bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Review of Six Different Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) Techniques for
Forensic Science, including Advantages and Disadvantages
Authors: Bashar Sheerin , Kothakota Naga Jogayya , Jena Bikash Ranjan
Published: January 2024

Next-generation sequencing methods have advanced greatly since Sanger sequencing,
allowing for increased data yield, productivity, and utility. Read time can be used to categorize
the upcoming technological generations. This article summarizes the differences between the
two technological paradigms, the second-generation (short-read) kind, and the third-generation
(long-read) variety. Popular technologies such as Ion Torrent and Illumina stand in for short-read
sequencing methods, whereas Oxford Nanopore and Pacific Biosciences are used to represent
long-read sequencing approaches. The introduction of the first next-generation sequencing
(NGS) technology about ten years ago completely transformed the study of genetics. Whole genomes
are now mapped and published practically weekly as a result of speed and cost advances.
The number of scholarly papers and conference presentations highlighting the forensic uses of
NGS in multiple forensic genetic laboratories has somewhat increased from the previous year.
These results show that NGS provides new opportunities for forensic genomic investigation. To
gather more information from multiple specimens in a single experiment, combinations of different
markers, such as Short Tandem Repeats (STRs), Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms
(SNPs), insertion/deletions, and mRNA, can be used instead of the usual Polymerase Chain Reactions-
CE techniques. The most significant forensic STR loci's true spectrum of variation and
hitherto unknown STR alleles have been discovered. We will address the possible use of singlemolecule
sequencing and NGS in forensic science.
‘Adequate amount of data’‐driven system design theory: how far can we know/control/protect?
Authors: Sadamoto Tomonori
Published: January 2024

In contrast to the natural tendency of many researchers to focus on collecting as much data as possible, Assistant Professor Tomonori Sadamoto, from the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Intelligent Systems at the University of Electro-Communications in Japan, believes that the
pursuit of big data is not always desirable. He is promoting a shift towards the acceptance of a “adequate amount of data”-driven system design theory. Sadamoto is concentrating on data-driven methodologies and their application in social systems. Through key international collaborations
with colleagues at leading institutions, he is advancing his research. His work on data-driven methodologies focuses on interdisciplinary studies that combine machine learning and control theory. His more applied work primarily falls within the realm of smart grids. In his projects, he formulates
his questions mathematically from the perspective of control theory. For instance, Sadamoto has developed a novel mathematical tool known as the VARX (vector autoregressive with exogenous input) framework, which facilitates the tractable analysis of dynamic systems. Using this new tool, he
has developed data-dependent system identification analyses when only an “insufficient amount of data” is available. Furthermore, for the first time, Sadamoto was able to demonstrate that the informativeness of data in a certain class of dynamic output controller design is equivalent
to the identification of the target system. His efforts are aimed at expanding the horizons of these novel control theories into the field of smart grids.
Innovative multi-layered biocement development and marine implementation research that contributes to the creation of resilient eelgrass beds
Authors: Kusube Masataka , Nakashima Yuki , Sonobe Takumi , Kawamura Yoshinaga , Kusumoto Koki , Sasamoto Akari , Kusube Kogei
Published: January 2024

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds are important sites of marine biodiversity. Professor Masataka Kusube, National Institute of Technology, Wakayama College, Japan, has extensive experience in this area of research. He focuses on the development of bio-cements created from locally sourced
sea sand and bacteria and collaborates with chemicals and plastics manufacturers and local governments in his research on eelgrass meadows. Hydrogen sulfide interferes with cellular respiration and is therefore toxic to humans and animals. Recent research has suggested toxicity to plants,
and it could be linked with a recent widespread decline in eelgrass meadows. Kusube has been developing bio-cements and utilises scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to visually examine its surface structure, as well as using PCR (polymerase chain reaction), 16S multigenomic sequencing, SYBR
green staining and cell counts to further investigate and gather data on the growth and germination rates of eelgrass with and without his interventions. In the creation of bio-cements, Kusube and his team used urea-degrading bacteria isolating strains of bacteria that were able to provide
the functions required. Using urea-degrading bacteria meant that the researchers could easily isolate them with phenol red staining as these colonies break down urea to produce ammonia, generating a distinct red colouration around colonies when using this indicator. So far, the team has found
that water temperature and oxygen concentration can significantly affect germination rates, while Eelgrass growth can be promoted in the presence of organic matter and iron. This suggests the potential to enhance growth by manipulating these elements.
Next-generation healthcare infrastructure based on cross-layer optimization of biosignal sensing and communication
Authors: Muramatsu Dairoku
Published: January 2024

