bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Neutralizing Antibody Response Kinetics in Patients with Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease Caused by Coxsackievirus A16 or Enterovirus A71: A Longitudinal Cohort Study of Chinese Children, 2017–2019
Authors: Zhou Yonghong , Zhou Jiaxin , Yang Jianli , Qiu Qi , Wang Lili , Yang Junmei , Li Yu , Liang Lu , Cui Peng , Cheng Yibing , Zheng Wen , Shi Huilin , Gong Hui , Wang Kai , Zhou Chongchen , Chu Justin Jang Hann , Yu Hongjie
Published: July 2022

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), which is mainly caused by coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16) or enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), poses a serious threat to children’s health. However, the long-term dynamics of the neutralizing Ab (NAb) response and ideal paired-serum sampling time for serological diagnosis of CVA16-infected HFMD patients were unclear. In this study, 336 CVA16 and 253 EV-A71 PCR-positive HFMD inpatients were enrolled and provided 452 and 495 sera, respectively, for NAb detection. Random-intercept modeling with B-spline was conducted to characterize NAb response kinetics. The NAb titer of CVA16 infection patients was estimated to increase from negative (2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–3.3) on the day of onset to a peak of 304.8 (95% CI: 233.4–398.3) on day 21 and then remained >64 until 26 mo after onset. However, the NAb response level of EV-A71–infected HFMD patients was much higher than that of CVA16-infected HFMD patients throughout. The geometric mean titer was significantly higher in severe EV-A71–infected patients than in mild patients, with a 2.0-fold (95% CI: 1.4–3.2) increase. When a 4-fold rise in titer was used as the criterion for serological diagnosis of CVA16 and EV-A71 infection, acute-phase serum needs to be collected at 0–5 d, and the corresponding convalescent serum should be respectively collected at 17.4 (95% CI: 9.6–27.4) and 24.4 d (95% CI: 15.3–38.3) after onset, respectively. In conclusion, both CVA16 and EV-A71 infection induce a persistent humoral immune response but have different NAb response levels and paired-serum sampling times for serological diagnosis. Clinical severity can affect the anti–EV-A71 NAb response.
Diabetes and driving: Assessing knowledge of patient safety recommendations among medical doctors in Nigeria
Authors: Olamoyegun Michael A. , Akinlade Olawale M. , Ajani Gbadebo O.
Published: July 2022

Many complications of diabetes and its treatment modalities may reduce driving safety and contribute to increase in the number of accidents. Hence, we assessed doctors’ knowledge on safety and driving with diabetes especially those on insulin. A total of 102 doctors of different cadres participated in the study conducted by an online survey in Nigeria over a 4 weeks period in April 2021. Of the 102 respondents, 97 (95.1%), 93 (92.2%), 69 (67.6%) knew that hypoglycaemia, retinopathy and neuropathy respectively predisposed to road traffic accidents. Only a third had ever discussed the possible risk of road traffic crashes with insulin-treated patients. While 32.6% participants knew glucose level be checked not later than 30 minutes before driving, 53.7% respondents knew the need to wait at least 30-45 minutes after treatment of mild to moderate hypoglycaemia before driving. Only 37.9% knows the acceptable blood glucose level considered safe to drive and 12.6% knew the recommended frequency and time to recheck glucose levels during a long trip. Results shows poor knowledge of doctors on several aspects of fitness to drive, hence, it is necessary for all doctors to have basic knowledge on requirements to drive among diabetics for appropriate advice.
Circulating albumin-to-fibrinogen ratio may be a risk indicator for venous thromboembolism: findings from a population-based prospective cohort study
Authors: Kunutsor Setor K. , Kurl Sudhir , Voutilainen Ari , Laukkanen Jari
Published: July 2022

Circulating albumin and fibrinogen levels, commonly considered as inflammatory markers, have been shown to be associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk. Circulating albumin-to-fibrinogen ratio (AFR) has been proposed as a novel inflammatory biomarker, but its association with VTE risk has not been investigated. We aimed to assess the prospective association of AFR with VTE risk. Circulating albumin and fibrinogen levels were measured at baseline in 2,284 men aged 42-61 years. Hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated. During a median follow-up of 27.0 years, 156 VTE cases were recorded. In analysis adjusted for established risk factors, the HR (95% CI) for VTE comparing extreme tertiles of AFR was 1.53 (1.02-2.32), which remained similar on further adjustment for prevalent cancer, 1.52 (1.01-2.30). The associations of circulating albumin or fibrinogen with VTE risk were modest. Circulating AFR may be a stronger risk indicator for VTE compared with albumin or fibrinogen alone.
Analgesic effects of high-frequency and low-frequency TENS currents in patients with distal neuropathy
Authors: Kulikova Natalia , Khalilovich Al-Zamil Mustafa , Konchugova Tatiana , Rachin Andrey , Chkheidze Tinatin , Kulchitskaya Detelina , Anatoliy Fesyun , Sanina Natalia P. , Ivanova Elena
Published: July 2022

