bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What is an emancipatory peace?
Authors: Richmond Oliver P
Published: October 2021

There has been frequent reference to the concept of an emancipatory peace in the critical academic literature on peace and conflict studies in IR, much of it rather naive. It has developed an ecosystem of its own within debates on peace without drawing on wider disciplinary debates. Terms such as ‘emancipation’ and its relative, ‘social justice’ are widely used in critical theoretical literature and were common parlance in previous ideological eras. It was clear what such terms meant in the context of feudalism, slavery, imperialism, discrimination, a class system, nuclear weapons and racism over the previous two centuries. Now it is less clear in the context of changing peace praxis.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the future of public health
Authors: Tang Jinling
Published: October 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic provides us with a rare opportunity to deeply examine the validity of the construction of modern medicine, which is armed by science, and focus more on technologies than on people’s values and more on new ideas than on conventional wisdom. The world’s responses to the COVID-19 emergency have revealed a badly weakened public health system – one of the three pillars of medicine, the other two being basic medicine and clinical medicine. A 100 years ago, public health was the only effective measure for combating infectious diseases, which were then the main cause of human death. It is still a decisive weapon against COVID-19 and other communicable diseases alike, but was barely recognized and trusted at the beginning of the pandemic by the general public and even some international strategists. However, the epidemic has been effectively contained in China by non-pharmacological public health measures, which saved valuable time for the development of vaccines in the country and probably hundreds of thousands of lives as well. Public health aims to improve the health of the entire population by using societal methods. It is not simply a medical issue, and building a strong public health system requires broad participation from various sections of society.
Impact of Innovation Capabilities on Business Sustainability in Small and Medium Enterprises
Authors: Hanaysha Jalal Rajeh , Al-Shaikh Mohammed Emad , Joghee Shanmugan , Alzoubi Haitham M.
Published: October 2021

The rationale of this study was to investigate the effect of innovation types on business sustainability in the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Quantitative approach was used for collecting the data and fulfilling the stated objective. Specifically, the data was collected from 171 employees in SMEs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The analysis for the collected data was conducted using the partial least square approach (PLS-SEM). The findings showed that product innovation as well as service innovation have significant positive impacts on business sustainability. The results further confirmed that process innovation is vital for achieving business sustainability. Finally, the outcomes verified that marketing innovation has a significant impact on business sustainability. The results confirmed the significance of innovation capabilities in helping entrepreneurs in SMEs to sustain their businesses and improve their competitive strengths.
Remote Assessment of Pediatric Patients with Daytime Sleepiness and Healthy Controls: A Pilot Study of Feasibility and Reliability
Authors: Worhach Jennifer , Boduch Madeline , Zhang Bo , Maski Kiran
Published: October 2021

We assessed the reliability of cognitive testing for children and adolescents ages 8 to 19 years of age with narcolepsy or subjective daytime sleepiness compared to healthy controls. Forty-six participants took part in the study ( n = 18 narcolepsy type 1, n = 6 subjective daytime sleepiness, and n = 22 healthy controls). Participants completed verbal (vocabulary testing) and non-verbal intelligence quotient (IQ) tasks (block design, matrix reasoning) from the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence- Second Edition (WASI-II) in-person or remotely through a HIPAA compliant telehealth platform with conditions counterbalanced. We found that vocabulary T-scores showed good reliability with intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.76 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.85) between remote and in-person testing conditions. Matrix Reasoning T-scores showed moderate reliability (ICC 0.69, 95% CI: 0.68, 0.90) and Block Design T-scores was poor between testing conditions. Overall, the results of this pilot study support the feasibility and reliability of verbal and non-verbal IQ scores collected by telehealth.
Two types of anaesthesia and length of hospital stay in patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA): a secondary analysis based on a single-centre retrospective cohort study in Singapore
Authors: JI Xuan , KE Weiqi
Published: October 2021

Background

Evidence regarding the relationship between the type of anaesthesia and length of hospital stay is controversial. Therefore, the objective of this research was to investigate whether the type of anaesthesia was independently related to the length of hospital stay in patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) after adjusting for other covariates.

Methods

The present study was a cohort study. A total of 2622 participants underwent total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at a hospital in Singapore from 2013 to 1-1 to 2014-6-30. The target independent variable and the dependent variable were two types of anaesthesia and length of hospital stay, respectively. The covariates included age, BMI, hemoglobin (Hb), length of stay (LOS), duration of surgery, sex, ethnicity, American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) Status, smoking, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), diabetes mellitus (DM), DM on insulin, ischemic heart disease (IHD), congestive cardiac failure (CCF), cerebrovascular accident (CVA), creatinine > 2 mg/dl, day of week of operation. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were performed on the variables that might influence the choice of the two types of anaesthesia and the LOS. This association was then tested by subgroup analysis using hierarchical variables.

Results

The average age of 2366 selected participants was 66.57 ± 8.23 years old, and approximately 24.18% of them were male. The average LOS of all enrolled patients was 5.37 ± 4.87 days, 5.92 ± 6.20 days for patients receiving general anaesthesia (GA) and 5.09 ± 3.98 days for patients receiving regional anaesthesia (RA), P < 0.05. The results of fully adjusted linear regression showed that GA lasted 0.93 days longer than RA (β = 0.93, 95% CI (0.54, 1.32)), P < 0.05. The results of fully adjusted logistic regression showed that LOS > 6 days was 45% higher for GA than for RA (OR = 1.45, 95% CI (1.15, 1.84)), P < 0.05. Through the subgroup analysis, the results were basically stable and reliable.

