bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploration of potential miRNA biomarkers in coronary heart disease and their correlation with clinical symptoms: cross-sectional study
Authors: Cheng Nuo , Wang Jie , Liu Chao , Chen Cong , Hu Jun , Liu Lanchun , Liu Yongmei 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objective: Coronary heart disease, a prevalent cardiovascular disorder, has a well-established pathogenesis. However, uncertainty exists regarding the cellular response's chemical process. miRNAs are essential in silencing target genes and reducing the synthesis of corresponding proteins, thereby influencing cell functions. This study aims to explore potential miRNA biomarkers in coronary heart disease and their correlation with clinical manifestations.
Methods: Based on prior research by our team, 16 miRNAs were selected for qPCR detection. The differentially expressed independent sample t-tests identified miRNAs in patients with coronary heart disease. To assess diagnostic performance, ROC curve analysis was carried out, and the diagnostic model for coronary heart disease was established using logistic regression. Quantitative correlation analysis between miRNAs and clinical manifestations was conducted, and miRNAs associated with clinical manifestations were subjected to enrichment analysis. Additionally, linear regression was used to analyze the correlation between miRNAs and the blood stasis syndrome questionnaire score of coronary heart disease.
Results: 12 miRNAs, including the miR-144-5p, miR-15b-5p, miR-3591-3p, miR-4459, miR-190a-5p, miR-3158-5p, miR-1268b, miR-499a-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-4448, miR-146b-5p, and miR-223-3p, were found to exhibit differential expression in patients with coronary heart disease. The diagnostic model established in this study could classify 86.5% of the study subjects correctly. Although several miRNAs were found to have associations with clinical manifestations, the degree of correlation was weak. However, both miR-15b-5p and miR-3158-5p showed linear correlations with the blood stasis syndrome questionnaire score in patients who have coronary heart disease.
Conclusion: The 12 miRNAs identified in this study have great potential as biomarkers for the diagnosis of coronary heart disease, and the diagnostic model developed in this research could assist in diagnosing this cardiovascular disorder. Several miRNAs were found to regulate vascular endothelial function, vascular smooth muscle transformation, neuronal apoptosis, inflammation, and other pathways, with implications for various clinical manifestations of coronary heart disease. Furthermore, there is a positive correlation between the expression of miR-15b-5p and miR-3158-5p and the blood stasis syndrome score, which exhibits an ascending trend.
Molecular detection of Alpha toxin in local Staphylococcus aureus isolates
Authors: Alkhafaji Marwa , Musafer Hadeel , Faqri Ayoob , Hussein Nadheema , Salman Karam 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Bacterial toxins are the most important virulence factors that could hurt humans causing serious health problems. Staphylococcus aureus have a wide range of extracellular toxins; one of them is alpha toxin; haemolysin that degrade red blood cells. Thirty S. aureus isolates were isolated from clinical and animal-origin foods sample. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were chosen for the phenotypic and genotypic detection of alpha toxin. Bacterial deoxy ribonucleic acid was extracted and specific primers were designated for this study. Polymerase chain reaction was depended to detect the prevalence of haemolysin coding gene in local isolates in Iraq. On the other hand, silver nanoparticles were biosynthesized using food origin bacterial isolate of Salmonella. The biosynthesis was done in optimized conditions, purified, and tested for their antimicrobial activity. Phenotypic detection methods revealed the ability of 70% to produce alpha toxin. Whereas the genetic tool was very precise in detecting the genetic content (93.33%) of alpha toxin gene in clinical and animal-origin foods. The biosynthesized nanoparticles were with an average diameter of 44.89 nm. They have an antimicrobial activity against haemolysin producing S. aureus isolates. Monitoring and understanding the hemolysin production by S. aureus strains in food samples can aid in implementing effective food safety measures to prevent contamination and ensure the safety of food products.
