bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac rehabilitation in the Comprehensive Cardiac Care program in the time of a COVID – 19 pandemic
Authors: Stawikowski Cezary , Zielonka Bartłomiej , Kowalczyk Ilona , Stachyra Bartłomiej , Wolanin Marta , Osińska Aleksandra , Wolanin Izabela , Krawiec Paulina , Madej Karolina , Dengler Barbara 
Published: May 2023

Introduction and purpose: Cardiac rehabilitation in patients after myocardial infarction is an established form of therapy. Its main tasks in the context of the implementation of the KOS program are to improve quality of life, consolidate the effects of hospital treatment and ensure better functioning after a cardiovascular incident. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current level of knowledge regarding cardiac rehabilitation of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Description of the state of knowledge: COVID-19 poses a significant threat to patients with cardiovascular disease. Physiotherapy in the Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit involves a step-by-step, individualized rehabilitation plan in accordance with the patient's condition. An important tool for clinical evaluation is capacity tests, the results of which provide key information for the rehabilitation team in selecting exercise intensity. These tests are performed on the first and last days of rehabilitation. In Polish conditions, the most common tests examining capacity are an exercise test on a treadmill or bicycle cycler or a 6-minute walk test. Due to the diversion of a significant number of specialists and health care teams to treat COVID - 19 patients, access to the possibility of implementing the various stages of the Coordinated Specialized Care program after myocardial infarction has been limited.
Summary: Post-infection patients are often forced to live a sparing lifestyle. They show reduced exercise tolerance and easier fatigability. With these aspects in mind, improving the quality of life of patients after cardiovascular incidents in the era of the pandemic requires even greater involvement of the entire rehabilitation team.
A study protocol for comparing the treatment of varicose tributaries either concomitantly with or separately from endovenous laser ablation of the incompetent saphenous trunk (the FinnTrunk Study). A multicenter parallel-group randomized controlled study
Authors: Viljamaa Jaakko , Firoozi Khalil , Venermo Maarit , Pokela Matti , Pihlaja Toni , Halmesmäki Karoliina , Hakovirta Harri 
Published: May 2023

Background
Opinions on the treatment of varicose tributaries in relation to saphenous ablation in varicose disease vary. Moreover, the possible role of the tributaries regarding the recurrence of varicose disease remains unclear. The aim of the FinnTrunk study is to compare two different treatment strategies for varicose disease in a randomized setting. In group one, the initial treatment will entail endovenous laser ablation (EVLA) of the incompetent saphenous trunk without tributary treatment. In group two, the varicose tributaries will be treated with ultrasound-guided foam sclerotherapy (UGFS) concomitantly with truncal ablation. The primary outcome measure is the need for additional procedures during the follow-up. The secondary outcome measures are the cost of treatment and recurrence of varicose disease.

Methods
Consecutive patients with symptomatic varicose disease (CEAP clinical class C2–C3) will be screened for the study. Patients who fulfil the study criteria and give their informed consent will be scheduled for the procedure and randomized to either study group. Patients will be followed-up at 3 months, 1 year, 3 years, and 5 years. The post-procedure pain score based on a numeric rating scale (NRS) and also the use of analgesics, as well as possible procedure-related complications will be recorded at 3 months. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) will be recorded at 1 year. Data pertaining to the additional treatment of varicose tributaries, the Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire (AVVQ), the Venous Clinical Severity Score (VCSS), and the health-related quality of life (EQ-5D-5L) will be collected at each follow-up visit. A duplex ultrasound (DUS) examination will be performed at each visit, and data on varicose tributaries and the need for additional treatment will be recorded.

Trial registration
Registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, ID NCT04774939.
Analysis of ancestry-specific polygenic risk score and diet composition in type 2 diabetes
Authors: Hardy Dale S. , Garvin Jane T. , Mersha Tesfaye B. 
Published: May 2023

Background
Carbohydrate and protein dietary proportions have been debated as to whether higher or lower levels are optimal for diabetes metabolic control.

Objective
The objective of this study was to investigate the associations, interactions, and mediational relationships between a polygenic risk score (PRS), carbohydrate and protein intake, and physical activity level on type 2 diabetes (T2DM) by genetic ancestry, in European Americans and African Americans. A secondary objective examined the biological pathways associated with the PRS-linked genes and their relationships to dietary intake.

