bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Effectiveness of Chronic Care Model on Smokeless Tobacco Cessation by Measuring Urinary Cotinine Level among the Patient Attended in the Selected Dental College & Hospital, India -An Experimental Study
Authors: Rao Sakshi , Raut Pooja , Agrawal Riya , Chhabra Kumar Gaurav , Madhu Priyanka Paul , Reche Amit 
Published: September 2021

Background: Smokeless tobacco is one of the most common causes of preventable death. It is a big social and health issue. Smokeless tobacco utilization is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in India, with more than 20% of the world's tobacco-related mortality occurring in India. The Chronic Care Model is a guide for the principal care management of higher-quality chronic diseases. The Chronic Care Model gives a structure that redirects health care resources to better meet the demands and issues of individual with chronic illness.
Objectives: To explore the effectiveness of chronic care model for smokeless tobacco cessation in patients reporting to Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital.
Methodology: The study will be conducted among patients reporting to Out Patient Department of Sharad Pawar Dental College and Hospital who are chronic smokeless tobacco users. This study will be conducted between two groups, in one of the groups chronic Care Model will be used and behavioural counselling will be given and in other group only behavioural counselling will be given. Urinary cotinine level test will be performed on both groups of patients consuming smokeless tobacco.
Results: The chronic care model would be advantageous for the smokeless tobacco cessation. In India, there appears to be an immediate need for the promotion of awareness and informing people about the health problems associated with the use of smokeless tobacco through the model of chronic care.
Conclusion: The utilization of Chronic Care Model (CCM) helps patient realize that not only it is a habit to use smokeless tobacco, but a chronic condition that requires long-term treatment to cure it.
Effects of Anticoagulants and Corticosteroids Therapy in Patients Affected by Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia
Authors: Ghalilah Khalid , Sabir Abdul Momin , Alvi Irshad Ali , Alharbi Malak , Basabrain Abdulrahman , Aljundi Mahmooud , Almohammadi Ghazi , Almuairfi Zainab , Alharbi Raed , Ahmed A. A. E. 
Published: September 2021

Background: In the absence of a standard of treatment for COVID-19, the combined use of anti-inflammatory (corticosteroids and Enoxaparin) and antiviral drugs may be more effective than using either modality alone in the treatment of COVID-19.
Methods: Patients hospitalized between April 10th, 2020, through May 10th, 2020, who had confirmed COVID-19 infection with clinical or radiographic evidence of pneumonia, in which 65 patients have moderate COVID-19 pneumonia, and 63 patients have severe COVID-19 pneumonia. All patients received early combination therapy of anti-inflammatory (corticosteroids and Enoxaparin) and antiviral drugs. They assessed for type and duration of treatment, and days need to wean from oxygen therapy, length of stay, virus clearance time, and complication or adverse events. All patients had more than 28 days follow up after discharge from the hospital.
Results: Moderate COVID-19 pneumonia group were 65 patients who received Enoxaparin, antiviral drugs, empirical antibiotics for pneumonia, and standard treatment for comorbidity. Male patients were 50 (76.9%) and female patients were 15 (23.1%). 34 (52.3%) patients have comorbidity, 25 (38.5%) patients have Diabetes Mellitus and 2 (3.1%) pregnant ladies. 19 (29.2%) patients were on low flow oxygen therapy, 3L oxygen or less to maintain oxygen saturation more than 92%. All patients discharged home with no major or minor bleeding complications or significant complications. Severe COVID-19 pneumonia group were 63 patients who received methylprednisolone, enoxaparin, antiviral drugs, empirical antibiotics for pneumonia, and standard treatment for comorbidity. Male patients were 55 (87.3%) and female patients were 8 (12.7%). 37 (58.7%) patients have comorbidity, and 24 (38.1%) patients have Diabetes Mellitus. 32 (50.8%) patients were on low flow oxygen therapy, 4-9L oxygen, and 31 (49.2%) patients were on low flow oxygen therapy, 10L oxygen or more, including 12 patients on a non-rebreathing mask. Patients received methylprednisolone were 37 (58.7%) for 3 days, 16 (25.4%) for 5 days and 10 (15.9%) for more than 5 days. Sixty-two patients discharged home with one patient had a long stay, and the other two transferred to ICU. One long-stay patient transferred to ICU on low flow oxygen therapy.
Conclusion: Early use of a combined anti-inflammatory (corticosteroids and Enoxaparin) and antiviral drugs treatment in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 pneumonia prevent complications of the disease and improve clinical outcomes.
Herbal Medicines use in Pregnancy in Northern Cyprus
Authors: Tülek Eda , Yarici Filiz , Yavuz Dudu Özkum , Modu Mustapha Bulama , Meriçli Filiz 
Published: September 2021

