bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clonal spread of PER-1 and OXA-23 producing extensively drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii during an outbreak in a burn intensive care unit in Tunisia
Authors: Mabrouk Aymen , Chebbi Yosra , Raddaoui Anis , Krir Asma , Messadi Amen Allah , Achour Wafa , Thabet Lamia
Published: November 2020

Extensively drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDR-Ab), has emerged as an important pathogen in several outbreaks. The aim of our study was to investigate the eventual genetic relatedness of XDR-Ab strains recovered from burn patients and environment sites in the largest Tunisian Burn Intensive Care Unit (BICU) and to characterize β-lactamase encoding genes in these strains. Between March 04th, 2019 and April 22nd, 2019 an outbreak of XDR-Ab was suspected. Environmental screening was done. All isolates were screened by simplex PCR for β-lactamase genes. Genetic relatedness was determined by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of ApaI-digested total DNA. During the study period, 21 strains of A. baumannii were isolated in burn patients, mainly in blood culture (n = 7) and central vascular catheter (n = 6). All strains were susceptible to colistin but resistant to imipenem (n = 23), ciprofloxacin (n = 23), amikacin (n = 22), tigecyclin (n = 5) and rifampicin (n = 4). The blaOXA-51-like, blaOXA23, and blaADC genes were present in all strains. These resistance determinants were associated with blaPER-1 in 10 strains. The ISAba1 was inserted upstream of blaOXA-23 in all isolates. PFGE revealed two major clusters A (n = 11) and B (n = 5). This is the first description in Tunisia of clonally related PER-1 producing XDR-Ab in burn patients with probable environmental origin.
Anatomical changes of the thoracic vertebrae in asymptomatic individuals – A cross-sectional study
Authors: Valasek T. , Vágó E. , Danielisz ZS. , Babka M. , Kovács É.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of the present cross-sectional study is to examine the degree of degenerative patho-anatomical changes in the thoracic vertebrae in asymptomatic adult patients.

Materials and Methods

A total of 150 adult patients were examined with computed tomography (CT) because of various health conditions (e.g., tumour risk). The images were revised with post-processing procedures to detect bony changes in the thoracic vertebrae. Three types of degenerations (osteophytes, arthrosis, and irregular endplates) were examined and graded using appropriate grading systems. Correlational investigations were carried out in relation to age, BMI, and degenerations. Moreover, to examine the value of the degenerations the frequencies of the grading categories were assessed in each segment.

Results

The total number of the patients included was 41, who had no trunk symptoms. We found no convincing correlations in terms of age, BMI, and degenerations, however, age and facet joint arthrosis showed a tentative association. The degree of the degenerations was the largest in the Th7-8, Th8-9, Th9-10 segments for osteophytes, in the Th4-5, Th5-6 for arthrosis, and in the Th8-9, Th9-10 for irregular endplates.

Conclusions

This study found that there are several progressive degenerative changes in the thoracic spine without any clinical symptoms. Accordingly, it can be advised that clinicians should avoid labelling the disorders and planning their treatment based on the results of diagnostic imaging only.
Indications for ocular evisceration and orbital implant related complications in a tertiary eye hospital in Hungary over an 11-year period
Authors: Tóth G. , Szentmáry N. , Sándor G.L. , Csákány B. , Antus Z. , Pluzsik M.T. , Lukáts O. , Nagy Z.Z.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Our aims were to evaluate the primary and clinical evisceration indications and to analyse orbital implant related complications.

Materials/methods

We included in our retrospective review all eviscerations between 2006 and 2016 at the Department of Ophthalmology of Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary. Primary evisceration indications were classified into six groups: trauma, surgical diseases, infections or inflammations, systemic diseases, tumours and unclassifiable diseases. Clinical immediate evisceration indications were also classified into six groups: painful blind eye due to glaucoma, atrophia/phthisis bulbi, endophthalmitis, cosmetic reasons, acute trauma and expulsive bleeding.

Results

Evisceration was performed in 46 eyes of 46 patients (54.3% males, age 43.0 ± 18.6 years). The most common primary evisceration indications were trauma (37%), surgical diseases (34.8%), infection or inflammation (10.9%), systemic diseases (6.5%), tumours (8.7%) and unclassifiable diseases (2.2%). Painful blind eye due to glaucoma (34.8%) was the most common clinical indication for evisceration, followed by atrophia/phthisis bulbi (26.1%), endophthalmitis (17.4%), cosmetic reasons (13.0%), acute trauma (6.5%) and expulsive bleeding (2.2%). After evisceration, 91.3% of the patients received orbital implant and during 26.8±28.9 months follow-up implant related complications were found in 14.3% of the cases, including implant extrusion (4.8%), partial wound dehiscence (4.8%), implant exposure (2.4%) and orbital inflammation (2.4%).

Conclusion

Painful blind eye and atrophia/phthisis bulbi due to ocular trauma and surgical diseases represent the most common indications for ocular evisceration. If malignant intraocular tumours can be excluded, evisceration surgery combined with a silicon-based orbital implant is a safe and effective procedure.
Knowledge, awareness, and usage of probiotics among Hungarian adults: An explorative survey
Authors: Havelda L. , Bencz Z. , Veresné Bálint M.
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of probiotic products in Hungary, to explore consumers' knowledge of probiotics, and to gain information about the main characteristics of current usage.

