bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Substantia
Authors: Marion Jean-Luc , Eguiarte B. Enrique A. ,   Order of Augustinian Recollects
Published: February 2022

The aim of J.-L. Marion’s article is to revisit the important debate on the place of Augustine in the history of metaphysics. Often, quibbles arise upon considering the use of substance (substantia) by Augustine, not only as approximative of essentia and as synonymous with ousia, but in deciding whether in so doing Augustine effectuates a ‘metaphysical turn’. While he elsewhere argues that Augustine is a pre-metaphysical thinker, in this article Marion focuses on showing the diverse range of usages of the term substance in the Augustinian corpus. Marion observes: first, whenever substance seems a fixed definition, the term allows for equivocity; second, God is substance in an indeterminate sense or by negation; third, human beings are substances fundamentally to capture the mutability of human existence. As such, Marion concludes, the Augustinian use of substance is insufficient to inelude Augustine in the history of metaphysics.
Root canal morphologies of mandibular premolars in Southeast Anatolian population: Evaluation of CBCT
Authors: Yüzer Güney , Sadullah Kaya
Published: February 2022

Background/Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the root canal morphology of mandibular first and second premolars with the aid of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in the Southeast Anatolian population. Material and Methods: The study examined a total of 1258 mandibular first and second premolars using cone-beam computed tomography images of 370 randomly selected patients who applied to the Department of OralDental and Maxillofacial Radiology of Faculty of Dentistry, Dicle University due to various indications. The total number of roots and root canals, canal symmetry and correlations between the right and left side of the mandible, and the prevalence in men and women were recorded. Data was analzyed using the Chi-Square and Fisher's Exact tests. Canal configurations were evaluated based on the Vertucci classification. Results: The evaluation of CT images of a total of 370 individuals showed that 88.89% of the first premolars and 98.45% of the second premolars were symmetrical. The canal anatomy of the first premolars suggested that 85.98% of the premolars were of Type I, 12.02% were of Type V, and 2% were of Type III based on the Vertucci classification. On the other hand, the canal anatomy of the second premolars revealed that 98.83% were of Type I, 0.67% were of Type V, and 0.5% were of Type III. Conclusions: The prevalent morphology of the multiple canals was Type V, except for the Vertucci classification Type I in the mandibular first premolars. Limited number of canal variations were observed in the mandibular second premolars.
Evaluation of paranasal sinus anatomic variations and mucosal changes with cone beam computed tomography
Authors: Tuğçe Temur , Evlice Burcu , Öztunç Haluk
Published: February 2022

Background/Aim: Anatomical variations of paranasal sinuses are common and play an role in disrupting the drainage of the sinuses, which often causes chronic sinusitis. In this article, anatomical variations of the paranasal sinuses and its relationship with mucosal changes were evaluated retrospectively by cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) which is also known as dental volumetric tomography. Material and Methods: CBCT data of 500 patients who applied to Cukurova University Faculties of Dentistry for any reason were retrospectively evaluated by maxillofacial radiologist. Anatomical variants of paranasal sinuses were included in the study. Mucosal thickening greater than 2 mm in the maxillary sinus was considered pathological. Results: The most common anatomic variation in the study was the nasal septal deviation, found in 302 (60.4%) patients. The least common anatomic variation in the study was lower concha pneumatization found in 3 (0.6%) patients. Mucosal thickening of the maxillary sinus was observed in 271 (54.2%) cases in the right sinus and 260 (52%) cases in the left sinus (p>0.05). Conclusions: Nasal septum deviation was the most common variation in the study. According to the results of our study, concha bullosa, haller cell and the uncinate process had no definite effect on mucosal thickening in the maxillary sinus.
In vitro comparison of the erosive potential of four different wines on human dental enamel
Authors: Şeyma Alpkılı , Batu Şule
Published: February 2022

Background/Aim: This study aimed to investigate the erosive potential of wines derived from Anatolia on human teeth in vitro. Material and Methods: In this study two red (Öküzgözü, Boğazkere) and two white (Sultaniye, Narince) wines, citric acid and distilled water were used to investigate erosive effects. The pH, titratable acidity, iron and calcium ion levels of the groups were measured. Each group included 10 specimen and they were exposed to 25 ml of wine sample for 5 seconds, artificial saliva for 10 seconds for 10 times. The initial and the final phosphate concentrations were measured by the UV spectrophotometer and the difference between the measurements was calculated. One sample was examined under a scanning electron microscope and the data were analyzed statistically using One-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation test. Results: Mineral loss and erosive lesion depth values were ranged from highest to the lowest Sultaniye, Boğazkere, Öküzgözü and Narince, respectively. Correlation between mineral loss and pH was statistically significant (p<0.01). However, there was no correlation between the iron and calcium ion level and mineral loss. Conclusions: All the investigated wines have pH values below the critical value for enamel dissolution while Sultaniye was significantly more erosive than the others. There is a negative correlation between pH and erosive potential of the wine. Within the limits of this in vitro study, it can be expected that a regular consumption of wines might cause dental erosion.
Surgical treatment of portal hypertension
Authors: Babić S. , Tanasković S. , Sotirović V. , Radak Đ.
Published: February 2022

