bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corona pandemic overshadowing other diseases
Authors: Nameen Maimoona Sardar , Khan Laraib 
Published: April 2021

The devastating effects of the Coronavirus 19 pandemic and its implications for human health in the short and long term are presented and discussed in brief with a view to create awareness and elicit suggestions for feasible solutions to the crisis.
The authors declared no conflict of interest. Both authors contributed substantially to the write-up of the editorial, and agreed to be accountable for all aspects of the work.
Noninvasive Transient Elastography identifies initial stage liver fibrosis & cirrhosis in Hepatitis B patients
Authors: Anwar Muhammad Naveed , Achakzai Humaira , Ullah Fahim , Kundi Rizwan Amin , Ayaz Zeeshan , Imran Asif 
Published: April 2021

Background: Among the many non-invasive techniques performed on patients with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) related fibrosis, the most appropriate results have been obtained using Transient Elastography (FibroScan) to measure liver stiffness. The accurate diagnosis of fibrosis related to HBV is essential for prognostic and therapeutic decisions and offset the limitations of liver biopsy.
Objective: To evaluate Transient Elastography (FibroScan) for detecting and staging hepatic fibrosis by comparing it with hepatic histopathology in patients with Hepatitis B at a tertiary care hospital of Peshawar.
Materials & Methods: A descriptive study was done in March-April 2020 at Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar, based on retrospective data from May 2016 to March 2020 on 145 HBV positive patients with various stages of hepatic fibrosis who had undergone non-invasive FibroScan during their first visit. Routine demographic, clinical and laboratory parameters were analyzed to predict the existence or absence of advanced fibrosis. At the end of the evaluation, the samples were categorized as F0 (No fibrosis), F1 (Initial fibrosis without septa), F2 (Fibrosis with septa), F3 (Advanced fibrosis) and F4 (Severe fibrosis with cirrhosis, C1). Descriptive data analysis was done by SPSS 17.0.
Results: Out of 145 included patients of chronic hepatitis B, 110 were males and 35 were females. At initial stages the existing laboratory tools diagnosed chronic HBV-infected patients correctly, with minor fibrosis and cirrhosis. Independent indicators of liver fibrosis included platelet count, age, AST, ALT values and albumin; 80% of the patients were not affected by the disease, which means F0 was 80%. Yet some patients had fibrosis at different stages F1, F2, F3, F4 and C1. The FibroScan assessment revealed that out of 145 patients, only 11% patients were at stage F1 whereas the diagnostic value for F2, F3, F4, and C1 are ≤3% with F2=3%, F3=1%, F4=2%, and C1=2%.
Conclusion: FibroScan is an effective method to detect HBV-related fibrosis and cirrhosis; it provided accurate distinction between various stages of fibrosis in Hepatitis B patients.
Keywords: Cirrhosis, Liver; Hepatitis B; Liver Fibrosis; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular.
Comparison of growth indices in breast-fed and formula-fed infants and their correlation with zinc status
Authors: Durrani Mehwish , Abubakar Muhammad , Khan Fearoz , Durrani Mushyyada , Shafiq Muhammad 
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Zinc has many effects on human’s multiple systems in the body, including gastrointestinal tract. It is essential for normal development, immune system and growth of an infant. Zinc deficiency increases the chances and severity of gastrointestinal tract and respiratory infections. Children are at high risk of zinc deficiency as their requirements increases with growth. The amount of zinc absorbed from infant formulae is considerably lesser than that absorbed from mother’s milk. The aim was to study the differences in the growth indices of breast-fed and formula-fed infants and also to look for the association of zinc, if any, with these indices.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was performed from October 2017 to March 2018 in Peshawar, on 50 healthy infants {25 breast-fed infants (BFI) and 25 formula-fed infants (FFI)}. The infants' weight, height, BMI, head circumference and skinfolds (biceps and triceps) were recorded. Blood samples of all the infants were collected for zinc assay. Data were collected in an MS Excel sheet and descriptive data analysis was done by Minitab version 16.
