bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Real-world experience with nucleos (t) ide analogue therapy and patient survival rates in chronic viral hepatitis B Treatment Centers in Asmara, Eritrea: A multicenter retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Solomon Michael Berhe , Ghebremeskel Ghirmay Ghebrekidan , Achila Oliver Okoth , Mebrahtu Aron Rezene , Hamida Mohammed Elfatih , Mesfin Araia Berhane 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
Real-world data on treatment outcomes or the quality of large-scale chronic hepatitis B (CHB) treatment programs in sub-Saharan Africa is extremely difficult to obtain. In this study, our aim was to present data on the clinical characteristics of CHB patients and to evaluate results in patients on nucleos(t)ide analogue (NUC) in multiple treatment sites in Asmara, Eritrea.
Methodology:
A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted on CHB patients in government-funded follow-up programs in Asmara, Eritrea (period: 2016–2021). Demographic, clinical, and laboratory information was collected from patients’ cards using a structured check-list. Relevant parametric and nonparametric statistics were employed to evaluate differences between groups. Kaplan–Meier (K-M) estimates and multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore risk factors for lost follow-up (LTFU).
Results
A total of 413 patients with HBV (median age (IQR) at diagnosis: 39 (IQR: 28–50 years, females: 118(28.6%) followed for a total of 22,921 person days of follow-up). Baseline ALT and AST were elevated in 99(31.2%) and 101(32.8%), respectively. Importantly, FIB-4 score and APRI score estimates suggested that prevalence of cirrhosis plus indeterminate and /or cirrhosis possible was 33(14%) + 49(20.8%) and 26(10.6%) + 65(26.4%), respectively. During the follow-up period, 4.6% (95%CI: 2.5–6.6%) died, while 23.9% (95%CI: 19.8–28%) were LTFU. The dominant reasons for treatment eligibility were cirrhosis and elevated HBV-DNA. After 12 weeks of treatment, the overall virologic response (VR) was 50.8% (95%CI: 46.9–74.6). Importantly, VR in TDF vs TDF + LAM were similar, 14/31(45.2%) vs 17/31(54.4%), respectively, p-value = 0.3. However, significant changes in biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, FIB-4, and APRI) were observed in both treatment groups following treatment. In adjusted Cox proportional hazards model, LTFU was independently associated with baseline serum HBV DNA (IU/mL) (aHR = 1.3, 95% CI 1.04–1.7; p-value = 0.02); Not initiated on NUC (aHR = 3.9, 95% CI: 1.1–13.7, p-value = 0.02); and FIB-4 Score (aHR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1-1.1; p-value = 0.01).
Conclusion
This study uncovered multiple system- and patient-centered gaps in the three HBV treatment programs in Asmara, Eritrea. Interventions should target improvements in laboratory infrastructure, adherence to patient monitoring guidelines, HBV literacy, better tracking of patients, and documentation of patients’ information.
Utilizing Motion Direction of Video Capturing Satellites for Complexity Reduction in Video Compressor Block-Matching Techniques
Authors: Bayat Mohammadreza , Rongke Liu , Zarrini Haleh 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This paper aims to define how to combine satellite motion direction in Video Compressor Block-Matching algorithms. In this study, three objectives were identified: unveiling the existence of the problem by evidence-gathering, proposing a preliminary satellite design for video-capturing missions, and using the motion pattern of a satellite. To satisfy the first research objective, videos of Earth and other celestial bodies were selected, and the validity of this claim was evaluated. The alignment of the direction of satellite motion with the motion vectors can be clearly recognized. In all cases, except for one case, the motion vectors of the selected videos were shown to be more than 80%. Investigations determined that the review of the divisions of the Regions and appropriate selection of the boundaries of the Regions can produce more acceptable results for the video whose dominated motion vectors are divided into two different Regions. To satisfy the second objective, which is defined as creating the necessary changes in the design of satellites that have the mission of capturing videos of the celestial bodies, a conceptual design was presented in which the path of receiving the motion directions from the satellite platform to the payload was specified. Here, two modes were proposed: Normal and Proposed. In future rounds, this information can be used to reduce the amount of motion estimation calculations and complexity.