Methods
We performed a cross-sectional study in 9,393 participants: 83.3% European Americans and 16.7% African Americans from 7-NHLBI Care studies obtained from the database of Genotypes and Phenotypes. The main outcome was T2DM. Carbohydrate and protein intake derived from food frequency questionnaires were calculated as percent calories. Data were analyzed using multivariable generalized estimation equation models to derive odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Ancestry-specific PRSs were constructed using joint-effects Summary Best Linear Unbiased Estimation in the train dataset and replicated in the test dataset. Mediation analysis was performed using VanderWeele’s method.

Results
The PRS in the highest tertile was associated with higher risk of T2DM in European Americans (OR = 1.25;CI = 1.03–1.51) and African Americans (OR = 1.54;1.14–2.09). High carbohydrate and low protein intake had lower risks of T2DM when combined with the PRS after adjusting for covariates. In African Americans, high physical activity combined with the high PRS and high protein diet was associated with a 28% lower incidence of T2DM when compared to low physical activity. In mediational models in African Americans, the PRS-T2DM association was mediated by protein intake in the highest tertile by 55%. The top PRS tertile had the highest magnitude of risks with metabolic factors that were significantly associated with T2DM, especially in European Americans. We found metabolic pathways associated with the PRS-linked genes that were related to insulin/IGF and ketogenesis/ketolysis that can be activated by moderate physical activity and intermittent fasting for better T2DM control.

Conclusions
Clinicians may want to consider diets with a higher portion of carbohydrates than protein, especially when the burden of high-risk alleles is great in patients with T2DM. In addition, clinicians and other medical professionals may want to emphasize the addition of physical activity as part of treatment regimen especially for African Americans. Given the metabolic pathways we identified, moderate physical activity and intermittent fasting should be explored. Researchers may want to consider longitudinal or randomized clinical trials to determine the predictive ability of different dietary patterns to inhibit T2DM in the presence of obesity and an elevated PRS.
Access to General Practitioners during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal—A survey study of patient experiences in an urban setting
Authors: Granja Mónica , Alves Luís , Correia Sofia 
Published: May 2023

Background
In 2020, Portugal had high levels of unmet health care needs. Primary Care was reported as the main source of unmet needs.

Objectives
To describe face-to-face and remote access to GPs in Portugal during the COVID-19 pandemic. To discover patient experiences and attitudes to access to care. To identify determinants of access to care.

Methods
A survey of a random sample of 4,286 adults registered in a group of Family Practices was conducted in 2021. Paper questionnaires were sent by post to patients who had no e-mail address registered with the practice. Patients with an e-mail address were sent a link to an online questionnaire. Outcomes were reported waiting times for face-to-face and remote contacts with GPs, dichotomized to ascertain compliance with standards. Associations between participant characteristics and outcome variables were tested using logistic regression.

Results
Waiting times for face-to-face consultations with GPs during the pandemic often exceeded the maximum waiting times (MWT) set by the National Health Service. Remote contacts were mostly conducted within acceptable standards. Waiting times for speaking with the GP over the phone were rated as ‘poor’ by 40% and 27% reported requests for these calls as unmet. The odds of getting care over MWT increased for participants who reported poorer digital skills. Participants were less likely to get non-urgent consultations over MWT if they found it easy to use the online patient portal to book appointments (odds ratio 0.24; 99% confidence intervals 0.09–0.61), request prescriptions (0.18; 0.04–0.74) or insert personal data (0.18; 0.04–0.95).

Conclusion
Patient reported access to GPs during the pandemic was uneven in Portugal. Obtaining non-urgent consultations and remote contacts over MWT affected mainly those patients with poor digital skills. Telephone access to GPs received the worse ratings. Access through traditional pathways must remain available, to prevent the widening of inequities.
Conversations on Global Citizenship Education: Perspectives on Research, Teaching, and Learning in Higher Education, Emiliano Bosio (Ed.) (2021)
Authors: Killick David 
Published: May 2023

