bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual and safety outcomes of a new implantable phakic contact lens in patients with a high degree of myopia
Authors: Elkareem Ashraf M. Gad , Nooreldin Asaad
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the safety profile and efficacy of a new implantable phakic contact lens (IPCL V2.0) in patients with a high degree of myopia.

Patients and methods

This is a prospective study that was carried out to evaluate the surgical outcome of IPCL V2 implantation in 46 eyes of 32 patients with a high degree of myopia. The refractive results, visual acuity (LogMar values), endothelial cell count of the cornea and intraocular pressure were evaluated at baseline and at 1, 6, and 12 months postsurgery. Any complications either during or after surgery were assessed.

Results

A significant improvement in the uncorrected distance visual acuity was achieved. It improved from 1.2±0.21 at baseline to 0.36±0.20 at 12 months postoperatively (P=0.002). The index of efficacy [uncorrected distance visual acuity at 12 months postoperatively/corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at baseline) was 1.1 and the safety index (CDVA at 12 months/CDVA at baseline] was 1.5. The mean spherical equivalent at baseline was −13.8±4.1 diopters (D) and improved to −0.6±0.7 D at 12 months postoperatively (P<0.003). The average endothelial cell count was 2479±173 cells/mm2 preoperatively and decreased to 2399±156 cells/mm2 at 12 months postoperatively, which was a statistically insignificant change (P=0.14). The mean preoperative intraocular pressure was 14.7±2.6 mmHg and mmHg at 12 months postoperatively, it was 14.9±2.5 mmHg, a statistically nonsignificant change (P=0.14). No cases of cataract were noticed during the follow-up period.

Conclusion

The IPCL V2.0 implantation to correct high myopia showed a stable visual outcome and safety profile. Moreover, it provided a more economical alternative to correct high myopia. Long-term studies are required to further assess the efficacy and outcome of this lens.
Comparison of topical and intracameral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on pupillary size and postoperative inflammation in cataract surgery
Authors: Howaidy Ahmed , Abdelmotaal Hazem , Zeiad H.
Published: September 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to compare the changes in pupillary size, postoperative inflammation, and macular thickness in patients who were subjected to phacoemulsification and received different topical and intracameral NSAIDs.

Patients and methods

This was a prospective randomized study that recruited 284 patients with visually significant cataract for whom uneventful phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation was performed. Candidates were randomly assigned to receive preoperative topical nepafenac, topical ketorolac, intraoperative intracameral ketorolac, or no NSAIDs.

Results

Topical nepafenac, topical ketorolac, and intracameral ketorolac had significantly maintained less intraoperative pupil size fluctuation than the placebo group (P=0.033, 0.001, and 0.048, respectively). In addition, topical nepafenac-treated, topical ketorolac-treated, and intracameral ketorolac-treated groups had less postoperative anterior chamber cells than the placebo group at 1 day (P=0.019, 0.421, and 0.515, respectively) and at 1 week, postoperatively (P=0.037, 0.089, and 0.298, respectively). However, at 1 month postoperatively, all study groups had similar minimal anterior chamber reaction with an insignificant difference (P=0.237, 0.379, and 0.342, respectively). Retinal thickness increased in all study groups 1 month after cataract surgery. However, topical and intracameral ketorolac groups had significantly less central macular thickness change as compared with the placebo (P=0.009 and 0.004, respectively).

Conclusion

The use of topical or intracameral NSAIDs yielded less intraoperative fluctuation in pupil size and lower postoperative inflammation than the placebo group. The topical nepafenac group had less postoperative inflammation, whereas the ketorolac-treated patients had the least changes in retinal thickness.
Topical cyclosporine A for the treatment of dry eye
Authors: ElShazly Injy Y. , Morsy Mahmoud H. , Bekhit Adnan A. , Ramadan Alyaa A. , Mossallam Ehab F.
Published: September 2021

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of topical cyclosporine A (CsA) in treatment of moderate-to-severe dry eye.

Setting and design

This is a prospective randomized comparative clinical study that was carried out at Alexandria Main University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.

Patients and methods

The study included 80 eyes of 40 patients with moderate-to-severe dry eye. Patients were divided into two groups: group I received topical CsA 0.05%, and group II were controls. Patients were assessed at weeks 1, 4, and 12 during and after the treatment phase for changes from the baseline using Schirmer's test, tear break-up time (TBUT), fluorescein staining, and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI).

Results

There were greater improvements in group I than in group II in Schirmer's test results (P=0.002), TBUT (P=0.001), and OSDI scores (P=0.009) at week 4. At week 12 posttreatment phase, the improvement in group I kept on more slowly toward stability for Schirmer's test (P=0.004) and TBUT (P=0.002), whereas the improvement in fluorescein staining and OSDI scores was not significant (P=0.706 and 0.065, respectively).

Conclusion

CsA ophthalmic oily solution 0.05% was demonstrated to be effective. It decreased the manifestations of dry-eye disease. Additionally, its effect continued to occur significantly within the treatment periods and the improvement of the ocular condition kept on, actually, more slowly toward stability, although the drug was already discontinued.
Idiopathic epiretinal membrane removal with and without internal limiting membrane peeling
Authors: El Shafei Ahmed M. , Kamal Mahmoud , Azab Amr , Nassef Mohamed
Published: September 2021

Aim

This is a prospective comparative study of the macular morphology and visual outcome after epiretinal membrane (ERM) removal with and without internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in cases of idiopathic ERM. The study was carried out in the Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Giza, Egypt from February 2015 to February 2017.

