bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
STEB: A secure service trading ecosystem based on blockchain
Authors: Liu Wei , Feng Wenlong , Huang Mengxing , Xu Yun , Zheng Xiandong
Published: June 2022

A service can be an intangible commodity in which no physical goods are transferred from the seller to the buyer. However, traditional trading platforms have many limitations in trading services due to dishonest buyers and brokers. In this paper, we propose a service trading ecosystem based on blockchain, named STEB, which combines blockchain, smart contract, encryption, and digital authentication techniques for service trading. In addition, a dual-chain architecture, which contains two types of blockchains, namely TraChain and SerChain, and a hierarchical encryption scheme of the data on the chain, are proposed to ensure the integrity of transaction data and fine-grained privacy protection of users. Furthermore, we describe a new set of smart contracts to ensure safe transactions for the entire service trading. Security analysis and simulation results confirm that the proposed STEB can achieve more efficient contract execution and enhance service transaction privacy.
Midwifery-led researches for evidence-based practice: Clinical midwives engagement in research in Ethiopia, 2021
Authors: Gebresilassie Keflie Yohannes , Baraki Adhanom Gebreegziabher , Kassie Belayneh Ayanaw , Wami Sintayehu Daba
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Health workers involvement in research had an impact on studies and whole system. They influence the clinical practice and help to implement evidences. Although International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) put research as one of the midwifery competencies and professional development activity, clinical midwives are poorly involved in research. Therefore, this study is aimed to assess clinical midwives engagement in research and bridge the gap through applicable strategies.

Method

Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among clinical midwives working at public health facilities of Central and North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia from September to October, 2020 G.C. A structured and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data and entered into Epi-info version 7. Descriptive statistics was used to describe study population. Bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression analysis was performed using STATA Version 14 and significance level declared at 95% confidence interval, p-value ≤ 0.05 and respective odds ratios.

Result

Out of 335 clinical midwives, 314 were participated making the response rate 93.7%. Among the midwives, one hundred seventy two (54.8%) (95% CI: 49.08%, 60.37) have good skill on conducting a research. Clinical midwives with mothers with formal education [AOR: 1.90, 95% CI: (1.03, 3.51), currently work on referral hospitals [AOR: 2.33, 95% CI: (1.19, 4.53)] and having good level of knowledge on research [AOR: 2.19, 95% CI: (1.25, 3.82)] have significant association with having good research skill. Forty eight (15.2%) (95% CI: 11.5%, 19.7%) ever participated in research during their clinical practice. Clinical midwives who have good knowledge on research [AOR: 0.31, 95% CI: (0.14, 0.70)] are about 0.3 times less likely to participate on research than who have poor knowledge [AOR: 0.31, 95% CI: (0.14, 0.70)].

Conclusion and recommendation

Although more than half have good research skill, only a small proportion of midwives were involved in research. Capacity building activities are crucial to strengthen midwives skill on research and ensure their involvement.
State-led agricultural subsidies drive monoculture cultivar cashew expansion in northern Western Ghats, India
Authors: Rege Anushka , Lee Janice Ser Huay
Published: June 2022

Agricultural commodity production constitutes an important livelihood source for farmers but significantly contributes to tropical deforestation and biodiversity loss. While the socioecological effects of agricultural commodities such as palm oil, cocoa and coffee are well studied, the effects for commodities such as cashew (Anacardium occidentale) have received less attention. Global cultivated area for cashew increased rapidly from 526,250 ha in 1980 to ~5.9 million ha in 2018. India is the world’s second largest cashew producer, with cashew farms often occurring adjacent to remnant forests. To mitigate deforestation for cashew expansion, it is necessary to understand present-day land use policies and management practices that drive this expansion. Through semi-structured interviews (n = 65) and a literature review on agricultural policies in India, we evaluated the role of state-led land use policies in cashew expansion and characterised present-day cashew farming systems in the Sawantwadi-Dodamarg landscape in India. Agricultural subsidies introduced from 1980s to 1990s encouraged cultivar cashew expansion and influenced land use conversion from rice and privately owned forest to cashew. Farmers preferred cultivar cashew as they produced higher yields faster, although they required more agrochemical inputs and were susceptible to pests and wildlife depredation. About 80% of farmers had planted cashew farms by clearing forests in the past 30 years and expressed interest to continue the same. Farmers avoided applying for government-sponsored compensation for crop losses due to wildlife depredation and chose instead to expand cultivar cashew into forested areas. Our study deepens the understanding of how government-led agricultural subsidies drive farmers’ uptake of cashew cultivars, farmers’ cashew management practices, and how these factors drive deforestation in this landscape at the state and farm level. We recommend further research with equitable stakeholder participation in cashew farming systems to devise sound planning for forest conservation and sustainability standards for the cashew industry.
Efficacy and harms of tocilizumab for the treatment of COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Piscoya Alejandro , Parra del Riego Angela , Cerna-Viacava Renato , Rocco Jonathon , Roman Yuani M. , Escobedo Angel A. , Pasupuleti Vinay , White C. Michael , Hernandez Adrian V.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

We systematically assessed benefits and harms of tocilizumab (TCZ), which is an antibody blocking IL-6 receptors, in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Methods

Five electronic databases and two preprint webpages were searched until March 4, 2021. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) cohorts assessing TCZ effects in hospitalized, COVID-19 adult patients were included. Primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, clinical worsening, clinical improvement, need for mechanical ventilation, and adverse events (AE). Inverse variance random-effects meta-analyses were performed with quality of evidence (QoE) evaluated using GRADE methodology.

