bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation of Target Volumes on Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen Brain Scans in the Treatment Planning of Glioblastomas
Authors: Lavanya Vutkuri , Malik Irukulla Monica , Nallapareddy Kavitha , Srivastava Madhur , Valiyaveettil Deepthi , Ahmed Syed Fayaz
Published: November 2022

Background:

Imaging of gliomas/glioblastomas has always been challenging. Many magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques are available for imaging glioblastomas. MRI cannot always differentiate tumor from nonspecific changes and postoperative changes in brain tissue. Among the new positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET-CT) tracers, gallium-68 prostate-specific membrane antigen (Ga-68 PSMA-11 PET-CT) appears to be the most promising one. The absence of uptake by normal brain parenchyma leads to high tumor-to-background ratio leading to better visualization of the tumor.

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the correlation of target volumes on MRI and PSMA brain scans in the treatment planning of glioblastomas.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty-four patients in the age group of 5–75 years with histologically proven glioblastoma were included in the study following maximum safe resection. Simulation for treatment planning was done with Ga-68 PSMA PET-CT brain with IV iodine-based contrast. The pre- and postoperative MRI images were fused with PSMA simulation images. Gross tumor volumes (GTVs) contoured on T1-contrast MRI and on PSMA scans were compared.

Results:

GTV contoured on MRI and PSMA brain scans showed complete overlap in 17 patients. In seven patients, the target volumes drawn on Ga-68 PSMA brain scans were slightly smaller than the target volumes drawn on MRI brain scans. This difference in volumes could be due to postoperative changes which showed enhancement on the MRI scan.

Conclusion:

Ga-68 PSMA PET-CT shows good correlation with MRI brain in the evaluation and RT planning in glioblastomas. Tumor necrosis and postoperative changes did not show PSMA uptake. Precise target delineation on PSMA PET-CT can potentially result in smaller and more accurate GTVs, which in turn would result in less RT-induced side effects.
A Rare Case of Incidental Finding of Cervical Spinal Cord Hemangioblastoma by 68 Ga-DOTATOC Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Scan
Authors: Bellini Pietro , Dondi Francesco , Albano Domenico , Bertagna Francesco
Published: November 2022

Hemangioblastomas are rare vascular tumors of the central nervous system usually related to other pathological conditions, such as Von Hippel Lindau Syndrome (VHLS) and polycythemia. We describe a case of a 65-year-old man with a neuroendocrine tumor of the ileum presenting with cervical pain who underwent a 68Ga-DOTATOC positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan that incidentally underlines the presence of hemangioblastoma of the cervical spinal cord. The patient does not have a family history of VHLS nor does he suffer from polycythemia and he is currently waiting for genetic testing. Despite being rare, hemangioblastomas could be possible findings of central nervous system incidentaloma at 68Ga-DOTATOC PET/CT scan, especially in patients with anamnesis with possible related condition.
Primary Biliary Tuberculosis Masquerading Cholangiocarcinoma in 18 F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography
Authors: Krishna Sarin , Mishra Ajit Kumar , Ravina Mudalsha , Kashyap Yashwanth , Bansal Himanshu , Dasgupta Subhajit
Published: November 2022

Hepatobiliary involvement is a less common manifestation of abdominal tuberculosis. We present the case of a 42-year-old female who presented with fever, abdominal pain, and jaundice of 2 months duration. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography done for disease evaluation suggested the likely possibility of cholangiocarcinoma but excision biopsy from periportal lymph node later confirmed a granulomatous etiology and she was successfully treated with antitubercular therapy.
Multimodality Molecular Imaging in Arthropathy Associated with Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Almeida Ludmila Santiago , de Souza Stephan Pinheiro Macedo , de Souza Fernando Vieira Pericole , Reis Fabiano , Ramos Celso Dario
Published: November 2022

We report a patient with multiple myeloma (MM) and polyarthritis of large joints. During the staging of the disease, bone marrow diffusely involved by MM was clearly demonstrated by 99mTc-2-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (MIBI) single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) but not by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/CT images. On the other hand, a very intense uptake of 18F-FDG was detected in periarticular tissues of multiple joints, with nonabnormal 99mTc-MIBI accumulation. Rheumatology tests were negative. A subsequent bone scintigraphy demonstrated radiolabeled bisphosphonate accumulation in periarticular tissues, suggesting amyloid arthropathy.
An Unusual Case of Glioblastoma Multiforme, Presenting as Skeletal Superscan
Authors: Bishnoi Komal , Parida Girish Kumar , Thavnani Rachit , Patro P Sai Sradha , Agrawal Kanhaiyalal
Published: November 2022

Extracranial metastases of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) are very rare. The estimated incidence is <2%. We report a case of a 49-year-old woman, who was a known case of GBM in the left temporo-occipital lobe. She was operated and had received radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for the same. Subsequently, the patient underwent bone scan. On 99 m-Tc methylene diphosphonate (MDP) bone scan, homogenously increased tracer uptake was noted in the axial and appendicular skeletal system, suggesting metastatic skeletal superscan.
Sentinel Node Mapping in Early Breast Cancer
Authors: Khadka Sarada , Suresh Jayesh , Prem Amar , Mishra Piyush Ranjan , Kataria Kamal , Dhar Anita , Seenu Vuthaluru , Bal Chandershekhar , Kumar Rakesh , Mathur Sandeep , Hari Smriti , Pandey Ravindra Mohan , Srivastava Anurag
Published: November 2022

Purpose:

Evaluation of fluorescein along with blue dye as an affordable tracer for sentinel node biopsy in comparison with technetium + methylene blue. A randomized trial was conducted with the following objectives: (1) to demonstrate that the identification of sentinel lymph node by fluorescein + methylene blue is not inferior to the identification by Tc-99 m sulfur colloid + methylene blue and (2) to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of sentinel node biopsy by above two tracers.

