bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uniformly analytic solutions to a class of singular partial differential equations
Authors: Soto John Paolo O. , Lope Jose Ernie C. , Ona Mark Philip F.
Published: March 2022

We study the singular nonlinear partial differential equation $ t\partial_tu = F(t, x, u, \partial_xu) $, where $ (t, x)\in\mathbb{R}\times\mathbb{R}^n $. Under some growth conditions on the coefficients of the partial Taylor expansion of $ F $, we construct the unique solution that is continuous in $ t $ and $ C^\infty $ in $ x $.
AN EMPIRICAL STUDY OF STUDENTS’ AIR CONDITIONING ENERGY USE BEHAVIOR IN UNIVERSITY DORMITORIES—A CASE OF NANJING, CHINA
Authors: Tian Lingling , Xiong Lilin , Liu Hui , Mao Peng , Li Hongyang , Dai Zhaohua
Published: March 2022

People’s lifestyle and energy use behavior have been shown to influence the energy consumption of buildings. Since university dormitories consume a significant amount of energy, it is important to investigate the energy use behavior of students in such dormitories. The aim of this study was therefore to improve students’ energy use behavior in order to reduce the energy consumption of air conditioning in university dormitories. Based on a review of relevant literature, air conditioning energy use behavior was defined, and influencing factors were identified from demographic characteristics, indoor characteristics of personnel, as well as physiological and psychological factors. Students’ air conditioning energy use behavior during the summer and influencing factors of students’ energy use behavior was then revealed by an analysis of 332 respondents to a questionnaire survey. The results indicated that differences in energy use behavior are influenced by: age, major and monthly living expense of students; indoor characteristics such as the number of students in the dormitory, time spent in the dormitory, distance to an air conditioning unit; physiological factors including body comfort, clothing, and activity intensity; and psychological factors including cognition degree, values, living habits, attitude, perceived behavior control, and subjective norms. Based on these findings, suggestions for reducing energy consumed by air conditioning were proposed and intervention studies then conducted to confirm that energy use behavior had improved, with subsequent consumption savings after the intervention. This study adds to the body of knowledge in the field of energy use behavior and provides guidance for the sustainable development of green universities.
Early Childhood Education Teacher Technology Usage in Emergency Times
Authors: Gbenga-Akanmu Taiwo Oladunni , Lawal Oluwaseun Temitope
Published: March 2022

This study investigated early childhood education teacher technology usage during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive survey design was adopted. The population of the study consisted of all early childhood education teachers in Nigeria. Sample size consisted of 1000 early childhood education teachers that were selected randomly. A self-designed instrument titled Early Childhood Education Teachers' Technology Usage Questionnaire (ECETTUQ) was administered on the participants for the study. Four research objectives were raised. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, simple percentages, mean, standard deviation, and independent t-test. The study indicated that the highest percentage of teachers was not involved in online technology during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency time in Nigeria. Limited internet service is the major weakness of online technology usage. The study recommends that government and private school owners should engage their teachers with regular training on technology usage, and better internet services should be provided by the service providers.
Corporate Simulation and the Articulation of the Problem-Based Learning Methodology With the Continuous Assessment Model
Authors: Teixeira Ana Bela , Teixeira Nuno Delicado , Galvão Rosa Morgado , Costa Paulo José Rodrigues , Wergikosky Telmo Passuco , Bacalhau Filipe Damas
Published: March 2022

Academic success is a priority, and according to the literature review, it is associated with the application of problem-based learning methodologies or the continuous assessment model. The case study performed was based on the course unit Corporate Simulation (CS), part of the Accounting and Finance course academic curriculum. After describing the functioning process, objectives, and assessment model of CS, it was shown that from 2014/15 to 2019/20, the level of approval of CS was 94.8%. Also, from the results of the survey conducted with the students who completed CS, from 2007/08 to 2018/19, on a scale of 1 to 5, in options 4 and 5 (good and very good), the objectives weigh on average, 85.3%, and that, in the academic year 2019/20, the specific characteristics of functioning, as a consequence of COVID 19, did not cause changes in the trends of assessment and approval in CS.
Blockchain Technology in the Agricultural Supply Chain
Authors: Sharma Rama , Singh Anurag
Published: March 2022

India is an agrarian country, and farmers are the backbone of this agriculture system. Now, when India is stepping ahead in all sectors of economy, agriculture is still lagging behind. Farmers are struggling for a minimum standard of living due to non-availability of basic infrastructure and natural calamities. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 10,349 persons involved in farming sector (consisting of 5,763 farmers or cultivators and 4,586 agricultural labourers) committed suicide during 2018, accounting for 7.7% of total suicide (134,516) victims. In this light, it is impertinent to see the current agricultural policies in place aiming to revive the status of farmers in India. Supply of low quality and spurious inputs is an important factor for increased cost without adequate gain in productivity. In this chapter, effort has been made to know how blockchain technology can improve the agricultural sector as well as the condition of farmers in India.
Considerations for Blockchain-Based Online Dispute Resolution
Authors: Singh Madhvendra , Jain Nitya
Published: March 2022

