bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyvinyl Alcohol/Chitosan Single-Layered and Polyvinyl Alcohol/Chitosan/Eudragit RL100 Multi-layered Electrospun Nanofibers as an Ocular Matrix for the Controlled Release of Ofloxacin: an In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: Mirzaeei Shahla , Taghe Shiva , Asare-Addo Kofi , Nokhodchi Ali 
Published: June 2021

AbstractA novel nanofiber insert was prepared with a modified electrospinning method to enhance the ocular residence time of ofloxacin (OFX) and to provide a sustained release pattern by covering hydrophilic polymers, chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (CS/PVA) nanofibers, with a hydrophobic polymer, Eudragit RL100 in layers, and by glutaraldehyde (GA) cross-linking of CS-PVA nanofibers for the treatment of infectious conjunctivitis. The morphology of the prepared nanofibers was studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The average fiber diameter was found to be 123 ± 23 nm for the single electrospun nanofiber with no cross-linking (OFX-O). The single nanofibers, cross-linked for 10 h with GA (OFX-OG), had an average fiber diameter of 159 ± 30 nm. The amount of OFX released from the nanofibers was measured in vitro and in vivo using UV spectroscopy and microbial assay methods against Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. The antimicrobial efficiency of OFX formulated in cross-linked and non-cross-linked nanofibers was affirmed by observing the inhibition zones of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In vivo studies using the OFX nanofibrous inserts on a rabbit eye confirmed a sustained release pattern for up to 96 h. It was found that the cross-linking of the nanofibers by GA vapor could reduce the burst release of OFX from OFX-loaded CS/PVA in one layer and multi-layered nanofibers. In vivo results showed that the AUC0–96 for the nanofibers was 9–20-folds higher compared to the OFX solution. This study thus demonstrates the potential of the nanofiber technology is being utilized to sustained drug release in ocular drug delivery systems.
Effect of Paratracheal Pressure on the Glottic View During Direct Laryngoscopy: A Randomized Double-Blind, Noninferiority Trial
Authors: Won Dongwook , Kim Hyerim , Chang Jee-Eun , Lee Jung-Man , Min Seong-Won , Ma Seoyoung , Kim Chanho , Hwang Jin-Young , Kim Tae Kyong 
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND:
Cricoid pressure has been used as a component of the rapid sequence induction and intubation technique. However, concerns have been raised regarding the effectiveness and safety of cricoid pressure. Paratracheal pressure, a potential alternative to cricoid pressure to prevent regurgitation of gastric contents or aspiration, has been studied to be more effective to cricoid pressure in preventing gastric insufflation during positive pressure ventilation. However, to adopt paratracheal compression into our practice, adverse effects including its effect on the glottic view during direct laryngoscopy should be studied. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, noninferiority trial comparing paratracheal and cricoid pressures for any adverse effects on the view during direct laryngoscopy, together with other secondary outcome measures.

METHODS:
In total, 140 adult patients undergoing general anesthesia randomly received paratracheal pressure (paratracheal group) or cricoid pressure (cricoid group) during anesthesia induction. The primary end point was the incidence of deteriorated laryngoscopic view, evaluated by modified Cormack–Lehane grade with a predefined noninferiority margin of 15%. Secondary end points included percentage of glottic opening score, ease of mask ventilation, change in ventilation volume and peak inspiratory pressure during mechanical mask ventilation, ease of tracheal intubation, and resistance encountered while advancing the tube into the glottis. The position of the esophagus was assessed by ultrasound in both groups to determine whether pressure applied to the respective area would be likely to result in esophageal compression. All secondary outcomes were tested for superiority, except percentage of glottic opening score, which was tested for noninferiority.

RESULTS:
Paratracheal pressure was noninferior to cricoid pressure regarding the incidence of deterioration of modified Cormack–Lehane grade (0% vs 2.9%; absolute risk difference, −2.9%; 95% confidence interval, −9.9 to 2.6, P <.0001). Mask ventilation, measured on an ordinal scale, was found to be easier (ie, more likely to have a lower score) with paratracheal pressure than with cricoid pressure (OR, 0.41; 95% confidence interval, 0.21–0.79; P = .008). The increase in peak inspiratory pressure was significantly less in the paratracheal group than in the cricoid group during mechanical mask ventilation (median [min, max], 0 [−1, 1] vs 0 [−1, 23]; P = .001). The differences in other secondary outcomes were nonsignificant between the groups. The anatomical position of the esophagus was more suitable for compression in the paratracheal region, compared to the cricoid cartilage region.