Morphological and molecular characteristics of a Trypanosoma sp. from breeding Triatomines (Triatoma rubrofasciata) in China
Authors: Shi Yunliang , Lai Dehua , Liu Dengyu , Du Liyan , Li Yuanyuan , Fu Xiaoyin , Deng Peichao , Tang Lili , He Shanhan , Liu Xiaoquan , Li Yanwen , Liu Qin 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Background
Triatomines (kissing bugs) are natural trypanosome vectors that transmit trypanosome species, including Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma conorhini and Trypanosoma rangeli. Here we reported the first solid record of Trypansoma conorhini from Triatomia rubrofaciata in China.
Methods
The intestinal contents of the Triatomine rubrofasciata were collected to prepare smears and examined by microscopy. The morphological indices of trypanosome species were measured and calculated. The genomic DNA fragment of trypanosomes was extracted, and the genes of 18S rRNA gene, HSP70 and glycosomal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase genes (gGAPDH) were PCR amplified and sequenced. The obtained sequences were subjected to a BLAST search in NCBI and followed by phylogenetic analysis with other homologous trypanosomes. To investigate the prevalence of this trypanosome, 135 T. rubrofasciata samples from different regions of Guangxi were collected and assayed. Moreover, laboratory infection was conducted to test the possible transmission between Tr. rubrofasciata and rats (or mice) though Tr. Rubrofasciata bite.
Results
The parasite found in the intestinal contents of Tr. rubrofaciata, which were collected in the Guangxi region of southern China, exhibits the typical characteristics of epimastigotes, such as the presence of a nucleus, a free flagellum and a kinetoplast. The body length ranged from 6.3–33.9 µm, and flagellum length ranged from 8.7–29.8 µm; the nucleus index was 0.6, and the kinetoplast index was − 4.6. The BLAST analysis showed that the 18S rRNA, HSP70, and gGAPDH sequences of the Trypanosoma sp. exhibit the highest degree of similarity with T. conorhini (99.7%, 99.0%, 99.0%), and formed a well-supported clade close to T. conorhini and T. vespertilionis, while exhibiting a significant distance from T. rangeli and T. cruzi. Our investigation uncovered a high prevalence of Trypanosoma sp. infection in Tr. rubrofaciata up to 36.3% in the field. The laboratory experiments showed that both rats and mice could get Trypansoma sp. infected through bites from wild Tr. rubrofaciata, and lab-feeding Tr. rubrofaciat can get Trypansoma sp. infected through bloodmeals of infected mice.
Conclusion
Trypanosoma conorhini was found in Tr. rubrofasciata in China, as judged by morphology and molecular markers. This parasite had a high prevalence in T. rubrofasciata, and lab experiment showed Trypanosoma conorhini in China could be transmitted between Tr. rubrofasciata and rat(mice) through Tr. rubrofasciata bites; whether this parasite is pathogenic to human need to be future research.
Design and Development of Variable Frequency Modulation based Isolated DC-DC Converter with Green Mode of Operation
Authors: Kumar Sanjay , Kumar Shailendra , Singh Sanjeev , Das Anupam 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Amongst many applications of DC-DC isolated converters, power supplies, renewable energy sources, and electric vehicles are prominent. These converters are the basic, easy to use, low component count and being used in industry from a few decades. In this study, a unique operation mode of DC-DC isolated converter called "green mode" is proposed to increase the efficiency of converter under light load conditions. Switching losses of the converter can be reduced by using the converter's secondary-side control method, which enables a reduction in the primary-side switches' switching frequency and turn-off duration. The converter also uses a soft switching mechanism to further minimize the switching losses. The efficiency of the converter has significantly improved, due to reduced power losses under light load conditions, which has been demonstrated through experimental data that validates the green-mode operation. These DC-DC converters shall enhance the range of electric vehicle (EV) and shall be a boon to EV technology.
