bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“It’s Hip to Unzip”
Authors: Miller John Stuart
Published: April 2021

This article considers the histories of two countercultural, “back-to-the-land” communes located in Northern California: Siskiyou County’s Black Bear Ranch and Sonoma County’s Morning Star Ranch. Both communes were highly influenced by the concept of “open land,” a quintessentially 1960s vision of countercultural colonies that rejected private property, welcomed all newcomers—particularly individuals who were alienated by urban modernity—and allowed each to live as they chose, free of rent, compulsory structure, or governance. I examine the ways in which these communes related to and were shaped by their rural neighbors, as well as state authorities overseeing this region, revealing how the influences of each determined success or failure. Positive relations with neighbors enhanced commune viability, although maintaining such relationships often required that communards compromise their original founding principles, including their commitment to open-land ideals. At the same time, the presence of such enclaves in their midst prompted many rural residents to rethink received notions regarding communes and communards. The exchanges that followed force us to recontextualize the era’s back-to-the-land movement within broader American traditions of frontier settlement and reinvention.
Black Student Unions to the Gang of Four
Authors: Robinson Marc Arsell
Published: April 2021

Organizations within the Black Power movement strategically deployed interracial alliances and community organizing across the country during the late 1960s, from Los Angeles to Newark, Chicago, and New York. This methodology is especially striking in the Black Student Unions (BSUs) founded in San Francisco and Seattle in 1966 and 1967, respectively. Indeed, this line of activism that originated with San Francisco’s BSU extended directly to Seattle. Careful study of the interracial alliances and community organization among these BSUs and other Black Power groups in this era challenge the dominant narrative of the movement, which characterizes Black Power as myopic, destructive, and a departure from the prosocial protests of the 1960s.
Route Logic of the Central Pacific Railroad, 1861–1869
Authors: Tobias Michele M. , Bostic Darcy J. , Sibbett Scott S.
Published: April 2021

The approximate location of the first railroad to reach California from the east had its origins in the congressional debate over slavery prior to the Civil War. The precise location of track took years to define. By comparing two sets of historical maps in the California State Archives, this article examines how the route of the Central Pacific Railroad evolved from a plausible engineering concept to the busy track it is today. This occurred at the hands of Congress, a pharmacist, an engineer, and the engineer’s assistant, in response to national politics, local business concerns, balance sheets, and the limits of railway construction technology in the 1860s.
Circadian Rhythm and Memory Performance: No Time-Of-Day Effect on Face Recognition
Authors: Yaremenko Sergii , Sauerland Melanie , Hope Lorraine
Published: April 2021

The circadian rhythm regulates arousal and activity levels throughout the day and determines hours of optimal cognitive performance. Thus far, circadian fluctuations in face recognition performance received little attention in the research literature. The current experiment investigated the effects of time-of-day optimality on the ability to recognize faces and discriminate between the contexts in which where they were encountered. Morning- and evening-type participants (N = 91) encoded faces in a crime-related and a neutral context, either at their optimal or non-optimal time of day. Contrary to our hypotheses, neither face recognition nor source monitoring performance benefited from testing at optimal time of day. We discuss peculiarities of face processing that could account for the discrepancy of our findings with word recall and recognition literature.
Dilemmas of Nature-Based Tourism in Iceland
Authors: Sorrell Evelyn , Plante Alain F.
Published: April 2021

Nature-based tourism is a general term for travel activities in which people interact with land separate from humanity’s daily movements. Despite untouched land being the ideal locale, tourists also desire modern amenities and curated products. There is a tension between what level of development is idealized and desired, as development itself is counter to the founding ideal of nature-based tourism. In recent years, Iceland has experienced a boom in its nature-based tourism industry. The economic benefits are plentiful, but the growth in tourism has come with downsides ranging from increased vandalism and littering, to locals being priced out of the housing market. The rapidity and strength of tourism’s growth in Iceland provides an opportunity to examine the self-destructive cycle inherent in rapidly growing nature-based tourism. This case study aims to navigate the self-destructive cycle of nature-based tourism, understand the origins of Iceland’s nature-based tourism industry, and examine the ways in which this industry could become more sustainable.
Top-down estimates of anthropogenic VOC emissions in South Korea using formaldehyde vertical column densities from aircraft during the KORUS-AQ campaign
Authors: Kwon Hyeong-Ahn , Park Rokjin J. , Oak Yujin J. , Nowlan Caroline R. , Janz Scott J. , Kowalewski Matthew G. , Fried Alan , Walega James , Bates Kelvin H. , Choi Jinkyul , Blake Donald R. , Wisthaler Armin , Woo Jung-Hun
Published: April 2021

