bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disease Pattern of Out-Patient Department Visits in The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at A Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Kattel Pramod 
Published: June 2023

Background: Department of obstetrics and gynecology is one of the busiest departments amongst hospital visits. The aim of this study was to determine the disease pattern prevailing in out-patients of department of obstetrics and gynecology and their segregation with respect to infectious and non-infectious etiology.
Methods: This hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted in outpatients attending obstetrics and gynecology department of Kathmandu National Medical College, Kathmandu, Nepal from 17th August 2017 to 16th August 2018. A sum of 1504 patients attending the department was enrolled in the study which included cross referrals for out-patient consultations as well. Diagnosis was based on history, examination and/or investigations (urine, cervical discharge, blood and/or ultrasonography- abdomen and pelvis).
Results: More than half (n=803, 53.4%) out-patient department consultation was observed in age group of 20-30years with mean age of 24years. Noninfectious etiology accounted for most out-patient visits (n=1016, 67.6%). The top five out-patient department visits noted were vaginal discharge syndrome (n=325, 21.6%) followed by abnormal uterine bleeding (n=202, 13.4%), ante-natal visits (n=147, 9.8%), non-specific pain lower abdomen/backache (n=108, 7.2%) and urinary tract infection (n=98, 6.5%). Among the total 82 cross-referrals, the order for referral was Medicine (n=34, 41.5%), Dermatology (n=22, 26.8%), Pediatrics (n=12 14.6%), Surgery (n=8, 9.8%) followed by Dental (n=6, 7.3%).
Conclusions: The patterns of gynecological problems observed were vaginal discharge followed by abnormal uterine bleeding, non-specific pain lower abdomen/backache and urinary tract infection in descending order. The most common infectious problem being vaginal discharge and non-infectious being abnormal uterine bleeding. The result of this study will be helpful for health planners and policy makers for launching programs to reduce gynecological morbidity and improve overall women’s health.
Prevalence of Bacterial Vaginosis in Preterm Labour and Its Fetal and Maternal Outcome
Authors: Gurung Sonam , Shrestha Junu , Subedi Anjali 
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Preterm births accounts for about 11.1 % of births worldwide. Infection accounts for 20% – 40% of these cases and Bacterial vaginosis has been found in 15 % of preterm labor group.
Objective: To find the prevalence of Bacterial vaginosis among the cases who presented with preterm labour and to determine its maternal and neonatal outcome.
Methodology: A prospective cross- sectional analytical study on 100 preterm labour cases conducted over a year in the obstetric ward in Manipal Teaching Hospital. Three high vaginal swabs from posterior fornix were taken and tested in Microbiology laboratory. The maternal and neonatal outcome of women with preterm labour due to bacterial vaginosis were noted. The data were analyzed using SPSS 21. Chi2 test was used for comparing maternal and neonatal complications positive or negative with Bacterial Vaginosis.
Results: In the study period, 584 women had preterm deliveries. The total deliveries during that period was 2,531. The prevalence of Bacterial vaginosis in PTB was found to be 17 %.The accuracy of Gram stain was found to be 90% (sensitivity-57%, specificity-92%, PPV-36%, NPV-96%). The accuracy of wet mount was 90 % (sensitivity-42.85%, specificity-93.5%, PPV-33.3%, NPV95.6%). There were increased cases of chorioamnionitis among women who were BV positive (p-value=0.02). Newborn born to women with BV positive had increased chance of poor Apgar score at 5 minutes (p-value <0.05).
Conclusion: Maternal and neonatal complications were more common in women with preterm labour associated with Bacterial Vaginosis. Gram stain and wet mount are fairly accurate and can be used as an adjunct to culture for the diagnosis of Bacterial Vaginosis.
Perinatal Outcome Following Assisted Reproductive Technology Treatment at A Tertiary Fertility Center In Nepal.
Authors: Shrestha Pradhan Sanu Maiya , Pradhan Renee , Bajracharya Manisha , Karki Anita , Ghimire Namuna 
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Globally, an increasing number of babies have been born with the help of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatment. While most births after ART are uncomplicated, sometimes it is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight and increased risk of congenital anomalies. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the perinatal outcomes in children born after assisted reproductive technologies at a tertiary fertility center in Nepal.
Methodology: This was a descriptive study which analyzed retrospective data collected from the medical record of a tertiary fertility center at Lalitpur, Nepal. Perinatal outcomes of total 201 births that resulted from various ART treatment that was conducted in the center from November 2015 till April 2021 have been included in this study. Univariate analysis was done in SPSS version 20.
Results: Altogether, there were 201 total births out of which 199 were live births and 2 were stillbirths. Among the live births around two-third (69.7%) were singleton deliveries and remaining one- third (30.4%) were multiple deliveries. More than 90% of study population had undergone Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS). There were 263 live born babies resulting from 199 live births. More than half of the babies were born prematurely (50.19%). Low birth weight (LBW) and very low birth weight (VLBW) was seen among 36.50% and 7.22% babies respectively. Congenital abnormality was identified in 13 babies (4.94%) Four stillborn babies and eight neonatal deaths were reported. More adverse perinatal outcomes were seen among twins and triplets than singleton babies.
Conclusion: While most births were uncomplicated, certain extent of adverse perinatal outcomes among the ART conceived babies cannot be ignored. Vigilant monitoring of pregnancy conceived by ART treatment helps in improving the perinatal outcome.
Determination of Gestational Age by Fetal Kidney Length Measurement in Uncomplicated Pregnancy in a Tertiary Care Centre
Authors: Khanal Umesh , Kumar Chaurasia Akash , Raj Joshi Birendra , Jha Anamika 
Published: June 2023

