bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Association between Atopic Dermatitis Severity and Mood Disturbance among Adults: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Albakr Farah F. , Barakeh Maee M. , Alsanad Layan F. , Obaid Sultan B. , Alhawas Feras , Alsalamah Seham , Obaid Shahad B. , Alsuwayhib Alya , Alangari Abdullah O. , Obaid Sulaiman O. , Almukhadeb Eman
Published: December 2024

Background:

Atopic dermatitis (AD), also known as eczema, is a chronic skin condition characterized by inflammation, itching, redness, and irritation of the skin. It affects a significant percentage of the global and local population. Eczema is associated with mood disturbances such as anxiety and depression. However, data on the impact of eczema severity on psychological health in adult eczema patients remain scarce. Addressing this correlation is crucial for improving therapy and clinical outcomes for eczema patients.

Purpose:

This study was carried out to assess the correlation between AD disease severity and mood disturbance in adult AD patients in King Khalid University Hospital (KKUH); a teaching facility with general and subspecialty medical services in King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

This study is a cross-sectional study targeting adults diagnosed with AD in KKUH. Patients visiting the dermatology clinic during the study period from March 2023 to August 2023 were asked to fill out an online based self-administered questionnaire to assess AD severity and psychological distress using the Patient-Oriented Eczema Measure (POEM) tool and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Itch Questionnaire Mood and Sleep instruments respectively. Only patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0 version statistical software.

Results:

Among 507 participants with AD, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and asthma were the highest concomitant associations. About 42.8% of participants with very severe AD had moderate mood disturbance. Among participants with very severe AD, 66% of them were diagnosed more than 5 years ago, and 71% had their last AD symptoms less than 6 months ago. AD severity was significantly associated with female gender, longer disease duration, and more recent episodes of AD symptoms. Mood disturbances were significantly associated with AD severity, disease duration, and the presence of sinusitis (55.6%, P = 0.009).

Conclusion:

Given the high prevalence of mood disturbances among AD patients, it is critical for health-care professionals and caregivers to recognize the mental health impact of AD and incorporate appropriate psychiatric screening methods into the management plan of AD patients so that they can be properly assessed and referred for appropriate therapy.
Unmasking the Hidden: A Case of Left Atrial Myxoma with Myriad Presentations Initially Overlooked
Authors: Shivashankarappa Arun B. , Kumar Pranav S. , Sridhar Lakshmana , Kumar Prasanna Simha Mohan , Ramegowda Kalpana Saligram , Bhat Prabhavathi
Published: December 2024

Cardiac myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors and are usually benign. They vary in size and location, with the left atrium (LA) being the most common site, typically attached to the fossa ovalis. Their manifestations range from asymptomatic to severe obstructive cardiac symptoms, embolic manifestations, or systemic findings, which can often occur without any primary cardiac symptoms. Here is a case of a 48-year-old man who initially presented with ischemic stroke. The myxoma was missed, and he later developed diverse manifestations such as weight loss and anorexia, ultimately presenting with biventricular failure. LA myxoma with biventricular failure is rare. Our patient showed significant improvement in both clinical status and biventricular function following myxoma excision.
Pericardial Mass in an Immunocompetent Young Male – An Elusive Case
Authors: Sachdeva Sidhant , Tandon Rohit , Sharma Kartik Joshua , Gupta Rajiv
Published: December 2024

Invasive Cardiac aspergilloma involving only the pericardium are extremely rare tumors especially in patient who is not immunocomprised. Multimodality imaging is necessary although definitive diagnosis requires surgical excision because usually these patients require lifelong antifungal therapy.
Loeffler’s Endocarditis – Unforgiving Eosinophilic Damage to the Endocardium
Authors: Sinha Ajay , Kumar Pramod , Sharma Saket , Ranjan Shraddha
Published: December 2024

Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is defined as hypereosinophilia due to any cause (absolute eosinophil count > 1500 cells/μL) in the peripheral blood, which leads to eosinophil-mediated multiorgan damage. Cardiac involvement is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with HES. Here, we discuss a case of eosinophilia-related endomyocardial involvement, also known as Loeffler’s endocarditis, a rare form of restrictive cardiomyopathy. Notably, on genetic analysis, he was found to have a rare FIP1-like-1-platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha-associated myeloproliferative variant of HES, which responded to imatinib, making it one of the very few reported cases of such kind.
Association of Fatigue Severity with Balance, Strength, and Functional Independence in Community Dwelling Poststroke Hemiparesis
Authors: Bhai Prajapati Nehal Harshad , Diwan Shraddha Jasmin
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Fatigue is a common and debilitating symptom experienced by many stroke survivors. Significant poststroke fatigue may predispose to other health complications such as fall, imbalance, decrease in strength, and functional independence.

Aims:

There is limited research on association of fatigue severity with balance, strength, and functional independence. Hence, it arises need of current research whether they are correlated or not and fill these gap for more accurate intervention program.

