bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Image-Based Radiodensity Profilometry Measures Early Remodeling at the Bone-Callus Interface in Sheep
Authors: Ren Tianyi
Published: July 2021

Bone healing has been traditionally described as a four-phase process: inflammatory response, soft callus formation, hard callus development, and remodeling. The remodeling phase has been largely neglected in most numerical mechanoregulation models of fracture repair in favor of capturing early healing using a pre-defined callus domain. However, in vivo evidence suggests that remodeling occurs concurrently with repair and causes changes in cortical bone adjacent to callus that are typically neglected in numerical models of bone healing. The objective of this study was to use image processing techniques to quantify this early-stage remodeling in ovine osteotomies. To accomplish this, we developed a numerical method for radiodensity profilometry with optimization-based curve fitting to mathematically model the bone density gradients in the radial direction across the cortical wall and callus. After assessing data from 26 sheep, we defined a dimensionless density fitting function that revealed significant remodeling occurring in the cortical wall adjacent to callus during early healing, a 23% average reduction in density compared to intact. This fitting function is robust for modeling radial density gradients in both intact bone and fracture repair scenarios and can capture a wide variety of the healing responses. The fitting function can also be scaled easily for comparison to numerical model predictions and may be useful for validating future mechanoregulatory models of coupled fracture repair and remodeling.
The Social Shapes Test as a Self-Administered, Online Measure of Social Intelligence: Two Studies with Typically Developing Adults and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Brown Matt , Heck Patrick Ryan , Chabris Christopher F.
Published: July 2021

The Social Shapes Test (SST) is a measure of social intelligence which does not use human faces or rely on extensive verbal ability. The SST has shown promising validity among typical adults, but it is uncertain whether it is suitable for adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We find measurement invariance between adults with (n = 229) or without ASD (n = 1049) on the 23-item SST. We also find that unaffected adults score higher on the SST than adults with ASD (d = 0.21). We also provide two, 14-item versions which demonstrated similar internal consistency as the 23-item form and are positively related to scores on the Frith-Happé animation task. This test is suitable for remote, online research studies.
The World Dangerous it is – The Scrambled Sentences Task in the Context of Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms
Authors: Würtz Felix , Blackwell Simon Edward , Margraf Jürgen , Woud Marcella Lydia
Published: July 2021

The Scrambled Sentences Task (SST) is a robust measure of interpretational processes in psychopathology. However, there is little evidence of its utility in measuring dysfunctional appraisals (DAs) of potentially traumatic events. We developed a novel SST for trauma-related DAs and examined its psychometric properties including convergent validity (correlations with PTSD-related symptoms and self-reported DAs), divergent validity (e.g., symptoms of depression and eating disorders) and retest-reliability via an online study. Our sample (T1: N=214, T2: N=145) included participants who reported a potentially traumatic life event still eliciting distress. We found high correlations between the SST, PTSD-related symptoms (r=.37-.51), and self-report measures of DAs (r=.41-.58), indicating good convergent validity. Internal consistency (split-half=.78-.90) and retest-reliability (ICC(3,1)=.73-.81) were also good. However, moderate to large correlations with symptoms of other disorders (r=.17-.58) indicated limited divergent validity. Finally, the SST explained unique variance in PTSD-related symptoms above self-report measures of DAs. The results demonstrate the promise of the SST as a valid and reliable tool to assess DAs in the context of potentially traumatic life events. Further research should investigate the transdiagnostic role of trauma-related DAs in psychopathology and the relationship between the SST and self-report measures of DAs.
Exploratory Machine Learning Modeling of Adaptive and Maladaptive Personality Traits from Passively Sensed Behavior
Authors: Yan Runze , Ringwald Whitney R. , Vega Julio , Kehl Madeline , Bae Sang Won , Dey Anind , Low Carissa , Wright Aidan G.C. , Doryab Afsaneh
Published: July 2021

Continuous passive sensing of daily behavior from mobile devices has the potential to identify behavioral patterns associated with different aspects of human characteristics. This paper presents novel analytic approaches to extract and understand these behavioral patterns and their impact on predicting adaptive and maladaptive personality traits. Our machine learning analysis extends previous research by showing that both adaptive and maladaptive traits are associated with passively sensed behavior providing initial evidence for the utility of this type of data to study personality and its pathology. The analysis also suggests directions for future confirmatory studies into the underlying behavior patterns that link adaptive and maladaptive variants consistent with contemporary models of personality pathology.
Normal superior vena cava flow and its correlation with left ventricular output in late preterm and term neonates at day one of life
Authors: Soni Jai Prakash , Verma Suresh Kumar , Goyal Vishnu Kumar , Dhakar Mukesh Kumar , Choudhary Sandeep
Published: July 2021

