bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The path from suspicion to diagnosis of people with Covid-19
Authors: Silva Liliane Faria da , Cursino Emília Gallindo , Brandão Euzeli da Silva , Góes Fernanda Garcia Bezerra , Depianti Jéssica Renata Bastos , Silva Laura Johanson da , Aguiar Rosane Cordeiro Burla de
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT Objective: To know the therapeutic itinerary of people diagnosed with Covid-19 from suspicion to the diagnosis. Method: Qualitative research. 65 people diagnosed with Covid-19 residing in Rio de Janeiro participated. Data collected using a semi-structured form sent via social media and processed in the software Interface de R pour Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes Et de Questionnaires by Descending Hierarchical Classification and Correspondence Factor Analysis. Results: Three classes of text segments were obtained that revealed the therapeutic itinerary, with emphasis on the search for care; shortage of tests; need to return to the units for diagnosis and follow-up; and the path to confirmatory test. Conclusion: The therapeutic itinerary of patients with Covid-19 showed weaknesses in the face of difficulties related to access to diagnostic tests and the organization of the system to meet the population’s demand in the face of the pandemic.
Routine workflow in a reference clinical research center in face of COVID-19
Authors: Cardoso Adriana Serdotte Freitas , Silva Stella Marys Rigatti , Rabelo-Silva Eneida Rejane , Umpierre Daniel , Sostizzo Luciana da Rosa Zinn , Echer Isabel Cristina
Published: May 2021

ABSTRACT Objective To develop and validate the content of workflows for trial participants care in a clinical research center during the Covid-19 pandemic. Method development study by consensus of experts carried out from March to July 2020 in southern Brazil. The flowcharts were developed following literature and validated by specialists considering comprehensiveness, clarity and pertinence, obtaining a 100% agreement index on each item of the developed instruments. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the institution. Results two flowcharts of care were elaborated and validated: “Flow diagram to conduct protocols with research participant " and "Flow diagram in protocols with research participant with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection"; which describes activities to ensure continuity of care. Final considerations a routine workflow can promote the continuity and safety of clinical research protocols. It is expected that the adopted flowcharts in this study can guide other institutions with a similar research profile.
Sex-Dependent Effects of Nephron Ift88 Disruption on BP, Renal Function, and Cystogenesis
Authors: Hu Chunyan , Lakshmipathi Jayalakshmi , Binning Elizabeth , Hyndman Kelly A. , Stuart Deborah , Kohan Donald E.
Published: May 2021

Significance Statement

Primary cilia regulation of renal function and BP is incompletely understood. Mice with inducible nephron-specific Ift88 (a key ciliary protein) knockout (KO) were developed. Two months post-KO, males had reduced BP, increased natriuresis, and increased renal nitric oxide (NO) production; female KO mice had no phenotype unique from control mice. Nine months post-KO, males had cystic kidneys, hypertension, and reduced urinary NO excretion; female Ift88 KO mice had reduced BP and rare cysts. These findings indicate that nephron cilia disruption causes (1) strongly sex-dependent cystogenesis, (2) sex-dependent early BP reduction associated with eventual cyst formation, and (3) altered renal NO production.

Background

Primary cilia regulation of renal function and BP in health and disease is incompletely understood. This study investigated the effect of nephron ciliary loss on renal physiology, BP, and ensuing cystogenesis.

Methods

Mice underwent doxycycline (DOX)-inducible nephron-specific knockout (KO) of the Ift88 gene at 2 months of age using a Cre-LoxP strategy. BP, kidney function, and renal pathology were studied 2 and 9 months after DOX (Ift88 KO) or vehicle (control).

Results

At 2 months post-DOX, male, but not female, Ift88 KO, compared with sex-matched control, mice had reduced BP, enhanced salt-induced natriuresis, increased urinary nitrite and nitrate (NOx) excretion, and increased kidney NOS3 levels, which localized to the outer medulla; the reductions in BP in male mice were prevented by L-NAME. At 9 months post-DOX, male, but not female, Ift88 KO mice had polycystic kidneys, elevated BP, and reduced urinary NOx excretion. No differences were observed in plasma renin concentration, plasma aldosterone, urine vasopressin, or urine PGE2 between Ift88 KO and control mice at 2 or 9 months post-DOX.

Conclusions

Nephron cilia disruption in male, but not female, mice (1) reduces BP prior to cyst formation, (2) increases NOx production that may account for the lower BP prior to cyst formation, and (3) induces polycystic kidneys that are associated with hypertension and reduced renal NO production.
Az ódörögdi kurziv betüs oltár (Eine kurzive Votivinschrift CIL III 14355)
Authors: Mócsy András
Published: May 2021

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Római kőemlékek Gyermelyről (Römische Steindenkmäler von Gyermely)
Authors: Erdélyi Gizella
Published: May 2021

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Egyetemünk régészeti tanszékének első tankönyvei (Die ersten Lehrbücher der Archäologie in der Budapester Universität)
Authors: Oroszlán Zoltán
Published: May 2021

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A nagyszentmiklósi kincs
Authors: László Gyula
Published: May 2021

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Römerzeitliche Topographie des Komitates Komárom
Authors: Soproni Sándor
Published: May 2021

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Sewage sample extraction of total nucleic acid from secondary concentration pellet using a modified QIAamp Fast DNA Stool Mini Kit procedure v1
Authors: Abraham Dilip , Raghava Mohan Venkata , not provided gkang
Published: May 2021

This procedure describes a modified extraction procedure to isolate both DNA and RNA from pellet obtained from secondary concentration from BMFS samples using the QIAmp Fast DNA Stool MiniKit. The sample undergoes a lysate preparation process and includes mechanical disruption (bead beating), removal of inhibitors, purification and elution of DNA and RNA using spin columns. Extrinsic controls PhHV (Phocine Herpesvirus) and MS2 are added to each sample during the lysate preparation to evaluate extraction and amplification efficiency. The extracted total nucleic acid (TNA) is then stored at -80°C for testing. To rule out contamination during the extraction process, a blank is also processed through the complete protocol each day extractions are performed.
FOSTERING EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL SUSTAINABILITY WITHIN THE ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES COURSE IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
Authors: Ahrens Andreas , Zascerinska Jelena , Aleksejeva Anastasija
Published: May 2021

The paper aims to explore sustainability from both the external and internal perspectives underpinning the implementation of the empirical study within an English for Academic Purposes course at a Master level in the COVID-19 pandemic. The research is based on the methodology of the development of the system of the external and internal perspectives. The exploratory type of the case study was employed. The interpretive paradigm was used in the research. The observation was conducted on the 23rd August 2020. The sample was composed of the 10 international students of the Master programme “Information and Electrical Engineering” at Hochschule Wismar, Germany. The theoretical research defines the external and internal sustainability. The empirical finding is that the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the organizational aspect of the English for Academic Purposes course (timetable, classroom arrangements, group work organization). Another finding is that the implemented English for Academic Purposes course is partially sustainable and requires its dynamic equilibrium and localized robustness to be adjusted. Implications for higher education aimed at increasing both the external and internal sustainability in education imply the implementation of the combination of evaluation, namely external evaluation, mutual evaluation, and self-evaluation, jointly carried out by all the process participants.
THE CHALLENGES, RISKS AND PROSPECTS OF THE REALISATION OF THE MUSIC METHODOLOGY MODULE OF ONE – YEAR EDUCATION PROGRAMME
Authors: Bernāts Guntars , Mūrnieks Andrejs
Published: May 2021

The reform of teachers’ education commenced by the Ministry of Education and Science provides an opportunity to obtain a qualification as a teacher within one year, encompassing studies based in a working environment for those who already have higher education. The goal of the research is to identify the challenges, risks and perspectives of the realization of the module “Music methodology” of the study course “Integrated methods in Teaching Culture Understanding and Self-expression in Art” within the one-year study programme “Skolotājs”. The research compared study course plans in music teaching and choir work methodology at two Latvian higher education institutions, as well as at two foreign higher education institution, where a qualification as a music teacher at a comprehensive school can be attained. The research was undertaken based on an analysis of theoretical sources, providing an understanding about a synthesis of varying contemporary methodological approaches. It encompasses the acquisition of a knowledge of cultural history and the history of music, the style and future directions of popular music, desirably not just theoretically but practically as well, in the education of the students. The actualization of such study courses as music teaching methodology, the research process in music teaching, music history and stylistics, the psychology of music, conducting, choir/vocal ensemble work, methodology and music project management are important for the high quality and integrated acquisition of music teaching methodology.
Historical and Political Analysis of the Decentralization Process in Italy
Authors: Dudaeva Marina V.
Published: May 2021

The author of the article examines the peculiarities of the Italian political space through a retrospective analysis of that countrys longstanding decentralization process. As a starting point, the author takes the end of the Risorgimento era, during which the national liberation movement of the Italian people united against foreign domination of their fragmented nation. A periodization of the decentralization process is given, indicating its main milestones: 1) the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy (1815 to 1871); 2) the Fascist regime (1922 to 1943); 3) adoption of the Italian Constitution and the Statutes of the Special Regions (1947); 4) regional reform (1970) and; 5) constitutional reform (2001). The key criteria for assessing the degree of decentralization in Italy are considered, including whether the regions have the right to adopt their own laws, initiate legislation at the central level, and participate in international activities. The author concludes that the Italian political elite has succeeded in decentralizing the republic and building a new regional policy based on the principles of subsidiarity. The reforms of the political and legal institutional design were mainly related to the delineation of the spheres of competence between the state and the regions, the consolidation of autonomous status for all regions, the abolition of the government commissioner, and the challenge of regional legislation exclusively by the Constitutional Court, creating the basis for the quasi-federal features of the Italian political and legal system. Thus, it is natural to say that Italy belongs to a special transit form of state structure of the regionalist type, located at the juncture between unitarianism and federalism.
Comparative morphofunctional visualization of the manifestations of chronic bacterial and radiation bladder injuries
Authors: Berdichevskyy Berdichevsky B. , Berdichevsky Boris A. , Barashin Barashin A. , Colne, Arttem A. , Naletov Антон А. , Boldyrev Aleks L. , . Gutrova. Elena
Published: May 2021

Comparative morphofunctional and histological visualization of bladder wall lesions in 15 patients with chronic bacterial cystitis and in 15 patients with chronic radiation cystitis using positron emission tomography - computed tomography (PET/CT) was performed. The studies have revealed significant differences in the parameters of blood flow and tissue metabolism in patients with these forms of bladder lesions. In patients with chronic bacterial cystitis, an increase in the frequency of urination was accompanied by a decrease in the capacity of the bladder under conditions of a decrease in the velocity of arterial and venous blood flow in its wall as compared with the control. At the same time, at the cellular-molecular level in the bladder wall, no significant metabolic abnormalities, assessed by the SUVmax indicator, were revealed. Chronic radiation cystitis was characterized by a significant increase in the rate of systolic and diastolic blood flow in the bladder wall, its thickening and hypermetabolism of 18F-FDG.
Biofeedback in the treatment of patients with urine incontinence after radical prostatectomy
Authors: Krotova Natalia O. , Ulitko Tatiana V. , Kuzmin Igor V. , Al-Shukri Salman K.
Published: May 2021

The review article is devoted to the application of the biofeedback in the treatment of patients with urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy. The data on the mechanism of urinary continence in men and its damage during surgery are presented, the pathogenetic basis of the therapeutic effect of pelvic muscle training in this patients is highlighted. The analysis of the main russian and foreign clinical studies on the use of the biofeedback in patients with urinary incontinence after prostatectomy has been carried out. It is indicated that biofeedback increases the effectiveness of conservative treatment of urinary incontinence, however the even wider use of this method of treatment is limited by the lack of standard protocols for training pelvic muscles under the control of biofeedback.
MAZZA, N. (2020). “Ramas Nevadas”. Sevilla: Punto Rojo, 2020. 66 pp., ISBN 978-84-18448-98-9
Authors: De Ancos Morales Beatriz
Published: May 2021

MAZZA, N. (2020). “Ramas Nevadas”. Sevilla: Punto Rojo, 2020. 66 pp., ISBN 978-84-18448-98-9.
COHEN, S. (2019). "El poder de la palabra: la sátira política contra el conde-duque de Olivares". Madrid: Editorial CSIC, 2019. 181 pp., ISBN 978-84-00-10492-4
Authors: Clavijo Corchero Álvaro
Published: May 2021

COHEN, S. (2019). "El poder de la palabra: la sátira política contra el conde-duque de Olivares". Madrid: Editorial CSIC, 2019. 181 pp., ISBN 978-84-00-10492-4.
Adaptive Multi-state Pipe Framework Based on Set Pair Analysis
Authors: Shi Leixin , Xu Hongji , Zhang Beibei , Sun Xiaojie , Li Juan , Fan Shidi
Published: May 2021

Human Activity Recognition (HAR) is one of the main research fields in pattern recognition. In recent years, machine learning and deep learning have played important roles in Artificial Intelligence (AI) fields, and are proven to be very successful in classification tasks of HAR. However, there are two drawbacks of the mainstream frameworks: 1) all inputs are processed with the same parameters, which would cause the framework to incorrectly assign an unrealistic label to the object; 2) these frameworks lack generality in different application scenarios. In this paper, an adaptive multi-state pipe framework based on Set Pair Analysis (SPA) is presented, where pipes are mainly divided into three kinds of types: main pipe, sub-pipe and fusion pipe. In the main pipe, the input of classification tasks is preprocessed by SPA to obtain the Membership Belief Matrix (MBM). The sub-pipe shunt processing is performed according to the membership belief. The results are merged through the fusion pipe in the end. To test the performance of the proposed framework, we attempt to find the best configuration set that yields the optimal performance and evaluate the effectiveness of the new approach on the popular benchmark dataset WISDM. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed framework can get the good performance by achieving a result of 1.4% test error.
Modern Applications and Challenges for Rare Itemset Mining
Authors:   Databases and Software Engineering Group of Gunter Saake, University of Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany, Darrab Sadeq , Broneske David , Saake Gunter
Published: May 2021

Data mining is the process of extracting useful unknown knowledge from large datasets. Frequent itemset mining is the fundamental task of data mining that aims at discovering interesting itemsets that frequently appear together in a dataset. However, mining infrequent (rare) itemsets may be more interesting in many real-life applications such as predicting telecommunication equipment failures, genetics, medical diagnosis, or anomaly detection. In this paper, we survey up-to-date methods of rare itemset mining. The main goal of this survey is to provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art algorithms of rare itemset mining and its applications. The main contributions of this survey can be summarized as follows. In the first part, we define the task of rare itemset mining by explaining key concepts and terminology, motivation examples, and comparisons with underlying concepts. Then, we highlight the state-of-art methods for rare itemsets mining. Furthermore, we present variations of the task of rare itemset mining to discuss limitations of traditional rare itemset mining algorithms. After that, we highlight the fundamental applications of rare itemset mining. In the last, we point out research opportunities and challenges for rare itemset mining for future research.
Prevention of HIV infection among adolescents and young people in South Kivu: challenges and prospectives
Authors: Richard Bahizire Raziki , Freud Muciza Bayunvanye , J-Lambert Mandjo Aholoma , Synthia Aganze Mitima , Fefe Mapendo Ndeko , David Kininga Amisi , Espoir Ampire Bagalwa , Binvenue Rwizibuka Mugisho
Published: May 2021

Background : It’s worldwide established that interventions to combat HIV are being carried out, but most of them target adults and leave out adolescents and young people, who constitute one of the most exposed sections of the population.Methods : A cross-sectional and qualitative study on prevention of HIV among adolescent and young people conducted from 15 and 30 June 2019 in seven health zones of South Kivu in the democratic republic of Congo. All interviews and focus groups were transcribed in full, the obtained corpus; a thematic manual analysis was carried out.Results : Several stakeholders are involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS among adolescents and young people, in spite, available services are not sufficiently accessible to adolescents and young people due to many constraints: political, organisational, legal, economic-financial, socio-cultural and religious. Prevention services for adolescents and young people are, according to them, inadequate, insufficient and not user-friendly.Conclusions: Stakeholders should use findings of this study as a basis for reflection for the implementation of more effective interventions for adolescents and young people to reverse the current trend of the HIV epidemic in South Kivu province.
Effect of nitric oxide donors on uterine and sub-endometrial blood flow in patients with unexplained infertility: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Abdel Hafeez Mohamed A. , Kortam Ashraf M. F. , Youssef Alaa M. A. , Reda Ahmed , Abdelrahman Rehab M.
Published: May 2021

Background: Impaired sub-endometrial perfusion might reduce endometrial receptivity and possibly contribute to unexplained infertility. A favorable effect on sub-endometrial blood flow has been demonstrated with nitric oxide.Methods: This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effect of nitroglycerine on uterine and sub-endometrial blood flow in women with unexplained infertility. Sixty women were randomized into 2 equal groups. The study group received 5mg nitroglycerine patch daily from day 2 of the cycle till the evaluation day and the control group received no treatment. Independent of the study arms, 30 parous women were included as the fertile group. Six to eight days after detecting luteinizing hormone surge, women were assessed for endometrial thickness, uterine artery blood flow with color Doppler and sub-endometrial blood flow with three-dimensional power Doppler.Results: Compared to fertile women, cases with unexplained infertility (control group) had a significantly thinner endometrium, higher uterine artery Doppler indices and lower sub-endometrial blood flow. Women who received nitroglycerin showed a significant improvement in sub-endometrial blood flow while uterine artery blood flow did not show a significant difference; however, the values were also comparable to fertile women. In addition, no effect on endometrial thickness was found with nitroglycerin treatment. Nitroglycerin treatment side effects were headache, blurring of vision and hypotension. These adverse effects were not significant compared to controls.Conclusions: In women with unexplained infertility, nitroglycerin significantly improved the sub-endometrial blood flow but did not affect the endometrial thickness.
Antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean sections: a tertiary care hospital based survey
Authors: Mishra Sneha , Raheja Aastha , Agarwal Krishna , Gandhi Gauri
Published: May 2021

Background: The objective of the study was to study the pattern of prophylactic antibiotics usage in caesarean sections in Indian settings.Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was done on women undergoing elective and emergency caesarean sections in the Department of obstetrics and gynecology who were given antibiotics according to the existing trends in the hospital.Results: Almost 72% women received prophylactic antibiotics within 30-60 minutes of skin incision while rest 28% received it before 60 minutes. In post-operative period around 80% of the women received injectable antibiotics for 48 hours, 12% for 72 hours and rest 8% received antibiotics for more than 72 hours. 90% of the patients received injections ceftriaxone 1 gm IV BD, gentamycin 80 mg IV BD metronidazole 400 mg iv TDS while 10% received injection Ampicillin 500 mg QID along with Injection Metronidazole 400 mg iv TDS and injection gentamycin 80 mg IV BD. Two percent of the cases developed wound sepsis and required change to higher antibiotics.Conclusions: In spite of recommendations by International Guidelines for single dose of prophylactic antibiotics, multiple doses are being given. There are no Indian guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis in cesarean sections and as a result, various combinations of antibiotics are being given for variable duration leading to antibiotic resistance and increased cost of treatment.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on safe abortion and family planning services at a tertiary care women’s hospital in Nepal
Authors: Mishra Sangeeta Kaushal , Rana T. Geetha , Adhikary Shree Prasad , Paudel Sandesh , Sah Prabhu
Published: May 2021

Background: The COVID-19pandemic emerged as a major public health crisis, which has affected all dimensions of the health care system. Sexual and reproductive health services were severely affected, leading to a decrease in access and service utilization, affecting the overall health of women.Methods: A two-year comparative study, before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, on safe abortion services and family planning, was conducted at Paropakar maternity and women's hospital to assess the impact of COVID-19 on service utilization.Results: Safe abortion services were decreased by 34.4%, and family planning services by 39%, in 2020 as compared to the previous year. Uptake of long-acting reversible contraceptives and permanent methods was most affected. Utilization of services was affected markedly during lockdown, and showed a persistent decline, even after the lockdown was lifted.Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected safe abortion and family planning services in Nepal due to lockdown, travel restriction, home isolation, resource reallocation, health facilities serving only emergencies and confusing messages about COVID-19 control. The decline in these services will create additional demand and pressure on the health care system, resulting from unplanned pregnancies and unsafe abortions. Health care staffs should be reoriented about the essential nature of safe abortion and family planning services during emergencies, and the implications of service disruption, on society and the country. Pragmatic and gender sensitive changes to national policies should be made, to ensure that women's health is safeguarded, and safe abortion and family planning included as essential health care services during emergencies.
Granulosa cell tumor complicated by torsion, rupture and hemoperitoneum
Authors: Sherchan Kripa
Published: May 2021