The human body already uses electric signals to transmit information to and from the brain and the rest of the body but is there potential to harness the complex interactions between living organisms and electromagnetic waves to advance scientific disciplines? Associate Professor Dairoku
Muramatsu is the head of the Muramatsu Laboratory. He leads the Bioelectromagnetics Research Group, Graduate School of Information Science and Engineering Mechanical and Intelligent Systems, University of Electro-Communications, Japan. He is a specialist in bioelectromagnetic engineering that
spans engineering and medicine interested in the interactions between living organisms and electromagnetic waves and how improved understanding of these interactions could lead to practical, real-world impacts. A key principle behind Muramatsu's research is that by passing
a weak electric current through the human body and using the body itself as a path for electric signals, it is possible to exchange information between people and objects that come into contact with them. He is working to create innovative and highly usable technology by making full use of
simulation and manufacturing. As research on human body communication, which is wireless communication that uses the human body itself as a transmission path for high-frequency signals, findings will play a key role in the spread of wearable devices. Muramatsu has already proposed bioelectromagnetic
models that serve as a tool for a wide range of bioelectronics and sensor designs, including non-invasive blood glucose monitoring using bioelectromagnetic response as an evaluation criterion.
Art Conservation and Research Centre
Authors: Huang Bo-Wen , Li I-Cheng
Published: January 2024

The preservation of cultural heritage is extremely important. Expressions of culture can be passed down in different ways, including artistic expressions, objects, buildings, skills, relics and crafts. It can be difficult to preserve historical artefacts as they can fall into poor condition
and finding ways to preserve or restore them is crucial to retaining a culture’s heritage. A team of researchers at the Art Conservation and Research Centre, Cheng Shiu University, Taiwan, is working on projects seeking to restore and preserve cultural relics and artefacts. The team
is led by the University’s Vice Chancellor Dr Bo-Wen Huang who is interested in how innovative technologies can be harnessed to meet the Research Centre’s goals. A primary focus for the researchers is on preserving cultural and art assets located in the Asia-Pacific region of the
world. Currently, the preservation and development of cultural heritage in this region is limited to the development of humanities and the social sciences but Huang believes it’s important to integrate other domains. He sees great room for improvement in the concept and implementation
of cultural assets preservation and restoration in Southeast Asia. The Conservation and Research Centre takes inspiration from Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong as they have shown significant improvement in the field of cultural asset preservation. An important area for the team is on promoting
international academic exchanges and cooperation, as well as collaborating with local art transportation companies and checking local imported and exported artworks.
Effective and Sustainable Disaster Tradition based on Scientific Evidence
Authors: Sato Shosuke
Published: January 2024

A number of natural disasters have occurred in Japan, largely owing to where it is located. These include volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, as well as floods and cyclones. Due to the regularity of such incidents, there is much expertise around what to do in the event of such a disaster
but there is always room for improvement. By learning about past natural disasters, researchers can apply this knowledge to implementing more effective and sustainable disaster response procedures. Professor Shosuke Sato and his team at the Tohoku University International Research Institute
of Disaster Science in Japan are committed to developing effective and sustainable responses to natural disasters based on scientific evidence. The institute is interdisciplinary, with four departments: Risk Evaluation and Disaster Mitigation Research (Science and Engineering); Disaster Humanities
and Social Science (Humanities and Social Sciences); Disaster Medical Science (Medicine); and Practical Research and Collaboration Division. Sato and his team are working to shed light on the mechanisms and factors behind disaster experiences and memories that have been successfully passed
down over many years, and to build a system which can effectively and sustainably pass down disaster experiences and memories. They have developed a disaster storyteller training programme and tested the method using examples from people who had experienced war. By listening to narratives,
it is possible to feel the reality of disaster response and to increase the options for disaster response.
Scaling up innovation: European Innovation Council
Authors: Midgley Priscilla
Published: January 2024

The European Innovation Council (EIC) was launched in March 2021 and aims to help advance breakthrough innovations. To do so it has a funding budget of over €10 billion between 2021 and 2027. The EIC Board comprises entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, company representatives,
along with other members of the innovation community, and is responsible for the EIC’s strategy, work programme and its implementation. Available funding is overseen by EIC Programme Managers who are experts in their field and aim to make innovations a reality by nurturing an environment
where breakthroughs can truly blossom. The 2023 work programme includes three funding schemes; each designed to fit a particular project idea. Through the EIC Pathfinder scheme, €343 million is available to multifaceted research groups to facilitate innovative research. Candidates for
this scheme are typically visionary scientists, entrepreneurial researchers, research performing organisations, start-ups, high-tech SMEs and groups and individuals with an interest in technology research and development. For research teams grants of up to €4 million are available to
support technologies in the early stages of development. New technologies are supported and prepared for market by the EIC Transition scheme. Providing they can demonstrate that research results arising from Pathfinder and European Research Council Proof of Concept projects can be transformed
into pioneering technologies and new businesses, applicants can access funding worth €128.3 million. If successful, applicants gain the opportunity to further develop their idea, produce a business plan and bring their innovation to market.
Guqing Music Recognition by Machine Learning Methods
Authors: Kuremoto Takashi
Published: January 2024