Results

Nine RCTs (n = 7,021) and nine IPTW cohorts (n = 7,796) were included. TCZ significantly reduced all-cause mortality in RCTs (RR 0.89, 95%CI 0.81–0.98, p = 0.03; moderate QoE) and non-significantly in cohorts (RR 0.67, 95%CI 0.44–1.02, p = 0.08; very low QoE) vs. control (standard of care [SOC] or placebo). TCZ significantly reduced the need for mechanical ventilation (RR 0.80, 95%CI 0.71–0.90, p = 0.001; moderate QoE) and length of stay (MD -1.92 days, 95%CI -3.46 to -0.38, p = 0.01; low QoE) vs. control in RCTs. There was no significant difference in clinical improvement or worsening between treatments. AEs, severe AEs, bleeding and thrombotic events were similar between arms in RCTs, but there was higher neutropenia risk with TCZ (very low QoE). Subgroup analyses by disease severity or risk of bias (RoB) were consistent with main analyses. Quality of evidence was moderate to very low in both RCTs and cohorts.

Conclusions

In comparison to SOC or placebo, TCZ reduced all-cause mortality in all studies and reduced mechanical ventilation and length of stay in RCTs in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Other clinical outcomes were not significantly impacted. TCZ did not have effect on AEs, except a significant increased neutropenia risk in RCTs. TCZ has a potential role in the treatment of hospitalized COVID-19 patients.
Real-time remote outpatient consultations in secondary and tertiary care: A systematic review of inequalities in invitation and uptake
Authors: Jones Janet E. , Damery Sarah L. , Phillips Katherine , Retzer Ameeta , Nayyar Pamela , Jolly Kate
Published: June 2022

Background

Health policies in most high income countries increasingly recommend provision of routine outpatient care via remote (video and/or telephone) appointments, especially due to the pandemic. This is thought to improve access to care and promote efficiency within resource-constrained health services. There is limited evidence about the impact on existing inequalities in the invitation and uptake of health services when remote outpatient care is offered.

Aim

To systematically review the evidence on the offer and/or uptake of real-time remote outpatient consultations in secondary and tertiary care, assessed according to key sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods

Seven electronic bibliographic databases were searched for studies reporting the proportion of patients with key characteristics (following PROGRESS Plus criteria) who were offered and/or accepted real-time remote outpatient consultation for any chronic condition. Comparison groups included usual care (face-to-face), another intervention, or offer/uptake within a comparable time period. Study processes were undertaken in duplicate. Data are reported narratively.

Results

Twenty-nine studies were included. Uptake of video consultations ranged from 5% to 78% and telephone consultations from 12% to 78%. Patients aged over 65, with lower educational attainment, on lower household incomes and without English as a first language were least likely to have a remote consultation. Females were generally more likely to have remote consultations than males. Non-white ethnicities were less likely to use remote consultations but where they did, were significantly more likely to choose telephone over video appointments (p<0.001).

Conclusions

Offering remote consultations may perpetuate or exacerbate existing health inequalities in access to healthcare. More research is needed on current health disparities by sociodemographic characteristics and to explore what works well for different patient groups and why so that processes can be designed to ameliorate these health disparities.

Trial registration

PROSPERO registration no:CRD42021241791.
Pathways to socioeconomic health differences in Armenian adolescents: The role of bullying perpetration
Authors: Torchyan Armen A. , Bosma Hans , Houkes Inge
Published: June 2022

Bullying perpetration might be an alternative way of hierarchy formation among adolescents. It can potentially compensate for the negative health influences of low socioeconomic status (SES), rewarding this unwanted behavior. This study aimed to investigate the role of bullying perpetration in the relationship between SES and health among Armenian adolescents. A nationally representative sample of 3679 adolescents aged 11–15 years (mean = 13.1, standard deviation = 1.6) participated in the Health Behavior in School-aged Children 2013/14 survey in Armenia. Complex samples multiple logistic regression were used to estimate the associations between two SES measures (family socioeconomic position [SEP] and material well-being) and three health outcomes (perceived health status, psychosocial well-being, and psychosomatic symptoms). Bullying perpetration was not associated with less than good health or low psychosocial well-being (P > 0.05) but increased the odds of reporting high psychosomatic symptoms (P < 0.05). Perpetration did not change the SES-health gradient substantially. However, in stratified analyses, socioeconomic inequalities in health were consistently weaker among perpetrators. The largest observed difference was in the relationship between low family SEP and less than good health (OR = 3.60, 95% CI = 2.77–4.67 vs. OR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.06–3.04), whereas the smallest difference was in the relationship between low family SEP and high psychosomatic symptoms (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.03–1.56 vs. OR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.61–1.77). Our findings suggest that bullying perpetration, as an alternative hierarchy, may be looked at as a compensatory but vicious strategy in the face of the negative health influences of low SES in Armenian adolescents. For high-SES adolescents, on the other hand, social, emotional, or psychological problems might contribute to bullying perpetration. Consequently, bullying prevention activities in Armenia should focus on both low and high-SES adolescents, considering SES-specific pathways and mechanisms.
Lack of an association between marital status and survival in patients receiving stereotactic body radiotherapy for early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Kishi Noriko , Matsuo Yukinori , Hanazawa Hideki , Iizuka Yusuke , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: June 2022

