bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reaching forgiveness
Authors:   , Townsend S. Todd , Watson Marlene F
Published: July 2024

African American marital quality and stability have received scarse empirical inquiry despite the popular attention given to declining marriage among African Americans (Allen & Olson, 2001). In 2001, approximately 62% of non-Hispanic Whites and Asians, 60% of Hispanics, and 42% of African Americans were married. Further, while 35% of Americans between ages 24 and 34 have never married, the percentage for African Americans is 54%. This identifies a serious need for more research on African American marriages; specifically aimed at exploring strengths and ways to better address challenges among African American couples (Allen & Olson, 2001). This non-experimental pretest-posttest correlational survey study examined the relationship between participant training in the R. E. A. C. H. Forgiveness Pyramid Model (Worthington, 1998) and forgiveness and relationship adjustment. The sample included 37 African American Christian heterosexual married couples belonging to churches in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Participants' ages ranged from 25 to 65 years. Study findings revealed a positive association between the R. E. A. C. H. Forgiveness Pyramid Model training and couples' reported forgiveness and relationship adjustment. Thus forgiveness interventions with African American Christian heterosexual married couples may promote forgiveness, leading to higher relationship adjustment and satisfaction. Couple and family therapists should therefore recognize forgiveness interventions as a viable strategy for empowering African Americans to effectively address and heal from relational injuries. Consequently, relationship quality and stability may be enhanced for African Americans. Moreover, couple and family therapists should acknowledge religion and culture as critically important contexts in therapy. Historically, religion has held a prominent role in the African American community and African Americans have been uniquely impacted by race and racism. Study limitations include the lack of generalizability and possible confounding variables, such as the forgiveness workshop being held in a church and a predominantly middle class, ethnically homogeneous sample. Future research should include lower class African Americans and attend to the possibility of confounding variables.
Criteria for the design and interface of a powered upper extremity orthosis
Authors:   , Ramanathan Ranganathan
Published: July 2024

To date, only one type of orthosis has been commercialized and used in any significant numbers; this is not due to lack of developmental effort, but the fact that none of them are simple and acceptable to the user. Another factor is the lack of user involvement in the design and development of orthosis in the past. Orthosis designs have been based on the designer's perceptions of user needs, rather than user perceptions of their own needs. In addition, there has been no previous knowledge about work space requirements for orthosis designs. There has been no published data on characterizing the user population of a powered orthosis. In this thesis, we have performed experiments to gather data necessary for the design and development of a powered upper extremity orthosis. Utilizing a performance measure of the sum of distance moved in three space, we have prioritized various ADL (Activities of Daily Living) tasks. This priority list can be used by other orthosis designers to evaluate their designs and specify their limitations. We illustrate the procedure with an example. We have developed a 2 dof gravity compensated articulate mechanism, and shown how it can be expanded to many degrees of freedom. User surveys were conducted to extract a list of tasks for use by orthosis designers. We have carried out experiments, and characterized the arms of disabled users of an orthosis. The rate information provides the bounds of a powered orthosis, while the isokinetic forces are useful in knowing the limits of force as a control input. User generated noise at the interface was determined to establish the threshold necessary for motion generation. Interface between our setup and the human arm was also identified. A preliminary investigation of utilizing one force sensor at the interface was carried out with the help of a mathematical model. This model was extended to reject the user intention by treating it as an external noise. We also discuss various control strategies that were developed and applied to an robotic orthosis test bed.
Neural precursor cell transplantation
Authors:   , Lepore Angelo Carmen , Fischer Itzhak
Published: July 2024

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) affects approximately 250,000 individuals in the U.S. Debilitating consequences include paralysis, sensory deficits, pain, lack of bladder control and loss of sexual function. One of the most promising therapies in the treatment of SCI is neural precursor cell (NPC) transplantation. NPCs differentiate into mature CNS cell types and consequently have the potential to replace and repair damaged tissue. The overall goal of the work presented in this thesis is to develop effective strategies for transplantation of NPCs into the injured spinal cord. Successful implementation of NPC transplantation is an extremely complicated problem, requiring a multi-faceted understanding of the challenges associated with cell grafting. Before NPC transplantation can be moved to the clinic, it is imperative to (1) understand the basic properties of NPC candidates (2) test their efficacy in valid models of SCI and (3) address practical issues related to clinical application of cell-based therapy. Once these and other critical questions are answered, we can more confidently design appropriate transplantation strategies for the treatment of SCI and other CNS pathologies in an informed and rationale manner. In Chapter 2, the fate of multipotent neural stem cells and lineage-restricted NPCs is compared following engraftment into the uninjured adult brain and spinal cord. In Chapter 3, the long-term fate of transplanted lineage-restricted NPCs is examined following engraftment into both the developing and adult brain and spinal cord. In Chapter 4, the fate of lineage-restricted NPCs is assessed following engraftment into the injured adult spinal cord, and their fate is compared to grafts of fetal spinal cord tissue. In Chapter 5, the behavioral and regenerative efficacy of lineage-restricted NPC grafts is examined using a lateral funiculotomy model of cervical SCI. In Chapter 6, an alternative cell delivery method, lumbar puncture, is tested for its ability to deliver lineage-restricted NPCs to the injured cervical spinal cord. In Chapter 7, the fate of lineage-restricted NPCs is non-invasively tracked using magnetic resonance imaging following engraftment into the uninjured adult spinal cord. Such a multi-faceted experimental approach is important for translation of NPC transplantation to the clinic.
Electromagnetic analysis of the Fresnel zone plate lens antenna
Authors:   , O'Brien Patrick Joseph , Coren Richard L.
Published: July 2024

