bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ayurvedic Treatment Protocol for Diabetic Retinopathy: A Randomised Controlled Clinical study
Authors: V Krishna Kumar , B Vaghela Dharmendra Singh , Manjusha Rajagopala 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
IntroductionDiabetic retinopathy (DR), the leading cause of visual disability in diabetics, is an important complication of diabetes mellitus (DM). Currently available conventional treatments for DR have certain limitations; considering which Ayurvedic treatment protocol was designed. ObjectivesThe objective was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the Ayurvedic Treatment Protocol for Diabetic Retinopathy. Materials and methodsIt was a randomized, controlled, black box design clinical study.Hundred patients of DR were randomly divided into two groups by simple random sampling using computer generated random number tables: Group A: Trial group (n=70) and Group B: Control group (n=30). In Group A preparatory phase included Dipana Pachana (Stomachic &Digestant), Koshtha Shodhana (mild therapeutic purgation) and Shiro Virechana (eliminative nasal medication). Treatment phase included Nasya (nasal medication) and Pratimarsha Nasya (nasal medication of mild dose) with Durvadi Ghrita, Takra Dhara (pouring medicated buttermilk over scalp) with Siddha Takra and intake of Rasayana Yoga. In Group B, patients were kept under conservative treatment and observed during trial period of three months. Patients of both groups continued with their treatment for diabetes and DR, if any. Two follow-ups were done at an interval of 15 days. The effect of treatment was assessed on the basis of both subjective criteria and objective criteria; since the improvements in both patients’ vision and ophthalmoscopic features are necessary in DR to say if the existing stage regressed or maintained. Results Comparison of within groups at two points was analysed by paired “t” test for objective criteria and Signed Rank test for subjective criteria. Comparison between the groups was analysed by unpaired “t” test. Trial Group showed better results on Dot blot haemorrhages, Superficial haemorrhages, Hard Exudates, Best Corrected Visual acuity (BCVA), Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and Serum cholesterol. Both the groups showed almost similar effects in Post Prandial Blood Sugar (PPBS), Haemoglobin (Hb), Glycosylated Haemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) and Urine sugar which was statistically insignificant. ConclusionIt was concluded that Ayurvedic treatment Protocol is safe and effective in DR.
Thymoquinone Attenuates Retinal Expression of Mediators and Markers
of Neurodegeneration in a Diabetic Animal Model
Authors: Alkharfy Khalid M. , Ahmad Ajaz , Siddiquei Mohammad Mairaj , Ghulam Mohammad , El-Asrar Ahmed Abu 
Published: January 2022

Background:
The aim of the current investigation is to assess the protective effects of thymoquinone
(TQ) as a potential compound for the treatment and/or prevention of neurovascular complications
of diabetes, including DR.

Objective:
The aim of the current investigation is to assess the protective effects of thymoquinone
(TQ) as a potential compound for the treatment and/or prevention of neurovascular complications
of diabetes, including DR.

Methods:
Diabetes was induced in rats by the administration of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg intraperitoneally, i.p.). Subsequently, diabetic rats were treated with either TQ (2 mg/kg i.p.) or vehicle on alternate days for three weeks. A healthy control group was also run in parallel. At the end of the treatment period, animals were euthanized and the retinas were collected and analyzed for the expression levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), nerve growth factor receptor (NGFR) and caspase-3 using Western blotting techniques in the retina of diabetic rats and compared with the normal control rats. In addition, dichlorofluorescein (DCF) levels in the retina was assessed as a marker of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and blood–retinal barrier breakdown (BRB) was examined for vascular permeability. The systemic effects of TQ treatments on glycemic control, kidney and liver functions were also assessed in all groups.

Results:
Diabetic animals treated with TQ showed improvements in the liver and kidney functions
compared with control diabetic rats. Normalization in the levels of neuroprotective factors, including
BDNF, TH, and NGFR, was observed in the retina of diabetic rats treated with TQ. In addition,
TQ ameliorated the levels of apoptosis regulatory protein caspase-3 in the retina of diabetic rats
and reduced disruption of the blood-retinal barrier, possibly through a reduction in reactive oxygen
species (ROS) generation.

