bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Graded recession technique versus myectomy in management of inferior oblique muscle overaction
Authors: Gaballah Karim
Published: July 2022

Aim

The aim of this study was to compare two surgical techniques of inferior oblique muscle weakening in the management of inferior oblique overaction whether primary or secondary, that is, inferior oblique myectomy and graded inferior oblique muscle recession.

Patients and methods

This is a randomized prospective study, performed in Alexandria, Egypt, that included cases of inferior oblique muscle overaction, whether primary or secondary, starting on May 2020. It included 40 patients, divided into two groups: group I included 20 patients who were managed by inferior oblique myectomy, and group II included 20 patients who were managed by graded inferior oblique muscle recession, according to the clinical grading of overaction.

Results

The results of the two groups were compared, and it was found that the results were comparable as the final outcomes of correction of hypertropia were satisfactory in both groups.

Conclusion

As the results in both techniques have no significant difference, it is recommended that each surgeon should perform his/her preferred technique.
Evaluation of long-term outcomes of simultaneous corneal collagen cross-linking and femtosecond laser-assisted intracorneal ring segment implantation for keratoconus
Authors: Elbassiouny Khaled A. M. , Hafez Tarek A. , Osman Ihab A. , Elmassry Ahmed A.
Published: July 2022

Background

Intracorneal ring segment (ICRS) implantation in combination with corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) has shown promising results in improving the visual acuity and reducing refractive errors, but long-term results are lacking.

Aim

To evaluate the long-term outcomes (>5 years) of simultaneous CXL and femtosecond laser-assisted intracorneal stromal ring segment implantation for management of keratoconus.

Design

This was a noncomparative, noncontrolled retrospective single-center study.

Patients and methods

The study included 50 eyes of 37 patients with keratoconus who underwent simultaneous CXL and ICRS implantation and were followed up for at least 5 years regarding visual acuity, refraction, and corneal imaging.

Results

Best-corrected visual acuity showed statistically significant improvement, with mean changed from 1.07±0.41 to 0.40±0.30 LogMAR. The results showed significant improvement also after 5 years. The spherical equivalent also was significantly improved from a mean of −4.61±4.37 D to a mean of −1.41±−1.49 D. Keratometric readings also showed improvement of both K1 and K2. The mean K1 improved from a mean of 49.6±6.76–47.78±6.17 D, and the mean K2 improved from 55.04±7.34 to 52.67±7.38. The results were stable, with no statistically significant change after 5 years.

Conclusions

Simultaneous CXL and femtosecond laser-assisted ICRS is effective and stable for both visual outcome and refraction in patients with keratoconus.
B2 puncture with forward-viewing EUS simplifies EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (with video)
Authors: Okuno Nozomi , Hara Kazuo , Mizuno Nobumasa , Haba Shin , Kuwahara Takamichi , Kuraishi Yasuhiro , Tajika Masahiro , Tanaka Tsutomu , Onishi Sachiyo , Yamada Keisaku , Fumihara Daiki , Yanaidani Takafumi , Ishikawa Sho , Yamada Masanori , Yasuda Tsukasa , Elshair Moaz
Published: July 2022

Background and Objectives:

EUS-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) is in widespread use; however, there are few dedicated devices. The B2 route is technically easier than the B3 route for guidewire insertion, dilation, and stenting but if performed with conventional oblique-viewing (OV) EUS, B2 puncture can cause transesophageal puncture and severe adverse events. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of forward-viewing (FV) EUS, which we have developed to improve safety for B2 puncture in EUS-HGS (B2-EUS-HGS).

Patients and Methods:

This single-center retrospective study included 61 consecutive patients who underwent B2-EUS-HGS with FV between February 2020 and March 2021 at Aichi Cancer Center, Japan. The patients were prospectively enrolled, and clinical data were retrospectively collected for these 61 cases.

Results:

The overall technical success rate of EUS-HGS was 98.3% (60/61). The rate of EUS-HGS with FV was 95.0% (58/61) after three cases converted to OV, and that of B2-EUS-HGS with FV was 88.5% (54/61). The early adverse event rate was 6.5% (4/61). There were no instances of transesophageal puncture. Median procedure time was 24 min (range, 8–70), and no patient required cautery dilation.

Conclusions:

B2-EUS-HGS can be performed safely using FV, without transesophageal puncture, and supportability of the device is improved as FV is coaxial with the guidewire. FV was efficacious in B2-EUS-HGS, which shows promise for clinical application in the future.
Polymicrobial Pyomyositis in a Patient with Suspected Myeloma on 18F-FDG PET-CT
Authors: Kalra Simran , Damle Nishikant Avinash , Gupta Shreya Datta , Baghel Vivek , Elavarasi Arunmozhimaran , Sathish Parkipandla
Published: July 2022

Pyomyositis is an infective involvement of systemic skeletal muscles. We discuss the case of 43-year-old male who presented with quadriparesis, anemia, and hypercalcemia, leading to suspicion of multiple myeloma, and on FDG PET-CT, incidentally, pyomyositis was found. FDG PET-CT thus helped in diagnosing an occult infection which helped in the treatment of the patient.
A Rare Case of Differentiated Thyroid Carcinoma with Liver Metastases
Authors: Topuz Özge Vural , Erhan Selma Sengiz , Erinç Sadife Rüya , Tamam Müge Öner
Published: July 2022