Blockchain is an indestructible ledger technology with a permanent digital footprint which is bringing about disruptions in almost every aspect of life. Since its inception, blockchain was deployed to eliminate human cost and effort and bring in decentralisation of power and control. With the overburdening of cases in national court systems, alternate dispute resolution is today the preferred mechanism for resolving private commercial disputes, outside of courts, especially arbitration. Resolution of commercial disputes plays a major role in the economic growth of any nation. Success of any system calls for a comprehensive approach consisting of five building blocks: the legal basis, the organisational setup, human excellence, communications, and management of change. It is also a hypothesis that the courts in the future will be more like a service rather than a location, with courtrooms being online/virtual, and customer-centric providers leading the market space. Resolution of commercial disputes will become more competitive and differentiated on the international front.
Mapping the Changing Contours of Electronic Evidence in India
Authors: Maria Utkarsh , Maria Anant Vijay
Published: March 2022

The courts have gone on a discourse starting from admissibility of CDs as evidence to the latest being that of WhatsApp Chats. The author of this chapter will map the changing discourse of electronic evidence in India and its evolution in India. The author will discuss the normative discourse with respect to electronic evidence and its applicability, which will be followed by the legal dynamics during such evolution and in the third part argue the current trend of decisions. The author will further provide for the current policy and future changes which need to be imbibed in order to make the law more robust.
Authenticity, Humanistic Technology, and Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Largacha-Martinez Carlos
Published: March 2022

How do you make artificial intelligence, its design, production, development, and use more humane? Is this possible? Those are the challenging questions that this chapter poses. Instead of answering them, the chapter brings novel ideas and practices to the reader in order to elicit novel paths to make the debate. As is shown that authenticity is one of the key goals to achieve this, so there is a debate about how to ingrain authentic living and thinking in humans. From there, a revision of some challenges of AI are presented like the AI-traps that any development of AI-APIs would encounter. All this is applied and operationalized in a current project that was prototyped with students at the Master's of Human Talent of the Universidad Santo Tomas. The results are shown after using the 'Left-Column' Social Technique along with how the conversations uploaded by the MTH students were later analyzed using DEMOs by BigTech Companies. The APIs used are for sentiment analysis, using NLP. The results of these analyses are shown at the end, discussed, and a future framework proposed.
Cultural and Creative Industries in a VUCA World
Authors: Peña Bennett Claudia Jimena
Published: March 2022

Through business economics, it is possible to analyze the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous situations surrounding an organization to propose managerial solutions that combat risks and uncertainty. Without a doubt, the answers are already there for decision-making in this type of environment, whereby this chapter adds a proposal for managers to consider facing those situations by reviewing recommendations derived from a creative state of mind. By observing learnings from the artistic world, there´s an option to enrich methodologies for enlisting probabilities, solving a problem, and detecting possible benefits within a misty path. Implementing arts interventions as part of a strategic core program process are enriched with utopians that solve issues with unexpected results.
Recent Advancements in Design and Implementation of Automated Sign Language Recognition Systems
Authors: Siddineni Bhavana , V. M. Manikandan
Published: March 2022

Sign language has been used for a long time by deaf and mute people to communicate their thoughts and feelings. Since there is no universal sign language, the needy people use country-specific sign languages. For example, American Sign Language (ASL) is popularly used by Americans and Indian Sign Language (ISL) is commonly practised in India. Communication between two people who know the specific sign language is quite easy. But, if a mute person wants to communicate with another person who is not familiar with sign language, it is a difficult task, and a sign language interpreter is required to translate the signs. This issue motivated the computer scientist to work on automated sign language recognition systems that are capable of recognizing the signs from specific sign languages and converting them into text information or audio so that the common people can understand it easily. This chapter will be a useful reference for the researchers who are planning to start their research study in the domain of sign language recognition.
Using Pectoral Muscle Removers in Mammographic Image Process to Improve Accuracy in Breast Cancer
Authors: Firdi Nabila Puspita , Sardjono Tri Arief , Hikmah Nada Fitrieyatul
Published: March 2022

Cancer is a disease that attacks almost any organ or tissue of the body when abnormal cells grow uncontrollably and invade adjacent parts of the body. The second highest incidence of cancer in Indonesia is breast cancer with 42.1 cases per 100,000 population with an average mortality rate of 17 per 100,000 population. Mammography is a special imaging modality with x-rays to produce detailed breast images with at least 2 viewpoints, namely Craniocaudal (CC) or top view and Medio Lateral Oblique (MLO) or side view. The chest muscle area on the MLO display often interferes with the cancer identification process on mammography images because it has a dominant density and is similar to the density of cancer tissue. This research proposes a framework consisting of pectoral muscle detection on MLO display, image enhancement process, segmentation, and feature extraction. This study succeeded in increasing the accuracy of the MLO display mammography image after using the pectoral muscle remover using gradual edge detection and Hough lines Transform with the ratios of accuracy, precision, specificity, and sensitivity for images without pectoral muscle removers respectively were 33.59%, 30%, 11.49% and 80.48%. As for the images with pectoral muscle removers, the accuracy, precision, specificity, and sensitivity values respectively ​​were 68.67%, 64.71%, 57.14%, and 80.49%. For future projects, this research can be developed using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) to improve accuracy. This is expected to help doctors and radiologists in the process of reading patient mammography so it can reduce mortality from breast cancer.
Investigation of Electrode Location to Improve the Accuracy of Wearable Hand Exoskeleton Trainer Based on Electromyography
Authors: Triwiyanto Triwiyanto , Rahmawati Triana , Pawana I Putu Alit , Maulidia Evrinka Hikaristiana
Published: March 2022

