bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cellulose and lignin purified from Metroxylon sagu palm fronds by a new technology with 2-methylanthraquinone cooking and peroxymonosulfuric acid bleaching
Authors: Evelyn  , Yusnimar  , Iwan Fermi Muhammad , Saputra Edy , Utami Syelvia Putri , Komalasari  , Rahmi Sri Wahdini , Ohi Hiroshi 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe demand for high-purity cellulose, optimization of wood utilization, and environmentally friendly processes has increased in dissolving pulp (DP) production. Sago palm fronds (SPF), an abundant agricultural waste in Indonesia, hold great potential as a raw material for cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin production. This study aimed to explore the production of from SPF by employing a combination of prehydrolysis, soda cooking with 2-methylanthraquinone (MAQ) as a green additive (PHS-MAQ), and totally chlorine-free (TCF) bleaching with peroxymonosulfuric acid (Psa). Furthermore, lignin was recovered from the black liquor of PHS-MAQ. The results showed that prehydrolysis at 150 ºC for 3 h, followed by soda-MAQ cooking at 160 ºC for 1.5 h using 0.03% of MAQ, 23% active alkali (AA), and a five-stage bleaching with oxygen (O), Psa, alkaline extraction with hydrogen peroxide (Ep), Psa, and Ep successfully produced high-purity cellulose as DP, with properties of 94.3% α-cellulose content, 89.9% ISO brightness (SNI ISO 2470–1:2016), 9.1 cP viscosity, and 0.13% ash content. Moreover, the soda-MAQ cooking method exhibited superior delignification compared to prehydrolysis kraft (PHK) and prehydrolysis soda (PHS) processes in a range of kappa numbers of 9.4–22.6 at 17–25% AA. The inclusion of MAQ increased pulp yields by 4.6–4.9% and decreased kappa number by 1.6–3.1 compared to the PHS without additives at similar AA. Lignin was separated from the PHS-MAQ, with yields of 69–77%. This work demonstrated the suitability of SPF processed by PHS-MAQ cooking and Psa bleaching for the preparation of viscose rayon and cellulose derivatives. The lignin recovery could be an attractive biorefinery process in modern pulp mills.
Onset of Alzheimer disease in apolipoprotein ɛ4 carriers is earlier in butyrylcholinesterase K variant carriers
Authors: Lane Roger M. , Darreh-Shori Taher , Junge Candice , Li Dan , Yang Qingqing , Edwards Amanda L. , Graham Danielle L. , Moore Katrina , Mummery Catherine J. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe authors sought to examine the impact of the K-variant ofbutyrylcholinesterase(BCHE-K) carrier status on age-at-diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) inAPOE4carriers.MethodsPatients aged 50–74 years with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker-confirmed AD, were recruited to clinical trial (NCT03186989 since June 14, 2017). Baseline demographics, disease characteristics, and biomarkers were evaluated in 45 patients according toBCHE-KandAPOE4allelic status in this post-hoc study.ResultsInAPOE4carriers (N = 33), the mean age-at-diagnosis of AD inBCHE-Kcarriers (n = 11) was 6.4 years earlier than inBCHE-Knoncarriers (n = 22,P < .001, ANOVA). InAPOE4noncarriers (N = 12) there was no observed influence ofBCHE-K.APOE4carriers withBCHE-Kalso exhibited slightly higher amyloid and tau accumulations compared toBCHE-Knoncarriers. A predominantly amyloid, limited tau, and limbic-amnestic phenotype was exemplified byAPOE4homozygotes withBCHE-K. In the overall population, multiple regression analyses demonstrated an association of amyloid accumulation withAPOE4carrier status (P < .029), larger total brain ventricle volume (P < .021), less synaptic injury (Ng,P < .001), and less tau pathophysiology (p-tau181,P < .005). In contrast, tau pathophysiology was associated with more neuroaxonal damage (NfL,P = .002), more synaptic injury (Ng,P < .001), and higher levels of glial activation (YKL-40,P = .01).ConclusionThese findings have implications for the genetic architecture of prognosis in early AD, not the genetics of susceptibility to AD. In patients with early AD aged less than 75 years, the mean age-at-diagnosis of AD inAPOE4carriers was reduced by over 6 years inBCHE-Kcarriers versus noncarriers. The functional status of glia may explain many of the effects ofAPOE4andBCHE-Kon the early AD phenotype.Trial registrationNCT03186989 since June 14, 2017
Outcome of illuminated microcatheter-assisted circumferential trabeculotomy following failed angle surgery in PAX6 aniridic glaucoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wu Tingyi , Cui Cui , Li Yuanting , Hong Ying , Zhang Chun 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Aniridia is a rare eye disorder with a high incidence of glaucoma, and surgical intervention is often needed to control the intraocular pressure (IOP). Here, we reported a case of illuminated microcatheter-assisted circumferential trabeculotomy (MAT) performed on an aniridic glaucoma patient following a previous failed angle surgery. The surgical procedures for aniridic glaucoma were also reviewed.

