bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Artifacts Induced by Various Dental Restorative Materials on Cone-Beam Computed Tomography- An in vitro Study
Authors: Ghorai Laboni , Asha M. L. , Raja Jigna V. 
Published: December 2021

Objectives:
The aim of this study was to assess and compare quantitatively and qualitatively the artifacts induced by various commonly used dental restorative materials in different sections of CBCT image and to characterize the pattern of artifact.

Material and Methods:
Thirty dental plaster blocks, each with one of each of mandibular second premolar, first molar and second molar teeth with crowns aligned as in the natural dentition were scanned by CBCT device and analyzed using CS 3D imaging software, before and after the first molar was prepared and restored with dental amalgam, composite resin or glass ionomer cement (GIC), 10 plaster blocks being randomly selected for each restorative material. The reformatted axial, coronal and sagittal scans were then quantitatively assessed for artifact by two calibrated dento- maxillofacial radiologists by comparing the control and restored scans of each plaster block in a blinded manner and documented the slice numbers from which the image became diagnostic. Then, the slice numbers were converted into millimeters away from the restoration.

Results:
Paired t test, ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests were used for statistical analyses. The level of significance was set at α = 5%. Depending on the extent, the majority of artifacts produced were as follows: Dental amalgam >Composite resin >GIC. The artifact was most extensive in the coronal section. Streaks and scatter artifacts, linear artifacts extending outward from tooth surface and hypodense halo were predominant.

Conclusion:
Different dental restorative materials cause various amounts of artifacts in different planes of projection of CBCT image due to differences in density and atomic number.
Nutritional Status and Anemia in Persons with Cancrum Oris
Authors: Chukwuma Benedict Chimezie , Mujtaba Bala , Ibikunle Adebayo Aremu , Taiwo Abdurrazaq Olanrewaju , Ogunsanya Ayomide 
Published: December 2021

Background:
Cancrum oris, also known as Noma, is a devastating infectious disease that destroys the soft and hard tissues of the face and peri-oral tissues. The etiology of noma is still unknown, but several risk factors have been identified such as malnutrition, poverty, poor oral and general hygiene.

Aim:
The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional status (using body mass index) and hemoglobin levels of patients managed with Cancrum oris at the NOMA Children's hospital (NCH) in Sokoto Nigeria.

Materials and Methods:
This was a 4 year' retrospective study of patients managed with NOMA at the NCH from 2016 to 2019 using the hospital records.

Results:
One hundred and ninety-five (195) patients were seen within this period. The mean BMI was 16.768 standard deviation 4.59 (Underweight) with about 49% of the total patients seen being underweight. Anemia was observed in 60% of the patients.

Conclusions:
Malnutrition features are common among noma patients, observed in 49% of noma patients in Sokoto. This is in line with several other reports. However, this study raises questions on a possible relationship of noma with anemia beyond its coexistence with malnutrition.
Sexual Assault among Pediatric Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in South-East Nigeria
Authors: Anyanwu Onyinye Uchenna , Daniyan Olapeju Wunmi , Ogbonna-Nwosu Chinyere Georgiana , Ezeanosike Obumneme Benaiah , Ikegwuonu Charles Izuchukwu 
Published: December 2021

Background:
Sexual assault is a term that includes various types of forced or inappropriate sexual activity. Children are increasingly becoming victims with most cases not reported due to the fear of stigmatization. The study was done to determine the prevalence and describe the pattern of sexual assault among children attending the Children outpatient unit of a tertiary hospital.

Patient, Materials and Methods:
This was a retrospective study of cases of sexual assault among children who presented at the Children outpatient unit of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki between September 1, 2016, and August 31, 2018. Cases of sexual assault were identified from the hospital records. Relevant data were extracted from the case files of the affected children and entered into a profoma. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.

