bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avaliação global: uma iniciativa na avaliação de competências em estudantes de medicina
Authors: Pacca Felipe Colombelli , De Carvalho Junior Araré , Marques Norma Barbosa Novaes , Cury Patrícia Maluf , Iembo Tatiane , Anbar Neto Toufic
Published: January 2024

Este artigo apresenta um relato de experiência sobre a implementação de uma avaliação global multimodal no curso de medicina. Focado na integração de conhecimento teórico e habilidades práticas, este estudo inovador envolveu estudantes do primeiro ao oitavo semestre, avaliados por colegas dos semestres finais. A avaliação abrangeu três modalidades: provas escritas para conhecimento teórico, estações práticas para habilidades médicas, e o Exame Clínico Objetivo Estruturado (OSCE) para atitudes. Descrever a metodologia e implementação da avaliação global multimodal no curso de graduação em medicina. Utilizou-se uma abordagem qualitativa, coletando dados por meio de observações, feedback de estudantes e professores, e análise documental. A análise enfocou as implicações práticas, desafios operacionais e reações dos envolvidos. Os resultados revelaram que a avaliação global multimodal efetivamente integrou conhecimento teórico e habilidades práticas. Os estudantes demonstraram uma compreensão aprofundada e aplicação das competências médicas, traduzindo-se em maior engajamento e entendimento holístico da medicina. Os professores notaram um avanço significativo no processo de aprendizagem e preparo dos alunos para enfrentar desafios clínicos. A avaliação global multimodal emergiu como uma inovação relevante na educação médica, desafiando o modelo tradicional de ensino e avaliação. Este estudo contribui para o debate sobre práticas eficazes de avaliação na educação médica, evidenciando a importância desta abordagem no desenvolvimento de competências médicas adaptadas às exigências contemporâneas do campo.
Deployment of performance indicators toward bridging monitoring gaps in Africa’s Great Green Wall
Authors: Jalam Abdullahi Mohammad , Sharaai Amir Hamzah , Ariffin Mariani , Zainudin Norzalina , Musa Haruna Danladi
Published: January 2024

Background: The health and productivity of the land across the Sahel are in declension due to desertification. This has lowered the quality of ecosystem services and has led to a vicious cycle of drought, famine, poverty, and insecurity in the region. As one of the flagship interventions of the UN’s decade (2020-2030) of ecosystem restoration to tackle desertification and respond to climate change, there are mixed reactions to the successes of the Great Green Wall (GGW) in Nigeria due to the failure of the Sustainability of Policy Instrument. Methods: A two-round Delphi reached consensus on 42 sub-indicators under 14 indicators as indicated by Kendell’s (W=0.509, P=0.001) and high correlation between rounds (rho=0.959, P=0.001). The indicators were then deployed to assess the GGW in a questionnaire (n=401) via a multi-stage sampling, and their performance was weighted using principal component analysis (PCA). Results: "Proportion of land reclaimed" was recorded as the highest-performing indicator due to the multifaceted afforestation program covering fodder and wood lot areas, while "dune fixation" has the least performance due to the lack of employment of ecological engineering tools. The findings showed that the presence of local jobs is not significant in raising the livelihood status above the poverty line. Conclusion: To meet the 2030 timeline, there is a need to scale up the implementation of the GGW and support the desert frontline states (DFS) with alternative energy to reduce the rate of deforestation.
Epidemiological Profile of Pediatric Ocular Trauma in Hamadan, 2020
Authors: Eslami Fatemeh , Doosti-Irani Amin , Naseri Mokhtar , Bazzazi Nooshin
Published: January 2024

Background and aims: Ocular traumas are among the most important causes of visual acuity loss and acquired unilateral blindness in children, with permanent effects on their psychological and social development. The epidemiology of ocular traumas, especially those of children in different societies, is affected by the culture and level of education, lifestyle, and socioeconomic level. Considering that no accurate statistics on these injuries have been reported in Hamadan, Iran, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of various types of injuries in children following ocular traumas in Hamadan. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 293 patients under 18 years of age with ocular trauma who were visited in Farshchian Sina hospital in 2019. A detailed medical history was obtained including demographic information, type of injury, initial and final visual acuity, cause of injury, mother’s occupational status, and the delay between trauma and the examination, and the examiner-recorded definitive care. Finally, the data were analyzed using Excel software, and a significance level of 0.05 was used. Results: Out of 293 patients examined, 38.91% were female, and 61.09% were male. Children aged 1-5 years (30.72%) were the most commonly affected group, followed by those aged 6-10 years (29.35%). There were 19 cases of chemical injury, 33 cases of penetrating trauma, and 241 cases of blunt trauma. The mean initial vision in patients was 0.31±0.347 logMAR, and the mean final vision was 0.06±0.084 logMAR. In 94 patients, it was impossible to check visual acuity due to their lower age. Besides, 49.83% of injuries happened at home. Conclusion: In this research, the most common type of ocular trauma was blunt trauma in male patients, which occurred at home in the presence of the mother. Therefore, it is obvious that the most effective way to prevent these incidents is that parents should pay more attention to their children, implement well-established safety precautions while playing at home, and use standard play equipment.
Lead Poisoning in Opium Addicts in Shahid Rajaei Hospital of Karaj, Iran
Authors: Movahedi Behnaz , Zamani Shokufeh , Nouri Farshad
Published: January 2024

