bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and Awareness About Age-Related Macular Degeneration Among Students of The Syrian Private University
Authors: Shamous Taim , Obeid Karam , Salman Afraa 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
A significant contributing factor to permanent blindness is age-related macular degeneration (AMD), hence raising awareness of the condition is crucial to preventing blindness. Previous research papers, however, indicated that the general public is not aware of AMD, and there is no information available regarding AMD awareness in Syria. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to assess the awareness of AMD and its risk factors Syrian Private University students.
Methods
A cross-sectional study using a questionnaire focused on students from the medical, dental, pharmacy, business administration, and engineering schools at a Syrian private university. The interview assessed respondents' knowledge of AMD using a standardized questionnaire derived from the AMD Alliance International Global Report. Demographic data included age, gender, education level, and home type (rural vs. urban).
Results
The 600 students from the Syrian Private University made up the sample for our study, including 252 males (59%) and 248 females (41%). 35% of the total student population— responded that age-related macular degeneration is very common and able-to-detect early, moreover 34% of students responded that macular degeneration is a common cause of irreversible low vision in the world. 16%, 18%, 18% and 13% believed that smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are risk factors for AMD. When the students were asked about the potential symptoms of AMD, the majority of students responded that the patient's low vision was the most significant symptom, reaching 253 students, or 42%. When asked about treatment options for AMD, the majority of participants showed low level of knowledge about that.
Conclusion
The sample of students knew very little about AMD. It is necessary to implement educational initiatives to increase public knowledge about AMD.
Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and cognitive functioning in older adults: The national health and nutrition examination survey 2011 to 2014
Authors: Deng Yu 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Objective
To examine the relationship between Toxoplasma gondii infection and cognitive functioning in older adults.
Method
A total of 2,956 older adults aged 60 and above from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2014 were included. Serum toxoplasma gondii antibody was analyzed in the lab. A value > 33 IU/mL was categorized as positive for toxoplasma gondii infection; <27 IU/mL was categorized as negative. Cognitive tests included the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Word Learning subtest (CERAD-WL) immediate and delayed memory, the Animal Fluency test (AFT), and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Multivariate linear regression models were constructed to examine the association between toxoplasma gondii seropositivity and standardized cognitive test-specific and global cognition z scores. All models were adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, education, depressive symptoms, smoking status, body mass index, prevalent coronary heart disease, stroke, and systolic blood pressure.
Results
Most of the 2,956 participants (mean age 70.0) were female (51.0%), non-Hispanic White (48.3%), and completed some college or above (48.3%). A total of 703 participants were positive for toxoplasma gondii infection (23.8%). Adjusted linear regression showed that compared with participants with negative toxoplasma gondii infection, those with positive toxoplasma gondii infection had lower CERAD-WL immediate memory (beta [β] -0.16, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.25,-0.07), CERAD-WL delayed memory (β -0.15, 95% CI -0.24,-0.06), AFT (β -0.15, 95% CI -0.24,-0.06), DSST (β -0.34, 95% CI -0.43,-0.26), and global cognition (β -0.24, 95% CI -0.32,-0.16) z scores after controlling for the covariates.
Conclusions
Toxoplasma gondii seropositivity is independently associated with worse immediate and delayed verbal learning, language proficiency, executive functioning, processing speed, sustained attention, working memory, as well as global cognition in older adults. Public health measures are needed to prevent toxoplasma gondii infection, which may help preserve cognitive functioning in older adults.
Retrospective analysis of Vitamin A levels in children in Shandong, China
Authors: Zhang Xiuqing , Ma Yan , Wang Lijun , Song Bindong 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Vitamin A (VA) levels of children are essential for health. There is a worldwide concern in VA deficiency(VAD), which is associated with some diseases such as dry eyes, respiratory, digestive and immune system diseases in children.
Objective
The VA levels of children aged 0–14 years who visited our hospital located in Linqing City,Shandong Province, China from February 2019 to January 2020 were screened to provide evidence for prevention and treatment of VAD in children.
Methods
Children aged 0–14 years were selected as the research objects, and VA levels were determined by liquid chromatography, and the effects of gender, age and different seasons on VA levels were analyzed.
Results
A total of 1965 children were investigated, ranging from 0 to 14 years old. Among them, 1191 were boys, accounting for 60.61%. 774 were girls, accounting for 39.39%. The normal range of VA levels is 0.3-0.7mg/L. Based on this range, The highest rates of VAD were found in children within 1 year old. 979 (49.8%) of the VA levels were below normal. 211(10.7%)children were deficient and 768(39.1%) children were subclinical deficient. 164(63.3%)children with RRTI and RTI were deficient.467(43.4%)healthy children were deficient.One person (0.05%) exceeded the normal level value. There was no significant difference in serum VA levels between boys and girls (P > 0.05), indicating that gender difference had no effect on VA levels. However, the influence of different seasons on VA levesl were statistically significant in different age groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Nearly half of the children's VA levels were lower than normal value, which was related to age and season, but not gender. Children with RRTI and RTI had much lower VA levels than healthy children.
Can the physical act of sexual intercourse before frozen embryo transfer improve IVF treatment outcome? A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Hou Jin-wei , Yuan Li-hua , Cao Xian-ling , Song Jing-yan , Sun Zhen-gao 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background