CONCLUSIONS:
Paratracheal pressure was noninferior to cricoid pressure with respect to the effect on glottic view during direct laryngoscopy.
Saturation mutagenesis defines novel mouse models of severe spine deformity
Authors: Rios Jonathan J. , Denton Kristin , Yu Hao , Manickam Kandamurugu , Garner Shannon , Russell Jamie , Ludwig Sara , Rosenfeld Jill A. , Liu Pengfei , Munch Jake , Sucato Daniel J. , Beutler Bruce , Wise Carol A. 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT
Embryonic formation and patterning of the vertebrate spinal column requires coordination of many molecular cues. After birth, the integrity of the spine is impacted by developmental abnormalities of the skeletal, muscular and nervous systems, which may result in deformities, such as kyphosis and scoliosis. We sought to identify novel genetic mouse models of severe spine deformity by implementing in vivo skeletal radiography as part of a high-throughput saturation mutagenesis screen. We report selected examples of genetic mouse models following radiographic screening of 54,497 mice from 1275 pedigrees. An estimated 30.44% of autosomal genes harbored predicted damaging alleles examined twice or more in the homozygous state. Of the 1275 pedigrees screened, 7.4% presented with severe spine deformity developing in multiple mice, and of these, meiotic mapping implicated N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea alleles in 21% of pedigrees. Our study provides proof of concept that saturation mutagenesis is capable of discovering novel mouse models of human disease, including conditions with skeletal, neural and neuromuscular pathologies. Furthermore, we report a mouse model of skeletal disease, including severe spine deformity, caused by recessive mutation in Scube3. By integrating results with a human clinical exome database, we identified a patient with undiagnosed skeletal disease who harbored recessive mutations in SCUBE3, and we demonstrated that disease-associated mutations are associated with reduced transactivation of Smad signaling in vitro. All radiographic results and mouse models are made publicly available through the Mutagenetix online database with the goal of advancing understanding of spine development and discovering novel mouse models of human disease.
Exercise Improves Cancer-free Survival and Health Span in a Model of Radiation-induced Cancer
Authors: FARBER EADAN , KWIECIEN JACEK M. , BOJIC DEJAN , NGU MATTHEW , AKOHENE-MENSAH PAUL , VANHIE JAMES J. , LLOYD JESSICA , LARKIN JILLIAN , DE LISIO MICHAEL 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Radiation therapy increases the risk of secondary malignancy and morbidity in cancer survivors. The role of obesity and exercise training in modulating this risk is not well understood. As such, we used a preclinical model of radiation-induced malignancy to investigate whether diet-induced obesity and/or endurance exercise training altered lifelong survival, cancer incidence, and morbidity.

Methods
Male CBA mice were randomly divided into control diet/sedentary group (CTRL/SED), high-fat diet (45% fat)/sedentary group (HFD/SED), control diet/exercise group (2–3 d·wk−1; CTRL/EX), or high-fat diet/exercise group (HFD/EX) groups then exposed to whole-body radiation (3 Gy). End point monitoring and pathology determined mortality and cancer incidence, respectively. Health span index, a measure of morbidity, was determined by a composite measure of 10 anthropometric, metabolic, performance, and behavioral measures.

Results
Overall survival was higher in HFD/SED compared with CTRL/SED (P < 0.05). The risk of cancer-related mortality by 18 months postradiation was 1.99 and 1.63 in HFD/SED compared with CTRL/EX (RR = 1.99, 95% confidence interval = 1.20–3.31, P = 0.0081) and CTRL/SED (RR = 1.63, 95% confidence interval = 1.06–2.49, P = 0.0250), respectively. The number of mice at end point with cancer was higher in HFD/SED compared with CTRL/EX and CTRL/SED (P < 0.05). Health span index was highest in CTRL/EX (score = +2.5), followed by HFD/EX (score = +1), and HFD/SED (score = −1) relative to CTRL/SED.

