bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green Healthcare in Smart Cities
Authors: Kaur Jaspreet
Published: April 2024

The amalgamation of healthcare, sustainability, and internet of things (Io T) technology offers a significant prospect for effectively tackling urgent issues in the provision of healthcare services in metropolitan areas inside smart cities. The present research investigates the incorporation of IoT technology in order to advance environmental sustainability, augment healthcare accessibility, and boost health outcomes within the framework of smart city endeavors. This study seeks to enhance our comprehension of the interconnections between green healthcare and smart city development by employing a comprehensive strategy that includes healthcare delivery, technology innovation, urban planning, and community involvement. The research taxonomy encompasses multiple dimensions of the study, such as the examination of environmental sustainability in healthcare, the use of IoT applications, the integration of smart city infrastructure, policy and governance considerations, community participation, health equity, and effect evaluation. This research aims to clarify the intricacies of green healthcare in smart cities and develop strategies for improving sustainability, equality, and resilience in urban healthcare systems by analyzing these characteristics. This study's findings represent a valuable contribution to the academic conversation surrounding green healthcare, IoT technology, and the development of smart cities. The study provides practical recommendations that may be implemented by policymakers, healthcare practitioners, technology developers, urban planners, and community stakeholders. This project seeks to facilitate sustainable transformation in healthcare delivery and enhance holistic well-being in the rapidly urbanizing settings of smart cities through the promotion of interdisciplinary collaboration, stakeholder involvement, and evidence-based decision-making.
A Comprehensive Exploration of the “Umber” Mobile App's IoT-Infused Revolution in Umbrella Technology
Authors: Mosalla Sophia , Ranjan Rahul , Singh Saurabh
Published: April 2024

The 'Umber' mobile app stands as a pioneering technological advancement, reshaping the traditional usage of umbrellas. This abstract encapsulates the app's diverse objectives, focusing on elevated user convenience, technological innovation, environmental sustainability, and increased accessibility. Through seamless integration of technology, 'Umber' revolutionizes the umbrella experience, introducing on-demand services, reducing forgetfulness, and promoting sustainability. Drawing inspiration from successful applications like GCOO, Kakao T, and Panda Korea, 'Umber' adopts a proven model to address umbrella-related challenges. This chapter delves into the innovative development of the 'Umber' mobile app, a paradigm-shifting solution at the intersection of global mobility, Internet of Things (IoT) integration, and cutting-edge technologies. The core of the technological architecture involves the incorporation of Firebase for real-time data management, ESP32 microcontrollers, and Reed switches for seamless interaction, GPS tracking for precise location awareness, and map integration to enhance user experience. The 'Umber' app not only redefines traditional umbrella usage but also serves as a testament to the transformative potential of thoughtful, purpose-driven technology development on a global scale. Future research endeavors may entail augmenting the technological capabilities of the 'Umber' app through the exploration of advanced sensor technologies and machine learning algorithms. This could lead to an enhanced user experience and increased adaptability to diverse weather conditions, potentially manifested in a compact screen on the umbrella box. Users could conveniently access real-time weather updates, monitor the condition of the box, and receive information about the umbrella housed inside. Additionally, there is potential for further innovation by upgrading each umbrella to include features such as a built-in flashlight, providing users with added convenience and safety for nighttime walks.
Great Power Contest in Southeast Asia
Authors: Pactao Aileen Joy Adion
Published: April 2024

The era of globalization, which is characterized by intensified borderless exchanges and increased interconnectedness, pressures countries to reassess their use of ‘hard power' in realizing nation's objectives as well as dealing with the global community. China has been recognizing the importance of ‘soft power' – the need to enhance its global image. Primarily, this strategy is called ‘charm offensive' which projects a “benign national image” to secure strong alliances and demonstrate itself as an epitome of social and economic success. This matter is another interesting subject of various discourses and not yet exhausted by existing knowledge production efforts and hence, the focus of this chapter. Specifically, through the use of secondary literature and scrutinization of policy statements and landmark speeches of officials, diplomats, and cultural agents of soft power, this chapter examines China's charm offensive in Southeast Asia – focusing on its sources, limits, and implications to the stability of the region.
Soft Power Competition
Authors: Obaidullah Md. , Raihan Md. Showkat
Published: April 2024

In the current multipolar world, China has emerged as a formidable competitor to the United States, employing soft power strategies to expand its influence, particularly in South Asia—a region of strategic importance for both nations. This study utilizes Joseph Nye's soft power theory to comparatively analyze the approaches of China and the US. Employing case study analysis, including document research and content analysis, the research reveals that China strategically utilizes soft power by promoting its culture in educational institutions and leveraging the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) for trade infrastructure development in South Asia. Conversely, the US relies on its renowned education system, attracting students from the region, and implements soft power through foreign aid, trade, investment, and security cooperation. As the global order undergoes transformations, comprehending these soft power dynamics is crucial for deciphering the intricacies of contemporary international relations.
Nursing Care of a Child With Delirium Receiving Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Case Report
Authors: Fu Cong-hui , Li Yan , Zhang Yu-cai , Yang Xiao-ya , Liu Ji , Ju Min-jie , Xu Ting-ting
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Children receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are prone to delirium. This case report describes the nursing care of a child with delirium who received venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Relevant interventions and precautions are also discussed.

