bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Culturability, Cultivation Potential, and Element Analysis of the Culinary-Medicinal Cauliflower Mushroom Sparassis latifolia (Agaricomycetes) from Pakistan
Authors: Ghafoor Aneeqa , Niazi Abdul Rehman
Published: June 2023

Sparassis Fr. is a recognized nutritionally and therapeutically significant genus of mushrooms. Its species has the potential to meet the nutritious and healthy food needs of the growing population but unfortunately due to their tough, laborious and undefined cultivation conditions, their domestication is very rare and not properly described before. In this study, first time the detailed culturabilty and cultivation potential of a wild S. latifolia species from Pakistan was evaluated. Among the different media used, maximum cultural growth was observed on pine needles extract agar (PEA) medium at 24°C. Cultured strains on PEA medium were used to spawn on wheat, sorghum and barley grains. Sorghum grains at 24°C were found as the best combination for spawn production of this mushroom. Total yield efficacy was investigated on a variety of substrates. A mixed substrate of Morus sawdust and pine sawdust at 20°C showed the optimum yield. Element analysis of wild and cultivated strain was carried out and revealed that this mushroom is enriched with macronutrients. These results showed that S. latifolia has great artificial growth potential. Its domestication can compete with commonly growing mushrooms in nutritional and pharmaceutical attributes.
Stimulation of Immune Checkpoint Molecule B and T-Lymphocyte Attenuator Alleviates Experimental Crescentic Glomerulonephritis
Authors: Diefenhardt Paul , Braumann Marie , Schömig Thomas , Trinsch Bastian , Sierra Gonzalez Claudio , Becker-Gotot Janine , Völker Linus A. , Ester Lioba , Mandel Amrei M. , Hawiger Daniel , Abdallah Ali T. , Schermer Bernhard , Göbel Heike , Brinkkötter Paul , Kurts Christian , Benzing Thomas , Brähler Sebastian
Published: June 2023

Significance Statement

Treatment of acute, crescentic glomerulonephritis (GN) consists of unspecific and potentially toxic immunosuppression. T cells are central in the pathogenesis of GN, and various checkpoint molecules control their activation. The immune checkpoint molecule B and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) has shown potential for restraining inflammation in other T-cell–mediated disease models. To investigate its role in GN in a murine model of crescentic nephritis, the authors induced nephrotoxic nephritis in BTLA-deficient mice and wild-type mice. They found that BTLA has a renoprotective role through suppression of local Th1-driven inflammation and expansion of T regulatory cells and that administration of an agonistic anti-BTLA antibody attenuated experimental GN. These findings suggest that antibody-based modulation of BTLA may represent a treatment strategy in human glomerular disease.

Background

Modulating T-lymphocytes represents a promising targeted therapeutic option for glomerulonephritis (GN) because these cells mediate damage in various experimental and human GN types. The immune checkpoint molecule B and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) has shown its potential to restrain inflammation in other T-cell–mediated disease models. Its role in GN, however, has not been investigated.

Methods

We induced nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN), a mouse model of crescentic GN, in Btla-deficient (Btla
KO) mice and wild-type littermate controls and assessed disease severity using functional and histologic parameters at different time points after disease induction. Immunologic changes were comprehensively evaluated by flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, and in vitro assays for dendritic cell and T-cell function. Transfer experiments into Rag1

KO
mice confirmed the observed in vitro findings. In addition, we evaluated the potential of an agonistic anti-BTLA antibody to treat NTN in vivo.

Results

The Btla
KO mice developed aggravated NTN, driven by an increase of infiltrating renal Th1 cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing showed increased renal T-cell activation and positive regulation of the immune response. Although BTLA-deficient regulatory T cells (Tregs) exhibited preserved suppressive function in vitro and in vivo, Btla
KO T effector cells evaded Treg suppression. Administration of an agonistic anti-BTLA antibody robustly attenuated NTN by suppressing nephritogenic T effector cells and promoting Treg expansion.

Conclusions

In a model of crescentic GN, BTLA signaling effectively restrained nephritogenic Th1 cells and promoted regulatory T cells. Suppression of T-cell–mediated inflammation by BTLA stimulation may prove relevant for a broad range of conditions involving acute GN.
Studies into the reduction of domestic fuel burning emissions by means of facile catalytic abatement technology
Authors: Steyn Marilize , Claassen Nicolaas , Forbes Patricia
Published: June 2023

