bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of disinfectant ingredients on teat skin bacteria associated with mastitis in Irish dairy herds
Authors: Fitzpatrick Sarah Rose , Garvey Mary , Flynn Jim , O’Brien Bernadette , Gleeson David
Published: January 2021

Background

Teat disinfection is an important step in the control of mastitis within a dairy herd. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of 96 commercially available teat disinfectant products in Ireland against bacterial isolates on teat skin. Teat disinfection products were applied to the teats of seventeen Holstein–Friesian cows. A split-udder model was used where one cow received two different teat disinfection products on each day. A composite swab sample was taken of the left teats and the right teats before and after teat disinfectant application. Swab samples were plated onto 3 different selective agars to enumerate bacterial counts of streptococcal, staphylococcal and coliform isolates.

Results

Streptococcal isolates were the most prominent bacterial group recovered on teat swabs taken before the application of a teat disinfection product (55.0%), followed by staphylococcal isolates (41.3%) and coliform isolates (3.7%). Products were reclassified by active ingredients (n = 9) for analysis. These ingredient groups included; chlorhexidine, chlorine dioxide, diamine, iodine, iodine and lactic acid, lactic acid, lactic acid and chlorhexidine, lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, and lactic acid and salicylic acid. The ingredient group, chlorine dioxide, resulted in comparable reductions to the iodine group for streptococcal isolates. The ingredient group, iodine combined with lactic acid, resulted in the greatest reduction of staphylococcal isolates. When observing products individually, a product containing 1.6% w/w lactic acid combined with hydrogen peroxide was the most effective at reducing streptococcal isolates on the teat skin, whereas a product containing lactic acid combined with 0.6% w/w chlorhexidine was the most effective against staphylococcal isolates. Minor differences were observed regarding the relationship between effectiveness and active ingredient concentration between products.

Conclusions

This study suggests that some teat disinfectant products achieve a higher reduction in bacterial levels against different specific bacterial groups on teat skin than other products. Therefore, when choosing a teat disinfectant product, the bacteria in the dairy herds’ environment should be considered. Further studies are necessary to evaluate products efficacy against new IMIs and any possible effects on teat skin condition.
Existence of chaos for partial difference equations via tangent and cotangent functions
Authors: Guo Haihong , Liang Wei
Published: January 2021

This paper is concerned with the existence of chaos for a type of partial difference equations. We establish four chaotification schemes for partial difference equations with tangent and cotangent functions, in which the systems are shown to be chaotic in the sense of Li–Yorke or of both Li–Yorke and Devaney. For illustration, we provide three examples are provided.
Microbiome for Mars: surveying microbiome connections to healthcare with implications for long-duration human spaceflight, virtual workshop, July 13, 2020
Authors: LaPelusa Michael , Donoviel Dorit , Branzini Sergio E. , Carlson Paul E. , Culler Stephanie , Cheema Amrita K. , Kaddurah-Daouk Rima , Kelly Denise , de Cremoux Isabelle , Knight Rob , Krajmalnik-Brown Rosa , Mayo Stephen L. , Mazmanian Sarkis K. , Mayer Emeran A. , Petrosino Joseph F. , Garrison Keith
Published: January 2021

The inaugural “Microbiome for Mars” virtual workshop took place on July 13, 2020. This event assembled leaders in microbiome research and development to discuss their work and how it may relate to long-duration human space travel. The conference focused on surveying current microbiome research, future endeavors, and how this growing field could broadly impact human health and space exploration. This report summarizes each speaker’s presentation in the order presented at the workshop.
Performance of a novel system for high-resolution tracking of marine fish societies
Authors: Aspillaga Eneko , Arlinghaus Robert , Martorell-Barceló Martina , Follana-Berná Guillermo , Lana Arancha , Campos-Candela Andrea , Alós Josep
Published: January 2021

Recent advances in tracking systems have revolutionized our ability to study animal movement in the wild. In aquatic environments, high-resolution acoustic telemetry systems make it technically possible to simultaneously monitor large amounts of individuals at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions, providing a unique opportunity to study the behaviour and social interactions using a reality mining approach. Despite the potential, high-resolution telemetry systems have had very limited use in coastal marine areas due to the limitations that these environments pose to the transmission of acoustic signals. This study aims at designing and testing a high-resolution acoustic telemetry system to monitor, for the first time, a natural fish population in an open marine area. First, we conducted preliminary range tests and a computer simulation study to identify the optimal design of the telemetry system. Then, we performed a series of stationary and moving tests to characterize the performance of the system in terms of positioning efficiency and precision. Finally, we obtained a dataset corresponding to the movements of 170 concurrently tagged individuals to demonstrate the overall functioning of the system with a real study case of the behaviour of a small-bodied coastal species. Our results show that high-resolution acoustic telemetry systems efficiently generate positional data in marine systems, providing a precision of few meters, a temporal resolution of few seconds, and the possibility of tracking hundreds of individuals simultaneously. Data post-processing using a trajectory filter and movement models proved to be key to achieve a sub-meter positioning precision. The main limitation detected for our system was the restricted detection range, which was negatively affected by the stratification of the water column. Our work demonstrates that high-resolution acoustic telemetry systems are an effective method to monitor the movements of free-ranging individuals at the population level in coastal sites. By providing highly precise positioning estimates of large amounts of individuals, these systems represent a powerful tool to study key ecological processes regarding the social interactions of individuals, including social dynamics, collective movements, or responses to environmental perturbations, and to extend the studies to poorly studied small-sized species or life-stages.
Chronic kidney disease in lithium-treated patients, incidence and rate of decline
Authors: Van Alphen Arjan M. , Bosch Tessa M. , Kupka Ralph W. , Hoekstra Rocco
Published: January 2021

