bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rifabutin loaded Inhalable β-glucan micro particle based drug delivery system for pulmonary TB
Authors: Ahmad Firoz , Ahmad Shad , Upadhyay Tarun Kumar , Sharma Deepak , Singh Sanjay , Khubaib Mohd , Singh Jyotsna , Saeed Mohd , Ahmad Irfan , Sharma Rolee 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Inhalable micro particle-based anti TB drug delivery systems are being investigated extensively for Tuberculosis [TB] treatment as they offer efficient and deep lung deposition with several advantages over conventional routes. It can reduce the drug dose, treatment duration and toxic effects and optimize the drug bioavailability. Yeast derived β-glucan is a β-[1–3/1–6] linked biocompatible polymer and used as carrier for various biomolecules. Due to presence of glucan chains, particulate glucans act as PAMP and thereby gets internalized by receptor mediated phagocytosis by phagocytes including macrophages. In this study, β-glucan microparticles were prepared by adding l-leucine as excipient, and exhibited 70% drug [Rifabutin] loading efficiency. Further, the sizing and SEM data of particles revealed a size of 2–4 µm with spherical dimensions. The FTIR and HPLC data confirmed the glucan composition of particles. The mass median aerodynamic diameter [MMAD] and Gravitational standard deviation [GSD] data indicated that these particles are inhalable in nature and have better thermal stability as per DSC thermogram. These particles were found to be non-toxic upto a concentration of 80µg/ml and are readily phagocytosed by macrophage cells in vitro as well as in vivo by alveolar macrophage. This study provides a framework for future design of inhalable β-glucan based drug carriers as a host-directed, targeted drug delivery system against Pulmonary TB.
Completed genome and emergence scenario of the multidrug-resistant nosocomial opportunistic pathogen Staphylococcus epidermidis ST215
Authors: Widerström Micael , Kellgren Therese , Dwibedi Chinmay , Sundell David , Öhrman Caroline , Sjödin Andreas , Monsen Tor , Rydén Patrik , Johansson Anders 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
A multidrug-resistant genetic lineage of Staphylococcus epidermidis named ST215 causes prosthetic joint infections and other deep surgical site infections in Northern European residents. Increases in the rate and breadth of resistance among S. epidermidis strains are a concerning global trend. We used whole-genome sequencing to characterize ST215 in a healthcare setting.
Results
We used publicly available diverse S. epidermidis genomes with a global distribution as a reference and generated 11 short-read genomes of S. epidermidis ST215 from a university hospital in Sweden. One ST215 isolate genome was finished using long-reads, resulting in a circular 2,676,787 bp chromosome and a 2,326 bp plasmid. We generated 11 short-read genomes of ST2, which is another common multidrug-resistant genetic lineage at the same hospital and at multiple locations worldwide. Using genome data, we established genetic relationships between the ST215, ST2, and reference genomes. We investigated the function of recombination during evolution from a recent common ancestor of ST2 and ST215 and found signals of multiple recombination events with an average size of 30–50 kb. By comparing the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing for 31 antimicrobial drugs with the genome content encoding antimicrobial resistance in the ST215 and ST2 isolates, we found highly similar phenotypical antimicrobial resistance traits between the isolates, with 22 resistance genes being shared between all the ST215 and ST2 genomes. The ST215 genome contained 29 genes that were historically identified as virulence genes of S. epidermidis ST2. We established that in the nucleotide sequence stretches identified as recombination events, virulence genes were overrepresented in ST215, while antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were overrepresented in ST2.
Conclusions
We found that the two phylogenetically distinct lineages, ST215 and ST2, of S. epidermidis have evolved similarly and acquired antibiotic resistance and virulence genes through recombination events. The ST215 lineage exemplifies the recent evolutionary emergence of a multidrug-resistant healthcare-associated pathogen, and there is a thin line between commensal bacteria and successful pathogens.
Ball Velocity Variation on Tennis Forehand Stroke the Arm Joint Coordination Characteristics
Authors: xiaogang ma , bing shi 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Objective: To explore the influence of different ball speeds on the coordination characteristics of forehand arm.
