bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors Associated with Hypertension among Adults 18-65 Years in Kirinyaga County, Kenya
Authors: Mwaga Dickson Kinyua , Odongo Alfred Owino , Kerochi Atei 
Published: November 2023

Hypertension is one of the non-communicable diseases linked with heart disease and accounts for about 64% of stroke cases globally. BP is becoming the leading global public health problem with over 10M death every year. Despite growing evidence that high blood pressure is on the rise, information about its risks factors on patients seeking medical care in Kenyan hospitals is limited. This research investigated the risk factors associated with high blood pressure among adults aged 18-65 in Kirinyaga County, Kenya.
Analytical cross-sectional study, using quantitative and qualitative methods of data collections, a multistage sampling procedure sampled 380 study participants chi square and logistic regression made deductions about the study population. In qualitative data, deductive approach used research questions as a guide for data analysis. Gender chi-square χ2 (2, N=345=128.640, P=.000), respondent age χ2(5, N=345=158.021, P=.000), education level χ2 (3, N=345=77.677, P=.000), marital status χ2(4, N=345=69.413, P=.000), state of being pregnancy χ2(1, N=345=224.599, P=.000), currently smoking cigarette χ2(1, N=50=28.890, P=.000), currently taking alcohol χ2(1, N=273=16.548, P=.000), engaging in physical activities χ2(3, N=345=58.183, P=.000), and weight status χ2(2, N=184=40.044, P=.000) were statistically significantly associated with the development of hypertension. Routine screening and advocacy by the health worker should be done for early detection, timely treatment, follow up and prevent complications related to hypertension.
Prevalence and Pattern of Traditional Bullying, Amongst Secondary School Students in Yenagoa, Nigeria
Authors: Esther Onotume Okemena , Joseph Ezeogu , Oliemen Peterside , Olukayode Akinbami Felix , Ann Okosun Ofure 
Published: November 2023

Introduction: Traditional bullying (face to face bullying, that occurs within or around the school premises) among secondary school students is a persistent global public health problem; with varying long lasting mental, physical and academic consequences, not only on the victims but also the bullies and bystanders. It is a common phenomenon that is not limited to physical harm and manifests in many forms such as, verbal, or relational aggression, social exclusion and cyber victims of bullying. Bullying is commonly embedded in power imbalances and can be a call for help from the bullies. Development of an efficient prevention and intervention strategy requires understanding of the causes (family issues, low self esteem or lack of positive role models) of traditional bullying. This study therefore, aimed to determine the prevalence and pattern oftraditional bullying among secondaryschool students in Yenagoa Local Government, Bayelsa State Nigeria, which would aid development and implementation of appropriate antibullying policies.
Methods: Adescriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2021to December 2021. Selection of the 1,108 students aged between 10-21years was done by a two-stage sampling technique. The 46-item Bully Survey questionnaire adapted in 2003 by Swearer et al was utilized for data collection. Quantitative data was summarised using descriptive statistics.Test of association was done using Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests andbinomial logistic regression analysis was also done to examine associations between variables, withp-value of <0.05 considered significant.
Results: Prevalence rates of 40.3%, 81.3%, and 86.3% were foundfor bullying perpetration, victimization and bystander respectively. Verbal bullying such as hauling of insults was the most common form of bullying behaviourperpetrated (64.8%); with sexual bullying being the least type observed (20%). Both bullying perpetration (46.9%) and victimization (88.3%) were significantly more common among female participants, while being a bullying bystander (99.4%) was commoner among male participants.Participants from junior classes were twice as more likely to perpetrate bullying(odds ratio[OR]:2.053, confidence interval[CI]:0.896-4.705). Also, those in schools with no anti-bullying policies were 1.26times more likely to be perpetrators of bullying ([OR] 1.269; CI: 0.229-7.031). School Class (p = 0.030) and absence of anti-bullying policy (p = 0.004) were significantly associated with bullying perpetration in the studied schools.
Conclusion: The prevalence of traditional bullying among secondary school students in Yenagoa was very high. Wetherefore recommended that school authorities and the government should formulate appropriate school anti-bullying policies and implement same in order to curb the menace while shielding the weak groups from being victims of bullying in school.
Optimization of Growth Conditions and Protease Activity for Tempeh Production from Sorghum
Authors: Devagopalan Hemalatha , Krishnaswamy Ilamurugu 
Published: November 2023