Marital status has been proposed as a promising prognostic factor in many malignancies, including non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, its prognostic value is still unclear for individual non-surgical treatments for stage I NSCLC. This study investigated the prognostic value of marital status in patients with early-stage NSCLC treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT). Patients with early-stage NSCLC treated with SBRT between January 2003 and March 2014 at our institute were enrolled, and marital status at the time of SBRT was investigated. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to reduce potential selection bias between the married and unmarried groups. Two hundred and forty patients (median age 77 years; 152 married, 87 unmarried) were analyzed. The unmarried included higher proportions of the elderly, women, never smokers, and those with decreased pulmonary function compared to the married. PSM identified 53 matched pairs of married and unmarried patients, with no significant difference in patient background parameters. The 5-year overall survival (OS) was 52.8% and 46.9% in the married and unmarried groups, respectively (P = 0.26). There was no significant difference in NSCLC death or non-NSCLC death between the two groups (P = 0.88 and 0.30, respectively). There was no significant difference in OS between married and unmarried male patients (n = 85, 5-year OS, 52.6% vs. 46.0%; P = 0.42) and between married and unmarried female patients (n = 21, 54.5% vs. 50.0%; P = 0.44). In conclusion, marital status was not associated with OS in patients receiving SBRT for early-stage NSCLC.
Determinants of syphilis infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care in hospitals of Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia, 2020
Authors: Lendado Tigabu Addisu , Tekle Tessema , Dawit Desalegn , Daga Wakgari Binu , Diro Chala Wegi , Arba Mihiretu Alemayehu , Tekle Tadese
Published: June 2022

Objective of the study

The objective of this study was to identify determinants of syphilis infection among pregnant women attending antenatal care in hospitals in the Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia,2020.

Methods

An unmatched facility-based case-control study was conducted among pregnant women who received antenatal care at four randomly selected hospitals from September 1 to October 30, 2020. A two-stage sampling technique was used in the selection of hospitals and study participants. The data were collected from the participants using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and analyzed using STATA Release 15. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine syphilis infection determinants. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were used for each explanatory variable with a 95% confidence level. A statistically significant association was declared when a p-value was less than 0.05.

Results

A total of 296 (74 cases and 222 controls) pregnant women participated, with a recruitment rate of 97.4%. In multivariate logistic regression, the likelihood of developing a maternal syphilis infection was higher in pregnant women who had more than one-lifetime sexual partner [AOR = 3.59, 95% CI (1.09–11.71)]; a history of sexually transmitted infections [AOR = 3.46, 95%CI (1.32–9.08)] and used a substance [AOR = 3.39, 95%CI (1.31–8.77)].

Conclusion

Sexual-related factors continued to be a major determinant of syphilis in pregnant women. The results suggest that there is a need to promote safe sexual behavior, raise awareness about the risk of STIs, and early diagnosis and treatment of STIs to control syphilis infection, and necessary to make the antenatal care service comprehensive for pregnant women.
A semantics, energy-based approach to automate biomodel composition
Authors: Shahidi Niloofar , Pan Michael , Tran Kenneth , Crampin Edmund J. , Nickerson David P.
Published: June 2022

Hierarchical modelling is essential to achieving complex, large-scale models. However, not all modelling schemes support hierarchical composition, and correctly mapping points of connection between models requires comprehensive knowledge of each model’s components and assumptions. To address these challenges in integrating biosimulation models, we propose an approach to automatically and confidently compose biosimulation models. The approach uses bond graphs to combine aspects of physical and thermodynamics-based modelling with biological semantics. We improved on existing approaches by using semantic annotations to automate the recognition of common components. The approach is illustrated by coupling a model of the Ras-MAPK cascade to a model of the upstream activation of EGFR. Through this methodology, we aim to assist researchers and modellers in readily having access to more comprehensive biological systems models.
Sub-national variations in general service readiness of primary health care facilities in Ghana: Health policy and equity implications towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage
Authors: Ayanore Martin , Asampong Robert , Akazili James , Awoonor-Williams John Koku , Akweongo Patricia
Published: June 2022

Background

Service availability and readiness are critical for the delivery of quality and essential health care services. In Ghana, there is paucity of literature that describes general service readiness (GSR) of primary health care (PHC) facilities within the national context. This study therefore assessed the GSR of PHC facilities in Ghana to provide evidence to inform heath policy and drive action towards reducing health inequities.