The Fresnel zone plate has a very long history as an optical lens and promising characteristics as a microwave antenna. Experimental investigations of its radiation properties have demonstrated a narrow main beam and low sidelobes. Previous analyses have been entirely in terms of scalar diffraction theory. Our purpose is to perform a more complete analysis using electromagnetic diffraction theory. Computer software is developed to evaluate the resulting equations and for design and study of this novel lens antenna. The problem is formulated using a vector analog to Green's theorem yielding integral equations in a form convenient for the solution of electromagnetic diffraction by a surface. Since the Fresnel lens antenna is a planar structure having alternating metallic and transparent zones, edge diffraction effects are incorporated into the analytic model. It is demonstrated that the superposition of radiation from the transparent apertures and zone edges yields a total diffracted field that satisfy Maxwell's equations. Solutions are derived for the field patterns of the lens in both near and far-field regions. The near-field solution is used to investigate the diffraction pattern along the lens axis and in the focal plane. The far-field solution is used to characterize the radiation properties of the antenna. In both cases, the field intensities are expressed as definite integrals that are not amenable to closed form solution. Numerical evaluation programs have been developed to investigate the near and far-field performance of the Fresnel lens antenna. Several variations of the design parameters are considered. Computed diffraction patterns are presented and discussed for each Fresnel lens antenna design.
Network persistent activity in the neocortex
Authors:   , Rigas Pavlos , Castro-Alamancos Manuel A
Published: July 2024

During sleep and anesthesia the neocortex develops slow oscillations composed of alternating Up and Down states. Up states are short epochs of persistent activity reminiscent of the activated neocortex during arousal and cognition. Although it is well established that Up states are generated within the cortex from the synaptic interaction of a network of cells, it is not known how intrinsic (thalamocortical) and extrinsic (intracortical) inputs of the cortex may affect Up states. Also, the effect of Up states on cortical synapses is largely unknown and controversial. Using thalamocortical slices we set out to test both of these questions. We found that extrinsic and intrinsic cortical inputs differentially regulate persistent activity. Thalamocortical activity facilitates cortical Up states, while intracortical activity suppress them. Moreover, Up states differently affect thalamocortical and intracortical responses. Up states enhance thalamocortical responses while they dampen intracortical interactions. These results indicate that during Up states thalamocortical transmission is enhanced, while during Down states the induction of Up states by thalamocortical activity is facilitated. We propose that these effects serve to adjust the information processing state of the neocortex during behavior.
¿Cuáles son las principales preocupaciones socioambientales del futuro maestro de Educación Primaria?: un análisis desde los ODS
Authors: Morón Monge Hortensia , Solís Espallargas Carmen
Published: July 2024

A partir de una experiencia educativa innovadora realizada durante dos cursos consecutivos con los estudiantes del Grado de Educación Primaria de la Universidad de Sevilla, se analizan las principales preocupaciones socioambientales que muestran estos estudiantes. Dicha experiencia se enmarca en unos proyectos de innovación docente cuyo objetivo principal es promover los objetivos de desarrollo sostenible (ODS) en las programaciones educativas del Grado. Para ello, dentro de la asignatura Didáctica de las Ciencias se realiza una serie de actividades basadas en los ODS, en el que el alumnado presente un problema socioambiental local que les preocupe en formato vídeo. Como resultado de la experiencia, se obtiene un total de 33 vídeos analizados desde los 17 ODS en el que se tratan cuestiones tanto de ámbito social como medioambiental. Finalmente, esta experiencia no solo ha permitido integrar los ODS en la asignatura, sino que también se presta a desarrollar investigaciones encaminadas a identificar las principales preocupaciones sobre los problemas socioambientales del alumnado, siendo dichas cuestiones relevantes para ser tratadas desde la didáctica de las ciencias.
Entrenamiento musical y memoria de trabajo: relación con rendimiento, sexo y familia instrumental del entrenamiento
Authors: Alonso Rebeca Kerstin , Fernández-Mateos Luz M. , Urchaga-Litago José David , Sánchez-Cabaco Antonio
Published: July 2024