Materials and Methods

The research used a self-developed explorative questionnaire to obtain the necessary information. The data collected was further analysed with IBM SPSS 25.0 and Microsoft Office Excel.

Results

Nearly three-quarters of respondents (73.9%) have used probiotics in their life. Those who have already used these products, mostly heard about them from doctors (62.8%) and friends/relatives (40.5%), while among non-users the main sources of information were web pages (46.8%) and commercials (45.2%).

Conclusions

We found several differences between users and non-users in terms of probiotics awareness. Consequently, healthcare providers may play an important role in the process of careful product choice and proper usage.
Public health, systems change, justice and the work of the kingdom
Authors: Aronson Robert E
Published: November 2020

Disparities in population health statuses are tied to inequities in society, and not just differences in personal decision-making and behavior. Christians should (and must) play a role in confronting these inequities, based upon three biblical themes: 1) the instructions in the book of Leviticus regarding the Sabbath year and the Year of Jubilee as a way to protect the economic system from producing insurmountable inequities and degrading the environment; 2) the eschatological image of the New Jerusalem in the book of Isaiah, with its focus on shalom in contrast to a religion focused on personal piety in the face of oppression and social injustice; and 3) Jesus’ teachings about the kingdom, which include its imminence and the counter-cultural nature of its ethic. The notion of the kingdom can be applied in the lives of Christians, particularly those involved in public health, through individual acts, corporate acts in the context of the church, and state-led actions to bring about social change to achieve social justice. Social change can be described as an act of reconciliation in which systems of society are redeemed by the power of kingdom principles.
Forging Relationships Between Faith-based and Secular Organizations to Address the Global Water Crisis: A Case Study from Liberia
Authors: Alford Kristin R , Koeman Jamison L
Published: November 2020

It is imperative to engage in interdisciplinary and multisector partnerships as we seek to develop and deliver effective solutions to address the global water crisis. These partnerships allow us to live out our Christian charge to demand justice for the vulnerable and promote human flourishing. This case study reviews the benefits and challenges of multisector partnerships between faith-based and secular organizations using the example of a multi-year water filter distribution project in Liberia. Benefits of the partnership include shared expertise, investment in students and Liberians, and results-driven research. Challenges include differing sub-goals, logistical challenges, communication difficulties, and different ways of communicating results. Intentional program planning, avoiding preferential treatment, and engagement in process evaluation are all suggestions for mitigating the potentially harmful effects of these challenges.
Spiritual Care Visualized
Authors: Lunn John S.
Published: November 2020

Years ago, the author was asked by a prominent palliative care leader if spiritual care could be conveyed in a ladder format as pain management had been by the World Health Organization (WHO). Many practitioners think about spiritual care as a way to identify and address spiritual distress. It is a way to address spiritual distress and so much more. In this article, an attempt has been made to depict spiritual care visually. Spiritual care providers and others will tell you that along with spiritual distress, there is also a powerful resource that spirituality provides. The spiritual care ladder endeavors to show both aspects, along with their relationship to one another and their inter-connectedness. This is not a resource for assessing spirituality; it is meant to help people better understand it and to visualize it so that the tools will be more helpful. Several valuable tools have been included in this article for the assessment of spirituality and faith components of a person’s life.
Working Order: Health, Personal Responsibility, and Rights in an Age of Limited Agency
Authors: Crouch Mark
Published: November 2020

A seeming contradiction exists between the approach to health as a fundamental human right or as the natural consequence of human responsibility. This paper investigates a Christian approach to health attempting to reconcile these disparate views. The Biblical basis of human responsibility for health is considered as well as the greater forces affecting the health choices of individuals and communities. Ultimately, a combined approach or "working order" toward the fundamental right to health based on human responsibility is attempted.
The Role of Faith-Based Organizations and Faith Leaders in the 2014–2016 Ebola Epidemic in Liberia
Authors: Jansen Perry
Published: November 2020

Since the time of Christ, caring for the sick and the poor has been a core distinctive of authentic Christianity. The response of Christians during many of the great plagues of antiquity played an important role in the spread of Christianity. In modern history, response to epidemics have been professionalized and, to a certain extent, secularized. The 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa offers an important illustration of the role that faith leaders and faith-based organizations still play in providing a trusted link between communities and international relief workers. During the latter half of 2018, the world was faced with another outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is vital to build upon the lessons of prior epidemics as we support local efforts to prepare for, detect, and respond to inevitable future outbreaks.
Health, Rights, and Culture: Reflections on the Meanings of the Word “Rights” from a Cross-cultural Health Worker
Authors: Armstrong Lois Joy
Published: November 2020

