bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a fall prevention program in an inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation unit: A participatory action research study
Authors: Rahimi Shoeleh , Khankeh Hamid Reza , Ebadi Abbas , Mohammadian Batol , Eghbali Mohammad , habibzadeh Fatemeh
Published: July 2024

Importance

Spinal cord injury is a lifelong disability necessitating early management of falls during inpatient admissions. However, there is a paucity of research on fall prevention and management in Spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

Objective(s)

This study aimed at developing a fall prevention program in an inpatient rehabilitation Spinal cord injury unit.

Method

A participatory action research approach utilizing a before-and-after, mixed-method design was employed for this study. The study was performed at Rofaydeh Rehabilitation Hospital in Tehran, Iran, from 2021 to 2022. the study implemented Cohen’s four-stage model, encompassing the design of a change program, action, observation and evaluation, and feedback stages. A purposeful sampling method was utilized to select 19 nurses and members of the rehabilitation team from the hospital, ensuring maximum diversity. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and a checklist for fall prevention measures. Qualitative content analysis, alongside descriptive (frequency, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (paired t-tests and Chi-square tests), were employed for data analysis. The study adhered to COREQ guidelines.

Results

Falls were most common among patients aged fifty years or older (P = 0.026). Throughout the study period, men were more likely to experience falls than women (P = 0.01). Preventive interventions have led to significant improvements in indicators of patient monitoring and care, patient education, and environmental safety, as demonstrated by a paired-sample t-test (P<0.001). Moreover, factors contributing to patients’ falls included "shortcomings in fall prevention policies" and "lack of knowledge and participation among patients and caregivers." Changes implemented in the Spinal Cord Injury unit involved enhancing interprofessional interactions, conducting educational workshops for patients and their companions, and identifying high-risk patients. These findings indicate a significant decrease in the incidence of falls following the intervention (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

The study found that a multifaceted intervention can increase knowledge about fall risks and substantially reduce both falls and associated minor injuries.
Novel model to authenticate role-based medical users for blockchain-based IoMT devices
Authors: Aslam Muhammad Shehzad , Altaf Ayesha , Iqbal Faiza , Nigar Natasha , Galán Juan Castanedo , Aray Daniel Gavilanes , Díez Isabel de la Torre , Ashraf Imran
Published: July 2024

The IoT (Internet of Things) has played a promising role in e-healthcare applications during the last decade. Medical sensors record a variety of data and transmit them over the IoT network to facilitate remote patient monitoring. When a patient visits a hospital he may need to connect or disconnect medical devices from the medical healthcare system frequently. Also, multiple entities (e.g., doctors, medical staff, etc.) need access to patient data and require distinct sets of patient data. As a result of the dynamic nature of medical devices, medical users require frequent access to data, which raises complex security concerns. Granting access to a whole set of data creates privacy issues. Also, each of these medical user need to grant access rights to a specific set of medical data, which is quite a tedious task. In order to provide role-based access to medical users, this study proposes a blockchain-based framework for authenticating multiple entities based on the trust domain to reduce the administrative burden. This study is further validated by simulation on the infura blockchain using solidity and Python. The results demonstrate that role-based authorization and multi-entities authentication have been implemented and the owner of medical data can control access rights at any time and grant medical users easy access to a set of data in a healthcare system. The system has minimal latency compared to existing blockchain systems that lack multi-entity authentication and role-based authorization.
A comparison study of temporal trends of SARS-CoV2 RNAemia and biomarkers to predict success and failure of high flow oxygen therapy among patients with moderate to severe COVID-19
Authors: Koyama Hiroshi , Sakai Kazuya , Fukaguchi Kiyomitsu , Hadano Hiroki , Aida Yoshihisa , Kamio Tadashi , Abe Takeru , Nishii Mototsugu , Takeuchi Ichiro
Published: July 2024

Optimal timing for intubating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been debated throughout the pandemic. Early use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) can help reduce the need for intubation, but delay can result in poorer outcomes. This study examines trends in laboratory parameters and serum severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA levels of patients with COVID-19 in relation to HFNC failure. Patients requiring HFNC within three days of hospitalization between July 1 and September 30, 2021 were enrolled. The primary outcome was HFNC failure (early failure ≤Day 3; late failure ≥Day 4), defined as transfer to intensive care just before/after intubation or in-hospital death. We examined changes in laboratory markers and SARS-CoV2-RNAemia on Days 1, 4, and 7, together with demographic data, oxygenation status, and therapeutic agents. We conducted a univariate logistic regression with the explanatory variables defined as 10% change rate in each laboratory marker from Day 1 to 4. We utilized the log-rank test to assess the differences in HFNC failure rates, stratified based on the presence of SARS-CoV2 RNAemia. Among 122 patients, 17 (13.9%) experienced HFNC failure (early: n = 6, late: n = 11). Seventy-five patients (61.5%) showed an initial SpO2/FiO2 ratio ≤243, equivalent to PaO2/FiO2 ratio ≤200, and the initial SpO2/FiO2 ratio was significantly lower in the failure group (184 vs. 218, p = 0.018). Among the laboratory markers, a 10% increase from Day 1 to 4 of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and interleukin (IL)-6 was associated with late failure (Odds ratio [OR]: 1.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09–1.89 and OR: 1.04, 95%CI: 1.00–1.19, respectively). Furthermore, in patients with persistent RNAemia on Day 4 or 7, the risk of late HFNC failure was significantly higher (Log-rank test, p<0.01). In conclusion, upward trends in LDH and IL-6 levels and the persistent RNAemia even after treatment were associated with HFNC failure.
Impact of terminal cleaning in rooms previously occupied by patients with healthcare-associated infections
Authors: Verhougstraete Marc , Cooksey Emily , Walker Jennifer-Pearce , Wilson Amanda M. , Lewis Madeline S. , Yoder Aaron , Elizondo-Craig Gabriela , Almoslem Munthir , Forysiak Emily , Weir Mark H.
Published: July 2024

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are costly but preventable. A limited understanding of the effects of environmental cleaning on the riskiest HAI associated pathogens is a current challenge in HAI prevention. This project aimed to quantify the effects of terminal hospital cleaning practices on HAI pathogens via environmental sampling in three hospitals located throughout the United States. Surfaces were swabbed from 36 occupied patient rooms with a laboratory-confirmed, hospital- or community-acquired infection of at least one of the four pathogens of interest (i.e., Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii), methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis/faecium (VRE), and Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile)). Six nonporous, high touch surfaces (i.e., chair handrail, bed handrail, nurse call button, desk surface, bathroom counter near the sink, and a grab bar near the toilet) were sampled in each room for Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and the four pathogens of interest before and after terminal cleaning. The four pathogens of interest were detected on surfaces before and after terminal cleaning, but their levels were generally reduced. Overall, C. difficile was confirmed on the desk (n = 2), while MRSA (n = 24) and VRE (n = 25) were confirmed on all surface types before terminal cleaning. After cleaning, only MRSA (n = 6) on bed handrail, chair handrail, and nurse call button and VRE (n = 5) on bathroom sink, bed handrail, nurse call button, toilet grab bar, and C. difficile (n = 1) were confirmed. At 2 of the 3 hospitals, pathogens were generally reduced by >99% during terminal cleaning. One hospital showed that VRE increased after terminal cleaning, MRSA was reduced by 73% on the nurse call button, and VRE was reduced by only 50% on the bathroom sink. ATP detections did not correlate with any pathogen concentration. This study highlights the importance of terminal cleaning and indicates room for improvement in cleaning practices to reduce surface contamination throughout hospital rooms.
Anthropometric study of the scapula in a contemporary population from granada. Sex estimation and glenohumeral osteoarthritis prevalence
Authors: Garzón-Alfaro Adoración , Botella Miguel , Rus Carlborg Guillermo , Prados Olleta Nicolás , González- Ramírez Amanda Rocío , Hernández-Cortés Pedro
Published: July 2024

Anthropometric studies of the scapula have been rare in Spanish populations, nevertheless they are of current interest in forensic anthropology for estimation of sex. Although the estimation of sex is usually carried out on the pelvis and skull, other measurements related to the scapula can be helpful when the skeletal remains are incomplete. Glenohumeral osteoarthritis development is influenced, among others, by the morphology of the scapula, which is one of the less studied aspects. We carried out a descriptive study of anthropometric parameters in a series of 157 scapulae (82 individuals) on bone remains dated to the 20th century from a population of Granada (Southern Spain). Seventy seven (49%) were right-side and 80 (51%) left-side; 72 (45.9%) were from males and 85 (54.1%) from females, and the mean age at death was 70.76±11.7 years. The objective was to develop a discrimination function for sex estimation based on anthropometric parameters of the scapula other than those considered to date, and to analyze the prevalence of glenohumeral osteoarthritis in relation to selected anthropometric parameters. A logistic regression model based on parameters of the upper-external segment of the scapula was done. The obtained formula: 1/1+e^ (- (-57.911 + 0.350*B + 0283*C + 0.249*b + 0.166*a +-0.100*β) classifies male sex with 98.3% accuracy and female sex with 92.1%. Glenohumeral osteoarthritis was detected in 16.6% of individuals and was related to age (p<0.05), scapular length (p<0.05), glenoid width (p<0.05), glenopolar angle (p<0.05), and α angle (p<0.05) in bivariate analyses but showed no significant associations in multivariate analyses. This approach can be useful for anthropological-forensic identification when scapula remains are incomplete. Glenohumeral osteoarthritis is significantly associated with a smaller α angle.
Comparing the efficacy of dexamethasone implant and anti-VEGF for the treatment of macular edema: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tang Hui-xin , Li Jing-jing , Yuan Ying , Ling Yun , Mei Zubing , Zou Hong
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of dexamethasone (DEX) implant, for the treatment of macular edema (ME) caused by retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

The PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library databases were comprehensively searched from inception to November 21, 2022, for studies evaluating the clinical efficacy of DEX implant for patients with retinal vein occlusion macular edema (RVO-ME) or diabetic macular edema (DME). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English were considered eligible. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was applied to assess the risk of bias in each study. Effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were pooled using the random effects model. We also conducted subgroup analyses to explore the sources of heterogeneity and the stability of the results.

Results

This meta-analysis included 8 RCTs (RVO-ME [n = 2] and DME [n = 6]) assessing a total of 336 eyes. Compared with anti-VEGF therapy, DEX implant treatment achieved superior outcomes in terms of best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) (mean difference [MD] = -3.68 ([95% CI, -6.11 to -1.25], P = 0.003), and no heterogeneity was observed (P = 0.43, I2 = 0%). DEX implant treatment also significantly reduced central macular thickness (CMT) compared with anti-VEGF treatment (MD = -31.32 [95% CI, -57.92 to -4.72], P = 0.02), and there was a high level of heterogeneity between trials (P = 0.04, I2 = 54%). In terms of severe adverse events, DEX implant treatment had a higher risk of elevated intraocular pressure than anti-VEGF therapy (RR = 6.98; 95% CI: 2.16 to 22.50; P = 0.001), and there was no significant difference in cataract progression between the two groups (RR = 1.83; 95% CI: 0.63 to 5.27, P = 0.31).

Conclusions

Compared with anti-VEGF therapy, DEX implant treatment is more effective in improving BCVA and reducing ME. Additionally, DEX implant treatment has a higher risk of elevated intraocular pressure. Due to the small number of studies and the short follow-up period, the results should be interpreted with caution. The long-term effects of the two treatments need to be further determined.

Trial registration

Prospero Registration Number CRD42021243185.
The utility of intraoperative ultrasonography for spinal cord surgery
Authors: Park Hangeul , Kim Jun-Hoe , Lee Chang-Hyun , Kim Sum , Kim Young-Rak , Kim Kyung-Tae , Kim Ji-hoon , Rhee John M. , Jo Woo-Young , Oh Hyongmin , Park Hee-Pyoung , Kim Chi Heon
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Intraoperative ultrasonography (IOUS) offers the advantage of providing real-time imaging features, yet it is not generally used. This study aims to discuss the benefits of utilizing IOUS in spinal cord surgery and review related literature.

Materials and methods

Patients who underwent spinal cord surgery utilizing IOUS at a single institution were retrospectively collected and analyzed to evaluate the benefits derived from the use of IOUS.

Results

A total of 43 consecutive patients were analyzed. Schwannoma was the most common tumor (35%), followed by cavernous angioma (23%) and ependymoma (16%). IOUS confirmed tumor extent and location before dura opening in 42 patients (97.7%). It was particularly helpful for myelotomy in deep-seated intramedullary lesions to minimize neural injury in 13 patients (31.0% of 42 patients). IOUS also detected residual or hidden lesions in 3 patients (7.0%) and verified the absence of hematoma post-tumor removal in 23 patients (53.5%). In 3 patients (7.0%), confirming no intradural lesions after removing extradural tumors avoided additional dural incisions. IOUS identified surrounding blood vessels and detected dural defects in one patient (2.3%) respectively.

Conclusions

The IOUS can be a valuable tool for spinal cord surgery in identifying the exact location of the pathologic lesions, confirming the completeness of surgery, and minimizing the risk of neural and vascular injury in a real-time fashion.
Anaemia among adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women in the southern rural region of Bangladesh: Prevalence and risk factors
Authors: Ara Gulshan , Hassan Rafid , Haque Md. Ahshanul , Boitchi Anika Bushra , Ali Samira Dilruba , Kabir Kazi Sudipta , Mahmud Riad Imam , Islam Kazal Ahidul , Rahman Hafizur , Islam Zhahirul
Published: July 2024

Anaemia is a major public health concern in developing countries, particularly among children, adolescents, and women of reproductive age. The study aimed to assess the anaemia status among adolescent girls, pregnant, and lactating women with their contributing factors in the southern rural regions of Bangladesh. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 adolescent girls, 375 pregnant, and 375 lactating women using a multistage cluster-random sampling technique. Anaemia was measured through haemoglobin concentration in blood capillaries collected with a Hemocue 301 machine. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine the factors associated with anaemia. The average age of pregnant and lactating women was 24 years and 15.2 years for girls. Overall, the prevalence of anaemia was 50% among pregnant women, 46% among lactating women, and 38% among adolescent girls. The risk of anaemia among adolescent girls was higher among non-Muslim (aOR = 2.13, 95%CI:1.05–4.31), belonged to families having >5 members (aOR = 2.24, 95%CI:1.16–4.31) while exposure to media reduced their risk (aOR = 0.33, 95%CI:0.15–0.74). Pregnant women who consumed a diversified diet, washed their hands after toilet, and received ≥4 ANC visits had a lower likelihood of developing anaemia. Lactating women who were employed, consumed a diversified diet, washed their hands before preparing food, and after toilet, had been exposed to media, received ≥4 ANC visits, and consumed ≥90 IFA, had a lower risk of developing anaemia. However, anaemia was more likely to be associated with lactating women who were non-Muslim (aOR = 3.75; 95%CI:1.26–11.22). The high prevalence of anaemia emphasizes the need to reconsider the existing strategy for the prevention and control of micronutrient deficiencies in Bangladesh.
Drugs in blood and urine samples from victims of suspected exposure to drink spiking: A prospective observational study from Oslo, Norway
Authors: Dalaker Vivian M. , Furuhaugen Håvard , Brekke Mette , Bjørnaas Mari Asphjell , Krpo Maja , Øiestad Elisabeth Leere , Vallersnes Odd Martin
Published: July 2024

Objective

People regularly contact emergency medicine services concerned that they have been exposed to drink spiking, i.e., exposure to drugs without their knowledge or permission. We identified drugs in blood and urine samples from patients suspecting exposure to drink spiking, with special consideration for drugs not reported taken by the patient (unreported drugs).

Methods

From September 2018 to May 2019, we collected blood and urine samples from patients 16 years or older presenting at an emergency clinic in Oslo, Norway, within 48 hours of suspected exposure to drink spiking. We also collected information on ethanol ingestion and drugs taken. Blood samples were analyzed for 20 classical recreational drugs using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) and an automated enzymatic method for ethanol. Urine samples were analyzed using immunoassay methods and a specific gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) method for gammahydroxybutyrate (GHB).

Results

From 100 included patients (median age 24 years, 62 females), we collected 100 blood samples and 72 urine samples. Median time since exposure was 5 hours. Unreported drugs were found in 15 patients. Unreported drugs in the blood samples were clonazepam in 3, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) in 3, amphetamine in 2, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in 2, tramadol in 1, cocaine in 1, and methamphetamine in 1. Unreported drugs in the urine samples were cocaine in 5, amphetamine in 4, ecstasy in 3, and cannabis in 2. Ethanol was found in 69 patients, all reporting ethanol ingestion. Median blood ethanol concentration was higher in patients with no unreported drugs detected, 1.00‰ (interquartile range (IQR) 0–1.52) vs. 0‰ (IQR 0–0.46) (p<0.001). GHB was not detected.

Conclusion

Unreported drugs, possibly used for drink spiking, were found in 15% of patients. Blood ethanol concentration was higher when no unreported drugs were found. GHB was not detected in any patient.
The impact of low-carbon city pilot policy on urban green technology innovation: Based on government and public perspectives
Authors: Pan Qingjie , Zhao Shouguo
Published: July 2024

Global climate change has caused a series of environmental problems, green technology innovation is necessitating strategic responses, but the impact of low-carbon city pilot policy on urban green technology innovation is unclear. Based on panel data from 285 Chinese cities during 2005–2022, this study employs the Difference in Difference method to examine the impact of low-carbon city policy on urban green technology innovation. The results show that (1) The low-carbon city pilot policy promotes urban green technology innovation. (2) The low-carbon city pilot policy promotes urban green technology innovation through government green input and public engagement. (3) New infrastructure enhances the impact of low-carbon city pilot policy on quantity of green technology innovation. (4) Compared with the Yangtze River Economic Belt, the low-carbon city policy has a greater influence on urban green technology innovation in the Yellow River Basin.The findings provide policy insights for the construction of low-carbon pilot cities.
Relating gut microbiome composition and life history metrics for pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in the Red Desert, Wyoming
Authors: Buchanan Courtney E. , Galla Stephanie J. , Muscarella Mario E. , Forbey Jennifer S. , Reinking Adele K. , Beck Jeffrey L.
Published: July 2024

Host microbial communities (hereafter, the ‘microbiome’) are recognized as an important aspect of host health and are gaining attention as a useful biomarker to understand the ecology and demographics of wildlife populations. Several studies indicate that the microbiome may contribute to the adaptive capacity of animals to changing environments associated with increasing habitat fragmentation and rapid climate change. To this end, we investigated the gut microbiome of pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), an iconic species in an environment that is undergoing both climatic and anthropogenic change. The bacterial composition of the pronghorn gut microbiome has yet to be described in the literature, and thus our study provides important baseline information about this species. We used 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing of fecal samples to characterize the gut microbiome of pronghorn—a facultative sagebrush (Artemisia spp.) specialist in many regions where they occur in western North America. We collected fecal pellets from 159 captured female pronghorn from four herds in the Red Desert of Wyoming during winters of 2013 and 2014. We found small, but significant differences in diversity of the gut microbiome relative to study area, capture period, and body fat measurements. In addition, we found a difference in gut microbiome composition in pronghorn across two regions separated by Interstate 80. Results indicated that the fecal microbiome may be a potential biomarker for the spatial ecology of free-ranging ungulates. The core gut microbiome of these animals—including bacteria in the phyla Firmicutes (now Bacillota) and Bacteroidota—remained relatively stable across populations and biological metrics. These findings provide a baseline for the gut microbiome of pronghorn that could potentially be used as a target in monitoring health and population structure of pronghorn relative to habitat fragmentation, climate change, and management practices.
Wild Colonial Boys: A Belfast Punk Story, Thomas Paul Burgess (2024)
Authors: Bestley Russ
Published: July 2024

Review of: Wild Colonial Boys: A Belfast Punk Story, Thomas Paul Burgess (2024)

Manchester: Manchester University Press, 285 pp.,

ISBN 978-1-52617-337-9, p/bk, £16.99
Tecnología para la gestión de la imagen inducida en internet de destinos turísticos
Authors: Batista Sánchez Ernesto , Pérez Pravia Milagros Caridad
Published: July 2024

La importancia estratégica del turismo para la economía cubana conlleva a la necesidad de posicionar una imagen del destino que contribuya a incentivar a los consumidores a visitar y recomendar los destinos turísticos del país. Por ello, posicionar a través de Internet una imagen favorable, que responda a las necesidades de los consumidores turísticos resulta fundamental. En la revisión de la literatura efectuada no se evidencia la integración de los componentes cognitivo y afectivo de la imagen inducida en Internet, a través de agentes inducidos abiertos y encubiertos como elemento que favorezca el comportamiento del consumidor turístico. La investigación tiene como objetivo general desarrollar una tecnología para la gestión de la imagen inducida en Internet de destinos turísticos, que incida favorablemente en el comportamiento del consumidor turístico. Los aportes fundamentales se centran en la creación de un modelo de gestión, un procedimiento general y herramientas asociadas que lo operacionalizan. La validación del modelo se realizó a partir de un sistema de ecuaciones estructurales y la aplicación del procedimiento en destinos turísticos cubanos permitió validar la hipótesis de investigación. La aplicación permitió incrementar el aprovechamiento de los agentes de formación, la mejora en el posicionamiento de los componentes cognitivos y afectivos, así como influir positivamente en el comportamiento de los consumidores.
Habilidades sociales en los empleados del sector turístico: un análisis de la situación actual y la necesidad de desarrollo futuro
Authors: Andreu Rosario , Rienda Laura , Ruiz Fernández Lorena
Published: July 2024

Este trabajo se centra en el análisis de las denominadas soft skills en los trabajadores de las empresas turísticas; habilidades que son clave para mejorar la satisfacción de los clientes y, por ende, para aumentar la competitividad empresarial. Los datos fueron obtenidos mediante una encuesta realizada a empresarios de distintos subsectores turísticos de varios países de Europa (alojamiento, restauración, agentes de viaje, atracciones turísticas y gestión de destinos). Son varios los objetivos de la investigación. En primer lugar, se pretende conocer el nivel que presentan los empleados en determinadas habilidades sociales agrupadas en habilidades personales, de comunicación y de gestión de la diversidad. En segundo lugar, también se pretende determinar la importancia que cada una de esas habilidades tendrá para las empresas turísticas en el futuro observando, al mismo tiempo, si existen diferencias entre los distintos subsectores turísticos. Por último, se examinan las herramientas o métodos de formación que emplean las empresas de cada uno de los subsectores analizados con sus trabajadores para lograr el desarrollo de estas habilidades sociales. Los resultados nos permiten conocer las habilidades sociales hacia las que deben orientar las empresas y organismos sus planes de formación. Las conclusiones obtenidas pueden también trasladarse al ámbito académico para que, desde los diferentes centros de formación e instituciones, hagan mayor hincapié en estas habilidades sociales que son la clave para un sector como el turístico.
Mediating power of career adaptability between decent work and quality of life: study with tourism independent workers
Authors: Faria Liliana , Gouveia Claudia Sofia , Florêncio Luís
Published: July 2024

The promotion of decent work plays a central role in the transformation of tourism into a sustainable activity. The literature on this topic has multiplied, but it is imperative to pay more attention to workers in the potentially most vulnerable sectors, such as those without employment contracts and without formal higher education. The aim of this study on independent workers in tourism is to investigate how they perceive their work as decent and to analyze their quality of life. In addition, the study aims to analyze the mediating effect of career adaptability on the relationship between decent work and quality of life. The sample consists of 228 tourism workers in Portugal, mainly women, aged between 19 and 71 years. The results support the hypothesis that decent work can improve the quality of life of workers in the tourism industry. They also show that decent work is associated with a greater likelihood that workers are able and feel confident to adapt to changing tasks, to engage in continuous training and to manage their careers, which has a positive impact on their quality of life. The importance of prioritizing decent work and psychosocial resources to cope with the changing working and working conditions of the independent workers in the tourism sector in Portugal is discussed.
Precision Oncology, Signaling Pathways Reprogramming and Targeted Therapy: A Holistic Approach to Molecular Cancer Therapeutics
Authors: Kumar Manish
Published: July 2024

Cancer is a fatal genetic disease with different aspects of complexity, including cancer immune evasion, treatment resistance and recurrence, requiring optimized treatment for proper cure. Molecular studies have revealed that tumors are extremely heterogeneous in nature, leading to the complexity of cancer progression that is ultimately linked to its genetic machinery. It is important to note that patients with the same types of cancer respond differently to cancer treatments, indicating the need for treatment options specific to each patient. Thus, in-depth genomic study of patient’s tumor will be needed to fully understand the determinants of cancer initiation and progression for effective targeted therapy. Precision oncology has evolved as a form of cancer therapy focused on genetic profiling of tumors to identify molecular alterations involved in cancer manifestation for tailored individualized treatment of the disease. There has been a deluge of formulation and mass production of anticancer agents in recent years, mainly due to advances in genomic technologies enabling precise targeting of oncogenic pathways involved in disease. This article aims to briefly explain the foundations and frontiers of precision oncology in the context of advancements in the tools and techniques exploited in the process in order to assess its scope and importance to realize the intended goals.
Cordyline fruticosa leaf powder supplemented in the diet of weaned pigs: effect on growth performance, heamatological and serum biochemical indices
Authors: John Alagbe Olujimi
Published: July 2024

In Sumitra Research Institute, Gujarat, a total of 50 cross-bred male piglets (Yorkshire × Landrace) with an initial body weight of 9.77 ± 0.06 kg weaned at 28 days were randomly distributed 5 treatments of 10 replicates containing 1 animal each in 60 days’ trial. According to the Nutritional Research Council’s recommendation in 2012, a basal diet was adequate in all nutrients. Pigs in treatment 1 were fed a basal diet without C. fruticosa leaf powder while treatments 2, 3, 4, and 5 were fed the same diet supplemented with C. fruticosa leaf powder at 20 g, 40 g, 60 g, and 80 g respectively. Animals were given unrestricted access to fresh clean water and a completely randomized design was adopted. The experimental result showed that average daily weight gains and average daily feed intake which took the form of 0.29-0.46 kg and 0.68-0.77 kg were higher in the C. fruticosa leaf powder-supplemented group relative to the control (p < 0.05). The treatments significantly influenced the best feed conversion ratio and mortality rate from 1.73-2.34 to 1.0-3.0% (p < 0.05). Haemoglobin, red blood cell, pack cell volume, total platelet count, mean platelet volume, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell, lymphocytes, and monocytes count follow a similar trend as values were greater in treatment 3, 4 and 5, an intermediary in treatment 2 and lower in treatment 1 (p < 0.05). The treatment significantly influenced total protein, glucose, cholesterol, Calcium, and Phosphorus values (p < 0.05). In contrast, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, sodium, chloride, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase values were similar among the treatments (p > 0.05). In conclusion, Cordyline fruticosa leaf powder can be supplemented in the diet of weaned pigs without causing any negative effect on the growth and health status of weaned pigs.
A pilot survey on the identification of different deformities and prevalence of cracked eggs in commercial layers’ farms in Ogbomoso metropolis, Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Shittu Muritala Daniel , Agboola Quadri Olatunji , Ojebiyi Olusegun Ojeniyi , Ademola Sodiq Gbolagade , Adeyi Oyefunmike Oluwatoyin , Kareem Robiat Olutoyosi , Ojediran Taiwo Kayode , Akinwande Blessing Opeyemi
Published: July 2024

This research was conducted within Ogbomoso town, Oyo State, to identify the different types of cracks and deformed eggs common in the study area. It highlighted the socio-economic characteristics of the commercial layer farmers, flock characteristics, feed and feeding, veterinary service, cracks and deformed eggs incidence, causes of deformed eggs, and measures to minimize them. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered on 40 identified commercial layer farms that were randomly selected. Data analyses were carried out using frequency counts, pie charts, and percentages. The result of the study indicated that the majority (90%) of the respondents were male with a few (10%) females, and the majority (90%) were Christian with 10% Muslims. The entire respondents attained tertiary education. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the studied farm used veterinary services on their farm and 25% did not. All (100%) of the farms studied experience one type of cracks/deformed eggs or the other. The most common cracks and deformed eggs observed in this research were gross cracks (15.52%), blood spots (13.79), and thin shells (12.93%) while mottled crack (0.86%) was the least experienced crack. The causes of cracks and deformed eggs as indicated by the farmers showed that cracks and deformed eggs were majorly caused by birds’ cages (23.2%), birds (20.3%), and vermin (15.9%), and few were caused by diseases, hormonal changes and during the process of eggs transportation. The major means of controlling cracks and deformed eggs observed in this research were proper handling of the eggs (22.7%), disease prevention (19.7%), and control of rats (19.7%) while the least control measure suggested was the use of antibiotics. Gross crack which resulted in a large hold and broken membrane is the most common egg crack in the farms. The results of this research show that all the farms studied experience cracks and deformed eggs on their farms and different approaches are being used to minimize the effect therefore, farmers need to minimize the occurrence in other to reduce the loss of money through it.
Factores asociados a la prematuridad de niños con oxígeno en un Programa Madre Canguro de Bogotá, 2020
Authors: Guevara-Suta Sonia Esperanza , Narváez-Rumié Olivia Margarita , Gutiérrez-Galvis Adriana Rocío , López Cruz Ruth Liliana , Díaz-Cedeño Martha Milena , Pérez- Arenas Natalia , Polo-Cueto Jeannette , Grattz- Pérez Angie Liceth , Pinzón-Chaparro Daniela Alejandra , Torres-Bernal Wendy Michel
Published: July 2024

Caracterizar a prematuros con oxígeno en programas de salud pública permite generar estrategias para abordar desafíos en los niños y sus familias. Objetivo: Determinar los factores asociados a la prematuridad de niños con oxígeno en un Programa Madre Canguro (PMC) de Bogotá, 2020. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de cohorte histórica identificada a partir de la información registrada por la Subred Sur de Bogotá. Se analizaron 86 prematuros de 36 semanas o menos de edad gestacional con oxígeno en un PMC, durante el 2020. Resultados: El 54 % de los < de 32 semanas eran niñas, con un peso promedio de 1620 gramos. Un 94 % de los < de 32 semanas recibieron surfactante pulmonar, mientras que en los > de 33 semanas el 58 % recibieron el tratamiento. El 57 % presentó dificultad respiratoria moderada. El oxígeno con pieza en T se administró al 84 % de los bebes < a 32 semanas. Un 62 % tenían displasia broncopulmonar, y el 16 % de los reingresos fueron por Bronquiolitis. Se encontró una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el peso, la edad gestacional, el test de Silverman-Anderson, la FIO2 y la TGRE, con un nivel de significancia <0,05. Esto indica una dependencia entre estas variables. Conclusiones: Este estudio analiza cómo las semanas de gestación, el peso, el test de Silverman-Anderson, la FIO2, la administración de surfactante pulmonar y las transfusiones sanguíneas están relacionadas entre sí. Los resultados permiten identificar áreas de intervención y adaptación de estrategias según las necesidades de la población estudiada, mejorando así la atención en los PMC.
Síntomas depresivos en niños y adolescentes de un hospital de Tlaxcala durante la pandemia Covid-19
Authors: Castañeda Sánchez Oscar , Castañeda Soqui Jessica
Published: July 2024

Introducción: Durante el confinamiento secundario a la pandemia por COVID-19, se han presentado alteraciones en la salud mental en niños y adolescentes. Objetivo General: Determinar la prevalencia de síntomas depresivos en niños y adolescentes de un Hospital de Tlaxcala durante la pandemia COVID-19. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal descriptivo en el Hospital General de Subzona con Medicina Familiar No. 8 en Tlaxcala, seleccionando de forma probabilística sistemática niños y adolescentes derechohabientes entre los 8 y 18 años de edad, de tercero de primaria a tercero de preparatoria, a quienes se les aplicó el inventario de Beck, tomando como variables: edad, sexo, grado escolar, tipología familiar, tiempo de confinamiento y la presencia de síntomas depresivos. Los resultados se analizaron con frecuencias, porcentajes, media y desviación estándar. Resultados: Participaron 134 estudiantes, 14.2 % niños y 85.8 % adolescentes, 53.7 % mujeres y 46.3 % hombres con 13.4 ± 3.1 años de edad. El 44 % no presentó datos de depresión, un 56 % presentó síntomas depresivos, 29.1 % con depresión leve, 22.4 % depresión moderada y 4.5 % depresión severa. Presentando depresión 28.4 % de los adolescentes (leve), 17.2 % de las féminas, 14.9 % con tipología de familia nuclear con hermanos y 29.1 % de los estudiantes de preparatoria. Conclusión: Conforme los resultados arrojados por la escala de Beck, 3 de cada 10 niños/adolescentes presentan depresión leve y 2 de cada 10 depresión moderada. La depresión se presentó con mayor frecuencia en adolescentes de preparatoria, en el sexo femenino y en familias nucleares con hermanos.
Migrated Plastic Biliary Stent Causing Cecal Perforation
Authors: Swied Muhammed Yaman , Al Turk Yahia , Maitar Michael
Published: July 2024

Plastic biliary stents can spontaneously dislodge from the common bile duct and migrate distally into the bowels. Most migrated plastic biliary stents get passed with stools without any complication. However, in rare cases, migrated biliary stents can cause bowel perforation requiring urgent intervention. We report a rare case of a 53-year-old woman presenting with severe lower abdominal pain secondary to migrated plastic biliary stent causing cecal perforation. Computed tomography revealed a radiopaque linear foreign body within the cecum. The patient underwent emergent laparoscopy with stent removal and was discharged 2 days later without long-term complications.
Beyond Performative Compliance: Local Forms of Resistance to Anti-FGM Campaigns in Ethiopia
Authors: Eresso Meron Zeleke
Published: July 2024

The Afar region, one of the hot spots of female genital mutilation (FGM) in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, has attracted several international and local anti-FGM campaigns including the longitudinal global UNFPA-UNICEF joint initiative. The region is often praised as a showcase for the acclaimed social norm change brought by intervention projects. Religious leaders and traditional birth attendants (TBAs) were among the key local actors targeted as agents of change and norm mediators. The declaration passed by the religious leaders outlawing FGM, and the numerous community public declarations made all applauded the success in social norm change. Such accounts are often in tune with a narrative of linear progress of norms whereby global norms of gender equality successfully diffuse to local settings. The discourse pronouncing the diffusion of global norms often overshadows the norm contestations and resistance happening at the grassroots level. Based on an ethnographic study conducted in the Afar region, this contribution examines the different aspects of norm contestation and resistance happening at the grassroots level throwing light onto the resurgence of FGM in the region where the practice continued beyond the observational gaze of the government and other stakeholders. Furthermore, the article discusses the discursive strategies that the local community adopted ranging from performative compliance, negotiation for a milder form of the practice to devising alternative ways and platforms for performing FGM. The article critically reflects on the direct and subtle forms of resistance, the framing of the debate and the interplay of several factors that undermined the efficiency of the interventions.
Die Politik des Kritischen Komponierens
Authors: Drazic Lena
Published: July 2024

Neue Musik konfrontiert uns mit ungewohnten Klängen und zwingt uns so, unser Verhältnis zur Welt zu hinterfragen. Sie rüttelt auf und ist somit immer auch politisch, so die gängige These. Am Beispiel von Helmut Lachenmann, einem der prominentesten Komponisten der Gegenwart, macht Lena Drazic Texte über Neue Musik zur Grundlage einer Diskursanalyse, die deren politischen Versprechungen auf den Grund geht. Daran zeigt sie, dass insbesondere in der Strömung des »Kritischen Komponierens« Werte wie Demokratie, Niederschwelligkeit oder Herrschaftskritik beschworen werden, der Zugang zum Neue-Musik-Betrieb hingegen maßgeblich von Bildungs- und Klassenprivilegien abhängt.
Das Revival der traditionellen gälischen Musik Schottlands
Authors: Schröder Martin
Published: July 2024