Conclusion

Our study showed that GA increased the length of stay during unilateral TKA compared with RA. This finding needs to be validated in future studies.
Incidence and underreporting of osseous wrist and hand injuries on whole-body computed tomographies at a level 1 trauma center
Authors: Schmehl L. , Hönning A. , Asmus A. , Kim S. , Mutze S. , Eisenschenk A. , Goelz L.
Published: October 2021

Background

To investigate the incidence of osseous wrist and hand injuries on whole-body computed tomographies (WBCT) at an urban maximum-care trauma center, to report the number of missed cases in primary radiology reports, and to develop an algorithm for improved detection of these injuries.

Methods

Retrospective analysis reviewing all WBCT for a period of 8 months for osseous wrist and hand injuries. (1) Reconstruction of hands/wrists in three planes (thickness 1–2 mm) and analysis by a blinded musculoskeletal radiologist. (2) Scanning of primary radiology reports and comparison to the re-evaluation. (3) Calculation of the diagnostic accuracy of WBCT during primary reporting. (4) Search for factors potentially influencing the incidence (trauma mechanism, associated injuries, Glasgow Coma Scale, artifacts). (5) Development of an algorithm to improve the detection rate.

Results

Five hundred six WBCT were included between 01/2020 and 08/2020. 59 (11.7%) WBCT showed 92 osseous wrist or hand injuries. Distal intra-articular radius fractures occurred most frequently (n = 24, 26.1%); 22 patients (37.3%) showed multiple injuries. The sensitivity of WBCT in the detection of wrist and hand fractures during primary evaluation was low with 4 positive cases identified correctly (6.8%; 95% CI 1.9 to 16.5), while the specificity was 100% (95% CI 99.2 to 100.0). Forty-three cases (72.9%) were detected on additional imaging after clinical reassessment. Twelve injuries remained undetected (20.3%). Motorcycle accidents were more common in positive cases (22.0% vs. 10.1%, p = 0.006). 98% of positive cases showed additional fractures of the upper and/or lower extremities, whereas 37% of the patients without osseous wrist and hand injuries suffered such fractures (p < 0.001). The remaining investigated factors did not seem to influence the occurrence.

Conclusion

Osseous wrist and hand injuries are present in 11.7% on WBCT after polytrauma. 93.2% of injuries were missed primarily, resulting in a very low sensitivity of WBCT during primary reporting. Motorcycle accidents might predispose for these injuries, and they often cause additional fractures of the extremities. Clinical re-evaluation of patients and secondary re-evaluation of WBCT with preparation of dedicated multiplanar reformations are essential in polytrauma cases to detect osseous injuries of wrist and hand reliably.

Trial registration

The study was registered prospectively on November 17th, 2020, at the German register for clinical trials (DRKS-ID: DRKS00023589).
Palatal vault morphometric analysis of the effects of two early orthodontic treatments in anterior open bite growing subjects: a controlled clinical study
Authors: Paoloni Valeria , Fusaroli Dimitri , Marino Ludovica , Mucedero Manuela , Cozza Paola
Published: October 2021

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the palatal morphological changes in Anterior Open Bite (AOB) pre-pubertal subjects treated with Rapid Maxillary Expansion and Bite-Block (RME/BB) or Quad Helix with crib (QH/C) when compared with a Control Group (CG) by using Geometric Morphometric Analysis (GMM).

Methods

AOB group (AOBG) included 30 subjects (20 females, 10 males, mean age 8.1 ± 0.8ys) with dentoskeletal AOB. AOBG was divided in two subgroups according to the treatment strategy: RME/BB group (RME/BBg) included 15 subjects (10 females, 5 males, QH/C group (QH/Cg) comprised 15 subjects (10 females, 5 males). The two subgroups were compared with a CG of 15 subjects (10 females, 5 males) matched for sex, age, vertical pattern, and observation period. Digital upper dental casts were collected before treatment (T1) and at the end of the active treatment (T2). Landmarks and semilandmarks were digitized on dental casts and GMM was applied. Procrustes analysis and principal component analysis (PCA) were performed.

Results

At T2, RME/BBg when compared with QH/Cg evidenced no statistically significant differences. Instead, RME/BBg showed an increased maxillary transverse dimension and a decreased palatal depth when compared with CG. The comparison QH/Cg vs. CG demonstrated a slight transversal maxillary expansion.

Conclusions

RME/BBg showed significant changes in the transversal and vertical dimensions with a clear maxillary expansion and a decrease of the palatal depth when compared with QH/Cg and CG. QH/Cg showed a significant slight maxillary expansion and no variation in vertical and sagittal planes when compared with CG.
Measuring hospital spatial accessibility using the enhanced two-step floating catchment area method to assess the impact of spatial accessibility to hospital and non-hospital care on the length of hospital stay
Authors: Gao Fei , Jaffrelot Matthieu , Deguen Séverine
Published: October 2021

Background

Optimal healthcare access improves the health status and decreases health inequalities. Many studies demonstrated the importance of spatial access to healthcare facilities in health outcomes, particularly using the enhanced two-step floating catchment area (E2SFCA) method. The study objectives were to build a hospital facility access indicator at a fine geographic scale, and then to assess the impact of spatial accessibility to inpatient hospital and non-hospital care services on the length of hospital stay (LOS).

