bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy of REGENDIL™ infused hair growth promoting product in adult human subject having hair fall complaints (alopecia)
Authors: Merja Apeksha , Patel Nayan , Patel Maheshvari , Patnaik Saurav , Ahmed Asrar , Maulekhi Shatakshi 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundHair serum is recommended therapy for the management of hair fall problems. People of all ages suffer from hair fall.AimTo evaluate safety and efficacy of hair growth promoting product in healthy adult subjects with hair fall complaints (Alopecia).MethodsIn this safety and efficacy clinical study, 32 healthy individuals (aged 18–45 years) experiencing hair loss were enrolled. Participants applied 0.5 mL of the product to the affected scalp area daily for 60 days. The study evaluated various factors, including hair growth rate, thickness, density, scalp condition using CASLite‐Nova, anagen‐to‐telogen ratio, hair fall reduction, overall hair and scalp appearance, hair strength, and participants' subjective perceptions of the product.ResultsHighly statistically significant improvement was observed in hair growth rate, thickness, and density at Day 30 and Day 60. Hair growth rate increased (p‐value <0.01) by 10.52% in 30 days and 31.62% in 60 days after test product application. Average hair growth increased by 424.21 μm/day and 487.31 μm/day at Day 30 and 60 respectively. The hair growth improved by up to 1.5 times after 60 days of usage in healthy subjects with hair fall complaints. No adverse events or product‐related adverse events were reported.ConclusionHair serum containing REGENDIL™ (Redensyl, AnaGain, Procapil, Capilia longa), and 5 kDa hyaluronic acid was efficacious and well tolerable in reducing hair fall (Alopecia). Hair serum significantly improved hair growth, hair density, hair thickness, and hair strength within 60 days of usage, thereby demonstrating it worth as a beneficial inclusion as a daily haircare product.
Continuous genetic adaptation to high elevations of alpine bamboos in the Hengduan Mountains, Southwest China
Authors: Luo Li‐Ying , Jin Gui‐Hua , Ma Peng‐Fei , Li De‐Zhu 
Published: December 2023

AbstractMany examples of phenotypic modifications resulting from high‐elevation adaptation have been documented, however, the underlying processes responsible for these modifications and whether the continuity of the adaptation process remain elusive, particularly in plants. The alpine plants distributed along wide elevational gradients provide an ideal system to address this question. Here, we collected transcriptomes from multiple tissues of three species with different elevations (~1500, ~2500, and ~3600 m in the Hengduan Mountains, Southwest China) in two genera Fargesia and Yushania of alpine bamboos, respectively, and conducted evolutionary and expressional analyses. Results showed that high‐elevation adaptation emerged earlier in the evolutionary history of both genera and evolved continuously as the elevation increased. Moreover, convergence of genetic changes was observed in the two genera, with amounts of candidate genes responsible for high‐elevation adaptation identified under positive selection. Overall, our study provides an empirical example and valuable genetic resource for further investigation of high‐elevation adaptation in plants and sheds new light on how plants adapting to high‐elevation environments in a biodiversity hotspot.
The effect of pegbovigrastim administration on the nonspecific immunity of calves
Authors: Dudek Katarzyna , Szacawa Ewelina , Bednarek Dariusz 
Published: December 2023

