bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Observational study on the response of tenofovir monotherapy versus tenofovir plus telbivudine dual therapy in patients with hepatitis B virus related acute on chronic liver failure
Authors: Manik Abul H , Malakar Debraj , Noor-E-Alam Sheikh M , Mahtab Mamun A , Das Dulal C , Mamun Ayub A , Khan Sakirul , Akbar Mohammad Fazle , Rahman Zakiur , Rahman Salimur 
Published: July 2021

Introduction:
HBV is major health problem globally due to complications, including ACLF, cirrhosis and hepa¬tocellular carcinoma. ACLF due to exacerbation of CHB is associate with 30%-70% mortality. Reduction of HBV-DNA is therefore a target of therapy in ACLF-B.

Methods:
Patients with spontaneous reactivation of HBV [(ALT >5×ULN or >2× baseline) and HBV-DNA >20,000 IU/ml] were randomized to Tenofovir mono therapy (300 mg/day) or Tenofovir plus Telbivudine (600 mg/day) dual therapy with standard care. Clinical and biochemical parameters were evaluated at baseline, 1 week, 4 weeks and at 3 months. Virological evaluation was done at baseline and at 3 months. Primary end points were reduction of HBV-DNA and resolution of ascites, as applied. Secondary end point was reduction of liver related complications, therapy related adverse effects and survival at 3 months.

Results:
27 patients were enrolled. 15 received mono therapy with Tenofovir and 12 received dual therapy (Tenofovir plus Telbivudine). Baseline parameters in 2 groups had no significant difference. In both groups there was significant improvement of S. bilirubin, ALT, INR, CTP score and MELD score. Only MELD score showed significant improvement in patient with dual therapy at 3 months in comparison to mono therapy. 11 patients on Tenofovir mono therapy (n=15) showed undetected HBV-DNA (91.7%) at 3 months and one patient had detectable HBV-DNA (<2,000 IU/ml). 10 patients on dual therapy (n=12) had undetectable HBV-DNA (100%). Ascites resolved in 3 patients in both groups. Patients receiving dual therapy showed significant improvement in AKI on follow up compared to those on Tenofovir mono therapy. Among 5 deaths, 3 received mono therapy with Tenofovir and 2 dual therapy. Predictors of mortality had high S. bilirubin, HBV-DNA, MELD score and CTP score.

Conclusion:
In spontaneous reactivation of HBV presenting as ACLF, combination of Telbivudine plus Tenofovir is safer with less nephrotoxicity and better outcomes.
How informed is the informed consent?
Authors: Vikas H , Kini Ananth , Sharma Nishant , Gowda Naveen R. , Gupta Anant 
Published: July 2021

Background:
Informed consent is a cornerstone of the ethics of modern medical care. In an ideal world, informed consent is a process of education – a conversation between a surgeon and a patient or family that allows the patient or family to make the best possible decision regarding care.

Objective:
The study was conducted with objectives of assessing information given to the patient before taking consent for surgery and determining the compliance to various contents of the consent forms.

Material and Methods:
This was a prospective study over a period of 12 weeks in wards of various surgical departments of a 1000+ bedded tertiary care hospital. Patient interviews were conducted to assess their level of information and the consent forms were reviewed to assess the compliance.

Observations:
The overall level of information r4egarding various aspects among the participants was 75.14%. The level of information varied statistically with age, literacy level, annual income and the type of surgery. All the patients (100%) stated that they were informed about the current clinical condition/ problem, while only 34% were informed about risk and 26% about the alternative options. All the forms (100%) had a statement regarding the explanation of procedure to the patient/ guardian and none of the forms (0%) contained names of all practitioners performing the procedure.

Conclusion:
There is need to create awareness among doctors and also to educate patients regarding the importance of informed consent.
Awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward venous thromboembolism among Aseer Population, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al Bshabshe Ali , Mousa Wesam Faried , Alshehri Mohammed Sultan , Saeed Alshahrani Mazen Mohammed , Alamri Omar Mohammed , Alshehri Fayez Saeed , AlFlan Mohammed Ali , Alshehri Afnan Sultan 
Published: July 2021

Objectives:
Calls to carry efforts to increase awareness about venous thromboembolism (VTE) as a preventable major healthcare problem with serious consequences has been upraised. This study was planned to get an overview of the awareness, knowledge, and attitude toward VTE among Aseer population, Saudi Arabia and the need for an education plan.

