bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-guided trans-incisional quadratus lumborum block versus ultrasound-guided caudal analgesia in pediatric open renal surgery: a randomized trial
Authors: Alansary Amin M. , Badawy Atef , Elbeialy Marwa A. K.
Published: January 2023

Background: The caudal route is a common approach for postoperative analgesia; however, it is associated with limited duration of action. The quadratus lumborum block (QLB) may produce prolonged postoperative analgesia. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of the ultrasound-guided caudal block with that of the ultrasound-guided transincisional QLB (TiQLB) in pediatric patients undergoing open renal surgery.Methods: Forty patients of both sexes, aged 2–11 years, were randomly assigned to receive either caudal analgesia with 1.25 ml/kg of bupivacaine 0.2% (Caudal group; n = 20) or a QLB with 0.5 ml/kg of bupivacaine 0.2% (TiQLB group; n = 20) in addition to standard general anesthesia. Time to first analgesia was the primary outcome. Total analgesic consumption in the first 24 h postoperatively, pain scores, and the incidence of side effects were the secondary outcomes.Results: The mean time to first analgesic requirement was significantly longer in the TiQLB group than in the Caudal group (18.8 ± 5.1 vs. 6.7 ± 0.7 h, P < 0.001). Total ketorolac consumption and pain scores were significantly lower in the TiQLB group (P < 0.001). A few cases of mild postoperative nausea and vomiting were noted among patients in both groups; however, the difference was not statistically significant. No incidence of pruritus, shivering, or respiratory depression was noted.Conclusions: Analgesia after the ultrasound-guided TiQLB with bupivacaine was superior to that after the ultrasound-guided caudal block, with similar side effects.
Efficacy and safety of ivermectin in patients with mild and moderate COVID-19: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Malektojari Alireza , Ghazizadeh Sara , Ersi Mohammad Hamed , Brahimi Elham , Hassanipour Soheil , Fathalipour Mohammad , Hassaniazad Mehdi
Published: January 2023

Objective:

To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of ivermectin in patients with mild and moderate COVID-19.

Methods:

This study was a single-center, randomized, open-label, controlled trial with a 2-arm parallel-group design on 68 patients with COVID-19. According to the 1:1 ratio between the study groups (ivermectin group and standard treatment group), patients were randomly admitted to each intervention arm.

Results:

The mean age of the participants in the ivermectin group was (48.37±13.32) years. Eighteen of them were males (54.5%) and the participants in the control group had a mean age of (46.28±14.47) years, with nineteen of them being males (59.4%). As a primary outcome, after 5 days of randomization, there was no significant difference between the ivermectin group and the control group in the length of stay in the hospital (P=0.168). ICU admission (P=0.764), length of stay in ICU (P=0.622), in-hospital mortality (P=0.427), adverse drug reactions, and changes in the mean difference of laboratory data had not any significant difference between the two groups (except for urea change). In addition, the radiologic findings of the two groups of patients were not significantly different. Linear regression analysis showed that for every 10 years increase of age, 0.6 day of hospitalization duration was increased. There was no statistically significant association between other variables and clinical outcomes.

Conclusions:

Among adult hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19, there was no significant relationship between the administration of ivermectin single dose in a five-day course and clinical improvement, and mortality of the participants.
Atypical pompholyx presentation of secondary Staphyloccoccus and Klebsiella infections in a patient with premorbid Ebstein anomaly: A case report
Authors: Kusuma Hartantyo , Puspitasari Dwiyanti , Husada Dominicus , Kartina Leny , Basuki Parwati Setiono , Ismoedijanto
Published: January 2023

Rationale:

Pompholyx refers to pruritic vesicles or bullous rash that mainly distribute on the palms and lateral surfaces of the fingers. It is less common among Asians, and in a severe condition, secondary bacterial infection of pompholyx can happen and result in pain, swelling and pustules.

Patient concerns:

A 15-year-old girl complained of progressive wound and small bumps containing yellowish pus and crusts on her hands and feet for over 6 months and worsened in the last month before admission. She also had Ebstein anomaly.

Diagnosis:

Atypical pompholyx with secondary Staphylococcus and Klebsiella infections.

Interventions:

Wound care with wet dressing and applying moisturizer on crusts, application of antibiotics for Gram positive and negative bacteria and giving nutritional support with reckoning of proper calories.

Outcomes:

Skin lesions were completely healed and the patient was discharged after 10 days of hospitalization.

Lessons:

Atypical manifestation of pompholyx makes it hard to diagnose. The diagnosis can be confirmed with meticulous history-taking and physical examination. Wound caring and controlling of the infection should be done to earn an optimal outcome.
Increased psychomotor retardation and tension as short-term neuropsychiatric adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitors
Authors: Khalil Rami Bou , Kassab Anthony , Costa Georges , Haddad Fady Gh , Richa Sami , Kattan Joseph
Published: January 2023

Introduction:

Patients undergoing cancer treatment as well as cancer survivors commonly describe behavioral alterations. As a matter of fact, neuropsychiatric adverse events (NPAEs) have been extensively described with older immunotherapies, especially with interferon alfa. However, there are little data investigating the NPAEs of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the safety profile of ICI in terms of NPAEs.

Materials and Methods:

This is a prospective, interventional, self-controlled study. Participants receiving ICIs as unique therapy, between February and December 2019, were evaluated at the beginning of their treatment protocol, at 1 month and finally at 3 months. During the three evaluations, disease and patients' characteristics were assessed, as well as NPAEs using the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) questionnaire, the psychological stress due to cancer's burden using the Herth hope index, and the performance status (PS) using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score.