Methods

Data concerning older adults (≥75 years) living in the Nord administrative region of France were used. Hospital spatial accessibility was computed with the E2SFCA method, and the LOS score was calculated from the French national hospital activity and patient discharge database. The relationship between LOS and spatial accessibility to inpatient hospital care and to three non-hospital care types (general practitioners, physiotherapists, and home-visiting nurses) was analyzed with linear regression models.

Results

The mean number (standard deviation) of beds per 10,000 inhabitants was 19.0 (10.69) in Medical, Surgical and Obstetrics (MCO) facilities and 5.58 (2.19) in Postoperative and Rehabilitation Care (SSR) facilities, highlighting important variations within the region. Accessibility to hospital services was higher in large urban areas, despite the dense population and higher demand. In 2014, the mean LOS scores were 0.26 for MCO and 0.85 for SSR, but their geographical repartition was non-homogeneous. The linear regression analysis revealed a strong negative and significant association between LOS and non-hospital care accessibility.

Conclusions

This is the first study to measure spatial accessibility to inpatient hospital care in France using the E2SFCA method, and to investigate the relationship between healthcare utilization (LOS score) and spatial accessibility to inpatient hospital care facilities and three types of non-hospital care services. Our findings might help to make decisions about deploying additional beds and to identify the best locations for non-hospital care services. They might also contribute to improve access, and to ensure the best coordination and sustainability of inpatient and outpatient services, in order to better cover the population’s healthcare needs. International studies using multiple consensual indicators of healthcare outcomes and accessibility and sophisticated modeling methods are needed.
Congenital hemophilia A with low activity of factor XII: a case report and literature review
Authors: Lei Baoyu , Liang Chuang , Feng Haiyan
Published: October 2021

Background

Congenital hemophilia A is a recessive inherited hemorrhagic disorder. According to the activity of functional coagulation factors, the severity of hemophilia A is divided into three levels: mild, moderate and severe. The first bleeding episode in severe and moderate congenital hemophilia A occurs mostly in early childhood and mainly involves soft tissue and joint bleeds. At present, there are limited reports on severe congenital hemophilia A with low factor XII (FXII) activity during the neonatal period.

Case presentation

A 13-day-old neonate was admitted to the hospital with hematoma near the joints of both upper arms. Coagulation tests showed he had low activity of factor VIII (FVIII) and FXII. He was diagnosed with congenital hemophilia A and treated with human coagulation factor VIII (recombinant FVIII). Although the hematoma became smaller, FVIII activity was only increased to a certain extent and FXII activity decreased gradually. Unfortunately, the child responded poorly to recombinant human coagulation factor VIII and his guardian rejected prophylactic inhibitors and genetic testing and refused further treatment. Three months later, the child developed intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) due to low FVIII activity.

Conclusions

In hemophilia A, the presence of FVIII inhibitors, drug concentration and testing are three important aspects that must be considered when FVIII activity does not reach the desired level. Early positive disease treatment and prophylaxis can decrease the frequency of bleeding and improve quality of life. We recommend that pregnant women with a family history of hemophilia A undergo early prenatal and neonatal genetic testing.
Distance learning, technological devices, lifestyle and behavior of children and their family during the COVID-19 lockdown in Lombardy: a survey
Authors: Picca Marina , Manzoni Paola , Milani Gregorio Paolo , Mantovani Susanna , Cravidi Claudio , Mariani Danila , Mezzopane Angela , Marinello Roberto , Bove Chiara , Ferri Paolo , Macchi Marina , Agostoni Carlo
Published: October 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent national lockdowns, school closures and distance learning may have had both negative and positive effects on physical and mental health of children.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a large group of children between 1 and 10 years old in Lombardy, Italy (n = 3392). Their parents filled in a survey answering single or multiple-choice questions about their offspring’s behavior changes (including sleep, dietary habits, emotional disturbances), relationship with siblings, parents and peers, the use of digital technologies, and distance learning experience during the lockdown.

Results

Parents reported lifestyles and emotional alterations during the lockdown. The modifications of family relationships, parents’ remote working, and screen time were associated with sleep, emotional and behavioral modifications. Distance learning was overall considered adequate.

Conclusions

This study reported the most updated data on the effects of COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on children between 1 and 10 years of age in a large sample of Italian schoolchildren. The results of this study point out that pediatricians and authorities should support relationships within families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents’ remote working might play an important role for this purpose.
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health calls for police service
Authors: Koziarski Jacek
Published: October 2021

Drawing upon seven years of police calls for service data (2014–2020), this study examined the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on calls involving persons with perceived mental illness (PwPMI) using a Bayesian Structural Time Series. The findings revealed that PwPMI calls did not increase immediately after the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020. Instead, a sustained increase in PwPMI calls was identified in August 2020 that later became statistically significant in October 2020. Ultimately, the analysis revealed a 22% increase in PwPMI calls during the COVID-19 pandemic than would have been expected had the pandemic not taken place. The delayed effect of the pandemic on such calls points to a need for policymakers to prioritize widely accessible mental health care that can be deployed early during public health emergencies thus potentially mitigating or eliminating the need for increased police intervention, as was the case here.
Alternative Soundscape Paradigms from Kamau Brathwaite and the Mighty Sparrow
Authors: Harris Mark
Published: October 2021

