bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of Commiphora mollis (Oliv.) Engl. resin
Authors: Molole Guyo Jilo , Gure Abera , Abdissa Negera
Published: June 2022

In this study, total phenolic contents (TPC) and antioxidant activity of Commiphora mollis (Oliv.) Engl. (Burseraceae) resin were investigated. The resin was extracted using petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol to give 27.46 ± 0.48, 46.56 ± 0.42, and 53.00 ± 1.39% extractable solids, respectively. The Folin–Ciocalteu (F–C) redox assay was optimized considering relevant parameters such as reaction time, maximum wavelength, and sample dilution effect before the determination of TPC. The concentration of antioxidants necessary to decrease by 50% the initial concentration of DPPH (EC50) was determined at 60 min. The reaction kinetics was analyzed using the pseudo-first-order kinetics model. For the F–C assay, the optimum conditions for the maximum absorbance and analysis time were 760 nm and 30 min, respectively. Under these conditions, the method exhibited good sensitivity and linear instrumental responses over wide ranges of concentrations. The highest TPC;168.27 ± 3.44, 137.43 ± 1.32, and 136.16 ± 0.42 mgGAE/g were recorded in the diluted samples (500 µg/mL) of methanol, chloroform, and petroleum ether extracts, respectively. By using different concentrations of the test sample, exhaustive reduction of phenolics and/or antioxidant substrates was achieved. Regarding the DPPH radical scavenging capacity, the EC50 values for methanol, chloroform, and petroleum ether extracts were 295.03 ± 3.55, 342.75 ± 9.72, and 353.69 ± 7.30 µg/mL, respectively. The standard (l-ascorbic acid), however, exhibited much lower EC50 value (44.72 ± 0.48 µg/mL). The methanol extracts showed kinetic behavior (k2 values,115.08 to 53.28 M−1 s−1; steady-state time, < 29 min) closer to that of l-ascorbic acid (k2 values, 190 to 109 M−1 s−1; steady-state time, < 16 min), than other two extracts (k2 values,14 to 28 M−1 s−1; steady-state time, 63 to 130 min). For all tested samples, the rate of the DPPH radical scavenging increases with concentration from 50 to 250 µg/mL. The current study demonstrated that the polar solvent (methanol) extract has a better F–C reducing capacity and DPPH radical scavenging activity than the nonpolar solvents extracts. This could be due to phenolics and other oxidation substrates extracted by methanol from the C. mollis resin. For a better understanding of the antioxidant constituents of the resin, a further study including isolation of its compounds is recommended.
Characteristics of internal oblique muscle strain in professional baseball players: a case series
Authors: Komatsu Shuro , Kaneko Hironori , Nagashima Masaki
Published: June 2022

Background

Internal oblique muscle strains can develop in professional baseball players, rendering the players unable to continue playing for a certain period. However, the characteristics of this injury are not well known. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the details of the injury and the post injury course of internal oblique muscle strain in professional baseball players.

Methods

The subjects were members of a single Japanese professional baseball team with a total of 188 players (81 fielders and 107 pitchers) who developed internal oblique muscle strains from January 2012 to December 2021. The diagnosis of muscle strain was made on the basis of local pain and magnetic resonance imaging findings. The incidence of internal oblique muscle strain, the details of the site of the injury, and the time to return to play were examined.

Results

There were 28 cases in 23 players (12.2%) of internal oblique muscle strain. The players were 16 fielders (24.7%) and 7 pitchers (7.5%), with a significantly greater incidence in fielders (p = 0.001). Although internal oblique muscle strain was more common on the side contralateral to the batting or pitching side, it occurred on either side. Most of the injury sites were at the region of the muscle insertion to the lower ribs. At a mean time of 36.5 months after the initial injury, 5 players (21.7%) developed another internal oblique muscle strain. The mean time to return to play was 27.7 ± 9.7 days (range, 4–53 days).

Conclusions

Baseball players who have symptoms at the side of the trunk should be regarded as having possible internal oblique muscle strain, and proactive examination should be considered.
Fossil fuel dependence and energy insecurity
Authors: Mayer Adam
Published: June 2022

Background

Access to reliable energy services is increasingly seen as a prerequisite for well-being and human development. Copious research documents the negative consequences that occur when nations specialize in natural resource production, creating a “natural resource curse” or “paradox of plenty”. In this analysis, we evaluate how natural resource dependence, measured as oil and gas production, impacts energy security.

Results

Using entropy-balanced fixed effects models, we find that oil and coal production is not associated with shorter times to establish a connection to the electricity grid, fewer outages, or improve electricity access among the population.