Methods

We analysed data from 140 Service Delivery Points (SDPs) that were part of the Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020 survey (PMA2020). GSR was computed using the Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) manual based on four out of five components. Descriptive statistics were computed for both continuous and categorical variables. A multivariable binary logistic regression model was fitted to assess predictors of scoring above the mean GSR. Analyses were performed using Stata version 16.0. Significance level was set at p<0.05.

Results

The average GSR index of SDPs in this study was 83.4%. Specifically, the mean GSR of hospitals was 92.8%, whereas health centres/clinics and CHPS compounds scored 78.0% and 64.3% respectively. The least average scores were observed in the essential medicines and standard precautions for infection prevention categories. We found significant sub-national, urban-rural and facility-related disparities in GSR. Compared to the Greater Accra Region, SDPs in the Eastern, Western, Upper East and Upper West Regions had significantly reduced odds of scoring above the overall GSR. Majority of SDPs with GSR below the average were from rural areas.

Conclusion

Overall, GSR among SDPs is appreciable as compared to other settings. The study highlights the existence of regional, urban-rural and facility-related differences in GSR of SDPs. The reality of health inequities has crucial policy implications which need to be addressed urgently to fast-track progress towards the achievement of the SDGs and UHC targets by 2030.
Grapevine trunk diseases of cold-hardy varieties grown in Northern Midwest vineyards coincide with canker fungi and winter injury
Authors: DeKrey David H. , Klodd Annie E. , Clark Matthew D. , Blanchette Robert A.
Published: June 2022

Grapevine trunk diseases make up a disease complex associated with several vascular fungal pathogenic species. Surveys to characterize the composition of grapevine trunk diseases have been conducted for most major grape growing regions of the world. This study presents a similar survey characterizing the fungi associated with grapevine trunk diseases of cold-hardy interspecific hybrid grape varieties grown nearly exclusively in the atypical harsh winter climate of Northern Midwestern United states vineyards. From the 172 samples collected in 2019, 640 isolates obtained by culturing were identified by ITS sequencing and represent 420 sample-unique taxa. From the 420 representative taxa, opportunistic fungi of the order Diaporthales including species ofCytosporaandDiaporthewere most frequently identified. Species ofPhaeoacremonium,Paraconiothyrium, andCadophorawere also prevalent. In other milder Mediterranean growing climates, species of Xylariales and Botryosphaeriales are often frequently isolated but in this study they were isolated in small numbers. No Phaeomoniellales taxa were isolated. We discuss the possible compounding effects of winter injury, the pathogens isolated, and management strategies. Additionally, difficulties in researching and understanding the grapevine trunk disease complex are discussed.
Cultivation play: Video games and the labour of character progression
Authors: Anderson Sky LaRell , Johnson Mark R.
Published: June 2022

In this article, we develop a theory of gameplay labour, acknowledging the paradigm of political economy yet grounded in game design and play, called ‘cultivation play’. In most understandings of game work, theorists traditionally explain digital labour in games as inherently difficult or manipulative. Instead, we propose a theory that explains how gameplay work can be organized around a design heuristic – character progression – that is rewarding, given the objectives and interests of different kinds of players. We explicate our theoretical intervention through an analysis of four games: Stardew Valley, Grand Theft Auto V, The Witcher 2 and The Witcher 3. We specifically examine upgrade paths, what we call character progression tasks, wherein levelling up, progressing, gaining in-game skills and working towards goals operate to create an environment of gameplay work that players may find engaging.
War Games: Memory, Militarism and the Subject of Play, Philip Hammond and Holger Pötzsch (eds) (2020)
Authors: Lang Patrick J.
Published: June 2022

Review of: War Games: Memory, Militarism and the Subject of Play, Philip Hammond and Holger Pötzsch (eds) (2020)

New York: Bloomsbury Academic, 265 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-50135-115-0, h/bk, USD $130.00
Comics and the Body: Drawing, Reading, and Vulnerability, Eszter Szép (2020)
Authors: Sangai Shreya
Published: June 2022

Review of: Comics and the Body: Drawing, Reading, and Vulnerability, Eszter Szép (2020)

Columbus, OH: The Ohio State University Press,

ISBN 978-0-8142-5772-2, p/bk, $32.95
Hombres y mujeres en el republicanismo federal español: formas de movilización y socialización política (1917-1936)
Authors: Sánchez Collantes Sergio
Published: June 2022

La federal era la única facción del republicanismo histórico que sobrevivió al siglo XIX. Tras la muerte en 1901 de su dirigente más carismático, Pi y Margall, que resultó insustituible, el partido mantuvo su denominación, su estructura organizativa, parte significativa de sus bases y unas aspiraciones casi inalterables. Todavía en la Segunda República, hubo en las Cortes algunos diputados federales y muchos concejales en determinados ayuntamientos. Dicha proyección institucional no se abordará en este trabajo, cuyo objetivo es analizar la socialización y movilización política de los federales (hombres y mujeres) entre 1917 y 1936, prestando especial atención a ciertas prácticas sociales, formas de sociabilidad y otros mecanismos que, más allá de las estructuras orgánicas mejor conocidas —comités, prensa…—, les permitieron seguir ocupando una cuota apreciable de la opinión republicana. Entre otras fuentes, se ha recurrido a los fondos hemerográficos, libros de memorias, folletos de época y documentación interna de las propias organizaciones federales.
El catolicismo político: una nueva presencia en la política española (1922-1936)
Authors: Rodríguez López-Brea Carlos M.
Published: June 2022