TNF: Friend or foe in sepsis? A meta-analysis of experimental studies
Authors: Kassasseya Christian , Torsin Iulia , Musset Caroline , Benhamou Marc , Chaudry Irshad , Cavaillon Jean-Marc , Grall Nathalie , Monteiro Renato , Martin Luc de Chaise , Longrois Dan , Montravers Philippe. , de Tymowski Christian 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Introduction
Experimental studies in animals have yielded conflicting results on the role of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) in sepsis, with some reporting protective effects and others reporting deleterious effects. To determine the factors that explain this discordance, a meta-analysis of the available literature was performed.
Methods
The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The protocol was registered with Prospero (CRD42020167384) prior to data collection. PubMed and Embase were the databases queried. Risk of bias was evaluated using the SYRCLE Risk of Bias Tool[1]. All animal studies investigating sepsis-related mortality and modified TNF signaling were considered eligible. The exclusion criteria were: lack of mortality data, 7-day mortality rates below 10% in both wild type and TNF-altered pathway animals, and absence of an English abstract. Protective and deleterious roles were assessed through multivariate analysis using a binary logistic regression model. Mortality data were pooled using a random-role model.
Results
A total of 175 studies were included that comprise a total of 760 experiments involving 19,899 animals. The main species used were mice (77%) and rats (21%). The most common method of TNF pathway modulation was TNF pathway inactivation, achieved using neutralizing antibodies or knock-out mice. TNF pathway inactivation was primarily associated with a deleterious role of TNF, whereas TNF injection was associated with a protective role. Lipopolysaccharide injection was the most used stimulus to establish a sepsis model (42%) and was strongly associated with a deleterious role of TNF. Conversely, live bacterial models, especially the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model, pneumonia, meningitis, and gastrointestinal infection, were associated with a protective role. This was particularly evident for Listeria monocytogenes, Klebsiella. pneumoniae, Salmonella species, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Candida spp.
Conclusion:
The role of TNF during infection varies depending on the experimental model used. Models that mimic clinical conditions, based on virulent bacteria that cause high mortality even at low inocula, demonstrated a protective role of TNF. Conversely, models based on LPS or low-pathogenic live bacteria, administered at doses well above physiological thresholds and combined with early antibiotic therapy, were associated with a deleterious role.
24-hour movement behaviors and physical health in preschoolers: A compositional and isotemporal reallocation analysis
Authors: Chang Zhenya , Wang Ling , Wang Shuming 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose
Explore systematically whether preschool children’s movement behaviors were relevant to physical health, as well as the dose effect between the time change in movement behaviors and physical health.
Method
Preschool children (n = 382) from kindergarten in Changsha, the capital city of Hunan Province in Central China were recruited, measures included accelerometer-derived 24-hour movement behaviors (sedentary behavior [SB], light physical activity [LPA], moderate-to-vigorous physical activity [MVPA], daytime sleep[DSP] and nighttime sleep [NSP]), physical health determined by China’s National Physical health Tests Standards Manual. Compositional data statistics was employed for analysis, with significance set at p < .05.
Results
The isotemporal substitution for preschool children’s other behaviors with MVPA has all played an active role in physical health, with the isotemporal substitution for LPA being the best. When MVPA is fixed, both DSP isotemporal substitutes SB and LPA and NSP isotemporal substitutes LPA have certain health benefits.
Conclusions
Findings reinforce the key role of MVPA for children’s health, however, future educators should attach great importance to behaviors as a whole with constant maintenance and promotion when improving preschool children’s physical health levels, and the most effective approach is by increasing MVPA and lowering LPA.