Currently, diabetes mellitus (DM) is relevant problem, both for its prevalence and complications, including distal polyneuropathy (DPNP). At the same time, discussions continue on analgesic efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in DPNP. Aim of this study was to conduct a multi-faceted assessment of pain syndrome in these patients before and after TENS, taking into account levels of polyneuropathy, its severity and age of patients. The study was conducted in accordance with the research of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of the National Medical Research Center for Rehabilitation and Balneology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (CTR No. 121040100062-3) and with the permission of the Local Ethics Committee (IRB No. 2 dated 14.01.2021). The study included 75 patients with DM type II with DPNP, which are distributed into 3 groups of 25 people: Group 1a, patients received high–frequency TENS (HF); Group Ib, patients received low-frequency TENS (LF); as control, Group C received a standard method of pharmacological therapy without physiotherapy. Intensity of DPNP was evaluated before and after the course of treatment using a visual analog scale (VAS), the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ), and a graphical linear analysis of pain on the neuropathic pain diagnostic questionnaire 4 (DN4) scale. TENS provides an analgesic effect that may exceed pharmacotherapy in terms of efficacy and safety. There was a 65.9% reduction in neuropathic pain according to VAS after a course of application, with the effects remaining up to 34% during the 6-month follow-up. HF TENS provided a higher significant analgesic effects than LF TENS, as it ensures the reduction of pain syndrome according to VAS by 25.8% (p <0.01), and total estimated characteristics - 35.5% (p <0.01), and touch - in at 58.1% (p = 0.001) and according to the scales of the MPQ (S) and DN4 - by 21% (p = 0.007). The observed differences in analgesic effects between HF TENS and LF TENS are based on analyses of pain in the immediate and long-term follow-up periods of type II DM patients with DPNP. These results, based on summation of the estimated parameters of the international pain scales support expectation of an expansion of the the use of analgesic TENS in aging patients suffering with DM of varying severity and extent of DPNP damage, a goal of great scientific and practical importance.
Current Clinical Concepts: Exercise and Load Management of Adductor Strains, Adductor Ruptures, and Long-Standing Adductor-Related Groin Pain
Authors: Thorborg Kristian
Published: July 2022

Adductor-related groin pain is a common problem in sports. Evidence-based management of athletes with adductor strains, adductor ruptures, and long-standing adductor-related groin pain can be approached in a simple yet effective and individualized manner. In most cases, managing adductor-related pain in athletes should be based on specific exercises and loading strategies. In this article, I provide an overview of the different types of adductor injuries, from acute to overuse, including their underlying pathology, functional anatomy, diagnosis, prognosis, mechanisms, and risk factors. This information leads to optimal assessment and management of acute to long-standing adductor-related problems and includes primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies that focus on exercise and load-based strategies. In addition, information on different options and contexts for exercise selection and execution for athletes, athletic trainers, and sports physical therapists in adductor injury rehabilitation is provided.
The Utility of Myotonometry in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation and Human Performance Programming
Authors: McGowen Jared M. , Hoppes Carrie W. , Forsse Jeff S. , Albin Stephanie R. , Abt John , Koppenhaver Shane L.
Published: July 2022

Myotonometry is a relatively novel method used to quantify the biomechanical and viscoelastic properties (stiffness, compliance, tone, elasticity, creep, mechanical relaxation) of palpable musculotendinous structures with portable mechanical devices called myotonometers. Myotonometers obtain these measures by recording the magnitude of radial tissue deformation that occurs in response to the amount of force that is perpendicularly applied to the tissue through a device's probe. Myotonometric parameters such as stiffness and compliance have repeatedly demonstrated strong correlations with force production and muscle activation. Paradoxically, individual muscle stiffness measures have been associated with both superior athletic performance and higher incidence of injury. This suggest there may be optimal stiffness levels that promotes athletic performance while too much or too little may lead to an increased risk of injury. Numerous studies suggest that myotonometry may assist practitioners in the development of performance and rehabilitation programs that improves athletic performance, mitigates injury risk, guides therapeutic interventions, and optimizes return to activity decision making. Thus, the purpose of this narrative review is to summarize the potential utility of myotonometry as a clinical tool that assists musculoskeletal clinicians with the diagnosis, rehabilitation, and prevention of athletic injuries.
Therapeutic drug monitoring of phenytoin and valproic acid in critically ill patients at Windhoek Central Hospital, Namibia
Authors: Singu Bonifasius S. , Morrison Helen , Irengeya Lydia , Verbeeck Roger K.
Published: July 2022

