bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, attitude, and practices toward COVID-19 among the international travelers in Thailand
Authors: Prapaso Suttiporn , Luvira Viravarn , Lawpoolsri Saranath , Songthap Archin , Piyaphanee Watcharapong , Chancharoenthana Wiwat , Muangnoicharoen Sant , Pitisuttithum Punnee , Chanthavanich Pornthep 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
International travel is among the leading impactful factors of COVID-19 transmission; thus, adequate knowledge, good attitude and good preventive practices toward COVID-19 for international travelers are particularly essential for successful pandemic control.

Methods
A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted to determine knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of international travelers (both Thai and non-Thai) and expatriates in Thailand. The data were collected at the Thai Travel Clinic, Bangkok, Thailand and via online platforms during May to October 2020. The independent T-test, Chi-square test and multiple regression analysis (MRA) were applied to determine factors influencing the KAP.

Results
Of 399 travelers, 46.6% were male, 72.1% had a Bachelor’s degree or higher, and the mean age was 35.6 ± 9.6 years. Due to unexpected travel restrictions and lock down, 77.9% of participants were Thai and the respective major purpose of travel was business/work. Travel cancellation/postponement was reported at 73.9%. While sufficient knowledge (≥ 60% correct answers) was reported in 77.9% of participants, a low percentage of correct answers was found in the questions regarding disease transmission. The travelers reported a neutral attitude and an overall moderate concern regarding the COVID-19 situation. Adequate preventive practices were determined by the average practice score 3.54 ± 0.38 (0 = never and 4 = always). The MRA revealed that the factors influencing good practices were travelers who: i) enrolled from outside the hospital (online platform); ii) received pretravel advice at hospital; iii) were female; iv) participated before the declaration of the end of the outbreak; v) were aged 40–49 years, and vi) visited friends and relatives.

Conclusions
The majority of travelers in this study had sufficient knowledge, a neutral attitude and adequate preventive practices toward COVID-19. The factors influencing good practices included pretravel advice, sex, age and the point in the timeline of the outbreak. In order to better control the COVID-19 pandemic situation, pretravel counselling and advice should be promoted as a means to improve knowledge, particularly in disease transmission, increase awareness and emphasize appropriate preventive measures toward COVID-19 among international travelers. Furthermore, preventive practices should be bolstered at all times regardless of the outbreak situation.
Phenolic rich-extracts from Nauclea latifolia fruit restored Lead acetate-induced liver and kidney damaged in Wistar rats
Authors: Busari Musa Bola , Hamzah Rabiat Unekwu , Muhammad Hadiza Lami , Yusuf Ruqayyah Shehu , Madaki Fatima Mohammad , Adeniyi Jamiu Olabanji , Ibrahim Yunusa Olatunji , Berinyuy Eustace Bonghan 
Published: November 2021

AbstractLiver and kidney diseases are becoming order of the day in both developed and developing countries as a result of environmental pollutants such as lead. Restorative activities of methanol and methanol/acetone phenolic-rich extracts (MPR and MAPR, respectively) of theN. latifoliafruit (NLF) on lead acetate-induced liver and kidney damaged were assessed in Wistar rats. The antioxidant activities of both phenolic-rich extracts of NLF were also carried out using standard methods. Seven groups of Wistar rats comprising of 5 rats each were used for the study and 1000 mg/kg body weight (bw.) of lead acetate solution was administered orally to the 6 groups of animals to induce liver and kidney damage. The high and low dosages of 300 and of 150 mg/kg body weight (bw.) of both MPR and MAPR were administered orally to four groups for 14 days along positive (100 mg/kg bw. of silymarin), negative (treated with the placebo) and naïve control (non-induced). The percentage DPPH radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing antioxidant power and percentage inhibition of lipid peroxidation show high antioxidants activities dose-dependently. Furthermore, administration of lead acetate significantly (p > 0.05) reduces the weight gain and elevates the liver and kidney relative weight as well as their respective damage biomarkers with distortions in their histologies. However, treatment with MPR and MAPR resulted in significant (p < 0.05) improve in the percentage body weight gain, relative liver and kidney weight as well as restoration of the activities of the liver and kidney functions biomarkers of the treated animals. Likewise, lesser hepatic and renal cells injury were also observed in the treated groups with MAPR being more active at high dosage which significantly (p < 0.05) compared well with normal group. Hence, the phenolics content of theN. latifoliafruit can be exploited further for drug development for the management kidney and liver damage arise from lead-induced toxicity.
Three-dimensional simulator: training for beginners in endovascular embolization with liquid agents
Authors: Matyjas Michal , Sauerbrey Marius , Wyschkon Sebastian , de Bucourt Maximilian , Scheel Michael 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Background
To design a simulator for novices without prior experience in embolization with liquid agents such as n-Butyl cyanoacrylate (n-BCA) and to evaluate the simulator using surveys and post hoc video analysis.

