bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The professionalisation efforts of accountants in the Orange Free State, 1907–1927: An exploration of their first twenty years
Authors: Heathcote Krysta
Published: February 2024

Professionalisation forms an important domain in the accounting history arena. The geographical spread of professional organisations occurred via the relay of empire and the movement of international capital. Outcomes of professionalisation endeavours are strongly connected to the social and political context in which they occur. The mineral discoveries towards the end of the 19th century established South Africa’s first industrial community. As the country’s economy expanded, the virtues of simple living and conduct of business passed and there was a growing need for the services of individuals who had knowledge of accounting and of commerce. Most of the skilled accountants who migrated were of British descent. These accountants contributed to the development of the profession in South Africa. The Transvaal, Cape Colony, Natal and Orange River Colony (ORC) each established accounting societies around this time in response to the new industries and business. The Society of Accountants in the Orange River Colony was established in November 1907, five years after the conclusion of the South African War, by seven English gentlemen practising as accountants in Bloemfontein. This was the smallest society in comparison to the other colonies in Southern Africa at the time, and had grown from merely 16 foundation members in 1907 to 60 in 1927 with the passing of the Chartered Accountants Designation Act. The Society of Accountants and Auditors in the Orange River Colony (SAAORC) was a voluntary body, unlike the Transvaal and Natal societies. Accountants in the ORC could conduct their business as accountants and auditors and advertise themselves as such, whether they were members of the SAAORC or not. This article investigates the formation years of the accountants’ society in the Free State and explains the difference between this development path and that of the earlier preceding societies. The article explains the establishment of a British profession in a former Boer Republic and the mechanisms of professional closure implemented to safeguard the status of the profession.
The demographics of empire: The colonial order and the creation of knowledge
Authors: Kanduza Ackson M.
Published: February 2024

No abstract available.
Written culture in a colonial context: Africa and the Americas, 1500-1900
Authors: Thompson Lisa
Published: February 2024

No abstract available.
Re-imagining the Social in South Africa: Critique theory and postapartheid society
Authors: Thompson Lisa
Published: February 2024

No abstract available.
From fund-raising to Freedom Day: The nature of women’s general activities in the Ossewa-Brandwag, 1939-1943
Authors: Blignaut Charl
Published: February 2024

The Ossewa-Brandwag (OB) was a mass-movement that originated as a result of the euphoria created by the 1938 Centenary Celebrations of the Great Trek in South Africa. With far-reaching and very ambitious aims the OB was in essence a multi-layered organisation that had an impact on the lives of hundreds of thousands of Afrikaners. It existed for more than ten years, from 1939 to 1954. Despite the evident Afrikaner nationalist and republican ideals for which the movement stood, the OB was also swept by the tide of the ideological “zeitgeist” between the two World Wars. It was outspokenly National-Socialist, anti-British and with the outbreak of the Second World War it openly sided with Germany and was involved in several attempts to sabotage South Africa’s participation in the war. Despite these more radical aspects, the OB also had a cultural and social side in which most of its members participated – including women. Until recently the role of women in the OB has not been dealt with in “any” detailed way. Women formed a dynamic, vibrant and outspoken group in the OB that not only participated in the cultural and social aspects of the movement, but also the more violent resistance towards the government’s pro-British sentiments. This article focuses on the nature of women’s more general activities in the OB during the movement’s early years from 1939 to 1943. These “general” activities include women’s agency in the cultural, social and financial spheres of the OB as well as their indispensable role as organisers. As mainly a descriptive historical study, this article aims to introduce readers to the women of the OB, whose role in the movement has been shamefully neglected in South African historiography.
AB Xuma: Autobiography and selected works
Authors: Van der Merwe Barend
Published: February 2024

No abstract available.
Hunting status? Power and buffalo shooting in the Albany and Bathurst districts of the Cape Colony c. 1892 – 1916
Authors: Gess David W. , Swart Sandra
Published: February 2024

The hunting of buffalo in the Bathurst district of the Cape Colony during the closing decades of the 19th Century serves as a case study of the system of issuing permits to shoot big game introduced by the Game Act of 1886, and provides an opportunity to identify and interrogate the competing interests of those who wished to obtain for themselves the right to hunt these increasingly threatened animals. The administrative process by which the Department of Agriculture considered and determined permit applications is a lens through which to view the use of influence and connection in the pursuit of personal hunting interests, particularly when the clerk to the local Civil Commissioner, whose duties included recommending permit applications, sought to secure hunting opportunities for himself to the exclusion of others.
New “traditional” strategies and land claims in South Africa: A case study in Hammanskraal
Authors: Godsell Sarah
Published: February 2024