Objective: To identify the herbal medicinal products used in pregnancy in community pharmacies, the approach of pharmacists in Northern Cyprus and to compare the availability of the most commonly mentioned medicinal plants in accessible databases, in Northern Cyprus.
Design: Questionnaire was designed and administered to 263 community pharmacists in Northern Cyprus and gathered the data on herbal medicinal products they had and recommended to pregnant women. Databases such as ScienceDirect, PubMed, OpenAcces Journals were searched through the Near East University Grand Library’s Online Resources for keywords relating to the ‘herbal medicine’, ‘pregnancy’ ‘pregnant women’, ‘herbal products’. Descriptive statistics was used with IBM® Statistical product and service solutions software platform.
Location/Setting: Northern Cyprus
Outcome Measures: Herbal medicinal products used and recommended in pregnancy by community pharmacists in Northern Cyprus were identified. It has also been determined which of the most used plants in the world are grown in Northern Cyprus.
Results: The most recommended herbal pharmaceutical forms were herbal lozenges (n = 76, 31%), then herbal form of teas (n = 60, 24%), herbal oils (n = 57, 23%), herbal capsules (n = 36, 14%), other pharmaceutical forms (n=20, 8%). Within the limitation of our literature search, totally 650 medicinal plants (single or formula) used in pregnancy were determined. Out of these 74 were mostly used worldwide, and it was discovered that 56 species out of these plants are grown or cultivated; 18 of the compiled species were imported species some of the genera have species growing naturally growing in Cyprus.
Conclusion: Pregnant women in Cyprus also follow their counterparts in other countries in developing interest in herbal medicines. The number of herbal medicines in the pharmacies owned by Turkish Cypriots is small. Interestingly, the result of this study showed that the pharmacists that were mainly Turkish Cypriots were found not to be selling herbal medicinal products to pregnant women without doctor’s prescriptions. This study recommends that the herbal medicines use in pregnancy should be the ones that have undergone in-depth evidence-based scientific researches with clinically proven efficacy that are known not only to the healthcare professionals such as medical doctors, midwives but also the pharmacists and the general public.
Physicochemical Characteristics, Anti-Lipase and Antioxidant Activities of Polysaccharide Extracted from Astragalus spinosis Grown in the Northern Region of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Khaled Hayet Ben , Nayeem Naira 
Published: September 2021

Introduction: Northern border region of Saudi Arabia is one of the richest areas of traditional plants. This study was designed with an interest to work on the polysaccharide extracted from Astragalus spinosis leaves (PLAS) collected from rafha province.
Methods: Polysaccharide was isolated by hot water extraction, followed by ethanol precipitation. The isolated crude polysaccharide contains 62.43% ±2.09% carbohydrate and 0.29 ± 0.07% protein. The physicochemical characteristics, such as chemical composition, humidity, foaming capacity, solubility as well as water and oil holding capacity were evaluated. The structural feature of polysaccharide was studied through Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis and scanning electron microscopy.
Results: Polysaccharide extracted from Astragalus spinosis leaves showed good inhibitory lipase and antioxidant activities. It was observed that the total antioxidant capacity, the 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and the 2,2 -azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ATBS) radical scavenging activities were high at 2.0 mg/ml (97 µmol eq tocopherol ± 1.4, 73% ± 2.1 and 93% ± 0.9 respectively).
Conclusion: the crude polysaccharide extract demonstrated good emulsion stabilizing capacities, with various hydrophobic compounds. It could be a potential source of natural antioxidants and emulsifiers.
Structural Characterization, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Assay of Biogenically Synthesized Maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) Nanoparticles
Authors: Rose A. Leema , Shabushree B. , Thattil Preeja P. 
Published: September 2021

