bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterization and Assessment of Irrigation Water Quality: A GIS Based Study of District Chakwal, Pakistan
Authors: Latif Rizwan , Ehsan Muhammad , Latif Abdul , Jan Muhammad , Arsalan Muhammad , Khan Madeeha , Sattar Abdul , Arslan Muhammad Waleej , Rehman Obaidur , Sarwar Sair , Khan Qudrat Ullah , Shah Syed Asghar Hussain , Waheed Abdul
Published: November 2022

Water quality is one of the most important criteria that not only affect crop growth but also its proper management can lead to sustainable yields and improved soil health. Hence, the current study was conducted to explain the quality of groundwater for irrigation. For this, random sampling of water was carried out in 5 tehsils of district Chakwal including Talagang, Chakwal, Lawa, Kallar Kahar, and Choa Sedan Shah for a period of five years. Three parameters including EC (μS/cm), RSC (meq/L), and SAR were considered for assessing the quality of groundwater of district Chakwal. About 343 water samples from tehsil Talagang, 86 from Lawa, 989 from Chakwal, 27 from Choa Sedan Shah, and 134 from Kallar Kahar were collected. Maximum range of EC (220-26500), SAR (0.00-75.57) and RSC (0.00-12.80) was observed in Tehsil Chakwal. According to water quality parameters, samples showed higher fitness in RSC in comparison to SAR and EC in all tehsils. For instance, in tehsil Choa Saidan Shah fit water samples were 97.87%, while in Kallar Kahar 86.56%, Talagang 90.08%, Lawa 90.69%, and Chakwal 82.40%. Finally classifying the water samples on the three quality parameters EC (μS/cm), RSC (meq/L), and SAR revealed that 54.28% of water samples were found unfit. Based on the presented data, it could be recommended that in tehsils where the quality parameters are poor, the water needs to be reclamation for sustained crop production and improved soil health.
Variability and Correlation Study of Growth Traits in Bread Wheat Under Non-stressed Conditions
Authors: Ahmed Hafiz Ghulam Muhu-Din , Noor Fatima  , Muhammad Owais  , Anns Faisal  , Sheeza Tariq  , Ali Muhammad , Muhammad Irfan  , Muhammad Ameen
Published: November 2022

The morphological traits of wheat grain strongly influence on yield and directly affect the grain yield of the crop. The necessity to overcome the human demand of wheat the grain yield should be intensified. The current experiment was organized to study the morphological traits of wheat and their association with yield. The experiment was done in the randomized complete block design including three replications and twenty genotypes under normal condition in cropping season of 2021. The result of analysis of variance indicates that there is highly significant difference among the studied genotypes, traits like spikelet per spike (SPS), flag leaf area(FLA), grain yield per spike(GYS), number of grains per spike(GPS), biological yield (BY) and grain yield per plant(GYP) showed the genetic potential and variability among them. While traits plant height (PH) and peduncle length (PL) are significant. Correlation analysis showed that grain yield per plant is highly associated with flag leaf area (0.78**) followed by biological yield which is highly correlated with plant height (0.77**) and number of grain per spike was also highly correlated with spikelet per spike (0.70**).While spikelet per spike and number of grains per spike correlated non-significantly with plant height (0.21ns), (0.23ns) and biological yield correalted non-significantly with spikelet per spike (0.21ns).The highest mean values recorded by the genotype G3 for the traits SPS (21.22), PL (16.74) and BY (23.33), followed by the genotype G14 for the traits SPS (23.22), PL (17.36), FLA (15), GPS (35.83) and by the genotype G19 for the traits PH (94.63), BY (22.23), GPS (33.16). Hence, in breeding or selection program, to develop the high yield of wheat cultivars in selection or breeding program, these yield related traits should have strong and positive association.
New Coronae and Stellar Associations Revealed by a Clustering Analysis of the Solar Neighborhood
Authors: Moranta Leslie , Gagné Jonathan , Couture Dominic , Faherty Jacqueline K.
Published: November 2022

We present the results of a density-based clustering analysis of the 6D XYZ Galactic positions and UVW-space velocities of nearby (≤200 pc) Gaia Early Data Release 3 stars with radial velocities using HDBSCAN, in opposition to previous studies (Kounkel & Covey 2019; Meingast et al. 2021) that only included positions and tangential velocities. Among the 241 recovered clusters, we identify more than 50 known associations, 32 new candidate stellar streams aged 100 Myr to 3 Gyr, nine extensions of known Theia groups uncovered by Kounkel & Covey, and eight newly recognized coronae around nearby open clusters. Three confirmed exoplanet-hosting stars and three more TESS transiting exoplanet candidates are part of the new groups discovered here, including TOI–1807 and TOI–2076 from Hedges et al. (2021) that were suspected to belong to a yet unidentified moving group. The new groups presented here were not previously recognized because of their older ages, low spatial density, and projection effects that spread out the tangential velocities of their nearby comoving members. Several newly identified structures reach distances within 60 pc of the Sun, providing new grounds for the identification of isolated planetary-mass objects. The nearest member of the newly recognized corona of Volans–Carina is V419 Hya, a known young debris disk star at a distance of 22 pc. This study outlines the importance of further characterization of young associations in the immediate solar neighborhood, which will provide new laboratories for the precise age calibration of nearby stars, exoplanets, and substellar objects.
Polarized Emission from Four Supernova Remnants in the THOR Survey
Authors: Shanahan Russell , Stil Jeroen M. , Anderson Loren , Beuther Henrik , Goldsmith Paul , Ott Jürgen , Rugel Michael , Soler Juan , Syed Jonas
Published: November 2022

