bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design of Experiments as a tool for post-consumer PLA packaging recycling: correlation between washing parameters and degradation
Authors: Paiva Robert , Pereira-Filho Edenir Rodrigues , Wrona Magdalena , Cruz Sandra 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
The increasing demand for sustainable packaging solutions has led to the widespread adoption of biodegradable polymers such as polylactic acid (PLA) in the packaging industry. However, the efficient recycling of post-consumer PLA packaging remains a challenge due to contamination from residual food and other substances. This study presents the application of Design of Experiments (DoE) in the evaluation of washing parameters, typically used in the recycling industry, in the degradation of post-consumer biodegradable PLA packaging. A series of experiments were conducted using a factorial design to investigate the effect of key washing parameters, including NaOH concentration, washing temperature, washing time, and surfactant concentration, on the degradation of PLA. The degradation was accompanied by rheology employing the Cox-Merz rule, which establishes the relationship between complex viscosity and steady state viscosity. The results indicated that a washing process with lower degradation rates could be obtained by adjusting the washing parameters within specific ranges. The application of DoE allowed the identification of the most influential factors and their interactions in the degradation of PLA during the washing step. This study demonstrates that this is a valuable tool in the development of sustainable recycling processes for biodegradable packaging materials, contributing to a circular economy and reducing environmental impact.
Patient Satisfaction and Quality-Of-Life in Vitro Fertilization Services: Development of a Validated Instrument
Authors: Chausheva Naskhanym , Ozdal Macide Artac 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Recent advances in infertility therapy, such as hormone medications and in vitro fertilization (IVF), have led to an increase in the demand for IVF. North Cyprus is a new medical tourist destination, and this study aims to discover influential demographic predictors of IVF patient’s satisfaction and quality-of-life after receiving reproductive IVF services. Two questionnaires on IVF patient’s satisfaction and quality-of-life were applied on 101 patients who received service in selected IVF clinics. Parametric and non-parametric tests were implemented for statistical analysis. Results showed that the mean satisfaction level of IVF service introduction and doctor professionalism increased with increase in age, and a maximum satisfaction level was found in older patients. Doctor professionalism was another significant factor for greater satisfaction in older patients comparing young who used IVF treatment. The satisfaction on IVF services reduced by increasing level of education. IVF services has to be managed and provided based on the needs of patients from different demographic backgrounds and efforts has to be given to improve the satisfaction on fertility services.
CircYTHDF3 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression through modulating miR-136-5p/CBX4/ VEGF axis
Authors: Nie Guilin , Peng Dingzhong , Wen Ningyuan , Wang Yaoqun , Li Bei , Lu Jiong 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been widely reported to participate in diverse biological pathways in cancers. However, the function of circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains some unclear. In the present study, we screened the expression profile of circRNAs in HCC and identified that circYTHDF3 (hsa_circ_0084620) was dramatically upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Patients with high-expression circYTHDF3 performed a poor prognosis. CircYTHDF3 could facilitate proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cell. Furthermore, circYTHDF3 could regulate CBX4 expression though competitive binding with miR-136-5p and inhibited the effect of miR-136-5p on proliferation, migration, invasion of HCC cells. Moreover, circYTHDF3 down-expression inhibited the growth, lung metastasis and angiogenesis of HCC tumors in vivo. Taken together, these findings indicated that circYTHDF3 might function as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) to promote HCC progression by targeting miR-136-5p/CBX4/VEGF pathway. Therefore, circYTHDF3 could serve as a potential prognostic indicator for HCC and a therapeutic target for HCC treatment.