Exposure of the female reproductive tract to either seminal plasma or fluid component of the ejaculate is beneficial to achieving successful embryo implantation and normal embryo development. But whether the "physical" component of of sexual intercourse during the peri-transfer period have any influence on FET pregnancy outcome is not clear.

Methods

We conducted a randomized trial that included 223 patients undergoing IVF treatment at a University-affiliated reproductive center from 19 July 2018 to 24 February 2019. Enrolled patients undergoing IVF treatment were randomized either to engage sexual intercourse using the barrier contraception (Group A, n = 116) or to abstain (Group B, n = 107) one night before FET. The follow-up parameters included biochemical losses rate, clinical pregnancy, early abortion and implantation rate.

Results

Patients having intercourse had higher clinical pregnancy rate (51.72% vs. 37.07%, P = 0.045) and implantation rate (38.31% vs. 24.77%, P = 0.005) compared to those did not engage intercourse. However, there was no significant difference of the spontaneous abortion rate between two groups (11.67% 33 vs. 14.63%, P = 0.662).

Conclusions

Sexual intercourse before the day of embryo transfer may improve the clinical pregnancy and implantation rates during the frozen- thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycle. However, it should be noted that patients choose only one time for sexual intercourse, that is, the night before embryo transfer.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER:

This study was registered at the China Clinical Trial Registration Center, with the registration number ChiCTR1800017209.
Assessing the Risk of Crashes on GCC Roads with a Markov-Based Method
Authors: AlKheder Sharaf , Al-Rashidi Moudi 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Road traffic accidents represent a serious problem all over the world, causing several losses in many ways. The situation in United Arab Emirates (UAE) is not an exception. Therefore, this paper was developed providing a frequencies analysis for accidents data within five successive years on Abu Dhabi roads. Markov modeling was used to find the transition probability from either the (week, month, or year) to the next level, and the steady state probability was estimated using a long run probability. Two policies were used to reduce the number of accidents. It was concluded that the sojourn time for the first policy was better than the second one. Therefore, for the monthly and yearly transition probability matrix only the first policy was applied. Further research should consider the total vehicle number to find the accident rates and identify the significant reasons of accidents to determine the suitable actions.
Hemostatic Efficacy of a Flowable Collagen-Thrombin Matrix during Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kim Hyo-Hyun , Lee Kang Ju , Lee Seung Hyun , Kang Dae Ryong , Lee Jun Hyeok , Youn Young-Nam 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background

Flowable hemostatic agents have the advantage of being able to be applied to irregular wound surfaces and difficult to reach areas. We sought to compare the effectiveness and safety of the flowable hemostatic sealants Collastat® (collagen hemostatic matrix, [CHM]) and Floseal® (gelatin hemostatic matrix, [GHM]) during off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB).

