bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accuracy of C-reactive protein and a differentiated white cell count in diagnosing tuberculosis
Authors: Ruder Gideon , Carter Richard M.N. , Joubert Gina 
Published: June 2023

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is treatable with a high cure rate. In South Africa, 70% of pulmonary TB is microbiologically confirmed. Autopsy studies of HIV-positive people found 45.7% undiagnosed TB cases.Objectives: The primary objective investigated whether CRP and a differentiated white cell count (WCC) and ratios thereof are useful screening tools for TB.Method: This retrospective cross-sectional study included adult patients admitted to two tertiary hospitals in Bloemfontein with TB workups between April 2016 and September 2019. National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) provided laboratory data. Tuberculosis Xpert® MTB/RIF, Xpert® MTB/RIF Ultra and TB culture were used as reference standard for TB diagnosis.Results: The study population comprised 1294 patients; 15.1% had TB, 56.0% were male and 63.1% HIV-positive. Patients with TB were younger (p 0.0001; 95% CI: –8;–3 years). In the total population, WCC had the highest area under the curve (0.59). White cell count (p 0.0001), neutrophils (p = 0.0003) and lymphocytes (p = 0.0394) were lower in TB patients, and CRP-WCC ratio (CWR) (p = 0.0009) and CRP-lymphocyte ratio (CLR) (p = 0.0386) higher. In HIV-positive patients, WCC (p = 0.0003), neutrophils (p = 0.002) and lymphocytes (p = 0.0491) were lower in TB patients and CWR (p = 0.0043) higher. No parameter reached the World Health Organization screening targets of 70% specificity with 90% sensitivity.Conclusion: Differentiated WCC and CRP are not useful in screening hospitalised patients for TB in our setting.Contribution: Our study guides future research to augment current screening and diagnostic algorithms for TB, specifically in advanced HIV disease.
BMPRII+ neural precursor cells isolated and characterized from organotypic neurospheres: an in vitro model of human fetal spinal cord development
Authors: Weible Michael W. , Lovelace Michael D. , Mundell Hamish D. , Pang Tsz Wai Rosita , Chan-Ling Tailoi 
Published: June 2023

Abstract

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202402000-00040/inline-graphic1/v/2023-07-19T141749Z/r/image-tiff

Roof plate secretion of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) directs the cellular fate of sensory neurons during spinal cord development, including the formation of the ascending sensory columns, though their biology is not well understood. Type-II BMP receptor (BMPRII), the cognate receptor, is expressed by neural precursor cells during embryogenesis; however, an in vitro method of enriching BMPRII+ human neural precursor cells (hNPCs) from the fetal spinal cord is absent. Immunofluorescence was undertaken on intact second-trimester human fetal spinal cord using antibodies to BMPRII and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). Regions of highest BMPRII+ immunofluorescence localized to sensory columns. Parenchymal and meningeal-associated BMPRII+ vascular cells were identified in both intact fetal spinal cord and cortex by co-positivity with vascular lineage markers, CD34/CD39. LIF immunostaining identified a population of somas concentrated in dorsal and ventral horn interneurons, mirroring the expression of LIF receptor/CD118. A combination of LIF supplementation and high-density culture maintained culture growth beyond 10 passages, while synergistically increasing the proportion of neurospheres with a stratified, cytoarchitecture. These neurospheres were characterized by BMPRII+/MAP2ab+/–/βIII-tubulin+/nestin–/vimentin–/GFAP–/NeuN– surface hNPCs surrounding a heterogeneous core of βIII-tubulin+/nestin+/vimentin+/GFAP+/MAP2ab–/NeuN– multipotent precursors. Dissociated cultures from tripotential neurospheres contained neuronal (βIII-tubulin+), astrocytic (GFAP+), and oligodendrocytic (O4+) lineage cells. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting-sorted BMPRII+ hNPCs were MAP2ab+/–/βIII-tubulin+/GFAP–/O4– in culture. This is the first isolation of BMPRII+ hNPCs identified and characterized in human fetal spinal cords. Our data show that LIF combines synergistically with high-density reaggregate cultures to support the organotypic reorganization of neurospheres, characterized by surface BMPRII+ hNPCs. Our study has provided a new methodology for an in vitro model capable of amplifying human fetal spinal cord cell numbers for > 10 passages. Investigations of the role BMPRII plays in spinal cord development have primarily relied upon mouse and rat models, with interpolations to human development being derived through inference. Because of significant species differences between murine biology and human, including anatomical dissimilarities in central nervous system (CNS) structure, the findings made in murine models cannot be presumed to apply to human spinal cord development. For these reasons, our human in vitro model offers a novel tool to better understand neurodevelopmental pathways, including BMP signaling, as well as spinal cord injury research and testing drug therapies.
Comparative evaluation of “Tell-Tell-Tell,” “Ask-Tell-Ask,” and “Teach back” communication techniques on oral health education among 12–13-year-old children – An educational intervention trial
Authors: Saikiran Kanamarlapudi Venkata , Kamatham Rekhalakshmi , Elicherla Sainath Reddy , Anchala Karthik , Sahiti Putta Sai , Nuvvula Sivakumar 
Published: June 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:
Effective communication with children can improve their understanding and aid in complying with oral hygiene instructions.

