bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the correlation between renal function markers and serum ferritin levels in thalassemia patients
Authors: Tammadondar Mohammad , Vatankhah Ali , Khatibzade-Nasari Niloufar 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze renal function markers and correlate the results with serum ferritin levels in patients with thalassemia who were referred to the Abu Reihan Thalassemia Clinic of Payambar Azam Medical Center in Bandar Abbas, Iran in 2020. We conducted a cross-sectional study and included patients with a proven hemoglobinopathy diagnosis. Fasting blood was obtained to measure creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, uric acid, and ferritin. In addition, a 24-hour urine specimen was collected to determine microalbuminuria, creatinine, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, uric acid, and β2-microglobulin. Fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and uric acid was calculated. Finally, all the information was recorded using checklists, and data analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20. Spearman’s coefficient of correlation was used to determine the correlations between serum ferritin level and other variables. Sixty-six patients aged 3 to 42 years were studied. In total, 2 patients (0.3%) had sickle cell thalassemia, 53 patients (80.3%) had major thalassemia, and 11 patients (72.7%) had intermediate thalassemia. Serum ferritin, 24-hour urine protein, and fractional excretion of sodium, calcium, and urine were elevated in thalassemia patients. There was no significant correlation between serum ferritin level and age, fractional excretion of potassium, β2-microglobulin, 24-hour urine protein, and serum creatinine (P value > 0.05). On the other hand, there was a significant correlation between serum ferritin level and fractional excretion of magnesium, calcium, sodium, phosphorus, and uric acid with a negative correlation coefficient (p-value ≤0.05). We also found that the serum ferritin levels strongly correlated with microalbuminuria (p value=0.005).
Devastating fungal endocarditis involving ascending aorta in a patient with a history of aortic valve replacement: A case report
Authors: Koohsari Parisa , Nakhaee Akram , Rahmanian Mehrzad , Salahshour Faeze , Parkhideh Roya , Larti Farnoosh 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background
Fungal endocarditis is a rare disorder with high mortality rates. Several predisposing conditions are identified, including underlying cardiac abnormality and surgery, prosthetic cardiac devices, and central venous catheters as the most common situations. Diagnosing fungal endocarditis, especially Aspergillus, is challenging due to negative blood cultures.
Case Presentation:
This case report presents massive ascending aorta involvement with Aspergillus endocarditis (AE) in a young man with a history of bioprosthesis aortic valve replacement (AVR). Three months after AVR, he presented with pericardial effusion and aortic rupture, which treated with redo Bentall surgery. Despite treatment, extensive involvement of the tubular graft resulted in disruption of the aortic tubular graft and massive peri-aortic involvement with Aspergillus. He underwent a second redo of aortic homograft root replacement. Unfortunately, He died two days after the surgery.
Conclusion
A combination of medical and surgical therapy is suggested as the best treatment for fungal endocarditis. Nevertheless, the mortality rate of Aspergillus endocarditis is still unacceptably high without a significant difference between combination therapy and antifungal therapy alone.
Examining the Influence of Budget Formulation Structures and Processes on the Efficiency of County Health Systems in Kenya
Authors: Musiega Anita , Tsofa Benjamin , Nyawira Lizah , Njuguna Rebecca G , Munywoki Joshua , Hanson Kara , Mulwa Andrew , Molyneux Sassy , Maina Isabel , Normand Charles , Jemutai Julie , Barasa Edwine 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Public Finance Management (PFM) processes guide the translation of government resources to services and determine health system efficiency. PFM processes are implemented within the budget cycle which entails the formulation, execution, and evaluation of government budgets. We examined how the budget formulation structures and processes influence health system efficiency at the county level in Kenya.
Methods
We conducted a mixed methods case study using counties classified as relatively efficient (n = 2) and relatively inefficient (n = 2) as our cases. We collected qualitative data through document reviews, and in-depth interviews (n = 70). We collected quantitative data from secondary sources, including budgets and budget reports. We analyzed qualitative data using the thematic approach and carried out descriptive analyses on quantitative data.
Results
