bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prioritisation of quarantine pest list for the Caribbean using a multi-criteria decision approach
Authors: Saravanakumar Duraisamy , Bartholomew Ezra S. , Seepersad Govind , Gore-Francis Janil , Goldsmith Juliet , Ramnanan Naitram , Chang Peta Gaye , Bridgemohan Puran , Sewsaran Renita , Medrano-Cabral Sardis , Morrison St. Sanya
Published: October 2023

Quarantine plant pests are socially, economically and environmentally important due to their impact on food security, human health, global trade and crop production costs. The increase in global trade and tourism, frequent occurrence of natural disasters and climate changes have exacerbated the rate of entry, establishment and spread of plant pests regionally and globally. It has, therefore, become exigent to develop a list of pests of quarantine importance at the regional and national levels to prioritise and allocate the limited available resources to manage the associated risks. In the present study, the Technical Committee on the Formulation and Prioritisation of a Regional Priority Pest List for the Caribbean, in collaboration with the National Plant Protection Organisation of the Caribbean countries and the United States Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS), developed and prioritised a quarantine pest list using a multi-criteria decision-making approach. The technical committee successfully evolved the process in 2014 and 2018 and developed a list of the top 10 pests of quarantine importance for the Caribbean Region, employing the Delphi Technique (DT) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) through the assignment of criteria that are relevant to the region. The Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata), frosty pod rot (Moniliophthora roreri) and the tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta), listed as top quarantine pest threats, were subsequently detected in the region. This exercise guided the authorities in advance to allocate resources and to develop response plans including capacity building for surveillance and detection of priority pests. This has demonstrated the significance and appropriateness of the multi-criteria decision approach to determine priority pest lists and prepare the region for development of better management practices.
Biological evaluation, molecular docking and DFT calculations of pyrrole-based derivatives as dual acting AChE/MAO-B inhibitors
Authors: Mateev Emilio , Georgieva Maya
Published: October 2023

Considering the complex pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the multitarget ligand strategy is expected to provide superior effects for the treatment of the neurological disease compared to the classic single target strategy. Thus, six pyrrole-based compounds were evaluated for their dual monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory capacities. Most of the compounds revealed good AChE activities at 10 µM concentrations. 5d most potently inhibited AChE with 75%, while the hydrazide 5 demonstrated blocking effect of 51% at 10 µM concentrations. However, limited MAO-B inhibitory effects were observed with the exception of compounds 3, and especially 5 (30% inhibition at 1 µM). The in vitro assessments showed that the unsubstituted pyrrole-based hydrazide 5 is the best dual inhibitor of MAO-B/AChE enzymes. Subsequent in silico molecular docking simulations of 5 in the active sites of MAO-B (2V5Z) and AChE (4EY6) displayed the formation of stable enzyme-ligand complexes. To rationalize the biological assays, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out at the B3LYP/6-311++(d,p) level of theory. Overall, the results demonstrated that the pyrrole-based hydrazide 5 is a dual-acting AchE/MAO-B inhibitor with good antioxidant properties, which could be considered as a candidate for future lead-optimizations.
Réflexions sur les enveloppes psychiques, l’être sans secours et le Nebenmensch dans l’expérience traumatique de l’enfermement
Authors: Kaës René
Published: October 2023

« Réflexions sur les enveloppes psychiques, l’être sans secours et le Nebenmensch dans l’expérience traumatique de l’enfermement. » Sensibilisé à ces questions par sa pratique professionnelle, l’auteur revient ici sur deux termes introduits par Freud : la Hilflosigkeit et le Nebenmensch . Attentif aux représentations, émotions et intentions émanant de situations d’enfermement traumatique, il mesure la pertinence de cette terminologie à propos du confinement lié au Covid-19, que ce soit à domicile, dans les services hospitaliers ou les EHPAD, mais aussi à propos des camps de rétention de migrants. Précisant la fonction du Nebenmensch , qu’il rapproche de celle de porte-parole de la mère auprès de l’ infans , il met en évidence un effet que l’on retrouve aussi bien chez ce dernier que chez le reclus, le migrant ou le malade victimes de maltraitance : l’accompagnement par la parole d’un proche secourable et son écoute permettent de dégager ceux-ci de leur détresse sans recours en revenant à la parole pour remailler les fils de leur histoire.
Toujours revenir à Alminhas
Authors: Chomy Lucien
Published: October 2023

« Toujours revenir à Alminhas. » L’auteur voudrait illustrer un travail du néo-groupe lors d’une TFP : le passage des ressentis aux éprouvés et des éprouvés à la pensée réflexive. Cette transformation s’effectue dans la dynamique des mouvements transférentiels et contretransférentiels, grâce aux médiateurs dont le groupe s’emparent. Ce trajet mène à des formes de pensées capables, progressivement, de représenter les antécédents traumatiques familiaux qui empêchaient les éclosions individuelles jusqu’à l’apparition de la mythopoïèse. Des éléments cliniques saillants pour le travail se font jour à l’évocation des allers-retours de la famille entre la France, pays d’accueil, et le Portugal, pays d’origine.
Créations picturales de l’analyste en post-séance
Authors: Darchis Élisabeth
Published: October 2023

