by David Bayo  , Olufunso Adeniyi  , Adebayo Adeniyi  and Oluwole Ariwoola

Received: 27 February 2021;  Published: 12 May 2021;  doi: 10.21926/acr.2102013

The present study investigated the level of heavy metals in selected fruits sold commonly in Jos, Nigeria. The fresh fruits (Avocado pear, Black currant, Egg Plant, Golden melon, and Soursop) were purchased from five major markets (Terminus, Farin Gada, Building materials, Bukuru, and Fobur) in Jos. Each fruit sample was collected in triplicate and analyzed using standard procedures. The concentration of heavy metals (Fe, Cu, As, Cd, Zn, Pb, Mn, and Cr) was determined using Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectr [...]

by Jessica White  and Tom Deweerdt

Received: 28 July 2023;  Published: 17 February 2024;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2401007

Carbon management is imperative to curb global temperature increases and mitigating climate change impacts. This report explores the carbon management strategies employed by Diebold Nixdorf, a multinational financial and retail technology company. As of 2021, the company has not established specific reduction targets and has not committed to achieving net zero emissions. The company employs diverse carbon reduction strategies, such as carbon offsetting, solar energy, and fleet improvements, with notable projects li [...]

by Cynthia M.A. Geppert  and Ronald W. Pies

Received: 01 March 2019;  Published: 04 March 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1901016

Compassion in Clinical Care

by Jessica Ferguson  , Marisa Holubar  , Waldo Concepcion  and Dora Y. Ho

Received: 24 July 2020;  Published: 09 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2004122

Liver transplant recipients (LTRs) are at risk for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) infections which can lead to significant morbidity or mortality. Antibiotic exposure, including vancomycin, is associated with greater risk of VRE infection. This study aimed to assess the appropriateness of vancomycin use and rates of VRE infection in this population. We performed a retrospective cohort study of 327 patients who underwent liver transplantation at our center from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2017. Sixty (18.3% [...]

by Susan E. Reid  , Bessam Abdulrazak  and Tianqi Xiao

Received: 08 August 2022;  Published: 17 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2204209

Despite the increase in use and interest in mobile devices by older adults, to date, there is still limited research carried out to better understand older adults’ usage and needs as they relate to such devices. As such, this research examined the use of two types of mobile devices, smartphones, and tablets, by older adults (i.e., age 65+), as well as the use of a new interface, developed for research purposes, called “PhonAge”. This study was exploratory, and utilizes frequency data and tables, in order to get a s [...]

by Rayara Silva dos Santos  , Pedro Henrique Poubel Mendonça da Silveira  , Beatriz Cruz Bastos  , Marceli do Nascimento da Conceição  , Roberto Carlos da Conceição Ribeiro  and Daniele Cruz Bastos

Received: 22 May 2023;  Published: 18 July 2023;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2303027

This article presents the development and characterization of environmentally friendly composites comprising polypropylene (PP) reinforced with Bahia Beige (BB) marble waste. The composites were prepared using different PP/BB weight ratios and analyzed for their chemical, physical, mechanical, microstructural, and thermal properties. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis revealed the composition of BB, which exhibited a significant concentration of CaO, indicating the presence of calcite and other oxides. X-ray diffrac [...]

by Karine Dornela Rosa  , Tara Rava Zolnikov  , Rodrigo Souza Leite  , Sérgio Caldas  , Job Alves de Souza Filho  , Raquel Sampaio Jacob  and Marcos Paulo Gomes Mol

Received: 05 May 2022;  Published: 11 July 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2203028

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector-borne disease that is caused by the protozoan Leishmania infantum and transmitted to humans and other mammals through the bites of infected female sandflies. VL has been prevalent in Minas Gerais, Brazil, since the 1940s. As the vector completes its reproductive cycle in the soil with organic matter, the association between the occurrence of VL and unimproved solid waste disposal sites has been investigated. Thus, in this study, we analyzed the relationship of waste disposal [...]

by Harnish P Patel  , Faidra Laskou  and Elaine M Dennison

Received: 15 February 2024;  Published: 23 January 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2501296

Sarcopenia is characterised by progressive and generalised decline in muscle strength, function, and muscle mass. Now recognised as a muscle disease, it is highly prevalent in older adults, with estimates of up to 30% in some populations. Sarcopenia has a complex multifactorial aetiology, including cellular and molecular changes, chronic disease, lower physical activity as well as nutritional deficiency. Sarcopenia is associated with a range of adverse physical and metabolic outcomes leading to disability, morbidit [...]

by Robert E White

Received: 21 July 2022;  Published: 10 October 2022;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2204039

Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in 2020 were 67.8 million (M) tonnes (t) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e), amounting to 12.9% of total emissions. Erupted methane (CH4) from ruminant animals comprised 42% of agricultural emissions. By 2030, the Australian Government aims to reduce total emissions by 43% from the 2005 level. The primary policy instrument for achieving this reduction is the Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) in which there are two main pathways for agriculture – emiss [...]