Ethopharmacological evaluation of antidepressant-like effect of serotonergic psychedelics in C57BL/6J male mice
Authors: Takaba Rika , Ibi Daisuke , Yoshida Keisuke , Hosomi Eri , Kawase Ririna , Kitagawa Hiroko , Goto Hirotaka , Achiwa Mizuki , Mizutani Kento , Maede Kyosuke , González-Maeso Javier , Kitagaki Shinji , Hiramatsu Masayuki 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide, and DOI exert a hallucinatory effect through serotonin 5-HT 2A receptor (5-HT2A) activation. Recent studies have revealed that serotonergic psychedelics have therapeutic potential for neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive and anxiety-related disorders. However, the involvement of 5-HT2A in mediating the therapeutic effects of these drugs remains unclear. In this study, we ethopharmacologically analyzed the role of 5-HT2A in the occurrence of anxiolytic-and antidepressant-like effects of serotonergic psychedelics such as psilocin, an active metabolite of psilocybin, DOI, and TCB-2 in mice. Mice with acute intraperitoneal psychedelic treatment exhibited significantly shorter immobility times in the forced swimming test (FST) and tail-suspension test (TST) than vehicle-treated control mice 24 h post-treatment. These effects were eliminated by pretreatment with volinanserin, a 5-HT2A antagonist. Surprisingly, the decreasing immobility time in the FST in response to acute psilocin treatment was sustained for at least three weeks. In the novelty-suppressed feeding test (NSFT), the latency to feed, an indicator of anxiety-like behavior, was decreased by acute administration of psilocin; however, pretreatment with volinanserin did not diminish this effect. In contrast, DOI and TCB-2 did not affect the NSFT performance in mice. Furthermore, psilocin, DOI, and TCB-2 treatment did not affect the spontaneous locomotor activity or head-twitch response, a hallucination-like behavior in rodents. These results suggest that 5-HT2A contributes to the antidepressant effects of serotonergic psychedelics rather than an anxiolytic effects.
Full-coverage radiotherapy for prostate cancer patients with oligometastases
Authors: Xu Bichun , Zhao Xianzhi , Chen Di , Zhao Wenjuan , Zhang Huojun 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Objective The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of oligometastatic prostate cancer (omPCa) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential survival benefit of full-coverage radiotherapy in patients with omPCa.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with omPCa who received full-coverage radiotherapy between July 2012 and June 2022. Full-coverage radiotherapy was defined as radiotherapy to all lesions, including the primary site and metastatic lesions. Overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint, and biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) and radiological progression-free survival (rPFS) were the secondary endpoint. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate univariate analysis, and the log-rank test was used to conduct multivariate analysis.Results A total of 33 patients, including 31 de novo oligometastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (omHSPC) patients and 2 oligometastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (omCRPC) patients, were enrolled in the study. The median follow-up was 38.8 months (range: 4.2–70.6 months). The median OS was 127.7 months (95% CI: not reach- not reach months), and the survival rates at 2, 3, and 5 years were 100%, 95.7%, and 81.2%, respectively. The median bPFS was 58.9 months (95% CI: 47.7–70.1 months) and the median rPFS is 55.3 months (95% CI: 39.9–70.8 months). Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) prior to radiotherapy (p = 0.04), presence of symptoms related to the lesions (p = 0.003), and the pre-radiotherapy status of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) (p = 0.006) were associated with poorer survival. Multivariate analysis showed that external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) synchronized with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) or chemotherapy (HR = 9.871, 95%CI (1.540-63.263), p = 0.016), non-CRPC status before radiotherapy(HR = 52.555, 95%CI (5.776-478.226), p = 0.000), and prostate-specific antigen(PSA) levels more than 1 ng/ml before radiotherapy (HR = 7.596, 95%CI (1.498–38.192), p = 0.014) may be associated with longer rPFS. The coexistence of lymph node and bone metastases is associated with a higher risk of biochemical recurrence (HR = 8.823, 95%CI (1.419–54.848), p = 0.02). The occurrence of acute adverse reactions of Grade 3 or higher was not observed, while the incidence of chronic adverse reactions of Grade 3 was 3.03%.Conclusion Full-coverage radiotherapy with an optimistic bPFS and rPFS may improve the OS of patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer.