Review of: Conversations on Global Citizenship Education: Perspectives on Research, Teaching, and Learning in Higher Education, Emiliano Bosio (Ed.) (2021)
New York: Routledge, 216 pp.,
ISBN 978-0-36774-056-6, p/bk, £36.99
A Kiss across the Ocean: Transatlantic Intimacies of British Post-Punk and US Latinidad, Richard T. Rodríguez (2022)
Authors: Buszek Maria Elena 
Published: May 2023

Review of: A Kiss across the Ocean: Transatlantic Intimacies of British Post-Punk and US Latinidad, Richard T. Rodríguez (2022)
Durham, NC and London: Duke University Press, 256 pp.,
ISBN 978-1-47801-858-2, p/bk, £17.59
A Book of Days, Patti Smith (2022)
Authors: Loydell Rupert 
Published: May 2023

Review of: A Book of Days, Patti Smith (2022)
London: Bloomsbury, 400 pp.,
ISBN 978-1-52665-098-6, h/bk, £25.00

Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, Bono (2022)
London: Hutchinson Heinemann, 576 pp.,
ISBN 978-1-52915-178-7, h/bk, £25.00
EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF PERVIOUS CONCRETE TO IMPEL IT IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF PAKISTAN
Authors: Madiha Madiha Shamim , Hira Hira Shakeel , Shafaq Shafaq Naseer 
Published: May 2023

Pakistan is facing adverse environmental issues peculiarly in major cities. The condition gets worst during monsoon period when the whole city faces the urban flooding due to stagnation of storm water on all major streets and areas. The main reason is the lack of infra-structure to mitigate the crisis which is faced by the country during whole rainfall season. The introduction of Pervious Concrete in major pavement infra-structure can easily limit the problems of sump of rain water. As a part of road infrastructure, the upper layer of pavement can be pervious, making runoff water to move to sub-base. This paper offers the exploratory research to ascertain the compressive strengths and infiltration rate of different samples of Porous Concrete following the American Concrete Institute guidelines. The experiments were done with varying the properties of Pervious Concrete. The effects which were considered are curing time, mix proportion, percentage quantity of fine aggregate, ratio of water to cement and varying coarse aggregate size. The mix design ratio considered were 1:4, 1:5 and 1:6. For further experiment of infiltration rate, the custom slab was formed with dimensions 2’x1’x4” and was tested for all the desired ratios. For the purpose of cost comparison, a fixed size on land is kept as standard. The cost is compared for construction on the land, using three different materials: Pervious concrete, Traditional concrete and Asphalt premix.It was showed that the Traditional concrete is cheaper than the Pervious and Asphalt layer but Pervious concrete is also economical than Asphalt layer.
Research on a safety evaluation system for railway-tunnel structures by fuzzy comprehensive evaluation theory
Authors: Li Yanfeng , Li Jialong , Zhao Jihe , Zhao Tongfeng , Guo Dong 
Published: May 2023

Long-term health detection of railway-tunnel is the development direction and trend of future railway tunnel research. Based on the actual engineering of a railway tunnel, this study developed a safety evaluation model for railway tunnel structures using a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method and examined a health state evaluation method suitable for most railway tunnel structures. The results showed that the evaluation method comprehensively reflected the impact of various factors, which had strong practicality. The evaluation results were clear, accurate, and consistent with engineering practice. When using the safety factor index to study the stress of a railway tunnel structure, Midas/civil analysis showed that different levels of the surrounding rock structural vault in railway tunnels were in a tensile, control-bearing capacity state. When calculating safety factors, the range of a 60° central angle of a railway tunnel vault was calculated according to the tensile control-bearing capacity. Theoretical formulas of the range of the center angle φ0 of the vault tension zone were derived and then verified by experiments and numerical analysis.
Postural sway is not affected by estrogen fluctuations during the menstrual cycle
Authors: Reschechtko Sasha , Nguyen Thuy Ngoc , Tsang Michelle , Giltvedt Kristine , Kern Mark , Hooshmand Shirin 
Published: May 2023

