bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamical behavior and control of a new hyperchaotic Hamiltonian system
Authors: Li Junhong ,   School of Mathematics and Statistics, Hanshan Normal University, Chaozhou, Guangdong, 521041, China, Cui Ning
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we firstly formulate a new hyperchaotic Hamiltonian system and demonstrate the existence of multi-equilibrium points in the system. The characteristics of equilibrium points, Lyapunov exponents and Poincaré sections are studied. Secondly, we investigate the complex dynamical behaviors of the system under holonomic constraint and nonholonomic constraint, respectively. The results show that the hyperchaotic system can generated by introducing constraint. Additionally, the hyperchaos control of the system is achieved by applying linear feedback control. The numerical simulations are carried out in order to analyze the complex phenomena of the systems.
Focus on Outcomes: Fostering Systemic Departmental Improvements
Authors: Reinholz Daniel L , Pilgrim Mary E , Stone-Johnstone Amelia , Falkenberg Karen , Geanious Christopher , Ngai Courtney , Corbo Joel Christopher , Wise Sarah B
Published: December 2021

This article describes how a focus on outcomes can be a tool for guiding systemic change. By focusing on positive outcomes to be achieved, a group can guide its collective efforts toward an ideal future rather than becoming fixated on individual problems to solve. While there is support for an outcome-guided approach in the literature on individual and organizational change, this approach has not been used extensively to support department-level changes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.
Beyond Instructional Development: An Exploration of Using Formal Pedagogy Training to Benefit Perceived Quality of Life and Sense of Community in Graduate Students
Authors: Mahavongtrakul Matthew , Hooper Ashley , Mann Daniel , Sato Brian
Published: December 2021

The Association of American Colleges and Universities calls for improvements in teaching preparation in graduate programs as a transferable skill for future faculty. However, the amount of institutional and faculty support for these programs is limited. For the relatively few programs that exist, rarely do they have their outcomes assessed in a data-driven manner. This is disconcerting considering that participation in professional development can improve work-life balance, and graduate students often work long hours, suffer from mental health issues, and face increasing career competition. In this case study, we explore how two teaching development programs impacted pedagogical knowledge, perceived quality of life, and sense of community in graduate students at the University of California, Irvine. Using a mixed methods approach, we demonstrate that participants in our introductory quarter-long Developing Teaching Excellence course increased their pedagogical knowledge, and participants in both our introductory course and our advanced year-long Pedagogical Fellows Program reported having improved quality of life and sense of belonging. Most commonly, participants framed these pedagogical programs/courses as providing a safe and inclusive space to explore teaching in an interdisciplinary manner; a network of like-minded and supportive peers; and an opportunity to develop greater confidence in teaching, mentorship, and other aspects of graduate life such as conducting research and entering the academic job market. Taken together, our results indicate that providing a structured, nurturing environment for graduate students to develop their pedagogical knowledge and practice may lead to improved quality of life and sense of belonging.
Motivation to “Keep Pushin’”: Insights into Faculty Development Facilitating Inclusive Pedagogy
Authors: Erby Kelly , Burdick Melanie , Tutwiler Sandra Winn , Petersen Dan
Published: December 2021

This study focuses on the lived experiences of nine university faculty who were attempting to implement inclusive teaching practices following university-sponsored faculty development. While the participants were each successful in their respective implementations, they all expressed anxiety at the beginning of the semester as well as at the end when they reflected upon the changes they made. This occurred despite deeply held motivations to change their teaching and make a difference for their students. The participants encountered barriers that centered on feelings related to self-confidence, student perception, and peer approval. Findings include descriptions of these anxieties and the supports that meaningfully helped them push through difficulties and sustain their journeys toward inclusive pedagogy.
Finding Our Voice: Highly Flexible ED for the HyFlex World
Authors: Larsen Kristine , Robinson Christina , Melnyk Jason A. , Nicoletti Jennifer , Gagnon Amy , McLaughlin Kelly , Hussaini Mina
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented changes in our approach to delivering educational development (ED) programming. In this article we discuss how our dual ED centers pivoted during the sudden switch to online learning, highlighting how we overcame challenges such as a small staff, tight timelines, and faculty anxieties. Particularly, we explore how we adapted to the university’s investment in technologically advanced Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) classroom spaces and utilized a multi-pronged team approach to provide effective and timely ED to faculty. By identifying key faculty leaders, identifying multiple sources of data, and using multiple modalities, we supported the faculty in their mission to effectively serve their students during this difficult and stressful time. In pivoting from a triage approach to more tactically focused development, the two ED centers discovered that they could more effectively serve faculty (and by extension students) by shattering the structural silos that had previously defined them and instead working as a unified entity.
Constellations of Support: A Community Development Model
Authors: Smith Tracy , Spooner Melba
Published: December 2021

