bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of hepatitis B and C, and syphilis among aspirant migrant workers of Bangladesh
Authors: Afroz Jinia , Tuz Jubyda Fatema , Sharmin Sanzida , Rana Masud , Kumar Dey Amit , Farzana Tasmia , Hasan Sarkar Murshed 
Published: October 2023

Background: In Bangladesh, labour migration is a source of employment and workers’ remittances are critical to poverty mitigation. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hepatitis B, C, HIV, tuberculosis, syphilis, kidney and liver diseases along with presence of infections among aspirant migrant workers of Bangladesh.
Method: This study was carried out from September-December 2019. We analysed data collected on screening tests of specific diseases of aspirant workers. For each test, the prevalence was computed with 95% confidence interval. Association between categorical data was determined by the Chi-square test.
Results: A total of 2385 aspirants, 1988 (83.35%) males, aged between 18 and 65 years (29.76±6.578) were studied. Positive results for screening tests of HBsAg were 38 (1.6%,), anti-HCV were 2 (0.08%), TPHA were 25 (1.05%) and VDRL were 5 (0.21%) though no individual was positive for HIV and TB. Elevated level of SGOT (n=99, 4.2%), SGPT (n=322, 13.5%), RBS (n=57, 2.4%), bilirubin (n=46, 1.92%), creatinine (n=7, 0.3%) and ESR (n=19, 0.8%) were found in the workers.
Conclusion: Diagnosis of diseases of workers is obligatory before going abroad to safeguard the health of the workers and residents of destination country. Consequently, it will contribute to reducing the global burden of infectious diseases.
Keywords: Aspirant migrant workers; Hepatitis B and C; syphilis.
Antiviral use among hepatitis B infected patients in a low resource setting in Africa: a case study of West Nile, Uganda
Authors: Seremba Emmanuel , Wandera Claude , Ssekitoleko Richard , Nankya-Mutyoba Joan , Nyeko Filbert , Amandua Jacinto , Ejalu David , Omale William , Ocama Ponsiano 
Published: October 2023

Failure to access antiviral medications is a leading cause of hepatitis B (HBV)-associated morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite guideline availability, SSA is not on course to meet its elimination targets. We characterized factors associated with antiviral medication use and challenges to offering chronic care in a large Ugandan institution. We abstracted HBV care data. 2,175/2,209 (98.5%) had HBV-infection. Most participants were men [1,197 (55%)]; median (IQR) age 27 years (19-35); 388/1689 (23.0%) had cirrhosis by sonography and 141/2175 (6.5%) by the aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI) score ≥2. Of the eligible, 20/141 (14.2%) with APRI score ≥2 and 24/388 (6.2%) with sonographic evidence of liver cirrhosis were not on antiviral medications. Overall, 1,106 (51%) were on medications though 65.8% had not been fully investigated. In multivariate analysis, age ≥35 years [OR (95% CI) = 1.52 (1.01-2.28), p=0.043], APRI ≥2 [OR (95% CI) =1.79 (1.48-2.16), p<0.001], hepatitis B viral load >2,000IU/mL [OR (95% CI) = 6.22 (5.08-7.62), p<0.001] were associated with antiviral medications use. Over half of participants in care had not been fully evaluated although on treatment and many eligible patients did not access medications. There is need to bridge these gaps for SSA to realise its HBV elimination goals.
Keywords: Hepatitis B Virus; treatment; Uganda.
Correlation between vaginal flora and cervical immune function of human papilloma virus-infected patients with cervical cancer
Authors: Wang Qiang , Qin Wenmin , Gao Wei , Zhao Kai , Pan Xiaohong , Jiang Xiaofei , Zhao Juan 
Published: October 2023

