bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neurosarcoidosis: Frozen section rescue for a big mimicker – A case report
Authors: Siddiqui Farhan A. , Al-Khalaf Jawad , Al-Marzooq Yusef , Al-Obaid Jaffer , Almarzooq Abdulhakim Y. M. 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACT
Neurosarcoidosis is an uncommon but potentially serious manifestation of sarcoidosis. Diagnosis may be particularly challenging especially when neurosarcoidosis occurs in isolation or is the initial presentation of the systemic disease. The authors take this opportunity to report a case of neurosarcoidosis, presenting as the first manifestation of the disease, diagnosed on frozen section, occurring in a 43-year-old male patient with no past history or manifestation of sarcoidosis.
Factors influencing quality of life among cancer survivors in Kenya
Authors: Kung’u Mary , Onsongo Lister , O Ogutu James 
Published: March 2023

Background: The number of cancer survivors is growing continuously due to advances in treatment of cancer patients. In developed countries, numerous studies on quality of life (QoL) of cancer survivors have been conducted. Little is known regarding the QoL of cancer survivors in Kenya. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the factors that contribute to QoL of cancer survivors in Kenya.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used for the study. Participants were 108 adult cancer survivors. Self and interviewer administered QoL Patient/Cancer Survivor Questionnaire was used.
Results: Findings indicate a statistically significant relationship between QoL and age (rs =-.055 p<.05), marital status (rs=.490 p<.01), income (rs =.228 p<.05), stage of cancer diagnosis (rs =-.269. p<.01), year of cancer diagnosis (rs =-.295 p<.01), religious affiliation (rs =-.279, p<.01) and the religion one belonged to (rs =-.198 p<.05). Regression analysis showed that age, stage of cancer diagnosis, time off treatment, educational level, and religious affiliation are significant predictors of QoL in cancer survivors.
Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of key factors associated to QoL in cancer survivors in Kenya. Interventions aimed at early cancer detection, treatment, and spiritual support among cancer survivors will improve QoL.
Keywords: Quality of Life (QoL); Kenya; cancer patients.
Diagnostic performance of central and generalized adiposity in detecting risk of diabetes mellitus in adolescents
Authors: Ibrahim Musa Danladi , E Agbana Busayo , F Adeola Moses , M Idache Benjamin , Abu Sunday , Emmanuel Iwuagwu Tochi 
Published: March 2023

Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is increasing in all age groups, including the adolescent globally.
Objective: This study examined the association of adiposity with the risk of T2DM in adolescents aged 11 to 19 years.
Methods: This study comprised 403 adolescent boys (202) and girls (201). Participants were assessed in three indices of body fat and fasting blood glucose (FBG). Multivariate regression models assessing the associations of the independent variables with risk of T2DM were conducted. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to determine the predictive capacities of the body fat proxies to detect risk of T2DM.
Results: The prevalence of glucose abnormalities was 13.6% and 1.8% for pre-diabetes and diabetes respectively. Among the body fat indices in boys, WHtR was the only independent predictor ( =0.599, p<0.001) of T2DM risk. Both the WHtR and WC had significant (p<0.001) Areas under curve (AUC), with WHtR as the best body fat indicator for identifying risk of T2DM in boys. The independent variables had no discriminatory capacities to detect T2DM risk in girls.
Conclusions: This study has demonstrated that central fat is more important than total fat in detecting risk of T2DM in Nigerian adolescent boys.
Keywords: Abdominal obesity; adolescents; anthropometry; ROC curve; T2DM.
Prevalence and causes of visual impairment amongst hearing impaired school-going children in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review
Authors: Agyemang Kwarteng Michael , Percy Mashige Khathutshelo , Kyei Samuel , Sunkwa Quarcoo Dogbe Daniel , Govender-Poonsamy Pirindhavellie 
Published: March 2023

Background: Learners living with hearing impairment are at a higher risk of visual impairment.
Purpose: To summarise relevant literature investigating the prevalence and causes of visual impairment amongst learners living with hearing impairment in sub-Saharan Africa.
Methods: A search of nine databases and the reference lists of retrieved studies were conducted using the standard methodology for scoping reviews as described in the PRISMA statement. The databases were MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Global Health, OVID, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Science Direct. A scoping review of articles published in the English language from 2000 to 2020 was conducted while considering the study design, sub-Saharan Africa, and school for the deaf. Descriptive statistics was used to analyse the data.
Results: The initial search retrieved eight studies, seven of which met the set inclusion criteria. All seven studies included employed a cross-sectional design. The prevalence of visual impairment ranged from 2.2-34.6% with the major cause being uncorrected refractive error (7.9-73.26%). The most common type of refractive error was myopia (42.2%) followed by hyperopia (28.6%) and astigmatism (28.6%).
Conclusion: This review has demonstrated that there is a paucity of high-quality and well-designed studies that have investigated the prevalence and causes of visual impairment amongst hearing-impaired children in sub-Saharan Africa suggesting the need for further research in this area.
Keywords: Visual impairment; prevalence; Africa; hearing impairment; ocular morbidity.
In-vitro antioxidant potential and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect of Ficus benghalensis aerial root extract
Authors: Ramasamy Anand , Anandakumar K , Kathiresan K 
Published: March 2023