Results:
A total of 10,400 children aged 1–18 years attended the Children outpatient unit during the study period, 78 (0.8%) of these children were cases of sexual assault. There were 74 (94.9%) females and 4 (5.1%) were males. The mean age of cases was 8.95 ± 4.78 years. School-aged children had the highest case of sexual assault, the most common type of sexual assault was rape. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting complaint and the perpetrator was known to the victims in 58 (74.4%) of cases, while 25.6% of the perpetrators are strangers.

Conclusion:
Rape is the commonest type of sexual assault in this study and in most cases, the perpetrators were known to the victims.
Journey of rheumatoid arthritis patients in Tunisia: From symptoms to treatment
Authors: Fazaa Alia , Bettaieb Hiba , Sellami Meriem , Miladi Saoussen , Ouenniche Kmar , Souebni Leila , Kassab Selma , Chekili Selma , Zakraoui Leith , Abdelghani Kaouther , Laatar Ahmed 
Published: December 2021

Objectives: This study aims to assess the different delays of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients’ journey from disease onset to treatment initiation and to identify possible influencing factors.
Patients and methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 100 patients (14 males, 86 females; mean age: 56.5±12.4 years; range, 26 to 82 years) who met the 2010 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) criteria for RA between January 2019 and January 2020. Demographic and clinical data and disease characteristics were collected from the patient interviews and medical files. Five different intervals were defined from symptom onset until the initiation of conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (csDMARDs).
Results: The mean age at RA onset was 46.6±12.4 years. Median delays from onset of symptoms until general practitioner (GP) and rheumatologist consultations were six (range, 0.25 to 240) months and 12 (range, 0 to 242) months, respectively. Median delays from onset of symptoms to RA diagnosis and treatment with csDMARDs were 15.7 (range, 2 to 252) months and 18 (range, 2 to 270) months, respectively. The mean number of consultations was 7.3±4.2 and the median number of physicians visited before the diagnosis was three (range, 1 to 8). The RA diagnosis delay was associated with rural geographic environment (p=0.02), lack of social insurance (p=0.027), progressive symptoms onset (p=0.006), morning stiffness (p=0.023), being initially examined by a GP (p=0.02), number of consultations (p<0.001; r=0.49), and number of physicians consulted before diagnosis (p=0.001; r=0.33) respectively. Based on the patients’ self-perception, the main causes of this long delay were lack of financial means (33%), wait times until exploration results (31%), wait times until the first GP or rheumatologist visit (26%), and geographical difficulty in accessing healthcare services (18%).
Conclusion: Our study results suggest that patients with RA experience a significant delay until diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Healthcare providers should urgently consider factors related to diagnosis delay to shorten RA patients’ journey.
Serum progranulin levels in axial spondyloarthropathy and relationship with clinical features
Authors: İldemir Doğangün Didem , Kasapoğlu Aksoy Meliha , Altan Lale 
Published: December 2021