In post-apartheid South Africa, many hopes were pinned on the process of land-restitution to be a major part of power and wealth redistribution. However, as the land claims process is linked to demonstrable historical legitimacy, this process has sometimes necessitated both the restating and reinventing of local histories and “ethnic identities”, in line with new political structures or moral frameworks. This article addresses continuity and innovation in strategies around historical adaptation to governance structures, ethnicity and “traditional” structures in South Africa. These themes will be explored using Hammanskraal, located in the north of Gauteng, as a case study, examining the way legitimacy has been gained, constructed and established in two specific periods: around 1911-1944 and 1995-2010. In 1944, government ethnographer NJ Van Warmelo produced a history of Johannes “Jan Tana” Kekana’s Ndebele, depicting the history and lineage of the AmaNdebele-a-Moletlane group. In 1995, a substantial land-claim was lodged by a contestant for the chieftaincy of the AmaNdebele-a-Moletlane, presenting a different historical background that contested the narrative produced by Van Warmelo. The contestant for the chieftaincy, not currently officially recognised by South African state structures, has used various strategies to concretise his position. These strategies show how entrenched historical legitimacy is being counteracted by popular modes of expression, construction and communication. This new politics, consciously constructed around ideas of traditional structures and legitimacy, interacts with new power structures, adding the importance of political connections or resources to the construction of the claim. Contextualising this historically shows how continuities regarding “traditional” authorities have interacted with the state before, during and after apartheid.
The Crisis Committee, post apartheid protest and political mobilisation in Phomolong Township, Free State
Authors: Kunene Phindile
Published: February 2024

Often depicted in images of violence, burning tyres, destruction of property and looting of private businesses, service delivery protests have captured the imagination of many scholars interested in South Africa’s post apartheid politics. There are two main approaches to the study of service delivery protests. On the one hand are studies that argue that service delivery protests directly spring from an economic reality that privileges the market as a provider of services. The strength of this analysis is that it draws an important link between neoliberal capitulation and the rise of protest and mobilisation in post apartheid South Africa. The limitation in this analysis is that it pays scant attention to local associational politics. On the other hand is an approach that locates its analysis in the institutional design of post apartheid local government. Although offering a competent analysis of the grievances in service delivery protests, this analysis lacks a historical approach in studying local protest. Furthermore, this approach seldom illuminates the social composition and organisational character of the movements at the centre of these protests. Based on extensive life history interviews, this study examines the 2005 service delivery protests in Phomolong - a township in the northern Free State. With a grounded analysis on the Crisis Committee, which was the coordinating centre of the protests, the study reveals interesting complexities about the articulation between service delivery protests and the historical evolution of political mobilization and protest in Phomolong. In the paper it is argued that, despite some promising aspects and potential to effect thoroughgoing transformation on the local state, post apartheid protest movements present a hybrid and fluid political character, which can be understood by looking at the interface between the internal dynamics of protest movements and the structural factors that influence their formation.
Chieftaincy and resistance politics in Lehurutshe during the apartheid era
Authors: Lissoni Arianna
Published: February 2024

This article focuses on the politics of chieftaincy in Lehurutshe, a rural region in South Africa’s North West Province, in the second half of the twentieth century. This was a period of profound social and political restructuring in the South African countryside. The imposition of Bantu Authorities, the extension of passes to African women and the deposition of Kgosi Abram Ramotshere Moiloa by the white authorities in 1957 sparked a popular struggle of resistance (better known as the Zeerust uprising or the Hurutshe revolt) that engulfed Lehurutshe in the late 1950s. The article analyses the establishment of a new political order in the aftermath of this period of resistance. It goes on to examine the attempted revival of the institution of chieftaincy by Lucas Mangope’s Bophuthatswana bantustan in the period from the mid-1970s to the late 1980s. The paper ends with the onset of another period of intense struggle over the incorporation of the “black spot” villages of Lekubu (or Braklaagte) and Mokgola (or Leeuwfontein) into Bophuthatswana in 1989. Like the Zeerust uprising of 1957-1959, the anti-incorporation struggle of 1989-1994 points to the complex and continued intersection of local political struggles for authority with liberation politics – crucially articulated through the institution of the chieftaincy - during periods of contestation over local resources.
Lived experiences and local spaces: Bangladeshi migrants in post-apartheid South Africa
Authors: Munshi Naadria
Published: February 2024

Migration literature tends to speak of temporary migration as economic migration and therefore the experience of migration is centred on the economy. In South Africa, this economic experience includes violence and crime especially after the 2008 xenophobic attacks. Yet migrants have established and forged relations in South Africa that transcend pure economic relationships. In this paper, I argue that the lived experience of Bangladeshi migrants produce a far more complex picture of migration. While the economy may have been the primary reason these men migrated, they are neither poor nor destitute. Further, this paper looks at how the spaces of the home, work and the social are negotiated in the daily lived experience of Bangladeshi migrants in South Africa. It looks at spaces like Fordsburg Johannesburg where the men socialise and find a sense of community among their countrymen, as well how marriage and social mobility.
Post-thaw sperm morphokinetics and mitochondrial genes profile of buck semen supplemented with selenium in two different forms
Authors: AboEl-Hassan Amira Hassan , Abu Elnaga Nehal Ali , Ghanem Nasser
Published: February 2024

Background

The quality characteristics of semen is a determinant factor for improving fertility of rabbit.