Background: Phenytoin and valproic acid, anticonvulsants, have a low therapeutic index and are highly plasma protein bound, mainly to albumin. Hypoalbuminaemia is common in critically ill patients and increases the unbound drug concentration. Thus, monitoring unbound rather than total plasma drug concentrations is recommended to optimise the dosing of these drugs.Objective: This retrospective study determined unbound plasma concentrations of phenytoin and valproic as a more accurate value of drug levels than total plasma drug concentrations.Methods: Total plasma concentrations were retrieved for 56 Intensive Care Unit patients for phenytoin and 93 for valproic acid. Total drug concentrations were converted to unbound concentrations using a serum albumin-based normalising equation.Results: Total phenytoin plasma concentration was below (41.1% of patients), within (46.4%) or above (12.5%) the therapeutic range (10 μg/mL – 20 μg/mL). However, the predicted unbound plasma concentration of phenytoin was above the therapeutic range (1 μg/mL – 2 μg/mL) in the majority of patients (57.1%). For valproic acid, the total plasma concentration of most patients (87.1%) was below the therapeutic range (50 μg/mL – 100 μg/mL); among remaining patients (12.9%), it was within the therapeutic range. In the majority of patients (91.4%), the predicted unbound plasma concentration of valproic acid was between 2.5 μg/mL and 20 μg/mL.Conclusion: The usefulness of monitoring the total phenytoin or valproic acid levels for dose optimisation is limited as it is an inaccurate indicator of a patient’s drug therapeutic state. Thus, the unbound plasma drug concentrations should be quantified experimentally or predicted in resource-limited settings.
Appropriate disposal of waste in the laboratory: Neglected but not forgotten
Authors: Opperman Christoffel J. , Singh Sarishna , Barton Francois
Published: July 2022

No abstract available.
Beyond the quadrilateral: The place of nature in John Wesley’s epistemology of theology
Authors: Pratt Morris-Chapman Daniel J.
Published: July 2022

Many writers have sought to outline Wesley’s conception of how human beings obtain revelational knowledge. In this regard, the use of what has been dubbed the Wesleyan quadrilateral continues to remain widespread in both the academy and the pulpit. However, this presentation of Wesley’s thought has received severe criticism from the late William Abraham, philosopher of religion and Methodist commentator. He has proposed the creation of a new subdiscipline in epistemology for examining theology. This view has prompted a handful of attempts to extrapolate John Wesley’s epistemology of theology from his various writings. The present essay will contribute to this discussion by examining Wesley’s approach to these questions. In doing so, it explores mainly the function and place of nature in Wesley’s theological reflections. Drawing mainly upon Wesley’s A View of the Wisdom of God in Creation (1763), this essay shows that the natural world (read: creation) played an important, neglected role in Wesley’s epistemology of theology.Contribution: This article contributes to a new subdiscipline in epistemology for examining theology by presenting a new perspective on John Wesley by exploring the role of nature in his thought. Offering an epistemological–theological interpretation of John Wesley, this article fits well within the scope of HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies, particularly this subsection.
Gender equality in Catholic religious and character education: A multiculturalism perspective
Authors: Truna Dody S. , Viktorahadi R.F. Bhanu , Haq Mochamad Z.
Published: July 2022

Gender equality continues to be important because it strengthens society. One of the efforts to promote gender equality in Indonesia is gender equality education. For Catholics in Indonesia, the existence of the 2013 Curriculum Ethics and Catholic Education (PAK Kurtilas) had a strategic role in mainstreaming gender equality education. This research used library sources to research these textbooks with adequate ethical and multicultural analysis. Here, information was conveyed through a qualitative approach through annotations and descriptive data on the texts studied. According to this study, the curriculum offers instructional materials on the value of gender equality in intercultural education, which used the critical discourse analysis (CDA) technique. The textbook analysis also recommended using gender-responsive learning approaches and methods so that students could comprehensively understand the material on gender equality.Contribution: This article uses a textual analysis with a religious socio-ethical viewpoint. This study could help to solve social problems through theological education.
Mitigating radicalism amongst Islamic college students in Indonesia through religious nationalism
Authors: Nafi'a Ilman , Gumiandari Septi , Hakim Mohammad Andi , Safii Safii , Rokhmadi Rokhmadi
Published: July 2022

Radicalism has the potential to become more widespread in a younger generation of Muslims who are too textual, exclusive, extreme and uncritical. Their ethos of struggle has created a momentum to contest radical ideologies of Islamic radicals. This study investigates the potential for the radicalisation of Islamic students in Indonesia and formulates an approach of integrating national and religious values to mitigate the potential for radicalism. A qualitative research approach is used, and data were collected by distributing questionnaires to Indonesian Islamic student activists. Interviews were also conducted with experts to strengthen secondary sources of information. The results show that the potential for Islamic student to be exposed to radical activists is high. Through categorisation, interpretation and analysis, it was found that the concepts and spread of radicalism were more influenced by religious interpretations than social tolerance factors. In addition, the religious nationalist approach is formulated based on religious terminology and religious narratives.Contribution: This research contributes by assisting colleges’ efforts in building a detection system and mitigating the risk of student radicalism through a religious nationalist approach.
Religious beliefs and work conscience of Muslim nurses in Iraq during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Tran Ngoc Huy Dinh , Ramadan Khalil Nawroz , Le Kien , B. Mahdi Ahmed , Djuraeva Laylo
Published: July 2022