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate the serum progranulin (PGRN) levels in patients with axial spondyloarthropathy (AxSpA) and to identify the correlation between disease activity, symptom severity, acute phase reactant (APR), and serum PGNR levels in patients with AxSpA.
Patients and methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study included a total of 152 patients (105 males, 47 females; mean age: 41.8±10.3; range 20 to 65 years) with AxSpA according to the 2009 Assessment of SpondyloArthritis Society (ASAS) criteria who received treatment and 100 healthy individuals (61 males, 39 females; mean age 43.4±14.2; range 20 to 65 years) between February 2018 and February 2019. Serum PGRN levels from the venous blood were analyzed in both groups. The clinical AxSpA assessment scales were used in the patient group. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were examined.
Results: The mean serum PGRN level was 6.9±5.4 ng/mL in the patient group and 11.2±6.0 ng/mL in the control group. Serum PGRN level was significantly higher in the control group (p<0.001). No significant correlation was found between the PGRN levels and disease activity, symptom severity, duration of disease, and age of the patient (p>>0.05). Serum PGRN levels were significantly higher in female patients in the patient group (p<0.01). In the control group, the serum PGRN levels of individuals with a high body mass index were significantly higher (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Serum PGRN levels of patients with AxSpA who are under treatment and follow-up are significantly lower than healthy individuals. Serum PGRN levels in female patients with AxSpA are also significantly higher than male patients. Serum PGRN levels do not seem to be related to disease activity.
Ultrasonographic and electrophysiological outcomes of carpal tunnel syndrome treated with low-level laser therapy: A double-blind, prospective, randomized, sham-controlled study
Authors: Nalbant Merve , Ümit Yemişci Oya , Özen Selin , Tezcan Şehnaz 
Published: December 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on clinical, ultrasonographic (US), and electrophysiological findings in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Patients and methods: Between January 2015 and August 2015, 42 patients (7 males, 35 females; mean age: 50.4±8.7 years; range, 32 to 65 years) with mild-to-moderate CTS were randomly assigned to one of two groups: active LLLT (therapy group, n=22) 0.8 J/painful point and sham LLLT groups (n=20). Both groups wore neutral wrist orthoses. The patients were evaluated before and after 15 sessions of therapy (670 nm, 4 J/session over the carpal tunnel). Follow-up parameters included the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) Symptom Severity Scale (SSS), Functional Status Scale (FSS), nerve conduction studies and US evaluation of the median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA), vascularization (via power Doppler), flattening ratio (FR), and palmar bowing of the flexor retinaculum.
Results: Nocturnal paresthesia improved in both groups; however, pain and patients with a positive Phalen’s test reduced only in the therapy group (p=0.031). The FSS and SSS scores also improved only in the therapy group (p<0.001). Electrophysiologically, median sensory nerve conduction velocities showed a significant improvement only in the therapy group (p=0.002). The CSA, FR, and vascularization of the median nerve showed a significant improvement in the therapy group alone (p<0.001, p=0.048, and p=0.021, respectively).
Conclusion: Improvements in the signs and symptoms of CTS and hand function, the improvements in sensory nerve conduction studies, and reduction in median nerve CSA, FR and vascularity in the LLLT group can be attributed to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of LLLT. This study provides new US data demonstrating efficacy of LLLT along with a clinical and electrophysiological improvement. The LLLT seems to be an easily applied, non-invasive treatment option.
Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 and carotid intima-media thickness in primary Sjögren syndrome
Authors: Gültuna Selcan , Can Sandıkçı Sevinç , Kaplanoğlu Hatice , Nuri Aydın Fevzi , Seher Özalp Ateş Funda 
Published: December 2021

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) level and carotid intima-media thickness in primary Sjögren syndrome (pSS) as an indicator of atherosclerosis.
Patients and methods: Between July 2019 and July 2020, a total of 33 female pSS patients (mean age: 44.5±11.2 years; range, 23 to 60 years) and 37 female age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (mean age: 40.9±7.2 years; range, 25 to 54 years) were included. Carotid intima-media thickness and serum Lp-PLA2 levels were measured in the patient and control groups.
Results: The patients had a higher median serum Lp-PLA2 of 560 (range, 108 to 1,222) ng/mL vs. 328 (range, 0 to 1,280) ng/mL in the controls (p=0.024) and a similar mean intima-media thickness of carotid artery (0.64±0.14 mm vs. 0.62±0.15 mm, respectively; p=0.595). Serum Lp-PLA2 was positively correlated with platelet count (r=0.411, p=0.018) and negatively correlated with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=-0.409, p=0.018). The mean value of carotid intima-media thickness was positively correlated with disease duration (r=0.316, p=0.074) and was negatively correlated with the level of leucocyte (r=-0.458, p=0.007).
Conclusion: Our study suggests that the patients of pSS have a potential risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and disease severity.
Prediction of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction by speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody--associated vasculitis
Authors: Nur İzgi Tuba , Barutcu Ataş Dilek , Ataş Halil , Akaslan Dursun , Ilgın Can , Velioğlu Arzu , Arıkan Hakkı , Alıbaz-Öner Fatma , Direskeneli Haner , Tuğlular Serhan , Aşıcıoğlu Ebru 
Published: December 2021

