bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictive and Prognostic Value of C-reactive Protein/Albumin and Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio in the Patients Diagnosed with Acute Pancreatitis in Emergency Department
Authors: Kalafat Utku Murat , Dogan Serkan , Bildik Busra , Dorter Melis , Can Doganay , Cander Basar 
Published: May 2020

Aims: Acute pancreatitis is a severe inflammation of the pancreas presenting sudden onset with high morbidity and mortality. Simple, accessible, cost-efficient and feasible laboratory tests are still needed to demonstrate the prognosis of the patients. The aim of the present study was to search the efficiency of CRP/Alb ratio as a biochemical marker on mortality and clinical progress in the patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis in correlation with APACHE-2.
Methodology: This prospective case-control study was conducted with the patients diagnosed with acute pancreatitis through Atlanta criteria and healthy volunteers as a control group in the emergency department. Demographic characteristics, vital signs, ultrasound reports, clinical outcomes, neutrophil, lymphocyte, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), CRP, albumin and CRP/Alb ratio, APACHE-2 score within control and patient groups were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was performed to distinguish healthy volunteers from acute pancreatitis cases.
Results: There was a statistically significant difference between CRP/Albumin and NLR measurements according to the groups and we found that the measurements of the patient group were significantly higher than the control group. The cut-off point for CRP/Albumin and NLR was found to be respectively 1.08, 4.04 and above. (Respectively; sen: 76.64%, 78.50%; spe: 97.20%, 97.20%; PPV: 96.47%, 96.55%; NPV: 80.62%, 81.89%; the accuracy: 86.92%, 87.85%). APACHE-2 scores ranged from 0 to 16, with a mean of 5.80±3.92. The probability of acute pancreatitis was significantly higher in patients with high CRP/Albumin and NLR.
Conclusion: This study showed that CRP/Alb ratio and NLR were positively correlated with APACHE-2 scores that designed for prognosis in patients with acute pancreatitis.
Aqueous Phase Adsorption of Pb (II) Ions onto Hymenoptera sphecidae (Mud-wasp) Nest
Authors: Kukwa Donald T. , Adie Peter A. , Kukwa Rose E. , Kungur Paula D. 
Published: May 2020

Removal of Pb (II) ion from aqueous solution using Hymenoptera sphecidae (mud-wasp) nest was investigated using a batch process. The effect of pH, contact time and adsorbent dose were also investigated. The result showed that the adsorption of Pb (II) ion onto mud-wasp nest was dependent on pH, contact time and adsorbent dose. Adsorption patterns were analysed in terms of three bi-parameter isotherms of Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin. Freundlich isotherm gave the best fit to the adsorption data with a correlation coefficient of 0.992, while monolayer sorption capacity yielded 41.667 mg/g. Lagergren’s pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order kinetic models were used to test the adsorption kinetics. The kinetic data were well described by the pseudo second-order kinetic model, suggesting that the process was chemisorption type. The results showed that mud-wasp nest can be used as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of Pb (II) ion from aqueous solutions.
Initial Development of Melon when Grown in Different Concentrations of Exhausted Peat Organic Compost
Authors: Espíndola João Vitor Feliciano , Lisboa Lucas Aparecido Manzani , Dias Carlos Eduardo de Oliveira , Ribeiro Gabriel Correia , Meira Gabriel Dumit , Junior Gerson de Souza Carvalho , Espíndola João Vitor Feliciano , Rodrigues Lucas Martins , Silva Roberto Aparecido da , Tavares Thayane Silva , França Vinicius Belmiro 
Published: May 2020

Introduction: One of the attributes responsible for the good quality of the seedlings is their cultivation on substrates with good drainage and availability of nutrients, where the use of alternative sources of organic matter makes it a strategy for seedling producers.
Objective: The objective of this work was to evaluate the initial development of melon when grown in different concentrations of exhausted peat organic compost.
Materials and Methods: The experiment was carried out in September 2019, at Faculdades Integradas Stella Maris (FISMA), located in the Municipality of Andradina, State of São Paulo, at geographic coordinates 20°53'26,482"S and 51°22'24,822"W and with altitude approximately 396 meters above sea level. A completely randomized design was used, in a 2x5 factorial scheme, with two varieties of melon (V), namely: Goldmine and Imperial interacting with five concentrations of exhausted peat organic compound (C), that is: zero%; 3%; 6%; 13% and 25% and with four repetitions, totaling 40 plots or plastic vases.
Conclusion: It is recommended to use 15% exhausted peat compound in the composition of the substrate in the initial phase of the melon. The melon varieties showed similar responses in terms of exhausted peat compound concentrations.
N-Acetylcysteine Inhibits Lipids Production in Mature Adipocytes through the Inhibition of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor 
Authors: Soto Daniela , Martini Claudia , Frontera Evelyn , Montaldo Laura , Vila Maria C. , Calvo Juan C. , Guerra Liliana N. 
Published: May 2020