Background: Assessment of systemic blood flow helps in choosing the appropriate drug for managing critically ill neonates with poor perfusion. Superior vena cava (SVC) flow has the potential to become a bedside gold standard method for this purpose.
Aims and Objectives: To find out normal superior vena cava (SVC) flow and its correlation with left ventricular output (LVOT) in late preterm and term neonates.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional observational study was carried out at a tertiary care teaching hospital where SVC flow and left ventricular output were measured in hundred intramural healthy neonates (50 late pre-term, weighing 1500g or more and 50 term, weighing 2500g or more). SVC flow was correlated with LV output in both groups. Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to correlate between two variables. p < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Median SVC flow in late pre-term group was 57.83ml/kg/min, and in term neonates was 56ml/kg/min. In late pre-term babies correlation of SVC flow with LV output was better in comparison to term group (r-0.56, p<0.0001, and r-0.40, p=0.0024respectively).
Conclusions: SVC flow better represents systemic blood flow in late preterm neonates in comparison to term neonates.
To study association of Neutrophil- Lymphocyte ratio with vascular complications in Type-2 Diabetes
Authors: Gowda Shilpa Tumkur Andane , Kusumakar Shahari Hegde , Ramamurthy Raveendra Kodur , Govindaiah Rohith Maraludevanapura
Published: July 2021

Background: Diabetes is a pro-thrombotic state associated with increased risk of atherosclerosis and inflammation. Neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) provides information about early and subclinical inflammation and thus may act as a prognostic marker for vascular complications in type 2 diabetes.
Aims and Objective: To analyze the correlation between Neutrophil- Lymphocyte ratio in diabetics with and without vascular complications.
Materials and Methods: A total of 111 patients admitted in Victoria hospital and Bowring & Lady Curzon hospital attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute from NOV 2018 to MAY 2020 were studied. The data was collected according to the proforma in terms of history, clinical examination and the necessary investigations. NLR was observed in type 2 diabetic patients and was compared in those with complications and without complications.
Results: The NLR was higher in diabetics with vascular complications compared to those without complications, 2.8 ± 0.7 fl versus 6.8 ± 3.1 fl (P< 0.001), respectively. In this study, Mean N (%), In No Vascular Complications was 61.7 ± 10.6 and with vascular complications was 79.9 ± 9.5. Mean L (%) in No Vascular Complications was 23.7 ± 5.8. Mean N (%), In No Vascular Complications was 61.7 ± 10.6 and with vascular complications was 79.9 ± 9.5. There was a significant difference in mean N (%) mean L (%) and NLR in comparison with respect to Complications.
Conclusion: This study showed significantly higher NLR in diabetic patients with vascular complications. Hence, NLR can be used as a simple parameter to assess the vascular complications in diabetes.
Decision to delivery interval in emergency cesarean section and its association with perinatal outcome
Authors: Khatoon Fareha , Singh Amrita , Shamsi Sumaiya , Ahmad Ayesha , Teotia Nikunj
Published: July 2021

Background: Decision to delivery [DDI] interval is the time interval between decision for caesarean section [CS] and delivery of baby. The ideal DDI for emergency CS is not known; there is controversy over the best DDI to avoid preventable perinatal morbidity and mortality.
Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted to find out the DDI we could achieve for Category-1 and Category-2 CS and evaluate our findings against the recommendations by National Institute for Clinical Excellence [NICE]. We also studied the association of DDI with perinatal outcome and explored the reasons for prolongation of DDI.
Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted over a period of 6 months. All women who underwent CS and meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited for the study. DDI was calculated as the time interval between decision making and delivery of baby, in minutes [min]. Data was collected for maternal socio-demographic variables, CS indication and complications and perinatal outcome. Analysis was done using SPSS version 21.0.
Results: Ninety out of one hundred eighty-one CS was evaluated. Cases were grouped as Group I [including cases where we could achieve the recommended DDI] and Group II [including cases where we could not achieve the recommended DDI]. The average DDI was 55.04 min for category- 1 and 55.13 for category-2 CS. For Category-1 CS, all the cases qualified for entry into Group II because we could not achieve a DDI of 30 min. For Category-2 CS there were 22 cases in Group I and 14 cases in Group II. There was no difference in perinatal outcome between the groups.
Conclusion: It was not feasible to achieve the 30 min DDI for Category-1 CS in the present study. The DDI of 30-75 min for Category-2 could be achieved in 61.11% cases. The most common reason for failure to achieve the recommended DDI was related to issues with anaesthesia in the pre-operative room as well as inside the theatre in the pre-induction phase. Delay in category-2 CS was not associated with poor perinatal outcome.
A comparative evaluation of kambin’s triangle approach versus safe triangle approach for lumbar transforaminal epidural injection in patients with lumbar radiculopathy - A prospective, randomized, double blind study
Authors: Biswas Rajasree , Choudhury Arpita , Bhattacharya Dipasri , Nandy Sabyasachi
Published: July 2021

Background: Epidural injection of steroid and local anaesthetic is a common modality for management of radicular pain. Transforaminal approach is preferred for epidural injection in case of radiculopathy.
Aims and Objectives: To compare the effect of the Kambin’s triangle and subpedicular approaches of transforaminal epidural injection (TFEI) in patients of lumbar radiculopathy.
Materials and Methods: Forty patients with lumbar radicular pain were enrolled and randomly assigned to each group (Group K for Kambin’s triangle approach and Group S for subpedicular approach). All procedures were performed under fluroscopic guidance. The frequency of complications during the procedure and the effect of TFEI at 2 and 4 weeks after the procedure between the two groups were compared. Short-term outcomes were measured using a visual Analog scale (VAS). Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between possible outcome predictors and the therapeutic effect.
Result: VAS was improved 2 weeks after the injection and continued to improve until 4 weeks in both groups. There were no statistical differences in changes of VAS between these two groups. Spinal nerve pricking occurred in one case of the subpedicular and in none of the cases of the Kambin’s triangle approach (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Kambin’s triangle approach is as efficacious as the subpedicular approach for short-term effect and offers considerable advantages (i.e., less spinal nerve pricking during procedure). So, Kambin’s triangle approach may be an alternative method for TFEI in cases where needle tip positioning in the anterior epidural space is difficult.
Association of risk factors of carcinoma cervix with abnormal pap results among women attending a tertiary care hospital of jharkhand: A cross sectional study
Authors: Kumar Abhishek , Shikha Swati , Kashyap Vivek
Published: July 2021