Introsution: Gestational age of fetus is estimated by including various biometric parameters. Newer parameters like fetal kidney length have not been studied in Nepalese population.
Objective: To determine gestational age by fetal kidney length measurement after the 20th week of gestation in healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancy.
Method: Obstetric sonography was performed in 108 pregnant women with regular menstrual cycles, known menstrual age and uncomplicated pregnancy from 20 weeks to term. Fetal kidney length was evaluated as a measure to calculate the predicted gestational age.
Results: The study showed mean fetal kidney length at 20-24, 25-29, 30-34 and 35-37 weeks gestation 22.5 ± 0.5, 26.9 ± 0.7, 32.32 ± 0.7 and 36.3 ± 0.6 mm, respectively. Overall, in second and third trimester, fetal kidney length showed strong linear correlation with gestation age with highest significant Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.989 as compared to other parameters (BPD=0.986, HC=0.976, AC= 0.971, FL= 0.984).
Conclusion: Fetal kidney length can be used as a reliable parameter for determination of gestational age.
Comprehensive study of autoignition characteristics of propane
Authors: Farhan Muhammad 
Published: June 2023

Ignition delay times (IDT) for stoichiometric propane (C3H8) diluted with nitrogen were measured in a shock tube facility under reflected shock wave conditions at pressures ranging from 1 to 10 atm and temperatures between 850 and 1500 K. The experiments were limited to a maximum pressure of 10 atm due to the facility’s constraints. In addition, numerical simulations were conducted using several detailed kinetic mechanisms at pressures from 1 to 30 atm and three equivalence ratios (φ = 0.5, 1, and 2) to provide comparative insights. The results indicated that IDT decreases as pressure increases, with a more significant reduction observed between 1 and 10 atm compared to 10 to 30 atm. While most models exhibited similar trends and minimal discrepancies, the GRI Mech 3.0 mechanism demonstrated a slower prediction of ignition delay times at temperatures below 1250 K. In contrast, the POLIMI model exhibited a relatively faster prediction at temperatures above 1250 K, with the deviation between the two models becoming more pronounced as pressure increased. A comparative analysis revealed that the experimental predictions of propane autoignition behavior were in good agreement with the results obtained using the ARAMCO 3.0 mechanism. To further understand the chemistry governing the autoignition process of C3H8, a sensitivity analysis was performed for a stoichiometric mixture at three distinct temperatures (850 K, 1200 K, and 1550 K).
Serum Creatinine Determination: Comparison between Colorimetric (Jaffé) and Enzymatic Methods in Renal Transplant Recipients
Authors: Kouame Houda , Benamo-Seghir Mohammed , Samih Ayoub , Morjan Asmaa , Kamal Nabiha 
Published: June 2023

