by Victor Dong  , Aldo J. Montano-Loza  and Andrew L. Mason

Received: 19 November 2019;  Published: 13 December 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1904094

Primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) are idiopathic and progressive autoimmune hepatobiliary disorders that lead to liver failure and a need for liver transplantation in a proportion of individuals with poorly controlled disease. It is currently thought that an environmental agent triggers disease in a genetically susceptible host and to date, xenobiotics, bacteria and a human betaretrovirus have all been linked with PBC. However, there is no consensus on which agents predomina [...]

by Thaninee Prasoppokakorn  , Supachaya Sriphoosanaphan  , Nutbordee Nalinthassanai  , Thitaporn Roongrawee  , Pongtorn Hanboonkunupakarn  , Pisit Tangkijvanich  and Rungsun Rerknimitr

Received: 08 December 2023;  Published: 02 February 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2401013

Reports indicate that Andrographolide inhibits viral replication and reduces COVID-19 symptoms. This study aimed to determine Andrographolide's additional effect and safety in mild COVID-19 patients treated with favipiravir. A multicenter, open-labeled, randomized controlled trial was conducted from October 2021 to February 2022. The patients were randomized to receive a combination of Andrographolide and favipiravir or favipiravir monotherapy. The primary outcome was the occurrence rate of severe pneumonia. The se [...]

by Andrew Williams  and Murray Thomson

Received: 25 September 2022;  Published: 13 December 2022;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2204041

This paper sets out a quantified scenario for the UK to reach net zero carbon emissions. Wind and solar are the main energy sources and their intermittency is accommodated through hydrogen electrolysis, biogas from anaerobic digesters, and their combination into biomethane. Hydrogen and biomethane stocks are tracked. A daily energy balance model is presented, using the most recent recorded weather data-2017 to 2021. Long periods of low wind in 2021 indicated the necessary energy storage capacities, which were adjus [...]

by Jigar Jogia  , Fatma Anwahi  , Shaikha Aburehaima  , Alia Sharif  and Veena Kumari

Received: 09 November 2023;  Published: 28 April 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2402220

The prevalence rates of depression, anxiety, and stress range between 5% to 70% globally. Many students experience these mental health conditions as they go through transitional periods in life, such as starting higher education. This study aimed to explore mental health concerns, specifically depression, anxiety, stress, and quality of sleep, in Emirati female university students, a topic that has been understudied in the Middle East. We used the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21) and the Pittsburgh [...]

by Elisa Martín-Arévalo  , Carole Guedj  , François Cotton  , Gilles Rode  , Karen T. Reilly  , Fadila Hadj-Bouziane  and Laure Pisella

Received: 29 January 2021;  Published: 24 August 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2103105

This study integrated functional connectivity measures using resting-state fMRI and behavioral data from a single-case observation of patient (PER) one year after right-hemispheric hemorrhage in the intraparietal sulcus and superior parietal lobule (IPS/SPL). PER showed no sign of clinical neglect. Her behavioral performance in the visuo-manual pointing task and in the letter discrimination task under conditions of endogenous and exogenous attentional cueing was compared between the left (affected) and right (unaff [...]

by Katharina Tigges-Limmer  , Stephan Ensminger  , Yvonne Brocks  , Scott Stock Gissendanner  and Jan Gummert

Received: 28 October 2018;  Published: 05 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1901056

Background: The participation of mental health professionals in multidisciplinary care teams for heart transplantation has become an international standard practice. The contribution of these professionals in this setting, which involves assessment and interventions, has not been the subject of systematic study. Methods: This paper explores how psychotherapists contribute to multidisciplinary decision making and care in transplant teams before, during, and after transplantation. To illustrate, it uses the case of a [...]

by Alla V. Balueva  , Ilia N. Dashevskiy  and Patricia Todebush

Received: 12 May 2021;  Published: 27 October 2021;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2104043

One of the ways to improve the fusion of an implant with bone tissue is through the use of biocompatible coatings, in particular, hydroxyapatite (HAp). It is important to assess the strength of the HAp adhesion to the implant. The measure of the strength of the bond of the coating with the substrate is the energy of this bond. Using density functional theory and molecular dynamics, the reaction path, reaction products, oscillation frequency, activation energy and bond energy between different combinations of compon [...]

by Hassan-Ali Hakemi  and Ghazal Hakemi

Received: 05 December 2019;  Published: 03 January 2020;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2001001