Material and Methods:

Ethic’s approval was taken. An cohort observational study was conducted on 34 poststroke survivors (acute [6], subacute [6], and chronic [22]) with mean age of 58.17 ± 9.8 years (Male:female = 28:6) from neurorehabilitation department of SBB college of physiotherapy. Subject aging between 40 and 75 years with ability to walk with/without walking aids with medium-to-low fall risk was selected. Subject with significant auditory, visual, or cognitive issues were excluded from the study. Functional independence measured (FIM) by FIM scale, fatigue with fatigue severity scale (FSS), balance by step test and strength was measured by five time sit-to-stand test. Data analyzed by SPSS version 20.

Results:

There is significant strong negative correlation between FSS and FIM (P = 0.01, r = −0.658), moderately negative correlation between FSS and step test (P = 0.071, r = −0.314) and significant moderately positive correlation between FSS and five time sit-to-stand (P = 0.006, r = 0.462).

Conclusion:

Fatigue can be a contributory factor for loss balance, strength, and functional independence. Early detection and treatment of fatigue can, therefore, help to reduce imbalance, functional dependence, and the risk of falling.
Genetic Factors and Antibodies to Vibrio cholerae in Diarrhea Patients, Central Hospital Auchi, Nigeria
Authors: Olaniyan Mathew Folaranmi , Ajiboye Kemi Felicia , Olaniyan Tolulope Busayo , Apoyovwere Obataze J. , Adeniran Medinat Taiwo , Odegbemi Odekunle Bola
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Cholera, caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, poses a significant public health challenge, particularly in regions with inadequate sanitation. Cholera outbreaks are common in low-resource settings, and understanding the genetic and immunological factors influencing susceptibility and severity is critical for developing targeted public health strategies.

Aims:

This study investigates the prevalence of Vibrio cholerae among diarrhea patients at a Central Hospital in Southsouth, Nigeria. It aims to examine the genetic factors and specific antibody responses associated with cholera susceptibility and severity.

Material and Methods:

This cross-sectional study included 300 patients presenting with acute diarrhea between January and December 2023. Stool and blood samples were collected and analyzed for *V. cholerae* isolation, genetic polymorphisms, and antibody levels. The analysis focused on toll-like receptor 4 (rs4986790) and interleukin-10 (rs1800896) polymorphisms. Specific IgG, IgM, and IgA antibody levels against V. cholerae were measured.

Results:

V. cholerae was identified in 18% of patients, with serotypes O1 and O139 being the most prevalent. Genetic analysis revealed significant associations between toll-like receptor 4 (rs4986790) polymorphisms and increased susceptibility to V. cholerae infection. In contrast, interleukin-10 (rs1800896) polymorphisms were associated with higher antibody levels and reduced disease severity. Infected patients exhibited elevated levels of IgG, IgM, and IgA specific to V. cholerae, which correlated with milder disease outcomes.

Conclusions:

The findings highlight the influence of genetic factors and specific antibody responses in determining cholera susceptibility and disease severity. The study suggests that genetic screening could identify high-risk individuals, facilitating targeted public health interventions. Improving water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure remains essential for cholera prevention. While the cross-sectional design limits the ability to draw causal inferences, the study offers valuable insights into the genetic and immunological determinants of cholera, underscoring the need for integrated strategies to effectively manage and control cholera outbreaks.
Comparative Analysis of Immune-boosting Efficacy of Some Nigerian Medicinal Plants
Authors: Olaniyan Mathew Folaranmi , Ajiboye Kemi Felicia , Olaniyan Tolulope Busayo , Akpoyovwere Obataze Josephine , Adeniran Medinat Taiwo , Ugege Christian Onosetale , Muhibi Musa Abidemi , Odegbemi Odekunle Bola
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Nigeria boasts diverse medicinal plants traditionally used for immune enhancement. Despite widespread use, scientific validation of their efficacy remains limited. This study uses animal models to compare the immune-boosting potential of Moringa oleifera, Vernonia amygdalina, Garcinia kola, and Ocimum gratissimum.

Aim:

To evaluate the immune-boosting potential of aqueous extracts of M. oleifera, V. amygdalina, G. kola, and O. gratissimum using animal models.

Material and Methods:

Aqueous extracts of the selected plants were prepared and administered orally to male Wistar rats at 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg body weight daily for 30 days. The animals were divided into six groups: a control group; MO Group, which received M. oleifera extract; VA Group, which received V. amygdalina extract; GK Group, which received G. kola extract; OG Group, which received O. gratissimum extract; and a positive control group treated with levamisole (2.5 mg/kg). Immune function was assessed using hematological parameters, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH), hemagglutination antibody (HA) titers, neutrophil adhesion, and carbon clearance tests.

