bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anterior Ethmoid Roof Configuration: A Computed Tomography Scan Analysis of Adult Nigerians with Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Kolo Emmanuel Sara , Abdullahi Hamisu 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Context:
The anterior skull base has been adjudged a high-risk area in endoscopic sinus and skull base surgery. Hence, an understanding of its complex anatomy is crucial if catastrophic intra-operative complications must be avoided.

Aims:
To identify the anatomical configurations of the anterior skull base by radiological analysis, and to determine the prevalence of its variations among adults with chronic rhinosinusitis.

Settings and Design:
A retrospective study of 99 adult patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who attended the Ear Nose and Throat clinic of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital from July 2022 to June 2023.

Methods and Materials:
The patient’s records were retrieved, and the basic demographic data, clinical history, and examination findings were extracted. All patients had diagnostic nasal endoscopy, and computed tomography scans of the nose and paranasal sinuses which were analyzed using a computer software program.

Statistical Analysis Used:
The data was analyzed with SPSS version 22.0 using frequency, mean, Pearson Chi-square tests and the results were presented in tables and figures.

Results:
A total of 99 patients’ CT scans were analyzed. There were 61 males (61.6%) and 38 females 38.4%) with a mean age of 31.7 years. 37 (37.4%) and 62 (62.6%) of patients had asymmetry and symmetry in the fovea ethmoidalis respectively. The anterior ethmoid artery was found coursing through the anterior ethmoidal air cells in 73 (36.9%) and along the anterior skull base in 125 patients (63.1%). Kero’s classification showed types I in 140 (70.7%), type II in 54 (27.3%) and type III in 4 (2.0%).

Conclusion:
This study found that a significant proportion of the study population had ethmoid roof asymmetry and the anterior ethmoid artery was found coursing through the anterior ethmoidal air cells respectively.
Onychomycosis: Prevalence, Fungal Pathogens, Risk Factors, and Antifungal Susceptibility Profile among People Living with Diabetes Mellitus in Kano, Northwestern Nigeria
Authors: Idris Amina Muhammad , Hafiz Taysir R. , Getso Muhammad Ibrahim , Umar Maimuna Baffa , Kabuga Auwal Idris 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Context:
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail unit that over time results in dystrophy and disfigurement. It affects the quality of life and increases the prevalence and severity of foot ulcers in patients with diabetes.

Aim:
The study investigated the prevalence of onychomycosis, the associated fungal pathogens, and their antifungal susceptibility profile in a cohort of people living with diabetes (PLWDM) in Kano, Nigeria.

Settings and Designs:
This cross-sectional hospital-based study recruited and enrolled 300 PLWDM from two major diabetes treatment centers in Kano.

Materials and Methods:
Participants were screened for thickened, brittle, crumbly, or ragged nails, and 30 met the inclusion criteria. Sociodemographic data, clinical history, and other risk factors for onychomycosis were also evaluated. Toenail and fingernail, nail clippings, and scrapings were collected and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). The identification of yeasts and mold isolates was performed using gram stain, germ tube test, CHROMagar, lactophenol cotton blue (LPCB) mount, and slide cultures. Antifungal susceptibility testing was achieved by the agar well-diffusion method.

Statistical Analysis Used:
The data generated were analyzed using descriptive statistics and associations between variables checked by the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test.

Results:
The prevalence of onychomycosis was 63.3% (19/30), and fingernails were mostly affected. Fungal pathogens recovered include dermatophytes, yeasts, and non-dermatophyte molds, with a predominance of Aspergillus spps. (7/19 (36.8%)), Trichophyton
mentagrophytes (4/19 (21.1%)), Trichophyton
rubrum (4/19 (21.1%)), and Candida
albicans (2/19 (10.5%)). A preponderance of the isolates shows a good susceptibility profile to itraconazole, ketoconazole, and clotrimazole, but demonstrated high resistance to fluconazole. Age and use of oral hypoglycemic agents were some of the risk factors identified.

Conclusion:
The study shows a high prevalence of onychomycosis among PLWDM in Kano and calls for routine screening to minimize or eliminate all possible complications.
Malignant Otitis Externa in a Tertiary Hospital, North Central Region of Nigeria: A 15-Year Review
Authors: Segun-Busari Segun , Afolabi Abdulrahman Olushola , Omokanye Habeeb Kayodele , Ayodele Samuel Oluyomi , Dunmade Adekunle David , Sulyman Alabi Biodun , Adeniji Kayode Adebamiji , Braimoh Kolawole Thomas , Fadeyi Abayomi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Context:
Malignant otitis externa (MOE) is a rare, rapidly spreading, life-threatening invasive infection of the external auditory canal and the lateral skull base which typically affects elderly patients with diabetes and immunocompromised patients.