Background

Lithium-induced nephropathy is a known long-term complication, sometimes limiting the use of lithium as mood stabilizer. The aim of this study is to establish the incidence of chronic kidney disease and the rate of decline of renal function in patients using lithium and to identify risk factors.

Methods

We selected 1012 patients treated with lithium from the laboratory database of the Antes Centre for Mental Health Care spanning a period from 2000 to 2015. Serum lithium and creatinine concentrations were retrieved and eGFR was calculated using the 4-variable CKD-EPI formula. We calculated the incidence of renal insufficiency and the rate of decline. We compared patients with and without chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 regarding duration of lithium exposure.

Results

Incidence of chronic kidney disease was 0.012 cases per exposed patient-year. Average decline of eGFR was 1.8 ml/min/year in patients who developed chronic kidney disease stage 3. Incidence of chronic kidney disease stage 4 was only 0.0004 per patient year. No cases of end stage renal disease were found in this cohort. Odds of reaching chronic kidney disease stage 3 were increased with longer duration of lithium exposure.

Conclusions

The use of lithium seems to be related to a higher incidence of chronic kidney disease. Longer duration of lithium exposure significantly increased the risk of renal failure.
“How many times did I not want to live a life because of him”: the complex connections between child sexual abuse, disclosure, and self-injurious thoughts and behaviors
Authors: Collin-Vézina Delphine , De La Sablonnière-Griffin Mireille , Sivagurunathan Marudan , Lateef Rusan , Alaggia Ramona , McElvaney Rosaleen , Simpson Megan
Published: January 2021

Background

Meta-analyses have confirmed an association between child sexual abuse (CSA) and non-suicidal and suicidal self-injurious thoughts and behaviors (SITB), yet the mechanisms linking these factors are, to date, poorly understood. The goal of the current study is to explore one potential influencing factor acting in the association between CSA and SITB, which is the disclosure experience. Disclosure has been identified as a prominent factor in the healing process of survivors, with a lack of support following disclosures heightening negative outcomes. Exploring the impact of CSA disclosure on SITB is necessary to build effective prevention and intervention strategies.

Methods

This qualitative study is part of a larger initiative spanning diverse research sites in Canada and in Ireland and aiming to lend voice to young people who were sexually abused in childhood/adolescence. Participants were recruited from community-based sexual abuse/assault agencies, hospital-based specialized clinics and child advocacy centres. The Long Interview Method, based on a branch of phenomenology, was used to guide research design and data collection. The current thematic analysis, informed by a stress-diathesis model, is based on a sample comprised of 21 ethnically diverse youth aged 15 to 25 who self-reported a sexual abuse experience in their childhood or teenage years and who, as part of the interview on their disclosure processes, revealed past or current SITB.

Results

The thematic analysis led to the identification of four main themes that both confirmed past research and conceptual models on SITB, and provided new insights. Participants perceived a clear link between their CSA experience and SITB and other mental health issues. They offered their views on the meanings of SITB for CSA victims: to cope with abuse; to end the abuse; to express self-hatred and loneliness; and to let people know about their suffering. They described how negative disclosure experiences led to more nonsuicidal and suicidal SITB. Yet, participants also revealed that receiving support for their SITB created opportunities for CSA disclosure and support.

Conclusions

This study showed complex connections between CSA experiences, disclosure and nonsuicidal and suicidal SITB. Understanding the reciprocal influences between SITB, CSA disclosure and help-seeking could better equip mental health professionals and caregivers to provide support and foster healing and recovery in CSA victims.
Soot removal from ancient Egyptian complex painted surfaces using a double network gel: empirical tests on the ceiling of the sanctuary of Osiris in the temple of Seti I—Abydos
Authors: Al-Emam Ehab , Motawea Abdel Ghafour , Caen Joost , Janssens Koen
Published: January 2021

