bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Uma análise comparativa das percepções sobre a desertificação entre habitantes das áreas rural e urbana em um município de região semiárida no Brasil
Authors: Araújo Jane Azevedo de , Souza Raquel Franco de
Published: October 2020

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi fazer uma análise comparativa das percepções sobre desertificação entre a população rural e a urbana no município de Parelhas, pertencente ao Núcleo de Desertificação Seridó, localizado na região semiárida do estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Para a coleta dos dados foram aplicados formulários. Utilizou-se para a análise dos dados o teste Qui-quadrado, o teste exato de Fisher e a análise de correspondência. Os principais resultados, de modo geral, constataram que os residentes da zona urbana ouviram falar mais sobre a desertificação que os moradores da zona rural. Para este último grupo, as alterações climáticas, o aumento da temperatura, a poluição e a erosão do solo estão relacionados com a desertificação. Os respondentes consideram que o município está em processo de desertificação, enquanto a zona urbana teve associação com a resposta “Sim”, a zona rural ficou associada às alternativas “Não” ou “Não sabe”, conforme análise de correspondência.
A Diferenciação da Pérola de Fusão Primária e Secundário por Meio da Metalografia
Authors: Cotomácio André Carrara , Schröer Gui
Published: October 2020

As perícias de incêndio de natureza elétrica carecem de técnicas consistentes e reprodutíveis para a análise de perolamentos de fusão formados nos fios condutores. Embora a ciência dos materiais e a metalurgia possuam elementos disponíveis para análise de pérolas no cobre, parece não haver um consenso sobre qual método de análise seria apropriado. Assim, o presente estudo tem por objetivo discutir características que possibilitem a distinção entre pérolas de fusão primárias e secundárias nos fios de cobre, por meio do exame metalográfico, em condutores obtidos de cenas reais de incêndio. Por conseguinte, foi possível estabelecer quais os perolamentos possuíam “características” de traço de fusão primário, ou “características” de traço de fusão secundário utilizando-se a metalografia e que, quando analisados em conjunto com os demais elementos da cena, permitem ao perito criminal concluir acerca das circunstâncias do sinistro.  Apesar de não se tratar de uma técnica inovadora, o desenvolvimento do presente estudo faz-se oportuno considerando a ausência de trabalhos científicos tratando desse tema em nosso país.
Justifying Research as Conscious Intervention in Social and Educational Life: Activating Transformative Potential
Authors: Romm Norma R. A.
Published: October 2020

In this article, I expand on Mertens' advocacy of the transformative paradigm for social research, where research is consciously geared to the advancement of social justice. I indicate certain links with Indigenous paradigmatic approaches to "knowing," where legitimate knowing is rooted in a quest to enhance relationality in the web of relations in which we as knowers and actors are enmeshed. In considering how we might justify associating knowing with transformative-directed (interventionist) intent, I suggest that the justification rests on us recognising that the research enterprise is always more or less consciously implicated in the continuing unfolding of the worlds of which it is a part. I spell out what is involved in recognising that research is world shaping. I furthermore propose that taking a transformative perspective on the research enterprise allows us to reinterpret other paradigmatic positions (e.g., constructivism, and critical realism, and even some renditions of postpositivism) by looking at their potential to cater for an inquiry process that enables participants, concerned stakeholders, and wider audiences to participate in envisioning and enacting possibilities for enhancing the quality of our existence. I provide some examples from the educational arena.
Dogma y propaganda. La construcción identitaria franquista a través de los autos sacramentales de Calderón. Textos apologéticos en la prehistoria del régimen
Authors: Escudero Baztán Juan Manuel
Published: October 2020

El presente trabajo estudia un texto inédito de Felipe Lluch con el título Del gran teatro de España, que resulta ser uno de los primeros textos del inicio de la posguerra que reivindica un teatro fascista, basado en la supremacía del teatro religioso del Siglo de Oro, en concreto de los autos sacramentales de Calderón de la Barca. El texto de Lluch es un magnífico ejemplo de las complejas relaciones entre literatura, dogma y propaganda.
https://doi.org/10.17398/2660-7301.43.377
Green Innovation and Internationalization in Taiwanese Small and Medium Enterprises
Authors:   Business School, Yango University, China, Peng Michael Yao-Ping
Published: October 2020

Taiwan is one of the fastest growing economy in Asia region. In Taiwan, SMEs sector is a key component of the economy, accounting for 98.1% of all total business establishments. This study will explore the extent of Green Innovation initiatives by Taiwanese SMEs to leverage itself in achieving product competitive advantage and in internationalizing their venture. To explore the proposed conceptual model, which includes environmental resources, environmental cost and technology usage as independent variable and internationalization as dependent variable, SMEs from multiple industries are included in the sampling frame. Findings show environmental cost is the main determinant of product competitive advantage that influences Taiwanese SMEs internationalization.
Results of the perinatal audit of the Northwestern Federal District
Authors: Ivanov D O , Shevtsova K G , Moiseeva K E , Harbedia Sh D
Published: October 2020

Aim. To assess the results of a perinatal audit of the Northwestern Federal District and to identify opportunities for a decrease in perinatal mortality.

