bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Peculiarities of Health-Related Quality of Life in Recreational and Competitive Athletes
Authors: Tilindienė Ilona , Petkūnė Lina , Ivanauskas Dovydas 
Published: February 2022

Background. The scientific literature focuses on the evaluation of quality of life (QL) and health-related quality of life (HRQL) among recreational and competitive athletes. Research suggests that the QL and HRQL levels of competitive athletes can be negatively affected in that they spend most of their lives in training, preparing for and recovering from competitions and tournaments; however, they neither learn most of the essential life skills (Ohlert & Ott, 2017), nor allot time to their leisure activities and recreation. There are also contradictory studies indicating that competitive athletes evaluate HRQL better than recreational ones do (Lorcan & Allen, 2018; Pacesova, Smela, & Antala, 2019). However, little is known about the impact of how different levels of sports activities affect HRQL in this pandemic period.
Methods. HRQL was evaluated applying the SF-36 questionnaire (Short Form 36 Medical Outcomes Study questionnaire). The questionnaire was adapted in Lithuania (Staniūtė, 2007).
Results. Statistically significant differences were found in the evaluation of quality of life in the following areas: social function, pain, and activity limitation due to emotional disorders. It was found that competitive athletes limited their activities more than recreational athletes due to emotional difficulties (U = 1165, p = .05) and experienced more pain (U = 1036, p = .01). It was also found that recreational athletes valued their social relations more favourably than competitive ones (U = 1066, p = .02). Statistically significant differences were found in the evaluation of HRQL by gender. Men value their social relations better (U = 992.5, p = .00) and have fewer activity limitations due to emotional difficulties (U = 1063, p = .02) than women. The HRQL evaluation by gender and sport level shows that in recreational sports men evaluated their social relationships better than women and had fewer activity limitations due to emotional difficulties than women. Analysis of HRQL of competitive athletes showed no statistically significant relationship between women and men groups.
Conclusion. In conclusion, it can be stated that athletes best valued areas of physical activity and social relations. The findings show that competitive athletes more than recreational ones limited their activities due to emotional difficulties, and experienced more pain. Meanwhile, recreational athletes rated their social relations more favourably than competitive athletes. It was found that male athletes valued their social relations and emotional state better than female athletes. Men also had fewer activity limitations due to emotional difficulties than women.
Keywords: quality of life, young adults, recreational athletes, competitive athletes.
Designing New Material Based on Functionalized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes and Cu(OH)2–Cu2O/Polypyrrole Catalyst for Ethanol Oxidation in Alkaline Medium
Authors: El Attar Anas , Chemchoub Sanaa , Diallo Kalan Mamadou , Oularbi Larbi , El Rhazi Mama 
Published: February 2022

In this work, copper(II) hydroxide (Cu(OH)2) and copper oxide (Cu2O) nanostructures are deposited on functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole to report an efficient electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidation in alkaline medium. In the first step, the deposition of functionalized multi-walled nanotubes of carbon (F-MWCNTs) on the electrode surface was carried out using drop casting mode followed by the electrodeposition of polypyrrole (PPy) and copper nanoparticles (Cu-Nps) using galvanostatic mode. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were performed in order to study the morphology and the structure of the elaborated catalysts. Electrochemical characterization conducted by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) revealed that the introduction of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes enhances the electric properties of the nanocomposites and offers a large active surface area. The prepared electrocatalyst was then tested in a solution of 0.1 M NaOH containing 0.2 M of ethanol showing high performance (7 mA cm−2 at 0.85 V vs Ag/AgCl) and good stability (over 1800 s) toward ethanol oxidation.
Influence of the Specific Surface Area of Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Capacity of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Esteve-Adell Iván , Porcel-Valenzuela María , Zubizarreta Leire , Gil-Agustí Mayte , García-Pellicer Marta , Quijano-Lopez Alfredo 
Published: February 2022

