bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blockchain Technology
Authors: Kumar Tanya , Kaur Satveer
Published: June 2022

Blockchain technology is the digital network of storing the relevant information regarding cryptocurrencies and is growing its importance day by day. Advanced blockchain technology is being used in various cases for the creation of digital currency. Bitcoin is one of the famous cryptocurrencies and it was the main reason for the creation of blockchain technology with various computer networks. The security concerns of blockchain technology are quite high which results in overall protection of crypto information through proper verification. Blockchain technology increases the working capacity as well as profitability of various business concerns. Blockchain infrastructure is designed as per the needs and requirements of the organization and the focus of the organization is to keep the information secured as well as private, and blockchain technology is responsible in doing this commendable job in handling the mechanisms in an appropriate manner.
Using Tests to Study People's Responses
Authors: Angulo-Brunet Ariadna , Lecuona Oscar
Published: June 2022

In applied research in communication and journalism, as well as in other related sciences, it is common to use tests to assess unobservable constructs. The scores of these tests frequently need to be given meaning and interpreted, and their psychometric properties need to be reported as part of the study process or because the peer review procedure requires it. This chapter reviews the validity evidence required to give meaning to the scores of a study. It also provides practical examples from the literature, material for understanding the techniques to be applied, and an overview of best practices when using tests.
Comparative Analysis of Legal-Socio Studies of Muslims Family According to Islamic Family Law
Authors: Alaverdov Temuri
Published: June 2022

The chapter deals with such a difficult phenomenon as Islamic family studies according to the legal issues. Since in Islam marriage is considered sacred, and the family is indestructible, the sanctity of ties between a man and a woman is protected, and the joint life of a man and a woman without marriage is not allowed. The family is considered the main social unit of society, and all relationships, values, and traditions in a given society are associated to some extent with the family. The family is a sacred fortress, contributing to the formation of the younger generation, and has an important place in the society, since its foundation has been of great importance.
COVID-19 Pandemic, Distance Learning, and Educational Inequality in Rural Ethiopia
Authors: Belay Degwale Gebeyehu
Published: June 2022

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, schools are closed in many countries worldwide. China is the first to develop a distance learning program of ‘Schools Out, But Classes On' not to disrupt learning. Ethiopia closed schools on 16 March 2020 after it confirmed the first coronavirus on 13 March 2020. To avoid learning disruption, the Ethiopian Ministry of Education has tried to develop strategies to resume classes at home. Accordingly, radio and TV education programs are designed for primary education, secondary education programs, and online teaching for higher education. This chapter aimed to explore the educational inequality of rural students of Ethiopia using situational analysis. The findings unveil the multiple inequalities of rural students that make them disadvantaged compared to urban students. The available distance learning programs homogenize students, which can create educational inequality.
Proposed Abelian ACM Method Optimizing
Authors: Asthana Abhishek , Pradhan Padma Lochan
Published: June 2022

This proposed UFS ACM is the best preventive control around the world for heterogeneous applications on multiple hardware and software. The subject and object can be able to map, integrate, synchronize, and communicate through reading, writing, and executing over a UFS on the complex web infrastructure. We have to investigate the basic concepts behind access control design and enforcement and point out different security requirements that may need to be taken into consideration as per business, resources, and technology available to us. This paper has to formulate and implement several access control mechanisms, methods, and models on normalizing them step by step, which has been highlighted in the proposed model for present and future requirements. This research paper contributes to the development of an optimization model that aims to determine the optimal cost, time, and maximize the quality of services to be invested into security model and mechanisms deciding on the measure components of UFS.
Growth and Optical Properties of MoO3 thin Films
Authors: Barnasas Alexandros , Diamantopoulos Nikolaos C. , Anyfantis Dimitrios I. , Bouropoulos Nikolaos , Constantin Politis , Poulopoulos Panagiotis
Published: June 2022

Thin Mo films in the thickness range between 1 and 164 nm have been deposited on high-quality quartz and Corning glass substrates by Radio Frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering under high vacuum (base pressure ~ 3 × 10-7 mbar). The sputtering target was metallic Mo. Subsequent short annealing of Mo at temperatures between about 400 °C - 600 °C in a muffle furnace in air produced MoO3 thin films. Heating even to 400°C resulted in significant growth of crystal size. Surprisingly, films thinner than about 50 nm could not be heated at higher temperatures due to the evaporation of the oxide. Ultraviolet – visible light absorption spectroscopy experiments were employed for the determination of the optical band gap. The results for direct and indirect allowed transitions are discussed.
Morphology and Optical Properties of Nanostructure Porous Silicon Prepared by Electrochemical Etching for Solar Cells Application
Authors: Yousef G.M. , Yousef M.M. , Rayan Diaa A.
Published: June 2022

