bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Self-assessment in postgraduate dental education and practice as a learning tool: A questionnaire study
Authors: Sangappa Sunila B. , Jain Rohit , Das Tamal , Jithendra Ashwini
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

Self-assessment (SA) as a learning skill ascends engagement in learning but also promotes learners to take responsibility in understanding their current performance and revise on shortcomings. Pedagogical strategies involving the role of self-assessment skills at varied levels of curriculum, classroom, portfolios, and reflective writing are evidenced in the literature. Health-care providers have to continuously implement changes and keep upgrading their knowledge to fetch better results during their professional career actuating the necessity of SA during students’ training. Although recommendations from the Commission on Dental Accreditation to incorporate self-assessment as early as in predoctoral education have been emphasized, the need to enforce it in the Indian curriculum is not realized. The purpose of this study was to ascertain dental postgraduate students’ perceptions of self-assessment and how it related to their performance in the classroom and in the clinic.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

This is a cross-sectional study to assess the awareness and perception of SA, carried out among 120 dental postgraduate students. Over a three-month period, postgraduate students from our institution across all three years participated. A prevalidated, self-administered structured questionnaire that was pilot tested and further given to the participants was used to collect the data. Data were interpreted and analyzed.

RESULTS:

With an overall mean score of 4.101 ± 0.352, the relevance of employing self-assessment as a learning tool obtained the highest mean score among 2nd-year postgraduate dental students (4.167 ± 0.306) and the lowest among 1st-year postgraduate dental students (3.975 ± 0.477). A one-way analysis of variance test revealed that the total year-wise mean score difference was statistically significant. The mean score for using self-assessment as a learning tool varied significantly between 1st-year postgraduate students and those in their 2nd and 3rd years, but not significantly between 2nd- and 3rd-year postgraduate students, according to a post hoc test conducted among the study groups. This expression of results implies that postdoctoral students highly value SA skills as necessary for achieving a competent endpoint.

CONCLUSION:

The importance of self-assessment abilities in one’s academic and clinical performance is greatly valued by study participants. To comprehend the use of SA skills and quantify their utilization in performance evaluation, training programs are required.
Balancing act: Navigating regulations and ethical considerations in animal experiments – Intrinsic from international, Indian laws and Hinduism perspectives
Authors: Khan Mohammad Nadeem
Published: January 2025

Animal experimentation is a critical component of scientific research, offering insights into disease mechanisms, drug development, and treatment efficacy. However, ethical considerations surrounding the use of animals in research have prompted the establishment of regulations and guidelines worldwide. This article examines the multifaceted challenge of navigating regulations and ethical considerations in animal experiments, considering perspectives from international laws, Indian regulations, and Hinduism. It discusses the tension between the scientific imperative for research advancement and the ethical imperative to minimize harm to animals and uphold their welfare. International guidelines, such as the Three Rs principles, provide a framework for ethical conduct, emphasizing the Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement of animal use. In India, the Committee for Control and Supervision of Experiments on Animals regulates animal research, prioritizing animal welfare and requiring Institutional Animal Ethics Committees for oversight. Hinduism emphasizes principles of ahimsa (nonviolence) and compassion toward all living beings, influencing ethical perspectives on animal experimentation. Balancing scientific and ethical considerations requires careful consideration of alternative methods, reduction of animal usage, and refinement of experimental techniques. Cultural sensitivities, including those rooted in Hinduism, shape attitudes toward animal research and inform ethical practices. Collaborative efforts among researchers, policymakers, ethicists, and religious leaders are essential to promote responsible and ethical conduct in animal experiments while advancing scientific knowledge.
Evaluation of serum Vitamin D and ferritin level and their correlation with insulin resistance and adiposity in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A hospital-based study in Maharashtra, India
Authors: Aghade Sunita Machindra
Published: January 2025

INTRODUCTION:

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the utmost prevailing, complex endocrinopathy of reproductive-aged women and one of the fundamental reasons for female infertility. It has been acclaimed as a metabolic syndrome variant in women and comprises a crucial segment of the female population at risk of cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Vitamin D deficiency is connected with deleterious metabolic outcomes in PCOS and may be responsible for exacerbating PCOS symptoms. This hormonal deficiency is linked with insulin resistance (IR), adiposity, impaired glucose and lipid metabolism, and systemic pro-inflammatory milieu in PCOS women. Ferritin, a regulator of iron homeostasis, is linked with IR and obesity. There is an absolute interrelation of even slightly raised body iron stores with aggravated risk of IR, diabetes, cardiovascular events, and metabolic syndrome in PCOS.

AIMS:

This study was designed to assess and compare Vitamin D and ferritin status in PCOS and control group women. We also aimed to analyze the association of Vitamin D and body iron stores with IR and adiposity in PCOS women.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

Women with a diagnosis of PCOS, between 18 and 40 years of age, were recruited and compared with healthy controls. Baseline information was obtained from all the participants, and biochemical parameters such as Vitamin D and ferritin were analyzed.