This essay asks how the soundscapes represented in Caribbean literature and music provide alternative paradigms for conceptualizing noise and silence. As American and European sound studies have drawn from the writings of John Cage, Murray Schafer, and Jacques Attali to articulate alternative practices of listening and soundmaking, they have marginalized black experience. Caribbean noise, formed out of resistance to slavery and colonialism, has been excluded from informing those alternative practices. The depths of sonic experience revealed by soundscapes of Kamau Brathwaite’s poetry and the Mighty Sparrow’s calypsos concern the impact of centuries of Atlantic slavery on black hearing and speaking. They expose the racial and economic determinants of sound studies’ advocacy of indifferent listening and pure sound environments. In contrast, Caribbean histories of resourceful hearing and soundmaking bring distinctive sonic cultures to challenge established listening practices and provide ways of questioning canonical definitions of noise and silence.
Magnesium and Vitamin D Supplementation on Exercise Performance
Authors: Hunt Giavanna , Sukumar Deeptha , Volpe Stella L.
Published: October 2021

Magnesium and vitamin D are two micronutrients that contribute directly to the metabolism of macronutrients, maintenance of muscle function, and various metabolic processes (i.e., protein synthesis and bone metabolism). Dietary recommendations are established based on age and gender differences; however, energy expenditure is not accounted for in determining these values. It is believed that athletes may require greater nutrient quantities than less active populations because of their increased energy expenditure. Nutrient intake values have yet to be determined for athletes, leading to inadequate energy intake, deficiencies, and insufficiencies; thus, supplementation may be an effective way of achieving nutrient adequacy in athletes. The purpose of this narrative review was to present research pertaining to magnesium supplementation and vitamin D supplementation on exercise performance. A systematic keyword search for articles from PubMed was conducted from June to August 2020. The search terms included various words related to the topic. Inclusion criteria required articles to be available in English; to be a clinical trial, randomized controlled trial, or longitudinal study; and to involve magnesium supplementation, vitamin D supplementation, or supplementation of both micronutrients. In addition, the research conducted on magnesium or vitamin D were required to focus on athletes or those who exercised regularly. However, because of the paucity of published data regarding the combined effects of magnesium and vitamin D supplementation on exercise performance, those studies that could provide some information in nonathletic populations were included. The search did not limit the years in which studies were published because of the scarcity of articles related to the topic. After reviewing the articles for originality and applicability, 13 studies were included in our narrative review. Some researchers have reported that magnesium supplementation may provide ergogenic benefits via contributions to muscle function and recovery. In addition, some researchers have reported that vitamin D supplementation may positively affect physical endurance and muscle recovery in athletes. However, more research is required to provide more definitive conclusions. The interactions between magnesium and vitamin D during metabolism may potentiate the functions of each micronutrient, making the combined effects of magnesium and vitamin D greater than the effects of either one alone. However, research is required to elucidate their combined effects on exercise performance.
Review of the current and post-Brexit UK legal framework on the regulation of genetic technologies
Authors: Firmansyah Adiba
Published: October 2021

The launch of a nationwide consultation in January 2021 by the UK Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) on the regulation of genetic technologies has been used as an opportunity by the UK Government to gauge public and scientific opinion on the applications of gene editing in agriculture and aquaculture. In particular, the consultation sought to consider the controversial question of whether gene editing (GE) should be subject to the same regulations as genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The distinction between GE and GMO products, as well as between the legal regulations governing them, are highly important: currently, the UK still follows the EU’s restrictive approach, whereby gene editing is regulated in the same way as GMOs. However, in light of the UK’s departure from the EU, the UK government seems willing to reconsider this approach and adopt a new regulatory framework characterised by less stringent controls. Accordingly, this review paper examines the current legal framework on gene editing and GMOs in the UK and EU, as well as in other relevant jurisdictions, before then examining the Defra consultation in light of the mixed responses to it from both the scientific community and the general public. The paper concludes with a number of considerations that should inform any proposed post-Brexit reform of the framework that allows for the correct balance to be struck between scientific development, food security, human health, and the environment.
Η οπτική της κοινωνικής ανασυγκρότησης για το αναλυτικό πρόγραμμα και ο κριτικός γραμματισμός
Authors: Σαββίδου Ιωάννα
Published: October 2021

