bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La cohésion à l’épreuve de la confiance
Authors: Rolland Johanna
Published: August 2022

De l’assaut du Capitole par les partisans de Trump aux États-Unis le 6 janvier 2021 à l’intrusion, le 25 mars dernier, au conseil régional d’Occitanie, de militants d’Action française, des signaux d’alerte majeurs se multiplient, témoignant de l’état de souffrance de nos démocraties contemporaines. En jeu : notre cohésion nationale, dans une société de plus en plus fragmentée, traversée par trop de fractures sociales et territoriales. La crise sanitaire actuelle, par la crise économique et sociale qu’elle a induite, pourrait d’ailleurs venir amplifier ce phénomène, dans la mesure où pèsent aujourd’hui de nombreuses incertitudes sur les Françaises et les Français. À l’heure de l’émergence de formes nouvelles de radicalisation, sociale et politique, et d’une abstention électorale semblant se renforcer à chaque scrutin, il est urgent de trouver des réponses à cette crise de confiance qui interroge autant l’avenir que l’unité de notre pays. Cette confiance ne peut se restaurer, qu’en renouvelant profondément l’action publique et en y redéfinissant progressivement les règles de la décision collective. Plus que jamais, la démocratie participative, déjà souvent engagée à l’échelle locale, peut donc nous aider à refonder notre pacte démocratique, même si sa seule mise en œuvre ne pourra suffire. Favoriser le dialogue citoyen doit en effet s’inscrire dans un changement de paradigme plus global, au prisme de relations repensées entre l’État et les collectivités, où un nouveau modèle s’invente ; un modèle conjuguant avenir de la planète et égalité des chances et des droits.
Hygiénisme légal et populisme libertaire
Authors: Malgorn Bernadette
Published: August 2022

Bernadette Malgorn, préfète de région Lorraine (1996-2002), puis Bretagne (2002-2006), a été confrontée à la gestion de nombreuses crises. Secrétaire générale du ministère de l’Intérieur, elle a participé à la commission du livre blanc de la défense et de la sécurité nationale de 2008. Le risque pandémique avait bien été identifié. Un plan pandémie a été préparé. Et des dispositions prises pour s’organiser en cas de survenance. À sa surprise, ce plan n’a pas été déclenché face au coronavirus. Sa campagne municipale à Brest ayant été interrompue par le report du second tour, elle a profité du premier confinement pour rédiger un essai : « Pandémie et démocratie : que demande le peuple ? », en libre accès sur calaméo. Elle développe ici plusieurs questions qu’elle y aborde : le fondement des interventions des pouvoirs publics sur les questions de santé, la légitimité des leviers de l’action publique, la relation entre l’expertise et la décision. Elle affirme sa confiance dans la liberté des citoyens et l’efficacité de la démocratie.
Le préfet, l’État et la politique
Authors: Renaudie Olivier
Published: August 2022

Le préfet est au cœur de l’État et de la politique. L’annonce par le Premier ministre de la volonté du Gouvernement de supprimer le corps préfectoral est donc à l’origine de bien des interrogations. Si elle procède d’une certaine logique, celle visant à fonctionnaliser les emplois d’encadrement au sein de la haute fonction publique, la décision de supprimer l’un des rouages essentiels de nos institutions politico-administratives est préoccupante pour plusieurs raisons.
L’action du préfet et du sous-préfet vues par un maire d’une commune moyenne, chef-lieu d’arrondissement
Authors: Vinçon Thierry
Published: August 2022

Élu local de 2008 à 2020, Thierry Vinçon met à profit son passé de sous-préfet pour créer les conditions d’une solide relation de travail avec les membres du corps préfectoral dans le Cher et dans l’arrondissement de Saint-Amand-Montrond. Cette relation de partenariat et de confiance a permis, par-delà les difficultés, de faire aboutir de nombreux projets locaux au profit des communes et de la population et de garantir sa sécurité. Thierry Vinçon dresse ainsi un panorama des réalisations conjointes. Le préfet et ses sous-préfets travaillent au quotidien avec le maire, dans un esprit de conseil et de résultat et, en temps de crise, restent les clés de voûte de l’État et de la République dans les territoires.
« Appelle le préfet, il saura »
Authors: Clerc Anne
Published: August 2022

Un « instantané » d’une préfète déléguée pour l’égalité des chances, nouvellement nommée. L’exercice des missions reflète les objectifs tenant aux ambitions de l’État avec ce cap : « agir sur la vie quotidienne des Français ». Et, ce métier de préfète déléguée porte aussi un autre défi quotidien tenant à la recherche de l’efficacité, aux concertations, sans oublier une mobilisation constante.
Une PFUE pour transformer l’essai de la cybersécurité
Authors: Watin-Augouard Marc
Published: August 2022

L’Union européenne construit depuis peu une stratégie de cybersécurité. L’augmentation du nombre des cyberattaques et l’aggravation de leur intensité justifient qu’elle agisse dans un domaine qui relève traditionnellement des États. Couplée à une volonté d’atteindre une autonomie stratégique, ambition exprimée par Thierry Breton, cette stratégie de cybersécurité doit être au cœur des actions menées sous la présidence française de l’Union européenne. Ce n’est pas une opportunité mais une urgence !
La coopération transfrontalière
Authors: Touvet Laurent
Published: August 2022

