bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Web-Based Education Program to Empower Family in Smoking Prevention among Adolescents in Indonesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Hafizurrachman Muhammad
Published: December 2022

BACKGROUND: Stronger family connections, communications, and parental respect reduce smoking initiation. Web-based computer-tailored smoking prevention programs may help decrease smoking initiation rates among adolescents. However, there is currently no conclusive evidence regarding the efficacy of a web-based, computer-tailored smoking prevention program to empower families in adolescent smoking prevention.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the effects of web-based education program to empower family, improve skill to refuse, and prevent smoking initiation among adolescent in Indonesia.

METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was employed on family members in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia. The following criteria were the mother or legal guardian of children aged 10 to 14 years who are not currently smoking. Data were collected 3 times: One week before the start of the training (baseline), immediately after intervention (T1), and three months after the training concluded (T2).

RESULTS: 77 participants completed the study, 37 in the intervention group and 40 in the control group. The average age in this sample of the family (mother) was 37.34 (SD:7.51) years in the intervention group and 11.75 (SD:6.81) for the control group. From baseline to follow-up, family empowerment, smoking refusal skill, and smoking intention increased 38%, 24%, and 33%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: A web-based education program appears to be a suitable catalyst for empowering family and smoking prevention among adolescents. It should be regarded as a valuable and supportive addition to existing and future programs.
Eight-year single-center experience with transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI)
Authors: Petrov I. , Stankov Z. , Polomski P. , Boychev D.
Published: December 2022

The first TAVI implantation was performed in 2002 by Cribier and colleagues. From then, we have seen significant progress in technology, with the appearance of new generations – lower-profile, longer-lasting and more stable during positioning TAVI prostheses. The present publication presents single-center results and experience with TAVI procedures over an eight-year period. During the period 2013 – November 2022 a total of 354 TAVI procedures were performed in Acibadem City Clinical Cardiovascular Center. Two operating strategies are used – standard and minimalist approach. From the first procedure in 2013 until mid-2018 the standard approach (surgical vascular access, general anesthesia, direct valve implantation where possible) was mostly used. Then, the minimalist approach (percutaneous access, no intubation anesthesia, mandatory valve predilation and use of rapid pacing) was introduced as a standard approach in the center.
Morphology, phylogeny, mitogenomics and metagenomics reveal a new entomopathogenic fungus Ophiocordyceps nujiangensis (Hypocreales, Ophiocordycipitaceae) from Southwestern China
Authors: Sun Tao , Zou Weiqiu , Dong Quanying , Huang Ou , Tang Dexiang , Yu Hong
Published: December 2022

Ophiocordyceps contains the largest number of Cordycepssensu lato, various species of which are of great medicinal value. In this study, a new entomopathogenic fungus, Ophiocordyceps nujiangensis, from Yunnan in southwestern China, was described using morphological, phylogenetic, and mitogenomic evidence, and its fungal community composition was identified. It was morphologically characterized by a solitary, woody, and dark brown stromata, smooth-walled and septate hyphae, solitary and gradually tapering conidiogenous cells with plenty of warty protrusions, and oval or fusiform conidia (6.4–11.2 × 3.7–6.4 µm) with mucinous sheath. The phylogenetic location of O. nujiangensis was determined based on the Bayesian inference (BI) and the maximum likelihood (ML) analyses by concatenating nrSSU, nrLSU, tef-1a, rpb1, and rpb2 datasets, and ten mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs) datasets (atp6, atp9, cob, cox2, nad1, nad2, nad3, nad4, nad4L, and nad5). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that O. nujiangensis belonged to the Hirsutella sinensis subclade within the Hirsutella clade of Ophiocordyceps. And O. nujiangensis was phylogenetically clustered with O. karstii, O. liangshanensis, and O. sinensis. Simultaneously, five fungal phyla and 151 fungal genera were recognized in the analysis of the fungal community of O. nujiangensis. The fungal community composition differed from that of O. sinensis, and differences in the microbial community composition of closely related species might be appropriate as further evidence for taxonomy.
Life and health of labor migrants from Central Asia in Russia in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Poletaev Dmitry V.
Published: December 2022

The study contains data analysis on living conditions, information about COVID-19, housing conditions, health status and practice of testing labor migrants from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in Russia for HIV and tuberculosis (TB) in the context of the pandemic by gender and country of citizenship. The empirical basis of estimates was made up of data from the 2020 survey of 900 labor migrants from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan living in Russia. The data analysis showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened situation of the majority families of labor migrants from Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan in Russia with wage reduction and psychological stress becoming the most significant difficulties (especially for female labor migrants). The Internet and online social networks were the main sources of information about COVID-19. Less than half of legally employed labor migrants from Kyrgyzstan used Compulsory health insurance (CHI) certificate, and they were less likely to undergo fluorographic examinations and HIV testing compared to labor migrants from Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (especially men).

Most of the labor migrants from Central Asia in Russia did not pay enough attention to prevention and health maintenance and even deteriorated their health overextending themselves in Russia, as in the pre-COVID-19 period. Health problems either have developed or worsened, including due to unfavorable housing conditions.

