bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Association of Micronuclear Frequency with Dysplasia and Cytogenetic Changes (p53 Mutation and p16 Expression) in Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders
Authors: Tammewar Suvidha , Gadkari Rasika 
Published: May 2022

Aims:
The present study evaluated the frequency of micronuclei in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) and their association with the presence of dysplasia on cytology and biopsy as well as their association with p53 mutation and p16 expression. Cytological findings of dysplastic changes in OPMDs were compared to histological diagnoses.

Material and Methods:
This was a cross-sectional, observational, descriptive study. Scrape smears (n = 74) were collected from lesions in patients with OPMDs. Punch biopsy was collected in patients showing dysplastic changes. Tissue microarray for p53 mutation and p16 expression was performed using paraffin embedded blocks. Cases were classified into grades of dysplasia using both scrape smears and biopsy. Micronuclei frequency was calculated per 100 cells using scrape smears. Mann–Whitney U test was used for correlation of cytology and histology for grade of dysplasia as well as micronuclear frequency with p53 mutation and p16 expression.

Results:
Micronuclear frequency was found to be increased in patients with dysplasia. A significant association of micronuclear frequency with dysplastic changes was seen on cytology. Sensitivity of cytological evaluation was found to be 64.7%. The association of the micronuclear frequency of samples with p53 mutation and p16 expression was nearly significant (n = 28, P = 0.069 and 0.095, respectively).

Conclusion:
Micronuclear frequency can be a reliable marker of mutagenic change in OPMDs. Cytological assessment of micronuclei can serve as useful, non-invasive, and relatively inexpensive tool to predict cancerous changes in OPMDs.
Psychological Antecedent of Coronavirus Vaccination
Authors: Bala Renu , Srivastava Amit , Dixit Ashish Kumar , Shriwas Meenakshi , Bhaskar Ravi 
Published: May 2022

Background:
In December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, was identified as the causative agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As a part of control measures against COVID-19, vaccination started in India from January 16, 2021. People's hesitancy may become an important challenge in the immunization campaign against COVID-19. This study aimed to assess the confidence of the general public and acceptance of the vaccines in India.

Materials and Methods:
A web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted between February 21, 2021, and March 10, 2021, by Google Forms utilizing a snowball sampling method. The psychological antecedents of vaccination for COVID-19 in India were assessed using a 15-item (3 items per antecedent) 5C scale.

Results:
The study received 720 responses, out of which 466 (64.72%) participants were willing to accept the CoV vaccines. Data were analyzed using STATCRAFT online statistical software version 2.0 (Bangalore, Karnataka, India). The participants who expressed more confidence in vaccines (odds ratio [OR] =1.818, P < 0.001) and who took a calculated decision (OR = 1.183, P = 0.001) were more likely to accept CoV vaccines while the participants who were complacent (OR = 0.852, P < 0.001) and who took collective responsibility (OR = 0.891, P = 0.033) were less likely to accept CoV vaccines.

Conclusion:
The findings of this study point to the importance of confidence, constraints, and calculation for vaccines among the Indian population, so that policymakers can monitor the acceptance for the vaccines and can plan future strategies to address hesitancy issues more effectively.
Peer-Assisted Skills Learning in Structured Undergraduate Medical Curriculum
Authors: Aydin MO , Kafa IM , Ozkaya G , Alper Z , Haque S 
Published: May 2022

Background and Aims:
This study aims to evaluate the implication of peer-assisted learning model adopted in students' clinical skills training from the perspective of tutees and tutors at the end of a peer-tutored clinical skills program and peer tutors themselves.

Subjects and Methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludag in between January and March 2018. Following the clinical skills training, a questionnaire designed to assess the views of tutees and peer tutors was filled out on a voluntary basis by 159 tutees and 43 tutors. The statistical analysis of the collected and processed data was analyzed by using IBM SPSS 23.0 statistical program. The statistical significance level was maintained as α = 0.05.

Results:
According to the Likert scale, satisfaction with the tutors and the educational environment was high in general. The 2nd term tutees provided more negative feedback compared to other terms. Among all the terms, the most positive answers were provided by the 3rd term students. Although the tutors found themselves fully skilled in communication with colleagues, there were striking differences between the tutors in the 5th and 6th terms of providing a good role model for pre-clinical terms students.