In this work, nanostructure porous silicon surface was prepared using electrochemical etching under different current densities. I have studied the surface morphology and photoluminsense of four samples prepared at current densities 5 , 10 , 15 and 20 mA/cm2at fixed etching time 10 min.photoluminsense study showed that the energy gap of the porous silicon samples are is 3.1eV,and it was higher than the energy gap of bulk silicon which was 1.08 eV. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs were used to estimate the surface area. The surface area of the porous layer is strongly dependent on the porous layer geometry and its depth. The optical reflectance measurements were obtained by using an optical reflectometer (UV) which is equipped with an integrating sphere in the (200-1100) nm wavelength range, which reveals that the textured cells with PS layer sources have lower reflectivity value compared to the textured cell without PS structure.
Deformation of Carbon Nano Tubes Reinforced Hybrid Laminated Composite Plates induced by Piezoelectric Actuators
Authors: Raju D. Dhanunjaya , Rao Venkata V. Subba
Published: June 2022

Piezoelectric materials, typically used as intelligent materials, can respond according to the design demands of the composite structures autonomously. The excitation of piezoelectric actuators generates the bending effect on the hybrid composite plates. An analytical methodology is developed to calculate the displacements of simply supported laminated composite plates induced by piezoelectric actuators and validate the results by generating MATLAB code. Further, the laminated hybrid composite plates reinforced with carbon nanotubes(CNT) are excited by piezoelectric actuators bonded to the surface on both sides with a variable electrical voltage across the thickness. The effects of location, size and thickness ratio of piezoelectric actuators on the deflection of hybrid composite plates are carried out by extending the code. The transverse displacements vary linearly with the applied voltage and size of the piezoelectric actuators. The effect of CNT volume fraction and the position of CNT lamina plays a vital role in deflections, and also it is observed that maximum displacements decrease rapidly as thickness ratio increases from 0.5 to 5 and from 10 to 50, the maximum displacements gradually decrease. Hence, it illustrated that the present technique provides a simple solution for predicting and controlling the deformed shape of reinforced hybrid composite plates induced by distributed piezoelectric actuators.
A Smart Model for the Prediction of Heat Transfer Coefficient during Flow Boiling of Nanofluids in Horizontal Tube
Authors: Bouali Adel , Mohammedi Brahim , Hanini Salah
Published: June 2022

The goal of this study is to improve the accuracy and the validity of the prediction of the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) throughout flow boiling of different water-based nanofluids in a horizontal tube by developing an artificial neural network model using Ag/water, Cu/water, CuO/water, Al2O3/water, and TiO2/water nanofluids. The multiple layer perceptron (MLP) neural network was designed and trained by 354 experimental data points that were collected from the literature. Thermal conductivity of nanoparticle, mass flux, volumetric concentration, and heat flux were used to serve as input variables of the model. The heat transfer coefficient (HTC) was used as the output variable. Via the method of the trial-and error, MLP with 8 neurons in the hidden layer was attained as the optimal artificial neural network structure. This developed smart model is more accordant with the experimental data than the correlations of the literature. The accuracy of the developed smart model was validated by the value of mean squared error (MSE=0.042) and the value of determination coefficient (R2= 0.9992 ) for all data.
Establishing the Optimal Infill for Peak Tensile and Compressive Performance of CF Reinforced Polyamide Test Specimens Manufactured through Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Geana Alexandru Adrian , Sîrbu Nicuşor Alin , Marin-Corciu Matei , Duma Iuliana
Published: June 2022

This paper will present the mechanical capacity of 3D printed test specimens, in direct correlation with their infill pattern, that were made from polyamide (also called nylon) reinforced with carbon fibers (in proportion of 20%). Nylon is a flexible, but strong material, and carbon fibers give it increased mechanical strength, which will be shown by the mechanical test’s results. The infill’s density is 50%, which gives enough strength for most prototyping applications and reduces the print time considerably. The geometries of infill tested in this paper are lines, honeycomb and gyroid. Preliminary results showed that the higher the printing temperature, the better the layers weld and bond, thus the mechanical properties increase.
Fabrication and Characterization of Functionalized Multi-Wall Carbon Nanotubes Flexible Network Modified by a Layer of Polypyrrole Conductive Polymer and Metallic Nanoparticles
Authors: Taradh Aqeel Y. , Saleh Wasan R.
Published: June 2022

Short Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes functionalized with OH group (MWCNTs-OH) were used to synthesize flexible MWCNTs networks. The MWCNTs suspension was synthesized using Benzoquinone (BQ) and N, N Dimethylformamide alcohol (DMF) in specific values and then deposited on filter paper by filtration from suspension (FFS) method. Polypyrrole (PPy) conductive polymer doped with metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) prepared using in-situ chemical polymerization method. To improve the properties of the MWCNTs networks, a coating layer of (PPy) conductive polymer, PPy:Ag nanoparticles, and PPy: Cu nanoparticles were applied to the network. The fabricated networks were characterized using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), UV-Vis. spectrometer, and Atomic Force Microscope (AFM). XRD results revealed that the broadening for the (002) peak decreased after being coated with PPy and increased for the doped samples with MNPs, indicating on decrease in the crystalline size (MWCNTs/PPy) sample and increasing for doped ones with Ag and Cu MNPs. AFM images revealed that the surface roughness of the MWCNTs-OH network decreased after being coated with PPy, PPy: Ag, and PPy: Cu. With the help of AFM and XRD results, the CNTs contain 14 layers, while the inner and outer diameters were 18.2 nm and 27 nm receptivity. The UV-Vis. spectrum of MWCNTs showed several peaks, the highest in the 350 nm range. The coated of MWCNTs greatly affected the absorption spectrum, with many bands appearing between 300 to 450 nm and increasing the absorbance along the overall spectrum. For samples doped with Ag NPs and Cu NPs, a weak absorption peak of the plasmonic resonance frequency of the metallic nanoparticles. Analysis of Raman spectra shows that (ID/IG) ratios for all networks are less than one, which prove that the fabricated networks have few impurities and have good homogeneity. This work aimed to synthesize and characterize a flexible MWCNTs network and develop it by coated with a layer of conductive polymer and metallic nanoparticles for gas sensing application using quick and straightforward preparation methods.
An Inquiry into the Causes of Poverty among Vadda Peoples: Special to Dambana Vadda Community
Authors: Semasinghe W. M.
Published: June 2022

