bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity Risks and Source Apportionment of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons of Monitored Black Carbon (Soot) in Air and Swimming Pool Water in Port Harcourt
Authors: Muhyideen Oloyede , Lukman Shittu , Ajibola Yusuf Falola , Okechukwu Igwe Patrick 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) of monitored soot in air and water in Port Harcourt swimming pool environment were assessed due to incessant downpour of soot in the area. Samples of soot were collected each for six hours in wet and dry seasons. Samples of water were also collected in the two seasons. PAH samples were analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) to generate data which were described using descriptive statistics. In wet season, the total PAHs concentration in the air is 4.603E-03 ppm and in water 7.782E-03 mg/l while in the dry season, it’s 3.636E-03 ppm in the air and 5.172E-03 mg/l in water. The PAH distribution patterns in water followed the same trend in air in wet and in dry seasons with the diagnostic ratios indicating similar source thus suggesting that the major source of PAHs in water is atmospheric deposition from the air. Also, HMW-PAHs dominated each profile with air and water in the study area act as secondary sources for LMW-PAHs in the wet season and water acts as a sink for HMW-PAHs in both the wet and dry seasons. The results of mutagenic equivalent (MEQ) of the study ranged between 5.01E-04 ppm (mg/l) and 1.82E-03mg/l (ppm) while that of toxic equivalent (TEQ) ranged between 1.88E-04ppm (mg/l) and 3.71E-03mg/l ppm. The highest contributions to the MEQ and TEQ and their respective potentials (MP and CP) which is the capacity to cause modiﬁcations in human’s DNA thus forming PAH-DNA adduct thereby resulting in mutations and cancer were made in the wet season by IcdP contributing 64% MP and 60 % CP and those of dry season were made by DahA contributing 61% MP and 90% CP. These dominant PAH compounds ie IcdP, DahA, BghiP, BbF, BaP, etc with diagnostic ratios indicated artisanal refineries and other minor contributory sources. Due to the effect of soot toxicants, individuals are to limit exposure while Governments need to take strict measures to reduce the activities of artisanal refineries.
A calpain inhibitor ALLN alleviates bleomycin-induced skin and lung fibrosis
Authors: Kasamatsu Hiroshi , Chino Takenao , Hasegawa Takumi , Utsunomiya Natsuko , Utsunomiya Akira , Yamada Masami , Oyama Noritaka , Hasegawa Minoru 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a connective tissue disease that is characterized by fibrosis in the skin and internal organs, such as the lungs. Activated differentiation of progenitor cells, which are mainly resident fibroblasts, into myofibroblasts is considered a key mechanism underlying the overproduction of extracellular matrix and the resultant tissue fibrosis in SSc. Calpains are members of the Ca2+-dependent cysteine protease family, whose enzymatic activities participate in signal transduction and tissue remodeling, potentially contributing to fibrosis in various organs. However, the roles of calpain in the pathogenesis of SSc remain unknown. This study aimed to examine the anti-fibrotic properties of a potent calpain inhibitor N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal (ALLN) in vitro and in vivo, to optimally translate into the therapeutic utility in human SSc.Methods Normal human dermal and lung fibroblasts pretreated with ALLN were stimulated with recombinant transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), followed by assessment of TGF-β1/Smad signaling and fibrogenic molecules.Results ALLN treatment significantly inhibited TGF-β1-induced phosphorylation and nuclear transport of Smad2/3 in skin and lung fibroblasts. TGF-β1-dependent increases in α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), collagen type 1, fibronectin 1, and some mesenchymal transcription markers were attenuated by ALLN-induced mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, our findings suggest that ALLN inhibits TGF-β1-induced mesenchymal transition in human lung epithelial cells. Consistent with these in vitro findings, administering ALLN (3 mg/kg/day) three times a week intraperitoneally remarkably suppressed the development of skin and lung fibrosis in a bleomycin-induced SSc mouse model. The number of skin and lung infiltrating CD3+ T cells decreased in ALLN-treated mice compared with that in control-treated mice. Phosphorylation of Smad3 and/or an increase in αSMA-positive myofibroblasts was significantly inhibited by ALLN treatment on the skin and lungs. However, no adverse effects were observed.Conclusions Our results prove that calpains can be a novel therapeutic target for skin and lung fibrosis in SSc, considering its inhibitor ALLN.
