bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of the Women‘s Participation to Disaster Preparedness and Response in the Municipality of San Juan, Batangas
Authors: B Reyes, Jayson
Published: November 2022

In the Province of Batangas, Municipality of San Juan, Batangas is regarded to be vulnerable to disaster. It has coastal, upland and populated lowland geographical areas. In the fortuitous event of catastrophe, women are deemed the frailest among the marginalized sectors. While the Magna Carta of Women gives women the right to protection and security in terms of disasters, specialized needs of women may be overlooked, gender-blind and insensitive to the development actions. This study assesses the participation of women to disaster preparedness and response in the Municipality of San Juan. Research surveys states that in the event of fire, traumatic experiences of people affected therein got the highest weighted mean of 3.3640. In terms of flood, the highest weighted mean is 3.4740, where flood is caused by the large amounts of rainwater, which cannot be absorbed in to the ground, drainages and canals. Relative to typhoon, the highest weighted mean is 3.4260, an intense circulation of the weather system causes typhoon over tropical seas and oceans accompanied with very strong winds, heavy rains and large ocean waves. About landslide, it is triggered by other natural hazards such as prolonged, heavy rainfall, and typhoon or by other sources of water, which increases the water content of the slope materials and got the highest weighted mean of 3.4200. Regarding earthquake, the highest weighted mean is 3.370, where earthquake is caused by sudden slippage of rock masses below or at the surface of the earth. In terms of participation in disaster preparedness and response, the lowest weighted mean is 2.3380, it is where women slightly or sometimes participate in forming and mobilizing women’s group in the local government units during disaster to protect and meet the necessary needs of women. Based on findings, the extent of participation in disaster preparedness and response practices in the Municipality of San Juan, Batangas is significant and highly important on the assessment of the respondents regarding disasters and their empowerment is necessary in developing a disaster resilient community. Thus, this study serves as basis for the determination in policy-decision making process necessary to address and integrate the specialized needs of women in the Municipality of San Juan, Batangas relative to participation to disaster preparedness and response.
The Diverse Definitions of Social Entrepreneurship: The Underlying Issues
Authors: Mirvis Jonathan
Published: November 2022

Purpose. A lack of consensus regarding the definition of social entrepreneurship has caused confusion among students and researchers. The purpose of this paper is to provide a critical lens for theoreticians to make informed choices regarding their operational definition of this concept.Design/methodology approach. The paper traces the evolution of the practical and theoretical fields of social entrepreneurship. Thereafter the occurrence of multiple and often contrasting definitions is highlighted. In order to understand the conceptual underpinnings of the different definitions, the following issues are raised:Sould definitions be inclusive or exclusive? Is social entrepreneurship a subcategory of commercial entrepreneurship or is it a parallel one? Which facets of entrepreneurship behavior need to be deployed and what is the social mission? To illustrate these issues, the paper draws upon different definitions, with examples from the field of practice. In addition, it relates to the theoretical literature of commercial entrepreneurship. Thereafter follows a discussion that challenges prevailing definitions.Findings. The different possible responses can explain the diversity in definitions.A key finding is that the differing social enterprise and social innovation orientations may be rooted in alternative understandings of the relationship between social entrepreneurship and commercial entrepreneurship.Originality /value. The questions provide theoreticians with a unique and valuable prism to understand theoretical underpinnings of the different definitions of social entrepreneurship and enable them to make informed decisions regarding their operational definitions.
Development of a Semiconductor Sequencing-based Panel for Screening Individuals with Lynch Syndrome
Authors: Mohd Yunos Ryia-Illani , Ab Mutalib Nurul-Syakima , Sheau Sean Janice Khor , Saidin Sazuita , Abd Razak Mohd Ridhwan , Md. Rose Isa , Sagap Ismail , Mazlan Luqman , Jamal Rahman
Published: November 2022

Lynch syndrome is a genetic disorder associated with mutations in mismatch repair (MMR) genes that are linked to the development of colorectal cancer. Individuals with this condition have a lifetime risk of developing cancer at around 20% to 65%. Due to the autosomal dominant inheritance pattern, close biological relatives are also at high risk. Early detection of CRC may lead to better health outcomes and considerable savings in treatment costs. Therefore, our objective is to develop a rapid screening method for LS. We designed an Ion Ampliseq™ Custom Panel, which includes four MMR genes associated with LS (MLH1, MLH2, MSH6, and PSM2), a downstream gene (EPCAM), and a gene that indicates sporadic CRC (BRAF) for sequencing on the Ion Torrent PGM™ sequencer. Sequencing was performed on 16 DNA samples derived from various stages of CRC. The sensitivity and specificity of the identified mutations were determined by sequencing the serially diluted DNA from two human cancer cell lines, HCT 116 and LN-18. An average of 92 % of reads were mapped to the target region with 98 % uniformity. There was no amplicons dropout across all samples, and 58 variants were chosen for validation in 19 samples using MassARRAY and Sanger sequencing. We achieved 87% specificity, 97% accuracy, and 100% sensitivity for detecting variants at an allele frequency of more than 13% using this LS gene panel. With the development of this method, LS CRC can be detected at an early stage using this rapid and sensitive approach.
ENVIRONMENTAL RISK FACTORS OF DIARRHOEA AMONG VULNERABLE POPULATION: A NARRATIVE REVIEW
Authors: Muhammad Hilmi Mahmud  , Md. Isa Zaleha
Published: November 2022