EMG signal has a random and stochastic characteristics, so it is difficult to predict the amplitude. Furthermore, the EMG signal depends on the electrodes location. Therefore, a proper muscle selection determines the system's accuracy value. The purpose of this study was to investigate the exact location of the electrodes to improve the accuracy of the wearable hand exoskeleton trainer based on electromyography (EMG) signal control. The main advantage of the results of this study is that the most dominant muscle was found in the development of a wearable hand exoskeleton based on an EMG signal threshold. Therefore, the model can be controlled using a single electrode pair which can further be applied using a low-cost microcontroller. In this study, ten respondents were involved in the data acquisition. The discovery of the dominant muscle was carried out by investigating the dominant EMG signal in three muscles (Abductor pollicis longus, extensor digitorum) that plays a role in the open and close movements of the hand exoskeleton. Dry electrode was used to detect EMG signal activity on the skin surface. The EMG signal was then extracted using the root mean square (RMS) feature. After the evaluation, the results showed that the flexor digitorum superficialis muscle in the rest position produced higher accuracy value than the other muscles, which was 96.63±0.67%. In the implementation, the product of this research can be applied for rehabilitation steps in post-stroke patients which is carried out either in a medical rehabilitation unit or at home independently.
H3K27me3 Demethylase UTX Restrains Plasma Cell Formation
Authors: Kania Anna K , Price Madeline J , George-Alexander Lou-Ella , Patterson Dillon G , Hicks Sakeenah L , Scharer Christopher D , Boss Jeremy M
Published: March 2022

B cell differentiation is associated with substantial transcriptional, metabolic, and epigenetic remodeling, including redistribution of histone 3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), which is associated with a repressive chromatin state and gene silencing. Although the role of the methyltransferase EZH2 (Enhancer of zeste homolog 2) in B cell fate decisions has been well established, it is not known whether H3K27me3 demethylation is equally important. In this study, we showed that simultaneous genetic deletion of the two H3K27 demethylases UTX and JMJD3 (double-knockout [Utxfl/flJmjd3fl/flCd19cre/+] [dKO]) led to a significant increase in plasma cell (PC) formation after stimulation with the T cell–independent Ags LPS and NP-Ficoll. This phenotype occurred in a UTX-dependent manner as UTX single-knockout mice, but not JMJD3 single-knockout mice, mimicked the dKO. Although UTX- and JMJD3-deficient marginal zone B cells showed increased proliferation, dKO follicular B cells also showed increased PC formation. PCs from dKO mice upregulated genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation and exhibited increased spare respiratory capacity. Mechanistically, deletion of Utx and Jmjd3 resulted in higher levels of H3K27me3 at proapoptotic genes and resulted in reduced apoptosis of dKO PCs in vivo. Furthermore, UTX regulated chromatin accessibility at regions containing ETS and IFN regulatory factor (IRF) transcription factor family motifs, including motifs of known repressors of PC fate. Taken together, these data demonstrate that the H3K27me3 demethylases restrain B cell differentiation.
Comparison of Reptilian Genomes Reveals Deletions Associated with the Natural Loss of γδ T Cells in Squamates
Authors: Morrissey Kimberly A , Sampson Jordan M , Rivera Megan , Bu Lijing , Hansen Victoria L , Gemmell Neil J , Gardner Michael G , Bertozzi Terry , Miller Robert D
Published: March 2022

T lymphocytes or T cells are key components of the vertebrate response to pathogens and cancer. There are two T cell classes based on their TCRs, αβ T cells and γδ T cells, and each plays a critical role in immune responses. The squamate reptiles may be unique among the vertebrate lineages by lacking an entire class of T cells, the γδ T cells. In this study, we investigated the basis of the loss of the γδ T cells in squamates. The genome and transcriptome of a sleepy lizard, the skink Tiliqua rugosa, were compared with those of tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus, the last living member of the Rhynchocephalian reptiles. We demonstrate that the lack of TCRγ and TCRδ transcripts in the skink are due to large deletions in the T. rugosa genome. We also show that tuataras are on a growing list of species, including sharks, frogs, birds, alligators, and platypus, that can use an atypical TCRδ that appears to be a chimera of a TCR chain with an Ab-like Ag-binding domain. Tuatara represents the nearest living relative to squamates that retain γδ T cells. The loss of γδTCR in the skink is due to genomic deletions that appear to be conserved in other squamates. The genes encoding the αβTCR chains in the skink do not appear to have increased in complexity to compensate for the loss of γδ T cells.
La bioetica a Rio
Authors: Fiori Angelo , Sgreccia Elio
Published: March 2022

Non disponibile
Coronavirus disease-19 pandemic and health-care waste
Authors: Shrivastava Saurabh RamBihariLal , Shrivastava Prateek Saurabh
Published: March 2022