« Créations picturales de l’analyste en post-séance. » Le dessin du thérapeute familial en post-séance soutient la rêverie du néo-groupe et favorise la construction d’une enveloppe psychique familiale. Ces créations picturales vont faire émerger des formes primitives, véritables signifiants formels, se rapportant aux souffrances du groupe et témoignant de non-dits, voire d’effets fantômes. Un exemple clinique nous aidera à comprendre comment cette polyphonie de la rêverie favorise la relance d’un processus dans la cure.
Le cambriolage, effraction de l’enveloppe familiale
Authors: Derbal Fatma , Cuynet Patrice , Sanahuja Maria de la Almudena
Published: October 2023

« Le cambriolage, effraction de l’enveloppe familiale. » Cette recherche propose une nouvelle approche d’évaluation du traumatisme à l’échelle familiale auprès de familles qui ont vécu un cambriolage. À l’aide d’un nouvel outil médiateur intitulé « la maison blessée » et de l’épreuve projective de la maison de rêve, les auteurs ont évalué les productions graphiques et le verbatim des familles. Leur objectif est de mettre en évidence les difficultés familiales liées au traumatisme, les angoisses inhérentes de telles attaques, les mécanismes de défenses et les capacités de résilience familiale.
Le signifiant formel : Origine et évolution d’un concept créateur
Authors: Lebon Cristelle
Published: October 2023

« Le signifiant formel : origine et évolution d’un concept créateur. » L’auteur revient sur l’histoire du concept de signifiant formel : de ses précurseurs dans l’œuvre freudienne, aux inspirations puisées par D. Anzieu dans les travaux de ses contemporains, ce concept est porteur, dans son essence même, d’intersubjectivité. Repris dans la littérature psychanalytique depuis les années 2000, à la faveur des travaux en périnatalité et des recherches sur les formes de symbolisation primaire, le signifiant formel s’étend à la clinique des groupes et des familles dans des thèses et publications, dont les résultats sont présentés ici. L’article réinterroge ce concept, parfois difficile d’accès pour les cliniciens, afin d’éclairer la compréhension et la richesse clinique considérable des signifiants formels dans l’approche des formes de réactivation de traces d’expériences traumatiques en TFP.
Le texte caché du récit d’asile
Authors: Bouhamidi Lou
Published: October 2023

En France, les personnes demandant l’asile sont soumises à la rédaction en français d’un récit des persécutions qu’elles ont subies dans leur pays d’origine. Le présent article entend explorer les enjeux sous-tendus par l’imposition d’une narration en français dans ce cadre. Pour ce faire, plusieurs mécanismes impliqués par la procédure sont dégagés, à partir de la notion de « texte caché » de J. Scott : les normes implicites qui régissent l’examen des demandes, les attentes institutionnelles en matière de narration en audience par lesquelles l’institution se fait co-productrice du récit, et la trajectoire symbolique du récit au cours de la procédure, qui publicise un texte caché d’origine. Au regard de ces implicites, l’article interroge le rôle que joue ce récit quant à un roman national qu’il corrobore et concurrence à la fois.
« C’est normal » : les fonctions des énoncés évaluatifs dans les entretiens entre les éducatrices de la petite enfance et les parents
Authors: Bimonte Ayla , Zogmal Marianne
Published: October 2023

Cet article s’intéresse aux pratiques évaluatives et langagières accomplies lors d’entretiens de bilan dans le champ de l’éducation de l’enfance. Ces pratiques d’évaluation se trouvent convoquées dans une tension avec une injonction visant un travail en partenariat entre parents et professionnel.le.s. À partir de la démarche théorique et méthodologique de l’analyse interactionnelle, l’article étudie six extraits d’entretien dans lesquels l’énoncé évaluatif « c’est normal » apparait de façon récurrente. Ce phénomène énonciatif remplit différentes fonctions : celle de négocier les savoirs mis en circulation, d’établir les positionnements relationnels entre les participants, et de co-construire l’argumentation dans la structuration du discours en interaction. L’article discute de l’imbrication de ces fonctions ainsi que de l’importance des compétences d’interaction mobilisées par les professionnel.le.s afin de créer les conditions d’une relation partenariale avec les parents au moment des rencontres.
Défendre la formation pour garantir le diplôme
Authors: Divert Nicolas , Augagneur Sophie
Published: October 2023

Depuis 2006, le diplôme d’État d’aide-soignant (DEAS) est accessible par la validation des acquis de l’expérience (VAE). Cette modalité d’accès aux diplômes est à la fois présentée comme une solution pour résoudre les difficultés de recrutement dans une profession réglementée et un moyen de valoriser les faisant-fonctions. Pourtant, si les candidatures sont nombreuses, les validations sont rares. Aussi, à partir d’entretiens réalisés auprès de membres de jury de VAE, cet article analyse la manière dont les expériences des faisant-fonctions sont considérées. Les résultats montrent la situation paradoxale dans laquelle se retrouvent les candidates qui sont évaluées sur des compétences qu’elles ne sont pas censées réaliser. Finalement, les positions des jurys soulignent l’importance de la formation institutionnalisée.
Récit de vie en santé mentale : enquête sur soi, en quête de soi
Authors: Jouet Emmanuelle
Published: October 2023

