bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bacterial Vaginosis: Prevalence and Risk Factors among Women in Dakar, Senegal
Authors: Ndiaye Babacar , Diop Abdou , Gaye Rama , Koko Marcel Koumondji Lauriane , Abdoulaye Diallo Thierno , Mahou Chantal , Ba Abdoulaye , Seck Abdoulaye 
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an imbalance of the vaginal flora that most commonly affects women of childbearing age. It is characterised by discomfort due to vaginal discharge and is associated with serious complications in women. We aimed to determine the prevalence of BV and its risk factors.
Methodology: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study in November 2020 at the Pasteur Institute of Dakar among women who were seen for vaginal sampling. We collected the following parameters: age, parity, history of infection, pregnancy and contraception. VB was diagnosed using the Amsel criteria and the Nugent score. Scoring is based on the presence of different bacterial morphotypes where a score ≥ 7 indicates the presence of BV, 4-6 indicates intermediate flora and 0- 3 normal flora. Analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0.A statistically significant difference between the occurrence of bacterial vaginosis and a risk factor was retained for a p value < 0.05.
Results: A total of 236 patients were included with a median age of 38 years. The prevalence of BV was 20.3%. It was more prevalent in women aged between [30-40 years] (28/101, 27.7%) followed by the age group [20-30 years] (13/51, 25.5%) with a statistically significant difference (p=0.0001).VB was more prevalent in nulliparous or primiparous women (28/118, 23.7%) and in those with no history of vaginal infections (20/83, 24.1%). Pregnant women and women without contraception were more affected with respectively (12/42, 28.6%) and (43/199, 21.6%). No relationship was found between BV and these previous potential risk factors.
Conclusion: BV is a very common condition in women of childbearing age. Its complexity motivates numerous researches in order to elucidate its real implication in the occurrence of adverse gynecological conditions.
Anti Colton-A Foeto-Neonatal Haemolytic Disesase: Diagnosis; Clinical Outcome and Family Study
Authors: Gessoni G. , Collodel L. , Vaccara I. , Pivetta M. , Mancuso T. , Lago P. , Cattarozzi A. , Revelli N. , Barzan A. , Cavicchioli P. 
Published: January 2023

The authors report a case of neonatal haemolytic disease (HDN) attributable to maternal allo immunization to a high frequency antigen present on paternal red blood cells which have been identified as Colton-a (Coa).
The case seemed worthy of reporting not only for the relative rarity of HDN from anti Coa but for the rigorous approach followed in the immunohaematological follow-up of pregnancy and for the diagnostic effort expended in identifying the specificity of the antibody. A family study of ascendants, collaterals and descendants was also carried out using genotyping techniques.
Ethnobotanical Survey and Some Biological Activities of Ageratum conyzoides Collected in Southern-Benin
Authors: Chabi-Sika Kamirou , Sina Haziz , Boya Bawa , Salami Hafiz A. , A. Dossou Gabin , Mama-Sirou Ibrahima , Dansou Glorieuse , Socohou Akim , Nounagnon Martial , Lehmane Halfane , Adjanohoun Adolphe , Baba-Moussa Lamine 
Published: January 2023

Aims: Ageratum conyzoides L. is a small annual herbaceous highly odorous plant use in traditional medicine. The aim of this study is to evaluate in vitro antioxidant potential, toxicity and antimicrobial activity of aerial part extracts of A. conyzoides on strains potentially involved in vaginal infections.
Methodology: An ethnobotanical survey has been carried out on A. conyzoides among ethnobotanists and traditional therapists in fifteen markets in the communes of Abomey- Calavi, Cotonou, Zogbodomey, Bohicon and Abomey in Southern Benin. The phytochemical screening was a qualitative analysis based on staining and precipitation reactions. Antimicrobial activity of A. conyzoides aqueous and ethanolic extracts was evaluated on reference and clinical strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Candida albicans and Escherichia coli using micro dilutions method in wells from. The toxicity of A. conyzoides extracts was determine using Artemia salina larvae, whereas the antiradical activity was evaluated using the Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP) method.