Portal hypertension (PHT) is one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in patients with severe liver diseases. The most serious complication of PHT is haemorrhage due to rupture of the gastric and esophageal varices and requires primary prophylaxis, acute bleeding management and secondary prophylaxis of re-bleeding. Surgical treatment of PHT developed from invasive total shunt surgery to recent minimal-invasive procedures, but the best therapeutic solution is still a subject of many clinical studies. In this review, we investigated positives and downsides of current surgical solutions for dealing with portal hypertension.
The effects of calling, nurse’s image, satisfaction in major and self-efficacy on nursing professionalism of nursing students
Authors: Lee Kyu Eun , Seo Im Sun
Published: February 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship among calling, nurse’s image, satisfaction in major, self-efficacy and nursing professionalism and to identify the predictors of nursing professionalism among nursing students.Methods: The research design for this study was a descriptive survey using convenience sampling. Data collection was done using online questionnaires completed by 358 nursing students in G city. The data were analyzed using percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation analysis and hierarchical multiple regression with the SPSS Win 25.0 Program.Results: The mean score of nursing professionalism was 3.56±0.55 out of a possible 5. Nursing professionalism showed a significantly positive correlation with calling (r=.51, p<.001), nurse’s image (r=.53, p<.001), satisfaction in major (r=.65, p<.001) and self-efficacy (r=.20, p<.001). In the hierarchical multiple regression analysis, satisfaction in major (β=.44, p<.001), nurse’s image (β=.26, p<.001), calling (β=.21, p<.001), self-efficacy (β=.14, p=.002) and servable occupation (β=.15, p=.020) were significant predictors and explained 51% of nursing professionalism.Conclusions: The results of the study show factors that influence nursing professionalism in nursing students. Based on the results of the study, nursing professionalism education programs need to include factors that improve calling, nursing image, satisfaction in major and self-efficacy.
Factors associated with the person-centered care competence of nursing students
Authors: Park Ju Young , Woo Chung Hee
Published: February 2022

Purpose: The main purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing person-centered care competence in nursing students.Methods: The study was conducted in two universities located in the D and J cities of South Korea. Participants were 130 senior nursing students who had experienced clinical practice for at least 3 months. Data were collected from September 7-10, 2019, using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using a hierarchical multiple regression with SPSS/WIN 23.0.Results: The Factor influencing person-centered care competence was compassion competence (β=.49, p<.001) and the explanatory power of this variable was 30% (F=10.98, p<.001).Conclusion: According to the results of this study, nursing faculties need to develop programs and learning content to enhance learners’ compassion competence for promotion of person-centered care competence.
The longitudinal effects of children’s temperament on maternal depression: A hierarchical linear modeling approach
Authors: Kim Chul-Gyu , Choi Mi-Young
Published: February 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the longitudinal effects of children’s temperament on maternal depression.Methods: Data from a longitudinal cohort of the Panel Study of Korean Children (PSKC) from 2010 to 2012 were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling. The survey included 1,721 mother-child dyads. The mothers reported on their children’s temperament and on maternal depression. The children’s temperament was measured by the Emotionality, Activity and Sociability-Temperament Survey for Children-Parental Ratings, while maternal depression was measured by the Kessler 6 Psychological Distress Scale.Results: The results showed that both children’s temperament and maternal depression were relatively stable when the children were between the ages of 2 to 4. The mean maternal depression scores were 11.83 in 2010, 11.88 in 2011, and 11.75 in 2012. There were significant negative correlations between the maternal depression scores and children’s ages, and sociability and activity subdomain scores ranged from r=-.05 to -.11 (p<.05). There was a significant positive correlation between children’s emotionality subdomain scores and maternal depression scores (r=.35, p<.001). Children’s temperament rament (emotionality: β=0.26, activity: β=-0.07, and sociability: β=-0.03) were significant factors in maternal depression.Conclusion: These findings indicate the need for the early assessment of and intervention for children’s temperament and maternal depression. The results of this study will provide basic data for the development of nursing education programs related to early assessment and intervention to improve the health and quality of life of young children and mothers.
Da Revolução dos Cravos à independência de Angola – receção na imprensa polaca. O caso do semanário informativo "Polityka" (1974-1976)
Authors: Działak-Szubińska Anna
Published: February 2022

O artigo apresenta a receção da Revolução dos Cravos e da subsequente descolonização de África, com destaque para o caso angolano, na imprensa polaca com base no semanário informativo Polityka (anos 1974-1976). Analisam-se tanto os artigos mais extensos, como pequenas notas da secção internacional (“Za granicą”). A análise geral do corpus, complementa-se pela análise mais detalhada de um dos artigos sobre Angola. O estudo, tendo em conta as simpatias políticas da Polónia de então, mostra como o interesse pela Revolução dos Cravos resulta em (re)leituras de temas relacionados com a descolonização em forma de reportagens, ensaios, entrevistas e outros.
Um olhar sobre as representações do povo cigano na imprensa espanhola: O caso dos jornais "El País" e "El Mundo"
Authors: Figueira-Cardoso Samuel , Bonomo Mariana , Alves Brasil Julia , Mendes-Facundes Marcelo
Published: February 2022