Ce travail s’intéresse à des moments de construction de savoirs de « formateurs pairs » vivant avec des troubles psychiques, membres d’une communauté d’apprentissage où ils produisent leur récit de soi afin de pouvoir exercer dans des dispositifs de formation. La question est de voir en quoi une analyse lexicale peut aider à l’exploration de traces produites en éclairant les mécanismes à l’œuvre. Sont concernées (1) une analyse d’écritures à partir de la question « Qu’est-ce que vous avez appris de la maladie ? » ; (2) une analyse des verbatims produits par le groupe en vue de la réalisation d’un référentiel de compétences. Ce travail fait ressortir la complémentarité entre l’échange collectif, qui permet la thématisation et l’explication des savoirs, et l’écriture individuelle. Elle révèle des stratégies et des régimes narratifs différenciés, comme descriptifs, biographiques ou métaphoriques.
Differential subordination and superordination studies involving symmetric functions using a $ q $-analogue multiplier operator
Authors: Ali Ekram E. , Oros Georgia Irina , Albalahi Abeer M.
Published: October 2023

The present investigation focus on applying the theories of differential subordination, differential superordination and related sandwich-type results for the study of some subclasses of symmetric functions connected through a linear extended multiplier operator, which was previously defined by involving the $ q $-Choi-Saigo-Srivastava operator. The aim of the paper is to define a new class of analytic functions using the aforementioned linear extended multiplier operator and to obtain sharp differential subordinations and superordinations using functions from the new class. Certain subclasses are highlighted by specializing the parameters involved in the class definition, and corollaries are obtained as implementations of those new results using particular values for the parameters of the new subclasses. In order to show how the results apply to the functions from the recently introduced subclasses, numerical examples are also provided.
Editorial
Authors: Sita Patricia Coradim , Rezende Marília Gabriela Gondim
Published: October 2023

É com muita satisfação que publicamos o número 1 do volume 45 da Revista Acta Scientiarum. Human and Social Sciences, dedicado de forma especial ao tema da sustentabilidade ambiental e suas interseções analíticas. Este número foi integralmente organizado por Marília Gabriela Gondim Rezende (Universidade Federal do Amazonas-UFAM), responsável também pela apresentação dos autores e das suas contribuições neste editorial. Fruto de uma parceria entre o Laboratório de Governança Ambiental e Bioeconomia (LAGBIO), da Universidade Federal do Amazonas, e a Revista Acta Scientiarum. Human and Social Sciences, este número oferece uma variedade de perspectivas cosmológicas e epistemológicas sobre a riqueza da Amazônia profunda. Neste sentido, compõe esta edição um total de 10 (dez) artigos produzidos por pesquisadores de diversas áreas do conhecimento.
Evaluation and Approach to Patients with Psychodermatoses
Authors: Mehta Hitaishi , Narang Tarun
Published: October 2023

Psychodermatology is an emerging subspecialty of dermatology. It encompasses the management of patients with primary psychiatric disease presenting to dermatologists (e.g., delusional infestation, body dysmorphic disease, and factitious diseases), together with patients who have primary dermatological disease (e.g., psoriasis, atopic eczema, hair disorders, and others) with a psychiatric or psychological comorbidity. This review presents a practical approach to patients with psychocutaneous disease keeping in mind that the management requires the input of a wide multidisciplinary team including dermatologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and primary care physicians, among others. The aim is to provide an overview on effectively building a therapeutic alliance with a psychodermatology patient in order to improve therapeutic outcomes. Dermatologists should be able to initiate basic pharmacotherapy, have a basic knowledge of nonpharmacological therapies, and be able to judge which patients need urgent psychiatric referral. Awareness of this group of disorders will enable a holistic management that takes care of body as well as the mind.
Serum Prolactin Level in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and its Correlation with Disease Activity
Authors: Mohammed Jinan Q. , Mathkhor Abdulsatar Jabar , Kamel Zahraa Mustafa
Published: October 2023

Background:

In the last decade, evidence supports the hypothesis that the prolactin (PRL) hormone plays an important role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) clinical expression and pathogenesis.

Objective:

To evaluate the presence, clinical, and serological significance of elevated serum PRL in women with SLE.

Materials and Methods:

A case–control study included 30 women with SLE; with mean age and disease duration were 33.15 ± 6.7 and 10.9 ± 1.9, respectively, and 30 age-matched apparently healthy subjects served as controls. All patients were subjected to clinical and serological evaluation. Disease activity was measured using the SLE Disease Activity Index. Serum PRL level was estimated for all the participants.

Results:

Serum PRL levels were 36.2 ± 15.8 ng/ml and 8.9 ± 4.4 ng/ml in patients with SLE and controls, respectively. Malar rash, photosensitivity, and arthritis were associated with elevated serum PRL. Positive antinuclear antibodies ANA and low complements were associated with a high serum PRL level. In addition, 18 (85.7%) patients with high disease activity have hyperprolactinemia, while only 3 (14.3%) patients with high disease activity have a normal range of serum PRL levels.