Results:

Forty-four patients were enrolled, of whom 24 patients completed their three evaluation visits. No changes in BPRS total score were found throughout the study period. However, two subscores of the BPRS, “motor retardation” (P = 0.008) and “tension” or “nervousness” (P = 0.002), increased starting the 1st month of treatment. Moreover, age (r = 0.426, P = 0.038) and the baseline PS (P = 0.027) were the main risk factors of such manifestations.

Conclusion:

This study suggests that ICI could be responsible for motor retardation and increased tension starting the 1st month of treatment, with higher ECOG score and older age being the main risk factors.
Aggressive oral carcinoma cuniculatum
Authors: Abilasha J. V. , Thankappan Prasanth , Joseph Isaac T. , Angelin D.
Published: January 2023

Oral carcinoma cuniculatum (OCC) is a rare and distinct clinicopathological variant of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The term cuniculatum was derived from a Latin word “cuniculus” meaning burrow, because of the “rabbit burrow” appearance. As it invades the underlying tissue, it forms crypts filled with keratin that are essential in distinguishing this neoplasm from other variants of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). It is a common lesion of the plantar region of the foot but rare in the oral cavity. The first case of OCC was reported in 1977 by Flieger and Owenski in the jaw, with fewer than 50 cases reported in the English literature till date. Tumor cell cannibalism has been reported in various carcinomas such as lung, gallbladder, hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and SCC. Cell cannibalism when it refers to a cancer cell, either within a tumor mass or cell culture, is “a cell that is contained within another bigger cell with a crescent-shaped nucleus.” This report aims to present a rare case of aggressive OCC of the maxillary gingiva with cellular cannibalism and its diverse immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin, Ki-67, and p53.
The effect of cancer diagnosis in first-degree relatives on participation of healthy individuals in cancer screening programs and on their attitudes towards healthy lifestyle changes
Authors: Sari Oktay , Uysal Bora , Yilmaz Tarık Eren , Çeti Ayşe Güniz , Beyzadeoglu Murat
Published: January 2023

Background:

Ensuring that first-degree relatives of patients diagnosed with cancer are included in the cancer screening programs will reduce the negative effects that may arise both for the individuals having the risk of cancer and for the community. In our study, we aimed to investigate the awareness and attitudes of the first-degree relatives of patients, who have received diagnosis of a cancer, toward cancer screening programs and to determine the risk factors for cancer.

Methods:

A questionnaire prepared by the researchers was conducted over the relatives of 234 cancer patients for determining their awareness about cancer and their attitudes toward participation in cancer screening programs. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software package.

Results:

72.6% of the participants never heard about Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening and Training Center, which has been established to carry out cancer screening programs in Turkey. Approximately half of the female participants did not participate in breast cancer and cervical cancer screenings (54.9% and 51.1%, respectively). The rate of those who had screening tests for colon cancer was less than one-fifth of all participants (19.8%). The above data show the low level of awareness of the participants about cancer.

Conclusion:

It has been observed that diagnosis of cancer in the first-degree relatives of the participants did not create awareness in these people at a level that would enable them to participate in cancer screening programs and make healthy lifestyle changes.
Clinical outcome of intensity-modulated radiotherapy versus two-dimensional conventional radiotherapy in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Fatima Kaneez , Andleeb Asifa , Sofi Mushtaq Ahmad , Rasool Malik Tariq , Fir Afroz , Nasreen Shahida , Dar Nazir Ahmad
Published: January 2023

Background:

The management of nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) at present is based primarily on radiotherapy, but the technique by which radiation therapy is delivered is different such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and two-dimensional conventional radiotherapy (2D-CRT).

Materials and Methods:

In our study, IMRT and 2D-CRT were compared for their treatment outcome in locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Patients with Stage II to IVA nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) as per the American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th and 8th edition 2017 treated with IMRT (n = 30) and 2D-CRT (n = 30) between October 2016 and October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. We matched our patients by using the propensity-score matching method. OS was the primary endpoint of our study. The secondary endpoints were local relapse-free survival (LRFS), regional relapse-free survival (RRFS), disease-free survival (DFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS). Acute and late radiation toxicities between IMRT and 2D-CRT were also compared.

Results:

In the propensity-matched cohort of 60 patients, 30 patients received 2D-CRT and 30 patients received IMRT. Compared with the treatment of 2D-CRT, the IMRT group is associated with a better 3-year OS (70% vs. 85% P = 0.045), LRFS (78% vs. 96% P = 0.047), RRFS (78% vs. 95% P = 0.015), DFS (80% vs. 95% P = 0.034), and PFS (84% vs. 90% P = 0.024), while as DMFS (85% vs. 85% P = 0.147) were comparable in both the groups. IMRT was also associated with a lower incidence of late toxicities such as xerostomia and trismus.

