bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of infrared irradiation combined with mannitol and kinesiology tape on postoperative swelling and pain in patients with a periarticular ankle fracture
Authors: Liu Yuanyuan , Guo Deli , Zhou Xinghua , Wang Bo , Li Panxiang , Li Tao 
Published: November 2022

Objectives: To explore the effect of infrared irradiation combined with mannitol and Kinesiology tape on postoperative swelling and pain in patients with a periarticular ankle fracture.
Methods: The research subjects of this study were 88 patients with periarticular ankle fracture treated by surgery in the Department of Orthopedics of Baoding No.1 Central Hospital from October, 2019 to May, 2021. They were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group based on the random number table method, with 44 cases in each group. All patients were treated after the operation. Patients in the control group were treated with conventional drugs; while those in the observation group were provided with infrared irradiation combined with mannitol and Kinesiology tape. Further comparison was conducted on the degree of swelling, pain and satisfaction after treatment at three, five and seven days after operation.
Results: At three, five and seven days after operation, the cross-section diameter of the injured limb was significantly smaller in the observation group than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0. 05). The degree of pain in both groups was significantly lower at three, five and seven days after operation than that before treatment; moreover, the degree of pain in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0. 05). Besides, the comparison of posttreatment satisfaction in both groups after treatment revealed that the total satisfaction of patients in the observation group (97.73%) was higher than that in the control group (79.55%), with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Infrared irradiation combined with mannitol and Kinesiology tape can effectively alleviate postoperative swelling and pain of patients with a periarticular ankle fracture.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.5869
How to cite this: Liu Y, Guo D, Zhou X, Wang B, Li P, Li T. Effect of infrared irradiation combined with mannitol and kinesiology tape on postoperative swelling and pain in patients with a periarticular ankle fracture. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.5869
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
“Underneath the visible” - COVID-19 Risk prediction tools in a high-volume, low-resource Emergency Department
Authors: Mukhtar Sama , Khatri Sarfaraz Ahmed , Khatri Adeel , Ghouri NIDA , Rybarczyk Megan 
Published: November 2022

Objectives: Patient risk stratification is the cornerstone of COVID-19 disease management; that has impacted health systems globally. We evaluated the performance of the Brescia-COVID Respiratory Severity Scale (BCRSS), CALL (Co-morbid, age, Lymphocyte and Lactate dehydrogenase) Score, and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines in Emergency department (ED) on arrival, as predictors of outcomes; Intensive care unit (ICU) admission and in-hospital mortality.
Methods: A two-month retrospective chart review of 88 adult patients with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia; requiring emergency management was conducted at ED, Indus Hospital and Health Network (IHHN), Karachi, Pakistan, (April 1 to May 31, 2020). The sensitivity, specificity, receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC) and area under the curve (AUC) for the scores were obtained to assess their predictive capability for outcomes.
Results: The in-hospital mortality rate was 48.9 % with 59.1 % ICU admissions and with a mean age at presentation of 56 ± 13 years. Receiver operator curve for BCRSS depicted good predicting capability for in hospital mortality [AUC 0.81(95% CI 0.71-0.91)] and ICU admission [AUC 0.73(95%CI 0.62-0.83)] amongst all models of risk assessment.
Conclusion: BCRSS depicted better prediction of in-hospital mortality and ICU admission. Prospective studies using this tool are needed to assess its utility in predicting high-risk patients and guide treatment escalation in LMIC’s.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6043
How to cite this: Mukhtar S, Khatri SA, Khatri A, Ghouri N, Rybarczyk M. “Underneath the visible” - COVID-19 Risk prediction tools in a high-volume, low-resource Emergency Department. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6043
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Changes in serum lipids with the onset and progression of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type-II Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Gitay Mehnaz Nuruddin , Sohail Arisha , Arzoo Yasmeen , Shakir Muhammad Ali 
Published: November 2022

