bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impact of serum interleukin 22 as a biomarker for the differential use of molecular targeted drugs in psoriatic arthritis: A retrospective study
Authors: Miyagawa Ippei , Nakayamada Shingo , Ueno Masanobu , Miyazaki Yusuke , Iwata Shigeru , Kubo Satoshi , Sonomoto Koshiro , Anan Junpei , Ohkubo Naoaki , Inoue Yoshino , Tanaka Yoshiya 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Background. We explored whether serum cytokines could be used as biomarkers for optimal use of tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNF-i) and interleukin (IL) 17 inhibitors (IL-17-i) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).Methods. In cohort 1 (47 patients treated with IL-17-i [n=23] or TNF-i [n=24] for ≥1 year), we identified serum cytokines that predicted the achievement of Disease Activity in Psoriatic Arthritis- remission (DAPSA-REM), Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) 90 and Minimal Disease Activity after 1 year of TNF-i or IL-17-i therapy. Subsequently, we developed treatment strategies based on the identified cytokines; initiation of IL-17-i therapy in patients with low IL-22 concentrations (IL-22 <0.61376 pg/ml) and TNF-i therapy in patients with high IL-22 concentrations (0.61376< IL-22 pg/ml). In cohort 2 (34 patients), treatment responses were compared between the strategic treatment group (n=17), which was treated based on the treatment strategies, and the mismatched treatment group (n=17) to verify the validity of the treatment strategies developed using serum cytokines as biomarkers.Results. In cohort 1, serum IL-22 concentration was identified as a predictor of DAPSA-remission after 1 year of IL-17-i therapy. Regarding treatment strategies, we selected TNF-i for patients with high IL-22 concentrations and IL-17-i for those with low IL-22 concentrations. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the strategic and mismatched treatment groups. Regarding treatment effects, disease activity significantly improved at 1 year in both groups. Upon comparison of the treatment effects, the rate of achieving DAPSA-REM and Minimal Disease Activity at month 12 was significantly higher in the strategic treatment group.Conclusions. We verified that serum IL-22 can be used as a biomarker for the proper selection of TNF-i and IL-17-i.
Use of Alexis® Retractor in Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion: First Experiences at a Single Center
Authors: Plais Nicolas , Alonso Silvia Lozano , Buitrago America Novoa , Gil Maribel Almagro , Sanchez Rafael Carlos Gomez , Febres Luis Miguel Salmerón , Roldan Jose Luis Martin 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
INTRODUCTIONRetroperitoneal approach for Anterior Lumbar Spine Fusion (ALIF) surgery is a widespread approach used in lumbar surgery. It normally requires the use of metallic retractors fixed to the operative table. The friction between the blades and the soft tissues can produce injuries. In this study, we present the initial experience of ALIF surgeries performed with the Alexis retractor, a self-holding retractor made of 2 stiff plastic rings joined by a cylindrical reinforced polyurethane sheath that provides 360º circular retraction. We believe that its use could provide an excellent exposure and allow an atraumatic retraction in Mini-invasive ALIF.METHODSWe present a case series of 11 patients who underwent an anterior approach using the Alexis plastic ring wound retractor. In all cases, a mini-invasive pararectal and retroperitoneal approach was performed. Demographic and clinical data, complications and the surgeon´s experience were collected.RESULTSThe cohort included 8 female and 3 males (BMI: 27.0, Mean age: 50.2y.o). Three patients had previous abdominal surgery. For all the patients, the retractor provided a great exposure with a minimum incision size (6-7cm). We obtained an excellent visualization of the great vessels and the lumbar disc in a mini-invasive way. Moreover, we had less tissue handling with no interference from prolapsing bowel. The peritoneal sac was perfectly contained by the inner ring and the cylindrical sheath. We didn´t have to coagulate the subcutaneous fat and didn´t observe skin lacerations. No complications related to the retractor were reported.CONCLUSIONSAlexis retractor is a useful and safe retractor that can help to perform a mini-invasive anterior approach for ALIF. It provides a great exposure and an unobstructed view of the working area. It offers a low profile, radiolucent 360º atraumatic retraction. In this series, no complications related to the retractor were described.Level of Evidence: IV
Tunable Plasmonic Modes in Graphene-loaded Plasma Media
Authors: Heydari Mohammad Bagher 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
This paper investigates tunable magneto-plasmons in graphene-based structures combined with gyro-electric layers. In the general waveguide, each graphene sheet has been sandwiched between two different gyro-electric layers. The whole structure has been exposed in the presence of a magnetic bias. An accurate analytical model based on all propagating modes has been proposed and led to closed-form complicated relations. As a special case of the multi-layer waveguide, a hybrid graphene-gyroelectric structure is studied in this paper. It has been illustrated that the propagating features of the exemplary waveguide can be tuned by changing the external magnetic bias and the chemical potential of graphene, which makes it a new tunable platform for the design of non-reciprocal plasmonic devices in the THz region.
A Novel Defined Ferroptosis-Related Gene Signature for Predicting The Prognosis of Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Pan Ke-Hao , Liu Yi-Fan , Xu Bin , Chen Ming 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Objective: We developed a predictive model associated with ferroptosis to provide a more comprehensive view of kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) immunotherapy. Methods: Gene expression data and corresponding clinical outcomes were obtained from the GEO and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases, and a ferroptosis-related gene set was obtained from the FerrDb database. Results: We identified 17 ferroptosis-related genes that were differentially expressed, including enrichment in genes involved in the immune system process. We established a ferroptosis-related gene-based prognostic model based on the results of univariate Cox regression and multivariate Cox regression analyses, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.644 (3 years). We found that the higher exprssion of MT1G, LAMP2 and MIOX showed a higher proportion of CD8+ T cells, CD4+ memory activated T cells, etc. Finally, a predictive ferroptosis-related prognostic nomogram, which included the predictive values of age, gender, grade, TNM stage, and risk score, was established to predict overall survival.﻿Conclusions: In sum, we developed a ferroptosis-related gene-based prognostic model that provides novel insights into the prediction of KIRC prognosis and identifies the relevance of the immune microenvironment for patient outcomes.