The study shows the need for improving access to and quality of medical services for labor migrants from Central Asia in Russia and modernizing mechanisms for informing migrants, including through digital environment and social networks. Monitoring of future changes in migration policy with due regard to new experience in migration management during the pandemic seems promising.
L’administration publique internationale sur le bout de la langue : la langue comme caractéristique de la bureaucratie représentative dans la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (CEDEAO)
Authors: Murdoch Zuzana , Gravier Magali , Gänzle Stefan
Published: December 2022

Des études récentes montrent un intérêt croissant pour la représentation des genres, des ethnies ou des pays au sein des organisations régionales et internationales. En revanche, la langue en tant que critère de représentation a rarement été examinée. Nous soutenons que cela constitue un oubli important pour deux raisons : (1) la langue est un important marqueur d’identité ; et (2) les régimes linguistiques des administrations publiques internationales peuvent traiter de manière unique la question de la représentativité par rapport aux États membres et aux groupes de citoyens. Notre article explore la représentation linguistique au sein de la Communauté économique des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest et poursuit un double objectif : premièrement, il étend l’applicabilité de la théorie de la bureaucratie représentative à la question de la langue et, deuxièmement, il élargit la portée des études sur la bureaucratie représentative en proposant la première étude sur une organisation régionale ouest-africaine de premier plan. À ce titre, nous développons des pistes pour de futures recherches sur d’autres organisations régionales et internationales. Remarques à l’intention des praticiens L’article est particulièrement pertinent pour les gestionnaires d’organisations internationales et régionales multilingues. Les organisations ont tendance à négliger le rôle et l’impact des langues sur leur fonctionnement, les considérant souvent comme un détail technique. Prenant l’exemple de la Communauté économique des États d’Afrique de l’Ouest, l’article soutient que les régimes linguistiques sont importants pour la performance et la légitimité de l’organisation en termes d’acceptation par les citoyens et les États membres.
Systèmes instables. Hybridation, mémoire, consommation
Authors: Borloz Sophie-Valentine , Caraion Marta , Vodoz Joséphine
Published: December 2022

L’article s’intéresse, dans une perspective large, aux rassemblements d’objets en découpage « nature morte » comme systèmes ou dispositifs historiquement situés, dans le but de questionner les modes d’existence sociaux des objets, c’est-à-dire les fondements d’une culture matérielle dont les écrivains entreprennent, au xix e  siècle, l’examen et la modélisation conceptuelle. Il s’agit ici, à rebours des options interprétatives idéalisantes, d’envisager le dispositif « nature morte » comme principe clé de la mise en réseau d’objets hybrides, mise en réseau caractérisée par une instabilité ontologique et fonctionnelle. Le topos littéraire des tiroirs aux amours mortes en offre une illustration éloquente, au niveau microtextuel. Enfin, la nature morte elle-même, en tant que genre ou effet, est sujette à une hybridation entre différents régimes de valeurs matériels, au niveau macro-structurel.
L’hellénisme dans le philochristianisme romantique : Chateaubriand, Lamartine, Vigny, Hugo
Authors: Gautier Nicolas
Published: December 2022

L’hellénisme antique qui imprègne la philosophie des Lumières n’est plus de mise après la Révolution française : contre cette pensée qu’ils jugent responsable de la Révolution et du déclin spirituel de la France, les romantiques développent un philochristianisme qui les rapproche du courant néo-catholique contre-révolutionnaire. Pour autant, une incompréhension mutuelle naît dans cette alliance équivoque. Le christianisme romantique s’avère à bien des égards une pensée révolutionnaire, en rupture avec la catholicité. Cette divergence s’accentue à mesure que la Restauration avive les frustrations d’une génération romantique qui aspire, pour la France, à une refonte sociale et idéologique. Soucieux de réconcilier la société avec le fait spirituel, les romantiques passent d’une attitude contre-révolutionnaire – hostile à la pensée des Lumières et à l’hellénisme antique, – à une réappropriation de cet héritage intellectuel qui devient primordial dans la construction de leur idéologie et de leur imaginaire.
Écrire le corps cholérique dans Lélia de George Sand
Authors: Jones Sarah
Published: December 2022

Cet article examine la signification métaphorique du choléra dans Lélia de George Sand, en l’inscrivant dans le contexte de l’épidémie de 1832 à Paris, dont l’écrivaine fut témoin. Le roman s’appuie sur un vocabulaire particulier pour exprimer de façon très visuelle l’abjection du corps de l’héroïne. La représentation tactile de Lélia lie son apparence marmoréenne à son rejet du désir masculin, ainsi qu’à l’inversion de la relation hiérarchique entre l’artiste et la muse. L’aspect sculptural de l’héroïne est lié au potentiel métaphorique du choléra qui peut faire ressembler ses victimes à des cadavres avant leur mort ; cela place Lélia dans un espace liminal entre la vie et la mort et libère ainsi sa représentation des exigences du réalisme.
Outcomes of Toric Intraocular Lens Implantation After Radial Keratotomy
Authors: Basilious Amy , Basilious Alfred
Published: December 2022

Purpose:

To report high toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in a patient with previous radial keratotomy and significantly flat corneal powers.

Methods:

Case report.