Conclusion:
These findings suggest that TQ harbors a significant potential to limit the neurodegeneration
and retinal damage that can be provoked by hyperglycemia in vivo.
The Use of Blockchain Technology in the Health Care Sector: Systematic Review
Authors: Elangovan Deepa , Long Chiau Soon , Bakrin Faizah Safina , Tan Ching Siang , Goh Khang Wen , Yeoh Siang Fei , Loy Mei Jun , Hussain Zahid , Lee Kah Seng , Idris Azam Che , Ming Long Chiau 
Published: January 2022

Background
Blockchain technology is a part of Industry 4.0’s new Internet of Things applications: decentralized systems, distributed ledgers, and immutable and cryptographically secure technology. This technology entails a series of transaction lists with identical copies shared and retained by different groups or parties. One field where blockchain technology has tremendous potential is health care, due to the more patient-centric approach to the health care system as well as blockchain’s ability to connect disparate systems and increase the accuracy of electronic health records.

Objective
The aim of this study was to systematically review studies on the use of blockchain technology in health care and to analyze the characteristics of the studies that have implemented blockchain technology.

Methods
This study used a systematic review methodology to find literature related to the implementation aspect of blockchain technology in health care. Relevant papers were searched for using PubMed, SpringerLink, IEEE Xplore, Embase, Scopus, and EBSCOhost. A quality assessment of literature was performed on the 22 selected papers by assessing their trustworthiness and relevance.

Results
After full screening, 22 papers were included. A table of evidence was constructed, and the results of the selected papers were interpreted. The results of scoring for measuring the quality of the publications were obtained and interpreted. Out of 22 papers, a total of 3 (14%) high-quality papers, 9 (41%) moderate-quality papers, and 10 (45%) low-quality papers were identified.

Conclusions
Blockchain technology was found to be useful in real health care environments, including for the management of electronic medical records, biomedical research and education, remote patient monitoring, pharmaceutical supply chains, health insurance claims, health data analytics, and other potential areas. The main reasons for the implementation of blockchain technology in the health care sector were identified as data integrity, access control, data logging, data versioning, and nonrepudiation. The findings could help the scientific community to understand the implementation aspect of blockchain technology. The results from this study help in recognizing the accessibility and use of blockchain technology in the health care sector.
Adherence to Growth Hormone Treatment Using a Connected Device in Latin America: Real-World Exploratory Descriptive Analysis Study
Authors: Assefi Aria , van Dommelen Paula , Arnaud Lilian , Otero Carlos , Fernandez-Luque Luis , Koledova Ekaterina , Calliari Luis Eduardo 
Published: January 2022

Background
Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy is an effective treatment for children with growth disorders. However, poor outcomes are often associated with suboptimal adherence to treatment.

Objective
The easypod connected injection device records and transmits injection settings and dose data from patients receiving rhGH. In this study, we evaluated adherence to rhGH treatment, and associated growth outcomes, in Latin American patients.

Methods
Adherence and growth data from patients aged 2-18 years from 12 Latin American countries were analyzed. Adherence data were available for 6207 patients with 2,449,879 injections, and growth data were available for 497 patients with 2232 measurements. Adherence was categorized, based on milligrams of rhGH injected versus milligrams of rhGH prescribed, as high (≥85%), intermediate (>56%-<85%), or low (≤56%). Transmission frequency was categorized as high (≥1 per 3 months) or low (<1 per 3 months). Chi-square tests were applied to study the effect of pubertal status at treatment start and sex on high adherence, and to test differences in frequency transmission between the three adherence levels. Multilevel linear regression techniques were applied to study the effect of adherence on observed change in height standard deviation score (∆HSDS).

