bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Purification and characterization of L-arginine deiminase from Penicillium chrysogenum
Authors: El-Shora Hamed M. , El-Zawawy Nessma A. , El-Rheem Mohamed A. Abd , Metwally Metwally A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractL-arginine deiminase (ADI, EC 3.5.3.6) hydrolyzes arginine to ammonia and citrulline which is a natural supplement in health care. ADI was purified from Penicillium chrysogenum using 85% ammonium sulfate, DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex G200. ADI was purified 17.2-fold and 4.6% yield with a specific activity of 50 Umg− 1 protein. The molecular weight was 49 kDa. ADI expressed maximum activity at 40oC and an optimum pH of 6.0. ADI thermostability was investigated and the values of both t0.5 and D were determined. Kd increased by temperature and the Z value was 38oC. ATP, ADP and AMP activated ADI up to 0.6 mM. Cysteine and dithiothreitol activated ADI up to 60 µmol whereas the activation by thioglycolate and reduced glutathione (GSH) prolonged to 80 µmol. EDTA, α,α-dipyridyl, and o-phenanthroline inactivated ADI indicating that ADI is a metalloenzyme. N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), butanedione (BD), dansyl chloride (DC), diethylpyrocarbonate (DEPC) and N-acetyl-imidazole (NAI) inhibited ADI activity indicating the necessity of sulfhydryl, tryptophanyl, arginyl, lysyl, histidyl and tyrosyl groups, respectively for ADI catalysis. The obtained results show that ADI from P. chrysogenum could be a potential candidate for industrial and biotechnological applications.
Exogenous abscisic acid (ABA) improves the filling process of maize grains at different ear positions by promoting starch accumulation and regulating hormone levels under high planting density
Authors: Yu Tao , Xin Yuning , Liu Peng 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Higher planting densities typically cause a decline in grain weight, limiting the potential for high maize yield. Additionally, variations in grain filling occur at different positions within the maize ear. Abscisic acid (ABA) is important for grain filling and regulates grain weight. However, the effects of exogenous ABA on the filling process of maize grains at different ear positions under high planting density are poorly understood. In this study, two summer maize hybrids (DengHai605 (DH605) and ZhengDan958 (ZD958)) commonly grown in China were used to examine the effects of ABA application during the flowering stage on grain filling properties, starch accumulation, starch biosynthesis associated enzyme activities, and hormone levels of maize grain (including inferior grain (IG) and superior grain (SG)) under high planting density.

Results
Our results showed that exogenous ABA significantly increased maize yield, primarily owing to a higher grain weight resulting from an accelerated grain filling rate relative to the control. There was no significant difference in yield between DH605 and ZD958 in the control and ABA treatments. Moreover, applying ABA promoted starch accumulation by raising the activities of sucrose synthase, ADP-glucose pyrophosphorylase, granule-bound starch synthases, soluble starch synthase, and starch branching enzyme in grains. It also increased the levels of zeatin riboside, indole-3-acetic acid, and ABA and decreased the level of gibberellin in grains, resulting in more efficient grain filling. Notably, IG exhibited a less efficient filling process compared to SG, probably due to lower starch biosynthesis associated enzyme activities and an imbalance in hormone contents. Nevertheless, IG displayed greater sensitivity to exogenous ABA than SG, suggesting that appropriate cultural measures to improve IG filling may be a viable strategy to further increase maize yield.

Conclusions
According to our results, spraying exogenous ABA could effectively improve grain filling properties, accelerate starch accumulation by increasing relevant enzyme activities, and regulate hormone levels in grains, resulting in higher grain weight and yield of maize under high planting density. Our findings offer more evidence for using exogenous hormones to improve maize yield under high planting density.
The association between continuous metabolic syndrome score and its components with electrocardiographic abnormalities in community-dwelling older adults: the Bushehr elderly health (BEH) program
Authors: Farhadi Akram , Emamat Hadi , Nemati Reza , Marzban Maryam , Shafiee Gita , Nabipour Iraj , Ostovar Afshin , Jalaliyan Zahrasadat , Malekizadeh Hasan , Larijani Bagher 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) known as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has developed into a major source of health issue, especially for the elderly. In the present study, we investigated the association between continuous MetS (cMetS) score and its components with electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities in the community-dwelling older adults.

Methods
This cross-sectional study is derived from the second phase of BEH cohort study which is conducted on individuals aged over 60 years old. Standard 12-lead ECGs were recorded and coded by qualified physicians and continuous values of metabolic syndrome risk scores (cMetS) were measured. Data regarding socio-demographic, medical history, and lifestyle variables were collected by trained interviewers. The multinomial regression analysis was used to investigate the relationship between cMetS and its components with ECG abnormalities in the included participants.