Results:

A 64-year-old woman with previous bilateral 8-incision radial keratotomy was referred for cataract surgery. Corrected distance visual acuity was 20/70 in the right eye and counting fingers in the left eye (could not be refracted). The power of the flat meridian was below 30.00 diopters (D) bilaterally, so no IOL power predictions were reported by standard biometric devices. Calculations were run with the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) IOL Calculator for Eyes with Prior Radial Keratotomy using data from biometry, tomography, and topography. Toric cylinder and meridian were calculated with the ASCRS Barrett Toric Calculator. Given reasonable agreement in corneal cylinder and meridian between imaging modalities, toric IOLs (3.75 D IOL cylinder) were implanted. Postoperatively, spherical equivalent was −0.50 D in the right eye and plano in the left eye. Cylinder was reduced from 3.24 to 1.00 D in the right eye and from 4.13 to 1.00 D in the left eye.

Conclusions:

Toric IOLs offer an opportunity to reduce postoperative astigmatism in radial keratotomy cases with high cylinder, significantly flat corneal powers, and no classic bowtie pattern on topography. Pre-cataract refractions are useful in these cases after radial keratotomy, because corneal imaging modalities may underestimate astigmatism after radial keratotomy.

[
Journal of Refractive Surgery Case Reports.
2022;2(4):e68–e71.]
CrowdGAIL: A spatiotemporal aware method for agent navigation
Authors: Da Longchao , Wei Hua
Published: December 2022

Agent navigation has been a crucial task in today's service and automated factories. Many efforts are to set specific rules for agents in a certain scenario to regulate the agent's behaviors. However, not all situations could be in advance considered, which might lead to terrible performance in a real-world application. In this paper, we propose CrowdGAIL, a method to learn from expert behaviors as an instructing policy, can train most 'human-like' agents in navigation problems without manually setting any reward function or beforehand regulations. First, the proposed model structure is based on generative adversarial imitation learning (GAIL), which imitates how humans take actions and move toward the target to a maximum extent, and by comparison, we prove the advantage of proximal policy optimization (PPO) to trust region policy optimization, thus, GAIL-PPO is what we base. Second, we design a special Sequential DemoBuffer compatible with the inner long short-term memory structure to apply spatiotemporal instruction on the agent's next step. Third, the paper demonstrates the potential of the model with an integrated social manner in a multi-agent scenario by considering human collision avoidance as well as social comfort distance. At last, experiments on the generated dataset from CrowdNav verify how close our model would act like a human being in the trajectory aspect and also how it could guide the multi-agents by avoiding any collision. Under the same evaluation metrics, CrowdGAIL shows better results compared with classic Social-GAN.
Certain midpoint-type Fejér and Hermite-Hadamard inclusions involving fractional integrals with an exponential function in kernel
Authors: Botmart Thongchai , Sahoo Soubhagya Kumar , Kodamasingh Bibhakar , Latif Muhammad Amer , Jarad Fahd , Kashuri Artion
Published: December 2022

In this paper, using positive symmetric functions, we offer two new important identities of fractional integral form for convex and harmonically convex functions. We then prove new variants of the Hermite-Hadamard-Fejér type inequalities for convex as well as harmonically convex functions via fractional integrals involving an exponential kernel. Moreover, we also present improved versions of midpoint type Hermite-Hadamard inequality. Graphical representations are given to validate the accuracy of the main results. Finally, applications associated with matrices, q-digamma functions and modifed Bessel functions are also discussed.
El papel de las transferencias sociales en la estabilidad demográfica de los núcleos rurales. A propósito de la provincia de Málaga
Authors: Larrubia Vargas Remedios , Navarro Rodríguez Susana Rosa , Ocaña Ocaña M. Carmen
Published: December 2022

La despoblación y el envejecimiento están afectando a amplias áreas de bajas densidades de población y a cientos de núcleos en vías de extinción, especialmente en las zonas del interior de España. Además, estos procesos han llevado a ciertas áreas rurales a una preocupante situación de vulnerabilidad demográfica.
El objetivo de este trabajo es analizar el papel que están jugando determinados factores en la estabilidad de estos núcleos rurales más frágiles. Su análisis territorial se concretará en la provincia de Málaga y en el estudio de dos mecanismos de carácter social y de origen público: el subsidio de desempleo a la población agraria y el sistema de pensiones. Los resultados obtenidos confirman que, en las rentas de los municipios rurales, especialmente de los más pequeños, estos ingresos ocupan un lugar destacado, permitiendo mantener sus débiles y envejecidas poblaciones al sostener el nivel de vida de sus habitantes.
Trayectoria histórico-estructural del sistema productivo de Bahía Blanca (Argentina). Etapas y perspectivas de desarrollo
Authors: Diez José Ignacio , Pasciaroni Carolina
Published: December 2022