Nonmethane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) result in ozone and aerosol production that adversely affects the environment and human health. For modeling purposes, anthropogenic NMVOC emissions have been typically compiled using the “bottom-up” approach. To minimize uncertainties of the bottom-up emission inventory, “top-down” NMVOC emissions can be estimated using formaldehyde (HCHO) observations. In this study, HCHO vertical column densities (VCDs) obtained from the Geostationary Trace gas and Aerosol Sensor Optimization spectrometer during the Korea–United States Air Quality campaign were used to constrain anthropogenic volatile organic compound (AVOC) emissions in South Korea. Estimated top-down AVOC emissions differed from those of the up-to-date bottom-up inventory over major anthropogenic source regions by factors of 1.0 ± 0.4 to 6.9 ± 3.9. Our evaluation using a 3D chemical transport model indicates that simulated HCHO mixing ratios using the top-down estimates were in better agreement with observations onboard the DC-8 aircraft during the campaign relative to those with the bottom-up emission, showing a decrease in model bias from –25% to –13%. The top-down analysis used in this study, however, has some limitations related to the use of HCHO yields, background HCHO columns, and AVOC speciation in the bottom-up inventory, resulting in uncertainties in the AVOC emission estimates. Our attempt to constrain diurnal variations of the AVOC emissions using the aircraft HCHO VCDs was compromised by infrequent aircraft observations over the same source regions. These limitations can be overcome with geostationary satellite observations by providing hourly HCHO VCDs.
A Case of Giant Right Atrium Diverticulum with Atrial Septal Defect
Authors: Fan Yangming , Jiang Hui , Wei Yu , Zhang Bing , Ge Jianjun
Published: April 2021

Right atrium diverticulum is a rare congenital malformation. We present a previously unreported case of giant right atrium diverticulum (153 × 109 mm) in a 17-year-old female patient. Echocardiographic examination also showed an atrial septal defect (11 mm). Considering the risk of right atrium rupture, we performed femoral arteriovenous cannulation first, followed by median thoracotomy. The defect was repaired with an autologous pericardial patch. The patient recovered well after the operation, and this case is referential for surgical treatment of giant right atrium diverticulum.
La toma de decisiones en pacientes con demencia avanzada y disfagia en Costa Rica: un análisis clínico y filosófico
Authors: Picado Ovares José Ernesto , Estrada Allan González
Published: April 2021

El uso de tubos de alimentación en pacientes con demencia avanzada sugiere varias preocupaciones éticas, no solo para los profesionales de la salud, sino también para las familias del paciente. Un punto poco explorado, del que trata este escrito, es el del simbolismo asociado entre la comida y la idea de una buena vida y vitalidad (visto en Costa Rica y otros países latinoamericanos), ya que la solicitud de las familias, de utilizar sonda de alimentación en una persona con demencia avanzada, puede explicarse en términos de los razonamientos sobre esta asociación. De esta manera, el proceso de toma de decisiones entre la familia, el personal sanitario y los propios pacientes se vuelve complicado, no solamente desde el punto de vista ético, sino lógico y de simbolismos asociados. Tal discusión se analiza en términos del principio de autonomía y el principio de humanidad para comprender los deseos y creencias que participan en las decisiones sobre el final de la vida. En consecuencia, esta investigación tiene como objetivo indagar ese proceso de razonamiento involucrado en la propia decisión en términos del modus ponens, como un fuerte razonamiento lógico que conduce a la decisión. Sin embargo, tal decisión puede verse comprometida cuando el modus ponens se desvía hacia una falacia, al negar las consecuencias. Posteriormente, esto puede derivar en una cadena de deducciones que pueden socavar la consideración del principio de autonomía y el principio de humanidad para decidir si utilizar la sonda de alimentación. Esta investigación también sugiere la necesidad de un proceso educativo extenso para alentar la decisión temprana de terminar con la vida de una persona. Finalmente, esta investigación apela a una evaluación de las leyes que rigen la decisión sobre el final de la vida en Costa Rica, incluidas las políticas médicas y judiciales. Se presenta al final un cuadro con las consideraciones clínicas y éticas asociadas al uso de tubos de alimentación en pacientes con demencia avanzada.
Comunicación corta: Primer reporte del trematodo Platynosomum illiciens en Felis catus en Costa Rica, América Central
Authors: Castillo Azofeifa Brandon , Zamora Segura Valeria , Quirós Padilla Francinie , Vindas van der Wielen Emilia , Valerio Solís Francisco , Iwaki Takashi , Hiromu Sugiyama , Jiménez Rocha Ana , Morales-Acuña Juan Alberto
Published: April 2021

This paper is the first description of the trematode P. illiciens found in a domestic feline (Felis catus) in Costa Rica, detected as an incidental finding at necropsy. The cat’s carcass was accepted for a necropsy in the Pathology Service of the Veterinary Medicine School of the National University, Costa Rica. However, the origin and clinical history of this cat are unknown. Adult P. illiciens flukes were detected in the feline’s gallbladder. Species identification was conducted by morphological characterization and molecular sequencing analysis. Assessing the possible foci of this trematode in the country could be a useful tool to understand its cycle in Costa Rican mammals and birds and consider it as an organism capable of infecting and affecting the domestic feline population in the country.
Pre-operative weight, BMI and the incidence of obesity co-morbidities vary by sex in bariatric surgery patients: analysis of 166,601 women and men with obesity
Authors: Connors Casey , Gott Melissa , Slotman Gus J
Published: April 2021

