bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Lycopene Abrogates Ifosfamide-Induced Fanconi Syndrome in Albino Rats
Authors: Adikwu Elias , Bokolo Bonsome , Okoroafor Dorcas Okayo 
Published: June 2021

Background:
Treatment modalities for Fanconi syndrome caused by ifosfamide (IFO) are very limited. This study assessed the protective effect of lycopene (LYP) against IFO-induced Fanconi syndrome in albino rats.

Methods:
Forty adult male albino rats randomized into eight groups of n = 5 were used. Group A (Control) was treated intraperitoneally (IP) with normal saline (0.2 mL), whereas groups B–D were treated orally with LYP (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) daily for 5 days, respectively. Group E was treated IP with IFO (80 mg/kg) daily for 5 days, whereas groups F–H were pretreated orally with LYP (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) before IP treatment with IFO (80 mg/kg) daily for 5 days. After treatment, the rats were anesthetized; blood samples were collected and evaluated for serum biochemical biomarkers. Kidneys were excised, weighed and evaluated for oxidative stress markers and histology.

Results:
Significant (P < 0.001) increases in serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels with significant (P < 0.001) decreases in glucose, phosphate, magnesium, calcium, potassium, sodium, chloride, and bicarbonate levels were observed in IFO-treated rats when compared to control. Significant (P < 0.001) decreases occurred in kidney superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione (GSH), and GSH peroxidase levels with significant (P < 0.001) increases in malondialdehyde levels in IFO-treated rats in comparison to control. Glomerulus with sclerosis, lipid accumulation, and tubular necrosis were observed in the kidneys of IFO-treated rats. The aforementioned changes were significantly abrogated in rats pretreated with LYP 10 mg/kg (P < 0.05), 20 mg/kg (P < 0.01), and 40 mg/kg (P < 0.001) when compared to IFO-treated rats.

Conclusions:
LYP may be useful as treatment for Fanconi syndrome caused by IFO.
Bacterial etiology of sexually transmitted infections at a STI clinic in Ghana; use of multiplex real time PCR
Authors: Sylverken Augustina A , Owusu-Dabo Ellis , Yar Denis D , Salifu Samson P , Awua-Boateng Nana Yaa , Amuasi John H , Okyere Portia B , Agyarko-Poku Thomas 
Published: June 2021

Background: Most sexually transmitted infection (STI) management efforts focus on the syndromic approach to diagnose and treat patients. However, most women with STIs have been shown to be entirely asymptomatic, or if symptoms exist, are often missed when either clinical or conventional bacteriologic diagnostic tools are employed.Methods: We assessed the performance of a multiplex real time PCR assay to describe other potential pathogens that could be missed by conventional bacteriological techniques in 200 women attending a routine STI clinic in Kumasi, Ghana.Results: Although a total 78.00% of the women were asymptomatic, 77.1% of them tested positive for at least one bacterial STI pathogen. Mycoplasma genitalium was the most commonly detectable pathogen present in 67.5% of all women. Of those testing positive, 25.0% had single infections, while 38.0% and 19.5% had double and triple infections respectively. Altogether, 86.54% and 90.91% of the symptomatic and asymptomatic women respectively tested positive for at least one pathogen (p<0.05). There were no significant associations (p<0.05) between the clinical manifestations of the symptomatic women and the pathogens detected in their samples.Conclusions: Our study confirmed the importance of complementing the syndromic approach to STI management with pathogen detection and most importantly recognise that STIs in women are asymptomatic and regular empirical testing even for both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients is critical for complete clinical treatment.Funding: EOD (Ellis Owusu-Dabo Research working group, KCCR)Keywords: Etiology, Syndromic, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Multiplex real time PCR
Low level of Hepatitis B knowledge and awareness among pregnant women in the Kintampo North Municipality: Implications for effective disease control
Authors: Abdulai Martha Ali , Baiden Frank , Adjei George , Owusu-Agyei Seth 
Published: June 2021