Background: Cervical cancer has become a vital cause of cancer mortality among women worldwide. It is the fifth most common cancer overall and second most common cancer among women worldwide.
Aims and Objectives: To assess the frequency of established risk factors of cervical cancer among study subjects and to find out the association between socio demographic variables and risk factors with results of pap smear test.
Materials and Methods: Hospital based cross sectional study was conducted in Pathology department of Rajendra Institute of medical sciences, Ranchi for 3 months (September – November 2017) on total of 106 women who gave consent.
Results: All the women (n=106) were married, 68 out of 106 (64.2%) were Hindus, 57 out of 106 (53.8%)were non Tribals 60.4% were from urban area and most of them 62 out of 106 (58.49%) were housewives. Amongst risk factors, 69 out of 106(65.09%) had their first sexual intercourse before 18 years of age, only 11 out of 106 (10.4%) were addicted to smoking and 42 out of 106 (39.62%) had past history of STIs. Educational status and Socio economic status was found to be significantly associated with abnormal pap smear results with p value <0.05.
Conclusion: Most of the women were from non tribal ethnicity and urban background and illiterate with the mean age of 37.9± 10.56 years. Educational status and Socio economic status were significantly associated with abnormal Pap results.
Outcome of proximal femoral nail antirotation in peritrochanteric fractures: A prospective study
Authors: Onta Pratyenta Raj , Agarwal Dilip C , Thapa Upendra Jung , Thapa Pabin , Wahegoankar Krishna , Ranjit Niraj , Sapkota Krishna
Published: July 2021

Background: The incidence of peritrochanteric fractures are increasing worldwide. Early mobilization in these fractures prevents from other medical complications. There are many methods of treatment but the ideal method should be less invasive procedure, intramedullary device and stable fixation of fracture. Proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) is biomechanically considered one of the most effective methods of treatment with promising results.
Aims and Objectives: The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes in patient who were treated with PFNA in peritrochanteric fracture.
Materials and Methods: This study was a prospective study which included 37 patients, conducted in Manipal Teaching Hospital from 1st October 2019 to 30th September 2020. All the patients were clinically evaluated and detail history was obtained. After the anaesthesia clearance the patients were operated. Operating time, intraoperative blood loss and complications were noted. Postoperatively the duration of hospital stay, time of partial and full weight bearing, time for radiological union and complications were noted. At the final follow up Harris Hip Score was used for functional outcome.
Results: The mean age of the patient in this study was 64 years (45-88 years). The average time to complete the surgery was 62.49 minutes (45-75 minutes) and the average blood loss was 129.32 ml (65-210 ml). Partial weight bearing was started at the mean time of 8.57 weeks (6-12 weeks) whereas full weight bearing was done at the mean of 14.43 weeks (10-20 weeks). Fracture union was seen at the average of 11.41 weeks (8-18 weeks). The mean Harris Hip score at final follow up was 84.73 (65.8-95.0) with the functional status of 35.1% excellent result, 45.9% good, 13.5% fair and 5.4% poor.
Conclusion: Proximal femoral nail antirotation in peritrochanteric fracture is a good method of fixation. The procedure is easy with reduced operative time and radiation exposure. Since this is minimally invasive procedure the blood loss is very less compared to DHS or plate fixation. The patient could be mobilized early from the bed that reduced the complication of immobilization. So we strongly recommend using PFNA for fixation of peritrochanteric fracture of hip.
Prevalence and associated risk factors for diabetic retinopathy at first ophthalmological contact
Authors: Singh Bhavkaran , Kaur Prempal , Singh Jaspreet , Grang Parveen
Published: July 2021

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is now considered as a growing global public health concern due to cost associated with diabetic micro and macrovascular complications. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of vision loss. Accurate estimation of prevalence of DR among diabetic patients and associated risk factors are of crucial importance to plan and execute preventive strategies in the community.
Aims and Objectives: The present cross sectional hospital based observational study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of DR in diabetic patients at their first ophthalmological contact and toevaluate associated risk factors.
Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional hospital based observational study, all diabetic patients visiting ophthalmology clinic for the first time after being diagnosed as diabetic were enrolled. After recording demographic data and biochemical findings, each patient was investigated for DR and correlated with associated risk factors.
Results: Of 1699 patients, majority (68.9%) of them had come to ophthalmology clinic with complaint of decreased vision. Only 16.12 % (274) patients had been referred for retinal exam by treating physician. DR was prevalent in 242(16.98%) non-referred and 31(11.31%) referred patients. Mean age and mean duration of diabetes was significantly higher in non-referred patients. Vision threatening DR was also significantly higher in nonreferred patients. Prevalence of DR was significantly correlated with age at presentation, duration of diabetes, rural background, uncontrolled diabetes, systolic blood pressure and high BMI.
Conclusion: Low referral by treating physician and lack of awareness among patient accounts for late presentation of diabetic patients to ophthalmologist. Beyond just developing strategies to promote screening programs for early detection and management of DR, education of the patients,comprehensive planning and coordination between ophthalmologist and physician can go a long way to decrease the economic and social burden of preventable blindness due to diabetic retinopathy.
Age relative height, weight and body mass index percentiles of children in Jos, North-Central Nigeria
Authors: Mosugu Ovayoza O. , Shinku Francis , Nyam Jacob C. , Mador Emmanuel S.
Published: July 2021

