bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Le Trianon de la Restauration ? La duchesse d’Angoulême et l’usage de Villeneuve-l’Étang
Authors: Mensch Matthieu
Published: November 2022

La volonté des souverains de disposer d’espaces dévolus à une forme d’existence en retrait du public se développe dès le règne de Louis XIV. Cette pratique, qui se renforce sous le règne de Louis XV, n’épargne pas la reine Marie Leszczyńska, et pourtant, Trianon, utilisé de manière plus systématique par Marie-Antoinette, semble concentrer toutes les attentions. Résultat d’un mouvement amorcé plus tôt que véritable nouveauté, ce domaine personnel marque suffisamment les esprits pour être réactivé lorsque les Bourbons remontent sur le trône en 1814. Si l’épouse de Louis XVIII est morte depuis 1810, sa nièce, la duchesse d’Angoulême, fille de Louis XVI et de Marie-Antoinette, jouit, elle aussi, d’un domaine. Méconnu et fort peu étudié, il ne doit pourtant pas se comprendre isolément. Il convient de l’intégrer à la pratique bourbonienne de la résidence personnelle et plus particulièrement de celle des princesses de la famille royale. En envisageant le château de Villeneuve dans son rapport avec Trianon, on peut alors mieux saisir ce que le domaine doit à la conduite de la reine mais aussi ce qu’il rejette et adapte aux temps nouveaux. Trianon agit à la fois comme modèle et comme repoussoir, permettant à la duchesse d’Angoulême de proposer un nouveau type de résidence, s’inspirant bien plus, en la matière, des princesses Bourbon que de sa seule mère. Villeneuve apparaît alors comme un compromis raisonnable entre une aspiration à la vie privée et la nécessité d’assumer son rôle à la cour.
Assessing Factors Affecting the Blockchain Adoption in Public Procurement Delivery in Ghana
Authors: Boison David King , Malcalm Ebenezer , Antwi-Boampong Ahmed , Musah Osumanu Doumbia.  , Hiran Kamal Kant
Published: November 2022

The study assessed the factors that influence the adoption of blockchain (BC) in Ghana's public procurement delivery. The study adopted correctional design and utilized the extended unified theory of the acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT2) as the conceptual basis to determine whether performance expectancy (PE), behavioral intent (BI), effort expectancy (EE), social influence (SI), facilitating conditions (FC), hedonic motivation (HM), price value (PV), and habit (HT) were predictors of the intention of state owned enterprises to adopt blockchain programs in the implementation of the public procurement act. Only four constructs, namely PE, EE, FC, and HT, were found to influence the behavioral intention (BI) of service providers to participate in a BC. This study provides a deeper understanding of the adoption of BC in the delivery of public contracts.
Single Image 3D Beard Face Reconstruction Approaches
Authors: Munir Hafiz Muhammad Umair , Qureshi Waqar Shahid
Published: November 2022

3D face and 3D hair reconstruction are interesting and emerging applications within the fields of computer vision, computer graphics, and cyber-physical systems. It is a difficult and challenging task to reconstruct the 3D facial model and 3D facial hair from a single photo due to arbitrary poses, facial beard, non-uniform illumination, expressions, and occlusions. Detailed 3D facial models are difficult to reconstruct because every algorithm has some limitations related to profile view, beard face, fine detail, accuracy, and robustness. The major problem is to develop 3D face with texture of large, beard, and wild poses. Mostly algorithms use convolution neural networks and deep learning frameworks to develop 3D face and 3D hair. The latest and state-of-the-art 3D facial reconstruction and 3D face hair approaches are described. Different issues, problems regarding 3D facial reconstruction, and their proposed solutions have been discussed.
Doctorpreneurship in the Digital Age
Authors: Preko Mansah , Odame Frank , Anim-Yeboah Samuel
Published: November 2022

Many of the challenges faced by the various sectors of the economy are seen as opportunities by entrepreneurs. Yet, entrepreneurs are by definition excluded from a large part of the health sector due to the specialised nature of the medical profession and the complexities associated with service provision in the area of healthcare. In this paper, the term ‘Doctorpreneur' is used to connote doctors who engage in entrepreneurship in the health sector. The study adopts the Maslow's theory of motivation, the Herzberg's two-factor theory, and the theory of affordance to explore factors that promote ‘doctorpreneurship' in the digital age, using Ghana's health sector as a case. The findings of this qualitative study suggest that besides the monetary gains that primarily motivate doctors to engage in doctorpreneurship, other individual, organizational, and technological factors also underpin the phenomenon. Furthermore, the findings underscore the role of technology in consolidating doctorpreneurship in the digital age. The study presents several implications for research, policy, and practice.
Shaping the Perceptions of Fashion Consumers by Influencers on Digital Platforms in the Era of COVID-19
Authors: Twumasi Yaa Amponsah , Dzahene-Quarshie Bismark
Published: November 2022