AbstractWhen people stand still, they exhibit a phenomenon called postural sway, or spontaneous movement of the body's center of pressure, which is related to balance control. In general females show less sway than males, but this difference only begins to appear around puberty, pointing to different levels of sex hormones as one potential mechanism for sway sex differences. In this study, we followed cohorts of young females using oral contraceptives (n = 32) and not using oral contraceptives (n = 19), to investigate associations between estrogen availability and postural sway. All participants visited the lab four times over the putative 28‐day menstrual cycle. At each visit, we performed blood draws to measure plasma estrogen (estradiol) levels, and tests of postural sway using a force plate. During late follicular and mid‐luteal phase, estradiol levels were lower in participants using oral contraceptives (mean differences [95% CI], respectively: −231.33; [−800.44, 337.87]; −613.26; [−1333.60, 107.07] pmol/L; main effect p < 0.001), reflecting expected consequences of oral contraceptive use. Despite these differences, postural sway was not significantly different between participants who were using oral contraceptives and participants who were not (mean difference: 2.09 cm; 95% CI = [−1.05, 5.22]; p = 0.132). Overall, we found no significant effects of the estimated menstrual cycle phase—or absolute levels of estradiol—on postural sway.
Diagnosis of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis by metagenomic next-generation sequencing: A case report
Authors: Che Xiujuan , He Zhiyi , Tung Tao-Hsin , Xia Han , Lu Zhibao 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria fowleri is a fatal infection with a mortality rate of more than 95%, despite advances in antimicrobial chemotherapy and supportive care. Initial manifestations of PAM are indistinguishable from bacterial meningitis. Prompt diagnosis and antifungal treatment may help decline the overall mortality. Here we present a case of a 38-year-old man transferred to our hospital due to mild headache, which deteriorated quickly. Severe increased intracranial pressure was found. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was yellowish with significantly increased leukocyte and protein. Smear and culture were negative. The patient was first diagnosed with pyogenic meningoencephalitis. However, the symptoms deteriorated. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of CSF was applied and finally confirmed N. fowleri as the protist pathogen within 24 h. However, due to the time cost of sampling and transportation (2 days), the diagnosis came too late, and the patient passed away 1 day before. In summary, mNGS is a rapid and accurate diagnostic method for clinical practices, especially for rare central nervous system infections. It should be used as quickly as possible for acute infections, such as PAM. All aspects of patient interrogation and prompt identification should be paramount to ensure appropriate treatment and decline the overall mortality.
Effects of NM23 transfection of human gastric carcinoma cells in mice
Authors: Liang Na , Li Chunming , Zhang Neng , Xu Qiang , Zou Shengnan , Zhang Meng , Si Shuyao , Zeng Li 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Gastric carcinoma is a frequent malignant tumor worldwide. NM23 plays an important role in pathological processes, including in the occurrence and development of tumors. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of NM23 transfection of human gastric carcinoma cells (BGC-823) on growth and metastases of BGC-823 abdominal cancer xenografts in nude mice. BGC-823 cells were transfected with an adenovirus vector for NM23 (NM23-OE), transfected with an empty vector (NC), or were not transfected (Ctrl). Eighteen female BALB/c-nu mice were randomly divided into three groups (six per group) according to the type of BGC-823 cells administered by intraperitoneal injection. After 2 weeks, necropsies of mice were performed, abdominal circumferences were measured, and abdominal cavities were searched by ultrasound. In order to observe the xenografts in nude mice, there were gross macroscopic observations and microscopic observations. In addition, immunohistochemical analysis and western blot of NM23 were also performed. Green fluorescence in the NM23-OE and NC cells indicated successful transfection. The multiplicity of infection is 80%. A comparison of the three groups of mice indicated the NM23-OE group had positive conditions (abdominal circumferences: 81.83 ± 2.40 mm), but the other groups had negative conditions and enlarged abdomens (NC: 90.83 ± 2.32 mm; Ctrl: 92.67 ± 2.07 mm). Ultrasound observations confirmed large tumors in the NC and Ctrl groups, but did not find in the NM23-OE group. There were no obvious ascites in the NM23-OE group, but the cytological examination of ascites exfoliation in NC and Ctrl groups indicated that there were large and deep-stained gastric carcinoma cells. Tumor expression of NM23 was greater in the NM23-OE group than in the NC and Ctrl groups (both p < 0.05). In conclusion, transfection of BCG-823 cells with NM23 rather than an empty vector (NC) or no vector (Ctrl) led to reduced growth and metastases of abdominal cancer xenografts in nude mice.
An efficient and green synthesis of 2-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-ones via t-BuONa-mediated oxidative condensation of 2-aminobenzamides and benzyl alcohols under solvent- and transition metal-free conditions
Authors: Nguyen Vy T. B. , Tran Dat P. , Nguyen Tung T. , Nguyen Khoa D. , Le Ha V. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Quinazolinone synthesis usually requires employing sensitive substrates, hazardous solvents, large excess oxidants, and expensive catalysts. In this study, an efficient and environmentally benign pathway was developed to synthesize 2-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one via oxidative coupling between commercially available and stable chemicals, including 2-aminobenzamide and benzyl alcohol without toxic oxidizing agents and transition-metal catalysts. A high yield of the desired product (up to 84%) was obtained at 120°C for 24 h in the presence of oxygen as a green oxidant and t-BuONa as a base. Importantly, the study scope was expanded toward successfully producing various 2-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one derivatives in moderate-to-good yields. Furthermore, control experiments proposed that the conversion involved the initial partial oxidation of benzyl alcohol to the benzaldehyde intermediate under basic conditions, followed by the condensation, intramolecular nucleophilic addition, and oxidative dehydrogenation to 2-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one.
Comparative study of structural, optical and electrical properties variation of pure, (Ag, Mg) doped and co-doped ZnO nanostructured thin films
Authors: Lekoui Fouaz , Amrani Rachid , Hassani Salim , Garoudja Elyes , Filali Walid , Oussalah Slimane , Dergham Driss , Akkari Hocine , Sengouga Nouredine 
Published: May 2023