This article describes the rationale, development process, and initial artifacts and outcomes of a faculty support (a.k.a. mentoring) model developed for a specific academic context: a College of Education at a Southeastern comprehensive public university. The purposes of this article are to (1) describe the research and theoretical models that guided the development of the program; (2) provide a research-based rationale for a context-based community development model of faculty support; (3) propose a set of principles for a context-based developmental community model of faculty support; (4) describe the process for developing a community development mentoring model for faculty at all career levels; and (5) offer artifacts, tools, and activities that faculty developers and institutions may use or adapt for their own context-based communities of support.
Leveraging Collaboration and Peer Support to Initiate and Sustain a Faculty Development Program
Authors: Coria-Navia Anneris , Moncrieff Scott
Published: December 2021

In today’s impoverished higher education fiscal climate, especially considering the enormous financial implications to higher education of accommodating the changes required by the coronavirus pandemic, “nonessential” though highly important programs, such as centers for teaching and learning (CTLs), are very likely to be underfunded. In this study, we illustrate how underfunded programs can leverage peer collaboration and support to initiate productive, formal systems of assistance for faculty by describing a number of such programs developed by and/or coordinated by our CTL. Moreover, we propose that sustainable programs, especially at small liberal arts institutions, must include a strong component of peer networking and in-house expertise rather than relying on outside consulting services. In a climate of shrinking dollars, CTLs can still perform some key roles effectively while continuing to advocate for more adequate funding.
Integrate, Adapt, Collaborate: Comecon Architecture in Socialist Mongolia
Authors: Erofeev Nikolay , Stanek Łukasz
Published: December 2021

This paper conceptualizes the uneven dynamics of architectural mobilities between member states of the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon) and socialist Mongolia, a member of the Comecon since 1962. These long, intense, multilateral, and coordinated exchanges decisively contributed to the development of the “material-technical base” for construction in Cold War Mongolia, including planning institutions as well as construction and construction-materials industries. Based on archival research and interviews in Mongolia, Russia, Germany, and Poland, we introduce the concept of “concern” and argue that the priorities, motivations, and aspirations of the professionals involved were informed by three concerns. They included, first, the concern for integrating Mongolian design and construction industries into a comprehensive network of organizations in charge of the urbanization processes; second, the concern for adapting foreign resources to the conditions on the ground; and, third, the concern for an increasing collaboration between Mongolian, Soviet, and Eastern European actors. We study how these actors followed, exploited, and sometimes challenged the political economy of the Comecon, and how they negotiated it with feedback from specific investments. We argue that the concept of the three concerns is useful for studying architectural mobilities in global socialism and across competing 20th-century developmental regimes.
Processus spatiaux et géographie culturelle
Authors: Claval Paul
Published: December 2021

À la suite du tournant culturel, l'approche culturelle se focalise sur les processus spatiaux dans lesquels la culture est impliquée. Le champ de la géographie culturelle s'en trouve élargi et approfondi. (i) La culture est modelée par les modes de transmission qui assurent son transfert d'une génération à l'autre et donnent plus ou moins de place aux savoir-faire et aux connaissances (à l'intelligence donc) et à l'émotivité et à l'imagination (aux imaginaires donc). (ii) Elle est également modelée par les débats et confrontations d'opinion, la genèse d'identités, les jeux d'imitation et de distinction auxquels elle donne lieu, les conflits et les dynamiques de civilisation ou de déclin qu'ils entrainent. (iii) La culture se combine à d'autres processus lorsqu'elle met en jeu la matière et le vivant, produit des artefacts, se confronte à la nature, s'applique au corps humain, prend en compte le jeu des sens et façonne des paysages. (iv) Elle contribue à la mise en scène de la vie sociale.Sous sa forme actuelle, la géographie culturelle complète par une approche socio-culturelle les approches socio-économiques et socio-politiques qui l'avaient précédée.
Mending Malawi's Water Institutions and IWRM Solutions
Authors: Nojiyeza Innocent Simphiwe
Published: December 2021

The aim of this chapter is to explain the challenges of decentralisation and management of water as economic good principles of integrated water resources management (IWRM) in Malawi in the rural areas of Ntcheu, Balaka, and Mangochi. Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, community meetings, and observation of water points were conducted. It was established that households and other state institutions prefer to receive services from Mpira-Balaka Water Users Association, which subsidizes households, rather than Southern Regional Water Board, which operates along commercial lines. The chapter questions the focus in the implementation of IWRM, which remain the establishment and fixing of decentralised institutions whilst recognising water as an economic good.
The experience of stigma by service personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sri Lanka
Authors: Wickramasinghe E. . , De Zoysa P. , Alagiyawanna A. , Karunathilake K. , Ellawala Y. , Samaratunga I. , Amarasinghe U. , Fernando N. , Karunarathne S. , Wijesekara L. , Weerasinghe K. , Mohideen Z. , Ala S. , Ratnayake R. , Karunapema P.
Published: December 2021