Conclusion:

Our study demonstrates that IMRT yields better long-term overall survival and local control including LRFS, RRFS, DFS, and PFS. In addition, late toxicities induced by irradiation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are lower with IMRT. IMRT may be an effective treatment in nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) as compared to 2D-CRT, but further studies are needed to establish the association.
Primary intramedullary spinal gliosarcoma
Authors: Hazra Snigdha , Kundu Sayan , Dutta Bodhisattwa , Deb Asit Ranjan
Published: January 2023

Gliosarcoma is a biphasic central nervous system malignancy composed of glial and mesenchymal components. It is recognized as a rare variant of glioblastoma with unique histology, immunostaining properties, and natural history. Although usually described to primarily involve the brain, a search of the published literature revealed four reported cases of gliosarcoma arising in the spinal cord. This report describes the case of a 35-year-old woman with progressive back pain with loss of sensation and power of both lower limbs. Magnetic resonance imaging showed an intramedullary unifocal space-occupying lesion in her thoracolumbar spinal cord. Subtotal resection and subsequent histopathological and immunohistochemical studies confirmed the diagnosis of gliosarcoma of the spinal cord. This report further establishes the clinical entity of primary spinal gliosarcoma and proposes the need to consider this possibility among the differential diagnoses of a space-occupying spinal lesion.
Radiation-induced synchronous mandibular osteosarcoma and papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Kumari Neha , Majumdar Kinjal Shankar , Usmani Shahab Ali , Agarwal Satya Prakash
Published: January 2023

With substantial improvement in survival in cancer patients, the risk of radiation-induced malignancy in previously irradiated areas is increasingly possible. Both radiation-induced sarcomas and papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) are well documented in literature. However, radiation-induced synchronous malignancies are rare, are often misdiagnosed, and presents with diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to paucity of literature and lack of available guidelines. Here, we report a case of radiation-induced synchronous mandibular osteosarcoma and PTC in a previously treated carcinoma of base tongue with concurrent chemoradiation. He initially presented with an oral cavity mass, and during the course of the treatment was incidentally diagnosed with a synchronous PTC. It also establishes the indolent course of PTC, which often goes undiagnosed till the presentation with regional nodal metastasis. This report, to the best of our knowledge, is the first reported case of synchronous radiation-induced OSM and PTC.
Detection of Helicobacter pylori in oral squamous cell carcinoma using modified Giemsa stain
Authors: Gore Rucha D. , Palaskar Sangeeta J. , Pawar Rasika B. , Khule Shreeedhar D.
Published: January 2023

Context:

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. It is mainly known to be caused by tobacco in various forms and also due to viral, fungal infection and poor oral hygiene, etc. Poor oral hygiene leads to colonization of pathogenic bacteria including Helicobacter pylori. It seems that the presence of H. pylori might be a risk factor for developing oral cancer. The successful attempt was made to detect H. pylori in diagnosed specimens of OSCC using Warthin–starry and Giemsa stains in our department. The modified Giemsa stain is the method of choice because it is sensitive, cheap, easy to perform, faster, and reproducible.

Aim:

The aim of this study is to detect H. pylori in various grades of OSCC using modified Giemsa stain.

Subjects and Methods:

Thirty cases of various grades of OSCC were selected from the archives of the department. Five-micrometer-thick paraffin-embedded tissue sections of these cases were taken and stained with modified Giemsa and were studied under ×100 magnification.

Results:

All the tissue sections studied were positive for H. pylori bacteria.

Conclusions:

Our study showed a significant presence of H. pylori in histological sections of OSCC, and it seems likely that the presence of H. pylori might be a risk factor for the developing oral lesions such as oral cancer. Early detection and eradication of H. pylori in the oral cavity, especially in high-risk patients, might prevent its harmful consequences.
Significance of HIF-1α and CD105 in establishing oral squamous cell carcinoma associated with oral submucous fibrosis a distinct clinicopathological entity
Authors: Hande Alka Harish , Chaudhary Minal S. , Gadbail Amol R , Gawande Madhuri N. , Patil Swati K. , Zade Prajakta R. , Sharma Preethi N. , Jaiswal Shradha G. , Sonone Archana M.
Published: January 2023

Context:

Oral squamous cell carcinoma associated with oral submucous fibrosis (OSCC with OSMF) is clinicopathologically a distinct entity. However, scientific proof in view of assessment of biomarkers of hypoxia and neoangiogenesis to differentiate them are lacking. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α) and CD105 in OSCC with and without OSMF possibly will be explicated along these lines.

Aim:

This study aims to evaluate the molecular basis of hypoxia and neoangiogenesis in terms of immunohistochemical expression of HIF-1α and CD105 in OSCC with and without OSMF cases.

Settings and Design:

A retrospective cohort.

Subjects and Methods:

The study comprise of 203 histopathologically diagnosed surgically operated cases of OSCC retrieved from the departmental archives. The OSCC cases were subgrouped into two, OSCC with OSMF (Group I) and OSCC without OSMF (Group II). The evaluation of hypoxia and angiogenesis was carried out by immunohistochemical markers, HIF-1α and CD105. MVD is the parameter of angiogenesis expressed by CD105.

Statistical Analysis Used:

Differences in CD105, and HIF-1α immunoreactivity between study groups were done using descriptive statistics using “Kruskal–Wallis test,” “Mann-Whitney test.” Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results:

On comparison of MVD in Group I and II, statistically significant difference was found in MVD (8.88 ± 3.41, 16.13 ± 5.86, P = 0.0001). The HIF1-α expression was less in Group I (6.85 ± 2.62) as compare to Group II (7.22 ± 3.08) but the difference was statistically nonsignificant (P = 0.35).

