bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploring Determinants of Hand Hygiene among Nursing Students: A Theory of Planned Behavior Approach
Authors: Maraş Gül Bülbül , Kocaçal Elem 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
This study aims to assess the hand hygiene behavior of nursing students and identify the factors influencing this behavior through the "Scale for Assessment Hand Washing Behavior in the Frame of Theory of Planned Behaviour (SAHBTPB)".
Methods
This descriptive and cross-sectional study was undertaken at the nursing departments of the university's faculty of health sciences in İzmir, Turkey between 2021–2022. A total of 240 nursing students were recruited as participants for this study. Data were collected with the SAHBTPB. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, and correlation analysis in the SPSS 21.0 program (p < 0.05).
Results
Participation rate was 74.76%. The mean age of the students was 20.59 ± 1.59 years and 69.9% were woman. The nursing students’ total mean score of SAHBTPB was 147.5 ± 14.0 (min = 94; max = 176). There was a positively significant association between the total score and students' gender, graduate level, and hand hygiene education status. There was no significant difference in scale total score mean based on the existence of dermatological problems on the students' hands or their frequency of hand hygiene (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
The mean scores of nursing students on the SAHBTPB were found to be at a good level. The sub-dimension “intention” was identified as an effective factor in predicting the hand hygiene behavior of the students. The findings have the potential to positively impact nursing education by increasing awareness among students and offering valuable insights for nurses and educators.
Medical treatment of miscarriage using Misoprostol - a retrospective study
Authors: Meister Laura Madeleine , Künnemann Ines , Fettke Franziska , Lux Anke , Ignatov Atanas 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Purpose
The treatment of early miscarriage with medication is effective and low in side effects. Nevertheless, no uniform dosage regimen has yet been established, nor has it been possible to determine whether previous pregnancies and births with their respective modes of delivery play a role in the effectiveness of Misoprostol.
This study aimed to find predictive parameters for successful treatment with Misoprostol in early miscarriage.
Methods
In a retrospective study at the OVG University Women's Hospital, records of patients with early miscarriage and medical treatment using Misoprostol from 2018-2021 were reviewed for this purpose. The need for a curettage subsequent to treatment was scored as a parameter of failure. The data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Science Version 28.0 (SPSS). The significance level was set to 0.050.
Results
We found that successful therapy with misoprostol was seen in 86% (n=114). 14% (n=20) of the patients had curettage after taking Misoprostol as advised. Out of 156 women, 19% (n=30) reported mild side effects, with nausea as the leading one (12.2% (n=19)).
Significance was found comparing the measurement of double endometrial stripe thickness after the second cycle of Misoprostol in women with and without curettage after medical treatment (exact value two-sided 0.012 at p<0.05).
Conclusion
Our results indicate that treatment of early miscarriage in the first trimester with Misoprostol is effective and has few side effects. The measurement of the endometrial stripe thickness after the second cycle of Misoprostol via transvaginal ultrasound could present a predictive marker during therapy.
The Triglyceride-glucose Index and Acute Kidney Injury Risk in Critically Ill Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Zhang Yi , Li Gang , Li Junjie , Jian Bohao , Wang Keke , Chen Jiantao , Hou Jian , Liao Jianbo , Zhou Zhuoming , Wu Zhongkai , Liang Mengya 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, proven a reliable and simple surrogate of insulin resistance, has shown potential associations with cardiovascular outcomes and renal diseases. This research delved into the utility of the TyG index in predicting the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), an area not extensively covered in existing literature.
Methods: A cohort of patients with CAD was recruited from the intensive care unit (ICU), and categorized into quartiles based on their TyG index. The primary outcome was AKI incidence, and the secondary outcome was renal replacement therapy (RRT). Scatterplot histograms, cox proportional hazards models, Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and restricted cubic splines were employed to investigate the association between the TyG index and the risk of AKI in patients with CAD.
