Matching-Adjusted Indirect Comparison of Recombinant Factor IX Albumin Fusion Protein Versus Recombinant Factor IX Fc Fusion Protein for Weekly Prophylactic Treatment of Hemophilia B.

Introduction: Prophylactic treatment of hemophilia B with recombinant factor IX (rFIX) molecules with enhanced pharmacokinetics including rIX-FP (albutrepenonacog alfa; Idelvion) and rFIXFc (eftrenonacog alfa; Alprolix) have commonly been used in the clinic. In the absence of head-to-head comparative trials, the aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy of rIX-FP versus rFIXFc using matching-adjusted indirect comparisons (MAICs).

Methods: MAIC analyses leveraged individual patient data from the PROLONG-9FP trial and published summary-level data from the B-LONG trial for subjects who received weekly prophylaxis regimens.

Co-Carbonization of Discard Coal with Waste Polyethylene Terephthalate towards the Preparation of Metallurgical Coke.

Waste plastics such as polyethylene terephthalate (w-PET) and stockpiled discard coal (d-coal) pose a global environmental threat as they are disposed of in large quantities as solid waste into landfills and are particularly hazardous due to spontaneous combustion of d-coal that produces greenhouse gases (GHG) and the non-biodegradability of w-PET plastic products. This study reports on the development of a composite material, prepared from w-PET and d-coal, with physical and chemical properties similar to that of metallurgical coke. The w-PET/d-coal composite was synthesized via a co-carbonization process at 700 °C under a constant flow of nitrogen gas.

Dataset prepared for characterization of three South African manganese ores before or after preheating in laboratory-scale rotary kiln.

Manganese ores are the major raw materials utilized in the production of manganese ferroalloys. A common problem in the production of manganese ferroalloys is the lack of knowledge regarding mineralogical and metallurgical properties of manganese ores. Decrepitation, which is described as the breakage or disintegration of the ore particles upon heating, is an important quality parameter of these ores.

Method to determine the decrepitation index of South African manganese ores when heating in a rotary kiln.

Manganese ores are the major raw materials utilized in the production of manganese ferroalloys. Decrepitation, which is described as the breakage or disintegration of the ore particles upon heating in a rotary kiln, is an important quality parameter of these ores. The Decrepitation Index (DI), the parameter used to describe the extent of decrepitation, is described as the ratio of the mass of particles <6 mm after pre-heating to the total mass of the sample.

Tezepelumab compared with other biologics for the treatment of severe asthma: a systematic review and indirect treatment comparison.

Aims: To compare the efficacy of tezepelumab with other approved biologics indirect treatment comparisons (ITCs) in patients aged ≥ 12 years with severe uncontrolled asthma.

Materials And Methods: Data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) identified from a systematic literature review were synthesized using two different ITC approaches: network meta-analysis (NMA) and simulated treatment comparison (STC). Outcomes of interest were annualized asthma exacerbation rate (AAER) and AAER for exacerbations leading to hospitalization.

Indirect treatment comparison of anifrolumab efficacy versus belimumab in adults with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Assess the comparative efficacy of anifrolumab 300 mg versus belimumab 10 mg/kg in adults with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) receiving standard therapy. Population-adjusted simulated treatment comparisons (primary analyses) and matching-adjusted indirect comparisons (supporting analyses) were conducted using individual patient data from TULIP-1/TULIP-2 and summary-level data from BLISS-52/BLISS-76. Compared with belimumab-treated patients, anifrolumab-treated patients were more than twice as likely to achieve a reduction of four or more points in SLE Disease Activity Index 2000 score (simulated treatment comparison odds ratio: 2.

Persistent clotting protein pathology in Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) is accompanied by increased levels of antiplasmin.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2)-induced infection, the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is characterized by acute clinical pathologies, including various coagulopathies that may be accompanied by hypercoagulation and platelet hyperactivation. Recently, a new COVID-19 phenotype has been noted in patients after they have ostensibly recovered from acute COVID-19 symptoms. This new syndrome is commonly termed Long COVID/Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).

SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 induces fibrin(ogen) resistant to fibrinolysis: implications for microclot formation in COVID-19.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2)-induced infection, the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is characterized by unprecedented clinical pathologies. One of the most important pathologies, is hypercoagulation and microclots in the lungs of patients. Here we study the effect of isolated SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 subunit as potential inflammagen sui generis.

Temperature measurement data gathered from off-gas duct of a submerged arc furnace utilised for silicomanganese production.

Blockage of the off-gas duct by dust contained in raw off-gas extracted from a submerged arc furnace (SAF), has been a recurring problem at a South African silicomanganese (SiMn) producer. The problem experienced has prompted an investigation in which sintering of the dust is evaluated as a possible mechanism for the observed blockages. As sintering is heavily dependant on temperature, one of the key factors to the investigation was determining the typical temperatures across the areas of the duct where blockages are commonly observed.

Dataset produced by automated sand-rammer, clay-gun, and plate viscometer for three different tap-hole clays.

In pyrometallurgical furnace operation, tap-hole clay is injected into the tap-hole using a clay-gun. The goals are to stop the metal and/or slag from flowing and to create a seal between the furnace contents and the environment. The rheological properties of the tap-hole clay play an important role in this process.

Prevalence of readily detected amyloid blood clots in 'unclotted' Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and COVID-19 plasma: a preliminary report.

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a well-known comorbidity to COVID-19 and coagulopathies are a common accompaniment to both T2DM and COVID-19. In addition, patients with COVID-19 are known to develop micro-clots within the lungs. The rapid detection of COVID-19 uses genotypic testing for the presence of SARS-Cov-2 virus in nasopharyngeal swabs, but it can have a poor sensitivity.

Erythrocyte, Platelet, Serum Ferritin, and P-Selectin Pathophysiology Implicated in Severe Hypercoagulation and Vascular Complications in COVID-19.

Progressive respiratory failure is seen as a major cause of death in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2)-induced infection. Relatively little is known about the associated morphologic and molecular changes in the circulation of these patients. In particular, platelet and erythrocyte pathology might result in severe vascular issues, and the manifestations may include thrombotic complications.

Covid-19: The Rollercoaster of Fibrin(Ogen), D-Dimer, Von Willebrand Factor, P-Selectin and Their Interactions with Endothelial Cells, Platelets and Erythrocytes.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-Cov-2), also known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced infection, is strongly associated with various coagulopathies that may result in either bleeding and thrombocytopenia or hypercoagulation and thrombosis. Thrombotic and bleeding or thrombotic pathologies are significant accompaniments to acute respiratory syndrome and lung complications in COVID-19. Thrombotic events and bleeding often occur in subjects with weak constitutions, multiple risk factors and comorbidities.

Menstruation experiences of South African women belonging to the ama-Xhosa ethnic group.

A growing body of research has emphasised the salience of cultural beliefs and traditional practices to women's experiences of menstruation. Relatively less research has, however, been undertaken in South Africa. This study explored the experience of menstruation among women from the ama-Xhosa ethnic group, one of the largest ethnic groups in the country.

Predictors of burnout among HIV nurses in the Western Cape.

Background: Burnout has been implicated as one of the reasons for key healthcare personnel, such as nurses, leaving their profession, resulting in insufficient staff to attend to patients.

Objective: We investigated the predictors of three dimensions of burnout, namely emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation and personal accomplishment, among nurses in South Africa attending to patients living with HIV.

Method: Participants were recruited at a large tertiary hospital in the Western Cape region, with the help of the assistant director of nursing at the hospital.

Treatment Outcomes in CML Patients Treated With Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors at a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in South Africa.

Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has become one of the most treatable hematologic neoplasms since the advent of the tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), but it was not known if similar treatment outcomes could be achieved in a resource-limited country. We tested the hypothesis that, despite challenges to access to second-generation TKIs, excellent responses could be replicated in the setting of limited resources.