IntroductionStigma and discriminatory behaviours are common during pandemics. Stigma if not mitigated could result in varied negative psychological consequences in those who it is directed towards, as well as his/her associates. ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to assess the dynamics of stigma experienced by ten different categories of people, the places and persons who expressed stigmatising attitudes and behaviours, adherence to COVID-19 related health instructions by the general public, and the aspects of the pandemic that had the most psychological impact in the above-indicated ten categories of people. MethodologyWe conducted a secondary analysis of already available data collected by the Directorate of Mental Health and Health Promotion Bureau of the Ministry of Health to formulate a communication campaign to combat stigma and discrimination during the COVID- 19 pandemic. ResultsOf the 4022 participants, a majority (53.7%) were females, Sinhalese (86.2%) and 17.3% were in the 25-29 year age category. Personnel working in health, security and other essential services and their family members experienced stigma and discrimination from the wider society, neighbours or media. Participants quarantined either at quarantine centres or in their homes, and their family members, also experienced stigma and discrimination. A majority of the general public reported avoiding places where health, security and essential service personnel gathered. Further, a majority of participants reported adhering to the COVID-19 related health instructions. The aspect of the pandemic that had the most psychological impact was the fear of contracting the virus. ConclusionsResults indicated stigma and discrimination towards certain categories of people during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is essential that authorities take action to mitigate such instances, for instance by formulating media guidelines on reporting the pandemic – an action that was implemented subsequent to these study results.
Body Composition and Diabetes
Authors: Yoo Hye Jin
Published: December 2021

Representative body composition related to metabolic diseases in our body include fats and muscles, and accumulation of abdominal fats and loss of muscles caused by aging are the main causes of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Such changes in body composition vary according to sex and age; in particular, women exhibit significant changes, especially during menopause. Therefore it is necessary to determine new anthropometric indicators that reflect differences in muscles and fats mass changes caused by aging, as well as their distributions, and to establish diagnostic criteria for stratifying the risks of metabolic diseases in both men and women. This article summarizes the underlying mechanisms and recent epidemiological findings that support how muscles decrease and visceral fats increase the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
The applicability of the UCLA loneliness scale in South Africa: Factor structure and dimensionality
Authors: Pretorius Tyrone B.
Published: December 2021

This study examines the generalisability of the University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale Version 3 (UCLA-LS3) in a South African sample of young adults. In particular, it examined the normative data, reliability, and factor structure of this scale. The participants were young adults (N = 337) who were randomly sampled from a university population and they responded to the UCLA Loneliness Scale. It was found that the sample had higher loneliness scores than those reported in the literature, potentially suggesting that loneliness may be a significant mental health concern amongst this group. Women reported higher levels of loneliness than men. Reliability analysis (Cronbach’s alpha) and analysis of the influence of individual items on the mean, variance, and alpha demonstrated that UCLA-LS3 had highly satisfactory internal consistency in the sample. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test four conceptualisations of the factor structure of UCLA-LS3: a one-factor model, a correlated three-factor model, a bifactor model with two subscales, and a bifactor model with three subscales. Notably, CFA demonstrated that the two bifactor models are a better fit than the one-factor and correlated three-factor models and that the bifactor model with three subscales is marginally a better fit than the bifactor model with two subscales. Ancillary bifactor analysis confirmed the dimensionality of the scale as sufficient variance was accounted for by the three subscales, after the variance attributable to the total scale was partitioned out. Therefore, UCLA-LS3 is best conceptualised as comprising of three subscales (isolation, relational connectedness, collective connectedness), in addition to a total scale.
Self-confidence and knowledge of suicide assessment and prevention amongst first-line health professionals in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa
Authors: Alabi Adeyinka A.
Published: December 2021

Background: First-line health professionals are uniquely positioned to recognise suicidal behaviours in patients. However, the opportunities are often missed or poorly managed. Self-confidence and knowledge of suicide prevention and assessment by health professionals can lead to prompt recognition and management of at-risk individuals. This study evaluates the first-line health professionals’ self-confidence and knowledge of suicide assessment in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM), South Africa.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in six healthcare facilities across NMBM between January 2020 and March 2020. Five hundred first-line healthcare professionals were recruited to respond to a validated self-administered questionnaire to collect demographic characteristics, self-confidence levels and knowledge of suicide assessment and associated factors.Results: A total of 344 first-line health professionals completed the questionnaire (68.8% response rate); 40% of the respondents work in emergency units and 77.3% reported frequent encounters with patients who attempted suicide. Most participants had not received suicide assessment training during their undergraduate or postgraduate years (59.6% and 81.1%, respectively). They also lacked adequate knowledge and self-confidence in suicide assessment. Younger age, minimal work experience and attendance of two or more hours of suicide prevention training were associated with higher knowledge of suicide assessment.Conclusion: Findings revealed gaps in self-confidence and knowledge of suicide management, attributed to lack of training in suicide management. Health authorities should prioritise upskilling of front-line workers in suicide prevention and assessment, specifically targeting older nurses in the region.
The assurance that Yahweh can and will keep his own: An exegesis of Psalm 121:1–8
Authors: Adamo David T. , Olusegun Bukola
Published: December 2021