Conclusions:

The OSCC with OSMF is not only clinicopathologically distinct entity of OSCC but also diverse in its molecular pathogenesis as explicited by distinct expression of HIF-1 α and CD105.
Gastric immature teratoma arising from the lesser curvature of the stomach
Authors: Kumar Madhu , Singh Akanksha , Singh Damini
Published: January 2023

Immature gastric teratoma is an uncommon germ cell tumor of the stomach. A 6-month-old male child was born through full-term vaginal delivery. After 1 month presented with a history of abdominal distension and palpable mass along with a history of Malena for the past 10 days. Computed tomography scan showed the presence of a large well-defined multilobulated solid cystic lesion with multiple calcifications in the abdominopelvic region. Radiological findings were suggestive of germ cell tumors. The exploratory laparotomy findings showed a large tumor mass with variegated consistency arising from the lesser curvature of the posterior wall of the stomach. The total excision of mass and primary closure of the gastric wall was done. Histopathology of excised specimens showed immature teratoma of the stomach. The child is still on follow-up regularly visited as outpatient, doing well day-to-day activity. We report a very rare case of immature gastric teratoma in an infant on the basis of clinicoradiological and pathological findings.
Pleomorphic Liposarcoma of Breast, Presenting as a Recurrent Breast Tumor
Authors: Aden Durre , Zaheer Sufian , Saxena Divita , Ranga Sunil
Published: January 2023

Primary pleomorphic liposarcoma of the breast is a very rare mesenchymal tumor. Sarcoma arising in the breast constitutes <1% of all malignant breast tumors, and liposarcoma of the breast has an incidence of 0.3% of all mammary sarcomas. It is a very aggressive tumor with a high incidence of recurrences and distant metastasis. They can mimic primary invasive breast cancer clinically as well as radiologically. Histology and radiological evaluation of the patient help correctly type and grade this malignancy. On microscopy, the tumor is composed of pleomorphic tumor cells with atypical lipoblast with areas of necrosis and mitosis. We report one such rare case here.
Extrauterine Adenomyosis Coexistent with Mature Cystic Teratoma
Authors: Gupta Bindiya , Suneja Amita , Rajaram Shalini
Published: January 2023

Extrauterine adenomyosis is a rare entity. We present a case of a 32-year-old female who presented with this rare entity as a large abdominal mass and was a diagnostic and pathological dilemma.
Osteopontin as a Tumor Marker in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Rani Shikha , Sehgal Alka , Kaur Jasbinder , Pandher Dilpreet Kaur , Punia Rajpal Singh
Published: January 2023

Introduction:

Ovarian cancer is associated with high morbidity and mortality. This is due to the nonspecific symptoms and no effective screening methods. Currently, carbohydrate antigen-125 (CA125) is used as a tumor biomarker for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer, but it has its own limitations. Hence, there is a need for other tumor biomarkers for the diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Objective of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic test characteristics of plasma osteopontin (OPN) in detecting ovarian malignancy and comparing its performance with CA125.

Materials and Methods:

This is a prospective cross-sectional diagnostic test evaluation. Women with adnexal mass detected by clinical or radiological examination were enrolled as suspected cases. Women who presented with other gynecological conditions were enrolled as controls. OPN and CA125 levels were measured in all enrolled subjects.

Results:

Among 106 women enrolled, 26 were ovarian cancer, 31 had benign ovarian masses, and 49 were controls. Median plasma CA125 levels were higher in subjects with ovarian cancer (298 U/ml; interquartile range [IQR]: 84–1082 U/ml vs. 37.5U/ml; IQR: 17.6–82.9U/ml; P < 0.001). CA125 sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative likelihood ratios were 88.5%, 61.3%, 2.10, and 0.19, respectively. Median plasma OPN levels were higher in subjects with ovarian cancer (63.1 ng/ml; IQR: 39.3–137 ng/ml vs. 27 ng/ml; IQR: 20–52 ng/ml; P = 0.001). Sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative likelihood ratios of OPN were 50%, 87%, 2.58, and 0.62, respectively.

Conclusion:

OPN levels were higher in ovarian cancer than in the benign ovarian mass and had better specificity than CA125. OPN can better differentiate between benign and malignant ovarian mass as compared to CA125.
Macroprolactinoma Presenting as Galactorrhoea in a Male
Authors: Ambalamcheri Abdul Basith , Kuruvilla Rojan , Vimal M. V. , Ashbina
Published: January 2023

Macroprolactinomas account for more than 50% of all functional pituitary tumours. These are equally prevalent in males and females, although they are diagnosed earlier in females. In females, the usual presentations include oligomenorrhoea, amenorrhoea, galactorrhoea and infertility, whereas males usually present with headache, sexual dysfunction and visual field defects. The following is a case of a 30-year-old male who presented with unilateral nipple discharge, sexual hypoactivity and grossly elevated serum prolactin levels. His magnetic resonance imaging revealed a macroprolactinoma. He responded well to cabergoline.
Laparoscopic Common Bile Duct Exploration
Authors: Balram Arjun , Harsha Mano , Tadikamalla Viswanath , Nair Sriya Prakash , Varghese C. J.
Published: January 2023

Background:

Laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is as effective as two-stage endolaparoscopic treatment but with a shorter hospital stay, lower cost and lower recurrent stone rate.

Aim:

The aim of this article was to report the authors' experience with LCBDE with a rigid telescope during LC.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent LCBDE for ductal stones in a single surgical unit were studied from 2017 to 2021.

Results:

A total of 55 LCBDEs were performed during this period. Ninety percentage of patients presented with biliary colic. Of these 18% were following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography failure. About 50.4% of patients had multiple stones. About 16.8% of patients had undilated CBD. The mean operative time was 178 ± 71.62 (80–300). The conversion rate was 1.8%. All patients underwent CBD exploration through a supraduodenal choledochotomy. In 9% of cases, pneumatic lithotripsy was used because of impacted large stones. The closure was done over T-tube in 58.18% of cases and over antegrade endobiliary stent in 41% of cases. Post-operative complication was minor CD 1 and 2. The overall success rate of LCBDE was 98%.