Development and comparative study of biodegradable packaging film from groundnut shell powder
Authors: Kaur Sukhdeep , Sidhu Gagandeep Kaur , Kaur Gurveer 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The present study was conducted for the development of biodegradable film from groundnut shell. Different physico-chemical properties viz. moisture content, ash content, bulk density, true density, cellulose content, hemicelluloses content and lignin content were measured using standard methods. Experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of different process parameters viz. shaker time (6, 12 & 18h), shaker speed (160, 180 & 240rpm) and enzyme concentration (80, 100 & 120mg) on lignin content and drying time (10,20 & 30h), drying temperature (50, 70 & 90◦C), dark or light condition (-1, 0 &1) on cellulose content, lignin content and moisture content on the composition of groundnut shell powder. The results of isolation of lignin from groundnut shell powder The optimization of process parameter was done using response surface methodology (RSM) design trial version 7 Box- Behnken Technique. The biodegradable film from groundnut shell powder was developed by solution casting method. The three types of films viz. agar powder based, mixture of agar powder and peanut shell powder and mixture of agar powder and cellulose microfiber was developed at optimized conditions. The different physico- mechanical properties of different types of films were measured. The maximum thickness was achieved by the cellulose microfiber-based film. The agar-based film had a minimum thickness of 0.18 mm. The transmittance value of agar film was lesser than that of CMF film and PSP. The CMF film's WS percentage decreased in comparison to that of the other two films. CMF film which is made with cellulose and agar, has a higher tensile strength than the other two films. CMF and PSP films had a higher opacity value than agar films. AG films show less weight loss, and when compared to PSP films, It was observed that PSP loses less weight than CMF film in the soil burial degradation test because lignin was present.
Oral antipsychotic medication use in children and adolescents in Japan between 2013 and 2021
Authors: Tanaka-Mizuno Sachiko , Suga Motomu , Matsushita Rie , Ohashi Hiroshi , Takeuchi Masato , Kawakami Koji 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objective
Many antipsychotics have been marketed for adults, whereas they are often used off-label for children and adolescents. Some antipsychotics became newly available in the past decade, but no recent study has investigated prescription patterns, including beyond 2020. Here, we aimed to evaluate prescription patterns of antipsychotics in children and adolescents from 2013 to 2021.
Methods
The study was designed as a descriptive epidemiology study using a large-scale nationwide claims database. Patients aged 0–17 years with first-time prescriptions for antipsychotics between 2013 and 2021 were included. Incidence rate and prescribing patterns of antipsychotics were described for all patients and by calendar year, age, and sex.
Results
Of 30,054 patients, 8.4% were aged 0–5 years, 36.4% were 6–11 years, and 55.2% were 12–17 years. 41.6% were girls. The incidence rate of antipsychotic prescription increased from 2.46 per 1,000 person-years in 2013 to 3.90 in 2021. Atypical drugs (98.3%) were more frequently prescribed than typical drugs or their combination. First-time prescriptions were most frequently monotherapy (90.3%) and low-dose (< 50 mg/day chlorpromazine equivalent) (53.2%). Aripiprazole and risperidone were more likely to be prescribed in all age groups. In the latter period, adolescents aged ≥ 13 years often received newly marketed drugs.
Conclusion
This real-world database study for antipsychotics in Japan for 2013–2021 showed that the number of patients initiating antipsychotics has increased. Prescription of antipsychotics was initiated cautiously, such as with atypical monotherapy and low doses. Most drugs remain off-label for children and adolescents, suggesting the ongoing need for clinical caution in antipsychotic use.
A Qualitative Study of the Nursing Student Perception of Nursing Skill: It's Like a Key to a Lock
Authors: Gencbas Dercan , Boztepe Handan 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Little is known about how nursing students perceived “nursing skills” concept. The purpose of the study was to examine nursing students' perceptions of nursing skills. This study adopted a descriptive qualitative approach. Participants were recruited using random from each class. The sample consisted of a total of 19 students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted through three focus group discussions. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis. Two main themes emerged from the participants' narratives: 1) meaning of the nursing and 2) sufficiency. The first theme describes competence, psychomotor skills, and soft skills sub-themes. The second theme describes course content, classroom content, and clinical environment sub-themes. It was revealed that the students did not comprehend the importance of soft skills sufficiently, especially in the first years of their education life, and they realized their importance during the hospital internship.
