bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Level of Functional Impairment using Symptom Severity and Functional Status Scales in Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Zafar Ramsha 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when median nerve is entrapped or compressed causing paresthesia and sometimes pain in patients’ hands, this can result in functional impairments and disability. Objective: To evaluate the level of functional impairment using symptom severity and functional status scales in participants with this syndrome. Methods: An observational study was conducted on 150 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome by using non-probability purposive sampling and collecting data from various private and government hospitals of Lahore in six months from October 2020 to March 2020. The level of functional impairments was evaluated by using functional status and symptom severity scale. Results: Findings showed that 62% were females and 38% were males. According to Boston carpal tunnel questionnaire score most of the patients had moderate symptoms (39.3%) with the mean of 2.97 and mild functional limitations (42%) with the mean of 2.34. Conclusion: It was concluded that mild and moderate mean values were found by using functional status and symptoms severity scale respectively. There is existence of correlation between symptom and functional severity scales among patients with this syndrome.
*Corresponding author: Ramsha Zafar, Sharif Trust Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan; Email: ranahamzanadeem127@gmail.com
Citation: Zafar R. 2021. Level of functional impairment in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome using functional status and symptom severity scales. The healer Journal of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, 1(2):58-62.
Helicobacter pylori Challenge Vaccine for Humans
Authors: Syahniar Rike , Swasti Kharisma Dayu , Rayhana  
Published: April 2022

Helicobacter pylori infect during childhood and are typically present for life, despite a vigorous host immune response, which includes the invading pathogen being coated with antibodies. This bacterial longevity indicates the development, on the part of the pathogen, of a range of processes for evading effective host immunity. Since its discovery 25 years ago, significant progress has been made in understanding the virulence factors and several aspects of the pathogenesis of H. pylori gastric diseases. The prevalence of antimicrobial drug resistance is so high that all patients infected with H. pylori should be considered resistant infections. The most severe consequence of H. pylori infection, and the key reason a vaccine is required, is gastric cancer, globally the third leading cause of death due to cancer. Patients typically present with gastric cancer without knowing they are infected; eradication likely has little effect by this time. Vaccine against H. pylori that reduces the incidence of gastric cancer will probably be cost effective in developed countries. Several vaccines were successfully tested in different experimental animal models, but translation into an efficacious human vaccine has been unsuccessful.
Beta-Lactamase-Producing Genes and Integrons in Escherichia coli from Diarrheal Children in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Authors: Dembélé René , A.D. Kaboré Wendpoulomdé , Soulama Issiaka , Traoré Oumar , Ouédraogo Nafissatou , Konaté Ali , K. Guessennd Nathalie , Coulibaly N’Golo David , Sanou Antoine , Serme Samuel , Zongo Soumanaba , Sampo Emmanuel , S. Traoré Alfred , Gassama-Sow Amy , Barro Nicolas 
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to determine the resistance of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) strains to β-lactams antibiotics and to perform the molecular characterization of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and integrons genes. It was carried out from August 2013 to October 2015 and involved 31 DEC strains isolated from diarrheal stools samples collected from children less than 5 years. The identification and characterization of DEC strains were done through the standard biochemical tests that were confirmed using API 20E and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The antibiogram was realized by the disk diffusion method, then an amplification of the β-lactamase resistance genes and integrons by PCR was done. Out of the 419 E. coli, 31 isolates (7.4%) harbored the DEC virulence genes. From these DEC, 21 (67.7%) were ESBL-producing E. coli. Susceptibility to ESBL-producing E. coli showed that the majority of isolates were highly resistant to amoxicillin (77.4%), amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (77.4%), and piperacillin (64.5%). The following antibiotic resistance genes and integron were identified: blaTEM (6.5%), blaSHV (19.4%), blaOXA (38.7%), blaCTX-M (9.7%), Int1 (58.1%), and Int3 (19.4%). No class 2 integron (Int2) was characterized. Because of the high prevalence of multidrug-resistant ESBL organisms found, there is a need of stringent pediatric infection control measures.
Portuguese social solidarity cooperatives between recovery and resilience in the context of covid-19: preliminary results of the COOPVID Project
Authors: Meira Deolinda , Azevedo Ana , Castro Conceição , Tomé Brízida , Rodrigues Ana Cláudia , Bernardino Susana , Martinho Ana Luísa , Curado Malta Mariana , Sousa Pinto Agostinho , Coutinho Bruno , Vasconcelos Paulo , Pimenta Fernandes Tiago , Bandeira Ana Maria , Rocha Ana Paula , Silva Marlene , Gomes Mafalda 
Published: April 2022