En los últimos años, el enfoque de sistemas productivos locales (SPL) se ha transformado en el instrumental teórico analítico más utilizado para estudiar el desempeño económico de localidades y regiones. Desde una mirada histórica y estructural, este artículo analiza la dinámica de funcionamiento del sistema productivo de Bahía Blanca (Argentina), haciendo foco en el estudio de tres segmentos industriales: grandes empresas, pequeñas y medianas empresas tradicionales y pequeñas y medianas empresas de software. La metodología seguida es el estudio de caso, combinando fuentes de información primarias y secundarias. El estudio permite identificar trayectorias de crecimiento y expansión de los sectores mencionados en base a hechos estilizados. Además, se identifican restricciones a la evolución de cada sector, asociadas fundamentalmente al perfil de enclave de las grandes plantas industriales y al bajo dinamismo innovador de los segmentos de pequeñas y medianas empresas. Esto es un indicador de la necesidad de promover la conformación de un SPL que mejore la competitividad y la articulación territorial de los sectores maduros y también pueda aprovechar el potencial dinamismo del sector informático.
Todo comenzó con el Servicio Universitario del Trabajo (SUT). El seguimiento de la Dirección General de Seguridad al SUT y al Frente de Liberación Popular
Authors: Sáez Aznar Guillermo
Published: December 2022

Una vez restablecida la Dirección General de Seguridad (DGS) dentro del Ministerio de Gobernación en el año 1939 comenzó a realizarse un seguimiento sistematizado y con mayor profundidad de los grupos e individuos considerados como enemigos o amenazas para el nuevo Estado franquista. Los informes que recogían las informaciones y actuaciones de las fuerzas policiales se publicaron de manera desigual en unos boletines internos conservados en el Archivo Histórico Nacional. Si bien varios de ellos no se encuentran disponibles para consulta, estos informes constituyen una fuente fundamental para conocer la visión y el nivel de conocimiento existente en el máximo organismo encargado del control sociopolítico. El análisis de estos fondos documentales se complementa, fundamentalmente, con bibliografía especializada sobre los grupos que fueron sometidos a seguimiento. El argumento principal es que pese a que la oposición de la juventud universitaria fuera una problemática que preocupaba al régimen, en los volúmenes internos de este organismo no se recogió ninguna actuación o mención al respecto hasta el año 1962. Las conclusiones sintetizan el proceso mediante el cual la DGS tomó consciencia de la reorganización del Frente de Liberación Popular (FLP) con un importante número de miembros del Servicio Universitario del Trabajo (SUT) y el modo en que valoró este peligro.
Anticolonialismo y Antiimperialismo en la España franquista. El Servicio Universitario del Trabajo como reflejo de un fenómeno global
Authors: Domper Lasús Carlos
Published: December 2022

El texto analiza la recepción en la España franquista del anticolonialismo y el antiimperialismo y explica cómo ambos fenómenos acabaron manifestándose en el Servicio Universitario del Trabajo (SUT) a principios de los sesenta. Para ello, se utiliza bibliografía especializada y documentación primaria procedente del Archivo AASUT, así como testimonios personales. El texto se divide en tres partes. La primera aborda el éxito de ambos fenómenos a partir de 1945 y su capacidad para integrarse en las narrativas políticas revolucionarias de intelectuales y estudiantes europeos y estadounidenses. La segunda analiza cómo llegaron ambos fenómenos a España en el contexto de la transformación socio-cultural que experimentó el régimen desde finales de los cincuenta. La tercera desentraña las razones por las que la versión de ambos fenómenos desarrollada en el seno de la oposición antifranquista acabó llegando al SUT a principios de los sesenta. El artículo alcanza principalmente dos conclusiones. Por un lado, que la España franquista no fue ajena a uno de los principales fenómenos políticos y sociales que caracterizaron la segunda mitad del siglo XX. Por otro, que la coincidencia a principios de los sesenta de varias circunstancias, hizo que el SUT albergase a representantes de los dos grupos socio-políticos a través de los que habían llegado a España el anticolonialismo y el antiimperialismo.
La transition écologique : apports de la science de l’occupation et de l’éthique épicurienne
Authors: Drolet Marie-Josée , Désormeaux Moreau Marjorie
Published: December 2022

Cet article défend l’idée suivant laquelle le concept de justice occupationnelle intergénérationnelle a le potentiel de soutenir l’éducation relative à l’environnement nécessaire à la transition écologique. Après avoir précisé l’apport de la science de l’occupation et celui de l’éthique épicurienne à la réflexion sur la transition écologique, le concept de justice occupationnelle intergénérationnelle est introduit et défini, de même que les autres concepts occupationnels qui lui sont liés (besoins, désirs, droits, devoirs et choix occupationnels) et ce, avant de spécifier comment ce nouveau concept peut soutenir l’éducation relative à l’environnement. Autrement dit, cet article développe une réflexion éthique, par l’entremise du concept de justice occupationnelle intergénérationnelle pour penser la transition écologique et l’éducation relative à l’environnement requise pour s’y engager à la fois individuellement et collectivement.
Le yoga en contexte de plein air : une pratique écospirituelle au service de la résonance au vivant
Authors: Larocque Emmanuelle
Published: December 2022

