bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary evaluation of haemostatic and wound healing potential of Heliotropium europaeum
Authors: Rekik Dorsaf Moalla , Khedir Sameh Ben , Amouri Sameh , Jardak Neila , Rebai Tarek , Sahnoun Zouheir 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Heliotropium europaeum has been traditionally used to stop bleeding and accelerate scarring. This study provides a scientific evaluation of Heliotropium europaeum's hemostatic and healing potential. To evaluate the haemostatic effect of Heliotropium europaeum, the time of bleeding of fresh wounds induced experimentally in rats was studied. Excision wounds were induced upon four groups; each one contains six rats to estimate the healing properties of wounds. Group-1 was assigned as control (not treated), group-2 was daily treated with Heliotropium europaeum leaf powder, group-3 was treated with Heliotropium europaeum every 6 days and group-4 was treated with a reference drug, an emulsion containing 10% of Mimosa tenuiflora extract. All the parameters were significantly tested (P < 0.05) with comparison to a group control. The use of Heliotropium europaeum significantly shortened the bleeding time. The rats which were daily treated with Heliotropium europaeum healed in 12 days. This time period was significantly shorter than the control groups. Wound excision was uniformly induced randomly on the dorsum of rats in 4 groups (tested support and control). The post healing biopsies were histologically assessed, revealed a better healing quality, and continue complete tissue regeneration, abundant and well organized network of collagen fibers, and low numbers of inflammatory cells. The experimental data revealed that Heliotropium europaeum displayed remarkable haemostatic and wound healing activities.
Carbon Stock Potential of Shilabo Shrubs Land among Soil Texture Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Ayele Zemenu Tadesse , Teshome Zawde Tadesse , Lelamo Latamo Lameso 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Forest, shrub, and grassland play an imperative role in climate change mitigation and balancing nature by sequestering and retaining carbon above and below ground in biomass. The study was conducted to determine the total carbon stock potential of shrub lands in Shilabo district, Somalia, Ethiopia, as well as the implications for climate change mitigation. The study was restricted to the carbon stock potential of the shrub land depending on soil texture for three major carbon pools: above ground biomass (AGB), below ground biomass (BGB), and soil organic carbon (SOC). Using generic allometric equations that are readily available, the biomass of each species of tree and shrub was determined. To gather the necessary and pertinent data for the study region at every 390 m between each sample plot and 700 m between each transect line, sample plots of 20 by 20 m were established using systematic random sampling techniques. Using breast height (BH) tape, standing trees with branches and twigs only measuring 5 cm or less in diameter at breast height (DBH) were measured on 400 m2 of sample plots. The height of the trees was also assessed using a hypsometer. Each of the five 1 x 1 m shrub land subplots, one in the middle and four at the corners of the main plot, had litter samples carefully taken from it. Litter samples from each of the five subplots of the main plot were combined to create a composite sample that weighed about 100 grams. Each of the five 1 by 1 m subplot regions, one at each of the four corners and the main plot's center, had samples of soil organic carbon and bulk density taken at a depth of 30 cm using an auger. The statistical package for social science (SPSS) software version 26 was used to estimate and assess the carbon stock of various carbon pools. The findings demonstrated that the below-ground and above-ground biomass total mean carbon stocks at the sandy loam and sandy textured soil sites were approximately 507.36 t ha and 297.24 t ha, respectively. An independent sample t-test revealed that the mean difference in carbon pool and carbon dioxide sequestration between sandy loam texture soil (site 1) and sandy texture soil (site 2) was statistically significant. Shrub lands have provided great environmental benefits and services, as well as mitigating climate change impacts. Therefore, any environmental protection agencies, both government and non-government, have to look for and protect this resource.
Cardiac surgery for a right atrial myxoma with traumatic intracranial hemorrhage: a case report
Authors: Ichinose Maki , Ogiwara Masanori , Ozaki Masahiko , Nishino Yoshifumi , Tanaka Kensuke 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Background: The timing of cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) for intracranial hemorrhage is controversial.
Case presentation: We report the case of an 82-year-old woman who was transferred to our hospital because of a head injury. Brain computed tomography (CT) revealed traumatic intracranial hemorrhage, and transthoracic echocardiography revealed a giant right atrial myxoma. After confirming the disappearance of intracranial hemorrhage on brain CT, cardiac surgery with CPB was performed, which was uneventful.
Conclusions: For an uneventful surgery, the optimal timing of cardiac surgery with CPB in patients with giant right atrial myxoma and intracranial hemorrhage should be based on brain CT.
Cholesterol removal significantly improves performance of a model anti-tumor biomimetic nano delivery system integrating immunotherapy and STING activation
