bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Hyperthermic Potential and Acute Toxicity of PLGA‐PEG/Magnetite Microspheres Loaded with Oxaliplatin Using Mice as a Test System
Authors: Pereira Emiliane Daher , de Souza Junior Fernando Gomes , Pinto José Carlos , Filho Sergio Thode , Pal Kaushik , dos Santos Pyrrho Alexandre , da Costa Renata Cerruti , da Cunha Bruno Pereira , da Silveira Maranhão Fabíola , de Almeida Thuanny Moraes 
Published: February 2023

AbstractOxaliplatin and modified magnetic nanoparticles (magnetite‐lysine) are inserted into microspheres of previously synthesized poly(lactic acid‐co‐glycolic acid‐b‐ethylene glycol) PLGA‐PEG to evaluate the in vitro hyperthermal potential and the acute toxicity in mice. The used nanoparticles are synthesized by the coprecipitation method, using Fe II and Fe III, and modification with lysine is performed during the synthesis. The drug and the magnetic nanoparticles are inserted into the polymer beads through oil in water (O/W) emulsion. The obtained composites are then characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray Diffraction (XRD), and submitted to magnetic hyperthermia and acute toxicity tests. The hyperthermia tests are conducted according to an experimental design. The magnetite‐lysine nanoparticles reached the temperature for the desired application and are able to raise the temperature by 6 °C at the higher investigated current, time, and concentration conditions. According to the proposed statistical study, only the test time exerted significant positive influence on the observed temperature increase, although synergies between time and concentration and between current and concentration are also significant. In vivo acute toxicity tests are also conducted with swiss mice and revealed that the prepared materials and procedures can be regarded as safe and of low toxicity.
Pelvic mapping to explore patterns of chronic pelvic pain
Authors: Aibel Kelli , Choi Sharon , Moldwin Robert 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPurposeChronic pelvic pain syndromes (CPPS) are commonly encountered by urologists and urogynecologists and pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Body maps have been helpful adjuncts to verbal descriptions of pain and may serve a role in phenotyping what is known to be a heterogeneous patient population. The aim of this study was to assess whether patterns of pain as marked on a body map of the pelvis exist among common CPPS diagnoses. The secondary aim was to investigate the association between the total number of pain locations marked on the map and clinical indices in patients with 1 to 3 CPPS diagnoses.Materials and MethodsData was collected on patients who visited the Northwell Health Pelvic Pain Treatment Center (PPTC) from January to May 2022 and were diagnosed with at least one of four major CPPS diagnoses: interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS), pelvic floor myalgia (PFM), chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), and vulvodynia. Demographic data as well as survey data from pelvic pain maps, Genitourinary Pain Index (GUPI) forms, and the short form‐6 of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS‐6) were recorded. Descriptive statistics among CPPS groups and Pearson correlations among the number of CPPS diagnoses were computed.ResultsOne hundred seventy females and 125 males with CPPS were included in the study. Significant cross‐over in mapping patterns was notable between IC/BPS and PFM groups, both most commonly marking “abdomen” and “genital” regions. The most distinct pattern of pain was seen in patients with CP/CPPS and in patients with vulvodynia. Among the total sample, as the mean number of pain locations marked within the pelvis increased, GUPI and PCS scores increased (p < 0.05). As the number of CPPS diagnoses increased, the strength of the relationship independently increased.ConclusionsPelvic body mapping demonstrated that different forms of CPPS displayed different distributions of pain, but mapping was not predictive of any diagnostic group. Nevertheless, the pelvic body map proved useful in identifying precise locations of pain and may help uncover regions of pain that cannot be easily communicated. The total number of pain sites marked appeared to correlate with worse clinical features.