In the global mission to prevent climate deterioration and ensure environmental sustainability, the appropriate management of health-care waste carries immense importance. The available global estimates suggest that 30% of the healthcare establishments do not have the desired systems and mechanisms required for the segregation of waste. The ongoing coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic proved to be a double-edged sword in this case, wherein not only it accounts for a massive increase in the health-care waste that has been generated, but also significantly decreased the capacity of the workers to efficiently deal with the waste, owing to rising caseload and other consequences of the infection. Acknowledging the magnitude of the problem, it is the need of the hour to come out with potential solutions to reduce the impact of health-care waste on the environment. To conclude, the containment of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic necessitated an unprecedented global response. There are no doubts that we have improved ourselves in that regard, but in the process, it has resulted in the generation of significant amounts of health-care waste. It is high time that all the stakeholders should join their hands together and take appropriate steps to ensure reduction and appropriate management of health-care waste.
Evaluating the impact of social distancing on COVID-19 hospitalizations using interrupted time series regression
Authors: James Alecia , Malagón-Morris Rikki , Gurusinghe Shari , Roblin Patricia , Bloem Christina , Wise Tyler , Joseph Michael A. , Arquilla Bonnie , Daniel Pia
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

The quasi-experimental approach of interrupted time series analysis has been used to assess public health interventions by statistically comparing preintervention and postintervention rates. In this study, we apply interrupted time series to assess the effectiveness of social distancing on COVID-19 hospitalizations in a patient population in New York City.

Materials and Methods:

An interrupted time series design was used to evaluate the impact of the New York State on PAUSE executive order (social distancing measure), on admitted COVID-19 patients, and patients on ventilators, at a single center hospital in Brooklyn, NY. Time series data were collected from March 10, 2020 to April 28, 2020 and were modeled using segmented regression analysis, assuming a 2-week delay in the intervention's effect. ARIMA forecasting was also performed to determine the projected COVID-19 hospitalizations and ventilator use in the absence of social distancing.

Results:

There was a significant change (decrease) in the upward daily trend in the mean number of COVID-19 admissions and patients on ventilators after the assumed effective date of the New York State on PAUSE mandate. For admitted patients, the coefficient of the variable “time after intervention,” or change in slope, was − 9.30 (P = 0.0009), and the corresponding value was − 2.27 (P < 0.0001) for patients on ventilators.

Conclusion:

The assumed effective period of the implementation of the New York State on PAUSE executive order was shown to be significantly correlated with decreased COVID-19 hospitalizations and ventilator use in the population measured. Similar social distancing measures should be adopted in other cities and locales that are currently seeing a surge in COVID-19 transmissions with an assumption of a 2-week delay in impact.

The following core competencies are addressed in this article:

Medical knowledge, Systems-based practice.
Descriptive analysis of adverse drug reactions to antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Jain Charu , Sharma Lokendra , Sharma Neha , Agrawal Abhishek , Tak Amit , Kumar Munesh
Published: March 2022

Introduction:

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is highly toxic, may cause various adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Hence, regular monitoring and reporting of ADRs to ART are essential to ensure the maximum benefit from these medications. The aim/objective of this study is to evaluate the pattern, causality, severity, and preventability of ADRs due to antiretroviral drugs.

Materials and Methods:

A descriptive observational study was carried out on people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), at ART center of SMS Medical College and attached group of hospitals, Jaipur, after due approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. ADRs due to various ART regimens were studied over a period of 12 months. Clinical information of ADRs and other relevant details was collected on predesigned pro forma and causality, severity, and preventability of reported ADRs were duly assessed.

Results:

Five hundred and twenty-four HIV patients taking ART presented with a total of 996 ADRs. Maximum ADRs were implicated by tenofovir + lamivudine + efavirenz and were related to the central nervous system (35.3%) and gastrointestinal system (19.6%). Other ART caused ADRs of anemia, rashes, renal impairment, hepatobiliary impairment, and rare ADR of Steven–Johnson Syndrome (S-J Syndrome) and gynecomastia. Among encountered ADRs, 73.8% were preventable, whereas 26.2% were not preventable. Causality assessment was found to be possible, probable, and certain in 72.7%, 24.9%, and 2.4% of ADRs, respectively.

Conclusion:

ART is associated with a broad range of ADRs, ranging from mild to life-threatening adverse reactions. The activities of pharmacovigilance, ADR monitoring, and reporting are mandatory to improve the drug safety.

