bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in early diagnosis of acute kidney injury after upper urinary tract calculi
Authors: Hao Shirui , Guo Yin , Zhao Ruiyan , Wang Ting , Li Shujun 
Published: November 2022

Objective: To investigate the value of serum procalcitonin(PCT), C-reactive protein(CRP), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin(NGAL) in the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury(AKI) after upper urinary tract calculi(UUTC).
Methods: The clinical data of 86 patients who underwent UUTC surgery in our hospital from March 2020 to April 2021 were analyzed retrospectively(Approval number: 20211205L, Date: 2021-12-21). Patients were divided into an AKI group (AKI≥7 days after the operation) and a Non-AKI group. PCT, CRP, and NGAL concentrations were compared before and two hours after the operation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors affecting the early occurrence of AKI post-operation. The receiver operating characteristic curve evaluated PCT, CRP, and NGAL in the early AKI diagnosis.
Results: A total of 86 patients (30 with AKI and 56 with Non-AKI) were included. Kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1) and urinary microalbumin(mAlb) concentrations were significantly higher in the AKI group (P<0.05). PCT, CRP, and NGAL concentrations were significantly higher two hours after the operation than before the operation (P<0.05). KIM-1 levels and elevated PCT, CRP and NGAL concentrations affected the establishment of AKI after UUTC. The sensitivity of PCT, CRP, and NGAL in evaluating AKI after UUTC were 81.17%, 84.42%, and 79.02%; the specificity was 62.31%, 71.48%, and 73.32%; and the AUC was 0.812, 0.885 and 0.804 respectively.
Conclusions: PCT, CRP, and NGAL concentrations in patients with AKI after UUTC were significantly increased two hours after the operation, which can be used for the early diagnosis of AKI after UUTC operation.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6694
How to cite this: Hao S, Guo Y, Zhao R, Wang T, Li S. Serum procalcitonin, C-reactive protein, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin in early diagnosis of acute kidney injury after upper urinary tract calculi. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6694
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Factors affecting recurrence in sigmoid volvulus
Authors: Korkut Ercan , Peksoz Rifat , Disci Esra , Atamanalp Sabri Selcuk 
Published: November 2022

Objectives: Recurrence is a relatively common outcome following endoscopic decompression in sigmoid volvulus (SV). This study aims to evaluate the factors affecting recurrence in SV.
Methods: In 434 patients with SV treated between June 1986 and January 2022, probable recurrence-affecting factors including age, age of SV onset, gender, dietary habit, defecation habit, altitude of living area, and SV attack count were analyzed in prospectively collected data.
Results: Of 434 patients, 111 (25.6%) had recurrent SV with mean 1.6 ± 2.3 of volvulus episodes (range: 1-21 attacks). SV recurrence demonstrated a significant linear increase with age (14.3%, 17.1%, 21.5%, and 29.9%, respectively, in young, middle aged, mature, and elderly patients, p < 0.001). Recurrent SV was also significantly higher in male gender (28.5% vs 12.7%, p = 0.004), high-fiber diet habit (32.9% vs 17.7%, p < 0.001), and living at high altitude (26.9% vs 12.5%, p = 0.047). Although SV recurrence was higher in patients with chronic constipation, the difference was not significant (36.7% vs. 20.3%, p = 0.594). When compared with that of the patients with mature onset or elderly onset patients, SV attack count was significantly higher in young-onset cases (1.3±0.9 and 1.1±0.3 vs 4.6±6.9, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Elderliness, early-onset, maleness, high-fiber diet habit, high altitude, and most likely chronic constipation may be the practical clinical parameters of recurrent SV. These parameters, as well as the presence of previous SV episode history, must be considered in the decision-making process in the elective treatment of SV.
doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6882
How to cite this: Korkut E, Peksoz R, Disci E, Atamanalp SS. Factors affecting recurrence in sigmoid volvulus. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6882
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Improving the quality of Peer Review and accelerating the peer review process
Authors: Jawaid Shaukat Ali 
Published: November 2022

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.7236
How to cite this: Jawaid SA. Improving the quality of Peer Review and accelerating the peer review process. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):1-3. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.7236
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Assessment of motor limb strength by neuroscience nurses: variations in practice and associated challenges
Authors: Cook Neal F , Braine Mary E , O'Rourke Ciara , Nolan Siobhan 
Published: November 2022

