bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The MOVECLIM – AZORES project: Bryophytes from Terceira Island along an elevation gradient
Authors: Gabriel Rosalina , Morgado Leila , Henriques Débora , Coelho Márcia , Hernández-Hernández Raquel , Borges Paulo 
Published: September 2024

Systematic studies on the biodiversity of bryophytes along elevational gradients have been conductuted within the native vegetation of the Azores, using the MOVECLIM framework. The primary objective of this study was to inventory the bryophytes present within preserved areas of native vegetation in Terceira Island (Azores). From 25 to 28 September 2012, an inventory of the bryoflora was carried out along an elevational gradient, starting near Serreta lighthouse (38.76658 Latitude; -27.37539 Longitude; 40 m a.s.l.) and culminating on the top of Santa Bárbara Mountain (38.73064 Latitude; -27.32164 Longitude; 1000 m a.s.l.). The study followed the adapted MOVECLIM standardised protocol, as follows: i) six sites were selected along an elevational transect, each site spaced at 200 m elevation intervals; ii) within each site, two 10 m x 10 m plots were established in close proximity from each other (10-15 m); iii) within these plots, three 2 m x 2 m quadrats were randomly selected and sampled for bryophytes. The following substrates were surveyed in each quadrat: rock, soil, humus, organic matter, tree bark at three different heights and leaves/fronds. For each available and bryophyte-colonised substrate, three replicate microplots of 10 cm x 5 cm were collected, resulting in a maximum of 24 microplots per quadrat.
Nearly three-quarters of the maximum expected number of microplots (636 out of 864; eventID) were found across the six sites on Terceira Island, resulting in a total of 3677 records (occurrenceID). A high proportion of the specimens could be identified to the species rank (n = 3661; 99.6%), representing 38 families, 60 genera and 92 species, including 58 species of liverworts (Marchantiophyta) and 34 species of mosses (Bryophyta). The inventory included several endemic species: two liverwort species endemic to the Azores, five species endemic to Macaronesia (three mosses and two liverworts) and 11 European endemic species (three mosses and eight liverworts). The elevations with the highest species richness, the highest number of endemic species and the highest number of conservation concern species, spanned between 600 and 1000 m a.s.l. above sea level, coinciding with the best preserved forest vegetation. Overall, tree-dwelling and ground-dwelling substrates showed similar levels of bryophyte occupation (75% vs. 72%). However, the 636 events were unevenly distributed across substrates: leaves and rocks had the fewest replicates (n = 54; 50.0%), while humus and the lowest tree height had the highest values (n = 106; 98.1% and n = 98; 90.7%, respectively).
The study contributed to expanding knowledge about the diversity and distribution of the Azorean Bryoflora, both on a local and a regional scale.
Dental plaque caries related microorganism in relation to demographic factors among a group of Iraqi children
Authors: Khalaf Muna Saleem , Qasim Alhan Ahmed , Jafar Zainab Juma , Mohammad Ahlam Taha 
Published: September 2024

Introduction: Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli are most important bacteria in the pathogenesis of dental caries. Cariogenic microflora has been associated to the primary caregiver transmission and sugary diets.
Aim: This study aimed to relate S. mutans and lactobacilli in the plaque to demographic factors in Iraqi children.
Materials and methods: The study included 135 children aged 3-10 years. Samples of their dental plaque were taken from the upper second primary molars on the buccal surfaces using a clean toothpick. Each sample was stored in 1 ml of normal saline followed by dispersion for 30 seconds using Vortex mix. Before inoculation, serial dilutions were done. Inoculation was done in the selective media for each microorganism: mitis salivarius-bacitracin agar for S. mutans and Rogosa agar for lactobacilli. The bacterial count was estimated by counting CFU and a dissection microscope (×15). A questionnaire on the demographic factors was sent to each child to be filled in by their parents.
Results: S. mutans was demonstrated to be greater in the dental plaque of 3-6-year-old children whose mothers are housewives, groups that add sugar to milk, groups without any history of systemic disease, mother’s age, and normal-weight children, whereas lactobacilli increased in the plaque of children aged 7–10 years, women, children with fathers who are government employees, mother’s occupation, children who were not nursed during sleep, father’s age, normal weight, and times of teeth brushing.
Conclusion: S. mutans and lactobacilli are clearly associated with different demographic factors. Education of parents and children has an effective impact on controlling their number, reducing dental caries.
Bone mineral density in children with systemic lupus erythematosus and juvenile idiopathic arthritis: A cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital from Eastern India
Authors: Manna Debabrata , Guha Suparna , Basu Sumita , Pal Samar Ranjan , Pal Priyankar , Roy Ajitesh 
Published: September 2024