The guqin is an ancient Chinese stringed instrument that is an important part of Chinese culture and history. Guqin notation is a unique form of tablature known as jianzi pu that is notoriously difficult to understand. Even now, several hundreds of pieces of music remain un-played because
the notation is indecipherable to modern day players. In order to access this important cultural artefact and play the guqin as it was intended in ancient times, it's essential that new methods of translating and understanding the notation are developed. Professor Takashi
Kuremoto leads a team at the Department of Information Technology and Media Design, Nippon Institute of Technology, Japan, that is using AI and machine learning methods to uncover the music of the past. The researchers want to utilise deep learning to automatically recognise guqin notation.
This involves collaboration with academic experts from a broad range of different fields. The goal of representing guqin notation through AI and machine learning is particularly challenging because elements of music that we recognise, such as rhythm, speed and harmony are not given in jianzi
pu and the title and the words of the songs needs to be considered and arranged by musicians. The researchers created a database of single jianzi pu lines which was composed of multiple handwritten images and augmented data and adopted multiple machine learning models, such as VGG16 and SVM
to increase the accuracy of classification.
Research on optical computing system architecture for simple recurrent neural networks
Authors: Kawakami Satoshi
Published: January 2024

Moore’s Law, relating to the speed and capabilities of computers is becoming less applicable. In this ‘post-Moore’ era, a cross-disciplinary team based in the Constructive Electronics Laboratory, Kyushu University, Japan, is investigating optical computing system infrastructures,
with a view to driving computing technology forward in a way that negates the need to comply with Moore’s Law. Associate Professor Satoshi Kawakami is an expert in electric circuits and computer architecture who is part of the team. The team’s expertise covers materials, devices,
circuits, architectures and algorithms and is geared towards pioneering new computing technologies in the post-Moore era. Kawakami believes that the continuous improvement of computer systems with higher performance and lower power consumption/energy consumption will be essential to realise
a sustainable advanced information society and wants to maximise the advantages of devices and hide their disadvantages at the system level, which will necessitate collaboration with higher system layers. Another important goal is reducing power consumption by improving the efficiency of computers.
In one current project, the researchers are exploring optical computing system infrastructure for simple recurrent neural networks. The team is keen to re-examine the ideal state of optical circuits from the perspective of the entire system, including electrical memory and interfaces.
Research on the involvement and success factors of star scientists in start-ups
Authors: Maki Kanetaka
Published: January 2024

Star scientists are an essential driver of innovation. Studies into the concept of star scientists were first carried out by Professor Lynne Zucker and Professor Michael Darby from the University of California. They identified that in science research fields a very small number of scientists
are responsible for the notable discoveries, and that the brightest scientists in the world produce more publications, attract more citations and lodge more patents than other scientists. An international collaboration led by the Waseda Business School and the National Graduate Institute for
Policy Studies in Japan has expanded on the concept of star scientists. Their novel JST-RISTEX project, entitled ‘Star Scientists and Innovation in Japan’ focuses on understanding innovation and entrepreneurship, and the role star scientists play in this in Japan. Associate Professor
Kanetaka Maki is the Principal Investigator. Building a list of star scientists in Japan and constructing data sets that can be used for star scientist research were the two main project outputs. Key activities for the team were evaluating an initiative the Government of Japan introduced in
1998 promoting university-industry technology transfer and providing scientific evidence regarding the allocation of research funds from the perspective of a star scientist, in order to ensure that Japan remains competitive in the world, in terms of scientific innovation with real-world applications
for industry. The project is the first to conduct science and technology innovation and related policy evaluation in Japan from the perspective of a star scientist using quantitative analysis.
The Research work of Dr. Ishida ‐ including Syntheses and Their Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction of Dinuclear Metal Complexes with Peptide Linkages project
Authors: Ishida Hitoshi
Published: January 2024

The process of photosynthesis holds potential to be harnessed for addressing increasing CO2 levels, as well as for finding solutions for energy shortages resulting from depleted fossil fuel reserves. Professor Hitoshi Ishida, Laboratory on Functional Metal Complexes, Kansai University,
has extensive expertise in creating artificial enzymes and is interested in developing techniques to emulate photosynthesis. The plan is to create a new photocatalyst by combining photochemical CO2 reduction catalytic reactions for artificial photosynthesis with the technology of functional
molecule design using ‘peptide origami’, whereby proteins fold to form higher-order structures and exhibit functions. Ishida and his team are seeking to achieve artificial photosynthesis by using ruthenium complexes as catalysts in CO2 reduction reactions that can reduce CO2 to
carbon monoxide (CO) and formic acid (HCOOH), which are useful as energy sources. Ishida has created functional molecules combining metal complexes with proteins, including artificial metalloproteins ‐ a type of protein containing a metal ion ‐ using synthetic bipyridyl amino
acid 5Bpy. This focused on a rare transition metal called ruthenium as the ruthenium complexes the researchers are investigating have a selectivity for carbon monoxide and formic acid reduction products that change depending on the reaction conditions. The ultimate goal of Ishida’s work
is to find a solution to the problem of pollution, while addressing the need for alternatives to fossil fuels.
Research on continuous authentication using dynamic biometrics during information terminal operation
Authors: Yamada Takeshi
Published: January 2024