Background: To analyse the correlation between vaginal flora and cervical immune function of HPV-infected patients with cervical cancer.
Methods: Six hundred females with genital tract infections treated in Xuzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2014 to December 2016 were selected and divided into a high-risk HPV group (n=246) and a control group (n=354). The vaginal flora and human T lymphocyte subsets (CD3+, CD4+, CD8+) were detected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the risk factors for HPV infection.
Results: The numbers of CD4+ and CD4+/CD8+ T cells of the high-risk HPV group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). The two groups had similar numbers of CD3+ and CD8+ T cells. In the high-risk HPV group, the positive rates of Lactobacillus, Chlamydia trachomatis, Mycoplasma hominis, mycetes, Ureaplasma urealyticum and bacterial vaginosis were significantly higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the positive rates of trichomonads between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that C. trachomatis and U. urealyticum were independent risk factors for high-risk HPV infection (P<0.05).
Conclusion: High-risk HPV infection in patients with cervical cancer was associated with vaginal flora and immune function. C. trachomatis and U. urealyticum were independent risk factors for high-risk HPV infection.
Keywords: Cervical cancer; human papilloma virus; immune function; vaginal flora.
Predictive value of platelet-related parameters combined with pneumonia severity index score for mortality rate of patients with severe pneumonia
Authors: Wang Jing , Cui Lei , Guo Zhengliang 
Published: October 2023

Background: To analyse the predictive value of platelet-related parameters combined with pneumonia severity index (PSI) score for the mortality rate of patients with severe pneumonia.
Methods: The clinical data of 428 severe pneumonia patients were retrospectively analysed. They were divided into survivor and death groups according to 28-day prognosis. Platelet-related parameters platelet count (PLT), mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet-large-cell ratio (P-LCR) and platelet distribution width (PDW) were measured within 24 hours after admission. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted. The areas under the ROC curves (AUC) were used to describe the predictive efficiencies of platelet-related parameters, PSI score and their combination for death within 28 days.
Results: On the 28th day, there were 184 deaths and 244 survivors, and the deaths had significantly higher PLT and PSI score but lower PDW, MPV and P-LCR than those of the survivors (P<0.05). The combination of platelet-related parameters and PSI score had the highest sensitivity (96.56%) and specificity (99.34%) and the largest AUC (0.902) for predicting 28-day mortality.
Conclusion: PLT, PDW, MPV and P-LCR are significantly abnormal in patients with severe pneumonia, and the combination of platelet-related parameters with PSI score has the highest predictive value for 28-day mortality.
Keywords: Platelet-related parameter; pneumonia severity index score; prediction; severe pneumonia.
Effect of whole course seamless nursing mode on patients with chronic infectious wounds
Authors: Peng Yun , Gao Chenlu , Sun Yan 
Published: October 2023

Background: Chronic infectious wounds seriously affect patients’ quality of life.
Aim: To assess the effect of whole course seamless nursing mode on patients with chronic infectious wounds.
Methodology: One hundred patients treated between January 2019 and December 2020 were randomly divided into control and observation groups (n=50) that were given routine nursing and whole course seamless nursing, respectively. Their pain score, comfort score, wound healing time, wound healing effect, psychological state scores, sleep indices, quality-of-life scores and degree of satisfaction with nursing were compared.
Results: Observation group had lower pain score and higher comfort score than those of control group after nursing (P<0.05). Compared with control group, observation group had shorter wound healing time and higher grade-A wound healing rate (P<0.05). The SDS and SAS scores of observation group were lower than those of control group (P<0.05). Observation group also had significantly shorter sleep latency, longer actual sleep time, lower PSQI score, as well as higher quality-of-life score and overall satisfaction rate than those of control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: For patients with chronic infectious wounds, whole course seamless nursing effectively relieves wound pain, facilitateswound healing, improves comfort, psychological state and sleep status, and makes them more satisfied.
Keywords: Chronic infectious wound; whole course seamless nursing; quality of life.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of c-MYC gene expression in hematological malignancies
Authors: Maryann Okafor Ifeyinwa , Uchechi Okoroiwu Henshaw , Ogar Ogar Christopher 
Published: October 2023

