bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nano-encapsulated Yucca extract as feed additives: Ruminal greenhouse gas emissions of three forages
Authors: Botia-Carreño Edwin Oswaldo , Elghandour Mona M. M. Y. , Khusro Ameer , Velazquez Desiderio Rodriguez , Kreuzer-Redmer Susanne , Salem Abdelfattah Z. M.
Published: December 2024

Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from livestock is a crucial step towards mitigating the impact of climate change and improving environmental sustainability in agriculture. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Yucca schidigera extract, chitosan, and chitosan nanoparticles as feed additives on in vitro GHG emissions and fermentation profiles in ruminal fluid from bulls. Total gas, CH4, CO, and H2S emissions (up to 48 h), rumen fermentation profiles, and CH4 conversion efficiency were measured using standard protocols. The experiments involved supplementing 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mL/g dry matter (DM) of additives in different forages (alfalfa hay, corn silage, and oats hay). The chemical composition of forage showed suitable levels of DM, ash, crude protein, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, lignin, and metabolizable energy. The addition of these supplements increased asymptotic gas production across all forages while simultaneously reducing CH4, CO, and H2S emissions, though the extent of reduction varied depending on forage type. Moreover, the treatments improved fermentation profiles, including pH and dry matter digestibility, and significantly influenced CH4 conversion efficiency (CH4:ME, CH4:OM, and CH4:SCFA; P < 0.05). These results underscore the potential of Y. schidigera extract, chitosan, and chitosan nanoparticles as effective strategies for mitigating GHG emissions from ruminants given these promising in vitro findings. Further in vivo studies are recommended to validate their efficacy under real-world conditions, which could pave the way for practical applications in the field.
Suicide risk factors among Lithuanian medical doctors and residents
Authors: Kavaliauskas Povilas , Kazlauskas Evaldas , Smailyte Giedre
Published: December 2024

Background

Medical doctors and residents are regularly exposed to multiple stressors that may lead to mental health problems. Work-related stressors contribute to elevated levels of psychological distress, anxiety, and depression among health care workers. This is the first investigation evaluating suicidal behaviour and thoughts among Lithuanian medical doctors and residents exposed to various professional stressors at two years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the study was to evaluate suicidality and factors associated with high suicide risk in a large sample of Lithuanian medical doctors and residents.

Methods

The research included 685 participants who completed an online questionnaire over a two-month period in December 2021 and January 2022. Medical doctors and residents from all specialties were invited to participate in the survey. The most common stressors in their work environment were measured. Mental health was assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) scale, and suicidality was measured with the Suicidal Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R).

Results

The lifetime suicide risk was found in 30.4% of the sample. Moreover, 11.4% of medical doctors and residents were identified as having previous or current suicide planning ideation, and 2.5% reported a previous suicide attempt. Univariate analysis showed that younger age, having no long-term relationships, shorter work experience, career change ideation, higher depression and anxiety, poor working conditions, at the direct contact with patients, lack of career perspectives, and exposure to mobbing and exhaustion at work were statistically significant risk factors for higher suicidality. Furthermore, regression analysis supported that having no long-term relationship, high depression, and high anxiety were significant risk factors for suicide risk in the sample.

Conclusion

We found out that almost one-third of medical doctors and residents had lifetime suicide ideations and behaviours at the high suicide risk level. Main suicide risk factors were poor mental health, work-related stressors, and a lack of long-term relationships. The results of the study can help to develop prevention strategies by identifying populations that may be at high risk for mental health problems and provide evidence in implementing specific interventions to address mental health problems in healthcare workers.
Quality of registration of antenatal, intrapartum, and newborn information in the Georgian birth registry
Authors: Rylander Charlotta , Manjavidze Tinatin , Nedberg Ingvild Hersoug , Kerselidze Maia , Anda Erik Eik
Published: December 2024

Background

The Georgian Birth Registry (GBR) is a comprehensive digital birth registry covering 99.8% of births nationwide. By law, registration in the GBR is mandatory, with data primarily transferred from medical records (MRs) by designated personnel at medical facilities. We aimed to assess the correspondence of the registration of selected variables between GBR and MRs.

Methods

We randomly selected 1,044 women who gave birth in 2018. Data were extracted from the GBR on 27 variables related to pregnancy, childbirth, and the newborn and individually linked to the MRs. We specifically compared the agreement of dichotomous, ordinal, and date variables between the GBR and the MRs to assess the consistency of individual registrations.

Results

Of the 27 dichotomous, ordinal, and date variables, 22 displayed more than 95% complete agreement with the information in the MRs. The prevalence of maternal morbidity registered in the MRs was lower than expected, while the proportion of fetuses with transverse lies was higher than expected.

