bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identifying the Clinical and Histological Risk Factors affecting Post-Biopsy Voiding Efficiency: An Observational Closed Cohort Study
Authors: Tolani  
Published: July 2022

Background: There is a variability in the reported rate of post-prostate biopsy voiding inefficiency. The burden and potential predictors of this morbidity is not well studied in African patients. This study aimed to evaluate the incidence as well as the clinical and histological factors affecting voiding function in patients undergoing trans-rectal prostate biopsy in an African population.
Subjects, materials and methods: An observational cohort study was carried out in 68 adult males, 40 years and above, scheduled for trans-rectal prostate biopsy for suspected prostate cancer. Those who could not void spontaneously, had either neurological conditions or were on drugs that could affect voiding, were excluded from the research. Data on demographic characteristics of the patients were collected. Uroflowmetry was done to obtain the peak urine flow rate of the patients at baseline and seven days after the procedure. The prostate volume was determined and the presence of other potential clinical and histological risk factors were recorded. The presence of other bleeding-related biopsy complications was also recorded. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS with a p-value of less than 0.05 reported as significant.
Results: Voiding inefficiency was recorded in 28 (41.2%) of the patients with majority, 21 (75.0%), experiencing a five to nine-point decrease in their seventh day peak flow rate values. Post-biopsy haematuria occurred in 37 (54.4%) of the population. The presence of haematuria with blood clots was associated with a 10.9 times increased risk of voiding inefficiency after the procedure (p = 0.006).
Conclusion: About two in five patients developed post-prostate biopsy voiding inefficiency. Blood clot presence was independently. associated with the occurrence of this morbidity.
Authors
M A Tolani 1, B K Hamza 2, M Awaisu 1, A O Afolayan 3, A T Lawal 1, A Bello 1
Principles of Manual Tissue Processing in an Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Egbunah  
Published: July 2022

Introduction: Tissue processing describes the steps involved in infiltrating a well fixed tissue with wax for section cutting on a microtome. Paraffin tissue processing can be performed either manually or by using an automated tissue processor and errors in any of the steps involved would significantly affect histopathology. The aim of this article was to describe to principles of manual tissue processing as performed in the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Laboratory of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Nigeria (OMFP-CMUL Lab).
Methods: We report the principles of manual tissue processing as performed in the OMFP-CMUL lab using the index case of an 11-year-old girl with a histopathologic diagnosis of unicystic ameloblastoma.
Results: Steps of tissue processing included fixation, specimen accessioning, gross examination, decalcification (for tissue specimens containing calcium deposits), dehydration, clearing, infiltration, embedding, sectioning, labeling of tissue blocks, tissue floatation bathing, making the slide and numbering, staining, drying, cover-slipping, and microscopic examination.
Discussion: Common errors seen in histopathology laboratories were avoided by the quality control practices of the residents, consultants, laboratory scientists and technicians within the department.
Authors
U P Egbunah 1, A O Akinshipo 2, O F Ajayi 2 3
Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies among Adults with Asthma in Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Authors: Arawomo et al.  
Published: July 2022

Background and objectives: Asthma is one of the common chronic diseases globally. There is paucity of data on perceived stress among patients with asthma in Nigeria. This study aimed to determine the extent of perceived stress and its association with coping strategies among adults with asthma.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study in which 100 adults with asthma were consecutively recruited from the Respiratory Clinic of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. They completed a questionnaire containing demographic details, Perceived Stress Scale(PSS), Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced (Brief-COPE) Scale and Asthma Specific Coping Scale(ASCS).
Results: Most of the respondents were female (56%, n = 56) with mean age of 38.8 (±16.5), and FEV1% predicted was 78.9%±24.5. Sixty-three (63%) participants had high levels of perceived stress. Patients with asthma who had high perceived stress were significantly younger than those with low perceived stress (χ2 = 2.66; p=0.01). The mean scores of coping strategies for asthma patients with high stress level was generally higher compared with those with low stress level, and was significantly higher in the adaptive coping strategy (t=-3.36; p=0.01) and its subscales. For asthma specific coping scale, there was significant difference between those with high perceived stress and low perceived stress in the positive appraisal (t=-2.95, p=0.004) and ignoring asthma (t=-2.09, p=0.040) subscales.
Conclusion: The level of perceived stress is high among Nigerian patients with asthma. This study showed that the more stressed they are, the more they are likely to use coping strategies.
Authors
A O Arawomo 1, J O Erhabor 2, A Akinsulore 3, O F Awopeju 1 4, A O Ajayi 1, G E Erhabor 1 4
An Evaluation of a Supervised School Tooth Brushing Program on Plaque and Gingival Scores of a Group of Rural Nigerian Primary School Children
Authors: Ozoemena  
Published: July 2022