Clinical Findings

A 6-year-old girl was admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit with a 2-day history of vomiting and fever. The child underwent cannulation for venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Diagnosis

The child was diagnosed with acute fulminant myocarditis, cardiac shock, and ventricular arrhythmia.

Interventions

On the third day of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, bedside nurses began using the Cornell Assessment of Pediatric Delirium to assess the child for delirium symptoms. The team of physicians and nurses incorporated a nonpharmacologic delirium management bundle into pediatric daily care. Delirium screening, analgesia and sedation management, sleep promotion, and family participation were implemented.

Outcomes

During the 18 days of pediatric intensive care unit hospitalization, the child had 6 days of delirium: 1.5 days of hypoactive delirium, 1.5 days of hyperactive delirium, and 3 days of mixed delirium. The child was successfully discharged home on hospital day 22.

Conclusion

Caring for a child with delirium receiving venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation required multidimensional nursing capabilities to prevent and reduce delirium while ensuring safe extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. This report may assist critical care nurses caring for children under similar circumstances.
Use of Rounding Checklists to Improve Communication and Collaboration in the Adult Intensive Care Unit: An Integrative Review
Authors: Gunnels Marshall S. , Thompson Susan L. , Jenifer Yvette
Published: April 2024

Background

Intensive care units are complex settings that require effective communication and collaboration among professionals in many disciplines. Rounding checklists are frequently used during interprofessional rounds and have been shown to positively affect patient outcomes.

Objective

To identify and summarize the evidence related to the following practice question: In an adult intensive care unit, does the use of a rounding checklist during interprofessional rounds affect the perceived level of staff collaboration or communication?

Methods

An integrative review was performed to address the practice question. No parameters were set for publication year or specific study design. Studies were included if they were set in adult intensive care units, involved the use of a structured rounding checklist, and had measured outcomes that included staff collaboration, communication, or both.

Results

Seven studies with various designs were included in the review. Of the 7 studies, 6 showed that use of rounding checklists improved staff collaboration, communication, or both. These results have a variety of practice implications, including the potential for better patient outcomes and staff retention.

Conclusions

Given the complexity of the critical care setting, optimizing teamwork is essential. The evidence from this review indicates that the use of a relatively simple rounding checklist tool during interprofessional rounds can improve perceived collaboration and communication in adult intensive care units.
Extensive saponification following acute pancreatitis mimicking peritoneal carcinomatosis and liver metastasis
Authors: De Silva G. P. U. P. , Kumarasinghe K. A. P. R. , Jayathilake A. B. , Lakmal M. A. C. , Pathirana A. A.
Published: April 2024

No abstract available
“The light at the end of the tunnel”: Rendesvouz procedure to bypass complex ureteric strictures
Authors: Seneviratne L. N. , Udurawana S. , Manikkage Y. , Hingalagoda C. , Pilimatalawwe C.
Published: April 2024

No abstract available
A cross-sectional study on road traffic injuries: expanding epidemic in developing countries
Authors: Balasubramanium S. , Shathana P. , Piratheep K.
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Worldwide, road traffic accidents are one of the leading causes of death. The mechanism and extent of injuries in patients will vary according to the nature of the vehicle, its speed, and the site of impact. The aim of this study is to assess the particular aspects of RTAs including socio-demographic factors, details of vehicles, sites of injuries and the outcome of RTAs.Methodology: This study was conducted as a cross-sectional study in a tertiary care center, for two months from November 2019. A data extraction form was used to collect socio-demographic details, details of vehicles and drivers, sites of injuries, places, time, transport mode, and outcome of incident. Descriptive statistics and multi variate analysis.Results: A total of 102 victims were studied including 92 (90.2%) males and 10 (9.8%) females. 60.8% of victims were in the range of 19 to 40 years. Around 10% of senior citizens (above 60 years) met RTA. Most of the accidents happened from 3 am to 10 pm (44.1%). Most happened in urban places (69.6%). Lower limb injuries were the most common injury (42.2%). Mortality rate was 2%. Outcome of RTA was statistically associated with age (p=0.010), time of RTA (p=0.030) and type of victims (p=0.042) at 5% level of significance.Conclusion: This study offers significant insights into road traffic accidents and their consequences. It highlights the need to factor in gender, age, time of day, urban or rural context, and victim type in crafting road safety strategies. Further investigation and interventions are warranted to address the unique risks and requirements of diverse demographics in order to mitigate the occurrence and gravity of such accidents.
Performance Evaluation of Micro-Irrigation Systems in Coconut Plantations
Authors: Fernando B. H. R. , Ranasinghe C. S. , Pathmarajah S. , Mowjood M. I. M.
Published: April 2024