Cyberattacks and cybercrime have increased along with digitisation, causing financial damage and putting lives at risk. It‘s difficult to stop criminals attempting attacks, but more can be done to thwart these efforts. Measures such as 2FA (two factor authentication) aren‘t
foolproof. At the Department of Information and Electronic Systems Engineering, Daiichi Institute of Technology, Japan, researchers are conducting research on continuous authentication. They are developing a method by which the identity of a user can be continuously authenticated in order
to improve security measures and reduce incidences of fraud, cyberattacks and cybercrime. Professor Takeshi Yamada leads the team, bringing his research background in physics, biometrics, information theory and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to overcoming the limitations of current user authentication
systems. Even with continuous authentication, there are challenges to overcome such as interruptions caused by regular requests for ID and password authentication and what is known as ‘leakage’, whereby the leakage of IDs and passwords can enable unauthorised users to freely operate
systems. These challenges led the team to the idea of continuous authentication by biometrics. The researchers decided to focus on continuous authentication using behavioural features, which includes handwriting, voiceprint and gait, and, for computer and smartphone security, authentication
using features obtained from keyboard, mouse and touch operations.
Pathways to a brighter future for Europe
Authors: Midgley Priscilla
Published: January 2024

Through the Horizon Europe programme, the European Commission is investing €13.5 billion throughout 2023-24 to support researchers and innovators in Europe in developing novel solutions to key challenges. These include environmental, energy, digital and geopolitical issues. Representing
the EU's main funding programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe has a budget of €95.5 billion until 2027. The 2023-2024 work programme has around €13.5 billion funding available to help the EU attain its climate, energy and technological goals. The funding will
also be used to assist Ukraine, enhance economic sustainability and aid in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also expected to help secure a strengthened research and innovation environment across Europe, with a greater number of researchers and innovators, improved flexibility
and funding for selected research facilities. In terms of the allocation of funding, €5.67 billion is earmarked to help achieve crucial climate action targets such as developing ways to lower greenhouse gas emissions and climate change adaptation, while an additional €1.67 billion
is allocated to protecting biodiversity. More than €4.5 billion is available to support digital transformation across the EU, supporting the ongoing development of innovations in digital technologies. Nearly €970 million from the EU’s NextGenerationEU programme
is dedicated to accelerate the shift to clean energy, including measures to help end the EU's reliance on Russian fossil fuels in accordance with the European Commission's REPowerEUPlan.
Suicide Prevention by Peers Offering Recovery Tactics (SUPPORT) for US Veterans With Serious Mental Illness: Community Engagement Approach (Preprint)
Authors: Chalker Samantha A , Serafez Jesus , Imai Yuki , Stinchcomb Jeffrey , Mendez Estefany , Depp Colin A , Twamley Elizabeth W , Fortuna Karen L , Goodman Marianne , Chinman Matthew
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Peer specialists are hired, trained, and accredited to share their lived experience of psychiatric illness to support other similar individuals through the recovery process. There are limited data on the role of peer specialists in suicide prevention, including their role in intervention development.

OBJECTIVE

To better understand peer specialists within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), we followed partnership community engagement and a formative research approach to intervention development to (1) identify barriers, facilitators, and perceptions of VHA peer specialists delivering a suicide prevention service and (2) develop and refine an intervention curriculum based on an evidence-informed preliminary intervention framework for veterans with serious mental illness (SMI).

METHODS

Following the community engagement approach, VHA local and national peer support and mental health leaders, veterans with SMI, and veteran peer specialists met to develop a preliminary intervention framework. Next, VHA peer specialist advisors (n=5) and scientific advisors (n=6) participated in respective advisory boards and met every 2-4 months for more than 18 months via videoconferencing to address study objectives. The process used was a reflexive thematic analysis after each advisory board meeting.

RESULTS

The themes discussed included (1) the desire for suicide prevention training for peer specialists, (2) determining the role of VHA peer specialists in suicide prevention, (3) integration of recovery themes in suicide prevention, and (4) difficulties using safety plans during a crisis. There were no discrepancies in thematic content between advisory boards. Advisor input led to the development of Suicide Prevention by Peers Offering Recovery Tactics (SUPPORT). SUPPORT includes training in general suicide prevention and a peer specialist–delivered intervention for veterans with SMI at an increased suicide risk. This training aims to increase the competence and confidence of peer specialists in suicide prevention and the intervention supports veterans with SMI at an increased suicide risk through their recovery process.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper intends to document the procedures taken in suicide prevention intervention development, specifically those led by peer specialists, and to be a source for future research developing and evaluating similar interventions.

