bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Level of Excision Matters in Morton Neuroma Surgery.
Authors: uzun metin , tokat fatma 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Introduction: Morton’s neuroma (MN) is mechanical neuropathy of plantar interdigital nerve. It is one of the most common causes of forefoot pain. One of the most undesirable complications of MN surgery is recurrent neuroma. Excision level of MN is important to prevent recurrence. In this study, we aimed to figure out preferred excision levels of orthopedic surgeons by evaluating pathological samples. Methods: 192 samples sent with the diagnosis of Morton neuroma to the pathology department of our hospital between years 2010-2017 were added to our study. Mean age was 45,8 (between 23 to 73). All of 192 patients were primary diagnosed 22 of them was left foot and the other 170 were right foot was. 139 of them were female, and 53 were male. Recurrent neuromas, pathological sample more than one piece from one surgical site were excluded from the study. Results: 192 pathological specimens were prepared and examined by the same pathologist. Gross pathological appearance and histopathology findings were recorded. Mean sample length was 2,05 cm (between 0,8cm and 6 cm).145 samples was smaller (75.5%) than 3cm and only 47 sample (24.5%) was bigger than 3 cm.Conclusion: In conclusion our database results showed that majority of surgeons didn't take into account plantarly directed nerve branches.
Neurological Complications of COVID-19: A Systematic Review of Literature
Authors: Sriwast Shitiz , Srivast Samiksha , Kataria Saurabh , Melnic Violina , Adcock Amelia , Sheikh Zubeda 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: To study the nature and frequency of occurrence of “significant” neurological complications in coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) via a systematic review of the literature.Methods: We screened all articles resulting from a search of PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar and Scopus, using the keywords "COVID-19 and CNS", "SARS-CoV-2 and CNS”, “COVID-19 and neurological manifestation”, “SARS2 and neurological manifestation” and “COVID-19 and Brain” looking for reports of significant neurological manifestations that would potentially have an impact on the outcome.Results: Twenty-six articles met the inclusion criteria. The significant neurological diagnoses reported were stroke, Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) and its variants, encephalitis, seizures, acute hemorrhagic necrotizing encephalopathy, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) and transverse myelitis. Although stroke, predominantly ischemic, was observed in ~ 6% of COVID-19 patients from Wuhan, China, mortality in this cohort was 38%. Of the 24 pooled patients with reports of etiology, 17 had large vessel occlusions. GBS occurred in 5/1200 (0.4%) of the COVID-19 cohort from Italy. One of the six reported encephalitis cases, the ADEM case and the report of transverse myelitis do not have data for conclusive diagnosis.Conclusion: The most frequent significant neurological association with COVID-19 is stroke, predominantly ischemic. In a cohort from Wuhan, China, this was as frequent as ~ 6%, with a 38% mortality. Most common reported etiology is large vessel occlusion. Other reported significant neurological complications are GBS/variants, encephalitis, seizures and acute hemorrhagic necrotizing encephalopathy. The reports of ADEM and transverse myelitis lacked diagnostically conclusive data.
Could the methylation of RASSF1A be the potential epigenetic biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma? – Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lao Thuan Duc , Thieu Hue Hong , Nguyen Dung Huu , Le Thuy Ai Huyen 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: RASSF1A is a tumor suppressor gene. The methylation of RASSF1A has been reported to be associated with the nasopharyngeal tumorigenesis. Aiming to evaluate the association between the RASSF1A gene methylation and nasopharyngeal cancer, and its correlation could be used as an epigenetic biomarker for NPC cancer risk based on meta-analysis.Methods: Relevant articles were identiﬁed by searching MEDLINE database. The frequency and Odds ratio (OR) were applied to estimate the effect of CDH-1 methylation based on random-/fix-effects models. Furthermore, subgroup analyses were performed by test-method, ethnicity, source of NPC samples.Results: Total of 16 studies, included 1,766 samples: 1,178 samples from NPC samples, and 588 samples from non-cancerous samples, were enrolled in the meta-analysis. The overall frequency of RASSF1A methylation were 55.98% and 1.70% in case-group and control-group, respectively. By removing the poor relative studies, the heterogeneity was not observed among included studies. The association between the RASSF1A gene methylation and risk of NPC was also confirmed by calculating OR value of 51.43 (95%OR = 28.12-94.08) in fix-effects model (Q = 10.63, p = 0.99, I2 = 0.00, 95% CI = 0.00-0.00). Additionally, the significant association was also found between the methylation of RASSF1A gene and subgroups.Conclusion: this was the first meta-analysis provided scientific evidences to suggest the RASSF1A methylation was the potential biomarker for risk of NPC.