Conclusions

Most antenatal, intrapartum, and newborn information registered in the GBR has satisfactory agreement with the MRs, with error typical for single data entry system. The lower-than-expected prevalence of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, hypertensive disorders, and postpartum hemorrhage registered in the MRs, as well as the higher-than-expected prevalence of transverse fetal presentation, warrants in-depth investigation to ensure that the quality of care is satisfactory and to further improve registration in both the MRs and GBR. Therefore, our findings indicate that while the agreement between the GBR and MRs is generally high, MRs are sometimes incomplete or incorrect for certain conditions.
Mechanism of antimicrobial peptide AMP-17 for inhibition of Aspergillus flavus
Authors: Song Dongxu , Chen Mingming , Yang Longbing , Jiao Zhenlong , Peng Jian , Guo Guo
Published: December 2024

Aspergillus flavus is a pathogenic fungus with a broad host range, and its secondary metabolite, aflatoxin, recognized as the world’s first naturally occurring carcinogen. Nonetheless, the current control measures for A. flavus are inadequate, thus, it is imperative to seek alternative control methods for this species. In the present study, we identified an antimicrobial peptide AMP-17, which was found to effectively inhibit the conidial germination, growth, conidiation, and aflatoxin production of A. flavus. Additionally, our investigation revealed that the inhibition of A. flavus by AMP-17 is primarily attributed to increase cell membrane permeability, modify cell surface morphology, and compromise cellular integrity, as observed through flow cytometry and scanning electron microscopy. Transcriptome analysis indicated significant transcriptional changes in several genes associated with cell wall, cell membrane, cell cycle, detoxification, and aflatoxin biosynthesis in response to AMP-17 treatment, suggesting disruption of these cellular processes and pathways in A. flavus. Furthermore, AMP-17 exhibited a broad-spectrum antifungal activity against Aspergillus spp. These findings provide a strong theoretical basis for the potential use of AMP-17 as an effective antifungal agent against A. flavus.
Study on rapid calculation and imaging simulation of aircraft infrared radiation characteristics
Authors: Yang Huicheng , Yang Qingzhen , Shi Yongqiang , Du Xubo , Liu Xinyuan
Published: December 2024

The infrared radiation characteristics of aircraft are a key focus in attack-defense confrontation and early warning detection. A rapid simulation method for calculating the infrared characteristics of targets is proposed by combining the discrete transfer method. By constructing the aerodynamic shape of a Su-27-like aircraft, the flow field parameters and skin temperature under cruise conditions were calculated. The proposed method was used to generate infrared images and calculate infrared radiation intensity at various detection angles, and perform speed tests. The results indicate that this method has high accuracy; the generated infrared image is clear, accurate, and can be used to identify the characteristic attributes of the target. In the pitch detection plane, the total infrared radiation intensity of the aircraft exhibits a “8” distribution, with the fuselage contributing the most (approximately 50%). In the yaw plane, the vertical stabilizer’s infrared radiation intensity shows a lobed distribution, with peaks at 60° and 120°. The method can achieve a calculation speed of four times per second for a single detection angle, meeting real-time processing requirements and providing valuable data for infrared target recognition algorithms.
Patients’ perspectives of tele-physiotherapy in a Nigerian low-resource setting
Authors: Odole Adesola C. , Odunaiya Nse A. , Oyewole Olufemi O. , Akinola Omobola S. , Ogunlana Michael O. , Mbada Chidozie E. , Ekediegwu Ezinne C. , Akinpelu Aderonke O.
Published: December 2024

Background

Tele-physiotherapy, as pertinent to tele-rehabilitation, can facilitate health care continuity and needs to be accepted by both the health care providers and patients. Sufficient understanding of health information by the patient enhances his total participation in the management of his condition. In Nigeria, there is a dearth of published studies on the awareness and knowledge of patients on e-health and patient health education, particularly in tele-physiotherapy. Therefore, this study determined the knowledge, awareness, and perception of tele-physiotherapy among patients receiving physiotherapy in public hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods

The mixed-method study involved quantitative (cross-sectional) and phenomenological qualitative (focus-group discussion [FGD]). The participants for the study were patients receiving physiotherapy care from selected public hospitals in Ibadan, Nigeria. Their knowledge, awareness, and perception (KAP) of tele-physiotherapy were assessed using a standard questionnaire, while the KAP was further explored through FGD.

Results

Almost all the participants (150, 99.3%) lack KAP of tele-physiotherapy. They reported that they were not aware of the term “tele-physiotherapy”. Five themes were generated, which were categorized into subthemes that guided the discussion. The FGD participants were unaware of tele-physiotherapy but have fair knowledge and perception. They were able to identify challenges and facilitators to the implementation of tele-physiotherapy in Nigeria.