Conclusions

Nations that produce oil and coal do not seem to have better energy insecurity as a result, representing a distributional inequality. Fossil fuel-producing nations should consider implementing policies that would allow them to retain more wealth from fossil fuel production.
Protective and health-promoting impact of Washingtonia filifera oil on the kidney of STZ-induced diabetic mice
Authors: El-Beeh Mohamed E. , El-Badawi Ashraf A. , Qari Sameer H. , Ramadan Mohamed Fawzy , Filfilan Wessam M.
Published: June 2022

Diabetes kidney damage (DKD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the kidney induced with continuous hyperglycemia as the most prevalent consequence of diabetes. Washingtonia filifera seed oil (WFO) was used as a traditional medicine to cure various diseases in ancient Saudi. This work was carried out to investigate the potential protective impact of WFO against DKD on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetic mice (C57BL/6 mice). The mice were randomly split into groups: C, C + WFO (200 mg/Kg B.W.), T2D, and T2D + WFO (200 mg/Kg B.W.). Diabetes was created in mice groups except for the control group after 6 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) feeding. Treatments with STZ (60 mg/kg body weight) were administered three times for 6 weeks, and after that, mice were sacrificed. Kidney tissues and serum were obtained to analyze levels of insulin, metabolism of lipids [triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and free fatty acids (FFA)], antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)], creatine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). In addition, H&E staining had been used to investigate the histological changes of the kidneys. In T2D mice, WFO corrected aberrant serum lipids (TG, TC, HDL, LDL, and FFA), elevated antioxidative enzyme levels (CAT, SOD, and GPx), and inhibited GST to various degrees. In addition, WFO improves kidney pathological traits such as fibrosis of the kidney, hypertrophy of glomeruli, and basement membrane thickness of glomeruli. Through hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory actions, WFO might ameliorate diabetic alterations in T2D mice. WFO could significantly reduce AGE buildup in the T2D mice kidneys, therefore alleviating kidney oxidative stress and inflammatory kidney damage.
Soil-derived bacteria endow Camellia weevil with more ability to resist plant chemical defense
Authors: Zhang Shouke , Li Zikun , Shu Jinping , Xue Huaijun , Guo Kai , Zhou Xudong
Published: June 2022

Background

Herbivorous insects acquire their gut microbiota from diverse sources, and these microorganisms play significant roles in insect hosts’ tolerance to plant secondary defensive compounds. Camellia weevil (Curculio chinensis) (CW) is an obligate seed parasite of Camellia oleifera plants. Our previous study linked the CW’s gut microbiome to the tolerance of the tea saponin (TS) in C. oleifera seeds. However, the source of these gut microbiomes, the key bacteria involved in TS tolerance, and the degradation functions of these bacteria remain unresolved.

Results

Our study indicated that CW gut microbiome was more affected by the microbiome from soil than that from fruits. The soil-derived Acinetobacter served as the core bacterial genus, and Acinetobacter sp. was putatively regarded responsible for the saponin-degradation in CW guts. Subsequent experiments using fluorescently labeled cultures verified that the isolate Acinetobacter sp. AS23 can migrate into CW larval guts, and ultimately endow its host with the ability to degrade saponin, thereby allowing CW to subsist as a pest within plant fruits resisting to higher concentration of defensive chemical.

Conclusions

The systematic studies of the sources of gut microorganisms, the screening of taxa involved in plant secondary metabolite degradation, and the investigation of bacteria responsible for CW toxicity mitigation provide clarified evidence that the intestinal microorganisms can mediate the tolerance of herbivorous insects against plant toxins.
Dissolved organic compounds in geothermal fluids used for energy production: a review
Authors: Leins Alessio , Bregnard Danaé , Vieth-Hillebrand Andrea , Junier Pilar , Regenspurg Simona
Published: June 2022

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) can be found in a variety of deep subsurface environments such as sedimentary basins, oil fields and mines. However, the origin, composition and fate of DOM within deep geothermal reservoirs used for energy production is relatively unknown. With well depths reaching a few kilometers, these sites give access to investigate deep subsurface environments. Natural DOM as well as artificial DOM (e.g., from chemical scaling inhibitors) might serve as nutrients for microorganisms or affect chemical properties of the fluids by complexation. Its composition might reveal hydraulic connections to organic-rich strata, giving insights to the fluid flow within the reservoir. This review presents an overview of a total of 143 fluid samples from 22 geothermal sites (mainly central Europe), from the literature and compiling data to address the importance of DOM in geothermal fluids and how it might affect geothermal operation. The environmental conditions of the sites included varied greatly. Temperatures range from 34 to$$200\,^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$200∘C, depths from 850 to 5000 m, chloride content from 0.1 to$$160\,{\hbox {g}\,\hbox {L}^{-1}}$$160gL-1, and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations from 0.1 to$$30.1\,{\hbox {g}\,\hbox {L}^{-1}}$$30.1gL-1. The DOC concentrations were found to be generally lower in the fluids with temperatures below$$80\,{}^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$80∘C. DOC concentrations were higher in fluids with temperatures above$$80\,{}^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$80∘Cand showed a decrease towards$$200\,{}^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$200∘C. Microbial degradation might be the main driver for low DOC concentrations in the lower temperature range (below$$80\,{}^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$80∘C), while thermal degradation likely accounts for the decline in DOC in the temperature region between$$80\,{}^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$80∘Cand$$200\,{}^{\circ }\hbox {C}$$200∘C. This review shows that DOM can be found in a variety of geothermal reservoirs and that it could be an additional essential tool to better understand fluid chemistry and reservoir conditions, and to optimize geothermal operation.
Exploring fungal RiPPs from the perspective of chemical ecology
Authors: Ford R. E. , Foster G. D. , Bailey A. M.
Published: June 2022