Background: Lead (Pb) is a heavy metal that can harm major organs in humans, and its high serum levels can cause poisoning. In Iran, one of the major causes of Pb poisoning is opium consumption because drug dealers combine opium with henna, a plant extract color; Pb is added to this plant for the fixation of its color. Considering that henna makes opium heavier, it costs more, and none of the users can differentiate opium from henna as their color is the same. According to the statistics of the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education, 2.3% of people between the ages of 15 and 60 are drug addicted, of whom 69% to 94% have opiate addiction. Regarding these issues, it seems necessary to study the serum level of Pb in Iranian addicts. Objectives: The status of the serum Pb level and Pb poisoning symptoms among opium addicts was investigated in this study. Materials and Methods: In this study, all addicted patients were selected based on their history of using opium who were referred to the emergency department of Shahid Rajaei Hospital in Karaj (Center of Alborz province in Iran) and were evaluated between March 2016 and September 2016. Blood samples were collected from patients to measure serum Pb levels with atomic absorption by a Perkin device (USA) and evaluate basophilic stippling of red blood cells (RBCs) in a peripheral blood smear under a light microscope. The clinical signs and symptoms of patients were evaluated in several fields. They included neurological problems (including headache, memory impairment, sensory impairment, muscle weakness, seizure, and decreased consciousness), gastrointestinal (GI) problems (including constipation, nausea and vomiting, abdominal colic pain, and anorexia), and general signs and symptoms (including myalgia, fatigue, and the presence of a Pb line on the gum). Results: During the study, 75 patients with opium addiction were enrolled, including 67 (89.3%) males and 8 (10.7%) females. The mean age of patients entering the study was 52 years. Of these patients, only one case (1.3%) used opium by inhalation, and the remaining 74 cases (98.7%) had oral addiction. The mean serum Pb level among these patients was 57.7 μg/dL (the lowest and highest levels were 0.2 and 193 μg/dL, respectively). Of these 75 patients, the serum level of 15 cases (20%) was less than 15 μg/dL, and that of 60 (80%) cases was greater than 15 μg/dL. Of all the patients, the one who had the highest serum levels of Pb (193 μg/dL) went through a seizure, lost consciousness, and died. In general, GI signs and symptoms were more common among patients than any other signs and symptoms. Conclusion: The findings of this study could reveal the most common complications of Pb poisoning in addicted patients, but no relationship was found between rare complications and Pb poisoning level.
Molecular Identification and Detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotypes Isolated from the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Children with Suspected Meningitis: First Report From Alborz, Iran
Authors: Tosifi Hananeh , Safari Omid , Dadashi Masoud , Shafiee Arman , Beiky Maryam , Bakhtiyari Mahmood , Haghi Sebahat , Arjmand Reza , Shahbabaie Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2024

Background: Pneumococcus causes various infections, some of which are life-threatening, including pneumonia, meningitis, otitis media, bacteremia, and sinusitis. Currently, more than 95 serotypes have been identified. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to isolate and determine Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of children with suspected meningitis using the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Materials and Methods: A total of 864 CSF samples were taken from children with suspected meningitis who were admitted to Imam Ali Hospital of Karaj for one year (January 2019 to January 2020). To collect positive S. pneumonia samples, the lytA gene was traced using specific primers and PCR techniques. Results: The results of this study indicated that only 16 patients have a pneumococcal infection (1.85%), of whom 50% have encapsulated pneumococci. Furthermore, serotypes 38 (12.5%), 7F (12.5%), 23F (25%), and 6A/B (50%) were the most common serotypes causing invasive pneumococcal infections in the included samples. Conclusion: Among the techniques for serotyping S. pneumoniae, the multiplex PCR technique is known as a fast, easy, and low-cost method that can serotype a large number of samples. The results also showed that the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can cover at least 50% of the strains that cause invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPDs), which are life-threatening, especially in children. Therefore, it is suggested that the healthcare administrators of Iran design and implement a public vaccination program.
The Comparative Survey on the Cytotoxic Effects of Amphipathic Peptide mCM11 (Modified CM11) and Metronidazole on ST1 and ST3 of Blastocystis sp.
Authors: Ghazi Zahra , Pirestani Majid , Dalimi Abdolhossein
Published: January 2024

Background: Blastocystis sp. is an opportunistic worldwide protozoan that is life-threatening in immunocompromised individuals; several efforts were performed against Blastocystis sp. in in vivo and in vitro conditions to find an alternative for metronidazole (MTZ). Objectives: The aim of the present study was to survey the cytotoxic effects of peptide mCM11 (modified CM11) and MTZ on ST1 and ST3 of Blastocystis sp. in vitro. Materials and Methods: In the present study, after the culture of the parasite (in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle medium [DMEM] and Caco-2 cell lines), the anti-parasitic effect of different concentrations of either MTZ (1.25-80 μg/mL) or mCM11 (1-128 μg/mL) for 24, 48, and 72 hours was evaluated via a 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and flow cytometry. Results: A dose-time-dependent decrease in cell viability was detected after cell line and parasite exposure. The cytotoxic effect of the peptide on cell lines increased during 24, 48, and 72 hours, and the greatest anti-parasitic effect was observed at the highest concentration (128) after 72 hours. In addition, the ST3 showed more sensitivity to the mCM11. Conclusion: The findings of the current research about the mCM11 peptide were promising compared to MTZ, and by further optimizing the peptide, better effects can be imagined for it, so that it can be a potential alternative to MTZ. However, more studies with a case-control design seem to be necessary in in vivo conditions.
Mobilization of Natural Substances Against Blastocystis sp. With a Focus on Medicinal Plants: A Mini-Review
Authors: Ghazi Zahra , Pirestani Majid
Published: January 2024

Blastocystis is known as a mysterious polymorphic single-celled protozoan that can infect humans and various animals. Despite its worldwide isolation from people with gastrointestinal complications, its exact pathogenicity is in an aura of ambiguity. However, drug treatments, and the most prominent of them, metronidazole (MTZ), are prescribed as the first line of treatment. Various clinical complications, such as neurotoxic symptoms, kidney and heart failure, and the like, have been defined for MTZ. A large body of research has been performed to find a safer alternative with a preference for materials of a natural nature and is still ongoing. Recently, interest has grown in the potential use of plant derivatives for antiparasitic purposes. Among them, some plants have shown significant effects on different species and subtypes of Blastocystis in in vitro and in vivo conditions. The present mini-review has attempted to draw a more comprehensive picture of different forms of anti-Blastocystis plants from previous studies and provide an idea-generating content for future studies.
A Systematic Review and Overview of the Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis in Iranian Dogs in a 10-Year Period (2013-2023)
Authors: Ghorbani Alireza , Jannati Raha , Garedaghi Yagoob
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Today, insect-borne diseases are increasing in the world due to climate changes, population growth, and the spread of marginalization in cities. Dirofilariasis is also considered one of the most important insect-borne parasitic diseases in the world, which can also be transmitted to humans and is considered one of the zoonotic diseases. Dirofilaria immitis is the most important type of dirofilariasis, which is a parasite of the circulatory system of humans and carnivores, especially dogs, which is known as dog heartworm. Methods: This is a cross-sectional retrospective study. D. immitis is present in many parts of Iran, and the main purpose of this study is to investigate the research related to the seroprevalence of dirofilariasis in dogs in 10 years between 2013 and 2023 in Iran. Results: According to the studies, the prevalence of dirofilariasis in dogs in this period in the studied provinces of Iran was found to be 16.59%. The highest prevalence of dirofilariasis in dogs is related to Gilan and Mazandaran provinces with 78.57% and 50% prevalence, respectively, and the lowest statistics were related to Isfahan province with 0.95% infection. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that there is a significant relationship between weather conditions and infection statistics. Furthermore, provinces with hot and humid climates have higher statistics, and provinces with desert and dry climates have lower statistics. This will be extremely effective in control programs.
Review of Onchocerciasis and Its Public Health Importance in Ethiopia
Authors: Mulisa Getahun Berhanu , Abdeta Tesfaye Rebuma , Hassan Habib Ul
Published: January 2024

Zoonotic filariasis-human infections with animal filariae occur all around the world. Over a century ago, it was first mentioned in the current literature. Filaria immitis, Dracunculus medinensis, and onchocerciasis are only a few of the many diverse species of filariae that have been found as agents of infection. The most zoonotic of these filariases, onchocerciasis, was the subject of attention in this study. Onchocerca volvulus is to blame for this. It can spread by biting a black fly of the genus Simulium that is afflicted. Residents who live close to rivers or streams where Simulium black flies are abundant are more at risk of contracting onchocerciasis. This condition is known as "river blindness" because these flies breed in swift-moving streams and rivers. This covers Ethiopian regions, which are primarily located in the country’s north, west, and south. The diagnosis can be established via a number of methods, including polymerase chain reaction and antibody testing. However, skin snipping is the most widely used diagnostic technique. A one- to two-milligram shave or biopsy is performed to detect the larvae that emerge from the skin when it is placed in physiological solutions such as normal saline. Ivermectin is the usual course of treatment for onchocerciasis. Vector control, public education, and eventual elimination as part of our schedule are the methods to manage and prevent this illness.
Assessment of ventricular function after total cavo-pulmonary derivation in adult patients: Interest of global longitudinal strain
Authors: Hakim Kaouther , Mekki Nouha , BenOthmen Rihab , Malek Mokbli , Abdelkader Jarray , Hela Msaad , Mizouni Habiba , Fatma Ouarda
Published: January 2024

Ventricular dysfunction is the most frequent complication in adult patients post-Fontan completion. Through this work, we aim to evaluate ventricular systolic function by conventional echographic parameters and by global longitudinal strain (GLS) to determine the prediction of early ventricular systolic dysfunction. This is a prospective monocentric study enrolling 15 clinically stable adult Fontan patients with preserved ejection fraction (EF). Myocardial deformation study by GLS with speckle tracking technique in addition to a standard Doppler transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was also performed. A comparison of echocardiographic and CMR parameters was made. In comparison to CMR-derived EF, we found a significant correlation with GLS and TTE-derived EF (P=0.003 and 0.014). We divided our population into two groups based on the cut-off value of 50% of CMR derived EF. Comparison of GLS in both groups showed a significant correlation (P=0.003). A cut-off value of -13.3% showed sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 100%. GLS has a moderate diagnostic value for systolic myocardial dysfunction in the population of adult patients with Fontan circulation.
Age and sex-related differences in epidemiology, treatment, and mortality of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction in Iran
Authors: Darabi Mehdi , Heidari Moghaddam Reza , Godarzi Farzaneh , Karami Sahar , Siabani Soraya , Salehi Nahid
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Few studies have investigated the characteristics of patients with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) according to age and sex in Iran. This study aims to investigate the risk factors profile, treatment, and mortality of STEMI based on age and sex. Methods: From 10th June 2016 to December 2019 a total of 2816 STEMI patients referred to the Imam Ali heart center of Kermanshah, were included in the study. Profile of the risk factors, epidemiology, treatment and 30- day mortality for all cases in the age categories of 18-49, 50-64, and≥65 years were studied. Results: There were 1256 (44.6%) middle-aged STEMI patients, and 2181 (77.45%) were male. The elderly had a longer median door-to-balloon and symptom-to-balloon time and received less primary PCI. In the absence of primary PCI, the rate of 30-day mortality in women was higher than in men, and the mortality rate increased with age. The risk of death in middle-aged women was higher than that of men. Also, in the middle-aged group, after multivariable adjustment, previous bypass surgery, diabetes, and Killip class≥2 was associated with significant increase in the risk of death. Conclusion: The present study showed that young people with STEMI had a high risk of heart failure and anterior infarction compared to the older age groups. Women had more risk factors for STEMI and a higher mortality rate than men. Therefore, there is a need to educate young age groups and women to modify their lifestyles and intervene in the risk factors of heart diseases.
Bariatric arterial embolization in patients with body mass index ranging from 25 to 40 kg/m2 : A systematic review & meta-analysis
Authors: Khurana Rishabh , Pandey Niraj Nirmal , Kumar Sanjeev , Jagia Priya
Published: January 2024

The present review sought to evaluate by meta-analysis the efficacy of bariatric arterial embolization (BAE) in promoting weight loss in patients with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 25-40 kg/m2 . This study was performed and reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis guidelines. A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase Google Scholar, and World Health Organization Library database was done for studies evaluating BAE for promoting weight loss in patients with BMI ranging from 25-40 kg/ m2 published up to March 10, 2021. Primary outcome measure included weight loss after the embolisation procedure. Three single-arm studies comprising of a total of 28 patients (BMI: 25- 40 kg/m2 ) were found eligible for meta-analysis. All patients underwent embolization with either Embosphere microspheres or PVA particles. The predominant artery embolised was left gastric artery (in all patients). Additional arteries embolised included gastroepiploic artery (8 patients), or accessory left gastric artery (1 patient), or short gastric artery (1 patient). Pooled absolute mean weight loss was 7.854 kg (95% CI: 6.103-9.605). No significant statistical heterogeneity was detected (I2=51.75%, P=0.126) among pooled studies. In conclusion, limited single-arm studies report BAE as an effective, and relatively safe procedure for promoting weight loss in patients with BMI ranging from 25-40 kg/m2 , although the number of patients included is very small. Initial results of BAE in promoting weight loss are promising with no major/severe complications reported; however, long term follow-up is required to see the sustainability of the effects.
Mechanical properties of the rabbit and human decellularized patches for well-tolerated/reinforced organ in cardiac tissue engineering
Authors: Mousavi Khatat Maryam , Same Saeideh , Moharamzadeh Keyvan , Soleimani Rad Jafar , Mehdipour Ahmad , Roshangar Leila
Published: January 2024