Background: Variations in pre-operative characteristics by sex in bariatric surgery cannot be easily extrapolated from current literature. Objective: to identify pre-operative differences between males and females across the spectrum of bariatric procedures, weight and co-morbidities. Methods: Data from 166,601 pre-operative Surgical Review Corporation Bariatric Longitudinal Database (BOLD) patients undergoing bariatric surgery were divided into females (n=130,612) and males (n=35, 989). Statistics: Chi-square and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results: Males displayed higher pre-operative age, BMI, weight, and rates of cardiopulmonary obesity co-morbidities, diabetes, gout, dyslipidemia, abdominal hernia, liver disease, alcohol, tobacco and substance abuse. Females suffered more from asthma, GERD, cholelithiasis, stress urinary incontinence, abdominal panniculitis, somatic obesity co-morbidities and mental health conditions (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Pre-operative weight, BMI, and weight-related medical problems vary by sex among patients undergoing bariatric surgery. With this advance knowledge, surgeons managing obese patients can anticipate co-morbidities by sex and adjust pre- and post- surgical preparations accordingly.
An evaluation of basic food science and main food biotechnology processes products from point of nutrition and obesity
Authors: Cagarirmak Necla
Published: April 2021

Food biotechnology comprise sorts of scientific disciplines including food chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, bioreactors, fermentation process, nutrition and food quality assurance. In the Daily diet, fermented food and drinks have and special importance because of their functional properties and biochemical compounds. Food biotechnology products have great importance from point of nutrition and obesity. Alcohol consumption must be reduced because of high calorie intake and harmful effect to some organs such as brain, liver and also cause social problems when consumed excessive amount.In Turkish traditional fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir and kımız, boza, ty and tarhana and special pickles etc., have various functional properties and biochemical compounds that have beneficial effect to organism. They contain lactic acid bacteria, probiotics, B complex vitamins, nutritive minerals, and some specific compounds which can prevent to development of cancer and tumors, cardiovascular diseases and cholesterol reducing effect. Food biotechnology also includes Genetically Modified Organism (GMO). Studies are evaluated in food biotechnology too. On the other hand, the another significant and common fermented product types are beer, wine, wine agar, even distilled alcohol drinks those produced ethyl alcohol from carbohydrates sources e.g. gape fig, barley, wheat, rice or any carbohydrate sources. Food biotechnology can be evaluated in basic food science and food biotechnology process. The mentioned topics were reviewed in detail.
Energy imbalance: obesity, associated comorbidities, prevention, management and public health implications
Authors: Jehan Shazia , Zizi Ferdinand , Pandi-Perumal Seithikurippu R , McFarlane Samy I , Jean-Louis Girardin , K Myers Alyson
Published: April 2021

The prevalence of obesity has been continually increasing, as have its associated comorbidities and health care costs. Effective management of obesity and early intervention measures are necessary to overcome this global issue. The responsibility for preventing and managing this global epidemic does not lie solely on an individual, but also on the entire health care system. Policy makers—nationally and globally—must play their roles to solve the issue. In this review article, we examine methods of controlling and managing obesity through interventions, such as a low caloric diet, physical exercise, pharmacological guidance, and bariatric surgical procedures. While health care professionals should educate patients about all available treatment options for severe obesity, bariatric surgical procedures have increased in popularity and are considered very beneficial with outcomes fruitful in managing severe obesity
Insulin as a predictor of diabetes type 2: a new medical hypothesis
Authors: J Alkhatib Ahed , Sindiani Amer Mahmoud , Alshdaifat Eman Hussein
Published: April 2021

Since the discovery of diabetes, it is about insulin production, or function. In this study, we may introduce a controversial concept. Insulin as a predictor of diabetes, in other words, insulin can cause diabetes type 2. We think that this could serve as a new medical hypothesis. To examine this hypothesis, we analyzed dataset posted in Kaggle from India. The dataset included 763 female patients of whom 497 had no diabetes, and 266 with type 2 diabetes. We used routine statistical analysis and neural network analysis. The results showed that insulin level increases as the diabetes is progressed, and its relative contribution to diabetes was estimated as 28.4%. Taken together, insulin measurement is recommended to be considered in the management of diabetes.
Blocked-D phenomenon in hemolytic disease of fetus and newborn with multiple maternal antirhesus antibodies
Authors: Mani, Anila , AP Poornima , Gupta Debasish
Published: April 2021

Background: The blocking of D antigen sites of RBC membrane of the fetus by the passively transferred IgG anti-D in cases of Hemolytic Disease of fetus and new born (HDFN) is called blocked- D phenomenon. The coating of maternal IgG type of anti-D prevents the agglutination of the Rh-(D) antigen positive red blood cells (RBC) by the IgM D-antigen typing reagents. We are reporting two cases of Rh-(D) HDFN which were falsely typed as Rh (D) antigen negative with routine typing reagents and had multiple allo-antibodies in the maternal serum. Aims: To rule out HDFN and to confirm the Rh-(D) status of baby, to detect the presence of other allo-antibodies in the maternal serum that can complicate future transfusions in mother. Materials: After routine blood grouping, sample of baby was subjected to adsorption-elution studies and maternal serum was used for antibody screening and identification Results: In both the cases, blocked-D phenomenon got detected and there were multiple anti-rhesus antibodies other than anti-D in the maternal serum. Conclusion: Antibody identification in antenatal women is important in the case management of HDFN to protect future pregnancies and to avoid the risk of mismatched transfusions.
Association of rasgulla likeness with blood Grouping
Authors: Imran Qadir Muhammad , Sattar Bhutta Fatima
Published: April 2021

Objective of the present study was to correlate the Rasgulla likeness with Blood Grouping. It was the beneficial survey taken by the subject from different peoples and it provides the information to the subject about the recent research of Rasgulla likeness with the Blood Grouping. So these researches are the actual recent researches done by the subject.
MicroRNA-196a2 single nucleotide polymorphism rs11614913 in Egyptian patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Authors: Deghady Akram , Elwafa Reham Abo , Lsorady, Manal AE , Elbana Darine
Published: April 2021

Background: MicroRNAs are recently identified class of small single stranded RNA molecules of 21-23 nucleotides that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is characterized by a typical defect in apoptosis resulting in accumulation of mature resting B cells within the peripheral blood, bone marrow and lymphoid organs. One of the relevant microRNAs to CLL is microRNA-196a2, as its potential targets of action include genes involved in apoptosis regulation. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in microRNA-196a2 rs11614913 C/T has been implicated as possible biomarker associated with multiple kinds of cancers. While multiple recent studies showed that genetic polymorphisms play an influential role in CLL susceptibility, the role of microRNA-196a2 SNP rs11614913in CLL remains elusive. Patients and methods: The present study was conducted on 40 newly diagnosed Egyptian CLL patients and 40 control subjects. Genotyping of microRNA-196a2 SNP rs11614913 was performed by real-time PCR. Results: The CC genotype was found in 55% of CLL patients versus 12.5% of the controls.On the other handthe TT and TC genotypes were significantly predominant in the control group compared to CLL patients with frequencies of 25% and 62.5% versus 10% and 35% respectively (p<0.001). The C allele carriers were found to have 3.38 fold increased risk for development of CLL (OR=3.38, CI=1.75–6.56) while the T allele seems to be protective against CLL (OR=0.29, CI=0.15–0.57). Conclusion: We could conclude that the CC genotype and the C allele of miR-1962a SNP rs3217927are implicated in the risk of CLL development in Egyptian patients while the T allele has a protective effect. However, additional well-designed large studies are required for the validation of these associations
The conundrum of cardiac sarcoidosis
Authors: Baba Murad , Dominguez Luis , Marian Valentin
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Sarcoidosis can be a benign, incidentally discovered condition or a life-threatening disorder causing sudden death. The frequency of myocardial involvement is unclear; small registries suggest 5 percent of patients with systemic sarcoidosis, while autopsy studies suggest subclinical cardiac involvement in up to 70 percent. The range of sarcoid involvement of the heart includes heart block and arrhythmias, heart failure, valvular dysfunction, simulated infarction, and pericardial disease. Case Description: 37 year-old African American female with past medical history of presumed asthma presented to the emergency room complaining of progressively worsening dyspnea, chest pain and lightheadedness. Physical examination showed tachycardia with displaced point of maximal impulse (PMI) and minimal rhonchi on right lung base. Laboratory workup did not show any significant results on presentation. Chest X-ray showed bilateral interstitial infiltrates and the chest Computed Tomography (CT) Angiogram showed bilateral scattered pulmonary nodules, right-sided pleural effusion with thickening. Lung biopsy showed non-caseating granulomas typical of sarcoidosis. Further workup revealed Ejection Fraction (EF) of 25% on Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE), cardiac catheterization showed normal coronaries and electrophysiological study for inducible arrhythmias was negative. Conclusion: Cardiac sarcoidosis may be suddenly fatal. Therefore, clinicians must maintain a high degree of suspicion for cardiac involvement and screen all patients with extra cardiac sarcoidosis. Despite significant advances in immunosuppressant pharmacotherapy, the backbone of therapy for cardiac sarcoidosis remains systemic corticosteroids.
Aureobasidium pullulans Gene from Egypt
Authors: Moubasher Hani , S Wahsh Salwa , Abo El-Kassem Nabil , Ali Refaat
Published: April 2021

Sequancing of pullulanase from the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans isolated from Egypt soil; Genomic DNA of pullulanase was determined for the first time using PCR, according to Baser program, Pullulanase nucleotide collection from Aureobasidium pullulans was blasted which showed similarity using NCBI significant alignment with Aureobasidium namibiae CBS 147.97 hypothetical protein partial mRNA and 46 % with Aureobasidium pullulans JQ624241 and AF470619; Identified sequenced fragment was 2051 bp. and G+C content is 50.5% with molecular mass 63 KDa.
Effectiveness of isolated compound from Aloe barbadensis Miller and its formulated ointment against bacteria and fungi
Authors: Donkor Martin Ntiamoah , Kuubabongnaa Ngmenpone , Donkor Addai-Mensah
Published: April 2021

