bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age Estimation by Quantitative Cytomorphometric Study Using Buccal Mucosal Cells and Panoramic Radiography: A Comparative Forensic Study
Authors: Nutulapati Kavya Keerthika , Donupati Sri Veda , Prabhat M P V , Sarat G , Mishra Swagathika
Published: September 2023

Aim

This study aims to estimate the age of an individual using buccal cells by calculating the average cell size and comparing with pulp/tooth area ratio on mandibular canine and linear measurements related to mental foramen using panoramic radiography (PR).

Materials and Methods

One hundred healthy individuals undergoing PR for various dental procedures were included in this study after obtaining consent. Pulp/tooth ratio using Cameriere et al. method on mandibular canine and linear measurements related to mental foramen, i.e., the distance between the superior and inferior border of the mandible (S-I) and the mandible’s superior border to the superior margin of the mental foramen (S-sM) were estimated using Adobe Photoshop image editing software. Later, buccal smears obtained from the same individual were fixed with 95% alcohol and stained with Papanicolaou’s stain for cytomorphometric analysis. The age was calculated using the regression analysis and correlated with chronological age.

Results

Statistical significance and better correlation were obtained pulp/tooth area ratio, the distance of S-I of all age groups. However, the distance of S-sM proved to be more effective in Group 4 (51–60 years) and buccal cell size was found to be comparable to the chronological age particularly in Group 5 (above 60 years).

Conclusion

In the present study, the accuracy of estimated age compared to the chronological age was more promising for pulp/tooth area ratio, followed by S-I, S-sM, and cell size.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Adolescent Suicide Deaths in the State of Maryland
Authors: Rogers Lainé Nicole , Korfanty Gracen , Roby Victoria , Yildiz Ecem , Ferreira Pamela Ann , Dean Stephanie A. , Li Ling
Published: September 2023

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) a worldwide pandemic. As of December 2021, there have been over 278 million cases and 5.4 million deaths reported. One area of concern regarding the pandemic was its potential impact on mental health, and it was feared that the onset of such a devastating pandemic would lead to increased suicide risks among the general population. With suicide being a leading cause of death in adolescents, it is important to assess the potential mental health consequences that the COVID-19 pandemic may impose.

Aim

The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on suicide deaths among adolescents in the state of Maryland from 2019 to 2021.

Subjects and Methods

This was a retrospective study of adolescent suicide victims, aged 10–19 years, from January 2019 to December 2021 in the state of Maryland. De-identified data were collected from the statewide medical examiner’s office which is responsible for the medicolegal death investigation in Maryland.

Results

A total of 102 adolescent suicide deaths were investigated statewide by the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner during these 3 years. The number of adolescent suicide cases stayed relatively stable during the COVID-19 pandemic, with slightly more cases during the pre-COVID-19 pandemic period (2019: n = 37; 2020: n = 31; and 2022: n = 34). Looking at months of incidence, less cases were reported in March–May 2020 (n = 5), which marks the beginning of the pandemic when compared to the same period in 2019 (n = 13). The number was higher for August–November 2020 (n = 15) than for that of 2019 (n = 8) and 2021 (n = 8). The male-to-female suicide ratio was 3.7:1 (n = 80/22). However, the data exhibited a significant increase in the number of female adolescent suicides, from 8.11% in 2019 (n = 3) to 25.81% in 2020 (n = 8) and 32.35% in 2021 (n = 11). Of the cases examined, more than 50% were white and approximately 27% were African-Americans. The two leading causes of death were hanging (47%) and firearm injuries (29%). Maryland consists of 23 countries and Baltimore City. The majority of adolescent suicides occurred in county residents with only 8.8% of cases in Baltimore City.
Forensic Significance of Messenger RNA and Protein Expression of Genes Downstream of Hypoxia Inducible Factor 2 in Myocardial Tissue for Death Discrimination
Authors: Ma Xingyu , Li Yeming , Xi Ya , Su Liyang , Tong Yuxing , Wang Chun , Zhao Dong
Published: September 2023

Background

As a heterodimeric transcription factor, hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha subunit (HIF2A), is an important member of the HIF family. It plays a significant role in the hypoxia adaptation process by regulating the different types of downstream transcription factors and auxiliary regulatory factors. HIF2A-related factors are believed to participate in the progression of myocardial injury or myocardial ischemia, support the protection of ischemic myocardium, and provide guiding significance for the diagnosis and discrimination of sudden cardiac death in forensic pathology.

Aim and Objectives

This study aimed to explore the discriminability and applicability of HIF2A-related factors in myocardial infarction cases compared with other causes of death, provide further insights for the forensic diagnosis of heart failure (HF) cases with myocardial infarction, and support the clinical treatment of patients with HF after myocardial infarction.

Materials and Methods

The relative expression levels of HIF2A, amphiregulin (AREG), potassium large conductance calcium-activated channel subfamily M β1 (KCNMB1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and VEGFR2 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in myocardial tissue samples were performed using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. A partial least squares-discriminant analysis model was constructed to select the indicators with better identification effects for myocardial infarction cases. The protein levels of HIF2A, AREG, KCNMB1, and PPARA were further detected by immunohistochemistry. The forensic autopsy cases (27 cases in total, postmortem interval <72 h) included seven cases of acute myocardial infarction and ten cases of myocardial ischemia. There were ten cases in the control group, including four cases of traffic injury, one case of injury by fall from height, and five cases of blunt force injury.