Patients and methods

A total of 40 eyes of 40 patients with visually significant idiopathic ERM were included in the study. A standard three-port 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) was conducted in all patients. Twenty eyes (Group A) were subjected to ERM removal only, while ILM peeling with ERM removal was performed in the other 20 eyes (Group B). Central macular thickness (CMT) and foveal contour on optical coherence tomography (OCT) in addition to best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were obtained at baseline and at 1, 3, 6 and 12months postoperatively.

Results

The mean BCVA significantly improved in both groups, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups at 12 months postoperatively (P=0.053). The mean preoperative and postoperative BCVA were 0.19 and 0.50 decimal units, respectively, in group A, while in group B, the mean preoperative and postoperative BCVA were 0.13 and 0.44 decimal units, respectively. Despite a statistically significant more reduction of CMT in group A compared with group B at 1 month postoperatively (324.80 and 403.95 µm, respectively, P=0.01), no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups at 12 months postoperatively (277.40 and 306.20 µm, respectively). Normal foveal contour was achieved in 13 (65%) and 6 (30%) eyes in groups A and B, respectively.

Conclusion

Anatomical and functional improvements could be achieved in both groups, with no statistically significant difference at 12 months postoperatively. Adding ILM peeling to idiopathic ERM removal did not appear to improve the outcome in this cohort. Therefore, ILM should not be routinely peeled as safety remains controversial.
Optical coherence tomography angiography as a prediction tool for diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Eltohamy Soha M.M.
Published: September 2021

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) represents the leading cause of blindness in working-age people. It affects about one in every three diabetic patients. This visual loss can be prevented by early detection and proper management.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) to detect subclinical changes in parafoveal capillaries in diabetic patients without DR.

Patients and methods

This prospective case–control study was conducted upon 50 participants who were divided into two groups: group A (25 diabetic patients without clinical manifestation of DR) and group B (25 healthy control participants of matched age and sex with group A). The two groups were compared regarding the parameters of the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, perimeter, and FD (flow density of retinal capillaries within 300 µm surrounding the FAZ) in addition to the parafoveal vessel density of superficial and deep capillary plexuses (SCP and DCP) on macular scans (3×3 mm) centered on the fovea by OCTA.

Results

There were statistically significant differences in FAZ area, perimeter, and FD together with parafoveal vessel density of SCP and DCP between healthy controls and diabetic patients without DR. The mean FAZ area of the healthy control group B was 0.27±0.08 mm2 compared with 0.32±0.11 mm2 in the diabetic group A (P=0.01). In addition, the FAZ perimeter was significantly increased (P=0.003) in the diabetic patients without DR (2.39±0.56 mm) compared with the control (2.11±31 mm). Statistically significant decreases of vessel density in the FD-300, SCP, and DCP were observed in diabetic patients without DR compared with controls (all P<0.001). Regarding the FD-300, the mean value in the control group was 49.98±2.67%, whereas in the diabetic group it was 48.11±0.58%. The mean VD of the SCP in the healthy control group B was 47.62±2.58% compared with 44.32±3.01% in the diabetic group. The mean VD of the DCP in the healthy control group B was 56.13±2.23% versus 50.21±2.56% in the diabetic group.

Conclusion

OCTA is an effective tool in the early detection of microvascular changes of diabetic patients with no clinical manifestations of DR. Vessel density and FAZ metrics were proven to be early biomarkers for DR before becoming clinically evident.
Detection and solving of drug therapy problems
Authors: Zaki Dina A. , Morsi Alaa M. , Abdel Gawad Mohammed A. , Ahmed Mahmoud A.
Published: September 2021

Background

Clinical pharmacists (CPs) play a vital role in detecting and solving drug therapy problems (DTPs). This is a common practice in hospitals; however, it can be applicable for outpatient settings as well. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) usually have multiple medication prescriptions and are at greater risk of medication errors (MEs) and/or DTPs.

Objectives

The aim of this work is to assess the prevalence of DTPs among prescriptions for patients with CKD attending for outpatient nephrology consultation and to highlight the role of CPs team in outpatient settings.

Patients and methods

This is a chart review study conducted at a private specialized nephrology clinic in Alexandria, Egypt. After taking informed consent from participants to use their medical data, CPs collected and evaluated 550 prescriptions for possible DTPs. Prescriptions were ordered by different health care providers for 49 adult patients with CKD who attended the clinic from April to November 2019. Data were classified and subcategorized accordingly. Statistical analysis was done, and results were expressed in numbers and percentages.

Results and conclusion

Of 550 reviewed prescriptions, 122 (22.2%) DTPs were detected and solved. Dosage regimen ranked the top DTP 40 (32.8%), and it was mainly related to: (a) vitamins, minerals, and dietary supplements’ prescriptions [23 (18.9%)], (b) antihypertensive medications [20 (16.40%)], and (c) circulatory enhancers [11 (9.02%)]. To conclude: suboptimal dosing regimens are common problems encountered by the CPs team during routine patient care. CPs provided direct outpatient patient care, solved DTPs, and prevented possible MEs.
Digital Health Services among Patients with Diabetes during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Purnamayanti Ni K. D. , Wicaksana Anggi L.
Published: September 2021

Background and Aims:

COVID-19 pandemic causes massive disruption of the global health system. The diabetic patients are the vulnerable parts population who are predicted to have a significant issue during the pandemic regarding the conventional type of consultation by face-to-face which may result in the higher risk of COVID-19 exposure. This study aims to observe the use of digital health services for diabetes management during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

A scoping review was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar during August until September 2020. The keywords that are used on the searching process are diabetes AND digital service OR telemedicine OR technology AND COVID-19. The criteria included the selection of scientific publication as an original research and reviews.