The negative health and socio-economic impacts of emissions associated with domestic fuel burning are widely recognized. Although there has been much progress in the provision of electricity to households in South Africa, many still rely on solid fuel sources such as wood and coal. While various investigations have been done on reducing household emissions by reducing the use of polluting fuels and improvements in combustion efficiency, comparatively fewer studies have been conducted on the reduction of emissions through emission reduction using abatement technology. Catalytic oxidation could be utilized to oxidize particulate matter precursors such as volatile organic compounds and soot particles to reduce secondary particulate formation. Although catalytic methods have not been effectively utilized in practical domestic applications, studies have shown effective soot reduction during laboratory testing. This study investigated the synthesis and use of a manganese oxide based catalyst to reduce particulate matter from domestic fuel burning stoves. During field testing, the presence of the catalyst increased the mass of particulate matter collected, with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis showing spherical particles in the pores of the catalyst run filters. The baseline runs had very few of these particle clusters. Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) analysis of the catalyst run filters did not detect manganese, revealing that increased particulate concentrations were not as a result of macroscopic particles of the catalyst being dislodged from the support. Dislodgement of very small metal particles from the catalyst could, however serve as nucleation nodes for particle growth which would have a non-metal coating leading to the non-detection of manganese. The increase in particulate matter could also be caused by the impingement of particulate matter precursors on the catalyst followed by particle growth and dislodgement into the flue gas. The testwork showed that an active catalyst can be synthesized onto a mesh catalyst support in a facile and cost effective manner, which can be utilized in domestic fuel burning devices. It is recommended that a range of optimized, potentially active catalysts be tested to improve the oxidation of particulate matter precursors to carbon dioxide.
Corporate Strategy for Sustainability: Reflections of Prospective Entrepreneurs
Authors:   FPT University, Truong Kiet Hong Vo Tuan , Huynh Van Pham ,   FPT University, Nguyen Huy Dang ,   FPT University
Published: June 2023

Universities play a crucial role in training and educating future businesspeople to comprehend sustainable thinking holistically. This demonstrates the importance of preparing the next businesspeople about students’ factual knowledge, practical skills, and responsibility towards sustainability. The aim of this research is to identify economic students, think about corporate strategy planning towards sustainability, and understand and reconcile the different sustainability perspectives. This study examined 534 economic students’ ideas in Can Tho City, Vietnam, and 102 scholars, opinions (international and local scholars and transporter/logistics) toward sustainable business practices. It was revealed that students in general are highly aware of the principles of sustainable development, ready to implement them in practice during business planning, and some aspects are even more important than experts. With the help of matrices of factor analysis four alternative realistic patterns of corporate strategies for sustainable development, with appropriate recommendations for their implementation were compiled. They can serve as a basis for decision-making by current and future entrepreneurs in the formation of their own business plans.
Consumers’ Adoption of Electric Vehicles for Sustainability: Exploring the Role of Personality Traits
Authors:   Bharathidasan Institute of Management, Dinesh Sofi , Mitra Suddhachit ,   Management Development Institute
Published: June 2023

This study investigates the influence of the Big Five personality traits which include extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness in molding the adoption intention of consumers regarding electric vehicles (EVs) in India. This study also looks at Behavioral Economics as an explanatory theory on the diffusion of electric vehicles in India. The study comprised two stages. In the first stage, 150 users and non-users of electric vehicles were surveyed. Results pointed to a significant effect of all Big Five personality traits on adoption intention, with the exception of the trait of neuroticism. There was no significant difference in the adoption intention based on the differences in personality traits between men and women. In the second stage, the study used an expert-opinion based survey that was conceptualized based on the Diffusion of Innovation theory combined with the idea of memetics in new product diffusion. The results from the first stage of the research were bolstered by the fact that the second stage indicated that product attributes influencing diffusion would have a negative influence on adoption intentions of persons with high neuroticism. The study provides useful insights into consumer behavior based on personality for marketers of electric vehicles and policymakers interested in bringing about sustainable consumption practices.
The impact of COVID-19 on neonatal hearing in a tertiary care hospital
Authors: N Thomas , BS Pragathi , KS Kanimozhi , GB Seema , CS Blesson , KC Chaithra
Published: June 2023

Introduction: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in China has had far reaching repercussions on mankind. Its effects on pregnant women and neonates have been intricate. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of gestational COVID-19 on neonatal hearing with the objectives of determining the factors affecting hearing and to estimate the prevalence of hearing loss in neonates whose mothers had gestational COVID-19. Materials and methods: The hospital-based cross-sectional study included 60 neonates whose mothers had gestational COVID-19 infection and 60 neonates of healthy mothers as controls in a rural tertiary care hospital for a duration of 1 year from September 2020 to August 2021. The study and control groups were compared in terms of continuous and non continuous variables. Maternal age, birth week and birth weight were categorized as continuous variables. Trimester of RT-PCR positivity, parity, mode of delivery, gender and results of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) were categorized as non continuous variables. All neonates were screened with TEOAE within the first 5 days of birth. Results: The demographic and clinical characteristics of the study and control groups on comparison did not reveal any statistically significant differences. All neonates passed the screening test in the first attempt. Conclusion: Otologic manifestations in COVID-19 has been diverse and is a cause of concern. Neonatal hearing loss was not observed in the study. A better understanding of this entity calls for further research as early detection can help to mitigate the aftermath of the infection if any. Keywords: COVID-19; neonates; hearing loss; pregnancy; TEOAE; congenital infections; vertical transmission
Relation of COVID-19 with acute ischemic bowel disease: A retrospective observational study
Authors: YP Takalkar , SB Bansod , R Annabathina , PH Shinde , S Pramod , V Diwewar , A Chowdhary , K Rajesha
Published: June 2023