Most of the coconut farmers in Sri Lanka are reluctant to adopt micro-irrigation systems, complaining about low performance. A field study was conducted to verify the claim. The performance was evaluated in two subunits at the inlet and distal end of two micro-irrigation systems with drippers and mini sprayers. The subunit at the inlet of the system with drippers showed a fair Emission Uniformity (78%) and all other tested subunits in both systems showed poor Emission Uniformity, falling below the 70% threshold set by the American Society of Agricultural Engineers. In the drip irrigation system, the increase of Emission Uniformity in the subunit at the distal end was approximately 33%. The increase of Emission Uniformity in all subunits of both systems was 4-6% after replacing the emitters with new emitters. The system with drippers showed severe clogging risk and the system with mini sprayers showed minor clogging risk. Despite the water being in the low clogging risk category, the mini sprayer exhibited the highest percent weight reduction (2%) after washing to remove clogging substances. The coefficient of manufacturer’s variation of the new drippers was in the marginal category of the classification. The Emitter Flow Variation of all the subunits were unacceptable level (>25%) with the existing drippers and mini sprayers. Only the subunit at the inlet of the drip irrigation system showed acceptable Emitter Flow Variation with new emitters. This study revealed that the low performance in both systems was due to emitter clogging and poor hydraulic design.
Microplastic Abundance in the Locally Produced Commercial Compost and the Characteristics
Authors: Ranasingha A. S. Y. P. , Karunarathna A. K. , Dandeniya W. S. , Nijamudeen M. S. , Hewagama G. N.
Published: April 2024

Compost is a widely used soil amendment in the agricultural sector in Sri Lanka. Applying compost could improve soil quality, and it is used in reclaiming degraded agricultural lands. However, low grade compost that contains pollutants may have adverse effects on the quality of the agro-ecosystem. Microplastic is a possible contaminant that can be moved into the agro-ecosystem through poor quality compost application. The present study was conducted to assess the microplastic availability and characteristics of locally produced municipal solid waste and agricultural waste compost. Representing commercial scale agricultural and municipal solid waste composting facilities; twenty compost samples with three replicates were obtained for microplastic identification. A combination of methods (manual separation, oxidation digestion plus density separation) was used to separate and detect microplastics from compost samples. This study revealed that; microplastics are present in agricultural and municipal solid waste compost. Municipal solid waste compost contained significantly (p<0.05) higher microplastic than agricultural waste compost (on average 0.63% and 0.033%, respectively). Average amount of soft plastic content in municipal solid waste compost and agricultural waste compost (1321 items/kg and 71 items/kg, respectively) were higher than the hard plastics (388 items/kg and 37 items/kg, respectively). The study confirmed that compost could act as a carrier of microplastics in agricultural ecosystems. It can be recommended that quality standards should be implemented to minimize the microplastic content in compost and the code of practices for municipal solid waste compost production should be updated to control microplastic contamination to safeguard the quality of agro-ecosystems.
A Retrospective Analysis of Leadership, Awardees, and Member Gender Representation of the Canadian Society for Immunology
Authors: Messing Melina , Gatti Dominique M , Mashhouri Siavash , Nantel Sabryna , Sultana Saki , Westhaver Lauren P , Patel Kamala D , Marshall Aaron J , Haeryfar S M Mansour , Jenne Craig N , Abraham Ninan , Melichar Heather J , McNagny Kelly M , Valdez Tejeira Yanet
Published: April 2024

The Canadian Society for Immunology (CSI) established a formal Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee with the goal of providing EDI advocacy and leadership within the CSI, as well as in the broader scientific community. A first task of this committee was to review the publicly available historical data on gender representation within the CSI’s membership, leadership, award recipients, and conference chairs/presenters as a step in establishing a baseline reference point and monitoring the trajectory of future success in achieving true inclusion. We found that, except for overall membership and a specific subset of awards, all categories showed a historical bias toward men, particularly prior to 2010. Bias persists in various categories, evident even in recent years. However, we note an encouraging trend toward greater gender parity, particularly in the roles of President, symposium presenters, and workshop chairs, especially from 2017 onward. We present these findings as well as our recommendations to enhance inclusivity. These include a more comprehensive collection and secure storage of self-identification data, emphasis on EDI as an essential component of all annual meeting activities, and innovative measures of outreach, collaboration, and leadership with the aim of making the CSI a model for improving EDI in other professional research societies.
Inferring B Cell Phylogenies from Paired H and L Chain BCR Sequences with Dowser
Authors: Jensen Cole G , Sumner Jacob A , Kleinstein Steven H , Hoehn Kenneth B
Published: April 2024

