bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge and attitude of dental students toward hepatitis B virus and its vaccination – A cross-sectional study
Authors: Benarji Kotti Ajay , Anitha Akkaloori , Suresh Babburi , Aparna V , Praveena A , Penumatsa Laxmi Aparna 
Published: January 2022

Objectives:
To estimate the awareness of hepatitis B virus (HBV) and coverage of hepatitis B vaccination among dental students enrolled in dental colleges located in Andhra Pradesh.

Materials and Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted using a prestructured questionnaire to find out the awareness of HBV and coverage of hepatitis B vaccine among dental students.

Results:
A total of 2780 dental students were approached to participate in the study but only 2701 (97.1%) students (M = 900, F = 1801) gave response. Out of the total 2701 students, 79.45% were aware of HBV infection and only 51.50% of the participants received hepatitis B vaccine. 20.5% have come across HBV infected patients and 59.5% are unaware of postexposure protocol. Of all, 63.9%, 21.5% and 42% felt the mode of transmission is blood, sexual contact and oral fluids, respectively. 49.12% recommended for awareness programs on risks in HBV; 56.46% suggested mandatory Hepatitis B vaccination programs in dental colleges.

Conclusions:
Despite the availability and accessibility of a cost-effective hepatitis B vaccine, the vaccination coverage among dental students was low. Health education needs to be improved for all health care students especially for dental students.
Effect of 2 h of room temperature storage on salivary glucose concentration
Authors: Vasupradha G , Sankar K , Rajendran Ramya , Nitya K , Murugaboopathy Vikneshan , Pallavan B 
Published: January 2022

Background of the Study:
Although many studies are available validating the role of saliva as an alternative diagnostic tool, no reliable data are available on the duration of time, a salivary sample can be reliably stored at room temperature for estimation. It varies from one analyte to another and has to be researched.

Aim:
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of 2 h of room temperature storage on salivary glucose concentration.

Materials and Methods:
Saliva samples obtained by spitting method from thirty healthy volunteers were centrifuged and glucose concentration determined in the supernatant obtained. The test was repeated 2 h later following room temperature storage of the supernatant.

Results:
The data obtained were analyzed using wilcoxson signed rank test. No significant difference between was observed between the two values.

Conclusion:
Salivary glucose can reliably estimate on centrifuged samples following 2 h of room temperature storage.
Inter-observer agreement in the radiographic interpretation of Demirjian's developmental stages in the mandibular second and third molars – A comparative study
Authors: Pillai Jayasankar P. , Nilendu Debesh , Thomas Namitha , Nagpal Sugandha , Sneha Nedunari Lakshmi Sai 
Published: January 2022

Background:
The developmental stages of the teeth in the radiographs are graded on an ordinal scale. The present study was conducted using 123 digital orthopantomograms from individuals in the age group of 5 to 22 years and to analyze and evaluate the inter-observer agreement in grading the developmental stages of second and third molars. Four observers with different levels of practical experience in age estimation participated in the study. The development stages of both the molars in the lower left quadrant (3rd quadrant) were assigned based on the Demirjian's 10 stage chart. The percentage agreement and Kappa statistics were used to test the agreement between the observers. The data of the observer 1 were used as the standard for the comparison.

RESULTS:
There was 70.0%–75.6% agreement among the observers in staging second molar and 52%–68.3% for the third molars. There was an excellent agreement (k > 080) between observer 1 and observer 2 and a good agreement (k = 060–0.79) between observer 1 and the other two observers for both the molars. The Fleiss Kappa revealed moderate to a good overall agreement for both the molars (k = 0.51–0.66). The Freidman's test revealed a significant difference in the grading of third molars between all the raters (χ2= 25.02, df 3, P < 0.001) and for the second molar the difference was not significant (χ2= 3.89, df 3, P > 0.05). The stage-wise overall agreement was fair for Stage 3 in the second molar and Stage 9 and Stage 4 in the third molar.