Background: Over 2 billion people are infected with Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and about 240 million are chronic carriers of the virus. Chronic HBV infection is an important cause of liver cancer. The infectivity of HBV is hundred times higher than the HIV virus yet it receives comparatively little attention in public health. The study assessed knowledge and awareness of HBV among pregnant women in the Kintampo Municipality of Ghana.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among pregnant women attending antenatal clinic in two facilities between September 2010 and November 2010. We performed analysis to determine factors associated with hepatitis B awareness.Results: Forty-one percent of the 504 women were aware of hepatitis B viral infection, 33.5% of the women were able to correctly mention the transmission routes of Hepatitis B. The radio was the most (42%) mentioned source of information on HBV and the least source of information were places of worship (2.7%).After adjusting for other factors, level of education; SSS/SHS and above OR=4.2, P<00.1, 95% CI (2.5, 7.0) and occupation (Civil servant/Student); OR= 3.8, P00.1, 95% CI (1.7, 8.5) were the important predictors of Hepatitis B awareness.Conclusion: There is a low level of knowledge and awareness of HBV among pregnant women in this municipality. This could potentially hamper effective HBV prevention and control in Ghana. Education on hepatitis B need to be included in health promotion activities.Funding: The study was funded by KHRC Director’s small grant Initiative.Keywords: Hepatitis B, knowledge, awareness, women, Ghana
Two case reports on Mandibular metastases
Authors: Adewale Adesina O. , Mofoluwake Ladeji A. , Olamide Opaleye T , Yussuf Salami A. 
Published: June 2021

Metastatic tumours of the oral cavity are not common. The most common site for bone metastases in the head and neck region is the mandible. Metastatic lesion of the mandible most commonly originate from the lungs in men and breast in women, and these lesions (or tumours) usually are carcinomas rather than sarcomas. We report two cases of metastatic lesions in the mandible: (1) A 19year old male with right mandibular swelling and a nodular swelling in the distal two–third of the right tibia. Radiograghs revealed sclerotic lesion with a sunburst appearance in both the jaw and tibia. Histology of the jaw lesion confirmed a metastatic osteosarcoma of the mandible. (2) A 51year old female with a right mandibular swelling with associated swelling in the anterior neck, right shoulder and right parietal region of the skull. Computerised tomography scan (CT) of the jaws showed an osteolytic lesion of the right mandible. CT scan of the brain also showed a large lytic lesion seen in the posterior aspect of the right parietal bone. Histology of the jaw mass confirmed a metastatic follicular carcinoma from the thyroid. Mandibular metastasis may be the first presenting feature of underlying occult malignancy of another primary site. Therefore, clinicians should maintain a high level of suspicion while evaluating patients with a history of cancer presenting with oral lesions. Keywords: metastatic tumours, mandible, tibia, thyroid
Mobile phone use among commercial drivers in Ghana: An important threat to road safety
Authors: Donkor Isaac , Gyedu Adam , Edusei Anthony K , Ebel Beth E. , Donkor Peter 
Published: June 2021

Background: Ghana passed a law in 2012 banning the use of mobile phones while driving. However, data on compliance to the law has been lacking.Objective: To examine factors associated with mobile phone use while driving among Ghanaian commercial drivers.Methods: A survey was conducted among 627 commercial drivers (98.0% response rate). Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to determine how a priori covariates influenced commercial drivers’ use of phones while driving. The covariates included driver age, education, driving route distance, driving under the influence (DUI), and knowledge that phone use during driving causes distraction.Results: Respondents were aware of the law (94.7%) but compliance was low (38%). Drivers who did not believe that cell phone use contributed to crash risk were more likely to report distracted driving (AOR 2.02,95%CI 1.05-3.9). Drivers who had completed primary (AOR 4.49,95%CI 1.14-17.78) or at least senior high school (AOR 6.89,95%CI 1.5-31.59) had increased odds of using the phone while driving, compared to those having no formal education. Drivers with 6-10 years (AOR 2.00,95%CI 1.00-3.98) or >10 years driving experience (AOR 2.87,95%CI 1.24-6.62) were more likely to report distracted driving compared to those with ≤5 years’ experience. Drivers who travelled longer distances were more likely to report distracted driving (AOR 2.41,95%CI 1.23-4.71). Those who had never engaged in DUI were less likely to use the phone while driving (AOR 0.06,95%CI 0.01-0.43).Conclusion: Future prevention efforts for distracted driving in Ghana will require targeted distracted driving enforcement and education for commercial drivers and their passengers. Funding: This study was funded, in part, by a grant (D43-TW007267) from the Fogarty International Center, US National Institutes of Health. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. Keywords: Mobile phone, commercial drivers, Ghana, road safety, distracted driving
Accuracy of clinical diagnosis, mammography and ultrasonography in preoperative assessment of breast cancer
Authors: Badu-Peprah Augustina , Adu-Sarkodie Yaw 
Published: June 2021