The following core competencies are addressed in this article:

Medical knowledge, Patient care, Practice-based learning and improvement, and Systems-based practice.
An update on the novel approaches towards skills assessment of ophthalmology residents in the Indian scenario
Authors: Ramani Soumya , Pradeep Thanuja G , Sundaresh Divya D
Published: March 2022

An essential part of the teaching-learning paradigm is assessment. It is one of the ways to achieve feedback for the various methods that have been used to impart a particular skill. This is true of ophthalmology training, where various clinical and surgical skills are learned as part of the residency program. In preparation for residents to become proficient ophthalmologists, both formative and summative assessments are of paramount importance. At present, assessment is primarily summative in the form of a university examination, including theory and practical examinations that are conducted at the end of the three years of residency. A formative assessment can make course corrections early on, allowing for an improved understanding of the subject and the acquisition of clinical and surgical skills. Formative assessments also allow us to customize the teaching methodology considering individual residents’ learning capabilities. In addition, formative assessments have the advantage of alleviating the stress of a “final” examination, which could sometimes result in a less-than-optimum performance by the residents. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to adopt new teaching methods, which has led to the adoption of changes in assessment. In this regard, we discuss the different assessment tools available, their pros and cons, and how best these tools can be made applicable in the setting of an ophthalmology residency program.
Retinal detachment in eyes treated with Aurolab aqueous drainage implant for refractory glaucoma - Incidence and outcomes
Authors: Babu Naresh , Baliga Girish , Puthuran George Varghese , Ramasamy Kim
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

To analyze the incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in patients who have undergone prior Aurolab aqueous drainage implant (AADI) surgery and report outcomes in terms of anatomic, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure (IOP) findings.

Methods:

Case records of all patients who underwent RRD repair after AADI surgery from 2013 to 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Data collected included patient demographics, ocular examination findings at all visits including IOP and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and clinical findings related to RRD both at baseline and postoperatively.

Results:

Ten eyes of nine patients were included in study. The mean age of patients was 28.2 years (median: 15 years, range: 6–83 years). Mean duration between AADI and RRD was 14 months (median 2.5 months; range 2 days-72 months). All eyes underwent pars plana vitrectomy with silicon oil injection. The preoperative LogMAR BCVA (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) was 2.52 ± 0.15 which improved to 2.29 ± 0.58 at final follow-up; however, only one eye had vision ≥ 20/400 largely due to recurrent RRD and advanced glaucomatous disc damage. Postoperatively retina was attached in 6 eyes (60%) and IOP was ≤ 21 mmHg in 5 out of 6 eyes with anatomic success

Conclusion:

The incidence of RRD following AADI was found to be 0.86% in our study. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicon oil tamponade was the preferred approach in the management of these eyes with IOP being well controlled post PPV. However, visual acuity outcomes were largely unsatisfactory due to recurrent RRD and preexisting advanced glaucoma.
Auricular skin-cartilage sandwich graft technique for full-thickness eyelid reconstruction
Authors: Pushker Neelam , Modaboyina Sujeeth , Meel Rachna , Agrawal Sahil
Published: March 2022

Full-thickness deficiency of eyelid tissues can result in coloboma or retraction or both. Here we report our initial experience on the use of auricular skin-cartilage sandwich graft technique for full-thickness eyelid deformities. Five patients (4–32 years) underwent the procedure. Patients with full-thickness eyelid deformity were included. Three patients were operated for large-sized coloboma and two for eyelid retraction. One patient had congenital, and four patients had acquired etiology. The following parameters were specifically assessed: correction of deformity, ocular surface problems, graft status, and epithelization of skin-cartilage graft. All the patients had a good correction of eyelid position, except one patient who had severe eyelid retraction (8 mm) at presentation. None of our patients had corneal erosion/defect, persistent ocular surface redness, or graft loss. The auricular skin-cartilage sandwich graft technique produces optimal results with no graft loss. Advancement of orbicularis muscle in between the auricular skin and cartilage grafts (sandwich technique) is an imperative step that leads to the survival of both grafts.
Effects of water drinking on corneal biomechanics: The association with intraocular pressure changes
Authors: Vera Jesús , Redondo Beatríz , Molina Rubén , Jiménez Raimundo
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

We aimed to assess the impact of drinking water (500 and 1000 mL) on corneal biomechanics and determine the level of association between changes in intraocular pressure and variations in the different biomechanical properties of the cornea.

Methods:

A total of 39 healthy young adults ingested either 1000 mL (n = 21) or 500 mL (n = 18) of tap water in 5 min. The CorVis ST system was used to assess corneal biomechanics at baseline and at 15, 30, and 45 min after water ingestion.

Results:

Water drinking induced statistically significant changes in the deformation amplitude (P < 0.001, h² = 0.166), highest concavity time (P = 0.012, h² = 0.093), peak distance (P < 0.001, h² = 0.171), time and velocity of the first applanation (P < 0.001, h² = 0.288 and P = 0.016, h² = 0.087, respectively), and time and velocity of the second applanation (P = 0.030, h² = 0.074 and P = 0.001, h² = 0.132, respectively), being independent of the amount of water ingested (P > 0.05 in all cases). There were significant associations between changes in intraocular pressure and some parameters of corneal biomechanics

Conclusion:

Small variations in whole-body hydration status alter different biomechanical properties of the cornea, with these changes being associated with intraocular pressure levels. These findings indicate that whole-body hydration status can be considered for the diagnosis and management of different ocular conditions.
Semilunar sign of cornea: A multimodal analysis of the posterior corneal opacity in non-infectious anterior scleritis
Authors: Kumar Dhivya Ashok , Agarwal Amar , Chandrasekar Radhika , Chinnappan Raja M
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

To analyze the morphological outcomes of the posterior corneal opacity or “semilunar sign” in noninfectious anterior scleritis using multimodal imaging.