Objectives

The current investigation was done to evaluate post-thaw sperm morphokinetics and mitochondrial genes expression profile of buck semen supplemented with selenium in two different forms.

Materials and methods

Sexually mature bucks (n=16) that aged three months on average were used for collecting two ejaculates which were evaluated using computer assisted semen analysis (CASA) program. The semen samples of all experimental animals which recorded progressive motility greater than or equal to 70% were pooled for cryopreservation. The pooled semen was divided into three groups that were supplemented with selenium nanoparticles and selenium in normal form in addition to the control group. Morphological characteristics as well as CASA parameters were assessed after freezing for 1 week. Moreover, enzymatic activity assays were performed to measure the antioxidant capacity of cryopreserved buck semen. Transcriptional profile of mitochondrial activity and antioxidant defense regulating genes was conducted using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results and conclusion

The addition of selenium in normal and Nano forms has significantly (P ≤0.05) enhanced some of CASA parameters such as DCL (µm), DAP (µm), DSL (µm), VCL (µm/s), VAP (µm/s), Amplitude of lateral head (ALH) (µ), BCF (Hz), and VSL (µm/s) during prefreezing period compared with control group. Moreover, the data presented in the present study indicated a significant (P ≤0.05) improvement of post-thaw total and progressive sperm motility in the two groups supplemented with normal and Nano compared with control group. The post-thaw level of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and percentage of live sperm were higher in the two groups supplemented with selenium and Nano selenium than the control group. The expression profile of candidate genes regulating mitochondrial activity (ATP Synthase F1 Subunit Alpha (ATP5A1), NADH dehydrogenase subunit1 (ND1), NADH dehydrogenase subunit2 (ND2), and Carnitine palmitoyltransferase (CPT2)) was increased significantly (P ≤0.05) in semen supplemented with selenium in normal and Nano forms compared with the control group. In conclusion, the data of this investigation demonstrated enhancement of CASA parameters during pre-freezing post thaw total and progressive sperm motility in the two groups supplemented with normal and nano selenium. The proportion of sperm viability and the level of total antioxidant capacity were enhanced in the two groups supplemented with selenium which was coupled with up-regulation of mitochondrial transcripts. It seems the both two forms shared the same mechanism on improving post-thaw physical and molecular qualities of rabbit sperm.
Treatment outcomes of replantation of primary teeth with/without splinting and endodontic treatment modality following avulsion injury: A systematic review
Authors: Padhy Preeti P , Pawar Madhura , Mehta Vini , Kurtkoti Nikita , Meathawala Vaishnavi
Published: February 2024

Aim:

The objective of this review is to conduct a thorough systematic literature search and evaluate the risks and benefits of replanting avulsed primary teeth, which will aid clinicians in proper decision-making.

Materials and Methods:

In this review, a systematic search of five electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed-MEDLINE, Scopus, Ovid SP, and Embase) was independently conducted by two reviewers. After following the eligibility criteria, the collated data was uploaded to Zotero and Excel Workbooks. Any disagreement was resolved through adjudication by the third reviewer. For case reports and case series, the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist was used to assess quality.

Results:

Following the application of the eligibility criteria, 15 papers were deemed eligible for final analysis, and full texts were acquired. Among 26 replanted teeth, adverse effects were seen in 19 primary teeth and 7 permanent successors. The primary teeth that were replanted had the following unfavorable effects: mobility, resorption of the bone, fistula formation, radicular cyst formation, crown discoloration, and pulp necrosis. Similarly, the adverse effects on the permanent successors were impaction, enamel hypoplasia, dilacerations, and infra-occlusion.

Conclusions:

Following the biological principles, such as the condition of the tooth, the time elapsed since avulsion and age of the child, and replantation of avulsed primary teeth, can be a feasible treatment option. However, the feasibility is case-dependent and cannot be generalized because of the paucity of high-quality research with sufficient sample sizes and long follow-up periods.
Use of bone graft alloplast β-tricalcium phosphate in regenerative periodontal surgery treatment: A systematic review
Authors: Susanto Agus , Prasetyo Budhi Cahya , Norisma Ginta Wulan
Published: February 2024

Aim:

β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) is an alloplastic bone graft material with osteoconductive and osteoinductive properties, which acts as an alternative bone graft that has been widely used in dentistry. This study aimed to review the use of β-TCP alloplastic bone grafts in several cases in the treatment of periodontal regenerative surgery.

Materials and Methods:

This study was conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, and EBSCOhost databases using the PICO framework based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Systems and Meta-Analyses. The type of article was research articles using β-TCP alloplast bone graft material in periodontal regenerative surgery in a human alveolar bone defect in English with randomized controlled trials and clinical trials methods in the last 10 years. Data includes number, author, defect criteria, study group, follow-up, parameters and results, and conclusions.