The recent outbreak of COVID-19 is taking the fashion industry through a challenging period. The industry's activities are now being more facilitated by digital platforms/influencers in the dispensation of products than ever before. This study seeks to investigate digital platforms/influencers in developing countries and their impact on the fashion industry. The study also explores the challenges of information asymmetry online, drawing on the lemon market theory (LMT), as the theoretical lens. Qualitative data was collected from twenty-two respondents; the research findings indicate that the use of digital platforms/influencers is essential in reaching the industry's vital consumers. Also, information asymmetry is the greatest challenge as far as e-business is concerned.-The contribution of this study reposes the use of LMT to determine how information asymmetry is leveraged. In terms of the policy, this research provides strategies for discussions on security and trust for policymakers to secure payment and delivery in e-business.
Mobile Payments Affordance as a Driver for End User Entrepreneurship
Authors: Afeti Eunice Yeboah , Owusu Acheampong
Published: November 2022

This explorative study uses the affordance theory to offer an in-depth understanding of how mobile payment affordances are unconventionally facilitating the rise of end-user entrepreneurs, and to explore why these end-user entrepreneurs expand and commercialize their creative ideas. Qualitatively, the researchers interviewed 20 end-user entrepreneurs in eight merchant firms. The data suggest that six significant affordances may serve as motivating factors for the merchant to switch to end-user entrepreneurship. These affordances are the following: i) incorporating informal peer-to-peer business approach; ii) frequent and small transactions settling; iii) greater flexibility in service delivery; iv) new business model development; v) informal finance networks; and vi) financial affordance. Employing a developing economy perspective with a particular focus on Ghana, this paper contributes to both the mobile payment research and end-user entrepreneurial studies, extending the existing knowledge in the area and providing interesting opportunities for future studies.
Digital Adoption of Start-Ups With E-Governance Systems
Authors: Sharma Aman , Sharma Bhuvanesh Kumar , Singh Prakash , Mishra Sunil , Hussain Ameer
Published: November 2022

This study aims to encourage the adoption intention of independent digitalization with e-governance among small investment start-ups. The study also analyzed the start-ups' adoption intention for digitalization by testing the significance of benefits and sacrifices associated with the digital platforms of e-governance. The current study also analyzed the moderating effect of digital support and awareness on digital adoption. The study's findings will also help the government in drafting policies to address the factors that positively impact the perceived value of digital adoption by developing a digital support system and further scaling up digital literacy, especially for start-ups. Overall, the study's findings will help the government understand the present status of start-ups' digitalization growth in India and the success rate of the Digital India mission. So, the e-governance system can be further strengthened accordingly.
Characterization of Amuda-Isuochi Nigerian Clay Deposit for Potential Industrial Applications
Authors: Uwaezuoke Nnaemeka , Okoro Victor , Igwilo Kevin C. , Onwukwe Stanley I. , Iwuanyanwu Kingsley C. , Ayogu Victor C.
Published: November 2022

The aim of the work was to characterize the clay from Amuda-Isuochi, Abia state Nigeria. Preliminary research works on the area is scanty. The characterization involved chemical and elemental analyses, X-ray diffraction, specific surface area analysis, thermal analyses (TGA, DTA) and particle size distribution. The results showed that the clay is kaolin. Specific surface area of 251m2/g was observed, with average particle size of 84.67d.nm and polydispersity index of 0.203. The sample will find applications in oil and gas industry as lost circulation control material and for manufacture of proppants for hydraulic fracturing activities. Similarly, it can be used as an adsorbent and has potential applications for ceramic tile, paper, paints, fibre glass and starting material for alum. The kaolin clay will also be suitable as a nano-material. The output indicates an addition to local contents for Nigeria’s industrial development.
A Low-Cost Control Architecture for Buck Converter Fed VSI Based BLDC Motor Drive
Authors: Kurre Manish , Deshmukh Shailesh , Tandekar Rajdeep , Mishra Pratikanta , Banerjee Atanu
Published: November 2022

In this paper, a novel low-cost digital controller to drive a buck converter fed voltage source inverter (VSI) based brushless DC (BLDC) machine has been proposed. This controller is designed to be implemented solely in digital platforms and has multiple numbers of predefined discrete duty ratios. In conjunction with buck converter fed VSI, the controller is beneficial to enhance the speed and resultant torque profile of BLDC motor drive as compared to conventional bang-bang or on-off controller. The controller also incorporates a current limiter to avoid the over-current loading of the motor. The sampling time and the design of the current limiter are mathematically derived in the paper. The working efficiency of the developed controller for the BLDC motor drive has been examined for various vital and steady-state conditions. The speed ripples, settling time, tolerance to the commanded speed, and load variations are validated and presented in this paper. The proposed controller has been performed and implemented in the field-programmable gate array platform and compared to generic pre-existing controllers to validate the cost-effectiveness of the controller.
Prediction of the Hardness of Pulverized Glass Waste-Reinforced Aluminium Alloy 6061-T6 Friction Stir Welded Joint
Authors: Abioye Taiwo Ebenezer , Olanipekun Ebenezer , Anasyida Abu Seman
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the friction stir weld quality of pulverized glass waste (PGW)-reinforced AA6061-T6 and develop a model predicting the hardness of the joint. Friction stir welding of PGW-reinforced AA6061-T6 was done within a process window. The process was optimized for the maximum joint hardness. Thereafter, the result of the hardness was used to develop a model using a novel statistical analytical technique. The addition of PGW enhanced the AA6061-T6 friction stir welded joint hardness. The maximum hardness (112 HV) of the PGW-reinforced joint, which was obtained at optimal setting of 900 rpm rotational speed, 40 mm/min traverse speed and 1o tilt angle, is by a factor of 1.72 greater than the unreinforced joint and close to the hardness of the as-received AA6061-T6 (120 HV). The developed model can predict the hardness of the PGW-reinforced AA6061-T6 joint up to an accuracy of 89%. The model shows that the rotational speed, tilt angle and their interaction contributed significantly to the hardness of the PGW-reinforced AA6061-T6 friction stir welded joint. This model is suitable for determining the hardness property of particle-reinforced AA6061-T6 friction stir welded joint at varying processing parameters.
Plasma 24-hydroxycholesterol is associated with narrower common carotid artery and greater flow velocities in relapsing multiple sclerosis
Authors: Jakimovski Dejan , Zivadinov Robert , Pelizzari Laura , Dunne-Jaffe Cynthia , Browne Richard W. , Bergsland Niels , Dwyer Michael G. , Weinstock-Guttman Bianca , Ramanathan Murali
Published: November 2022