Results
Overall, 68% (4213/6207), 25% (n=1574), and 7% (n=420) of patients had high, intermediate, and low adherence, respectively. Pubertal status at treatment start and sex did not have a significant effect on high adherence. Significant differences were found in the proportion of patients with high transmission frequency between high (2018/3404, 59%), intermediate (608/1331, 46%), and low (123/351, 35%) adherence groups (P<.001). Adherence level had a significant effect on ∆HSDS (P=.006). Mean catch-up growth between 0-24 months was +0.65 SD overall (+0.52 SD in patients with low/intermediate monthly adherence and +0.69 SD in patients with high monthly adherence). This difference translated into 1.1 cm greater catch-up growth with high adherence.

Conclusions
The data extracted from the easypod Connect ecosystem showed high adherence to rhGH treatment in Latin American patients, with positive growth outcomes, indicating the importance of connected device solutions for rhGH treatment in patients with growth disorders.
Traumatic intracranial hipertension correction in patients with intracranial hematomas during the early postoperative period with the use of systemic angioprotector
Authors: Koshman I. , Kalinichev A. G. , Shchegolev A. V. , Shaludkin I. E. 
Published: January 2022

Post-traumatic brain edema is integral pathophysiological process in patients with severe traumatic brain injury, leading to increase of intracranial pressure (ICP). Intracranial hypertension (ICH), in turn, increases the number of deaths in this group of patients. The most important task in the treatment of victims in the early postoperative period after the removal of traumatic intracranial hematomas is correction of ICH syndrome.Purpose of the study. To evaluate the effect of the systemic angioprotector use on the treatment outcomes of patients with traumatic intracranial hematomas in the early postoperative period.Materials and methods. The study included 50 patients with traumatic intracranial hematomas. Group I — the main group (with the use of systemic angioprotector, n=24), group II — the comparison group (without the use of the medication, n=26). The effectiveness of treatment was compared — according to the following criteria: survival in the postoperative period (14 days), level of consciousness (at admission and average value during the day throughout the treatment), course of neurological status: meningeal signs, cranial nerve function, motor sphere, response to pain stimuli, autonomic system disorders (at admission and every day throughout the treatment), monitoring of ICP (before removal of the hematoma and average value throughout the measurement), changes in the multispiral computed tomogram of the head (at admission, on the 3rd, 7th, 14th day).Results. The study found that the mortality rate in the main group of patients with intracranial hematomas in the early postoperative period decreased by 21.5%. The average value of ICP for the entire period of measurement in group I is 15.0±7.6, in group II 17.3±8.4 mm Hg. The average value of points of the Glasgow com scale on the 14th day in group I is 9.2±1.9, in group II 7.5±0.7 points. The duration of intraventricular monitoring of ICP was less in the first group — 4.3±1.2 days, compared to the second group — 6.2±1.5 days.Conclusion. The use of systemic angioprotector in the complex treatment can reduce intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with traumatic intracranial hematomas in the early postoperative period and improve intermediate outcomes.
The Performance of Competitiveness of Sharia Banking (Indonesia-Pakistan) Using Porter's Diamond Theory
Authors: Arno Abdul Kadir , Ishak Ishak , Kamal Fasiha 
Published: January 2022

This article provides an overview of the condition of the competitiveness of Islamic banking performance in Indonesia and Pakistan using the porter's diamond theory descriptive analysis method, namely (i) resource variables with indicators of Institutional Performance and Financial Performance, (ii) Demand Variables with Market share and financing indicators (iii) Industry variables related to indicators of the number of sharia business units, (iv) Strategy variables with the roadmap for the development of sharia banking. The conclusions in this study are: 1) The competitive advantages of Islamic banking in Indonesia in 2016-2020 namely Institutional Performance of Islamic commercial banks, average profit growth and average growth of third party funds, compared with the same indicators on Islamic banking in Pakistan. 2) Competitiveness of Islamic banking in Pakistan in 2016-2020, namely the Financial Ratio of NPF, FDR and BOPO which ranked first in terms of bank health level, and the average market share growth andfinancing growth compared to the same indicators in Islamic banking in Indonesia.Keywords: Islamic Banking Performance, Competitiveness, Diamond Porter theory.
Measurement of 222Rn gas Concentrations and Radon Exhalation Rates in Some Cigarettes Tobacco Samples
Authors: Hameed Taghreed Khalid , Omron Auras Muse , Abbas Shaemaa Akram , Karim Mahmood Salim 
Published: January 2022