Methods. The audit of perinatal loss was conducted in two stages: (1) remote audit audit of perinatal mortality indicators; (2) medical history audit audit of cases of perinatal death of a child based on medical documentation. Held the copy of the data from the 925 medical records for 220 cases of perinatal death. The perinatal audit of the Northwestern Federal District used the Nordic-Baltic perinatal death classification. The following statistical methods were used for statistical data processing: incidence rate of a trait was determined by using frequency tables, the statistical significance of differences was tested by using contingency tables, the Chi-square criterion, along with the Pearson correlation coefficient. The statistical significance of differences in quantitative indicators was assessed by using Student's t-Test. The significance level was set at p 0.05.

Results. It was found that in the Northwestern Federal District pregnancy losses III category of the Nordic-Baltic classification (gestational age newborn, more than 28 weeks, without congenital malformations and intrauterine growth restriction) is 27.5%, intranatal losses VI category of the Nordic-Baltic classification (gestational age newborn, more than 28 weeks, without congenital malformations and intrauterine growth restriction) 7.4%, the loss of newborns VIIIXI category of the Nordic-Baltic classification (gestational age newborn, more than 28 weeks, without congenital malformations and intrauterine growth restriction) 16.9%. Among children who died during the perinatal period, children of gestational age over 28 weeks significantly predominate (p=0.003). In the nosological structure of stillbirth, most of the diseases are associated with respiratory disorders (85.9%), infectious complications are 14.1%. The main causes of death of newborns in the early neonatal period are respiratory disorders 40.0% and infectious diseases specific to the perinatal period 36.0%. The assessment of the sexual prevalence of pregnancy losses did not reveal a statistically significant difference (p=0.29). The assessment of the sexual characteristics of intranatal losses showed that boys significantly predominate (p=0.003).

Conclusion. The perinatal audit revealed that, in the Northwestern Federal District, the level of the mobile reserve of perinatal losses associated with managed causes is 51.8%.
Bactericidal capacity of oral neutrophils as a marker for clinical course of inflammatory ­respiratory diseases in children
Authors: Pikuza O I , Fayzullina R A , Zakirova A M , Suleymanova Z Ya , Rashitova E L , Volyanyuk E V
Published: October 2020

Aim. To study the number of neutrophils in the oral cavity, their bactericidal potential, to assess as an indicator for predicting the course of recurrent bronchitis (J40) and community-acquired focal pneumonia in children.

Methods. 87 children between 5 and 10 years old, including 52 children with recurrent bronchitis and 35 with focal community-acquired pneumonia were observed. The control group consisted of 37 conditionally healthy children of a similar age. Viral antigens were studied by chemiluminescence immunoassay. Oral neutrophil counts and functional activity were determined. Antibacterial antibodies were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results. 70.11% of patients had a viral antigen, and 57.47% had immunoglobulins M and G against bacterial pathogens. Oral neutrophil counts increased in the main group compared to the control group: up to 163.826.5 cells (p 0.001) in recurrent bronchitis, to 110.925.5 (p 0.05) in community-acquired pneumonia. By the recovery period, the number of oral neutrophils counts decreased in recurrent bronchitis (1.7 times higher compared to the control group, p 0.01) and remained practically unchanged in community-acquired pneumonia (115.026.9, p 0.05). Myeloperoxidase level had opposite changes for the groups compared to the control group: with recurrent bronchitis, it was 1.610.09 to the level in the control group (p 0.05), with community-acquired pneumonia 0.730.09 to the level in the control group (p 0.001). The level of lysosomal cationic proteins decreased to 0.770.09 to the level in the control group (p 0.05) in recurrent bronchitis, and to 0.800.09 (p 0.05) in pneumonia.

Conclusion. In inflammation of the respiratory tract, neutrophil migration to the oral cavity, as well as myeloperoxidase level, increases, indicators of spontaneous luminol-dependent chemiluminescence are activated, and a deficiency of lysosomal cationic proteins occurs; this prevents the penetration of the pathogen into the lower respiratory tract.
Risk of long QT syndrome in novel coronavirus COVID-19
Authors: Oslopov V N , Oslopova J V , Hazova E V , Sergienko K S , Murzakhanova A F , Boichuk J M
Published: October 2020