Results:

All extracts significantly increased total leukocyte counts and lymphocyte percentages compared to controls (P < 0.01). High doses of M. oleifera and O. gratissimum showed the most substantial immune-boosting effects, with leukocyte counts increasing by up to 40% over baseline, comparable to levamisole. DTH responses, HA titers (up to a 2.4-fold increase), and phagocytic indices were significantly elevated by plant extracts (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

This study provides evidence supporting the immune-boosting properties of M. oleifera, V. amygdalina, G. kola, and O. gratissimum, underscoring their potential as natural immunomodulators with applications in therapeutic development.
The Correlation between Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Related to Diabetes Involving Ayurveda and Yoga in two Ayurveda and Allopathy Hospitals of Bengaluru
Authors: Vrinda  , Bhat Sulochana , Anjana K. S. , Kavya N. , Monica K. P.
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Diabetes is classified as an epidemic disease necessitating utmost contemplation for both controlling its onset and managing the condition effectively. To achieve this, a fundamental awareness of diabetes and the benefits Ayurveda and yoga can provide to combat the disease must be familiarized.

Aims:

The objective of the study is to understand the awareness of diabetes, perception and practices related to it and the role of Ayurveda and Yoga in its management within the population.

Materials and Methods:

It is a multi-centric hospital-based analytical cross-sectional study with a sample of 1200 participants. Eligible candidates visiting two government Ayurveda hospitals and allopathy hospitals each situated in urban and rural regions of Bangalore situated in Southern India of South Asia were made to answer or fill the structured questionnaire. It was subsequently converted to a digital format for statistical analysis. Overall KAP scores were calculated using Bloom’s cut-off point. P-value less than 0.05 and less than 0.001 were considered statistically significant. A Pearson correlation coefficient was employed to determine the relationship between knowledge, attitude and practice.

Results:

Our study showed good knowledge (49.58%) but moderate attitude (58.67%) and practice (47.5%) among the population. There was a weak but significant correlation between knowledge and attitude (r=0.181) as well as between knowledge and practice (r=0.349). But no correlation was found between attitude and practice (r=0.048).

Conclusions:

Combating the diabetes epidemic requires more than just raising awareness about the disease. Encouraging healthy behaviors and shifting people’s perspective around lifestyle choices is paramount to effectively address the root cause of increasing rate of diabetes.
The chronicles of green complex bacteria
Authors: Ojha Moitri , Amrita  , Gupta Disha , Verma Vartika
Published: December 2024

Periodontal pathogens have always captivated the attention of periodontists and microbiologists as it account for causing periodontal disease in 90% of the population globally. Clinical and experimental studies have confirmed that destructive activity on the periodontium is due to certain strains of bacteria that occupy a relatively small portion of dental biofilm. Among them, the green and the red complex bacteria enjoy the popularity of being the most notorious strain in disease initiation and progression. The genera of green complex bacteria comprise three pathogens- Aggregatibacter actinomyecetecomitans, Capnocytophaga, and Eikenella corrodens. The group possesses several stratagems and key elements that aid them in escaping the immune surveillance and creating a harsh environment for the periodontium. The review focuses on defining the green complex bacteria and their role in periodontitis.
Comparative evaluation of Fascin-1 with clinicopathological parameters and recurrence in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Saify Fatema , Chaudhary Minal , Tiwari Nidhi , Jain Shilpa , Deb Sikhdar Sarbani , Sood Meenakshi
Published: December 2024

Background:

Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common epithelial malignancy of the oral cavity. The 5-year survival rate is approximately 50% and is even lower, that is, 30% in the patients with recurrence of this disease. Because recurrence has a major influence on 5-year survival, it becomes imperative to identify the molecular elements responsible for the recurrence of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Aim:

To evaluate the expression of fascin-1 and its correlation with clinicopathological parameters and recurrence in the patients of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials and Methods:

A cohort study was conducted in the Department of Oral Pathology, SPDC, Wardha. A 4 μm thick section from paraffin-embedded blocks of formalin-fixed biopsy tissues of 60 cases having primary oral squamous cell carcinoma was processed and stained with mouse monoclonal fascin-1 (Clone: SPM133) antibodies.

Results:

In the present study, all cases which had a final score above 2, denotes a strong positive immunostaining of fascin in OSCC. Tumour size was significantly correlated with fascin expression, whereas no significant association was found for other parameters, such as age, gender, node involvement, and grade of the tumour and recurrence.

Conclusion:

Fascin was found to be significantly correlated with tumour size. Fascin expression was found to be related with recurrence but no significant association exists. As recurrence is directly related to the poor prognosis and survival rate; so, it is essential to identify molecular markers indicative of recurrence. Fascin can be used to identify a subset of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients that are prone to recurrence.
Assessment of clinical and histopathological changes in leukoplakia using curcumin lozenges based on revised WHO criteria- A pilot study
Authors: Khare Parul , Devra Anshu Gupta , Patidar Madhvika , Punga Rohit , Gupta Nirupama , Sohn Soo-Yeon
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Oral epithelial dysplasia, such as leukoplakia has a risk of malignant transformation. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol with anticancer properties, has been explored for many years as an alternative treatment for leukoplakia.