Case presentation
A 21-year-old man, diagnosed with aniridic glaucoma, came to our hospital consulting for the poor control of left eye’s IOP despite receiving goniotomy surgery 3 years ago. The IOP was 26 mmHg with maximum topical antiglaucoma eyedrops. The central cornea was opaque and the majority of iris was absent. The gonioscopy and ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) demonstrated that 360° anterior chamber angle was closed. The whole exome sequencing of peripheral blood confirmed a 13.39 Mb copy number loss at chromosome 11p15.1p13, containing PAX6 and WT1 gene. The 360° MAT surgery was performed on his left eye. At 1-year follow-up, the IOP was 19mmHg with 2 kinds of topical antiglaucoma medications, and the postoperative UBM demonstrated the successful incision of the anterior chamber angle.

Conclusions
The case presented here exhibited a case of aniridic glaucoma treated by MAT surgery. The MAT surgery may be an effective option for IOP control in aniridic glaucoma patients following a previous failed angle surgery.
Association of major depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with thyroid cancer: a bidirectional two-sample mendelian randomized study
Authors: Qiu Rongliang , Lin Huihui , Jiang Hongzhan , Shen Jiali , He Jiaxi , Fu Jinbo 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Major depressive disease (MDD), schizophrenia (SCZ), and bipolar disorder (BD) are common psychiatric disorders, and their relationship with thyroid cancer has been of great interest. This study aimed to investigate the potential causal effects of MDD, SCZ, BD, and thyroid cancer.

Methods
We used publicly available summary statistics from large-scale genome-wide association studies to select genetic variant loci associated with MDD, SCZ, BD, and thyroid cancer as instrumental variables (IVs), which were quality controlled and clustered. Additionally, we used three Mendelian randomization (MR) methods, inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR–Egger regression and weighted median estimator (WME) methods, to estimate the bidirectional causal relationship between psychiatric disorders and thyroid cancer. In addition, we performed heterogeneity and multivariate tests to verify the validity of the IVs.

Results
We used two-sample bidirectional MR analysis to determine whether there was a positive causal association between MDD and thyroid cancer risk. The results of the IVW analysis (OR = 3.956 95% CI = 1.177–13.299; P = 0.026) and the WME method (OR = 5.563 95% CI = 0.998–31.008; P = 0.050) confirmed that MDD may increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Additionally, our study revealed a correlation between genetic susceptibility to SCZ and thyroid cancer (OR = 1.532 95% CI = 1.123–2.088; P = 0.007). The results of the WME method analysis based on the median estimate (OR = 1.599 95% CI = 1.014–2.521; P = 0.043) also suggested that SCZ may increase the risk of thyroid cancer. Furthermore, our study did not find a causal relationship between BD and thyroid cancer incidence. In addition, the results of reverse MR analysis showed no significant causal relationships between thyroid cancer and MDD, SCZ, or BD (P > 0.05), ruling out the possibility of reverse causality.

Conclusions
This MR method analysis provides new evidence that MDD and SCZ may be positively associated with thyroid cancer risk while also revealing a correlation between BD and thyroid cancer. These results may have important implications for public health policy and clinical practice. Future studies will help elucidate the biological mechanisms of these associations and potential confounders.
Network analysis of posttraumatic stress and posttraumatic growth symptoms among women in subsequent pregnancies following pregnancy loss
Authors: Shen Qiaoqiao , Fu Qi , Mao Chen 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Pregnant women who have undergone pregnancy loss often display both posttraumatic stress (PTS) and posttraumatic growth (PTG). However, the precise relationship and structure of symptomatic levels of PTS and PTG have not been well understood. This study aimed to assess the associations between PTS and PTG symptoms in women during subsequent pregnancies following a previous pregnancy loss.