Influence of Control Strategy in Risk Mitigation of Building Damage Due to Earthquake
Authors: Mamat Normaisharah , othman Mohd Fauzi , Yakub Mohd Fitri Mohd 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Building structures are prone to damage due to natural disasters, and this challenges structural engineers to design safer and more robust building structures. This study is conducted to prevent these consequences by implementing a control strategy that can enhance a building's stability and reduce the risk of damage. Therefore, to realize the structural integrity of a building, a hybrid control device is equipped with control strategies to enhance robustness. The control strategy proposed in this study is adaptive nonsingular terminal sliding mode control (ANTSMC). ANTSMC is an integrated controller of radial basis function neural network (RBFNN) and nonsingular terminal sliding mode control (NTSMC), which has a fast dynamic response, finite-time convergence, and the ability to enhance the control performance against a considerable uncertainty. The proposed controller is designed based on the sliding surface and the control law. The building with a two-degree-of-freedom (DOF) system is designed in Matlab/Simulink and validated with the experimental work connected to the LMSTest.Lab software. The performance of this controller is compared with those of the terminal sliding mode control (TSMC) and NTSMC in terms of the displacement response, sliding surface, and the probability of damage. The result showed that the proposed controller, ANTSMC can suppress vibrations up to 46%, and its percentage probability of complete damage is 15% from the uncontrolled structure. Thus, these findings are imperative towards increasing the safety level in building structures and occupants, and reducing damage costs in the event of a disaster.
Further investigation of the irreversible floc breakup in flocculation kinetics modelling
Authors: Marques Rodrigo de Oliveira , Filho Sidney Seckler Ferreira 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Recent research has shown that the equilibrium between aggregation and breakup in flocculation kinetics modelling may not hold due to irreversible floc breakup. This work investigated the influence of the coagulant/particle ratio and average velocity gradient () in the occurrence of this phenomenon with a different water matrix than previous research. Jar test assays were conducted with low (≈15 NTU), medium (≈50 NTU) and high (≈100 NTU) turbidity synthetic raw water, using alum as coagulant and kaolin as primary particles. Results were analyzed using Argaman and Kaufman's model and values for KA (aggregation constant) and KB (breakup coefficient) were determined with the evolutionary convergence method. Model fitting was satisfactory when the Al/particle ratio varied between 10 and 27 mg Al3+/g. Outside this range, residual turbidity increased after equilibrium, attributed to the irreversible floc breakup process and not adequately described by the model. A two-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted, and the results indicated a plausible correlation between pKA (–log KA) and Al/particle ratio. As for pKB (–log KB), the results indicated a possible correlation with both Al/particle ratio and . The results suggest that the irreversible floc breakup may occur regardless of the water matrix composition.
Assessing membrane aerated biofilm reactor configurations in mainstream anammox applications
Authors: Wagner B. M. , Daigger G. T. , Love N. G. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractPartial nitritation anammox (PNA) membrane aerated biofilm reactors (MABRs) have the potential to be employed in mainstream wastewater treatment and can drastically decrease the energy and carbon requirements for nitrogen removal. Previous PNA MABR studies have looked at 1-stage systems, but no study has holistically compared the performance of different MABR configurations. In this study, a PNA MABR was mechanistically modelled to determine the impact of the reactor configuration (1-stage, hybrid, or 2-stage system) on the location of the preferred niche for anammox bacteria and the overall nitrogen removal performance. Results from this study show that the 2-stage configuration, which used an MABR with a thin biofilm for nitritation and a moving bed biofilm reactor for anammox, had a 20% larger nitrogen removal rate than the 1-stage or hybrid configurations. This suggests that an MABR should focus on maximizing nitrite production with anammox implemented in a second-stage biofilm reactor to achieve the most cost-effective nitrogen removal. However, the optimal configuration will likely be facility specific, as each facility differs in operating costs, construction costs, footprint, and effluent limits. Additional experimentation is required to confirm these results, but this work narrows the number of viable configurations that need to be tested. The results of this study will inform researchers and engineers how to best implement PNA MABRs in mainstream nitrogen removal at larger scales.
Enhanced dewaterability of waste-activated sludge with zero-valent iron-activated persulfate oxidation under mild hydrothermal conditions
Authors: Li Panpan , Yu Yang , Zhu Lixiang , Zhou Zhanhang , Zhang Wenjie , Wu Peng , Yu Ran 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
A novel technique to enhance sludge dewaterability with zero-valent iron-activated persulfate (ZVI/PDS) and hydrothermal treatment (HT) under mild temperature is proposed in this study. Key operating parameters were considered to study their influences on the dewaterability of sludge. Comparative studies of organic matter, especially extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), were analyzed carefully to reveal the mechanisms involved. The results indicated that the specific resistance to filtration declined by 86.72%, and the capillary suction time reduced by 72.35% compared with the raw sludge under optimal conditions of 100 mg/g TSS ZVI and 200 mg/g TSS PDS doses at 120 °C. Soluble protein and fulvic acid-like in EPS were the key components affecting the sludge dewatering performance. The disappearance of the peak in the amide III led to a decrease in hydrophilic functional groups, which helped to improve sludge dewaterability.
The Neuropharmacological Potential of Piperazine Derivatives: A Mini-
Review
Authors: Alghamdi Saad , Alshehri Mohammed M. , Asif Mohammad 
Published: January 2022