Results:

Ten articles were included based on eligibility criteria, consisting of nine articles using β-TCP in the treatment of periodontal defects, that are five articles on intrabony defects, two articles on infrabony defects, an article in localized periodontal defects, and an article on involvement furcation grade II. Then, another article used β-TCP for alveolar ridge preservation. The results showed eight articles had statistically significant results in clinical parameters (reducing clinical attachment level (CAL) and Periodontal Pocket Depth (PPD), and radiographic parameters at certain times compared with baseline, and two articles showed no significant results between the β-TCP alone and the β-TCP with additional biomaterials or other bone graft materials.

Conclusions:

β-TCP as an alloplastic bone graft improved clinical and radiographic parameters in regenerative periodontal surgery, especially in intrabony defects, infrabony defects, localized periodontal defects, grade II furcation, and alveolar ridge preservations.
The effectiveness of hydroxyapatite in alveolar ridge preservation: A systematic review
Authors: Razali Nurul Saadah , Younis Luay Thanoon , Ariffin Muhammad Hilmi Zainal
Published: February 2024

Aim:

This systematic review is aimed to evaluate the clinical, radiographical, and histologic/histomorphometric outcomes of using hydroxyapatite (HA), either alone or in combination with other biomaterials in alveolar ridge preservation (ARP). The effects of particle sizes were also investigated.

Materials and Methods:

This study followed the requirements outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses and was duly registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. Studies published from 2015 to 2021 were included, focusing on patients aged 18 years or older requiring tooth extraction. Various interventions and comparators were assessed, including HA alone and HA combined with organic/inorganic materials. Primary outcomes were the dimensional alveolar bone changes measured clinically and radiographically, whereas secondary outcomes included histological and histomorphometric evaluations.

Results:

A total of 15 studies were included, comprising case series, cohorts, and randomized controlled trials. HA, both alone and in combination, demonstrated potential in reducing alveolar bone resorption. Clinical and radiographic measurements revealed reduced horizontal and vertical ridge changes when HA was used. Histological analysis demonstrated favorable outcomes with the presence of new bone formation around residual graft particles.

Conclusions:

Combining HA with organic or inorganic materials showed promise in preserving alveolar ridge dimensions, with less residual graft material observed during implant placement. The use of nanoscale HA also demonstrated positive outcomes in bone regeneration. However, due to the heterogeneity of study designs, further research with larger sample sizes and uniform methodologies is needed to provide more definitive conclusions. In summary, HA, especially in combination with other materials, holds the potential for effective ARP, but standardization of approaches is essential for more reliable results in future studies.
Effect of photopolymerization time on shear bond strength and microleakage of orthodontic adhesives: An in vitro study
Authors: Puthiyapurayil Greeshma , Antony Vincy , Shaloob Muhamed , Roshan Gazanafer , Nayaz Mohamed , Parayaruthottam Prathapan
Published: February 2024

Aim:

The aim of this investigation was to assess the shear bond strength and microleakage of three different adhesives at 10, 15 and 20 s of photopolymerization time.

Materials and Methods:

Depending on the adhesive employed, 45 teeth were split into 3 groups. (Enlight, Transbond XT and Orthofix) and 3 subgroups based on polymerization time of 10, 15, 20 s. After bonding, the specimens were placed in 0.5% solution of methylene blue dye for 6 days and then the Universal Testing Machine was used to assess the shear bond strength. The debonded specimens were then examined for microleakage using 3D Optical profiler. One-way ANOVA test and repeated-measures ANOVA were used in inferential statistics to determine differences between and within the groups.

Results:

The mean shear bond strength was found highest for Enlight cured for 20 s (22.45 ± 4.22MPa) and lowest for Orthofix cured for 10 s (4.58 ± 1.60 MPa). In all three groups, there was a discernible rise in shear bond strength as the curing time increased. The mean microleakage was found highest in Orthofix cured for 10 s (0.04 ± 0.007 mm) and lowest in Transbond XT cured for 15 s (0.01 ± 0.002 mm). Mean microleakage decreased with an increase in curing time which was statistically significant in all groups.

Conclusions:

With an increase in polymerization time, the shear bond strength increases and microleakage decreases. Enlight light cure composite showed maximum shear bond strength and Orthofix showed the least shear bond strength at all three polymerization times. Microleakage at the gingival area was more when compared to the occlusal area in all the groups.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Monitoring of Thermal Lesions Produced by Focused Ultrasound
Authors: Antoniou Anastasia , Evripidou Nikolas , Nikolaou Anastasia , Georgiou Andreas , Giannakou Marinos , Chrysanthou Antreas , Georgiou Leonidas , Ioannides Cleanthis , Damianou Christakis
Published: February 2024

Background:

The main goal of the study was to find the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters that optimize contrast between tissue and thermal lesions produced by focused ultrasound (FUS) using T1-weighted (T1-W) and T2-weighted (T2-W) fast spin echo (FSE) sequences.

