bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Clinical Features, Laboratory Characteristics, and Outcome of Patients Admitted With COVID-19 Infection; A Single-Center Experience
Authors: Mehboob Saima , Banori Syed Hamid Hussein , Ullah Zahir 
Published: February 2023

Objective: To determine the clinical features, laboratory variants, and outcome of patients with Corona virus Dis- ease-2019 (COVID-19) infection.
Methods: A descriptive, single-center case series was conducted between October to December 2020. It included patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection via Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Patients were recruited through non-probability convenience-based sampling. After history and detailed examination of the patients, their demographic and clinical characteristics, including complete blood count (CBC), renal & electrolytes profile, inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ferritin, and D-dimers were recorded using a structured questionnaire. Patients were managed according to the severity of the disease and disease progression was monitored regularly. Treatment offered to these patients was based on their presentation and severity of the disease.
Results: Out of 1092 patients, 77% were males. Most of them were diabetic (71.0%) and aged between 51-70 years (58.97%). Furthermore, 1051 of the total enrolled cases were symptomatic and had shortness of breath (94.32%), dry cough (91.20%), anorexia (91.20%), fatigue (90.65%), and etc. Among the laboratory parameters, raised C-reactive protein (CRP) was found in 96.24% of patients while leukocyte count, Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), D-dimers, ferritin and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels were elevated in 89.37%, 71.61%, 68.77%, 56.86%, and 44.04% respectively. Hyponatremia was also observed in 53.75% patients. Most patients (32.60%) had oxygen saturation between 80 to 89%, while it was 80% among 20.42% patients. Moreover, 31.05% patients were categorized as having mild disease, 23.68% had moderate severity, and 24.84% had severe disease on the basis of clinical criteria. About 20.42% were critical and had respiratory failure. The recovery rate was high (96.0%), and the mortality rate was only 4.0%.
Conclusion: We observed dynamic changes in the clinical and laboratory features of the COVID-19 patient’s ad- mitted at District Health Quarter in Charsada, highlighting the significance of each of these parameters for individual patient’s recovery and survival.
Frequency of Orthopedic Trauma in Patients Attending Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Khan Alamzeb , Ahmed Israr , Sher Gul 
Published: February 2023

Objective: The present study aimed to assess the frequency of orthopedic trauma injuries in patients admitted to the Orthopedic Department at Khalifa Gul Nawaz Teaching Hospital in Bannu.
Methodology: This retrospective snapshot study was conducted at the Orthopaedic & Traumatology Department of K.G.N. Hospital in Bannu, KPK. Data were extracted from hospital records of 380 patients admitted for emergency orthopedic surgery due to fractures, lacerations, and/or fractures with lacerations. The frequency and etiologies of orthopedic diagnoses were recorded.
Results: Out of the 380 cases admitted during the study, the majority were males (76.05%). Furthermore, these orthopedic trauma injuries were more common in individuals aged 21 to 50 years (66.83%) than the other age groups. Road Traffic Accidents (RTA) were the major etiological factor (49.21%), followed by falls from height (31.84%). Upper limb fractures were diagnosed in 46.27% of patients, and 53.63% had lower limb fractures. Isolated radius (14.47%) and femoral fractures (23.94%) were the most frequent diagnosis.
Conclusion: The present study provides a brief overview of the major etiologies and diagnoses for orthopedic emergencies. It is essential to identify the risk factors and strategize a prevention plan that should be the priority of the healthcare system to avoid morbidities and mortalities associated with orthopedic traumas.
Frequency of Self-Medication and Its Associated Factors among Outpatients
Authors: Hyder Naqvi Syed Muhammad Zulfiqar , Ahmed Jafry Syed Imtiaz 
Published: February 2023