Materials and Methods:
Questionnaire composed of 35 questions based cross-sectional study was conducted online via Google documents to public in Aseer that included both genders aged more than 18 years who agreed to be involved in the study, to assess knowledge and attitude toward VTE. The collected data were presented as numbers, percentages, and were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 24.

Results:
The results of the data showed that awareness knowledge and attitude toward VTE were lacking and unsatisfactory.

Conclusion:
Diligence to spread knowledge and awareness of VTE among public in Aseer is required. Further surveys involving other populations are warranted.
Sociodemographic and psychosocial correlates of substance abuse among street children
Authors: Basu Gandhari , Biswas Saumyadeep , Pisudde Pravin , Mondal Reshmi 
Published: July 2021

Context:
India is now witnessing steady increase of substance abuse in younger age group. Street life is a major reason in addition to curiosity, unawareness of harm, migration, peer pressure.

Aims:
To assess the prevalence, pattern and related factors of substance use and stress among the street living children.

Settings and Design:
This street-based observational, cross sectional survey included 150 street children living in vicinity of railway stations, business activity centre and major religious places of Kolkata.

Methods and Material:
A descriptive research was done in 150 street children, aged 6 to 18 years and stayed in the street for at least six months. Respondents and care givers were interviewed with pre designed proforma to obtain information on socio demographic attributes, pattern of substance abuse, psycho social issues, self rated health. Weight and height were recorded by calibrated standardized instrument.

Statistical analysis used:
Collected data were analyzed with SPSS 22.0(licensed). Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was done for normally distributed, skewed and categorical variables respectively. The significance level was set at 5%.

Results:
Two-thirds of participants used substance. Illiteracy was significantly more in females. Perceived positive benefit was commonest reason while feeling happiness and diminished pain was the most common expectation behind substance abuse. Peer group had the biggest influence (92.0%) on their life. Substance abuse was significantly more in males, adolescents, employed, without family attachment, adult as influencer and in those who lived on street without family.

Conclusions:
Higher prevalence of substance abuse among males, adolescents with adult influencer, employed and without family attachment highlighted the urgent need of intervention to see a better future.
A descriptive study of the clinical and etiological profile of balanoposthitis
Authors: Jegadish N. , Fernandes S. D , Narasimhan Murali , Ramachandran R 
Published: July 2021

Background:
Balanoposthitis is defined as an inflammatory condition of glans penis and prepuce. There are wide variety of etiologies including both infectious and noninfectious conditions. This study attempts to throw light on information regarding clinical and microbiological aspects of balanoposthitis.

Objectives:
To study various clinical patterns, etiologies, and predisposing factors of balanoposthitis.

Methodology:
A descriptive study was undertaken on 106 cases who presented to sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic with balanoposthitis between November 2017 and April 2019. A detailed history, physical examination, and investigations like KOH mount, leishman staining, gram staining, dark field microscopy, cultures, and other investigations were done wherever indicated. The data collected was tabulated and analyzed.

Results:
In our study, infectious etiology was the most common and was found in 77.36% cases. About 13.41% of cases with infectious balanoposthitis had multiple etiological agents. Noninfectious etiology was found in 22.64% cases. The most common infectious cause of balanoposthitis was candida, noted in 59.76% cases, followed by herpes simplex virus (19.51%), human papilloma virus (13.41%), and scabies (8.54%). Among noninfectious etiologies, adverse drug reaction (4.72% of total cases) was the most common, followed by lichen planus (3.77%) and psoriasis (3.77%). There was significantly higher incidence of phimosis in diabetic patients with candidal balanoposthitis.

Conclusion:
Identifying the etiology facilitates early treatment and hence reduces the infectivity and transmission of disease and also the disease complications like phimosis. In addition, multiple infectious etiologies should always be kept in mind while evaluating STDs.
Prevalence, knowledge, and perception about the use of herbal medicines jazan - Saudi Arabia
Authors: Abdelmola Amani Osman , Bahri Ahmed , Abuallut Ismail , Refaei Basmah A. , Hakami Walaa K. , Abutaleb Alhanouf K. , Mahzari Salwa M. , Mashragi Mariam A. , Es’haq Shahad A. , Aldarbi Khadijah F. 
Published: July 2021

Aim:
This study aimed to assess the prevalence, knowledge and perception of Jazan province residents about traditional herbal medication.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was done on 440 Saudi residents using an electronically distributed questionnaire. The questionnaire included 39 items divided into 4 parts. Data collected were about demographic characters, knowledge and perception about HM, and HM usage among participants.