Materials and Methods:
Aretrospective review of records of all patients with a diagnosis of malignant otitis external seen at the otorhinolaryngology department over a 15-year period (2007–2021) was seen. Information retrieved included the biodata, the clinical presentation, the treatment modalities, and the outcome of treatment. These were entered into SPSS version 23 and analyzed descriptively.

Results:
A total of 431 case notes with a diagnosis of otitis external were retrieved, but only 18 cases (4.2%) were diagnosed as malignant otitis externa. The age range was between 43 and 90 years (mean age of 65.9 yrs = ±1.2). There were about 7 males and 11 females with an M:F ratio of 1:1.6. Right ear was affected in 62.5%, and left ear in 37.5% of cases. All the patients presented with otalgia (100%), 13 (72.2%) had a history of self-ear cleaning, about 50% presented with otorrhoea, about 37.9% had hearing loss, and 27.8% had facial nerve palsy. Culture results revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 72.2% of the patients sensitive to ciprofloxacin, and they were treated with parenteral and topical ciprofloxacin impregnated with steroids with good outcomes and no mortality.

Conclusion:
Malignant otitis externa affects more female elderly patients with diabetes; the most common presentation was otalgia, with otorrhea with facial nerve involvement in 27.8% palsy, and the most common agent isolated was P. aeruginosa, which responded to parenteral and topical ciprofloxacin impregnated with steroids with no mortality recorded in our study.
Serum Vitamin D Level and Severity of Adult Allergic Rhinitis at a Tertiary Hospital in Northeast Nigeria
Authors: Gwalabe Sabiu A. , Adamu Auwal , Kirfi Abdullahi M. , Dunga Jacob A. , Maigari Ibrahim M. , Umar Mustapha S. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Context:
Recent studies have reported abnormal levels of serum vitamin D in patients with allergic rhinitis. This linkage has not been demonstrated in our environment, northeast Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the levels of serum vitamin D and correlate them with disease severity in patients with allergic rhinitis in a tertiary hospital in northeast Nigeria.

Materials and Methods:
This was a cross-sectional observational study of patients with allergic rhinitis who attended ear, nose, and throat and the respiratory medicine clinics of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi, Nigeria, from January 2022 to May 2023. Data collected from participants included demographic information, clinical findings, and disease severity graded as mild–moderate or severe based on the allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma WHO 2008 classification. Serum vitamin D levels were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.

Results:
The study recruited 61 participants, of whom 39 (63.9%) were women. The mean age (±SD) was 38.66 ± 14.34 years, while the mean serum vitamin D levels (±SD) was 36.65 ± 15.54 ng/ml. Thirteen (21.3%) participants had insufficient serum vitamin D levels below 24 ng/ml, whereas 48 (78.7%) had sufficient serum vitamin D levels of 24–80 ng/ml. There were statistically significant differences between mild and moderate–severe allergic rhinitis with respect to vitamin D level (mean ± SD, 26.73 ± 17.96 vs 38.84 ± 14.24, respectively, 95% CI: −22.06 to −2.16, P = 0.018). There was a significantly positive relationship between serum vitamin D and the severity of allergic rhinitis (χ2 = 8.839, P = 0.003).

Conclusion:
The majority of patients had sufficient levels of serum vitamin D. Higher serum vitamin D was associated with higher severity of allergic rhinitis.
Intraoperative cell salvage transfusion in patients undergoing posterior urethroplasty: Its efficacy of reducing allogeneic blood transfusion, safety, and cost
Authors: Altaweel Waleed , Mehmood Shahbaz , Seyam Raouf 
Published: May 2024

Background:
A significant blood loss may be encountered with complex urethroplasty surgery. Blood management aims at reducing allogeneic blood transfusion (ABT) because of limited supply, associated risks, and cost. Intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) has been used in different urological and nonurological surgeries to achieve this goal. However, no study evaluated its role in perineal urethroplasty.

Objectives:
We set out to determine the efficacy of reducing ABT, safety, and cost of ICS in posterior urethroplasty.

