bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of gliotoxin phytotoxicity and gliotoxin producing Trichoderma virens for the suppression of damping off of tomato
Authors: Jayalakshmi R. , Sobanbabu G. , Oviya R. , Mehetre S. T. , Kannan R. , Paramasivam M. , Santhanakrishnan V. P. , Kumar K. K. , Theradimani M. , Ramamoorthy V.
Published: November 2022

Gliotoxin is a potent antibiotic showing antifungal activity against various phytopathogenic fungi. It is produced by Q strains of Trichoderma virens and gliotoxin non-producing strains of T. virens are designated as P strains. There is no detailed study on effect of gliotoxin on suppression of damping off of tomato caused by Pythium aphanidermatum and its phytotoxicity effect on tomato plants. Thus, the present study was carried out to assess the effect of gliotoxin on inhibition of mycelial growth of P. aphanidermatum, its phytotoxicity effect on tomato and its role on the suppression of damping off of tomato. Culture filtrates of Q strains of T. virens containing gliotoxin highly inhibited the mycelial growth of P. aphanidermatum compared to that of P strains of T. virens. Purified gliotoxin but not bis-thiomethyl gliotoxin effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of P. aphanidermatum. Tomato seeds treated with purified gliotoxin did not inhibit the germination of seeds, its root and shoot length even at higher concentration that is at 1000 ppm (fivefold inhibitory concentration against P. aphanidermatum). Foliar spray of gliotoxin on tomato plants did not show any phytotoxic effect at lower concentration but showed scorching effect at higher concentration. Seed treatment with gliotoxin producing Q strains of T. virens showed greater suppression of damping-off tomato compared to P strains of T. virens. This study clearly showed that gliotoxin producing T. virens could be used in suppression of damping-off disease incidence in tomato.
Evaluation of Outcome In Patients Suffering from COVID-19 Infection – A Retrospective Study
Authors: Singh Tanveer , Dahiya Navjot Singh , Johal Angad Singh , Kaur Jasmine
Published: November 2022

Background: Severe Acute Respiratory syndrome Coronavirus–2 (SARS –Cov-2) named COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease – 2019) pandemic is the biggest public health problem the human mankind is facing today. Objective: Primary objective was to determine in-hospital mortality within 30 days of admission. The secondary objective was to analyze the risk factors leading to deterioration and poor outcome in patients suffering from COVID-19 infections. Material and Methods: This Multicentric, Retrospective Observational cohort study was conducted in confirmed COVID-19 infected patients admitted in three COVID care centers of Jalandhar city during January 2020 to June 2021. The data of admitted Patients was retrospectively analyzed. The study has been approved by Institutional Ethics Committee of Punjab Institute of Medical Sciences, Jalandhar reference number PIMS/IEC/22/10. Results: Total 1139 patients were admitted in three COVID centers of the city during the period of January 2020 to June 2021. The mean age of the patients was 54.96 ±15.43, 706 (62%) were male and 433 (38%) were female, 523 (45.9%) belong to rural area and 616 (54.1%) belong to urban area. 580 (50.9%) have comorbid condition while 559 (49.1%) do not have any comorbidity. The total number of deaths reported was 225 (19.8%). Comorbidities were seen in 580 patients (50.9%) with 126 deaths (21.7%). Out of 1139, 336(29.5%), 211(18.5%), 31(2.7%), 2(0.2%) had one, two, three and four number of comorbidities respectively. The maximum number of deaths i.e. 140 deaths (12.3%) were seen in the age group of 51–75. Conclusion: Maximum mortality rate was seen in the age group of 50-75 years of age, with significant number of deaths in rural population with two comorbidities in patients suffering from Diabetes and hypertension.
Mobile Colon – A Developmental Anomaly of the Large Intestine
Authors: Dehiya Anuradha , Sharma Ravi Kant , Kaur Sehajdeep
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Mobile Colon is a subtle developmental anomaly, which is due to the failure of the process of peritoneal zygosis. The incidence of this anomaly is estimated to be 10-15% of the population. Evidence Acquisition: During routine cadaveric dissection of the abdomen in the Department of Anatomy, collective anomalies of the caecum, ascending colon and descending colon were found. In these collective anomalies cecum, ascending and descending colon instead of normally being retroperitoneal were suspended from the posterior abdominal wall by a fold of peritoneum called the mesentery. Mobile colon is an uncommon anomaly, which is being reported here. Clinical Implications: Mobile colon is usually asymptomatic but whenever it becomes symptomatic, it leads to mobile colon syndrome. Clinical symptoms associated with mobile colon syndrome mimic other common gastrointestinal disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease, malignancy, appendicitis and volvulus. Complications of this syndrome include intestinal obstruction, torsion of the intestine and gangrenous bowel which needs immediate treatment. Conclusion: Mobile colon syndrome should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic abdominal pain of obscure cause. Laparoscopic colopexy and cecopexy are recommended as therapeutic and diagnostic treatments.
Bio-efficacy of microbial insecticides against cabbage butterfly, Pieris brassicae (Lepidoptera: Pieridae) in NEH region of India
Authors: Singh K. I. , Basar M. , Haldhar S. M.
Published: November 2022