First report of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani in Ethiopia
Authors: Amare Gashaw Azanaw , Mekonnen Gebeyaw Getnet , Kassa Mekibib , Addisu Ayenew , Kendie Desalegn Adane , Tegegne Banchamlak , Abera Adugna , Tadesse Dagimawie , Getahun Seid , Wondmagegn Yenesew Mihret , Merdekios Behailu , Asres Mezgebu Silamsaw , Griensven Johan van , Auwera Gert Van der , Henten Saskia van , Pareyn Myrthe 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Leishmaniasis is a common neglected tropical disease in Ethiopia. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani presents in the lowlands, while cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) affects people living in the highlands. Although CL is described to be caused by L. aethiopica, there is also evidence of L. tropica and L. major isolated from a patient, sand flies and potential reservoirs. Information on species causing CL in Ethiopia is patchy and no nation-wide study has ever been done. Understanding which species are causing CL in Ethiopia can have important implications for patient management and disease prevention.
Methods
We analyzed stored routine samples and biobanked DNA isolates from previously conducted studies of CL patients from different centers in the north, center and south of Ethiopia. Species typing was performed using ITS-1 PCR with high-resolution melt (HRM) analysis, followed by HSP70 amplicon sequencing on a selection of the samples. Additionally, socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory data of patients were analyzed.
Results
Of the 226 CL samples collected, the Leishmania species could be determined for 105 (45.5%). Leishmania aethiopica was identified in 101 (96.2%) samples from across the country. In four samples originating from Amhara region, northwestern Ethiopia, L. donovani was identified by ITS-1 HRM PCR, of which two were confirmed with HSP70 sequences. While none of these four patients had symptoms of VL, two originated from known VL endemic areas.
Conclusions
The majority of CL was caused by L. aethiopica, but CL due to L. tropica and L. major cannot be ruled out. Our study is the first to demonstrate CL patients caused by L. donovani in Ethiopia. This should spark future research to investigate where, how and to which extent such transmission takes place, how it differs genetically from L. donovani causing VL and whether such patients can be diagnosed and treated successfully with the currently available tools and drugs.
Semi-analytical solution of hyperbolic heat conduction of a semi-infinite functionally graded body with a time dependent laser heat source
Authors: YARIMPABUÇ Durmuş , MERT Kübra Songül 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
In this study, the hyperbolic heat conduction of a semi-infinite functionally graded body isolated under the effect of a time-dependent laser heat source is solved semi-analytically. Except for the thermal relaxation parameter, which is considered to be constant, it is assumed that the material properties of the body change with the force rule in the axial direction. These conditions produce a linear non-homogeneous partial differential equation.It is converted into an ordinary differential equation by removing the time dependence with Laplace transform. Then, after this ordinary differential equation is solved analytically in Laplace space, the values of the final results in time-space are obtained using the modified Durbin method. The benchmark solution is used to validate the semi-analytical solution for the homogeneous material. For two different laser heat sources: constant strength and instantaneous source, temperature distributions of functionally graded material are discussed on graphs.
Evidential apple classification model based on combination of Gaussian mass functions
Authors: Bi Shuhui , Li Xue , Chen Lisha , Qu Xinhua , Shen Tao , Ma Liyao 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The establishment of stable and highly precise prediction models is of great theoretical and practical significance for the research of the nondestructive testing of the internal quality of fruits with NIR technology. In this paper, focused on Yantai red Fuji apples, probabilistic neural networks (PNN) and partial least squares (PLS) prediction models are developed based on sample data of apple NIR spectra and soluble solid content (SSC). In order to solve the problems of poor adaptability, model instability and uncertainty caused by the hard partitioning of classification in the current research, the two models established in this paper are fused using DS evidence theory. To improve the prediction accuracy of the fusion models, within the framework of DS evidence theory, mass function generation and combination rule selection are discussed. According to the distance between the SSC prediction value and the classification boundary, a Gaussian-based mass function generation approach is designed. Besides, considering Dempster’s rule of combination, Yager’s rule, Sun Quan’s rule and Li-Bicheng’s rule, the effects of combination rules on the apple classification results are investigated. The results show that the classification accuracies of the PLS model and PNN model are 93.9394% and 90.1515% respectively, while the classification accuracy of the fusion model reaches 96.2121%. Compared with our previously proposed linear triangular mass function generation method, the Gaussian-based mass function can better represent the SSC value’s support degree of class prediction. In addition, compared with Dempster’s rule, Dempster’s rule achieves fusion results that are more consistent with the actual situation of apple classification. The proposed combination of Gaussian-based mass function and Li-Bicheng’s rule of combination can not only improve the mass function and make the classification process closer to the practical application, but also increase the prediction accuracy of the fusion model based on DS evidence theory.