We present polarization and Faraday rotation for the supernova remnants (SNRs) G46.8 − 0.3, G43.3 − 0.2, G41.1 − 0.3, and G39.2 − 0.3 in the L-band (1–2 GHz) radio continuum in the H i/OH/Recombination line survey. We detect polarization from G46.8 − 0.3, G43.3 − 0.2, and G39.2 − 0.3 but find upper limits at the 1% level of Stokes I for G41.1 − 0.3. For G46.8 − 0.3 and G39.2 − 0.3, the fractional polarization varies on small scales from 1% to ∼6%. G43.3 − 0.2 is less polarized with fractional polarization ≲3%. We find upper limits at the 1% level for the brighter regions in each SNR with no evidence for associated enhanced Faraday depolarization. We observe significant variation in Faraday depth and fractional polarization on angular scales down to the resolution limit of 16″. Approximately 6% of our polarization detections from G46.8 − 0.3 and G39.2 − 0.3 exhibit two-component Faraday rotation and 14% of polarization detections in G43.3 − 0.2 are multicomponent. For G39.2 − 0.3, we find a bimodal Faraday depth distribution with a narrow peak and a broad peak for all polarization detections as well as for the subset with two-component Faraday rotation. We identify the narrow peak with the front side of the SNR and the broad peak with the back side. Similarly, we interpret the observed Faraday depth distribution of G46.8 − 0.3 as a superposition of the distributions from the front side and the back side. We interpret our results as evidence for a partially filled shell with small-scale magnetic field structure and internal Faraday rotation.
Tidally Distorted Barytropes and Their Roche Limits, with Application to WASP-12b
Authors: Antonetti Victoria , Goodman Jeremy
Published: November 2022

The hot Jupiter WASP-12b has been found to be on a decaying 1.09 day orbit. The mean density of the planet inferred from transit and radial-velocity data is near its Roche limit; just how near depends on the planet’s uncertain internal structure. There is also spectroscopic evidence of mass loss. We accurately calculate the Roche density on the assumption of a synchronously rotating n = 1 polytrope, and find this to be only 15%–20% below the observational estimates for the mean density. We discuss the implied shape of the planet, its lifetime before complete disruption, and its current rate of mass loss based on our improved tidal model. The present mass-loss rate is at least as sensitive to the opacity and temperature profiles of the planet’s atmosphere as to its internal structure, however.
Jupiter and Saturn as Spectral Analogs for Extrasolar Gas Giants and Brown Dwarfs
Authors: Coulter Daniel J. , Barnes Jason W. , Fortney Jonathan J.
Published: November 2022

With the advent of direct-imaging spectroscopy, the number of spectra from brown dwarfs and extrasolar gas giants is growing rapidly. Many brown dwarfs and extrasolar gas giants exhibit spectroscopic and photometric variability, which is likely the result of weather patterns. However, for the foreseeable future, point-source observations will be the only viable method to extract brown dwarf and exoplanet spectra. Models have been able to reproduce the observed variability, but ground-truth observations are required to verify their results. To that end, we provide visual and near-infrared spectra of Jupiter and Saturn obtained from the Cassini VIMS instrument. We disk-integrate the VIMS spectral cubes to simulate the spectra of Jupiter and Saturn as if they were directly imaged exoplanets or brown dwarfs. We present six empirical disk-integrated spectra for both Jupiter and Saturn with phase coverage of 1.°7–133.°5 and 39.°6–110.°2, respectively. To understand the constituents of these disk-integrated spectra, we also provide end-member (single-feature) spectra for permutations of illumination and cloud density, as well as for Saturn’s rings. In tandem, these disk-integrated and end-member spectra provide the ground truth needed to analyze point-source spectra from extrasolar gas giants and brown dwarfs. Lastly, we discuss the impact that icy rings, such as Saturn’s, have on disk-integrated spectra and consider the feasibility of inferring the presence of rings from direct-imaging spectra.
Adaptation of the middle class to innovation: perception of new technologies and openness to them
Authors: Pishnyak Alina I. , Khalina Natalia V.
Published: November 2022

In the modern world, a key skill is the ability to adapt to changing conditions, including mastering new programs, devices, technologies, ways to search for information, and sometimes new professions. With the outbreak of the pandemic – in the context of restrictive measures and transition to remote forms of employment – the problem of adaptation to innovation has become even more relevant. A quick switch to programs ensuring work in remote conditions (for example, Zoom, MSTeams) has become a necessary requirement for keeping the job for some of the employed. Residents of large cities had to switch over to digital public services, QR codes, online order of goods, etc. Obviously, not all groups of the population had a shared reaction to changes, including due to different perception of new technologies and attitudes towards them.