Background: Cancer of the breast is the most common malignancy affecting women in many parts of the world. Its early detection has, therefore, become necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality from the disease. In sub-Saharan Africa, radiological imaging, histology and management programs are associated with challenges.Objectives: This study seeks to assess the validity of clinical diagnosis, mammography and breast ultrasonography in the preoperative assessment of suspected breast cancer patients for accurate detection of the disease to enable appropriate management.Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in the Radiology Department of Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana, between November 2007 and July 2008 with a sample size of 103. All patients with a clinical suspicion of breast cancer who gave informed consent were recruited, underwent bilateral mammography and whole breast ultrasonography and then biopsy for all BIRADS categories 4 or 5 lesions. The histopathology results were retrieved to complete the study.Result: In this study the definition of malignancy was made using histology as the gold standard. A total of 103 patients were recruited for this study with mean age of 55(+15) years, out of which 52 (50.5%) had malignant lesions. The overall sensitivity of clinical diagnosis was 50.5%. While the overall sensitivity and specificity for mammogram and ultrasound were 73.0%, 80.0% and 100%, 80.4% respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that clinical diagnosis, ultrasound and mammography can potentially predict breast cancer disease with considerable sensitivity and specificity. Funding: Not declaredKeywords: breast cancer, mammography, ultrasonography, histology, clinical diagnosis
PENGARUH KUALITAS PELAYANAN DAN FASILITAS KESEHATAN TERHADAP TINGKAT KEPUASAN PASIEN DI RUMAH SAKIT UMUM DAERAH (RSUD) DR. R. SOEDJATI SOEMODIARDJO PURWODADI KABUPATEN GROBOGAN
Authors: Octaviani Nia , Kasidin  
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT
Improving the quality of service also needs to be done by health service units including hospitals. The hospital has a mission to provide quality health services that are affordable to the community in order to improve the public health status. This type of research used in this research is quantitative research. The sampling technique used was non probability sampling. This study used a sample of 100 (one hundred) respondents. The instrument testing technique in this study was validity and reliability tests, while the data analysis techniques used were descriptive analysis, multiple linear analysis, and classical assumption. The results showed that: 1) service quality had an effect on patient satisfaction, 2) facilities had no effect on patient satisfaction, 3) service quality and facilities had an effect on patient satisfaction.
Benchmarking como herramienta gerencial en las empresas: Revisión bibliográfica
Authors: ORE QUIROZ HAROLD , ALDANA JUAREZ WILLIAM , SALAZAR SANDOVAL CARLOS , PANTOJA-TIRADO LUCIA 
Published: June 2021

El benchmarking es un proceso de comparación externa usado por las empresas para medir y mejorar la calidad y el rendimiento de sus productos, servicios y procesos. El objetivo general de esta investigación fue desarrollar una revisión sobre el Benchmarking como herramienta gerencial en las empresas. La búsqueda de literatura se realizó en las bases de datos de “Science Direct”, “Scielo”, “Latindex” y de manera relatada. Los resultados mostraron que el Benchmarking es una herramienta gerencial que se fundamenta en la búsqueda externa de estrategias, procesos operativos y actividades aplicadas por empresas líderes para su adaptación y aplicación en la empresa mejorando su eficiencia y nivel de competitividad; y que tiene aspectos importantes como calidad, productividad y tiempo. Además, existen dos tipos: interno y externo; dentro del benchmarking externo se encuentra el competitivo, genérico y funcional. Asimismo, el proceso de benchmarking cuenta con cuatro fases: Planificación, análisis, integración y acción. Los motivos que dificultan su desarrollo son: dificultad para acceder a estudios sectoriales, plazos prolongados y enfoque interior sin tener en cuenta a sus competidores directos. Las áreas de mayor estudio son: marketing, calidad, logística y optimización de procesos. Se encontraron faltantes de investigaciones experimentales.
UPAYA PENURUNAN GULA DARAH DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN SLOW DEEP BREATHING EXERCISE PADA PASIEN DIABETES MELLITUS TIPE II DI RSU UKI JAKARTA TIMUR
Authors: Aritonang Yanti 
Published: June 2021