The field experiments were conducted to study the bio-efficacy of microbial insecticides against Pieris brassicae Linnaeus in cabbage crop var. “Green Hero” in NEH region of India. The pooled data of two years indicated that Metarhizium anisopliae @ 1500 g/ha proved the most effective treatment in reducing the incidence of P. brassicae with a minimum mean leaf damage of 49.93 per cent as against 67.57 per cent in untreated control followed by Beauveria bassiana 10 SC @ 1000 ml ha-1 and M. anisopliae @ 1000 g ha-1 with a record of lower mean leaf damage of 51.68 and 51.85 per cent, respectively. The treatment M. anisopliae @ 1500 g ha-1 recorded maximum cabbage yield of 17.09 t ha-1, followed by B. bassiana 10 SC @ 1000 ml ha-1 treated plots (15.19 t ha-1) and M. anisopliae @ 1000 g ha-1 (15.02 t ha-1). The minimum yield (12.84 t ha-1) was obtained from the plots treated with Dichlorvos 76 SL @ 500 ml with an increased yield of 3.09 t ha-1 over control, but, did not differ significantly from rest of the treatments. The extent of avoidable yield loss due to the incidence of P. brassicae was estimated to be 45.98 per cent in untreated control which was reduced to 9.41-28.86 per cent in treated plots. Minimum avoidable yield loss being recorded in B. bassiana 10 SC @ 1000 ml ha-1 and maximum avoidable yield loss in Dichlorvos 76 SL @ 500 ml ha-1 treatments. The net profit of the treatments varied from Rs. 28,350.00 (Dichlorvos 76 SL @ 500 ml ha-1) to Rs. 77,150.00 (M. anisopliae @ 1500 gm ha-1) with the cost-benefit ratio of 1:11.12 to 1:13.19 in the treatments. Beauveria bassiana 10 SC @ 1000 ml ha-1 gave the highest benefit-cost ratio of 1:13.19, while the lowest was in Dichlorvos 76 SL @ 500 ml ha-1 with 1:11.12.
Isolation and in vitro studies on indigenous fungi against root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Dharshini K. Nithya , G. Jothi , N. Swarnakumari , Rajendran L.
Published: November 2022

The present study was carried out to evaluate the indigenous fungi from soil against the root knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita. Eleven isolates were isolated and screened for their efficacy against nematode under in vitro condition for egg hatching and juvenile mortality. The results revealed that the isolate F6 showed the highest egg hatching inhibition (88.5%) followed by F11 and F7 compared to control after incubation for 72 h. The highest juvenile mortality of 73% was recorded in isolate F6 followed by F11 and F9 after 72 h. Isolate F6 was morphologically and molecularly identified as Talaromyces pinophilus and F9 and F11 were identified as Aspergillus corrugates and Aspergillus nidulans. Among the fungi, T. pinophilus was found to be highly effective against root knot nematode.
Diversity and population dynamics of predatory fauna in the brinjal ecosystem under IPM and non-IPM situations
Authors: G. Gokulapriya , M. Chandrasekaran , K. Indhumathi , R. P. Soundararajan , P. Yasodha
Published: November 2022

The study was conducted to assess and document the diversity, abundance of insect predators and its relationship with weather parameters in brinjal ecosystem at Horticultural farm, Horticultural College and Research Institute, Thiruchirapalli. The study has shown that the Lynx spider, Peucetia viridana was the dominant species with relative abundance of 19.04% and 20.39%, respectively in IPM and non-IPM plots. Among the coccinellid predators, Brumoides sutularis was recorded as the predominant species with relative abundance of 13.82% and 20.42% in respective IPM and non - IPM plots. Simpson and Shannon Weiner index of the present study showed that the natural enemies’ population was abundant in intercropped (IPM) plot than in the non - IPM plot. Spider population fluctuated throughout the cropping period and exhibited positive correlation with maximum temperature (r = 0.097 to 0.465), morning relative humidity and negative correlation with rainfall (r = - 0.078 to - 0.395) exhibiting that the population buildup was good at high temperature. Similarly, correlation coefficient obtained for coccinellids also exhibited that the maximum temperature (r = 0.057 to 0.443), minimum temperature and morning relative humidity had positive effect on the population. Whilst, wind velocity and rainfall (r = - 0.020 to - 0.990) implicated negative effect on the population of coccinellid predators. The neuropteran and heteropteran predators showed negative correlation with maximum temperature, evening relative humidity and positive correlation with minimum temperature, morning relative humidity and rainfall.
Bio-efficacy of different biocontrol agents against shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in okra
Authors: Patel N. B. , Raghunandan B. L. , Patel N. M. , Sivakumar G.
Published: November 2022