Objectives: To assess the frequency of self-medication and its associated factors among outpatients.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the outpatient department of Fatima Hospital, Baqai Medical University, from May 2019 to September 2019. After checking eligibility, a total of 360 outpatients were included in the study using the convenience sampling technique. Being aged 18 years or above and belonging to either gender were the study's inclusion criteria, whereas refusal to give verbal informed consent was the exclusion criterion of the study. The data was collected by interviewing the study participants using a structured questionnaire. Statistical package for social sciences version 21 was used for data analysis, while inferential analysis was performed using univariate and multivariable binary logistic regression.
Results: The study results showed that 118 (32.8%) of the participants were suffering from a chronic illness, 240 (66.7%) of them kept medicines at their houses, 235 (65.3%) of them self-medicated, whereas the mean duration of their self-medication was found to be 9.90 ± 8.51 years. Moreover, age, educational status, employment status, and keeping medicines at the house were significantly associated with self-medication of the participants were those who were aged 50 years or above (AOR,7.83; 95% CI,2.27-27.04; p=0.001), able to read and write (AOR, 4.36; 95% CI, 1.58-11.98; p=0.004) and kept medicines at the house (AOR, 46.35; 95% CI, 20.07-107.06; p<0.001) had significantly higher odds of self-medication than those who were aged up to 30 years, were illiterate or did not keep medicines at house respectively whereas those who were employed/self-employed (AOR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.10-0.88; p=0.028) had significantly lower odds of self- medication than those who were unemployed.
Conclusion: Almost two-thirds of the participants were found to be self-medicating. Moreover, age, educational status, employment status, and keeping medicines at the house were significantly associated with the self-medication of the respondents.
A Prognostic Model for Predicting Liver Cancer Patients Based On Immune Checkpoint Gene-Related Basement Membrane Genes, And Analyzing Immunity and Potential Drug Candidates
Authors: Chen Yiyang , Gong Yiju , Ou Xi 
Published: February 2023

Abstract:
Objective: Hepatocellular carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in the world. The expression of immune checkpoint genes in tumor cells prevents the immune system from eliminating tumors. Basement membrane-related genes are genes that are closely related to human diseases obtained in the latest research.
Methods: First, basement membrane-related genes were extracted from immune checkpoint genes, and a prognosis model of immune checkpoint-related basement membrane genes was constructed. C-index curves and ROC were drawn by survival analysis, progression-free survival analysis, and independent prognostic analysis. Curves, principal component analysis, and validation of the clinical grouping model were performed to verify its accuracy, enrichment analysis, immune analysis, and tumor mutation burden survival analysis were performed to further explore the potential functions of the model, and finally, potential drugs targeting the model were discussed.
Results: A prognostic model for predicting the survival time of liver cancer patients was constructed, and the predictive ability of the model was verified. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed differences in the functions and pathways of differential genes. Four differentially expressed immune functions were found. The top 4 genes mutated in the high and low risk groups were compared. Twenty-five drugs with significant differences in drug sensitivity between high- and low-risk groups were explored.
Conclusion: The risk-prognostic model based on the association of basement membrane genes and immune checkpoint genes in this study may be promising for clinical prediction of prognosis and immunotherapy response in patients with liver cancer.
EFFICACY OF A MUSIC-BASED INTERVENTION ON ENHANCEMENT OF TREATMENT MOTIVATION AMONG CLIENTS WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS IN RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT IN KENYA
Authors: Chege Antony , Kathungu Beatrice , Karega Muchiri 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
Although evidence suggests music-based interventions (MBI) may help enhance treatment motivation, their efficacy was generally untested among the Kenyan population. This motivated the current study to test the efficacy of an MBI on treatment motivation of clients with substance use disorder (SUD) in a selected treatment center. Subjects were 40 clients in a residential treatment facility with two branches. A quasi-experiment, nonequivalent control group pre-test post-test design was used. The treatment group, with 20 clients in branch A, received MBI in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) while the control, comprising 20 clients in branch B, only received the TAU in the same period. A TM test using the TCU/SRF Treatment Motivation scale was administered to both groups before and after the four weeks of MBI on the treatment group. Findings showed that the treatment group had significantly higher levels of treatment motivation at post-test compared to the control group after controlling for various covariates, suggesting that MBI may have contributed to the increased TM in the treatment group. This implies that MBI may be a promising intervention in enhancing treatment motivation among clients with SUD in treatment settings in Kenya.
IMAGE REPAIR DISCOURSE OF KENYA POLICE FACING A SCANDAL
Authors: Sifuna Tom 
Published: February 2023