Conclusion:

SLE patients were associated with higher serum PRL levels than the control group. There was a significant relationship between serological status and hypocomplementemia with high serum PRL levels. In addition, there was a significant relationship between active disease and hyperprolactinemia.
A Cross-Sectional Study to Determine the Prevalence of Thyroid Autoimmunity in Patients with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
Authors: Singh Pallavi , Sardesai Vidyadhar R
Published: October 2023

Background:

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) can be a distressing condition for both the patient and the treating doctor due to the lack of a definite underlying etiology. The condition has been found to be associated with autoimmune (AI) conditions, which brings to light possible pathogenesis being shared by AI conditions and chronic urticaria. This can help us understand the condition better as well as have a bearing on the treatment. Thyroid autoimmunity is one such condition which has commonly been associated with chronic urticaria.

Objectives:

To determine the prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity in patients with CSU. To determine the correlation between thyroid autoantibodies level and the severity and duration of CSU.

Materials and Methods:

Forty-eight adult patients of CSU were enrolled, in whom thyroid autoimmunity was determined by detecting the levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibody. Urticaria Activity Score was used to determine the activity of the disease.

Results:

Nine out of 48 (18.75%) patients showed raised anti-TPO antibody levels. Eight out of those 9 (88.89%) patients were female. No correlation was found between the duration of disease and the antibody levels. A significant association was found between the disease activity and anti-TPO antibody levels.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of thyroid autoimmunity is higher in patients of CSU compared to the general population. The condition occurs more frequently and with greater severity in the female population.
Clinical Audit of Radiofrequency Electrocautery Procedure at Dermatology Department of a Tertiary Care Teaching Center
Authors: Patel Dhruv Ramanbhai , Tandel Jinal Jainendrabhai , Shah Juhi Devyangbhai , Polra Rutoo Vipulkumar , Nair Pragya Ashok
Published: October 2023

Background:

Radiofrequency (RF) surgery is an office-based procedure in the treatment of various skin conditions. It has the advantage of having both cut and coagulation modes, making the surgery easy, fast, effective, and cheaper, and causes minimal collateral thermal damage, resulting in rapid healing and esthetically pleasant scars.

Objective:

The present study was a clinical audit done with the aim to improve the quality of practice for RF electrocautery in the outpatient department (OPD) setup.

Materials and Methods:

This was a prospective clinical audit of patients coming to skin OPD requiring electrocauterization from August 2019 to October 2019. To assess and monitor the patients going for electrocautery, a pro forma was filled about the indication of electrocautery. Requirements and guidelines followed or not during pre- and postoperative preparation were also tabulated. During the procedure, details such as type of electrode, mode and power of electrocautery, wiping of electrode between each use, continuous activation of foot switch, and waiting period between two passages were also noted. Ratios, proportions, and percentages were used to describe the data.

Results:

A total of 30 patients were enrolled of which 24 were male (80%) and 6 were female (20%). The most common indication was skin tags seen in 21 participants (70%), followed by warts in 6 (20%) and seborrheic keratosis in 3 (10%) patients. Proper counseling and explanation were done in all the patients (100%). Each cautery was performed with clean surroundings (100%). During the procedure, 24 patients (80%) were given injectable local anesthetics. The electrode used was a long sharp tip electrode in all the procedures and the most common power of instrument used was 0.5 (70%). After each use, wiping of electrode was done in 24 (80%) patients. Three patients were on aspirin (10%) and one had a keloidal tendency (3.33%) which was missed while taking history.

Conclusion:

Educational interventions among doctors as well as students should be carried out to sensitize them about the standard guidelines of using electrocautery for better results.
Comparative Study of Intravenous Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy versus Oral Prednisolone Minipulse Therapy in Progressive Vitiligo
Authors: Rajeshwari KA , Rajagopal Ramachandran
Published: October 2023

Background:

Vitiligo is an idiopathic acquired illness characterized by limited depigmented macules and patches. We aim to compare intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone pulse therapy with oral prednisolone minipulse therapy in the treatment of progressive vitiligo.

Objective:

The assessment of the efficacy of both treatment methods in the arrest of the progression of vitiligo and repigmentation of the existing lesions.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 60 patients, 30 in each group, were enrolled for the study. Each patient underwent a detailed clinical, general physical, systemic, and thorough dermatological examination. A set of routine investigations, consisting of hemoglobin%, total leukocyte count, differential leukocyte count, urine routine examination, blood sugar (fasting and postprandial), liver function tests, renal function test, serum electrolytes, Montoux test, chest X-ray posteroanterior view, and thyroid profile were carried out before the analysis. Clinical photographs were taken before the start of therapy and after each month thereafter were used for the analysis after taking written consent.

Results:

The age of vitiligo patients considered for the study ranged from 13 to 70 years. The ratio of male-to-female patients considered for the study was 22:38 (36.6%: 63.3%). The duration of instability in vitiligo cases studied varied from 6 months to 2 years. In both Group A and Group B, the maximum number of patients (66.7% and 86.7%, respectively) had unstable vitiligo for 6 months to 1 year. Percentage repigmentation was better in Group A (IV) than Group B (OMP). In Group A, 17 out of 20 (85%) patients had shown different degrees of repigmentation, while 20 out of 30 (66.7%) patients of Group B had shown the same. This was statistically insignificant. Types of repigmentation observed in patients were of the following types: perifollicular, marginal, and combined. In both groups, all patients showed perifollicular regimentation.

