bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Copro-prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in Chilean breed horses in the province of Concepción, Chile
Authors: Muñoz Lisandro , Sepúlveda-Calderón Paula , Villaguala-Pacheco Carmen , Aqueveque Carlos Landaeta
Published: June 2020

Abstract The aim of this research was to assess the copro-prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in owned Chilean breed horses (Equus caballus) residing in the province of Concepción, Chile. The study was carried out throughout October 2017. Samples were taken from all (100%) Chilean breed horse (124 specimens; 45 females and 79 males, aged between 7 months and 24 years old) from the Concepción province. A rectal stool sample was obtained from each animal. This was analyzed using the Army Medical School method (AMS III) technique to detect F. hepatica eggs. Information about the horse’s age, sex, previous fasciolicide application, and an assessment of body condition was also obtained. Fisher tests were carried out to analyze the results. Ten horses (8.06%) were positive for the presence of F. hepatica eggs. No significant difference of copro-prevalence was found between age (young 8.47%, old 7.69%), sex (female 11.1%, male 6.33%), the previous application of fasciolicide (dewormed 10%, not dewormed 7.89%), or body condition (low condition 11.1%, high condition 0.7%) categories (Fisher tests: P>0.05 in all cases). The results of this study suggest that Chilean breed horses constitute part of the reservoir of F. hepatica for both ruminant populations and humans in the Concepción province.
Nodular and sclerosing gastritis caused by Cylicospirura felineus in a puma (Puma concolor)
Authors: Almeida Lara Ribeiro de , D’Elia Mirella Lauria , Sousa Dyeime Ribeiro de , Joaquim Jéssica de Souza , Santos Hudson Andrade , Campos Bruna Hermine , Pereira Cintia Aparecida de Jesus , Soares Danielle Ferreira de Magalhães , Lima Walter dos Santos , Ecco Roselene
Published: June 2020

Abstract An adult male puma (Puma concolor), hit by a car in an urban area, died three days later despite the therapeutic support provided. At necropsy, multiple firm nodules were identified in the gastric mucosa. The nodules were coated by an intact mucosa with a central opening from which reddish and cylindrical nematodes protruded into the lumen. Twenty-seven nematodes were retrieved for morphological and morphometric evaluations. During histopathological examination of the gastric tissue, the adult nematodes appear in longitudinal and transverse sections, surrounded by thick bands of collagen, interspersed with mixed inflammatory infiltrates. The nematodes had an eosinophilic cuticle with caudal serrated projections (bulbar type), coelomyarian musculature, pseudocoelom, and females with uterus containing numerous larvated eggs, characteristics consistent with the Cylicospirura genus. Morphologically, female nematodes had six large tricuspid teeth in the oral cavity and the vulva had an opening anterior to the esophagus–intestinal junction. Male nematodes had five pairs of small papillae near the tip of the tail. These findings were consistent with Cylicospirura felineus. This parasite should be included in the differential diagnosis of nodular gastric wall lesions in wild felids.
Literature Mining for Incorporating Inductive Bias in Biomedical Prediction Tasks (Student Abstract)
Authors: Zhang Qizhen , Durand Audrey , Pineau Joelle
Published: June 2020

Applications of machine learning in biomedical prediction tasks are often limited by datasets that are unrepresentative of the sampling population. In these situations, we can no longer rely only on the the training data to learn the relations between features and the prediction outcome. Our method proposes to learn an inductive bias that indicates the relevance of each feature to outcomes through literature mining in PubMed, a centralized source of biomedical documents. The inductive bias acts as a source of prior knowledge from experts, which we leverage by imposing an extra penalty for model weights that differ from this inductive bias. We empirically evaluate our method on a medical prediction task and highlight the importance of incorporating expert knowledge that can capture relations not present in the training data.
Focusing on Detail: Deep Hashing Based on Multiple Region Details (Student Abstract)
Authors: Zhou Quan , Nie Xiushan , Shi Yang , Liu Xingbo , Yin Yilong
Published: June 2020

Fast retrieval efficiency and high performance hashing, which aims to convert multimedia data into a set of short binary codes while preserving the similarity of the original data, has been widely studied in recent years. Majority of the existing deep supervised hashing methods only utilize the semantics of a whole image in learning hash codes, but ignore the local image details, which are important in hash learning. To fully utilize the detailed information, we propose a novel deep multi-region hashing (DMRH), which learns hash codes from local regions, and in which the final hash codes of the image are obtained by fusing the local hash codes corresponding to local regions. In addition, we propose a self-similarity loss term to address the imbalance problem (i.e., the number of dissimilar pairs is significantly more than that of the similar ones) of methods based on pairwise similarity.
Generative Adversarial Imitation Learning from Failed Experiences (Student Abstract)
Authors: Zhu Jiacheng , Lin Jiahao , Wang Meng , Chen Yingfeng , Fan Changjie , Jiang Chong , Zhang Zongzhang
Published: June 2020

Imitation learning provides a family of promising methods that learn policies from expert demonstrations directly. As a model-free and on-line imitation learning method, generative adversarial imitation learning (GAIL) generalizes well to unseen situations and can handle complex problems. In this paper, we propose a novel variant of GAIL called GAIL from failed experiences (GAILFE). GAILFE allows an agent to utilize failed experiences in the training process. Moreover, a constrained optimization objective is formalized in GAILFE to balance learning from given demonstrations and from self-generated failed experiences. Empirically, compared with GAIL, GAILFE can improve sample efficiency and learning speed over different tasks.
Designing a Main Street Lending Facility
Authors: Vardoulakis Alexandros P.
Published: June 2020