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) studies suggest greater cardiovascular disease burden and disturbances in the cholesterol pathways1,2 The potential impact of oxidized cholesterol molecules (oxysterols) on MS is emerging (Figure 1).3

Objective: To determine the relationship between multiple oxysterol molecules and atherosclerosis burden in MS patients.

Materials and methods: A total of 99 MS patients (61 relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and 38 progressive MS (PMS)) patients and 38 healthy controls (HCs) underwent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the common carotid artery (CCA) was determined at three different levels before the bifurcation (C7, C6 and C5). Additionally, an echo-color Doppler ultrasound was performed and measures of blood flow velocities were derived. Blood samples acquired at the time of the imaging examinations were analyzed and 24-, 25-, 27-hydroxycholesterol (24HC, 25HC, 27HC) and 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) were quantified in ng/mL.

Results: In the MS patients, higher levels of 24HC were significantly associated with smaller CCA CSA measured at all three cervical levels (r=-0.201, p=0.046; r=-0.228, p=0.023, and r=-0.215, p=0.032, for C7, C6 and C5, respectively). These associations were driven by the RRMS group only (r=-0.407, p=0.002 for C7; r=-0.414, p=0.002, for C6; and r=-0.368, p=0.006 for C5). No associations were seen in the HCs. Despite adjusting for the significant age effect (B=0.445, p=0.004), higher 24HC levels were independently associated with smaller CCA CSA (B=-0.20, p=0.045). 24HC was additionally associated with greater time-averaged and peak diastolic CCA velocities. RRMS patients treated with potent anti-inflammatory therapies had lower oxysterol levels (p=0.019). RRMS patients in the lower 24HC quartiles had significantly higher expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores when compared to RRMS patients in the higher two 24HC quartiles (2.5 (IQR 1.9-3.1) vs 2.0 (1.5-2.5), p=0.038).

Conclusions: Greater 24HC levels are associated with smaller CSA CCA and greater flow velocities in RRMS patients. The higher inflammatory activity in RRMS patients may contribute to the production of highly reactive oxysterols and worsen the atherosclerotic burden in the MS population. Potent anti-inflammatory medications can significantly decrease oxysterol levels.
Prevalence and risks of reproductive tract infections among women of urban slums in North India
Authors: Singh Mitasha , Saini Shipra , Goyal Pooja , Gupta Ekta , Goswami Shweta
Published: November 2022

Objective:

To identify the prevalence, determinants of reproductive tract infection, and healthcare seeking behavior among ever married women of reproductive age residing in an urban slum of Faridabad, Haryana, North India.

Methods:

This community based cross-sectional study was conducted among ever married women aged between 15 and 49 years insured under employees state insurance scheme and residing in an urban slum of Faridabad. Simple random sampling technique was used to interview 149 eligible women using a predesigned structured questionnaire. Study variables included sociodemographic profile, family planning methods, menstrual absorbent usage, and symptoms of reproductive tract infection. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate the determinants of reproductive tract infection.

Results:

Of the women, 46.3% had at least one reproductive tract infection or sexually transmitted infection symptom and 28.9% among them sought treatment for the symptom. Vaginal discharge, itching (14.1%) and lower abdominal pain (30.2%) were the major symptoms reported. Non-usage of condoms as contraceptive was significantly associated with a higher rate of symptoms (50.4% vs. 20.0%). Abortion had a significantly high odds of having reproductive tract infection symptoms (aOR 3.71, 95% CI 1.59-8.62; P<0.01). Less frequent change in absorbent during menstruation was also reported to have a higher rate of symptoms. The majority of those who took treatment sought it from government or employees state insurance dispensary. 2% also went to faith healers.

Conclusions:

Nearly half of the study population have reproductive tract infection symptom. Abortions and non-usage of condom increase the risk of reproductive tract infection. Menstrual hygiene and condom usage are the significant interventions, which may reduce the prevalence of these symptoms.
Awareness about transmission and preventive measures of COVID–19 from mother to child
Authors: Singh Neetu , Jauhari Sugandha
Published: November 2022

Objective:

To study the knowledge, attitude, and practice of pregnant women regarding transmission and preventive measures of COVID-19 from mother to child and to determine the reasons for vaccine hesitancy.