Conclusions:

In progressive vitiligo, it was observed that oral mini pulse with prednisolone is superior to IV methylprednisolone pulse therapy for the arrest of progression. Considering the cost, mode of administration, hospital admission, loss of man-hours, and patients’ compliance, OMP was considered simpler and cost-effective.
Atypical Presentations of Cutaneous Tuberculosis: A Series of Four Cases
Authors: Atluri Swetha Chowdary , Arepalli Santhosh Kumar , Manchala Divya , Talari Vamshi Chetan , Haritha S
Published: October 2023

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium TB, is one of the leading causes of major illness and death worldwide. Although cutaneous TB constitutes a small proportion of extrapulmonary TB burden, awareness regarding varied clinical presentations is necessary as early diagnosis and treatment are keys to reduce the morbidity of the disease. Here, we present a series of four rare cases of cutaneous TB presenting as vulval elephantiasis, Poncet’s disease, disseminated TB, and anterior chest wall TB. These cases posed diagnostic difficulty due to unusual presentations. However, all the cases responded well to antitubercular treatment.
Abnormal Presentation of Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases in HIV-Positive Patients: A Case Series
Authors: Saxena Animesh , Sharma Harsh , Sharma Prerna , Srivastava Prachi
Published: October 2023

Mucocutaneous diseases are the most common manifestation of human immunodeficiency virus and because of abnormal presentation, diagnosis and management is a challenge for clinicians. Here, we present three cases of unusual and severe presentation of common sexually transmitted diseases, out of which two patients had ulcerative lesions in genitals and one patient had cauliflower-like growth involving the pubic and anal region.
I Am Anxious, I Bleed – A Rare Clinical Case of Facial Hematohidrosis
Authors: Srihari Sahana , Revathi T N
Published: October 2023

Hematohidrosis is a rare clinical condition in which an individual sweats blood from intact, unbroken skin. Psychogenic cause is found to be the most frequent among other causes such as vicarious menstruation and systemic disease. We report a case of a 9-year-old boy who had bloody sweat discharge from the face and pinna of the ears while going to school. Pharmacotherapy with oral propranolol and psychotherapy were followed by a complete remission.
The Effect of Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio and Platelet-to-lymphocyte Ratio on the Severity of Diabetes Mellitus Type II and Air and Bone Conduction Hearing Threshold at Speech Frequency
Authors: Novita Khuznita Dasa , Hasanah Dian , Bharasaba Thareq
Published: October 2023

Background:

Diabetes Mellitus Type II (DMT II) is a metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia resulting from relative or absolute insulin deficiency. It can cause various complications, including hearing loss (HL). NLR and PLR can determine the severity of DMT II but are not yet known for HL.

Methods:

This research was quantitative, analytically observational, and cross-sectional, using medical record data from July-November 2022. The variables were age, NLR, PLR, FBG, the duration and severity of DMT II, the air and bone conduction thresholds at speech frequencies (500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz).

Results:

43 respondents (86 ears) met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The mean age was 61.63 + 8.64 years, with more women (60.5%, 26/43) than men (39.5%, 17/43). The mean duration of DM was 10.45 + 8.77 years. The average severity level was 2.63 + 1.77, which means that respondents in this study had more than two complications on average. DM in the elderly > 60 years old has a risk of HL 9.839 times compared to those < 60. DM with a high NLR can increase the risk of HL by increasing the incidence of HL, bilateral sides, type and degree of HL, and air and bone conduction threshold. DM with NLR > 2.76 is more at risk of experiencing HL as much as 6.83 times compared to DM with NLR < 2.76. Factors that predict HL in DM are age, NLR, and FBG, which are 33.1%, while other factors determine 66.7%. The age, FBG, and NLR variables can predict hearing loss in DM with moderate accuracy (AUC 76.7%).

Conclusion:

Hearing loss needs to be added to the screening program for complications of diabetes mellitus. A hearing screening program is needed for DM aged > 60 years, FGB > 126 mg/dl and NLR > 2,76. NLR could be used to predict hearing loss incidents in DMT II.
A Case of Jugulotympanicum Paraganglioma: A Treatment Dilemma
Authors: Zakir Nurul Najwa Mohd , Zainon Izny Hafiz , Othman Nik Adilah Nik
Published: October 2023

Temporal bone paragangliomas arise from the paraganglion cells that are located in the middle ear and the lateral skull base. We present a 46-year-old man with undisturbed right intermittent pulsatile tinnitus, ear fullness, and progressively reduced hearing for 1 year. Clinically, the right tympanic membrane is bulging, and there is a pulsatile reddish mass in the middle ear. Computed tomography reveals soft tissue at the right mastoid air cell that extends inferiorly to the jugular foramen and laterally to the ear canal. The mass has an epicenter at the right jugular fossa and is obliterating the internal auditory meatus in magnetic resonance imaging. The diagnosis of advanced right nonsecreting jugulotympanicum paraganglioma Glasscock-Jackson type IV was established from imaging and a normal 24-h urine metanephrine level result. After extensive multidisciplinary deliberations, radiation treatment was determined to be the patient’s best course of treatment.
Congenital sternal cleft with ventricular septal defect: A case report of a rare condition
Authors: Folayan Olumuyiwa Shola , Omachi Paul , Abdullahi Usman Shehu , Bello Afeez Oyesola
Published: October 2023

