bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Digestive manifestations of Covid-19 in children: a retrospective study
Authors: Jallouli Abderrahmane , El Fakiri Karima , Nassih Houda , EL Qadiry Rabiy , Bourrahouat Aicha , Ait Sab Imane , Rada Noureddine , Draiss Ghizlane , Bouskraoui Mohammed 
Published: October 2023

Background: The world is currently facing a pandemic due to a new species of the Coronaviridae family called SARS-CoV-2,discovered in the city of Wuhan in China in December 2019. The WHO has named the resulting disease COVID-19 (CoronavirusDisease 2019). It has been a global health problem due to its major socio-economic damage. The aim of this study was toshow the prevalence of gastrointestinal and hepatic manifestations in symptomatic children with COVID-19.
Methods: We performed a retrospective study, including 36 symptomatic children infected by SARS-CoV-2 hospitalized at themother and child hospital of university hospital of Mohammed VI, Marrakech in Morocco, over a period of 7 months. Clinicaland biological manifestations of the digestive system were evaluated for all patients.
Results: The digestive symptomatology came in second place after the respiratory manifestations. 14 patients (38.89 % ofsymptomatic patients) in our study had digestive symptoms on admission: 12 (33.33%) presented with diarrhea, 4 (11.11%) hadabdominal pain and only one child (2.78%) had vomiting. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was elevated in one patient, whilealanine transaminase (ALT) was elevated in 6 patients. The prothrombin level was normal in all patients. All patients were dischargedwith good general condition without morbidity and mortality.
Conclusion: This study concludes with the high prevalence of digestive manifestations of COVID-19 in symptomatic children.There were no severe clinical or biological abnormalities in our study. Digestive manifestations during COVID-19 in childrenare frequent, which requires the awareness of health professionals
Keywords: COVID-19; digestive manifestations; children.
Endoscopic esophageal foreign body removal among children at Lubaga Hospital, Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Okello Michael , Bakeera-Kitaka Sabrina , Ocama Ponsiano , Patience Nabwire Esther , Darshit Dave , Namata Christine , Ainembabazi Tinka Annah 
Published: October 2023

Background: Diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy involves examination of the lining of the esophagus, stomach and part of the duodenum. Interventional endoscopy in addition to evaluating the upper gastrointestinal tract to make a diagnosis, also offers a treatment benefit. Traditionally, esophageal foreign bodies (FBs) in Uganda were removed using rigid endoscopy. We therefore report an emerging trend of using flexible endoscopy to remove these FBs.
Objective: To describe participant characteristics and endoscopic findings among children who underwent esophageal FB removal in Lubaga Hospital in Kampala.
Methods: This was a retrospective review of endoscopy reports for children who underwent endoscopic esophageal FB removal at Lubaga Hospital from December 2014 to March 2022.
Results: Overall, 61 symptomatic children underwent this procedure. The majority of the FBs were removed by flexible endoscopy (n=55, 90.16%). The mean age of the participants was 7.88 (SD=2.12) years old. The majority of the children were females (72.13%) and coins were the most ingested FBs (84%), others included steel crucifix, nails etc. The upper esophageal sphincter was the commonest site for FB impaction (74%).
Conclusion: We report high success rates of 90.16% for endoscopic removal of impacted esophageal foreign bodies among Ugandan children using the now widely available flexible endoscopy.
Keywords: Endoscopy; esophagus; foreign body.
Clinicopathological pattern of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 over-expression of epithelial ovarian carcinomas in Nigeria
Authors: Akanji Ajani Mustapha , Lawan Aliyu , Oke Temitope , Khramtsova Galina , Nwanji Ifeanyichukwu , Salami Ayodeji , Awolude Olutosin , Ebili Henry , E Onwukamuche Michael , Sveen Elisabeth , Yoshimatsu Toshio , I Olopade Olufunmilayo 
Published: October 2023