Abs are vital to human immune responses and are composed of genetically variable H and L chains. These structures are initially expressed as BCRs. BCR diversity is shaped through somatic hypermutation and selection during immune responses. This evolutionary process produces B cell clones, cells that descend from a common ancestor but differ by mutations. Phylogenetic trees inferred from BCR sequences can reconstruct the history of mutations within a clone. Until recently, BCR sequencing technologies separated H and L chains, but advancements in single-cell sequencing now pair H and L chains from individual cells. However, it is unclear how these separate genes should be combined to infer B cell phylogenies. In this study, we investigated strategies for using paired H and L chain sequences to build phylogenetic trees. We found that incorporating L chains significantly improved tree accuracy and reproducibility across all methods tested. This improvement was greater than the difference between tree-building methods and persisted even when mixing bulk and single-cell sequencing data. However, we also found that many phylogenetic methods estimated significantly biased branch lengths when some L chains were missing, such as when mixing single-cell and bulk BCR data. This bias was eliminated using maximum likelihood methods with separate branch lengths for H and L chain gene partitions. Thus, we recommend using maximum likelihood methods with separate H and L chain partitions, especially when mixing data types. We implemented these methods in the R package Dowser: https://dowser.readthedocs.io.
A Narrative Review on the Interplay between Blood Pressure, Anxiety/Depression, and Probiotics: Unraveling the Underlying Mechanisms
Authors: Yousefalizadeh Samane , Esmaili Helia , Jafarnejad Sadegh
Published: April 2024

High blood pressure, or hypertension (HTN), is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and various chronic conditions. Recent research suggests that nutraceuticals can enhance the effectiveness of conventional pharmacological therapies. As a result, there is increasing interest in using therapeutic diets and diverse compounds to complement these treatments. Depression is a globally prevalent and debilitating disorder. Anxiety, on the other hand, is a state of heightened emotion that involves both psychological and physical changes, even without a clear cause. In addition to standard therapies, alternative approaches, including adjunctive therapies, are being explored. HTN and anxiety are closely linked conditions. Anxiety can temporarily increase blood pressure due to the body’s natural “fight or flight” response. However, if anxiety persists, it can lead to chronic HTN. Conversely, HTN can also increase the risk of anxiety by causing physical symptoms that can trigger anxiety. Moreover, medications commonly prescribed for HTN may have side effects that worsen anxiety symptoms. It is crucial to identify and offer affordable treatments and prevention methods for both conditions. Recently, there has been discussion about the use of probiotic supplements as an alternative treatment for reducing blood pressure and anxiety. These supplements contain active microorganisms that can provide benefits to the body when consumed in sufficient quantities. Numerous studies have explored the potential benefits of probiotics for individuals with HTN. Similarly, several studies have investigated the impact of probiotics on anxiety. However, the relationship between anxiety, HTN, and the effects of probiotics on these disorders is still a topic of debate. Given the conflicting evidence and the interplay between anxiety and blood pressure, we have chosen to create a comprehensive review article that thoroughly examines and provides a detailed description of the potential mechanisms involved in this connection.
Diagnostic value of voiding scores of the “International prostate symptom score” and the “Bristol female lower urinary system symptoms-short form” questionnaires in women with voiding dysfunction
Authors: Erbay Mehmet Erkan , Sevinç Burcu Hanci , Tarhan Fatih
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

We aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of International Prostate Symptom Score voiding symptom score (IPSS-VS) and Bristol Female Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms-short form voiding score (BFLUTS-VS) in female patients with urodynamically diagnosed voiding dysfunction.

Methods:

The medical records of female patients who underwent urodynamic examination between May 2007 and November 2021 for lower urinary tract complaints were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 1858 female patients were included in the study. Patients investigated between 2007 and 2014 were asked to fill the IPSS, and patients investigated after 2015 were asked to fill the BFLUTS-SF.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 49.06 ± 0.33 in the IPSS group and 50.02 ± 0.47 in the BFLUTS group. On the pressure flow study, voiding dysfunction was found in 14.8% (n = 95) in the IPSS group and 15.1% (n = 183) in the BFLUTS group. The area under curve value was found to be 0.58 for IPSS and 0.64 for BFLUTS. Threshold values were found as >9 for IPSS-VS and >4 for BFLUTS-VS. The sensitivity, specificity, false negative, and false positive rates for IPSS-VS were 33.3%, 78.8%, 66.7%, and 21.2%, respectively. The same parameters were 45.5%, 78.9%, 54.5%, and 21.1% for BFLUTS-VS, respectively.

Conclusion:

The diagnostic performance of both the questionnaires was found to be low for diagnosing voiding dysfunction in female patients according to our data. Therefore, the assessment of the voiding phase in women should not solely rely on the current questionnaires. However, further studies using questionnaires including all voiding symptoms are required.
Perioperative and functional outcomes following robot-assisted partial nephrectomy: Descriptive analysis of Indian study group on partial nephrectomy database
Authors: Rawal Sudhir , Ganpule Arvind , Singh Gurpremjit , Shrivastava Nikita , Kishore T. A. , Dubey Deepak , Mavuduru Ravimohan S. , Kumar Anant , Gautam Gagan , Pooleri Ginil Kumar , Keshavamurthy Mohan , Ragavan Narasimhan , Baxi Hemang , Addla Sanjai Kumar , Raghunath S. Krishnappa , Dahiya Akhil , Gupta Divya , Sharma Gopal
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

There is an unmet need for high-quality data for Robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN) in the Indian population. Indian study group on partial nephrectomy (ISGPN) is a consortium of Indian centers contributing to the partial nephrectomy (PN) database. The current study is a descriptive analysis of perioperative and functional outcomes following RAPN.