Background: Interpretation of body mass index in children is quite different from that in adults which use standard weight status categories that are the same for all ages and for both men and women.
Aims and Objective: The study was aimed at determining the prevalence of childhood obesity in Jos.
Materials and Methods: A total of 371 children were enrolled in the study. Weight was taken with only light clothing and without foot wears. Height obtained without head-gears or shoes and the measuring flat tops pressed down to avoid errors due to tall hair. Body mass index were calculated for each subject as ratio of body weight to body height. All data were analyzed statistically and separately for different ages and the mean values for height against age, weight against age, height against weight and BMI for age was obtained with centiles of absolute deviations from the mean.
Results: The age of the studied population ranged from 3 – 14 years with mean of 8.4 ± 2.8. Height of the children on the other hand ranged from 0.9 – 1.64 meters with mean value of 1.26 ± 0.15 and their weight ranged from 10 – 76 kg with mean value of 25.6 ± 9.2. Out of the 371 children studied, 14 (3.8%) were found to be underweight, 302 (81.4%) had healthy weight while 41 (11%) were at risk of overweight and 14 (3.8%) were overweight. In addition, the body mass index of girls was found to be significantly higher than those of boys at 12 and 13 years only.
Conclusion: It is concluded that the prevalence of childhood obesity is high in Jos, North-central Nigeria.
Collagen membrane: A new concept in surgical management for mucosal defect in oral sub mucous fibrosis
Authors: Kumar Sourav , Nayak Dipti , Kumar Shashank , Khan Musaab , Rastogi Reshu , Samant Vaishali
Published: July 2021

Background: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) is a doubtlessly malignant disorder of the oral cavity. The surgical control of this situation involves excision of the fibrotic bands and interpositional grafts to keep the elevated oral opening. Various strategies and graft had been utilized with differing achievement rates.
Aims and Objective: Through this study, an attempt was made to evaluate the efficacy of collagen membrane as wound dressing material for mucosal defect in oral submucous fibrosis.
Materials and Methods: The study include 30 patients in the age group of 15 to 60 years with stage III or IVa of oral sub mucous fibrosis all of which underwent operation under general anesthesia to enhance their mouthopening by fibrotomy of bands and placement of collagen membrane by same surgeon. After surgery all the patients were accessed under parameter like hemostatic effect, pain relief, granulation tissue formation, epithelization, contracture and reactivity. All patients were given similar prescriptions for pain killer, antibiotics and postoperative instructions. All patients were examined postoperatively.
Results: In this study various parameter were accessing the efficacy of collagen membrane on wound defects were recorded. In this 1st parameter hemostatic 28 patients had a score of good (93.3%) with bleeding stopping within 5 minutes after application of membrane and only 2 patients had a score of fair (6.66%). In pain relief analgesics were stopped on the day of 3rd after procedure 16 patients had a good (53.3%) score, 12 patients had a fair (40%) score while only 2 patients gad a poor (6.66%) score. All the patients had sufficient granulation tissue formation of entire wound therefore all the patients had score of good (100%) at the end of two weeks. Epithelization was noted in 28 patients who had score of good (93.3%) after 1 month. Contracture of the wound site at the end of 3 months were noted and rated as good in 20 patients (66.6%) while fair (33.3%) in 10 patients. No reactivity of any form was found in any of the subjects (100%).
Conclusion: In our study we noticed that collagen membrane was found to be very effective in all the subjects and it provided us satisfactory results as intraoral wound dressing material.
Surgical Treatment of Benign Retrorectal Masses in Adults: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Bilge Hüseyin , Başol Ömer , Oğuz Abdullah
Published: July 2021

Background: Tumors that occur in the retrorectal space are called retrorectal tumors. These tumors arise from various tissues. Late symptoms may therefore outweigh diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, the surgery becomes difficult.
Aims and Objectives: Our study aims to reveal the difficulties in the diagnosis of retrorectal tumors, radiological diagnostic methods, and safe surgical excision surgical techniques.
Materials and Methods: Twelve patients operated for retrorectal tömür between 2014 and 2020 were included in the retrospective study. Demographic features, clinical findings, diagnostic methods, surgical treatment procedures, evaluations of preoperative/postoperative complications, pathological classifications, length of hospital stay, and duration of surgery were studied.
Results: Twelve patients [9 females, 3 males; the mean age was 39.3 ± 11.8 (22-56)] due to retrorectal tumors. All lesions were evaluated preoperatively using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). According to the preoperative examination and radiological findings; Surgical resection was performed with an anterior approach to 3 patients, a posterior approach to 4 patients, and a combined approach to 5 patients. The mean tumor size was 8 ± 2.24 cm. Immature teratoma and epidermoid cyst (n = 6) were the most common tumors. We did not have any patients with features of malignancy on final histopathology.
Conclusion: Although retrorectal tumors are difficult to diagnose, it is important to suspect clinically. A good evaluation of the patients with radiological imaging facilitates the resection of the tumor surgically. Surgery of the patient in centers specialized in these tumors increases surgical success.
Bardet-biedl syndrome: A case report from Nepal
Authors: Mandal Rajesh Kumar , Pande Rajan , KC Rajani Shah , Acharya Bibek
Published: July 2021

