bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estudio Clínico Epidemiológico de Tos Ferina en lactantes menores de 6 meses, internados en tres hospitales de Lima–Perú durante los años 2003 -2008
Authors: Castillo Diaz María Esther , Petrozzi V. , Vera M.I. , Reyes I. , Bada C. , Sáenz A.
Published: December 2023

Objetivo: Describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de lactantes menores de 6 meses internados por tos ferina, en 3 hospitales de Lima: Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño, Hospital de Emergencias Pediátricas y Hospital Nacional Daniel Alcides Carrión, entre los años 2003-2008.

Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo. Se recolectó en una ficha, los datos de las historias clínicas de lactantes menores de 6 meses con el diagnóstico de egreso de Síndrome Coqueluchoide y/o Tos Ferina. El diagnóstico final de Tos Ferina se realizó en base a las definiciones operativas del MINSA.

Resultados: Se ubicaron 589 historias clínicas con diagnóstico de Síndrome Coqueluchoide y/ o Tos Ferina; de ellas cumplieron la definición operacional de Tos Ferina 312/589 (53%), 293/312 (94%) fueron casos probables, 19/312 ( 6%) casos confirmados (15 de ellos tenían Inmuno Fluorecencia Directa (IFD) positiva y 4 confirmados por cultivo). Se observó mayor número de hospitalizaciones en primavera y verano. Los padres (48.2%) y de ellos la madre (36.5%), fueron el contacto epidemiológico más frecuente. De 70 lactantes mayores de 3 meses, el 30% no tenían las dosis de vacuna DTPw adecuadas para su edad al momento de enfermarse, por lo que no estaban protegidos. Los lactantes de menos o igual a 3 meses (242/312) presentaron con más frecuencia signos de gravedad: apnea (90%), dificultad para lactar (83,9%) y cianosis (78,4%). Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron: Síndrome Obstructivo Bronquial Agudo (SOBA) (63.3%), neumonía (25%) y atelectasia (6%). Fallecieron 8 lactantes (2,6%). Las causas de fallecimiento fueron: neumonía y sepsis 4/8, sepsis 3/8 y un caso por Síndrome de Dificultad Respiratoria Aguda (SRA).

Conclusiones: La mayoría de los lactantes menores de 6 meses, fueron casos probables de Tos Ferina. Se encontró casos confirmados en el 6% de casos. Se hospitalizaron más en los meses de primavera y verano. Los contactos epidemiológicos más frecuente fueron los padres y de ellos la madre. La mayoría de los lactantes menores de 6 meses no tenían dosis completa de vacuna DTPw. La letalidad fue de 2.6%.
Elevación de niveles de ácido úrico en adolescentes obesos
Authors: Aro Guardia Pedro
Published: December 2023

Objetivos: Determinar la frecuencia de la elevación de niveles de ácido úrico en adolescentes obesos entre 10 y 17 años y su relación con características metabólicas.

Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo. Se incluyó 115 adolescentes obesos de 10 a 17 años que acudieron al Servicio de Endocrinología del Hospital Nacional Arzobispo Loayza los cuales cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. Se definió como elevación de ácido úrico a valores mayores de 5,5 mg/dl. Se tomo datos de edad, sexo, peso, talla, índice de masa corporal (IMC), presión arterial, glucosa, HDL, LDL, triglicéridos, colesterol total y Alanino aminotransferasa. El valor de p< 0.05 se consideró como significativo.

Resultados: El 33.9% presentó niveles de ácido úrico por encima de 5.5 mg/dl. El 54.8% (63 pacientes) fueron del género masculino. La mediana de edad fue 13± 2 años. La acantosis nigricans y la obesidad abdominal fueron las características más frecuente en el examen físico de estos pacientes con un 87 % y 97 % respectivamente. Se obtuvo relación con edad (p< 0.02) sexo masculino (p< 0.001), antecedente familiar de diabetes (p< 0.03), circunferencia abdominal (p< 0.001), peso (p< 0.001), y el IMC (p< 0.001).

Conclusiones: Estos resultados sugieren que los niveles de ácido úrico se encuentran significativamente incrementado en adolescentes con obesidad y está relacionado a sexo, índice de masa corporal, circunferencia abdominal y presión arterial.
Síndrome de Rabson-Mendenhall: Reporte de un caso
Authors: Del Aguila Villar Carlos , Chávez Miguel , Pinto P. , Rojas M.I. , Falen Juan
Published: December 2023

El Síndrome de Rabson-Mendenhall pertenece al grupo de síndromes de resistencia extrema a la insulina. Se trata de un trastorno extremadamente raro, de prevalencia desconocida. El síndrome se transmite como un rasgo autosómico recesivo y afecta principalmente a niños de padres consanguíneos. Es un síndrome de aparición temprana, caracterizado por retraso en el crecimiento intrauterino y postnatal, hipotrofia de los tejidos muscular y adiposo, Acantosis nigricans, displasia dental, hipertricosis, pseudopubertad precoz e hiperplasia fálica y facies acromegaloide. El pronóstico de los niños con este síndrome es bastante desalentador. Presentamos el caso de un niño atendido en el Instituto de Salud del Niño. Nuestro paciente tiene casi todos las características del Síndrome en mención y el primer caso descrito en el Perú.
El reconocimiento, la vida en los inicios. Tratando de hacerlo desde una perspectiva Hegeliana
Authors: Chávez Pastor Miguel
Published: December 2023