Religious beliefs are defined as thinking, feeling and behaving in accordance with the beliefs and teachings of a religious system. In other words, religious beliefs are indicative of the role of religion in the individual and social life of people, as well as adherence to values and beliefs in daily life, performing religious practices and rituals and participating in activities of religious organisations. Religious beliefs are a set of dos and don’ts, and values are considered one of the most important psychological supports that can provide meaning in all moments of life and save a person from meaninglessness by providing explanatory support in specific situations. In addition, work conscience is defined as a feeling of inner commitment to comply with agreed-upon requirements for work. In other words, work conscience means heartfelt satisfaction and practical commitment to the tasks that a person is supposed to perform properly, in a way that there will be no negligence in performing the duty even if no supervisor oversees the activity. Given the significant role of nurses in hospitals, especially during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the religious beliefs of healthcare employees have become more important. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of religious beliefs on the work conscience of 1800 Muslim nurses in Iraq during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Standard questionnaires were applied to assess the respondents’ religious beliefs and work conscience. In addition, data analyses (Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson’s correlation, etc.) were performed in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). According to the results, religious beliefs have a positive effect on nurses’ work conscience (p = 0.822).Contribution: The findings of this study showed that the employees of an organisation, especially nurses and healthcare staff, can rely on their religious beliefs and benefit from their advantages in order to strengthen their work conscience during a hard time such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The complexity of the relationship of vocalisation signs of Semitic pointing systems
Authors: Chia Philip Suciadi
Published: July 2022

This article has a few goals. The first goal is to discover the development of Semitic pointing systems such as Babylonian Hebrew (both simple and complex), Tiberian Hebrew, Palestinian Hebrew, Samaritan Hebrew, Syriac (both Western [Jacobite] and Eastern [Nestorian]) and Arabic. The second goal is to propose the possible development because of the interaction between those languages in the past. In this article, the comparative method will be used as the methodology. A general observation of these signs and a proposition regarding the possible development amongst those languages will be presented.Contribution: This article traces the synchronic and diachronic development of Semitic languages’ vocalisation systems and proposes a possible development between them.
Hyperinsulinaemia in pregnancy and gestational outcomes: A case series
Authors: North Sylvia M. , Crofts Catherine , Zinn Caryn
Published: July 2022

Background: Pathological insulin resistance in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk for complications such as gestational diabetes mellitus and pre-eclampsia. Individuals with pathological insulin resistance also exhibit hyperinsulinaemia. Currently, there are no diagnostic criteria for pathological hyperinsulinaemia in pregnancy that may be used to indicate risk of adverse outcomes.Aim: This case series aimed to explore the relationship between first trimester insulin response patterns and gestational outcomes.Setting: Auckland, New Zealand.Methods: Participants included four pregnant women with prepregnancy body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 and aged 25–35 years. Glucose and insulin response patterns were examined following a 120 min oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 12–15 weeks of gestation using a modified Kraft methodology. Outcomes assessed at 25 and 35 weeks of gestation included gestational weight gain (GWG), blood pressure, fasting capillary blood glucose and foetal growth. Lifestyle and medical information were collected at each trimester. After delivery, total GWG, infant size, delivery method and clinical outcomes were recorded.Results: Kraft pattern IIB hyperinsulinaemia was identified in two cases. Amongst them, Case #1 experienced excessive GWG, induction of labour and surgically assisted delivery. Case #4 delivered by emergency caesarean, and the neonate required intensive care admission for 17 h. No cases developed hyperglycaemia or hypertension. Infant weights were between 3.75 kg and 3.86 kg.Conclusion: Dynamic insulin assay provides a promising template to assess metabolic risk in the first trimester of pregnancy. Diagnosing hyperinsulinaemia early in pregnancy means that lifestyle-based initiatives could be introduced earlier to mitigate excess GWG and potential adverse outcomes.
Debunking patriarchal assumptions about motherhood as represented in selected Southern African literature
Authors: Rubaya Clemence
Published: July 2022