Unaided visual assessment of ventral curvature during hypospadias repair is inferior to objective measurement using app goniometry.
Authors: Babu Ramesh , Prasad Arun , Chandrasekharam VVS 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Objective: Failure to perform artificial erection or objectively assess ventral curvature (VC) during primary hypospadias repair is an important reason for residual/ recurrent chordee. The present study aimed to compare the accuracy of unaided visual inspection (UVI) with objective VC assessment using smartphone app goniometry.
Methods: All patients who underwent primary hypospadias repair between January 2021 and September 2022 were included. Assistant surgeons were asked to grade the degree of VC on UVI (after degloving and an artificial erection test) into: none, mild (<30o), severe(>30o). Lateral profile photograph was taken and angle measurement was performed on an android mobile application (Angulus). Correlation was performed with both methods of assessment.
Results: During this period a total of 210 patients were analyzed; VC was noted in 40/138 (29%) cases of distal and in 62/72 (86%) cases of proximal hypospadias. Erroneous visual inspection was noted in 41/210 (20%; 95% CI 14-25%) on UVI (15 erroneously marked none while 26 marked mild). Among those found to have chordee, UVI assessed 39/82 (47%) as severe while app goniometry assessed 65/97 (67%) as severe. There was significant relative risk of labelling severe chordee as a mild one by UVI: 1.4 (95%CI 1-1.8; p=0.01).
Conclusions: UVI was erroneous in 20% of cases. UVI was less accurate in differentiating severe chordee from mild one. In 60% patients UVI alone could have led to erroneous VC assessment and thus wrong selection of technique. Further studies are required to validate our findings and standardize VC measurement using an app goniometry
Zika Virus Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Among Women of Reproductive Age in Central Brooklyn, New York
Authors: Dowling Russell , Thompson Azure , Kolokotronis Sergios-Orestis 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is spread by mosquitos, sexual intercourse and vertically during pregnancy. The 2015–2016 ZIKV epidemic infected millions in the Americas and resulted in thousands of infants born with malformations. Though the clusters of severe birth defects have subsided since 2017, ZIKV transmission remains a concern throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Travel-associated and sexually-transmitted Zika, therefore, remain potential routes of transmission for women of reproductive age and their partners. This is particularly true for communities with high immigrant and foreign-born populations in Central Brooklyn, New York. Limited information has been collected on the perception by this population of ZIKV and how high-risk women engage in preventive practices. Using a survey adapted from the WHO, we assessed engagement in mosquito-related preventive practices while traveling. Data from 483 respondents on knowledge and perceived ZIKV concern, along with demographics as correlates of engagement in preventive practices were collected using a convenience sample between September 2020 and January 2021. Data were collected via a multipronged approach using social media in REDCap. Our findings show that being white/not Hispanic, pregnant, knowledgeable and concerned about ZIKV, and having enough information about ZIKV were all significantly associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in preventive practices while traveling. Multivariable logistic modeling revealed that knowledge was significantly associated with an increased likelihood of engaging in preventive practices while traveling (AOR = 1.90, 1.28–2.83). These findings underscore the importance of directing tailored health education efforts to vulnerable populations.
Assessment of PSA responses and changes in the rate of tumor growth (g-rate) with immune checkpoint inhibitors in US Veterans with prostate cancer
Authors: Leuva Harshraj , Moran George , Jammaleddine Nader , Maseeha Mina , Zhou Mengxi , Im Yunju , Rosenberg Ta-Chueh , Luhrs Carol , Bates Susan , Park Yeun-Hee , Fojo Tito , Faiena Izak 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Background:
The value of immune checkpoint inhibitors (PD1/PDL1 inhibitors; ICI) in treating prostate cancer (PC) is limited. We examined data from US Veterans with PC to assess disease response to ICIs as monotherapy or combined with abiraterone or enzalutamide. We compared results with reference datasets to assess ICI efficacy in the real-world.
