bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estrategias Aplicadas para Minimizar Riesgos Contables en Microempresas Bajo el Régimen General Durante el Primer Semestre del Año 2023
Authors: Quinatoa Guato Dayana Abigail , Tomalá De La Rosa Henry Javier , Gordón Vergara Michelle Aymme , Zambrano Cheverria Estefanía Liliana , Moreno Cruz Juan Iván
Published: February 2024

En el presente artículo se puede reconocer las estrategias o planificaciones que se han implementado y aplicado para la minimización de riesgos en el ámbito contable en las pequeñas empresas que se han llevado a cabo conjuntamente de la mano del Régimen General durante los primeros seis meses (Semestre) del año 2023. Esta investigación contribuirá principalmente a la identificación de las prácticas que han ayudado a las empresas a sobrellevar y reducir los inconvenientes contables que pudieron haberse presentado en este primer semestre del 2023. Después de haber utilizado los métodos cuantitativos y cualitativos para la recopilación y el análisis de los datos así también de la mano de la ejecución de encuestas a dueños de algunas microempresas en la ciudad de Quito, se puede hacer hincapié en algunos métodos implementados por ejemplo se hace mención a la ejecución de algunos sistemas automatizados que ayudan a llevar de mejor manera el sistema contable, así también como la capacitación continua al personal que se encarga del departamento contable y financiero. La información recopilada provee una visión más alta de los métodos que han sido adoptados para la protección de la información financiera de las microempresas, de esta manera se aporta una base de información en cuanto a la evolución que ha tenido el manejo de estrategias contables para una mejor gestión empresarial.
Habilidades Sociales en Educación Inclusiva, Reto Pedagógico Transformador para Visibilizar las Competencias Escolares en los Centros Educativos Rurales de Cereté
Authors: Rivera  Santacruz Alex Adrian , Anaya  Barrios Luz  Estella
Published: February 2024

El presente artículo se enfoca  en la necesidad  de  diseñar  una propuesta pedagógicas transformadoras  que  impliquen el  uso  de estrategias para  el  desarrollo  de  habilidades  sociales en educación  como alternativa  innovadora para  lograr  mejores  competencias escolares en  estudiantes de centros  rurales del  municipio  de  Cerete, frente  a  la  ausencia  de  prácticas  pedagógicas pertinentes, acordes  con sus destrezas y necesidades  de aprendizaje, alejadas de la realidad acompañadas de una escasa  formación  docente y  recursos  didácticos apropiados, lo  cual se precisó mediante la información  obtenida  de una  entrevista inestructurada aplicada a los docentes de básica primaria en las  que  se indago en torno a los cuatro dominios: Planeación y preparación de clases, Ambientes para el aprendizaje, Práctica Pedagógica y Flexibilidad y capacidad de respuesta. Los cuales  fueron analizadas sobre el quehacer educativo  y una encuesta  aplicada  a  los  estudiantes, visto desde: el profesor, las clases, y los recursos; también sobre las habilidades escolares desde el rol y relación que asume los estudiantes.
Estrategias de Aprendizaje y su Impacto Académico en Estudiantes de Educación Superior: Revisión Sistemátizada 2016-2023
Authors: Vega Rojas Mabel Rossana , Arroyo Resino Delia , Ulloa Guerra Oscar
Published: February 2024

La sinergia entre las estrategias de aprendizaje (EA) y el rendimiento académico (RA) se ha convertido en un aspecto crucial en la educación actual, destacando la necesidad de explorar y aprovechar las oportunidades para mejorar la calidad y eficacia del proceso educativo. El objetivo de este estudio fue sistematizar la producción bibliográfica en el período 2016-2023, respecto a estudios empíricos sobre relación entre EA y RA en estudiantes de educación superior. El diseño metodológico siguió los lineamientos del método Framework ReSiste-CHS, SALSA. Las bases de datos consultadas fueron Scopus, Dialnet y Semantic Scholar. Al aplicar los criterios de inclusión y exclusión, la muestra definitiva quedó conformada por 44 artículos. Los resultados evidencian que el año en el que existió mayor número de publicaciones fue el 2022, siendo España, Estados Unidos y México los países más destacados; las asignaturas que abordaron los estudios con mayor cantidad de investigaciones fueron en el área de Salud; el diseño más empleado fue el transversal cuantitativo de tipo descriptivo-correlacional; que el instrumento más utilizado para medir las estrategias de aprendizaje fue el ACRA, y que la mayoría de las investigaciones constataron un impacto positivo, entre algunas estrategias de aprendizaje y el rendimiento académico.
Caracterización Epidemiológica de las Infecciones Cutáneas más Frecuentes en el Abordaje de Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Plásticos en los Últimos 5 Años: Articulo de Revisión
Authors: Rojas Jimenez Ronald Fernando , Thorné Vélez Ana María , Navarro Barraza Daynela Margarita , Doria Atencia Johelys Carmelita , López Petro Karin Daniela , Zapateiro Argel Juliana
Published: February 2024

