bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Targeting the gut microbiota with inulin: a novel approach for the management of irradiation- induced colonic fibrosis
Authors: Ji Kaihua , Zhang Manman , Du Liqing , Liu Yang , Xu Chang , He Ningning , Wang Qin , Wang Jinhan , Gu Yeqing , Song Huijuan , Sun Xiaohui , Wang Yan , Liu Qiang 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Background
Radiation therapy used to treat pelvic and abdominal tumors can cause acute or chronic radiation enteropathy. Chronic radiation intestinal fibrosis is one of the most common causes of gastrointestinal complaints. Here, we aimed to clarify that the supplement of dietary fiber inulin can alleviate chronic radiation-induced intestinal fibrosis by altering the gut microbiota, and to elucidate the mechanism.
Results
Inulin supplements have been shown to elevate the abundances of bacterial that produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and increased fecal concentrations of microbially derived SCFAs. In validation experiment, transplantation of inulin-derived gut microbiota and metabolite alleviated colonic fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic radiation enteropathy. Treatment with inulin-derived gut microbiota metabolites significantly reduced the expression of fibrosis-related genes and collagen synthesis-related genes in the mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line NIH/3T3. In NIH/3T3 cell lines, the use of inulin-derived metabolites also inhibited the expression of genes related to the extracellular matrix synthesis pathway.
Conclusions
These evidences highlight that inulin might be employed as a safe and effective supplement to fight against chronic radiation intestinal fibrosis. Our finding also provides a novel insight into targeting changes in gut microbiota to treat radiation enteropathy.
Living with dementia during the COVID-19 pandemic: insights into identity from the IDEAL cohort
Authors: Stapley Sally , Pentecost Claire , Collins Rachel , Quinn Catherine , Dawson Eleanor , Morris Robin , Sabatini Serena , Thom Jeanette , Clare Linda 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic and social restrictions have impacted on the cognitive decline and mental health of people with dementia. Social isolation and loss of activities due to social restrictions may also have implications as to sense of identity for people with dementia. As part of the INCLUDE component of the IDEAL cohort study, the overall aim of this subtle realist qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of people with dementia on living through the COVID-19 pandemic in England and Wales during the post-vaccine time period; also with focus on the study findings in relation to understandings of identity in dementia. Seven people with mild-to-moderate dementia were interviewed, and themes derived using framework analysis. Themes suggest interviewees’ stoic acceptance of the pandemic and social restrictions but also fear of decline related to the temporality of their condition as well as loss of self-confidence to re-engage with the world, and loss of social connections. Under threat due to lack of access to dementia groups, the importance of a shared, social identity, particularly for people with young-onset dementia, was apparent. With valued activities also prevented or reinvented during the pandemic, the relevance of occupation for identity is discussed. Although under continued pressure, services must consider how people with dementia and their family caregivers can best be supported during the ongoing pandemic.
Importance of Green Areas for Insectivorous Bat Activity
Authors: Almeida Marcio Henrique , Mischiatti Francyne Lyrio , Tokumaru Rosana Suemi , Ferreira José Henrique Benedetti Piccoli , Ditchfield Albert David 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The impact of urbanization might differ between insectivorous bats that forage in open space as opposed to edge space, with the latter usually persisting only in well preserved areas, such as parks and natural reserves. We investigated the influence of vegetation patches of different sizes on the activity of these two groups of insectivorous bat in the urban area of the Metropolitan region of Vitória, Espírito Santo State, Brazil. For this purpose, we monitored bat activity with an ultrasound detector for a total of two years in three habitats: large-green areas (> 30ha), small-green areas (< 5 ha) and non-green areas. Large-green areas showed the greatest bat activity followed by small-green areas and non-green areas. Although both groups of bats showed an increase in activity in the green areas compared to the non-green areas, this effect was higher for edge-space foragers than for open-space foragers in the large green-areas, whereas in the small green areas, the increment in activity did not differ between them. We also present a list of eight species we identified in the study area. Two of the species represent the first record for the region: Promops centralis and Peropteryx trinitatis. We conclude that in the Metropolitan Region of Vitória, even small parks are important for bat fauna conservation and, despite being more adapted to urban environments, even open-space foraging bats can benefit from them.
Analysis of the evolution pattern and causes of downstream gigantic hydraulic projects