CLINICALTRIAL

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05537376; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05537376
The Challenge of the Anthropocene: Climate Crisis and Human Survival in The Road
Authors: Pei Xinyao
Published: January 2024

With the intensification of the impact of human activities on the Earth’s systems, humankind has entered a new era in its history, the Anthropocene, which means that humankind has become the greatest threat to its survival and the Earth’s environment, and a major force for change in the Earth’s geological formations, however the consequences of human activity in the Anthropocene era were often uncontrolled and unintended, and so the Anthropocene also signaled the need for humans to take greater responsibility for the Earth. Cormac McCarthy’s novel The Road is mainly written through extreme weather, biological extinction, and ecological imbalance to show the climate disaster caused by human over-destruction of the earth’s ecology, to remind people to establish the “Anthropocene” thinking and take the road of sustainable development. McCarthy’s depiction of the desolate world of the end of time not only highlights his deep concern about the current state of human existence and ecological problems but also highlights the practical significance of literary works inquiring into the way of human survival.
Study on the Spatial-temporal Evolution Characteristics and Trajectory of the Coupling Coordination Degree between Carbon Emission Intensity and High-quality Development of Energy-intensive Industries
Authors: Zhang Caijiang , Zhou Yu , Li Zhangwen
Published: January 2024

This paper constructs the index of high-quality development of energy-intensive industries and calculates the coupling coordination degree between high-quality development and carbon emission intensity. In this study, the dynamic evolution process, regional inequality and convergence characteristics of the coupling coordination degree are investigated using kernel density estimation, Dagum Gini coefficient, and convergence analysis. The results show that (1) the full-sample coupling coordination degree fluctuates in medium levels, showing a two-stage inverted U-shaped trend. In addition, the highest coupling coordination degree occurred in the eastern region, followed by western provinces, and the lowest in the central regions. (2) Results of kernel density estimation showed a shift in coupling coordination degree from bipolar to unipolar; (3) the Dagum Gini coefficient shows that the general, inter-regional, and intra-regional variations all show an upward trend, suggesting a significant elevated polarization effect. Additionally, the primary determinants influencing the Dagum Gini coefficient reveal a pattern of “inter-regional variation - antagonism - hypervariable density.” (4) absolute convergence exists in the overall sample and in the eastern region, while it is not significant in the central and western regions. Based on the aforementioned findings, this study proposes policy implications for different regions in China.
A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY IN AN INDIAN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL ON BREAST LESION CLASSIFICATION BY THE IAC YOKOHAMA SYSTEM USING FNAC
Authors: Singh Abhishek , Singh Seema , Tiwari Sanchit , Shukla Shivendra Dutt
Published: January 2024

Objective: The International Academy of Cytology (IAC) Yokohama system was used to categorize breast lesions as the major goal of this investigation.
Methods: Between January 2022 and March 2023, this study on breast fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was carried out at a tertiary care facility in north India. This System of reporting breast cytopathology was used to classify a total of 100 patients. Histopathology correlation was available in 40 cases; Malignancy risk, sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic precision were assessed.
Results: Breast FNAC cytology was divided into five groups using the new IAC Yokohama system and discovered C1: Insufficient material (6%), C2: Benign type (72%), C3: Atypical type (05%), C4: Suspicious type of malignancy (06%), C5: Malignancy (11%). When histopathological reports were available, FNACs were connected with them. The likelihood of cancer, the precision, sensitivity, and specificity of the diagnosis were all calculated.
Conclusion: The IAC Yokohama System for reporting breast cytopathology governs how breast FNAC are categorized, which offers an excellent method for reporting breast cytopathology with a uniform method of reporting and clear definition of each category as well as clear communication between pathologists and clinicians regarding the risk of malignancy and subsequent management.
QUALITY AND EFFICACY OF GENERAL ANESTHESIA VERSUS SEGMENTAL THORACIC SPINAL ANESTHESIA IN MODIFIED RADICAL MASTECTOMY SURGERY: A SINGLE-CENTER OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Authors: GUPTA NAMITA , AGARWAL SONIA , GOYAL GAURAV
Published: January 2024