El presente trabajo indaga en una cultura política específica, que alcanzó fuerza y visibilidad en la España de entreguerras: el catolicismo político, concepto preferido a los más equívocos de “catolicismo social” y “democracia cristiana”. Sus máximos representantes fueron seglares muy vinculados a las jerarquías católicas, que se declararon en guerra cultural contra las políticas secularizadoras de la modernidad –muy evidentes durante la II República–, con la peculiaridad de que sus dirigentes asumieron las reglas del juego del sistema demoliberal que querían derribar. Se tratarán aspectos como la ideología, las estrategias políticas, las acciones de movilización, la sociabilidad o la organización interna del catolicismo político –ejemplificado en la CEDA–, y se propondrá una división del mismo entre tecnócratas y sociales.
Tres espejos ante una realidad: adoctrinamiento, movilización política y acción social de las españolas durante la II República desde la mirada de las publicaciones femeninas (1931-1936)
Authors: Ruiz Franco Rosario
Published: June 2022

El objetivo de este estudio se centra en ahondar en el adoctrinamiento, la movilización política y la acción social de las mujeres durante la II República (1931-1936) reflejada en la prensa femenina. El análisis de sus contenidos nos muestra el papel que estas publicaciones tuvieron en la propaganda y la defensa de los ideales que propugnaban las mujeres desde diferentes planteamientos ideológicos, contribuyendo con ello a su movilización. Igualmente refleja el pluralismo del feminismo histórico español,  y la heterogeneidad de posiciones ideológicas de las españolas ante el régimen republicano.
La cultura hacker en las estrategias transmedia de las series de televisión: el caso de Mr. Robot (2015-2019)
Authors: Villén Higueras Sergio Jesús , Ruiz del Olmo Francisco Javier
Published: June 2022

Esta investigación tiene como objetivo analizar las conexiones que establece la cultura hacker con las estrategias transmedia de las series de televisión. Para ello se utiliza como caso de estudio la serie Mr. Robot (2015-2019). Desde el punto de vista del análisis, se ha empleado una metodología de naturaleza cualitativa. Entre los principales resultados se obtiene que las estrategias transmedia de Mr. Robot incorporan contenidos basados en el software libre, la suplantación de la identidad, la retroinformática, el hacktivismo, la simulación de hackeos en tiempo real, un ciberataque ficticio, la ingeniería social y la posibilidad de “hackear” la propia serie.
Aproximación a la construcción discursiva de género desde el videojuego GTA V
Authors: Zarza Delgado Martha Patricia , González Calderón Diana Elisa , Zimbron Nieto Maria Esperanza
Published: June 2022

El documento examina el discurso contenido en videojuegos dirigido a públicos juveniles.  El estudio analizó una de las muchas historias que pueden generarse en el videojuego Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V). El modelo de análisis pone especial énfasis en las microsecuencias que construyen sentido al espectador, particularmente las relativas a la perspectiva de género, como un eje para la identificación de jerarquías y relaciones de poder. Se hace evidente la violencia de género en la cultura de alto consumo juvenil, la cual genera, transmite y reproduce un tipo de pensamiento hegemónico y discriminatorio.
Interacción entre ciudadanos y políticos en Facebook en las elecciones de México 2018
Authors: Ruiz Paz Yanira , Paíno-Ambrosio Adriana , Rodríguez-Fidalgo Mª Isabel
Published: June 2022

Este artículo evalúa la interacción producida en Facebook entre los cuatro candidatos a la presidencia mexicana en 2018 y los ciudadanos. Se analizan 729.198 comentarios, en un primer nivel de estudio, y 813.748 en una segunda fase, a partir de los cuales se ha examinado la reciprocidad discursiva. Los resultados muestran que los candidatos más activos a nivel de publicación no fueron los que generaron mayor interés y reciprocidad por parte de sus seguidores. Se constata un diálogo digital variado en cuanto a temáticas, que contempla un lenguaje negativo y que se produce entre los propios ciudadanos dentro del contexto político analizado.
Catalan Identity through the Lens of Multilingual News
Authors: Ponomarenko Lesia , Santamaria Guinot Laura
Published: June 2022

This paper compares how lexical units created in Catalan discourse, and related to the aspirations of independence, are reproduced by Euronews in Spanish, English, German and French and how their function as linguistic tools of discursive identity construction changes after translation (transediting). Based on the discourse-historical approach, we could detect three main strategies of discursive identity construction (autonomisation, legitimation, and unification) in the 37 selected articles between 2015-2021, which are often due to the discrepancies in terminology and different background knowledge in a particular target culture, together with the need to comply with media format and journalistic register.
ROCKIN’ GLOBALS: A INTERNACIONALIZAÇÃO DAS BANDAS DE ROCK AND ROLL NA PERSPECTIVA BORN GLOBAL
Authors: Noronha Matheus Soares , Cattani Yan Nonato , Ogasavara Mario Henrique , Silva Rosemeire de Souza Vieira
Published: June 2022

Objetivo: O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar o fenômeno de internacionalização de bandas de rock and roll sobre a perspectiva teórica das empresas Born Global (BGs).