Methods:

FUS sonications were performed in ex vivo porcine tissue using a single-element FUS transducer of 2.6 MHz in 1.5 and 3 T MRI scanners. The difference in relaxation times as well as the impact of critical MRI parameters on the resultant contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between coagulated and normal tissues were assessed. Discrete and overlapping lesions were inflicted in tissue with simultaneous acquisition of T2-W FSE images.

Results:

FUS lesions are characterized by lower relaxation times than intact porcine tissue. CNR values above 80 were sufficient for proper lesion visualization. For T1-W imaging, repetition time values close to 1500 ms were considered optimum for obtaining sufficiently high CNR at the minimum time cost. Echo time values close to 50 ms offered the maximum lesion contrast in T2-W FSE imaging. Monitoring of acute FUS lesions during grid sonications was performed successfully. Lesions appeared as hypointense spots with excellent contrast from surrounding tissue.

Conclusion:

MRI monitoring of signal intensity changes during FUS sonication in grid patterns using optimized sequence parameters can provide useful information about lesion progression and the success of ablation. This preliminary study demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed monitoring method in ex vivo porcine tissue and should be supported by in vivo studies to assess its clinical potential.
Burden of Tuberculosis among tribal populations of India: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Debnath Aninda , Singh Nidhi , Gupta Sunanda , Kishore Jugal
Published: February 2024

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to impose a significant burden on tribal populations in India, a high-risk group for the disease. Despite its preventable and curable nature, TB remains a formidable health challenge for these communities. However, a critical knowledge gap exists regarding the population-based prevalence of TB among tribal populations in India. The current systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out to provide a single, population-based estimate. A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases using the keywords ‘tuberculosis’, ‘TB’, and ‘tribal’ or ‘tribes’. This search encompassed articles published between 1 January 2000 and 1 March 2023. The included articles underwent a quality assessment screening to ensure their reliability and relevance. Subsequently, a pooled estimate of TB prevalence among tribal populations was quantified using a random-effects model. To investigate potential sources of heterogeneity in the prevalence estimates, subgroup analyses were performed. We identified 14 studies that encompassed a substantial population of 267,377 individuals from various regions in India belonging to tribal communities. The application of a random-effects model yielded a pooled prevalence estimate of 894.4 per 100,000 population, with a 95% confidence interval ranging from 523.5 to 1361.9. The assessment of heterogeneity using the Cochrane Q test indicated significant variability among the included studies (I2 = 99.17%; P < 0.001). Notably, the prevalence of TB among tribal populations was found to be higher than the national prevalence. The scientific evidence available for the prevalence of TB among tribal populations is restricted to a few tribes only. Conducting further research to estimate the prevalence among other tribes all over the country is the need of the hour and should be addressed accordingly.
NCCP-ICS joint consensus-based clinical practice guidelines on medical thoracoscopy
Authors: Chawla Rakesh K. , Kumar Mahendra , Madan Arun , Dhar Raja , Gupta Richa , Gothi Dipti , Desai Unnati , Goel Manoj , Swarankar Rajesh , Nene Amita , Munje Radha , Chaudhary Dhruv , Guleria Randeep , Hadda Vijay , Nangia Vivek , Sindhwani Girish , Chawla Rajesh , Dutt Naveen , Yuvarajan  , Dalal Sonia , Gaur Shailendra Nath , Katiyar Subodh , Samaria Jai Kumar , Gupta K. B , Koul Parvaiz A , Suryakant  , Christopher D.J. , Roy Dhrubajyoti , Hazarika Basant , Luhadia Shanti Kumar , Jaiswal Anand , Madan Karan , Gupta Prem Parkash , Prashad B.N.B.M. , Yusuf Nasser , James Prince , Dhamija Amit , Tomar Veerotam , Parakh Ujjwal , Khan Ajmal , Garg Rakesh , Singh Sheetu , Joshi Vinod , Sarangdhar Nikhil , Chaudhary Sushmita Roy , Nayar Sandeep , Patel Anand , Gupta Mansi , Dixit Rama Kant , Jain Sushil , Gogia Pratibha , Agarwal Manish , Katiyar Sandeep , Chawla Aditya , Gonuguntala Hari Kishan , Dosi Ravi , Chinnamchetty Vijya , Jindal Apar , Sharma Shubham , Chachra Vaibhav , Samaria Utsav , Nair Avinash , Mohan Shruti , Maitra Gargi , Sinha Ashish , Kochar Rishabh , Yadav Ajit , Choudhary Gaurav , Arunachalam M , Rangarajan Amith , Sanjan Ganesh
Published: February 2024

