bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice toward COVID-19 among Sudanese Population, Khartoum 2020
Authors: Khojaley Issra Osman , Hamad Fadwa Abdalhai , Saeed Ali Awadallah , Humaida Mai Abdalla , Hassan Tarig M. 
Published: January 2022

Introduction:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is defined as an illness caused by a novel coronavirus which is an emerging respiratory infection that was first discovered in December 2019, in Wuhan city, Hubei Province, China, finally named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. This study aimed to evaluate the current level of knowledge regarding transmission, symptoms, and preventive measures of COVID-19 among the general population in Sudan.

Objective:
The objective of the study was to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice toward COVID-19 among Sudanese resident.

Methodology:
This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, community-based study for 1000 respondents selected by convenience sampling technique in seven localities of Khartoum state, Sudan between the periods April 9 and June 9, 2020. Data were collected using a pre designed pretested questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software, version 23.0 (IBM SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).

Results:
Sixty-four percent of the population had good knowledge regarding COVID-19 clinical presentations transmission routes, prevention method, and self-isolation. Forty-four percent of the population had poor attitude regarding COVID-19 situation. Forty-two percent of the population had poor practice regarding COVID-19 preventive measures. There is a positive association between knowledge and attitude (P = 0.000001), positive association between knowledge and practice (P = 0.000001), and an insignificant negative association between attitude and practice (P = 0.453).

Conclusions:
Sudanese had a good level of knowledge and good practices compared to other nearby countries despite their economic state and lack of possibilities. The stressor experienced by the Sudanese citizens had huge effect on their negative attitude.

Recommendations:
Because good practices depend on good knowledge, it recommends to increase the level of knowledge about the disease, ways of transmission and prevention especially for women, elderly retired, unemployed, and those with low education level, rural resident using all the means of communication available (television and radio, awareness seminars, posters for guidance and alert in mosques, and the houses of worship) by clear, easy, simple language suitable for the elderly and uneducated.
Association of Plasma Zinc and Prostate-Specific Antigen in Patients with Prostatic Cancer in Khartoum
Authors: Mohammed Nafisa , Saeed Ali Awadallah , Mahdi M. A. 
Published: January 2022

Background:
Prostate cancer is the most common visceral cancer in males, ranking as the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in men older than 50 years of age, after carcinoma of the lung. It is predominantly a disease of older males, with a peak incidence between the ages of 65 and 75 years. This study aimed to estimate the plasma zinc level and plasma prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in patients suffer from prostate cancer.

Materials and Methods:
A case–control study was conducted in Khartoum on 100 males aged more than 50 years old which were divided into 50 apparently healthy as control and 50 with prostate cancer as case. A 5 ml of blood specimens was collected in lithium heparin anticoagulants for the estimation of plasma zinc level using Buck model 210 VGP Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (East Norwalk, CT 06855) made in the USA and the plasma total PSA that was measured by immunoassay Sandwich principle HITACHI ROCHE COBAS E 411 (serial number 04641655190 V 13.0).

Results:
The mean level of plasma zinc was 0.35 mg/L ± standard deviation [SD] 0.14 in case and in control was 0.68mg/L ± SD 0.13, so the P value was 0.002 and PSA was 43.08 ng/ml ± SD 20.08 in case and 3.53 ng/ml ± SD 3.90 in control, so the P value was 0.000, the correlation between the level of plasma PSA with plasma zinc in patients with prostate cancer give R was 0.01 and R
2 was 0.001.

Conclusion:
This study concluded that PSA is significantly increased in patients with prostate cancer and plasma zinc level is significantly decreased in patients with prostate cancer. However, it is statistically significant.
Outcomes of combined pyloric botulinum toxin injection and balloon dilation in dyspepsia with and without delayed gastric emptying
Authors: Santucci Neha R. , Kemme Sarah , El-Chammas Khalil I. , Chidambaram Maneesh , Mathur Manav , Castillo Daniel , Sun Qin , Fei Lin , Kaul Ajay 
Published: January 2022

Background:
Pyloric botulinum toxin injection has improved symptoms in children with delayed gastric emptying. We aimed to determine the clinical response to combined endoscopic intra-pyloric botulinum toxin injection and pyloric balloon dilation (IPBT-BD) in patients with dyspepsia.

Methods:
Electronic medical records were reviewed to gather demographic data, symptoms, and follow-up on patients with dyspepsia. Cases were defined as those who underwent IPBT-BD in addition to their ongoing management. Controls received pharmacotherapy, behavioral intervention, or dietary management alone. Clinical response was defined as no change, partial, or complete improvement in symptoms within 12 months. Propensity score matching based on age, gender, and symptom duration was used to pair cases and controls.

Results:
In total, 79 cases and 83 controls were identified. After propensity matching, 63 patients were included in each group. The mean age for cases was 14.5 ± 3.9y; 62% were females and 98% were Caucasian. Further, 83% of 46 cases and 94% of 49 controls who had scintigraphy scans showed delayed gastric emptying. After matching, 76% of cases showed partial or complete improvement compared with 49% controls within 12 months (P = 0.004). Younger children tended to respond more favorably to the procedure (P = 0.08).

Conclusions:
In our propensity-matched analysis, combined IPBT-BD in addition to pharmacotherapy, behavioral, or dietary management clearly showed a benefit over these modalities alone. This favorable response lasted up to 12 months.
Comparison of safety and efficacy of intragastric botulinum toxin-A versus gastric balloon
Authors: Tayyem Raed M. , Qandeel Haitham G. , Al-Balas Hamzeh I. , Tayyem Farah R. , Fataftah Jehad Z. , Al-Balas Mahmoud I. 
Published: January 2022

Background:
A prospective case-matched study was conducted to compare the safety and efficacy of endoscopic intragastric botulinum toxin-A (EIBT) versus endoscopically planned gastric balloon (EPGB), as a treatment for obesity.

Methods:
A total of 176 patients (matched for age and sex) were equally divided to undergo EIBT (n = 88) or EPGB (n = 88). Patients who received EIBT were restricted to a body mass index (BMI) of 25 to 35 kg/m2, whereas a BMI >25 kg/m2 was allowed in the EPGB group. The main measured outcomes were weight loss, procedure duration, complications, early satiety, and quality of life (QoL).

Results:
The patients were followed up for a mean of 6 months. The mean weight loss was greater in the EPGB group than in the EIBT group (15.6 kg vs. 9.3 kg, P < 0.001). However, the percentage excess weight loss and the satiety score were greater in the EIBT group (59.1% vs. 42.2%, P < 0.001; and 3.5 vs. 2.3, P < 0.001) respectively. The procedure duration was shorter for EIBT patients (10 min vs. 15 min, P < 0.001). The postoperative complication rate recorded in the EPGB group was significantly higher (30% vs. 9%, P = 0.001). Adverse symptoms lasted longer in EPGB (5.2 days vs. 0.7 days, P < 0.001). Both groups enjoyed similar improvements in QoL.