Objectives: To determine the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) of paediatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (pSLE) and Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) patients and determine its association with predefined variables.Method: This was a cross-sectional study involving consecutive pSLE and JIA patients attending the paediatric rheumatology clinic. Healthy age and sex matched controls were selected from neighbouring schools. BMD was assessed at the lumbar spine by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan and expressed as Z-score. Its correlation with variables like Body Mass Index (BMI), onset of puberty, disease duration, disease activity, duration of steroid intake and cumulative dose of steroids was assessed. Results: There were 45 cases (33 JIA, 12 SLE) and 23 controls. DEXA Z-score of cases (-1.58±1.22) was significantly lower than controls (0.096±1.19). BMI and onset of puberty also differed significantly between cases and controls. However, there was no significant difference in DEXA Z-scores of pSLE and JIA. There was a significant negative correlation of DEXA Z-score with disease duration, duration of steroids and cumulative steroid dose. However, there was no significant correlation with disease activity. There was a significant positive correlation with BMI .Conclusions: Patients with pSLE and JIA had significantly less DEXA Z-scores compared to healthy matched controls. Major contributing factors were disease duration, duration of steroid intake and their cumulative dose.
Correlation between CT volumetry and actual graft weight in living donor liver transplants in South Africa
Authors: Calver Katherine D. , Terreblanche Owen , Warnich Ilonka , Van der Schyff Francisca 
Published: September 2024

Background: Liver transplantation is the definitive management for patients with end-stage liver disease. Preoperative computed tomography (CT) is used in living donor liver transplant (LDLT) for donor and graft selection as well as predicting graft weight.Objectives: The aim of this study is to establish the relationship between estimated graft volume (EGV) and actual graft weight (AGW) and ascertain a correlation coefficient that will improve the accuracy of EGV in a South African population.Method: The study included 117 LDLT between March 2013 and August 2022. Of these, 86 were left lateral (LL), 15 right lobe (R), 10 left lobe with caudate (LC), five left lobe (L) and one segment two (monosegment) grafts. Estimated graft volume and actual graft weight were compared using the Pearson coefficient and the relationship was illustrated with scatter plots.Results: Estimated graft volume and AGW had a strong positive correlation with a Pearson correlation (R) of 0.95 (p 0.001). The relationship was significantly linear with a correlation coefficient of 0.71. The mean EGV was significantly higher than that of AGW (388 mL ± 249 mL vs. 353 g ± 184 g) with overestimation in 61% of cases. Left lateral and R grafts were the most prevalent LDLT graft type, both having a strong linear correlation between EGV and AGW.Conclusion: Applying a correlation coefficient of 0.71 will improve the accuracy of CT volumetry graft weight predictions.Contribution: A unique correlation coefficient will improve EGV accuracy, aiding in preoperative planning and mitigating post-operative complications in both donors and recipients.
Knowledge and Practices Related to Oral Potentially Malignant Disorder among the Youth Living in Urban Slum Areas in a Commercial City in Sri Lanka
Authors: Manori Dhanapriyanka Halgamuwe Hewawasam , Chandrika Kanthi Raluwa Dona Fransisco 
Published: September 2024

Background:
Oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD) is an emerging problem among the youth due to the increase in use of different addictive substances. This study aims to assess the level of knowledge and selected practices related to OPMD among the youth between 15 and 24 years residing in urban slum areas in a commercial city in Sri Lanka.

Methods:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among a sample of 1435 youths. Cluster sampling technique combined with probability proportionate to size technique was used to select the sample. Data were collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire.

Results:
The response rate was 99.7%. The mean age of the study sample was 17.53 years (95% confidence interval: 17.40–17.65). A higher percentage of youths had poor knowledge on OPMD (72%). The majority (around 85%) knew that smoked and smokeless forms of tobacco were risk factors for OPMD. However, the knowledge on areca nut packets, alcohol, and areca nut in betel quid as risk factors for OPMD was found to be relatively poor with proportions 31.9%, 21.6%, and 16.3%, respectively. In addition to that, study participants showed very poor Knowledge regarding the clinical presentations of OPMD. Around 10.9% and 2.3% knew that OPMD can present as a white patch and a red patch, respectively. Very few of the study sample (1.2%) were knowledgeable about the self-mouth examination for identification of OPMD.

Conclusion:
Poor knowledge on OPMD among the youth living in urban slum areas in a commercial city in Sri Lanka alarmed the need of implementing targeted interventions among these high-risk groups.
Facial Masks for COVID-19 Pandemic an Approach toward Awareness among Health Practitioners
Authors: Sachdeva Shivani , Saluja1 Harish , Mani Amit , Mani Shubhangi , Chawla Kirti , Mohammadi Syeda Nikhat 
Published: September 2024

Objective:
Coronavirus pandemic is a human respiratory disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). The objective of the present study was to evaluate the type of mask, frequency of change, difficulties in breathing, dryness of mouth, hazards, and treatment taken for skin allergies if any due to use of facial masks in the present Coronavirus pandemic.