El objetivo de esta investigación es analizar la relación entre la memoria de trabajo y la formación musical, su repercusión en el rendimiento académico y la influencia del género y la familia instrumental. La muestra para el estudio estuvo compuesta por 300 estudiantes de entre 10 y 18 años de un conservatorio público profesional de España. Los instrumentos de medida utilizados fueron las escalas de Wechsler WISC-IV y WAIS-IV, y una tarea (PMTM) diseñada específicamente para evaluar el rendimiento de la memoria de trabajo musical. Se encontraron correlaciones positivas y estadísticamente significativas entre la formación musical (medida como baja, media y alta, en función de los años de estudio) y el rendimiento académico (musical y general), y entre el bucle fonológico de la memoria de trabajo y ambos tipos de rendimiento académico. También se observaron correlaciones positivas entre el entrenamiento musical y el bucle fonológico, y con la memoria de trabajo musical. No se observó que el género afectara al rendimiento. En cambio, los patrones descriptivos variaban sistemáticamente según la familia de instrumentos, obteniendo los estudiantes de instrumentos de cuerda con arco puntuaciones más altas en memoria de trabajo musical, seguidos de los de instrumentos polifónicos y, por último, los de instrumentos de viento. Estos resultados pueden utilizarse para crear programas de mejora de la memoria de trabajo, con el fin de ayudar al alumnado de conservatorio a maximizar su potencial y la eficacia de su aprendizaje.
Relação entre uso de substâncias lícitas e ilícitas e existência de traços psicopáticos em estudantes universitários portugueses
Authors: Simões Margarida , Mendes Vanessa , Cunha Pedro , Relva Inês Carvalho
Published: July 2024

O consumo excessivo de substâncias ilícitas pode ter um impacto negativo na qualidade de vida de um indivíduo e é, por conseguinte, um indicador de psicopatia. A combinação do consumo de substâncias e da psicopatia pode ter consequências prejudiciais e conduzir a um risco acrescido de persistência e gravidade do consumo. Os estudantes universitários parecem estar em maior risco de consumo de substâncias ilícitas devido à sua disponibilidade e possível facilidade de acesso. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar a relação entre o consumo de substâncias lícitas e ilícitas e a existência de traços psicopáticos numa amostra de 487 estudantes de ambos os sexos, com idades compreendidas entre os 17 e os 49 anos, dos cursos de ciências sociais de uma universidade pública em Portugal. Os dados para o estudo foram recolhidos através da Escala de Autoavaliação da Psicopatia (SRP-III), do Teste de Triagem para Abuso de Substâncias (DAST) e de um breve questionário sociodemográfico. Os resultados sugerem uma associação entre o consumo de substâncias e os traços psicopáticos (valores r = .18 a r = .37), confirmando a necessidade de deteção precoce de comportamentos aditivos entre os jovens. Os resultados revelam também um consumo de substâncias ligeiramente mais elevado no sexo masculino (M = 1.01; DP = 1.33) do que no sexo feminino (M = 0.52; DP = 1.14). O estudo conclui recomendando a criação de programas de intervenção dirigidos especificamente aos adultos jovens em contexto universitário, com o objetivo de prevenir ou intervir no consumo de substâncias ilícitas.
Monoterapia versus terapia combinada como tratamiento de infecciones por Acinetobacter baumannii multirresistente
Authors: Caballero Torres Marlene Elizabeth , Alvarenga Tanii Amy Fabiola , Aquino Freddy Javier Bruno , Cáceres Santacruz Sandra Manuela , Ocampos Mamani Cinthia Carolina , Servín Espinoza Patricia Victoria , Zaputovich Filippi Juan José
Published: July 2024

Introducción: Acinetobacter baumannii se asocia a una alta morbimortalidad, una mayor estancia hospitalaria y, por lo tanto, un gran impacto sanitario. Objetivos: comparar la respuesta clínica y la supervivencia empleando como tratamiento antibiótico colistina endovenosa frente a colistina combinada con altas dosis de ampicilina/sulbactam ante infecciones por A. baumannii multirresistente en las salas de cuidados intensivos de adultos del Hospital Nacional (Itauguá, Paraguay). Materiales y métodos: se aplicó un diseño de cohortes retrospectivas donde se analizó la respuesta clínica y laboratorial, la supervivencia a los 14 días y la tasa de mortalidad en pacientes tratados con colistina 5 mg/kg/día como monoterapia frente a terapia combinada de colistina 5 mg/kg/día más ampicilina/sulbactam 9 gramos cuatro veces al día. Las variables se obtuvieron de los expedientes clínicos de pacientes ≥18 años infectados con A. baumannii multirresistente. Resultados: se incluyeron 163 pacientes, con edad media de 50 ± 17 años, siendo el 61,96% de sexo masculino. El 69,33% presentó neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica, el 21,47% bacteriemia, el 5,52% ventriculitis y el 3,68% infección relacionada a vía venosa central. Una cohorte de 88 pacientes recibió monoterapia con colistina endovenosa y otra de 75 pacientes la terapia combinada de colistina endovenosa más dosis altas de ampicilina/sulbactam. No se encontró diferencias en la puntuación de APACHE II entre ambas cohortes. La cohorte con tratamiento combinado demostró superioridad estadísticamente significativa al presentar mejoría clínica y laboratorial a las 72 hs, menor necesidad de vasopresores, mejor sobrevida a los 14 días y menor nefrotoxicidad. La tasa de mortalidad global fue del 45,40%.Conclusión: la terapia combinada de colistina endovenosa con dosis altas de ampicilina/sulbactam en infusión prolongada se encontró relacionada a mejoría clínica temprana, menor tiempo de requerimiento de vasopresores y asistencia respiratoria mecánica, mayor supervivencia a los 14 días y menor nefrotoxicidad.
Basics of Diagnosis and Treatment of Dry Eye Syndrome During Refractive Surgery
Authors: Trubilin V. N. , Polunina E. G. , Trubilin A. V. , Kurenkov V. V. , Shiryaeva E. V. , Zakatianskii V. S.
Published: July 2024