Methods:
We reviewed the charts of all patients who underwent posterior urethroplasty between 2012 and 2017. We collected data for patients’ demographics, pre- and postoperative hemoglobin level, ICS volume, complications, equivalent ABT units saved, and cost.

Results:
Seventy patients with a median age of 27.5 ± 10.2 years underwent posterior urethroplasty. Of the 70 patients, 20 (28.57%) required ICS intraoperatively with a median of 441 ml/patient, equivalent to 1.47 units per patient of allogenic blood. No patient needed intraoperative ABT, whereas two patients required transfusions postoperatively. The median pre- and postoperative hemoglobin levels were 124.2 ± 9.2 and 110.3 ± 12.6 g/dl, respectively. There were no significant complications noted while using ICS. There was a 41% cost reduction of equivalent ABT units.

Conclusions:
ICS is safe and effective in reducing ABT during posterior urethroplasty. In our hospital, it is associated with a significant cost reduction of blood transfusion.
Evaluating the construct validity of UroLift simulator through a virtual learning experience of urology residents
Authors: Alzahrani Abdullah Mousa , Alsowayan Ossamah S. 
Published: May 2024

Introduction:
Simulations are useful and can mirror the situations needed for skills development. They can have significant impacts on patient safety and help physicians gain proficiency in complex procedures with a short learning curve. They have been validated as an assessment tool and can utilize innovative machines or platforms. Here, we evaluate the construct validity and the performance of residents with different levels using UroLift (NeoTract) simulation.

Methods:
This was a prospective observational study. Two groups of trainees were distributed according to their training level: junior residents and senior residents. Each had to finish three cases of varying difficulties. The data were first tested with the Shapiro–Wilk normality test. Construct validity used an independent sample t-test; P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:
Significant differences were seen in performance among junior residents and senior residents in the following skills: proximal centering, mucosal abrasion, and implants in proximal zones. However, insignificant results were seen for number of deployments, successful deployments, lateral suture centering, and implants in the distal zones.

Conclusion:
UroLift simulations are useful for training as a practicing tool. Nevertheless, objective performance evaluation using UroLift simulations requires further steps and frameworks as a source of validity before further result interpretation.
Oncological outcomes of whole-gland cryoablation in patients with prostate cancer and high risk of lymph node invasion
Authors: Selvaggio Oscar , Falagario Ugo Giovanni , Finati Marco , Bruno Salvatore Mariano , Recchia Marco , Milillo Paola , Sanguedolce Francesca , Silecchia Giovanni , Macarini Luca , Cormio Luigi , Carrieri Giuseppe 
Published: May 2024

Purpose:
Prostate cryoablation has been proposed as an alternative to radical prostatectomy for men with localized prostate cancer (PCa); however, it is limited by the lack of data regarding oncological outcomes and the impossibility of performing a lymph node dissection. The aim of this study was to assess if whole-gland cryoablation is oncologically safe, especially for patients in whom pelvic lymph node dissection would be necessary.

Materials and Methods:
After institutional review board approval, we identified 102 patients who underwent whole-gland prostate cryoablation between 2013 and April 2019. Lymph node invasion (LNI) probability was computed using Briganti nomogram, and a 5% cutoff probability was used to stratify the population in two groups. Biochemical recurrence after procedure was assessed using Phoenix criteria. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging, (CT), and bone scan or choline positron-emission tomography/CT were performed for the detection of distant metastases.

Results:
Seventeen (17%) patients were treated for a low-risk PCa, 48 (47%) patients were at intermediate-risk PCa, and 37 (36%) patients were at high-risk PCa. Patients with a probability of LNI >5% (n = 46) exhibited higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA density, ISUP Grade Group, CT stage, and european association of urology (EAU) risk. Recurrence-free survival rates at 3 years’ follow-up were 93%, 82%, and 72%, respectively for low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patients. At a median follow-up of 37 months (17–62), additional treatment and metastasis-free survival were 84% and 97%, respectively. No differences in oncological outcomes were found in patients with a probability of LNI above and below 5%.

