bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CBN Monetary Policy and Inflation Nexus in Nigeria: An empirical approach
Authors: Okotori Tonprebofa Waikumo , Gbalam Eze 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: The study explored monetary policy effect on inflation stabilization in Nigeria. Increasing levels of indebtedness may have reduced the fiscal space for fiscal policy intervention and this leaves monetary policy as the real tool of choice for macroeconomic stabilisation. The question we need to ask then is, how effective is this tool of choice?Methodology: Monthly time series data from 2009-2018 were used in estimating the model. The ADF test for the stationarity, the johansen cointegration test and the vector error correction model were utilized in testing the variables. The findings from the unit root test did indicate stationarity at first difference 1(1). The cointegration (Johansen) test indicates that there was a nexus linking inflation and all the regressors adopted in the long term.Findings: The result of the VECM for the two estimated models shows a self-equilibrating mechanism of 14 per cent and 32 per cent for the first and second models respectively. The findings further reveal that the variables; liquidity ratio, policy rate (MPR), exchange rate, reserve requirement and treasury bills rate all had an effective impact on the inflation rate and that that effect was very significant. Hence, the CBN's monetary policy shocks do seem to have the expected traction on the Nigerian economy.Unique Contribution: The results make it pertinent for the CBN to utilize all the policy measures adopted in order to keep inflation within acceptable thresholds and prepare to keep inflation within the targeted range of 6-9 per cent, no matter the anticipated or unanticipated strong head winds.
EXAMINING THE FINANCE- GROWTH NEXUS IN CAMEROON USING COINTEGRATION APPROACH
Authors: Ngimanang Achamoh 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: This study explores the empirical relationship between growth rate of real GDP and financial development using Cameroons time series data spanning from 1978 to 2017.
Methodology: After shedding light to the evolution of financial development in Cameroon and exploring some relevant literature, the study assesses the finance-growth linkages in Cameroon by specifying and estimating the long run and short run functions for financial development using cointegration and Error Correction modeling (ECM) techniques in addition to Engle and Granger causality testing.
Findings: Growth of real GDP used in this paper to capture economic growth was reported to have a positive and highly significant relationship with the variable for financial development and the relation was more significant in the short run than in the long run after controlling for other variables. Bidirectional causality was also noticed between the two set of variables.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: Results of this paper suggests that financial sector of Cameroon can efficiently allocate credit to the private sector as an indicator of financial development by stimulating economic activities with the aim of raising gross domestic product of the country in both short and long run.
Keywords: Economic growth, financial development, cointegration, Cameroon
THE EFFECT OF HUMAN CAPITAL ON ECONOMIC GROWTH IN SOME SUB SAHARA AFRICAN COUNTRIES (SSA)
Authors: SAJOH AISHA AHMAD 
Published: January 2022

Purpose: This research looked into debate on the possible impact of human capital on economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and considers two alternative measures of human capital: health and education.
Methodology: The research used a dynamic model based on the system generalized method of moments (SGMM) and analysed a balanced panel data covering 35 countries from 1986–2018. The research used Microsoft excel to record all the data gotten from the world indicator data base from world bank, penn world table data base and CANA database. The analysis was presented in a tabular form.
Findings: This study found that human capital has an overall positive and statistically significant impact on economic growth in the SSA region, although, democracy has a negative and statistically significant impact on economic growth in the region. This finding shows the importance of both measures of human capital and aligns with the argument in the literature that neither education nor health is a perfect substitute for the other as a measure of human capital.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy:Generally, the finding emphasised that both education and health measures of human capital are important, and that policymakers must consider the level of economic development while formulating policies that can enhance the impact of human capital on economic growth in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.
VARIATIONS IN ACCESSIBILITY OF ROUND WINDOW VIA POSTERIOR TYMPANOTOMY APPROACH IN COCHLEAR IMPLANT SURGERY
Authors: Mushahid Uzair , Raza Sayed Nusrat , Ali Muhammad , Ahmed Shoaib , Hakim Abdul , Ahmed Shakeel 
Published: January 2022