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different biocontrol agents against shoot and fruit borer, Earias vittella (Fabricius) infesting okra at Biological Control farm, Anand Agricultural University, Anand (Gujarat) during two successive years, kharif, 2018 and 2019. Among the different biocontrol agents evaluated, the plots sprayed with Bacillus thuringiensis @ 5 g/litre for three times at fortnightly interval witnessed lowest larval population (0.52 larva(e)/plant) and fruit damage (7.00%-number basis, 8.09%-weight basis). The treatment comprising six releases of egg parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis @ 50,000 parasitoids/ha was found next effective treatment with lower larval population (0.67larva(e)/plant) and fruit damage (8.19%-number basis, 9.97%-weight basis). This bio-efficacy of egg parasitoid T. chilonis was statistically at par with the efficacy of treatments viz., Neem Seed Kernel Extract (NSKE) @ 5% and Beauveria bassiana@ 5 g/litre. The highest fruit yield was documented in the treatment B. thuringiensis @ 5 g/litre (111.02 q/ha, CB ratio 1:2.79) followed by the treatments T. chilonis @ 50,000 parasitoids/ha (105.10 q/ha, CB ratio 1:2.77) and NSKE @ 5% (104.64 q/ha, CB ratio 1:2.76). The significant findings of this study could be used to frame BIPM strategy for the management of shoot and fruit borer, E. vittella in okra.
Survey and surveillance of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) and its associated natural enemies (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in maize in Anand district of Gujarat
Authors: Patel P. H. , Sisodiya D. B. , Raghunandan B. L. , Patel N. B. , Patel D. R. , Chavada K. M.
Published: November 2022

Field surveys were conducted during kharif, 2019 and rabi, 2019-20 to document the fall armyworm (FAW) incidence and damage in maize fields of Anand district of Gujarat. The highest pest incidence and damage was recorded in maize fields of Khambhat taluka of Anand district during the study, while the lowest pest incidence and damage was recorded in Tarapur taluka. During kharif season, the highest pest incidence and damage was recorded in August month and during rabi season, the highest incidence of FAW and its damage in various maize fields was observed in November. It was noticed that the pest incidence was high in kharif season compared to rabi season. The significant differences were noticed with regard to FAW larval population and plant damage levels between the two seasons of the study. During the survey, the natural enemies of FAW viz., Chelonus sp., Coccinellids, Forficula sp., Eocanthecona sp., Cosmolestes sp., Spider (Oxyopes sp.) and Geocoris sp. were recorded. Similarly, Bacillus thuringiensis, Metarhizium (Nomuraea) rileyi and Nucleo Ployhedrosis Virus (NPV) infected FAW larvae were also noticed.
Effect of insecticides on predatory assassin bug, Sycanus collaris (Fabricius) (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)
Authors: Sriraksha V. , Shylesha A. N. , Shivanna B. , Rangeshwaran R. , Prameela H. A.
Published: November 2022

Six insecticides were evaluated for their toxicity against nymphs and adults of assassin bug, Sycanus collaris (Fab.) through contact and stomach mode. The studies revealed that emamectin benzoate (0.4g/L), chlorantraniliprole (0.25ml/L), flubendiamide (0.25 ml/L) and thiamethoxam (0.25 g/L) were considered as relatively safer insecticides for all the nymphal instars and adults of S. collaris. Fenazaquin (1.25ml/L) and quinalphos (2ml/L) caused higher mortality (85-100%) in all the stages of S. collaris. The higher mortality observed in nymphs and relatively lesser mortality rate of adults indicate that the application of the chemical should not be carried out immediately after the release of nymphal instars of S. collaris and adult releases would be ideal in Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Pathogenicity of Nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) against Spodoptera litura (Fabricius)
Authors: Kaur M. , Joshi Neelam , Sharma S. , Kalia A.
Published: November 2022

The management of Spodoptera litura by entomopathogenic Nucleopolyhedrosis Viruses (NPVs) is one of the eco-friendly methods. The present study was aimed to evaluate Nucleopolyhedrosis Virus (NPV) against S. litura and its potential as a bio-pesticide. The Occlusion Bodies (OBs) of S. litura nucleopolyhedrosis virus was isolated from infected larvae collected from cabbage field. Pathogenicity studies evaluated three NPV suspensions viz. SpltNPV-native, SpltNPV-commercial and SpltNPV-NIPHM against second and fourth instar larvae of S. litura recorded maximum mortality at 1×109 OBs/ml. The LC50 values of the SpltNPV-native, SpltNPV-commercial and SpltNPV-NIPHM suspensions against second instar larvae were 0.584, 0.540, 0.625 OBs/mm2, respectively, which increased to 0.696, 0.620, 0.756 OBs/mm2 against the fourth instar larvae. The LT50 at 1×109 OBs/ml was found to increase from 146.33, 137.51 and 155.88 h for SpltNPV-native, SpltNPV-commercial and SpltNPV-NIPHM suspension, respectively, against the second instar larvae to 178.51, 162.07 and 187.67 h, respectively, against the fourth instar larvae. The cumulative per cent mortality, LC50 and LT50 suggested that the second instar larvae were more susceptible and easier to kill than the fourth instar larvae.
Natural occurrence of entomopathogenic fungus, Aschersonia aleyrodis on citrus whitefly, Dialeurodes citri (Ashmead) in Kinnow mandarin in Punjab, India
Authors: Singh Sandeep , Ramanujam Bonam , Kaur Sandhu Rajwinder , Kandan A. , Poornesha B. , Kundu Rupa
Published: November 2022