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most frequent type of differentiated thyroid cancers (DTCs) and commonly metastasizes to regional lymph nodes. Distant metastases of DTC typically occur in the lungs and bones. Liver metastases of DTC are very rare and difficult to diagnose. We present a case of a 52-year-old woman who had a previous history of PTC treated by total thyroidectomy and lymph node dissection. The patient received two radioactive iodine-131 (I-131) treatments. The second postradioiodine therapy whole-body scan (WBS) revealed intense iodine uptake in the neck region and in the lungs. After 2 months, during the follow-up period, increase in serum thyroglobulin (Tg) level was detected. Positron-emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) revealed increased FDG uptake in the mass lesion that invaded the muscles in the neck area, lung, bone, and liver. The uptake in liver was interpreted as suspicion of malignancy. The trucut biopsy of the liver masses demonstrated metastases of the thyroid carcinoma with the immunohistochemical thyroid transcription factor-1 and PAX8 positivity observed in these tumor cells. In DTC patients with progressive rapid rise of Tg level, the diagnostic value of I-131 WBS will decrease as the differentiation of the tumor decreases. The combined use of I-131 WBS and FDG PET-CT as diagnostic modalities in these patients will be important in treatment planning in detecting locoregional or distant metastases, especially in patients with negative diagnostic I-131 WBS.
Morvan Syndrome Manifesting as Autoimmune Paraneoplastic Encephalitis Associated with Thymoma and Antivoltage Gated Potassium Channel (Leucine Rich, Glioma Inactivated 1) Antibody Detected using F 18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography
Authors: Kamaleshwaran Koramadai Karuppusamy , Senthilkumar Elumalai , Ramkumar Elumalai , Ruth Rajasekaran
Published: July 2022

Morvan's syndrome (MoS) is a rare, complex neurological disorder characterized by neuromyotonia, neuropsychiatric features, dysautonomia, and neuropathic pain. The majority of MoS cases have a paraneoplastic etiology, most commonly thymoma, usually occurring before the diagnosis of the underlying tumor and showing improvement following surgery. We present a case of 60-year-old patient presenting with suspicious of MoS and autoimmune encephalitis (AE), F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography as single imaging modality detected and confirmed both AE and thymoma.
99mTc-Ethambutol Scintigraphy with Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography/Computed Tomography in Vertebral Tuberculosis
Authors: Khurana Aditi , Damle Nishikant , Kumar Rakesh , Ranjan Piyush , Sikdar Sunit , Arora Geetanjali
Published: July 2022

Vertebral tuberculosis (TB) is a common form of extrapulmonary TB. Here, the slow-growing Mycobacterium bacillus reaches the disc space through the hematogenous route and leads to various complications. Radiological imaging and histopathology have been the mainstay of diagnosis, but radionuclide imaging techniques using radiolabeled antitubercular drugs have rarely found space in the clinical domain. Here, we present a case of vertebral TB, where a technetium-labeled antitubercular drug, ethambutol, was synthesized and used for imaging the bacteria in vivo. Thus, we demonstrate a rarely used potentially specific agent for tuberculous-infection imaging, which can be produced in-house, and provides rapid results.
F-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron-Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Image of Rare Case of Phaeohyphomycosis Causing Osteomyelitis of Scapula in a Postrenal Transplant Recipient
Authors: Kamaleshwaran Koramadai Karuppusamy , Ramkumar Elumalai , Pathak Vivek , Mehta Sangita Sharma , Kale Subhash Manohar
Published: July 2022

Phaeohyphomycosis belongs to a heterogeneous group of fungal infections, originally described by Ajello et al. as mycoses, whose etiologic agents develop in host tissue as dark-walled, septate mycelial elements. Disseminated infections occur in immunocompromised patients, involving the paranasal sinuses, eyes, central nervous system, lymph nodes, and bone. We present here an interesting image of 18F fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography showing scapula osteomyelitis caused by phaeohyphomycosis.
Ex vivo Measurement of the Radioactivity of PET/CT-Guided Biopsy Specimen
Authors: Kaur Navjot , Kumar Rajender , Rana Nivedita , Krishnaraju Venkata Subramanian , Mittal Bhagwant Rai
Published: July 2022

Objective:

Ex vivo radioactivity measurement of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT)-guided biopsy tissue specimen to check the viable tumor sampling and predict the nature of the biopsied lesion.

Materials and Methods:

We prospectively evaluated the retrieved tissue specimens during PET/CT-guided biopsies for the presence of radioactivity. The qualitative radioactivity was measured by acquiring PET/CT images of the specimen. For quantitative analysis, a multichannel-analyzer (MCA) was used, and a counting-factor (CF) in counts/mCi.mm3 was calculated based on background-corrected net-counts, tissue-volume (mm3), and exponential tracer-activity during biopsy (mCi). The CF-values were compared with the 2-(fluorine-18) fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-avidity in the target lesion and correlated with the histopathology.