RESULTS:

This study demonstrated that women with PCOS have significantly decreased Vitamin D levels compared to controls. A compromised Vitamin D status in PCOS women is associated with higher IR, body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio, and lipid accumulation product (LAP). PCOS women showed increased serum ferritin concentration that correlated with IR and BMI.

CONCLUSION:

An inadequate Vitamin D and raised ferritin status in PCOS women are associated with IR and adiposity. These biochemical markers might be the hallmark of metabolic aberrations in PCOS and their assessment would be worthwhile for evaluating cardiovascular and diabetes risks in these women. Furthermore, the correlation of the LAP index with the IR index suggests that obesity has a strong impact on IR.
Trends in selected Renal diseases among patients from below poverty line population in Karnataka during 2010-2021
Authors: Devajana D. C. Nanjunda , Mishra Amit Kumar , Lakshmi Jyothi S.
Published: January 2025

INTRODUCTION:

Renal disorders are becoming increasingly common today. There is a clear correlation between social and economic deprivation and the advancement of many kidney illnesses, as well as premature death.

OBJECTIVE:

The objective is to reveal trends in the prevalence of renal diseases among the population below the poverty line (BPL) using the Karnataka method.

METHODS:

The current study is based on the data available on the government-managed website containing details about people who received treatment for several renal diseases under various government health insurance schemes by the BPL population from 2010 to 2020 in Karnataka state, South India.

RESULTS:

Renal calculi, enlarged prostate, and bladder calculus are the most common renal disorders among BPL communities in the age group of 20–40 years. Regarding renal calculi, there is a consistent increase in cases from 563 in 2010–2011 to a peak of 3901 in 2020–2021, indicating a continuous upward trend. Fluctuations are observed in the case of an enlarged prostate, with variations in the number of cases each passing year. Bladder calculus disease also shows an increasing trend, particularly evident from 2017 to 2018 onward.

CONCLUSION:

This study found the potential relationship between socioeconomic status and renal diseases among individuals in the BPL segment of Karnataka state. Renal disorders such as calculi, renal failure, and chronic kidney disease exhibit a rising trend over time, whereas diseases such as enlarged prostate and bladder calculus display fluctuations. The findings underscore the urgent necessity for targeted healthcare interventions and awareness programs tailored to BPL communities.
Integrative management of hidradenitis suppurativa
Authors: Shah Tushar P. , Joshi Foram P. , Patel Vaibhavi , Shah Niti T.
Published: January 2025

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a painful clinical condition of inflamed apocrine gland of the skin. Local tissue induration, abscess-fistulae formation, seropurulent exudation, localized pain, discoloration, scarring of the skin, and fever are the clinical signs of HS. Conventional management of HS includes systemic antibiotics, steroids, wide excision of involved tissues, and long postoperative management. In this HS of the perianal region, a 35-year-old male was managed by integrative management. He was treated by approaching infected glands through the application of Ksharasutra
(~Medicated
seton) and rubber seton and was prescribed castor oil (Ricinus
communis) and Kanchanara
Guggulu (poly-Herbo mineral compound) as adjuvant medical management. He was dressed with Apamarga Kshara Taila (AKT) once daily after sitz bath. The case was recovered in a short duration of 2 months without any untoward effects. Chemical debridement of infected apocrine glands was achieved by initial application of Ksharasutra and its periodical replacement with newer Ksharasutra at the interval of 7 days (till 6 weeks). Rubber seton provided drainage of exudation and tissue fluids without local skin irritation and inflammation. Local wound management by AKT and systemic medicaments aided in faster recovery. The patient has been living without recurrent episodes for the last 2 years.
National and international regulatory requirements on stem cell research-A systematic review
Authors: Sutar Sanjana , Devarinti Revansiddappa , Amaresh Kurubara
Published: January 2025

Stem cells are the constructing blocks of the organism; they are the cells from which all different cells with uniquefeatures develop. Stem cells have a seemingly limitless capacity to create all kinds of cells. Review research was carried out by utilizing the search engines Scopus and PubMed indexed journals, in conjunction with the ICMR committee stem cell standard procedures and USFDA guidelines. The present research indicate that the US adheres to more guidelines compared to Indian guidelines. While a considerable amount of research on stem cells is prohibited or restricted in India. The systematic review is to examine and contrast the policies governing stem cell research in India and the United States with a view to determining the future role of the Institutional Committee for Stem Cell Research.
An unusual case of obstructive uropathy by Fusarium solani
Authors: Suseela Kundoly Velayudhan , Darwin Therattil D.
Published: January 2025

Fusarium is a soil fungus and plant pathogen. Invasive infections by this fungus have been reported in immunocompromised patients. Here, we report a case of obstructive uropathy by Fusarium solani infection in an immunocompetent young woman who was misdiagnosed as urolithiasis of the right pelvicalyceal system in ultrasonogram. Later, on removal, it was proved to be F. solani infection.
Efficacy and safety of Kshara Sutra therapy for the management of anal fistula – A meta-analysis
Authors: Hanifa Nasreen , Kumar P. Hemantha
Published: January 2025