Results
2426 individuals (mean age ± standard deviation: 69.30 ± 6.33 years) were included in the final analysis. Overall, 22.5% of the participants showed ECG abnormalities. Among these, 8.0% (n = 139) of participants had minor and 14.6% (n = 354) had major ECG abnormalities. In the final models, cMetS (OR = 1.04), mean arterial pressure (MAP((OR = 1.01), and higher fasting blood glucose (FBG) (OR = 1.01) increased the risk of ECG abnormalities (p < 0.05). Also, cMetS (OR = 1.05) and MAP (OR = 1.02) were associated with an increased risk of major ECG abnormalities (p < 0.05).

Conclusion
MetS and MAP were significantly associated with ECG abnormalities. The results of the present study suggest that ECG screening in the older population with MetS could potentially help to detect those at the higher risk of CVDs.
Research on the control rate of hypertension under family physician-contracted service
Authors: Zheng Yiping , Liu Yuqing , Xue Dongyu , Shang Zhao , Zhang Baoquan , Dai Yue 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Hypertension is one of the global public health problems. Family physician-contracted service (FPCS) is widely used in the health management of hypertension patients in China. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of FPCS on hypertension control.

Methods
PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Network, Chinese Scientific and Technological Journal Database (CQVIP), and Wanfang Database were searched for randomized controlled trials related to family physician-contracted service and hypertension control effect, and meta-analysis was performed on the literature meeting the inclusion criteria. The source of heterogeneity was discovered by meta-regression, and it was further investigated by subgroup analysis. The risk difference (RD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were utilized as effect values. Evaluations of publication bias and sensitivity analysis were also conducted.

Results
A total of 46 studies were included, and the pooled RD suggested that FPCS could effectively improve the control rate by 19% (RD = 0.19; 95%CI: 0.16–0.21; P < 0.001; I2 = 59.3%). The average age (β = 0.28; P = 0.05) and the intervention mode (β = 0.36; P < 0.001) were found to be heterogeneous sources by the meta-regression. According to subgroup analysis, the hypertension control rates of the elderly and working-age population in the experimental group were 93.6% and 90.1%, respectively; the control rates of the “family physician” mode (FP), “family physician + patient” mode (FPP) and “family physician + patient + family member” mode (FPPF) in the experimental group were 90.1%, 94.4%, and 92.6%, respectively. The sensitivity analysis revealed steady results, with no discernible publication bias.

Conclusions
The FPCS is beneficial to the control of hypertension. The control effect is influenced by average age and intervention mode. The control effect of hypertension in the elderly is better than that in the working-age population, and FPP and FPPF are more beneficial to the management of hypertension than FP. The quality and continuity of FPCS should receive more focus in the future, patient self-management and family support are also essential for managing hypertension.
The diagnostic utility of heparin-binding protein among patients with bacterial infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Taha Amira Mohamed , Abouelmagd Khaled , Omar Mohamed Mosad , Najah Qasi , Ali Mohammed , Hasan Mohammed Tarek , Allam Sahar A. , Arian Roua , Rageh Omar El Sayed , Abd-ElGawad Mohamed 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Bacterial infections are considered a leading cause of hospitalization and death globally. There is still a need for a rapid and feasible biomarker for bacterial infections. Heparin-binding protein (HBP) was shown to be related to bacterial infections. The objective of the study is to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of HBP in bacterial infections.

Methods
Articles were screened in PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Cochrane to recognize eligible studies. We included studies investigating the diagnostic accuracy of HBP and reported the necessary data to construct 2 × 2 tables. A univariate analysis was conducted to determine the pooled sensitivity and specificity, and a bivariate diagnostic random-effects model was used to calculate the optimal cut-off point.

Results
The analysis comprised sixteen studies in total. Plasma HBP showed a sensitivity of 0.90 (95% CI: [0.79, 0.96]) and a specificity of 0.87 (95% CI: [0.66, 0.96]) in diagnosing bacterial infections using blood samples. Pooling data from seven studies revealed that HBP in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has sensitivity and specificity of 96% (95% CI: [0.85, 0.99]), and 95% (95% CI: [0.89, 0.97]), respectively, for the diagnosis of bacterial meningitis. In urinary tract infections (UTI), urine-HBP was revealed to have a high diagnostic value in discriminating bacterial from non-bacterial UTI infection at a cut-off value of 32.868 ng/ml with sensitivity and specificity of 87%.

Conclusion
HBP has shown a high diagnostic accuracy of bacterial infections, including UTI and meningitis. Further studies are needed to determine its prognostic value and whether it could guide antibiotic therapy.
First COVID-19 wave in the province of Bergamo, Italy: epidemiological and clinical characteristics, outcome and management of the first hospitalized patients
Authors: Donida Bianca Maria , Pirola Flavia Simonetta , Opizzi Roberto , Assembergs Peter 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Northern Italy was the first European country affected by the spread of the SARS-CoV-2, with the epicenter in the province of Bergamo.