Since the initial detection, in 2007, of fungal ribosomally synthesised and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs), this group of natural products has undergone rapid expansion, with four separate classes now recognised: amatoxins/phallotoxins, borosins, dikaritins, and epichloëcyclins. Largely due to their historically anthropocentric employment in medicine and agriculture, novel fungal proteins and peptides are seldom investigated in relation to the fungus itself. Therefore, although the benefits these compounds confer to humans are often realised, their evolutionary advantage to the fungus, the reason for their continued production, is often obscure or ignored. This review sets out to summarise current knowledge on how these small peptide-derived products influence their producing species and surrounding biotic environment.
When the local encounters the global: aesthetic conflicts in the Chinese traditional music world
Authors: Yu Jiaxuan
Published: June 2022

Through a case study of the Chinese traditional music world, this study explores how artists in different specializations within an art world working on an indigenous art form make sense of divergent aesthetics. By adopting both Becker’s (Art worlds: 25th anniversary edition, updated and expanded, University of California Press, Berkeley, 2008) view of art worlds as substantially existing communities shared by artistic individuals and Bourdieu’s (Poetics 12(4–5):311–356, 1983) emphasis on artistic divergences stemming from broader social structures, I build a theoretical framework regarding how implicit aesthetic conflicts coexist with explicit collaborations in an art world. Under the impact of cultural globalization, the Chinese traditional music world’s conventions have experienced a historical revolution. Since then, music performers enact frames to defend the aesthetics that they consider “traditional” that emphasize stability in terms of the musical content but that have highly idiosyncratic styles of performance. However, other types of musicians—namely those involved in composing, conducting, theoretical research—are more likely to enact frames defending aesthetics that express a willingness to “Westernize” based on their understandings and emphasize on innovation in terms of musical content and systematic and routinized styles of performance. Their framings shape their different reactions to their art world’s conventions. By analyzing this process, I show how local–global dynamics constitute aesthetic conflicts in an art world that is often considered highly local and traditional.
Biocompatible carbonized iodine-doped dots for contrast-enhanced CT imaging
Authors: Jeong Yohan , Jin Minyoung , Kim Kyoung Sub , Na Kun
Published: June 2022

Background

Computed tomography (CT) imaging has been widely used for the diagnosis and surveillance of diseases. Although CT is attracting attention due to its reasonable price, short scan time, and excellent diagnostic ability, there are severe drawbacks of conventional CT contrast agents, such as low sensitivity, serious toxicity, and complicated synthesis process. Herein, we describe iodine-doped carbon dots (IDC) for enhancing the abilities of CT contrast agents.

Method

IDC was synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal synthesis for 4 h at 180 ℃ and analysis of its structure and size distribution with UV–Vis, XPS, FT-IR, NMR, TEM, and DLS. Furthermore, the CT values of IDC were calculated and compared with those of conventional CT contrast agents (Iohexol), and the in vitro and in vivo toxicities of IDC were determined to prove their safety.

Results

IDC showed improved CT contrast enhancement compared to iohexol. The biocompatibility of the IDC was verified via cytotoxicity tests, hemolysis assays, chemical analysis, and histological analysis. The osmotic pressure of IDC was lower than that of iohexol, resulting in no dilution-induced contrast decrease in plasma.

Conclusion

Based on these results, the remarkable CT contrast enhancement and biocompatibility of IDC can be used as an effective CT contrast agent for the diagnosis of various diseases compared with conventional CT contrast agents.
Assessment of molluscicidal and larvicidal activities of CuO nanoparticles on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails
Authors: Ibrahim Amina Mohamed , Abdel-Ghaffar Fathi A. , Hassan Hassan Abdel-Malek , Fol Mona Fathi
Published: June 2022

Background

Schistosomiasis is a major, but generally overlooked, tropical disease carried by snails of the genus Biomphalaria, which have a large distribution in Egypt. Control of the intermediate host snail is critical in limiting schistosomiasis spread. On the topic of snails’ management, nanotechnology has gained more interest.