Aim: The study assessed the Plaque and Gingival scores of rural Nigerian school children before and after supervised school brushing program.
Methods: This was an interventional study of 96 children aged 6 to 12 years in selected rural primary schools in Enugu, Nigeria. Data on sex, age, type of school, Plaque score and Gingival score were collected. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 and student's t- test was used to compare means. P<0.05 was considered significant.
Results: There were 45(46.9%) male and 51(53.1%) female participants and their mean age was 8.45±1.83years. Forty nine(51.0%) children attended private school while 47(49.0%) attended public school. Only 10(10.4%) had good Plaque score while 8(8.3%) had healthy gingiva. Before intervention, 83(86.5%) children used tooth brush as cleansing tool, 7(7.3%) children brushed twice a day while after the intervention, 96(100.0%) children used toothbrush and 39(40.6%) children brushed twice a day. Also, before intervention, there was significant association between Plaque scores (p=0.012), Gingival scores (p<0.001) and type of school attended. The mean plaque score for the school children before and after intervention was 2.17±0.57, and 1.28±0.49 respectively and the change was statistically significant (p=0.01). The mean gingival score before and after intervention was 1.23±0.67 and 0.31±0.49 respectively and the change was also statistically significant (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Children who attended private schools had better Plaque and Gingival scores than those who attended public schools. Supervised school tooth brushing program improved the plaque and gingival scores of rural primary school children in the study population.
Authors
S P Ozoemena 1, N K Onyejaka 2, E F Ani 1, O F Eboh 3, E O Odo 4
Direitos humanos e políticas públicas de saúde para populações específicas
Authors: Machado Vanessa Cristina 
Published: July 2022

Os direitos humanos, consolidados constitucionalmente, implicam a garantia de acesso as políticas públicas sociais, como à saúde. Em função dos marcadores sociais de diferenças – incluindo raça/cor, etnia, gênero, orientação sexual, posição geracional e classe, grupos minoritários encontram barreiras ao seu direito à saúde. Considerando que aspectos étnico-raciais, de gênero e socioeconômicos influenciam o modo de nascer, viver, adoecer e morrer das pessoas, o objetivo deste trabalho é discutir os impactos do reconhecimento da saúde como direito humano fundamental a ser assegurado pelo poder público, apresentar traços singulares de grupos minoritários, as doenças prevalentes, bem como as políticas públicas de saúde formuladas para responder as necessidades de saúde desses grupos. Assim, foram descritas as características singulares de populações específicas - negros, indígenas, mulheres, LGBTQIA+, encarcerados e pessoas em situação de rua – que tornam esses grupos mais vulneráveis a algumas doenças. A partir do reconhecimento dessa implicação nas condições de saúde, foram expostas as políticas afirmativas de saúde que buscam a equidade do acesso a ações de promoção, prevenção, atenção, tratamento e recuperação para cada um dos grupos populacionais especificados. Assim, as políticas públicas de saúde específicas visam reparar a desigualdade no acesso ao direito fundamental à saúde, bem como contribuir para o desenvolvimento de uma sociedade diversa e justa.
Palavras-chave: direitos humanos, políticas públicas de saúde, grupos minoritários.
Academic Writing Problems in L2 Settings: Realities and Need for Intervention
Authors: Al-Khulaidi Mohammed Ali , Mona Mohammed Abdulkhalek  
Published: July 2022