Impact of hospital quality culture and reward system on employee perception of service quality
Authors: Tsai Yafang , Lee Chien-Ying , Shieh Shwn-Huey , Liao Mao-Hung , Wu Shih-Wang 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
BackgroundIn recent years, issues regarding the quality of healthcare have increased considerably in many low- and middle-income countries, including Taiwan. Evidence has shown that all processes and activities necessary for delivering healthcare service need to be controlled using a quality management system. Hospital managers should consider a variety of management strategies, and design a management method that ensures their staff provide better healthcare services to their patients. This study aims to explore the relationships between hospital quality culture, reward system, and employee perception of service quality.MethodsThis study employed a cross-sectional design and a questionnaire survey to collect research data. The research samples included employees in three medical centers in Taiwan. Three hundred copies of the questionnaire were distributed and 215 copies were returned.ResultsA hospital’s quality culture has a positive impact on its reward system. Quality culture has a positive impact on the employees’ perception of service quality, as does a reward system. The reward system is a mediator of the hospital’s quality culture and perception of service quality.ConclusionHospital managers could establish strong quality cultures and stimulate employees to provide better service to patients through a reward system.Trial registration:The clinical trial code is CS13119.
Cytoreduction as a remedial procedure improves disease-free survival of patients with occult uterine sarcoma undergoing morcellation——a retrospective study
Authors: Ding Chao , Zhu Jianqing 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background：Tumor morcellation happened to facilitate iatrogenic metastasis for patients with occult uterine sarcoma. The optimal remedial procedure for these patients needed to be established. Methods：Data were retrospectively collected and analyzed from patients with occult uterine sarcoma undergoing morcellation. Results：23 consecutive patients with uterine sarcomas undergoing morcellation were accessed between Jan 2008 and Dec 2018, including 15 patients with uterine leiomyosarcoma and 8 with endometrial stromal sarcoma. Cytoreduction as a remedial procedure was significantly associated with better disease-free survival (P=0.031), and none of 7 patients undergoing cytoreduction suffered recurrence, while total hysterectomy (P=0.194) and adjuvant therapy (P=0.159) had no such benefit. There was no significant difference in disease-free survival between laparoscopic and open surgery (p=0.321). Conclusion：Cytoreduction was considered as the optimal remedial procedure for patients with occult uterine sarcoma undergoing morcellation.
Analysis of Messenger RNA Secondary Structures in Rhodobacter sphaeroides
Authors: Omotajo Damilola , Cho Hyuk , Choudhary Madhusudan 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: The Shine-Dalgarno (SD) sequence, when present, is known to promote translation initiation in a bacterial cell. However, the thermodynamic stability of the messenger RNA (mRNA) through its secondary structures has an inhibitory effect on the efficiency of translation. This poses the question of whether bacterial mRNAs with SD have low secondary structure formation or not. Results: About 3500 protein-coding genes in Rhodobacter sphaeroides were analyzed and a sliding window analysis of the last 100 nucleotides of the 5’ UTR and the first 100 nucleotides of ORFs was performed using RNAfold, a software for RNA secondary structure analysis. It was shown that mRNAs with SD are less stable than those without SD for genes located on the primary chromosome, but not for the plasmid encoded genes. Furthermore, mRNA stability is similar for genes within each chromosome except those encoded by the accessory chromosome (second chromosome). Conclusions: Results highlight the possible contribution of other factors like replicon- specific nucleotide composition (GC content), codon bias, and protein stability in determining the efficiency of translation initiation in both SD-dependent and SD-independent translation systems.
Sexual Violence and Associated Factors Against Housemaid’s Living in Debre-Tabor Town, Northwest Ethiopia.