Given the prevalence of refractive surgery in modern ophthalmological practice, when preparing a patient for this type of surgery, it is important to understand the multifactorial mechanism of the development of dry eye syndrome in this group of patients. Analysis of the literature data made it possible to identify key factors in the disruption of the tear formation process after refractive surgery, which include the intersection of the nerve endings of the cornea, which in turn reduces the frequency of blinking and the distribution of the tear film over the ocular surface, and also causes a violation regarding neurotrophic factors secreted by the nerve endings of the cornea . The presence of a postoperative inflammatory reaction, which has a specific course, manifested in a change in the biochemical properties of the tear, damage to the goblet cells of the conjunctiva during the creation of a vacuum during LASIK and SMILE, leading to a subsequent deficiency of mucin in the tear, changes in the curvature of the cornea caused by laser refractive surgery are factors influencing the development of dry eye syndrome after refractive surgery. When preparing a patient for refractive surgery, to reduce the risk of developing severe forms of dry eye syndrome, including corneal ulceration, it is necessary to take into account a history of systemic diseases and allergic reactions, especially in patients with high myopia. The influence of cosmetic procedures, such as eyelash extensions, eyelid tattooing, blepharoplasty, and the use of botulinum toxin in the periorbital area on the course of the postoperative period during refractive surgery, has been poorly studied. Research in this area opens up a new range of opportunities to reduce the incidence of dry eye syndrome in patients after refractive surgery and improve the quality of life of patients and patient satisfaction with the surgical intervention.
Surgical Treatment of Cataracts Complicated by Chronic Uveitis. Literature Review
Authors: Safonova O. V. , Shilovskikh O. , Kazaikin V. N.
Published: July 2024

The problem of surgical treatment of cataracts in patients with chronic uveitis is relevant due to a high proportion of intra­ and postoperative complications, despite the development of modern microinvasive technologies. Associated complications of chronic uveitis (adhesions in the anterior eye segment, secondary glaucoma, vitreous opacities, cystoid macular edema, etc.), difficulties in intraocular lens implantation, the need for pharmacological support and subsequent rehabilitation of patients complicate surgery, while many issues remain controversial. Late patients’ recourse for medical aid, severity and duration of the inflammatory process contribute to irreversible changes in the retina, which results in poor functional results of surgery. The development of surgical technologies minimizing the risk of intra­ and postoperative complications is relevant today.
The Application of Sulfated Glycosaminoglycans in Pathologies of Vitreomacular and Retinal Interfaces. Literature Review
Authors: Arsyutov I. D. , Kislitsyna N. M. , Novikov S. V.
Published: July 2024

Perfection of technologies along with extreme diagnostic potential cause high clinical and anatomical effect of surgical intervention for vitreoretinal pathology. However final functional result is not always comparable with the prognostic expectations. Having the knowledge about the changes of the eye tissue at retinal pathology and their interrelation with the stages of healing in response to the operative trauma, it is possible to carry out timely preventive activity to optimize the healing process. Up to date the recognized method of treatment of resistant macular edema and increasing of visual acuity in patients is intravitreal injection of corticosteroids. However, their application is limited both in acute and distant period due to a wide range of side effects. Therefore, the problem of inhibition and complex treatment of traumatic effects on the retina in the course of surgical treatment remains topical. A promising direction in solving this problem is the study of the influence of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) on the inflammatory response and repair processes of vitreomacular and retinal interface structures. The purpose of this study was to summarize the experience of experimental studies of the effect of sGAG preparations on pathological processes of various tissues to create a substrate for further studies of their application in the field of vitreomacular and retinal interfaces.
Research of Bacterial Contamination of The Surgical Field During Phacoemulsification
Authors: Bogdanova T. Yu. , Kulikov A. N. , Danilenko E. V. , Kraeva L. A.
Published: July 2024

Conditionally pathogenic conjunctival microflora is the most frequent cause of endophthalmitis after cataract phacoemulsification (“PEC”).

The purpose. To evaluate the sterility of the surgical field and anterior chamber fluid (ACF) during elective (PEC).

Materials and methods. 75 eyes were examined. Patients in the group I underwent standard treatment of the surgical field, in the group IA — the standard technique was supplemented with mechanical delimitation of the upper eyelid margin, in group II additional treatment of the surgical field with povidone iodine after blepharostat installation was performed. Microbiological material was collected preoperatively from three loci (conjunctival cavity, eyelid free margin, lacrimal ducts) and at different stages of surgery from the conjunctival cavity (after standard treatment, after blepharostat placement, after additional treatment). In addition, anterior chamber fluid (ACF) was examined — also during surgery. Microorganisms were identified by the MALDI­-TOF method, sensitivity was determined by the disc­diffusion method.

