bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical quality, microbial load and health risk assessment of groundwater in view of the sustainable development goals 3, 6, and 11 in Osogbo, Nigeria
Authors: TOWOLAWI Adeleke Taofik , IDOWU Adekunle Adedoyin , ADEGBORE Abidemi Kafayat , BADMUS-OLADAPO Ramot Bolanle , ADEGBITE Kabirat Iyabode , OLADEJI Francis Olusegun , AKINWUMI Isaac Tope , ABDULSALAMI Baseerat Adebola , ADEOYE Moriam Dasola 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Water is abundantly available, but that of good quality for good health and well-being is not accessible thereby making cities and communities to be doubted for sustainability. Ascertaining water of good quality requires more than comparing the laboratory results with regulatory standards; exploring the multifaceted approach to check the quality of water is highly imperative and mundane to achieving the related SDGs 3, 6, and 11 to this study. The Osun Water Corporation Laboratory analysed physicochemical parameters, heavy/ toxic metals, and microbial loads of ten households’ water samples across Osogbo and environs, Osun State, Nigeria. The obtained data were descriptively compared with four drinking water standards, recent works (2018-2024), and further subjected to health risk assessments (CDI, CDIing, CDIderm, HQ, HI, and PLCR) using SPSS v23. The results indicated that the consumers were not free from microbial loads (total plate count, total coliform, andEscherichia coliin 100 % locations), cyanide (in 60 % locations), K (in 90 % locations), Cr (in 60 % locations), Cd (in 100 % locations), Mo (in 80 % locations), N-nitrate, and Free CO2contamination as their levels were higher than the limits of WHO, UNICEF (2014), and NIS 554 (2015) while HCO3-was higher that the WHO (2008) limit. The average CDIingvalues ranged from 3.77E-2 at location C to 8.54E-3 at location H for children and from 1.32E-1 at location C to 3.00E-2 at location H for adults. The average CDIdermvalues ranged from 2.48E-4 at location C to 5.64E-5 at location H for children and from 4.61E-4 at location C to 1.05E-2 at location H for adults. The HQingof Cd, Cr, and Cu were > 1, while the HQdermof Cd was > 1, thereby indicating a low non-carcinogenic risk. The adults’ HIingwas higher than that of the children except at locations DEC. The PLCRingfor adults > PLCRingfor children > PLCRdermfor adults > PLCRdermfor children. The study concluded that the health implications of the limit-exceeded parameters determined noncompliance with SDGs 3, 6, and 11. The children were more prone to ingestion and dermally-contact side effects than the adults. The HQingis generally > HQderm. There is a need for a joint effort to make potable water available for the residents of Osogbo and its environs.
Analysis of ANO6, HAPLN1 and EDIL3 Polymorphisms in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis in a Chinese Han Population: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Lian Zijian , Luo Wei , Liu Jun , Wang Jing , Chai Wei , Wang Yan , Shi Lewis L. , Idowu Olumuyiwa , Ma Xinlong 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background: Earlier research has shown a genetic basis for the susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and the severity of AS. By employing a genome-wide association study, recent research has established a correlation between the susceptibility to AS and the ANO6, HAPLN , EDIL3 genes in a western study population, although alternative studies have not corroborated these findings. This study aims to examine the effects of ANO6, HAPLN1 and EDIL3 polymorphisms on the susceptibility to AS ,and as well as the severity of AS among the predominantly Chinese Han population.
Methods: The study involved the collection of blood samples from 497 Patients with AS and 498 non-related healthy individuals. All participants in the study are of Han Chinese descent and whose HLA-B27 are positive. The intensity of the illness served as a criterion for classifying patients with AS. 13 tagSNPs in ANO6, HAPLN1 and EDIL3 were chosen and then subjected to genetic typing. Analysis was conducted on the occurrence rates of various genotypes and alleles between patients with varying severity of AS and the control group.
Results: Following Bonferroni correction, the rs4768085 and rs17095830 SNPs in ANO6 are related to the susceptibility to AS. The rs6869296 SNP in HAPLN1 is associated with the AS susceptibility, the rs2301071 SNP between EDIL3 and HAPLN1 is related to the susceptibility to AS. The rs4768085, rs2897868, rs7965430 and rs11182965 SNPs in ANO6are related to the severity of AS.