Aims: Reports regarding the effects of antioxidants in obesity have been contradictory. Antioxidant N-acetylcysteine is usually considered a nutritional supplement. Our aim is to evaluate bioactivity of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on mature adipocytes, which is a close model to in vivo condition.
Study Design: In vitro study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Basic Science (Universidad Nacional de Lujan), Department of Chemical Biology (Universidad de Buenos Aires), CONICET – INEDES and CONICET – IQUIBICEN, between March 2017 and June 2019.
Methodology: We evaluated the bioactivity of different concentrations of NAC for 5 days (0.01 mM to 5 mM) on fully differentiated 3T3-L1 cells (mature adipocytes).
Results: We demonstrated that NAC treatment was not toxic to mature adipocytes. Only 5mM NAC inhibited reactive oxygen species production. 5 mM NAC treatment resulted in a 60% decrease in cellular triglycerides content and inhibited 70% cholesterol accumulation. We also determined the mRNA and protein expression levels of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor g as well as, mRNA levels of lipid protein Perilipin in NAC treated adipocytes; we observed that 5mM NAC treatment caused nearly 30% decrease in the expression of these parameters.
Conclusion: These results suggest that NAC could avoid lipid accumulation in mature adipocytes; the antioxidant NAC could be beneficial in obesity treatment.
Preliminary Screening of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs); Decabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-209) and Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) Flame Retardants in Municipal Dumpsite in Delta State, Nigeria
Authors: Edjere Oghenekohwiroro , Stephen Chukwunonso Elvis 
Published: May 2020

Aims: This study is aimed at determining the concentration of two widely used BFRs; Decabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-209) and Tetrabromo Bisphenol-A (TBBPA) in sediment and leachate samples.
Place and Duration of Study: Field sampling were carried out from five major dumpsites around Warri Municipality, Delta State, Nigeria. Analyte extraction was done in 2017 at the Science laboratory, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun Delta State, Nigeria and quantification done in Switzerland by Bachema Analytical Laboratories in 2017.
Methods: Three soil samples were collected from each site 15cm from the soil surface. Also, three leachate samples from three different trial pits done for each site. Collected soil samples were stored in glass bottles and labelled. While the leachate samples are stored using glass containers and labelled. The BFRs were extracted using Aceton and cyclohexane for each soil matrix and cyclohexane for the leachate samples, then the extract was analysed using GC coupled with an ECD supplied by Thermo Trace GC Ultra, Italy.
Results: The results showed the average concentration for TBBPA in the sediments was 0.0234 g/kg and that of the BDE-209 was recorded as 0.1828 g/kg. Results from the leachate sample were below the detectable range of the analytical equipment, TBBPA (0.02 g/kg) and BDE (0.1 g/kg). There is no statistical difference between the mean concentration of TBBPA for the sediment in each of the locations (P>.05) and no difference (P>.05) for BDE-209 for the sediment in each of the locations (P>.05).
Conclusion: Findings from this study holds that the concentration of TBBPA and BDE-209 in sediment is higher when compared with concentrations presented in other literatures studied in this report and this calls for immediate action due to the health risk associated with exposure in these municipalities.
Comparative Analysis of Biogas and Methane Yields from Different Sizes of Groundnut Shell in a Batch Reactor at Mesophilic Temperature
Authors: Jekayinfa S. O. , Adebayo A. O. , Oniya O. O. , Olatunji K. O. 
Published: May 2020

