bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Isolation and identification of bacterial isolates producing Arginine deiminase from assorted soil environments in Egypt using16S rRNA sequencing technique
Authors: Kassab Mohammed Mahmoud Shawky 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background:
Auxotrophic cancers for Arginine are a leading cause of death worldwide. The manufacture of novel arginine degrading enzymes such as Arginine deiminase enzyme is mandatory due to this crisis.
Aim of the study:
Since certain tumor cells are auxotrophic for Arginine, the depletion of the extracellular Arginine by means of Arginine deiminase enzyme was exploited in the present study to target such tumors.
Methodology:
Selective recovery of some bacterial isolates from different environmental sites in Egypt and assessment their capabilities for Arginine deiminase production. Studying environmental and physiological factors affecting Arginine deiminase production by some selected isolates. Characterization of of activity Arginine deiminase produced by certain selected isolates as well as its production through bacterial recombinant DNA technology.
Results:
The major bacterial isolates grown on mineral Arginine agar( MAA) plates producing ADI were further identified as Bacillus subtilis DE 111 using 16S rRNA sequencing technique. The Arginine deiminase production and activity were optimal at 40℃ and alkaline pH. Mn+2,Ni+2 and Co+2 metal ions as cofactors were optimum activators for production and activity of ADI. The results showed that the potent cytotoxic consequences of ADI were exerted on the renal and leukemic cancer cell lines. ADI produced via bacterial recombinant DNA technology showed efficacious IC50 10.31± 0.2 and 16.08± 0.3 µg/ml against renal( Caki-1) and leukemic( K-562) cancer cell lines, respectively. The purified monomeric ADI was 36.18 KDa molecular mass as determined using SDS-PAGE, the specific activity reached 36.07 U/mg. Km,Vmax and Kcat were 0.05871 M, 40.36 µmol/ml/min and 5.014min-1respectively. Optimum pH and temperature for productivity and activity ranged from 6-10 and 37-70℃,respectively. Total protein estimation using Bar-ford assay was determined to be 5.68 mg during the initial culture. ADI purification was achieved using 70% Ammonium Sulfate followed by Ni+2-immobilized affinity column chromatography with a final purification fold of 15.03.In vitro determination of biological half life of ADI using nesslerization assay was observed to be nearly 300 min.
Conclusion:
ADI produced from Bacillus subtilis DE111 demonstrated efficacious anticancer activities against leukemic( K-562) and renal( Caki-1) auxotrophic cancers for Arginine due to the depletion of L-arginine from the external surrounding environments.
Biomimetic Silk Fibre Assembly: Mimicking Nature's Pultrusion Process
Authors: Moreno-Tortolero Rafael O. , Michalski Juliusz , Wells Eleanor , Gibb Flora , Skaer Nick , Walker Robert , Serpell Louise , Holland Chris , Davis Sean 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Among the best natural structural materials, silks have remarkable properties due to their hierarchical structure. The silk proteins from spiders or caterpillars, despite being distinct Classes, are produced by similar mechanisms with conserved features. They are stored as aqueous liquid solutions that undergo irreversible liquid-to-solid transformations driven by different stimuli, primarily pH and shear strain. This transformation has attracted the attention of many researchers aiming to replicate this apparently facile process. However, most biomimetic assembly processes that have been developed rely on extrusion-based technologies or flow-focusing microfluidic devices, typically using coagulating baths with unnatural solvent conditions. These synthetic processing strategies differ substantially from natural, all-aqueous, pultrusion-based fibre production and increase the overall energy input required to drive the transformation. In contrast, we observe that native-like silk fibroin (NLSF) rapidly forms a highly viscoelastic film at the air–water interface. This phenomenon is then exploited by applying an extensional strain field to produce multimeter silk-like fibres with observable coaligned nanofibrillar bundles. Our studies showed that the proteins undergo stress-induced denaturation, consistent with a model of hexagonal packing of β-solenoid units, at low pulling speeds, at which point the proteins switch to a β-sheet-rich structure as the speed increases. Moreover, the produced fibres showed optimal mechanical properties when the pulling speeds were near the maximum physiologically relevant speeds (ca. 30 mm/s). s pulled at 26.3 mm/s had an elastic modulus of 8 ± 1 GPa and a toughness of 8 ± 5 MJ/m2, which is commensurate with the mechanical performance of natural fibres. Moreover, the method demonstrated here is readily compatible with complex material fabrication under ambient conditions, opening up the possibility of facile incorporation of cells and biomolecules. Overall, the developed method replicates the natural pultrusion process entirely water-based and offers great potential for the future development of novel fibre-based composite materials.
Convenient or Marketing matters? Unveiling the Determinants of Purchasing Decisions in Tokopedia E-Commerce
Authors: Sufyan Izeldin Khalid , Pamuncak Mohammad Bintang 
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates the determinants of purchasing decision of Tokopedia e-commerce consumers with Gen-Z as a sample. This paper refers to Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as theoretical framework, where the indicators use in this study combines both convenient matter in purchasing at e-commerce such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and marketing matters from both digital and non-digital marketing i.e., Islamic Marketing Ethics (IME). This paper employs Structural Equation Model-Pooled Least Square (SEM-PLS). The results show that AI and Digital Marketing (DM) have positive and significant relationship to influence consumers’ decision to purchase in Tokopedia. Meanwhile, IME has positive but non-significant relationship with purchase decision. This paper argues that this is due to the respondents’ knowledge of Sharia compliance in e-commerce transaction and lack of IME indicators socialization by Tokopedia, where Tokopedia already implement some indicators of IME in their feature such as Halal Corner. The result expects to contribute to development of theoretical and practical implication, particularly on Marketing matters both digital and Islamic marketing ethics.
Modelling urban stormwater and irrigation management with coupled blue-green infrastructure in the context of climate change
Authors: Breulmann Marc , Müller Roland Arno , van Afferden Manfred 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT

Urban planners must consider stormwater infrastructure to prevent floods, enhance resilience and promote sustainability, ultimately benefiting cities by minimizing damage and fostering sustainable growth. This is leading cities to consider the implementation of urban blue-green infrastructure (BGI) as an integrated approach to stormwater management. An urban irrigation model, blue-green infrastructure irrigation (B-GRIIN), has been developed that incorporates BGI and the possibility of reusing stormwater for irrigation to facilitate the design of zero-runoff urban blocks. Simulations based on rainfall time series, including an extremely dry year, have shown that it is possible to achieve a zero-water balance and provide sufficient water for irrigation by implementing coupled BGI. However, water availability in extremely dry years may limit the full irrigation of all green areas. The results have also shown that the evapotranspiration scaling factor kc has a large influence on the predicted irrigation volume and thus on the overall water balance. The B-GRIIN model makes it possible to couple the rainwater management functions of different BGIs, determine their water requirements and provide sufficient irrigation water. As a result, it can serve as a basis for holistic planning and operation of BGI in order to achieve a zero urban water balance.
Analyze the Impact of Mobility and Pause Time on ACO based Manet Routing Protocols - Review
Authors: Kour Satveer , Sarangal Himali , Singh Manjit , Singh Butta 
Published: March 2024

Abstract:
Recently, many researchers have studied its performance within Mobile Ad-hoc Networks
(MANETs). Every ad hoc network protocol focuses on a different set of measurements and
traits. The majority of the currently utilized mobility models are employed to provide realistic
movement patterns for MANET scenarios. A crucial element in the creation of MANET protocols
is simulation. The future topology of a network can be predicted, which enables Quality of service-
aware routing to choose a dependable link for data transmission. Ant algorithms, also known
as swarm intelligence, are a wider field of study that deals with algorithmic approaches that are
motivated by the behaviour of ant colonies and other insects. Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) is a
subset of this larger topic. Based on the pheromone value deposited over the link, we identified
two categories for the link quality in the proposed approach. We have demonstrated how the network's
performance is enhanced by the suggested technique. The nodes are moving in the specified
terrain dimensions through the Enhanced Manhattan Mobility Model (EMMM). The five QoS
performance metrics are analyzed over three MANET routing protocols. The comparison is made
over two important factors-mobility and pause time with the proposed ACO technique of reliable
links. In the first experiment of different speeds, DSR is 25.5% better than AODV and 5.3% better
than DSDVin metric packet dropping, 1.15% better than AODV and 1.01% better than DSDV in
Packet Delivery Ratio, 1.5% better than AODV and 1.04% better than DSDV in packet overhead,
and 62.7% better than AODV and 73.1% better than DSDV in average end-to-end delay. In the
second experiment of pause times, DSR is 25.05% better than AODV and 4.5% better than DSDV
in packet dropping, 1.18% better than AODV and 1.01% better than DSDV in packet delivery
ratio, 1.01% better than DSDV in throughput, 0 to 0.002% in packet overhead, and 0.02% to
0.005% shorter delay.
Updated Surveillance Metrics and History of the COVID-19 Pandemic (2020-2023) in Latin America and the Caribbean: Longitudinal Trend Analysis
Authors: Post Lori Ann , Wu Scott A , Soetikno Alan G , Ozer Egon A , Liu Yingxuan , Welch Sarah B , Hawkins Claudia , Moss Charles B , Murphy Robert L , Mason Maryann , Havey Robert J , Lundberg Alexander L 
Published: March 2024