Abstract:
Piperazine is a six-membered heterocyclic ring with two nitrogen atoms at positions one
and four. This piperazine moiety can be present in a slew of well-known medicines that have pharmacophoric
effects on a variety of receptors. Various piperazine analogs have core biological activities
involving the activation of monoamine pathways, primarily on neurotransmitter receptors. As a result,
piperazine analogs have a wide range of central clinical uses, including anxiolytic, antipsychotic, and
antidepressant. Due to its stimulant and euphoric effects, benzyl-piperazine is the prototype of piperazine
analogs, and this molecule is the main substance of recreational drugs. This review focuses on
the activity of piperazine pharmacophore on diverse neurotransmitter receptors used therapeutically
as anxiolytics (buspirone), antidepressants (vortioxetine), antipsychotics (clozapine), and other drugs.
Effects of Hydroxychloroquine on Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy in
Subjects with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Baidya Arjun 
Published: January 2022

Objective:
The study was conducted to investigate the effects of hydroxychloroquine, an
anti-inflammatory drug, which was recently approved and used as an add on oral antidiabetic drug
for uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) on an adequate dose of sulfonylurea and metformin
on the progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in subjects with Rheumatoid Arthritis and
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. The primary objective was to evaluate the effect of hydroxychloroquine
on the onset of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) and progression of the disease. Best-corrected visual
acuity (BCVA) charts with 3 or more lines worsening of visual acuity and the development of clinically
significant macular edema (CSME) were added as secondary objectives as described in the
Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS).