The objective of this study is to determine the causes of poverty among Vadda peoples living in traditional Vadda villages. Dambana is selected as the study area since it is the well-known traditional Vadda hamlet. By departing from the money metric approach, in this study, poverty is identified as the deprivation of basic needs namely food security, shelter, sanitation, drinking water, health and non-discrimination. A pre-tested questionnaire was administered among randomly selected households in the study area to collect required primary data. The overall poverty index (PI) was derived using dimension-specific deprivation indices to separate poor from non-poor. In the next step, selected demographic and socioeconomic factors, which were filtered based on the literature, were tested using linear probability model (LPM) to identify the determinants of poverty. As the model specified, household size, monthly income of the household, number of livelihood means, level of education of HoH, and the extent of cultivable lands owned by households were identified as the causes of poverty among traditional Vadda peoples.
A global review of orange wheat blossom midge,Sitodiplosis mosellana(Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and integrated pest management strategies for its management
Authors: Dufton S.V. , Olfert O.O. , Laird R.A. , Floate K.D. , Ge X. , Otani J.K.
Published: June 2022

Orange wheat blossom midge,Sitodiplosis mosellana(Géhin) (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), is a major economic pest of wheat (Triticum aestivumLinnaeus). Here, we review its general biology, history of global spread, economic impact, and methods available to manage its populations. Outbreaks have been reported across the Northern Hemisphere, including in China, Japan, the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and Canada. Predators and parasitoids can help attenuate these outbreaks, but control has relied mainly on use of foliar insecticides. Wheat cultivars with resistance to midge conferred by theSm1gene became commercially available in 2010 and increasingly are grown to manage midge populations. Forecasting models have been developed in different countries to predict wheat midge populations in an effort to mitigate the degree of economic damage by supporting wheat cultivar selection and to optimise the timing of insecticide applications in conventional wheat production systems. Conservation of natural enemies, insecticides, resistant cultivars, and models combine to form effective integrated pest management programmes for midge, illustrated for Canada with a decision-making flowchart. Future work is needed to address the likely development of midge biotypes with resistance to theSm1gene and insecticides currently in use.
Innovative approaches in cosmetic testing, in compliance with European regulations - June 22nd-23rd 2022
Authors: Editors The
Published: June 2022

Innovative approaches in cosmetic testing, in compliance with European regulations - June 22nd-23rd 2022.

LABORATORIO DIDATTICO DIMES, University of Genova, Italy
Effect of advanced paternal age on reproductive outcomes in IVF cycles of non-male-factor infertility: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lu Xin-Mei , Liu Yu-Bing , Zhang Dou-Dou , Cao Xiang , Zhang Tian-Cheng , Liu Miao , Shi Hui-Juan , Dong Xi , Liu Su-Ying
Published: June 2022

Advanced paternal age has been overlooked, and its effect on fertility remains controversial. Previous studies have focused mainly on intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles in men with oligozoospermia. However, few studies have reported on men with semen parameters within reference ranges. Therefore, we conducted a retrospective cohort study analyzing the reproductive outcomes of couples with non-male-factor infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. In total, 381 cycles included were subgrouped according to paternal age (<35-year-old, 35–39-year-old, or ≥40-year-old), and maternal age was limited to under 35 years. Data on embryo quality and clinical outcomes were analyzed. The results showed that fertilization and high-quality embryo rates were not significantly different (all P > 0.05). The pregnancy rate was not significantly different in the 35–39-year-old group (42.0%; P > 0.05), but was significantly lower in the ≥40-year-old group (26.1%; P < 0.05) than that in the <35-year-old group (40.3%). Similarly, the implantation rate significantly decreased in the ≥40-year-old group (18.8%) compared with that in the <35-year-old group (31.1%) and 35–39-year-old group (30.0%) (both P < 0.05). The live birth rate (30.6%, 21.7%, and 19.6%) was not significantly different across the paternal age subgroups (<35-year-old, 35–39-year-old, and ≥40-year-old, respectively; all P > 0.05), but showed a declining trend. The miscarriage rate significantly increased in the 35–39-year-old group (44.8%) compared with that in the <35-year-old group (21.0%; P < 0.05). No abnormality in newborn birth weight was found. The results indicated that paternal age over 40 years is a key risk factor that influences the assisted reproductive technology success rate even with good semen parameters, although it has no impact on embryo development.
Compare the Efficacy of Chlosite Gel as an Adjunctive Therapy after Scaling and Root Planing
Authors: Verma Neelu , Saimbi Charanjit Singh , Gupta Sanjay , Kumar Avadhesh , Tripathi Amitandra Kumar
Published: June 2022

Aim:

The present study was carried out to evaluate the clinical efficacy of scaling and root planing (SRP) alone and commercially available chlosite gel adjunctive to SRP in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 416 sites selected from 26 patients presenting with chronic periodontitis (age group ≥30 years) of both sexes, with pocket depth of ≥6 mm were recruited for the study. A split-mouth design was employed with one site receiving SRP alone (Group I) and the other receiving SRP followed by placement of commercially available chlosite gel (Group II) and all the clinical parameters-Plaque index (PI), Gingival index (GI), Probing Pocket depth and Clinical attachment loss (CAL) were recorded at baseline, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months.

Results:

Results demonstrated that significant reduction in PI and GI scores were observed in both groups till the end of the study period (6 months). Probing depth and CAL also showed significant improvement in both the groups. However, Group II (sites which received SRP + Chlosite gel) showed greater improvements in all of these parameters compared to Group I (sites which received SRP only).

Conclusion:

The findings of this study suggest that the locally delivered commercially available chlosite gel along with mechanical debridement, resulted in a clinically meaningful improvement in all the clinical parameters.
Aggregation of Human Platelets by Tannerella Forsythia
Authors: Whitaker Eugene J. , Darcey Caitlin D. , Somerset Susan M.
Published: June 2022

Context:

Periodontitis is a persistent infection of the tissues surrounding the teeth characterized by inflamed microvasculature, and is associated with increased systemic platelet activation.

Aims:

The purpose of this study was to assess the in vitro platelet aggregating potential of the red-complex bacterium Tannerella forsythia. A second-related objective was to ascertain the in vitro effect of dual platelet inhibitors on T. forsythia-platelet interaction.

Settings and Design:

These ex vivo experiments were done in a basic science laboratory combining isolated human platelets with isolated bacterial cells.

Methods:

Dilutions of cells were counted by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Aggregation was assayed in a platelet aggregometer after adding cells or sonic extracts to gel filtered platelets, some of which were preincubated with the dual platelet inhibitors aspirin plus clopidogrel.

Results:

Platelets aggregate in vitro when exposed to T. forsythia cells or sonic extracts and dilution results in increased lag times and decreased aggregation. Platelets preincubated with the combination of aspirin plus clopidogrel do not aggregate in response to T. forsythia.

Conclusions:

Within the limitations of this in vitro study, T. forsythia cells aggregate human platelets and the activity can be attenuated by diluting the cells and blocked by the combination of aspirin plus clopidogrel.
Comparison of thoracolumbar interfascial plane block with local anaesthetic infiltration in lumbar spine surgeries – A prospective double-blinded randomised controlled trial
Authors: Pavithran Priyanka , Sudhakaran Renuka , Sudarshan Pramod K. , Eliyas Salin , Sekhar Biju , Kaniachallil Kishore
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims:

Posterior lumbar spine fusion surgeries are associated with severe postoperative pain necessitating a multimodal analgesic regime. Wound infiltration with local anaesthetic is an accepted modality for postoperative analgesia in spine surgeries. Thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block is a novel technique being evaluated for providing analgesia in lumbar spine surgeries. This study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of TLIP block compared to that of wound infiltration with local anaesthetic in terms of time to request the first dose of rescue analgesic.

Methods:

Seventy-one patients scheduled for posterior lumbar spine fusion under general anaesthesia were included in this double-blinded randomised controlled trial. Preoperatively, patients were randomly allocated to receive either a TLIP block (TLIP group) or wound infiltration (LI group). The primary endpoint was the time of the first request for rescue analgesia. Secondary endpoints were the total tramadol consumption and pain and comfort scores measured at various time points in the 48-h postoperative period. The trial was terminated after second interim analysis as the analgesic benefit of TLIP was evident both clinically and statistically.

Results:

The median (interquartile range) duration of the time of the first request for rescue analgesia was 1440 (1290, 2280) min in the TLIP group and 340 (180, 360) min in the infiltration group; P value <.001. The mean tramadol consumption was significantly higher in the infiltration group compared to the TLIP group, with a P value <.001.

Conclusion:

TLIP block provided better postoperative analgesia than that provided by wound infiltration with local anaesthetic.
Prevalence of co-morbidities and its association with mortality in Indian patients with COVID-19: A meta-analysis
Authors: Jindal Ritika , Gupta Mohit , Khan Fauzia R. , Chaudhry Gunjan
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) has spread to every corner of the world and has led to significant health consequences, especially in patients with co morbidities. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of co morbidities among COVID 19 patients in the Indian population and their association with mortality.

Methods:

PubMed, Google Scholar, and World Health Organization website were searched for Indian studies on COVID 19 published from February 2020 up to 20 May 2021. English language publications from India, studies reporting epidemiological characteristics, prevalence of co morbidities and in hospital mortality were included in the meta analysis.

Results:

34 studies were identified with a total of 23,034 patients. The pooled prevalence for co morbidities in COVID 19 patients was 18.1% [95% confidence interval (CI), 13.3 to 24.3%] for hypertension, 17.7% (95% CI, 12.2 to 25.1%) for diabetes, 7.9% (95% CI, 4.6 to 13.4%) for hypothyroidism and 7.7%(95% CI, 4.8 to 12. 1%) for cardiovascular diseases. For chronic kidney disease (CKD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cerebrovascular diseases, asthma, chronic liver disease, tuberculosis and cancer, the pooled prevalence was less than 4%. Additionally, the mortality risk was increased significantly in patients with CKD [odds ratio (OR) = 4.1], COPD (OR = 3.9), diabetes (OR = 3.7), cardiovascular diseases (OR = 4.07), tuberculosis (OR = 6.11), chronic liver disease (OR = 8.5), malignancy (OR = 1.89) and hypertension (OR = 2.9). Cerebrovascular diseases, hypothyroidism and asthma were not associated with increased mortality.

Conclusion:

Co-morbidities are more prevalent in COVID 19 hospitalised patients and the presence of co morbidities is associated with increased risk of mortality in Indian COVID 19 patients.
Effects of regional anaesthesia on mortality in patients undergoing lower extremity amputation: A retrospective pooled analysis
Authors: Quak Su M. , Pillay Nanthini , Wong Suei N. , Karthekeyan Ranjith B. , Chan Diana X.H. , Liu Christopher W. Y.
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims:

Lower extremity amputation (LEA) is a commonly performed surgery and is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. This review compares the impact of anaesthetic technique on 30-day mortality and other perioperative outcomes in patients undergoing LEA.

Methods:

A systematic search of databases including PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, from January 2010 to March 2021, was performed. Studies were eligible if they compared 30-day mortality following either general anaesthesia (GA) or regional anaesthesia (RA), in adult patients undergoing LEA.

Results:

Ten retrospective observational studies were identified. Four of these studies utilised a propensity-score matching technique. Based on these four studies, RA when compared to GA, is not associated with a reduction in the 30-day mortality (Odds ratio 0.83, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.65, 1.05, I2 20%, P = 0.12). Also there is a very low level of evidence that RA may result in a decrease in the hospital length-of-stay and intensive care unit admissions of patients undergoing LEA.

Conclusion:

RA does not decrease the 30-day postoperative mortality in patients undergoing LEA when compared to GA.
The role of lung ultrasound in procalcitonin-guided antibiotic discontinuation in ventilator-associated pneumonia
Authors: Ammar Mona A. , Hilal Amr , Abdalla Waleed
Published: June 2022

Background and Aims:

Starting antibiotic therapy at the proper time is the cornerstone of the management of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). However, using antibiotics for a long duration of therapy in intensive care leads to increased bacterial resistance, financial burden and adverse drug reactions. We hypothesised that lung ultrasound may have a role in guiding antibiotic discontinuation in patients with VAP that will help to reduce the antibiotic duration and decrease the resistance.

Methods:

This was a prospective blinded cohort study from October 2020 to September 2021 in which 62 VAP patients were recruited. Antibiotics were started, procalcitonin (PCT) level and clinical pulmonary infection score were estimated and lung ultrasound (US) was performed on day 1 and repeated on day 7. On day 7, discontinuation of antibiotics was recommended if the PCT level was <0.25 μg/L. A lung reaeration score was recorded.

Results:

Based on the PCT levels, antibiotics were discontinued in 40 patients. The computed tomography findings of VAP had improved in all. The ultrasound reaeration score showed a highly significant negative correlation with the PCT on day 7 (-0.718, P < 0.001). A cut-off of 5 for the US score showed a sensitivity of 92.5%, specificity of 95.5%, positive predictive value of 97.4% and negative predictive value of 87.5% in detecting a low PCT score on day 7.

Conclusion:

Lung US is a non-invasive and safe method that can be used to guide antibiotic therapy in VAP.
Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia [Wild.] Miers) and its Therapeutic External Applications
Authors: Joy Anu , Mansukhbhai Buha Mital , Sojeetra Niral Hansrajbhai , Acharya R N
Published: June 2022

Background:

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia [Wild.] Miers), family Menispermaceae, is widely distributed in India and is commonly known as Amrita. It is one of the most important medicinal plants used in Ayurveda. During COVID 19 pandemic situation, Guduchi gained a worldwide recognition for its therapeutic values in general and its immunomodulatory activities in particular through internal applications. Although highlighted for its external administration in various ayurvedic pharmacopoeias, information about its external applications is still lacking.

Aim:

The aim of the study was to prepare comprehensive data on external applications of Guduchi recorded in various ayurvedic texts.

Materials and Methods:

This review portrays external applications of Guduchi, from 25 classical texts of Ayurveda comprising 8 Samhitas (treatise), 11 Chikitsa Granthas (compendia of Ayurveda), and 6 Rasagranthas (compendia related to Rasashastra).

Results:

More than 141 formulations, having Guduchi as an ingredient, are used externally to combat almost 65 varied disease conditions. Among these diseased conditions, maximum are indicated for the management of Kushtha (integumentary diseases) followed by Sotha (edema), Netraroga (various eye diseases), Vrana (wound), Bhagandara (fistula-in ano), Jvara (fever), and Slipadha (filariasis), etc. The Guduchi external formulations are in 14 dosage forms.

Conclusion:

Present data may give insight to the researchers to probe into the external applications of the Guduchi which are not explored till date scientifically.
Integrated Management of Interstitial Lung Disease Associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis - A Case Report
Authors: Prasad Buduru Sreenivasa , Korgaokar Darshana G. , Bagewadi Deepti Basavraj
Published: June 2022

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) is a broad term for a large group of disorders that leads to fibrosis of the lungs. A female of 58 years with ILD associated with rheumatoid arthritis was well managed by integrated treatment of Ayurveda and physiotherapy. This is shown in our case report where in the symptoms of the patient were relieved by more than 80% by the combined approach of treatment. The patient consulted for complaints of intermittent cough and exertional dyspnea for 1 month and pain and stiffness of joints for the last 3 years. This report emphasizes the importance of integrated management of ILD associated with RA by Ayurvedic therapies such as sadhyo-virechana (instant purgative therapy) vaitarana basti (special enema with revival property) and ayurvedic oral medications with physiotherapy procedures such as postural breathing exercise, postural drainage, and deep breathing exercise. Although the disease is not completely curable, integrated approach could provide convenient and a better way of treatment which relieved the symptoms and also improved the quality of life.
An Effective Approach Through Ayurveda in the Management of Urinary Incontinence
Authors: Dhiman Kamini , Divyamol M. D.
Published: June 2022

Micturition or urination is a complex and multisystem involved process. Many alterations to this system are possible which a health-care worker may get encountered with during routine practice. Among them, urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms are highly prevalent among women, in which the patient is unable to hold urine voluntarily and can broadly classify it into stress UI, urge UI, and mixed UI. As per Ayurveda, urinary disorders can be classified as mutra apravrtti rogas and mutra atipravritti rogas. UI is considered one among the latter one. A 38-year-old married woman presented with involuntary urination of 1-month duration along with urinary urgency and frequency lasting for 3 months. She was also having abdominal pain with this. After thorough examinations and investigations, the patient was treated with ayurvedic medications for 42 days.
Alochaka Pitta of Ayurved and its Affiliates in Modern Perspective
Authors: Moharana Pritam , Roushan Rakesh
Published: June 2022

In Ayurved, a person is said to be healthy when Dosha, Agni, and Dhatu, all the physiological processes are in a homeostatic state and the soul, sense organ and mind are in a state of total well-being. The theory of tridosha is a unique concept to Ayurveda. In general, Pitta doshas are liquid in nature except pachaka pitta which has devoid of liquidity. Acharya Sushrut has mentioned five types of pitta. Those are Pachaka, Ranjaka, Alochaka, Bhrajaka, and Sadhaka pitta. The seat of Alochaka pitta is drishti and function of Alochaka pitta is vision. Ayurveda is the science-based on functional understandings. Hence, Alochaka pitta can be identified by understanding its physiological functions in relation to contemporary modern medical science. The functions of Alochaka pitta can be recognized as functions of photochemicals (rhodopsins and color pigments) of rod and cone and the neurotransmitter that helps in communication between neurons throughout the visual pathway between the retina and visual cortex. Few works have been mentioned on the conceptual features of Alochaka pittain relation to modern physiology. In this article, we intended to identify liquid bio-chemicals, helpful in perception of vision, provided no lesion is present in the visual pathway. The physiological functions of these bio-chemicals may have similar physiological functions of Alochaka pitta.
Perioperative hearing loss after nonotological surgeries – What is the role of anesthesia?
Authors: Sasidharan Shibu , Singh Vijay , Nasser Abdul , Dhillon Harpreet , Babitha M.
Published: June 2022

Transient, low-frequency hearing loss after anesthesia, especially due to neuraxial block, usually goes unnoticed by patients, and thus they do not report to a physician. However, the chances of anesthesia-induced perioperative hearing loss (POHL) to occur are generally underestimated. The true incidence of POHL regardless of anesthetic technique is unknown due to lack of reporting and subclinical presentation, which often goes unnoticed unless pure-tone audiometry is performed. However, the anesthesiologist should be aware of hearing loss as a potential perioperative complication and should be discussed with the patients in the perioperative period and should preferably be included in the informed consent for medicolegal and ethical reasons. The cognizance of POHL should be disseminated to the treating team by educating anesthesiologists, surgeons, and healthcare personnel about its possible occurrence. A better understanding of the incidence, etiology, prognosis, and management for POHL is essential for the anesthesiologist to prevent or to minimize the risk of hearing loss. In this review article, we emphasize the abovementioned aspects.