Results: It was observed that the head circumference (cm) of FFI was significantly higher (40.32± 2.34) in comparison to BFI (38.12±4.46) whereas SDS weight, SDS BMI, biceps and triceps measurements did not reveal any significant difference in the two groups. The variables showing a significant positive correlation with zinc were age (r = 0.328, p=0.02) and SDS height (r= 0.274, p= 0.05) while SDS weight, SDS BMI, biceps and triceps measurements were not correlated with zinc status.
Conclusion: All the growth indices except head circumference of both breast-fed and formula-fed infants were comparable. Similarly, all these indices except SDS height were not associated with the levels of zinc during early infancy showing that zinc status does not affect the growth of infants at least in the early phase of life.
Keywords: Zinc, Growth indices, Breast-feeding, Formula feeding
Influence of Gender on Some Red Cell Indices, L-Arginine and D-dimer in Malaria Parasite Severity amongst Children Resident in Rivers State, Nigeria
Authors: Akwuebu S. O. , Mbeera B. S. , Ibeh N. C. , Eze E. M. , Jeremiah Z. A. 
Published: April 2021

Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the influence of gender on malaria parasite severity in children resident in Rivers State, Nigeria.
Study Design: The study was cross-sectional observational study.
Place and Duration of Study: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria, between the month of March and August 2020.
Methodology: A total of 822 pediatrics (0-16 years), were randomly selected for this study after due parental consent. 5ml of venous blood was collected from each subject: 1ml was dispensed into paediatric EDTA (for haematologic and parasite density) and 4 ml into sodium citrate bottle for L-arginine assay by ELISA-method, while Full blood count was determined using haematological auto-analyser, Mindray BC-6800. Malaria density was determined by microscopic method using thick and thin Giemsa stained blood smears. Level of significance was set at P<0.05.
Results: There was a significant decrease (p<.05) in the mean (41.04±3.80%) neutrophil count in female subject with complicated malaria compared with the control (42.81±0.98%) as against a significant decrease in mean (37.71±0.96%) neutrophil count of female subject with uncomplicated malaria. A significant decrease in neutrophil (28.05±3.37%) of male subjects with complicated malaria and uncomplicated malaria (36.10±0.79%) was seen when compared to control (44.32±0.88%). Again, a significant decrease (p<.05) in eosinophil count of female with complicated malaria (3.32±0.74%) was seen when compared with the control subject (3.81±0.19%) and no significant difference was seen in female subjects with uncomplicated malaria (3.62±0.19%) when compared with the control. A significant increase in eosinophil was seen in male subjects with complicated malaria (4.47±0.66%) and uncomplicated malaria (4.52±0.16%) when compared with the control (3.88±0.17%). There was observed a significant difference (p<.001) in the mean L-arginine values of female subjects with complicated (39.22±9.57pg/ml) and uncomplicated (65.13±2.41 pg/ml) malaria compared with the control (42.85±2.48 pg/ml). However, no significant difference was seen in male subjects with complicated (33.21±8.49) and uncomplicated (45.51±2.00 pg/ml) malaria when compared with control (47.97±2.21 pg/ml). Also, a significant difference (p<0.0019) was seen between the mean D2D values of female subjects with complicated (6436.64±568.94 pg/ml) and uncomplicated (2824.55±143.46 pg/ml) malaria among the study subjects as against the control (1866.39±147.35 pg/ml).
Conclusion: In conclusion, this study showed a trend between gender and malaria type did not significantly change haematological parameters with the exception of the immune cells such as NEU, LYM, and EOS. However, a significant increase in L-arginine among female subjects was seen indicating a faster rate of malaria clearance.
Influence of Feedback Mechanism on Health Care Services in Health Care Setting and Barriers to Their Use in Pakistan
Authors: Zahid Nisha , Shinwari Rehana , Dawood Humam 
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Healthcare settings in resource limited countries such as Pakistan needs to be improved in terms of services and all other aspects, for that quality improvement tools must be implemented. It is pertinent that continuous measures should be taken for the upgradation of our healthcare system. For this purpose, feedback mechanism is an essential tool which has to be applied at all levels to get better results and patient centric delivery of services. Patient opinions have always been an integral part for the betterment of services as it will help in enhancement of the facilities according to the requirement and will of patients.