Surveys were conducted during 2017 and 2018 in the citrus orchards of Punjab, India to record the incidence of different insect pests and their natural enemies. During October-December, Entomopathogenic Fungus (EPF), Aschersonia aleyrodis was found to infect nymphs and pupae of citrus whitefly, Dialeurodes citri on the lower leaf surface of Kinnow from the orchards of Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Mansa and Fazilka districts.The fungus was isolated from the infected nymphs and pupae and morphological studies were conducted to confirm the identity of the entomopathogenic fungus. Aschersonia aleyrodis was reported for the first time on D. citri under Punjab conditions and this EPF also confirmed by amplification and sequencing of beta tubulin gene showed 99.40 per cent identity in NCBI, GenBank. Hence further studies on the host range, interaction with other insect pests and parasitoids, survival and longevity should be conducted to explore the potential of this fungus as microbial biocontrol agent for citrus whitefly.
Fluorescent pseudomonads, an antidote and drought stress mitigating PGPR from groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) rhizosphere
Authors: Kumar B. Prasanna , Trimurtulu N. , Gopal A. Vijaya , Vani P. Madhu
Published: November 2022

Fluorescent pseudomonads drawn broad attention as production of secondary metabolites, phytohormones, siderophores, enzymes, antibiotics, hydrogen cyanide and volatile compounds. The present study was to exhilarate traits of plant growth promotion by fluorescent pseudomonads under drought stress. Fifty one efficient bacterial isolates were taken to evaluate their growth in different concentrations of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG) at 0 % (-0.05 MPa), 10 % (-0.65 MPa), 20 % (-1.57 MPa), 30 % (-2.17 MPa) and 40 % (-2.70 MPa). On the basis of growth at higher PEG (40 %) concentration, four efficient bacteria were preferred. Plant growth promoting traits such as IAA, exopolysachharides (EPS) production, ACC deaminase activity, phosphate solubilization and potassium releasing characters were tested for the selected drought tolerant fluorescent pseudomonads. Among four efficient strains, two strains i.e., PCKR-2 showed P-solubilization Index was (3.80 mm), followed by AGVS (4.33 mm), PCKS (4.12 mm) and PVAS (2.28 mm). Data on potassium solubilization activity show that out of two isolates, PCKR-2 showed the highest solubilization zone (3.50 mm), followed by PCKS (3.17 mm), AGVS (2.83 mm) and PVAS (2.50 mm). The findings suggests that the use of fluorescent pseudomonads will aid better plant growth promotion under drought stress.
Fungicide tolerance of antagonists in the management of mango anthracnose caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporoides
Authors: Fenta Lamenew , Kibret Mulugeta
Published: November 2022

In the present study, fungicide tolerance of antagonists (yeast and Lactobacillus) with two fungicides viz., Mancozeb and Ridomil gold were conducted using turbidometric method. Findings of study revealed that, ridomil and mancozeb treatments could inhibit the growth of yeasts and Lactobacillus to some extent but did not completely inhibit. In this study, it was found that potential yeast and Lactobacillus antagonists were tolerant to both mancozeb and ridomil fungicides up to 2000 ppm concentrations. This result implies that the antagonistic yeast and Lactobacillus isolates were not adversely affected by both mancozeb and ridomil fungicides. So, these isolates can form an important component of Integrated disease management of mango anthracnose.
Effect of selected neonicotinoids on predatory coccinellids in Bt cotton ecosystem
Authors: Srinivasan R. , Rajan M. R.
Published: November 2022

With the introduction of Bt cotton in India during 2002, the production and productivity has increased considerably with the reduction in bollworm complex incidences. But, sucking insect pests became a menace that warranted spraying of chemical insecticides. These insecticides belonging different groups, adversely affected the population of natural enemies like coccinellids that played a vital role in naturally keeping the sucking insect pest population under control. Field studies were conducted in 2 villages viz., Mambattu and Salai in Tamilnadu during the years 2014 and 2015. Five neonicotinoids viz., imidacloprid 17.8 SL, acetamiprid 20 SP, thiacloprid 21.7 SC, thiamethoxam 25 WDG and clothianidin 50 WDG were tested alongside monocrotophos 36 SL and untreated control. At 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after treatment, monocrotophos recorded maximum population reduction of 78.8, 83.5, 70.4 and 62.6% respectively. Among neonicotinoids, clothionidin was found to be comparatively more toxic to coccinellids, followed by thiamethoxam and thiacloprid. Acetamiprid was found to be safest among chemical treatments with population reduction percentages of 45.6, 53.9, 36.5 and 24.7% respectively at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after treatment followed by imidacloprid and thiacloprid. Two rounds of spray of neonicotinoids on Bt cotton had significant impact on the Coccinellids, when compared with untreated control plots. However, monocrotophos recorded relatively lowest population of coccinellids compared to untreated control and neonicotinoids. With significant population built-up after 7 days after acetamiprid and imidacloprid sprays, the 2 neonicotinoids may be suitable candidates for inclusion in integrated pest management of sucking insect pests in major Bt cotton growing areas as these insecticides are comparatively less toxic to predators as compared to broad spectrum neonicotinoids like thiacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin and non-selective insecticide like monocrotophos.
Impact of Corporate Attributes on Sustainability (ESG) Reporting: Evidence from Listed Banks in India
Authors: Maurya Sushma , Singh Rajinder
Published: November 2022