Conclusion

Patients receiving physiotherapy in public hospitals in Ibadan have inadequate knowledge and awareness of tele-physiotherapy but fair perception.
Functional disability among Behçet’s disease patients: its relation to disease activity, depression, and fatigue
Authors: Dawa Ghada A. , Toukhey Mirvet A. El , Sherby Nagwa A. , Mohamed Shaimaa A.
Published: December 2024

Background

Patients with Behçet’s disease (BD) who exhibit all of the physical and psychological symptoms and signs are likely to experience difficulties with daily living activities related to BD. The current study aimed to assess several factors that may be related to functional disability among BD patients studying these factors and targeting them to increase physical and mental activity as well as functional ability in the future.

Results

Seventy-four BD patients were included in our study and they were 51 males and 23 females. BD patients had significantly higher Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale component for depression, and for anxiety, and Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue scores than the healthy controls (P = 0.005, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001 respectively). A positive correlation was found significantly between the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire and age (r = 0.2, P = 0.03), the duration of disease (r = 0.3, P = 0.01), disease activity (P = 0.008), and among patients with vascular (P = 0.02) and neurological affection (P = 0.002). Also, there was a highly significant positive correlation with anxiety, depression, and fatigue (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

In BD patients, realizing the relationships between increased disability and aging, female sex, long disease duration, vascular and neurological involvement, different indices of activity, fatigue, anxiety, and depression was detected. Disease activity is one of the most important factors causing disability that should be controlled. Screening for depression, anxiety, and fatigue plus proper treatment is highly valued in promoting patient’s coping with the disease.
Defensive tactics: lessons from Drosophila
Authors: Sadanandappa Madhumala K. , Ahmad Subhana , Mohanraj Robinson , Ratnaparkhi Mrunal , Sathyanarayana Shivaprasad H.
Published: December 2024

Parasitoid wasps exert strong selective pressure on their hosts, driving the evolution of diverse defense strategies. Drosophila, a widely studied model organism, hosts a wide range of parasites, including parasitoid wasps, and has evolved immune and behavioral mechanisms to mitigate the risk of parasitization. These defenses range from avoidance and evasion to post-infection immune responses, such as melanotic encapsulation. In response, parasitoid wasps have developed countermeasures, contributing to an ongoing arms race between host and parasite. This article reviews the anti-parasitoid behaviors of Drosophila, focusing on their role in reducing parasitization and enhancing host survival and fitness. It also explores the molecular and neuronal circuit mechanisms that underlie these behaviors, using Drosophila as an ecologically relevant model for studying host-parasitoid interactions. Furthermore, the article discusses the potential applications of these findings in biological pest control and highlights key unresolved questions in the field.
Impact of distinct dystrophin gene mutations on behavioral phenotypes of Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Saoudi Amel , Mitsogiannis Manuela D. , Zarrouki Faouzi , Fergus Claire , Stojek Erwina , Talavera Silvia , Moore-Frederick Dervla , Kelly Vincent P. , Goyenvalle Aurélie , Montanaro Federica , Muntoni Francesco , Prenderville Jack A. , Sokolowska Ewa , Vaillend Cyrille
Published: December 2024

The severity of brain comorbidities in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) depends on the mutation position within the DMD gene and differential loss of distinct brain dystrophin isoforms (i.e. Dp427, Dp140, Dp71). Comparative studies of DMD mouse models with different mutation profiles may help to understand this genotype−phenotype relationship. The aim of this study was (1) to compare the phenotypes due to Dp427 loss in mdx5cv mice to those of mdx52 mice, which concomitantly lack Dp427 and Dp140; and (2) to evaluate replicability of phenotypes in separate laboratories. We show that mdx5cv mice displayed impaired fear conditioning and robust anxiety-related responses, the severity of which was higher in mdx52 mice. Depression-related phenotypes presented variably in these models and were difficult to replicate between laboratories. Recognition memory was unaltered or minimally affected in mdx5cv and mdx52 mice, at variance with the cognitive deficits described in the original Dp427-deficient mdx mouse, suggesting a difference related to its distinct genetic background. Our results confirm that Dp140 loss may increase the severity of emotional disturbances, and provide insights on the limits of the reproducibility of behavioral studies in DMD mouse models.
Cardiac performance mirrors the passive thermal tolerance range in the oyster Ostrea edulis
Authors: Götze Sandra , Reddin Carl J. , Ketelsen Isabel , Busack Michael , Lannig Gisela , Bock Christian , Pörtner Hans-O.
Published: December 2024

