bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Study of age-related changes in the physicochemical properties of Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB): A Case Study of the Production of Cocamidopropyl Betaine on an Industrial Scale
Authors: eldin Mahmoud Noor , Rashed Mohamed S. , AlRashidi Bandar M. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Cocamidopropyl betaine is a synthetic surfactant derived from the reaction between coconut oil fatty acids and dimethylaminopropylamine, yielding a mixture of amidoamine betaine closely related to organic compounds. This work aims to study the effect of aging related changes on the physicochemical properties of cocamidopropyl betaine. Four batches of cocamidopropyl betaine (30 % active) were manufactured using a two-step batch process: condensation reaction and quaternization reaction process. The physicochemical properties such as pH value, solid content (NVM), sodium chloride content, and H2O2 content of CAPB-betaine were studied over a period of 12 months. Additional confirmation tests were conducted using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis to verify that there were no changes in the chemical structure of CAPB-betaine (Batch #1) over 12 months. The results showed that the physicochemical properties for four batches had similar readings value over the age period. The analysis revealed that the physicochemical properties of the four batches remained relatively consistent throughout the aging period. The readings obtained for pH value, solid content, sodium chloride content, and free amidoamine content showed minimal variation across the batches over the course of the study. This indicates that the batches maintained their stability and reliability over the 12-month period.
Epidemiological Mapping of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Infections in Saudi Arabia: A Descriptive and Observational Study
Authors: Alharbi Basma , Ahmed Mawahib 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease affecting people worldwide. An epidemiological observational population-cohort study was conducted based on comprehensive research on CL incidence in Saudi and non-Saudi residents. Data on CL incidences were recorded by the Ministry of Health between January 2020 and December 2022. The chi-square test was used to analyze the data and determine CL incident rates in age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) and gender between Saudi and non-Saudi residents in Saudi Arabia (KSA). The study found that between 2020 and 2022, there were 2280 cases of CL in KSA, 1367 cases in males and 913 cases in females. 64.26% of Saudi nationals were male patients and 12.91% were females. The frequency of CL was greater (87.09%) among non-Saudi residents than among Saudi nationals, with a statistically significant difference (P0.001) between the two groups. The ASIRs for CL were higher in patients aged between 15 and 45. This study revealed variations in CL incident rates among the 13 administrative regions; Al-Qassem, followed by Aseer, Ha'il, and Al-Madinah, showed higher rates than other regions. These findings suggest the need for targeted interventions and public health strategies to reduce the burden on CL, particularly among non-Saudi residents.
Immune Checkpoints Determines the Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Chronic Hepatitis B
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Liao Chunhong , Gu Yurong , Lian Yifan , Gao Ye , Gu Lin , Huang Yuehua 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background: Chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) is the serious health threaten with high morbidity and mortality. The work of innate and adaptive immune systems determines the development and prognosis of CHB. Immune checkpoints (ICs) play a crucial role in regulating the immune response by providing inhibitory or stimulatory signals when interacting with their ligands. However, the precise mechanism by which ICs affect the outcome of CHB patients remains unclear.
Methods: We collected data from 334 CHB patients and comprehensively analysed their clinical and immune traits. 17 healthy controls (HC) were also included. The immune parameterswere obtained by flow cytometry. We deeply detected the expressions of ICs on both innate and adaptive immune cells at different stages of CHB. We also systematically analyzed the correlations between ICs and immune cells function.
Results: The innate and adaptive immune status are various among different stages of CHB patients. There were also differential expressions of ICs on multiple immune cells among these CHB patients. ICs levels were related with immune cells function, including cytotoxicity and antiviral cytokines. NK cells and NKT cells possibly regulated T cells function by their ICs expressions.
Conclusions: We fully uncover the landscape of innate and adaptive immunity along with their differential ICs levels in CHB patients at different clinical stages. Our findings provide systematic information for CHB patients’ immunity and imply that ICs may be a potential immune targets for HBV treatment.