Introduction: COVID-19 is a serious respiratory disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, aside from the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system is the most common site of SARS-COV-2 infection. The study aimed to assess relation between COVID and ischemic bowel disease by analysing length of hospital stay and mortality rates between COVID and non-COVID groups. Methods: The study was conducted from June 2020 to November 2021 in the surgical wards of Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai. Included patients presented to emergency room with acute abdomen which diagnosed as acute ischemic bowel disease during the period of study and then compared the outcomes between COVID and non-COVID groups. Results: Out of 40 patients, 16 had no history of COVID and remaining 24 had either previous history of COVID or diagnosed presently with COVID. In both COVID and non-COVID population, distribution of comorbidities were almost equal exception being stroke, where both the cases had previous history of COVID, diabetes was the most common comorbidity in both the groups followed by hypertension. Patients with active COVID infection had higher mortality of 75% (3 out of 4) followed by patients with past history of infection with mortality rate of 65% (13 out of 20) whereas the mortality rate in non-COVID patients were 37.5% (6 out of 16). Conclusion: Ischemic bowel disease among COVID-19 patients is rare, but its association with high mortality rates and prolonged length of stay necessitates clinical suspicion and prompt intervention. Keywords: COVID-19; ischemic bowel disease; acute mesenteric ischemia
COMBINED SURGERY IN A PATIENT WITH INTRACARDIAC LEIOMYOMATOSIS: A CLINICAL CASE
Authors: Muratov Ravil M. , Khramchenkov Andrey G. , Titov Dmitriy A. , Babenko Svetlana I. , Khugaev Georgy A.
Published: June 2023

Highlights

Intravascular leiomyoma with heart extension is a rare occurring condition. According to the available data, the number of cases does not exceed 30 despite many years of studies. Often cardiac hospitals cannot establish the clinical picture, so the surgeon removes only cardiac tumors, which inevitably leads to the recurrence of the tumor after a few months.

 

Abstract

Leiomyomatosis is an extremely rare disease that occurs in women of childbearing age. The development of the malignant tumor is preceded by the removal of the uterine fibroids or hysterectomy. Radical surgery guarantees the complete absence of relapses, while partial removal leads to relapses in a third of cases. We performed a reoperation on a 35-year-old patient who underwent partial removal of leiomyoma in the right atrium but 3 months later had a tumor causing severe obstruction of the right heart.
COMPARISON OF PROPENSITY SCORES FOR SURGICAL TREATMENT OF BIOPROSTHETIC MITRAL VALVE DYSFUNCTION USING TRADITIONAL AND “VALVE-IN-VALVE” METHODS
Authors: Khalivopulo Ivan K. , Evtushenko Aleksey V. , Shabaldin Andrey V. , Troshkinev Nikita M. , Stasev Alexander N. , Kokorin Stanislav G. , Barbarash Leonid S.
Published: June 2023

Highlights

The article describes the first conducted pseudorandomized comparative study of mitral valve replacement using either traditional or “valve-in-valve” techniques.

 

Abstract

Aim. To compare short-term (perioperative) and medium-term (6 months) outcomes of surgical treatment of bioprosthetic mitral valve dysfunction using traditional and “valve-in-valve” methods.

Methods. The study included 18 patients undergoing “valve-in-valve” replacement and 18 patients undergoing traditional mitral valve replacement (open mitral valve replacement) chosen according to the following criteria: heart disease type, predominant type of defect, age, gender, severity of the disease and the presence of concomitant pathology and using 1:1 matching on the propensity score.

Results. No perioperative mortality was noted in both groups. The cardiopulmonary bypass and cross-clamping of the aorta time was significantly lower in the “valve-in-valve” group. Comparison of echocardiographic parameters revealed a decrease in the mean pulmonary arterial pressure gradient, and a decrease in the size of the heart chambers in both groups. The peak and mean transvalvular gradient were lower in the “traditional” group. There were no cases of patient-prosthesis mismatch. In the mid-term period, patients in both groups presented with a lower functional class of heart failure.

Conclusion. Bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement using the “valve-in-valve” technique provides comparable clinical and hemodynamic results compared to the “traditional” technique in short-term and mid-term periods, and significantly reduces cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross clamping time.
Clinical registry on patient population with Multifocal Atherosclerosis in the Russian Federation and Eurasian countries – KAMMA
Authors: Batluk Tatiana I. , Tarlovskaya Ekaterina I. , Arutyunov Gregory P. , Koziolova Natalya A. , Chesnikova Anna I. , Barbarash Olga L. , Arutyunov Alexander G.
Published: June 2023

Highlights

Developing international registry that would unify different patient populations not represented in other registries and studies, and include patients with both manifested and subclinical atherosclerosis, is crucial for cardiovascular field. The collected data can be used in national guidelines, teaching and learning guides, and in clinical practice.

