bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social Support as a Mediator between Psychological Maladjustment and Quality of Life among Patients with Hemodialysis
Authors: Naz Bushra , Zohaib Khan Muhammad , Fida Muhammad Kashif , Safdar Azkaa , Asghar Muhammad Aqeel 
Published: February 2024

Background: Renal issues are highly devastating and can significantly impact health, particularly in developing nations like Pakistan.
Objectives: To assess the relationship between psychological maladjustment, social support, and quality of life among patients on hemodialysis.
Methods: Correlational research design was used to assess the relationship between the variables. The sample comprised N= 60 hemodialysis patients including (male=32, female=28) with an age range from 28 to 71 years. Informed consents were taken and confidentiality of the responses were ensured. The data were elicited through reliable and valid research instruments. Furthermore, data were analyzed using SPSS-23 and AMOS-19.
Results: The mean age of the participants was 48+3.1 years. Psychological maladjustment negatively correlated (p<.05) with patients’ quality of life and social support. Further, path analysis through structure equational modeling revealed that social support mediated the association between psychological maladjustment and quality of life (χ2/df=1.08, p<.05, CFI=.94, GFI=.93). However, the quality of life in the mediational model appeared to be statistically significantly influenced by the covariates.
Conclusion: Research highlights the adaptive functions of social support as a defensive mechanism to improve the patient’s quality of life and the need to incorporate the belief in developing culturally sensitive intervention programs to enhance the social support and quality of life with hemodialysis patients.
Hydrologic connectivity assessment among natural hydrosystem components using emerging entropy and evolutionary computing methods
Authors: Jafariroodsari Saied , Gökçekuş Hüsein , Nourani Vahid 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Understanding the interactions among the natural components of hydrological systems is essential for managing water resources, addressing environmental concerns, and mitigating the impacts of natural events such as floods and droughts. In this study, long-term (1993–2019) hydrologic connectivity among precipitation, humidity, evaporation, surface runoff, minimum/maximum temperature, and their interactions with groundwater level (GWL) in the southeastern Caspian Sea region was assessed using mutual information theory and the state-of-the-art jittered genetic programming approach. While the former was used to find dominant components, their effective time delay, and the power of potential nonlinear interactions, the latter was utilized to extract an explicit relation between the GWL and the most influential components. The data were gathered from several piezometers, meteorological stations, and a stream gauge available in the study area. The results showed an overall positive trend in the GWL with an increasing rate since 2007 that reflects the influence of artificial recharge infrastructures built in the study area. Statistical connectivity analyses demonstrated that historical precipitation and streamflow series have the least impact on the temporal variation of the average GWL.
Batch adsorption study of Congo Red dye using unmodified Azadirachta indica leaves: isotherms and kinetics
Authors: Javed Tariq , Thumma Anusha , Uddin Abdullah Nur , Akhter Rubbai , Babar Taj Muhammad , Zafar Shagufta , Mahmood Baig Mirza , Shoaib Ahmad Shah Syed , Wasim Muhammad , Amin Abid Muhammad , Masood Tariq , Idrees Jilani Muhammad , Batool Maryam 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

