bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Models for Stabilization of Charged Particles with Surfactants in Nonpolar Media
Authors: Popovetskiy P. S. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Stabilization of charged particles in nonpolar media is one of the most complicated problems in modern colloid chemistry. The attribution to colloid chemistry is absolutely justified in this case: in nonpolar media, charged particles have, as a rule, a supramolecular nature. Low dielectric permittivity of a medium makes the existence of ions in the classical interpretation energetically disadvantageous. The key condition for the presence of charged particles in nonpolar media is their steric stabilization, which requires some revision of the classical concepts of the structure of the electrical double layer, primarily, its diffuse part. Detailed analyzing the structure of the electrical double layer in nonpolar media is of importance because of the high practical significance of electrokinetic phenomena in such systems. This review considers the main models for steric stabilization of charged particles with surfactants in dispersion media having dielectric permittivities lower than 5. The main attention is focused on not only the concentrations corresponding to the formation of reverse micelles, but also on the concentrations below the critical micelle concentration. In addition, nontypical examples of electrokinetic phenomena in organosols are considered.
Test negative case–control study of COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness for symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection among healthcare workers: Zambia, 2021–2022
Authors: Mweso Oliver , Simwanza John , Malambo Warren , Banda Dabwitso , Fwoloshi Sombo , Sinyange Nyambe , Yoo Young M , Feldstein Leora R , Kapina Muzala , Mulenga Lloyd B , Liwewe Mazyanga Mazaba , Musonda Kunda , Kapata Nathan , Mwansa Francis Dien , Agolory Simon , Bobo Patricia , Hines Jonas , Chilengi Roma 
Published: December 2023

ObjectivesThe study aim was to evaluate vaccine effectiveness (VE) of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Zambia. We sought to answer the question, ‘What is the vaccine effectiveness of a complete schedule of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in preventing symptomatic COVID-19 among HCWs in Zambia?’Design/settingWe conducted a test-negative case–control study among HCWs across different levels of health facilities in Zambia offering point of care testing for COVID-19 from May 2021 to March 2022.Participants1767 participants entered the study and completed it. Cases were HCWs with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 and controls were HCWs who tested SARS-CoV-2 negative. Consented HCWs with documented history of vaccination for COVID-19 (vaccinated HCWs only) were included in the study. HCWs with unknown test results and unknown vaccination status, were excluded.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe primary outcome was VE among symptomatic HCWs. Secondary outcomes were VE by: SARS-CoV-2 variant strains based on the predominant variant circulating in Zambia (Delta during May 2021 to November 2021 and Omicron during December 2021 to March 2022), duration since vaccination and vaccine product.ResultsWe recruited 1145 symptomatic HCWs. The median age was 30 years (IQR: 26–38) and 789 (68.9%) were women. Two hundred and eighty-two (24.6%) were fully vaccinated. The median time to full vaccination was 102 days (IQR: 56–144). VE against symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection was 72.7% (95% CI: 61.9% to 80.7%) for fully vaccinated participants. VE was 79.4% (95% CI: 58.2% to 90.7%) during the Delta period and 37.5% (95% CI: −7.0% to 63.3%) during the Omicron period.ConclusionsCOVID-19 vaccines were effective in reducing symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 among Zambian HCWs when the Delta variant was circulating but not when Omicron was circulating. This could be related to immune evasive characteristics and/or waning immunity. These findings support accelerating COVID-19 booster dosing with bivalent vaccines as part of the vaccination programme to reduce COVID-19 in Zambia.
Quality of life in south-eastern Australia: normative values for the WHOQOL-BREF in a population-based sample of adults
Authors: West Emma C , Williams Lana J , Stuart Amanda L , Pasco Julie A 
Published: December 2023

ObjectivesThe abbreviated World Health Organisation Quality of Life tool (WHOQOL-BREF) is a short-form quality of life (QoL) assessment commonly used worldwide in both healthy and ill populations. Normative data for the Australian general population are limited. The objective of this study was to present normative data for the WHOQOL-BREF based on a general population sample. A secondary aim was to explore sociodemographic factors related to QoL.DesignPopulation-based cross-sectional study.Participants929 men and 830 women aged 24–94 years participating in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study.Outcome measuresThe 26-item WHOQOL-BREF.ResultsMeans and SD for each domain are presented by age group and sex. Percentile scores were also generated. Mean scores for WHOQOL-BREF domains were 74.52 (SD=16.22) for physical health, 72.07 (SD=15.35) for psychological, 72.87 (SD=18.78) for social relationships and 79.68 (SD=12.55) for environment. We identified significant associations between sociodemographic factors and WHOQOL-BREF domains. Notably, being married or in a relationship was associated with increased odds for high QoL across all four WHOQOL-BREF domains: physical health (women OR 2.46, 95% CI 1.36 to 4.44, p=0.003), psychological (men OR 2.07, 95% CI: 1.20 to 3.55, p=0.009; women OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.21 to 3.81, p=0.009), social relationships (men OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.29 to 4.04, p=0.005; women OR 2.77, 95% CI 1.42 to 5.41, p=0.003) and environment (women OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.13 to 3.80, p=0.019).ConclusionsThis study provides population norms for the WHOQOL-BREF based on a representative sample of Australian adults. Our results will be useful to researchers and clinicians who can use these data as a reference point for interpreting WHOQOL-BREF scores.