Results:
Most of the participants used HM for therapeutic purposes (80.9%) and (29.5%) believed that mixing herbs together led to more effective results. The participants agreed to a very high degree that inherited culture plays an important role in HM use, however (84.5%) of them never used herbs. The participants used herbs mostly for treatment of diabetes mellitus representing (37%) and hypertension (20.5%). Age, marital status, and the job of participants had a statistically significant effect on participants’ views about HM. While, gender, educational level, income, place of residence and chronic diseases had no statistically significant effect.

Conclusion:
The highest percentage of the participants used HM for therapeutic purposes. Increasing awareness of Saudi population about instructions and restrictions when using HM is greatly needed.
Paradigm Shift in Socio-Demographic Profile of Dengue Infection
Authors: Nayak Ranjeeta , Panda Manasi , Padhy Sarmistha , Mishra Kumar G. 
Published: July 2021

Background:
Dengue is the most rapidly spreading mosquito borne viral disease in the world with increasing geographical expansion to new countries and from urban to rural settings due to combination of urbanisation, population growth, increased international travel and trade and global warming. The epidemiology of dengue fever in India has been very complex with a seasonal pattern. The first outbreak in Odisha was in 2010 and is now spreading to different districts of the state.

Materials and Methods:
A hospital based cross-sectional study was carried out between 2017 to 2018 in the dengue ward of a teaching hospital in Berhampur, Ganjam district of Odisha.

Results:
The prevalence of admitted dengue patients was 4.32%. Majority of the patients were males (81.9%) and ≥15 years old (91.7%). About 68.5% were from rural areas and belonged to low socio-economic status (53.2%). Cases were reported mostly in peri-monsoon periods and 65.7% of them came directly to the hospital.

Conclusion:
The study highlights the need to curb the rural spread of the disease through activities in creating awareness among all section of people to promote control measures and early reporting of all fever cases, capacity building of rural doctors for early detection, treatment and early referral of high-risk patients and availability of ELISA based tests in sub-district hospitals along with Rapid Diagnostic Kits (RDKs). Emphasis for preventive and control measures to be increased during peri-monsoon periods and also to be instituted in offices, educational institutes and other indoor activity areas.
Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) for the treatment of achalasia
Authors: Al Lehibi Abed , Elkholy Shaimaa , Gouda Mohamed , Al Dabbagh Ammar , Al Balkhi Areej , Almtawa Abdullah , Al Otaibi Nawwaf , El-Sherbiny Mohammed , Essam Kareem , Alzahrani Mohammed Attieh , Al Ghamdi Ahmed , Al Ghamdi Adel , AlEid Ahmad , Qutub Adel , Alamr Abdulrahman , Ahmad Shameem , Al Sayari Khalid , Al Ibrahim Bashaar , Al Khathlan Abdullah , Alkhiari Resheed Eid 
Published: July 2021

Background:
Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) was proposed in 2010 as a minimally invasive procedure for the treatment of achalasia. In this article, we describe the Middle Eastern experience with the procedure in terms of efficacy, length of admission, and short- and long-term complications.

Methods:
A retrospective analysis of our prospectively collected data on patients who underwent a POEM procedure was conducted between March 2019 and May 2020. The primary outcome was clinical success rate, defined as a postprocedure Eckardt score ≤3 at ≥3 months. Secondary outcomes included the length of hospital stay, presence of reflux symptoms or need for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) ≥3 months, and adverse events.

Results:
During the study period, 67 patients (35 females) underwent the procedure for achalasia. The participants' ages ranged from 11 to 80 years (mean 41 ± 18 years). Eckardt scores before the treatment ranged between 4 and 12 (mean 8.85 ± 1.75). Sixty-four patients (95.5%) achieved Eckardt scores of ≤3 at ≥3 months after the procedure (95% confidence interval [CI]: 91%–100%). The difference between pre- and post-procedural Eckardt scores averaged around -8 points (95% CI: −7.5 to -8.5 P < 0.0001). Adverse events were reported in 24 patients (35.8%) and included pneumoperitoneum (32.8%), reflux symptoms at 3 months (29.9%), and surgical emphysema (3%). Six patients had adverse events that led to prolongation of admission; 3% of whom had aspiration pneumonia, 3% had pneumoperitoneum, 1.5% had both, and 1.5% had an esophageal tear.