Aim and objective: The aim of the current study was to evaluate the antioxidant effect, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory effect and phytochemical screening of different extracts of aerial root extract of Ficus benghalensis using in-vitro methods.
Methods: The aerial root extract was prepared by successive extraction method using different organic solvents having increasing order of polarity. FB aerial root extract was screened for preliminary phytochemical analysis. FB aerial root extracts were evaluated for in-vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect by the Ellman’s method and anti-oxidant potential by DPPH assay and hydroxyl radical neutralizing assay.
Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening of FB extracts indicate the existence of the phytochemicals such as phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, anthraquinones, tannins and steroids. The results of the DPPH assay, hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and AChE inhibitory assay show that chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts are having significant antioxidant activity and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory effect as compared to the other extracts, respectively.
Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that the aerial root extract of FB might be a potential drug source for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer disease.
Keywords: Ficus benghalensis; antioxidant; DPPH; acetylcholinesterase; neurodegenerative disorder.
Obstetric outcome of female genital mutilation in the Gambia – an observational study
Authors: Idoko Patrick , Armitage Alice , T Nyassi Momodou , Jatta Lucas , Bah Neneh , Jah Awa , Jabbie Dado , Bittaye Mustapha 
Published: March 2023

Background: A 2010 survey in The Gambia among women of reproductive age put the prevalence rate of FGM/C at 76.3%. FGM/C was banned in 2015, but there is no real effort at enforcement of the ban. This study aimed to provide national data on obstetric outcomes to support advocacy and health education.A multicentre observational study to assess the obstetric and neonatal outcomes of parturient women with and without FGM/Cwas carried out across 4 healthcare facilities in The Gambia. The primary outcome was postpartum haemorrhage (>500ml) andsecondary outcomes were caesarean section, perineal tears (including episiotomy), neonatal resuscitation and perinatal death.Of the 1,569 participants recruited into the study, 23% had no FGM/C while 77% had FGM/C of varying severity. The riskof postpartum haemorrhage was doubled for women with type I FGM/C, tripled in type II FGM/C and increased by 5-foldfor those with type III and IV FGM/C. Caesarean section and perineal tears were also increased. FGM/C was associated withincreased risk for neonatal resuscitation and perinatal death.FGM/C is associated with poor obstetric and neonatal outcomes in the Gambia with degree of risk correlating with the severityof FGM/C.
Keywords: Female genital mutilation; obstetric outcome; Gambia.
Female empowerment to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes and prevent violence in adolescent girls and young women in Uganda: evidence reviews for policy
Authors: Lewington Jessica , Geddes Rosemary , Gabagaya Grace 
Published: March 2023

Background: Adolescent girls and young women in Uganda face numerous public health challenges including high HIV prevalence, teenage pregnancies, poor sexual and reproductive health rights, child marriage, and violence.
Objectives: This evidence review explores which interventions focusing on the empowerment of adolescent girls and young women to address these challenges are suitable for Ugandan policy.
Methods: We reviewed the literature to identify experimental studies and systematic reviews of interventions which improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes and/or prevent violence in adolescent girls and young women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Two authors independently reviewed the studies identified through a comprehensive search strategy and assessed their quality. From this evidence base, two policy options were explored in depth considering benefits, harms, equity impacts, and costs, given the Ugandan context.Results: The screen yielded 47 studies, of which 12 remained after applying inclusion and exclusion criteria and relevance, applicability and quality assessment. Feasible policy options included: a vertical cash-incentive approach at a national or local level to support girls’ attainment of education; and a horizontal integrated community approach focusing on skills and knowledge building. A combination of both is recommended for young female empowerment in Uganda, allowing for the full range of socio-cultural and economic drivers to be targeted.Conclusion: Research into the link between female empowerment and sexual and reproductive health outcomes is still in early development. This review contributes to evidence on this topic and outlines an approach that is potentially suitable for adoption across similar LMICs in Africa.
Keywords: Sexual health; health policy; women's health.
Knowledge and perceptions about non-communicable diseases by people living with HIV: a descriptive cross-sectional study from Chitungwiza Central Hospital Zimbabwe
Authors: Cheza Alexander , Tlou Boikhutso 
Published: March 2023