Die traditionelle gälische Musik Schottlands feiert ein Revival. Martin Schröder betrachtet mit Runrig und Capercaillie zwei der bedeutendsten Folkgruppen des Landes. Dabei analysiert er erstmals deren Werk und das ihrer musikalischen Wegbereiter und untersucht es im Kontext musikalischer Revivalbewegungen. Mithilfe zeitgenössischer Zeitungs- und Zeitschriftenartikel, Rezensionen, zahlreicher Transkriptionen von Ausschnitten der Werke beider Bands sowie einer Vielzahl von Interviews, u.a. mit dem Runrig-Gründer Calum Macdonald und dem ehemaligen Leadsänger Donnie Munro, zeichnet er so ein vielgestaltiges Meinungsbild zur Entwicklung der traditionellen gälischen Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart.
Practice of Kangaroo Mother Care: Unveiling Implementation Among Healthcare Providers in Sokoto, North-Western Nigeria
Authors: Adamu Asma'u , Omeneke Isezuo Khadijat
Published: July 2024

Purpose – To assess the proportion of Health Care Providers (HCPs) in Sokoto practicing Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in their various health facilities and identify barriers to KMC practice among HCPs in Sokoto. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the extent of KMC adoption and uncover the obstacles that hinder its effective implementation.
Design/methods/approach – A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 80 Health Care Providers (HCPs) who attended the World Prematurity Day celebration in 2022. The program was held at the Medical and Health Workers Union office, Tamaje, Sokoto, on December 2, 2022. A structured questionnaire comprising both open and close-ended questions was used. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 25.
Findings – The mean age of the HCPs was 32.9±7.6 years, with the majority, 30 (37.5%), having less than five years of working experience. Of the 80 respondents, 41 (51.3%) were nurses, 9 (11.2%) were doctors, and 16 (20.0%) were midwives. Forty-three (53.7%) of the HCPs practiced KMC. The most common barriers to implementing KMC among the HCPs were lack of privacy for the mothers (23, 28.8%), lack of space for the mothers (21, 26.3%), cultural reasons (19, 23.8%), and lack of skills on KMC (16, 20.0%). The factors associated with the practice of KMC were previous training on KMC and working in tertiary hospitals (p<0.05).
Research implications/limitations – This research implies that to mitigate barriers to KMC practice in hospitals, HCPs need to be trained to acquire skills for KMC, and rooms for KMC that ensure privacy for mothers should be available in health facilities.
Practical implications –By identifying and addressing the barriers to KMC, such as lack of privacy, space, and skills, health facilities can improve the adoption and effectiveness of KMC practices.
Originality/value – Kangaroo Mother Care reduces morbidity and mortality in Low Birth Weight (LBW) infants, making it crucial for countries with scarce resources to adopt this practice. Healthcare providers play a vital role in educating, supporting, and assisting mothers to practice KMC in the hospital and continue it at home after discharge.
Paper type Research paper
Performance evaluation of a smartphone-based home test for fecal calprotection
Authors: Michaelis Simon , Hochfellner Anna , Schneider Christopher , Schnedl Wolfgang J. , Baranyi Andreas , Enko Dietmar
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Fecal calprotectin (FC) serves as a non-invasive marker for the assessment of gut inflammation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Laboratory measurements are usually performed with immunologic methods like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Recently, quantitative home tests based on the lateral flow technology with smartphones as read-out devices have been developed. We compared the quantitative and qualitative performance of the quantitative lateral flow home test Preventis SmarTest® Calprotectin Home and the immunological test used in our laboratory (Eurospital Calprest® Turbo).

Methods

Fourty-five routine samples were analyzed in parallel with both tests according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The read-out of the home test was performed with two smartphones (Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy XCover 5). The qualitative interpretation (positive, negative, borderline) was conducted using the cut-offs provided by the manufacturers.

Results

Statistically significant correlations with the laboratory standard method were observed for both smartphones (Spearman’s rho 0.703 and 0.715, all p<0.005). The home test showed systematically higher concentrations compared to the routine assay. We found minimal qualitative agreement between the two tests (Cohen’s kappas (κ)=0.323 and 0.300; p=0.003 and 0.005) showing a lower rate of positives with the home test. Both used smartphones showed good quantitative and qualitative agreement.

Conclusions

The tests are quantitatively not interchangeable. However, the home test may be applicable for the serial follow-up management of patients with IBD. The higher rate of samples classified as negative with the home test may lead to an underestimation of affected patients.
On Error Estimates of a discontinuous Galerkin Method of the Boussinesq System of Equations
Authors: Bajpai Saumya , Swain Debendra Kumar
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we propose and analyze a discontinuous Galerkin finite element method for solving the transient Boussinesq incompressible heat conducting fluid flow equations.
This method utilizes an upwind approach to handle the nonlinear convective terms effectively.
We discuss new a priori bounds for the semidiscrete discontinuous Galerkin approximations.
Furthermore, we establish optimal a priori error estimates for the semidiscrete discontinuous Galerkin velocity approximation in

L
2

\mathbf{L}^{2}

and energy norms, the temperature approximation in

L
2

L^{2}

and energy norms and pressure approximation in

L
2

L^{2}

-norm for

t
>
0

t>0

.
Additionally, under the smallness assumption on the data, we prove uniform in time error estimates.
We also consider a backward Euler scheme for full discretization and derive fully discrete error estimates.
Finally, we provide numerical examples to support the theoretical conclusions.