La infección del sitio quirúrgico (ISQ) es consecuencia de la proliferación de bacterias a través de las incisiones realizadas en un procedimiento quirúrgico. Muchos microorganismos se encuentran relacionados con la aparición de dichas infecciones, como lo son Staphylococcus aureus y especies de Streptococcus. En cuanto a la epidemiología, en los últimos años se ha encontrado una prevalencia significativa en la aparición de dichas infecciones en el área de cirugía plástica relacionado con distintos factores de riesgos y que se presentan más que todo como celulitis, hematomas, seromas, etc. Por ello, realizamos una revisión bibliográfica de artículos en inglés y español dando como resultados diferentes reportes de casos en los que se evidencia las distintas características epidemiológicas de las infecciones cutáneas en cirugías plásticas.
Plan de Internacionalización de la Finca Sucúa Fruit del Cantón Sucúa, Provincia de Morona Santiago, Ecuador
Authors: Pitizaca Guamán Félix Gustavo
Published: February 2024

Este artículo es una propuesta de Plan de Internacionalización de una pequeña finca ubicada en el cantón Sucúa, provincia de Morona Santiago, Ecuador, la cual empezó a cultivar pitahaya hace cinco años, el artículo se enfoca en que la finca “Sucúa Fruit” junto a la unión de otras empresas cercanas al sector, puedan internacionalizarse de modo que puedan exportar pitahaya. Para ello, se ha diseñado un Plan de Internacionalización en el que se indica paso a paso las estrategias y procesos logísticos y operativos que se deben realizar y también, un estudio de mercado en el que se puede visualizar el país más rentable para que se pueda llevar a cabo el proyecto y con el tiempo, la empresa sea conocida, incrementen las ventas y se pueda internacionalizar con éxito.
Costo de Producción y Margen Operativo de las Empresas Agropecuaria de la Provincia de Santa Elena Año 2020-2022
Authors: Matheus Muñiz Edward David , Alejandro Lindao María Fernanda
Published: February 2024

La investigación titulada costo de producción y margen operativo de las empresas agropecuarias de la provincia de Santa Elena, cuyo objetivo es evaluar el costo de producción y el margen operativo agropecuario a través de análisis de factores productivos, proporcionando mecanismos que incrementen el grado de rentabilidad de las empresas agrícolas. El estudio es tipo documental, descriptivo y perpendicular, utiliza la metodología deductiva e inductiva, realizando un análisis del tratamiento del sistema de costo por proceso de producción y el grado de aplicabilidad de los elementos del costo a través del análisis de factores productivos para la fabricación del producto final del sector agrícola; con la finalidad de identificar el desarrollo del sector y los factores que influyen en el proyecto. Para abordar la información se utilizó un enfoque cualitativo que permite diagnosticar la situación actual de los costos de producción, y la determinación de la incidencia de estos en el margen operativo de las empresas agropecuarias de la provincia de Santa Elena.
Neurofibromatosis, Generalidades y Manifestaciones Clínicas Una Revisión Bibliográfica
Authors: Hinojoza Remache Ruth Alexandra , Moreno Carillo Alyne Betzabe , Valero Ortega Adrian Elías , Burgos Paladines Antonio Javier
Published: February 2024

La neurofibromatosis entra dentro de la categoría de alteraciones genéticas de carácter multisistémico las cuales influyen en el desarrollo durante la vida fetal. Se cataloga en subtipos que se dividen según sus características, morfología, ubicación y grado de afección, Neurofibromatosis tipo 1 (NF1), usualmente denominada enfermedad de Von Recklinghausen, Neurofibromatosis tipo 2 (NF2) que se caracteriza por el desarrollo de tumores benignos de crecimiento lento en los oídos y Schwannomatosis (SWN), afección menos frecuente de la NF y suele presentarse a partir de los 20 años, sin embargo, no presenta síntomas si no hasta los 25-30 años. Se caracteriza por la aparición y el desarrollo de tumores en los nervios, espinales, craneales y periféricos. Su diagnóstico se realiza a partir de una evaluación genética para determinar si existen alteraciones en los genes del NF1, NF2, SMARCB y LZTR1, se puede también realizar una resonancia magnética y tomografía computarizada. Para la presencia de las pigmentaciones denominadas café con leche y neurofibromas benignos no se aplica tratamiento, a excepción de si el paciente presenta lesiones sintomáticas, lo que conlleva a una intervención quirúrgica para su escisión; En el caso de la neurofibromatosis 2 es necesaria una evaluación oftalmológica, audiología, potenciales evocados del tronco encefálico y resonancia magnética, esto para determinar si se requiere de cirugía lo cual es común en tumores que sí presentan síntomas.
Preclinical Experimental Models for Human Glioma
Authors: Zhang Diya , Li Yunfan , Wang Yucheng , Ju Rui , Guo Lei
Published: February 2024