Cet article présente certaines données empiriques d’une recherche doctorale visant à investiguer les mécanismes intrinsèques de la transition sociale-écologique, dont le rapport au vivant. Nous rétrécissons la focale vers la pratique du yoga, intégrée à un programme d’intervention par le sport et le plein air à visée écosociale, pour examiner comment cette démarche écospirituelle façonne la relation à la Nature. S’inspirant des principes de la recherche-intervention, le programme fut développé en collaboration avec divers acteurs sociaux. Faisant appel aux cadres théoriques de la résonance et de la sociologie charnelle, les résultats montrent que le yoga permet d’activer des conditions qui ouvrent la voie aux expériences de résonance. Le yoga agirait notamment sur les plans de la dispositionalité, de la temporalité, de l’affectivité et de l’indisponibilité, ce dernier élément étant compris dans le sens des interactions avec ce qui indicible et imprévisible. Ces conditions créent ainsi un espace-temps favorable à la reconfiguration du rapport au vivant et à la création de récits individuels et collectifs alternatifs.
L’innovation pédagogique engagée envers la coconstruction du savoir-agir : le cas d’un programme de maitrise professionnelle en environnement
Authors: Champoux Mélanie , Ayotte-Beaudet Jean-Philippe , Quintin Laurelle , Lamoureux Julia
Published: December 2022

Face aux exigences de transformations écosociales contemporaines, les universités doivent orienter leurs efforts d’innovation pédagogique envers la coconstruction d’un meilleur savoir-agir. C’est dans cette optique qu’une équipe d’un programme de maitrise professionnelle en environnement a conçu et mis en œuvre de nouveaux formats de productions de fin d’études. Dans cet article, nous présentons la démarche adoptée, les étapes de son déroulement ainsi que deux projets de fin d’études de type projet-création en éducation relative à l’environnement. Il ressort notamment que le nouveau dispositif de formation est de nature à favoriser une mobilisation des connaissances dans des contextes d’application non académiques, à permettre le développement d’un réseau de contacts dans des milieux de pratiques, à approfondir la réflexivité et à exercer une influence sur le processus de construction identitaire. À travers cet article, nous espérons stimuler les réflexions au sujet du développement de dispositifs pédagogiques universitaires orientés envers le développement du savoir-agir des personnes étudiantes.
Is it HAPO/IADPSG and NICE/ National Consensus Document criteria for diagnosis of GDM best suit for Sri Lanka; Outcomebased comparative study
Authors: Jayawardane M. A. Madura M. , Rajakaruna Maduka , Perera K. A. Supun A. , Chandradeva U. D. , Abeywickrama H L. Thilakshi C. , Fernando Ajith
Published: December 2022

Objective: Our aim in this study is to compare pregnancy and fetal outcomes following the diagnosis of gestational diabetes according to HAPO/IADPSG, NICE criteria or when using both criteria. Methods: Diagnosis of GDM was made using the lowest recommended cut off values of HAPO/IADPSG criteria and NICE criteria. NICE diabetes in pregnancy guidelines were used in management once GDM was diagnosed. The outcomes of the three groups were compared, Group A: the patients diagnosed using any criteria, Group B: only from HAPO/IADPSG criteria (patients fasting value within 92-100 mg/dL and other values with in the normal). Group C: only from NICE criteria (patients with 2nd hour value within 140-153 mg/dL but the rest were normal) Results: Out of all women with GDM 70% were in group A, 25% in group B, and only 4% in group C. 62% of women needed metformin or insulin apart from Medical nutrition therapy in Group A, and 50% in group B and only 17% in group C. Average period of gestation at the delivery in Group A was 37 weeks and 3 days , and it is 37+5 for group B and 38+4 for group C. Induction rate in Group A was 56%, 14% in Group B and 4% in Group C.LSCS rate was 48% in Group A, 41% in group B and 36% in group C. 7% of babies were macrosomic in Group A, 2% and 1% respectively in groups B and C. Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) admission rates were 11% in group A and 1% in group B. The average birth weights of Group A were 2.93kg, Group B 2.900kg and group C 2.818kg. Conclusion: HAPO/IADPSG criteria diagnosed more women with gestational diabetes than NICE criteria. Only 4% of mothers will be missed if HAPO/IADPSG criteria is used. Pregnancy outcomes of the Group B is similar to that of Group A and 50% of women needing further intervention apart from MNT could have prevented adverse pregnancy outcome in a significant number of patients compared to the few number of patients in group C. It was observed that IADPSG criteria provide better diagnostic cut-off values for our population compared to NICE. Limited number of patients especially in group C is a limitation of this study to evaluate further since this is an on-going observational study and will be able to provide more information in the future.
Prevalence and some selected characteristics of asymptomatic gallstones among pregnant women. A retrospective chart review
Authors: Abeysuriya Vasitha , Dodampahala S. H. , Chandrasena Lal
Published: December 2022

Introduction

During pregnancy, it is often associated with gallstones and biliary sludge. Gallstone disease is the second most common indication for non-obstetric surgical intervention in pregnancy.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was carried out to determine the prevalence and characteristics of asymptomatic gallstones among selected sample of pregnant women in a private hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Data was retrieved form the available records at hospitals from 2016 to 2022.There were 329 patients recode during the study period. An exclusion criteria was applied to select the subjects. Data pertains to demographic, haematological, bio-chemical and hepatobiliary sonography was retrieved. The study data were analysed using STATA (StataCorp LLC Texas, USA) software version 16 for Windows. Normality was determined using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov’s test. Categorical variables like gallbladder status and blood group were presented using frequency tables. The mean values of age, gestational age, and gravidity were compared t-test and ANOVA. Gallbladder status was compared to age group, gravidity, trimester, and blood group using Chi-squared test. P values of
Pregnancy of unknown location which was discovered to be an intra mural pregnancy at the previous uterine perforation site
Authors: Rishard Mohamed , Silva Minollie , Jayawardane Asanka
Published: December 2022