Aim:
The aim is to compare the retentiveness of oral hygiene instructions in children educated using three communication techniques.

Methodology:
One hundred and twenty children in the age range of 12–13 years were included in the study. Baseline awareness of oral hygiene maintenance was assessed using a questionnaire. Twenty children were randomly assigned to each group: Tell-Tell-Tell, Ask-Tell-Ask, Teach-back, and information provided. Knowledge was reassessed after a week; data were tabulated and assessed statistically.

Results:
There were no statistically significant differences in the baseline data among the groups (P > 0.05). Regardless of the group, there was an improvement in knowledge regarding the frequency and timing of brushing as well as the cause of dental caries after the intervention. However, children in Ask-Tell-Ask and Teach back showed significant improvement over Tell-Tell-Tell (P ≤ 0.01).

Conclusion:
Communication strategies, such as Ask-Tell-Ask and Teach back, which have a strategy to involve children, have been shown to be superior over Tell-Tell-Tell.
The prevalence and clinical characteristics of Clostridium difficile infection in Saudi patients admitted with inflammatory bowel disease: A case–control study
Authors: AlKhormi Abdulrahman , Altheyabi Abdullah M. , AlGhamdi Saud A. , Alshahrani Osama , Alotay Abdulwahed A. , Deeb Ahmad 
Published: June 2023

Background:
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are at increased risk of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), causing significant morbidity and mortality. This study examined CDI’s prevalence, predisposing factors, and clinical outcomes in Saudi hospitalized IBD patients.

Methods:
A retrospective case–control study was conducted at a tertiary medical city in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All Saudi adult patients with IBD, admitted over the preceding four years were identified from the hospital’s database. Eligible patients were divided into those with CDI and those without CDI. Binary logistic regression was used to determine the predisposing factors for CDI among admitted IBD patients.

Results:
During the study period, 95 patients were admitted with IBD. Crohn’s disease (CD) was the predominant type (71.6%), whereas 28.4% of the patients were with ulcerative colitis (UC). Only 16 (16.8%) patients had positive CDI. CDI-positive patients tend to have hypertension and previous use of steroids. Patients with UC tend to have a higher risk of CDI than those with CD. Most patients recovered from the CDI (81.3%) with a median time to CDI clearance of 14 days. Three patients (18.8%) had recurrent CDI; among them, one died.

Conclusion:
The prevalence of CDI in Saudi IBD patients is similar to that reported elsewhere. UC, steroid treatment, and hypertension are risk factors for CDI in IBD patients. Recurrence of CDI in IBD patients is common and associated with a poor prognosis.
Optimal concentration and efficiency of the photo fenton system for the treatment of a synthetic textile effluent
Authors: Fernández Ana Paula Barrenechea , Brandon Paola Vela , Azañero Armando Jesus Vélez 
Published: June 2023