Results:

A total of 49 patients (30 males) aged 51.8 ± 17.8 years were recruited for the biopsy, and radioactivity was measured. All the specimens revealed the presence of radioactivity on PET/CT images of the specimens and MCA counting. The mean CF-values were 17.2 ± 15.6 counts/mCi.mm3. One sample had meager counts with a CF-value of 0.162 and was subjected to re-biopsy after repositioning the coaxial needle to the hypermetabolic site. Pathological diagnosis was established in all the patients (malignancy-29, benign-20). The CF-values were significantly higher in malignant lesions than benign (21.45 ± 18.05 vs. 10.76 ± 8.96 counts/mCi.mm3, P = 0.025). CF-values and maximum standardized uptake value had a significant correlation (Pearson's r = 0.457, P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

The ex vivo measurement of the radioactivity of retrieved tissue specimens during PET/CT-guided biopsy helps to confirm the sampling from viable region and a highly practical approach to avoid erroneous sampling of a lesion with a large necrotic area. It is also helpful in predicting the nature of the biopsied lesion before the histopathological analysis.
Extensive Pleural Involvement in Pediatric T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
Authors: Jain Bela , Saini Vivek Kumar , Mishra Ayush , Ora Manish , Gambhir Sanjay
Published: July 2022

Lymphoblastic lymphoma (LBL) is the common non-Hodgkin lymphoma in childhood and adolescence. T-cell LBL (T-LBL) usually manifests with an anterior mediastinal mass and disseminated disease. We present a 12-year-old girl with progressive neck swelling and dyspnea for 1 year. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography done for pretreatment staging unveiled hypermetabolic lymph nodes on both sides of the diaphragm with splenic and bone marrow involvement. Apart from these, there was the extensive involvement of the left pleura. Biopsy and immunohistochemistry revealed T-LBL. The extensive secondary pleural involvement in pediatric T-LBL is rarely seen and needs to be reported.
Potential Efficacy of Ocimum sanctum Hydro-Alcoholic Leaf Extract as an Adjuvant Role with Phenobarbital
Authors: Shrivastava Aman , Kumar Gupta Jeetendra , Kumar Goyal Manoj
Published: July 2022

Aim:

In Ayurveda, variousOcimumspecies have therapeutic potential to enhance the therapeutic efficacy of some antiepileptic drugs in epilepsy.O. sanctumhas two flavonoid compounds that are orientin and vicenin, and both are responsible for their anti-seizure properties in epilepsy.

Material and Methods:

The ultraviolet spectroscopy instrument was used to detect the absorbance of light by the active constituent present in the herbal extract at various concentrations. A turbidity meter was used to detect the amount of turbidity in the sample. Phenobarbital (PB 40 mg/kg, per oral [p.o.]) andO. sanctumhydroalcoholic leaf extract (OSHE 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) were administered every other day for 2 weeks in which two acute models, maximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ), models of epilepsy were used.

Result:

The outcome result data were statistically compared and showed Tukey testP< 0.05 of significant anticonvulsive activity as compared to control and standard (phenobarbitone).

Conclusion:

We have investigated the anti-seizure activity of PB with hydroalcoholic leaves extract ofO. sanctumL. by using the electrically maximal electroshock seizure and chemically (PTZ) induced convulsion acute models of epilepsy on mice. As per the histopathological study, photomicrographs (×40) of mice brain tissue showed no neuronal degenerations or focal microglia sensitivities in OSHE + PB treated group. We concluded that the standard drug exhibits a synergistic effect with OSHE for the treatment of acute seizures in mice.
Multimodal minimally invasive management of retained impacted denture in duodenum
Authors: Veetil Deepa Kizhakke , Wadhawan Randeep , Verma Naveen Kumar , Gupta Muneendra , Tanai Shamsu Rehman
Published: July 2022

Introduction:

Accidental ingestion of dentures can lead to certain life-threatening complications. Duodenal impaction is particularly a challenging situation. Minimally invasive procedures can help when done as a combined approach.

Our Modification:

Endoscopy is the first-line management of retained foreign bodies. However, in difficult locations, a combined endoscopy and laparoscopy can help prevent complications and associated morbidity and improve outcome for the patient.

Benefit:

Decreased post-operative morbidity and better outcome for the patient.
The Genetic Architecture Behind Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Akiel Maaged A.
Published: July 2022

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most frequently reported cause among miscarriages. Moreover, Infants born with CHD suffer from lifelong morbidity and have high risk of sudden infant death. The incidence of CHD is 8:1000, around 1% of live births worldwide. A wide range of environmental risk factors such as exposure to teratogens increase the risk for CHD through alterations in genetic and epigenetic networks governing heart development. Yet, a small subset of CHD is caused by inherited Mendelian mutations, copy number variations, or chromosomal abnormalities. Next generation sequencing technologies and chromosomal microarray analysis deciphered the genetic make-up of CHD. This review explains the genetic make-up of CHD and highlights key molecular genetics, cytogenetics, and epigenetics findings in syndromic and isolated CHD through analysis of inherited and sporadic genomic alterations.
Assessing the Satisfaction of Students with the Learning Methods Used During the Coronavirus Pandemic in Saudi Universities
Authors: Alyahya Khaleel I. , Ibrahim El Fouhil Ahmed Fathalla
Published: July 2022

Objectives:

The aim was to assess Saudi students' satisfaction with two methods of lecture delivery used during coronavirus pandemic, namely live online sessions (LOS) and recorded online lectures (ROL), and students' perspectives regarding distance and traditional education.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 600 Saudi students from 22 Saudi universities during December 2020. A questionnaire, formed of both multiple choices and open-ended questions, was designed at the Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and distributed via social media applications. Collected data were statistically analyzed.

