bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of Heavy Metals in Vegetables and Soils of Lokoja Riverside Soils, Kogi State, Nigeria
Authors: Mustapha Mukhtar , Omoniyi K. I. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
The purpose of these study was to assess the accumulation of heavy metals in riverside soils of river Niger and Benue and beyond the confluence and their uptake by Amarantus hybridus and Corchorus olitorius L grown on these soils. Four agricultural areas around the confluence point were selected. A total of 9 samples each of soils, were collected from the selected areas and were analyzed for pH, textural class, percentage organic carbon and matter, moisture content, Manganese, Nickel, Copper, Zinc, Lead and Cadmium. Soil pH ranged from 6.4 to 6.7, There was no significant difference in the mean values of the organic matter, organic carbon and moisture contents of the soils, while the total metal content ranges from 3.0–8.4 mg/kg for Cadmium; 10.2–20.2 mg/kg for Copper; 170.0–205.2 mg/kg for Manganese; 201.0–269.4 mg/kg for Nickel; 23.5–33.4 mg/kg for Lead and 48.7–77.8 mg/kg for Zinc. Nickel and chromium were in levels higher than the European Union Standards. The levels of Nickel, Zinc, lead and Cadmium in the vegetables were higher than the World Health Organisation permissible value in plants. The total metal contents in A. hybridus and C. olitorius L grown on the riverside soils follow the ranking: Ni > Mn > Zn > Pb > Cu > Cd. Of all the metals studied, Pb had the highest bioaccumulation factor, 0.5691 and 0.6301 in the soil from CN site for A. hybridus and Corchorus olitorius L respectively this indicated that the highly toxic metal lead has been entering our food chain through vegetables.
Assessing the Impact of Land Use Change and Climate Variability on Soil Erosion Rates in Peusangan Watershed, Aceh Province, Indonesia
Authors: Djunarsjah Eka , Julian Miga M. , Putra Andika P. , Nusantara Candida A.S. , Lubis Nafandra S. , Baskoro Alfin A. , Alfandi Nazri R. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Climate change has become a pressing issue that affects the interaction between watersheds and coastlines. The recent accelerated trend of climate change, increased erosion, and sedimentation in watersheds can significantly alter the coastal landscape. This study aims to investigate the impact of climate change on watershed erosion and sedimentation. The study will be conducted in the Peusangan Watershed, Aceh Province, Indonesia. The study will employ a combination of quantitative research methods, including field surveys, geographic information system (GIS) analysis, and modeling approaches. Specifically, this study will address the following research questions: 1) How have the historical and future climate characteristics affected the watershed dynamics? 2) How do climate change scenarios impact sedimentation dynamics? The results of this study will provide a better understanding of the implications of climate change on watershed and coastal interactions and will serve as a scientific reference for the development of effective adaptation strategies for climate change, watershed and coastal management.
Fate after the Mustard procedure for d-transposition of the great arteries: impact of age, complexity and atrial tachyarrhythmias – a single center experience
Authors: Krause Ulrich , Teubener Sophie Theres , Müller Matthias J. , Schneider Heike E. , Paul Thomas 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Patients with dextro transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA) after atrial switch procedure are at risk to develop heart failure and arrhythmias during long-term follow up. The present study aims to add knowledge on the fate of subjects after Mustard procedure during long-term follow up into adulthood.
Patients and Methods
A single center, retrospective chart review analysis was conducted. All subjects who had Mustard-type atrial switch procedure between 1969 and 1994 at our institution were included.
Results
A total of 92 subjects were included. Early postoperative death was reported in 2 subjects. Long-term follow up was available in 49 survivors. Of those, 6 individuals died during further follow-up. Sudden cardiac death was the most prevalent cause for fatal outcome. Mortality during long-term follow up was associated with the presence of additional cardiovascular malformations (complex d-TGA). Sinus node dysfunction was observed in 65% of the patients and atrial tachyarrhythmias were common in adult survivors (63%). Implantation of a pacemaker or a cardioverter defibrillator was required in 31% and 45% of those surviving into adulthood. Complications were frequently observed during follow-up after either pacemaker or cardioverter defibrillator implantation (43%) with lead failure being the most frequent complication.
Conclusion
The aging population of patients after Mustard procedure is facing challenging problems mainly resulting from a failing systemic right ventricle, presence of associated cardiac malformations and the presence of atrial baffles associated with relevant atrial scars. Age, associated cardiac malformations and atrial tachyarrhythmias seem to play a major role in determining the fate of patients with d-TGA after atrial switch procedures.