Sternal cleft is a rare congenital abnormality with an incidence of 2:100,000 live births. It could occur in isolation or along with defects of the abdominal wall, diaphragm, pericardium, and heart. Surgical correction in the neonatal period is required to protect the underlying structures as the risk of cardiac compression at this period is still minimal. We report a case of an 8-day-old term male neonate with congenital superior sternal cleft associated with a ventricular septal defect. He was evaluated and referred to a facility where he could access surgical reconstruction.
Infiltrating cardiomyopathy presenting with recurrent ventricular tachycardia
Authors: Majumder Biswajit , Sarkar Shibsankar , Biswas Pallab , Sinha Prajjal Kumar
Published: October 2023

Infiltrative cardiomyopathy (ICM) refers to a heterogeneous group of myocardial disorders mainly cardiac amyloidosis, sarcoidosis, and hemochromatosis with characteristic deposition of abnormal substances within cellular and intercellular spaces, which leads to the development of ventricular diastolic dysfunction, systolic dysfunction, or both. Sarcoidosis is a multisystem, granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Accumulating evidence suggests that it is caused by an immunological response to an unidentified antigenic trigger in genetically susceptible persons. Cardiac sarcoidosis is a manifestation of sarcoidosis that is challenging to diagnose due to its clinical silence. The consequences of cardiac sarcoidosis include conduction defects, arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, and sudden cardiac death (SCD). This case describes a 45-year-old female with a history of recurrent ventricular tachycardia in a patient previously diagnosed as dilated nonischemic cardiomyopathy. Who was later diagnosed as ICM, most probably cardiac sarcoidosis with the help of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Initial testing for infiltrating cardiomyopathy should include echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography study. Treatment focuses on optimizing heart failure therapy and placement of a biventricular implantable cardioverter-defibrillator for primary prevention of SCD.
A Single-Arm Phase II Study of Nab-Paclitaxel Plus Gemcitabine and Cisplatin for Locally Advanced or Metastatic Biliary Tract Cancer
Authors: Liu Ting , Li Qing , Lin Zhen , Liu Chunhua , Pu Wei , Zeng Shasha , Lai Jun , Cai Xuebin , Zhang Lisha , Wang Shuyang , Chen Miao , Cao Wei , Gou Hongfeng , Zhu Qing
Published: October 2023

Purpose Patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) have a poor survival. We aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen in Chinese advanced BTC patients.Materials and Methods Eligible patients with locally advanced or metastatic BTC administrated intravenous 100 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel, 800 mg/m2 gemcitabine, and 25 mg/m2 cisplatin every 3 weeks. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). The secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS) and adverse events, while exploratory endpoint was the association of biomarkers with efficacy.Results After the median follow-up of 25.0 months, the median PFS and OS of 34 enrolled patients were 7.1 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.4 to 13.7) and 16.4 months (95% CI, 10.9 to 23.6), respectively. The most common treatment-related adverse events at ≥ 3 grade were neutropenia (26.5%) and leukopenia (26.5%). Survival analyses demonstrated that carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels could monitor patients’ survival outcomes. A significant increase in the number of infiltrating CD4+ cells (p=0.008) and a decrease in programmed death-1–positive (PD-1+) cells (p=0.032) were observed in the response patients.Conclusion In advanced BTC patients, nab-paclitaxel plus gemcitabine and cisplatin regimen showed therapeutic potential. Potential prognostic factors of CEA levels, number of CD4+ cells and PD-1+ cells may help us maximize the efficacy benefit.
Challenges and recommendations for addressing under-five pneumonia morbidity and mortality in Nigeria
Authors: Okafor Chidi , Olaniran Abimbola , Darj Elisabeth
Published: October 2023

Background: Pneumonia is a severe infection and one of the most common causes of mortality among children under five years of age, when not appropriately managed. Infection of the lungs by bacteria, viruses, or fungi and consequent inflammation may lead to cough and difficult breathing. Some of the key predisposing factors are malnutrition and air pollution. WHO reports that Africa has the highest burden of global child mortality, and 16% of all deaths in pneumonia, were children under five years of age in 2016.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore how health providers perceive pneumonia as a cause of under-five mortality in Nigeria.

Methods: A qualitative study design with in-depth interviews and focus group discussions was used to explore and understand nurses and pediatricians' views regarding the pneumonia situation, vaccinations, and preventive suggestions to reduce under five pneumonia deaths in Nigeria.

Results: Two themes and four categories emerged: participant’s anxiety over the situation, their views on impediments, current policies and strategies, and suggestions on addressing severe pneumonia.

Conclusions: The results from this study highlight contextual issues playing major roles in pneumonia mortality among childrenin Nigeria, which will need approaches on several levels to address them.

Keywords: Pneumonia; children; under five mortality; Nigeria; vaccinations; barriers.
Effects of ozone combined with articular injection of sodium hyaluronate on patients with knee osteoarthritis and their inflammatory factors and hemorheological indices
Authors: Yang Chengyong , Chen Qun
Published: October 2023

Objective: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common chronic progressive disease. We aimed to evaluate the effects of ozone combined with articular injection of sodium hyaluronate on KOA patients and their inflammatory factors and hemorheological indices.