Subjects and Methods:

One-thirty patients above age 18 years presenting with early breast cancer T1, T2, N0 breast carcinoma were randomized to undergo sentinel node biopsy by either fluorescein + methylene blue or Tc-99 m sulfur colloid + methylene blue.

Results:

The sentinel lymph nodes were identified in 89% in Fluorescein + methylene blue group and 90.9% with Tc-99 m sulfur colloid + methylene blue group. The trial demonstrated noninferiority of fluorescein + methylene blue as compared to isotope + methylene blue with effect size = 1; 95% confidence interval- 9.54 to + 11.54. The fluorescein + methylene blue was more cost-effective than isotope guided sentinel node biopsy.

Conclusion:

Fluorescein-guided sentinel node biopsy is noninferior and more cost-effective than isotope-guided sentinel node biopsy.
Analysis of SDC2 gene promoter methylation in whole blood for noninvasive early detection of colorectal cancer
Authors: Siri Goli , Alesaeidi Samira , Dizghandi Saeed Esmaeili , Alani Behrang , Mosallaei Meysam , Soosanabadi Mohsen
Published: November 2022

Objectives:

Considering the limitations of the current approaches to colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, scientists strived to find noninvasive and more powerful biomarkers for the early diagnosis of CRC. Nowadays, there are different sources of biomarkers for CRC diagnosis. Blood-based samples including circulating cell-free tumor DNA (ctDNA) and DNA extracted from leukocytes in peripheral blood might be promising sources of noninvasive cancer biomarkers such as cancer-specific methylation patterns. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the noninvasive early diagnosis of CRC via quantitative promotor methylation analysis of SDC2 gene in whole blood.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty-five CRC patients and 65 healthy participants were enrolled to assess promoter methylation of SDC2 gene in whole blood using the methylation quantification endonuclease-resistant DNA (MethyQESD) technique.

Results:

Our findings demonstrated drastic hypermethylation of SDC2 in blood samples from CRC subjects (37.91%) compared with non-malignant individuals (17.02%) (P < 0.001). The sensitivity for detection of CRC by methylation of SDC2 was 81.54%, with a speciﬁcity of 69.23%. The ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the AUC was 0.847 (P < 0.001), indicating that the status of SDC2 promoter methylation in whole blood is an excellent biomarker of CRC diagnosis. Furthermore, our results showed that methylation level in CRC patients significantly increased in higher tumor stages, demonstrating that an increased percentage of methylation is correlated with tumor progression (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

SDC2 promoter methylation status in blood samples is a valuable cancer biomarker and holds high power and accuracy in distinguishing CRC patients from healthy subjects in the early stages of the disease.
Mobile health applications for pregnancy in Iran
Authors: Shirvanian-Dehkordi Mahboubeh , Zare-Farashbandi Firoozeh , Samouei Rahele , Nouri Rasool
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

The expansion of pregnancy-related mobile applications has led to an increase in the usage of these applications by Iranian women, which has the potential to have a long-term impact on women's pregnancy health and, as a result, community health. The goal of this research was to investigate the state of pregnancy-related mobile applications in Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This was a descriptive-applied research approach which was conducted in 2020. One hundred and fifty-seven pregnancy apps from different Iranian mobile app markets were installed and were examined in terms of the resources used and their validity, subject distribution, participation of obstetricians in the app development, apps volume, rank acquired by users and distribution of apps according to the developers. The relationship between the number of resources used and user rankings was also tested.

RESULTS:

A total of 157 apps were categorized into 12 subject categories based on their content. Only 1.3% of the apps were developed with the participation of obstetricians. Only 5% of the apps had used reliable information resources. Furthermore, the number of resources referenced in the studied apps did not have a significant relationship with star ratings (r = 0.03, P = 0.64), according to the Pearson correlation test.

CONCLUSION:

Iranian mobile applications in the field of pregnancy have grown significantly in terms of quantity, subject diversity, and user acceptance; however, the credibility of the information in these apps cannot be validated. This serves as a reminder to users to exercise caution while using such apps.
Predicting preventive behaviors of cardiovascular disease among oil industry workers based on health belief model
Authors: Mohammadnabizadeh Sahar , Najafpoor Ali Asghar , Vahedian-Shahroodi Mohammad , Ghavami Vahid
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Working conditions play a significant role in the process that causes cardiovascular disease. In this regard, it is required to monitor the health conditions of workers to design proper interventions to encourage healthy behaviors. This investigation was performed to determine preventive behaviors against cardiovascular disease based on the health belief model (HBM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This research was a cross-sectional and descriptive study with 228 subjects of oil industry workers under shift work schedules in the oil regions of Khuzestan, Iran. The HBM questionnaire provided the theoretical framework for this study. Participants completed the questionnaires in person at work. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24.0. Descriptive statistics including frequencies, percentages, and means, and linear regression analysis were calculated for variables.

RESULTS:

Findings of the study showed that most workers were of a weak level of knowledge (55.3%), self-efficacy (82.5%), perceived severity (83.8%), perceived susceptibility (75.4%), perceived benefit (57.5%), and behavior (82.5%). Furthermore, results showed that most of the workers considered smoking (3.51 out of 5) and proper diet for good heart function (2.54 out of 5). In this study, the item of exercise was the lowest among all the preventive behaviors (1.39 out of 5). Self-efficacy was the strongest predictor of health belief about cardiovascular disease.