by Suman Roy

Received: 27 September 2022;  Published: 03 January 2023;  doi: 10.21926/rpm.2301001

Increased occurrence of dynamic loading on bridge piers caused by seismic, blast and vehicular impact incidences have been increasingly reported. Statistical data shows that while seismic and blast have received significant attention in the literature despite the frequency of occurrence of vehicular impact is remarkably higher. Unfortunately, pier damage caused by high velocity vehicle impact contemplates a little consideration. With the newer construction methods like accelerated bridge construction (ABC) and its [...]

by Yang Xu  , Eng Hwa Wong  , Rusli Bin Nordin  , Abdul Kareem Meera Mohaideen  , Benjamin Samraj Prakash Earnest  and Yin How Wong

Received: 11 July 2023;  Published: 16 January 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2401209

Stroke is the second and third leading cause of death and disability, respectively, all over the world. It seriously affects patients' lives and brings huge burdens to their families. Ischemic stroke accounts for most of the stroke cases. In the absence of any effective treatment, prevention measures through controlling the risk factors for ischemic stroke become crucial. While uric acid has been reported as an essential risk factor for ischemic stroke, researchers hold inconsistent views regarding the specific ass [...]

by Gerhard Litscher

Received: 19 November 2023;  Published: 20 November 2023;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2304054

In today's high-tech-driven times, traditional ways are getting a digital upgrade, and Chinese medicine is part of this change. Mixing ancient healing know-how with modern high technology has created digital Chinese medicine (DCM). It could change healthcare worldwide. This editorial aims to explore this new area and look at its possibilities, challenges, and how it might affect healthcare in the future. It lists some essential topics that need to be considered in the future within the digital transformation of Chi [...]

by Chaimae Merimi  , Abdessamad Benabbou  , Lamiae Bourassi  , Abdelhay Addous  , Ahmed A. Elhenawy  , Rachid Touzani  and Belkheir Hammouti

Received: 22 January 2025;  Published: 25 June 2025;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2502027

Cardiovascular diseases and hypertension represent significant global health challenges, driving the need for innovative therapeutic solutions. In this study, we employed advanced in silico methods to investigate the molecular properties of two bioactive compounds, Flavonoids and Rosmarinic Acid, extracted from five medicinal plants: Rosemary, Oregano, Pink Savory, Lemon Balm, and Saffron. The bioactive compounds were evaluated against key biological targets associated with hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, [...]

by Mega Obukohwo Oyovwi  , Gregory Joseph Uchechukwu  , Bolape Adeola Oyekanmi  , Emmanuel Igho Odokuma  and Ugushida Thankgod Ogenma

Received: 08 June 2024;  Published: 20 November 2024;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2404254

The gut microbiota, a complex ecosystem of billions of microorganisms in the human digestive tract, plays a crucial role in maintaining health. Recent studies have highlighted a bidirectional communication pathway called the gut-brain axis between the gut and the brain. This communication is significantly influenced by gut microbiota and its interactions with the immune system, which can affect brain function and contribute to inflammation. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the relationship bet [...]

by Mikhail Pylnev  , Hussain Al-Alawadhi  and Nouar Tabet

Received: 21 September 2022;  Published: 25 November 2022;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2204038

The most commonly used process for fabricating perovskite solar cells is based on wet chemistry, which greatly limits the choice of materials suitable for optimizing the performance of the device. We developed a new approach for the fabrication of perovskite-based solar cells. In the smart stacking process, the perovskite solar cell was assembled by stacking two pieces of perovskite films prepared separately. A working perovskite solar cell was developed with PCE = 0.78% and the perovskite layer was analyzed with X [...]

by Gabriela Martínez-Machado  , Laura Arely López-Gámez  , Litzy Yazmin Alvarado-Mata  , Roberto Muñoz-García  , Jenny Priscila Salinas-Mireles  , Ivan Artemio Corral-Guerrero  , Maria Jose Castro-Alonso  , Jazel Doménica Sosa-Martínez  , Miriam Paulina Luévanos Escareño  , Ayerim Yedid Hernández-Almanza  and Nagamani Balagurusamy

Received: 20 February 2025;  Published: 13 May 2025;  doi: 10.21926/jept.2502010

The global production of biomethane is rapidly emerging as a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels for energy generation. Biogas, where methane (CH4) is usually one of the main components, is generated through the anaerobic digestion (AD) of various organic substrates, including animal manure, organic wastes, and wastewater. The efficiency of the AD process depends on key operational parameters and reactor designs that optimize microbial activity and gas yield. However, inhibitory compounds such as heavy metals, [...]

by Hannah Lewandowski  , Lindsay Crawford  and Paul D. Loprinzi

Received: 13 April 2019;  Published: 25 June 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1902039