In order to understand the influence of the morphological properties of graphene materials on the electrochemical performance of electrodes for lithium-ion batteries, three different graphene nanoplatelets with the increasing specific surface area (NP1: 296 m2 g−1, NP2: 470 m2 g−1, and NP3: 714 m2 g−1) were added in the electrode formulation in different ratios. Higher specific surface area graphene nanoplatelets (NP3) exhibit reversible capacity up to 505 mA h g−1 in the first discharge cycle (29.5% higher than that of graphite). Although significant irreversible capacity is shown for NP3, still higher reversible capacity is obtained compared to that of graphite electrode. The presence of micropores in the graphene structure benefits the lithiation. C-rate capability tests also show better performance of the graphene-based electrode. In this work, we demonstrate that graphene nanoplatelets with high specific surface area (714 m2 g−1) improve the electrochemical performance of Li-ion battery electrodes. The relationship between specific surface area, the presence of defects, and porosity is discussed.
Autosomal Recessive Hypercholesterolemia Caused by a Novel LDLRAP1 Variant and Membranous Nephropathy in a Chinese Girl: A Case Report
Authors: Feng Siqin , Zhao Xinyue , Wang Yifei , Wang Yiyang , Chen Gang , Zhang Shuyang 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundAutosomal recessive familial hypercholesterolemia (ARH) is a very rare lipid metabolic monogenic disorder caused by homozygosity or compound heterozygosity for mutations in the low-density lipoprotein receptor adapter protein 1 (LDLRAP1) gene. It is a life-threatening disease characterized by markedly elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), xanthomas, and premature coronary artery disease. Membranous nephropathy (MN) is less commonly observed in children. Here, the co-existence of ARH and MN was diagnosed in a Chinese girl.Case PresentationWe present the case of a 13-year-old girl who was admitted with the typical symptom of nephrotic syndrome with an abnormally high serum LDL-C level. Gene sequencing revealed a novel homozygous LDLRAP1 variant (NM_015627: c.383 T&gt;G, p.V128G), and the patient was diagnosed with ARH. A renal biopsy suggested that the nephrotic syndrome in the girl was induced by MN, but no evidence of secondary MN was found. A thorough examination was performed to explore the association between MN and ARH. Medical management with angiotensin receptor blockers and aggressive lipid-lowering treatment led to remission of proteinuria and clinical condition stabilization during 2-year follow-up.ConclusionsThis is the first case of co-existence of MN and ARH in a teenager carrying a novel pathogenic mutation of the LDLRAP1 gene (NM_015627: c.383 T&gt;G, p.V128G).
Study of the Performance of a Thermoelectric Refrigeration Membrane Cold Chamber Distillation Component
Authors: Hu Junhu , Wu Shunli , Liu Hao , Yang Xiaohong 
Published: February 2022

Thermoelectric Refrigeration Membrane Distillation (TERMD) is an emerging membrane-based evaporation technology with excellent prospects for separation industries. However, the development of the TERMD system was further limited by excellent membrane component properties. In this paper, a cold chamber component of a TERMD is manufactured. Then, the cooling performance of the component is studied to examine the coupling between the Thermoelectric Refrigeration (TER) and the Membrane Distillation (MD) process. Moreover, the effects of the membrane components properties are studied by changing the water flow rate, and the input current of thermoelectric refrigeration. The results showed that when the TERMD cold room inlet current is maintained stable and the heat dissipation intensity increases, the cooling temperature gradually decreases. Also, the temperature on the cold side tends to stabilize while the flow rate exceeds 600 L/h. In addition, the input power decreases as the heat dissipation intensity increases in the cooling dissipation intensity of the Thermoelectric Refrigeration Component (TERC) cold chamber is kept stable. And, the input power will reach a critical value while the water volume flow rate is over 500 L/h. Furthermore, the cooling rate reaches the maximum of 1.59 at the water volume flow rate of 700 L/h while the operating current of the TERC is 12 A. It is concluded that the thermoelectric refrigeration component can supply great refrigeration power and a high Coefficient of Performance (COP) under small current conditions for the analysis of the thermoelectric performance of the TERC.
Characterization of Interplay Between Autophagy and Ferroptosis and Their Synergistical Roles on Manipulating Immunological Tumor Microenvironment in Squamous Cell Carcinomas
Authors: Chen Lijie , Niu Xing , Qiao Xue , Liu Sai , Ma Hongmei , Shi Xueqing , He Xuemei , Zhong Ming 
Published: February 2022

ObjectiveSquamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) with shared etiology, histological characteristics, and certain risk factors represent the most common solid cancers. This study reports the crosstalk between autophagy and ferroptosis at the molecular level in SCCs, and their roles on the immunological tumor microenvironment (TME) of SCCs.MethodsIn this study, the connections between autophagy and ferroptosis were characterized in SCCs by analyzing the associations between autophagy- and ferroptosis-related genes in mRNA expression and prognosis, protein-protein interactions and shared signaling pathways. Autophagy potential index (API) and ferroptosis potential index (FPI) of each tumor were quantified for reflecting autophagy and ferroptosis levels via principal-component analysis algorithm. Their synergistical roles on TME, immunity, drug resistance and survival were systematically analyzed in SCCs.ResultsThere were close connections between autophagy and ferroptosis at the mRNA and protein levels and prognosis. Both shared cancer-related pathways. The API and FPI were separately developed based on prognostic autophagy- and ferroptosis-related genes. A high correlation between API and FPI was found in SCCs. Their interplay was distinctly associated with favorable prognosis, enhanced sensitivity to chemotherapy drugs (Sunitinib, Gefitinib, Vinblastine and Vorinostat), an inflamed TME and higher likelihood of response to immunotherapy in SCCs.ConclusionThis study is the first to ﻿provide a comprehensive analysis of the interplay between autophagy and ferroptosis and their synergistical roles on manipulating the immunological TME in SCCs. These findings indicated that the induction of autophagy and ferroptosis combined with immunotherapy might produce synergistically enhanced anti-SCCs activity.
Incidence and All-Cause Mortality Rates in Neonates Infected With Carbapenem Resistant Organisms
Authors: Thomas Reenu , Ondongo-Ezhet Claude , Motsoaledi Nini , Sharland Mike , Clements Michelle , Velaphi Sithembiso 
Published: February 2022

IntroductionMultidrug-resistant, Gram-negative infections, particularly due to carbapenem resistant organisms (CRO), have increased globally. Few studies have reported on the burden of CRO in neonates from low-middle income countries (LMIC). This study aimed to determine the incidence and mortality rates of culture-confirmed Gram-negative infections, with a special focus on CRO in a neonatal unit from a LMIC.Materials and MethodsPositive bacterial cultures from sterile sites of infants admitted in the neonatal unit from the 1st January 2018 to 31st December 2019, were reviewed retrospectively. Type of organism, susceptibility and outcomes were recorded. Data on Gram-negative isolates, including the CRO, were extracted. Rates and outcomes were analysed.ResultsThere were 2219 neonates with organisms isolated from sterile sites (blood and cerebrospinal fluid), accounting for 30% of all admissions, giving a neonatal sepsis incidence of 17.9/1000 patient-days. There was a total of 1746 positive isolates (excluding coagulase negative Staphyloccocus). Of these, 1706 (98%) were isolated from blood, and 40 (2%) from cerebrospinal fluid. Overall, 1188 (68%) were Gram-negative, 371 (21%) Gram-positive and 187 (10.7%) fungal isolates. The common Gram-negatives were Acinetobacter baumannii (526/1188;44%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (469/1188;40%). Carbapenem resistance was observed in 359 (68%) of the Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and in 103 (18%) of the Enterobacterales (CRE) isolates, with 98% of CRE being Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-Klebs). Twenty-four (41%) of Pseudomonas species were carbapenem resistant. Overall, carbapenem resistance was seen in 42% of all Gram-negative organisms. The rate of CRAB and CRE were 2.9 and 0.8/1000 patient-days respectively. The overall, all-cause in-hospital mortality rate in infants with Gram-negative isolates was 22%, with higher mortality rate in those infected with CRO compared to non-CRO (34% vs 13%; OR 3.44; 95% CI 2.58–4.60; p &lt; 0.001). The mortality rate in infants with CRE was higher than those with CRAB (48% vs 33%; OR 1.85; 95% CI 1.18–2.89; p = 0.007).ConclusionWe observed a high incidence of positive cultures from sterile sites. The common organisms isolated were Gram-negatives, and among these carbapenem resistance was high and was associated with high mortality. Mortality was higher in infants with CRE compared to those with CRAB.
Metabolomic Comparison of Patients With Colorectal Cancer at Different Anticancer Treatment Stages
Authors: Li Zhuofei , Deng Xingming , Luo Jun , Lei Yunpeng , Jin Xinghan , Zhu Jing , Lv Guoqing 
Published: February 2022