Methods
A total of 406 pregnant women with a history of pregnancy loss were included in this study. The Impact of Events Scale-6 (IES-6) and the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory Short Form (PTGI-SF) were used to assess symptoms of PTS and PTG, respectively. The Graphical Gaussian Model was employed to estimate the network model. Central symptoms and bridge symptoms were identified based on “expected influence” and “bridge expected influence” indices, respectively. The stability and accuracy of the network were examined using the case-dropping procedure and nonparametric bootstrapped procedure.

Results
The network analysis identified PTG3 (“Ability to do better things”) as the most central symptom, followed by PTS3 (“Avoidance of thoughts”) and PTG6 (“New path for life”) in the sample. Additionally, PTS3 (“Avoidance of thoughts”) and PTG9 (“Perception of greater personal strength”) were bridge symptoms linking PTS and PTG clusters. The network structure was robust in stability and accuracy tests.

Conclusions
Interventions targeting the central symptoms identified, along with key bridge symptoms, have the potential to alleviate the severity of PTS experienced by women with a history of pregnancy loss and promote their personal growth.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice towards hepatitis B and C virus infection and associated factors among adults living at selected woredas in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Chonka Tamiru , Endashaw Gesila , Zerihun Eshetu , Beyene Shashamo Bereket 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver tissue. It is one of the serious public health problems. Though an individuals’ knowledge, attitude, and practice level is very vital in order to ensure the control of its adverse health impacts, little is known regarding these issues in the community level. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice towards hepatitis B and C virus infection and associated factors among adults living at selected woredas in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Methods
Community based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 633 adults living at selected woredas in Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Data were collected by pretested, well-structured questionnaire. The collected data were checked, coded and entered into Epi-data version 4.6.0.2 and were exported to SPSS version 25 for analyses. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression were done to identify independent factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice towards hepatitis B and C virus infection.

Results
According to this study, 366(58.1%), 95% CI: (54.23–61.96) of the participants had good knowledge. 381(60.5%), 95% CI: (56.65–64.30) of the participants had favourable attitude. 317(50.3%), 95% CI: (46.40–54.23) of the participants had good practice. From factor analysis, sex, number of sexual partners, sharing sharp material, and vaccination status were significantly associated with knowledge; residence, occupational status, income level, sharing sharp material, and vaccination status were significantly associated with attitude; and residence, occupational status, and vaccination status were identified to be significantly associated with practice towards Hepatitis B and C virus infection.