Results

Characteristic results were observed in the myocardial ischemia/infarction samples. Compared with the control group, the relative mRNA expression levels of AREG, KCNMB1, and PPARA were significantly increased during the progression of myocardial ischemia, but this was not observed for HIF2A, VEGF, or VEGFR2 mRNA. Immunohistochemistry assays further verified the expression levels of the related factors at the protein level, and H and E staining showed signs of angiogenesis and inflammation in the ischemia/infarction group.

Conclusions

By controlling the expression of downstream target genes (AREG, KCNMB1, and PPARA) during myocardial cell hypoxia adaptation, HIF2A has a potential significance in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction in forensic medicine. We believe that HIF2A, AREG, KCNMB1, and PPARA can be used as molecular pathological biomarkers for the discrimination of causes of death in myocardial infarction cases.
To Compare the Effects of Adding Handheld and Ankle Weights During Treadmill Walking on Blood Pressure and Rate of Perceived Exertion in Normal Healthy Adults: An Experimental Study
Authors: Pande Kavita Vilas , Joshi Madhuri Rushikesh , Joshi Rushikesh Kaushik
Published: September 2023

Context:

Walking is the most commonly reported activity which requires no special facilities and is achievable by all groups with little injury risk. Nowadays, adding weights to different locations while walking is popular in general fitness and rehabilitation programs, which again increases energy expenditure as well as oxygen consumption in a shorter quantity of time.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of adding handheld and ankle weights during treadmill walking on blood pressure and rate of perceived exertion in normal healthy adults.

Settings and Design:

The experimental study took place in the laboratory and was designed to be carried on for three sessions to measure the changes in blood pressure and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) while walking with and without weight.

Subjects and Methods:

Thirty-three participants who satisfied the inclusion criteria were recruited to perform the exercise session with handheld and ankle and without weights and it consisted of 8 min of exercise testing with and without weights for two sessions.

Statistical Analysis Used:

The statistical test data were screened for normal distribution by Shapiro–Wilk test. Data were normally distributed for the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and RPE. Hence, parametric tests were applied for SBP, DBP, and RPE within-session and between-session analysis. Within-session analysis was done by paired t-test and between-session analysis was done by unpaired t-test.

Results:

Intra-session analysis by paired t-test in both sessions shows statistically significant changes in SBP and RPE (P < 0.05). Moreover, DBP was found significant while using handheld weights compared to no weights. While inter-session analysis by unpaired t-test showed significant changes in DBP compared to that of SBP, RPE using handheld weights during treadmill walking.

Conclusions:

Study shows addition of handheld weights proves to be more effective in adults who cannot run, or do not like to run, or are limited in walking speed, and may benefit from the addition of hand-held weight (HHW) and ankle weight (AW).
Coronary Artery Aneurysms Following Stenting
Authors: Sathyamurthy Immaneni , Srinivasan Kanthallu Narayanamoorthy , Subramanian Sasikala
Published: September 2023

Coronary artery aneurysms are rare complications following stenting and were reported with drug-eluting as well as bare metal stents. They can be asymptomatic or present as acute coronary syndromes and usually detected during coronary angiography. The mechanisms responsible can be vascular trauma, hypersensitivity to drug, polymer, or metal. Rarely, it can be due to acute bacterial infections resulting in mycotic aneurysms. Management depends on symptoms, presentation, and underlying pathology and has to be tailored on a case-to-case basis.
Evaluation of Anxiety and Depression among Pregnant Women in Enugu, Nigeria
Authors: Izuka EO , Iyidobu TO , Obiora-Izuka CE , Enebe JT , Onyeabochukwu AD , Nkwo PO , Nwagha UI
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:

Maternal depression and anxiety during pregnancy are public health concerns. They are commonly reported among pregnant women from all over the world. Maternal mental health has not been prioritized, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Aim:

To evaluate depression and anxiety among pregnant women who receive antenatal care in four randomly selected hospitals in Enugu, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods:

A multicenter questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey of 434 pregnant women was conducted at four selected health institutions offering antenatal services in Enugu, Enugu State. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was assessed using the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS). Factors associated with anxiety and depression were determined using logistic regression. P <0.05 was taken as significant.

Results:

The mean age of study participants was 30.09 ± 5.12 years. The proportion of participants with depressive symptoms and borderline depressive symptoms was 9.7% and 11.1%, respectively. The proportion of participants with anxiety symptoms and borderline anxiety symptoms was 10.1% and 15.7%, respectively. Husband’s employment status (P = 0.033, odds ratios (OR) =0.354, 95% confidence intervals (CI) =0.137–0.918) and gestational age (P = 0.042, OR = 2.066, 95% CI = 1.028–4.151) were the only factors associated with depressive symptoms, while only educational level (P = 0.001, OR = 3.552, 95% CI = 1.674–7.537) and husband’s employment status (P = 0.013, OR = 0.295, 95% CI = 0.113–0.772) were the only factors associated with anxiety symptoms.