Results

Copper oxide nanoparticles, characterised by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, showed a single crystal structure with an average crystallite size around 40 nm by X-ray diffraction and typical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image. Also, the UV–VIS spectrophotometer displayed a sharp absorption band of CuO NPs. Molluscicidal activity of copper oxide nanoparticles against B. alexandrina snails was observed. Following exposure to CuO NPs (LC50 and LC90 was 40 and 64.3 mg/l, respectively), there was a reduction in the growth and reproductive rates of treated B. alexandrina at the sub-lethal concentrations, as well as, a drop in egg viability. Moreover, CuO NPs exhibited a toxic effect on miracidiae and cercariae of S. mansoni. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations of the head-foot and mantle of control and treated snails to the sub-lethal concentrations of CuO NPs (LC10 15.6 mg\l–LC25 27.18 mg\l) indicated morphological alterations in the ultrastructure.

Conclusions

CuO NPs caused a significant effect against the intermediate hosts of S. mansoni and provide a considerable scope in exploiting local indigenous resources as snail molluscicidal agents.
Fumarate Hydratase is a Novel Gene for Familial Non-Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Alzahrani Ali S , Alswailem Meshael , Alghamdi Balgees , Al-Hindi Hindi
Published: June 2022

Context

The majority of cases of epithelial cell-derived thyroid cancer are sporadic. Familial non-medullary thyroid cancer (FNMTC) occurs in about 5% to 9% of cases, either as a part of known syndromes such as Cowden syndrome or in the form of familial clustering of 2 or more affected family members. Hereditary leiomyoma and renal cell cancer (HLRCC) syndrome is a rare familial cancer syndrome. The underlying etiology is heterozygous germline mutations of the fumarate hydratase (FH) gene. In addition to extensive uterine and skin leiomyomas and RCC, other tumors may arise in this syndrome. However, thyroid cancer has never been described as part of HLRCC. Here, we describe a woman who presented with an aggressive poorly differentiated thyroid cancer (PDTC) and was found to have HLRCC syndrome because of a novel heterozygous germline FH mutation.

Results

A 43-year-old woman presented with a large lower neck mass that was found to be PDTC. During her evaluation, she was found to have extensive uterine leiomyomatosis and bilateral adrenal nodules. Whole exome and subsequent Sanger sequencing of leucocyte DNA revealed a novel monoallelic nonsense FH mutation (c.760C>T, p.Q254*). Sequencing of the thyroid tumor tissue showed a biallelic loss at the same mutation site (loss of heterozygosity) and immunohistochemistry of the PDTC showed loss of FH staining in the tumor tissue, indicating the pathogenic role of this mutation in the development of PDTC in this patient.

Conclusion

Thyroid cancer is a novel feature of the FH-related HLRCC syndrome. This syndrome can be added to the rare genetic causes of syndromic FNMTC.
Effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with customized tumor-type total knee arthroplasty on immune function and limb function in the treatment of malignant bone tumors around the knee joint
Authors: Zhang Xu , Lang Zhigang , Wang Yitian
Published: June 2022

Objectives: To explore the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with customized tumor-type total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on immune function and limb function in the treatment of malignant bone tumors around the knee joint.

Methods: Sixty-one patients with malignant bone tumors around the knee joint treated in Sichuan Provincial Orthopedics Hospital from February 2018 to February 2020 were retrospectively enrolled and divided into two groups according to treatment methods. The differences in immune function indexes before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. And their postoperative complications were recorded.

Results: Before treatment, no significant difference can be observed in the comparison, values between the two groups (P>0.05); After treatment, the levels in Group-A were higher than before treatment (P<0.05), but the levels were not different from those before treatment (P>0.05). In contrast, the levels in Group-B were higher than before treatment and higher than that in Group-A, while the level of CD8+ was lower than before treatment and lower than that in Group-A (P<0.05). At six months postoperatively, no significant difference was observed in the excellent and good rate of limb function between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no differences in the incidence of postoperative prosthesis complications and the incidence of adverse chemotherapy reactions between the two groups (P>0.05)

Conclusion: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with customized tumor-type TKA for knee malignant bone tumors is an excellent safety treatment for malignant bone tumors around the knee joint, boasting a variety of benefits, such as significantly ameliorating the immune function of patients and promoting the recovery of limb function, which is worthy of clinical application.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5433

How to cite this:Zhang X, Lang Z, Wang Y. Effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with customized tumor-type total knee arthroplasty on immune function and limb function in the treatment of malignant bone tumors around the knee joint. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5433

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.
Five years’ retrospective analysis of childhood ocular morbidities: A priority setting guidelines for pediatric eye clinic
Authors: Bukhari Sadia , Azam Shua , Ahsan Shahid , Mahmood Tauseef , Memon Muhammad Saleh , Haseeb Uzma , Arslan Muhammad
Published: June 2022

Objectives: To observe patterns of Pediatric eye diseases over five years 2015-19, to improve management of ophthalmic pediatric units in the developing countries.

Methods: It was an observational, cross-sectional study carried out in a tertiary eye care Hospital, Karachi. Records of the children under 16 years of age from 2015 to 2019 were retrieved. Inclusion criteria included complete records with age, gender of the children, symptoms, examination, investigation if necessary, and diagnosis. All incomplete records were excluded.