Conclusion:
EIBT is a safe and effective treatment for mild obesity. Although the weight loss was greater in the EPGB group, the percentage excess weight loss, procedure duration, postoperative complications, and symptom duration were significantly better in the EIBT group. QoL improvement was comparable between the two groups.
Up-regulation of miR-20a ameliorates sevoflurane anesthesia-induced cognitive impairment in rats by targeting EphA4
Authors: Qian Duo , Chen Changlin , Dong Biqian , Qiu Yu 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To evaluate the role of miR-20a in sevoflurane (SEV)-induced cognitive impairment in rats and to elucidate the mechanism of action.
Methods: A SEV-induced cognitive impairment rat model was developed. The Morris water maze test and fear assay were carried out to assess impaired learning and memory. A cellular SEV-impaired model was developed and the miR-20a level was measured in the animal and cellular models. TUNEL staining and immunoblot assay were performed to determine the SEV effect on apoptosis. Bioinformatic analysis and luciferase assay were conducted to identify the target of miR-20a action. A rescue assay involving miR-20a overexpression in cellular and animal models was developed and used to evaluate function of miR-20a in cognitive defects.
Results: The rats showed significant cognitive impairment upon SEV treatment, which inhibited the expression of miR-20a and promoted neuronal apoptosis. Further findings identified EphA4 as a target of miR-20a, which regulates its expression. Overexpression of miR-20a in rats effectively reduced cognitive dysfunction and apoptosis of hippocampus somatic cells caused by SEV treatment.
Conclusion: Evidently, miR-20a ameliorates SEV anesthesia-induced cognitive impairment in rats and thus has the potential to serve as a therapeutic target for the treatment of post-operative cognitive dysfunction.
Ambrosin exerts strong anticancer effects on human breast cancer cells via activation of caspase and inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway
Authors: Meng Xiangling , Shao Zhuling 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To investigate the antitumor effects of ambrosin sesquiterpene lactone on drug-resistant MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.
Methods: The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used for cell viability studies. Apoptotic effects were determined using 4′,6-diamidino2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining assay, while Annexin V/PI was used for the quantification of apoptosis. Levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were determined by flow cytometry using DCFH-DA fluorescence staining while the effects of ambrosin on apoptosis and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway-allied proteins were evaluated by Western blotting assay.
Results: Ambrosin significantly suppressed the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner (p < 0.05). Results from Annexin V/PI staining revealed that ambrosin induced production of apoptotic crops and blebbing of plasma membrane in MDA-MB-231 cells. Furthermore, annexin V/PI assay results showed increases in percentage of cells in different stages of apoptosis. Thus, ambrosin promoted caspase-dependent-apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, ambrosin enhanced the formation of ROS in MDA-MB-231 cells, as was evident from increased DCF- fluorescence (p < 0.05). The results also showed dose-dependent inhibition of Wnt/beta-Catenin signaling pathway by ambrosin.
Conclusion: Ambrosin exerts a chemo-preventive effect on breast cancer cells via induction of programmed cell death, enhanced ROS production, caspase activation and suppression of Wnt/beta- catenin signaling. These findings have potential benefits for breast cancer research and drug discovery.
Changes in nerve function and endothelin level in patients with cerebral infarction after treatment with a combination of urinary kallidinogenase and edaravone
Authors: Yan An , Yang Min , Cui Libo , Chen Ping 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To investigate changes in neurological function and endothelin (ET) levels in cerebral infarction patients treated with combination of urinary kallidinogenase and edaravone.
Methods: Two groups of acute cerebral infarction patients on admission in our hospital from May 2017 to July 2019 were enrolled in this study. The control group (44 patients) received edaravone, while the study group (44 patients) was given urinary kallidinogenase combined with edaravone. Hemorheological indices, NIHSS scores, cerebral edema area, and ET levels, as well as the clinical effects of the treatments were compared. Incidence of major cerebrovascular adverse events during the 26-month follow-up period after treatment was recorded.
Results: Compared with the control group, the study group exhibited increase in shear whole blood viscosity, high shear whole blood viscosity and fibrinogen levels after the treatment (p < 0.05); however, lower NIHSS score, ET level and brain edema area were observed in the study group (p < 0.05). Total treatment effectiveness in the study and control groups was 95.45 and 79.55 %, respectively (p < 0.05). Fewer adverse cerebrovascular events were observed in patients in the study group (11.36 vs 29.55 %, p < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis revealed a mean event-free period of 16.12 months for the study group and 12.41 months for the control group (χ2 = 14.868, p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Urinary kallidinogenase combined with edaravone treatment yields a favorable effect in optimizing the hemorheological indices of cerebral infarction patients, reducing the degree of neurological deficits, and elevating ET levels.
Microglia inflammatory response contributes to chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain via miR-339/PFKFB3 axis
Authors: Fan Xiaolian , Zeng Renqing , Cai Longxue 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To investigate the effect of miR-339 on neuropathic pain.
Methods: A rat neuropathic pain model was established through chronic constriction injury (CCI). Expression of miR-339 in spinal cord was determined 14 days later. Microglial inflammatory response was evaluated using immunofluorescence analysis of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1), while IL-6 and TNF-α were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pain- associated behavioral effects and microglia-related inflammation were investigated after intrathecal administration of miR-339 agomir into rats post-CCI. The target gene of miR-339 involved in neuropathic pain was evaluated by a luciferase reporter assay. Microglia cells were isolated from rats, then treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The LPS-induced inflammatory response in microglia cells was determined using quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis of IL-6 and TNF-α.
Results: CCI decreased mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia thresholds, but increased Iba1, IL-6, and TNF-α in rats. MiR-339 was reduced in rat spinal cord after CCI induction while intrathecal injection of miR-339 agomir alleviated CCI-induced changes in mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in rats, and reversed expression of Iba1, IL-6, and TNF-α. Furthermore, 6-phosphofructo-2- kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase-3 (PFKFB3) was identified as a miR-339 target gene, and over- expression of miR-339 decreased the expression of PFKFB3, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-induced microglia cells.
Conclusion: The miR-339/PFKFB3 axis ameliorates CCI-induced neuropathic pain by suppression of microglia inflammatory response, suggesting a novel strategy for neuropathic pain management.
Effect of rosiglitazone on 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid levels and CYP4F2 expression in HepG2 cells
Authors: Jarrar Yazun , Lee Su-Jun 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: To determine the effect of rosiglitazone on the levels of the cardiotoxic arachidonic acid metabolite, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), in the human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cell line, HepG2.
Methods: HepG2 cells were treated with thiazolidinedione rosiglitazone and the mRNA and protein expressions of cytochrome P450 4F2 (CYP4F2) responsible for synthesizing 20-HETE were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. The levels of 20-HETE were evaluated using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS).
Results: Rosiglitazone significantly increased the levels of CYP4F2 mRNA and protein when compared with the control group (p < 0.05). This was correlated with significantly increased 20-HETE levels in the culture medium of rosiglitazone-treated cells in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). The PPARγ antagonist, GW9662, significantly repressed the increased production of 20-HETE and CYP4F2 mRNA protein (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Rosiglitazone increases the synthesis of 20-HETE via activation of PPARγ receptor and upregulation of CYP4F2. These findings may provide an additional explanation, at least in part, for the unwanted side effects of rosiglitazone on the cardiovascular system.
Prevalence, modes of administration and motives for cannabidiol use in young Swiss men
Authors: Bertholet Nicolas , Marmet Simon , Wicki Matthias , Gmel Gerhard , Studer Joseph 
Published: January 2022