Results:

Participants were satisfied with both methods and recommended to implement both of them. They had better outcomes with ROL, felt it more appropriate for preparation for exams, and for enhancement of focus ability. Students of health and sciences colleges had more preference of LOS regarding satisfaction and implementation, and of ROL for preparation for examinations and enhancement of focus ability. Students of humanities colleges preferred ROL in all aspects. Being time saving and giving more flexibility for learners, students suggested implementation of distance learning for selected theoretical courses. Using better technologies for communication and training teachers and students on ways to use educational programs is recommended. Traditional practical classes should be small, more interactive, recorded, and available on website.

Conclusion:

Students were satisfied with both methods with more preference of one of them in some aspects and suggested continuous innovation in learning.
Syncope and COVID-19
Authors: Alranini Ibrahim A , Kashour Tarek S , Al-Hersi Ahmed S. , Alqarawi Wael A.
Published: July 2022

COVID-19 infection can present with atypical symptoms such as syncope. We reported 2 patients who presented to our emergency department with syncope as a chief complaint. One patient did not have any other symptoms while the other patient developed severe pneumonia later during hospitalization. The cardiac workup including electrocardiogram, cardiac monitoring, and echocardiogram were unremarkable. Both patients were diagnosed with neurally mediated/reflex syncope secondary to COVID-19. No recurrence was reported during follow-up. We then performed a literature review and described previous cases focusing on clinical presentation and the likely mechanism of syncope.
Detailed Demographics and the Prevalence of Comorbidities in Ovarian Cancer Patients in Western Region of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Aga Syed Sameer , Jaha Refal , Khan Rawaa , Junaydi Dhiyaa , Hakami Alqassem Y. , Khan Muhammad Anwar , Alsaab Hashem
Published: July 2022

Objectives:

The study was carried out to report the descriptive demographics, comorbidities, and adverse effects in women with ovarian cancer attending the King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods:

The current retrospective study was conducted at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences between the months of July and August 2021. The study sample included all the patients that had been admitted in the Princess Noorah Oncology Center in KAMC and fulfilling the two inclusion criteria (a) age not <18 and (b) confirmed histological or cytological diagnosis as per the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics guidelines. A comprehensive review of the charts was conducted by a team of researchers for the extraction of data which included detailed demographics, tumor characteristics, comorbidities, and adverse effects.

Results:

A total of 119 ovarian cancer patients were identified, out of which 90 were included in the analysis. Most of the patients were aged above 40 years. A total of 67 of 90 (74.44%) tumors were of higher stage (II+IV) and 54 of 90 (60.0%) were located bilaterally. Among the comorbidities, we found that diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, asthma, and hypothyroidism were the top five ones. Furthermore, most of the patients (82.1%) underwent a surgical intervention for the primary treatment of the tumor. The top adverse effect of the chemotherapy was the gastrointestinal ones (40.3%), followed by renal and metabolic disorders.

Conclusions:

Patients with ovarian cancer were of higher age and with advanced stage of the disease contrary to the reported trends in world literature. Almost all reported with one of more of the comorbidities and majority had surgical intervention as first line of treatment.
Self-Perception of Dental Esthetics, Malocclusion, and Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Among 13–15-Year-Old Schoolchildren in Bengaluru
Authors: James Jesline Merly , Puranik Manjunath P. , Sowmya K. R
Published: July 2022

Introduction:

Malocclusion is one of the common public health problems worldwide. The study aimed to assess the self-perception of dental esthetics, malocclusion, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) and to determine the relation between them among 13–15-year-old schoolchildren in Bengaluru.

Materials and Methods:

In this cross-sectional study, 540 children were selected equally from government, aided, and private schools in Bengaluru. Self-perception of dental esthetics was measured using Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Scale (OASIS), whereas malocclusion and OHRQoL were assessed using Dental Aesthetic Index and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), respectively. Descriptive and analytical statistics was done using the SPSS 22. Analysis of variance, Kruskal[FIGURE DASH]Wallis test, and Pearson correlation test were used. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

The prevalence of malocclusion was found to be 29.63%. Among schoolchildren, the mean OASIS scores (self-perception) and OHIP-14 scores were 14.62 ± 6.93 and 9.04 ± 8.07, respectively. There was a significant difference among government, aided, and private schoolchildren regarding “definite malocclusion” and mean OHIP scores. Overall, there was a significant weak correlation between the severity of malocclusion and OHIP scores ([r = 0.259], [P = 0.01]) as well as between the severity of malocclusion and OASIS scores ([r = 0. 192], [P = 0.02]).

