bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Correlation of predisposing factors and Esophageal Malignancy in high risk population of Baluchistan
Authors: Ishaque Syed Muhammad , Achackzai Muhammad Sadiq , Din Zia Ud , Pervez Shahid 
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To determine frequency of esophageal malignancy in Balochistan and to evaluate its correlation with predisposing and dietary factors.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from Jan 2019 to Dec 2020, at two tertiary care hospital of Quetta which caters to the entire population of province. The total number of 207 cases of esophageal biopsies were received and morphological diagnosis done by H&E staining.
Results: Out of 207 (N) esophageal biopsies cases, malignancy were observed in 65%, chronic esophagitis in 19%, benign esophageal lesion in 1% and other esophageal lesions were observed in less than 4% of samples. Association with aggravating factors included tea 80.5%, use of drugs 64%, spicy food 57%, salted food 53%, quid & tobacco taken orally and through nose 44% and cigarette smoking 21.5%. The protective factors include fresh fruit 90%, fish 64% and milk 55% which were never or occasionally taken, meat chicken and beef intake was 63% & 53% and vegetable intake was 52%, but 72.5% of cases never used alcohol and mutton meat was not used by 50%.
Conclusion: Esophageal cancer was associated in those groups of people which may regard as having high risk factors. These include increased intake of spicy/salted food, hot beverages, drugs, quid and smoked tobacco, coupled with low intake of fruits and vegetables, lack of awareness and low socioeconomic status.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4612
How to cite this:Ishaque SM, Achakzai MS, Ziauddin, Pervez S. Correlation of predisposing factors and Esophageal Malignancy in high risk population of Baluchistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(3):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.3.4612
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.
Differential enrichment of yeast DNA in SARS-CoV-2 and related genomes supports synthetic origin hypothesis
Authors: Lisewski Andreas Martin 
Published: January 2022

Background: Knowledge about the origin of SARS-CoV-2 is necessary for both a biological and epidemiological understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidence suggests that a proximal evolutionary ancestor of SARS-CoV-2 belongs to the bat coronavirus family. However, as further evidence for a direct zoonosis remains limited, alternative modes of SARS-CoV-2 biogenesis should be considered. Results: Here we show that the genomes from SARS-CoV-2 and from SARS-CoV-1 are differentially enriched with short chromosomal sequences from the yeast S. cerevisiae at focal positions that are known to be critical for host cell invasion, virus replication, and host immune response. For SARS-CoV-1, we identify two sites: one at the start of the RNA dependent RNA polymerase gene, and the other at the start of the spike protein’s receptor binding domain; for SARS-CoV-2, one at the start of the viral replicase domain, and the other toward the end of the spike gene past its critical domain junction. At this junction, we detect a highly specific stretch of yeast DNA encoding for the critical furin cleavage site insert PRRA, which has not been seen in other lineage b betacoronaviruses. As yeast is not a natural host for this virus family, we propose a passage model for viral constructs in yeast cells based on co-transformation of virus DNA plasmids carrying yeast selectable genetic markers followed by intra-chromosomal homologous recombination through gene conversion. Highly differential sequence homology data across yeast chromosomes congruent with chromosomes harboring specific auxotrophic markers further support this passage model. Conclusions: These results provide evidence that among SARS-like coronaviruses only the genomes of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 contain information that points to a synthetic passage in genetically modified yeast cells. Our data specifically allow the identification of the yeast S. cerevisiae as a potential recombination donor for the critical furin cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2.
Effectiveness of low-dose radiation therapy in COVID-19 patients globally: A systematic review
Authors: Pandey Sirish Raj , Adhikari Yadav Saroj , Gautam Swotantra , Giri Kalpana , Devkota Anirudra , Shrestha Shipra , Bhandari Shreya , Baniya Santosh , Adhikari Bibhuti , Adhikari Bibek , Neupane Shila , Bhandari Jenish 
Published: January 2022

