bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Willingness of Medical Students to Practice in Their Country of Origin after Studies: A Nigerian Perspective
Authors: CHIME Onyinye Hope , ORJI Chinonyelu Jennie , NDIBUAGU Edmund Onyemaechi , ARINZE-ONYIA SussanUzoamaka , ANEKE Tonna Jideofor , NWOKE Ijeoma Ngozi , MADU AnselemChekwube 
Published: February 2020

Background:
Availability of skilled manpower at service locations is an important indicator of the strength of the healthcare system and is critical for effective healthcare service delivery in developing countries. Emigration of doctors reported in Africa over the years has tremendously increased in recent times. The health sector in this low-income region has registered a great setback in their health indices following a severe shortage of manpower.

Objective:
This study was undertaken to assess the willingness of medical students to practice in Nigeria after the completion of their medical education.

Methods:
This was a cross-sectional study performed among medical students in Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu, Nigeria. A pretested self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Information was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22 software. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize and present data. Degree of bivariate associations were measured using the Pearson Chi-Square test at a significance level of p<0.05.

Results:
The mean age of the respondents were 23.9 ± 3.4 years. Majority were males (58.0%) and a greater proportion of the respondents (83.5%) did not desire to practice in Nigeria after their studies with the USA (29.3%) and Canada (17.8%) being the most preferred countries of migration. Advancement in technology and better remuneration were the most compelling factors for emigration.

Conclusion:
To ensure adequacy and efficiency in the health sector as recommended by the World Health Organization, governments of low-income countries should put measures in place to make medical practice in their countries more attractive to young doctors. Such measures include improved remuneration for services rendered and incorporation of more modern technology into health care delivery system.
Synergistic Effect of Tazobactam on Amikacin MIC in Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Burn Patients in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Azimi Leila , Tahbaz Sahel V. , Alaghehbandan Reza , Alinejad Farank , Lari Abdolaziz R. 
Published: February 2020

Background:Burn is still an important global public health challenge. Wound colonization of antibiotic resistant bacteria such as Acinetobacter baumannii can lead to high morbidity and mortality in burn patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of tazobactam on efflux pump, which can cause aminoglycoside resistant in A. baumannii isolated from burn patients.Methods:In this study, 47 aminoglycoside resistant A. baumannii spp. were obtained from burn patients, admitted to the Shahid Motahari Burns Hospital in Tehran, Iran, during June-August 2018. The inhibitory effect of tazobactam against adeB such as efflux pump was evaluated by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) determination of amikacin alone and in combination with tazobactam. Fractional Inhibitory Concentration index (FIC) was used to determine the efficacy of tazobactam/ amikacin combination. Further, semi-quantitative Real- Time PCR was performed to quantify the expression rates of the adeB gene before and after addition of tazobactam/amikacin.Results:The MIC values were significantly reduced when a combined amikacin and tazobactam was utilized. The most common interaction observed was synergistic (78.2%), followed by additive effects (21.8%), as per FIC results. The adeB mRNA expression levels were found to be downregulated in 60.7% of isolates treated with tazobactam.Conclusions:Tazobactam can have impact on resistance to aminoglycoside by inhibiting efflux pump. Thus, the combination of tazobactam with amikacin can be used as an alternative treatment approach in multidrug resistant A. baumannii infections.
NLRP3 Promotes Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation and Metastasis via Regulating Epithelial Mesenchymal Transformation
Authors: Shao Xinyu , Lei Zhiyi , Zhou Chunli 
Published: February 2020

Background:
Nucleotide-binding domain Leucine-rich Repeat Protein 3 (NLRP3) plays a regulatory
role in the immune and inflammatory responses, and has been implicated in Colorectal Cancer (CRC) progression
and metastasis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated.

Methods:
In this study, we analyzed the expression levels of NLRP3 in human CRC tissues, and performed
functional assays in CRC cell lines and a subcutaneous tumor model to elucidate its role in the development and
progression of CRC.

Results:
In this study, we found that NLRP3 was significantly upregulated in human CRC tissues and was associated
with tumor size and invasion, lymph node metastasis, venous invasion, neural invasion and TNM staging.
Furthermore, knockdown of NLRP3 in CRC cells inhibited their migration and growth in vitro and in vivo, and
reversed Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in vitro.

Conclusion:
Our findings indicate that NLRP3 likely regulates CRC metastasis by activating the EMT program,
and is a potential therapeutic target.
Prevalence of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Familial Mediterranean Fever
Authors: Tasliyurt Turker , Gokce Erkan , Sahin Safak , Aslan Asiye Baris , Demir Ayse Kevser , Uzun Suheyla , Kutluturk Faruk 
Published: February 2020

Introduction:
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with metabolic
syndrome (MetS), insulin resistance (IR) and chronic inflammation. Although familial Mediterranean
fever (FMF) patients have no symptoms in the periods between attacks, their subclinical inflammation
continues. The aim of the present study was to determine the NAFLD frequency in FMF
patients and to evaluate their MetS, IR and lipid profiles.

Methods:
The study included 54 FMF patients and 54 control subjects. The clinical and demographic
characteristics of the subjects were recorded, and the patients’ Pras disease severity score was calculated.
IR was determined using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) index. MetS was
diagnosed using the revised National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria
(NCEP ATP III). Hepatic ultrasonography was used to diagnose NAFLD.

Results:
NAFLD was observed in 15 FMF patients (27.8%) and 14 controls (25.9%). The difference
between the groups was not significant (p=0.828). Similarly, no significant difference was found between
the two groups for MetS frequency and HOMA index levels. Fasting plasma glucose was significantly
higher in FMF patients, whereas differences between the two groups were not significant for
lipid levels and other parameters. When FMF patients with and without NAFLD were compared, no
significant difference was found in Pras disease severity score, duration of the disease and daily colchicine
dose.

Conclusion:
The present study showed that NAFLD frequency was not increased in FMF patients, and
that patients’ MetS frequency, IR and lipid profiles were not different from control subjects.
Telfairia occidentalis Potentiates the Antiplasmodial Activity of Artemisinins and Amodiaquine Combination Therapy
Authors: Ebong Aniekan S. , Eseyin Olorunfemi A. , Etim Emmanuel I. , Okokon Jude E. , Anah Victor U. , Attih Emmanuel E. , Charles Goodnews E. 
Published: February 2020

Background:
Drug-phytochemical interactions sometimes result in various unpredictable outcomes.

Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vivo antiplasmodial activity of the aqueous leaf extract
of Telfairia occidentalis and its potentiation of the activity of Amodiaquine (AQ) and dihydroartemisinin
(DHA) on mice infected with Plasmodium berghei.

Methods:
Phytochemical screening of the extract was carried out using standard procedures. The extract
prepared in 250 and 500 mg/kg/body weight together with amodiaquine and dihydroartemisinin were administered
as a single dose and in combination to albino mice by oral gavage, adopting the standard procedures
of prophylactic, suppressive and curative antiplasmodial assay models.

Results:
Phytochemical screening of the extract confirms the abundance of alkaloids, saponins and tannins.
The analysis reveals a significant (p < 0.05) competitive reduction of parasitaemia by the conventional
drugs and the extract in a dose-dependent order. The aqueous extract of T. occidentalis at 250 and 500
mg/kg gave a percentage parasitaemia reduction of 83.90 % and 85.00%, respectively when compared
with the negative control. The concurrent administration of the extract and the drugs produced a synergistic
effect in a dose-dependent order. When AQ plus DHA waer administered concurrently with 250 mg/kg
and 500 mg/kg of extract, the percentage reduction in parasitaemia increased to 99.50 % and 99.59%, respectively.

Conclusion:
This shows that the aqueous extract of T. occidentalis possesses significant (p < 0.05) antiplasmodial
activity which is comparable to AQ and DHA. It also enhances the efficacy of the standard
drugs which indicates an advantage in the treatment of uncomplicated falciparum malaria.
Study of Pulsation Pressures in the Stages of an Electric Submersible Pump at Shut-Off Under Various Speeds of Operation
Authors: Dhanasekaran Arumugam , Kumaraswamy Sivasailam 
Published: February 2020

Background:
Electric Submersible Pumps (ESPs) are widely used in agricultural fields,
petroleum, and various other industries. These pumps are mostly driven at a constant speed since an A.C.
motor is normally used as the drive. However, ESPs can also be operated at various speeds by employing
a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD). Several patents have been published in ESP. Normally these pumps
are started with the discharge valve at its closed position in order to control the starting current. When the
ESP runs at its shut-off position, it will develop a higher head and an increase in fluctuating pressure. In
order to evaluate the effects of pressure fluctuation, its characteristics must be investigated.

Objective:
Experimentally investigate the characteristics of pressure pulsation which are generated at
each stage of a multistage ESP during shut-off condition at various speeds.

Methods:
An ESP with five stages was selected for conducting experiments. A VFD was used for operating
the ESP at five speed settings from 80 to 120 % of its rated speed. Piezoresistive transducer was
placed at the delivery side of the pump to acquire the signals of unsteady pressure. The pump was operated
at closed valve condition at each speed, and unsteady pressure signals due to pressure pulsation
were captured.

Results:
Obtained results have indicated the presence of fundamental frequency pertaining to vane
passing frequency and harmonics of higher frequencies.

Conclusion:
Study of pressure fluctuations at shut-off will help to analyze the failures of ESP due to
vibration which occur when the pump runs at closed valve position for a prolonged length of time and
stability of these pumps at lower flow rates.
Effects of Vitamin C and E Against Oxidative Stress: Is Antioxidant Supplementation Efficient?
Authors: Merzouk Amel Saidi , Loukidi Bouchra , Bettioui Réda , Merzouk Hafida 
Published: February 2020

Objective:
Numerous epidemiological studies show an increased prevalence of
metabolic diseases related to oxidation stress causing cell damage. Antioxidant supplementation is
therefore useful to protect against the oxidative stress mediated disease development and has
become an increasingly popular practice. In this review, a selection of clinical and in vitro studies
on vitamin C and E supplementation and the evaluation of their beneficial or negative effects have
been analyzed.

Results:
Clinical studies and supplementation trials show a correlation between antioxidants and
metabolic improvement in different diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
obesity. Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and E (α-tocopherol) appear to be among the most commonly
used antioxidants. However, taking antioxidant supplements in high doses can be harmful. In some
studies, little supportive evidence has been provided on substantial protection against chronic
diseases by antioxidants. In addition, previous studies have revealed negative effects of antioxidant
supplements such as pro-oxidant activities in particular conditions including their dosage and the
body oxidant/ antioxidant status.

Conclusion:
Antioxidant supplements should be used with caution.
Turning Apparent Waste into New Value: Up-Cycling Strategies Exemplified by Brewer’s Spent Grains (BSG)
Authors: Salman Wagd , Ney Yannick , Nasim Muhammad Jawad , Bohn Torsten , Jacob Claus 
Published: February 2020

Background:
The production, distribution, consumption, and removal of food produces
a wide range of organic by-products and, eventually, waste. This kind of waste not only places a
considerable burden on the environment and food economy, it also represents an opportunity to
harvest additional value, often within an unexpected context and with little connection to the
original food item it originates from.

Objectives:
Brewer’s spent grain (BSG) is such a waste material produced in considerable
quantities as a by-product of the beer industry. Although traditionally discarded or fed to animals,
it is rich in a wide range of interesting biomolecules and can be converted into a wide spectrum of
valuable products.

Results:
Traditional and more innovative applications of BSG illustrate the concept of up-cycling
in the food industry. With the relevant scientific and engineering base in place, BSG can be turned
into a range of valuable products such as Brewer’s vinegar, creams, high-fibre bread, grain burgers,
bioplastics, and pellets.

Conclusion:
In the medium term, rather than composting BSG for biogas or feeding it to animals,
it may be seen as a valuable raw material to inspire various small- and medium-sized local
industries and bedrock of an entire industry.
Explanatory Model of Dry Eye Disease Using Health and Nutrition Examinations: Machine Learning and Network-Based Factor Analysis From a National Survey
Authors: Nam Sang Min , Peterson Thomas A , Butte Atul J , Seo Kyoung Yul , Han Hyun Wook 
Published: February 2020

Background
Dry eye disease (DED) is a complex disease of the ocular surface, and its associated factors are important for understanding and effectively treating DED.

Objective
This study aimed to provide an integrative and personalized model of DED by making an explanatory model of DED using as many factors as possible from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data.

Methods
Using KNHANES data for 2012 (4391 sample cases), a point-based scoring system was created for ranking factors associated with DED and assessing patient-specific DED risk. First, decision trees and lasso were used to classify continuous factors and to select important factors, respectively. Next, a survey-weighted multiple logistic regression was trained using these factors, and points were assigned using the regression coefficients. Finally, network graphs of partial correlations between factors were utilized to study the interrelatedness of DED-associated factors.

Results
The point-based model achieved an area under the curve of 0.70 (95% CI 0.61-0.78), and 13 of 78 factors considered were chosen. Important factors included sex (+9 points for women), corneal refractive surgery (+9 points), current depression (+7 points), cataract surgery (+7 points), stress (+6 points), age (54-66 years; +4 points), rhinitis (+4 points), lipid-lowering medication (+4 points), and intake of omega-3 (0.43%-0.65% kcal/day; −4 points). Among these, the age group 54 to 66 years had high centrality in the network, whereas omega-3 had low centrality.

Conclusions
Integrative understanding of DED was possible using the machine learning–based model and network-based factor analysis. This method for finding important risk factors and identifying patient-specific risk could be applied to other multifactorial diseases.
Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of ethanol fruit extract of Cherry Plum - Prunus cerasifera Ehrh.
Authors: Saraswathi K , Sivaraj C , Arumugam P 
Published: February 2020

Foods that have disease-preventing potential are designated as functional foods. Functional foods are foods that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. A large number of antioxidants, both nutritive and nonnutritive, occur in foods. The potency of antioxidants present in foods in vivo will depend not only on their levels in the foods but also on their bioavailability, that is, the extent to which the active forms of antioxidants are released from the food and absorbed through the gut. Most of phytochemicals, components of food, beverages, and herbal products are often reported in literature as “nutraceutical”, emphasizing their health promoting properties, including the prevention and treatment of pathologies like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neural disorders, and Alzheimer’s disease. Phytochemicals are virtually present in all the fruits, vegetables, pulses/legumes and grains which are commonly consumed, so it is quite easy to incorporate them in our daily diet. Current research studies were carried out for evaluating the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of ripe fruits of ethanol extract of Prunus cerasifera. Antioxidant activities such as DPPH˙ radical, Superoxide (O2.-) radical, ABTS●+ radical cation, phosphomolybdenum reduction and Fe3+ reduction were carried out for ripe fruits of ethanol extract of Prunus cerasifera. The maximum DPPH˙ radical and Superoxide (O2.-) radical scavenging activities were 82.11±0.42% and 46.26±0.28% at 120 µg/mL concentration and the IC50 values were 45.40 µg/mL and 129.70 µg/mL concentrations respectively. The maximum ABTS●+ radical cation scavenging activity was 88.64±0.43% at 30 µg/mL concentration and the IC50 value was 10.09 µg/mL concentration respectively. The maximum Mo6+ reduction and Fe3+ reduction were 86.29±0.29% and 79.82±0.20% at 120 µg/mL concentration and the RC50 values were 20.45 µg/mL and 24.21 µg/mL concentrations respectively. The antibacterial activity of ripe fruits of ethanol extract of Prunus cerasifera showed maximum zone of inhibition of 20 mm for Bacillus subtilis at 500 µg/mL concentration.
Keywords: Antioxidant, Superoxide (O2.-) radical, ABTS●+ radical cation, Fe3+ reduction and phenolic compounds.
Antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant activities of Crataeva adansonii DC. ssp. adansonii leaves extract on ICR mice
Authors: Atchou Kokou , Lawson-Evi Povi , Metowogo Kossi , Bakoma Batomayena , Eklu-Gadegbeku Kwashie , AkliKokou Kodjo , Gbeassor Mensavi 
Published: February 2020