Fermentation improves the nutraceutical properties of cereals. The objective of this work was to optimize the growth condition for tempeh production from sorghum. Tempeh was developed with sorghum and in combination with soybean. Effective proliferative growth of Rhizopus oligosporus (R. oligosporus) was found on all the substrates. The temperature had a significant effect on the growth of the mould, pH, and protease activity. The incubation temperature of 35OC was found to be more favourable than 30oC. The fermentation at 35oC was completed within 36 hours compared to 30oC (46 h). The pH was raised progressively up to 48 hours of incubation period (7.20-7.25). The protease activity at 35OC was found to be increased until 36 hours and decreased thereafter. The protease activity was found to be significantly higher at 35oC (99.20 IU /g) in comparison to 30oC.
Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Italian Patients With Systemic Sclerosis: An Epidemiologic Survey
Authors: Natalello Gerlando , Bosello Silvia Laura , Campochiaro Corrado , Abignano Giuseppina , De Santis Maria , Ferlito Arianna , Karadağ Duygu Temiz , Padula Angela Anna , Cavalli Giulio , D'Agostino Maria Antonietta , Selmi Carlo , Matucci‐Cerinic Marco , Dagna Lorenzo , De Luca Giacomo 
Published: November 2023

ObjectiveSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is an orphan disease that can lead to severe involvement of the gastrointestinal tract with a significant impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). The Mediterranean diet (MD) was consistently demonstrated to have beneficial effects on chronic diseases based on biological bases. We aimed to evaluate the adherence to the MD of Italian patients with SSc to preliminarily assess its association with gastrointestinal symptoms and other disease features, mood, and QoL.MethodsIn this cross‐sectional study, adherence to the MD was measured in 387 patients from four SSc Italian referral centers through the 14‐item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (14‐MEDAS) questionnaire. We also registered patients’ reported outcomes related to the QoL and mood.ResultsOverall, an optimal adherence to MD was observed in 14.7% of patients with SSc, a moderate adherence in 71.3%, and a low adherence in 14.0%. In univariate analysis, poor adherence to the MD was associated with a more prominent depressive mood, time missed at work, and perception of more severe Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ulcers, whereas the 14‐MEDAS score inversely correlated with depression score and reflux.ConclusionIn our cohort of patients with SSc, overall adherence to MD was moderate. Patients with lower adherence to MD also reported worse outcomes related to QoL and mood. Administration of the 14‐MEDAS could be a reasonable choice to assess adherence to the MD in patients with SSc. Future initiatives to study the role of MD in the management of patients with SSc are warranted.
Recent Progress in Prompt Molecular Detection of Exosomes Using CRISPR/Cas and Microfluidic‐Assisted Approaches Toward Smart Cancer Diagnosis and Analysis
Authors: Mojtaba Mousavi Seyyed , Alireza Hashemi Seyyed , Yari Kalashgrani Masoomeh , Rahmanian Vahid , Riazi Mohsen , Omidifar Navid , Hamed Althomali Raed , Rahman Mohammed M. , Chiang Wei‐Hung , Gholami Ahmad 
Published: November 2023