Despite improvements in global public health, diarrhoea causes more than 1.65 million deaths in 2016 which placed diarrhoea as the eighth leading cause of mortality in all ages and placed the fifth leading cause of death in children age five years and below in Malaysia. The impact of frequent diarrhoeal episodes is tremendous especially to children which include stunting and cognitive delay. There are three types of diarrhoea depending on the symptoms which are acute watery diarrhoea, acute bloody diarrhoea (dysentery) and persistent diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is commonly caused by Rotavirus, Cryptosporidium, Shigella, and Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). Infectious agents for diarrhoea differ by transmission route, however, the risk factors of diarrhoeal episode are widely ranged and interconnected with each other which need to be identified. Modifiable risk factors such as the surrounding environment must be identified and improved which in turn avoid diarrhoea episodes. In this review, we identify the latrine and sanitation, waste disposal, housing condition, existence of animals, water quality, personal hygiene, seasonality and food hygiene/safety as environmental risk factors of diarrhoea.
LITERATURE REVIEW : PERBANDINGAN EFEKTIVITAS EKSTRAK PEPAYA (Carica papaya L.) SEBAGAI LARVASIDA ALAMI TERHADAP LARVA Aedes aegypti INSTAR III DAN IV
Authors: Charles Singam Gabriella , Jabal Arif  Rahman , Augustina Indria
Published: November 2022

Based on the types, DENV 2 and DENV 3 are the types of dengue found in Indonesia, but the dominant one is DENV 3 because this type of virus causes severe cases of dengue. The papaya plant is a highly potent plant of natural larvicide. The literature review to compare the effectiveness of the papaya (Carica papaya L.) of each concentration, LC50 and LC90 againts the death toll of Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. The study uses a Systematic Literature Review, the sourse of the data used in this study is secondary data obtained from experimental research journals and retrieved from websites Google Scholar. The journal received was 10 national journals and 5 international journals. Ten journals using papaya leaf ethanol extract, 1 journal using papaya leaf filtrate, 1 journal papaya leaf juice, 1 journal papaya sead ethanol extract, 1 journal papaya sead and leaf ethanol extract, as well as ethanol extract of seed, leaf, bark, and papaya root 1 journal. Researchers on average use more papaya leaf compared to other parts of the papaya plant and each method of precessing and concentration is different for each journal.  There are 14 journals that say that the higher the concentration is used, the more the larvae are Ae. aegypti was killed, where as 1 journal says that the lower the concentration, the more toxic the larvae will get Ae. aegypti.
Kist Hidatik Hastalığınının İntratorasik ve Pulmoner Tutulumları
Authors: VURUCU Servan , YÜKSEL Cihan , AKÇA Anıl , ÖNDER Taylan , GÜÇLÜ KAYTA Safiye Bilge , ALKAN Sevil
Published: November 2022

Kist hidatik ülkemizde endemik olarak görülen, mortalite ve morbiditeye sebep olan, zoonotik bir hastalıktır. Hastalık etkeni Echinococcus türleridir. Primer olarak hastalığa neden olduğu organ karaciğer olmakla beraber, bazen çok farklı klinik prezentasyonlara neden olabilir. Pulmoner ve intratorasik tutulumlar da bu atipik prezantasyonlardandır. Bu kısa derleme çalışmasında, intratorasik ve pulmoner kist hidatik yerleşimleri açısından literatürün gözden geçirilmesini ve farkındalık oluşturmayı amaçladık.
Magnetic Interactions in Orbital Dynamics
Authors: Bromley Benjamin C. , Kenyon Scott J.
Published: November 2022

The magnetic field of a host star can impact the orbit of a stellar partner, planet, or asteroid if the orbiting body is itself magnetic or electrically conducting. Here, we focus on the instantaneous magnetic forces on an orbiting body in the limit where the dipole approximation describes its magnetic properties as well as those of its stellar host. A permanent magnet in orbit about a star will be inexorably drawn toward the stellar host if the magnetic force is comparable to gravity due to the steep radial dependence of the dipole–dipole interaction. While magnetic fields in observed systems are much too weak to drive a merger event, we confirm that they may be high enough in some close compact binaries to cause measurable orbital precession. When the orbiting body is a conductor, the stellar field induces a time-varying magnetic dipole moment that leads to the possibility of eccentricity pumping and resonance trapping. The challenge is that the orbiter must be close to the stellar host, so that magnetic interactions must compete with tidal forces and the effects of intense stellar radiation.
Exploring Stellar and Ionized Gas Noncircular Motions in Barred Galaxies with MUSE
Authors: López-Cobá Carlos , Sánchez Sebastián F. , Lin Lihwai , Anderson Joseph P. , Lin Kai-Yang , Cruz-González Irene , Galbany L. , Barrera-Ballesteros Jorge K.
Published: November 2022