The following core competencies are addressed in this article:

Patient care and procedural skills, Medical knowledge.
Knowledge and attitude of antibiotic resistance in the time of COVID-19 among patients attending a dental hospital in Bhubaneswar city
Authors: Kumar Gunjan , Singh Dhirendra Kumar , Hazarika Suranjana Jonak , Barman Diplina , Dash Payal , Swain Prateeti
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

The present study aims to assess the knowledge and attitude among the patients attending a dental hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among the general population from July 2020 to September 2020. It included 205 patients attending the outpatient department of Kalinga Institute of Dental Sciences, Bhubaneswar. A self-structured 17 item questionnaire regarding antibiotic resistance was used to assess the knowledge and attitude of the patients. Data were entered into Microsoft Excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS version 25.0.

Results:

The present study comprised 47.3% males and 52.7% females. Comparison of the knowledge and attitude domain scores was made across the educational levels of the participants and a significant difference was observed in the attitude domain scores.

Conclusion:

The present study stresses on the dire need for educating the general public about the rational use of antibiotics, thereby reducing further abuse leading to a global problem.

The following core competencies are addressed in this article:

Medical knowledge, Systems-based practice, Practice-based learning and improvement.
Assessment of Oral Health and Treatment Needs in Population with Visual Impairment
Authors: Jawahar Abarna , Maragathavalli G.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Visually impaired individuals when compared to healthy have poor oral health status as they cannot visualize the plaque deposits on the tooth surface, leading to poor understanding of the importance of oral hygiene which results in development of dental caries as well as inflammatory disease of the periodontium and loss of tooth structure.

Aim:

The study aims to assess the oral health and treatment needs of patients with visual impairment using WHO Oral Health Assessment form for adults 2013.

Materials and Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 207 visually impaired patients who visited the special care dentistry department, a unit of Oral Medicine and Radiology in a private dental college & hospital and a private blind institute. WHO Oral Health Assessment form was filled after oral examination was done using Type III clinical examination.

Statistical Analysis:

Descriptive analysis was used to describe the frequencies and percentages. Chi-square test was used to determine statistical significance.

Results and Conclusion:

Dental caries were present in 129 (62.3%) study participants. Oral mucosal lesion was prevalent in 14% of the study population. 146 (71%) participants required prompt dental treatment such as scaling, restorations, extractions, 58 (28%) participants required immediate dental treatment due to presence of pain or infection of dental origin such as advanced dental caries, periapical abscess and OPMD. Only 3 (1%) participants out of 207 did not require any dental treatment. The findings of the study suggest that the dental treatment needs are high and unmet in the visually impaired population.
Surgical Considerations and Related Complications in Oral Implantology
Authors: Omar Shubhanshi , Jaiswal Honey , Kumar Prince , Mishra Sunil Kumar
Published: June 2022

Dental implants have become a remarkable face of modern dentistry and are considered to be one of the several treatment options that can be used to replace missing teeth, which is considered to be an advanced procedure for oral health. The biologic basis of hard- and soft-tissue interfaces between the implant and the surrounding tissues and their clinical relevance plays a major role in the success of implant. Further, it is very crucial to explore the best suited approach for implant treatment planning. Numerous surgical protocols are required to cover the standard sets of steps for placing implant in complex as well as noncomplex situations for implant-supported dental prosthetics. However, dental implants may fail as a result of mechanical complications, such as screw loosening or due to biological causes such as periimplant diseases. As a result, dental personnel should be able to recognize these complications and the factors that have negative effects on the success of such implant-supported restorations or prostheses. Therefore, it is required to have an appropriate knowledge of dental implants for every dental student, hygienist, and dentist. Maintenance of implant-supported restorations and prostheses requires long-term follow-ups, so it is the responsibility of the patient to maintain good oral hygiene.
Feasibility of THRIVE oxygenation and intra-operative lung-protective ventilation in morbidly obese patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures
Authors: Vaithialingam Balaji , Muthuchellappan Radhakrishnan
Published: June 2022

The conduct of anesthesia in morbidly obese patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures can be challenging considering the multi-system organ involvement. Implementation of conventional lung-protective ventilation in morbidly obese patients can have a negative impact on the intra-cranial dynamics. We report a series of three patients with morbid obesity and a difficult airway for the neurosurgical procedure. The patients were oxygenated with high-flow oxygen devices to ensure an adequate oxygen reserve in the peri-operative period. A modified intra-operative lung-protective ventilation with normocarbia was implemented with no impact on the intra-cranial pressure in the prone position in two of the patients. Oxygenation with high-flow devices should be considered during the peri-operative period in morbidly obese patients to avert an adverse respiratory event, and a modified lung-protective ventilation technique is feasible with normal intra-cranial dynamics intra-operatively.
Investigation of the influential factors for hepatic osteodystrophy in chronic liver disease: A case–control survey among the patients attending a tertiary care hospital in a rural region of Northern India
Authors: Yadav Ekta , Kaur Rupan Deep , Sasan Aayushi , Garg Sunny
Published: June 2022

Objectives:

Hepatic osteodystrophy (HOD) is a well-recognized complication of chronic liver diseases (CLD), but the influential factors associated with this complication were studied scarcely in a rural Indian population. The study aims to evaluate the prevalence of HOD and variables that might influence it among cases diagnosed with CLD.