SPH simulations of water flow through a Venturi meter of rectangular cross-section: Comparison with experiments
Authors: Sigalotti Leonardo Di G. , Alvarado-Rodríguez Carlos E. , Aragón Fernando , Salazar Valeriano S. Álvarez , Mariscal Ignacio Carvajal , Ramírez César A. Real , Trejo Jesús González , Klapp Jaime 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
We present three-dimensional simulations of water flow through a horizon- tal, small-scale Venturi tube of rectangular cross-section at Reynolds numbers between 13272 and 33180, using the method of Smoothed Particle Hydrody- namics (SPH) for solving the conservation laws. Water is simulated using the Murnaghan-Tait equation of state so that weak compressibility is allowed. The hydrodynamics is coupled to a Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) model for tur- bulence. Comparison with experimental measurements is provided in terms of centerline streamwise velocity and pressure profiles along the extent of the Ven- turi meter and cross-sectional velocity profiles at given stations. The numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental data, with root-mean square errors from 4.3% to 7.1% and from 1.4% to 6.8% for the centerline streamwise velocity (in units of m s−1) and differential pressure (in psi) along the Venturi tube, respectively, and ≲ 5.5% for the cross-sectional velocity profiles (in m s−1) within the throat and divergent sections. These errors increase with increasing volumetric flow rates. In general, it is shown that the SPH model can provide an efficient and accurate method for recalibrating flowmeters at moderately high Reynolds numbers instead of using costly experimental tests.
In Vivo Confocal Microscopy Changes in Patients with Ocular Surface Neoplasia Following Treatment
Authors: Aggarwal Shruti , Shukla Anita , Cruzat Andrea , Cavalcanti Bernardo M. , Stacy Rebecca , Hamrah Pedram , Ciolino Joseph B. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose: To examine the changes in ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) treated with interferon alpha-2b (IFN alpha-2b) and/or surgical excision by in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM).
Methods: This is a retrospective interventional case series. Six patients with suspected unilateral ocular surface neoplasia were examined by color photographs and IVCM before and 1, 2 and 6-12 months after treatment with either interferon (IFN) alpha-2b and/or surgical excision. In cases of surgical excision, pathological examination for ocular surface squamous neoplasia was obtained. IVCM images were focused on the epithelial layer, and cell area and hyperreflectivity of the superficial epithelium (SE) layer was quantified and compared to 6 age- and sex-matched control eyes.
Results: In vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) done at the pre-treatment visits revealed both quantitative and qualitative changes in the epithelial layers of all the patients. Significant increase in cell area (1589.5 ± 246.4 µm2) vs. controls (431.0 ± 24; P<0.001) and hyperreflectivity (50.7 ± 5.2%) vs. controls (2.2 ± 0.2%; P<0.001) were noted. The patients showed improvement in the epithelial configuration post-treatment. A significant decrease was seen in both cell area (601.0 ± 34.8; p=0.001) and hyperreflectivity (11.1 ± 0.4%; P<0.001) Conclusion: IVCM reveals significant quantitative and morphological changes in the epithelium of patients with OSSN, which can be reversed with topical and surgical treatment. Our findings suggest that IVCM is a noninvasive method that allows monitoring the efficacy of OSSN treatment with IFN alpha-2b and/or surgical excision.