Conclusions:
In conclusion, proper training in the radiographic interpretation of developmental stages may minimize the errors during the age estimation methods.
Role of programmed cell death 4 in myofibroblast differentiation in oral submucous fibrosis
Authors: Desai Karishma Madhusudan , Kale Alka Dinesh , Angadi Punnya V , Datar Uma V , Belaldavar Chetan , Arany Praveen R 
Published: January 2022

Background:
Fibrosis is an uncontrolled healing process, led by persistent differentiation of fibroblast to alpha-smooth muscle actin (αSMA) positive activated fibroblast or myofibroblast. Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is one such condition that is associated with areca nut use. Recently, Programmed Cell Death 4 (PDCD4), a pro-apoptotic marker, has been shown to modulate fibroblast differentiation in various organ fibrosis. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of PDCD4 in the regulation of fibroblast differentiation in OSMF.

Materials and Methods:
Paraffin-embedded tissue sections from 45 cases of the normal oral mucosa, early OSMF and advanced OSMF were examined for PDCD4 and αSMA expression by immunostaining. Co-expression of PDCD4 and αSMA in fibroblasts was examined using Spearman's correlation test.

Results:
The stromal fibroblasts showed minimal expression of αSMA in the normal mucosa and early OSMF, while advanced OSMF groups demonstrated a higher frequency of αSMA myofibroblasts. The PDCD4 expression was noted in the normal stromal fibroblasts. However, this expression appeared to progressively reduce with an increasing grade of OSMF. Thus, a negative correlation was noted between stromal PDCD4 and αSMA expression with progressive OSMF.

Conclusion:
This study demonstrated a putative role for PDCD4 in oral fibrosis consistent with its role in other tissues. The lack of PDCD4 expression with increasing myofibroblast expression in OSMF suggests that targeting its dysregulation may be an attractive translational therapeutic target.
Challenges of Accessing Care in Art Clinic during COVID-19 Lockdown in Lagos
Authors: Salako AO , Odubela OO , Ohwodo HO , Opaneye B , Ojuko SO , Nwankwo NL , Ejiga QE , David AN , Ezechi OC , Salako BL 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:
As the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic continues to ravage the world, its impact on the health systems and survival of people with chronic diseases especially People living with HIV [PLWH] could be undermined. It becomes relevant to assess the challenges PLWH face during this period to institute measures towards combating the negative effects of the pandemic.

Aims:
This study aims to investigate the challenges faced by PLWH in accessing care during the lockdown period in Lagos, Nigeria. The study was a cross-sectional one involving PLWH aged 18 years and above who presented for care. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic characteristics, their knowledge about COVID-19 disease, and challenges experienced in accessing care during the COVID-19-induced lockdown. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institution Research Ethics Board (IRB) of NIMR.

Patients and Methods:
Data generated from the survey was exported to Excel and analyzed using SPSS version 23.0.

Results:
The mean age of PLWH who participated in the study was 42.2 (±12.2) years. The majority were female (74.3%), married (66.3%), employed (58.9%), and on less than $100 monthly income (80.5%). The commonest challenges experienced were psychological (78.5%), financial (68%) and food (40.7%). There were significant association among the income status, lack of food (OR: 2.5, CI: 1.4-4.5, P = 0.002), financial challenges (OR: 1.7, CI: 1.0-3.0, P = 0.048) and psychological challenges (OR; 1.8, CI: 1.0-3.5, P = 0.05). Ninety-five percent of participants believed SARS-COV-2 infection is a viral infection.

Conclusions:
PLWH faces a myriad of challenges that would have a significant impact on their overall well-being and the gains of HIV care.
Use of Diode Laser for Lip Repositioning, Evolution of the Conventional Technique. A Case Report
Authors: Martínez-Martínez A , Molinares-Villa C , Diaz-Caballero A 
Published: January 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:
LipStaT® lip repositioning surgery using a diode laser for the management of gummy smiles offers promising and consistent long-term results.

Objective:
To describe the technique through a clinical case, including its indications, preoperative evaluation, surgical approach, and recommendations after the intervention.