Aims: The present study focused on the optical and morphological characterization, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the biogenically synthesized iron oxide nanoparticles.
Methods: The preliminary phytochemical screening was done for the leaf extract of Annona reticulate L. The leaf extract and Ferrous Sulphate heptahydrate were used to synthesize the iron oxide nanoparticles under room temperature. The determination of antioxidant activity was done using DPPH free radical scavenging assay and the determination of antimicrobial activity using disc diffusion method.
Results: The UV-visible spectra showed the sharp absorption peak at 278 nm. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy studies revealed the role of phytochemical constituents in the leaf extract for the iron oxide nanoparticles formation. X-ray diffraction pattern showed the presence of γ phase of Fe2O3 nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscope analysis showed the moderately spherical morphology of γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles and Energy-dispersive X-ray peaks showed the presence of iron and oxygen in the synthesized nanoparticles. Particle size analysis showed that the synthesized γ-Fe2O3possessed an average size of 115.9 nm.
Conclusion: The synthesized γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles have potential antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
Common Presenting Complaints and Predisposing Factors among Adult Ophthalmic Patients with Low Vision and Blindness in Aba
Authors: Otuka O. A. I. , Ekeleme N. C. , Eweputanna L. I. , Iwuoha E. C. , Ubah J. N. , Kalu A. 
Published: September 2021

Aim: To determine the common complaints and predisposing factors of low vision and blindness among adult ophthalmic patients in Abia State University Teaching Hospital, (ABSUTH), Aba, Nigeria.
Study Design: A retrospective, descriptive study.
Methodology: An institutional-based study involving 457 patients who attended Abia State University Teaching Hospital eye clinic between April and September 2018 was undertaken. The patients’ biodata, clinical history, ophthalmic examination findings, and results of ancillary investigations were obtained from patients’ hospital records within the period under study and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. AP-value of < 0.05 was taken to be statistical significant.
Result: A total of 457 patients comprising of 206 males and 251 females, aged 18-85 years were seen in the study period. Based on World Health Organization (WHO)’s definition of low vision and blindness, two hundred and eighty-four (62.1%) patients had normal vision, 25(5.5%) patients had low vision while 32(7%) patients were blind. The most common complaint was blurring of vision, 136 (23.5%) followed by itching of the eye, 91 (15.7%) and tearing, 86 (14.9%). Forty percent of the respondents’ complaints had lasted for over 12 months before presentation at the clinic. Common predisposing factors for low vision and blindness observed in this study were hypertension (24.1%), previous drug use (5%), previous use of traditional medication (1.3%) and family ocular history (3.7%). No statistically significant association was found between diagnostic data and family ocular history, previous use of traditional medication and previous drug use. Statistically, significant relationship was found between diagnostic data and blood pressure (P< 0.001).
Conclusion: There are various presentations of low vision and blindness in Aba. Routine eye check, early referral and appropriate treatment is advocated for the populace.
Chlorophyll Metabolism and Its Role in Responses and Adaptations to Stress
Authors: Mur Luis A. J. , Ougham Helen , Thomas Howard 
Published: September 2021