We present Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) integral-field stellar and ionized velocity maps for a sample of 14 barred galaxies. Most of these objects exhibit “S”-shape isovelocities in the bar region indicative of the presence of streaming motions in the velocity fields. By applying circular rotation models we observe that bars leave symmetric structures in the residual maps of the stellar velocity. We built noncircular rotation models using the XookSuut tool to characterize the observed velocity fields; in particular we adopt bisymmetric models and a harmonic decomposition for a bar potential for describing the nonaxisymmetric velocities. We find that both models are able to reproduce the oval distortion observed in the velocity maps. Furthermore, the position angle of the oval distortion estimated from the bisymmetric model correlates with the photometric bar position angle (ρ
pearson = 0.95), which suggests that noncircular velocities are caused by the bar. Because of the weak detection of Hα in our objects we are not able to compare gas to stellar noncircular motions in our sample, although we show that when galaxies are gas-rich, oval distortion is also observed but with larger amplitudes. Finally, we do not find evidence that the amplitude of the noncircular motions is dependent on the bar size, stellar mass, or global star formation rate.
GRB 110213A: A Study of Afterglow Electromagnetic Cascade Radiation
Authors: Wang Xiang-Gao , Chen Yuan-Zhuo , Huang Xiao-Li , Chen Liang-Jun , Zheng WeiKang , D’Elia Valerio , Pasquale Massimiliano De , Pozanenko Alexei S. , Xin Li-Ping , Stratta Giulia , Ukwatta Tilan , Akerlof Carl , Geng Jin-Jun , Han Xu-Hui , Hentunen Veli-Pekka , Klunko E. V. , M. Kuin N. Paul , Nissinen Markku , Rujopakarn W. , Rumyantsev V. V. , Rykoff E. S. , Salmi Tuomo , Schaefer B. E. , Volnova A. A. , Wu Xue-Feng , Wei Jian-Yan , Liang En-Wei , Zhang Bing , Filippenko Alexei V.
Published: November 2022

We obtained well-sampled optical photometry of GRB 110213A, including Swift/UVOT and XRT. Combining our data from those of other ground-based telescopes, we present 15 optical multicolor light curves showing similar shapes with two peaks. In contrast, in the X-ray band, only a single peak is observed between the two optical peaks. Temporal and spectral analysis of GRB 110213A shows that the X-rays differ from the optical for Phases I–III (before the second peak of the optical band at ∼5.6 ks). Moreover, they have the same spectral behavior at late times (Phases IV–VI). These data indicate that the optical and X-ray emission are dominated by different components. The synchrotron-supported pair cascade emission is included in the standard external forward-shock model, which is dominated by synchrotron radiation and synchrotron self-Compton (SSC). We find that the optical bands of GRB 110213A are dominated by the cascade emission from synchrotron radiation + SSC at the early stage, while the primary synchrotron + SSC radiation dominates the X-ray band. At late stages, both the X-ray and optical bands are dominated by emission from primary synchrotron + SSC radiation. The cascade component can reasonably explain the first optical peak. In contrast, the primary synchrotron + SSC emission mainly contributes to the second peak.
Revisiting the Hubble Constant, Spatial Curvature, and Cosmography with Strongly Lensed Quasar and Hubble Parameter Observations
Authors: Liu Tonghua , Cao Shuo , Biesiada Marek , Geng Shuaibo
Published: November 2022

It is well known that time delays due to strong lensing offer the opportunity of a one-step measurement of the Hubble constant H
0 that is independent of the cosmic distance ladder. In this paper, we go further and propose a cosmological model-independent approach to simultaneously determine the Hubble constant and cosmic curvature with measurements of the time delay due to strong lensing, without any prior assumptions regarding the content of the universe. The data we use comprise the recent compilation of six well studied strongly lensed quasars, while the cosmic chronometer data are utilized to reconstruct distances via cosmographic parameters. In the framework of third-order Taylor expansion and (2, 1) order Padé approximation for cosmographic analysis, our results provide model-independent estimations of the Hubble constant

H

0

=

72.24

−
2.52

+
2.73

km

s

−
1

Mpc

−
1

and

H

0

=

72.45

−
2.02

+
1.95

km

s

−
1

Mpc

−
1

, which are well consistent with that derived from the local distance ladder by the SH0ES collaboration. The measured cosmic curvature

Ω

k

=

0.062

−
0.078

+
0.117

and

Ω

k

=

0.069

−
0.103

+
0.116

shows that zero spatial curvature is supported by the current observations of time delays due to strong lensing and cosmic chronometers. Imposing the prior of spatial flatness leads to more precise (at 1.6% level) determinations of the Hubble constant

H

0

=

70.47

−
1.15

+
1.14

km

s

−
1

Mpc

−
1

and

H

0

=

71.66

−
1.57

+
1.15

km

s

−
1

Mpc

−
1

, values located between the results from Planck and the SH0ES collaboration. If a prior of local (SH0ES) H
0 measurement is adopted, the constraint on curvature parameter can be further improved to

Ω

k

=

0.123

−
0.046

+
0.060

and

Ω

k

=

0.101

−
0.072

+
0.090

, supporting no significant deviation from a flat universe. Finally, we also discuss the effectiveness of the Padé approximation in reconstructing the cosmic expansion history for redshifts up to z ∼ 2.3, considering its better performance in the Bayes information criterion.
Turbulent Regimes in Collisions of 3D Alfvén-wave Packets
Authors: Cerri S. S. , Passot T. , Laveder D. , Sulem P.-L. , Kunz M. W.
Published: November 2022

Using three-dimensional gyrofluid simulations, we revisit the problem of Alfvén-wave (AW) collisions as building blocks of the Alfvénic turbulent cascade and their interplay with magnetic reconnection at magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) scales. Depending on the large-scale value of the nonlinearity parameter χ
0 (the ratio between the AW linear propagation time and nonlinear turnover time), different regimes are observed. For strong nonlinearities (χ
0 ∼ 1), turbulence is consistent with a dynamically aligned, critically balanced cascade—fluctuations exhibit a scale-dependent alignment

sin

θ

k

⊥

∝

k

⊥

−
1

/

4

, resulting in a

k

⊥

−
3

/

2

spectrum and

k

∥

∝

k

⊥

1

/

2

spectral anisotropy. At weaker nonlinearities (small χ
0), a spectral break marking the transition between a large-scale weak regime and a small-scale

k

⊥

−
11

/

5

tearing-mediated range emerges, implying that dynamic alignment occurs also for weak nonlinearities. At χ
0 < 1 the alignment angle