Triglyceride-glucose index predicts new-onset chronic kidney disease: a 13-year prospective cohort study
Authors: Li Kangbo , Qi Qi , Li Xinyi , Yue Bocheng , Yang Bo , Tian Liying , Wang Nan , Wu Shouling , Han Quanle 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background and purposeThe triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index serves as a convenient surrogate marker for insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). It is unknown whether TyG index may potentially predict CKD in the general population. Therefore, in the current study, we aimed to characterize the role of TyG index in prediction of new-onset CKD in a large community-based prospective cohort study.Methods/patientsThe study encompassed a total of 85,569 individuals from the Kailuan study who free of CKD. A total of 85,569 individuals were categorized into quartiles according to TyG index. The association between TyG index and the risk of CKD were analyzed by multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazard models and restricted cubic spline analysis.ResultsDuring a median follow-up period of 13.9 years (interquartile range: 13.55-14.17 years), a total of 7856 (4.05%) incident CKD were recorded. The incidence rate of new-onset CKD increased substantially with the quartiles of TyG index. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses showed that a higher TyG index quartile was associated with an elevated risk of new-onset CKD. In addition, subgroup analysis showed that a high TyG index was significantly associated with the risk of CKD in female, lower BMI (＜28), diabetes patients and smokers. Restricted cubic spline analysis showed a linear association between the baseline TyG index and the risk of new-onset CKD.Conclusionsa high TyG index is significantly associated with an increased incidence of new-onset CKD in the general population of North China. Monitoring longitudinal trends in TyG index could assist prediction of incident CKD.
The impact of weather anomalies on violence in the subtropics: A cross-national comparison
Authors: Breetzke Gregory , Corcoran Jonathan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Cross-national studies examining the relationship between weather and crime are rare. Reasons are manifold but include the differences in countries due to geographical, climatic, and seasonal variations. In contrast in this study we examine the causal impact of temperature and rainfall anomalies on violent crime in two locations located in comparable geographic and climatic zones: Khayelitsha (in South Africa) and Ipswich (in Australia). We use ANOVA and Tukey's tests to identify statistical meaningful differences (if any) in the impact of these weather anomalies on crime alongside the use of visualisations capturing the anomalous weather-violence relationship in these two contexts. Results show some similarities but also notable differences between locations which we attribute to their inherent socio-demographic differences which we expand upon. We conclude by highlighting the benefits of cross-national crime research, and motivate for its increased application in future research of this nature.
Dephosphorylated uncarboxylated Matrix-Gla-Protein and vascular remodeling in pulmonary hypertension: an immunological connection
Authors: Tobal R. , Potjewijd J. , Vries F. , Doorn D. P.C. , Jaminon A. , Bittner R. , Akbulut C. , Empel V. , Heeringa P. , Damoiseaux J. , Schurgers L. , Paassen P. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a disease characterized by pulmonary vascular remodeling. Since dephosphorylated-uncarboxylated Matrix Gla-Protein (dp-ucMGP) is associated with cardiovascular mortality in systemic sclerosis, a disease associated with PAH, and immune-system involvement in PAH is increasingly recognized, we investigated the relationship between dp-ucMGP, vascular remodeling and soluble immune-checkpoint proteins in PAH. This prospective cohort study included patients with idiopathic (I)PAH, connective tissue disease (CTD)-PAH, chronic thrombo-embolic PH (CTEPH) and CTD patients without PAH. Patients with IPAH and CTD-PAH were stratified by clinical signs of immune-mediated inflammatory disease (IMID). We measured dp-ucMGP plasma levels, soluble immune-checkpoint proteins (sICPs), and vascular smooth muscle cell (iVSMC) calcification. We found elevated dp-ucMGP levels in all PAH subtypes and CTD patients compared to healthy controls. PAH patients showed increased iVSMC calcification, but no direct correlation was found with dp-ucMGP. IMID-PAH patients had higher dp-ucMGP levels than non-IMID PAH patients. dp-ucMGP correlated with several sICPs in both IPAH and CTD patients; multiple sICPs were elevated in IMID PAH patients. High dp-ucMGP levels in IPAH patients were associated with worse survival. Our findings suggest dp-ucMGP as a potential biomarker of immune-mediated vascular remodeling in PAH. Hence, dp-ucMGP, could help identify PAH patients who might benefit from immunosuppressive therapies.