Interpersonal distance modulation by facial disease cues: Gender differences and increased avoidance
Authors: Magalhães Ana C. , Soares Sandra C. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
The distance we keep between ourselves and others without feeling uncomfortable is called interpersonal distance (IPD). It has been suggested that IPD is implicated in pathogen avoidance, as keeping greater distances from those who are (or are perceived as) sick can decrease contamination risk. While some studies have started to investigate this hypothesis, no study to date has used conspicuous disease-connoting cues in faces, highly relevant sources of social information. Thus, the present study sought to explore whether commonly found facial disease cues (i.e., flu-like appearance and facial rash) could modulate participants’ IPD behavior. In a computerized version of the paper-and-pencil IPD task, participants (N = 70) were asked to indicate, by moving a virtual silhouette representing themselves, the distance they would be comfortable taking in social interaction with a male or female stranger that could display (or not) a facial disease cue. Results showed that, on average, participants assumed greater distances toward stranger avatars when they were associated with facial disease cues, compared to control avatars. Furthermore, whilst male avatars were associated with a greater IPD across conditions, female avatars suffered a greater IPD increase when exposed to facial disease cues, compared to the former. These findings support the defensive role of the behavioral immune system and highlight the relationship of the latter with gender stereotypes. Implications regarding how the threat of contagion can lead to aversive responses towards those who bear facial “disfigurements” are also discussed.
Methods for the Generation and Characterization of Cryomilled Micro- and Nanoplastics
Authors: McColley Campbell J. , Nason Jeffrey A. , Harper Bryan J. , Harper Stacey L. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
There is a critical need to generate environmentally relevant microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) to better investigate their behavior in laboratory settings. Environmental MPs are heterogenous in size and shape, unlike monodisperse and uniform microspheres commonly used as surrogates. Cryogenic grinding, or cryomilling, was successfully utilized to transform polystyrene (PS) bulk material into heterogenous micro and nano fragments. Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that this approach did not alter polymer surface chemistry. The number of milling cycles (time of milling) and frequency of grinding (intensity of milling) were varied to investigate the role cryomilling parameters had on generated MP characteristics. The resulting particle size distributions of cryomilled samples were measured and compared. Coulter Counter and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) were used to measure the particle size distributions at the micro and nanoparticle size ranges, respectively. Microspheres were used to determine what camera settings yielded more accurate sizing and to reduce bias in the NTA analysis. Increasing milling cycles generally increased the number of smaller particles. The evolution of the measured size distributions indicated that small nanosized fragments broke off from larger MPs during cryomilling, steadily eroding larger MP fragments. The number of milling cycles was observed to more consistently impact the size distributions of fragments compared to the frequency of milling. This study offers both analysis of the cryomilling process and recommendations for generating more realistic MP/NPs for examining environmental fate and effects.
Anatomo-histopathological alterations of gastric lesions in free-living giant anteaters (Mymercophaga tridactyla) and lesser anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla).
Authors: Saracchini Paula Gabrielle Veiga , Lima Samara Rosolem , Braga Lucas Santos de Melo , Barbosa João Marcos da Silva , Luba Camila do Nascimento , Yogui Debora Regina , Alves Mario Henrique , Desbiez Arnaud Léonard Jean , Leite Juliana da Silva , Silva Kassia Valéria Gomes Coelho da , Ferreira Ana Maria Reis 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe and characterize the anatomo-histopathological alterations observed in the stomach of free-living giant anteaters (Mymercophaga tridactyla) and lesser anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla). Twenty-two free-ranging anteaters found dead on highways in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul were included. In macroscopy, erosions, ulcers, parasitism and changes in tissue consistency and texture were evaluated, and in microscopy, the intensity and distribution of fibrosis, hemorrhage, necrosis, inflammation and cellular composition. The mucosa was the most affected layer, predominating gastritis as the main lesion, occurring in all portions of the stomach, with the cardia being the most injured region and most sensitive to aggressions. The presence and severity of the lesions were better evidenced by microscopy. The lesions showed characteristics of chronicity. Gastritis occurred in 100% of the samples, predominantly mixed composition, with mild intensity and diffuse distribution. Parasites were observed in five stomachs accompanied by granulomatous and eosinophilic inflammation: moderate in three, mild in one and severe in one. The slight response to parasites demonstrated that anteaters have high tolerance and adaptation to parasitism. The most frequently found helminths were adults and larvae of the genus Physaloptera. All anteaters in this study were found with evidence of being victims of vehicular collisions, demonstrating the fragility of these specimens in the face of anthropogenic action.