Conclusions:

Anxiety and depressive symptoms are relatively common in antenatal women in Enugu. The factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms were the respondent’s educational level, gestational age, and the employment status of the husband.
Effect of Betahistine Treatment on Dizziness and Anxiety Symptoms of BPPV Patients
Authors: Erdur ZB , Evran N
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:

Patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may experience significant deterioration in their quality of life due to dizziness and anxiety symptoms.

Aim:

To evaluate the effect of betahistine add-on therapy on dizziness and anxiety symptoms of BPPV patients.

Materials and Methods:

Eighty-four patients who were diagnosed as having posterior canal BPPV were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the treatment regimen: Group 1 included 42 subjects who were treated with the Epley maneuver alone and Group 2 included 42 subjects who received betahistine 48 mg/day for ten days with the Epley maneuver. Dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) and Beck anxiety inventory (BAI) were evaluated at the time of diagnosis and at the control examination on the tenth day.

Results:

The mean before and after treatment DHI scores were 38.8 ± 14.6 and 5.47 ± 6.4 for Group 1 (P < 0.001), and 45.8 ± 21.1 and 10.3 ± 12.9 for Group 2 (P < 0.001). The mean before and after treatment BAI scores were 11.8 ± 6 and 1.33 ± 1.8 for Group 1 (P < 0.001), and 13.6 ± 8.3 and 2.9 ± 3.8 for Group 2 (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the before and after treatment DHI and BAI score differences of the two groups (P = 0.27, P = 0.43).

Conclusion:

Canalith repositioning maneuvers (CRMs) should be the main treatment modality in the management of BPPV patients and adding on betahistine treatment to CRMs have no impact in the relieving of dizziness and anxiety symptoms.
Automated ABR Screening for Hearing Loss and its Clinical Determinants among Newborns with Hyperbilirubinemia in National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Oyinwola OI , Mukhtar-Yola M , Olusesi AD , Oluwasola TA
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:

Severe neonatal hyperbilirubinemia is a known risk factor for sensorineural hearing loss which is usually undiagnosed in our environment until school age due to a lack of routine screening programs.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional study conducted between August 2020 and February 2021 employed a universal sampling of consecutive eligible participants after their mothers’ consent. Hearing screening was conducted using an automated auditory brainstem response (AABR) device (Otoport OAE + ABR®). The proportion of AABR screening failure was assessed while associated clinical risk factors were determined using logistic regression. Statistical significance was set at 5% for all comparative analyses.

Results:

One hundred and sixty newborns below 28 days of age, delivered at 34 weeks gestation and above, who had jaundice were recruited. The prevalence of screening AABR failure in at least one ear was 26.2%. Significant risk factors for AABR screening failure in addition to extreme and hazardous hyperbilirubinemia were acute bilirubin encephalopathy (ABE) (Odds Ratio (OR) =4.44, 95% CI = 3.19-6.17), birth weight below 2500 g (OR = 3.16, 95% CI = 1.48-6.77), dull tympanic membrane (TM) (OR = 5.94, 95% CI = 2.36-14.92) and exchange blood transfusion (OR = 4.84, 95% CI = 1.87-12.58).

Conclusion and Recommendations:

The prevalence of AABR screening failure was high, and a dull TM was its strongest predictor among late preterm and term neonates with hyperbilirubinemia. Otoscopy should be included in the care of newborn with hyperbilirubinemia and screening programs established to mitigate hearing loss among high-risk neonates in Abuja.
Evaluation of Salivary Glycated Albumin in Periodontitis Patients with and without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and its Changes with Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy
Authors: Seniya KM , Baiju KV , Ambili R
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:

Bidirectional relationship exists between diabetes mellitus and periodontitis. Glycated albumin is an emerging biomarker to assess intermediate glycemic control. Salivary glycated albumin has not been evaluated in periodontitis.

Aim:

The aim of the study was to compare salivary glycated albumin in periodontitis patients with and without diabetes mellitus before and after periodontal therapy.

Materials and Methods:

This comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Periodontics. Ninety subjects (mean age 41.8 ± 6.82) were categorized into three groups. Clinical examination and saliva sample collection were done at baseline and 4 weeks after scaling and root debridement. Salivary glycated albumin levels were estimated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. One-way analysis of variance with post hoc test and paired t-test was done for inter- and intra-group comparison. The optimal cut-off value was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic curve and by maximization of the Youden index.

Results:

Mean salivary glycated albumin was the highest in diabetic patients followed by non-diabetic periodontitis patients and least in healthy controls. All the intergroup comparisons were significant. A cut-off value of 72.19 ng/ml of salivary glycated albumin could predict diabetic status with a sensitivity and specificity of 75%. Salivary glycated albumin was significantly reduced in a similar manner in both groups after periodontal therapy (19.4% and 18.5%).