Budget ceilings were historically allocated, insufficient, late, or not availed at all. This led to development of budgets that were unresponsive to health system needs. Counties developed both programme-based and line budgets with line budgets as the functional budgets. Line budgets limited accountability and flexibility to reallocate resources. County health funds were fragmented resulting in duplications and wastage. Limited stakeholder participation compromised priority setting and social accountability. Priority setting that was not evidence-informed limited efficiency. Finally, budget changes at the budget approval process compromised alignment of plans to budgets.
Conclusion
This study has highlighted six aspects of the budget formulation process in Kenyan counties that ought to be strengthened to enhance health system efficiency: budget ceilings, budget structure, participatory budget formulation, pooling of health funds, priority setting processes and the budget approval process.
DIA proteomics reveals potential biomarkers for T2DM in acute myocardial infarction patients
Authors: Wang Zhibo , Peng Ju Qin , Li Ying , Miao Lan , Ren Junguo , Liu Jinghua , Liu Jianxun 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Background： Early intervention using specific biomarkers to predict type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) would be effective in reducing the global prevalence of diabetes, especially in high-risk patients with coronary heart disease who develop acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We compared the proteomic profile of AMI patients with T2DM (AD) and without T2DM (A) to obtain potential predictors and treatment factors that can be used for T2DM in AMI patients.
Methods： Twelve AMI patients and twelve AMI patients with T2DM had their serum proteomic profiles analyzed using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS). A bioinformatics analysis of the differentially expressed proteins was conducted after proteomics analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and ELISA were used to evaluate the diagnostic and predictive ability of the candidate proteins.
Results： Patients belonging to two groups had similar baseline clinical data, and there were no statistically significant differences between them. Through serum proteomic profiles, a total of 416 non-redundant proteins were quantified in 2 groups, of which 14 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were obtained. We further focused on 6 core proteins through enrichment and protein-protein interactional (PPI) network, which included lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), apolipoprotein E (ApoE), serpin family F member 2 (SERPINF2), serpin family A member 10 (SERPINA10), insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), hypoxia up-regulated 1 (HYOU1), these proteins involved in biological pathways related to immunity, inflammation, signaling, endocrine regulation, cholesterol metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, complement and coagulation cascades. Then text mining complemented the association of these proteins with AMI or T2DM. Eventually, the mean area under the ROC curve of the candidate proteins was 0.77±0.03. Finally, the ELISA results validated the proteomics results.
Conclusions: Serum levels of LBP, ApoE, SERPINF2, SERPINA10, IGFBP7, and HYOU1 appear to be strongly related to T2DM episodes in AMI patients and could be used as potential biomarkers.
An Experimental Investigation of Turbulent Boundary Layers over Ridge-Type Roughness with Sinusoidal Pattern
Authors: Scarano Francesco , Jaroslawski Tomek , Gowree Erwin R. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
An experimental investigation was conducted to analyse the impact of sinusoidal ridge-type roughness on the mean flow and turbulence characteristics of a developing, moderate Reynolds number, turbulent boundary layer. A streamwise sinusoidal pattern with an amplitude denoted as \(A\) and a wavelength \(\Lambda\) was imposed on the ridges while maintaining fixed the spanwise spacing between the ridges. Hot-wire anemometry was employed to measure the boundary layer downstream of the roughness array, revealing significant modifications in spectral content between configurations with aligned and sinusoidal ridge-type roughness. In line with prior studies, the presence of ridges caused a noticeable upward shift of energy and the emergence of an outer peak in the boundary layer. This phenomenon could be attributed to the creation of a secondary flow region above the roughness elements and large-scale motion in the outer portion of the boundary layer. Interestingly, configurations with sinusoidal patterns exhibited an even more pronounced upward shift of energy in the premultiplied spectra. These findings suggest that the energy in the outer region of the boundary layer is influenced not solely by the spanwise spacing of ridges but also by the waviness of the ridges, which further contributes to its intensification. Notably, the introduction of a sinusoidal pattern increased the von Kármán constant. While ridges with no waviness displayed a decrease in the log-law intercept, in line with regular roughness effects, the incorporation of sinusoidal shapes heightened the log-law intercept, underscoring its significant impact on flow characteristics. Furthermore, measurements from oil droplet interferometry revealed that the presence of ridges locally reduced skin friction. Among the configurations, those with shorter sinusoidal wavelengths exhibited the lowest values for skin friction, with, however, the increase of pressure drag likely present.