Results: A total of 35348 records with 55.17% boys and 44.82% girls were analyzed. Similar gender difference was reflected in disease frequency. Seven percent of the children did not have detectable ocular pathology. Conjunctivitis, refractive errors and squint were the three most common ocular morbidities observed in decreasing order of frequency as 32.67%, 20.08% and 14.7% respectively. Cataract was present in 4.51%, Corneal disease in 4.11%, Retinal pathology in 1.04%, Glaucoma in 0.49% cases; but Retinoblastoma was present in 55 cases and ROP in 4 cases only. Almost 60% of the children had simple ocular problems like conjunctivitis, refractive error and absence of any pathology.

Conclusion: Majority of the children attending pediatric ophthalmology had simple problems manageable at primary health facility level. Strengthening of the primary health care facility will reduce considerable burden of pediatric unit at the tertiary level. Optometrists and orthoptists are important members of the team for refraction and squint management.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5441

How to cite this:Bukhari S, Azam S, Ahsan S, Mahmood T, Memon MS, Haseeb U, et al. Five years’ retrospective analysis of childhood ocular morbidities; A priority setting guidelines for pediatric eye clinic. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5441

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.
Specialty preferences and factors affecting the choices of postgraduate specialty among undergraduate medical students
Authors: Mohamed Elsadig Yousif
Published: June 2022

Objectives: To study specialties preference of the students at the College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia; and to determine the factors that affect the choice of their postgraduate specialty.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 138 undergraduate medical students at the College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia for the current academic year 2021-2022. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24, and a Chi-square test was utilized to compare qualitative data.

Results: Internal medicine is the first choice for 16 (19.8%) students. General surgery and family medicine were selected by 15 (18.5%) and 12 (14.8%) students, respectively. Sixty-seven (82.7%) students relied on their selection of a good future guaranteed by specialty, and 48 (49.3%) selected challenging specialty; 64 (79.0%) were motivated by a practicing doctor for their future specialty selection and 54 (66.7%) by their families.

Conclusions: Most preferred specialty for medical students is internal medicine followed by general surgery. Both genders preferred internal medicine as their future specialty. Some important specialties such as public health and basic medical sciences were not selected as a future specialty by any student. The most stated reason behind specialty selection is the provision for a good future. Most students are motivated by a practicing doctor to select a postgraduate specialty.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5571

How to cite this:Mohamed EY. Specialty preferences and factors affecting the choices of postgraduate specialty among undergraduate medical students. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5571

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.
Diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein to rule out infectious complications following hip fracture surgery
Authors: Ahmed Syed Kamran , Shahzad Muhammad Gulfam , Iftikhar Sundus
Published: June 2022

Background and Objective: Knowledge of the C-reactive protein trend and deviation from the expected value may give an early indication of a possible postoperative infection. According to previous studies, CRP appears to be a more sensitive and specific marker of postoperative infections than ESR and white cell count. This study was conducted to determine the diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein to rule out surgical site infection in patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at The Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi from July 1, 2018 to February 24, 2020. All operative hip fracture patients aged 11-90 years were included. CRP was done on admission, days 3, 14 and 28. Wound assessment was done using the criteria of the Center of Disease Control and prevention on postoperative days 3, 14 and 28. Data was analyzed using STATA version 16.

Results: Out of 152 patients, 11(7.2%) developed infection. One patient (0.7%) presented with the infection on day three post-surgery, eight (5.3%) and two (1.3%) patients on days 14 and 28 respectively. CRP levels at admission had poor diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing infection at 14th and 28th day post-surgery respectively (AUC=0.490 and 0.447). CRP levels measured on post-op Day-3 (cutoff value 230mg/dl) had good diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing infection at 14th and 28th day post-surgery respectively (AUC=0.819 and 0.818).

Conclusion: CRP level at post-operative day three is a sensitive indicator of infection after hip fracture surgery.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5577

How to cite this:Ahmed SK, Shahzad MG, Iftikhar S. Diagnostic accuracy of C-reactive protein to rule out infectious complications following hip fracture surgery. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5577

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.
Effect of donor and red blood cells concentrate characteristics on recipient hemoglobin increment following red blood cells transfusion in pediatric patients
Authors: Saqlain Nazish , Mazher Naghmana , Arshad Sundas , Sajjal Maha
Published: June 2022

Objectives: To determine the effects of donor and red blood cells concentrate characteristics on recipient hemoglobin increment following red blood cells transfusion in pediatric patients.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at The Hematology & Transfusion Medicine Department of The UCHS & The Children’s Hospital, Lahore from 23rd December 2020 to 31st July 2021 after Institutional Ethical committee approval. After taking informed consent from parents/guardians, One hundred recipients receiving RBCs unit transfusion studied along with the respective donors. The donor’s details were recorded on a pre-designed proforma which included age, gender, Body Mass Index (BMI), CBC analysis (Hemoglobin [Hb] & Hematocrit) and blood group. Components’ preparation, storage and modifications details were also recorded. Hb levels of recipient were determined 12 hours prior to transfusion and 12-18 hours after transfusion. The data was analyzed on SPSS version 26.