The Bardet–Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare ciliopathic autosomal-recessive disorder, with multiple organ systems involvement. It is usually seen in family with consanguinous marriage.   It is characterized by truncal obesity, polydactyly, retinal dystrophy, mental retardation, renal dysfunction and hypogonadism in males. It affects both males and females. Very few cases are reported in Nepal. Here we report a 30 year obese lady who presented to our center with history of excessive weight gain and blindness with polydactyly. She visited many local medical centers before landing to our hospital.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Mothers of Children Below Five Years Regarding Diarrhoea
Authors: Gupta Dipak Kumar , Sah Poonam Kumari
Published: July 2021

Background: The public health problem of diarrhoeal diseases is widespread. In order to reduce related mortality and morbidity, caretakers must play an active role and need to determine to what extent they are empowered.

Method: A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted from March 7- April 6, 2021 among 113 mothers of children below five years who visited hospital-seeking treatment for diarrhoeal diseases of their children. A self-structured questionnaire regarding knowledge, attitude and practice regarding was used to generate data on interview basis.

Results: Knowledge regarding the diarrhoeal disease was found to be of good level (88.4% correctly defining diarrhoea). Majority of mothers has good attitude towards diarrhoea. However, far few mothers correctly recognised signs of dehydration, 23 recognizing dry mucosa and 44 recognizing sunken eyes. Out of total, 81% participants knew about oral rehydrate solutions.

Conclusion: Despite good knowledge and attitudes towards diarrhoea among mothers with children under five years of age, the standard of home-based management was found to be unsatisfactory based on the results of the study.
Schwannoma of False Vocal Cord - A Rare Entity
Authors: Deo Arju , Maharjan Daisy , Karna Alina
Published: July 2021

Laryngeal Schwannoma is rare comprising 0.1 – 1.5% of all benign laryngeal tumors. The most common site in larynx is aryepiglottic fold followed by arytenoids, ventricular folds, and vocal cord. Patients present with the symptoms of hoarseness, dysphagia or globus sensation. We present a 33-year-old male with supraglottic schwannoma who experienced hoarseness of voice for three months. The patient underwent micro laryngeal surgery and submucosal solid tumor of false vocal cord was removed. Postoperative recovery was uneventful and after one month of follow up the patient was improving with no hoarseness of voice.
Criminalizing the Colonized: Ontario Native Women Confront the Criminal Justice System, 1920–60
Authors: Sangster Joan
Published: July 2021

Over the past decade, Aboriginal women’s conflicts with the law and their plight within the penal and child welfare systems have received increasing media and government attention. Framed by the political demands of Native communities for self-government, and fuelled by disillusionment with a criminal justice system that has resolutely failed Native peoples—both as victims of violence and as defendants in the courts—government studies and royal commissions have documented the shocking overincarceration of Native women. At once marginalized, yet simultaneously the focus of intense government interest, Native women have struggled to make their own voices heard in these inquiries. Their testimony often speaks to their profound alienation from Canadian society and its justice system, an estrangement so intense that it is couched in despair. “How can we be healed by those who symbolize the worst experiences of our past?” asked one inmate before the 1990 Task Force on federally sentenced women.2 Her query invokes current Native exhortations for a reinvention of Aboriginal traditions of justice and healing; it also speaks directly to the injuries of colonialism experienced by Aboriginal peoples.
Opportunity and benefits of functional food from the sea: A Rewiew
Authors: Murti Paulus Damar Bayu , Dwiloka Bambang , Radjasa Ocky Karna , Ngginak James
Published: July 2021