Apesar dos séculos de vivência em contexto europeu, os ciganos ainda se configuram como um dos grupos mais discriminados na Europa. A partir de uma abordagem interdisciplinar, combinando contribuições da perspetiva dialógica do discurso e da Psicologia Social, nomeadamente da Teoria das Representações Sociais, este estudo objetivou analisar as representações sociais de ciganos veiculadas nos jornais espanhóis El Mundo e El País. Foram analisadas 1684 reportagens, com o auxílio do software Iramuteq, a partir da Classificação Hierárquica Descendente, a qual identifica classes lexicais que agrupam diferentes núcleos de significados sobre determinados objetos. Os resultados evidenciaram dois eixos temáticos: o primeiro, incluindo elementos aparentemente positivos, que, por um lado, enaltecem produtos artístico-culturais associados à cultura cigana, mas, por outro lado, revelam a invisibilidade e a exclusão do sujeito cigano nesse processo; e, um segundo eixo, que destaca narrativas em disputa sobre direitos dos ciganos e políticas públicas a eles relacionadas, bem como discussões sobre as relações destes indivíduos com a Justiça, seja como vítimas ou réus. Discute-se sobre como tais conjuntos de significados sobre os ciganos propagados pela mídia jornalística podem impactar na sua inclusão na sociedade, ao reforçarem estereótipos negativos em relação a eles, mantendo-os na condição de alteridade. Conclui-se reiterando a necessidade da disseminação de narrativas alternativas sobre estes grupos, que podem contribuir para o questionamento destes estereótipos e para o desenvolvimento de práticas mais inclusivas dirigidas aos ciganos.
A lattice Boltzmann study of miscible displacement containing dissolution reaction in porous medium
Authors: Liu Gao-Jie , Shao Zi-Yu , Lou Qin ,   School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China,   Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer in Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China
Published: February 2022

The miscible displacement with fluid-solid dissolution reaction in a porous medium is a typical process in many industrial applications, such as underground-water pollution decontamination, and oil recovery or geological sequestration of carbon dioxide. It is a significant problem in engineering and physics applications. As is well known, the dissolution reaction can change the structure of the porous medium, which will have a great influence on the miscible displacement process. However, the relationship between the displacement process and the dissolution reaction in a porous medium has not been fully studied. In this study, the miscible displacement with dissolution in a porous medium is simulated by a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The study focuses on the influence of the internal structure change on the displacement process, and the further quantitative analyzing of the changes of the porosity and displacement efficiency by changing the Damkohler number (Da) and the Pèlcet number (Pe). The results show that when Da is large enough, the dissolution reaction will generate a few wormholes in the porous medium, and the displacement fluid will leave the porous medium along the wormholes, resulting in the decrease of the displacement efficiency. As Da increases, the reaction goes faster, the rate of change in porosity increases, and the wormholes become wider, thereby indeed yielding a larger displacement efficiency. With the increase of Pe, the fingerings develop faster, the rate of change in porosity decreases, and the displacement efficiency decreases as well.
In vivo fluorescence lifetime imaging of macrophage intracellular metabolism during wound responses in zebrafish
Authors: Miskolci Veronika , Tweed Kelsey E , Lasarev Michael R , Britt Emily C , Walsh Alex J , Zimmerman Landon J , McDougal Courtney E , Cronan Mark R , Fan Jing , Sauer John-Demian , Skala Melissa C , Huttenlocher Anna
Published: February 2022

The function of macrophages in vitro is linked to their metabolic rewiring. However, macrophage metabolism remains poorly characterized in situ. Here, we used two-photon intensity and lifetime imaging of autofluorescent metabolic coenzymes, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (phosphate) (NAD(P)H) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), to assess the metabolism of macrophages in the wound microenvironment. Inhibiting glycolysis reduced NAD(P)H mean lifetime and made the intracellular redox state of macrophages more oxidized, as indicated by reduced optical redox ratio. We found that TNFα+ macrophages had lower NAD(P)H mean lifetime and were more oxidized compared to TNFα− macrophages. Both infection and thermal injury induced a macrophage population with a more oxidized redox state in wounded tissues. Kinetic analysis detected temporal changes in the optical redox ratio during tissue repair, revealing a shift toward a more reduced redox state over time. Metformin reduced TNFα+ wound macrophages, made intracellular redox state more reduced and improved tissue repair. By contrast, depletion of STAT6 increased TNFα+ wound macrophages, made redox state more oxidized and impaired regeneration. Our findings suggest that autofluorescence of NAD(P)H and FAD is sensitive to dynamic changes in intracellular metabolism in tissues and can be used to probe the temporal and spatial regulation of macrophage metabolism during tissue damage and repair.
Optogenetic inhibition of actomyosin reveals mechanical bistability of the mesoderm epithelium during Drosophila mesoderm invagination
Authors: Guo Hanqing , Swan Michael , He Bing
Published: February 2022