Près des frontières, la vie s’est organisée pour les oublier, tout en profitant des avantages qu’elle offre d’un côté ou de l’autre. Les enjeux de sécurité et d’environnement sont nécessairement partagés avec l’État voisin. Les préfets des départements frontaliers sont fortement engagés dans une coopération bilatérale, en concurrence avec les collectivités locales. En Moselle, l’imbrication de l’économie avec le Luxembourg renforce l’engagement de l’État dans cette coopération.
Entre souverainisme et souveraineté européenne : l’hypothèse de la double démocratie européenne
Authors: Leron Nicolas
Published: August 2022

Une obsession de la souveraineté s’est emparée des peuples et de leurs élites en Europe. Souverainisme pour les uns et souveraineté européenne pour les autres, tous ne jurent que par la souveraineté, et par là oublient peut-être l’essentiel : la question démocratique. C’est par l’invention d’une démocratie européenne, adossée à un véritable pouvoir budgétaire européen, que l’on pourra ré-oxygéner nos démocraties nationales en déclin et donner naissance à une nouvelle forme politique : la double démocratie européenne.
Processus décisionnel de l’UE : considérer la transparence et la responsabilité comme une force
Authors: O’Reilly Emily
Published: August 2022

Dans cet article, la Médiatrice européenne plaide pour une Union européenne plus transparente et responsable. Néanmoins, le pouvoir de rendre le processus décisionnel au niveau européen plus accessible aux citoyens reste dans les mains des États membres. Lorsque la France assurera la présidence de l’UE au cours du premier semestre 2022, elle pourrait encourager un changement de culture politique pour renforcer la démocratie européenne.
Modernité européenne
Authors: Giuliani Jean-Dominique
Published: August 2022

Certains ont pu être surpris de la très vive réaction de l’Union européenne à l’agression russe de l’Ukraine. Voir la guerre revenir sur le continent européen est quelque chose d’inimaginable, tant pour les citoyens que pour leurs gouvernements. Mais l’Europe n’est pas seule. 141 membres de l’ONU ont aussi condamné cette guerre injustifiée. Les mondes de la culture et des sports, après ceux de l’économie et de la finance, se sont spontanément joints aux sanctions spectaculaires qui ont été décidées contre le régime de Poutine qui risque fort de se retrouver très vite dans la situation de la Corée du Nord. Si les Européens sont apparus en tête de ces réactions, c’est qu’ils ont construit entre eux un ensemble inédit sur la planète, qui leur a permis de revenir dans l’histoire après une première moitié de XX e  siècle fratricide, et leur a apporté une prospérité impensable qui leur permet d’être un modèle de liberté et de démocratie.
La refondation du modèle social français exige du sens et une vision d’avenir pour notre société !
Authors: Bizard Frédéric
Published: August 2022

Aucune réforme systémique n’est à ce jour au programme des Présidentielles 2022, contrairement à 2017 et du débat sur les retraites. La crise sanitaire a pourtant mis en lumière les lacunes de notre système de santé et dégradé les comptes publics à un niveau qui va rendre rapidement insoutenable des déficits publics sociaux élevés. La refondation de la santé et des retraites devient ainsi une priorité politique. La réussite de cette refondation passe par la conception d’un projet politique assis sur des principes largement partagés par la population.
William Edward Burghardt Du Bois, « Les âmes du peuple blanc » et la critique de la suprématie blanche
Authors: Martin-Breteau Nicolas
Published: August 2022

En 1920, dans « Les âmes du peuple blanc », W.E.B. Du Bois propose une autopsie magistrale du monde contemporain sous suprématie blanche. L’auteur étudie d’abord le phénomène impérial et colonial occidental en montrant la centralité des colonies européennes dans l’émergence du capitalisme et de la Première Guerre mondiale, utilisant ainsi la question raciale pour redéfinir la stratégie politique marxiste. Du Bois entreprend ensuite de déconstruire la croyance dans la supériorité blanche en défendant la fierté noire et la lutte panafricaine pour l’émancipation matérielle et mentale des populations africaines et afro-descendantes. Enfin, il thématise l’idée de « double vue » ou de « clairvoyance » des personnes minoritaires sur le monde social, grâce à leur position subalterne dans ce monde – une capacité critique qui le mène à articuler ce qui sera plus tard désigné sous les concepts de positionnement et de blanchité. Ces analyses historiques, politiques et épistémiques novatrices font des « âmes du peuple blanc » un texte majeur du xx e  siècle.
À l’école des chefs
Authors: Pégourdie Adrien
Published: August 2022