Materials and Methods:
The present survey was carried on dental practitioners for evaluating knowledge and attitude among 1640 participants. The anonymous survey was carried among different groups of age, gender, and qualifications among dentists all around the globe. SPSS 23.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis. GraphPad Prism 6 was used for statistical analysis and visualization using Chi-square test, one-way ANOVA and post hoc test. The validity of the questionnaire was pilot tested and measured. The Chron bach's alpha value was 0.71.

Results:
Among the participants 46.3% used respirators such as N95, filtering facepiece respirators 2, or the equivalent. Surgical masks were used by 43.9% and the remaining used cloth masks. When inter group comparison was done for different age groups, it was found that there was a statistically significant for the type of mask used. Sixty-six percent participants reported oral malodor after using the facial masks while dryness of the mouth was reported in 41.5 and 9.1% reported acne.

Conclusion:
The use of face masks has become mandatory ornament along with social distancing to avoid transmission. Hypercapnia and breathing difficulties reported were less. For treating the face after long use of facial mask many of the participants reported that no treatment was taken while, others hydrated the face frequently with water, moisturizer and very few used antifungal agent.
Carotid Body Tumor
Authors: Singh Ishwar , Meher Ravi , Bhandari Padam Singh , Singh Karandeep 
Published: September 2024

Introduction:
Carotid body tumors (CBT) or paragangliomas account for approximately 3% of all paragangliomas occurring in the head-and-neck region. Delay in the surgical resection of tumors may be associated with high morbidity or mortality and risk of malignant transformation.

Methodology:
Three cases of CBTs were included in the study, out of which one case presented as bilateral neck swelling. All the patients were clinically and radiologically evaluated and taken up for surgical excision of the tumor. In case with bilateral tumor, a staged removal was planned.

Results:
Out of three patients, a female patient developed stroke postoperatively, she was managed and discharged in stable condition, and another male patient developed left vagal palsy.

Conclusion:
Excision of shambling Type III CBTs is difficult and one should know the collateral circulation of the tumor preoperatively. Bilateral CBT resection requires staging procedures to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and neurological issues.
Thyroid Surgery Outcome Benefits with Energy Based Devices Over Conventional Technique
Authors: Yousuf Aamir , Shamim Anjum , Hannan Abdul , Sideeq Kouser , Qazi Sajad Majid 
Published: September 2024

Background:
Thyroidectomy is the most commonly performed surgery worldwide for both benign and malignant lesions of thyroid. New surgical technologies have been introduced in thyroid surgery to achieve vessel sealing and hemostasis with an added advantage over conventional method.

Aim:
The primary aim of study was to compare the surgical outcome benefits of harmonic focus, LigaSure vessel sealer with conventional techniques of clamp and suture in thyroid surgeries.

Objectives:
The objectives of this study were to compare the three methods in terms of the overall time difference, the total blood loss in thyroid surgery, postoperative drainage output, and surgical complications.

Methodology:
The prospective study was conducted in Government Medical College, Anantnag, Kashmir, between 2020 June and May 2022, over a period of 2 years by the Department of ENT and HNS. A total of 84 patients who underwent thyroid surgeries (total/hemithyroidectomy) were divided into three groups: Group H (n = 28), Group L (n = 28), and Group C (n = 28). The patients were divided according to age, preoperative diagnosis (benign and malignant), and thyroid nodule size and stage of thyroid lesion to generate homogeneous groups. All cases were operated by the same surgeon to prevent surgical bias.

Results:
The three groups were homogeneous in terms of age, gender, clinical status, and pathology. In Group H and Group L, the mean operative time was 25–30 min shorter than Group C (P < 0.001). In Group H and Group L, the blood loss was significantly less as compared to Group C (P < 0.001). The comparison of pain score, postoperative drainage, complication rates as well as mean hospital stay was similar between the three groups (P = Statistically non significant).

Conclusion:
The use of surgical devices is as safe and effective for vessel dissection and hemostasis likewise conventional clamp suture technique. A significant reduction of the operative time and intraoperative blood loss was found with harmonic focus and LigaSure method compared to conventional method with comparable differences in postoperative complications, pain score, and drainage in all the three groups.
Causes and pattern of neonatal mortality in tertiary care neonatal unit of medical college hospital at Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir
Authors: Dar Mohammad Irfan , Jamwal Ashu , Raina Sandeep , Bhat Vidhushi 
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND:
Infant mortality rate is the best indicator of effectiveness of maternal and child health services in general. Seventy percent of total infant deaths fall in neonatal period that is the neonatal mortality rate. The neonatal mortality is not uniform across the country. Substantial variations are observed in survival rates between the states and between districts within states. Focusing on local changes using local data can lead to improved outcomes. Health facility-based interventions can reduce neonatal mortality by 23%–50% in different settings.