Medical Thoracoscopy (MT) is commonly performed by respiratory physicians for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes. The aim of the study was to provide evidence-based information regarding all aspects of MT, both as a diagnostic tool and therapeutic aid for pulmonologists across India. The consensus-based guidelines were formulated based on a multistep process using a set of 31 questions. A systematic search of published randomized controlled clinical trials, open labelled studies, case reports and guidelines from electronic databases, like PubMed, EmBase and Cochrane, was performed. The modified grade system was used (1, 2, 3 or usual practice point) to classify the quality of available evidence. Then, a multitude of factors were taken into account, such as volume of evidence, applicability and practicality for implementation to the target population and then strength of recommendation was finalized. MT helps to improve diagnosis and patient management, with reduced risk of post procedure complications. Trainees should perform at least 20 medical thoracoscopy procedures. The diagnostic yield of both rigid and semirigid techniques is comparable. Sterile-graded talc is the ideal agent for chemical pleurodesis. The consensus statement will help pulmonologists to adopt best evidence-based practices during MT for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
Is Immune Thrombocytopenia and its Treatment Associated with Sarcopenia?
Authors: Tuna MK , Erkek ET
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:

Immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is defined as an isolated platelet count less than 100 × 109/L in the absence of other causes of thrombocytopenia. Sarcopenia is a body-wide muscular disorder with a progressive nature that leads to reduced mobility, physical disability, falls, and poor quality of life. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of objectively diagnosed sarcopenia in patients with ITP and to determine whether ITP therapies have sarcopenic effects.

Methods:

This prospective study included patients who were followed up with ITP in the hematology outpatient clinic. Patients who had received corticosteroids within 3 months were excluded. The handgrip strength test, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM), ASMM/height2 value, soft lean mass (SLM), trunk soft lean mass (SLMT), and the 6-min walking speed test were applied for muscular evaluations and physical performance assessment.

Results:

We included 53 patients (female/male: 73.58%/26.42%). While sarcopenia was not observed in 77.36% of ITP patients, possible sarcopenia was diagnosed in 9.43% and confirmed sarcopenia in 13.21%. Severe sarcopenia was not seen in any of the patients. Loss of muscle strength was observed in 22.64% of patients. SLM was found to be low in 92.45%.

Conclusion:

Sarcopenia may be more frequent among patients with ITP compared to the population, and it is important to note that 92.45% of patients had low SLM and 54.72% had low SLMT. Eltrombopag therapy might be beneficial as demonstrated by higher SLM, ASMM, and ASMM/height2 values.
Analysis of Age-Specific Predictors of Mortality in Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019
Authors: Ozden MF , Sogut O , Az A , Dogan Y
Published: February 2024

ABSTRACT

Aim:

We investigated predictors of mortality, including demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters, in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia.

Patients and Methods:

This retrospective, single-center study included 651 consecutive Turkish adults who had been admitted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of COVID-19. We recorded the demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters of the patients. The patients were divided into two groups: patients aged ≥65 years and patients aged <65 years. The predictors of mortality for hospitalized COVID-19 patients were evaluated.

Results:

The study included 651 patients (354 [54.4%] men and 297 [45.6%] women; mean age, 56.40 ± 15.70 years). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (37.6%), diabetes mellitus (28.9%), and coronary artery disease (CAD) (16.1%). The overall mortality rate was 10.6% (n = 69); the mortality rate was higher in men than in women. Advanced age; chronic renal failure (CRF); prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time; high serum neutrophil and platelet counts; high C-reactive protein to albumin (CRP/albumin) ratio; and high levels of albumin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and high-sensitivity troponin I (TnI-hs) were independent predictors of mortality in all age groups.

Conclusion:

Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), high serum platelet count, high CRP/albumin ratio, and high levels of albumin, TnI-hs, and D-dimer were independent predictors of mortality in patients aged <65 years. Conversely, advanced age, CAD, CRF, and high levels of serum CRP and LDH were independent predictors of mortality in patients aged ≥65 years.
Development of a Prediction Model for Delirium in Hospitalized Patients with Advanced Cancer
Authors: Jung Eun Hee , Yoo Shin Hye , Lee Si Won , Kang Beodeul , Kim Yu Jung
Published: February 2024

Purpose Delirium is a common neurocognitive disorder in patients with advanced cancer and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. As a potentially reversible phenomenon, early recognition of delirium by identifying the risk factors demands attention. We aimed to develop a model to predict the occurrence of delirium in hospitalized patients with advanced cancer.Materials and Methods This retrospective study included patients with advanced cancer admitted to the oncology ward of four tertiary cancer centers in Korea for supportive cares and excluded those discharged due to death. The primary endpoint was occurrence of delirium. Sociodemographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and concomitant medication were investigated for associating variables. The predictive model developed using multivariate logistic regression was internally validated by bootstrapping.Results From January 2019 to December 2020, 2,152 patients were enrolled. The median age of patients was 64 years, and 58.4% were male. A total of 127 patients (5.9%) developed delirium during hospitalization. In multivariate logistic regression, age, body mass index, hearing impairment, previous delirium history, length of hospitalization, chemotherapy during hospitalization, blood urea nitrogen and calcium levels, and concomitant antidepressant use were significantly associated with the occurrence of delirium. The predictive model combining all four categorized variables showed the best performance among the developed models (area under the curve 0.831, sensitivity 80.3%, and specificity 72.0%). The calibration plot showed optimal agreement between predicted and actual probabilities through internal validation of the final model.Conclusion We proposed a successful predictive model for the risk of delirium in hospitalized patients with advanced cancer.
Extensions of Veech groups II: Hierarchical hyperbolicity and quasi-isometric rigidity
Authors: Dowdall Spencer , Durham Matthew G. , Leininger Christopher J. , Sisto Alessandro
Published: February 2024