Conclusion:

LCBDE should be considered for treatment for patients with gallstones with CBD stones, especially for patients with large and multiple stones.
Utility of Surgical Apgar Score in Predicting Morbidity and Mortality in Post-Operative Patients
Authors: Jithu T. G. , Firoz Khan M. H. , Halemani Kusuma , Vijayan K. N.
Published: January 2023

Introduction:

Predicting complications forms an essential part of risk management in surgical practice. Recognising patients at high risk of developing a complication will contribute substantially to the quality of surgery and financial burden. This study aimed to assess the utility of surgical Apgar score in assessing morbidity and mortality in post-operative patients.

Materials a Methods:

The surgical Apgar score was calculated on all patients between 16 and 75 years undergoing surgery that required intensive perioperative monitoring in the general surgery department and correlated the score with the patient's outcomes in the form of complications, including death within 30 days of surgery.

Results:

Among the 214 patients, more than 70.6% of the patients were in the age group of above 40 years. The relationship with the lower surgical Apgar score is significant in terms of predicting post-operative complications (P < 0.001). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (43.9%) and diabetes mellitus (DM) (16.4%). However, the presence of DM and coronary artery disease influenced the outcome significantly. Emergency surgeries were associated with significantly more risk of complication within 30 days of surgery. Prolonged intensive care unit care and ventilation support, sepsis and pneumonia are the major set of post-operative complications in our study. A low surgical Apgar score is associated with an increased likelihood of complications.

Conclusion:

The surgical Apgar system is effective in stratifying patients into high-risk and low-risk groups and anticipating post-operative complications.
LRINEC (Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis) Scoring System as a Predictor for Early Diagnosis of Necrotizing Fasciitis in Soft-Tissue Infections
Authors: Rajeev C , Safwan A Mohamad , Muhammed Irfan K P C , Vijayan K N , Varghese Liju
Published: January 2023

Introduction:

Necrotizing soft-tissue infections are often fatal, characterized by extensive necrosis of the fascia and subcutaneous tissues. To aid the early diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis (NF), there is a Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) scoring system for the early diagnosis of NF. Our study was undertaken to evaluate LRINEC score, based on routine laboratory investigations that are readily available, that could help distinguish NF from other soft-tissue infections.

Materials and Methods:

The study was conducted on all inpatients, admitted with features of soft-tissue infections suspected to have NF and later underwent wound debridement or amputation in a tertiary care hospital. LRINEC score more than or equal to 6 was considered as case and the score <6 considered as control. Both were treated with intravenous (IV) antibiotics, IV fluids and surgical intervention based on their clinical findings and outcome. The confirmatory diagnosis for NF was done through culture of tissue and other body fluids.

Results:

The cutoff value of LRINEC for predicting NF was 6 with sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 70.7%. The negative predictive value of LRINEC-OC was 87.9% and positive predictive value (PPV) 66.7%. The accuracy was 76.8%.

Conclusion:

LRINEC scoring system has a better PPV in identifying the onset of NF and risk strategizing of the patients with severe soft-tissue infections. We recommend LRINEC score to be used as a predictor in the diagnosis of NF. Multi-disciplinary team may guide immediate operative and supportive management, thereby improving the clinical outcome of the patient.
Heterotopic Mesenteric Ossification
Authors: Rajan Roshan , Prathapan V. K.
Published: January 2023

Heterotopic calcification has been previously noted in healed laparotomy scars, within the peritoneum and is extremely rare. Heterotopic mesenteric ossification (HMO) is a rare disease that refers to intra-abdominal calcification of unknown aetiology, involving the mesentery. They can lead to serious complications such as enterocutaneous fistulations, intestinal obstruction, perforation and recurrent sepsis. We report a case of 26-year-old who presented with recurrent intra-abdominal collection, following an operation for blunt trauma abdomen, and was found to have HMO. He underwent exploratory laparotomy, and multiple intrabdominal new bone formations were observed, especially over the small bowel mesentery.
Validation of Boey's Scoring System in Predicting Short-Term Morbidity and Mortality in Peptic Ulcer Perforation Peritonitis
Authors: Saiphy Geethu , Sunil S.
Published: January 2023

Aim:

This study aims to assess the validation of Boey's scoring system in predicting short-term morbidity and mortality amongst patients with peptic ulcer perforation (PULP) peritonitis.

Methodology:

110 patients with PULP peritonitis were included in this study. Boey's score was calculated based on three parameters, pre-operative shock, concomitant medical illness and duration of perforation >24 h. All patients with PULP were treated with exploratory laparotomy with peritoneal lavage and omental patch repair and the patients were then followed up throughout the data collection period to look for clinical outcomes. The main outcomes assessed were mortality and short-term morbidity (1 month). Data were analysed using SPSS (IBM, Delhi, India). Chi-square test was used to check for the association between the outcome variables and the categorised Boey's score. The level of statistical significance was assigned as a P < 0.05.

Results:

Amongst the 110 patients, half belonged to the age group of 31–50 years, and 90% were male. The most common site of perforation was the first part of duodenum (78%). The rate of mortality was 10%. With respect to the distribution of the Boey's score, the percentage of patients with Boey's score 0, 1, 2 and 3 was found to be 12.75%, 58.2%, 24.5% and 5%, respectively, and their corresponding mortality was found to be 0%, 4.7%, 25.9% and 40%, respectively. Their morbidity at 1 week was found to be 21.4%, 42.6%, 80% and 100%, respectively, and morbidity at 1 month was found to be 0%, 39.3%, 75% and 100%, respectively.

