bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional and Radiological Outcome after Cervical Arthrodesis using Polyetheretherketone or Tricortical Iliac Bone Graft for Degenerative and Traumatic Spine Pathologies: A Single-center Experience
Authors: Thankaraj Jithin Veliyath , Kidangan Geo Senil , Warrier Bijukrishnan Rajagopala , Veepanattu Pranav 
Published: November 2022

Introduction:
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is the most common surgical procedure used for decompression and fusion of adjacent cervical vertebral bodies. Iliac bone graft was widely accepted for fusion during ACDF to the introduction of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) spacers. Even though PEEK spacers have the advantage of reducing donor-site complications, in cases with doubtful supporting ligament continuity, the long-term outcome of cervical spine stability is not confirmed. In this study, we are comparing the clinical and radiological outcomes of both substitutes.

Materials and Methods:
We did a retrospective analysis of 111 patients who underwent singlelevel ACDF using PEEK or tricortical iliac bone graft for various disc pathologies at our institution in the past 10 years along with clinical and radiological presentations and outcome of the procedure at 3 weeks, 6 months, and after 1 year. The study population was divided into two groups: Group “P” (PEEK spacer) and Group “G” (bone graft spacer). Distribution of clinical presentation in terms of radiculopathy, myelopathy, and myeloradiculopathy was evaluated and correlated with the demographic parameters. The standard deviation and P value of the radiological variables were calculated. “Mann–Whitney U-test” for the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score at 1-year follow-up and “Pearson's Chi-square” value for the Odom's score of both groups were used to analyze the correlation.

Results:
All the radiological parameters were analyzed by the Wilcoxon signed-rank test after checking for normality distribution. The improvements reported above in all domains were found to be statistically significant at P < 0.001. When analyzing the radiographic evidence of bony fusion at 1 year by Bridwell fusion grading, only two patients in Group P had poor fusion and all the patients in Group G had Grade 1 or 2 fusion. The clinical improvement analyzed by evaluating the ODOMS score after 1-year follow-up showed significant improvements in both groups.

Conclusions:
In our study, PEEK spacers have got definite advantage over iliac bone grafts in maintaining the disc segmental height, segmental angle, cervical lordosis, and fusion segment height without adding any donor-site morbidity.
COMPARISON OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE SEVERITY AMONG DIABETIC AND NON DIABETIC PATIENTS ADMITTED TO KHYBER TEACHING HOSPITAL, PESHAWAR
Authors: Ahmad Asfandyar , Ashraf Saadia , Bahadar Sher , Irfan Muhammad , Ashraf Amber , Hafizullah Muhammad 
Published: November 2022

Objectives: To compare the coronary artery disease severity in type-2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients suffering from coronary artery disease presenting to cardiology department of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar.
Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at Cardiology department of Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from 29th August 2015 to 17th March 2016. Non probability convenience sampling technique was applied. All patients admitted with acute coronary syndrome or previous known coronary artery disease who were candidate for angiography and revascularization and given consent were included. Patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus, valvular heart diseases, chronic kidney disease, Connective tissue disease, previous percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) were excluded from study. Patient’s coronary angiograms were evaluated for lesions in coronary arteries, number of vessel involved and type of lesions, by two cardiologist with more than five year post fellowship experience first separately and then results were compared for final reporting in order to eliminate bias in reporting.
Results: It was noted that male diabetic patients with more were ten years duration of diabetes, smokers with 10 pack years and sedentary life style were more prone to have severe disease in coronary arteries. In diabetic patients severe disease was significantly higher in LAD (55.2% vs. 43%, p <0.01), RCA (63.3% vs. 38 %, p <0.002) and Left Circumflex (62% vs. 35%, p <0.003). Diabetic patients were found to have more extensive disease as compared to non-diabetics, so multi vessel disease was more common in diabetics as compared to non-diabetics (55.7% vs. 21.3 %, p <0.001) . It was noted that Type C lesions were more common in diabetics (33.7% vs. 13.9 %, p <0.001). Diabetic patients were having more severe, diffuse disease multivessel disease in our study population as compared to non-diabetics.
Conclusion: Coronary artery disease is more severe, diffuse, aggressive with complicated lesions in diabetic patients having more than 10 years duration of diabetes along with ten pack years history of smoking, with sedentary life style.
FREQUENCY OF WHITE COAT HYPERTENSION USING 24 HOUR AMBULATORY BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING (ABPM) IN PATIENTS PRESENTING TO TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Authors: Kundi Afrasiyab , Amer Khayyam , Ahmad Farooq , Ashraf Amber 
Published: November 2022