Conclusions: The ANO6,HAPLN1 genes are related to the susceptibility to AS. The ANO6 gene is also associated with the severity of AS among the Han population in China.
Application of OSA-VET® and qualiquantitative tear tests in brachycephalic dogs with and without keratoconjunctivitis sicca
Authors: Voitena Jéssica N. , Marinho Tatiane O. C. , Montiani-Ferreira Fabiano , Cremonini Daniela N. , Chiurciu João L.V. , Jesus Nadja S. , Leonard Brian C , Cunha Olicies da , Brito Fábio L.C. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The aim was to compare the outcomes acquired from the OSA-Vet® device with conventional quantitative and qualitative tear tests and between groups within each test, in brachycephalic dogs both healthy and those diagnosed with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The dogs were divided into four groups: healthy dogs (HD), with mild KCS (MIKCS); moderate KCS (MOKCS); severe KCS (SKCS). All patients underwent ocular surface diagnostic examination in the following order, with a 10-minute interval between tests: non-invasive tear film breakup time (TBUTNI - OSA-Vet®), tear meniscus height (TMH-OSA-Vet®), meniscometry (I-Tear® test), Schirmer Tear Test-1 (STT-1), and tear film breakup time (TBUT). Kruskal-Wallis H tests were performed to establish the difference between the groups and Spearman´s correlation coefficient test to assess the correlation between tests. And an analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey-Kramer post-hoc test was performed for TMH. Results with (p<0.05) were considered statistically significant. The correlation of conventional tests in relation to those obtained by OSA-Vet® proved to be low, except between TBUTNI (OSA-Vet®) and TBUT in MOKCS, with a strong correlation (r=0.925). In the comparison between TBUTNI (OSA-Vet®) and TBUT in MIKCS the correlation was moderate (r=0.547) as well as STT-1 and I-Tear® test in MOKCS (r=0.416). In the comparison between groups, the main result observed was a significant difference between all the KCS groups and HD, in the TBUT and TBUTNI (OSA-Vet®) test. The OSA-Vet® and conventional tests are useful for evaluating the ocular surface of brachycephalic dogs. However, the OSA-Vet® does not correlate well with conventional standardized tests.
Investigation of the Frequency of Osmophobia in Patients With Primary Headache
Authors: ÇİÇEKLİ Esen , MUNGAN Semra , ORHAN Gürdal 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Introduction:
Osmophobia is an isolated phobia that is especially common in patients with primary headaches. Osmophobia is recommended for inclusion in the migraine diagnostic criteria because it increases sensitivity and shows absolute specificity. Although there are publications supporting the frequency of osmophobia in patients with tension-type headache (TTH), the association between TTH and osmophobia has not been definitively demonstrated, and various studies have been conducted on this subject. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of osmophobia in a cohort of migraine and TTH patients selected from two different centers.
Methods:
For the current analysis, patients who presented to the neurology outpatient clinic and were diagnosed with migraine or TTH according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders III were selected. A total of 214 patients (129 with migraine and 85 with TTH) were included in the study. Patients’ characteristics, medical visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and migraine disability assessment (MIDAS) scores wererecorded. Osmophobia characteristics in Migraine and TTH patients were compared along with clinical parameters between the groups and within the groups.
Results:
Sixty-eight percentof the migraine patientshad osmophobia. The most common type of smell that migraine patients experienced was the scent of perfume. A total of31.3% of the patients with TTH had osmophobia. While the most irritating odorant in migraine patients was perfume, in TTH patients, it was the smell of food. There wereno significant differences between osmophobia and age, education level, disease duration, pain frequency, attack duration, or VAS score in both migraine patients and TTH patients. There was no significant difference between migraine patients with and without osmophobia in termsof the MIDAS score.
Discussion:
Our study indicates that osmophobia mostly supports migraine as a differential diagnosis in clinical practice. However, osmophobia can be described to a considerable extent in patients with TTH, and it would be useful to use supporting criteria for differential diagnosis and to question the characteristics of osmophobia more deeply.