Authors: Li Lin , Li Jing , Fu Leyao , Zhang Mengxing , Liu Tiantian , Bao Qixue , Huang Shiqi , Zhang zhirong , Liu Zhenmi , Zhang Ling 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Biomimetic drug delivery systems have attracted much interests as they could accomplish tasks such as precise delivery and biological barrier penetration. Biological membranes often play important functional roles in these systems. We discover that the circulating time and targeting capability of biological membrane-coated nanovehicles could be significantly improved by reducing their cholesterol content with simple (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-cyclodextrin treatment. A proof-of-concept biomimetic nano system using cholesterol-reduced T cell membrane with overexpressed PD-1 to deliver photothermal agent and STING agonist SR-717 is fabricated and assessed. Comparing with non-modified membrane and conventional PEGlaytion modified membranes, these membranes offer remarkably improved performance in immunocompetent mice, with ~ 2-fold increase in tumor accumulation. After intravenous injection and laser irradiation, melanoma tumors are completely eliminated with no recurrence for > 100 days in > 80% treated mice. Mechanistic studies suggest that the treated membranes could efficiently escape the immune surveillance to avoid blood clearance while keeping functional surface molecules exposed. This subtractive strategy does not introduce new substances and appears to be highly safe. In summary, we discover a simple, safe and widely-applicable biological membrane modification strategy that could significantly improve delivery performance. This strategy displays advantages than conventional PEGlaytion in some aspects and has good potential for further development.
Drug delivery applications of exopolysaccharides from endophytic bacteria Pseudomonas otitidis from Tribulus terrestris L
Authors: Kalimuthu Arjun Kumar , Pandian Sureshbabu Ram Kumar , Parasuraman Pavadai , Panneerselvam Theivendren , Kabilan Shanmugampillai Jeyaraguru , Sankaranarayanan Murugesan , Chandu Ala , Kunjiappan Selvaraj 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The present study aimed to produce a novel biocompatible, stable and biodegradable exopolysaccharide (EPS) from endophytic bacteria to deliver drugs into malignant cells effectively. EPS-producing endophytic bacteria, Pseudomonas otitidis was isolated and identified from the roots of the medicinal plant Tribulus terrestris L. The ice-cold ethanol precipitation method was used to isolate EPS from an endophytic bacterial culture. The isolated EPS was partially characterized by FTIR, NMR spectroscopy, and the presence of reducing sugar and protein contents were also measured. The isolated EPS contained 26.665±1.302% of reducing sugar and 0.912±0.023% of proteins. Further, EPS-based quercetin-loaded nanoparticles (NPs) were formulated through the precipitation method to deliver quercetin into breast cancer cells. The fabricated nanoparticles size, shape, physical nature, drug release and release kinetics properties were studied and confirmed. EPS-based nanoparticles could cause the highest release of quercetin in an acidic medium at pH 5.0, and they had high biocompatibility in a physiological medium. In addition, the NPs showed significant free radicals (DPPH* and ABTS*) scavenging and ferric ion reducing potentials and concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 cells) after 24 h treatment with IC50 value of 14.313 μg ml−1. The obtained results demonstrated that the isolated EPS from endophytic bacteria can positively applied as a drug delivery vehicle and enhanced the activity of the loaded drug.
Convergence Theorems in G- Metric Space and its Application
Authors: Kamal A. , Rizk Doaa 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The present paper is an attempt to prove convergence theorems to a unique fixed point in complete G-metric space. It also provides the consequences of our main result. Furthermore, some up to date results in the setting of G-metric spaces will be improved and supplemented by the convergence theorems. As an application of our results, it also proves some previous theorems as special cases. The results demonstrated in this study unify and enlarge some known results in this area.
AMS: 46E15, 47B33, 47B38, 54C35.
Herbivory baseline estimates in Spanish Protected Areas, and environmental implications.
Authors: Serrano-Zulueta Rubén , Pardo Guillermo , Prado Agustín del , Manzano Pablo 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Context.
There are no estimations of herbivory baselines in Spain. Due to the bioclimatic conditions, ungulates have maintained Open Ecosystems until the Holocene. Pastoral tradition later fulfilled the niche of wild grazers, but this role is not considered in environmental assessments of grazing livestock.
Objectives.
We attempted to better understand the scale of herbivory in Spain. We aimed to estimate the weight of current wild herbivory and evaluate the role of domestic herbivory in these baselines. We apply them to improve the allocation of environmental impacts and emissions from grazing livestock.
Methods.
We inferred equations relating Net Primary Productivity (NPP) with ungulate biomass and enteric CH4 with data from 11 Spanish Protected Areas. We applied the equations to the current grazable areas in Spain and we analysed the ecological conditions to get the herbivory baseline. We also estimated the proportion of grazing livestock that would be part of such baseline.
Results.