Background: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from all gynaecological malignancies. Only few biomarkers of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) prognosis have been studied so far among Nigerian patients.
Objective: To determine the pattern of oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) expression in patients with EOC seen in Nigeria
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective multicentre study of 102 cases of epithelial ovarian cancers. Relevant clinical information was obtained from hospital-based records in the 3 participating centres. Tissue microarrays were constructed using representative tumour tissue and the ER, PR and HER2 immunohistochemical staining was carried out at the University of Chicago, United States of America.
Results: Serous carcinomas predominated (71% of cases). ER positivity was observed in 31.4%, PR positivity in 21.5% and HER2/neu in 16.7% of tumours. Fifty-two percent of tumours were triple negative. Serous tumours were significantly associated with ER positivity (p=0.001). Mean patient age for EOC was 52.6 ± 13.1 years. There were no statistically significant associations between hormone receptor status and histological grade, FIGO staging or survival.
Conclusion: Serous tumours were significantly associated with ER expression while non-serous tumours tended to be triple negative.
Keywords: Oestrogen receptor; Progesterone receptor; HER-2 over-expression; Epithelial ovarian cancer.
Knowledge of breast cancer, willingness and barriers to mammography screening among rural women in Enugu State, Nigeria
Authors: Ijeoma Abugu Lawreta , Nwanebe Nwagu Evelyn , Ifeoma Okeke Adaustin , Ngozi Odo Amelia 
Published: October 2023

Background: Breast cancer is a serious public health threat. Mammography is the most reliable screening method that detectsbreast cancer early, enabling early onset of treatment which improves the prognosis of the disease.
Objectives: To determine women’s knowledge of breast cancer, as well as barriers and willingness of women to participate inmammography screening.
Methods: Using the cross-sectional survey design, we sampled and studied two rural communities of Enugu State, Nigeria.Two researcher-made questionnaires were used for the study. Frequencies, percentages, chi-square and regression analysis wereemployed in data analysis.
Results: Only 11.4 percent of study participants had good knowledge of breast cancer. There were significant differences inknowledge of breast cancer based on level of education (χ2 = 15.670; p =.001), monthly income (χ2 =6.954; p = .021) and everscreened (χ2 =5.242; p =.015). Lack of money (48.0%) and lack of knowledge (30.4%) were the most reported barriers to breastcancer screening. Women that had ever screened were 92.3% less likely willing to be screened than those never screened (aOR:.077, 95%CI .011-.522, p=.009).
Conclusion: Health Education should be combined with improving women’s economic status and subsidizing the cost ofscreening to increase breast cancer screening practice.
Keywords: Mammography; breast cancer; screening practice; knowledge.
Prevalence and predictors of type 2 diabetes complications: a single centre observation
Authors: O Iheanacho Chinonyerem , Folashade Akhumi Tolulope , I H Eze Uchenna , A Ojieabu Winifred 
Published: October 2023

Background: Diabetes complications are a major burden on persons living with diabetes and the health care systems.
Objectives: The study assessed the glycemic control, prevalence and predictors of type 2 diabetes complications among patientsin a healthcare centre.
Methods: Two hundred adults who had type 2 diabetes in a general hospital were recruited for the study. Cross-sectional andretrospective surveys were used to determine prevalence, number and types of complications in the patients. SPSS version 21was used for descriptive analysis and Chi-square (p<0.05).
Results: A total of 200 (100%) respondents participated in the study and 97 (48.5%) had poor glycemic control. Mean numberof complications per patient was 2.48 ± 1.22. Number of complications per person and type of complications were significantlyassociated with Age (p = 0.000 and p = 0.000, respectively), Gender (p = 0.008 and p = 0.031, respectively) and Occupation(p=0.000 and p=0.006, respectively). Marital status (p = 0.032) and years of diagnosis (p=0.021) were also associated with typeof complications. The majority of patients 64 (32.0%) were admitted in the previous year for diabetes-related complications.Majority 159 (79.5%) had ≥ 2 number of complications from the observed 497 complications.
Conclusions: Poor glycemic control and high prevalence of complications were observed. Also, socio-demographic characteristicswere likely predictors of number and type of complications. These findings are essential for improved planning andprioritizing of diabetes care.
Keywords: Complications; Nigeria; prevalence; socio-demographics predictors; type 2 diabetes.
A comparative study on the effectiveness of paracervical block and parenteral diclofenac for pain relief during manual vacuum aspiration
Authors: F Osinachi Iyke , O Akaba Godwin , D Adewole Nathaniel , I Omonua Kate , A Ekele Bissallah 
Published: October 2023