Soil CO2 emission and stable isotopes (13C/12C, 18O/16O) of CO2 and calcites reveal the fluid origin and thermal energy in the supercritical geothermal system of Krafla, Iceland
Authors: Bini Giulio , Chiodini Giovanni , Ricci Tullio , Sciarra Alessandra , Caliro Stefano , Mortensen Anette K. , Martini Marco , Mitchell Andrew , Santi Alessandro , Costa Antonio 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The Krafla geothermal system is located within a volcanic center that periodically emit basaltic lavas, and has recently attracted an economic interest due to supercritical fluids forming nearby a shallow magma intrusion (~ 2 km depth). Here, we discuss new soil CO2 flux and stable isotope data of the CO2 efflux (δ13C) and hydrothermal calcites (δ13C, δ18O) of drill cuttings, to estimate both the current magmatic outgassing from soils and the thermal flows in the geothermal system. Soil CO2 emission is controlled by the tectonic, following the NNE-SSW fissure swarm direction and a WSW-ENE trend, and accounts for ~ 62.5 t d–1. While the δ18O of the H2O in equilibrium with deep calcites is predominantly meteoric, both the δ13C of the soil CO2 efflux and of the fluids from which calcite precipitated have a clear magmatic origin, overlapping the δ13C estimated for the Icelandic mantle (–2.5 +/- 1.1 ‰). Estimates based on the soil CO2 emission from the southern part of the system show that these fluxes might be sustained by the ascent and depressurization of supercritical fluids with a thermal energy of ~800 MW. Such significant amount of energy might reach 1.5 GW, if supercritical conditions extended below the whole investigated area. Finally, we report an increase in the soil CO2 emission of about 3 times with respect to 14 years ago, likely due to recent changes in the fluid extracted for power production or magmatic activity. Pairing the soil CO2 emission with stable isotopes of the efflux and calcite samples has important implications for both volcano monitoring and geothermal exploration, since it can help us to track magmatic fluid upflows and the associated thermal energy.
Altered spreading of fast aperiodic brain waves relates to disease duration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Authors: Polverino Arianna , Lopez Emahnuel Troisi , Liparoti Marianna , Minino Roberta , Romano Antonella , Cipriano Lorenzo , Trojsi Francesca , Jirsa Viktor , Sorrentino Giuseppe , Sorrentino Pierpaolo 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystem disorder, as supported by clinical, molecular and neuroimaging evidence. Functional connectivity (FC) studies show alterations in the topological organization of brain network in ALS patients, demonstrating a hyper-connectedness as the disease progresses. This functionally hyper-connected network can be linked to altered brain dynamics, since the brain activity is characterized by large-scale bursts of activations, defined as neuronal avalanches. The number of unique avalanche patterns (i.e., the size of the functional repertoire) might be used as a readout of brain flexibility. In fact, we have previously shown that the size of the functional repertoire is reduced in ALS and predicts clinical disability. However, this approach did not provide information on the spatio-temporal spreading of neuronal avalanches in the brain. In this work, we hypothesized that ALS patients would show an altered spreading of neuronal avalanches. To test our hypothesis, we obtained the source-reconstructed MEG signals from thirty-six ALS patients and forty-two healthy controls. Then, we used the construct of the avalanche transition matrix (ATM), which represents the probability that two brain regions are consecutively recruited in an avalanche, and used the corresponding network parameter nodal strength to quantify the changes in each region. In fact, this parameter provides key information about which brain regions are mostly involved in the spreading avalanches. Our work demonstrated that ALS patients present higher values of the nodal strength in both cortical and sub-cortical brain areas. Furthermore, the nodal strength correlates directly with disease duration.
New SARS-CoV-2 Mpro Inhibitor by Ascorbic Acid: Design, Molecular
Docking, Lipinski’s Rule and ADMET Analysis
Authors: Rashid Mohammad , Athar Md Tanwir , Alazmi Abdulrahman Salman , Kumar Deepak , Kumar Raj , Woo Lee Keun , Alnami Aisha 
Published: November 2023