Conclusion
Based on the study findings, it could be observed that good knowledge, favourable attitude, and good practice were indicated nearly above the half, only by half, and nearly above the half of the study participants respectively. Implementing actions that could increase awareness regarding limiting the number of sexual partner, not sharing sharp materials, and urbanization is recommended. Moreover, woreda administrators, and other related authorities should consider knowledge, attitude, and practice as an implementation area, and also it would be better to create an opportunities to promote vaccination practices.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice of insulin among diabetic patients and pharmacists in Egypt: “cross-sectional observational study”
Authors: Mohamed Alaa H. , Abbassi Maggie M. , Sabry Nirmeen A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractBackgroundDiabetes recently has been identified as a growing epidemic. Although insulin’s vital role in both types of diabetes, it is considered one of the harmful medications if used incorrectly. In Egypt, effective usage of insulin remains a challenge due to insufficient knowledge of insulin and diabetes management, leading to errors in insulin therapy. As pharmacists are experts in pharmacological knowledge, they are uniquely situated to assess adherence to treatment regimens, the effect of drug therapy, or potential alterations in drug therapy to meet patient goals. To provide effective patient education and counseling, community pharmacists in Egypt should be efficiently knowledgeable about diabetes and insulin.ObjectiveTo identify the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pharmacists and patients about insulin. To identify pharmacists’ educational preparedness and confidence in counseling diabetic patients.MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with two knowledge, attitude, and practice surveys. This study was carried out from September 2016 to February 2023. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with patients, and a paper-based questionnaire was administered to pharmacists. The two questionnaires were adapted from previous studies.ResultsA total of 492 patients and 465 pharmacists participated in this study. The mean knowledge score of correct answers among patients and pharmacists was 10.67 ± 1.9 and 15 ± 3.6. Most of the patients and pharmacists had a positive attitude regarding insulin’s role in improving health and to better control blood glucose. On the negative side, around half of the patients reported that they believe that regular use of insulin leads to addiction, while only 14.5% of the pharmacists believed that insulin could cause addiction. Self-confidence scores for pharmacists differed statistically with sex, years of experience, and pharmacist’s direct exposure to diabetic patients.ConclusionsThis study uncovers considerable deficiencies in patients’ and pharmacists’ knowledge about insulin therapy. This study also strongly recommends higher education and a more structured pharmacist training schedule.
Proteomic studies of VEGFR2 in human placentas reveal protein associations with preeclampsia, diabetes, gravidity, and labor
Authors: Ho Shannon J. , Chaput Dale , Sinkey Rachel G. , Garces Amanda H. , New Erika P. , Okuka Maja , Sang Peng , Arlier Sefa , Semerci Nihan , Steffensen Thora S. , Rutherford Thomas J. , Alsina Angel E. , Cai Jianfeng , Anderson Matthew L. , Magness Ronald R. , Uversky Vladimir N. , Cummings Derek A. T. , Tsibris John C. M. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractVEGFR2 (Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2) is a central regulator of placental angiogenesis. The study of the VEGFR2 proteome of chorionic villi at term revealed its partners MDMX (Double minute 4 protein) and PICALM (Phosphatidylinositol-binding clathrin assembly protein). Subsequently, the oxytocin receptor (OT-R) and vasopressin V1aR receptor were detected in MDMX and PICALM immunoprecipitations. Immunogold electron microscopy showed VEGFR2 on endothelial cell (EC) nuclei, mitochondria, and Hofbauer cells (HC), tissue-resident macrophages of the placenta. MDMX, PICALM, and V1aR were located on EC plasma membranes, nuclei, and HC nuclei. Unexpectedly, PICALM and OT-R were detected on EC projections into the fetal lumen and OT-R on 20–150 nm clusters therein, prompting the hypothesis that placental exosomes transport OT-R to the fetus and across the blood–brain barrier. Insights on gestational complications were gained by univariable and multivariable regression analyses associating preeclampsia with lower MDMX protein levels in membrane extracts of chorionic villi, and lower MDMX, PICALM, OT-R, and V1aR with spontaneous vaginal deliveries compared to cesarean deliveries before the onset of labor. We found select associations between higher MDMX, PICALM, OT-R protein levels and either gravidity, diabetes, BMI, maternal age, or neonatal weight, and correlations only between PICALM-OT-R (p < 2.7 × 10–8), PICALM-V1aR (p < 0.006), and OT-R-V1aR (p < 0.001). These results offer for exploration new partnerships in metabolic networks, tissue-resident immunity, and labor, notably for HC that predominantly express MDMX.
Unsupervised robot-assisted rehabilitation after stroke: feasibility, effect on therapy dose, and user experience
Authors: Devittori Giada , Dinacci Daria , Romiti Davide , Califfi Antonella , Petrillo Claudio , Rossi Paolo , Ranzani Raffaele , Gassert Roger , Lambercy Olivier 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Unsupervised robot-assisted rehabilitation is a promising approach to increase the dose of therapy after stroke, which may help promote sensorimotor recovery without requiring significant additional resources and manpower. However, the unsupervised use of robotic technologies is not yet a standard, as rehabilitation robots often show low usability or are considered unsafe to be used by patients independently. In this paper we explore the feasibility of unsupervised therapy with an upper limb rehabilitation robot in a clinical setting, evaluate the effect on the overall therapy dose, and assess user experience during unsupervised use of the robot and its usability.