Introduction: c-MYC plays vital role in regulation of cell proliferation and has been associated with tumorigenesis. This studyis aimed at assessing diagnostic and prognostic value of plasma c-MYC expression to aid in early diagnosis and prognosis ofhematological malignancies.
Methods: Plasma c-MYC expression was determined by quantitative real time PCR using EVA Green chemistry and cluster ofdifferentiation markers performed via immunocytochemistry.
Result: Plasma c-MYC was higher in subject with hematological malignancies (8.8 ± 1.1) when compared with apparently healthy controls (4.5 ± 0.5). A screening cut-off c-MYC ratio value of 9.42 with sensitivity and specificity of 65.5% and 100% respectively were obtained using receiver operator characteristic curve analysis. Plasma c-MYC was found to have no prognostic value using Kaplan-Meier analysis.
Conclusion: Plasma c-MYC ratio showed promising screening/diagnostic value for hematological malignancies.
Keywords: c-MYC; c-MYC screening; prognosis with c-MYC; hematological malignancies; plasma c-MYC; c-MYC in malignancies;c-MYC expression.
Effects of resistance exercise in elderly cancer patients
Authors: Sun Jing , Ge Li , Cao Chunjuan , Yao Wen , Wang Xiaoling 
Published: October 2023

Objective: To investigate the effects of resistance exercise (RE) in elderly cancer patients (ECPs).
Methods: Convenience sampling was used to select 240 ECPs, who received radiotherapy and chemotherapy at the Departmentof Oncology of a Level-A tertiary hospital in Shanghai from September 2019 to August 2020, and they were randomized to control (CON) and experimental (EXP). After a 12-week intervention, the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy- Fatigue (FACIT-F), the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), the Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC) and the Functional Independence Measure (FIMSM) were used to evaluate the effects of RE in two groups.
Results: After 12-week intervention, the total FIMSM score and the scores of self-care, transfers, locomotion, communication, and social cognition of EXP was higher than before, and compared with CON (P<0.05). However, the intervention did not effectively improve the sphincter control (P>0.05). The SF-36 and CD-RISC scores of EXP were higher than those of CON, and FACIT-F score was lower than that of CON with statistically significant differences (P<0.05).
Conclusion: RE effectively relieved the cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in ECPs, improved their mental state, quality of life and mobility.
Keywords: Cancer patients; elderly; resistance exercise.
Effects of irradiated biological dressings on second-degree burn wounds
Authors: Zhang Xia , Zhang Yi , Wu Yangyang , Xia Qinchen , Ji Yaoyao , Yao Wangwang , Qi Jun , Cao Ling 
Published: October 2023

Objective: To explore the effect of irradiated biological dressing (IBD) on second degree burn wounds.
Methods: Eighty patients with second-degree burns who were treated in our department were selected and randomly divided into IBD group and traditional dressing (TD) group by random number table method. The dressing change, wound healing, comfort and adverse reactions of patients in the two groups were compared and analysed.
Results: The number of dressing changes in the IBD group was significantly less than that in the TD group, and the pain degree of dressing changes was significantly lower than that in the TD group (P<0.05). The dressing comfort of the IBD group was higher than that of the TD group, the secondary trauma score was lower than that of the TD group, the wound scar hyperplasia score was lower than that of the TD group, and the healing time was shorter than that of the TD group (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05).
Conclusion: IBD can promote the healing of second-degree burn wounds, improve patient comfort, reduce secondary trauma and wound scarring, and improve patients' quality of life.
Keywords: Second-degree burn wounds; irradiated biological dressing; wound healing; effect.
A modified Park’s technique for creating a natural-looking double eyelid
Authors: Zhao Sichun , Zou Chong , Wang Tailing , Wang Jiaqi 
Published: October 2023

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate an improved park’s technique to create a natural double eyelid and reduce scar formation.
Methods: The levator aponeurosis, orbicularis oculi muscle, and dermis were fixed using subcutaneous intermittent sutures, and then the skin and the levator aponeurosis were sutured. Postoperative evaluation included double-eyelid stability, symmetry, double-eyelid curve, scar formation, and patient satisfaction.
Results: Between January 2021 and August 2021, a total of 89 patients (178 eyes) underwent double-eyelid blepharoplasty by the same surgeon using this improved technique. The mean follow-up period was 15.5 months (range 10 to 18 months). Seventy-six patients were very satisfied with this surgical method, six patients were rather satisfied, and seven patients were dissatisfied. The overall satisfaction rate was 92.1%.
Conclusion: This new blepharoplasty method generates a stable, natural double-eyelid line with minimal scarring.
Keywords: Blepharoplasty; Levator aponeurosis; Orbicularis oculi; Dermis; Fixation.
Clinical application of optical coherence tomography angiography in diabetic macular edema
Authors: Lv Meng , Li Tuo , Li Yin 
Published: October 2023