Building on evidence from prior research, this literature review focuses on academic writing problems in ESL /EFL contexts, bringing to the fore emerging approaches to academic writing and calling for a shift from writing across the curriculum program to writing in specialized centers to propagate the integration of writing rather than some fixed tasks throughout the curriculum. For the study purpose, a theoretical-based descriptive thematic procedure was adopted, while at the same time providing pedagogical implications for automated writing and evaluation. As aside, instituting multimodal composition that fully engages all senses connects the linguistic and non-linguistic (semiotic) dimension of meaning-making. It enhances written fluency and liberates learners from getting bogged down in grammatical flaws and beyond alphabetic literacy. Given the situation in the local Yemeni EFL context, the current review highlights that writing would remain in a state of limbo unless it is coupled with a timely intervention addressing the problems of writing from school to university in light of these refinements.
Keywords: Academic Writing (AW), Problems, ESL, EFL, corrective Intervention
Acoustic Account of Prosodic Competence through Shadowing
Authors: Alkadi Abdu M. , Nageeb Al Maktary Mayada 
Published: July 2022

Adopting an acoustic framework, this experimental study elucidates the effect of shadowing technique on prosodic competence of learners of English whose L1 (Arabic) and English have quite dissimilar phonological systems. It is appertained to prosodic aspects such as pauses, stress, and sound length that cause challenges to non-English native speakers. Two individuals of heterogeneous linguistic background participated in a pre-test and a post-test before and after five weeks of shadowing sessions. The data was analyzed acoustically using Praat Software. Findings showed that the participant with the elementary level outperformed the other participant whose level was intermediate, partially because the former was highly motivated to improve her English. The study concluded that shadowing per se is no way a panacea for improving supra-segmental features unless it is coupled with a motivation to do so, regardless of the level of proficiency.
Keywords: Pauses, Pronunciation, Prosody, Shadowing, Supra-segmental Features
Country Classifications Through a COVID-19 Pandemic Model with Dynamic Parameters and Socioeconomics Indicators
Authors: Margaretha Helena , Himawan Jessica Cheryl , Ferdinand Ferry Vincenttius , Dikson Dikson 
Published: July 2022

COVID-19 is a contagious disease that is spreading rapidly to all countries in the world. Data shows that the progression of the disease is different from one country to another. The dynamic of new cases and death are influenced by rules that restrict human interaction, the quality of healthcare services, and the complexity of human behaviors. This paper aims to show how socio-economic factors contribute to the patterns of the pandemic in various countries. The analysis was done for two periods, reflecting two earlier phases of the pandemic: the first six months and the next six months afterward. The results provide helpful lesson-learned for regional and global policymakers to be better prepared with better policies in case of future pandemics. The analysis is done as follows. Firstly, we classify the countries based on the biweekly series of the infection parameter (????) and the recovery one (γ). Both parameters are estimated from the COVID-19 data by using the SIR (Susceptible, Infectious, Recovered) model. Secondly, we classify the countries based on the ???? and γ parameters or the combinations of socio-economic indicators. The chosen indicators are the Economic Complexity Index (ECI), the Compliance Risk Index (CRI), the Anti-Money Laundering (AML) index, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per Capita, and School Enrollment. The indices reflect the economic condition, safeness, education, and obedience to the government. For the first six-month phase of the pandemic, we choose 29 countries, and for the second phase, we choose 34 countries. The chosen countries are the ones that rank highest in terms of COVID-19 testing. Our analysis shows how countries are classified based on the pattern of COVID-19 progression and which indices are the most relevant for each cluster.
Fruit Wine Characteristics with Variety of Banana Type along with Banana and Water Ratio
Authors: Kurniawan Reynaldi , Mastuti Titri Siratantri 
Published: July 2022