Background
In May 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, with over 40% of worldwide COVID-19–related deaths at the time. This high disease burden was a result of the unique circumstances in LAC.

Objective
This study aimed to (1) measure whether the pandemic was expanding or contracting in LAC when the WHO declared the end of COVID-19 as a public health emergency of international concern on May 5, 2023; (2) use dynamic and genomic surveillance methods to describe the history of the pandemic in the region and situate the window of the WHO declaration within the broader history; and (3) provide, with a focus on prevention policies, a historical context for the course of the pandemic in the region.

Methods
In addition to updates of traditional surveillance data and dynamic panel estimates from the original study, we used data on sequenced SARS-CoV-2 variants from the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) to identify the appearance and duration of variants of concern (VOCs). We used Nextclade nomenclature to collect clade designations from sequences and Pangolin nomenclature for lineage designations of SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, we conducted a 1-sided t test for whether the regional weekly speed (rate of novel COVID-19 transmission) was greater than an outbreak threshold of 10. We ran the test iteratively with 6 months of data across the period from August 2020 to May 2023.

Results
The speed of pandemic spread for the region had remained below the outbreak threshold for 6 months by the time of the WHO declaration. Acceleration and jerk were also low and stable. Although the 1- and 7-day persistence coefficients remained statistically significant for the 120-day period ending on the week of May 5, 2023, the coefficients were relatively modest in magnitude (0.457 and 0.491, respectively). Furthermore, the shift parameters for either of the 2 most recent weeks around May 5, 2023, did not indicate any change in this clustering effect of cases on future cases. From December 2021 onward, Omicron was the predominant VOC in sequenced viral samples. The rolling t test of speed=10 became entirely insignificant from January 2023 onward.

Conclusions
Although COVID-19 continues to circulate in LAC, surveillance data suggest COVID-19 is endemic in the region and no longer reaches the threshold of the pandemic definition. However, the region experienced a high COVID-19 burden in the early stages of the pandemic, and prevention policies should be an immediate focus in future pandemics. Ahead of vaccination development, these policies can include widespread testing of individuals and an epidemiological task force with a contact-tracing system.
Using In-Shoe Inertial Measurement Unit Sensors to Understand Daily-Life Gait Characteristics in Patients With Distal Radius Fractures During 6 Months of Recovery: Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yamamoto Akiko , Yamada Eriku , Ibara Takuya , Nihey Fumiyuki , Inai Takuma , Tsukamoto Kazuya , Waki Tomohiko , Yoshii Toshitaka , Kobayashi Yoshiyuki , Nakahara Kentaro , Fujita Koji 
Published: March 2024

Background
A distal radius fracture (DRF) is a common initial fragility fracture among women in their early postmenopausal period, which is associated with an increased risk of subsequent fractures. Gait assessments are valuable for evaluating fracture risk; inertial measurement units (IMUs) have been widely used to assess gait under free-living conditions. However, little is known about long-term changes in patients with DRF, especially concerning daily-life gait. We hypothesized that, in the long term, the daily-life gait parameters in patients with DRF could enable us to reveal future risk factors for falls and fractures.

Objective
This study assessed the spatiotemporal characteristics of patients with DRF at 4 weeks and 6 months of recovery.