Results: The survey showed that the population of Southern-Benin uses A. conyzoides according to different modes of preparation. Also, the administration in the treatment of a variety of pathologies affecting the female reproductive system. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, anthocyanins, triterpenes and C- heterosides. The yield of 6.18% for the aqueous extract and 4.32% for the ethanolic extract as recorded. The highest inhibition diameter (24.05 ± 0.5 mm) was obtained using aqueous extract against the clinical S. aureus strain. In contrast, the lowest inhibition diameter (10±0 mm) was obtained against the S. aureus ATCC29213 with the same extract. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration varied from 2.5 to 5 mg/ml. Both extracts show a bactericidal and fungicidal effect on the different strains studied but the sensitivity of the strains to the aqueous extract is better compared to the ethanolic extract. In addition, the aqueous extracts showed higher antioxidant power compared to the ethanolic extract. No toxicity is revealed for both extracts.
Conclusion: The results obtained show that the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the aerial part of A. conyzoides have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties on strains involved in vaginal infections and do not present a toxicity.
Screening of Anti-fungal Bacillus Strains and Influence of their Application on Cocoa Beans Fermentation and Final Bean Quality
Authors: Kadjo Adobi Christian , Beugre Guézéré Corinne , Sess-Tchotch Didier-Axel , Kedjebo Kra Brou Didier , Mounjouenpou Pauline , Durand Noël , Fontana Angélique , Guehi Simplice Tagro 
Published: January 2023

Aims: Contamination with filamentous fungi reduces the quality of cocoa beans and poses a health risk for consumers due to the potential accumulation of mycotoxins. The aim of this study was to develop antifungal Bacillus cultures for cocoa beans fermentation.
Methods and Results: Antifungal activity of 7 Bacillus isolates was investigated using overlay technique. Solid culture media inoculated with bacterial and fungal isolates were cultivated under aerobic conditions at 30 ºC for 5 days. The Bacillus strain with strong antifungal activity was studied and inoculated to 18 kg box fermentations cocoa beans in Cote d'Ivoire in three time-independent replications each including a spontaneous control fermentation. The comparison of inoculated and spontaneous fermentation processes revealed that the Bacillus thuringiensis strain ATCC 10792 don't affected the fermentation process and cocoa bean quality. The anti-fungal in vivo assays revealed that the Bacillus thuringiensis strain ATCC 10792 completely inhibited growth of all fungi on the surface of cocoa beans. The result showed that sensory evaluation of chocolates is not significant differences for all treatment. The sensory evaluation of control and chocolates made from the inoculated cocoa beans with Bacillus showed excellent sensory quality, demonstrating that Bacillus thuringiensis strain ATCC 10792 did not affect aroma, texture and appearance of chocolate.
Conclusion: From this study, it is revealed that the addition of Bacillus thuringiensis strain ATCC 10792 during fermentation cocoa beans suppress fungal growth and improve the quality of cocoa beans. Therefore, the anti-fungal culture Bacillus thuringiensis strain ATCC 10792 is recommended for future applications and its capacity to limit fungal growth during industrial-scale cocoa bean fermentation should be investigated in further studies.
Assessment of Serum Level of Chitinase-3-Like Protein-1 (Ykl-40) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients and Its Relation to Disease Activity
Authors: Gamal El-Agamy Aya , Abdel Noor Rasha , M. Mabrouk Maaly , Ahmed El-Tatawy Rania , Salah Hegab Doaa 
Published: January 2023

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a multisystem autoimmune disorder where such progress and prognosis cannot be anticipated. Chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) is a multifunctional pro-inflammatory protein that plays a crucial role in immunity and inflammation, as well as in the control of cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis.
Aim of the Work: To investigate the serum level of YKL-40 in SLE patients contrasted to healthy controls and to link it with symptom severity and organ involvement.
Patients and Methods: A total of 50 subjects; 25 SLE patients and 25 healthy controls matched for age and sex were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The circulating level of YKL-40 was determined using the ELISA technique in patients and controls and was shown to correlate with clinical and laboratory results in SLE patients.