Conclusions:
Prostate whole-gland cryoablation can be considered a safe procedure with acceptable outcomes in low- and intermediate-risk patients. A high preoperative risk of nodal involvement could not be considered an exclusion criterion to perform cryoablation. Further studies are required.
False-positive magnetic resonance imaging prostate cancer correlates and clinical implications
Authors: Arafa Mostafa A. , Rabah Danny M. , Khan Farrukh , Farhat Karim Hamda , Ibrahim Nahla Khamis , Albekairi Alanoud A. 
Published: May 2024

Background:
False-positive (FP) multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MPMRI) obscures and swift needless biopsies in men with a high prostate-specific antigen.

Materials and Methods:
This was a retrospective study, in which all patients who had been exposed to consecutive MP-MRI of the prostate combined with transrectal ultrasound-guided-magnetic resonance imaging fusion-guided prostate biopsy between 2017 and 2020 were involved in the study. The FP was measured as the number of biopsies that did not encompass prostate cancer divided by the whole number of biopsies.

Results:
The percentage of FP cases was 51.1%, the highest percentage was found in Prostate Imaging–Reporting and Data System (PI-RADs) 3 (37.7%) and the lowest was detected in PI-RAD 5 (14.5%). Those with FP biopsies are younger, and their total prostate antigen (PSA) and PSA density (PSAD) are significantly lesser. The area under the curve PSAD, age, and total PSA are 0.76, 0.74, and 0.69, respectively. An optimum PSAD value of 0.135 was chosen as a cutoff because it showed the highest sum of sensitivity and specificity, 68% and 69%, respectively.

Conclusion:
FP results of mpMRI were detected in more than half of our sample, more than one-third were presented in Pi-RAD3, improved imaging techniques to decrease FP rates are highly needed.
A conjecture of Zagier and the value distribution of quantum modular forms
Authors: Aistleitner Christoph , Borda Bence 
Published: May 2024

In his influential paper on quantum modular forms, Zagier developed a conjectural framework describing the behavior of certain quantum knot invariants under the action of the modular group on their arguments. More precisely, when

J_{K,0}

denotes the colored Jones polynomial of a knot

K

, Zagier’s modularity conjecture describes the asymptotics of the quotient

J_{K,0}(e^{2 \pi i \gamma(x)}) / J_{K,0}(e^{2 \pi i x})

as

x \to \infty

along rationals with bounded denominators, where

\gamma \in \mathrm{SL}(2,\mathbb{Z})

. This problem is most accessible for the figure-eight knot

4_{1}

, where the colored Jones polynomial has a simple explicit expression in terms of the

q

-Pochhammer symbol. Zagier also conjectured that the function

h(x) = \log (J_{4_1,0}(e^{2 \pi i x}) / J_{4_1,0}(e^{2 \pi i /x}))

can be extended to a function on

\mathbb{R}

which is continuous at irrationals. In the present paper, we prove Zagier’s continuity conjecture for all irrationals for which the sequence of partial quotients in the continued fraction expansion is unbounded. In particular, the continuity conjecture holds almost everywhere on the real line. We also establish a smooth approximation of

h

, uniform over all rationals, in accordance with the modularity conjecture. As an application, we find the limit distribution (after a suitable centering and rescaling) of

\log J_{4_1,0}(e^{2 \pi i x})

, when

x

ranges over all reduced rationals in

(0,1)

with denominator at most

N

, as

N \to \infty

, thereby confirming a conjecture of Bettin and Drappeau.
Long-term outcomes of titanium-nitride-oxide coated stents and drug-eluting stents in acute coronary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fahim Muhammad Ahmed Ali , Salman Afia , Khan Hira Anas , Hasan Syed Muhammad , Bhojani Muskan Fatima , Aslam Sarah , Haq Amna Zia Ul , Bejugam Vishal Reddy , Nasir Beena Muntaha , Gul Wajiha , Moeed Abdul , Abdalla Abdelrahman S , Majid Muhammad , Asghar Muhammad Sohaib , Hasibuzzaman Md Al 
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND
In severe cases of coronary artery disease, percutaneous coronary intervention provide promising results. The stent used could be a drug-eluting stent (DES) or a titanium-nitride-oxide coated stent (TiNOS).
AIM
To compare the 5-year effectiveness and safety of the two stent types.
METHODS
The following systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis guidelines, and PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Cochrane Central were searched from inception till August 2023. Primary outcomes were major adverse cardiac events (MACE), cardiac death, myocardial infarction (MI), cardiac death or MI, and ischemia-driven total lesion revascularization (ID-TLR).
RESULTS
Four randomized controlled trials (RCT), which analyzed a sum total of 3045 patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after a median follow-up time of 5 years were included. Though statistically insignificant, an increase in the ID-TLR was observed in patients receiving TiNOSs vs DESs. In addition, MI, cardiac death and MI, and definite stent thrombosis (DST) were significantly decreased in the TiNOS arm. Baseline analysis revealed no significant results with meta-regression presenting non-ST elevated MI (NSTEMI) as a statistically significant covariate in the outcome of MACE.
CONCLUSION
TiNOS was found to be superior to DES in terms of MI, cardiac death or MI, and DST outcomes, however, the effect of the two stent types on ID-TLR and MACE was not significant. A greater number of studies are required to establish an accurate comparison of patient outcomes in TiNOS and DES.
OBESIDADE INFANTIL
Authors: Passos Luiz Marcelo , Almeida Evaristo Fernandes de , Gomes Luiz Carlos Melo , Mafra Mackson Azevedo , Silva Mirene da Cruz 
Published: May 2024