Results. S. epidermidis prevails among all microorganisms. The percentage of the surgical field contamination by S.epidermidis after blepharostat setting was 33,33 %, 26 % and 40 % in the I, IA, II groups respectively; after additional treatment 6,6 % in the II group; in the ACF it was found in 23,33 %, 13 % and 0 % in the I, IA, II groups respectively.

Conclusion. The additional treatment of the surgical field is the most effective technique to reduce the contamination of the conjunctival cavity by S.epidermidis after placing a blepharostat and the only one in the study to ensure its absence in the ACF. Standard treatments with and without mechanical delineation are less effective and do not prevent the contamination of the ACF.
Study of Influence of Various Methods of Intraoperative Keratoprotection on Morphological and Functional State of Ocular Surface System in Early Period after Phacoemulsification in Senile Cataract
Authors: Tonkonogiy S. V. , Kolenko O. V. , Vasiliev A. V.
Published: July 2024

Purpose: to study the effect of various methods of intraoperative keratoprotection on morphological and functional state of ocularsurface system (OSS) in early period after phacoemulsification (PE) in senile cataract (SC). Patients and methods. 240 patients (240 eyes) who applied for surgical treatment of SC. Age: 65 ± 4 years. 109 men, 131 women. All patients were divided into three observation groups according to the method of intraoperative keratoprotection: 1st group — 60 patients, corneal irrigation with balanced solution; 2nd group — 60 patients, ophthalmic viscosurgical device was applied to the cornea; 3rd group: 3a subgroup — 60 patients, soft contact lens (SCL) was applied to the cornea; subgroup 3b — 60 patients, SCL impregnated with riboflavin solution was applied to the cornea. In addition to the standard ophthalmological examination, Schirmer I test, OCT-scanning were performed, and tear breakup time (TBUT) was determined. Results. Operations were performed without complications. On the 1st day after the operation, the parameters of the Schirmer I test were higher in the eyes of 1st and 2nd groups. On the 5th day after the operation, tear production decreased sharply in all eyes. On the 10th day, an increase in tear production was observed in all groups, the maximum increase — in 3b subgroup. On the 1st day after the operation, TBUT decreased in all examined eyes. The largest significant TBUT decrease was noted in 1st group, the smallest — in 3b subgroup. On 1st day, corneal epithelial thickness (CET) decreased in all eyes, the maximum decrease was detected in 1st group. On the 5th day, CET continued to decrease in all eyes, the minimum decrease occurred in the 3b subgroup. On the 10th day — a decrease in CET in all groups with minimal significant dynamics in 3b subgroup. Conclusion. The study showed that the state of OSS in the early period after PE in SC depends on the method of intraoperative keratoprotection. The most optimal method of intraoperative protection of corneal epithelium and prevention of negative morphological and functional state of OSS after PE in SC is using of SCL impregnated with riboflavin.
The Role of Computed Tomography in Ophthalmic Surgeon Tactics in Shrapnel Wounds to the Eyeball. Clinical Case
Authors: Kislitsyna N. M. , Petrash V. A. , Sultanova D. M. , Arsyutov I. D.
Published: July 2024

There is a clinical case of eyeball metallosis in the background of a foreign body of the posterior segment of the eye in the article. Patient N, 41, complained of a gradual decrease in vision of the right eye. A duration of open injury to the right eye about eight years ago. At the primary ophthalmic examination, the most corrected visual acuity of the right eye was 0.3. The visual acuity of the left eye was 1.0. Intraocular pressure according to pneumotonometry: OD — 13 mm Hg, OS — 14 mm Hg. According to biomicroscopy of the right eye, it was found: the skin of the eyelids is unchanged, the conjunctiva is hyperemic, the mixed reaction of the vessels, the cornea is transparent, spherical, shiny, the anterior chamber is transparent, uneven, the iris is changed in color, foci of stroma hyperpigmentation are observed, the pupil is deformed, narrowed, displaced along the meridian for 1 hour, artificial. Examination of the central and peripheral parts of the fundus is difficult due to deformation and narrowing of the pupil diameter. Due to difficulty performing ophthalmoscopy, the patient underwent the following studies: static perimetry, ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) of the anterior segment of the eyeball, electrophysiological examination, B-­scan, computed tomography of the eyeball and orbit. The static perimetry revealed a concentric narrowing of the OD field of view. According to the ultrasound biomicroscopy, the IOL dislocation was revealed anteriorly. В­-Scanning visualizes the blistering cystic edema of the retina, inside which the induration is determined, giving an acoustic shadow. The electrophysiological examination showed changes in the electrical sensitivity and lability of the retina. According to the results of CT in the vitreous cavity, a foreign body was detected in the lower segment along the meridian 6 hours. In accordance with this, the diagnosis was made: OD — metallosis of the eye. Foreign body of the eye.
Intraoperative Puncture of the Retina. Clinical Case
Authors: Kislitsyna N. M. , Zasypkina A. A. , Sultanova D. M.
Published: July 2024