El pensamiento filosófico hegeliano nos permite analizar desde la perspectiva del reconocimiento, las aspectos que ponen en consideración el respeto por la vida humana. La vida humana es un don, es una esperanza, es un proceso que comienza y tiene que concluir, es un devenir, es nuestra responsabilidad. Para tratar las cuestiones de ética de la vida hay que hacer unas reflexiones previas: pensar lo humano. Y para pensar lo humano es imprescindible tener en cuenta la relación inseparable entre pensar lo humano y pensar la vida. Merece la pena, por tanto, preguntar cómo nos relacionamos con la vida y como vivimos esa relación. Hegel mencionaba en el prólogo de la Fenomenología del Espíritu: “Si es cierto que el embrión es en sí es un ser humano, no lo es, sin embargo, para sí, para sí el ser humano sólo lo es en cuanto razón cultivada que se ha hecho así misma lo que es en sí”. Desde esa perspectiva, este enunciado, nos lleva a reflexión y toda pregunta que se nos presente será auténtica en la medida que sea tomada en serio. El reconocimiento para Hegel se constituye a partir de la necesidad de reconocer la autonomía del sujeto. Si bien los sujetos son diferentes, requieren una condición de igualdad en su condición de humanidad y por ende de dignidad. Pero para Hegel la condición igualitaria de los sujetos es lo que promueve precisamente el conflicto necesario para que se produzca en los individuos la necesidad de distinguirse y diferenciarse de los otros, y en ese intento de diferenciación, ser reconocidos. Más allá del mínimo moral, de respetar al otro, es necesario fomentar la solidaridad con el otro, es decir la sensibilidad y actitud de sentirnos parte de un proyecto común como especie humana en cualquiera de los estadios de la vida.
GENETIC STUDY OF PATIENT WITH THE DIAGNOSIS OF NIEMANNPICK LYSOSOMAL STORAGE DISEASE
Authors: Latifova G.B. , Mammadbayli A.K. , Rasulov E.M.
Published: December 2023

For the first time in Azerbaijan Republic, a patient with Niemann-Pick diagnosis has been studied by means of modern molecular-genetic method complex. Patient H.D. (2006), has been examined by doctor-pediatrician, doctor-neurologist and doctor-geneticist, and during consultation they considered him suspicious of lysosome storage disease. Acidic sphingomyelinase activity, value of biomarker lyso-SM-509were identified with liquid chromotography mass spectroscopy method. Gene analysis was carried out with NGS (next generation sequencing) method. Deficiency of acidic sphingomyelinase enzyme, value of biomarker lyso-SM-509 higher than norm was the evidence that patient had got Niemann-Pick metabolic disease. SMPD1 gene analysis identified substitution of Adenine nucleotide with Guanine nucleotide in the position c.1556 and showed homozygous state (c.1556A>G: p.Tyr519Cys). Alongside with Niemann-Pick A/B types the patient had got CYP21A2 gene homozygous, ALAS2 gene hemizygous inheritance types, ABCA1 and LPL genes showed heterozygous carriage. The patient’s parents being in their reproductive age we advised to undergo fetus prenatal diagnostics in the next pregnancy course.
Circular economy and Oil and GAS sector: A literature review
Authors: Neelam Shahzad
Published: December 2023

In this Paper, previous research on circular economies and its possible applications in the oil and gas industry is thoroughly explored. This study seeks to identify and consolidate the extant literature on the circular economy and its potential to mitigate the environmental impacts of oil and gas production, as well as improve resource efficiency and economic performance. To attain this objective, the following techniques will be utilized: identifying the literature, synthesizing the literature, and identifying the literature. In this article, scholarly journals, novels, papers, and case studies are just some of the types of writing that are explored. According to the conclusions of the study, the circular economy offers the oil and gas industry significant opportunities to reduce its environmental impact. This area of possibilities includes waste minimization, a greater emphasis on recycling and reusing, and the development of closed-loop technologies. In addition, the report cites a variety of obstacles and challenges, such as technological, economic, and regulatory constraints, that prohibit the widespread deployment of circular economy strategies in the sector. These limits are problematic because they hinder the adoption of circular economy strategies. In addition, the report emphasizes the importance of stakeholder participation and collaboration for the successful adoption of circular economy ideas in the oil and gas industry. The essay provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept of a circular economy and investigates its potential applications in the oil and gas industry. The article highlights both theoretical and practical implications for policymakers and practitioners in the field.
LEADERSHIP ATTRIBUTES AND ENGAGEMENT MATTER TO ENHANCE THE PERFORMANCE OF ACADEMIC STAFF AT SECONDARY LEVEL
Authors: Nawal Mahmood  , Dr. Muhammad Aamir Hashmi  , Sara Khan
Published: December 2023