Methods:

This was a prospective observational case series. Patients with anterior scleritis from January 2018 to January 2019 were included. Clinical and demographic data were collected. Posterior cornea was visualized using the digital slit lamp photography (Elite, mega digital vision), spectral domain optical coherence tomography (MS39), and specular count analyzer (EM-3000). “Semilunar sign” was defined by the (1) presence of posterior corneal opacity, (2) concave semilunar pattern, (3) absence of blood vessels, and (4) normal anterior cornea. Incidence, clinical characteristics and significance, correlation with Mantoux sensitivity, and role of multimodal valuation were assessed.

Results:

Overall 76 eyes of 72 patients were recruited with anterior scleritis. Fifteen eyes of 11 patients (15.3%) presented with semilunar sign. The scleritis was both nonnecrotizing (n = 8) and necrotizing (n = 7). The semilunar configuration appeared as isolated (n = 9) and continuous lesion (n = 6). The extent was directly related to the scleral disease extent (P = 0.002). The mean thickness measured 212.5 ± 129.3 mm. The mean central endothelial cell density (ECD) was 2540.8 ± 351.7 cells/mm2, which was significantly higher than the involved peripheral cornea (P = 0.05). The mean surface area of the semilunar sign was 7.7 ± 5.2 mm2. There was no significant correlation between the opacity thickness and the best-corrected visual acuity (P = 0.895, r = −0.39), ECD (P = 0.52, r = −0.188), and Mantoux (P = 0.696, r =− 0.142)

Conclusion:

Corneal semilunar sign of scleritis affected the peripheral cornea and caused no functional abnormality in early presentation. Multimodal analysis can aid in clinical assessment and severity.
Outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve and transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in neovascular glaucoma
Authors: Shalaby Wesam S , Ganjei Allen Y , Wogu Brian , Myers Jonathan S , Moster Marlene R , Razeghinejad Reza , Lee Daniel , Kolomeyer Natasha N , Eid Tarek E , Katz L Jay , Shukla Aakriti G
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

To determine the outcomes of Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) and transscleral diode cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) in neovascular glaucoma (NVG).

Methods:

This was a single-center retrospective comparative case series involving chart review of consecutive patients who underwent AGV or CPC for treatment of NVG and had ≥6 months of follow-up. Surgical failure at 6 months, defined as an IOP of >21 or <6 mm Hg with hypotony maculopathy after 1 month, progression to no light perception (NLP) vision, glaucoma reoperation, or removal of AGV were the main outcome measures.

Results:

In total, 121 eyes of 121 patients were included (70 AGV and 51 CPC). Baseline demographics, visual acuity (VA), and intraocular pressure (IOP) were comparable between groups. At 6 months, failure was significantly higher in the CPC group than in the AGV group (43.1% vs. 17.1%, P = 0.020). Both groups had similar IOP and medication number at 6 months, but VA was significantly lower in the CPC group compared to the AGV group (2.4 ± 0.8 vs. 1.9 ± 1.0, P = 0.017). More CPC eyes required reoperation for glaucoma than AGV eyes (11.8% vs. 1.4%, P = 0.041). Multivariate regression analysis identified higher preoperative IOP (P = 0.001) and CPC surgery (P = 0.004) as independent predictors of surgical failure at 6 months. Age, sex, race, NVG etiology, bilaterality of the underlying retinal pathology, perioperative retina treatment, and prior or combined vitrectomy were not significant

Conclusion:

AGV and CPC had comparable IOP and medication reduction in NVG eyes at 6 months. CPC was more frequently associated with failure, reoperation for glaucoma, and worse visual outcomes. High preoperative IOP and CPC surgery independently predicted surgical failure.
Canon CP-TX1 camera – As a screening tool for amblyogenic risk factors
Authors: Raza Syed Aisha , Amitava Abadan Khan , Gupta Yogesh , Afzal Kamran , Kauser Farnaz , Saxena Juhi , Masood Anam , Bose Aparna , Singh Ramprakash
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

To evaluate the Canon CP-TX1 camera as a screening tool for ARFs in a pediatric population and estimate the prevalence of ARFs.

Methods:

In a pediatric outpatient space, largely in the immunization clinic, after obtaining parental consent, we encouraged children to be photographed from a distance of 5 feet in a dim room by using a CP-TX1 camera with the red-eye reduction feature off. Based on the captured red reflex, children were labeled as normal (symmetrical red reflexes in the two eyes, with no visible crescents); all others were considered as abnormal or positive for ARFs. All photographed children were assessed by an optometrist/refractionist for VA by age-appropriate methods. Data were entered into a 2 × 2 contingency table on statpages.org, and diagnostic indices were calculated with 95%CI.