Banks add value by monitoring borrowers. High funding costs make banks reluctant to lend. A central bank can ease funding by purchasing loans, but cannot distinguish which loans require more or less monitoring, exposing it to adverse selection. A multi-tier loan pricing facility arises as the optimal institutional design setting both the purchase price and banks' risk retention for given loan characteristics. This design dominates uniform (flat) structure for loan purchases, provides the right incentives to banks and achieves maximum lending at lower rates to businesses. Both the multi-tier and flat structures deliver welfare gains compared to no intervention, but the relative gain between the two depends on three sufficient statistics: the share of loans requiring monitoring, the risk-retention ratio, and the liquidity premium.
Lessons from Theranos: Changing Narratives of Individual Ethics in Science and Engineering
Authors: Jeske Melanie
Published: June 2020

The meteoric ascent and equally dramatic fall of Theranos has been covered prolifically in the media. Presented as an ambitious inventor gone rogue, the discursive construction of the Theranos scandal in popular media and in the biomedical community reifies tired narratives of the role of ethics in science and engineering fields more generally: narratives that emphasizes individual integrity and common sense rather than the structures and norms that leave scientists and engineers vulnerable to ethical quandaries. In this short critical engagement, I argue that the ways Theranos has been captured obscures important conversations about ethics in bioscience and biotechnology, both in the private sector and in university spaces. I call for STS scholars to engage with scientists and engineers to imagine ways to structurally embed ethics and justice in future technoscientific endeavors.
Wastewater Concentration by Adsorption and Direct Extraction for SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detection and Quantification using RT-ddPCR v2
Authors: Bivins Aaron , Ahmed Warish , North Devin , Bibby Kyle
Published: June 2020

The following protocol describes the GERM Lab workflow for processing wastewater for SARS-CoV-2 via pH adjustment, MCE filtration, extraction, and assay by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR). It is synonymous to method A as described in Ahmed et al. 2020 (the referenced manuscript) with modifications to the consumables and PCR format. It is intended for use in a BSL2+ lab with extra precautions for processing environmental specimens for SARS-CoV-2 as described in the CDC Interim Laboratory Biosafety Guidelines.
Fen Bilimleri Öğretmen Adaylarının Biyoteknoloji, Genetik Mühendisliği ve Klonlama Kavramlarına ilişkin Algılarının İncelenmesi
Authors: KAHRAMAN Sibel
Published: June 2020

Bu çalışmanın amacı, fen bilimleri
öğretmen adaylarının biyoteknoloji, genetik mühendisliği ve klonlama
kavramlarına yönelik algılarını ve algısal değişimlerini incelemektir. Bu
amaçla, …… Üniversitesi’nde öğrenim gören 119 öğretmen adayına 3. sınıf ve 4. sınıfta olmak üzere, iki kez
Kelime İlişkilendirme Testi (KİT) uygulanmıştır. Nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden
olgu bilim desenine göre tasarlanan çalışmada, içerik analizi tekniği
kullanılmıştır. KİT uygulaması sonucunda anahtar kavramlar ile ilişkili verilen
cevaplardan oluşan bir frekans tablosu hazırlanmıştır. Bu tabloya göre fen
bilimleri öğretmen adaylarının bilişsel yapılarını ortaya çıkaran kavram ağları
çizilmiştir.Araştırmada ilgili kavramlara yönelik verilen derslerin fen
bilimleri öğretmen adaylarının biyoteknoloji, genetik mühendisliği ve klonlama
kavramları ile ilgili bilişsel yapılarını geliştirdiği belirlenmiştir.
Çalışmada dersleri aldıktan sonra verilen kavramlarla ilişkili elde edilen
kelimelerin hem niteliksel hem de niceliksel olarak arttığı ve kavram
yanılgılarının azaldığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Sonuçlarımıza göre, fen
bilimleri öğretmen adaylarının lisans derslerinde biyoteknoloji uygulamaları
konularına daha çok yer verilmesi önerilmektedir.
Altıncı Sınıf Öğrencilerinin Matematiksel İlişkilendirme Öz Yeterlik Düzeylerinin Algılanan Öğretmen Duygusal Destek, Cinsiyet ve Matematik Başarısı Açısından İncelenmesi
Authors: KAYA Deniz
Published: June 2020

Bu çalışmanın amacı altıncı sınıf öğrencilerinin
matematiksel ilişkilendirme öz yeterlikleri ile algılanan öğretmen duygusal
destek, cinsiyet ve matematik başarıları arasındaki ilişkileri belirlemektir.
İlişkisel tarama modelinin benimsendiği çalışmaya altıncı sınıf düzeyinde 138
kız, 121’i erkek olmak üzere toplamda 259 öğrenci katılmıştır. Çalışmanın veri
toplama araçları; matematiksel ilişkilendirme öz yeterlik ile algılanan
öğretmen duygusal destek ölçeklerinden oluşmaktadır. Öğrencilerin matematik
başarılarını belirlemek için dönem sonu matematik ders notları kullanılmıştır.
Verilerin analizinde betimsel istatistiksel tekniklerin yanı sıra Spearman
Brown Sıra Farkları korelasyon katsayısı, Mann Whitney U ile Kruskal Wallis
testleri kullanılmıştır. Çalışmadan elde edilen bulgulara göre, öğrencilere
yönelik algılanan öğretmen duygusal desteği artıkça öğrencilerin matematiksel
ilişkilendirme öz yeterlik inanç zorluklarının azaldığı; matematiği kullanma,
matematiği kendi içerisinde ilişkilendirme, günlük yaşamla ilişkilendirme ve
farklı disiplinlerle ilişkilendirme inançlarının ise arttığı belirlenmiştir.
Diğer yandan matematiksel ilişkilendirme öz yeterlik ile cinsiyet değişkeni
arasında anlamlı bir fark bulunmazken matematik başarısı ile anlamlı bir
şekilde farklılaştığı tespit edilmiştir. Öğrencilerin matematik başarısı
artıkça matematiksel ilişkilendirme öz yeterliklerinin de arttığı
belirlenmiştir. Son olarak, çalışmadan elde edilen bulgulara yönelik bir takım
önerilerde bulunulmuştur.
The Link between Structural Quality Indicators in Pre-primary and PISA Science Literacy Skills: A Cross-Country Comparison
Authors: BULDU Elif , OLGAN Refika
Published: June 2020