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is characterized by a retinal thickening or hard exudation deposition in the fundus microvasculature,capillary leakage, increased vascular permeability, extracellular fluid accumulation in the fovea of a foveal disc. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a new item of fundus structure examination. OCTA is to reconstruct the retinal choroidal vascular structure from the continuous same cross-sectional views and blood flow signals obtained by optical scanning, thereby obtaining an image. It is very significant to evaluate, diagnose, treat and manage the disease.
Keywords: Diabetic macular edema; optical coherence tomography angiography; vascular endothelial growth factor; vessel density.
Prevalence and factors associated with suboptimal blood pressure among ambulatory patients with diabetic kidney disease attending a tertiary hospital in Uganda
Authors: Wamala David , Mutebi Edrisa , Kayima James 
Published: October 2023

Background: Kidney failure prevalence is increasing among diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients in low-income countries. Suboptimal blood pressure (BP) drives kidney failure and mortality. The burden of suboptimal BP and its associated factors among these patients are not well documented.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of suboptimal BP and associated factors among those with DKD attending Kiruddu National Referral Hospital.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, recruited participants were screened for DKD using urine dipsticks from 6th May 2020 to 15th July 2020. A pretested questionnaire was administered, BP, height and weight were measured. Suboptimal BP was defined as systolic BP > 130mmHg and or diastolic BP > 80mmHg. A Poisson regression model analysed the associated factors.
Results: 250 participants with DKD, mean age of 52(11) years were included of whom 199 (79.6%) were female. Suboptimal BP prevalence was 84.4%, associated with past (p = 0.04) and current (p < 0.001) alcohol use, overweight (p < 0.001) and obesity (p < 0.001), wage earning (p < 0.001) and professionals (p = 0.048).
Conclusion: The prevalence of suboptimal BP was high among the overweight, obese, unemployed and alcohol users. Thus, there is a need for better BP control interventions
Keywords: Blood pressure; diabetes mellitus; kidney disease.
Examination the relationship between the health literacy of patients with type 2 diabetes and the use of complementary and alternative medicine
Authors: Özkan İlknur , Taylan Seçil , Eroğlu Nermin 
Published: October 2023

Background: Health literacy and the use of complementary and alternative medicine are two important factors that should be evaluated the management of type 2 diabetes.
Objectives: To examine the relationship between the health literacy of patients with type 2 diabetes and the use of complementary and alternative medicine.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out with 1076 patients with type 2 diabetes. The data were collected using a descriptive information form and the Health Literacy Scale.
Results: It was found that 61.4% of the patients used complementary and alternative treatments. Patients’ total score from the Health Literacy scale was 48.90±19.92. The use of complementary and alternative therapy increased in the presence of another chronic disease or diabetic neuropathy and decreased with increased age and health literacy (R2 =050; Model: x2= 40.656, p=0.00).
Conclusions: It was determined that the health literacy of patients with type 2 diabetes was not enough and that the use of complementary and alternative treatments was high. With the increase in patients' health literacy, the use of complementary and alternative medicine decreased. It is recommended that health professionals evaluate patients’ health literacy and use of complementary and alternative therapies and provide counselling to ensure effective diabetes self-management.
Keywords: Health literacy; complementary and alternative medicine; type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Predictors of patient length of stay post stroke rehabilitation
Authors: Bijl Thea , Mudzi Witness , Comley-White Nicolette 
Published: October 2023

Background: There is little research on length of hospital stay (LOS) in patients post stroke in South African rehabilitation facilities. As LOS is an important indicator of cost-of-care, this information may be useful to all stakeholders.
Objectives: To determine the predictors of hospital LOS in patients post stroke rehabilitation.
Methods: A retrospective file review of 243 patients.
Results: Patient functional ability was measured using the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Predictors of LOS were determined with multiple regression analysis. The median admission and discharge FIM scores were 43 (range: 16-119) and 75 (range: 16-120) points respectively. The median LOS was 43 (range: 3-112) days. Predictors of LOS were premorbid psychiatric conditions, impaired speech, requiring oxygen support, the development of pneumonia and admission FIM motor score, with admission FIM motor score being the strongest individual predictor of LOS (41%).
Conclusion: Admission FIM score had an influence on patient outcomes and LOS. Patients with higher admission FIM motor scores may be able to participate in rehabilitation better and thus have shorter LOS. Being able to predict LOS on admission allows facility administrators to manage bed occupancy, human and clinical resources in post stroke rehabilitation.
Keywords: Length of stay; predictors; rehabilitation; stroke.
What can traditional plant therapy do in the face of Covid-19? Examples from traditional Chinese medicine
Authors: Song Dandan , Deng Qian , Chen Hualiang 
Published: October 2023