Covid-19 posed several challenges to all organisations in general and to social solidarity cooperatives in particular. However, the challenges faced by these cooperatives have unique features arising from their special characteristics compared to other types of cooperatives. Therefore it is vital to study these challenges and the impacts of covid-19. This study has as main goal to understand those challenges and their impact. An exploratory study was undertaken by applying 11 interviews to 11 social solidarity cooperatives. The cooperatives were chosen to be heterogeneous among the existent cooperatives in Portugal. This study corresponds to the first phase of a project that is still underway. This article presents the main results of the content analysis of the data collected from the interviews. Data show cooperatives could promptly adapt and continue their mission under pressure from the pandemic despite the first difficulties encountered in a new and unknown situation, showing a capacity to adapt and serve their members. However, these members were also submitted to several increasing and new challenges. The adaptations were possible due to legal changes in the work organisation law, from layoff to telework, government support involving financial programs, VAT, and other tax relaxation, as well as due to human resources reorganisation and the cooperatives’ staff positive attitude towards the difficulties (both leaders and general workers). Differences between the social solidarity cooperatives under study concerning digital technologies showed that those already having some infrastructure had minor adapting difficulties.
El papel cohesionador del sector fundacional ante la nueva normalidad. La situación en Euskadi
Authors: Enciso-Santocildes Marta , Bernal Uribarrena Ramon , Etxanobe Franco Alfonso 
Published: April 2022

El sector fundacional en el País Vasco desarrolla su actividad en una variedad de ámbitos en sintonía con el amplio abanico que recoge el artículo 4-1 de la Ley de Fundaciones Vascas, construyendo su elemento común el de servir a fines de interés general. Este sector supone 13.045 empleos remunerados anualizados, una facturación de más de 566 millones de euros, y un Valor Añadido Bruto (VAB) generado de 219 millones de euros. A partir de la declaración del estado de alarma en marzo de 2020, se abrió una ventana de gran incertidumbre en la que las organizaciones tuvieron que desplegar toda su agilidad y creatividad para dar respuesta a situaciones nuevas y que requerían acción inmediata. Asimismo se plantea empezar a trabajar sobre el contexto post pandémico, repensar estratégicamente las organizaciones, imaginando un futuro en el que la pandemia habría dejado cambios estructurales en sus modelos de gestión y de organización del trabajo. En este artículo se va a analizar cómo ha afectado la pandemia a las fundaciones en Euskadi y sus perspectivas de futuro en este próximo contexto post pandemia para dar cumplimiento a sus fines fundacionales y mantener su papel cohesionador y solidario. Para ello, junto con un análisis de la literatura más recientesobre los análisis llevados a cabo sobre la pandemia y las fundaciones y la economía social, se llevará a cabo un análisis del sector fundacional en Euskadi, sus rasgos y situación específica a través de encuestas y entrevistas en profundidad con los agentes sociales.
Impacto de la crisis de la covid-19 en el empleo de las cooperativas y sociedades laborales en España en el año 2020: un análisis shiftshare sectorial
Authors: Cancelo Maite , Vázquez Emilia , Díaz-Vázquez M. Rosario 
Published: April 2022