Conclusion:

Periodontitis patients with diabetes mellitus were presented with the highest salivary glycated albumin. Non-surgical periodontal therapy resulted in a similar reduction of salivary glycated albumin in periodontitis with and without diabetes mellitus.
Can Lactate be Valuable in Early Diagnosis and Prognosis of Neonatal Sepsis?
Authors: Kışlal FM , Polat ÇC , Ergül E , Açıkalın AA , Güven D , Gündoğan E , Sarıcı D
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:

Sepsis monitoring tissue perfusion is crucial for detecting circulatory failure early, implementing the right treatments, and assessing response. Insufficient oxygenation leads to a rise in lactate level and has been shown to be useful in predicting mortality and morbidity in newborns. There have not been many studies on how lactate measurement affects neonatal sepsis diagnosis and prognosis.

Aim:

The aim of our study was to determine the impact of lactate on early diagnosis and prognosis in neonatal sepsis.

Materials and Methods:

Eighty-seven newborns diagnosed with neonatal sepsis at a neonatal intensive care unit between January 2010 and July 2021 were included in the study. Venous blood gas, lactate, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and complete blood count on the first, second, and third day of hospitalization were noted. Lactate values were correlated with other variables to determine the impact of hyperlactatemia on morbidity and to determine factors affecting the length of stay. IBM SPSS Statistics version 22.0 for Windows was used to analyze the data (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, United States).

Results:

A strong negative correlation between lactate and oxygenation and perfusion indicators (HCO3, BE, PaO2) during the therapeutic process was observed. With treatment, the initial measured lactate value decreased, and a significant increase in CRP and oxygen saturation was observed, which was interpreted as the observation of an early lactate response to infection before a CRP response. The initial lactate level, as well as the change in lactate levels, was not, however, significantly correlated with the length of stay.

Conclusion:

Lactate can be used in the early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and for determining prognosis.
Open Prostatectomy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Critical Analysis of Patient Presentation and Surgical Outcomes in a Contemporary Series
Authors: Obi AO , Odo C , Ogolo DE , Okeke CJ , Ulebe AO , Afogu EN
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Background:

Open prostatectomy (OP) is still a valid treatment option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but it needs to be constantly reevaluated in the context of minimally invasive treatments (MITs).

Aim:

Our purpose is to present contemporary data on patient presentation and surgical outcomes of OP with which other OP series and MITs can be compared.

Methods:

A retrospective study of all OP was carried out in our institution from January 2011 to December 2020. All patients had a thorough preoperative workup and optimization of comorbidities before surgery. Data were collected in a predesigned pro forma and analyzed.

Results:

The mean age of the 148 patients studied was 66.2 (±7.9) yrs. The mean duration of symptoms before surgery was 32.2 (±33.7) mos. The mean preoperative prostate volume was 118.0 (±67.1) cm3. There was a 54.4% comorbidity rate with diabetes mellitus (DM) topping the list (16.0%). An incidental prostate cancer rate of 6.1% was found. The overall complication rate was 45.3%. Perioperative hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion (BT) was the most common complication (26.1%). There was no significant difference in age, duration of surgery, and prostrate volume between subjects with and without BT (P > 0.05). Wound infection was significantly associated with diabetes (P = 0.043, OR = 3.507, 95% CI = 1.042–11.805). The reoperation rate was 1.4%, and mortality rate was 0.7%. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality-of-life (QOL) score, and post-void residual urine (PVR) volume were significantly improved (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

OP was found to be a safe and effective procedure for the relief of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) secondary to BPH. However, it was associated with high morbidity and low reoperation rate.
Scalp Reconstruction following Excision of Malignant Tumors in Southeastern Nigeria
Authors: Okwesili Obinna Remigius , Achebe Uchechukwu Johnson , Onumaegbu Okechukwu Oliver , Mezue Wilfred Chukwuemeka , Chikani Mark Chukwunweike , Onyia Ephraim Eziechina
Published: September 2023

Background:

Malignant scalp tumors are not common and constitute a small percentage of all scalp tumors. Reconstruction of the scalp defects following oncological resection presents peculiar challenges.

Aim:

The aim of the study is to report our experience in reconstructing scalp defect of varying sizes after the excision of malignant tumours using a variety of techniques.

Materials and Methods:

This was a retrospective review of patients who had scalp reconstruction after oncological resections from June 2010 to May 2014 (four years) at our teaching hospital in the South-east of Nigeria. Data on the demographics, nature of the scalp tumors, site, size of the defects, mode of scalp reconstruction, and outcomes were collected and analyzed.

Results:

Of the 17 patients who had scalp reconstruction, 29.4% of them were men and 70.6% were women (M:F = 5:2). The mean age of the patients was 41.2 ± 4.98 years (range: 19–85 years). The majority of the patients (47.1%) were young adults between 20 and 40 years, and the least involved age group (11.8%) was 13–19 years. The most common etiology of malignant scalp tumors was squamous cell carcinoma (52.9%). The temporal region was the most common site (41.2%) affected. Most of the defects were between 6.1 and 9.0 cm in diameter, followed by defects that were <3 cm in diameter. Neurosurgical assistance was required in 5 (29.4%) patients where the tumor had involved the skull bone. Tumor recurrence was noted in 3 (17.6%) patients within one year of follow-up.