Rationale and design of a comparison of angiography-derived fractional flow reserve-guided and intravascular ultrasound-guided intervention strategy for clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease: a randomised controlled trial (FLAVOUR II)
Authors: Zhang Jinlong , Hu Xinyang , Jiang Jun , Lu Dongsheng , Guo Lijun , Peng Xiaoping , Pan Yibin , He Wenming , Li Jilin , Zhou Hao , Huang Jinyu , Jiang Fan , Pu Jun , Cheng Zhenfeng , Yang Bin , Ma Jianliang , Chen Peng , Liu Qiang , Song Daqing , Lu Liang , Li Shiqiang , Fan Yongzhen , Meng Zhaohui , Tang Lijiang , Shin Eun-Seok , Tu Shengxian , Koo Bon-Kwon , Wang Jianan 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionPercutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) guided by coronary angiography-derived fractional flow reserve (FFR) or intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) has shown improved clinical outcomes compared with angiography-only-guided PCI. In patients with intermediate stenoses, FFR resulted in fewer coronary interventions and was non-inferior to IVUS with respect to clinical outcomes. However, whether this finding can be applied to angiography-derived FFR in significant coronary artery disease (CAD) remains unclear.Method and analysisThe comparison of angiography-derived FFR-guided and IVUS-guided intervention strategies for clinical outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (FLAVOUR II) trial is a multicentre, prospective, randomised controlled trial. A total of 1872 patients with angiographically significant CAD (stenoses of at least 50% as estimated visually through angiography) in a major epicardial coronary artery will be randomised 1:1 to receive either angiography-derived FFR-guided or IVUS-guided PCI. Patients will be treated with second-generation drug-eluting stent according to the predefined criteria for revascularisation: angiography-derived FFR≤0.8 and minimal lumen area (MLA)≤3 mm2or 3 mm2<MLA≤4 mm2and plaque burden>70%. The primary endpoint is a composite of all-cause death, myocardial infarction and revascularisation at 12 months after randomisation. We will test the non-inferiority of the angiography-derived FFR-guided strategy compared with the IVUS-guided decision for PCI and the stent optimisation strategy.The FLAVOUR II trial will provide new insights into optimal evaluation and treatment strategies for patients with CAD.Ethics and disseminationFLAVOUR II was approved by the institutional review board at each participating site (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine Approval No: 2020LSYD410) and will be conducted in line with the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent would be obtained from each patient before their participation. The study results will be submitted to a scientific journal.Trial registration numberNCT04397211.
Effectiveness and safety of nintedanib in prevention of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in malignant ovarian germ cell tumour: study protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Li Sijian , Zhang Xinyue , Yin Min , Zhang Tianyu , Zhang Rundong , Yang Jie , Yang Jiaxin 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionBleomycin is a crucial and irreplaceable chemotherapy regimen for malignant ovarian germ cell tumours (MOGCTs) but its toxicities especially pulmonary fibrosis have limited the dose of treatment efficacy and decreased the patients’ quality of life (QoL). Nintedanib has been approved for treating progressive fibrosing interstitial lung diseases and has shown potential anti-tumour effects. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of nintedanib in the prevention of pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin in MOGCTs patients.Methods and analysisThis is a multicentre, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. We will enrol a total of 128 patients who will be randomly assigned to the nintedanib group and placebo group in a 1:1 ratio. Standard bleomycin, etoposide and cisplatin chemotherapy will be given to each MOGCT patient. In addition, patients assigned to nintedanib and the control group will be given oral nintedanib 150 mg two times per day and placebo one tablet two times per day until 1 month after the last cycle of bleomycin therapy, respectively. The primary outcome is the decline of forced vital capacity (FVC). The secondary outcomes are the decline of other pulmonary function indices (forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FVC pred%, carbon monoxide diffusion capacity) and the patients’ QoL, oncological and fertility outcomes. We will use electronic case report forms to record all the participants’ data and SPSS V.27.0/STATA V.16.0/Graphpad Prism V.8.0 to conduct statistical analysis.Ethics and disseminationThe Ethics Committee of Peking Union Medical College Hospital has approved the study (I-23PJ400). Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants/guardians. Study results will be submitted to peer-reviewed medical journals for publication and presented at academic conferences.Trial registration numberChiCTR2300070492.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of probiotic peanut oral immunotherapy (PPOIT) versus placebo in Australian children with peanut allergy alongside a randomised trial