Results:

All published articles were gathered from 3 search engines; PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The discussion explicates the practical considerations that are in accordance with the current condition of each country. In order to do so, the evidence is classified based on the level of global digital health framework in the developed and developing countries. It was found that the minimal level of digital health that connects diabetes patients with healthcare providers was at level 2, which is by using the video mode. The most advanced is at level 3B, which is applied by using the CGM devices, which provide active monitoring, diagnosis, and treatment based on timely clinical judgment.

Conclusion:

It is feasible to utilize the digital health service during the COVID-19. This review is projected to be beneficial for the patient and health care providers to select the most feasible approach of digital health that merits the contextual resource.
The Role of Urinary LH and FSH in the Diagnosis of Pubertal Disorders
Authors: Tripathy Manoranjan , Baliarsinha A. K. , Choudhury A. K. , Das Upendra K.
Published: September 2021

Background:

Various hormonal parameters used to differentiate between different causes of pubertal disorders are invasive, cumbersome, and has variable sensitivity and specificity. Thus, the use of a noninvasive test like urinary gonadotropin for the diagnosis of pubertal disorders will offer a significant advantage.

Objective:

To study the role of urinary gonadotropins (uLH, uFSH) for the diagnosis of various pubertal disorders and in the monitoring of Gonadotrophin releasing hormone, Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (GnRHa) therapy in patients with central precocious puberty (CPP).

Materials and Methods:

We evaluated 35 healthy children and 96 patients with disorders of puberty out of which 31 cases had early puberty and 65 cases had delayed puberty. We used Spearman’s correlation coefficient to evaluate the correlation between the serum and urinary gonadotropins. We used Mann–Whitney U test (for 2 groups) and Kruskal–Wallis test (for > 2 groups) to compare the median urinary and serum gonadotropins of different groups.

Results:

The urinary gonadotropins correlated strongly with serum gonadotropins in both healthy controls and individuals with pubertal disorders. The uLH level of ≥0.76 IU/L had 100% sensitivity and specificity to differentiate CPP from peripheral precocious puberty, whereas uLH level of ≥1.07 IU/L had 100% sensitivity and specificity for differentiating CPP from PT. In patients with delayed puberty, uFSH of ≥20.51 IU/L had 94.7% sensitivity and 91.3% specificity for the diagnosis of Hyper-Hypo cases and uLH level of ≥0.5 IU/L had sensitivity of 96.2% and specificity of 85% to differentiate constitutional delay in growth and puberty from hypogonadotropic-hypogonadism. In CPP patients on GnRHa therapy, the uLH level of ≥0.13 IU/L had 100% sensitivity and 86.7% specificity to identify those who had nonsuppressed serum LH levels.

Conclusion:

The urinary gonadotropins can be used as a reliable noninvasive test for the diagnosis of various pubertal disorders and also for monitoring of CPP patients on GnRHa therapy.
Low-Dose, Low-Specific Activity 131I-metaiodobenzyl Guanidine Therapy in Metastatic Pheochromocytoma/Sympathetic Paraganglioma
Authors: Barnabas Rohit , Jaiswal Sanjeet Kumar , Memon Saba Samad , Sarathi Vijaya , Malhotra Gaurav , Verma Priyanka , Patil Virendra A. , Lila Anurag R. , Shah Nalini S. , Bandgar Tushar R.
Published: September 2021

Introduction:

Radionuclide therapy is a promising treatment modality in metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL). There is scarce data on 131I-metaiodobenzyl guanidine (131I-MIBG) therapy from the Indian subcontinent. Hence, we aim to study the safety and effectiveness of low-dose, low-specific activity (LSA) 131I-MIBG therapy in patients with symptomatic, metastatic PPGL.

Methods:

Clinical, hormonal, and radiological response parameters and side effects of LSA 131I-MIBG therapy in patients with symptomatic, metastatic PPGL were retrospectively reviewed. World health organizations’ (WHO) symptomatic, hormonal, and tumor response, and response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST1.1) criteria were used to assess the response.

Results:

Seventeen (PCC: 11, sympathetic PGL: 06) patients (15 with disease progression) received low-dose LSA 131I-MIBG therapy. Complete remission (CR), partial remission (PR), stable disease (SD), and progressive disease (PD) were 18% (3/17), 24% (4/17), 18% (3/17), and 41% (7/17), respectively, for WHO symptomatic response; 20% (2/10), 10% (1/10), 30% (3/10), and 40% (4/10), respectively, for WHO hormonal response; and 19% (3/16), 6% (1/16), 31% (5/16), and 44% (7/16), respectively for tumor response based on RECIST1.1. All patients with symptomatic PD and 50% (2/4) with hormonal PD had progression as per RECIST1.1 criteria. Side effects included thrombocytopenia, acute myeloid leukemia, mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and azoospermia in 6% (1/17) each.