The present study aims to examine the Sustainability (ESG) reporting practices and the impact of some corporate characteristics (age, size, profitability, leverage, and international presence) on the extent of sustainability disclosure of listed banks in India. The sample consisted of all ten banks listed on S&P BSE Bankex representing a large market share of the Indian banking sector. The Sustainability/CSR/Business responsibility reports of the sample companies for the F.Y 2019-20 were examined through the content analysis method using a self-developed Sustainability Reporting Disclosure Index (SRDI) based on the review of literature and standards on sustainability disclosure. The multiple regression technique is used to identify significant corporate attributes affecting Sustainability Reporting (SR). The findings indicate that dimensions like environment, human rights and labour practices are the least reported by selected banks. The regression results show that there is a positive and significant impact of size and leverage on the level of sustainability disclosure whereas age, profitability, and international presence are found to be insignificant. Corporate attributes like size, leverage and international presence are found to be positively and significantly associated with sustainability reporting among the selected banks. However, age and profitability are found to have a negative relationship. The empirical studies on the extent of ESG disclosure and its relationship with firm characteristics especially in the banking sector of developing countries like India are scarce, so this study is an attempt to fill this gap.
A Decentralized Marketing Model for the Online Accommodation Rental Market
Authors: Broby Daniel , Bracciali Andrea , Lamssaoui Siham
Published: November 2022

This paper presents an infrastructure redesign of the online accommodation rental marketing model. The decentralized marketplace it proposes represents a significant Business Model Innovation (BMI) and a new normative marketing tool. We suggest it has the potential to be disruptive from an International Marketing (IM) perspective, shifting the focus from owners as agents, to a shared one with renters and agents. This is supportive of the paradigm where marketing is focused on facilitating and maintaining relationships. Using code that we developed, we illustrate how a decentralized application (dAirBnB) can promote disintermediation and can be built to optimize price discovery. Utilizing block chain technology, we show how trust originates from the distributed consensus enforced by a network of peers. This trusted interaction is facilitated between untrusted parties over the internet, thereby changing the marketing relationship. In this respect, the application and the business model are inextricably linked. Enabled by the technology, we propose a monetization of reputation, which introduces the concept of good behaviour as an asset in a marketing context. We explore the implications of this for both BMI and IM. Our approach would increase the quality and quantity of information in online rentals, both major dimensions of marketing advantage. The dominant position of AirBnB represents a limitation on the implementation of our approach and would be an area for policy makers to focus on.
To Design and Investigate the Effectiveness of a Gaze Stabilization Application on Patients with Impaired Visual Vestibulo-ocular Reflex
Authors: Thakkar Riddhi D. , Kanase Dr.Suraj
Published: November 2022

Purpose: Vestibulo-ocular Reflex is the main vision stabilizing system during rapid head movements. In keeping the eyes still during head motion which is referred to as the gaze stability, the VOR has a censorious role. Loss of this vestibular function produces instability of gaze which worsens on motion and activity. Vestibular rehabilitation is one of the treatment modalities for patients with vestibular insufficiency. These exercises include gaze stability, central programming and balance exercise. Here this study is an instrument-based study and this device focuses on visually tracking, using smooth pursuit eye movements on a moving object. It shall not only provide a combined gaze stability adaptive exercise but it will also provide various progressions and biofeedback to the patients. Methods: An interventional study, with a sum of 30 participants having significant vestibular hypofunction or dysfunction who voluntarily participated in the study. It was a comparative study and it took place in Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences deemed to be University, Karad city in Maharashtra, India. 6 months was the total time span required to complete this trial. Consecutive sampling with random allocation was done. Those fulfilling the inclusion criteria were recruited and divided into two groups: control and interventional. Results and Conclusion: Vestibular dysfunction significantly affected the quality of life and lead to serious disability. Virtual mode of rehabilitation training by tracking the object with the eye, built interest and motivated the patient to regularly exercise as well as to perform smooth eye movements with lower range of saccades.
Implementation and Evaluation of a Faculty Development Program; an Essential Step for Curricular Change
Authors: Rizk Mennatallah Hassan , Abdel Nasser Asmaa , Abdel Ra’oof Rabab , Rashed Aref Soha , Talaat Wagdy
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Faculty Development Program (FDP) is principally vital in adapting staff members to their changing roles in medical education. The research objectives were to design, implement and evaluate FDP to help basic sciences staff members to develop the competencies necessary to adopt new curricular changes based on their needs assessment. Subjects and Methods: A quasi experimental, pre/post-design was applied. It passed through three stages; firstly, the planning and design stage where needs assessment survey was conducted to identify priority themes to be targeted. Also, we used “Approaches to Teaching Inventory (ATI)” to identify participants’ perceptions, knowledge and beliefs about teaching. Secondly, implementation stage a quasi-experimental pre/post-program design was used to execute the Faculty Development Program activities. Thirdly, the Evaluation stage, Kirkpatrick’s model of evaluating educational outcomes was used. A convenience sample of 137 staff members was drawn from integrated preclerkship basic medical sciences. Results: The Approaches to Teaching Inventory revealed that staff uses Information Transfer/Teacher Focused Approach. Staff suggested National Academic Reference Standards “NARS 2017”, Competency-based medical education and Integrated basic sciences teaching and assessment for training. The overall satisfaction for all workshops ranged from 4.2 to 4.5 which indicate high satisfaction. Also, there was a significant improvement of post-test scores from their baseline scores in all workshops (p < 0.001). At baseline (pre-test) mean scores ranged from 4.77 ± 2.49 to 6.57 ± 1.97, whereas post-test mean scores ranged from 9.55 ± 1.92 to 12.08 ± 1.94. Conclusion: We concluded that the FDP is a crucial step for any curricular change. The FDP led to positive changes in the participants’ attitudes towards an innovative medical education and increased their knowledge about integrated teaching/learning and assessment methods. The participants emphasized the high demand for a more student-centered, problem-based, integrated medical education curriculum.
Employee Wellness in a Changing Climate: Environmental Heat Stress Driving Need for Targeted Health Promotion and Risk Reduction
Authors: Gellert George A. , Montgomery Scott , Gellert Tess E. , Gillett Jeames , Kerekes Andrew , Hole Jeremy
Published: November 2022

