bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A review of service quality: Case of the National Treasury of South Africa
Authors: Thokoa Refiloe L. , Naidoo Vinessa , Herbst Tessie H.H.
Published: February 2022

Background: The study rests on the idea that the National Treasury (NT) impacts direct service delivery at the country level through its budget preparation and budget implementation monitoring processes. Both processes are meant to ensure that departments are appropriately resourced, and should, therefore, be able to achieve objectives contained in their performance plans. The study focuses on the service quality provided by the NT in performing these functions.Aim: To provide insights on the level of service quality provided by NT to national government departments and the role of expectations in its measurement.Setting: The study was conducted in Pretoria, and respondents were employees in the Administration Division of national government departments.Methods: The study followed a quantitative approach and used primary data which was collected between October and December 2019. The mean (µ), standard deviation (SD), gap analysis, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Scheffe’s test as a post-test were the key statistical techniques used.Results: Service quality was found to be appropriate based on both the SERVQUAL and SERVPERF models. More positive results are however observed when service expectations are excluded as guided by the latter. Service expectations were found to be an unstable factor in the measurement of service quality.Conclusion: An online service quality review system to be established by NT in support of the New Public Management movement. The NT to ensure that external marketing media, which impact service expectations, are realistic.
The impact of material irregularity provisions of the Public Audit Act on accountability, oversight and governance in the Northern Cape province of South Africa
Authors: Gasela Moses M.
Published: February 2022

Background: A lot of research on audit-related services and accountability in the international and African contexts has been conducted. However, none of those empirical investigations have been done in the South African context, focussing specifically, on how the material irregularity (MI) of the recently amended Public Audit Act impacts accountability, governance and oversight.Aim: This study aimed to explore the perceptions of middle and senior managers in the Northern Cape provincial administration on the impact of the implementation of the MI provisions of the amended Public Audit Act on accountability, oversight and governance. The focus of the investigation was the recommendation strand of MI.Setting: Northern Cape provincial administration with regard to MI provisions of the Public Audit Act in relation to accountability, oversight and governance.Method: The survey design and a stratified sample of 200 middle and senior managers were used. The response rate was 68.5%. Regression analysis was done.Results: It was found that the implementation of MI provisions of the amended Public Audit Act positively impacts on accountability, governance and oversight. The MI serves as a deterrent to future wrongdoing in the provincial administration. This finding implies that MI processes have significant value creation and protection in the South African public finances through deterrence even though that cannot be quantified in monetary terms.Conclusion: The study recommends that government should cooperate and encourage the implementation of the MI provisions to improve accountability, governance and oversight in the event when MI is detected or suspected during the audit process.
Postmastectomy chest wall irradiation with electron beam technique – 10-year single-center retrospective analysis
Authors: Kunheri Beena , Lakshmi J. S. , Pushpaja K. U. , George Nisha Annie , Pavithran Keechilat
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND:

Postmastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT) is delivered routinely with photon techniques, chest wall radiation with electron techniques have the advantage of reduced deeper tissue doses and can be tried in suitably selected cases. This study is to retrospectively evaluate the locoregional control, toxicity, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival of patients treated with postmastectomy chest wall electron radiation at a single center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The data of 450 patients who received PMRT with electron therapy from 2004 to 2014 were analyzed. Patients were treated with three-dimensional (3D) conformal radiation therapy with 6–8 MeV electrons to chest wall and 6 MV photons to supraclavicular fossa and medial axilla. Data collection was done from hospital medical records and analyzed with IBM SPSS 20.0. The results are given in mean ± standard deviation for continuous variables or as percentage for categorical variables. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests were used. P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.

RESULTS:

Patients' median age was 64 years (range: 24–74 years). Early stage accounted for 108 (24%) patients, 306 (68%) were advanced stage, and for 36 (8%) patients, stage was unknown. Of these, 174 (38.7%) patients were offered hypofractionated schedule and 276 (61.3%) with conventional fractionation. No Grade 3–4 skin reactions were reported over the irradiated area on treatment completion. Twenty-three (5.1%) patients had chest wall recurrence and 33 (7.3%) patients developed locoregional recurrence. Overall recurrence including systemic metastasis was 127 (28.2%). Long-term data did not show any cardiac or pulmonary mortality documented as radiation related. The median follow-up of our group was 67 months (6–173 months). DFS at 5 and 10 years was 81.4% and 79.5%, respectively. OS at 5 and 10 years was 85.2% and 79.7%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

PMRT with chest wall enface electron is feasible, and the advantage of electron field is better sparing of deeper structures, especially cardia in left-sided postmastectomy irradiation, thus more complex techniques such as Intensity Modulated Radiation Treatment (IMRT) and respiratory gating can be reserved for patients with more complicated anatomy where routine 3DCRT technique is unacceptable in terms target coverage and critical normal tissue sparing.
Cancer survival status among male population of Northeast India
Authors: Kalita Manoj , Sharma Jagannath Dev , Barman Debanjana , Baishya Nizara , Kalita Chandi Ram
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND:

The northeast region of India has an overall high incidence, mortality, and lower survival rate of cancer in the country. Mortality rate is increasing mainly because of difficulties in accessing the facilities for cancer diagnosis and treatment, socioeconomic conditions, lack of awareness, taboo, misconception, and wide disparity in both diagnosis and treatment of cancers in this region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Data were abstracted from hospital-based cancer registry of a regional treatment center from years 2010 to 2014. A total of 21,793 men were registered with cancer and 44.7% (9738/21,793) were followed up with their vital status. Kaplan–Meier method was used to generate the survival statistics.