Background: Serum creatinine is the most requested parameter in current practice in the context of functional exploration of the kidney. Its contribution to medical care is particularly decisive for kidney transplant patients. The aim of the study is to compare the colorimetric and enzymatic techniques available in our laboratory for the determination of creatinine in samples from kidney transplant patients.
Methods: Prospective study carried out at the Biochemistry laboratory of the University Hospital Center (CHU) Ibn Rochd in Casablanca Morocco, over a period of 8 months, carried out on a series of 45 samples from kidney transplant patients who simultaneously benefited from a creatinine assay by colorimetric and enzymatic techniques. The samples were taken on dry tubes and analyzed on the Alinity ® Abbott analyzer. The statistical study of correlation was made by the SPSS software with calculation of the p-value and the coefficient of Pearson (r).
Results: During the study period 45 samples were collected. Seventy percent of the prescriptions came from the Nephrology Department. The mean serum creatinine value by enzymatic technique was 39.04 ± 11.7 mg/l, and by colorimetric technique 38.24 ± 12.4 mg/l. The creatinine level by the two techniques was pathological in 69% of cases and normal in 31%. The correlation between the serum creatinine assay by enzymatic Versus colorimetric technique is positive with r=0.994 and P-value<0.001.
Conclusion: According to literature, colorimetric techniques are sensitive to interference with pseudochromogenic substances, while enzymatic techniques are standardized due to their specificity and performance but remain more expensive. In our study the correlation between the two techniques was positive with a correlation equation: (y = 0.82 + 1*x). According to our results, no significant difference between the two techniques was observed in our laboratory.
Influence of Teacher Level of Training on the Implementation of CBC in Public Special Schools for Learners with Visual Impairment in Kitui County
Authors: Mutembei Stephen Christopher , Nyabisi Emily 
Published: June 2023

The government of Kenya has put a lot of effort on provision of education for all irrespective of their abilities. Teachers as the key educational implementers have a great role in provision of education. With this regard, the purpose of this study is to assess the influence of teacher level of training on the implementation of CBC. This study was guided by curriculum implementation theory by Gross [23]. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and it targeted teachers, head-teachers and learners in special schools for learners with visual impairment in Kitui County. Purposive sampling method and simple random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. A sample size of 210 respondents was used, among them 150 learners, 45 teachers and 15 head-teachers. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used for data collection. Focus group discussions was also conducted among the learners with visual impairment with an aim of gathering information on issues related to availability and usage of ICT, teaching methods used by teachers and also learners’ perception towards CBC. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis of quantitative data which included mean and standard deviation, results were presented in frequencies and percentages. Key findings of the study were; majority 44.2% of the teachers possessed a diploma in special need education, this revealed that teachers had attained the minimum professional qualification that is required for one to be employed at primary school level in Kenya. Majority 76.7% of teachers indicated that they had not attended any in-service training. Majority 63.33% of the teachers rated themselves as having sufficient ICT integration skills/training to implement CBC. Key conclusion of the study was that teacher related factors influence implementation of competency-based curriculum. Key recommendations were that the Ministry of Education in conjunction with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development and Teachers Service Commission should continue training teachers on ICT knowledge and skills that are very critical to implementation of the new curriculum.
Geohelminth Infections and Nutritional Status of Mbororo Children 2 - 15 Years in the Bafmeng Health Area, North West Cameroon
Authors: Karimu Ismaila , Nyasa Raymond Babila , Nicholas Tendongfor 
Published: June 2023