Psalm 121 is one of the most popular and the most read psalm. That is the reason why the New Testament quotes and alludes to the book of the psalm more than any other book of the Bible. Christians all over the world see the book of psalm as the most prestigious book of the Old Testament. Luther sees the book as the ‘little Bible’ in the Bible. It is not only the most read it is the memorised book of the Bible. Psalm 121 represents the most trusted chapter of the psalm. The main purpose of this article is to do an exegesis of Psalm 121 with the hope that readers will find hope and trust in Yahweh. Psalm 121 has an emphasis on hope and protection by Yahweh. A look at the outline of the entire chapter shows that hope and security is the theme: Assistance from Yahweh is the theme of verses 1–2, the gazing into the mountain is where protection from Yahweh is vs 1, Yahweh’s constant watchful Eyes (3–4), Yahweh as the protective shade (5–6) and Yahweh as the Protector for all Lives way (7–8). The exegesis of these various sections in Psalm 121 will be carried out with the hope that any reader who believes it or not will find hope, comfort and security.
Challenges in Management of ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Tam Chor-Cheung Frankie , Siu Chung-Wah David , Tse Hung Fat
Published: December 2021

The coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought unprecedented changes to our world and health-care system. Its high virulence and infectiousness directly infect people’s respiratory system and indirectly disrupt our health-care infrastructure. In particular, ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a clinical emergency emphasizes on the establishment of care system to minimize delay to reperfusion. As such, the impact of COVID-19 on STEMI care, ranging from disease severity, patient delay, diagnostic difficulty, triage to selection of reperfusion strategy and postoperative care, is immense. Importantly, not only we have to save our patients, but we must also need to protect all health-care workers and prevent environmental contamination. Otherwise, in-hospital transmission can quickly evolve into nosocomial outbreak with staff infection and quarantine which lead to health-care system collapse. In this article, we will discuss the challenges in various aspects of STEMI management during COVID-19, as well as the mitigation measures we can take to optimize outcome and our future.
Medical Student's Preference of Educational Resource Usage during COVID-19 Pandemic from Northern India
Authors: Phulsunga Rohit Kumar , Kumar Sunil , Surana Avinash , Gupta Vikas
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) posed an extraordinary situation in front of humankind with the onset of the year 2020. The Government of India, on March 16, 2020, announced closure of all the educational institutions. The aim of this study was to investigate the accessible and preferable educational resources among medical students during this pandemic phase.

Materials and Methods:

This web-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 undergraduate medical students after obtaining informed consent using a structured questionnaire with close-ended responses. Existence of clustering within the student's preferred educational resources was investigated.

Results:

The mean age of the study participants was 20.71 ± 1.65, with 51.3% males and 48.7% females. The major responses regarding educational resources were online lectures, online teaching videos, reading textbooks, and written notes. Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed preference for online lectures, online teaching videos, interactive online materials, and medical apps.

Conclusion:

As the count of users for educational resources available over the Internet is uprising, now, it is vital to generate evidence-based systems which support teaching merits and provide guidance for efficient teaching material available for online learning.
Inter-relationship between Gaming Addiction, Emotional Intelligence, and Psychological Well-being of Playerunknown's Battlegrounds and Non-Playerunknown's Battlegrounds Online Mobile Game Players
Authors: Jain Avnika , Jain Preeti
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Recently, increasing trend in popularity of online gaming has been seen worldwide. Online games such as PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) and first-person shooter (FPS) games top the popularity chart among young population. Problematic Internet gaming is also being increasingly reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the inter-relationship between gaming addiction, emotional intelligence (EI), and psychological well-being in players of PUBG and non-PUBG online shooter mobile games.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty-four male students (18–22 years) who had played either PUBG or non-PUBG FPS games for ≥3 h/week during the previous 6 months were included. Addictive potential of PUBG (played by n = 33) was compared with that of non-PUBG games (played by n = 31) using Gaming Addiction Scale (GAS). Psychological health and EI were assessed using Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale 21 (DASS-21) and Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire-Short Form, respectively.

Results:

The prevalence of gaming addiction and psychological morbidity was significantly higher in PUBG compared to non-PUBG players. EI was comparable in both the groups. Correlational analysis in PUBG players showed a positive association between GAS and anxiety subscale and a negative association between EI and the depression and anxiety subscales. In non-PUBG players, a positive association between GAS and depression subscale and a negative association between EI and the depression, stress, and total DASS-21 scores was observed.