We show that for any lattice Veech group in the mapping class group

Mod(S)

of a closed surface

S

, the associated

\pi_{1}S

-extension group is a hierarchically hyperbolic group. As a consequence, we prove that any such extension group is quasi-isometrically rigid.
Movie moves for framed foams from multijet transversality
Authors: Queffelec Hoel , Walker Kevin
Published: February 2024

We use multijet transversality techniques to give a presentation by generators and relations of the categories of framed tangled webs and foams.
Changes in the etiology of liver cirrhosis and the corresponding management strategies
Authors: Dai Jin-Jin , Liu Yue-Ying , Zhang Zhen-Hua
Published: February 2024

We read with interest the article by Xing Wang, which was published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Hepatology 2023; 15: 1294-1306. This article focuses particularly on the prevalence and trends in the etiology of liver cirrhosis (LC), prognosis for patients suffering from cirrhosis-related complications and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and management strategies. The etiology of cirrhosis varies according to geographical, economic, and population factors. Viral hepatitis is the dominant cause in China. Vaccination and effective treatment have reduced the number of people with viral hepatitis, but the overall number is still large. Patients with viral hepatitis who progress over time to LC and HCC remain an important population to manage. The increased incidence of metabolic syndrome and alcohol consumption is likely to lead to a potential exponential increase in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD)-associated LC and alcoholic liver disease in the future. Investigating the evolution of the etiology of LC is important for guiding the direction of future research and policy development. These changing trends indicate a need for greater emphasis on tackling obesity and diabetes, and implementing more effective measures to regulate alcohol consumption in order to reduce the occurrence of MASLD. In an effort to help cope with these changing trends, the authors further proposed countermeasures for healthcare authorities doctors, and patients.
Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and sarcopenia: A double whammy
Authors: Viswanath Aditya , Fouda Sherouk , Fernandez Cornelius James , Pappachan Joseph M
Published: February 2024

The prevalence of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has increased substantially in recent years because of the global obesity pandemic. MAFLD, now recognized as the number one cause of chronic liver disease in the world, not only increases liver-related morbidity and mortality among sufferers but also worsens the complications associated with other comorbid conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnoea, lipid disorders and sarcopenia. Understanding the interplay between MAFLD and these comorbidities is important to design optimal therapeutic strategies. Sarcopenia can be either part of the disease process that results in MAFLD (e.g. , obesity or adiposity) or a consequence of MAFLD, especially in the advanced stages such as fibrosis and cirrhosis. Sarcopenia can also worsen MAFLD by reducing exercise capacity and by the production of various muscle-related chemical factors. Therefore, it is crucial to thoroughly understand how we deal with these diseases, especially when they coexist. We explore the pathobiological interlinks between MAFLD and sarcopenia in this comprehensive clinical update review article and propose evidence-based therapeutic strategies to enhance patient care.
Precision targeting in hepatocellular carcinoma: Exploring ligand-receptor mediated nanotherapy
Authors: Zhou Xia-Qing , Li Ya-Ping , Dang Shuang-Suo
Published: February 2024

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and poses a major challenge to global health due to its high morbidity and mortality. Conventional chemotherapy is usually targeted to patients with intermediate to advanced stages, but it is often ineffective and suffers from problems such as multidrug resistance, rapid drug clearance, nonspecific targeting, high side effects, and low drug accumulation in tumor cells. In response to these limitations, recent advances in nanoparticle-mediated targeted drug delivery technologies have emerged as breakthrough approaches for the treatment of HCC. This review focuses on recent advances in nanoparticle-based targeted drug delivery systems, with special attention to various receptors overexpressed on HCC cells. These receptors are key to enhancing the specificity and efficacy of nanoparticle delivery and represent a new paradigm for actively targeting and combating HCC. We comprehensively summarize the current understanding of these receptors, their role in nanoparticle targeting, and the impact of such targeted therapies on HCC. By gaining a deeper understanding of the receptor-mediated mechanisms of these innovative therapies, more effective and precise treatment of HCC can be achieved.
Recent advances in the diagnosis of drug-induced liver injury
Authors: Ahmed Taqwa , Ahmad Jawad
Published: February 2024