Conclusion:
Considering peer assisted learning (PAL)'s positive responses from this study, the adoption of PAL has been started to be used as a supplementary teaching method for the clinical skills training at the Faculty of Medicine, Bursa Uludag University. PAL is considered a successful education model since it is cost-efficient for undergraduate medical training and improves the professional skills of both teacher and learner students. It can be availed of as an alternative method in medical faculties where especially the number of academic members is insufficient.
Clinical Experience on Intertransverse Extraforaminal Approach for Far Lateral Disc Herniations
Authors: Gökyar A , Tonga F 
Published: May 2022

Background:
Far lateral disc herniations attract many spine surgeons for their type of onset, degree of pain, risk of neurological deficit, and increasing incidence. Today, a direct approach to the region by miminally invasive techniques is preferred.

Aims:
We aimed to present the results of the cases that were operated via intertransverse extraforaminal approach through a midline incision.

Patients and Methods:
One hundred thirty-two patients who were operated for far lateral disc herniation by extraforaminal approach between January 2010 and December 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. The demographical data, level of disc herniations, examination findings, preoperative and postoperative VAS scores, and postoperative long-term MacNab satisfaction rates were recorded.

Results:
Sixty-nine of the patients were male. The mean age was 58.1 years. Acute onset pain was a dominant complaint in 75% of the cases. The mean preoperative VAS score of 8.24 decreased to 2.08 at one month postoperatively. Based on a mean follow-up of 34.4 months, the long-term satisfaction rates according to Macnab criteria were 74% excellent–good, 20% moderate, and 6% poor.

Conclusion:
Intertransverse extraforaminal approach is an effective and safe technique for far lateral disc herniations. However, considering the anatomical restrictions and the unfamiliarity of the surgeons with the region, it is important that the surgeons perform the surgery with the technique they know best to increase the success of the surgery.
Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Bulgarian Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome
Authors: Stoimenov B , Pancheva R , Dineva S , Manov E , Pencheva V , Rune N 
Published: May 2022

Background:
In primary prevention, most guidelines rely on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk assessment to determine the appropriateness and intensity of risk factor modification.

Aims:
This study aimed to analyze the prognostic role of risk factors, comorbidities, and coronary artery calcium score (CACS) for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in Bulgarian patients with chronic coronary syndrome. An observational study conducted in a cardiology department. This observational study included 214 patients. The study population was divided into three major groups according to their CACS level estimated with the Agatston calculating model: 0 (group I), 1–400 (group II), and >400 (group III) Agatston units (AU). The patients were followed-up for MACE development over a mean period of 3.8 years.

Subjects and Methods:
The Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed.

Results:
The MACE rate in patients with CACS = 0 was significantly higher in patients with low-density lipoprotein >3 mmol/L (hazard ratio [HR] 3.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.87–6.64; P < 0.05) and with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (HR 4.33; 95% CI 1.25–16.92; P < 0.05). In group II, the incidence of MACE was significantly elevated in patients with coronary calcium volume >75 Hounsfield units (HU) (HR 3.56; 95% CI 1.39–9.14; P < 0.05), calcium score of aortic valve >30 AU (HR 3.2; 95% CI 1.36–4.76; P < 0.05), and left ventricular mass over 125 g (HR 3.24; 95% CI 1.65–7.56; P < 0.05).