BackgroundThe difficulties of early diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) result in a high mortality rate. The ability to predict the response of a patient to surgical resection or chemotherapy may be of great value for clinicians when planning CRC treatments. Metabolomics is an emerging tool for biomarker discovery in cancer research. Previous reports have indicated that the metabolic profile of individuals can be significantly altered between CRC patients and healthy controls. However, metabolic changes in CRC patients at different treatment stages have not been explored.MethodsTo this end, we performed nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomic analysis to determine metabolite aberrations in CRC patients before and after surgical resection or chemotherapy. In general, a total of 106 urine samples from four clinical groups, namely, healthy volunteers (n = 31), presurgery CRC patients (n = 25), postsurgery CRC patients (n = 25), and postchemotherapy CRC patients (n = 25), were collected and subjected to further analysis.ResultsIn the present study, we identified five candidate metabolites, namely, N-phenylacetylglycine, succinate, 4-hydroxyphenylacetate, acetate, and arabinose, in CRC patients compared with healthy individuals, three of which were reported for the first time. Furthermore, approximately ten metabolites were uniquely identified at each stage of CRC treatment, serving as good candidates for biomarker panel selection.ConclusionIn summary, these potential metabolite candidates may provide promising early diagnostic and monitoring approaches for CRC patients at different anticancer treatment stages.
THRIVE Conceptual Framework and Study Protocol: A Community-Partnered Longitudinal Multi-Cohort Study to Promote Child and Youth Thriving, Health Equity, and Community Strength
Authors: Ettinger Anna K. , Landsittel Doug , Abebe Kaleab Z. , Bey Jamil , Chavis Val , Navratil Judith D. , Savage Friedman Felicia , Dermody Terence S. , Miller Elizabeth ,   the Pittsburgh Study Committee Co-Leads
Published: February 2022

BackgroundGiven the profound inequities in maternal and child health along racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic lines, strength-based, community-partnered research is required to foster thriving children, families, and communities, where thriving is defined as optimal development across physical, mental, cognitive, and social domains. The Pittsburgh Study (TPS) is a community-partnered, multi-cohort study designed to understand and promote child and youth thriving, build health equity, and strengthen communities by integrating community partners in study design, implementation, and dissemination. TPS launched the Tracking Health, Relationships, Identity, EnVironment, and Equity (THRIVE) Study to evaluate children's developmental stages and contexts from birth through completion of high school and to inform a child health data hub accessible to advocates, community members, educators, health professionals, and policymakers.Methods and AnalysisTPS is rooted in community-partnered participatory research (CPPR), health equity, antiracism, and developmental science. Using our community-informed conceptual framework of child thriving, the THRIVE Study will assess cross-cutting measures of place, environment, health service use, and other social determinants of health to provide longitudinal associations with developmentally appropriate child and youth thriving outcomes across participants in six cohorts spanning from pregnancy through adolescence (child ages 0-18 years). Data from electronic health records, school records, and health and human services use are integrated to assess biological and social influences of thriving. We will examine changes over time using paired t-tests and adjusted linear regression models for continuous thriving scores and McNemar tests and adjusted logistic regression models for categorical outcomes (thriving/not thriving). Data analyses will include mixed models with a random intercept (in combination with the previously-specified types of regression models) to account for within-subject correlation.DiscussionBy enhancing assessment of child and youth well-being, TPS will fill critical gaps in our understanding of the development of child and youth thriving over time and test strategies to support thriving in diverse communities and populations. Through CPPR and co-design, the study aims to improve child health inequities across multiple socioecological levels and developmental domains.
Bupleuri radix for Acute Uncomplicated Respiratory Tract Infection: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Yan Li-Jiao , Wang Zhi-Jie , Fang Min , Lan Hui-Di , Moore Michael , Willcox Merlin , Trill Jeanne , Hu Xiao-Yang , Liu Jian-Ping 
Published: February 2022