This article explores how literary representations of African motherhood demystify oppressive patriarchal assumptions that have marginalised women whilst promoting male privilege. This study’s objective is to challenge patriarchal values that continue to damage and undermine many African women’s position and status in society. This is critical in order to address gender injustice and make a claim for African women’s rights to respectful, dignified and fulfilling lives as full members of society. An interpretive content analysis of Lauretta Ngcobo’s And They Didn’t Die and Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions has been adopted. African feminist theory provided the interpretive framework for analysing the selected texts. In sharp contrast to patriarchal assumptions of women as inferior to men, this research indicates many African women performing critical roles that ensure family survival with little to no help from men. Depictions of African mothers’ sacrifice and struggles to safeguard the interests of the families contrast the irresponsible behaviours and failures associated with fatherhood in the texts studied. Given the important contributions of women to improving quality of life, the study recommends the need for transformation of oppressive patriarchal values that undermine women to create a more equitable society.
Position paper on undergraduate Palliative Medicine education for doctors in South Africa
Authors: Burger Henriette , Krause Rene , Blanchard Charmaine , Ambler Julia , Ganca Linda , Barnard Alan , Meiring Michelle , Ratshikana-Moloko Mpho , Brits Hanneke , Brand Tracey , Scott Mitchell , Mabuza Langalibalele , Bac Martin , Zele-Mqonci Nozuko , Yogeswaran Parimalaranie , Gwyther Liz
Published: July 2022

Background: Basic palliative care teaching should be included in training curricula for health care providers (HCPs) at all levels of the health service to ensure that the goal set by the South African (SA) National Policy Framework and Strategy for Palliative Care, to have an adequate number of appropriately trained HCPs in South Africa, is achieved. Furthermore, palliative learning objectives for nurses and doctors should be standardised. Many SA medical schools have integrated elements of Palliative Medicine (PM) teaching into undergraduate medical training programmes for doctors; however, the degree of integration varies widely, and consensus and standardisation of the content, structure and delivery of such PM training programmes are not yet a reality.Aim: This joint position paper aims to describe the current state of undergraduate medical PM teaching in South Africa and define the PM competencies required for an SA generalist doctor.Setting: Palliative Medicine programme leads and teachers from eight medical schools in South Africa.Methods: A survey exploring the structure, organisation and content of the respective medical undergraduate PM programmes was distributed to PM programme leads and teachers.Results: Responses were received from seven medical schools. Through a process of iterative review, competencies were defined and further grouped according to suitability for the pre-clinical and clinical components of the curriculum.Conclusion: Through mapping out these competencies in a spiralled medical curriculum, the authors hope to provide guidance to medical curriculum designers to effectively integrate PM teaching and learning into current curricula in line with the goals of the SA National Policy Framework and Strategy on Palliative Care (NPFSPC).
Exploring the talent retention strategies of Cape Coast Technical University in Ghana
Authors: Bartrop-Sackey Magdalene , Boakye Augustine O. , Muah Patricia , Oppong Nana Y.
Published: July 2022

Orientation: Educational institutions are ranked highly as the performance of their talented staff gives them a competitive advantage. Higher educational institutions (HEIs) and for that matter technical universities in Ghana, however, have the challenge of retaining their talented staff.Research purpose: To explore in the Ghanaian context the talent retention strategies employed by HEIs (technical universities) as a critical aspect of the talent management (TM) process.Motivation for the study: There is limited literature on TM in HEIs in Ghana and especially on talent retention in the technical university context.Research approach/design and method: A qualitative research approach and a case study design were adopted in this study, and 20 academic and management staff were purposively sampled and interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide.Main findings: The study found that the university’s retention strategies employed included fair handling of staff promotions, settling of lawsuits and legal tussles, training and development measures, awards and recognition of talented staff, and better conditions of service for its talented staff.Practical/managerial implications: This research provides insights into how talents are retained and specifically examines the talent retention strategies for which technical universities, institutions and human resource practitioners could employ.Contribution/value-add: This study contributes to TM literature by providing empirical evidence from the HEI context. It also extends the TM literature with evidence from technical universities in Ghana, as previous studies have been predominantly conducted in western contexts.
Millennials hold different cultural values to those of other generations: An empirical analysis
Authors: Easton Carolyn , Steyn Renier
Published: July 2022

Orientation: Literature on the appropriate management of millennials in the workplace is plentiful. This differential treatment is on the premise that millennials hold different values to other generations.Research purpose: The aim of this research was to test the assumption of cultural value differences between the generations and to specify where these differences exist.Motivation for the study: Knowledge of specific values held by the millennials will assist those who work with this generation to adjust their behaviours.Research approach/design and method: This research was conducted in South Africa in organisations, sampling employees across three generations. Cross-sectional data were collected using an instrument based on Hofstede’s typology. After confirming the reliability and general factorial validity of the instrument, mean scores were compared using analyses of variance. As a broad measure, the correlation between age and the cultural values was determined.Main findings: There were significant differences between the generations on three of Hofstede’s cultural value dimensions, namely long-term orientation, power distance and masculinity. Millennials scored lower on power distance and masculinity compared to the Baby Boomer generation and Generation X. Millennials scored higher on long-term orientation compared to the Baby Boomer generation.Practical/managerial implications: This research affirms some of the existing stereotypes about millennials and specifies where these exist. These results can be used to better understand and effectively work with millennials in the workplace.Contribution/value-add: Through this study, we can acknowledge that millennials are somewhat different from the other generations in the workplace and so should be treated somewhat differently.
The University of Cape Town’s paediatric cancer database: Results from the first years (2019–2021)
Authors: Davidson Alan , Moodley Jennifer , Pillay Komala , Hendricks Marc , Stewart Annemie , Parkes Jeannette
Published: July 2022