The middle class has been traditionally regarded as a change provider in society, as a layer most open to non-groundbreaking, yet sustainable transformations and new ideas. Testing validity of this statement becomes especially interesting in light of the new reality, that has challenged the middle class (due to peculiarities of employment and lifestyle) with mastering new technologies.

The purpose of this article is to analyze specific features of perception of new technologies by the middle class. Based on data of the specialized survey «Middle class: willingness to invest in human capital development», innovation openness index has been constructed comprising components of attitude, acceptance and use of innovations. On the basis of the technology acceptance model, a set of factors for perception of technical innovations has been identified, taking into account opinion of the middle class about usefulness, ease of use, reliability and safety, and elitism of innovations. In conclusion, relationship between perception of innovations and openness to them has been analyzed and determinants of openness to new technologies have been identified.

The study shows that the middle class has a positive attitude towards introduction of new technologies into various areas of life, is experienced in using them and is rather interested in innovative goods and services. However, the key study conclusion is related to heterogeneity of the middle class in terms of perception of innovations and openness to them. A statement that these categories are independent stratifying features both at the level of the middle class and the entire population has been suggested to stimulate further expert discussion.
Le coach professionnel face au burn-out du salarié : enjeux et limites
Authors: Boucher Catherine
Published: November 2022

Le coaching professionnel n’est plus aujourd’hui un effet d’engouement passager mais un mode d’intervention courant pour les entreprises, quelles que soient les situations. La commande d’un accompagnement individuel pour un salarié au retour d’un burn-out interroge par sa complexité la finalité et les modalités d’un coaching adaptatif. L’objectif de cet article est d’explorer les conditions de mise en place et les étapes d’un coaching alternatif, en complémentarité des acteurs du réseau des intervenants de la prise en charge médico-psychologique, coaching centré sur le réel du travail, qui favorise l’exploration du contexte organisationnel et facilite accès au sens et exercice de son actepouvoir.
Face à la psychologisation défensive : le minidrame, une méthode clinique entre thérapie et coaching
Authors: Pelletier Lou
Published: November 2022

Certains contextes favorisent la psychologisation, selon laquelle une situation se trouve réduite au seul individu concerné. Cette défense inconsciente protège de la terreur de se sentir potentiellement victime impuissante d’un environnement pathogène, en même temps qu’elle empêche de s’en dégager. Les situations de burn-out se révèlent souvent symptomatiques de ce processus. Comment accompagner, en thérapie ou en coaching, dans ces conditions ? La méthode du minidrame situe le vécu du sujet dans ses liens avec son environnement. Cette forme de psychodrame (« drame ») psychanalytique par projection sur des figurines miniatures (« mini ») peut être mobilisée par des thérapeutes et des coachs ayant de solides bases psychanalytiques. Elle facilite l’analyse des enjeux inconscients dans les familles et les organisations, tant pour la pratique clinique que pour la recherche.
Médiations thérapeutiques en pratiques institutionnelles
Authors: Grondin Philippe , Brun Anne
Published: November 2022

Psychose et autisme sont au cœur de la psychothérapie institutionnelle. Classiquement dans ce cadre, les médiations étaient utilisées comme des activités sans potentialité soignante. Cet article montre comment, dans le cadre d’une organisation institutionnelle accueillant des enfants, interagissent les espaces des groupes thérapeutiques à médiation et les autres espaces institutionnels : interstices, réunions institutionnelles et cliniques pour penser les transferts, les chaînes de transfert et une articulation de la constellation transférentielle. À partir de là, le processus de liaison pourra opérer avec une relance du processus de subjectivation.
La blockchain
Authors: Malafosse Maxime , Pascal Amandine
Published: November 2022

Le mouvement citoyen des indignés du 15M de Barcelone a entrainé un basculement politique dans la ville. Dorénavant, la volonté de la municipalité est d’inclure les citoyens dans le processus démocratique et d’engager une politique économique centrée sur les communs. Dans ce contexte, cette étude de cas présente la stratégie digitale de la ville qui vise à redonner de la souveraineté numérique aux Barcelonais. Plus spécifiquement, elle présente le projet européen DECODE lancé pour déployer des communs de la donnée. Ce projet a permis de développer et d’expérimenter des technologies blockchains avec les citoyens afin qu’ils contrôlent le partage de leurs données personnelles. Ce cas vise donc à mieux comprendre comment des outils numériques décentralisés, qui reposent sur la technologie blockchain, peuvent favoriser la gestion des communs de la donnée à l’échelle d’une ville. Pour y répondre, trois projets pilotes expérimentés à Barcelone sont retenus : Digital Democracy and Data Commons, Citizens Internet of Things Data Governance et BarcelonaNow.
Stability analysis of COVID-19 outbreak using Caputo-Fabrizio fractional differential equation
Authors: Sivashankar Murugesan , Sabarinathan Sriramulu , Govindan Vediyappan , Fernandez-Gamiz Unai , Noeiaghdam Samad
Published: November 2022