In this study, we evaluated the ease of removal of soot layers from ancient wall paintings by employing double network gels as a controllable and safe cleaning method. The ceiling of the temple of Seti I (Abydos, Egypt) is covered with thick layers of soot; this is especially the case in the sanctuary of Osiris. These layers may have been accumulated during the occupation of the temple by Christians, fleeing the Romans in the first centuries A.D. Soot particulates are one of the most common deposits to be removed during conservation-restoration activities of ancient Egyptian wall paintings. They usually mask the painted reliefs and reduce the permeability of the painted surface. A Polyvinyl alcohol-borax/agarose (PVA-B/AG) double network gel was selected for this task since its properties were expected to be compatible with the cleaning treatment requirements. The gel is characterized by its flexibility, permitting to take the shape of the reliefs, while also having self-healing properties, featuring shape stability and an appropriate capacity to retain liquid. The gel was loaded with several cleaning reagents that proved to be effective for soot removal. Soot removal tests were conducted with these gel composites. The cleaned surfaces were evaluated with the naked eye, a digital microscope, and color measurements in order to select the best gel composite. The gel composite, loaded with a solution of 5% ammonia, 0.3% ammonium carbonate, and 0.3% EDTA yielded the most satisfactory results and allowed to safely remove a crust of thick soot layers from the surface. Thus, during the final phase of the study, it was used successfully to clean a larger area of the ceiling.
Repurposing existing drugs for new uses: a cohort study of the frequency of FDA-granted new indication exclusivities since 1997
Authors: Sahragardjoonegani Babak , Beall Reed F. , Kesselheim Aaron S. , Hollis Aidan
Published: January 2021

Background

Drug repurposing (i.e., finding novel uses for existing drugs) is essential for maximizing medicines’ therapeutic utility, but obtaining regulatory approval for new indications is costly. Policymakers have therefore created temporary indication-specific market exclusivities to incentivize drug innovators to run new clinical investigations. The effectiveness of these exclusivities is poorly understood.

Objective

To determine whether generic entry impacts the probability of new indication additions.

Methods

For a cohort of all new small-molecule drugs approved by the FDA between July 1997 and May 2020, we tracked new indications added for the subset of drugs that experienced generic entry during the observation period and then analyzed how the probability of a new indication changed with the number of years since/to generic entry.

Results

Of the 197 new drugs that subsequently experienced generic entry, only 64 (32%) had at least one new indication added. The probability of a new indication addition peaked above 4% between 7 and 8 years prior to generic entry and then to dropped to near zero 15 years after FDA approval. We show that the limited duration of exclusivity reduces the number of secondary indications significantly.

Conclusion

Status quo for most drug innovators is creating novel one-indication products. Despite indication-specific exclusivities, the imminence of generic entry still has a detectable impact on reducing the chances of new indication additions. There is much room for improvement when it comes to incentivizing clinical investigations for new uses and unlocking existing medicines’ full therapeutic potential.
Choroidal blood perfusion as a potential “rapid predictive index” for myopia development and progression
Authors: Zhou Xiangtian , Ye Cong , Wang Xiaoyan , Zhou Weihe , Reinach Peter , Qu Jia
Published: January 2021

Myopia is the leading cause of visual impairment worldwide. The lack of a “rapid predictive index” for myopia development and progression hinders the clinic management and prevention of myopia. This article reviews the studies describing changes that occur in the choroid during myopia development and proposes that it is possible to detect myopia development at an earlier stage than is currently possible in a clinical setting using choroidal blood perfusion as a “rapid predictive index” of myopia.
Life-threatening airway obstruction caused by angioedema in a morbidly obese postoperative patient: a case report
Authors: Konda Makiko , Inoue Satoki , Naito Yusuke , Egawa Junji , Kawaguchi Masahiko
Published: January 2021

Background

We report a case of a morbidly obese patient who developed life-threatening airway obstruction due to angioedema.

Case presentation

A 50-year-old Japanese morbidly obese female was treated with enalapril for 10 years, with no history of angioedema. After 3 h of completion of breast cancer resection under general anesthesia with tracheal intubation, she developed airway obstruction and respiratory arrest. Her oral cavity was occupied with a swollen tongue. It was extremely difficult to determine the airway anatomical orientation although tracheal intubation was attempted using a videolaryngoscope. At this time, she probably started gasping respiration, which generated a faint bubble and revealed a possible airway. Her airway was established using a tracheal tube without confirming the glottis or the vocal cord.

Conclusions

Angioedema induced by angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors is rare; however, once it occurs, it can be potentially life threatening, especially for patients with possible difficult airway. Considering the risk–benefit ratio, we must be careful in administering ACE inhibitor therapy in morbidly obese patients.
Defining muscle-invasive bladder cancer immunotypes by introducing tumor mutation burden, CD8+ T cells, and molecular subtypes
Authors: Chen Zihao , Liu Guojun , Liu Guoqing , Bolkov Mikhail A. , Shinwari Khyber , Tuzankina Irina A. , Chereshnev Valery A. , Wang Zhifeng
Published: January 2021

Immunotherapy, especially anti-PD-1, is becoming a pillar of modern muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) treatment. However, the objective response rates (ORR) are relatively low due to the lack of precise biomarkers to select patients. Herein, the molecular subtype, tumor mutation burden (TMB), and CD8+ T cells were calculated by the gene expression and mutation profiles of MIBC patients. MIBC immunotypes were constructed using clustering analysis based on tumor mutation burden, CD8+ T cells, and molecular subtypes. Mutated genes, enriched functional KEGG pathways and GO terms, and co-expressed network-specific hub genes have been identified. We demonstrated that ORR of immunotype A patients identified by molecular subtype, CD8+ T cells, and TMB is about 36% predictable. PIK3CA, RB1, FGFR3, KMT2C, MACF1, RYR2, and EP300 are differentially mutated among three immunotypes. Pathways such as ECM-receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and TGF-beta signaling pathway are top-ranked in enrichment analysis. Low expression of ACTA2 was associated with the MIBC survival benefit. The current study constructs a model that could identify suitable MIBC patients for immunotherapy, and it is an important step forward to the personalized treatment of bladder cancers.
Back to work: the effect of a long-term career interruption on subsequent wages in Switzerland
Authors: Speiser Amélie
Published: January 2021