Granulosa cell tumor, a sex cord stromal estrogen secreting tumor presents with vaginal bleeding and is seen in all ages. It accounts for <5% of all ovarian neoplasm. We reported a rare case of granulosa cell tumor in a postmenopausal woman undergoing staging laparotomy with total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oopherectomy for malignant ovarian tumor, which was complicated by torsion, rupture and hemorrhagic ascitis. Any ovarian tumor with vaginal bleeding should arouse suspicion of granulosa cell tumor in the background of postmenopausal woman. For most patients, surgery alone is sufficient primary therapy, Radiation and chemotherapy are reserved for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic disease.
Awareness and practice of safety measures against occupational hazards among aluminium foundry workers in Jos, Nigeria
Authors: Tagurum Yetunde O. , Ezeani Onyedika B. , Bakoshi Kingsley A. , Adam Zainab M. , Afolaranmi Tolulope O. , Banwat Mathilda E.
Published: May 2021

Background: Founding predisposes the worker to hazards (extreme heat, dust, fumes, sharp objects), which if unchecked, can cause health problems (burns, respiratory problems, cuts). This study aimed to assess the awareness and practice of safety measures against occupational hazards among aluminium foundry workers in Jos-North LGA.Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study, which involved 125 aluminium foundry workers in Laranto-Katako area of Jos-North LGA. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Analysis of data was done using EPI-Info® version 3.5.4 statistical software package. A probability value of p≤0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: All 125 (100%) respondents were males with a mean age of 24.8±9.7 years and 52 (41.2%) were less than 20 years of age. The study revealed that 118 (94.4%) of them were aware of occupational hazards associated with foundries; The hazards most known were fires with 116 (92.8%) mentions, extreme heat, 85 (68.0) and sharp objects, 85 (68.0%), and with the least being, long working hours, 25 (20.0%). A majority, 118 (94.4%) were aware of hand gloves, 114 (91.2%) nose masks with overalls having the least awareness, 13 (10.4%). The most frequently used safety measures were nose masks, 73 (58.4%), then hand gloves, 57 (45.6%). A statistically significant relationship, with p value of 0.0321, was found between the level of education and the practice of safety measures.Conclusions: The study showed that most of the foundry workers had good knowledge of the hazards, safety measures; however, there was low use of safety measures. An educational campaign on the hazards and use of safety measures, accompanied by the efforts of the government, should be instituted for the foundry workers regularly to help safeguard their health.
A real-world clinical experience on the effectiveness of remogliflozin etabonate in management of Indian patients with type II diabetes mellitus
Authors: Sengupta Soumya , Sengupta Sunita , Katare Sagar
Published: May 2021

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate effectiveness and safety of remogliflozin etabonate in a real-world outpatient setting in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in India.Methods: A retrospective, observational, single-center study wherein medical records of adult patients (≥18 years old) with T2DM managed with remogliflozin 100 mg for at least three months at the diabetes care center in Jharkhand were retrieved. The effectiveness was assessed in terms of change from baseline in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), total body weight, blood pressure (BP, systolic and diastolic), kidney function tests, and lipid parameters after three months of treatment. Safety was assessed by adverse events (AEs) and serious AEs.Results: Half of the patients received ≥3 concomitant antidiabetic drugs, common being sulphonylureas (92%), and metformin (91%). Remogliflozin treatment resulted in a significant mean reduction from baseline in HbA1c [-1.99 (0.12%); p<0.001], FPG [-52.3 (4.31) mg/dl; p<0.001] and PPG [-103.6 (7.10) mg/dl; p<0.001). Bodyweight reduction was not statistically significant [-0.1 (10.12) kg]. A significant reduction was observed in the systolic BP [-15.9 (2.21) mmHg; p<0.001] and diastolic BP [-3.3 (0.95) mmHg; p=0.001]. Commonly reported AE was heartburn (51.4%) and urinary tract infections (34.2%). No serious AEs were reported. The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate showed a statistically significant reduction of -1.55 (0.61) ml/min. The lipid parameter findings were non-significant.Conclusions: The real-world experience of remogliflozin administered concomitantly with other antidiabetic drugs was effective and well-tolerated in Indian patients with T2DM.
Could homocysteine, angiotensin and alamandine be used as potential biomarkers in management of COVID-19?
Authors: Sahoo Sibasish , T. Sasikala , V. Sampath Kumar , N. Lakshmanna
Published: May 2021

The corona virus is now known as the severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Risk predictors and novel predictors associated with COVID-19 is required to enable the risk stratification, guide interventional studies to target patients at enhanced risk of developing severe disease risk and optimize the allocation of limited human and technical resources in the ongoing pandemic all over the globe. The present review focused on potential laboratory biomarkers associated with COVID-19. We carried out an electronic search in Medline (PubMed central), Scopus, Web of Science and using the keywords laboratory, biomarkers, novel biomarkers, corona virus 2019 or COVID-19. We observed that limited data were found that related to homocysteine and angiotensin II in COVID-19 patients. Hence original research on these novel biomarkers which associated with the complication of COVID-19 might be given new clues especially that mediate anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects leading to cardiovascular, renal-protective actions. The present review proposed by the available literature, these predictors might be the potent biomarkers to improve management of corona virus. Further, large cohort studies will be required to support conclusions of present review.
Serum uric acid is no more a by-stander for risk of cardiovascular diseases in metabolic syndrome: a prospective study
Authors: Allam Anirudh Kumar , Chavan Chandrakant , Mandole Rahul , Hiremath Jagdish , Khese Vikrant
Published: May 2021

Background: Cardiovascular diseases have become the fastest growing health issue in India and worldwide. Population with metabolic syndrome is known to be pre-disposed to several chronic disorders along with higher risk of experiencing cardiovascular events. The role of uric acid as a cardiovascular risk factor in metabolic syndrome was not well studied in the literature, which made us to undertake the present study.Methods: All the patients aged between 18 to 75 years (both gender) who approached Madhavbaug cardiac care clinics located in Maharashtra, India for assessing risk of heart disease from January 2015 to January 2017 were screened. Risk factors for metabolic syndrome have been evaluated among the study population and categorised into metabolic syndrome positive (³3 risk factors) and negative groups (<3 risk factors). Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software version: 21.0.Results: Our study includes 2294 subjects who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Males outnumbered the females and sex ratio was 2.89:1. Females had lower serum uric acid levels compared to males irrespective of metabolic component. Gender and serum uric acid levels (high and low) were used stratification of the subjects. Serum uric acid is an independent predictor of cardiovascular diseases with an Odds ratio of 1.13 (95% confidence interval).Conclusions: Serum uric acid level is one of the important predictor for cardiovascular risk in metabolic syndrome. Raised uric acid is not an innocent by-stander and one of the major contributors in development of cardiovascular diseases.
Hearing threshold of patients with chronic kidney disease undergoing haemodialysis
Authors: Fufore Mohammed Bello , Kirfi Abdullahi Musa , Salisu Abubakar Danjuma , Samdi Musa Thomas , Abubakar Abdulhameed Bala , Onakoya Paul Adekunle
Published: May 2021

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognised as a serious public health issue due to its many associated complications, including hearing loss (HL). The study aimed to determine the hearing threshold of adult patients with CKD undergoing haemodialysis.

Methods: This was a prospective, hospital-based study of patients with CKD undergoing haemodialysis in a tertiary hospital in Kaduna, carried out between December 2017 and November 2018. Ethical approval and informed consent were obtained. Data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Statistical analysis was with t test and Chi square and level of significance was set at p<0.05.

Results: Thirty patients with CKD undergoing haemodialysis were age and sex matched with 30 controls (CKD patients not on dialysis). Mean age for subjects and controls were 44.6±14.3 and 41.7±12.5, respectively. Mean right ear pure tone average (PTAv) among subjects and the controls were 32.7±9.6 and 25.6±6.2, respectively. Mean left ear PTAv among subjects and controls were 33.3±9.7 and 25.8±6.2, respectively. Hearing loss was present in 73.3% and 41.7% among the subjects and controls respectively (p<0.001). Of the 22 ears of subjects that had ≤10 sessions of dialysis, 13 (59.1%) ears had HL and of the 38 ears that had >10 sessions of dialysis, 30 (78.9%) ears had HL. The difference between hearing threshold and sessions of dialysis was statistically significant (p=0.001).

Conclusions: Hearing thresholds of CKD patients on dialysis was higher than those not on dialysis. Haemodialysis significantly affects the hearing thresholds of CKD patients.

 
A comparative study to evaluate the effects of intranasal steroid spray, isotonic saline nasal irrigation and combination therapy in patients with allergic rhinitis
Authors: Gangaraju Smitha Soubhagya , Pillai Nikitha , Manthal Vijaylaxmi
Published: May 2021

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterized by inflammatory changes in the nasal mucosa caused by exposure to inhaled allergens. AR clinically having 2 or more symptoms of anterior or posterior rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal blockage or itching of the nose during two or more consecutive days for more than 1 hour on most days which are caused by allergen exposure leading to an IgE mediated reaction. Nasal steroids and antihistamines are considered as gold standard treatment of choice in moderate to severe AR. This study was taken to evaluate the efficacy of intranasal steroid spray, isotonic saline nasal irrigation, combination therapy and to compare all 3 treatment modalities.

Methods: 75 patients of AR who met inclusion criteria were sequentially divided into 3 groups. Group A was intranasal steroid spray, group B was isotonic saline nasal irrigation, group C was combination of both intranasal steroid spray and saline nasal irrigation. Total nasal symptoms score was compared before and after 1 month of treatment.

Results: Mean total nasal symptoms score before treatment in groups A, B and C was found to be 13.72, 12.96 and 13.68 respectively and after 1 month of treatment total nasal symptoms score was seen 8.28, 8.76 and 3.72 respectively.

Conclusions: The combined use of saline nasal irrigation along with intranasal corticosteroids is found to be more effective in reducing the symptoms of patients with allergic rhinitis when compared to individual therapies.
Role of 1.5% acetic acid irrigation and medical management in chronic persistent suppurative otitis media
Authors: Kanakarajulu Bhavya , Sowmya Lanke , . Teja
Published: May 2021

Background: Chronic ear discharge in chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM) persisting for more than two weeks has become difficult to treat for ENT specialists due to resistance to the available antibiotics and patient's affordability for its cost. Also, biofilms have been responsible for the disease and cause tympanic membrane perforation and deafness. The use of 1.5% acetic acid irrigation acts as an antiseptic, and altering the middle ear's pH to treat otorrhea in CSOM needs to be studied. Aim of the study to assess results of 1.5% acetic acid irrigation and topical and systemic antibiotic in CSOM and to consider the most appropriate medical management

Methods: A total of 100 patients of CSOM was divided equally into two groups. Group 1 patients were treated with 1.5% acetic acid irrigation every other day, and group 2 was treated with topical and systemic antibiotics three drops’ times daily. Follow up of both groups every week up to symptomatic relief.

Results: Otorrhoea resolution in the group treated with acetic acid was 88%, and healing of perforation was noted in 28 %, while the failure rate of 12%.

Conclusions: Medical management of persistent CSOM with tubotympanic type by frequent aural cleaning, 1.5% acetic acid irrigation can be the more desirable choice than the topical and oral antibiotics. It is safe without any side effects and economical. Alteration of ear canal PH is one of the main factors for healing, in addition to mechanical disruption of biofilm and removal of deep-seated debris.

 
High-flow nasal oxygen for laryngeal tumor debulking: case report and current challenges
Authors: Lemay Francois , Guay Benoit , Labrecque Pascal
Published: May 2021

High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) has brought new opportunities in shared airway surgery. Contemporary challenges with its use in severely obstructive conditions such as laryngeal tumors still need to be addressed as there is discrepancy in its use and access among centres. We reported a case in which the use of HFNO allowed laryngeal tumor debulking while avoiding tracheotomy in a stridulous patient. The patient described was a 70 year old patient with stridor at rest secondary to a laryngeal tumor diagnosed five days before surgery. Tumor debulking could be safely initiated under general anaesthesia, which would not have been possible without HFNO. This report served as an example of an alternative to awake tracheotomy in the management of severely obstructive laryngeal pathology We wish to discuss through this case management of severely obstructive laryngeal pathology in the era of HFNO, while encouraging discussion on its potential benefits and limits.
Office of Institutional Integrity and Sanctions System: Annual Report 2020
Authors:   Inter-American Development Bank
Published: May 2021

This Annual Report reflects the work of the Office of Institutional Integrity (OII), the Sanctions Officer (SO) and the Sanctions Committee (SNC), which together are responsible for overseeing the management of integrity risk at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Group.
América Latina en movimiento: Competencias y habilidades para la Cuarta Revolución Industrial en el contexto de pandemia
Authors: Basco Ana Inés , Lavena Cecilia
Published: May 2021

Los acelerados procesos de cambio tecnológico y productivo, evidente en el desarrollo de economías cada vez más basadas en servicios y en la expansión de las plataformas digitales como espacios de interacción, se vio atravesado por la pandemia global por COVID-19. En este marco, los países latinoamericanos enfrentan el desafío de acceder a nuevos mercados e incrementar el comercio, la productividad laboral y el valor agregado de las exportaciones, tanto dentro de la propia región como con el resto del mundo. Este documento busca entender en este contexto los cambios en materia de adopción tecnológica, modalidades de trabajo y demanda de habilidades laborales en Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia y México y analizar sus diferencias con la etapa pre-pandemia.
Inter-American Development Bank Annual Report 1999
Authors:   Inter-American Development Bank
Published: May 2021

The Annual Report contains a review of the Bank's operations in 1999.
Czynności ludzkie jako obiektywny wymiar badań nauk humanistycznych. Analiza porównawcza koncepcji Kazimierza Twardowskiego i Floriana Znanieckiego
Authors: Jabłoński Arkadiusz
Published: May 2021

The article is an analysis of the concept of human activities of two great Polish thinkers − Kazimierz Twardowski and Florian Znaniecki. The text is analytical and synthetic in nature, bordering on the history of ideas and methodology. The main problem of the article is to show what research approach in humanities results from the concept of human activities by Twardowski and Znaniecki. They present different ways of conceptualizing human activities, which complement each other logically and define complementary areas of description of human behavior. Twardowski strives to objectively describe human activities as logical and semiotic situations contained in human products. Such a perspective provides the basis for a scientific treatment of them, different from discovering hidden deterministic cause-and-effect relationships specific to natural phenomena. In Znanieckiʼs approach, activities are treated as a material of culture, i.e. an order of relations between all externalized human experiences. This is the basis of a humanistic understanding of human behavior that conforms to cause and effect thinking in the natural sciences.
Formación Paideia en atención primaria: análisis de la democracia institucional y las relaciones de poder en las prácticas laborales en salud
Authors: Viana Mônica Martins de Oliveira , Terra Lilian Soares Vidal
Published: May 2021

Este artículo parte de dos iniciativas pedagógicas de “formación Paideia” con el propósito de analizar sus contribuciones en la producción de relaciones democráticas y en la coproducción del cuidado en atención primaria de la salud. La primera iniciativa realizó una capacitación en apoyo matricial (2015-2016) que reunió a 94 especialistas y, la segunda, una capacitación en salud familiar (2018-2020), que reunió a 149 profesionales. Los 243 profesionales de la salud participantes provenían de cinco municipios brasileños. Los resultados obtenidos a través de cuestionarios y diarios de campo elaborados durante los cursos señalan que la formación Paideia motiva a los profesionales a incorporar una clínica ampliada y el apoyo matricial en atención primaria de la salud, y propicia compartir el cuidado y la co-construcción de la autonomía junto a los usuarios. Sin embargo, aún son frecuentes las prácticas autoritarias de la gestión hacia las y los profesionales, entre profesionales, y desde las y los profesionales hacia las personas usuarias, de modo que es necesario invertir, más allá de la formación, en una mayor democratización de los servicios.
EFEITO DO TRATAMENTO TÉRMICO NA ESTABILIDADE FÍSICA DE BEBIDA DE CASTANHA DE CAJU
Authors: Brendo da Conceição Lima Dias  , Katiuchia Pereira Takeuchi
Published: May 2021

A estabilidade física de bebidas vegetais é um grande problema na indústria de alimentos, sendo influenciada pela natureza da matéria-prima, composição da bebida e condições de processamento. O uso de calor favorece a qualidade microbiológica e extensão da vida de prateleira, no entanto afeta pode afetar as propriedades sensoriais e nutricionais dos alimentos. O objetivo desse trabalho é avaliar o efeito de diferentes condições de tratamento térmico na estabilidade física de bebida à base de castanha de caju. A produção da bebida consiste basicamente na trituração da amêndoa da castanha de caju com água na proporção de 1:8 (castanha: água) seguida de filtração, de forma a obter uma emulsão homogênea, com aparência semelhante ao leite bovino. Para determinação do melhor binômio tempo e temperatura instalou-se experimento em delineamento fatorial 5x4 (2, 5, 10, 20 e 30 minutos; 65 ºC, 70 ºC, 75 ºC e 80 ºC). Os efeitos dos tratamentos térmicos sobre a estabilidade física da bebida foram avaliados através de análise de tamanho de partículas obtidos por meio de programa de processamento de imagens, sedimentação em centrífuga (% m/m) e observação de alteração visual. Os tratamentos a 70 ºC, em especial para 30 minutos de aquecimento, apresentaram menor diâmetro médio (entre 0,64 a 2,32 µm) e maior homogeneidade em relação a distribuição do tamanho de partículas, em consonância com menores percentuais de sedimentação. O conhecimento dessas condições pode auxiliar no dimensionamento e condução de processos em empreendimentos agroindustriais.
Propriedades tecno-funcionais de hidrolisado proteico do subproduto do beneficiamento da palometa (Serrasalmus spilopleura)
Authors: Aimon de Freitas Josiane , Da Silva Cunha João Pedro , Bueno Ribas Verônica , Mendes Furlan Valcenir Júnior , Centenaro Graciela
Published: May 2021

O presente trabalho teve por objetivo produzir um hidrolisado proteico a partir dos subprodutos do processamento de palometa (Serrasalmus spilopleura) utilizando a enzima Alcalase, bem como realizar a caracterização físico-química e avaliar as propriedades tecno-funcionais do hidrolisado produzido. Os subprodutos utilizados foram cabeça, pele e espinhas. Em relação à caracterização físico-química e a avaliação das propriedades tecno-funcionais do hidrolisado, o grau de hidrólise (GH) foi 17,10% e o conteúdo proteico 59,82±0,86%. O hidrolisado apresentou ainda elevada solubilidade em diferentes pHs (entre 68,51±0,51 e 90,09±0,97%), capacidade de retenção de água máxima (5,0±0,26 e 5,03±0,06%) em pH 5,0 e 7,0 respectivamente, capacidade de formação de espuma de 8,16%, com estabilidade de espuma de 85±1,0% após 60 min. Além disto, a capacidade de formar emulsão foi baixa e o teor de brancura (W) do hidrolisado proteico de palometa foi de 84,04±0,32%. Os resultados demonstram que o hidrolisado proveniente do subproduto do beneficiamento da palometa produzido neste estudo, apresentou boas propriedades de solubilidade e de formação de espuma, além de características físico-químicas favoráveis, indicando possível uso em diferentes formulações alimentícias.
Quality control of commercial samples of “arnica” (Arnica montana and Solidago chilensis) from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Araújo Pedro Nogueira , Guimarães André Luis Alcantara , Moura Mirian Ribeiro Leite , Vieira Ana Cláudia de Macêdo
Published: May 2021

Arnica montana is a medicinal plant native to Europe and used topically to treat contusions, inflammations, and muscular aches. Studies have confirmed the anti-inflammatory activity of extracts of this plant, which can be attributed to the presence of lactones. Its use in Brazil has traditionally been substituted by the species Solidago chilensis, which demonstrates similar therapeutic activity but is more adapted to a tropical climate. It is known that S. chilensis can be used as a substitute for A. montana as they both contain similar active compounds. We acquired eight different commercial brands of “arnica” sold in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, in 2013. The analyses of these products were divided into four categories: labeling, macroscopic, microscopic, and microchemical analysis. Labeling analysis followed RDCs (“Resolução de Diretoria Colegiada”) standards (10/2010 through 26/2014). The morphological analyses were performed using microscopic techniques and were followed by microchemical analyses. Our results indicated that none of the samples were in complete conformity with labeling standards, the material was poorly conserved, contaminants were abundantly present, the species were incorrectly identified, and the directions of use were inadequate and potentially dangerous to human health.