Methods: We queried the VA corporate data warehouse (CDW) to identify Veterans with a diagnosis of PC who received ICI for any malignancy and had ≥1 PSA measurement while receiving ICI. To evaluate ICI monotherapy, we restricted analysis to Veterans who had not received LHRH agonists/antagonists, PC-directed medical therapy, or radiation/extirpative surgery of the bladder/prostate within and preceding the duration of ICI administration. For ICI combination analysis, we identified Veterans who received abiraterone or enzalutamide for PC while on ICI. We calculated rates of tumor (PSA) growth (g-rates), comparing them to a 1:2 matched reference cohort.
Results: We identified 787 Veterans with PC and ≥1 PSA measurement while receiving an ICI. The median duration of ICI therapy was 155 days. 223 Veterans received ICI monotherapy, with only 17(8%) having a reduction in PSA (median decline=43%). 12 (5%) had PSA declines >30% (PSA30) which included 6 (3%) who had PSA reductions greater than 50% (PSA50). Median g-rates for ICI plus abiraterone (n=20) or enzalutamide (n=31) were 0.000689/d-1 and 0.002819/d-1, respectively, and were statistically insignificant compared to g-rates of matched cohorts receiving abiraterone (g=0.000925/d-1, p=0.73) or enzalutamide (g=0.001929/d-1, p=0.58) alone.
Conclusion: Our data align with clinical trial data in PC, demonstrating limited benefit from ICI monotherapy and predicting no survival benefit from simultaneous administration of abiraterone or enzalutamide with an ICI using g-rate. We demonstrate the value of estimating g-rates and of our reference database in approaching challenging clinical questions and as aids in drug development.
Reevaluating the utility of kidney ultrasonography during initial evaluation of presumed idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in pediatric patients.
Authors: Chawla Jonathan , Angelo Joseph , Braun Michael 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background Current guidelines do not recommend kidney ultrasonography (KUS) during initial evaluation of nephrotic syndrome (NS) secondary to presumed minimal change disease (pMCD). However, KUS is still frequently obtained. This chart review assessed incidence and impact of abnormal sonographic findings in these patients.Methods Patients 1–18 years, newly diagnosed at our institution with NS from pMCD between 2011–2021 were identified. Hypertension, urinalysis, kidney function, and steroid responsiveness data were collected. Imaging findings were abstracted from radiology reports. Clinical impact of KUS was defined by actions taken in response to KUS.Results 173 patients identified with new NS; 98 met inclusion criteria. 54% had KUS during initial encounter. Demographic and laboratory data did not differ between those with and without KUS. KUS were abnormal in 45% of studies: increased kidney echogenicity (39.6%) and nephromegaly (35.8%) were the most common abnormal findings. Decreased corticomedullary differentiation, lobular kidney contour, solitary simple kidney cyst, and mild unilateral hydronephrosis were each noted on a single KUS. The latter two were deemed the only actionable findings. Steroid resistance was not associated with either nephromegaly or abnormal echogenicity.Conclusions Our data showed no clinically relevant ultrasound findings causing deviations from the standard of care for pMCD. There was no association between KUS findings and steroid resistance. These data suggest that there is little to no benefit from kidney ultrasound imaging in patients with pMCD upon initial presentation.
A Novel Method of Indian Penal Code Section Classification for Offence Incident Report
Authors: Srivas Ambrish , prajapat shaligram 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Judiciary system a sector of world in which lot of text data (like First information report (FIR), investigation report, trail etc.) generated day to day. Some other document like rule book, legal article also has a lot of text information. Similarity of these documents helps us to take decision in some way. In India, Indian Penal Code is main legal judgment article for defining offence. Any information can be used well only when that information is presented properly and when it comes to computer program, it becomes very important to have the information in a specific structured format. The development of a corpus for the Indian Penal Code (IPC) document is necessary for text similarity between description or keywords of IPC section and offence report related to the judiciary system of India. IPC document is already available as unstructured text in hard and soft copy. This document is used manually by human for reference in judiciary related tasks, but for computerized work it is required in structured and specific format. In this paper, we provide an idea of development of corpus for IPC document and find novel method for classification of IPC Section by comparing different type of word embedding technique for text similarity of two documents and introduce leveled searching method for better result.