Functional food has been believed to prevent and reduce the possibility of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension and cancer. The sea offers resources that can be used as a source of functional food. Research on bioactive compounds from marine life has been carried out, which have biological activity. For example, omega-3 consist of two types of acids, namely docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentanoic acid (EPA), which is contained in fish. Carotenoids and xanthophylls are abundant in macroalgae. Likewise with phenolic compounds and polysaccharides derived from algae. The protein hydrolysate from fish waste which is used as an alternative product has biological activity. Chitin and chitosan were extracted from crustacean shells and marine mollusk. Referring to the diversity of compound bioactivity from marine resources, this review emphasizes more on the potential of functional food ingredients owned by marine resources and their opportunities and benefits..Keywords: Functional food, Marine, Bioactive compounds, Chronic diseases, Biological activityABSTRAKPeluang dan manfaat pangan fungsional dari laut: Telaah PustakPangan fungsional telah dipercayai dapat mencegah dan menurunkan kemungkinan penyakit kronis seperti obesitas, diabetes, jantung koroner, hipertensi dan kanker. Laut menawarkan sumberdaya yang dapat dimanfaatkan sebagai sumber bahan pangan fungsional. Penelitian mengenai senyawa bioaktif dari biota laut sudah banyak dilakukan yang memiliki aktivitas biologis.  Sebagai contoh, Omega-3 terdiri atas dua jenis asam yaitu asam dokosaheksaenoat (DHA) dan asam eikosapentanoat (EPA) yang terkandung pada ikan. Karotenoid dan xantofil yang banyak terkandung pada makroalga. Begitu pun dengan senyawa fenolik dan polisakarida yang berasal dari alga. Hidrolisat protein dari limbah ikan yang dimanfaatkan sebagai produk alternatif memiliki aktivitas biologis. Kitin dan kitosan yang diekstrak dari limbah cangkang krustasea dan moluska laut. Mengacu pada keragaman bioaktivitas senyawa dari sumberdaya kelautan, review ini lebih menekankan pada potensi bahan pangan fungsional yang dimiliki oleh sumberdaya kelautan serta peluang dan manfaatnya.Kata kunci : Pangan fungsional, Laut, Senyawa bioaktif, Penyakit kronis, Aktivitas biiologi
Screening and morphological observations of endophytic mold origin of pennywort (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban) as extracellular enzyme producer
Authors: Hidayah Muhamad Aditya , Fikroh Retno Aliyatul
Published: July 2021

Pennywort is a biological plant that is included in the medicinal plant species. The analysis was carried out to obtain information and to find out that endophytic molds from pennywort (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban) can produce extracellular enzymes (amylase, cellulase, pectinase, protease, glucanase, and laccase). Based on the analysis that has been carried out, several conclusions are obtained, endophytic fungi from pennywort with isolate codes MB 20, MM 1, MM 6, MM 8, and MM 16 capable of producing extracellular amylase enzymes, endophytic fungi from pennywort with isolate codes MM 1, MM 12, MM 16, MM 18, MM 19, MM 20 and MM 21 were able to produce extracellular cellulase enzymes, endophytic fungi from pennywort with isolate codes MB 1, MB 3, MB 4, MB 6, MM 1, MM 9, MM 11, MM 13, MM 14, MM16, MM 19, MM 20 and MM 21 were able to produce extracellular glucanase enzymes, endophytic mold isolates from pennywort were proven to be unable to produce extracellular enzymes laccase, pectinase, and protease, and endophytic molds from pennywort with isolate codes MB 1, MB 20, MM 14 and the MM 16 is capable of producing siderophores.Keywords: Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, extracellular enzymes, endophytic typite, isolatesABSTRAKSkrining pengamatan morfologi kapang endofit asal tanaman pegagan (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban) sebagai penghasil enzim ekstraselulerTanaman pegagan merupakan tanaman hayati yang termasuk dalam jenis tanaman obat. Analisis dilakukan untuk mendapatkan informasi dan mengetahui bahwa kapang endofit asal tanaman pegagan (Centella asiatica (L.) Urban) dapat menghasilkan enzim ekstraseluler (Amilase, selulase, pektinase, protease, glukanase, dan lakase). Berdasarkan analisis yang telah dilakukan di peroleh beberapa kesimpulan, diantanya. yaitu kapang endofit asal tanaman pegagan dengan kode isolat MB 20, MM 1, MM 6, MM 8 dan MM 16 mampu menghasilkan enzim amilase ekstraseluler, kapang endofit asal tanaman pegagan dengan kode isolat MM 1, MM 12, MM 16, MM 18, MM 19, MM 20 dan MM 21 mampu menghasilkan enzim selulase ekstraseluler, kapang endofit asal tanaman pegagan dengan kode isolat MB 1, MB 3, MB 4, MB 6, MM 1, MM 9, MM 11, MM 13, MM 14, MM16, MM 19, MM 20 dan MM 21 mampu menghasilkan enzim glukanase ekstraseluler, isolat kapang endofit asal tanaman pegagan terbukti tidak mampu menghasilkan enzim ekstraseluler lakase, pektinase dan protease, dan kapang endofit asal tanaman pegagan dengan kode isolat MB 1, MB 20, MM 14 dan MM 16 mampu menghasilkan siderofor.Kata Kunci: Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, enzim ekstraseluler, kapang endofit,  isolat
How Patient Organizations Can Drive FAIR Data Efforts to Facilitate Research and Health Care: A Report of the Virtual Second International Meeting on Duchenne Data Sharing, March 3, 2021
Authors: van Lin Nawel , Paliouras Georgios , Vroom Elizabeth , ’t Hoen Peter A.C. , Roos Marco
Published: July 2021