The present study aims to analyze image repair strategies employed in press releases issued by the Kenya police. The main aim of the study was to analyze the linguistic resources of image repair strategies in press releases issued by the Kenya police. This study took the reporting periods from 30th March 2008 until 30th May 2012. Seven press releases were selected for analysis: Torture in Turkana, Mount Elgon operation saves lives, Criminal acts attributed to Mungiki, Human Rights Watch Report, brief on the explosion at Kampala coach offices, Allegations on the conspiracy of silence, and a Report on Post-Election Violence. Three major linguistic strategies are adopted: denial, reducing the offensiveness of the event, and corrective action. For this study, the linguistic resources used were the use of active, and passive voice and the use of modal auxiliaries verbs constructions.
Women and Climate Change
Authors: Detraz Nicole 
Published: February 2023

How ideas of gender and climate change intersect with our path to a livable future.
When you think "climate change," who comes to mind? Who's doing the science, the reporting, the protesting, the suffering? In Women and Climate Change, Nicole Detraz asks where women in the global North figure in the picture, what that means, and why it matters. Her answers fill critical gaps in what we know about the politics of climate change and gender.
Representations of climate change, like perceptions of gender, can make a profound difference in understanding expectations and actions around social, cultural, and political issues. Interviewing women living in the global North who work in the climate change sphere, Detraz examines the crucial links between notions of climate change and gender—in particular, how women are portrayed in climate change debates. Where is their presence or absence recognized? What tasks are they expected to perform? What factors influence their roles? The answers provide a nuanced account of the characteristics, conditions, and positions associated with women's activities in and experiences of climate change—a multifaceted portrayal of women that also demonstrates the generalization and essentializing that can hinder goals of sustainability and gender justice.
Because gender is a social construction, Detraz reminds us, change is possible. Her book offers the suggestion, and the hope, that identifying connections between ideas of gender and climate change might also alter our vision of a livable future.
Effects of Indigenous Farming Practices on Maize Production in Ondo State, Nigeria
Authors: Iseyemi O. J. , Okunlola J. O. , Owolabi K. E. 
Published: February 2023

A lot of indigenous knowledge had been lost through the deaths of elderly persons since there is no formal documentation of such knowledge. Old pests and diseases are beginning to resurface due to cropping patterns and adverse climate change impacts. It is in view of this that the study examine the effects of indigenous farming practices on maize production in Ondo State, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 120 maize farmers in the study area. Data was collected using validated questionnaire and were analyzed using means, frequencies, percentages, chi-square and Pearson product moment correlation. Findings from the study revealed that majority (80.8 percent) of the farmers were males, (86.7 percent) above 50 years of age, (87.5 percent) married, (87.5 percent) had formal education, (64.2 percent) were Christians, (25.8) followed by Muslim and (10 percent) traditionalist. A large percentage (75.8 percent) received information on indigenous control methods from their parents and grandparents. The result from the study revealed that there was a significant association between marital status (χ² = 10.06, p < 0.04), religion (χ² = 8.05, p < 0.02), membership of social group (χ² = 14.31, p < 0.00) and the perceived effects of indigenous farming practices of the respondents. Similarly, findings revealed that there was a significant association between income (r = 0.45, p 0.05), farm size (r = 0.13, p 0.05), farming experience (r = 0.11, p 0.05) of the respondents and the perceived effects of indigenous farming practices. There was no significant relationship between extension visitation (χ² = 0.04, p 0.62) and farmers use of indigenous knowledge. There was no significant relationship between indigenous farming practices (r = 0.04, p 0.65) and farmers production practices.
Improved Cell Growth in Tobacco Suspension Cultures Expressing Vitreoscilla Hemoglobin
Authors: Farrés Judith , Kallio Pauli T. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractExpression of the gene encoding bacterial hemoglobin (VHb) from Vitreoscilla has been previously used to improve recombinant cell growth and enhance product formation under microaerobic conditions, a common phenomenon in large‐scale cultivations of bacteria. This technology has now been applied to tobacco suspension cultures. Tobacco suspension cultures have been generated from VHb‐expressing tobacco plants. Cell cultures were capable of producing an active hemoglobin. When grown in shake flasks, the cells did not show any lag‐phase and exhibited improved cell growth, compared to controls carrying the parental plasmid.
Protein Focusing in a Conductivity Gradient
Authors: Greenlee Robert D. , Ivory Cornelius F. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractConductivity gradient focusing (CGF) is one member of a family of gradient focusing techniques, characterized by two opposing forces which produce a dynamic equilibrium and which are able to simultaneously separate and concentrate proteins. In CGF, the two counteracting forces result from a constant convective flow of buffer opposed by an electric field gradient. This gradient in the electric field is formed by gradually decreasing buffer conductivity, i.e., when a slow‐moving, relatively high conductivity buffer is dialyzed against a low conductivity purge buffer. This paper presents the design of an analytical‐scale CGF device and the results of several experiments with colored proteins, both in free solution and with the use of a 45 μm size‐exclusion (SEC) packing to decrease dispersion. Experimental results with hemoglobin suggest that CGF may one day be capable of resolving proteins with small charge differences. A linear computer model of conductivity gradient focusing is derived, and some suggestions are made for further development of this new electrophoretic method.
The Effect of Rapeseed Oil Uptake on the Production of Erythromycin and Triketide Lactone by Saccharopolyspora erythraea
Authors: Mirjalili Noushin , Zormpaidis Vassilios , Leadlay Peter F. , Ison Andrew P. 
Published: July 2002