We found relationships between NPP and ungulate biomass and enteric CH4 emissions. However, current abundances are several times below the estimated baselines and the carrying capacity. There are major constraints for herbivore populations to reach their baseline state, particularly the absence of migration and the extinction of grazers among wild herbivores. Structural maintenance of Open Ecosystems must therefore be led by domestic grazers that cannot be replaced by the extant wild, mostly browser, ungulates.
Conclusions.
We concluded that Spain is widely susceptible to being populated by herbivores that generate Open Ecosystems as baseline landscapes. Current grazing livestock accounts for a significant part of them, so baselines must be included in their environmental assessments. For the case of Spain, we propose a minimum baseline of 36% of the herbivore biomass and 30% of the enteric CH4.
The Global Impact of Vaccine Certificates on COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake: A Scoping Review
Authors: Zhu David T. , Mithani Salima S. , Smith David , Wilson Kumanan 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
Globally, COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be instrumental for promoting population health by curbing the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and achieving herd immunity. Vaccine certificates have emerged as a promising solution for encouraging vaccination and facilitating the safe reopening of society, however, they remain controversial due to criticisms of infringing upon individual rights of bodily autonomy. While there is extensive literature describing the ethical, legal, and public health implications of vaccine certificates, there is currently a gap in knowledge about the impact of vaccine certificates on vaccine uptake during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Objectives
The objectives of this scoping review are to (i) evaluate the impact of vaccine certificates on the rates of COVID-19 vaccine uptake across several countries and (ii) describe the myriad intrinsic and extrinsic barriers or facilitators that moderate this relationship.
Methods
We conducted a scoping review based on PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRSIMA-ScR) guidelines. We searched three bibliographic databases (APA PsychInfo, Embase Classic + Embase, OVID-Medline) and preprint severs on May 17, 2022. Two reviewers independently screened the studies based on pre-specified eligibility criteria and performed data extraction for pre-specified themes.
Results
Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria. The majority documented that vaccine certificates significantly increased the rates of COVID-19 vaccine uptake (n=9), motivated by factors such as travel/employer requirements, influence from the government/peers, and trust in the safety, efficacy, and science behind COVID-19 vaccines. Three studies had non-significant or mixed findings. Only one study found a significant decrease in COVID-19 vaccine uptake, motivated by pervasive distrust in the QR code-based system of digital vaccine certificates in Russia.
Conclusion
Our findings provide valuable insights into the consequences of vaccine certificates on vaccine uptake at a global scale, which can be used to guide future implementation of vaccine certificates in a more acceptable, feasible, and sustainable manner.
Analysis of strain, sex, and diet-dependent modulation of gut microbiota reveals candidate keystone organisms driving microbial diversity in response to American and ketogenic diets
Authors: Salvador Anna C. , Huda M. Nazmul , Arends Danny , Elsaadi Ahmed M. , Gacasan Anthony C. , Brockmann Gudrun A. , Valdar William , Bennett Brian J. , Threadgill David W. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Background
The gut microbiota is modulated by a combination of diet, host genetics, and sex effects. The magnitude of these effects and interactions among them is important to understanding inter-individual variability in gut microbiota. In a previous study, mouse strain-specific responses to American and ketogenic diets were observed along with several QTL for metabolic traits. In the current study, we searched for genetic variants underlying differences in the gut microbiota in response to American and ketogenic diets, which are high in fat and vary in carbohydrate composition, between C57BL/6J (B6) and FVB/NJ (FVB) mouse strains.
Results
Genetic mapping of microbial features revealed 18 loci under the QTL model (i.e., marginal effects that are not specific to diet or sex), 12 loci under the QTL by diet model, and 1 locus under the QTL by sex model. Multiple metabolic and microbial features map to the distal part of Chr 1 and Chr 16 along with eigenvectors extracted from principal coordinate analysis of measures of β-diversity. Bilophila, Ruminiclostridium 9, and Rikenella (Chr 1) were identified as sex and diet independent QTL candidate keystone organisms and Rikenelleceae RC9 Gut Group (Chr 16) was identified as a diet-specific, candidate keystone organism in confirmatory factor analyses of traits mapping to these regions. For many microbial features, irrespective of which QTL model was used, diet or the interaction between diet and a genotype were the strongest predictors of the abundance of each microbial trait. Sex, while important to the analyses, was not as strong of a predictor for microbial abundances.
Conclusions
These results demonstrate that sex, diet, and genetic background have different magnitudes of effects on inter-individual differences in gut microbiota. Therefore, Precision Nutrition through the integration of genetic variation, microbiota, and sex affecting microbiota variation will be important to predict response to diets varying in carbohydrate composition.
Anti-inflammatory Effects of First-line Anti-arthritic Drugs on T-cell
Activation
Authors: Manolios Nicholas , Hou Guojiang 
Published: February 2023