Authors: Liu Linshuang , Luo Wenguang , Zhang Liguo , Ming Bo , Li Ming , Jiang Jing 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The Jingjiang reach, located in the middle Yangtze River, downstream of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR), is a typical curved reach. After TGR impoundment, the evolution behaviors of the Jingjiang reach changed, mainly because one or more original factors, including geological conditions, existing projects, bending radius, upper reaches' regimes, and incoming water and sediment changed. In this paper, these influencing factors were investigated by using the measured data and the mathematical models that were proposed by the authors in a previous paper, and consequently, the evolution laws of the curved reach were analyzed. The results showed that the existing river nodes reduced the influence of the upstream river regime on the evolution of curve reaches and also slowed the speed of convex bank scouring and concave bank depositing. Constructed projects could reduce sediment transport intensity from the concave bank to the convex bank. The decrease in incoming sediment after TGR impoundment was beneficial to convex bank scouring. The increase in median water period duration was favorable for convex bank scouring and concave bank depositing. Both convex bank and concave bank were scoured when the incoming sediment concentration decreased sharply. The sediment concentration of suspended load would stabilize near the saturation point, and the riverbed would be scoured when there is sediment concentration under the saturation point, while the riverbed would be deposited when the sediment concentration reaches the saturation point.
Extraction and analysis of surface lake flow direction in Poyang Lake based on texture enhancement and Hough transform
Authors: Kuang RunYuan , Qiu Yun , Peng WenJie 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Lake flow is one of the common hydrological phenomena in nature. The water exchange of lakes and the circulation of natural water resources are realized by the water movement caused by various factors. Lake current is of great significance in the hydrological and ecological environment and it is one of the focuses of scholars’ research. This paper takes Poyang Lake as the research area, and uses three texture enhancement methods of Laws, Gabor, and LBP operators to enhance the texture features of images based on multi-source remote sensing data, and uses the Hough transform to extract the flow direction of the Poyang Lake area. The results show that the three texture enhancement methods combined with Hough transform can extract the flow direction, but the Gabor filter has the best flow direction effect and the highest extraction accuracy. Gabor filter is the most adaptable for texture enhancement of images with different resolutions.
Quality awareness of tap drinking water among Bangkok city residents and implications for sustainable supply management
Authors: Tiyanun Ekasit , Kooltheat Nateelak , Katzenmeier Gerd , Srisuphanunt Mayuna 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Although tap water in Bangkok has met international standards, some consumers do not trust that it is safe to drink. The demand for bottled water is still increasing. This may result in infrastructure investments and the production of waste. This study aimed to explore factors that influence the acceptance of drinkable tap water among Bangkok residents. Data for this cross-sectional study were collected via an interview of 374 participants using a structured questionnaire. There was a significant prevalence (51.87%) of the acceptance of drinkable tap water among Bangkok residents. Among them, 82.99% selected tap water to drink and 9.79% drank water directly from the tap. Factors that affected the acceptance of drinkable tap water were occupation, monthly income, campaign perception, personal belief, unacceptable sensory appearance, risk perception, knowledge, and attitude. This study found that drinking water selection was not associated with self-reported diarrhea. While we recognize that the cross-sectional study has some limitations, our data may provide additional insight into factors which affect consumers' behavior and may offer several benefits for water suppliers and public health decision-makers. This would eventually increase public awareness for economic benefits associated with the use of tap water and finally would reduce pollution by plastic waste.
Delineating the groundwater potential zones in Bangladesh
Authors: Sarkar Showmitra Kumar , Esraz-Ul-Zannat Md. , Das Palash Chandra , Ekram Khondaker Mohammed Mohiuddin 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
The objective of this research is to identify groundwater potential zones for Bangladesh. Fourteen influential factors associated with topography, geology and meteorological concerns were applied for this study. Weights for factors and sub-factors within a factor were calculated based on pairwise comparisons. The groundwater potential zones were delineated through GIS-based weighted overlays of factor maps. According to the pairwise comparison, the consistency ratios for factors and sub-factors were within the allowable range (i.e., less than 0.10). General soil type (eigenvalue 0.17), geology (eigenvalue 0.16), and geomorphology (eigenvalue 0.15) were the most important factors in determining groundwater potential zoning. The groundwater potential index has maximum and minimum values of 45.99 and 10.34, respectively. According to the groundwater potential map, relatively higher groundwater potential zones were found in the southern parts of Bangladesh and along major rivers. The study's findings will be useful to government authorities in making evidence-based decisions about national water policy and planning.
Metallic Nanoparticles: A New Frontier in the Fight Against Leishmaniasis
Authors: Guerra Rhanoica Oliveira , do Carmo Neto José Rodrigues , de Albuquerque Martins Tarcísio , Farnesi de-Assunção Thaís Soares , Junior Virmondes Rodrigues , de Oliveira Carlo José Freire , Silva Anielle Christine Almeida , da Silva Marcos Vinicius 
Published: February 2022