Ο προβληματισμός σε σχέση με τον τρόπο που η εκπαίδευση μπορεί να ανταπεξέλθει στον πολυδιάστατο κοινωνικό της ρόλο, αναπτύσσοντας κριτικά σκεπτόμενους ανθρώπους, έτοιμους να αντιλαμβάνονται και να διαχειρίζονται τα προβλήματα της σύγχρονης κοινωνίας και να συμμετέχουν συνειδητά και κριτικά στους κοινωνικούς θεσμούς, οδήγησε στην εκπόνηση της συγκεκριμένης διδακτορικής διατριβής με τίτλο: «Η Οπτική της Κοινωνικής Ανασυγκρότησης για το Αναλυτικό Πρόγραμμα και ο Κριτικός Γραμματισμός-Μια Διδακτική Πρόταση». Στην εργασία παρουσιάζεται μια Κριτική Έρευνα Δράσης που βασίζεται στην εφαρμογή και παρατήρηση διδακτικής πρότασης που βασίζεται στις αρχές της Κοινωνικής Ανασυγκρότησης για το αναλυτικό πρόγραμμα και εμπλουτίστηκε με πρακτικές κριτικού γραμματισμού με σκοπό την ανάπτυξη του κριτικού προβληματισμού των μαθητών/τριών του Δημοτικού Σχολείου που οδηγεί στην κριτική συνειδητοποίηση. Η έρευνα διεξήχθη σε μια τάξη Στ’ Δημοτικού σε ένα από τα δημόσια σχολεία της περιοχής Χρυσούπολης-Καβάλας. Στην έρευνα συμμετείχαν 20 μαθητές/τριες, οι οποίοι/ες ενεπλάκησαν σε μια σειρά από δραστηριότητες κριτικού γραμματισμού στο πλαίσιο ενός ενοποιημένου μαθήματος κοινωνικών επιστημών διάρκειας 110 διδακτικών ωρών. Οι αναφορές που συγκεντρώθηκαν χωρίστηκαν σε ενότητες νοημάτων με τη συνδρομή της Ερμηνευτικής Φαινομενολογικής Ανάλυσης. Κατόπιν, ο Λόγος των μαθητών/τριών παρουσιάστηκε και αναλύθηκε κριτικά με τη συνδρομή εργαλείων που προσφέρει η Κριτική Ανάλυση του Γραμματισμού της Σχολικής Τάξης. Αναδείχθηκαν με αυτόν τον τρόπο μια σειρά από παιδαγωγικές πρακτικές που μπορούν να λειτουργήσουν απελευθερωτικά τόσο για τους/τις μαθητές/τριες όσο και για τους/τις εκπαιδευτικούς. Τα αποτελέσματα της έρευνας, όπως παρουσιάστηκαν και αναλύθηκαν μετά την εφαρμογή της διδακτικής παρέμβασης, κρίνονται καταρχήν ως θετικά τόσο σε σχέση με την ανάπτυξη της κριτικής σκέψης των μαθητών/τριών όσο και αναφορικά με τον προσωπικό μετασχηματισμό των μαθητών/τριών, αλλά και την επιθυμία τους να αναλάβουν σχετικές δράσεις για τη βελτίωση της τοπικής κοινωνίας (κριτική συνειδητοποίηση).
Η άσκηση και τα όρια της αστυνομικής δράσης κατά την τήρηση της δημόσιας τάξης και ασφάλειας
Authors: Διαμαντής Ευάγγελος
Published: October 2021

Η διδακτορική διατριβή περιγράφει το επίκαιρο θέμα των ορίων της αστυνομικής δράσης κατά την τήρηση της δημόσιας τάξης και ασφάλειας σε σχέση με τα θεμελιώδη δικαιώματα του Πολίτη, στα πλαίσια του Συνταγματικού και του Διοικητικού Δικαίου. Επίσης, γίνεται αξιοποίηση του Συγκριτικού δικαίου και περιγράφονται τα ισχύοντα στη Γαλλική, τη Γερμανική, τη Βρετανική, αλλά και την Ευρωπαϊκή έννομη τάξη. Ακολούθως, αναλύονται οι έννοιες της δημόσιας τάξης και ασφάλειας στο χθες και το σήμερα, παράλληλα με την αξιoποίηση των σύγχρονων τεχνολογιών (drones κάμερες, GPS) από την αστυνομία. Επίσης, το πόνημα περιέχει πολλές νέες νομοθετικές προτάσεις, καθώς στο Επίμετρο υπάρχει ένα Σχέδιο Κώδικα Αστυνομικής Διαδικασίας, ενώ τονίζεται η ανάγκη δημιουργίας δικαστικής αστυνομίας στη Χώρα. Επιπλέον αξιολογείται το νέο νομοθετικό πλαίσιο (2020) για τις συναθροίσεις, την επιτήρηση με κάμερες και την προστασία των προσωπικών δεδομένων κατά την αστυνομική δράση. Τέλος, ταξινομούνται όλες οι διοικητικές και ανακριτικές πράξεις (παραλείψεις) της Αστυνομίας που αφορούν τον Πολίτη.
Research nurse and nurse researcher: differences and similarities
Authors: Theofanidis Dimitrios
Published: October 2021

No abstract available
Advantages and disadvantages of patients’ hospitalization in Intensive Care Units
Authors: Kafantaris Spyridon , Kadda Olga
Published: October 2021

Background: An Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a special hospital department with many advantages and disadvantages for the patient.Aim: The aim of the present systematic review was to explore the advantages and disadvantages of hospitalized ICU patients.Material and Method: A literature review in international databases (Pubmed, Cinahl, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library) was conducted. A time limited criteria was applied with respect to the publication of articles (articles published in the last 15 years). Ten articles were found that met the criteria for participation in the present review.Results: Results thematic analysis revealed the following advantages and disadvantages of ICU hospitalization: Advantages related to patients care in ICU and advantages related to team work. Disadvantages related to the ICU environment (noise, lighting) that complicate the patient's hospitalization status and cause the patient's sleep disturbances and / or delirium. Additionally, it was found that financial cost of hospitalization is a very significant disadvantage for both patient and health care providers.Conclusions: Preparation and successful implementation of significant strategies will convert disadvantages of ICU hospitalization into advantages in daily clinical practice through increased use of protocols, the maintenance of a checklist, evidenced based practice, data recording, development of interdisciplinary groups and finally the extensive application of technology for patient’ s benefit.
Early mobilization is associated with decreased mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay following cardiac surgery
Authors: Raidou Vasiliki , Dimopoulos Stavros , Chatzivasiloglou Foteini , Kourek Christos , Tsagari Vasiliki , Pitsolis Theodoros , Papadopoulos Kirilos , Kriaras Ioannis , Tasouli Androniki , Nanas Serafeim , Karabinis Andreas
Published: October 2021

Background: Early mobilization of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients improves muscle strength and functional capacity. It has been demonstrated that prevents Intensive Care Unit Acquired Weakness (ICUAW) and accelerates ICU discharge. However, data on mobilization early after cardiac surgery are inadequate. This study aimed to record early mobilization and investigates the association with ICU findings in cardiac surgery patients.Material and Methods: In this observational study, 165 patients after cardiac surgery were enrolled. Of these, 159 were assessed for early mobilization and mobilization status during ICU stay. Mobilization practices were recorded from 1st post ICU admission and every 48 h until 7th day. The duration of mechanical ventilation (MV) support, ICU length of stay and clinical outcome were recorded from medical records registration. Results: Early mobilization consisted of active and passive limb mobilization, sitting in bed and transferring from bed to chair. The proportion of patients mobilized, was 18% (n = 29/159) on day 1, 53% (n = 46/87) on day 3, 54% (n = 22/41) on day 5 and 62% (n = 15/24) on day 7. ICU length of stay was reduced for mobilized patients (n = 29) on day 1 compared to non-mobilized ones (24 ± 10 vs 47 ± 73 h respectively, P = 0.001). The duration of MV was shorter in mobilized patients on day 3 (n =46) compared to bedridden, (18 ± 9 vs 23 ± 30 h respectively, P = 0.01).Conclusions: Early mobilization after cardiac surgery was found to be low with a significant trend to increase over ICU stay. It is also associated with a reduced duration of MV and ICU length of stay.
Τhe effect of the religious attitudes on the death attitudes and death anxiety in elderly intensive care patients: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Menekli Tuğba , Doğan Runida
Published: October 2021

Background: Negative death attitudes and death fear were reported at a high level among intensive care patients. Research indicates that nurses should know the factors affecting the death attitudes and death anxiety in intensive care patients to reduce these high levels of anxiety and negative attitudes. Religions have a strong relationship with death.Aim: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the effect of religious attitudes on death attitudes and death anxiety in elderly intensive care patients.Methods: The data of the study were collected between January 2019 and January 2020 in the intensive care unit of a university hospital in a province located in the east of Turkey. A total of 185 elderly patients participated in the study. Patient Identification Form, Ok-Religious Attitude Scale (ORAS), the Death Anxiety Scale (DAS), and Death Attitudes Profile-Revised (DAP) were used for data collection. IBM SPSS version 25.0 was used for data analysis.Results: Most of the patients (88.6%) were at high level of self-reported religious attitudes. The mean DAS score of the patients was 9.02 ± 1.64, DAP was 120.40 ± 23.70, and ORAS was 31.25 ± 2.90. According to regression analysis, the increase in ORAS scores decreased the DAS score and increased the DAP score (p <0.05).Conclusion: There was a negative relationship between religious attitudes and death anxiety and a positive relationship between religious attitudes and attitudes towards death in elderly patients in intensive care units. Nurses should evaluate the patients’ religious attitudes while they plan interventions to reduce patients’ death anxiety or to develop positive attitudes toward death in these patients.
Disease burden and adverse pregnancy outcomes due to cardiovascular conditions complicating pregnancy in Sri Lanka: a protocol
Authors: Hettiarachchi Ayesh , Lokunarangoda Niroshan , Agampodi Thilini , Agampodi Suneth
Published: October 2021

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the commonest indirect medical cause of maternal deaths worldwide, both in high-income and low and middle-income countries. To minimize the effects of CVD in pregnancy, proper risk assessment and appropriate referral is required. In Sri Lanka, cardiovascular disease complicating pregnancy is a significant cause of maternal mortality, second only to postpartum hemorrhage. Screening for CVD in pregnancy in Sri Lanka is limited to a routine clinical assessment. Evidence-based guidelines are yet to be developed, and this deficit may have resulted in a substantial underestimation of the CVD burden. This study aims to determine the burden of CVD in early pregnancy and develop a risk prediction model to be used in field pregnancy clinics in Sri Lanka to reduce CVD effects in pregnancy.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was carried out in the Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka. Following registration to the antenatal care, pregnant women fulfilling the eligibility criteria were invited to attend a special clinic at their relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) area. Risk assessment was done through history and a clinical examination, and suspected/probable cases were referred for an echocardiogram by a consultant cardiologist. All the recruited participants in the first trimester were prospectively followed up and screened again between 24–28 weeks of the period of amenorrhoea (POA). Antenatal ward admissions with CVD complicating pregnancy will be extracted, and a telephone interview will be carried out between 6–12 weeks after the expected delivery date to cover postpartum morbidities. 

Discussion

This proposed study will be the largest of its kind carried out in the local setting. The study's findings will be beneficial for policymakers to develop guidelines to reduce maternal cardiovascular disease morbidities and mortalities in Sri Lanka.
Essential oil of Cymbopogon martini, source of geraniol, as a potential antibacterial agent against Bacillus subtilis, a pathogen of the bakery industry
Authors: Santamarta Sara , Aldavero A. Cristina , Rojo M Angeles
Published: October 2021

Background: Bacteria can adhere and grow on any surface due to their chemical and physical interaction, leading to the development of biofilms. Essential oils have a great potential for use in the food industry, as they can effectively prevent the presence of some pathogenic microorganisms. 

Species such as those in the Bacillus genus have the ability to produce toxins. Some strains of Bacillus subtilis have been related to cases of food‐borne diseases. In the bakery industry, B. subtilis also has been related to “rope” disease, linked to bread preservation processes.