Abstract

This article discusses the role of chlorophyll metabolism in plant responses and adaptations to biotic and abiotic stresses. The metabolic pathways of chlorophyll (Chl) biosynthesis and catabolism are summarised. The precursor of tetrapyrrole synthesis is δ‐aminolaevulinic acid. Protoporphyrin IX is the branchpoint intermediate between the haem/bilin route and the direction leading to Chl. Disrupting individual steps in the biosynthetic pathway generally results in accumulation of phototoxic intermediates, damage by reactive oxygen species (ROS), light‐dependent cell death and tissue lesions. Mutations in the haem branch do not usually lead to lesion formation but can have a regulatory influence on Chl metabolism. The Chl
a/b
cycle links pigment synthesis and catabolism. The initial steps of Chl breakdown during senescence occur in the plastid and result in export of phyllobilins to the cytosol and vacuole. Disabling steps in the plastid pathway results in photosensitivity and runaway cell damage and death. Common plant responses to environmental stresses include chlorosis, cell death and premature senescence, and biotic and abiotic challenges frequently share aspects of underlying signal‐response networks. Resurrection plants and overwintering evergreens are discussed as case studies of the sensitivity of Chl metabolism to abiotic stresses. Responses to high light and temperature involve Chl catabolism, ROS, and pathways of chloroplast breakdown, including autophagy and vesiculation. In many instances, single‐gene and quantitative resistance to pathogens elicit a hypersensitive response (HR), involving a burst of ROS and localised cell death. Accumulated photodynamic intermediates of Chl metabolism are important sources of ROS in these contexts. Lines in which genes for Chl catabolism are overexpressed or disabled display enhanced or suppressed HR‐like symptoms respectively, and correspondingly resistant or susceptible reactions to biotic, and in some cases abiotic, challenges.
Deep clinicopathological phenotyping identifies a previously unrecognized pathogenic EMD splice variant
Authors: Calame Daniel G. , Fatih Jawid M. , Herman Isabella , Coban‐Akdemir Zeynep , Du Haowei , Mitani Tadahiro , Jhangiani Shalini N. , Marafi Dana , Gibbs Richard A. , Posey Jennifer E. , Mehta Vidya P. , Mohila Carrie A. , Abid Farida , Lotze Timothy E. , Pehlivan Davut , Adesina Adekunle M. , Lupski James R. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractExome sequencing (ES) has revolutionized rare disease management, yet only ~25%–30% of patients receive a molecular diagnosis. A limiting factor is the quality of available phenotypic data. Here, we describe how deep clinicopathological phenotyping yielded a molecular diagnosis for a 19‐year‐old proband with muscular dystrophy and negative clinical ES. Deep phenotypic analysis identified two critical data points: (1) the absence of emerin protein in muscle biopsy and (2) clinical features consistent with Emery‐Dreifuss muscular dystrophy. Sequencing data analysis uncovered an ultra‐rare, intronic variant in EMD, the gene encoding emerin. The variant, NM_000117.3: c.188‐6A > G, is predicted to impact splicing by in silico tools. This case thus illustrates how better integration of clinicopathologic data into ES analysis can enhance diagnostic yield with implications for clinical practice.
Robust CAWOF Kalman predictors for uncertain multi‐sensor generalized system
Authors: Tao Guili , Liu Wenqiang , Wang Xuemei , Zhang Jianfei , Yu Haiying 
Published: September 2021

SummaryRobust centralized and weighted observation fusion (CAWOF) prediction algorithm is addressed in this article for an uncertain multi‐sensor generalized system with linear correlation between observation noises and an input white noise. This uncertainty in the generalized system primarily means that the variances of the aforementioned types of noise, as well as the multiplicative noise variances, are uncertain. Through singular value decomposition and virtual noise compensation, the original generalized system is changed to non‐generalized reduced‐order subsystems in which only noise variances are uncertain. Utilizing the minimax robustness estimation criterion, robust CAWOF Kalman predictors are put forward on account of the first subsystem with conservative upper bounds of noise variances. Eventually, robust observation fusion Kalman predictors of the original generalized system are proposed. The Lyapunov equation method is applied to verify two fusion predictors' robustness. With regard to all permissible uncertain practical noise variances, CAWOF predictors are robust, namely, the practical prediction error variances of two robust predictors will have minimum upper bounds. This equivalence between CAWOF Kalman predictors is proved by an information filter. In this article, the precision relationship of fusion predictors is given. Meanwhile, robust Kalman predictors for steady‐state case are proposed, and the astringency of robust time‐variant Kalman predictors is analyzed through the analysis of dynamic error system. The validity and correctness of proposed algorithm are proved by the simulation example of random dynamic input and output system in an economic system.
Highly Efficient Triplet‐Triplet‐Annihilation Upconversion Sensitized by a Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Molecule in Optical Microcavities
Authors: Han Mengmeng , Zhu Zece , Ouyang Minting , Liu Yuan , Shu Xuewen 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTriplet‐triplet‐annihilation (TTA) upconversion sensitized by a new thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) molecule, BTZ‐DMAC‐4Br, is investigated in whispering gallery mode (WGM) microcavities made of toluene solutions filled into quartz capillaries. Since the utilization of the excitation light is improved in WGM microcavities through total internal reflection, the upconversion efficiency is enhanced greatly and an upconversion quantum yield of 24.6% is observed, which is a dozen times higher than that measured in conventional cuvettes. To the best of knowledge, this is the highest upconversion efficiency achieved in TADF sensitized TTA systems. Not only is a new material designed, but also the results provide a novel way to improve the TTA upconversion performance by utilizing the optical cavity effect, and the TTA microcavities may be used to construct highly efficient and low‐threshold photonic devices in many applications.
Ionic Dopant‐Induced Ordering Enhances the Thermoelectric Properties of a Polythiophene‐Based Block Copolymer
Authors: Dong Ban Xuan , Liu Ziwei , Onorato Jonathan W. , Ma Tengzhou , Strzalka Joseph , Bennington Peter , Luscombe Christine K. , Ober Christopher K. , Nealey Paul F. , Patel Shrayesh N. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractConjugated polymer‐based block copolymers (CP‐BCPs) are an unexplored class of materials for organic thermoelectrics. Herein, the authors report on the electronic conductivity (σ) and Seebeck coefficient (α) of a newly synthesized CP‐BCP, poly(3‐hexylthiophene)‐block‐poly (oligo‐oxyethylene methacrylate) (P3HT‐b‐POEM), upon solution co‐processing with lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), and subsequently vapor‐doping with a molecular dopant, 2,3,5,6‐tetrafluoro‐7,7,8,8‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (F4TCNQ). It is found that the addition of the hydrophilic block POEM greatly enhances the processability of P3HT, enabling homogeneous solution‐mixing with LiTFSI. Notably, interactions between P3HT‐b‐POEM with ionic species significantly improve molecular order and unexpectedly cause electrical oxidizing doping of P3HT block both in solution and solid‐states, a phenomenon that has not been previously observed in Li‐salt containing P3HT. Vapor doping of P3HT‐b‐POEM‐LiTFSI thin films with F4TCNQ further enhances σ and yields a thermoelectric power factor PF = α2σ of 13.0 µW m−1 K−2, which is more than 20 times higher than salt‐free P3HT‐b‐POEM sample. Through modeling thermoelectric behaviors of P3HT‐b‐POEM with the Kang‐Snyder transport model, the improvement in PF is attributed to higher electronic charge mobility originating from the enhanced molecular ordering of P3HT. The results demonstrate that solution co‐processing CP‐BCPs with a salt is a powerful method to control structure and performance of organic thermoelectric materials.
Nitrogen Vacancy Induced Coordinative Reconstruction of Single‐Atom Ni Catalyst for Efficient Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Authors: Jia Chen , Li Shunning , Zhao Yong , Hocking Rosalie K. , Ren Wenhao , Chen Xianjue , Su Zhen , Yang Wanfeng , Wang Yuan , Zheng Shisheng , Pan Feng , Zhao Chuan 
Published: September 2021