The main aim of this study was to make a comparison across distinct countries to investigate the relationship between several quality indicators in pre-primary education and children’s subsequent science competency in the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) between 2000-2015 years. The cross-national indicators that were used were obtained from previous records, including public and private expenditure, pupil-teacher ratio, enrollment rate, duration, age of beginning in pre-primary education, individual countries' adult literacy rates, and income per capita. The results showed that the relationship between public expenditure, pupil-teacher ratio, income per capita, adult literacy rate and children’s subsequent science performance on the PISA were positively statistically significant at a country-level. One of the important implications of the current study is that countries that spend less (which include Turkey) should plan a detailed pre-primary expenditure agenda for the public sector and raise their current level of public spending.
Lise Öğrencilerinin Onuncu Sınıf Fizik Dersi Elektrik Konusundaki Ön Bilgilerinin Tespit Edilmesi
Authors: SALAR Rıza , UĞUREL Erkan
Published: June 2020

Öğrencilerin öğretim öncesinde sahip oldukları ön
bilgi öğretmenin ilgilenmesi gereken hususlardan birisidir. Birçok kavram
yanılgısını ve yanlış anlamayı barındıran elektrik konusunda da öğrencilerin ön
bilgilerini tespit etmek önem arz etmektedir. Bu araştırmada, lise onuncu sınıf
öğrencilerinin ön bilgilerini belirmeyebilmek adına çoktan seçmeli bir başarı
testi geliştirmek ve öğrencilerin daha çok hangi kavramlarda eksik bilgilere
sahip olduklarını belirlemek amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada, tarama modellerinin
bir çeşidi olan kesitsel tarama modeli kullanılmıştır. Beş seçenekli 15 çoktan
seçmeli sorudan oluşan bir başarı testi geliştirilmiş ve bu test 373 onuncu
sınıf öğrencisine uygulanmıştır. Elde edilen verilerin analizinde ortalama ve
faktör analizi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın sonucunda öğrencilerin ön bilgi
bakımından elektrik devre elemanlarının sembollerinde başarılı oldukları tespit
edilmiştir. Öğrencilerin elektrik devresi kurma, ampulün direnci, seri ve
paralel bağlama ile Ohm yasası alt başlıklarında ön bilgi bakımından daha zayıf
olduğu söylenebilir. Liselerde görev yapan fizik öğretmenlerine, elektrik
konusunda öğretime başlamadan önce elektrik devresi kurma, ampulün direnci,
seri ve paralel bağlama kavramlarını hatırlatmaları önerilebilir.
Özel Yetenekli Öğrencilerin Fen Bilimleri ve Matematik Derslerinde Kullanılan Sembol ve Birimlere Yönelik Bilgi Düzeylerinin İncelenmesi
Authors: NACAROĞLU Oğuzhan , ARSLAN Mehmet
Published: June 2020

Bu araştırmada, özel yetenekli öğrencilerin fen
bilimleri ve matematik derslerinde kullanılan sembol ve birimlere yönelik bilgi
düzeylerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada, nicel araştırma yöntemi
desenlerinden tarama kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın örneklemini, 2019-2020 eğitim
öğretim yılında Doğu Anadolu Bölgesi’nde yer alan bir Bilim ve Sanat
Merkezi’nde öğrenim gören 103 özel yetenekli öğrenci oluşturmaktadır. Veri
toplama aracı olarak araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen Birim ve Sembol
Testi kullanılmıştır.  Verilerin
analizinde betimsel ve çıkarıma dayalı istatistiksel analiz yöntemleri
yürütülmüştür. Elde edilen bulgular, özel yetenekli öğrencilerin fen bilimleri
ve matematik derslerinde kullanılan birim ve sembollere yönelik bilgi
düzeylerinin düşük olduğu yönündedir. Bununla birlikte kadın ve erkek özel
yetenekli öğrencilerin testten elde ettikleri puan ortalamaları arasında
anlamlı bir farklılık bulunamamıştır. Buna rağmen farklı öğretim programına
devam eden özel yetenekli öğrencilerin testten elde ettikleri puanlar arasında
Özel Yetenekleri Geliştirme programındaki öğrenciler lehine anlamlı düzeyde bir
farklılık tespit edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgulara yönelik gerekli önerilerde
bulunulmuştur.
Okul Öncesi Dönemde Erken Matematik Yeteneği Düzeyleri
Authors: CEYLAN Mehmet , ELLEZ Ahmet Murat
Published: June 2020