Methods: A total of 292 KOA patients treated from October 2020 to October 2021 were randomly divided into observation and control groups (n=146). Observation group was treated with ozone combined with articular injection of sodium hyaluronate, while control group was routinely given glucosamine hydrochloride tablets and articular injection of sodium hyaluronate. The treatment was performed once a week for 5 consecutive weeks. Their general data, treatment outcomes, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score, inflammatory factor levels and hemorheological indices were compared.

Results: After treatment, observation group had significantly lower VAS score and higher HSS score than those of control group (P<0.05). The total response rate of observation group was higher than that of control group (P<0.05). The levels of inflammatory factors in the joint fluid were significantly lower in observation group than those in control group (P<0.05). The hemorheological indices were improved in both groups, especially in observation group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Ozone combined with articular injection of sodium hyaluronate has obvious therapeutic effects on KOA.

Keywords: Ozone; sodium hyaluronate; knee osteoarthritis; inflammatory factor; hemorheological index.
Effect of Pro-kin visual feedback balance training on balance function of individuals with early Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled pilot trial
Authors: Han Tingting , Liu Qian , Hu Yaguang , Wang Yuxia , Xue Kangying
Published: October 2023

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Patients often present with balancedysfunction. Several studies have applied visual feedback training to stroke patients and demonstrated significant improvement.However, the application of visual feedback balance training in PD patients has not been reported.

Objective: To observe the effects of visual feedback balance training combined with conventional rehabilitation training on thebalance function of patients with early PD.

Methods: Fifty patients with early PD were randomly divided into control group and observation group. The control group received conventional rehabilitation training, including body position transfer, weight shifting, movement in all directions and gait training. The observation group were added with visual feedback balance training on the basis of the training above. All patients were trained 5 times per week for 4 weeks. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Time Up-and-Go test (TUG) and Pro-Kin balance training instrument were used to evaluate the balance function of patients before and after treatment, and the balance function were compared between the two groups.

Results: The BBS and TUG scores of the observation group and the control group were improved significantly (P<0.01), and the BBS and TUG scores of the observation group were improved more obviously than control group (P<0.01). The length and area of eye open and closed condition in the observation group and the control group were significantly reduced compared with those before training (P<0.01), and the degree of reduction in the observation group was more obvious (P<0.01). The length and area of the observation group and the control group before and after training when eye open were smaller than those when eye closed (P<0.01).

Conclusion: The conventional rehabilitation therapy can improve the balance function of PD patients, but the combination of visual feedback balance training and conventional rehabilitation therapy can improve the balance function more significantly.

Keywords: Balance; parkinson; rehabilitation; visual feedback.
Undergraduate research- a tale of three African institutions
Authors: Delport Rhena , Dreyer Abigail , Maart Ronel , Mohamed Sharif Asma , Nekaka Rebecca , Turner Astrid , Wolvaardt Jacqueline
Published: October 2023

Background: The inclusion of research in undergraduate medical curricula benefits students as well as the scientific community. Multiple studies report the presence of one or more barriers to research training in these curricula.

Objectives: This paper presents and compares three studies done regarding the teaching of research in undergraduate medical curricula in South Africa, Sudan and Uganda.

Methods: Two cross-sectional study designs (South Africa and Sudan) and one interventional study design (Uganda) were conducted. Both cross-sectional studies used mixed methods while the Ugandan study used a quantitative method. A total of 41 faculty members and 554 students participated. The studies used a combination of surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews and document analysis.

Results: Participants from all three studies valued research and considered it useful and relevant to their studies. The findings from the South African and Sudanese studies align with the ‘Four I’s’ framework that summarise the barriers to research training as lack of initiative, impulse, incentive and idols. The Ugandan study demonstrated improved self-reported knowledge and attitude (specifically anxiety) among participants after completion of a short course on research.

Keywords: Research; medical students; undergraduate; Africa; competencies.
Risk factors influencing chemotherapy compliance and survival of elderly patients with non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Bing Zhongxing , Zheng Zhibo , Zhang Jiaqi
Published: October 2023

Objective: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has high degree of malignance and proneness to recurrence and metastasis. The aim of this study was to analyse the risk factors influencing the chemotherapy compliance and survival status of elderly NSCLC patients.

Methods: The clinical data of 110 patients admitted from January 2014 to March 2018 were retrospectively analysed. They were assigned to non-chemotherapy (n=25), partial chemotherapy (n=30) and complete chemotherapy (n=55) groups according to chemotherapy compliance, and followed up until March 2021. Their clinicopathological characteristics were investigated by univariate analysis and then multivariate Cox regression analysis. The survival rates were compared by Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test.

Results: Among the 110 NSCLC patients, 25 did not receive chemotherapy, 30 underwent partial chemotherapy and 55 received complete chemotherapy. Educational level, pathological tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, pathological type, surgical approach, place of residence, payment mode and chemotherapy stage were independent risk factors influencing the chemotherapy compliance (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Particular attention should be paid to improving the chemotherapy compliance of patients with low educational level, late TNM stage, medical history of squamous cell carcinoma, history of thoracotomy, living in rural areas and no medical insurance, and those in the recurrence period or consolidation period of chemotherapy.