Aim:

To evaluate clinical and histopathological changes in oral leukoplakia from curcumin lozenges, this study compares pre- and post-medication effects. It is the first to involve general and oral pathologists from India and the USA, who independently assessed changes using WHO 2022 criteria.

Material and Method:

The study involved 10 patients and was conducted in three phases. Initial biopsy, and administration of curcumin lozenges (2 tablets thrice daily for 3 months) with clinical evaluation every month followed by a second biopsy.

Results:

Post-medication, clinically in a few cases reduction of lesion size was observed as a change from white to gray patches. Histopathological analysis was subjective and the three experts reported an overall improvement in architectural as well as cytological features suggesting the possible use of curcumin in treating cases of mild dysplasia.

Conclusion:

The pilot study suggests curcumin lozenges may benefit leukoplakia patients, but the small sample size limits definitive conclusions. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings and assess long-term efficacy. WHO 2022 criteria showed subjectivity and variability. Despite this, they were useful for identifying specific changes. To the best of our knowledge to date, no other study has validated these WHO 2022 features in repeated biopsies.
Gingival exophytic lesions – A proposed diagnostic algorithm to approach the clinical enigma
Authors: Rehani Shweta , Sethi Sneha , Khorana Sonia
Published: December 2024

A diagnostic algorithm is a step-by-step method of diagnosis using a combination of symptoms or signs to identify pathology wherein even various different investigations can also be applied. As solitary gingival exophytic lesions are frequently encountered and commonly misdiagnosed; so well organized diagnostic algorithm is imperative to reach correct diagnosis timely. The purpose of this brief communication is to provide such diagnostic algorithm wherein valuable points such as lesional clinical presentation as well as their microscopic points are incorporated. Such an algorithm is illustrative and can be easily used by dental practitioners in their regular routine dental practice.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors: Utilizing patient’s own immunity to treat oral cancer
Authors: Phulari Rashmi GS , Solanki Bharvi
Published: December 2024

Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma is an immunosuppressive state. HNSCC evades immune responses through multiple resistance mechanisms. Because of better understanding of interaction between tumour microenvironment and immune regulators, there is increasing interest in role of immunotherapy as a treatment modality of HNSCC. Many clinical trials have been performed using checkpoint inhibitors, as monotherapies and combination therapies. Immune checkpoint molecule, programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) has shown promising results as a treatment of Recurrent and Metastatic HNSCC. This review discusses immune checkpoint molecules, their functional mechanisms, role of immunotherapy as a monotherapies and combination therapy for better treatment and prognosis of HNSCC patients.
Liquid-based cytology in the diagnosis of oral pre-cancer, cancer, and other oral lesions – A narrative review
Authors: Hegde Usha , Sheshanna Sreeshyla H. , Jaishankar HP , Shashidara R
Published: December 2024

Though cytology is one of the most simple and economical diagnostic techniques, several disadvantages set it back as a good diagnostic tool. Liquid-based cytology (LBC) is an advanced diagnostic cytological technique that is being technically modified from conventional cytology to produce better sample preparation to aid in improved diagnosis. It produces a more representative sample of the specimen, with reduced obscuring background material which allows for faster and more reliable screening. Instead of being spread onto a glass slide and fixed, the samples are suspended in a vial of liquid preservative, processed to break the clot and remove the debris. The cell pellet is then placed onto the glass slide to obtain a thin monolayer of cells with a clean background. LBC is found to have several advantages against the conventional techniques. LBC has been researched in cervical cytology and has shown good sensitivity, specificity, improved sampling, and quality of smears. It has been adopted to study several oral lesions and has been found to be a reliable substitute for conventional smear. This article reviews LBC technique and its applications to oral diseases, in specific to oral cancer and pre-cancer.
Study on thyroid autoimmunity of oral lichen planus and oral lichenoid mucositis
Authors: Lavanya C , Ranganathan K.
Published: December 2024

Context:

Oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral lichenoid mucositis (OLM) are immune-mediated mucosal conditions with multifactorial etiology, with similar clinical and histological characteristics. Diagnosis should be confirmed considering both clinical and histological aspects. Some subsets are associated with immune-mediated thyroid dysfunction due to anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TGA).

Aims:

To ascertain the presence of thyroid autoantibodies in a cohort of patients with OLP and OLM from a South Indian population.

Methods and Materials:

This observational study comprised 21 patients with 7 cases of OLP (Group I) and 14 cases of OLM (Group II) who reported from 2021–2023 for 2 years. Serum anti-thyroid antibodies including TPO and TGA was estimated using chemiluminescence immunoassay technique along with clinical and histological aspects. Altered levels of serological parameters were compared with respect to these auto-immune conditions.