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of paracervical block with intramuscular Diclofenac for pain relief during manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) for early pregnancy losses.
Methodology: This was an open label randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomized into two therapeutic groups (A and B) using computer generated numbers. Group A received intramuscular Diclofenac 75 mg. Group B received paracervical block using 1% Lidocaine. Participants were asked to rate their pain level on a continuous 10 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) from 0 (no pain) to 10 (the worst pain ever) within 5 minutes of completing the procedure. Participants’ level of satisfaction was assessed within 30 minutes of completing the MVA using Likert scale. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 20. Test of statistical significance was set at 95% confidence level (P < 0.05). The primary outcome was the level of pain felt by the patient during the procedure (10 cm VAS). Secondary outcomes included patient’s satisfaction and adverse events.
Results: There was significant difference in the mean pain level between the intramuscular diclofenac group; 6.5±1.5 (moderate) and those that received paracervical block; 2.3±1.5 (mild), (p-value=0.005). Patients’ satisfaction was also better in paracervical block group compared to intramuscular diclofenac group, (p-value=0.005). Both groups were comparable in terms of complications and drug side effects.
Conclusion: Findings from the study suggest that the use of paracervical block compared to intramuscular Diclofenac for pain relief during MVA for incomplete miscarriage significantly reduced pain, improved patients’ satisfaction and was comparably safe.
Keywords: Paracervical block; Diclofenac; Pain relief; Manual vacuum aspiration.
Impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on smoking cessation success
Authors: Ayşe Turan Pakize , Turan Onur 
Published: October 2023

Setting-objective: Current COVID-19 outbreak has led to many behavioural changes, including smoking behaviours. We aimed to investigate the success of quitting smoking of smoking cessation outpatients.
Design: Patients who applied to the smoking cessation outpatient clinic of a state hospital during the pandemic were retrospectively analysed. Smoking cessation success, personal views and experiences about COVID-19 were questioned. Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale was applied.
Results: The smoking cessation rate in the study population was 14.7%. The reasons for not being able to quit smoking were; stress (51.9%), drug discontinuation (28.4%) and reasons related to COVID-19 (12.3%). According to HADS scores; 35.8% of the participants were at risk for anxiety and 72.6% for depression. Those with pulmonary symptoms at the time of application (p=0.001), those who continued smoking cessation treatment (p=0.016), and those without depressive symptoms (p=0.040) were significantly more successful in quitting smoking. The rate of continuing smoking was significantly higher in patients with a history of COVID-19 <18.9% of participants>(p=0.013).
Conclusion: Intense stress and depressive symptoms, discontinuation of smoking cessation treatment and being infected with Coronavirus negatively affect the smoking cessation process in pandemic. These parameters should be considered during smoking cessation interviews and behavioural support should be obtained if necessary.
Keywords: Smoking; cessation; pandemics.
Molecular characterization of multidrug resistant (MDR) clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Nsukka, South Eastern Nigeria
Authors: C Agbo Martina , O Ugwu Kenneth , N Ukwah Boniface , M Ezeonu Ifeoma 
Published: October 2023