Methodology: This is review article for which the literature research has been conducted through various electronic databases including PUBMED, MEDLINE, SCIENCE DIRECT and search engines such as Google Scholar. The keywords used were related to the use and influence of feedback mechanism in healthcare settings of resource poor countries.
A QI Solution: In the developed countries, feedback system as the tool for quality improvement has long been used and it has impacted positive effects on healthcare system [1]. Therefore, we can use feedback system from patients to the hospital professionals and with that also can introduce 360 feedback mechanism for better effect.
Conclusion: The concept of feedback needs to be willingly encompassed and supported by clinical leadership and other participants and it will definitely bring about a positive change. As Pakistan is a resource poor country, this QI initiative would help in improving the facility for both patients and employees.
Community Pharmacies Treatment Practices of Malaria and Residents’ Pattern of Antimalarial Drug Use in Abura Community, Cape Coast Metropolis-Ghana
Authors: Tettey Etornam Abla , Dzantor Edem Kojo , Akomaning Edwin 
Published: April 2021

Background: Community pharmacies are health care facilities that allows the public access to their medications, counselling, and advice about their health. Community pharmacies play critical role in the health delivery systems of several countries especially in developing countries and serve as the first point of call for the treatment and management of many ailments, including malaria. The study therefore examined community pharmacies treatment practices of malaria and residents’ pattern of antimalarial drug use in Abura Community, in the Cape Coast Metropolis of the Central Region of Ghana.
Methods: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey involving 301 study participants from the Abura Community (Cape Coast Metropolis). A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the study participants using accidental sampling technique. Descriptive statistics was performed using SPSS version 23.0 and Microsoft Excel 2010.
Results: The age range of our study was between 15 and 60 years. Females were the majority (52.5%). The self-reported use of unprescribed antimalarial drugs was 41%. The source of the drugs were mainly community pharmacies, licenced chemical shops, self-herbal preparations, and left-over antimalarial drugs.
Conclusion: A high proportion of our study participants reported self-medication of non-prescribed antimalarial drugs. These antimalarials included both orthodox and herbal medications, which were sourced from outlets like community pharmacies, licenced chemical sellers, and home herbal preparations. There is the need to intensify monitoring, public health education on self-medication and the training of staff of community pharmacies to ensure effective treatment and management of malaria at the community level.
Evaluating the Effect of Amine-geldanamycin Hybrids on Antiviral Activity against Influenza Virus
Authors: Taechowisan Thongchai , Samsawat Tipparat , Jaramornburapong Chanjira , Phutdhawong Weerachai , Phutdhawong Waya S. 
Published: April 2021

Aims: The purpose of this study was to synthesis novel amine-geldanamycin hybrids (AGH) and evaluate their biological properties.
Study Design: Experimental study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Microbiology and Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Silpakorn University, from December 2019 - November 2020.
Methodology: Three new amine-geldanamycin hybrids (AGH); compounds 2 to 4 were synthesised by nucleophilic substitution of geldanamycin (1). The solubility, cytotoxicity, antiviral activity and molecular docking analyses were carried out.
Results: The solubility of AGH in water was 1.918-5.571 mM, higher than that of compound 1. Compound 2 exhibited weak cytotoxicity activity against Vero and LLC-MK2 cells, with IC50 values of 229.19 and 330.58 µg/ml, respectively. All compounds inhibited influenza virus propagation in embryonated chicken eggs at the lowest amount of 1.25 µg per egg. They interacted positively with Hsp90, showing a binding free energy (DG) of -112.00 to -116.34 kcal/mol, which indicated lower Hsp90 affinity compared with that of geldanamycin (-133.06 kcal/mol) and 17-dimethylamino ethylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (-136.55 kcal/mol), despite being bound in the similar active site. For the viral absorption, only AGH inhibited hemagglutination at a concentration of 25 µg/ml.