Nowadays, many novel approaches are being tested and practiced in search of the ideal treatment for anal fistula but the best technique is not known. Although comparative clinical trials are being done globally for anal fistula but drawback and limitations are associated with every intervention so we are not able to reach the final conclusion that which approach is best for the management of this perplexing disease and the available evidence suffers from lack of high-quality data with very few large RCTs. Ayurveda science also actively contributes Kshara
Sutra application for anal fistula management in Sushruta
Samhita and many studies also conducted in various institutions on this methodology but no comparative quality data are available which can help to gain global recognition and acceptance. To find out the efficacy and safety of Kshara
Sutra therapy in Anal fistula, a sincere attempt has been made by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases and published information from January 2000 to May 2023 are recorded. A total of 7 articles were included in this meta-analysis with Jadad scores ranging between 4 to 7 for 6 studies and score of 3 for 1 study signifying overall good quality of the articles. The cure rate considering unit cutting time of the fistula tract with Kshara
Sutra therapy was found highly significant and negligible rate of recurrence and anal incontinence. Existing literature data reveal Kshara
Sutra therapy may be the minimally invasive surgical procedure with promising cure rate and lowest incidence of recurrence and anal incontinence.
A cross-sectional assessment of diabetes risk among adults in a limited-resource urban primary care setting in West Bengal, India
Authors: Mallick Nazrul , Biswas Puspendu , Poddar Dwija , Podder Debayan , Bhowmik Disha , Sarkar Dipika
Published: January 2025

INTRODUCTION:

India faces a burgeoning burden of type 2 diabetes mellitus, projected to reach 87 million by 2030, with alarmingly high undiagnosed cases. Early identification remains crucial for targeted health interventions. This study employed a validated risk assessment tool to identify high-risk individuals and explore associations with diabetes risk factors.

Material and Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted for 3 months among nondiabetic consenting adults (above 18 years) attending a limited-resource urban primary health center in the field practice area of a teaching hospital in Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal. A predesigned, pretested schedule containing domains on sociodemographics, dietary, medical history, and validated risk assessment tool - the Indian Diabetes Risk Score (IDRS) was used to collect data from an estimated sample of 112 adults.

RESULTS:

Of all the participants who underwent diabetes risk assessment, the majority (67.9%) were females and residents (71.4%) of adjacent rural areas. Findings showed that the majority of participants were in the moderate-high risk category of developing diabetes, of which 16.07% had high, 57.14% had moderate, and 26.78% had low risk with an overall mean (standard deviation) risk score of 39.11 (18.63). Bivariate analysis showed a statistically significant relationship (P < 0.05) between diabetes risk score with age, education, hypertension, physical activity, dietary salt intake, and family history of diabetes.

CONCLUSION:

Simple, noninvasive diabetes risk assessment tools like IDRS provide cost-effective solutions in identifying at-risk individuals in primary care settings; therefore, it should be implemented in limited resource settings for early risk identification and management of diabetes, consequently decreasing the disease burden.
A case–control study on the levels of serum lipid in the suicide attempters attending psychiatric hospital in North Karnataka
Authors: Mangalwedhe Sameer Belvi , Anusha M. S. , Miskin Anantkumar P.
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

In today’s society, suicide is major public problem and has become a global issue accounting for about 1.4% of the death worldwide. It is highly undesirable event and urgently requires development of preventive approaches. Hypothesis: Cholesterol is a core component of central nervous system essential for cell membrane stability and the correct functioning of neurotransmission. It is hypothesized that reduced serum cholesterol level may be accompanied by changes in function of serotonin receptors and transporters.

AIMS:

The project ‘Serum Lipid Profile Levels in Suicide Attempters’ aimed to find out the relation of serum lipid levels in Suicide Attempters.

METHODOLOGY:

A Case Control Study was conducted and it was observed that the people coming with suicide attempt has significant decrease in the serum cholesterol levels when compared to those of normal healthy Individual.

RESULTS:

Total serum cholesterol was lower in suicide attempters than the control group. The odds of suicide attempt was 3 times more in people with low serum cholesterol.

CONCLUSION:

Our study findings demonstrate that serum total cholesterol can be considered as an important and independent risk factor for Suicidality.
A cross-sectional descriptive study to assess the awareness about tuberculosis, GeneXpert, Nikshay, and 99-DOTS among the representative population of medical students
Authors: Jha Shruti , Shrivastava Saurabh RamBihariLal
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global public health concern. The current study has been done with the objectives to assess the level of awareness about TB, GeneXpert, Nikshay, and 99-DOTS under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) among the representative population of medical students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

It was a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted over a period of 2 months from October 2022 to November 2022 in a tertiary teaching medical college of Chengalpet district of Tamil Nadu among the medical students of the teaching medical college and hospital. Participants between the age of 18 and 28 years were included in the study with no serious illness. A stratified random sampling method was employed, wherein all the students were asked to fill out the online semi-structured questionnaire. Data entry was done in Microsoft Excel, and statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 16.0.