In this study, we explored the phase equilibria in blends of a nematic liquid crystal monomer and a nematic liquid crystal flexible polymer within the whole composition of the phase diagram. The crystal-nematic and nematic-isotropic transition temperatures, as well as the transition enthalpies and entropies, indicated the total miscibility in this mesogenic blend system. We also extracted an empirical axial ratio of 4.52 for the polymer from the nematic-isotropic transitions of the blends. Further, from the biphasi [...]

by Jharna Gupta  and Madhu Agarwal

Received: 08 December 2022;  Published: 13 March 2023;  doi: 10.21926/cr.2301013

Waste marble powder (WMP) is Investigated for developing heterogeneous catalysts by calcination method and used in biodiesel synthesis by esterification-transesterification process from Pongamia Pinnata oil. Hammet indicators, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) techniques were also studied for the characterization of developed catalyst from waste marble powder (WMP). The conversion of calcium carbonate to calcium oxide in marble powder was found at 800 [...]

by Maria Simonenko  and Petr Fedotov

Received: 01 February 2019;  Published: 13 February 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.1901049

Sex and gender issues in heart transplantation

by Siva Mahendran  , Paramit Chowdhury  , Ronan Breen  , Grainne d’Ancona  and Heather J. Milburn

Received: 14 August 2020;  Published: 08 March 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2101137

Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have an increased risk of developing tuberculosis (TB) compared to those with normal renal function. The reasons for this are well described, but include impaired cellular immunity, a high incidence of co-morbid conditions as well as the concomitant use of immunosuppressive medications. Ethnicity as well as socio-economic factors also prevail. Expert guidelines recommend TB chemoprophylaxis in renal transplant recipients deemed at high risk – invariably those from ethnic m [...]

by Danilo Donati  , Giacomo Farì  , Federica Giorgi  , Vincenza Amoruso  , Valentina Boetto  , Riccardo Marvulli  , Laura Dell'Anna  , Andrea Bernetti  and Roberto Tedeschi

Received: 31 May 2024;  Published: 10 October 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2404248

This review examines the effectiveness of integrating botulinum toxin type A (BONT-A) with various rehabilitative strategies in treating spastic diplegia in children. The studies analyzed consistently demonstrate significant reductions in spasticity and improvements in gait when BONT-A is combined with interventions such as intensive physical therapy, serial casting, electrical stimulation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and robotic-assisted gait training. The findings underscore the importance of personalize [...]

by Ezgi Cabuk Sahin  , Yildiz Aydin  and Ahu Altinkut Uncuoglu

Received: 17 May 2024;  Published: 02 September 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2403260

Molecular markers play a crucial role in accelerating crop production for sustainable agriculture by identifying resistant traits and enhancing genetic diversity. In this review, we examine the impact of the molecular markers on advancing our understanding of stress tolerance mechanisms in plants, addressing the pressing imperative to bolster global food production to meet the escalating demands of the growing population. Additionally, the application of molecular markers to evaluate the genetic accuracy of plants [...]

by Eugene Stephane Mananga  and Lamisa Rusmeha

Received: 23 December 2020;  Published: 13 April 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2102012

Towards the end of 2019, an unanticipated outbreak, coronavirus also referred to as COVID-19’s first cases occurred in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China. In early 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the pandemic as a Public Health emergency of international concern. COVID-19 is a transmissible disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The COVID-19 puts a spotlight on numerous issues varying from educational, social, political, and economic that were already prese [...]

by Sara Alattar  , Muhammad Nouman  , Chidozie Onyiuke  , Conrad Stasieluk  and Edwin Meresh

Received: 29 November 2023;  Published: 05 July 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2403230

Studies have shown that decrease in time intubated is associated with better prognosis. Delirium is associated with increased duration of mechanical ventilation and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) length of stay. However, there is limited report on delirium in intubated seizure patients. As per report, low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) increased the risk of delirium and thus increasing ICU length of stay. Information on delirium and outcome in intubated seizure patients receiving lacosamide versus phenytoin is limited. Our re [...]

by Mitsuro Chiba  , Masafumi Komatsu  , Satomi Watanabe  and Yoko Daimon

Received: 13 January 2021;  Published: 20 February 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2101006

The high prevalence of obesity is a global concern. However, obesity and inflammatory bowel disease have similarities in epidemiology, diet, and gut microbial dysbiosis. An omnivorous (westernized) diet replacement with a plant-based diet in inflammatory bowel disease achieved better outcomes in both the induction and quiescent phases. Educational hospitalization providing a plant-based diet was found effective in suppressing flare-up in ulcerative colitis. This case report was designed to assess whether a plant-ba [...]