Objective: To apply the St Thomas’ Hospital (STH) classification of round window type, in a Pakistani pediatric population undergoing cochlear implantation, and rate the inter observer variability of applying this classification.
Study Design: Cross sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Apr 2019 to Dec 2020.
Methodology: Patients were examined per-operatively by a panel of four surgeons after "optimal" posterior tympanotomy for round window variations, as per STH classification of approachability of RWM. The observations of the four surgeons were recorded and interobserver variation was assessed and analyzed.
Results: A total of 100 patients were operated, 45 females and 55 males. Mean age was 3.8 years. There was minimal inter observer variability with regards to round window type and extent of "optimal" posterior tympanotomy. Three patients had type I, 76 had type IIA, 15 had type IIB and 6 patients had type III. Round window insertion/membranous cochleostomy was possible in 70 patients, whereas the rest require extended round window approach or bony cochleostomy.
Conclusion: The STH classification is a useful predictor of route of CI electrode insertion and most patients can undergo RW insertion with confidence based on minimal variation between surgeons when applying the STH classification as well as when deciding the extent of surgical exposure.
TYMPANOPLASTY TYPE-1: DIFFERENT APPROACHES AND THEIR SURGICAL OUTCOMES
Authors: Wahid Fazal I , Manan Abdul , Saleem Muhammad , Zada Bakht , Rehman Habib -Ur- , Haq Naseem Ul , Javaid Muhammad 
Published: January 2022

Objective: To calculate the surgical outcomes of different approaches of tympanoplasty type 1 in terms of air bone gap closure, wound healing, and postoperative pain.
Study Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery, Medical Teaching Institute (MTI), Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), Peshawar, Pakistan from Jun 2018 to May 2020.
Methodology: Size of sample was 75 patients divided into three groups. Consent was obtained from all the patients included in study. After proper evaluation and relevant investigation pre- and post-operative PTA was performed. Tympanoplasty type-1 was performed by the same surgeon by the three approaches following established otological surgical protocol. Collected data was entered in SPSS-25 for analysis.
Results: All 75 patients were divided into three equal groups. Male were 55 (73.3%), females were 20 (26.7%). Male: female ratio was 2.7:1. Majority of patients presented in 2nd and 3rd decades of life 31 (41.33%) and 28 (37.33%) respectively. Preoperative mean ± SD, ABG in groups A, B and C were 37.60 ± 11.28 dB, 37 ± 9.68 dB and 31.80 ± 12.40 dB, respectively. No significant difference was found amongst the three groups regarding pre-operative and post-operative ABG (p=0.85 and p=0.4), respectively. Mean ± SD, wound healing time in Groups A, B and C were 1.00 ± 0.00, 1.80 ± 0.40 and 1.76 ± 0.43 respectively with p=0.0001 and similarly postoperative pain with p=0.001. The wound healing time and post-operative was statistically better (p<0.05) in group A (Transmeatal approach) than other groups........
EARLIEST SYMPTOMS OF PRESENTATION IN COVID-19 PATIENTS IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Authors: Raza Maqbool , Raza Muhammad Ali , Cheema De Emmal Asjad , Cheema Maham Asjad , Rafique Atif , Khan Sarim Waleed 
Published: January 2022

Objective: To determine the frequency of earliest symptoms of COVID-19 infection among patients with confirmed SARSCOVID-19 infection.
Study Design: Cross-sectional analytical study.
Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Multan, from Jun to Dec 2021.
Methodology: Data from 299 patients admitted in tertiary care settings was collected on a questionnaire. Patients regardless of gender and age who had confirmed COVID-19 infection through Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) were included in the study. A nonprobability consecutive sampling technique was used to select samples. Data was entered and analyzed through SPSS version 22. Frequencies and percentages of various presenting symptoms were calculated. Sample size calculated at 95% level of confidence, 1% required precision, and 27% anticipated population proportion were 299. The overall difference in frequencies of symptoms in various groups was compared by using chi-square test. p-value <0.05 was taken as significant.
Results: A total of 299 participants were included in this analysis. The median age for participants (interquartile range [IQR]) was 46 (36-54) years. Among 299 adults the reported symptoms were cough 238 (79.6%), fever 176 (58.7%) and, dyspnea 113 (37.8%). Only 78 (26.1%) of participants with confirmed infection reported having all three symptoms of cough, fever, and dyspnea. Other reported symptoms in patients were diarrhea 54 (18.1%), fatigue 128 (42.8%), myalgia 113 (37.8%), and anosmia 98 (32.8%). There was no significant difference in the frequency of symptoms across both genders.
Conclusion: The most frequent symptoms of COVID-19 are cough, fever, and dyspnea.
SELF CLEANING OF EARS BY VARIOUS OBJECTS CAUSES MULTIPLE DISEASES OF EXTERNAL EAR
Authors: Bukhari Syed Muhammad Asad Shabbir , Aslam Sohail , Afzal Mahrukh , Riaz Naeem , Abbas Asim , Afridi Jehangir Ahmed , Khan Muhammad Fahad Wasim 
Published: January 2022