Authors: Azanaw Kefyalew Amogne , Gelagay Abebaw Addis , Lakew Ayenew Molla 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Objectives: Sexual violence is a serious public health and human rights problem with both short and long term consequence on women’s physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health. But no sufficient study about housemaid sexual violence conducted in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the magnitude of sexual violence and its associated factors among housemaids living in Debre Tabor town, North West Ethiopia 2018. Results: From 636 participants included in the study 27.8% (95% CI: 24.2%-31.4%) housemaids had experienced sexual violence in their life time. Housemaid who had no formal education(AOR=2.1,95%CI=1.13, 3.76), housemaid coming from rural (AOR=2.73, 95%CI=1.31, 5.69), housemaids whose both parents dead (AOR=2.6, 95%CI=1.47, 4.61), employer who had extended family in the house (AOR=2.9,95%CI=1.77, 4.75), male employer alcohol consumption(AOR=2.56, 95%CI=1.61, 4.1) and age of female employer ≥ 50 years (AOR=4.29, 95%CI=1.95, 9.48) were increase the probability of housemaids’ sexual violence. In conclusion this study, high prevalence of housemaid violence has been reported. To resolve the problem, it is important to create awareness and bring behavioral change to empower housemaid.
Predicting Parameters for Audiological Complications in Pediatric Patients Affected by Meningitis
Authors: bozzola elena , Spina Giulia , Marsella Pasquale , Scorpecci Alessandro , Mascolo Cristina , Salvatori Martina , Villani Alberto 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background. Meningitis is one of the most common causes of acquired sensorineural hearing loss in childhood.The aim of the study is to identify parameters predicting long-term audiological complications in meningitis.Methods.Patients under 18 years, admitted to the Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital between March 2001 and February 2019 with meningitis were included. Audiological complications regarding treatment and follow-up were investigated: recovery or persistence of the deficit, therapeutic intervention, adaptation to prosthesis.Results. In the study425 patients were included. Sensorineural hearing loss was observed in 46 patients (11%) with a statistically significant association with pneumococcal etiology (p <0.001) and sleepy state onset (p = 0.027). Blood glucose reduction (26.18 mg / dL) (p = 0.004), C-Reactive Protein (17.77 mg/dL) (p=0.01) and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (106.3 mm/h) (p=0.04) increase, were documented. At follow-up, hearing damage was persistent in 19 patients, 7 patients recovered their hearing capacity and 20 patients were lost to follow-up; among patients with permanent hearing damage, treatment was necessary in 16 patients: external hearing aids (6 cases), cochlear implant (10 cases) with incomplete electrode insertion because of cochlear fibrosis and/or ossification development (4 cases).Conclusion.Thepresence of sleepiness at the onset, blood glucose reduction, inflammation index increase and pneumococcal etiology, have been identified as risk factors for sensorineural hearing damage in meningitis patients.
Isolation and Bioprocess Optimization of Halophilic and Alkaline Protease From Marine Streptomyces and Its Use As Contact Lens Cleaner
Authors: Sarkar Gargi , K. Suthindhiran 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
In the present study, an alkaline protease was isolated from marine Streptomyces sp. GS – 3. The strain was isolated from the backwaters of Puthuvypeen, Kerala, and identified as Streptomyces sp. by polyphasic taxonomy. The media for protease production was optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) using the Box-Behnken model. The maximum yield (357 U/ml) was observed using wheat bran as substrate (5.5%), pH 5.5, and the incubation period of 9 days at 28 ᴼC. The optimum temperature and pH conditions for the maximum enzyme activity were 45 °C, and 9 respectively. The Km and Vmax values of the enzyme were determined as 5.88%, and 38.46 µmol l− 1 min− 1 mg− 1, respectively, using 1% casein as substrate. The enzyme was isolated by solvent extraction with acetone, and the crude enzyme was characterized by Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Poly-Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Circular Dichroism (CD) studies. The enzyme sustained at high temperature (50 °C for 6 h), and alkaline pH (10) conditions, and was active in the presence of metal ions, and organic solvents. The purified enzyme was inhibited by phenylmethylsulphonyl fluoride (PMSF) suggesting it belong to serine protease. Further to exploit its application, contact lenses were incubated with the enzyme solution, and the protein debris on it was found to be scrubbed at an optimum time of 60 minutes. Therefore, it increases the transmittance of the contact lens indicating its use as a potential contact lens cleansing agent.
Incidence, Serotyping and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profile of Avibacterium Paragallinarum Isolated From Local Commercial Poultry of Balochistan
Authors: Muhammad Ghulam , Taj muhammad kamran , Taj Imran , Panezai Iqbal , Abbas Ferhat , Abideen Zain-Ul- 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Infectious coryza (IC) caused by Avibacterium paragallinarum, a Gram negative, non-motile coccobacilli, is a severe upper respiratory tract disease of poultry. This study aimed to report on the isolation rate and serotyping of Avibacterium paragallinarum causing Infectious Coryza (IC) in commercial layer poultry in Balochistan.
Results