Microglial depletion does not impact alpha-synuclein aggregation or nigrostriatal degeneration in the rat preformed fibril model
Authors: Stoll Anna C. , Kemp Christopher J. , Patterson Joseph R. , Kubik Michael , Kuhn Nathan , Benskey Matthew , Duffy Megan F. , Luk Kelvin , Sortwell Caryl E. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is characterized by the presence of proteinaceous alpha-synuclein (α-syn) inclusions (Lewy bodies), markers of neuroinflammation and the progressive loss of nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurons. These pathological features can be recapitulated in vivo using the α-syn preformed fibril (PFF) model of synucleinopathy. We have previously described the time course of microglial major-histocompatibility complex-II (MHC-II) expression and alterations in microglia morphology in the PFF model in rats. Specifically, the peaks of α-syn inclusion formation, MHC-II expression, and reactive morphology in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) all occur two months post PFF injection, months before neurodegeneration occurs. These results suggest that activated microglia may contribute to neurodegeneration and could represent a potential target for novel therapeutics. The goal of this study was to determine whether microglial depletion could impact the magnitude of α-syn aggregation, nigrostriatal degeneration, or related microglial activation during the α-syn PFF model.
Methods: Male Fischer 344 rats were injected intrastriatally with either α-syn PFFs or saline. Rats were continuously administered Pexidartinib (PLX3397B, 600mg/kg), a colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF1R) inhibitor, to deplete microglia for a period of either two or six months.
Results: PLX3397B administration resulted in significant depletion (45-53%) of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 immunoreactive (Iba-1ir) microglia within the SNpc. Microglial depletion did not impact accumulation of phosphorylated α-syn (pSyn) within SNpc neurons and did not alter pSyn associated microglial reactivity or expression of MHC-II. Further, microglial depletion did not impact SNpc neuron degeneration. Paradoxically, long term microglial depletion resulted in increased soma size of remaining microglia in both control and PFF rats, as well as expression of MHC-II in extranigral regions.
Conclusions: Collectively, our results suggest that microglial depletion is not a viable disease-modifying strategy for PD and that partial microglial depletion can induce a heightened proinflammatory state in remaining microglia.
Impact of Culture Sensitivity Reports on the Pattern of Antibiotics use and Cost of Therapy: A Prospective Observational study
Authors: Altaf Ummara , Akhtar Muhammad Furqan , Godman Brian , Saleem Zikria 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background: There are concerns with inappropriate prescribing of antibiotics in hospitals especially broad spectrum in Pakistan and the subsequent impact on antimicrobial resistance rates. One recognized way to reduce inappropriate prescribing is for empirical therapy to be adjusted according to the result of culture sensitivity reports.Objective: To find the impact of culture sensitivity reports on the use of antibiotics and cost in a leading tertiary care hospital in Lahore.Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in Ghurki trust teaching hospital. A total of 465 positive culture patients were taken over an 8 month study period using convenient sampling techniques and immediately sent to the microbiology laboratory for pathogen identification and susceptibility testing using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Additional data was collected from the patient medical file which included demographic data, sample type, causative microbe, anti-microbial treatment given in empirical and definitive treatment as well as medicine costs. Results: Total of 497 isolates were detected from the 465 patient samples, which included 309 gram-negative rods and 188 gram-positive cocci. Out of 497 isolates, the most common Gram-positive pathogen isolated was MSSA (28.4%) and Gram-negative was E. coli (23.8%). Most of the gram-negative isolates were found to be resistant to ampicillin and co-amoxiclav. Most of the A. baumannii isolates were resistant to carbapenems. Gram-positive microorganism showed the maximum sensitivity to linezolid and vancomycin. The most widely used antibiotics in empirical therapy were cefoperazone+sulbactam, ceftriaxone, amikacin, vancomycin and metronidazole whereas high use of linezolid, clindamycin, meropenem and piperacillin + tazobactam was evidenced in definitive treatment. Empiric therapy was adjusted in 222 (71.8%) cases of Gram-negative infections and 131 (69.6%) cases of gram-positive infections (p-value <0.0001). Compared with empirical therapy, there was a 13.8% reduction in the number of antibiotics in definitive treatment. The average costs of antibiotics in definitive treatment was less than the empirical treatment (8.2%) and the length of hospitalization also decreased.Conclusion: Culture sensitivity reports helped reduce antibiotic utilization, hospital stay and costs as well as helping select the most appropriate treatment. We also found an urgent need for implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs and the development of hospital antibiotic guidelines within the hospital to reduce future unnecessary prescribing of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Assessment of data intelligence algorithms in modeling daily reference evapotranspiration under input data limitation scenarios in semi-arid climatic condition