Methods
We recruited 16 women in their postmenopausal period with DRF as their first fragility fracture (mean age 62.3, SD 7.0 years) and 28 matched healthy controls (mean age 65.6, SD 8.0 years). Daily-life gait assessments and physical assessments, such as hand grip strength (HGS), were performed using an in-shoe IMU sensor. Participants’ results were compared with those of the control group, and their recovery was assessed for 6 months after the fracture.

Results
In the fracture group, at 4 weeks after DRF, lower foot height in the swing phase (P=.049) and higher variability of stride length (P=.03) were observed, which improved gradually. However, the dorsiflexion angle in the fracture group tended to be lower consistently during 6 months (at 4 weeks: P=.06; during 6 months: P=.07). As for the physical assessments, the fracture group showed lower HGS at all time points (at 4 weeks: P<.001; during 6 months: P=.04), despite significant improvement at 6 months (P<.001).

Conclusions
With an in-shoe IMU sensor, we discovered the recovery of spatiotemporal gait characteristics 6 months after DRF surgery without the participants’ awareness. The consistently unchanged dorsiflexion angle in the swing phase and lower HGS could be associated with fracture risk, implying the high clinical importance of appropriate interventions for patients with DRF to prevent future fractures. These results could be applied to a screening tool for evaluating the risk of falls and fractures, which may contribute to constructing a new health care system using wearable devices in the near future.
ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE (KAP) IN PHARMACOGENOMICS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS IN A TEACHING HOSPITAL-A CROSS-SECTIONAL OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Authors: SAGARIKA MUNGA , SONIA S. SHARON , LATHA R. ASHA , SAGI PADMA SRAVANI , PRIYA M. TEJASWI SAI , ARUN S. 
Published: March 2024

Objective: Pharmacogenomics is a field of personalized medicine where individual’s genomic profile is used to guide therapeutic prescription with the goals of increasing efficacy and decreasing toxicity and progressively moving into mainstream clinical practice. Many medical students are not familiar with implications of pharmacogenomics in therapeutic effectiveness. This survey was designed and administered to assess knowledge, attitude and practices among phase 3 MBBS students (undergraduates/UGs) and postgraduates (PGs).
Methods: A Cross-sectional Observational study was conducted among Phase 3 MBBS students (n=110) and PGs (n=46). Data was collected through validated questionnaire and analyzed for their knowledge, attitudes and practices pertaining to Pharmacogenomics. SPSS version 21 and the Chi-square test was used to test the significant difference between the two groups. p value<0.05 was taken as statistically significant.
Results: From the data analyzed, about 85% of undergraduates and 89% of post-graduates have adequate knowledge on Pharmacogenomics. Both the groups had positive attitude (91% and 93%) towards Pharmacogenomics. In the cluster which evaluated the practice the positive response of agree/strongly agree were 75% and 74%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups for KAP on Pharmacogenomics.
Conclusion: Awareness programmes need to be conducted to educate the undergraduates and PGs as attitude is more positive than their knowledge, and practice of pharmacogenomics. This helps to improve the choice of drug, keeping in mind the genetic profile of the patient to reduce the adverse effects, morbidity and mortality and to promote tailor-made personalized therapy.
A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN CLONIDINE AND DEXMEDETOMIDINE AS AN ADJUVANT TO BUPIVACAINE IN BRACHIAL PLEXUS BLOCK THROUGH USG-GUIDED AXILLARY APPROACH
Authors: SUNDARI MANTHA RADHA , SUBBALAKSHMI TELIDEVARA DURGA POORNA , PRASAD TVVSV 
Published: March 2024