The article is devoted to the risk of cardiovascular disease in coronavirus infection. In March 2020, the World Health Organization announced the COVID-19 pandemic. The virus set many tasks for practicing doctors, including the study of its pathogenesis and the creation of a therapy suitable for all patient groups. This paper presents information about cellular entry of the coronavirus, the development of cardiovascular diseases, in particular, the heart, and the latest data on experimental therapy with hydroxychloroquine. Coronavirus has been shown to affect the synthesis of angiotensin 2, which increase the QT interval. At the same time, the combination therapy using chloroquine and azithromycin caused a critical prolongation of the QT interval in some cases. On 4 July 2020, WHO accepted the Solidarity Trials International Steering Committee recommendation has stop the trial of these drugs. Cardiologists should review the latest information on the effects of coronavirus on the cardiovascular system and based on this, make recommendations the management and treatment of severe patients.
Problems and prospects of studying hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the Republic of Tatarstan
Authors: Boyko V A , Savitskaya T A , Trifonov V A , Serova I V , Isaeva G Sh
Published: October 2020

The paper presents the history of the study of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) at the Kazan Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology from the beginning of the 50s to the present. The accumulated information allows to draw up general conceptions about the main source of infection, the biological structure of natural foci of infection, nosoarea and the main clinical forms of the disease, the nature and seasonality of the disease, the sex and age composition of patients, and the types of natural foci of HFRS. The stages of improving the methods of laboratory diagnosis of HFRS, development of a specific immunoglobulin against the serum of the Puumala virus are described. A significant contribution to the study of HFRS was the landscape-epidemiological ranking of the territory of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Middle Volga endemic for HFRS, with the identification of zones of special risk of human infection and the main factors that form them. At present, a reference center for monitoring HFRS has been created based on the Kazan Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, and the study of the properties of HFRS pathogens at the current molecular-genetic level continues.
The history of creation hospital surgery clinic in Kazan
Authors: Krasilnikov D M , Karpukhin O Yu
Published: October 2020

In 1860, the Department of hospital surgery was organized at Imperial Kazan university. The reform of medical education to Western standards supposed the training of students in faculty and hospital clinics. The main task of the faculty Department is to teach the classical clinical picture of the most common diseases, while the task of the hospital Department is focusing to variants of clinical manifestations of the disease and improvement of practical skills. The first head of the Department of hospital surgery at Imperial Kazan University was Professor Andrey Beketov. Professor A.N. Beketov is one of the pioneers of the use of inhalation anesthesia, which he recommended for widespread use in the clinic. Besides, Beketov is the author of priority works in the field of traumatology and orthopedics. In a short time, the hospital surgical clinic in Kazan became one of the leading clinics in the East of Russia, the Urals and Siberia.
Intramural urinary bladder leiomyoma
Authors: Protoshchak Vladimir V. , Sivakov Aleksei A. , Karandashov Vasilii K. , Skryabin Mikhail M. , Kushnirenko Nikolay P. , Chirsky Vadim S.
Published: October 2020

Benign neoplasms of the bladder are a rare pathology. Non-epithelial benign tumors of the bladder (fibromas, fibromyxomas, fibromyomas, hemangiomas, rhabdomyomas, leiomyomas, etc.) account for less than 0.5% of all that affect this organ. The analyzed literature describes about 250 cases of bladder leiomyoma. This article describes the clinical case of surgical treatment of bladder leiomyoma.
Incorporating Robots into Human Law - An Analysis of Robot Prototyping in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner and Alex Proyas’ I, Robot.
Authors: Ginszt Katarzyna
Published: October 2020

Science fiction narratives have not only influenced the way the majority of people imagine the future, but they have also shaped the general expectations for the technological development. This phenomenon has been called “science fiction prototyping” by Brian David Johnson. The prototype of a robot is created by science fiction works. Robots as artificially created entities are often presented as potential “members” of future society. Therefore, their legal status in imaginary reality is worth considering. The analysis of Blade Runner (1982) by Ridley Scott and I, Robot (2004) by Alex Proyas juxtaposes features that, according to the legal tradition, are most often attributed to moral subjects of legal protection with human-like features of robots. The interdisciplinary approach adopted in this study involves applying legal reasoning to the study of science fiction.
The Space of the New Ethnic Neighborhood: Polka Festival as Imagined Community
Authors: Gunkel Ann Hetzel
Published: October 2020

Following the spatial turn in cultural studies, ethnic space is understood as a cultural category, constructed by discourse and determined by capital, within which people create their own narratives. This essay explores the construction of ethnic space and identity in the phenomenon of the Polish American polka music festival. Framed by the attention to the process of “production of space” (Lefebvre 1991), the essay presumes that new conceptualizations of spatiality assume space is no longer treated as something given, a pre-existing territory, or locale. The case study of the ethnic music festival is an ideal place for examining the invention of place, because it is not located in a fixed space, but in a movable community traveling from festival to festival. The polka festival circuit is attended by a core community of polka boosters, many of whom travel from event to event in vacation motor homes, with attendees setting up "neighborhoods" of motor homes that include front lawns, outdoor kitchens, and "streets." Most bring lawn signs, street signs, flags and other public signs of Polish American identity, recreating—this essay argues—the urban ethnic neighborhood of previous immigrant generations. Polish American ethnic identity for this group of participants is located and recreated in an imagined community that it creates, dismantles, moves and recreates in a mobile spatiality of ethnic belonging.
Aging and/with Literature
Authors: Blashkiv Oksana
Published: October 2020

The review article focuses on the problem of aging as reflected in American literature and culture. The author discusses a book by Anna Gaidash "Discourse of Aging in American Drama" (2019) in detail, stressing its interdisciplinary character.
Very Young Learners in a Gallery of Modern Art – Opportunities Arising from the Implementation of Modern Art in Foreign Language Teaching
Authors: Kamiński Krystian
Published: October 2020

Inviting very young learners to a gallery of modern art does not seem as an obvious didactic solution. Some may argue that children are not able to interpret modern art, and, therefore, it is not possible to use such a medium as a teaching tool. However, it all depends on the pedagogical approach and the way art is implemented during classes. This article starts with an overview of definitions of very young learners, defining this group not only in terms of their age, but also characteristic traits. It is also to justify the use of modern art-cued visual materials as a component of language teaching and to ponder upon using elements of artistic creation to foreign language classrooms. The practical implementation of a presented solution is also discussed in the article. The ideas were used as workshops aimed at introducing very young learners to modern art as well as at acquiring new English vocabulary. Classes were carried out in one of the modern art galleries in Lublin. An example of chosen artwork and pieces created by a very young learner are shown in this article. Finally, the opportunities arising from implementing the new methodology are analysed. They are connected with linguistic development, improvement of young learners’ skills, as well as developing intercultural competence.
A Story about Ruin: An Ecofeminist Perspective on Omar El Akkad’s American War
Authors: Huber Bettina
Published: October 2020

This article analyzes Omar El Akkad’s 2017 novel American War from an ecofeminist perspective by examining the intersections between environmental issues, gender, and terrorism. The use of different text genres in the broader context of this fictionalized (self) life narrative will also be the focus of this analysis. As a case study for the overall argumentation, special emphasis will be placed on the depiction of the radicalization of the main character, Sara(t) Chestnut.
Relationship between Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Job Satisfaction: Evidence from Private Bank Employees
Authors: Rahman Md. Mostafijur , Chowdhury Md. Razwan Hasan Khan , Islam Md. Amirul , Tohfa Mst. Ummay , Kader Md. Abdul Latif , Ahmed Alim Al Ayub , Donepudi Praveen Kumar
Published: October 2020

In this competitive business world satisfied employee is the prime asset of any business organization as an employee’s satisfaction can ensure continuous growth. The purpose of this study was to find out, is there any significant relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and job satisfaction of private bank employees in Bangladesh? By using Yamane's (1967) formula the study consisted of 56 (male 89.3% and female 10.7%) respondents and it used semi-structured questionnaires containing pre-coded and open-ended questions. All questions were rated with the Likert 5-point scale. As all the variables used in this study (both dependent and independent) were categorical, the Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship. In this study, significant relations were found between some demographic characteristics, such as, sex, age, salary, and family income with job satisfaction indicators which were participation in decision making, training facilities, and increase knowledge and capacity. Education and geographic location did not show any significant relationship with job satisfaction indicators. Around 92.5% of male employees reported that the current organization helped to increase their knowledge and working capacity (p<0.028). More than half of the employees (55.3 %) of the 30-35 age group could not take part in decision making (p<0.013). In addition, family income and salary also exerted significant associations with participation in decision-making and proper training facilities respectively. Several stakeholders and concern authorities should give top priority in these demographic areas while developing strategies to improve the job satisfaction level of employees.
The experimental turn in philosophy of language
Authors: Zhou Xiang , Gao Ya
Published: October 2020

With the rise of experimental philosophy in the twenty-first century, the past two decades have witnessed the experimental turn in the field of philosophy of language. We delineate in this paper the experimental turn in philosophy of language before distinguishing armchair theorizing from empirical testing and highlighting the complementarity between the two approaches, and then carry out an analysis of the experimental tools and methods available for philosophical experiments with examples by classifying them into three major types, viz., the method of survey, the method of big data, and the method of cognitive neuroscience.
The syntactic coercion between “N1Adv shi N2” and “S bi N1 hai N2” constructions
Authors: Li Ying
Published: October 2020

Though many researchers have studied “N1Adv shi N2” and “S bi N1 hai N2” constructions, none of them have done some research on the correlation between them. In view of it, this thesis analyzes the syntactic coercion of the construction “N1Adv shi N2” on the construction “S bi N1 hai N2” from the perspective of the Cognitive Construction Grammar. The findings are: the latter inherits from the former the characteristics of nouns as adjectives, generic reference of nouns, and no negation, etc., but blocks the characteristic of personal names with specific reference; the latter partially inherits from the former some characteristics of nouns, such as the nouns referring to people, but blocks the information of geographical and personal names. In addition, the metonymic thinking model link proposed in this thesis has complemented the four types of links between constructions by Goldberg.
Book Review
Authors: Liu Jiahe
Published: October 2020

An abstract is not available for this content.
Hybrid Computing and Decision Technologies in Improving Accuracy of Structural Equation Model for Sustainable Environmentally Friendly Product Management
Authors:   Graduate School in Development Administration, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand, Luangpaiboon Phatchanok , Charoenwiriyakul Chandej , Koolrojanaput Siravit
Published: October 2020

Main purpose of this research is to study influential variables of green innovation strategy, corporate social responsibility, government policy, transformation leadership including human resource development on the success level in managing sustainable environmentally friendly products of industrial plants. The sequential procedures on statistical techniques are proposed with the survey data on both quantitative and qualitative research elements. Confirmatory factor and path analysis including the structural equation modeling are mixed to identify the causal relationship between variables and the dependent variables. In this article, two metaheuristic algorithms namely sequential evolutionary elements based on variable neighborhood search and particle swarm optimization algorithms are proposed to enhance the sustainable environmentally friendly product management model. The results show that all performance measures of the particle swarm optimization algorithm are better, but not statistically significant when compared. Evolutionary elements from Metaheuristic approaches are the powerful tool for generating the management model and aiding the industries for decision making. The qualitative research was from the multistage sampling and in-depth interviews to finally provide guidelines for managing environmentally friendly products. From the numerical results all of proposed variables affected the success at a high level of opinions. The results of this research will be efficiently used to promote sustainable environmentally friendly products for the manufacturing in Thailand.
Protein Structure Prediction Based on Improved Genetic Algorithm
Authors:   the Masters School, 49 Clinton Avenue, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522, USA, Liu Jiaxi
Published: October 2020

The prediction of protein three-dimensional structure from amino acid sequence has been a challenge problem in bioinformatics, owing to the many potential applications for robust protein structure prediction methods. Protein structure prediction is essential to bioscience, and its research results are important for other research areas. Methods for the prediction an才d design of protein structures have advanced dramatically. The prediction of protein structure based on average hydrophobic values is discussed and an improved genetic algorithm is proposed to solve the optimization problem of hydrophobic protein structure prediction. An adjustment operator is designed with the average hydrophobic value to prevent the overlapping of amino acid positions. Finally, some numerical experiments are conducted to verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm by comparing with the traditional HNN algorithm.
Application of Education Informatization Promoting Educational Equity in Remote Areas of China
Authors:   the National Center for Education Technology, 160 Fuxingmennei Street, Bejing, China, Kou Sijia
Published: October 2020

Nowadays, an increasing number of people are concerned about the problem of educational inequality. Especially in remote areas in China, due to the backward development of the economy, the population is outflowing, which means that the teachers are not strong enough. Meanwhile, the science and technology are not advanced enough and the infrastructure construction is not perfect. With the continuous development of information technology, education informatization has brought more and more attention to education equity. Poverty reduction through education is a hot issue that the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China is concerned about. The education informatization we mentioned in this paper points to fundamental education informatization. This article has introduced the fundamental educational performance of China and the contribution of one of the Chinese projects, which is named cross-regional simultaneous teaching application pilot project, to improve teaching quality in terms of educational technology making use of the two-way broadband satellite and the platform called panoramic learning platform. This means that teachers and students, especially for remote areas’ teachers and students, can benefit from this project to gain more educational resources. By harnessing this, China can help more people to receive a better education so that it can bridge the gap between rich and poor.
Trends and Effects of Learning through AR-Based Education in S-Korea
Authors:   Department of Early Childhood Education at Cheju Halla University, South Korea, An Mi-Young , Kim Han-Seul , Kang Ji-Won
Published: October 2020

The purpose of this study is to help teachers of AR-based education by reviewing the literature on the types, learning effects and limitations of AR technology used in Korean AR-based education. Therefore, this thesis examines the literature focusing on thesis and articles of Korean thesis, and defines the definition of AR, technical elements, implementation method, utilization media, usage and trends, educational status, and educational effects and limitations. As a result, the classes using AR-based education could be easily immersed by learners and the presence of learning occurred. In addition, it is possible to take advantage of the AR, enabling immediate training using GPS and collaborative training using the network. AR-based education is becoming increasingly popular according to the use of digital textbooks through AR technology and AR education contents using mobile devices. However, there are limitations to AR implementation media such as qualitative differences in AR educational contents, high price, motion sickness and dizziness of HMD devices. Therefore, in order to achieve AR-based education in educational institutions and educational sites, this paper presents the development of AR implementation media suitable for the level of learners, provides flexible AR curriculum guidelines, industry-academic cooperation between companies for technology development, and inspection / censorship of educational contents. It suggests that a procedure should be provided.
Serum uric acid: a biochemical prognostic indicator of pregnancy outcomes among pre-eclampsia patients at the federal medical centre, Yenagoa
Authors: Obagah Lukman , Kasia Benedicta E. , Jeremiah Israel , Allagoa Dennis O. , Aigere Egbaname E. O. S. , Kotingo Ebikabowei L. , Oriji Chibuzor P.
Published: October 2020