Gliomas are one of the most common incurable brain tumors in adults with poor prognosis. Attempts at modeling human gliomas over the past decades have not only improved our knowledge of glioma biology but also boosted the development of therapeutic strategies. Despite great endeavors, gliomas are not responsive to the current tumor treatments, such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy due to their high inter- and intra-heterogenic tumor microenvironment (TME) and immune suppressive landscape. Therefore, it is significant to utilize suitable models to investigate the tumorigenesis, progression, and invasion of gliomas and evaluate potential therapies. Ideally, glioma models should fully recapitulate the genetic alterations and histological characteristics of the parental tumor, as well as reproduce the interactions between the tumor and its TME. In this review, we will discuss and compare the pros and cons of the current glioma models including traditional mouse models, established cell lines, newly 3D-cultured organoids, and 3D bioprinting glioma models in glioma pathogenesis research and therapy evaluation.
Custom Object Detection Using Transfer Learning with Pretrained Models for Improved Detection Techniques
Authors: Mtasher Ashwaq Katham , Al-wakel Esraa Hassan Jawad
Published: February 2024

Custom object detection plays a vital role in computer vision applications. However, developing an accurate and efficient custom object detector requires a substantial amount of labeled training data and significant computational resources. In this research, we propose a custom object detection framework that leverages transfer learning with pre-trained models to improve detection tech-niques.The framework first utilizes a pre-trained deep learning model, such as ResNet or VGGNet, as a feature extractor. The pre-trained model is trained on a large-scale dataset, enabling it to learn high-level features from various objects. By reusing the pre-trained model's convolutional layers, we effectively capture generic features that can be transferred to the custom object detection task.Experimental evaluations on benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our ap-proach. The custom object detector achieved superior detection performance compared to tradi-tional methods, especially when the target objects have limited training data. Additionally, our framework significantly reduces the amount of training time and computational resources required, as it leverages pre-trained models as a starting point.
La Colección Colombiana de Café : conservando la diversidad genética para una caficultura sostenible
Authors: Arias Juan Carlos
Published: February 2024

La presente publicación es fruto de la investigación del programa de conservación, caracterización y evaluación de los recursos genéticos de café. Es un esfuerzo sostenido de la conformación de la Colección Colombiana de Café y las características de los diferentes grupos de genotipos conservados. Además, pretende dar las bases necesarias a Caficultores, Extensionistas e Investigadores, para el conocimiento de los recursos genéticos del género Coffea existentes en la Colección, los cuales son la base para el mejoramiento de la especie C. arabica cultivada en el país, destacando su importancia para la sostenibilidad de la caficultura colombiana a futuros retos globales.
Inverse Compton Emission and Cooling of Relativistic Particles Accelerated at Shear Boundary Layers in Relativistic Jets
Authors: Chand Tej , Böttcher Markus
Published: February 2024

Both observational evidence and theoretical considerations from magnetohydrodynamic simulations of jets suggest that the relativistic jets of active galactic nuclei (AGN) are radially stratified, with a fast inner spine surrounded by a slower-moving outer sheath. The resulting relativistic shear layers are a prime candidate for the site of relativistic particle acceleration in the jets of AGNs and gamma-ray bursts (GRBs). In this article, we present outcomes of particle-in-cell simulations of magnetic-field generation and particle acceleration in the relativistic shear boundary layers (SBLs) of jets in AGNs and GRBs. We investigate the effects of inverse Compton cooling on relativistic particles that are accelerated in the SBLs of relativistic jets, including the self-consistent calculation of the radiation spectrum produced by inverse Compton scattering of relativistic electrons in an isotropic external soft photon field. We find that the Compton cooling can be substantial, depending on the characteristic energy (blackbody temperature and energy density) of the external radiation field. The produced Compton emission is highly anisotropic and more strongly beamed along the jet direction than the characteristic 1/Γ pattern expected from intrinsically isotropic emission in the comoving frame of an emission region moving along the jet with a bulk Lorentz factor Γ. We suggest that this may resolve the long-standing problem of the Doppler factor crisis.
Morphology and multigene phylogeny reveal three new species of Samsoniella (Cordycipitaceae, Hypocreales) from spiders in China
Authors: Wang Ting , Li Jun , Chang Xiaoyun , Li Zengzhi , Hywel-Jones Nigel L. , Huang Bo , Chen Mingjun
Published: February 2024

The genus Samsoniella was erected based on orange cylindrical to clavate stromata, superficial perithecia and conidiophores with Isaria-like phialides and to segregate them from the Akanthomyces group. In this study, based on morphological features and multigene (SSU, LSU, TEF, RPB1 and RPB2) phylogenetic analysis six Samsoniella species parasitizing spiders were collected in China. Three of them belong to known species S. alpina, S. erucae and S. hepiali. Three new species S. anhuiensissp. nov., S. araneasp. nov. and S. fusiformisporasp. nov. are illustrated and described. They are clearly distinct from other species in Samsoniella occurring in independent subclades. Furthermore, among the four insect-pathogenic fungi specimens collected from similar sites, three of them were identified as the new species described below. Our study significantly broadens the host range of Samsoniella from Insecta to Arachnida, marking a noteworthy expansion in understanding the ecological associations of these fungi. Additionally, the identification of both mononematous and synnematous conidiophores in our study not only expands the knowledge of Samsoniella species but also provides a basis for future research by comparing the ecological significance between these conidiophore types. In conclusion, our study enhances the understanding of Samsoniella diversity, presenting a refined phylogenetic framework and shedding light on the ecological roles of these fungi in spider parasitism.
Three new Dioszegia species (Bulleribasidiaceae, Tremellales) discovered in the phylloplane in China
Authors: Qiao Ya-Zhuo , Liu Shan , Niu Qiu-Hong , Hui Feng-Li
Published: February 2024