Results:

Increased level of thyroid autoantibodies was observed in three (42%) of the seven cases of OLP. Two cases had elevated TPO (3-4 folds) and TGA (6-38 folds) and the subjects were above 50 years. Seven (50%) of the 14 OLM cases exhibited increased thyroid autoantibody levels and were above 50 years, predominantly females. TPO levels were increased in the range of 12 to 178 and TGA from 2 to 136 folds. Duration of these lesions were more than a year.

Conclusions:

Increased thyroid autoantibodies observed in both OLP and OLM represent an underlying autoimmune response. Long-term monitoring will enable the clinicians to correlate the antibody levels with the management of these lesions.
Diagnosis of traumatic liver injury on computed tomography using machine learning algorithms and radiomics features: The role of artificial intelligence for rapid diagnosis in emergency rooms
Authors: Alimiri Dehbaghi Hanieh , Khoshgard Karim , Sharini Hamid , Khairabadi Samira Jafari
Published: December 2024

Background:

The initial assessment of trauma is a time-consuming and challenging task. The purpose of this research is to examine the diagnostic effectiveness and usefulness of machine learning models paired with radiomics features to identify blunt traumatic liver injury in abdominal computed tomography (CT) images.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, 600 CT scan images of people with mild and severe liver damage due to trauma and healthy people were collected from the Kaggle dataset. The axial images were segmented by an experienced radiologist, and radiomics features were extracted from each region of interest. Initially, 30 machine learning models were implemented, and finally, three machine learning models were selected including Light Gradient-Boosting Machine (LGBM), Ridge Classifier, and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and their performance was examined in more detail.

Results:

The two criteria of precision and specificity of LGBM and XGBoost models in diagnosing mild liver injury were calculated to be 100%. Only 6.00% of cases were misdiagnosed by the LGBM model. The LGBM model achieved 100% sensitivity and 99.00% accuracy in diagnosing severe liver injury. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value and precision of this model were also calculated to be 99.00% and 98.00%, respectively.

Conclusion:

The artificial intelligence models used in this study have great potential to improve patient care by assisting radiologists and other physicians in diagnosing and staging trauma-related liver injuries. These models can help prioritize positive studies, allow more rapid evaluation, and identify more severe injuries that may require immediate intervention.
Clinical Outcome of Arthroscopic Management of Mucoid Degeneration of Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Authors: Ballal Madan Mohan , Chidanand K. J. C. , Yadav Vijendra , Dhanda Akshay , Nagaraja Chetan , Gowda Sachin K.
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Mucoid degeneration of the anterior cruciate ligament (MDACL) is a poorly understood entity. The collection of mucinous material in the substance of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) produces pain and thus limits motion in the knee. This study involves clinic-radiological presentation of patients with mucoid ACL, arthroscopic de-bulking of ACL and outcomes.

Materials and Methods:

Between September 2021 and October 2022, 24 patients were diagnosed with MDACL. All cases were examined clinically followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) then confirmed by arthroscopy findings and then were sent for histopathology reporting. Clinical data, including pain location, terminal flexion or extension pain, range of motion, Lysholm knee score, and International Knee Documentation Committee score, were assessed pre- and postoperatively. MRI showing an increased signal of the ACL in T1-and T2-weighted images was reported as mucoid degeneration of the ACL by the radiologist. Upon arthroscopy, the ACL had a homogenous, bulbous, hypertrophied, and taut appearance occupying most of the intercondylar notch space. Debulking of the ACL was performed by excision of the degenerated mucoid tissue, leaving behind as much of the intact ACL as possible, and notchplasty helped prevent impingement of the ACL against the roof and lateral wall. Unfortunately, in 4 (16.67%) patients, we had to reconstruct the ligament due to the ACL insufficiency to stabilize the knee.

Results:

Thirteen patients were males (54.17%), and eleven (45.83%) patients were females, with a mean age of 36.7 years for males (range 19–63 years) and 41.7 years for females (range 28–73 years). All patients had pain in deep flexion, with 70.8% (n = 1 7) reporting trivial trauma before the onset of symptoms. On terminal flexion/extension, pain relief was obtained in 19 of 20 knees, ranging from good to excellent. Stability tests for ACL showed a firm endpoint in all. GNRB arthrometer examination revealed a tibial translation comparable to the noninvolved side, and 85% (n = 20) showed good to excellent subjective satisfaction.

Conclusions:

Prior knowledge of the condition with a high suspicion index and careful MRI interpretation can establish the diagnosis preoperatively. They respond well to a judicious arthroscopic debulking of the ACL with or without notchplasty, improving patient satisfaction and function without causing clinical instability in daily activities. However, young patients should be forewarned about the risk of instability, and the necessity of ACL reconstruction in the future.
A Study on Onychoscopic Findings of Various Benign Nail Disorders
Authors: Puri Neerja , Brar Balvinder Kaur , Goyal Sheenu , Kumar Sumir
Published: December 2024

Introduction:

Nail disorders comprise approximately 10% of all dermatological conditions. As diagnosis is not always possible by clinical means alone, additional diagnostic procedures may be required at times. Onychoscopy is a valuable aid in enhancing visible nail features and may help in avoiding nail biopsy in unnecessary cases.