Aim
This study aims to analyze the characteristics of patients who experienced more severe symptoms during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods
We retrospectively collected epidemiological and clinical data on patients with laboratory-confirmed wild-type SARS-CoV-2 infection who were admitted to the “ASST Bergamo Ovest” hospital between February 21 and May 31, 2020.

Results
A total of seven hundred twenty-three inpatients met the eligible criteria and were included in the study cohort. Among the inpatients who survived, the average hospital length of stay was more than two weeks, with some lasting up to three months. Among the 281 non-survivors, death occurred in 50% within five days. Survivors were those whose first aid operators recorded higher oxygen saturation levels at home. The request for first aid assistance came more than one week after symptom onset, within three days in 10% of cases.

Conclusion
In similar future scenarios, based on our data, if we aim to enhance the survival rate, we need to improve the territorial healthcare assistance and admit to hospitals only those patients who are at risk of severe illness requiring specialized and urgent interventions within two, three, or, at most, five days from the onset of symptoms. This implies that the crucial factor is, has been, and will be the ability of a healthcare system to react promptly in its entirety within a few days.
Patient-reported outcome, clinician-reported outcome, and patient satisfaction with treatment by crisis resolution teams: a multicenter pre-post study of outcome and associated factors in Norway
Authors: Ruud T. , Hasselberg N. , Siqveland J. , Holgersen K. H. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Crisis resolution teams (CRTs) have become a part of mental health services in many high-income countries. Many studies have investigated the impact of CRTs on acute admissions to inpatient units, but very few studies have investigated patient-reported and clinician-reported outcomes for CRT service users. Our aims were to study patient-reported and clinician-reported outcomes of CRT treatment, how the outcomes were associated with characteristics of the service user and the treatment, and whether outcomes were different across CRTs.

Methods
The study was a pre-post observational multicenter study of 475 patients receiving treatment from 25 CRTs in urban and rural areas in Norway. There was no control group. Outcomes were change in mental health status reported by service users using CORE-10 and by clinicians using HoNOS. Patient satisfaction was measured using CSQ-8 at the end of the treatment. Components of CRT accessibility and interventions were measured by clinicians reporting details on each session with the service user. CRT model fidelity was measured using the CORE CRT Fidelity Scale version 2. We used paired t-tests to analyze outcomes and linear mixed modeling to analyze associations of the outcomes with the characteristics of service users and the treatment provided. Using independent t-tests, we analyzed differences in outcomes and patient satisfaction between two clusters of CRTs with differences in accessibility.

Results
The patient-reported outcomes and the clinician-reported outcomes were significantly positive and with a large effect size. Both were significantly positively associated with practical support and medication management and negatively associated with collaboration with mental health inpatient units. Patient satisfaction was high at the end of the treatment. CRTs with higher accessibility had a significantly better clinician-reported outcome, but no significant differences were reported for patient-reported outcomes or patient satisfaction.

Conclusions
CRT treatment led to improved symptom status as reported by patients and clinicians, as well as high patient satisfaction. Practical support and medication management were the interventions most strongly associated with positive outcomes. Some of the variations in outcomes were at the team level. Patient- and clinician-reported outcomes should be used more in studies on the effect of treatment provided by crisis resolution teams.
Variations in respiratory and functional symptoms at four months after hospitalisation due to COVID-19: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Fagevik Olsén Monika , Lannefors Louise , Johansson Ewa-Lena , Persson Hanna C. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Background
Much remains unknown about complex respiratory symptoms after COVID-19. Here we aimed to describe and analyse patients’ various respiratory symptoms 4 months after discharge from hospitalisation for COVID-19, focusing on sex, previous pulmonary disease, and prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Methods
This cross-sectional study involved five hospitals and included 52 patients with self-assessed respiratory dysfunction at 4 months after discharge from hospitalisation for severe COVID-19. Their average age was 63 years, 38% were women, 15 had a previous diagnosed pulmonary disease, and 29 were current or previous smokers. Additionally, 31 had required intensive care—among whom 21 were intubated and 11 needed mechanical ventilation for ≥20 days. Respiratory function was tested concerning lung volumes, expiratory flow, muscle strength, physical capacity (including concurrent oxygen saturation), thoracic expansion, and respiratory movements.