Polymeric micelles with chiral diamine-Ru(II) catalysts for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones in water
Authors: Zhou Lianpei , Ji Peipei , Wang Xiuwu , Qi Dongming , Chen Tao 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Chiral aromatic alcohols with unique structures have attracted wide attention in asymmetric catalysis for decades. In this study, polymeric micelles with chiral diamine-Ru(II) catalysts in the hydrophobic core for asymmetric transfer hydrogenation of ketones affording chiral aromatic alcohols were presented. Firstly, block polymers with (1R,2R)-(+)-1,2-diphenyl ethylenediamine (DPEN) in the branched chain were successfully synthesized by Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP) using 1,1-dimethylethyl N-(2-amino-1,2-diphenylethyl) carbamate (NB-DPEN-Boc) and polyethylene glycol (NB-PEG2000) with norbornene groups as raw materials. The structures of block polymers P(DPEN)-co-P(PEG2000) were characterized by FT-IR and 1H NMR. Next, Block polymers with chiral DPEN ligand in the branched chain coordinate with [RuCl2(p-cymene)]2 to provide amphiphilic polymers with chiral diamine-Ru(II) catalyst. Then, the self-assembly of the amphiphilic polymers in water produced the polymeric micelles with chiral diamine-Ru(II) catalysts in the hydrophobic core. The particle sizes were found to be 65 nm by DLS analysis. The polymeric micelles as catalytic nanoreactors were successfully applied in the asymmetric transfer hydrogenation (ATH) of various ketones in water. The heterogenization of homogeneous catalysts and construction of catalysts for aqueous catalysis demonstrate potential application prospects in the preparation of chiral aromatic alcohols.
PSMC5 regulates microglial polarization and activation in LPS-induced cognitive deficits and motor impairments by interacting with TLR4
Authors: Bi Wei , Bao Keyao , Zhou Xinqi , Deng Yihui , Li Xiaoting , Zhang Jiawei , Lan Xin , Zhao Jiayi , Lu Daxiang , Xu Yezi , Cen Yanmei , Cao Rui , Xu Mengyang , Zhong Wenbin , Zhu Lihong , Zhong Wenbing 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Luteolin is a flavonoid found in high concentrations in celery and green pepper, and acts as a neuroprotectant. PSMC5 (proteasome 26S subunit, ATPase 5) protein levels were reduced after luteolin stimulation in activated microglia. We aimed to determine whether regulating PSMC5 expression could inhibit neuroinflammation, and investigate the underlying mechanisms.
Methods
BV2 microglia were transfected with siRNA PSMC5 before the addition of LPS (1.0 µg/ml) for 24 h in serum free DMEM. A mouse model of LPS-induced cognitive and motor impairment was established to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of shRNA PSMC5. Intracerebroventricular administration of shRNA PSMC5 was commenced 7 days prior to i.p. injection of LPS (750µg/kg). Treatments and behavioral experiments were performed once daily for 7 consecutive days. Behavioral tests and pathological/biochemical assays were performed to evaluate LPS-induced hippocampal damage. Molecular dynamics simulation was used to confirm the interaction between PSMC5 and TLR4 in LPS-stimulated BV2 microglia.
Results
SiRNA PSMC5 inhibited BV2 microglial activation, and suppressed the release of inflammatory factors (IL-1β, COX-2, PGE2, TNF-α, and iNOS) upon after LPS stimulation in BV2 microglia. LPS increased IκB-α and p65 phosphorylation, which was attenuated by siRNA PSMC5. Behavioral tests and pathological/biochemical assays showed that shRNA PSMC5 attenuated LPS-induced cognitive and motor impairments, and restored synaptic ultrastructure and protein levels in mice. ShRNA PSMC5 reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-, IL-1, PGE2, and NO) levels in the serum and brain, and relevant protein factors (iNOS and COX-2) in the brain. Furthermore, shRNA PSMC5 upregulated the anti-inflammatory mediators interleukin IL-4 and IL-10 in the serum and brain, and promoted a pro-inflammation-to-anti-inflammation phenotype shift in microglial polarization. Mechanistically, shRNA PSMC5 significantly alleviated LPS-induced toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) expression. The polarization of LPS-induced microglial pro-inflammation phenotype was abolished by TLR4 inhibitor and in the TLR-4−/− mouse, as in shRNA PSMC5 treatment. PSMC5 interacted with TLR4 via the amino sites Glu284, Met139, Leu127, and Phe283. PSMC5 site mutations attenuated neuroinflammation and reduced pro-inflammatory factors by reducing TLR4-related effects, thereby reducing TLR4-mediated MyD88-dependent activation of NF-κB.