The fact cannot be denied that leadership has an impact in enhancing the job performance of teachers through engagement. This research aims to find the effect of head’s leadership qualities and work engagement of secondary school teachers regarding work performance. The population for this study secondary school teachers from public sector of Lahore. Simple random sampling technique was employed and 271 teachers were selected as sample for this study. Survey research method based on an adopted questionnaire was employed for collecting data from the participants. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) has been used to process and assess the data by common techniques i.e., descriptive and inferential modes of statistics. The findings of this study revealed that leadership attributes and work engagement had moderate correlation with job performance and have moderate effect on job performance. Moreover, leadership attributes had mode significant effect on job performance as compare to work engagement. This research is considered as stepping stone for the adaptation of the best leadership style according to the situation through updated strategies and techniques.
Ways to Ignite the Motivation of English Language Learners at Secondary School Level
Authors: Awan Dr Riffat un Nisa , Khizar Dr Asma , Anwar Muhammad Nadeem
Published: December 2023

It is a fact that learning L2 or FL is a difficult task and plenty of students may lack the necessary motivation to learn English. This study was intended to explore the factors affecting students’ motivation toward English language learning. This research study endeavors to identify the ways to ignite students’ motivation toward English language learning. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey, a questionnaire based on motivational factors such as parental factors, classroom factors, anxiety, teachers’ attitude, student’s interest, teachers’ feedback, peer support, desire to learn English, and social motivation was adopted to solicit the data. 300 secondary students randomly selected from 30 high schools participated. 297 questionnaires comprising 147 male and 150 female students were received and analyzed using SPSS. Inferential analysis showed that with some degree of variation, all factors were influencing students’ motivation to learn the English language. It was suggested that students might involve parents, collaborate with friends, use visual aids, build confidence, seek positive feedback, cultivate interest, focus on comprehensive learning, and understand the social relevance of learning English. Teachers might encourage parental involvement, create a supportive and engaging classroom environment, provide specific positive feedback, and encourage healthy competition.
Exploring the Effects of Parental Socioeconomic Status on Educational Attainment of Special Needs Students at University Level
Authors: Waheed Abdul , Faiza Ramzan  , Kinza Zainab
Published: December 2023

The study titled as “exploring the effects of parental socioeconomic status on educational attainment of special needs students at university level”. This study was completed by using Survey research method. The main objective of this research was to explain socio-economic status of parents and its effects on the educational attainment of special needs students. In this research questionnaire was used as a tool of data collection. Research tool for collection of data was created by using Likert scale. The data regarding all special students in the Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahauddin Zakriya University Multan, and University of Sargodha as (universe of study) under study was taken from universities’ website. In this research researcher used convenient sampling technique for data collection. Findings of this study show that majority of respondents agreed that student of high socio economic class get better facilities as compare to low class students.
Effect of Real Engagement in Active Problem Solving (REAPS) Model on academic achievements of secondary school students in the subject of Physics
Authors: Sami Fareeha , Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad Malik  , Dr. Ahmad Bilal Cheema
Published: December 2023

National Curriculum of Physics for grades IX and X (2006) has recommended creating a sense of curiosity and wonder in students by demonstrating an increased awareness about the natural world, creativity, and problem-solving skills. It is also the demand for 21st-century skills. Moreover, by developing this ability in the school years’ students, they may be successful in the coming academic years and in their professional life also. For this reason, many of the models have been used. Hence, the research was conducted to find the effect of Real Engagement in the Active Problem-Solving model on secondary-level students' academic achievements in Physics. Using a Quasi-experimental design, two sections from two public schools were selected. One section from each school was randomly allocated to a traditional and one to a treatment group. Traditional groups were taught by their respective teachers and the experimental groups were treated by the researcher. A test of academic achievement was developed on the concept of mechanics and electrostatics in the 10th-class Physics book published by Punjab Text Book Board Lahore (2020) and administered a pre-test and post-test. Data were analyzed by using a t-test, one-way ANOVA, and MANOVA. It was found that 10th-class students treated with the REAPS model performed better in the academic achievement test in physics as compared to the students taught through traditional methods. So, it is recommended that QAED academy conduct training on the REAPS model may be conducted as it is feasible not only for these topics but also for other concepts and other branches of science. Moreover for Education, may include assessment items for the subject of Physics in SSC examinations so that, these exams may discriminate the students on the basis of higher-order skills.
Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C in Pakistan from 2001 to 2022: A Systematic Review
Authors: Akbar Jamali Yasir , Noonari Abdul Ghaffar , Khuhro Ali Bux , Sanaullah Kalhoro  , Shah Hanozia , Gad Abdul Ghani
Published: December 2023