Conclusion: The study findings revealed, through molecular docking analysis, that the development of AGH improved the antiviral activity. The AGH inhibited not only influenza virus propagation, but also viral absorption. Therefore, AGH could be considered a new choice for antiviral agents.
Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Plant Extracts from Spinacia oleraceae L. (Amaranthaceae)
Authors: Shafique Firza , Naureen Uzma , Zikrea Annam , Akhter Sohail , Rafique Tanzila , Sadiq Rumana , Naseer Mehwish , Akram Qaiser , Ali Qurban 
Published: April 2021

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L. SO) leaves represent an important dietary source, have high nutritional value and antimicrobial properties. Spinach leaves have been used in the treatment of human diseases since ancient times. Here, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial and antifungal activities of ethanolic extract of Spinach oleracea leaves by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) using well diffusion method against bacterial species Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus and Klebseilla pneumonia and fungal species Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Fusarium oxysporum. We evaluated from present data that ethanolic extract of root showed zone of inhibition ranges from 6 mm to 21 mm, ethanolic extract of stem showed zone of inhibition ranges from 8 mm to 21 mm and ethanolic extract of leaf showed zone of inhibition ranges from 9 mm to 22 mm from concentration 25 mg/ml to 100mg/ml. Leaf extract has high antibacterial and antifungal activity against bacterial and fungal species while root extract has low antibacterial and antifungal activity against bacterial and fungal species. Activity of plant extract was increased by the increasing concentration of extracts. Very low zone of inhibition was found at concentration 25 mg/1 ml DMSO which ranges from 6 mm to 14 mm while very high zone of inhibition was found at concentration 100 mg/ml which ranges from 6 mm to 22 mm. So, ethanolic extracts of Spinach oleraceae has good efficiency against bacterial and fungal species.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey of Medication Safety among Community Pharmacists in Aden-Yemen
Authors: Alshakka Mohammed , Badulla Wafa , Ibrahim Mohamed Izham Mohamed 
Published: April 2021

Introduction: All health professionals' participation is essential for ensuring quality and successful national post-marketing surveillance programs. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) among Yemeni community pharmacists (CPs) regarding medication safety in a poor-resource setting.
Methods: A survey was conducted among CPs in Aden governorate. The tool comprised of demographic profile, knowledge, attitude, and practice aspects of medication safety. The survey also studied the opinion about the future and benefits of Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) reporting in Yemen. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and means (SD).
Results: A total of 450 CPs were enrolled in the study. Most of the participants were males (75%) with a bachelor's degree (91.9%) and between 3-6 years of experience (28%). The majority of CPs had good knowledge regarding the perception and objectives of Pharmacovigilance (PV) and ADRs. Approximately 41% of participants knew the purpose of PV as an essential system for public health and safety concerning drug use. Additionally, the Yemeni pharmacists had a positive attitude towards the reporting system. Approximately 84% of responders admitted that PV is the responsibility of the pharmacists. The majority of the participants (80%) declared no reporting form available at their workplace. According to CPs, 59% said that relevant authorities do not widely promote ADR reporting in Yemen, and 57% replied that the patient's lack of information is an obstacle in the reporting system. Approximately 89% of the CPs believed that reporting ADRs would improve patient safety.
Conclusions: The CPs have a positive attitude towards PV and an acceptable degree of knowledge. However, the practice level should be upraised.
To Evaluate the Outcome of Epididymal Cystectomy at Liaquat Medical College Hospital Jamshoro Pakistan
Authors: Laghari Zameer Husaain , Laghari Qumber , Laghari Ahsan Ali , Munir Ambreen , Shaikh Sheeraz Ahmed , Hameed Faiza , Ahmer Arslan 
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Epididymal cystectomy is the procedure in which removal of cyst attached to epididymis is done. The cyst contains cleat/straw colored fluid. It is excised because of its increasing size causing discomfort or pain to patient.