 

Abstract

Multifocal atherosclerosis (MFA) is one of the key issues in modern medicine. Several vascular beds are involved in the pathological process in every fifth patient with detected atherosclerosis. Moreover, patients with MFA have high risk of ischemic events, lower quality of life, shorter life expectancy and disability. “The Eurasian Association of Internal medicine” proposed to create a registry on real clinical practice in order to collect data on the frequency, detection methods, clinical course, risk factors and outcomes of patients with MFA in specialized centers in Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States (Republic of Kazakhstan, Republic of Uzbekistan, Republic of Belarus).
Os odontoideum of C2 vertebra: Aspects of epidemiology, etiopathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis. Literature review
Authors: Sharov Vladislav A. , Kuleshov Alexander A. , Shkarubo A. N , Vetrile Marchel S. , Lisyansky Igor N. , Makarov Sergey N.
Published: June 2023

We present a literature review devoted to the study of a craniovertebral malformation such as the os odontoideum of C2 vertebra. This is a rare anomaly that often results in atlantoaxial instability and, as a consequence, a wide range of clinical manifestations. The review is analytic and was conducted using medical literature databases and search resources, namely, PubMed (MEDLINE), Google Scholar, and eLibrary. The review focused on the definition of os odontoideum and its epidemiology, including the structure of craniovertebral junction pathologies. Features of the embryonic development of the craniovertebral junction, which are important in terms of the notion of the theories of the origin of os odontoideum, are described. The anatomical variants of the os odontoideum are presented, and a wide range of clinical manifestations of this pathological condition and approaches to its diagnosis are described.
Differential diagnosis of focal changes in the spine using standard and radiomic analysis
Authors: Sergeev Nikolay I. , Kotlyarov Petr M. , Solodkiy Vladimir A.
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND: If focal changes in the bones are detected, the radiologist must exclude or confirm the presence of a metastatic lesion. Although the semiotics of metastatic and non-oncological changes according to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data is well known, in practice, there may be various combinations of their characteristics that are influenced by other chronic diseases and parallel processes, which significantly complicate interpretation. The use of computer image analysis methods has great prospects and can improve the diagnostic accuracy of standard imaging methods.
OBJECTIVE: To improve the accuracy of diagnosing radiographic findings of focal changes in the spine using additional image evaluation by computer analysis algorithms.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty patients were examined, and 15 of them had metastatic bone lesions from breast cancer, and 15 had focal changes in the spine of a non-oncological nature. Computer analysis of focal changes in the vertebral bodies was conducted according to T1WI, T2WI, and STIR MRI sequences. For the computer analysis, the operator of the complexity of the image Arzela and histogram distribution of brightness were used.
RESULTS: The main differential indicators for hemangioma, conditionally normal areas of the bone marrow, and metastatic foci have been established. The Arzela data image complexity operator was approximately 0.07 for hemangioma, approximately 0.05 for metastases (mts), and approximately 0.04 for vertebrae. The brightness histogram operator was approximately 1.12 for haemangioma and approximately 0.94 for mts. Regarding the difference between indicators, the difference is 20%25%, between hemangioma and bone marrow and 35% between mts and bone marrow, which make it possible to effectively use these indicators together with other markers.
CONCLUSION: The criteria for differential diagnosis obtained using radiomic analysis showed significant differences between focal changes in the vertebrae of various etiologies. From a mathematical point of view, they are advisory, and the doctor with experience remains at the center of the decision-making system.
Registration and analysis of complications in the neurosurgical clinic
Authors: Usachev Dmitry Y. , Nazarenko Anton G. , Konovalov Nikolai A. , Tanyashin Sergey V. , Sharipov Oleg I. , Shults Maria A. , Danilov Gleb V.
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND: Currently, in medicine, including neurosurgery, systemic risk management to improve treatment quality is one of the most urgent tasks. The key indicators of treatment quality in neurosurgery are the characteristics of its outcomes, structure, and number of complications.
OBJECTIVE: To formulate the most concise and complete definition of complication and develop a classification scheme that allows the maximum consideration of complications in patients with neurosurgical problems.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A neurosurgical complication was defined as any unwanted, unintended deviation from the ideal course of the treatment process for a patient with neurosurgical pathology. The study included patients operated on for neurosurgical pathology at the Center for Neurosurgery (Moscow) from January 2019 to December 2020. To record all complications, an electronic database was created, where information about all neurosurgical complications was entered.
RESULTS. Based on the analysis of annual reports of medical and diagnostic departments, the average incidence of complications was 2529 per 1000 operations (2.52.9%). The study of neurosurgical complications made it possible to determine the general parameters that are of key importance for the registration and analysis of neurosurgical complications and formulate an original classification scheme, and its use makes it possible to consider most of the factors associated with complications and, accordingly, their analysis.
CONCLUSION: In the literature analysis, a series of discussions within the neurosurgical community, and our experience, we proposed a definition of neurosurgical complication and an approach to registering complications. With the help of the proposed classification scheme, we could obtain objective data and conduct evidence-based analysis, which makes it possible to evaluate complications using a treatment quality control system by obtaining the most complete amount of data on complications in a neurosurgical clinic.
The Investigation of the 2018 Life Studies Curriculum and Practices to Provide Students with 21 st Century Skills
Authors: KIYIKCI Aslı , ÖZYURT Melike
Published: June 2023