Background: Limb strength is a central component of neurological assessment and monitoring in nursing practice, yet there is a lack of research examining the tools used by nurses or challenges nurses encounter when using these tools. The evidence base is lacking to inform effective practice and the underpinning educational approaches. Aim: To determine which tools are used by UK and Irish neuroscience nurses in the assessment of limb strength and the associated challenges and variations in practice. Methods: This study used an online self-reported survey design to ascertain which tools neuroscience nurses used and their experience of using these (n=160). Findings: Practices varied, with a dominance of two tools being used in practice: the Medical Research Council scale and the ‘normal power’ to ‘no movement’ scale found on the neurological observation chart. Most respondents used the same tool across all conditions. Conclusion: This study highlights variations in assessment practice and the absence of a sound evidence base behind choice of motor limb strength assessment tools used.
Use of ankle–brachial pressure index to assess patient suitability for lower limb compression
Authors: Cain Matthew , Ousey Karen , Atkin Leanne 
Published: November 2022

Background: Compression therapy is a safe, effective treatment for lower leg conditions such as lymphatic insufficiency and venous hypertension. The most common method of arterial assessment is the calculation of a patient's ankle–brachial pressure index (ABPI). The need for ABPI is highlighted in many best practice statement and local policies. ABPI compares the arterial flow of the arms and the legs, providing a ratio used to determine the presence and severity of peripheral artery disease and assess whether a patient is suitable for compression therapy. Aim: This study critically reviews and analyses findings from contemporary literature with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of the ABPI screening tool. Method: A structured literature review using a narrative approach was carried out. Results: Four studies were identified for inclusion, which involved medical, nursing and allied health professional staff in primary and secondary care, with a total of 51 patients. Analysis generated eight themes: appropriateness of the ABPI tool; clinician education; referral process; access to appropriate equipment; lack of time to conduct the assessment; competence; associated costs; and role definition. Conclusion: It is important to undertake a holistic assessment of the patient, incorporating ABPI assessment where not contraindicated. Further research to explore patient experience and safety when assessing a patient's suitability for lower limb compression therapy is required.
An Efficient Solution to User Authorization Query Problem in RBAC Systems Using Hierarchical Clustering
Authors: Rao K. Rajesh , Kolpe Aditya , Pradhan Tribikram , Zarpelão Bruno Bogaz 
Published: November 2022

Role Based Access Control (RBAC) systems face an essential issue related to systematic handling of users’ access requests known as the User Authentication Query (UAQ) Problem. In this paper, we show that the UAQ problem can be resolved using Unsupervised machine learning following the guaranteed access request and Dynamic Separation of Duty relations. The use of Agglomerative Hierarchical Clustering not only improves efficiency but also avoids disordered merging of existing roles to create new ones and steers clear of duplication. With a time complexity of O(n^3), the algorithm proves to be one of the fastest and promising models in state-of-the-art. The proposed model has been compared with the existing models and experimentally evaluated.
Diagnostic yield, complications, pathology and anatomical features in CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsy of mediastinal tumours
Authors: Skretting Ingegjerd Kristina , Ruud Espen Asak , Ashraf Haseem 
Published: November 2022

Objectives
This study presents the experiences of percutaneous CT-guided needle biopsy at a university hospital in Norway.

Methods
A retrospective examination of all mediastinal biopsy procedures between April 2015 and August 2019 was performed at Akershus University Hospital in Norway. We registered patient and procedure characteristics, along with lesion pathology and characteristics including localization according to anatomical and Felson mediastinal compartments.

Results
The study included 48 procedures, conducted in 45 patients (29 men and 16 women) with a mean age of 60,5 years. Pneumothorax occurred in 12 procedures (60% of the transpulmonary procedures) and pneumomediastinum in 18 procedures (38%). Pneumothorax was only seen in procedures with transpulmonal access. Four of the pneumothorax cases required pleural drainage. Diagnostic yield was 96%. We found significant (p = 0,006), moderate to high association between anatomical compartment localization and histopathological diagnosis (Cramér’s V = 0,49) for tumours selected for CT-guided percutaneous biopsy. Felson’s compartment division on the other hand, did not show any significant associations.