Conclusion
This work provides the basis for future preclinical studies investigating the dose–response relationship between exercise training and late effects of radiation therapy as well as the mechanisms responsible for these effects.
WinDAM C: Analysis Tool for Predicting Breach Erosion Processes of Embankment Dams Due to Overtopping or Internal Erosion
Authors: Hunt Sherry L. , Temple Darrel M. , Neilsen Mitchell L. , Ali Abdelfatah , Tejral Ronald D. 
Published: June 2021

HighlightsThe computational models comprising the current version of WinDAM, called WinDAM C, are summarized.WinDAM C estimates the response of an earthen embankment subjected to overtopping or internal erosion.WinDAM C is a model that quantifies erosion/breach processes observed in physical embankment failure tests.Understanding the current technology and limitations provides a basis for further model development.Abstract. Internal erosion and overtopping erosion of earthen embankments are the leading causes for earthen embankment failures. Challenges like reservoir sedimentation, structural deterioration, rodent damage or tree root growth, and changing hazard classification from low to significant or high have arisen with aging dams. To address these challenges, new technology and tools for predicting the performance of homogeneous, cohesive earthen embankments during overtopping or internal erosion are needed. Windows Dam Analysis Modules (WinDAM) is a modular software application developed through collaborative efforts of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS), the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Kansas State University (KSU) in response to this need. WinDAM uses a simple storage routing model to simulate flow through a reservoir and incorporates algorithms for predicting the progression of erosion resulting from embankment overtopping or flow through an internal discontinuity in the embankment. These algorithms are based on existing literature and data and observations from physical model experiments of homogeneous, cohesive embankments conducted by scientists at the USDA-ARS Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The resulting computational model is a simplified representation of the observed process of progressive erosion that may lead to embankment breach. This paper reviews the components of the erosion/breach process and the way in which these components are quantified and integrated into the current WinDAM software, WinDAM C. The scope of application of the software, limitations, and computational assumptions are also discussed. Keywords: Breach, Dams, Erodibility, Erosion Process, Failure, Internal erosion, Model, Overtopping, Piping.
New Design Approach for Oil Palm Transportation Processes Using Kano Model and QFD
Authors: Lerspalungsanti Sarawut , Srisawadi Sasitorn , Paoprasert Naraphorn Haphuriwat , Srisurangkul Chadchai , Pitaksapsin Narong , Wattanawongsakun Prasit 
Published: June 2021

HighlightsApplication of Kano model based on customer’s requirements and quality function deployment for oil palm fresh fruit bunch transportationNew vehicle design based on the analysisCost-benefit analysis comparing new transportation design with an existing oneAbstract. Existing transportation systems have been extensively developed to serve a variety of needs. While most systems of agricultural product transportation are designed for multi-purpose functions, farming activities and agro-processing industries may need specific types of transportation. The main focus of this study was to find a design to fulfil customer transportation requirements for oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFBs). Since more than 70% of Thai oil palm farmers operate at a small scale with an average oil palm plantation area of 3 to 5 ha, the challenge is not to further develop advanced technology to transport FFBs, but to develop a new design approach that fits the basic needs of farmers. Kano model, based on customer requirements for the oil palm FFB transportation processes, was integrated with quality function deployment method to identify significant design attributes and vehicle specification details. Three dimensions of cost structure—the economic monetary value, time required to complete each step, and product quality—were further considered to compare new transportation design with an existing one. The results verified that the proposed design showed a substantial potential to reduce the cost and processing time of transportation and to increase product quality. Keywords: Cost and benefit analysis, Kano model, Oil palm transportation, QFD, Vehicle design approach.
Evaluating Radiant Heater Performance Using Chick Thermal Preference and Spatial Analysis
Authors: Linhoss John E , Purswell Joseph L , Davis Jeremiah D 
Published: June 2021