Aim: To study the effects of different sizes of groundnut shell on biogas and methane yields using batch reactor at mesophilic temperature.
Place and Duration of Study: The laboratory experiment was carried out at the Laboratory of the Department of Agricultural Engineering, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, between August and October, 2018.
Methodology: Batch experiment was set up for a period of 35 days with substrate reduced to 2, 4 and 6 mm sizes. The digesters were subjected to anaerobic digestion at mesophilic condition and the gas produced were collected with graduated gas sampling bottles dipped in measuring cylinders already filled with red liquid. The total gas produced was analyzed using gas analyzer to give the percentage composition of the gas components and Enwuff equation was used to calculate the biogas and methane yields of organic dry matter and fresh mass of the samples.
Results: The total gas volume of 482.5, 605.0 and 732.5 ml were recorded for the sizes 2, 4 and 6 mm respectively. The organic dry matter biogas yields were 357.1, 514.31 and 324.5 lNkg-1oDM for treatment 2, 4 and 6 mm respectively; while organic dry matter methane produced were 222.41, 298.41 and 211.31 CH4kg-1oDM for 2, 4 and 6 mm, respectively. The fresh mass biogas yields were 147.6, 180.7 and 177.3 lNkg-1FM and fresh mass methane yield were 919, 104.8 and 115.4 lNCH4 kg-1FM for 2, 4 and 6 mm, respectively.
Conclusion: Considering the yields recorded, the experiment shows that size reduction had effect on biogas yields and it is an important factor to be considered in biogas production. Treatment with particle size 4 mm seems to be the ideal size when considered the yields in terms of organic dry matter and fresh mass basis.
Visual Outcome of Cataract Surgery Complications Repair at a Cataract Training Centre of Western Central India
Authors: Shah Mehul A. , Shah Shreya M. , Desai Ashit 
Published: May 2020

Introduction: Cataract is a major cause of blindness, but it can be eliminated by surgical management. The visual outcome depends upon the competency of the surgeon, and quality training can contribute to the creation of such skilled surgeons.
Methods: This is a retrospective study in which we enrolled all the cataract cases operated between 2004 and 2018, any complication and its repair reported in pretested online form, and all documented post-operative data. All these data were exported to excel sheet from EMR and analysed using SPSS22.
Results: Our cohort involved 2998(2.49%) cases out of 120,000 total cataract operated cases. Out of complications documented for45.5% did not require surgical intervention, 30% eyes required secondary implant and remaining cases required other surgeries. Intervention medical and surgical has made significant difference in visual outcome. (p=0.002) 43.9% complications reported during stage of cortical clean up.
Primary surgery and trainee categories did not cause significant differences in the visual outcome.
Conclusion: Cataract surgeries done by trainee surgeons caused complications at various stages. However, interventions by vitreo-retinal surgeons led to a significant difference in the final visual outcome.
Lived Experience, Coping Strategies and Social Network of Street-working Children
Authors: Ferdous Ashfaq , Nila Sabiha Mahfuz 
Published: May 2020

Background: Street children are exposed to the harshest of living experience. They start experiencing the cruelest form of life from an age when they are supposed to be raised amidst nothing but care and love.
Aims: This study attempts to understand the lived experience of street-working children, the daily challenges they face, their coping strategies, and the social network they maintain for a living.
Methodology: Using a quantitative, and to some extent, ethnographic method, a sample of 110 street-working children aged 5-15 years was drawn from Dhaka University campus and surrounding areas: Shahbag, New Market, Chankharpool and Ramna in Dhaka city. A structured questionnaire with a series of close-ended questions was used for interview schedules.
Results: Analysis of data revealed that most of the children came to Dhaka in pursuit of a better living standard. They are mostly engaged in flower, water or chocolate-selling. The amount of their daily earnings is very low and is hardly enough to manage three meals a day. Most of them sleep on the pavements and those places are not even fixed. They keep changing places depending on wherever they find a place. Sleeping on filthy places under open sky, no wonder they suffer from different skin diseases and are vulnerable to various other diseases. They live through continuous change of coping strategies. Their parents, siblings, relatives and peer groups are at the center of their social network relying on which they survive in the city.
Conclusion: To put it simply, sufferings of street-working children know no bounds. They fight much more hardship than we can even imagine from the outside.
Ultrasound Detection of Calcinosis and Association With Ulnar Artery Occlusion in Patients With Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Fairchild Robert , Chung Melody , Sharpless Laurel , Li Shufeng , Chung Lorinda 
Published: May 2020