Conclusions:

Our study reaffirms the modest efficacy and safety of low-dose, LSA 131I-MIBG therapy in patients with symptomatic, metastatic PPGL. Symptomatic, but not hormonal, progression after 131I-MIBG therapy correlates well with tumor progression and should be further evaluated with imaging. In resource-limited settings, anatomic imaging alone may be used to assess tumor response to 131I-MIBG therapy.
Compliance of Secondary Prevention Strategies in Coronary Artery Disease Patients with and without Diabetes Mellitus – A Cross-Sectional Analytical Survey from Kerala, India
Authors: Sudevan Remya , Raj Manu , Vasudevan Damodaran Madhavi , Arun Chankramath , Thachathodiyl Rajesh , Vijayakumar Maniyal , Abdullakutty Jabir , Thomas Paul , George Vijo , Kabali Conrad
Published: September 2021

Context:

There is limited data related to compliance of secondary prevention strategies for coronary artery diseases (CAD) among patients with and without diabetes.

Objectives:

The objective was to compare compliance to secondary prevention strategies for CAD including smoking cessation, weight management, blood pressure (BP) control, Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol control and adequate physical activity between patients with and without diabetes.

Settings and Design:

This is a hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study.

Methods and Materials:

The study questionnaire was used to collect data through interviews of CAD patients. Compliance to secondary prevention strategies was documented using European Society of Cardiology guidelines.

Statistical Analysis:

We used modified Poisson model to estimate adjusted prevalence ratios (Adj. PR) for estimating compliance.

Results:

Among 1,206 participants with CAD, 609 (50.5%) had diabetes. The Adj. PR s for three targets – smoking cessation (Adj. PR 1.01, 95% CI 0.97, 1.06, P 0.50), ideal BMI (Adj. PR 0.99, 95% CI 0.92, 1.09, P 0.99) and adequate physical activity (Adj. PR 1.12, 95% CI 0.97, 1.29, P 0.12) showed no significant difference between the groups. There was poor BP control in patients with diabetes compared to those without the same (Adj. PR 0.19, 95% CI 0.15, 0.23, P < 0.0001). LDL cholesterol control was better in patients with diabetes in comparison to those without the same (Adj. PR 1.19, 95% CI 1.08, 1.31, P 0.0005).

Conclusion:

The compliance for secondary prevention of CAD among patients with diabetes is similar to those without diabetes except for poor control of hypertension and better control of LDL cholesterol.
Guilt, regret, and coping in individuals with obsessive–Compulsive disorder and individuals in conflict with law
Authors: Audhya Pooja , Barik-Sil Illora , Saha Pradeep Kumar , Bhattacharjee Dipanjan , Kannekanti Prasad
Published: September 2021

Background:

Persons with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and individuals in conflict with law are prone to experience guilt and regret which can have significant implications on their lives. Guilt and regret are two very prominent emotions found in individuals with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder A question then arises whether the individuals who are in Conflict with Law experiences the same kind of guilt and regret, which is experienced by the persons suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder; another aspect that too seeks attention is how related is the coping strategy of the two distinguished population.

Methods:

The objective of this study was to aim assess and compare the guilt, regret and coping in individuals with obsessive compulsive disorder and individuals in conflict with law. The sample size consists 60 individuals (18-55years of age), of whom 30 individuals were with OCD taking treatment in the Institute of Psychiatry and 30 individuals in conflict with law, who were taken from the Presidency Correctional Home and Alipore Women Correctional Home. Participants were selected purposively. The Revised Mosher Guilt Inventory, Regret Scale and Brief Cope were administered of the participants of either group for the assessment guilt, regret and coping respectively. Data analysis was done by the SPSS-25 (Windows version). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t test and chi-square test were used.

Results:

In OCD group, majority of the participants were found to have higher educational qualifications, e.g. intermediate, graduation or more, whereas, in persons in conflict with law group, most of them were either illiterate or minimally educated, nearly equal participation of males and females was observed in either group, mean ages were 32.93±9.21 and 40.00±8.38 in OCD and persons in conflict with law groups respectively. No significant differences were noted between these two groups in coping and regret. In case of guilt, significant difference was noted in 'guilty conscience', where OCD patients reported significantly higher scores than that of persons in conflict with law. In other two forms of guilt, i.e., sexual guilt and hostility guilt no significant differences were noted.

Conclusion:

Difference in guilt between OCD patients' and the persons' in conflict with might be due to several reasons, ranging from core illness related factors to larger socio-cultural factors. Roles of personality might as well have some association with it. Giving conclusive remark about guilt, regret and coping about these two divergent populations might not be possible with this small size. In future, studies should be carried out on larger samples which should be selected through stratified sampling method for securing more accurate information about those issues. Factors like, family structure and functions, marital relationship, family support and personality disposition should also be studied.
Brief Flooding with Exposure and Response Prevention in Vivo in OCD
Authors: Chavan Bir Singh , Domun Ira , Machal Vikas
Published: September 2021

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a commonly encountered psychiatric illness. Cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)/exposure and response prevention (ERP) is first-line treatment option for OCD. When facilities are available, CBT/ERP monotherapy may be recommended in mild to moderately ill patients. However, in severely ill patients, the management comprising CBT and pharmacotherapy is more efficacious than single treatment alone. Behaviorists practicing ERP recommend that exposure in real-life situations (vivo) is more effective than in imaginative situations (vitro). Here, we present a case of a middle-aged female with obsessions regarding contamination by menstrual blood and compulsions of checking and cleaning, causing marked sociooccupational deficit. The index patient who was suffering from debilitating form of OCD failed to respond to pharmacotherapy alone and later with combination of pharmacotherapy; brief in vivo flooding and ERP in vitro responded well; which is sustained at 6 months' follow-up.
The Silent Survivor
Authors: Kadam Kranti S , Anvekar Sampada , Angane Amey Y , Unnithan Vishnu B
Published: September 2021