Methods: Two 3D high-speed cameras and video analysis system of Beijing Sport University were used to obtain 3D kinematic data of forehand stroke arms of 16 professional tennis players facing three ball speeds (80km·h-1/100km·h-1/120km·h-1). Vector coding technique was used to calculate the ratio of shoulder-elbow and elbow-wrist coupling angles in three-dimensional plane.
Results: The shoulder horizontal flexion and elbow flexion were different phase and elbow dominance, elbow flexion and wrist rotation were in phase and wrist dominance, shoulder adduction and abduction - elbow flexion and elbow extension-elbow flexion and elbow extension-wrist flexion and elbow extension pattern were dominant. Elbow extension-wrist extension-in-phase and elbow-led, elbow-extension-in-wrist rotation out-wrist dominant modes 80km·h-1<100km·h-1<120km·h-1(P<0.05). Shoulder adduction, abduction and elbow extension in the swing phase and shoulder flexion and elbow extension in the swing phase were 80km·h-1>100km·h-1>120km·h-1(P<0.05). The horizontal speed component, the angle of the racket face and the length of the hitting area increase with the increase of the ball speed, while the longitudinal speed component and the trajectory Angle of the racket head decrease with the increase of the ball speed.
Conclusion: Under the three ball speed conditions, the coordination characteristics of the hitting arm showed a gradual "zero" effect from the near end to the far end. The degree of "freezing" of shoulder joint freedom increases with the increase of ball speed. Under the condition of high ball speed, the loss of shoulder joint strength may be compensated mainly by trunk torsion. The dominant pattern of elbow joint and wrist joint increased with the increase of ball speed. The index variability of batting time mainly shows that the batting mode increases with the speed of the ball, and gradually changes from topspin batting to flat batting.
Post-Discharge Spirometry Evaluation in Patients Recovering from Moderate-to-Critical COVID-19: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chai Chee-Shee , Ibrahim Muhammad Amin Bin , Azhar Nur Amira Binti , Roslan Zulaika Binti , Harun Rozila Binti , Krishnabahawan Swarna Lata , Karthigayan Aruna A/P , Kadir Roqiah Fatmawati Binti Abdul , Johari Busra Binti , Ng Diana-Leh-Ching , Sim Benedict-Lim-Heng , Liam Chong-Kin , Muttalif Abdul Razak Bin , Rasit Ahmad Hata Bin , Peariasamy Kalaiarasu M , Rani Mohammed Fauzi Bin Abdul 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

To determine the prevalence and types of spirometry abnormalities among post-COVID-19 patients in Malaysia, with secondary objective focusing on associated factors. Conducted at the COVID-19 Research Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, University Technology MARA, from March 2021 to December 2022, this study included patients three months post-discharge from hospitals following moderate-to-critical COVID-19. Of 408 patients studied, abnormal spirometry was found in 46.8%, with 28.4% exhibiting a restrictive pattern, 17.4% showing preserved ratio impaired spirometry (PRISm), and 1.0% displaying an obstructive pattern. Factors independently associated with abnormal spirometry included older age (OR: 1.0, 95% CI: 1.01–1.04, p = 0.003), underlying cardiovascular disease (OR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.19–10.47, p = 0.023), history of acute respiratory distress syndrome (p < 0.001), shorter discharge-to-follow-up interval (OR: 0.9, 95% CI: 1.00–1.02, p = 0.035), oxygen desaturation during 6-minute walk test (OR: 1.9, 95% CI: 1.20–3.06, p = 0.007), and presence of consolidation (OR: 8.1, 95% CI: 1.75–37.42, p = 0.008) or ground-glass opacity (OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.52–4.30, p < 0.001) on chest X-ray. This study highlights patients recovering from moderate-to-critical COVID-19 often exhibit abnormal spirometry, notably a restrictive pattern and PRISm. Routine spirometry screening for high-risk patients is recommended.
Evaluation of the Efficiency of Swallowing Disorder Rehabilitation in Patients Diagnosed with Schizophrenia with Swallowing Disorders and Saliva Problems
Authors: Yılmaz Neslihan Altuntaş , Aydın Adem , Şeker Muzaffer , Tat Ayşe Merve , Yapalı Gökmen 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of the application of Swallowing Disorders Rehabilitation to patients diagnosed with schizophrenia with dysphagia and saliva problems.
Methods
For the study, 53 patients who were diagnosed with schizophrenia and had swallowing complaints were screened with the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10), 6 patients were not included in the study because they did not meet the criteria for dysphagia. The study started with 47 patients, but the study was completed with 7 patients (4 men, 3 women) who continued the treatment. Education level and disease history were questioned with the Sociodemographic Data Form. The swallowing disorder rehabilitation program was applied as a total of 12 sessions at 3 sessions per week for 4 weeks. The swallowing function was evaluated with the EAT-10, saliva with the Saliva Control Severity and Frequency Scale, and Trismus evaluation of mouth opening was made with calipers, before and after the rehabilitation program, and the scores obtained were statistically compared.
Results
The efficacy of the swallowing function, the severity and frequency of saliva, and the Trismus opening were determined to have statistically significantly improved after the application of Swallowing Disorder Rehabilitation compared to the pre-treatment values (p < 0.05). The disease history, education level and physical activity levels were not found to affect the treatment results.
Conclusions
Evaluation of patients with schizophrenia in terms of swallowing and salivary problems and implementation of necessary rehabilitation approaches reduce the problem of saliva and dysphagia.
Pronounced spatial disparity of projected heatwave changes in the Northern Hemisphere linked to heat domes and soil moisture-temperature coupling
Authors: Zhang Tuantuan , Cai Fenying , Liu Caihong , Gerten Dieter , Yang Song , Lin Shuheng , Kurths Jürgen 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Heatwaves are projected to substantially increase almost without exception at a global scale, exacerbating worldwide heat-related risks in the future. However, understanding spatial heterogeneity of future heatwave changes and their origins remains challenging. By analyzing the output of various climate models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6, we found pronounced spatial disparity of projected heatwave increases in the Northern Hemisphere, even outstretching ten-fold inter-regional differences in extreme heatwave occurrences, attributed primarily to future changes in heat-dome-like circulations and soil moisture-temperature coupling. Specifically, we found that by the end of the 21st century, the modulations of combined Pacific El Niño and positive Pacific Meridional Mode on magnified heat-dome-like circulations would be translated into summertime hotspots over western Asia and western North America. Amplified soil moisture-temperature couplings then further aggravate the heatwave intensity over these two hotspots. This study of future heterogeneous heatwave patterns provides supports for formulating impact-based mitigation strategies and efficiently addressing the potential future risks for climate extremes.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Stereoscopic Optical Palpation for Tumour Margin Assessment in Breast-Conserving Surgery
Authors: Fang Q. , Sanderson R. W. , Zilkens R. , Boman I. , Foo K. Y. , Lakhiani D. D. , Rijhumal A. , Hardie M. , Dessauvagie B. F. , Saunders C. M. , Kennedy B. F. 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Optical elastography has been developed for intraoperative tumour margin assessment during breastconserving surgery (BCS) based on the elevated stiffness of tumour. It aims to assist the surgeon in fully removing a cancer in one operation, thus reducing re-excision surgeries and potentially decreasing the recurrence rate. In this study, we investigate the use of a recently proposed costeffective, camerabased optical elastography technique, stereoscopic optical palpation (SOP), for breast cancer detection and present the diagnostic accuracy of the technique for tumour margin assessment.
Methods
SOP was performed on the margins of intact, freshly excised specimens from 48 patients undergoing BCS. Pairs of photographs were acquired on 169 margins and, within two minutes of capturing each image, detailed maps were generated showing areas of mechanical pressure at the tissue surface (stress maps) over a 29 × 29 mm2 region. To determine the diagnostic accuracy of SOP in tumour margin assessment, 247 regions of 10 × 10 mm2 were selected, analysed and coregistered with standard histopathology to provide a ground truth. All regions were randomly divided into 10 groups and an automatic classifier was developed and evaluated using 10fold crossvalidation to calculate the accuracy of cancer detection using SOP.
Results
In the regions of interest included in the analysis, the prevalence of cancer within 1 mm of the margin, based on histopathology, was 11.3% (n = 28). Based on the stress maps acquired using SOP and the automatic classifier, the sensitivity of cancer detection within 1 mm of the tissue boundary (positive margin) is 82.1% (n = 23) and the specificity of identifying benign tissue within 1 mm of the tissue boundary (negative margin) is 83.6% (n = 183). The mean stress threshold determined to identify positive margins is 10.1 kPa.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates that SOP can achieve an accuracy of 83.4% in identifying cancer within 1 mm of the tissue boundary, which surpasses conventional intraoperative imaging techniques for margin assessment, including radiography and ultrasound. Due to its straightforward implementation and low cost, SOP holds promise as an effective point-of-care tool to assist in tumour margin assessment for BCS.
Endoscopic treatment of gastric varices using N-butyl- 2-cyanoacrylate glue: experience from Ethiopia, sub- Saharan Africa
Authors: Shewaye Abate Bane , Berhane Kaleb Assefa 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Background
Gastro-esophageal varices (GV) are the major clinical manifestations of cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic portal hypertension. Although less frequent than esophageal varices (EV), They pose a significant clinical challenge due to their propensity for severe bleeding, associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate (NBCA) has emerged as a promising treatment modality for GV, offering effective hemostasis and low rebleeding rates. This study aims to investigate the practice and outcomes of NBCA injection therapy for gastric varices in Ethiopia.
Methods
A cross sectional study was conducted on patients who received NBCA injection treatment at Adera Medical and Surgical (AMS) Center from December 2022 to January 2024.Data regarding socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, indications, endoscopic findings, procedure details, complication and outcome were collected from patients’ medical records and through a phone call interview using structured checklist. The acquired data was examined for accuracy, cleaned up and validated before analysis using SPSS 26.0. Descriptive statistics were employed as a statistical data analysis technique for categorical variables, and the results were expressed as frequencies and percentages. Tables and figures were utilized to provide a concise summary of the findings. Categorical data were presented as frequencies, while continuous variables were expressed as means, standard deviations, and minimum and maximum values.
Results:
The study investigated the use of NBCA injection for treating gastric varices in 49 patients. The mean [± SD] age was 39.92 ± 16.05 years with M: F of 2.5 respectively. IGV1 was the commonest GV type (46.9%). Thirty-Five (71.4%) patients had active bleeding and received NBCA within 12 hours, while the rest received it prophylactically for large varices. Initial bleeding control was achieved in all patients. One patient with active bleeding experienced re-bleeding 25 hours post NBCA glue injection but stopped spontaneously. No procedure-related complications, bleeding, organ embolism, or death were reported.
Conclusion:
NBCA glue injection demonstrably achieved effective bleeding control in all patients with gastric varices in this study. These findings offer valuable insights for optimizing gastric varices management and reducing the burden of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Ethiopia, Sub-Saharan Africa. To ensure successful implementation, enhancing healthcare providers' expertise in interventional endoscopic techniques, including NBCA glue injection, is crucial. Further wider research is recommended to explore long-term outcomes and compare the efficacy of NBCA glue injection with other treatment options for gastric varices in Ethiopia and sub Saharan Africa at large.
FLOW DURATION CURVE ESTIMATION AT UNGAUGED BASIN USING REGIONALIZATION APPROACHES
Authors: Sajjad Hafiz Waseem , Waseem Muhammad , Arshed Abu Bakar , Abbasi Ali Haider , Laraib Muhammad , Khalid Obaid 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

Long-term hydrological information is essential in many parts of the world because of low density and inadequate spatial distribution of hydrometric networks specifically in Pakistan. The goal of this study to delineate the homogeneous region and to assess the streamflow in ungauged basin using regionalization approaches. Current study introduced a Simple Tyler Skill Score (STSS) technique to ensemble the output of regionalization approaches i.e., Artificial Neural Network, (ANN), Inverse Distance Weightage (IDW) and Stepwise Regression (SWR) for better predication of hydrological information. STSS method is mainly based on the weight derived from coefficient of determination (R2) and hydrological variables. The overall performance evaluation was performed by using coefficient of determination (R2), correlation coefficient (r), root mean square error (RMSE) and percent bias (PBIAS), which revealed that STSS provided more robust estimation of flow duration curve as compared to other methods. Moreover, ANN performance was comparatively better than the SWR and IDW method. The result emphasizes that in upper Indus basin, the characteristics of the watershed matter more than the physical distance between gauged and ungauged areas. This study can provide the direction for the hydrological estimation independent of hydrological modeling in data scarce regions where hydrological conditions are less addressed.
Network pharmacology and experiments in vitro reveal that the Paeonia veitchii Lynch and its active ingredient Punica granatum Linn ameliorate IMQ-induced psoriasis in mice via TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Pan suyue , Huang qiao , Wang pu , Hu min , Li weijia , Peng yi , Liu lingyu , Jiang qianfan , Qi jiahui , He yuqing 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Pharmacological relevance Paeonia veitchii Lynch is a traditional Chinese medicine in our country. It has the function of clearing heat and cooling blood, dispersing blood stasis and relieving pain. Its main active ingredient, Punica granatum Linn, is a herbaceous polyphenol with many biological properties, such as anti-oxidation, anti-diabetes, anti-cancer and inducing apoptosis. Previous studies have demonstrated a significant therapeutic effect of Punica granatum Linn on psoriasis, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are unknown. Aim of the study We screened the active components of Paeonia veitchii Lynch by network pharmacology. Weveriied them in vitro to identify the potential molecular mechanism of Paeonia veitchii Lynch in treating psoriasis. Materials and methods Retrieve target genes associated with psoriasis from the GEO database. Using the clinical bioconfidence analysis platform Sangerbox for Gene Ontology (GO) and Encyclopedia of Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment. Next, the protein-protein interaction network (PPI) and the Paeonia veitchii Lynch-compound-target network were done with Cytoscape 3.9.1. To find the most essential active ingredient in the treatment of psoriasis, the main active ingredient and its core target were analyzed by molecular docking. Network pharmacological results were verified by in vitro experiments. A mouse model of psoriasis was induced with imiquimod and constructed by observing changes in skin lesions on the back of mice on a daily basis, performing PASI scores and histopathology observation. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum were measured by Elisa, and the expression of TLR4/NF-ΚB pathway was evaluated by Western Blot. Results 348 differentially expressed genes with high correlation to psoriasis were screened, and 23 active components, corresponding to 150 target genes, were obtained by searching “Paeonia veitchii Lynch” from the database. Catechin, Baicalein, β-sitosterol, Punica granatum Linn, Lactobacillus, paeoniflorin, paeonol, sitosterol and stigmasterol are the main active components in Paeonia veitchii Lynch, in psoriasis has more critical significance. In addition, CCNB1, CXCL8, PCNA and S100A9 may be important targets in treating psoriasis. The molecular docking showed that Punica granatum Linn was main active component of Paeonia veitchii Lynch in treating psoriasis. KEGG results indicated that TLR4/NF-κb pathway might be the potential mechanism of TLR4/NF-κb. Western Blot results showed that Punica granatum Linn down-regulated the protein levels of TLR4 and P65. Conclusions Our results suggest that Punica granatum Linn may be an essential basis for the treatment of psoriasis by Paeonia veitchii Lynch, and TLR4/NF-κb pathway may be the common pathway of Paeonia veitchii Lynch and Punica granatum Linn.
Modeling a LoRAWAN Network for Vehicle Wildlife Collision Avoidance System on Rural Roads
Authors: Jotanovic Gordana , Jausevac Goran , Perakovic Dragan , Dobrilovic Dalibor , Stojanov Zeljko , Brtka Vladimir 
Published: April 2024

Abstract

The network of rural roads covers different types of terrain, including forest areas, pastures, arable land and sparsely populated areas. The safety of people and animals is a priority in traffic on these roads. Early detection of pedestrians, animals and other moving objects along the road can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. As part of this research, a sensor system is being developed that can detect characteristics of living things in motion, such as unexpectedly crossing the road without clear signs. Such timely detection of moving objects enables adequate preventive measures and reduces potential traffic accidents. The consequences of traffic accidents of this type can cause serious damage to animals and people property, and road infrastructure. The topicality of this problem at the spatial and seasonal level is emphasized in studies that identify the hotspots of these accidents. Factors such as traffic characteristics and road infrastructure are key to modeling protective systems on rural roads. The presented study investigates the deployment of sensor nodes and LoRAWAN gateways for wildlife detection on rural roads, with the aim of reducing the risk of traffic accidents caused by Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions.