bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical profile of the patients at Siddha Covid Care Centre, Theni, Tamil Nadu, India – A cross-sectional study
Authors: Chandrasekaran Anbarasi , Palanibommu Sankararaj , Shanmugasundaram Natarajan , Pandian Mariappan
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

The Indian Government issued various guidelines to the state government wherein introduced plan for setting up COVID care centres (CCC) to isolate and monitor asymptomatic and mild COVID-19 patients. The Government of Tamil Nadu, apart from CCC used the strength of traditional Siddha medicine, one of the Indian systems of medicine, by opening Siddha Covid Care Centres (SCCC) at various facilities like community hall, housing board homes, school and college hostels, across the state in 37 districts.

Methods:

As a cross-sectional study, we evaluated the clinical profile of the laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patient admitted in SCCC, Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India, which was opened on 8 May 2021.

Results:

During this month, 585 COVID-19 positive patients were admitted. Among them 60.9% were males, 39.1% were females. 40% of the admitted patients were in the age the group 31–50 years. 13% of the patient had at least one of the co-morbid condition and 80% were symptomatic with fever 40% and cough 36% as more common.

Discussion:

Patients were treated with the Siddha system of medicine adhering to the guidelines and were discharged after 10 days treatment. Nearly 4% who required further medical treatment observing their clinical condition and SpO2 levels were referred to the nearby medical college hospital.

Conclusion:

This study illustrated that SCCC offered appropriate clinical triaging and daily monitoring and hence it was considered as safe alternative to medical institutions during the pandemic.
A case control study of needlescopic herniotomy versus open herniotomy in children
Authors: Hajong Ranendra , Newme Kewithinwangbo , Moirangthem Thoiba
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

Since the inception of laparoscopy, it has been explored in many fields of surgery, like in the abdomen, hernia, thorax, etc., Laparoscopic hernioplasty in adults is being practiced by many surgeons nowadays. However, the role of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in pediatric patients is not well-established, even though it is being explored as an alternative to open herniotomy procedure. In the present study, laparoscopic needlescopic hernia repair was compared with the conventional open herniotomy procedure.

Material and Methods:

The study was a case-control study conducted in a tertiary care hospital in northeast India during 2018–2021. A total of 25 patients underwent needlescopic hernia repair, the outcome of which was compared by collecting data of 25 more patients who earlier underwent open herniotomy repairs.

Results:

The laparoscopic needlescopic repair took a longer operative time as compared to the open technique with a smaller-sized incision.

Conclusion:

Laparoscopic needlescopic hernia repair is a safe and feasible procedure with a similar outcome to open herniotomy but with a smaller scar.
Menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls studying in a university of Gujarat
Authors: Parikh Vidhi , Nagar Shashwat
Published: August 2022

Background:

Menstruation marks the beginning of the reproductive life of a girl. A poor menstrual understanding and its unhealthy practices may increase the risk of reproductive infections, urinary tract infections, and even cancer. Therefore, the main objective of this study was studying the knowledge and attitude regarding menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls so that it can be then taken as a background for designing necessary interventions in the community.

Objectives:

1) To study the knowledge and attitude towards menstruation among adolescent girls and 2) to study the menstrual hygiene practices and health-seeking behaviour of the adolescent girls.

Methods:

This was a university-based descriptive cross-sectional study carried out by directly interviewing the subjects using the interviewer-administered questionnaire – pre-tested and pre-designed proforma. The data were analysed statistically by simple proportions.

Results:

Among the study subjects, 79% had proper knowledge about menstruation. 82% had a normal menstrual pattern. Nearly 96% used sanitary pads, and 2.36% used reusable cloths. Regarding restrictions, 74.80% restrained themselves from visiting the places of worship, 21% avoided physical exercise, and 7.87% had to remain isolated with minimal social contact. Nearly 19% made conscious efforts for dietary changes during menstruation.

Conclusion:

A majority of the subjects had a regular menstrual cycle, but menstrual problems were found to be more among those having irregular periods, those changing absorbents infrequently, with an inadequate frequency of cleaning, and those using plain water for cleaning. The study however does reflect the fact that menstrual hygiene was unsatisfactory among adolescent girls. Therefore, they need to be educated about the facts of menstruation and proper hygienic practices.
Smoothened percentiles for height, weight and body mass index of urban school going adolescents aged 11-17 years in national capital territory region of Delhi, India
Authors: Mani Kalaivani , Malhotra Sumit , Sati Hem Chandra , Malhotra Jyoti
Published: August 2022

Purpose:

The aim of the study was to estimate centiles by using improved statistical smoothing procedure, the Box–Cox power-exponential (BCPE) method, in urban northern Indian adolescents aged 11–17 years.

Materials and Methods:

Data were collected cross-sectionally by measuring specific anthropometric features such as height, weight, and mid-upper arm circumference in school-based adolescents aged 11–17 years including both boys (n = 838) and girls (n = 788) enrolled in government educational institutions in urban Delhi. We used a state-of-the-art statistical methodology (BCPE method) to establish centile curves.

Results:

The model fitted before smoothing revealed that weight, height, and BMI did not follow a normal distribution; both skewness and kurtosis were observed in all three variables. After correcting both skewness and kurtosis, estimated empirical percentile values showed a gradual increase in weight, height, and BMI in both boys and girls. Girls had higher weight and height than boys in initial ages and observed a steep increase in boys in both weight and height in later ages. BMI was higher in girls than boys and visibly higher during 14–16 years of age. The 50th percentile value of BMI was smaller in all the ages in our study than that in other studies.

Conclusions:

Smoothened percentile values derived for BMI by using the state-of-the-art statistical methodology may help policymakers to promote better growth in urban adolescents.
Analysis of Maternal and Infant Death Reporting System (MIDRS) in a North Indian State during 2013–2018
Authors: Verma Madhur , Tripathy Jaya Prasad , Arora Varun , Kaur Harmanjeet , Rashi  , Parija Pragyan Paramita , Gupta Madhu , Gupta Rakesh
Published: August 2022

Background:

Haryana launched the Maternal and Infant Death Reporting System (MIDRS) in 2013 to report deaths and their causes. We evaluated the system in terms of its data quality, accuracy, and timing of reporting.

Methods:

Secondary data analysis of data about the maternal, infant, and child deaths from the state level MIDRS portal from 2013 to 2018. The portal combines infant and maternal deaths and stillbirths reported through passive and active surveillance. We used the descriptive measure of statistics (proportion) to describe the characteristics and causes of neonatal, post-neonatal, and maternal deaths.

Results:

Of 1,18, 028 neonatal deaths, 39% (46,140) neonates died at a government facility. Gender was not recorded in 7,093 (6.0%) deaths. “Others” was a predominant category (14,664, 53%) of death. Of 2,842 maternal deaths, the cause of death was unknown in 465 (16.4%) deaths and mentioned as “others” in 1,618 (56.9%) instances. Nearly 60% of maternal deaths occurred at a health facility. Stillbirth was published as a cause of death in 228 (7.8%) child deaths (1–5 years). Missing data were observed in critical variables such as the timing of maternal mortality (50, 1.8%) and sex of child (4884, 4.3%).

Conclusion:

Delay in reporting, inconsistencies in data, and missing information were some challenges. Ascertainment of the exact cause of death needs to be improved through better training.
Case series of unscarred uterine rupture in primigravida
Authors: Trivedi Kiran , Anand Shikha , Monalisa
Published: August 2022

Objective:

To present a highly rare case series of uterine rupture in primigravida individuals with an unscarred uterus.

Case:

The unscarred uterus in primigravida patients is supposed to be impervious to rupture, yet we have four cases of ruptured uterus in primigravida patients in our institute over a three-year period (2018-2021). In this case series, the ruptured uterus was discovered in primigravida women with premature labour, obstructed labour, instrumental delivery, and abruptio placentae. In the absence of previous surgery or multiparity, uterine rupture may go unnoticed, resulting in late diagnosis and considerable mortality and morbidity. All four cases required immediate resuscitation and laparotomy; uterine repair was performed in three cases, although a peripartum hysterectomy was needed in one.

Conclusion:

Rupture uterus can occur even in the unscarred uterus of primigravida patients and early diagnosis and timely management can prevent high maternal mortality and morbidity.
A rare case of extensive cutaneous spider angioma in Zieve’s syndrome
Authors: Sivanandam Lokesh Koumar , Kannan Amudhan , Srinivasan Anirudh Abu , Bammigatti Chanaveerappa
Published: August 2022

Chronic alcoholism is a global public health problem showing increasing trends throughout the world. Alcoholic liver disease is one of the most important causes of mortality worldwide. Cutaneous features are one of the most frequent manifestations of liver disease and can often be a presenting feature. Spider angioma is one of the cutaneous manifestations in liver diseases. More than six spider nevi are considered abnormal. Here we present a case of a gentleman with a history of chronic alcohol intake and diagnosed with Zieve’s syndrome, who presented with extensive cutaneous spider angioma.
Microfilaria causing nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Lahane Vivek , Sagar Vankadari Venkata Sesha Satya , Naik Srinivas , Shukla Samarth , Acharya Sourya , Kumar Sunil
Published: August 2022

Filarial parasite infestation not only affects the structure and function of lymphatic vessels but is also associated with extralymphatic pathology and disease. Incidence of renal involvement in microfilaria carriers has led to increased cognizance of extralymphatic presentation. Literature set forth clinical syndromes having extralymphatic manifestation of filaria. The diagnosis of filariasis is done by visualisation of microfilaria in peripheral blood smear, lymphatic tissue. Other modalities of diagnosis are Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Immunochromatographic test. Diethyl carbamazine (DEC) provocation test usually is done to detect microfilaria in night blood smear due to the nocturnal periodicity of microfilaria. The drug DEC flushes the microfilaria into the peripheral circulation leading to high probability of detection. We present a case of a 59-year-old male who was diagnosed as nephrotic syndrome and after a DEC challenge we detected microfilaria in the peripheral smear confirming microfilaria-induced Nephrotic Syndrome after all other secondary conditions were excluded.
Effect of obesity on autonomic functions of Heart among healthy volunteers at a teaching Institute
Authors: Sharma Ramesh K. , Bhatt Ajay , Dwivedi Suresh K.
Published: August 2022

Background:

Obesity usually results from an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, that is, energy homeostasis, which is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. This imbalance results from multifaceted interactions of genetic, physiological, behavioral, environmental, endocrine, nervous, metabolic factors, which lead to hemodynamic and metabolic alteration.

Objective:

To study the effect of obesity on the autonomic functions of the heart.

Methods:

An observational analytical study was carried out among 100 subjects. All healthy volunteers of 30–50 years were included. The subjects were grouped into two categories of body mass index (BMI): 30–39.99 kg/m2 as Obese group and BMI: 18.50–24.99 kg/m2 as Non -Obese group. Out of 100 subjects, 50 were obese and 50 were non-obese. The interview was taken. General physical examination and anthropometric measurements were recorded. The assessment of various cardiac autonomic function tests was carried out.

Results:

Both groups were comparable for age and sex (P = 0.754). The resting heart rate, SBP, and DBP in the obese group were significantly higher compared to the non-obese group (P < 0.05). All values of autonomic function tests in the non-obese group were significantly higher compared to the obese group (P < 0.05) except for the Standing to lying ratio (P > 0.05). The values of SBP and DBP increased significantly in the non-obese people after the isometric handgrip test and cold press test compared to the obese people (P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

We conclude that the resting HR, SBP, and DBP were higher in obese people. However, after applying autonomic function tests, non-obese people respond better to these tests compared to obese people in the form of an increase in these parameters. Obesity is, thus, found to affect the autonomic function tests
An epidemiological study of domiciliary practices and health seeking behaviour among animal bite patients attending a hospital in Delhi
Authors: Panda Manasi , Kapoor Richa
Published: August 2022

Background and Objectives:

Rabies, although a 100% fatal disease, is preventable with appropriate post-exposure prophylaxis. A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 360 animal bite patients in the anti-rabies clinic (ARC) of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi (VMMC & SJH).

Methods:

A predesigned, pretested, structured questionnaire was administered by interview technique to assess the sociodemographic profile, health-seeking behavior, and the various domiciliary practices adopted by the animal bite patients.

Results:

Out of 360 study participants (348; 96.7%) visited a health facility (government/private) after an animal-bite incident. Of the 241 study participants who washed their wounds, 131 (54.4%) had washed the wound using soap and water and 216 (89.6%) had washed the wound for less than 5 min. Chili paste (128; 35.6%) was the most commonly used household remedy.

Interpretation and Conclusions:

It was observed that a considerable segment of the study population approached health care facilities for vaccination following animal bite but did not practice the correct wound-washing practices immediately after the incident, and a sizeable proportion of the study participants resorted to non-allopathic practices (e.g., chili paste) as a measure of first aid to manage animal bite wounds. No association was found between the sociodemographic determinants and domiciliary practices and health-seeking behavior (P > 0.05). As rabies is a preventable disease, increasing awareness pertaining to its prevention may prove to be beneficial in reducing the morbidity and mortality.
A rare case of spontaneous heterotopic pregnancy with intrauterine gestational trophoblastic neoplasia and tubal ectopic pregnancy at a remote secondary care hospital
Authors: Dubbewar Avinash , Srivastava Ajai , Hiremath Ravishekar N. , Ghodke Sandhya , Chourey Niraj , Sreenivas Audukoori
Published: August 2022

A simultaneous presence of intrauterine and extrauterine gestation is called as heterotopic pregnancy (HP). The incidence of spontaneous HP is 1: 30000, which is very rare. In this case report, we are reporting a rare case of spontaneous HP in a 40-year-old lady with intrauterine gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) and ruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy in a remotely located secondary care hospital. The lesson learnt from our case report is that detection of intrauterine gestation does not rule out the possibility of the presence of ectopic pregnancy. Also, HP can occur without any obvious risk factors like in our case. It should be always kept in mind that HP can occur in any woman of reproductive age group. In the end, our patient was fortunate that she presented to us in a stable haemodynamic condition in spite of having ruptured tubal ectopic with spontaneous stoppage of bleeding from the ruptured tube. Hence, to achieve a great chance of favourable obstetric outcome, all treating doctors including family physicians should have a high index of suspicion to have accuracy in early diagnosis and treatment of a various variety of HP as these can occur with or without predisposing risk factors.
Routine hematology parameters in COVID-19
Authors: Awale Rupali B. , Singh Ashutosh , Mishra Prabhaker , Bais Prateek S. , Vansh Khare , Shamim Rafat , Ghatak Tanmoy , Hashim Zia , Gupta Devendra , Nath Alok , Singh Ratinder K. , Singh Chandrakanta , Pande Shantanu
Published: August 2022

Background:

Our understanding of the pathophysiology of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is still evolving and is limited for prognostication. The study was performed to predict severity and mortality based on hematology parameters in coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Material and Methods:

The study was a single-center retrospective analysis of 240 patients with COVID-19. The hematological parameters were compared between different grades of severity. The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve along with the Classification and Regression Trees (CART) methods were used for the analysis.

Result:

The total leukocyte count, absolute neutrophil count, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and neutrophil-monocyte ratio (NMR) were increasing along with an increase in severity; while the absolute lymphocyte count and lymphocyte-monocyte ratio (LMR) were decreasing (P < 0.001). For prediction of severity and mortality on admission, the NLR, NMR, and LMR were significant (P < 0.001). The NLR, NMR, and LMR had an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) of 0.86 (95% CI of 0.80–0.91), 0.822 (95% CI of 0.76–0.88), and 0.69 (95% CI of 0.60–0.79), respectively, for severity. While the NLR, NMR, and LMR had an AUROC value of 0.85 (95% CI of 0.79–0.92), 0.83 (95% CI of 0.77–0.89), and 0.67 (95% CI of 0.57–0.78), respectively, for mortality.

Conclusion:

With the increase in severity there was an increase in the total leukocyte count and absolute neutrophil count while the absolute lymphocyte count decreased. On admission, the cut-off value of NLR >5.2, NMR >12.1, while LMR <2.4 may predict severity and mortality in COVID-19.
A randomized controlled trial comparing Macintosh laryngoscope and Airtraq video laryngoscope for endotracheal intubation in patients with thyroid swelling
Authors: Singh Pratibha , Srivastava Vinod , Gautam Shefali , Malik Anita , Kohli Monica , Agarwal Jyotsna
Published: August 2022

Background:

Patients with thyroid swelling are anticipated difficult airway due to the anatomical complications associated with it leading to restricted neck movements and distorted laryngeal anatomy. The aim of this randomized prospective study was to compare Macintosh laryngoscope and Airtraq video laryngoscope for endotracheal intubation in patients with thyroid swelling.

Methods:

Eighty adult American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) grades I-II patients were taken and randomly divided into two groups of 40 patients in each. After induction of general anesthesia, tracheal intubation was done with either of the technique using a flexometallic tube. Time taken for intubation, hemodynamic variations during and after intubation, any optimization maneuver used during intubation, Cormack-Lehane score, Percentage of Glottic Opening (POGO score), Intubation Difficulty Score (IDS), and postoperative airway symptoms were noted.

Results:

Mean time required for intubation with Airtraq was more than Macintosh; P = 0.003. But Cormack-Lehane score, IDS score, and POGO score were better in the Airtraq group. Hemodynamic variations in both groups were comparable. Optimization maneuver required and postoperative airway symptoms were more in the Macintosh group.

Conclusion:

In patients with thyroid swelling, Airtraq video laryngoscope provides better visualization of the glottis, requires less manipulation during intubation, and less post-operative complications than Macintosh laryngoscope but requires significantly more time for intubation.
Adverse events following remdesivir administration in moderately ill COVID-19 patients - A retrospective analysis
Authors: Gandham Ravi , Eerike Madhavi , Raj Gerard M. , Bisoi Debasis , Priyadarshini Rekha , Agarwal Neeraj
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

Remdesivir, an antiviral drug, received an emergency use authorization for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Though many studies have reported the safety aspects of this antiviral agent, most of them were observed in severely ill COVID-19 patients, making very less data available in the moderately ill patients. The present study was conducted with an objective of finding the adverse events (AEs) associated with remdesivir in moderately ill COVID-19 patients.

Methodology:

A retrospective observational study was conducted by collecting data of demographic details and details of remdesivir, laboratory investigations, and AEs from the patient medical records from May to July 2021 and analyzed by using the appropriate statistics.

Results:

Out of the 160 COVID-19 patients, 32 were moderately ill (males: 29, females: 03) and were treated with remdesivir along with steroids and low molecular weight heparin (LMW) heparin. The average number of administered remdesivir doses was 4, with a loading dose of 200 mg and a maintenance dose of 100 mg. A total of 41 AEs were observed out of which 17 were adverse drug reactions (ADRs) (a significant increase in the alanine transaminase (ALT) [P < 0.001]) and 23 AEs (a significant rise in random blood sugars, RBS [one of the AEs] [P = 0.007]). The AEs were more commonly seen in the hypertensive patients. An increased oxygen requirement was a major serious AE observed in four patients.

Conclusion:

Remdesivir caused a significant increase in the liver enzymes. Increased blood sugar levels were the most common AE and increased oxygen requirement was the major serious AE observed.
Awareness of gestational diabetes mellitus among females in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – A cross-sectional study
Authors: Abualsaud Renad M. , Baghdadi Ebtihal S. , Bukhari Ayman A. , Katib Hadeel A.
Published: August 2022

Aim:

This study aimed to assess the awareness about gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among married females in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was done on all women in reproductive age and an electronic questionnaire was used. Data about participants’ demographics, parity, BMI, pregnancy, family and personal history of chronic diseases, gestational diabetes were collected. Their knowledge about effect of gestational diabetes on mother and on neonatal outcomes and their source of information about GDM were assessed.

Results:

The mean age of the participants was 37.99 ± 9.44 years and 77.8% of them had poor knowledge about GDM and 6.1% had good knowledge. Multipara women with a university education had a significantly higher mean knowledge level and the most common source of participants’ knowledge about GDM was social media.

Conclusion:

Females’ knowledge about GDM was significantly low in Jeddah. Health education campaigns and mass media education are urgent to increase their awareness about GDM. Health care practitioners should focus on popularizing GDM and raising awareness of its consequences.
Development and pilot-testing of a skill-based intervention to prevent psychoactive substance use among college students
Authors: Doraiswamy Padmavathy , Nattala Prasanthi , Murthy Pratima
Published: August 2022

Background:

Psychoactive substance use among college youth is increasing in low- and middle-income countries like India. However, there are few systematically developed interventions for this vulnerable group. Aim: The aim of this study was to develop a skill-based intervention to prevent substance use among college students (or enable them to quit, if already initiated use).

Method:

The skill-based intervention was informed by focus group discussions with college students regarding the kind of help they perceived would be useful. The intervention was pilot-tested for its appropriateness and acceptability in this population, and revised based on their inputs.