Crossing cultures challenges the way one thinks about health and rights. Cultural anthropology provides a framework that helps clarify these issues by categorising cultures by their dominant method of governing behaviour and maintaining social order: 1. Guilt-Innocence cultures, 2. Honour-Shame cultures, and 3. Fear-Power cultures. Rights do not easily fit in either Honour-Shame cultures or Fear-Power cultures as compared to Guilt-Innocence cultures.
Jesus uses Honour-Shame language in his teachings regarding the care of the poor and neglected, rather than the language of rights. Understanding the culture of the Bible, as well as the culture in which you are working can help provide alternate methods of carrying out health work. Jesus also addresses greed, the deceptive trap of rights, where people always want more. In the book of Revelation, there is one right available to all who have clean robes — the right to the Tree of Life; the leaves of this tree provide healing of for all nations.
One Step at a Time: The Birth of the Christian Medical College, Vellore, by Reena George. Roli Press, 2018
Authors: Tuckwell Gareth David
Published: November 2020

‘One step at a time’ was written to mark the centenary of the founding of one of the foremost medical colleges in India.  Behind so many remarkable institutions there lies a hidden story relating to their founding, their struggles to become established and the challenges faced in growing to maturity in our rapidly changing world.
As we journey through the second millennium with many well-established organisations straining at the leash of tradition and seeking fresh vitality and vision, it is important to look back to their founders and reflect on the lives of those who have been pioneers and teachers in the decades before.  To be radical in moving forward, organisations benefit from drawing from their roots (radix: Latin) and allowing their strategies to be enriched through them.  Hence this amazing book deserves to have a wider readership than just those many thousands who have passed through the Christian Medical College (CMC) Vellore.
Understanding Treatment-resistant Depression: A Missionary’s Autobiographical Case Report
Authors: York Hunter
Published: November 2020

As a career cross-cultural missionary in Southeast Asia, the author has seen first-hand and has personally experienced the devastating effects of colleagues, families, leaders, clinicians, and the sufferers themselves misunderstanding the symptoms and the reality of major depressive disorder, an increasing global health problem. This autobiographical case report reflects on twenty years of treatment-resistant depression and a journey through pharmacological approaches, psychotherapy treatment, Christian prayer counselling, and electro convulsive therapy without improvement in this condition. The primary concern is how to remain faithful and effective with this condition in a service-oriented occupation that requires regular emotional expenditure. In lieu of effective conventional and non-conventional therapies, the remaining option is to find a way to manage chronic depression; identify personal trends, weaknesses, and triggers; and find a personalized way to live that minimizes the effects of the condition. In any chronic, incurable disorder, the sufferer must inevitably come to terms with his or her reality and find peace in the acceptance of that reality. By expressing the journey through treatment-resistant depression, the author encourages readers to persevere in ministry and to respond more appropriately to the afflicted with clearer understanding and empathy. A companion article on mitigating depression symptoms through the spiritual discipline of identifying with Christ and His experience of human emotional pain during His passion is available.
A Biblical Reflection on the Passion of Jesus Christ as it Relates to 20 Years of Treatment-resistant Ministerial Depression
Authors: York Hunter
Published: November 2020

This is a reflective commentary on the article entitled, Understanding Refractory Depression: A Missionary’s Autobiographical Case Report. It is a focus on a spiritual therapy to minimize the debilitating symptoms of long-term refractory depression when other conventional and non-conventional treatments have been ineffective. Though not suggested as a cure, a focused faith on our identity with Christ and His with us can help us transcend some of the negative impacts refractory depression brings to the life of its sufferers. This is particularly relevant regarding Christ’s identification with our human sufferings. It can be categorized as a spiritual discipline where benefits improve as the sufferer becomes more adept at the practice.
My Mother Weakens
Authors: Larkin Sarah
Published: November 2020

A poem on peace with the injustice of death
Impact of an Interprofessional Training Session on Student Spirituality and Faith Integration in the Workplace
Authors: Younkin Felisha L , Laswell Emily , Coe Kristi , Hanson Joy , Snyder Robert , Chen Aleda
Published: November 2020

Providing spiritual care to patients can result in improved health outcomes and health-related quality of life. However, healthcare professionals feel largely unprepared to address spiritual health. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of an interprofessional training session on student spiritual health and perceived confidence and competence in sharing their faith with patients. An all-day, interprofessional workshop to assist students in assessing their own spiritual health, identifying opportunities to address patient spiritual health, and sharing their faith ethically was incorporated. Nursing, pharmacy, allied health/kinesiology, psychology, and pre-med students attended and completed assessments related to the student outcomes pre-workshop, post-workshop, and at 3, 6, and 9 months post-workshop. Significant improvements in perceived confidence and competence were documented initially and longitudinally. Baseline student spiritual health was high; only participation in Christian activities significantly improved in the assessment of their spiritual health. Further study is necessary to fully understand the impact of this training on student spiritual health. Nonetheless, incorporation of this training can better prepare students to engage in spiritual care of patients and share their own faith with others ethically as opportunities arise.
A Biblical Model for a Christian Hospital in India in the time of COVID-19
Authors: Ismavel Vijay Anand
Published: November 2020

The former director of a Christian hospital in Assam, India descries the biblical framework they use to address the COVID-19 threat using the first 6 chapters of Nehemiah.
Historic plagues and Christian responses: lessons for the church today?
Authors: Just Bryan
Published: November 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented upheaval throughout the world, especially for Christians who have had to drastically alter their practices in light of the disease. This review will examine how Christians throughout history have dealt with times of plague through several case studies, including the Cyprian Plague and the response of Geneva’s pastors to several plagues in the mid-sixteenth century. It will consider some of the lessons we can draw from these examples and conclude with practical considerations for how the church can respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Special Issue: COVID-19 as a Challenge on Many Fronts
Authors: Grills Nathan , Larson Elliott , O'Neill Daniel
Published: November 2020