Conclusion:

There was a significant association between mortality and morbidity at 1 week and at 1 month with the distribution of Boey's score. This highlights the importance of Boey's score in determining the outcome amongst perforated peptic ulcer patients. Boey's score being an easily applicable score for day-to-day clinical practice can aid clinicians in predicting the outcome amongst perforated ulcer patients. Several studies have also shown better accuracy with Boey's scoring system when compared to the other scoring systems.
Complete topological descriptions of certain Morse boundaries
Authors: Charney Ruth , Cordes Matthew , Sisto Alessandro
Published: January 2023

We study direct limits of embedded Cantor sets and embedded Sierpiński curves. We show that under appropriate conditions on the embeddings, all limits of Cantor spaces give rise to homeomorphic spaces, called

\omega

-Cantor spaces, and, similarly, all limits of Sierpiński curves give homeomorphic spaces, called

\omega

-Sierpiński curves. We then show that the former occur naturally as Morse boundaries of right-angled Artin groups and fundamental groups of non-geometric graph manifolds, while the latter occur as Morse boundaries of fundamental groups of finite-volume, cusped hyperbolic 3-manifolds.
On the Basilica operation
Authors: Petschick Jan Moritz , Rajeev Karthika
Published: January 2023

Inspired by the Basilica group

\mathcal B

, we describe a general construction which allows us to associate to any group of automorphisms

G \leq \operatorname{Aut}(T)

of a rooted tree

T

a family of Basilica groups

\operatorname{Bas}_s(G)

,

s \in \mathbb{N}_+

. For the dyadic odometer

\mathcal O_2

, one has

\mathcal B = \operatorname{Bas}_2(\mathcal O_2)

. We study which properties of groups acting on rooted trees are preserved under this operation. Introducing some techniques for handling

\operatorname{Bas}_s(G)

, in case

G

fulfills some branching conditions, we are able to calculate the Hausdorff dimension of the Basilica groups associated to certain

\mathsf{GGS}

-groups and of generalisations of the odometer,

\mathcal O_m^d

. Furthermore, we study the structure of groups of type

\operatorname{Bas}_s(\mathcal O_m^d)

and prove an analogue of the congruence subgroup property in the case

m = p

, a prime.
On continuous orbit equivalence rigidity for virtually cyclic group actions
Authors: Jiang Yongle
Published: January 2023

We prove that any two continuous minimal (topologically free) actions of the infinite dihedral group on an infinite compact Hausdorff space are continuously orbit equivalent only if they are conjugate. We also show the above fails if we replace the infinite dihedral group by certain other virtually cyclic groups, e.g., the direct product of the integer group with any non-abelian finite simple group.
Self-similar abelian groups and their centralizers
Authors: Dantas Alex C. , Santos Tulio M. G. , Sidki Said N.
Published: January 2023

We extend results on transitive self-similar abelian subgroups of the group of automorphisms

\mathcal{A}_m

of an

m

-ary tree

\mathcal{T}_m

by Brunner and Sidki to the general case where the permutation group induced on the first level of the tree, has

s\geq 1

orbits. We prove that such a group

A

embeds in a self-similar abelian group

A^*

which is also a maximal abelian subgroup of

\mathcal{A}_m

. The construction of

A^{*}

is based on the definition of a free monoid

\Delta

of rank

s

of partial diagonal monomorphisms of

\mathcal{A}_m

. Precisely,

A^{*} = \overline{\Delta(B(A))}

, where

B(A)

denotes the product of the projections of

A

in its action on the different

s

orbits of maximal subtrees of

\mathcal{T}_m

, and bar denotes the topological closure. Furthermore, we prove that if

A

is non-trivial, then

A^{*} = C_{\mathcal{A}_m} (\Delta(A))

, the centralizer of

\Delta(A)

in

\mathcal{A}_m

. When

A

is a torsion self-similar abelian group, it is shown that it is necessarily of finite exponent. Moreover, we extend recent constructions of self-similar free abelian groups of infinite enumerable rank to examples of such groups which are also

\Delta

-invariant for

s=2

. In the final section, we introduce for

m=ns \geq 2

, a generalized adding machine

a

, an automorphism of

\mathcal{T}_{m}

, and show that its centralizer in

\mathcal{A}_{m}

to be a split extension of

\langle a \rangle^{*}

by

\mathcal{A}_s

. We also describe important

\mathbb{Z}_n [\mathcal{A}_s]

submodules of

\langle a\rangle^{*}

.
Paracontrolled approach to the three-dimensional stochastic nonlinear wave equation with quadratic nonlinearity
Authors: Gubinelli Massimiliano , Koch Herbert , Oh Tadahiro
Published: January 2023

Using ideas from paracontrolled calculus, we prove local well-posedness of a renormalized version of the three-dimensional stochastic nonlinear wave equation with quadratic nonlinearity forced by an additive space-time white noise on a periodic domain. There are two new ingredients as compared to the parabolic setting. (i) In constructing stochastic objects, we have to carefully exploit dispersion at a multilinear level. (ii) We introduce novel random operators and leverage their regularity to overcome the lack of smoothing of usual paradifferential commutators.
Cohomologie des fibrés en droites sur $\operatorname{SL}_3/B$ en caractéristique positive : deux filtrations et conséquences
Authors: Liu Linyuan
Published: January 2023

In this paper, I will prove the existence of two filtrations of the cohomology of line bundles on

\operatorname{SL}_3/B

. The first one is a two-step filtration that exists for

H^1(\mu)

and

H^2(\mu)

if

\mu

is in the Griffith region. The second one exists for all

H^i(\mu)

, and is similar to the

p

-filtration that has been considered by Jens Carsten Jantzen.