Conclusion:

Scalp reconstruction after oncological resection presents a peculiar esthetic challenge due to the hair-bearing skin of the scalp and the need to maintain the hairline. The use of local flaps from the scalp remains the first and the best option. For very large scalp defects, free flap through microvascular surgery is the preferred option.
Patient’s Perceived Satisfaction and Quality of Life with Fixed Partial Denture: A 10-Year Retrospective Assessment in a Tertiary Institution, South-West, Nigeria
Authors: Gbadebo Shakeerah Olaide , Okeaya-Inneh Osaro Charles , Adeosun Olayinka David , Ajayi Deborah Mojirade
Published: September 2023

Background:

Tooth loss is a disease of public health concern and defines the oral health status and quality of life of an individual.

Aim:

This study assessed the level of satisfaction and the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of patients that received fixed partial denture (FPD), for the replacement of teeth, at a Nigerian tertiary health facility.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional retrospective evaluation of the clinical records of patients who received FPD within a period of 10 years was done. The eligible participants (44) were contacted by telephone and data on satisfaction and OHRQoL (using Oral Health Impact Profile [OHIP]-14 questionnaire) were collected. Descriptive analysis was used to report satisfaction and OHRQoL. The association between categorical variables was tested with Chi-square. P value was set at ≤ 0.05.

Results:

The conventional fixed–fixed prostheses supported mostly with porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns were the most used. High satisfaction with the appearance was reported by 22 (48.9%) at delivery as against 14 (31.1%) after use. Decementation was the most recorded failure, (26, 57.8%) and the total OHIP-14 score was 21.71 ± 9.47, indicating poor quality of life. Forty-four participants (18, 40.9% males and 26, 59.1% females) underwent oral rehabilitation with FPD within the study period. The age range and mean age of the participants were 21–72 years and 46.8 ± 13.8 (standard deviation) years, respectively. Significantly higher aesthetic satisfaction was reported at delivery of FPD compared to the present time of assessment (P < 0.001) showing a decline in satisfaction. However, long-term posttreatment satisfaction on aesthetics, masticatory ability, and phonetics was significantly higher compared to their pretreatment satisfaction (P < 0.001, 0.001, and P = 0.003, respectively). Furthermore, OHIP-14 scores showed statistically significant (P < 0.05) improved OHRQoL posttreatment except for OHIP8 and OHIP12 subdomains with P > 0.05.

Conclusion:

A decline in satisfaction with aesthetics of FPD postdelivery was observed and the psychological domains of OHIP-14 were mostly affected showing a better quality of life.
Assessment of Antinuclear Antibodies, Anti-Beta 2-Glycoprotein-1, and Thyroid Peroxidase Autoantibody Levels in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Sero-positive Pregnant Women at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi Nigeria
Authors: Okwara John Ekenedirichukwu , Ahaneku Joseph Eberendu , Onyenekwe Charles Chinedum , Udigwe Gerald Okanandu , Ikechebelu Joseph Ifeanyichukwu , Okwara Emmanuel Chidiebere , Okwara Nuratu Adejumoke , Mujeeb Salaam , Izuchukwu Emeka Callistus Onyeka
Published: September 2023

Background:

Pregnancy is associated with biochemical alterations and may be compounded by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection potentially affecting pregnancy outcome.

Aims:

This study evaluated some biochemical parameters that could possibly affect pregnancy outcomes in HIV-infected women.

Patients, Materials and Methods:

The study involved 136 HIV sero-positive on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and 137 HIV sero-negative pregnant women, recruited from the Antenatal Clinic of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi. Antinuclear antibodies (ANAs), anti-beta 2-glycoprotein-1 (βGP1), and thyroid peroxidase autoantibody (TPOab) were analysed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods.

Results:

TPOab in HIV sero-positive subjects (104.9 ± 51.06 IU/mL) was significantly higher (P> 0.05) compared with controls (89.5 ± 33.5 IU/mL). ANA and βGP1 in test group (0.89 ± 0.31; 12.94 ± 8.9, respectively) did not change significantly (P> 0.05) compared with the controls (0.84 ± 0.27; 10.37 ± 9.6, respectively). There were no significant changes in measured biochemical parameters between trimesters (P> 0.05). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in measured biochemical parameters between subjects with different APGAR scores in all subject groups.

Conclusion:

HIV infection affected TPOab level but had no impact on ANA, bGP1, and APGAR score in HIV pregnancy under HAART.
Management of Metastatic Paratesticular Tumour in a Resource-Poor Setting
Authors: Ayogu Benjamin O. , Amu Okwudili C. , Mbadiwe Okezie M. , Anyimba Solomon Kenechukwu , Ukekwe Francis I. , Nwachukwu Chukwunonso D. , Akporeha Henry N.
Published: September 2023