Introduction:

Alcohol use disorder has many negative effects on the wives of patients including domestic violence. The wives are in a position where their mental state can be severely compromised, leading to suicidal behavior. The purpose of the study is to assess the prevalence and types of domestic violence in the wives of patients with alcohol use disorder. The study examined the extent of perceived stress, nature of coping strategies used, suicidal risk, and their relationship with domestic violence.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study of 100 wives of patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorder as per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fifth Edition, recruited using purposive sampling technique was conducted over 6 months. The wives were administered a semi-structured pro forma along with Severity of Violence against Women Scale, Perceived stress scale-14, Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), and Coping Questionnaire-30. Contingency tables and linear regression analysis helped examine the associations and correlations.

Results and Discussion:

Domestic violence was highly prevalent (87%) in the wives of patients with alcohol use disorder. A statistically significant correlation was seen between domestic violence and perceived stress. It was seen that those who experienced domestic violence used predominantly tolerant inactive coping mechanism. The wives facing domestic violence had a four-fold greater prevalence of suicidal behavior. Statistically significant relationships were seen between domestic violence and intensity as well as severity of suicidal ideation.

Conclusions:

The study highlights the importance of screening for domestic violence in the wives of alcohol use disorder patients as it is highly prevalent. Psychoeducation to effectively deal with the stress and adopting healthy coping ways to improve psychological health is essential. Spreading awareness about both, domestic violence in the community and the need for treating patients with alcohol use disorder, may prove to be helpful.
Correlation of neurocognitive deficits with positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia
Authors: Priyamvada Richa , Ranjan Rupesh , Jha Gyanendra Kumar , Chaudhury Suprakash
Published: September 2021

Background:

Patients with schizophrenia manifests a broad array of cognitive impairments, including impaired performance on measures reflecting attention, information processing, executive functions, memory, and language capabilities.

Aim:

This study aims to assess neurocognitive deficits and their correlation with positive and negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.

Materials and Methods:

Sample was collected from private clinic of Jabalpur, Bhopal, and Patna. Selection of sample was purposive sampling. The sample size consists of 60 diagnosed cases of schizophrenia on the basis of (International Classification of Diseases-10 [ICD-10] Diagnostic Criteria for Research criteria) and 30 normal controls. Annet's Hand Preference Battery was used to screen handedness and only right-handed male were included in this study. After screening according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 60 diagnosed (ICD-10 criteria) schizophrenia patients were selected which was further divided into two groups on the basis of positive and negative syndrome scale, i.e. schizophrenia with positive and negative symptoms. Thirty matched normal controls having scores <2 scores on General Health Questionnaire-12 were selected for the study. After filling of sociodemographic details Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB-I) was administered on both schizophrenia group and normal control.

Results:

Cognitive functions are severely impaired in schizophrenia compared to normal control and within schizophrenia groups negative schizophrenia had poor performance on LNNB-I than positive schizophrenia. Regarding the correlation of neurocognitive deficits, both schizophrenia groups were correlated but negative symptoms of schizophrenia were strongly correlated with neurocognitive deficits.

Conclusion:

Cognitive functions are severely impaired in schizophrenia as compared to normal control and within schizophrenia groups, negative schizophrenia had poor performance on LNNB-I than positive schizophrenia. Regarding the correlation of neurocognitive deficits, both schizophrenias groups were correlated but negative symptoms of schizophrenia were strongly correlated with neurocognitive deficits.
Efficacy and durability of cognitive behavior therapy in managing hallucination in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Shukla Priyanka , Padhi Debasish , Sengar K. S. , Singh Abha , Chaudhury Suprakash
Published: September 2021

Background:

The cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) approach to psychosis is a relatively recent development and focuses directly on the core psychotic symptoms of hallucinations and delusions.

Aim:

The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of cognitive behavior therapy in managing hallucination in patients with schizophrenia and to evaluate the generalizability and durability of the therapeutic gains.

Materials and Methods:

In this confirmatory pre–post assessment study, based on the purposive sampling technique, a sample consisting of 40 (20 for experimental and the other 20 for control group) patients having schizophrenia with core symptoms of hallucination and delusions under treatment as usual were selected and matched on the sociodemographic and clinical variables. For the clinical variables, the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scale and Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms were used. After baseline assessment, the cognitive behavioral program was tailored on the experimental group and patients of both the group were reassessed after the completion of treatment. Follow-up data to see the durability of program were taken from all the patients of experimental and control groups.

Results:

Cognitive behavior therapy was found to be effective for the treatment of auditory hallucination in schizophrenia. The therapeutic gains in all study variables were found to be maintained or further improving at follow-up which proves that cognitive behavior therapy is durable.