Clinical case present of a complication of retrobulbar anesthesia and a method of its treatment in the practice of a vitreoretinal surgeon. A technique for closing a retinal defect caused by a needle puncture during retrobulbar anesthesia with a flap of the internal limiting membrane is presented. Stages of the operation: A vitrectomy was performed in full, with the closure of the macular hole using the inverted flap method and punctures of the retina with the inner boundary membrane, previously stained with the Vitreocontrast suspension, were detected. The operation was completed by successive replacement of physiological saline with a gas­air mixture 20% С3F8 (3 ml). As a result of successful surgical treatment, the macular hole and retinal punctures were closed with an internal limiting membrane.
New Nanomicellar Form of Latanoprost 0,005 % in Treatment Open Angle Glaucoma
Authors: Dukhanin A. S. , Zagidullina A. Sh. , Azamatova G. A.
Published: July 2024

This article provides a review of Lanpressun®, a new formulations of latanoprost micellar nanoemulsion without benzaltonium chloride (BAK). The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of new formulations are presented. Due to innovative delivery system and absence of detergent preseravative (BAK, poliquaternium and others) Lanpressun® possess better tolerability and safety to ocular surface, that provides patients adherence to longer therapy. The article presents the results of clinical trials demonstrating high hypotensive efficacy of Lanpressun®. Literature analysis of studies on safety and effect on ocular surface shows good tolerability of preservative­free latanoprost nanoemulsion. The authors give the assessment of Lanpressun® future perspectives in treatment of patients with open­angle glaucoma
Results of Observational Study and Integration of Epinastine 0,05% in Treatment Algorythms of Patients with Seasonal Allergic Conjunctivitis
Authors: Maychuk D. Yu. , Drozdova E. A. , Tarkhanova A. A. , Zinych E. E.
Published: July 2024

Objective. To assess tolerability and the time of onset of clinical effect of dual­-action antihistamine agents — Epinepta® (epinastine 0.05 %) and olopatadine 0.1 % in patients with seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC).

Subjects and methods. This was a prospective multicenter observational study. One hundred fifty patients with SAC (n = 150) were included into the study and divided into two groups (n = 75) in each. Patients in group 1 received epinastine 0.05 %, while patients into group 2 received olopatadine 0.1 %. Evaluation of clinical symptoms severity was performed using itching scale, hyperemia Efrone scale, eyelid swelling scale, lacrimation P. Munk scale, Shirmer test and Norn probe. Patients and healthcare providers satisfaction rate was assessed by Likert scale, patients self-­control diary that helped to assess dry eye severity symptoms. Treatment period lasted 14 days.

Results. Seasonal allergic conjunctivitis treatment with epinastine 0.05 % or olopatadine 0.1 % was equally effective. However epinastine 0.05 % was causing dry eye symptoms in lesser degree than olopatadine 0.1 %. These results refer to all parameters assessed by patients’ self­-control diary — itching, discomfort, burning, eye blockage feeling.

Conclusion. The study evaluated epinastine 0.05 % advantages compared to olopatadine 0.1 % in tear film preservation and causing less pronounced symptoms of dry eye in patients with acute seasonal allergic conjunctivitis. Monotherapy of seasonal allergic conjunctivitis with epinastine 0.05 % demonstrated high efficacy and lead to SAC clinical manifestations regress. Epinastine 0.05 % is recommended as a first line treatment of SAC.
Gram staining of sputum as useful and early tool checking the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents in bacterial pneumonia and bronchitis
Authors: Nishiya Hajime
Published: July 2024

The Gram staining is one of the most crucial staining techniques in microbiology. The use of Gram stain facilitates the rapid use of appropriate antimicrobial agents. In bacteria pneumonia, the most useful sample which reflect the inflammation in the lung is supposed to be sputum from the areas with infection in the lung. The changing patterns of Gram staining in the sputa can be used as the quickest indicator of the infection and as the therapeutic effectiveness of antimicrobial agent. When the first administered antimicrobial agent is effective against the target pathogen; S. pneumoniae, M. catarrhalis or Haemophilus influenzae, a decrease in number of the pathogen in the sputa was clear and almost no or little pathogen were seen in the sputum obtained several-hours after the first administration of antimicrobial agents or before the second administration which is mostly administered 8-12 hours-after the first one, showing that Gram-stained sputa is a definitive effective marker of the effectiveness of the agents. In pneumococcal pneumonia, a loss of gram-positive-staining of pneumococci was another early marker of the effectiveness of the agent. We can expect the effectiveness at least one hour after completion of the first administration of the agent, when a loss of gram-positive-staining of pneumococci with a decrease in number of cocci is found in the sputa. The reason for the loss of staining is supposed to be by reducing in peptidoglycan synthesis induced by antimicrobial agents distributed in the sputa. To find effective marker of administered antimicrobial agent in bacterial pneumonia or bronchitis, we compared the WBC and CRP levels and the decrease in the bacterial density in gram-stained sputa in which the administered antimicrobial agents were effective. The data showed that at least two to four days were needed to evaluate the effectiveness when the WBC or CRP level was used as a therapeutic parameter, but the median duration needed to determine the effectiveness of the agent was six and a half hours (range, 1 to 12 hours) in Gram-stained sputa, which showed that Gram-stained sputum after the first administration of antimicrobial agents can be used as the quickest therapeutic marker in treating bacterial respiratory infections. We showed that Gram staining of sputum is a useful effective tool to check the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents in bacterial pneumonia and bronchitis.
Opioids: Analgesia, Euphoria, Dysphoria, and Oblivion: Observations and a Hypothesis
Authors: Nadeau Stephen , Lawhern Richard
Published: July 2024