θ

k

⊥

shows a stronger scale dependence than in the χ
0 ∼ 1 regime, namely

sin

θ

k

⊥

∝

k

⊥

−
1

/

2

at χ
0 ∼ 0.5, and

sin

θ

k

⊥

∝

k

⊥

−
1

at χ
0 ∼ 0.1. Dynamic alignment in the weak regime also modifies the large-scale spectrum, scaling approximately as

k

⊥

−
3

/

2

for χ
0 ∼ 0.5 and as

k

⊥

−
1

for χ
0 ∼ 0.1. A phenomenological theory of dynamically aligned turbulence at weak nonlinearities that can explain these spectra and the transition to the tearing-mediated regime is provided; at small χ
0, the strong scale dependence of the alignment angle combines with the increased lifetime of turbulent eddies to allow tearing to onset and mediate the cascade at scales that can be larger than those predicted for a critically balanced cascade by several orders of magnitude. Such a transition to tearing-mediated turbulence may even supplant the usual weak-to-strong transition.
Improved Measurements of Galaxy Star Formation Stochasticity from the Intrinsic Scatter of Burst Indicators
Authors: Broussard Adam , Gawiser Eric , Iyer Kartheik
Published: November 2022

Measurements of short-timescale star formation variations (i.e., “burstiness” or star formation stochasticity) are integral to our understanding of star formation feedback mechanisms and the assembly of stellar populations in galaxies. We expand upon the work of Broussard et al. by introducing a new analysis of galaxy star formation burstiness that accounts for variations in the

Q

sg

=
E

B
−
V

stars

/

E

B
−
V

gas

distribution, a major confounding factor. We use Balmer decrements from the MOSFIRE Deep Evolution Field (MOSDEF) survey to measure Q

sg
, which we use to construct mock catalogs from the Santa Cruz Semi-Analytic Models and Mufasa cosmological hydrodynamical simulation based on 3D-HST, Fiber Multi-Object Spectrograph (FMOS)-COSMOS, and MOSDEF galaxies with Hα detections. The results of the mock catalogs are compared against observations using the burst indicator

η
=

log

10

(

SFR

H
α

/

SFR

NUV

)

, with the standard deviation of the η distribution indicating burstiness. We find decent agreement between mock and observed η distribution shapes; however, the FMOS-COSMOS and MOSDEF mocks show a systematically low median and scatter in η in comparison to the observations. This work also presents the novel approach of analytically deriving the relationship between the intrinsic scatter in η, scatter added by measurement uncertainties, and observed scatter, resulting in an intrinsic burstiness measurement of 0.06–0.16 dex.
First record of Myrmecophilus (Myrmecophilus) quadrispinus for Peru and South America (Orthoptera, Myrmecophilidae)
Authors: Yuan Nicolás Naveda , Stalling Thomas
Published: November 2022

The first record of the ant cricket Myrmecophilus (Myrmecophilus) quadrispinus Perkins, 1899 for Peru and South America is presented. This species was discovered in the city of Lima in the nests of the ant species Brachymyrmex cordemoyi Forel, 1895, and Pheidole sp. Westwood, 1939 under a square brick and a stone in two urban gardens.
Measurement Properties of Outcome Instruments for Large-Vessel Vasculitis: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Boleto Gonçalo , Berti Alvise , Merkel Peter A. , Aydin Sibel Zehra , Direskeneli Haner , Dejaco Christian , Hassett Leslie C. , Carmona Loreto , Ramiro Sofia
Published: November 2022

Objective

To systematically review the measurement properties of outcome instruments used in large-vessel vasculitis (LVV).

Methods

MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were searched for studies published from inception to July 14, 2020, that addressed measurement properties of instruments used in giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TA). The measurement properties of the instruments identified were collected following the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) and Consensus-Based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) frameworks. Instruments were grouped according to the following domains measured: disease activity/damage, organ function, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL)/health status.

Results

From 3534 articles identified, 13 met the predefined criteria. These studies addressed 12 instruments: 4 specific to TA, 2 designed for all types of systemic vasculitis, and 6 non–disease-specific instruments. No instruments specific to GCA were identified. Regarding TA, the Indian Takayasu Clinical Activity Score (ITAS) showed very good consistency, adequate reliability, but doubtful validity for disease activity. The Disease Extent Index-Takayasu (DEI-Tak) showed adequate construct validity but doubtful discriminating validity for disease activity/damage. Instruments, including the Vasculitis Damage Index and the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score, were poorly assessed for disease activity/damage. In total, 6 non–vasculitis-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments showed inadequate validity in GCA/TA.