Meta-analysis of genome and predicted exome sequencing diagnostic yield
Authors: Bergant Gaber , Maver Aleš , Peterlin Borut 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

This meta-analysis assesses the relative diagnostic yield of genome sequencing (GS) compared to the predicted exome sequencing (ES) yield in patients with suspected Mendelian disorders. Employing the PRISMA guidelines and PICO framework, we conducted a systematic review of studies that used GS in the context of rare disorders. We collected reported diagnostic findings and estimated the reliability of their detection via a comprehensive ES approach. A comparative analysis of 44 included studies (from an initially evaluated 72) involving 15,559 probands revealed a GS diagnostic yield of 25.8% and a predicted ES diagnostic yield of 24.3%. Variants which could not have been detected using ES were predominantly small or complex structural variants and intronic variants. This meta-analysis suggests a statistically significant but modest increase in diagnostic yield of GS over ES. Consequently, ES might be considered a suitable initial diagnostic approach for most patients with Mendelian disorders.
Simulation of Hollow Ormocomp Microneedles and Fabrication by Two photon Photolithography
Authors: Singh Sachin Kumar , Dwivedi Monika , Bhattacharyya T. K. , Mishra Richa 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

In recent years, two-photon photopolymerization (2PP) has emerged as a preferred technique for microneedles (MNs) fabrication. Ormocomp, a class of ormocers (organically modified ceramics) is a photoresist that has been widely used in dental implants and is now preferred for MNs because of its excellent structural strength and biocompatibility. In this study, Ormocomp hollow microneedles (HMNs) were explored for their suitability for transdermal drug delivery. HMNs were designed and simulated for their structural strength during skin insertion. Velocity, flowrate and Reynold’s number in the HMNs connected to reservoir were also studied. Subsequently their fabrication was explored using 2PP. HMNs (3X3 array, 600µm height, 120µm outer diameter, 60µm inner diameter and 700 µm array spacing) were first fabricated on glass substrate and their fabrication and development step was optimised. Then in a novel process, a combination of direct laser writing technique for HMN base and 2 PP technique for HMN array was adopted. In this process, first a SU-8 base with through holes (100µm diameter, 3X3 array, 700µm array spacing) was fabricated using direct laser writing (DLW) process and then same dimension HMNs as fabricated earlier were aligned and fabricated on top of these through holes and fabricated using 2PP. The novelty of the work lies in obtaining the SU-8 base containing HMNs which was slowly separated from glass slide substrate with help of a blade.
Solar Radiation Modification is projected to increase
land carbon storage and to protect the Amazon rainforest
Authors: Parry Isobel , Ritchie Paul , Boucher Olivier , Cox Peter , Haywood Jim , Niemeier Ulrike , Séférian Roland , Tilmes Simone , Visioni Daniele 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Solar radiation modification (SRM) aims to artificially cool the Earth, counteracting warming from anthropogenic greenhouse gases by increasing the reflection of incoming sunlight. One SRM strategy is stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI), which mimics explosive volcanoes by injecting aerosols into the stratosphere. There are concerns that SAI could suppress vegetation productivity by reducing the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface and by shifting rainfall patterns. Here we examine results from five Earth System Models that use SAI to reduce the global mean temperature from that of a high emissions world (SSP585), to that of a more moderate global warming scenario (SSP245). Compared to SSP245, the SAI simulations project higher global NPP values (+15.6%) and higher land carbon storage (+5.9%), primarily because of increased CO2 fertilization. The effects of SAI are most obvious in Amazonia where notable increases in NPP (+13.8%) and land carbon storage (+8.6%) are projected compared to SSP245, as well as compared to SSP585 (+10.8% and +7.1% respectively). Our results therefore suggest that SAI could provide some protection against the risk of climate change induced Amazon forest dieback, and may in fact be a very effective method of atmospheric carbon sequestration.
