bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conduction system pacing using intracardiac echocardiography guidance - a case report
Authors: Martinov E. , Boychev D. , Marinov M. , Konstantinova V. , Gelev V. , Traykov V.
Published: January 2024

Conduction system pacing (CSP) is a pacing technique involving the implantation of permanent pacing leads at different sites along the cardiac conduction system and includes His bundle pacing (HBP) and left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP). Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) might facilitate the implantation of the permanent pacing lead in the left bundle branch (LBB) area of the interventricular septum. We report a case of an 83-year-old patient presenting with right bundle branch block (RBBB), left anterior fascicular block (LAFB), and dizzy spells during episodes of 2:1 atrioventricular (AV) block who underwent CSP with ICE guidance at our center. Apart from standard ﬂ uoroscopic guidance and monitoring  of  intracardiac signals, ICE was also used to monitor lead advancement in the septum during the implantation. The landing zone and penetration depth of the pacing lead through the RV septum, mid-septum, and LBB area septum were easily visualized with ICE. Selective LBBAP demonstrated by the accepted ECG and electrogram criteria was achieved.  Automated strain rate protocol with speckle tracking was used to demonstrate preserved left ventricular (LV) synchrony following the implantation. The use of ICE to guide LBBAP implantation can be used to monitor lead penetration in the septum, potentially improving the safety and efﬁ cacy of this promising pacing modality.
A new long-winged pygmy grasshopper in Eocene Baltic amber raises questions about the evolution of reduced tegmenula in Tetrigidae (Orthoptera)
Authors: Skejo Josip , Kasalo Niko , Thomas M. Jared , Heads Sam W.
Published: January 2024

Extant pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae) that possess wings have the forewings reduced into scale-like tegmenula, while hind wings remain fully developed. Rusmithia gorochovigen. et sp. nov. (Tetrigidae, Batrachideinae, Rusmithinitrib. nov.) is described based on a single adult female holotype from Lithuanian Baltic amber, from the Bartonian-Priabonian age, some 40 million years ago, and this is the only known tetrigid in which tegmenula or tegmina (the forewings) extend as far as half the length of the hind femur. Besides this very unique trait, other characters of Rusmithiagen. nov. indicate similarity with extant and especially fossil Batrachideinae (genus Danatettix Thomas, Skejo & Heads, 2019). Because of the strong differences this genus and Danatettix have with American Batrachideinae, they are assigned to a new tribe, European Batrachideinae or Rusmithinitrib. nov.Acrydium bachofeni (Zeuner, 1937) might belong to this or a sibling genus based on its very long tegmenula or Succinotettix chopardi Piton, 1938, based on its 19-segmented antennae; neither species is tranferred as their types could not be examined.
The Relationship Between Dyadic Coping Strategies and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms in Pregnant Persons at Risk of Miscarriage
Authors: Çankaya Seyhan , İbrahimoğlu Tuğba
Published: January 2024

This study aimed to determine the relationship between dyadic coping strategies and posttraumatic stress symptoms in pregnant persons at risk of miscarriage. This descriptive relationship-seeking study was conducted with a total of 330 pregnant people who were hospitalized in the obstetrics department of Meram Faculty of Medicine because they were in danger of miscarrying. Data were collected with a personal information form, the Dyadic Coping Inventory, and the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist–Civilian Version. The results were that 241 (73%) of 330 pregnant people at risk of miscarriage had a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) score above the cut-off point (≥ 23). The pregnant persons' self-perception of their spouse's score on dyadic coping and the low joint dyadic coping behavior score were found to be important factors for PTSD (
P
< 0.05). Health care professionals should question the dyadic coping methods used by pregnant people at risk of miscarriage and help them develop better ways of coping. In addition, midwives, nurses, and other health care providers should emphasize to pregnant people in danger of miscarriage who do not have good dyadic coping skills that it is important to use psychological counseling services, and encourage the participation of couples in training programs for coping strategies.

[
Psychiatr Ann
. 2024;54(1):e24–e32.]
IGNITE: Operationalizing
The US Surgeon General's Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being
Authors: Agarwal Gaurava , Darling Tiffani
Published: January 2024

Workplaces have been called to action by
The US Surgeon General's Framework for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being.
Educating the workforce on the five essentials anchored to ten human needs can be a way to create a shared vocabulary about the elements of work design that foster healthy workplaces. Through socializing the Framework, workplaces enable workers to be constructive partners in creating better environments. In addition, there is an urgent need to counter professional isolation and enhance social connection among the entire health care workforce. This article shares the rationale and process of creating a novel program called IGNITE (Inspiring Growth, Networking, Improvement, Togetherness, and Engagement) that operationalizes the Framework. This initiative accomplishes the dual purpose of enhancing individual and organizational resilience through learning about the Framework, while creating space for our entire workforce to build stronger communities and teams.