Methods:

This observational cross-sectional knowledge, attitude, and practice study was conducted among pregnant women of any trimester, attending the antenatal care out-patient department of a tertiary care hospital in Lucknow from October 2020 to March 2021. All the participants were interviewed using a pretested semi­structured questionnaire for desired information. Reasons for vaccine hesitancy were also asked to assess their unwillingness to get vaccinated.

Results:

Totally 652 pregnant women were included and 91.3% were aware that COVID-19 spread through contact with an infected person and 85.3% knew that COVID-19 spread by respiratory droplets. Of pregnant women, 95.7% perceived that social distancing and wearing a proper mask were effective ways to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection and 96.8% of the pregnant women wore masks regularly when going out. Of pregnant women, 79.0% were hesitant to get vaccinated. The most common reason was that COVID-19 vaccine can harm the developing fetus (77.5%) and was not very safe in pregnancy (75.0%).

Conclusions:

Of the pregnant women, 22.92% have unsatisfactory knowledge regarding COVID-19, 35.63% have negative attitude and 19.93% have poor practices, indicating that there are still gaps in awareness, and majority of them are unwilling to get vaccinated. Good awareness will help prevent the occurrence of future COVID-19 waves in India.
L–arginine alleviates postmenopausal complications in female rats by stimulating ovarian dopamine beta hydroxylase
Authors: Lakzaei Fatemeh , Karami Manizheh , Jalali Nadoushan Mohammadreza
Published: November 2022

Objective:

To evaluate the levels of estrogen, albumin and gonadotropins (luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone) as well as the activity of dopamine beta hydroxylase (DAß H) in aged female rats treated with nitric oxide precursor L-arginine and neuronal nitric oxide synthase antagonist L-NAME.

Methods:

A total of 224 Wistar rats (36 weeks old, weighing 250 g) based on a random sampling were divided into the control and experimental groups after Pap smear test. The control group received only saline (1 mL/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.). The experiential groups were treated with L-arginine (5, 25 and 50 mg/kg, i.p.) and L-NAME (5 and 25 mg/kg, i.p.) for 3 to 21 days, once a day. Blood samples were taken from the rats and the levels of estrogen and albumin and gonadotropins in the serum were monitored by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, and the ovaries were examined immunohistopathologically for DAßH activity.

Results:

L-arginine (5 mg/kg) significantly increased estrogen level (P<0.05), which was associated with DAßH activation in the ovaries. L-NAME reduced this effect when administered prior to L-arginine dose. L-arginine caused no significant change in the levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. Except for the lowest dose of L-arginine in the shortest period, albumin levels significantly decreased in other treatments compared to the control group (P<0.05).

Conclusions:

L-arginine is likely to reduce postmenopausal problems due to an increased nitric oxide level.
Dopa-Responsive Dystonia
Authors: Arora Anshita , Bajaj Shruti , Rathod Nishant , Hegde Anaita U
Published: November 2022

Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is a complex genetic neurodegenerative disease with autosomal recessive inheritance. The typical initial features of ataxia telangiectasia include ataxia, cutaneous telangiectasia, and immune deficiency with recurrent infections. Usually, movement disorder occurs late in the course of the disease. A diagnosis of variant or atypical ataxia-telangiectasia (variant AT) is considered in case of any deviation from the normal course of illness giving rise to variable presentations of the disease. Only a few cases of variant AT with predominant movement disorder have been reported worldwide. A knowledge of atypical presentations helps in early diagnosis and thus to initiate management and counselling of the family at the earliest. Here, we report a case of genetically confirmed ataxia-telangiectasia with an initial presentation of dopamine responsive dystonia.
UGI Bleed- A Rare Presentation of Carcinoma Gall Bladder with Cholecystoduodenal Fistula
Authors: Das Karishma , Kar Swarup , Pegu Usha Rani , Hazarika Liza
Published: November 2022

Upper GI bleeding(UGIB) is defined as bleeding derived from a source proximal to the ligament of Treitz. It is a life threatening condition. Bilioenteric fistulas are abnormal communication between the bile duct system and the gastrointestinal tract that occurs spontaneously and usually occurs as a rare complication of untreated gallstone in majority of cases. Cholecystoduodenal fistula(CDF) as a cause of upper GI bleeding is an extremely rare event. It has been theorized that a cholecystoduodenal fistula may lead to development of carcinoma gall bladder due to chronic reflux of duodenal contents. High index of clinical suspicion is required to make a diagnosis.
CO-RABS Score
Authors: Theo Joseph Merugolu Finny , Patwari Dabboo , Talukdar Kishore Kumar , Neog Bhaskar , Yadav Sunny Kumar , Riaz Nasimur
Published: November 2022

Study Objective:

To determine the prognostic significance of a new score (CO-RABS), formulated by our Institute to classify the covid patients into mild, moderate, severe cases and also to compare it with the conversion AIIMS based classification.

Patients and Methods:

This is a retrospective study in which we have collected data from the medical records of patients who were admitted in our Hospital with covid infection during 2nd and 3rd waves of the pandemic. We have taken Comorbidities (CO), Respiratory rate (R), Age (A), Blood pressure (B) and SpO2 (S) of the patients at the time of admission to calculate an overall score (Abbreviated as CO-RABS). Basing on this score, the patients were classified into mild, moderate and severe cases. We then compared our CO-RABS score based classification with AIIMS classification using a statistical software.