Background: Hepatitis B and C represent a significant public health concern globally, with a substantial burden in developing countries, particularly Pakistan. The country's diverse demographic and socio-economic landscape presents challenges in the surveillance and management of these infectious diseases.
Objective: This systematic review aims to consolidate and analyse the prevalence data of Hepatitis B and C infections reported across Pakistan from 2001 to 2022 to understand the epidemiological trends and to inform public health interventions.
Methods: A thorough search of various research databases was conducted to identify studies that reported the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-Hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) antibodies. Studies were selected based on inclusion criteria focused on the population of Pakistan between 2001 and 2022. Data extraction was systematic, although a comprehensive quality assessment of each study was not completed.
Results: The review included 54 studies with varying sample sizes and methodologies, including ELISA, ICT, PCR, and other serological assays. Prevalence rates for HBsAg and anti-HCV varied significantly, with HBsAg ranging from 0.9% to 44.4% and anti-HCV from 0.3% to 62.6%. These findings highlight a considerable regional variability and suggest an upward trend in HCV prevalence over the past two decades.
Conclusion: The elevated prevalence rates of Hepatitis B and C across Pakistan underscore the need for robust public health policies, standardized surveillance, and targeted interventions. Despite the systematic approach to data extraction, the review is limited by the absence of a comprehensive quality assessment, which is essential for future research to build upon.
Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Hepatitis B among population of Sector O-9 Islamabad, A descriptive Cross Sectional Study
Authors: Rehman Atta Ur , Hani Ume , Naeem Abdul , Cheema Muhammad Usman , Cheema Kushbakht , Cheema Muhammad Abubakar
Published: December 2023

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) remains a significant public health challenge globally, with varying prevalence and awareness levels across different regions. Understanding the Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) regarding HBV among different populations is crucial for effective public health interventions.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the KAP regarding HBV among residents of Sector O-9, Islamabad, and to identify areas for potential health education and intervention.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted involving 372 participants from Sector O-9, Islamabad. Data were collected using a prevalidated questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, and KAP related to HBV. The response rate was 87.94%. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and chi-square tests using SPSS software.
Results: The majority of participants (73%) were aware of HBV, but specific knowledge gaps were evident, with 58% not recognizing HBV as a viral disease. Attitudinally, over 80% did not perceive themselves at risk for HBV. Regarding practices, while a high insistence on new blades for shaving was noted (100%), vaccination rates were low (26.4%), and consistent use of new syringes was reported by only 56.4%. The primary source of HBV information was through media and family/friends.
Conclusion: The study revealed a reasonable level of general awareness about HBV among participants. However, specific knowledge gaps, low vaccination rates, and inconsistent preventive practices indicate the need for targeted health education and improved healthcare services. Public health interventions should focus on filling these gaps to enhance overall HBV management and control.
Quality of life and functional Outcomes among Burn Patients: A Cross Sectional Survey
Authors: Asghar Marya , Safdar Zainab , Tahir Muhammad
Published: December 2023

Background:
Burn injuries are a significant health issue leading to physical and emotional complications, impacting both social life and mental health. They necessitate a comprehensive approach for recovery, intertwining various physical and psychological aspects. The primary aim is to sustain a satisfactory level of functionality and life enjoyment, tailored to the individual's essential needs, for an extended period.
Objective:
The principal objective of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the quality of life and functional outcomes in burn patients.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional study, data was gathered from 156 burn patients from three medical facilities: Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital in Gujrat, CMH Kharian, and Jinnah Hospital in Lahore. The Burn Specific Health Scale-Brief (BSHS-B) questionnaire was employed for data collection. The sample included patients aged 18-65 years with varying degrees of burn severity.
Results:
Data was processed using SPSS version 25. The average age of the patients was 34 years, with a gender distribution of 53.21% female and 46.79% male. Marital status was divided into 66.03% married and 33.97% unmarried individuals. Socio-economic status revealed 4.49% from upper-class, 41.67% from middle-class, and 53.85% from lower-class levels. The average Quality of Life (QoL) score was 70.42 ± 33.75, indicating a diverse range of experiences among participants.
Conclusion:
The findings suggest that individuals with burn injuries can achieve a satisfactory quality of life and functional independence. This underscores the importance of comprehensive care and support for burn patients to enhance their overall well-being.
Health Related Quality of Life after Total Knee Replacement in Osteoarthritis Patients
Authors: Tabassum Muhammad Maaz Bin , Amin Umer , Makki Abdulrehman Khalid , Siddiqui Bakhtawar , Azmat Kanza , Razzaq Fatima
Published: December 2023

Background: Total knee replacement is a widely recognized and successful surgical intervention for patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis, aiming to alleviate pain and improve function and quality of life. This procedure has been increasingly recommended due to its high success rate in enhancing patient satisfaction and functional capacity.
Objective: The primary goal of this study was to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients after undergoing total knee replacement for osteoarthritis.
Method: This cross-sectional study involved 80 patients (47 females and 33 males) who had undergone knee arthroplasty. Data collection was facilitated using the SF-12 and WOMAC questionnaires at Horizon and General Hospital. Subsequent data analysis was performed using SPSS.
Results: The study's results highlighted a mean total score of 35.7 (SD = 6.32335), with scores ranging from a minimum of 23.00 to a maximum of 54.00. These scores represent a moderate variance in patient outcomes. The self-reported general health status revealed that 39.0% of patients rated their health as 'Good', followed by 26.8% as 'Very Good', and 18.3% as 'Fair'. In terms of physical activity limitations, 18.3% of patients reported being 'Limited a Lot' in moderate physical activities, while 40.2% reported limitations in work or other activities.
Conclusion: The study concluded that total knee replacement significantly improves health-related quality of life in patients with osteoarthritis, as indicated by the wide range of scores. Most patients reported positive outcomes, with a majority indicating good or very good general health status post-surgery.
The Effectiveness of Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy versus Traditional Occupational Therapy on Upper Limb Function after Stroke
Authors: Zafar Rimsha , Ahmad Khan Usama , Usama Muhammad , Khalid Attique Muhammad , Siddiqui Bakhtawar , Yousaf Faraya
Published: December 2023