HighlightsRadiant heaters from different manufacturers with the same power output do not produce the same radiant distribution.Heater net usable area is influenced by heater elevation and chick preferences for radiant flux.Radiant heaters should be operated at manufacturer specified elevations to minimize potential reductions in performance.Abstract. Radiant heaters are the most common method of providing supplemental heat in broiler houses, but little is known about how efficiently they create a suitable thermal environment for brooding chicks. This study investigates the net usable area (NUA), or the total floor area within the range of radiant flux preferred by chicks, for six round radiant heaters with a nominally rated power output of 11.72 kW. NUA was calculated for all heaters at three manufacturer specified heights 1.52, 1.83, and 1.98 m and at a distance 0.3 m below manufacturer specified height (1.22 m). NUA ranged from 11.6 ± 0.7 m2 to 59.4 ± 19.7 m2 and increased with heater mounting elevation. Results indicate that radiant heaters from different manufacturers with the same power output do not produce the same NUA. NUA was also shown to be higher at 8 d than 1 d for all heaters and was attributed to the decrease in chick preference for level of radiant flux during the first week of brooding. NUA gross radiant coefficient (GRC), or the proportion of the heat energy in the fuel that reached the floor and was within the thermal comfort range of the chicks, did not exceed 0.37 for any heater and decreased with heater elevation. Operating a heater below the manufacturer specified mounting elevations led to reduced NUA and an overall less efficient use of fuel. Keywords: Broiler chicks, Brooding, Net usable area, Radiant heaters, Thermal preference.
Sensitivity and Specificity of two rapid tests for the diagnosis of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi in a Colombian population
Authors: Suescún-Carrero Sandra Helena , Salamanca-Cardozo Lyda Pilar , Pinazo María-Jesus , Armadans-Gil Lluis 
Published: June 2021

Objective
To evaluate diagnostic precision of two rapid diagnostic tests (RDT’s) on patients with chronic Chagas disease.

Methodology
Prospective study with the following inclusion criteria: subjects older than 3 years, signed informed consent. Exclusion criterion: subjects could not have previously received treatment for infection with T. cruzi. The study population were participants in a screening process undertaken in rural and urban zones of the department Boyacá, Colombia. Two RDT’s were performed to all participants: the Chagas Detect Plus InBios (CDP) and the Chagas Stat-Pak (CSP) and as a reference standard the ELISA Chagas III GrupoBios and the Chagas ELISA IgG+IgM I Vircell tests were used. In the case of discordant results between the two ELISA tests, an indirect immunofluorescence was done.

Results
Three hundred-five (305) subjects were included in the study (38 patients with leishmaniasis), of which 215 tested negative for T cruzi and 90 tested positive according to the reference standard. The sensitivity of the RDT’s were 100% (CI 95% 95.9–100), and the specificity of the CDP was 99.1% (CI 95% 96.6–99.8) and for CSP was 100% (CI 95% 98.3–100). The agreement of CDP was 99.5% and for CSP was 100% with Kappa values of (k = 99.1; CI 95% 92.6–99.8%) and (k = 100; CI 95% 94.3–100), respectively. RDT’s did not present cross-reactions with samples from patients who were positive for leishmaniasis.

Conclusions
The findings demonstrate excellent results from the RDT’s in terms of validity, safety, and reproducibility. The results obtained provide evidence for the recommendation for using these tests in a Colombian epidemiological context principally in endemic areas in which laboratory installations necessary to perform conventional tests are not available, or they are scarce and to help in diagnosing chronic Chagas disease in order to provide access to treatment as soon as possible.
Protocol for analysing the epidemiology of maternal mortality in Zimbabwe: A civil registration and vital statistics trend study
Authors: Musarandega Reuben , Machekano Rhoderick , Pattinson Robert , Munjanja Stephen Peter ,   Zimbabwe Maternal and Perinatal Mortality Study (ZMPMS) group
Published: June 2021

Background
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) carries the highest burden of maternal mortality, yet, the accurate maternal mortality ratios (MMR) are uncertain in most SSA countries. Measuring maternal mortality is challenging in this region, where civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems are weak or non-existent. We describe a protocol designed to explore the use of CRVS to monitor maternal mortality in Zimbabwe—an SSA country.

Methods
In this study, we will collect deliveries and maternal death data from CRVS (government death registration records) and health facilities for 2007–2008 and 2018–2019 to compare MMRs and causes of death. We will code the causes of death using classifications in the maternal mortality version of the 10th revision to the international classification of diseases. We will compare the proportions of maternal deaths attributed to different causes between the two study periods. We will also analyse missingness and misclassification of maternal deaths in CRVS to assess the validity of their use to measure maternal mortality in Zimbabwe.