Methods
Subacute stroke patients underwent a four-week protocol composed of daily 45 min-sessions of robot-assisted therapy. The first week consisted of supervised therapy, where a therapist explained how to interact with the device. The second week was minimally supervised, i.e., the therapist was present but intervened only if needed. After this phase, if participants learnt how to use the device, they proceeded to two weeks of fully unsupervised training. Feasibility, dose of robot-assisted therapy achieved during unsupervised use, user experience, and usability of the device were evaluated. Questionnaires to evaluate usability and user experience were performed after the minimally supervised week and at the end of the study, to evaluate the impact of therapists’ absence.

Results
Unsupervised robot-assisted therapy was found to be feasible, as 12 out of the 13 recruited participants could progress to unsupervised training. During the two weeks of unsupervised therapy participants on average performed an additional 360 min of robot-assisted rehabilitation. Participants were satisfied with the device usability (mean System Usability Scale scores > 79), and no adverse events or device deficiencies occurred.

Conclusions
We demonstrated that unsupervised robot-assisted therapy in a clinical setting with an actuated device for the upper limb was feasible and can lead to a meaningful increase in therapy dose. These results support the application of unsupervised robot-assisted therapy as a complement to usual care in clinical settings and pave the way to its application in home settings.

Trial registration
Registered on 13.05.2020 on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04388891).
A monetary model of global peace and health
Authors: Bastanifar Iman 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
This study aims to expand on the concept of peace and health by drawing from Keynes' theory of the economic consequences of peace, in light of the global pandemic experienced in 2020 due to COVID_19.

Methods
In this paper, I will elaborate on the concept of ‘security’, as an indicator of peace in the time of biological shocks, in order to expand the definition of Keynesian precautionary motivation. This puts forth a new monetary policy model developed to make contributions to achieving global peace. In so doing, I will calculate the optimal growth rate of discount rate through utilizing the Global Peace Index (GPI), adjusted by the Case Fatality Risk (CFR) of COVID-19 in a dynamic shopping time monetary model. This analysis is comprised of the top 15 GDP countries as well as the 10 most and least peaceful countries in 2020.

Results
The results indicate that households in more peaceful and healthy countries tend to hold less money compared to those in less peaceful and healthy countries. Besides, the discount rate needs to be reduced due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the decrease in the level of peace in the economy.

Conclusion
Insofar as the imposition of fines through international legal circles on countries with an insignificant health and peace policy will increase the cost of liquidity, other alternative methods of financing will be affor dable for the countries.
Perceval-S over time. Clinical outcomes after ten years of usage
Authors: Schizas Nikolaos , Samiotis Ilias , Nazou Georgia , Iliopoulos Dimitrios C. , Anagnostopoulos Ioannis , Kousta Maria , Papaioannou Nafsika , Argiriou Mihalis , Dedeilias Panagiotis 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Perceval-S has become a reliable and commonly used option in surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) since its first implantation in humans 15 years ago. Despite the fact that this aortic valve has been proven efficient enough in the short and mid-term period, there is still lack of evidence for the long-term outcomes.

Materials and methods
This is an observational retrospective study in a high-volume cardiovascular center. Pertinent data were collected for all the patients in whom Perceval-S was implanted from 2013 to 2020.

Results
The total number of patients was 205 with a mean age 76.4 years. Mean survival time was 5.5 years (SE = 0.26). The overall survival probability of patients undergoing aortic valve replacement with Perceval-S at 6 months was 91.0% (Standard Error SE = 2.0%), at one year 88.4% (SE = 2.3%) and at 5-years 64.8% (SE = 4.4%). A detrimental cardiac event leading to death was the probable cause of death in 35 patients (55.6%). The initiation of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) program in our center in 2017 was associated with a decline in the number of very high-risk patients treated with sutureless bioprosthesis. This fact is demonstrated by the significant shift towards lower surgical risk cases, as median Euroscore II was reduced from 5,550 in 2016 to 3,390 in 2020. Mini sternotomy was implemented in 79,5% of cases favoring less invasive approach. Low incidence of reinterventions, patient prosthesis mismatch and structural valve degeneration was detected.

Conclusions
The survival rate after aortic valve replacement with implantation of Perceval-S is satisfactory in the long-term follow-up. Cases of bioprosthesis dysfunction were limited. Mini sternotomy was used in the majority of cases. TAVR initiation program impacted on the proportion of patients treated with Perceval-S with reduction of high-risk patients submitted to surgery.