The present study examined the 2018 Life Studies curriculum (LSC) and its practices, which has been in implementation in Turkey, to provide the students with 21st century skills.For this purpose in mind, the 2018 LSC curriculum was scrutinized together with the Life Studiestextbooks recommended by the Ministry of National Education for the first, second, and third graders in the 2020-2021 academic year. The study adopted document analysis, one of the qualitative research methods, and employed descriptive analysis technique in data analysis.Partnership21 framework was used as the frame of reference in addressing research data.As a result, the 2018 LSClearning outcomes and the texts and activities in the Life Studies textbooks were found to aimat developing critical thinking and problem-solving to the most, and collaboration to the least among learning and innovation skills. In terms of the information, media, and technology skills, the LSC focused on improving information literacy to the most, and information, communications, and technology (ICT)literacy to the least. It was also determined that the curriculum and the textbooks ignored the learning outcomes and activities to improve students’ media literacy skills.Moreover, the LSC attempted to promote flexibility and adaptability to the most, and productivity and accountability to the least with regard to life and career skills. However, it was concluded that there was an overall harmony between the learning outcomes in the curriculum and the activities in the textbooks in developing 21st century skills.In other words, it was ascertained that both the learning outcomes and the activities and texts in the textbooks simultaneously intended to develop similar 21stcentury skills.
Level Of Knowledge, Attitude, And Practice Of Personal Hygiene Were Not Correlated With Pediculosis Capitis
Authors: Azizah Zakiah , Kesetyaningsih Tri
Published: June 2023

Introduction – Pediculosis capitis is the most common ectoparasitosis in the world, transmitted by direct contact. Pediculosis capitis is more common in girls and has a high prevalence in command environment. The results of research on personal hygiene as a risk factor for pediculosis capitis are still inconsistent.

Purpose – This study aims to analyze the relationship between the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of personal hygiene with the incidence of pediculosis capitis in Islamic boarding schools.

Methodology/Approach – This research is an analytic observational with a cross sectional design. The research was conducted at Pesantren X in Magelang and was carried out after obtaining research ethic approval. Respondents are female students, taken by total population sampling. Data on the level of knowledge, attitudes, and personal hygiene practices were obtained through a questionnaire, while the diagnosis of pediculosis was obtained by examining the hair and scalp directly. Data scores of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Personal Hygiene Practices were categorized into good, medium, and low. Data were analyzed using chi-square to determine the relationship between the level of knowledge, attitudes, and personal hygiene practices with the incidence of pediculosis capitis.

Findings – There were 78 research respondents who met the inclusion criteria. The results showed that 52 students (66.67%) suffered from pediculosis capitis. Regarding personal hygiene, as many as 60 people (76.92%) have good knowledge, 43 (55.13%) are good and 59 (75.64%) have good practices. The results of statistical analysis showed that there was no relationship between the level of knowledge (p = 0.08), attitude (p = 0.52) and practice (p = 0.70) of personal hygiene with the incidence of pediculosis capitis. It was concluded that knowledge, attitude and practice of personal hygiene in Pondok Pesantren X was not a risk factor for the incidence of pediculosis capitis.

Implication – Knowledge, attitudes, and personal hygiene practices cannot be used to prevent the occurrence of pediculosis capitis in Islamic boarding school students X.
Relationship Between Rainy Day and Sunshine Duration with Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever Incidence in City of Yogyakarta
Authors: Aunillah Alvian , Kesetyaningsih Tri
Published: June 2023