Discussion
This study will determine changes in MMR and causes of maternal mortality in Zimbabwe over a decade. It will show whether HIV, which was at its peak in 2007–2008, remains a significant cause of maternal deaths in Zimbabwe. The study will recommend measures to improve the quality of CRVS data for future use to monitor maternal mortality in Zimbabwe and other SSA countries of similar characteristics.
Assessing the appropriateness of the Moving Epidemic Method and WHO Average Curve Method for the syndromic surveillance of acute respiratory infection in Mauritius
Authors: Teeluck Mohabeer , Samura Atsushi 
Published: June 2021

Introduction
Mauritius introduced Acute respiratory infection (ARI) syndromic surveillance in 2007. The Moving Epidemic Method (MEM) and the World Health Organization Average Curve Method (WHO ACM) have been used widely in several countries to establish thresholds to determine the seasonality of acute respiratory infections. This study aimed to evaluate the appropriateness of these tools for ARI syndromic surveillance in Mauritius, where two or more waves are observed.

Method
The proportion of attendance due to acute respiratory infections was identified as the transmissibility indicator to describe seasonality using the Moving Epidemic Method and the WHO Average Curve Method. The proportion was obtained from weekly outpatient data between 2012 and 2018 collected from the sentinel acute respiratory infections surveillance. A cross-validation analysis was carried out. The resulting indicators of the goodness of fit model were used to assess the robustness of the seasonal/epidemic threshold of both the Moving Epidemic Method and WHO Average Curve Method. Additionally, a comparative analysis examined the integrity of the thresholds without the year 2017.

Result
The cross-validation analysis demonstrated no statistically significant differences between the means scores of the indicators when comparing the two waves/seasons curves of WHO ACM and MEM. The only exception being that the Wilcoxon sign rank test strongly supported that the specificity mean score of the two waves/seasons curve for WHO ACM outweighed that of its corresponding wave model for the MEM (P = 0.002). The comparative analysis with 2017 data showed the value of the epidemic threshold remained the same regardless of the methods and the number of seasonal waves.

Conclusion
The two waves models of the Moving Epidemic Method and WHO Average Curve Method could be deployed for acute respiratory infection syndromic surveillance in Mauritius, considering that two or more activity peaks are observed in a season.
Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction Due to Incidentally Found Thymoma
Authors: Castaneda Daniel , Miret Rafael , Rajagopalan Rajaganesh , Castillo Michael , Gonzalez Adalberto , Castro Fernando 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT
Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction is a severe gastrointestinal tract disorder mimicking a bowel obstruction with no mechanical causes. Our patient presented with bowel obstruction symptoms, and a thymoma was incidentally found during the diagnostic workup. After failing conservative management, the patient underwent exploratory laparotomy that showed negative results for a mechanical cause of obstruction. Laboratory workup was suggestive of paraneoplastic syndrome, and the patient was started on steroids and pyridostigmine course with symptom resolution. Thus, in patients with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, paraneoplastic syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis.
Smartphone videoscopy: Recent progress and opportunities for biosensing
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhang Shengwei , Wei Qingshan 
Published: June 2021

Abstract
Smartphone is emerging as a portable analytical biosensing platform in many point-of-care (POC) applications such as disease diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food toxin screening. With the recent advancement of imaging technologies on the smartphone, the manual control of acquisition settings (e.g., exposure time, frame rate, focusing distance, etc.) has already been expanded from the photo to the video capturing mode. In modern smartphone models, high frame rate (above 100 fps) can be achieved to bring in a new temporal dimension to the smartphone-supported POC tests by recording high-definition videos. This opens up a new analytical method defined as smartphone videoscopy. In this review, the recent development of smartphone videoscopy is summarized based on different POC applications. Representative examples of smartphone videoscopy systems and how these time-dependent measurements could open up new opportunities for POC diagnostics are discussed in detail. The advances demonstrated so far illustrate the promising future of smartphone videoscopy in biosensing, POC diagnostics, and time-resolved analysis in general.