The genus Dioszegia is comprised of anamorphic basidiomycetous yeasts and is classified in the family Bulleribasidiaceae of the order Tremellales. Currently, 24 species have been described and accepted as members of the genus, although its diversity and global distribution have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, yeasts were isolated from plant leaves collected in the Guizhou and Henan Provinces of China and identified through a combination of morphological and molecular methods. Phylogenetic analyses of the combined ITS and LSU sequences coupled with morphological studies revealed three novel species, D. guizhouensissp. nov., D. foliicolasp. nov., and D. aurantiasp. nov., proposed here. Additionally, our phylogenetic analyses suggest that the recently discovered species D. terrae is a synonym of D. maotaiensis. This study presents detailed descriptions and illustrations of three new Dioszegia species and highlights distinctions between them and their close relatives. The findings of this study contribute to our knowledge of the biodiversity of Dioszegia, offering a foundation for future research.
The new game of online marketing: How social media influencers drive online repurchase intention through brand trust and customer brand engagement
Authors: Tarabieh Saeed , Gil Ignacio , Galdón Salvador José Luis , Faisal Ahmad AlFraihat Sakher
Published: February 2024

Purpose: This study examines the impact of social media influencers (SMIs) on online repurchase intentions through brand trust and customer engagement in the cosmetics sector.Design/methodology/approach: The study framework and hypotheses in this paper were tested using a questionnaire survey approach, with the consumer as the unit of analysis. The study’s main target was individuals who purchase cosmetics products through social media platforms. Questionnaire items were created using a measurement scale employed in an earlier study. A Likert scale of seven points, ranging from 1 to 7, was used to grade the questionnaire items. Responses ranged from strong disagreement to strong agreement.Findings: In general, this study revealed that social media influencers have a significant positive direct impact on brand trust, customer brand engagement, and online repurchase intentions. Moreover, social media influencers were the most vital determinant of online repurchase intention, followed by brand trust and customer brand engagement. Moreover, customer brand engagement had a significant positive impact on brand trust. Additionally, brand trust and customer brand engagement impacted significantly and positively on online repurchase intention. The mediation analysis results found that customer brand engagement did not mediate the positive impact of social media influencers on online repurchase intention. Furthermore, it was found that brand trust mediated the positive impact of social media influencers on online repurchase intentions. This study is among the first to offer empirical evidence to demonstrate that social media influencers act as a route to online repurchase intention through brand trust and customer brand engagement.Research limitations/implications: This study has several limitations. The first one is that it was only conducted in one country. Using samples from a single country (Jordan) may produce culture-specific findings that are difficult to generalise across other settings. The second limitation of this study is related to the target population. In this study, researchers surveyed individuals who purchased cosmetics products through social media platforms.Practical implications: As the use of social media rises, social media influencers have an ever-greater impact on customers' online purchase and repurchase intentions, as customers deem influencers to be ideal role models they aim to imitate.Originality/value: The study is highly valuable for marketing strategies, as social media influencers have a powerful impact on effective marketing strategies.
Everyone Is Listening: Podcasts as an Innovative Educational Approach in Graduate Level Education
Authors: Gast Sarah , Shifrin Megan
Published: February 2024

Background:

Over the past decade, graduate level nursing education has transitioned from synchronous, classroom-based models to hybrid, asynchronous models. This change has increased the amount of screen-time for graduate learners and generated the problem of screen-fatigue. To reduce screen-based learning time, faculty transitioned a didactic critical care course to a podcast-based educational format.

Method:

This pilot study used a pre-course and post-course survey to evaluate the efficacy of podcasts in delivering course content, meeting course objectives, and understanding learners' perceptions of podcasts in education.

Results:

Pre-course and post-course survey data demonstrated that podcasts successfully met course objectives and provided content that was equally or more engaging than screen-based lectures.

Conclusion:

Podcasts can be successfully incorporated into a didactic course as a content delivery modality and are an innovative strategy for engaging adult learners in an asynchronous, distance-friendly format while continuing to meet educational objectives.