ObjectiveTo investigate the ability of ultrasound (US) compared to radiographs to detect calcinosis in hands/wrists of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), and to assess US markers of pathologic perfusion.MethodsPatients with SSc were evaluated for calcinosis in the hands/wrists by radiograph and US. The presence or absence of calcinosis was recorded by patient, hand, and anatomic zone; sensitivity and specificity for calcinosis detection by US versus radiographs was determined. Bilateral US vascular measurements of ulnar artery occlusion (UAO) and finger pulp blood flow (FPBF) were obtained. For each hand, associations between markers of pathologic blood flow (UAO, FPBF, and a composite severity score of UAO and FPBF) and the presence of calcinosis were assessed using generalized estimating equations.ResultsOf 43 patients with SSc (19 diffuse, 24 limited), 39.5% had calcinosis on radiographs compared to 30.2% on US. Sensitivity and specificity for US, respectively, were 61% and 95% by zone, 78% and 98% by hand, and 76% and 100% by patient. UAO was seen in 30% and 28% of left and right hands, respectively; FPBF was absent in ≥1 digit of the left and right hands in 49% and 44%, respectively. UAO was associated with radiograph‐identified calcinosis by hand (odds ratio [OR] 8.08 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 2.45–26.60], P < 0.001), whereas FPBF and the composite severity score were not significant. UAO was associated with calcinosis even in the absence of digital ulcers (OR 33.00 [95% CI 3.39–321.09], P = 0.003).ConclusionUS was sensitive and highly specific in detecting calcinosis in SSc. UAO was strongly associated with radiograph‐identified calcinosis.
Comparative Risks of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Diabetes Mellitus, and in General Medicaid Recipients
Authors: Barbhaiya Medha , Feldman Candace H. , Chen Sarah K. , Guan Hongshu , Fischer Michael A. , Everett Brendan M. , Costenbader Karen H. 
Published: May 2020

ObjectiveCardiovascular disease (CVD) risk is elevated in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and diabetes mellitus (DM), but whether risk of CVD in patients with SLE is as high as in those with DM is unknown. The present study was undertaken to compare CVD risks between patients with SLE and DM and general population US Medicaid recipients.MethodsIn a cohort study, we identified age‐ and sex‐matched adults (1:2:4) with SLE or DM and those from the general population using Medicaid Analytic eXtract, 2007–2010. We collected data on baseline sociodemographic factors, comorbidities, and medications. We used Cox regression models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) of hospitalized nonfatal CVD events (combined myocardial infarction [MI] and stroke) and MI and stroke separately, accounting for competing risk of death and adjusting for covariates. We compared risks in age‐stratified models.ResultsWe identified 40,212 SLE patients, 80,424 DM patients, and 160,848 general population patients; 92.5% were female, and the mean ± SD age was 40.3 ± 12.1 years. Nonfatal CVD incidence rate per 1,000 person‐years was 8.99 for patients with SLE, 7.07 for those with DM, and 2.36 for the general population. Nonfatal CVD risk was higher in SLE compared to DM (HR 1.27 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.15–1.40]), driven by excess risk at ages 18–39 years (HR 2.22 [95% CI 1.81–2.71]). Patients with SLE had higher risk of CVD compared to the general population (HR 2.67 [95% CI 2.38–2.99]).ConclusionSLE patients had a 27% higher risk of nonfatal CVD events compared to age‐ and sex‐matched patients with DM and more than twice the risk of the Medicaid general population. The highest relative risk occurred at ages 18–39 years. These high risks merit aggressive evaluation for modifiable factors and research to identify prevention strategies.
Long‐Term Safety of Rituximab in Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis and in Microscopic Polyangiitis
Authors: Merkel Peter A. , Niles John L. , Mertz Lester E. , Lehane Patricia B. , Pordeli Pooneh , Erblang Félix 
Published: May 2020