RESULTS:

This cross-sectional descriptive study involved 176 undergraduate medical students with a mean age of 22.5 ± 3.5 years, where there are 95 (53.9%) females and 81 (46%) males as the participants of the study. Out of 176 participants, 140 (79.5%) participants had a fairly good awareness of first-line drugs, whereas 36 (20.5%) participants lacked awareness about NTEP, GeneXpert, 99-DOTS, and Nikshay. The majority of the participants reported following most of the TB preventive measures, with hand hygiene and using a handkerchief while coughing and sneezing are the most commonly reported prevention measures.

CONCLUSION:

The current study reported that, despite being aware of TB as a disease, medical students had low awareness of government-led interventions such as NTEP, Nikshay, 99-DOTS, and GeneXpert. This calls for the need to intensify awareness activities among medical students to strengthen our battle against TB.
Safety and effectiveness of fast-track bilateral total knee arthroplasty: An Indian experience
Authors: Katragadda Bharat Chandra , Suresh Anoop , Azeez Arshad
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

In total knee arthroplasty (TKA), fast-track or enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs are proven to be cost-effective without compromising patient safety or functional outcomes. The aim of this study is to determine if these promising results could be reproduced in Indian practice.

METHODS:

This retrospective study compared patients who underwent simultaneous bilateral TKA through ERAS protocol (n = 100) from January 2021 to June 2022 with a propensity-matched historical group operated through conventional protocol (n = 100) from July 2019 to June 2020. The time for straight leg raise (SLR), time to discharge, Visual Analog Score (VAS) for pain, range of motion (ROM), the Knee Society Score (KSS), complication rate, and readmission rate were compared between the groups in the early postoperative and follow-up periods up to 1 year.

RESULTS:

The mean length of stay (LOS) was significantly shorter in the ERAS group (2.3 days vs. 5.1 days, P < 0.001). The time to SLR was also significantly earlier in the ERAS group. The VAS score was significantly low on days 1, 2, 7, and 14 postsurgery. The KSS and ROM were significantly better in the ERAS group till 14 days. The VAS, KSS, and ROM were comparable between the groups at 1 month and later follow-up periods. There was no significant difference with regard to the rate of complications and readmissions.

CONCLUSION:

ERAS protocols used in bilateral TKA significantly reduced the LOS without compromising patient safety or functional outcomes. Standardized ERAS practices for all TKAs could benefit patients as well as health-care systems.
Models for implementing testing and treating latent tuberculosis infections among the vulnerable populations
Authors: Samal Janmejaya , Mondal Arnab
Published: January 2025

The Indian national tuberculosis (TB) prevalence survey conducted during 2019–2021 revealed a 31% TB infection (TBI) burden among individuals above 15 years of age. India has an ambitious plan of eliminating TB by 2025, 5 years ahead of the global agenda, thus focusing on the burden of TBI and management of TBI with TB preventive treatment (TPT) is of utmost importance in achieving the same. States in India adopt different models of implementation of testing and treating the TBI. Some of the states select subcontracting agencies to provide end-to-end TPT and some do adopt the in-house mechanism using the existing health system in providing the same. Moreover, the “Programmatic Management of TPT in India” guideline prioritizes population group for TPT based on elevated risk of progression from infection to TB disease or increased likelihood of exposure to TB disease. Given the background, we propose two models of implementation of TBI diagnosis using interferon-gamma release assay and treatment; one using a subcontracting agency and the other one using the existing health system machinery to test and treat the TBI.
Prospective study to determine the prevalence and contribution of maternal and fetal factors to neonatal thrombocytopenia
Authors: Nandish H. R. , Ansari Qudsiya , Wade Poonam
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

Neonatal thrombocytopenia (platelet count <1.5 lakhs/μL) is one of the most common hematological findings in the neonates, admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The clinical features and laboratory parameters are heterogeneous, with different underlying causes and risk factors. There are still few studies about some possible risk factors and their influence on the newborn’s clinical outcome.

AIM:

This study was conducted to assess the contribution of maternal and fetal factors, clinical profile, and outcome of neonatal thrombocytopenia in NICU.

METHODS:

A prospective observational study was conducted at our tertiary care hospital on 186 neonates with thrombocytopenia admitted to NICU. Maternal and neonatal risk factors were recorded. The risk factors were compared with the severity of thrombocytopenia.

RESULTS:

One hundred and eighty-six neonates with thrombocytopenia, based on platelet counts, were divided into three groups. Mild grade of thrombocytopenia was commonly seen (52.20%), followed by moderate (36.60%). Hypertension (HTN) was the most common maternal risk factor (24.70%), followed by eclampsia (15.10%) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (12.40%). The most common neonatal risk factors were birth asphyxia (37.60%), followed by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (11.30%), sepsis (9.70%), and (11.80%), which had no risk factors. A significant association is found as all the 6 (3.3%) who died had severe thrombocytopenia.