Conclusion
PSMC5 could be an important therapeutic target for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases involving neuroinflammation-associated cognitive deficits and motor impairments induced by microglial activation.
Development of a short form of the Cardiac Distress Inventory
Authors: Grande Michael Le , Murphy Barbara , Rogerson Michelle , Ski Chantal , Amerena John , Smith Julian , Hoover Valerie , Alvarenga Marlies , Higgins Rosemary , Thompson David R , Jackson Alun C 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background
Cardiac distress may be viewed as a persistent negative emotional state that spans multiple psychosocial domains and challenges a patient’s capacity to cope with living with their heart condition. The Cardiac Distress Inventory (CDI) is a disease-specific clinical assessment tool that captures the complexity of this distress. In busy settings such as primary care, cardiac rehabilitation, and counselling services, however, there is a need to administer briefer tools to aid in identification and screening. The aim of the present study was to develop a short, valid screening version of the CDI.
Methods
A total of 405 participants reporting an acute coronary event in the previous 12 months was recruited from three hospitals, through social media and by direct enrolment on the study website. Participants completed an online survey which included the full version of the CDI and general distress measures including the Kessler K6, Patient Health Questionnaire-4, and Emotion Thermometers. Relationship of the CDI with these instruments, Rasch analysis model fit and clinical expertise were all used to select items for the short form (CDI-SF). Construct validity and receiver operating characteristics in relation to the Kessler K6 were examined.
Results
The final 12 item CDI-SF exhibited excellent internal consistency indicative of unidimensionality and good convergent and discriminant validity in comparison to clinical status measures, all indicative of good construct validity. Using the K6 validated cutoff of ≥18 as the reference variable, the CDI-SF had a very high Area Under the Curve (AUC) (AUC = 0.913 (95% CI: 0.88 to 0.94). A CDI-SF score of ≥ 13 was found to indicate general cardiac distress which may warrant further investigation using the original CDI.
Conclusion
The psychometric findings detailed here indicate that CDI-SF provides a brief psychometrically sound screening measure indicative of general cardiac distress, that can be used in both clinical and research settings.
Evaluation of GLDAS soil moisture product over Kermanshah province, Iran
Authors: Amini Ata , Moghadam Mehdi Karami , Kolahchi Abdolnabi Abdeh , Raheli-Namin Mehrdad , Ahmed Kaywan Othman 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Land surface modelling and data assimilation are advanced techniques for generating optimal fields of land surface states and fluxes. In this study, the Global Land Data Assimilation System (GLDAS) data were utilized to investigate the soil moisture variations and droughts in Kermanshah province, northwest Iran. The GLDAS soil moisture data were employed in various depths and compared with observed monthly soil moisture. The monthly and annual moisture data were processed in the Geographic Information System (GIS) environment. To compute the Standardized Precipitation Index, SPI, precipitation data from 2000 to 2014 were used, and the relationship between drought and soil moisture variation was studied. The moisture data from GLDAS had a significant correlation with the most severe wet and dry seasons. The minimum and maximum values of the SPI were determined as −2.077 and 0.931 in 2004 and 2009, respectively, which corresponded to the highest and lowest normalized soil moisture of −1.93 and 1.41. The results showed that GLDAS data can be used to reconstruct spatial and temporal moisture data series.