Özet – Bu çalışmada 2015-2016 Güz döneminde Hatay/Reyhanlı İlçe Milli Eğitim
Müdürlüğü’ne bağlı resmi ve özel kurumlarda öğrenim gören ana sınıfı
öğrencilerinin erken matematik yeteneği düzeyleri araştırılmıştır. Çalışmada
genel tarama modeli kullanılmıştır. Çocukların erken matematik yetenekleri Test
of Early Mathematic Ability-3 (Tema-3) ile ölçülmüştür. Araştırma grubunun
erken matematik yeteneği düzey ortalamasının zayıf olduğu görülmüştür. Cinsiyet
bağımsız değişkeninin .05 anlamlılık düzeyinde çocukların erken matematik
yetenek puanlarının anlamlı açıklayıcısı olmadığı, ilçe merkezinde ikamet eden
çocukların kırsal bölgedekilere, daha önce okul öncesi eğitim alanların
almayanlara, bir veya iki çocuklu aileden gelenlerin dört ve üzeri çocuklu
aileden gelenlere, anne-baba öğrenim durumu orta-öğretim ve yüksek-öğretim olan
çocukların ilköğretim olan çocuklara oranla istatistiksel olarak anlamlı
düzeyde daha yüksek puan aldığı görülmüştür.
Stem Eğitimini Destekleyen Tersine Mühendislik Uygulamalarının Ortaokul Öğrencilerinin Akademik Başarı ve Problem Çözme Becerilerine Etkisi
Authors: TAŞÇI Merve , ŞAHİN Fatma
Published: June 2020

Bu araştırmanın amacı tersine mühendislik uygulamalarının 8. sınıf öğrencilerinde akademik başarılarına ve problem çözme becerilerine etkisinin incelenmesidir. Çalışmanın örneklemini 2018-2019 eğitim öğretim yılında Şanlıurfa ili Eyyübiye ilçesinde yer alan bir devlet okulunda 8. sınıfta öğrenim gören 28’i deney, 28’i kontrol grubu olmak üzere toplam 56 öğrenciden oluşturmaktadır. Kontrol grubunda dersler programın önerdiği yapılandırmacı yaklaşım yöntem ve teknikleriyle işlenirken, deney grubunda programın önerdiği yöntem ve tekniklerin yanında tersine mühendislik uygulamaları eklenerek işlenmiştir. Araştırma nicel araştırma yaklaşımından; Taşçı (2018) tarafından hazırlanan toplam 60 soruluk Fen Bilimleri Akademik Başarı Testi ve Serin, Serin ve Saygılı (2010) tarafından geliştirilen “Çocuklar İçin Problem Çözme Envanteri” ile toplanmıştır. Tersine mühendislik uygulamalarının etkililiğini karşılaştırmak amacıyla deney ve kontrol grubu öğrencilerine ilgili testler ön ve son test olarak uygulanmış olup gruplar arası puanlar karşılaştırılmıştır. Araştırmada; tersine mühendislik uygulamaları destekli eğitimin 8. sınıf öğrencilerinde akademik başarılarını ve problem çözme becerilerini geliştirmede yapılandırıcı öğretimden daha etkili olduğu sonucuna ulaşılmıştır.
Investigating Preservice Teachers’ Determination and Representation of Proportional and Nonproportional Relationships in Terms of Problem Contexts
Authors: ARICAN Muhammet
Published: June 2020

This study investigated 46 preservice middle school mathematics teachers’ solution strategies and determination and representation of proportional and nonproportional relationships in terms of problem contexts. The preservice teachers were given a paper-pencil test with two mathematical tasks (Bicycle and Candle). The preservice teachers’ responses were analyzed using a content analysis method. Based on the analysis, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight preservice teachers. The findings indicated that the preservice teachers’ solution strategies and determination and representation of relationships were affected by the problem contexts. The preservice teachers were better at determining and representing inversely proportional relationship than directly proportional relationship, which was quite opposite of the findings usually cited in the literature. Determining and representing nonproportional relationship appeared to be the most challenging task for them. Problems that required in-depth examinations elicited the use of more sophisticated solution strategies and helped the preservice teachers to avoid using rote computations.
2018 Fen Bilimleri ve Biyoloji Dersleri Öğretim Programlarındaki Çevre Kazanımlarının Yenilenmiş Bloom Taksonomisine Göre Analizi
Authors: GÜNGÖR CABBAR Burcu , GÜLTEKİN Selcen , GÜNEŞ Emine , AYTAÇ Esra , DAŞGIN Figen
Published: June 2020

Günümüzde iklim değişikliğinin yarattığı görünür sonuçlar çevre konularının her alanda önceliklendirilmesine neden olmaktadır. 12 yıllık zorunlu eğitimde kullanılmak üzere hazırlanan öğretim programlarında çevre kazanımları yer almaktadır. Bloom’un taksonomisine göre farklı düzeylerde kazanımlar farklı düzeylerde öğrenme becerisi için gereklidir. Günümüz öğrenme kuramlarındaki gelişmeler Bloom Taksonomisini de güncellemeler gerektirmiştir. Yeni taksonomi bilişsel düzeydeki bilgiyi bilgi boyutu ve bilişşsel düzey olmak üzere farklı kategorilerde incelemektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı 12 yıllık örgün eğitim süresince fen bilimleri ve biyoloji derslerinde öğrencilerin karşılaştıkları çevre kazanımlarını ve bu kazanımların yenilenmiş bloom taksonomisine göre analizini yapmaktır. Yapılan analiz sonucunda çevre konusunda bilişsel düzeyde fen bilimleri ve biyoloji dersinde toplam 39 kazanımın olduğu belirlenmiştir. Her bir sınıf için ayrı ayrı yapılan yenilenmiş bloom taksonomisine göre analiz sonuçları bütüncül olarak değerlendirildiğinde uygulama boyutunda yok denecek kadar az kazanımın olması çevre gibi bir konu için dikkat çekicidir. Yaratma basamağında kazanımların yer alması üst düzey bilişsel düşünme becerisi gerektiren etkinliklerin yapılabilirliği için önemlidir. Ancak anlama düzeyinde kazanımların yoğunlaşması sınavlarda öğrencilerin bilgi sorularında gösterdikleri başarıyı uygulama basamağındaki sorularda gösterememesinin bir sebebi olarak görülebilir.
Pre-Service Physics Teachers Learn to Assess Student Performance in the School Physics Laboratory
Authors: GKİOKA Olga
Published: June 2020