Aim:
The in vitro effects of commonly used first-line anti-arthritic drugs on early stages
of T-cell activation were examined.

Methods:
The 2B4.11 murine T cell hybridoma cell line recognizing pigeon cytochrome c (PCC)
as the antigen was co-cultured with the histocompatible antigen presenting B cell hybridoma line
LK35.2, PCC, and anti-arthritic drugs, including methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, salazopyrine,
cyclosporin, and leflunomide. After 16 hours of incubation, the supernatant was removed, and
cytokines were assayed.

Results:
Anti-arthritic drugs inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2, IL-6,
IFN-γ, GM-CSF, and TNF-α (Th1 cytokines) to a varying extent. Surprisingly, leflunomide, salazopyrine,
prednisone and indomethacin as well as blocking Th1 cytokines, stimulated the production
of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, a Th2 cytokine.

Conclusion:
Anti-arthritic medications can inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines
and in some cases, incite a Th2 response that could potentially inhibit the progression of the immune
response.
Admission Avoidance for Older Adults Facilitated by Telemedicine during
the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gregory Jemma , Noble Benjamin , Ward Donna , Wyrko Zoe , Laghi Luca 
Published: February 2023

Introduction:
The coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately affected older adults
and has provided an incentive to find alternatives to emergency department attendance to avoid
unnecessary exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus. To address this issue, a specialist geriatric
multidisciplinary team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital set up a novel telemedicine approach to the
ambulance service with the aim of reducing unnecessary emergency department attendance for
older adults. This study provides a service evaluation in its first year of use.

Methods:
Service evaluation in the first year of the ‘Ask OPAL’ (older person Assessment and
liaison) hotline for ambulance paramedics, run by a multidisciplinary acute geriatrics team at the
Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. Data on the number, patient demographics, intervention,
and outcome of the calls, were recorded

Results:
During the study period, 2552 ‘Ask OPAL’ calls were conducted. Of the 2552 calls carried
out, 1755 patients (69%) remained at home. Of the patients who remained at home, 76% received
verbal advice only, while 24% were referred to community services in addition to receiving verbal
advice.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, the use of an integrated multidisciplinary team communicating with
paramedics via telemedicine appears to be successful in preventing avoidable hospital admissions
in complex patients.
Ocena jakości leczenia bólu pooperacyjnego u pacjentów oddziału chirurgicznego leczonych metodą laparoskopową
Authors: Krajewska Karolina 
Published: February 2023