Background: P. aeruginosa is an important nosocomial pathogen with increasing resistance to antibiotics. Objective: This studywas performed to evaluate the genetic relatedness of MDR clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa.
Method: A total of 1000 samples were analysed in the study. Antibiotic resistance profiles of the isolates were determined usingKirby Bauer disk diffusion method. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing were simultaneously used to detect theconsensus region of 16S rRNA. Genetic relatedness of the isolates was determined using restriction patterns from ALU 1 digestand random amplified polymorphic DNA.
Results: Out of the 192 P. aeruginosa isolates recovered, 136 (78.83%) were multidrug resistant. Sequence analysis of the confirmedisolates (80.68%) revealed that all the isolates shared homology with each other and also showed sequence similarity toknown strains of P. aeruginosa (ATCC 27853; KT 315654; KU 321274 and KT894767). The PCR-Restriction fragment lengthpolymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis revealed that there was a lot of genetic relatedness among the isolates. The RFLP fingerprinting technique detected seven distinct RFLP types among the isolates.
Conclusions: Thus, study shows that there is high prevalence of MDRPA and high degree of genetic relatedness among theMDRPA isolates circulating in Nsukka area.
Keywords: MDRPA; PCR-RFLP; RAPD; Sequencing; 16S rRNA gene.
The occurrence of fungi from burn wound patients and antifungal susceptibility patterns: a cross-sectional study in Lusaka, Zambia
Authors: Sikwewa Kapembwa , Simusika Paul , Mumbula Mulowa , M Mwenya Darlington , Mandona Chungu , Mulundu Gina 
Published: October 2023

Background: Fungal opportunistic infections in burn wound patients are among the leading cause of morbidity and mortality.Attention remains focused on preventing bacterial infection at the expense of increasing fungal infection in burn wound patients.
Objective: To determine the occurrence of common fungi in admitted burn wound patients and their environment: and theirantifungal susceptibility patterns at the University Teaching Hospitals, Lusaka, Zambia.
Methods: This laboratory-based cross-sectional study enrolled a total 101 participants whose pus swab specimens were collectedfrom their burn wounds as well as 50 environmental swabs collected from strategic points. Wet mount, gram stain, culture onSabouraud dextrose agar, Corn meal agar and Germ tube were used to identify possible fungal isolates. Agar based disc susceptibilitytest was carried out using fluconazole. Data was analysed using Excel and STAT version 14.
Results: Median age was 3 years and median burn % of TBSA was 18 in participants’ who had burn wound fungal infectionand consisted of 3 males and 6 females. Organisms isolated included Candida albicans from 8(7.9%) participants and 2(4%) from50 environmental swabs. 1(1%) Candida spp was isolated from pus swabs. Out of the total 11 Candida isolates, 4 (36.4%) weresusceptible to fluconazole and 7 (63.6%) were resistant.
Conclusion: The isolation of Candida albicans and Candida spp from burn wound patients and the hospital ward environmentsuggests presence of fungi in burn wound patients and hospital ward environments. Candida isolated showed varying susceptibilitypatterns to fluconazole.
Keywords: Burns; Candida albicans; CLSI; fungal infection; Susceptibility patterns.
Preoperative bowel preparation promotes intestinal functional recovery after esophagectomy
Authors: Ma Junliang , Chen Shaolin , Ren Xiaoying , Han Hao , Gong Ming , Song Yongxiang , Liu Lijuan 
Published: October 2023

Background: Patients are prone to intestinal dysfunction after esophagectomy. The value of preoperative bowel preparation before esophagectomy is controversial. There is a lack of evidence as to whether preoperative bowel preparation can help patients improve bowel function and shorten the recovery time of bowel function.
Objectives: The objectives of this study were to explore whether preoperative bowel preparation can promote the recovery of intestinal function after esophagectomy.
Methods: We analysed 139 patients who underwent elective radical esophagectomy in the Department of Thoracic Surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from May 2016 to December 2018. The enrolled patients were divided into the study group (bowel preparation group) and the control group (no bowel preparation group) of 71 cases and 68 cases. Patients in the study group were given dissolved polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder and a cleansing enema the day before surgery. Patients in the control group were neither given polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder nor cleansing enemas before surgery. The postoperative recovery of the two groups were compared.
Results: Postoperative bed rest time, bowel function recovery time and the time of first flatus and defecation after surgery were significantly shorter in patients with bowel preparation than in those without bowel preparation, and the differences were statistically significant. (P=0.038, P﹤0.001, P﹤0.001, P﹤0.001; respectively).
Conclusions: Preoperative bowel preparation can promote the recovery of patients with esophageal cancer, especially the recovery of bowel function, which can reduce the pain caused by abdominal distension and improve the quality of life of patients.
Keywords: Intestinal dysfunction; esophagectomy; retrospective cohort study.
Application value of high-frequency ultrasound combined with ultrasonography in the diagnosis of neonatal esophageal atresia
Authors: Ge Yurong , Xu Baoyue , Shi Jing , Tang Weiwei 
Published: October 2023