Banana is a fruit that can be used as a source of energy and vitamin content. However, bananas have a fast rate of damage and are easy to change after being harvested. Producing banana wine by fermentation may help to lower crop loss. This research aims to make a banana wine with various types of bananas along with banana and water ratios. Banana wines made of yellow Kepok banana (Musa acuminata x Musa balbisiana) and Mas banana (Musa acuminata Colla) were produced using a variety ratio of bananas and water of 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4. Total soluble solids, pH value, total titratable acidity, alcohol content, clarity, lightness, and color were then analyzed along with the organoleptic test which consist of scoring and hedonic test. The best banana wine was made from yellow Kepok banana with a ratio of bananas and water of 1:3. It has a pH value of 3,29±0,05, a total soluble solid of 9,26±0,05 °Brix, a total titratable acidity of 0,80±0,04%, alcohol content of 10,03±0,00%, a clarity of 90,08±0,43%, has a bright color of 53,64±0,70, and yellow color with a °Hue value of 119,01±7,76. Based on the scoring test, the best wine has a higher scoring value on the taste of the wine and a higher aroma of alcohol. On the hedonic taste, the best wine has a preferred hedonic color value and there is no difference in preference for alcohol aroma and wine taste.
Segmented Coil Design Powering the Next Generation of High-efficiency Robust Micro-implants
Authors: Tao Yun , Lemdiasov Rosti , Venkatasubramanian Arun , Wong Marshal 
Published: July 2022

The next generation of Micro Active Implantable Medical Devices (M-AIMD) are small (< 1 cc), wireless, as well as battery-less. They are located in different parts of the body ranging from brain computer interface electrode arrays (e.g., Blackrock Neurotech Utah Array) to multi-chamber cardiac pacemakers (e.g., Abbott dual chamber Nanostim device). These devices require efficient charging and powering solutions that are very challenging to design. Such solutions require the careful balancing of multiple design parameters such as size, separation distance, orientation, and regulatory limits for emission and tissue safety. In this article, we introduce unique optimisation metrics for designing efficient transmit and receive coils for near-field magnetics-based charging solutions. We elaborate on how the metrics need to be altered depending on the regulatory limits. We discuss the impact of body tissue loading on transmit and receive coil performance using circuit analysis. We introduce a novel “segmented” transmit coil arrangement. We discuss the physics of segmentation, and we build a full wave simulation model, with practical design procedure, which is verified with measurements. Finally, we compare the near fields with and without tissue loading to show that segmented coils offer significant improvement to the performance and robustness of a wireless power transfer system.
Effects of self-selected versus motivational music on lower limb muscle strength and affective state in middle-aged adults
Authors: Greco Francesca , Rotundo Luca , Grazioli Elisa , Parisi Attilio , Carraro Attilio , Muscoli Carolina , Paoli Antonio , Marcolin Giuseppe , Emerenziani Gian Pietro 
Published: July 2022

Background
Strength training plays a crucial role in promoting healthy ageing and music might affect how individuals perform and perceive strength exercises. This study aimed to investigate the effects of self-selected music (SSM) on muscle strength and affective states during maximal isometric contractions on a customized leg extension.

Methods
Twenty-six healthy middle-aged males (50.8 ± 8.4 years) performed maximal and endurance isometric strength tests under three different conditions: SSM, motivational music (MM), and control condition (CC). Peak force and Rate of Force Development (RFD) were assessed during the maximal isometric strength test. The isometric endurance test evaluated the mean force and a fatigue index. Moreover, Felt Arousal Scale (FAS) was administered before the strength protocol, whereas the Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and Feeling Scale (FS) at the end of it.

Results
Mean force was significantly higher in the SSM (507.3 ± 132.2 N) than MM (476.3 ± 122.4 N, p < 0.01) and CC (484.6 ± 119.2 N, p = 0.03). FAS was significantly higher in the SSM (4.0 [1.3] than MM (3.0 [2.3], p < 0.01) and CC (3.0 [1.3], p < 0.01) conditions. FS was significantly higher in the SSM (4.0 [2.0] than MM (3.0 [1.3], p < 0.01) and CC (3.0 [1.3], p < 0.01) conditions. No significant differences were found for peak force, RFD, fatigue index, and RPE.