Objective: To find out the association of multiple diseases of external ear with the use of various objects and cotton buds.
Study Design: Case control study.
Place and Duration of Study: Ear Nose Throat Department, Pakistan Naval Ship Shifa Karachi, from Jan to Oct 2020.
Methodology: All the patients having multiple diseases of external ear were included as cases. Controls were selected from the healthy volunteers from general populations.
Results: Total number of subjects in this study was 140 with the mean age 25.11 ± 11.21 years (2-55 years of age range). Out of them, 82 were male and 58 were female. Odds ratio was 16.07.
Conclusion: There is a solid relationship of illnesses of external ear with the utilization of cotton buds. This detrimental practice should be incapacitated by featuring the notice by brands owners of cotton bud and safety instructions at different instructive levels.
COMPARISON OF 128-SLICE SPIRAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY PULMONARY ANGIOGRAPHY (CTPA) FINDINGS WITH PLASMA D-DIMER LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH CLINICAL SUSPICION OF PULMONARY EMBOLISM
Authors: Nisar Uzma , Nasir Hina , Slehria Atiq Ur Rehman , Palwa Abdur Rahim Rahim , Hussain Rashid , Khan Danish Hassan 
Published: January 2022

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of plasma D-dimer levels with findings of 128-slice spiral computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in patients with clinical suspicion of pulmonary embolism.
Study Design: Retrospective observational study
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Computed Tomography, Armed Forces Institute of Radiology & Imaging, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from Jan 2018 to Dec 2018.
Methodology: A total of 59 patients were inducted who presented in Emergency Department, Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi with clinical suspicion of Pulmonary Embolism. The main symptoms were shortness of breath and chest pain. Plasma D-dimer levels of all patients were sent to laboratory and CTPA was performed at Computed Tomography department, Armed Forces Institute of Radiology & Imaging using 128-slice spiral computed tomography.
Results: 36 patients (61%) were males and 23 (39%) were females with an average age of 48.03 ± 18.06 years (range 23-85 years). Out of 59 patients, D-dimer levels were raised in 28 cases (47.4%) while 31 patients (52.6%) showed normal levels. Pulmonary Embolism was detected by CTPA in 30 cases (50.8%) while 29 patients (49.2%) were without obvious abnormality.
Conclusion: Plasma D-Dimer levels show low sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value and cannot exclude Pulmonary Embolism without CTPA. Computed Tomography Pulmonary Angiography (CTPA) remains diagnostic modality of choice for definitive assessment of Pulmonary Embolism in patients reporting at the emergency reception.
THE SPEECH SOUND ERRORS AND LITERACY SKILLS IN CHILDREN WITH OROFACIAL CLEFTS
Authors: Khan Arooj Karim , Yousaf Aasma , Tarer Sharmeen Aslam , Kausar Rukhsana 
Published: January 2022

Objective: To investigate the speech sound errors and literacy skills in children with orofacial clefts (cleft palate& cleft lip and palate).
Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Centre for Clinical Psychology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, from Mar 2016 to Feb 2017.
Methodology: A sample of 42 participants (cleft lip & palate: n=18 and cleft palate: n=24) was collected. Two stage sampling strategy was used. Each child was individually screened through Slosson intelligence test revised checklist of orofacial cleft and diagnostic statistical Manual-V checklist. Then children were provided with assessment measures which included demographic informational questionnaire, community developed VPI Screener, word list for articulation and phonological processes, annual status of education report (ASER) and curriculum-based measurement (Written Expression). Manual SODA (substitution, omission, distortion and addition) analysis was done to know about the type of speech sound errors.
Results: Independent sample t-test was used to compare the differences of speech sound errors (52.11 ± 25.08), (47.29 ± 25.38), reading skills (3.67 ± 1.14), (3.75 ± 1.26) and writing skills (14.61 ± 13.49), (25.14 ± 29.16) in cleft lip & palate and cleft palate respectively, indicated that there were no differences; with p-value: p=0.54, 0.83, 0.13.
Conclusion: Results indicated no significant differences in speech sound errors, reading, writing skills and resonance between children with cleft lip & palate and cleft palate.
COMPARISON OF ULTRASOUND GUIDED MODIFIED PECTORAL NERVE BLOCK WITH LOCAL ANAESTHESTIC INFILTRATION FOR ANALGESIA IN BREAST CANCER SURGERY
Authors: Saqib Usman , Iqbal Rashid , Usman Sana , Hanif Rashid 
Published: January 2022

