bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Examining Climatic Influence on the Respiratory Health of Qatar Residents: A Comparative Analysis between Winter and Summer Months
Authors: Critchley Kim Arlene , Teather Kevin L , Alamgir Asma , Dsouza Nicola , Jabonete Lea 
Published: July 2019

A variety of climatic factors are known to influence respiratory health, usually through their impact on air quality. High temperatures, for example, are often associated with an increase in ground levels of ozone, which in turn negatively impact respiratory function (Thurston and Ito 1999; WHO 2000). In New York City, high temperatures were correlated with increased hospital admissions for both chronic airway obstruction and asthma (as well as some cardiovascular problems) (Lin et al. 2009). Humidity levels are often positively correlated with allergenic spores (e.g., Hasnain et al. 2012) and other particulates (e.g., Kulshrestha et al. 2012) and thus can trigger asthmatic attacks or other forms of respiratory distress. More recently, investigators have begun to examine the relationship between dust-sand storms and respiratory health. For example, Waness et al. (2011) cited evidence suggesting that exposure to dust-sand storms in the Middle East may contribute to pulmonary alveolar proteinosis and silicosis. In this study, we conducted a detailed correlational analysis between various climatic variables, the density of airborne particulate matter, and the incidence of hospital admissions related to respiratory problems.Inhalation of air particulates may result in serious health problems, most notably with the respiratory system. Due to a variety of factors (traffic, construction, weather patterns), the air in Doha is of poor quality and is significantly over targets for PM2.5 and PM10 (WHO, 2014 rankings). We examined the levels of particulate matter to determine if there was a daily or weekly pattern. We then compared the number of air particulates in the summer and winter and attempted to determine if small (0.5–2.5 mg/l) or large (>2.5 mg) particulate matter was related to weather patterns and resulted in increased use of the nebulizer at a local clinic. We found that particle number (both small and large) was highest around 6 am and lowest around 12 pm, a pattern that didn't change between months. The number of large and small particles was generally lower on Friday when human activity was lowest. The temperature decreased in winter while humidity increased; wind speed remained relatively constant. Data suggest that nebulizer use was higher in the winter and lower in the summer although the reasons for this are speculative. There was no relationship found between the number of people using the nebulizer and the number of air particles.
The Miniaturization of Reverse Addition-fragmentation atom Transfer Living Polymerizations — the Democratization of RAFT
Authors: Liberski Albert Ryszard 
Published: July 2019

Reverse addition-fragmentation atom transfer (RAFT) living polymerization, a popular means of preparing coplymers of methacrylate and methyl methacrylate with narrowly defined size distributions and architectures, can readily be performed in sub-mililiter quantities in the absence of stirring, yielding biocompatible materials with excellent yields and low PDI values, and a linear molecular weight response curve extending to above 180,000 g·mol–1. When multiple studies were done involving the variation on the RAFT/monomer ratio under a variety of concentrations, the corresponding molecular weights of the materials exhibited a linear response. Furthermore, in comparing the resulting material to polymers prepared using more classical free-radical polymerization techniques, the miniaturized RAFT-mediated batches showed similar biocompatibility. These facile reaction conditions offer the prospect of preparing well defined polymeric systems in parallel with minimal equipment investment, without compromising the quality of the final product. The resulting polymers were then inkjet printed onto an agarose-coated glass slide, and then tested for bioactivity.
A Five-Year Time Trend Analysis of Road Traffic Injuries [Rtis] and Deaths among Infants and Toddlers in Qatar
Authors: Malik Shahnaz 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundRoad Traffic Injuries (RTIs) are the leading cause of death in Qatar1, but the epidemiology of these injuries in the infant (0–1 years) and toddler (2–4 years) [IAT] population has not been reported. This study aimed to document and analyze the epidemiology of RTIs in IATs of Qatar and make recommendations for targeted and age-specific recommendations to improve road safety for this population.MethodsA retrospective analysis of data on child RTIs and RTI deaths admitted to the Hamad Medical Corporation [HMC] Trauma Center or Mortuary in Doha, Qatar, from 2008–2014, was conducted. Temporal trends in the nature of RTI's and RTI deaths, road user types and mortality rates were calculated and analyzed for the years that age-group population size was available.ResultsThere were 189 severe RTIs and 15 RTI deaths during the study period. Males made up 80% of the injured and 60% of fatalities. The average age of the injured was 3 years and for fatalities was 2.8 years. Pedestrians [53%] and unrestrained passengers [43%] made up the majority of the injured. There have been steady declines in severe RTI and RTI death rates from 2008 to 2012 [25.9 to 22.2 RTIs per 100,000 and 0.9 to 4.0 RTI deaths per 100,000], but these rates are still two times higher than those for IAT in other high-income countries [HICs] like the United States and Germany2.ConclusionsRTIs and RTI death rates in IAT in Qatar have been declining but proven programs for improved safety of child pedestrians and passengers must be implemented if it is to approximate those in other HICs. This includes programs around child restraint use and improving pedestrian environments and practices/supervision for IAT.
Nutritional and Genetic Determinants of Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: Terranegra Annalisa , Dogliotti Elena , Brasacchio Caterina , Conti Costanza , Lazzaroni Monica , Mingione Alessandra , Pivari Francesca , Barlassina Cristina , Cusi Daniele , Soldati Laura 
Published: July 2019