Background: High levels of uric acid concentration over normal pregnant values have been reported previously in established preeclampsia, hence it was suggested to be a useful biochemical prognostic marker of the disease.Methods: This is a hospital based prospective case control study where 100 patients with preeclampsia were recruited consecutively as they were admitted. 100 non-pre-eclamptics were also recruited as control. The foetomaternal data, adverse perinatal outcomes, maternal serum uric acid levels as well as complications of preeclampsia were recorded into the protocol. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 22.0. Level of significance was set at p<0.05.Results: The mean age in the study group was 28±6.7 years while in the control group it was 31±6.5 years. The difference in age was not statistically significant (p=0.53). The mean serum uric acid level was significantly higher amongst participants with preeclampsia than in those without preeclampsia (405.6±995 µmol/L versus 232.7±26.3 µmol/L, p=0.00). Uric acid was statistically associated with the occurrence of eclampsia (p=0.03), Severe hypertension (0.03) and birth asphyxia (p=0.01).Conclusions: The mean serum uric acid was higher in preeclampsia than non-preeclampsia patients. High levels of uric acid were found in eclampsia, severe hypertension and birth asphyxia. However, the prognostic accuracy for uric acid was low for most pregnancy outcomes.
Urinary iodine level assessment during third trimester in a sample of Egyptian pregnant women and its relation to thyroid function
Authors: Mohamed Magda S. , Nasr Merhan S. , Elhalawany Salah H. , Tayeh Salma S. , Abbas Ahmed M.
Published: October 2020

Background: Inadequate intakes of iodine during pregnancy may cause thyroid dysfunctions that adversely affect pregnancy outcomes. Aim of the work was to evaluate the urinary iodine level as a marker of iodine status in a sample of Egyptian pregnant women during 3rd trimester and assess its relation to thyroid functions.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 pregnant females at their 3rd trimester aged (18-35) years. They were divided according to their urinary iodine concentration into 3 groups; Group (I): Pregnant females with deficient iodine (<150 μg/l), Group (II): Pregnant females with adequate iodine (150-249) μg/l, Group (III): pregnant females including who have above requirements (250-499 μg/l), and excessive (≥500 μg/l). TSH, free t4, free t3, Anti-Thyroglobulin (TgAb) and anti-thyroid perioxidase (TPOAb), medium urinary Iodine concentration (UIC) by ELISA and neck U/S were performed to all participants.Results: 18% of the pregnant women in our study had iodine deficiency during 3rd trimester (UIC<150 ug/l) whereas 55% of pregnant women had excess iodine level, and adequate iodine level was observed in 27%.  Serum TSH was significantly higher in group I with deficient iodine level (p value<0.01). All pregnant women included at group I were suffering from subclinical hypothyroidism. Serum TSH and thyroid volume were inversely correlated with urinary iodine among pregnant females at 3rd trimester (p value<0.01).Conclusions: Serum TSH and thyroid volume were inversely correlated with urinary iodine level among pregnant females at 3rd trimester.
Clinicopathological correlation of abdominal hysterectomy
Authors: Manandhar Tara , Sitaula Sarita , Dixit Baburam Thapa , Agrawal Ajay
Published: October 2020

Background: Hysterectomy is the most common gynaecological procedure performed worldwide. Abdominal hysterectomy remains the most common approach though recently there has been preference towards laparoscopic hysterectomy. Fibroid uterus is the most common indication for hysterectomy followed by pelvic organ prolapse, benign ovarian tumour and abnormal uterine bleeding. The objective of this study was to analyse the indication, outcome and correlate the clinical indication with the histopathological diagnosis.Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, B. P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, from January 2017 to December 2019. This is a descriptive analysis of the patients who had undergone abdominal hysterectomy during the study period.Results: A total of 801 patients underwent abdominal hysterectomy and the most common indication was fibroid uterus (n=391, 48.81%), followed by abnormal uterine bleeding. The total complication rate was 3.24% (n=26) and we had one (0.1%) mortality. Histopathological analysis of the specimen revealed leiomyoma (54.43%) as the most common finding. The clinical indication and histopathological diagnosis matched in 373 (86.94%) patients.Conclusions: Abdominal hysterectomy is the most common approach and it is associated with risk of complications, so the indication for hysterectomy should be adequately evaluated. With the improvement in the different organ-preserving options, hysterectomy in benign disease should only be opted when all the other conservative options fails.
Prediction of adverse effects of preeclampsia
Authors: Tongaria Khushboo , Kumar Ashok , Kaur Simar
Published: October 2020