A low-cost adsorbent developed from unmodified Azadirachta indica leaves was used for adsorptive removal of the Congo Red dye from an aqueous medium. The adsorbent was characterized by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. For optimization of operational parameters such as dye concentration, solution pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, and temperature, batch adsorption experiments were performed. It was found that for neem leaves powder (NLP), the optimum conditions were as follows: adsorbent dose of 0.8 g, contact time of 100 min having a solution with pH value of 5, adsorbate initial concentration of 40 ppm at temperature 60 °C where maximum amount of dye, i.e., 84%, removal was observed. The process followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, which reveals physical adsorption. According to isothermal investigations, sorption data were best fit with the Freundlich isotherm model. Thermodynamically, the adsorption of the Congo Red dye by the neem leaf powder was exothermic. Furthermore, the mechanistic removal of the Congo Red dye by the NLP has been explored with the help of the surface complex formation (PHREEQC) mechanism. Overall, the results of the study explore the promising nature of NLP for Congo Red dye removal.
Green synthesis, characterisation, and performance evaluation of ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposite for cationic and anionic dye removal from aqueous solutions under solar irradiation
Authors: Anil Kavya , Surenjan Anupama 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Utilising plant extract for the synthesis of nanocomposite shows great potential as a viable substitute for conventional chemical method. In this study, ZnO/TiO2 composite of three different weight ratios (1:2, 1:1, and 2:1) were green synthesised using hibiscus leaf extract as the capping agent. The synthesised composites were characterised using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), UV–Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV–Vis DRS), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD results confirmed the presence of wurtzite ZnO and anatase TiO2 in the composite. FTIR and FESEM analysis confirmed the formation of the composite. The composite was used for the removal of methylene blue and methyl orange dye under solar radiation. The degradation rate constant (k) of the composite with 1:2 weight ratio was 1.9 times the k value of pure TiO2. The effect of photocatalyst amount, initial pH of the dye solution, and reusability of the catalyst was investigated. The TiO2 and ZnO/TiO2 samples indicated a bandgap of 3.14 and 2.98 eV, respectively, which suggests better photocatalytic activity and also making the composite more active in the visible region.
Spatiotemporal variation of water balance components in Mashhad catchment, Iran: Investigating the impact of changes in climatic data and land use
Authors: Zarei Mahdi , Ghazavi Reza , Abdollahi Khodayar , Ranzi Roberto , Teegavarapu Ramesh S. V. , Barontini Stefano 
Published: February 2024

Abstract

The research aims to investigate the spatiotemporal changes of water balance components and distinguish the relative impacts of climatic data and land-use on groundwater level in northeastern Iran. This investigation employs the WetSpass-M model to estimate water balance and the Mann-Kendall test alongside Sen's slope estimator to evaluate trend. The study also assesses mean annual water balance components, considering diverse combinations of land-use and soil. The findings offer a hydrological insight, revealing that 14% of precipitation results in runoff, 29% of that recharging the aquifer; the remaining portion is lost through evapotranspiration. The trends in precipitation and simulated water components are not significant but a significant downward trend in groundwater is observed beyond a specific point in time. Based on this outcome, as well as the analysis of land-use changes, it was speculated that human activities in this fast-developing region might be implicated in the decline in groundwater levels. Analysis of water balance components in various soil and land-use combinations indicates that evapotranspiration exhibits greater variability within the land-cover class, while recharge is more influenced by soil texture. These findings enhance our understanding for identifying potential sites for artificial recharge and determining sustainable groundwater withdrawals based on spatiotemporal recharge patterns.
Study of MicroRNA-124 in Patients with Lupus Nephritis
Authors: Abdelsalam Mostafa , Zaki Maysaa El Sayed , Abo El-Kheir Nermin Youssef , Foda Salama Mona , Osman Asmaa Osama Bakr Seddik 
Published: February 2024

Background:
Lupus nephritis is associated with a six-fold increase in mortality compared
with the general population. MicroRNAs studies revealed that increased MicroRNA -21
and MicroRNA -155 levels represent risk factors for active LN patients. MicroRNAs can be
used as biomarkers in the diagnosis of clinical stages of LN.

Objectives:
The present study aimed to determine the level of miR-124 in patients with lupus
nephritis by reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction compared to healthy control
and correlate its levels with biochemical findings in those patients.

Methods:
The study was a case-control study that included fifty patients with lupus nephritis in
addition to fifty healthy controls. Blood samples from the participants were subjected to the determination
of serological markers of SLE. Moreover, real-time PCR was used for the determination
of miR-124.

Results:
The comparison of Micro-RNA124 between patients and control subjects revealed a
statistically significant decrease in Micro-RNA124 in patients (1.193 ± 0.56) compared to the
control (3.36 ± 0.50, p < 0.001); the comparison of the level of MicroRNA 124 in the patients
with different clinical and serological findings of SLE revealed a significant decrease in the level
of MicroRNA 124 in patients with muscular findings (1.02 ± 0.5) compared to the patients
with negative manifestations (1.47 ± 0.5, p =0.005)

Conclusion:
In the present study, a comparison of MicroRNA-124 in LN patients with different
stages compared to normal control showed a statistically significant decrease in Micro-RNA124
in patients with lupus nephritis p < 0.001 with significant correlation to the patients’ different
clinical and serological findings of SLE. Therefore, it may be used as a new noninvasive therapeutic
approach to monitor response to therapy, predict relapses, and identify the degree of the
activity of the disease or the progression to the chronic stage.
Comorbidity, Eating Behaviors and Smartphone Addiction in Italian
Nurses’ Characteristics
Authors: Vitale Elsa , Mea Rocco 
Published: February 2024

Background:
Evidence suggested how nurses experienced worse lifestyles than the
general population by recording deterioration rates in healthy conditions.