Introduction: Natural Decellularized patches have been developed as the therapeutic platform for the treatment of different diseases, especially cardiovascular disorders. Decellularized scaffolds (as both cell-seeded and cell-free patches) are broadly studied in heart tissue redevelopment in vivo and in vitro. The designed regenerative bio-scaffold must have desirable physicochemical properties including mechanical stiffness for load-bearing, and appropriate anatomical characteristics to mimic the native biological environment properly and facilitate tissue reconstruction. In this context, the current study was designed to investigate rabbit decellularized derma’s similarity with human decellularized skin in terms of mechanical properties for cardiac tissue engineering application. Methods: 52 rabbit dermal specimens were provided and divided into two groups: the experimental (decellularized) group and the control (group). Similarly, twelve human skin specimens were divided into the experimental (decellularized) and control groups. Initially, the effect of decellularization on the mechanical performance of scaffolds was analyzed. Then, the mechanical strength of decellularized rabbit skin was compared to decellularized human derma by measuring the stress strain and Young’s modulus of the samples. Results: The results showed that rabbit decellularized skin has a similar elastic range to human decellularized skin, despite being more elastic (P>0.05). In addition, after decellularization, both rabbit and human skin showed a non-significant decrease in elasticity (P>0.05). It is worth noting that the elasticity reduction in rabbit samples after skin decellularization was lower than in human samples. Conclusion: According to the results of this study and the similarities of rabbit decellularized derm to human skin and its advantages over it, along with the biological complexity of native cardiac ECM, this scaffold can be used as an alternative matrix for tissue-engineered cardiac patches.
Exploring Patients’ and Caregivers’ Perception of Healthcare Provision to Cancer Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Kaveh Vahid , Pirjani Pooneh , Heydari Heshmatolah , Hosseini Kolbadi Kosar Sadat , Razani Ghazal , Sadeqian Romina , Ashouri Mehdi , Saki Mandana , Hojjat-Assari Suzanne
Published: January 2024

Background: Patients with cancer are among the groups that are vulnerable to the COVID-19 crisis. Identifying the factors affecting the process of healthcare provision can improve the health services provided to cancer patients. Therefore, this study aimed to explain stakeholders’ perception of the healthcare services provided to cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: The present qualitative study was conducted using the conventional content analysis method in Iran in 2021. Participants included cancer patients, their families, and healthcare providers, who were selected via purposive sampling. Data were collected through 19 individual interviews and two focus groups and then analyzed using the method proposed by Graneheim and Lundman. Results: Qualitative data analysis revealed seven main categories, including the disruption of care continuity, reduced quality of health services, poor provision of community-based services, lack of comprehensive care, lack of public education, predicting changes in cancer incidence and mortality trends, and ethical challenges. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed cancer patients to many challenges, including limited access to health services. Therefore, there is a need to facilitate these patients’ access to safe healthcare services.
Explaining the Clinical Education Stressors in Nursing Students: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Ghorbanzadeh Kobra , Ilka Nastaran , Khoshbakht Pishkhani Maryam , Jafari Mojtaba , Sadeghi Hajar
Published: January 2024

Background: Nurses are an important part of the health system, and the effectiveness of their clinical education has a significant impact on community health. The clinical environment is constantly changing, making student education very stressful. Due to the negative effects of stressors on education, the present study was conducted to explain the stressors in the clinical environment. Methods: In this qualitative study (content analysis), the participants were selected using the purposive sampling method. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 nursing students who had completed at least one semester of internship in Khalkhal University of Medical Sciences until data saturation was achieved. The data were coded, the related codes were classified into categories, and the main themes were extracted. Results: Four categories were obtained in this study: personal problems, the interaction between students and patients, patients’ families, instructors, and ward staff, executive planning, and clinical education environment. The most important source of stress was personal problems, including a lack of awareness and fear of following some clinical guidelines. The lower-semester students were reported to have more stress than last-semester students. Conclusion: Due to the many clinical stressors, the related authorities should be required to promote students’ professional development by identifying the clinical environment stressors and providing appropriate solutions to reduce and control them. In this regard, considering the role of instructors in reducing stress and facilitating student learning, providing educational programs to train instructors in this area can be one of the main steps to reduce student stress.
Topics and Effects of Iranian Mothers’ Disclosure to Their Children: A Phenomenological Analysis
Authors: Fazilatpour Vahideh , Gholamzadeh Jofreh Maryam , Nazari-Far Mohsen
Published: January 2024

Background: Parental disclosure is a phenomenon that occurs in families to a greater or lesser extent and has different effects on children and family relationships. Some parents do not know what topics are appropriate for disclosure and what the consequences may be. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to investigate the phenomenology of Iranian mothers› disclosure, its topics, and the experienced consequences. Methods: In this qualitative study based on the descriptive phenomenological method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of 22 first-marriage mothers who had disclosure experience and at least one 10- to 30-year-old child. The data were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological method. Results: Analysis of data revealed five main themes and 12 subthemes, including inappropriate disclosure topics (personal problems, problems with spouse), appropriate topics (positive or neutral comments about the spouse, financial problems, neutral and pleasant experiences, goals and viewpoints), contextual topics (negative comments about herself, communication problems with others, unpleasant experiences), positive consequences of disclosure (raising children’s awareness, improving the parent-child relationship quality), and negative consequences (undermining the parent-child relationship quality, creating negative emotions and thoughts in children). Mothers disclosed more frequently and about more diverse subjects to their children than their husbands. Conclusion: In general, the effects of mothers’ disclosure on children are different and depend on its content, and these effects are greater on adolescents. Family therapists, parent educators, and others who work with families can help mothers carefully evaluate their disclosures to establish clear and healthy communication boundaries with their children.
Explaining the Experiences of Health Care Providers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Kobrai-Abkenar Faeze , Pourghane Parand , Jafarzadeh-Kenarsari Fatemeh
Published: January 2024