Conclusions:
POEM is a promising procedure for the treatment of achalasia with a high clinical success rate, short hospital admission, and a reassuring safety profile.
Management of Cabbage Aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Homoptera: Aphididae)) on Ethiopian Mustard (Brassica carinata Braun) using Entomopathogenic Fungi and Selected Insecticides
Authors: Gebreyohans Gebreegziabher , Chokel Yonas , Alemu Tesfaye , Assefa Fasil 
Published: July 2021

Cabbage aphid (Brevicoryne brassicae L.) is an important sucking insect pest of cabbage and other vegetables. It can be controlled using continuous chemical insecticides that cause human health and environmental problems. The present study was, therefore, designed to evaluate antagonistic activities of indigenous entomopathogenic fungi together with selective insecticides within the context of integrated pest management (ipm). To this effect, four strains of entomopathogenic fungi from Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae were tested for their antagonistic activities against the cabbage aphid. The result showed that microbial inoculums of 1×107 and 1×108 conidia mL-1 showed high mortality (66.7-100%) of aphids after 6 days of incubation under laboratory condition. Among them, bei1 (B. bassiana) isolate was the most virulent strain on adult aphids and nymphs showing 67 to 100% and 39-72% mortality after 4th-5th days of treatments. The data also indicated that the fungal isolates were compatible to the three insecticides with 70% - 91% conidial germination by M. anisopliae and 68%-98% conidial germination by B. bassiana after 24 hours of treatment of which Karate was the most compatible insecticide to the isolates. The single treatment with the entomopathogens gave a substantial percentage mortality of insect pests after 11 days compared to (80-100%) mortality obtained from a combined treatment with half recommended dose of Karate in seven days, which was similar to the treatment with full dose of the insecticide control. The treatments were slightly more effective on adults than they were on aphid larvae. It is interesting to note that the combination of bei1 + Ka induced 100% mortality of adult aphids after seven days of incubation compared to the 11 day incubation required to kill the nymphs. Given that the full dose of karate killed the adult aphids in five days, the 100% mortality of the half dose of karate with bei1 within seven days was a good indication that the ipm could reduce pollution problem. Thus, B. bassiana and M. anisopliae with Karate could be further tested in the field to realize their potential as bioinsecticides for integrated pest management to control mustard aphids.
Some physiochemical properties of termite mound soil and its effect on yield and yield components of maize (Zea mays L.) Under Greenhouse condition at Nekemte, western Ethiopia
Authors: Beyene Temesgen , Getu Emana 
Published: July 2021

Termite mound soil amends soil fertility and utilized as an alternative to npk fertilizers by smallholder farmers in Africa. Experiment was conducted in western Ethiopia to compare selected physical and chemical properties of mound soil (ms), Adjacent soil (as) and non-mound soil (nms) and the effect of these soils on maize plant growth and yield in the Greenhouse. In Limu district, Fitbako kebele, cultivated land was purposively selected for sampling. In the cultivated land, a plot of 100m x100m was delineated and three mounds within the plot were also purposively selected to collect composite soil sample for soil analysis and Greenhouse pot experiment. From each mound, 10kg soil each from bottom, middle and top (total= 30 kg) were collected and mixed to obtain working sample of 10 kg. About 30kg of adjacent soil 5m away from mound soils and Non-mound soil at the distance of 20 m away from mound soil at the depth of 0-30cm were collected and thoroughly mixed to make working sample of 10kg from each soil type. Three kilograms of mound soil, adjacent soil and non-mound soil each was put in separate plastic bucket for greenhouse pot experiment. About 100 gm of each soil type was used for selected physical and chemical properties analyses. The result obtained demonstrated that termite mound soil was significantly (P<0.05) high in bulk density (bd), moisture contents (mc), porosity (P), Soil pH, percent organic carbon (% oc) and percent organic matter (% om). Total Nitrogen (tn), average (av.) P, av. K, Exch. Ca and Exch. Mg were also significantly (P<0.05) higher in mound soil in comparison with adjacent soil and non-mound soil. Maize plant growth traits and yield were significantly (P<0.05) high in mound soil. From the current study, it can be concluded that the use of npk fertilizer on plots having termite mound is not recommended. However, further research is needed on how to use mound soil on large plot of land
Upgrading biogas using Eburru zeolitic rocks and other adsorbent materials to remove carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide
Authors: Mbugua James K , Mwaniki Joseph M , Nduta Damaris M , Mwaura Francis B 
Published: July 2021