Efficacy and safety of levornidazole disodium phosphate for the treatment of pelvic inflammatory disease: A multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial
Authors: Wang Yanjun , Ji Shichun , You Zhixue , Zhou Li , Fang Zhenghui , Jia Xuemei , Xie Meiqing , Li Yangzhi , Kang Jiali 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
In this multicenter, double-blind, randomized, parallel-group study, the efficacy and safety of levornidazole and levornidazole disodium phosphate for the treatment of women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) were compared.
Methods
The women from 12 hospitals in China received a 14-day course of intravenous levornidazole at 0.5 g twice a day (Group A, n = 49) or intravenous levornidazole disodium phosphate at 1.0 g once a day (Group B, n = 49) or 0.5 g twice a day (Group C, n = 46).
Results
Overall, of the 144 patients in the full analysis set (FAS), 91.00% (n = 131) were included in the per-protocol set; further, 38 of these cases (29.00%) were microbiologically valid. In the FAS population, the 14-day clinical cure rates were 77.55% for Group A, 83.67% for Group B, and 82.61% for Group C (P = 0.7446). The 14-day bacteriological clearance rates in the FAS population were 76.47% for Group A, 93.75% for Group B, and 100.00% for Group C (P = 0.2476). Drug-related adverse events occurred less frequently in Group B (38.78%) than in Group A (61.22%; P = 0.025).
Conclusions
These results indicate that daily administration of levornidazole disodium phosphate as a concentration-dependent antibacterial agent antibacterial agent for 14 days was as clinically and bacteriologically efficacious for women with PID as levornidazole twice daily for 14 days. Moreover, the former was associated with significantly fewer drug-related adverse events.
Trial registration:
ChiCTR2300073123 registered on 03/07/2023 (https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=196700).
Assessment of acceptance and associated factors of HIV self-test using oral fluid among targeted adult clients at public health facilities in Sheger City, Ethiopia, 2023
Authors: Bulto Berhanu , Erene Ayele , Benti Tsegaye , Abebe Lemi 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus is a major public health problem worldwide. Human immunodeficiency virus self-testing using oral fluid is the best way of receiving preventive and treatment services, which help to lower morbidity and mortality related to the problem.
Purpose: To assess acceptance and associated factors of Human immunodeficiency virus self-test using oral fluid among targeted adult clients at public health facilities in Sheger City, Ethiopia, 2023
Patients and Methods:Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted in Sebeta Sub-city of Sheger City governmental health facilities, from July 1 to 30, 2023. A total of 317 adults aged ≥18 years were included in the study by systematic random sampling method. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data from clients by interview. Data analysis was done using bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regression model. Variables having p-value of <0.25 in bivariate analysis were candidate for multivariable analysis. Adjusted odds ratio with 95% conﬁdence interval was computed to identify the presence and strength of association.
Results: A total of 314 study participants were involved making a response rate of 99.1%. The overall acceptance of HIVST among targeted adult clients attending public health facilities in the study area was 169 (53.8%) (95%CI: 48.1%, 59.2%). Being married (AOR=3.97; 95%CI: 1.74, 9.05), having fear of being stigmatized (AOR=3.75; 95%CI: 1.64, 8.61), obtaining counseling during HIV test (AOR=3.33; 95%CI: 1.28, 8.64) and having doubts about confidentiality information related to HIV test (AOR=2.49; 95%CI: 1.13, 5.46) were factors that were significantly associated with acceptance of HIVST using oral fluid.
Conclusion: The magnitude of acceptance of HIVST among targeted adult clients in the study area was within range of the finding of studies on acceptance of HIVST on the world. Being married, having fear of being stigmatized, obtaining counseling during HIV test and having doubt about confidentiality related to HIV test were factors that were significantly associated with acceptance of HIVST using oral fluid.