Aim:
To assess differences between comorbidity, eating behavior, and smartphone addiction
according to sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), age, work experience, shift, alcohol assumption, and
physical activity in Italian nurses.

Methods:
An online questionnaire was spread through some professional internet pages. Data included
demographic characteristics, the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), the Italian Version of
the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire, and the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV).

Results:
A total of 456 nurses were recruited. Significant differences were registered in the
smartphone addiction score (p=0.030) and BMI scores and work experience (p=0.001), as underweight
participants reported higher scores in the smartphone addiction attitude (2.4714 ±
1.25812) than the other subjects and also participants with the highest number of years in work
experience also reported higher smartphone addiction scores (2.8074 ± 1.2022). Significant difference
was reported in the CCI scores according to age (p<0.001): subjects aged over 61 years
recorded higher scores in the CCI (1.67 ± 1.528) and also according to work experience and
CCI scores (p<0.001), as participants employed between 21 and 30 years reported higher scores
in the CCI (1.27 ± 1.382) and also to night shift (p=0.037), as participants who worked during
the night shift also reported higher scores in the CCI. A significant difference was reported only
for restrained eating attitude (p=0.034), as participants who declared to assume alcohol 2-3
times per month recorded higher levels in this eating attitude aspect (32.32 ± 7.181).

Conclusion::
Female nurses, overweight and obese nurses with low physical activity practice,
seemed to spend more time with their smartphones. Healthcare organizations should consider
findings to prevent unhealthy lifestyles among nurses, which could negatively influence the
whole healthcare system.
Pancreas as an Unusual Metastatic Site of Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma:
A Case of Very Long-term Follow-up Under Prolonged Treatment with
Somatostatin Analogues
Authors: Raia Salvatore , Chiloiro Sabrina , Giampietro Antonella , Maratta Maria Grazia , Attili Fabia , Brizi Maria Gabriella , Rufini Vittoria , De Marinis Laura , Pontecorvi Alfredo , Rindi Guido , Schinzari Giovanni , Bianchi Antonio 
Published: February 2024

Background:
Pancreatic metastases from medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) are
exceptional. Imaging and treatment based on somatostatin receptors may play a role, though the
evidence is unconvincing.

Case Presentation:
We have, herein, documented a unique case of metastatic MTC, where pancreatic
metastasis was identified by 68Ga-PET/CT, with the disease showing very slow progression
during treatment with lanreotide autogel. A 51-year-old woman underwent total thyroidectomy
for goiter in 2000, with a postoperative diagnosis of MTC. Due to persistent disease, somatostatin
analogues (SSA) treatment commenced in 2005, following a positive acute octreotide
test. In 2012, a pathology-confirmed pancreatic metastasis was diagnosed via
68Gallium-positron emission tomography (68Ga-PET/CT). The disease progressed very slowly
over 17 years of SSA treatment.

Conclusion:
This uncommon case of pancreatic metastasis from MTC indicates that nuclear
medicine techniques might offer valuable additional information. Extended treatment with
lanreotide autogel appears to correlate with very slow disease progression in selected patients.
Sulphur Amino Acids: How Important is it to Set Reference Ranges for
Each Population?
Authors: Araújo Helena Caldeira , Florindo Cristina , Gomes Alexandra , Caio João , Castro Rita , Rivera Isabel 
Published: February 2024

Introduction:
Metabolism of sulfur amino acids requires an optimal interplay between nutritional demand, enzymes, transporters, and adequate dietary intake of B vitamins.
Insufficient intake and excess are detrimental, and concentrations depend on health status.
However, plasma aminothiol concentrations, previously reported in healthy subjects using highly sensitive methods, vary considerably, and age- and gender differences were observed. Therefore, defining age- and gender-specific ranges for each population is crucial to evaluate the
meaning of plasma thiol redox state in health and disease

Methods:
A healthy Portuguese pediatric population (n=90), aged 9- (n=38) and 17-year-old
(n=52), was evaluated. Plasma aminothiols, total homocysteine (tHcy), cysteine (tCys), glutathione (tGSH) and γ-glutamylcysteine (tγ-Glu-Cys), were analysed as SBD-F derivatives by
HPLC with fluorescence detection.