Results: Serum YKL-40 levels were considerably greater in SLE patients compared to controls (P≤ 0.001) and positively correlated with disease activity., ESR, CRP and serum creatinine level. Serum YKL-40 was greater in SLE patients with malar rash, fever and arthralgia and has no relation to lupus nephritis.
Conclusion: During active disease phases, serum YKL-40 may have a role in the inflammatory aetiology of SLE. It may serve as a valuable laboratory test in the future for detecting SLE activity and joint inflammation.
Peer Review in a General Medical Research Journal Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Perlis Roy H. , Kendall-Taylor Jacob , Hart Kamber , Ganguli Ishani , Berlin Jesse A. , Bradley Steven M. , Haneuse Sebastien , Inouye Sharon K. , Jacobs Elizabeth A. , Morris Arden , Ogedegbe Olugbenga , Perencevich Eli , Shulman Lawrence N. , Trueger N. Seth , Fihn Stephan D. , Rivara Frederick P. , Flanagin Annette 
Published: January 2023

ImportanceAlthough peer review is an important component of publication for new research, the viability of this process has been questioned, particularly with the added stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic.ObjectiveTo characterize rates of peer reviewer acceptance of invitations to review manuscripts, reviewer turnaround times, and editor-assessed quality of reviews before and after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic at a large, open-access general medical journal.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis retrospective, pre-post cohort study examined all research manuscripts submitted to JAMA Network Open between January 1, 2019, and June 29, 2021, either directly or via transfer from other JAMA Network journals, for which at least 1 peer review of manuscript content was solicited. Measures were compared between the period before the World Health Organization declaration of a COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020 (14.3 months), and the period during the pandemic (15.6 months) among all reviewed manuscripts and between pandemic-period manuscripts that did or did not address COVID-19.Main Outcomes and MeasuresFor each reviewed manuscript, the number of invitations sent to reviewers, proportions of reviewers accepting invitations, time in days to return reviews, and editor-assessed quality ratings of reviews were determined.ResultsIn total, the journal sought review for 5013 manuscripts, including 4295 Original Investigations (85.7%) and 718 Research Letters (14.3%); 1860 manuscripts were submitted during the prepandemic period and 3153 during the pandemic period. Comparing the prepandemic with the pandemic period, the mean (SD) number of reviews rated as high quality (very good or excellent) per manuscript increased slightly from 1.3 (0.7) to 1.5 (0.7) (P &amp;lt; .001), and the mean (SD) time for reviewers to return reviews was modestly shorter (from 15.8 [7.6] days to 14.4 [7.0] days; P &amp;lt; .001), a difference that persisted in linear regression models accounting for manuscript type, study design, and whether the manuscript addressed COVID-19.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this cohort study, the speed and editor-reported quality of peer reviews in an open-access general medical journal improved modestly during the initial year of the pandemic. Additional study will be necessary to understand how the pandemic has affected reviewer burden and fatigue.
Perceptions of Prehospital Care for Patients With Limited English Proficiency Among Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
Authors: Stadeli Kathryn M. , Sonett Dylan , Conrick Kelsey M. , Moore Megan , Riesenberg Matthew , Bulger Eileen M. , Meischke Hendrika , Vavilala Monica S. 