Results
Among 52 patients, 47 (90%) had one or several objectively measured respiratory function abnormalities. Decreased thoracic expansion was observed in 32 patients (62%), abnormal respiratory movements in 30 (58%), decreased vital capacity in 21 (40%), low physical function in 13 (26%), and desaturation during the test in 9 (17%). Respiratory inspiratory muscle strength was more commonly diminished than expiratory strength (27% vs. 8%). We did not observe differences between men and women, or between patients with versus without diagnosed pulmonary disease, except that those with pulmonary disease had significantly lower physical capacity assessed with 6MWD (70% vs. 88% predicted, p = 0.013). Compared to those who did not, patients who required ≥20 days of mechanical ventilation performed similarly on most tests, except that all thoracic breathing movements were significantly smaller (p < 0.05). The numbers and combinations of abnormal findings varied widely, without clear patterns.

Conclusion
Patients with remaining respiratory symptoms 4 months after discharge from hospitalization due to COVID-19 may suffer from various abnormal breathing functions, and dysfunctional breathing that is not detected using traditional measurements. These patients may benefit from multidimensional measuring of breathing movement, thoracic expansion, and respiratory muscle strength, along with traditional measurements, to assess their symptoms and enable prescription of optimal treatment interventions and rehabilitation.

Trial registration
FoU i Sverige (Research & Development in Sweden, Registration number: 274476, registered 2020-05-28).
Evaluation of flexural strength, impact strength, and surface microhardness of self-cured acrylic resin reinforced with silver-doped carbon nanotubes
Authors: Hamdy Tamer M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundPoly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA) is a type of polymer mostly used to make denture bases. Self-cured acrylic resin (PMMA) can be used to repair a fractured acrylic denture base; however, even after repair, this area remains vulnerable. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could be used as a filler for polymer reinforcement. Furthermore, silver nanoparticles are efficient agents for the prevention of dental biofilm and improving their mechanical properties. The doping of CNTs with silver nanoparticles may lead to a synergistic interaction that is predicted to enhance the mechanical characteristics of the fillers.ObjectivesThe aim of the study was to assess the influnce of manual incorporation of 0.5% weight percent (%wt.) of silver doped carbon nanotubes (Ag-doped CNTs) into commercial self-cured PMMA on its flexural strength, impact strength, and surface microhardness.MethodsIn this investigation, a total of 60 specimens comprised of acrylic resin were employed. They are divided into two main groups: (a) the control group, which was made by using liquid monomer and commercial self-cured PMMA powder; and (b) the modified group, prepared by hand mixing the purchased silver-doped CNTs powder (0.5% wt.) to self-cured PMMA powder (99.5%wt.), and then the blended powder was incorporated into the liquid monomer. Flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and surface microhardness were evaluated. Independent sample t-tests were used to statistically analyze the data and compare the mean values of flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and surface microhardness (p-value ≤ 0.05).ResultsThe flexural strength of the modified groups with Ag-doped CNTs (132.4 MPa) was significantly greater than that of the unmodified (control) groups (63.2 MPa). Moreover, the flexural modulus of the modified groups with Ag-doped CNTs (3.067 GPa) was significantly greater than that of the control groups (1.47 GPa). Furthermore, the impact strength of the modified groups with Ag-doped CNTs (11.2 kJ/mm2) was significantly greater than that of the control groups (2.3 kJ/mm2). Furthermore, the microhardness of the modified groups with Ag-doped CNTs (29.7 VHN) was significantly greater than that of the control groups (16.4 VHN), (p-value = 0.0001).ConclusionThe incorporation of 0.5% wt. silver doped CNTs fillers to the self-cured acrylic resin enhanced its flexural strength, flexural modulus, impact strength, and surface microhardness.
Development and psychometric properties of clinical learning environment scale for Chinese nursing students
Authors: Xu Yun , Zheng Yi , Wang Huimei , Huang Fang 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Objective
To develop a clinical learning environment scale for Chinese nursing students and test its reliability and validity.

Methods
Based on Moos social environment theory, qualitative interviews and expert consultations were used to develop a pretest version of the Chinese Nursing Students’ Clinical Learning Environment Scale. With a convenience sampling method, 255 and 1582 Chinese nursing students were selected as the prediction and validation samples, respectively, from December 2022 to March 2023. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to determine the construct validity.

Results
The scale consisted of 19 items. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three sub-scales, named goal orientation, interpersonal relation, and learning support, which explained 71.500% of the total variance. The results of the confirmatory factor analysis showed that the GFI was 0.848, the AGFI was 0.806, the RMSEA was 0.090, the RMR was 0.041, the NFI was 0.910, the IFI was 0.916, the CFI was 0.916, the PCFI was 0.798, and the PNFI was 0.793. The reliability values of the three dimensions were 0.870, 0.858, and 0.943, respectively, and the convergent validity values were 0.574, 0.603, and 0.625, respectively.

Conclusion
The reliability and validity of the dimensions of the Chinese Nursing Students’ Clinical Learning Environment Scale are acceptable, and the scale can be used as a useful tool for measuring the clinical learning environment of Chinese nursing students.