Conclusion

The measurement properties of 12 outcome instruments for LVV covering the OMERACT domains of disease activity/damage, organ function, and HRQOL were assessed. The ITAS and the DEI-Tak were the instruments with the most adequate measurement properties for disease activity/damage in TA. Disease activity/damage instruments specific to GCA, as well as validated PROs for both GCA and TA, are lacking.
Management of Enthesitis in Patients With Psoriatic Arthritis: An Updated Literature Review Informing the 2021 GRAPPA Treatment Recommendations
Authors: Eder Lihi , Mathew Ashish J. , Carron Philippe , Bertheussen Heidi , Cañete Juan D. , Azem May , Sedie Andrea Delle , Salvarani Carlo , Ranza Roberto , Elliott Ashley , Turkiewicz Anthony , de Toledo Ricardo Acayaba , Bukulmez Hulya , Stoenoiu Maria S. , Mandelin Arthur M. , Koehm Michaela , Lindsay Chris A. , Siegel Evan , Mease Philip J.
Published: November 2022

Objective

Enthesitis is a key pathological and clinical feature of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in children and adults. Enthesitis is typically assessed clinically using several validated enthesitis scoring systems that have been used in clinical trials. Enthesitis treatment response has been reported as change in the total enthesitis score or the proportion of patients who achieved complete resolution. The majority of trials in PsA did not require patients to have enthesitis at study entry since enthesitis was evaluated only as a secondary outcome. Despite the inherent limitations of the clinical assessment of enthesitis, imaging of the entheses using ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging has rarely been used in clinical trials to assess response to treatment of enthesitis. This systematic review summarizes existing evidence regarding pharmaceutical and nonpharmaceutical interventions for enthesitis in patients with PsA to facilitate an evidence-based update of the Group for Research and Assessment in Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis (GRAPPA) treatment recommendations for PsA.

Methods

We performed a systematic literature review to identify 41 randomized clinical trials that reported enthesitis treatment response in patients with PsA. For each intervention, the response effect size was summarized and the quality of evidence was graded. Recommendations were then formulated for the various pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies.

Results

We included 41 randomized clinical trials in our review and graded each intervention.

Conclusion

Several classes of systemic conventional and advanced therapies and local measures were recommended for active enthesitis in patients with PsA.
Involvement of the topological degree theory for solving a tripled system of multi-point boundary value problems
Authors: Hammad Hasanen A. , Aydi Hassen , Zayed Mohra
Published: November 2022

This article investigates the existence and uniqueness (EU) of positive solutions to the tripled system of multi-point boundary value problems (M-PBVPs) for fractional order differential equations (FODEs). The topological degree theory technique is employed to derive sufficient requirements for the (EU) of positive solutions to the proposed system. To justify the efficiency and validity of our study, an illustrative example is considered.
Circadian Rhythmicity of Vital Signs at Intensive Care Unit Discharge and Outcome of Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Boots Rob , Xue George , Tromp Dirk , Rawashdeh Oliver , Bellapart Judith , Townsend Shane , Rudd Michael , Winter Craig , Mitchell Gary , Garner Nicholas , Clement Pierre , Karamujic Nermin , Zappala Christopher
Published: November 2022

Background

Physiological functions with circadian rhythmicity are often disrupted during illness.

Objective

To assess the utility of circadian rhythmicity of vital signs in predicting outcome of traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Methods

A retrospective single-center cohort study of adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients with largely isolated TBI to explore the relationship between the circadian rhythmicity of vital signs during the last 24 hours before ICU discharge and clinical markers of TBI severity and score on the Glasgow Outcome Scale 6 months after injury (GOS-6).

Results

The 130 study participants had a median age of 39.0 years (IQR, 23.0-59.0 years), a median Glasgow Coma Scale score at the scene of 8.0 (IQR, 3.0-13.0), and a median Rotterdam score on computed tomography of the head of 3 (IQR, 3-3), with 105 patients (80.8%) surviving to hospital discharge. Rhythmicity was present for heart rate (30.8% of patients), systolic blood pressure (26.2%), diastolic blood pressure (20.0%), and body temperature (26.9%). Independent predictors of a dichotomized GOS-6 ≥4 were the Rotterdam score (odds ratio [OR], 0.38 [95% CI, 0.18-0.81]; P = .01), Glasgow Coma Scale score at the scene (OR, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.05-1.41]; P = .008), age (OR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.92-0.98]; P = .003), oxygen saturation <90% in the first 24 hours (OR, 0.19 [95% CI, 0.05-0.73]; P = .02), serum sodium level <130 mmol/L (OR, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.05-0.70]; P = .01), and active intracranial pressure management (OR, 0.16 [95% CI, 0.04-0.62]; P = .008), but not rhythmicity of any vital sign.

Conclusion

Circadian rhythmicity of vital signs at ICU discharge is not predictive of GOS-6 in patients with TBI.
Diagenetic fluid flow and hydrocarbon migration in the Montney Formation, British Columbia: fluid inclusion and stable isotope evidence
Authors: Kingston A W , Ardakani O H
Published: November 2022