AbstractBackgroundPrevention of diseases in the early rearing of calves is important, particularly because disease occurrence most often requires antimicrobial administration but reduction of their use in animals is a priority. Pegbovigrastim is known for its use as an immunoregulator in cows and heifers, but the effect of its administration on calves has not been fully investigated.ObjectivesInvestigate whether administration of pegbovigrastim effectively stimulates nonspecific immunity in healthy calves.AnimalsEleven clinically healthy 5‐week‐old calves.MethodsProspective observational study. Calves were randomly allocated to an experimental or control groups to receive pegbovigrastim or the same volume of phosphate‐buffered saline twice over a 7‐day period. To evaluate nonspecific immunity, the numbers of total leukocytes and cells in the appropriate cell fractions were determined. Cytometric analyses were carried out to identify cells expressing CD11b and to evaluate the phagocytic and oxidative burst activities of granulocytes and monocytes. Myeloperoxidase (MPO) and selected cytokines were assayed using ELISA.ResultsPegbovigrastim significantly increased the number of total leukocytes and of cells in all of the examined subsets (P < .05). The phagocytic activity of leukocytes expressed as mean fluorescence intensity was significantly potentiated after pegbovigrastim administration (P < .05). The cytokine response was modulated by pegbovigrastim administration toward anti‐inflammatory activity.Conclusions and Clinical ImportancePegbovigrastim effectively stimulated nonspecific immunity in clinically healthy calves, which in the long term could make the prevention of diseases during early rearing possible by strengthening the immune defense mechanisms of the host.
Potential effectiveness of integrating human milk banking and lactation support on neonatal outcomes at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Kenya
Authors: Wilunda Calistus , Israel‐Ballard Kiersten , Wanjohi Milka , Lang'at Nelson , Mansen Kimberly , Waiyego Mary , Kibore Minnie , Kamande Eva , Zerfu Taddese , Kithua Angela , Muganda Rosemarie , Muiruri Juliana , Maina Beth , Njuguna Emily , Njeru Faith , Kiige Laura W. , Codjia Patrick , Samburu Betty , Mogusu Esther , Ngwiri Thomas , Mirie Waithera , Kimani‐Murage Elizabeth W. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe assessed the potential effectiveness of human milk banking and lactation support on provision of human milk to neonates admitted in the newborn unit (NBU) at Pumwani Maternity Hospital, Kenya. This pre–post intervention study collected data from mothers/caregivers and their vulnerable neonates or term babies who lacked sufficient mother's milk for several reasons admitted in the NBU. The intervention included establishing a human milk bank and strengthening lactation support. Preintervention data were collected between 5 October 2018 and 11 November 2018, whereas postintervention data were collected between 4 September 2019 and 6 October 2019. Propensity score‐matched analysis was performed to assess the effect of the intervention on exclusive use of human milk, use of human milk as the first feed, feeding intolerance and duration of NBU stay. The surveys included 123 and 116 newborns at preintervention and postintervention, respectively, with 160 newborns (80 in each group) being included in propensity score matched analysis. The proportion of neonates who exclusively used human milk during NBU stay increased from 41.3% preintervention to 63.8% postintervention (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 2.68; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.31, 5.53) and those whose first feed was human milk increased from 55.0% preintervention to 83.3% postintervention (adjusted OR: 5.09; 95% CI: 2.18, 11.88). The mean duration of NBU stay was 27% (95% CI: 5.8%, 44.0%) lower in the postintervention group than in the preintervention group. The intervention did not affect feeding intolerance. Integrating human milk banking and lactation support may improve exclusive use of human milk among vulnerable neonates in a resource limited setting.
Epidemics and the healthcare professional's duty to care: Students' attitudes about work requirements before and during Covid‐19 (2017–2021)
Authors: Kaldjian Anna M. , Shinkunas Laura , Peter Tabitha K. , Kaldjian Lauris C. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractContextThe Covid‐19 pandemic has added a new chapter to discussions about the professional duty to care. To understand how Covid‐19 may have changed medical students' ethical attitudes towards this duty, we analysed policies written before and during the pandemic by first‐year students completing a yearly educational exercise focused on work requirement expectations for healthcare professionals during a hypothetical epidemic.MethodsWithin a repeated cross‐sectional design, consensus coding was performed on policies written over 5 years (2017–2021) using a codebook based on eight questions from the educational exercise for summative content analysis. Frequencies provided summative results and comparisons across years used Fisher's exact test.ResultsWe analysed 142 written policies from 2017 to 2021 representing 884 first‐year students working in small groups. Students' commitment to the duty to care remained stable during the Covid‐19 pandemic, but during the pandemic, students were more likely to support exceptions to the duty to care (e.g. for healthcare professionals with medical conditions or concern for household members' health) and more likely to expect institutions to provide safe working conditions. Ethical values supporting students' policies were largely consistent before and during the pandemic, the most common being beneficence, justice, duty to care, non‐maleficence and utility.ConclusionsOur results suggest that students' support for the duty to care remained strong during the Covid‐19 pandemic. We also found that students supported exceptions to this duty to reflect the needs of healthcare professionals and their families and that they expected institutions to provide safe working conditions. These findings can help inform ethics education and future pandemic preparedness.
Holistic understanding of ventilation rate in occupational health risk control
Authors: Chen Kang 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThroughout the history of occupational health risk control, ventilation has been implemented widely as a tried‐and‐true method to reduce exposure intensity to airborne contaminants. Proper determination of the ventilation rate merits careful consideration when addressing concerns directed toward occupational health and indoor air quality in commercial buildings, albeit this does not translate well among the current engineering and scientific community. This article aims to facilitate a better understanding and proper determination of ventilation rates as a countermeasure for occupational health risk control. To that end, guidance is provided to select the appropriate ventilation rate for nonpandemic versus pandemic scenarios in terms of pertinent regulatory/professional codes and mathematical modeling tools. Limitations and assumptions of the models are summarized to facilitate proper application. Furthermore, the emerging DNA‐based aerosol tracing technology, which helps to verify ventilation efficacy, is discussed.
Association between physical activity and self‐regulation in early childhood: A systematic review
Authors: D'Cruz Abhigale F. L. , D'Souza Ninoshka J. , Downing Katherine L. , Smith Cynthia , Sciberras Emma , Hesketh Kylie D. 
Published: December 2023