Ethnomedicinally, the family Liliaceae is prominent in controlling skin, wound and fungal infections. A carboxylic fatty acid derivative has been isolated from Aloe vera leaves and its structure was elucidated on the basis of NMR and FT-IR analysis. The compound was formulated as ointment with the aid of polymer based delivery agent. The ointment and the uncontaminated fatty acid have been scrutinized aimed at their anti-infectious potential. Individually, the pure compound and the formulated ointment exhibited growth inhibitory activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Candida albicans and Talaromyces flavus. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were found to be appreciably low, ranging between 0.30 and 2.50 mg/ml. The formulated ointment displayed highly significant inhibitory activities against all six pathogens compared to the unformulated compound. The MIC values of the ointment ranged between 0.08 and 1.25 mg/g. The in vitro antibiotic activity studies discovered that, both the pure compound and the formulated ointment showed potency against the selected multi-resistant microorganisms tested in the current work. These findings suggest that the isolated carboxylic acid derivative may be beneficial in the discovery of antibiotics highly potent against drug-resistant pathogens. Furthermore, it may add to the improvement of preservatives in the food industry. Lastly, it could be considered as new source of natural antibiotics in the pharmaceutical industry.
Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of bee venom as cosmetic active
Authors: Gambaro Adriana
Published: April 2021

Objective: Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of a treatment for facial skin through a cream which contains Bee Venom (BV). Methods: BV was added to a cream for treating facial skin as an active component. Dosification of the melittin contents of BV was previously done. A medical cosmetologist performed the skin evaluation of 30 volunteers, who passed a BV irritation test and non-inclusion criteria. The clinical evaluation was carried out by evaluating the appearance of the state of skin by means of different indexes and quantifying fifteen attributes of the skin with 9-point scales, before starting the treatment, at 14 and 28 days. Results: Participants were sorted in two clusters (C1 and C2) taking into account their skin state at the beginning of the study. Clusters were differentiated in age and photodamage, resulting that C2 participants were with better skin conditions. During treatment, both clusters increased their hydration, smoothness, firmness, lightness, youthful appearance, healthy appearance and general state of the skin. Moreover, C1 presented a decrease in depth of facial wrinkles and C2 an increase in elasticity and facial oval definition. The volunteers showed an excellent tolerance to treatment and high scores of satisfaction. Conclusion: The methology that was used resulted suitable in classifying facial skin of the volunteers as well as assessing the treatment outcomes using a cream with BV during 28 days. The BV, as an active cosmetic, contributed to improve the state of facial skin.
Evaluation of dermatology curriculum of Sudan medical specialization board: 2017-2018
Authors: Mohammed Hamad Mosab Nouraldein
Published: April 2021

Background: Evaluation of any curriculum in medical education helps the process of health profession education by providing valuable feedback to the programs in which the graduates train. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted by observing and systematically documenting the ongoing performance of trainees in real clinical settings over a 6 months’ period from July 2017 to January 2018. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dermatology curriculum of Sudan Medical Specialization Board (SMSB) and to gather data that will help in identifying areas in need of improvement or change. The data was collected through structured questionnaires from three groups: 1) trainees, 2) patients and 3) trainers. Results: The study included 128 trainees, 178 patients and 22 trainers. The patient’s satisfaction rate with the medical care provided by dermatology doctors was high since 61.8% stated that they had an excellent care. The overall trainee’s satisfaction of the provided program was reported in 89.2%.The majority of trainers believe that the current curriculum is not updated and is not well implemented in the training. Trainers clearly stated that the number of trainees per batch participated in the program and the number of training centres are inadequate. They also raised their concerns that the current training program didn’t meet the desired outcomes. Conclusions: This study provides a general picture of dermatology postgraduate training in Sudan from different perspectives. In our evaluation of the SMSB dermatology curriculum, we found a well-developed program, with a good curriculum but poor implementation, leading to an unsatisfactory outcome.
Complicated traumatic injuries in human brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases; a review
Authors: J Castejón Orlando
Published: April 2021

This article examines the dynamics of dissociation, its function, and cautions in its treatment. Determining the functionality and dysfunctionality is complex. When taken within the framework of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, throughout a life span, the complexity and its functionality emerges. Through working with patients with Dissociative Identity Disorder over three decades, there are assumptions that are frequently made by clinicians which are inaccurate and potentially harmful to the therapeutic relationship, treatment efforts, and the patients. How does our mind protect itself when some aspect of reality is too painful to cope with? Like any natural response to pain, we have psychological mechanisms which protect us from severe emotional trauma. For our mind, one of those mechanisms is dissociation. It allows us to continue to function in everyday life without experiencing what could be debilitating emotional pain.
Nucleus ventralis oralis anterior a potential target in deep brain stimulation for post anoxic dystonia?
Authors: Mansour   Maher , Mansour Yasser-M , Mansour Leila , Vaidyanathan Janardan
Published: April 2021