Objective: To compare the frequency of pain and mean analgesia requirement after breast surgery under general anaesthesia when comparing pectoral nerve block with local anaesthesia infiltration.
Study Design: Comparative prospective study.
Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi from Mar 2018 to Sep 2019.
Methodology: A total of 60 patients undergoing modified radical mastectomy were included in the study. Group A (n=30) received pectoral nerve blocks while Group B (n=30) received local anaesthetic infiltration. Outcome was assessed at 12 hours after injection of local anaesthetic.
Results: Pain in 7 (23.33%) patients in Group A (Pectoral nerve blocks) and in 20 (66.67%) patients in Group B (Local anaesthetic infiltration), p-value of 0.001 which was considered statistically significant. Mean analgesic requirement was found to be 80 ± 33.73 mg in the Group A (pectoral nerve blocks) compared with 141.67 ± 47.50 mg in Group B (Local anaesthesia infiltration) patients with a p-value of <0.001 which was statistically significant.
Conclusion: Pectoral nerve block significantly reduces early postoperative pain and analgesia requirement when compared with Local anaesthesia infiltration after breast surgery.
COMPARISON OF THE EFFICACY OF TOTAL LARYNGEAL ANESTHESIA AND SIMPLE LOCAL ANESTHESIA DURING AWAKE FIBEROPTIC BRONCHOSCOPY
Authors: Khan Asif Ullah , Khan Muhammad Khalid Azam , Khattak Abdul Latif , Naz Shazia , Shah Bukhari Syed Karamat Hussain , Ibrahim Muhammad Tahir 
Published: January 2022

Objective: To compare the efficacy of total laryngeal anesthesia and simple local anesthesia during awake fiberoptic bronchoscopy.
Study Design: Quasi-experimental study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pulmonology, Combined Military Hospital Lahore, from Jan to Jul 2020.
Methodology: A total of 70 patients, who were undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy were divided into two groups. Group-I patients were given topical anesthesia with 2% Lignocaine while group-II patients, in addition to topical Lignocaine, had 2% Lignocaine injected into bilateral internal laryngeal nerves for total laryngeal anesthesia. Assessment of efficacy of anesthesia was evaluated by Reasoner scale.
Results: In group-I, 26 (74.28%) patients showed mild or moderate cough and gagging during stage-1. Fifteen (42.85%) patients showed moderate cough and gagging that interfered with the procedure during stage-2 and 19 (54.28%) patients showed mild cough or gagging that did not interfere with the procedure in stage-3. In group-II, 17 (48.57%) patients exhibited mild cough or gagging during stage-1. Sixteen (45.71%) exhibited mild cough or gagging that did not interfere with the procedure during stage-2 with all the patients showing either no cough or mild cough and gagging that did not interfere with the procedure during stage-3. More patients of group-II 32 (91.42%) agreed to a repeat test if required medically as compared to group-I 28 (80%).
Conclusion: Patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy who underwent total laryngeal anesthesia and sedation, in addition to topical anesthesia experienced less cough and gagging than those receiving only local anesthesia.
MATERNAL OUTCOMES OF PREGNANCY-RELATED ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY
Authors: Khattak Irfan , Khattak Samina Naseem , Imran Ayesha , Kamal Khawar , Yaqoob Umairah 
Published: January 2022