Background: Geohelminth infections are endemic in Cameroon affecting millions of people and have serious nutritional and developmental effects especially among children.
Aims: There is paucity of information on the prevalence, risk factors and nutritional effect of geohelminths on minority nomadic Mbororo communities in Cameroon, which is addressed herein amongst children 2-15 years in the Bafmeng Health Area.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community based study was conducted between April 2021 and June 2021 in which 263 children, within the age 2-15 years were randomly recruited and a structured questionnaire was administered to them and their caregivers to obtain socio-demographic data, hygienic practices and knowledge of caregivers regarding geohelminth infections. A single-stool sample was obtained from each child and analyzed using the Kato-Katz technique and anthropometric measurements were also obtained and used to compute nutritional indices using the World Health Organization Anthro software. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify risk factors of geohelminth infections.
Results: The prevalence of geohelminth infections was 14.4% (38); Ascaris lumbricoides (11.41%), Trichuris trichuira (2.7%), and hook worm (0.4%). A total of 61.2% (161) of the children were malnourished; underweight (28.5%), stunting (19.0%), severe stunting (11.0%), severely underweight (1.9%), and wasting (0.8%). Geohelminth infection was not associated with nutritional status (P=0.4) but it was significantly (p=0.004) associated with males (21.9%) than females (8.7%). The use of unsafe water (P=0.03, AOR: 2.01, CI: 1.04 - 1.77) and dumping of waste around the compound (P=0.01, AOR=1.35, CI: 0.13 – 0.95) were risk factors significantly associated with geohelminth infection. Majority of the caregivers (75.3%) had good knowledge on the transmission and prevention of geohelminths.
Conclusion: On a whole, the prevalence of geohelminth infection is low and malnutrition is high amongst Mbororo children. Long-term control strategies should focus on improvements on environmental hygiene, provision of portable water along side nutritional interventions.
Genetic Profiling of Pathogens Associated with Pyroxia of Unknown Origin Treated for Plasmodiasis in Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Authors: J. Isomah Chiladi , Mirabeau Tattfeng , O. Alade Tolulope , A. Mbata C. , Robert Belema 
Published: June 2023

Antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella is an increasing problem and has become a public health issue worldwide. Moreover the evidences on hazard of therapeutic failure due to the increasing incidence of antimicrobial resistance among typhoidal antibodies and malaria are on the increase. This study was aimed at the genetic profiling of pathogens associated with Pyroxia of unknown origin treated for Plasmodiasis in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. A total of 1200 samples (200 Stool and 1000 blood) were collected from consented subjects in Federal Medical Center and Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Blood samples were used for detection of Malaria parasites and Typhoidal antibodies while the stool samples were used for culturing on Salmonella-Shigella Agar. Antibiotic sensitivity of the pure isolates were carried out using sensitivity disc, biochemical analysis using API 20E was carried out to actually differentiate bacterial from each isolates and finally by genetic profiling of the resistant genes of the pure isolates using polymerase chain reaction. Antibiogram of the isolates showed high resistance to Oxacillin (73.6 %), Ampicillin (66.6%), Tetracycline (60.0%), and Erythromycin (53.3%) while Gentamycin, 22(73.3%), Chloramphenicol 18(60%) and Azithromycin 18(60%) had the highest sensitivity. The distribution of resistant genes from the genetic profiling showed that out of 20 amplified isolates, NDM resistant genes were 17(85%) followed by Bla TEM genes 14(70%) followed by CTXM and SHV genes as 11(55%) and 10(50%) respectively. The bacterial isolates showed high AMR and MDR to the commonly used antimicrobial drugs and the distribution of ESBL genes revealed a high level of resistant genes in Bayelsa State.
Humoral SARS–CoV‐2 Vaccine Responses in Patients With Giant Cell Arteritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica: Decay After Primary Vaccination and Effects of the Booster
Authors: van Sleen Yannick , van der Geest Kornelis S. M. , Buisman Anne‐Marie , Sandovici Maria , van Baarle Debbie , Brouwer Elisabeth 
Published: June 2023