AbstractNanostructured thin films are one of the most valuable types of industrial semiconductors for a variety of optoelectronics and optical device applications, having recently been used as a transparent conductive oxide in solar cells. In this work, nanostructured thin films of pure ZnO, Ag doped ZnO, Mg doped ZnO and Ag–Mg co-doped ZnO were successfully synthesized on silicon and glass substrates, using rapid thermal evaporation. The impact of the doping elements on the surface morphology, structural, electrical, and optical properties of the deposited films were investigated. It was found that all films have polycrystalline hexagonal wurtzite structure using X-ray diffraction. Images obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed compact and smooth surfaces, with uniform coverage of all substrate regions. SEM images confirm the nanostructured nature of the surfaces with particle size varying as a function of doping. Raman spectroscopy showed A1(LO), E2(high) and LVM modes for all samples. The developed films’ optical transmission ranged from 74 % to 87 %, with an optical bandgap ranging from 3.09 for Mg:ZnO films to 3.8 eV for Ag:ZnO samples. Depending on the doping nature modification, these alterations were associated to structural and morphological changes in the films. All films were electrically conductive, while Ag:ZnO films exhibited the lowest resistivity value reaching 0.56 Ω cm.
About the pseudo-ternary alkali metal-thallium(I) dicyanamide systems
Authors: Reckeweg Olaf , Lissner Falk , Blaschkowski Björn , Schleid Thomas 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Metathesis reactions designed to produce nominally the pseudo-ternary ATl[N(CN)2]2 compounds (A = Li, Na, K, Rb or Cs) either yielded solid solutions or separated pseudo-binary dicyanamides next to the new compounds LiTl[N(CN)2]2 and Tl0.89(1)Cs0.11(1)[N(CN)2]. Tetragonal LiTl[N(CN)2]2 (a = 724.96(2), c = 1411.77(6) pm, Z = 4) is crystallizing isotypically with LiK[N(CN)2]2 in the space group I4/mcm, while orthorhombic Tl0.89(1)Cs0.11(1)[N(CN)2] (a = 858.19(4), b = 654.22(2), c = 738.94(4) pm, Z = 4) adopts the α-K[N(CN)2]-type structure in the space group Pbcm, which Tl[N(CN)2] itself also assumes, with the unique cationic position shared by Tl+ and Cs+ in an approximate 9:1 molar ratio. The Raman spectra of the new compounds are presented and compared to those of Tl[N(CN)2], LiK[N(CN)2]2 and LiRb[N(CN)2]2.
Synthesis and characterization of diphenyl(pentachlorophenyl)phosphanegold(I) chloride
Authors: Heinrichs Peter , Stammler Hans-Georg , Mitzel Norbert W. 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Diphenyl(pentachlorophenyl)phosphanegold(I) chloride was synthesized and characterized via NMR spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction.