bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of Population on COVID-19 in Lisala City (Mongala Province) and Perspective of Valorising Alternative Therapy in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Falanga C. M. , Lindomba E. M. , Inkoto C. L. , Basosila N. B. , Masengo C. A. , Lusasi W. S. , Ratsimba M. H. , Baholy R. , Mpiana P. T. , Mudogo V. , Ngbolua K. N. 
Published: March 2021

Aim: To assess the population's knowledge of COVID-19 in order to guide future scientific research on the alternative management of this pandemic by Traditional Pharmacopoeia.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was undertaken in Lisala city (province of Mongala, Democratic Republic of the Congo), from 26 July to 10 August 2020.
Methodology: The surveys consisted in drafting a questionnaire beforehand to apprehend the knowledge of COVID-19among the surrounding population. The interview was conducted in Lingala language using stratified proportional random sampling method.
Results: A total of 200 people were interviewed in Lisala city. The majority were men (63.0% vs. 37.0%). The majority of the respondents were aged between 26-45 years (51.5%). The majority of the respondents were Ngombe people (43.5%), followed by Budja (21.5%), Mongo (13.0%) and Lokele (7.0%) respectively. The best source of information on the pandemic in Lisala city was the radio (72.5%), followed by the multisectoral committee for the response to COVID-19 (17.5%), television (9.0%) and newspapers (1.5%). In the event of contamination, the therapeutic approach recommended by the population is modern medicine (76.5%) as opposed to 23.5% of respondents who prefer to resort to traditional medicine. The majority of respondents prefer health products other than vaccines (71.0% vs. 20.0%). The results of the present survey showed statistically significant difference (at the probability threshold of 0.05: χ2≥9.345 and p-value≤0.05) and relationship (Cramer Pearson V value≥0.216) between educational status of the respondents and variables like knowledge on the disease consequences, knowledge on the COVID-19 agent; remarks concerning communication strategy; the risk of infection from living with a COVID-19 infected people; the fear to be infected; the existence of COVID-19 support structures and the knowledge on barrier.
Conclusion and Suggestions: The population's dependence on Traditional Medicine is postulated as one of the protective factors for the population of sub-Saharan Africa against COVID-19. It is therefore desirable to develop a phytochemicals library and its virtual screening in order to partially validate the anti-corona-viral properties of medicinal plants. Computational chemistry and structural biology will thus help to develop sustainable alternative medicine using molecular modelling and dynamics as strategy for predicting bioactivity, pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of natural products isolated from medicinal plants.
Surgical Site Infection after Caesarean Section: Epidemiology, Microbiology, Management and Prevention in a Tertiary Health Facility in Niger Delta Region, Nigeria
Authors: Ikeanyi Eugene M. , Abasi Isaac J. , Ofuruma Ninabai N. 
Published: March 2021

Background: Surgical site infection despite marked advances in surgical techniques and preventive measures continues to contribute substantially to hospital morbidity, financial burden and mortality.
Aims: This study was designed to measure surgical site infection rate following caesarean section, investigate the risk factors and the pattern of the offending microbes. The paucity of SSI data from authors’ center influenced the desire to contribute data to cesarean section-related SSI.
Study Design: A case control study.
Place and Duration of Study: Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Bayelsa State Nigeria between May 2018 and March 2020.
Methodology: Consenting cases of caesarean procedure-related surgical site infection were recruited as study group and the next non-infected caesarean patients as the control group. Descriptive statistics was done with EPI Info and Instat software. Relative risk (RR) determined association of variables and SSI with p-value <.05.
Results: Twenty six (9.4%) of the 276 caesarean section cases had surgical site infection. Unbooked status (RR 2.4, p=0.003), BMI≥30mgm-2(RR 2.2, p=0.02), surgery duration > 60 minutes (RR 5.3, p=0.03), interrupted stitch (RR 3.0, P<0.001), prolonged rupture of fetal membranes (p=0.008), chorioamnionitis (RR2.68, p=0.002), estimated blood loss>1000ml (p=0.02) were significant risk factors for SSI. SSIs had longer postoperative hospital stay median (IQR) 14.5(10-21) vs.6.0 (5-7), P<.001. Obstructed labor (42.3%) was responsible for most of SSIs after C-section. Wound discharge (37%), fever (23%) and wound dehiscence 17% were the main clinical features of SSI. The most isolated microorganisms were staphylococcus aureus (22.7%), klebsiella species and Escherichia coli 18.2% each and they were predominantly susceptible to quinolones and gentamicin and resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics.
Conclusions: Surgical site infection after C-section is still common in Nigeria. The factors were multifactorial and largely modifiable.
Predictors of Peripheral Artery Disease among Elderly Respondents in an Urban Hospital, Edo State Nigeria
Authors: Akpan Iboro Samuel , Ehimen Ferguson Ayemere , Adedokun Babatunde , Oviasu Osaretin 
Published: March 2021

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) potentially affects health-related Quality of Life, Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and is a strong prognostic marker for future cardiovascular events in elderly population. PAD commonly affects the elderly but may go undiagnosed in them, probably due to the presence of other morbidities like osteoarthritis and associated muscle spasm.
Aim. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of PAD in elderly by evaluating the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics in elderly patients.
Methods. A cross sectional hospital based study was carried out among 370 patients aged 60 years and above attending a Tertiary Hospital from September to November 2017. A systematic random sampling technique was utilized. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle variables, and medical history. The Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) was used to assess for PAD. Analysis was done using Chi-square test and logistic regression.
Results. The mean age was 69.3±7 years comprising of 76.5% females, 50% of the respondents were married while 47% were widowed. After adjusting for other variables, the result of the multi-logistic regression indicated that only patients with abnormal pedal pulse were more likely to present with PAD than those with normal pedal pulse (OR=10.634, 95% CI=2.4-47.121, p=0.002).
Conclusion. The study reveals that abnormal pedal pulses were significant predictors of PAD, therefore it is recommended that regular screening (clinical foot examination and ABI) should be done for elderly to achieve early detection of PAD and facilitate prompt treatment.
Immunohistochemical Expression of Nibrin in Epithelial Dysplasia and OSCC: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Abidi Fizza , Hosein Mervyn , Butt Saima Akram , Baig Faraz , Ahmed Rehan , Zaidi Abeeha Batool 
Published: March 2021

Inherited defect in DNA repair capability is the fundamental problem causing mutations to be passed on to new generation of cells leading to cancer. The NBS1/Nibrin/p95 belongs to the family of the DNA double-strand break repair complex (hMre11 complex) which is a transcript of the mutated NBS gene, located on human chromosome 8q21 The protein complex containing nibrin binds to the edges of the DNA double-stranded break causing defective repair process. Nibrin also activates various signaling cascades such as; phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases PI3-kinase/Akt triggering the oncogenic process.
Aims: The purpose of this research was to aid in the diagnosis of oral cancer and dysplastic lesions in Karachi population.
Study Design: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital. All samples were recruited for the study after obtaining written informed consent from patients and seeking ethical approval from Ethic Review Committee Ziauddin University (Reference Code: 0330618FAOM), Karachi Pakistan.
Place and Duration of Study: Ziauddin hospital north Nazimabad Karachi, November 2018 to September 2019.
Methodology: Expression of Nibrin (NBS1) was evaluated by Immunohistochemistry on dysplasia and OSCC biopsies by H-Score method. The tumor was graded by broder system. Immunohistochemical analysis for nibrin was performed on the tumor block. Mean, frequency, percentages were calculated for quantitative variables, chi square was used for qualitative variables. A value <0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: 92% OSCC cases were positive for Nibrin while 80% of oral dysplasia revealed Nibrin expression. This accounts for significant statistical association of Nibrin with OSCC (0.012*) and dysplasia (0.001*). Unfortunately, apart from moderaterly histological differentiation (0.012) none of these clinicopathological parameters showed statistical significance.
Conclusion: We conclude that a Nibrin protein showed overexpression among 92% of OSCC patients out of total 100 cases and in 80% out of 30 cases of dysplasia so the association of histological grading with expression of Nibrin was significant and expression of Nibrin intensity with histological grading was significant as well. Our study suggests that this expression of Nibrin may be used as a diagnostic marker for potential OSCC patients.
The Impact of Capital on Bank Profitability: Case of Tunisia
Authors: Moussa Mohamed Aymen Ben , Trabelsi Hédi , Boubaker Adel 
Published: March 2021

The capital adequacy ratio measures the ability of a financial institutions to meet its liabilities by comparing its capital with assets.
This article studied the relationship between bank capital and bank profitability measured by (Return on assets; return on equity; net interest margin). We used a method of static panel for a sample of 11 banks in Tunisia between (2000…2018). We found that bank capital has a significant impact on ROA. But capital has a non significant effect on bank return on equity and not significant impact on bank net interest margin.
Bacterial Infections Profile and Patterns for Diabetic Foot Ulcers in Nongovernmental Hospitals of Jordan
Authors: Abu-Harirah Hashem A. , Saleem Ammar , Daradka Haytham M. , Siyam Ali Ahmad Abu , Qudah Audai Jamal Al , Daabes Emad 
Published: March 2021

Background: Many types of infection can cause diabetic foot ulcers Infections involving the bacteria; E. coli, Acinetobacter spp (MDR) and K. pneumoniae, pseudomonas aeruginosa, so the assessment of Bacterial profile and patterns is needed to understand the source and management of these injuries.
Objective: To determine Bacterial infections profile and patterns for diabetic foot ulcers in nongovernmental.
Method: During a period of eleven months, 148 patients with diabetic mellitus foot syndrome (DMFS). Patients were involved, out of 130 which foot ulceration infections. data analysis was done using SPSS version 20. p value was set at <0.05.
Results: Out of 607 Patients with diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) were 130 out of 148 with diabetic mellitus foot syndrome (DMFS). Diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) therefore contributed 20.3% of DMFS among these subjects. Microbiological culture pattern was total of 17 different pathogenic microorganisms were isolated from the participants, one yeast and 16 types of bacteria, from the diabetic foot swabs for ulcers. S. aureus was the most frequent pathogen followed by E.coli then Acinetobacter spp (MDR) and K. pneumonia, then pseudomonas aeruginosa , then p. mirabilis then Streptococcus agalactiae ( group b) then (Enitrobacteria spp and pseudomonas spp and Candida spp and P. vulgaris and K. oxytoca ESBL) then S. viridanse and Enterobacter spp ESBL and Staphylococcus coag. negative). The Enterobacter spp ESBL was the less frequent pathogen.
Conclusion: Diabetic Foot Ulcerations (DFU), is forming about a quarter of the diabetic patient’s tissue infections, the causative agents were bacterial and fungal(yeast). Most of the causative pathogens were; Staphylococcus aureus, and Acinetobacter spp (MDR). The risk of development of High resistant drug isolates of diabetic foot ulcers to be multidrug resistance were high by 53% of total isolated pathogens specially with K. pneumonia (K. pneumoniae), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Proteus mirabilis bacterial.
One‐Step Polymeric Melt Encapsulation Method to Prepare CsPbBr3 Perovskite Quantum Dots/Polymethyl Methacrylate Composite with High Performance
Authors: Wang Zhiteng , Fu Rui , Li Fei , Xie Huidong , He Peiwen , Sha Qi , Tang Zuobin , Wang Na , Zhong Haizheng 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAll‐inorganic CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) exhibit excellent photoelectric properties and application prospects in the field of light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) and display devices. However, these possess poor long‐term stability to UV irradiation, water, heat, and oxygen. Using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) as the matrix along with CH3(CH2)16COOCs, [CH3(CH2)16COO]2Pb, and KBr as the perovskite sources, CsPbBr3 PQDs/PMMA composites are for the first time prepared via an in situ polymeric melt encapsulation method. Special attention is paid to the effects of synthesis conditions on the photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY) of the composites. The optimized CsPbBr3 PQDs/PMMA composite reveals excellent performance with ≈82.7% PLQY and ≈18.6 nm full width at a half‐maximum (FWHM). In particular, after 90 h of UV irradiation or 35 days of heating at 60 °C, the luminous intensity remains almost unchanged. In addition, after soaking in water for 15 days, it retains up to ≈53% of the initial luminous intensity, meaning that the composite possesses long‐term stability to UV irradiation, heat, and water. The as‐prepared white LED (WLED) based on the composite evidences the wide color gamut (126.5% National Television System Committee (NTSC)) and a luminous efficiency of 32 lm W−1. This work offers a novel, easily industrialized one‐step, and solvent free route for low‐temperature synthesis of all‐inorganic PQDs with broad application prospects.
Designing MOF Nanoarchitectures for Electrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Zhang Ben , Zheng Yijuan , Ma Tian , Yang Chengdong , Peng Yifei , Zhou Zhihao , Zhou Mi , Li Shuang , Wang Yinghan , Cheng Chong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractElectrochemical water splitting has attracted significant attention as a key pathway for the development of renewable energy systems. Fabricating efficient electrocatalysts for these processes is intensely desired to reduce their overpotentials and facilitate practical applications. Recently, metal–organic framework (MOF) nanoarchitectures featuring ultrahigh surface areas, tunable nanostructures, and excellent porosities have emerged as promising materials for the development of highly active catalysts for electrochemical water splitting. Herein, the most pivotal advances in recent research on engineering MOF nanoarchitectures for efficient electrochemical water splitting are presented. First, the design of catalytic centers for MOF‐based/derived electrocatalysts is summarized and compared from the aspects of chemical composition optimization and structural functionalization at the atomic and molecular levels. Subsequently, the fast‐growing breakthroughs in catalytic activities, identification of highly active sites, and fundamental mechanisms are thoroughly discussed. Finally, a comprehensive commentary on the current primary challenges and future perspectives in water splitting and its commercialization for hydrogen production is provided. Hereby, new insights into the synthetic principles and electrocatalysis for designing MOF nanoarchitectures for the practical utilization of water splitting are offered, thus further promoting their future prosperity for a wide range of applications.
The Role of Relative Capacitances in Impedance Sensing with Organic Electrochemical Transistors
Authors: Nissa Josefin , Janson Per , Berggren Magnus , Simon Daniel T. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe organic electrochemical transistor (OECT) has attracted interest for use in biosensor technology due to its ability to transduce ionic to electronic signals and operate in aqueous environments. While OECTs have been broadly applied for biosensing and impedance characterization of biological systems, there is still no consensus on the ideal geometries, relative capacitances, and operational conditions for specific sensing scenarios. Here it is shown that for impedance sensing with a capacitive layer on the gate, gate‐limited OECTs produce the largest sensor response. An equivalent circuit model is used to study frequency response with non‐permeable and ion‐permeable membranes added to the gate and found that the transistor configuration, with respect to gate and channel capacitances, able to produce the largest sensor signal is determined by the capacitance to be sensed as well as the membrane permeability. The findings are applied to design a gold gate OECT capable of detecting formation of a lipid bilayer on the gate. The results indicate that high transconductance OECTs typically considered attractive do not deliver the largest sensor signals when used for impedance sensing. Results are presented in settings similar to those used in practical experiments, thereby providing guidance on how to best design OECTs for impedance biosensing.
MoSe2@CNT Core–Shell Nanostructures as Grain Promoters Featuring a Direct Li2O2 Formation/Decomposition Catalytic Capability in Lithium‐Oxygen Batteries
Authors: He Biao , Li Gaoyang , Li Jiajia , Wang Jun , Tong Hui , Fan Yuqi , Wang Weiliang , Sun Shuhui , Dang Feng 
Published: March 2021

AbstractFor lithium‐oxygen batteries (LOBs), the strong oxidant intermediate and byproducts during the charge/discharge process are the main reasons for the degradation of the electrochemical performance. Searching for highly efficient catalysts for the direct formation/decomposition of Li2O2 is essential for the development of LOBs. In this study, core–shell nanostructured MoSe2@CNT with uniform MoSe2 coating layers are purposefully synthesized through a facile hydrothermal strategy to address the negative intermediate and side‐product issues, therefore enhancing the battery performance. The continuous and multiwalled MoSe2 layers can not only work as grain promoters that induce the initial nucleation and growth of equiaxed Li2O2 grains on the cathode surface even under a high rate, but also prevent the byproducts formation from corrosive issues between carbon and electrolyte. Moreover, density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the intrinsic layer dependent direct formation/decomposition catalytic capability of 2D MoSe2 and the LiO2 avoidable reaction pathway during the discharge/charge process, theoretically revealing the direct epitaxial growth mechanisms of Li2O2. As a consequence, the MoSe2@CNT cathode exhibited a superior specific capacity over 32 000 mAh g−1, excellent rate capabilities, and ultralong cycle life of 280 cycles at a high rate of 500 mA g−1.
Parent‐reported histories of adults with trisomy 13 syndrome
Authors: Lebedoff Amy N. , Carey John C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractClinical histories and outcome data of long‐term survivors with trisomy 13 are rare. The goal of this study was to collect the medical histories of adult individuals (≥18 years old) with apparent non‐mosaic trisomy 13/Patau syndrome to help gain further insight in to the clinical course for individuals with this condition and to characterize the manifestations for surveillance and management. We collected 11 families through a contact person with the LWT13 (Living with Trisomy 13) LIFE support group. We performed telephone interviews to gather their medical histories and report these data in system‐based summaries, tables, and clinical vignettes. In instances where parents retained copies of genetic testing reports or clinicians currently taking care of the individual with trisomy 13 were able to provide documentation, we confirmed diagnosis. All clinical histories and reported manifestations were consistent with a diagnosis of trisomy 13. We also elicited comments from parents on their personal experiences of raising an individual with trisomy 13.
Newborn screening in Latin America: A brief overview of the state of the art
Authors: Borrajo Gustavo J. C. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractLatin America is a region consisting of 20 countries that present a wide diversity in terms of a geographic area as well as demographics, ethnicity, economy, social, and healthcare systems. This diversity also applies to the newborn screening (NBS) activities, as demonstrated by the start dates and modalities of implementation as organized programs, the panel of diseases screened for, the available technologies for testing, the coverage, the legislation in force, and the degree of development and success reached. Based on these characteristics, Latin American countries can currently be classified into five groups ranging from fully established national programs to no program at all. Sixteen countries have national or regional NBS programs, but up to date only 14 are actively working. The other 2 have organized programs conducted by different health services providers, but without any unified national coordination. Only six countries have coverage ≥ 90% and 12 ≥ 70%. Thirteen countries have legislation in force defining NBS as mandatory. The 16 countries that have active NBS programs screen for congenital hypothyroidism, 14 for phenylketonuria, 12 for congenital adrenal hyperplasia and cystic fibrosis, and 8 for galactosemia. NBS by tandem mass spectrometry is implemented at a national level only in two countries. Despite these disparities, sustained and significant growth has become evident in the last decade, highlighted by the implementation of new programs, the increase in coverage, the expansion of the panel diseases, the enactment of new NBS laws, and the increasing involvement of government and public health authorities.