Objective: To determine the frequency of Pregnancy-related acute kidney injury in the Pakistani population and its effect on maternal health.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of the Study: Department of Nephrology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Combined Military Hospital Kharian, from Jan 2018 to Dec 2020.
Methodology: All pregnant women with normal renal functions at the time of enrolment in the study and no previous history of any kidney disease or renal procedure in the recent past (at least 3 months) before conception were included in our study at Combined Military Hospital Kharian. All participants had serum creatinine tested at enrolment and were inquired specifically about any history of renal disease or any renal procedure in the recent past (at least 3 months old).
Results: Mean maternal age in the study was 29 ± 7.67 years however it ranged from 16-41 years. Around a quarter of acute kidney injury cases occurred in the first and second trimesters combined, with 26 (12%) and 24 (11%) cases in the first and second trimesters, respectively. Thirty percent of acute kidney injury cases were diagnosed in the third trimester. A substantial number 58 (27%) of cases developed azotemia which persisted beyond three months and developed chronic kidney disease of various stages. Regarding maternal outcomes, 166 (77%) mothers recovered completely. However, 43 (20%) patients had some degree pf azotemia, a few cases required permanent renal replacement therapy.
Conclusion: Acute kidney injury is a common problem in our community leading to suboptimal maternal outcomes..............
THE SURVIVAL RATE OF CHICK EMBRYO INFLUENCED BY NICOTINE AND ANTIOXIDANT GREEN TEA (CAMELLIA SINENSIS)
Authors: Shan Maryam , Muazam Shazia , Shan Hina , Atta Fahad , Iftikhar Zubia , Khalil Amna 
Published: January 2022

Objectives: To study the effects of Nicotine on the survival rate of chick embryo and to evaluate the preventive role by the antioxidant green tea camellia sinensis.
Study Design: Laboratory-based experimental study.
Place and Duration of Study: Army Medical College, Rawalpindi, from Nov 2011 to Nov 2012.
Methodology: A total of 75 Fayoumi fresh fertilized eggs were kept at Poultry Research Institute, Rawalpindi. Experimental solutions were injected to the eggs of four groups at forty-eight hours of incubation and the effect on the growth was recorded and compared with the control group. The control and experimental groups were observed to assess the effects of Nicotine and the role of antioxidant green tea Camellia sinensis on the survival rate and growth of chick embryo’s femur.
Results: The control group (group-1) showed 100% survival rate of embryos. The experimental group-2 showed survival rate of 100% embryos and the group-3 and group-4 showed survival rate 50% and 70% of embryos, respectively.
Conclusion: It was concluded that green tea decreases the oxidative stress caused by the Nicotine.
IMMUNOGENICITY AND SAFETY OF INACTIVATED SARS-COV-2 VACCINE (VERO CELL), BBIBP-CORV (SINOPHARM); AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY FROM PAKISTAN
Authors: Farooq Muhammad , Malik Muhammad Fayyaz , Hussain Ashfaq , Latif Majid , Rathore Muhammad Usman , Lodhi Rehan Ahmad Khan 
Published: January 2022

Objective: To ascertain the immunogenicity and short-term safety of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell), BBIBPCorV (Sinopharm) in our setup.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital Sialkot Pakistan, from Feb to Apr 2021.
Methodology: A total of 227 health care workers (HCWs) between 18 to 59 years of age were included in the study. Two doses of Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell), BBIBP-CorV were administered to all individuals 21 days apart and they were monitored for any vaccine-related adverse reactions for 7 days after each dose. Neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) in study subjects were detected in three samples i.e. before 1st dose of vaccine, 21 days after 1st dose and 14 days after 2nd dose by Elecsys Anti- SARS-CoV-2 S (Roche Diagnostics).
Results: Mean age of individuals in the study was 36.70 ± 18.08 years and most individuals were in the 31-45 years age group. Fatigue and drowsiness were the most common adverse effects experienced by study subjects after 1st and 2nd dose of the vaccine followed by malaise and headache. Only 42 (39%) individuals developed positive neutralizing antibody titers in a sample taken 21 days after 1st dose while all individuals except one (99%) developed positive neutralizing antibody titers in a sample taken 2 weeks after 2nd vaccine dose.
Conclusion: Inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine (Vero Cell), BBIBP-CorV is safe and well-tolerated with very few adverse reactions. Immunogenicity was well achieved as the seroconversion rate was 99% two weeks after 2nd dose of the vaccine.