bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparative Study of Physiochemical Properties of Different Brands of Vegetable Oil Sold in Ihiala Market of Anambra State
Authors: Maduako Maryann Chinenye , Amaefule Kizito Ifeanyi , Ifemeje Jonathan Chinenye 
Published: September 2022

Objective: To compare the physicochemical properties of four brands of vegetable oil sold in Ihiala market.
Methods: The samples were brought from different super stores in Ihiala market and standard methods were used to analyze the physicochemical properties of the various samples.
Results: The analysis showed that the peroxide value, saponification values, acid value, ester value and glycerol of palm kernel oil (43.91 ± 0.01, 1234.20 ± 0.01, 74.14 ± 0.01, 38.56 ± 0.02, 1195.60 ± 0.01 and 65.40 ± 0.02) is significantly higher than Lahda, Devon King’s and Power vegetable oil P < 0.05. While the iodine value, refractive index and specific gravity of Power oil and Devon King’s oil (56.53 ± 0.10, 0.26 ± 0.01 and 0.91 ± 0.01) brought from Ihiala market were significantly higher than the other brands of vegetable oil i.e Lahda and Palm Kernel oil at P < 0.05. There is no significant difference in the refractive index and specific gravity of Palm kernel and Lahda oil (0.01 ± 0.01 and 0.01 ± 0.01) at P < 0.05.
Conclusion: The difference in the values of iodine, peroxide, saponification, acid value, FFA, ester value and glycerol level in the samples could be attributed to differences in the sources of the oil and in processing. However, the nutritional composition of the vegetable brands is still adequate for human consumption except that of Palm Kernel oil which has the highest values from the above analysis.
Patient Characteristics and Outcome of Multi-organ Involvement in Dengue with Reference to SOFA Score
Authors: Salvi Sonali , Vaidya Arun 
Published: September 2022

Background: Mortality in severe Dengue infection is attributed to development of MODS. Clinical profile, outcome and utility of SOFA score in Dengue MODS is not well studied in Indian context. Hence, this study was conducted to describe the “patient`s” characteristics and outcome in Dengue MODS with reference to SOFA score.
Methods: We conducted an observational cross –sectional study in medicine department, Sassoon General Hospital Pune between January 2016 to January 2020. Adult dengue patients with multiorgan dysfunction based on SOFA score were included. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected and analyzed. SOFA score was calculated at admission and monitor throughout admission course.
Results: Total 69 patients were included. Male were 53.6% and mean age was 38.7±18.7 years. Most common symptoms were fever (98.6%), body ache & joint pain (69.6%), generalized weakness (62.3%), breathlessness (59.4%), headache (58%), anorexia (58%), abdominal pain & vomiting (55.1%) and bleeding manifestations (47.8%). Total 28% patients had two, 33% had three, 24.6% had four and 14.4% had ≥ 5 organs involvement. Maximum number of patients had hematological involvement (95.7%) followed by respiratory system involvement (63.8%). Mean duration of hospital stay was 9.8 days. Mortality was 43.5%. There was significant correlation of number of organs involved, pulse rate, respiratory rate, serum albumin, nervous system, respiratory system, SOFA score at admission and delta SOFA score with outcome.
Conclusion: Dengue MODS has high mortality. Tachypnoea, tachycardia, hypoalbuminemia, respiratory failure and nervous system involvement are predictors of poor outcome. SOFA score at admission and its monitoring can serve as a useful marker to predict prognosis in dengue with multiple organ involvement.
2D Echocardiographic Findings, NT-ProBNP Levels, and Outcomes in Dyspnoeic Patients: Results from the Pro-BNP Investigation of Dyspnoea in the Emergency Department- a Single Centre Experience
Authors: Balaraju D. , Kumar Vijay , Kumar Chethan , Setty Hulliurudurga Srinivasa Setty Natraj , Sridhar Lakshman Shastry , Kharge Jayashree , Patil Rahul , Manjunath Cholenahally Nanjappa 
Published: September 2022