[
Psychiatr Ann
. 2024;54(1):e9–e13.]
Physician Coaching: An Intervention to Address the Burnout Gender Gap Among Physicians
Authors: Mikhaeil-Demo Yara , Vermylen Julia H. , Agarwal Gaurava
Published: January 2024

Burnout is a prolonged response to chronic stressors, characterized by emotional exhaustion, feelings of cynicism and depersonalization, and low sense of personal accomplishment. Burnout is well documented among physicians. Additionally, numerous studies have demonstrated a higher prevalence of burnout among women-identifying physicians compared to men-identifying physicians. Recently, multiple randomized controlled trials have shown that professional coaching for physicians significantly decreased burnout and emotional exhaustion and improved resilience, quality of life, work engagement, self-compassion, and psychological capital. To begin addressing the unique drivers of women physicians, specifically physician mothers, we designed and implemented a group coaching program that addressed drivers of burnout for physician mothers. We found that group coaching is an affordable and well-received intervention that can help address burnout drivers of physician mothers and begin to narrow the burnout gender gap.

[
Psychiatr Ann.
2024;54(1):e14–e18.]
Firearm-Related Violence in the Pediatric Population
Authors: Marsh Katherine M. , Scott-Wellington Felicia
Published: January 2024

Children, particularly adolescents, are dying from firearm-related injuries. Screening for firearms, early recognition of firearm-related concerns, appropriate referrals, and follow-up are crucial to the safety of our patients and their families. Clinicians are strongly encouraged to address firearm-related violence during clinical encounters. Risk reduction, advocacy, and policy implementation are key in mitigating the long-term negative sequelae of firearm violence in youth. The epidemiology of firearm-related death, mass shootings, school firearm violence, adolescent health, prevention, injury patterns, postinjury care, policy, and resources are all discussed in this article.

[
Pediatr Ann
. 2024;53(1):e28–e33.]
Limit cycles in an $ m $-piecewise discontinuous polynomial differential system
Authors: Jiang Ziguo
Published: January 2024

In this paper, I study a planar $ m $-piecewise discontinuous polynomial differential system $ \dot{x} = y, \dot{y} = -x-\varepsilon(f(x, y)+g_m(x, y)h(x)) $, which has a linear center in each zone partitioned by those switching lines, where $ f(x, y) = \sum_{i+j = 0}^na_{ij}x^iy^j $, $ h(x) = \sum_{j = 0}^lb_jx^j, a_{ij}, b_j\in\mathbb{R}, n, l\in\mathbb{N} $, and $ g_m(x, y) $ with the positive even number $ m $ as the union of $ m/2 $ different straight lines passing through the origin of coordinates dividing the plane into sectors of angle $ 2\pi/m $. Using the averaging theory, I provide the lower bound $ L_m(n, l) $ for the maximun number of limit cycles, which bifurcates which bifurcating from the annulus of the origin of this system.
A study on centrality measures in weighted networks: A case of the aviation network
Authors: Zhao Shuying , Sun Shaowei
Published: January 2024

Identifying influential spreaders in complex networks is a crucial issue that can help control the propagation process in complex networks. An aviation network is a typical complex network, and accurately identifying the key city nodes in the aviation network can help us better prevent network attacks and control the spread of diseases. In this paper, a method for identifying key nodes in undirected weighted networks, called weighted Laplacian energy centrality, was proposed and applied to an aviation network constructed from real flight data. Based on the analysis of the topological structure of the network, the paper recognized critical cities in this network, then simulation experiments were conducted on key city nodes from the perspectives of network dynamics and robustness. The results indicated that, compared with other methods, weighted Laplacian energy centrality can identify the city nodes with the most spreading influence in the network. From the perspective of network robustness, the identified key nodes also have the characteristics of accurately and quickly destroying network robustness.
POMMERN DOCK – BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Authors: Hagmark H C
Published: January 2024

In 2017 - 2018, a bespoke dock was built for the sole purpose of preserving the historic vessel Pommern of Mariehamn. As the dock was built in the water rather than dug into land, the construction posed several challenges that rarely feature in dock constructions. However, it was these challenges that made the project exciting, attracting international interest among engineers as well as heritage professionals.
That Pommern now has its own custom-built dock provides new possibilities to pursue strategic preservation work.
Furthermore, the ship and the dock together have the potential of becoming a hub and workshop for international co-operation regarding different methods for preserving historic ships.
PRESERVING THE LEGACY OF GREAT SHIPS THAT HAVE SERVED...AND CONTINUE TO SERVE TODAY!
Authors: Santiago L D
Published: January 2024

USS Midway, in San Diego, California, was once one of the longest serving aircraft carriers sailing the Atlantic and Pacific oceans from 1945 to 1992 but lives today promoting naval service and unique traditional engineering. Named after the most critical 6-minute maritime battle in the beginning of World War 2 in the Pacific, a combination of pure luck and incredible naval tactical prowess, USS Midway is 78 years “young” today, restored in 2004 as a museum to share the exemplary engineering feat in structural modifications, preservation techniques, and educational inspiration while promoting the tradition of naval heritage. From thousands of aircraft small runway launches and landings, propellor to jet aircraft, as seen in the movie “Top Gun”, our 800 volunteers are our new “main engines” as USS Midway serves the new mission: “Preserve the historic USS Midway and the legacy of those who serve, inspire and educate future generations, and entertain our museum guests.”
REVERSE ENGINEERING THE NEOLITHIC BOATS OF THE AEGEAN SEA: TYPOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION, RECONSTRUCTION AND SEAKEEPING ASSESSMENT
Authors: Tzovaras P , Turnock S , Blue L , Vlachopoulos A G , Sofaer J
Published: January 2024