Methodology: A Cross sectional observational study was conducted at Surgical Unit 1, Department of of Surgery LMC Hospital Jamshoro from January 2020 to January 2021. All the patients were admitted through Surgical OPD (SOPD) with cystic swellings in scrotum. History and clinical examination of inguino-scrotal region was done. Transillimination test was also done. Ultrasound was obtained to confirm the diagnosis, number of cysts, sizes and site of cyst. Hydrocele, spermatocele and testicular malignancies were ruled out through investigations. Surgery was planned after getting cardiac and anesthesia fitness. The surgery was done. Patients were shifted to ward and assessed for 3 to 5 days. Patient was called for follow up for 6 months. Results were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 23.
Results: Total patients included in our study are 49.32 (65%) patients had solitary cyst and 17 (35%) had multiple cysts. 30 (61.2%) patients had left sided epididymal cysts and 19 (38.7%) had right sided cysts. Hematoma was developed by 6.1%, chronic pain by 12.2%, infection by 8.1%, scrotal edema by 10.2% and recurrence by 6.1% patients.
Conclusion: Epididymal cystectomy is the procedure with better outcome and least complications rate.
Barriers to Including Children with Disabilities in Egyptian Schools
Authors: Hassanein Elsayed Elshabrawi A. , Adawi Taha Rabie , Johnson Evelyn S. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis study set out to investigate teachers' perceptions of barriers to including children with disabilities in general schools in Egypt. This descriptive, qualitative study drew on a purposive sample of twelve general and special education teachers within two educational districts in Cairo, Egypt. Through in-depth interviews, teachers were asked about their perceptions of the barriers that hinder the implementation of inclusive education in Egypt. Four categories of barriers were identified: structural-organizational, personal, interpersonal and socio-cultural barriers. The findings showed that these barriers are related and interact to affect teachers' beliefs about the possibility of the implementation of inclusion in Egypt. In addition, the study argues that “barriers to inclusion” is a very complicated issue that includes many interrelated contextual factors that should be addressed to implement inclusion effectively. The results indicate that differential change procedures should be followed if we would like to enhance the learning of children with disabilities in inclusive settings.
Designing a Model of Practice for Australian Teachers of Young School-age Children on the Autism Spectrum
Authors: Taylor Annalise , Beamish Wendi , Tucker Madonna , Paynter Jessica , Walker Sue 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Extensive work has been undertaken in North America on effective practices in early childhood education, early childhood special education, and autism-specific interventions. Much of this work, however, has not been disseminated in teacher-friendly ways nor has it been translated into useable formats that support teacher uptake and incorporation into everyday classroom practice. The research presented here drew on practice literature from North America and a Design-Based Research approach to produce a Model of Practice (MoP) for Australian classroom teachers working with students on the autism spectrum in their first year of primary school. This practice model aims to support pedagogical decision making in relation to the effective and inclusive education of this student cohort. Iterative cycles of design involving generation of educational practices from the literature, content validation by experts, and social validation by classroom teachers were undertaken. These cycles were guided by MoP design principles and resulted in a prototype Early Years Model of Practice (EY-MoP) comprising 29 empirically-supported practices, which were highly endorsed by Australian teachers. The field testing of the EY-MoP should provide preliminary evidence of the applicability of this tool in Australian early years classrooms.
Parents' Perceptions and Needs for their Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alqahtani Abdulaziz , Luckner John 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the perceptions of parents of children who are deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) regarding the support and services provided to them and their children. One hundred fifty-eight parents of children who are DHH were surveyed. The survey questions focused on five areas: early identification, hearing technology, communication, education, and social support. The results indicated that (a) a variety of services are available and have been received by some parents, (b) parents reported an average level of satisfaction towards the services and supports received, and (c) all services listed are needed. Additionally, parents identified problems and offered solutions to improve the services and support for their children. The need for more research in the KSA is noted in order to obtain a more in-depth understanding of parents' perceptions and needs.