Background: To predict the adverse maternal, perinatal and combined (both maternal and perinatal) outcome in preeclampsia by using various clinical and laboratory variables. Methods: Five hundred fifty women diagnosed with preeclampsia were included and twenty-four women were excluded from the study due to exclusion criteria, six women decline to participate, twenty women were lost to follow up, three women withdrew consent, so a total of 497 women were followed up in the study.Results: Mean age of study population was 26.82±4.48 years. Majority of women with preeclampsia delivered vaginally. Forty-five (9.05%) developed neurological complication. Mean gestational age at delivery (weeks) in patients who developed adverse outcome was 34.58±3.74 weeks and in patients with normal outcome is 38.62±1.59 weeks. Mean birth weight of newborns were 2.1±0.73 kg and 1.85±0.61 kg for newborns with adverse outcomes. Majority of perinatal complication was small for gestational age 267 (54.37%) followed by prematurity 262 (53.36%). Total number of adverse perinatal events was six hundred seventy-seven as multiple neonates had more than one perinatal outcome. In combined (both maternal and perinatal) adverse outcome-374 (75%) developed adverse outcome, 123 (25%) developed normal pregnancy outcome.Conclusion: This study found out simple clinical, biochemical tools for monitoring pregnant women and accurately identifying who was at greatest risk of severe complications. By identifying those women at highest risk of adverse maternal outcomes well before that outcome occurs, transportation and treatment can be targeted to those women most in need. This clinical prediction tool found to be an important contributor as it offers the potential to improve health outcomes of women for a condition that is at the root of a large amount of morbidity and mortality in the developing world.
Assessment of socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with preeclampsia and eclampsia among primigravida attending tertiary care center in South India
Authors: Jaboi Rency M. , S. Vahitha , . Nivedita
Published: October 2020

Background: The objective of the study was to identify the socio demographic and clinical factors associated with preeclampsia and eclampsia among primigravida attending a tertiary care center in South India.Methods: A quantitative research approach with case control design was used. Non-probability convenience sampling was used to select two groups of primigravida mothers i.e. one group with 108 mothers having preeclampsia or eclampsia and one group with 108 mothers not having preeclampsia or eclampsia. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect the data.Results: The study found that preeclampsia and eclampsia was significantly associated with maternal age (p=0.026), hemoglobin level (p=0.003), body mass index (p=0.001), weeks of gestation (p=0.016), age at menarche (p=0.003), age at first pregnancy (p=0.007), nutritional education (p=0.001), history of thyroid disorder (p=0.025), family history of hypertension (p=0.016), salt consumption (p=0.001), consumption of fried fatty food (p=0.008) and processed sugar (p=0.045), and intake of green leafy vegetables (p=0.001), pulses and beans(p=0.031) and activity (p=0.015). In the multiple regression analysis, body mass index (Adjusted Odds Ratio [OR] 2.28 [1.40-3.71] p=0.001), thyroid disorder (adjusted OR 2.756 [1.135-6.645] p=0.025) and intake of green leafy vegetables (adjusted OR 1.69 [1.223-2.360] p=0.002) were found to be independent risk factors associated with preeclampsia and eclampsia.Conclusion: The study concluded that the risk factors should be identified and evaluated during the antenatal visits for early detection so as to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
Knowledge-utilization gap regarding modern methods of contraception among rural women attending an outreach health centre in North Delhi
Authors: Behera Shyambhavee , Yadav Kartikey
Published: October 2020

Background: Even with nearly five decades of launch of the programme, only half of the eligible couples in the country are using any modern method of contraception and 12% still have an unmet need for family planning, as per National Family Health Survey 4 (NFHS 4). The current study aims to estimate the knowledge and use of the contraceptive practices and its socio-demographic determinants among women (15-49 years) attending Health Centre in a rural village of North Delhi.Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in July, 2018 at outreach Rural Health Training Centre (RHTC) in North Delhi. Hundred currently married women in the reproductive age group (15-45 years) coming to outreach centre participated in the study. The study participants were interviewed using pretested, semi structured questionnaire.Results: Although 96% of the study participants had knowledge regarding any of the modern method of contraception, only 57% were using them (including condom, OCP, IUCD and sterilization). Reasons for not using any kind of contraceptive included poor reliability, lack of proper knowledge regarding availability and use, partner opposition and willingness to have a child.Conclusions: Although knowledge about contraceptives was good, the utilization was very low. Even in presence of established and ever-expanding services available, the current study reported a remarkable gap in the individual contraceptive knowledge and utilization. Thus, providing correct knowledge to the couple as a single unit and its reiteration at regular interval becomes the pivot in filling this knowledge-utilization gap.
Comparative analysis of fetomaternal outcome in antenatal women infected with pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Lewis Preeti Frank , Budhewar Amita Shankarrao , Bavdekar Nitin Bhimrao , Gurnani Deepika , Kumari Ayushi
Published: October 2020