Challenges of nurses and family members of burn patients: Integrative review
Authors: Wang Yi , Wong Frances Kam Yuet , Bayuo Jonathan , Chung Loretta Yuet Foon , Zhang Li , Wang Taotao 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAimsTo identify the challenges facing burn care nurses and burn patients' family members and to explore the relationship between the above challenges.DesignWhittemore and Knafl's integrative review.MethodsDatabases used for this review included Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed and Embase. The original research published from January 2010 to November 2021 was selected. Studies reporting the challenges of family members or nurses of burn patients identified through extensive database search were considered for inclusion. The Mixed‐Method Appraisal‐Tool was applied for the evaluation of the quality of the literature. The analysis approach used was content analysis.ResultsOf the 2746 identified studies, 17 studies were included. Key findings related to the challenges facing nurses and family members of burn patients were extracted. The themes relating to burn care nurses included ethical and religious issues, clinical issues, work–life imbalance and limited support. The themes relating to family members included family's different views on prognosis and treatment, work–life imbalance, psychological issues and lack of multifaceted support. The challenges for the formal and informal caregivers are similar and there is existence of some shared concerns. If the above challenges are not resolved, support for the burn patients may be adversely affected. Corresponding measures should be taken to overcome such challenges.
Translation and psychometric evaluation of a scale to measure the fear of activity in Chinese patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Chen Jiehong , Guo Wei , Liu Hongmei , Liu Wenhui , Chen Junjie , Ma Chunhua 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAimTo translate and test the psychometric properties of a Chinese version scale to measure the Fear of Activity in patients with Coronary Artery Disease.DesignA cross‐sectional design.MethodsThe translation of the scale to measure Fear of Activity in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease included three steps, forward‐back translation, expert discussion and pilot survey. The internal consistency and test–retest reliability were used to assess the reliability of the Chinese version scale of the Fear of Activity. Content, construct, criterion, and known‐group validity of the scale were also evaluated.Data SourcesA total of 275 patients with Coronary Artery Disease were recruited from a university‐affiliated hospital in Guangzhou, southern China.ResultsThe overall content validity index of the Chinese version scale of the Fear of Activity in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease was 0.90. Principal component analyses extracted four factors with a cumulative variance contribution of 57.5%. There is a strong correlation (r = 0.83) between this scale and Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia Heart. The total scores of the Chinese version scale of the Fear of Activity in female patients were higher than those in male patients with Coronary Artery Disease, indicating that the scale was able to distinguish the differences between low and high score groups. The Internal consistency and test–retest reliability coefficients of the scale were 0.74 and 0.82, respectively.ConclusionThe Chinese version scale of the Fear of Activity in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease, which consists of 21 items with four dimensions, is a reliable and valid instrument to evaluate the fear of activity in patients with Coronary Artery Disease.Implications for the Profession and/or Patient CareThe Chinese version scale of the Fear of Activity in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease can be used to assess the levels of fear of activity in patients with Coronary Artery Disease and explores the factors that influence fear of activity in the population.ImpactThis study translates and confirms the psychometric properties of the Chinese version scale of the Fear of Activity in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease in China. It is useful in both research and clinical fields to explore the fear of activity and its associated factors in patients with Coronary Artery Disease.Reporting MethodThe study design followed the guideline of Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology statement.Patient or Public ContributionPatients in a university‐affiliated hospital participated in this study and contributed to data collection.
Interventions to promote mobility and quality of life in nursing homes: A systematic review
Authors: Bohn Benjamin , Strupeit Steve 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAimThe aim of the study was to identify interventions to promote mobility that has an impact on the quality of life of people living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.DesignThe design of the study was a systematic review.MethodsThe search was performed in September 2021 in the databases PubMed, Epistemonikos and the Cochrane Library for studies published between 2010 and 2021 in the German or English language.ResultsFour studies identified improvements in mobility and quality of life. Nine of the ten included studies showed impacts of the interventions on different mobility variables. Heterogeneous variables and instruments were used to assess quality of life and, in particular, mobility, which made it difficult to compare the results of the studies. Approximately 50% of the identified studies had small sample sizes.