Study of holy water consumed to treat gastrointestinal ailments in gold deposit areas of May-Hibey, Northwestern Tigray, Ethiopia
Authors: Berhe Goitom Gebreyohannes , Sbhatu Desta Berhe , Gebremariam Abraha 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
In Ethiopia, holy water is used to treat various ailments. This study examined the safety of holy water in May-Hibey, NW Tigray, Ethiopia consumed to treat gastrointestinal ailments. Sensory observation, compositional and elemental analyses of rock samples, and analyses of physicochemical properties and inorganic constituents of holy water samples were conducted. Sensory observation revealed that the water had a musty taste and rotten egg-like odor. Its consumption in drinking rituals caused instant vomiting and loose bowels. Geological studies of rock samples via X-ray diffraction revealed Si (62.456%), Fe (15.441%), and S (7.912%) as major elements. Physicochemical analyses of the holy water samples showed that temperature, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, pH, total alkalinity, total hardness, and concentrations of calcium, magnesium, iron, and sulfate were above the permissible limits of the World Health Organization and the Ethiopian Standards Agency. These imply that holy water is unsafe and may cause health complications. Patients believe instant vomiting and diarrhea after drinking rituals are parts of the treatment process. But such effects might be due to the high sulfate content and other chemical properties of the holy water. Studies for establishing the physiological effects of holy water on patients with gastrointestinal ailments are required.
Impact of Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle on Anthropometric Characteristics,
Climacteric Symptoms, Sleep Quality and Quality of Life in Women
During Menopausal Transition
Authors: Senouci Azzeddine , Benhabib Wassila , Fizi Rahmouna , Mekki Khedidja 
Published: July 2023

Objective:
The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of a lifestyle promotion based
on the principles of the Mediterranean diet (MD) combined with regular physical exercise on climacteric
symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life in women in the menopausal transition.

Methods:
Among 100 perimenopausal women recruited, 80 (48 ± 2 years) with climacteric symptoms
were eligible for the study and were randomized into two groups: an intervention group (n=40) that
received nutritional counselling based on the principles of MD with the practice of regular activity
during 8 weeks, and a control group (n=40). At baseline and 8 weeks after the initiation of nutritional
intervention, we assessed daily energy expenditure and food intake, anthropometric characteristics,
climacteric symptoms, sleep quality, and quality of life.

Results:
Results showed that in the intervention group, compared to the control group, after 8 weeks
of nutritional counselling, a significant decrease was noted in somatic and psychologic (p<0.01) symptoms.
No significant difference was noted in urogenital symptoms. The quality of life was improved
by the decrease of the Menopause Rating Score (-25%, p<0.001). A decrease was observed in subjective
sleep quality (-27%, p<0.05), sleep duration (-39%, p<0.05), habitual sleep efficiency (-43%,
p<0.05), and daytime dysfunction (-43%, p<0.01). The score of PSQI was decreased by (-31%,
p<0.01), which meant that the quality of sleep improved.

Conclusion:
Anthropometric characteristics, climacteric symptoms, sleep quality and quality of life
were improved in women on menopausal transition adopting a healthy lifestyle based on the principles
of Mediterranean eating pattern combined with regular physical activity.
The prevalence of anxiety syndrome in people with chronic non-communicable diseases in real clinical practice
Authors: Shimokhina N. Yu. , Baranovich Zh. R. , Yunevich A. S. , Savchenko A. A. , Zimnitskaya O. V. , Petrova M. M. 
Published: July 2023

Objective: to study of the features of the spread of anxiety syndrome in patients with chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD) in outpatient practice. Materials and methods: the study included persons of both sexes over 18 years of age who visited outpatient facilities in a large industrial center of Eastern Siberia in the summer of 2022. Diagnosis of chronic NCDs was established according to modern clinical guidelines. The examined were divided into two groups. The first group included persons without NCDs, the second group included patients with concomitant NCDs. The psycho-emotional state was assessed using the Spielberger-Khanin test with separate determination of the levels of personal and situational anxiety. Statistical data analysis was carried out using the Statistica 12.0 software package (StatSoft Inc., USA). Results: the level of situational anxiety in patients with chronic NCDs was statistically significantly higher compared to individuals without concomitant somatic pathology. In patients with chronic NCD, compared with individuals without them, a significant increase in the median scores for the level of low and moderately expressed personal anxiety and for the level of moderate and high situational anxiety was revealed. In the group of patients with CND, a high level of personal and situational anxiety was significantly more often observed in comparison with persons without CND. Conclusion: the prevalence of anxiety syndrome, especially situational anxiety in patients with chronic NCD in the outpatient network is quite high and reaches 93%, which requires a solution to the issue of practical psychiatric care for these patients.