Total 500 samples were collected from IC-suspected or recently dead birds Results revealed that 80.62% of sample were found positive for A. paragallinarum. Of these, serotype B was 59.60% and serotype C was 21.02%. The isolates of A. paragallinarum were growing well at 35–37 oC, however, growth rate was declined at 24 oC, and 42 oC. Similarly, A. paragallinarum showed optimal growth between pH 5 and 9, but the superlative pH growth values were from 6 to 8 pH. Antimicrobial susceptibility test showed that all tested isolates displayed resistance against metronidazole, colistin sulphate, bacitracin, streptomycin, chloramphenicol and lincomycine, while were found susceptible to tetracycline, erythromycin, vancomycin, amoxicillin, and ciprofloxacin. Pathogenicity test performed indicated that experimental birds showed signs of dullness, fever, serous nasal discharge and facial swelling with pus inside infra-orbital sinus, severe congestion in the trachea and partial cloudiness of air sacs.
conclusions

Overall, we report, for the first time, on high incidence rate of pathogenic A. paragallinarum among layer birds.
Circulating Activated TAFI is a Prognostic Indicator in Septic DIC
Authors: Totoki Takaaki , Ito Takashi , Kakuuchi Midori , Yashima Nozomi , Maruyama Ikuro , Kakihana Yasuyuki 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: Administration of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rTM) is often used in Japan to treat septic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) is a fibrinolysis inhibitor activated by the thrombin-thrombomodulin complex, however, it is unknown whether circulating activated TAFI is increased after rTM administration in patients with DIC. Furthermore, the relationship between TAFI activation and the prognosis of septic DIC is not defined yet.Objective: We sought to investigate the effect of rTM on TAFI activation and the association of plasma activated TAFI (TAFIa/ai) levels with the prognosis of septic DIC.Methods: Using plasma samples from clinical studies conducted from May 2016–March 2017 on eight patients with septic DIC at Kagoshima University Hospital, we measured plasma levels of total TAFI, TAFIa/ai, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 (F1+2), soluble fibrin (SF), antithrombin (AT), protein C (PC), protein S (PS), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) before and after intravenous rTM administration. Then, we evaluated the relationship of these marker levels to prognosis.Results: The thrombin-rTM complex activated TAFI in vitro in plasma from a healthy volunteer. However, TAFIa/ai levels did not significantly increase over baseline in the septic DIC patients after intravenous rTM administration. Baseline TAFIa/ai levels in non-survivors were significantly higher than those in survivors.Conclusions: Plasma TAFIa/ai did not increase with rTM administration. Elevated baseline TAFIa/ai concentration may be a negative prognostic indicator in septic DIC. Larger studies are needed to confirm the in vivo effect of rTM on TAFI activation.
Phytochemical Compounds Present in COVI-MXG Herbal Preparation Inhibits RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase from SARS-CoV-2: Virtual Screening
Authors: Poyi Catherine O , Falang Kakjing D , Kolawole Jacob A 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background: COVID-19 pandemic disease, caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is expressed as severe acute respiratory syndrome. There are currently no proven effective therapeutic agents or vaccines against the virus. However clinical management includes infection prevention, control measures, supportive care using drug therapy based on previous scientific experience, pathophysiology and pharmacology of the drug. Some of the therapeutic agents exploited include; antiviral and antimalarial agents (remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine, chloroquine, lopinavir, umifenovir, favipiravir, and oseltamivir), Zinc and selenium. There are claims of herbal preparations with palliative or therapeutic effects. The novel formulation of herbal preparation, COVI-MXG for the management of Covid-19 contains a unique combination of five (5) plants. In silico studies was carried out using robust methods and software to evaluate the plant constituents to determine its possible antiviral activity, safety and pharmacokinetic profile. Results: Pharmacokinetic predictions showed phytochemicals with varying degrees of gastrointestinal absorption rates and blood brain barrier permeability. Toxicity class fall between 3 and 5 with high LD50 values. Conclusions: When compared with the listed therapeutic agents, the phytochemical compounds present in COVI-MXG showed varying degrees of binding affinities for SARS-CoV-2 (7BV2.pdb) better than the drugs currently in use at the target sites. The preparation contains high concentration of Zinc and other micronutrients.
Intervertebral disc vacuum phenomenon is associated with Modic changes in the adjacent endplate: implications for discogenic back pain
Authors: Liu Junhui , Xiang Yufeng , Shan Zhi , Fan Shunwu , Zhao Fengdong 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Background