Cet article interroge les raisons de la pénurie de main-d’œuvre dans le secteur de l’hôtellerie-restauration dans un contexte de revalorisation symbolique de l’activité culinaire. À partir d’une enquête consacrée à la formation des « petites mains » du secteur, l’analyse montre comment le lycée hôtelier détourne une partie des diplômés du monde professionnel et suscite des aspirations professionnelles désajustées favorisant des sorties précoces du métier. Focalisé sur l’apprentissage du service des classes supérieures, mais dans une version dévoyée et désuète, l’enseignement implique d’entreprendre un processus de conversion des dispositions d’élèves issus des petites classes moyennes et des classes populaires stabilisées du pôle économique de l’espace social et éloignées du monde de la restauration. Ce processus passe par l’incorporation d’un sens pratique, le dressage des corps et l’adoption d’un rapport au travail vantant le don de soi. La complexité de ce processus couplée au manque de moyen institutionnel pour l’appliquer expliquent que son acquisition soit limitée à un petit nombre d’élèves aux dispositions spécifiques et qui, en outre, ne possèdent pas les codes actualisés du luxe.
La pente est raide
Authors: Mortureux Marc , Kirch Noé
Published: August 2022

Fini les voitures thermiques en Europe d’ici 2035. Un virage historique, qu’il faut conduire dans les faits. Au carrefour du public et du privé, Marc Mortureux nous livre son regard sur les enjeux futurs de la filière automobile.
Laboratoire démocratique
Authors: Dacheux Éric , Goujon Daniel
Published: August 2022

Nichées dans les failles du capitalisme, les entreprises de l’économie sociale et solidaire offrent une vision alternative de l’économie. Leur étude permet de conceptualiser un nouveau paradigme démocratique : le délibéralisme.
À la croisée des mondes
Authors: Dubuisson-Quellier Sophie , Fouilland Brigitte , Guillou Benoît
Published: August 2022

Pour conduire durablement le changement, c’est un subtil jeu entre sphères politique, économique et militante qu’il faut mener, conjuguant confrontation et coopération. Un regard sociologique.
Les nerfs de la guerre
Authors: Dufrêne Nicolas , Nicol Christian , de Rosbo Guillaume Kerlero
Published: August 2022

Pour espérer atteindre la neutralité carbone en France, des investissements publics et privés seront nécessaires. Si l’État doit accompagner financièrement et stratégiquement les entreprises, celles-ci ont à charge d’orienter ces investissements vers la décarbonation.
Un mariage de raison
Authors: Renouard Cécile
Published: August 2022

Les entreprises ne peuvent plus fermer les yeux sur leur responsabilité dans la transition écologique. Le cadre de pensée développé par Bill Sharpe permet de dégager des horizons, en évitant les déclarations d’intention. Retour sur les enseignements de ce dossier en trois points saillants.
Or noir en Cotentin
Authors: Estival Laurence , Meyer Denis
Published: August 2022

Depuis 2019, l’association Les petits composteurs sillonne les communes de Cherbourg et des environs pour collecter les déchets et les transformer en compost. Une initiative pionnière qui commence à porter ses fruits.
Confiance, vaccination et télétravail pendant la crise de la Covid-19
Authors: Blondel Serge , Chyderiotis Sandra , Langot François , Mueller Judith E. , Sicsic Jonathan
Published: August 2022

À partir d’une enquête originale menée fin novembre 2020, nous identifions les déterminants socio-démographiques et comportementaux d’adhésion aux mesures contre la Covid-19. Notre analyse porte sur l’acceptation du télétravail, les intentions de vaccination et la confiance dans la gestion de la crise par les autorités. Le goût pour les actions collectives est fortement et significativement associé à l’intention d’accepter la vaccination et à la confiance en les autorités. L’aversion pour le risque n’a jamais de rôle significatif et la préférence pour le présent seulement sur la confiance. Des facteurs exposant à un impact plus fort de la maladie (âge, sexe, présence d’autres facteurs de risque pour une Covid-19 grave, proche en Ehpad) permettent également d’expliquer les réponses des enquêtés.
Estimations for aggregate amount of claims in a risk model with arbitrary dependence between claim sizes and inter-arrival times
Authors: Ni Weiwei , Xu Chenghao , Wang Kaiyong
Published: August 2022

This paper considers a compound risk model, in which the individual claim sizes and their inter-arrival times can be arbitrarily dependent. We mainly investigate the claim sizes are extended negatively dependent. When the claim sizes have consistently-varying-tailed distributions, we obtain precise large deviations of the aggregate amount of claims in the above dependent compound risk model.
"The Da Vinci Code for IP Research": Case Study of a Course-Integrated Educational Escape Room for Entrepreneurship Education
Authors: Hartman-Caverly Sarah
Published: August 2022

Educational escape rooms can engage students in the development of information literacy skills while interacting with information formats and environments authentic to their disciplines. In business and entrepreneurship education, escape rooms offer the additional benefit of developing the characteristics of the entrepreneurial mindset, such as adaptive thinking, problem solving, enthusiasm, and decisiveness. This case study explores game-based learning for library instruction in entrepreneurship education. Using Eukel and Morrell’s (2021) escape room design cycle as a framework, it analyzes the development, testing, implementation, and results of an original escape room, Exfiltration! A Competitive Intelligence Virtual Escape Room, implemented as a course-integrated information literacy learning activity in an upper-level undergraduate new venture creation course. Limitations of the escape room are identified, and opportunities for iterative improvement are described. Recent scholarship on the application of entrepreneurial mindset, business research competencies, gamification, escape room pedagogy, and escape rooms in library instruction is discussed. This case study responds to the call from Taraldsen et al. (2020) for more small-scale studies of educational escape rooms outside of the STEM and health science disciplines.
Biometric Technologies in Healthcare Biometrics
Authors: Rakshit Rinku Datta , Kisku Dakshina Ranjan
Published: August 2022