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, clinical effectiveness, and safety of the Chinese herb Bupleuri radix for the treatment of acute uncomplicated respiratory tract infections (ARTIs).Methods: Four English and four Chinese databases were searched from their inception to June 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing therapeutic effects of Bupleuri radix on ARTI were eligible for inclusion. The risk of bias for each trial was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool 2.0. RevMan 5.4 software was used for data analyses with effects estimated as risk ratios (RR) or mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the online GRADEpro tool.Results: Seven randomized trials involving 910 patients with acute upper respiratory tract infection (AURTI) were included. The review identified Bupleuri radix agents with four administration routes (oral, acupoint injection, intramuscular injection, nebulized inhalation). Bupleuri radix acupoint injection compared with placebo showed statistically significant effects in reducing fever resolution time (MD: −33.32 h, 95%CI: −35.71, −30.93), and in increasing the proportion of participants with fever resolved within 48 h from treatment onset (RR: 14, 95%CI: 1.96, 99.94). Bupleuri radix acupoint injection combined with usual care is more effective in reducing the temperature at day 1 from treatment onset (MD: −1.00°C, 95%CI: −1.19, −0.81) compared with usual care alone. Bupleuri radix pills showed similar antipyretic effects to acetaminophen. However, Bupleuri radix intramuscular injection plus vitamins failed to demonstrate an effect in reducing fever, when compared with ribavirin plus vitamins. It suggested that oral administration of Bupleuri radix solution for injections, pills, and Bupleuri radix decoction have a similar effect on improving global AURTI symptoms including two key symptoms (nasal discharge and cough), when compared with usual care alone. Only two trials reported whether or not there were any AEs and found no occurrence of adverse events in the herbal group.Conclusion: Low-certainty or very low-certainty evidence demonstrated that Bupleuri radix (solution for injections and pills) has an antipyretic effect on febrile patients with AURTI, but it has no effect on other AURTI symptoms. However, these findings need to be further confirmed by well-designed clinical trials with adequate sample sizes.Systematic review registration: (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#recordDetails), PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021234066.
Evaluation of Prescription Medication Sharing Among Adults in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Authors: Song Seulki , Kim Seungyeon , Shin Sangyoon , Lee Young , Lee Euni 
Published: February 2022

Background: Prescription medication sharing is an inappropriate medication use behavior that can lead to medication errors and adverse drug events, posing a public health threat. The reported prevalence of prescription medication lending and borrowing varies by country, ranging from 6%–23% and 5%–52%, respectively. However, research on medication sharing is scant in Asian countries. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the rate of prescription medication sharing practices and investigate the associated behavioral factors, types of shared medications, and reasons for sharing among adults in South Korea.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered survey of 1,000 adults (aged 19–69 years; November 2020). A stratified sampling method was used to select survey participants from a nationwide consumer panel, which ensured a representative distribution of the Korean population by age, gender, and region. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the information related to sharing behavior.Results: A total of 1,000 respondents participated in this study. The mean age of the respondents was 44.7 years (standard deviation [SD], 13.4), ranging from 20 to 69 years. The rate of medication sharing was 52.4%. The most prevalently shared medications were analgesic, antipyretic, and antimigraine medications. Prescription medications were shared mostly between family and relatives. Older age was a predictive factor for sharing analgesics. Lower educational level was a predictive factor for sharing ophthalmic medications.Conclusions: Approximately one in two respondents in our study have experienced medication sharing in their lifetime. Future studies are needed to establish evidence-based strategies for patient education and improve the medication use process. Healthcare professionals should assess patients’ needs for accessing medications and be ready to educate and guide them with specific action plans. Policymakers should consider patient empowerment strategies including public education and campaigns to avoid potential adverse outcomes of medication sharing.