CONCLUSION:

The most common maternal predisposing factors were HTN, eclampsia, and GDM. Birth asphyxia, IUGR, and sepsis were the most common neonatal factors associated with thrombocytopenia. Severe thrombocytopenia can be used as a prognostic indicator in sick neonates.
Pediatric cystic nephroma: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Shinde Nandkishor , Patil Rani , Uplounkar Vinod , Choudhary Kakoli Paul , Jyothinaikar Manjunath
Published: January 2025

Pediatric cystic nephromas (PCNs) are rare, benign, multilocular cystic renal neoplasms affecting children <2 years. Morphological similarity between pediatric congenital cystic nephroma and other cystic renal tumors produces diagnostic dilemmas but has excellent prognosis after surgical excision. We report the case of a 14-month-old male child who presented with swelling left side of his abdomen for the past 3 months noticed by his mother. Mass was firm, bimanually palpable. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen showed it to be a well-defined thick-walled peripherally enhancing multiloculated complex cystic lesion in the left kidney. We have done a left nephrectomy and on histopathology, it shows multiple cysts with cyst walls lined by flattened cuboidal epithelium, the cystic septa show fibrovascular tissue and lymphomononuclear cells, and no blastemal elements were seen, which are classic features of PCN.
Prevalence of thyroid disorders among pregnant mothers of rural Bengaluru
Authors: Krishna Chaitra , Krishna Chandana , Babu B. Manoj
Published: January 2025

INTRODUCTION:

Thyroid disorders constitute one of the most common endocrine disorders seen in pregnancy. Thyroid disorders may be overlooked in pregnancy because of nonspecific symptoms and hypermetabolic state of pregnancy. There is also a paucity of data on the prevalence of thyroid disorders in Indian pregnant women. Hence, this study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of thyroid disorders in pregnant women of rural Bengaluru.

OBJECTIVES:

The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of thyroid disorders during pregnancy among the study subjects.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

This hospital-based descriptive study was conducted among the antenatal mothers of the community health center of Thyamagondlu in rural Bengaluru. Antenatal mothers who come for antenatal checkup were interviewed and the data were collected using pretested; semi-structured questionnaire.

RESULTS:

The present study showed that 3% were hyperthyroid, 25% were hypothyroid, 21% had subclinical hypothyroidism, and 4% had overt hypothyroidism.

CONCLUSION:

The present study showed that the prevalence of thyroid disorders, especially hypothyroidism (25%) was high. This warrants the need for the adoption of appropriate strategies to identify women at risk of thyroid disorders and the implementation of screening tools for its early detection and initiation of effective treatment.
Doctor–patient communication at an urban health and training center in Goa: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Dias Nadia Claire Mascarenhas e , Kamble Vishakha Uday , Bicholkar Abhishek Uday , Cacodcar Jagadish Anil
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

Effective doctor–patient communication is a central clinical function in building a therapeutic doctor–patient relationship, which is the heart and art of medicine. The increasing population and the lack of available services at these health centers can result in annoyed and agitated patients, resulting in violence toward doctors and other health-care staff.

AIM AND OBJECTIVE:

To assess doctor–patient communication at an urban health and training center in Goa.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 3 months on 200 participants. The self-administered questionnaire contained two components: (1) sociodemographic information of the participants and (2) 8 close-ended questions which focus on the communication behavior of the doctors.

RESULTS:

87.5% of the patients perceived a good communication behavior from the doctors.

CONCLUSION:

Our study concluded that the doctor–patient communication behavior at the urban health center was good, which conveys a good impression of the doctors and the center. The greeting the patients received at the beginning of the consultation, the listening ear, their ability to explain in the local language, to repeat if the patient had not understood, the attitude with which they spoke, the tone of their voice, and most importantly the involvement of the patient in the disease and treatment process left an impression on the participants.
Bacterial and Fungal Growth in Males Wearing Mobile Earphone Appliances
Authors: Omar Ammar Yousif , Yaseen Ehab Taha , Kamel Waeel , Naji Mohammed
Published: January 2025

Background:

There is a belief that predisposition to ear canal infection is multifactorial. The use of hearing appliances is an important factor, which is more popular among people than ever before. Vitek 2 is an automated microbial identification system that provides highly accurate and reproducible results. This study aims to identify the bacterial and fungal growths in the ear canals of chronic users of mobile earphones.

Patients and Method:

This is a comparative cross-sectional study. The participants who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were divided into two groups: Earphones wearers and nonwearers, swabs for bacterial study and fungal study were cultured on proper media. All cultures were transferred into Vitek 2 device to specify the microorganisms.