The aim of this chapter is to introduce biometrics systems and discuss the essential components of biometrics technologies in the healthcare system. The discussion also includes the state-of-the-art biometrics technologies, selection criteria of a suitable biometrics system, biometrics identity management, and multi-biometrics fusion for healthcare biometrics system.
Foucauldian-Feminist Reading of Mo Yan's Select Novels
Authors: Aaradhana
Published: August 2022

With his imaginative and humanistic fiction, Mo Yan has shed light on numerous social and political issues prevalent in Chinese society during the 20th century. Alongside his political narratives, he has remarkably represented women's roles and treatment, where gender hierarchy is evident. Moreover, to satirise the patriarchal society, Mo Yan has boldly designed his female characters to overshadow their male counterparts. The present study explores the systemic subjugation of women depicted in the novels and how some female characters actively resisted them. The issue of sexual violence during the war period in China will also be examined as the selected novels portray the cultural and historical experience during the series of civil and national wars. To comprehend and examine these issues, the theoretical framework of Michael Foucault will be applied. His discourse on power relations will be used as a medium to explore the problems mentioned above.
Nupi-Lal and Women Empowerment
Authors: Chanu Yumnam Yaiphabi
Published: August 2022

Manipur, one of the North-Eastern states of India, has been in an active phase of turmoil since the British colonial period and its subsequent annexation to the Indian Union. Insurgency and the resulting implementation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (1958), issues of drug trafficking, unemployment, and gender-related issues have continually plagued the people of Manipur and women in particular. Manipuri women living in a conflict-zone region have always involved themselves in every socio-economic and political situation of the state since historical times, and Nupi-Lal, which is the first ever women oriented movement, shows the glorious and painstaking journey of women empowerment. Even in today's modern society, these empowered women are still trapped in the dark veil of political conflict and social dystopia. The chapter is an attempt to study the social constructs of Manipuri society and to recapture the causes, reasons, and results of the First and Second Nupi-Lal of Manipur and their accumulative impact on the women of present day Manipuri society.
Exploring the Acceptance of Augmented Reality-Based Educational Games
Authors: Rong Wu , Yu Zhonggen
Published: August 2022

Recent studies have integrated educational games with augmented reality (AR) to develop learner motivation. However, few reviews focused on the acceptance of AR-based educational games. This review aims to provide comprehensive insight into the acceptance of AR-based educational games. This review followed the selection process of the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA), including nine peer-reviewed articles published from January 2019 to March 2022. It is concluded that studies preferred to recruit students to play AR-based educational games via handhelds and used questionnaires to understand student acceptance. Technology acceptance model was the most frequently used model. Perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use were two dominant factors influencing student acceptance of AR-based educational games. In the future, game designers should integrate target learning knowledge in designing AR. Future studies should focus on the effect of socio-cultural constructs on different participants' acceptance of AR-based educational games.
ESBL producing Escherichia coli prevalence in chicken stools in selected broiler farms in Galle district
Authors: Karunarathna R. M. C. S. , Wijayaratne W. M. D. G. B. , Ubeysekara H. A.
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Most of the animals reared for food are reservoirs for Extended Spectrum Beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing coliforms. ESBL producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) in chicken meat are increasing worldwide. Since the consumption of chicken in meals is higher compared to other livestock in Sri Lanka, there is a threat to transmit these organisms to humans via food. The aim of this study was to determine the ESBL producing E. coli prevalence in chicken stools and the presence of antibacterial substances in chicken feed and water in selected broiler farms in Galle district Methods: Eighty stool samples were collected from selected broiler farms in Galle district. Isolates were confirmed as E. coli on the lactose fermentation, colony morphology, Gram staining and biochemical tests. ESBL production was detected according to the CLSI double disc diffusion method. Ready to serve chicken feed and water samples were collected and tested against two types of E. coli control cultures using agar well diffusion method to detect the effects of any antibacterial substances. Results: Eighty-six different types of E. coli were isolated from 80 chicken stool samples. There were no ESBL producers among all isolated E coli. There was no antibacterial activity demonstrated in food or water served for chicken except for in one farm. The percentage distribution of fecal microbial flora as well as their density was altered in the farm where antibiotics were used in chicken feed. Conclusions: No ESBL producing E. coli were detected in chicken stool in the selected broiler farms of Galle district indicating the minimum risk of transmission of ESBLs to the human via consumption of chicken meat.
Development and evaluation of a pediatric nursing competency-building program for nursing students in South Korea: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Koo Hyun Young , Lee Bo Ryeong
Published: August 2022

Purpose: The present study aimed to develop and examine the effectiveness of a pediatric nursing competency-building program for nursing students.Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design conducted between October and December 2021. The participants included 40 nursing students (20 each in the experimental and control groups) at a university in a South Korean city. The pediatric nursing competency-building program integrated problem-based learning and simulation into clinical field practice. The experimental group participated in the program, while the control group did not. Data were analyzed using the x2 test, the independent t-test, and repeated-measures analysis of variance.Results: Pediatric nursing competency and clinical performance showed a greater increase in the experimental group than in the control group. However, the change in problem-solving ability in the experimental group was not significantly different from that in the control group.Conclusion: The pediatric nursing competency-building program effectively improved students' pediatric nursing competency and clinical performance.
Nutritional status and related factors among ethnic preschool children in Northern Thailand: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Janpeang Jantip , Suwannapoom Chatmongkon , Anukunwathaka Natnaree
Published: August 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the nutritional status of ethnic (belonging to minority groups) preschool children in Northern Thailand.Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, the sample group included 147 parents and 147 preschool children (2-6 years old). Participants volunteered to complete a questionnaire on the personal information of children and parents, as well as family- and school-related factors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, a nutritional status calculator, and logistic regression analysis.Results: A birth weight of less than 2,500 g was related to weight-for-age and weight-for-height. Not having been breastfed and having been breastfed for less than 6 months were related to weight-for-height. An elementary school education level among parents was related to children's height-for-age. Familial unhealthy food consumption for 1-2 days per week was related to weight-for-age and height-for-age.Conclusion: This study reflects the importance of nutritional care for children at the beginning of pregnancy and continuing to the preschool age, as well as the importance of breastfeeding. Families were found to be a key factor in supporting good nutrition among children.
The association between the social adaptive skills of school-aged children with congenital heart disease and mothers' decision factors for providing disease explanations in Japan: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Endo Shinsaku , Higuchi Michiyo , Hotta Noriko
Published: August 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the factors related to mothers' decisions to provide disease explanations to their children, investigate the associations between those factors and social adaptive skills, and examine support relative to children's growth and development.Methods: Data were collected from anonymous, self-administered questionnaires answered by 71 mothers of outpatient school-aged children with congenital heart disease. The questionnaire items included characteristics of mothers and children, decision factors for providing disease explanations, and children's social adaptive skills (Asahide-Shiki social adaptive skills test). Factor analysis was performed on the decision factors, and multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the association between the identified factors and each social adaptive skill.Results: The decision factors for providing disease explanations were the mother's explanation ability, the receptive capability of the child, and the child's interest and literacy regarding the explanation. Multiple regression analysis showed that language and social life skills were significantly associated with the child's receptive capability, and language and daily life skills were significantly associated with the child's interest and literacy regarding the explanation.Conclusion: Improving children's language, social life, and daily life skills may enhance their receptive capability and literacy regarding explanations of their disease.
An Epidemiological Study of Elongation of Styloid Process in the Saurashtra Population
Authors: Jha Reeta , Khatri Mansi , Pathan Foziya , Solanki Mansi , Tandel Hiren
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

The styloid process (SP) is a cylindrical bony structure emerging from the lower surface of the petrous temporal bone, its normal length is from 20 mm to 30 mm and those with more than 30 mm length are considered elongated. Calcification in stylohyoid ligament or calcification of SP is termed Eagle's syndrome. The aim of this study is to conduct an epidemiological survey of SP on digital orthopantomogram (OPG) in the Saurashtra population with an age range of 5–90 years.

Materials and Methods:

This is a retrospective study of 1088 OPG radiographs randomly selected from the database of 2019–2020 from the oral medicine and radiology department of our institute, which was taken on the OPG model CS 8100 Carestream digital panoramic system. Measurements of SP were done from the temporal bone to the tip. Those with more than 30 mm in length were considered to be elongated. The study sample was divided into four different age groups and was compared according to gender and sides. The Chi-square test and t-test were performed.

Results:

Elongated SP was noted in 354 (32.53%) out of 1088 subjects. Among age groups, subjects of more than 50 years showed a maximum number of elongated SPs.

Conclusion:

Subjects showing elongated SP and their mean length are increased with age, which indicates chronic development of calcification. No statistical significance was found in the elongation of SP in correlation with the cohort's gender and sides (bilateral or unilateral).
Clinical significance of distally located periurethral calcification in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostate hyperplasia
Authors: Yu Seong Hyeon , Lim Do Gyeong , Kim Sun-Ouck
Published: August 2022

This study evaluated the association of periurethral calcification (PUC) with uroflowmetric parameters and symptom severity in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The data were collected from a prospectively maintained database of 1321 men with LUTS of BPH who visited Chonnam National University Hospital (Gwang-ju, Korea) from January 2015 to December 2019. PUC severity and location were evaluated on the midsagittal plane during transrectal ultrasonography. Relationships among age, prostate-related parameters, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and uroflowmetric parameters were assessed. Among the 1321 patients in this study, 530 (40.1%) had PUC. Patients with PUC had significantly higher IPSS (mean ± standard deviation [s.d.]: 15.1 ± 8.7 vs 13.1 ± 7.9; P < 0.001) and lower peak flow rate (Qmax; mean ± s.d.: 12.4 ± 6.6 ml s−1 vs 14.7 ± 13.3 ml s−1; P < 0.001), compared with patients who did not have PUC. Analyses according to PUC severity revealed that patients with severe PUC had higher prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level (P = 0.009), higher total IPSS (P < 0.001), lower Qmax (P = 0.002), and smaller prostate volume (P < 0.001), compared with patients who had non-severe (mild or moderate) PUC. Multivariate analysis showed that distal PUC was independently associated with high total IPSS (P = 0.02), voiding symptom score (P = 0.04), and storage symptom score (P = 0.023), and low Qmax (P = 0.015). In conclusion, PUC was significantly associated with worse LUTS parameters in terms of IPSS and Qmax. Furthermore, distally located PUC was independently associated with worse LUTS of BPH in men.
Replication of SARS-CoV-2 in cell lines used in public health surveillance programmes with special emphasis on biosafety
Authors: Pawar Shailesh D. , Kode Sadhana S. , Keng Sachin S. , Tare Deeksha S. , Diop Ousmane M. , Abraham Priya , Sharma Deepa K. , Sangal Lucky , Yadav Pragya D. , Potdar Varsha A.
Published: August 2022

Background & objectives

Polio, measles, rubella, influenza and rotavirus surveillance programmes are of great public health importance globally. Virus isolation using cell culture is an integral part of such programmes. Possibility of unintended isolation of SARS-CoV-2 from clinical specimens processed in biosafety level-2 (BSL-2) laboratories during the above-mentioned surveillance programmes, cannot be ruled out. The present study was conducted to assess the susceptibility of different cell lines to SARS-CoV-2 used in these programmes.

Methods

Replication of SARS-CoV-2 was studied in RD and L20B, Vero/hSLAM, MA-104 and Madin–Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cell lines, used for the isolation of polio, measles, rubella, rotavirus and influenza viruses, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 at 0.01 multiplicity of infection was inoculated and the viral growth was assessed by observation of cytopathic effects followed by real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Vero CCL-81 cell line was used as a positive control.

Results

SARS-CoV-2 replicated in Vero/hSLAM, and MA-104 cells, whereas it did not replicate in L20B, RD and MDCK cells. Vero/hSLAM, and Vero CCL-81 showed rounding, degeneration and detachment of cells; MA-104 cells also showed syncytia formation. In qRT-PCR, Vero/hSLAM and MA-104 showed 106 and Vero CCL-81 showed 107 viral RNA copies per µl. The 50 per cent tissue culture infectious dose titres of Vero/hSLAM, MA-104 and Vero CCL-81 were 105.54, 105.29 and 106.45/ml, respectively.

Interpretation & conclusions

Replication of SARS-CoV-2 in Vero/hSLAM and MA-104 underscores the possibility of its unintended isolation during surveillance procedures aiming to isolate measles, rubella and rotavirus. This could result in accidental exposure to high titres of SARS-CoV-2, which can result in laboratory acquired infections and community risk, highlighting the need for revisiting biosafety measures in public health laboratories.
Association of inflammatory markers with the disease & mutation status in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Singh Nidhi , Gupta Surabhi , Rashid Sumaira , Saraya Anoop
Published: August 2022

Background & objectives

Inflammation has been studied to be an important contributory factor to carcinogenesis through pro-inflammatory markers such as interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP). Furthermore, K-ras mutation is an important genetic alteration in the pathogenesis of pancreatic cancer. This study aimed to compare these inflammatory markers in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) with the diseased and healthy controls (HCs) and to check for any association between IL-6 and CRP serum levels with the disease status, survival and K-ras mutation status of PDAC patients.

Methods

The study included 135 PDAC, 25 chronic pancreatitis (CP) patients and 25 HCs. The serum levels of IL-6 and CRP were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and K-ras mutations were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique.

Results

The serum levels of both these markers were elevated in PDAC cases than that in HCs. High IL-6 levels and higher CRP levels were found to be associated with locally advanced disease, lymphatic invasion, metastasis and advanced stage of the PDAC. In patients with unresectable PDAC, higher IL-6 levels were found to be associated with the presence of K-ras mutations.

Interpretation & conclusions

Higher IL-6 and CRP levels in patients with advanced PDAC suggest an important role of these inflammatory markers in tumour progression. Furthermore, the association of mutations in the K-ras gene with serum IL-6 indicates cross-talks that may contribute to the progression of the PDAC.
Inter-laboratory testing as a strategy for external quality assessment for qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 by real-time RT-PCR testing in India
Authors: Kaur Harmanmeet , Mukhopadhyay Labanya , Aggarwal Neeraj , Gupta Nivedita , Narayan Jitendra , Vijay Neetu , Gupta Swati , Rana Salaj , Kaur Jasmine , Kumar Vinit , Singh Harpreet
Published: August 2022

To implement the strategy of test, track and treat to tackle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the number of real-time RT-PCR–based testing laboratories was increased for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 in the country. To ensure reliability of the laboratory results, the Indian Council of Medical Research initiated external quality assessment (EQA) by deploying inter-laboratory quality control (ILQC) activity for these laboratories by nominating 34 quality control (QC) laboratories. This report presents the results of this activity for a period of September 2020 till November 2020. A total of 597 laboratories participated in this activity and 86 per cent of these scored ≥90 per cent concordance with QC laboratories. This ILQC activity showcased India’s preparedness in quality diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2.
Development of a cost-effective ex vivo lung perfusion system for lung transplantation in India
Authors: Ganesan Rajarajan , Kajal Kamal , Singh Harkant , Das Ashim , Kaur Rajinder , Saini Naveen , Puri Goverdhan Dutt
Published: August 2022