Editorial introducing the special issue on pandemic response, with these key resource links:

CCIH resources & forum: https://www.ccih.org/cpt_resources/covid-19/
CCIH survey: https://www.ccih.org/covid-19-response-survey-of-fbos/
Leadership consultations (HFAN): https://www.healthforallnations.com/
Book & mission blogs: https://www.medicalmissions.com/coronavirus
ICMDA Resource Links: https://mailchi.mp/a46dcc104406/covid01?
Joint Learning Initiative for Faith and Local Communities: https://jliflc.com/covid/
CUGH resources for educators and researchers: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/COVID-19-Newsletter-Vol--5.html?soid=1112846108446&aid=AUbGAK-oI_U

 

FBO resources from CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/organizations/index.htm
Community health fact sheet (in 25 languages):https://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/8jexCP7yBlsK0MxPpUzK3Iv?domain=r20.rs6.net
Sustainability and inclusiveness in a competitive market: A study of faith-based hospitals in India
Authors: Thekkekara John Varghese
Published: November 2020

Introduction: The Christian Healthcare Network is the largest faith-based healthcare network in India, functioning, most often, in the hard-to-reach and underdeveloped areas. It is facing serious challenges such as being forced to comply with the recent changes in government regulations, policies, and globalized market situations. Such changes in the social and financial environment are driving hospitals to adopt newer strategies to remain sustainable. Some of the mission hospitals are compromising their mission goals for which they were founded. If financial viability becomes the goal, social responsibility to the community and the true meaning of mission gets distorted. Their mission must remain the primary belief system, which legitimizes the structural arrangements and ideology of business. Mission and business must go hand-in-hand.
Methods: An embedded case study method was used to purposively study 16 selected cases of Christian faith-based hospitals (FBHs) pan India with the objective to understand the nature of services employed, the role played by FBHs in India in different contexts, their challenges in the changing business environment, and how successful they were in remaining both sustainable and inclusive at the same time.
Results: The study found that despite the variation in the services and infrastructure of mission hospitals across India, these facilities have had an on-going commitment and a long-standing operation with regard to population health. In their different settings, they are either the only service provider or the referral centre for the public facilities and the trusted choice of the middle- and lower-middle class population. The least sustainable and inclusive among them seem to have deviated from their founding objectives due to market changes, but more than a quarter of them were successful in remaining inclusive and sustainable. In pursuit of competitive advantages, some of them remained sustainable by dropping their inclusiveness, while a few ended up in existential crisis because of their adhesiveness to inclusivism. The challenges of attracting professionals, generating funds for development, and operating within the ethical boundaries set by the church are well addressed by the models which are sustainable and inclusive.
Conclusion: In the context of drastic changes in both internal and external environments, some of the FBHs lost their business, some lost their mission and a few got corporatized. But a few remain successful in terms of inclusiveness and sustainability by innovative strategies.
Health care options and factors influencing health seeking behavior in a rural community in Nigeria: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Okojie Paul West , Lane Richard
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Health care resources are disproportionately distributed between urban and rural areas in many developing countries, including Nigeria. Barriers to health care like cultural beliefs, poor education, and financial constraints make many rural dwellers seek other options of health care available to them. This paper aimed to determine the sociodemographic factors that influence health-seeking practices in a rural community setting.
Methods: A sample of 380 rural community dwellers in Southern Nigeria was recruited in a cross-sectional study. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic, healthcare access, and utilization data. Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25.0 software. A chi-square test was used to find the association between sociodemographic characteristics and their health-seeking practices.
Results: Equal proportions (43.4%, 42.9%) of the respondents fell within the younger age categories of 10–29 and 30–49 years. Self-reported factors influencing the choice of health care were: promptness of care (41.8%), cost (22.4%), professionalism (16.8%), distance (15.8%), and cultural belief (3.2%). The patent medicine store was the most utilized source of health care (42.1%), and 36.8% of respondents sought health care in the hospital. The hospital was utilized by 41.8% of respondents with secondary education, 34.9% with tertiary education, 31.7% with primary education, and 26.1% with no formal education. Females tended to seek health care from hospitals (40.2%) and patent medicine store (43.7%) compared to males (33.3% and 41.0%, respectively). There was a statistically significant association between education and health care options utilized (P<0.05).
Conclusion: This study draws attention to the suboptimal utilization of standard health care in a rural community setting mainly due to perceived influences of promptness of health care service (41.8%) and cost (22.4%). It revealed that rural dwellers mainly seek healthcare from patent medicine stores. The health authorities should, therefore, prioritize the eradication of delays at the point of care and expand financial access to health care. These would enable rural dwellers to optimize the minimum standard of health care available within their various communities.
Identification of current best practices for short-term medical mission trips and adherence to current common principles and guidelines
Authors: Andrews Susan
Published: November 2020

