bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physiological pharmacology education: The effects of acombined problem‑based learning and flipped classroom teaching method
Authors: An Junxia 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background: Some studies have primarily implemented problem-based learning (PBL) or flipped classroom (FC) teaching models in different majors; however, research has not been conducted on the combined PBL-FC teaching method in physiological pharmacology education. Therefore, we investigated the effects of the combined PBL-FC method in teaching physiological pharmacology.
Methods: A total of 102 second-year chemistry students and 93 third-year students majoring in pharmaceutical engineering at Northwest Normal University participated in this study. Antihypertensive agents were administered in this study. A total of 56 second-year chemistry students in Grade 2021 and 48 third-year students majoring in pharmaceutical engineering in Grade 2020 were allocated to the PBL-FC group, whereas 46 second-year chemistry students in Grade 2020 and 45 third-year students majoring in pharmaceutical engineering in Grade 2019 were allocated to the traditional lecture-based classroom group. A pre-quiz and a post-quiz were conducted before and after the classes. All quiz questions were classified into two categories based on Bloom’s taxonomy: basic theoretical knowledge and clinical case analyses. The results were compared and the students had to complete a questionnaire to evaluate their perceptions and experiences.
Results: The average scorein the post-quiz was higher than that of the pre-quiz for both the PBL-FC and traditional groups. In addition, the post-quiz showed that the students in the PBL-FC group scored significantly higher than the students in the traditional group. Further analysis revealed that only the difference in clinical case analysis between the PBL-FC and the traditional group was significant after the course. Scores for all questionnaire items were higher in the PBL-FC group than in the traditional group. Most students agreed that the combined teaching method helped them to improve their performance, although it increased their workload.
Conclusions: The combined flipped classroom and PBL teaching approach is a better option than the traditional lecture-based classroom for teaching antihypertensive medication during physiological pharmacology teaching, although it increases students’ workload. Further optimization is required to ensure a wider acceptance and implementation.
GC-MS with Нeadspace Extraction for non-invasive Diagnostics of IBD dynamics in a Model of DSS-induced Colitis in Rats
Authors: Shagaleeva Olga Yu. , Kashatnikova Daria A. , Kardonsky Dmitry A. , Danilova Elena Yu. , Ivanov Viktor A. , Evsiev Suleiman S. , Zubkov Eugene A. , Abramova Olga V. , Zorkina Yana A. , Morozova Anna Y. , Konanov Dmitry N. , Silantiev Artemiy S. , Efimov Boris A. , Kolesnikova Irina V. , Bespyatykh Julia A. , Stimpson Joanna , Zakharzhevskaya Natalya B. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background/Aims: Inflammatory bowel diseases are extremely common throughout the world. However, in most cases its asymptomatic at the initial stage. Therefore, it is important to develop non-invasive diagnostic methods that allow identification of the IBD risks in timely manner. It’s well known that gastrointestinal microbiota secreted volatile compounds (VOCs) and its composition may change in IBD. We propose a non-invasive method to identify the dynamics of IBD development in the acute and remission stage at the level of VOCs in stool of rats with chemically induced colitis measured by headspace GC/MS (HS GC/MS).
Methods: VOCs profile was identified using a headspace GC/MS (HS GC/MS). GC/MS data were processed using MetaboAnalyst 5.0 ( http://www.metaboanalyst.ca ) and GraphPad Prism 8.0.1 software. The disease activity index (DAI) and histological method were used to assess intestinal inflammation.
Results: The peak of intestine inflammation activity was reached on day 7, according to the disease activity index. Histological examination data showed changes in intestine due to different in inflammation stages. As the acute inflammation stage was reached, the metabolomic profile also underwent changes especially at short-fatty acids level. In remission stage, disease activity indexes decreased, and the histological picture also improved. But metabolome changes continued despite the withdrawal of the DSS examination.
Conclusions: We observed changes in the metabolomic profile in the DSS model when a high inflammatory activity index was achieved. When DSS exposure was discontinued, the volatile profile was expected to return to initial levels. However, VOC levels continued to increase, indicating that reconstruction of microbiota composition continues even in remission. Thus, we hypothesize that with minor inflammatory damage to the intestinal mucosa, comparable to the initial stage of IBD development, changes in the composition of the microbiome are observed, which can be recorded by determining of VOCs.