Conclusions:
Our data revealed that different factors in the risk profile of the three patient groups were associated with an increased rate of MACEs.
Optimization of ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from fresh Moringa oleifera leaves with a response surface methodology and comparison with the Soxhlet extraction method
Authors: Thi Hoang Yen Nguyen , Pham Tan Quoc Le 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT. The present study evaluated the optimum conditions of ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and Soxhlet extraction (SE) of antioxidant capacities and total phenolics from fresh Moringa oleifera leaves, using the response surface methodology. Spectrophotometric method with Folin–Ciocalteu and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) reagents was used to determine the total phenolic content (TPC) and the antioxidant activity (AA), respectively. The four models obtained showed the non-linear and quadratic dependences of both measured responses (TPC and AA) which were influenced significantly by all control variables including the acetone solvent (70%, v/v) to solid (SS) ratio, extraction time, and extraction temperature of both extraction methods. Furthermore, at the same extraction temperature, the extraction efficacy of UAE was better than SE as significantly shorter extraction time, less extraction solvent, but higher bio-active content was experienced. The optimal UAE conditions included a SS ratio of 31:1 (mL/g), extraction time of 26 min, and extraction temperature of 59 oC, resulting in the maximum TPC (34.36 mg GAE/g dry weight, DW) and AA (491.9 µmol TE/g DW) in the extracts. In addition, the models proposed were considered to be accurate and reliable for predicting the TPC and AA of fresh M. oleifera leaf extract. The research findings also imply potential applications for ultra-sonication extraction to produce the extracts from fresh M. oleifera leaves for pharmaceutical industry as well as food technology.

KEY WORDS: Antioxidant activity, Herbal plant, Model, Polyphenols, RSM

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(2), 261-275.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i2.2
New analytical methods for the determination of ascorbic acid content in aqueous extracts of flesh, peel and seeds of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima)
Authors: Hagos Mulu , Redi-Abshiro Mesfin , Singh Chandravanshi Bhagwan , Ele Yaya Estifanos 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT. The main objective of this research was to develop a simple, rapid, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly methods for determining ascorbic acid in flesh, peel, and seeds of pumpkin. Ascorbic acid was extracted from the different parts of the pumpkin in water. The content of ascorbic acid in three parts of the pumpkin was determined using ATR-FTIR and UV-VIS methods. The ATR-FTIR method was validated to determine ascorbic acid at 1046 cm-1, and the results indicated a linear range of 5 to 50 g/L; R2, 0.999; LOD, 1.7 g/L; LOQ, 5.2 g/L; RSD, 0.09% to 0.65%, and %recovery of 95.86%. Ascorbic acid was also determined at 265 nm by the UV-VIS method that revealed a linear range of 1 to 12 mg/L; R2, 0.999; LOD, 0.25 mg/L; LOQ, 0.75 mg/L; RSD, 0.12% to 0.43%, and %recovery of 96.96%. Accordingly any of the two newly developed methods can easily be applied for quantitative determination of ascorbic acid in pumpkin flesh, peel, and seeds. Both methods yielded higher ascorbic acid content in pumpkin seeds than in pumpkin flesh and peel. Both ATR-FTIR and UV-VIS spectroscopic methods are green, low cost and rapid method. However, UV-VIS method showed higher sensitivity than the ATR-FTIR method.

KEY WORDS: Pumpkin, Cucurbita maxima, Ascorbic acid, ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, UV-VIS spectrophotometry

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(2), 277-290.
DOI:https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i2.3
Solid-phase extraction of folic acid from pharmaceutical formulations using modified magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Hadi Hind , Amer Rana 
Published: May 2022

ABSTRACT. A new analytical approach was suggested for the extraction and determination of folic acid in pharmaceutical samples using solid-phase microextraction. Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles modified with sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (Fe3O4@SDBS) were used for the adsorption of folic acid (FA) from an aqueous solution and determined spectrophotometrically at λmax of 365 nm. The chemical and physical conditions that may affect the efficiency of extraction were studied and optimized, such as the pH of the solution, surfactant and adsorbent amount, extraction time, and desorption factors. A good linearity range of 0.2-6 μg/mL with correlation coefficient higher than 0.999 and limit of detection of 0.08 μg/mL were obtained, in addition to high extraction efficiency of 98% and enrichment factor 15. The method exhibited good accuracy and precision with recoveries ranged 98-102% and intraday precisions of best than 3.5% at all concentrations. The method was successfully applied for the determination of folic acid in pharmaceutical samples within a limited separation time.