Paratesticular tumours are tumours that arise from the testicular tunics, spermatic cord, epididymis, or vestigial remnants. The tumours are rare and account for approximately 5% of intrascrotal neoplasms. About 75% of these tumours arise from the spermatic cord. Paratesticular tumours most commonly manifest as painless scrotal masses. Alternatively, the tumour may be incidentally noticed when a scrotal ultrasound scan is done for another intrascrotal pathology such as hydrocele, inguinoscrotal hernia, epididymo-orchitis, or suspected testicular tumour. We present a case of metastatic paratesticular tumour in a 21-year-old Nigerian male, who presented at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu, in September 2018 at the age of 19 years with a painless right hemiscrotal mass. The patient was clinically evaluated with scrotal ultrasonography, testicular tumour markers, and liver function test. Biopsy specimen obtained was ignorantly discarded by the patient who was subsequently lost to follow-up. Histologic diagnosis of mesenchymal tumour (myxoid liposarcoma) was made two years after his initial presentation when he developed both inguinal and retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis at the age of 21 years. He was evaluated as clinical stage IV disease and then commenced on chemotherapy after baseline investigations. Our objective of presenting this report is to highlight the effect of delayed diagnosis in the management outcome, challenges in the provision of resources in low- and middle-income countries, and to emphasise the rarity of the tumour in our subregion.
STEAM Display Path for Tourism Management in Era of Industry 4.0
Authors: Zhao Yi
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION: Tourism management is a critical factor in developing quality human resources. Establishing a scientific and practical system to assess the quality of tourism management and identify and improve problems in tourism management is essential to ensure the quality of tourism management and realize human development goals.
OBJECTIVES: In order to solve the current problems of China's tourism management, such as weak teachers, STEAM being too "soft," and leadership being too "hard," the concept of STEAM distance learning, literature analysis and other research methods are proposed, and the quality assessment system of tourism management for the bachelor's degree in tourism management is researched in the standard documents of education and management and related literature.
METHODS: Established through interviews with qualified experts, tourism teachers, tourism professionals and others. Factor analysis was used to adjust the system of indicators for tourism students and define an evaluation system consisting of level 1 and corresponding level 2 indicators to determine the weights of the indicators.
RESULTS: The results show that students are satisfied with "average" internships. The lowest level of satisfaction was with the "evaluation of the training process," but this indicator was the highest. Further analysis of the results suggests insufficient investment in professional practice in tourism management.
CONCLUSION: This paper argues that the empirical research and analysis of the current tourism management students can be used to understand the accurate evaluation of tourism management activities based on the solution of the existing problems to improve students' innovative and practical abilities.
Enigma of Relationship between Digital Economy and Intellectual Property Rights: Reflections on Innovation in Digital Economy Represented by Cloud Computing
Authors: Zhang Weier , Zhang Yiyi
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION: The development of the digital economy and intellectual property management represented by cloud computing has promoted the progress of China's modernization road. Cloud computing plays a vital role in various industries, and the control of intellectual property rights in the digital economy represented by cloud computing is closely connected with the high-quality development of China's digital economy, the construction of a robust intellectual property country, and the modernization of the national government. China's intellectual property management capability and digital economy management system are advanced, but practical difficulties still exist at home and abroad.
OBJECTIVES: To improve the development level of computer information technology such as cloud computing; to promote the integrated development of digital economy and intellectual property rights; to solve the protection problems in the practical application of intellectual property rights with information technology; and to promote the coordinated development of digital economy and intellectual property rights represented by cloud computing.
METHODS: Analyzes the role of intranet in protecting business information from the technical perspective of cloud computing; puts forward the hypothesis of the relationship between the digital economy and intellectual property rights by using literature research; and applies the empirical method to verify the use of patent data of state-owned enterprises and the total index of the regional digital economy.
RESULTS: The results of the study show that there is a significant positive correlation between the level of development of cloud computing, the Digital Economy, and the internal cloud computing network of the company, which meets the external conditions of the lack of capacity of the Digital Economy and strengthens the globalization of the cloud computing cooperation network.
CONCLUSION: Companies can manage the risk of data loss in the digital economy by adapting their internal cloud computing capabilities. After in-house processing and multiple reliability tests, the impact of the digital economy, represented by cloud computing, on supply chain innovation remains significant. In the post-financial crisis era, the effect of the digital economy on chain innovation is important because it is a cloud computing technology-intensive production chain with low dependence on external technologies. The digital economy has a threshold effect on innovation in the production chain. With the strengthening of intellectual property protection, the marginal impact of cloud computing and the digital economy on chain innovation increases significantly.
Technology for Power Outage Research and Judgment-dependent Data Feature Noise Analysis
Authors: Li Xiang
Published: September 2023

INTRODUCTION: Power grid blackouts occur frequently, which significantly impacts social impact. Because these accidents are dynamic and random, predicting and evaluating them is challenging. OBJECTIVES: To explore the complexity of the power grid itself, analyzes the critical changes of the self-organizing model during power grid fault, extracts the data characteristics related to the steady-state maintenance of abnormal systems, and puts forward an effective outage prediction model. METHODS: Starting with cluster analysis, The authors can reduce data fluctuation and eliminate noise interference to optimize data. The evaluation indexes of initial fault occurrence possibility and fault propagation speed in the power grid are constructed. RESULTS: The validation of the outage forecasting model has produced promising results, achieving 96.4% forecasting accuracy and a meager error rate. In addition, the evaluation index developed in this study accurately reflects the possibility and spread speed of power outage accidents. CONCLUSION: The research proves the feasibility of establishing an outage prediction model based on the power grid system data characteristics. The model has high accuracy and reliability and is a valuable tool for power outage research and judgment.
Трехмерные пространства, в которых каждое ограниченное чебышевское множество монотонно линейно связно
Authors: Bednov Borislav Borusovich
Published: September 2023