Background: Novel Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) can affect multiple organs, including the lungs, resulting in pneumonia. Apart from steroids, other anti-COVID drugs that have been studied appear to have little or no effect on COVID-19 pneumonia. There is a well-known history of inflammatory disease, including pneumonia, treated with low-dose radiation therapy (LDRT). It reduces the production of proinflammatory cytokines, Interleukin-1a (IL-1a), and leukocyte recruitment. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, and Google Scholar, with keywords such as “radiotherapy,” “low-dose radiation therapy,” “low-dose irradiation,” “covid-19 pneumonia,” “SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia,” and “covid pneumonia.” with additional filters for human studies and customized articles in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. We reviewed randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies, cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies with a clearly defined intervention, including low-dose radiotherapy alone or in combination with any therapy to treat COVID-19 pneumonia from December 2019 to May 2021. Patients receiving standard or high-dose radiotherapy, including for other diseases, were excluded. Zotero software was used to collect and organize research from various databases, remove duplicates, extract relevant data, and record decisions. Participants’ demographics and baseline status were obtained from the full-text articles along with the intervention’s outcome/effect on patient status. Results: Four studies with 61 participants that met the inclusion criteria were included. One was a double-blind randomized controlled trial, one a non-randomized trial, while the other two were single-arm clinical trials. Low-dose radiation therapy did not show any significant improvement in COVID-19 patients. Conclusion: Only two studies included in this review demonstrated an improvement in inflammatory markers; however, patients were also given steroids or other drugs. Therefore, the confounding effects must be considered before drawing conclusions. This systematic review does not support mortality benefit, clinical course improvement, or imaging changes with LDRT.
The improvement of inflammatory markers and disease progression among moderate, severe, and critical COVID-19 patients: a cross-sectional study from two second referral hospitals in Surabaya, Indonesia
Authors: Romadhon Pradana Zaky , Bintoro Siprianus Ugroseno Yudho , Suryantoro Satriyo Dwi , Savitri Merlyna , Amrita Putu Niken Ayu , Diansyah Muhammad Noor , Prayoga Ami Ashariati , Windradi Choirina , Mahdi Bagus Aulia , Widiyastuti Krisnina Nurul , Novendrianto Dwiki , Agustin Esthiningrum Dewi , Alkaff Firas Farisi , Prahasanti Kartika , Dewanto Didi Darmahadi 
Published: January 2022

Background: To date, coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) has no definitive treatment. Thrombosis and hypercoagulation may occur in the advanced stage. Further study on how to use anticoagulants is still required to promote the best prognosis. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 110 moderate, 140 severe, and 81 critical patients receiving unfractioned heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), and fondaparinux was conducted. Data were collected from March 15th to August 31st 2020 at Universitas Airlangga and Husada Utama Hospital. A comparative study of white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), c-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), D-dimer, all-cause mortality rate, length of stay, and days of death among three severities of COVID-19 was done. Univariate and multivariate analysis were used to determine the correlation between inflammatory state after anti-coagulant with patients’ mortality. Results: Two deaths occurred in moderate cases, 36 deaths in severe cases, and 70 deaths in critical cases on ventilators. On day 13, moderate and severe groups showed decreased WBC, neutrophils, NLR, CRP, and D-dimer (p < 0.05). NLR, CRP, and D-dimer (p<0.05) in critically ill and ventilated patients decreased. Day-13 evaluation revealed 32.73% decrease of inflammatory markers in moderate group; 32.86% in severe patients; and 16.05% in critically ill, ventilated patients. A significant correlation between day 13 inflammatory status with mortality was seen in moderate and critical cases with a ventilator (r=0.337; p< 0.05 and r=0.25; p 0.05). Inflammatory profile on day 6 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.36; p < 0.05) and day 13 ([aOR] = 4.15; p < 0.05) was associated with patients’ mortality. Conclusions: Anticoagulants in COVID-19 patients lower inflammation markers. Evaluating inflammatory status is essential to predict the mortality. Inflammatory markers on day 13, based on the severity of COVID-19 and comorbidities, were associated with mortality in moderate and critical cases.
The role of computed tomography in the diagnosis of lung cancer - a case report
Authors: Cabaj Justyna , Bargieł Julia , Chmielewska Izabela , Milanowski Janusz 
Published: January 2022

Introduction
Lung cancer has been the main oncological problem in the world for years. It is extremely important to use appropriate diagnostic methods that enable its detection and implementation of appropriate treatment.