Objectives: Prevalence and epidemiologic characteristics of patients with white coat hypertension in our population. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is an effective tool to diagnose white coat hypertension. To know the frequency of white coat hypertension in patients presenting to cardiology division of Khyber Teaching Hospital with the help of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.
Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted at department of cardiology, MTI / Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar. This study was conducted from 28th August 2021 till 28th February 2022. 102 patients of either gender presenting for blood pressure and cardiac evaluation were enrolled. Diagnosis of hypertension was made on 24 hour ambulatory blood monitoring device. Office blood pressure ≥130/80mmHg and average blood pressure less than 130/80mmHg was considered confirmatory for white coat hypertension.
Results: Age of the patients ranged from 30 to 65 years. Mean age of the patient was 46.68 ± 10.239 years. Male to female ratio was 2.1:1. White coat hypertension was found in 35 patients (34.3%). Gender and smoking history were found to have significant association with white coat hypertension.
Conclusion: White coat hypertension is a frequent finding in patients presenting for evaluation to cardiology department. Elderly female and patients with smoking history are more likely to have it.
TIMI RISK INDEX, A SIMPLE TOOL IN EMERGENCY PERCUTANEOUS REVASCULARIZATION FOR THE PREDICTION OF CONTRAST INDUCED NEPHROPATHY
Authors: Naseer Ali Bin , Kumar Rajesh , Sial Jawaid Akbar , Karim Musa 
Published: November 2022

Objectives: Contrast induced nephropathy (CIN) is a common complication seen after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) which can contribute to increased morbidity and mortality in patients of acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Aim of this study was to validate the TIMI Risk Index (TRI) for the risk stratification of CIN in patients undergone primary PCI.
Methodology: A total of 507 consecutive patients of STEMI undergone primary PCI at a tertiary care cardiac center were included for this study. Patients in Killip class IV at presentation, patients with history of any PCI and chronic kidney diseases were excluded from this study. TRI was calculated using the formula “heart rate systolic blood pressure” and post-procedure serum creatinine level increase of either 25% or 0.5 mg/dL was taken as CIN.
Results: A total of 507 patients were included in this study out of which 82.2% were males and 17.8% were females. In total 8.7% (44) patients developed CIN. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, area under the curve (AUC) for TRI was found to be 0.717, [0.649 to 0.758] for the prediction of CIN. Sensitive, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of TRI>22.8 to predict the development of CIN were 59.09%, 76.69%, 19.55% and 95.19% respectively.
Conclusion: In conclusion, our study has consolidated the findings of previous studies using TIMI risk index in STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI and has established that this easy to calculate and readily accessible score has good accuracy to evaluate the risk of CIN in primary PCI setting and could be of great help to take any pre-emptive strategies in those identified at high risk of post-procedure CIN.
ACUTE HYPERGLYCEMIA, A RABBLE-ROUSER OR INNOCENT BYSTANDER? A PROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS OF ACUTE HYPERGLYCEMIA IN STE-ACS PATIENTS
Authors: Rahooja Kubbra , Kumar Rajesh , Sial Jawaid Akbar , Karim Musa 
Published: November 2022