Increasing frequencies of heatwaves threaten marine ectotherm species but not all alike. In exposed habitats, some species rely on a higher capacity for passive tolerance at higher temperatures, thereby extending time-dependent survival limits. Here, we assessed how the involvement of the cardiovascular system in extended tolerance at the margins of the thermal performance curve is dependent on warming rate. We studied organismal and heart tissue cellular responses of the European oyster, Ostrea edulis, challenged by rapid warming (+2°C per hour) and gradual warming (+2°C per 24 h). Starting at 22°C, cardiac activity was monitored as temperature was increased, tracking cardiac performance curves. Hearts were collected at discrete temperatures to determine cardiomyocyte metabolic profiles. Heart rate peaked at a lower Arrhenius breakpoint temperatures (ABT) of 30.5°C under rapid warming versus 33.9°C under gradual warming. However, oysters survived to higher temperatures under rapid than under gradual warming, with half of oysters dying (LT50) by 36.9°C versus 34.8°C, respectively. As rapid warming passed 30°C, heart rate fell and cardiomyocyte metabolic profiles suddenly changed as oysters switched to anaerobic metabolism for survival. By 36°C, severe fluctuations in Krebs cycle-related metabolites accompanied cardiac failure. In contrast, oysters exposed to gradual warming made gradual, extensive adjustments to intracellular metabolic pathways, prolonging aerobic cardiomyocyte metabolism to higher temperatures. This extended survival duration and ABT, beyond which cardiac activity decreased sharply and ceased. Our results emphasize how the rate of warming forces a trade-off between temperature maxima and survival duration, via tissue- and cellular-level impacts. European oysters possess adaptations that enable extended tolerance and survival of intertidal populations.
Effect of hybrid blood purification on nutritional status, inflammation, and cardiovascular events in patients with end-stage renal disease
Authors: Fei Liangyu , Li Hao , Zhang Baowen , Li Chunfeng , Zou Rong
Published: December 2024

Objective: To explore the effects of hybrid blood purification on nutritional status and cardiovascular events in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
Methods: A total of 135 patients with ESRD who received treatment in The Affiliated Nanhua Hospital of Hengyang Medical School from March 2021 to June 2023 were included in this retrospective study. Of them, 66 patients were treated with hemodialysis purification (hemodialysis group), and 69 patients underwent hybrid blood purification (hybrid group). Renal function status, inflammatory cytokine levels, nutritional status, and incidence of cardiovascular events in two groups were compared.
Results: After the treatment, levels of urea nitrogen and blood creatinine in both groups decreased compared to before the treatment, and was significantly lower in the hybrid group compared to the hemodialysis group (P<0.05). Serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in both groups decreased compared to before the treatment, and were significantly lower in the hybrid group (P<0.05). Levels of hemoglobin (Hb), albumin (Alb), and serum ferritin (SF) in both groups increased compared to pretreatment levels, and were significantly higher in the hybrid group (P<0.05). The incidence of cardiovascular events in the hybrid group (2.90%) was lower than that in the hemodialysis group (11.59%) (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Hybrid blood purification can improve nutritional status and renal function of patients with ESRD, downregulate the expression of inflammatory factors, reduce the degree of inflammatory response, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.1.10556
How to cite this: Fei L, Li H, Zhang B, Li C, Zou R. Effect of hybrid blood purification on nutritional status, inflammation, and cardiovascular events in patients with end-stage renal disease. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(1):113-118. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.1.10556
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Efficiency of indocyanine green fluorescence assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Feng Wei , Xiong Xiaoxiao , Wang Qile , Chen Siying , Ma Yao , Zhu Dongming
Published: December 2024

Objective: To analyze the efficacy of indocyanine green fluorescence (ICG-F)-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
Methods: This retrospective study included 120 patients with HCC who underwent laparoscopic hepatectomy in The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from February 2020 to November 2022. Among them, 58 patients underwent conventional laparoscopic surgery (laparoscopic group), and 62 patients underwent ICG-F assisted laparoscopic surgery (ICG-F group). The perioperative conditions, levels of inflammatory factors before and after the operation, levels of liver function indexes, and incidence of complications in the two groups were statistically analyzed.
Results: The perioperative indexes of patients in the ICG-F group improved compared to the laparoscopic group (P<0.05). On the second day after the operation, the inflammatory response in the two groups was significantly higher than before the operation and significantly lower in the ICG-F group compared to the laparoscopic group (P<0.05). Liver function of the two groups decreased two days after the surgery and was markedly lower in the ICG-F group than the laparoscopic group (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the ICG-F group was significantly lower than that in the laparoscopic group (P<0.05).
Conclusions: Compared with conventional laparoscopic surgery, ICG-F-assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy for HCC can reduce surgical injury, alleviate the degree of inflammatory response, protect patients’ liver function, and significantly reduce the risk of complications.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.1.10626
How to cite this: Feng W, Xiong X, Wang Q, Chen S, Ma Y, Zhu D. Efficiency of indocyanine green fluorescence assisted laparoscopic hepatectomy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(1):119-124. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.1.10626
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Therapeutic effect of titanium locking plate combined with suture anchor repair in proximal humeral fractures
Authors: Ye Zhiwei , Chen Mengni , Huang Zhenfeng
Published: December 2024

