bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution of Kell antigens K, k, Kpa, and Kpb among blood donors in Jeddah city of Western Saudi Arabia
Authors: Felimban Raed I. , Sumeda Samaha M. 
Published: June 2021

CONTEXT:
Kell blood group system is considered as the third clinically significant blood group in blood transfusion due to the highly immunogenetic of their antigens. No data are available regarding the frequencies of the Kell blood group antigens in Jeddah city. Knowledge of the antigen and phenotype frequencies is crucial to assess the risk of alloimmunization and to guide the probability of finding antigen-negative donor blood, which can be useful when blood transfusion is required for a patient who has multiple red cell alloantibodies.

AIMS:
The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of Kell blood group: K, k, Kpa, and Kpb antigens and phenotypes among blood donors in Jeddah city, western Saudi Arabia, to improve the transfusion services in the area.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
Seven hundred and fifty-eight blood samples from blood donors were used in the study. The samples were collected from different national blood bank centers in Jeddah city hospitals. Kell antigens were typed through gel card method using commercial antisera.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED:
The gathered data were analyzed using the SPSS program. Frequency and crosstab tests were completed to achieve the objectives of the current study.

RESULTS:
The most frequent Kell phenotype in this study was Kp(a−b+), followed by K−k+, K+k+, and then Kp(a+b+), and the less frequent was K+k−. K−k− and Kp(a+b−) phenotypes were not observed in studied donors.

CONCLUSIONS:
This study is the first report to determine the frequency of Kell antigens and phenotypes among blood donors in Jeddah city. These results appear to be useful in providing better care for patients by implementing tests that should become a routine in blood banks. The Kell system is very important in transfusion medicine practice.
Therapeutic plasma exchange an emerging treatment modality
Authors: Solanki Archana , Singh Ashutosh , Chauhan Abhishek , Agarwal Devisha , Himanshu D. , Chandra Tulika 
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:
Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is increasingly used throughout the medical field. We aimed to analyze the various aspects of TPE practices at our hospital in terms of clinical indications, technical feasibility, safety, outcome as well as complications associated with the procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
The data included demographic profiles, clinical parameters, and technical characteristics of each TPE procedure. All the information was noted in data spread sheet (Microsoft Excel 2013) for further analysis.

RESULTS:
This is a 3-year retrospective study of total 266 TPE procedures carried out on 92 patients with different clinical conditions. Out of them, 55 (59.8%) were male and 37 (40.2%) were female patients. There were six major categories such as (1) neurological, (2) hematological, (3) gastrological, (4) renal, (5) rheumatic, and (6) others. The TPE treatment was highest in neurology group (60.2%), followed by gastrology group (24.4%). Most of the procedures (82.6%) were according to the American society of apheresis 2016 I or II categories (76/92 patients).

CONCLUSION:
TPE is beneficial and used as primary or secondary adjunctive therapy for a wide spectrum of various diseases and syndromes. TPE is considered as safe, cost-effective, and life-saving treatment modality in various diseases.
Evaluation of efficacy of Valsalva for attenuating needle puncture pain in first time nonremunerated voluntary plateletpheresis donors
Authors: Srivastava Anubha , Kumar Sanjay , Agarwal Anil , Khetan Dheeraj , Katharia Rahul , Mishra Prabhaker , Khati Shikha , Gautam Sujeet , Sandeep Khuba 
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND:
Plateletpheresis is generally safe but may have adverse reactions. Adverse reactions can negatively influence donor recruitment and retention. Valsalva is a proven method of attenuating pain caused by venipuncture.

AIMS:
The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the Valsalva maneuver on the attenuation of needle pain and donor anxiety.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN:
This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted between November 2015 and April 2016 at the Department of Transfusion Medicine.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS:
One-hundred and sixty consecutive donors were grouped into control group (C) and Valsalva group (V) each of sample size 80. The Valsalva group performed a Valsalva maneuver and control did nothing before the venipuncture. Anxiety and pain were scored using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). Severity was graded as VAS = 0 defines no pain and anxiety, VAS = 1–3 as mild pain and anxiety, VAS = 4–6 as moderate pain and anxiety, VAS = 7–9 as severe pain and anxiety, whereas VAS = 10 denotes extreme pain and anxiety.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS:
Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 23 was used for analysis. Independent samples t-test/Mann–Whitney U-test was used to compare between treatment and control group, whereas the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to test the difference between pre- and postobservations.