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is a major problem in the United States, commonly leading to hospital admission. Diagnosing DILI is difficult as it is a diagnosis of exclusion requiring a temporal relationship between drug exposure and liver injury and a thorough work up for other causes. In addition, DILI has a very variable clinical and histologic presentation that can mimic many different etiologies of liver disease. Objective scoring systems can assess the probability that a drug caused the liver injury but liver biopsy findings are not part of the criteria used in these systems. This review will address some of the recent updates to the scoring systems and the role of liver biopsy in the diagnosis of DILI.
Coinfection with hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis with abdominal wall abscess and sinus tract formation: A case report
Authors: Wang Miao-Miao , An Xiu-Qing , Chai Jin-Ping , Yang Jin-Yu , A Ji-De , A Xiang-Ren
Published: February 2024

BACKGROUND

Hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis coinfections, particularly with concurrent abscesses and sinus tract formation, are extremely rare. This article presents a case of a patient diagnosed with this unique presentation, discussing the typical imaging manifestations of both echinococcosis types and detailing the diagnosis and surgical treatment experience thereof.

CASE SUMMARY

A 39-year-old Tibetan woman presented with concurrent hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, accompanied by abdominal wall abscesses and sinus tract formation. Initial conventional imaging examinations suggested only hepatic cystic echinococcosis, but intraoperative and postoperative pathological examination revealed the coinfection. Following radical resection of the lesions, the patient’s condition improved, and she was discharged soon thereafter. Subsequent outpatient follow-ups confirmed no recurrence of the hydatid lesion and normal surgical wound healing. Though mixed hepatic cystic and alveolar echinococcosis with abdominal wall abscesses and sinus tract formations are rare, the general treatment approach remains consistent with that of simpler infections of alveolar echinococcosis.

CONCLUSION

Lesions involving the abdominal wall and sinus tract formation, may require radical resection. Long-term prognosis includes albendazole and follow-up examinations.
Anti-oxidative stress treatment and current clinical trials
Authors: Zhang Chun-Ye , Yang Ming
Published: February 2024

Oxidative stress disturbs the balance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the detoxification biological process. It plays an important role in the development and progression of many chronic diseases. Upon exposure to oxidative stress or the inducers of ROS, the cellular nucleus undergoes some biological processes via different signaling pathways, such as stress adaption through the forkhead box O signaling pathway, inflammatory response through the IκB kinase/nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway, hypoxic response via the hypoxia-inducible factor/prolyl hydroxylase domain proteins pathway, DNA repair or apoptosis through the p53 signaling pathway, and antioxidant response through the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1/nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 signaling pathway. These processes are involved in many diseases. Therefore, oxidative stress has gained more attraction as a targeting process for disease treatment. Meanwhile, anti-oxidative stress agents have been widely explored in pre-clinical trials. However, only limited clinical trials are performed to evaluate the efficacy of anti-oxidative stress agents or antioxidants in diseases. In this letter, we further discuss the current clinical trials related to anti-oxidative stress treatment in different diseases. More pre-clinical studies and clinical trials are expected to use anti-oxidative stress strategies as disease treatment or dietary supplementation to improve disease treatment outcomes.
Characteristics of Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients at Admission and Factors Associated with Clinical Severity in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: An Observational Study
Authors: Abifadel Marianne , Ahmmed Kaousar , Banu Sayera , Camara Ibrahima , Chowdhury Fahmida , Coulibaly Daouda , Dabar Georges , Dananché Cédric , Daw Rachel , Hassan Zakiul , Hervé Magali , Islam Ariful , Komurian-Pradel Florence , Kouamé Jean-Pierre , Kouriba Bourema , Najjar-Pellet Josette , Rakotonaivo Andoniaina , Ranaivo-Rabetokotany Felana , Rasamoelina Mandranto , Rasolofoarison Tiavina , Riachi Moussa , Saadatian-Elahi Mitra , Samison Luc , Sanchez Picot Valentina , Savané Sita , Thera Ismaila , Touré Abdoulaye , Vanhems Philippe
Published: February 2024

Despite the numerous articles published on the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 with regard to high-income countries, little is known about patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) in this context. The objective of this observational, prospective, hospital-based multicentric study was to describe clinical features and outcomes of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients hospitalized in each of the participating centers in Bangladesh, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Madagascar, and Mali during the first year of the pandemic (March 5, 2020 to May 4, 2021). The study outcome was the clinical severity of COVID-19, defined as hospitalization in intensive care unit or death. Multivariate logistic regression models were performed to identify independent variables associated with disease severity. Overall, 1,096 patients were included. The median age was 49.0 years, ranging from 38.0 in Mali to 63.0 years in Guinea. The overall clinical severity of COVID-19 was 12.3%, ranging from 6.4% in Mali to 18.8% in Guinea. In both groups of patients <60 and ≥60 years old, cardiovascular diseases (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.13–3.50, P = 0.02; aOR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.33–4.57, P = 0.004) were independently associated with clinical severity, whereas in patients <60 years, diabetes (aOR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.11–4.10, P = 0.02) was also associated with clinical severity. Our findings suggest that COVID-19-related severity and death in LMICs are mainly driven by older age. However, the presence of chronic diseases can also increase the risk of severity especially in younger patients.