Results:

With a sample of 262 children, we obtained a sensitivity of 0.82, a specificity of 0.98, a positive predictive value of 0.92, a negative predictive value of 0.94, a positive likelihood ratio of 41.06, a negative likelihood ratio of 0.17, and a prevalence of 0.24 for ARFs

Conclusion:

CP-TX1 performed well as a screening tool to identify ARFs in children. Placing such a camera in an immunization clinic offers a chance to identify children with ARFs at a time when amblyopia is eminently reversible.
Retinal vasoocclusive spectrum following COVID-19
Authors: Shroff Daraius , Kumar Sandeep , Naidu Anushree , Gupta Charu , Shroff Cyrus M
Published: March 2022

The coagulation abnormalities and thromboembolic complications of coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are now a well-established fact. The hypercoagulable state, the tendency for thromboembolism, and a cytokine surge state have been the exclusive reasons for multiorgan failure and other morbidities that have been regularly reported in COVID-19 patients. Ocular involvement in patients with active disease and those who have recovered is uncommon but not rare. We report a case series of four patients with CRVO, BRVO, CRAO, and vitreous hemorrhage in patients with proven COVID-19 infection and no other systemic ailments. The case series also tries to correlate the elevated D-dimer values, which signify a plausible prothrombotic state with the vaso-occlusive phenomenon in the retina leading to significant visual morbidity.
Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis: An epidemiological study from a tertiary care referral center in Western India
Authors: Patel Ravija , Jethva Jignesh , Bhagat Purvi R , Prajapati Vipul , Thakkar Hansa , Prajapati Kamini
Published: March 2022

Purpose:

Rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) is a rare opportunistic fungal infection with a fulminant course and an often fatal outcome. It can occur in immune-compromised patients such as those having uncontrolled diabetes, on long-term corticosteroid or immunosuppressive therapy, with COVID-19 infection, renal failure, AIDS, malignancy, or organ transplant. The aim of our study was to study the epidemiology of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients and identify its risk factors.

Methods:

Ours was an epidemiological study wherein we gathered the demographic, clinical, histopathological, and radiological data of 458 patients of mucormycosis who presented to us between August 2020 and May 2021. Mucormycosis was defined through clinical and radiological findings or positive culture reports.

Results:

Out of all, 20.74% of patients did not have any past or concurrent history of COVID-19. The most common symptom of mucormycosis was orbital/facial pain (38.64%) and the most common sign was periocular/facial edema (50.74%). Mucormycosis involving the nose and sinuses (94.54%) was most common followed by rhino-orbital (45.41%) and brain involvement (10.04%). The most common risk factor for mucormycosis was diabetes [81.92%], followed by corticosteroid use [79.69%] and supplemental oxygen [48.90%]. Most of the patients received similar treatment with IV amphotericin B [88.64%] and local debridement [80.74%]

Conclusion:

With the third wave of COVID-19 still lurking, a fatal fungal infection should be kept in mind in COVID-19 active as well as recovered patients, especially those who have co-morbid medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes and who are treated with large doses of corticosteroids.
Subconjunctival Dirofilariasis presenting as orbital cellulitis
Authors: Shambhu Smitha K , Murthy Praveen R
Published: March 2022

Background:

Dirofilariasis is an emerging zoonosis in India. Most of the cases from India have been reported from the states of Kerala, coastal Karnataka and Maharashtra, and a few from the North India, Orissa and Assam. Dogs, cats, foxes and other wild animals are definitive hosts for dirofilaria. Human ocular parasitosis is prevalent in geographical areas where environmental factors and poor sanitary conditions favor parasitism between humans and animals. However, in recent years, migrating population have facilitated the spread of certain parasitic diseases from endemic to non-endemic areas. We report a case of subconjunctival dirofilariasis in a 91-year-old man, who presented with features of orbital cellulitis. An intact live worm, measuring 13.5 cm, was extracted from the subconjunctival space, following which there was prompt resolution of symptoms.

Purpose:

Given the increase in the frequency of dirofilariasis in humans in recent years, medical practitioners should bear in mind the possibility of ocular dirofilariasis when a patient presents with an ocular or orbital inflammatory lesion.

Synopsis:

This video illustrates various presentations of ocular dirofilaria and surgical extraction of a live worm from the subconjunctival space.

Highlights:

Lifecycle and human ocular manifestations of dirofilaria ared elucidated. Rare presentation of subconjunctival dirofilariasis as orbital cellulitis and its resolution following removal of the live worm has been demonstrated.

Video link:
https://youtu.be/Nj8unz0S85M
Hand Sanitizer
Authors: Sidharth S. , Aggarwal Ramesh , Ghotekar L. H. , Margekar Shubha Laxmi , Kumar Omprakash
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the emphasis of personal hygiene which was long being ignored. Measures such as hand sanitizer which were predominantly used in health-care facilities in the past have seen recent surge in its usage everywhere. The availability of hand sanitizer in almost all the settings in this pandemic including the household has heralded a new step in personal hygiene. People across the world are using hand sanitizer everywhere. As much is known about its beneficial effect in preventing the spread of pathogens, its injudicious use has resulted in discovering its adverse effect if misused. We hereby present a case where the patient with Type 1 diabetes mellitus presented with hand sanitizer ingestion. This case highlights the unwanted effects and lethality of hand sanitizer if used in an unintended manner and hence alert us for its judicious use in the pandemic.
Nonsymplectic automorphisms of prime order on O’Grady’s sixfolds
Authors: Grossi Annalisa
Published: March 2022