Aims and Objective:

The aim of the study was to determine dermoscopic features of various nail disorders and to correlate dermoscopic findings with the clinical picture.

Materials and Methods:

The study was conducted in the outpatient department of dermatology, venereology and leprology using a hand-held self-illuminated Dermlite DL4N dermoscope. Various patients with nail disorders were examined clinically, a dermoscopy of nails (onychoscopy) was done and dermoscopy findings were correlated with clinical diagnosis. The photographic documentation of the clinical, as well as the dermoscopic picture, was done.

Results:

The study included 126 patients with a diagnosis of onychomycosis, psoriasis, lichen planus, eczema, alopecia areata, subungual hematoma and longitudinal melanonychia. The most common onychoscopic finding was onycholysis (92%) with irregular borders (56%) in psoriasis, onycholysis (95%) with spiked pattern (62%) in onychomycosis, longitudinal ridging (62.5%) in lichen planus, uniform-coloured bands in melanonychia, regular pitting (83%) in alopecia areata, brownish discolouration in a subungual hematoma.

Conclusions:

Onychoscopy is a non-invasive, office-based technique applied for a better understanding of nail pathology and to avoid unnecessary investigations. For some diseases, zooming in adds a lot to clinical examination and reveals suggestive features not otherwise visible to the naked eye.
Intralesional corticotherapy for giant orbital capillary hemangioma
Authors: Damasceno Renato Wendell Ferreira
Published: December 2024

This study is a retrospective case report of two patients with giant orbital capillary hemangioma who underwent intralesional corticosteroid therapy with three monthly injections of 1 ml triamcinolone acetonide 20 mg/ml. The first case was a 5-month-old female patient with a reddish tumor in her left eye (OS) since birth. The ophthalmological examination revealed normalcy of ocular motility of the right eye (OD) and complete obstruction of the visual axis of the OS. The second one was a 5-month-old male patient with a reddish tumor in his OD since birth. The ophthalmological examination demonstrated complete obstruction of the visual axis of the OD and normalcy of ocular motility of the OS. Both patients underwent three monthly intralesional injections of 1 ml of triamcinolone acetonide 20 mg/ml in a surgical setting under general anesthesia. Both patients evolved satisfactorily, functionally, and esthetically, within the first 3 months of starting treatment. Full recovery was considered with the absence of amblyopia and anisometropia, the preservation of extrinsic and intrinsic ocular motility, and the absence of mass lesion according to clinical and magnetic resonance imaging findings.
Spectral off-axis phase shifting in transmission optical coherence tomography
Authors: Mazur Martyna , Krauze Wojciech , Kuś Arkadiusz , Piekarska Aleksandra , Kujawińska Małgorzata
Published: December 2024

Transmission optical coherence tomography (tOCT) is gaining interest for imaging biological samples; however, so far, quantitative phase information has not been directly obtained. This study introduces SOPHAST-OCT, an approach for integrated 2D phase recovery in Off-Axis Full-Field Swept-Source tOCT. It uses phase-shifting to leverage OCT’s inherent phase changes between recorded interferograms. SOPHAST-OCT demonstrates promising phase agreement with the simulated ground truth phase. This approach represents a first step toward quantitative imaging in tOCT. Full Text: PDF References

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Belonging in the Mix
Authors: Przybylski Liz
Published: December 2024

Whose sounds fit in the nation-state? Countering histories of erasure, this essay investigates the role of hip hop music in articulating Black and Native histories and presence in Canada. Analysis of music by Kardinal Offishall, Webster, and Winnipeg’s Most demonstrates how minority and Indigenous groups express belonging and sovereignty, respectively.
Obraz dziecka w XV‑wiecznej hagiografii krakowskiej
Authors: Pluta‑Saladra Edyta
Published: December 2024

The aim of this article is to present how the hagiographic context influenced the image of the child and to demonstrate the ways in which the experiences of young children were portrayed in the late medieval period. The fifteenth century miracles of the Krakow saints are analyzed in terms of the child’s relationship with its parents, the immediate environment, other children, as well as the ways in which young children experienced pain, suffering, and illness. Miracle arratives fulfilled important functions for the socjety of the time, shaping and depicting the socio‑cultural attitudes of the adult world towards children in a social, moral, and religious context.
Dzieciobójstwo w kulturze niemieckojęzycznej późnego oświecenia – przypadek Susanny Margarethy Brandt
Authors: Małecki Wiesław
Published: December 2024

This article aims to analyse the case of the most famous female infanticide in the German‑speaking cultural area in the eighteenth century. Susanna Margaretha Brandt, probably the prototype of Margaret in Goethe’s Faust. To do this, it was necessary to outline the cultural and, above all, the legal background to the tort of infanticide during the late German Enlightenment. A careful reading of the trial reports reveals the religious dimension of the whole process, which becomes the proper focus to consider.
Status prawny dzieci pozamałżeńskich w II Rzeczypospolitej
Authors: Fermus-Bobowiec Anna
Published: December 2024