SummaryPhysical activity and self‐regulation are important predictors of pediatric overweight and obesity. Young children (0–5 years) with lower physical activity levels and poorer self‐regulation skills are at greater risk for overweight. Despite growing evidence that the two constructs are interrelated, their association remains unclear in young children. This review systematically summarized associations between physical activity and self‐regulation in early childhood and explored the directionality of associations. Searches were run in six electronic databases. Forty‐seven papers met inclusion criteria. Only three studies investigated all three domains of self‐regulation (behavioral, cognitive, and emotional). Overall, findings were inconclusive; studies reported weak to moderate positive associations (n = 17), inverse associations (n = 5), mixed associations (n = 15), null association (n = 2), and negative (n = 1) between physical activity and self‐regulation. Compared with the emotional and cognitive domains, physical activity was most consistently positively associated with behavioral self‐regulation. Only one study assessed bidirectional associations, reporting a positive association. The three studies that included global self‐regulation showed contradicting findings. There is some evidence that physical activity dose and sex potentially confound these associations; however, further research is needed given the paucity of studies. This review highlights the need for more in‐depth investigation of the complex association between physical activity and global self‐regulation.
Characterization of colorectal cancer by hierarchical clustering analyses of five immune cell markers
Authors: Ito Sunao , Koshino Akira , Komura Masayuki , Kato Shunsuke , Otani Takahiro , Wang Chengbo , Ueki Akane , Takahashi Hiroki , Ebi Masahide , Ogasawara Naotaka , Tsuzuki Toyonori , Kasai Kenji , Kasugai Kunio , Takiguchi Shuji , Takahashi Satoru , Inaguma Shingo 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe present study analyzed the expression of five independent immunohistochemical markers, CD4, CD8, CD66b, CD68, and CD163, on immune cells within the colorectal cancer (CRC) tumor microenvironment (TME). Using hierarchical clustering, patients were successfully classified according to significant associations with clinicopathological features and/or survival. Patients with mismatch repair‐proficient (pMMR) CRC were categorized into four groups with survival differences (p = 0.0084): CD4Low, CD4High, MΦHigh, and CD8Low. MΦHigh tumors showed significantly higher expression of CD47 (p < 0.0001), a phagocytosis checkpoint molecule. These tumors contained significantly greater numbers of PD‐1+ (p < 0.0001), TIM‐3+ (p < 0.0001), and SIRPA+ (p < 0.0001) immune cells. Notably, 10% of the patients with pMMR CRC expressed PD‐L1 (CD274) on tumor cells with significantly worse survival (p = 0.00064). The Cox proportional hazards model identified MΦ High (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.02, 95%, p = 0.032), CD8Low (HR = 2.45, p = 0.011), and tumor PD‐L1 expression (HR = 2.74, p = 0.0061) as potential risk factors. PD‐L1–PD‐1 and/or CD47–SIRPA axes targeting immune checkpoint therapies might be considered for patients with pMMR CRC according to their tumor cells and tumor immune microenvironment characteristics.
The divergence theorem and nonlocal counterparts
Authors: Hepp Solveig , Kassmann Moritz 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWe present a new proof of the classical divergence theorem in bounded domains. Our proof is based on a nonlocal analog of the divergence theorem and a rescaling argument. Main ingredients in the proof are nonlocal versions of the divergence and the normal derivative. We employ these to provide definitions of well‐known nonlocal concepts such as the fractional perimeter.
Selected Aspects of Performance of Organic Rankine Cycles Incorporated Into Bioenergy With Carbon Capture and Storage Using Gasification of Sewage Sludge
Authors: Stasiak Kamil , Ziółkowski Paweł , Mikielewicz Dariusz 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The study aims to investigate the application of the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) in the bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) using gasification of sewage sludge. The tool used in the investigation is the aspen plus software with refprop property methods for calculating fluid properties. The reason for this study is that a detailed analysis of the proposed BECCS process flow diagram indicates that a certain amount of waste heat is available in the exhaust gas from the high-to-intermediate pressure gas turbine. Some of this energy can be used by applying expansion in a low-pressure turbine, optionally by applying regenerative water heating, which is then redirected to the combustion chamber, or finally by incorporating the ORC into the main cycle. For the ORC cycle, different configurations are studied, with regeneration and using different working fluids. For the highest efficiency of the cycle, the regenerative heating of high-pressure water is applied and a suitable ORC working fluid with optimal saturation parameters and mass flow is selected. Such modified proposed BECCS power plant hybrid systems with ORC are compared to the reference case with lower pressure expansion. A study of the heat duty and temperature distribution in heat exchangers is carried out. Five ORC fluids were investigated, namely ethanol, refrigerants R236ea, R245fa, R1233zd(E), and water, which gave a net efficiency of the whole power plant of 39.71%, 40.02%, 40.26%, 40.34%, and 39.35% respectively, while the proposed BECCS reference case gave 38.89%.
Molecular physiological characterization of the dynamics of persister formation in
Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Liu Shiqi , Huang Yixuan , Jensen Sean , Laman Paul , Kramer Gertjan , Zaat Sebastian A. J. , Brul Stanley 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT
Bacteria possess the ability to enter a growth-arrested state known as persistence in order to survive antibiotic exposure. Clinically, persisters are regarded as the main causative agents for chronic and recurrent infectious diseases. To combat this antibiotic-tolerant population, a better understanding of the molecular physiology of persisters is required. In this study, we collected samples at different stages of the biphasic kill curve to reveal the dynamics of the cellular molecular changes that occur in the process of persister formation. After exposure to antibiotics with different modes of action, namely, vancomycin and enrofloxacin, similar persister levels were obtained. Both shared and distinct stress responses were enriched for the respective persister populations. However, the dynamics of the presence of proteins linked to the persister phenotype throughout the biphasic kill curve and the molecular profiles in a stable persistent population did show large differences, depending on the antibiotic used. This suggests that persisters at the molecular level are highly stress specific, emphasizing the importance of characterizing persisters generated under different stress conditions. Additionally, although generated persisters exhibited cross-tolerance toward tested antibiotics, combined therapies were demonstrated to be a promising approach to reduce persister levels. In conclusion, this investigation sheds light on the stress-specific nature of persisters, highlighting the necessity of tailored treatment approaches and the potential of combined therapy.
Types A and F
Clostridium perfringens
in healthcare wastewater from Ghana
Authors: Kawamura Taira , Prah Isaac , Mahazu Samiratu , Ablordey Anthony , Saito Ryoichi 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