The Montney Formation in Alberta and British Columbia, Canada is an early Triassic siltstone currently in an active diagenetic environment at depths greater than 1,000 m, but with maximum burial depths potentially exceeding 5,000 m (Ness, 2001). It has undergone
multiple phases of burial and uplift and there is strong evidence for multiple generations of hydrocarbon maturation/migration. Understanding the origin and history of diagenetic fluids within these systems helps to unravel the chemical changes that have occurred since deposition. Many cores taken
near the deformation front display abundant calcite-filled fractures including vertical or sub-vertical, bedding plane parallel (beefs), and brecciated horizons with complex mixtures of vertical and horizontal components. We analyzed vertical and brecciated horizons to assess the timing and origin
of fluid flow and its implications for diagenetic history of the Montney Fm. Aqueous and petroleum bearing fluid inclusions were observed in both vertical and brecciated zones; however, they did not occur in the same fluid inclusion assemblages. Petroleum inclusions occur as secondary fluid
inclusions (e.g. in healed fractures and along cleavage planes) alongside primary aqueous inclusions indicating petroleum inclusions post-date aqueous inclusions and suggest multiple phases of fluid flow is recorded within these fractures. Raman spectroscopy of aqueous inclusions also display no
evidence of petroleum compounds supporting the absence or low abundance of petroleum fluids during the formation of aqueous fluid inclusions. Pressure-corrected trapping temperatures (>140°C) are likely associated with the period of maximum burial during the Laramide orogeny based on
burial history modelling. Ice melt temperatures of aqueous fluid inclusions are consistent with 19% NaCl equiv. brine and eutectic temperatures (-51°C) indicate NaCl-CaCl2 composition. Combined use of aqueous and petroleum fluid inclusions in deeply buried sedimentary systems offers a
promising tool for better understanding the diagenetic fluid history and helps constrain the pressure-temperature history important for characterizing economically important geologic formations.
Analysis of Prognostic Factors, Extent of Resection, and Long-Term Outcome of Craniopharyngioma in Adults and Children
Authors: Sadashivam Saravanan , Menon Girish , Abraham Mathew , Nair Suresh Narayanan
Published: November 2022

Introduction:

Surgical management of craniopharyngioma is debatable and still lacks clear guidelines. Long-term complications are attributed to radical resection of the tumor. Extent of resection may not be the only factor which determines the functional outcome, because studies have reported hypothalamic and visual morbidities even with conservative resection. In this article, we analyze the extent of resection, long-term outcome, and various prognostic factors in adults and children.

Materials and Methods:

Newly diagnosed cases of craniopharyngioma operated between 2001 and 2013 were reviewed retrospectively. PFS and OS were calculated. Predictors of various outcome parameters were analyzed.

Results:

Of 140 patients, 41% were children and 59% were adults. Postoperatively, vision has improved in 63% and worsened in 12%. GTR was achieved in 66%. The median follow-up was 67 months. PFS at 5 and 10 years was 95% and 41.5%, respectively. OS at 5 and 10 years was 92.6% and 89.5%, respectively. Symptoms of raised ICP and hypothalamic involvement, extensive calcifications, tumor size >5 cm, and multi-compartmental tumors were associated with presence of residual tumor. Regression analysis showed symptoms of hypothalamic involvement, size of the tumor > 5 cm, and hydrocephalus predicted postoperative hypothalamic morbidities. No significant difference was found in postoperative visual, endocrinological, hypothalamic, and functional outcomes between GTR and STR.

Conclusion:

Conservative resection should be carried out in patients with preoperative hypothalamic symptoms and imaging evidence of extensive hypothalamic involvement. Size of the tumor and invasiveness are the other factors should be considered before radical excision of craniopharyngiomas.
Anoctamin-5 Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Mahajan Swati , Dhall Aishwarya , Jassal Bandana , Saluja Alvee , Faruq Mohammed , Suri Vaishali , Rajan Roopa , Vishnu Venugopalan Y , Sharma Mehar C
Published: November 2022

Anoctaminopathies are a group of autosomal recessive skeletal muscle disorders with various clinical phenotypes, caused by anoctamin 5 (ANO5) gene mutations and the abnormal expression of ANO5 protein. Patients with recessive mutations in ANO5 present with variable symptoms ranging from asymptomatic hyperCKemia and exercise-induced myalgia to proximal and/or distal muscle weakness. Here, we describe the clinical, pathological, and molecular findings of two unrelated patients with ANO5-related muscular dystrophy (MD). Ninety-six histologically identified MD cases were subjected to next-generation sequencing using a customized panel of 54 genes (IIlumina Design Studio). Two patients were diagnosed with ANO5-related MD. One patient had a pathogenic homozygous mutation of c.1406G>A in exon 14, while the other patient had a novel heterozygous mutation of c.2141C>G in exon 19 of ANO5 gene. Both showed two different phenotypes (limb girdle MD and Miyoshi myopathy) and histomorphological patterns. Muscle biopsy of one patient in addition showed amyloid deposit in the walls of interstitial blood vessels. ANO5-related MD is a heterogeneous disease with different clinical phenotypes as well as genotypes. All muscle biopsies with unclassified muscular dystrophies should be subjected to Congo red stain. The results of this study suggest that screening for ANO5 gene should represent an early step in the diagnostic work-up of the patients with undiagnosed MD and persistent asymptomatic hyperCKemia, even when muscle biopsy histomorphology is normal.
A Multicenter, Cross-Sectional, Observational Study on Epilepsy and its Management Practices in India
Authors: Mehndiratta Man Mohan , Kukkuta Sarma Gosala Raja , Tripathi Manjari , Ravat Sangeeta , Gopinath Siby , Babu Suresh , Mishra Usha K.
Published: November 2022

Background:

Although epilepsy is a common neurological condition, there is paucity of nationwide data on treatment patterns and sociodemographic and clinical factors affecting treatment decisions in India.

Objective:

To assess clinical profiles, usage pattern of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and seizure control among patients with epilepsy in India.

Methods:

This was a cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study on adult patients with epilepsy who were on AEDs for at least six months before enrollment. Data were collected from patient interviews and medical records.