CONCLUSION:

To decrease the increasing burden of cardiovascular disease in our population, and fight against this rank-one killer, multiple useful prevention strategies must be adopted. Educational theory-based interventions and applying designed programs to improve the adoption of preventive behaviors are a necessity.
Educational challenges of family caregivers of vegetative state patients for home care preparedness
Authors: Keykha Aliakbar , Ramezani Monir , Amini Shahram , Moonaghi Hossein Karimi , Saki Azadeh
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Patients with a vegetative state (VS) are completely dependent on caregivers in all physical aspects of their lives. Caring for such patients comes with a great deal of difficulty for family caregivers. As a result, family caregivers must be fully trained and prepared for this role. The present qualitative study was conducted to investigate the educational challenges faced by family caregivers of VS patients for home care preparedness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

The present qualitative study was conducted through the conventional content analysis method from August 2020 to September 2021 in two provinces of Iran (Sistan and Baluchestan Province; and Razavi Khorasan Province). Fourteen family caregivers of patients in a VS were included in the study. Semi-structured and in-depth interviews were employed to collect data. The Graneheim and Lundman method was utilized to conduct the data analysis using MAXQDA2020 software. Data collection continued until data saturation and the identification of main categories.

RESULTS:

As indicated by the data analysis, three categories of “unmet educational needs,” “confused caregiver,” and “searching for practical knowledge” which included 19 sub-categories described the experiences of family caregivers of patients in a VS concerning challenges they went through in preparation for patient care at home. Participants' experiences revealed that despite the inadequacy of educations provided by health-care providers on knowledge and skills required by family caregivers, they were committed to caring for the patient and trying to acquire the required knowledge.

CONCLUSION:

Results indicated that inadequate education and the lack of family caregivers' contribution to caring for the patient in the VS during their stay in the hospital impedes their acquisition of adequate knowledge and skill to care for patients at home. Therefore, healthcare system policymakers should be planning to eliminate the educational barriers faced by family caregivers and expand the educational activities of hospitals' homecare centers to provide educational support of family caregivers after the patient's discharge.
Factors associated with preventive behaviors of COVID-19 among children with congenital heart disease
Authors: Navabi Zohreh Sadat , Ahmadi Alireza , Sabri Mohammad Reza , Kholenjani Fahimeh Bagheri , Ghaderian Mehdi , Dehghan Bahar , Mahdavi Chehreh
Published: November 2022

BACKGROUND:

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one of the underlying medical conditions that put children at increased risk for coronavirus. This study aimed to predict preventive behaviors of COVID-19 among children with CHD based on the protection motivation theory (PMT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

This cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2021 to April 2021, on 240 children 3–7 years with CHD whose data had been registered in Persian Registry of Cardiovascular Disease/CHD (PROVE/CHD) System in Isfahan, Iran. The research variables were measured using an online researcher-made questionnaire that was based on PMT constructs. The collected data were analyzed using statistical tests (e.g., Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis).

RESULTS:

From a total of 240 participants (mean age of 4.81 ± 1.50) in the present study, 122 (50.8%) were girls. The most common types of CHD among children participating in this study were related to atrial septal defect (ASD) (29.2%, n = 70) and ventricular septal defect (VSD) (26.7%, n = 64), respectively. Protective behaviors showed a significant correlation with all constructs of PMT. The PMT constructs explained 41.0% of the variances in protective behavior, in which the perceived reward (β = 0.325) and perceived self-efficacy (β = 0.192) was the most important, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

The results of this study showed well the effectiveness of PMT on the preventive behaviors of COVID-19 in children with CHD. This theory can be used to teach preventive behaviors of COVID-19 to children with CHD in education programs.
Identification and Antifungal Drug Susceptibility Pattern of Candida auris in India
Authors: Deshkar Smita , Patil Niranjan , Amberkar Shraddha , Lad Ashish , Siddiqui Farozan , Sharan Swati
Published: November 2022

Introduction:

Candida auris has turned up as a multidrug-resistant nosocomial agent with outbreaks reported worldwide. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antifungal drug susceptibility pattern of C. auris.

Methods:

Isolates of C. auris were obtained from clinically suspected cases of candidemia from January 2019 to June 2021. Identification was done with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) and panfungal DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed with broth microdilution method.

Results:

Out of 50 isolates C. auris, 49 were identified by MALDI-TOF and one isolate was identified with panfungal DNA PCR followed by sequencing. For fluconazole, 84% (n = 42) isolates were found to be resistant and 16% (n = 8) isolates were susceptible (minimum inhibitory concentrations [MICs] range 0.5–16). Posaconazole exhibited potent activity, followed by itraconazole. For amphotericin B, only 6% (n = 3) isolates were resistant with MICs ≥2 μg/mL. Only 4% (n = 2) isolates exhibited resistance to caspofungin. No resistance was noted for micafungin and anidulafungin. One (2%) isolate was found to be panazole resistant. One (2%) isolate was resistant to fluconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin.

Conclusion:

Correct identification of C. auris can be obtained with the use of MALDI-TOF and sequencing methods. A small percentage of fluconazole-sensitive isolates are present. Although elevated MICs for amphotericin B and echinocandins are not generally observed, the possibility of resistance with the irrational use of these antifungal drugs cannot be denied. Pan azole-resistant and pan drug-resistant strains of C. auris are on rise.
A Comparative Study of Pulmonary Toxicity between Hypofractionated and Conventionally Fractionated Radiation Therapy in Postmastectomy Carcinoma Breast
Authors: Manna Debojyoti , Sharma Shyam , Roy Chayan , Biswas Linkon , Dasgupta Asmita , Das Tapas Kumar
Published: November 2022

Background:

Hypofractionated schedule has multiple advantages over conventional fractionation radiation therapy in terms of logistics and patient compliance. However, pulmonary toxicity is a major concern in breast cancer radiotherapy about which there are limited data comparing these two radiation regimens.