Wstęp. Laparoskopia jest jedną z najbardziej skutecznych metod leczenia operacyjnego. Głównymi korzyściami płynącymi z leczenia metodą laparoskopową jest szybszy powrót do zdrowia, mniejsza ilość powikłań, blizny niewielkich rozmiarów oraz zminimalizowanie odczuwanych dolegliwości bólowych.
Cel. Celem pracy jest analiza oceny jakości leczenia bólu pooperacyjnego po zabiegach operacyjnych przeprowadzonych metodą laparoskopową.
Materiał i metody. W pracy wykorzystano metodę sondażu diagnostycznego przy użyciu techniki ankietowania. Narzędziem badawczym służącym do przeprowadzenia badań była ankieta własna wraz z narzędziem standaryzowanym - Polska Wersja Skali Klinicznych Wskaźników Jakości Postępowania z Bólem Pooperacyjnym. Analizie badawczej poddano 100 pacjentów oddziału chirurgicznego Wojewódzkiego Szpitala Specjalistycznego we Włocławku leczonych metodą laparoskopową.
Wyniki. Uzyskane wyniki są zbliżone do badań przeprowadzonych przez innych badaczy. Ogólna ocena jakości świadczonej opieki pielęgniarskiej w minimalizowaniu odczuwanych dolegliwości bólowych świadczy o konieczności poprawy opieki w sferze środowisko oraz komunikowanie.
Wnioski. Personel pielęgniarski posiada wiedzę w zakresie uśmierzania bólu pooperacyjnego oraz szybko reaguje na zmieniający się stan chorego. Wyniki badań jednoznacznie wskazują, iż przekaz informacji na poziomie pielęgniarka – pacjent powinien ulec poprawie. Zapewnienie odpowiedniego otoczenia choremu do odpoczynku po operacji nie zawsze jest możliwe z przyczyn niezależnych od personelu pielęgniarskiego.
WHY NATO HAS BECOME A FLASHPOINT WITH RUSSIA IN UKRAINE
Authors: Kupchan Charles 
Published: February 2023

On November 21, 2022, Dr. Charles Kupchan, senior fellow with the Council of Foreign Relations and School of Foreign Service and a professor of International Affairs at Georgetown University, presented on Why NATO Has Become a FlashPoint with Russia in Ukraine at the 2022 Annual CASIS Vancouver West Coast Security Conference. The key points discussed were North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) roots in liberal democracy, NATO’s role within the Ukrainian-Russian war and their collaboration with the European Union, the future threat of a potential Russia-China alliance, challenges to address within the near coming future regarding Ukraine, and NATO’s role within the strength of democracy.

Received: 2022-12-09Revised: 2023-01-02
DO DISRUPTION, IDEATION, AND INNOVATION FEED ONE ANOTHER?
Authors: Adlakha-Hutcheon Gitanjali 
Published: February 2023

On November 21, 2022, Dr. Gitanjali Adlakha-Hutcheon, A/Chief Scientist of the Health Sciences domain at the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) presented Do Disruption, Ideation, and Innovation Feed One Another? The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period with questions from the audience and CASIS-Vancouver executives. The key points discussed were the positive and negative natures and impacts of disruption; the manner in which ideation and innovation addresses disruption; and the interdependence of disruption, ideation, and innovation within the context of emerging threats and societal resilience.

Received: 2022-12-28Revised: 2023-01-04
CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS AND POLITICAL MILITARY RELATIONS IN THE CONTEXT OF THREAT RESILIENCY
Authors: Lee Carrie 
Published: February 2023

On November 21, 2022, Dr. Carrie Lee, associate professor and Chair of the Department of National Security and Strategy at the US Army War College, presented on Civil-Military Relations and Political Military Relations in the Context of Threat Resiliency. The key points discussed included the importance of good civil-military relations, how they are critical in establishing resiliency, and some of the threats that require good civil-military relations.

Received: 2022-12-05Revised: 2022-12-07
EMERGING NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS AND BUILDING STATE RESILIENCE
Authors: McGuinty David 
Published: February 2023

On November 22, 2022, the Honourable David McGuinty, Chairman of the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), presented on Emerging National Security Concerns and Building State Resilience. The key points discussed were what is NSICOP, how NSICOP conducts reviews into Canada’s National Security and Intelligence community, and the future of NSICOP’s mandate. The presentation was followed by a question-and-answer period with questions from the audience and CASIS Vancouver executives.

Received: 20223-01-02Revised: 2023-01-12