Elucidating Synergistic Effect of In-Situ Hybrid Process Towards Paraquat Abatement
Authors: Pandey Yamini , Dhindsa Aarsee , Verma Anoop , Toor Amrit Pal 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Presence of non-biodegradable organic compounds, mainly pesticides in water bodies peril humans as well as aquatic life. Paraquat (PQ) is one such widely used Class II herbicide associated with Parkinson’s disease. Herein, pristine TiO2 (PT), as well as metal (Fe-PT, Ni-PT) and nonmetal (C-PT, S-PT), modified TiO2 was synthesized using hydrothermal treatment for mineralization and degradation of PQ. The crystallite size from XRD exhibited the prepared catalysts to be nanomaterials while FESEM confirmed the nanorod formation. Moreover, morphological analysis established the occurrence of doping in PT. Through optical properties, reduction in band gap from 3.2 eV to 2.4 eV was found which was accompanied by decrease in electron-hole recombination rate. Further, nanocomposites were investigated for PQ removal with S-PT depicting 93% degradation under solar radiations followed by Fe-PT degrading 87% PQ indicating that with optimum doping levels and proper reduction of band gap, TiO2 can be made more enthusiastic towards degradation and remediation process. Further, hybrid process employing photocatalysis and photo-Fenton simultaneously was utilised by synthesising Fe-S-PT, a codoped catalyst. This codoped Fe-S-PT resulted in a sharp decrement of 47% in processing time which is attributed to the presence of OH˙ and e−. Moreover, a degradation mechanism for Fe-S-PT was proposed along with the evaluation of extent of mineralization taking place. Lately, intermediates formed during the process were identified. Overall, study is extremely significant towards providing a practical and economical solution for PQ degradation using hybrid process within 80 mins at the benign pH of 6.3.
C-terminal region of Rv1039c (PPE15) protein of Mycobacterium tuberculosis targets host mitochondria to induce macrophage apoptosis
Authors: Priyanka Taank , Sharma Sadhna , Sharma Monika 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The genome of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) encodes a unique family called Proline-Glutamate/Proline-Proline-Glutamate (PE/PPE) gene family, which is exclusive to pathogenic mycobacterium. Several proteins of this family are known to be virulent and utilize host signalling and cell death pathways leading to host immune response modulation, but functions of many of the PE/PPE proteins are yet to be identified. We studied the Rv1039c (PPE15) protein, which is known to be expressed at later stages of infection and known to be upregulated during dormancy. The C-terminal region of Rv1039c was found to be disordered, coiled and hydrophobic in nature and was observed to target the mitochondria of THP1 macrophages. Rv1039c with a deleted C-terminal reduced the mitochondrial perturbations, resulting in reduced depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane and the generation of mitochondrial superoxides. The C-terminal region of Rv1039c is responsible for activation of caspases 3, 7 and 9 along with enhanced expression of pro-apoptotic factors like Bax and Bim. Rv1039c also induced Cytochrome-C release from the mitochondria. Additionally, the C-terminal region of Rv1039c was observed to upregulate the expression levels of TLR4-NF-κB-TNF-α and antigen presenting HLA-DR molecules. These findings revealed that the C-terminal region of Rv1039c is a molecular mimic of a pro-apoptotic host protein, inducing mitochondria-dependent macrophage apoptosis.
Orthanq: transparent and uncertainty-aware haplotype quantification with application in HLA-typing
Authors: Uzuner Hamdiye , Köster Johannes , Schadendorf Dirk , Paschen Annette 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Background Identification of Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) types from DNA-sequenced human samples is important in organ transplantation and cancer immunotherapy and remains a challenging task considering sequence homology and extreme polymorphism of HLA genes.
Results We present Orthanq, a novel statistical model and corresponding application for transparent and uncertainty-aware quantification of haplotypes. We utilize our approach to perform HLA typing while, for the first time, reporting uncertainty of predictions and transparently observing mutations beyond reported HLA types. Using 99 gold standard samples from 1000 Genomes, Illumina Platinum Genomes and Genome In a Bottle projects, we show that Orthanq can provide superior accuracy and shorter runtimes than state-of-the-art HLA typers.
Conclusions Orthanq is is the first approach that allows to directly utilize existing pangenome alignments and type all HLA loci. Moreover, it can be generalized for usages beyond HLA typing, e.g. for virus lineage quantification. Orthanq is available under https://orthanq.github.io.
Identifying Loci in Mobility Networks with Applications in New Zealand Work Commutes : A Statistical Test for Identifying Extreme Stationary Distribution Values in Markov Transition Matrices
Authors: Kane Michael , Gilani Owais , Khusainova Elena , Urbanek Simon 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Human mobility describes physical patterns of movement of people within a spatial system. Many of these patterns, including daily commuting, are cyclic and quantifiable. These patterns capture physical phenomena tied to processes studied in epidemiology, and other social, behavioral, and economic sciences.This paper advances human mobility research by proposing a statistical method for identifying locations that individual move {\em to and through} at a rate proportionally higher than other locations, using commuting data for the country of New Zealand as a case study. These locations are termed {\em mobility loci} and they capture a global property of communities in which people commute. The method makes use of a directed-graph representation where vertices correspond to locations and traffic between locations correspond to edge weights. Following a normalization, the graph can be regarded as a Markov chain whose stationary distribution can be calculated. The proposed permutation procedure is then applied to determine which stationary distribution values are larger than what would be expected, given the structure of the directed graph and traffic between locations. The results of this method are evaluated, including a comparison to what is already known about commuting patterns in the area as well as a comparison with similar features.
Metabolic variables are associated with colorectal neoplasia in an Australian outpatient population
Authors: Kumar Rina , Brown Allison , Okano Satomi , Simms Lisa , Lord Anton , O’Sullivan Timothy , Hartel Gunter , Radford-Smith Graham 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer-related deaths within the Australian population. Colonoscopy and polypectomy represent effective forms of prevention. Factors such as diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia have been linked to adenoma development across a range of ethnicities, however there are limited data from the Australian population. This study investigates established and potential risk factors for early colorectal neoplasia in an Australian population.
Methods: This was a prospective, observational case-control study in subjects aged 20-85 years, referred for outpatient colonoscopy. Clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical variables were collected at baseline. Polyps were classified as conventional adenomas or sessile serrated lesions, and correlated with clinical and biochemical variables.
Results: The study included 357 subjects, median age 55 years (IQR: 43.0 – 64.0), and 52.9% were female. 41.7% had metabolic syndrome. Individuals with increased triglyceride (aOR: 2.23; 95%CI: 1.05 – 4.73) demonstrated a positive association with advanced adenoma. Multiple positive associations were observed in those over 40 years and with a BMI ≥ 25, including any polyp (aOR: 2.26; 95%CI: 1.22 – 4.18); adenoma (aOR: 2.64; 95%CI: 1.31 – 5.31); and, advanced adenoma (aOR: 3.30; 95%CI: 1.29 – 8.47).
Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that elevated BMI is an independent risk factor for colorectal neoplasia in Australians undergoing colonoscopy. Further efforts should be focused on both diet and weight optimization in the general population given these findings and the recent national statistics indicating that almost two-thirds of the population are either overweight or obese.
Warming effects on plant regrowth after clipping are modified by repeated clipping in Mongolian pasture species
Authors: Hu Richa , Yoshihara Yu , Gantsetseg Batdelger , Kinugasa Toshihiko 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Global warming may pose a threat to the productivity of grazed grasslands. In this study, we investigated changes in the warming response of aboveground regrowth with the repetition of simulated grazing in two Mongolian pasture species, Agropyron cristatum and Stipa krylovii. Plants were grown under warming or non-warming conditions and subjected to repeated clipping of aboveground parts three times at 4-week intervals. Aboveground parts collected at each clipping and whole plants harvested at the end of the experiment were dried and weighed. In both species, warming had little effect on regrowth when clipping was repeated one or two times. In A. cristatum, however, warming significantly diminished regrowth when clipping was repeated three times. Belowground biomass decreased with clipping–regrowth cycles only in A. cristatum, and the decline was enhanced by warming, implying that the depletion of belowground reserves contributed to the reduction of regrowth in this species. Our results suggest that warming would likely have little effect on regrowth performance of grassland plants under lightly grazed conditions, but warming can decrease regrowth when grazing frequency is high, with the degree of decrease being species dependent.
Anterior Segment Ocular Coherence Tomography (as-oct) Based Central Corneal Epithelial Thickness (Ccet) as a Potential Biomarker for Diabetic Keratopathy: an Observational Study on Diabetic Patients in North India
Authors: Kaushik Jaya , SINGH ANKITA , Jha Rakesh , Bhatta Sunandan , Chauhan Neha , Agrawal Ishan , Parihar Jitendra Kumar Singh 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background: The effect of Diabetes Mellitus on central corneal epithelial thickness (CCET) and central corneal thickness (CCT) can be measured by the non-invasive ASOCT technique, which may serve as the potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for detecting diabetic-induced keratopathy in the early stage
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate central corneal epithelial thickness (CCET) and central corneal thickness (CCT) among diabetic subjects and to compare the results with non-diabetic subjects.
Design: Observational cross-sectional study
Methods: The study was conducted at a tertiary eye care center of in North India, wherein (n=75 eyes) of 75 diabetic patients (diabetic group) and (n=75 eyes) of 75 healthy subjects (control group) underwent Anterior Segment Ocular coherence tomography (AS-OCT) based measurement of CCET and CCT corresponding to 5-mm diameter area of the cornea. Tear film breakup time (TBUT) and Schirmer's test measurements were recorded. The data obtained were compared between the diabetic and control group.
Results: The mean CCET in the diabetic group (47.09 ± 7.09 µm) was thinner compared to the control group (50.19 ± 5.92 µm), and the difference was statistically significant (p=0.004). There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.85) between the mean CCT in the diabetic group (520.21 ± 35.01 µm) and the control group (519.04 ± 40.32 µm). The mean TBUT was significantly lower among the diabetic group (p=0.001), but the Schirmer test values were non-significant (p= 0.06). In the diabetic group, the duration of diabetes had a statistically significant negative correlation with CCET (Rs=-0.81) and TBUT (Rs=-0.51).
Conclusion: The CCET and TBUT were reduced among diabetic subjects, and the reduction was higher with the increased disease duration. The measurement of baseline CCET and T-BUT values along with serial monitoring may be a valuable tool to detect the early progression of diabetic eye disease and may emerge as a valid adjunctive biomarker for diabetic keratopathy.
Dietary Diversity and Food Variety as Indicators of Nutritional Status of the Elderly Karbi Population of Kamrup district, Assam
Authors: Goswami Ritu Geu , Thakur Mini Bhattacharyya 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
A study was conducted to assess the food variety and dietary diversity among elderly Karbi population of Kamrup district of Assam. The data was collected by using schedules for socio-demographic profile, food frequency, 24 hr-recall method and anthropometric measurements. A total of 154 elderly male and female population of Karbi tribe of Dimoria block of Kamrup district in the age group of 60 to 80 years were selected by using purposive random sampling method. Elderly with spinal curvatures was not encountered in the study population. Body Mass Index was determined by measuring the height and weight of the selected respondents by using standard procedures. Results revealed that the mean BMI were above 18.5 kg/m2. The results showed that the Karbi elderly population included variety of foods and dietary diversity was good. The food habits and consumption pattern, dietary intake and nutritional status of the studied Karbi elderly population was satisfactory in comparison to other tribal groups of India. Overall, it may be stated that the studied Karbi population were in good physical, mental and social health because of their conventional food habits, dietary diversity, consumption pattern and quantity of food consumed along with a conducive family environment.