Results:

The feedback received from the students was incorporated and the intervention was suitably revised. The final intervention adopted a disease prevention and health promotion approach, by addressing psychoactive substance use as a risk factor for several major illnesses, and providing practical guidance on how to overcome use. The intervention consisted of four sections: (i)
Health effects of substances, with realistic depictions through computer graphics (e.g., to illustrate arterial blockage, brain shrinkage, lung damage, erosion of gastric mucosa, impaired sexual performance, premature aging); Clarification of Myths, Providing Medical Facts, (ii) How to Overcome Substance Use, with practical strategies for quitting, (iii)
Quitting Substance Use as part of a Healthy Lifestyle, (iv) Conclusion, portraying life after quitting substances, with motivational messages.

Conclusion:

The skill-based intervention received positive feedback regarding its applicability and acceptance among college students. An experimental trial can be planned to examine the efficacy of the intervention in bringing about improvement in specific outcomes.
Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation in Lumbosacral Degenerative Disorder: Is Two-Dimensional Fluoroscopy Guide Reliable in Accuracy?
Authors: Yudoyono Farid , Setiahandoko Arief , Adhipratama Hadian
Published: August 2022

Background:

Percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (PPSF), which is a minimally invasive procedure, has now become popular in treating disorders of the lumbosacral. This study aimed to evaluate whether two-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopy is effective for PPSF insertion in patients with degenerative lumbar spine disorder.

Methods:

This study is a retrospective study covering degenerative lumbosacral spine disorders that underwent surgery. PPSF was performed in all patients. Several parameters were evaluated for pedicle screw breach, complications, Visual Analog Scale, and Oswestry Disability Index during 6 months of follow-up.

Results:

A total of 12 screws were percutaneously installed in 2-dimensions anteroposterior and lateral view. Ten screws were installed in the ideal position. One screw indicated sideways penetration of the pedicle, whereas 1 screw indicated upward penetration of the pedicle. No screws were attached medially. At the end of the follow-up, there was a significant improvement in pain and disability scales in patients undergoing PPSF. There were no postoperative complications.

Conclusions:

2D fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screws placement with the appropriate technique is an acceptable and reliable procedure with low rates of screw-related complications and revisions. However, this technique is associated with an initial learning curve and technical skills that can be gained by enough experience.
Neonatal Intestinal Malrotation: A Diagnostic Pitfall
Authors: Satrio Kenny , Sari Felicia Puspita , Jonathan Jeremy , Putra Johansyah Theodorus Kevin , Andhika Yogiswara Made Dwi , Darmajaya I Made
Published: August 2022

Intestinal malrotation is a rare abnormality, resulting in intestinal malrotation and impaired fixation. This clinical entity encompasses spectrum of anatomical conditions and associated clinical disorders. Main symptoms of intestinal obstruction related to malrotation are sudden bilious emesis in a previously healthy term neonate. Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) contrast study is the examination of choice and remains as gold standard for intestinal malrotation. With 90% positive predictive value, misdiagnosis in rotational abnormalities could still happen in UGI contrast study. We report a case of pitfall diagnosis in an 8-day-old male neonate, in which obstruction has been misinterpreted as duodenal web rather than malrotation that was furthered found during surgery.
Role of cancer-associated mesenchymal stem cells in the tumor microenvironment: A review
Authors: Wang Kai-Hung , Ding Dah-Ching
Published: August 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were applied to the therapy for degenerative diseases, immune, and inflammation. In tumor microenvironments (TME), different sources of MSCs showed that tumor-promoting and -inhibiting effects were mediated by different signaling pathways. Cancer-associated MSCs (CaMSCs) could be recruited from bone marrow or local tissues and mainly showed tumor-promoting and immunosuppressive effects. The transformed CaMSCs preserve the characteristics of stem cells, but the properties of regulating TME are different. Hence, we specifically focus on CaMSCs and discuss the detailed mechanisms of regulating the development of cancer cells and immune cells. CaMSCs could be a potential therapeutic target in various types of cancer. However, the detailed mechanisms of CaMSCs in the TME are relatively less known and need further study.
Effect of teprotumumab on intraocular pressure in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy
Authors: Adetunji Modupe O. , Nguyen Brian J. , McGeehan Brendan , Tamhankar Madhura A. , Briceño César A.
Published: August 2022

PURPOSE:

To examine changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED) following teprotumumab.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A retrospective review of 17 patients with TED who received teprotumumab between January 2020 and September 2021 was conducted. IOP, extent of proptosis, and clinical activity score were reviewed at baseline and at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks for patients undergoing teprotumumab treatment. The primary outcome measure was change in IOP, while secondary outcome measures included changes in proptosis and clinical activity score.

RESULTS:

Of the 17 patients (34 eyes) with TED who were treated with teprotumumab, the mean age was 50.5 years, and 15 (88%) were female. The mean baseline IOP was 20 mm Hg (range 13–28), and the mean baseline clinical activity score was 3.8 (range 0–6). Of the 34 eyes examined at baseline, examinations were repeated in 16 at 6 weeks, 26 at 12 weeks, and 8 at 24 weeks. At week 6 of treatment, mean IOP decreased by 4.9 mm Hg (P < 0.0001). At week 12 of treatment, mean IOP decreased by 4.6 mm Hg (P < 0.0001). Mean IOP was decreased at last record of follow-up by 4.9 mm Hg (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION:

Among patients with TED, teprotumumab treatment was associated with a reduction in IOP.
Case Report: Pharyngeal Diphtheria in a Pregnant Woman from South India
Authors: Pattar Suhas S. , Deepashree R. , Sumana M. N. , Sujatha S. R. , Tejashree A. , Rao Raghavendra , Murthy Neetha
Published: August 2022

Diphtheria is a vaccine-preventable disease and is caused by toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Several case reports have been published in the recent years, and this resurgence of cases has occurred mainly in adolescent and adult populations. Also, several research articles have reported waning immunity against diphtheria in adults who have completed childhood immunization. Thus, it is an important need to conduct larger sero-surveillance studies to understand the cause of rising diphtheria cases. Here, we report a case of a 23-year-old pregnant women of 8 weeks’ gestation who presented to the outpatient department with fever, severe throat pain, odynophagia, dysphagia, neck pain, and neck swelling of 3 days’ duration. On clinical examination, a gray, leathery membrane was noted on the soft palate. An Albert’s stain from the membrane revealed organisms resembling Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Appropriate treatment was initiated immediately, and follow-up examination at 2 weeks from date of discharge was uneventful. The gray membrane had completely resolved. Contact tracing was done and the appropriate antimicrobial agent was administered. This case study indicates the importance of timely clinical and microbiological diagnosis and reinforces the previously reported resurgence of diphtheria infection.
The Association of Gestational Diabetes with HIV Infection and Tuberculosis in Indian Women
Authors: Chebrolu Puja , Alexander Mallika , Bhosale Ramesh , Naik Shilpa , Gupte Nikhil , Lee Myung Hee , Kumar Pavan , Babu Subash , Fitzgerald Daniel W. , Gupta Amita , Mathad Jyoti S.
Published: August 2022

Infection of HIV is associated with an increased diabetes risk, which also increases tuberculosis risk. It is unknown if similar associations exist with gestational diabetes (GDM). We screened pregnant women living with and without HIV for GDM using oral glucose tolerance testing. In a subgroup of women with latent tuberculosis (positive interferon-gamma [IFN-γ] release assay), we used supernatants from tuberculosis antigen tubes to compare cytokine levels from women with and without GDM, matched by age and HIV status. Of 234 women, 21 (9%) had GDM, 13.9% living with HIV, and 6.5% without HIV (P = 0.06). Compared with women without GDM, women with GDM had lower median IFN-γ (19.1 versus 141.9 pg/mL, P = 0.03) and interleukin-2 (18.7 versus 249 pg/mL, P < 0.01). Our study suggests that HIV infection is associated with an increased risk of GDM, which is associated with decreased Mycobacterium tuberculosis immune responses. Gestational diabetes screening should be prioritized in tuberculosis-endemic countries, especially in women living with HIV.
Sobre la nueva reforma de la educación matemática: Invitación a un debate, 3
Authors: Mena Lorca Arturo
Published: August 2022

Chile ha avanzado en los diversos aspectos que atañen a la educación de su población, pero hay algunos indicadores de resultados preocupantes. Examinamos aquí nuestra educación matemática en relación con la reforma que experimenta la educación a lo largo del mundo, reforma que, si bien no se anuncia como tal, es fácilmente constatable, y tiene raíces y consecuencias a la vez profundas y determinantes. En Mena-Lorca (2022a, 2022b) hemos reseñado, a muy grandes rasgos, algunos aspectos del pasado y del presente de la educación de la matemática en nuestro país, y destacado la dificultad de alcanzar acuerdos indispensables debido a criterios que se construyen sin considerar en forma suficiente fenómenos de la mayor relevancia. Procuraremos ahora agregar la perspectiva que se obtiene de mirar al futuro: por una parte, lo que ya está comenzando a demandar la enseñanza de diversos aspectos del currículo escolar de matemáticas respondiendo a requerimientos sociales ineludibles, y, por otra, un marco explicativo general de largo aliento. Este último tendría la facultad de desvirtuar algunos nudos que nos mantienen constreñidos, según hemos señalado en Mena-Lorca (2022a, 2022b); sin embargo, se requiere de una acción concertada, proveniente de acuerdos alcanzados tras un debate nacional amplio y explícito.
НОВЕ У ЗАКОНІ ТЯЖІННЯ НЬЮТОНА І ПРИСКОРЕНЕ РОЗШИРЕННЯ ВСЕСВІТУ
Authors: Карпенко Іван
Published: August 2022