Conclusion:

These results suggest that addictive online gaming behavior has detrimental effect on the psychological well-being of players. Furthermore, EI has a potential protective impact against psychological morbidity in these subjects. Future studies may be planned to explore the influence of interventional EI training on psychological health and addictive gaming behavior of online gamers.
Primary Tumour Characteristics Poorly Correlate with Extracapsular Spread and Cervical Sublevel IIb Metastasis in Patients with Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Clinically N0 Neck
Authors: Singh Akhilesh Kumar , Bera Rathindra Nath , Anandkumar Janani , Krishnan Aswathi , Rajpoot Ravina
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Nodal metastasis reduces the survival by 50% in head-and-neck squamous cell carcinomas. The presence of nodal extension/extracapsular spread (ECS) further reduces survival. Current literature favors a selective level IIb sparing neck dissection in clinically N0 neck. Studies have evaluated the role of primary tumour size, number of lymph nodes, and depth of invasion (DOI) with the occurrence of extranodal extension (ENE).

Patients and Methods:

Patients were retrospectively reviewed who presented with oral cavity carcinomas and clinically N0 neck. Relationship was sought between tumour site, size, histological grading, DOI, and the occurrence of level IIb metastasis and ECS. A P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

The relationship showed insignificant correlation with P values (0.6643, 0.6704, 0.6779, and 0.6779) between site, size, grading, DOI, and level IIb and ENE.

Discussion:

Previous studies have shown DOI >5 mm and lymph node size 15 mm and multiple lymph nodes predict ECS. DOI and primary site with more than 20% for occult metastasis predicts elective neck treatment. However, in our study, no correlation was found between primary tumour characteristics and ECS or level IIb metastasis. Elective neck dissection is the standard surgical protocol from both diagnostic and therapeutic viewpoints. The only criterion for level IIb dissection is concomitant presence of level IIa involvement intraoperatively. Since ENE can occur early in the disease process, elective neck dissection remains the standard of care.
Early diagnosis of Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome in the neonatal period and successful haematopoietic stem cell transplant in infancy
Authors: Rauf Abdul , Pilania Rakesh Kumar , Abdul Latheef K. M. , Raj Revathi , Rawat Amit
Published: December 2021

Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome (WAS) is a rare X-linked inborn error of immunity characterised by triad of eczema, microthrombocytopenia and recurrent infections. We herein report a case, where a male new-born with thrombocytopenia and no other symptoms was suspected of WAS in view of the significant family history of two previous sibling deaths. The diagnosis was confirmed by flowcytometry for WAS protein expression. He was initially managed with intravenous immunoglobulin replacement, regular cotrimoxazole prophylaxis, emollients and topical steroids for eczema (which child developed from the third month). The child underwent haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) at 8 months of age successfully and has remained asymptomatic at 5 years of follow-up. Early diagnosis of inborn error of immunity is extremely important for the prevention of complications and successful treatment including HSCT.
Management of Rodenticide Poisoning
Authors: Eapen Chundamannil Eapen , Balasubramanian Velusamy , Ramamoorthy Ganesan , Jayanthi Venkataraman , Sathiyasekaran Malathi , Murugan Natarajan , Palaniswamy Kallipatti Ramasamy , Mohan Pazhanivel , Premkumar Karunakaran , Ramakrishna Balakrishnan S. , Govindarajan Ramkumar , Ramalingam Ramasubramanian , Shanmugham Revathy Marimuthu , Ubaldhus Jeyaraj , Leelakrishnan Venkatkrishnan
Published: December 2021

Rodenticide ingestion, a common mode of suicide in Tamil Nadu and other states in southern and western parts of India, can lead to hepatotoxicity and death. Most rodenticide agents contain phosphorus, a potent toxin. The only definitive management in a patient who develops rodenticide induced acute liver failure is urgent liver transplantation. A study conducted across Tamil Nadu in 2019 documented that the majority (>99%) of rodenticide hepatotoxicity patients cannot access urgent liver transplantation. The current guidelines proposed by the Tamil Nadu chapter of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology are focused on improving survival in these patients, especially by nontransplant treatments. The indications for the use of plasma exchange, an emerging treatment which improves survival in acute liver failure, are described. In resource-constrained settings, it is preferable to avoid the use of sedative drugs, in rodenticide hepatotoxicity patients, who do not have encephalopathy. These management guidelines are specifically meant for use by doctors in primary health centers and in secondary hospitals who care for patients with rodenticide ingestion and hepatotoxicity. We hope these guidelines may also help inform health care policy in Tamil Nadu state to improve survival in patients with rodenticide hepatotoxicity by cost-effective interventions.
Nutritional Profile of Kolagur Tribal Women in Yercaud, Tamil Nadu, India
Authors: Priyadarshini R. Durga , Beatrice D. Annette
Published: December 2021

Background:

Malnutrition is a long-standing global health issue to which the tribal population are highly vulnerable. Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment is crucial.