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) effectiveness in secondary dystonia is still debated. Different targets have been utilized, thalamic (Vim), zona incerta, sub thalamic nucleus (STN), and globus pallidus internus (GPi) with generally disappointing clinical results. Structural lesions of the GPi, the target of choice in Dystonia, are found in some cases of secondary dystonia and prevent us from treating these patients with DBS implantation. We report the third published case of a patient with severe generalized post anoxic dystonia, associated with bilateral necrosis of the GPi, who showed significant improvement after DBS procedure in the thalamic Ventralis oralis anterior (Voa). The Ventral oralis anterior nucleus; pallidal receiving area in the thalamic nuclei could be an alternative target.
Parkinson disease and Ayurveda
Authors: Shankar Avinash , Shankar Amresh , Shankar Anuradha
Published: April 2021

Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative brain disease of dopamine secreting brain cells Substantia nigra is increasing progressively and presents therapeutics -levodopa, carbidopa, MAOB inhibitor, COMT inhibitors, surgery and deep brain stimulations, though improve presenting feature but not quality of life. Present study using herbal composite containing Mucuna pruriens, Herpestis monnieri,Acors calamus, Nardostachys jatamansi and Withania somnifera taken in equal partshows better quality of life in all most all with marked improvement in movemement disorder in 92% cases as compared to 39% cases on conventional therapy. In addition Herbal composite also improve the haematological, hepatic and Renal function by bioregulating body biomechanics and neural cell function, revitalizing neural cell damage in substantia nigra check distruction of dopamine and facilitate optimal level of Dopamine for normal brain function.
Analysing work performance based on outcome, work load and hospital stays in a stroke unit
Authors: Struga Genc , Roshi Enver
Published: April 2021

Background: Analysing the work performance in a Stroke Unit (Neurovascular Intensive Care) based on retrospective statistical analysis of records of 1355 patients registered in the system of health information records covering the period between 2016-2019. Method: The parameters indicating outcome based on record and classified as improved, worse, the same and mortality rate where compared between the author and ‘other” member of the staff which were anonymised. Other parameters as total” hospital stay” and “work load” were taken in consideration and compare. Conclusion: The patient outcome, hospital stays and work load are good indicators of work performance.
Does gender have a significant effect on normal nerve conduction studies values?
Authors: AL-Salmi Kawthar , S Wali Farook , SM Nadeem Ahmed , AL-Salti Abdullah
Published: April 2021

Background: nerve conduction study (NCS) is a neurophysiologic medical diagnostic test used commonly to evaluate the function of the peripheral nerves. It is an extension to the clinical examination and extremely useful to diagnose and document a peripheral nerve disorder, localize the lesion, and to establish underlying pathophysiology. Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of gender on nerve conduction study values and to generate reference nerve conduction studies (NCS) data for the commonly tested nerves among healthy adults in Oman. Subjects and methods: This study was conducted in the Neurology Department at the Royal Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in Muscat-Oman, for a period of four years (from March 2015 until May 2019) which included a total of 143 (80 females and 63 males) healthy Omani subjects. Sensory and motor nerve conduction studies were performed to the Median, Ulnar, Peroneal and Tibial nerves to establish the normative data. Statistical analysis was performed using Minitab comparing the mean values of all NCS parameters for both genders. Results: Gender comparison concluded that Omani males have longer distal motor latencies for all of the tested nerves and slower motor conduction velocities for the lower limbs’ nerves (p <0.005) than the females. While sensory latencies were significantly delayed in males as compared to Omani females for the upper limbs’ nerves and the ensory nerve potential amplitudes in the upper limbs were greater in females (p<0.0001) than males. A normative data for distal latencies, conduction velocities and responses amplitudes for motor and sensory nerves were sat up for the first time for normal adult Omani population. Conclusion: Gender has a significant influence on distal latencies and conduction velocities of some peripheral nerves in healthy Omani adult subjects, suggesting that different cut-off values for the two genders may be needed for interpreting such studies. These differences could be related to anatomical (height and limbs’ length gender differences) and/or physiological factors. Our normative data for nerve conduction study values are comparable to other published studies in the literature.
Multiple contralateral recurrence of bilateral chronic subdural hematoma: case report and literature review
Authors: Seylan Diawara , Bah Alpha Boubacar , Berete Ibrahima , Souare Ibrahima Sory , Guilavogui Vamala , Luc Kezely Beavogui
Published: April 2021

We report a case of bilateral chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) operated with a single burr-hole on the more symptomatic side (left) followed by a symptomatic expansion of the contralateral (right) hematoma 7 days after the surgery treated again with a burr-hole on the other side. A week later the patient presented again a bilateral CSDH that was re-operated on both side with a good outcome at 6 months follow-up. Relevant literature was reviewed, and we believe that the multiple recurrence of these hematomas in the opposite hemisphere resulted from the rapid drainage of the hematoma, which caused the rupture of weak bridging veins during drainage. Slow decompression is recommended to avoid rapid intracranial changes during drainage of a subdural hematoma.
A rare case of cerebral tuberculosis and paraneoplastic encephalitis
Authors: Kakadia DO Bhavika
Published: April 2021