In the Second Polish Republic, the legal status of illegitimate children was still regulated by the legislation of the invading states. Mostly, these were the regulations of the great civil codifications of the nineteenth century: The Napoleonic Code, The ABGB, The BGB, and also of the Civil Code of the Kingdom of Poland or of volume ten of The Digest of Laws of the Russian Empire. The author describes the legal status regarding the subject matter, including not only similarities but also differences among the legislations. The common feature of the regulations discussed was far‑reaching discrimination against illegitimate children in family law and inheritance law. Therefore, the Codification Commission of the Second Polish Republic faced not only the unification of the civil law, including family and inheritance law, in order to suspend the binding legislations of the invaders, but also to equalize the legal status of illegitimate children and legitimate children. Unfortunately, it was not possible to finalize the codification work on family law and inheritance law in the Second Polish Republic. However, these efforts were taken into consideration due to their later usage in the process of unification and codification of the civil law after the Second World War.
The Body of Christ as a Sacrifice to Pagan Gods? Mattathias Killing of a Jew in a Dutch History Bible of the 15th Century
Authors: Iserief Huib
Published: December 2024

Miniatures depicting the Wounds of Christ figure in many medieval manuscripts. These fascinating images look weird and alienating, without the body they were inflicted on. They also invoke the feeling we are looking at something scabrous because of their similarity to a vulva. It is uncomfortable: these miniatures depict a sacred matter, the Wounds of Christ. There shouldn’t be an association with something vulgar. Is this strange resemblance maybe a product of a dirty mind. The article attempts to answer the question: How should one approach depictions of the Wounds of Christ in medieval art? Are such depictions sacred, or scandalous?
Insights from the International Legal History Meeting of PhD Students
Authors: Vešelényiová Frederika
Published: December 2024

On September 11-12, 2024, the Department of the History of the State and Law at the Faculty of Law, Masaryk University in Brno, Czech Republic, organised an International Legal History Meeting for PhD students. This distinguished event brought together doctoral candidates specialising in legal history and roman law from multiple countries, offering them a platform to engage in meaningful scholarly dialogue, share insights from their research, and foster international collaboration.
The genome of the sapphire damselfish Chrysiptera cyanea: a new resource to support further investigation of the evolution of Pomacentrids
Authors: Gairin Emma , Miura Saori , Takamiyagi Hiroki , Herrera Marcela , Laudet Vincent
Published: December 2024

The number of high-quality genomes is rapidly increasing across taxa. However, it remains limited for coral reef fish of the Pomacentrid family, with most research focused on anemonefish. Here, we present the first assembly for a Pomacentrid of the genus Chrysiptera. Using PacBio long-read sequencing with 94.5× coverage, the genome of the Sapphire Devil, Chrysiptera cyanea, was assembled and annotated. The final assembly comprises 896 Mb pairs across 91 contigs, with a BUSCO completeness of 97.6%, and 28,173 genes. Comparative analyses with chromosome-scale assemblies of related species identified contig-chromosome correspondences. This genome will be useful as a comparison to study specific adaptations linked to the symbiotic life of closely related anemonefish. Furthermore, C. cyanea is found in most tropical coastal areas of the Indo-West Pacific and could become a model for environmental monitoring. This work will expand coral reef research efforts, highlighting the power of long-read assemblies to retrieve high quality genomes.
S. PINKER’S VIEW OF HUMAN NATURE AND DUPRÉ’S CRITIQUE OF EVOLUTIONARY PSYCHOLOGY: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS
Authors: Muhammad Irfan , Khaskhely Mahvish
Published: December 2024

One of the enduring queries in the development of human intellectual thought is, "What is human nature?" What does it mean to be a human tends to be defined by all disciplines, including religion? We all need theories about what makes people tick in order to predict how they will respond to their environment in various situations. Indeed, how we view human nature affects a number of things. People utilize it in their private lives to govern their daily routines, manage their relationships, raise their children, and influence others. Additionally, our policies in areas of collective social life like politics, law, and education are influenced by how we view human nature. Steven Pinker critically explains the modern view of human nature and its theoretical presuppositions in his widely read book The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature. Pinker contends that this contemporary account of human nature faces significant challenges in light of recent developments in the fields of biology, genetics, evolution, and the brain sciences. Because it is built on axioms that we cannot accept in light of the advancements in science over the past few decades, the current theory of human nature is conceptually unsound. This research performs a comparative analysis between Pinker’s View of Human Nature and Dupré’s Critique of Evolutionary Psychology on the principles which serve as the foundation for the influential idea of human nature, and contributes significantly in our contemporary intellectual life.
EXPLORING TIKTOK INFLUENCERS IMPACT ON PAKISTANI YOUTH: A SENTIMENT ANALYSIS
Authors: Siddiq Sadaf
Published: December 2024