Apical constriction driven by actin and non-muscle myosin II (actomyosin) provides a well-conserved mechanism to mediate epithelial folding. It remains unclear how contractile forces near the apical surface of a cell sheet drive out-of-the-plane bending of the sheet and whether myosin contractility is required throughout folding. By optogenetic-mediated acute inhibition of actomyosin, we find that during Drosophila mesoderm invagination, actomyosin contractility is critical to prevent tissue relaxation during the early, ‘priming’ stage of folding but is dispensable for the actual folding step after the tissue passes through a stereotyped transitional configuration. This binary response suggests that Drosophila mesoderm is mechanically bistable during gastrulation. Computer modeling analysis demonstrates that the binary tissue response to actomyosin inhibition can be recapitulated in the simulated epithelium that undergoes buckling-like deformation jointly mediated by apical constriction in the mesoderm and in-plane compression generated by apicobasal shrinkage of the surrounding ectoderm. Interestingly, comparison between wild-type and snail mutants that fail to specify the mesoderm demonstrates that the lateral ectoderm undergoes apicobasal shrinkage during gastrulation independently of mesoderm invagination. We propose that Drosophila mesoderm invagination is achieved through an interplay between local apical constriction and mechanical bistability of the epithelium that facilitates epithelial buckling.
A non-bactericidal cathelicidin provides prophylactic efficacy against bacterial infection by driving phagocyte influx
Authors: Yang Yang , Wu Jing , Li Qiao , Wang Jing , Mu Lixian , Hui Li , Li Min , Xu Wei , Yang Hailong , Wei Lin
Published: February 2022

The roles of bactericidal cathelicidins against bacterial infection have been extensively studied. However, the antibacterial property and mechanism of action of non-bactericidal cathelicidins are rarely known. Herein, a novel naturally occurring cathelicidin (PopuCATH) from tree frog (Polypedates puerensis) did not show any direct anti-bacterial activity in vitro. Intriguingly, intraperitoneal injection of PopuCATH before bacterial inoculation significantly reduced the bacterial load in tree frogs and mice, and reduced the inflammatory response induced by bacterial inoculation in mice. PopuCATH pretreatment also increased the survival rates of septic mice induced by a lethal dose of bacterial inoculation or cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). Intraperitoneal injection of PopuCATH significantly drove the leukocyte influx in both frogs and mice. In mice, PopuCATH rapidly drove neutrophil, monocyte/macrophage influx in mouse abdominal cavity and peripheral blood with a negligible impact on T and B lymphocytes, and neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages, but not T and B lymphocytes, were required for the preventive efficacy of PopuCATH. PopuCATH did not directly act as chemoattractant for phagocytes, but PopuCATH obviously drove phagocyte migration when it was cultured with macrophages. PopuCATH significantly elicited chemokine/cytokine production in macrophages through activating p38/ERK mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and NF-κB p65. PopuCATH markedly enhanced neutrophil phagocytosis via promoting the release of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Additionally, PopuCATH showed low side effects both in vitro and in vivo. Collectively, PopuCATH acts as a host-based immune defense regulator that provides prophylactic efficacy against bacterial infection without direct antimicrobial effects. Our findings reveal a non-bactericidal cathelicidin which possesses unique anti-bacterial action, and highlight the potential of PopuCATH to prevent bacterial infection.
Hydrop enables droplet-based single-cell ATAC-seq and single-cell RNA-seq using dissolvable hydrogel beads
Authors: De Rop Florian V , Ismail Joy N , Bravo González-Blas Carmen , Hulselmans Gert J , Flerin Christopher Campbell , Janssens Jasper , Theunis Koen , Christiaens Valerie M , Wouters Jasper , Marcassa Gabriele , de Wit Joris , Poovathingal Suresh , Aerts Stein
Published: February 2022