Objective: To improve the quality of block in regional anaesthesia, several adjuvants are added to local anaesthetic drugs. The effects of clonidine and dexmedetomidine were compared with regard to the onset and duration of sensory and motor block as well as the length of analgesia when used as an adjuvant to bupivacaine in brachial plexus block by axillary approach.
Objective: The present study was conducted to compare the onset time, duration and analgesic efficacy of clonidine vs dexmedetomidine when added as adjuvant to bupivacaine (0.5%) for USG guided brachial plexus by axillary approach.
Methods: This is a prospective, randomized; comparative study conducted in elective unilateral upper limb forearm and hand surgeries. The study was conducted at Government General Hospital, Srikakulam, between March 2023 to September 2023 after obtaining permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee and from the patients. Group BC received 30 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine with Clonidine 1µg/kg (n=30) and Group BD received 30 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine 1µg/kg (n = 30). The onset and duration of sensory and motor block total duration of analgesia were studied in both groups.
Results: The mean time for onset of sensory block in Group BD was 4.7 min, which was lower than Group BC 8.47 min. The mean time for onset of motor block in Group BD was 9.63 min the mean time for total duration of sensory block in Group BD was 537.8 min. This was higher than the Group BC 319.1 min. The total duration of analgesia in Group BD was 666.27 min. This was higher than in Group BC 375.23 min. Bupivacaine dexmedetomidine group had better quality analgesia than the bupivacaine clonidine group.
Conclusion: The addition of Dexmedetomidine (1μg/kg) to bupivacaine (0.5%) in brachial plexus block by USG-guided axillary approach results in a shorter onset time for sensory and motor blockade, prolongs the duration of sensory and motor blockade and also total duration of analgesia.
STUDY OF ACUTE BACTERIAL MENINGITIS IN CHILDREN BY GRAM STAIN, CULTURE AND ANTIGEN DETECTION
Authors: RAMYASRI KOSANAM , RAJYALAKSHMI GUNTI , RANI ARAVADURGA , DS MURTHY 
Published: March 2024

Objective: Acute Bacterial Meningitis (ABM) is associated with a high mortality rate and morbidity in paediatric population despite recent advances in diagnostic methods, antimicrobial and supportive treatments and monitoring. This study is therefore undertaken to aid in rapid diagnosis of ABM by latex agglutination test (LAT) and to comparatively evaluate Gram stain, Culture and LAT in the diagnosis of ABM along with antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates. We undertake this study in children with symptoms of meningitis to isolate and identify the pathogens in CSF and blood and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. We will compare and evaluate the three methods Gram stain, culture and Antigen detection.
Methods: A hospital-based prospective study conducted at Government General Hospital, Kakinada during December 2018–August 2020. A total of 50 clinically suspected cases of bacterial meningitis in the paediatric age group were taken. The CSF sample was collected and subjected to Gram stain, culture and antigen detection tests using PASTOREX TMMENINGITIS kit.
Results: Out of 50 samples collected, 15 cases were declared as laboratory confirmed cases as per WHO criteria. Gram stain was positive in 6 cases. CSF culture could identify 8 cases of ABM. CSF LAT was positive in 12 cases. Group B Streptococcus was the most common etiological agent in neonates, while S. pneumoniae in children. The isolates were 100% sensitive to cefoperazone, cefuroxime, cefepime and gentamicin.
Conclusion: Although Gram stain is simple and CSF culture is the gold standard, LAT has an advantage over Gram stain in terms of species identification. It was found to be more sensitive, rapid, easy to perform and could identify fastidious organisms like S. pneumoniae, N. meningitidis and Group B Streptococcus.
A PROSPECTIVE COMPARATIVE STUDY ON EFFICACY OF ORAL VITAMIN D FORMULATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN WITH VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Authors: BAI K. SANTHA , JAYASREE D. , UPPU BHARATHI , C. SOWMYA DEEPTHI 
Published: March 2024

Objective: Chronic low back pain is a global health problem with significant medical and economic burden. Vitamin D deficiency and obesity are its risk factors. The objective was to determine efficacy of oral vitamin D formulations in patients with chronic low back pain with vitamin D deficiency.
Methods: A prospective analytical cohort study was conducted. Patients with self-reported chronic low back pain and with vitamin D concentrations ≤30 ng/dl were identified and randomized into 3 groups namely Granule, Nano syrup and soft gel capsule group. Vitamin D supplementation of 60,000 IUs per dose for ten consecutive days was given in the form of granule (1 g sachet), Nano syrup (5 ml bottle) and soft gel capsule. We measured (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]) concentrations and to assess pain, Visual analogue scale and Modified Oswestry low back pain disability questionnaire (MODQ) were used before and 12 w after the intervention.
Results: After 12 w 25(OH)D levels increased significantly with vitamin D supplementation in all the groups but more in the Nano syrup group. There was also significant reduction in back pain intensity in all the groups after vitamin D supplementation. However in Nano syrup group, there was a significantly greater reduction in back pain compared with other groups.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D deficient adults may improve chronic low back pain. Hence, testing for vitamin D deficiency in those with chronic low back pain may be warranted.