RESULTS:
In the Valsalva group, post-Valsalva anxiety levels were significantly reduced to (1 [0–2]) from their pre-Valsalva values of (2 [0–3]); (P < 0.001). Pain was significantly lower (2[1-2]) in Valsalva group compared to control (4[2–5]); (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:
Valsalva reduced both severity of venipuncture pain and anxiety. Valsalva can be performed by donors as it is an easy, painless, and nonpharmacological method of pain and anxiety attenuation.
A comparative study of knowledge, attitude, and practices about organ donation among blood donors and nonblood donors
Authors: Basavarajegowda Abhishekh , Arjunan Charumathy , Nalini Y. C. , Parameshwaran Sreejith , Kannan Sujitha 
Published: June 2021

INTRODUCTION:
Shortage of organs by donation is a national problem which needs a multipronged approach for its strengthening. Educating the people and increasing the awareness of the need for donation would be of the foremost priority. Identifying the target population who are more likely to respond would be very important to reap the maximum results. There is speculation that blood donors would be more amenable and likely to accept the idea and thought of organ donation. This study is being designed to study the same.

METHODOLOGY:
This was a cross-sectional comparative questionnaire-based study among two groups: blood donors and nonblood donors. Donors were defined as aged above 18 years and have made at least one whole blood/apheresis donation. Nondonors were the ones who were aged above 18 years and have not donated whole blood/apheresis blood products in the past. All the responses were entered in the Microsoft Excel sheets, and statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences.

RESULTS:
A total of 829 participated in the study. Among the 829 participants, 416 were donors, and 413 were nondonors. There was no difference in knowledge regarding organ donation among the groups except for perceived risks of organ donation among nondonors. Concerning attitudes, they were more favorable among blood donors, and it was statistically significant at a P < 0.05.

CONCLUSION:
There was no difference with respect to knowledge between donors and nondonors. However, donors had a more favorable attitude toward organ donation. Factors like concerns about misuse of donated organs, lack of clarity on their religion's policy toward organ donation, and potential for harm for the organ donor seem to account for the unfavorable attitude of nondonors toward organ donation.
Evaluation of Retinal Microvascular Changes in Patients with Prediabetes
Authors: Lİ Rudvan AL , Can ME , Efe FK , Keskin M , Beyan E 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT

Aim:
Diabetic retinopathy is a chronic progressive complication with neuronal cell and retinal microvascular involvement and is closely associated with blood sugar and blood pressure levels. Studies have shown that retinal neural dysfunction takes place before the microvascular changes in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study is to compare the retinal microvascular changes of patients who are at the prediabetes stage and healthy volunteers.

Method:
Our study included 41 patients with prediabetes who were referred to the internal medicine outpatient clinic and 47 healthy volunteers. All patients underwent ophthalmologic examinations, including best visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement, slit-lamp examination, and dilated fundus examination. Refractive error measurements were performed with the same automatic refractor-keratometer device. Typically, 3 × 3 mm macular images centered on foveola were obtained by using XR Avanti Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography with AngioVue (RTVue XR AVANTI, Optovue, Fremont, CA, USA) device. In the statistical analysis of the measurements, it was examined by Kolmogorov Smirnov test. Conditions expressed as IFG or IGT are considered as prediabetes; IFG is defined as fasting blood sugar to be between 100 and 125 mg/dL, while IGT is the condition in which the second hour value of the oral glucose tolerance test is 140–199 mg/dL.