Aim:

The aim of the study is to assess the nutritional status of tribal women in Kolagur, Yercaud, using anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary assessment parameters.

Subjects and Methods:

An exploratory study was carried out among women (n = 100) between 18 and 60 years of age from Kolagur, a tribal village in Yercaud taluk, Salem district, Tamil Nadu, India. Information on sociodemographic profile of participants was collected using a structured interview schedule. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary parameters were assessed using appropriate standard techniques/tools. Nutrient intake was computed using Diet Cal software and the statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS statistics software version 25.

Results:

Majority of the participants were malnourished of which 25% were underweight, 20% were obese, and 17% were overweight. The mean waist-to-hip ratio (mean ± standard deviation: 0.87 ± 0.13) was marginally higher than the normal cutoff value for women. The prevalence of anemia was much lower where only 21% had mild anemia, 5% had moderate anemia, and 1% had severe anemia. About 21% were prediabetic and 9% were diabetic. Majority (51%) of the participants had altered blood pressure levels with 20% in hypertension Stage 2, 19% in prehypertensive stage, and 12% in hypertension Stage 1. The mean intake of nutrients such as energy, thiamine, ascorbic acid, and folate was significantly higher than the recommended dietary allowances (RDA), whereas the mean intake of fat, retinol, riboflavin, pyridoxine, calcium, and iron was significantly lesser than the RDA.

Conclusions:

The findings of this study highlight the urgent need for well-planned nutrition-oriented health policies at the community level to eradicate the double burden of malnutrition.
Low-Dose Induction Immunosuppression in Deceased Donor Kidney Transplantation During Coronavirus Disease Pandemic - A Multicentric Prospective Observational Study
Authors: George Jacob , Gracious Noble , Gopal Anjana , Balan Satish , Murlidharan Praveen , Gopalakrishnan Sreedas , Potty Vasudevsan , Kurup Satheesh
Published: December 2021

Context:

There are concerns regarding the use of induction immunosuppression during deceased donor renal transplantation in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and whether lower doses may suffice.

Aims:

We aimed to compare different induction immunosuppression regimens in deceased donor renal transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Settings and Design:

A multicenter, prospective observational study of patients undergoing deceased donor renal transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Southern Kerala from April to June 2020 with differing induction immunosuppression and follow-up for at least 6 months.

Subjects and Methods:

Patients were from Government (Group A) and Private hospitals (Group B). Induction immunosuppression included low dose rituximab and/or low dose anti-thymocyte globulin in group A and higher dose induction with anti-thymocyte globulin or basiliximab in Group B. Graft function at 1 and 6 months, infectious complications, and cost of induction immunosuppression were compared.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Mood's median, Chi-square, Fisher Exact, and Mann–Whitney U test.

Results:

Of eleven deceased donor kidney transplantations, six were from Group A and 5 from Group B. Three in Group A and two in Group B had reversible antibody-mediated rejections. Median serum creatinine (interquartile range) in both groups at 1 month was 1.35 (1.1, 3) and 1.5 (1.1, 3.5) mg/dl, respectively, and by 6 months 1.5 (1.05, 2.33) mg/dl and 1.7 (1.15, 2.6) mg/dl, respectively. Two patients in Group A died, one due to Gram-negative septicemia at the 2nd month and the second by the 3rd month following a cardiovascular event. Mean cost of induction immunosuppression in both groups was INR 40,500 ± 22,827 and 107,200 ± 57,595 (P = 0.01). There was no difference in infection episodes in both groups. Rituximab in a dose of 100 mg was used as induction in 4 patients with comparable graft functions and cost-benefit with a mean cost of INR 33,750 ± 26,196 and Rs. 92,000 ± 53,715 in the rituximab and nonrituximab groups, respectively (P = 0.056).