RESULTS:

The 5-year overall survival for all cancers in men is 24.3% with earlier stage at diagnosis has a better survival (Stage I: 52.1%) than later stage (Stage IV: 18.8%). The 5-year survival for completed cancer directed treatment is 27.5% followed by 12.5% for incomplete and 8.5% for those with no cancer-directed treatment group. Inequality in survival was observed among different sites of cancer, as some cancers harm more than others. The 5-year absolute survival for all sites was ranged from 0% to 75.8%. Cancer of liver (0%), pancreas (0%), lung (2.4%), gallbladder (7.9%), and stomach (10.3%) is found as more lethal than other cancers as the 5-year survival was in-between the range 0%–10%. Cancer of Hodgkin lymphoma (75.8%) has the highest 5-year cancer survival rate, followed by testis (60.1%), breast men (55.3%), penis (49.7%), and skin cancer (49.1%).

CONCLUSION:

With close to 0%–2.6% 5-year overall survival in hospital setting for cancers of liver, pancreas, and lung, respectively, it needs to mobilize resources for these three cancer sites, in terms of treatment, supportive care, and palliation.
Eruptive Vellus Hair Cysts
Authors: Patokar Abhishek S. , Holani Aditya R. , Khandait Gaurav H. , Khatu Swapna S.
Published: February 2022

Eruptive vellus hair cyst (EVHC) is a rare follicular developmental abnormality of the vellus hair follicles. The usual onset is between 17 and 24 years but may be congenital. It can arise sporadically or may be inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. They are caused by an abnormality at the infundibular level of vellus hairs. They usually appear as yellow to reddish-brown papules over the chest, limbs, and abdomen. Histologically, cyst has a stratified squamous epithelium and it contains lamellated keratin and several vellus hairs. We present this rare case of a 12-year-old male because of its unusual morphology and distribution and also to generate awareness about this rarely diagnosed condition. To the best of our knowledge, no case of an axillary variant of EVHC has been reported till date.
Controversies in Cervical Spine Trauma
Authors: Hejrati Nader , Rocos Brett , Fehlings Michael G.
Published: February 2022

Traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs) have devastating physical, social, and financial consequences for both patients and their families. SCIs most frequently occur at the cervical spine level, and these injuries are particularly prone to causing debilitating functional impairments. Unfortunately, no effective neuroregenerative therapeutic approaches capable of reversing lost neurologic and functional impairments exist, resulting in a large number of patients living with the persistent disability caused by a chronic cervical SCI. Over the past decades, a multitude of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic neuroprotective strategies have been intensely investigated, including the timing of surgical decompression and the role of methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) in patients with acute SCI. These strategies have been the source of vibrant debate surrounding their potential risks and benefits. Our aim in this combined narrative and updated systematic review is to provide an assessment on the timing of surgical decompression as well as the role of high-dose MPSS treatment in patients with traumatic SCIs, with a special emphasis on the cervically injured subpopulation. Based on the current literature, there is strong evidence to support early surgical decompression within 24 h of injury to promote enhanced neurologic recovery. Meanwhile, moderate evidence supports the early initiation of a 24-h high-dose MPSS treatment within 8 h of injury, particularly in patients with a cervical SCI.
Rare Sudden Hearing Loss after Lumbar Spine Decompression Surgery
Authors: Acharya Shankar , Khanna Varun , Adsul Nitin , Chahal Rupinder Singh
Published: February 2022

Sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) is a known but rare complication of non-otological surgeries. SNHL after spinal decompression also remains a rare occurrence with a handful of reports in the literature. The exact mechanism is not clearly understood. Cerebrospinal fluid leak, barotrauma, microemboli, hypoperfusion, vasospasm, traumatic event, and anesthetic agents are some of the proposed etiologies. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention have shown benefits though management lacks consensus. We report a case of profound SNHL post-lumbar decompression and fixation surgery, who showed significant recovery at 4-week follow-up, and we review the literature for hearing loss after spine surgeries.
Diagnosis and Management of Acute Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome
Authors: Chhabra Harvinder S. , Jagadeesh Nirdesh H. , Bansal Kuldeep , Yelamarthy Phani K.
Published: February 2022