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effect of titanium locking plate combined with suture anchor (SA) repair in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures (PHF).
Methods: This retrospective study was conducted by analyzing the clinical data of 113 patients with PHF admitted to Wuhan Fourth Hospital from March 2021 to October 2023. Among them, 55 patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation (OR/IF) using titanium locking plate (OR/IF group), and 58 patients underwent surgery with titanium locking plate combined with SA (SA group). Perioperative condition, treatment success rate, shoulder joint function before and after the surgery, shoulder joint range of motion, and incidence of complications were compared between the groups.
Results: Surgery duration and the length of hospital stay of patients in the SA group were significantly shorter than those in the OR/IF group, and the intraoperative blood loss was significantly lower in the SA group than in the OR/IF group (P<0.05). In terms of treatment effect, the SA group was significantly higher than the OR/IF (P<0.05). After the surgery, muscle strength, pain levels, daily living activities, and shoulder joint range of motion scores of both groups improved, and the improvement was more significant in the SA group compared to the OR/IF group (P<0.05). After the surgery, the degrees of internal rotation, forward flexion, backward extension, and external rotation of the shoulder joints in both groups increased compared to pre- surgery levels, and were greater in the SA group compared to the OR/IF group (P<0.05). The incidence of complications in the SA group was lower than that in the OR/IF group (P<0.05).
Conclusions: In patients with PHF, the combination of titanium locking plate and SA has a more significant therapeutic effect than that of titanium locking plate alone, which is associated with improved shoulder joint function and range of motion, and reduced incidence of complications.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.1.11097
How to cite this: Ye Z, Chen M, Huang Z. Therapeutic effect of titanium locking plate combined with suture anchor repair in proximal humeral fractures. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(1):77-82. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.1.11097
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Assessment of attitude towards e-professionalism: Students’ perspectives from a Private Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan
Authors: Saeed Khan Huma , Rabbani Muhammad Ali , Ikram Faiza
Published: December 2024

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the social media practices and attitudes towards e-professionalism among undergraduate medical students in a medical college of Pakistan.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 220 undergraduate medical students from 2nd to final-year MBBS, at CMH Lahore Medical College from March to August 2022. After ethical approval, a printed questionnaire was distributed among students, selected by stratified random sampling technique. Data on demographics, social media usage, and attitudes toward e-professionalism was collected using the pre-validated SMePROF scale. Chi-squared, Fisher’s exact test, and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the results.
Results: Responses from 220 students were analyzed. Most students were active social media users, spending 5.5±4.38 hours daily on Instagram (82.3%) and Facebook (80%). Male students were less likely to accept friend requests from the patients than females (p=0.009). While overall responsible online behavior was observed, attitudes towards e-professionalism varied. Pre-Clinical students were more likely to post pictures from the workplace than Clinical students (p=0.009). Females majorly supported social media bans (p=0.018), while males were more interested in keeping up with trends (p=0.022). Pre-clinical students favored more freedom in using social media for patient interaction (p=0.034).
Conclusion: This study highlights the widespread social media usage among medical students and its impact on e-professionalism. Gender and academic seniority influence social media practices and e-professionalism. These findings emphasize the importance of targeted education and policies to promote more responsible use of social media and e-professionalism in the health sector.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.1.8644
How to cite this: Khan HS, Rabbani MA, Ikram F. Assessment of attitude towards e-professionalism: Students’ perspectives from a Private Medical College in Lahore, Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(1):163-170. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.1.8644
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Association between Emotional Intelligence and Professionalism in Medical Students: The Compassion-Competence Nexus
Authors: Javeria Rehman  , Syed Imran Mehmood
Published: December 2024

Background and Objective: In medical education, the challenging constructs of emotional intelligence and professionalism are increasingly being addressed worldwide and seem to share common characteristic components. The objective of this study was to determine the association between emotional intelligence and professionalism as perceived and self-reported by medical students and to explore the gender difference in these two variables.
Methods: It is a cross-sectional study of eight months duration, from February-September 2019, that included final year medical students at Dow Medical College through convenience sampling. The participants completed the self-reporting questionnaires of trait emotional intelligence and modified professionalism mini evaluation exercise. Pearson correlation coefficient was applied to determine the association between the emotional intelligence and professionalism scores. Independent T test was used to determine the gender difference for these two variables.
Results: Emotional Intelligence and professionalism scores were found to be positively and significantly correlated with moderate strength of association (r =0.412). There was no significant difference of emotional intelligence and professionalism scores of males and females.
Conclusions: Increase in emotional intelligence is associated with the increase in professionalism among medical students.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.1.9748
How to cite this: Rehman J, Mehmood SI. Association between Emotional Intelligence and Professionalism in Medical Students: The Compassion-Competence Nexus. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(1):136-140. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.1.9748
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
A clinical study on the screening efficacy of six thrombotic markers TAT, PIC, TM, t-PAI-C, D-D, and FDP for hypercoagulable state in pregnant women
Authors: Yu Tao , Zhang Wenjuan , Wang Yunshuang , Chen Ran , Luo Shuo
Published: December 2024