Materials and methods
The simulator was created using computer-aided design software and three-dimensionally printed. Before an embolization, trainees completed questionnaires regarding their level of expertise and self-reported confidence level. The participants were shown an instruction video and each participant performed four embolizations on the simulator. Subsequently, the participants completed surveys on self-reported confidence level and assessed the simulator’s face and content validity.

Results
Five experts and twelve novices trained on the simulator. The experts were radiology residents and fellows with at least 5 years of work experience in interventional radiology. The novices were medical students and radiology residents without any previous experience with embolization. Based on the surveys, the experts assessed the simulator as very useful for embolization training. Performance, e.g. mean duration embolization between experts (mean ± standard deviation = 189 ± 42 s) and novices (mean ± standard deviation = 235 ± 66 s) were significantly different (p = .001). The overall simulation of the embolization process, simulated complications, and educational capabilities of the simulator were evaluated positively. In the novice group the self-reported confidence level significantly increased (p = .001).

Conclusion
The liquid embolization simulator proposed here is a suitable educational tool for training embolization procedures. It reduces the duration of embolization procedures and improves the confidence level of beginners in embolization.
Evaluation and improvement of the oxidative stability of leather fatliquors
Authors: Yu Yue , Huang Min , Lv Jiaqi , Zeng Yunhang , Sun Qingyong , Shi Bi 
Published: November 2021

AbstractFatliquor oxidation may give leather unpleasant odor, and excessive amounts of Cr(VI) and volatile organic compounds. The accurate evaluation and improvement of the oxidative stability of fatliquors are of great significance to high-quality leather manufacturing. We proposed a set of practical methods for evaluating the oxidative stability of fatliquors on the basis of oxidation induction time, change in iodine value (∆ IV), and change in acid value (∆ AV) under accelerated oxidation conditions (at 100 °C with 10 L/h of air). Oxidation induction time is a highly sensitive marker for quantifying the oxidative stability of fatliquors, and ∆ IV and ∆ AV that are low cost and easy to operate are useful in evaluating the oxidative stability of fatliquors when the oxidation induction time is less than 22 h. The number of double bonds in fatliquors is an important factor affecting oxidative stability. The sulfation modification of fatliquors that greatly reduces double bonds and the addition of antioxidants, especially butylated hydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene, markedly improve oxidative stability of fatliquors.
Arf6 is necessary for senseless expression in response to wingless signalling during Drosophila wing development
Authors: Marcetteau Julien , Matusek Tamàs , Luton Frédéric , Thérond Pascal P. 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACT
Wnt signalling is a core pathway involved in a wide range of developmental processes throughout the metazoa. In vitro studies have suggested that the small GTP binding protein Arf6 regulates upstream steps of Wnt transduction, by promoting the phosphorylation of the Wnt co-receptor, LRP6, and the release of β-catenin from the adherens junctions. To assess the relevance of these previous findings in vivo, we analysed the consequence of the absence of Arf6 activity on Drosophila wing patterning, a developmental model of Wnt/Wingless signalling. We observed a dominant loss of wing margin bristles and Senseless expression in Arf6 mutant flies, phenotypes characteristic of a defect in high level Wingless signalling. In contrast to previous findings, we show that Arf6 is required downstream of Armadillo/β-catenin stabilisation in Wingless signal transduction. Our data suggest that Arf6 modulates the activity of a downstream nuclear regulator of Pangolin activity in order to control the induction of high level Wingless signalling. Our findings represent a novel regulatory role for Arf6 in Wingless signalling.
Treatment of age-related visual impairment with a peptide acting on mitochondria
Authors: Alam Nazia M. , Douglas Robert M. , Prusky Glen T. 
Published: November 2021