Abstract:Leishmaniasis, a cutaneous, mucocutaneous, or visceral parasitic disease caused by the protozoa of the genus Leishmania, is responsible for approximately 20-40 thousand deaths annually, with Brazil, India, and certain countries in Africa being the most affected. In addition to the parasite’s ability to evade the host’s immune system, the incidence of vectors, genetics of different hosts, and several deaths are attributed to the limited conventional treatments that have high toxicity, low effectiveness, and prolonged therapeutic regimens. Thus, the development of new alternative therapeutic strategies remains warranted. Metallic nanoparticles, such as gold, silver, zinc oxide, and titanium dioxide, have shown promising therapeutic tools since they are easily prepared and chemically modified, have a broad spectrum of action and low toxicity, and can generate reactive oxygen species and other immune responses. This review explores the progress of the use of metallic nanoparticles as new tools in the treatment of leishmaniasis and discusses the gaps in knowledge hindering the development of a safe and effective therapeutic intervention against these infections.
DCE-MRI Performance in Triple Negative Breast Cancers: Comparison
with Non-Triple Negative Breast Cancers
Authors: Yin Guobing , Chen Hang , Min Yu , Xiang Ke , Chen Jialin 
Published: February 2022

Background:
Triple negative breast cancers are considered the worst prognosis in breast
cancer. Dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging has been widely used in the diagnosis
of breast cancer since it is more sensitive to breast cancer. However, few studies report the MRI characteristics
of triple negative breast cancers.

Objective:
The study aimed to evaluate the imaging finding in triple negative breast cancers compared
with non-TNBC and attempt to predict it.

Method:
223 patients with a preoperative diagnosis of breast cancer were enrolled in the study. Dynamic
contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging was performed before being diagnosed with
breast cancer, and histopathological assessment was confirmed after biopsy or operation. The patients
were divided into 2 groups based on immunohistochemistry, namely the triple negative breast cancers
or non-triple negative breast cancers.

Results:
The 2 groups demonstrated significant differences regarding the tumor size, margin, outline,
burr sign, enhancement, inverted nipple(P<0.05). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed
to further validate the association of these features, however, only margin [odds ratio (OR),
0.038; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.014-0.100; <0.001], outline [odds ratio (OR), 0.039; 95% confidence
interval (CI), 0.008-0.200; <0.001], burr sign [odds ratio (OR), 2.786; 95% confidence interval
(CI), 1.225-6.333; 0.014], and enhancement [odds ratio (OR), 0.131; 95% confidence interval (CI),
0.037-0.457; P=0.001] were associated with TNBC.

Conclusion:
The results indicated that the specific dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance
imaging features can predict pathological results, with a consequent prognostic value.
Ferulic Acid Attenuates Kainate-induced Neurodegeneration in a Rat Poststatus
Epilepticus Model
Authors: Sadr Seyed Shahabeddin , Khamse Safoura , Suha Ali Jaafari , Roghani Mehrdad , Haftcheshmeh Saeed Mohammadian , Momtazi-Borojeni Amir Abbas 
Published: February 2022

Background and Aims:
Increasing research evidence indicates that temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) induced by kainic acid (KA) has high pathological similarities with human TLE. KA induces excitotoxicity (especially in the acute phase of the disease), which leads to neurodegeneration and epi-leptogenesis through oxidative stress and inflammation. Ferulic acid (FA) is one of the well-known phytochemical compounds that have shown potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and promise in treating several diseases. The current study set out to investigate the neuroprotective effects of FA in a rat model of TLE.