Objective: To investigate the screening efficacy of six thrombotic markers for hypercoagulable state (HCS) in pregnant women, including thrombin–antithrombin III complex (TAT), plasmin-alpha-2 plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC), thrombomodulin (TM), tissue-type plasminogen activator inhibitor complex(t-PAI-C), D-dimer(D-D), and fibrinogen degradation products (FDP).
Methods: This was a retrospective study. Eighty-five high-risk pregnant women who underwent antenatal examination at Baoding maternal and Child Health Hospital from December 2022 to September 2023 were included as the observation group, while 85 healthy pregnant women without complications or comorbidities who underwent routine antenatal examinations at our hospital were randomly enrolled as the control group. Analyzed the screening value of these six thrombotic markers in pregnant women at risk of HCS.
Results: The levels of TAT, PIC, TM, FDP, and D-D in the observation group were significantly higher than in the control group (P < 0.05, respectively). Pearson correlation analysis showed a weak correlation between maternal age and TAT levels (r = -0.179, P< 0.05) as well as between BMI and FDP and D-D (r = 0.214, 0.232, P< 0.05, respectively). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that abnormal D-D levels were a risk factor for HCS in pregnant women (OR = 0.117, 95% CI: 0.621–0.639, P< 0.05). The area under the joint curve was 0.757, indicating that the model is of certain predictive value for HCS in pregnant women.
Conclusion: TAT, PIC, TM, t-PAI-C, D-D, and FDP can used for the screening of HCS in pregnant women and have a certain predictive value for high-risk pregnant women.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.1.9755
How to cite this: Yu T, Zhang W, Wang Y, Chen R, Luo S. A clinical study on the screening efficacy of six thrombotic markers TAT, PIC, TM, t-PAI-C, D-D, and FDP for hypercoagulable state in pregnant women. Pak J Med Sci. 2025;41(1):189-193. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.41.1.9755
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Development of a Health Impact Assessment Implementation Model: Enhancing Intersectoral Approaches in Tackling Health Inequalities- A Mixed Methods Study Protocol
Authors: O'Mullane Monica , Kenny Tara , Nash Kirsty , McHugh Sheena M. , Kavanagh Paul , Smith Katherine
Published: December 2024

Public health research presents compelling evidence that health is socially determined. To address structural inequalities and inequities in health, public policies require intersectoral development and implementation. Health Impact Assessment (HIA) is an established approach for analysing potentially detrimental health impacts of policies, programmes, and projects, as well as potentially positive impacts and opportunities. National public health policy, Healthy Ireland (2013–2025), endorses an intersectoral whole-of-system approach to ensure that health is a central part of all relevant policy areas. HIA is endorsed in this policy as one way to drive this agenda. Synergising with this policy commitment for HIA, the all-island Institute of Public Health Ireland produced revised HIA guidance in 2021. Two HIAs will be carried out as part of this project, including one at a local policy level, addressing the Cork City Development Plan (2022–2028), and the second HIA at a national policy level, addressing the Irish Government’s Climate Action Plan (2024). The updated HIA guidance will be used in the conduct of these HIAs. This research project involves a co-creation of a Health Impact Assessment Implementation Model by employing an action research approach with implementation science frameworks to the conduct of the two HIAs. Therefore, the process of doing the HIAs will form the basis for the research study. In order to enhance meaningful community involvement in HIA in Ireland, the project will co-create a Community Engagement Toolkit for HIA. This Model will strengthen researcher, policy actor, practitioner, community, and voluntary sector capacity to collaboratively develop and implement intersectoral and equitable policy responses to major population health issues.
Critical care services in Bagmati province of Nepal: A cross sectional survey
Authors: Aryal Diptesh , Luitel Subekshya , Paudel Sushila , Shakya Roshni , Pandey Janaki , Amatya Isha , Acharya Prashant , Pant Suman , Paneru Hem Raj , Beane Abi , Haniffa Rashan , Gyanwali Pradip
Published: December 2024