The Photo Fenton process is an alternative process for the treatment of effluents from the textile industry, being a reagent-based chemical on Fe2+ and H2O2 + UV light, whose mechanism consists of oxidizing the pollutants until they are suitable for discharge into bodies of water. This research seeks to determine the optimum concentration of Fe2+ - H2O2 in the treatment of a synthetic textile effluent and, subsequently, to evaluate the efficiency of the system. The synthetic textile effluent was prepared under laboratory conditions, FeSO4 and H2O2 were added at different concentrations, with exposure to UV-A light throughout the process, and it was determined that the optimum concentration of the Photo Fenton reagent was 400 mg L-1 of FeSO4 and 12 ml L-1 of H2O2, a dosage that reduced initial turbidity, color, and COD by 100%, 99% and 83%, respectively, and increased the DO by 11%. Turbidity removal was obtained by carrying out the treatment in an acid medium (pH 3). The presence of Fe2+ promoted the significant removal of COD. The increase in DO was obtained by the presence of H2O2 and UV-A light, and this in turn, had a considerable influence on the removal of effluent color. Regarding the efficiency of the system, it was determined that the Photo Fenton reagent is an excellent alternative for the treatment of textile effluents with high and low organic loads, reducing contaminants derived from industry processes.
Keywords: clean technology, Fe2+-H2O2, organic, oxidation, pollution, water.
Factors Affecting Sustainability of Cocoa Life Project Interventions in Ghana: Views of Beneficiaries in Wassa East District
Authors: Odoom Daniel , Annor-Frempong Festus , Akaba Selorm , Mensah Albert Obeng 
Published: June 2023

This study interrogated the factors affecting the sustainability of project interventions implemented in the Wassa East District by World Vision Ghana (WVG) under the Cocoa Life Project in the country. Based on a mixed method research approach, a total of 406 respondents who were farmers, members of village savings and loans associations, gari processors, and soap makers were involved in the study using stratified, simple random, and convenience sampling methods. Structured interviews and focus group discussion guides were the instruments used for data collection. For the quantitative data analysis, frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviation and chi-square were used whereas qualitative data obtained was analyzed thematically. The study observed that project interventions implemented in the District by WVG were generally sustainable. Factors such as local ownership, commitment of community members, teamwork, and supportive relationship between WVG team and community members aided the sustainability of the interventions. Despite the flexibility in the delivery of the project interventions, community members who benefited from the interventions had some concerns about the Project. Concerns were particularly raised with respect to the level of participation, the nature of communication, and the level of accountability and transparency which characterized the Project. We recommend that World Vision Ghana, Mondelez International, and Cocoa Life Division team up with local authorities and community members to come out with clear measures to: increase local participation, improve communication, and enhance transparency and accountability throughout the delivery of Cocoa Life Project interventions in the country.
Performance and Prospects of the Wa Municipal Assembly in Revenue Generation
Authors: Abdul-Wahab Shamsia , Domanban Paul Bata , Nkegbe Paul Kwame 
Published: June 2023

The Wa Municipality has several developmental challenges such as rapid population growth, high rates of illiteracy, poor environmental sanitation, and poverty. Besidesthe developmental challenges, the Municipality’s average contribution of IGF to its total annual revenue basket is minimal. This has created room for more dependence on external sources for development funds which often fluctuate and are generally on a decline. The study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the prospects of the Wa Municipal Assembly in relation to levels of revenue generation. Primary and secondary data were used for the study. Questionnaires and structured interview schedules were used to collect primary data from 467 respondents within the Municipality. The study shows that the Assembly’s potentials in relation to revenue generation are tourism promotion, investment in agriculture, improving on the database, expanding the revenue base, and taking advantage of the presence of NGOs and CBOs. It is concluded that the Wa Municipal Assembly should properly identify and valuate properties in a timely manner, adopt good resource mobilisation strategies, properly train Revenue Collectors and finally take keen interest in tapping into the prospects identified by the study so as to improve on levels of revenue generation.
Premium exemptions and active health insurance membership among teenage migrant head porters in Ghana: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Alatinga Kennedy A. , Abiiro Gilbert Abotisem , Kanmiki Edmund Wedam 
Published: June 2023