В трехмерном нормированном пространстве $X$
любое ограниченное чебышевское множество монотонно линейно связно тогда и только тогда, когда выполнено
одно из следующих двух условий:
1) множество крайних точек сферы сопряженного пространства плотно в ней;
2) $X=Y\oplus_\infty \mathbb R$ (т.е. единичная сфера пространства $X$ - цилиндр).
Библиография: 25 названий.
Liver transplant in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis: A retrospective cohort from Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Freitas Louyse Teixeira de Souza , Hyppolito Elodie Bomfim , Barreto Victor Leonardo , Júnior Luiz Humberto Jataí Castelo , Jorge Bianca Carneiro de Melo , Háteras FCTSB , Marzola Malthus Barbosa , Lima Clébia Azevedo , Celedonio Raquel Mendes , Coelho Gustavo Rêgo , Garcia Jose Huygens Parente
Published: September 2023

Surrogate endpoints are needed to estimate clinical outcomes in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). Serum alkaline phosphatase was among the first markers studied, but there is substantial variability in alkaline phosphatase levels during the natural history of PSC without intervention. The Mayo risk score incorporates noninvasive variables and has served as a surrogate endpoint for survival for more than two decades. Newer models have better test performance than the Mayo risk score, including the primary sclerosing risk estimate tool (PREsTo) model and UK-PSC score that estimate hepatic decompensation and transplant free survival, respectively. The c-statistics for transplant-free survival for the Mayo risk model and the long-term UK-PSC model are 0.68 and 0.85, respectively. The c-statistics for hepatic decompensation for the Mayo risk model and PREsTo model are 0.85 and 0.90, respectively. The Amsterdam-Oxford model included patients with large duct and small duct PSC and patients with PSC-autoimmune hepatitis overlap and had a c-statistic of 0.68 for transplant-free survival. Other noninvasive tests that warrant further validation include magnetic resonance imaging, elastography and the enhanced liver fibrosis score. Prognostic models, noninvasive tests or a combination of these surrogate endpoints may not only serve to be useful in clinical trials of investigational agents, but also serve to inform our patients about their prognosis.
Aerodynamic Analysis of the Ride Height Dependency of a
High-Performance Vehicle Equipped with a Multichannel Diffuser in Ground
Effect
Authors: Rijns Steven , Teschner Tom-Robin , Blackburn Kim , Brighton James
Published: September 2023

Racing and high-performance vehicles utilize their underbody floor and diffuser
as efficient mechanisms to generate the majority of their downforce. Previous
work has primarily been focused on simplified bluff bodies with plane diffusers.
The little published work on more complex multichannel diffusers has shown
improved downforce generation over plane diffuser, but with limited
understanding of the flow features and their response to ride height. This study
analyses the performance and complex flow features of a high-performance vehicle
equipped with a multichannel diffuser at various ride heights. A comparative
assessment between RANS and DDES simulations is performed, which shows that both
models adequately predict downforce and underbody flow features at high to
medium ride heights, but only the DDES model is able to capture the unsteady
flow behavior, which dominates the diffuser at low ride heights. Subsequently,
an in-depth aerodynamic analysis of the vehicle’s ride height dependency is
conducted using the DDES simulations. The analysis shows the crucial role of the
diffuser’s side plate vortices on the flow entertainment and formation of
vortices at the separators. Moreover, the analysis describes the influence of
ride height on the strength and stability of the vortex flow in the diffuser.
Findings at very low ride heights demonstrate that strong interaction between
the vortices and flow along the ground plane cause the formation of relatively
unstable vortices, which provide less flow entertainment and thereby cause a
reduction in downforce.
Differences in the skin microbiota spectrum and parameters of local immunity in the areas of inflammation in skin diseases and healthy people
Authors: Sennikova S. V. , Toptygina Anna P. , Voropaeva E. A.
Published: September 2023

Alteration of microbiota composition is a trigger, and, sometimes, an etiological factor in the development of chronic skin diseases, e.g., psoriasis or eczema. Recognition of microflora by keratinocytes and immune cells leads to the production of antimicrobial peptides, chemokines and growth factors, which contribute to the differentiation of T lymphocytes to autoaggressive effector cells of Th1, Th17 and Th22 types that implement autoimmune inflammation in the psoriatic plaque. The aim of our work was to study the differences in the skin microbiota spectrum and the parameters of local immunity in capillary blood taken near the focus of inflammation in patients with autoimmune (psoriasis) and allergic (eczema) diseases compared with the parameters of healthy people. 24 patients with psoriasis (group 1), 20 patients with eczema (group 2) and 20 healthy adults (group 3) were examined. Biological materials were taken, i.e., the smears taken with sterile dry swab to the Amies transport medium with activated carbon, and capillary blood was taken in 2 microvets, 200 µL each) from the foci of inflammation on affected skin from the hands of patients, or from the fingers of healthy people. Inoculations of diagnostic media, microscopy with Gram staining and microbial identification were performed in a microbiological analyzer. Immunophenotyping of 22 subsets of mononuclear cells was performed by four-color staining of capillary blood with erythrocyte lysis and evaluation of subsets by a flow cytometer. Cytokines in blood plasma were determined by multiplex method. The spectrum of hand skin microflora of the group 3 was more diverse in the species composition. In patients with psoriasis and eczema, the coccal flora dominated, with a shift towards pathobionts in the microbiota spectrum. Activation of T and B cells, production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-23/IL-17/IL-22 axis cytokines and cytokines – markers of epithelial cell damage (IL-25 and IL-33), as well as anti-inflammatory factors insufficiency were detected. Differences in changing parameters of the local immune status in patients with autoimmune (psoriasis) and allergic (eczema) diseases were revealed, thus reflecting the distinct features of immunopathogenesis in these diseases.
Immunobiology of lymphotoxin: role in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Gogoleva V. S. , Drutskaya M. S. , Nedospasov Sergei A.
Published: September 2023