Methods:

For this study, the retrospective ISGPN database was reviewed, which included patients who underwent RAPN for renal masses at 14 centers across India from September 2010 to September 2022. Demographic, clinical, radiological, perioperative, and functional data were collected and analyzed. Ethics approval was obtained from each of the participating centers.

Results:

In this study, 782 patients were included, and 69.7% were male. The median age was 53 years (interquartile range [IQR 44–62]), median operative time was 180 min (IQR 133–240), median estimated blood loss was 100 mL (IQR 50–200), mean warm ischemia time was 22.7 min and positive surgical margin rates were 2.5%. The complication rate was 16.2%, and most of them were of minor grade. Trifecta and pentafecta outcomes were attained in 61.4% and 60% of patients, respectively.

Conclusions:

This is the largest Indian multi-centric study using the Indian Robotic PN Collaborative database to evaluate the outcomes of robot-assisted PN, and has proven its safety and efficacy in the management of renal masses.
Laparoscopic necrosectomy for acute necrotising pancreatitis: Retrospective analysis of a decade-long experience from a tertiary centre
Authors: Sivakumar Srivatsan Gurumurthy , Sekaran Monika , Muthukrishnan Srinivasan , Natesan Anand Vijai , Nalankilli V. P. , Senthilnathan Palanisamy , Palanivelu Chinnusamy
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

The objective of this study is to evaluate the role of minimally invasive surgery for the management of necrotising pancreatitis in acute settings and to propose tailor-made approaches to deal with various locations of pancreatic necrosis.

Patients and Methods:

Three hundred and thirteen patients underwent laparoscopic management of necrotising pancreatitis in this study period from January 2010 to June 2021, out of which 122 patients underwent minimally invasive necrosectomy for acute necrotising pancreatitis. The remaining 191 patients underwent laparoscopic internal drainage in the form of cystogastrostomy/cystojejunostomy for walled-off pancreatic necrosis.

Results:

Mean body mass index was 26.45 ± 3.78 kg/sqm. Mean operating time was 56.40 ± 20.48 min and mean blood loss was 120 ± 31.45 mL. Ten patients required reoperation (6 underwent open procedure and 4 underwent laparoscopic redo necrosectomy). Six patients died of multi-organ failure. The mean duration of return of bowel function was 5 ± 1.8 days. The mean length of hospital stay after surgery was 10.19 ± 7.09 days. There were no major wound-related complications.

Conclusion:

A minimally invasive approach to pancreatic necrosectomy is safe and feasible with good outcomes in centres with advanced laparoscopic expertise. It requires not only careful case selection but also proper timing and the ideal route of access to achieve optimal outcomes.
Analysis of risk factors for major post-operative complications following intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion for pseudomyxoma peritonei: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Gao Shun-Cai
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) is a condition characterised by the presence of gelatinous tumour-like growth within the peritoneal cavity. Combined cytoreductive surgery and intraperitoneal chemotherapy have shown to improve the survival rate in PMP patients. However, post-operative complications such as cognitive dysfunction, respiratory insufficiency and acute renal failure are still observed. This retrospective study aims to explore the risk factors associated with major post-operative complications and specifically investigate the correlation with intraoperative hypotension.

Patients and Methods:

This retrospective cohort study included PMP patients treated at Beijing Aerospace Center Hospital from 1 June, 2014 to 30 December, 2020. The primary outcome measures were major post-operative complications, including neurological, pulmonary, cardiovascular, surgical complications, acute hepatic injury and acute kidney injuries. The secondary outcome measures included infection, fever and deep venous thrombosis. Statistical analysis was conducted using EmpowerStats and R software.

Results:

A total of 782 patients were screened, and 668 patients were included in the statistical analysis. Amongst them, 234 (35.03%) individuals experienced major post-operative complications. Factors such as pre-operative American Society of Anaesthesiologists grading, age, haemoglobin and albumin levels, intraoperative mean arterial pressure, blood loss, fluid replacement volume, method of intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion and post-operative requirement for intensive care unit mechanical ventilation were found to be correlated with major complications.

Conclusion:

The identified risk factors provide valuable insights for improving clinical pathways in the management of PMP. Further prospective studies are warranted to establish the association between these factors and patient outcomes.
Petersen’s hernia after gastric cancer surgery: Unravelling clinical characteristics and optimal management approaches
Authors: Zhang Mingran , Fan Yue , Li Jun , Yong Liu
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Petersen’s hernia is a rare and serious complication that can occur after radical gastrectomy and digestive tract reconstruction for gastric cancer. This article summarises the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of Petersen’s hernia after surgery for gastric cancer.