Methods

In this prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial, 160 patients undergoing elective OPCAB surgery were enrolled between March 2018 and February 2020. After primary suture of the aortocoronary anastomosis, an area of hemorrhage was identified, and patients received either CHM or GHM (n = 80, each). Study endpoints were the following: proportion of successful intraoperative hemostasis and time required for hemostasis overall postoperative bleeding, proportion of transfusion of blood products, and surgical revision for bleeding.

Results

Of the total patients, 23% were female, and the mean age was 63 years (range: 42–81 years). Successful hemostasis proportion within 5 min was achieved for 78 patients (97.5%) in the GHM group, compared to 80 patients (100%) in the CHM group (non-inferiority p = 0.006). Two patients receiving GHM required surgical revision to achieve hemostasis. There were no differences in the mean time required to obtain hemostasis [GHM vs. CHM, mean 1.49 (SD 0.94) vs. 1.3 (0.60) min, p = 0.272], as confirmed by time-to-event analysis (p = 0.605). The two groups had similar amounts of mediastinal drainage for 24 h postoperatively [538.5 (229.1) vs. 494.7 (190.0) ml, p = 0.298]. The CHM group required less packed red blood cells, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets for transfusion than the GHM group (0.5 vs. 0.7 units per patient, p = 0.047; 17.5% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.034; 7.5% vs. 15.0%, p = 0.032; respectively).

Conclusions

CHM was associated with a lower need for FFP and platelet transfusions. Thus, CHM is a safe and effective alternative to GHM.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT 04310150
The Effect of Whey Protein Concentrates on Technological and Sensory Quality Indicators of Ice Cream
Authors: Gurskiy Igor , Tvorogova Antonina 
Published: October 2022

The demand for protein-fortified foods is increasing, and so is the necessity of the complete utilization of milk constituents in the food industry. The research objective was to study various technological and sensory indicators of ice cream fortified with whey protein concentrate.
The study featured ice cream samples with 8% of mass fraction of fat and 10% of nonfat milk solids with whey protein concentrations of 1–5 %. The dynamic viscosity was studied by rotational viscosimetry, dispersion – by microstructural methods, thermal stability – by thermostatic methods, and titratable acidity – by standard methods.
Whey protein concentrate in amount of 1–5 % increased the titratable acidity by 1.05–1.90 times and the dynamic viscosity – by 1.16–2.90 times. With an extra addition of 4% whey protein concentrate, the viscosity of the mix exceeded the technologically permissible values. The consistency coefficient increased by 19.4 times, and the flow index decreased by 4.8 times. During freezing, the mix revealed the high capability to air saturation with mass fraction of melt whey protein concentrate of 1 and 2%. Thermal stability also increased: mass fraction of melt after 60 min of retention decreased by 3 times. After adding 1–3% whey protein concentrate, the dispersion of air bubbles and ice crystals improved. It was determined in accordance with the density of distribution by their sizes. The hardness of ice cream decreased 1.4–8.3 times as whey protein concentrate increased. A greater mass fraction of whey protein enhanced the creamy taste and improved the texture.
Based on the main technological and sensory quality indicators, the mass fraction of whey protein concentrates should be under 3%. The results may be used in protein-fortified ice cream production.
Biological Safety Assessment of Antarctic Krill Euphausia superba (Dana, 1852) from the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Lazareva Olga , Sytov Aleksandr 
Published: October 2022