Objectives: Evaluate the effects of increased ambient temperatures among outdoor workers on physiological heat stress through continuous monitoring of heart rate variability. Methods: A digital smartphone health promotion application was deployed to engage and educate construction workers about stress and other risk reduction; to determine body mass index; and to measure the impact of elevated temperatures on physiological stress measured by tracking continuous non-exertional heart rate variability using a wearable device over 24 hours. Results: Post-program self-rating of health status improved among 56% of participants. A linear relationship was observed between external ambient temperature and physiological stress. Healthy weight people demonstrated less dynamic HRV change and stress with rising temperature compared to those obese/overweight. Physiological stress levels peaked during the hottest hours of the day, with high BMI workers having the greatest increases in stress. Conclusions: Physiological heat stress is impacting outdoor workers in the construction industry, with greater severity observed as BMI increases. Framing climate change as an occupational health issue will help employers understand and mitigate the negative impact of a changing climate on outdoor workers. Use of personal mobile digital technology enables employers to effectively monitor and target physiological heat stress and mental stress among at-risk employees.
Editorial
Authors: B. Venkatraja
Published: November 2022

No Abstract.
Morphometric Indices and Venom Protein Profile in Different Populations of Androctonus crassicauda
Authors: Ghavami Mohammad Bagher , Alibabaei Zohreh , Ghavami Fatemeh
Published: November 2022

Background: Androctonus crassicauda is the most medically relevant animal and understanding its morphological characteristics is essential in the production of antiscorpion sera.
Methods: Adults of A. crassicauda were collected from different areas of Zanjan Province and the morphometric pa­rameters and the cuticular fluorescence patterns of samples were studied. The crude venom of samples was extracted by electric stimulation, and their biochemical properties were analyzed by the SDS-PAGE method.
Results: Values of the morphometric parameters depended on sex and altitude of the area. Except for values of the pec­tinal organ, these parameters in females were higher than in males. No significant difference was in the number, shape, and intensity of cuticular fluorescence patterns. The body length of males in high and lowlands was 72.53±1.53 and 77.33±2.70mm, respectively. Females' body lengths in that area were 81.66±2.19 and 86.55±2.33mm, respectively. Analysis of toxin proteins showed two isotypes that the 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, and 19kDa proteins were in all areas. How­ever, the 41 and 74kDa proteins, and 46 and 63kDa proteins were detected in low and highlands, respectively.
Conclusion: Black fat-tailed scorpion has a considerable dominancy and developing preventive programs and providing treatment facilities in studied areas are necessary. Values of the morphological parameters and venom electrophoresis patterns depended on the geographical location. Therefore, pool crude toxin is suggested for the production of effective antivenoms. Moreover, additional field complementary works in the geographic information system based niche model­ing and mass fingerprinting of scorpion venoms are suggested for screening effective isotypes.
Epidemiological Study of Pediculosis among Primary School Children in Sulaimani Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq
Authors: Hama-Karim Yadgar Hussein , Azize Pary Mohammad , Ali Salar Ibrahim , Ezzaddin Shahow Abdulrehman
Published: November 2022

Background: Pediculosis is a common parasitic public health issue. Many socio-demographic and economic factors affect the pattern and prevalence of pediculosis. It is widely spread among pupils, particularly those in elementary schools. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Pediculus capitis infestation and its related risk factors in pri­mary school children in Sulaimani Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, overall, 2064 primary school children (aged 5–14 years) during the period from October 2019 to February 2020 were randomly examined for the presence of any stage of Pediculosis capitis in both urban and suburban areas. The schools were selected by multistage sampling methods. A questionnaire was sent to the parents to get consent and fill in for every single pupil. The results were computed using the chi-square test and lo­gistic regression analysis.
Results: The overall prevalence of head lice infestation was (9.16%). The study found a significant association of Pe­diculosis capitis infestation with gender, parents’ education level, mother’s employment, number of siblings, and previ­ous infestation. The older age of children (≥12 years old) and the higher-grade pupils (4th to 6th class) were more infest­ed.
Conclusion: Head lice remain a health problem for school children. It needs collaboration of many sectors for decreas­ing and early detection and treatment in both urban and suburban areas since they have a close rate of infestation.
Success and failure of non-invasive mechanical ventilation in the management of patients with COVID-19
Authors: Esmaeili Maryam
Published: November 2022