Background: Healthcare providers in different countries have different experiences during epidemic conditions based on their nursing resources and healthcare systems and the cultural norms of the community. The present study aimed to explore the experiences of healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted on 36 medical personnel from eastern Guilan in the north of Iran. The participants were selected via purposive sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The interviews continued until data saturation. Data analysis was performed using conventional content analysis, simultaneous with data collection. Results: Data analysis revealed three main categories and 10 subcategories: peaceful coexistence (scientific-professional development, enhanced emotional proximity, and resilience in critical situations), the outburst of despair (exhaustion in clinical settings, annoying obsessions, ambivalent decision making, and excessive fear), and in the shadow of sorrow (the shadow of depression, painful public rejection, and in financial distress). Conclusion: An analysis of the participants’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed three main themes: peaceful coexistence, the outburst of despair, and in the shadow of sorrow. Paying attention to the physical, psycho-social, emotional, and financial challenges and needs of healthcare providers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is an undeniable necessity and requires the full attention and support of the authorities and the community.
Effect of purification methods on the quality and morphology of plastic waste-derived carbon nanotubes
Authors: Modekwe Helen , Ramatsa Ishmael
Published: January 2024

Recent innovative research efforts on the usage of plastic wastes as a cheap carbon source for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) production have emerged as a low-cost and sustainable means of producing CNTs. However, plastic waste-derived CNTs are rarely used in some purity-sensitive and high-alignment needed applications due to the poor quality of CNTs resulting from the abundance of impurities such as non-crystalline amorphous carbon, metallic nanoparticles, and other impurities. Therefore, purification is a crucial issue to be addressed to fully harness all potential applications of CNTs derived from waste plastic materials. Here, the effect of employing different purification methods on the morphology and purity of waste plastic-derived CNTs was investigated. CNTs were synthesized using waste polypropylene plastic as carbon feedstock via a single-stage catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CVD) technique. As-produced CNTs were purified using liquid-phase oxidation (chemical oxidation in nitric acid), gas-phase oxidation in air, and a combination of both liquid- and gas-phase oxidation methods. The synthesized and purified CNTs were characterized for morphology, purity, surface functional groups, thermal stability, and crystallinity using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), respectively. Results obtained showed that a combination of both liquid and gas phase oxidation purification techniques resulted in purer, better quality, and less defective CNTs with an IG’/IG value of 0.89 and ID/IG value of 0.86, while chemically treated CNTs (CNT-PC) presented more structurally defective CNTs and shortened nanotubes compared to other investigated treatment methods with an ID/IG value of 0.96. CNTs purified by a multi-step protocol (CNT-PAC) showed the highest weight loss of 72.3% indicating the highest quality and the presence of filamentous carbon. This study confirms that the choice of purification techniques influences the morphology and quality of plastic-derived CNTs.
Lip Reading Using Various Deep Learning Models with Visual Turkish Data
Authors: Berkol Ali , Tümer Sivri Talya , Erdem Hamit
Published: January 2024

In Human-Computer Interaction, lip reading is essential and still an open research problem. In the last decades, there have been many studies in the field of Automatic Lip-Reading (ALR) in different languages, which is important for societies where the essential applications developed. Similarly to other machine learning and artificial intelligence applications, Deep Learning (DL) based classification algorithms have been applied for ALR in order to improve the performance of ALR. In the field of ALR, few studies have been done on the Turkish language. In this study, we undertook a multifaceted approach to address the challenges inherent to Turkish lip reading research. To begin, we established a foundation by creating an original dataset meticulously curated for the purpose of this investigation. Recognizing the significance of data quality and diversity, we implemented three robust image data augmentation techniques: sigmoidal transform, horizontal flip, and inverse transform. These augmentation methods not only elevated the quality of our dataset but also introduced a rich spectrum of variations, thereby bolstering the dataset's utility. Building upon this augmented dataset, we delved into the application of cutting-edge DL models. Our choice of models encompassed Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), known for their prowess in extracting intricate visual features, Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM), adept at capturing sequential dependencies, and Bidirectional Gated Recurrent Unit (BGRU), renowned for their effectiveness in handling complex temporal data. These advanced models were selected to leverage the potential of the visual Turkish lip reading dataset, ensuring that our research stands at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field. The dataset utilized in this study was gathered with the primary objective of augmenting the extant corpus of Turkish language datasets, thereby substantively enriching the landscape of Turkish language research while concurrently serving as a benchmark reference. The performance of the applied method has been compared regarding precision, recall, and F1 metrics. According to experiment results, BGRU and LSTM models gave the same results up to the fifth decimal, and BGRU had the fastest training time.
Homicidio por jóvenes de Neiva; registros del delito y modalidades a partir de la implementación de la Policía Metropolitana entre los 2012-2019
Authors: Manrique Sierra Fabian , Coronado Pulido Jhon
Published: January 2024