Voltage gated potassium channel (VGKC) antibodies are seen in many conditions including limbic encephalitis. It typically involves medial temporal lobe, and in rare instances, bilateral cerebellar lobes. Patients can present with seizures and often with alerted mental status and hallucinations. Cerebral tuberculosis (TB)tends to prefer posterior fossa and patients typically present with headache, seizures, and confusion. However, there is no particular association between VGKC encephalitis and disseminated tuberculosis. Presence of both may limit treatment options for paraneoplastic encephalitis. We present a case of a young female with disseminated TB who was also found to have atypical radiographic presentation of TB encephalitis/meningitis and VGKC antibody concerning for paraneoplastic encephalitis. The patient received treatment with steroids and immunoglobulin therapy along with treatment for disseminated tuberculosis. Overall, treatment of paraneoplastic encephalitis is limited in the presence of disseminated TB and a multidisciplinary approach should be used and clinical improvement should be monitored.
Renal cell carcinoma metastasis in the bladder diagnosed based on transurethral resection after hematuria: a case report
Authors: Oliveira Lima Lucas de
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Despite the population's greater access to imaging tests and consequent diagnosis of renal cancer in early stages, we continue to encounter neoplasms in locally advanced and metastatic stages. Case report: We report a patient admitted to the emergency department of the Hospital Geral de Fortaleza with hematuria and urinary retention. After the patient underwent computed tomography and transurethral resection, a diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma metastasis in the bladder was confirmed based on immune histo chemistry results. Discussion: Metastasis of renal cell carcinoma in the bladder is rare, with few cases reported in the literature on synchronic presentation. Final considerations: Although rare, we must consider the possibility of metastasis of renal cell carcinoma in patients who present with hematuria, especially in those previously diagnosed with renal cancer.
Smith–magenis syndrome. A unique neonatal presentation among the Arab population
Authors: Nimeri Nuha
Published: April 2021

Smith–Magenis Syndrome (SMS) is a rare multisystem genetic disorder caused by a heterozygous deletion of or a heterozygous pathogenic variant in RAI1 on chromosome 17p11.2. characterized by the variable intellectual deficit, sleep disturbance, brachycephaly, midface hypoplasia, prognathism, hoarse voice, speech delay with or without hearing loss, psychomotor and growth retardation, cutaneous features, and behaviour problems. Our reported case is a term newborn diagnosed antenatally in the feto-maternal unit to have large multi-cystic dysplastic left kidney and unilateral cerebralventriculomegaly. The genetic disorder was suspected due to symmetric IUGR and dysmorphic features. Chromosomal micro-array confirmed the diagnosis of Smith-Magenis Syndrome.MRI brain confirmed Dandy-Walker spectrum malformation. Ultrasound abdomen showed left multi-cystic dysplastic kidney. Smith-Magenis Syndrome is usually diagnosed in childhood and little is known about its presentation in neonates especially in the Arab population. Our patient presented with Intra-cranial haemorrhage, seizures, thrombocytopenia, feeding difficulty, hypoglycemia and acute kidney injury; which all resolve before discharge.
Assessment of cyanide and some heavy metals concentration in consumable cassava flour “lafun” across Osogbo metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Olalekan Raimi Morufu , Sawyerr Olawale H , Odipe Oluwaseun E , Ogungbemi Olamide H
Published: April 2021

Introduction: Cassava, a naturally flourishing tuberous plant in Nigeria which has been source to varieties of food in its raw, semi-processed, and processed forms has helped reduced poverty and hunger. Cassava in its various food forms contains varying amount of elements like cyanide, copper, selenium, iron, lead, nickel, cadmium and zinc which are essential elements for man, animal and plants but become toxic if the homeostatic mechanisms maintaining their physiological limit are disrupted or their concentration is very high at certain levels. The significant concentration of heavy metals in cassava flour and prolong consumption can damage the health of man. This research work determined the concentration of cyanide and some metal toxicant in cassava flour from Osogbo metropolis. Methodology: Samples were collected across five markets in Osogbo metropolis and analyzed for cyanide, copper, selenium, iron, lead, nickel, cadmium and zinc. Cyanide concentration was determined using UV/visible spectrophotometer, cadmium and selenium using titrimetric methods, while lead, nickel and cadmium were determined using the atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: Across all the samples analyzed, the result showed that the ranges of concentration for cyanide was 0.03-0.09mg/kg, copper 0.35-0.62mg/kg, selenium 3.46-5.43mg/kg, iron 0.1-0.6mg/kg, lead 0.01-0.34mg/kg, nickel 0.20-0.49mg/kg, cadmium 0.01-0.05mg/kg, zinc 0.182-0.31mg/kg. The concentration of cyanide, copper, selenium, iron, nickel, cadmium, and zinc are within the NIS permissible limit. Conclusion: The concentration of lead (0.34mg/kg) was found higher in Akindeko market than the NIS permissible limit of 0.1mg/kg for edible cassava flour. Hence, this study clearly advises that there is need for citizen advocacy, continuous monitoring and supervision to improve the hygienic preparation and storage of cassava flour in order to protect man.
Variability, heritability and genetic advance in indigenous and exotic okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) moench] genotypes for yield and yield related traits at Dire Dawa, Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Melaku Anteneh Bekele , Mohamed Wassu , Kumar Vasantha
Published: April 2021

Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] is an annual vegetable that belongs to the family Malvaceae or Mallow. It is a warm-season annual herbaceous vegetable crop and it is self-pollinated, mainly propagated by seeds with maturity duration of 90-100 days. The plant is cultivated in tropical, subtropical, and warm temperate regions around the world. It was reported that okra is native to North Eastern Africa in the area of Ethiopia and Sudan. Therefore, this study was initiated with the objectives of estimating variability, heritability and genetic advance for indigenous okra collections and exotic commercial varieties for yield and yield related traits. The field experiment was conducted at Dire Dawa in 2016 using 25 okra genotypes (14 were indigenous collections and 11 exotic varieties) in 5x5 triple lattice design. Data were collected on 9 and 29 qualitative and quantitative traits, respectively. The phenotypic and genetic coefficients of variations ranged from 7 to 35.27 and 5.69 to 33.31%, respectively. Heritability in broad sense ranged from 36.4% (days to maturity) to 99.3% (leaf width) while the genetic advance as percent of mean ranged from 7.7 (days to emergence) to 65.15% (tender fruits mucilage content), respectively. Both heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean values were high and moderate for all traits except for days to emergence which had moderate heritability and low genetic advance.
Land acquisition and crop market participation among farmers in Peri-Urban areas of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Authors: Alawode Olubunmi O
Published: April 2021

This study examined the relationship between land acquisition and crop market participation among farmers in peri-urban areas of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 200 respondents. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Land Ownership Index (LOI), Crop Market Participation Index (CMPI) and Tobit regression model. Majority (77.5%) of the crop farmers were male, married (80.5%), natives (71.0%), and had an average household size of 7. Also, 81.0% of the respondents had formal education and on the average, famers had 29 years of farming experience. The existing means of plot acquisition were inheritance (53.4%) - the most common, gift (2.6%), purchase (9.0%), rent (20.1%) and lease (14.9%). The prominent transaction-based land acquisition was rent (45.7%) while that of non-transaction based acquisition was inheritance (95.4%). The average plot size was 2.1hectares and most (53.5%) of the farmers had full ownership of their total land holding (LOI=1). The cultivation methods adopted by farmers were mixed cropping (79.0%), monocropping (12.3%), intercropping (7.3%) and shifting cultivation (1.4%). The household CMPI was found to be 64.1% and maize was the major crop driving market participation with CMPI of 84.7%. The Tobit regression results indicated that at p<0.05, sex, years of education, farming experience and use of improved maize planting material had positive effects on crop market participation. However, land ownership index (p<0.1) had negative effect on crop market participation, implying that land ownership did not translate to crop market participation. Policy effort aimed at making farmers, both natives and non-natives, to acquire land through transactions (rent and lease) will be a potent tool in increasing crop production, thereby also increasing their crop market participation.
Multiple Births in Ukraine: Demographic Aspects
Authors: AKSYONOVA S. Yu.
Published: April 2021

The phenomenon of multiple deliveries primarily attracts the attention of physicians, who are mostly focused on the study of its physiological aspects and consequences. However, it is important to know the demographic characteristics of this phenomenon to understand development trends and patterns. The study of the features of the twins biography creates a unique opportunity to determine the causes and eff ects of human behaviour, the possibility of adaptation, development, to identify the role of the genetic factors, environment, events in human life and more. The national registers of twins are maintained in many developed countries. Unfortunately, Ukraine does not have complete statistical information about the number of twins, the age of the mother at their birth, the order of their birth, the sex and age structure of twins, triplets and quadruplets living in our country, so in our country a systematic analysis of multiple births is not carried out. The aim of this paper is to investigate the demographic characteristics of the phenomenon of multiple births. The study was conducted using methods of comparison, analysis, generalization, graphical method and based on statistical information of demographic yearbooks of the Czech Republic and Poland, which published quite detailed information on the births of multiple deliveries by sex and age of mother, and data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine on the number of births with twins, triplets and more twins in diff erent types of settlements. Such studies have not been conducted in our country for the last 50 years. In Ukraine, the frequency of multiple births and births of twins has increased in the new millennium; in 2019 there were 13.6 multiple deliveries per 1,000 deliveries, or 27.1 newborn twins per 1,000 births (in 2001 respectively 6.9 and 13.8). However, in diff erent countries the trends of the frequency of multiple births may diff er signifi cantly, in particular, in the last decade in Poland index of frequency has stabilized, but in the Czech Republic it has declined quite rapidly. The example of these countries has shown that increased fertility is not necessarily accompanied by increase in the frequency of multiple births, and the highest frequency is not always characteristic of women aged 35-39 years as early research has shown. In Ukraine, the share of multiple births among all live births with the use of reproductive technologies is declining. In order to study the phenomenon of multiple births, it would be advantageous in Ukraine to introduce in statistical observations the forms of distribution of multiple births by maternal age, order of birth, to identify cases of twin births using reproductive technologies.