Clostridium perfringens
can cause a plethora of diseases in humans and animals, making it a growing public health concern. Insight into
C. perfringens
genomic studies has enhanced our understanding of the diversity and evolution of this bacterium. However, most of these studies were centered on clinical strains from human and animal hosts, with limited data from environmental sources and developing countries. Here, we present genomic and phenotypic insights into
C. perfringens
strains from hospital wastewater samples from Ghana. Antibiotic susceptibility testing, toxinotyping, and whole-genome sequencing were performed on the seven
C. perfringens
isolates. The strains were susceptible to all antibiotics screened except for three strains that were resistant to clindamycin. The majority of these strains were type F strains, characterized by a chromosomally encoded
cpe
gene, whereas the remaining strains were classified as type A. The
cpe
gene is flanked upstream by IS
1469
and downstream by IS
1470
. The genotype for the type F strains was ST721, whereas the type A strains were assigned to ST722, ST143, and ST211. Our type F strains clustered with other strains all within phylogroup I, which are mostly associated with foodborne illnesses, whereas the type A strains were grouped within phylogroup III. This study provides the first genomic characterization of
C. perfringens
from West Africa and contributes to further understanding of genomic diversity in
C. perfringens
. Moreover, the possible disseminated situation of
C. perfringens
in the environment highlights the need to monitor this bacterium in clinical specimens in Ghana.