Case Report:
A 29-year-old woman with excessive gingival display (EGD) of 4 mm when smiling; the LipStaT® technique was performed with a 940 nm diode laser to remove a strip of mucosa by ablating the epithelial tissue, and thus, achieve aesthetic, harmonic and functional results. The inflammation and postoperative pain were treated with the diode laser assisted lymphatic drainage technique. After follow-up, a satisfactory tissue response was observed, and no pain or inflammation was reported.

Conclusion:
The use of a 940 nm diode laser proved to be an effective treatment option for patients with a gummy smile, allowing control of intraoperative bleeding and improvement of the healing process obtaining predictable long-term results.
Why Fidelity Bank survived the banking crises in Ghana, but UT Bank collapsed: an explanation from strategic management
Authors: Damoah Obi Berko O. , Amankwah Majoreen Osafroadu , Bennis Robert Marshall 
Published: January 2022

The question of why some firms succeed whilst others fail even though they operate in the same industry, have similar sizes and face the same market conditions continue to attract research attention. Strategic management addresses this question in part and contends that the explanatory factors for such phenomenon is accounted for by how firms strategically align their internal capacity to the changing trends from their external environment especially political and competitive forces. The paper draws on two strategic management frameworks (i.e., PESTLE and Porter's five forces) to explain why Fidelity survived, but UT failed in the recent environmental turbulence which bedeviled the banking sector of Ghana though both started just about the same time and had similar size. In line with the assumptions of the two frameworks above, the present paper argues that the failure of UT bank and the survival of Fidelity Bank is accounted for by how each bank aligned its internal capacity to the regulatory and competitive forces that hit the banking industry. The paper employs secondary information (e.g., financial reports, web materials, newspaper articles), coupled with the PESTLE and Porter's five forces frameworks to explain the issue. The findings are that whilst the internal capacity of Fidelity Bank (e.g., its capital adequacy) was aligned to the regulatory demands of the Bank of Ghana, UT's internal conditions were so fragile that they failed to satisfy the regulator's demands in the deregulation. Following from the results of the study, implications on theory, practice and public policy are suggested.
Assessment on the Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) For Teaching And Learning In Arabic Secondary Schools (Case Study: Kano State, Nigeria)
Authors: Ahmed Mustapha Abubakar , Datti Ahmad Abba , Abdulkadir Zainab Ya’u 
Published: January 2022

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has changed the world entirely. These change span across all sectors, ranging from transportation, economic, health, military, banking, education, to mention a few. The rise of communication technologies has provoked great interest in the way in which they can be applied in education to improve its efficiency and effectiveness. This study aimed at determining the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for teaching and learning in Arabic Secondary Schools in Kano State, Nigeria. The study focused on six (6) Arabic Secondary Schools in Kano Municipal, among the schools are: School for Arabic Studies Kano (SAS), Government Arabic College Gwale (GAC Gwale), Abdullahi Bayero College of Qur’an, UmmuWarqa Government Girls Arabic School, Hasiya Bayero Government Girls Arabic School and Balarabe Haladu Government Arabic School Kano. A survey research design method was adopted to conduct the study. The population used for the study consisted of the teachers and students from the six Arabic schools. Two different questionnaires were designed and distributed among the teachers and their students. The first questionnaire is for the students which consist of four sections and the second questionnaire is for the teachers which are under six sections, two hundred samples are used in each case. The findings showed that 26% of the teachers are using ICT applications for teaching and learning, while 74% of the teachers are not using ICT tools for teaching and learning. On the other hand, 34% of the students are using ICT applications for teaching and learning, while 66% of the students are not using ICT tools for teaching and learning
Keywords: Arabic, Qur’an, Secondary, School, Information Communication Technology,
Liver Function and Lipid Profile in adult Men in Eastern Zone of Kogi State, Nigeria
Authors: Yahaya Zainab , Adam Adam Abdullahi , Mahe Asma’u , Onyechi Obidoa , Momoh Sanni 
Published: January 2022