[
J Nurs Educ
. 2024;63(5):335–337.]
Towards a Materialist Reading of Thorstein Veblen's Notion of (Economic) Institution
Authors: Kranjc Uroš
Published: February 2024

Thorstein Veblen once considered his work on instincts to be his only important contribution to economic theory. Instincts are the conditions and causes behind the formation of habits of thought, while the latter are the sine qua non elements of institutions. The article poses the question: If Veblenʼs relation instincts-habits of thought-institutions were to be thought of as a formal system, what role would they conceptually occupy? It interprets habits of thought as pure ideas in a Platonist fashion (eidos)—multiplicities thought as Ideas—conceived by Georg Cantorʼs theory of manifolds and philosophically assessed by Alain Badiou positing that “mathematics is ontology.” The article aims: (1) to show how habits of thought, as institutions, abstracted from all content can be thought of as set-theoretic multiplicities; (2) to relate Veblenʼs prime instinct, the instinct of workmanship, in equivalence with set theory’s axiom of the empty set—pointing towards Veblenʼs materialist orientation.
Drive of Capital
Authors: Johnston Adrian
Published: February 2024

Especially during the brief post-revolutionary period before the rise of Stalinism, certain thinkers in the Soviet milieu offered some attention-worthy reflections regarding Freud’s body of work. In particular, Luria and Vygotsky put forward thoughtful Marxism-informed assessments of the metapsychology and methodology of psychoanalysis. And strong cross-resonances are audible between these Soviet thinkers’ reflections and the early stages of Western Marxism’s rapprochement with Freud, starting in texts by Reich and Fenichel and continuing with the Frankfurt School, of whose members Marcuse arguably furnishes the most sophisticated and sustained engagement with analysis. In this essay, I argue that Luria, Vygotsky, Reich, Fenichel, and Marcuse share in common a fundamentally correct insight according to which the theory of drive (Trieb) is a load-bearing pillar for any psychoanalytic Marxism. Moreover, not only is the Freudian metapsychological concept of drive applicable to and productive of Marxism and its form(s) of materialism—echoing Lacan’s claim that Marx invented the symptom, I contend, here and elsewhere, that Marx’s mature critique of political economy already anticipates the later analytic idea of Trieb. In fact, I would go so far as to credit Marx with (also) being the inventor of the analytic drive (albeit avant la lettre).
Introduction
Authors: Gržinić Marina , Pristovšek Jovita
Published: February 2024

Introduction to Filozofski vestnik 44/2 (2023), special issue, The Body in The Field of Tensions between Biopolitics and Necropolitics: Analyzing the Future of the Prosthetic Body in the 21st Century, ed. Marina Gržinić and Jovita Pristovšek.
The Body in the Field of Tensions between Biopolitics and Necropolitics
Authors: Gržinić Marina
Published: February 2024

The article contributes to the understanding of how societal conflict, aggression, and racism are intertwined with the concepts of the body and necropolitics. Achille Mbembe’s exploration of historical conflicts refers to the way in which states and other necropolitical entities exert control over life and death. Persistent conflicts reflect a form of necropolitics in which certain groups are subjected to violence and death as a means of maintaining power. Frank B. Wilderson III’s analysis of aggression towards Black individuals reveals how the body, particularly the Black body, is subjected to policing and violence. This speaks to the concept of necropolitics as it highlights how certain bodies are deemed expendable or “killable” in society, and how the policing of Blackness can be seen as a form of controlling and subjugating these bodies. The rationalization of racist acts against meticulously selected groups and bodies that are highly racialized in contemporary necrocapitalism illustrates how the politics of death and violence are used to maintain class and racist hierarchies and control over different bodies.
Differential Body Politic beyond Pacified Techno-Futures
Authors: Isanović Adla
Published: February 2024

By critically analyzing the status and differentiation of bodies and their lives, the author expands the vision of governmentality beyond the West in order to define the body beyond the pacified techno-promises of their emancipation through fragmentation, calculability and programmability. By elaborating the nature, power, and promises of dominant digital technologies and technobodies, the author conceptualizes them in relation to the shift between bio- and necropolitics/power and in relation to violence, (digital) coloniality, and racialization to which bodies are exposed. It is about the normality of violence against the Other, also in relation to the principle of separation of virtual bodies and “surplus flesh,” which increases exponentially with technological development. The author seeks to understand how we have come to the point where techno-objects are humanized, given agency, while the body and life of the Other are dehumanized, deprived of any rights. The article contextualizes and re-politicizes the shifting relations between subject and object, particularly within our forensic contemporaneity.
Where Did the Unconscious Go?
Authors: Cerda-Rueda Alejandro
Published: February 2024

It has been suggested that due to AI-technology-generated gadgets, a digital unconscious enables the probable annulment of the Freudian unconscious. The purpose of this article is to delve into Freudian topography as a way to demonstrate that this foreclosure of the unconscious was somewhat present in Freud as of 1920. In addition, regardless of solid attempts at the extinction of the unconscious by contemporary demands, I will focus on how the capitalist discourse and AI-generated technology propose a different form of social bond. Finally, the conceptualization of pain (Schmerz) is important for ascribing a different modality to the Freudian unconscious than in recent dissertations, but most importantly, it is a significant element for analytical experience to function properly where it must not be aligned with suffering. An era without an unconscious may foretell a time where enjoyment, as a form of subjectivity, is effaced.
Emergence of clinically suspected listeriosis in goats: a sporadic outbreak in Jaffna district, Sri Lanka
Authors: Amutha P. , Briyangari A. , Prabaharan T.
Published: February 2024