Results:

The mean age of the participants was 29 years (29 ± 6.5). Fungal cultures were negative in all the samples. The bacterial growth rate was 100% for Group A participants, but it was only 60% for Group B (statistically significant P = 0.0001). Multiple bacterial growth was reported in 14 participants (46.7%) of Group A, whereas there was no multiple bacterial growth among Group B participants (statistically significant P = 0.0005). Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most prevalent bacteria among participants of both groups. There is a significant difference almost for all types of bacterial growth, suggesting that these bacteria are more prevalent in earphone wearers. The Staphylococcus genus was the most frequently identified, particularly Staphylococcus hominis (46.7%) on earphones. A comparison of bacteria discovered in the ear canals and on the earphones in Group A participants, showed the most common bacteria found in the ear canal was Staphylococcus epidermids (19 participants, 63.3%), whereas S. hominis was the most common bacteria found on the surface of the earphone piece. Staphylococcus auricularis, S. epidermidis, Staphylococcus warneri, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, and Kocuria kristinae show significant differences in their presence between the ear canal and earpiece cultures, whereas S. hominis, Sphingomonas paucimobilis, and Klebsiella pneumonia do not show significant differences in their presence between the two types of cultures.

Conclusion:

The study concluded that: (1) Earphones harbor nonnegligible amounts and types of bacteria on their surfaces: (2) Earphone wearers have a significantly higher rate of bacterial growth. (3) Multiple bacterial growth was significantly higher in earphone wearers. (4) S. epidermidis was the most prevalent in the ear canal of earphone wearers and nonwearers. (5) Certain bacteria such as L. mesenteroides and Kocuria kristinae were present only in the ear canal of earphone wearers. (6) S. hominis was the most common bacteria on earphones.
Hematological Parameters Predicting Mortality in Patients with COPD Admitted to ICUs
Authors: Alotaibi Badi A. , Alsabani Mohmad H. , Alghamdi Abdulrhman S. , Alotibi Raniah S. , Al-Mutairi Abrar M. , Philip Winnie , Alghassab Talal S. , Alhawiti Naif M. , Shaheen Naila A. , Alenzi Majed S. , Alzahrani Mohammed A. , Alanazi Fay J. , Alotaib Abdulmohsen Z. , Alotaibi Tareq F. , Ismaeil Taha T. , Alanazi Abdullah M.
Published: January 2025

Background:

The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is increasing in Saudi Arabia, yet there is a lack of studies on the usefulness of routine hematological parameters in predicting mortality.

Objective:

To determine hematological parameters that can predict mortality in patients with COPD exacerbation admitted to intensive care units.

Materials and Methods:

This multicenter retrospective study included patients with COPD admitted at intensive care units of Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs hospitals in Saudi Arabia between 2016 to 2021. Hematological parameters were used to predict mortality. ROC curve analysis was used to establish the threshold value of variables linked to risk of mortality and optimal cut-off points, and its sensitivity and specificity were determined.

Results:

The study included 323 patients with COPD, of which 61% were females and the mean age was 72.7 (±12.7) years. The median length of hospital stay was 14 days (range: 6–26 days), and the overall mortality rate was 37.2%. After adjusting for gender and length of hospital stay in the multivariate analysis, independent predictors of mortality were age (OR: 1.029, 95% CI: 1.008–1.051; P = 0.007) and low mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) (OR: 0.985, 95% CI: 0.970–1.000; P = 0.047). The ROC curve analysis revealed a cut-off value of 320.5 g/L for MCHC, with an AUC of 0.576.

Conclusion:

This study found that in patients with COPD exacerbation admitted to ICU, older age likely increases the risk of mortality, whereas low MCHC likely decreases the risk of mortality. Further large-scale studies are required to validate these findings.
Accuracy of Abbreviated Breast MRI in Diagnosing Breast Cancer in Women with Dense Breasts Compared with Standard Imaging Modalities
Authors: Aloufi Areej S. , Khoumais Nuha , Ahmed Fayka , Hosawi Sara , Sulimani Sameera , Abunayyan Deema , Alghamdi Fadiah , Alshehri Samar , Alsaeed Malak , Sahloul Rasha , Sabir Reem , Harkness Elaine F. , Astley Susan M.
Published: January 2025

Background:

Breast density is an independent risk factor for breast cancer and affects the sensitivity of mammography screening. Therefore, new breast imaging approaches could benefit women with increased breast density in early cancer detection and diagnosis.

Objectives:

To assess the diagnostic performance of abbreviated breast MRI compared with mammography and other imaging modalities in screening and diagnosing breast cancer among Saudi women with dense breast tissue.

Methods:

A retrospective diagnostic study was conducted using anonymized medical images and histopathology information from 55 women, aged ≥30 years, who had dense breasts (Breast Imaging and Reporting Data System [BI-RADS] breast density categories C and D) and an abnormal mammogram. The sensitivity, specificity, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were calculated for mammography, digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), synthetic mammography (SM) derived from DBT, ultrasound, and abbreviated breast MRI (ABMRI).