Background: The paediatric oncology multidisciplinary team at the University of Cape Town (UCT) developed a research-ready data set.Aim: This study aimed to describe the early results detailing the epidemiological profile of childhood cancer patients and evaluated factors associated with presentation and outcome.Setting: The UCT paediatric oncology platform at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital (RCWMCH) and Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH).Methods: A REDCap database was developed with a Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) grant. A database administrator consented all new patients and recorded demographic and social information.Results: There were 212 children consented from 2019 to 2021: 109 girls and 103 boys. The age range was from 1 day to 15.98 years, with a median of 5.18 years. Only 32 (15%) of these families had medical insurance, 34 (16%) lived in informal housing and 25 (12%) did not have access to piped water. Seventy-four families (35%) reported a relative with cancer, including seven first degree relatives. With a median follow-up of 12.4 months, the estimated 2-year overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) was 77% and 72%, respectively. Overall survival was significantly different (p = 0.013) by disease group, varying from 100% for Wilms tumour and germ cell tumours to 52% for rhabdomyosarcoma. Most patients with solid tumours (72%) had advanced disease at diagnosis. Outcomes were poorer for children living in informal housing and without piped water.Conclusion: A real-time database can provide a research-ready data set for interrogating cohort-specific factors impacting childhood cancer outcomes.
The metaverse’s potential impacts on the God-centred life and togetherness of Indonesian Christians
Authors: Chandra Robby I. , Boiliu Noh I.
Published: July 2022

Many studies in Indonesia have analysed the metaverse from an education, communication, social relation and business view, but only a few from a theological perspective. This study questions whether theologically, the metaverse can be viewed as an opportunity where God-centred life and togetherness amongst humans are enhanced. To answer the question, the study uses literature analysis. The question is answered by exploring two issues. Firstly, the impact of the metaverse’s features on human awareness and values as the basis of their roles in creating togetherness is examined. Secondly, the changes in the human image of God and their roles in relation to the divine as the consequences of immersion in the metaverse are investigated. From the analysis of the previous studies concerning those issues, the findings show that Christians who regularly immerse themselves in the metaverse and obtain overstimulation might acquire a set of values that foster collaborative togetherness on the one hand but enhance pervasive self-centredness on the other hand. In theological language, the metaverse might cause Christians to act as the masters of reality instead of as its stewards. The finding might give direction for the church to help Christians maintain regular detachment from the metaverse and to reflect more on their roles in creating togetherness and a God-centred life.
Relevance of Geographical and Biochemical Factors in Causation of Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis
Authors: Prabhu Varsha A. , Gorthi Sankar Prasad , Nilima  , Rao Sai Sripad , Nair Radhika , Thambi Magith , Naik Ashwini
Published: July 2022

Objectives:

There is a higher prevalence of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in more recent times, owing to increased awareness, clinical diagnostic skills, and advancements in neuroimaging modalities. This study aimed to identify and characterize the geographical, clinical, and etiological profiles of patients with CVST that may be relevant to planning appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to improve functional recovery.

Methods and Results:

A retrospective observational study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital between March 2014 and October 2018. The demographics and clinical profile of the hospitalized patients were extracted from the Medical Record Division. Choropleth maps were created to present the geographic distribution of the patients with CVST admitted to our hospital. A total of 145 patients with CVST were included in the study. Etiological factors revealed striking abnormalities in red blood cells counts and serum homocysteine. Analyzing the geographical distribution of the patients with CVST showed most of the patients hailed from Central Karnataka Plateau 106 (73%). Polycythemia was most commonly seen in patients residing in the Central Karnataka Plateau 21 (62%).

Conclusion:

It is inferred that large scale community-based studies to identify a genetic abnormality like a mutant erythropoietin gene should be undertaken to plan effective diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive measures.
Diabetic Amyotrophy (Bruns-Garland Syndrome)
Authors: Agarwal Ayush , Srivastava M.V. Padma , Vishnu Venugopalan Y.
Published: July 2022

Background and Aims:

Bruns-Garland syndrome (BGS) continues to be a contentious topic even 100 years after its discovery. Its lifelong incidence is 1% amongst diabetic individuals and affects middle aged-elderly individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (usually not poorly controlled).