The reported research was conducted within the context of a pre-service teacher education program in a Department of Physics Teaching. This study aimed to investigate pre-service physics teachers’ efforts to learn to assess student performance in the school physics laboratory. The participants developed learning objectives closely related to laboratory skills and designed laboratory activities. They also developed assessment methods and assessment tasks, which they used when teaching experiments in internship schools. As prospective teachers, they were asked to give feedback to actual secondary students’ laboratory reports. Evidence has shown that such a process helped them improve their own laboratory reports. The participants were also interviewed in order to identify and understand the difficulties and challenges they experienced related to the assessment of student performance in the laboratory. Implications for curriculum development and pre-service teacher education are discussed. For example, the issue of how to prepare pre-service teachers to become skillful in assessing student performance in the laboratory should be an important component of teacher education programs so that laboratory work receives more importance in secondary education in Turkey.
ROLE OF ORAL PROPRANOLOL IN THE TREATMENT OF INFANTILE HEMANGIOMAS
Authors: Zangana Ari , Shakur Ala
Published: June 2020

Background 

Infantile Hemangiomas (IH) are the most common benign tumour during childhood. Although most of the lesions do not require any treatment, problematic IH needs some sorts of intervention. Oral propranolol by a complex mechanism of action is considered as an effective way for the treatment of IH. 

Objectives 

The present study was conducted to clinically evaluate the outcome of propranolol as a treatment tool for proliferating infantile hemangiomas.

Patients and Methods

In this study, 17 infants, 10 males and 7 females were included in the multicenter prospective study. All infants were in the proliferative phase. Propranolol was given at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight per day in two divided doses with food for one week; then the dose increased to 1-3 mg/kg body weight according to clinical response by evaluating color, firmness, surface consistency of the lesion, depth and size ranging for a period of 4-12 months duration

Results

Most hemangiomas have elicited gradual fading of color, followed by steadily softening and decreasing in thickness of hemangiomas. Through a total no. of 17 cases before propranolol therapy, 15 cases had bright red color and 2 cases had pale color lesions. After taking propranolol therapy, only two lesions have still retained their red color, while 14 cases had clear fading of the color to pale color, and one of the cases has gained complete disappearance of the color of hemangioma to a normal skin color

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this prospective study, oral propranolol at a dose of 1-3 mg/kg in divided doses started during the proliferative phase, had effective therapeutic responses. However, this still needs more studies to prove the safety and efficacy of the drug.
EFFICACY, SATISFACTION, AND DISCOMFORT OF LONG ACTING CONTRACEPTIVE METHODS IN SULAIMANI CITY, IRAQ: A COMPARATIVE FOLLOW UP STUDY
Authors: Saeed Abeer , Mohammed Huda , Fattah Fattah
Published: June 2020

Background 

The choice of available contraceptive methods has increased in recent years At the same time, women’s awareness of methods and reasons for their method choice, or reasons for changing methods, is limited. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC ) in the form of intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the subdermal implant are  starting to use. 

Objectives 

The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy, satisfaction, and discomfort of two common types of long acting contraceptive methods in Sulaimani City. 

Patients and Methods

The study was a comparative follow up study, 80 non pregnant married women at reproductive age were included. Verbal consent was taken from the lady to use one of the methods. Patients were allocated into two groups, 40 were using long acting reversible contraception LARC (Intrauterine levonegesterl loaded system “Mirena”, while the others 40 patients used subdermal progestene “Implanon”. Insertion of both methods were performed by the researcher by following the scientific guides and techniques. 

Results

Mean age of patients with Implanon use was nearly 30 years old, while for those using Mirena was 34.5; this difference statistically was highly significant. Highest level of satisfaction (65%) was reported among women using Mirena, while high percentage of dissatisfaction was reported among women who were using Implanon, this association statistically was highly significant. 

Conclusion

Highest level of satisfaction, decrease in duration of blood flow, and discomfort during insertion were reported among women were using Mirena, Generally there are significant reduction in heavy blood flow, and presence of dysmmenrohea one year after insertion of both types of long acting contraception.
COMPARISON BETWEEN INTRAOPERATIVE FEATURES OF MORBIDLY ADHERENT PLACENTA WITH PRENATAL ULTRASONIC FEATURES
Authors: Ahmed Juanita , Jawad Ariana , Muhammad Huda
Published: June 2020

Background 

The term morbidly adherent placenta characterized by abnormally implanted, invasive, or adhered placenta, which is increasing in obstetrical practice mainly due to increasing rate of cesarean section associated with increasing mortality and morbidity which can be avoidable by good assessment by ultrasound before operation.

Objectives 

The aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic accuracy of pre-natal ultrasound in detecting morbidly adherent placenta in patients at risk.

Materials and Methods

Prospective observational study, case sheets of 125 women reviewed having placenta previa and previous uterine surgery (CS, myomectomy or curettage) from May 2018 to May 2019, population included 38 pregnant women. All cases of complete placenta previa or low-lying placenta, scans performed through either trans abdominal ultrasonography or transvaginal ultrasonography in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy, signs were loss of clear zone, placental lacunae, myometrial thinning, placental bulge, focal exophytic mass, and bladder wall interruption with the availability of more than three finding regarded as highly suspicious and final diagnosis made during cesarean section.