A population of 503 adult Caucasians was recruited to evaluate the effect of diet on cardiovascular risk factors and its interaction with the genetic background. Nutritional data were collected by 24h recalls and Mediterranean diet adherence was investigated by QuADM-15 questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and waist circumference), lipid profile, serum glucose, electrolytes, homocysteine and hpCRP were measured. The genome-wide tag-SNPs analysis was performed by Illumina 200K SNPs array, enriched by the imputation analysis. The Gene*Environment (G*E) analysis evaluated candidate genes and SNPs for the phenotypes HDL and LDL, and the interaction with diet (omnivores vs. vegetarians) and anthocyanins intake.The dietary habit analysis identified 120 vegetarians and 374 omnivores. The distribution of macronutrients showed, as expected, a higher intake of animal proteins, saturated fatty acids and lower fiber intake in the omnivores. The consumption of anthocyanins and polyphenols was low in the entire population. Correlations were found between diet habits (omnivores vs vegetarians) and BMI (p
Autosomal Dominant Hypocalcemia due to a Truncation in the C-Tail of the Calcium-Sensing Receptor
Authors: Terranegra Annalisa , Mingione Alessandra , Brasacchio Caterina , Maruca Katia , Capelli Silvia , Dogliotti Elena , Pivari Francesca , Cisternino Mariangela , Mora Stefano , Soldati Laura 
Published: July 2019

BackgroundAutosomal Dominant Hypocalcemia (ADH) is an endocrine disorder due to activating mutations of the calcium-sensing receptor (CASR) gene that encodes for a plasma membrane G protein-coupled receptor. This protein plays a central role in maintaining calcium homeostasis. ADH is characterized by hypocalcemia and hypercalciuria with inappropriately low serum concentration of parathyroid hormone (PTH). We report on a young boy who presented hypocalcemia with hypercalciuria, hyperphosphatemia and low serum concentration of PTH.Materials and MethodsGenomic DNA was extracted from peripheral venous blood of a pediatric patient with ADH. Molecular screening of the CASR coding sequence was performed by sequence analysis with an ABI PRISM® 3100 Avant Genetic Analyzer. Site-directed mutagenesis was performed directly on CASR wild type cDNA, cloned in pCR3.1 plasmid to obtain CASR mutant plasmid. Functional properties of mutant receptor were studied in transiently transfected HEK-293 cells with the wild-type or mutated CASR. The ERK phosphorylation levels were measured by western blot analysis.ResultsWe detected a novel heterozygous deletion of a cytosine (c.2682delC) causing a frameshift and a premature stop codon resulting in a truncation of the CaSR's C-tail. HEK-293 cells transfection with CASR Mutant increased significantly (P = 0.02) p-ERK levels by 3.8 fold versus CASR wild type.ConclusionWe identified a novel CASR gene mutation in a young boy with ADH. Although the mutation leads to a truncation of the protein, it leads to a constitutive gain-of-function of the receptor. This finding is in line with the clinical phenotype observed in our patient.
The Role of C-Terminus Cytosolic Domain in the Mechanism of ORAI1 Trafficking and Internalization During Oocyte Maturation
Authors: Dib Maya , Hodeify Rawad , Machaca Khaled 
Published: July 2019

Store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) is a ubiquitous Ca2+ influx pathway essential for many physiological functions and failure to maintain normal calcium homeostasis is one of the leading causes of cellular dysfunction in a wide variety of pathological conditions. Orai1, a key regulator of SOCE, constitutively recycles at steady state in the frog oocyte and internalizes into intracellular vesicular compartments during meiosis, leading to inactivation of SOCE. Such mechanism provides proper regulation of Ca2+ signaling in preparation for fertilization and embryonic development. Previous data showed a role for Orai1 C-terminus in its internalization during meiosis. However, the minimal region required for Orai1 internalization at steady state and during meiosis is not known.We began the study of the molecular determinants of Orai1 trafficking in Xenopus oocytes by comparing the localization of multiple GFP-Orai1 C-terminal mutants 1-266, 1-275, and 1-285 intracellularly. Orai1 mutants 1-275 and 1-285 were both internalized during meiosis behaving similarly to WT, however, Orai1 1-266 was significantly enriched at the plasma membrane and did not internalize during oocyte maturation. To further map the region required for Orai1 internalization, we will generate specific mutants in the region 267-275 and evaluate the contribution of these signals in Orai1 internalization during meiosis. Mutants showing defect in internalization will be tested for phenotype rescue by co-injecting Orai1 with different potential candidates. These proteins include: 1) Rab5, a member of Rab family of GTPases has been shown to play a role as a regulator of intracellular trafficking during endocytosis. Previous data from our group has shown that Rab5 colocalizes with Orai1 in both oocytes and eggs. 2) Caveolin-1, a coat protein mediating caveolin-dependent endocytosis. 3) Flotilin-1, a membrane-associated protein involved in flotilin-dependent endocytosis.As a second step in exploring the molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying Orai1 internalization during meiosis, we will identify Orai1 associated proteins by co-immunoprecipitation of Orai1 complexes followed by quantitative proteomic analysis using dimethyl labeling coupled with tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Candidates that are enriched in wild-type Orai1 immunoprecipitation but missing in internalization-deficient Orai1 mutants are suggested to play role in Orai1 endocytosis.In conclusion, our results here suggest that residues 266–275 at C-terminus of Orai1 are essential for its internalization during meiosis. Using specific mutant(s) within this region, we will test the rescue of mutant(s) phenotype with potential candidates, and by quantitative proteomic analysis identify proteins associated with Orai1 and potentially important in its internalization.
Designing Customized Peptide-Linkers to Functionalize Scaffolds and Nanoparticles for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Navaneethakrishnan , Tseng Yuan-Tsan , Yacoub Magdi 
Published: July 2019

Introduction and ObjectivesEngineering living tissues or organs critically depends on the use of scaffolds to attract, house and instruct host cells. To achieve this, the scaffolds need to be functionalised using different strategies. One of these strategies relies on the use designer peptides to decorate scaffolds. Peptide linkers have shown increasing importance in the production of bioactive materials for various biological applications. In particular, they act as natural linkers for merging multiple functional domains and for attaching active motifs on the surface to induce cells and to enhance the function of biomaterials. However, intense structural customization of the linkers is required prior to examine them under experimental conditions for challenging tissue engineering applications such as heart valve repair. Thus, we here apply computer-aided molecular design to construct the linkers including essential properties such as multiple motif presentations and binding on scaffolds/nanoparticles.Materials and MethodsThe 3D structures of known functional motif (collagen and fibronectin inducing) with linkers were used in the interactive molecular dynamics simulations, which were carried out under physiological conditions after parameterization of all atomic properties. The simulations are to solve Newton equation of motion for 100 nanoseconds at the parallel super computer using algorithms of Groningen machine for chemical simulations. The trajectories of the simulations were collected at regular interval for analysing molecular behaviours, molecular interactions and structural properties of the linkers.ResultsOur recent modeling shows that the linkers based on valine and alanine can be used for merging dual bioactive motifs, which enhance the stimulation of collagen and fibronectin in human adipose derived stem cells under experimental conditions. By further applying the modeling strategy, here, we are developing linkers in specific conformations with surface attachment property. The computer aided-design used to analyse the structural role of key residues such as proline, serine, alanine, glycine, glutamic acid, lysine and cysteine in different lengths with several combinations to probe favourable linkers. The structural rigidity and self-assembly are the major molecular features that were used appropriately to create the efficient linkers for decoration and functionalization of biomaterials.ConclusionThe design of customized linkers may offer many advantages for the production intelligent biomaterials with multi-functionality, enhanced bioactivity and to target specific sites/shapes for tissue engineering applications.
Design an Expert System for the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Tuberculosis
Authors: Badi Rasha 
Published: July 2019

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is a common worldwide infection and a medical and social problem causing high mortality and morbidity, especially in developing countries. An expert system for diagnosis of this disease was designed based on expert's knowledge for providing decision support platform to assist fresh graduator (inexperienced) physicians, and other healthcare practitioners to arrive the final diagnosis of TB more quickly and efficie ntly especially in rural areas. Information about pulmonary tuberculosis and its symptoms and treatment from doctor who are specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis were collected.The system was built using C sharp language and artificial intelligence based expert system in coordinated manner help in the diagnosis of tuberculosis disease and assistance in giving the necessary treatment In addition to giving advice to patients.
Applying a Novel Smart Insole System that Reduces Re-Ulceration Risk among Diabetics with Peripheral Neuropathy: Do Users Adhere and Comply?
Authors: Ron Eyal , Razjouyan Javad , Najafi Bijan , Armstrong David 
Published: July 2019