Report on fraying resilience among the Ontario Registered Practical Nurse Workforce in long‐term care homes during COVID‐19
Authors: Connelly Denise M. , Snobelen Nancy , Garnett Anna , Guitar Nicole , Flores‐Sandoval Cecilia , Sinha Samir , Calver Jen , Pearson Diana , Smith‐Carrier Tracy 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAimRegistered Practical Nurses (RPNs) are frontline healthcare providers in Ontario long‐term care (LTC) homes. Throughout COVID‐19, RPNs working in LTC homes experienced prolonged lockdowns, challenging working conditions, and inadequate resource allocation. This study aimed to describe the personal and professional resilience of RPNs working in LTC during the COVID‐19 pandemic.DesignAn open cross‐sectional online survey containing the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, Resilience at Work Scale®, and Resilience at Work Team Scale®.MethodsThe survey was distributed by the RPN Association of Ontario (WeRPN) to approximately 5000 registered members working in Ontario LTC homes.ResultsA total of 434 respondents participated in the survey (completion rate = 88.0%). Study respondents scored low on measures of resilience and reported extreme levels of job (54.5%) and personal (37.8%) stress. Resources to support self‐care and work‐life balance, build capacity for team‐based care practice(s) are needed.
Exploring social media adoption by nurses for nursing practice in rural Volta, Ghana
Authors: Gamor Nathan , Dzansi Gladys , Konlan Kennedy Dodam , Abdulai Eliasu 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAimThe purpose of the study was to inquire into social media adoption by nurses for nursing practice.DesignAn exploratory descriptive qualitative design was employed in understanding social media adoption for nursing care among nurses.MethodA purposive sampling technique was employed to recruit 12 participants for the study. A semi‐structured interview guide was used to conduct in‐depth interviews which were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data with NVivo 12.ResultsThe findings revealed nurses found social media to be useful for the dissemination, and reception of information, professional development and enhanced referral networks. Apart from its usefulness, participants believe that it is easy to navigate its apps, clear and understandable to use and does not involve much mental effort hence their favourable attitude towards use. Some participants also believe that inaccurate information, privacy and confidentiality concerns, distraction and addiction were some potential risks that are associated with its usage in nursing practice. Due to this, some participants developed a negative attitude towards its usage.Patient or Public ContributionTwelve nurses actively participated in the study.
Convergence analysis of expanded mixed virtual element methods for nonlocal problems
Authors: Adak Dibyendu 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this article, we have developed the mixed virtual element formulation for the nonlocal parabolic problem. A priori error estimates for the semi‐discrete and the fully‐discrete schemes are derived and analyzed. The spatial discretization is based on the mixed virtual element framework, and the backward Euler method is used for the time discretization. Using Brouwer's fixed point argument, we have proved the existence and uniqueness of a fully‐discrete scheme. A set of representative numerical examples investigates such theoretical results.
Emerging therapies for eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Meek Patrick D. , Hemstreet Brian 
Published: February 2023

AbstractEosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an inflammatory condition of the esophagus that is quickly becoming a more recognized cause of esophageal dysfunction and dysphagia. The cause of EoE is thought to be due to an inflammatory response triggered by exposure to dietary or environmental antigens. Symptoms may be progressive and include reflux, nausea, vomiting, dysphagia, and reduction in quality of life. Both children and adults may be affected. Initial treatments for EoE have focused on elimination diets to potentially identify and remove dietary triggers, acid suppression with proton pump inhibitors, and topical delivery of orally administered swallowed corticosteroids. These therapies are often ineffective in a large proportion of patients, leading to exploration of other approaches by focusing on cytokines involved in the inflammatory response. Most recently, dupilumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting IL‐4 received approval for use in patients aged 12 years or older with EoE. Use of dupilumab has seen favorable improvements in disease progression and symptoms with chronic use. Other therapies targeting IL‐5, such as mepolizumab, reslizumab, and benralizumab are currently being studied for use in EoE. Therapies targeting other key inflammatory mediators in EoE, such as Siglec‐8 (lirentelimab), IL‐13 (cendakimab), and the sphingosine 1‐phosphate receptor (etrasimod) are currently being evaluated in clinical trials.