The objective of this research was to analyze the records of crime and sociodemographic factors that have the practice of homicide produced by young people in the city of Neiva and its modalities together with the implementation of the Metropolitan Police of Neiva. The methodology developed was of mixed cut from a descriptive and interpretative scope and under a case study design. The data collection techniques were documentary analysis and survey; the sources were selected by non-probabilistic sampling method by convenience. The findings allowed identifying that with the implementation of the Neiva metropolitan area, the homicide rates have decreased by 48% respectively, since the operational and preventive strategies have advanced in the limitation of crime in young people, however, it is found that these strategies have internal and external weaknesses in the sectorization and deepening of the structural and intermediate factors of crime at the local level and there is a lack of inter-institutional articulation with governmental entities, in addition to this, it is recognized that according to the sociodemographic characteristics of the offender is a population immersed in social, economic and family risk factors that alienate and generate this crime.
Characteristics and Management of Pediatric Ocular Trauma
Authors: Wahyuni Laila , Sari Maya , Kartasasmita Arief S
Published: January 2024

Background: To describe the characteristics of patients with ocular trauma in Cicendo Eye Hospital (CEH) Bandung, West Java.Methods: Data was taken from medical record of patients aged 0-14 between January to December 2011. The patient age, gender, visual acuity (before and after treatment), onset, types of trauma, laterality, location of trauma, causes and treatment were documented and analyzedResults: We found 188 children recorded with eye injury, 130 boys (69.1%) and 58 girls(30.9%) . Based on age distribution, eye trauma was mostly in group 2-7 years in 83 children (44.14%). The initial visual acuity obtained was mostly > 0.5 (Snellen chart) in 89 children (53,7%) and 0,02 â€“ LP of 11 children (50%) of closed globe injury and open globe injury respectively. Most patient came to CEH between 1-3 days of onset. Laterality of ocular trauma was mostly on the rigth eye (53,2%) and occur at out door (53,2%). The most causes of injury was blunt trauma 166 cases (88,3%). Medical management was needed in 141 cases, 46 cases had to been operated, and 1 cases just conservative.Conclusions: Ocular trauma was a common injury in preschool children, boys and right eye, mostly occur at out door, but those were no significant difference in both open and closed ocular trauma. Prognosis for visual function are mostly good in closed globe injury. We need more intensive supervision in the home especially outdoor enviroment, for that group of children.Â Key word: open globe injury, closed globe injury, Children, Cicendo eye hospital
Severity of Amblyopia and Its Correlation with The Amount of Refractive Error
Authors: Deneska Ria Sandy
Published: January 2024

Background: To analyze the correlation between the severity of amblyopia and the amount of refractive errorMethods: Patients in outpatient clinic dr Soetomo General Hospital, who was diagnozed as amblyopia, from November 2011 â€“ January 2013, were enrolled in this retrospective study. All subjects were evaluated for subjective refraction using Snellen Chart and objective refraction using streak retinoscopy. The severity of amblyopia determined by the BCVA and the amount of refractive error stated by the spherical equivalent and the amount of cylindrical errors.Result: The subjects of this study was 40 patients (73 eyes) with age 5-11 years old. The range of BCVA was 0,1-0,8 logMAR units, the spherical equivalent of refractive errors were minus 1,5D â€“ 12,75D and the cylindrical errors were minus 0,50 â€“ 5,00D. Statistically, there was correlation between the severity of amblyopia and the spherical equivalent of refractive errors, but there was no correlation with the cylindrical errors.Conclusion: The severity of amblyopia has a correlation with the amount of spherical equivalent of refractive error, but has no correlation with the amount of astigmatism.Â Key words: Amblyopia, Spherical Equivalent, Cylindrical Error
Perbedaan Tajam Penglihatan Pra dan Pasca Bedah Katarak dengan Uveitis
Authors: Gushalf Ronny , Tjahyaningtyas Erna , Budiman Budiman
Published: January 2024