Results

Among 38 patients with risks, there was a significant correlation between increasing age and extend of morbidly adherent placenta. The average gestational age of the patients was 36.2 weeks, ranging from 20-39.3 weeks. All cases at least underwent prior caesarean delivery. There was increasing incidence of MAP with increasing number in C/S. In women with risk of MAP along with highly suspicious ultrasound findings, fourteen cases underwent hysterectomy, uterus-sparing alternatives to manage this condition can be an option in selected cases, the most reliable signs for suspecting percreta were placental bulge, focal exophytic mass, and bladder wall interruption, the sensitivity and positive predictive value was 70% and 90% respectively. 

Conclusion

Management with prediction of MAP by ultrasonography is useful for obtaining permissible morbidity.
COMPARISON BETWEEN UNILATERAL SPINAL ANESTHESIA AND CONVENTIONAL SPINAL ANESTHESIA IN ORTHOPEDIC LOWER LIMB OPERATION FOR HEMODYNAMIC STABILITY
Authors: Boujan Amir , Hussein Bwar
Published: June 2020

Background 

A restricted sympathetic block when performing spinal anesthesia may lead to lower hemodynamic changes.

Objectives 

The aim of this study is to make a comparison between unilateral spinal anesthesia with conventional spinal block in orthopedic lower limb operation regarding hemodynamic stability and vasopressors use.

Materials and Methods

Hyperbaric bupivacaine 0.5% and 27G Quincke spinal needle were used for 42 ASA I and II patients, they were divided randomly into two groups; Unilateral block was performed with patients in sitting position, spinal needle were inserted, needle’s bevel faced to target side 1.5-2 ml of hyperbaric bupivacaine injected within 2 minutes, patient positioned at lateral position with target side downwards for 15 minutes then turned to supine position. Conventional spinal block performed with patients in sitting position, 2-2.5 ml of bupivacaine was injected, and then the patient shifted to supine position.

Results

Systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings at 5, 10, and 15 minutes after induction was significantly higher in unilateral group with more vasopressor use in bilateral group (p value = 0.02). No statistically significant deference regarding pulse rate and arterial oxygen saturation

Conclusion

Unilateral spinal anesthesia using slow, low flow and low volume method in lower limb orthopedic procedures is associated with better hemodynamic stability in comparison to conventional spinal block.
EFFECTS OF VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION ON THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH RECORDS OF PATIENTS WITH BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR: AN OPEN-LABEL RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL
Authors: HamaSalih Raz , Al-Nimer Marwan
Published: June 2020

Background 

Cardiac disease is believed to be the leading cause of death in thalassemia major. Iron cardiomyopathy is the primary cause of death in thalassemia major patients. Monitoring cardiac function with electrocardiography is essential in thalassemia major patients, however, diastolic and systolic dysfunction are later signs of iron overload. 

Objectives 

This study aimed to investigate the pleiotropic effect of vitamin D supplementation on the electrocardiograph records and cardiac risk variables in patients with beta thalassemia major.

Patients and Methods

Forty-six patients of beta thalassemia major were recruited in an open label, randomized clinical trial, from the Thalassemia Center of the General hospital in the Sulaimani city, Kurdistan Region. Oral dose of vitamin D of 100,000 IU ampoule was administered to the patients every two weeks for eight weeks as add on therapy. Electrocardiography (ECG), serum vitamin D levels, serum ferritin, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and blood pressure were determined before (at baseline) and after eight weeks of vitamin D treatment. 

Results

Vitamin D3 supplements significantly prolonged PR period, QTcB interval, JTc interval and T-Pe duration in the electrocardiograph records. Additionally, a significant increase in body mass index and blood pressure were observed after supplementation with vitamin D. Furthermore, serum vitamin D was significantly increased and serum ferritin was significantly reduced after 8 weeks of supplementation with vitamin D.

Conclusions

Vitamin D supplement of 100,000 IU every two weeks causes risk when prescribed to patients with beta thalassemia major, since it impairs cardiac conduction.
INCREASING RATE OF CESAREAN SECTION IN SULAIMANI MATERNITY TEACHING HOSPITAL FOR THE PERIOD FROM 2008 TO 2018
Authors: Al-Barzanji Talar , Ghareeb Shlair , Mohammed Amanj
Published: June 2020

Background 

There are many modes of delivery for pregnant women; the commonest of these include vaginal delivery (VD) with or without episiotomy, forceps delivery, and cesarean section (CS). Whenever possible it is preferable to encourage vaginal delivery to minimize the morbidities and mortalities that are associated with cesarean section. On the other hand, when doctors estimate the risk of VD, which could be high in certain conditions for the baby and/or the mother, cesarean section will be performed.

Objectives

To determine the increasing rate of cesarean section in relation to vaginal delivery in Sulaimani Maternity Teaching Hospital from 2008 to 2018.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective study, data were collected from medical reports of pregnant ladies, delivered their babies either by vaginal delivery or cesarean section starting from January 2008 to December 2018. All data were retrieved from the department of statistics at the mentioned period of time were 180,625 cases, and numbers of each group of the patients were separately analyzed. As well as the primigravida and multigravida were sub grouped in each of these two major groups.

Results

From the total cases, 123,836 cases (68.6%) were vaginal delivery, and 56,789 cases (31.4%) were cesarean section. There is a notable annual increase in the percentage of CS. However, the percentage of primigravida CS is declining annually. 