Background: Recent reviews of published guidelines for conducting short-term medical missions (STMM) identify significant concerns about the lack of adherence and of formal regulations concurrent with the increasing number of individuals and organizations participating in STMM.
Method: A descriptive survey methodology was used. A 44-item survey that identifies current practices utilized by healthcare providers (HCP) who have participated in STMM was used based on the literature and prior research, and distributed electronically to HCP participating in STMM to identify current best practices and compare findings with the most recent recommendations for short-term global health activities. A focus on current operational practices was surveyed and analyzed to develop operational recommendations for the ethical and safe care provided during STMM.
Results:M Eighty-seven surveys were included in the final analysis with 33% (N=29) serving as coordinators for the trip. The majority of the respondents were female (67%), and the primary roles represented were: MD (N=17; 20%), nurse practitioner (N=20; 23%), and registered nurse (N=18; 21%). A majority (N=48; 67%) traveled to South America or Latin America with 38% (N=33) having participated in four or more STMM. Language proficiency was reported as deficient (N=35; 40%) along with little or no knowledge of the basic culture (N=39; 45%). Additional data were collected on trip preparation, clinic operations, and outcomes follow up.
Conclusions: Using a convenience sample, the results of the survey provide information on the current practices utilized by HCP who have participated in STMM and compare the findings to assess for adherence with the most recent recommendations for short-term global health activities. There was variation in the degree to which HCPs were knowledgeable about specific aspects related to knowledge of local culture, language proficiency, and adherence to recommended practices for STMM. Additional research on STMM is needed, along with further exploration of how evidence-based practices for STMM can be implemented to improve access and safety to the care provided while in the host country.
Does Universal Health Insurance Act as a Driver of Increased Life Expectancy? Evidence from Selected Emerging Economies
Authors: Ampon-Wireko Sabina , LuLin Zhou , Antwi Henry Asante , Brobbey Ebenezer Wireko , Kachie Arielle Doris
Published: November 2020

Background: The world currently has experienced an unimaginable increase in life expectancy rate (LER). There are many factors that influence LER, including faith and forgiveness. However, an ongoing argument among scholars is whether health insurance is partly ascribed to the historical forces that drive the surge in LER among emerging countries. The study seeks to investigate the long-run effect of universal health insurance (UHI) on LER among 15 selected emerging countries spanning from 2000 to 2015.
Methods: Using the panel unit root, panel cointegration, panel fully modified least squares (FMOLS), and employing the Dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) as a robust check, the study analyzed connections between the study variables.
Results: The outcome of the results showed that UHI, physician ratio, healthcare expenditure, and educational factors are positive contributors to increasing life expectancy, while economic growth remained negatively significant in the selected emerging economies.
Conclusion: This study showed that improved education, increased physician ratio, increasing health expenditures, and universal insurance coverage were correlated with increased life expectancy in emerging economies. In order to promote healthy lives of its citizens, a move toward UHI coverage is suggested since it increases the life expectancy rate among emerging nations.
The local church and the first thousand days of a child’s life: A mixed methods study from South Africa
Authors: Lundie Ruth Edith , Hancox Deborah Merle
Published: November 2020

Background: Whilst there is a growing body of research indicating the life-long significance of the first thousand days (F1000D) in a person’s life, there is currently limited research regarding the church’s understanding and support of this critical period for human health and wellbeing. Exploratory research was therefore conducted by a Cape Town faith-based organization seeking preliminary answers to the question: What is the specific contribution a local church can make in support of the first thousand days (conception to 2 years) of a child’s life in Cape Town, South Africa?
Methods: A mixed-method study was conducted with 194 respondents, seeking to understand knowledge and attitudes of church leaders towards F1000D, current church responses, existing F1000D models and approaches that may be suited to the church, the role that respondents see for the church in F1000D, and barriers to mothers accessing F1000D services.
Results: The research showed that although there is limited knowledge and engagement with F1000D by church leaders, there is broad consensus that the church does have a significant role to play in this life stage. The church has many assets that can be mobilised in support of F1000D and doing so will also serve the church’s missional purpose.
Discussion: Key recommendations include the following: F1000D should be included and normalised across all church activities; programmatic responses to F1000D that use the assets of a local church should be developed; the collective voice of the church for advocacy for F1000D support and services within society should be harnessed.
Low cost training during lockdown: Homemade training for gas insufflation less laparoscopic surgeries
Authors: Gnanaraj Jesudian
Published: November 2020

Given the COVID-19 global pandemic, there are severe restrictions on travel in India and other countries. The Indian Government has issued an advisory for postponing non-essential or elective surgeries. Surgeons, especially those working in rural areas, have more time at hand to learn new skills. Unfortunately, due to the lockdown, purchasing new equipment has been difficult. We describe how Fellowship of Laparoscopic Surgery course skills for Gas Insufflation Less Laparoscopic Surgeries could be practised at home with easily available materials to make use of the time and build surgical skill capacity.
Adaptation to virtual congregational peer recovery groups during COVID-19
Authors: Paltzer Jason , Jonker Jason
Published: November 2020