ABSTRACT
Age-related visual decline and disease due to neural dysfunction are major sources of disability that have resisted effective treatment. In light of evidence that visual impairment and mitochondrial dysfunction advance with age, we characterized age-related decline of spatial visual function in mice and investigated whether treatment of aged mice with the mitochondrion-penetrating peptide elamipretide that has been reported to improve mitochondrial function, would improve it. Impaired photopic acuity measured by using a virtual optokinetic system emerged near 18 months and declined to ∼40% below normal by 34 months. Daily application of the synthetic peptide elamipretide, which has high selectivity for mitochondrial membranes that contain cardiolipin and promotes efficient electron transfer, was able to mitigate visual decline from 18 months onwards. Daily application from 24 months onwards, i.e. when acuity had reduced by ∼16%, reversed visual decline and normalized function within 2 months. Recovered function persisted for at least 3 months after treatment was withdrawn and a single treatment at 24 months delayed subsequent visual decline. Elamipretide applied daily from 32 months onwards took longer to take effect, but substantial improvement was found within 2 months. The effects of age and elamipretide treatment on contrast sensitivity were similar to those on acuity, systemic and eye drop applications of elamipretide had comparable effects, scotopic spatial visual function was largely unaffected by age or treatment, and altered function was independent of variation in optical clarity. These data indicate that elamipretide treatment adaptively alters the aging visual system. They also provide a rationale to investigate whether mitochondrial dysfunction is a treatable pathophysiology of human visual aging and age-related visual disease.
Analysis and results from a UK national dose audit of paediatric CT examinations
Authors: Worrall Mark , Holubinka Mike , Havariyoun Glafkos , Hodgson Kirsten , Edyvean Sue , Holroyd John , Davis Anne , Dunn Matthew , Gardiner Anna 
Published: November 2021

Objective:
To present the results following a UK national patient dose audit of paediatric CT examinations, to propose updated UK national diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) and to analyse current practice to see if any recommendations can be made to assist with optimisation.

Methods:
A UK national dose audit was undertaken in 2019 focussing on paediatric CT examinations of the head, chest, abdomen/pelvis and cervical spine using the methods proposed by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. The audit pro-forma contained mandatory fields, of which the post-examination dosimetry (volume CT dose index and dose–length product) and the patient weight (for body examinations) were the most important.

Results:
Analysis of the data submitted indicates that it is appropriate to propose national DRLs for CT head examinations in the 0-&lt;1, 1–&lt;5, 5–&lt;10 and 10–&lt;15 year age ranges. This extends the number of age categories of national DRLs from those at present and revises the existing values downwards. For CT chest examinations, it is appropriate to propose national DRLs for the first time in the UK for the 5–&lt;15, 15–&lt;30, 30–&lt;50 and 50–&lt;80 kg weight ranges. There were insufficient data received to propose national DRLs for abdomen/pelvis or cervical spine examinations. Recommendations towards optimisation focus on the use of tube current (mA) modulation, iterative reconstruction and the selection of examination tube voltage (kVp).

Conclusion:
Updated UK national DRLs are proposed for paediatric CT examinations of the head and chest.

Advances in knowledge:
A national patient dose audit of paediatric CT examinations has led to the proposal of updated national DRLs.
Clumpy artifacts can be differentiated from tophi with DECT: comparison between gout-free and gouty patients
Authors: Shin Dong Han , Song You Seon , Choi Yunjung , Yoo Wan-Hee , Kummel Florian , Park Eun Hae 
Published: November 2021

Objectives:
To accurately differentiate clumpy artifacts from tophi with foot and ankle DECT.

Methods and materials:
In session 1, 108 clumpy artifacts from 35 patients and 130 tophi images from 25 patients were analyzed. Reviewers classified green pixelation according to anatomic location, shape (linear, stippled, angular, oval), and height and width ratio. In session 2, green pixelation confined to the tendon was evaluated (shape, height and width ratio, occupied area in the tendon, accompanied peritendinous green pixelation).

Results:
In session 1, while tophi were noted at various locations, almost all clumpy artifacts were located at the tendon (99%, p &lt; 0.0001). Most clumpy artifacts were linear, stippled, and wide, while most tophi were angular and oval (p &lt; 0.05). In session 2, the shape of green pixelation from clumpy artifacts and tophi was significantly different (p &lt; 0.0001) and most clumpy artifacts occupied less than 50% of the tendon (p = 0.02), and most tophi were accompanied by peritendinous green pixelation (p &lt; 0.0001). Univariant logistic regression showed that tophi were significantly correlated with peritendinous deposits, angular and oval shape, and more than 50% of the tendon (p &lt; 0.05).

Conclusion:
Clumpy artifacts can be differentiated from tophi in DECT. Clumpy artifacts typically are located in the tendon with a linear or stippled shape, wide, and less than 50% of a tendon’s cross-section. Tophi, on the other hand, typically are oval, larger than 50% of the tendon’s cross-section, and associated with adjacent peritendinous green pixelation.