Authors: Huang Li , Dalziel Kim , Lloyd Melanie , Loke Paxton , Lozinsky Adriana C , Tang Mimi 
Published: December 2023

ObjectiveTo compared the cost-effectiveness of coadministration of a probiotic adjuvant with peanut oral immunotherapy (PPOIT) with placebo (no treatment) in children with peanut allergy.DesignProspectively planned cost-effectiveness analysis alongside a randomised control trial.SettingThe Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.Participants56 children with peanut allergy aged 1–10 years at recruitment.InterventionA daily dose of probioticLactobacillus rhamnosusCGMCC 1.3724 (NCC4007) and peanut oral immunotherapy administered for 1.5 years.Main outcomes measuresCosts were considered from a healthcare system perspective and included costs of treatment delivery and adverse events. Effectiveness outcomes included rate of sustained unresponsiveness (SU) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). The cost-effectiveness of PPOIT versus placebo was analysed using patient-level data. Time horizon was 10 years from commencement of PPOIT treatment, comprising 1.5 years of treatment (actual data), 4 years of post-treatment follow-up (actual data), and 4.5 years of extrapolation thereafter (modelling).ResultsHealthcare cost per patient over 10 years was higher for PPOIT compared with placebo ($A9355 vs $A1031, p<0.001). Over half of the per patient healthcare cost (53%) in the PPOIT group was attributable to treatment delivery, while the remaining cost was attributable to adverse events. Both measures of effectiveness were superior in the PPOIT group: the average SU rate over 10 years was 54% for PPOIT versus 6% for placebo (p<0.001); QALYs over 10 years were 9.05 for PPOIT versus 8.63 for placebo (p<0.001). Overall, cost per year of SU achieved was $A1694 (range $A1678, $A1709) for PPOIT compared with placebo, and cost per additional QALY gained was $A19 386 (range $A19 024, $A19 774).ConclusionsCost per QALY gained using PPOIT compared with no treatment is approximately $A20 000 (£10 000) and is well below the conventional value judgement threshold of $A50 000 (£25 000) per QALY gained, thus deemed good value for money ($A1= £0.5 approximately).Trial registration numberAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12608000594325; Post-results.
Perspectives of HPV vaccination among young adults: a qualitative systematic review and evidence synthesis protocol
Authors: Mantina Namoonga M , Nakayima Miiro Flavia , Smith Jonathan , McClelland Deborah Jean , Magrath Priscilla Anne , Madhivanan Purnima 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionHuman papillomavirus (HPV) is the causative agent of nearly all cervical cancers. Despite the proven safety and efficacy of HPV vaccines in preventing HPV-related cancers, the global vaccine coverage rate is estimated to only be 15%. HPV vaccine coverage rates are more actively tracked and reported for adolescents 17 years and younger but there is still a critical window of opportunity to intervene and promote HPV vaccination among young adults aged 18–26 years who are still eligible to be vaccinated. This protocol for a qualitative evidence synthesis aims to review perspectives of HPV vaccination among young adults (18–26 years) and identify facilitators and barriers that influence HPV vaccination uptake and decision-making.Methods and analysisSeven databases will be searched from 1 January 2006 to the date of final search. For inclusion, studies must report HPV vaccination perspectives of young adults aged 18–26 years and use qualitative study methods or analysis techniques. Studies will be screened in a two-stage process guided by the eligibility criteria. Final included studies will be evaluated for methodological strengths and limitations using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme quality assessment tool for qualitative studies. After data extraction, framework analysis will be used to analyse the data applying the socioecological model. Finally, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation - Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research will be applied to evaluate the confidence in synthesised qualitative findings. The methodology of this review follows the Cochrane Handbook guidelines on qualitative evidence syntheses.Ethics and disseminationFormal ethical approval is not required for this study. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and professional networks.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42023417052.