Complex humanitarian disasters and emergencies like COVID-19 can disrupt needed mental health services such as substance use recovery programs. Physical distancing requirements can further exacerbate existing mental health disorders or initiate additional ones. Individuals benefiting from congregational peer recovery programs can find themselves in a state of extreme stress and be at an increased risk of relapse. Transitioning to virtual platforms can help congregational peer recovery groups maintain a connection with group participants, share spiritual and physical encouragement, and mitigate potential relapse. This case study identifies the concerns and benefits of virtual recovery groups and the potential for hybrid groups moving forward.
The English sweating sickness of 1485-1551 and the ecclesiastical response
Authors: Fagunwa Omololu Ebenezer , Fagunwa Ayokunle Oluwasanmi
Published: November 2020

During the 15th and 16th centuries, five epidemics of a disease characterized by high fever and profuse sweating ravaged England. The disease became known as English sweating sickness because it started in England, though it also struck Ireland and mainland Europe. The infectious disease was reportedly marked with pulmonary components, and the mortality rate was estimated to be between 30% and 50%. The evidence of the “sweating sickness” story is medically fascinating and historically noteworthy as to its sudden appearance in 1485 and major disappearance in 1551. This was a period when the Church of England broke away from the Roman Catholic Church; and the then Prince of Wales, Arthur Tudor, died possibly of sweating sickness. The Church played a vital role during those periods: responses were made in the form of treatment (in Germany), ecclesiastical prayers, tailored worship, and devotions during those trying times, and the preservation of fragile records relating to the epidemics.
COVID-19 Pandemic in Libya: What do we know so far?
Authors: Gasibat Qais , Gasibat Musab
Published: November 2020

The majority of Libya's municipalities have officially spiked from phase 3 to phase 4 of the pandemic, leading to a massive increase of infected and suspected cases which makes it difficult to track and control the spread of the pandemic. By not following the guidelines set by the NCDC, the number of infected cases will definitely rise due to the negligence of the public regarding social distancing which is an essential strategy for controlling any infectious disease.
The time to begin plans for COVID-19 eradication is now
Authors: John T Jacob , Dharmapalan Dhanya
Published: November 2020

After the world recovers from the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2, it is most likely to stabilise as endemic and seasonal, deserving/demanding control efforts perpetually in all countries, unless it can be eradicated. The risk of mortality is high among those above 65 years and those with chronic “lifestyle” diseases. Endemic circulation will, therefore, take a heavy toll on life annually. Eradication is an extreme form of control, eliminating the disease permanently and globally. Effective vaccines are expected in the near future. As the pandemic abates, herd immunity will be very high, enabling early eradication by additional build-up of a vaccine-induced herd immunity. Public memory of the pandemic will be fresh, which will assist in social mobilisation and fund raising towards eradication. If time is lost, the infection is likely to become non-eradicable as domestic/farmed animals may become fresh reservoirs. Resolve to eradicate and designing its road-map must be made at the earliest.
Fuzzy cognitive maps and their application in the economic sciences
Authors: Bąk Iwona , Cheba Katarzyna
Published: November 2020

The main purpose of the paper is an expert assessment of the relationship existing between selected indicators carried out using a relatively new tool in economic sciences: Fuzzy Cognitive Maps. The effect of its application is a graphical presentation of the relationship between the factors identified as the key ones. In the paper 23 indicators, describing four selected goals in the Strategy for Sustainable Development, 2030 Agenda were selected. It is assumed that the sustainable development goals should be related but according to the experts opinion this only applies to some indicators. This kind of relationships can be certainly identified in the case of the goals describing social and economic development, but often also economic and environmental development. However, the research results presented in the paper do not always confirm the existence of connections between individual indicators selected for the description of the goals of sustainable development. The paper tries to explain this problem
Improvement of e-commerce recommendation systems with deep hybrid collaborative filtering with content: A case study
Authors: Wójcik Filip , Górnik Michał
Published: November 2020

This paper presents a proposition to utilize flexible neural network architecture called Deep Hybrid Collaborative Filtering with Content (DHCF) as a product recommendation engine. Its main goal is to provide better shopping suggestions for customers on the e-commerce platform. The system was tested on 2018 Amazon Reviews Dataset, using repeated cross validation and compared with other approaches: collaborative filtering (CF) and deep collaborative filtering (DCF) in terms of mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE) and mean absolute percentage error (MAPE). DCF and DHCF were proved to be significantly better than the CF. DHCF proved to be better than DCF in terms of MAE and MAPE, it also scored the best on separate test data. The significance of the differences was checked by means of a Friedman test, followed by post-hoc comparisons to control p-value. The experiment shows that DHCF can outperform other approaches considered in the study, with more robust scores
PMN- 06 - Culture of Human PMN - TNF-α production v2
Authors: Cosentino Marco , Storelli Elisa , Luini Alessandra , LM Legnaro Massimiliano , Rasini Emanuela , Ferrari Marco , Marino Franca
Published: November 2020

Published work using this protocol: - A Novel Standardized Cannabis sativa L. Extract and Its Constituent Cannabidiol Inhibit Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Functions. Mabou Tagne A, Marino F, Legnaro M, Luini A, Pacchetti B, Cosentino M.Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Apr 13;20(8):1833. doi: 10.3390/ijms20081833
PMN- 05 Culture of Human PMN - IL-8 production v1
Authors: Cosentino Marco , Storelli Elisa , Luini Alessandra , LM Legnaro Massimiliano , Rasini Emanuela , Ferrari Marco , Marino Franca
Published: November 2020

Published work using this protocol: - Adrenergic Modulation of Migration, CD11b and CD18 Expression, ROS and interleukin-8 Production by Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes. Angela Scanzano, Laura Schembri, Emanuela Rasini, Alessandra Luini, Jessica Dallatorre, Massimiliano Legnaro, Raffaella Bombelli, Terenzio Congiu, Marco Cosentino, Franca Marino. Inflamm Res. 2015 Feb;64(2):127-35. doi: 10.1007/s00011-014-0791-8. Epub 2015 Jan 6.
PBMC- 01b Isolation of human PBMC from Whole Blood v4
Authors: Cosentino Marco , Storelli Elisa , Luini Alessandra , LM Legnaro Massimiliano , Rasini Emanuela , Ferrari Marco , Marino Franca
Published: November 2020

Separation and purification of PBMC from FRESH BLOOD: list of published work using this protocol Kustrimovic, N., Comi, C., Magistrelli, L., Rasini, E., Legnaro, M., Bombelli, R., Aleksic, I., Blandini, F., Minafra, B., Riboldazzi, G., Sturchio, A., Mauri, M., Bono, G., Marino, F., & Cosentino, M. (2018). Parkinson's disease patients have a complex phenotypic and functional Th1 bias: cross-sectional studies of CD4+ Th1/Th2/T17 and Treg in drug-naïve and drug-treated patients. Journal of neuroinflammation, 15(1), 205. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-018-1248-8 Kustrimovic, N., Rasini, E., Legnaro, M., Bombelli, R., Aleksic, I., Blandini, F., Comi, C., Mauri, M., Minafra, B., Riboldazzi, G., Sanchez-Guajardo, V., Marino, F., & Cosentino, M. (2016). Dopaminergic Receptors on CD4+ T Naive and Memory Lymphocytes Correlate with Motor Impairment in Patients with Parkinson's Disease. Scientific reports, 6, 33738. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep33738 Cosentino M., Ferrari M., Kustrimovic N., Rasini E., Marino F. (2015). Influence of dopamine receptor gene polymorphisms on circulating T lymphocytes: A pilot study in healthy subjects. Human immunology, 76, 10, 747-752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.humimm.2015.09.032
PBMC- 03 - TEFF+TREG Isolation from PBMC with “Miltenyi CD4+CD25+ Regulatory T cell Isolation Kit” v2
Authors: Cosentino Marco , Storelli Elisa , Luini Alessandra , LM Legnaro Massimiliano , Rasini Emanuela , Ferrari Marco , Marino Franca
Published: November 2020

List of published work using this procedure: Kustrimovic, N., Comi, C., Magistrelli, L., Rasini, E., Legnaro, M., Bombelli, R., Aleksic, I., Blandini, F., Minafra, B., Riboldazzi, G., Sturchio, A., Mauri, M., Bono, G., Marino, F., & Cosentino, M. (2018). Parkinson's disease patients have a complex phenotypic and functional Th1 bias: cross-sectional studies of CD4+ Th1/Th2/T17 and Treg in drug-naïve and drug-treated patients. Journal of neuroinflammation, 15(1), 205. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-018-1248-8
PBMC- 05 - In Vitro Culture of TEFF+TREG - Cytokine Production by TEFF v2
Authors: Cosentino Marco , Storelli Elisa , Luini Alessandra , LM Legnaro Massimiliano , Rasini Emanuela , Ferrari Marco , Marino Franca
Published: November 2020

List of published work using this procedure: Kustrimovic, N., Comi, C., Magistrelli, L., Rasini, E., Legnaro, M., Bombelli, R., Aleksic, I., Blandini, F., Minafra, B., Riboldazzi, G., Sturchio, A., Mauri, M., Bono, G., Marino, F., & Cosentino, M. (2018). Parkinson's disease patients have a complex phenotypic and functional Th1 bias: cross-sectional studies of CD4+ Th1/Th2/T17 and Treg in drug-naïve and drug-treated patients. Journal of neuroinflammation, 15(1), 205. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12974-018-1248-8
PMN- 01a - Isolation of Human PMN from Buffy Coat v1
Authors: Cosentino Marco , Storelli Elisa , Luini Alessandra , LM Legnaro Massimiliano , Rasini Emanuela , Ferrari Marco , Marino Franca
Published: November 2020

Separation of Human Neutrophils (PMN) from Buffy Coat: list of published papers using this protocol - Boydum A.Isolation of mononuclear cells and granulocytes from human blood. Scand.J.Clin.Lab. Invest. 21 (Suppl.97): 77-89, 1968 - Alex Mabou Tagne, Franca Marino, Massimiliano Legnaro, Alessandra Luini, Barbara Pacchetti and Marco Cosentino. A Novel Standardized Cannabis sativa L. Extract and Its Constituent Cannabidiol Inhibit Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Functions. Int J Mol Sci2019 Apr; 20(8): 1833. Published online 2019 Apr 13. doi: 10.3390/ijms20081833. - Angela Scanzano, Laura Schembri, Emanuela Rasini, Alessandra Luini, Jessica Dallatorre, Massimiliano Legnaro, Raffaella Bombelli, Terenzio Congiu, Marco Cosentino, Franca Marino. Adrenergic Modulation of Migration, CD11b and CD18 Expression, ROS and interleukin-8 Production by Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes. Inflamm Res. 2015 Feb;64(2):127-35. doi: 10.1007/s00011-014-0791-8. Epub 2015 Jan 6.
PMN- 02 - MTT Assay in Human PMN v2
Authors: Cosentino Marco , Storelli Elisa , Luini Alessandra , LM Legnaro Massimiliano , Rasini Emanuela , Ferrari Marco , Marino Franca
Published: November 2020