Single-cell RNA-seq and single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (ATAC-seq) technologies are used extensively to create cell type atlases for a wide range of organisms, tissues, and disease processes. To increase the scale of these atlases, lower the cost and pave the way for more specialized multiome assays, custom droplet microfluidics may provide solutions complementary to commercial setups. We developed HyDrop, a flexible and open-source droplet microfluidic platform encompassing three protocols. The first protocol involves creating dissolvable hydrogel beads with custom oligos that can be released in the droplets. In the second protocol, we demonstrate the use of these beads for HyDrop-ATAC, a low-cost noncommercial scATAC-seq protocol in droplets. After validating HyDrop-ATAC, we applied it to flash-frozen mouse cortex and generated 7996 high-quality single-cell chromatin accessibility profiles in a single run. In the third protocol, we adapt both the reaction chemistry and the capture sequence of the barcoded hydrogel bead to capture mRNA, and demonstrate a significant improvement in throughput and sensitivity compared to previous open-source droplet-based scRNA-seq assays (Drop-seq and inDrop). Similarly, we applied HyDrop-RNA to flash-frozen mouse cortex and generated 9508 single-cell transcriptomes closely matching reference single-cell gene expression data. Finally, we leveraged HyDrop-RNA’s high capture rate to analyze a small population of fluorescence-activated cell sorted neurons from the Drosophila brain, confirming the protocol’s applicability to low input samples and small cells. HyDrop is currently capable of generating single-cell data in high throughput and at a reduced cost compared to commercial methods, and we envision that HyDrop can be further developed to be compatible with novel (multi) omics protocols.
A Prospective Study on Clinical Presentation and Surgical Management of Varicose Veins at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Bangalore, India
Authors: Ramamurthy Vikram , Channabasappa Rajendra Gowdra
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Varicose veins are abnormally dilated veins of lower limbs with defective valves. Incidence involves one out of five in the world and the problem is ever growing due to increasing population, increased life span and change in life style. Hence, there is a need to delineate the epidemiology of the varicose veins in the local population which visited the hospital. Aim: To study the various clinical presentations, management and complications of varicose veins. Materials and Methods: It was a prospective observational study; conducted by the Department of General surgery at Sri Siddhartha Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka, India from September 2018-February 2020. All 75 patients enrolled were evaluated by detailed history, clinical examination and investigations- venous doppler study of the lower limbs, to locate the site of incompetence. All the cases that underwent surgical procedure were followed postoperatively for any complications every one month for development of surgical site infections, after three months for healing of ulcer and at six months for any signs of recurrence. The collected data was entered in Microsoft Excel spread sheet and analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The study included 75 cases with primary varicose veins. The age of these patients ranged from 21-69 years. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Most of them were farmers (48%) by occupation requiring prolonged hours of standing. All cases presented with dilated veins. The common associated symptoms were pain (50.7%) followed by itching (28%) with slight increased incidence in the left lower limb (50.7%). Majority of the patients have involvement of long sephenous system (81.3%). Majority of them (48%) had combined valvular incompetence. Sapheno-femoral flush ligation with stripping appeared to be the best method of surgical management for incompetence in the long saphenous vein territory. Ten (13.3%) cases had postoperative complications. Conclusion: Varicose veins are a common disease, middle age group, males and occupation with prolonged hours of standing are affected the most. Surgical procedures have beneficial effects in minimising morbidity due to varicose vein.
Effectiveness of Multimodular Interventions of Lifestyle Modification on Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Quality of Life among Women- A Quasi-experimental Study
Authors: Souza Pramila Dâ€™ , Rodrigues Devina E , Kaipangala Raja Gopal , Leena Kunnath Chacko
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder encountered in female. Multimodular interventions of lifestyle modifications emphasise bearable weight loss through dietary, exercise, and behavioural modification. The timely recognition, understanding, and handling of clinical characteristics of this syndrome shall prevent long-term health issues. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of multimodular interventions on symptoms of PCOS and the quality of life of women with PCOS. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted at Father Muller College of Nursing, Mangaluru, Karnataka, India, between May 2019 to February 2020. The female diagnosed with PCOS were selected through a purposive sampling technique, from two tertiary settings (15 subjects for the intervention group and 15 for the control group). The multimodular interventions (diet, exercises, and behavioural modifications) were provided to the study group. Follow-up was done in the 2nd 4th, and 6th months. The control group subjects continued the regular medical treatment and followed-up at 6th month. The intervention and control group results were compared in the 6th month. The tools used for data collection were baseline variables, PCOS symptom assessment tool, and World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) tool. Results: The mean age of study participants was 24.26±3.84 years in the intervention, and 24.20±3.54 years in the control group. A significant improvement in the waist-hip ratio, hirsutism acne (p-value <0.001) and quality of life women with PCOS was observed in the post-test 2 (2nd month), post-test 3 (4th month), and post-test 4 (6th month) in the intervention group (p-value <0.001). A minimal change was noticed in the Body Mass Index (BMI) and Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) scores. The Mann-Whitney test (z values) revealed a significant difference in the symptoms of PCOS of waist-hip ratio (z value=3.328, p-value <0.001) and hirsutism (z-value 2.296, p-value <0.022) between intervention and control group after the 6 months. The pretest mean and standard deviation of physical health domain was 21.00±2.59, psychological health domain 18.13±3.04, social relationship 9.27±1.67, and environmental domain 23.00±3.66. The post-test mean and standard deviation was 24.00±3.05, 22.67±4.03, 12.20±1.74, 28.07±6.71 (p-value <0.001) in physical, psychological, social, and environmental domain, respectively. A statistically significant increase in quality of life observed in the intervention group (p-value <0.001) whereas in the control group there was no change. Conclusion: The multimodular interventions were found to be effective in reducing the clinical symptoms of PCOS like hirsutism acne and the quality of life steeply improved after 6 months of these interventions in PCOS women.
Intraperitoneal Bupivacaine versus Nalbuphine in Postoperative Pain Relief after Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Randomised Clinical Study
Authors: Khanuja Samiksha , Panjiar Pratibha , Hussain Sana , Butt Khairat Mohammad
Published: February 2022