Background: Active tuberculosis is a multiorgan disease caused by primary infection or as a re-activation of latent tuberculosis. The studies comparing maternal and fetal outcome in antenatal women with extrapulmonary tuberculosis and pulmonary tuberculosis is scanty therefore, in current study we outline and identify the demographic and clinical characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis and extrapulmonary tuberculosis and comparing fetal and maternal outcome in pulmonary and extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The maternal complications and fetal complications of pulmonary tuberculosis were analysed compare with extra pulmonary tuberculosis.Methods: This was prospective observational study done in tertiary care centre over a period 1.5 year from January 2019 to June 2020. Institute ethical committee approval was obtained. Pregnant women in the age group of 18-42 years diagnosed with tuberculosis in antenatal period were included in our study for comparing fetal and maternal outcomes. They were evaluated for their symptom including clinical examination, microbiological, radiological and biochemical testing. We excluded those antenatal women with tuberculosis and adequately treated and cured and those women with tuberculosis who did not delivered during study period.Results: Most common complication associated with pulmonary tuberculosis was intrauterine growth restriction whereas in extrapulmonary preterm labour most common complication. Perinatal outcome worse in extrapulmonary tuberculosis as compared to pulmonary tuberculosis.Conclusions: Pregnancy with tuberculosis worsen the outcome of both mother and fetus. Our study depicted perinatal outcome is worse in Extrapulmonary TB than pulmonary TB. Atypical presentation of the Extrapulmonary TB may constitute diagnostic and therapeutic challenges thus a high clinical suspicion is needed.
Determinant genes that effect the central nervous system and their antenatal identification
Authors: Vijay Christy , Tilak Preetha
Published: October 2020

Background: The central nervous system is an intricate networking of electric signals that intertwines the functioning of all senses of speech, thoughts etc. A genetic mutation in this complex structure is known to cause many neurological diseases.Methods: Records of the genetic analysis reports of patients were studied. Patients with CNS genetic syndromes or tubulinopathies in fetus of the present pregnancy or previous pregnancy who presented themselves only for genetic counseling with the genetic analysis report done at an outside diagnostic center were selected.Results: Ten patients presented with history congenital abnormalities of the structure of the central nervous system in pregnancy. Non-invasive investigations in the first child led to the need for genetic analysis of the present foetus. EEG showing independent S2 foci and left central parietal and right temporal region with bilateral synchronous discharge was noticed. MRI findings such as chronic infarct with encephalomalacia were seen.Conclusions: Our study identified genes responsible for CNS abnormalities in structure and function and the Exom sequence in which they occurred. We were able to observe various types of clinical presentations of the syndromes on MRI/USG.
Why do mothers die? A retrospective analysis of maternal mortality over 7 years in a tertiary care teaching Hospital in North Karnataka, India
Authors: Yaliwal Rajasri G. , Biradar Aruna M. , Kori Shreedevi S. , Mudanur SUbhashchandra R. , Pujeri Shivakumar U. , Sushmita Jada
Published: October 2020

Background: Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is still high in many developing countries. In Southern India, the maternal mortality is highest in the state of Karnataka. Therefore, a study was conducted at BLDE (DU) Shri BM Patil medical college, hospital and research centre to study the causes of maternal deaths, and to make recommendation to reduce the maternal mortality.Methods: A retrospective analysis of all the maternal deaths between 2012 to 2019 was done.Results: A total of 58 women died due to pregnancy and its complications during the period of 2012-2019. Average age of death was 25.42 years. It was noted that 70.7% of the patients travelled over 30 km to reach Vijayapura city. The predisposing causes of death were post-partum haemorrhage (44.8%) eclampsia (18.9%), anaemia (17.2%), pulmonary or amniotic fluid embolism (12.1%), sepsis (10.3%) antepartum haemorrhage (3.4%) and cardiac disease (6.9%). A death each occurred in patients suffering cholestasis and adult respiratory distress syndrome. A majority of the deaths were post-partum deaths (84%). Most of the deaths of the occurred during the first 12 hours of admission (82.76). A total of 11 patients received blood and blood components. Of the 58 deaths, 56(96%) required ventilatory support., 47 (81%) patients received ionotropic support. 11 (19%) patients underwent peripartum hysterectomy.Conclusions: Timely intervention can save maternal lives. Services of well-equipped hospitals with obstetric intensive care units having a dedicated team of well-trained obstetricians, intensivists and anaesthesiologist are recommended in a facility which is near the residence of the pregnant women. Facilities for quick transfer of the cases who are high risk are required.
Increased nuchal translucency: it’s not just aneuploidy
Authors: Bhatt Reema Kumar , Dwivedi Pranjali , Rana Anubhuti
Published: October 2020

Nuchal translucency (NT) measurement between 11- and 14-weeks’ gestation is an established and consistently performing marker for chromosomal abnormalities, including trisomy 21. Even in the absence of aneuploidy in the event of normal conventional karyotyping or microarray analysis, increased NT is prognosticative of adverse pregnancy outcome, because it is associated with miscarriages, congenital heart defects, several fetal malformations, many genetic syndromes, skeletal dysplasia’s, intrauterine death; the majority of these structural anomalies are undetectable before birth. The parents should be reassured that in the absence of any abnormality detected the fetus will have a normal uneventful outcome and postnatal development when compared to the general population outcome.