Objective: Surgical resection remains the most important treatment modality for breast cancers. Recent research suggests that the choice of anesthesia technique might also have a role in the recurrence of the disease. We compared quality and efficacy of the conventional general anesthesia technique with segmental thoracic spinal (STS) anesthesia technique used in modified radical mastectomy.
Methods: 60 American Society of Anesthesiologists II/III patients were divided into two groups Group C (Control group) and Group S (Study group). Group C patients were induced with standard anesthesia regimen while Group S patients were given STS at T4–T5 inter space with 1.5 mL of 0.5% hyperbaric levobupivacaine along with 15 µg of fentanyl with conscious sedation. Hemodynamics, pain score, time for first rescue analgesia, experience of anesthesiologist, surgeon, and patients were recorded.
Results: Time for induction in group S is significantly longer (Group C 17.4±3.8 vs. 36.2±7.2 min, in Group S). The duration of surgery (56±13.6 min vs. 76.4±15.9 min) was also significantly longer, while reversal period was shorter in Group S (9.2±6.2 and 6.3±5.7 min). Modified Aldrete’s recovery score achieved quickly in Group C (16.8±4.9 vs. 29.7±9.8 min), but postoperative analgesia was better in Group S as first rescue analgesic sode required after 6.2±1.9 h in Gr. S while in Gr. C time duration was 4.9±1.3 h. Length of stay in hospital was more in Group S, (Group C 45.4±4.8 vs. Group S 56.3±8.5 [h]) while ease and comfort of surgeon anesthesiologist and patient satisfaction score were more in Group C.
Conclusion: STS anesthesia is feasible for breast carcinoma surgeries but it is easier for surgeon and anesthesiologist to manage patient under general anesthesia. STS anesthesia has advantage in terms of early post-operative analgesia and will definitely be helpful in cases where patient is not fit for general anesthesia.
A PHARMACIST INTERVENTION ON KNOWLEDGE AND ADHERENCE IN PATIENTS WITH OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA
Authors: KARN DEEPA KUMARI , GURUNG SHILA
Published: January 2024

Objective: The objective of the study is to assess the pharmacist’s intervention on knowledge and adherence in patients with open-angle glaucoma therapy.
Methods: The study was conducted at the glaucoma outpatient department of Shree Rana Ambika Shah Eye Hospital, Rupandehi, Nepal. Census sampling was performed among the glaucoma patients meeting the inclusion criteria from August 2018 to November 2018. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire that included questions about demography, knowledge of glaucoma, medication adherence, and factors associated with medication non-adherence to glaucoma therapy. Each patient was counseled by a pharmacist, and the relevant information was provided in the form of an information leaflet. Knowledge level and adherence level were re-assessed during the follow-up visit after 1 month. The Morisky–Green–Levine medication adherence scale was used to assess adherence.
Results: A total of 103 patients were enrolled in the study, and the majority of the patients were of age ≥59 years. After intervention by the pharmacist, the knowledge level on glaucoma improved from poor to good. Before intervention, about 31% of patients were adherent to the medication therapy, but after intervention, about 73% of patients were adherence to the medication therapy. There was a significant difference in the mean of the knowledge level score and the mean of the medication adherence score before and after intervention. The common causes of non-adherence were reported to be forgetfulness, a stressful life, and difficulties with medication time.
Conclusion: The study demonstrates that pharmacist intervention is effective in improving both knowledge and medication adherence to open-angle glaucoma therapy.
AGE ESTIMATION OF PERMANENT TEETH AND ITS CORRELATION AMONG LOCAL POPULATION
Authors: SINGH JASPINDER PRATAP , CHAUDHARY NEHA
Published: January 2024

Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to establish the relationship between the ages of the eruption of permanent teeth in correlation with the local population and related factors.
Methods: The present prospective observation study was conducted on one thousand students in schools and colleges aged 6–25 years by the Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government Medical College, Amritsar. The data collected from this study were organized by presenting it in appropriate tables and graphs, which are statistically analyzed for percent ages and inferences.
Results: The first permanent tooth to erupt is the first permanent Molar, which erupts at 75.9–77.9 months; permanent central incisor is the second permanent tooth to erupt following the first Molar. The age of eruption is 80.8–84.0 months. Permanent Lateral Incisor erupts at the age of 105.2– 107.4 months, and permanent Premolar one teeth erupt at the age of 109.5–112.6 months, permanent premolar two teeth erupt at the age of 131.0– 133.8 months, permanent Canine teeth erupt at the age of 142.6–144.8 months.
Conclusion: It is thus concluded, based on the present study that the growth and eruption of teeth depend on various factors, including genetic as well as ecological aspects. The most accurate method, which depends on the conditions as well circumstances of each case, namely, the elements can be age, people participating in the study, supporting networks, availability of tools of age estimation, culture, religion, and ethnicity of the individual.
CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF BREAST CANCER AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL EXPRESSION OF BRCA 1 AND BRCA2 – A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Authors: Perugu Naveen chand , Komanapalli Sunilkumar , Kuna Rajani , CHOWDARI BALAJI , DEVI URMILA , Das Basumitra
Published: January 2024