Conclusions

The rate of cesarean section in Sulaimani Maternity Teaching Hospital from 2008-2018 was 31.4% in relation to the vaginal delivery, which is regarded as a higher than the universal standard that has been put by the world health organization, which is between 10%-15%. And this rate is increasing annually.
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS FOR INVESTING IN DIGITAL MODERNIZATION OF SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION
Authors: Trofimova N. N.
Published: June 2020

The key problems are considered in the article and the prospects for investment in the digital modernization of modern industrial enterprises are determined, the innovative direction of the development of domestic high-tech industries in the current global digitalization of the economy is emphasized. The novelty and scientific value of the work lies in the fact that the use of the author's scientific and practical approach has allowed to identify key problems and determine the prospects of investment investments, a prerequisite for the effectiveness of which for investors is the innovative direction of development of domestic high-tech industries in the context of the ongoing global digitalization of the economy.
INTRODUCTION OF FINTECH COMPANIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE FINANCIAL MARKET
Authors: Galchenkova E. , Chupsa P.
Published: June 2020

Over the past decade, financial technology has shown rapid development. There was a lot of discussion about what constitutes the field of financial technology and whether such technologies can replace the traditional financial market in the future. The global financial crisis of 2008 showed that the classic monetary policy instruments are not effective. Due to the fact that financial technologies are developing rapidly, the number of relevant and modern research on this topic is limited. So, the study of this issue is an urgent problem.
A survey on the knowledge, perceptions and practices regarding unwanted medicine disposal among pharmacists in Sri Lanka
Authors: Bataduwaarachchi Vipula R. , Weerarathna Chamari L. , Paherathy A. , Warapitiya Dinuka S. , Sivapathasundaram Mythili , Wickramarathna Thilini N. , Haputhanthrige I. U. , Wijayabandara Maheshi D. , Rameshkumar T.
Published: June 2020

Background: Unwanted medicines are defined as expired, unused, damaged or contaminated pharmaceutical products. Improper disposal of unwanted medicines leads to many health and environmental hazards. The World Health Organisation recommends that unwanted medicines should always be disposed properly. The main objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, practices and perceptions on the disposal of unwanted medicines among pharmacists in Sri Lanka.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among pharmacists in 40 private retail pharmacies in the Northern, Eastern and the Western provinces within a period of three months. The pharmacies were selected via stratified randomised sampling in each district. The most experienced pharmacist in each pharmacy was recruited for data collection. A pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire was used. The ethics approval was obtained (Ref: EC-12-190). The data was represented using simple descriptive statistics.Results: The data was collected from 40 pharmacies. Among the pharmacists, 65% were males. The majority answered that burning and landfill as the most appropriate methods of disposal for most of the types of medicinal waste. A significant number of pharmacists were not aware about the method of disposal for anti-infective agents and anti-neoplastic agents. The majority perceived the seriousness of environmental damage caused by disposal via trash or sink. A majority was not agreeing to have pharmacies as collecting centers for unwanted medicines. A discrepancy between the pharmacists’ perceptions and the practices was observed.Conclusions: The level of knowledge, practices and perceptions among pharmacists on unwanted medicines disposal was substandard and needs attention.
Effect on anxiety of Coriandrum sativum leaf hydroethanolic extract oil and aqueous fraction in swiss albino mice
Authors: Puthallath Rejeesh Edavan , Kotekar Sridevi , Rao S. N. , Narayana Megha Rani , Nayak Roopa P.
Published: June 2020

Background: Anxiety is a protective reflex and the most common disorder. This study was done to evaluate the effect of anxiolytic property of oil and aqueous fractions isolated from hydroethanolic extracts of Coriandrum sativum leaf by novel freezing technique with swiss albino mice.Methods: Hydroethanolic extract of Coriandrum sativum leaves was prepared. Oil and aqueous part were separated with freezing technique. Animals were divided into six groups. Ist group served as control and 1% DMSO was administered orally. IInd to Vth group were administered with Coriandrum sativum oil fraction and Coriandrum sativum aqueous fraction at doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg orally. VIth group was treated with diazepam 1mg/kg orally. After one hour of dosing, battery of test was done viz, elevated plus maze (EPM), light dark arena, photo actometer and rotarod.Results: One-way analysis variance (ANOVA) followed by Dunnett's multiple comparison test was used for statistical analysis. Anxiolytic property was found to be in the following order diazepam>coriandrum sativum aqueous 800>coriandrum sativum aqueous 400>coriandrum sativum oil 800>coriandrum sativum oil 400 mg/kg. All the extracts were devoid of adverse effects of motor coordination.Conclusions: Coriandrum sativum leaf possesses anxiolytic effect. The aqueous fraction of the hydroethanolic extract of the Coriandrum sativum leaf was found to be potent and further analysis may lead to identification of active compounds. The findings that the extract is non-sedating anxiolytic and is of good safety index are promising.
Assessment of comorbidities in patients with deranged thyroid hormone levels
Authors: Narwade Sneha D. , Barve Rohidas M.
Published: June 2020