El 11 de marzo de 2020, la OMS declara que la covid-19 se considera una pandemia, lo que tiene efectos económicos a nivel global. En España, la primera respuesta fue declarar el estado de alarma para la gestión de la crisis sanitaria el 14 de marzo, como instrumento para limitar la movilidad de la población y, de esta forma, evitar su avance. Así, la economía española estuvo prácticamente paralizada en la primera etapa, siendo la desescalada desigual entre sectores. Esto provocó una importante crisis económica con efectos sobre el empleo.El objetivo de nuestro trabajo es contrastar dos hipótesis. La primera es analizar si la destrucción de empleo es menor en las empresas de la Economía Social que en las empresas de la economía capitalista. La segunda hipótesis es si el diferente impacto de esta crisis a nivel sectorial también se hace patente entre las empresas de la Economía Social.Para alcanzar estos objetivos analizamos la variación interanual del empleo para el conjunto de empresas, sociedades cooperativas y laborales inscritas en la Seguridad Social, a nivel sectorial en el segundo trimestre del año 2020 (cuando hubo niveles distintos de paralización de la actividad económica por sectores), y aplicamos el análisis shift-share para estudiar las diferencias sectoriales que se han presentado por el impacto de la crisis. Observamos un comportamiento más resistente del empleo en las cooperativas españolas y detectamos los impactos diferenciales de la crisis a nivel sectorial.
The practice of motivating employees with wages in the Public sector of the People's Republic of China
Authors: Chzhan Khaichzhou 
Published: April 2022

The article discusses the practice of motivating employees of the Chinese public sector through wages. The author notes that, in general, the system of "salary" motivation of employees in the public sector is characterized by a rather low role of the basic salary and seniority allowances. The main earnings of employees are provided by the official salary, the coefficients of collective and personal efficiency at work that increase the amount of earnings, allowances and surcharges directly related to the effectiveness of staff work, their professional development and career growth. At the same time, mechanisms are actively used to avoid an excessive gap in the income level of senior employees and the bulk of the staff. The difference in the salary level is strictly limited, the level of remuneration is tied to the formalized requirements imposed on each specific employee. The article notes that the equalizing principles of remuneration accrual are closely and quite harmoniously combined with purely market ones. The latter makes it possible to motivate employees to highly productive work, improve their qualifications, receive education, participate in the rationalization of production, and at the same time makes it possible to minimize conflicts between senior employees and the bulk of the staff, as well as to avoid the occurrence of such a destructive factor as awareness by the bulk of employees of the injustice of the payroll system.
Interim results of US President Donald Trump's tenure from 2017 to 2020
Authors: Kostiuchenko Savelii Vladimirovich 
Published: April 2022

The subject of the study is the analysis of the results of Donald Trump's tenure as president in the period from 2017 to 2020. The object of the study is the crisis of the political system and its impact on the domestic policy of President Donald Trump in the period from 2017 to 2020. The main purpose of the work is to study the activities of the non-systemic President of the United States of America Donald Trump in the period 2017-2020 to analyze the beginning of the deepening crisis of the American political system. In this work, the author used such methods as analysis, synthesis of information from documents, methods of generalization and construction of analogies to formulate conclusions, general scientific methods of induction and deduction, problem-chronological and comparative-historical methods. В The scientific novelty of this study is due to a new source base. Firstly, the research paper shows more fully than in other works of Russian authors the factors that led the United States of America to the beginning of a deep crisis of the American political system. Secondly, for the first time, a qualitative analysis of Donald Trump's populist views was carried out. Thirdly, on the basis of the studied material, an independent forecast of the prospects for the re-election of Donald Trump for a second presidential term has been compiled. The results of the conducted research prove that: to date, no alternative way out of the crisis state of the political system has been found. On the basis of an independent study, the factors that influenced the deepening of the crisis of the US political system have been identified. The deepening of the crisis of the American political system was caused by intraparty division based on the ideological polarity of the Democratic and Republican parties, the populist position of Donald Trump expressed in the growing authoritarianism of the presidential power, the free internal political will of the president-elect, the inability of the president-elect to find optimal political mechanisms for solving domestic and foreign policy issues.
Comparative Study of Patients Outcomes by Using Dexmedetomidine with Bupivacaine Versus Bupivacaine Alone in Ultrasound-Guided Thoracolumbar Interfacial Plane Block for Spine Surgeries
Authors: Wfa Mohamed Zakarea , El-Gebaly Ahmed Saeid Ahmed , El-Baradey Ghada Fouad , Hekal Kamal El-din Ali Mohamed , Darwish Jehan Mohamed Ezzat 
Published: April 2022