ObjectiveVaccination remains essential in preventing morbidity of SARS–CoV‐2 infections. We previously showed that >10 mg/day of prednisolone and methotrexate was associated with reduced antibody concentrations after primary vaccination in patients with giant cell arteritis (GCA) and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). This follow‐up study was undertaken to measure the decay of antibody concentrations and the immunogenicity of SARS–CoV‐2 booster vaccination.MethodsPatients with GCA/PMR included in the primary vaccination (BNT162b2 [Pfizer‐BioNTech] or ChAdOx1 [Oxford/AstraZeneca]) study were asked again to donate blood samples 6 months after primary vaccination (n = 24) and 1 month after booster vaccination (n = 46, BNT162b2 or mRNA1273). Data were compared to those of age‐, sex‐, and vaccine‐matched controls (n = 58 and n = 42, respectively). Multiple linear regression was performed with post‐booster antibody concentrations as dependent variable and post‐primary vaccination antibodies, prednisolone >10mg/day, and methotrexate use as predicting variables.ResultsAntibody concentrations decreased faster over time in GCA/PMR patients than in controls, which was associated with prednisolone treatment during primary vaccination. Post‐booster antibody concentrations were comparable between patients and controls. Antibody concentrations post primary vaccination, but not treatment during booster vaccination, were predictive for antibody concentrations post booster vaccination.ConclusionThese results indicate that the decay of humoral immunity after primary vaccination is associated with prednisolone treatment, whereas the subsequent increase after booster vaccination, was not. Patients with low antibody concentrations following primary vaccination remained at an immunogenic disadvantage after a single booster vaccination. This longitudinal study in GCA/PMR patients stresses the importance of repeated booster vaccination for patients with poor responses to primary vaccination.image
A phase 1/2 of carfilzomib and melphalan conditioning for autologous stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma (CARAMEL)
Authors: Visram Alissa , Hayman Suzanne R. , Dispenzieri Angela , Kapoor Prashant , Lacy Martha Q. , Gertz Morie A. , Buadi Francis K. , Dingli David , Warsame Rahma , Kourelis Taxiarchis , Cook Joselle , Binder Moritz , Gonsalves Wilson , Muchtar Eli , Leung Nelson , Roy Vivek , Rajkumar S. Vincent , Kumar Shaji 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn this phase 1/2 study, carfilzomib was added to high‐dose melphalan conditioning prior to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in patients with multiple myeloma that had been treated with ≤2 prior lines of therapy. Carfilzomib was escalated at doses of 27, 36, 45, and 56 mg/m2 on days −6, −5, −2, and −1 before ASCT in the phase 1 component of the study. In addition, all the patients received melphalan 100 mg/m2 on days −4 and −3. The primary endpoint of the phase 1 component was to identify the maximum tolerated dose, and the primary endpoint of the phase 2 component was the rates of complete response (≥CR) at 1 year after ASCT. The phase 1 dose escalation cohort included 14 patients, and 35 patients were included in the phase 2 cohort. The maximum tested dose was 56 mg/m2 (MTD). The median time from diagnosis to study enrollment was 5.8 (range 3.4–88.4) months, and 16% of patients had obtained a ≥CR prior to ASCT. The best response within 1 year after ASCT was a ≥ CR rate in 22% for the entire cohort, and 22% for patients treated at the MTD. The ≥VGPR rates improved from 41% before ASCT to 77% by 1 year after ASCT. One patient had a grade 3 renal adverse event, and renal function returned to baseline with supportive care. The rate of grade 3–4 cardiovascular toxicity was 16%. The addition of carfilzomib to melphalan conditioning was safe and resulted in deep responses after ASCT.
Observing the Entry Events of a Titanium‐Based Photoredox Catalytic Cycle in Real Time
Authors: Schmidt Jonas , Domenianni Luis I. , Leuschner Marcel , Gansäuer Andreas , Vöhringer Peter 
Published: June 2023

AbstractTitanium‐based catalysis in single electron transfer (SET) steps has evolved into a versatile approach for the synthesis of fine chemicals and first attempts have recently been made to enhance its sustainability by merging it with photo‐redox (PR) catalysis. Here, we explore the photochemical principles of all‐Ti‐based SET‐PR‐catalysis, i.e. in the absence of a precious metal PR‐co‐catalyst. By combining time‐resolved emission with ultraviolet‐pump/mid‐infrared‐probe (UV/MIR) spectroscopy on femtosecond‐to‐microsecond time scales we quantify the dynamics of the critical events of entry into the catalytic cycle; namely, the singlet‐triplet interconversion of the do‐it‐all titanocene(IV) PR‐catalyst and its one‐electron reduction by a sacrificial amine electron donor. The results highlight the importance of the PR‐catalyst's singlet‐triplet gap as a design guide for future improvements.
Analysis of the Whiplash gradient descent dynamics
Authors: Bhattacharjee Subhransu S. , Petersen Ian R. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn this paper, we propose the Whiplash inertial gradient dynamics, a closed‐loop optimization method that utilizes gradient information. We introduce the symplectic asymptotic convergence analysis for the Whiplash system for convex functions. We also introduce relaxation sequences to explain the nonclassical nature of the algorithm and an exploring heuristic variant of the Whiplash algorithm to escape saddle points, deterministically. We provide a practical methodology for analyzing convergence rates using integral constraint bounds and a novel Lyapunov rate method. Our results demonstrate polynomial and exponential rates of convergence for quadratic costs.