AbstractExosomes are essential indicators of molecular mechanisms involved in interacting with cancer cells and the tumor environment. As nanostructures based on lipids and nucleic acids, exosomes provide a communication pathway for information transfer by transporting biomolecules from the target cell to other cells. Importantly, these extracellular vesicles are released into the bloodstream by the most invasive cells, i. e., cancer cells; in this way, they could be considered a promising specific biomarker for cancer diagnosis. In this matter, CRISPR‐Cas systems and microfluidic approaches could be considered practical tools for cancer diagnosis and understanding cancer biology. CRISPR‐Cas systems, as a genome editing approach, provide a way to inactivate or even remove a target gene from the cell without affecting intracellular mechanisms. These practical systems provide vital information about the factors involved in cancer development that could lead to more effective cancer treatment. Meanwhile, microfluidic approaches can also significantly benefit cancer research due to their proper sensitivity, high throughput, low material consumption, low cost, and advanced spatial and temporal control. Thereby, employing CRISPR‐Cas‐ and microfluidics‐based approaches toward exosome monitoring could be considered a valuable source of information for cancer therapy and diagnosis. This review assesses the recent progress in these promising diagnosis approaches toward accurate cancer therapy and in‐depth study of cancer cell behavior.
Medical insurance, labor supply, and anti‐poverty initiatives: Micro‐evidence from China
Authors: Su Li , Sha Mingxiao , Liu Ruixue 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe high cost of medical care and its association with poverty have given rise to a growing concern for developing countries, but how insurance plans affect household income and alleviate poverty has been rarely discussed. This study aims to bridge this research gap by examining a medical insurance reform in China, a major program of the targeted poverty alleviation (TPA) strategy, which offers higher reimbursement rates and lower medical deductibles for low‐income households. We use an administrative data set on impoverished people in a Chinese county to examine how exogenous changes in the medical insurance system affect the income structure of low‐income households. We apply a two‐part model to a Difference‐in‐Differences framework, with households that received reimbursement of the insurance reform as the treatment group and others as the control group. Our results imply that the medical insurance reform could increase the overall household income diversity. The mechanism analysis suggests that the medical insurance reform improves the health conditions of patients and encourages caregivers to engage more in off‐farm work.
The metabolic fingerprint of chronic hepatitis C progression: Metabolome shifts and cutting‐edge diagnostic options
Authors: Deep Amar , Swaroop Suchit , Dubey Durgesh , Rawat Atul , Verma Ajay , Baisya Bikash , Parihar Rashmi , Goel Amit , Rungta Sumit 
Published: November 2023