Conclusions
Listening to SSM seems to influence isometric endurance strength performance in middle-aged adults positively. Moreover, listening to SSM might improve individuals’ affective states without affecting the level of perceived exertion.
Neonatal Rickets, Due to Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency, Complicated by Convulsion and Dilated Cardiomyopathy: Case Report
Authors: Mebrouk Nadia , Jabourik Fatima , Chkirat Bouchra , Chtouki Loubna , Benouachane Thami , Oamer Hassan Ait , Bentahila Abdelali 
Published: July 2022

Deficiency rickets due to maternal hypovitaminosis D cause hypocalcaemia in infants, which may be complicated by dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) with myocardial dysfunction. Calcium is central in myocardial contraction coupling, and hypocalcemia decreases myocardial contractility. However, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) due to hypocalcemia in infants has been rarely reported. Correction of hypocalcemia was associated with resolution of congestive heart failure and the left ventricular (LV) geometry and systolic function.
We report the case of an infant who presented deficiency rickets due to maternal hypovitaminosis D, complicated by convulsion and dilated cardiomyopathy, with good improvement under treatment with calcium and vitamin D.
ABT-263, an Inhibitor of Bcl-2 Family Antiapoptotic Proteins, Sensitizes Prometaphase-Arrested HeLa Cells to Apoptosis Induced by Mild Hyperthermia
Authors: Paulson James R. , Luedtke Rachel L. , Suydam Savannah , Obi Daniel , Xie Linfeng 
Published: July 2022

Aims: We have previously shown that mild hyperthermia (39-42°C) rapidly induces apoptosis in H-HeLa cells arrested in mitosis but not in interphase cells and not in mitotic-arrested cells of other HeLa strains such as HeLa S3. Our goal was to test the idea that this sensitivity to hyperthermia is due to down-regulation of Bcl-2 family antiapoptotic proteins during mitosis.
Methodology: HeLa S3 cells were arrested in mitosis with spindle poisons and simultaneously treated with mild hyperthermia (42°C) and ABT-263 (Navitoclax), an inhibitor of Bcl-2 and other anti-apoptotic proteins. Apoptosis was observed microscopically and confirmed by observation of procaspase 3 cleavage using western immunoblotting.
Results: Treatment of prometaphase-arrested HeLa S3 cells with mild hyperthermia (42°C) and as little as 200 nM ABT-263 induces apoptosis in the great majority of cells within 2 hr, as judged by blebbing of plasma membranes. The effect is not seen with interphase cells and is blocked by caspase inhibitors z-VAD-fmk and z-DEVD-fmk.
Conclusion: Our results show that inhibition of Bcl-2 family antiapoptotic proteins sensitizes prometaphase-arrested HeLa cells, but not interphase cells, to apoptosis induced by mild hyperthermia. An open question is why are prometaphase-arrested cells more susceptible than interphase cells? If the features of mitotic-arrested cells that make them sensitive could be identified and mimicked in interphase cells by appropriate drug treatments, it may be possible to combine systemic chemotherapy with local hyperthermia to provide an effective new treatment for tumors.
Influence of Pre-sowing Seed Treatment with Bio – fertilizers on Plant Growth and Yield Attribute Traits of Mustard (Brassica nigra L.)
Authors: Reddy K. Sitarami , Bara Bineeta M. , Devi T. Uma 
Published: July 2022

A set of thirteen treatments including control of seed treatments of mustard (Brassica nigraL.) with various biofertilizers were used to evaluate the effect of different pre sowing seed treatments of bio-fertilizers on growth,yield and yield attributing traits of mustard. The treatments were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with three replications during the rabi season, 2021-22. The present investigation was carried out at the Field Experimentation Centre of Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Naini Agricultural Institute, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Naini, Prayagraj, U.P. during rabi 2021. at Naini Agriculture Institute,Naini. The data were recorded from five randomly selected plants for each treatments in all the replications for twelve characters. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among the seed treatments for all characters indicating that the seed treatment with biofertilizers has adequate variability to support the improvement the seed yield of mustard. It is concluded that all the characters under study were significantly affected by the influence of the application of biofertilizers. Among all the biofertilizers used under the study, seed treatment with the application of vermiwash at 12% for a duration of 6 hours and observed rapid increase in field emergence, plant height, seeds per siliqua and yield characteristics.