Results:

We studied 727 patients (440 men, 287 women) and 99 patients died due to covid related complications. The ability to predict the prognosis was higher for our newly formulated CO-RABS score when compared to AIIMS classification. (AUC of CO-RABS 0.88 vs 0.82 of AIIMS; p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

The ability of CO-RABS score to predict the prognosis of covid infection is higher than that of AIIMS/ICMR classification. Hence it can be used as a supportive tool in the covid management protocol along with all the other conversion modes of treatment.
Predictors of severity in coronavirus disease 2019 hospitalized patients
Authors: Ahmed Shimaa Nour Morsi , Mohammed Nesreen A. , Alkhayat Khaled F.
Published: November 2022

Background

Determination of predictors of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severe infection allows early intervention and appropriate treatment of patients at risk, so that we can improve outcome and allow better selection of patients who need hospitalization. Our aim is detection of factors linked to higher rates of complications and death in COVID-19 hospitalized patients.

Results

The study included 151 patients who were divided into mild, moderate, and severe groups; patients with age more than or equal to 60 were more in the severe category (P=0.001). The severe category had considerably more comorbidities (P=0.001). Patients with more than or equal to two comorbidities were more likely to be in the severe category (P=0.006). Obese patients with BMI more than 30 were substantially more likely to be in the severe category (P=0.004). Cough, fever, dyspnea, and vomiting were the most common presentations. Complications of COVID-19 infection were more likely to be detected in the severe category (P=0.001). In the severe category, lymphopenia, raised neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, and D-dimer were all considerably higher. O2 saturation on admission was significantly lower in the severe group with mean (SD) of 81.23 ± 9.22. Duration of admission was significantly longer in the severe group with a range of 9 (3–27) days. Mortality rate in our study was 7.9% (12 cases); all dead cases were included within the severe group.

Conclusion

Physicians should consider patients diagnosed as COVID-19 with high ferritin, elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, lymphopenia, obesity, and high D-dimer as risky for severe infection and need hospitalization with intensive care and proper management to decrease complications, mortality, and for proper triage of COVID-19 patients in hospitals.
Heat shock protein-90
Authors: Assal Hebatallah H. , Shalaby Alaa , Farrag Samar H. , Ali Asmaa , Ibrahim Iman M. , Elkaffas Rasha H. , Sabry Irene M.
Published: November 2022

Background

It has recently been shown that the heat shock protein (HSP) is implicated in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. The current trial was achieved to detect the relation of HSP-90 in usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP)-associated rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Results

Sixty RA patients were studied. Their mean age was 49.63 ± 9.22 years with a mean disease duration of 7.5 (2–14) years. High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest was performed on all patients. Thirty four (56.6%) patients had abnormal radiological findings in CT chest and 26 (43.3%) had normal CT chest findings. In patients with pulmonary involvement by HRCT, the most common abnormality found was small airway disease in 23 (38.3%), followed by UIP in nine (15%), and rheumatoid nodules in two (3.3%) patients. Patients with UIP pattern in HRCT chest has a significant higher level of HSP-90 level in comparison with those with RA-associated small airway disease pattern, P=0.003, and in comparison with other RA patients with no pulmonary involvement by HRCT, P=0.006.

Conclusions

HSP-90 was significantly elevated in UIP-associated RA and hence studying its inhibition in further studies would have a promising therapeutic role in this subset of patients.
SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and the association with vitamin D among nonvaccinated health service providers in Dhaka city of Bangladesh
Authors: Alam Md Tarek , Murshed Rubaiul , Begum Nilufar , Saber Sadia , Bhuiyan Md Elias , Alam Rafa Faaria , Farhad Md , Chowdhury Abdul Hasib , Sultana Sharmin , Gomes Pauline Francisca , Uddin Mohammed Misbah , Robin Rishad Choudhury
Published: November 2022

Severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has a tremendous effect worldwide, and as a front liner, health professionals are significantly exposed to the disease. This study focused on exploring the seroprevalence of the antibody of the health professional who never had a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and never found positive through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or Rapid Antigen Test and the relation of vitamin D with SARS-CoV-2. A cross-sectional study was conducted at two randomly selected medical college hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data have been acquired from purposively selected 251 respondents. An interviewer administrated questionnaire was used to collect the demographic characteristic and determine the IgG antibody, a laboratory-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays test was conducted, and for vitamin D, the ARCHITECT 25-OH Vitamin D assay is a quantitative method applied. Antibody index was interpreted <0.9 as no detectable IgG antibody for SARS-CoV-2 and for vitamin D, deficient was <20.0 ng/ml, insufficient 20–29 ng/ml, and normal was 30–100 ng/ml. The result showed that the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody among the health professional was 17.1%. The multivariate analysis showed a significant association with the medicine and allied department (odds ratio 0.287, 95% confidence interval 0.092–0.897; P<0.001) with the SARS-CoV-2 antibody. However, no association was found with vitamin D.
Correlation between weaning outcome of patients on prolonged mechanical ventilation and changes in skeletal muscles as assessed by ultrasonography
Authors: Hamza Esraa Mohamed Mohamed , Khalil Magdy Mohammed , Salem Hala Mohammed , Diab Haytham Samy , Sakr Hossam Moussa
Published: November 2022

Background

Skeletal muscle atrophy develops in severely sick patients, whereas decreased muscle mass is usually linked to poorer clinical outcomes. Peripheral muscle ultrasound (US) can be used to evaluate muscle atrophy.