Introduction – Dengue fever is a disease that often occurs in tropical countries, including Indonesia. DHF is caused by the dengue virus from the Flaviviridae family and infects through the Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. DHF transmission is related to the survival capacity, behavior, and habitat of mosquito as vectors, therefore it may be influenced by climatic factors such as the number of rainy days and the sunshine duration. Purpose – The aim of the study was to determine whether the number of rainy days and the sunshine duration were correlated with the incidence of dengue fever in the city of Yogyakarta. Methodology/Approach – This study uses a retrospective analytic observational method. This study was conducted by analyzing the relationship between monthly data on the number of rainy days and duration of sunshine with cases of dengue fever in the city of Yogyakarta in 2015-2019. Climatic data were obtained from the recording of the Yogyakarta Mlati Climatology Station and data on dengue cases were obtained from the records of the Yogyakarta City Health Office. The data was then analyzed by the Spearman correlation test to find the correlation between the two variables. DHF with an accumulation of 3705 cases during 2015-2019. The city has a tropical climate with an average of 8.96 rainy days and 66% of sunshine duration per month. In the Spearman correlation test, it is found that there was no relationship between DHF cases and the number of rainy days, which had a non-significant positive correlation (p = 0.056 ; r = 0.249) and there was no relationship between DHF cases and sunshine duration had a negative and insignificant correlation (p = 0.316; r = - 0.132). There is no significant relationship between the number of rainy days and the sunshine duration with the incidence of DHF in the city of Yogyakarta. There is a difference in the direction of the correlation between the two variables, namely the number of rainy days is positively correlated while the sunshine duration is negatively correlated with the incidence of DHF in Yogyakarta City. Originality/ Value/ Implication – This study proves that the factor of the number of rainy days shows a positive correlation with the number of cases of DHF, while the factor of the sunshine duration shows a negative correlation in the city of Yogyakarta.
Effect of Exclusive Breatfeeding on The Incidence of Acute Respiratory Infections
Authors: Muthoharoh Husnul , Fajrin Fitriana Ikhtiarinawati , Setiyarini Anggraini
Published: June 2023

Introduction – Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is a respiratory infection where the cause is a virus or bacteria that lasts for 14 days. One of the efforts to prevent ARI in infants is to provide exclusive breastfeeding, because breast milk contains elements of specific and non-specific immunity that can protect newborns from respiratory infections.

Purpose – The aim of the study was to determine the effect of exclusive breastfeeding with the incidence of Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) in infants aged 7-24 months in the Community Health Center Ujung Pangkah Gresik.

Methodology/Approach – The research design used was observational analytic with a cross sectional approach. The population in this study were all infants aged 7-24 months. The number of sample 60 babies taken with the sampling technique using purposive sampling method. The study used a questionnaire with a closed ended item type of questionnaire. Data analysis used univariate and bivariate analysis using Chi Square.

Findings – The results showed that 33 respondents (55 percent) had ARI and 27 respondents (45 percent) did not. Respondents who did not give exclusive breastfeeding were 28 respondents (46.7 percent), giving exclusive breastfeeding were 32 respondents (53,3 percent). This shows that the proportion of children under five who are not exclusively breastfed and has ARI  is higher than the proportion of infants who are exclusively breastfed and have ARI. The results of statistical calculations obtained p-value = 0.000 (p-value <0,05), so there is a relationship between exclusive breastfeeding and the incidence of ARI in toddlers at the Ujung Pangkah Health Center.

Originality/ Value/ Implication – This research is the result of my own work and has never been published at all.
Materiovigilance programme of India: a step towards patient safety
Authors: Date Amit Padmakar , Date Anjali Amit , Siddiqui Riyaz Ahmed , Shende Tanaji Ramaji , Salankar Harsh Vidyadhar , Quazi Shadma Hafizuddin , Sonwane Priyanka Giridhar
Published: June 2023

Medical devices which are indispensable part of healthcare delivery system may cause serious events for patients and contribute to healthcare costs. The robust materiovigilance programme will lead to improve the safety of patients and users by reducing the reoccurrence of the incidents. Furthermore, the existing incidents advocate continuous monitoring of medical devices in use, in order to protect the patients’ health. Post marketing surveillance of medical devices is done in many countries, but it is still not as developed and robust as that of medicines. Materiovigilance program of India was launched, at Indian pharmacopeia commission to monitor the adverse events associated with the use of medical devices, to generate safety data, create awareness among the different stakeholders, and recommend the best practices and interventions to improve the patient’s safety. This article reviews regulations and guidance documents regarding medical devices focused on post market vigilance framework in India along with measures for robust implementation of the existing programme.
Demographic and clinical status of the neonates admitted to an intensive care unit in Bangladesh
Authors: Hosain Ahmed , Hossain M. Monir , Al Mamun Mohammad Abdullah , Mohsin Mohammad , Shams Nusrat , Haque Salina
Published: June 2023

Background: The neonatal intensive care unit is a fundamental sector for the survival of high-risk newborns. Such a unit involves high-complexity assistance with teams trained in newborn care, reconciling technological advances with proper approaches to humanized care practices. Usually, the outcomes of neonatal intensive care unit patients depend upon the demographic and clinical status of the patients. In Bangladesh, we have very limited research-based information regarding this issue. This study aimed to assess the demographic and clinical status of neonates admitted to an intensive care unit in Bangladesh.
Methods: This was an observational cohort study that was conducted in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (I.C.U.) of Dhaka Shishu Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh during the period from October 2009 to September 2010. In total 230 neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, after fulfilling the inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study as study subjects. Properly written consent was taken in favour of all the participants before data collection. All data were processed, analysed and disseminated by using MS Excel and SPSS version 15.0 program as per necessity.
Results: Among the total of 230 participants, the male-female ratio was 1.7:1 and gestational age was found as >37 weeks in 60% of neonates. The age of the majority of the neonates (53%) was <7 days. The diaphragmatic hernia was present in the highest number (n=17) of cases as a single congenital anomaly. As the disease pattern, perinatal asphyxia with complications, preterm low birth weight with sepsis and congenital anomalies were found in 24.8%, 20.4% and 23% of cases respectively. Among the total of our patients, in 55% of cases, acid-base derangements were present.
Conclusions: The higher frequency of ICU admission of male neonates is alarming for the neonatal care system. The first week of neonatal ICU may be considered the most critical period, especially for preterm babies. Neonates with perinatal asphyxia, preterm low birth weight with sepsis and congenital anomalies are some common features among neonatal ICU care patients.
Effect of inhaled budesonide therapy in term newborns with meconium aspiration syndrome
Authors: Medam Rajesh Babu , Iragamreddy Venugopal Reddy , H. B. Akhila , Voona Murali Mohan
Published: June 2023