Listeriosis is an infectious disease affecting ruminants and a serious foodborne illness in humans. Index cases with neurological signs suspected of Listeriosis were reported from ten Veterinary ranges of Jaffna District in August 2021. Field investigation with 937 animals from 262 farms revealed the characteristic clinical manifestations of the disease. The brain samples of dead animals were subjected to microbiological and histopathological analysis and confirmed as Listeriosis. Antibiotic sensitivity test was performed using disc diffusion method and amoxicillin, tetracycline, enrofloxacin and trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole were found to be sensitive to the isolates of suspected Listeria monocytogenes.The outbreak affected the goats regardless of breed and sex with a high incidence in goats of 1-3 years of age. Encephalitic form of Listeriosis was primarily observed with a high case fatality rate (77.8%). The mortality rate was high (84%) in adult goats and a low recovery rate (22.22%) was recorded in the overall population despite the routine therapeutic interventions. However, preventive measures adapted to control the outbreak within and outside the district were a success. This is the first report of the emergence of a Listeriosis outbreak in Jaffna District and it highlights the need to initiate preventive strategies for the future occurrence of Listeriosis as it is a possible threat to public health.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on dermatology patients with rare skin diseases
Authors: Vargu Migena , Dedej Sabina , Vasili Ermira
Published: February 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global health crisis, presenting novel challenges while worsening preexisting difficulties for individuals with rare diseases. Internationally, they have experienced disruptions in their medical care, with a lack of access to essential treatments and diagnostics. We focused on the specific challenges faced by individuals living with rare skin diseases in Albania, a country with limited healthcare infrastructure. The pandemic led to a significant decrease in our service, resulting in an 87.1% reduction in patients hospitalized in 2020 compared to 2019. Notable gender and age disparities were observed in hospitalizations, with a shift towards more male patients and a decline in younger age groups seeking medical attention. Innovative approaches such as telemedicine helped maintain care for this vulnerable patient population. Further research is required to understand the long-term impacts of the pandemic on individuals with rare skin diseases and develop strategies for their care in future emergencies.
Same-day discharge after elective percutaneous closure of patent foramen ovale
Authors: Martins da Costa Catarina , Amador Ana Filipa , Pinto Roberto , Bragança Bruno , Oliveira Inês , Silva João Carlos , Rodrigues Rui André
Published: February 2024

Percutaneous closure of the patent foramen ovale (PFO) is increasingly performed in specific patients with cryptogenic stroke or clinical evidence of a paradoxical embolism. This study was performed to determine the safety of same-day discharge (SDD) following such procedures. This is a prospective, observational study of patients undergoing elective percutaneous PFO closure in a single tertiary center in Portugal between January 2020 and July 2023. AmplatzerTM devices (St. Jude Medical, St. Paul, MN, USA) and NobblestichTM EL (HeartStitch, Inc., Fountain Valley, CA, USA) were used. After 6 months, the following events were looked at: post-procedural paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, stroke, unplanned cardiac re-hospitalization, urgent cardiac surgery, major vascular complications, pericardial effusions, device embolization, and death. We studied 122 consecutive patients (52% female, 68; 48±12 years old) who had elective percutaneous closure with success and no complications. Forty-nine (40%) had SDD. AmplatzerTM devices were used more frequently in the SDD group, while NobblestichTM EL was more common in the overnight group. During the overnight group's follow-up period, there was one non-cardiovascular death; there were no further events. SDD after elective percutaneous closure of PFO was shown to be a safe and successful patient management method, including NobblestichTM, which we describe for the first time. Our results prove the safety of this same-day discharge strategy. We hypothesize that in the near future, in selected cases, PFO closure might become an ambulatory procedure.
Effects of internal limiting membrane peeling versus non-internal limiting membrane peeling during vitrectomy for diabetic tractional retinal detachment on postoperative macular thickness, foveal contour, and formation of epiretinal membranes
Authors: Rashid Ahmed M. , Al Aswad Mahmoud A. , Awadallah Ali K. , Mohamed Mohamed M.
Published: February 2024

Aim

To investigate the impact of internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling during vitrectomy for diabetic tractional retinal detachment (TRD) on postoperative central macular thickness, foveal contour, and creation or reformation of epiretinal membranes.

Methods

In a randomized trial, patients aged 40–65 years old with TRD were recruited from the outpatient clinic in Suez Canal University Hospital from August 2020 to February 2022. Patients were randomized into two groups: group 1 did vitrectomy with ILM peeling, while group 2 did vitrectomy without ILM peeling. At 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, optical coherence tomography (OCT) was carried out to investigate the central macular thickness (CMT), foveal contour, and epiretinal membrane’s presence. For categorical variables, the Chi-squared test or Fisher’s exact test was performed, while the Student’s t-test was used to assess differences in continuous data.

Results

Thirty-two patients (16 in each group) completed the required follow-up. There was no significant difference between both groups concerning the affected eye (P=1.00). There was no statistically significant difference regarding the CMT recorded via optical coherence tomography at any point of follow-up in the two groups (P=0.289). Also, there was no statistically significant difference regarding the presence of foveal depression at any point of follow-up in the two groups (P=0.680). On the other hand, the percentage of patients who showed no presence of epiretinal membranes in the ILM peeling group was statistically significant when compared with the non-ILM peeling group (P<0.001).

Conclusions

ILM peeling decreases the incidence of epiretinal membrane proliferation following diabetic vitrectomy.
Low vision in school-age children in Menoufia Governorate
Authors: El Ghoubashy Esraa S. , Gad Mohamed N. , Wagdy Faried M. , Zaki Marwa A.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To assess the causes and management of low vision in school-age children in Menoufia Governorate.

Patients and methods

This prospective study was made among 140 children with vision impairment aged from 6 to 18 years who came to the low-vision clinic of the Department of Ophthalmology of Menoufia University Hospitals with visual acuity less than 6/18 in the better eye best correction. A complete history was obtained. Complete examination of the anterior and posterior segments was done. Strabismus existence was determined. Refractive errors were measured. Before and after using low-vision aids, near and far visual acuity was measured.

Results

The mean age of patients was 11.94±3.61 years; 76 (54.29%) of the children were males and 64 (45.71%) of the children were females. According to the distribution of the diagnoses, hereditary fundus dystrophies were the most prevalent diagnosis among the children, accounting for 28.57% of diagnoses, followed by albinism (20%). The rehabilitation techniques that were mostly used were telescopic glasses (54.29%) for distant vision, electronic magnifiers (31.43%), and optical magnifiers (20.0%) for near vision. Low-vision devices were shown to significantly improve both near and distant visual acuity.

Conclusions

Visual rehabilitation for school-age children with visual impairment can result in a considerable improvement in both distant and near vision. As a result, pediatricians and ophthalmologists must recommend vision rehabilitation for children with vision impairment.
An Adolescent Female with a Resistant Barking Cough: Challenges Faced in Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Kharb Aakanksha , Agrawal Anand , Garg Sunny , Kumar Devinder , Singh Jogender
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Somatic cough syndrome is a frequently overlooked cause of chronic cough. Most cases are concentrated in the pediatric or adolescent age groups. This case report describes a 16-year-old female suffering from somatic cough syndrome. The patient presented with complaints of cough for the past 9 months which was sudden in onset, progressive, nonproductive, and interfering with her daily routine activities and had a characteristic barking feature. Her general physical, systemic examination, and investigations were unremarkable. She did not show improvement with multiple trials of bronchodilators, antitussive medications, and antibiotics. On psychiatric evaluation, it was found that 9 months back, the patient had a stressful event at school. Then, she was started on suggestion therapy, and later, psychotropics were also added. As there was only mild improvement, the patient was planned for cerebral aversion to electrical stimuli. She showed significant improvement after the three sessions. Her response was sustained for the next year on follow-ups. This case emphasizes the need for a multidisciplinary approach for the early detection, and management of this challenging illness for better results for such patients.
The Role of Ultrasonography in Diagnosing and Managing Sialolithiasis: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Chen Yen-Chun , Yueh Hann-Ziong , Lu Shih-Chun , Lin Che-Hsuan
Published: February 2024

Sialolith-induced obstructive sialadenitis is a commonly encountered clinical scenario, yet the variations in the size and location of the stone can complicate immediate clinical assessment. Utilizing dynamic ultrasound imaging along with specific structural markers can provide valuable, immediate objective evidence in diagnosing submandibular sialolithiasis. This initial ultrasound evaluation streamlines the decision-making process by facilitating the timely scheduling of confirmatory computed tomography scans and guiding subsequent surgical interventions. This case report illustrates how in-office ultrasonography expedited the diagnosis and subsequent surgical decision-making process for submandibular sialolithiasis within a span of just 1 week.
Weight Status and its Relationship with Corona Fear, Food Diversity, and Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents
Authors: Sohoolian Mojgan , Alizadeh Ahad , Shiri-Shahsava Mohammad Reza , Amerzadeh Mohammad , Razzaghi Alireza , Javadi Maryam
Published: February 2024

Introduction:

The social restrictions implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic likely influenced children's and adolescent's lifestyles and nutrition. This study sought to assess student dietary quality and physical activity levels during the pandemic, as well as examine their association with overweight risk.

Methods:

Four hundred and fifty-eight students aged 7–12 years old in Karaj, Iran, completed online self-administered questionnaires assessing diet, physical activity, and coronavirus fear. Using Kant's method and the Food Frequency Questionnaire, we obtained diversity scores for five food groups. Data were analyzed using R statistical software. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results:

The mean dietary diversity score (DDS) was the lowest for the meat group and highest for the fruit group. A significant inverse relationship was observed between the meat group diversity score and student weight status (P = 0.02). The interaction of coronavirus fear and weight status with the meat group DDS was also significant in multivariate adjustment modeling (P = 0.018). Among overweight students, body mass index had a meaningful negative correlation with physical activity levels (r = −0.018, P = 0.016). In addition, a significant inverse association was detected between coronavirus fear and physical activity in univariate modeling (β = −145.47, 95% confidence interval: −248.81–−42.12, P ≤ 0.006).