Background: To assess the visual outcome before and after of cataract surgery in eyes of patients with uveitisMethods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 20 patients (20 eyes) with uveitis who underwent phacoemulsification cataract extraction or small incision cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation at National Eye Centre of Cicendo Eye Hospital from January 2011 to April 2012. Changes in visual outcome before and after cataract surgery during subsequent visits were analyzed.Results: A total of 20 eyes of 20 patients fulfilled the enrollment criteria for this retrospective study with an age range of 6 to 82 years mean 40,25; median, 38 . Of the patients enrolled, 75% were female and 25% were male. Of the 20 eyes enrolled in this study, 8 were normal limit in anterior and posterior segment, 10 had posterior disease and 2 had recurrent uveitis that influence visual outcome after cataract surgery.Conclusions: Phacoemulsification cataract extraction or small incisson cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation is safe in patients with uveitis. Cataract surgery in eyes with uveitis leads to an improvement of vision in the majority of cases. Severe postoperative uveitis is the most common postoperative complication for poor visual outcome after surgery. Posterior disease had influence in visual outcome after cataract surgery.
Retinal Neurodegeneration on the Early Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Susilo Teguh , Rares Freddy , Poluan Herny
Published: January 2024

Background: retinal neurodegeneration has been known to happen before any vascular lesion detected in the histological study in diabetic induced rats. This research was aimed to analyse neurodegeneration of the retina anatomically in vivo on the diabetic patient before any lesion could be seen clinically as the manifestation of microvascular disease.Method: comparative observational research was conducted on two groups, i.e. normal and NDR (no diabetic retinopathy) which fulfil the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The macular thickness of each group measured with Stratus OCT machine. The collected data was analysed statistically.Result: samples of 42 eyes collected from 21 patients in the normal group and 41 eyes collected from 22 patients in the NDR group. The normal group consisted of 20 (48%) males and 22 (55%) females while NDR group consisted of 17 (41%) males and 24 (59%) females. The age mean was 51.33 years on the normal group and 53.44 years on the NDR group. The sex and the age difference between the two groups had no statistical significance. Statistical analysis on the two groups showed very significant reduction of the macular thickness apply to all macula region except for the foveal minimal and superior outer which only showed significant reduction. The thinning of macula showed a greater extends of reduction on the fovea and inner ring compare to outer ring.Conclusion: there was thinning of macula as result of retinal neurodegeneration on the early diabetic patient before any microvascular lesion could be seen (no diabetic retinopathy/NDR).Â Keywords: neurodegeneration, diabetes mellitus, macular thickness, OCT
Comparison of Topical and Subconjunctival Curcumin Injection on Corneal Neovascularization on Alkali Injuries of Wistarâ€™s Cornea.
Authors: Y.A Rakhmasari , Inakawati Sri , Sundari Siti , Winarto Winarto , Sasmito Ediati
Published: January 2024

Background: Neovascularization of the cornea causing loss of corneal clarity, decrease of visual acuity and also improve the failure of Keratoplasty. It can occur due to the imbalance of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors such as on chemical trauma. Curcumin is the active extract which have anti-angiogenesis pharmacological effect. Subconjungtival injection have many advantages compared with topical administration. The purpose is to compare the effect of subconjunctival curcumin injection and topical curcumin on corneal neovascularization on alkali injuries of wistarâ€™s cornea.

Methods: Experimental study with post test only control group design using 28 male Wistar rat strain which received chemical trauma. The samples were randomly devided into 4 group. Topical curcumin 80 Î¼mol/L, topical DMSO 0,1% five times daily for 7 days. Subconjunctival injection of curcumin 40 Î¼mol/L and DMSO 0,1% were received once after the chemical trauma on the cornea. On day 8 was measured the corneal neovascularization in length of blood vessels and width of area. Statisticaly hypotheses with independent t-test and significant p < 0,05.

Result: Subconjunctival injection of curcumin group were significantly reduced the area of corneal neovascularization than topical curcumin group (p = 0,045).â€¨

Conclusion: Subconjunctival injection of curcumin needs further study to compare the benefits and side effect
The Challenges in Managing Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy with Neovascular Glaucoma
Authors: Idham Putri A , Elvioza Elvioza , Victor Andi Arus , Andayani Gitalisa , Djatikusumo Ari , Ramayudatha Anggun
Published: January 2024

Background: The aim of this study is to emphasize the importance of close monitoring of the disease progression, minimize late complication, and knowing the important parameters of succesful treatment.Methods: A 52 years old woman with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was referred to Vitreoretina division. Patient came with chief complaint blurry vision of the left eye. Patien was diagnosed with diabetes melitus type 2 since 10 months ago. At ophthalmological examination, there was iris neovascularization on the left eye. Due to this finding, patient was given treatment for the proliferative diabetic retinopathy and neovascular glaucoma.Results: The patient undewent intravitreal injection of bevacizumab and Kehki Meta implant surgery after panretinal photocoagulation laser. Neovascularization of the iris was regressed and the intraocular pressure was controlled.Conclusion: This patient underwent laser panretinal photocoagulation, bevacizumab injection and Keiki Mehta implant surgery. The result was good. The neovascularization was regressed. Closed monitoring should be continued to evaluate the progression of the disease and control the intraocular pressure to prevent further visual loss.Â Keywords: Proliferative diabetic retinopathy, neovascular glaucoma, diabetic macular edema