Patients And Methods: Records of 58 patients with newly diagnosed CML in the chronic phase treated with TKIs at a tertiary teaching hospital in Cape Town, South Africa between 2003 and 2012 were reviewed and assessed according to European LeukemiaNet (ELN) criteria.

Evaluation of butorphanol, medetomidine and midazolam as a reversible narcotic combination in free-ranging African lions (Panthera leo).

Objective: To evaluate the effects of the combination butorphanol, medetomidine and midazolam (BMM) and its reversibility in lions.

Study Design: Prospective clinical trial.

Animals: Thirty free-ranging lions, 10 male and 20 female, weighing 81-210 kg.

The origin of an unusually large 19F chemical shift difference between the diastereomeric alpha-cyano-alpha-fluoro-p-tolylacetic acid (CFTA) esters of 3',4',5,7-tetra-O-methylepicatechin.

During a study on the relationship between the (19)F chemical shift difference for the diastereomeric alpha-cyano-alpha-fluoro-p-tolylacetic acid (CFTA) esters of chiral secondary alcohols and the absolute configurations of the alcohols, an unusually large 19F chemical shift difference has been observed for the CFTA esters of 3',4',5,7-tetra-O-methylepicatechin. This large chemical shift difference has been reproduced by ab initio calculations of molecular geometry and GIAO calculations of 19F chemical shifts on the stable conformations of the diastereomeric alpha-cyano-alpha-fluorophenylacetic acid (CFPA) esters of cis-flavan-3-ol as model systems. The origin of the large chemical shift difference has been further investigated using NBO analysis.

Identification of two novel promelacacinidin dimers from Acacia nigrescens.

Two new flavanol-flavonol C(4)(C) to C(5)(D) linked promelacacinidin dimers were isolated from the heartwood of Acacia nigrescens. Their structures were elucidated by extensive (1)H and (13)C NMR spectroscopic studies, and the main conformational features are discussed.

An isoflavanoid-neoflavonoid and an O-methylated isoflavone from the heartwood of Dalbergia nitidula.

An isoflavanoid (6-->2) neoflavonoid dimer and a 4',5',7-trihydroxy-2'-methoxyisoflavone, both as the acetate derivatives were isolated from the heartwood of Dalbergia nitidula. Their structures were established by spectroscopic methods.

(S)- and (R)-eriodictyol-6-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside, novel keys to the fermentation of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis).

The processed leaves and stems of Aspalathus linearis contain a new diastereomeric pair of the flavanones, (S)- and (R)-eriodictyol-6-C-beta-D-glucopyranoside, which is also formed via the oxidative cyclization of the dihydrochalcone, aspalathin, under conditions which mimic the fermentation process.

Tyrosinase catalysed biphenyl construction from flavan-3-ol substrates.

Mushroom tyrosinase catalysed oxidation of three flavan-3-ols, viz. catechin, fisetinidol and mesquitol, was conducted to construct biphenyl bonds. Exposure of the flavan-3-ols to tyrosinase and subsequent trapping of the o-quinone intermediates resulted in the formation of novel flavan-3-ol derivatives, the structures of which were elucidated by mono- and two-dimensional 1H-NMR experiments.

Treatment of male urethral strictures: is repeated dilation or internal urethrotomy useful?

Purpose: We evaluate the efficacy of repeated dilation or urethrotomy as treatment of male urethral strictures.

Materials And Methods: Between January 1991 and January 1994, 210 men with proved urethral strictures were prospectively randomized to undergo filiform dilation (106) or internal urethrotomy (104). Followup was scheduled at 3, 6, 9, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months.

Outpatient treatment for male urethral strictures--dilatation versus internal urethrotomy.

Male patients with proven urethral strictures (total 210) were prospectively randomised to undergo either dilatation (106 patients) or internal urethrotomy (104 patients) as an outpatient procedure under local anaesthesia. The incidence of complications or failure during the performance of the procedure did not differ significantly between the two treatment groups. Complications or failure in performing urethral dilatation were significantly more common in patients who presented with retention or complications compared with symptoms only, and in those with a positive compared with negative urine cultures.