This paper measures the effect of a long-term career interruption on wages after re-employment. Using data from the Swiss Household Panel (SHP) and a fixed effects estimation method allows us to account for time-constant unobserved heterogeneity. We find a significant wage penalty of about 7% in the first year after re-employment if a worker takes up a job with the same characteristics as the job previously held. This wage penalty finally vanishes after 5 to 6 years. Conducting subsample analyses for men and women, we uncover underlying heterogeneity of the effect. Compared to women, men tend to suffer more from a long-term career interruption, both in terms of a higher wage penalty during the first year of re-employment and a larger subsequent recovery time. Our findings support the assumption that human capital depreciation is not the only reason for wage penalties after re-employment.
Zootechnical data analysis in a breeding animal facility: tracing the patterns of mouse production
Authors: Ferreira Eloiza K. G. D. , Mazzarotto Giovanny A. C. A. , Silveira Guilherme F.
Published: January 2021

Background

With the enactment of the Brazilian Law Arouca 11,794/2008 and Decree 6.899/2009, there has been an urgent need for changes in the processes related to animal experimentation in Brazil; in particular, there is a need for improvements in enhancements of the lab animal management. To improve the management capacity of the Lab animal facility of the Carlos Chagas Institute’s Laboratory Animals Science (LAS), BioterC software was developed and implemented in 2014 for tracking mouse laboratory colonies. Five years after the implementation of this software, we sought to analyze the information in the database originated from BioterC using the Exploratory Analysis Data methodology (EDA). This article aims to identify animal breeding patterns using a data mining tool (Data Science) with Python programming language.

Results

The results show that from September 2014 to June 2019, under the license IACUC number LW- 6/17, 15.106 animals were produced. The C57BL/6, BALB/c and Swiss strains were the most frequently produced strains. The distribution of births due to crosses between these strains showed a median of 6 to 10 animals, depending on the genetic homozygosis and heterozygosis of the animal. The median number of days of mating was 35 days. In the sexing period, the records reported a median of 19 days. A total of 393 requests for animals from internal and external laboratories were registered. It was noted that approximately half of the animals produced to meet the demand for orders were discarded. Of the 15,106 animals, 38% were requested for animal experimentation, 58% were discarded and 4% did not have an outcome recorded in the data.

Conclusions

This volume of data provides an initial view of the information retrieval capabilities contained in BioterC, allowing for unique breeding knowledge by installing laboratory animals.
Combining metabolomic and transcriptomic approaches to assess and improve crop quality traits
Authors: Pott Delphine M. , Durán-Soria Sara , Osorio Sonia , Vallarino José G.
Published: January 2021

Plant quality trait improvement has become a global necessity due to the world overpopulation. In particular, producing crop species with enhanced nutrients and health-promoting compounds is one of the main aims of current breeding programs. However, breeders traditionally focused on characteristics such as yield or pest resistance, while breeding for crop quality, which largely depends on the presence and accumulation of highly valuable metabolites in the plant edible parts, was left out due to the complexity of plant metabolome and the impossibility to properly phenotype it. Recent technical advances in high throughput metabolomic, transcriptomic and genomic platforms have provided efficient approaches to identify new genes and pathways responsible for the extremely diverse plant metabolome. In addition, they allow to establish correlation between genotype and metabolite composition, and to clarify the genetic architecture of complex biochemical pathways, such as the accumulation of secondary metabolites in plants, many of them being highly valuable for the human diet. In this review, we focus on how the combination of metabolomic, transcriptomic and genomic approaches is a useful tool for the selection of crop varieties with improved nutritional value and quality traits.
Students’ perception and scores in Paediatrics end-of-clerkship and final professional Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE): A comparative study
Authors: Khan Sabeen Abid , Aaraj Sahira , Talat Sidra , Javed Nismat
Published: January 2021

Objectives: This study aims to understand students’ perception of the usefulness of end-of-clerkship (EOC) as compared to professional exam Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) and to compare student performance in both examinations.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of medical students who were studying in the final year at Shifa College of Medicine, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, and appeared in both end-of-clerkship and final professional exams. The study was conducted in October 2019. The data was collected through a self-constructed questionnaire. The scores of all participants were also recorded. The data obtained was analyzed on IBM’s statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 23 (IBM, Armonk, NY). Descriptive statistics were used for qualitative variables. Mean and standard deviation was calculated for quantitative variables. Chi-square test was also applied to assess for significant differences.

Results: Out of 115 participants, 57 (49.6%) were males and 58 (50.4%) were females. Most of the participants (75.7%) agreed that both OSCEs were well-structured. Participants found that both the exams give a good cross-section of paediatrics and allowed them to learn something new (p=0.00). 45% of participants perceived that the end-of-clerkship OSCE exam helped in orienting them for the final professional exam by identifying their weaknesses.

Conclusion: Although the EOC OSCE served as a good preparatory exercise, it did not alleviate the stress levels. However, the results in both OSCEs were comparable and students were satisfied with the current weightage of marks distribution.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3422

How to cite this:Khan SA, Aaraj S, Talat S, Javed N. Students’ perception and scores in Paediatrics end-of-clerkship and final professional Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE): A comparative study. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):525-530.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3422

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Association of subjective memory complaints amid patients of Diabetes Mellitus Type II and Hypertension
Authors: Faiz Samira , Qureshi Farhan Muhammad , Hussain Amreen Wasif , Mumtaz Seema Nigah-e-
Published: January 2021

Background and Objective: Subjective memory complaints (SMCs) are suggested to predict dementia at a very early stage. However, association of SMCs with known risk factors of dementia namely diabetes mellitus Type-2 diabetes and hypertension (HTN) remain unexplored which is the main aim of this study. The objective of the study was to investigate the association of SMC with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and hypertension (HTN).

Methods: The associations of diabetes and hypertension, with SMCs has been tested in 500 participants from a tertiary care hospital of Karachi during 2017. Diagnosed cases of diabetes and hypertension were included through convenient sampling. Healthy attendants of patients were interviewed for the reference group. SMCs were assessed through a 14-item SMC questionnaire.

Results: Sample included 114 patients with only diabetes and hypertension each, 103 with both diabetes and hypertension and 169 healthy participants. Compared to healthy adults, persons with diabetes and hypertension had higher SMCs (difference, 0.88, 95% CI: 0.22, 1.54) (difference, 1.06, 95% CI: 0.40, 1.71) respectively, in fully adjusted models.

Conclusions: Compared to healthy adults of working age-group, persons with diabetes and hypertension were more likely to have SMCs. Assessment and early detection of SMCs in persons with diabetes and hypertension might be informative to provide a window for effective interventions to maintain cognitive health.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3426

How to cite this:Faiz S, Qureshi FM, Hussain AW, Nigah-e-Mumtaz S. Association of subjective memory complaints amid patients of Diabetes Mellitus Type II and Hypertension. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):477-482. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3426

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Quantifying satisfaction among pharmacists working in Pharmaceutical Sales or Marketing and its inferential relationship with demographics: A Cross-Sectional analysis in Pakistan
Authors: Butt Muhammad Hammad , Misbah Shahzadi , Ahmad Abrar , Mehboob Tooba , Bashir Irfan
Published: January 2021

Objectives: To quantify satisfaction among pharmacists working in pharmaceutical sales or marketing in Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among pharmacists working in pharmaceutical sales and marketing during August to November, 2019. Satisfaction score of pharmacists was considered satisfied (Score > 2.5) and dissatisfied (Score < 2.5). The maximum and minimum satisfaction score was four and one for each question respectively.

Results: A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed and 200 were received back yielding a response rate of 80%. Male respondents dominated the cohort and were more satisfied (2.60 ± 0.47) as compared to females (2.31 ± 0.48) with majority were 18-30 years old and 78% had Pharm. D level of education (2.61 ± 0.47). The mean satisfaction score of participant is 2.51 with standard deviation of 0.49. The 53% of the respondents were dissatisfied with their salaries. The study dependent and independent variables are correlated with each other and significant results were seen between them. The factors associated with dissatisfaction are fear of losing job (2.19 ± 0.88), switch job (2.20 ± 0.77) and health condition (2.09 ± 0.89). Factors associated with satisfaction are positive attitude of doctor (2.91 ± 0.60), doctor consider respectful job holder (2.91 ± 0.61), enjoy work (3.01 ± 0.65), job by choice (3.12 ± 0.67) and progress in job (3.00 ± 0.74).

Conclusions: It was concluded that the respondents were dissatisfied due to number of issues including disturbance in their personal life, lack of promotion and incentives among study participants.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3447

How to cite this:Butt MH, Misbah S, Ahmad A, Mehboob T, Bashir I. Quantifying satisfaction among pharmacists working in Pharmaceutical Sales or Marketing and its inferential relationship with demographics: A Cross-Sectional analysis in Pakistan. Pak J Med Sci. 2021;37(2):450-455. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.37.2.3447

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Improving breastfeeding support through the implementation of the baby friendly hospital and community initiatives: a scoping review protocol
Authors: Walsh Aisling , Pieterse Pieternella , McCormack Zoe , Chirwa Ellen , Matthews Anne
Published: January 2021

Background: Improved breastfeeding practices have the potential to save the lives of over 823,000 children under 5 years old globally every year. Exclusively breastfeeding infants for the first six months would lead to the largest infant mortality reduction. The Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI) is a global campaign by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), which promotes best practice to support breastfeeding in maternity services. The Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI) is an extension of the BHFI’s 10th step of the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding and of the BFHI overall. Its focus is on community-based breastfeeding supports for women.

There have been no known attempts to synthesise the overall body of evidence on the BFHI in recent years, and no synthesis of empirical research on the BFCI. This scoping review asks the question: what is known about the implementation of the BFHI and the BFCI globally?

Methods and analysis: This scoping review will be conducted according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for scoping reviews. Inclusion criteria will follow the Population, Concepts, Contexts approach. A data charting form will be developed and applied to all the included studies. Qualitative and quantitative descriptive analysis will be undertaken. In order to address equity of access to the BFHI/BFCI, the Levesque et al. (2013) access to health care framework will be used as a lens to analyse the charted data in relation to this aspect of the review. An already established group of stakeholders with experience of infant feeding policy and implementation in Malawi will be consulted, to obtain expert views on the findings of the scoping review.

Conclusion: This review will establish gaps in current evidence which will inform areas for future research in relation to this global initiative.
The Decade of Great Myths: Developments in the Estonian Art Scene of the 1990s
Authors: Asmer Kadri
Published: January 2021

Estonian art life changed radically at the beginning of 1990s,especially with regards to organisational and financial systems. Inother words, the collapse of the Soviet cultural system was followedby strong shifts that brought with them changes, in both content andform, within the arts and the institutional mechanisms.This article maps out some of the most notable developmentaltendencies that began taking shape after the restoration ofindependence, for example the meaning of art and the role of culturaljournalism and art critique in the new reality. Even though the focusof the text is on Estonia, the changes that took place in the culturalsphere of the 1990s were not location-specific as similar trends existedmore or less in all former republics of the Soviet Union.
Gustav Mootse’s Works in the Periodicals of St Petersburg in the Early 20th Century
Authors: Sonina Elena S. , Lysenko Olga A.
Published: January 2021

The article presents the under-explored St Petersburg period in the work of Gustav Mootse, famous Estonian artist, founder of Estonian book graphics and ex libris master. Upon a thorough archival research of illustrated periodicals, the authors have revealed unknown images by Mootse. Based on those, they make conclusions on stages in Mootse’s creative evolution, show a progressive growth in his standing in St Petersburg periodicals, show his search for forms and experiments, and comment on specifics of his creative work.
Couple conflicts from an attachment narrative therapy perspective
Authors: Chrząstowski Szymon
Published: January 2021

Konflikty wydają się jednym z częstszych problemów, które wnoszą osoby zgłaszające się na psychoterapię par. Chociaż wyniki badań wskazują na negatywny wpływ destruktywnych konfliktów na funkcjonowanie pary, to jednak konstruktywnie rozwiązywane konflikty mogą wzmocnić relacje między bliskimi osobami. Celem niniejszego artykułu jest zaprezentowanie podstawowych informacji dotyczących konfliktu w parach, a następnie omówienie możliwości pomocy psychologicznej parom z perspektywy narracyjnej terapii więzi. W jej ujęciu źródłem konfliktu mogą być niezaspokojone potrzeby przywiązaniowe. Strategie przywiązaniowe partnerów konstytuują wzorzec interakcji między nimi i to właśnie ten wzorzec może stać się problemem dla pary. Podczas psychoterapii uwaga skupia się nie na pojedynczych strategiach przywiązaniowych, ale na tym, co wspólnie tworzą one w parze. Narracyjna terapia więzi jest nurtem psychoterapii, który integruje podejście systemowe, narracyjne, teorię traumy i teorię przywiązania. Dzięki tej właśnie szerokiej integracji psychoterapeuci pracujący w różnych podejściach stosunkowo łatwo mogą skorzystać z założeń narracyjnej terapii więzi w swojej praktyce. Artykuł zamykają wskazówki do pracy psychoterapeutycznej w parach, które zmagają się z konfliktem.
Reactions of MoCl5 and MoO2Cl2 with 4-Phenylimidazole-2-Thiol and 2-Thiazoline-2-Thiol
Authors: Rani Deepika , Singh Gursharan , Sharma Seema
Published: January 2021

Reactions of MoCl5/MoO2Cl2 with 4-phenylimidazole-2-thiol/2-thiazoline-2-thiol in CH3CNsolvent in 1:1/1:2 molar ratios have been carried out at room temperature. Products obtained MoCl3(C9H7N2S)(CH3CN), [1];MoCl2(C9H7N2S)(CH3CN), [2]; Mo2OCl4(C9H8N2S)2, [3] and Mo4O2Cl12(C9H7N2S)4, [4]; MoO2Cl3(C3H5NS2)2, [5] and Mo2O4Cl3(C3H5NS2)2, [6] have been analyzed and characterizedby elemental analysis, FTIR, 1H NMR and LC-MS techniques. Compounds being moisture and air sensitive, these have been prepared in inert atmosphere using vacuum line and liquid nitrogen cooled traps. Fragments obtained in LC-MS spectra support the formulae derived.
Synthesis, Characterization of Copper Complexes of
9H-Carbazole-3-carbaldehyde-4-phenylthiosemicarbazone, 10-Hexyl-10-H-phenothiazine-3-carbaldehyde-4-phenylthio semicarbazone and 2-Thiophenecarboxaldehyde-4-methyl- thiosemicarbazone and Anti-bacterial Activity Studies of Ligands and Complexes
Authors: Jyothi N. Rama , Mohamed Farook N.A. , Madhuri Jaya , Gowthami K.
Published: January 2021

In Coordination chemistry metal chelating agents has a vital role, among them thiosemicarbazones occupies an important place due to their a range of applications in different fields, such as analytical and biological. In the literature we can find many thiosemicarbazones which has a wide range of applications both in pharmacy and chemical fields. But still there is a scope is there to synthesize new thiosemicarbazone ligands and their metal complexes due to their utility is still there in modern chemistry also. In this present study we synthesized the copper(II) complexes of 9H-Carbazole-3-carbaldehyde-4-phenylthiosemicarbazone, 10-hexyl-10-H-phenothiazine-3-carbaldehyde-4-phenylthiosemicarbazone and 2-thiophenecarboxalde-hyde-4-methylthiosemicarbazone and these complexes are characterized with FT-IR, XRD analysis and thermal stabilities of the both ligands and complexes are compared with thermogravimetric analysis studies. Finally the antibacterial activities of both chelating agents and their metal complexes are tested with two Gram-positive bacterial stains, such as Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and two Gram-negative bacterial stains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli.
Preparation and Characterization Studies of Amorphophallus paeonifolius and Manihot esculenta as a Bioplastic using Glycerol and Agar-Agar as Plasticizer
Authors: Princey J. Morris , Nandhini A. , Abinaya E.
Published: January 2021

Bio-plastics are biodegradable materials which can be obtained from the renewable sources such as corn starch, straw, vegetable fats and oils, wood-chips, recycled food waste, saw dust etc. They can be used as an alternative to the commercial plastics in the market which contaminate our environment. Now-a-days bio-plastics are worldwide popular due to its concern towards the environment, limited fossil fuel resources and the climatic change. The purpose of this study is to assess the properties of the starch based bio-plastics prepared from Amorphophallus paeonifolius and Manihot esculenta using glycerol and agar-agar as the plasticizers. The synthesized bio-plastic was characterized with the help of UV-Visible spectrophotometer, FT-IR spectroscopy and SEM Analysis.
High-accuracy phase demodulation method compatible to closed fringes in a single-frame interferogram based on deep learning
Authors: Yuan Shizhu , Hu Yao , Hao Qun , Zhang Shaohui
Published: January 2021

Interferogram demodulation is a fundamental problem in optical interferometry. It is still challenging to obtain high-accuracy phases from a single-frame interferogram that contains closed fringes. In this paper, we propose a neural network architecture for single-frame interferogram demodulation. Furthermore, instead of using real experimental data, an interferogram generation model is constructed to generate the dataset for the network's training. A four-stage training strategy adopting appropriate optimizers and loss functions is developed to guarantee the high-accuracy training of the network. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method can achieve a phase demodulation accuracy of 0.01 λ (root mean square error) for actual interferograms containing closed fringes.
Polaroid’s Experiment in South Africa
Authors: Joseph N. Mait
Published: January 2021

Fifty years ago this month, the high-profile U.S. photography and
optics firm attempted to take action against apartheid. The
project’s mixed results—and some details behind the
story-remain relevant a half-century later.
What influences home delivery among women who live in urban areas? Analysis of 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey data
Authors: Ahinkorah Bright Opoku , Seidu Abdul-Aziz , Budu Eugene , Agbaglo Ebenezer , Appiah Francis , Adu Collins , Archer Anita Gracious , Ameyaw Edward Kwabena
Published: January 2021

Background

In Ghana, home delivery among women in urban areas is relatively low compared to rural areas. However, the few women who deliver at home in urban areas still face enormous risk of infections and death, just like those in rural areas. The present study investigated the factors associated with home delivery among women who live in urban areas in Ghana.

Materials and methods

Data for this study was obtained from the 2014 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. We used data of 1,441 women who gave birth in the 5 years preceding the survey and were dwelling in urban areas. By the use of Stata version 14.2, we conducted both descriptive and multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

We found that 7.9% of women in urban areas in Ghana delivered at home. The study revealed that, compared to women who lived in the Northern region, women who lived in the Brong Ahafo region [AOR = 0.38, CI = 0.17–0.84] were less likely to deliver at home. The likelihood of home delivery was high among women in the poorest wealth quintile [AOR = 2.02, CI = 1.06–3.86], women who professed other religions [AOR = 3.45; CI = 1.53–7.81], and those who had no antenatal care visits [AOR = 7.17; 1.64–31.3]. Conversely, the likelihood of home delivery was lower among women who had attained secondary/higher education [AOR = 0.30; 0.17–0.53], compared to those with no formal education.

Conclusion

The study identified region of residence, wealth quintile, religion, antenatal care visits, and level of education as factors associated with home delivery among urban residents in Ghana. Therefore, health promotion programs targeted at home delivery need to focus on these factors. We also recommend that a qualitative study should be conducted to investigate the factors responsible for the differences in home delivery in terms of region, as the present study could not do so.
Applying the WHO ICD-MM classification system to maternal deaths in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria: A retrospective analysis from 2014–2018
Authors: Akaba Godwin O. , Nnodu Obiageli E. , Ryan Nessa , Peprah Emmanuel , Agida Teddy E. , Anumba Dilly O. C. , Ekele Bissallah A.
Published: January 2021

Background

Addressing the problem of maternal mortality in Nigeria requires proper identification of maternal deaths and their underlying causes in order to focus evidence-based interventions to decrease mortality and avert morbidity.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to classify maternal deaths that occurred at a Nigerian teaching hospital using the WHO International Classification of Diseases Maternal mortality (ICD-MM) tool.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study of all maternal deaths that occurred in a tertiary Nigerian hospital from 1stJanuary 2014 to 31stDecember,2018. The WHO ICD-MM classification system for maternal deaths was used to classify the type, group, and specific underlying cause of identified maternal deaths. Descriptive analysis was performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Categorical and continuous variables were summarized respectively as proportions and means (standard deviations).

Results

The institutional maternal mortality ratio was 831/100,000 live births. Maternal deaths occurred mainly amongst women aged 25–34 years;30(57.7%), without formal education; 22(42.3%), married;47(90.4%), unbooked;24(46.2%) and have delivered at least twice;34(65.4%). The leading causes of maternal death were hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (36.5%), obstetric haemorrhage (30.8%), and pregnancy related infections (17.3%). Application of the WHO ICD-MM resulted in reclassification of underlying cause for 3.8% of maternal deaths. Postpartum renal failure (25.0%), postpartum coagulation defects (17.3%) and puerperal sepsis (15.4%) were the leading final causes of death. Among maternal deaths, type 1, 2, and 3 delays were seen in 30(66.7%), 22(48.9%), and 6(13.3%), respectively.

Conclusion

Our institutional maternal mortality ratio remains high. Hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium and obstetric haemorrhage are the leading causes of maternal deaths. Implementation of evidence-based interventions both at the hospital and community levels may help in tackling the identified underlying causes of maternal mortality in Nigeria.
The role of Neuropilin-1 in COVID-19
Authors: Mayi Bindu S. , Leibowitz Jillian A. , Woods Arden T. , Ammon Katherine A. , Liu Alphonse E. , Raja Aarti
Published: January 2021

Neuropilin-1 (NRP-1), a member of a family of signaling proteins, was shown to serve as an entry factor and potentiate SARS Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infectivity in vitro. This cell surface receptor with its disseminated expression is important in angiogenesis, tumor progression, viral entry, axonal guidance, and immune function. NRP-1 is implicated in several aspects of a SARS-CoV-2 infection including possible spread through the olfactory bulb and into the central nervous system and increased NRP-1 RNA expression in lungs of severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Up-regulation of NRP-1 protein in diabetic kidney cells hint at its importance in a population at risk of severe COVID-19. Involvement of NRP-1 in immune function is compelling, given the role of an exaggerated immune response in disease severity and deaths due to COVID-19. NRP-1 has been suggested to be an immune checkpoint of T cell memory. It is unknown whether involvement and up-regulation of NRP-1 in COVID-19 may translate into disease outcome and long-term consequences, including possible immune dysfunction. It is prudent to further research NRP-1 and its possibility of serving as a therapeutic target in SARS-CoV-2 infections. We anticipate that widespread expression, abundance in the respiratory and olfactory epithelium, and the functionalities of NRP-1 factor into the multiple systemic effects of COVID-19 and challenges we face in management of disease and potential long-term sequelae.
Faktor yang Berhubungan dengan Kejadian Sakit Perut Berulang pada Anak Usia 7-12 Tahun di Kecamatan Padang Timur
Authors: Yendra Amelia , Jurnalis Yusri Dianne , Masnadi Nice Rachmawati
Published: January 2021

Latar belakang. Sakit perut berulang merupakan suatu keluhan yang sering datang pada praktik dokter anak usia sekolah. Seringkali penyebab tidak terdeteksi dan diyakini sebagai keluhan fungsional. Tujuan. Mengetahui prevalensi dan hubungan faktor risiko dengan kejadian sakit perut berulang pada anak usia 7-12 tahun di Kecamatan Padang Timur.Metode. Studi potong lintang dilakukan pada Januari – April 2019 terhadap 153 anak berusia 7-12 tahun di tiga Sekolah Dasar Kecamatan Padang Timur, Kota Padang. Data dikumpulkan dari pengisian kuesioner sesuai Kriteria Roma III yang diisi oleh orang tua siswa yang sebelumnya sudah menandatangani lembaran persetujuan orang tua.Hasil. Nyeri perut berulang dialami 6,5% dari 153 anak. Hasil uji chi-square terdapat hubungan bermakna antara paparan kejadian yang dapat menyebabkan stres dari rumah, sekolah, dan tingkat pendidikan orang tua dengan kejadian sakit perut berulang pada anak usia 7-12 tahun dengan kejadian sakit perut berulang. Hasil analisis regresi logistik didapatkan paparan kejadian dalam hidup yang dapat menyebabkan stres dari rumah merupakan faktor risiko kejadian pada anak usia 7-12 tahun di Kecamatan Padang Timur. Kesimpulan. Paparan kejadian dalam hidup yang dapat menyebabkan stres dari rumah merupakan faktor risiko kejadian sakit perut berulang pada anak usia 7-12 tahun di Kecamatan Padang Timur.