Chronic Subdural Hematoma in a Vast Cohort of Patients in their Ninth Decade of Life: is it a hostile and recursive disease? Italian CSDH Research Group
Authors: Pesce Alessandro , Armocida Daniele , Cofano Fabio , Paccapelo Alexandro , Perna Giuseppe Di , Colamaria Antonio , Garbossa Diego , Santoro Antonio , Salvati Maurizio , Frati Alessandro , Palmieri Mauro 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Objective
To date, there is no consensus over treatment indications in ultra-elderly patients, in their ninth decade of life suffering from Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). The present investigation aims to focus and carefully report on the clinical course of such a particularly fragile subgroup of patients.
Methods
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical, radiological, and surgical records of a multicentric cohort of 1312 patients suffering from CSDH. We assigned the enrolled patients to two subgroups, Group A, whose age was under 90 years, and Group B, whose age was over 90 years. For each patient, we recorded age, sex, clinical onset, history of traumatic brain injury, antiplatelet/anticoagulant, and pre and postoperative corticosteroid medication intake. We recorded the surgical approach if a surgical drain was left in the subdural space and the anesthesia protocol. Clinical results were measured with the Markwalder score. Recurrence and mortality were analyzed either.
Results
The final cohort comprised 1312 patients operated on for CSDH. Patients in their ninth decade of life may experience, similar or even better clinical outcomes than their younger counterparts. In particular, the pre-postoperative variation of the Markwalder scores appears to be favorable in elderly patients. Multivariate analyses confirm that preoperative corticosteroids, local anesthesia, single-side CSDH, and no antiplatelet/anticoagulant intake are further independent predictors of favorable outcomes.
Conclusions
Patients in their ninth-decade experience similar clinical and radiological outcomes compared to their younger counterparts. Such patients could be eligible for standard minimally invasive treatments.
Blood oxygenation level-dependent MRI for evaluating renal function in chronic kidney disease: A preliminary retrospective study
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Lu Fang , Wu Yu , Yang Jing , Ye Chaoyang , Wang Chen 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Renal hypoxia is a key factor in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet it is challenging to evaluate non-invasively. This study utilized Blood Oxygenation Level-Dependent (BOLD) MRI to assess renal oxygenation and function in CKD patients and healthy volunteers (HVs). We retrospectively analyzed BOLD MRI data from 128 CKD patients and 25 HVs. CKD patients were categorized into mild (CKD stages 1-2), moderate (stage 3), and severe (stages 4-5) impairment groups based on their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The study measured cortical and medullary T2* values (COT2* and MET2*), investigating their differences and correlations with eGFR and clinical indicators such as serum creatinine (Scr), cystatin C (Cys C), beta-2 microglobulin (β2-MG), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Our findings indicated that both COT2* and MET2* values were significantly higher in HVs than in all CKD groups and decreased progressively with advancing CKD (P < 0.001). Notably, the decrease in T2* values correlated significantly with worsening renal function, evidenced by positive correlations with clinical indicators such as Scr, Cys C, β2-MG, and BUN (all P < 0.001), and negative correlations with eGFR (P < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between T2* values and UA (P > 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis further refined the clinical utility of BOLD MRI, identifying optimal cut-points for differentiating between stages: COT2* values were 62.25 ms between HVs and CKD stages 1-2, 52.58 ms between CKD stages 1-2 and 3, and 42.76 ms between CKD stages 3 and 4-5; MET2* values were 36.17 ms, 29.42 ms, and 23.33 ms, respectively, for these comparisons.This study highlights BOLD MRI's potential for non-invasively monitoring renal hypoxia and functional deterioration in CKD, advocating its integration into clinical diagnostics.
Short-term Effect of Distant-image Screen on Myopia Control in Children and Comparison with Tablet Computer
Authors: Zhang Chuanli , Guo Xingyi , Wu Yiyuan , Ruan Zhanliang , Lu Wenli , Chen Xiaoqin , Li Lihua 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Background
To evaluate the effect of distant-image screen on myopia prevention and control.
Methods
Cross-designed randomized controlled trial. A total of 40 children were recruited. The subjects were randomly assigned to single-vision spectacle (SVS) lenses group or defocus incorporated multiple segments (DIMS) lenses group.In each group, participants were randomly allocated to tablet computer group (TC)or distant-image screen (DIS)group, and exchanged after 3 to 7 days. Participants were asked to watch videos for 90 minutes. Outcomes including choroid thickness (ChT) were measured before and after watching video. A two-stage cross-design analysis of variance and linear mixed model (LMM)were used to analyze the effects.