"Analyzing Survival Predictors and Treatment Strategies in Gallbladder Cancer: A Comprehensive Survival Analysis Study": Single center experience over 10 years
Authors: Nellikoppad Hareesh Shanthappa , Pandey Anshuman , Sarda Hitesh , Regmi Sudip , Singh Bhanu Pratap , Yadav Ajay , Singh Rahul 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background/ Aims
Gallbladder cancer (GBC) known for its grim prognosis. A multitude of factors exert influence on the outcomes. Combining diverse treatment approaches holds promise for survival benefit. This study aims to analyse prognostic factors of GBC, feasibility of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and outcome of incidental tumors.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of operated patients between 2012 and 2022, and prospective analysis of patients who received NACT. Information on demographics, treatment, histopathology, and follow-up collected. Categorical and continuous variables assessed using log-rank test and Cox proportional hazard analysis, respectively. p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results
Of 127 patients, 40 patients were from NACT group. Of 94 patients who underwent surgery, 7 patients (Response rate 17.5%) from NACT group. Median follow-up period was 31 months, Forty six patients (56%) had disease recurrence. Estimated 1and 3year DFS rates were 73% and 47%, respectively. The median OS was 58, 46, 22 and 11 months in Stage I, II, III, and IV respectively. Inferior OS and DFS were seen with Node positive tumour, pT3/T4 tumour, perineural invasion (PNI), Lymphovascular invasion (LVI) and tumour differentiation. Incidental tumours didn’t show no survival difference compared to primary GBC cases.
Conclusion
NACT necessitates improvement in patient selection and refinement of effective regimens through further randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Factors such as Stage, Nodal spread, LVI and PNI influence OS and DFS. Embracing a multimodal approach for GBC holds promise for enhancing patient survival. Notably, the timing of surgery for incidental GBC has shown to yield improved outcomes.
Ion sensing with a calix[4]arene bifunctional receptor with thiosemicarbazone moieties and naphthalene chromophore
Authors: Gómez-Machuca Horacio , Quiroga-Campano Cinthia , Pessoa-Mahana Hernán , Saitz Claudio 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
We have developed a chemosensor using calix[4]arene, which features a thiosemicarbazone binding unit and a naphthalene chromogenic group. Our objective was to understand the intricate binding affinity of these chemosensors towards a diverse range of anions and cations using UV-Visible, HNMR and IR spectroscopic techniques. We show that the chemosensor forms complexes with Ag(I), Cu (II), CN− and F− ions. To understand the complexation behavior, our analysis provides information on the interaction patterns between the receptors and the ions. The sulfur and imine nitrogen on the thiosemicarbazone substituent are vital sites of engagement for cation ions, as evidenced by the observed changes in IR. Studies with anions in HNMR indicate the participation of the thiosemicarbazone hydrogens in the interaction. The interactions that take place during complex formation lead to changes in the color of the solution or solid complex. Our study improves the understanding of molecular recognition in this chemosensor, emphasizing its potential for ion- selective detection.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutagenesis of Phytoene desaturase in pigeonpea and groundnut
Authors: Prasad Kalyani , Gadeela Harika , Bommineni Pradeep Reddy , Reddy Palakolanu Sudhakar , Tyagi Wricha , Yogendra Kalenahalli 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
The CRISPR/Cas9 technology, renowned for its ability to induce precise genetic alterations in various crop species, has encountered challenges in its application to grain legume crops such as pigeonpea and groundnut. Despite attempts at gene editing in groundnut, the low rates of transformation and editing have impeded its widespread adoption in producing genetically modified plants. This study seeks to establish an effective and stable CRISPR/Cas9 system in pigeonpea and groundnut through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, with a focus on targeting the phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene. The PDS gene is pivotal in carotenoid biosynthesis, and its disruption leads to albino phenotypes and dwarfism. Two constructs (one each for pigeonpea and groundnut) were developed for the PDS gene, and transformation was carried out using different explants (leaf petiolar tissue for pigeonpea and cotyledonary nodes for groundnut). By adjusting the composition of the growth media and refining Agrobacterium infection techniques, transformation efficiencies of 15.2% in pigeonpea and 20% in groundnut were achieved. Mutation in PDS resulted in albino phenotype, with editing efficiencies ranging from 4–6%. Sequence analysis uncovered a nucleotide deletion (A) in pigeonpea and an A insertion in groundnut, leading to a premature stop codon and, thereby, an albino phenotype. This research offers a significant foundation for the swift assessment and enhancement of CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing technologies in legume crops.