The hundreds of recently discovered LN-EBA rock-art images of boats from the Aegean Basin, Greece, highlighted their design and structural details. Additionally, their dating in the transition from LN to EBA offers an uninterrupted continuum of the Neolithic boat evolution.
A technologically rigorous methodology was incorporated for their analysis by exploiting the concepts of reverse engineering, climatic design and the tools offered by ship science. This enabled their reconstruction and testing, providing insights into their technical traits, such as stability and resistance. These favour the view that trading, gateway communities and seagoing boats have a more dynamic history in a long Aegean tradition that goes back as far as the Neolithic.
La figura i l’obra de Joan Maragall en el món cultural de l’exili
Authors: Castellanos Jordi
Published: January 2024

L’article retrace la figure du poète catalan Joan Maragall dans les cercles littéraires et culturels de l’exil en France, l’Angleterre et l’Amérique Latine après 1939 :  le traitement reçu et sa fonction comme poète et personnage de référence de la culture catalane moderne. C’est aussi une analyse du processus de révision de son œuvre et de la controverse générée par certains secteurs de l’exil.
A destruição da Demolição da razão:
Authors: Oliveira Machado Arthur de
Published: January 2024

O presente artigo pretende realizar, dentro das suas limitações, uma análise crítica da interpretação de György Lukács dos aspectos fundamentais da Ontologia Fundamental de Martin Heidegger. Na obra que analisaremos, recentemente traduzida ao Português como A Destruição da Razão, encontra-se um laborioso trabalho de crítica à história da metafísica. Ser e Tempo, que na história da filosofia possui ambições com pouca semelhança, junta-se àqueles textos que mais ganham atenção na avaliação feita pelo pensador marxista. Assim, fazendo alusão ao movimento de Destruktion, o artigo pretende colocar em jogo a primeira parte da crítica à ontologia hermenêutica heideggeriana e verificar contrastivamente os problemas mais fundamentais dessa recepção quanto à compreensão do paradigma fenomenológico. Dessa forma, verificando a ontologia lukacsiana do Ser-Social, que na obra é situada como um esboço ainda em sua primeira elaboração, este trabalho tem a pretensão de dar início ao exame da consistência ontológico-filosófica da crítica.
A relação entre o progresso das artes e ciências e a corrupção da virtude no Primeiro Discurso de Rousseau
Authors: Brondani Clóvis
Published: January 2024

O presente texto tem como objetivo central analisar a relação entre progresso das artes e ciências e a corrupção da virtude no Discurso sobre as Ciências e Artes de Rousseau. Para tanto, buscamos estabelecer o sentido do conceito de virtude na obra, que retoma a tradição republicana. Por fim, analisando as respostas de Rousseau às críticas da obra, buscamos argumentar que o filósofo não pretende eliminar as artes e ciências da sociedade moderna.
La esencia en la ontología de Enrique de Gante
Authors: Brum Marquetto Eduarda , Guerrero Troncoso Hernán Esteban
Published: January 2024

Este artículo representa una parte de una tesis de magíster asociada al proyecto Fondecyt de Iniciación nro. 11170810, "Primacía del ser o primacía del ente. Un estudio comparado entre Enrique de Gante y Duns Scoto", que estudia la relación de la noción de universal entre Avicena, Enrique de Gante y Duns Scotus. En este extracto, luego de una breve exposición sobre la vida de Enrique, serán abordados los conceptos de esencia, ser de esencia y ser de existencia, equivalentes a la noción de universal y sus modos de ser en Avicena. A continuación, se presentan las nociones de “res a ‘reor, reris’” y “res a ratitudine”, así como la relación de estas con las esencias. Y por último será analizado el lugar propio de las esencias, junto con la pregunta sobre la posibilidad de cambio de dichas esencias.
Artistas e psicánalise
Authors: Rodrigues da Silva Gabriel , Colombo de Almeida Silvana
Published: January 2024

Trata-se de uma tradução do texto Künstler und Psychoanalyse de Hermann Hesse, incluso no Almanach der Psychoanalyse, que foi publicado pela Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag de Wien em 1926.
Wafer Defect Identification with Optimal Hyper-Parameter Tuning of Support Vector Machine Using the Deep Feature of ResNet 101
Authors: Dash Shishir Prasad , Ramadevi J. , Amat Rajat , Sethy Prabira Kumar , Behera Santi Kumari , Mallick Sunil
Published: January 2024