AbstractSaccharopolyspora erythraea was grown in an oil‐based process medium at two different laboratory scales. The initial concentration of rapeseed oil in the medium was shown not to affect the growth, while addition of oil significantly increased erythromycin A production. Increasing the agitation speed at the 2 L scale increased the growth of the culture and the production of erythromycin A but had little effect on the level of oil remaining in the fermentation. Maximum oil utilization of 50% (w/w) was obtained in both 2 and 7 L cultures. Gas chromatography analysis of the process medium showed that there was no accumulation of fatty acids and glycerides during the fermentations. The specific oil utilization by the recombinant strain of S. erythraea was significantly lower compared to the wild‐type strain grown at the same scale and initial oil concentration; the recombinant strain also produced lower concentrations of the novel polyketide, triketide lactone.
Benign lymphoepithelial lesion associated with squamous cell carcinoma of the skin: an immunohistochemical and molecular genetic study
Authors: Miracco Clelia , Schürfeld Karin , Cardone Concetta , Palummo Nazzareno , Pirtoli Luigi , Rubegni Pietro 
Published: July 2002

Background: Benign lymphoepithelial lesions (BLEL) are usually found in salivary glands in autoimmune disorders. Some LEL are recognized to already be, or may progress to become, lymphomas. Skin lesions similar to LEL have been described in lymphomas, and are caused by neoplastic lymphocytes which infiltrate adnexal structures. To date, BLEL have not widely been recognized in the skin.Methods: We describe skin lesions similar to BLELs, at the periphery of squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) in 8 healthy patients, in one of whom the lesion recurred. Immunocharacterization of both epithelial and lymphocytic components and molecular genetic investigation was performed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was done to detect IgH chain gene, and T‐cell receptor β and γ gene rearrangements. Association with Epstein‐Barr virus (EBV) was also tested by in situ hybridization (ISH) for EBV‐encoded RNAs (EBERs).Results: Epithelial cells showed the immunophenotype of eccrine sweat gland ducts. Infiltrating lymphocytes expressed overwhelming B antigens and CD5. Neither clonal B and/or T proliferations nor EBERs signals were demonstrable.Conclusions: We observed skin lesions similar to BLELs, showing modifications of sweat gland duct and CD5+, B lymphocytic expansion. In our cases there were no associated autoimmune disorders; the local immunoresponse to SCC might have caused BLEL.
Endothelial cell prostacyclin synthesis induced by lymphocytes is independent of the membrane fatty acid composition of both cell types and of E‐selectin, VCAM‐1 or ICAM‐1‐mediated adhesion
Authors: Dominguez Zury , Merhi‐Soussi Faten , Macovschi Olga , Némoz Georges , Lagarde Michel , Prigent Annie‐France 
Published: July 2002