The trace amounts of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide in raw biogas lower its calorific value,cause corrosion and make it hard to compress biogas into the cylinder. Raw biogas was obtainedfrom anaerobic digestion of cow dung and market wastes. The gas was stored in tubes or urine bagbefore upgrading. Natural zeolite rocks, maize cobs, steel wire, desulphurizer, and worn-out tyreswere used as the upgrade materials. The composition of biogas was recorded before and afterupgrading using a GP180 portable biogas analyzer from Henan, China. The measured level of rawbiogas was 0.0227% H2S, >20% CO2 and 52-56% CH4. The most efficient upgrade materials werezeolite rocks with upgrade levels of 89–93% methane. The total removal using zeolite wasobserved to be 75% CO2 and 95.34% H2S. The morphological structures of zeolitic rocks accountfor its higher upgrading properties compared to other materials. In addition, the porosity in theserocks mean that CO2 and H2S were adsorbed resulting in high CH4 levels in the upgraded biogas.Other adsorbents showed upgrading properties with removal rates above 70% for both H2S andCO2.
Keywords: Biogas, Upgrading, Natural zeolite, Bio-methane
Synergistic effects of halide ions and Acacia senegal gum on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in sulfuric acid solution
Authors: Emmanuel Jovine , Buchweishaija Joseph 
Published: July 2021

The synergistic effects of halide ions, Br– and I– and Acacia senegal gum exudates on the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 0.5 M sulfuric acid solution has been investigated by potentiodynamic polarization measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Results showed that Acacia senegal gum exudate moderately reduces the corrosion rate of mild steel. The inhibition efficiencies on mild steel electrodes increased with increase in gum exudate concentrations up to 300 ppm, corresponding to the inhibition efficiency of about 43% and its inhibition efficiency increased up to 81.6% with addition of halide ions due to synergistic effects. The enhancement effect of the halide ions was higher with iodide than with bromide ions. The synergism parameter, S1, evaluated was greater than unity, consistent with synergistic effect. The adsorption of Acacia senegal gum on the mild steel surface obeyed Langmuir’s adsorption isotherm. The results obtained, i.e., corrosion rates of mild steel, inhibition efficiencies of Acacia senegal gum exudates and the synergistic effects of Acacia senegal gum exudates and halides from polarization and impedance measurements were in good agreement.
Keywords: corrosion, inhibition, mild steel, synergistic effect, Acacia senegal, gum exudate
Synthesis and antimicrobial activities of some new sulfonyl phenoxides
Authors: Ovonramwen Oluwaseyi B , Owolabi Bodunde J , Falodun Abiodun 
Published: July 2021

Four new sulfonyl phenoxides were synthesized through O-sulfonylation reaction of phenolic compounds with 5-chloro-1-ethyl-2-methylimidazole-4-sulfonyl chloride in good yield. FT-IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and DEPT 135 NMR were carried out to characterize and the thin layer chromatography (TLC) confirm the purity. Antimicrobial activities of the sulfonyl phenoxides against Gram-positive (methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis), Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae), and Candida albicans were carried out using the standard microbiological method. The antimicrobial activities were referenced to ciprofloxacin and itraconazole, antibacterial and antifungal drug respectively. The in vitro antimicrobial studies of 5-chloro-1-ethyl-2-methyl-1H-imidazole-4-sulfonyl(4-chloro-3-methyl)phenoxide and 5-chloro-1-ethyl-2-methyl-1H-imidazole-4-sulfonyl-2-methylphenoxide showed moderate activity against C. albicans. The four sulfonyl phenoxides had weak activities against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
Keywords: Sulfonyl phenoxides, Antimicrobial, Phenolic compounds, O-Sulfonylation reaction