Conclusion
We found CT-guided percutaneous needle biopsy of mediastinal tumours to be an effective and safe procedure with a diagnostic yield of 96%. The main complications were pneumothorax and pnumomediastinum, with a relatively low chest drainage rate. Anatomical mediastinum compartment showed a significant, moderate to high association with the histopathological diagnosis for tumours selected for percutaneous CT-guided biopsies, where most malignancies were seen in the anterior compartment.
Does sex interact with the 2D:4D ratio or adult circulating hormones on the estimated glomerular filtration rate? A cross‐sectional study in Ghana
Authors: Banyeh Moses , Zogli Kervin Edinam , Osumanu Hisham Alhassan , Obeng Lawrence , Acheampong Tuah Kwabena , Dagungong Clement Binwatin , Bayor Elizabeth , Amidu Nafiu 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe 2D:4D ratio is the putative marker of prenatal hormone exposure and has been suggested as a correlate of adult circulating testosterone and estrogen. The study aimed to determine whether sexual dimorphism in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) can be partly explained by the 2D:4D ratio or adult circulating testosterone or estrogen. The study was cross‐sectional from June to December 2021 at the University for Development Studies. The study involved 206 healthy adults (Female = 93, Male = 113) between 18 and 30 years. The 2D:4D ratio was measured using computer‐assisted analysis. Venous blood samples were collected and analyzed for testosterone, estradiol and creatinine using the ELISA technique and routine biochemical analysis. The adjusted eGFR was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD‐EPI) creatinine equation (2021). The eGFR and the testosterone‐to‐estradiol ratio (TT:E2) were significantly higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). There was a significant interaction between sex and the TT:E2 on the eGFR (p < 0.001). Although the relationship between the eGFR and the TT:E2 was negative in both males and females, a unit change in the TT:E2 had a greater impact on the eGFR in females (B = −1.38) than in males (B = −0.01). Sexual dimorphism in the eGFR is influenced by both testosterone and estradiol. Although the sex difference in the eGFR may be influenced by the TT:E2, estrogen seems to account for more variability in the eGFR than testosterone.
Wider eine verpflichtende Aktienrente – auch Vermögen sichert Wohlstand im Alter
Authors: Hüther Michael , Pimpertz Jochen 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
A compulsory funded supplementary pension scheme is being discussed to prevent the number of retirees relying on tax financed assistance from increasing. The economic reason could be to prevent free-rider behaviour. The article discusses, why this argument is not convincing. Moreover, we argue that often too little attention is paid to possible welfare losses that households suffer if they prefer accumulating assets to provide for old age but are forced to annuitise the capital. Empirical evidence shows that the accumulation of assets plays an important role in household retirement planning. Therefore, it would make more sense to integrate asset accumulation into eligible old age provision instead.
¿Segunda Guerra Fría? Un análisis desde la Historia y las Relaciones Internacionales
Authors: Sanz Díaz Carlos , Sáenz-Rotko José Manuel 
Published: November 2022

En la última década, políticos, analistas y periodistas han reactivado el concepto de Guerra Fría (GF) para aplicarlo como categoría analítica a situaciones del presente. La invasión de Ucrania por Rusia en febrero de 2022 ha puesto radicalmente de actualidad el concepto de Nueva Guerra Fría (NGF) o Segunda Guerra Fría (SGF).

Nuestra investigación busca responder a tres interrogantes fundamentales: 1. ¿en qué medida el empleo de la analogía histórica de la GF es una herramienta útil para dotar de sentido a la realidad internacional actual en relación con las tensiones entre Rusia y los países occidentales?; 2. ¿de qué manera una determinada interpretación sobre el final de la GF proyecta su significado como marco interpretativo esgrimido por la Rusia de Vladímir Putin para justificar su política exterior, en particular en relación con Ucrania?; 3. ¿resulta pertinente la aplicación del concepto de NGF o SGF a la rivalidad entre China y Estados Unidos?

El artículo se estructura en cuatro partes. El apartado 1 expone los fundamentos teóricos y metodológicos que enmarcan la investigación. En el apartado 2 se analiza la aplicación de la categoría de NGF o SGF a las relaciones actuales entre Rusia y los países occidentales, primordialmente EEUU y la OTAN. El epígrafe 3 examina la aportación de la historiografía académica a los debates sobre los hechos de 1989-1991, y en particular a la cuestión de las promesas hechas a la URSS, y después a Rusia, sobre la expansión de la OTAN, y su aportación al enmarcado de las relaciones internacionales actuales. El apartado 4 analiza en qué medida el concepto de GF y su reformulación como NGF o SGF arrojan claridad a la hora de conceptualizar la relación entre Estados Unidos y China. Por último, un apartado de conclusiones expone las aportaciones principales del estudio.