Methods:

The data presented in this review was collated from studies published on PubMed, MEDLINE and Google Scholar in October 2021. The search words included: “Bruns-Garland syndrome”, “diabetic amyotrophy” and “diabetic lumbosacral radiculoplexus neuropathy” and “proximal diabetic neuropathy”.

Results:

The exact pathophysiology is debatable but an ischemic pathology (non-systemic microvasculitis) is most plausible. Its cardinal symptoms include acute onset of severe proximal lower extremity pain followed by weakness and wasting, some sensory loss, weight loss and autonomic symptoms.

Conclusion:

The prognosis is good as most patients improve to near- normal strength with pain cessation within 18 months of onset.
Study of computerized cognitive training technique for treatment of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Abdeldaym Hussien H. , Zaki Nehad M. , Anwar Shimaa A.M.
Published: July 2022

Background

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most commonly diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood that can profoundly affect the academic achievement, well-being, and social interactions of children. Different treatment modalities are used for the management of ADHD.

Aim

To determine the value of computerized cognitive training (CCT) programs in improving cognitive functions and core symptoms in ADHD children

Patients and methods

In this study, 60 school-aged children with ADHD were included for the purpose of establishing the effect of cognitive training sessions on the core symptoms of ADHD. Patients’ data were collected as follows: the age and sex of the patients, residence, parental consanguinity, family history, prenatal/perinatal history and data of general examination, and psychometric studies: ‘The diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder (DSM-V),’ ‘Conner’s Parent Rating Scale CPRS-93’ revised for assessment of the ADHD and associated comorbid disorders, and The Arabic version of ‘Stanford Binet intelligence test – 5th edition’ for assessment of intelligence quotient.

Results

A total number of 60 cases with ADHD who attended the Outpatient ADHD Clinic at AUCH were enrolled in the study. Among these, 66% were males, and the age variation was between 6 and 12 years among the three studied groups. All the children had an average intelligent quotient (IQ) more than or equal to 80. The mean intelligent quotient for the 60 studied children was 92.85±11.33. Pre-CCT assessment showed that there was no significant difference according to attention, concentration, hyperactivity, impulsivity, memory, and self-confidence between ADHD children of the three studied groups. There was significant improvement in comparison between the pre-CCT and post-CCT assessment among the three studied groups in regard to the core symptoms of ADHD, including attention and concentration (duration of attention and concentration, order of thinking, and learning from mistakes), hyperactivity (movement within chair, talking, and flight of ideas), topological memory (method of memorizing, recall), and reaction behavior (impulsivity and confidence).

Conclusion

From the present study, it was concluded that CCT training sessions are effective in improvement of ADHD core symptoms, including inattention hyperactivity, impulsivity, and memory deficits either with or without medical therapy. It results in improvement of confidence, duration and order of thinking, learning from mistakes, excessive movement, flight of ideas, and recall.
Trust but verify
Authors: Menon Vikas , Varadharajan Natarajan , Praharaj Samir Kumar , Ameen Shahul
Published: July 2022

Background:

No analysis of redundant or duplicate publications, deemed unethical and unscientific, has been undertaken in psychiatric literature.

Aim:

To analyze the proportion and patterns of redundant publications associated with index articles published in two major Indian psychiatry journals.

Methods:

Index articles were original papers published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry and the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine between 2015 and 2017. Using a systematic search strategy that combined author names and article keywords, we combed the literature to identify and characterize redundant publications related to these index articles. Redundant publications were classified into one of the following categories using a priori definitions: dual, suspected dual, salami slicing, meat extender, and extended sample publication.

Results:

From 324 index articles screened, a total of 27 articles (8.4%) were identified to have 32 associated redundant publications of the following types: dual (n = 3), suspected dual (n = 2), salami slicing (n = 22), meat extender (n = 3), and extended sample publication (n = 2). A majority of the redundant articles (n = 23, 71.9%) failed to clearly cross-reference the prior publication(s). We also identified nine non-redundant but related publications with no proper cross-referencing in five of them.

Conclusion:

Redundant publications are a common practice in the psychiatry journals screened. Salami slicing is the most common form of redundancy, with no proper cross-referencing in most cases. Concerted efforts are needed to detect and deal with this concerning practice that undermines both science and ethics.
Epidemiological risk factors of suicidal behavior and effects of the components of coping strategies on suicidal behavior in medical students
Authors: Garg Sunny , Chauhan Alka , Singh Sanjeet , Bansal Kirti
Published: July 2022

Background:

Suicidal behavior in medical students can be triggered by mental stresses and adoption of poor coping strategies, and might have a negative impact on their quality of life.

Aims:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of suicidal behavior, and effects of the components of coping strategies on suicidal behavior among medical students.

Methods:

An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 531 medical students for a period of two months from February to March 2021. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select the study participants. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R) scale was used to measure suicidal behavior. Exploratory factor analysis was performed on the Brief-COPE Inventory to classify the coping components. Chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression were used to determine the risk factors and their association with suicidal behavior.