Background: Stroke significantly impacts upper limb function, necessitating effective rehabilitation strategies. Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) and Traditional Occupational Therapy (OT) are widely used, yet their comparative effectiveness in improving upper limb function remains to be fully established.
Objective: The aim was to compare the effectiveness of CIMT and traditional OT in enhancing upper limb function in stroke survivors. The comparison was based on changes in the Fugl-Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMA-UE) and the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS).
Methods: This randomized clinical trial involved 40 adult stroke survivors, who were assigned to either CIMT (n=20) or traditional OT (n=20). Assessments using FMA-UE and SIS were conducted before and after the intervention. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 22.0, included within-group and between-group comparisons using repeated-measures ANOVA and paired t-tests.
Results: Both CIMT and traditional OT groups showed significant improvements in FMA-UE and SIS scores. The CIMT group's FMA-UE scores improved from a mean of 43.26 to 47.36 (p=0.006), and SIS scores from 43.99 to 49.03 (p=0.009). The traditional OT group displayed more substantial improvements, with FMA-UE scores increasing from 42.71 to 48.89 (p=0.001), and SIS scores from 44.31 to 50.04 (p=0.007). Between-group analysis revealed no significant differences at baseline, but post-intervention, traditional OT showed significantly better outcomes compared to CIMT.
Conclusion: Both CIMT and traditional OT are effective in improving upper limb function and reducing stroke impact. Traditional OT, however, demonstrated a slightly greater improvement. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating diverse therapeutic approaches in stroke rehabilitation, tailored to individual patient needs.
Comparison of Communication in Early and Late Identified Children with Hearing Impairment
Authors: Sohail Alishba , Awais Butt Ghazal , Mukhtar Tehreem , Manzoor Saadia , Aftab Haider Shah Syed , Sarmad Saeed Malik
Published: December 2023

Background: The significance of early detection and intervention in hearing impairment is well-documented, with substantial evidence suggesting improved language outcomes in children who are identified and receive intervention at an early age.
Objective: To quantitatively compare the communicative abilities of children with hearing impairments identified early versus late and to evaluate the impact of the timing of intervention on their language development.
Methods: In a cohort study of 104 children with hearing impairment, two groups were defined based on the age at identification: early (before 6 months) and late (after 6 months). Using the Communication Checklist-2, as well as standardized tests for receptive and expressive language, we assessed and compared their communication skills.
Results: Early identified children demonstrated superior communication skills, with 47.1% using object pointing compared to 57.4% of late identified children. A significant contrast was observed in verbal communication, with early identified children exhibiting higher usage of creative one-word utterances at 33.3% against 31.5% in the late group. Receptive language scores were higher in the early group by an average of 12 points, while expressive language scores were higher by an average of 15 points. Late identified children showed a higher reliance on preverbal communication, with a 3.7% higher incidence of object self-injury and a 5.2% higher occurrence of object aggression.
Conclusion: The findings emphasize the substantial advantage of early identification of hearing impairment for communication skills development. Early identified children not only show a greater propensity for verbal communication but also achieve higher receptive and expressive language scores, underscoring the need for prompt hearing loss detection and intervention.
Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Hepatitis-C Patients Presenting to Lady Reading hospital, Peshawar- A Retrospective Study
Authors: Saleh Hayat Faisal , Ikhtiar Zeeshan , Badshah Ilyas , Hussain Muhammad , Hadi Mujtaba , Ikhtiar Rohaid , Ikhtiar Hina , Rizawan Muhammad , Ullah Hamid , Farhan Muhammad
Published: December 2023

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a significant complication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, with varying incidence and outcomes based on treatment history and co-infections like HIV. Understanding the risk factors and progression of HCC in hepatitis C patients is crucial for effective disease management.
Objective: This study aimed to assess the incidence of HCC in patients with a history of hepatitis C, considering factors such as antiviral treatment and HIV co-infection.
Methods: A retrospective study was conducted at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from March 2022 to July 2023, involving 30 patients with decompensated liver disease or cirrhosis and a history of hepatitis C. Patients were evaluated for demographics, treatment history, PCR status, and HIV co-infection. Data analysis focused on the development of HCC in relation to these variables.
Results: The study included 30 patients with a mean age of 61.57 ± 11.11 years, predominantly male (93.3%). Of these, 73.3% tested PCR positive for HCV, while 26.7% were PCR negative. A total of 43.3% had received antiviral treatment, while 56.7% had not. HIV co-infection was present in 13.3% of patients. HCC was observed in 80% of patients overall. Among those treated and PCR negative, 87.5% developed HCC. In contrast, 76.5% of untreated, PCR-positive patients developed HCC. Among HIV co-infected patients, 75% developed HCC.
Conclusion: The study indicates a high incidence of HCC among hepatitis C patients, regardless of antiviral treatment status or PCR positivity. HIV co-infection appears to be a significant risk factor for HCC development. These findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring and proactive management of hepatitis C patients, especially those co-infected with HIV.
Herlufsholm-samlingen på Syddansk Universitetsbibliotek og forskningspotentialet – om forskellige fund af fragmenter
Authors: Holck Jakob Povl
Published: December 2023