Background: There is association of deranged thyroid hormone levels with various co-morbidities. Drugs for comorbidity may interact with each other and affect the outcome of treatment. So, this study was planned to find out comorbidities with deranged thyroid hormone levels and various possible drug interactions.Methods: It was a prospective, observational study carried out at tertiary care hospital from November 2017 to June 2018. Thyroid hormonal levels reports were followed in OPD and online information system facility. Drugs interactions were checked by referring standard pharmacology textbooks, review articles and Medscape drug interaction checker. Approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee was taken before initiation of the study. Patients with deranged thyroid hormone levels were included in the study.Results: Study was conducted in 111 patients of thyroid disorders. Spondylitis, asthma, acne cases were seen in hypothyroid patients whereas hypokalemic periodic paralysis, thyroid ophthalmopathy statistically significantly seen in hyperthyroid patients. Various concurrent medications such as calcium, carbamazepine decreases the effects of levothyroxine. For management of comorbidities various drugs are given which also interact among themselves significantly.Conclusions: Diabetes mellites, obesity, spondylitis, lichen planus were more common in hypothyroidism while comorbidities like hypertension, hypokalemic periodic paralysis, thyroid ophthalmopathy were found to be more in hyperthyroidism.  Incidence of drug interactions is found to be more with increased use of medications for comorbidities, so physicians should be careful while prescribing them. Due to drug interactions desired effects of drugs given for thyroid disorders may not be observed.
Clinico-epidemiological study of topical steroid dependent face in a tertiary care hospital at Mysore
Authors: S. Skandashree B. , G. Hema N. , K. Surendran K. A.
Published: June 2020

Background: Topical steroids are the most commonly prescribed drugs in dermatology. The adverse effects of steroid misuse are noticeable 3 to 4 weeks after application. Steroid rosacea, hypertrichosis and acneiform eruptions are few of them. A new entity known as topical steroid dependent face, topical steroid dependent face (TSDF) has been recently coined to encompass symptoms such as erythema, burning sensation on attempted cessation of topical steroid application.Methods: A questionnaire-based analysis was done among patients attending dermatology outpatient department of government medical college hospital, Mysore between November 2018 to May 2019. Prior approval of the institutional ethics committee, and consent of patients were obtained. A total of 200 outpatients with facial dermatosis using topical steroids on face for a period greater than one month were taken up for study.Results: The results included population across different age groups, between 16 to 60 years. 56% belonged to the age group of 16 to 30 years. Most common steroid abused was mometasone cream 0.1% (50%), betamethasone valerate cream 0.1% (24.5%) followed by clobetasol ointment 0.05% (21.5%). The major adverse effect with steroid abuse, were acne 72% facial redness 67%. Hyperpigmentation 51%, hypertrichosis 32.5% and skin atrophy 21%.Conclusions: The present study highlights and creates awareness on the burden of facial topical steroid abuse and the poor attitude towards them.
Effect of a novel coronavirus in human and its clinical diagnosis and implications by students of community pharmacy
Authors: Roby Kanamala Arun Chand , Bhargavi Singamala Lakshmi , Sri Gali Devi , Madhuri Avula , Kamakshi Sannadi , Bhagyaraj Kurapati , Baba Kudipudi Harinadha
Published: June 2020

Coronavirus are coming under a broad family of virus that can cause respiratory illnesses such as the common cold, according to the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC). They are usual in many different species of animals, including camels and bats. Unusually, these corona viruses can evolve and infect humans and then spread between humans. Recent examples of this include SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. 2019 Novel Corona virus (2019-nCoV) is a virus identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. In some cases, the viruses can cause lower-respiratory tract illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis. In human corona viruses are currently classified into seven types that are HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, SARS-CoV, HKU1, MERS-CoV and 2019-nCoV. These two types of corona virus (MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV) are more dangerous. Some of corona viruses like HCoV-229E, HCo-OC43, HCoNL63 and HKU1 that are continuously circulate in the population of human and cause respiratory infections in human either may children and adults world-wide. They are generally transmitted between animals and humans through sneezing, coughing, touching or shaking hands and making contact with a surface or object. The symptoms of corona virus are sneezing, cough, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, breathing difficulty and exacerbated. In more severe cases SARS, kidney failure, pneumonia and even death. Diagnosis can be carried out by healthcare provider in laboratory test on respiratory specimens and serum to detect human corona virus. For this virus no specific treatment like vaccines and antiviral drugs but symptoms can be treated.
Brodalumab: a promising option in the management of psoriasis
Authors: Sahay Melina Infenta , Ravindranath Roshini , Krishnamoorthy Snehalatha , Sriram Damal Kandadai , George Melvin
Published: June 2020

Brodalumab, a human monoclonal antibody approved as a biological therapy for treating psoriasis. Due to its consistent results across several clinical studies in treating patients with plaque psoriasis, in 2016 it was first approved worldwide in Japan followed by US FDA approval in 2017 and the European medicines agency. Brodalumab, selectively binds with higher affinity to IL-17RA, thereby blocking the actions of IL-17A, E and F. This act as a novel mechanism to inhibit the inflammation, hyperproliferation, skin thickening and other clinical symptoms associated with psoriasis. The safety and adverse effects of Brodalumab were similar to other IL-17 inhibitors, frequently reported adverse events were nasopharyngitis, neutropenia, and candidiasis. The FDA has recommended a boxed warning for the suicidal tendencies that could occur among Brodalumab users. This review is an endeavor to depict the drug's mode of action, pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy as well as its current status among other drugs targeting IL-17.
Current review on COVID-19 pandemic: a global perspective
Authors: Varghese Hyma Sara
Published: June 2020

COVID-19 is a serious infectious disease caused by the novel corona virus, SARS-CoV2, threatening the public health with high transmission rate of infection causing more deaths across the globe in elderly population, immunocompromised individuals and in patients with comorbid conditions. At this point of uncertainty, understanding the pandemic challenges is most essential. As very few literature are becoming available in detailing the different perspectives of the disease, this paper presents the readers with current clinical spectrum of infection like details on epidemiology, pathogenesis, manifestations, diagnostic criteria, treatments and preventive measures of this new type of coronavirus.