AIMS OF THE STUDY: In Switzerland, there has been a boom in the market for cannabidiol (CBD) products in recent years. However, little is known on the prevalence, modes of administration and motives for use of CBD products. The aim of the present study was to fill this gap using recent (2019) data from the Cohort Study on Substance Use Risk Factors (C-SURF).
METHODS: Between April and December 2019, an unselected sample of 5233 Swiss young men from the French- and German-speaking regions (mean age 28.2 years, standard deviation 1.3) completed a self-report questionnaire covering measures of use of CBD products, modes of administration and motives to use of CBD, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cigarettes. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate prevalence of self-reported use, modes of administration and motives to use CBD, whereas logistic regression models were used to test the associations of linguistic region, THC and tobacco use with use of CBD.
RESULTS: Lifetime and 12-month prevalence of self-reported use of CBD were 32.4% and 18.5%, respectively. Among past 12-month CBD users, 79.4% used CBD once a month or less often, whereas 20.6% used it more than once a month. The most often reported modes of administration of CBD were in association with tobacco: flowers mixed with tobacco (67.5%), and CBD cigarettes with tobacco (37.1%), while 18.6% used flowers without tobacco. The three most reported reasons for using CBD were: out of curiosity (74.0%), to feel the effects of THC (38.1%) and for well-being and health (37.5%). In multivariable models, CBD use was associated with use of THC (odds ratio [OR] 9.85, 95% confidence interval [CI] 8.28–11.73), cigarettes (OR 2.74, 95% CI 2.28–3.29) or e-cigarettes (OR 1.5795% CI 1.27–1.95), as well as for the linguistic region (French-speaking vs German-speaking region OR 1.3895% CI 1.15–1.65).
CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported use of CBD is common among young Swiss men: about one third used CBD in their life and about one in five in the previous 12 months. However, the vast majority of CBD users used it infrequently and out of curiosity. CBD use was particularly prevalent among users of THC and cigarette smokers. CBD was most often used in combination with tobacco, thus exposing users to risks associated with smoking tobacco products.
Presentations with reported methamphetamine use to an urban emergency department in Switzerland
Authors: Romann Valerie , Illgen Monika , Derungs Adrian , Klukowska-Rötzler Jolanta , Ricklin Meret E. , Exadaktylos Aristomenis , Liakoni Evangelia 
Published: January 2022