Objective

We conducted this study to investigate the use of US in the assessment of changes in skeletal muscle mass in cases with prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV) and to correlate these changes with weaning outcomes.

Patients and methods

This cross-sectional observational study recruited patients on MV for 7 days or more in respiratory ICUs of Ain Shams University Hospitals between January 2019 and March 2021. US evaluation of quadriceps muscle was done on day 1, day 7, and weekly thereafter till weaning from MV.

Results

In all, 81 patients were scanned on day 1 and day 7 of MV; 43 patients were reevaluated on day 14, and three patients were reevaluated on day 21. A significant reduction of rectus femoris surface area as well as the thickness of vastus intermedius has been detected at day 7 and at day 14 of MV. There was a highly significant correlation between the percent of change of rectus femoris muscle surface area and weaning outcome.

Conclusion

US can monitor changes in muscle mass in patients on prolonged MV. Quadriceps muscle mass evaluated by US demonstrated a tendency to reduce in cases with prolonged MV and is linked to poorer weaning outcomes.
Long COVID in Patients with Rheumatologic Disease: A Single Center Observational Study
Authors: Quiñones-Moya Horacio , Valle Armando Ocampo-Del , Camargo-Coronel Adolfo , Jiménez-Balderas Francisco Javier , Bernal-Enriquez Miriam Berenice , Madinabeitia-Rodríguez Pedro , Morales-Medino Kenia Nahomi , Roque-Ibañez Cynthia , Hernández-Zavala Mario Raúl
Published: November 2022

Background:

Special attention has been paid to the sequelae caused by SARS-CoV 2 infection (Long-COVID), the prevalence of these sequelae in patients with rheumatological diseases has not been studied in detail. As these patients have immunosuppressive therapy and this syndrome has inflammatory characteristics, we postulate that these patients will have a lower prevalence of sequelae.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional, single-center study in which we interrogated all the patients who had the diagnosis of rheumatological diseases who attended our hospital between August 1, 2021 and November 30 and who had a history of 3 or more months of SARS CoV2 infection. The interrogation consisted of a brief questionnaire on the persistence of symptoms 3 months after the event.

Results:

We included 64 patients: 19 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), 21 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and 24 with other rheumatological diseases. Long COVID symptoms reported were similar to those described in the literature of patients without rheumatic diseases. The prevalence of fatigue was significantly lower in SLE compared to RA and the rest of the pathologies, but there were no other significant differences between them.

Conclusions:

The long COVID syndrome is common in patients with and without rheumatic diseases, and the prevalence of each of these symptoms differs little between these groups. A lower prevalence of post-COVID symptoms was seen in patients with SLE than in the rest of the rheumatological diseases, but after we run a binary logistic regression model, most of these differences were not significant and they did not differ much from the general population.
Use of methylene blue dye for lymphatic basin mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in breast cancer patients in Enugu, Nigeria
Authors: Okoye CL , Ezeome ER
Published: November 2022

Background:

Sentinel lymph node biopsy is the current standard of care for axillary staging and further treatment planning in patients with clinical axillary node-negative breast cancer. Sentinel node (SN) biopsy was designed to accurately stage the axilla and minimize the side effects of conventional axillary-lymph-node dissection without sacrificing oncologic outcomes. Sentinel lymph node biopsy is normally performed with nuclear scan and patent blue violet or isosulfan blue. These are expensive and not commonly available in resource-poor regions such as West Africa. Methylene blue dye is a commonly used agent in a wide range of clinical diagnostic procedures and has been used by other investigators to perform this procedure. This study was designed to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of SN biopsy in the management of axillary node-negative breast cancer in resource-limited populations using methylene blue dye.

Aim:

To determine the efficacy of methylene blue dye as a single tracer in lymphatic basin mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with clinical axillary node-negative breast cancer.

Methods:

This was a prospective, case-controlled study involving 28 consecutively presenting female patients with clinical axillary node-negative breast cancer at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Each of the patients had lymphatic basin mapping and sentinel lymph node biopsy with a sub-areola-subdermal injection of methylene blue dye. The SN (s) were then removed using the dye as the marker. Each patient then had a mastectomy or wide local excision as appropriately planned and conventional levels I and II axillary dissection was performed in the same sitting. The SNs and other axillary nodes were reviewed independently by our institution's pathologist. Each patient's axillary dissection specimen acted as her control for the study.

Results:

The SNs were identified in 24 (85.7%) patients. There was a demonstrable learning curve with an improvement in identification rate in the later half of the cases (92.9%) compared to the earlier half of the cases (78.6%). A range of 1–3 nodes and a mean of 1.78 nodes were obtained. A sensitivity of 90.9%, specificity of 79.6%, false-positive rate of 28.6%, false-negative rate of 9.1%, and accuracy of 95.8% were obtained. There was no incidence of allergic/hypersensitivity reaction.