Background: Meconium aspiration syndrome is a common cause of respiratory distress in neonates. This study explores the possibility of altering the course of the disease by using anti-inflammatory agents to counter the chemical and inflammatory pneumonitis caused by meconium. The objective is to determine if inhaled budesonide therapy can alter the clinical course of the disease and improve outcome without causing any serious adverse effects.
Methods: A comparative study was conducted in NICU of Cheluvamba hospital, Mysore over 12 months. Neonates with MAS were divided into interventional and control groups. Interventional group received budesonide nebulization 12th hourly starting after 6 hours of life, while control group received saline nebulization 12 hourly. Data was analysed by SPSS 20 software and student t test and chi square test were used to assess statistical significance.
Results: The patient profile of the two groups was similar, with the interventional group showing early normalization of Downes score compared to controls. The duration of respiratory distress, oxygen dependency, and duration of hospital stay was significantly less in the steroid treated group compared to controls. There was no significant difference in the incidence of sepsis between the two groups, and three patients died during hospital stay due to pneumothorax with overwhelming sepsis with DIC.
Conclusions: Nebulized budesonide improves clinical outcome in terms of morbidity and is relatively safe, however long term follow up required to recommend inhalational steroids as safe and effective.
Clinical profile and etiology of children presenting with prolonged fever in tertiary care centre of Southern Rajasthan
Authors: Sanadhya Anuradha , Setia Sakshi , Goyal Suresh , Kachhwaha Ritika
Published: June 2023

Background: Fever is the most common complain of a child presenting to a health care setting. A prolonged fever however, is an intriguing challenge for clinicians and remains overly medicated and inappropriately worked up, provided a systemic approach is not followed. Our study aims to find the etiologic diagnosis in these cases of prolonged fever.
Methods: The present study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in southern Rajasthan over a period of 12 months from November 2021 to October 2022. Our descriptive, observational study enrolled 150 children who were prospectively followed during their stay in hospital. Each patient was subjected to a set of mandatory investigations followed by other investigations as per the diagnostic clues. Patients were monitored closely during their course of stay until discharge, at which the final diagnosis was charted.
Results: A diagnosis could be reached for 138 patients (92%) and in 12 patients (8%), the cause of fever remained undiagnosed until discharge/death. Out of the 138 patients diagnosed, 118 patients (85.5%, 78.6% overall) had an infection as the cause of fever and 20 cases (14.49%,13.3% overall) had a non-infective etiology.
Conclusions: Infections are the most common cause of prolonged fever in pediatric population - tuberculosis being the most frequent infection. Hematological malignancies were found as an emerging cause of prolonged fever in our study.
Clear aligners - knowledge and preference among parents of children aged 10 - 17 years
Authors: Haridasan Ajith Kumar , Srinivasan Ila , V. Setty Jyothsna , Srinivasan Smrithi , S. Shilpa
Published: June 2023

Background: Clear aligners were introduced in the 20th century, but it did not gain popularity since there was a lack of promotion. However, now due to the widespread marketing on social media, clear aligners have gained popularity. Yet, the awareness about different types of clear aligners among parents was ambiguous. The aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and acceptance of clear aligners among the parents of children aged 10- 17 years.
Methods: The study was conducted on 50 parents of children aged between 10 to 17 years in Bengaluru. A Questionnaire was given to the parents to assess their knowledge about various orthodontic treatments and the different types of clear aligners. A video was shown to the parents which explained about the ideal age for orthodontic treatment, types of clear aligners, their advantages and disadvantages. After the video-demonstration, a questionnaire was given to the parents to assess their preference.
Results: On an average, the knowledge about different types of clear aligners among parents were low. Most of the parents were indecisive about choosing between In-office aligners and At-home aligners and unaware about the complications of At-home aligners. The study results showed that after video-demonstration, there was a statistically significant increase in the number of parents who chose ‘In-Office’ aligners over ‘At-home’ aligners (Mean value – 4.02).
Conclusions: This study helped in creating awareness about In-Office aligners, the various complications of At-Home aligners and also educated the parents in choosing a better treatment option for their children.
Sensitization pattern to various common allergens, using allergy skin prick test in children suffering from asthma and allergic rhinitis attending asthma outpatient department, at a tertiary care hospital in Central India
Authors: Margekar Purnima , Jagzape Tushar B.
Published: June 2023