As semiconductor processing technologies continue to advance, semiconductor wafers are becoming more densely packed and intricate, resulting in a higher incidence of surface imperfections. Therefore, it is crucial to detect these defects early and accurately classify them to pinpoint the root causes of the defects in the manufacturing process, ultimately leading to improved yield. Therefore, defect detection is critical in the industrial production of monocrystalline silicon. This study employs deep learning techniques to propose a framework for detecting defects on silicon wafers, focusing on optimizing the hyperparameters of support vector machines (SVM). Three methods were utilized to fine-tune the SVM parameters: Bayesian optimization, grid search, and random search techniques. This study demonstrates how selecting optimal values for SVM parameters can lead to better classification. Additionally, real manufacturing data were utilized to evaluate the performance of the proposed SVM classifier, with a comparison to state-of-the-art techniques in the field. By using deep features from ResNet 101 and a support vector machine, this work achieves 74.5% accuracy in identifying wafer defects without employing any optimization technique. However, the performance of the model was further improved by utilizing the random search optimization technique, which yielded the best result among the three optimization techniques tested, with an accuracy of 88.1%.
An Efficient Hybrid Energy Smart System Using Lithium Ion Batteries Integrated with Battery Management System
Authors: Ma'rifah Enna Hasna Ainun Nuurul , Al Farisi Salman , Aliwarga Harry Kasuma Kiwi , Supriyanto Agus , Purwanto Agus , Suci Windhu Griyasti
Published: January 2024

The use of rechargeable batteries to store and distribute extra energy from photovoltaics (PV) improves the efficiency of solar energy generation. This study constructs a solar power plant system that is linked to the grid network and includes battery energy storage. The efficiency of a hybrid solar power plant with integrated batteries and grid energy storage is demonstrated and evaluated in this study. This study is based on real-time testing to determine battery utilization when different electrical loads for office use are combined. The workload profile during peak hours of use, which correspond to the peak time of sunshine, is used to evaluate the system. The collected findings show that the degree of effectiveness of this hybrid power plant fulfills the power simulation. During the peak irradiation time, the maximum power is 2100 watts, whereas the needed power simulation, which is 1900 watts in this case, so the power efficiency percentage is 110.52%. It means that PV can satisfy the charged power while also supplying extra power to the battery for usage at low periods. During the 8-hour test, the calculation of cost savings revealed a savings in electricity expenditure of Rp. 14,373. The energy storage system's real operational needs were met by battery storage and PV.
Integrating Novel Methods and Technologies into the Planning for Sustainable Urban Development
Authors: Munasinghe Jagath
Published: January 2024

No abstract available
A kurtosis-based parameter for classifying elliptical hollow sections under bending
Authors: Nanayakkara K.I.U. , Dias W.P.S.
Published: January 2024

A novel section parameter termed normalized excess kurtosis of a section, inspired by the same parameter used in probability distributions, is introduced to characterize the rotation capacity of a hollow section under bending. The proposed normalization accounts for variations in yield stress and Young’s modulus too. A linear relationship is observed between rotation capacity and the normalized excess kurtosis of circular hollow sections (CHS), rectangular/square hollow sections (RHS) and elliptical/oval hollow sections (EHS), under constant and linearly varying moment conditions, based on experimental and finite element model (FEM) data. It is found that, the rotation capacity variation of hollow sections is better explained by using normalized excess kurtosis than by the conventional section slenderness. The gradient of the above linear relationship varies with the section type and provides an estimate of the rotation capacity of a hollow section with a known shape and aspect ratio. It also provides insights into the section classification of EHS sections, with aspect ratios closer to unity (0.67 < a/b < 1.5) being suitable for an equivalent diameter approach and those with aspect ratios further from unity (a/b < 0.5 and a/b > 2.0) for an equivalent RHS approach. The difference between the moment and rotation capacities of linearly varying moment conditions (3-point bending) and constant moment conditions (4-point bending) is also elucidated.
Multiscale analysis of land use and land cover changes in Sri Lanka by remote sensing: the impacts of post-war infrastructure development in the last 20 Years (2002-2022)
Authors: Andrieu J. , Anupama K. , Bautes N. , Benabou S. , Crook O-J. , Gunasekara V. , Jayasingam T. , Jayathilaka C. , Kodikara K.A.S. , Lombard F. , Madarasinghe S.K. , Mathiventhan T. , Muthusankar G. , Premathilake R. , Proisy C. , Vanniasinkam N. , Weeratunge N. , Wickramaarachchi N. , Mathevet R.
Published: January 2024