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate left ventricular functions using speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV).
Patients and methods: Between June 2018 and July 2019, a total of 31 AAV patients (17 males, 14 females; median age: 53 years; range, 47 to 62 years) and 21 healthy controls (11 males, 10 females; median age: 56 years; range, 46 to 60 years) were included in the study. Clinical and biochemical characteristics of all participants were recorded. All participants underwent conventional and two-dimensional STE. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the cut-off value of serum N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro-BNP) that predicted subclinical left ventricular dysfunction. The Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) and NT-pro-BNP.
Results: The LV-GLS was lower in AAV patients (19.3% vs. 21.7%, respectively; p=0.014). NT-pro-BNP was negatively correlated with LV-GLS (p=0.005, r=0.401).
Conclusion: Subclinical left ventricular dysfunction can be detected by STE in patients with AAV who have free of clinically overt cardiovascular disease. The LV-GLS is negatively correlated with serum NT-pro-BNP levels.
Dysregulation of complement factor H in juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus patients
Authors: Eissa Eman , Morcos Botros , Dorgham Dalia , Kholoussi Naglaa 
Published: December 2021

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the expression pattern of factor H in peripheral blood and the frequency of factor H autoantibodies in plasma of juvenile-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE) patients compared to healthy controls.
Patients and methods: Between March 2019 and October 2019, a total of 30 healthy individuals (3 males, 27 females; mean age: 26±7.4 years; range, 18 to 40 years) and 65 jSLE patients (age of onset ≤16 years) (2 males, 63 females; mean age: 23.4±7 years; range, 15 to 38 years) were included. Factor H expression pattern was examined in blood of all subjects using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the frequency of factor H autoantibodies was estimated in plasma using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results: Factor H expression was significantly downregulated in jSLE patients compared to healthy controls (p<0.01). A significant underexpression of factor H was observed in jSLE patients with nephritis compared to those without nephritis (p<0.03), while there was no association of factor H expression levels with any of the other clinical and serological features, disease activity or disease damage index of patients. Only 5% of jSLE patients were positive for factor H autoantibodies without any correlations with the clinical data or disease activity of patients.
Conclusion: Our study results suggest that factor H expression can be dysregulated in jSLE patients.
The Hopping Dead. Zombies in the Chinese Culture
Authors: Sarakaeva Asya A. , Sarakaeva Elina A. 
Published: December 2021

The article examines the image of zombies in Chinese culture, the traditional perception of their appearance and internal characteristics. A wide scope of written sources served as the basis of the study: inscriptions on oracle bones, ancient fortune-telling calendars, historical treatises, chronicles and commentaries on chronicles, essays on geography and medicine, fiction of old and modern China, as well as entries and comments from the Chinese blogosphere.
The authors examine how the idea of evil spirits (with a body or bodiless ones) first appeared in the religious worldview of the ancient Chinese, and trace its origin to the doctrine of existence of multiple souls in one person. The article also details the formation of the pictorial image of Chinese zombies: animated corpses covered with hair or dressed as government officials, with their arms extended forward, hopping on straight legs unable to bend their knees. As for the functional characteristics of zombies, the authors discuss not only their well-known features (e.g., cannibalism), but also their deep inner connection with water and drought. In conclusion, the authors explore the evolution of zombies in modern urban legends and demonstrate the continuity of traditional demonology that develops into modern narrative.
Apart from that, the article contains a number of analogies and comparisons of the Chinese image of zombies with other nations’ mythological tradition.
Composition of the body in male patients with rheumatoid arthritis with account of androgenic status
Authors: Kondrashov A. A. , Shostak N. A. 
Published: December 2021