Aim
The presented case shows the advantage of computed tomography over chest X-ray (X-ray) in visualizing neoplastic changes in the lungs.

Case Study
The paper presents a description of a patient diagnosed with centrally located advanced lung adenocarcinoma with a strong expression of PD-L1 qualified for treatment with pembrolizumab.

Results and Discussion
Presented case confirms that X-ray is less sensitive, especially in the case of centrally located tumors. Therefore, the emergence of a new cough in a smoker or ex-smoker should raise concerns related to lung cancer despite a normal X-ray image. The central location of the tumor may cause dramatic course of the symptoms. In the presented case, a sudden significant deterioration of the condition was observed due to atelectasis of the entire lung. Haemoptysis observed during hospitalization was another symptom of centraly located tumor mass.

Conclusions
In conclusion, the history of cigarette smoking, presence of typical symptoms should provide an in-depth diagnosis of lung cancer, despite normal X-ray. Diagnostic procedures include computed tomography in the first place. The course of centrally localized disease may change rapidly during on first cycle of treatment. Due to the possibility of serious complications of the ongoing neoplastic disease, the patient should be under constant medical supervision.
Regulating Native Advertising
Authors: Wu Yue , Gal-Or Esther , Geylani Tansev 
Published: January 2022

Native advertising is not fully transparent to consumers because it bears similarity to editorial content. Increasing the opaqueness of native ads can raise publishers’ click-through rate, but can also negatively affect consumers’ quality perception of the publishers’ editorial content and lead to lower profitability. In this paper, we develop a game-theoretical model of native ads to investigate the economic implications of regulation. Our model considers two types of publishers, who differ in the quality of their editorial content. We show that publishers have incentives to self-regulate native ads through lower opaqueness in order to signal their high quality to the market. We find that stricter regulation can make native ads more opaque, on average, because it can eliminate the incentives of high-quality publishers to distinguish themselves from low-quality publishers. Consequently, strengthening regulation can yield lower consumer surplus and social welfare. This paper was accepted by Duncan Simester, marketing. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.4242 .
The Contractual Governance of Transactions Within Firms
Authors: Magelssen Catherine , Rich Beverly , Mayer Kyle 
Published: January 2022

A central theoretical premise is that firms internalize transactions that are not suited for formal contracting. Yet, there is growing evidence that firms rely on formal contracts to govern some of their transactions within the firm. This paper discusses why firms use formal contracts between units within the firm and develops propositions for when formal contracts arise. Internalization does not eliminate transactional problems, and informal agreements for transactions between units often suffer from problems in understanding what the other unit will do and whether it will do what it promises. We argue that many of the features that make formal contracts valuable tools for market exchange are beneficial within firms, even if court enforcement of the contract is not possible. We suggest that formal contracts between units serve as communication and commitment devices that address coordination and incentive problems within the firm by providing clarity and credibility on the rights allocated to the units in the transaction.Funding: Support for this research comes from the London Business School.Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2021.1536 .
Orthodontic extractions: history and current trends
Authors: Oliver Graham , Robinson Stephen , Ireland Anthony 
Published: January 2022

This article discusses the trends in orthodontic extractions since the birth of the speciality in the early 1900s to the present day. It explores reasons for these changing trends and seeks to place apparent reasoning for current practice. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Understanding the historical trends and reasoning for extractions in orthodontics helps explain some of the current thinking and justification for orthodontic extractions
Short Communication: Phytochemical screening and toxicity of ethanol extract of Sauropus androgynus
Authors: AWALUDIN AWALUDIN , KARTINA KARTINA , MAULIANAWATI DIANA , MANALU WASMEN , ANDRIYANTO ANDRIYANTO , SEPTIANA RIKA , ARFANDI AGUS , LALANG YUBAL 
Published: January 2022

Abstract. Awaludin, Kartina, Maulianawati D, Manalu W, Andriyanto, Septiana R, Arfandi A, Lalang Y. 2020. Short Communication: Phytochemical screening and toxicity of ethanol extract of Sauropus androgynus. Biodiversitas 21: 2966-2970. Katuk (Sauropus androgynus L.) (SAL) is a plant used to increase the production of breast milk for nursing mothers and lactating mammalian animals because this plant contains high sterols. Phytosterols are plant sterols known to play a role in the synthesis and secretion of progesterone and estradiol. Progesterone and estradiol are hormones that are involved in controlling the reproduction and mammary gland growth and development in mammalian animals. Estradiol also stimulates vitellogenin synthesis in oviparous animals such as avian and fish. The study was designed to determine the phytochemical contents and the level of toxicity of the SAL ethanol extract. The research was conducted in 4 phases i.e., (i) extraction of SAL samples using ethanol 70%, (ii) the analysis of phytochemical content of SAL extract using GCMS, (iii) toxicity test of SAL extract in giant tiger shrimp larvae, and (iv) data analysis. The results of GCMS analysis showed that the SAL extract was dominated by the fatty acid group (62.92%), phenol (15.3%), and terpenoids (4.03%). These compounds have roles in animal reproduction and production. The mortality data of giant tiger shrimp larvae were analyzed using probit analysis to determine the LC50 of ethanol extract of SAL. The results of toxicity test for 24 hours showed that the LC50 of the ethanol extract of SAL was 552.208 mg/L. The phytochemical analysis showed that SAL extract has dominant concentrations of fatty acid, phenol, and terpenoid that could be used to improve the reproduction and production of fish.
Short Communication: Isolation and screening of polyhydroxylalkanoates producing microorganisms from Thailand
Authors: Pungsungvorn Nuntaporn , Wisetsing Anussorn 
Published: January 2022

Abstract. Pungsungvorn N, Wisetsing A. 2021. Short Communication: Isolation and screening of polyhydroxylalkanoates producing microorganisms from Thailand. Biodiversitas 22: 4963-4967. Polyhydroxylalkanotes (PHAs) are polyesters produced in nature by numerous microorganisms. They are biodegradable and are used in the production of bioplastics. In this study, one hundred twenty samples from different regions of Thailand were collected and screened for polyhydroxylalkanoates (PHAs) producing microorganisms. The samples were screened on YM agar containing 0.5 µg Nile-red/mL (YM-NR). Only one isolate of yeast (Y1) gave a positive result on PHA accumulation. The yeast isolate (Y1) was identified as Candida tropicalis by API 20C AUX kit and 18S rRNA nucleotide comparison. The yeast isolate Y1 produced 2.62% PHA when grown in synthetic N-limiting medium using rice straw hydrolysate as carbon source. The selected four bacteria (B1, B2, B3 and B4) were identified by BlastN of 16S rRNA as Enterobacter cloacae, Enterobacter carcerogenus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia, respectively. The selected yeast and bacterial strains gave PHA content of 2.62, 2.76, 5.38, 3.66 and 0.44%, respectively, in synthetic N-limiting medium using rice straw hydrolysate. Hence, these microorganisms could be used in PHA production from biomass in the future.
Honey sugars profile of stingless bee Tetragonula laeviceps (Hymenoptera: Meliponinae)
Authors: Agus Ali , Agussalim Agussalim , Sahlan Muhamad , Sabir Ardo 
Published: January 2022

Abstract. Agus A, Agussalim, Sahlan M, Sabir A. 2021. Honey sugars profile of stingless bee Tetragonula laeviceps (Hymenoptera: Meliponinae). Biodiversitas 22: 5205-5210. Honey was a functional food to improve human health, but irresponsible people used this circumstance to make fake honey. This study aimed to evaluate the profile of the sugar of stingless bee honey [Tetragonula laeviceps (Smith, 1857)] from different geographical origins in Indonesia. Honey, three samples were directly collected from three other sources for meliponiculture of T. laeviceps in Indonesia: Sleman, Klaten, and Gunungkidul. The honey sugars profile was analyzed: glucose, fructose, sucrose, reducing sugar, the sum of fructose and glucose, glucose to moisture ratio, fructose to glucose ratio, and honey pH. Glucose and fructose were analyzed by HPLC, sucrose by Luff Schoorl, reducing the sugar by Layne-Enyon, and pH by a pH meter. The current findings revealed that the geographical origins had a highly significant effect on glucose, fructose, the sum of fructose and glucose, glucose to moisture ratio, fructose to glucose ratio, and honey pH (P<0.01) and significant effect on reducing sugar (P<0.05), but not on sucrose content. Thus, it can be concluded that the origins were affecting the honey sugars profile and honey from Sleman has the highest sugars content, followed by honey from Klaten and the lower was honey from Gunungkidul.
Selective publication of antidepressant trials and its influence on apparent efficacy: Updated comparisons and meta-analyses of newer versus older trials
Authors: Turner Erick H. , Cipriani Andrea , Furukawa Toshi A. , Salanti Georgia , de Vries Ymkje Anna 
Published: January 2022

Background
Valid assessment of drug efficacy and safety requires an evidence base free of reporting bias. Using trial reports in Food and Drug Administration (FDA) drug approval packages as a gold standard, we previously found that the published literature inflated the apparent efficacy of antidepressant drugs. The objective of the current study was to determine whether this has improved with recently approved drugs.

Methods and findings
Using medical and statistical reviews in FDA drug approval packages, we identified 30 Phase II/III double-blind placebo-controlled acute monotherapy trials, involving 13,747 patients, of desvenlafaxine, vilazodone, levomilnacipran, and vortioxetine; we then identified corresponding published reports. We compared the data from this newer cohort of antidepressants (approved February 2008 to September 2013) with the previously published dataset on 74 trials of 12 older antidepressants (approved December 1987 to August 2002).
Using logistic regression, we examined the effects of trial outcome and trial cohort (newer versus older) on transparent reporting (whether published and FDA conclusions agreed). Among newer antidepressants, transparent publication occurred more with positive (15/15 = 100%) than negative (7/15 = 47%) trials (OR 35.1, CI95% 1.8 to 693). Controlling for trial outcome, transparent publication occurred more with newer than older trials (OR 6.6, CI95% 1.6 to 26.4). Within negative trials, transparent reporting increased from 11% to 47%.
We also conducted and contrasted FDA- and journal-based meta-analyses. For newer antidepressants, FDA-based effect size (ESFDA) was 0.24 (CI95% 0.18 to 0.30), while journal-based effect size (ESJournals) was 0.29 (CI95% 0.23 to 0.36). Thus, effect size inflation, presumably due to reporting bias, was 0.05, less than for older antidepressants (0.10).
Limitations of this study include a small number of trials and drugs—belonging to a single class—and a focus on efficacy (versus safety).

Conclusions
Reporting bias persists but appears to have diminished for newer, compared to older, antidepressants. Continued efforts are needed to further improve transparency in the scientific literature.
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene School Vision Program: A description of program expansion
Authors: Day Sophia , Acquafredda Emanuela , Humphrey Jill , Johnson Martha , Fitzpatrick Maria , Spasojevic Jasmina , Konty Kevin 
Published: January 2022

Objective
This study describes how the School Vision Program (SVP) operates in NYC Public Schools, and how it has expanded to provide screening, follow-up, eye exams, and even glasses to more students in recent years.

Methods
Using administrative data from the SVP, we analyze a population sample of all public-school students with non-missing demographic variables in grades Pre-K through 12, focusing on the most recent year of data, 2018–19. We tabulate rates of screening and other results across students by grade and student characteristics, highlighting the expansion of SVP in community schools beginning in 2015–16.

Results
The SVP screens about 87% of students in Pre-K through 1st Grade each school year. Of the 22% of screened students who failed the screening in 2018–19, 69% received follow-up efforts, and 39% completed eye exams. Among students with completed eye exams, 13% of students in Pre-K through 1st grade were diagnosed with amblyopia, and 70% needed glasses. Less advantaged students in terms of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status were less likely to pass vision screenings and less likely to receive eye exams after failing the screening. The SVP’s expansion to all grades in community schools and its provision of eye exams and glasses increased the rate of eye exams to 90% of students with a failed vision screening and distributed glasses to over 22,000 students in grades Pre-K to 12 in 2018–19.

Conclusion
The expansion of SVP services in community schools suggests large potential benefits from school districts connecting students who fail vision screenings directly to eye doctors. Otherwise, low rates of follow-up eye exams in younger grades can lead to unidentified and unmet need for vision services in older grades, especially among disadvantaged students.