This is a narrative review to get an overview of the diagnosis and management of the acute traumatic cervical central cord syndrome (ATCCS) with an evidence-based approach. We considered articles that addressed the gray areas in the management of ATCCS, that is, the need for surgical intervention and its timing. The ATCCS is the most common form of incomplete spinal cord injury. The presence of instability and deteriorating neurology have been absolute indications for surgery. The opinion has been divided between early surgeries vis-à-vis monitoring for recovery and delayed surgery if neurological recovery plateaus. An extensive search revealed a low level of evidence. With the advent of modern anesthetic as well as surgical techniques and perioperative management, there may be better and faster neurological recovery with surgery. Considering the timing of surgery, even though many articles are propagating the need for early surgery the level of evidence remains low. This narrative review highlights the need for well-conducted prospective studies to resolve the controversy regarding early surgery versus conservative management and delayed surgery if recovery plateaus or on neurological deterioration. Since there is only a low level of evidence in favor of early surgery for ATCCS with no instability and deteriorating neurology, the decision of the surgery and its timing should be left to the surgeon’s judgment, with a plan tailored after assessing risks and benefits.
Ayurvedic management of idiopathic retinal vasculitis
Authors: Narayanan Narayanan Namboothiri , Parameswaran Sreekala Nelliakkattu , Kumar Aravind , Sukumaran Krishnendu , Varma Kavya Rama
Published: February 2022

Retinal vasculitis may be either idiopathic or associated with systemic illnesses and is characterized by inflammation of the retinal blood vessels. Management of the underlying condition and controlling inflammation are the sine qua non for achieving remission; however, these medicines may produce side effects. Management of idiopathic retinal vasculitis in Ayurveda has not been reported. A 47-year-old female presented with bilateral blurring of vision, more in her right eye than left, since eight years. Her consulting physician diagnosed the condition as idiopathic retinal vasculitis. Ayurvedic assessment of the condition revealed impaired Agni (~digestive and metabolic capacity) and the presence of Ama (~metabolic toxins). She underwent two inpatient Ayurvedic treatment courses, which consisted of oral medicines, Panchakarma (~five internal bio-cleansing therapies), Netra kriyakalpa (~local ophthalmic therapies), and external therapies for the head along with customized oral medicines, eye drops, and nasal medication. The protocol was found to be effective in arresting further pathogenesis and improving both visual acuity and posterior segment findings.
Determining the diagnostic value of tracheal intubation by palpation and auscultation methods compared to the chest X-ray method in children
Authors: Masoumi Gholamreza , Mansouri Mojtaba , Fathali Omid
Published: February 2022

Background: It is important to determine the proper location of tracheal tube for proper ventilation. In this study, we compared the diagnostic value of tracheal intubation with two methods of palpation and auscultation with chest X-ray (CXR) method in pediatric.Methods: In this interventional study, 80 patients under 6 years of age were included. After tracheal intubation appropriate depth of tracheal tube was determined by auscultation and recorded, then by palpation depth of tracheal tube determined and tube was fixed. The length of the tube was calculated with the standard formula based on age. After surgery, CXR was taken and, according to the landmark, the distance from the end of the tube to the anterior lower tooth was recorded.Results: Interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the palpation method and the standard method in the number of fixing tracheal intubation was 0.573, which shows the average and significant correlation between these two methods in determining the fixed number of tracheal intubation. ICC between the auscultation and the standard method in fixing tracheal intubation number was 0.430, which shows the average and significant agreement between these two methods in determining the fixed number of tracheal intubation. There is no significant relationship between sex and the average number of fixing tracheal intubation in all methods.Conclusions: This study has shown that both palpation and auscultation methods are appropriate, but with a slightly higher palpation ICC, the palpation can be considered relatively better.
Gambling During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Experiences of Risks and Change Among Finnish Gamblers
Authors: Marionneau Virve , Järvinen-Tassopoulos Johanna , Lerkkanen Tuulia
Published: February 2022

This brief report presents results on how gamblers have experienced risks and change during the exceptional situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is based on online questionnaires collected by the University of Helsinki and the Finnish Association for Substance Use Prevention (N = 586). Results show that the reduced availability of gambling in the Finnish context has limited its total consumption. The risk of gambling-related harms has therefore become less pressing during the pandemic. Although gambling is a public health risk in addition to being a harmful activity for the individual, the policy measures during the pandemic have revealed that, at a societal level, the risk of infection with COVID-19 was perceived as being a more serious problem than was the risk of gambling harms.
“That’s No Country for ‘Young’ Men”: A Critical Perspective on Responsible Online Gambling Policies for Gambling Disorder Prevention in Spanish Minors
Authors: Chóliz Mariano , Marcos Marta
Published: February 2022