Results:

Out of 800 enrolled patients, a majority (69.0%) had generalized onset seizure in the six months before enrollment. The median age at epilepsy onset was 20.0 (1.0–64.0) years; 40.0% of the patients were females, 48.5% were married, 99.1% were literate, and 67.0% belonged to the lower or upper-middle socioeconomic class. Overall, 459 patients (57.4%) received AEDs as combination therapy. Most patients received levetiracetam (37.0%), sodium valproate (18.5%), carbamazepine (17.3%), or phenytoin (13.8%) as monotherapy, and clobazam (59.7%), levetiracetam (52.9%), carbamazepine (26.4%), sodium valproate (24.8%), or phenytoin (24.0%) in combination therapy. Quality of life was comparable for first- and third-generation AEDs. Adverse drug reactions were mostly attributed to dose modification or switching between drugs. No serious adverse drug reactions or new safety concerns were identified.

Conclusions:

Findings from this large, cross-sectional, observational, multicenter study indicate that first-generation AEDs sodium valproate and phenytoin continued to be used in a substantial number of patients on monotherapy and combination therapy in India, even though an increasing trend toward use of second-generation AEDs was noted in clinical practice.
Segmental Schwannomatosis of the Lower Extremity – A Case Series
Authors: Warade Anshu , Roy Rohan , Pattankar Sanjeev , Pasricha Paurush , Desai Ketan
Published: November 2022

Segmental schwannomatosis involving a nerve in single limb is uncommon. Schwannomatosis is used to describe a distinct clinicopathological disease of multiple schwannomas without manifestations of neurofibromatosis, and it is termed segmental when a single extremity is involved. Surgery is indicated when there is progressive clinical deterioration or progressive increase in size of the tumors. We present a case series of segmental schwannomatosis involving the lower limb.
Exposure to Organic Solvents and Neurobehavioral Assessment of Working Children of Informal Footwear Units of Agra, India
Authors: Tiwari Rajnarayan R , Tripathi Somnath R
Published: November 2022

Background:

Children aged 5 to 14 years are employed in the informal units of footwear making and are exposed to a mixture of organic solvents present in the adhesives. Organic solvents are reported to be toxic to the neurobehavioral system.

Objective:

The present study was undertaken among the working children of informal footwear units of Agra to assess neurobehavioral functions using neurobehavioral tests.

Materials and Methods:

The study included 151 working children and 157 school children. We used the interview technique to collect the data regarding demographic, occupational, personal, and clinical characteristics using a pre-designed and pre-tested proforma. Each study participant was then subjected to a neurobehavioral test battery that included digit symbol test, finger dexterity, tweezer dexterity, vocabulary test, picture completion, and maze completion test.

Results:

The mean age of working children was 10.8 ± 1.5 years and that of school children was 11.0 ± 1.5 years. Except for the vocabulary test scores, all other test scores were significantly lower among working children as compared with the school children.

Conclusion:

The study revealed that the working children in informal footwear making units are exposed to a mixture of chemicals that affect their neurobehavioral function as reflected by poor neurobehavioral test battery (NBT) scores.
Carotid Health in Patients with Cerebral Venous Thrombosis
Authors: Shah Naman M , Saroja Aralikatte Onkarappa , Naik Karkal Ravishankar , Goudar Pradeep S
Published: November 2022

Background:

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is an uncommon cause of stroke and shares common risk factors with arterial strokes such as hyperhomocysteinemia, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and hypercoagulable state. These risk factors can alter both arterial and venous health leading to the occurrence of atherosclerosis in CVT patients.

Aims:

To evaluate carotid hemodynamics in CVT patients.

Settings and Design:

Prospective hospital-based case-control study.

Methods:

This study included 50 consecutive CVT patients and 50 healthy controls. The demographic data, vascular risk factors, clinical data, biochemical, and radiological parameters were recorded. Carotid sonography was performed in CVT patients within the first 24 h of admission.

Statistical Analysis:

MedCalc 17.

Results:

The age of the patients was 35.04 ± 9.48 years and the controls 38.88 ± 10.41 years with male preponderance in both groups. Risk factors for atherosclerosis among patients included hyperhomocysteinemia (40 patients), diabetes mellitus (4 patients), hypertension (9 patients), alcohol (17 patients), and tobacco (21 patients). Eight patients had abnormal carotid sonography. Six had nonflow-limiting plaques, one had carotid occlusion, two had increased intimal-medial thickness, and one had increased peak systolic velocity. Among the controls, three subjects had nonflow-limiting plaques. There was no difference in carotid hemodynamic parameters between controls and patients; and those with normal and elevated homocysteine.

Conclusion:

This is the first study to our knowledge looking at carotid health in venous strokes. The relative risk for carotid atherosclerosis in CVT patients is higher and requires long-term follow-up for the initiation of preventive measures.
Central Skull Base Osteomyelitis
Authors: Maramattom Boby V. , Ram S Ananth , Viswam Vineeth , Nair Shagos
Published: November 2022

Background:

Central or atypical skull base osteomyelitis (CSBO) often presents with severe unrelenting headache and progressive mono or polyneuritis cranialis. MRI and CT are used as initial imaging techniques but have a poor specificity and sensitivity.

Objective:

To analyze our cohort of CSBO.

Materials and Methods:

Over a 5-year period [2015–2020], we retrospectively analyzed the records of all patients with CSBO who had undergone a 3T MRI Brain, MR angiography, regional FDG PET-CT, and skeletal scintigraphy with 99mTc MDP/SPECT-CT. Surgical biopsy specimens were sent for bacterial and fungal cultures.