Objectives: The aim of this study was to study morphological features of breast cancer (BRCA), to grade according to Nottingham’s modification of Bloom Richardson (BR) grading system and to detect the immunohistochemical (IHC) expression of BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 proteins among the clinicopathological parameters of BRCA as age, menopausal status, tumor size, histopathological grade, and lymphnode status.
Methods: This is a prospective and observational study conducted in the Department of Pathology from January 2015 to October 2016, Histopathological examination of 79 cases of Breast carcinoma was conducted and IHC using BRCA 1 and BRCA2 was done in 40 cases.
Results: Out of 79 invasive breast carcinoma, the most common age group for breast carcinoma was 40–49 (40.5%) years. The most common histological subtype was invasive carcinoma-NST, 77(97.4%) cases. Forty cases studied for both BRCA-1 and BRCA 2 expression, regarding BRCA-1 expression, 11 cases showed score 1, 19 cases were of score 2, and eight cases belonged to score 3. Two cases did not show any expression. A positive statistical correlation existed between the size of the tumor, modified BR grade of tumor with BRCA-1 expression. Regarding BRCA-2 expression, 12 cases showed score 1, 17 cases was of score 2, and 10 cases belonged to score 3. One case did not show any expression.
Conclusion: BRCA gene participates in the pathogenesis of breast carcinomas. It is an indicator of poor prognosis. BRCA positivity decreased with increase in age, size of tumor, lymphnodes showing metastasis, and higher grade of the tumor. The present study indicates that BRCA is a powerful predictor of prognosis.
SPONTANEOUS THIRD-DEGREE ATRIOVENTRICULAR BLOCK IN A DIABETIC PATIENT PRESENTING AS RECURRENT SYNCOPE
Authors: Raina Rohit , Jain Vikram , S Srikant , Agarwal Mayank , Kant Ravi
Published: January 2024

Chronic, uncontrolled hyperglycemia is associated with an increased incidence of coronary artery disease, cardiac failure, diabetic nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, and associated mortality. A 72-year-old female presented to the OPD with multiple episodes of loss of consciousness for the past 1 month. The patient also had other comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus (DM), and hypothyroidism. On systemic examination, her blood pressure was 124/77 mmHg (supine) and 116/72 mmHg (standing), and her pulse rate was 56 beats/min. She had a loss of vibration sense in both lower limbs up to the ankle. Fundus examination showed non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The rest of the systemic examination was clinically normal. Her HbA1C was 8.1%, and other routine investigations were within normal limits. Electrocardiography (ECG) showed sinus bradycardia. Echocardiography showed normal ventricular function with no evidence of ischemic heart disease (IHD). 24-h Holter ECG revealed sinus bradycardia with an intraventricular conduction defect, a third-degree AV block with junctional beats, and rare supraventricular ectopics. This is a case of Type 2 DM with complete heart block (CHB) of spontaneous onset. Other causes of AV block have been ruled out, and it seems that this case of CHB is possibly due to cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN). Multiple factors, such as the duration of diabetes, poor glycemic control, metabolic derangements, and genetic factors, determine CAN. This case emphasizes that patients with type 2 diabetes without IHD can develop CHB spontaneously.
MOLECULAR DOCKING STUDY OF EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLATE ON FLT3 IN COMPLEX WITH GILTERITINIB FOR ANTICANCER ACTIVITY
Authors: KURIAN THOMAS
Published: January 2024

Objective: The aim of the study was to predict the binding affinity and interaction patterns between EGCG and FLT3 in complex with gilteritinib using molecular docking simulations. stabilization of the EGCG-FLT3-gilteritinib complex.
Methods: The crystal structure of FLT3 in complex with gilteritinib was downloaded from the Protein Data Bank (PDB) database. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) was obtained from the PubChem database. Auto Dock 8 software was utilized for the molecular docking study. The docking results are analyzed to identify the best pose based on binding affinity, hydrogen bonding, and other favorable interactions. The Discovery Studio Visualizer or other suitable software was used to visualize the protein-ligand interactions and analyze the binding mode of EGCG within the FLT3-gilteritinib complex.
Results: The best ranking for ligands binding was at run 7 with the estimated free energy of binding −7.87 kcal/mol the estimated inhibition constant (ki) was 1.69 μm. The final intermolecular energy was −11.45 kcal/mol. kcal/mol It had 12 active torsions. The redocking score using gilteritinib was used as a control for the validation of the study. The estimated free energy of binding was −7.91 kcal/mol. The estimated inhibition constant ki is 1.60 μm. It had nine active torsions.
Conclusion: Comparing the various binding energies and torsions of the test compound and the control revealed that the test epigallocatechin had a perfect docking score, and it was predicted to possess comparable anti-tumor and anticancer activity.
PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOGRAM OF KLEBSIELLA SPECIES DETECTED IN CLINICAL
Authors: Kaur Surender , Awari Abhijit
Published: January 2024