Conclusion:

Cognitive behavior therapy in conjunction with pharmacotherapy was found to be more effective in improving clinical symptoms of schizophrenia and global functioning compared to pharmacotherapy alone.
Measurable Hall’s theorem for actions of abelian groups
Authors: Cieśla Tomasz , Sabok Marcin
Published: September 2021

We prove a measurable version of the Hall marriage theorem for actions of finitely generated abelian groups. In particular, it implies that for free measure-preserving actions of such groups and measurable sets which are suitably equidistributed with respect to the action, if they are are equidecomposable, then they are equidecomposable using measurable pieces. The latter generalizes a recent result of Grabowski, Máthé and Pikhurko on the measurable circle squaring and confirms a special case of a conjecture of Gardner.
Assessment of Anthropogenically Stressed Ecosystem of Port Waters Using Macrobenthic Community-Biotic Indices
Authors: Sivaraj Sigamani , Behera Durga Prasad , Prabhu Kolandhasamy
Published: September 2021

Macrobenthic community being used as marine health indictor vis-à-vis to anthropogenic disturbance since their characteristic of life cycle (reproductive mode, sedentary, energy transfer, sensitive-resistance species, indicator organism etc.). Therefore, the present study was chosen in Vizag port waters have been subject to a variety of anthropogenic pressure in the last two decades. The purpose of this study was to assess the ecological status of the port environment through biotic indices like AZTI 's Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) and Multivariate-AMBI Index (M-AMBI) which have been successfully validated geographically and anthropogenically stressed habitats. The result revealed that the inner harbor (IHC, Iron ore Q1 & Iron ore Q7) stations are heavily disturbed while the outer harbor fall between undisturbed and moderately disturbed status. It was observed that the reduced tidal action inside the harbor determines the health status indicating that the Iron ore transporting areas are at high risk with respect to benthic population.
Evaluation of Microplastics in the Surface Water, Sediment and Fish of Sürgü Dam Reservoir (Malatya) in Turkey
Authors: Özhan Turhan Duygu
Published: September 2021

In this study, the concentration, type, size, and color of MPs in multiple environmental compartments was investigated in Sürgü Dam Reservoir. The MP concentrations in surface water were between 106.63 and 200 par.m-3. The MP concentrations in sediment were between 760 and 1.440 par.m-2. A total of 44 MPs, ranging from 0 to 3 samples per fish with averaging 0.41 MPs/individual, were extracted from gastrointestinal tracts of fish. Fibers were the predominant type of MPs in surface water, sediment and fish. The most common MP sizes were 1-2 mm in surface water, 0.2-1 mm in sediment and in fish. The dominant color of detected MPs was black in surface water and transparent in sediment and fish. Polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene were the major polymer types of the selected particles. Of the two stations, station 1 showed a higher MP concentration level. The results of this study showed the MP concentration in SDR is relatively moderate in sediment although it is lower in fish and surface water samples. This data may assist in extending our knowledge regarding MPs pollution in freshwater systems and provides a baseline for future monitoring and assessment MPs of SDR.
المناخ الأسري وعلاقته بالاتجاه نحو التطرف الفكري والانتماء الوطني لدى عينة من طالبات جامعة الملك عبد العزيز بمدينة جدة
Authors: هدى عاصم خليفة هدى عاصم خليفة
Published: September 2021

هدفت الدراسة إلى التعرف على العلاقة بين المناخ الأسري و الاتجاه نحو التطرف الفكري و الانتماء الوطني لدى عينة من طالبات جامعة الملك عبد العزيز، و شملت الدراسة (144) طالبة من تخصصات علمية وأدبية، وطبِّقَ كل من اختبار المناخ الأسري من إعداد عفراء إبراهيم خليل (2006)،ومقياس الانتماء الوطني لأحمد فاروق حسن (2008) ومقياس الاتجاه نحو التطرف الفكري لمحمد محمود أبو دوابة(2012) . وقد أسفرت الدراسة على أهم النتائج ومنها وجود علاقة ذات دلالة إحصائية بين المناخ الأسري والاتجاه نحو التطرف الفكري لدي عينة الدراسة، وتم قبول الفرض الثاني جزئيًا بوجود علاقة ذات دلالة إحصائية بين المناخ الأسري والانتماء الوطني، كما وجدت علاقة عكسية بين الانتماء الوطني و التطرف الفكري. كما أظهرت النتائج أنه يمكن النظر إلي المناخ الأسري بوصفه متغير وسيط في العلاقة بين الانتماء الوطني والاتجاه نحو التطرف الفكري ، ومن ثم يمكن التنبؤ بأنه في ظل غياب المناخ الأسري يمكن أن تنشط الآثار السلبية للتطرف الفكري التي منها انخفاض الانتماء، كما أظهرت الدراسة عدم وجود فروق دالة بين طالبات الكليات النظرية وطالبات الكليات العلمية علي الدرجة الكلية لمقياس المناخ الأسري ومقياس الاتجاه نحو التطرف الفكري و لمقياس الانتماء الوطني.
الارتباط بين مبدأ الشمول والاستبعاد والتعبيرات الجاهزة للاحتمال ومفكوك بول-شانون لأجل المعولية متعددة الحالات
Authors: علي محمد علي رشدي علي محمد علي رشدي
Published: September 2021