Background & objectives:

Standard donor lung preservation with cold flush and storage allows up to six hours between retrieval of lungs from the donor and transplantation in the recipient. Ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP) systems mimic physiological ventilation and perfusion in the donor lungs with potential for prolonged lung preservation and donor lung reconditioning. In this study, it was aimed to perform EVLP on discarded donor lungs using a locally developed EVLP system.

Methods:

Equipment that are routinely used for cardiac surgeries were collected and a functional EVLP system was assembled. This system was used on five pairs of lungs retrieved from brain-dead organ donors. The lungs were ventilated and pulmonary circulation was continuously perfused with a solution containing oxygen and nutrients for four hours. The system was tested without red blood cells (RBCs) added to the solution (acellular group; n=3; A1, A2 and A3) and also with RBCs added to the solution (cellular group; n=2; C1 and C2).

Results:

The EVLP system was successfully used in four (A1, A2, A3 and C2) of the five lung pairs. Mechanical and gas exchange functions of the lungs were preserved in these lung pairs. One lung pair (C1) worsened and developed pulmonary oedema. Histopathological examination of all five lung pairs was satisfactory at the end of the procedure. Major challenges faced were leakage of solution from the system and obstruction to drainage of RBCs containing solution from the lungs.

Interpretation & conclusions:

The results of the present study suggest that, it is possible to maintain the lungs retrieved for transplantation in a physiological condition using a locally prepared EVLP system and a solution without RBCs.
Seroprevalence of anti SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies among adults in Jammu district, India
Authors: Kumar Dinesh , Sidhu Meena , Dogra Sandeep , Kumar Bhupinder , Sahni Bhavna , Yadav Arvind Kumar , Bala Kiran , Kumari Rashmi , Mahajan Richa , Bavoria Shalli , Kalotra Anuradha , Gupta Sachin
Published: August 2022

Background & objectives

Serology testing is essential for immunological surveillance in the population. This serosurvey was conducted to ascertain the cumulative population immunity against SARS-CoV-2 among adults in Jammu district and to understand the association of seropositivity with sociodemographic and clinical correlates.

Methods

On September 30 and October 1, 2020, a household survey was done in 20 villages/wards chosen from 10 health blocks in district Jammu, India. Demographic, clinical and exposure information was collected from 2000 adults. Serum samples were screened for IgG antibodies using COVID Kavach MERILISA kit. Tests of association were used to identify risk factors associated with IgG positivity. Crude odds ratio with 95 per cent confidence intervals (CIs) was calculated during univariate analysis followed by logistic regression.

Results

Overall adjusted seroprevalence for SARS-CoV-2 was 8.8 per cent (95% CI: 8.78-8.82); it varied from 4.1 per cent in Chauki choura to 16.7 per cent Pallanwalla across 10 blocks in the district. Seropositivity was observed to be comparatively higher in 41-50 and 61-70 yr age groups, among males and in rural areas. Fever, sore throat, cough, dyspnoea, myalgias, anosmia, ageusia, fatigue, seizures, history of exposure, medical consultation, hospitalization and missing work showed significant association with seropositivity on univariate analysis. On logistic regression, only sore throat, myalgia and missing work showed significant adjusted odds of IgG positivity. Extrapolation to adult population suggested that exposure to SARS-CoV-2 was 14.4 times higher than reported cases, translating into Infection fatality rate of 0.08 per cent.

Interpretation & conclusions

Since a major part of population was immunologically naive, all efforts to contain COVID-19 need to be vigorously followed while these baseline results provide an important yardstick to monitor the trends of COVID-19 and guide locally appropriate control strategies in the region.
Application of mobile phone technology as intervention for the management of tuberculosis patients diagnosed through community survey
Authors: Selvaraju Sriram , Malaisamy Muniyandi , Dolla Chandra Kumar , Murali Lakshmi , Karikalan Nagarajan , Saravanan Balakrishnan , Tholkappian Ayyakannu Sivaprakasham , Tripathy Srikanth Prasad
Published: August 2022

Background & objectives:

The delay in communicating the results to tuberculosis (TB) patients leads to increased rates of initial loss to follow up of treatment. The gap in communication among healthcare providers requires application of new tools that will address the challenges. Mobile phone technologies could be a useful tool in this context for the delivery of information. The objective was thus to evaluate communication by mobile applications such as the WhatsApp Messenger to decrease initial loss to follow up after initial treatment for TB.

Methods:

Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute for Research in Tuberculosis, Chennai, India undertook a community prevalence survey to find the burden of TB. During this survey, mobile phone-based technology (WhatsApp messenger) was employed as an intervention among the healthcare providers and researchers involved for communicating. This was further evaluated for its usefulness by examining the initial loss to follow up and patients initiated on treatment.