Introduction: In a previous paper, we inquired into the root causes of the two opioid crises our nation is facing, one evolved from the effects of political and psychosocial forces, one manufactured by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This inquiry led us to suspect that the very different opioid consumption patterns of various groups of people were driven by very different motivations related to the opioid experience. Here we explore four potential motivations or disincentives: analgesia, euphoria, dysphoria, and the search for oblivion. We particularly focus on two populations more likely to be motivated by the search for oblivion: people addicted to opioids and terminal cancer patients, and the problem of tolerance. Methods: Analytic review of the scientific literature. Results and Discussion: Essentially all patients managed in American clinics, including many patients with cancer, are motivated by a simple desire for analgesia. A search for euphoria almost certainly motivates the population of people who use mind-altering drugs, including opioids, for recreation. Dysphoria is a feeling of unpleasantness associated with a particular opioid sufficient to motivate a patient to refuse the drug. It represents a common challenge in managing patients in chronic pain. The search for oblivion appears to be the primary motivation for people with opioid addiction. It may also be a motivating factor in certain patients with terminal cancer who suffer not just pain but also agonizing existential crisis. Conclusion: A greater appreciation on the part of clinicians, scientists and policy makers of the different factors that motivate use of opioids could have major implications for how we handle different people consuming opioids. It could disabuse us of the suspicion that every patient in pain is seeking euphoria rather than analgesia and help us to understand their vanishingly small risk of drug abuse or addiction. It could lead to serious study of the mechanisms of dysphoria and the development of means to circumvent it. It could lead to improved approaches to patients with pain from terminal cancer and optimal strategies for dealing with the addiction crisis in the streets. Methods: Analytic review of the scientific literature. Results and Discussion: Essentially all patients managed in American clinics, including many patients with cancer, are motivated by a simple desire for analgesia. A search for euphoria almost certainly motivates the population of people who use mind-altering drugs, including opioids, for recreation. Dysphoria is a feeling of unpleasantness associated with a particular opioid sufficient to motivate a patient to refuse the drug. It represents a common challenge in managing patients in chronic pain. The search for oblivion appears to be the primary motivation for people with opioid addiction. It may also be a motivating factor in certain patients with terminal cancer who suffer not just pain but also agonizing existential crisis.
Targeting Sensory Systems in the Treatment of Dystonia: Outcomes from a Case Series
Authors: GW Kukurin
Published: July 2024

Substantial scientific evidence has been gathered on the pathophysiology of dystonia, leading to proposed theoretical treatment protocols for rehabilitating patients with this disorder. This study aimed to assess patient outcomes following the application of novel functional neurology treatment protocols based on basic neuroscience research. A consecutive case series of patients diagnosed with dystonia and treated in a private practice setting was studied for their response to neural rehabilitation techniques based on published basic neuroscience research. Sensory stimulation techniques including non-invasive spinal cord stimulation, vestibular nerve neuromodulation based on targeted skull vibration and stimulation of reciprocal inhibitory nerve activity of dystonic muscles was used as novel add on therapy to standard care. The subjects included 6 cases of cervical dystonia and 3 cases of more generalized dystonia. The proposed rehabilitation procedures were explained in detail to the patients, including the investigational nature of these procedures, and written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to treatment. Based on the comparison of total dystonia scores upon admission and prior to treatment with total dystonia scores at the completion of a course of care, all 9 patients in this case series demonstrated improvement in their dystonic symptoms after treatment. The group average pre-treatment dystonia score was 11.4, while the post-treatment group averaged dystonia score was 5.2 points. This represents a moderate, but clinically important improvement in global dystonia scores in a series of 9 patients treated in a private practice setting. Considering that dystonia is highly resistant to treatment, the improvement seen in this case series suggests that the methods involved warrant further investigation in a more formal research setting. The clinically meaningful improvements (approximately 50% for the group average) seen in these cases argue for more research into the role of the sensory systems in both the pathophysiology and treatment of dystonic conditions.
Mini review on Artificial Blood Substitutes: Future perspective of Perfluorocarbon based oxygen carriers
Authors: Maheshwari D T , Kumar M S , Indushekar R
Published: July 2024