Methods:
This retrospective analysis was done from medical records of all Rheumatoid Arthritis
(RA) patients who also had T2DM and were treated with hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) 400 mg OD
or 200 mg BID (N=65) and received ophthalmologic care at an endocrinology clinic in India up to
a mean follow-up of 3.5±0.5 years and matched subjects taking any other disease-modifying antirheumatic
drugs (DMARD) and pioglitazone (N=34).

Results:
Baseline characteristics were similar in both the groups, with matched glycated haemoglobin
(9.1 % and 9.2 % respectively, p=0.127). In both groups, over 3.5 years, HbA1c was reduced
significantly. No new cases of DR were detected in the HCQ group, whereas 2 patients had
developed DR in the pioglitazone group. At the base line visit, mild non-proliferative Diabetic
Retinopathy (NPDR) was present in 18 eyes and 14 eyes in the HCQ and pioglitazone groups, respectively.
Progression to moderate NPDR over 3.5 years occurred in 2 out of 18 (11 %) eyes in
the HCQ group and 8 out of 14 (57 %) eyes in the pioglitazone group, respectively, representing a
significant relative risk reduction (p=.001). No patients had progressed from mild NDPR to severe
NPDR in the HCQ group, whereas 2 eyes had progressed from mild NPDR to severe NPDR in the
pioglitazone group. None of the patients in either arm developed diabetic macular oedema.

Conclusion:
Progression of DR from mild to moderate NPDR or severe NPDR may be delayed by
HCQ. Large scale randomised prospective clinical trial is required to establish the risk-benefit profiles
of HCQ in T2DM.
Practice, Knowledge, and Awareness of the Diverse Effects of Diagnostic Radiology among Radiology Staff and Students in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Elasbali Abdelbaset Mohamed , Alyahyawi Amjad , Ahmed Hussain Gadelkarim 
Published: January 2022

Background:
Diagnostic radiology has been linked to several health consequences.
Thus, the present study aimed to assess the practice, knowledge, and awareness of the diverse effects
of diagnostic radiology among radiology staff and students in Saudi Arabia.

Methodology:
In this study, 107 participants were recruited from August to December 2020. The
study included 56 radiology personnel (staff from Hail City Hospitals) and 51 radiology medical
students (students from the University of Ha’il).

Results:
To the question, “Have you ever been informed of radiation and its effects?” about 6/107
(5.6 %) answered “No,” among which 5/6 (83.3 %) were the staff. In response to the question, “In
your opinion, how hazardous is radiation to your body?” about 8/104 (7.7 %) indicated it as nonhazardous
(3 were staff and 5 were students). To the question, “Do you believe that radiation in
medical sites is harmful?” about 20/104 (19.2 %) answered, “No” (8 were staff and 12 were students).

Conclusion:
There is a lack of awareness, knowledge, and practice towards ionizing radiation protection
measures among radiology medical students and radiology department staff in Northern
Saudi Arabia. The paper notifies the health system advisors to include stressing guidelines regarding
radiation hazards. More actions are deemed necessary for the safety of patients and radiation
workers.
Effect of Estradiol on Chondrocytes in the Active Stage of Collagenase-
Induced Osteoarthritis
Authors: Ivanovska Nina , Ganova Petya , Belenska-Todorova Lyudmila 
Published: January 2022

Aims:
The aim of the present study is to examine the effect of estradiol on chondrocyte
inflammatory potential and apoptosis in a mouse model of osteoarthritis (OA).

Background:
OA is a degenerative joint disease related to articular cartilage disintegration, together
with substantial changes in the subchondral bone. Estradiol (ED) is considered to be an important
player in maintaining bone homeostasis. Increasing evidence support the association between
the severity of cartilage erosion and chondrocyte death.