Ghana’s national health insurance scheme (NHIS) aims to provide financial risk protection to vulnerable populations by making provisions for premium exemptions for all people below 18 years. This study assessed the factors associated with active insurance membership and access to premium exemptions among teenage migrant head porters in Ghana. Data collected from 257 migrant female head porters (10-17 years old) in Accra and Kumasi in a cross-sectional survey were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression models. Only 25% of participants had active membership cards although about 54% had ever registered with the NHIS. Among registered members, only 40% benefited from NHIS premium exemptions as per the insurance policy. Respondents who benefited from premium exemptions were more likely to maintain active membership (OR=3.58, p-value<0.01). Relatively higher income earners (OR=2.72, p-value<0.05) and those who migrated to Kumasi (OR=5.17, p-value<0.01) were more likely to maintain active membership. Although benefiting from premium exemptions improves active enrolment, many migrant teenage head porters were unable to benefit from exemptions. We recommend that the National Health Insurance Authority takes pragmatic steps to identify and enrol all female head porters below 18 years to improve their access to healthcare.
RACISMO, EUGENIA E DESIGUALDADES: uma leitura crítica da obra de Gobineau
Authors: Cordeiro Anderson dos Santos 
Published: June 2023

Este trabalho se propõe a fazer uma resenha do livro de Arthur de Gobineau, intelectual francês que escreveu o Ensaio sobre a desigualdade das raças humanas, originalmente publicado em 1853, mas que só teve sua primeira publicação em português em 2021. Gobineau lança uma série de argumentos que serviram de base para o racismo científico, o darwinismo social e o conceito de ariano a partir da eugenia. Portanto, a leitura crítica desta obra possibilita compreender contemporaneamente como o autor observa a temática racial, e como seus argumentos influenciaram alguns intelectuais brasileiros que discutiram a questão racial nos finais do século XIX e início do XX no Brasil.
“Inventario de emisiones de fuentes móviles, metodología propuesta”
Authors: Alejandro Rojas Tapia , Rogelio González Oropeza , Eduardo Cedillo Cornejo Edgar , Francisco González Pineda 
Published: June 2023

Los inventarios de las emisiones contaminantes en una ciudad o región, son herramientas fundamentales para adoptar una política bien direccionada para el control de los gases emitidos en los diferentes sectores como el industrial, el de transporte, doméstico,etc. En este contexto, las diversas fuentes que se pueden consultar mencionan a los vehículos como responsables de un porcentaje significativo de emisiones contaminantes y de gases de efecto invernadero. La medología propuesta en este trabajo, para la elaboración de un inventario de las emisiones que arrojan los vehículos, ha sido desarrollada por el grupo de trabajo denominado UNICE (Unidad de Investigación y Control de Emisiones) y es una combinación de pruebas en banco dinamométrico con algunos motores, simulación de vehículos recorriendo un ciclo de manejo representativo de la ciudad donde se requiere el inventario y algoritmos termodinámicos que nos permiten estimar los factores de emisión de los vehículos de la muestra. Se debe calcular una muestra representativa de los vehículos, ya sean ligeros, pesados o motocicletas. Una vez que se tienen los factores de emisión de dichos vehículos, se podrá hacer una extrapolación a todos los vehículos representados por la muestra estadística.
Awareness-Based Systems Change
Authors: Koenig Oliver , Pomeroy Eva , Seneque Megan , Scharmer Otto 
Published: June 2023

This issues Editorial explores the intersection of awareness-based systems change and the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) in our lives. The theme that surfaced most strongly in preparing this issue has been embeddedness, which we position as an integrative principle and onto-epistemological counterpart to AI. The Editorial goes on to highlight two defining characteristics of embeddedness, crucial also for our understanding of awareness-based systems change: its spatial/place-based and relational/relationship-based properties. In so doing we discuss the need for regenerative leadership, rooted in place-based and local solutions to global challenges, to navigate the complex realities of our time and create sustainable futures.
GERMINAÇÃO E BALANÇO HORMONAL in vitro DE Astronium urundeuva (M. Allemão) Engl.
Authors: Silva Leonardo Maximo , Oliveira Leandro Silva de , Nogueira Ariane da Silva , Souza Nayara dos Santos de , Jorge Nicole Vieira , Honorato Glenda Araújo de Souza , Silva Leovandes Soares da 
Published: June 2023