Objective:

This study aimed at comparing these two radiation schedules in terms of acute pulmonary toxicity and parameters of pulmonary function.

Materials and Methods:

Postmodified radical mastectomy patients with nonmetastatic carcinoma breast were randomized into two groups: study-arm patients received hypofractionated radiotherapy with 42.5 Gy in 16 fractions, over 3.5 weeks, whereas control-arm patients received conventionally fractionated radiotherapy with 50 Gy in 25 fractions, over 5 weeks. Patients underwent pulmonary function test (PFT) before radiotherapy (baseline), then at one and 3 months after completion of radiotherapy for changes in parameters of PFT and acute toxicities.

Results:

PFT changes were comparable in both the arms at day 30 and day 90 postradiation. Incidences of cough 1 month after radiotherapy and 3 months after radiotherapy were comparable (P = 0.3 and 0.07). Higher grade dyspnea at 3 months posttreatment, though numerically was higher in the study arm, was not significant (P = 0.44). In study arm at 90 days postradiation, Grade 2 and Grade 3 radiation pneumonitis were numerically more (15% vs. 3% and 3.5% vs. 0%), but not statistically significant (P = 0.08).

Conclusion:

Both conventional and hypofractionated arms showed almost similar results in terms of acute pulmonary toxicity and change in PFT parameters. Hence, considering the logistic advantages, the hypofractionated schedule can be considered an effective alternative to conventional radiotherapy for postmastectomy breast cancer patients.
Anti-coagulation therapy on COVID-19 patients
Authors: Muthiah Aravind , Srikumar Shabarini , Saravanan Praveen Bharath , Perumal Shridharan
Published: November 2022

A once often neglected virus from common practice has been demanding the attention of all researchers for the past decade ever since it started to infect humans from its usual wild habitats. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection in humans is now found to have frequent manifestations of thromboembolic events as a result of a hyper-coagulable state. Anti-coagulants (ACs) have been suggested to overcome such a state, and studies have been conducted to assess its role. The objective of this meta-analysis is to determine the existence of such a role and its nature, either beneficial or not, and to assess the strength of this role if it exists. We have conducted an online search in the databases such as PubMed, Google scholar, Lancet, Elsevier, JAMA, Medline, and so on and concluded ten studies among 2562 that had results which were more precise and of better quality. The results of six studies favored the use of ACs, whereas one study showed no beneficial response and four studies discussed the effects of therapeutic versus prophylactic anti-coagulation. The result of our statistical analysis was that the odds ratio for mortality reduction of ACs in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients is 0.6757 (95% CI; 0.5148 to 0.961) and that for benefits of therapeutic ACs versus prophylactic ACs in COVID-19 patients is 0.809 (95% CI; 0.6137 to 1.1917). AC was associated with lower mortality and intubation among hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Compared with therapeutic AC, prophylactic AC was associated with lower mortality, although not statistically significant, and lower bleeding risks.
Mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients
Authors: Mishra Deepak , Singh Shalendra , Sameer P , Sen Subrato
Published: November 2022

Co-infection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with life-threatening mucormycosis was seen as a major health crisis during the recent surge of coronavirus disease cases. We have taken 14 affected patients who were operated on at our centre and noted associated risk factors, intraoperative courses and surgical outcome in immediate peri-operative course. Out of 14 patients, 8 were people with diabetes while 2 were freshly detected/had corticosteroid-induced hyperglycaemia. Although our sample size is small, it is evident that patients who had diabetes, who were treated with steroids and who received supplemental oxygen support are more prone to contract mucormycosis infection. Also, patients who have the more severe form of COVID-19 pneumonia and those who need to be operated on early (within 20 days of COVID-19 infection) are likely to have turbulent intraoperative and postoperative courses. Therefore, optimization before surgery is of paramount importance.
Demographic comparison of the first, second and third waves of COVID-19 in a tertiary care hospital at Jaipur, India
Authors: Singh Sheetu , Sharma Arvind , Gupta Arvind , Joshi Madhur , Aggarwal Anupriya , Soni Nitika , Sana  , Jain Devendra K. , Verma Pankaj , Khandelwal Deepchand , Singh Virendra
Published: November 2022

Background:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in India demonstrated three peaks in India, with differences in presentation and outcome in all the three waves. The aim of the paper was to assess differences in the epidemiological, clinical features and outcomes of patients with COVID-19 presenting at a tertiary care hospital in the three waves at Jaipur, India.

Methods:

This was a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care hospital at Jaipur, India. Demographic, clinical features and outcomes were compared of confirmed COVID-19 cases admitted during the first wave (16-7-2020 to 31-1-2021), second wave (16-3-2021 to 6-5-2021) and third wave (1-1-22 to 20-2-22) of the outbreak.