Metodologia: Pesquisa exploratória, com abordagem qualitativa. Foram realizadas 17 entrevistas semiestruturadas em festivais de rock, estúdios, com bandas, artistas solo e produtores.

Resultados: Os resultados apresentaram evidências de 4 novas competências estratégicas além das já existentes na literatura, complementando assim o modelo conceitual de internacionalização de bandas do gênero rock and roll.

Limitações da pesquisa: Inexistência de uma literatura específica para rock and roll. A segunda limitação está ligada à amostra,considerando a ampliação do número de entrevistados para pesquisas futuras.

Implicações práticas: O artigo mostra os caminhos estratégicos via competências para que bandas de rock and roll possam acumular novos conhecimentos e traçar planos para articular seus recursos escassos e intangíveis de forma empreendedora, visualizando o seu processo de internacionalização.

Implicações sociais: A contribuição social deste estudo se estende por analisar o fenômeno de internacionalização de bandas sobre perspectiva empreendedora e desenvolvedora de conhecimentos para a geração de competências devido à necessidade de alocação de recursos limitados.

Implicações teóricas: As bandas apresentam competências estratégicas para internacionalização ligadas a habilidade de programação em softwares e plataformas de digitais, experiências em diferentes línguas e criatividade multicultural para desenvolvimento de produtos, subsidiando novos caminhos para as pesquisas sobre BGs.

Originalidade: O estudo apresenta o amalgama de referenciais entre os estudos de BGs e Internacionalização de Bandas de rock sobre a perspectiva teórica das competências estratégicas, fornecendo novos caminhos de pesquisa para a literatura de Negócios Internacionais.
Prognostic Value of Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet Lymphocyte Ratio on Survival of Patients Undergoing Palliative Gastrectomy for Metastatic Gastric Carcinoma - A Single Centre Experience
Authors: Pradeep Kumar S.  , Senthil G.  , Kalayarasan R.  , Biju Pottakkat
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

Metastatic gastric carcinoma patients usually present late and are not suitable for any form of chemotherapy. Inflammatory markers like neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR) may be used to predict survival and for selecting patients for palliative gastrectomy. We wanted to determine the prognostic value of NLR and PLR on survival in metastatic gastric carcinoma patients undergoing palliative gastrectomy.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed data of 156 metastatic gastric carcinoma patients admitted from August 2011 to January 2020 in a tertiary centre in India. Among these, 43 who underwent palliative gastrectomy and 53 who underwent only best supportive care were included in the study.

RESULTS

The optimum cut-off value (NLR - 3.5, PLR - 183.5) was based on the ROC curve. The overall survival was significantly better in the palliative gastrectomy group (4.953 months vs. 2.434 months) (P=0.013). The mean overall survival was also better in the low-PLR group (6.81 vs. 4.81 months) (P= 0.043) and low -NLR group (6.80 vs. 4.91 months) although the latter was not statistically significant (P=0.053).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients undergoing palliative gastrectomy for metastatic gastric cancer have significantly better survival, especially those with low PLR and NLR ratios, although the latter was not statistically significant.
Cone Beam Computed Tomography Tool for Assessment of Unilateral Fusion of Permanent and Supernumerary Tooth - A Case Report
Authors: Kalgeri Sowmya Halasabalu , Shivkumar Ashwini Tumkur , S. Prasanna , Shankar Parinitha Mysore
Published: June 2022

This paper reports a fusion of the mandibular lateral incisor and a supernumerary tooth, case focuses on the diagnosis of the clinical and radiographic features. The clinical examination revealed the absence of interdental embrasure and unesthetic appearance of the right mandibular lateral incisor. The conventional radiograph did not reveal thorough information to decide on provisional and differential diagnosis as it provides a two-dimensional view, which is the main limitation of the conventional radiographic technique. The presence of fused tooth was confirmed by the newer technique CBCT which was very specific in reading the difference in morphology of the tooth, that was well appreciated.
Ayurvedic Management of Shwitra - A Case Report
Authors: Singh Garima Vipin , Rathi Renu Bharat , Rathi Bharat Jagdish
Published: June 2022