Methods:
Thirty-six male Wistar rats were divided into four groups. Pretreatment with FA (100 mg/kg/day p.o.) started one week before the intrahippocampal injection of KA (0.8 μg/μl, 5μl). Sei-zures were recorded and evaluated according to Racine’s scale. Oxidative stress was assessed by measuring its indicators, including malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrite, and catalase. Histopathological evaluations including Nissl staining and immunohistochemical staining of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and neural nitric oxide synthases (nNOS) were performed for the CA3 region of the hippocampus.

Results:
Pretreatment with FA significantly attenuates the severity of the seizure and prevents neuronal loss in the CA3 region of the hippocampus in rats with KA-induced post-status epilepticus. Also, ni-trite concentration and nNOS levels were markedly diminished in FA-pretreated animals compared to non-pretreated epileptic rats.

Conclusion:
Our findings indicated that neuroprotective properties of FA, therefore, could be consid-ered a valuable therapeutic supplement in treating TLE.
A Comparative Study of DC-DC Buck, Boost, and Buck-boost Converters
with Proportional-integral, Sliding Mode, and Fuzzy Logic Controllers
Authors: Amin Arslan Ahmed , Abdullah Muhammad 
Published: February 2022

Background:
DC-DC converters are utilized in a wide range of industrial and commercial
applications such as automobiles, renewable energy systems, DC motor control, portable
chargers, uninterruptable power supply, etc. because of their efficiency, ease of use, simpler circuits,
and cheaper solution. The most common ones are the buck, boost, and buck-boost converters.

Methodology:
In this paper, the implementation of these converters has been proposed using advanced
controllers: Proportional plus Integral (PI), Sliding Mode Control (SMC), and Fuzzy Logic Control
(FLC). The controllers have been implemented with practical circuit values in MATLAB Simulink.

Results:
The results show that all proposed controllers can track the input set-point voltage. The PI
controller response was superior in eliminating the steady-state error in all converters. However, it
showed greater overshoot and ripple factor in boost operation. The SMC controller response was
superior in terms of the shortest settling time. However, it showed the greatest peak time in buck
converter and boost mode of the buck-boost converter. The FLC controller showed the highest settling
time and steady-state error in all operations.

Novelty and Significance:
The proposed work is novel as compared to others available in the literature
such that no such comprehensive study was found with all types of DC-DC converters together up
to our best knowledge. The proposed work is significant as it will give complete guidance regarding
simulation implementation of DC-DC converters with advanced intelligent control algorithms.
ACESSO DIFERENCIADO À DIREITOS EM ZONAS MORAIS URBANAS HOMOGÊNEAS PODE SER EXERCIDO?
Authors: Lobão Ronaldo , Sinclair Allan , Neurauter Maira 
Published: February 2022

O presente artigo discute a possibilidade do exercício de direitos culturais previstos na Constituição de 1988, a partir de uma dimensão denominada ‘acesso diferenciado a direitos universais em contextos urbanos”. O elemento central dessa reflexão é o conceito de ‘zonas morais” da cidade, proposto por Robert Ezra Park, que conforma a cidade em espaços públicos homogêneos e poucos conflitivos. A discussão proposta está inserida dentro do que temos pensado, no âmbito do Núcleo de Pesquisa Sobre Práticas e Instituições Jurídicas (NUPIJ-UFF), de uma relação de ‘implicação”. Uma atuação a partir da interação da Universidade com os atores sociais presentes neste conflito, o que mais tarde permite um olhar reflexivo para estes lugares permeados por uma complexidade muito particular. Ainda que não possa ser enquadrada enquanto uma ‘metodologia”, esta proposta se articula com uma perspectiva interdisciplinar, onde por meio do encontro com outros saberes buscamos inovações no campo do direito que permitam uma maior abertura para a complexidade de conflitos que envolvem direito(s), cultura e natureza nos espaços da cidade.
Characteristics and Clinical Course of Diabetes of the Exocrine Pancreas: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study
Authors: Lee Nami , Park So Jeong , Kang Dongwoo , Jeon Ja Young , Kim Hae Jin , Kim Dae Jung , Lee Kwan-Woo , Boyko Edward J. , Han Seung Jin 
Published: February 2022