Results:

There were 1006 cases, 639 cases and 125 cases admitted during the three waves, respectively. The cases presenting in the second wave were significantly younger, with significantly higher prevalence of symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, headache, muscle ache, loss of appetite and fatigue (P < 0.05). A significantly higher proportion of patients received Remdesivir in the second wave (P < 0.001). However, in the second wave, the use of low molecular weight heparin, plasma therapy, non-invasive and invasive ventilator were higher (P < 0.001). Co-morbid conditions were significantly higher in the admitted patients during the third wave (P < 0.05). Radiological scores were similar in second and third wave, significantly higher than the first wave. Lymphopenia and rise of inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 were more evident in the second wave (P < 0.001). The mean mortality, hospital stay and air-leak complications were also significantly higher in the second wave (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

The second wave was more vicious in terms of symptoms, inflammatory markers, radiology, complications, requirement of ventilation and mortality. Mutation in the virus, lack of immunity and vaccination at the time point of second wave could have been the possible causes. The ferocity of the second wave has important implications for the government to formulate task forces for effective management of such pandemics.
Efficacy of tocilizumab in treatment of COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Shastri Minal , Raval Darshankumar Manubhai , Bharmal Ummayhany Fakhruddin , Rathod Vaishnavi M , Desai Bhavi , Shah Priyansh V. , Jain Mohak
Published: November 2022

Background and Objective:

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a viral infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome virus, which has affected billions of people across the globe. The pathogenesis of respiratory inflammation involves elevated concentration of interleukin-6; hence, interventions targeting interleukin-6 receptor, such as tocilizumab (TCZ), have been investigated as potential treatment amidst the dilemma of COVID-19 management. The aim of the study is to analyse the efficacy and safety of TCZ and record the outcome in COVID-19 patients.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective case–control study of 80 patients in each group (N = 160) was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Vadodara, Gujarat. Non-pregnant COVID-19–positive patients above 12 years of age were included in the study and were divided into case (those given TCZ) and control (those given standard treatment) groups after collecting their history and related data. From each group, further data was collected in the form of general and systemic examination, investigations and calculation of inflammatory and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores.

Results:

Overall mortality was less in the case group compared to the control group. Patients with moderate to severe disease, age <55 years, patients having no comorbidity and patients with higher oxygen demand had lower deaths when given TCZ. Inflammatory score <3 and SOFA score <6 were associated with reduced mortality in the case group. Additionally, the study found significant results by simultaneously analysing two parameters in combination, which has not been done in any other study to the best of our knowledge.

Conclusions:

Adjuvant TCZ therapy had overall mortality benefit compared to standard treatment, with specific benefit observed in those with increasing disease severity, young to middle-age group, absence of comorbidity, higher oxygen requirements and lower inflammatory and SOFA scores.
Tate algebras and Frobenius non-splitting of excellent regular rings
Authors: Datta Rankeya , Murayama Takumi
Published: November 2022

An excellent ring of prime characteristic for which the Frobenius map is pure is also Frobenius split in many commonly occurring situations in positive characteristic commutative algebra and algebraic geometry. However, using a fundamental construction from rigid geometry, we show that excellent

F

-pure rings of prime characteristic are not Frobenius split in general, even for Euclidean domains. Our construction uses the existence of a complete non-Archimedean field

k

of characteristic

p

with no nonzero continuous

k

-linear maps

k^{1/p} \to k

. An explicit example of such a field is given based on ideas of Gabber, and may be of independent interest. Our examples settle a long-standing open question in the theory of

F

-singularities whose origin can be traced back to when Hochster and Roberts introduced the notion of

F

-purity. The excellent Euclidean domains we construct also admit no nonzero

R

-linear maps

R^{1/p} \rightarrow R

. These are the first examples that illustrate that

F

-purity and Frobenius splitting define different classes of singularities for excellent domains, and are also the first examples of excellent domains with no nonzero

p^{-1}

-linear maps. The latter is particularly interesting from the perspective of the theory of test ideals.
The cohomological Hall algebra of a surface and factorization cohomology
Authors: Kapranov Mikhail , Vasserot Éric
Published: November 2022

For a smooth quasi-projective surface

S

over

\mathbb{C}

we consider the Borel–Moore homology of the stack of coherent sheaves on

S

with compact support and make this space into an associative algebra by a version of the Hall multiplication. This multiplication involves data (virtual pullbacks) governing the derived moduli stack, i.e., the perfect obstruction theory naturally existing on the non-derived stack. By restricting to sheaves with support of given dimension, we obtain several types of Hecke operators. In particular, we study

R(S)

, the Hecke algebra of

0

-dimensional sheaves. For the case

S=\mathbb{A}^2

, we show that

R(S)

is an enveloping algebra and identify it, as a vector space, with the symmetric algebra of an explicit graded vector space. For a general

S

, we find the graded dimension of

R(S)

, using the techniques of factorization cohomology.
An equivariant pullback structure of trimmable graph $C^*$-algebras
Authors: Arici Francesca , D'Andrea Francesco , Hajac Piotr M. , Tobolski Mariusz
Published: November 2022

To unravel the structure of fundamental examples studied in noncommutative topology, we prove that the graph

C^*

-algebra

C^*(E)

of a trimmable graph

E

is

U(1)

-equivariantly isomorphic to a pullback

C^*

-algebra of a subgraph

C^*

-algebra

C^*(E'')

and the

C^*

-algebra of functions on a circle tensored with another subgraph

C^*

-algebra

C^*(E')

. This allows us to approach the structure and K-theory of the fixed-point subalgebra

C^*(E)^{U(1)}

through the (typically simpler)

C^*

-algebras

C^*(E')

,

C^*(E'')

and

C^*(E'')^{U(1)}

. As examples of trimmable graphs, we consider one-loop extensions of the standard graphs encoding respectively the Cuntz algebra

\mathcal{O}_2

and the Toeplitz algebra

\mathcal{T}

. Then we analyze equivariant pullback structures of trimmable graphs yielding the

C^*

-algebras of the Vaksman–Soibelman quantum sphere

S^{2n+1}_q

and the quantum lens space

L_q^3(l;1,l)