Results:

A total of 19 women had pathology-proven breast cancer. Among all methods, ABMRI showed the highest sensitivity (94.7%) and specificity (58.3%), while mammography showed the lowest (84.2% and 44.4%, respectively). AUC for ABMRI was higher than all the methods including mammography (0.751 vs. 0.643; P < 0.05).

Conclusion:

ABMRI appears to be more accurate in cancer diagnosis than mammography and other modalities for women with dense breast tissue. Further research is advised on a larger sample of Saudi women to confirm the benefit of ABMRI in breast cancer screening and diagnosis for women with increased breast density.
Two relaxed inertial forward-backward-forward algorithms for solving monotone inclusions and an application to compressed sensing
Authors: Tan Bing , Qin Xiaolong
Published: January 2025

Two novel algorithms, which incorporate inertial terms and relaxation effects, are introduced to tackle a monotone inclusion problem. The weak and strong convergence of the algorithms are obtained under certain conditions, and the R-linear convergence for the first algorithm is demonstrated if the set-valued operator involved is strongly monotone in real Hilbert spaces. The proposed algorithms are applied to signal recovery problems and demonstrate improved performance compared to existing algorithms in the literature.
Isometric embeddings of surfaces for scl
Authors: Marchand Alexis
Published: January 2025

Let

\varphi:F_{1}\to F_{2}

be an injective morphism of free groups. If

\varphi

is geometric (i.e., induced by an inclusion of oriented compact connected surfaces with nonempty boundary), then we show that 

\varphi

is an isometric embedding for stable commutator length. More generally, we show that if 

T

is a subsurface of an oriented compact (possibly closed) connected surface 

S

, and 

c

is an integral

1

-chain on

\pi_{1}T

, then there is an isometric embedding

H_{2}(T,c)\to H_{2}(S,c)

for the relative Gromov seminorm. Those statements are proved by finding an appropriate standard form for admissible surfaces and showing that, under the right homology vanishing conditions, such an admissible surface in 

S

for a chain in 

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Cohort profile: a nationwide retrospective cohort of mortality in people living with HIV in Korea, 1985-2020
Authors: Kim Taeyoung , Jung Yoonhee , Kim Koun , Park Jung Wan , Yu Jeonghee , Cho Sung-il
Published: January 2025

The increasing number of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Korea has prompted interest in using the national surveillance system as a database for studying their health. To investigate the relationships between socio-demographic and epidemiological characteristics and mortality rates, a nationwide retrospective cohort was formed by integrating surveillance data with the Cause of Death Statistics from Statistics Korea. This integration included incidence reports, epidemiological investigations, and death reports from the surveillance data, enriched with detailed mortality information from the Cause of Death data. The cohort comprised 17,199 adult Korean individuals diagnosed with HIV infection from 1985 to 2020. By the end of 2020, 2,721 of these individuals were confirmed deceased. The sex ratio of the study participants was 14.3:1.0 (male to female), with 78.2% being under 50 years old at the time of diagnosis. Sexual contact was identified as the primary transmission route, accounting for 75.7% of cases. HIV disease emerged as the predominant cause of death, representing two-thirds (1,817 of 2,721) of the fatalities, followed by injuries and trauma, malignancies, and cardiovascular diseases. Recommendations for further cohort studies may be submitted to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.
Неравенство Джона-Ниренберга для рядов типа Римана
Authors: Oganesyan Kristina Artakovna
Published: January 2025

Для рядов вида $\sum_{n=1}^{\infty}n^{-1}\exp(2\pi i n^k x)$, $k>2$,
на интервалах, состоящих из точек с одной и той же подходящей дробью,
получено усиление неравенства Джона-Ниренберга. Мы также доказываем критерий сходимости в точке для этих рядов.
Библиография: 14 названий.
Edycje źródłowe w XXI wieku – czas na zmiany?
Authors: Górski Adam
Published: January 2025

Szybki rozwój technologiczny spowodował zmianę potrzeb informacyjnych czytelników i podejścia obywateli do wyników badań w naukach humanistycznych. Konieczna wydaje się zatem zmiana w nastawieniu do edycji źródłowych. Nie wystarczy sama edycja czy przedstawienie jej w formie graficznej, potrzebne są narzędzia umożliwiające szerokie kontekstowe przeszukiwanie treści i tworzenie zestawień oraz raportów na konkretnie zadane pytania. Zapewne w tym kierunku postąpi także rozwój sztucznej inteligencji, jednak w tym momencie AI nie poradzi sobie jeszcze bez człowieka, który źródło znajdujące się w archiwum, muzeum czy bibliotece wprowadzi do Internetu. Niniejszy artykuł przedstawia rozważania autora na temat kierunku nadchodzących zmian w edycjach źródłowych i propozycję stworzenia bazy źródłowej inskrypcji z artefaktów epigraficznych (także zaginionych, czyli zachowanych w źródłach archiwalnych).
The Evolution and Characteristics of General Education in Taiwan
Authors: Chen Chao-Chen , Hsiang Hong-Chuan , Chang Hsiao-Hui , Shih Po-Kang
Published: January 2025