A 35-year-old obese (BMI 35) woman presented to the antenatal clinic with a positive pregnancy test at a period of amenorrhea of six weeks. She was initially managed according to the Pregnancy of Unknown Location (PUL) care pathway. However, she presented with throbbing abdominal pain and required an emergency laparoscopy which revealed an intramural pregnancy at the site of a previous uterine perforation. The ectopic site was successfully excised laparoscopically. A detailed history, good knowledge of various rare presentations and the skills to make tailor-made decisions when dealing with PUL are crucial to avoid complications. Caregivers evaluating patients presenting with PUL should be well equipped to handle challenging cases such as these.
Planning basics of need-based trauma training in asymmetric warfare focusing elements, materials, and sources of training
Authors: Khoshi Abolfazl , Moghaddam Jamal Akhavan , Goodarzi Hassan , Machian Mohamad Sadegh Bahaghighat , Gooshki Hossein Shamsi , Raeeszadeh Mohammad
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction and Aim:

Trauma is one of the major causes of death and inability among populations serving on battlefields. Hence, all active forces on battlefields need to be prepared to cope with trauma. Therefore, training on trauma is a requirement for the battlefield, and achieving it is possible through need/facility-based training. Besides, one of the 10 elements of Akker is the educational and sources and materials component. Nowadays, educational resources have certainly changed significantly compared to previous decades. These days, sources like digital libraries, e-books, multimedia elements, podcasts, self-study, or training software are among the most important sources that seem to be very important with the expansion of technology.

Methods:

In the present study, which is a qualitative validation study conducted in winter and spring 2021 in Tehran, Iran, the participants were selected from among experts and trauma fields practitioners active in warfare.

Findings:

The inclusion criteria were willingness to participate in the study, having a history of treatment practice, and training trauma in battlefields.
Resurgence of diphtheria in Northern Gujarat: A retrospective study done in Banas Medical College and Research Centre, Palanpur, Gujarat
Authors: Sharma Neha , Desai Heena R. , Chaudhary Anil , Shrivastava Ajit K. , Hasan Anjum A.
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:

A diphtheria outbreak occurred in Banaskantha district in the northern part of Gujarat in 2019–2020. This study was undertaken to study and generate information on the resurgence of the disease in this region and to generate information regarding the status of vaccination in this region and what strategies can be adopted to avoid re-emergence of the disease in the future.

Materials and Methods:

This is a hospital-based, retrospective, descriptive study done on patients of diphtheria who were admitted in Banas Medical College and Research Institute, Palanpur from September 2019 to January 2020. Throat swab was taken from all the patients and information regarding symptoms, vaccination, and demographic characteristic was collected. Treatment in the form of ADS, injection crystalline penicillin/erythromycin and other supportive treatment was given.

Result:

Out of 188 patients, 27 patients (14.36%) were less than 5 years of age, 118 patients (62.76%) and 38 patients (20.21%) were of age group 5–10 and 11–18 years, respectively. Total of five patients (2.66%) were of age more than 18 years. Out of 188 patients, 102 (54.25%) were males and 86 patients (45.74%) were females. All the patients (188) were found to be unvaccinated. Among 188 throat swabs that were tested, 21 samples (11.17%) were found to be culture positive for Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Antidiphtheric serum was given in 181 patients (96.27%) according to the requirement. Out of 188 patients, 155 patients (82.44%) improved with treatment and were discharged. Total of 23 patients (12.23%) were referred to higher center for tracheostomy and for management of other complications. Six patients (3.19%) left against medical advice and four patients (2.12%) expired despite all measures taken.

Conclusion:

Diphtheria is a disease that can easily be prevented by vaccination. Our study highlights need to increase awareness about vaccination among people of Banaskatha district and all measures should be taken to give full vaccination to children less than 5 years of age and booster vaccination should be encouraged in adolescents and adults so that future resurgence of disease can be prevented.
Synchronous collision tumor of malignant phyllodes and invasive ductal carcinoma
Authors: Pai Usha K. N. , Kavalakat Alfie J. , Thomas Nikita
Published: December 2022

Phyllodes tumor (PT) constitutes <1% of breast tumors. Malignancy usually arises from the stromal component forming homologous or heterologous elements such as chondrosarcoma, liposarcoma, fibrosarcoma, osteosarcoma, or rhabdomyosarcoma. Rarely, carcinoma can arise from the epithelial cells within the PT. Rarer is the occurrence of collision tumor of malignant phyllodes and carcinoma in the breast which lacks the exact incidence since only few cases are reported in the literature. This is another such rare case of synchronous collision tumor of malignant phyllodes having chondrosarcomatous and osteosarcomatous differentiation associated with invasive and in situ ductal carcinoma having metastatic carcinomatous deposits in axillary lymph nodes in a 43-year-old female. Hence, extensive sampling of the gross specimen is crucial in diagnosing the collision tumors which are not detected either in breast imaging studies or during the surgery. Since malignant PT usually spreads through a hematogenous route, it has to be treated by wide local excision or simple mastectomy without the axillary lymph node dissection. If a PT is associated with carcinoma, the patient management and prognosis depend on the stage of the carcinoma.
Cardiotoxicity in breast cancer patients receiving trastuzumab with or without prior anthracycline-based chemotherapy
Authors: Ray Arpita , Kalita Naba Kumar , Mahanta Neelakshi , Ali Alfarid Shahid , Kashyap Madhav
Published: December 2022

Background:

Trastuzumab (Herceptin) is used in human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer patients either alone or in combination with various chemotherapeutic agents in the neoadjuvant, adjuvant as well as palliative settings. Cardiotoxicity remains an issue of concern with the use of trastuzumab which may be enhanced with the prior use of anthracycline-based chemotherapeutic agents.