The main aim of this paper is to construct a mathematical model for the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We discuss the modified COVID-19 and change the model to fractional order form based on the Caputo-Fabrizio derivative. Also several definitions and theorems of fractional calculus, fuzzy theory and Laplace transform are illustrated. The existence and uniqueness of the solution of the model are proved based on the Banach's unique fixed point theory. Moreover Hyers-Ulam stability analysis is studied. The obtained results show the efficiency and accuracy of the model.
Bayesian joint spatial modelling of anemia and malaria in Guinea
Authors: Barry Thierno Souleymane , Ngesa Oscar , Kiingati Jeremiah Kimani , Onyango Nelson Owuor , Niyoyunguruza Aurise , Habineza Alexis , Mwambi Henry , Fika Henri Bello
Published: November 2022

In sub-Saharan Africa, anemia and malaria are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality among children under the age of five years. Guinea is one of the countries where the two diseases have devastating effects. Both of these diseases have been studied separately, but the two diseases exhibit inherent dependence between them, therefore, modelling them in isolation negates practical reality. This study aims at jointly estimating the spatial linear correlation between anemia and malaria, as well as to investigate the differences in contextual, socioeconomic and demographic factors affecting morbidity among children under five years in Guinea. Statistical approaches are used to handle modelling of binary outcomes with allowance for spatial components and joint responses. In particular, a latent model approach is proposed in the methodology to investigate the linear correlation between anemia and malaria allowing for spatial and non-spatial effects. All the parameters are estimated using Bayesian approach based on Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) technique. According to the findings, 76.15% of children under the age of five years in Guinea were anemic, and 14.31% had malaria. Furthermore, the results showed that the child's malaria status is significantly associated with the place of residence, his/her age and ownership of television as an indicator of well being. In terms of anemia in children, there was a significant association with age, mother's education level and ethnicity group of the household head. The Nzerekore region, had both high malaria and anemia prevalences in children under five years. The latent model results showed that there was weak positive correlation between anemia and malaria in Nzerekore and Boke regions. Based on the shared component model, there was a significant unobserved risk factor that both diseases share.
Joachim Jungius and the Transfer of Knowledge from Weaving to Mathematics in the 17th Century
Authors: Friedman Michael
Published: November 2022

Joachim Jungius, one of the most renowned German scholars in the first half of the 17th century, wrote between the 1620s and the 1640s a set of notes, later titled Texturæ Contemplatio (A contemplation of weaving). These unpublished notes, written in German and Latin, deal with weaving and other textile practices, and attempt to present various weaves mathematically and to investigate them scientifically. But what was the nature of this mathematization of weaving? How well did Jungius know the artisans and the artisanal practices he discussed? This paper aims to describe the encounter between weaving and mathematics in Jungius’s writings in order to examine the relations between the artisanal knowledge of textiles and its supposed mathematization during the first decades of the 17th century.
Die Bybel: Enigste bron vir gereformeerde kerkregtelike beginsels?
Authors: Strauss P. J.
Published: November 2022

The Bible: Sole basis for Reformed church polity?Most scholars in the Reformed tradition claim that the Bible is the sole basis of their views on church polity. The author looks at the different ways the Bible is used by Reformed scholars in establishing church principles. He shows that other factors also play a part. Some of these factors are not recognized by those who use them; they are not necessarily wrong and need to be acknowledged and examined. These factors include confessions of faith, a viewpoint on what the church is, attitudes to society as a whole, and the scholar’s cosmological insights.
Effect and clinical significance of zoledronic acid combined with radiotherapy in the treatment of bone pain caused by bone metastasis in non-small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Li Jian , He Rong , Xiao He , Zhou Peng , Geng Minying
Published: November 2022

Objective:

To investigate the effect of zoledronic acid on the remission of bone pain in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) during and after radiotherapy.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 197 NSCLC patients who received radiotherapy for osteopathy with complete recorded visual analog scale (VAS) scores were enrolled. Of these, 79 patients were treated with radiotherapy alone (radiotherapy group), and 118 patients were treated with radiotherapy combined with zoledronic acid (zoledronic acid group). The differences in VAS scores between the two groups were compared. Logistic regression was used to determine the odds ratio (OR) of the complete response rate for osteodynia between the zoledronic acid group and the radiotherapy group. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS).

Results:

The complete response rate in patients in the zoledronic acid group was significantly higher than that in patients in the radiotherapy group (odds ratio [OR] = 3.201, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.559-6.575, P = 0.002). Except for the baseline VAS score, all VAS scores in the zoledronic acid group at different time points during radiotherapy, at the end of radiotherapy, and 1 month after radiotherapy were significantly lower than those in the radiotherapy group (all P < 0.01). Grade 3 constipation was observed in only one patient in the zoledronic acid group. There were no other Grade 3 adverse events. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that only the treatment group (zoledronic acid group vs. radiotherapy group, hazard ratio [HR] = 0.720, 95% CI: 0.530-0.978, P = 0.036) and manner of bone destruction (mixture vs. osteolytic, HR = 0.596, 95% CI: 0.424-0.837, P = 0.003) were independent prognostic factors for OS.