Results:
There was no statistically significant difference between the control and pre-DM groups in terms of mean age. The distribution of males and females between groups was statistically similar (P = 0.087). In the pre-DM group, 24 (58.6%) patients had IFG, 16 (39.0%) had IFG + IGT, and 1 (2.4%) had IGT. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for the nonflow area (NFA) and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area (P > 0.05). The mean values of superficial and deep capillary plexus (DCP) density were not statistically significant differences between the groups. No statistically significant difference was found between the control group and pre-DM group in terms of the mean measurements of clinical ocular findings (P > 0.05). Retinal thicknesses were also not statistically significant differences between the groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:
All of the retinal measurements of both patients with prediabetes and healthy volunteers are similar. We did not find any difference between prediabetes and control groups. The ophthalmologic examinations which contain best-visual acuity, intraocular pressure measurement, slit-lamp examination, and dilated fundus examination are similar.
Macula Hole as a Sequelae of Presumed Ocular Toxoplasmosis, an Incidental Finding in a Female Nigerian
Authors: Babalola YO 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT
A 39-year-old Nigerian woman presented to the eye clinic for a new pair of spectacles on account of a two-week history of headaches and bilateral eye ache. She was a known spectacle wearer for the past nine years. The presenting visual acuity was 6/6 and 6/36, respectively, in the right and left eye. Anterior segment examination was essentially normal bilaterally. Posterior segment examination with binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy of the right eye revealed a punched out hyperpigmented, chorioretinal scar in the periphery at 6 o'clock and in the left eye, a large macula hole adjacent to a hyperpigmented chorioretinal scar along the inferotemporal arcade was present. Active inflammation was absent in both eyes. Optical coherence tomography confirmed a left, grade-4 full-thickness macula hole.
Synchronous Thyroid Cancer on the Edge
Authors: Ayan A , Basaran Y , Kirnap NG , Çınar A 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT

Aims:
The objective of this study was to discuss the outcomes of the oncology patients whose PET/CT scans show incidental focal thyroid 18F-FDG uptake.

Methods:
This retrospective analysis examined 2575 18F-FDG PET/CT scans from 1803 patients with no known thyroid cancer history. The survival rates were analyzed for patients with and without cytopathological evaluation.

Results:
Increased metabolic activity of the thyroid was detected in 96 patients. Of those, 72 were diagnosed with a focal uptake of 18F-FDG and 24 subjects had a diffuse uptake. All 72 patients with a focal uptake were referred for ultrasound (US) and fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC). Of those patients, 44 were admitted for US and 16 underwent FNAC. The mean SUVmax was 16.0 ± 7.97 for patients with malignant lesions and 3.24 ± 0.88 for patients with benign lesions (p = 0.023). The mortality rate was higher in the patients who were not evaluated with FNAC.

Conclusion:
Patients with incidental focally increased thyroid 18F-FDG accumulation on PET/CT are known to have a high risk of malignancy. These patients require additional diagnostic procedures to distinguish the underlying pathology. However, the clinical condition of these patients will be the primary concern when performing these procedures.
Effect of Prosthetic Framework Material, Cantilever Length and Opposing Arch on Peri-Implant Strain in an All-on-Four Implant Prostheses
Authors: Shetty R , Singh I , Sumayli HA , Jafer MA , Abdul Feroz SM , Bhandi S , Raj AT , Patil S , Ferrari M 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT

Aim:
To evaluate the effect of prosthetic framework material and cantilever length on peri-implant strain in mandibular all-on-four implant-supported prostheses with different types of arch antagonist forces.

Materials and Methods:
Models simulating a completely edentulous mandibular arch fabricated in heat-cured acrylic resin were used. On the acrylic models, four implants were placed at regions 34, 32, 42, and 44 simulating all-on-four implant placements. Implant-supported screw-retained fixed prosthesis frameworks were fabricated using three different materials (cobalt-chromium, zirconia, and polyetheretherketone) and with three different cantilever lengths (zero mm, 15 mm, and 25 mm). Strain gauges were attached on the model at the buccal and lingual positions of each implant. Forces simulating opposing natural dentition, conventional complete denture, and the parafunctional habit were applied to the models. The peri-implant strain in each strain gauge was recorded.