Background: Thoracolumbar interfacial plane block (TLIP) is effective and safe method used with general anesthesia to achieve the optimum analgesia. This study evaluates theanalgesic effect, hemodynamic changes, consumption of inhalational anesthesia and stress response by measuring cortisol level when adding dexmedetomidine to bupivacaine in the ultrasound-guided thoracolumbar interfacial plane block in spine surgeries (lumber and lower thoracic T11-T12).
Patients and Methods: sixty adult patients of both sexes aged (21-60) years with ASA physical status I/II scheduled for elective spine surgeries (laminectomy and spinal fixation) at the level of lower thoracic (T11-T12) and lumber vertebra. Patients divided into two groups, group A of thirty patients were given 20 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine with 1ml normal saline, at each side injected between multifidus muscle and longissimus muscle and group B of thirty patients were given 20ml of 0.25% bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine 1 mic/kg in a volume of 1 ml, at each side between multifidus muscle and longissimus muscle.
Results: There was significantly decrease in NRS as a primary outcome in group B compared to group A, and according to the secondary outcomes there were significantly decrease in serum cortisol level, consumption of isoflurane, MAP, heart rate, number of total doses of rescue analgesia and number of patients received an algesia and delay in 1st dose of rescue analgesia in groupB compared to group A and there was insignificant difference in time of extubating between both groups.
Conclusion: We concluded that adding dexmedetomidine in a total dose 2 mic/kg as we added 1 mic/kg in a volume of 1 ml to 20ml of 0.25% bupivacaine for each side in TLIP block decreases stress response to surgery, total consumption of inhalational anesthesia (isoflurane), number of patients need rescue analgesia and total doses of rescue analgesia, and delayed 1st dose of rescue analgesia.
Phaeohyphomycosis Caused by Cochliobolus hawaiiensis in a Camel Farm in Saudi Arabia: An Emerging Disease
Authors: Shathele Abdullah M. S. 
Published: April 2022

Phaeohyphomycosis describes subcutaneous lesions caused by dematiaceous fungi, brown-pigmented mould. In a camel farm in Saudi Arabia, the owner complained of cases of skin infection among camels. Lesions persisted after sarcoptic mange outbreak which was treated until the infection resolved. General examination revealed that four camels were affected showing alopecia, erythema, numerous small subcutaneous nodules and brownish blackish crusts. To collect specimens, affected areas were disinfected with 70% ethyl alcohol and deep were taken. Skin scrapings were prepared in 10% potassium hydroxide for microbiological examination. Cultures were done onto Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA) with chloramphenicol 0.5 mg per ml, incubated at 30⁰C and another set with chloramphenicol 0.5 mg per ml and cycloheximide (Sigma), 0.4 mg/L, incubated at 27⁰C and 37⁰C. Molecular mycology analysis was done by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) on internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene using ITS1 and ITS4 primers.
Microscopic examination indicated it was negative for dermatophytes. It showed brownish to black, septate hyphae arranged as arthro-hyphae, and black yeast-like particles. Cultures yielded multiple, velvety, gray colonies turning brownish black later. Lactophenol cotton-blue smears revealed septate, branched hyphae that are dark brown in colour1.5–5 μ wide. Conidiophores are septate, unbranched with flexuose apexes, bearing brown, multi-septate, cylindrical conidia. ITS gene sequence analysis confirmed the isolate from camel skin scrapings to be Cochliobolus hawaiiensis. The case is interesting as this represents, to the best of our knowledge, the first authenticated report of C. hawaiiensis in animals from a tropical country.
Are open‐book tests still as effective as closed‐book tests even after a delay of 2 weeks?
Authors: Wenzel Kristin , Schweppe Judith , Rummer Ralf 
Published: April 2022