Results:

A total of 104 respondents (19.6%) had reported an SBQ-R cutoff score of ≥7 and had suicidal behavior. The rate of lifetime suicidal ideation, plan and attempt was 20.3%, 10.3% and 2.3%, respectively, among medical students with one-year prevalence of suicidal ideation at 33%. The mean age of the participants was 21.26 years (standard deviation (SD) = 1.99). The identified risk factors significantly associated with higher suicidal behavior were depression (OR = 9.6), dissatisfaction with academic performances (OR = 4.9) and coping with mental disengagement (OR = 4.6), while coping with supportive strategies (OR = 0.57) was investigated as a preventive factor for the suicidal behavior.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of suicidal behavior is found to be highly alarming, revealing that depression and poor coping strategies are risk factors among medical students. The analysis recommends that quantification of the problems, treatment at an early stage and proactive student counselling to help them embrace the appropriate coping strategies should be the first steps in prevention of suicidal behavior.
Effect of an online mindfulness program on stress in Indian adults during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Pal Anirban , Mukhopadhyay Purnava , Datta Soma , Pal Nidhi Dawar
Published: July 2022

Background:

The Indian population is suffering from a high prevalence of mental stress and the situation has been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mindfulness, which can also be conducted online, has been used as a stress-relieving therapy in the Western world. There is not much experience with mindfulness in the Indian population. The COVID-19 pandemic demands the development of alternative therapies which can reach out to the masses at a minimal cost, avoiding direct personal contact. The researchers wanted to explore the potential of mindfulness as a stress-relieving therapy.

Aim:

To note any improvement in perceived stress of the participants compared to the controls.

Methods:

Ninety apparently healthy adults were randomized into group M (all of whom participated in an online mindfulness program) and group C (all of whom attended placebo sessions), with 45 participants each. Final sample size was n = 42 (group M) and n = 38 (group C). The perceived stress was measured using the perceived stress scale before and after the program. Qualitative data was collected in the form of written responses to the question “Which aspect of mindfulness meditation appealed to you the most for stress relief?” and some themes were formed.

Results:

There was a significant decrease in perceived stress scale scores on completion of the program in group M. “Positive mental state” and “non-judgmental” were the most prominent emergent themes suggested by the participants, as per the qualitative data analysis.

Conclusion:

This preliminary study sees potential in an online mindfulness program as an alternative stress-relieving therapy. Further research is suggested to substantiate the results and optimize the implementation.
Internet addiction in adolescents
Authors: Rathi Megha , Guha Prathama , Neogi Rajarshi
Published: July 2022

Context:

There is an increasing prevalence of internet addiction among adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, but very few Indian studies have assessed and taken into account various factors that can explain internet addiction in this vulnerable population.

Aims:

We examine the differences in family functioning, temperament, character and psychopathology in adolescents with and without internet addiction.

Settings and Design:

1000 adolescents from urban middle-class families were included in this cross-sectional, two-randomized-group designed, comparative study. Clinical and control group population were selected from high schools. Those with severe internet addiction were compared to those with no addiction.

Methods and Materials:

Internet Addiction Test, Temperament and Character Inventory, Devereux Scale of Mental Disorders and McMaster Family Assessment Device were administered along with General Health and CRAFFT Questionnaire as screening tool.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Mann–Whitney U test was done along with Spearman’s rank-difference coefficient of correlation.

Result:

Adolescents with internet addiction had high novelty seeking and low persistence. Internet addiction was also associated with conduct problems and depression. There was a significant positive association between depression and years of internet usage. Family of adolescents with internet addiction had increased difficulty in problem solving, communication, affective responsiveness, affective involvement and behavior control.

Conclusion:

Adolescents with internet addiction have temperament difficulties, more psychopathology and belong to dysfunctional families. Since the family plays a central role in an Indian context, family-focused strategies must also be included in the management of internet addiction.
Cambio climático, consenso científico y construcción mediática. Los paradigmas de la comunicación para la sostenibilidad
Authors: Díaz Nosty Bernardo
Published: July 2022

El cambio climático, el calentamiento global y la sostenibilidad son conceptos integrados en la agenda de los medios, que reflejan preocupaciones y alertas amparadas en un amplio consenso científico. No obstante, el reflejo de la información sobre estos aspectos revela carencias en las técnicas constructivas del periodismo, además de aquellas que responden a cruces de intereses políticos, económicos y culturales. En este artículo se refiere la evolución y tendencias de los flujos informativos relativos al cambio climático, así como a las disonancias entre los mensajes científico y el mediático. También, se hace hincapié en el creciente interés de los estudios de comunicación, especialmente en el mundo anglosajón, sobre la crisis medioambiental, hasta el punto de sugerir el desarrollo de una corriente orientada a la comunicación periodística y la innovación sostenible.