Objectives: We evaluated the prevalence rate and antibiogram of Klebsiella species isolated in various clinical samples, for effective management.
Methods: The prospective study was undertaken to evaluate various clinical samples received in the microbiology laboratory for culture and sensitivity testing. Culture showing Klebsiella species were further processed for antibiotic susceptibility testing by the Kirby−Bauer disk diffusion test.
Results: During the study period, 332 Klebsiella species were isolated in various samples and out of which 98.7% were Klebsiella pneumoniae and were predominately from urine samples (37%). All isolates were processed to determine their antibiogram. The highest antimicrobial resistance was observed for third and fourth-generation cephalosporines (more than 85%).
Conclusion: It is concluded from our study that multidrug resistance K. pneumoniae are the emerging superbugs which require close monitoring and should be reported regularly which will guide clinicians in effectful management and thus help in preventing the spread of multidrug resistance Klebsiella and future threat.
A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF REPORTED CUTANEOUS ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL
Authors: PACKIASEELI S PAULINE
Published: January 2024

Objectives: Analysis of adverse drug reactions (ADR) reports enriches and updates physician’s awareness about the pattern of cutaneous adverse reactions in the population studied and may play an important role to envision the frequency of appearance of reactions to specific drugs and morphological designs. This study intends to portray the clinical profile and causative agents of dermal ADRs in our population.
Methods: All the ADR reporting forms received from February 2021 to February 2023 were scrutinized, and forms with cutaneous ADRs (CADRs) were analyzed. The data about the history of drug intake, names of the drug taken, time lag of appearance of reaction, and clinical examination details were collected from the reports. Demography, prevalence, reaction time morphological pattern, and causative agents of CADRs were evaluated.
Results: Among the CADRs, acute urticaria 53.4 was the most common followed by acute exanthematous reaction 35.8% and lichenoid drug eruption 3.8%. Among the drugs causing CADRs, antibiotics top the list with 47% followed by ATT at 29.7% and iron sucrose 12.9%. Among the antimicrobials, fluoroquinolones 48% top the list followed by cephalosporins 21.6% and penicillins and vancomycin each 8.3%.
Conclusion: Physician’s knowledge about pattern and causative agents of CADR in the specific population can aid in prevention and early management of ADRs and thereby reducing hospitalization.
DERMATOLOGICAL TOXICITY OF CANCER PATIENTS RECEIVING SMALL MOLECULE EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR RECEPTOR INHIBITORS – A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY
Authors: RG ANAND , BABY MINU , R VISHNU , MATHEW ANU ELINE
Published: January 2024

Objectives: The objectives of the study are as follows: (1) To study the incidence of dermatological toxicity in patients receiving small molecule epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors. (2) To assess the severity of dermatological toxicity.
Methods: This prospective observational study of 66 cancer patients carried out in the Department of Radiotherapy, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram. Patients with histopathological evidence of cancer receiving small molecule epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors and satisfying inclusion criteria were taken up in the study after obtaining written informed consent. History and clinical examination before initiation of treatment done. Data regarding the occurrence of developing dermatological toxicities were obtained by questioning for symptoms and with the help of structured proforma. Severities of dermatological toxicities were assessed, and toxicity grading was done.
Results: Sixty-six cancer patients enrolled in the study. The mean age of the patients was 62.4 years. The prevalence was higher in men (53%). Sixty-three patients (95.5%) developed at least one dermatological toxicity. The most common dermatological toxicity observed was papulopustular rash (68.2%), followed by xerosis (66.7%) and pruritus (59.1%).
Conclusion: The present study has thus determined the incidence and severity of dermatological toxicity of cancer patients receiving small molecule epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors.
STUDY TO DETERMINE THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN INFLAMMATORY MARKER (C-REACTIVE PROTEIN) AND HBA1C IN PATIENTS WITH TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS
Authors: Nirala Rakesh Kumar , Priya Jyoti
Published: January 2024

Objectives: Patients with type 2 diabetes exhibit subclinical inflammation and nearly all signs of systemic inflammation, which characterized by high circulating levels of inflammatory parameters. The present study aimed to assess the levels of the inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and to correlate their values with the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 78 patients with type 2 diabetes in Patna Medical College and Hospital, Patna. All patients had laboratory investigations including HbA1C and CRP, patients were assessed according to glycemic status, patients with under control of diabetics (HbA1C level was equal to or <6.5%), and patients with poorly-controlled diabetics (HbA1c level was >6.5%).
Results: Statistically significant association was observed between CRP levels and level of HbA1c. The CRP level was significantly higher in poorly-controlled diabetic patient than who with well-controlled diabetics (p=0.017).
Conclusions: There is positive correlation between the level of glycemic control (HbA1c) and CRP levels; better glycemic control results in significant reduction in the highly sensitive C-reactive protein levels.