Conclusions:

Low-dose induction immunosuppression in the COVID pandemic was cheaper with comparable graft functions at 1 and 6 months.
Subcutaneous Phaeohyphomycosis in a Renal Transplant Recipient
Authors: Donakonda Arunkumar , Raghavan Padmanabhan , Santharam R. , Murthy Jayakrishna
Published: December 2021

Subcutaneous opportunistic fungal infections are rarely encountered in renal transplant recipients. Phaeohyphomycosis is one such fungal infection caused by the members of dematiaceous fungi affecting predominantly the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Herein, we report the case of histopathological and culture-proven subcutaneous phaeohyphomycosis presenting as a recurrent abscess. The patient was treated with wide surgical excision of the lesion along with antifungal therapy. We also attempted successfully autologous skin grafting for the raw area of skin.
Acute Kidney Injury Due to Obstructive Nephropathy Caused by Fecal Impaction in a Renal Transplant Patient - A Case Report
Authors: Kise Tomoo , Fukuyama Shigeru , Uehara Masatsugu
Published: December 2021

Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a major complication after transplantation; its common causes include acute rejection and urinary tract obstruction. Here, we report an unusual case of a 16-year-old renal transplant patient with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) and anorectal malformation. She developed AKI owing to obstructive nephropathy caused by impacted stool in the colon. Our patient presented with complaints of hypertension and facial edema. She had a neurogenic bladder and a history of surgery for anal atresia. Abdominal computed tomography revealed renal hydronephrosis in the transplanted kidney and a mass of impacted stool in the sigmoid colon and rectum that compressed the neck of the bladder. Despite maintenance of daily defecation, the impacted stool had accumulated over several years; however, softening and removing the stool improved kidney function. Defecation management is therefore important in patients with CAKUT and anorectal malformation.
Intracranial Abscess Due to Disseminated Aspergillosis in a Renal Transplant Recipient - A Case Report
Authors: Annavarajula Sashi Kiran , Suryaprakash B. , Ravikanth J. , Reddy Ravi Suman
Published: December 2021

Fungal infections have devastating consequences in a renal transplant recipient. The risk of mortality is high despite early diagnosis and appropriate therapy. Here, we report the case of a 62-year-old male with multiple comorbidities who developed a deep-seated cerebellar abscess due to disseminated aspergillosis. Neuroimaging features and galactomannan features were critical in aiding the diagnosis as the abscess was difficult to access surgically. Early institution of appropriate antifungal therapy along with reduction in immunosuppressive medications helped in the successful treatment of a surgically difficult to access cerebellar abscess.
Diagnosis of endometriosis by detection of nerve fibers using protein gene product 9.5 immunohistochemistry
Authors: Bano Shafqat , Pradhan Dilleswari , Behera Pradeep Kumar , Kar Asaranti , Mishra Akruti , Kar Tushar
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Endometriosis is a benign, chronic, multifactorial, debilitating gynecological disease defined by the presence of ectopic foci of endometrial glands and stroma. Diagnostic laparoscopy and histopathological study of hysterectomy specimens are the definitive tool for diagnosis which carries associated risks. The objective of this study is to analyze the presence of protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5) antibody-positive nerve fibers by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in endometrial biopsy samples and endometriotic lesions in suspicious cases of endometriosis.

Materials and Methods:

This was a case–control study carried out in a tertiary care center. It comprised of cases of endometriosis interna (adenomyosis), endometriosis externa (endometriosis), and age- and parity-matched women without endometriosis taken as control. Clinically/radiologically diagnosed cases of endometriosis and those undergoing laparoscopy for infertility with confirmation after histopathology were included in the study. Endometrial biopsy samples were subjected to IHC using PGP9.5 antibody and examined for The presence of nerve fibers. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software, and analysis of nerve fibers stained by PGP9.5 was done by the Kruskal–Wallis test.

Results:

A total of 60 cases are included in this study broadly divided into three groups (30 women with adenomyosis, 10 with endometriosis externa, and 20 women without endometriosis). Majority (26/30 = 65%) belonged to the third to fourth decade of life with pain being the most specific symptom. Small nerve fibers were noted in endometrial foci of the endometriosis cases but not in women without endometriosis (P = 0.001).

Conclusion:

The presence of nerve fibers can be taken as a novel marker of clinical endometriosis, and thus, it could replace hysterectomy as a definitive modality for diagnosing endometriosis.
Internet gaming disorder among medical students
Authors: Bhaskar Ram , Babu Bichu P. , Sebastian Shaliet Rose
Published: December 2021

Background:

The development of information technology has popularized Internet gaming as a leisure time activity. India is currently ranked fifth among the list of top countries by game downloads globally. This makes a subset of the population of India, especially the young and adolescents, extremely vulnerable to the harms associated with excessive digital gaming. Although, most of the time, playing video games is harmless and even may be associated with cognitive, social, or physical benefits, excessive use of playing games can lead to various health problems in some individuals.

Objective:

The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of problematic gaming among medical students in Central Kerala by Internet Gaming Disorder Test (IGDT)-10 questionnaire using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5) scale.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate MBBS students across Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts. Data were collected using a ten-item IGDT-10-English version and analyzed by DSM-5 scale. Data on demographic details and information about gaming were expressed as proportions with a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results:

The prevalence of problematic gaming among medical students in Central Kerala is 6.98%. Playing video games (χ2 = 190.10, P = 0.001) and playing games for >3 h (χ2 = 207.05, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with the physical complaints of headaches, neck pain, and wrist pain among gamers (odds ratio = 40.6, 95% CI [18.776–87.936]).