by Coad Thomas Dow  and Julia Szepieniec

Received: 01 August 2018;  Published: 25 November 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.1804020

Improved understanding of the underlying cellular dysfunction and resultant neuropathology of sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is needed to stem the anticipated public health crisis due to this increasingly common neurodegenerative disease. The four main risk factors for sporadic AD are age, female gender, genetic carriage of the APOE4 allele and type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Each of these four risk factors is associated with impaired and/or dysfunctional autophagy suggesting that perturbation of autophagy is [...]

by Ahmed Alawais  and Roger P West

Received: 15 April 2024;  Published: 09 August 2024;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2403019

This paper describes a method to use solely recycled and by-product materials as constituents to form concrete that can be used in buildings structural applications. As concrete is one of the most important materials in human civilization, where it is used widely in construction, cement and aggregate the main components of concrete cause an emission of large amounts of carbon dioxide, which is the main cause of global warming. The production of one tonne of cement, for example, causes the emission of about 800 kg o [...]

by Marie K. Norris  and Shibani Kanungo

Received: 29 June 2023;  Published: 10 October 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2304196

The expansion of newborn screening (NBS) encompasses a wide range of inherited metabolic disorders, including disorders of carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. Effective treatment of these disorders requires comprehensive nutrition and medical management. This review highlights the intricacies of medical nutrition therapy for several common metabolic disorders and underscores the crucial role of metabolic dietitians in managing these patients.

by Bart A. Ellenbroek  and Weiwen Wang

Received: 20 March 2018;  Published: 29 March 2018;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.1801008

by Diane B. Paul

Received: 29 March 2021;  Published: 14 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.genet.2102130

This article explores difficulties encountered by those with no personal experience of a chronic disease or disability in accurately evaluating the quality of life with a condition present from birth. In most countries, cost-effectiveness analysis relies on ratings of health states by members of the general population, who must try to imagine what life for those affected is like based on (usually brief) descriptions of the conditions. That task is challenging for reasons that have been well-discussed in the literat [...]

by T V Ramachandra  , Bharath Setturu  , Karthik R. Naik  and Jagadessha B Pai

Received: 29 December 2021;  Published: 22 April 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2202014

Ecologically susceptible zones (ESZs) are endowed with the distinct bio, geo, climatic, hydrological, and ecological integrity that sustain natural resources to support the livelihood of dependent populations. However, globalization and consequent anthropogenic activities have led to the erosion of the natural resource base and enhanced the levels of pollutants, triggering global environmental change, evident from changes in the climate. Alterations in the structure and the ecological integrity of ESZs may lead to [...]

by Traci Jarrett  , Ilana Haliwa  , Jennifer Ludrosky  , Ashley Mason  , Gretchen Prather  , Brittney Barlett  , Amy Snodgrass  and Geri Dino

Received: 30 November 2022;  Published: 13 April 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2302019

Teacher burnout is one of the primary drivers of turnover. Skills such as improved classroom management have been shown to mitigate teacher burnout. COVID-19 created classroom disruption and an unprecedented youth mental health crisis. This study examined the effectiveness of a school-based mindfulness training at improving classroom management self-efficacy and reducing teacher burnout during COVID-19. Elementary school personnel were invited to participate in two versions of Kidding Around Yoga training and to im [...]

by Andre Cardim de Aguiar  and Soraya Giovanetti El-Deir

Received: 09 May 2022;  Published: 20 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2203034

The presence of shopping malls causes a social, economic, and environmental impact. The bibliometric analysis is a valuable method used to dentify published research papers, and understand historic information published in scientific journals. This method can be used to carry out qualitative and quantitative analyses of scientific production on a specific subject. This analytical method primarily focuses on analyzing the bibliometric study of the solid waste management method used in shopping malls. A small number [...]

by Maria Alonso-González  , José Fernando Rubio-Valle  , Victor Perez-Puyana  , Mercedes Jiménez-Rosado  and Alberto Romero

Received: 01 November 2019;  Published: 26 February 2020;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2001004

The present study deals with the development of scaffolds based on gelatin (G) and/or chitosan (CH) through modifications in the central processing method. This process consists of the fabrication of a hydrogel which is, then submitted to a freeze-drying stage. To compare the effects of the different modifications, the mechanical properties of the various systems were characterized, employing both dynamic compressive strain and frequency sweep tests. In addition, their porosity as well as the structure and fiber di [...]