Twelve cigarette tobacco samples of various brands and origins were gathered from local markets of Iraq. . The CRn was determined utilizing CR-39 track detectors which were exposed to the various brands of cigarettes tobacco for 45 days. The results demonstrated that the highest value of 222Rn concentration was )157 Bq/m3( in Macbeth cigarette sample of Brazilian origin and the lowest value of CRn was (76.3 Bq/m3 (in Sumer cigarette sample of Iraqi origin,with an average value of (106.53±22.3 Bq/m3). The outcomes have demonstrated that cigarettes of a Brazilian origin contain higher CRn than other studied samples, however, it is still less than some other average values given in the literatures.
Inmigración internacional y sostenibilidad en pueblos pequeños. Retos y oportunidades económicas, ambientales y sociales en el Alt Empordà (Cataluña, España)
Authors: Morén-Alegret Ricard , Mendoza Cristóbal 
Published: January 2022

Introducción: Desde la geografía humana, este artículo pone el foco sobre las percepciones de la sostenibilidad rural que tienen inmigrantes internacionales vinculados a municipios con menos de 500 habitantes. Si las experiencias y opiniones de la población inmigrante fuesen desatendidas, una parte importante de la realidad pasaría desapercibida pues hoy día la inmigración internacional es cualitativamente relevante en muchas áreas rurales de España. Concretamente, este artículo tiene como objetivo responder, entre otras, las siguientes preguntas: ¿Qué dimensiones de la sostenibilidad son destacadas por las personas inmigrantes? ¿cuáles son los principales retos para la sostenibilidad de los micropueblos? ¿cuáles son las propuestas y oportunidades para conseguir pueblos sostenibles? Método: Este artículo aporta resultados basados en un trabajo de campo realizado en el Alt Empordà, incluyendo entrevistas semi-estructuradas a inmigrantes internacionales, así como en trabajo estadístico, documental y cartográfico. Resultados: Entre la inmigración internacional que reside en los micropueblos del Alt Empordà y que procede mayoritariamente de otros países de Europa y de las Américas (incluyendo emprendedores y empresarios, así como trabajadores experimentados), se pueden escuchar voces cualificadas que plantean diversos retos para la sostenibilidad local, así como oportunidades para el presente y futuro desarrollo rural sostenible.Conclusión: La población inmigrante entrevistada no son un colectivo pasivo sin interés en las actividades económicas, el bienestar social o el entorno ambiental de estos municipios, sino que son personas que cuentan con una opinión argumentada sobre el lugar en el que viven. Sugieren, sin duda, ideas de cambio (y de mejora), sobre el medio rural. Mientras estas personas inmigrantes se pueden encarrilar hacia proyectos económicos creativos que permiten interrelación de diferente orden con agentes locales nativos, las dimensiones sociales y especialmente ambientales son de más difícil trato, dado que la población inmigrante, en general, cuenta con relativamente menos mecanismos formales e informales de participación política.
Do Cognitively Impaired Elderly Patients with Cancer Respond Differently on Self-reported Symptom Scores? A 5-Year Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Miu Doris Ka Ying , Lam Kai Yin , Chan Chung On 
Published: January 2022

Objectives:
An increasing number of elderly subjects with cancer were admitted to the palliative care unit and they have suffered both distressing symptoms and cognitive impairment. We aim to identify the prevalence of cognitive impairment among elderly cancer patients receiving in-patient palliative care and to examine any difference between patients with cognitive impairment on self-reported symptoms.

Materials and Methods:
Subjects’ age ≥65 admitted to a palliative care unit from 01 September 2015 to 31 August 2020 was included in the study. Exclusion criteria were those with an impaired conscious state, severe cognitive impairment, or language problems that were non-communicable. Variables collected included baseline demographics, cancer diagnosis, cancer stage, mobility state using the modified Barthel index (mBI), and performance status as measured by the palliative performance scale. Cognitive impairment was defined by abbreviated mental test ≤6. Self-reported symptoms scales were measured by the Chinese version of MD Anderson Symptom Inventory and EORTC QLQ C-30 (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer, Quality of Life Core Questionnaire 30).