The Article Abstract is not available.
Mitigating low-value care: Reflections on love and respect for patient
Authors: Jafaru Yahaya
Published: November 2022

Background & Aim: Low-value care is care that has little or no benefit to the patient, with the potential to cause harm and incur unnecessary spending to patients and society or waste limited resources. This paper's aim is to reflect on how love and respect for patients are valuable in mitigating the occurrence of low-value care. 
Methods & Materials: A descriptive theoretical and empirical literature analysis was employed to reflect on the impacts of love and respect for a patient on mitigating low-value care.
Results: The feelings of uncomfortable atmosphere, dissatisfaction, and distrust by the patient due to a deficit of love and respect for the patient could lead to a high rate of patronizing low-value care from unprofessional health workers, which could lead to the occurrence of complications. However, when care is based on optimal love and respect, it eventually brings about patients' satisfaction and continued utilization of high-value care choices from experienced health professionals.
Conclusion: It is imperative to apply love and respect for patients in healthcare practices; otherwise, a surge in the occurrence of low-value care caused by patients' requests and expectations is possible. There is a need for a deep understanding of low-value care in nursing through research studies.
Soft skills the matchless traits and skills in nursing practice: An integrative review
Authors: Laari Luke , Anim-Boamah Oboshie , Boso Christian Makafui
Published: November 2022

Background & Aim: While hard skills refer to the technical ability and factual knowledge needed to do a job, soft skills allow you to use your technical abilities and knowledge more effectively. These two skills are complementary, but soft skills are prerequisites in every profession where human interaction and teamwork are needed to succeed. This integrative review examined the research on soft skills in nursing and made recommendations based on its findings.
Methods & Materials: Whittemore and Knafl’s five-step integrative review framework was carried out using four electronic databases. These databases are the Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PubMed, Medline on EBSCOhost, and Scopus. Searches were conducted using keywords: soft skills, non-technical skills, nursing skills, nursing art, and aesthetics. The literature search explored no date ranges, and only the English language was considered. Full texts of relevant studies in both qualitative and quantitative research were retrieved. Critical appraisal was undertaken, and the findings of the relevant studies were analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: Seventeen studies were included, and the findings suggest an urgent need for soft skills in the nursing domain. Five themes emerged: the meaning of soft skills in nursing, the benefits of soft skills in nursing; the need for soft skills in nursing; the incorporation of soft skills into nursing practice; and the relationship between hard and soft skills. Findings show soft skills are the cognitive and social capabilities that complete the technical skills of the nurse.
Conclusion: Incorporating soft skills into the nursing curriculum should be a resuscitative call that requires immediate attention.
Exploring the needs of the family caregiver of persons with spinal cord injury: An integrative review
Authors: Fernandes Carla Sílvia , Pessoa Cheila , Nogueira Paula
Published: November 2022

Background & Aim: A spinal cord injury is a critical event that results in significant life changes for the injured person and the family and caregiver. This study aimed to identify and describe the primary needs of family members that are caregivers of patients with spinal cord injuries.
Methods & Materials: An integrative review study was conducted. The studies were collected from five databases, with no time limit until December 2021: MEDLINE® (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online), CINAHL® (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), Psychology and Behavioural Sciences Collection, SCOPUS, SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online). The inclusion criteria for the accessed literature were: adults over 18 years of age who are caregivers of individuals with spinal cord injury; encompassing all the existing needs experienced by caregivers; including care recipients over 18 years old and who spinal cord injury patients are; and primary studies published without time limit. We performed a synthesis of the contents with an a priori categorization.
Results: The search resulted in 1018 bibliographic records. A total of 17 articles published between 1981 and 2020 that met the inclusion criteria were selected. The priority categorization process resulted from the study by Fernandes and Angelo in the following five thematic areas: the transition to care, being responsible for everything, the importance of support, access to formal support, communication, and information processes.
Conclusion: Family caregivers are important to support people with spinal cord injury, and they present numerous needs that should be the target of intervention by nurses at all stages of rehabilitation.
Factors affecting job satisfaction of advanced practice registered nurses in Korea
Authors: Seo Hyerim , Cho Ok-Hee
Published: November 2022

Background & Aim: The activities of advanced practice registered nurses in Korea have expanded, but studies on their job satisfaction are lacking. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing job satisfaction among Korean advanced practice registered nurses.
Methods & Materials: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted with 142 APRNs selected from three tertiary hospitals in Korea from December 2020 to January 2021. Job satisfaction and the factors influencing it were investigated using structured questionnaires; factors affecting job satisfaction were identified by multiple regression analysis. Data analysis was processed using the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program.
Results: Advanced practice registered nurses’ sex (β=.15, p=0.004), satisfaction with workload (β=.24, p<0.001), professional visibility (β=. 21, p=0.004) and APRN-physician relations in the work environment (β=.38, p<0.001), and clinical decision-making ability (β=.17, p=0.004) were identified as the factors influencing job satisfaction, which together explained 67% of the variance in job satisfaction.
Conclusion: To increase advanced practice registered nurses' job satisfaction, nurse managers must consider strategies for providing administrative and educational support for workload control, recognition of professional identity and autonomy, and improving the work environment to encourage efficient interaction with physicians and improved clinical decision-making ability.
Promotion of bowel elimination ostomy self-care: A qualitative study based on the nurses' and patients’ perspectives
Authors: Soares-Pinto Igor Emanuel , Moreira Queirós Sílvia Maria , Pereira Alves Paulo Jorge , Vilaça de Brito Santos Célia Samarina , Correia de Brito Maria Alice
Published: November 2022