OBJECTIVES:
This research article provides an overview of the causes of neonatal mortality and the relative public health importance of different causes that will help in reorganization and strengthening of neonatal services in our setup.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
This was a record-based observational study of all the neonatal deaths in the neonatal unit over a period of 2 months from November 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. Details of each neonatal death were analyzed.

RESULTS:
Most common cause of death was prematurity (56.44%) followed by neonatal sepsis (37.62%), birth anoxia (30%), and respiratory distress syndrome (26.73%). Seventy percent (71.29%) of deaths were inborn, whereas 24.75% and 3.96% were outborn and home-delivered, respectively. Sixty-seven percent (67.32%) were less than 2.5 kg among which 36.63% were less than 1.5 kg. Median weight was 2 kg. Fifty-seven (57%) of deaths occurred within 48 h after birth and median age at admission was 2 h and median hospital stay was 1.5 days.

CONCLUSIONS:
Improvement in female literacy rate, nutritional status of mother, providing good and essential antenatal care will reduce endogenous factors (prematurity and birth injuries) of neonatal mortality. Improving level 2 special newborn care and level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) beds, upgrading and operationalizing the newborn stabilization unit beds along with quality improvement and a functional back-referral system will substantially bring down neonatal mortality
Primary response to COVID-19 situation by Himachal Pradesh, India, during pandemic year 2019–20
Authors: Sharma Gopal A. , Barwal Vijay K. , Gupta Anmol 
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND:
India announced its first incidence of corona virus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in the state of Kerala on January 30, 2020. The severe acute respiratory syndrome- coronavirus-2 (SARs-CoV-2) pandemic was also unavoidably pounding on the doors of the state of Himachal Pradesh (HP), with enormous regional discrepancies necessitating remarkable insight.

SETTINGS:
On February 5, 2020, HP’s health authority took its first reaction step and followed it with a swift, adequate, and innovative response subsequently. Assuming R0 of 2.28 at the early stages of an epidemic, the outbreak threshold (T0 = 1/Log R0) is estimated to be mere 2.7 infections. However, with the emergence of only two positive cases, the state acted conscientiously vigilant to announce a lockdown at an opportune moment.

METHODS:
Department of Information and Technology developed a “CORONA Mukht (free) App” for keeping a digital record of all home-quarantined persons on the administration vigil list. During the active house-to-house case-finding campaign, an exercise involving 16,000 healthcare workforces, around 10,000 individuals with influenza-like illness (ILI) were screened. The ambulances were modified innovatively as “mobile sample collection kiosks” for sample collections throughout. The state added additional categories in the sampling protocol to keep a vigil for any community transmission. The protocol included samples from Flu clinics, ILI patients from the community, and occupants with ILI from migrant relief camps.

DISCUSSION:
On April 20, 2020, there were 23 incident cases in the state and declined to 10 on April 27, 2020. On May 3, 2020, out of 40 positive cases reported, there was only one active case under treatment. Subsequently, with effective containment measures, the state succeeded in keeping the test positivity rate below 2% from May to August 2020. Effectively during the specified period, cumulative deaths reported were 33 only in the state, with a case fatality rate of 0.56% at the end of August 2020, lower than the national average of 2.1%.

CONCLUSION:
It can be concluded that HP’s initial response to SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was exceptional and emphatic.
Gender-Specific Biases in Age Estimation Methods: A Comparative Analysis of Chaillet and Morris Methods in Forensic Anthropology
Authors: Jha Reeta , Nimavat Abhishek , Khatri Mansi , Jani Yesha , Thakkar Shweta , Gohil Janvi 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:
Accurate age estimation is crucial in various fields, particularly in forensic and anthropological contexts, where it aids in identification and legal proceedings. However, discrepancies and biases may exist in age estimation methods, necessitating comprehensive evaluation, especially across gender groups.

Materials and Methods:
This study used ANOVA and t-tests to analyze age estimation data obtained from the Chaillet and Morris methods, alongside actual ages, across male and female groups. Descriptive statistics including mean, median, standard deviation, and range were calculated to provide detailed insights into the distribution of age estimates.

Results:
ANOVA revealed significant differences in age estimates between the Chaillet and Morris methods, as well as actual ages, for both males and females (P < 0.05). However, t-tests did not indicate statistically significant gender differences in age estimates from either method. Notably, a significant difference was observed in actual ages, with males having lower ages on average than females. Descriptive statistics showed consistent underestimation of actual ages by both estimation methods, with females exhibiting higher actual ages compared with males.

Conclusion:
This study underscores the importance of considering gender-specific biases and variations in age estimation methods. Although the Chaillet and Morris methods may not show significant gender disparities in estimates, they consistently underestimate actual ages, with females having higher actual ages on average. These findings highlight the need for continued refinement and validation of age estimation techniques to ensure accuracy and fairness across diverse populations.