, respectively.
Gradient flows for bounded linear evolution equations
Authors: Renger D. R. Michiel , Schindler Stefanie
Published: November 2022

We study linear evolution equations in separable Hilbert spaces defined by a bounded linear operator. We answer the question which of these equations can be written as a gradient flow, namely those for which the operator is real diagonalisable. The proof is constructive, from which we also derive geodesic lambda-convexity.
Empyema Thoracis- the role of open thoracotomy with decortication in the era of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery
Authors: Sindgikar Vikram , Vallabha Tejaswini , Patil Mallikarjun , Kullolli Girish , Reddy Samhitha
Published: November 2022

Background: Empyema Thoracis, a condition in which purulent fluid accumulates within the pleural cavity, is commonly caused by bacterial infection (both Gram- positive and Gram-negative), such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and rarely by fungal infection. Timely intervention significantly reduces morbidity and mortality. Surgical intervention is needed in advanced disease. This study aimed evaluate decortications performed through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and open thoracotomy. Methods: This retrospective study included 47 patients who underwent decortications by either VATS or open thoracotomy for empyema Thoracis at the Department of Surgery of, BLDE DU Shri B M Patil Medical College from May 2015 to August 2020. Results: Tuberculosis was the most common etiological factor for empyema Thoracis. In 19 patients who underwent VATS decortications, VATS was converted to open thoracotomy in 11 patients. Only 8 patients achieved successful decortication with VATS. Thirty- nine patients (including 11 whose VATS was converted

to open thoracotomy) underwent successful open thoracotomy decortications. Thirty-two patients had postoperative bronchopleural fistula, and all cases were successfully managed conservatively. The timing of the surgical intervention is critical in reducing morbidity and mortality. The more advanced the disease, the higher the failure rate of VATS in attaining complete decortications. Conclusion: Open thoracotomy decortication remains the gold standard in attaining complete decortications in advanced empyema Thoracis.
Value of tumor’s depth and width in predicting survival rate in non-muscle- invasive (pT1) bladder cancer
Authors: Albert  , Tampubolon Kevin Anthony Glorius , Pramod Sawkar Vijay , Safriadi Ferry
Published: November 2022

Background: Bladder cancer is classified according to traditional American Joint Committee on Cancer TNM staging. In the absence of nodal (N stage) or distant metastases (M stage), the depth of tumor invasion (T stage) is the most important determination to be made: whether the tumor is invading into or beyond the lamina propria (muscle-invasive bladder cancer) or not (non- muscle-invasive bladder cancer). This study investigated the association between the cutoff value of tumor depth and width and survival rate in non-muscle- invasive (pT1) bladder cancer. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort design of randomly selected, single- centered study. The subjects were patients with pT1 urothelial carcinoma who were diagnosed on transurethral resection of bladder specimens at a tertiary hospital in West Java, Indonesia. The research sample was taken by consecutive sampling from 2015 to 2019. Results: Sixty-four patients from were included in this study. A tumor depth >2 mm resulted in a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.41 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.27–3.94; p<0.007), with significant difference. A tumor width >2.4 mm also increased HR significantly (3.27; 95% CI, 1.69–5.87; p<0.006). The presence of lymphovascular invasion (LVI) in patients with bladder cancer resulted in an HR of 3.66 (95% CI, 1.5–4.77; p<0.001), with statistically significant difference in overall survival (OS). Conclusion: Tumor invasion depth, tumor width, and LVI appear to be predictive of poor prognosis in terms of OS in patients with pT1 bladder cancer.
Determinants of farmers’ adoption of Sasakawa Global 2000 cassava-maize intercrop technologies in Abia State, Nigeria
Authors: Nwaobiala Chioma Udo , Igwe Clara Onyinye Kelechi , Kalu Ukpai , Akwada Susan Ngozi
Published: November 2022

This study assessed adoption of cassava-maize intercrop technologies of the Sasakawa Global 2000 African Agronomy Initiative among farmers in Abia State, Nigeria. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select sixty (60) cassava farmers for the study. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire and analyzed using percentage and multiple and Pearson product moment correlation analyses). Mean farm size of the farmers was 1.3 hectares, fortnight contact with extension services (68.3%) and mean annual farm income of N291,774.00. Farm visits (100%) were majorly used in disseminating these technologies to farmers. Farmers had favourable perception (3.0) to Sasakawa cassava-maize intercrop technologies. Multiple regression result showed that household size (β=3.593), education (β=2.8324), farming experience (β=2.8260), farm income (β=2.6243), farm size (β=-2.7001) and extension contact (β=2.8227) influenced farmers’ adoption of Sasakawa cassava-maize intercrop technologies in the study area. There is need to promote human capacity and technical assistance to extension agents for effective dissemination and adoption of these technologies by farmers in the study area.
Hemispherectomy with corpus callosotomy in pediatric Lennox Gastaut Syndrome associated encephalomalacia cyst: The first case in Indonesia
Authors: Gunawan P. I. , Suryaningtyas W.
Published: November 2022