Results:
Nine hundred and ninety-one subjects with 1174 admissions were retrieved. Eight hundred and seventy-three admission episodes were included in this study. Three hundred and eight (35%) have cognitive impairment. Cognitively impaired subjects were older, showed worse physical function and performance status, and more often residing in old age homes. Independent predictors of cognitive impairment were age (OR 1.09), mBI (OR 0.96), chair/bed bound state (OR 1.79), and presence of brain metastasis (OR 2.63). They reported lower scores in pain (P < 0.001), distress (P < 0.001), sleep disturbance (P < 0.001) and nausea and vomiting (P = 0.012) in the self-reported symptoms scale.

Conclusion:
Elderly cancer patients with cognitive impairment were older with poorer performance status. They have reported a lower level of pain, distress, and sleep disturbance. Clinicians should be alerted to this phenomenon to tackle the unmet concomitant symptoms.
CT-guided microwave ablation of hepatic malignancies via transpulmonary approach without ancillary techniques
Authors: Raissi Driss , Sanampudi Sreeja , Yu Qian , Winkler Michael 
Published: January 2022

Objectives:
The objectives of the study were to determine the safety and efficacy of computed tomography (CT)-guided transpulmonary percutaneous microwave ablation (MWA) for hepatic malignancies without the use of ancillary techniques.

Material and Methods:
A retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent MWA for hepatic malignancy between January 2014 and February 2020 at a single tertiary center. Imaging was reviewed for each procedure to identify MWA showing transpleural transgression on CT scans. For these patients, demographics, ablation data, pulmonary complication rate, and predictors of pneumothorax were analyzed.

Results:
A total of 71 consecutive sessions (62.1 ± 11.3 years, 79% of males) of MWA were performed to treat 71 tumors (1.90 ± 0.96 cm) via transpulmonary approach under CT guidance. Technical success was achieved in all cases immediately after the procedure. At 1-month follow-up, 65/69 (94.2%) patients had no residual disease (two patients were lost to follow-up). Pulmonary complications occurred in 26/71 (36.6%) sessions, and 15/26 (57.7%) were minor requiring no intervention. Pneumothorax occurred in 14/71 (19.7%) sessions, and the rate of major pneumothorax requiring chest tube was 8/71 (11.3%). Lesions on the left side of the liver (segments I–IV) and intraprocedural probe adjustment were found to be independent predictors of developing major pneumothorax (P = 0.007 and 0.028, respectively). There were no reported pulmonary complications at the 1-month follow-up.

Conclusion:
CT-guided transpulmonary MWA is safe and effective in treating hepatic malignancies. Although it is associated with the risk of developing pulmonary complications, patients underwent successful ablation of their hepatic malignancies without life-threatening complications and mortality.
Miliary pattern in secondary central nervous system T-cell lymphoma
Authors: Rajendran Sibi , Lee Jonathan J. , Le Hung Ba , Britz Gavin 
Published: January 2022

Background:
Secondary central nervous system lymphoma may manifest in a variety of ways on imaging, but most commonly presents with leptomeningeal disease, isolated parenchymal lesions, or both. We present a case of secondary central nervous system T-cell lymphoma with miliary pattern of spread noted on imaging.

Case Description:
Our patient had known systemic T-cell lymphoma involving the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts and underwent stereotactic biopsy confirming secondary cerebral metastasis. This spread pattern is an uncommon manifestation of disease and in our experience carries a very poor prognosis.

Conclusion:
We highlight the need to maintain a broad differential diagnosis that includes other metastatic disease and infectious etiologies, including toxoplasmosis and tuberculosis. High clinical suspicion and timely confirmatory testing including biopsy or cerebrospinal fluid flow cytometry are critical to treatment.