Published: January 2023

ImportancePatients with limited English proficiency (LEP) experience disparities in prehospital care. On-scene interactions between patients with LEP and emergency medical services (EMS) providers (ie, firefighters/emergency medical technicians [EMTs] and paramedics) are critical to high-quality care and have been minimally explored.ObjectiveTo identify EMS-perceived barriers and facilitators to providing high-quality prehospital care for patients with LEP.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsIn this qualitative study, semi-structured focus groups were conducted with firefighters/EMTs and paramedics with all levels of experience from urban areas with a high proportion of residents with LEP from July to September 2018. Data were analyzed from July 2018 to May 2019.ExposuresProviding prehospital care for patients with LEP.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe main outcomes were barriers and facilitators to prehospital care for patients with LEP, assessed using thematic analysis. Four domains of interest were examined: (1) overall impressions of interactions with patients with LEP, (2) barriers and facilitators to communication, (3) barriers and facilitators to providing care, and (4) ideas for improving prehospital care for patients with LEP.ResultsThirty-nine EMS providers participated in 8 focus groups: 26 firefighters/EMTs (66%) and 13 paramedics (33%). The median age of participants was 46 years (range, 23-63 years), and 35 (90%) were male. Participants described barriers to optimal care as ineffective interpretation, cultural differences, high-stress scenarios (eg, violent events), unclear acuity of patient’s condition, provider bias, and distrust of EMS. Perceived facilitators to optimal care included using an on-scene interpreter, high-acuity disease, relying on objective clinical findings, building trust and rapport, and conservative decision-making regarding treatment and transport. Providers reported transporting most patients with LEP to hospitals regardless of illness severity due to concern for miscommunication and unrecognized problems. Better speed and technology for interpretation, education for communities and EMS providers, and community-EMS interactions outside emergencies were cited as potential strategies for improvement.Conclusions and RelevanceIn this study, EMS providers described many barriers to high-quality care during prehospital emergency response for patients with LEP yet were unaware that these barriers impacted quality of care. Barriers including ineffective interpretation, provider bias, distrust of EMS, and cultural differences may contribute to outcome disparities and overutilization of resources. Future work should focus on the development of targeted interventions to improve modifiable barriers to care, such as improving interpretation and cultural humility and increasing trust.
Radiation biology workforce in the United States
Authors: Williams Jacqueline P. , Anscher Mitchell S. , Vazquez Marcelo , Kronenberg Amy , Willey Jeffrey S. , Lawrence Theodore , Woloschak Gayle E. , Marples Brian , Wong Rosemary , Howell Roger W. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractIn recent decades, the principal goals of participants in the field of radiation biologists have included defining dose thresholds for cancer and non‐cancer endpoints to be used by regulators, clinicians and industry, as well as informing on best practice radiation utilization and protection applications. Importantly, much of this work has required an intimate relationship between “bench” radiation biology scientists and their target audiences (such as physicists, medical practitioners and epidemiologists) in order to ensure that the requisite gaps in knowledge are adequately addressed. However, despite the growing risk for public exposure to higher‐than‐background levels of radiation, e.g. from long‐distance travel, the increasing use of ionizing radiation during medical procedures, the threat from geopolitical instability, and so forth, there has been a dramatic decline in the number of qualified radiation biologists in the U.S. Contributing factors are thought to include the loss of applicable training programs, loss of jobs, and declining opportunities for advancement. This report was undertaken in order to begin addressing this situation since inaction may threaten the viability of radiation biology as a scientific discipline.
Risk of End‐Stage Renal Disease in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Diabetes Mellitus: A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study
Authors: Hansen Renata Baronaite , Falasinnu Titilola , Faurschou Mikkel , Jacobsen Søren , Simard Julia F. 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveThe risk of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) is increased in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This study was undertaken to determine whether diabetes mellitus (DM) increases ESRD risk in a large inception cohort of SLE patients.MethodsBy means of the Danish National Patient Registry, we identified 3,178 adult patients diagnosed as having SLE between January 1, 1996, and July 31, 2018. DM was defined as the date of first hospital contact for DM or date of a first prescription of an antidiabetic drug. ESRD was defined as first registration of dialysis, renal transplant, or terminal renal insufficiency in the Danish National Patient Registry. ESRD incidence was compared between SLE patients with DM (SLE–DM) and those without DM (SLE–non‐DM). Hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted for sex, age, educational level, and occupational status at baseline were calculated for sex, age, educational level, and hypertension (at baseline or during follow‐up) strata. The overall hazard ratio (HR) was also adjusted for hypertension.ResultsThe SLE–DM group included 290 patients, of whom 77% were female, compared with 85% of the 2,859 patients in the SLE–non‐DM group. SLE–DM patients had a 3 times higher risk of ESRD compared with SLE–non‐DM patients (multivariable‐adjusted HR 3.3 [95% confidence interval 1.8–6.1]). In stratified multivariable‐adjusted analyses, DM increased the rate of ESRD in women and men, patients ≥50 years old at baseline, those with low educational level at baseline, and those with concomitant hypertension.ConclusionOur findings indicate that SLE patients with DM have a markedly higher risk of developing ESRD compared with SLE patients without DM.