Method of precise common-view time and frequency transfer based on BDS GEO satellites
Authors: Wei Pei , Wang Haixue , Ding Shuo , Yang Xuhai , Sun Baoqi , Qin Weijin 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Research on time and frequency transfer between stations through Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) carrier-phase observation data has been a hot topic for many years. However, the estimation of ambiguity has always been a challenge. Unlike Global Positioning System (GPS), BeiDou System (BDS) is a hybrid constellation with GEOstationary (GEO) satellites included. By virtue of the stationary characteristics of BDS GEO satellites, the method of precise common-view time and frequency transfer is proposed in this paper. With this method, high-precision time and frequency transfer can be achieved by utilizing the carrier-phase observation data from BDS GEO satellites and the precise products of the International GNSS Monitoring and Assessment System (iGMAS). The advantages are as follows. 1) Unlike traditional GNSS Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites, BDS GEO satellites are always visible within their coverage area. Therefore, there will only be one ambiguity for this method over long periods of 1 month or more, which can be calibrated as a systematic error; 2) By using BDS GEO satellites, the time transfer results will not be affected by the phase wind-up effect. With sites in Europe and China, experiments based this method are performed, and the results show that: 1) For zero and ultra-short baselines, the Root Mean Square (RMS) values of the proposed method are better than 0.1ns; 2) For the short baseline (33 km), the performance of the proposed method is comparable to Two Way Optical Time and Frequency Transfer; 3) For the long baseline (700 km and 1750 km), the performance of the proposed method is better than Two Way Satellite Time and Frequency Transfer; 4) For inter-continental baselines (over 7000 km), the RMS value of the residuals with respect to Precise Point Positioning time transfer is at the sub-nanosecond level.
Neuroanatomical Basis of Language Ability in an Autism Subgroup with Moderate Language Deficits
Authors: Xiao Yaqiong , Zhang Ningxuan , Zhang Shuiqun , Huang Kaiyu , Xin Jin , Huang Qishan , Yi Aiwen 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are highly heterogenous in their language abilities. A number of studies have shown neural correlates of language deficits in children with ASD, but the underlying neuroanatomical foundation of early language deficits in ASD remains largely elusive. In this study, we analyzed MRI data from a cohort of Chinese children with ASD (n = 67) and typical development (TD, n = 37) aged 1.5 to 6.5 years. The ASD sample was classified into two subgroups based on the median of the language scores: ASD with moderate language deficits (ASDmoderate, n = 34) and ASD with severe language deficits (ASDsevere, n = 34). We tested the group differences in the brain volumes between TD and two ASD subgroups, and also examined the associations between cortical grey matter volume and language abilities in TD and ASD subgroups, separately. We observed significant group differences in grey matter and white matter volume, with post-hoc analyses specifically indicating significant differences between TD and ASDmoderate subgroup. Significant correlations between grey matter volume and language scores were observed exclusively within the ASDmoderate subgroup, including positive associations in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus, hippocampus, and left inferior parietal lobe, and negative correlations in the bilateral precuneus. These findings provide novel evidence for the neuroanatomical basis related to language ability in an ASD subgroup with moderate language deficits, and offer new insights into the heterogeneity of language deficits in children with ASD.
Why does malaria transmission continue at high levels despite universal vector control? Quantifying persistent malaria transmission by Anopheles funestus in Western Province, Zambia
Authors: Ashton Ruth A , Chanda Benjamin , Chishya Chama , Muyabe Rayford , Kaniki Tresford , Mambo Patricia , Mwenya Mwansa , Mwaanga Gift , Arnzen Annie , Orange Erica , Saili Kochelani , Yikona Handrinah Banda , Chulu John , Chitoshi Chanda , Kyomuhangi Irene , Miller John , Silumbe Kafula , Hamainza Busiku , Littrell Megan , Yukich Joshua , Kleinschmidt Immo , Chanda Javan , Wagman Joseph , Eisele Thomas P. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Background
Some settings continue to experience a high malaria burden despite scale-up of malaria vector control to high levels of coverage. Characterisation of persistent malaria transmission in the presence of standard control measures, also termed residual malaria transmission, to understand where and when individuals are exposed to vector biting is critical to inform refinement of prevention and control strategies.