Results:
Least peri-implant strains (67 microstrains) were observed when forces simulating conventional complete dentures were applied on the models and the highest peri-implant strains (9091 microstrains) were observed when forces simulating parafunctional habit were applied. One-way ANOVA test followed by Tukey's post hoc analysis was performed to compare the mean deformation scores between different materials at 50 N load. The level of significance [P-value] was set at P < 0.05. Tests showed significant differences between zero mm and the other types in all the different materials, and also between 1.5 x AP and 2.5 x AP for Zirconia and Peek material at P = 0.02 & P = .008, respectively. The results showed that the type of framework material, cantilever length, and occlusal forces from the opposing arch influence the peri-implant strain in the bone in all-on-four implant-supported prostheses.

Conclusion:
Rehabilitation of a single, completely edentulous arch with implant-supported prostheses should consider the situation of the opposing arch. The choice of framework material, as well as the cantilever length, should be altered based on the forces from the opposing arch.
What is the Impact of Thyroidectomy on Autoimmune Features Associated with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis?—Institutional Experience
Authors: Panchangam RB , Kota SK , Mayilvaganan S , Kuravi BG 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT

Background:
Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) is one of the commonest endocrine disorders, globally. Often, HT presents a protean range of associated autoimmune features (AAI) such as vitiligo, rheumatoid arthritis, pernicious anemia, skin allergy/atopy, thrombocytopenia, Addison's disease, type 1 diabetes, celiac disease, eosinophilia, etc., The usual treatment of HT is symptomatic with no curative option. In this context, we report our experience on the impact of surgical thyroidectomy on remission of AAI in HT.

Aims:
To report our experience on the impact of surgical thyroidectomy on remission of AAI in patients with HT.

Material and Methods:
This is a retrospective study conducted in the Endocrine Surgery department of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 61 patients with HT and various AAI combinations were included in this study. All the clinicoinvestigative and operative data were systematically analyzed. The most frequent indication for surgery was nodular goiter followed by associated malignancy, persistent goiter, and painful thyroiditis. Others were cosmetic/pressure symptoms and not AAI per se. The mean follow-up after surgery was 55.6 ± 11.8 months.

Results:
The gender ratio was 5.8:1 in favor of women and the mean age was 41.5 ± 5.4 years. The mean preoperative and postoperative serum anti-thyroperoxidase antibody (Anti-TPO Ab) levels were 339 ± 98.2 and 58.75 ± 25 IU/L at the last follow-up visit. A total of 60% AAI manifestations had resolution or significant alleviation. The major improvements in AAI were skin allergy, eosinophilia, rheumatoid arthritis, vitiligo, thrombocytopenia, celiac disease symptomatic episodes; but, type 1 diabetes and Addison's disease showed static response.

Conclusions:
Surgical total thyroidectomy and anti-TPO Ab-related autoimmunity appear to play a beneficial role and definitive role in the remission of AAI in HT.
Serum Total Adiponectin in Healthy Pre-Pubertal Nigerian School Children
Authors: Nri-Ezedi CA , Ulasi T , Chukwuka J , Okpara H , Ofiaeli O , Nwaneli E , Ulasi A 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT

Background:
Adiponectin is an excellent insulin sensitizer. It also possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-atherogenic properties that play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of cardio-metabolic disorders. Evaluating adiponectin distribution in children and factors that modulate its blood level is critical for advancing knowledge in its future role in managing associated non-communicable diseases.

Aim:
To investigate the adiponectin profile in apparently healthy pre-pubertal Nigerian school children.

Methods:
This is a cross-sectional study comprising 125 randomly recruited pupils from eight primary schools in Nnewi located in Anambra State, Nigeria. Anthropometric values were taken and venous blood samples assayed for adiponectin using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Analysis of data was done with SPSS software version 22 and R programming software. The level of significance set at P < 0.05.

