bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of serum prolactin level to Child-Pugh scoring system and its prognostic significance in cirrhosis of liver
Authors: Punekar Prashant , Bhargava Akshay , Ratre Shailendra , Sushma Choudhary
Published: August 2022

Background: With the growing incidence of liver cirrhosis among Asians, the use of a biomarker such as prolactin indicates the severity of the disease, its complications, and serves as a tool for the early intervention.
Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess the correlation of serum prolactin level to the Child-Pugh Scoring System in liver cirrhosis patients and to find out its prognostic importance in liver cirrhosis.
Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study including 60 patients of liver cirrhosis. Complete history taking, physical examination, and relevant investigations were done. Frequency and percentage were calculated and Chi-square test was applied for significance. Correlation was assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient.
Results: Mean age was 44±12.8 years. Cirrhosis was alcohol induced in 55%, hepatitis B related in 18.3%, and other causes related in 7.8%. Mean prolactin levels were 18.1±11.3 μg/l. Strong positive correlation was found between prolactin level and bilirubin level (rs=0.372, P=0.003) and prolactin level and prothrombin time (rs=0.490, P=0.003). Statistically significant association was found between Child-Pugh score and prolactin level (x2=12.2, P=0.003). We found no significant association of prolactin level with age, albumin, creatinine, ascites, esophageal varices, etiology of cirrhosis, and hepatic encephalopathy.
Conclusion: We observed that there was a strong correlation between Child-Pugh score and serum prolactin level. Although, Child-Pugh scoring system is a predictor of morbidity in liver cirrhosis patients, serum prolactin level can also be used as an indicator for predicting patients at high risk of developing complications and mortality due to liver cirrhosis.
Impact, impression, and innovations of objective structured practical examination in biochemistry curriculum of medical undergraduates
Authors: Chakraborty Sanghamitra , Gupta Soma
Published: August 2022

Background: In the recent years, there is a huge paradigm shift of medical education in India from curriculum-based learning to learner-centered and time independent competency-based medical education. This paradigm shift was to rear and trains medical graduates to function as physician of first contact being globally acceptable. Due to this, the felt need of the hour was to find an assessment tool that is valid, reliable, devoid of subjective bias, and has the capabilities to assess the cognitive, psychomotor, and effective domain.
Aims and Objectives: In this context, this study was done to assess the impression and impact of objective structured practical examination (OSPE) in comparison to conventional practical examination (CPE). Due to the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, there was some scope of organizing OSPE in virtual mode.
Materials and Methods: The study involved of 250 Phase I medical undergraduates of Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College. The response stations included charts, clinical problems, graphs, pictures, and critical analysis of reports.
Results: The mean scores in OSPE were higher than CPE. In our study, 51.3% strongly voiced that conducting OSPE was more scientific with uniformity in evaluation.
Conclusion: OSPE was preferred by the students as an assessment tool. Moreover, OSPE had a scope to be organized in Virtual mode.
Clinical and radiological outcome of arthroscopic Bankart repair in traumatic anterior glenohumeral instability with all-suture anchors
Authors: Vikrant Chauhan  , Kumar Vinod , Yadav Pankaj
Published: August 2022

Background: Arthroscopic Bankart repair has evolved as an excellent treatment option in the management of recurrent shoulder instability as includes minimally invasive approach and significant reduction in perioperative morbidity. Anchor-related complications such as secondary cartilage damage and proud implant position are well described in literature. An all-suture anchor was developed and approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2010. These anchors are placed into 1.4 mm diameter drilled holes which are smaller than the drill holes used for previously available anchor therefore minimize invasiveness and avoid complication related to metallic and bioabsorbable anchors.
Aims and Objectives: This study to assess early radiological and clinical outcome after labral repair using all-suture anchors with specific consideration for bony reactions at the anchor site on magnetic resonance imaging.
Materials and Methods: Twenty patients underwent labral repair using all-suture anchors were followed up for minimum of 1 year. Functional outcome was assessed on the basis of Rowe score, Constant and Murley score, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score. The radiological appearance of bony reaction around the anchor site was judged by the presence of bony edema, tunnel widening (>3 mm), and cyst formation.
Results: A total number of 56 all-suture anchors were implanted in 10 patients. The total Rowe score significantly improved from a mean of 24.4 preoperatively to 92.5 postoperatively. The American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score improved from a mean of 47.1 preoperatively to 88.6 postoperatively and the Constant and Murley score improved from a mean of 57.3 preoperatively to 90.6 postoperatively. On post-operative MRI out of 56 anchors implanted, 35 anchors did not display any reactive bone changes around anchor site. In 17 anchors, bone edema around a suture anchor was seen. Tunnel widening >3 mm was seen in four anchors. None of the anchors showed cyst formation around anchor site.
Conclusion: Clinicoradiological outcome after arthroscopic shoulder instability using all-suture anchors was excellent at 1 year follow-up and radiological imaging revealed a good labral healing.
Predictive ability of Framingham risk score in Indian population - A retrospective study in a tertiary care hospital in patients with first acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Soumyasil Das  , Linkon Biswas  , Tathagata Mukherjee  , Koustav Biswas  , Subrata Kumar Pal
Published: August 2022

Background: Framingham risk score (FRS) is a widely recognized tool used by clinicians worldwide to determine and estimate the 10-year risk of manifesting clinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) of an individual and classify them into different risk categories on the basis of which necessary intervention can be taken. However, there is certain evidence questioning its predictive ability for risk stratification among ethnic Indian and Asian population.
Aims and Objectives: In this study, we wanted to determine the predictive ability of FRS in the Indian population and to assess how the risk score is associated with certain variables which are not included in original FRS.
Materials and Methods: It was a single institutional, retrospective, and observational study in patients with evidence (by ECG or Cardiac biomarker test -Preferably Troponin T) of diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction for first time. Eligible patients were assessed for their previous clinical records to calculate risk score as per FSR-coronary heart disease 2002. Predictive ability of FRS and association with different risk factors was tested for statistical significance.
Results: The most of the study participants (63.8%) had low risk and only 4.8% of study population had high risk for developing CVD. Patients in the low risk group had significantly better high-density lipoprotein profile than other risk groups (P=0.001). Mean systolic blood pressure was significantly higher in high-risk population (155 vs. 131 vs. 138 mm of Hg; P=0.005). The left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower in high-risk group (39.2% vs. 53% vs. 52%, P=0.008). Serum creatinine level was also significantly higher in high-risk group (P=0.03).
Conclusion: This clearly showed underestimation of FRS in prediction of CVDs in our study. Perhaps FRS needs a calibration and modified form with inclusion of other risk factors and parameters to determine and predict the future risk of development of CVD more accurately in Indian population.
Trend of Pesticide Use in Nepal
Authors: Ghimire Kiran , GC Arun
Published: August 2022

This paper has attempted to analyze the trend of pesticide import, formulation and consumption in Nepal. Nepal has diverse agro-ecological conditions and different agro-climatic conditions necessitate varieties of approaches to crop cultivation and crop protection. The average national use of pesticides in Nepal is 396g a.i./ha with the highest use in the vegetable. This review used relevant secondary data, and information. The study found that the fungicides are the major form of pesticides used in Nepal for the pest control and the trend of pesticides consumption is increasing for agricultural purposes. The Nepal Government has signed different international treaties, made rules and regulations and initiated different types of programs to minimize the use of pesticides.
Plant Disease Diagnosis on Vegetable Crops from Different Locations of the Country
Authors: Manandhar Chetana , Baidya Suraj , Manandhar Shrinkhala , Pant Bimala , Mahto Baidhya N.
Published: August 2022

Diseases are one of the major constraints on cultivation of crops and reduce production and productivity. Accurate disease diagnosis and proper identification is the first steps of disease management strategy. The activities of carrying out disease diagnosis help to know the distribution of the diseases in the country, explore new disease outbreak and its epidemiology, and provide information for disease management and support in research area prioritization. During fiscal year 2070/71, 252 different disease samples of different vegetable crops were received from various locations and sources for disease diagnosis. Examination of such samples identified 192 samples with fungal infection, 23 with bacterial infection, 28 with viral infection and 9 with nematode infection. In solanaceous crops, 70% disease caused by fungus and 11% by bacteria, 14% by virus and 5% by nematodes respectively. Likewise, in cucurbit crops, occurrence of pathogens is 61% fungal, 26% viral and 13% nematode respectively. The fugal pathogens were dominant in case of crucifer crops as well. The fungal pathogens were found in 79% of samples and followed by bacterial in 14% and viral in 7% respectively. Only fungal pathogen was detected in bulb and root crops. Fungal pathogens (76%) are the common problem in vegetable crops by followed by bacteria (9%) and virus pathogens (11%) and nematode (4%). The study revealed that management of fungal disease is prime concern to minimize the losses due to disease.
Effectiveness of Different Types of Traps For Management of Tuta absoluta in Nepal
Authors: Kadel Jyoti , Sah Lalit P. , Devkota Mukti , Colavito Luke A. , Norton George , Rajotte Edwin George , Muniappan Rangaswamy
Published: August 2022

Among the various potential vegetables, tomato is one of the high value crops, with growing market demand and higher level of return per hector. South American Tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta is one of the main constrains in tomato production in Nepal. Field experiments were conducted from June to October 2017 to determine the attractive action of trap colours against T. absoluta management in Lele VDC, Lalitpur, Nepal. Experiments were setup using different types of traps (Delta trap, Wota-T trap and solar light trap) each with pheromone capsule i.e. TLM lure. Particularly, in this experiment the influence of color (orange, white, yellow and green) in delta trap, height adjustment from ground level - 1 feet, 2 feet, 3 feet and 4 feet) in Wota-T trap and; locally prepared light traps of led bulb, solar light trap with high power of 65 lumens and solar light trap with low power of 25 lumens to capture Tuta moth were tested. For the evaluation of effectiveness of different types of traps, number of Tuta moths captured were recorded. The results demonstrated that T. absoluta moths can distinguish between the colours. White colored delta trap captured maximum mean number of Tuta moth (22) followed by green (16), yellow (13) and orange (10). Similarly, Wota- T trap when placed at different height, trap placed at ground level captured maximum mean number of Tuta moths (15) followed by One ft (12), Two ft(11), Three ft(8) and Four ft(2). Among the different types of light trap solar light trap with high power of 65 lumens captured maximum mean number of Tuta moth’s (5) followed by solar light trap with low power of 25 lumens (3) and locally prepared light trap with led bulb (2). Significant differences between mean moth catches by different colored delta traps, wota-T trap placed at different height and different types of light traps were observed. Based on the study conducted with in a season it were found that trap color, trap height and light trap types are the characteristics that strongly affect the response of T. absoluta moths to pheromone-baited traps. From the study it is clear that, these traps can be used as one of the best sex pheromone based management strategy for the management of T. absoluta moths. Further research is recommended for better understanding of the effect of trap colour on the diversity and abundance of non target insects captured
Geographical Distribution of South American Tomato Leaf Miner Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) in Nepal
Authors: Bajracharya Ajaya S. R. , Bhat Binu , Sharma Prem N.
Published: August 2022

South American tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick, 1917) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is an invasive insect pest of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Miller) both in field and controlled environment conditions. T. absoluta is native to South America, it was detected first time in Nepal from Kathmandu during May, 2016. Survey was conducted at 46 locations of 31 districts in terai and mid hills of Nepal during February to June 2018. T. absoluta was detected from 45 locations of 30 districts surveyed. T. absoluta which was detected from Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Kavre and Dhading districts in 2016 has now been spread into 33 districts across the Nepal. Apart from 33 districts T. absoluta might be present in other districts which were not surveyed during the study. Farmers generally manage T. absoluta through indiscriminate use of chemical pesticides. So, extensive research is needed in future to develop integrated pest management technique which is suitable and sustainable for its management in Nepalese context.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONCEPT OF RELIGIOUS MODERATION IN PRIVATE ISLAMIC HIGHER EDUCATION (PIHE)
Authors: Ulinnuha Muhammad
Published: August 2022

This paper discusses the application of Religious Moderation (RM) in Private Islamic Higher Education (PIHE). This research focuses on tracing the level of understanding of the academic community towards the RM concept, its implementation and internalization strategy, and exploring the factors that influence its implementation. This research used a mixed-method, descriptive analysis, and an interdisciplinary approach. The samples comprised 60 PIHE. There was consisted of Kopertais I, II, and IV areas with 153 respondents. The data were collected by questionnaires, interviews, observation, and documentation techniques. The results showed; First, the academic community’s understanding of the RM concept is at a low level. Second, the implementation of RM is at a fairly good level. The strategies used to internalize RM are the insertion into courses, training/workshops/seminars, incorporating RM into the curriculum, and extracurricular activities. Third, the factors that influence the implementation of RM consist of internal and external factors. Among the internal factors are campus leadership support, literacy, campus community participation, budget funds, and availability of infrastructure. Meanwhile, external factors are government support, religious and community leaders, social, economic, and political conditions, the education level of the community around campus, and information and communication technology. The level of support from all factors is classified as lacking and tends to be very lacking. Therefore, it cannot encourage the RM implementation process properly and maximally.
Modern problems of formation of women’s motivation to work in health and recreation movement activities under quarantine restrictions
Authors: Kovaleva N. , Ieremenko N. , Uzhvenko V.
Published: August 2022

The article is devoted to the substantiation of a set of measures to form the motivation of women to engage in health and recreational physical activity in the conditions of quarantine restrictions. The pandemic in Ukraine has actually reached its peak. For a long time, the population is in a state of constant stress due to the risk of illness, inability to return to the usual rhythm of life, a certain complex of psychological fatigue, formed effective forms of dissemination of information. The purpose of the study is to theoretically substantiate and develop a set of activities that will help increase the level of motivation of women to engage in health and recreational physical activity in conditions of quarantine restrictions. Research methodology - analysis and generalization of special scientific and methodological literature, documentary materials, sociological (questionnaire, expert survey), pedagogical research methods (pedagogical observation, pedagogical experiment), methods of mathematical statistics. Scientific novelty: rhe study of women's motivation to engage in health and recreational physical activity in conditions of quarantine restrictions is relevant. How to motivate women to exercise is an important question today. Successful realization of motivation and goals stimulated the desire of women to continue to show initiative, that is, intrinsic motivation and interest. Conclusions: the proposed program of classes includes 4 sets of activities: setting smart goals, rational use of free time, control of success and promotion, fitness that you like. The variety of means of the offered program allowed to involve women in occupations of improving and recreational physical activity and to promote formation of the positive attitude to a healthy way of life and physical activity.
levantamento de produtos técnicos e tecnológicos desenvolvidos na pós-graduação
Authors: Pinheiro Fabiana Fatima do Prado Sedelak , Aires João Paulo
Published: August 2022

A elaboração de um produto educacional inerente à dissertação é uma exigência do Mestrado Profissional, possibilitando que para cada pesquisa seja desenvolvido um recurso ou material para ser utilizado pela comunidade. Assim, o objetivo do levantamento realizado neste trabalho foi verificar se o produto educacional que foi desenvolvido tem se diversificado em conformidade com as categorias propostas pela Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes) ou se enquadram numa mesma categoria. Com este intuito, foi realizado um levantamento dos produtos apresentados em três programas de pós-graduação em Ensino, localizados no Sul do Brasil, sendo: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino de Ciência e Tecnologia - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná Câmpus Ponta Grossa; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ensino de Ciências, Matemática e Tecnologia da Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina em Joinville; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia em Educação do Instituto Federal de Pelotas-Visconde da Graça Rio Grande do Sul. Os dados foram coletados no sítio eletrônico dos respectivos programas de pós-graduação acima mencionados. Os resultados apontam que estes produtos desenvolvidos se enquadram em apenas poucas das categorias sugeridas pela Capes como sequências didáticas, guias didáticos e cadernos pedagógicos. Portanto, faz-se necessário trazer ao debate uma proposta para incentivar a diversificação na forma de apresentação dos produtos educacionais, com o objetivo de ampliar o alcance dos recursos de ensino desenvolvidos nos mestrados profissionais, visando a melhoria na qualidade da educação.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE PROCEDURE FOR SELECTION OF DUST FILTER RESPIRATORS ON THE BASIS OF RISK ASSESSMENT
Authors:   National Technical University ", Cheberiachko Serhii ,   Dnipro Polytechnic", Deryugin Oleg ,   National Technical University "Dnipro Polytechnic", Nehrii Tetiana ,   Public higher education institution Donetsk National Technical University, Chencheva Olga ,   Kremenchuk Mykhailo Ostrogradskiy National university
Published: August 2022

Purpose. The improvement of the procedure for selection of dust filter respirators with taking into account the risks in the workplace. Methodology. To determine the best method for risk assessment, the review of scientific publications has been done; the scientific works that have been conducted on the problem by some institutes of hygiene in recent years, have also been studied; discussions on improving the operating conditions of respirators with scientists from the institutes of occupational health and specialists in labor protection of industrial enterprises of the coal industry have been held. Results. The procedure for the selection of dust filter respirators, which consists of three main steps, has been developed. This allows taking into account the whole set of influential factors of the production environment when assessing the risk and choice of personal respiratory protection. It differs from the existing ones in the ability to take into account operational risks that increase the intensity of work, which can affect the physical health of the user. To assess the operational risks, it has been proposed to use five main indicators of dust filter respirators: duration of work, limitation of the field of view, resistance to respiration, weight, and CO2 content. The main types of errors in the selection and operation of dust filter respirators have been identified. It can significantly reduce the effectiveness of protection of respirator users. Scientific novelty. It is a scientific basis for the procedure for selecting dust filter respirators based on an assessment of operational risks to workers, taking into account the impact of environmental factors that can lead to errors in the choice and operation of personal respiratory protection. Practical significance. Recommendations for the selection of dust filter respirators based on risk assessment have been developed. Risk assessment includes the following main steps: identification of the harmful factor, determination of the type of hazard to the worker and calculation of operational risk, as well as selection and justification of the protective device model. In addition, some typical errors in the selection and operation of personal respiratory protection means have been described, which can significantly impair the level of protection of users. Recommendations for assessing the operational risks of dust filter respirators, which increase the intensity of work, have also been worked out.
Notes on zoogeography and taxonomy of the badgers (Carnivora: Mustelidae: Meles) and some of their fleas (Siphonaptera: Ceratophyllidae: Paraceras)
Authors: Abramov A.V. , Medvedev S.G.
Published: August 2022

A comparative morphological analysis of the fleas from the melis-flabellum species group of the genus Paraceras (Siphonaptera, Ceratophyllidae) is undertaken. Differences in the structure of the clasper and the 8th tergite allow considering P. melis and P. flabellum separate species. Morphological characters of the Japanese form of Paraceras make possible to treat it as an independent taxon. The distribution ranges of three badger species of the genus Meles (Carnivora, Mustelidae) are shown to correspond to those of their specific parasites, i.e. the fleas of the melis-flabellum species group of the genus Paraceras. Paraceras melis is restricted to the range of the European badger, Meles meles (Europe, the Caucasus, northern Iran and southern Kirgizia), while Paraceras flabellum is limited by the range of the Asian badger, Meles leucurus (Kazakhstan, Middle Asia, Siberia, China).
Development of a residents-as-teachers curriculum for neurosurgical training programs
Authors: Nguyen Sarah , Cole Kyril L. , Timme Kathleen H. , Jensen Randy L.
Published: August 2022

Neurosurgery residents spend a significant amount of their time teaching patients, families, students, residents, and other health professionals. To help ensure competence in their residents’ teaching abilities, many specialties have established formal residents-as-teachers (RAT) curricula; however, such formalized curricula are often lacking in neurosurgery programs. The authors’ goal was to develop and implement a formal RAT curriculum, designed with neurosurgery residents’ other responsibilities in mind, to improve residents’ formal and informal teaching abilities. Here, the authors report on the design of a formalized teaching curriculum tailored for the needs of neurosurgical residents, with a focus on deliberate practice and minimal time needed for preparation. The curriculum, designed using Kern’s 6 steps of curriculum design as a framework, comprises 5 lecture series spread over 3 years, repeated twice through a resident’s training, with each lecture series outlined with its respective topics and objectives. Opportunities for observed teaching as well as informal and formal evaluation will be provided to residents. The program will be evaluated on a yearly basis using direct and anonymized resident feedback on the RAT curriculum. Measures of program success will also include pre- and postprogram medical student and peer evaluation of residents. These data will be used for continual improvement of the curriculum as it is implemented. Successes and shortcomings of this program will be disseminated by publication, presentations, and placement on the authors’ department website and social media. This paper may serve as a foundation for other neurosurgical programs to develop RAT curricula for greater enhancement of resident teaching abilities.
Teaching through the screen: a toolbox for creating a virtual neurosurgical subinternship program
Authors: Hoffman Samantha E. , Vega Rafael A. , Stippler Martina
Published: August 2022

OBJECTIVE

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted the landscape of traditional neurosurgical subinternships, ramifications of which persist to this day. The outright cancellation of in-person subinternships in 2020 presented not only a challenge to both applicants and programs, but also an opportunity to establish an effective and efficient platform for virtual neurosurgical training. To address this need, the authors designed and trialed a novel virtual neurosurgical subinternship (Virtual Sub-I).

METHODS

The weeklong, case-based Virtual Sub-I program combined flipped-classroom and active learning approaches. Students worked in small groups to discuss neurosurgical cases. Faculty and residents offered personalized mentorship sessions to participants. Surveys were used to assess students’ experience with the authors’ subinternship program, consistent with level 1 of the Kirkpatrick model.

RESULTS

A total of 132 students applied from both international and American medical schools. The final cohort comprised 27 students, of whom 8 (30%) were female and 19 (70%) were male. Students characterized the subinternship as “interactive,” “educational,” and “engaging.” One hundred percent of survey respondents were “very likely” to recommend the Virtual Sub-I to their peers. Faculty involved in the Virtual Sub-I stated that the program allowed them to determine the fit of participating medical students for their neurosurgery residency program, and that information gathered from the Virtual Sub-I had the potential to influence their ranking decisions.

CONCLUSIONS

The Virtual Sub-I recapitulates the educational and interpersonal benefits of the traditional subinternship experience and can serve as a prototype for future virtual surgical education endeavors. Furthermore, the Virtual Sub-I presents a more equitable platform for introducing medical students across the undergraduate medical education spectrum to neurosurgical education and mentorship.
Pial brainstem artery arteriovenous malformation with flow-related intracanalicular aneurysm masquerading as vestibular schwannoma: illustrative case
Authors: Liu David D. , Kurland David B. , Ali Aryan , Golfinos John G. , Nossek Erez , Riina Howard A.
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND

Lesions of the internal auditory canal presenting with partial hearing loss are almost always vestibular schwannomas (VSs). Intracanalicular anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms are extremely rare but can mimic VS based on symptoms and imaging. The authors report the case of a flow-related intracanalicular AICA aneurysm from a pial brainstem arteriovenous malformation (AVM) masquerading as VS.

OBSERVATIONS

A 57-year-old male with partial left-sided hearing loss and an intracanalicular enhancing lesion was initially diagnosed with VS and managed conservatively at an outside institution with surveillance imaging over 3 years. When he was referred for VS follow-up, new imaging raised radiological suspicion for vascular pathology. Cerebral angiography revealed a small pial AVM located at the trigeminal root entry zone with an associated flow-related intracanalicular AICA aneurysm. The AVM was obliterated with open surgery, during which intraoperative angiography confirmed no AVM filling, preservation of the AICA, and no further aneurysm filling.

LESSONS

Intracanalicular AICA aneurysms and other lesions, including cavernous malformations, can mimic radiographic features of VS and present with hearing loss or facial weakness. Modern vascular neurosurgical techniques such as endovascular intervention and open surgery in a hybrid operating room allowed definitive management of both lesions without untoward morbidity.
Pyogenic spinal infections in patients with chronic liver disease: illustrative case and systematic review
Authors: Camino-Willhuber Gaston , Beyer Ryan S. , Hatter Matthew J. , Franklin Austin J. , Brown Nolan J. , Hashmi Sohaib , Oh Michael , Bhatia Nitin , Lee Yu-po
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND

Pyogenic spinal infections (PSIs) are a group of uncommon but serious infectious diseases that are characterized by inflammation of the endplate–disc unit. PSIs are considered more prevalent and aggressive among patients with chronic immunocompromised states. Association between PSIs and liver disease has not been systematically analyzed. The authors performed a systematic review to study baseline characteristics, clinical presentation, and mortality of patients with PSI in the setting of chronic liver disease.

OBSERVATIONS

The authors presented the case of a 72-year-old female patient with chronic liver disease who presented with severe low back pain and bilateral lower weakness. Imaging studies showed T10–11 spondylodiscitis. The patient received decompression and fusion surgery with partial neurological improvement. The authors performed a systematic literature search of spondylodiscitis and liver disease, and eight published articles met the studies inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies featured a total of 144 patients, of whom 129 met inclusion criteria (mean age, 60.5 years, range 40 to 83 years; 62% males). Lumbar infection was the most common report (67%), with Staphylococcus aureus (48%) as the main causative microorganism. Neurological compromise was present in 69% of patients. Surgical intervention occurred in 70.5% of patients, and the average duration of antibiotic treatment was 69.4 days. Postoperative complication rate was 28.5%, with a 30- and 90-day mortality of 17.2% and 24.8%, respectively.

LESSONS

Pyogenic spondylodiscitis in patients with liver disease was associated with a high rate of neurological compromise, postoperative complications, and mortality.
Large aortic pseudoaneurysm after fusion surgery for hyperextension-type lumbar fracture in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: illustrative case
Authors: Shoji Hirokazu , Sawakami Kimihiko , Tanaka Yuki , Ishikawa Seiichi , Segawa Hiroyuki , Wakabayashi Takashi
Published: August 2022

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to report an aortic pseudoaneurysm, a rare but lethal complication, after a spinal fracture in ankylosing spine.

OBSERVATIONS

An 83-year-old obese woman presented with dementia and was nonambulatory after a fall. She was transported to the hospital, and imaging showed a hyperextension-type L1 fracture with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). After posterior fusion surgery using percutaneous pedicle screws, screw loosening was detected 10 days postoperatively. Fracture dislocation was reduced by changing to transdiscal screws and rodding while in the lateral position. However, the anterior opening persisted. Enhanced computed tomography performed at 6 weeks postoperatively showed a large aortic pseudoaneurysm extending into the vertebral fracture site without screw loosening. Neither endovascular aortic repair nor open surgery was applicable. The patient was transferred to a sanatorium and died of pneumonia 5 months postoperatively without aortic aneurysm rupture.

LESSONS

An aortic pseudoaneurysm can occur in hyperextension-type spinal fractures in DISH, even after fusion surgery, when the edge of the fracture is in contact with the aortic wall. The anterior opening dislocation should be reduced as much as possible.
Naïve Terminological Annotation of Legal Texts in Slovak
Authors: Garabík Radovan , Levická Jana
Published: August 2022

Correct automatic terminological annotation of texts in a corpus can be sometimes a challenging task, especially for moderately or heavily inflected languages with relatively free word order. We explore the possibility of simple annotation based on sequence matching of lemmatized texts to annotate Slovak language corpus with IATE terminological entries. The accuracy of annotating legal language is very good when annotating multiword terms, while accuracy of single-word terms can be increased by applying simple filters based on word lengths and blacklisting most frequent false positives.
Tvorbeni načini u hrvatskome sportskogimnastičkom nazivlju
Authors: Omrčen Darija , Fabijanić Ivo
Published: August 2022

Predmet istraživanja jesu terminološki tvorbeni načini u hrvatskome sportskogimnastičkom nazivlju. Rad se naslanja na prijašnja istraživanja tvorbenih načina u drugim strukama, no u njemu se analiziraju specifični primjeri iz predmetnoga područja koji svojom tvorbom i značenjem odražavaju specifičnosti jezika struke. Sportskogimnastičko nazivlje do sada nije standardizirano, pa bi ovaj rad mogao biti polazište u tom složenom postupku, unaprijeđen suradnjom predmetnih stručnjaka i jezikoslovaca.
Meconium-stained Amniotic Fluid among Term Deliveries in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Shakya Pawan , Yadav Manoj Kumar , Poudel Sagar
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Although the precise aetiology of meconium-stained amniotic fluid is still unclear, risk factors include advanced gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, the prolonged second stage of labour, and intrauterine infection. It has been associated with poor perinatal outcomes including low Apgar scores, increased incidence of neonatal intensive care admission, and a high rate of perinatal death. The objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid in term deliveries in a tertiary care centre.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was done among term deliveries in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, in a tertiary care centre from inpatient records starting from 1 November 2019 to 1 November 2020 after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: PMG1911281316). Convenience sampling was done. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated.
Results: Out of 1699 term deliveries, meconium-stained amniotic fluid was seen in 91 (5.35%) (4.28-6.42, 95% Confidence Interval). Among these 69 (75.82%) newborns were delivered through lower segment caesarean section and 61 (67%) newborns had Grade II meconium-stained amniotic fluid.
Conclusions: The prevalence of meconium-stained amniotic fluid was similar to the studies done in similar settings.
Knowledge of Glasgow Coma Scale among Nurses in a Tertiary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study
Authors: KC Bidur , Adil Mohamed Zaidan
Published: August 2022

Introduction: Glasgow Coma Scale is a dependable and unprejudiced neurological evaluation kit applied for evaluating and recording the level of consciousness of a person. Evaluation of consciousness level using Glasgow Coma Scale is a tool necessitating knowledge which is vital in identifying immediate worsening of level of consciousness. Critical thinking used with skill and knowledge in Glasgow Coma Scale is the groundwork of nursing practice to avoid delay in clinical worsening and treatment. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of inadequate knowledge of Glasgow Coma Scale among nurses working in a tertiary care centre.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed among registered nurses working in different wards and Intensive Care Unit at tertiary care centre between 1 June 2022 and 30 June 2022 after receiving ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee (Reference number: 2905202211). Convenience sampling was done. Self-administered structured questionnaires were used to collect data to assess the knowledge of Glasgow Coma Scale. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated.
Results: Among 91 nurses, inadequate knowledge of the Glasgow Coma Scale was found in 48 nurses (52.70%) (42.30-63.10, 95 % Confidence Interval).
Conclusions: The prevalence of inadequate knowledge of the Glasgow Coma Scale among nurses was found to be similar when compared to other studies done in similar settings.
A Resilience Path for English Teachers during Emergency Online Teaching
Authors: Salas-Serrano Leticia Araceli
Published: August 2022

Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) take over education in many places of the world during the 2020 health crisis. However, ERT raised new concerns about teachers´ professional development and the personal resources they have used to solve challenges for the benefit of their students. This article attempts to explore how ELT college teachers developed resilience during Emergency Remote Teaching in 2020. This qualitative survey research analyzed the answers to a questionnaire to enhance the participants´ insights and reflections regarding the changes they have been required to make during the pandemic.  The participants were two groups of ELT teachers; one was formed by fifteen Mexican college teachers and the second was a group of twelve international college teachers. Their paths during ERT were framed in a common pattern of Realization, Reflection, Reinvention, and Resilience which illustrated how teachers coped with a change of perspective towards education, the interaction with students, and the appropriacy of materials but also with their own emotions and their wellbeing. The article concludes with some insights to raise awareness of the Resilience path that teachers around the world have followed as a way to overcome the challenges imposed by COVID-19.
Analysis of the rectifying separation of H2 O–D2 O mixture into light and heavy water by means of mathematical modeling
Authors: Korotkova T. G. , Kasyanov G. I.
Published: August 2022

Objectives. To apply an analytical method for the calculation of a distillation column for the production of D2O at a two-column Kuhn installation operating under vacuum: to simulate the Kuhn installation in the Hysys software; and to compare experimental and calculated data.

Methods. Analytical method for the calculation of distillation columns “from stage to stage,” from the lower theoretical separation stage (TSS) to the upper stage. This method is based on phase equilibrium at the TSS with known data of input flows and component concentrations in the column bottoms. Hysys was used as modeling software.

Results. Comparison of the calculation results with Kuhn’s experimental data testified to the high calculation accuracy of the vapor–liquid phase equilibrium for the H2O–D2O mixture at the TSS. The convergence of the D2O material balance for the entire installation was 0.005%. The identification parameter was the number of the column feed plate. Simulation of the Kuhn installation in the Hysys software showed a qualitative agreement of D2O concentrations in material flows. The UNIQUAC (UNIversal QUAsiChemical) model was used to calculate activity coefficients. The found values of the number of theoretical separation stages (NTSS) in both columns, were 88 and 153 taking into account the reboiler and condenser. This is less than the experimental 295 and 400, respectively. The discrepancy can be explained by the increased phase equilibrium H2O constant in the UNIQUAC model. However, the convergence of the material balance in terms of D2O was high and amounted to 1.38·10−6 %. The absolute error of the found concentrations in material flows did not exceed 0.12 mol %.

Conclusions. The results obtained indicated the possible use of the Hysys modeling software when searching for and optimizing the operating mode of the block diagram of a cascade of distillation columns with direct and recycle flows to separate a mixture of water into light and heavy water. The final results obtained with regard to the operating mode, inlet and outlet material flows (flow rate, composition, temperature, and pressure drop across the column) are recommended for use in the analytical program for the calculation of the distillation column to refine the NTSS and distribution profile of the concentrations of the H2O and D2O components along the height of the column.
Heterogeneous catalytic reduction of substituted 5-acyl-1,3-dioxanes
Authors: Musin A. I. , Borisova Yu. G. , Raskil’dina G. Z. , Daminev R. R. , Davletshin A. R. , Zlotskii S. S.
Published: August 2022

Objectives. To study the hydrogenation of substituted 5-acyl-1,3-dioxanes in the presence of metal-containing catalysts (Pt/Re, Pd/C, Ni/kieselguhr, and Ni/Mo).

Methods. In order to determine the qualitative and quantitative composition of the reaction masses, the following analysis methods were used: gas-liquid chromatography (using the Kristall 2000 hardware complex); mass-spectroscopy (using Chromatec-Kristall 5000M device with NIST 2012); nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry (using Bruker AM-500 device with operating frequencies of 500 and 125 MHz).

Results. Hydrogenation of substituted 5-acyl-1,3-dioxanes obtained by condensation of carbonyl compounds with paraformaldehyde and sulfuric acid was used to synthesize heterocyclic alcohols in the presence of metal-containing catalysts with a conversion of the initial ketones of 60–90% and a formation selectivity of target products of 70–90%. Substances were analyzed and confirmed by gas-liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy.

Conclusions. The best catalyst for the reduction of substituted 5-acyl-1,3-dioxanes is Pd/C. By using this catalyst, it is possible to achieve a high selectivity for the formation of the corresponding heterocyclic alcohols at a conversion rate of the initial ketones of 60–90%.
Spline approximation of multivalued functions in linear structures routing
Authors: Karpov D. A. , Struchenkov V. I.
Published: August 2022

Objectives. The theory and methods of spline approximation of plane curves given by a sequence of points are currently undergoing rapid development. Despite fundamental differences between used splines and those considered in the theory and its applications, results published earlier demonstrate the possibility of using spline approximation when designing routes of linear structures. The main difference here consists in the impossibility of assuming in advance the number of spline elements when designing the routes. Here, in contrast to widely use polynomial splines, the repeating element is the link “segment of a straight line + arc of a circle” or “segment of a straight line + arc of a clothoid + arc of a circle + arc of a clothoid.” Previously, a two-stage scheme consisting of a determination of the number of elements of the desired spline and subsequent optimization of its parameters was proposed. Although an algorithm for solving the problem in relation to the design of a longitudinal profile has been implemented and published, this is not suitable for designing a route plan, since, unlike a profile, a route plan is generally a multivalued function. The present paper aims to generalize the algorithm for the case of spline approximation of multivalued functions making allowance for the design features of the routes of linear structures.

Methods. At the first stage, a novel mathematical model is developed to apply the dynamic programming method taking into account the constraints on the desired spline parameters. At the second stage, nonlinear programming is used. In this case, it is possible to analytically calculate the derivatives of the objective function with respect to the spline parameters in the absence of its analytical expression through these parameters.

Results. An algorithm developed for approximating multivalued functions given by a discrete series of points using a spline consisting of arcs of circles conjugated by line segments for solving the first stage of the problem is presented. An additional nonlinear programming algorithm was also used to optimize the parameters of the resulting spline as an initial approximation. However, in the present paper, the first stage is considered only, since the complex algorithm of the second stage and its justification require separate consideration.

Conclusions. The presented two-stage spline approximation scheme with an unknown number of spline elements is also suitable for approximating multivalued functions given by a sequence of points on a plane, in particular, for designing a route plan for linear structures.
Properties of objective functions and search algorithms in multi-objective optimization problems
Authors: Smirnov A. V.
Published: August 2022

Objectives. A frequently used method for obtaining Pareto-optimal solutions is to minimize a selected quality index under restrictions of the other quality indices, whose values are thus preset. For a scalar objective function, the global minimum is sought that contains the restricted indices as penalty terms. However, the landscape of such a function has steep-ascent areas, which significantly complicate the search for the global minimum. This work compared the results of various heuristic algorithms in solving problems of this type. In addition, the possibility of solving such problems using the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method, in which the restrictions are not imposed as the penalty terms, but included into the Lagrange function, was investigated.

Methods. The experiments were conducted using two analytically defined objective functions and two objective functions that are encountered in problems of multi-objective optimization of characteristics of analog filters. The corresponding algorithms were realized in the MATLAB environment.

Results. The only heuristic algorithm shown to obtain the optimal solutions for all the functions is the particle swarm optimization algorithm. The sequential quadratic programming (SQP) algorithm was applicable to one of the analytically defined objective functions and one of the filter optimization objective functions, as well as appearing to be significantly superior to heuristic algorithms in speed and accuracy of solutions search. However, for the other two functions, this method was found to be incapable of finding correct solutions.

Conclusions. A topical problem is the estimation of the applicability of the considered methods to obtaining Pareto-optimal solutions based on preliminary analysis of properties of functions that determine the quality indices.