Patients and Methods:

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 11 male patients who were diagnosed with Petersen’s hernia and underwent surgical treatment at our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022. Their clinical manifestations, perioperative conditions and follow-up after treatment were collected.

Results:

The median age was 58.5 years (range: 45–73), and the median time since gastrectomy was 24 months (range: 4–125). Open distal gastrectomy (45.5%) and open total gastrectomy (27.3%) were the most common procedures. Roux-en-Y (81.8%) was the predominant anastomosis method. All patients underwent emergency surgery within a median time of 30 h (range: 4–45). Intestine necrosis occurred in 36.4% of cases, with a perioperative death rate of 27.3%.

Conclusion:

Petersen’s hernia after gastric cancer surgery can quickly lead to necrotising intestinal obstruction and poor prognosis. Enhanced abdominal computed tomography should be performed as soon as possible, and early exploratory laparotomy should be done to avoid intestinal necrosis. Routine closure of the mesenteric defect after gastric cancer resection can prevent the occurrence of Petersen’s hernia. This article highlights the need for increased awareness and preventive measures to minimise the occurrence of Petersen’s hernia in gastric cancer patients. It emphasises the importance of early detection and appropriate management strategies for improved patient outcomes.
Molecular docking and synthesis of N-alkyl-isatin-3-imino aromatic amine derivatives and their antileishmanial and cytotoxic activities
Authors: Hassanzadeh Farshid , Hejazi Seyed Hossein , Jafari Elham , fard Atefeh Mohammadi , Sadeghi-aliabadi Hojjat
Published: April 2024

Background and purpose:

Isatin derivatives have excited attention due to their biological attractions, especially, anticancer properties. Isatin analogs such as semaxanib and sunitinib were exposed to tyrosine kinase inhibitory properties. N-substituted isatins were reported to show cytotoxic activity. On the other, the extension of impressive and cost-effective agents against leishmaniasis is necessary in third-world countries. The capability of isatin derivatives to create novel anticancer and anti-leishmanial compounds has been identified in medicinal chemistry research. The current study aimed to synthesize N-alkyl-isatin-3-imino aromatic amine compounds and evaluate their biological effects.

Experimental approach:

Synthesis started with the formation of 2-chloro-N-phenylacetamide derivatives by the reaction of aniline derivatives with chloroacetyl chloride. N-alkylation of isatin was performed in the presence of K2CO3 in N, N-dimethylformamide. Final products were prepared via the condensation of N-alkyl isatin derivatives with aromatic amines. Cell viability was checked out by using the MTT assay against cancer cells. Final compounds were screened for anti-leishmanial activity. The molecules were docked in the active sites of the epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase to define the possible interactions.

Findings/Results:

Compounds 5c and 4d with IC50 value of 50 μΜ showed cytotoxic activity on the MCF-7 cell line. Compound 5b presented anti-leishmanial activity against promastigote form after 48 h (IC50:59 μΜ) and 72 h (IC50: 41 μΜ) incubations. The highest docking score was -7.33 kcal/mol for compound 4d.

Conclusions and implications:

The nature of substitution in the N1 region of isatin seems to be able to influence the cytotoxic activity. Based on the obtained results of docking and cytotoxic tests, compound 4d seems to be a good compound for further investigations.
Determination of the anticancer activity of standardized extract of Centella asiatica (ECa 233) on cell growth and metastatic behavior in oral cancer cells
Authors: Manmuan Suwisit , Tubtimsri Sukannika , Chaothanaphat Nattaya , Issaro Nipatha , Tantisira Mayuree H. , Manmuan Ponwit
Published: April 2024

Background and purpose:

The anticancer drugs used for oral cancer treatment present many disadvantages, such as low solubility, low permeability, and poor bioavailability. However, the anticancer activity of ECa 233 has not been widely studied. Therefore, the anticancer activity of ECa 233 was investigated in this study.

Experimental approach:

MTT assay was carried out to determine cell viability. Characterizations of cell apoptosis were monitored using DAPI and FDA staining and Hoechst 33258 and AO staining. Confirmation of the apoptosis-induced KON cells was done using annexin V-FITC staining, and ROS generation was determined by DCFDA staining. Cell death and the cell cycle arrest activity of ECa 233 were demonstrated by a flow cytometer. The anti-migration and anti-invasion properties of ECa 233 were examined. The anti-proliferative of ECa 233 was investigated. Cellular uptake of ECa 233 was measured by TEER values. The pharmacokinetics of ECa 233 were estimated using the pkCSM web server.

Findings/Results:

ECa 233 decreased the KON cell viability. Morphological analysis showed the KON cells’ loss of cell stability and structure, disorganized nucleus and cytoplasm, and induced cell death. ECa 233 acted as a cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and reduced the migration and invasion ability in KON cells. TEER values significantly increased in KON cells, which decreased cell colony and multicellular spheroid formations. The pharmacokinetic profiles of the main components are of interest for future usage.