O objetivo deste artigo foi trazer à tona - através de uma pesquisa qualitativa com revisão de artigos publicados emperiódicos relevantes à ciência - uma reflexão sobre a urgência em se compreender os mecanismos de desenvolvimento da obesidade infantil e tratá-la com a devida importância. O Brasil está com um grave problema em questão da obesidade, principalmente com crianças por razões simples que podem ser resolvidas a partir da “moderação” e através de exercícios físicos diários. Além dos maus hábitos alimentares, do sedentarismo, da predisposição genética e de outros mecanismos neurobiológicos relacionados à doença, a obesidade infantil também conta com outro grande aliado: a negligência e o mau exemplo por parte dos pais. Há pouco esclarecimento às famílias sobre as consequências da doença a longo prazo e pouco interesse do Estado no sentido de enfrentar o problema. As crianças passam muitas horas sentadas diante da TV ou do computador, quase sempre comendo produtos alimentícios ultraprocessados como por exemplo: pacotes de biscoitos ou de salgadinhos feitos com muita gordura e muito sódio, e geralmente regados à refrigerantes ou bebidas extremamente açucaradas.
Implementation of Value Chain and Cooperative Performance: A Case of Twongere Umusaruro Wa Kawa Cooperative Kayonza District, Rwanda
Authors: Hagenimana Eric , Njenga Gitahi , Nyabera Sammy 
Published: May 2024

Purpose: In this study, the Twongere umusaruro wa kawa cooperative's value chain implementation and cooperative performance were analyzed. The general purpose of the research study was to evaluate the relationship between the value chain implementation on cooperative performance in the Twongere umusaruro wa kawa cooperative. The study based on value chain and human capital theories.
Methodology: The study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey to learn about value chain operations, investigate value chain marketing activities, learn about value chain service, and discover the extent to which these activities affect cooperative performance in Rwanda's Kayonza District. The total population consisted of 170 value chain actors, all of whom were farmers and members of the cooperative. A sample of 119 surveys based on the Slovenian formula used. In this study, the proportional random sampling was used as the sampling method. A questionnaire based on moderately structured interviews used to collect the primary data. The results of the survey were compiled, codified, tabulated, and analyzed. Made a change to improve data accuracy for encoding. The encoded data then entered in Statistical package for Social Sciences version 25. The statistically apparent relationship between factors and cooperative performance was examined with the Qui Square independence test. .
Findings: Based on the study results, it was found a meaningful relationship between gender and cooperative performance, service and cooperative performance because p-values associated with gender and service, respectively, were p=0.03 and p=0.00 and did not exceed the 5% significance level. The findings also exposed no significant relation between operations and cooperative performance and marketing and cooperative performance. The findings indicated that the level of significance was above 5% for the operations and marketing-related p=0.462 and p=0.122, respectively. According to the study, value chain operators in cooperatives should pay closer attention to service and gender because of their strong associations with cooperative performance. Value chain developers in operations and marketing should be committed to overcoming any obstacles that hinder the cooperative's performance and should collaborate closely with members and partners to strengthen operations and marketing efforts for the cooperative's sustainability.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Further studies should conduct a thorough analysis in this area by taking into account many independent factors in different districts of the country or the region to clearly show how value chain activities affect cooperative performance and to examine the impact of such changes, research should also invest in collecting data from several cooperatives and various cooperative types.