Shwitra or Shwet-Kushtha can be correlated with skin disease “Vitiligo”.[1] Vata and Bhrajaka pitta reside in skin. An imbalance in those may cause skin diseases. Shwitra is of two types, that is kilas and varuna.[2] Shwitra differs from other skin disorders by the normal functioning of all but the skin tissue (twak)[3] resulting in discoloration of the skin (twakvaivarnyata), without discharge (aparisarav stravi). [4,5] There are many theories regarding the cause of vitiligo. The main cause is autoimmune, genetic, psychological, endocrine disorder, chemical contact and adverse drug interaction.[6,7] In Ayurveda, the real causes as Nidan-causative factors are considered as untruthfulness, ungratefulness, disrespect for the Gods, insult of the preceptors, sinful acts, misdeeds of past lives and intake of contradictory food.[8] In Ayurveda, Shwitra is considered in Kushta. Though, it is not painful but in society, it is a hating state and dreadful condition, many people are suffering from this condition. It creates mental discomforts in a person due to stigma. A 9-year-old boy had been suffering from white patches over both elbows, both knees, ankles with mild itching over affected area. In this case, we used Shaman and Shodhan therapy which included snehapan, vaman, virechan, prachan, jaloka and external ointment advised to apply on the affected area in the morning at 9am and evening at 4 pm with exposure to sunlight for 2 months daily. Multiple lines of treatment were used which enhanced the proliferation of melanocytes. The colour of the affected skin area became red and size diminished to some extent. We wanted to study about Shwitra, its pathological manifestations, symptoms in detail and to assess the effect of individual panchkarma therapies in Shwitra.
Oesophageal and Esophagogastric Junctional Carcinoma- Management and Outcomes from an Academic Community Centre of Nepal
Authors: Lokesh Shekher Jaiswal  , Narendra Pandit
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

Oesophageal and junctional cancer is an aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis even with multimodality treatment. The true nature of the presentation, management and its outcome is less known in our population. This study was done to provide clinicians with useful information about the disease epidemiology, stage of presentation and clinical picture of the disease in the setting of a developing country.

METHODS

All patients managed for oesophageal and esophagogastric junction (EGJ) tumours over six years were retrospectively studied for types and location of the tumour, treatments given and their outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 76 patients, 62 (81.6 %) with the oesophageal and 14 (18.4 %) patients with EGJ carcinoma were included. The mean age was 68.2 years with a male to female ratio of 1.7. The most common tumour location in the oesophagus was the middle third (39.5 %). Siewert type II was the most common EGJ tumour. Squamous cell carcinoma (63.2 %) was the predominant histological type followed by adenocarcinoma (36.8 %). A total of 14 (18.4 %) patients were in stage III disease, 40 (52.6 %) locally advanced unresectable disease (IVA), and the remaining 22 (28.9 %) were having metastasis (stage IVB). Eighteen (23.7 %) patients required feeding jejunostomy as a palliative procedure, and 26 (34.2 %) underwent definitive chemoradiotherapy. Only 10 (13.2 %) patients underwent surgery with curative intent. There was no operative mortality. The mean survival in patients undergoing surgery with curative intent was 26.9 months (range 4-60 months) while the mean survival in the remaining patients was only 11 months (range: 3-18 months).

CONCLUSIONS

Squamous cell carcinoma is the predominant type and the middle and upper third are the most common locations of oesophageal carcinoma. Most of the patients present with advanced stage disease with poor survival.
Randomized Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Platelet Rich Plasma, Intralesional Triamcinolone Acetonide and Intralesional Normal Saline in Moderate to Severe Alopecia Areata
Authors: M. Jaya Kumar  , P.V. Krishnam Raju  , B. Gayatri Devi  , K.V.T. Gopal  , T. Narayana Rao
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, chronic, autoimmune, inflammatory disease that causes non scarring hair loss. Treatment of moderate to severe AA is challenging without a definitive cure. This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy of platelet rich plasma (PRP) - a novel procedural therapy, intralesional triamcinolone acetonide (ILS) and intralesional normal saline (NS) in moderate to severe AA.

METHODS

A total of 75 patients clinically diagnosed with Alopecia Areata were enrolled and the severity of the disease was assessed by SALT score. Twenty-five patients each in Group A, B and C were treated with PRP, ILS and NS respectively at monthly intervals for four sessions. Improvement in hair regrowth (based on reduction in SALT SCORE) and adverse effects were noted in all cases in each group at each session and one month after the final sitting. Statistical analysis was done using the student's t-test for quantitative values and the chi-square test for qualitative values.

RESULTS

Males outnumbered females with a percentage of 74.7, whereas females were 25.3 %. Male: female ratio of 2.9:1. Patchy type of AA was the most common clinical type observed (54.66 %), followed by sub totalis (14.66 %). Forty-eight cases (64 %) had a severity grade of S2 (26-50) followed by twenty-three cases (30 %) grade of S3 (51-75). After 20 weeks of treatment, the mean percentage of SALT score improvement with the highest efficacy was seen in the ILS group (63.15 %) followed by the PRP group (37.51 %). Improvement of hair regrowth with the excellent response (66 %) was achieved in ILS followed by 33 % in the PRP group, comparatively rapid reduction in SALT SCORE within four weeks was observed in the ILS group whereas gradual reduction in SALT SCORE was achieved in 8-12 weeks in PRP group. Relapse was seen in 21.7 % of patients in the ILS group and 1 (4.1 %) patient in the PRP group in the follow-up period of four months. No major adverse effects were seen in any of the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Efficacy of ILS was more significant than PRP and Placebo but with a higher recurrence rate. Both treatments were extremely safe, with no significant adverse effects.
Assessment of Undergraduate Medical Students Knowledge and Awareness of Fibromyalgia
Authors: Airenakho Emorinken  , Oluwaseun Remi Agbadaola  , Mercy Ofunami Dic-Ijiewere  , Orebowale Olugbemide  , Asuwemhe Johnson Ugheoke  , Patrick Adunbiola  , Onyekachukwu Rhoda Ekwem
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