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are enzymes found mainly in the liver. When the liver is diseased or damaged, additional aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase are released into the blood stream, causing the levels of the enzymes to rise. Therefore, the amount of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase in the blood is directly related to the extent of the tissue damage. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in mammals is found mainly in the liver. Increase in serum alkaline phosphatase level is associated with malignant biliary obstruction, primary biliary cirrhosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, hepatic lymphoma and sarcoidosis. Cholesterol is component of plasma membranes. Triglycerides are found in adipose tissue, some triglycerides are stored in the blood to provide fuel for the muscles. This work was aimed at providing information on the values of liver function indices and lipid profile in apparently healthy ageing men residing within Kogi Eastern zone of Nigeria. This is as a result of the curiosity to know and make comparison between their parameters with those of the standard/reference or normal laboratory values. The subjects were divided into different groups 25 – 75 years and the mean and standard deviation of each parameter was calculated. Test for Liver function and lipid profile were carried out to determine the level of alkaline phosphatase, AST, ALT, TG, LDL, HDL and VLDL. There was a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the alkaline phosphatase of group 6 (75 years and above) when compared to the standard while the AST and ALT showed no significant difference. The lipid profile showed no significant difference as they were in tandem with the reference values.
Keywords: Low Density Lipoprotein, High Density Lipoprotein, Triacylglycerides, Very Low Density Lipoprotein, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Alanine Aminotransferase
MiR-423-5p downregulates osteoblastic differentiation and cell viability by targeting SMAD3 in non-traumatic osteonecrosis
Authors: Zheng Ju , Yan Xuegang , Zeng Yun 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To investigate the potential role of miR-423-5p in osteoblastic differentiation of non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).
Methods: MiR-423-5p levels in bone marrow samples from ONFH and osteoarthritis (OA) patients, respectively, were evaluated using quantitative (real-time) polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Osteoblastic differentiation was monitored using Alizarin red S staining, while cell viability was determined by MTT assay in hMSC-BM. MiR-423-5p expression was also measured during osteoblastic differentiation. The underlying mechanisms were explored using TargetScan database, and a series of in vitro experiments was performed to confirm this.
Results: MiR-423-5p levels were significantly upregulated in ONFH samples (p < 0.01) and miR-423-5p expression significantly increased in human mesenchymal stem cells-bone marrow (hMSC-BM) after bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) treatment. Furthermore, miR-423-5p downregulated osteoblastic differentiation and suppressed cell viability. Furthermore, SMAD3 was observed to be a downstream target of miR-423-5p via bioinformatics analysis; further in vitro experiments confirmed this.
Conclusion: MiR-423-5p downregulates osteoblastic differentiation and cell viability by targeting SMAD3 in non-traumatic osteonecrosis. Thus, MiR-423-5p may serve as a potential target for promoting osteoblastic differentiation in ONFH patients.
Aspirin-aromatic amino acid conjugates as selective Cox-2 inhibitors: A docking study
Authors: Jasim Mahmood H.M. , Abed Mohammed N. , Qazzaz Mohannad E. , Alfahad Mohanad , Alassaf Fawaz A. 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To examine eight compounds in which aspirin was conjugated with aromatic amino acids virtually using docking studies for their ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase 2 (Cox-2) enzyme.
Methods: The compounds were drawn, energy minimised and then docked into the active site of Cox-2 along with celecoxib for comparison using GOLD docking program.
Results: Five of the designed compounds docked into the active site with a bent conformation producing a pose similar to that of celecoxib, with the aromatic amino acid moiety facing the outside of the active site. The interactions were mainly hydrophobic with some hydrogen bonds formed between the compounds and the key residues in the active site. Although the obtained scores were less than that of celecoxib, they were the top ranked poses in the solutions generated for each compound.
Conclusion: The conjugation of aspirin with amino acids may offer a potential for the development of selective, but safe, Cox-2 inhibitors.
MiR-483-3p exacerbates pediatric pneumonia by suppressing IGF1 expression in alveolar macrophage