Materials and Methods:

It is a cross-sectional observational design survey that was performed in a hospital among the two-hundred cases and controls with a 1:1 ratio who were age (>18 years) and gender matched in a period between April and October 2021. They were subjected to etiological workup, hematological and biochemical investigations, and Vitamin D levels. Then, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure the bone mineral densitometry (BMD) for whole-body, lumbar spine (LS), and hip. HOD was diagnosed according to the WHO criteria. Then, the Chi-square test and conditional logistic regression analysis were used to investigate the influential factors of HOD in CLD patients.

Results:

The whole-body, LS-spine, and hip BMDs in CLD cases were found to be significantly lower as compared to controls. When the participants among both groups were stratified by age and gender, a significant difference in LS-spine and hip BMD was observed in elderly patients (>60 years), and in both the male and female patients. HOD was found in 70% of CLD patients. After multivariate analysis in CLD patients, we identified that being a male patient (odds ratio [OR] = 3.03), older age (OR = 3.54), duration of illness for more than 5 years (OR = 3.89), decompensated liver dysfunction with Child–Turcotte–Pugh-B and C grading (OR = 8.28), and low level of Vitamin D (OR = 18.45) were the risk factors for HOD.

Conclusion:

This study concludes that severity of illness and lower level of Vitamin D were the main influential factors for HOD. Supplementation of Vitamin D and calcium in the patients can abate the risk of fractures in our rural communities.
Features of inhalant allergy on nasal endoscopy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Osie G. , Wegrecki K. , Alvarado R. , Campbell R.G. , Kalish L. , Rimmer J. , Sacks R. , Harvey R.J.
Published: June 2022

Background: Nasal endoscopy is increasingly accessible to ENT surgeons. The characteristics of the allergic upper airway are not well recognised. Methodology: MEDLINE (1946-2021), EMBASE (1974-2021), and the Cochrane Library were searched on 16th November 2021 to identify articles that reported endoscopic findings of patients with documented allergy who had undergone nasal endoscopy. The review followed the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy. Meta-analysis was performed by pooling sensitivities and specificities using the hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristics model. Results: A total of 4108 articles were identified, of which 15 manuscripts met the inclusion criteria. The included studies involved 4660 patients who had undergone nasal endoscopy. Middle turbinate (diffuse/polypoid) oedema (sensitivity 58.0%, specificity 84.5%), watery secretions (sensitivity 65.7%, specificity 76.5%), inferior turbinate hypertrophy (sensitivity 86.2%, specificity 32.2%), and unspecified turbinate hypertrophy (sensitivity 82.0%, specificity 42.9%) were identified as the features with the highest predictive value of inhalant allergy. Conclusions: Diffuse or polypoid oedema of the middle turbinate or watery secretions seen on nasal endoscopy can be a useful adjunct in the identification and diagnosis of inhalant allergy. These clinical features should be part of the diagnostic workup for patients that includes a clinical history and surrogate markers of allergic sensitisation from the skin and serum.
Measuring workload of Swiss general practice: a five-yearly questionnaire-based survey on general practitioners’ self-reported working activities (2005–2020)
Authors: Gerber Tonia , Giezendanner Stéphanie , Zeller Andreas
Published: June 2022

INTRODUCTION: General practitioners (GPs) play a key role in the delivery of health care in Switzerland. Assessing GPs’ workload over time is essential to meet the population’s health service demand and for future health care planning.
METHODS: The study involved four questionnaire-based cross-sectional studies among a representative sample of Swiss GPs on a five-yearly basis since 2005. Data on GPs’ self-estimated workload and practice administration (face-to-face consultations, house calls, nursing home visits and clinical administrative work) were analysed in hours per week (h/week) or full-time equivalents (FTE; 100% = 55 h/week).
RESULTS: The mean age of GPs (n = 2,037) in 2020 was 54.9 years, significantly higher than in 2005 (51.4 years, p <0.001, n = 1,780). The proportion of female GPs increased gradually from 16.5% in 2005 to 36.2% in 2020 (p <0.001). The GPs’ workload significantly decreased over the last 15 years from 50.2 h/week to 43.4 h/week or from 90.9% FTE in 2005 to 78.9% FTE in 2020 (p <0.001). The decreased average workload across years was less pronounced in women (–4.4% FTE) than in men (–9.0% FTE, p = 0.015). Across all survey years, women worked on average 12.7 h/week or 23.2% FTE less than men (p <0.001). The time spent with patients gradually decreased, whereas the amount of time spent on clinical administrative work remained stable since 2005 (9 h/week). In 2020, GPs were working more frequently in group practices compared to 2005 (45.0% vs. 12.4%, p <0.001).
CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a decrease in GPs’ overall workload from 2005 to 2020, indicating that the “new” generation of GPs prefers to work part-time. This decrease is at the expense of direct face-to-face encounters with patients. Over the last 15 years, a clear trend exists towards more women in the Swiss general practice, persisting over-ageing of GPs, replacement of single-handed practices by group practices, and increasing burden of administrative tasks, a risk factor for burnout and reduced job satisfaction. To maintain an efficient healthcare system in the future, substantial efforts are crucial to provide a positive and motivating insight into general practice to pre- and postgraduate students and improve the operational working conditions of GPs.