Methods: The aim of the study was to analyse the antibacterial properties of 24 chemotyped essential oils against the growth of B. subtilis. The biological activity study was carried out using disk diffusion in agar and broth dilution methods.

Results: The essential oil of Cymbopogon martinii var. motia had a high geraniol content (>80.53%) and showed a high antimicrobial effect against the Gram-positive bacterium B. subtilis. Binary combinations of Cymbopogon martinii var. motia oil with Eugenia caryophyllus showed antagonistic effects on B. subtilis.

Conclusions:  The essential oil of Cymbopogon martinii var. motia has an interesting potential use in the bakery industry as a preservative, in applications such as nano encapsulation for bakery doughs, active packaging of baked products, or surface disinfectants.
Sąd nad Manfredim Graviną, Wysokim Komisarzem Ligi Narodów w Wolnym Mieście Gdańsku w latach 1929–1932
Authors: Sierpowski Stanisław
Published: October 2021

Autor artykułu podejmuje próbę racjonalizacji funkcjonowania wysokich komisarzy Ligi Narodów w Wolnym Mieście Gdańsku. Koncentruje się na osobie włoskiego Wysokiego Komisarza Manfrediego Graviny, działającego na terenie Wolnego Miasta w latach 1929–1932. Stara się zdjąć z niego etykietę polityka antypolskiego.
Geopolityczny imperatyw współpracy polsko-ukraińskiej w myśli politycznej ruchu prometejskiego na przykładzie publicystyki Włodzimierza Bączkowskiego
Authors: Maj Ireneusz Piotr , Maj Joanna
Published: October 2021

Głównym celem poznawczym opracowania jest dokonanie analizy problemowej myśli politycznej Włodzimierza Bączkowskiego. Na poziomie konkretnym – w odniesieniu do tematyki publikacji – autorzy skupili się na propagowanej przez redaktora „Biuletynu Polsko-Ukraińskiego” koncepcji regionalnego systemu bezpieczeństwa oraz geopolitycznych uwarunkowaniach współpracy polsko-ukraińskiej wyodrębnionych z programu politycznego ruchu prometejskiego.
Spory wokół kształtu niemieckiej radiofonii w okupowanej Polsce
Authors: Fikus Sebastian
Published: October 2021

Polityka radiofoniczna III Rzeszy wobec Polski w czasach okupacji stanowi część strategii dyskryminacji i kulturalnej eksterminacji. Ale była też pełna nieoczekiwanych zwrotów wynikających z nieustających sporów wokół jej pryncypiów. Zdumiewa konsekwentna postawa Hansa Franka, który domagał się dla Generalnej Guberni nie tylko odrębnej niemieckojęzycznej radiofonii, ale również szerokiego spektrum audycji w języku polskim. Nie udało mu się do tego przekonać władz w Berlinie.
Gra wojenna „Marzec 83”, czyli kryzys w Ludowym Wojsku Polskim w latach osiemdziesiątych
Authors: Pałka Jarosław
Published: October 2021

Artykuł opisuje grę wojenną „Marzec 83”, przeprowadzoną wiosną 1983 r. przez Ludowe Wojsko Polskie. Gra dotyczyła tzw. frontu zewnętrznego (Frontu Nadmorskiego), czyli możliwości bojowych Sił Zbrojnych PRL w kontekście planu operacyjnego. Przeprowadzono ją pod koniec obowiązywania stanu wojennego w Polsce, który mocno wpływał na sytuację LWP. W związku z kryzysem gospodarczym w kraju i jednocześnie szybką rozbudową wojsk NATO analizowano realne możliwości prowadzenia ofensywy polskiej armii przeciwko armiom NATO i zajęcia Danii, północnych Niemiec Zachodnich, Holandii i Belgii.
Antykomunizm socjalistów – kilka uwag krytycznych
Authors: Piskała Kamil
Published: October 2021

Niniejszy artykuł recenzyjny omawia edycję dokumentów dotyczącą stosunku międzywojennej PPS do ruchu komunistycznego. Recenzowana praca stanowi przedsięwzięcie ambitne, lecz ma wiele słabości, związanych m.in. ze sposobem doboru dokumentów czy perspektywą przyjętą we wstępie. Wobec tego można ją uznać co najwyżej za wstęp do dalszych badań nad tą problematyką, a nie całościowy i wielowymiarowy obraz stosunków pomiędzy PPS a KPRP/KPP.
Differential Modulatory Effect of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate in Suppression of Tumor Proliferation
Authors: Algazeery Ahmed , El-Sayed Ashraf S. , El-Deeb Fatma M , MA Nomier
Published: October 2021

Despite the remarkable progress in selecting the chemotherapeutic drugs, most are expensive and associated with many adverse effects targeting both cancer and normal cells. The using of polyphenols as natural materials for chemoprevention is considered a promising approach in reducing the tumor proliferation.This study aims to investigate whether a difference between the use of green tea and its component Epigallocatechin-gallate (EGCG) in treatment and protection against tumor. Sixty female Swiss albino mice weighted 20–22 g divided into 6 groups (n=10).The tumor suppression of green tea and EGCG was mirrored by evaluating their antioxidant and the anti-inflammatory effect on tumor markers and DNA integrity.Our results showed that the administration of EGCG showed a significant elevation of both antioxidants and anti-inflammatory markers in serum of EAC-bearing animals and revealed its high curative power to protect than treat tumor growth. Moreover, genomic DNA fragmentations assay present EGCG as a modulatory agent in keeping genome integrity.The administration of green tea and its major constituent EGCG showed a significant a potent protective role in suppressing tumor proliferation than its use in treatment due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect and maintaining the integrity of underlying genomic DNA that make it a strong barrier which arrest the process of oncogensis.
Anti-Arthritic Evaluation of Ginger, Colchicum and Detoxified Nux-Vomica combination for Poly Herbal Unani Formulation
Authors: Mian Syed Shariq , Tajuddin Tajuddin , Upadhyay Sukirti
Published: October 2021

