direct metabolic fingerprints by laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry in seconds, consuming 500 nL of native plasma. A distinct metabolic phenotype is revealed for early GC by sparse learning, resulting in precise GC diagnosis with an area under the curve of 0.942. It is envisioned that the plasmonic alloy will open up a new era of minimally invasive blood analysis to improve the surveillance of cancer patients in the clinical setting.
Progress in High‐Performance Anion Exchange Membranes Based on the Design of Stable Cations for Alkaline Fuel Cells
Authors: Tao Zhengwang , Wang Chenyi , Zhao Xiaoyan , Li Jian , Guiver Michael D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractSolid alkaline fuel cells with anion exchange membranes (AEMs) have drawn wide attention and have become an important focus in the field of renewable energy cells in recent years due to their high electrode activity, potential application of non‐precious metal catalysts, and relatively low requirements for fuel purity. AEM is the central component in solid alkaline fuel cells, and plays the role of conducting ions, blocking fuel crossover and providing catalyst support in fuel cells. Its performance directly affects the efficiency and service life of fuel cells. With some exceptions, the majority of AEMs have relatively low hydroxide conductivity and poor durability, which cannot meet the requirements of practical applications. The past decade has witnessed great progress in AEM designs and stability. Various kinds of AEMs with different cationic structures have been designed, and their properties and application in fuel cells are investigated. This review provides a comparative investigation and summary of highlights from the design of cationic structures for AEMs, including cyclic and spirocyclic quaternary ammonium cations, modified quaternary phosphonium, modified imidazoles, guanidinium, and metal cations. The authors’ perspective on the remaining challenges and directions of AEMs research for future development are also discussed.