Background: Dyspnoeic in the emergency department with multiple co-morbidities is a diagnostic challenge. Approximately 15-20% of acute dyspneic in the Emergency Department due to ADHF (acute decompensated heart failure) are misdiagnosed. B-type peptide (BNP) and its amino-terminal fragment (NT-proBNP) accurately identify HF in dyspnoeic patients. In the general population with dyspnoea, plasma pro-BNP concentrations are increased in left ventricular dilatation, hypertrophy, systolic dysfunction, or diastolic dysfunction but are unaffected by pulmonary dysfunction.
Aims and Objectives: To study the relation between NT pro-BNP & echocardiographic findings in acute dyspnoeic patients, and the relation between NT pro-BNP and In-hospital Mortality.
Materials and Methods: Source of data- Patients admitted to the Emergency Room or cardiac intensive care unit with a history of acute dyspnea in a tertiary cardiac care center in south India, meeting inclusion & exclusion criteria, were studied.
Results: The study population is predominantly constituted of the elderly population. The most common co-morbid condition was hypertension. The present study uses an NT pro BNP level of 900pg/ml as the cut-off level. 78 patients were positive for the test. Echocardiography showed that 58% had LV systolic dysfunction, 60% had diastolic dysfunction. 42 patients had EF >55%, 10 patients between 55-45%, 33 patients between 44-30% and 15 patients had EF < 30%. Mortality rate was 6% in the whole study population. However, Mortality was seen in only NT pro-BNP positive group it was not statistically significant (p=0.46).
Conclusions: NT pro-BNP correlates well with the worsening of LV systolic function; as the EF decreases, NT pro-BNP increases. Increase in NT pro-BNP levels has to be interpreted in the clinical context, and it is not a substitute for echocardiography for assessing cardiac abnormalities and dysfunction.
Evaluation of Radiological Hazards Associated with Some Selected Mining Sites in Niger State, Nigeria
Authors: Suleiman I. K. , Bashir M. , Muhammad A. , Kadiri M. K. 
Published: September 2022

Evaluation of Radiological Hazards associated with some selected mining sites (ie Gadaeragi (GR), Maiwayo (MW) and Kataeragi (KR)) in Niger State, Nigeria was carried out using Nal (TI) Gamma ray spectroscopy. The results shows average activity concentration for 238U, 232Th, and 40K in Gadaeragi mining site are 8.05 ± 0.14 Bq/kg, 14.60 ± 0.30 Bq/kg and 20.62 ± 14.62 Bq/kg respectively. The result shows average activity concentration for 238U, 232Th and 40K in Maiwayo mining site to be 12.03 ± 0.17 Bq/kg, 17.89 ± 0.32 Bq/kg and 151.11 ± 10.04 Bq/kg respectively. Furthermore, the results shows average activity concentration for 238U, 232Th and 40K in Kataeragi mining site are 6.39 ± 0.13 Bq/kg, 13.25 ± 0.29 Bq/kg and 154.87 ± 10.77 Bq/kg respectively. The average activities concentration of 238U, 232Th, and 40K for the three mining sites shows MW>GR>KR, MW>GR>KR and GR>KR> MW respectively. The activity concentrations was found to be below worldwide accepted average values of 33 Bq/kg, 45 Bq/kg and 420 Bq/kg for 238U, 232Th, and 40K respectively. The Annual Effective Dose Equivalent for GR, MW and KR mining sites was found to be 0.16, 0.17 and 0.13 mSv/y respectively, which were below the 1.00 mSv/y threshold stipulated by UNSCEAR [1]. Therefore, the mining sites are safe in terms of radiological hazard. The entire environment is within the permissible dose limit for the workers of the mining sites and also for agriculture and construction buildings. Therefore, the mining sites are safe in terms of radiological hazard.
Economic Factors Hindering Evangelism in the Western District of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania - Iringa Diocese
Authors: Kihwaga Tadei Lusungu 
Published: September 2022

The study aimed to find out the factors hindering evangelism in the Western District of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania-Iringa Diocese. Specifically, the study aimed to examine the economic factors hindering evangelism in the study area. The study was done at Kanani, Kinyika and Pawaga Congregations. The study adopted a case study research design in which a qualitative research approach was used. Interviews were used to collect qualitative data from 90 key informants. The data from the field was prepared, organized, transcribed and reviewed. The results achieved from the study are evangelism is hindered by economic factors such as insufficient funds dedicated for evangelism programmes and activities, absence of reliable transport for evangelism work, inadequate and poor church buildings, meagre salaries for ministers and other church workers, unwillingness of the pastors to work at the study area, poor giving of Christians, lack of musical instruments for evangelism work, absence of houses for evangelists, and lack of enough trained ministers caused by insufficient funds. The study recommends that, despite the evangelism which is done in the study area, the Church needs to engage in building better Church buildings, increase payment for church ministers, buy musical instruments and to provide transport facilities to the church ministers to improve worship conditions in the study area. The study also recommends that the Church need to increase the financial capacity by teaching Christians the education of giving tithe to the Church to increase the economy of the Church. Not only that, but the Church needs to engage in projects like tree planting and other productive projects to increase the economy of the Church.
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis at Institute Pasteur of Dakar, Senegal: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors
Authors: Ndiaye Babacar , Diongue Khadim , Seck Abdoulaye , Diop Abdou , Diouf Mame Diarra , Dieng Assane , Mangou Khadidiatou , Koumondji Lauriane Koko Marcel , Diallo Thierno Abdoulaye , Mahou Chantal , Dubrous Philippe , Boye Cheikh Saad Bouh 
Published: September 2022

Vulvovaginal candidiasis (CVV) is a superficial mycosis caused by Candida spp. with a predominance of C. albicans. CVV is opportunistic with several incriminated risk factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CVV and to investigate potential risk factors.
A cross-sectional study was carried out at the Medical Biology Laboratory in Pasteur Institute in Dakar, Senegal from September 1 to November 30, 2020. The study cohort was inclusive of all women received for a vaginal swab test in the laboratory unit. Each patient’s socio-demographic and clinical data were recorded before collecting two swabs samples for direct examination and culture on CHROMagar Candida incubated at 37 °C for 24 to 48 h.
A total of 312 women with an average age of 32 years (range: 17-74) were included in this study. An overall CVV prevalence of 32% was found. C. albicans was predominant (73.2%) followed by C. glabrata (16.8%). The age group [30-40 years] was more infested with 35.3% (p = 0.434) as well as nulliparous or primiparous women with 38.7% (p = 0.171). CVV was more associated with disordered vaginal flora and pregnancy with 35.2% (p = 0.323) and 33.7% (p = 0.715) respectively. CVV was significantly related to contraception (p = 0.014).
An overall high prevalence of CVV was observed mainly due to C. albicans. Contraception seems to be a factor contributing to its occurrence.
A review of our first 100 cases of laparoscopic nephrectomy: defining risk factors for complications
Authors: Keeley  , Tolley  
Published: July 2002

Objective To present the complications from our first 100 cases of laparoscopic nephrectomy, a technically demanding procedure requiring lengthy experience, and to define the risk factors.Patients and methods Indications for laparoscopic nephrectomy included patients requiring nephrectomy for benign pathology and those requiring nephroureterectomy for upper tract transitional cell carcinoma confined to the upper ureter and/or renal pelvis. All patients were operated on by one surgeon (D.A.T.) via a transperitoneal route and data on diagnosis, outcome and complications collected prospectively.Results The overall complication rate was 18%, of which 3% were major and 15% minor complications. Five cases were converted to open surgery electively. Complications and conversions were associated with a history of pyonephrosis, previous renal surgery, staghorn calculi, polycystic kidney disease, and xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. While there was no discernible decline in the decrease in complications with experience, operative duration decreased from a mean of 204 min for the first 20 cases to 108 min for the last 20. Complications and conversions were more closely associated with diagnosis than with the surgeon’s experience.Conclusion Laparoscopic nephrectomy and nephroureterectomy can be undertaken for a variety of indications with reasonable complication and conversion rates. Although inflammatory conditions increase the difficulty of these procedures, we feel that patients requiring nephrectomy for benign disease should be offered a trial of laparoscopic surgery.
Weighted Stair Climbing in Mobility‐Limited Older People: A Pilot Study
Authors: Jonathan Bean MD , Seth Herman BA , Mph Dan K. Kiely , Damien Callahan BS , Kelly Mizer BS , Md Walter R. Frontera , Fielding Roger A. 
Published: July 2002

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate weighted stair climbing exercise (SCE) as a means of increasing lower extremity muscle power in mobility‐limited older people.DESIGN: Single‐blinded, randomized controlled pilot studyINTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomized into one of two 12‐week exercise programs. The intervention group (SCE) (n = 23) ascended and descended stairs, at a set pace, while wearing a weighted vest. The control group (WALK) (n = 22) participated in a standardized walking program.MEASUREMENTS: Primary and secondary outcomes included measures of muscle power and strength, submaximal aerobic capacity, and physical performance.RESULTS: SCE produced 17% improvement in double leg press peak power in comparison with WALK (P = .013) and significant improvement in stair climbing power from baseline (12%). Improvement in submaximal aerobic performance was equivalent for both groups. Although not statistically significant, effect size estimates suggest that SCE can potentially influence knee extension power and strength. Stair climb time was improved in both groups, whereas SCE produced significant improvements from baseline SPPB score in a subcohort of participants.CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that SCE may be a useful component of a home exercise program designed to enhance lower extremity muscle power, aerobic capacity, and functional performance. Further investigation is needed involving larger sample sizes and direct comparisons with other forms of resistance training.