On a worldwide scale, land use and land cover changes (LULCC) is a major driver of global change and biodiversity erosion. This study aims to monitor at the scale of Sri Lanka, LULCC and vegetation dynamics, to identify the main changes and their drivers. It places emphasis on multiscale geospatial monitoring with satellite data but also mobilises the interdisciplinary knowledge of a research programme. First, national scale data allows the identification of major changes with the MODIS NDVI dataset using Mann-Kendall tests and time profile analysis. A second local scale was mobilised with a systematic diachronic visual interpretation of high-resolution images on Google Earth. The third step, a macro-regional scale focus on the South and East coasts, used LANDSAT imagery (Stacked K-means) verified by field studies (botanical and vegetation analysis, and interviews). About 92.5% of the island of Sri Lanka is stable or presents no significant trends in the vegetation cover. 5% show a significant positive (greening) trend between 2000 and 2020 around the Puttalam lagoon, west of the Samanalawewa Reservoir, in the Udawalawe National Park, east and north of Ella, and the Nuwaragala Forest Reserve. Only about 2.5% (165,000 ha) of the Island shows a negative significant trend mainly in the periphery of Colombo and Trincomalee. The first driver is a set of national planning decisions in terms of infrastructure development (including urban growth, housing programmes and agricultural fields, and the management of protected areas). The second driver comes under rural dynamics with increasing tree density in rural landscapes over the Uva Province. Infrastructure development initiated by the state, creates both underlying conditions for other activities and negative impacts on coastal ecosystems, such as degradation of wetlands (including protected areas).
Position Statement on the Appropriateness and Significance of Adding the Glycated Hemoglobin Test to the National Health Examination
Authors: Kim Ji Hye , Kim Dae Jung , Kim Jaehyun , Park Sangjoon , Lee Kyunghoon , Kang Jun Goo , Ku Eu Jeong , Kwon Su Kyoung , Kim Won Jun , Lyu Young Sang , Son Jang Won , Eom Young Sil , Lee Kyung Ae , Lee Jeongrim , Lee Jung Min , Lee Jung Hwa , Jung Jung Hwa , Cho Hochan , Ju Dal Lae , Choi Dughyun , Kim Chong Hwa ,   Committee of the Health Insurance and Government Relation, Korean Diabetes Association
Published: January 2024

The recent increase in the number of people with diabetes and the high incidence of complications carry a significant socioeconomic burden in addition to the disease burden and impact on personal health. Therefore, the Korean Diabetes Association and the Korean government have been making efforts to prevent the progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes through screening tests and to reduce diabetes complications and associated mortality in diabetic patients. Several studies in Korea have shown that glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) provides complementary information to fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and improves clinical utility for diabetes screening. We hope that this consensus meeting will serve as an opportunity to identify additional diabetic patients who have not been diagnosed through a combination of FPG and HbA1c during a medical check-up. Our study is aimed to significantly reduce the lead time between diabetes onset and clinical diagnosis and initiation of diabetes treatment.
Establishment and Validation of a High-performance Liquid Chromatography Technique for Quantifying Dalbavancin in Injectable Formulations
Authors: Harshita D. , Srinivas Medidi , Kumari B. Udaya , Sumalatha Ch , Umadevi R.
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Aim:

A simple and sensitive analytical method was developed to estimate dalbavancin, anti-biotic drug in injectable formulations.

Materials and Methods:

Separation of analyte was attained on a Phenomenex Luna C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm × 5 μm particle size) using potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate pH 3.0 adjusted with orthophosphoric acid: acetonitrile: methanol (70:20:10 % v/v/v) as mobile phase pumped at 1.0 mL/min. A UV detector was used for effluent detection at a wavelength of 288 nm.

Results:

The retention time for Dalbavancin was determined to be 3.96 minutes. The drug exhibited linearity within the concentration range of 20–100 μg/mL. The accuracy of the method was considered satisfactory and the mean recovery percentage is found to be in the acceptable range of 98.74-101.02 %.

Conclusion:

The RP-HPLC method was successfully developed, validated as per ICH guidelines. The proposed method was simple, precise, sensitive, rapid, robust for the estimation of dalbavancin in injectable formulations.
The Frequency of Hepatitis B Virus, Hepatitis C Virus, and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-infections among Visceral Leishmaniasis Patients and their Impact on Management
Authors: Osman Fatin Ibrahim , Kheir Musa M. , Hamid Yassen , Khalid Sufian , Elamin Mohamed Osman , Khan Wahaj A. , Badri Hatim Matooq , Osman Ahmed A.
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) represent significant public health problems and affect around 300 million people globally. Co-infection of HBV and HCV among patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) increased the risk of hepatotoxicity during treatment with sodium stibogluconate (SSG). Leishmania/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection is emerging as a new clinical form of leishmaniasis.

Objective:

We aimed to determine the frequency of HBV, HCV, and HIV co-infections among VL patients and the impact on their management.

Methods:

This was a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted during the period March–May 2021 and included 100 participants.

Results:

More than two-thirds of the participants (71%) were males while the rest were females (29%), with a mean age of 31.32 years. Patients who were HIV positive 9% and 7% were HBV positive, while only 2% were HCV positive. Patients who received the first line of treatment (sodium stibogluconate) were 71% while 29% received the second line of treatment (amphotericin B).