La base teórica la configura la teoría del framing o del encuadre de los procesos comunicativos (Goffman, 1974), aplicados al empleo de analogías históricas en relaciones internacionales. Consideramos el recurso a analogías históricas como una técnica particular de encuadre que atribuye una relación de semejanza entre acontecimientos, personajes o fenómenos del pasado y del presente para deducir patrones y generar redes de significados relevantes para la comprensión de fenómenos actuales, orientando la forma en que los concibe, organiza y relaciona la complejidad. El empleo de analogías históricas forma parte de la tradición de la disciplina de las Relaciones Internacionales desde sus orígenes, y específicamente se ha considerado el recurso a la analogía histórica como una forma privilegiada en que la historia influencia el ejercicio del poder de los Estados (statecraft) en política exterior (Brands y Suri, 2015). El método histórico como herramienta analítica resulta adecuada y eficaz para identificar las analogías históricas postuladas y valorar críticamente su veracidad.
Prevalence of smoking in the students of English medium private schools in Tripura, India
Authors: Jamatia Biplab 
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Globally, smoking related diseases kill an estimated four million people every year. This number is predicted to rise to a staggering 10 million a year over the next two decades. Smoking leads, indeed, to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, lung disorders as well as several malignancies, including lung, throat, stomach, and bladder cancers. Early identifying smokers in this group and the associated determinants of smoking behavior can help reduce or stop cigarette consumption. The Objective of this study is to find out prevalence of smoking among adolescents aged 13 to 18 years studying in class 9th to 11th in English medium private schools in Tripura, India. Materials and methods: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out during November- December 2021 in faith based English medium private schools of Udaipur and Bishramganj subdivision of Tripura, India. A total of 565 students aged 13 to 18 years participated in this study from four schools. Results: The number of students participating from class 9th, 10th and 11th standard were 375 (66.4%), 85 (15%) and 105 (18.6%) respectively. The overall prevalence of ever smoker was 24.7% (95% CI 21.3 to 28.4%) among adolescents. The prevalence of ever smokers in male (38.6%) adolescents was more than female (7.7%) and differences between the male and female adolescents were significantly different (p value <0.05). Conclusion: Around one-fourth of the students studying in class 9th, 10th and 11th standard were ever smoked cigarettes or chewing guthka or pan masala.
Two grammatical categories for please in Mandarin imperative clauses
Authors: Jheng Wei-Cherng Sam 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis paper develops a syntax-pragmatics interface analysis of imperative clauses overtly marked by two grammatical categories of qing ‘please’ in Mandarin and refines the division of labor among directive force, clause typing and deontic modality jointly computing the interpretative properties of qing imperatives. We present a cluster of properties to differentiate between the two categories of qing and observe that qing1 denotes obligation imposed on the addressee by the speaker, while qing2 denotes permission with which the addressee is allowed to perform an action or make true a state of affairs according to a set of norms. It is argued that qing1 is an imperative mood head, while qing2 is an imperative adverb, but both are endowed with a similar internal composition and extent of the phrasal hierarchies of the CP periphery, and their disparate imperative properties can be ascribed to the addressee-oriented and subject-oriented deontic modality (Tsai & Portner 2008). Following Haegeman & Hill's (2013) version of the Speech Act Phrase, we claim that a speech act layer externally merges to the topmost position of ForceP to drive the syntax-pragmatics interface computation of the speaker-addressee relation and to mediate the imperative mood and clause typing represented in the CP layer.
Pitfalls in Ultralightweight RFID Authentication Protocol
Authors: Khokhar Umar Mujahid , Najam-ul-islam Muhammad 
Published: November 2022

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is one of the most promising identification schemes in the field of pervasive systems. Non-line of sight capability makes RFID systems more protuberant than its contended systems. Since the RFID systems incorporate wireless medium, so there are some allied security threats and apprehensions from malicious adversaries. In order to make the system reliable and secure, numerous researchers have proposed ultralightweight mutual authentication protocols; which involve only simple bitwise logical operations (AND, XOR & OR etc.) to provide security. In this paper, we have analyzed the security vulnerabilities of state of the art ultralightweight RFID authentication protocol: RAPP. We have proposed three attacks (two DoS and one Desynchronization) in RAPP protocol and challenged its security claims. Moreover, we have also highlighted some common pitfalls in ultralightweight authentication protocol designs. This will help as a sanity check, improve and longevity of ultralightweight authentication protocol designs.
MY LEARNING SPEAKING JOURNEY USING TECHNOLOGY: MY MULTIMODAL PRACTICE EXPERIENCE
Authors: Suryadi Muhamad 
Published: November 2022

In recent years, Youtube is technology of video showing that consist a lot of content which is; music, vlog, science, lifestyle, education, tutorial, etc. This technology commonly used by human around the world. In the field of education, youtube can help me to gain my knowledge to be more developed, especially in learning speaking. I need to use my imagination, diligent, and also motivation to learn speaking using this technology. Furthemore, the purpose of this research, I conducted this study to discover how YouTube assisted me to practice my speaking ability. This study also explored the intersemiotic practice experience and This research used autobiographical narrative inquiry as the research design. Intersemiotic is meaning making from word to word that I have learnt on the field. I was conducting by daring system through mobile phone. By mobile phone I able to surfed the data from internet freely. Participant of this research was me as the narrator. I also used justification of my self to tell what I have took on my learning progress. Autobiography is kind of narrative inquiry that I take for my research. The data were collected by learning log, reflective journal, and documentation. After the data collected, I would itterative, emergent and interpretative the data.This analysis data related on my research The result of the data, i found a lot topic that able to enhance my speaking ability, by using documentation i able to monitor my improvement of speaking. And also by used learning log was really helpfull to guide me to classify word, vocabulary and sentence form. For the last one interpretative was a soul of my research. With interpretative I able to improve my speaking ability autonomously. By using some strategies that I have found in the journal.