The Herlufsholm Special Collection at the University Library of Southern Denmark in Odense contains many hitherto unknown medieval manuscript fragments and other spectacular library materials. These items constitute a relatively uncatalogued collection, and efforts are now being made to find, identify, register, and digitize them for online availability. This article emphasizes the great scholarly potential of the Herlufsholm Special Collection in various fields of research and gives examples of some of the newly found treasures. It lists the interdisciplinary scientific opportunities and describes modern technological methods for the speedy recovery of ancient texts/works and their contexts.
CUMHURİYET VE LİBERAL DEMOKRASİ PARADİGMASI
Authors: KARAKUŞ Girayalp
Published: December 2023

Çalışmanın amacı Türkiye Cumhuriyeti Devleti’nin kuruluşundan günümüze kadarki süreçte yaşanan merkez-çevre dikotomisini, cumhuriyet-demokrasi kavramlarının siyasi tarih kapsamında gelişim süreçlerini ve uygulanış biçiminin kompozisyonunu ortaya koyabilmektir. Türkiye’de yaşanan kırılmanın tarihsel arka planına inerek okuyucuyu aydınlatabilmektir. Metot olarak karşılaştırmalı analizlere yer verildi. Örneğin; Cumhuriyet fikrinin özellikle 1. Dünya Savaşı’ndan sonra nasıl dayatıldığı gibi. Makalede değinildiği üzere ABD Başkanı Wilson, Almanya’nın yanında savaşa girenlere ancak demokratik bir hükümetle masaya oturacağını dile getirmiştir. Türkiye’de ise Cumhuriyet’e geçiş bir dayatma ile değil bizzat Mustafa Kemal Atatürk ve kadrosunun öncülüğünde gerçekleşmiştir. Zira Türkiye’de Meşrutiyet Devrimleri, Cumhuriyet fikrine siyasi bir laboratuvar vazifesi görmüştür. Çalışmada tezi konsolide edebilmek için yerli ve yabancı kaynaklardan yararlanıldı. Cumhuriyet kurulduğundan bu yana Cumhuriyetçi elitlerin ortaya çıkardığı reformlar toplumsal muhalefeti de beraberinde getirmiştir. Cumhuriyet halk egemenliği ve hukuk devleti gibi kavramlarla eşit yurttaşlığı tanımlar ancak neden bu ideo-politik düşünce toplumun geneli tarafından benimsenmedi? Türk milli kimliği adı altında ulus-devlet kurulması neden sorunların başlangıcına neden oldu? Bütün bu soruların cevabı makalede nedensellik içerisinde anlatılmıştır. Çalışmada günümüzde yaşanan toplumsal kutuplaşmaların temelinin Cumhuriyet döneminde yaşanan merkez-çevre zıtlaşmasına dayandığı sonucuna varılmıştır. Türkiye’de üstten alta yaşanan yapısöküm devriminin sadece elitist bir kesim tarafından benimsenmesi ve alta yayılmaması günümüzde yaşadığımız sorunların temelini teşkil etmektedir. Türkiye’de yaşanan devrim sosyo-prikolojik açından incelendiğinde çevrenin sisteme kendini adapte etmediği görülecektir. Türk devletinin temelini oluşturan ulus-devlet, milli Türk kimliği gibi kavramların da oluşumu bu dönemde olmuştur dolayısıyla toplumda Türk devletine karşı olan insanların ezilmişlik moral-motivasyon kaynağı da yine bu dönemde yaşanan olaylar olmuştur.
ÜNIVERSİTE ÖĞRENCİLERİNİN KURUMSAL İMAJ ALGILARI: ATATÜRK ÜNİVERSİTESİ ÖRNEĞİ
Authors: AYDIN Kadir , İLHAN Gökhan
Published: December 2023