Recently, some governments and other stakeholders in countries where online gambling has been legalized have implemented responsible gambling policies. From the theoretical and empirical evidence in this study, we show that these responsible gambling policies are insufficient to prevent the emergence of pathological gambling disorder in society, especially among adolescents. Since online gambling was legalized in Spain in June 2012, online gambling companies have been required by law to implement responsible gambling policies. The implemented policies largely consist of informing customers of the dangers of gambling and how to minimize harm by engaging in behaviour that prevents addiction. However, online gambling addiction has increased exponentially; at present, it is the second most common form of pathological gambling in Spain and the most common form among young children and adolescents (Chóliz, 2016). In our study involving 6,053 underage adolescents, the results showed that more than half of them had gambled and that the prevalence rate of pathological gambling was triple that of the general population. Our main conclusions are that online gambling especially affects male minors, some of whom have developed gambling disorders since the legalization (and broad promotion) of online gambling in Spain. Responsible gambling policies implemented by the conservative government of Spain (2011–2018) and by gambling companies were insufficient to prevent such disorders from becoming an epidemic among Spanish adolescents.
Mondor’s disease in this case report: is there any correlation with antiphospholipid syndrome?
Authors: Dekdouk Nassima , Moulay Sakina , Bendimrad Mohamed Imad , Abbaci Karima , Laraba Nazim
Published: February 2022

La maladie de Mondor (MD) ou thrombophlébite des veines sous-cutanées de la région thoracique est une affection rare, d'étiologie inconnue dans la plupart des cas Nous présentons ici un cas singulier associant maladie de Mondor et syndrome des antiphospholipides chez une femme de 63 ans chez qui on a noté une bonne évolution sous traitement antiagrégant plaquettaire, sans récidive clinique L'association avec le syndrome des antiphopholipides est extrêmement rare et a été décrite dans quelques cas.

Mondor’s disease (MD) or thrombophlebitis of the subcutaneous veins of the chest region is a rare condition, with unknown etiology in most cases Herein, we report a singular case associating Mondor’s disease and antiphospholipid syndrome in a 63-year-old woman, with a good outcome and no clinical recurrence after antiplatelet therapy. The association between Mondor’s disease and antiphopholipid syndrome is extremely rare and has been described in few cases.
Méningo-encéphalite à Virus Varicelle-Zona survenue chez une immunocom
Authors: Conde Kaba , Bangoura Mamadou , Diawara Karinka , Cissé Fode Abass
Published: February 2022

The Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) causes a wide range of disorders including chickenpox, shingles and central nervous system (CNS) infection It has the ability to remain latent in neurons of cranial  nerves, dorsal root ganglia, and autonomic ganglia after primary infection and can reactivate later in life Upon reactivation, VZV can cause a variety of CNS infections, including meningitis and encephalitis Significant morbidity and mortality may be associated with these conditions despite antiviral therapy We have reported a case of varicella re-infection in an immunocompetent adult with ophthalmic zoster and fatal outcome under antiviral treatment.

Le virus varicelle-zona (VZV) provoque un large éventail de troubles y compris la varicelle, le zona et l’infection du système nerveux central (SNC) Il a la capacité de rester latent dans les neurones des nerfs crâniens, les ganglions de la racine dorsale et les ganglions autonomes après infectionprimaire et peut se réactiver plus tard dans la vie Lors de la réactivation, le VZV peut provoquer diverses infections du SNC, dont la méningite et l'encéphalite Une morbidité et une mortalité importantes peuvent être associées à ces conditions malgré un traitement antiviral Nous rapportons un cas de réinfection varicelleuse chez une adulte immunocompétente avec Zona ophtalmique d’évolution défavorable sous traitement antiviral.
Traitement de la maladie de Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada : Une revue narrative de la littérature
Authors: Kadir Ibrahim Mamadou Abdoul , Oumarou Amadou , Moussa Udou-Daouda
Published: February 2022

Non-traumatic, exudative, bilateral panuveitis associated with extraocular manifestations, Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) is an autoimmune disease mediated by Th1 lymphocytes reacting against melanocytes. It is a rare disease with female predominance. VKH disease is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency. Treatment is based mainly on early and aggressive corticosteroid therapy to shorten the duration of the disease, prevent progression to chronicity, and reduce the incidence of extraocular manifestations. It is a corticosteroid-responsive disease, but unfortunately, relapses in the form of anterior uveitis are not rare, mainly at the time or at the end of tapering of corticosteroids. In these situations, or in case of intolerance to prolonged corticosteroid therapy, the use of conventional immunosuppressive agents or immunomodulatory drugs able to suppress the lymphocyte response is recommended. Intravenous immunoglobulins may also be used in patients with relapse or attack of the disease. In the present study, we performed a narrative literature review to summarize the different therapeutic aspects of VKH in the form of treatment algorithm.