Introduction: The rationale for using an intraperitoneal route for instilling a drug, local anaesthetic or opioid is that the exposure of peritoneum to visceral nociceptive conduction provides additional mechanism of analgesia. Aim: To compare the effectiveness of intraperitoneal bupivacaine and nalbuphine for postoperative pain relief after laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Materials and Methods: The present study was a randomised clinical study in which 80 patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy, received either bupivacaine or nalbuphine intraperitoneally. Each patient was monitored postoperatively, as per the institution protocol. Severity of pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at rest and at movement Immediately After Recovery (IAR), after one hour and every four hours thereafter. The time to first rescue analgesic was compared. The data analysis was carried out with unpaired Student’s t-test and Chi-square test using software Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.0 version. Results: The study included 35 males and 45 females, with a mean age of 42.8±7.1 years. Both groups were well-matched demographically. There was no significant difference in the Heart Rate (HR) or Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) between the groups postoperatively. However, VAS score was significantly lower in nalbuphine group at one hour (2.52±0.640) as compared to bupivacaine group (2.88±0.791, p=0.028), but on movement at 16 hours it was lower in bupivacaine group (1.43±0.501), as compared to Nalbuphine group (1.67±0.474, p=0.030). The mean time of first rescue analgesic in nalbuphine group was 20.25±7.983 minutes, while in bupivacaine group it was 26.9±6.95 minutes (p-value-0.0002). Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting (PONV) was significantly higher with nalbuphine (35% vs 12.5%). No other significant complication was noted in either group. Conclusion: Intraperitoneal instillation of nalbuphine is an effective and safe way to reduce postoperative pain in patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Chronic Indolent Community-acquired Pneumonia due to Pseudomonas Infection in an Immunocompetent Patient- A Case Report
Authors: Karna Gaurav , Pattar Shridhar , Panda Prasan Kumar , Shah Ramit
Published: February 2022

Pseudomonas is an uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia in immunocompetent patients. It is an opportunistic pathogen resulting in serious infection in patients who are hospitalised, mechanically ventilated, or immunocompromised. A 47-year-old male, forest worker without any co-morbidities presented with a history of chronic cough, fever, and shortness of breath complicated with pseudohemoptysis for 45 days. This patient was admitted and treated as a lower respiratory tract infection. Work-up for tuberculosis, invasive fungal balls, was negative but sputum culture revealed Pseudomonas aeruginosa growth. This case report demonstrates a rare Pseudomonas infection which can also cause chronic indolent respiratory illness in immunocompetent.
Comparison of Different Phenotypic Methods Including E-Test, Cefoxitin and Oxacillin Disk Diffusion for Detection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Gupta Geeta , Kumar Pradeep
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has spread throughout the world as a hospital and communityacquired illness. Although a variety of strategies have been employed, laboratory identification of MRSA remains a difficulty. Aim: To examine several phenotypic approaches for accuracy results, with an (Epsilometer) E-test based method serving as the gold standard for MRSA identification. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in the Microbiology department of Santosh Medical College, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, India, from August 2020 to July 2021. Total of 384 isolates S.aureus were identified by using the required samples including pus, swab, blood, wound and urine, etc., which were collected from the Microbiology department and the comparison was done between E-test serving as the gold standard for MRSA identification with Cefoxitin Disk Diffusion (CDD)/ Oxacillin Disk Diffusion method (ODD). The diagnostic kit for using E-Test in collected samples was purchased from Himedia Laboratries Pvt., Ltd., Mumbai, India (EM0065). The data was calculated by using MS-Excel. Results: A total of 113 strains were revealed to be MRSA in clinical specimens out of 384 isolated S.aureus. The gold standard method was chosen to be the E-Test, which had found a high sensitivity of 79.8% and a specificity of 94.2%. Compared to the cefoxitin/oxacillin disc diffusion method, isolates including MRSA were highly susceptible to Tiecoplanin and Linezolid. Conclusion: The present study concludes that E-Test (strip) method is a high sensitivity and highly specific for detecting MRSA in comparison to other disk methods used in this study. Due to less number of sample size and lesser time period more studies are needed to establish this fact.
Predictors of Mortality due to COVID-19 Infection among Adults: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Kittu Devi , Periyasamy Saranya , Kadar Zubaida Begum
Published: February 2022