Küreselleşme, bilgi teknolojilerinin gelişmesi, hizmetlerin çeşitliliği ve hızlı büyümesi ile günümüzde kurumlar rekabet ortamında önde olmak ve sürdürülebilirlik için kurumsal imaj araştırmalarına önem vermeye başlamışlardır. Kurumsal bir yapı olan üniversitelerin kurumsal imajını belirleyen birçok farklı kriter mevcuttur. Öğrencilerin üniversiteleri ile ilgili olarak kurumsal imajını algılama düzeyi, üniversitenin potansiyel adaylar için tercih oranını da etkilediği gibi üniversitenin prestiji açısından da önemlidir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Atatürk Üniversitesi’ne bağlı fakültelerde eğitim görmekte olan öğrencilerin üniversiteye dair kurumsal imaj algılarını belirlemektir. Üniversite imaj algısının belirlenmesi amacıyla 2019-2020 eğitim öğretim yılında öğrenim gören altı yüz öğrenciye anket uygulanmıştır. Nicel bir araştırma yöntemi kullanılmış olup, elde edilen veriler SPSS 26 programı yardımıyla aritmetik ortalama, standart sapma, t-testi ve tek yönlü varyans (ANOVA) analizlerine tabi tutulmuştur. Araştırma bulguları katılımcıların aylık harcama ve bölüm hakkındaki ön bilgi değişkenleri ile kurumsal imaj algıları arasında anlamlı farklılık olduğunu ancak fakülte, cinsiyet ve yaşadıkları bölge değişkenlerine göre anlamlı bir farklılığın olmadığını göstermiştir. Katılımcıların Atatürk Üniversitesi’ne yönelik genel kurumsal imaj algılarının “orta düzeyde” olduğu belirlenmiştir. Araştırma sonuçlarının üniversite yönetimi için önemli olan veri kalitesine sahip olduğu söylenebilir.
ZAMAN, ÖLÜM, GÖRSEL KÜLTÜR İLİŞKİSİ ÜZERİNE YENİDEN DÜŞÜNMEK
Authors: KIRMIZI Hüseyin
Published: December 2023

Çalışmanın amacı, insanlığın kültürel ve düşünsel gelişimi boyunca tartışmalı yerini daima koruyan zaman ve ölüm kavramlarının; görsel kültürle olan ilişkisini yeniden sorgulayabilmektir. 20. yüzyılda sıklıkla karşımıza çıkan şiddet, ölüm ve zaman göstergeleri, kapsamlı şekilde algısal kırılmalara yol açmış, yeni bir zaman anlayışı ve buna bağlı gelişen bir şiddet ve ölüm kültürünün tekrar doğmasına neden olmuştur. Bu yüzden kültür, iletişim ve sanat üretiminden kopmaya başlayan zaman ve ölüm kavramları, görsel kültürün alanına girmiştir. Böylece eskiden düşünme ve düşleme pratiklerimize önemli katkılar sunarak, yanılsama ve yaratıcılık arzumuzu tetikleyen bu kavramlar; 20. yüzyılda bunalım, intihar cinayet, terörizm ve kıyamet senaryoları gibi olumsuz şekillerde toplumun ve seyircinin karşısına çıkmaya başlamıştır. Görsel kültürün ölüm ve zaman kavramları üzerinde tüketime varan bu etkisi; toplumsal ilişkilerin toplum karşıtı, modern sanatın ise sanat karşıtı akımlarla buluşmasında etkili olmuştur. Böylece eski mistik anlamından koparılarak, ekonomi politik değerlere dönüştürülen zaman ve ölüm; modern kültürün ikili ve çelişkili kavramları haline gelmiştir. Bu bağlamda Jean Baudrillard, Simgesel Değiş Tokuş ve Ölüm (1976) isimli çalışmasında antropoloji ve sosyolojiden faydalanarak; ölüm, zaman, değiş tokuş, ekonomi politik, iletişim ve simgesellik gibi kavramlar üzerinden modern dönemin sosyokültürel yapısı hakkında önemli söylemlerde bulunur. Söz konusu bu kavramların modern ve ilkel anlamları arasında radikal bir ayrıma giden düşünür açısından; görselliğin, gösterinin ve tüketimin, teknoloji ve ekonomi politik aracılığıyla yeniden anlam bulduğu modern dönem ile ritüel, şölen ve simgesel ilişkiler ağının etkin olduğu ilkel dönem arasında; zaman ve ölümün algılanma şekli ve bu algı karşısında geliştirdiğimiz toplumsal tepkiler - cevaplar arasında neredeyse tam bir karşıtlık vardır. Bu bağlamdan hareketle çalışmada modernizme özgü kültürel çelişkilere ve kapsamlı bunalımlara neden olan bu temel karşıtlıkların, sinema ve televizyon endüstrisinin teknik ve estetik imkânlarıyla desteklendiği vurgulanır. Böylece ölüm ve zaman gibi iki önemli kavramın, teknolojik ve ekonomi politik ilerlemenin işleyiş prensiplerine uyarak, görsel kültürle buluştuğu öne sürülür.
Empreendedores públicos e os riscos à inovação no setor público
Authors: Ribeiro Antonio Carlos Andrade , Mendes Flores Nicole
Published: December 2023

Este artigo analisa os riscos às inovações no setor público conducentes à implementação de ideias alternativas ou ao retorno às velhas práticas. Aplicam-se técnicas quantitativas e qualitativas para analisar os riscos à gênese e à difusão das Redes de Cooperação para a Prevenção e Combate à Corrupção (RCPCC) no Brasil. Verificou-se a presença de cinco riscos: crises políticas, circulação de elites, presença de “passageiros não pagantes”, barreiras hierárquicas e pautas restritas a interesses específicos. O artigo impacta a agenda de pesquisa sobre inovação no setor público ao apontar a necessidade de investigações futuras sobre o trabalho cotidiano de agentes comprometidos com a inovação.
Testosterona: a biografia de um hormônio
Authors: Tramontano Lucas
Published: December 2023