Results:

In total, 17 patients with CSBO were identified. Typically, 88% of patients presented with severe unilateral headache. All patients had at least a cranial mono or polyneuritis. The majority of patients were diabetic [64%]. MRI was normal in 42% of patients, whereas PET-CT and with 99mTc MDP scan and SPECT-CT were abnormal in all patients.

Conclusion:

Our series of CSBO showed a 40% mortality rate with significant morbidity and relentless progression. Patients required repeated PET CT and bone scans to detect regression of disease activity. The average duration of IV therapy ranged from 3 weeks to 9 months and oral therapy for around 2–3 months. Cure was defined after taking into account the original diagnosis, symptom resolution, and concordant reduction of tissue uptake on PET CT and 99mTc bone scan. The combination of MRI, FDG PET CT, and 99mTc bone scan with concurrent SPECT CT was able to detect disease and disease progression in all patients.
Developmental Venous Anomalies and Arteriovenous Malformations Coordinately Drained by the Internal Cerebral Vein
Authors: Z. Ghali Michael G. Z. , Yu Jianjun , Zhao Xuelian , Lv Xianli
Published: November 2022

An intimate understanding of dynamic angioarchitectural development of vascular malformations involving the intracranium may provide mechanistic insight into the incipient pathogenesis of these lesions. The authors report two patients harboring cerebral developmental venous anomaly (DVA) and three patients harboring sporadically developing cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVM) in whom the internal cerebral vein (ICV) represented the chief venous egress route. Onyx embolization successfully achieved complete obliteration in all patients harboring cerebral AVMs. Two female patients presenting with a chief complaint of chronic headaches was found to harbor deeply situated DVA draining via the lateral group of direct lateral vein (DLV) egress via the ICV. Three female patients presenting with chronic headaches or intraparenchymal hemorrhage were found to possess cerebral AVMs deriving arterial feeders from the anterior cerebral arteries, with major venous drainage into the ICV via the direct lateral veins or terminal vein. Common drainage of DVAs and AVMs may indicate a common originate genesis. This pattern of venous drainage in the context of seeking to develop a cohesive and coherent model illumining our understanding of the mechanistic incipient pathogenesis of AVMs.
Is There any Link between Madelung Disease and Ischemic Stroke? A Case Report
Authors: Lunardon Clara , Zavattaro Elisa , Coppo Lorenzo , Savoia Paola , Colombo Enrico , Comi Cristoforo , Cantello Roberto
Published: November 2022

A 70-year-old man presented to the Emergency Department with left hemiparesis, slurred speech, and elevated blood pressure. A brain computed tomography scan revealed an ischemic lesion in the right frontal and parietal lobes. At clinical examination bilateral pseudo gynecomastia was detected together with the presence of multiple elastic, adipose bulging masses on the neck, trunk, and upper limbs. A type I–II Lanois–Bensaude syndrome was diagnosed. Ultrasonography confirmed their adipose nature. Multiple symmetric lipomatosis, also known as Lanois–Bensaude syndrome or Madelung disease, is a very rare condition with extreme variability in its clinical presentation. The simultaneous occurrence of ischemic stroke and lipomatosis in the same patient might be due to a mitochondrial function impairment, which could lead to abnormal fat tissue distribution and defective cellular energy production, thus resulting in neuronal sufferance and death. The possibility that, in our case, lipomatosis could have represented a further risk factor in promoting the stroke occurrence is discussed. In our opinion, multiple symmetric lipomatosis must be carefully evaluated to improve the patients' quality of life.
Neuropathic Pain in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Cortes-Altamirano Jose Luis , Reyes-Long Samuel , Bandala Cindy , Morraz-Varela Abril , Bonilla-Jaime Herlinda , Alfaro-Rodriguez Alfonso
Published: November 2022

Pain is a well-recognized and important non-motor manifestation in Parkinson disease (PD). Painful or unpleasant sensations in PD can be classified as musculoskeletal, dystonia, akathisia, radicular, and central or primary pain; the last two are associated with neuropathic pain. Particularly, neuropathic pain in PD has not been fully clarified; therefore, it goes somewhat unnoticed, and the affected patients do not receive adequate pain treatment. The main purpose of this literature review was to identify the incidence of neuropathic pain in PD and the involvement of dopamine of this type of pain by the integration of different lines of investigation. In this review, a search was conducted using PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCO, Medline, EMBASE, and the Science Citation index for studies evaluating pain in patients with PD. The inclusion criteria were as follows: original articles that evaluated incidence and possible mechanism of neuropathic, central, and radicular pain in PD. Nine studies related to the incidence of neuropathic pain in PD suggest the activation of cerebral areas, such as the cortex, striatum, amygdala, thalamus, raphe nuclei, and locus coeruleus. Neuropathic pain is related to altered levels of dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine; these neurotransmitters are related to the sensitive and emotional dimensions of pain. Dopamine could cause hypersensitivity to pain, either indirectly through modulatory effects on affective pain processing and/or directly by affecting the neural activity in key areas of the brain that modulate pain. A considerable proportion of patients with PD suffer neuropathic pain; however, it has been disregarded, this has led to an inability to achieve an adequate treatment and a decrease in pain to improve the quality of life of these patients. We consider that neuropathic pain in PD is possibly induced by neurophysiological changes due to the degradation of dopaminergic neurons.