AbstractHepatitis C virus infection causes chronic diseases such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Metabolomics research has been shown to be linked to pathophysiologic pathways in liver illnesses. The aim of this study was to investigate the serum metabolic profile of patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) infection and to identify underlying mechanisms as well as potential biomarkers associated with the disease. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) was used to evaluate the sera of 83 patients with CHC virus and 52 healthy control volunteers (NMR). Then, multivariate statistical analysis was used to find distinguishing metabolites between the two groups. Sixteen out of 40 metabolites including include 3‐HB, betaine, carnitine, creatinine, fucose, glutamine, glycerol, isopropanol, lysine, mannose, methanol, methionine, ornithine, proline, serine, and valine—were shown to be significantly different between the CHC and normal control (NC) groups (variable importance in projection >1 and p < 0.05). All the metabolic perturbations in this disease are associated with pathways of Glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, aminoacyl‐tRNA biosynthesis, cysteine and methionine metabolism, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism. Multivariate statistical analysis constructed using these expressed metabolites showed CHC patients can be discriminated from NCs with high sensitivity (90%) and specificity (99%). The metabolomics approach may expand the diagnostic armamentarium for patients with CHC while contributing to a comprehensive understanding of disease mechanisms.
The clinicopathological impact of tumor‐associated macrophages in patients with cutaneous malignant melanoma
Authors: Asai Yoshinari , Yanagawa Naoki , Osakabe Mitsumasa , Yamada Noriyuki , Sugimoto Ryo , Sato Ayaka , Ito Kazuhiro , Koike Yoshihiko , Tanji Takayuki , Sakuraba Minoru , Sato Takashi , Sugai Tamotsu 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundTumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) are an immune component of the cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) microenvironment and affect tumor growth. TAMs can polarize into different phenotypes, that is, proinflammatory M1 and anti‐inflammatory M2 macrophages. However, the role of the macrophage phenotype in CMM remains unclear.MethodsWe examined 88 patients with CMM. Tissue microarrays were constructed, and the density of M1 and M2 macrophages was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Immune cells coexpressing CD68 and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (pSTAT1) were considered M1 macrophages, whereas those coexpressing CD68 and c‐macrophage activating factor (c‐Maf) were defined as M2 macrophages. These TAMs were counted, and the relationships between the density of M1 and M2 macrophages and clinicopathological factors including prognosis were investigated.ResultsThe CD68/c‐Maf score ranged from 0 to 34 (median: 5.5). The patients were divided based on the median score into the CD68/c‐Maf high (≥5.5) and low (<5.5) expression groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that CD68/c‐Maf expression was an independent predictive factor for progression‐free survival and an independent prognostic factor for overall survival. CD68/pSTAT1 expression was found in only two patients.ConclusionWe suggest that CD68/pSTAT1 coexpression is rarely observed in patients with CMM, and high CD68/c‐Maf expression is a predictor of worse prognosis in these patients.
Physiotherapists' training in oncology rehabilitation from entry‐level to advanced education: A qualitative study
Authors: Bertoni Gianluca , Conti Valentina , Testa Marco , Coppola Ilaria , Costi Stefania , Battista Simone 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackground and PurposePhysiotherapy is gaining a central role in oncology. However, the training and competencies needed by physiotherapists in oncology rehabilitation are still unclear. This study aims to articulate the training trajectory of physiotherapists in oncology rehabilitation from entry‐level education to advanced education degrees.MethodsQualitative focus group study following a ‘Reflexive Thematic Analysis’ for data analysis. Participants were Italian physiotherapists with expertise in Oncology Rehabilitation (either clinically or academically) and Physiotherapy Bachelor of Science (BSc) course leaders, selected through purposive sampling.ResultsTwo focus groups were conducted with 14 participants. Six themes were developed: 1. ‘Entry‐Level Education in Oncology Rehabilitation: Let's Have a Taste’, as the BSc introduces oncology rehabilitation. 2. ‘Basic Knowledge: Building up the Library’ as students acquire basic knowledge on oncology rehabilitation during their BSc; 3. ‘Learning by Experience: The Relevance of the Placement’ to answer the question “Is this the right road for me?”; 4. ‘Clinical Reasoning and Competencies in Oncology Rehabilitation Embedded in Uncertainty’ because oncology physiotherapists need to deal with the uncertainty of their patients' status; 5. ‘Advanced Education Degree Skills: from Appetiser to the Main Course’, as advanced education degree courses allow for becoming an expert in the field; 6. ‘A Call to Action for Physiotherapists: Prevention—Diagnosis—Survivorship & End of Life’, to realise their critical role in all the phases of the oncology path.ConclusionsThe BSc in Physiotherapy provides a foundation for future physiotherapists to understand oncology rehabilitation, but advanced education is necessary for expertise. The findings of this study have important implications for creating a shared physiotherapy curriculum in oncology rehabilitation.Implication for Physiotherapy PracticeThis study has significant implications for improving physiotherapy curricula in oncology rehabilitation, positively impacting the skills and competencies of practitioners in this paramount field.
Cosmology of Metric‐Affine R+βR2$R + \beta R^2$ Gravity with Pure Shear Hypermomentum
Authors: Iosifidis Damianos , Myrzakulov Ratbay , Ravera Lucrezia 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this paper, cosmological aspects of metric‐affine gravity with hyperfluid are studied. The equations of motion of the theory are obtained by varying the action with respect to the metric and the independent connection. Subsequently, considering a Friedmann‐Lemaître‐Robertson‐Walker background, the modified Friedmann equations in the presence of a perfect cosmological hyperfluid is derived. Especially, a particular case in which is focused, considering purely shear hypermomentum and finding exact solutions in the weak coupling limit.
Synergistic Effect of Charged Amino Acids on the Stability and Fibril Formation of Lysozyme
Authors: Ghosh Subhasree , Prakash Prabhu N. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractOsmolytes alter the stability and aggregation of proteins. The effect of mixture of osmolytes is generally not a simple additive of their individual effects. Here, we examine the effect of different mixtures of charged amino acids (AAs) on the stability and fibrillation of lysozyme. Arg, Asp and Glu induce three‐state unfolding. The addition of Lys, Asp and Glu increases the thermal stability of lysozyme, whereas Arg does not alter the stability. The mixture of AAs destabilizes the intermediate, but the overall stability of lysozyme is increased. Arg with other AAs in the ratio of 1 : 0.5 and 1 : 1, and the equimolar ratio of Glu+Asp synergistically increases the stability, whereas the other mixtures counteract the stabilizing effects of each other. The apparent time taken for fibrillation is reduced with lower concentrations of Arg (≤0.75 M) and Glu (0.25 M) and at higher concentrations of Lys (1 M). In the mixed AAs, Arg and Lys with other AAs, and 1 : 1 ratio of Glu+Asp synergistically increases the fibrillation time. These observations suggest that Arg induces more synergistic stabilization and the presence of basic AAs in the mixture increases the fibrillation time compared to acidic AAs which show synergy only at equimolar concentrations.
Determination of the Antioxidant Capacity of Puerarin and Its Effect on Cholinesterases by in vitro and in silico Methods
Authors: İnan Ergün Aslı , Topal Meryem 
Published: November 2023