Introduction: Coronavirus diseases 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a pandemic with significant mortality risk. The early predictors of mortality in COVID-19 patients are older age, male gender, co-morbidities like uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, severe asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), Chronic Liver Disease and malignancy and raised pro-inflammatory markers in most of the studies from China, Western Europe and US. Aim: To determine the various risk factors associated with outcomes of COVID-19 infection among laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive cross-sectional study involving 420 laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients, aged 18 years and above, who were admitted in a designated COVID-19 hospital in Puducherry, India. Pretested structured questionnaire was used to collect the data through telephonic interview. Descriptive statistics, frequency, mean and standard deviation was estimated for demographic characteristics as appropriate. Chi-square test was used to investigate demographic and health-related predictors of COVID-19 outcomes. Results: The mean age of the study participants was 41.38 (±17.552) years. Thirty-five (8.3%) patients died during their treatment. The common presenting symptom was fever (142, 33.80%), followed by cough (96, 22.85% each). Factors such as >60 years of age, female gender, patients owning yellow ration card, unemployment, overcrowding, current smoking and alcoholics, attending social gathering, social distancing, hand washing, level of wearing mask were found to be significantly associated with fatal prognosis. Conclusion: Risk factors such as older age, females, unemployment, overcrowding, smoking and alcoholism, co-morbidities, social gathering, social distancing, hand washing and mask usage were found to be associated with COVID-19 deaths.
Effect of Soaking and Germination on the Functional Properties of Kpaakpa (Hildegardia Barteri) Seed Flour Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Anyadioha Josephat Ikechukwu
Published: February 2022

Aim: The effects of soaking and germination on the functional properties of the kpaakpa  (H.barteri) seed flour was evaluated.

Introduction: Kpaakpa (Hildegardia barteri) plant is a tropical leguminous plant in the family of steruliacea which is grown mostly in semi arid forest with other plants especially in Ivory Coast and Nigeria. The seeds are consumed in West Africa as raw or roasted nuts and have a flavour resembling peanut.

Method: The seeds were soaked for 12, 24 and 36 hours and allowed to germinate for 2, 4 and 6 days respectively. The germinated seeds were dried milled into flour and analyzed for functional properties. Results were statistically analyzed and fitted into second order polynomial equation. A face centered response surface method was employed to optimize the process parameters that gave the targeted optimum responses.

Results:The functional properties of the flours; bulk density, water absorption capacity and oil absorption capacity, foam capacity and swelling index were in the range of 0.50-0.60, 1.6-2.30 g/ml, 1.68-2.82 g/ml, 4.0-12 %, 1.2-11.respectively.The Water Absorption Capacity and Oil Absorption Capacity of the flour were enhanced by soaking and germination while foam capacity and bulk density decreased. Response optimization showed that soaking time of 12.6646 h with 3.7530 days of germination were derived as the closest process parameters that could give the targeted value of 0.58 for bulk density.

Conclusion: Soaking and germination imparted positively to the functionality of the flours with respect to Water absorption capacity and Oil absorption capacity of the flour.
Application of the Biomass from the Shell of Pachyrhizus erosus in the Removal of Hexavalent Chromium from Contaminated Waters
Authors: Flores Liliana Lisset Gallegos , Mendoza Vanessa Elizabeth Martínez , Rodríguez Ismael Acosta
Published: February 2022

Aims: Recently, the removal capacity of different heavy metals from sites contaminated by low-cost materials has been studied, with promising results. These adsorbents include dead microorganisms, clay minerals, agricultural waste, industrial waste, and other materials. The objective of this work was studying the removal capacity of Chromium   (VI)  by   the  biomass of the shell of Pachyrhizus erosus, by  the Diphenylcarbazide colorimetric method.

Place and Duration of Study: Sample: Faculty of Chemical Sciences. Autonomous University of San Luís Potosí, S.L.P., between July and November 2021.

Methodology: The biomass was obtained from the shell of P. erosus, acquired in the Republic market of the city of San Luís Potosí, during the month of July 2021.  For  obtain the biomass, the shell was washed during 24 hours in EDTA at 10% (p/v), and 1 week with tridesionized water under constant stirring, with water changes every 12 hours, and we work with 100 mL of a 100 mg/L solution of   Chromium  (VI) obtained by diluting a 1 g/L standard solution prepared in tridesionized water from K2Cr2O7. The pH of the solution was adjusted with 1 M H2SO4 and/or 1 M NaOH, before adding it to the biomass.

Results: The highest bioadsorption was at 7 hours, at pH 1.0 and 28°C. Regarding temperature, the highest removal was at 60°C and 1.5 hours, with a removal of 90.69%. At the metal concentrations analyzed, the natural biomass showed a good removal capacity, in addition too efficiently removal the metal in situ (93.6% of contaminated water), at 3 days of incubation, with 5 g of biomass, and 100%  of  removal from contaminated earth, at 52 hours of incubation, with 5 g of biomass).

Conclusion: Therefore, this biomass can be used to remove it from industrial wastewater and contaminated earth.
The F- Distribution with Applications to Number of Female Patients with Cancer
Authors: Akinyemi E. K. , Ogunsola O.A. , Oyinbodunmi B. O.
Published: February 2022

The F-distribution is a particular parameterization of the beta prime distribution, which is also called the beta distribution of the second kind. This considered a new four-parameter generalized version of the Fisher Snedecor distribution called Beta- F distribution is introduced. The comprehensive account of the statistical properties of the new distributions was considered. Formal expressions for the cumulative density function, moments, and moment generating function and maximum likelihood estimation as well as its Fisher information were obtained.