Background This study aimed to assess the current status of critical care services in 13 districts of Bagmati Province in Nepal, with a focus on access, infrastructure, human resources, and intensive care unit (ICU) services. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among healthcare workers employed in 87 hospitals having medical/surgical ICUs across Bagmati Province. Data were collected through structured questionnaires administered via face-to-face and telephone interviews. Descriptive analysis was used for data analysis, involving frequencies and percentages. Results From 87 hospitals, a total of 123 ICUs were identified in the province, providing 1167 beds and 615 functioning ventilators. The average ICU bed availability per 100,000 population was 19, ranging from 3.6 in Makwanpur to 33.9 in Kathmandu. Out of 13 districts, 95% of beds were concentrated in just four districts, while six had no ICU facilities. Of the available facilities, 69.9% were owned by private entities. One-to-one nurse-to-ventilated bed ratio was maintained by 63.4% of ICUs during daytime, and 62.6% at nighttime. Furthermore, 74.8% of ICUs had consultants trained in critical care medicine. While essential equipment availability was higher in Bagmati province, gaps existed in the availability of oxygen plants and isolation rooms. Similarly, many ICUs offered continuous medical education and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training, but improvements were necessary in clinical audits, antibiotic stewardship programs, and research engagement. Conclusions Disparities in critical care resources were evident across districts in Bagmati Province, highlighting the need for a balanced and decentralized approach to ensure equitable access to care. Although there were disparities, numerous ICUs were effectively carrying out multiple critical care procedures. This study suggests conducting a nationwide mapping of ICU resources, prioritizing infrastructure development, optimizing resource allocation, and establishing national protocols.
Booster Vaccination against Yellow Fever in Gambian children-(BoVY) -a Phase 3 clinical trial to establish safety and immunogenicity of repeated YF vaccination in healthy Gambian children of different ages
Authors: Kampmann Beate , Pley Caitlin , Strandmark Julia , Leigh Mam Nabou , Ndow Peter , Clarke Ed , Roberts Elishia , Faal Amadou , Jeffries David , Kanteh Ebrima
Published: December 2024

Background Yellow fever (YF) is a mosquito-borne and recently re-emerging viral haemorrhagic fever endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and South America. A highly effective vaccine against YF is licensed and recommended as part of routine childhood immunisation as a single dose at 9 months. Recent observational data demonstrate waning immunity following single primary vaccination and suggest that children in endemic areas may require booster vaccination. Methods This open-label, non-randomised clinical vaccine trial (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05332197, registered on 31 March 2022, URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05332197) will assess the safety and immunogenicity of a booster dose of the licensed 17D YF vaccine in Gambian children. The trial will recruit 750 children in three cohorts of different ages (250 each). All children were vaccinated with the 17D YF vaccine at 9–10 months of age as part of clinical trials run by the Medical Research Council (MRC) Unit The Gambia, and are thus well-characterised, including basic clinical, anthropometric, and post-primary immunogenicity data. The children will receive booster doses at 15 months, 4 years, or 8.5 years. Serum samples will be taken before and 28 days after the booster, with additional sampling for exploratory endpoints in subgroups. Adverse events are solicited for the first three days following vaccination and recorded throughout the study period. The primary objective of the trial is to describe the safety and immunogenicity of the booster in the different age cohorts. Secondary objectives are to characterise the rate of sero-reversion (change from seropositive to seronegative) over a period of 9 months to 8 years following single primary vaccination and to profile the immune response to the booster to explore underlying mechanisms for the longevity of vaccine-induced antibody. Discussion The results of this trial are likely to directly impact WHO recommendations on whether booster vaccination is required for children in endemic areas, and if so, the optimal timing of such a booster.
Association between tumour somatic mutations and venous thromboembolism in the 100,000 Genomes Project cancer cohort: a study protocol
Authors: Cornish Naomi , Westbury Sarah K. , Warkentin Matthew T. , Thirlwell Chrissie , Mumford Andrew D. , Haycock Philip C.
Published: December 2024

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer. There is evidence that specific aberrations in tumour biology contribute to the pathophysiology of this condition. We plan to examine the association between tumour somatic mutations and VTE in an existing cohort of patients with cancer, who were enrolled to the flagship Genomics England 100,000 Genomes Project. Here, we outline an a-priori analysis plan to address this objective, including details on study cohort selection, exposure and outcome definitions, annotation of genetic variants and planned statistical analyses. We will assess the effect of 1) deleterious somatic DNA variants in each gene; 2) tumour mutational burden and 3) tumour mutational signatures on the rate of VTE (outcome) in a pan-cancer cohort. Sensitivity analyses will be performed to examine the robustness of any associations, including adjustment for potentially correlated co-variates: tumour type, stage and systemic anti-cancer therapy. We hope that results from this study may help to identify key genes which are implicated in the development of cancer associated thrombosis, which may shed light on related mechanistic pathways and/or provide data which can be integrated into genetic risk prediction models for these patients.
ANALYSIS OF THE PRESENCE OF TOXINS FROM ESCHERICHIA COLI, CLOSTRIDIUM PERFRINGENS, C. DIFFICILE IN BULK FEEDS OF SAINT-PETERSBURG AND LENINGRAD REGION
Authors: Filippova Valentina A. , Yildirim Elena A. , Ilina Larisa A. , Laptev Georgy Yu. , Dubrovin Andrey V. , Zaikin Vasily A. , Kalitkina Ksenia A. , Dubrovina Alisa S. , Malakhov Ivan G. , Klyuchnikova Irina A.
Published: December 2024