Conclusion:

Improvement of screening and early detection of viral hepatitis/HIV co-infections with VL may provide effective preventive measures and affect the management options according to the updated protocol.
Phytochemical Screening, Traditional Uses, Pharmacology, Dosing Limit, and Metallic Nanotherapeutics Updates of Tephrosia purpurea Linn.: An Investigation
Authors: Mude Gaurav , Telrandhe Umesh , Makhijani Shivani , Kapse Mona , Golani Pradeep , Lodhi Devendra
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Rather than relying on synthetic chemicals, herbal medicine employs natural substances found in plants. Natural substances have less potential for adverse effects; hence, these treatments are preferred. Tephrosia purpurea Linn., or sharapunkha in Sanskrit, is a suberect, perennial herb that is extremely branching and herbaceous and extensively cultivated in India. T. purpurea Linn. has been used extensively in conventional medicine for centuries. Both the whole plant and individual portions of the plant have medicinal uses in Ayurvedic practice. Antiulcer, antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, antiasthmatic, hepatoprotective, antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, wound healing, immunomodulatory, and anti-allergic properties have all been observed in pharmacological tests of T. purpurea Linn. A wide range of phytochemicals with potential medical applications have been identified in the plant. The whole plant contains various phytoconstituents such as Isolonchocarpin, pongamol, Lanceolatin A, Lanceolatin B, Karanjin, Kanjone, and β-sitosterolis. T. purpurea has been the subject of numerous phytochemical analyses, which have uncovered the existence of a wide range of photoactive components. Metal nanoparticles are used in many research areas, such as those that study bacteria, viruses, diagnostics, cancer treatment, and targeted drug delivery. This is because metal nanoparticles (NPs) have unique physical properties and chemical reactions. This article offers a thorough examination of the plant T. purpurea Linn. pharmacology and phytochemistry, as well as conceptual information on the plant’s metallic NPs.
A Survey Study on Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice toward Self-medication Practice with Over-the-counter Drugs among Under Graduate Dental Students
Authors: Brahmbhatt Shruti Vihang , Dave Vidhi Deepak
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Self-medication practice is very common, especially after the coronavirus disease 2019 period. Self-medication among future health-care professionals can cause serious adverse drug reactions (ADRs) as well as antimicrobial resistance that can lead to potential damage to our health-care system. There has been a drastic inclination among medical and dental students and practitioners toward self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. OTC medicines or nonprescription drugs are the group that can be purchased without a legible prescription from a registered medical practitioner and are safe as well as effective also.

Aim:

The aim of our study was to know about self-medication practice with OTC drugs among undergraduate dental students.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional survey study was conducted among all the dental undergraduate students of K. M. Shah Dental college, Piparia, from December 2022 to March 2023. The study was initiated only after getting approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. A prevalidated questionnaire was given to the students, and responses were obtained. The collected data were subjected to percentage analysis.

Results:

The prevalence of self-medication practice among dental undergraduates from our study was found to be in 104 (67.1%) out of 155 students who enrolled in the study. The most common reason for self-medication was prior knowledge about drugs 88 (58.3%) and the most common drugs used were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 93.5%. Among the 155 participants, 110 (71%) mentioned that they got cured after self-medicating themselves with OTC drugs and 18 (11.6%) participants encountered adverse reactions.

Conclusion:

Self-medication was commonly practiced by dental students who were enrolled in our survey study. Self-medication should be considered an emerging problem, especially among undergraduate dental/medical students because they do not have enough significant knowledge about drugs, dose regime, duration of treatment, and their possible ADRs.
The hematological parameters in children with scorpion sting
Authors: Gamal Yasser , Abd ElRaouf Sarah O. M. , Mohamed Sherif A. A. , Eltayeb Azza A.
Published: January 2024

Background

Scorpion stings are common emergency events in Upper Egypt, with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to investigate the hematological parameter and their relation to the severity of envenomation in children presenting with scorpion stings.

Methods

The current study is an observational hospital-based case-control study that was carried out at the Emergency and Intensive Care Units, from January 2022 to December 2022. The hematological parameters were compared between these cases and those of controls.

Results

The study included 42 cases and 42 controls. The studied cases and those with moderate/severe envenomation had significantly higher total leucocyte count, absolute neutrophilic count (ANC), platelets count, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), d-dimer, and international normalized ratio (INR), compared with controls and those with mild envenomation, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that younger aged patients were more likely to suffer from severe scorpion envenomation compared with older aged ones (OR = 0.572, 95% confidence interval 0.356–0.919, P = 0.021), and patients with white blood cell (WBC) count greater than or equal to 11.6 were 7 times more likely to suffer from severe scorpion envenomation compared with those with WBC count less than 11.6 (OR = 75.607, 95% CI: 4.935–1158.258, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

Scorpion envenomation can cause many alterations in hematological parameters and platelet indices of affected victims. The use of these parameters to predict the severity of scorpion envenomation is simple, cheap, and easily applicable. Younger age and higher WBC count (≥11.6) were significantly independent predictors of severe envenomation. Further studies are warranted.
Cognitive, sleep, and neurophysiological markers among suicidal depressed patients
Authors: Hassan Wageeh A.-E. , Abd-ElAal Mohamed F. , Hamdy Waleed A.
Published: January 2024

Background

Depressive disorders are associated with the highest probability of suicide. Different cognitive factors raise the probability of suicide. Sleep disorders are closely related to depression and may play a role in suicide.

Aims

Evaluation of whether suicidal depressed patients reveals distinct signs of cognitive, sleep, and neurophysiologic damage compared with depressed people who are not suicidal.

Settings and design

A case–control study involving suicidal depressed patients and non-suicidal in comparison to the control group.