Secara global, pasien diabetes mellitus sejumlah 463 juta orang pada tahun 2019 dan akan terus meningkat sampai 578 juta pasien diabetes mellitus pada tahun 2030 dan 700 juta pasien diabetes mellitus pada tahun 2045. Salah satu terapi komplementer yang dilakukan adalah latihan slow deep breathing exercise yang dapat membantu menurunkan kadar gula darah. Jenis penelitian ini merupakan penelitian Eksperimental dengan jenis design One Group Pretest-PostTest dimana kelompok perlakukan diukur kadar gula darah sebelum dan sesudah dilakukan intervensi slow deep breathing exercise selama empat hari. Hasil penelitian didapatkan ada perbedaan gula darah sebelumdan sesudah intervensi Slow Deep Breathing Exercise dengan p-value 0,000 (<0,01). Slow deep breathing exercise terbukti dapat membantu menurunkan kadar gula darah di dalam tubuh pasien diabetes mellitus selama empat hari dimana latihan ini dilakukan tiga kali sehari. Direkomendasikan agar pasien diabetes mellitus dapat melakukan slow deep breathing exercise sebagai latihan mandiri tiga hari sekali dirumah.
Cinema's Doppelgängers
Authors: Dibbern Doug 
Published: June 2021

Cinema’s Doppelgängers is a counterfactual history of the cinema – or, perhaps, a work of speculative fiction in the guise of a scholarly history of film and movie guide. That is, it’s a history of the movies written from an alternative unfolding of historical time – a world in which neither the Bolsheviks nor the Nazis came to power, and thus a world in which Sergei Eisenstein never made movies and German filmmakers like Fritz Lang never fled to Hollywood, a world in which the talkies were invented in 1936 rather than 1927, in which the French New Wave critics didn’t become filmmakers, and in which Hitchcock never came to Hollywood.
The book attempts, on the one hand, to explore and expand upon the intrinsically creative nature of all historical writing; like all works of fiction, its ultimate goal is to be a work of art in and of itself. But it also aims, on the other hand, to be a legitimate examination of the relationship between the economic and political organization of nations and film industries and the resulting aesthetics of film and thus of the dominant ideas and values of film scholarship and criticism.
Revision of the spider genus Stygopholcus (Araneae, Pholcidae), endemic to the Balkan Peninsula
Authors: Huber Bernhard A. , Pavlek Martina , Komnenov Marjan 
Published: June 2021

The genus Stygopholcus Kratochvíl, 1932 is endemic to the Balkan Peninsula and includes only four nominal species: the epigean S. photophilus Senglet, 1971 in the south (Greece to Albania) and the ‘northern clade’ consisting of three troglophile species ranging from Croatia to Albania: S. absoloni (Kulczyński, 1914); S. skotophilus Kratochvíl, 1940; and S. montenegrinus Kratochvíl, 1940 (original rank re-established). We present redescriptions of all species, including extensive data on ultrastructure, linear morphometrics of large samples, and numerous new localities. We georeference previously published localities as far as possible, correct several published misidentifications, and clarify nomenclatorial problems regarding the authority of Stygopholcus and the identity of the type species S. absoloni. We suggest that the ‘northern clade’ has a relict distribution, resulting from past and present geologic and climatic factors. Future work on Stygopholcus should focus on the southern Dinarides, combining dense sampling with massive use of molecular data.
Do We need Data Literacy? Public Perceptions Regarding Canada’s Open Data Initiative
Authors: Boychuk Michelle , Cousins Mark , Lloyd Amanda , MacKeigan Charlotte 
Published: June 2021