Conclusion:

Problematic gaming among medical students is on the rise, and therefore, there is a need for a check and timely remedial action.
Unilateral complete duplex ureter – report of a rare underdiagnosed anomaly
Authors: Jyothi C Naga , Sriambika K
Published: December 2021

Duplex ureters are congenital malformations with varying clinical consequences. Identification of this entity is pivotal as exemplified by the failure of first-line investigations to explain the cause for some presenting symptoms in few cases. We report an interesting case of complete duplication of the right ureter in a male cadaver. A brief review regarding embryogenesis, association with other anomalies, and clinical significance is discussed.
Which meditation is suitable for me? A neurophysiological perspective
Authors: Singh Yogesh , Singh Jayvardhan , Kathrotia Rajesh
Published: December 2021

In Eastern, philosophy meditation is considered part of a yogic lifestyle. Meditation is increasingly being popular amongst the masses and routinely practiced for well-being and as a means to alleviate stress and related disorders. There are various types of meditation practices prevalent across the world and with a boom in social media and communication technology we are widely exposed to many types of meditation practices. Still, the selection of meditation is mainly based on common intuition or layman recommendations. However, there are large variations in personality, temperament, and external circumstances of an individual. With the progress of scientific research in the meditation field, all kinds of meditation can be broadly classified into major three types: focussed attention (FA), open monitoring (OM) and automatic transcendence (AT). The neurophysiology of meditation has given insight into selective functional brain networks activation such as executive control network (ECN) in FA type and default mode network (DMN) in AT type of meditation. ECN provides substratum for the focussed attention and DMN for the mind-wandering state. One fundamental question is what factors lead to oscillations of the brain between two states. Here, we are proposing that oscillations of the brain in these two states are chiefly determined by the daily life challenges and a nice way to group daily life challenges is by Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The individuals lower in this hierarchy are required to execute more of ECN for the successful survival. In this paper, we are hypothesising the detailed intricacies of the selection of meditation based on the position of an individual in the pyramid of needs and their predominant functional brain states.
The Use of Social Media among Saudi Ophthalmologists
Authors: Al Abbasi Omar , Al Taisan Abdulaziz , Alqahtani Bader S. , Alburayk Khalid , Alenezi Saad H. , Al Owaifeer Adi Mohammed
Published: December 2021

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of and beliefs toward social media (SM) among Saudi ophthalmologists.

METHODS:

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A web-based, self-administered questionnaire was e-mailed to ophthalmologists within Saudi Arabia.

RESULTS:

Out of 392 recipients, 293 completed the survey (74.7% response rate). The vast majority (90.1%) used at least one platform for personal and professional purposes or either. The three most commonly used applications were Twitter (72.3%), Snapchat (65.9%), and Instagram (51.9%). The opinions of respondents with regard to the different aspects of SM varied widely. Around half (56.7%) believed that it was permissible for ophthalmologists to promote themselves on SM and 70.6% agreed that SM usage by health-care professionals should be regulated. Participants believe that SM had both a positive and a negative impact on their daily life and clinical practice. For example, 94 (32.1%) respondents stated that it improved their ability to educate patients, on the other hand, 80 (27.3%) reported that SM wastes quality time that can be spent on something more productive.

CONCLUSION:

Our results demonstrate an increased utilization of SM among Saudi ophthalmologists. The ethical aspects of SM usage were a matter of controversy among our respondents. This necessitates the establishment of guidelines by regulatory bodies and/or individual health-care organizations.
Prevalence of Color Vision Anomalies among Dental Professionals
Authors: Ngente Zodinliana , Jadav Baliram , Aafaque Syed , Patil Abhijit , Govindarajulu Rajtilak , Muthusamy Prabu , Babu J. Suresh , Swarnalatha C. , Nayyar Abhishek Singh
Published: December 2021

PURPOSE:

Color blindness is one of the potential disabilities affecting the ability of color perception by the eye. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of color blindness among dental professionals.

METHODS:

For the present study, a total of 198 dental professionals were randomly selected as subjects who were asked to fill the required questionnaire followed by which their color vision status was evaluated using the Ishihara test. The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The prevalence of color blindness, age specificity, and the ratio of the occurrence of color blindness in relation to gender were assessed using Chi-square test for independence and Chi-square test with Yates's correction for independence when the expected frequency was <5. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS:

The present study reported 3.54% prevalence of color blindness among the study population. A higher number of cases were reported from males (9.26%) than females (1.39%). (P < 0.05) Furthermore, the prevalence of color blindness was found to be more in faculty members (5.88%) than in students with a reported prevalence of 3.31%.

CONCLUSION:

The present study reported high prevalence of color blindness in dental professionals while they were totally unaware of it.