Published work using this protocol: - A Novel Standardized Cannabis sativa L. Extract and Its Constituent Cannabidiol Inhibit Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Functions. Mabou Tagne A, Marino F, Legnaro M, Luini A, Pacchetti B, Cosentino M.Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Apr 13;20(8):1833. doi: 10.3390/ijms20081833
Sex cord-stromal tumor with annular tubules of the ovary – a case report
Authors:   Associate Professor, Department of Pathology, S.R.T.R. Govt. Medical College, Ambajogai, Beed, Maharashtra, India, Gaikwad Dr. Sheela Lakshmanrao , Sathawane Dr. Rama Dhanlal ,   Junior Resident, Department of Pathology, S.R.T.R. Govt. Medical College, Ambajogai, Beed, Maharashtra, India, Naragude Dr. Piyusha Ulhas ,   Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, S.R.T.R. Govt. Medical College, Ambajogai, Beed, Maharashtra, India, Bagate Dr. Arvind Namdeorao ,   Head of the Department, Department of Pathology, S.R.T.R. Govt. Medical College, Ambajogai, Beed, Maharashtra, India
Published: November 2020

Sex cord-stromal tumors with annular tubules (SCTAT) of the ovary are rare. They have two clinicalpresentation forms: the syndromic form which is associated with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and thenon-syndromic form which is frequently seen in the second or third decades. We describe a 25-year-old patient who underwent exploratory laparotomy. Macroscopically large ovarian mass was24.5×24×8 cm in diameter, encapsulated, congested, and lobulated. On the cut section, it wasgreyish with small cystic and hemorrhagic areas. Microscopically, the tumor mass is composed ofmany simple and complex tubular structures that have eosinophilic PAS-positive hyaline globules inthe center and are surrounded by peripheral palisading of the cells. Finally, the tumor was diagnosedas non-syndromic ovarian SCTAT.
Fauna and ecology of Hymenoptera background species of terrestrial ecosystems in the Yenisei Siberia tundra and forest-tundra
Authors: Baranov Aleksander A. , Stambrovskaya Emilia V. , Gorodilova Svetlana N. , Bannikova Ksenia K. , Melnik Olga N.
Published: November 2020

This paper presents materials on the ecology and faunistic composition of four species of Hymenoptera: Urocerus gigas L., 1758; Vespula vulgaris L., 1758; Bombus polaris Curtis, 1835; Bombus hyperboreus Schonherr, 1809. Their number was calculated for 20172019, data on population density, seasonal activity and forage plants of Hymenoptera adults in the tundra and forest-tundra of Yenisei Siberia are presented. As a result of calculating in both natural conditions, numerous species are true wasps and bumblebees and the large horntail is a rare species and was recorded only in the forest-tundra. When studying the food base of the studied species, it was noted that Vespula vulgaris was most often found on the forest bellap Anthriscus sylvestris L., in thickets of willow shrubs, Salix polaris Wahlenb. Adult insects Urocerus gigas were found mainly on Siberian larch Larix sibirica L. and alder forest Alnus fruticosa Rupr. Individuals of Bombus polaris and Bombus hyperboreus were recorded on horned dandelion Taraxacum ceratophorum L., narrow-leaved fireweed Chamerion angustifolium L., common tansy Tanacetum vulgare L.
The state of Recurvirostra avosetta Linnaeus, 1758 and Larus ichthyaetus Pallas, 1773 (Aves, Charadriiformes) populations of the Tryochozyorki tract (South Minusinsk basin) in 2020
Authors: Zlotnikova Tamara V. , Geld Tatyana A. , Dzingel Nadezhda K.
Published: November 2020

This paper presents the results of observations on the state of two bird species populations listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation Recurvirostra avosetta L., Larus ichthyaetus Pall. The populations of these species in the State Natural Reserve Tryochozyorki Tract have been studied by the authors for 8 years. The wetland is a key ornithological area of international importance. The paper presents information obtained in 2020, which has been compared with the information received in 20132018 which was published. For R. avosetta L. the maximum number of breeding pairs (127) and the maximum value of the average clutch size (3,6) were noted for the entire observation period. The reproduction of R. avosetta L. started earlier than in previous years. For L. ichthyaetus L. a relatively high number (no less than 280300 pairs) and also the maximum value of the clutch size (3,0) were noted, the breeding time of the species turned out to be typical for this territory. The analysis showed a favorable state of the populations of these species. The previously stated assumption about the relationship of the studied indicators of the nesting biology of these species with the level of water content of the territory was further confirmed.