Aim:

This prospective study was conducted with the aim of identifying the occurrence of cardiotoxicity in patients receiving trastuzumab with or without a history of prior use of anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

Materials and Methods:

The study was conducted over a period of 1½ years. All the HER2-positive breast cancer patients who received trastuzumab-based therapy in adjuvant as well as maintenance settings and the cardiotoxicity in terms of drop in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from the lower limit of normal range were evaluated. A significant drop is defined when LVEF drop is >10%. Cardiotoxicity was compared between those who received prior anthracycline-based chemotherapy versus nonanthracycline-based chemotherapy.

Results:

A total of 62 HER2-positive breast cancer patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled for analysis. Thirty-two patients received prior anthracycline-based chemotherapy and 30 patients received nonanthracycline-based chemotherapy. A significant drop in LVEF of >10% was found in 20 out of 62 patients (32.3%). This significant drop in LVEF was found more in those patients who received prior anthracycline-based chemotherapy (n = 15) versus who did not receive prior anthracycline-based chemotherapy (n = 5) (46.9% vs. 16.7%; P = 0.0109).

Conclusion:

Trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity (LVEF drop >10%) is higher among breast cancer patients who received prior anthracycline-based chemotherapy as compared to those who did not receive prior anthracycline. This clinically significant drop in LVEF warranted an interruption in the treatment till stabilization and improvement of the cardiac function.
Anti-proliferative activities of 4H-pyran derivatives synthesized from benzoylacetone
Authors: M. Mohareb Rafat , A. Ibrahim Bishoy , Omar Al Farouk Fatma
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT. Benzoylacetone (1) underwent a series of multi-component reactions with aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate to produce the pyran derivatives 4a-f. The latter compounds reacted with malononitrile or ethyl cyanoacetate to yield the condensation products 5a-m. On the other hand, the reaction of 4a-f with either the diazonium salts 6a-c yielded the arylhydrazone derivatives 7a-i. The multi-component reaction of (1) with aromatic adehydes and cyclohexan-1,3-dione produced the  pyran derivatives 9a-c. Compound 1 underwent the Gewald’s reactions with elemental sulfur and malononitrile or ethyl cyanacetate yielding the thiophene derivatives 10a,b. Evaluations of the  synthesized  products were carried out against some selected cancer cell lines and the most active compounds were further evaluated against the seventeen cancer cell lines classified according to the disease. Morphological changes of A549 cell line by the effect of compound 7k was studied using microenvironment of the lung tissue where an excellent results was obtained.

 

KEY WORDS: Benzoylacetone, Multi-component reactions, Pyran, Thiophene, Arylhydrazone, Cytotoxicity

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(2), 405-425.                                                            

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i2.12
Influence of synthesized (green) cerium oxide nanoparticle with neem (Azadirachta indica) oil biofuel
Authors: Lenin Allasi Haiter , A. Rajalingam A. , P. Jani S. , Uppalapati Sudhakar
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT. Energy demand increases day by day due to the present technological scenario and fossil fuels are also depleting gradually. Therefore, the necessity came into the researchers to identify an alternative renewable resource for compensating the energy demand. The biodiesel appeared to the researchers as an important resource due to its characteristics and ability to compensate for the energy demand. However, some additional improvements are required for the efficient performance of the biodiesel, such improvement is achievable by the blending of an efficient additive with the biodiesel. The present study predominantly focuses to investigate the performance of the biodiesel with two different additives such as cerium oxide nanoparticles and ethanol. The neem (Azadirachta indica) oil has been selected as feed stock. The cerium oxide nanoparticles are prepared using the green synthesis process. Four various fuel samples are prepared to examine the effect of additives, (i) PB (pure biodiesel), (ii) BCe (PB+100 ppm CeO2), (iii) BE (90% biodiesel+10% ethanol) and (iv) BCeE (90% biodiesel+100 ppm CeO2+10% ethanol). From the experimentation, it is observed that the fuel BCeE achieves the better performance due to the oxygen buffering characteristics and improvement in the atomization by the additives.