 This study employed a descriptive survey research design. The target population was female patients with cancer in Lagos State University teaching Hospital for complete for 36 days.  The data collected was analyzed using both descriptive statistics and presented in tables, charts and figures. Some well-known distributions were fit, some existing single distributions and the proposed F distribution to these data using the method of maximum likelihood was applied using Micro-Soft Excel 2007.

The study established that the minimum AIC and minimum statistic on kolmogorov Smirnov of the F-distribution shows that female patients with cancer data better than the other life time distributions considered. The study concluded that Fisher-distribution is better off than existing single distribution with reference to Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) been used. It is instructive to note that the F-distribution preserves the originality of the data without transformation.
Hookworm Infection in Infant: A Case Study and Review of Literature
Authors: Arshad S. M. , Arifa . , Zakiya Usmani , Sakshi Pangti
Published: February 2022

Background: Hookworms are nematode parasites belonging to Ancylostomatidae helminth family that causes variety of clinical problems. They are often termed as soil transmitted helminths (STH) because human infection occurs by ingestion of eggs and /or skin contact with contaminated soil. Hookworm infection is common in tropical countries and transmission is influenced by climatic and socio-economic conditions. Hookworm infection in neonatal and infantile period are rarely reported. Here, we describe a case of two months old infant with hookworm infection and review the relevant literature.

Case Presentation: A two-month-old institution delivered male baby on exclusive breastfeeding with no significant ante natal or post natal history referred to our hospital with complains of black tarry stool since birth and progressive paleness of body requiring multiple packed cell transfusion. On investigation, child has severe anaemia with eosinophilia and positive stool for occult blood. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed hookworm in duodenum. The child was treated with oral mebendazole and discharged in good condition.

Discussion: Hookworm is a major public health problem in tropical and sub tropical countries. Most of the cases are asymptomatic and rarely detected. Hookworm infection can lead to growth retardation, failure to thrive, cognitive impairment and other manifestations also. Most of the cases are reported in older children and very few cases are reported in newborns and infants. Mechanism of transmission of infected larvae in such young infant in unclear. Transmission may occur vertically either through trans-placental route or by breastfeeding. Hookworm infection should be considered in differential diagnosis newborns and infants presented with unexplained weight loss, melena, anaemia with eosinophilia. The disease can be managed effectively through simple and easily available medications and adverse outcome can be prevented.

Conclusion: Very young infants residing in helminth endemic area with low socioeconomic status and presenting with severe anaemia with melena and/or failure to thrive, one should consider possibility of hookworm infection.
Taxonomic and Pharmacognostic Evaluation of Leaf of Mussaenda philippica. (Rubiaceae)
Authors: A. Umoh Romanus , Johnny Imoh I. , E.Udoh Anwanabasi , Andy Nsima A. , . Affiong , Essien . , Udoh Inyang J. , Ekpo Trust E. , Ashibeshi Gabriel U.
Published: February 2022

Mussaenda philippica Linn. (Rubiaceae) a very important medicinal plant in the treatment of appendicitis and hepatitis as the locals use the species with the white flower. The objective of the study determines various taxonomic and pharmacognostic standards helpful to ensure the identity, purity, safety and efficacy of the medicinal plant, M. phillipica. The leaves were collected, identified, air dried and pulverized. Standard procedures were carried out to obtain microscopic features of the fresh and powdered samples, micromeritic, chemomicroscopy, flourescence properties, soluble extractive values, moisture contents and ash values. The results of the microscopy study of the fresh leaf revealed hypostomatic distribution of stomata with paracytic stomata on the abaxial surface of the leaf only, stomatal number of 56.8, stomatal index of 25.06%, and epidermal number of 169.8, while the adaxial surface had an epidermal number of 241.9. The plant sample of the leaf also possessed unicellular trichomes. Micromeritic properties of the powdered leaf samples showed bulk volume of 35.33±0.33, tapped volume of 28.00±0.00, bulk density of 0.28±0.00, tapped density of 0.35±0.00, angle of repose of 35.4°, Carr’s Index of 20.90±0.74, Hausner’s ratio of 1.26±0.01. Chemomicroscopy study on the leaf powder revealed the presence of lignin, starch, cellulose, calcium oxalate crystals, oil, mucilage and protein. The moisture content was 11 %w/w. Results for the total ash, acid-insoluble ash and water-soluble ash values were 9 %w/w, 1%w/w and 5 %w/w respectively. Results for the ethanol-soluble, methanol-soluble and water-soluble extractive values were 18%w/w, 17 %w/w and 25 %w/w respectively. The above results could be used to establish pharmacopoeial standard of fresh and powdered drug of M. philippica.