The Force-dependent Viscoelastic Behavior of Hydrogels
Authors: Qari Nada , Song Zhaoqiang , Hosseini-Toudeshki Hamed , Li Chenghai , Cai Shengqiang 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
In this work, we investigate the viscoelastic properties of hydrogels through stress relaxation experiments to gain a better understanding of the force-dependent dynamics of these materials with the aspiration of expanding their application envelope within the biomedical field and beyond. We experimentally studied the viscoelastic behavior of 4 different types of hydrogels: covalently crosslinked polyacrylamide (PAAm), covalently crosslinked PAAm network immersed in a viscous alginate solution, ionically crosslinked alginate along with crosslinked PAAm-alginate double network. Through our investigations, we demonstrate that we can tailor the viscoelasticity of a covalently bonded PAAm network by tuning the viscosity of the solution in the gel. Moreover, based on the stress relaxation test of ionically crosslinked alginate gel and the double network gel, we have revealed the quantitative correlation between the ionic bond dissociation and force-dependent viscoelastic behavior of gels containing ionic crosslinks.
Changing inequity in health service utilization and financial burden among patients with hypertension in China: Evidence from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study(CHARLS), 2011–2018
Authors: Tang Haoqing , Li Mingyue , Liu Larry Z , Zhou Yanbing , Liu Xiaoyun 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background: China initiated a health system reform in 2009 to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 2020. While the effectiveness of health-system reforms has been studied, equity in health-service utilization and financial burden remains underexplored. This study evaluated whether the health system reform has improved the equity inutilization and financial burden of health services among patients with hypertension in China.
Methods: We obtained data from four waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted between 2011 and 2018. The main outcome variables were outpatient and inpatient service utilization rates and catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) for patients with hypertension. The Standardized Concentration Index (CI) was used to measure the changing equity in health service utilization and affordability.
Results: Outpatient service utilization was relatively equal among patients with varying socioeconomic statuses (SESs) (CI: 0.048 in 2011 and 0.072 in 2018). Inpatient service utilization inequity improved from CI 0.153 in 2011 to CI 0.063 in 2018. CHE incidence increased from 15.6% in 2011 to 24.2% in 2018. CI for CHE declined from -0.0668 in 2011 to -0.013 in 2015 but increased to -0.0607 in 2018.
Conclusions: Health insurance expansion and poverty alleviation policies promoted equity in inpatient service utilization for hypertensive patients. However, the financial burden for the poor requires further attention through reimbursement policy adjustments for outpatient services in primary care settings.
Prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and enterotoxin gene profiles of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from mobile phones of the food vendors in Phayao province, Thailand
Authors: Khoothiam Krissana , Prapasawat Watsawan , Yosboonruang Atchariya , Rawangkan Anchalee , Phuangsri Chorpaka , Rupprom Kitwadee , Kraivuttinun Parinya , Tanomsridachchai Wimonrat , Suthienkul Orasa , Siriphap Achiraya 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Mobile phones are widely used and may cause bacterial pathogens to spread among various professionals. S. aureus from the hands of food vendors can contaminate food through their mobile phones during the cooking or packaging process. This research aimed to determine the prevalence, enterotoxin genes, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of S. aureus contaminating the vendors’ mobile phones.
Methods
In this study, 266 mobile phone samples were randomly collected from food vendors selling food on walking streets (n = 139) and in food centers (n = 127) in Phayao province. All samples were identified S. aureus by the conventional culture method and confirmed species-specific gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Then, all identified S. aureus were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility by broth microdilution method and staphylococcal enterotoxin (SE) genes by PCR.
Results
The results showed that 12.8% of the mobile phones collected from walking streets (11.5%) and food centers (14.5%) were contaminated with S. aureus. Of 49 S. aureus isolates, 30 (61.2%) were positive for SE genes, detected in both settings. The most common SE gene was sea followed by sec, seb, sem, seq, and sel. Moreover, S. aureus was most frequently resistant to penicillin, followed by chloramphenicol and tetracycline, erythromycin, clindamycin, and gentamicin. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA), and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains were also detected.
Conclusions
This study showed that mobile phones were an intermediate surface for the colonization of S. aureus, including multidrug resistance (MDR) variants. It indicates that hand hygiene and the decontamination of mobile phones are essential to prevent cross-contamination of S. aureus in food.
Significance of 8-OHdG expression as a predictor of survival in colorectal cancer
Authors: Kang Myunghee , Jeong Soyeon , Park Sungjin , Nam Seungyoon , Chung Jun-Won , Kim Kyoung Oh , An Jungsuk , Kim Jung Ho 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Although oxidative stress regulates essential signaling pathways, oxidative DNA damage causes cancer initiation and progression. Given that the relationship between oxidative stress and colorectal cancer (CRC) remains poorly understood, we confirmed the clinical significance of 8-hydroxy-2' deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a representative oxidative stress marker, and its potential as a survival predictor.