Patients and methods

A random collection of 120 participants, who were divided into three groups at a ratio of 1:1:1 to be subjected to structured clinical interview for DSM-5(SCID-I), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Standard Electroencephalogram (EEG).

Statistical analysis

SPSS, version 22, for analysis of data.

Results

Cognitive impairment, especially attention, language, visuospatial, naming, abstract thinking, and sleep disorders were significantly higher in suicidal depressed patients than in non-suicidal depressed patients and control. EEG shows no significant difference among the groups.

Conclusion

Suicidal depressed patients had significant impairment in different cognitive domains and sleep but no significant difference in EEG compared with non-suicidal depressed patients or control.
Long-term follow up of left ventricular remodeling in ST segment myocardial infarction patients after primary percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Adly Yara A. , Taher Hamdy S.-E.M. , Youssef Amr A.A.
Published: January 2024

Introduction

The adaptive reaction known as left ventricular remodeling after ST-elevation myocardial infraction (STEMI) involves both the infarct zone and remote zones, and it lasts for at least 2 years after STEMI. In STEMI patients having primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI), this study was conducted to look at long-term consequences of left ventricular remodeling.

Patients and methods

Ninety-three patients were successfully treated by primary PCI more than 2 years ago at Assiut University Heart Hospital were enrolled in this study. Detailed history, complete general examination and local cardiac examination were done. Electrocardiography, two-dimensional echocardiography before primary PCI, at discharge and 6 months after PPCI, coronary angiographic and PPCI data from patient admission sheet. Patients were examined by transthoracic 2DE using Phillips ie33 ultrasound system device.

Results

Thirty-six (38.7%) patients were determined to have left ventricular remodeling when their left ventricular end diastolic volume index increased by more than 20%, compared with 57 (61.3%) patients who did not. Mean age of patients 56.31 ± 11.11 years and mean overall duration of follow up was 3.69 ± 0.45 years. The long-term predictors of left ventricular remodeling were: extensive anterior MI (P < 0.001), left anterior descending as infarct-related artery (P = 0.03), left ventricular end systolic volume index (P = 0.04) and wall motion index (P < 0.001).

Discussion

Patients who had extensive anterior MI, a wall motion score index more than 1.5, and left anterior descending as infarct-related artery were seen as having a high probability of LV remodeling following PPCI. Only wall motion score index more than 1.5 and extensive anterior MI were independent indicators of LV remodeling following PPCI.
Prevalence and factors affecting cancer medication nonadherence among patients on chemotherapy
Authors: Thakur J. S. , Kaur Rajbir , Rana Anjali , Malhotra Samir , Kapoor Rakesh , Malhotra Pankaj
Published: January 2024

Introduction:

Adherence to cancer medication varies universally with compliance ranging from 70% to 80%. One of the main reasons cited is the cost of anticancer drugs which many may not be able to bear, and yet the cancer with extensive need of aggressive treatment affects the economic condition of people. Inequitable distribution of disease and service utilization poses the threat of an increase in cancer-related deaths due to poor treatment adherence. The suggested systematic review will assess the cancer medication nonadherence prevalence in cancer patients and identify cost-related, sociodemographic, comorbid conditions, and disease-specific aspects of medication nonadherence.

Methodology:

Eligibility criteria include any cancer patient on oral or intravenous chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy or surgical intervention. Electronic databases will be searched using predefined search terms to identify relevant studies. Observational, experimental, and qualitative studies (if available) will be included. Methodological quality of included studies will be assessed using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool by Pace et al. Data synthesis will be done following a predesigned data extraction template, answering the research question. Quality of evidence for an association will be evaluated as per the GRADE system. Meta-analysis will be performed to quantify the association between multiple characteristics and nonadherence, if there is no data heterogeneity (tested using I
2 test of heterogeneity). If applicable, meta-regression will be performed to address confounders.

Conclusion:

The authors have clearly described the methodology and intended outcomes. The findings will help in understanding the potential barriers to successful chemotherapy compliance among cancer patients.
Systematic review on school health program and health-promoting schools in Southeast Asian region countries
Authors: Thakur J. S. , Kaur Rajbir , Rana Anjali , Paika Ronika , Singh Sukriti , Malhotra Samir
Published: January 2024

Introduction:

Studying the process and impact of interventions like Health Promoting Schools (HPS) is important for sustenance and policy changes. This calls for gathering evidence on the current status of school health programs at a larger level so as to identify barriers and opportunities to strengthen their implementation.

Methodology:

Systematic research using selected databases led to identification of 18 eligible studies (from 1979 to 2019).

Results:

The studies were from India (n = 12), Indonesia (n = 3), Thailand (n = 2), and Nepal (n = 1). Collectively, studies have assessed health services under domains of health education (n = 2), health services (n = 3), nutrition services (n = 6), healthy school environment (n = 4), disease control and prevention (n = 6), school and community collaboration (n = 5), risk factor management (n = 6), life skills education, mental health and well-being (n = 7), and health promotion for school staff (n = 1). Health promotion services provided under similar domains were not similar kind in all studies. Five studies reported student, teacher, administration, and parental level facilitators and barriers to service provision under school health/health-promoting interventions/programs. Lack of time, overburdening, poor support by parents, unhealthy behavior in schools, etc., were some of the barriers. Cooperation by stakeholders and behavior reinforcement and parental trust in school activities reflected potential facilitators.