Background & Aim: People with diabetes carry a 25% lifetime risk of foot ulceration. It is well-established that high plantar pressures increase the risk of developing foot ulcers, and that managing peak pressure is an important strategy in reducing such risk. This study tested a novel smart insole system designed to reduce ulceration risk by alerting patients using a smartwatch when their plantar pressure was too high. The device was tested for degree of adherence, compliance, and successful offloading responses among users. Outcomes of users triggering many alerts were compared to those triggering few alerts to see if alert frequency affected adherence and compliance to a novel mobile health device. Method: Participants with diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, and a history of foot ulcers were instructed to wear a smart insole system. Pressure sensors inside the insole were placed in strategic areas where foot ulceration risk has been shown to be high. The sensors were wirelessly connected to a smartwatch through a transmitter. The smartwatch alerted participants when plantar pressure exceeded 50 mmHg over 95% of a moving 15 minute window. Adherence, defined as the number of hours the device was worn, was determined with sensor data and via questionnaires. A successful response to an alert was recorded when patient-initiated offloading occurred within 20 minutes. The length of time an alert lasted (measured as the median time between alert onset and successful offloading) served as a measure of compliance. Results: Participants who increased adherence over time tended to have more alerts (0.82 ± 0.31 alerts/hr) than those who did not improve (0.36 ± 0.46 alerts/hr, p = 0.09). Users receiving a high number of alerts (HA) began with similar levels of successful response to those receiving a low number of alerts (LA), but the HA group successfully offloaded significantly more often than the LA group by the last segment of the study (55.0 ± 6.6% vs. 16.6 ± 11.9%, p < 0.01). Median alert durations increased for LA relative to HA (p = 0.10). Participants tended to overestimate their adherence compared to objective sensor measurements (7.60 ± 2.50 hours/day vs. 5.38 ± 3.43 hours/day, p = 0.10). Conclusion: The results of this study suggests that there appears be to a minimum number of alerts that a user must experience (1 alert every 2 hours of wear time) to maintain adherence and successful response to alerts over time. Above this level, median alert durations decrease, user adherence improves, and successful response rates increase. This suggests that within the range of alerts typically received by someone wearing a smart insole system, relatively more alerts may be preferred, and increasing the number of alerts a user receives by lowering the pressure threshold may be a viable path to maintaining adherence. In addition, self-reported adherence measures may exaggerate usage of novel mobile health devices.
A Centralized System Approach to Indoor Navigation for the Visually Impaired
Authors: Al-Omary Alauddin Yousif , Al-Rizzo Hussain M. , AlSabagh Haider M. 
Published: July 2019

People who are Blind or Visually Impaired (BVI) have one goal in common: navigate through unfamiliar indoor environments without the intervention of a human guide. The number of blind people in the world is not accurately known at the present, however, based on the 2010 Global Data on Visual Impairments, World Health Organization, approximately 285 million people are estimated to be visually impaired worldwide: 39 million are blind and 246 have low vision, 90% in developing countries, with 82% of blind people aged 50 and above. Available extrapolated statistics about blindness in some countries in the Middle East show ∼102,618 in Iraq, ∼5,358 in Gaza strip, ∼22,692 in Jordan, ∼9,129 in Kuwait, ∼104,321 in Saudi Arabia, and ∼10,207 in the United Arab Emirates. These statistics reveal the importance of developing a useful, accurate, and easy to use navigation system to help this large population of disabled people in their everyday lives. Various commercial products are available to navigate BVI people in outdoor environments based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) where the receiver must has a clear view of the sky. Indoor geo-location, on the other hand, is much more challenging because objects surrounding the user can block or interfere with the GPS signal.In this paper, we present a centralized wireless indoor navigation system to aid the BVI. The system is designed not only to accurately locate, track, and navigate the user, but to also find the safest travel path and easily communicate with the BVI. A centralized approach is adopted because of the lack of research in this area. Some proposed navigation systems require users to inconveniently carry heavy navigation devices; some require administrators to install a complex network of sensors throughout a building; and others are simply impractical in practice. The system consists of four major components: 1) Wireless Positioning Subsystem, 2) Visual Indoor Modeling Interface, 3) Guidance and Navigation Subsystem, and 4) Path-Finding Subsystem. The system is designed not only to accurately locate, track, and navigate the user, but to also find the safest travel path and easily communicate with the BVI.A significant part of the navigation system is the virtual modeling of the building and the design of the path-finding algorithms, which will be the main focus of this research. Ultimately, the proposed system provides the design and building blocks for a fully functional package that can be used to build a complete centralized indoor navigation system, from creating the virtual models for buildings to tracking and interacting with BVI users over the network.