Authors: Feng Jie , Tang Jingjing , Liu Pingping , Zhang Xiaolan 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To investigate the action of miR-483-3p in pediatric pneumonia and identify potential biomarkers.
Methods: Bronchoalveolar lavage was collected from 38 pneumonia patients and 25 healthy children. The expression of miR-483-3p in the lavage was determined using qRT-PCR. Alveolar macrophages collected from lavage of healthy children were cultured and used for functional assays. Transwell assay was conducted to evaluate macrophage cell migration. Cell viability and apoptosis were evaluated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced human pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells (HPAEpiCs) by CCK8 (cell counting kit - 8) or flow cytometry, respectively.
Results: MiR-483-3p was significantly elevated in bronchoalveolar lavage of pneumonia patients, when compared to healthy children (p < 0.001). MiR-483-3p, which targets insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), decreased the mRNA and protein expression of IGF1 in alveolar macrophages collected from the lavage of healthy children. MiR-483-3p reduced motility of macrophages. IGF1 counteracted the LPS- induced decrease in cell viability and the increase in apoptosis of HPAEpiCs. Conditioned medium from macrophages transfected with miR-483-3p inhibitor increased cell viability and reduced cellular apoptosis of LPS-induced HPAEpiCs. However, conditioned medium from macrophages transfected with miR-483-3p mimics decreased cell viability and increased apoptosis.
Conclusion: MiR-483-3p negatively regulates IGF1 to promote progression of pediatric pneumonia, providing a potential therapeutic target in pediatric pneumonia.
Effect of CBX4/miR-137/Notch1 signaling axis on the proliferation and migration of breast cancer cells
Authors: Ma Le , Zheng Lihua , Zhang Dongmei , Fan Zhimin 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To study the effect of CBX4/miR-137/Notch1 signaling axis on the migration and proliferative capacity of breast cancer.
Methods: Breast cancer MCF7 cell lines were cultured in vitro and transfected with CBX4- overexpressed plasmid and interfering plasmid, which served as CBX4 over-expressing group and CBX4 interfering group, respectively. A control group (blank plasmid transfection) was set up. The MCF7 cells were transfected with miR-137 over-expressed plasmid, miR-137 interfering plasmid and Notch1 interfering plasmid, which served as miR-137 over-expressing, miR-137 interference and Notch1 interference groups, respectively. Cell proliferation and migration capacity were determined with methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium (MTT) method and Transwell migration assay, respectively, while reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunoblotting were used to assay related gene expressions.
Results: Cell migration in CBX4 over-expressing group was significantly raised (p < 0.05). The expression of miR-137 in CBX4 over-expressing group was markedly decreased (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, mRNA and protein expressions of Notch1 (NICD), Hey2 and Jag1 in miR-137 over-expressing cells were increased in the miR-137 interfering group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: CBX4 level is increased in mammary cancer cells. Moreover, CBX4 enhances cell proliferation and migration through induction of Notch1 signaling route by inhibiting miR-137 expression. These findings provide a new strategy for clinical therapy of mammary cancer.
Effects of Ripeness and Blending Speed on the Extraction Yield and Physical Chemical Properties of Low Viscosity Banana Juice
Authors: Kibazohi Oscar , Matabura Victor V 
Published: January 2022

Low viscosity banana juice can be extracted from banana by blending and pressing the resulted semi-solid pulp to separate the juice. This juice extraction technology is relatively new and further studies to understand key parameters for juice release is vital for scaling up production and commercialisation. This study, investigated the influence of blending speed and ripeness stage on banana juice yield using two banana cultivars; the East African highland banana (Mbile) and the exotic banana (Pisang awak). Types of sugars and organic acids in the juice were analysed using an HPLC. Changes with ripening of fruit firmness, juice pH and soluble solids were also examined. The juice yield increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing blending speed and ripeness stage for all cultivars. The Mbile cultivar from Kagera had the highest juice yield of 82.35%, followed by Mbile cultivar from Kilimanjaro with 75.30% and Pisang awak cultivar with juice yield of 62.50%. The highest juice yield for all cultivars was achieved at 3500 rpm blending speed and ripeness stage 5. Fructose and glucose sugars increased significantly (p < 0.05) with ripeness, while sucrose showed insignificant changes. Malic and citric acids were observed to increase significantly (p < 0.05) during ripening in all banana cultivars.
Keywords: East African highland banana, Banana juice extraction, Blending speed, Low viscosity banana juice.