Results: Among recipients, the mean age was 5.25 ±3 years and male to female ratio was 1.16:1. The mean pre-transfusion Hb level of patients was 6.48g/dl (SD: 2.15) and mean post transfusion Hb was 8.824 g/dl (SD: 2.03) with a significant raise after transfusion (p< 0.001). Majority donors (60%) were between 18 to 30 years of age and mean age was 30.7 years (SD: 9.04). The hemoglobin increment was reduced for transfusion of RBC units from donor with greater age. Post- transfusion Hb rise was more in Rh D positive donations than Rh D negative (p< 0.0001). No significance of donors’ gender, BMI, Hb and hematocrit was found in relation to Hb increment. Among RBCs concentrate features, washing with normal saline found to have greater Hb increment, particularly in Thalassemia patients (p< 0.0001).

Conclusion: Donors’ age and Rh blood group and red blood cell concentrates’ washing accounts for significant rise in recipient’s post-transfusion hemoglobin. These factors may be used to predict changes in recipients’ hemoglobin before transfusion.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5739

How to cite this:Saqlain N, Mazher N, Arshad S, Sajjal M. Effect of donor and red blood cells concentrate characteristics on recipient hemoglobin increment following red blood cells transfusion in pediatric patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(6):---------.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.6.5739

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.
Immediate effects of Ukrainian phytocomposition on biophotonics (GDV), EEG and HRV parameters
Authors: Fihura Oksana , Ruzhylo Sofiya , Żukow Xawery , Popovych Igor
Published: June 2022

Background. Back in 2015, we registered short-term reactions to the Ukrainian phytocomposition of electroencephalogram and heart rate variability parameters. At the same time, we also recorded the reactions of biophotonics (GDV) parameters, but due to the skepticism of Ukrainian academic science regarding this method, we did not dare to include the results in the article. Materials and methods. The object of observation were 12 women (44±13 years) and 62 men (44±12 years) with dysfunction of neuro-endocrine-immune complex. GDV, HRV and EEG parameters were recorded in the morning in basal conditions. Then the members of the main group used 5 ml of phytocomposition dissolved in 45 ml of tap water, instead in the control group used 50 ml of the latter. After 1,5 hours, the test was repeated. Results. Discriminant analysis revealed 26 EEG, 6 HRV and 7 GDV parameters characteristic of the initial state and after consumption of phytocomposition or tap water. The use of balm causes the normalizing decrease of increased sympathotonic markers and the increase of decreased vagotonic markers. Physiologically favorable vegetotropic effects of the balm are accompanied by a further increase in the initially increased activity of β-rhythm-generating cortical and subcortical structures as well as activation of θ-rhythm-generating and inhibition of α- and δ-rhythm-generating nuclei whose initial activity was within normal limits. Neurotropic effects are accompanied by a decrease in fractality and entropy and an increase in the area of GDI, as well as the energy of the first, fourth, fifth and seventh chakras (virtual).
Conclusion. Ukrainian phytocomposition “Balm Truskavets’” causes favorable immediate neurotropic and biophysic changes at patients with dysfunction of neuro-endocrine-immune complex.
What is the pro-inflammatory dietary model associated with?
Authors: Grajek Mateusz , Grot Martina , Nigowski Maciej , Kujawińska Maria , Górski Michał , Białek-Dratwa Agnieszka , Krupa-Kotara Karolina
Published: June 2022

Introduction. Cellular potential disruption leads to several polyplatoligias due to increased systemic inflammation, as a consequence of the visualized multivariate appearance. Objective. To highlight the relevance of the pathomechanism of oxidative stress and oxidative potential about changes in metabolic mechanisms at the cellular level, predisposing to polypatoligia and the development of destructive transformations visualized in outward appearance targeted by a pro-inflammatory nutritional model. Material and methods. A sample of 226 subjects was selected by random selection of respondents. The author's questionnaire concerned metric data, level of physical exercise, diagnosed disease entity, inflammatory changes within the body dermis, and level of frequency of consumption of selected food groups. The obtained results were verified by statistical analysis with a significance level of α <0.05. Results. The subject was characterized by a diagnosed multimorbidity at the level of (approximately 20%) about the individual clinical course of the respondent. The anthropometric parameter BMI without sex division (due to predominance of female subjects) among 55% of the whole group was within the normal range, constituting 24.4 kg/m2, showed a significant correlation directed at the pathomechanism of multimorbidity at the level of 78% in physical appearance. Conclusions. The pathomechanism of developing polyposis is significantly associated with the appearance of changes within the tissues translated into the shell system and anthropometric measurements related to the value of body mass index. Multivariable within the common coat is significantly dependent on the implemented phytotherapeutics - bioactive components derived from oregano, to obtain high antioxidant potential.
Vitamin C content in orange juices obtained by different methods
Authors: Kujawińska Maria , Kawulok Izabela , Szczyrba Anna , Grot Martina , Bielaszka Agnieszka , Nieć-Leśniak Joanna , Grajek Mateusz
Published: June 2022