Aim. To evaluate alterations in body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) in male patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) taking into account their androgen status. Materials and methods. The single-stage study included 96 male RA patients. The mean age of patients was 59 [54; 64.75] years. The control group included 30 healthy men of comparable age. The androgen status assessment was based on sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), total and free testosterone levels determination. Body composition and BMD measurements were performed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) on the Stratos dR device (DMS, France) with the program “Whole Body”. Depending on the combination of BMD, lean- and fat-mass parameters, phenotypes of body composition were determined. The study was approved by Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University Local Ethics Committee. All patients signed informed consent.Results. Generally, lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip BMD in RA patients was significantly less than in the control group (p<0.05). In 69 (71.9%) patients with RA osteopenic syndrome was detected. It was represented by osteopenia and osteoporosis (OP) in 60.4% and 11.5% of cases respectively. The spine and femoral neck BMD correlated negatively with SHBG level, and positive correlation was detected between BMD and free testosterone level. The RA patients had significantly less lean mass than the control group. Low lean mass was found in 48.9% of patients in the main group and was not detected in the control group. Appendicular lean mass (ALM) correlated positively with total and free testosterone levels. According to DXA data, the adipose tissue content (%) corresponded to obesity in 63.3% of patients. Adipose tissue indicators correlated negatively with SHBG, total and free testosterone levels. The BMD of various skeleton parts correlated positively with trunk lean mass, and the femoral neck and total hip BMD had positive relationships with body mass index (BMI). Body composition alterations were revealed in 93.2% of RA patients. The most common phenotypes were osteosarcopenic obesity (25%), osteopenic obesity (21.6%) and osteopenic sarcopenia (14.8%). Conclusion. Our study shows that RA course in men is associated with the development of osteopenic syndrome in 71.9% of cases and ALM decrease to diagnostic values of sarcopenia in 48.9% of cases. This fact should be considered in the development of a gender approach to RA patients management and rehabilitation.
Percepción del Pensamiento Crítico en Estudiantes de una Institución Educativa de Lima, 2021
Authors: Romaní Bazan Blanca Sofía , Martell Díaz Moisés Alberto , Medina Sandoval Rosa Julia , Criado Davila Yvette Vanessa 
Published: December 2021

Durante el colegio, los estudiantes desarrollan y potencian diversas capacidades como parte de su desarrollo personal, siendo una de ellas, el pensamiento crítico, y es necesario conocer la percepción de ellos. En ese sentido, la investigación fue realizada en 178 y 164 estudiantes de cuarto y quinto secundaria, respectivamente, del colegio Trilce de la sede de Chorrillos. A los mencionados estudiantes se les aplicó un test con una confiabilidad de 0.90.
Se concluyó que la percepción del pensamiento crítico es alta en los mencionados estudiantes, debido a que poseen 36,3 % en la escala más alta, seguida de 59,1%, de la escala que continua, quedando aceptada la hipótesis. Asimismo, no se encontró diferencia en la forma como perciben el pensamiento crítico, tanto varones y mujeres. Y, el mismo estadístico devela que los valores más altos son los encontrados por los estudiantes de cuarto año de secundaria que los de quinto.
La lectura de minificciones para mejorar la producción de textos escritos en alumnos de segundo grado de secundaria de la I.E.P. Señor de Luren en la ciudad de Ica
Authors: Bobadilla Quinteros José Luis , Vizcarra José Maguiña 
Published: December 2021

Esta investigación: La lectura de minificciones para mejorar la producción de textos escritos en los alumnos del Segundo grado del colegio secundario en la Institución Educativa “Señor del Luren” de Ica. Tuvo como objetivo atender la aplicación de las lecturas de minificciones en 30 alumnos. Nos permite conocer la importancia de la práctica de la Cohesión, Ortografía, Coherencia y Concordancia en la lectura de minificciones y en la producción de textos escritos.
Se ha trabajado con una muestra de estudiantes quienes representan el 100% del 100% de la población. El modelo de la investigación es Pre experimental.
Se diseñó para la recolección de datos una lista de cotejo la misma que atendía los indicadores que a su vez responden a las dimensiones del trabajo
Este instrumento fue aplicado bajo la modalidad de Prueba de Entrada y Prueba de Salida cuyo contraste de resultados nos permite afirmar que la dimensión que tuvo mejor resultado es la de Cohesión con una diferencia del 26.1%. y la dimensión que tuvo menor resultado es la de Concordancia con una diferencia del 16.63%.