Conclusion:

Zoledronic acid combined with radiotherapy can not only accelerate bone pain control but also prolong survival in NSCLC patients with bone metastases.
Central Vein Stenosis in Hemodialysis Patients During COVID Pandemic
Authors: Prabhakaran Manoj , Mahapatra Himansu Sekhar , Kaur Navjot , Singh Amandeep , Patil Sanket , Gautam Abhisek , Kumari Anamika
Published: November 2022

End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients who were on maintenance hemodialysis require a stable, permanent vascular access as a lifeline. Venous mapping during prearteriovenous fistula (AVF) construction does not include central vein assessment. The guidelines on angiographic assessment of central veins during pre-AVF construction are yet to be streamlined. Moreover, during COVID pandemic, assess difficulty in catheterization laboratory and interventional radiology created devastating situation. We report 15 ESKD cases of central venous stenosis presented during the COVID pandemic time from February 2020 to July 2021. Patients' basic details were collected and initial clinical examination findings were recorded; they were subjected to Doppler and fistulogram. After the combined decision of nephrologist, interventional cardiologist, and vascular surgeon, the management (fistula closure/repair) was planned. Of 15 patients, 13 were males. Basic disease is chronic glomerulonephritis in 9, diabetic nephropathy in 4, and chronic interstitial nephritis in 2. Average number of central vein cannulation prior to AVF creation was 2.6. The median time to the development of symptoms after fistula creation was 13 months. Major initial symptoms were swelling of the upper limb in 4, dilatation of outflow veins in 5, swelling and dilatation in 2, poor flow during dialysis in 3, and dilatation of neck and chest vein in 1. Arm elevation test was positive in most of the cases. On Doppler assessment, dilated veins (>12 mm) with high outflow (>2000 ml/min) in 5, 4 patients showed low flow (<400 ml/min), and six patients showed normal findings. In fistulogram, the common location of stenosis/thrombosis was brachiocephalic vein (BV) in 5 and subclavian vein (SC) in 3, BV vein + SC vein in 4, and superior vena cava in 3. Out of 15, 3 underwent balloon dilatation, 7 underwent fistula closure, 1 no intervention done, 3 lost to follow-up, and 1 expired. This is the first case series of central vein stenosis (CVS) brought in light during COVID pandemic. CVS is a serious issue, which might result in permanent vascular access failure. Further study is needed on impact of previous central vein catheterization leading to stenosis and role of pre-AVF creation angiographic assessment to avoid this type of devastating AVF complication.
Use of guidewire in assisted urethral catheterization and urethral dilatation with Cook's S dilators
Authors: Fatuga Adedeji Lukman , Oliyide Abisola Ekundayo , Hassan Oyedele Jamiu , Jeje Emmanuel A.
Published: November 2022

Difficult urethral catheterization (DUC) is a commonly encountered emergency by urologists. A review of literature describes many techniques which are not readily accessible in resource-limited settings. We present our recent experience with the use of Terumo hydrophilic guidewire in the management of DUCs and planned elective management of urethral strictures presenting this as a viable option in reducing the frequency of emergency suprapubic catheterization with its attendant risks and costs.
Epidemiological and radiological patterns of paediatric fractures in an elite community in South West Nigeria
Authors: Omidiji Olubukola T. A. , Akinmokun Olasode Israel , Olowoyeye Omodele A.
Published: November 2022

Background:

Fracture remains a common cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability in childhood. The etiology of fractures varies between and within countries and depends on the socioeconomic and environmental conditions. Etiology of fractures from the elite and high socioeconomic class community has not been documented and this study aimed to document such, including the radiographic features.

Methods:

A prospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted on 38 children below 17 years that presented with injured limb between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2020, to a private facility located within a highbrow location in Lagos, Nigeria. Ethical approval was obtained from the Health Research and Ethics Committee, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba. Data were collected with pro forma. Data analysis was done using the Microsoft excel and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software (SPSS) for Windows version 21.

Results:

Thirty-eight children were recruited. The mean age was 8.78 ± 4.35 years. The male-to-female ratio was 3.2–1. Fall was the most common cause of the fracture. Injury occurred most within the school environment followed by the home environment. All the injured presented with pain and swelling of the affected parts. The upper limbs were more injured. Transverse fractures were the most common radiographic findings. Moderate-to-severe displacement of fracture edges was seen in 55.3%, with severe angulations of fracture edges in 23.4%. Majority of the fractures were managed conservatively.

Conclusion:

Majority of the fractures were due to falls. Most are complete and transverse fractures. A higher percentage was displaced. The management was mostly conservative.
Association of serum calcium levels with clinical severity of ischemic stroke at the time of admission as defined by NIHSS score: A cross-sectional, observational study
Authors: Vijay Prabhu SN , Tripathi Brijendra Krishna , Agarwal Yatish , Kabi Bhaskar Charana , Kumar Rajesh
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Calcium plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ischemic cell damage. Intracellular calcium accumulation leads to neuronal damage by triggering the cycle of cytotoxic events. In this study, the association of serum calcium levels with clinical severity of ischemic stroke as defined by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was evaluated.