Background: For patients with rare diseases such as Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DMD/BMD), access to their health data is key to being able to advocate for themselves and be in control of their care. Since 2018, the DMD/BMD patient community has been committed to making DMD/BMD-related data FAIR, i.e., Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable. On March 3, 2021, the second international meeting on FAIR data sharing for DMD/BMD was held virtually. Objective: The aim of this meeting report is to summarize the presentations and discussions of the meeting. Methods: During this meeting, the progress of FAIRification efforts since the first international meeting in 2019, new developments, stakeholder perspectives, and experiences from implementing FAIR data principles in practice were presented and discussed. Results: Over 120 attendees representing various stakeholder groups (ie, patient organizations, clinicians, clinical and academic researchers, pharmaceutical companies, regulators, and EU organizations) from 22 countries participated in the meeting. This meeting report summarizes the presentations and discussions from the meeting, provides an overview of the key lessons learned since the first meeting, and outlines the next steps. Conclusions: Patient organizations are key drivers of the FAIRification process in practice and dialogue with stakeholders is critical to success.
The Experiences of Treatment Burden in People with Parkinson’s Disease and Their Caregivers: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies
Authors: Tan Qian Yue , Cox Natalie J. , Lim Stephen E.R. , Coutts Laura , Fraser Simon D.S. , Roberts Helen C. , Ibrahim Kinda
Published: July 2021

Background High treatment burden is associated with poor adherence, wasted resources, poor quality of life and poor health outcomes. Identifying factors that impact treatment burden in Parkinson’s disease can offer insights into strategies to mitigate them. Objective To explore the experiences of treatment burden among people with Parkinson’s disease (PwP) and their caregivers. Methods A systematic review of studies published from year 2006 was conducted. Qualitative and mixed-method studies with a qualitative component that relate to usual care in Parkinson’s disease were included. Quantitative studies and grey literature were excluded. Data synthesis was conducted using framework synthesis. Results 1757 articles were screened, and 39 articles included. Understanding treatment burden in PwP and caregivers was not the primary aim in any of the included studies. The main issues of treatment burden in Parkinson’s disease are: 1) work and challenges of taking medication; 2) healthcare provider obstacles including lack of patient-centered care, poor patient-provider relationships, lack of care coordination, inflexible organizational structures, lack of access to services and issues in care home or hospital settings; and 3) learning about health and challenges with information provision. The treatment burden led to physical and mental exhaustion of self-care and limitations on the role and social activities of PwP and caregivers. Conclusion: There are potential strategies to improve the treatment burden in Parkinson’s disease at an individual level such as patient-centered approach to care, and at system level by improving access and care coordination between services. Future research is needed to determine the modifiable factors of treatment burden in Parkinson’s disease.
Test-Retest Reliability of the Timed Up and Go Test in Subjects with Parkinson’s Disease: Implications for Longitudinal Assessments
Authors: Luque-Casado Antonio , Novo-Ponte Sabela , Sánchez-Molina José Andrés , Sevilla-Sánchez Marta , Santos-García Diego , Fernández-del-Olmo Miguel
Published: July 2021

Background: Despite the frequent use of the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test in clinical trials, evaluation of longitudinal test-retest reliability is generally lacking and still inconclusive for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Objective: We aimed to further investigate long-term reliability and sensitivity of the TUG test among this population. Furthermore, we explored alternative assessment strategies of the test aimed at elucidating whether the inclusion or combination of timed trials may have potential implications on outcome measure. Methods: Relative and absolute reliability of the TUG performance were obtained in forty-three subjects with PD over three timed trials in two different testing sessions separated by a two-months period. Results: Our results reported excellent intra-session and moderate inter-session reliability coefficients. The use of different assessment strategies of the TUG was found to have an important impact on outcome measure, highlighting the averaging of several timed trials in each testing session as a recommended alternative to minimize measurement error and increase reliability in longitudinal assessments. Nevertheless, beyond acceptable reliability, poor trial-to-trial stability of the measure appears to exist, since the ranges of expected variability upon retesting were wide and the incidence of spurious statistical effects was not negligible, especially in longitudinal repeated testing. Conclusion: Limitations may exist in the interpretation of the TUG outputs as part of longitudinal assessments aimed at evaluating treatment effectiveness in PD population. Researchers and practitioners should be aware of these concerns to prevent possible misrepresentations of functional ability in patients for a particular intervention.
Locus Coeruleus Pathology Indicates a Continuum of Lewy Body Dementia
Authors: Tilley Bension S. , Patel Shivani R. , Goldfinger Marc H. , Pearce Ronald K.B. , Gentleman Steve M.
Published: July 2021

Background: Lewy body dementia (LBD) has two main phenotypes: Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), separated by the ‘one-year-rule’. They also show different symptom profiles: core DLB features include fluctuating cognition, REM-sleep behaviur disorder, and visual hallucinations. These symptoms are sometimes present in PDD, representing an intermediate ‘PDD-DLB’ phenotype. Objective: DLB-like features may reflect deficits in the functions of the noradrenergic nucleus locus coeruleus (LC). Therefore, we compared the LC in the LBD phenotypes, PD, and controls. Methods: 38 PD, 56 PDD, 22 DLB, and 11 age-matched control cases from the Parkinson’s UK tissue bank were included. LC tissue sections were immunostained for tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH), α-synuclein, tau, and amyloid-β. TH-neurons were quantified and pathologic burden calculated by %-coverage method. Results: The LC shows a stepwise reduction in neuron count from controls, PD, PDD, to DLB. PDD-DLB cases showed an intermediate clinical phenotype that was reflected pathologically. Cell counts were significantly reduced in DLB compared to PDD after correction for demographic factors. LC degeneration contributed significantly to the onset of all DLB symptoms. While α-synuclein was not significantly different between PDD and DLB cases, DLB exhibited significantly less tau pathology. Conclusion: DLB and DLB-like symptoms represent noradrenergic deficits resulting from neuronal loss in the LC. PDD and DLB are likely to represent a clinical continuum based on the presence or absence of DLB-like symptoms mirrored by a pathological continuum in the LC.
Asymmetric Dopaminergic Dysfunction in Brain-First versus Body-First Parkinson’s Disease Subtypes
Authors: Knudsen Karoline , Fedorova Tatyana D. , Horsager Jacob , Andersen Katrine B. , Skjærbæk Casper , Berg Daniela , Schaeffer Eva , Brooks David J. , Pavese Nicola , Van Den Berge Nathalie , Borghammer Per
Published: July 2021