AIMS OF THE STUDY: The stimulant methamphetamine (e.g., “crystal meth”) is a commonly abused drug in many parts of the world and can cause significant health problems. The present study aims to describe presentations with reported methamphetamine use at an urban emergency department (ED) in Switzerland, to investigate prevalence, patterns and susceptible groups.
METHODS: Retrospective study at the ED of the University Hospital of Bern, Switzerland. Cases from June 2012 to July 2019 were retrieved from the electronic patient database using full-text terms and were categorised into three groups based on patient history: “acute”, if patients presented within 72 hours of last reported use, “chronic” in cases of regular use but not within the previous 72 hours, and “past” in cases of discontinued consumption. Cases with a positive methamphetamine urine drug screening test with no further information available were described separately.
RESULTS: During the study period, 40 cases were categorised as “acute”. Among those, the mean age was 29.5 years (standard deviation [SD] 8.7), 75% (n = 30) were male, and agitation (n = 11, 28%), hypertension (n = 11, 28%), tachycardia (n = 11, 28%), sleep disturbances (n = 10, 25%) and aggression (n = 8, 20%) were the most common symptoms. Most patients (n = 22, 55%) were medically discharged, but 35% (n = 14) were admitted to a psychiatric clinic. Most (n = 33, 82.5%) were polydrug users, with alcohol, cocaine and cannabis being the most frequent co-used substances. The “chronic” group included 37 cases. Those patients were mostly male (n = 26, 70%), with a mean age of 31 years (SD 11.0), and 46% (n = 17) presented because of psychiatric symptoms, such as psychosis, depression or aggression. Of the 45 cases in the “past” group (mean age of 30 years, SD 8.6), 69% (n = 31) were male, and 49% (n = 22) and 24% (n = 11), respectively, had medical and psychiatric symptoms as the reason for admission. Of 61 cases with a positive urine drug screening test as the sole indicator of methamphetamine use, 19 patients reported MDMA use (cross-reactivity with methamphetamine in the urine immunoassay used). In the 42 remaining cases, it was unclear if the positive result was due to unreported methamphetamine use or cross-reactivity.
CONCLUSIONS: Most patients with reported methamphetamine use were young and male, with signs of sympathomimetic arousal and/or psychiatric symptoms. Although ED visits with reports of methamphetamine use appear to be uncommon, consumption-related health problems can require significant pre- and in-hospital resources.
Analisis Perbandingan Algoritma Penjadwalan CPU First Come First Serve (FCFS) Dan Round Robin
Authors: Putra Muhammad Taufik Dwi , Hidayat Haryanto , Septian Naziva , Afriani Tiara 
Published: January 2022

CPU scheduling is important in multitasking and multiprocessing an operating system because of the many processes that need to be run in a computer. This causes the operating system to need to divide resources for running processes. CPU scheduling has several algorithms in it such as First Come First Serve (FCFS), Shortest Job First (SJF), Priority Scheduling, and Round Robin (RR) algorithms. The writing of this study is intended to compare the First Come First Serve and Round Robin algorithms with four specified parameters namely Average Turn Around Time, Waiting Time, Throughput, and CPU Utilization. The experiment was conducted with the First Come First Serve algorithm and the Round Robin of three different Quantum Times. These calculations at different quantum times aim to find out if the differences affect the advantages of the Round Robin algorithm over the First Come First Serve algorithm. The conclusion is that the First Come First Serve (FCFS) algorithm is superior to the Round Robin (RR) algorithm. This is indicated by the average turn around time, waiting time, and throughput values of the First Come First Serve algorithm more effective in running the process