IMPORTANCE

Clostridium perfringens
causes gas gangrene and food poisoning in humans, and monitoring this bacterium is important for public health. Although whole-genome sequencing is useful to comprehensively understand the virulence, resistome, and global genetic relatedness of bacteria, limited genomic data from environmental sources and developing countries hamper our understanding of the richness of the intrinsic genomic diversity of this pathogen. Here, we successfully accumulated the genetic data on
C. perfringens
strains isolated from hospital effluent and provided the first evidence that predicted pathogenic
C. perfringens
may be disseminated in the clinical environment in Ghana. Our findings suggest the importance of risk assessment in the environment as well as the clinical setting to mitigate the potential outbreak of
C. perfringens
food poisoning in Ghana.
Dehydration stress and Mayaro virus vector competence in
Aedes aegypti
Authors: Manzano-Alvarez Jaime , Terradas Gerard , Holmes Christopher J. , Benoit Joshua B. , Rasgon Jason L. 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACT

The mosquito
Aedes aegypti
is a competent vector of multiple pathogens, including dengue, Zika, yellow fever, chikungunya, and Mayaro viruses.
Ae. aegypti
is highly invasive and is currently present in the Americas, Oceania, Asia, and Europe, but its distribution and the pathogens it transmits are expected to change due to climate change. Relative humidity (RH) is an environmental variable that affects mosquito biology and distribution and can differ between location, habitat, and season, with mosquitoes facing significant variation in RH during their lifespan. Low relative humidity can induce dehydration in mosquitoes, leading to alterations in physiological and behavioral responses relevant to pathogen transmission, such as blood-feeding and host-seeking behavior. In this study, we evaluated the short- and long-term effects of low RH shock on mortality and Mayaro virus infection and vector competence in
Ae. aegypti
. Our results show that exposure to dehydration does not impact viral titers, nor infection, dissemination, and transmission rates in mosquitoes infected with Mayaro virus. However, we detected a significant effect of humidity shock on mosquito mortality and blood-feeding frequency, regardless of infection status. The previously observed effects of higher feeding during dehydration and the current observation of altered survival, along with no impact on vector competence, suggest that the impact of dehydration on viral transmission in mosquitoes will likely be complex.

IMPORTANCE

Relative humidity (RH) is an environmental variable that affects mosquito physiology and can impact pathogen transmission. Low RH can induce dehydration in mosquitoes, leading to alterations in physiological and behavioral responses such as blood-feeding and host‐seeking behavior. We evaluated the effects of a temporal drop in RH (RH shock) on mortality and Mayaro virus vector competence in
Ae. aegypti
. While dehydration induced by humidity shock did not impact virus infection, we detected a significant effect of dehydration on mosquito mortality and blood-feeding frequency, which could significantly impact transmission dynamics.