Complex immunobiology of lymphotoxin (LTα) is due to multiple modalities of signal transduction, involving a soluble homotrimer and membrane-bound heterotrimers that engage at least three different receptors. While LTα is crucial for the formation and maintenance of secondary lymphoid organs, its overproduction is observed in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Initially, LTα was considered pathogenic in the development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of multiple sclerosis, as demonstrated by the resistance of mice with genetic LTα inactivation to EAE induction. However, conflicting observations arose when EAE was induced in RAG1-deficient mice that underwent adoptive bone marrow transfer from LTα-deficient mice, thereby calling into question previous conclusions about the role of LTα in EAE development.

This study aimed to investigate the role of LTα in MOG35-55-induced EAE using mice deficient in LTα or its membrane receptor, LTβR. LTα knockout mice used here were designed to avoid the artifact involving TNF gene downregulation in myeloid cells, which occurred in the conventional LTα knockout mice.

Surprisingly, LTα-deficient mice with normal TNF expression developed EAE clinically comparable to wild-type mice. Conversely, genetic inactivation of LTβR delayed EAE onset. However, during the later stages of the disease, LTβR deletion exacerbated clinical symptoms of EAE.

These findings demonstrate that the involvement of LTα in EAE development is more complex than previously estimated, and that LTβR exhibits diverse functions depending on the disease stage: pathogenic at the early stage and protective at the later stages of EAE.
Clinical and immunological efficacy of the immunomodulating hexapeptide arginyl-alpha-aspartyl-lysyl-valyl-tyrosyl-arginine in the complex postoperative treatment of children with acute osteomyelitis
Authors: Chudilova Galina A. , Chicherev E. A. , Teterin Yu. V. , Chapurina V. N. , Tarakanov V. A. , Barova N. K. , Nesterova I. V.
Published: September 2023

The recurrent and persistent nature of osteomyelitis, like as associated high morbidity of patients, prolonged hospitalization and expensive treatment require development of new approaches in therapy and pathogenetic justification of the immunotropic drugs usage in complex etiopathogenetic treatment of this disorder. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical and immunological efficacy of hexapeptide (HP), arginyl-alpha-aspartyl-lysyl-valyl-tyrosyl-arginine implemented in the complex treatment of acute osteomyelitis in children during the postoperative period. 19 children aged 8-15 years with acute osteomyelitis (AOM) were studied: the study group 1 (SG1, n = 11) received a standard treatment at all the disease stages; in study group 2 (SG2, n = 8), the standard therapy was supplemented with a medical drug Imunofan, containing hexapeptide (НP) as the active substance. Prior and after the course of drug treatment, we determined the following parameters: the contents of T cells (CD3+CD19-, CD3+CD4+, CD3+CD8+, CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+) and B cells (CD3-CD19+), NK (CD3-CD16+CD56+) by means of Cytomics FC-500 (“Веckman Coulter”, USA), the levels of serum IgA, IgM, IgG (ELISA tests), assessment of phagocytic activity of neutrophil granulocytes (NG) with determining the ratio of actively phagocytic NG (%PhAN), capture processes (PhN, PhI) and the completeness of phagocytosis (%D, DI) tested with S. aureus (strain No. 209). In the studied groups with AOM, a decreased content of T lymphocytes, T helper cells, T lymphocytes, NK cells was revealed, along with unchanged content of B lymphocytes. In SG2, the increased IgA and IgG levesl have been shown. We have also revealed a deficiency of phagocytic function associated with the processes of phagocytosis completion. The use of immunomodulatory therapy with an HP-containing pharmaceutical drug in combination with standard treatment was associated with restoration of immunological parameters to the reference values of healthy children, thus leading to shorter febrile period, milder manifestations of intoxication, earlier periods of reconvalescence from purulent-inflammatory process, and reduced hospital stay. The obtained positive clinical and immunological effects demonstrate the expediency of targeted immunomodulatory therapy including a pharmaceutical HP-containing drug as the active substance in the complex postoperative treatment of children with AOM. Restoration of the disturbed mechanisms of anti-infectious immunity in AOM under usage of immunomodulating HP contributes to more effective elimination of pathogens and, as a result, improvement of the clinical course of the disease, as well as prevention of chronic inflammatory processes and aggravation of immune system dysfunction.