. تتناول هذه الورقة صورة مستجدة للمسألة التقليدية لحساب احتمال اتحاد ن من الأحداث، وهو ما يعادل توقع دالة الفصل لمتغيرات مؤشرات التبيين لهذه الأحداث، أي احتمال أن تكون دالة الفصل هذه مساويًة لـلواحد. تتعامل صورة هذه المسألة المدروسة هنا مع المتغيرات متعددة القيم، حيث يشير الاحتمال المطلوب إلى معولية شبكة توصيل متعددة الحالات (ش وع ح)، وهي شبكة يوصف نجاح نظامها بدالة ثنائية القيمة يتم التعبير عنها بدلالة النجاحات متعددة القيم لعناصر النظام. تناقش الورقة أربعة مناهج لدراسة المسألة المذكورة أعلاه بدلالة ش و ع ح قياسية، يُعرف نجاحها في صورة أصغرية بدالة الفصل لضامناتها الأولية، التي تمثل المسارات الأصغرية للشبكة ذات الصلة. تحدد الورقة بإيجاز وتناقش حلين قياسيين باستخدام مبدأ الشمول والاستبعاد متعدد الحالات (ش ب-ع ح) وبإنشاء تعبير جاهز للاحتمال متعدد الحالات (ع ج ح-ع ح). نجحنا في استقراء وتوسعة مفهوم ع ج ح-ع ح من المجال المنطقي ذي القيمتين إلى المجال المنطقي متعدد القيم، وفي استخدامه للتحويل المباشر للتعبير المنطقي العشوائي، على أساس واحد لواحد، إلى شكل توقع إحصائي، ببساطة من خلال تغيير جميع المتغيرات المنطقية إلى توقعاتها الإحصائية، وكذلك استبدال الضرب والجمع الحسابي بنظيريهما المنطقيين (دالتي العطف والفصل). تتمثل المساهمة الرئيسة لهذه الورقة في توفير إجراءين منظمين وأكثر كفاية للتعامل مع المسألة المطلوبة. يستخدم الإجراء الأول مفكوك بول-شانون متعدد الحالات، بينما يطبق الإجراء الثاني مبدأ ش ب-ع ح على عدد أقل من المسارات الأصغرية (المحللة أو المركبة) التي تم وضعها (بأقل تكلفة) على صيغة ع ج ح-ع ح. يتم توضيح الطرائق الأربع التي تمت مناقشتها بمثال رمزي مفصل لدراسة حالة حقيقية، وقد أنتج كل منها نسخة أكثر دقة لنفس القيمة العددية التي تم الحصول عليها مسبقًا بطريقة المجموع المعاود للمضروبات المتنافية (ج ع ض ن). تعد هذه الورقة جزءًا من نشاط مستمر يسعى إلى توفير معالجة تعليمية لمسائل المعولية متعددة الحالات، وإلى إنشاء علاقة متبادلة واضحة وثاقبة بين نمذجة الحالتين والنمذجة متعددة الحالات من خلال التأكيد على أن المفاهيم عديدة القيمة هي امتدادات طبيعية وبسيطة للمفاهيم ذات القيمتين.
PEMECAHAN MASALAH PEMBELAJARAN MATEMATIKA BERORIENTASI KURIKULUM CAMBRIDGE DI ERA PANDEMI COVID-19
Authors: Fitriana Sinta , Sutama
Published: September 2021

21st-century literacy is very important in education. Critical thinking skills are one indicator of literacy. Regarding thinking skills, it cannot be separated from solving mathematical problems. This study aimed to describe the problem solving of mathematics learning oriented to the Cambridge curriculum in the Covid 19 pandemic era. This research method is descriptive qualitative research. While the data collection technique uses interview techniques and questionnaires via a google form. This study found that students who understand Cambridge mathematics material obtained 79.4% based on interviews and questionnaires. Students who do not understand the concept of the material 21.2%. Students make completion steps. The percentage results show that 57.1% while the remaining 42.9% of students sometimes use completion steps. Students can complete the counting operation by 67%. While the remaining 33% still have difficulty calculating. The percentage of students who re-checked the process and results were 94.3%, while the rest often did not check the process and results
THE ROLE OF HAND EMBROIDERY IN POVERTY ALLEVIATION: A CASE STUDY OF GADAP TOWN, KARACHI
Authors: Rind Siraj Bashir , Farooq Kinza , Adam Shakir
Published: September 2021

This research topic is very important and shows the social causes of poverty alleviation. Poverty is today’s biggest problem in Pakistan. This research made an effort to find out and to discuss the related elements of poverty. The Researcher proposed to study problems and prospects of hand embroidery in the cottage industries, Cottage industry sector plays a dominant role in the economic development of countries. In developing countries cottage industries are especially important in the context of employment opportunities, equitable distribution of national income, balanced regional growth, and development of different areas. A sample of 70 home-based workers selected from convenience sampling in Gadap Town, Karachi. After assembling data, we found that the government is providing the required level of support to hand embroidery, Respondents cannot perform household chores along with their work and create differences in the domestic economic conditions.
FORMAL LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS OF HEC FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF EDUCATION SECTOR
Authors: Saleem Qurat-ul-Ain , Shakoor Aqil , Hassan Shabib
Published: September 2021

We are living in an era of development and innovation through research and learning. The nation that has achieved its development goals, has done through education reforms and a keen focus on strengthening its National Innovation System.  In Pakistan, this role has fallen to the Higher Education Commission, commonly known as HEC. The Higher Education Commission (HEC) has attempted various activities for ceaseless improvement of the nature of advanced education as per the worldwide norms and to patch up post-auxiliary instruction to improve the instructive guidelines at the alumni level. Public Academy for Higher Education has been built up with the mean to plan and convey nonexclusive and need-based limit building and preparing programs in instructing and exploration for personnel just as a spotlight on scholastic administration and authority for the workforce and the board. Education Testing Council (ETC) has additionally been modified to normalize passage tests for the universities of Pakistan. The study focuses on the different programs run by HEC to develop the country’s formal learning program and education sector. Since its commencement, we investigate various projects created by HEC to encourage Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and build up a superior staff for this reason.
A Study to Assess the Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence (EI) And Adjustment Level
Authors: Sabeena M T P
Published: September 2021