Introduction: Arthritis (Wajaul Mafasil) is a condition which is growing worldwide due to lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors. In Unani literature, there are many herbs which are praised for treatment of Arthritis. So polyherbal formulation contains Ginger, Colchicum and Nux- Vomica is taken in combination for arthritis study. This combination is not previously reported but used by unani practitioners. Method: Three crude herbs (Ginger, Colchicum and Nux vomica) were extracted out in both aqueous and hydro-alcoholic solvent. LD-50 of all extracts (aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extract) was determined. Now respective extracts were mixed in effective dose ratio to obtain aqueous and hydro-alcoholic dosage form. Finally both effective combinations (aqueous and hydro-alcoholic) convert into tablet dosage form to determine its anti-arthritic activity by Carrageenan Induced Oedema Test, Cotton Pellet Induced Granuloma Test and Freund’s adjuvant Induced Arthritis Test. The efficacy of the Unani formulation was compared with reference drug (Diclofenac sodium). Result and Discussion: in Carrageenan Oedema Test, animals in high dose hydro-alcoholic, shows decrease in paw volume significantly after 3 hours of Carrageenan injection. In Cotton Pellet Induced Granuloma Test, animals in high dose hydro-alcoholic, shows reduction in granuloma formation significantly. In Freund’s Adjuvant Induced Arthritis Test, The significant reduction in paw volume was found in high dose hydro-alcoholic. Conclusion: Conclusively this study establishes anti-arthritic potential of polyherbal extract in unani literature. Thus these drugs possess synergistic anti-arthritic potential in combination against acute, sub-acute as well as chronic arthritis. So in future compatible dosages form may be prepared for treating arthritis.
Current Perceptionson Advanced Molecular Diagnostics for Drug-Resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Ramasamy Pushparaju , Sounderrajan Vignesh , Vijayakumar Kevin Kumar , Harshavardhan Shakila
Published: October 2021

Globally, rising drug-resistant tuberculosis is a significant public health concern. Prompt diagnosis of tuberculosis and detection of drug-resistant TB within a clinically appropriate timeframe is important for the effective management of the disease. Imaging approaches Chest X-rays, CT, MRI, nuclear medicine technique as PET/CT are non-specific, plays an important role in the diagnosis and assessment of TB, but PET/CT sometimes results in false-positive or negative due to benign lesions.Currently using the point of care molecular modalities, Gene Xpert MTB/RIF and line probe assays focused only on resistance-conferring mutations in specific target hotspot regions, but did not identify novel mutations, outside mutations and they may miss some locally prevalent rifampicin-conferring mutations, and not provided a large number of antibiotics/antibiotic groups that are used for DRTB treatment.Recently revolutionized high throughput next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies are offering new prospects for molecular diagnosis, for example, infectious disease pathogens like tuberculosis, influenza, and most recently SARS-CoV-2. NGS is an essential resource for the tuberculosis communityeither target, WGS, or NGS; a rapid method that offers a complete spectrum of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistance mutations, strain typing for transmission surveillance, unlike traditional molecular or phenotypic DST. It shall be helpful for early regimen design and TB management before mutations emerge and therefore, we believe that the worldwide TB infection will be eliminated by the use of NGS.
Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Activities of Selenium and Alpha-tocopherol in Mouse Models of Pain Induced with Fluoride Exposure
Authors: Shakar Reddy N Chandra , Reddy K Pratap
Published: October 2021

Fluoride is an ineluctable environmental pollutant and its chronic exposure causes nociception and inflammation. Alpha-tocopherol and Selenium (Se) are widely available compounds that are safe if taken in moderation and exert a wide range of antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. This study examined the protective activity of dietary supplements, alpha-tocopherol (2 mg/kg BW) and Selenium (05 µg/kg BW), by using thermal (Hot plate test, Tail-flick test), chemical (writhing test, formalin test) and neuropathic (allodynia test) tests in fluoride (20mg/kg BW) induced pain models. In addition, anti-inflammatory activity was also assessed with paw oedema assay. The obtained data suggest that hyperalgesia in fluoride exposure group was significantly (p<0.05) exhibited in hot plate, tail flick, writhing response, formalin and allodynia tests. Moreover, inflammation in fluoride exposure group was also significantly (p<0.05) increased in paw oedema tests in comparison with the control group. The combined administration of Se and alpha-tocopherol significantly (p<0.05) increased response latency in hot plate and tail flick tests, reduced writhing responses in the writhing test, increased withdrawal duration in allodynia test, inhibited formalin induced pain response in both phases but it was more pronounced in the second phase and attenuated formalin induced paw oedema in comparison with independent treatment of Se and alpha-tocopherol against NaF suggesting their analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. These findings conclude the synergistic effects of selenium and alpha-tocopherol against fluoride induced nociception and inflammation.