Introduction Proper nutrition has the task of providing the right amount of energy and nutrients. A balanced diet should include vegetables and fruit at every meal. These products are rich in vitamin C, which is involved in many metabolic pathways in the body. A well-balanced diet will generally provide you with enough ascorbic acid. The content of vitamins in products depends on many factors, including the place of origin of the product, season, species, processing methods, or the conditions and time of storage. Vitamin C is easily destroyed by contact with oxygen, light radiation or metal ions. Aim of the study The aim of the study is to assess the content of vitamin C in juices squeezed from different types of oranges using various processing methods. Material and methods Three species of oranges were used for the study: Valencia, Saluciana and Novelina. Each type of orange was squeezed with 3 processing methods, using: a juicer, a slow-speed squeezer and a manual squeezer. The determination of vitamin C content in the obtained juices was performed by the Tillmans titration method with the use of standard, blue, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol dye. The vitamin C content in juices was determined: immediately after squeezing the juice, one hour after squeezing and 24 hours after squeezing. The juices were stored in the refrigerator between determinations. A pH meter was used to measure the pH, and a portable digital sucrose refractometer was used for the% sucrose measurement. Results The highest content of vitamin C immediately after pressing was observed in the juice of hand-squeezed oranges from the Salustiana variety. The decrease in vitamin C after 24 hours averaged 37.8%. Statistically significant differences were found between the method of squeezing and the time after squeezing the juice. Valencia variety was characterized by the highest pH, Navelina - the lowest. Significant differences were found in the mean level of the pH indicator and the type of orange.
Effects of farrowing induction using cloprostenol on sow farrowing characteristics
Authors: Nam Nguyen Hoai , Dao Bui Tran Anh , Sukon Peerapol
Published: June 2022

Background and Aim: Previous findings regarding the effects of farrowing induction on the farrowing characteristics of sows are controversial. This study aimed to investigate the effects of farrowing induction on the following characteristics: (1) Proportion of sows that farrowed during working hours, (2) stillbirth rate, (3) number of stillbirths per farrow, (4) dystocia rate per farrow, (5) dystocia rate (the proportion of farrowings that had at least one dystocia event), (6) number of dystocia events per farrow, (6) farrowing duration, (7) birth interval, and (8) birth weight. Materials and Methods: Thirty-eight Landrace x Yorkshire sows were randomly allocated into two groups; the control group and the treatment group. In the control group (n = 18), sows farrowed spontaneously. In the treatment group (n = 20), farrowing was induced approximately 2 days earlier than the herd's average length of gestation (7:00 am on day 114) by injecting cloprostenol into the perivulval region. All sows were supervised throughout their farrowing. We recorded the interval between induction and farrowing; total number of births; number of live, stillborn, and mummified piglet births; number of dystocia events; birth interval; farrowing duration; and birth weight. A generalized linear mixed model, a linear mixed-effects model, the Chi-squared test, and Student's t-test were used to compare outcomes between the two groups. Results: Farrowing induction did not influence the percentage of sows that farrowed during working hours (7 am–5 pm), stillbirth rate, birth weight, and number of dystocia events per farrow. Farrowing induction led to an increase in birth interval, dystocia rate, dystocia per farrow (p < 0.05) and in addition to the percentage of sows that farrowed on the day following induction (60% vs. 27.8%; p < 0.05). Conclusion: Farrowing induction using a single dose of cloprostenol 2 days before the expected farrowing date can be performed with care to concentrate farrowing into a short interval. This can enhance the optimization of cross-fostering and the practice of an all-in-all-out strategy in the swine breeding industry.
Validating the conceptual domains of elementary school teachers’ knowledge and needs vis-à-vis the CLIL approach in Chinese-speaking contexts
Authors: Wang Mei-Jung , Yang Li-Zu , Yang Wen-Hsien
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this research is to validate the conceptual domains of teachers’ knowledge and needs vis-à-vis content and language integrated learning (CLIL) within bilingual taught programmes in the Chinese-speaking setting of Taiwan. A Chinese version of a ‘CLIL teachers’ conceptual domain’ scale was developed and administered to measure teachers’ competence in using CLIL, the challenges they may face, and the training to be offered in their CLIL classrooms. Using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis, the results show that the internal consistency was supported by satisfactory Cronbach’s alphas, the composite reliability of all three measures ranges from 0.75 to 0.93, and the AVE (average variance extracted) is between 0.43 and 0.70. These results suggest that the measures possess high internal validity, and there exists factorial and external convergent and discriminant validity. This validated questionnaire is an effective instrument for providing valuable insights for CLIL practitioners and training providers in Chinese-speaking contexts.
Assessing non-technical skills in undergraduate nursing students: a validation study
Authors: Marcomini Ilaria , Terzoni Stefano , di Nuzzo Roberta , Milani Laura , Destrebecq Anne
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Non-technical skills (NTS) are fundamental to the nursing profession to ensure safe, quality care. Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop a new instrument to assess NTS among nursing students: the Non-Technical Skills Student Evaluation (NTS-SE) tool.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted to test the psychometric properties of the tool. A number of 1,087 nursing students were enrolled from five Bachelor Schools of Nursing.