Methods
Secondary analysis was performed using data collected during a phase III cluster randomized trial of attractive targeted sugar bait stations in Western Province, Zambia. Two seasonal cohorts of children aged 1–14 years were recruited and monitored monthly during the malaria transmission season, concurrent with entomological surveillance using a combination of human landing collection (HLC) and UV light traps at randomly selected households in study clusters. Behavioural data from cohort participants were combined with measured Anopheles funestus landing rates and sporozoite positivity to estimate the human behaviour-adjusted entomological inoculation rate (EIR).
Results
Behavioural data from 1237 children over 5456 child-visits in 20 entomology surveillance clusters were linked with hourly landing rates from 8131 female An. funestus trapped by HLC. Among all An. funestus tested by ELISA, 3.3% were sporozoite-positive. Mean EIR directly measured from HLC was 0.07 infectious bites per person per night (ib/p/n). When accounting for child locations over the evening and night, the mean behaviour-adjusted EIR was 0.02 ib/p/n. Children not sleeping under insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) experienced 13.6 infectious bites per person per six-month season, 8% of which occurred outdoors, while ITN users received 1.3 infectious bites per person per six-month season, 86% of which were received outdoors. Sleeping under an ITN can prevent approximately 90% of potential An. funestus bites among children.
Conclusions
In this setting ITNs have a high personal protective efficacy due to peak An. funestus biting occurring indoors while most individuals are asleep. However, despite high household possession of ITNs (> 90%) and high individual use (> 70%), people in this setting experience more than one infectious bite per person per six-month transmission season, sufficient to maintain high malaria transmission and burden. New tools and strategies are required to reduce the malaria burden in such settings.
Experimental and numerical study of primary instability of a two-phase stratified flow in a circular pipe
Authors: Nezihovski Yakov , Barmak Ilya , Gelfgat Alexander , Horstmann Gerrit Maik , Ullmann Amos , Brauner Neima 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

The onset of the primary instability of two-phase air-water stratified flow in a circular pipe was studied experimentally by two independent non-intrusive techniques. The techniques analyze the steady or oscillatory response of either a laser beam passing through the air-water interface, or of an echo of an ultrasound wave reflected from the interface. The experiments are accompanied by linear stability analysis performed in both Cartesian and bipolar coordinates, thus yielding two independently obtained numerical results for comparison. The critical values of the phases’ superficial velocities corresponding to the flow primary instability calculated numerically by the two independent methods agree well with each other. The computed stability diagram shows that instability sets in owing to long-wave disturbances at large holdups, while at smaller holdups, the most unstable perturbations appear as finite-length (short) waves. A comparison of the experimental and numerical results shows a good agreement for the long-wave instability. For the short-wave instability, the measured critical superficial velocities are below the computed ones, while the frequencies found experimentally for supercritical oscillatory flow states agree with the numerical predictions. Several additional peaks in the frequency spectra are observed in the experiments. By comparing these frequencies with the numerical spectra, we argue that they correspond to stable eigenmodes with close to zero decay rates, which can be triggered either by non-linear mechanisms, or become unstable because of experimental imperfections.
Clinical and pathogenetic features of thyropathies diagnosed during the post-COVID-19 period
Authors: Nekrasov A. I. , Pochinka I. G. , Strongin L. G. , Orlinskaya N. Yu. , Lugovaya L. A. , Malysheva E. S. , Volovatova I. N. 