Authors: Rajput Jitendra , Singh Man , Lal K. , Khanna Manoj , Sarangi A. , Mukherjee J. , Singh Shrawan 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCrop evapotranspiration is essential for planning and designing an efficient irrigation system. The present investigation assessed the capability of four machine learning algorithms, namely, XGBoost linear regression (XGBoost Linear), XGBoost Ensemble Tree, Polynomial Regression (Polynomial Regr), and Isotonic Regression (Isotonic Regr) in modeling daily reference evapotranspiration (ETo) at IARI, New Delhi. The models were developed considering full and limited dataset scenarios. The efficacy of the constructed models was assessed against the Penman–Monteith (PM56) model estimated daily ETo. Results revealed the under full and limited dataset conditions, XGBoost Ensemble Tree gave the best results for daily ETo modeling during the model training period, while in the testing period under scenarios S1(Tmax) and S2 (Tmax, and Tmin), the Isotonic Regr models yielded superior results over other models. In addition, the XGBoost Ensemble Tree models outperformed others for the rest of the input data scenarios. The XGBoost Ensemble Tree algorithms reported the best values of correlation coefficient (r), mean absolute error (MAE), mean square error (MSE), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). Thus, we recommend applying the XGBoost Ensemble Tree algorithm for precisely modeling daily ETo in semi-arid climatic conditions.
Alizarin enhancement of the abundance of ARGs and impacts on the microbial community in water
Authors: Fang Hao , Tian Lingyun , Ye Nan , Zhang Shuai 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Alizarin, a dyestuff from herbs, showed effective inhibition effects on pathogenic bacteria, and thus has been frequently used in the world as the main alternative to antibiotics in the treatment of inflammations and pathogen infections. However, it was unclear whether alizarin played key a role in antibiotic-induced antibiotic-resistant gene (ARG) alterations and impacted microbial community shifts in aquatic environments. In this study, the effects of alizarin or co-exposure of alizarin with antibiotics on the fate of ARGs, class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1), and microbial populations in lake water were investigated, and the potential hosts for ARGs were analyzed. The results showed that the absolute abundance of 16s rRNA gene, ARGs (tetA, tetC, and qnrS), and intI1 were increased during the treatment of alizarin. The combination of alizarin and antibiotics was superior to alizarin in its ability to promote population growth of bacteria and induce ARGs. Additionally, alizarin more significantly altered the community composition of microorganisms in water, which resulted in differences in bacterial communities and functions.
Study of the characteristics of pollutants in rural domestic sewage and the optimal sewage treatment process: a Chengdu Plain case study
Authors: Chen Xuefeng , Chao Liqiang , Wan Yanlei , Wang Xiaoyue , Pu Xunchi 
Published: May 2023

Abstract

Domestic sewage is an important source of surface water pollution in the rural areas of developing countries, especially in the rural areas of China. In recent years, with the strategy of rural revitalization, China has paid increasing attention to the treatment of rural domestic sewage. Therefore, 16 villages in the Chengdu Plain were selected for the study, and seven indicators were analyzed and evaluated, including pH, five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), total phosphorus (TP), suspended solids (SS) and total nitrogen (TN), in the water samples at the inlet and outlet of the wastewater treatment plant. The concentration of each pollutant in the rural scattered domestic sewage of the Chengdu Plain in Southwest China was obtained, and the concentration of each pollutant in domestic sewage was higher than that in summer. In addition, the preferred process for removing each pollutant was obtained by studying the effects of the treatment process, season and hydraulic retention time on the removal efficiency of each pollutant. The research results provide valuable references for the planning and process selection of rural domestic sewage treatment.