Objectives: The acute hyperglycemia on admission is considered to be in independent prognosticators of both in-hospital and long-term outcome regardless of diabetic status in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The objective of this study was to analyse the incidence of acute hyperglycemia and its impact on subsequent adverse in-hospital outcome, irrespective of diabetic status, in patients with STE-ACS undergoing primary PCI.
Methodology: A total of 1756 patients were enrolled into the study, presenting with STE-ACS, and undergoing primary PCI at a tertiary care cardiac centre. Patients were categorised according to their random plasma glucose levels, at the time of presentation to ER, with RBS > 200mg/dl taken as acute hyperglycemia. All patients were observed during their hospital stay and post procedure complications and outcomes were recoded. Clinical profile and outcomes were compared between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictive value of acute hyperglycemia for the prediction of in-hospital mortality.
Results: Of the 1756 patients, 79% (1388) were males and mean age was 55.59±11.23 years. In total, 29% (512) were found to have acute hyperglycemia and of these, 81.1% (415) were already diagnosed diabetic cases. Patients with acute hyperglycemia were observed to have higher incidence of heart failure (7% vs. 2.6%; p<0.001), CIN (13.3% vs. 8.1%; p=0.001), and in-hospital mortality (7.2% vs. 1.9%; p<0.001). On multivariable analysis, acute hyperglycemia was found to be an independent predictor of mortality with adjust OR of 2.33 [95% CI: 1.18-4.58; p=0.014]. Multi-vessel disease (2.22 [95%CI: 1.07-4.58; p=0.032]), pre-procedure LVEDP (1.07 [95%CI: 1.02-1.12; p=0.003]), and history of CVA/stroke (3.73 [95% CI: 1.2-11.59; p=0.023]) were found to be additional independent predictor of in-hospital mortality.
Conclusion: The acute hyperglycemia, regardless of diabetic status, is found to be an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality among patients with STE-ACS undergoing primary PCI. Acute hyperglycemia, along with other significant predictors such as multi-vessel involvement, LVEDP, and history of CVA/stroke, can be considered for the risk stratification of these patients.
EDUCATION INTERVENTION FOR HYPERTENSION MANAGEMENT BY PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN - PUMP TRIAL
Authors: Ashraf Tariq , Fatima Kanwal , Nadeem Asif , Masood Arslan , Hassan Mahmood Ul , Raza Haseeb , Rauf M. Abdur , Ud Din Jalal , Shah Saeedullah , Khan Fayza , Akram Zubair , Ishaque Muhammad , Hanif Bashir 
Published: November 2022

Objectives: To date, no optimal way of organizing and delivering care to hypertensive patients at the primary care level has been identified, due to which a significant number of patients fail to meet the treatment goals. The current study aimed to observe hypertension educational intervention's effect on general physicians (GPs) to indirectly improve blood pressure control and patient outcomes.
Methodology: In this randomized control trial, GPs were divided into 2 groups, and both groups were asked to fill hypertension awareness questionnaire at baseline and after randomization. GPs of the group I received (1 day) face-to-face education with structured educational material on hypertension management strategies. GPs of group II received the print version of educational material (structured educational material) on strategies for structured hypertension management. Both GPs recruited 10 (5 newly diagnosed + 5 already diagnosed patients) from the study site. The patient was asked to fill hypertension awareness questionnaire at baseline and share a 12-hour blood pressure measurement. GPs and patients were reassessed after 3 months of intervention.
Results: The Primary endpoint was achieved successfully, i.e., significant change between Pre & Post change blood pressure control. Both the Secondary endpoints were met with a notable change in practice specific to hypertension management as well as knowledge enhancement among GPs and patients regarding hypertension management.
Conclusion: The overall effect of hypertension educational intervention for general physicians has indirectly improved blood pressure control and patient outcomes. The results of this study provide a foundation for developing a hypertension educational program targeted at general physicians.
INFLUENCE OF THE DURATION OF KEEPING CALVES IN INDIVIDUAL HOUSES ON THEIR NATURAL RESISTANCE AND STATE OF HEALTH
Authors: MOSKALEV A. A. 
Published: November 2022

The preservation of young animals and their resistance enhancement in the early postnatal period is a significant reserve for increasing the production of livestock products. The article presents the results of studies of the influence of the duration of
keeping calves in individual houses on their natural resistance and state of health. It has been established that during the initial postnatal period, newborn calves retain the state of hyporesponsiveness, which gradually forms with age. Therefore, it is most appropriate to transfer calves from individual houses to group sections after stabilization of the formation of the body’s natural defenses, that is, not earlier than 30 days of age. With the duration of keeping young animals in individual houses for more than 30 days, there were fewer sick calves by 20-40% compared with counterparts who were transferred to group housing at the age of 20 days.
EFFECT OF THE COMPLEX IODINE-SELENIUM-CONTAINING PROPHYLACTIC PREPARATION “IODIS-VET” ON THE IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF COLOSTRUM AND MILK PRODUCTIVITY OF COWS
Authors: TROFIMOV A. F. , ALEINIKOVA Y. N. 
Published: November 2022