Prostacyclin (PGI2), the main prostanoid in most vascular tissues regulates haemostasis and vascular tone, as well as the proliferation of smooth muscle cells. We have previously reported that lymphocyte contact with endothelium enhances endothelial cell PGI2 output. Here, we demonstrate the specificity of lymphocytes for switching on this response. Co‐incubation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) in serum‐free medium with allogeneic peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL), at a PBL:HUVEC ratio of 9:1, enhanced the basal (HUVEC alone) PGI2 output by 2·5‐fold under static conditions, and was not altered in conditions mimicking shear stress. It occurred without previous activation of either cell type and was dependent upon specific interactions with PBL. Indeed, the PGI2 output induced by the co‐incubation with resting neutrophils, non‐activated platelets or latex beads was significantly lower than that induced by PBL. Blocking endothelial cell adhesion molecules (ECAM) E‐selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) or intracellular adhesion molecule‐1(ICAM‐1) did not modify the PBL‐induced PGI2 output, although 51Cr‐labelled PBL adhesion was significantly decreased with anti‐ICAM‐1 antibody. Changes in the fatty acid composition of membrane phospholipids induced by incubation with eicosapentaenoic (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acids (DHA) resulted in diminished basal PGI2 output and adhesion of 51Cr‐labelled PBL, whereas the PBL‐stimulated PGI2 output was not modified. This specific cell–cell interaction represents a new stimulus for PGI2 synthesis that does not primarily involve the ECAM pathway, is independent of cell membrane fatty acid composition and shear stress. This switch‐on for PGI2 synthesis, which is induced by lymphocytes, might serve as a protection against atherogenesis.
Comparative methodological analysis of erbB‐2/HER‐2 gene dosage, chromosomal copy number and protein overexpression in breast carcinoma tissues for diagnostic use
Authors: Bánkfalvi À , Simon R , Brandt B , Bürger H , Vollmer I , Dockhorn‐Dworniczak B , Lellé R‐J , Boecker W 
Published: July 2002

Aims: This study was performed to test the validity of different methods for determining the status of the erbB‐2/HER‐2 oncogene in breast cancer tissues for diagnostic use.Methods and results: Forty formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded breast carcinomas were investigated by fluorescence in situ and comparative genomic hybridization (FISH, CGH) as well as by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using Dako‐HercepTestTM and CB11 antibody (Ventana). Additionally, competitive‐differential polymerase chain reaction (cdPCR) was performed on frozen samples to estimate gene dosage alterations of erbB‐2/HER‐2. Amplification was detected in 12–23% and protein overexpression in 16–68% of the cases, depending on the methodology and/or the reagent used. Perfect concordance (100%) was found between the results of cdPCR and CB11‐IHC, and a 97% concordance between FISH and CB11‐IHC. The concordance between Dako‐HercepTestTM and CB11‐IHC was 78%; seven of eight 2 + carcinomas with the Dako‐HercepTestTM were classified as nonamplified using FISH.Conclusions: Our results indicate that high‐level expression as well as normal erbB‐2/HER‐2 status of breast carcinomas can be detected reliably both by IHC and gene dosage assessment in paraffin material for diagnostic use. However, borderline results, especially those with 2 + immunopositivity, should be interpreted with caution and increased emphasis should be given to other clinical and prognostic information available.
Testing for glaucoma with the frequency‐doubling illusion in the whole, macular and eccentric visual fields
Authors: Maddess T , Severt W L 
Published: July 2002

Purpose: The frequency doubling (FD) illusion is the basis for new diagnostic methods for glaucoma. The FD illusion is seen when low spatial frequency grating patterns are contrast modulated at high rates. The present experiments examined which spatial frequencies might be optimal and whether high flicker rates are required. Methods: We determined contrast thresholds for the following: W1, a wide‐field 0.25 c/deg grating at 27 Hz contrast reversal; W2, as W1 but no flicker; MAC, 27 Hz, 4 c/deg grating presented to the central 4°; and E1 to E7, seven spatial frequencies in the range 0.063–0.813 c/deg, 27 Hz, presented in a 5° aperture at 15° (nasal) eccentricity. Results: W1 was the best predictor of glaucoma. Of the eccentrically presented stimuli, E6 (0.688 c/deg) was the best predictor of glaucoma while the lower spatial frequencies performed less well. Only MAC was significantly age‐dependent.