Methods
This study was 564 patients who underwent CRC surgery at Gachon University Gil Medical Center between April 2010 to November 2012. We aimed to confirm the clinical significance of 8-OHdG and its role as a survival predictor. To this end, 8-OHdG levels in CRC patients were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, followed by univariate/multivariate analysis and survival analysis according to the pathological stage.
Results
8-OHdG expression was associated with cell differentiation. Furthermore, the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) hazard ratios (HRs) of the low 8-OHdG subgroup were 1.41 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–1.98, p = 0.04) and 1.6 (95% CI: 1.12–2.28, p < 0.001), respectively. When tumor node metastasis (TNM) staging and 8-OHdG expression were combined, the 5-year DFS and DSS HRs of patients with CRC with low 8-OHdG expression and advanced stage III/IV cancer were 6.85 (95% CI: 4.09–11.50, p < 0.001) and 8.24 (95% CI: 4.66–14.59, p < 0.001), respectively, compared to those with high 8-OHdG expression and early stages I/II cancer, indicating a poor prognosis.
Conclusions
Combining the currently commonly used TNM stage with the novel biomarker 8-OHdG identified in CRC patient tissues may result in a more accurate patient diagnosis and prognosis.
Suprapatellar pouch effusion is associated with an increased risk of neglected osteochondral fractures in primary acute traumatic patellar dislocation: A consecutive series of 113 children
Authors: Miao Mingyuan , Cai haoqi , Wang Zhigang , Hu Liwei , Bian Jingxia , Cai Haiqing 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors of neglected osteochondral fractures in primary acute traumatic patellar dislocation in the pediatric population.
Methods
A total of 113 patients with primary acute traumatic patellar dislocation for whom coincident osteochondral fractures could not be confirmed by X-ray examination at initial diagnosis between January 2010 and February 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Medical history, physical examination, and radiographic images were recorded in detail. The greatest dimension of the suprapatellar pouch (SP) effusion on radiograph was measured. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were used to confirm the presence of neglected osteochondral fractures and measure the fragment size. Potential risk factors were calculated and correlated with reference to the neglected osteochondral fractures and fragment size using multivariate linear regression analysis.
Results
Weight, walking ability, effusion grade, and SP measurement had a significant correlation with neglected osteochondral fractures in primary acute traumatic patellar dislocation (p = 0.046; p < 0.001; p = 0.048; p < 0.001). The cutoff point was 53.5 kg for weight and 18.45 mm for SP measurement. In the neglected fractures group, SP measurement was statistically significant with larger fragment size (beta value = 0.457; p < 0.001), and the cutoff point was 26.2 mm.
Conclusions
SP effusion is not only associated with an increased risk of neglected osteochondral fractures in primary acute traumatic patellar dislocation, but also with larger fragment size. Knee radiograph, medical history, and physical examination can predict the need for further imaging examination and even surgery in primary acute traumatic patellar dislocation.
Behaviour of the faujasite zeolite occluded with Ti(IV) and Zr(IV) and its interaction with Nickel Hexacyanoferrate (III) : A comparative study in the voltammetric detection of isoniazid
Authors: Magossi Maiara Souza , Vicente Fábio Simões , Carmo Devaney Ribeiro 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis study describes titanium and zirconium incorporations into a FAU zeolite and subsequent modification with nickel hexacyanoferrate.The obtained materials (ZTiNiH and ZZrNiH) were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray Dispersive Energy Spectroscopy (EDS), Porosity and Surface Area and Cyclic Voltammetry (CV). The cyclic voltammograms applied to the modifed ZTiNiH and ZZrNiH graphite pastes indicate sensitivity to isoniazid (IZN). The modifed ZTiNiH graphite paste electrode displayed a linear analytical curve response from 4.0× 10–5to 7.0× 10–4mol L− 1and limit of detection of 4.9×10− 5mol L− 1, while the modified ZZrNiH electrode presented a linear analytical curve response from 1.0×10− 5a 3.0×10− 4mol L− 1and limit of detection of 2.0×10− 5mol L− 1. After catalytic IZN electro-oxidation, a study concerning the main IZN interferents was performed and its recovery from a synthetic urine sample was assessed. The obtained ZTiNiH and ZZrNiH materials are noteworthy for their good limit of detection and recovery eficiency when applied to real samples, thus comprising potential candidates for the development of electrochemical sensors aiming at IZN detection.