Back pain often arises from degenerative changes in lumbar intervertebral discs and their adjacent endplates. A painful endplate is not easy to identify in patients, but could possibly be revealed by inflammatory-like ‘Modic’ changes and by a ‘vacuum phenomenon’ within the disc. We hypothesize that Modic changes and a VP often co-exist in those lumbar levels most closely associated with back pain
Methods

We scanned 1023 consecutive inpatients of the Department of Orthopaedics from 2015 August to 2018 August, all patients suffered from lumbar degenerative diseases, whether the patients had back pain or not were evaluated, and the prevalence and location of vacuum phenomenon(VP) and Modic changes were compared at each spinal level.
Results

5115 discs were studied from 1023 patients. The number of discs showed to have a VP was 430 using CT, of the 430 discs with a CT-diagnosed VP, 116 were L4-5, and 171 were L5-S1. 522 of the 5115 discs exhibited Modic changes, with prevalence of type I, type II and type III Modic changes being 1.6%, 8.2% and 0.4% respectively. Modic changes usually occurred adjacent to L4-5 discs or L5-S1 discs. The prevalence of back pain was higher in the VP group than no-VP group, VP were significantly associated with Modic changes Type II at L4/5 and at L5/S1.
Conclusion

VP are closely associated with back pain and Modic changes in the lower lumbar spine. Further investigations may be warranted when radiographs or CT identify a VP in a lumbar disc.
Functional fitness and quality of life of elderly Lian Gong, Tai Chi, and Qigong practitioners
Authors: Tedeschi Márcia Regina Martinez , Assone Tatiane , Ferreira Mauro , Souza Káren Mendes Jorge de 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
BACKGROUND

Long-term regular physical activity, such as body practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine, seems to be an important habit for maintaining the functional fitness, independence and quality of life of elderly individuals. However, scientific knowledge production concerning assessment of such practices, specifically for the elderly population, focusing on functional fitness and quality of life, is still modest. Moreover, there is a lack of studies with long-term follow-up and control groups. Therefore, this study aims to compare the parameters of functional fitness and the dimensions of quality of life of elderly participants and non-participants in the body practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Longer adherence time, shorter adherence time and control group have been considered.
METHODS

This is an observational epidemiological case-control study carried out with 118 elderly individuals (≥ 60 years). The case group was represented by 59 elderly people practicing the body practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and they were subdivided into two groups, according to their median adherence time (< 24 months and ≥ 24 months). The control group was composed of 59 participants who were not participating in physical activity programs or guided body practices. Collection was carried out in four Traditional Medicine Specialized Units of the Municipal Health Office of the city of São Paulo. Sociodemographic and functional variables were collected. Quality of life was measured by Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). For data analysis, a univariate logistic regression and the Kruskal Wallis test have been performed.
RESULTS

When assessing quality of life, favorable results were found for the case group, with longer (≥ 24 months) adherence time in the domains of bodily pain (p = 0.003), vitality (p = 0.021), role emotional (p = 0.034), and mental health (p = 0.020). A better result was observed in the case group, with longer (≥ 24 months) adherence time in the functional 30-second chair stand test (p = 0.006).
CONCLUSIONS

The body practices of Traditional Chinese Medicine can contribute to quality of life, functional fitness, and lower limb strength.