Background: We have hypothesized that Parkinson’s disease (PD) comprises two subtypes. Brain-first, where pathogenic α-synuclein initially forms unilaterally in one hemisphere leading to asymmetric nigrostriatal degeneration, and body-first with initial enteric pathology, which spreads through overlapping vagal innervation leading to more symmetric brainstem involvement and hence more symmetric nigrostriatal degeneration. Isolated REM sleep behaviour disorder has been identified as a strong marker of the body-first type. Objective: To analyse striatal asymmetry in [18F]FDOPA PET and [123I]FP-CIT DaT SPECT data from iRBD patients, de novo PD patients with RBD (PD+RBD) and de novo PD patients without RBD (PD-RBD). These groups were defined as prodromal body-first, de novo body-first, and de novo brain-first, respectively. Methods: We included [18F]FDOPA PET scans from 21 iRBD patients, 11 de novo PD+RBD, 22 de novo PD-RBD, and 18 controls subjects. Also, [123I]FP-CIT DaT SPECT data from iRBD and de novo PD patients with unknown RBD status from the PPPMI dataset was analysed. Lowest putamen specific binding ratio and putamen asymmetry index (AI) was defined. Results: Nigrostriatal degeneration was significantly more symmetric in patients with RBD versus patients without RBD or with unknown RBD status in both FDOPA (p = 0.001) and DaT SPECT (p = 0.001) datasets. Conclusion: iRBD subjects and de novo PD+RBD patients present with significantly more symmetric nigrostriatal dopaminergic degeneration compared to de novo PD-RBD patients. The results support the hypothesis that body-first PD is characterized by more symmetric distribution most likely due to more symmetric propagation of pathogenic α-synuclein compared to brain-first PD.
The relationships of lifetime physical activity and diet with salivary cell telomere length in current ultra-endurance exercisers
Authors: Birkenhead Karen , Kuballa Anna , Lovell Geoff P. , Barr Susan I. , Solomon Colin
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND:

Physical activity and a healthy diet may delay the aging process and ultra-endurance exercise is an extreme form of physical activity. Telomeres are protective DNA sequences located at the ends of eukaryotic chromosomes which shorten as we age.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships of lifetime physical activity and diet with salivary cell telomere length in current ultra-endurance exercisers ( n = 49; % female = 37, age range 26–74 years).

METHODS:

Physical activity and dietary intake were measured using the Lifetime Physical Activity and Diet Questionnaire (LPADQ) and salivary cell telomere length was measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS:

In this group of current ultra-endurance exercisers there was no relationship between lifetime physical activity or diet (according to food category scores) and telomere length. In contrast to the expected age-related decrease in telomere length, there was no relationship between age and telomere length (95% confidence interval [CI]: –38.86, 14.54, p = 0.359) in this group of current ultra-endurance exercisers.

CONCLUSIONS:

The relationships of lifetime physical activity and diet with telomere length remain uncertain. It is possible that lifetime physical activity (including ultra-endurance exercise) and lifetime diet may independently, or in combination, contribute to a decrease in the rate of age-related telomere shortening in current ultra-endurance exercisers.
Evaluation of pain and physiological stress during targeted neonatal echocardiography
Authors: Ahsan M.S. , Kalamdani P. , Kalathingal T. , Patra S. , Manerkar S. , Mondkar J.
Published: July 2021

BACKGROUND:

Targeted neonatal echocardiography (Tn-Echo) is a non-invasive examination which may cause pain/discomfort and physiological instability in neonates, but there is little evidence for the same. We conducted this study to evaluate whether targeted neonatal echocardiography causes pain or physiological stress to newborn infants.

METHODS:

This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary level NICU. Neonates undergoing targeted neonatal echocardiography were enrolled in this study. Pain was assessed using Premature Infant Pain Profile-Revised (PIPP-R) score before, during and after targeted neonatal echocardiography examination. Heart rate, oxygen saturation, perfusion index and blood pressure were also recorded at the same time points.

RESULTS:

A total of 88 neonates were enrolled. Mean (SD) PIPP-R score during Tn-Echo was 8.18 (2.6) versus 3.60 (1.8) and 4.24 (2.0) before and after respectively ( p value < 0.001). Heart rate and respiratory rate were significantly higher during targeted neonatal echocardiography; oxygen saturation and perfusion index were significantly lower during targeted neonatal echocardiography. Preterm infants had higher PIPP-R score compared to term neonates before, during and after the Tn-Echo [8.76 (2.4) versus 6.81 (2.4); p value < 0.001].

CONCLUSION:

Targeted neonatal echocardiography causes significant pain/discomfort and physiological instability in neonates.