Conclusion:

The severity of malocclusion significantly correlated with self-perception of dental esthetics and OHRQoL among schoolchildren. Hence, there is a relation between self-perception of dental esthetics and malocclusion as well as malocclusion and OHRQoL.
Parental Perceptions, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Their Children's Oral Health in Kerala, India – A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Latti Pooja , Ramesan Deepa , Ramanarayanan Subramaniam
Published: July 2022

Introduction:

Oral diseases in children, if left untreated can frequently lead to significant pain, interference with talking, eating, loss of school hours, and general health problems. Parents have an important role to play in the initiation and reinforcement of oral health-related behaviors for preventing and controlling oral diseases. Parental attitudes and perceptions have a direct influence on their children's oral health. The survey was conducted to investigate the parental perceptions, attitudes, and practices regarding their child's oral health.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among parents of primary school students (two government and two private) in Paravur town of Ernakulam district, Kerala. Data collection was done during the Parents–Teachers Association meeting. The prevalidated questionnaire, translated into local language Malayalam, consisted of 12 questions assessing the parental attitude and practice toward oral health and dental treatment. The data were tabulated and analyzed with Chi-square test.

Results:

The final sample comprised 414 parents; 105 men and 309 women. Less than 30% of the participants had taken their child for a dental visit in the past year. Over 43% had visited the dentist for treatment of decayed teeth. More than 53% of the parents reported that their children brushed their teeth twice daily. More than 93% agreed to supervise their child's brushing. About 30% of the parents are willing for routine dental checkups for their children more than three times a year. About 30% select the toothpaste and toothbrush as per recommendations from the dentist. Over 78% considered consulting a dentist as the first response to a dental complaint of the child.

Conclusions:

The study showed a positive attitude and perception of parents regarding the oral health of children in terms of money, time, and dental clinic visits.
Coronavirus disease 2019 in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Alhazmi Abdulaziz , Moafa Wesam Ali , Madkhali Jalal , Saifain Othman , Alyahyawi Faizah , Adhabi Ons , Alharbi Ahmad Ali
Published: July 2022

Objectives:

To assess the prevalence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in Jazan region and to determine the impact of COVID-19 on the SCD population.

Methods:

This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study using a self-administrated questionnaire directed to SCD patients in Jazan to assess the prevalence of COVID-19. The data were analyzed using a t-test and Chi-square test.

Results:

A total of 188 responses were received and only 96 SCD patients were included (mean age is 24 years). About half of the study samples (53%) of the study population were male. About 11% of patients with SCD were diagnosed with COVID-19. Vaso-occlusive crisis was reported in 73% and a single patient presented with acute chest syndrome. About three-fourths of patients (73%) were admitted to the hospital and most of them experienced mild symptoms and one patient was treated in the intensive care unit.

Conclusion:

SCD patients are at risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the absence of comorbidities, patients with SCD are not at increased risk of COVID-19 mortality, but a higher admission rate is reported. SCD patients with COVID-19 may have a milder clinical course, compared to other populations with comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension, and this may be due to proinflammatory adaptation of the immune system. Larger studies including epidemiological and molecular details are needed to enhance our understanding of how SARS-CoV-2 could affect patients with SCD.
A Comparative Histological Analysis of Human Pulp Following Direct Pulp Capping with Propolis or Biodentine
Authors: Ahmad Nehad A , Gad Nevin A. , Abdulmonaem Marwa H.
Published: July 2022

Introduction:

Pulp exposure in permanent teeth conventionally has been treated with calcium hydroxide pulp capping. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the histological finding of healthy human pulp tissue after pulp capping using new materials, Biodentine (BD) and Propolis (Pr).

Materials and Methods:

Forty intact human premolars scheduled for extraction for orthodontic reasons were mechanically exposed. Teeth were divided into four groups of ten teeth each and capped with Pr and BD. The final restoration was done with glass ionomer restorative material. The teeth were then extracted on the 15th or the 45th day and subjected to processing for histological evaluation by an image analysis software.

Results:

Differences in inflammatory response and dentine bridge formation of the exposed pulp to the different materials. The BD group, at all evaluation periods, exhibited a thick newly formed reparative bridge of dentin that totally obliterating the site of exposure. At the exposure site, cell inclusions and mineralization, variable numbers of odontoblast-like cells, preserved pulp tissue, marked numerous collagen fibers, and blood vessels, were observed. On the other hand, the Pr group did not show any presence of dentin bridge or calcified material and intermediate to acute inflammation after the 15th day. On the 45th day, Pr showed an entire newly formed bridge of reparative dentin tissue, complete pulp degeneration with multiple edematous spaces, hyperemic blood vessels, vacuolated odontoblasts, extravasated red blood cells, multiple mineralized structures dispersed just underneath the dentin bridge and through the pulp tissue, and newly ill-defined odontoblasts.