Objective: To investigate the role of serum lipids in the onset and progression of Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) in Type-II diabetes (T2DM) individuals.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology (NIDE), Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) from March to May 2019. After signing the informed consent, healthy controls (n=30), T2DM patients (diabetic n=30), proliferative (PDR n=30) and non-proliferative (NPDR n= 30) of age 18 to 65 years were selected by convenient sampling. Background information was gathered through interviews and the fundoscopy was done. Fasting five ml venous blood samples were collected and analysed for triglycerides (TGs), cholesterol, HDL, LDL, VLDL and the HbA1c using commercially available assays. The SPSS, version 24.0, was used for data analysis.
Results: The HbA1c level was high in the diabetes, NPDR and PDR groups than control (p<0.05). The serum TGs and cholesterol were raised while the HDL was low in the diabetes group than in control (p<0.05). The cholesterol and LDL were high in the diabetes group compared to NPDR and PDR groups (p<0.05). The cholesterol and VLDL showed a positive moderately strong correlation with HbA1c in the PDR group (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The serum lipid levels vary with the HbA1c levels and greater degree of derangement is observed with increasing mean HbA1C independent of diabetic retinopathy. For this reason, strict control of HbA1c and serum lipid level by lifestyle and/or pharmacologic intervention is recommended in diabetes with or without retinopathy.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6265
How to cite this: Gitay MN, Sohail A, Arzoo Y, Shakir MA. Changes in serum lipids with the onset and progression of Diabetic Retinopathy in Type-II Diabetes Mellitus. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6265
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA): A case report with atypical presentation
Authors: Mehmood Khalid , Butt Nauman Ismat , Ashfaq Fahmina , Aftab Sabeen 
Published: November 2022

A 72-year-old asthmatic gentleman with a history of recurrent sinusitis and chronic bronchitis presented with shortness of breath and progressively worsening hypoxemic respiratory failure. His CT chest demonstrated airspace disease bilaterally with ground-glass opacifications. He had peripheral eosinophilia with raised inflammatory markers but negative work up of infection. On further investigation, ANA was positive, titer 1:160, speckled pattern and both pANCA and cANCA were present. The patient was diagnosed with Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) and started on intravenous steroids and cyclophosphamide. A rare multi-organ vasculitis, EGPA is hallmarked by asthma, sinusitis and eosinophilia. In initial stages vasculitic involvement is not usually seen thereby making EGPA a diagnostic challenge.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6436
How to cite this: Mahmood K, Butt NI, Ashfaq F, Aftab S. Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA): A case report with atypical presentation. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6436
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Factors leading to delayed and challenging presentation of benign breast lumps in young females
Authors: Saira Saleem  , Tariq Sundus , Tariq Saba , Irfan Sofia , Javed Farhan 
Published: November 2022

Background and Objective: A delayed presentation of benign breast diseases may lead to a therapeutic challenge when they enlarge enormously or become multiple. Aim of this study was to evaluate the factors leading to delayed presentation of benign breast lumps.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Madinah Teaching Hospital and Allied Hospital, Faisalabad from January 2019 to October 2021. One hundred and forty five female patients were selected by non-probability purposive sampling. Patients with large size (>5cm) or multiple benign breast lumps were included. An interview was conducted using structured questionnaire translated in Urdu. Factors leading to delayed presentation and social impact scale for stigma were evaluated.
Results: Patients had a mean age of 26.52 ± 6.90 years. The average delay of seeking medical care was 8.48 ± 8.41 months. Factors leading to delayed presentation were; lack of knowledge n=112 (77.2%) and parda (religious issues) n=112 (77.2%), followed by poverty n=109 (75.2%), and fear of cancer n=90 (62.1%). All the sub-scales of stigma, i.e., social rejection, financial insecurity, internalized shame and social isolation were high in late presenters, though, only financial insecurity was significantly high in late presenters (p=0.03).
Conclusion: Lack of awareness, socioeconomic factors and disease related stigma were the main factors related to delayed presentation in young females with benign breast diseases. Addressing these factors may improve timely diagnosis and management of delayed and challenging cases.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6647
How to cite this: Saleem S, Tariq S, Tariq S, Irfan S, Javed F. Factors leading to delayed and challenging presentation of benign breast lumps in young females. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6647
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Students’ performance in clinics and self-perceived Confidence in performing Endodontic procedures: A correlation study
Authors: Javed Muhammad Qasim , Bhatti Usman Anwer 
Published: November 2022

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate undergraduate dental students’ self-perceived confidence in carrying out Endodontic procedures and correlating it with their performance in Endodontic clinics.
Methods: The correlational study was conducted on fifth year dental students at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. The self-perceived confidence of students was assessed by using Endodontic Self-Perceived Confidence Scale (ESCS). The students’ endodontic clinical performance scores were obtained from the department head. Data were analyzed by IBM SPSS-23.0. Descriptive statistics were recorded as percentages, frequencies, and mean. Chi-square test was used for gender-wise comparison of all items of ESCS, Student t-test was used for comparing means and Pearson correlation coefficient was utilized for exploring correlation.
Results: Over all response rate was 91.8%. Students exhibited the highest confidence level for achieving rubber dam isolation (4.57±0.66) while the lowest confidence level was documented for the treatment of teeth with immature apices (2.82±0.95). The mean self-confidence score of male students on ESCS was higher than the female students (P-value=0.18). However, mean endodontic clinic score of female students was significantly higher than the male students (P-value=0.02). The insignificant correlation was noted between the students’ mean confidence scores and endodontic clinical performance scores (P-value=0.82).
Conclusions: The insignificant correlation between self-perceived confidence and clinic scores raises significant caveats for utilizing the self-assessment in the aforementioned group. Hence, the students should be adequately trained in self-assessment to prepare them for lifetime learning. Additionally, clinical instructors by creating a supportive learning environment should help students to deal with their shortcomings.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6870
How to cite this: Javed MQ, Bhatti UA. Students’ performance in clinics and self-perceived Confidence in performing Endodontic procedures: A correlation study. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6870
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Effect of Gum Arabic powder on the mechanical properties of denture base acrylic
Authors: Alsadon Omar , Alkhureif Abdulaziz Abdullah , Khan Aftab Ahmed 
Published: November 2022

Objective: This study aimed to improve the mechanical properties of denture base material using various concentrations of natural biopolymer, i.e., Gum Arabic (GA).
Methods: This experimental study was conducted at the Dental Health Department of the College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia from May 2022 to July 2022. After obtaining exemption from the institutional review board, the powdered GA was added in ratios of weight 5, 10, and 20% to PMMA heat-cured acrylic powder to produce bar-shaped samples (65 × 10 × 30 mm3 in dimensions). While the control group was prepared as such. Micro hardness (n=10/group) and fracture toughness (n=10/group) were evaluated. One-way analysis of variance method was used to statistically analyze the results (p<0.05) using SPSS version 23.
Results: Significant differences were observed for micro hardness (p<0.001) and fracture toughness (p=0.007) between the means of the different study groups. The control group exhibited the highest micro hardness (22.5±0.6 VHN) and fracture toughness (1.25±0.11 MPa.m1/2) value among the study groups. While 20 wt. % GA and 10 wt. % GA groups showed the lowest micro hardness and fracture toughness values, respectively.
Conclusions: GA powder might not be an appropriate reinforcing material for denture base or the higher filler loading of GA in denture base acrylic might be detrimental to the mechanical properties.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6937
How to cite this: Alsadon O, Alkhureif AA, Khan AA. Effect of Gum Arabic powder on the mechanical properties of denture base acrylic. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6937
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Electrical properties of ZnO:Al thin films fabricated by pulsed laser deposition method
Authors: Shorokhova A.V. , Zuev D.A. , Lotin A.A. , Novodvorsky O.A. , Khramova O.D. 
Published: November 2022

The possibility of the high quality AZO thin films fabrication by the PLD method using the second harmonic of the Q-switched YAG:Nd3+ laser is demonstrated. The investigations of dependence of the AZO thin films properties on the PLD conditions (concentration of Al in the target, buffer gas pressure) have been conducted. The optimum conditions of the ZnO:Al thin films deposition have been defined.
Application of laser texturing method for mc-Si solar cells fabrication
Authors: Zuev D.A. , Novodvorsky O.A. , Lotin A.A. , Shorokhova A.V. , Khramova O.D. , Untila G.G. , Poroykov A.Y. , Kost T.N. , Chebotareva A.B. 
Published: November 2022

The results of the experiments on the “black” mc-Si surface fabrication by the nanosecond pulses of the YAG laser second harmonic and on application of the introduced laser texturing method for the mc-Si solar cells efficiency improvement are represented. The developed version of laser texturing permits producing a low-reflection mc-Si surface with the reflectance of ~3% in the spectral range of 0.3-1.1 μm. The application of the introduced laser texturing method in mc-Si solar cells fabrication makes it possible to increase the short circuit current density and quantum efficiency.
PPLN Crystals for Nonlinear-optical Detection of Terahertz Wave Radiation
Authors: Kornienko V.V. , Tuchak A.N. , Yakunin P.V. , Naumova I.I. , Kitaeva G.Kh. 
Published: November 2022

Periodically poled lithium niobate crystals can be utilized in nonlinear-optical spectral brightness detectors of terahertz range. In this paper characteristics of detectors were determined by analyzing spectra of spontaneous parametric down- and up-conversion in these crystals.
Development of the Methods of Control of Radiation Structure of
Authors: Orlova E.E. , De Visser P. , Gu X. , Hovenier J.N. , Gao J.R. , Klapwijk T.M. 
Published: November 2022

Specific features of radiation structure of terahertz quantum cascade lasers are determined by wire geometry of their waveguides with small and sub-wavelength transverse dimensions and the length much larger than the wavelength. Here we present an overview of the results of beam profile investigations and of the methods proposed for the control of radiation structure of such lasers.
Progress in real-time photoacoustic imaging using optical ultrasound detection
Authors: Nuster R. , Paltauf G. 
Published: November 2022

Optical phase contrast full field detection in combination with a CCD-camera can be used to record acoustic fields. This allows to obtain two-dimensional photoacoustic projection images in real-time. The present work shows an extension of the technique towards full three-dimensional photoacoustic tomography. The reconstruction of the initial three dimensional pressure distribution is a two step process. First of all, projection images of the initial pressure distribution are acquired. This is done by back propagating the observed wave pattern in frequency space. In the second step the inverse Radon transform is applied to the obtained projection dataset to reconstruct the initial three dimensional pressure distribution. An experiment is performed using a phantom sample which mimics the properties of biological samples to show the overall applicability of this technique for real-time photoacoustic imaging.
Photoacoustic section imaging with integrating detectors
Authors: Paltauf G. , Nuster R. , Gratt S. 
Published: November 2022

Photoacoustic section imaging is a method for visualizing structures with optical contrast in selected layers of an extended object. In order to avoid resolution limitations that are due to commonly used ultrasound detectors of finite size, we propose the use of extended, integrating cylindrical elements for focusing the acoustic detection into the selected section. Two imaging methods based on piezoelectric and optical detection are presented. Resolution limits and results on zebra fish are demonstrated.
School-based sex education among adolescents worldwide: Interventions for the prevention of STIs and unintended pregnancies
Authors: Vaina Alexandra , Perdikaris Pantelis 
Published: November 2022

Background: Adolescents are at high risk of exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies, and school is the appropriate environment for interventions to promote sexual and reproductive health. Aim: The evaluation of the results of sex education interventions aimed at preventing STIs and unintended pregnancies, performed on adolescents in school settings worldwide. Methods: The search of studies was conducted independently in three databases from 15/3/2021 to 30/04/2021. The inclusion criteria required the studies to be randomised control trials including school-based interventions that aim to prevent STIs and unintended pregnancies, among adolescent students aged 10–19 years old. Findings: A total of 2 952 articles were found, of which 24 were included in the final systematic review through the PRISMA method. A total of 59 055 students participated in these 24 controlled randomised trials conducted in 13 countries. The grading of the strength of evidence estimated that 45.83% of the studies were level I, while 54.17% were level II. Conclusions: Our findings show positive results regarding the improvement of adolescents' knowledge and attitudes towards Sexual and Reproductive Health, following school-based interventions on STIs and unintended pregnancy prevention.
Production of quality seeds of chilli using soil amendments
Authors: ROY KAMALCRISHANA ROY , KHAN ABU ASHRAF , RUBAYET M. TANBIR , HAQUE M. MOYNUL 
Published: November 2022

Abstract. Roy K, Khan AA, Rubayet MT, Haque MM. 2022. Production of quality seeds of chilli using soil amendments. Asian J Agric 6: 7-14. The present investigation was conducted to produce quality chilli seeds using soil amendments. The soil was amended with vermicompost, colonized Trichoderma, mustard oil cake, cow dung, and poultry manure for quality seed production. The fruits yield (3.63 t ha-1) and seed yield (2.40 t ha-1) were higher from colonized Trichoderma amended plot. All the organic amendments such as colonized Trichoderma, vermicompost, poultry manure, mustard oil cake, and cow dung increased the yield of chilli seeds compared to the control. Quality characters of harvested seeds such as germination, vigour, 1000 seeds weight were found higher in colonized Trichoderma amendment plots. Five fungi, namely Aspergillus sp., Fusarium sp., Colletotrichum capsici (Syd. & P.Syd.) E.J.Butler & Bisby, Curvularia sp., and Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. were found to be associated with seeds and the infection rate of different fungi varied from 1.70 to 9.20%. The lowest (9.80%) total seed-borne infection was also recorded in seeds of colonized Trichoderma amended plot. The highest (3.73) benefit-cost ratio was obtained from colonized Trichoderma, followed by poultry manure (3.39) and vermicompost (3.33) amendment. Thus, soil amendment with colonized Trichoderma or vermicompost or poultry manure is suggested to produce quality chilli seeds with a higher yield.