Open Data is a new concept that the Canadian Government is using to encourage civic engagement, to promote economic growth, and as a means of supporting transparency and accountability within the government. Our research addresses the extent to which the Canadian Open Government initiative, specifically the publishing of open data, has impacted the general public. While emerging research on open data suggests that there is a problem with data literacy levels among citizens, it does not acknowledge the public’s opinion about the relevance of data literacy and open government to their own lives. In order to address this gap, we gathered 42 responses from an anonymous electronic survey that employed both qualitative and quantitative methods to assess the opinions of a portion of the Canadian public. We discovered that there are several factors that enable or impede the initiative’s ability to achieve its stated goals of transparency, accountability, and collaboration for the general public—the public’s data literacy levels, clarity of the data, and awareness of the initiative are a few of the most prominent. The results of the study provide further insight into the public’s opinion on open data, their perceived data literacy skills, and the impact the open data initiative has on their lives. First Place DJIM Best Article Award.
Uncertainties In The Wind-Heel Analysis For Traditional Sailing Vessels: The Challenges It Presents For Forensic Analysis Of Sailing Vessel Incidents
Authors: Johnson Bruce , Lasher William , Erdman Matt , Miles Jan , Curry Bill 
Published: June 2021

There are many uncertainties in the interpretation of full-scale sailing vessel data taken under dynamic conditions, and even more uncertainties when forensic analysis is attempted based only on survivor’s recollections. Frequently, the analysis is based on static equilibrium assumptions, sometimes modified to steady-state motions of the wind and heeling response of the vessel. Dynamic conditions are generally non-deterministic and statistical methods must be used. Even more complicated is the non-stationary random process nature of most accidents.
In the wind-heel research carried out on Pride II, it has been shown that wave action frequently adds uncertainty to the correct attribution of contributions to establishing the cause of the resulting heeling action. The best data are found in steady 10 to 20 knot wind strengths in minimum waves found in the lee of a shoreline. This criteria can be interpreted as minimizing the uncertainties in characterizing the wind-heel performance of a given sail combination at normal angles of heel.
Examples of quasi steady-state response are presented in the paper as characterized by the Wind Heel Stiffness Ratio (WHSR), which is equal to the square of the apparent wind velocity in knots divided by the resulting heel angle in degrees. WHSR is not non-dimensional but is independent of the system of units, (SI vs. EG). The WHSR for each sail combination is most easily established by a maneuver the crew of Pride II has deemed “The Crazy Ivan.” However, it is uncertain whether this concept can make useful predictions at heel angles higher than those beyond GZmax in the absence of any good data taken during these conditions. CFD studies of various sail combinations provide very good agreement between the recorded wind-heel responses of the vessel up to deck edge submergence. The corresponding CFD predictions provide a method of predicting the normal wind heel responses of a traditional sailing vessel during the design process.
The paper discusses operational guidance uncertainties that appear as a “fork in the road” decision, with bearing away as one path and heading up as the other. The paper examines the tradeoffs in the decision making process relative to the type of vessel involved and the observable wind and sea conditions at the time. Recent attempts to re-analyze the dismasting of Pride II in 2005 and the sinking of the SV Concordia off Brazil in 2010 are also included.
Lastly, the possible downward lift force involving square sails at high angles of heel needs to be investigated in wind tunnels since full scale testing of this concept is virtually impossible.
Synthesis of Pyrrolidones and Caprolactams by Intramolecular Cyclization of Linear Precursors
Authors: Arthur Samuel D. , Chenault H. Keith 
Published: June 2021

AbstractPyrrolidones and caprolactams are important molecules, serving functions ranging from their use as solvents and surfactants to their occurrence in natural products and drugs. This chapter is devoted to the synthesis of pyrrolidones and caprolactams by intramolecular ring‐forming reactions. Perhaps the simplest heterolytic cyclization to envision is the attack of an amine group onto a carboxylic acid derivative, forming the amide C–N linkage. Pyrrolidones can be created by carboxamide radical cyclization onto an alkene. Amidyl radicals can activate remote C–H bonds to cyclization. The chapter presents the synthesis of pyrrolidones and caprolactams by homolytic (radical), carbene insertion and metathetic cyclization reactions. Carbenoid attack on an electron‐rich aromatic ring competes favorably with insertion into alkane C–H. Olefin metathesis is a metal‐catalyzed reaction that entails the redistribution of alkene carbons by the scission and regeneration of carbon–carbon double bonds.