Проблема вдосконалення польової теорії гравітації виникла в зв’язку з відкриттям прискореного віддалення далеких галактик. Прискорення може бути пояснене лише наявністю сили протилежної за напрямком гравітаційній силі. Прийнято, що згідно з визначенням гравітаційного потенціалу його значення для матеріальної точки дорівнює половині квадрата швидкості світла. Отримано регуляризований, тобто позбавлений сингулярності, вигляд формули тяжіння Ньютона. В ній для сферичного тіла в знаменнику формули замість квадрата віддалі до центра мас знаходиться квадрат суми цієї віддалі і гравітаційного радіусу маси тіла. Важливою принциповою властивістю модифікованої формули є те, що за її допомогою можна вивчати гравітаційне поле на віддалях від центра мас менших значення гравітаційного радіусу тіла. Наприклад, плоский однорідний і ізотропний Всесвіт має настільки мале значення середньої густини речовини, що радіус Всесвіту дорівнює його гравітаційному радіусу. Тому вивчення гравітаційного поля Всесвіту у великих масштабах потребує застосування модифікованої формули тяжіння Ньютона (МФТН). Встановлена властивість обмеженої дальнодії тяжіння на точку на поверхні кулі виділеної у евклідовому просторі з рівномірно розосередженою масою. Виявилося, що сила гравітаційного гальмування кулі, виділеної в однорідному, ізотропному і статичному Всесвіту, на пробне тіло на його поверхні збільшується зі зростанням радіусу кулі до віддалі рівної 7,84 мільярдів світлових років (при розрахунковому радіусі Всесвіту 13,59 мільярдів світлових років і при розрахунковій густині 10-26 кг / м3), а потім, незважаючи на зростання радіусу (об’єму) кулі та її маси, зменшується до нуля на нескінченності. Згідно формули Ньютона значення прискорення на нескінченності прямує до нескінченного значення. Теоретично отриманий результат практично співпадає з недавнім експериментально установленим фактом, що 5 — 6 млрд. років тому космічний простір почав розширюватися із зростаючою швидкістю. Тому можна стверджувати не лише про правомірність МФТН, а і про існування властивості обмеженої дальнодії тяжіння в гравітаційній теорії. З МФТН також випливає, що сферично-симетрична матеріальна оболонка створює гравітаційне поле у внутрішньому просторі порожньої сфери. З віддаленням від центру сфери, в якому значення прискорення сили тяжіння дорівнює нулю, величина направленого від центра прискорення сили тяжіння зростає. Фізична природа цього явища визначається гравітаційним впливом зовнішніх по відношенню до сферично-симетричної матеріальної оболонки мас. Зокрема, цим пояснюється прискорений розбіг галактик, а також фізична природа утворення войд та космічної павутини у Всесвіті. МФТН є складовою космічних технологій у вивченні Всесвіту.
ВПЛИВ ПОВЕРХНЕВОГО СТОКУ НА ФОРМУВАННЯ ПАВОДКОВИХ ВОД
Authors: Белей Оксана , Штаєр Лідія
Published: August 2022

У роботі розглядається поверхневий стік як складова формування паводкових вод. Актуальність питання підтверджується наведеною статистикою виникнення паводкових вод. Окремо розглянуто природні фактори та антропогенні чинники, які є основними причинами їх виникнення. Встановлено, що руйнування природних стоків, зниження лісистості збільшують ймовірність розвитку паводків на території водозбору. Наведено основні показники поверхневого стоку, водно-фізичні властивості ґрунту, проаналізовано процес формування поверхневого стоку. Проведений аналіз відомих математичних моделей розрахунку кількісних характеристик поверхневого стоку дозволив виділити три групи моделей відповідно до розрахункової величини: максимальний стік, витрата стоку, шар стоку. Виявлено основні недоліки розглянутих моделей. Встановлено, що математична модель В. М. Жука дозволяє врахувати природні та антропогенні чинники при розрахунку максимальних витрат паводкових вод. В роботі також приділено увагу питанню захисту від поверхневого стоку. Виділено основні питання, які необхідно враховувати при виборі методу захисту: швидкість розгортання системи; екологічність; постійне чи тимчасове використання; вартість. За результатами аналізу впливу поверхневого стоку на формування паводкових вод сформовано висновок про необхідність розробки інформаційної системи контролю кількісних характеристик поверхневого стоку, яка б включала основні кількісні характеристики поверхневого стоку, водно-фізичні властивості ґрунту, рельєф басейну, кліматичні фактори з метою попередження або запобігання виникненню поверхневого стоку, який спричиняє селеві потоки, затоплення сільськогосподарських угідь, житлових масивів, а також є основною складовою для формування паводкових вод, повеней. У подальшому планується вдосконалити існуючі математичні моделі розрахунку поверхневого стоку шляхом врахування природних факторів (фізико-географічні показники басейнів рік – площу басейну, нахил місцевості; кількісні характеристики стоку) та антропогенних чинників (коефіцієнт лісистості та заболоченості).
PSYCHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF DEVELOPMENT OF PROFESSIONAL REFLEXIVE OF FUTURE PSYCHOLOGISTS
Authors: Aleksіeіenko-Lemovska Lyudmila
Published: August 2022

The article analyzes the professional reflection in the structure of professional competence, as a result of the training of future psychologists, that includes the readiness of the psychologists to evaluate and self-assess professional activity and the results obtained, to make timely adjustments to professional activities, to carry out analysis and forecasts. It is determined that in the professional activity of the psychologist’s intellectual, cooperative, social-perceptual, personal and communicative types of reflection are presented. Reflection carries out design, organizational, communicative, semantic, motivational, corrective functions. Reflexive skills that are characterized by generalization, possessing the property of transfer, and promote the development of other types of skills, provide self-regulation activities and interaction, self-improvement and self-development of the psychologist’s personality. In the process of reflection the self-knowledge, self-development and self-regulation of personality are provided. Reflection involves self-control, consciousness of action. The professional reflection of a qualified specialist in the field of practical psychology is multidirectional, coregent and multi-level, is considered as an ability that ensures the formation of the skill of systematic analysis with further creative activation of one’s professional activity and therefore requires purposeful formation. In the concept of professional development of the psychologists, reflection is seen as a means of solving intrapersonal contradictions, the cause of which is inconsistency between “I-real”, “I-ideal” and “I-reflexive”. The result of personal reflection is the “image of me” of the psychologist as a generalized system of representations of the subject about itself, formed as a result of the processes of awareness of itself in three complementary systems: in the system of professional activity, in the system of professional communication and in the system of personal development. The systematic exercise of reflexive activity by the psychologist helps to establish its professional competence. That is why future psychologists need the formation of professional reflection of already while studying in a higher educational institution, in order to develop and improve them during their professional activities.
ІНТЕГРАЦІЙНІ ПРОЦЕСИ В ОСВІТНІХ СИСТЕМАХ УКРАЇНИ, ЗАХОДУ І РЕСПУБЛІКИ КОРЕЯ
Authors: Кім Олександр
Published: August 2022