Advances in knowledge:
Clumpy artifacts can be differentiated from tophi in image findings by their location and shape.
Place & Person involved in delivery: Factors leading to delay in diagnosis of Anorectal Malformation in Newborns
Authors: Perveen Shazia , Ali Sajid , Jabbar Abdul , Fatima Batool 
Published: November 2021

Objective: To determine the frequency of place of delivery and person detecting the anomaly among newborn babies presenting with delayed diagnosis of anorectal malformation (ARM).
Methods: This is a Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study, conducted at Department of Paediatric Surgery, National Institute of Child Health (NICH) Karachi, from February 19, 2019 to August 18, 2019. All patients with ARM who were diagnosed beyond two hours of life (Delayed diagnosis) were included in the study. Chi square test was applied for comparison of categorical variables.
Results: Total 110 patients were enrolled in this study. Nineteen (17.3%) patients were delivered at home, while 91 (82.7%) were delivered at the hospital. The first person detecting the anomaly was grandmother (n=25) or a non-medical person in 58 patients (52.7%), 52 were diagnosed by a medical personal either primarily in 31 cases (28.2%) or secondarily by a neonatologist in 21 cases (19.1%).
Conclusion: It is concluded that Non-medical person detected ARM mainly despite the babies being delivered mostly at the hospital, indicating the need for meticulous neonatal examination.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4156
How to cite this:Perveen S, Ali S, Jabbar A, Fatima B. Place & Person involved in delivery: Factors leading to delay in diagnosis of Anorectal Malformation in Newborns. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(1):297-301. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4156
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin in maternal plasma to detect early intra-amniotic infection in preterm premature rupture of the membranes with respect of highvaginal swab as gold standard
Authors: Farooqui Rabia , Siddiqui Qurat Aman 
Published: November 2021

Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin in maternal plasma to detect early intra-amniotic infection in Preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PPROM) with respect of high vaginal swab as gold standard
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Liaquat National Hospital, Karachi, from February to August 2017. The blood sample of women with PPROM were collected to measure procalcitonin level. PCT1 and PCT2 were run along with the sample for the accuracy of the results. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin were calculated taking HVS C/S as gold standard.
Results: Out of total 150 women, mean age was 28.78±4.79 years. Mean gestational age was 30.79±3.07 weeks. Mean procalcitonin level was 0.13±0.24 ng/ml. Intra-amniotic infection was diagnosed in 48.7% cases through procalcitonin levels and 51.3% through HVS culture and sensitivity. Sensitivity, Specificity, PPV (Positive predictive value), NPV (Negative predictive value) and accuracy were 87%, 91.8%, 91.78%, 87%, and 89.3% respectively. For females with gestational age ≤32 weeks, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were 83.9%, 90.4%, and 87.03% respectively. For females with gestational age >32 weeks, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy were 95.2%, 92.5%, and 95.23% respectively.
Conclusion: Diagnostic accuracy of maternal blood procalcitonin levels were found satisfactory in detection of early intra-amniotic infection in PPROM.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4436
How to cite this:Farooqui R, Siddiqui QA. Diagnostic accuracy of procalcitonin in maternal plasma to detect early intra-amniotic infection in preterm premature rupture of the membranes with respect of high vaginal swab as gold standard. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(1):310-314. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4436
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Clinical application of compound Glycyrrhizin tablets in the treatment of patients with Simplex Henoch-Schonlein Purpura and its effect on immune function
Authors: Li Chao , Wang Zhi-bin 
Published: November 2021

Objectives: To investigate the curative effect of Compound Glycyrrhizin Tablets in the adjuvant treatment of simplex Henoch-Schonlein purpura and its influence in improving immune function.
Methods: In this retrospective study design was used in this study. Eighty newly diagnosed patients with purpura simplex who visited the outpatient department of Baoding First Central Hospital from June 2017 to February 2020 were included. They were randomly divided into treatment group and control group. The two groups were provided with the same conventional comprehensive treatment. Patients in the treatment group received oral administration of Compound Glycyrrhizin Tablets on the basis of conventional treatment. The clinical efficacy of the treatment group and the control group were compared according to the time and effect of purpura regression, followed by the comparison of changes of T cell subsets before and after treatment.
Results: The total effective rate of the treatment group was 92.5%, which was higher than that of the control group (77.5%) (P < 0.05). The purpura subsidence time of effective patients in treatment group was shorter than that in control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in lymphocyte subsets between the treatment group and the control group before treatment. After treatment, the proportion of CD4+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ cells in the treatment group were obviously higher than that in the control group, and the count of CD8+ cells was evidently lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Compound Glycyrrhizin is effective in the adjuvant treatment of simplex Henoch-Schonlein purpura without obvious adverse reactions, which is valuable for clinical application as an adjuvant.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4609
How to cite this:Li C, Wang Z. Clinical application of compound Glycyrrhizin tablets in the treatment of patients with Simplex Henoch-Schonlein Purpura and its effect on immune function. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(1):271-275. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4609
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.