Published: July 2024

Introduction. The past COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the course of many diseases including endocrine pathology. However, little is known about the clinical and pathogenetic features of thyroid pathology of the post-COVID-19 period.Aim. Evaluate the clinical and pathogenetic features of thyropathies diagnosed during the post-COVID-19 period.Materials and methods. A cross-sectional study included 250 patients with newly diagnosed thyroid diseases. 73 participants denied a history of COVID-19 and 177 suffered from it within the previous 9 months. Thyroid status and thyroid ultrasound examination were assessed. IgG SARS-Cov-2 levels were tested in 40 patients with a history of COVID-19. Fine needle aspiration biopsy was performed in 61 patients including 41 with a history of COVID-19. In the main group, all the samples were additionally investigated by immunocytochemical analysis with SARS-CoV-2 protein antibodies.Results. Among the patients with COVID-19 history higher levels of fT4 (13.6 [12.4; 15.5] vs 12.8 [11.0; 15.3] pmol/l, p = 0.046) and a lower proportion of patients with euthyroidism (122 (68.9%) vs 59 (80.8%), p = 0.037) were detected. In the main group there were more cytological samples with macrophages accumulations (16 (39.0%) vs 2 (10.0%), p = 0.017), however, immu-nocytochemical study did not reveal any SARS-Cov-2-positive samples. During the post-COVID-19 period, approximately 60% of patients with subclinical thyroid dysfunctions experienced spontaneous normalization. There were correlations between IgG SARS-Cov-2 levels and parameters characterizing the structural and functional state of the thyroid gland.Conclusion. The most typical clinical feature of post-COVID-19 thyropathies was a smaller proportion of individuals with euthyroidism. Mild thyroid dysfunctions identified during the post-COVID-19 period tended to develop spontaneous normalization in 60% of cases. The immunocytochemical tests indicate the absence of SARS-Cov-2 persistence in the thyroid tissue. COVID-19- associated immunopathological reactions are involved in the pathogenesis of post-COVID-19 thyropathies.
Predictors of the immunochemotherapy effectiveness of atezolizumab in combination with etoposide and carboplatin in patients with advanced small cell lung cancer
Authors: Kuzminov A. E. , Barbolina T. D. , Reutova E. V. , Yudin D. I. , Breder V. V. , Laktionov K. K. 
Published: July 2024

Introduction. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. For the first time in 30 years, the randomized clinical studies employing immunochemotherapy showed a significant increase in median overall survival for patients with advanced small cell lung cancer. However, no significant predictors of the immunochemotherapy effectiveness were identified.Aim. To improve long-term outcomes of treatment of patients with advanced small cell lung cancer through search for predictors of the immunochemotherapy effectiveness.Materials and methods. A total of 35 patients (11 women and 24 men) with advanced small cell lung cancer who received immunochemotherapy with atezolizumab combined with etoposide and carboplatin as first-line treatment were included in the analysis. The average age for patients was 61 years. At the immunochemotherapy baseline, 10 patients had stage IVA disease, 24 patients had stage IVB disease, and one patient had stage IIIB disease. We retrospectively assessed the prognostic impact on the median progression-free survival and overall survival of such factors as leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, lactate dehydrogenase level, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio, fibrinogen level, blood type.Results. Median progression-free survival was 6.2 (95% CI 4.6–7.8) months, median overall survival was 16.0 (95% CI 9.4– 22.6) months. There was an increasing trend in median progression-free survival, but without statistically significant differences in leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, elevated fibrinogen levels and normal lactate dehydrogenase levels at the beginning of therapy. The neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio at the beginning of therapy had a significant impact on median progression-free survival. There was a statistically significant increase in median progression-free survival from 4.5 (95% CI 3.9–5.1) to 6.9 (95% CI 5.6–8.2) months when the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio was < 3. A significant decrease in median progression-free survival – 5.0 (95% CI 3.5–6.5) months was also observed in patients with blood group B (III) vs 6.2 (95% CI 4.7–7.7) months for patients with a different blood group (p = 0.047). Factors such as leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, fibrinogen level, lactate dehydrogenase level and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio did not have a significant impact on overall survival. Patients with blood type B (III) showed significantly worse survival: median overall survival was 12.1 (95% CI 9.3–14.9) months in blood group B (III) and was not achieved in patients with other blood groups (p = 0.017).Conclusion. The significance of the identified predictors of the immunochemotherapy effectiveness in patients with advanced small cell lung cancer should be confirmed with the larger sampling size using a multivariate analysis. The study continues a recruitment of patients.