The importance of microelements and vitamins in animal nutrition is extremely high, only with their sufficient amount the animal body is able to fully use the nutrients in the feed, maintain health and give the maximum productivity. We have established the positive effect of the complex iodine-selenium-containing prophylactic preparation “Iodis-vet” on the immunological properties of colostrum and milk productivity
of cows in the interlactation period. The studied preparation also contributes to the increase of average daily milk yield. The best results were obtained when using it at a dose of 125 ml per head per day. The mass fraction of protein increased by 3.4%, the amount of immunoglobulins – by 8.04%, the milk yield for the entire period of lactation – by 7.09%.
ENERGETIC ASSESSMENT OF TECHNOLOGICAL AND TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS AT BEEF PRODUCTION COMPLEXES
Authors: SHMATKO N. N. , MUZYKA A. A. , KONEK А. I. , PUCHKA M. P. , KIRIKOVICH S. A. , SHEIGRATSOVA L. N. 
Published: November 2022

The article presents the materials of studies, the purpose of which was to conduct a bioenergetic assessment of technological solutions and a set of process equipment used at seven operating farms and complexes for beef production of various capacities.
It was found that the technologies used at the complexes in Agricultural Production Co-operative (APC) “Ostromechevo”, APC “Progress Vertilishki” and JSC “Vasilishki” were the most preferable for all indicators. The coefficient of bioenergy efficiency was 15.61%, 15.34 and 15.49%.
COMPOUND FEED WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF OIL FLAX CAKE IN THE DIETS OF FATTENED YOUNG CATTLE
Authors: TSAI V. P. , ISTRANYNA ZH. A. 
Published: November 2022

The use of oil flax makes it possible to reduce the deficiency of fodder protein in the diet and balance the protein nutrition of animals. The article contains the results of scientific work, the purpose of which was to determine the effect of feeding oil flax
cake on the efficiency of young cattle fattening. Studies showed that the use of different levels of oil flax cake in the compound feed had a positive effect on the productivity of fattened animals. Higher live weight gain and relatively low feed costs contributed
to a decrease in price cost of rearing products by 8.7-10.8% during the period of the beginning of young cattle fattening.
Digital Platform Skills for Teachers in Public Primary Schools in Homa Bay County, Kenya
Authors: Omito Ouma Omito , Kembo Jane Kembo 
Published: November 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the readiness of headteachers and teachers in integrating Digital Literacy Programme (DLP) in teaching and learning in public primary schools in Homa Bay County, Kenya. Digital Literacy Programme was a project that was introduced and funded by the Government of Kenya for all public primary schools in Kenya.
Methodology: The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative survey research designs. A population of 845 head teachers and 6529 teachers were involved in the study. Some 85 head teachers and 362 teachers were sampled for the study. Questionnaires and interviews were the main research instruments used for the study. The reliability coefficient for the piloted teachers stood at 0.96 while that of the head teachers’ coefficient was reported at 0.95. The quantitative research data was analyzed using SPSS and presented in tables, frequencies and percentages. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, organized into main themes and reported.
Findings: Majority of the respondents who were teachers, (41.6%), could only write using a digital device. Most head teachers, (34.2%), preferred tablets contrary to the preference of the majority of teachers, 31.4%, who cited desktop computers for online teaching and learning. The study also revealed that the majority of teachers and head teachers felt insecure with the digital devices in schools.
Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: Introduction of digital learning in the Kenyan education sector did not meet the required threshold but was timely. Challenges were met here and there. Both teachers and headteachers were struggling to cope with the modern teaching and methods that required the integration of technology in the teaching and learning process. However, with continuous practice, the digital gaps were set to close in Kenyan schools. In line with the Kenyan ICT Policy of 2006 on electronic learning, the promotion and development of content to address the educational needs of primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Kenya needed to be emphasized.
Cultivo primario de Helicobacter pylori a partir de biopsias gástricas obtenidas por endoscopia
Authors: Molina-Castro Silvia , Campos-Núñez Christian , Durán-Bermúdez Sundry , Chaves-Cerventes Manuel , Ramírez-Mayorga Vanessa 
Published: November 2022