Objective: To explore the application value of high-frequency ultrasound combined with ultrasonography in the diagnosis of neonatal esophageal atresia (EA)
Methods: Seventy neonates with suspected EA who received healing in our hospital from August 2019 to April 2022 were retrospectively selected as the study subjects and their preoperative esophageal high-frequency ultrasound and ultrasound hydrography data were analysed. The diagnostic value of high-frequency ultrasound, ultrasound hydrography and combined detection in neonatal EA was analysed using intraoperative findings as the gold standard;
Results: (1) Among the 70 children with suspected EA, 62 were confirmed to be positive and 8 were negative; 59 were positive and 11 were negative by ultrasound hydrography alone; 61 were positive and 9 were negative by high-frequency ultrasound alone; 62 were positive and 8 were negative by combined detection.(2) The accuracy of combined detection was 97.14%, which was notably different from 92.86% by high-frequency ultrasound and 84.29% by ultrasound hydrography (P < 0.05).(3) The diagnostic AUC of ultrasound hydrography, high-frequency ultrasound, and combined detection for EA was 0.6125, 0.6500, and 0.6563, respectively (P < 0.05).(4) There was no significant variation in the distance between preoperative high-frequency ultrasound, ultrasound hydrography, and intraoperative measurements of distal and proximal blind ends of type IIIA and IIIB EA esophagus (P > 0.05);
Conclusion: High frequency ultrasound and super fresh water injection angiography have good application value in the diagnosis of neonatal EA. There is no significant difference between the distance between the distal and proximal blind ends of the esophagus before and during the operation of type III EA and that during the operation of super fresh water injection angiography. However, in consideration of the risk of radiation and poisoning caused by esophagography, it is recommended that high-frequency ultrasound be selected first for diagnosis and if necessary, esophagography be supplemented for joint diagnosis.
Keywords: High frequency ultrasound; Ultrasound angiography; Neonatal esophageal atresia; Application value.
Effects of 0.15% ropivacaine alone and combination with sufentanil on epidural labor analgesia and adverse reactions
Authors: Zhong Huanhui , Wang Yongdong , Wang Yiqun , Li Heng 
Published: October 2023

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the impacts of 0.15% ropivacaine alone and 0.15% ropivacaine combined withsufentanil on epidural labor analgesia.
Methods: A total of 297 eligible primiparae were randomly divided into group A (n=149, 0.15% ropivacaine + sufentanil) andgroup B (n=148, 0.15% ropivacaine). Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores prior to analgesia and 20 min following epidural medication,the maximum VAS score during labor, dosage of analgesic drugs, modified Bromage score, satisfaction degree, laborduration, delivery mode, 1-min and 5-min Apgar scores of newborns, adverse reactions during analgesia, and fever during laborwere recorded.
Results: Group A and B had similar VAS scores 20 min following epidural medication and maximum score during labor(P>0.05), which significantly fell compared with those before labor analgesia (P<0.05). The occurrence rates of nausea andvomiting were of significant difference (P<0.05).
Conclusion: 0.15% ropivacaine alone achieves a comparable epidural labor analgesia effect to that of 0.15% ropivacaine + 0.05μg/mL sufentanil on primiparae.
Keywords: Ropivacaine; sufentanil; epidural labor analgesia; adverse reaction.