Aroeira-do-sertão (Astronium urundeuva) apresenta aplicabilidade para fins terapêuticos devido às suas características farmacológicas e para uso madeireiro em razão da sua resistência e com grande durabilidade. Isso acarretou a intensa exploração da espécie, levando-a a ser incluída na lista de espécies ameaçadas de extinção. Em decorrência desta situação, a micropropagação é tida como ferramenta em potencial para a propagação e conservação in vitro da espécie. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a germinação e o efeito de diferentes concentrações de ANA associada com TDZ e BAP na multiplicação in vitro de A. urundeuva. Segmentos nodais, obtidos a partir de plântulas germinadas in vitro, foram utilizados como explantes. Os mesmos foram inoculados no meio de cultura MS50%, suplementado com as seguintes concentrações de ANA (0,0; 0,025 e 0,050 mg.L-1) associadas com TDZ (0,0; 0,25; 0,50; 0,75 e 1,00 mg.L-1) e BAP (0,0; 0,25; 0,50; 0,75 e 1,00 mg.L-1). Transcorridos 31 dias, foi avaliado o vigor dos explantes, calejamento e número de brotações. O percentual de germinação in vitro das sementes de A. urundeuva foi de 61%, demostrando a viabilidade da técnica para iniciar a micropropagação. O maior vigor dos explantes foi obtido no meio de cultura suplementado somente com BAP, por sua vez, o TDZ induziu distúrbios fisiológicos nos explantes, como intenso calejamento e posterior necrose dos tecidos. Os resultados obtidos indicam a necessidade de maiores estudos em razão do balanço hormonal auxina/citocinas não foi favorável para a multiplicação in vitro da espécie.
Appraisal of the National Youth Service Corps Involvement in Community Development in Selected Local Government Areas in Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Okafor Patrick , Owolade Adeniran 
Published: June 2023

Purpose: This study appraised the impact of the involvement of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in community development in three selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Oyo State, Nigeria. It also compared the corps members’ assessment of the impact of the NYSC community development services to that of the community members; and evaluated the level of involvement of the community in the planning and implementation of community development services of the NYSC.
Methodology: This study was a cross-sectional survey and utilised both qualitative and quantitative methods to gather its primary data. The selected study area included Ogbomosho North, Ido and Akinyele Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Oyo State, Nigeria. A total of community members, 15 community leaders, and 150 serving NYSC corps members were interviewed through questionnaires and key informant interviewData analysis was done using IBM/SPSS software, version 25.0.
Findings: Data obtained showed that 74.8% of the community members agreed that the development of their respective LGAs have been enhanced by the activities of the various NYSC Community Development Service (CDS) groups; 80% agreed that they could give clear instances where NYSC have contributed to community development in their various LGAs. The most impactful community development activity of the NYSC was Education (79.7%), whilst Environment [Clean water and sanitation] (73.4%) and Healthcare (68.5%) were the second and third, respectively. There was a very weak negative correlation between the community development service preference of the community members and that of the NYSC corps members (r = -.074, p>.05). In terms of community participation, 60.8% of the community members agreed that the NYSC involves the community in the planning of their community development activities, and 61.6% agreed that the NYSC involves the community in the implementation. The discovered challenges confronting the operation of the NYSC CDS as a tool for community development are inadequate finance; corps members’ prioritisation of infrastructure projects over service-based projects; and corps members lack of motivation or enthusiasm in CDS activities.
Recommendations: The NYSC through its CDS activities has positive impacts in the development of the communities in Oyo state, Nigeria. The NYSC community development services should therefore be sustained nationwide by the Nigerian government.
A ATUAÇÃO DA ENFERMAGEM COM O IDOSO E FAMILIARES
Authors: Santos Oliveira Ana Paula 
Published: June 2023

Os profissionais de saúde, incluindo o enfermeiro desempenha um papel fundamental no cenário da Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF), pois seu trabalho direciona-se a promoção e reabilitação da saúde e prevenção de doenças, sendo inúmeras atribuições realizadas por este profissional na área de atuação da saúde do idoso na ESF. A atuação do enfermeiro na área da saúde coletiva abrange o desenvolvimento de práticas sociais relacionadas ao contexto em que este profissional está inserido, trabalhando diretamente com diferentes grupos sociais, dentre esses o grupo dos idosos e suas famílias. Dessa forma, surgiu pela Organização Mundial de Saúde conceito de envelhecimento ativo definido como “o processo de otimização das oportunidades de saúde, participação e s A resolução 358/2009 diz que o processo de enfermagem deve ser realizado somente pelo profissional da área nos locais de atendimento onde exista cuidados de enfermagem ou uma equipe de saúde.