Background: Bronchial asthma is one of the most common chronic conditions of children.  Allergy skin test, specific IgE levels can help to identify the triggers and better management. This observational study was carried to analyze the pattern of sensitization to various common allergens in children suffering from asthma and/ or allergic rhinitis at AIIMS, Raipur and to correlate sensitization with the various demographic parameters.
Methods: Children between the age of one to 14 year diagnosed with asthma and/or allergic rhinitis were enrolled. They were subjected to skin prick test (SPT) using 18 common antigens. Induration more than 3mm than the negative control was considered as positive test.
Results: 70 patients with an average age of 9.1 year were enrolled. 46 were males. Almost 80% (56) patients had sensitization to at-least one antigen tested. Highest sensitization was observed for cockroach mix 33 (58.92%) followed by Dermatophagoides farinae 18 (32.14%) and grain dust rice 16 (28.57%%). Sensitization was more in children with history of asthma in family (OR=2.37), residing near main road (OR=2.4), and in nuclear family (OR=1.54). There was no relation of SPT positivity with absolute eosinophil count (p=0.45, OR=0.41), family h/o allergic rhinitis (p=1.0, OR=0.86) and atopic dermatitis (p=1.0, OR=0.81). Statistically significant difference observed in the positivity of SPT in relation to severity of illness. (p=0.01, OR=0.162).
Conclusions: Sensitization rate was high (80%) with cockroach mix being the commonest antigen. Family history of asthma, residence near main road and severity of illness were associated with higher sensitization.
Association of serum ferritin in patients with acute ischemic stroke in tertiary care hospital
Authors: Ranjan Umashankar , Panneerselvam Kanmani
Published: June 2023

Background: Stroke is a major cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Identifying prognostic markers and mortality predictors is essential for successful intervention and treatment of ischemic stroke. The study aims to examine the role of serum ferritin as a prognostic indicator for stroke severity in conjunction with national institute of health stroke scale (NIHSS) and MRS stroke scales. Furthermore, the association of serum ferritin and several associated risk factors for stroke was also studied.
Methods: This study conducted was cross-sectional. 143 patients with acute ischemic stroke who attended the general medicine OPD within 24 hours of admission after the onset of stroke were taken into consideration. Only those patients who matched the inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken for analysis. Acute ischemic stroke patients were admitted with verbal consent, medical background, routine blood, neurological examination, and CT scan, NIHSS scoring, treatment protocols, anti-edema measures, and modified Rankin scale for functional recovery after four weeks.
Results: In the present study, 80% were males, and 20% were females. Most study participants were 51-60 years (38%). The mean age is 58.87 years, and the standard deviation is 11.41. About 35% were smokers, 38% were alcoholics, 56% were diabetic, 68% were hypertensives, and 35% had lipid disorders. There is a statistically significant correlation between serum ferritin and the severity of stroke based on the NIHSS scale and the Modified Rankin scale.
Conclusions: The study demonstrates the use of serum ferritin as an indicative marker for prognosis patients having an acute ischemic stroke. However, monitoring during follow-up did not show any benefit. The current study glorifies the simplistic use of a serum marker.
Management of heart failure patients with systolic dysfunction in a real world setting-a physician-based survey
Authors: Sawhney J. P. , Jain Peeyush , Kantanavar Kiran
Published: June 2023

Background: The objective of this study was to understand cardiologists’ perspectives on heart failure (HF) management with an emphasis on heart rate (HR) optimization and practice patterns among different medical specialties.
Methods: A digital, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based survey involving 149 Indian cardiologists who were experienced in the management of patients with HF in their clinical practice was conducted. The survey questionnaire included 53 items divided into five sections. Responses were analyzed and data were represented as summary statistics.
Results: According to most cardiologists, majority of patients belong to the New York Heart Association (NYHA) categories II and III, with ischemia being the most prevalent cause of HF. For patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), HR>70 beats per minute and sinus rhythm, 38.9% of clinicians strongly agreed to include ivabradine in the treatment regimen. According to 56.4% of clinicians, 26%-50% of patients with HFrEF were receiving ivabradine therapy at <50% guideline-directed target dose of β-blockers. At the highest therapeutic dosage of ivabradine, 46.3% of clinicians noticed a 6-10 bpm reduction in HR. Additionally, it was reported that a stable HFrEF patient consumed an average of 4-6 tablets daily (67.1%), which increased the pill burden. Overall, 58.4% and 67.1% of clinicians strongly believed that cutting back on medications will assist with therapy adherence and that improved therapy adherence and compliance aid with clinical outcomes, respectively. Majority of the clinicians strongly agreed or agreed that patients should be switched from twice-daily to once-daily ivabradine.
Conclusions: Clinical outcomes of patients with HF could be improved by reducing the pill burden and improving compliance.