AbstractPuerarin, which was used as a natural isoflavone in this study, was obtained from the Kudzu plant. The inhibitory effect of puerarin on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes was investigated. The IC50 values of AChE (177.73 nM) and BChE (315.07 nM) were determined. The binding mechanism of puerarin, which has a high inhibitory effect on the active site of the enzyme, was demonstrated by the molecular docking method. The antioxidant activity was evaluated for the same molecule. For this purpose, Fe3+‐Fe2+ reducing capacity, ABTS radical scavenging activity, CUPRAC method, DPPH⋅ scavenging activity and DMPD radical scavenging method were used. The percentage (%) inhibition amount of puerarin molecule was calculated as 99.33 % for ABTS radical scavenging activity, which is the more preferred method for natural products. The absorbtion value of iron reduction of Puerarin was 0.122±0.010, and the value of copper reduction was 0.633±0.026. Our research efforts include uncovering the potent antioxidant potential of puerarin and, simultaneously, a comparative study of tacrine, primarily emphasizing its inhibitory effects against AChE and BChE enzymes. The puerarin is expected to be a guide for drug discovery against many problems, especially oxidative cell damage in Alzheimer's disease, mitochondrial dysfunction (MD), cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.
The Effect of Curcumin and Cornstarch Biopolymers on the Shelf Life of Fresh Cheese: Physicomechanical and Antimicrobial Properties
Authors: Almajidi Yasir Qasim , Lup Andrew Ng Kay , Ramírez‐Coronel Andrés Alexis , Almulla Abbas F. , Alsudani Ali , Kadhm Mustafa Salam , Alqurashi Yaser E. , Obaid Rasha Fadhel 
Published: November 2023

AbstractNatural polymers are used more frequently in packaging as alternatives to synthetic plastics. Cornstarch is one of the cheapest carbohydrate biopolymers that form films with suitable properties and appearance but considerably larger hydrophilicity and low mechanical characteristics compared to synthetic films. Incorporating curcumin into cornstarch films improves mechanical and antimicrobial properties and curcumin release into aqueous solutions of the films. The results show that the introduction of curcumin decreases the water solubility of the edible films from 3.58% to 1.49% and the moisture absorption from 2.87% to 1.94% (p < 0.05) and increases the length of films from 40% to 80% without changing their thickness. Examination of color properties shows that the increased curcumin concentration leads to a decrease in transparency and an increase in the redness and yellowness indices. These properties change from 72.2, 3.5, and 5.1 to 39.2, 21, and 13.7, respectively. The number of mold and yeast colonies in the cheese sample decreases during the storage period of 5 days. Generally, the findings indicate that the bioactive film of corn starch and curcumin (0.5%) can be used as a suitable coating for food products.
Experimental and numerical analysis of different vertical connections of precast shear walls with special regard towards deformability
Authors: Miclăușoiu Dan‐Andrei , Nedelcu Mihai , Blanksvärd Thomas 
Published: November 2023

AbstractNowadays precast concrete multi‐story dual system structures require Finite Element Method structural analysis. The stiffness of the vertical connections between wall panels influences the internal forces distribution. European standard EN 1992‐1‐1 recommends verification of strength and deformability of precast connections to be assisted by testing. Six different connection layouts were tested under pure shear with a special attention towards deformability. All connections showed close to/equivalent monolithic initial stiffness. Depending on the connection layout, the post‐cracking stiffness is reduced. The equation for shear resistance of interfaces between concrete cast at different times according to EN 1992‐1‐1 can lead to significant estimation errors due to its weak physical meaning (in disagreement with experimental observed failure mechanisms). A non‐linear finite element analysis solution strategy is validated by experimental results that shows how stochastic parameters can inflict large variation in terms of strength and stiffness.