KEY WORDS: Folic acid, MNPs, Extraction, SDBS, Spectrophotometry, Solid phase extraction

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(2), 291-302.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i2.4
Operational Optimization Of A Potable Water Refilling Station
Authors: B. Muyot Norma , Sheena R. Saflor Charmine 
Published: May 2022

This is study which focused on the determination of the coastal water quality, of the Aroma Beach, a strip of gray sand which stretches more than one kilometer and located in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro. To determine water quality, water samples were taken monthly from February 2019 to May 2019 and subjected to analysis for pH, DO, temperature and oil and grease. Microbiological tests include determination of total coliform and fecal coliform measured in terms of most probable number per 100ml of the water sampled. Results of the study indicate that the coastal waters at Aroma Beach is safe for contact swimming and other recreational activities, however, values of its oil and grease have exceeded the maximum concentration slightly exceeded the DENR threshold for this pollutant.
Chronic pesticide exposure may increase the risk for obesity by suppressing diet-induced thermogenesis
Authors: Aiman Idrees  , Aleenah Mohsin  , Aqeeb Ur Rehman  
Published: May 2022

Dear Editor,
The unregulated and injudicious use, or rather overuse, of pesticides in Pakistan is alarming. Pesticides are predominantly used in the agricultural industry, and Pakistan, being an agricultural country, is one of the largest consumers of pesticides in South Asia. The use of pesticides has increased by 1169% in the past two decades (more than 10 sprays per crop), raising great concerns and posing a grave threat to the ecosystem(1). According to the pre-existing literature, the urinary levels of biomarkers for chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate pesticide) and diazinon are high in workers of the pesticide industry, and general residents of areas around these industries, due to the pesticide loading onto dust. Thus pesticides engender significant health risks to occupational workers such as farmers and pesticide industry workers and residential populations (2). Apart from the well-recognized dermatological, gastrointestinal, respiratory, carcinogenic, neurological and endocrine effects of pesticide exposure (3), a novel consequence in recent studies is the reduction of diet-induced thermogenesis in those chronically exposed to pesticides. Some of the most commonly used pesticides, such as chlorpyrifos, may thus be the yet-neglected precursors of obesity in the developing world. A recent ground-breaking study has hypothesized (with sufficient evidence) that the pesticide chlorpyrifos promotes obesity by suppressing diet-induced thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. Obesity is responsible for multiple pathological conditions, including insulin resistance, high blood pressure, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and dyslipidaemias. The study has thus sparked major concerns.
So, the question arises: What is the specific mechanism that would likely explain the possible role of pesticides in obesity?
Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) is a well-documented protein that has a vital role in adaptive thermogenesis. Its role has been validated by prior studies involving the experimental removal of the UCP 1 gene in mice and the resulting obesity, insulin resistance, and NAFLD observed on administration of a high- fat diet and thermoneutral environment [5]. During the study under discussion, analysis of food contaminants at concentrations as low as 1 pM revealed the gene repression of UCP1 by chlorpyrifos. It does this by a twofold mechanism, namely the reduction of UCP1 promoter activity and mRNA expression, ultimately suppressing UCP1 protein. In addition, chronic exposure to even small quantities disrupted brown adipose tissue mitochondrial functions such as fatty acid oxidation regulation and cytochrome c oxidase assembly factor.
---Continue
COVID-19- a global pandemic or endemic?
Authors: Fatma Henna 
Published: May 2022

Whether COVID-19 would ever have to be accepted as an endemic illness has been a matter of debate among epidemiologists and virologists since its early days. Last year the UK prime minister pioneered the suggestion to change our expectations around COVID-19 and label it endemic. Earlier this year the Spanish PM agrees. Many support the idea and tout Darwin’s theory of survival of the fittest, now that economies have suffered too much due to restriction policies.
The WHO however holds a strongly opposing view, and has issued a dismal forecast about more than half of people in Europe and Central Asia becoming infected in the present swathe of the omicron variant. It maintains that the virus is too erratic currently, given its mutations and the great enormity to which it infects populations at a given time. For it to acquire an endemic status there should be a stable level of virus within a population marked by epidemic surges that are predictable. This is not foreseeable in the near future.
The last viral pandemic of such a great impact was the 1918 influenza,1 causing more than 50 million deaths world-wide. Influenza became endemic by 1920, with seasonal rises. The vaccine for influenza was launched in 1945. However, flu pandemics plagued subsequent decades, the latest being the swine flu of 2009. There stills looms a danger of a future influenza pandemics with WHO claiming that it is not a question of “if”, but “when”. However this time we are equipped with several pandemic preparedness measures- an effective surveillance system (The Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System)2 yearly flu vaccine and post-exposure prophylaxis (oseltamivir).
COVID vaccines have reduced severity of infection3, therefore strict lockdown measures and prolonged self-isolation are no longer in vogue. All one can do it seems, is to accept that COVID is here to stay, get the vaccine- or get infected- and hope that either passive or active immunity will work.
However keep in mind that COVID- ARDS aside, post viral-sequale (lung fibrosis, encephalitis, and thrombotic complications) is a more concerning contributor to morbidity and mortality.
So if in reality the death toll is much higher than the estimated count of 5.5 million and is predicted to rise in coming months as more people get infected are we ready to allow the virus to decide who climbs the evolutionary ladder and who does not?
Influence of normobaric hypoxia on the dynamics of biochemical indicators during the performance of mind work
Authors: Tambovtseva R. V. , Sechin D. I. 
Published: May 2022