Results

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis suggested the suitability of a two-factor model. The final version of the NTS-SE consisted of 23 items distributed in two domains: cognitive skills and interpersonal skills. For each domain, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were above 0.94. There were significant differences in scores between second- and third-year students (p<0.001) and among the different nursing schools (p<0.001).

Conclusions

The NTS-SE can be useful when assessing the effect of educational strategies and/or clinical traineeship experiences on the acquisition of NTS.
Almond oil restores blood parameters, liver function, blood and liver antioxidants and DNA, and liver histology more efficiently than olive oil in favism
Authors: Koriem Khaled Mohamed Mohamed , El-Attar Marwa A.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Favism is a metabolic disease and this study aimed to compare between olive oil and almond oil to ameliorate blood parameters, liver function, blood and liver antioxidants and DNA, and liver histology in favism rats.

Methods

Animals were 36 male albino rats. They classified to 2 equal (normal and favism) groups. Normal group classified to 3 equal subgroups; Control, Olive oil, and Almond oil subgroups: normal rats orally administrated with 1 mL/100 g of saline, olive oil, and almond oil, respectively. Favism group was subdivided into 3 equal subgroup; favism, favism + olive oil, and favism + almond oil subgroups: favism rats orally administrated with no treatment, 1 mL/100 g olive oil, and 1 mL/100 g almond oil, respectively. All treatments were administrated orally by oral gavage once a day for 1 month.

Results

The hemoglobin, hematocrite, the blood cells, glucose and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, aspartate and alanine aminotransferase, total proteins, albumin, and globulin in serum were decreased in favism. The glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase in blood and liver were decreased in favism while alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin in serum were increased in favism. The blood and liver malondialdehyde was increased in favism. Furthermore, oral administration with both oils in favism rats restored all these parameters to be approached the control levels. Also, both oils preserved blood and liver DNA and liver histology.

Conclusions

Almond oil restored blood parameters, liver function, blood and liver antioxidants and DNA, and liver histology more efficiently than olive oil in favism.
Construction of a financial default risk prediction model based on the LightGBM algorithm
Authors: Gao Bo , Balyan Vipin
Published: June 2022

The construction of a financial risk prediction model has become the need of the hour due to long-term and short-term violations in the financial market. To reduce the default risk of peer-to-peer (P2P) companies and promote the healthy and sustainable development of the P2P industry, this article uses a model based on the LightGBM (Light Gradient Boosting Machine) algorithm to analyze a large number of sample data from Renrendai, which is a representative platform of the P2P industry. This article explores the base LightGBM model along with the integration of linear blending to build an optimal default risk identification model. The proposed approach is applicable for a large number of multi-dimensional data samples. The results show that the prediction accuracy rate of the LightGBM algorithm model on the test set reaches 80.25%, which can accurately identify more than 80% of users, and the model has the best prediction performance in terms of different performance evaluation indicators. The integration of LightGBM and the linear blending approach yield a precision value of 91.36%, a recall of 75.90%, and an accuracy of 84.36%. The established LightGBM algorithm can efficiently identify the default of the loan business on the P2P platform compared to the traditional machine learning models, such as logistic regression and support vector machine. For a large number of multi-dimensional data samples, the LightGBM algorithm can effectively judge the default risk of users on P2P platforms.
Metaphors are embodied otherwise they would not be metaphors
Authors: Torres-Martínez Sergio
Published: June 2022

In an interesting paper, Casasanto, Daniel & Tom Gijssels. 2015. What makes a metaphor an embodied metaphor?Linguistics Vanguard1(1). 327–337 introduce a skeptical view of recent studies into the embodied character of metaphorical source domains. According to the authors, there cannot be conclusive evidence on the matter thus far, since, for a metaphor to be embodied, specific simulations must be modality-specific and not simply restricted to modality-specific activity brain areas. In line with this, I argue that metaphors reflect a connection between perception, memory, and consciousness (embodied extended mind). The Embodied Extended Mind Theory (EEMT) introduced in this paper is indebted to Active Inference (AIF), a process theory for the comprehension of intelligent agency. EEMT defends the idea that language bears traces of nonlinguistic, bodily acquired information that reflects biological processes of energy exchange and conservation. Therefore, it is assumed that what makes a metaphor embodied is not only the relation between a source domain and a target domain in ad hoc regions in the brain, but the alignment of multiple independent systems during the (re)construction of events. Central to this is the idea that humans use stored perceptual maps, the combination of which permits us to manipulate concepts as part of complex event partitioning.