Keywords: Chemotherapy compliance; elderly; non-small cell lung cancer; risk factor; survival analysis.
Modelling flood hazards impacted by ungauged river in urbanised area using HEC-RAS and GIS
Authors: Yusuf Abdulganiyu , Ojo Romoke , Idrees Mohammed O. , Balogun Abdul-Lateef , Salami Isa B. , Sani Ojogbane S.
Published: October 2023

Ilorin City is located downstream of Asa, Oyun and Awun River Basins. The Asa River is a major river that traverses the city and divides the metropolitan area into east and west, almost equally. The river often overflows its banks to inundate adjacent communities, influencing severe economic damage and impact on human lives. However, efforts to mitigate this have majorly been focused on dredging the Asa River channel which has not solved the problem. For an accurate spatial and temporal understanding of the risks of floods and their potential hazards, it is important to estimate floods using river hydrology. The objective of this study is to model steady flow of the rivers using flow data and to map flood-prone areas in Ilorin using HEC-RAS integrated with GIS. Using the HEC-GeoRAS extension in the GIS environment, the geometric data of the rivers were obtained from the 30 m resolution digital elevation model (DEM) and input into HEC-RAS applying Manning Co-efficient values of 0.04, 0.045, and 0.04. For each river, flow data (Q) was given as the upstream boundary condition while a normal depth of 0.001 was assigned for the downstream condition to model a steady flow and inundation extents. The result of the HEC-RAS model has shown the flood-prone areas along the river channels delineated. The floodplain map produced reveals the spatial distribution and extent of the high flood-risk areas in the Ilorin metropolis. The total flooded area covers approximately 60.95 km2 (18%) majorly along the river channels. This study has demonstrated that integration of hydraulic modelling using HEC-RAS and GIS process is capable of producing an inundation flood map with good accuracy that will aid in suggesting effective measures to mitigate the impact of flooding.
Effect of combined use of Buyang Huanwu decoction and olanzapine on clinical symptoms, neurological function, and degree of dementia in patients with vascular dementia after cerebral ischemic stroke
Authors: Zhang Limin , Wu Di , Chen Nian
Published: October 2023

Purpose: To determine the efficacy and safety of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) + olanzapine in the treatment of vascular dementia (VD) after cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS).Methods: Ninety patients with VD after CIS were assigned to 2 groups: a conventional group treated with olanzapine, and a combination group given olanzapine + BHD. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score was evaluated in each group. Neurological function, degree of dementia, and activities of daily living (ADL) were evaluated using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale, and ADL scale, respectively. Levels of inflammatory factors, oxidative stress, and neurotrophic factors in peripheral blood were also determined. Middle cerebral artery (MCA), anterior cerebral artery (ACA), posterior cerebral artery (PCA), and vertebral artery (VA) blood flow velocity (BFV) were assessed. Therapeutic effects and adverse reactions (ARs) were recorded as well.Results: The TCM symptom, NHSS, and CDR scores were decreased in the combination group, while ADL scores were increased (p < 0.05). Levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, and malondialdehyde (MDA) also decreased, while IL-10, GPx, SOD, NT3, MCA, ACA, PVA, and VA BFV, and BDNF levels increased (p < 0.05). Clinical effectiveness (CE) levels in the conventional and combination groups were 73.3 and 93.3 %, while the incidence of ARs were 11.11 and 6.7 %, respectively (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Olanzapine + BHD mitigates clinical symptoms, enhances neurological function, decreases the degree of dementia, and increases ADL in patients with vascular dementia after CIS. Moreover, it improves cerebral blood flow, and it is safe to use. An increase in sample size will be needed to compare the long-term efficacy of olanzapine alone, and that of its combination with BHD in the treatment of VD after CIS.
The Meaning of Vocation in the Leadership Journey of Women Pastors: A Narrative Analysis Approach to 20 Women Pastor Figures in Indonesia
Authors: Hermawati Oki , Hardiman Fransisco Budi , Pramono Rudy , Prasetya Agustian Budi
Published: October 2023

This study aims to understand the meaning of vocation in the leadership journey of female pastors by conducting an in-depth analysis of the vocation stories of female pastors in order to provide an understanding of the meaning of vocations as depicted in their leadership journey. This study uses a qualitative type of research with a narrative analysis approach that focuses on analyzing the meaning of vocations to service in leadership carried out by twenty (20) female pastors who serve in various institutions in Indonesia, such as synods, churches, seminaries, Christian universities, Christian schools etc. Data processing used Nvivo software which is very reliable software in such
a qualitative research undertaking. Participants emanated from various tribes, ethnicities and from various islands in Indonesia such as Java, Sumatra, East Nusa Tenggara, Bali, Sulawesi, Kalimantan, and Papua. Data collection was through the use of in-depth interviews, surveys, and observations of participants including their families, service partners and followers. The results of the data analysis will hopefully provide a comprehensive process description of the meaning of the vocation in the ministry of the female pastor's leadership which is illustrated in her unique leadership journey. The meaning of the vocation in the female pastor's leadership journey is illustrated in the diversity of vocational motivations that underlie the participants' decisions to enter
the seminary. The meaning of the vocation in the female pastor's leadership journey is also illustrated in her leadership journey with the dynamics of issues of gender inequality and sociocultural views prevailing in society.