Crataeva adansonii DC. ssp. adansonii is a medicinal plant belong to Capparidaceae family, used traditionally by Togolese to treat diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antihyperglycaemic and antioxidant activities of the plant leaves. The effect of hydroethanolic extract of C. adansonii ssp. adansonii leaves was assessed in vivo on blood glucose levels in fasting normal and glucose loaded hyperglycemic (oral glucose tolerance test) mice. The phytochemical screening has been done by coloring tests in chemistry. In vitro antioxidants assays had been performed by 2, 2'-azobis 2 amidinopropane dihydrochloride (AAPH) free radical scavenging assay, Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, Fe2+ chelating assay and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) quantification. After 30 min glucose loading (4 g/kg), the extract 500 mg/kg was showed a significant (p < 0.001) decreased of the peak of blood glucose compared to the hyperglycemic control. The two doses of extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) did not act on the basic blood glucose compared to the normoglycemic control. Phytochemical screening revealed a presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and sterols. AAPH free radical scavenging activity, reducing power, Fe2+ chelating activity and total antioxidant capacity have shown dose-dependent antioxidant capacity and reducing power of extract compared to ascorbic acid and Butylated hydroxyl Toluene used as reference drug. These finding prove that C. adansonii ssp. adansonii leaves can be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications related to oxidative stress and support the use of the plant in traditional medicine in diabetes treatment.
Keywords: Crataeva adansonii, antihyperglycaemic, phytochemical, antioxidant.
Glyphosate and Non-Hodgkin lymphoma: No causal relationship
Authors: Barukčić Ilija 
Published: February 2020

Objective: Herbicides are used worldwide by both residential and agricultural users. Due to the statistical analysis of some epidemiologic studies the International Agency for Research on Cancer classified the broad-spectrum herbicide Glyphosate (GS) in 2015, as potentially carcinogenic to humans especially with respect to non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). In this systematic review and re-analysis, the relationship between Glyphosate and NHL was re- investigated.
Methods: A systematic review and re-analysis of studies which investigated the relationship between GS and NHL was conducted. The method of the conditio sine qua non relationship, the method of the conditio per quam relationship, the method of the exclusion relationship and the mathematical formula of the causal relationship k were used to proof the hypothesis. Significance was indicated by a p-value of less than 0.05.
Results: The studies analyzed do not provide any direct and indirect evidence that NHL is caused GS.
Conclusion: In this re-analysis, no causal relationship was apparent between Glyphosate and NHL and its subtypes.
Keywords: Glyphosate, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, no causal relationship
Bilateral adrenal hyperplasia; a common cause of drug-refractory hypertension yet amenable to medical treatment
Authors: Kamel El-Reshaid , Al-Bader Shaikha 
Published: February 2020

Over the past 4 and 1/2 years, a total of 97 patients had hypertension yet lacked clinical, laboratory and radiological evidence of renal, renovascular and endocrine disease were investigated for A/R ratio. High A/R was detected in 30 patients. Five patients had unilateral adrenal adenoma and 1 had cancer while 24 patients (24.7%) had bilateral enlargements indicating bilateral adrenal hyperplasia (BAH). Our study has shown that BAH is: (a) easily diagnosed with a combination of A/R ratio and CT scan of the adrenal gland, (b) responsible for 24.7% of hypertension cases, (c) associated with moderate to severe hypertension that may require 2-4 antihypertensives, (d) associated with hypokalemia in only in 54% of the cases, (e) not controlled with a single daily dose of Spironolactone (S) and ½ the cases require 50 mg/day. Moreover, it has shown that S treatment was not associated with significant hyperkalemia yet gynecomastia and erectile dysfunction were common side effects. Interestingly; and despite normalization of A/R ratio, most patients continue to require antihypertensive drugs though the number and dosage were less. The latter phenomenon was more evident in those with higher initial A/R ratio and longer duration of hypertension. Nephroangiosclerosis is the most plausible explanation for it. In conclusion; BAH is not a rare disease and should be considered in cases of refractory hypertension.
Keywords: Aldosterone, Aldosterone/Renin ratio, hypertension, Spironolactone.