All of us have different personalities, different needs and different ways of showing our emotions. Navigating through this all takes cleverness – especially if we hope to succeed in life. This is where emotional intelligence becomes important. Emotional intelligence has been defined as the ability to adaptively recognize, understand and mange and
harness emotions both in self and others and to use emotions to facilitate cognitive processing. It is a skill which involves three processes that are perception (or the ability to consciously recognize our emotions), understanding (integrating what is in our thought), and regulation (lead and manage effectively both positive and negative emotions)
The impact of using digital textbooks in the formation of scientific thinking in the discipline of Natural Sciences
Authors:   ", IORDACHE (NEAGU) Marieta ,   Ion Ionescu",   Gymnasium School, Valea Călugărească, Rachieri Secondary School
Published: September 2021

Quality education should ensure a cultural and value balance. The rapid evolution of technology is a reality today in all areas of activity, including the education system. Creating a favorable quality learning context becomes an imperative of the time. The education acquired today in school is not enough to cope with the avalanche of changes facing humanity The use of the digital textbook in primary school contributes to the awareness of students of the possibility of using technology for their own training, being a bridge between its digital world and school. In particular, in the natural sciences classes, it makes possible a better understanding of phenomena and knowledge, making up for the impossibility of direct contact with a virtual reality. Thus, the rational thinking based on science is stimulated, explaining the phenomena that happened in nature on the students' understanding.
Nghiên cứu hiệu quả khởi phát chuyển dạ bằng propess đặt âm đạo
Authors: Phạm Chí Kông , Bùi Thị Viễn Phương
Published: September 2021

Mục tiêu: Đánh giá hiệu quả khởi phát chuyển dạ, tác dụng phụ và tai biến của Propess đặt âm đạo. Đối tượng và phương pháp nghiên cứu: Nghiên cứu cắt ngang gồm 39 phụ nữ mang thai quá ngày dự sinh (40 +1/7 – 42 +0/7) được khởi phát chuyển dạ tại khoa Phụ Sản – Bệnh viện Trường Đại học Y – Dược Huế, khoa Phụ Sản – Bệnh viện Trung ương Huế và khoa Sinh – Bệnh viện Sản Nhi Đà Nẵng trong thời gian từ tháng 06/2019 – 09/2020.

Kết quả: Hiệu quả gây chín muồi cổ tử cung là 76,9%; gây chuyển dạ thành công pha tiềm tàng là 74,4%. Khởi phát chuyển dạ đến pha tích cực là 51,3%. Tỉ lệ khởi phát chuyển dạ thành công sinh ngã âm đạo là 43,6% tổng mẫu nghiên cứu. Thời gian từ khi đặt thuốc đến khi có chuyển dạ thành công pha tiềm tàng trung bình là 8,4 giờ, đến pha tích cực trung bình là 9,8 giờ, đến khi sinh là 12,3 giờ. Tỉ lệ sản phụ sinh đường âm đạo trong vòng 12 giờ sau đặt Propess là 45,0%. Đa số các trường hợp không có tác dụng phụ nghiêm trọng và tai biến.

Kết luận: Propess đặt âm đạo có hiệu quả cao trong việc gây chín muồi cổ tử cung và gây chuyển dạ thành công pha tiềm tàng. Đa số các trường hợp không có tác dụng phụ nghiêm trọng và tai biến.
El enfoque constructivo de la auditoría en la gestión por resultados de las universidades públicas
Authors: Luciano-Villar Linver
Published: September 2021

La investigación tuvo como propósito describir las aptitudes, actitudes y conductas constructivas que asume el auditor al formular y ejecutar un programa de auditoría orientada hacia el uso eficaz y eficiente de los recursos de las universidades públicas, en busca de la optimización de su gestión por resultados. El tipo de estudio fue cualitativo, en el nivel Aplicativo de diseño no-experimental; se utilizó el método descriptivo, según el período de ejecución: transversal de tipo descriptivo correlacional, de acuerdo a la finalidad de la  investigación fue aplicada a una muestra probabilística estratificada de 332 personas que conforman el órgano de gobierno, docentes y administrativos nombrados de las universidades  públicas que forman parte del Consorcio de Universidades del Centro del Perú. Integrada por las universidades nacionales: Hermilio Valdizan de Huánuco, del Centro de Huancayo, Daniel Alcides Carrión de Cerro de Pasco y de Huancavelica. El instrumento empleado fue la encuesta donde se utilizó la técnica del cuestionario que se aplicó a la unidad de análisis. Los datos fueron procesados mediante la estadística inferencial, la comprobación de hipótesis se hizo mediante la prueba estadística no paramétrica de la Ji - Cuadrada. Se concluye que, de los resultados obtenidos: se evidencia que de los 2988 datos extraídos, el 97.72% (2920) se  confirma que existe una incidencia positiva del enfoque constructivo de la auditoría fundamentado en la aptitud, actitud y conducta del auditor en la determinación del uso eficiente de los recursos, ecaz y óptima gestión por resultados de las universidades públicas. Mientras que el 2.28% (68) revelan que no existe ningún grado de incidencia.