Background: Until June 2022, more than 540.9 million people had been diagnosed with COVID-19, and the pandemic had claimed more than six million lives worldwide. Two years after fighting the virus, we faced a more uncertain position. SARS-CoV-2 is constantly mutating and reappears regularly, particularly with Omicron variants showing high genetic variation and immune escape mechanisms. The efficacy and duration of protection of existing vaccines against new variants of SARS-CoV-2 remains uncertain. The world needs time to develop new variant-specific drugs, including monoclonal topics, vaccines, and other antiviral drugs, to fight the epidemic.
Objective: The aim of this study was to illustrate the scientific, effective and systematic nature of three classical prescriptions of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for the treatment of COVID-19 through comparison of disease symptoms, diagnostic process, and treatment methods and evidence-based and pharmacological studies.
Methods: We analysed the “Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia” (Version 9) made by China, “WHO-2019-nCoV-therapeutics”, “Therapeutic Guidelines” published by Australian Therapeutic Guidelines Limited, “Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Febrile Diseases)”, “Jinkui Yaolue (Golden Chamber Synopsis), and “Wenyi Lun (The Epidemic Febrile Disease)”. We manually retrieved the dictionary of traditional Chinese medicine (Version II). In addition, we searched the Wiley online library, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), VIP, WHO website, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) for relevant literature from 2001 to 2022. We searched the original plants, ingredients, pharmacology, functions and indications, usage and dosage, drug efficacy, literature sources, and conduct an evidence-based studies. We quantified the strength of pharmacological action to show the pertinence of disease development.
Results: We found that the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary infection caused by epidemic disease in TCM classics is consistent with the diagnostic process of modern medical therapeutic guidelines. The three classic prescriptions have significant symptomatic therapeutic effects on the respiratory, gastrointestinal, urinary and hematological symptoms of the clinical manifestations of COVID-19. It was found that the herbal functional group of Houpo (Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis), Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri), Cangzhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis), Qianghuo (Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix), etc showed strong anti-inflammatory activity and had a positive effect on treating and preventing the outbreaks of systemic inflammatory factors.
Conclusion: TCM can obtain obvious curative effect in symptomatic treatment, has strong anti-inflammatory effect, and can effectively reduce symptoms and patients' pain.
Keywords: COVID-19; traditional plant therapy; Qingfei Paidu decoction.
Women's experience of unexpected caesarean section birth in Kitui County, Kenya
Authors: K Kimanthi Zipporah , N Onsongo Lister 
Published: October 2023

Background: In sub-Saharan Africa, 72% of all Caesarean section (CS) births are unplanned compared to 27% of unplanned CS births done in developed countries. Various researches have been conducted on lived experiences following unexpected CS birth but none in Kitui County, Kenya.
Objective: This study described the lived experience of undergoing an unexpected CS and the role of cultural beliefs on childbirth among Kitui/Kamba women in Kenya.
Methods: A descriptive phenomenology design was used in this study. In-depth interviews of women who experienced unplanned Caesarean birth in Kitui County, Kenya, were conducted. Colaizzi’s method guided the analysis. Interviews were approximately 30 minutes long and audiotaped.
Results: A total of 12 mothers participated in the study. Fives themes and 11 sub-themes emerged from this study: fear (fear of disability and surgical complications), pain (physical and psychological pain), less of a woman (lowered self-esteem, powerless and worry), sullied (dispirited and will loss), and fallacy (misconception and effects of fallacy).
Conclusion: Disruption, dissatisfaction with the birth process, and unmet expectations were negative experiences. Healthcare workers should be sensitive when informing mothers of unplanned CS. More research to look for coping strategies to reduce negative birthing experiences.
Keywords: Birth experiences; midwifery; unexpected CS.