Conclusion:

Sentinel lymph node biopsy with methylene blue dye can be applied with high accuracy within resource-limited environments. However, there is a definite short learning curve that must be overcome and the procedure validated before clinical application in decision-making.
Can scoring systems be used for the triage of COVID-19 patients?
Authors: Cebeci Z. , Cebeci AB , Coskun I , Canakci E
Published: November 2022

Background and Aim:

Whether to send COVID-19 patients home with quarantine measures or to hospitalize and treat them on an inpatient basis is a very important decision in the treatment of COVID-19 patients. This study aimed to introduce a scoring system that will enable making decisions on inpatient or outpatient treatment of patients by scoring their symptoms, clinical, radiological, and laboratory results during the initial assessment.

Materials and Methods:

Data of patients over 18 years of age, examined for COVID-19 between March 11, 2020, and May 31, 2020, and who had a positive PCR result, and their radiological (computed tomography reports) and blood test (complete blood count, blood gas and laboratory results) results were recorded to develop our scoring system.

Results:

A comparison of COVID-19 patients, who received outpatient and inpatient treatments by age variable, revealed a significant result (P < 0.001). The comparison of laboratory results showed a significant difference between both groups (P < 0.001). The comparison of the groups by the presence of comorbidity also revealed a significant result (P < 0.001). According to the scoring system that we developed (Cebeci score), a score of 5 points and above had a specificity of 81% and a sensitivity of 88% for indicating the probability of receiving inpatient treatment.

Conclusion:

We believe that the scoring system we developed will be a simple, practical, and leading guide for physicians to avoid dilemmas regarding the issue of whether to quarantine patients at home or to hospitalize them in order to use medical resources effectively.
Evaluation of eye health in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and celiac disease
Authors: Dereci S , Hizli S , Bolu S , Asik A , Direkci I , Karadag AS
Published: November 2022

Background:

Pediatric celiac disease (CeD) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have well established effects on eye health but comorbid effect is not known.

Aim:

To evaluate the eye health of children with T1DM and CeD to predict microvascular retinal pathologies by diagnosis of probable intraocular pressure increase which is an important glaucoma trigger.

Patients and Methods:

In this case-controlled study, 28 eyes of 14 children both T1DM and CeD, with a mean age of 12.6 ± 3.9 years, and 28 eyes of gender-matched 14 healthy children as a control group were included. In both groups, detailed ocular examinations and measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP), ocular pulse amplitude (OPA), thicknesses of ganglion cell layer (GCL), inner plexiform layer (IPL), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), and choroid thicknesses (CT) were done. All the patients with T1DM and CeD were newly diagnosed. The evaluations of IOP and OPA were made using a Pascal dynamic tonometer and thicknesses measured by optical coherence tomography.

Results:

The IOP and OPA values of the patient group were found to be statistically significantly higher than those of the control group (17.1 and 1.86 vs 14.78 and 1.57 mmHg,P<.0001,P<.001, respectively). IOP values of all patients were higher than IOP cut off levels for diagnosis of hypertension. CT was significantly thinner in the patient group than in the control group (385.4 μm vs 331.71 μm, respectively,P< 0.03). No significant difference was found between the groups in respect of GCL, IPL, and RNFL values.

Conclusion:

The higher IOP and OPA values of the children with T1DM and CeD were considered to be the result of the microvascular pathologies in T1DM and increased inflammation associated with CeD. High IOP and OPA values can lead to damage in the eye as intraocular blood flow and choroidal perfusion are affected. In order to prevent these eye problems, measurement of IOP and OPA should be done in children with diagnosis of T1DM and CeD and also follow up studies needed.
The study of genetic predisposition on periodontitis and peri-implantitis
Authors: Turkmen M , Firatli E
Published: November 2022

Background:

Peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis cases increase in number with the increase of implant applications. Peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis are defined as inflammatory diseases with inflammation and loss in soft and hard tissue, similar to the other periodontal diseases. As observed in many diseases, genetic predisposition factors also affect the progress of periodontitis and peri-implantitis.

Aim:

This study examines if there is any solid genetic predisposition causing periodontitis and peri-implantitis formation in Turkish patients.

Patients & Methods:

In order to evaluate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), playing a role in the chemotaxis of neutrophils, and Fc Gamma Receptor IIA (FcγRIIA) and Fc Gamma Receptor IIIA (FcγRIIIA), playing a role in the antigen-antibody complexes and phagocytosis, were selected. Thirty-two Turkish non-smoking subjects, having periodontitis, thirty-three Turkish non-smoking subjects, having peri-implantitis and thirty-three Turkish non-smoking healthy subjects were selected. In total 98 adults participated in our study. Collected saliva samples from the participants were used for DNA isolation. SNPs were determined in these subgroups of the study by means of genotype-specific polymerase chain reactions.

Results:

When IL-8 A-251T, FcγRIIa -H131 and FcγRIIIa -V158 polymorphism were evaluated, no significant difference was found between periodontitis, peri-implantitis and healthy groups. However, this study observed that fMLP Receptor (FPR1) gene polymorphism creates a significant difference in individuals at higher risk of periodontitis or peri-implantitis.