The primary cause of death in the battle field and in civilian trauma is haemorrhagic shock. Around 50% combat deaths occur due to haemorrhage, depending on the severity of bleeding medical supervision can be provided like in catastrophic haemorrhage individual death occurs before providing the medical care and it is not a prehospital combat medical management problem during warfare scenario, even to transport wounded personnel to causality centre often takes 45 minutes to one hours. The hazardous nature of the forward combat areas and hostile operational environment frequently prevents medical personnel from quickly reaching the wounded even if the transport distances are small. Moreover, injuries with penetrating battlefield trauma often have only a "platinum 5 minutes." It is very important for military medical personnel to understand their options for treating haemorrhage quickly and efficiently during combat. Early intervention and definitive treatment could save up to 30% of soldier’s who die of action or of wounds. In view of this there is a requirement for the development of synthetic blood substitutes or oxygen therapeutic agents (OTA) in order to maintain the tissue oxygenation. Blood substitutes are the substances which mimic one of the physiological functions of the blood that is transportation of oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body. Blood substitutes or OTAs are being clinically tested as artificial oxygen carriers to improve tissue oxygenation and also to reduce allogenic blood transfusions. Two types of blood substitutes are reported so far: 1. Haemoglobin based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) and 2. Perfluorocarbon based oxygen carriers (PFOCs). PFOCs has huge advantages like universal compatibility, no requirement of cold storage, longer shelf life and no risk of infection transmission. These products have their own limitations and they have been withdrawn from international market for clinical use because of their side effects. It is a challenging task to the scientists to develop a safe, stable and biocompatible blood substitute for combat scenarios and also for civilian applications.
Sustainable Hydrogen Production from Oil Palm Trunk Biomass in Indonesia: A Techno-Economic Study
Authors: Pancasakti Bima Prasetya , Budhijanto
Published: July 2024

Hydrogen has been recognized as a global sustainable alternative sustainable energy source. The government of Indonesia has been working on a novel idea to launch the hydrogen industry. Accordingly, research and development of ecologically acceptable hydrogen manufacturing methods are essential. Supercritical water gasification (SCWG) is one of the recent techniques to create hydrogen. This research investigated the techno-economics of hydrogen production in Indonesia using SCWG. Oil palm trunks (OPT), a plentiful byproduct of palm oil plants, are the primary raw materials employed in this industry. This study extracted data from several research publications on SCWG-related hydrogen generation and performed computational analysis using several economic parameter equations. According to the analysis, with a potential OPT source of around 34 million tons, the plant could manufacture 304,166.67 tons of OPT per year, generating 365,000 tons of hydrogen annually. The production cost was projected to be USD 1,179,409,295, with a fixed capital investment of USD 1,178,853,030.47. The expected annual income was USD 1,825,000,000. This assessment yielded an ROI of 60% and an NPV of USD 1,888,889,382.70. The IRR value was 26.96%, with a PoT of 2.49 years. The sensitivity analysis revealed that the price of hydrogen significantly affected the values of IRR and PoT. Therefore, the government must determine the exact price of hydrogen to ensure its sustainability.
Value Chain Management of Orchid Businesses: A Case Study of the Indonesian Orchid Association of West Java
Authors: Salman Tasya , Aos Aos , Permana Agus
Published: July 2024

The orchid business in West Java can not be separated from the active role of the Indonesian Orchid Association (IOA). Currently, orchid business actors in this province have faced production problems due to their inability to meet market needs, both in quantity and quality. This study aims to identify orchid value chain management in IOA of West Java. The data collection utilized purposive and snowball sampling techniques. The respondents in this study consisted of six breeders, six growers (two seedlers and four juveniles-adults growers), six traders, and two employees of the Department of Food Crops and Horticulture of West Java. The data obtained were mapped using Porter’s value chain model. The research findings disclosed that the orchid value chain began with the procurement of inputs such as planting media, seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides. The production involved the in vitro production of plantlets using seeds obtained from crossbreeding and continued with plant enlargement. Adult and flowering plants were sold directly to consumers or through agents and traders. Two forms of governance existed within the orchid value chain. Market governance occurred between breeders and growers, growers and consumers, agents and traders, and traders and consumers. Whereas modular governance took place between breeders (imports) and industry, as well as the industry and agents. In conclusion, the value chain management of the IOA of West Java was not optimal due to the unimplemented application of tissue culture technology. Consequently, orchid production remained suboptimal and low level of orchid uniformity.
Investigating the Structural Composition of Contemporary Sustainable Organic Agriculture Supply Chains: A Case Study from Thailand
Authors: Rattanawong Ananya , Ongkunaruk Pornthipa , Leingpibul Thaweephan (Duke)
Published: July 2024

The global demand for organic produce has surged, with notable growth among Thai consumers. However, within Thailand's organic agricultural sectors, supply chain obscurity has impeded the understanding and resolution of emerging challenges associated with meeting this rising demand. Public interest has traditionally centered on mainstream economic sectors, resulting in inadequate attention to the sustainable organic farming supply chains. This study aims to explore the complexities of current sustainable organic supply chain configurations in Thailand, addressing gaps that lead to suboptimal planning and non-sustainable practices. Utilizing the Integration Definition for Function Modeling (IDEF0) framework, this research collected data from key stakeholders through in-depth interviews. Participants included representatives from each stage of the supply chain, providing comprehensive insights into the operational dynamics. The analysis identified several critical challenges within the supply chain, including insufficient collaborative planning, reduced productivity, inaccurate demand forecasting, ineffective budgetary planning, and inadequate cold chain management. These challenges highlight the fragmented nature of the current supply chain and the need for strategic improvements. To address these shortcomings, the study suggests integrating technological advancements in demand planning, operations, and budgeting, fostering collaboration among supply chain members, and forming strategic partnerships with cold chain management service providers. These recommendations aim to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of Thailand's organic produce supply chain, ensuring it can meet increasing global and domestic demands effectively.