Torsion angles to map and visualize the conformational space of a protein
Authors: Ginn Helen Mary 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPresent understanding of protein structure dynamics trails behind that of static structures. A torsion‐angle‐based approach, called the representation of protein entities, derives an interpretable conformational space that correlates with data collection temperature, resolution, and reaction coordinate. For more complex systems, atomic coordinates fail to separate functional conformational states, which are still preserved by torsion angle‐derived space. This indicates that torsion angles are often a more sensitive and biologically relevant descriptor for protein conformational dynamics than atomic coordinates.
Genetic and non‐genetic factors influencing efavirenz population pharmacokinetics among human immunodeficiency virus‐1‐infected children in Ethiopia
Authors: Chala Adugna , Kitabi Eliford Ngaimisi , Ahmed Jemal Hussien , Tadesse Birkneh Tilahun , Chaka Tolossa Eticha , Makonnen Eyasu , Aklillu Eleni 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDespite the potential for efavirenz (EFV) to be an effective alternative antiretroviral agent, its sources of wide inter‐ and intra‐individual pharmacokinetic (PK) variability are not well‐characterized in children. We investigated the effects of genetic and non‐genetic factors, including demographic, treatment duration, baseline clinical, and biochemical characteristics, on the PKs of EFV through population‐PK modeling. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve HIV infected children, 3–16 years (n = 100), were enrolled in Ethiopia and received EFV‐based combination ART. EFV concentrations after the first dose and at steady‐state collected over a span of 1 year were modeled using population‐based methods. A one‐compartment model with first‐order absorption kinetics described the observed EFV data adequately. The CYP2B6*6 and ABCB1c.4036A>G genotypes were identified as major factors influencing EFV clearance. The typical estimates of oral clearance, volume of distribution, and absorption rate constant for typical 22 kg children with CYP2B6 *1/*1 and ABCB1c.4036G/G genotypes were 4.3 L/h, 124 L, and 0.776/h, respectively. Clearance was reduced by 28% and 72% in CYP2B6*1/*6 and CYP2B6*6/*6 genotypes, respectively. Compared to week 1, clearance was higher from weeks 8 and 12 in CYP2B6*1/*6 and CYP2B6*1/*1 genotypes, respectively. Simulations indicated that EFV 12‐h concentrations were comparable across weight bands, but more than 80% of subjects with CYP2B6*6/*6 had EFV concentrations greater than 4 μg/mL. EFV PK variability among children is partly explained by body weight, treatment duration, CYP2B6*6, and ABCB1 rs3842 genotypes. Therefore, in addition to body weight, pediatric dosing of EFV should consider pharmacogenetic variability, duration of therapy, and individual treatment outcomes.
Beneficial effects of berberine against pulmonary complications of experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension in rats and some relevant mechanisms
Authors: Beik Ahmad , Najafipour Hamid , Joukar Siyavash , Rajabi Soodeh , Masoumi‐Ardakani Yaser , Dabiri Shahriar , Ziasistani Mahsa 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a severe disease that leads to pulmonary vascular remodeling characterized by a rise in pulmonary vascular resistance and pressure. We assessed the effects of an herbal compound, berberine (BB), and some related mechanisms on PAH in rats. Male Wistar rats were assigned to seven groups: control, monocrotaline (MCT), MCT+vehicle, and MCT+BB (with doses of 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg) groups. Three weeks after induction of PAH by MCT, treatment groups received daily intraperitoneal injections of vehicle or BB for 3 weeks. On Day 43, the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP, as an index of pulmonary arterial pressure) and the ratio of RV to LV+septum weight (as RV hypertrophy index, right ventricle hypertrophy [RHVI]) were measured. Inflammatory and oxidative stress indices and histopathology of the lungs were also assessed. RVSP (89.4 ± 8.2 vs. 23 ± 3.3), RVHI (0.63 ± 0.08 vs. 0.26 ± 0.04), and lung inflammatory cytokines TNF‐α (2.03 ± 0.25 vs. 1.21 ± 0.3) and IL‐6 (8.8 ± 0.59 vs. 6.3 ± 0.95) significantly increased in the MCT group compared to the control group. MCT also raised the level of Malondialdehyde (0.11 ± 0.01 vs. 0.09 ± 0.01) and diminished total antioxidant capacity (6.5 ± 0.51 vs. 8.3 ± 0.62), the activity of superoxide dismutase (1.19 ± 0.22 vs. 1.93 ± 0.2), glutathione peroxidase (0.02 ± 0.002 vs. 0.03 ± 0.005), catalase (2.1 ± 0.29 vs. 2.8 ± 0.20) and Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio (0.41 ± 0.07 vs. 0.61 ± 0.09) in the lungs. Treatment with BB significantly recovered all of these alterations. BB ameliorated pulmonary vascular remodeling by decreasing inflammation and fibrosis and increasing apoptosis and antioxidant/oxidant balance. Therefore, this herbal derivative may be considered a therapeutic goal against PAH.
A statistical perspective on the signal‐to‐noise paradox
Authors: Bröcker Jochen , Charlton–Perez Andrew J. , Weisheimer Antje 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAn anomalous signal‐to‐noise ratio (also called the signal‐to‐noise paradox) present in climate models has been widely reported, affecting predictions and projections from seasonal to centennial timescales and encompassing prediction skill from internal processes and external climate forcing. An anomalous signal‐to‐noise ratio describes a situation where the mean of a forecast ensemble correlates better with the corresponding verification than with its individual ensemble members. This situation has severe implications for climate science, meaning that large ensembles might be required to extract prediction signals. Although a number of possible physical mechanisms for this paradox have been proposed, none has been universally accepted. From a statistical point of view, an anomalous signal‐to‐noise ratio indicates that forecast ensemble members are not statistically interchangeable with the verification, and an apparent paradox arises only if such an interchangeability is assumed. It will be demonstrated in this study that an anomalous signal‐to‐noise ratio is a consequence of the relative magnitudes of the variance of the observations, the ensemble mean, and the error of the ensemble mean. By analysing the geometric triangle formed by these three quantities, and given that for typical seasonal forecasting systems both the correlation and the forecast signal are relatively small, it is concluded that an anomalous signal‐to‐noise ratio should, in fact, be expected in such circumstances.
Estimation of stress‐strength reliability for beta log Weibull distribution using progressive first failure censored samples
Authors: Shi Xiaolin , Shi Yimin 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate classical and Bayes estimates for stress‐strength reliability (SSR) based on two independent progressive first failure censored samples from beta log Weibull distributions with different shape and scale parameters. The maximum likelihood estimation of SSR and its asymptotic confidence interval are obtained. Bayes estimates of SSR are derived under two different loss functions using the Tierney–Kadane's approximation algorithm. In addition, two different bootstrap confidence intervals are provided and the highest posterior density credible interval of SSR is also constructed by applying Monte Carlo Markov chain method. The performances of different point and interval estimates are assessed using the Monte Carlo simulation. Finally, three real data sets are analyzed for illustration purposes.
Gaussian basis functions for an orbital‐free‐related density functional theory of atoms
Authors: LeMaitre Phil A. , Thompson Russell B. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractA representation of polymer self‐consistent field theory equivalent to quantum density functional theory is given in terms of non‐orthogonal basis sets. Molecular integrals and self‐consistent equations for spherically symmetric systems using Gaussian basis functions are given, and the binding energies and radial electron densities of neutral atoms hydrogen through krypton are calculated. An exact electron self‐interaction correction is adopted and the Pauli‐exclusion principle is enforced through ideas of polymer excluded‐volume. The atoms hydrogen through neon are examined without some approximations which permit cancellation of errors and spontaneous shell structure is observed. Correlations are neglected in the interest of simplicity and comparisons are made with Hartree–Fock theory. The implications of the Pauli‐exclusion potential and its approximate form are discussed, and the Pauli model is analyzed using scaling theory for the uniform electron density case where the correct form of the Thomas–Fermi quantum kinetic energy and the Dirac exchange correction are recovered.