Background & Aim: The construction of an ostomy has a physical, psychological, and social impact, requiring the need to adapt. The way this event is experienced is influenced by several factors, namely ostomy self-care competence, the aspect most referred to in the literature. Nurses' specific and systematic intervention positively influences the person's adaptation to the ostomy. This study aimed to describe the perception of nurses and people with ostomies about promoting ostomy self-care.
Methods & Materials: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten nurses specializing in stoma therapy and twelve people with bowel elimination ostomy. Content analysis was performed according to Bardin with categorical analysis.
Results: Two themes emerged from the interviews: the promotion of awareness, with three categories and four sub-categories, and the promotion of ostomy self-care, with five categories and twenty-four sub-categories. In promoting awareness, the participants mentioned key contents that could be included in the nurse’s approach: assessing awareness, content for promoting awareness, and awareness indicators. Within the scope of promoting self-care, categories emerged, such as the intervention standardization, the contents, the methodologies, and the resources to promote self-care.
Conclusion: This study adds to evidence about promoting awareness of bowel elimination ostomy and self-care competence after the procedure. These results can be useful for nurses, allowing them to reflect on clinical practice and helping to improve the planning of their intervention in promoting stoma self-care.
Effectiveness of auditory sensory stimulation on level of consciousness and cognitive function in traumatic brain injury patients: A randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Hoseini Seyyed Hamid , Eghbali Mohammad , Froutan Razieh , Mazloom Seyed Reza , Yekaninejad Mir Saeed , Boostani Reza
Published: November 2022

Background & Aim: Coma is one of the severe complications of traumatic brain injury. The study aimed to determine the effect of auditory sensory stimulation on the level of consciousness and cognitive function of patients with traumatic brain injury.
Methods & Materials: This study is a triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial on 60 patients with traumatic brain injury selected using consecutive sampling. They were then randomly assigned to control and intervention groups. The patients in the intervention group received auditory sensory stimulation (twice a day for 15 minutes), while those in the control group only received the routine sounds of the ward (through headphones) for six days. The data were measured daily using the Glasgow Coma Scale and the Rancho Los Amigos Scale. SPSS software version 22 and descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis.
Results: According to the independent samples t-test, there was a significant increase in the level of consciousness on the third, fifth, and sixth days after the intervention among the patients in the intervention group compared to the control group (P=0.001). The findings of two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed that auditory sensory stimulation could lead to a statistically significant improvement in the cognitive function of patients in the intervention group compared to the control group (P= 0.003).
Conclusion: Because of the improvement of the level of consciousness and cognitive function resulting from auditory sensory stimulation, this method is recommended to improve consciousness and cognitive function in patients with traumatic brain injury.
Comparison of Two Different Concentrations for Foot and Ankle Surgeries During Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA): A Randomized Cohort Study
Authors: MENDES Ergun , SEN Elzem , CESUR Mehmet , GÖÇERGİL Hüseyin , EMELİ Yusuf , GÖKSU Sıtkı
Published: November 2022

Aim: Intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) is not commonly preferred in the lower extremity because of the toxic risks of high-dose local anesthetics. This study aimed to compare the use of two different concentrations of anesthetics with additional tourniquet application to reduce local anesthetics amount during the IVRA method for short-term foot and ankle surgeries.
Material and Methods: In this prospective study, 40 patients were allocated to two groups with different concentration formulations of 200 mg lidocaine hydrochloride (Group 30 and Group 20). The groups were compared in terms of demographic data, tourniquet pain, operation time, hemodynamic indicators, and sedo-analgesia needs.
Results: Demographic data were similar in the two groups. The mean tourniquet pain time was 41.66±6.61 minutes in Group 20 (n=9) and 36.76±7.17 minutes in Group 30 (n=13) (p=0.120). Perioperative sedo-analgesia consumptions were similar between the groups: weight-adjusted before/after tourniquet pain (p=0.390, p=0.207, p=0.536, and p=0.176), weight-adjusted/none total amount (p=0.425, p=0.578, p=0.268, and p=0.612), per minute before/after tourniquet pain (p=0.075, p=0.506, p=0.354, and p=0.055), for propofol and remifentanil, respectively. There was a significant difference between the propofol and remifentanil consumption per minute before and after the tourniquet pain in both groups: 5.61±1.67 and 14.58±6.62 mg/min propofol (p=0.001), and 4.79±1.69 and 7.86±1.55 mcg/min remifentanil (p=0.001), respectively. No patient had signs of local anesthetic toxicity.
Conclusion: Low-dose sedo-analgesia can be used by a modified IVRA method in the management of tourniquet discomfort that may occur until the tourniquet pain develops.