The development of the Antarctic krill fishery is a promising direction of Russian food industry. Euphausia superba is the largest source of animal protein in the global oceans. According to the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), the year of 2021 saw a steady increase in the global catch of krill. The Government of the Russian Federation approved a program for the development of the oceanic fishery for crustaceans. The assessment of its biological safety is of particular interest because the extraction of this raw material in Russia is currently undergoing a restoration process. The purpose of the study was to analyze samples of Antarctic krill E. superba for parasites and microorganisms that could affect its sanitary condition.
The study featured the microplankton of E. superba crustaceans (n = 130) caught in 2019–2020 by the Federal Agency for Fishery. The methods included an incomplete helminthological analysis, as well as compressor, microbiological, and histological studies.
The visual inspection, helminthological dissection, and compressor microscopy revealed no helminth larvae or protozoa. In a microbiological study for safety indicators according to CU TR 021/2011, EAEU TR 040/2016 and Sanitary Rules and Norms SanPiN 2.3.2.1078-01, the quantity of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms (QMAFAnM) were did not exceed 1.0×103 at 37 and 25°C. Opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms were not detected. When examining cultivate for the isolation of Staphylococci, were found Cocci, but we did not identify them. When the material was sown on the Sabouraud nutrient medium at 24°C, Penicillium microscopic fungi grew on the plates in the amount of 3.0×102. Histological examination of carapace, gills, and internal organs detected no parasitological organisms, pathological inclusions, or any tissue changes.
The Antarctic krill contained no parasites and was microbiologically safe. After tests on Vibrio parahemolyticus and Listeria monocytogenes, it can be used in the food industry.
Phase Transitions of Sweetened Condensed Milk in Extended Storage Temperature Ranges
Authors: Ryabova Anastasia , Tolmachev Vladislav , Galstyan Aram 
Published: October 2022

Sweetened condensed milk is a popular food in various climatic zones, including those regions where average winter temperature falls below –30°C. Such low temperatures can trigger crystallization because they disrupt the native structure of biopolymers. These processes spoil the quality of sweetened condensed milk. However, no scientific publications feature the cryoscopic temperature of sweet condensed milk or systematize the data on its low-temperature storage.
Sugar, sugar-milk, and milk solutions of various concentrations were frozen to determine their cryoscopic temperature by the thermographic method using a Testo 176T4 meter (Germany) with K-type probes (NiCr-Ni) at –78.5°C. The phase transitions were studied using a Mettler Toledo DCS 822e DSC analyzer.
The nucleation temperature, the cryoscopic temperature, and the subcooling degree depended on the concentration and the type of the solute. For sugar solutions, the cryoscopic temperature varied from –0.4 ± 0.1 to –6.4 ± 0.1°C; for sugar-milk solutions, it ranged from –2.1 ± 0.1 to –10.9 ± 0.1°C; for whole milk solutions, it was from –0.4 ± 0.1 to –4.6 ± 0.1°C. The thermographic method failed to obtain the phase transition and the cryoscopic temperature in analogue models of sweetened condensed milk. The loss of fluidity was about –30°C when the storage time exceeded 2 h. This effect was comparable to 54 min of storage at –35°C. The differential scanning calorimetry meth od showed that the phase transition occurred at –80°C.
This research opens new prospects for differential scanning calorimetry studies of phase transitions in condensed sweetened dairy products.
Alcoholic Drinks with Tomato Products
Authors: Chusova Alla , Zharkova Irina , Korkina Angelina , Pronkina Alena , Khitsenko Viktoria 
Published: October 2022

New alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages from non-traditional vegetable raw materials expand the domestic product range and allow food producers to develop new market segments. The present research objective was to summarize and analyze the current data on the use of tomatoes in alcohol production.
The review covered Russian and foreign open access scientific publications and patents registered in Pubmed, E-library, Cyberleninka, Espacenet, and Patentscope in 2005–2021.
Most publications featured tomato juice in soft drinks production as a means to increase their nutritional value, improve sensory profile, expand the product range, and develop new functional products, e.g., with antioxidant properties, for diabetic consumers, etc. Tomato pulp, juice, or puree is used in beer production. No publications featured the effect of tomato cultivars on the technical properties of the finished product.
The analysis revealed the need to study the effect of red, yellow, and dark tomatoes on the sensory and physico-chemical quality of beer drinks. Another research prospect is a novel semi-finished product from tomato pomace that would increase the nutritional value of beer drinks.
System analysis of water-energy-food nexus of Bundelkhand region, India
Authors: Dhaarna Dhaarna , Devadas Varuvel 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
The challenges in drought-hit Bundelkhand are stemming from policy constraints and insecurity of water, energy, and food resources, which have triggered mass migration, unemployment, indebtedness, and farmer suicide. Among the surveyed households of Banda District, 21% have no electricity, 90% are using fuelwood and cow dung for cooking purposes, 70% are engaged in agriculture, per capita food consumption is very low, and 51% of the households are using less than 40 lpcd (liters per capita per day) of water. The research methodology is unique is tailored to the WEF nexus approach. It analyzes the primary data of 534 households, 33 experts (Delphi Technique), and the secondary data of 189 articles. The Causal Loop Diagrams capture the system's dynamic behavior and establishes interconnectedness of the identified control parameters using the systems approach. Major parameters for agricultural production are productivity, productive area, and cropping intensity, while major water demand comes from agriculture, industrial, and domestic use. The energy sector is identified as the most challenging in this region, and the total generation comes from solar, biogas, fossil fuels, and organic fuels. This study concludes with findings suggesting urgent actions to be taken for regional sustainability and policy recommendations at the local level.
Ranking of general circulation models for Surat City by using a hybrid approach
Authors: Sharma Arpit , Kale Ganesh D. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Climate change is expected to worsen flood risks by increasing precipitation in and around Surat City. Thus, to study the effect of climate change on Surat City's stormwater drainage network, ranking of general circulation models (GCMs) and generation of future annual maximum rainfall series is needed, which has not been performed by any reviewed study and is performed in the present study by using a hybrid approach. The ‘hybrid approach’ refers to the combination of past performance approach used for ranking of GCMs and envelope approach based on future climate projections. To rank 21 GCMs belonging to Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5, a past performance approach is employed by using four performance indicators, which are evaluated on the basis of Surat's simulated and observed monthly rainfall data corresponding to the period 1969–2005. By using an entropy method, weights are assigned to different performance indicators and then ranking of GCMs is performed by employing the TOPSIS method. The top five ranked GCMs are used to generate future annual maximum rainfall series by employing the Reliability Ensemble Averaging method corresponding to Representative Concentration Pathways scenarios 4.5 and 8.5. This study will be helpful for future climate and hydrologic studies to be performed in the study area.
Design, Synthesis, and Anti-Cancer Activity Evaluation of a 3-methyleneisoindolin-
1-One Library
Authors: Mehta Saurabh , Mangyan Mangeram , Brahmchari Dhirendra 
Published: October 2022

Background:
Isoindolin-1-ones are medicinally privileged heterocyclic compounds. Due
to the interesting biological activities exhibited by these compounds, several synthetic and medicinal
research groups have developed numerous synthetic approaches for these compounds. We have
also previously reported two efficient approaches for the synthesis of the isoindolin-1-ones through
iodoaminocyclization of alkynyl amides using n-BuLi and phosphazene superbases.

Objective:
This study aimed to construct a medium-size library of multi-substituted 3-
methyleneisoindolin-1-ones and study its biological profile, specifically anti-cancer activity.

Methods:
Solution phase parallel synthesis was performed for the synthesis of the 3-
methyleneisoindolin-1-ones library through n-BuLi-mediated iodoaminocyclization of 2‑(1-
Alkynyl)benzamides. The iodocyclized products were further derivatized through palladiumcatalyzed
Sonogashira and Suzuki Miyaura couplings and N-alkylation reactions. In silico evaluation
of the physicochemical and ADMET properties was performed to examine the drug-likeness of
the library compounds. Selected isoindolin-1-one analogues were evaluated for in vitro antiproliferative
activity in various human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, A-549, and U-373 MG).

Results:
A library of 46 multisubstituted 3-methyleneisoindolin-1-ones has been synthesized. The
iodo-isoindolin-1-ones were synthesized in 66-76% yields through n-BuLi-mediated iodoaminocyclization
of 2‑(1-Alkynyl)benzamides. Further diversification afforded the diverse library members
in yields of 40–96%. Two of the library compounds exhibited GI50 values of < 10 μM in the human
breast cancer cell line (MCF-7).

Conclusion:
Isoindolin-1-one library was constructed through electrophilic cyclization. The diversification
was successfully performed through various C-C and C-N bond formation reactions. The
anti-proliferative activity of the library members appears to be arising from the interaction of the
compounds with the protein kinase drug targets.