 

KEY WORDS: Additives, Nanoparticles, Neem oil, Emission, Combustion, Heat release rate

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(2), 477-490.                                                               

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i2.16
Investigation on silver-water nanofluid for development of new viscosity correlation
Authors: Iyahraja S. , Selwin Rajadurai J. , Sivakumar M. , N. Lenin N.
Published: December 2022

ABSTRACT. The present study addresses an experimental investigation on the influence of the concentration of nanoparticles and temperature on nanofluid's viscosity and establishes a numerical correlation for predicting the nanofluid's viscosity. In this study, silver nanoparticles (Ag) with a size of 20 nm were used to prepare the nanofluid with water as the base fluid. The concentrations of silver nanoparticles were fixed as 0.01, 0.05, and 0.1% by volume in the range of temperature from 20 to 60oC. The findings of the current investigations report that the nanofluid's viscosity increases with volume fractions of nanoparticles and decreases as the temperature increases. The theoretical correlations in the literature under predict the viscosity of silver-water nanofluids, which has led to the development of a new relationship for determining the nanofluids' effective viscosity from the experimental findings of this research. The proposed model as outcome of the current investigation confirms a reasonable agreement with the experimental data.

 

KEY WORDS: Silver nanoparticles, Nanofluid, Viscosity, Volume Concentration, Temperature

 

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(2), 505-514.                                                               

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i2.18
Ethno-medicinal survey of plants used for the treatment of typhoid fever in North East, Nigeria
Authors: Bello A.A. , Usman A.M.
Published: December 2022

Herbal medicine, sometime also called phytomedicine or botanical medicine, which are used for therapeutic or medicinal purposes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to obtain, identify and documents medicinal plants used in the treatment of typhoid fever in the study area. Ethno-medicinal survey of plants was conducted from January to July 2016 in North East, Nigeria. The survey covered three local governments from the three states of North East Nigeria. Potiskum, Katagum and Bajoga from Yobe, Bauchi and Gombe states respectively and simple random sampling was used in selecting the respondents from which plants sample were collected. Ethno-botanical data was obtained through the use of two hundred and ten structured questionnaires and tape recorder during the interview session with the traditional healers. Descriptive statistics such as frequency table, percentages and chi-square test were employed for the analyses. Thirty nine (39) plants belonging to 25 families were revealed in the survey. The highest medicinal plants parts used reported were leaves (57.7%) followed by (12.9%) roots, (10.9%) stems/bark, (2.9%) fruits, (2.2%) bulb, and (6.4%) flower/seeds and the whole plants (7%). In the mode of preparation of medicinal plants, significant difference was observed (Z2=211.86, df=4, alpha (α) = 0.05 and table value = 9.49). The survey provides a basis for further screening and research on these plants.
Need for Emergency response to Wetlands Loss in Southwestern Nigeria: A Review
Authors: Adeleke Benjamin Oluwafemi
Published: December 2022

Southwestern Nigeria's wetlands are assaulted, degraded, and lost, especially to agricultural development and urban expansions, while the rural wetlands losses are due to agriculture but temporal in nature, loss to urban developments are permanent. To examine the extent, influence, and potential of the degradation, the review covered the six states of the region, revealing losses due to wetlands destruction in the region between 1965 and 2019. Wetlands in Lagos reduced from 708.96ha (52.68%) in 1965 to 7.10ha (0.53%) in 2005, Eleyele Wetland in Oyo State, (Riparian), reduced consistently from (1.25 km2) in 1984 to (0.98 km2) 1994, (0.70 km2) 2004 and finally (0.42 km2) in 2014. Eriti forested wetlands of Ogun State lost about 45.32% between 1972 and 2015; in Ondo State, Akure South Local Government Area Wetlands decreased from 98.90 km2 (30.13%) in 1999 to 90.33 km2 in 2009 (27.52%); Ilesa wetlands, in Osun State decreased from 258 hectares to 89 hectares between 1986 and 2002. The above scenarios in the region imply that in a short while, the wetlands would be completely lost, most importantly to the uncontrolled urban developments. Therefore, there is an urgent need for all hands to be on deck to protect wetlands by considering them as endangered ecosystems.
Factors Influencing Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) among Adolescents Living with Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Rwanda
Authors: Habumugisha Emmanuel , Nyishimirente Sylvie , Katende Godfrey , Nkurunziza Aimable , Mukeshimana Madeleine , Ngerageze Innocent , Mukashyaka Joella
Published: December 2022

Background

HIV continues to be an important public health concern among adolescents. To reduce the high rate of mortality and improve the quality of life among people with HIV, WHO guidelines emphasize the early initiation of ART drugs in HIV-infected persons regardless of their CD4 count and clinical status. However, adherence to ART remains low in adolescents between 10 to 19 years from low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Objective

To determine the factors influencing adherence to ART among adolescents with HIV in Rwanda.

Method

A cross-sectional design using proportional stratified random sampling to select 166 adolescents was conducted. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics with a p-value <0.05 and a CI of 95%.

Results

The overall adherence to ARTs was 38%. Assistance of clinical staff in taking medication (p<0.001) and the help of parents in taking medication (p<0.001) positively influenced adherence to ART. Insufficient health care providers, forgetfulness (p=0.009), and dosage too complex (p=0.044) negatively influenced adherence to ART.

Conclusion

Factors such as someone reminding adolescents to take medication, non-stigmatization, and absence of side effects were positively associated with ART adherence. On the other hand, forgetfulness, complex dosage, being isolated and inadequate education about medications negatively affect adherence to ARTs. There is a need to set strategies to increase adherence to ARTs, including expert clients and trustable guardians in care provision. All adolescents should receive adequate counselling and health education before the initiation of ARTs.

Rwanda J Med Health Sci 2022;5(3):251-263