Results: A total of 1,501 patients were enrolled in this study, predominantly male (61.56%), with a median age of 69.80 years. The AKI incidence was 67.22% among all patients, with the AKI stages increased with higher TyG levels (P for trend < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier survival analyses demonstrated statistically significant differences in AKI incidence and RRT application throughout the entire cohort, stratified by the TyG index quartiles (P <0.001). Additionally, the restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a nearly linear association between the TyG index and the risk of AKI (Pfor non-linear = 0.507). Both multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses (HR 1.60; 95% CI 1.32-1.95; P <0.001) and multivariate logistic regression analyses (OR 2.46; 95% CI 1.71-3.56; P <0.001) showed that the elevated TyG index was significantly related to AKI incidence. The association between TyG index and the risk of AKI is more significant in patients without diabetes (HR 1.27; 95% CI 1.14-1.42; P <0.001), compared to patients with diabetes (Pfor interaction = 0.013).
Conclusions: In summary, the TyG index emerged as a reliable predictor for the occurrence of AKI in CAD patients during ICU stay. Furthermore, it is also anticipated to serve as a valuable indicator for non-diabetic patients in predicting the incidence of AKI.
Multidimensional and comprehensive single-cell analysis of the effect of PBK on immune infiltration in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Tiegang Cao , Huang Zhanghao , Li Houqiang , Sha Xinyu , Huang Minliang , Qiao Ge , Wang Gang , Wang Silin , Li Jing , Zhou Youlang , Shi Jiahai , Liang Qin 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Phosphorylation is essential for tumor-induced angiogenesis, but how it affects angiogenesis remains unclear. We introduced phosphorylation-related genes from the lung adenocarcinoma dataset, screened out the most characteristic genes PBK through various machine learning methods, and repeatedly verified their survival data, mutation frequency, and clinical information. Subsequently, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of whole cancer based on lung adenocarcinoma, analyzed 33 cases of pan-cancer by GSEA enrichment, screened out a variety of angiogenesis-related pathways, and analyzed the correlation between related risk difference genes and pan-cancer PBK. Finally, we cultured HUVEC cells to simulate the tumor microenvironment and verify cell phenotypic experiments such as cell proliferation, migration, and cell cycle. Finally, it was proved that PBK can affect tumor angiogenesis and the differentiation of Treg cells, and the study flow chart is shown in Fig. 1 for reference only.
The mechanism of NF-κB-TERT feedback regulation of granulosa cell apoptosis in PCOS rats with follicular development disorder
Authors: Xue Haoxuan , Hu Zecheng , Liu Shun , Zhang Shun , Lei Xiaocan , Yang Wenqin , Li Jiasi , Yan Chulin , Zhang Jiaming , Zhang Jing 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
The aim of this study is to investigate whether TERT mediates chronic inflammation and induces granulosa cell apoptosis by participating in the regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Methods
Letrozole combined with high-fat diet was used to establish a PCOS rat model, which was divided into Ctrl group and PCOS group. The expressions of inflammatory factors (NF-κB, IL-6,TNF-α), apoptotic factors (NF-κB, IL-6,TNF-α) and telomerase gene TERT in the ovaries were detected by IHC, qRT-PCR and WB. The serum testosterone level was detected by radioimmunoassay. Quantitative PCR was performed to measure relative telomere length. KGN cells were cultured in vitro and divided into blank control group, LPS treatment group, LPS + NF-kB inhibitor group and LPS + TERT inhibitor group. The cell function was analyzed. Results: Most of the rats in the PCOS group were in the estrus phase, indicating that the estrus cycle was disordered in the PCOS group. Body weight and serum testosterone levels were significantly increased in PCOS rats. HE staining showed that PCOS rats had a significant increase in ovarian cystic follicles and thinning of the granulosa cell layer. The expression levels of NF-κB and its downstream inflammatory factors, telomerase TERT and pro-apoptotic factors in the ovary of PCOS rats are significantly increased, while the expression levels of anti-apoptotic factors are significantly decreased. Telomere length in PCOS rats was also significantly higher than that in Ctrl rats. By correlation analysis, NF-κB and its downstream inflammatory factors and TERT were significantly correlated with apoptosis-related factors, and positively correlated with pro-apoptotic factors, and negatively correlated with anti-apoptotic factors. At the cellular level, the expression levels of NF-κB and its downstream inflammatory factors, telomerase TERT and pro-apoptotic factors were significantly increased, while the expression levels of anti-apoptotic factors were significantly decreased after LPS treatment, which were restored in the LPS + NF-kB inhibitor group and LPS + TERT inhibitor group.