Finnish Retirement and Aging Study: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Stenholm Sari , Suorsa Kristin , Leskinen Tuija , Myllyntausta Saana , Pulakka Anna , Pentti Jaana , Vahtera Jussi 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThe Finnish Retirement and Aging (FIREA) Study was set up to study changes in health behavioural and cardiometabolic risk factors across retirement transition, and to examine the long-term consequences of work and retirement on health and functioning with advancing age.ParticipantsPublic sector workers whose estimated statutory retirement date was in 2014–2019 were invited to participate by sending them a questionnaire 18 months prior to their estimated retirement date. In the first phase of the FIREA Study, participants were followed up with annual surveys, accelerometer and clinical measurements during retirement transition into post-retirement years. The FIREA survey cohort includes 6783 participants, of which 908 belong also to the activity substudy and 290 to the clinical substudy.Findings to dateCollected data include survey measures about health, lifestyle factors, psychosocial distress, work-related factors as well as retirement intentions. Accelerometer and GPS devices are used to measure 24-hour movement behaviours. Clinical examination includes blood and hair sample, measurements of anthropometry, cardiovascular function, physical fitness, physical and cognitive function. Our results suggest that in general retirement transition seems to have beneficial influence on health behaviours as well as on physical and mental health, but there are large individual differences, and certain behaviours such as sedentariness tend to increase especially among those retiring from manual occupations.Future plansThe second phase of the FIREA Study will be conducted during 2023–2025, when participants are 70 years old. The FIREA Study welcomes research collaboration proposals that fall within the general aims of the project.
Mapping Oral health and Local Area Resources (MOLAR): protocol for a randomised controlled trial connecting emergency department patients with social and dental resources
Authors: Simon Lisa , Marsh Regan , Sanchez Leon D , Camargo Carlos , Donoff Bruce , Cardenas Vanessa , Manning William , Loo Stephanie , Cash Rebecca E , Samuels-Kalow Margaret E 
Published: December 2023

IntroductionThere are substantial inequities in oral health access and outcomes in the USA, including by income and racial and ethnic identity. People with adverse social determinants of health (aSDoH), such as housing or food insecurity, are also more likely to have unmet dental needs. Many patients with dental problems present to the emergency department (ED), where minimal dental care or referral is usually available. Nonetheless, the ED represents an important point of contact to facilitate screening and referral for unmet oral health needs and aSDoH, particularly for patients who may not otherwise have access to care.Methods and analysisMapping Oral health and Local Area Resources is a randomised controlled trial enrolling 2049 adult and paediatric ED patients with unmet oral health needs into one of three trial arms: (a) a standard handout of nearby dental and aSDoH resources; (b) a geographically matched listing of aSDoH resources and a search link for identification of geographically matched dental resources; or (c) geographically matched resources along with personalised care navigation. Follow-up at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months will evaluate oral health-related quality of life, linkage to resources and dental treatment, ED visits for dental problems and the association between linkage and neighbourhood resource density.Ethics and disseminationAll sites share a single human subjects review board protocol which has been fully approved by the Mass General Brigham Human Subjects Review Board. Informed consent will be obtained from all adults and adult caregivers, and assent will be obtained from age-appropriate child participants. Results will demonstrate the impact of addressing aSDoH on oral health access and the efficacy of various forms of resource navigation compared with enhanced standard care. Our findings will facilitate sustainable, scalable interventions to identify and address aSDoH in the ED to improve oral health and reduce oral health inequities.Trial registration numberNCT05688982.
Validation of maternal recall of number of antenatal care visits attended in rural Southern Nepal: a longitudinal cohort study
Authors: Xie Xinyu , Munos Melinda K , Lama Tsering P , Bryce Emily , Khatry Subarna K , LeClerq Steven C , Katz Joanne 
Published: December 2023

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the validity of maternal recall of total number of antenatal care (ANC) visits during pregnancy and factors associated with the accuracy of maternal recall.DesignThis was a longitudinal cohort study conducted from December 2018 through November 2020.SettingFive government health posts in the Sarlahi district of Southern Nepal.Participants402 pregnant women between ages 15 and 49 who presented for their first ANC visit at the study health posts.Main outcomesThe observed number of ANC visits (gold standard) and the reported number of ANC visits at the postpartum interview (maternal recall).ResultsOn average, women in the study who had a live birth attended 4.7 ANC visits. About 65% of them attended four or more ANC visits during pregnancy as recommended by the Nepal government, and 38.3% of maternal report matched the categorical ANC visits as observed by the gold standard. The individual validity was poor to moderate, with the highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) being 0.69 (95% CI: 0.65 to 0.74) in the 1–3 visits group. Population-level bias (as distinct from individual-level bias) was observed in the 1–3 visits and 4 visits groups, where 1–3 visits were under-reported (inflation factor (IF): 0.69) and 4 ANC visits were highly over-reported (IF: 2.12). The binary indicator ANC4+ (1–3 visits vs 4+ visits) showed better population-level validity (AUC: 0.69; IF: 1.17) compared with the categorical indicators (1–3 visits, 4 visits, 5–6 visits and more than 6 visits). Report accuracy was not associated with maternal characteristics but was related to ANC frequency. Women who attended more ANC visits were less likely to correctly report their total number of visits.ConclusionMaternal report of number of ANC visits during pregnancy may not be a valid indicator for measuring ANC coverage. Improvements are needed to measure the frequency of ANC visits.