Dans cet article, je prouverai l’existence de deux filtrations de la cohomologie des fibrés en droites sur

\operatorname{SL}_3/B

. La première est une filtration en deux étapes qui existe pour

H^1(\mu)

et

H^2(\mu)

si est dans la région de Griffith. La deuxième existe pour tous

H^i(\mu)

, et est similaire à la

p

-filtration qui a été envisagée par Jens Carsten Jantzen.
The tensor Harish-Chandra–Itzykson–Zuber integral I: Weingarten calculus and a generalization of monotone Hurwitz numbers
Authors: Collins Benoît , Gurau Razvan , Lionni Luca
Published: January 2023

We study a generalization of the Harish-Chandra–Itzykson–Zuber integral to tensors and its expansion in terms of trace invariants of the two external tensors. This gives rise to natural generalizations of monotone double Hurwitz numbers, which count certain families of constellations. We find an expression of these numbers in terms of monotone simple Hurwitz numbers, thereby also providing expressions for monotone double Hurwitz numbers of arbitrary genus in terms of the single ones. We give an interpretation of the different combinatorial quantities at play in terms of enumeration of nodal surfaces. In particular, our generalization of Hurwitz numbers is shown to count certain isomorphism classes of branched coverings of a bouquet of

D

2-spheres that touch at one common non-branch node.
Vpliv ideologije na slovensko recepcijo romana in filma V vrtincu
Authors: Trupej Janko
Published: January 2023

Slovenska recepcija romana in filma V vrtincu se je v zadnjih osmih desetletjih precej spreminjala. Pred drugo svetovno vojno so bili odzivi pretežno naklonjeni tako v levo kot v desno usmerjenih publikacijah; celo karakterizacija pripovednih oseb, ki je pozneje zaradi stereotipnega prikazovanja Afroameričanov postala sporna, je bila v večini tedanjih recenzij izpostavljena kot nekaj pozitivnega. Po vzpostavitvi socialističnega sistema na slovenskem ozemlju pa zapisi o romanu oz. filmu postanejo bolj kritični in iz številnih je razvidna precej negativna nastrojenost do ZDA; to je najbolj značilno za prva povojna leta. Po otoplitvi odnosov med Jugoslavijo in Združenimi državami kmalu po sporu med Titom in Stalinom leta 1948 pa poleg kritičnih zapisov zasledimo tudi izrazito pozitivna mnenja o V vrtincu. Podobno heterogena recepcija je značilna tudi za približno dve desetletji po tem, ko je Jugoslavija soustanovila Gibanje neuvrščenih in se spet nekoliko bolj oddaljila od Zahoda. V zadnjem desetletju pred koncem socialističnega sistema v Sloveniji je bil V vrtincu v serijskih publikacijah omenjen občutno manj pogosto, v 90. letih prejšnjega stoletja pa se je o zadevnem romanu oz. filmu spet pisalo pogosteje. Niti v tistem desetletju niti v prvem desetletju novega tisočletja zapisi večinoma niso kritični do vsebine, v zadnjih desetih letih pa je bilo objavljenih več daljših člankov, ki poročajo o tem, da V vrtincu v izvirni kulturi postaja vedno bolj nesprejemljiv, predvsem zaradi tega, ker mu številni očitajo rasizem. Vendar avtorji in avtorice teh zapisov pretežno ne podajajo lastnih mnenj o problematiki, zaradi česar je sodobna recepcija romana oz. filma V vrtincu veliko manj zaznamovana z ideologijo kot je bilo značilno za obdobje socializma.
Les projets idéologiques sous-jacents aux supports des manuels scolaires de français
Authors: Haroun Zineb
Published: January 2023

Les manuels scolaires demeurent incontestablement le lieu privilégié de multiples enjeux idéologiques et de transmission des valeurs d’une société. Le système éducatif algérien, attaché également à la transmission de ses valeurs axiologiques, diffuse au cours de la période de l’école fondamentale, un manuel d’enseignement du français en 6e année fondamentale constitué majoritairement d’extraits en provenance d’œuvres littéraires. La seconde période, jalonnée par la réforme des programmes et des contenus à partir de 2003, est témoin de la mise en circulation d’un manuel de 5e année primaire où l’exclusivité est accordée aux textes didactisés.
Devant cet état de fait, cette investigation s’interroge sur les incidences de ce passage du support littéraire au support didactisé sur la transmission des idéologies véhiculées à travers les thématiques des textes de compréhension de l’écrit des deux manuels. Il est particulièrement question d’examiner la façon dont elles sont transmises au moyen des deux supports en interpelant dans un premier temps la relation entre la structuration des manuels et types de supports, qui s’avère dissimulatrice de projets idéologiques en rapport avec le socialisme et la démocratie. Dans un deuxième temps, un travail de catégorisation est effectué dans la perspective de dégager les thématiques des textes et leur proportion au niveau des deux manuels. L‘analyse qualitative, à partir d’étude de cas, tente dans un troisième temps de repérer les idéologies que ces thématiques véhiculent à travers leurs manifestations textuelles. Cet examen a fait ressortir des idéologies en relation avec la religion, les valeurs identitaires et universelles, exprimées à travers des thématiques jacentes et sous-jacentes à l’Islam, à l’histoire de l’Algérie et à la lutte de libération, aux vertus et aux défauts humains, à la protection de la faune et de la flore.
L’uso delle tecniche dell’improvvisazione teatrale nell’insegnamento dell’italiano come lingua straniera
Authors: Jesenovec Jošt
Published: January 2023