OBJECTIVE
The natural course of diabetes of the exocrine pancreas (DEP) is not well established. We aimed to compare the risk of insulin initiation, diabetic complications, and mortality between DEP and type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS
Using the Korean National Health Insurance Service–Health Screening Cohort between 2012 and 2017, we divided patients with diabetes into those with diabetes without prior pancreatic disease (indicated type 2 diabetes, n = 153,894) and diabetes with a prior diagnosis of pancreatic disease (indicated DEP, n = 3,629). ICD-10 codes and pharmacy prescription information were used to define type 2 diabetes, DEP, and acute and chronic diabetes complications. Kaplan-Meier curves were produced to compare insulin use over time between groups. We created logistic regression models for odds of progression to diabetic complications and mortality.

RESULTS
DEP was associated with a higher risk of insulin use than type 2 diabetes (adjusted hazard ratio 1.38 at 5 years [95% CI 1.30–1.47], P &lt; 0.0001). Individuals with DEP showed higher risks of hypoglycemia (odds ratio 1.85 [1.54–2.21], P &lt; 0.0001), diabetic neuropathy (1.38 [1.28–1.49], P &lt; 0.0001), nephropathy (1.38 [1.27–1.50], P &lt; 0.0001), retinopathy (1.10 [1.01–1.20], P = 0.0347), coronary heart disease (1.59 [1.48–1.70], P &lt; 0.0001), cerebrovascular disease (1.38 [1.28–1.49], P &lt; 0.0001), and peripheral arterial disease (1.34 [1.25–1.44], P &lt; 0.0001). All-cause mortality was higher in those with DEP (1.74 [1.57–1.93], P &lt; 0.0001) than in those with type 2 diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS
DEP is more likely to require insulin therapy than type 2 diabetes. Hypoglycemia, micro- and macrovascular complications, and all-cause mortality events are higher in DEP compared with type 2 diabetes.
Nutritional management in children with disease-related malnutrition : what’s the guideline?
Authors: Sidiartha I Gusti Lanang 
Published: February 2022

Background: Disease-related malnutrition (DRM) is one of the most common problems in pediatric patients. Both cancer and congenital heart diseases (CHD) are commonly associated with DRM. Altered nutrition utilization, reduced intake, malabsorption, and hypermetabolism are the main pathophysiology in DRM.
Method: A systematic literature searching was performed through Pubmed and Google Scholar websites. Thirty-six articles were included into the study.
Results: Malnutrition screening should be performed as soon as possible since early feeding can benefit the patients. One of the most commonly used tools is Screening Tool for Risk on Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids), which was proven to be valid, reproducible, and applicable in pediatric patients with malnutrition. Following screening and assessment, nutrition support can ensue, preferably in the form of enteral nutrition, unless contraindicated. Nutrient-dense formula, also known as protein and energy-enriched formula, aims to aid infants to reach nutrition target rapidly and stimulate anabolism. This formula has been studied in various population, mostly infants with CHD and studies showed favorable outcomes with its administration, namely faster improvement, reduced diuretics use and oxygen supplementation, decreased length of hospital stay, and less antibiotic use. Nutrient-dense formula is also safe and well-tolerated.
Conclusion: Proper screening and management should be performed with multidisciplinary approach to achieve the best outcome in children with DRM.
Disease-related malnutrition in children with cancer: What’s the risk and the impact on patient's outcome?
Authors: Sudarmanto Bambang , Primavita Citra 
Published: February 2022

Background: Malnutrition in children with cancer is a common problem, particularly in low-income countries. Risk factors, effects on outcome, and feasible interventions are important to comprehend in managing patients.
Objectives: To know the risk and impact of malnutrition in children with patients.
Discusion: Children with cancer are at risk of suffering from malnutrition. Malnutrition occurs due to energy imbalance and results from multifactorial interactions, including type of tumors and therapy. Malnutrition can contribute to poor clinical outcome and decreased quality of life. Management of malnutrition in pediatric patients with cancer include screening and nutritional interventions with suitable route of administration based on patient condition.