Results/Case Report:
Mean plasma concentrations (SD) for the 9- and the 17-year-old groups,
were as following: tHcy = 4.58 (0.98); 8.13 (3.27) µM, p < 0.001; tCys = 207.34 (32.07); 198.59
(21.24) µM, p = 0.274; tGSH = 4.54 (1.08); 5.20 (1.84) µM, p = 0.123 and tγ-Glu-Cys = 1.47
(0.30); 1.06 (0.28) µM, p < 0.001, respectively. No statistically significant differences were
found between males and females in the 9-year-old group. However, in the 17-year-old group,
significant differences between genders were observed for tHcys (p < 0.001) and tγ-Glu-Cys (p
= 0.039), with males presenting the highest concentrations. When correlating the four thiols’
plasma concentrations, only the precursors of glutathione, tγ-Glu-Cys and tCys, were positively
correlated (r = 0.450, p < 0.001).

Conclusion:
Our results showed significant differences in tHcy and tγ-Glu-Cys levels across
both age groups, which increased and decreased with age, respectively. It is interesting to highlight that in the 17-year-old group, tHcy and tγ-Glu-Cys levels were higher in males than in females. These observations showed that age and gender influence plasma levels of thiols, which
may impact cellular oxidative status. In conclusion, setting age and gender distinct ranges for
each specific population is of utmost importance for understanding disease mechanisms and the
effectiveness of therapeutic interventions.
STOPP-START Criteria Used to Identify the Elderly Population Prone to
Potentially Inadequate Prescribing in a Colombian Cohort
Authors: Zambrano Loren , Bustos Rosa-Helena , Beltran Edgar , Gomez Daniel , Arias Sara , Briceño Wilson 
Published: February 2024

Background:
Elderly people have multiple comorbidities that often require treatment
with multiple medications. Having strategies to lessen the risks associated with pharmacological
interactions and potentially inadequate prescribing (PIP) is of major importance. The STOPP–
START criteria are useful in identifying PIP along with other tools, such as LASA (look
alike/sound alike) drugs and high-risk medications (HRM).

Objective:
We aimed to clinically and sociodemographically characterize the population with
PIP according to the STOPP–START criteria in hospitalized elderly patients over 6 months in a
third-level hospital in Colombia, South America. We also aimed to calculate the prevalence of
PIP, LASA drugs and HRM and to identify other problems related with medication. Finally, we
proposed an algorithm for the identification of PIP in this population.

Methods and Materials:
This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study in hospitalized patients
older than 60 years during the first semester of 2021 to identify PIP according to STOPP–
START criteria. An analysis of clinical and sociodemographic variables was conducted, as well
as the construction of an algorithm to identify PIP in the elderly in a semiautomated way. Data
were collected and analyzed using the software SPSS 2021, using descriptive statistics and
measures of central tendency.

Results:
The prevalence of PIP in the study population was 25%. Furthermore, 60% of patients
had one problem related to medication, and 27% used at least one LASA drug or HRM.

Conclusion:
This study allows one to characterize, for the first time, the Colombian population
prone to PIP, as well as the construction of an algorithm that identifies PIP in a semiautomated
way.
Development and In vitro Assessment of Topical Microemulsion Based
Pluronic-Lecithin Organogel for the Management of Arthritic Pain
Authors: Yadav Abhishek , Jhawat Vikas , Singh Rahul Pratap , Chauhan Sunita , Dutt Rohit , Goyal Rajesh , Singh Deependra 
Published: February 2024

Background:
Topical delivery of NSAIDs through organogels might transport lornoxicam
to the site of action, minimizing gastrointestinal problems and adverse effects.