Conclusion and implication:

ECa 233 can be used as an alternative therapy as well as a medicinal plant selected for sensitizing oral cancer cells to chemotherapy.
Order-detection of slopes on the boundaries of knot manifolds
Authors: Boyer Steven , Clay Adam
Published: April 2024

Motivated by the L-space conjecture, we investigate various notions of order-detection of slopes on knot manifolds. These notions are designed to characterise when rational homology 3-spheres, obtained by gluing compact manifolds along torus boundary components, have left-orderable fundamental groups and when a Dehn filling of a knot manifold has a left-orderable fundamental group. Our developments parallel the results by Hanselman et al. (2020) in the case of Heegaard Floer slope detection and by Boyer et al. (2021) in the case of foliation slope detection, leading to several conjectured structure theorems that connect relative Heegaard Floer homology and the boundary behaviour of co-oriented taut foliations with the set of left-orders supported by the fundamental group of a 3-manifold. The dynamics of the actions of 3-manifold groups on the real line play a key role in our constructions and proofs. Our analysis leads to conjectured dynamical constraints on such actions in the case where the underlying manifold is Floer simple.
Comparative evaluation of tocilizumab and itolizumab for treatment of severe COVID-19 in India: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Kumar Abhyuday , Kumar Neeraj , Pattanayak Arunima , Kumar Ajeet , Palavesam Saravanan , Manigowdanahundi Nagaraju Pradhan , Das Rekha
Published: April 2024

Background: Itolizumab downregulates the synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules by inhibiting CD6 leading to lower levels of interferon-γ, interleukin-6, and tumor necrotic factor-α and reduced T-cell infiltration at inflammatory sites. This study aims to compare the effects of tocilizumab and itolizumab in the management of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods: The study population was adults (>18 years) with severe COVID-19 pneumonia admitted to the intensive care unit receiving either tocilizumab or itolizumab during their stay. The primary outcome was clinical improvement (CI), defined as a two-point reduction on a seven-point ordinal scale in the status of the patient from initiating the drug or live discharge. The secondary outcomes were time until CI, improvement in PO2/FiO2 ratio, best PO2/FiO2 ratio, need for mechanical ventilation after administration of study drugs, time to discharge, and survival days.Results: Of the 126 patients included in the study, 92 received tocilizumab and 34 received itolizumab. CI was seen in 46.7% and 61.7% of the patients in the tocilizumab and itolizumab groups, respectively and was not statistically significant (P=0.134). The PO2/FiO2 ratio was significantly better with itolizumab compared to tocilizumab (median [interquartile range]: 315 [200–380] vs. 250 [150–350], P=0.043). The incidence of serious adverse events due to the study drugs was significantly higher with itolizumab compared to tocilizumab (14.7% vs. 3.3%, P=0.032).Conclusions: The CI with itolizumab is similar to tocilizumab. Better oxygenation can be achieved with itolizumab and it can be a substitute for tocilizumab in managing severe COVID-19.
INFLUÊNCIA DO CONSELHO DE ADMINISTRAÇÃO NO DESALINHAMENTO ENTRE REMUNERAÇÃO EXECUTIVA E DESEMPENHO ORGANIZACIONAL
Authors: Marquezan Luiz Henrique Figueira , Velho Maria Laura Pereira , Zonatto Vinícius Costa da Silva
Published: April 2024

Este estudo objetiva analisar a influência do conselho de administração no desalinhamento entre o desempenho financeiro e de mercado da empresa com a remuneração dos executivos. Para isso, analisa dados secundários de 181 empresas listadas na B3, de 2010 a 2018, tratados por análise de regressão com dados em painel. Os resultados revelam que a remuneração dos executivos, total e variável, está relacionada ao desempenho contábil e de mercado, com parte não explicada por esse, intitulada no estudo como remuneração desalinhada. Os achados mostram que o conselho de administração, avaliado por tamanho, agrava o desalinhamento, enquanto a dualidade de cargos e independência não influenciam. Ainda, a relação entre o tamanho da diretoria e do conselho, discutido como fator que pode aumentar a complexidade dos contratos de compensação e o poder gerencial, também aumenta o nível de desalinhamento. Os resultados revelam fatores preocupantes quanto às relações do conselho com custos de agência, com destaque a níveis desalinhados da remuneração dos agentes com os interesses do principal por desempenho. Contribui ao discutir o desalinhamento da remuneração executiva, apresentando evidências das relações entre conselho de administração e diretoria executiva, com destaques no texto para a literatura e as organizações.
Assessing the Performance of Deep Learning Algorithms With and Without Transfer Learning in Similar or Identical Wastewater Treatment Processes
Authors: Kim Jaeil , Suh Sang-Ik , Ahn Yongtae , Ki Seo Jin
Published: April 2024