Panuvéite bilatérale non traumatique, exsudative, associée à des manifestations extraoculaires, la maladie de Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) est une maladie auto-immune médiée par les lymphocytes Th1 réagissant contre les mélanocytes. C’est une maladie rare à prédominance féminine. La maladie de VKH est une urgence diagnostique et thérapeutique. Le traitement repose essentiellement sur une corticothérapie précoce et agressive avec possibilité de dégression progressive lente sur plusieurs mois, afin deraccourcir la durée de la maladie, d’empêcher la progression vers la chronicité, et de réduire l’incidence des manifestations extraoculaires. C’est une maladie corticosensible, mais malheureusement des rechutes sous forme d’uvéite antérieure ne sont pas rares, principalement au moment ou en fin de dégression de la corticothérapie. Dans ces situations ou en cas d’intolérance à la corticothérapie prolongée, le recours aux immunosuppresseurs conventionnels ou médicaments immunomodulateurs capables de supprimer la réponse lymphocytaire est de règle. Les immunoglobulines intraveineuses peuvent également être proposées chez les patients présentant une rechute ou une poussée de la maladie. Dans la présente étude, nous réalisons une revue narrative de la littérature en décrivant les différents aspects thérapeutiques de la maladie de VKH afin de les résumer sous forme d’un algorithme thérapeutique.
Predictive factors of clinical assays on hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 mortality during the first year of the pandemic: A meta-synthesis
Authors: Million M. , Dudouet P. , Chabriere E. , Cortaredona S. , Roussel Y. , Brouqui P. , Raoult D.
Published: February 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a violent debate about the efficacy of a repurposed drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and a new broad-spectrum antiviral (remdesivir) and about randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. To understand conflicting results in the literature, we performed a meta-synthesis to determine whether intrinsic qualitative criteria within studies may predict apparent efficacy or ineffectiveness of HCQ and remdesivir. Methodology: Predictive criteria were identified through critical review of studies assessing HCQ and remdesivir for COVID-19 mortality from March to November 2020. Multiple correspondence analysis, comparative meta-analysis, and predictive value were used to explore and identify criteria associated with study outcomes. Results: Among the 61 included studies, potential conflict of interest, detailed therapeutic protocol, toxic treatment (overdose or use in contraindicated patients), known centers and doctors, and private data computing company were the most predictive criteria of the direction of effect of the studies. All 18 observational studies evaluating HCQ and reporting detailed therapeutic protocol without conflict of interest were Pro. Potential conflict of interest was a perfect predictor for remdesivir efficacy. RCTs were associated with HCQ inefficacy and potential conflict of interest. The most predictive criteria were validated and allowed perfect classification of 10 additional studies.Conclusion: In therapeutic trials on COVID-19, the major biases predicting the conclusions are not methodology nor data analysis, but conflict of interest and absence of medical expertise. The thorough search for declared or undeclared and direct or indirect conflict of interest, and medical expertise should be included in the quality criteria for the evaluation of future therapeutic studies in COVID-19 and beyond. A new checklist evaluating not only methodology but also conflict of interest and medical expertise is proposed.
Phytochemical and antibacterial activity of Mangifera indica Linn (Mango) bark and leaf extracts on bacteria isolated from domestic wastewater samples
Authors: Omotayo O.E. , Oladipo G.A. , Adekunle D.O. , Akinola O.T.
Published: February 2022

Background: Wastewaters generated from ubiquitous use of water in daily human activities often contains various pathogenic microorganisms, which may contaminate surface or ground waters when released indiscriminately into the environment. Consumption of natural water resources polluted by such contaminated wastewaters may compromise public health and decrease the populations of aquatic organisms in such water  bodies. Mangifera indica (mango) plants have been widely used as remedy for treatment of a wide range of water borne ailments. This study  was  therefore conducted to identify bacteria contaminating wastewaters from domestic sources and to determine  the antibacterial potentials of mango  bark and leaf extracts against them. Methodology: Wastewater samples were obtained from the wash areas of five randomly selected female hostels in Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria. Bacteria in the wastewater samples were isolated by standard aerobic cultures and identified using conventional biochemical test schemes. The antimicrobial activities of the methanol extracts of M. indica leaf and bark, and a standard antibiotic (tetracycline), were determined by the modified disc diffusion test. Phytochemical analysis of the extracts was determined by standard method, and the active compounds in them were analyzed by FT-IR spectroscopy using Agilent technologies FT-IR spectrometer at a scan range of 4,000-600 cm-1. Results: The bacterial species isolated from the wastewater samples included Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, with E. coli the most frequent (35.7%) and K. pneumoniae the least frequent (7.1%). Leaf extract (30µg) of M. indica exerted high antimicrobial activity against Salmonella spp (inhibition zone diameter of 15mm) while the bark extract exerted high antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa (inhibition zone diameter of 13mm). Comparatively, tetracycline (30µg) exerted highest antimicrobial activity against Salmonella spp (inhibition zone diameter of 18mm) but no activity against P. aeruginosa (inhibition zone diameter of 0 mm). The FT-IR analysis confirmed the presence of several functional groups with antimicrobial potentials such as flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenols, and phytosterols.Conclusion: These results indicate the antibacterial potential effects of M. indica leaf and stem bark extracts against some bacterial isolates, and thus may be recommended for biological treatment of water contaminated by wastewater sources.
Nasopharyngeal temperature probes: is South Africa’s current decontamination process adequate?
Authors: Davids R. , Cilliers C.
Published: February 2022

Background: The standard practice in many institutions incorporates nasopharyngeal probes for temperature monitoring in patients undergoing general anaesthesia. Current disinfection guidelines for these devices are not clear and they are poorly adhered to. In South Africa, these temperature probes are reused and subjected to unstandardized decontamination processes. This study sought to investigate nasopharyngeal temperature probes as possible source for cross-contamination, and assess the efficacy of current disinfection practices for these probes.