Conclusion
TERT may participate in the regulation of NF-κB signaling pathway and activate the downstream inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α to mediate the chronic inflammatory response and induce ovarian granulosa cell apoptosis in PCOS.
Analysis of glutamate-dependent mechanism and optimization of fermentation conditions for polyglutamic acid production by Bacillus subtilis SCP017-03
Authors: Wu Caiyun , Gou Yutao , Jing Shuai , Li Wei , Ge Fanglan , Li Jiao , Ren Yao 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Poly-gamma-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) is mainly synthesized by glutamate-dependent strains in the manufacturing industry. Therefore, understanding glutamate-dependent mechanisms is imperative. In this study, we first systematically analyzed the response of Bacillus subtilis SCP017-03 to glutamate addition by comparing transcriptomics and protein genomics. The introduction of glutamate substantially altered the gene expression within the central metabolic pathway of cellular carbon. Most genes in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and energy-consuming phase of the glycolysis pathway (EMP) were down-regulated, whereas genes in the energy-producing phase of glycolysis and those responsible for γ-PGA synthesis were up-regulated. Based on these findings, the fermentation conditions were optimized and the γ-PGA production was improved by incorporating oxygen carriers. In a batch-fed fermentor with glucose, the γ-PGA yield reached 95.2 g/L, demonstrating its industrial production potential. This study not only elucidated the glutamic acid dependence mechanism of Bacillus subtilis but also identified a promising metabolic target for further enhancing γ-PGA production.
In silico bioprospecting of receptors for Oligoventin: an antimicrobial peptide isolated from spider eggs of Phoneutria nigriventer
Authors: Seif Elias Jorge Muniz , Junior Pedro Ismael da Silva 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
Irresponsible and wholesale use of antimicrobial agents is the principal cause of the emergence of strains of resistant microorganisms to traditional drugs. Oligoventin is a neutral peptide isolated from spider eggs of Phoneutria nigriventer, with antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and yeast organisms. However, the molecular target and pathways of antimicrobial activity are still unknown. Thus, the aim of the present study is to prospect receptors associated with the antimicrobial activity of Oligoventin using in silico tools.
Methods
The PharmMapper server was used to prospect targets originating from microorganisms. Additionally, the PatchDock server was utilized to perform molecular docking between Oligoventin and the targets. Subsequently, the I-TASSER server was adopted to predict the ligand site. Finally, the docking results and predicted sites were compared with literature sites of each target.
Results
Twenty-two potential receptors for Oligoventin were identified. Among these, Enoyl-ACP reductase (Idpdb1lxc) and Thymidylate synthase ThyX (Idpdb 1O28) demonstrated superior interaction with the peptide, exhibiting co-localization between docked residues and literature sites. These enzymes play a crucial role in fatty acid and DNA biosynthesis in prokaryotes
Conclusion
Therefore, in silico results suggest that Oligoventin can impair fatty acid and DNA synthesis, thereby reducing microbial proliferation and causing microorganism death.