Comparative Efficacy of Citric acid/Tartaric acid/Malic acid Additive based Polyvinyl alcohol-Starch Composite Films
Authors: Das Aritra , Saha Muktashree , Gupta Manish Kumar , Rangan Latha , Uppaluri Ramagopal , Das Chandan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In this work, these alternate organic acids are blended into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-Starch (St) polymer composite to increase the cross-linking, plasticizing, and antibacterial capability of the polymer network. The most expensive of these three organic acids is TA, followed by MA and CA. The MA-based PVA composite films outperformed the CA-based PVA compo-site film in terms of absorbency (739.29%), mechanical strength (4.88 MPa), and elasticity (103.68%) among the three alternative organic acid-based PVA composite films. Furthermore, following a 24-hour incubation period, the MA-based films showed the highest proliferative effect of 215.59% for HEK cells. MA has been determined to be the most pertinent organic acid going forward to optimize the physical and biological properties, cost, and composition of the film.
Stress mitigation and phyto-accumulation of iron in different leafy vegetables irrigated with treated municipal solid waste and health risk repercussions in human
Authors: Ashfaq Asma , Khan Zafar Iqbal , Ahmad Kafeel , Shah Anis Ali , Abbas Toqeer , Gatasheh Mansour K. , Shafique Shifa , Riaz Naila 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution of soil is a growing environmental issue due to irrigation with untreated municipal and industrial waste-water, vehicle emissions, and other activities in Pakistan. Agricultural and urban soil, being the prime part of the environment, acts as a chief reservoir or sink of pollutants, including heavy metals, in the food chain. Interest in using urban waste composts as amendments in urban agriculture is growing nowadays. Concerns about the potential transference of pollutants present in urban waste to the food chain are very relevant when they are recycled for food or animal feed production. To carry out the present study, soil and plant samples were collected from the site. Then, to measure the iron (Fe) contents in the edible portion of vegetables along with selected soil physicochemical parameters, wet acid digestion with a nitric acid/perchloric acid mixture was performed. The digested samples and all the supernatants were analyzed for heavy metals using the Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). Heavy metal (Fe) shows a significant build-up in the vegetables as when grown on the municipal solid waste amended soil. Various indices such as PLI, BCF, DIM, HRI were calculated, and results showed that PLI was above 1, indicating that metal was causing pollution in selected samples, while the values of BCF, DIM, and HRI were within the permissible range.
Research on microscopic parameter characteristics based on Cambridge-like model
Authors: Yue Feng , Wei Zhenhai , Dong Jianhua , Wang Ying 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The Cambridge model reveals the basic characteristics of saturated remolded soil and establishes the constitutive equation of soil, which is one of the most important models in soil mechanics. However, the Cambridge model is still a phenomenological macroscopic model, which cannot consider the influence of soil microstructure. In this paper, based on the basic theory of complex material mechanics, a microscopic model of materials is established by point element method, and the governing equations of strain energy density function and state set function of material structure are obtained. Through simplified analysis, an envelope surface equation describing the set of structural states of the material is obtained. It is found that the envelope surface equation is similar to the Cambridge model critical state surface equation. This state envelope surface can not only reflect the similar characteristics of the Cambridge model, but also introduce the microscopic characteristic parameters of materials, so that the Cambridge theory describing the macroscopic properties of materials can be developed into a macro-microscopic method describing the properties of materials at multiple scales. More importantly, the Cambridge model is built based on experiments, and the macromicro equation obtained here is derived from the basic theory of complex material mechanics.
Mortality Risk Associated with Liver Fibrosis in Patients Undergoing Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair Surgery: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Jamalinia Mohamad , Mirhosseini Seyed Alireza , Ranjbar Maryam , Lankarani Kamran Bagheri , Hosseinzadeh Ahmad 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) poses a significant health risk due to its silent nature and high mortality upon rupture. The Fib-4 index, initially designed for liver fibrosis assessment, presents potential beyond its scope. This study aims to investigate the correlation between FIB-4 and mortality risk, exploring its utility as a risk predictor for enhanced clinical management. This retrospective longitudinal research studied 141 AAA open repair surgery patients (92% male, mean age of 70 years (SD: 11.5)) from October 2016 to September 2021 for a median duration of 35 months of follow up (IQR: 0.7–56.6).All-cause mortality was the primary outcome. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated for each Fib-4 cut-off between 1.5 and 3.25.FIB-4 cut-off range of 2.58–2.74 was associated with higher mortality risk in adjusted HR. Specifically, the HR for patients with a baseline FIB-4 ≥ 2.67 was 1.78 (95% CI: 1.06–3.00). Furthermore, FIB-4 ≥ 2.67 was significantly associated with a baseline aneurysm size ≥ 8cm [OR = 2.67 (95% CI: 1.17–6.09)].FIB-4 was independently associated with a higher mortality risk and higher aneurysm size. These findings suggest that FIB-4 assessment in clinical practice may enhance risk profiling, aiding in more precise stratification and management strategies for AAA patients.
Effectiveness of Diphoterine in the Treatment of Ocular Alkali Burns in Workers in a Brazilian Alumina Refinery
Authors: Farias Roberta Jansen de Mello , Duailibe Jorge Luís , Luz Isaac Ébano Figueiredo 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Purpose: To assess ocular findings after alkali burns and the effects of diphoterine (Diphoterine®) on the injured eyes of twenty-three workers in a Brazilian alumina refinery.
Participants: Twenty-three of the 1486 workers who had accidental ocular chemical burns were included in this study.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study over twenty-three of the 1486 workers from an Alumina Company who had accidental ocular chemical burns. The workers were frequently trained to immediately rinse thei eyes and skin using diphoterine solutions on the event of exposure to chemical splashes. However, only twenty-two of the twenty-three patients who were exposed in this type of accident, immediately rinsed their eyes and skin with diphoterine solutions after chemical exposure. During ophthalmology consultation, combined corticosteroids and antibiotic eye drops (Moxyfloxacine 0.3% and dexamethasone), preservative-free lubricant eye drops, and 1g daily oral vitamin C were prescribed to all patients. Depending on the presence of de-epithelization and corneal edema, oral doxycycline 100mg twice daily, 1mg/kg oral prednisone, therapeutic contact lenses, and autologous serum eye drops were prescribed.
Main Outcome Measures: visual acuity, degree of inflammation, degree of limbal ischemia and deepithelization
Results
Twenty -two of twenty- three workers who promptly washed their eyes with diphoterine solution had no important permanent sequelae and had considerable recovery of vision. One worker who delayed the initial primary care treatment with diphoterine by almost 15 min had permanent corneal opacity and limbal and scleral ischemia, which required further surgeries to improve visual acuity. Two other workers had Autologous Limbal Transplant (CLAU) for Complete improvement of cornea transparency and its visual acuity.
Conclusions: Diphoterine, when used during the first few seconds after chemical exposure, may reduce the incidence of sequelae of ocular chemical injury. All patients were reconducted to work with restored vision.
Subnormal subgroups of almost locally simple artinian algebras with involutions
Authors: Hue Dau Thi , Khanh Huynh Viet , Hai Bui Xuan 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate subnormal subgroups of the multiplicative group of an almost locally simple artinian algebra with involution. In particular, we show that if either the set of traces or the set of norms of such a subgroup with respect to this involution is central, then the algebra must be either a quaternion division algebra or the matrix ring of degree 2 over a field.
Mathematics Subject Classification: 16K20. 16K40. 16W10. 16R20