This study assessed the feasibility of transfer learning from one wastewater treatment process to another using two popular deep learning algorithms. Specifically, convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM), which consisted of four and three hidden layers, respectively, were used as benchmark algorithms for transfer learning. Input data for both deep learning and transfer learning were provided from two wastewater treatment plants with identical treatment trains in series (located in Jinju and Cheongju City) over the five-year period from 2018 to 2022. Performance evaluation was also done not only against two deep learning algorithms but also against those adopting two transfer learning strategies, one for freezing all hidden layers developed from the pre-trained model and the other for training the last hidden layer only among multiple ones, with respect to Mean Squared Error (MSE). We found that the performance of both CNN and LSTM was relatively comparative regardless of dependent variables, discharge and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), whereas the prediction accuracy of both algorithms was slightly higher for discharge than for BOD due to its low variability. When transfer learning which froze all hidden layers of the existing model was applied to two benchmark algorithms, the predictive performance of both algorithms was found to slightly improved only for discharge. Also, there was no measurable variation in the prediction accuracy of benchmark algorithms using the other transfer learning approach. Potential applications of transfer learning include the rapid reuse of the existing models (developed from source domains) for target domains which are hard to develop new prediction models due to the lack of data in deep learning.
Character design research for local government promotion: Focusing on the symbolic characters of Jongno-gu, Inwangi and Bukaki
Authors:   Korea Institute of Design Research Society, Kim Se Woong , Won Jong Wook
Published: April 2024

With the development and emergence of numerous platforms, characters are becoming more important as a medium for efficient information delivery. According to the trend of the times, companies, institutions, and local governments are focusing on character development, and a large number of characters have already been developed. Jongno-gu is located in the center of Seoul and has the largest number of tourist destinations to represent our culture, and is a city visited by many tourists. Accordingly, Wang Beom-i and Bukak-i, characters who can reconsider the new image of Jongno-gu and promote Let's Jongro, a local festival, were developed based on the current trend design. The developed characters Wang Beom-i and Bukak-i used the names of Inwangsan Mountain and Bukak-i, other names of Bukhansan Mountain, representing Jongno-gu, and were produced by matching Tiger Wang-i and Magpie Bukak-i to the name and image of the mountain. Character design investigated design trends that were popular from 2020 to 2023, extracted keywords and examples that are good for use in character development. Through the characters developed through this, Jongno-gu was created to build an image to reach tourists in a new, friendly, and humorous way, and sell online and offline as promotions for various events and tourism.
Instructional Leadership Challenges in Rural Multigrade Schools
Authors: Taole Matshidiso Joyce , Mudau Patience Kelebogile , Majola Xolani Moffat , Mukhati Fulufhelo
Published: April 2024

School leadership is regarded as the cornerstone of the successful provisioning of quality education. This qualitative study draws from principals' accounts of their instructional leadership challenges in rural multigrade schools. The research, situated within an interpretivist paradigm and the theoretical lens of instructional leadership, sought to understand the challenges that principals experience as instructional leaders and how they mitigate the challenges they experience in their rural contexts. Ten purposively selected principals from rural multigrade schools situated in the Vhembe district of Limpopo province participated in the study. Data were generated through semi-structured interviews and were analysed using thematic analysis. The findings show that principals in rural multigrade schools do not participate in induction training to equip them with the knowledge and skill to commence their roles as principals. As a result, they struggle to balance their teaching and management roles. However, fostering teamwork with teachers may be a strategy that could assist principals in managing and successfully executing their duties. Lack of access to technological resources and staffing are serious concerns for the participants in their aim to provide quality education. Active parental involvement supports principals and teacher in their multigrade rural context. This study recommends that principals should undergo training for their role as principals in rural multigrade schools and training on multigrade pedagogies is recommended for both principals and teachers. Understanding challenges that principals in rural multigrade schools experience could help policymakers establish relevant policies that address leadership issues in rural schools.
PERBANDINGAN METODE DETEKSI PELANGGARAN ASUMSI KLASIK DALAM EKONOMETRIKA MODERN
Authors: Ramadhani M Az-zhahra , Hidayah Yuniar Tri , Nur A. Fatma
Published: April 2024

This research discusses a comparison of classical assumption violation detection methods in the context of modern econometrics. In econometrics, classic assumptions, such as homoscedasticity, normality, and the absence of multicollinearity, are often the basis of regression analysis. However, with advances in technology and more complex data, concerns about the validity of these assumptions have increased. This literature study involves an in-depth review of the literature related to detecting violations of classical assumptions in modern econometric regression. Current methods, such as the use of bootstrap techniques, robust tests, and non-parametric approaches, are the main focus in the literature. This research details the strengths and weaknesses of each method, and provides a better understanding of their effectiveness and applicability in addressing the problem of violation of assumptions. The results of the literature study show that classical assumption violation detection methods based on high technology, such as resampling techniques and robust approaches, can provide more reliable results in dealing with the complexity of modern data. It is hoped that an in-depth understanding of this framework can assist econometric researchers and practitioners in choosing the most appropriate method for their specific data conditions, thereby increasing the validity of regression analysis results