Methodology: This was an analytical double-blind randomized study of 4 different disinfection protocols for 48 nasopharyngeal temperature probes. The probes were randomized to disinfection protocols that included water wash, dry wipe, hibitane® and cidex® wash. After decontamination by the respective protocol, the probes were aseptically placed in nutrient broths, manually agitated and removed, and the broths were then inoculated onto blood agar plates. After 48 hours of aerobic culture incubation at 37oC, plates were examined for growth and bacteria identified using automated bioMérieux Vitek-2 microbial identification system. Chi square and logistic regression analyses were used to assess bacterial contamination rates of the disinfected probes, in order to infer the efficacy of the decontamination processes.

Results: Of the 48 nasopharyngeal temperature probes disinfected by the different protocols, 22 (45.8%) had bacterial contamination, with frequency of isolation for coagulase negative staphylococci (44%), Bacillus cereus (20%), Staphylococcus aureus (10%), Enterobacter cloaca (7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4%), Pseudomonas fluorescens (3%), Acinetobacter baumannii (3%), amongst other bacterial species. Dry wipe, and water and soap methods, had statistically significant higher contamination rates of 83.3% and 66.7% than hibitane® and cidex®, with 25.0% and 8.3% respectively (X2=17.69, p<0.0001). The odds of contamination when water-wipe was used as a cleaning method was 6 times (OR=6.000; 95% CI=1.018-35.374, p=0.048) that of hibitane® method while the odds for dry-wipe was 15 times (OR=15.000, 95% CI=2.024-111.174, p=0.008). No statistically significant difference was observed in the contamination rates between cidex® and hibitane® disinfection methods(OR=0.273, 95% CI=0.024-3.093, p=0.294).

Conclusion: These data shows that nasopharyngeal temperature probes are possible source of cross-contamination and pathogen transmission due to inadequacy of the decontamination processes for these temperature probes.
Rural women farmers participation in planning and implementation of agricultural practices in North Eastern Nigeria
Authors: Umar Abdulmumini , Norsida Man , Nur Bahiah Mohd Haris , Nitty Hirawaty Kamarulzaman
Published: February 2022

The study investigated participation of women farmers in planning and implementation of agricultural practices in northeastern Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 378 respondents out of 6758 women farmers in the zone. Questionnaire was used to collect data from the sampled farmers. Mean and standard deviation were used for analyses of data. The study showed low level of women farmers participation in planning agricultural practices (𝑥̅=2.27). Implementation of agricultural practices among women farmers had high-level participation (𝑥̅=3.74). The need for extension programme that would ensure effective motivation by extension workers for meaningful participation of women farmers in planning and implementation of agricultural practices become necessary for increase productivity.
Teachers’ Choices of Teaching Methods for Environmental Education: A case study of Life Skills teachers at a primary school in South Africa
Authors: Ruthanam Melishnee , Reddy Poovendhree , Pillay Daisy
Published: February 2022

The success of environmental education has been attributed to several factors including teachers’ competencies and attitudes, teaching methodologies, availability of resources, and curriculum design. Many researchers in environmental education suggest that innovative and resourceful teaching approaches may translate into meaningful environmental education. This study provides an insight into the influence of this on environmental education in a South African classroom through a qualitative approach. Interviews were conducted to understand the teaching approaches used in the subject of Life Skills. The findings of the study suggest that the pedagogical content knowledge and identity of the teacher are determining factors for teachers’ pedagogical choices. This paper suggests that it is not the resources that are crucial to learning, rather the presence of a resourceful teacher. A resourceful teacher is able to introduce innovation regardless of the availability of teaching resources. This information could inform pre-service teacher training programmesin focusing on the development of a resourceful environmental education teacher. Keywords: environmental education, Life Skills, teaching approaches, Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), educational resources
Effect of acetylcysteine solution combined with fiberoptic bronchoscopy alveolar lavage in elderly patients with severe ventilator-associated pneumonia
Authors: Guo Ju , Wang Ping , Ma Xiaoyu
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To explore the effect of acetylcysteine solution combined with fiberoptic bronchoscopy alveolar lavage in elderly patients with severe ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Methods: A total of 120 elderly patients with severe VAP admitted to Department of Critical Care Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University in the past two years were selected for this study. They were randomized into groups A and B. Group B underwent fiberoptic bronchoscopy alveolar lavage for 7 days, group A received acetylcysteine solution plus. Clinical pulmonary infection score (CPIS), respiratory mechanics changes, blood gas levels, inflammatory factor levels, antibiotic use time and mechanical ventilation time were compared.