ObjectiveThe present study was undertaken to conduct a phase IV, open‐label, prospective study to characterize the long‐term safety of rituximab in a 4‐year observational registry of adult patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) within the US.MethodsPatients initiating treatment with rituximab were evaluated every 6 months for up to 4 years. Outcomes included the incidence of serious adverse events (SAEs), infusion‐related reactions (IRRs), and SAEs of specific interest, including serious infections, serious cardiac events, serious vascular events, and malignancies.ResultsOverall, 97 patients (72 with GPA and 25 with MPA) received rituximab through a median of 8 (range 1–28) infusions and were followed up for a median of 3.94 years (range 0.05–4.32 years). The estimated incidence rates (95% confidence interval [95% CI]) of serious infections, serious cardiac events, and serious vascular events were 7.11 (4.55–10.58), 5.03 (2.93–8.06), and 2.37 (1.02–4.67) per 100 patient‐years (PYs), respectively. No IRRs or SAEs occurred within 24 hours of an infusion of rituximab. None of the 9 deaths reported (crude mortality rate 2.67 [95% CI 1.22–5.06] per 100 PYs) were considered to be related to use of rituximab.ConclusionThe safety profile of long‐term treatment with rituximab in patients with GPA or MPA was consistent with that of rituximab administered for shorter durations and with rituximab’s known safety profile in other autoimmune diseases for which it has received regulatory approval. These findings provide clinicians with long‐term, practice‐level safety data for rituximab in the treatment of GPA or MPA.
Early Joint Replacement in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Trend Over Time and Factors Influencing Implant Survival
Authors: Marino Achille , Pontikaki Irene , Truzzi Marcello , Menon Alessandra , Artusi Carolina , Di Marco Marco , Randelli Pietro S. , Cimaz Rolando , Viganò Roberto 
Published: May 2020

ObjectiveTo describe early prosthesis implantations in a cohort of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) followed in a tertiary referral hospital and to analyze possible factors influencing implant survival.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study. Charts of all patients with JIA who underwent total joint replacement at Gaetano Pini Hospital, Milan, Italy from January 1992 to June 2019 were retrieved, and relevant data were analyzed.ResultsEighty‐five patients met the inclusion criteria for this study, with a median follow‐up period of 17.2 years. The median age at first prosthesis was 22.7 years. The total number of replaced joints was 198 over a period of 27 years. The hip was the most frequently replaced joint, accounting for almost two‐thirds of the total number of implants; the other one‐third refers mostly to knee implants. Polyarticular JIA and systemic JIA were the most represented JIA categories in the study cohort. A significant upward trend of the age at arthroplasty and of disease duration before arthroplasty over decades was found. The rates of implant survival at 5, 10, and 15 years were comparable (from 84% to 89%); 50% of implants lasted ≥20 years.ConclusionWe reported retrospective data on early joint replacement in a cohort of patients with JIA. We observed a progressive and significant upward trend of both age at arthroplasty and disease duration before the first arthroplasty over time. The JIA category, year of implant, and presence of complications significantly affected implant survivorship.
Incidence, Prevalence, and Burden of Gout in the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Helget Lindsay N. , England Bryant R. , Roul Punyasha , Sayles Harlan , Petro Alison D. , Michaud Kaleb , Mikuls Ted R. 
Published: May 2020

ObjectiveTo determine the prevalence, incidence, and burden of gout in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) from 2005 to 2014.MethodsWe used national VHA data from January 1999 to December 2014 to determine the annual incidence and prevalence of gout in the VHA. Gout burden to the VHA was determined by the proportion of patients with an encounter related to gout. Rates of urate‐lowering therapy (ULT) and opiate use were determined annually. Characteristics of those with and without gout were compared using 2014 data.ResultsFrom 2005 to 2014, gout prevalence in the VHA increased from 4.2% to 5.8%, while disease incidence ranged from 5.8 to 7.4 cases per 1,000 patient‐years. Gout prevalence was highest among men, older patients, and non‐Hispanic black patients. During 2014, 4.0% of all inpatient or outpatient encounters and 1.3% of hospitalizations were gout related. Administration of ULT remained stable over the 10‐year period, with 46% of gout patients receiving ULT in 2014. In contrast, 16.4% of prevalent gout patients were receiving a weak opioid in 2014, nearly doubling the prescription rate of weak opioids in 2005, while the use of stronger opioids did not change significantly over this period. Patients with gout had greater comorbidity and health care utilization than patients without gout.ConclusionThe burden posed by gout in the VHA is considerable and increased between 2005 and 2014. While the use of ULT has remained stable, the use of opioid therapy has increased among patients with gout.