Conclusion:

For pulp capping, BD has a better dentin bridge formation and pulp preservation than pr in the human teeth.
Relationship between untreated obstructive sleep apnea and breath hydrogen and methane after glucose load
Authors: Kim Dae Bum , Park Chan-Soon , Paik Chang Nyol , Kang Yun Jin , Jo Ik Hyun , Lee Ji Min
Published: July 2022

Background:

Patients with sleep disturbances have gastrointestinal symptoms. Breath hydrogen (H2) and methane (CH4) indicating small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) might be related with these symptoms. The study was conducted to assess the link between breath profiles and untreated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods:

This prospective study enrolled consecutive patients with OSA using polysomnography. Heart rate variability (HRV) was used as a measurement for the balance of autonomic nervous system during polysomnography. Glucose breath test (GBT) to evaluate breath H2 and CH4 and bowel symptom questionnaire to investigate associated intestinal symptoms were performed.

Results:

Among 52 patients with OSA, 16 (30.8%) showed positivity to GBT. Although no significant difference was shown in GBT positivity between patients with healthy controls and patients with OSA (13.3% vs 30.8%, P = 0.109), breath H2 and CH4 levels in the OSA group were significantly higher than those in controls (P < 0.05). Flatulence was significantly common in OSA groups with GBT positivity than those without GBT positivity. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that waist-to-hip ratio (odds ratio = 12.889; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.257–132.200; P = 0.031) and low-to-high-frequency ratio of HRV (odds ratio = 1.476; 95% CI: 1.013–2.151, P = 0.042) are independently related to GBT positivity in patients with OSA.

Conclusion:

Elevated breath H2 or CH4 after glucose load might not be an uncommon finding in patients with untreated OSA. Abdominal obesity and autonomic imbalance dysfunction are significantly associated with GBT positivity in OSA patients. SIBO could be considered as target for therapeutic management in OSA patients.
Convolutional neural network-based artificial intelligence for the diagnosis of early esophageal cancer based on endoscopic images
Authors: Ma Hongbiao , Wang Longlun , Chen Yilin , Tian Lu
Published: July 2022

Background:

Early screening and treatment of esophageal cancer (EC) is particularly important for the survival and prognosis of patients. However, early EC is difficult to diagnose by a routine endoscopic examination. Therefore, convolutional neural network (CNN)-based artificial intelligence (AI) has become a very promising method in the diagnosis of early EC using endoscopic images. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of CNN-based AI for detecting early EC based on endoscopic images.

Methods:

A comprehensive search was performed to identify relevant English articles concerning CNN-based AI in the diagnosis of early EC based on endoscopic images (from the date of database establishment to April 2022). The pooled sensitivity (SEN), pooled specificity (SPE), positive likelihood ratio (LR+), negative likelihood ratio (LR−), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI), summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve, and area under the curve (AUC) for the accuracy of CNN-based AI in the diagnosis of early EC based on endoscopic images were calculated. We used the I
2 test to assess heterogeneity and investigated the source of heterogeneity by performing meta-regression analysis. Publication bias was assessed using Deeks' funnel plot asymmetry test.

Results:

Seven studies met the eligibility criteria. The SEN and SPE were 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.82–0.94) and 0.91 (95% CI: 0.79–0.96), respectively. The LR+ of the malignant ultrasonic features was 9.8 (95% CI: 3.8–24.8) and the LR− was 0.11 (95% CI: 0.06–0.21), revealing that CNN-based AI exhibited an excellent ability to confirm or exclude early EC on endoscopic images. Additionally, SROC curves showed that the AUC of the CNN-based AI in the diagnosis of early EC based on endoscopic images was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93–0.97), demonstrating that CNN-based AI has good diagnostic value for early EC based on endoscopic images.

Conclusions:

Based on our meta-analysis, CNN-based AI is an excellent diagnostic tool with high sensitivity, specificity, and AUC in the diagnosis of early EC based on endoscopic images.
A supercritical elliptic equation in the annulus
Authors: Boscaggin Alberto , Colasuonno Francesca , Noris Benedetta , Weth Tobias
Published: July 2022

By a combination of variational and topological techniques in the presence of invariant cones, we detect a new type of positive axially symmetric solutions of the Dirichlet problem for the elliptic equation

-\Delta u + u = a(x)|u|^{p-2}u

in an annulus

A \subset \mathbb{R}^N

(

N\ge3

). Here

p>2

is allowed to be supercritical and

a(x)

is an axially symmetric but possibly nonradial function with additional symmetry and monotonicity properties, which are shared by the solution

u

we construct. In the case where

a

equals a positive constant, we detect conditions, only depending on the exponent

p

and on the inner radius of the annulus, that ensure that the solution is nonradial.
O NORMAL E O TRANSGRESSOR: RELEITURA DE ESTEVES 1982
Authors: Scarano Fabio Rubio
Published: July 2022