Results: Compared to group B, group A witnessed a lower CPIS, an evidently superior dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn), and worse for other respiratory mechanics indices (p < 0.001). After treatment, the partial pressure of blood oxygen (PaO2) and oxygenation index (PaO2/FiO2) saw a surge; the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2) tapered off, and the levels of inflammatory factors witnessed a slump in group A than compared with those for group B (p < 0.001). A shorter antibiotic use time and mechanical ventilation time was observed in group A compared with group B (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Acetylcysteine solution combined with fiberoptic bronchoscopy alveolar lavage yields a promising outcome in notably ameliorating CPIS, respiratory mechanics indicators and blood gas levels, driving down the level of inflammatory factors and diminishing treatment time in elderly patients with severe VAP.
Studies on the pharmacokinetics of piperacillin/tazobactam in renal replacement therapy in patients with chronic renal failure
Authors: Ma Qinqin , Xiao Hongyuan , Zhang Yannan , Chen Chen , Zhou Ying , Liu Yunning , Li Tianmin , Yu Yinghua
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To study the pharmacokinetics of piperacillin/tazobactam in renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF).

Methods: Six CRF patients treated with CRRT in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from April 2020 to July 2020 were selected and administered 4 g of piperacillin and 0.5 g of tazobactam within 30 min after, and at 5, 30, 45, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, 360 and 480 min after CRRT. The DAS software was used to calculate pharmacokinetic parameters while linear regression was used to analyze the relationship among patient characteristics, CRRT parameters, and pharmacokinetics.

Results: The Cmax of piperacillin and tazobactam was 118.46 (96.12 - 161.12) mg/L and 27.45 (14.75 - 28.45) mg/L, while the volume of distribution (Vd) was 1.16 (0.72 - 1.59) L/h and 0.72 (0.57 -0.82) L/kg, respectively. The value for elimination half-life (t1/2) was 4.66 (3.19 -8.45) h and 4.25 (3.42 - 5.96) h, while total clearance (CL) was 7.28 (5.58 - 9.73) L/h and 6.37 (4.28 - 10.04) L/h, respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that piperacillin Cmax was negatively correlated with the flow velocity of the substitution fluid (β = -0.679, 95 % CI = -0.278 - 0.943, p < 0.001). Piperacillin CL was positively correlated with the flow velocity of the waste liquid (β = 0.956, 95 % CI = 1.267 - 4.796, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: When used in CRF patients receiving CRRT, piperacillin and tazobactam show decrease in Cmax and CL, but increase in t1/2. This finding should provide useful guidance for clinicians concerned.
Costus afer (Costaceae, Zingiberales) leaf extract ameliorates naproxen-induced gastric ulcer in rats
Authors: Khattab Hala A.H. , Aljehany Buthaina M.
Published: February 2022

No Abstract.
MiR-449b-5p modifies glycolysis by lactate dehydrogenase A in gastric cancer
Authors: Gao Yu , Ye Jingwang , Tan Dewen , Shen Haode , Wang Li
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To investigate the role of miR-449b-5p in gastric cancer (GC) metabolism.

Methods: Human GC samples and their corresponding normal tissues were used in this study. Cell survival ability was evaluated using a commercial MTT kit. Glucose uptake, lactate production and ATP content were assessed using commercial kits. The expression levels of miRNAs were assessed by stem-loop reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

Results: MiR-449b-5p expression decreased in both GC tissues and cells. When the cells with low level of miR-449b-5p were transfected with miR-449b-5p mimics, glycolysis was inhibited (p < 0.05). Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) was predicted as a target gene of miR-449b-5p and verified using luciferase reporter assay. MiR-449b-5p expression was up-regulated in GC cells (p < 0.05). Furthermore, miR- 449b-5p expression was related to long overall survival time in patients with GC.

Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that miR-449b-5p reverses the glycolytic state of GC cells by targeting LDHA expression, and thus, it can potentially be developed for the treatment of gastric cancer.
Adiponectin regulates the malignant biological behavior of endometrial cancer cells via AMPK/mTOR signal pathway
Authors: Jin Li , Feng Xiumei , Luo Dan
Published: February 2022

Purpose: To study the mechanism by which adiponectin regulates the malignant biological behavior of endometrial cancer cells.

Methods: RL95-2 cells were cultured and re-suspended in complete medium. A preliminary study showed that adiponectin (20 μg/mL) has the most inhibitory effect on cellular proliferation. The cells were divided into control group, 20 μg/mL adiponectin group, and 20 μg/mL adiponectin + 10 μmol/L AMPK inhibitor group, with 4 repeat wells set up for each group. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and migration ability, as well as the expression levels of MMP-9, Bcl-2, p-AMPK, p-mTOR and p-4ebp1 were determined using standard procedures.