Results:

The study covered four blocks of Thiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu, South India, namely Kadambathur, Poondi, Thiruvalangadu and Periyapalayam. The survey population was around 20,000 from each block, and the average patients diagnosed by community TB prevalence survey were 30 patients from each block. Among the patients diagnosed through this survey, in the first block, only 55 per cent were initiated on treatment; subsequently, with the intervention, the initial loss to follow up was significantly reduced from 45 to zero per cent.

Interpretation & conclusions:

After integrating of WhatsApp messenger application for communication among healthcare providers and researchers, the initial loss to follow up among patients being treated for TB was significantly decreased.
Urinary immunoglobulins in viral diagnosis
Authors: Mohandas Sreelekshmy , Balan Sudeep , Mourya Devendra T.
Published: August 2022

Antibody detection by serological methods gained a lot of interest in recent years and has become the backbone of virological diagnosis. Despite the detection of all five classes of immunoglobulins in urine, not much attention has been paid to the use of urine as a diagnostic sample to detect viral antibodies. Unlike venipuncture, this non-invasive mode of sample collection can help cover all age groups, especially paediatric and old age patients, where blood collection is difficult. Using urine as a sample is also economical and involves lesser risk in sample collection. The antibodies are found to be stable in urine at room temperature for a prolonged period, which makes the sample transport management easier as well. A few recent studies, have also shown that the detection limit of antibodies in urine is at par with serum or other clinical material. So, the ease in sample collection, availability of samples in large quantity and stability of immunoglobulins in urine for prolonged periods can make urine an ideal sample for viral diagnosis.
Cognitive Improvement Following Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass Procedures
Authors: Gurnani Nishant , Gupta Mehul , Aggarwal Sandeep , Nehra Ashima , Sreenivas Vishnubhatla
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

South Asia has noted an increasing prevalence of obesity and employment of bariatric surgery (BS) procedures. Prior studies have shown improvement in memory, executive function and attention, after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) operation in the Western population. However, there is a scarcity of data on cognitive improvement following BS in a non-Western population.

Objective:

The objective of the study is to evaluate changes in cognitive functions of patients with severe obesity, after BS.

Study Setting:

Tertiary-care Academic Center, India.

Methodology:

A prospective study of patients undergoing BS was conducted. Specific neurocognitive tests (Mini-mental Status Examination, Standard progressive matrices, Controlled Oral Word Association Test, and Post Graduate Institute Memory Scale test) were used to assess cognitive status at baseline (preoperatively), and at 3, 6, and 12 months.

Results:

Fifty-three patients were enrolled in the study, out of which 50 had completed 1 year of follow-up at the time of analysis (n = 50). Thirty-six patients (72%) were females. The median age was 42 years, and the mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 45.5 ± 6.3 kg/m2. 40 patients underwent SG, while 10 underwent RYGB procedure. At baseline, the study cohort had impairment of abstract reasoning, attention, and verbal retention, as compared to normative data. At 1 year after surgery, the mean BMI was 29.1 ± 2.6 kg/m2. There was a significant (P < 0.05) improvement in most cognitive domains (global cognitive functioning, abstract reasoning, attention/concentration, and memory function). However, improvement in language function was not found to be significant across the follow-up duration of 12 months (P = 0.35).

Conclusions:

Individuals with severe obesity experience baseline impairment in cognitive functions. Similar to results from the Western population, BS (RYGB and SG) results in a significant improvement in multiple cognitive domains even in a non-Western population.
A comparison of post-COVID-19 psychiatric manifestations among adults and elderly
Authors: Vaishnav Mrugesh , Grover Sandeep , Vaishnav Parth , Rao G. Prasad , Saha Gautam , Avasthi Ajit
Published: August 2022

Aim:

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in elderly patients recovered from coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) infection, the present study aimed to compare the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity among elderly (aged ≥60 years) and adult patients (aged 18–59 years).

Methodology:

Two hundred and three elderly patients and 1714 adult participants had completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7), Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Brief Resilient Coping Scale, The Brief Resilience Scale, and a self-designed questionnaire to assess the neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Results:

In the whole sample, the prevalence of depression was 34.4%, GAD was 32.6%, sleep disturbances were 58.3%, suicidal ideations were 23%, COVID-19-related fear was 32.1%, low resilience was 18.7%, and low resilient coping was 49.5%. Compared to adult participants, elderly participants had significantly higher prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, COVID-19 fear score, low resilience, and low resilient coping. In the whole sample, the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms was 23.8%–25.3%, panic attacks were 17%, loneliness was 23.2%, forgetfulness was 21.8%, and cognitive slowing was 19%. Compared to the adult participants, significantly higher proportion of the elderly reported PTSD symptoms, cognitive slowing, and forgetfulness.

Conclusions:

Compared to adult subjects, elderly subjects who have recovered from COVID-19 infection have significantly higher prevalence of depression, anxiety, fear, post-traumatic symptoms, and cognitive symptoms. Hence, there is an urgent need to assess psychiatric morbidity among the elderly subject who have recovered from COVID-19 infection and institute interventions at the earliest to improve their mental health outcomes.