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a form of severe epileptic encephalopathy in children. LGS with encephalomalacia cysts is rare in children. We report a six-year-old mentally retarded boy who was referred for an intractable seizure. Seizures were tonic, atonic, and dialeptic in frequency. EEG showed generalized SSW discharges of 1.5-2 Hz, polyspikes, and burst suppression typical for LGS. Head MRI showed an encephalomalacia cyst in the right subcortical temporoparietal lobes with hemiatrophy in the right cerebral hemisphere. He was already treated with three antiepileptic drugs, but the seizures persisted. The patient was then performed right hemispherectomy and corpus callosotomy. It resulted in a good response. A combination of hemispherectomy and corpus callosotomy could be promising in this form of epilepsy disease. Seizure reduction was achieved and showed cognitive improvement and hemiparesis.
PHÂN TÍCH CHÍNH SÁCH VÀ ĐỘNG THÁI LUÂN CHUYỂN VỐN TRONG DÂN CƯ DO TÁC ĐỘNG CỦA COVID19.
Authors: Kiều Nguyễn Minh
Published: November 2022

Có thể nói Covid19, xảy ra cuối năm 2019 đầu năm 2020, là một biến cố chưa từng có trong lịch sử và kéo dài từ đó đến nay đã để lại hậu quả quá nặng nề trong mọi hoạt động của đời sống kinh tế và xã hội. Làm sao để ứng phó phù hợp và sống chung êm đềm với covid là vấn đề không đơn giản được đặt ra và cho đến bây giờ chúng ta vẫn còn mày mò tìm kiếm giải pháp. Bài báo này phân tích chính sách và động thái luân chuyển vốn dân cư trong tình trạng bình thường, tình trạng dịch covid và tình trạng bình thường mới để từ đó gợi ý một số chính sách có thể tham khảo. Về phương pháp, bài báo này sử dụng nghiên cứu định tính và khung phân tích chính sách và sự kiện dựa trên cơ sở tổng hợp ứng dụng lý luận và kinh nghiệm chuyên gia. Sự kiện được đưa vào phân tích là những sự kiện mang tính thời sự diễn ra trong giai đoạn 2020 đến tháng 2/2022.
PHÁT TRIỂN TÀI CHÍNH, TĂNG TRƯỞNG KINH TẾ VÀ CHẤT LƯỢNG THỂ CHẾ Ở CÁC NƯỚC KHU VỰC ĐÔNG NAM Á
Authors: Trâm Nguyễn Huỳnh Mai , Ngọc Bùi Hoàng
Published: November 2022

TÓM TẮT

Trong thời gian gần đây, tăng trưởng kinh tế tại quốc gia ở khu vực Đông Nam Á rất ấn tượng, vượt trội hơn so với các khu vực khác trên thế giới. Tuy nhiên, sự khác biệt giữa các nền kinh tế trong khu vực thực sự là rất lớn, cả về kinh tế lẫn chất lượng thể chế quản trị. Bài nghiên cứu tiến hành tìm hiểu mối quan hệ giữa tăng trưởng kinh tế, phát triển tài chính, chất lượng thể chế và quản trị của 10 nước trong khu vực Đông Nam Á, trong giai đoạn 2000 – 2017. Các phương pháp hồi quy gộp, tác động cố định và tác động ngẫu nhiên được áp dụng để đưa ra các ước tính. Kết quả chung cho thấy (1) chất lượng thể chế và quản trị tốt hơn thúc đẩy sự phát triển của khu vực tài chính cũng như sự tăng trưởng kinh tế ở cả các nền kinh tế đang phát triển và nền kinh tế phát triển (Singapore); (2) có mối quan hệ nhân quả hai chiều giữa phát triển tài chính và tăng trưởng; và (3) chưa đủ bằng chứng để kết luận rằng độ mở cửa thương mại tác động đến tăng trưởng kinh tế, chất lượng thể chế và sự phát triển tài chính trong mẫu nghiên cứu này.

Từ khóa: tăng trưởng kinh tế, phát triển tài chính, chất lượng thể chế, quản trị, Đông Nam Á.

ABSTRACT

In recent times, the economic growth in Southeast Asia has been impressive, outperforming other regions of the world. However, the difference between economies in the region is really huge, both in terms of economy and quality of governance institutions. The study investigates the relationship between economic growth, financial development, institutional quality, and governance of 10 countries in Southeast Asia, from the period 2000 - 2017. Pooled ordinary least squares, fixed, and random effect methods are used to make the estimates. The overall results show that (1) better institutional quality and governance promote the development of the financial sector as well as economic growth in both developing and developed economies (Singapore); (2) there is a two-way causal relationship between financial development and growth; and (3) there is not enough evidence to conclude that trade openness affects economic growth, institutional quality, and financial development in this sample.

Keywords: economic growth, financial development, institutional quality, governance, ASEAN.
Cách Nâng Cao Tính Hợp Lệ Trong Các Bài Kiểm Tra Thành Tích
Authors: Tuyến Nguyễn Thị Kim
Published: November 2022

Trong thực tiễn giáo dục, đánh giá là một quá trình liên tục bao gồm một loạt các kỹ thuật phương pháp luận. Bất cứ khi nào học sinh trả lời một câu hỏi, đưa ra nhận xét, hoặc thử một từ hoặc cấu trúc mới, giáo viên sẽ đánh giá kết quả học tập của học sinh một cách tiềm thức. Một giáo viên giỏi không bao giờ ngừng đánh giá học sinh, cho dù những đánh giá đó là vô tình hay cố ý. Kiểm tra là một tập hợp con của đánh giá, một phạm trù của các kỹ thuật đánh giá. Bài kiểm tra là một phương pháp đo lường khả năng, kiến thức hoặc hiệu suất của một người trong một lĩnh vực nhất định. Bài kiểm tra thành tích được coi là hình thức phổ biến nhất để đánh giá dựa trên lớp học. Tuy nhiên, bài kiểm tra đó không thể đánh giá năng lực của học sinh nếu chúng không có giá trị, một yếu tố rất quan trọng để làm cho bài kiểm tra có giá trị. Trong bài báo này, người viết sẽ trình bày tầm quan trọng của tính hợp lệ và giới thiệu một vài cách để nâng cao tính hợp lệ của các bài kiểm tra thành tích.