AbstractTransition metal nitrogen carbon based single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have exhibited superior activity and selectivity for CO2 electroreduction to CO. A favorable local nitrogen coordination environment is key to construct efficient metal‐N moieties. Here, a facile plasma‐assisted and nitrogen vacancy (NV) induced coordinative reconstruction strategy is reported for this purpose. Under continuous plasma striking, the preformed pentagon pyrrolic N‐defects around Ni sites can be transformed to a stable pyridinic N dominant Ni‐N2 coordination structure with promoted kinetics toward the CO2‐to‐CO conversion. Both the CO selectivity and productivity increase markedly after the reconstruction, reaching a high CO Faradaic efficiency of 96% at mild overpotential of 590 mV and a large CO current density of 33 mA cm‐2 at 890 mV. X‐ray adsorption spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal this defective local N environment decreases the restraint on central Ni atoms and provides enough space to facilitate the adsorption and activation of CO2 molecule, leading to a reduced energy barrier for CO2 reduction.
A Highly Tolerant Printing for Scalable and Flexible Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Xing Zhi , Lin Suyu , Meng Xiangchuan , Hu Ting , Li Dengxue , Fan Baojin , Cui Yongjie , Li Fengyu , Hu Xiaotian , Chen Yiwang 
Published: September 2021

AbstractHomogeneity and stability of flexible perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are significant for the commercial feasibility in upscaling fabrication. Concretely, the mismatching between bottom interface and perovskite precursor ink can cause uncontrollable crystallization and undesired dangling bonds during the printing process. Herein, methylammonium acetate, serving as ink assistant (IAS) can effectively avoid the micron‐scale defects of perovskite film. The in situ optical microscope is applied to prove the IAS can inhibit the colloidal aggregation and induce more adequate crystallization growth, thus avoiding the micron‐scale defects of pinholes and intergranular cracking. Concurrently, 4‐chlorobenzenesulfonic acid is introduced into the electrode surface as a passivation layer to restore the deep traps at perovskite interface in nano‐scale. Finally, the target flexible devices (1.01 cm2) deliver a superior efficiency of 18.12% with improved air atmosphere stability. This multi‐scale defect repair strategy provides an integrated design concept of homogeneity and stability for scalable and flexible PSCs.