An Ultrafast, High‐Loading, and Durable Poly(p‐aminoazobenzene)/Reduced Graphene Oxide Composite Electrode for Supercapacitors
Authors: Ai Zhiting , Li Lu , Huang Muyun , Su Xiaofang , Gao Yanan , Wu Jifeng 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAlthough challenging, the fabricated supercapacitor electrodes with excellent rate capability, long cycling stability, and high mass‐loading are crucial for practical applications. Herein, a novel 3D porous poly(p‐aminoazobenzene)/reduced graphene oxide hydrogel is designed and prepared as an ultrafast, high‐loading, and durable pseudocapacitive electrode through a facile two‐step self‐assembly approach. Owing to abundant stable redox‐active sites, fast electrolyte diffusion, and efficient charge conduction, the PRH electrode (5 mg cm−2) shows a high specific capacitance (701 F g−1 at 2 A g−1) and ultrafast rate (97% capacitance retention at 100 A g−1). Furthermore, even with a mass‐loading of 10 mg cm−2, the electrode still exhibits comparable high performance and excellent long‐term cycling life (only 6.7% capacitance loss after 10 000 cycles). This work demonstrates novel polyaniline analog composites for constructing novel electrodes, promising to open an avenue toward practical applications.
Small Changes, Big Impact: Tungsten Bronzes with Extremely Large Second Harmonic Generation Achieved by the Transition Metal Doping on the B‐Site
Authors: Pi Yejin , Kuk Yunseung , Ok Kang Min 
Published: January 2023

AbstractTwo novel transition metal‐doped tungsten bronze oxides, Pb2.15Li0.85Nb4.85Ti0.15O15 (PLNT) and Pb2.15Li0.55Nb4.85W0.15O15 (PLNW), are synthesized by high‐temperature solid‐state reactions. The Rietveld method using the high‐resolution synchrotron radiation indicates that PLNT and PLNW crystallize in the orthorhombic polar noncentrosymmetric space group, Pmn21 (no. 31). As a class of tungsten bronze oxide, PLNT and PLNW retain a unique rigid framework composed of d0 transition metal cation (Ti4+ or W6+)‐doped highly distorted NbO6 octahedra along with the subsequently generated Pb/LiO12 and PbO15 polyhedra. Interestingly, the d0 transition metal‐doped tungsten bronzes, PLNT and PLNW, exhibit extremely large second‐harmonic generation (SHG) responses of 56 and 67 × KH2PO4, respectively. The observed immeasurably strong SHG is mainly attributed to a net polarization originating from the alignment of highly distorted NbO6 octahedra with doped transition metals in the frameworks. It is believed that doping transition metal cations at the B‐site of the tungsten bronze structures should be an innovative strategy to develop novel high‐performance nonlinear optical materials.
Toward Electrocatalytic Methanol Oxidation Reaction: Longstanding Debates and Emerging Catalysts
Authors: Wang Jianmei , Zhang Bingxing , Guo Wei , Wang Lei , Chen Jian , Pan Hongge , Sun Wenping 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe study of direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) has lasted around 70 years, since the first investigation in the early 1950s. Though enormous effort has been devoted in this field, it is still far from commercialization. The methanol oxidation reaction (MOR), as a semi‐reaction of DMFCs, is the bottleneck reaction that restricts the overall performance of DMFCs. To date, there has been intense debate on the complex six‐electron reaction, but barely any reviews have systematically discussed this topic. To this end, the controversies and progress regarding the electrocatalytic mechanisms, performance evaluations as well as the design science toward MOR electrocatalysts are summarized. This review also provides a comprehensive introduction on the recent development of emerging MOR electrocatalysts with a focus on the innovation of the alloy, core–shell structure, heterostructure, and single‐atom catalysts. Finally, perspectives on the future outlook toward study of the mechanisms and design of electrocatalysts are provided.