Taiwanese universities have embraced the spirit of general education from Europe and the United States, launching their own general education programs in the 1980s. Through various social and educational transformations, general education has come to play a critical role in Taiwan's higher education system. This paper outlines the evolution, principles, and key characteristics of general education in Taiwan. Additionally, it explores how universities have introduced diverse general education programs to bridge various gaps: between academic disciplines, between academia and societal issues, between passive and active learning, between the digital and physical worlds, and between local knowledge and global perspectives. The paper concludes by highlighting the potential of even larger gaps emerging in the future due to advancements in AI, suggesting that general education must evolve to address these challenges effectively.
The Impacts of the Flipped Learning-Based Extracurricular English Resume-Writing Course
Authors: Lee Sunjung
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of the flipped learning-based extracurricular English resume-writing program in order to suggest various models for extracurricular English programs and to improve Korean EFL college students’ career planning as well as professional communication skills in global settings. Following the flipped learning approach, the students watched a video lecture on writing effective resumes prior to the in-class activities. During the in-class activities, the students completed a quiz that tested their understanding of the content presented in the video lecture, and then the students created a resume in pairs in response to a job advertisement with the support and feedback of the instructor. Each student also created the resume that they would like to have in four years’ time and provided and received feedback in a peer review session. The data from 50 participants who completed resumes before and after the course and post-survey questionnaires were analyzed. Analyses revealed that the program positively affected students’ English resume-writing skills, increased their confidence, and offered opportunities for their career planning. Given that little research examining the effects of a resume-writing course has been carried out, this study contributes to the literature in terms of providing empirical evidence of its effectiveness and suggests a desirable model for an extracurricular English program. This study also offers pedagogical implications for Korean EFL students in that including specific, quantifiable details in the experience section of a resume should be emphasized in future similar programs.
Identity Formation in Educational Communities of Practice : The Role of Communication, Trust, and Conflict Mediation
Authors: Zhang Dexiong , Kim Jungyin
Published: January 2025

This qualitative study explores the processes of identity construction and negotiation among three university students in an English Presentation class. Drawing primarily on fieldnotes and interviews, the research demonstrates how communication styles, trust dynamics, and conflict mediation influence identity formation within educational settings. Anchored in Identity Theory and the concept of Communities of Practice (CoP), the study examines three distinct CoPs where identity shaping occurs. The findings reveal that reluctance to engage in team interactions, breaches of trust, and the role of conflict mediation significantly impact group dynamics and identity formation. The study underscores the fluid nature of identity as it responds to social interactions. These findings emphasize the need for fostering inclusive and supportive learning environments that accommodate diverse identities and enhance teamwork. Future research should further investigate these dynamics to deepen our understanding of identity formation in multicultural educational contexts.
Developing a Checklist of Instructor Communication Competencies for the University's Online and Offline Classrooms
Authors: Shin Min-Kyoung , Kim Sohee , Jang Yoon Jae
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this study is to systematically analyze instructor communication competencies required in university online and offline classroom environments and develop a checklist to assess them. Through literature review and expert Delphi survey, it was found that instructor communication competence consists of four domains and 12 sub-factors: lesson design, lesson implementation, learning assessment, and teaching attitude. Based on this, a total of 52 checklist items were developed, which can be used as a tool for instructors to check their communication competence at different stages of teaching. The checklist developed in this study is applicable to both online and offline classroom environments and is significant as a practical assessment tool that can contribute to improving the quality of university teaching.
Development and Effectiveness Analysis of a Blended Learning-Based Course on College Life and Career Exploration : Focused on Art Students
Authors: Park Woojung
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a college life and career exploration course for art students utilizing a blended learning approach. Art college students must navigate the rapidly changing art industry and an uncertain future by proactively exploring and preparing for their own career paths. To facilitate this process, it is essential to provide systematic and practical career education that enhances career adaptability and resilience. Traditional offline courses alone may not sufficiently address these needs; therefore, this study implements a blended learning method to strengthen students' self-directed learning abilities and career preparation. The study involved 103 students enrolled in the college life and career exploration course at A Art College, employing both quantitative and qualitative analyses. Quantitative analysis was conducted using paired sample t-tests to compare pre- and post-test data on students' adaptation to college life and career preparation behaviors. The results indicated a significant positive impact of the course on both college life adaptation and career preparation behaviors. Qualitative analysis further revealed that students improved their self-directed learning skills, gained confidence in their career preparation processes, and found peer feedback beneficial in addressing career-related challenges. These findings demonstrate that blended learning is an effective approach for career education among art college students, suggesting that the developed course plays a critical role in enhancing career competencies that enable students to adapt flexibly to changes in the art industry. These results can serve as foundational data for future career education programs in art colleges.