Results: Cell proliferation was significantly higher in the 20 μg/mL adiponectin group than in the 10 μg/mL adiponectin group (p < 0.05). Relative to the control group, apoptosis and p-AMPK expression level in the 10 μg/mL adiponectin group increased, while cell invasion and migratory potential, as well as expression levels of MMP-9, Bcl-2, p-mTOR and p-4ebp1 declined significantly (p < 0.05). The apoptosis and expression level of p-AMPK in the 20 μg/mL adiponectin + 10 μmol/L AMPK inhibitor group decreased, while cell invasion, migratory ability, and amounts of MMP-9, Bcl-2, p-mTOR and p- 4ebp1 were elevated, relative to the 20 μg/mL adiponectin group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Adiponectin promotes apoptosis of endometrial cancer cells via AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway, and inhibits cell proliferation, invasion and migration. Thus, adiponectin has the potential to exert anti-tumor effect in humans.
An explicit construction of graphs of bounded degree that are far from being Hamiltonian
Authors: Adler Isolde , Köhler Noleen
Published: February 2022

Hamiltonian cycles in graphs were first studied in the 1850s. Since then, an
impressive amount of research has been dedicated to identifying classes of
graphs that allow Hamiltonian cycles, and to related questions. The
corresponding decision problem, that asks whether a given graph is Hamiltonian
(i.\,e.\ admits a Hamiltonian cycle), is one of Karp's famous NP-complete
problems. In this paper we study graphs of bounded degree that are \emph{far}
from being Hamiltonian, where a graph $G$ on $n$ vertices is \emph{far} from
being Hamiltonian, if modifying a constant fraction of $n$ edges is necessary
to make $G$ Hamiltonian. We give an explicit deterministic construction of a
class of graphs of bounded degree that are locally Hamiltonian, but (globally)
far from being Hamiltonian. Here, \emph{locally Hamiltonian} means that every
subgraph induced by the neighbourhood of a small vertex set appears in some
Hamiltonian graph. More precisely, we obtain graphs which differ in $\Theta(n)$
edges from any Hamiltonian graph, but non-Hamiltonicity cannot be detected in
the neighbourhood of $o(n)$ vertices. Our class of graphs yields a class of
hard instances for one-sided error property testers with linear query
complexity. It is known that any property tester (even with two-sided error)
requires a linear number of queries to test Hamiltonicity (Yoshida, Ito, 2010).
This is proved via a randomised construction of hard instances. In contrast,
our construction is deterministic. So far only very few deterministic
constructions of hard instances for property testing are known. We believe that
our construction may lead to future insights in graph theory and towards a
characterisation of the properties that are testable in the bounded-degree
model.
A importância das unidades geológicas para o abastecimento hídrico do pantanal de Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brasil
Authors: Lima Thales Ernildo de , Lima Cristiane da Silva , Souza Celia Alves de
Published: February 2022

O conhecimento da ocorrência geológica de uma bacia hidrográfica é importante, pois contribui para o sistema fluvial. O presente estudo objetivou caracterizar a ocorrência geológica na bacia do Alto Paraguai, sua influência na disponibilidade de água e manutenção do Pantanal de Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brasil. Os procedimentos de caracterização das unidades geológicas por meio dos relatórios técnicos CPRM (geodiversidade) e a densidade de drenagem da Bacia do Alto Paraguai foram realizados a partir da inserção e recorte da rede de drenagem. Para o levantamento de dados e o mapeamento dos aspectos geológicos, usaram-se as informações disponibilizadas nos relatórios técnicos CPRM e RADAMBRASIL. Os dados/arquivos foram processados e manipulados em ambiente do software ArcGIS, versão 10.3. A obtenção/elaboração do mapa de densidade foi realizada pela inserção e recorte da rede de drenagem, utilizando o ArcGis. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que, na área de recarga/captação, destacam-se as ocorrências litológicas a Formação Utiariti, a Formação Araras e a Suíte Intrusiva Santa Helena. As demais ocorrências litológicas propiciam o escoamento superficial. A densidade de drenagem variou de baixa a muito alta. O estudo sobre a influência geológica na disponibilidade de água é fundamental ao planejamento e à gestão.
Determining Conscience Perception and Compassion Fatigue among the Nurses Who Worked At Pandemic Clinics: Sample of City Hospital
Authors: KARAKURT Papatya , Fırat Meryem , Yıldırım Serhat
Published: February 2022

This study was done to determine the level of conscience perception and compassion fatigue among the nurses who worked at pandemic clinics. This study was conducted with 172 nurses who worked at a pandemic clinic of a city hospital. To collect the data; “personal information request form”, “perceptions of conscience questionnaire”, and “compassion fatigue-short scale” were employed. To analyze the data; percentage, averages, t test, one way variance and correlation analysis were used. 70.9% of the nurses were female, 79.1% of them had undergraduate degrees, 49.4% of them were married, 46.5% of them had children and 78.5% had a clear conscience during the time that they worked at pandemic clinics. The participating nurses received 65.04±10.10 in perceptions of conscience questionnaire and 72.34±22.15 in compassion fatigue-short scale. Gender and the school from which the participants graduated affected perceptions of conscience while age, the school from which the participants graduated, length of professional working, the tasks in the unit and the negative experiences affected compassion fatigue. In the study; it was identified that nurses’ perceptions of conscience were high whereas their compassion fatigue was moderate. It was found that no significant correlation was found between nurses’ nurses’ perceptions of conscience and their compassion fatigue. It may be recommended that nurses be taught coping skills against extraordinary situations like COVID-19.