Background. Undesirable microflora can enter forage crops during harvesting with soil, which can contain various pathogenic microorganisms, including clostridia and enterobacteria, which enter it when manure is applied to fields as fertilizer. As a result, the silage may become unsuitable for use as animal feed.
Purpose. Assess the presence of bacterial toxin genes in canned food on farms in the Leningrad region: shiga toxin (stx1, stx 2), intimin (eae), enterohemolysin (ehxA) of enterobacteria; alpha toxin (cpa), beta toxin (cpb) and epsilon toxin (etx) C. perfringens; binary toxin (cdtB), toxin A (tcdA) and B (tcdB) C. difficile.
Materials and methods. The study used molecular biology methods: high-throughput sequencing of a fragment of the 16SpRNA gene to assess the microbial community of silage and PCR to assess the presence of toxin genes in the silage community. Based on the data obtained, a bioinformatics analysis was carried out.
Results. As a result of the analysis of silage samples from most districts of the Leningrad region for the presence of genes for shiga toxin (stx1, stx 2), intimin (eae), enterohemolysin (ehxA) of enterobacteria; alpha toxin (cpa), beta toxin (cpb) and epsilon toxin (etx) C. perfringens; binary toxin (cdtB), toxin A (tcdA) and B (tcdB) C. difficile, silage samples were shown to be contaminated by several genetic determinants of bacterial toxicity using PCR. The genes for intimin, beta toxin and binary toxin were not identified in any of the samples examined. About 32% of the tested feeds were heavily contaminated with toxins. 23% of silos were found to be free of toxins.
Conclusion. The data obtained indicate that rapid acidification of the silage mass by lactobacilli helps to reduce the development of pathogenic enterobacteria and clostridia.
THE USE OF FOREST PRODUCTS IN AGRICULTURE AS A FACTOR IN INCREASING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: Medvedev Sergey O. , Zyryanov Mikhail A.
Published: December 2024

Background. The focus on sustainable development is one of the main global trends of recent times. The desire for sustainability is often perceived ambiguously in Russia. The need to take into account environmental and social factors in the implementation and development of production is universally recognized. However, the practical implementation of certain principles of sustainable development is formal. At the same time, two important sectors of the economy – forestry and agriculture - can and should be leaders in this direction.
Materials and methods. The study was conducted on the basis of an analysis of domestic and foreign scientific literature. In order to identify regions of the country with a high potential for obtaining agricultural products from raw materials obtained during logging, a cluster analysis using the k-means method was carried out. Data processing was carried out using the Office Excel and Statistica 10.0 application software packages and Compas 3D v21.
Results. As a result of the cluster analysis, there were identified the regions of the country with a high potential for obtaining agricultural products from raw materials obtained in the logging process, also there were proposed two key areas for the interaction of the industries under consideration (the use of products in agriculture). The author's development of a mobile installation for the production of coniferous vitamin flour from coniferous tree greens is proposed. The obtained results are novel and can be used from both theoretical and applied points of view.
Conclusion. The study confirmed the hypothesis about the importance and expediency of expanding the interaction between the forestry and agricultural sectors for increasing the sustainability of the development of regions and the country as a whole.
PROBLEMS OF YEAR-ROUND MICROPROPIATION OF STRAWBERRY AND NEW APPROACHES TO THEIR SOLUTION
Authors: Kornatskiy Sergey A.
Published: December 2024

Clonal micropropagation of strawberries can significantly accelerate the start of mass use of new highly productive cultivars. Mostly such material is needed for planting nurseries. However, the discrepancy between the annual working rhythm of the laboratory and the culture development cycle in natural conditions requires solving the problems of ensuring the viability of microplants during the period from late August to early March before planting in the greenhouse. At this time, it is often impossible to provide adequate conditions for the adaptation of microplants due to the low influx of sunlight and the high cost of using artificial sources.
Purpose.The purpose of the study was to develop a new scheme for working with test tube material obtained in the autumn-winter-spring period, which would eliminate the need for its adaptation immediately after the rooting of microcuttings.
Materials and methods. Strawberry cultivars of foreign selection Kimberly, Asia and Florence are studied. Cultivation was carried out on Murashige-Skoog medium at a temperature of 23±1°C, 16-hour photoperiod, illumination of 5-6 kLx. In microplants obtained within 1.5-2 months, after rooting, the formed roots and leaves were removed. Next, they were transplanted in the form of vegetating buds onto fresh medium containing auxin at a concentration of 0.1 mg L-1 for rehabilitation. Planting was carried out with 6-7 vegetating buds in 250 ml flasks.
Results. The restoration of leaves and roots of vegetating buds took place within 20-30 days, and their safety and survival rate was 100%. Subsequent repetitions of this procedure were also successful.
Conclusion.The new technique allows you to accurately plan the release of adapted strawberry microplants throughout the year. The material accumulated in the laboratory can be immediately adapted in a greenhouse with sufficient sunlight.