Nessa resenha, revisito o artigo “A Ciência Limnologia: Aspectos Históricos e Estratégia de Pesquisa” de autoria do Professor Francisco de Assis Esteves (1982). Meu argumento é o que o jovem cientista que o redigiu já carregava todos os elementos que marcariam a trajetória do profissional que se tornaria uma das principais referências brasileiras no tema. Do texto aflora a fluidez do espírito jovem: o domínio da ciência normal mesclado com o anseio de sua transgressão; o desejo de trânsito do disciplinar para o transdisciplinar; a reverência à história como para que criar um novo projeto de futuro. O resultado é um texto que reflete seu tempo – início da abertura democrática no Brasil em meio à ditadura militar – e que, paradoxalmente, também está adiante do seu tempo, insinuando um projeto de decolonialidade e desobediência epistêmica, que mais tarde se confirmaria
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION AS A TOOL TO REDUCE ANTHROPOGENIC IMPACTS ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
Authors:   Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Anacleto Thuane Mendes , Oliveira Helena Rodrigues ,   Universidade de São Paulo, Silva Cristiane Fonseca Caetano da , Calegari Rubens Perez , Rocha Mariana Erthal ,   Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Figueira Tiphane Andrade , Silva Marcelo Côrtes ,   Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Amazonas, Masuda Laura Shizue Moriga ,   Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade, Paquet Renato , Oliveira Vinicius Peruzzi de , Enrich-Prast Alex
Published: July 2022

The large global generation and improper management of waste lead to the pollution of the environment and efforts toward reducing the impacts of anthropogenic activities on aquatic environments should be prioritized. The United Nations declared 2018-2028 as the international decade for action on “Water for Sustainable Development” and integrated management of water resources. Several international initiatives, such as the UN 2030 Agenda, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Paris Agreement, have highlighted and strongly recommended the development of new technologies to reverse the current environmental scenario of global water bodies. The use of anaerobic digestion for treating organic wastes can minimize and avoid several adverse effects on aquatic environments while promoting nutrient cycling and the production of biogas, a renewable energy source that can replace fossil fuels and therefore decrease the emission of greenhouse gases. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the contribution of anaerobic digestion in preventing and reducing human impacts on aquatic ecosystems. China (15.1%), Spain (7.3%) and Italy (7.3%) are countries with a pronounced research focus on this topic, indicating their awareness on the importance of managing and preserving their water resources. The integration of co-digestion and pretreatment methods into anaerobic digestion improved the production of byproducts (especially energy and biofertilizer). Thus, this review highlights the success of AD technology as a waste treatment strategy, while reducing the damage inflicted to aquatic systems and its consequences to human health and aquatic biodiversity.
HUMAN IMPACTS ON AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS FROM THE LENS OF ECOLOGICAL STOICHIOMETRY
Authors:   Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Fonseca Layla Mayer , Quadra Gabrielle Rabelo , Paranaíba José , Pimentel Otávio Augusto Lacerda Ferreira ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Cotner James ,   University of Minnesota, Amado André Megali ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte
Published: July 2022

Aquatic ecosystems are under different anthropogenic pressures, such as climate change, eutrophication, chemical pollution, overfishing, and introducing exotic species. Human activities have accelerated biogeochemical cycles forcing organisms and ecosystems to adapt. Most ecological stoichiometry studies are focused on carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and their relative proportions. Still, the possibilities for investigations using other elements to better understand the impacts of human pressures on aquatic ecosystems are vast. Therefore, here we explore how different anthropogenic activities influence ecosystem balance in terms of nutrient composition and stoichiometry. We conclude that human interventions have affected the functioning of aquatic ecosystems in terms of energy flow due to stoichiometric imbalances. We also conclude that the interplay between macro and micronutrient stoichiometry might raise important axioms to predict and understand human impacts on the functioning of aquatic ecosystems.
SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL DYNAMICS OF PHYTOPLANKTON IN A HIGHLY IMPACTED TROPICAL MONTANE RIVER
Authors:   Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Barreto Davi Almeida , Furtado André Luiz dos Santos ,   Embrapa Territorial, Folharini Saulo de Oliveira ,   Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso, Marinho Claudio , Rocha Adriana de Melo , Bozelli Reinaldo Luiz , Azevedo José Paulo Soares de , Silva Lúcia Helena Sampaio
Published: July 2022

Rivers, as most bodies of water, are subject to eutrophication and water contamination, mainly from domestic sewage and industrial discharges from urban centers and agricultural areas. These growing human impacts result in a gradual loss of water quality and changes in biotic communities, including phytoplankton. Analyzing the dynamics of phytoplankton is important to understand how, in addition to hydrography and the physical, chemical and biological variables, human impact can be a controlling factor in this dynamic. In this study, we analyzed abiotic variables and zooplankton abundance to identify the factors controlling different phytoplankton attributes at six sampling points, in two climatic periods and three years, in the Piabanha River, a slowly flowing stream with to strong human impact beginning in its upper course, in a mountain region in southeastern Brazil. The results showed homogeneous environmental variables and different phytoplankton attributes along most of the stretch analyzed, except for sampling point 1, located in a preserved forest area but with nutrient concentrations limiting phytoplankton growth. The difference in flow between the two climatic periods (dry and wet) was not sufficient to change the total phytoplankton biovolume. Temperature seemed to strongly affect the phytoplankton response, with larger relative contributions from cyanobacteria in the wet period, with higher temperatures, and from phytoflagellates in the dry period, with lower temperatures. As expected, zooplankton showed no influence on phytoplankton dynamics, with a large contribution from small rotifers. In this tropical montane river, with slow flow and intense human impacts, nutrient concentrations and temperature were the main drivers of the spatial and temporal dynamics of phytoplankton, respectively
ARRIVAL ORDER AND AQUATIC MACROPHYTE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION IN A TROPICAL ESTUARY
Authors:   Universidade Estadual Paulista, Nunes Laís Samira Correia , Camargo Antonio Fernando Monteiro ,   Universidade Federal do Rio Grande
Published: July 2022