Background: Sub-Saharan Africa has shown a rise in morbidity and mortality due to NCDs. PLHIV have shown to be more exposed to NCDs and identifying the knowledge gaps might help the management of NCDs in PLHIV.
Objective: The study was conducted in order to determine knowledge and perceptions regarding NCDs in PLHIV from Chitungwiza Hospital.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey on 324 participants from Chitungwiza Hospital. Data collection was through a designed questionnaire. Knowledge and perceptions were evaluated, and the associated risk factors were identified using the Logistic Regression Model.
Results: Results showed a 65% level of knowledge and 80% positive perceptions on NCDs. Participants <40 years of age were more knowledgeable (p=0.003) and history of NCD in the family influenced positively on knowledge (p=0.001). Females showed a more positive perception (p=0.043), both increasing age and low education negatively impacted the perceptions (p<0.001) as well as the knowledge (p=0.020).
Conclusion: Knowledge and perception were moderately high, but reduced with decreasing levels of education and increasing age. The study recommends educational campaigns to disseminate information about NCDs in PLHIV, targeting the least educated population groups and those older than 40 years of age.
Keywords: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs); HIV; Knowledge; Perceptions.
The evaluation of risk factors related to reduced bone mineral density in young people living with HIV
Authors: Aydın Özlem , Ankaralı Handan , Ergen Pınar , Betül Baysal Naciye , Çağ Yasemin 
Published: March 2023

Background: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is one of the comorbidities that develop in people living with HIV (PLWHIV).
Objective: This study was conducted to review the frequency and risk factors of reduced BMD according to age in HIV-infected patients in Turkey.
Material and Method: This retrospective cohort study included HIV-infected patients aged 18-50. Bone density was analysed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) according to the Z-score in three different regions including the lumbar, total-hip and femoral-neck.
Results: The study included 224 PLWHIV with a mean age of 35.84-7.54, and 59.8% were ART naive. Of the patients, 40.6% had lower BMD than expected at least in one of the three examined regions including the lumbar, total hip and femoral neck. The low BMD ratios were found respectively as 11.6%, 11.6% and 28.6% in the femoral neck, total hip and lumbar regions. According to the logistic regression model, a high body mass index (p=0.003) and HIV-RNA level of ≥100.000IU/ml during the diagnosis in the ART-naive group (p=0.008) were associated with reduced bone demineralization. The low BMD frequency was high in the group that received ART for <24 months (p=0.001).
Conclusion: Performing bone demineralization screening in the naive and young patient group, independently from ART status prior to making the diagnosis of HIV is important for organizing the bone health improvement methods.
Keywords: HIV infection; bone density; antiretroviral therapy.
Diagnostic performance of chest CT findings of COVID-19 with RT-PCR negative
Authors: Wakrim Soukaina 
Published: March 2023

COVID-19 presented with lung abnormalities on computed tomography (CT) scans in patient with false negative RT-PCR, which are helpful in diagnosis of this emerging global health emergency. It’s a case report the young woman of 35-year-old patient with 2019-nCoV pneumonia confirmed with IgM-IgG serology underwent thin-section Chest CT.Our patient has the Chest CT with some lung abnormalities, the Ground-glass opacities, crazy paving pattern and smooth interlobular septal thickening. The clinical findings and with conspicuous ground grass opacity lesions in the peripheral and posterior lungs on CT are highly suspected of 2019-nCoV pneumonia.
Keywords: COVID-19; Tomography, Spiral Computed; COVID19 serological testing; COVID-19 diagnostic testing; Thorax.
Psychological impact of Covid-19 pandemic on dentists
Authors: Bhagyashree Pramod Patil , Sannidhya Mishra , Sanjna Ramesh , Suyog Chandrashekhar Savant 
Published: March 2023

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic seems to have an incessant out-turn on the people in every field in some or the other way. It has been reported that maximum number of deaths in the countries during this pandemic are caused due to a term called death anxiety or phobia. There are certain parameters such as anxiety, apprehension, depression which if influence a person can alter one’s well-being.
Objective: The steadfast intent of this review article is to narrate the psychological impact of this pandemic on dentists. The eloquence and emergence of this topic will alarm all the medicos and paramedics to have a check on this scenario.
Methods: The article consists of detailed study from several articles from PubMed publications. Articles written only in English language were referred. Various keywords such as “Covid-19 pandemic” or “Psychological Impact” were used.
Results: The Covid-19 Pandemic has adversely affected all of us physically as well as psychologically. This article signifies the psychological impact of this pandemic on dentists.
Conclusion: The current studies that are carried out till date show an extensive impact on the psychology of the dental professionals. The following review article elaborates the importance of the same.
Short-term forecasting of confirmed daily COVID-19 cases in the Southern African Development Community region
Authors: Shoko Claris , Sigauke Caston , Njuho Peter 
Published: March 2023