This article deals with the introduction of improvisational theatre (improv) techniques into the teaching of Italian as a foreign language. The first, theoretical part introduces improvisational theatre and the main principles that improvisers use in their work. Special attention is given to the pedagogy of improvisational theatre and the effect that improv often has on the group and individual. This is followed by some brief pedagogical and didactic theories that focus on the methods that are also used in improvisational theatre. These include Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences, many of which are often neglected in the school environment, constructivism and its parallels to improv, but also the issues of creativity. The second part of the article focuses on practice. The techniques of improvisational theatre were used in a series of lessons at Gimnazija Ledina, a grammar school in Ljubljana. The aim of the research was to check the general response to the activities and the willingness to participate, as well as the impact on retention of the topics discussed. Some concrete examples are described, which can be modified based on specific contexts and needs. The last part includes some thoughts from the students and the author. At the very end of the article, the key elements that improv theatre can offer for teaching in schools, especially for Italian or other foreign languages, are mentioned. Nevertheless, there are some reservations about the study. Even if the results are not valid in every situation, the participants’ responses are a good starting point for further research in this area.
Stališča študentk in študentov do rabe avtentičnih gradiv in opravil pri pouku tujih jezikov stroke
Authors: Drašler Andreja , Podgoršek Saša
Published: January 2023

Pri poučevanju tujih jezikov stroke (TJS) na visokošolski ravni imajo pomembno mesto avtentična besedila in opravila, ki predstavljajo najpogosteje obravnavana tipa avtentičnosti. Avtentična besedila študentom omogočajo stik z jezikom in opravili, ki jih bodo potrebovali med študijem in/ali na poklicni poti. Na avtentičnost osredinjeni pristop (Mishan 2005) združuje avtentična gradiva in na opravilih temelječe učenje, ki mora odražati prvotni sporazumevalni namen gradiva. Pri tem gre za prepletanje različnih jezikovnih zmožnosti z določenim namenom, kot je npr. razumevanje člankov v tujem jeziku. Analiza literature je pokazala, da so raziskovalci proučili tako prednosti kot tudi pomanjkljivosti in pasti rabe avtentičnih gradiv in opravil pri pouku TJS, ki jih je pri implementaciji koncepta smiselno upoštevati. V prispevku je predstavljen na avtentičnost osredinjeni pristop pri poučevanju angleščine in nemščine kot jezika stroke na dveh nefiloloških oddelkih Filozofske fakultete Univerze v Ljubljani. Namen prispevka je ponazoriti in analizirati koncept avtentičnosti na primeru avtentičnega opravila »študij literature«, ki predstavlja avtentično opravilo, značilno tako za kontekst študija kot tudi poklicnega udejstvovanja. Opravilo zajema branje strokovnih in znanstvenih člankov ter pisanje povzetka v tujem jeziku in slovenščini. Prispevek raziskuje stališča študentov do obravnavanega koncepta za učenje TJS. Rezultati so pokazali, da so študenti geografije ter etnologije in kulturne antropologije močno naklonjeni rabi avtentičnih gradiv in opravil pri pouku angleščine in nemščine kot TJS. Velika večina meni, da je raba avtentičnih gradiv in opravil koristna zanje. Kot najbolj koristno ocenjujejo branje znanstvenih člankov v tujem jeziku in pisanje povzetka v tujem jeziku. Večina je navedla tudi pozitiven vpliv rabe avtentičnih opravil na njihovo motivacijo.
Das Leben B1: Deutsch als Fremdsprache: Kurs- und Übungsbuch
Authors: Leskovec Mojca
Published: January 2023

Učno gradivo za nemščino kot tuji jezik Das Leben za raven B1 poleg pregledanega učbenika in delovnega zvezka obsega še e-učbenik, na voljo prek spletne strani cornelsen.de in platforme blinklearning, aplikacijo z vsemi dodatnimi gradivi za uporabnike in uporabnice ter aplikacijo za utrjevanje besedišča, tiskani in digitalni priročnik za učitelja oz. učiteljico z vsemi dodatnimi gradivi, vadnico s testi in uvrstitvene teste, dvojezične slovarčke ter avdio- in videogradivo na zgoščenkah. Dodatno gradivo k učbeniški seriji ponuja tudi spletna stran cornelsen.de/webcodes.
Romantik zwischen zwei Welten
Authors: Ducatteau Héloïse Elisabeth Marie-Vincent Ghislaine
Published: January 2023

El punto de partida de este libro es bastante original: de hecho, se basa en los guiones de las conferencias dictadas por el profesor de romance Ottmar Ette durante más de veinticinco años en la Universidad de Potsdam. Animado por su mujer Doris, él ya ha publicado un primer volumen relativo a la literatura de los siglos XX y XXI, otro volumen está dedicado a la literatura de viajes, otro al amor. Para el presente volumen, se ha centrado en el siglo XIX. Como indica en su introducción, no tiende a ser exhaustivo sino que adopta un sesgo: enfatizar el romanticismo de manera transcultural.