Materials and Methods:

After obtaining ethical approval from the institutional ethics committee, data was collected from 60 ischemic stroke patients, who were divided into two groups of 30 patients each: group 1 with serum ionized calcium less than 4.5 mg/dl and group 2 with serum ionized calcium levels more than 4.5 mg/dl. The stroke severity in the two groups was assessed using the NIHSS score.

Results:

The severity of ischemic stroke according to the NIHSS score was greater in patients with low serum ionized calcium levels compared to the severity of ischemic stroke in patients with normal serum ionized calcium levels.

Conclusion:

Serum ionized calcium certainly plays a role in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke by influencing the cycle of cytotoxic events that result in ischemic cell death. This study showed that the severity of ischemic stroke was greater in patients with low serum ionized calcium levels compared to patients with normal serum ionized calcium levels.
Ichthyosis with superimposed mycosis fungoides, a rare case of generalized erythema with malaise
Authors: Chen Yu-Hsun
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT

Ichthyosiform eruption of mycosis fungoides is rare, and ichthyosis with superimposed mycosis fungoides is scarcely ever seen; only a few cases have been documented in the medical literature. Furthermore, the patients with ichthyosiform lesions may indicate the presence of an underlying systemic disease, paraneoplastic syndrome, or an atypical manifestation of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. Thus, determining the accurate etiology is important to establish the correct diagnosis and subsequently facilitate its management. They should be evaluated thoroughly, and a skin biopsy is essential to rule out the possibility of ichthyosiform mycosis fungoides.
Prevalence of menopausal symptoms among women in Vadodara, Central Gujarat: The urban-rural divide
Authors: Shringarpure Kalpita S. , Kharawala Amrin , Panchal Preeti P. , Brahme Keyur M. , Baxi Sushma R. , Baxi Rajendra K.
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT

Aim:

The aim of this article is to estimate prevalence of menopausal symptoms among women in the menopausal age group and study the urban-rural differences.

Methods and Design:

Analytical cross-sectional study conducted in rural and urban field practice areas of a tertiary care center affiliated to Medical College, where 290 women (145 each from urban and rural areas) were interviewed to measure prevalence of menopausal symptoms. Forty-one symptoms were divided into ‘Psycho-somatic’ (17 symptoms), ‘genito-urinary (9 symptoms)’ and musculo-skeletal (5 symptoms) domains. The prevalence of each of these symptoms is reported as proportion and the differences in the median scores in the two groups were tested using Mann-Whitney U test.

Results:

From among 145 women each, in urban and rural settings, most common psychosomatic symptoms were physical exhaustion-fatigue (73.1%), difficulty climbing stairs (59.3%), sleep problems (45.2%), body ache (43.4%), and hot flushes (41.4%). Among the urban participants, most common was physical exhaustion (42.1%), difficulty climbing stairs (62.1%), anger (46.9%), sleep problems (45.5%), and irritability (42.1%), while among the rural participants they were physical exhaustion (66.2%), difficulty climbing stairs (56.6%), insomnia (54.5%), and body ache (46.2%). Most common genito-urinary symptoms overall and in rural areas were urinary urgency (35.9% and 38.6%), increased frequency of urine (31.7% and 37.2%) and incontinence (30% and 35.2% respectively). Among the urban women, common symptoms were urinary urgency (33.1%) followed by itching of private parts (30.3%) and increased frequency of urination (26.2%). Among musculo-skeletal symptoms, joint pain (74.1%, 74.5%, 73.8%) was the most common symptom followed by joint and muscular discomfort (71.7%, 73.8%, 69.7%) among the overall, urban and rural participants. There was a significant difference in the median psychosomatic score as per the symptoms experienced by the urban and rural participants (U = 36, Z statistic = 2.31, and P = 0.02). However, there was no significant difference in the scores for genito-urinary and musculo-skeletal symptoms; thereby, median scores under both these domains were almost similar in both urban and rural groups

Conclusion:

There was significant difference in the median psychosomatic score as per the symptoms experienced by the urban and rural participants however; there was no significant difference in genito-urinary and musculo-skeletal symptom scores.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices toward cervical cancer and screening among sexually active Saudi females visiting a primary care center in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Algabr Ghadah Abdulrahman , AlSaud Lama , Ismail Alaa Ateef S.
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT

Background/Aim:

Women’s knowledge of cervical cancer (CC) and awareness of screening procedures are important to improve adherence and reduce mortality. This study was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward cervical cancer and screening among sexually active Saudi females visiting a primary care center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional study among sexually active Saudi females who visited the primary care center of our institution using a self-administered survey questionnaire between July and December 2020.

Results:

Six hundred and one Saudi women participated in the survey with a mean age of 34.0 ± 10.8 years. Three in four women (75.7%) were aware of cervical cancer and 325 (54.1%) believed that doing a Paps smear helped them diagnose and prevent CC. However, 479 participants (79.7%) do not see the need to go for CC screening (n = 199, 41.5%) and 113 (23.6%) had not heard of Paps smear screening. There were 109 women (18.1%) who has good knowledge of cervical cancer and screening and 492 women (81.9%) had poor knowledge.