Acute exercise may enhance episodic memory recall, or the retrospective recall of an event or episode due to exercise-induced neuronal excitability and ensuing long-term potentiation. Of interest to this paper is the potential effects of acute exercise on memory interference, when the interfering stimuli occurs at the same time as the target stimuli. A three-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled intervention was employed. Participants (N=50) were randomized into one of three groups, including 1) Interference + [...]

by Shalika B. Katugaha  , Amit K. Mahajan  , Meg Fregoso  , Haresh Mani  and Oksana A. Shlobin

Received: 25 October 2020;  Published: 03 July 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2103147

A 65-year-old female with a history of right lung transplantation (LTx) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 9-years prior complicated by grade 3 bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) was admitted to the hospital for chest pain and dyspnea on exertion (DOE). Her bronchoscopy revealed fluffy, endobronchial lesions that were adherent to the right sided anastomosis resulting in mild obstruction of the right mainstem bronchus. Pathology from biopsies of the endobronchial lesions revealed hyphal fungal org [...]

by Simona Ruggirello  , Enrica L. Santarcangelo  and Laura Sebastiani

Received: 10 September 2019;  Published: 18 December 2019;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.1904066

Background: Hypnotizability is a psychophysiological trait associated with several differences including the level of functional equivalence (FE) between imagery and perception, i.e., the similarity of the cortical activations and network configurations associated with each of them. FE is stronger in high hypnotizability individuals (highs) than low hypnotizable participants (lows). In this framework, this study investigates the correlation between electroencephalogram (EEG) of imagined arm/hand movements (MI) and [...]

by Mahmood Haji-Rahimi  , Kiana Bahmanzad  and Hamed Ghaderzadeh

Received: 06 August 2024;  Published: 31 October 2024;  doi: 10.21926/aeer.2404022

Current production and distribution models in agriculture primarily operate based on the 'linear economy' approach. This means that after the exploitation of natural resources and the production of the final product, a significant portion of these resources and products, now contaminated or turned into waste, exit the economic cycle. The circular economy approach in agriculture seeks to reuse waste products and depleted inputs, thereby reducing the intensity of resource exploitation and taking a step towards sustai [...]

by Michael Hales  and Robert Marx

Received: 10 January 2022;  Published: 19 April 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.icm.2202019

Service-user volunteers in a National Health Service (NHS) Mental Health Trust in the UK have made an unusual contribution to mindfulness teaching, training, research and governance as ‘advocates’ of mindfulness-based therapy interventions. We explore the nature of what has been named internally as the ‘wisdom’ of the ‘advocate’ group in this NHS Trust, and its impact on mental health provision. A clinician (clinical psychologist) and an advocate (anthropologist) conduct an investigative conversational journey usin [...]

by Damiana Scuteri  , Paolo Tonin  , Maria Tiziana Corasaniti  and Giacinto Bagetta

Received: 05 July 2022;  Published: 14 September 2022;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2203133

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) accounts for 50–70% of cases of dementia worldwide and is a social burden to the affected population. Although several pathogenetic hypotheses have been proposed, evidence favoring the role of aberrant neuroplasticity in the development of the neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with dementia is increasing. Specifically, agitation is resistant to treatment and affects the quality of life, also because of the lack of safe and effective treatment for AD. Alterations in pain processing due to [...]

by Maria Lúcia dos Santos  , Ana Cristina Monteiro  , Andréa Nascimento  , Sívia Barbosa  , Artur Delgado  and Patrícia Zamberlan

Received: 11 April 2024;  Published: 17 July 2024;  doi: 10.21926/rpn.2403010

Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by fragile skin that blisters and tears easily, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Depending on the specific genetic mutations and the proteins involved, EB can be classified into several subtypes whose molecular complexity is compounded by the variability in mutation types (missense, nonsense, insertions, deletions), their locations within the genes, and the resultant effects on protein function. This systematic review aimed to identi [...]

by Bhagyashree Deshmankar  , Craig E. Eckfeldt  , Graf Oliver  , Aleksandr Lazaryan  and Nelli Bejanyan

Received: 19 July 2020;  Published: 18 September 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.transplant.2003118

Severe hypercholesterolemia is an uncommon complication of allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Treatment options for hypercholesterolemia due to liver graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) are limited because many antilipidemic medications are known to worsen hepatic functions. We report our experience on a case of a 38-year-old male with Philadelphia chromosome positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with steroid-refractory hepatic and lower gastrointestinal acute GVHD after matched sibling don [...]

by Gregor Reid  , Azza A. Gadir  , Scarlett Puebla Barragan  and Raja Dhir

Received: 11 December 2020;  Published: 01 February 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.hg.2101055

The human intestinal microbiota represents a complex microbial community that plays an essential role in the maintenance of host health. Over the last decade, metagenomic and metabolomic analyses have revealed the influence of intestinal microbial diversity and composition on a range of biological functions in the host. While overall taxonomic composition of the intestinal microbiome is informative, changes in spatial dynamics within the community also have profound biological significance as microbial functions ar [...]