Conclusion:

Results show that individuals with the G genotype have a higher risk of periodontitis, while individuals with G / C genotype have higher risk of peri-implantitis.
Penile skin length can be predicted before frenuloplasty during routine circumcision
Authors: Akman M
Published: November 2022

Background:

One of the restricting factors for surgical treatment of congenital anatomical pathologies of the penis is the skin structure. Thanks to its structure, the penis is a flexible organ structure, and the treatment can be completed without the need for a free tissue graft. Length changes are obtained on the ventral side of the penis by frenuloplasty.

Aims:

Our study aims to attain an objective formula that could noninvasively predict these changes on the ventral side before the procedure.

Patients and Methods:

In our study, 52 patients who were admitted for routine religious circumcision were included, and penile ventral and dorsal skin and inner mucosa lengths were measured before and after frenuloplasty, which is a part of the normal routine circumcision procedure and performed via the “pull and burn” method. Stitches were done to prevent scar formation in the frenuloplasty area. The results were used to estimate the length changes to be obtained on the ventral side by performing a regression analysis of the patient's weight, height, ventral and dorsal inner mucosa, and outer skin lengths. Result: Following frenuloplasty, an increase was detected in the ventral surface ranging from 20% to 177%. This increase was found to be predictable with 62.5% precision (P < 0.01) using the formulation established by assessing the ventral inner mucosa length from pre-procedure values. No significant result was determined in the regression analysis of the patients' other measurements (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Penile length changes that would occur following frenuloplasty can be calculated using a noninvasive method. Frenuloplasty, which would be performed without any vascular change, could be helpful in the surgical planning of some penile surgeries. More studies should be conducted on older boys, in anatomic deviations, and moreover, to establish a reliable formulation.
An intervention plan for preventing and handling amateur soccer players' injuries
Authors: Bakarman MA , Tashkandi M , Mohammed NS
Published: November 2022

Background:

The majority of amateur soccer players are vulnerable to soccer-related injuries and many such injuries are avoidable with an adequate education.

Aim:

The present study aimed to measure the impact of an intervention educational plan on improving amateur soccer players' knowledge and skills in preventing and handling soccer-related injuries.

Subjects and Methods:

The study design is a group-clustered randomized intervention-control trial, and it was carried out in Taif city, Saudi Arabia. The “Neighborhood League of Football” players were randomly allocated to a soccer injury prevention education group (intervention group) and a control group. A predesigned and validated questionnaire was used to study the changes in knowledge and skills about soccer injuries before the intervention (response a) and after (response b).

Results:

The study included 246 participants in the intervention group and 256 in the control group (n = 502). The median age was 22 years. The comparison of both groups' participants' performance showed significant differences in response b analyses and participants in the intervention group achieved significantly higher scores than the control group in total score levels (P < .0001), injury mechanisms (P < .0001), injury treatment and prevention (P < .0001), and health status (P < .034). The intervention group's scores on response b (after the educational sessions) were significantly higher than response a (before the educational sessions, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

In multiple scales and overall score levels, intervention group participants achieved significantly higher scores than their control group counterparts. Educational assistance appears to have had a good impact on their knowledge and skills.
Pattern and awareness of complementary and alternative medicine usage for otorhinolaryngological problems among residents in Ekiti State
Authors: Olajide TG , Olajuyin OA , Agboola SM , Aina FO , Adeniyi MA , Popoola GO , Agbana RD
Published: November 2022

Background:

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in the treatment of various ailments globally has called for more research.

Aim:

This study aimed to draw the attention of the stakeholders to the prevalence, pattern and awareness of CAM usage in otorhinolaryngological ailments and the need to safeguard the health of CAM users in Ekiti state, south – west Nigeria.

Patients and Methods:

This is a cross sectional descriptive study carried out over a 12-month period (January to December, 2019) among consented patients that attended ear, nose, and Throat (ENT) clinics in two tertiary health institutions in Ekiti state. All the participants are aged 18 years and above. A self-administered semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data from our respondents.

Results:

A total of 148 respondents were analyzed comprising of 56 (37.8%) males and 92 (62.2%) females given a male to female ratio of 1:1.6. Their age ranged from 20–79 years with a mean of 48.03 ± 15.11 SD. The highest response was in the age group 40–49 years representing 30.4% of the respondents. About half (51.4%) of our respondents were aware of the use of CAM for throat-related conditions. Few of the respondents (18.9%) are currently using CAM. About 33.1% of our respondents were satisfied with CAM. Only 4 (2.7%) of them experienced side effects to the use of CAM. For ear-related problems, Anointing/Olive (Olea europaea) oil was most commonly used in 34.5% of our respondents; Effinrin (Ocimum gratissimum), a local herb was commonly used in 29.7% for nose and local gin in 37.2% of our respondents for throat problems. Majority of them 44 (29.7%) got information about the various agents used through Vendors/traditional health practitioner.

Conclusion:

This study showed that the prevalent of CAM usage in ORL is quite low in our setting, which represent about one-fifth of the respondents. Although respondents claimed that the system was efficacious, awareness to its usage was very low and there was no evidence to prove that the diagnosis were known before using CAM. The use of Orthodox method in treating Otorhinolaryngological ailments is still the best. We therefore recommend empirical studies on CAM in future.