Nonlinear optimal control of heat pumps in electric vehicles
Authors: Rigatos Gerasimos , Siano Pierluigi , Cuccurullo Gennaro , Abbaszadeh Masoud 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Heat pumps can be used for thermal management of electric vehicles (EVs) in a low-cost and environmental friendly manner. Heat pumps can exploit the heat that is diffused by the vehicle’s batteries so as to perform temperature control of the passengers cabin. A heat pump-based thermal management system of EVs has the dual objective of (a) stabilizing temperature in the passengers’ cabin at the desirable levels so as to ensure the passengers’ comfort and (b) stabilizing temperature at the batteries’ side so as to avoid degradation of the batteries power storage capacity and of their regenerative charging capability. So far nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) methods have been mainly applied for the nonlinear optimal control problem of heat-pumps in EVs. In the present article a novel nonlinear optimal control method is proposed for solving the nonlinear optimal control problem of heat pumps. This method is computationally simple, has clear implementation stages and is of proven global stability. The dynamic model of the heat pump undergoes approximate linearization with the use of first-order Taylor series expansion and through the computation of the associated Jacobian matrices. Linearization takes place at each sampling instance, around a temporary operating point which is defined by the present value of the heat pump’s state vector and by the last sampled value of the control inputs vector. For the approximately linearized model of the heat pump an H-infinity stabilizing controller is designed. The feedback gains of the controller are computed through the solution of an algebraic Riccati equation, at each time-step of the control method. The global stability properties of the control scheme are proven through Lyapunov analysis. Moreover, to enable state estimation-based control, the H-infinity Kalman Filter is used as a robust observer. The method achieves fast and accurate tracking of reference setpoints under moderate variations of the control inputs.
Faith-based leaders’ perceptions on the implementation of programs to promote healthy lifestyles in churches in Barbados- a mixed-methods analysis
Authors: Sobers Natasha , Murphy Madhuvanti , Hassan Saria , Norville Katrina , Brathwaite-Graham Lisa , Hambleton Ian , Anderson Simon G , Lewis Kia , Ferguson Trevor 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background: There is a high burden of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes in small island developing states (SIDS). SIDS governments have committed to a range of public health, healthcare, and fiscal measures to reduce this burden including community-based health education in collaboration with civil society organizations. We sought to explore perceived acceptability, appropriateness, and feasibility of implementing self-management health programs in 20 faith-based organizations in the small island developing state of Barbados.
Methods: This was a concurrent mixed methods study - a quantitative online survey and a qualitative inquiry using semi-structured interviews. Acceptability, appropriateness and feasibility of the intervention were assessed using the following quantitative assessment tools: Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM), Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM) and Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM). Thirteen in-depth interviews were conducted virtually, recorded and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis based on deductive codes from Proctor’s implementation outcomes definitions.
Results: From the 52 respondents of the survey, the median and interquartile ranges for the AIM, IAM and FIM scales were 16 (15-20), 16 (16-20) and 16 (15-17) (out of 20), respectively. We found high levels of acceptability, 82% (95% CI (69%, 95%)) of leaders indicating that health programs in churches met with their approval; and high levels of appropriateness- 90% (95% CI (80%, 100%)) indicating health programs in churches were “fitting” and “a good match”. Feasibility scores were lower, with 60% (95% CI (44%, 76%)) indicating that health programs in churches would be easy to use. In interviews, leaders expressed acceptance of healthy lifestyle programs in churches and described their appropriateness through alignment with church doctrines stating, “the body is the temple of God”. They felt that economic impacts from COVID-19 were likely to be a barrier to the success of programs. Leaders expressed the need for support from healthcare providers who are sensitive and respectful of church culture.
Conclusion: We found that health-based programs in churches align well with church doctrines, but the success of these programs will depend on establishing trust through the engagement of church-based champions, tailoring programming to include a biblical perspective and engaging entire households.
Cardiac symptoms associated with rheumatic fever in children who visited Damascus Hospital between 2013 and 2020
Authors: Alkheder Mohanned , Alabdullah Abdalhaleem , Nabulsi Ahmad 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

Background
In addition to assessing the clinical results and prognosis of patients with acute rheumatic fever treated in the Cardiology Clinic at Damascus Hospital, this study intends to ascertain the clinical usefulness of echocardiography (ECHO) in the diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever.
Methods and materials:
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 160 ARF (6–17) patients, with a mean age of 11.7 ± 2.3 years, 88/72 female and male diagnoses based on Jones criteria, who were monitored in the cardiology clinic at Damascus Hospital from October 2013 to December 2020.