Conclusion:

Implementation of global standards of health-promoting schools (HPSs) is variable. Service provision is not essentially under the school health program and is mostly restricted to school children only. The study can serve as baseline for the implementation of standards in Southeast Asian Region countries. Countries should build on this information.

Recommendations:

Policies may be framed to include global standards of HPSs, understanding that little change can bring about a larger impact.
Frequency of physical activity and blood pressure levels among persons with type 2 diabetes at a public health center in Southwest Trinidad
Authors: Dharamraj Kavita
Published: January 2024

Aim:

To determine the association between the frequency of physical activity and blood pressure (BP) levels among persons with type 2 diabetes at a public health center in Southwest Trinidad.

Settings and Design:

In 2011, the Penal Health Center, Diabetes Patient Self-Care Study enrolled 523 persons with type 2 diabetes in routine care in Southwest Trinidad aiming to obtain information on health status including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The study was cross-sectional and included both males and females aged 25–87 years, having the exposure – physical activity and the outcome – BP levels.

Subjects and Methods:

Adults with type 2 diabetes aged 25–87 years with available information on physical activity and BP (n = 469). The main outcomes measures were systolic and diastolic BP (DBP) levels. Linear regression models examined the association between the frequency of physical activity (infrequent: <3x/week or frequent: ≥3x/week) and systolic BP (SBP)/DBP adjusting for potential confounders. Episodes of physical activity were defined as continuous physical activity, averaging ≥ 20 min/episode/week.

Results:

BP among hypertensive participants who exercise ≥ 3x/week was 5.3 mmHg lower than those who exercise <3x/week (Unadjusted β = −5.3, [95% confidence interval (CI) −10.0, −0.6], P = 0.026). DBP among hypertensive participants who exercise ≥3x/week was 0.4 mmHg lower than those who exercise <3x/week (Model 2: Adjusted β = −0.4, [95% CI – −3.5, 2.8], P = 0.818).

Conclusion:

Our findings may suggest an association between the frequency of physical inactivity and SBP levels in persons with type 2 diabetes.
Predictors of hypertension among pregnant and nonpregnant Indian women
Authors: Dharmaraj Aravind , Ghimire Ananta , Chinnaiyan Saravanan
Published: January 2024

Background:

Hypertension (HTN) is emerging as a leading cause of many noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Our analysis estimates the proportion of women aged 15–49 years with HTN for nonpregnant and pregnant women in India and its associated sociodemographic women and dietary/behavioral factors.

Methods:

National cross-sectional data from the National Family Health Survey-4, conducted between 2015 and 2016, were used. The primary outcome of the analysis was HTN. HTN was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg.

Results:

We estimated the proportion of women with HTN and used multivariable logistic regression to explore associated factors. Nationally, 16.89% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 16.72–17.06) and 11.39% (95% CI = 10.93–11.87) of nonpregnant and pregnant women had HTN. Nonpregnant and pregnant women who consume milk or curd weekly and occasionally were associated with lower odds of being HTN compared to daily eaters. Nonpregnant women who consume green leafy occasionally (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.84–0.98) had lower odds of being HTN. Pregnant women who consume pulses or beans occasionally (aOR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.06–1.84) had higher odds of being HTN compared to daily eaters.

Conclusion:

We conclude both nonpregnant and pregnant women who consume milk or curd weekly and occasionally are less likely to have HTN. However, proper dietary food strategies are needed. Our findings suggest that there is a need to evaluate interventions targeted to study an appropriate diet to control HTN in India.
Overall and disease-specific survival of sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mauthe T , Holzmann D , Soyka M B , Mueller S A , Balermpas P , Held U , Freiberger S N , Rupp N J , Meerwein C M
Published: January 2024

This meta-analysis aims to investigate the outcome of sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma (snAdCC). We followed PRISMA guidelines and included studies reporting 5-year overall survival (OS) rates for snAdCC. Eligible studies were identified through a literature search and assessed using JBI critical appraisal checklist. A total of 17 studies were included comprising 2259 patients (mean age: 58.1 years, 52.7% female, 47.3% male). The meta-analysis demonstrated that the 5-year OS, 10-year OS, and 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) were 68%, 40%, and 47.2%, respectively. Descriptive statistics on study level showed high rates of locally advanced tumor stages at diagnosis: 23% cT3, 53% cT4, 3.4% N+, and 4.2% M+. 29.7% of the tumors were in the nasal cavity, 67.6% in the paranasal sinuses. The maxillary, ethmoid, sphenoid, and frontal sinus were affected in 50.9%, 7.2%, 4%, and 0.5%, of cases. A combination of surgery and radiotherapy was used in 45.4% of the patients and 19.3% of patients received surgery only. In conclusion, these findings emphasize the significance of thorough surveillance for individuals with snAdCC to identify any potential recurrence or progression of the disease.