The present study delves into the sentiment analysis of Pakistani youth towards TikTok influencers, employing a mixed-methods research design. The data for the present study was collected using a questionnaire consisting of both open-ended and closed-ended items. The data was collected from Pakistani youth ranging from 15 to 30 years of age (timespan was from February 2023 to September 2023). The sample of the study were 300 Pakistani youth, comprising 41.1% males and 58.9% females. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS-v20) was employed for descriptive statistics and Chi-Square test on quantitative data. While for sentiment analysis of qualitative data Azure Machine Learning add-on was used in Microsoft Excel for polarity categorization of sentiments. Chi-Square statistics revealed that the relationship between age group and following TikTok influencers was statistically significant (p=0.010) while there was no significant correlation between gender and following TikTok influencers (p= 0.421). While the qualitative analysis of the data i.e., content analysis revealed a wide spectrum of emotions and sentiments among the respondents, showcasing a varied significance of the TikTok influencers in shaping their thoughts, perceptions, and worldviews. The study offers both qualitative and quantitative insights to inform ongoing research in the realm of digital culture.
Coproducciones latinoamericanas en Festivales de Cine: cooperación, control y prestigio
Authors: Frías Luis Gerardo
Published: December 2024

La coproducción facilita la obtención de financiamiento y la distribución del producto fílmico en distintos países. Sin embargo, en términos culturales se beneficia a los países hegemónicos, pues pueden controlar las películas que se realizan en ciertas regiones como Latinoamérica. Los Festivales Internacionales de Cine son escaparates en los cuales se exhiben películas que gozarán de prestigio cultural, aunque para su selección deben alinearse al gusto de los festivales y alejarse de temáticas sociales. Este artículo examina las producciones latinoamericanas exhibidas en cuatro Festivales de clase A a partir de un análisis de contenido cuantitativo sobre la selección oficial desde el 2015 hasta el 2024. Como resultados, se obtuvo que la participación latinoamericana es limitada. La mayoría de las películas fueron coproducciones (67.12%), Francia se posicionó como la nación que más coprodujo y Argentina fue el país que más películas inscribió (54.79%). El programa Ibermedia participó en un 23.28% de las producciones y en su mayoría sin coproducción con España. Se concluye que la coproducción con países europeos sigue siendo clave para que las filmografías latinoamericanas accedan al prestigio que brindan los Festivales de Cine de clase A.
Evolución de los Lenguajes Políticos en torno a la Inteligencia Artificial Generativa en la Educación: dinámicas de Poder y Umbrales de Historicidad
Authors: Jiménez-Ocampo Sandro
Published: December 2024

Desde el 22 de noviembre de 2022, con la liberación de ChatGPT, la inteligencia artificial generativa (GenAI) ha emergido como un tema central en el ámbito educativo. Este artículo explora la evolución de los lenguajes políticos en torno a la GenAI en la educación, analizando las dinámicas de poder y los umbrales de historicidad que han moldeado su desarrollo. A través de una perspectiva de historia crítica conceptual praxeológica, siguiendo las metodologías de Elias Palti y basándose en experiencias docentes, se cuestiona el uso problemático del término "Inteligencia Artificial" y se examinan los presupuestos epistemológicos que subyacen a las interpretaciones dominantes sobre la GenAI en la educación. Se analizan los "tipos ideales" que promueven una visión tecnocéntrica y optimista de la GenAI, como la personalización del aprendizaje, la democratización del acceso y la eficiencia administrativa. El artículo critica estos enfoques por perpetuar desigualdades, profundizar el determinismo tecnológico y minimizar las dimensiones sociales, culturales y éticas de la educación. Además, se exploran los procesos de dominación y las relaciones de saber-poder asociados con la implementación de la GenAI, destacando la dependencia tecnológica, la dominación epistémica y la vigilancia sobre estudiantes y docentes. Finalmente, se aboga por la necesidad de promover narrativas de soberanía digital y autodeterminación tecnológica, especialmente en el sur global, para desarrollar soluciones tecnológicas que respondan a contextos locales y fomentar un debate más crítico y pluralista sobre el papel de la IA en la educación.
Using Virtual Exchange to Elevate Learning from an Integrated Set of High Impact Practices
Authors: Dakhli Mourad , De Farias Salomao Alencar , Wang Edward Yihuai
Published: December 2024

This paper explores the transformative potential of Virtual Exchange (VE) in international business education by analyzing three innovative VE projects implemented at Georgia State University in partnership with institutions in Morocco, Tunisia, and Portugal. These projects integrate High-Impact Practices (HIPs) such as collaborative assignments, diversity/global learning, and experiential case research, fostering cross-cultural competencies and practical skills for students. The study highlights project design, implementation, and outcomes supported by qualitative and quantitative assessment. Recommendations for educators and administrators aim to enhance the scalability and sustainability of VE initiatives, ensuring their long-term impact on global education.