In educational practice, assessment is an ongoing process that includes a range of methodological techniques. Whenever a student answers a question, makes a comment, or tries a new word or structure, the teacher subconsciously evaluates the student's performance. A good teacher never stops evaluating students, whether those assessments are accidental or intentional.

Testing is a subset of evaluation, a category of assessment techniques. A test is a method of measuring a person's ability, knowledge or performance in a certain field. Achievement tests (AT) are considered the most common kind for classroom-based assessment. AT are referred to as "standardized tests" designed to measure the general supply of knowledge a student has accumulated in a specific subject. However, they cannot evaluate the students’ ability if they do not have validity, a very important factor to make the test valid. In this paper, the writer will present the importance of validity and find some ways to enhance content validity in achievement tests.
Một nghiên cứu so sánh các không gian màu cho nhận dạng hình ảnh đám mây dựa trên đặc trưng LBP và đặc trưng LTP
Authors: Hong Ha Duong Thi , Tuan Dzi Lam Tran
Published: November 2022

Tóm tắt

Bài toán phân loại sử dụng mô tả texture được áp dụng rộng rãi trong việc nhận dạng hình ảnh đám mây trên mặt đất do hiệu quả của nó. Phương pháp Local Binary Pattern (LBP) và các biến thể của LBP thường được sử dụng để nghiên cứu trong việc biểu diễn hình ảnh đám mây. Sự lựa chọn không gian màu thích hợp có thể nâng cao hiệu suất của hệ thống nhận dạng cho nhiều ứng dụng. Trong bài báo này, chúng tôi đề xuất một nghiên cứu so sánh để chọn không gian ứng viên tốt nhất để mã hóa hình ảnh đám mây bằng cách hợp nhất nhiều phương pháp mô tả texture. Phương pháp đề xuất được đánh giá trên cơ sở dữ liệu SWIMCAT.

ABSTRACT

The texture classification problem is widely applied for groundbased cloud images recognition due to its efficiency. Local Binary Pattern and its variants are usually investigated to represent cloud images. The appropriate choice of color space might enhance performance of the recognition system for many applications. In this paper, we propose a comparative study to select the best candidate’s space for coding cloud images by fusing multiple texture description methods. The proposed approach is evaluated on the SWIMCAT database.
The impact of collaborative writing via Padlet on students’ writing performance and their attitudes
Authors: Tuấn Thái Nguyễn Hoàng , Nga Nguyễn Thúy
Published: November 2022

Nghiên cứu nhằm điều tra tác động của viết hợp tác thông qua Padlet lên khả năng viết tiếng Anh của sinh viên và thái độ của họ tại trường Cao đẳng Viễn Đông. Nghiên cứu dùng phương pháp định lượng bằng cách sử dụng kết quả bài kiểm tra và phản hồi bảng hỏi. Phân tích mô tả được dùng để nghiên cứu dữ liệu. Kết quả cho thấy trình độ viết chính xác của sinh viên được cải thiện. Họ cũng có thái độ tích cực đối với việc áp dụng viết hợp tác thông qua nền tảng Padlet. Nghiên cứu gợi ý rằng các nghiên cứu mới nên mở rộng đối tượng sang sinh viên chuyên ngành tiếng Anh, bổ sung thêm một công cụ lấy mẫu và các dạng ra câu hỏi đề viết khác nên được áp dụng.

The study aims to investigate the impact of collaborative writing via Padlet on students’ writing performance and their attitudes at Vien Dong College. The study employs a quantitative approach by using the tests’ results and questionnaire responses. Descriptive analysis is used to interpret the data. Findings illustrated that students’ level of writing accuracy was improved. Students also had positive attitudes towards the employment of collaborative writing via Padlet platform. The study suggests that future research should expand to English-majored students, one more instrument might be employed and other writing task type could be instructed.
BIM KẾT HỢP TỐI ƯU HÓA ĐA MỤC TIÊU HỖ TRỢ RA QUYẾT ĐỊNH LỰA CHỌN NHÀ THẦU THI CÔNG CÔNG TRÌNH NHÀ CAO TẦNG
Authors: Hùng Thạch Phi , Trân Nguyễn Mộng Huyền , Hà Nguyễn Thị
Published: November 2022

Trong môi trường kinh doanh khắc nghiệt như hiện nay, các công ty xây dựng muốn giữ vững được vị trí của mình đồng thời có thể phát triển một cách hiệu quả so với các đối thủ cạnh tranh thì các công ty cần phải đặc biệt quan tâm và phải giải quyết được bài toán chi phí và tiến độ. Việc của các nhà quản lý làm sao có thể khai thác được hiệu quả các chức năng của BIM và ứng dụng nó để giải quyết các vấn đề về chi phí cũng như là tiến độ trong lĩnh vực xây dựng. Mỗi nhà thầu thi công sẽ có khả năng thực hiện thi công khác nhau. Có nhà thầu thi công nhanh nhưng chi phí lại cao, cũng có nhà thầu thi công với chi phí thấp nhưng tiến độ thi công lại chậm. Vì vậy mục tiêu chính của nghiên cứu này là ứng dụng BIM và thuật toán tối ưu hóa để lựa chọn các nhà thầu thi công công trình nhà cao tầng. Kết quả nghiên cứu này giúp các nhà quản lý đưa ra được quyết định cho việc lựa chọn nhà thầu thi công công trình nhà cao tầng một cách dễ dàng hơn.