Conclusion:

There was a high proportion of women with poor knowledge and awareness about cervical cancer and screening. Most women do not feel the need to undergo screening. Primary care physicians and healthcare providers should revisit the implementation of policies or information dissemination of programs and materials to increase awareness and knowledge for cervical cancer screening and vaccination throughout primary healthcare centers.
Simultaneous infection of amoebic liver abscess and hepatitis A infection in a young adult in an endemic region
Authors: Puri Saurabh , Randhawa Gulshan Singh , Bhasin Sukriti , Aggarwal Rajat , Gera Parkash
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT

Concomitant hepatitis A virus (HAV) and amoebic liver abscess are to be considered in patients with clinical signs and symptoms of fever, jaundice, and right upper quadrant pain, especially in endemic areas. Both diseases had similar epidemiology and identical mode of transmission, i.e., the feco-oral route. We report a case of a young female with simultaneous infection of HAV and amoebic liver abscess, emphasizing the role of dual infection and its clinical manifestations.
Assessment of clinical and virological outcomes of rural and urban populations: COVID-19
Authors: Bhocal Usha , Katyal Ashima , Dhull Divya , Raghuraman Kausalya , Nandal Namita , Gill Paramjeet S.
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT

Objective:

To assess the clinical and virological status in urban and rural populations.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak for a period of six months. Upper respiratory tract (URT) specimens including nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swabs were collected from the patients and their contacts and processed by RT-PCR technique for COVID-19 detection. Further, clinical and virological response in both the population were assessed and compared.

Results:

A total of 37,724 URT samples were tested, out of which 20,144 (53%) samples were from the rural population and 17,580 (47%) from the urban population. Out of the total samples from urban and rural population, COVID-19 positivity was 13.9% in urban population and 6.2% in rural population. Around 86% patients or contacts were asymptomatic in both the rural and urban population and rests were symptomatic 14%. Among the symptomatic patients, sore throat was seen as the most common presenting symptom (95-100%) followed by fever (80-83%), dry cough (55-61%), nasal discharge (18-23%), and breathlessness (3-5%) in both the rural and urban population.

Conclusion:

Our outcomes provide novel facts that the COVID-19 epidemic severely affected both rural and urban populations but with few differences. In our study, positivity rate in case of urban population was 13.9% as compared to 6.2% in rural population. There are two foremost facets that contributed variation in positivity in both the population. First, better immune response in rural population as compared to urban population which can be due to the fact that rural people in India are more exposed to various pathogens during their early lifetime thus, improving their immune status. Second, factor could be elevated population densities in urban areas which can contribute to increased infectiousness thus higher positivity rate. In addition, people living in urban population have to commute more for their work and are exposed to more people throughout the day thus, having more possibility to get infection of COVID-19 as compared to the rural population. To the best of our knowledge, there are no studies conducted on COVID-19, among rural population of Haryana. Hence, this study will allow us to fill the gap in knowledge about the variation in contagion spread and immune response in both rural and urban populations.
Anterior mediastinal mass with superior vena cava syndrome: A rare presentation of germ cell tumor
Authors: Aurangabadkar Gaurang , Lanjewar Ajay , Jadhav Ulhas , Mayekar Mrinmayee , Ali Saood , Wagh Pankaj
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT

The objective of this case report is to highlight the clinical, radiological, and histopathological features of a case of a 33-year-old male patient, who presented to AVBRH, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, with an anterior mediastinal mass with superior vena cava syndrome and after detailed studies was diagnosed as a case of germ cell tumor which was further confirmed on immunohistochemistry staining.
The relationship between personality dimensions with resiliency and sense of coherence with respect to the role of spiritual health in the patients’ candidate for eye surgery
Authors: Mihandoust Soada , Nematollahzadeh Zohreh , Shirvani Mohammad , Al- Karboolee Nasir Jamal Nasir , Joudi Mitra , Fouroozandeh Maryam , Moghadam Farhad Adhami
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

This research aimed to determine the relationship between personality dimensions with the rate of resiliency and internal cohesion regarding the intermediary role of spiritual health in candidate patients for eye surgery.

Methods:

The method used in this is of correlation type, and statistical population in this project included all eye patients chosen for eye surgery who were examined at technical eye clinics in Tehran. The statistical sample included 200 patients from the statistical population who were chosen through a targeted sampling method. The data collection tools were Conner and Davidson’s tolerance questionnaire (2003), Maccary and Costa’s personality questionnaire (1985), Antonowski’s internal cohesion scale (1970), and Politzin and Elison’s spiritual health questionnaire (1982). The research hypotheses were examined through regression analysis, Pearson’s correlation, and path analysis.

Results:

The results showed that the calculated fit indices of the structural model of the research were correlated with the five dimensions of personality and internal cohesion of patients undergoing eye surgery with respect to the mediator role of spiritual health with 88% confidence. Investigation of path analysis coefficients showed a significant relationship between exogenous and intermediary variables on resiliency and internal cohesion (P value = 0.00).