Results
40 children were recruited, with an average age of 10.58 ± 1.48 years and an average spherical equivalent error (SER) of -2.11 ± 1.09 diopter (D). There were no statistical difference in baseline data. For participants wearing SVS or DIMS ,there were no statistical difference in the change of accommodative microfluctuation (AM), accommodative lag (ACL), axial length (AL) ,visual acuity between the DIS group and TC group (P > 0.05). For participants wearing SVS, the changes in ChT measured at 1mm inferior to the fovea (P = 0.036) and 1mm from the temporal side to the fovea (P = 0.032) in the DIS group were higher than that in the TC group,however, for participants wearing DIMS, there was no statistical difference between DIS group and the TC group (P > 0.05). Results of LMM analysis showed that the combination of glasses type and screen type had an interactive effect on ChT measured at the fovea (P = 0.027), 1mm from the nasal side of the fovea (P = 0.038), and 1mm from the temporal side of the fovea (P = 0.026).
Conclusion
The distant-image screen helps reduce the ChT thinning during video watching, indicating it might have an effect on myopia prevention and control.
Recognition and completeness metrics from iNaturalist and GBIF can inform future citizen science and research projects: a case study on arthropods in Namibia
Authors: Alfeus Martha , Irish John , Birkhofer Klaus 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Arthropods are the most diverse animal phylum and play crucial roles in ecosystem functioning through their contributions to ecosystem processes. Accurate knowledge about their distribution and diversity is essential for effective ecosystem management and biodiversity conservation. Public biodiversity databases and citizen science records could contribute to our understanding of arthropod diversity. To test this assumption, we extracted arthropod observations in Namibia from iNaturalist (iNat) and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and compared these data to the records in the Namibian Biodiversity Database (NBD). We assessed the proportion of observations identified to species level in each arthropod order in iNat and GBIF (“recognition” metric) and compared the number of species from the two biodiversity networks (iNat and GBIF) to the known species richness in each arthropod order in NBD (“completeness” metric). Only 54.4% of iNat and 63.1% of GBIF arthropod observations in Namibia are recorded at species level. Scorpions (Scorpiones) and dragonflies (Odonata) are the most recognised orders in both GBIF and iNat, with high completeness rates (> 60%). However, overall recognition and completeness for all arthropod orders were generally below 50% in both databases. The high recognition and completeness for certain orders could be attributed to species traits that make them recognizable (e.g. large body size, colouration), a low species richness and the taxonomic familiarity of the public. While global biodiversity networks provide valuable data, science-based databases like NBD remain essential for comprehensive biodiversity understanding. Global biodiversity networks provide insights into public perception and the suitability of taxonomic groups for citizen-involved biodiversity projects.
Alteration of nutrient uptake and secondary metabolism connection by foliar application of citrus flavonoids to broccoli plants
Authors: Albaladejo-Marico Lorena , Yepes-Molina Lucia , Carvajal Micaela 
Published: June 2024

Abstract

The nutritional value of broccoli is largely attributed to its abundant secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds and glucosinolates (GSLs). However, the dynamic relationship between these compounds, including potential synergistic or antagonistic interactions that influence plant physiology and metabolism, remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the intricate interplay between phenolic compounds and GSLs in broccoli plants and their consequent effects on primary metabolism and regulatory mechanisms governing water and nutrient uptake. To investigate this, we externally supplied citric phenolic compounds to broccoli plants, and then measured the levels of GSLs and phenolic compounds, along with assessing physiological parameters such as biomass, gas exchange, and nutrient content. Additionally, the expression of genes related to GSLs and phenolics biosynthesis, as well as genes involved in water transport were measured. Our results revealed a complex interrelation between phenolic compounds and GSLs, with phenolic compounds significantly modulating the response of GSLs and influencing the expression of aquaporin genes. This modulation had notable effects on nutrient regulation mechanisms in broccoli plants. Overall, our findings shed light on the regulatory mechanisms underlying the interaction between phenolic compounds, GSLs and growth, providing insights into their roles in plant physiology and metabolism.