Objetivo: Determinar la viabilidad del cultivo de la bacteria Helicobacter pylori en Costa Rica por medio de la documentación de toma de muestras, la comparación del diagnóstico histopatológico y la descripción de los diagnósticos asociados a los aislamientos obtenidos con los resultados de la ureasa rápida.
Métodos: Investigación descriptiva que involucró a pacientes de entre los 35 y 70 años, de ambos sexos, que asistieron al Servicio de Endoscopia Digestiva del Hospital Clínica Bíblica entre febrero y junio del 2019 para estudio gastroscópico. Se obtuvieron biopsias gástricas para diagnóstico histopatológico, prueba de ureasa rápida y cultivo de Helicobacter pylori. Para este último, se transportaron las biopsias en un medio de transporte semisólido, se maceró el tejido y se cultivó en agar Skirrow y agar selectivo para Helicobacter; una placa de cada medio se incubó a 37 °C en microaerofilia entre 48 horas y 10 días. La positividad del cultivo se realizó por observación de la morfología colonial y la bacteria se identificó por análisis microscópico al fresco, tinción de Gram y pruebas bioquímicas (catalasa, ureasa y oxidasa).Resultados: Se incluyó a 44 pacientes (edad: 50.6 ± 10.0, 54.5% masculinos). Se recuperó Helicobacter pylori en biopsias de 27 pacientes (61.4% de éxito). La recuperación de la bacteria fue similar en el medio Skirrow y en el selectivo para Helicobacter. El porcentaje de éxito de recuperación semanal aumentó durante el estudio hasta alcanzar un éxito del 100% en la semana 11. Se comparó el cultivo con la ureasa rápida en 27 pacientes y la concordancia entre ambos métodos fue de un coeficiente kappa de Cohen de 0.48. El cultivo detectó la bacteria en un 56% de los pacientes, la ureasa rápida en un 37% y la combinación de ambas técnicas permitió la detección en un 60%. El diagnóstico endoscópico más frecuente en los pacientes con cultivo positivo fue la gastritis eritematosa y gastritis crónica superficial y el diagnóstico histopatológico predominante fue gastritis crónica con atrofia gástrica. El diagnóstico por cultivo coincidió con la detección por azul de toluidina en un 80.4% de los casos.Conclusiones: Se puede implementar el cultivo de Helicobacter pylori en Costa Rica. Este estudio tuvo un porcentaje de recuperación de la bacteria de 61.4%. La combinación del método de cultivo con la prueba de ureasa rápida y la detección histológica contribuye a un diagnóstico certero y oportuno. Recomendamos que, con base en protocolos descritos en esta investigación, cada laboratorio estandarice las condiciones que le permitan un buen porcentaje de recuperación y una implementación adaptada a sus actividades de rutina.
The measurement of mean wind, variances, and covariances from an instrumented mobile car in a rural environment
Authors: Miller Stefan J. , Gordon Mark 
Published: November 2022

Abstract. On 20 and 22 August 2019, a small tripod was outfitted with
a sonic anemometer and placed in a highway shoulder to compare with
measurements made on an instrumented car as it traveled past the tripod.
The rural measurement site in this investigation was selected so that the
instrumented car traveled past many upwind surface obstructions and
experienced the occasional passing vehicle. To obtain an accurate mean wind
speed and mean wind direction on a moving car, it is necessary to correct
for flow distortion and remove the vehicle speed from the measured velocity
component parallel to vehicle motion (for straight-line motion). In this
study, the velocity variances and turbulent fluxes measured by the car are
calculated using two approaches: (1) eddy covariance and (2) wavelet
analysis. The results show that wavelet analysis can better resolve low
frequency contributions, and this leads to a reduction in the horizontal
velocity variances measured on the car, giving a better estimate for some
measurement averages when compared to the tripod. A wavelet-based approach
to remove the effects of sporadic passing traffic is developed and applied
to a measurement period during which a heavy-duty truck passes in the
opposite highway lane; removing the times with traffic in this measurement
period gives a reduction of approximately 10 % in the turbulent kinetic
energy. The vertical velocity variance and vertical turbulent heat flux
measured on the car are biased low compared to the tripod. This low bias may be related to a mismatch in the flux footprint of the car versus the tripod
or perhaps to rapid flow distortion at the measurement location on
the car. When random measurement uncertainty is considered, the vertical
momentum flux is found to be consistent with the tripod in the 95 %
confidence interval and statistically different than 0 for most
measurement periods.