Methods:
In the current investigation, a lecithin organogel containing lornoxicam was made by
microemulsion method. For this purpose, a certain amount of pure soya lecithin was dispersed in
suitable isopropyl myristate as a dispersant and emulsifier at room temperature to form the oily
phase. The lecithin was completely dissolved in the combination by the next morning. Sorbic acid
was then added to the mixture as a preservative, Pluronic F-127 and potassium sorbate were
weighed out, and then they were mixed with cold water to create an aqueous phase, and menthol
was added. On the next morning, lornoxicam, the active component, became soluble in polyethylene
glycol-400 and combined with the lecithin isopropyl palmitate mixture. The oily portion
was agitated using a mechanical stirrer at 400 rpm while the aqueous phase was introduced
gradually.

Results:
The lornoxicam organogel preparation was it was assessed for its physical appearance,
organoleptic characteristics, consistency, gelation temperature, drug content, and in vitro release
studies. The active ingredient content of formulation F5 was the highest at 93.33. Formulations
F4 and F5 were selected for kinetic studies because they had all physical characteristics under
reasonable limits, the active ingredient level was the greatest, and the active ingredient release
was the fastest in eight hours.

Conclusion:
The transdermal organogel formulation of lornoxicam was found to be effective for
topical distribution of the drug and when administered topically, it has strong anti-inflammatory
and anti-rheumatic action.
Non-Canonical Targets of MicroRNAs: Role in Transcriptional Regulation,
Disease Pathogenesis and Potential for Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Ray Aishwarya , Sarkar Abhisek , Banerjee Sounak , Biswas Kaushik 
Published: February 2024

Abstract:
MicroRNAs are a class of regulatory, non-coding small ribonucleic acid (RNA) molecules found in eukaryotes. Dysregulated expression of microRNAs can lead to downreg-ulation or upregulation of their target gene. In general, microRNAs bind with the Argonaute protein and its interacting partners to form a silencing complex. This silencing complex binds with fully or partial complementary sequences in the 3’-UTR of their cognate target mRNAs and leads to degradation of the transcripts or translational inhibition, respectively. However, recent developments point towards the ability of these microRNAs to bind to the promoters, enhancers or coding sequences, leading to upregulation of their target genes. This review briefly summarizes the various non-canonical binding sites of microRNAs and their regulatory roles in various diseased conditions
Crocin-loaded Niosomal Nanoparticles Reversing Cytotoxicity and Oxidative Stress in HEK293 Cell Line Exposed to Paraquat: An In vitro Study
Authors: Harsin Akram Oftadeh , Makhdoomi Sajjad , Soleimani Meysam , Firozian Farzin , Nili-Ahmadabadi Amir , Ranjbar Akram 
Published: February 2024

Background:
Paraquat (PQ) is an effective herbicide which is widely used around the
world to remove weeds in agriculture. As a water-soluble carotenoid, crocin is a pharmacologically
active constituent of C. sativus L. (saffron).

Objectives:
In the present study, we investigated the effects of crocin-loaded niosomes (Cro-NIO)
compared to free crocin on PQ-induced toxicity in the eukaryotic human embryonic kidney
(HEK293) cell line.

Methods:
The Cro-NIO was synthesized and characterized. Cell viability was determined using the
MTT assay in PQ-exposed HEK293 cell lines. The activities of biochemical markers were quantitatively
determined to reveal the potential mechanism of PQ-induced oxidative stress in HEK293 cell
line.

Results:
The particle size, zeta potential, polydispersity index (PDI), DL, and EE of Cro-NIO were
145.4 ± 19.5 nm, -22.3 ± 3.11 mV, 0.3 ± 0.03, 1.74 ± 0.01%, and 55.3 ± 7.1%, respectively. PQtreated
HEK293 cell lines decreased cell viability. The results of oxidative status showed that PQ
significantly could increase ROS accumulation, accompanied by a decreasing antioxidant defense
system. However, treatment with Cro-NIO, compared to crocin, not only did dose-dependently improve
the cell viability but also significantly attenuated the ROS accumulation and increased antioxidant
markers.

Conclusion:
According to these results, Cro-NIO, compared to crocin, was superior to ameliorating
PQ-induced cytotoxicity and oxidative damage in HEK293 cells.