We classify nonsymplectic automorphisms of prime order on irreducible holomorphic symplectic manifolds of O’Grady’s 6-dimensional deformation type. More precisely, we give a classification of the invariant and coinvariant sublattices of the second integral cohomology group.
Synthesis, antibacterial, antibiofilm evaluation and molecular docking studies of 3-methyl- 2-propyl-2H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3b] [1,2,4,6]thiatriazine-1,1-dioxide
Authors: Hajri Azhar , Zmantar Tarek , Altayb Hisham N , Kouidhi Bochra , Chaieb Kamel
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT. In the current study, a simple method for the synthesis of 3-methyl-2-propyl-2H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3b][1,2,4,6]thiatriazine-1,1-dioxide (2) was carried out. In the presence of pyridine, a reaction between amidine (1) and sulfuryl chloride occurs. FTIR spectroscopy, 1H and 13C NMR, mass spectra, and elemental analysis were utilized in order to verify the structure of a novel synthetic molecule. The antibacterial activities of compound (2) were tested against eight pathogenic bacteria and the minimum inhibitory concentration as well as minimum bactericidal concentration were determined. Moreover, the possible antibiofilm effect of compound (2) was evaluated. Molecular docking was investigated to determine the interaction between compound (2) and eight crystal structures of bacterial and yeast proteins associated with virulence activity and antimicrobial resistance. Our results showed that the new 3-methyl-2-propyl-2H-[1,2,4]triazolo[4,3b][1,2,4,6]thiatriazine-1,1-dioxide (2) compound has a moderate antibacterial activity toward the selected pathogenic bacteria. The obtained MICs varied from 32 to 512 µg/mL being the lowest values attributed to Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 14990 and Streptococcus mutans ATCC 25175 (MIC = 32 µg/mL).We noted also that heterocyclic compound (2) may inhibit bacterial biofilm formation at concentration depend manner with a lowest value obtained against S.mutans ATCC 25175 (BIC50 = 490 µg/mL). Molecular docking showed a promising inhibitory activity of compound (2) on TetM-mediated tetracycline resistance (3J25) and Staphylococcus aureus gyrase (3G7B) with lower binding energy compared to the other target proteins.

               

KEY WORDS: Synthesis, Thiatriazine-1,1-dioxide, Antibacterial, Antibiofilm, Molecular docking

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(1), 109-117.                                                            

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i1.10
Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, biological screening and POM analysis of potentially bioactive copper(II) carboxylate complexes
Authors: Sirajuddin Muhammad , Ahmad Changaiz , Khan Hizbuallah , Ullahkhan Imdad , Tariq Muhammad , Ullah Nazif
Published: March 2022

ABSTRACT. Here we are reporting the synthesis, characterization of four novel copper(II) complexes with carboxylate ligand and their evaluation for biological applications. The complexes have general formulas C22H18CuN4O12, C32H26CuN6O12, C27H23CuN5O12 and C34H26CuN6O12. The synthesized complexes were characterized by FT-IR and elemental analyses carried out through EDX. The deprotonation of the carboxylate ligand, 4-(2-methoxy-5-nitrophenylamino)-4-oxobut-2-enoic acid, was observed in FT-IR spectrum, indicating that complexation happens via the carboxylate moiety's oxygen. In complexes 1 and 3, the value of Δν value is in between 120-180 cm-1 showing the bridging mode of the carboxylate moiety while in complexes 2 and 4, its value is greater than 180 cm-1 indicating the monodentate binding mode. The findings of antimicrobial activity revealed that the complexes have adequate antibacterial and antifungal properties. The anti-promastigote analysis results showed that the complexes 1 and 4 have significant activity as compared to the standard drug. The binding mode of complexes with DNA was confirmed by UV-Visible spectroscopy and viscosity measurements and the results showed that complexes interact with DNA through intercalative mode. A new and efficient strategy was applied through POM (Petra, Osiris and Molinspiration) analyses for determining the toxicity assessment, bio-availability and drug score of the synthesized complexes. The results showed that the complexes have good bioavailability and drug scores.

               

KEY WORDS: Copper(II) carboxylate complex, DNA binding, Anti-promastigote analysis, Cytotoxicity, POM analysis, Docking study

Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2022, 36(1), 57-71.                                                                    

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v36i1.6
Opinie o profesorach Uniwersytetu Bolońskiego z początku XVI wieku
Authors: Sroka Stanisław A.
Published: March 2022

Opinions on professors at the University of Bologna in the early 16th century Lecture lists known as rotules constitute an important source of information on the past history of the University of Bologna. The Bolognese archives (Archivio di stato) also contain preserved minutes, a kind of a rough draft, of rotules. In the minutes, the university scribe took the liberty of making notes on the margins, providing us with very interesting source material concerning the professors teaching at the Bolognese Alma Mater Studiorum, especially at the beginning of the 16th century. Many such notes can be found in the rotule draft from the academic year of 1506/1507, and these are the subject of the analysis presented in this paper. The notes contain interesting remarks, sometimes quite biting, on the university lecturers. An important measure of the popularity of their courses was the number of students attending them. The vast majority of the lecturers had no difficulties attracting a dozen or so students to their classes, but there also were some who failed to encourage even a few to listen to their lectures. The analysed draft of a university rotule is an important source, offering insights into the life of the University of Bologna in the early 16th century.