AbstractThe present work was conducted to re‐examine the findings of Agarwal et al. (Applied Cognitive Psychology, 22(7), 861–876, 2008), which showed that both closed‐book tests (with feedback) and open‐book tests increased learning outcomes after 1 week compared to simple re‐study of the same materials. However, contrary to often found benefits of retrieval practice—which should be more pronounced in closed‐book tests—both test conditions proved to be similarly effective. As retrieval practice benefits increase with retention interval, this pattern may change with a longer delay. Hence, we conducted a laboratory study and applied three within‐participant learning conditions (re‐study, open‐book test, closed‐book test with feedback) with a 2 weeks instead of 1 week delay between studying and the final test. Notably, our results mirrored the findings of Agarwal et al. (Applied Cognitive Psychology, 22(7), 861–876, 2008) showing that open‐book and closed‐book tests outperform re‐study but are similarly effective—even using a slightly changed procedure, new materials, a different sample, and a longer delay.
Delivering Mechanical Stimulation to Cells: State of the Art in Materials and Devices Design
Authors: Zhang Yonggang , Habibovic Pamela 
Published: April 2022

AbstractBiochemical signals, such as growth factors, cytokines, and transcription factors are known to play a crucial role in regulating a variety of cellular activities as well as maintaining the normal function of different tissues and organs. If the biochemical signals are assumed to be one side of the coin, the other side comprises biophysical cues. There is growing evidence showing that biophysical signals, and in particular mechanical cues, also play an important role in different stages of human life ranging from morphogenesis during embryonic development to maturation and maintenance of tissue and organ function throughout life. In order to investigate how mechanical signals influence cell and tissue function, tremendous efforts have been devoted to fabricating various materials and devices for delivering mechanical stimuli to cells and tissues. Here, an overview of the current state of the art in the design and development of such materials and devices is provided, with a focus on their design principles, and challenges and perspectives for future research directions are highlighted.
Spatial Distribution Control of Antimicrobial Peptides through a Novel Polymeric Carrier for Safe and Efficient Cancer Treatment
Authors: Kang Ziyao , Wang Chun , Zhang Zhanzhan , Liu Qi , Zheng Yadan , Zhao Yu , Pan Zheng , Li Qiushi , Shi Linqi , Liu Yang 
Published: April 2022

AbstractAntimicrobial peptides (AMPs) hold great potential for use in tumor treatment. However, developing AMP‐based antitumor therapies is challenging due to circulatory instability, hemolytic toxicity, low selectivity, and poor cell permeability of AMPs. In this study, a polymeric carrier for AMPs (denoted as PAMPm‐co‐PPBEn/PCA) is presented that effectively enhances their anticancer efficacy while minimizing their potential side effects. By integrating multiple responsive structures at the molecular level, the carrier finely controls the spatial distribution of AMPs in different biological microenvironments, thereby effectively modulating their membranolytic ability. Upon employing KLA as the model AMP, the polymeric carrier's hemolytic toxicity during blood circulation is suppressed, its cellular internalization when reaching tumor tissues facilitated, and its membranolytic toxicity toward the mitochondria upon entering cancer cells restored and further enhanced. Animal studies indicate that this approach significantly improves the antitumor efficacy of KLA and reduces its toxicity. Considering that the loading method for most AMPs is identical to that of KLA, the polymeric carrier reported in this study may provide a feasible approach for the development of AMP‐based cancer treatments.
Realizing Ferromagnetism in a Field‐Effect Transistor Based on VSe2 Thin Flakes
Authors: Zhu Changsheng , Lei Bin , Meng Fanbao , Cui Jianhua , Zhuo Weizhuang , Wang Wenxiang , Xiang Ziji , Chen Xianhui 
Published: April 2022

AbstractFerromagnetic order in 2D2D materials has triggered widespread interest because of their applications in spintronic devices. Monolayer 1T‐VSe2, as a recently emerged candidate of 2D2D ferromagnetic material, exhibits complicated behaviors that contradict the theoretical predictions. In this work, a systematic investigation is presented on the evolution of the transport properties in VSe2 thin flakes controlled by gate voltage. Notably, for the first time, a paramagnetic‐to‐ferromagnetic transition is realized in a VSe2 thin flake using a field‐effect transistor setup with solid ion conductor of polycrystalline Li1+x+yAlx(Ti2−yGey)P3−zSizO12 serving as the gate dielectric. The Curie temperature determined from the electrical transport measurements is ≈40 K. The electric‐field‐controlled ferromagnetism in exfoliated VSe2 flakes provides an excellent platform for developing advanced spintronics as well as investigating unusual emergent physics in 2D systems.