Results
Of the 104 patients diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease (RHD), approximately 29.4% had subclinical carditis; in contrast, clinical carditis was frequently associated with chorea (39%) and polyarthritis (37.1%). Sixty-six percent of patients with rheumatic fever were found to be between the ages of 10 and 13; thirty-three percent (n = 50) reported having frequent arthralgia during the winter, and the most common associated symptoms were carditis + arthritis (35%) and carditis + chorea (19.4%). When it came to carditis sufferers, it was The aortic (50.6%) and mitral (63.8%) valves were the most commonly impacted, respectively. In cases diagnosed during and after 2015, the prevalence of subclinical carditis, arthralgia, and uniarthritis rose and 71 out of 104 individuals saw an improvement in their valvular heart disease result. Individuals with carditis (68.2%) Patients with clinical carditis and those who followed prophylactic treatment had a significantly higher rate of regression of heart valve symptoms over the course of around 7 years of follow-up compared to patients with subclinical carditis and those who did not follow prophylactic treatment.
Conclusion
We conclude that early prophylaxis can reduce the prevalence of adult RHD and complications, subclinical carditis is associated with the risk of permanent RHD, and nonadherence to secondary prophylaxis is significantly associated with recurrent ARF. Additionally, ECHO findings should be included in the diagnostic criteria for ARF. potential connected to it.
Relation of organic fractions in fresh and stored fecal sludge and foodwaste to biogas production
Authors: Maqbool Nida , Sam Stanley , Jamal Khan Sher , Strande Linda 
Published: March 2024

Abstract

There is limited understanding of the potential for anaerobic digestion and biogas production from fecal sludge. In this study, biomethane potential (BMP) tests from fresh, stored, and dewatered fecal sludge, together with co-digestion with fresh foodwaste, revealed that fresh fecal sludge produced similar cumulative biogas (CBG) to fresh foodwaste (615–627 mL/gVS), while stored fecal sludge showed a wide range of gas production (13–449 mL/gVS). Co-digestion significantly enhanced the CBG production of fresh (1.2×), dewatered (1.5×), and stored (29–36×) fecal sludge. In BMP tests with the higher range of gas production, a biphasic CBG production was observed, with degradation of readily biodegradable organics occurring during the first week. The first-order rate coefficients indicated hydrolysis limitation, which was also confirmed by the presence of slow-growing methanogens (Halobacterota). Priming with co-digestion significantly enhanced CBG from stored fecal sludge. The physical–chemical metrics VS/TS and TOC/TN were not predictors of biogas production, while BOD/COD and sCOD were better indicators, suggesting that metrics of stabilization representing biologically available fractions are more representative than metrics of entire pools of organic matter. This study suggests that biogas production from anaerobic digestion is viable for fresh fecal sludge, whereas for stored fecal sludge it requires co-treatment or pretreatment.
Dynamic analysis of port water quality: insights from Zhanjiang Port, China
Authors: Guo Jianqun , Jiang Zhonglian , Chu Xiao , Wang Wenyuan 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The management of port water quality is crucial to marine ecological balance and has been of great concern. In the present study, the water quality monitoring data in Zhanjiang Port from 2015 to 2022 were utilized to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics and reveal the correlation between different parameters. The structural equation model has been applied to profile the dominant factors of water quality level. The results showed that the port water quality was generally worse in summer and better in winter. Variations in total phosphorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total nitrogen (TN) content directly led to water quality changes in Zhanjiang Port, where an increase in TP content resulted in a significant decrease in water quality level (path coefficient is 2.87). Permanganate index (CODMn) and ammonia nitrogen content indirectly affected the water quality level, while changes in pH and dissolved oxygen (DO) showed no impact. Ammonia nitrogen, pH and DO contents were significantly associated with TP. Human activities and industrial production were identified as the main sources of water quality pollution. The increasing trend of certain water quality parameters highlights the urgency of implementing timely measures to improve water quality conditions in Zhanjiang Bay, China.