Results:
We enrolled a total number of 125 children, which comprised of 68 (54.4%) males and 57 (45.6%) females with a male to female ratio of 1.2:1. The mean age of all the subjects was 7.7 ± 2.0 years. The mean serum adiponectin level of all the participants was 4.67 ± 2.2 ng/mL with a range of 1.9 ng/mL to 10.0 ng/mL. Adiponectin was slightly higher in females than males (4.93 ± 2.4 ng/mL vs 4.45 ± 2.0 ng/mL, respectively; P = 0.223). In males, an inverse relationship was observed between adiponectin and increasing age, whereas in females, a positive correlation was noted (P = 0.637 vs P = 0.639, respectively). The body mass index (BMI) correlated negatively with adiponectin in all the subjects and across both the genders, but these were not statistically significant.

Conclusion:
Adiponectin varies with sex, age and BMI in pre-pubertal Nigerian children with normal BMI. Further local studies are needed to elucidate its role in the management of associated disease states.
The Effects of Blood Glucose Regulation and Treatment Regime on Mean Platelet Volume in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Alay M , Atmaca M , Ucler R , Aslan M , Seven İ , Dirik Y , Sönmez MG 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT

Background:
Mean platelet volume (MPV) is associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in type 2 diabetic patients. However, the effects of blood glucose regulation and treatment regime on MPV has not been adequately studied in type 2 diabetic patients. Aims: We studied the effects of blood glucose regulation and treatment regimen on mean platelet volume in Type 2 diabetic patients.

Subjects and Methods:
A total of 232 diabetic patients who were admitted to the hospital in short intervals of 3 months in the last 2 years were included in the study. When the second admission HbA1c was greater than the first admission HbA1c, they were classified as being in the deteriorated blood glucose regulation group, otherwise they were classified in the improved blood glucose regulation group. Also, the deteriorated and improved blood glucose regulation groups were classified based on therapy modalities as the sulfonylurea + metformin group and the insulin + metformin group. Paired t-test was used for comparison of the groups.

Results:
Of the 232 patients, 98 (42.2%) were male and 134 (57.8%) were female. There were 126 (55.2%) patients using sulfonylurea + metformin, while 106 (44.8%) patients were using insulin + metformin. MPV levels were significantly increased in patients with deteriorating glucose regulation (p = 0.003). This increase in MPV was only seen in the oral hypoglycemic treatment group (p = 0.003).

Conclusions:
Our results suggested a close relationship between poor glycemic control and increased platelet activity in type 2 diabetic patients with oral antidiabetic therapy when compared to the insulin and metformin therapy modality.
Determinants of Hearing Loss in Children with Cerebral Palsy in Kano, Nigeria
Authors: Jibril YN , Shamsu KA , Muhammad N Bello , Hasheem MG , Tukur AR , Salisu AD 
Published: June 2021

ABSTRACT

Background:
Cerebral palsy (CP) is a commonly occurring disorder of movement and posture that starts in early childhood. It is accompanied by other disturbances including hearing loss which has been shown to worsen the quality of life of the patients due to problems associated with speech and language acquisition. Several factors are responsible for developing hearing loss in CP.

Aims:
To determine the factors that can help in early diagnosis and treatment of hearing loss in children with cerebral palsy.

Methodology:
This was a hospital based cross-sectional study conducted among 165 randomly selected children with CP. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain relevant sociodemographic and clinical information. The data collected was analyzed using Statistical Product and Services Solution (SPSS) version 21.

Results:
The age range of the participants was 1–12 years, with a mean age and standard deviation (SD) of 4.49 ± 2.85. The male to female ratio was 2:1. The commonest type of CP encountered was of spastic variety seen in 47.3%, while the least encountered variety was of the ataxic type, seen in only 4.2%;46.7% of the children were reported to have hearing impairment by their guardian. Other comorbidities reported included epilepsy (33.9%), speech impairment (27.3%), mental retardation (17.0%) and visual impairment (8.5%). A statistically significant association was found between the presence of comorbidities (P = 0.05) and hearing loss among children with CP.

Conclusion:
Hearing impairment is common among children with CP. Several factors are associated with the development of hearing loss among children with CP. However, only presence of comorbidities was found to be a significant determinant of hearing loss among children with CP.