Conclusion:

According to the results of the research, the spiritual health variable plays a significant mediating role for exogenous and endogenous variables in this model. Therefore, personality traits not only directly influence resilience and internal cohesion but also indirectly influence spiritual well-being.
Post-COVID-19 manifestations: A study of analyzing symptoms, complications following hospitalization
Authors: Kaur Daljeet , Agrawal Kailash Chandra , Deep Aman , Choudhary Hazarimal , Soni Laxman , Saran Rajendra , Sankhla Vasudev
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:

Post-COVID-19 symptoms and diseases appeared on recovered from COVID-19. Hence, the study aims to investigate and characterize the manifestations which appear after recovery from the corona virus infection.

Objectives:

To investigate the post-COVID-19 Manifestation, to demonstrate different symptoms or signs that appeared during COVID and after recovery from the disease and to see association of independent factors (like age, sex, BMI, Comorbidities) with Post-COVID complication.

Methods:

The study was conducted using cross-sectional study among COVID positive patients admitted and then recovered in Bangur Hospital, Pali, Rajasthan, including ICU and Isolation wards from March to December 2020. Sample size calculated was 423 with simple random sampling.

Findings:

In our study of these 421 COVID-19 cases, median age was 36 year (Interquartile Range: 26-55 years). Post-COVID manifestation (at least one symptom) significantly associated with age of subjects (p = 0.001), subjects who were in ICU during COVID-19 positive (p = 0.003), symptomatic subjects (p = 0.009) during COVID positive and SPO2 level at the time of admission during COVID positive (p = 0.01).

Conclusion:

The recovered subjects should be highly vigilant in maintaining and monitoring their health status as there is a risk of future complications after recovery.
Clinical spectrum and outcome of pregnancy with liver diseases – A prospective study
Authors: Bahadur Anupama , Mundhra Rajlaxmi , Kashibhatla Jyotshna , Chawla Latika , Rajput Rashmi , Zaman Rabia , Mahima Mahamood MM , Kumari Purvashi , Gupta Rohit
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT

Objective:

Liver diseases constitute a family of diseases in pregnancy which are less often studied individually. Spectrum of liver diseases directly or indirectly related to pregnancy comprise 3% of all pregnancies. The biggest challenge is to arrive at a diagnosis in such cases. With this study we aimed to study the prevalence of different Liver diseases in pregnancy in our population and its effect on fetomaternal outcome.

Material and Methods:

This was a prospective observational study carried out from March 2018 to March 2020. A total of 184 pregnant women with diagnosis of some form of liver disease as evident from their symptoms, signs or biochemical investigations were included in study cohort.

Result:

Primigravida accounted for majority of study cohort (44.02%). Approximately 90.21% belonged to 20-35 yrs. Age group. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (IHCP) was the most common liver ailment (66.84%) followed by viral hepatitis (10.32%), Hyperemesis gravidarum (7.06%) and HELLP syndrome (6.52%). There was one case of Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (0.54%), four cases of Pre-eclampsia with liver dysfunction (2.17%), seven cases of Jaundice in pregnancy (3.80%) and 3 cases of pre-existing liver diseases (1.63%). 5 cases (2.71%) of antepartum eclampsia, 5 cases (2.71%) of postpartum eclampsia and 1 case (0.54%) of post-partum HELLP was seen. 33.33% patients were delivered early by induction or caesarean section because of liver dysfunction.14.67% required blood or blood products transfusion.1.63% had postpartum hemorrhage.1.08% mothers required intensive care admissions. Neonatal outcome was poor with 6.41% being growth restricted, 9.61% premature, 8.97% were intrauterine dead fetuses, 2.56% had early neonatal deaths and 7.05% needed neonatal intensive care unit admissions.

Conclusion:

Timely admission, quick diagnosis and appropriate management of patients with liver diseases in pregnancy can make a significant difference in mortality and morbidity rates due to liver ailments in pregnancy.
Knowledge and awareness of glaucoma in a population of Abha, Southern Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alamri Abdulrahman , Bakri Khulud Ali , Alqarni Shahd Mohammad , Alosaimi Maram Nawar , Alshehri Ebtihaj Yahya , Alshahrani Mariam Salem
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT

Background:

Glaucoma is a disease that results in a painless elevation of intro ulster pressure (IOP), which can lead to progressive optic nerve damage and visual field loss. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. It is certain that understanding the disease and knowing the people most susceptible, such as those with chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension may help treat the condition and check it regularly to avoid irreversible blindness.

Materials and Methods:

This study was done to measure the extent of people’s awareness and knowledge about glaucoma. The study was cross sectional and used a questionnaire to find about the awareness of glaucoma among the residents of Abha. The sample size was 1563. It was conducted within 2 months of taking ethical approval and informed consent. Data was analyzed by statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) program, version 22.

Results:

The study results showed that around 77.1% of the respondents had heard about glaucoma. Of the 1563 participants, the majority were women and they constituted 81.0%. Nearly 88.3% replied that glaucoma may lead to blindness and 86.9% agreed that early screening helps avoid the complications of glaucoma. Although just 5.4% did glaucoma screening, 43.0% concurred that this blindness can be treated.

Conclusion:

Current research evaluated the awareness and knowledge of glaucoma among the residents of Aseer. Good awareness level regarding glaucoma was found among 725 respondents (46.4%) and 53.6% had poor awareness.