Background: The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in complex challenges worldwide, and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region has not been spared. The region has become the epicentre for coronavirus in the African continent. Combining forecasting techniques can help capture other attributes of the series, thus providing crucial information to address the problem.
Objective: To formulate an effective model that timely predicts the spread of COVID-19 in the SADC region.
Methods: Using the Quantile regression approaches; linear quantile regression averaging (LQRA), monotone composite quantile regression neural network (MCQRNN), partial additive quantile regression averaging (PAQRA), among others, we combine point forecasts from four candidate models namely, the ARIMA (p, d, q) model, TBATS, Generalized additive model (GAM) and a Gradient Boosting machine (GBM).
Results: Among the single forecast models, the GAM provides the best model for predicting the spread of COVID-19 in the SADC region. However, it did not perform well in some periods. Combined forecasts models performed significantly better with the MCQRNN being the best (Theil’s U statistic=0.000000278).
Conclusion: The findings present an insightful approach in monitoring the spread of COVID-19 in the SADC region. The spread of COVID-19 can best be predicted using combined forecasts models, particularly the MCQRNN approach.
Keywords: Combined Forecasts; LQRA; PLAQR; OPERA; Quantile Regression Neural Networks; COVID-19.
Evaluation of potential drug-drug interactions and polypharmacy in hospitalized COVID-19 patients
Authors: Paşalı Kilit Türkan , Özyiğit Filiz , Erarslan Sertaş , Onbaşı Kevser 
Published: March 2023

Background: Drugs that are used in COVID-19 infection, may interact with each other, as well as with the drugs for comorbidities, used concomitantly with COVID-19 treatment.
Objectives: It is quite important to calculate and present the patients’ exposure to clinically important potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs). We aimed to investigate the pDDIs and the burden of polypharmacy in COVID-19.
Methods: The medical records of 126 consecutive inpatients with COVID-19 treatment were retrospectively analyzed. The Lexi-interact database was used to investigate pDDIs.
Results: According to the Lexi-interact database, 605 pDDIs were detected. Of these pDDIs, 23 (3.8%) were A risk category interaction, 186 (30.7%) were B risk category interaction, 339 (56%) were C risk category interaction, 54 (8.9%) were D risk category interaction, and 3 (0.5%) were X risk category interaction. Sixty-five-point five percent of pDDIs (n=396) were clinically important pDDIs (C, D, and X categories), and 69 patients (54.8%) had at least one clinically important pDDIs. The most interacting drug was hydroxychloroquine (n=171, 28.3%). Hydroxychloroquine was also the most interacting drug in the C risk category (n=101, 29.8%) and had 19 pDDIs with metformin, 16 pDDIs with beta-blockers, 13 pDDIs with acetylsalicylic acid, and 10 pDDIs with insulin in the C risk category. Enoxaparin was the most interacting drug (n=25, 46.3%) in the D risk category and most of them were with acetylsalicylic acid (n=12). The most common possible clinical manifestations of pDDIs were QT prolongation, hypoglycemia, and hemorrhage. One hundred and eighteen patients (93.6%) used five or more drugs daily. There was a significant positive correlation between the number of drugs prescribed to patients and the number of clinically important pDDIs (r=0.80, p<0.001).
Conclusions: Clinically important pDDIs are common among COVID-19 patients and the majority of pDDIs require monitoring of therapy. COVID-19 patients should be closely observed for QT prolongation, hypoglycemia, and hemorrhage due to pDDIs during treatment.
Keywords: COVID-19; drug interactions; polypharmacy.
The occurrence of antibiotic-resistant enteric bacteria in Selected Nigerian traditional dairy products
Authors: E Uzeh Roseline , Imafidon Sylvester 
Published: March 2023

Background: Wara and nono are popular dairy products in Nigeria, rich in nutrients, highly exposed to microbial contaminants during processing and sale and support microbial growth.
Objectives: To investigate occurrence and antibiotic resistance pattern of enteric bacterial pathogens in dairy products.
Methods: Dairy products were serially diluted and cultured on Eosin Methylene Blue agar, Salmonella-Shigella agar, McConkey agar and nutrient agar at 37°C for 24 h. Characterisation and identification of isolates with API 20E kit (Biomereux, France). Antibiotic susceptibility was with agar disc diffusion. Polyvalent O and H antisera for Salmonella serotyping.
Results: Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae and Serratia marcescens, were identified. Dominant enteric bacterium detected was E. coli followed by Salmonella spp. Serratia marcescens was the least occurring. The isolates were most resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (96.7%), amoxicillin (83.3%), augmentin (83.3%), chloramphenicol (66.7%), streptomycin (50%). They were resistant to ≥ 4 (multiple) antibiotics, E. coli 8, Salmonella spp. 7, Serratia marcescens 6 and Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacter spp. 4 each.
Conclusion: The presence of enteric bacterial pathogens in wara and nono and their resistance to multiple antibiotics was reported in this study.
Keywords: Nono; wara; antibiotic resistance; enteric bacteria.