The aim was to study the effect of normobaric hypoxia on biochemical parameters to assess homeostatic changes caused by mental work.Materials and methods: 90 highly qualified athletes of various specializations took part in the scientific observation. Athletes performed psychophysiological tests to determine mental performance under normal conditions and under the influence of normobaric hypoxia.Results: the concentrations of lactate (La), glucose (Glu), cholesterol (Chol), and triglycerides (Trigl) in the blood were measured four times at different stages.Conclusions: it was shown that athletes after staying in NH conditions significantly increased the La, Glu, Chol and Trigl indices, which indicates the mobilization of energy resources and an increase in anaerobic processes in response to NH exposure. Re-performance of mental work after exposure to NH was associated with a marked decrease in the concentration of Glu, Chol, and Trigl, along with a slight increase in the concentration of La after normobaric hypoxic exposure, there are significant changes in the bioenergetic profile in athletes.
Utilidad diagnóstica de la colonoscopia y evaluación histológica en el estudio de pacientes con diarrea crónica
Authors: Nuñez Renza Jesus Enrique , Cabrera Laiseca Paula Andrea , Rocha Rodríguez José Nicolas , Aponte Marín Diego Mauricio , Medina Parra Jorge Alexis , Sabbagh Sanvicente Luis Carlos 
Published: May 2022

Introducción: Los pacientes con diarrea crónica con frecuencia se someten a la evaluación con colonoscopia, sin embargo, la realización de biopsias o ileoscopia permanece controversial. Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad de la colonoscopia más biopsias en el estudio de pacientes con diarrea crónica. Materiales y métodos: Retrospectivamente revisamos pacientes con diarrea crónica que fueron llevados a colonoscopia entre 2015 a 2019. Se excluyeron pacientes con datos incompletos, infección por VIH, hallazgos endoscópicos anormales, colonoscopia sin valoración del ciego, estar en tratamiento empírico para la diarrea y mala preparación. Se realizó análisis descriptivo de las características de los pacientes, hallazgos histopatológicos y comparación de signos y síntomas según hallazgo histopatológico. Resultados: Se evaluaron 535 pacientes con diarrea crónica, de estos, a 283 (52,8%) se les realizó biopsias. En el 55,1% (n=156) de las biopsias se obtuvo algún diagnóstico histopatológico final. Los diagnósticos histopatológicos correspondieron a colitis ulcerativa (n=3), enfermedad de Crohn (n=5), colitis linfocítica (n=6), colitis colágena (n=12), colitis eosinofílica (n=13), colitis infecciosa (n=13), Melanosis coli (n=15), colitis inespecífica (n=57) y otros cambios histológicos (n=32). La enfermedad de Crohn solo se documentó en biopsias de íleon (p<0,001), la colitis ulcerativa solo se diagnosticó en biopsias del recto sigmoide (p=0,007), la colitis infecciosa en su mayor proporción (30,7%) se documentó en biopsias del colon derecho (p=0,028). Conclusión: La colonoscopia y las biopsias son útiles en la investigación de pacientes con diarrea crónica, obteniendo un diagnóstico histológico en el 55% de los pacientes. La ileoscopia complementó los hallazgos de la colonoscopia en menor proporción.