Провідною тенденцією розвитку освітніх систем у світі на разі є використання інтеграційних технологій з поєднанням матеріалу з різних навчальних дисциплін. У вітчизняній і західній освіті розробки у цьому напрямі вперше сформувалися у вигляді освітньої технології STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics). Подальші дослідження виявили доцільність долучення також і предметів гуманітарно-естетичного циклу, що призвело до появи більш розширеної технології STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Mathematics). Паралельно із зусиллями вітчизняних і західних педагогів у напрямі інтеграції, вчителі і науковці Республіки Корея розробили інтеграційну технологію, яка у публікаціях європейськими мовами визначається як «конвергенція», але в оригінальній корейській семантиці більш коректно означає сполучення, синтез в освітньо-виховній діяльності. Керуючись в усіх сферах життя ідеологією музично-естетичного порядку Конфуція, яка є основою ментальності корейців від середньовіччя і дотепер, фахівці Південної Кореї у розробці навчальних програм з використанням інтеграційних технологій виходять з розуміння більш значущої ролі естетичної, перш за все – музичної складової в освітньому процесі. Крім того, об’єктом інтеграції вважаються не окремі випадкові уроки, а цілісні курси, що починаючи від 1991 р. призвело до створення інтегрованих дисциплін «Етичне життя», «Мудре життя» і «Радісне життя» із значною часткою естетичної компоненти у 1 і 2 класах початкової школи, а також інтегрованого курсу «Музика. Мистецтво» в 3-12 класах в обсягах, значно більших ніж у світовій освітній практиці. При цьому було встановлено, що долучення музично-естетичної компоненти сприяє більшій успішності у вивченні не тільки дисциплін гуманітарного циклу, але й математики, природничих наук і іноземних мов. Останнє значною мірою визначило підхід до вивчення корейської мови у Харківській спеціалізованій школі І-ІІІ ступенів № 181 «Дьонсурі» з поглибленим вивченням корейської мови і культури, більшість учнів якої не є етнічними корейцями, і потребують додаткової мотивації до вивчення іноземної для них мови із складною, порівняно з англійською, морфологією і специфічним, унікальним за структурою, алфавітним але нелінійним письмом. Шляхом подолання названих ускладнень від моменту створення школи у 1998 р. було обрано використання інтеграційних методів з розпоширенням на тепер до форм, подібних до південнокорейської технології «конвергенція», що у даній роботі ілюстровано також на прикладі музично-орієнтованого інтегрованого уроку «Доля генія» із залученням матеріалів із царини поезії, драматургії, історії, кінематографу, етики, права, механіки і фізики.
ТЕОРЕТИЧНІ АСПЕКТИ ОРГАНІЗАЦІЇ ПЕДАГОГІЧНОГО СПІЛКУВАННЯ МАЙБУТНЬОГО ФАХІВЦЯ ДОШКІЛЬНОЇ ОСВІТИ
Authors: Єфименко Людмила
Published: August 2022

У статті розкрито сутність педагогічного спілкування як основної складової професіограми майбутнього вихователя закладу дошкільної освіти, висвітлено теоретичні аспекти організації педагогічного спілкування майбутнього фахівця дошкільної освіти. Запропоновано дефініційний аналіз поняття «педагогічне спілкування», його особливості. Зазначено, що спілкування в педагогічній діяльності виступає як засіб вирішення освітніх завдань, як соціально-психологічне забезпечення виховного процесу і як засіб організації взаємовідносин вихователя і дітей, що забезпечують успішність навчання і виховання. Описано структуру педагогічного спілкування вихователя закладу дошкільної освіти, що складається з чотирьох етапів. Розкрито основні компоненти педагогічного спілкування, як-от: когнітивний, регулятивний, афективний та духовний. На основі використання методів наукового аналізу розроблених теорій з проблем спілкування розкриваються основні функції педагогічного спілкування: контактна, спонукальна, координаційна, пізнавальна, експресивна, встановлення стосунків, організації впливу та управлінська. механізми педагогічного спілкування, які допомагають усвідомити себе через інших. Досліджено сутність таких його механізмів, як-от: ідентифікація, емпатія, рефлексія та стереотипізація. Наголошено на меті педагогічного спілкування, що полягає в умінні педагога дошкільної освіти взаємодіяти зі своїми колегами, вихованцями та їх батьками, іншими людьми, які мають відношення до його фахової діяльності, адже саме у процесі спілкування з дошкільниками, в освоєнні основ педагогічного спілкування формується творча індивідуальність вихователя. Виокремлено основні умови ефективного педагогічного спілкування та його успішності: володіння психолого-педагогічними якостями й уміннями; володіння педагогічним тактом; уміння «подати себе»; створення позитивного іміджу шляхом самопрезентації; мовленнєва культура; гуманістична спрямованість; уміння слухати й чути свого співбесідника; знання правил спілкування; толерантна позиція у спілкуванні. Підкреслено, що педагогічне спілкування майбутнього фахівця дошкільної освіти має бути толерантним, що сприятиме встановленню гармонійних відносин із вихованцями, їх батьками, колегами, навколишнім світом в цілому.