The arrival order in species colonization may be important to the communities’ organization of perennial plants along environmental gradients. In estuarine gradients, the competitive exclusion may have great importance to species zonation regardless of their arrival order. However, priority effect has also been considered, since founder species may remain in the environment even with the later arrival of species of greater competitive ability. We evaluated whether the arrival order and priority effect influence the interspecific interaction between adult individuals (early-colonizing individuals) and young individuals (later-arriving individuals) of the perennial emergent estuarine aquatic macrophytes Spartina alterniflora (S) and Crinum americanum (C). We conducted a laboratory experiment with four cultures (monocultures of early-colonizing individuals of S; monocultures of early-colonizing individuals of C; cultures of early-colonizing individuals of S with introduction of later-arriving individuals of C; and cultures of early-colonizing individuals of C with introduction of later-arriving individuals of S) and two sediment types (lower and middle estuary sediment: salinity 32 and 20, respectively). We hypothesized that, due to the priority effect, in both sediment types (i) the later-arriving species would not establish itself in adult early-colonizing vegetation and (ii) the later-arriving species would not limit the growth of the early-colonizing species. Our results corroborate our hypotheses as the later-arriving individuals of S. alterniflora and C. americanum did not grow up and establish themselves in the heterospecific cultures of early-colonizing individuals in both sediment types. Furthermore, the growth of the early-colonizing individuals was not limited by the presence of the later-arriving individuals. We conclude that the arrival order and priority effect can influence the interspecific competition, communities’ organization and spatial distribution of aquatic macrophytes in tropical estuaries.
A LITTLE ABOUT THE SCIENCE OF THE INLAND WATERS IN THE NORTHERN OF RIO DE JANEIRO STATE: CYANOBACTERIAL BLOOMS IN THE LOWER PARAÍBA DO SUL RIVER
Authors:   Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Suzuki Marina Satika
Published: July 2022

The 1993 inauguration of UENF (Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro) has made research on aquatic ecosystems in the northern region of Rio de Janeiro State a reality, most notably that pertaining to the lower Paraíba do Sul River (PSR) and associated ecosystems (e.g. mangroves, coastal lagoons and coastal zone). These researches were, in part, leveraged by the scientific training provided by Dr Francisco Esteves. Within the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, the PSR has been monitored with biweekly samplings since 1994 by UENF in a long-term project highlighting the river’s role in supplying water for 90% of the municipality’s population. However, potamological conditions such as low outflow and eutrophication have fostered episodic cyanobacterial blooms, especially during the dry season. One such event caused water supply interruptions in the municipalities located in the lower PSR basin, a fact that highlights the importance of pluriannual monitoring of its hydrochemical conditions.
The significance of integration of families of seminarians in the Roman Catholic ministerial formation in South Africa
Authors: Mokone Sr Puseletso Clementina , Pali Dr KJ
Published: July 2022

A family is a basic building block of society created by God and it is crucial for a healthy state and church. In traditional African societies, a family is responsible for the spiritual, emotional, moral, intellectual, and physical empowerment of the child. Parents play a significant role in transmitting knowledge and skills for the survival of the child in their own context. Other structures in society educate the children based on the foundation laid by the family. This article proposes that a family should not be ignored in the formation of ministerial priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church (RCC) seminary. The delay in involving a family hinders the holistic development of the priest candidate. Involvement of the family in the process of formation challenges the relationship between a seminary and a family and encourages an imbalance of male and female formators in a seminary. This article aims to highlight the significance of the family as an indispensable body in the formation process of an African priest candidate, particularly for the RCC in South Africa.
Argentine-Brazilian contradictions as a factor of disintegration in South America
Authors: Shcherbakova A. D.
Published: July 2022

At the beginning of the 21st century, international relations in South America are developing in a paradigm of regionalization, manifested in emergence of multiple social associations on the continent, linked to each other not only geographically but also functionally. In parallel, trends of fragmentation and polarization, resulting from the crisis of Latin American multilateralism and from political heterogeneity established by the results of the next electoral period, are directly or indirectly influencing the nature of regional relations. In this context, and given their impact on regional affairs, the analysis of the current state of relations between Argentina and Brazil, characterized by polarized positions on a range of issues, deserves particular attention. The author chose a systemic approach to the analysis of international relations and the current foreign policy situation as the main methodological tool to achieve the goal of research. This, in turn, allowed the author of this article to consider South America as a regional subsystem, within which political systems and regimes compete, including for the choice of the vector of sub-regional development. The article demonstrates that recently the Argentine-Brazilian contradictions have fueled and strengthened political and ideological heterogeneity of the whole South American continent. In addition, the author cites different visions of formats and vectors of integration development of associations and subregional organizations in South America. According to the author, the actions of the governments of Alberto Fernández and Jair Bolsonaro make it quite difficult to implement and put in practice the necessary measures and formulated strategic goals, as well as to determine the vector of future development for Latin American states.