Background:
Mpro protease, an enzyme found in coronaviruses (PDB codes: 6LU7 and
2GTB), provides a unique way to recognize potentially active substances. All of the suggested drugs
shared an ethanolamine/propylamine bridge, consisting of two to three lengths of carbon atoms, to
treat COVID-19 patients. Because of this, the author chose to conduct the study using ascorbic acid,
also known as R-5-(S)-1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-3,4-dihydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one, a potent immune system
booster for combating coronavirus.

Objective:
In this study, ascorbic acid is used to identify new potential inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2
Mpro enzyme using molecular docking, the Lipinski rule for drug-likeness, physiochemical property
by Molinspiration, ADMET by Pre ADMET server, and Osiris property explorer for toxicity analysis
in comparison to proposed drug therapy.

Methods:
The receptor-binding site in the active sites of Mpro protease (PDB codes: 6LU7 and
2GTB) was predicted using molecular docking studies using the GOLD, v5.2.2 program (Genetic
Optimization for Ligand Docking). Ascorbic acid derivatives' physiochemical properties, druglikeness,
ADME, and toxicity were further examined using Molinspiration, OSIRIS Property Explorer,
and Pre ADMET service.

Results:
The findings result showed that molecules 16 and 17 had outstanding gold score/energy
score with 6LU7 (52.45 & 51.45/-15.16 &-17.32 kJ/mol, respectively) and 2GTB (55.09 & 54.79/-
11.86 & -16.31 kJ/mol, respectively). All molecules were found with zero violation of Lipinski rules
and showed good bioavailability via the oral route. In comparison to the proposed drugs, the compounds
3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, and 17 had good drug scores and received excellent drug-likeness ratings.
The compounds 14, 15, 16, and 17 were observed as remarkable inhibitors for CYP 450 3A4, CYP
450 2C9 and CYP 450 2C19 and substrates for CYP 450 3A4 and CYP 450 2D6.

Conclusion:
In the molecular docking study, compound 17 showed outstanding gold/energy values
as well as excellent bioactivity scores against GPCR ligands, protease inhibitors, and kinase inhibitors.
Drug-related attributes were obtained using OSIRIS property explorer and pre-ADME, which
showed compound 17 to have an excellent drug score, no toxicity, and drug-likeness.
Colchicine with Infliximab Compared to Infliximab in Hospitalized
Patients with COVID-19 Pneumonia: An Open-label Randomized Trial
Authors: Yadollahzadeh Mahdi , Nasiripour Somayyeh , Moradi Shahrbabak Najmeh , Rezaie Nader , Farrokhpour Mohsen , Azimi Mehdi , Izadi Shirin , Zamani Farhad , Farasatinasab Maryam , Diba Hootan 
Published: November 2023

Background:
Anti-inflammatory agents have been proposed to improve oxygenation and
mortality rates in severe COVID-19 pneumonia. This study has assessed the impact of colchicine as
a coadjuvant inflammatory agent to infliximab in adults hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia.

Method:
In this randomized, open-label clinical trial, 63 severe COVID-19 pneumonia patients according
to the criteria of the National Institutes of Health, 18 to 85 years old, with an increase in
TNF-α and IL-6 levels, were randomized to receive colchicine 1 mg for 7 days and infliximab as a
single dose of 300 mg on the first day of treatment or infliximab as a single dose of 300 mg on the
first day. The primary outcomes assessed were oxygenation parameters (PaO2/FiO2 ratio and lung
infiltrate) after seven days, ICU and hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality rates. Secondary
outcomes included laboratory data and drug safety after 7 days.

Result:
52 patients with similar baseline characteristics completed the study. There were no significant
differences in oxygenation parameters (PaO2/FiO2 ratio and lung infiltrate) after seven days,
median ICU and hospital length of stay, and in-hospital mortality rates between the two groups. Laboratory
data showed no differences between both the groups seven days after the treatment. Also,
no serious side effects were observed during the study among the two groups, except for one patient,
who experienced diarrhea.