Despite the increasing prevalence of fibromyalgia, there has been little or no attention to its diagnosis and treatment in the undergraduate medical curriculum. This study intended to assess the knowledge and awareness of fibromyalgia among undergraduate medical students in Nigeria.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional, descriptive survey conducted from September to December 2021. A total of 175 clinical students participated in the survey. The questionnaire comprised sociodemographic data and questions related to fibromyalgia. A scoring system was developed to stratify knowledge of fibromyalgia into very low, low, average, high, and very high. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS

Responses were obtained from 175 clinical students with a mean age of 25.14 ± 3.21 years. Most of the participants (38.3 %) had low fibromyalgia knowledge levels. The main sources of information on fibromyalgia were clinical postings (47.1 %) and the internet (37.1 %). Widespread pain (84.6 %), fatigue (74.9 %), sleep disturbance (73.7 %), and joint pain (69.1 %) were the most selected symptoms. About a third (32.6 %) did not know any diagnostic criteria for fibromyalgia. Physical exercise (80.0 %), NSAIDs (77.1%), and prednisolone (66.9 %) were the most selected treatment options. Age (p = 0.045), gender (p = 0.019), class level (p = 0.002), and current clinical posting (p = 0.032) were significantly associated with fibromyalgia knowledge levels.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed inadequate fibromyalgia knowledge among Nigerian medical students. This highlights the need to improve the undergraduate medical curriculum to bridge the knowledge gap.
Psychological Considerations in Maxillofacial Prosthesis – A Review
Authors: Surekha R. Godbole  , Dipak M. Shinde
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

The theoretical and analytical work of these authors help identify the variables that the dentist must consider. There is, however, no comprehensive structure that would bring together the various aspects of psychological awareness that are most relevant to patients undergoing maxillofacial prosthetics.

Important psychological factors are involved when disease, injury, or treatment causes significant maxillofacial changes. The assessment of the patient’s behaviour is important for the success of the treatment. It helps in understanding whether the said treatment can be carried out effectively or understood and appreciated by the patient once it is completed. [1] The result for a successful treatment outcome depends upon the prosthodontist making a correct diagnosis and looking out for problems beyond the field of dentistry alone. This is even more important while dealing with patients having orofacial defects as the maxillofacial region is of utmost importance during one’s early development. The oral cavity of the infants is one of the most prominent regions due to most of the developmental changes that occur in early life because of which Freud and other scientists named the first year of life as the “oral stage“.[2]
Fulminant Orbital Myiasis - A Rare Case Report from Central India
Authors: Kavita Anand Dhabarde  , Rohit Parasharam Kende
Published: June 2022

A 42 year old male farmer presented to eye OPD with a history of painful, foul smelling discharging wound over the lower lid along the inferior orbital margin since two weeks and crawling sensation over the wound with diminution of vision right eye since three days. He gave history of trauma to right eye after falling on sharp edge of stone one month back when he was in a drunken state due to which he had a lacerated wound of about 5cm x 2 cm x 2cm along inferior orbital margin.

The wound was cleaned and dressed only once at a local hospital, however, he neglected the wound and didn’t open the dressing for about next 15 days until he noticed a crawling sensation and maggots teeming from the wound. He denied a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension or any other chronic systemic disease or any prolonged use of medications, progressive loss of weight or appetite. However, he was a chronic alcoholic. He belonged to low socioeconomic strata with poor personal hygiene and was residing in a rural area.

On presentation, the patient was in agony due to pain. On examination of the right eye, the eyelids were severely oedematous and indurated with severe mechanical ptosis.  The lower lid along the inferior orbital rim had a deep open, macerated wound of size about 5cm x 2cm x 2cm, filled with necrotic tissue (slough), discharge and around 5-6 maggots were seen teeming from the wound [Fig. 1]. The skin around the wound was red and friable. On separating the lids gently and mechanically, the conjunctiva was severely congested and chemosed. Unaided visual acuity was 3/60; best-corrected visual acuity could not be assessed as the patient was in agony due to pain. The cornea, anterior chamber and iris were normal.  The pupil was normal-sized reacting to light. The eyeball had deviated inwards and ocular movements were painful and restricted in all directions. Lens had immature senile cataract. Intraocular pressure and nasolacrimal passage could not be assessed because of gross lid oedema. Fundus examination of the right eye was within normal limits. On examination of the left eye, unaided visual acuity was 6/18 and best-corrected visual acuity was 6/9. Anterior segment was within normal limits with pupil normally reacting to light and fundus examination was normal.

Five to six superficially lying maggots were removed with the help of turpentine oil and forceps after adequate local anaesthesia. Many more deep-seated maggots were seen but were difficult to remove.