Objective:
It is of great importance to elucidate the role of chondrocytes in the development of OA
in relation to estrogen levels.

Methods:
The present work was conducted on a model of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis
(CIOA) in ICR (CD-2) mice. The cytokine and MMP-3 concentrations were assayed by ELISA,
and apoptosis of chondrocytes was determined by flow cytometry.

Results:
ED decreased the number of cultured TGF-β1 positive chondrocytes, reduced the percentage
of double-positive CD220+/TNF-α+ chondrocytes. ED reduced the rate of apoptosis and MMP-
13 production of stimulated arthritic chondrocytes, and inhibited the release of inflammatory
IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines in vitro.

Conclusion:
Our results show that ED affects chondrocyte functions as a part of its anti-arthritic
mechanism of action and it might be a perspective drug for healing OA.
Anticancer Perspectives of Sanguinarine: A Review
Authors: Gilani Syed Amir , Iahtisham-Ul-Haq  , Imran Muhammad , Gondal Tanweer Aslam , Ahmad Ishtiaque , Akram Aqsa 
Published: January 2022

Background:
Sanguinarine, a benzophenanthridine alkaloid extracted from Sanguinaria
canadensis has been found to show an inhibitory role on proapoptotic and growth inhibitory activities
in various tumor cells of experimental subjects.

Objective:
This review highlights and summarizes the effects of sanguinarine against cancers alongside
the possible mechanisms involved as depicted in various in vitro and in vivo models.

Results:
Sanguinarine shows anticancer activities via various mechanisms like inhibiting cancer
cell proliferation, aberrantly activated signal transduction pathways, sang-mediated angiogenesis,
and induction of cell death and tumor suppressors’ expressions. It also enhances the cytotoxic effects
of chemotherapeutics via sensitizing cancer cells against these drugs, hence improving their
pharmacological attributes.

Conclusion:
Due to the significant role of sanguinarine against various types of cancer, it can be
explored for its potential functions in cancer treatment.
Volatile Chemical Profile of Ethanol-based Hand Sanitizer Marketed in Brazil by HS-SPME/GC-MS
Authors: Niculau Edenilson dos Santos , de Oliveira Daniel Augusto Barra , Carvalho Leandro Lima , Nogueira Karolina Lima , Oliveira Mirella Carvalho de Araújo 
Published: January 2022

Aim:
This study aims to determine the volatile chemical profile of ethanol-based hand
sanitizer marketed in Brazil by HS-SPME/GC-MS.

Background:
Ethanol-based hand sanitizer has been used to protect against coronavirus disease
(COVID-19). In general, these formulations are prepared using a carbomer. In 2020 and 2021, the
production of hand sanitizer has increased due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Therefore, it is important
to know the composition of this formulation because certain molecules present in some alcoholic mixtures
can cause health problems.

Method:
Ethanol-based hand sanitizer, AL1, AL2, BL1, CL1, DL1, EL1, FL1, and GL1 (ethanol derivative
of fuel station), was purchased from manufacturers commercialized in Araguaína-TO and
analyzed by HS-SPME/GC-MS for determining volatile chemical profile.

Results:
The analyses showed different compositions for the ethanol-based hand sanitizers. Samples
AL1 and AL2 contained isopropyl alcohol, ethyl acetate, benzene, ethane-1,1-diethoxy, limonene, and
other compounds. Linear alkanes were also detected. Only ethyl acetate and ethane-1,1-diethoxy were
detected in CL1, in addition to ethanol. Thus, it is the most suitable sample among those analyzed.
The presence of benzene, alkanes, and other hydrocarbons may be associated with the use of fuel ethanol
to prepare these sanitizers, as shown in the sample GL1. Benzene, xylene, and toluene were
found in FL1. This sample is the most contaminated among those analyzed.

Conclusion:
The chemical profile of commercial ethanol-based hand sanitizer from eight different
samples sold in Araguaína-Brazil was established by GC-MS. Compounds like benzene and other alkanes
were found in some samples. These results suggested possible contamination by alcohols unqualified
in producing pharmaceutical substances. These analyzes are particularly relevant due to the
pandemic situation to avoid COVID-19 proliferation. Benzene and other alkanes are harmful to human
health and should be avoided in hand sanitizer production.