Conclusion:
Our results cannot support the addition of colchicine to promote the improvement of
clinical outcomes in severe COVID-19 pneumonia.
ЭССЕ О ЦЕННОСТИ НАУЧНОГО ДОКУМЕНТА
Authors: Лазарев Владимир 
Published: November 2023

Рассмотрена терминологическая путаница, связанная с наименованиями свойств научных документов, отображаемых фактом их цитируемости. В очередной раз аргументируется утверждение, что непосредственно цитируемость научных документов отражает их использование, которое, в свою очередь, отражает их ценность. Необходимость продолжения соответствующей полемики и усиления аргументации вызваны тем, что многие авторитетные специалисты либо не ассоциируют цитируемость с ценностью, либо безразличны к вопросу о свойстве документов, отображаемых цитируемостью (будучи при этом озабочены «совершенствованием индикаторов», отображающих неназванное ими свойство), либо смешивают ценность документа с его качеством. Более того, существует авторитетная точка зрения (напр., Bornmann & Daniel, 2008; Tahamtan & Bornmann, 2019), согласно которой
использование – лишь один из факторов, вызывающих цитируемость научных документов; при этом обращения к документам считаются, напротив, рядом специалистов несомненным свидетельством их использования, в то время как в этом случае в действительности остается неизвестным, будет ли полный текст затребованного документа хотя бы бегло просмотрен пользователем. Эти вопросы получают в эссе свое критическое рассмотрение. Высказывается
мнение, что путаница с понятием «использование документа» связано с невольным смешиванием его с традиционной библиотечной концепцией «использования фонда». Показано, как приятие к рассмотрению философского понятия ценности может внести еще больше путаницы в терминологию, используемую для обозначения свойства научного документа, отражаемого par
excellence его цитируемостью. Критически проанализированы существующие
в библиотековедении определения «ценности документа». Предпринимается попытка уточнения понятий и содержания терминов «ценность научного документа» и «использование научного документа».
Antibacterial Activity And Stability Test Of Bidara Leaf Extract Toothpaste (Ziziphus mauritiana Lam) Against The Growth Of Streptococcus Mutans
Authors: Nawangsari Desy , Oktavia Asa Dwi , Samodra Galih 
Published: November 2023

Bidara leaf extract (BLE) with a concentration of 20% proven to inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans bacteria with an inhibitory zone of 12.00 mm. The content compounds in bidara leaves includes alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. The purpose of this study was determine the physical properties, stability and antibacterial activity of toothpaste preparations with differences in the concentration of BLE, namely FI(15%), FII(20%) and FIII(25%). The extraction method used is remaceration with 70% ethanol solvent, while the antibacterial activity inhibition method uses slurry diffusion. Results valuation of physical properties of pH parameters FI(7.4±0.1); FII(7.1±0.1) and FIII(7.0±0.1), viscosity parameters FI(5,581.5±61.25); FII (5,801.9±9.60) and FIII (6,000.7±8.01). From results of the Onewayanova test, the difference extract concentration has a significant effect on pH and viscosity parameters (p-value<0.05). While the value of foam formation FI(7.4±0.1); FII(7.3±0.3) and FIII(7±0.1), from the results of Onewayanova test difference in extract concentration did not have a significant effect on the foam formation parameter (p-value>0.05). The results of stability T-test differences in the concentration of toothpaste extracts are stable on pH parameters, and FI on foam formation parameters due to sig.values (2-tailed<0.05). While the difference in toothpaste extract concentration is unstable in viscosity parameters and FII, FIII in foam formation parameters due to sig.values (2-tailed<0.05). In antibacterial testing, BLE toothpaste preparations all formulas can inhibit the growth of Streptococcus mutans bacteria with inhibitory zones FI(4.39±0.45cm), FII(5.44±0.49cm) and FIII(8.38±0.28cm). Based on these results, it can be concluded that FIII is the best formula with the largest inhibitory zone value.