Conclusion:

A significant association between coronavirus fear and reductions in physical activity as well as weight gain was observed. The study group also did not demonstrate sufficient dietary diversity. Therefore, we recommend promoting diet variety and physical activity for students as part of health-focused school curricula.
Psychometric Properties of Instruments Assessing Intrinsic Capacity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Chen Yi-Jung , Kukreti Shikha , Yang Hsin-Lun , Liu Chien-Chih , Yeh Ya-Chin , Fung Xavier C. C. , Liu Chieh-Hsiu , Liu Li-Fan , Griffiths Mark D. , Yang Yi-Ching , Lin Chung-Ying
Published: February 2024

Introduction:

Intrinsic capacity (IC) is a multidimensional indicator proposed by the World Health Organization that encompasses mental and physical capacities associated with functional ability. With the help of IC, different pathways of aging can be better understood, and heterogeneity can be captured more effectively. Before IC can be clinically incorporated, it requires valid and usable instruments alongside a comprehensive evaluation of psychometric evidence. Therefore, the present systematic review critically appraised, compared, and summarized the measurement properties of existing IC instruments used by older people.

Methods:

Published studies were searched in seven databases: EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science, until August 2022. The measurement properties of the IC measures were evaluated using the COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN).

Results:

Of the 582 papers initially identified, 10 studies were eligible for inclusion. Seven instruments were classified as five-domain measures, and three as more than five-domain measures. No instrument assessed all nine criteria in the psychometric properties evaluation outlined by COSMIN. The most reported psychometric properties were construct validity (n = 8), measurement invariance (n = 8), and structural validity (n = 7). There was underreporting of content validity, reliability, and measurement error.

Conclusion:

The present review indicated a general lack of psychometric assessments of existing IC instruments with independent studies as their evidence base. There is a need to explore further the associations of IC and its five domains of interaction, which express the ability of individuals to interact with the environment and affect their functional ability.
Emotion Regulation and Prospective Memory in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Khan Azizuddin , Sarna Karamjeet Kaur , Khan Waheeda
Published: February 2024

Introduction:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has often been associated with emotion dysregulation and poor memory functions. While both these aspects are integral to daily life, understanding their relationship with individuals with ASD is critical. Previous research has indicated amplified emotional response, suggesting emotion dysregulation to be a core feature of ASD. Findings in the area of prospective memory (PM) yield inconsistent results. Therefore, this study aims to explore parental assessment of emotion regulation (ER) strategies and PM in children with ASD.

Methods:

This cross-sectional research was conducted using proxy reports by parents using snowball sampling between the ages of 5 and 12 years (n = 40) and analyzed using ANOVA.

Results:

The factorial ANOVA revealed that children with ASD exhibited significantly lower utilization of cognitive reappraisal strategies compared to the neurotypical group (F [1, 78] = 29.829, P < 0.001). In addition, significant main effects were observed for cue (F [1, 78] = 4.191, P = 0.044) and term (F [1, 78] = 35.669, P < 0.001). However, the main effect of memory was not found to be statistically significant (F [1, 78] = 3.194, P = 0.078). Furthermore, a substantial group effect was detected in the context of memory performance (F [1, 78] = 135.170, P < 0.01).

Conclusion:

The findings suggest that parent rating on ER and PM can adequately provide an insight into the actual performance of children.
The incidence of secondary neoplasms in retinoblastoma survivors who underwent radiation therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Casey Anthea , Barliana Julie Dewi
Published: February 2024

Secondary neoplasms are a significant cause of mortality among retinoblastoma survivors, particularly when exposed to radiation. This systematic review aims to investigate the association between radiation exposure and the incidence of secondary neoplasms in retinoblastoma survivors. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, ProQuest, and EBSCOhost databases to gather relevant studies. Studies written in English about the incidence of secondary neoplasms in retinoblastoma patients who underwent radiotherapy were included. Retinoblastoma patients who did not receive radiotherapy were regarded as the control group. Studies involving animals and those without a control group were excluded. No date restrictions were applied. The last search was performed on April 6, 2022. The study selection process was presented in a flow diagram following the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic reviews Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Risk of Bias in nonrandomized Studies of Interventions tool. Statistical analysis was performed using the Cochrane RevMan software (version 5.4.1). Five studies comprising a total of 3324 retinoblastoma patients were included. Of these, 290 (8.72%) patients developed secondary neoplasms, with 250 (86.21%) receiving radiotherapy. The results indicated that retinoblastoma patients who received radiotherapy had a higher risk of developing secondary neoplasms, with a pooled risk ratio of 5.12 (95% confidence interval 3.56–7.36, I
2 = 14%). The findings of this review highlight the importance of considering the risk of developing secondary neoplasms when treating retinoblastoma. Regular medical surveillance for secondary neoplasms should be a standard part of care for retinoblastoma survivors, particularly those exposed to radiation.