O livro de Tramontano guia-nos por um caminho que tem um sem-número de ramificações. O autor, entretanto, percorre tais ramificações sem deixar que a história se disperse, alinhavando com cuidado e esmero as diversas aproximações e afastamentos, construindo conexões e apontando divergências cabíveis. Assim, a personagem testosterona vai ganhando corpo, e sua relevância política vai ficando clara, ajudando-nos a compreender, por um lado, como nossas trocas cotidianas são perpassadas pelas descobertas científicas, e, por outro, como as descobertas científicas são influenciadas pelo que trocamos em nossas vidas cotidianas.
Reminiscences on resuming publication of Acta Physica Sinica in 1974
Authors: Wu Yong-Shi ,   Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Utah, Salt Lake City UT84112, USA
Published: December 2023

Acta Physica Sinica (Chinese version) resumed its publication in January 1974, after an unplanned suspension of publication for seven and half years. This paper presents some reminiscences about this event, including some background stories as well as the hard and passionate work of elderly generations of Chinese physicists.
The transcription factor Sfp1 imprints specific classes of mRNAs and links their synthesis and cytoplasmic decay
Authors: Kelbert M. , Jordan T. , de-Miguel-Jiménez L. , García-Martínez J , Selitrennik M. , Gutman A. , Henig N , Granneman S , Pérez-Ortín J.E. , Chávez S. , Choder M.
Published: December 2023

To properly function as an integrated system, both transcriptional and post-transcriptional machineries must communicate; the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here we focus on ribosomal biosynthetic and ribosomal protein genes, transcription of which is regulated by a promoter-binding transcription factor, Sfp1. We show that Sfp1 also binds their gene bodies, affecting RNA polymerase II (Pol II) configuration, leading to enhanced backtracking and Rpb4 dissociation. Unexpectedly, we discovered that Sfp1 binds a group of those mRNAs encoded by Sfp1-bound genes. Remarkably, Sfp1 regulates deadenylation and decay of its bound mRNAs. The interaction of Sfp1 with its client mRNAs is controlled by their respective promoters and occurs concomitantly with its dissociation from chromatin. Collectively, our data suggest that for a subset of its targets, Sfp1 accompanies Pol II and controls its configuration during elongation, moves to the emerging transcripts co-transcriptionally and regulates their cytoplasmic stability. Thus, Sfp1 co-transcriptional binding imprints mRNA fate and serves as a paradigm for a cross-talk between synthesis and decay of specific mRNAs.
The Intricate Relationship of G-Quadruplexes and Pathogenicity Islands: A Window into Bacterial Pathogenicity
Authors: Lyu Bo
Published: December 2023

The dynamic interplay between guanine-quadruplex (G4) structures and pathogenicity islands (PAIs) represents a captivating area of research with implications for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying pathogenicity. This study conducted a comprehensive analysis of a large-scale dataset from reported 89 pathogenic strains to investigate the potential interactions between G4 structures and PAIs. G4 structures exhibited an uneven and non-random distribution within the PAIs and were consistently conserved within the same pathogenic strains. Additionally, this investigation identified positive correlations between the number and frequency of G4s and the GC content across different genomic features, including the genome, promoters, genes, tRNA, and rRNA regions, indicating a potential relationship between G4 structures and the GC-associated regions of the genome. The observed differences in GC content between PAIs and the core genome further highlight the unique nature of PAIs and underlying factors, such as DNA topology. High-confidence G4 structures within regulatory regions of
Escherichia coli
were identified, modulating the efficiency or specificity of DNA integration events within PAIs. Collectively, these findings pave the way for future research to unravel the intricate molecular mechanisms and functional implications of G4-PAI interactions, thereby advancing our understanding of bacterial pathogenicity and the role of G4 structures in infectious diseases.
mTORC1/S6K1 signaling promotes sustained oncogenic translation through modulating CRL3IBTK-mediated non-degradative ubiquitination of eIF4A1
Authors: Sun Huiru , Jiao Dongyue , Zhao Xiaying , Chen Yingji , Shi Qing , Lv Zeheng , Li Yao , Gao Kun , Wang Chenji
Published: December 2023

Enhanced protein synthesis is a crucial molecular mechanism that allows cancer cells to survive, proliferate, metastasize, and develop resistance to anti-cancer treatments, and often arises as a consequence of increased signaling flux channeled to mRNA-bearing eukaryotic initiation factor 4F (eIF4F). However, the post-translational regulation of eIF4A1, an ATP-dependent RNA helicase and subunit of the eIF4F complex, is still poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that IBTK, a substrate-binding adaptor of Culllin 3-RING ubiquitin ligase complex (CRL3), interacts with eIF4A1. The non-degradative ubiquitination of eIF4A1 by catalyzed CRL3
IBTK
complex promotes cap-dependent translational initiation, nascent protein synthesis, oncogene expression, and tumor cell growth both
in vivo
and
in vitro
. Moreover, our results show that mTORC1 and S6K1, two key regulators of protein synthesis, directly phosphorylate IBTK to augment eIF4A1 ubiquitination and sustained oncogenic translation. This link between the CRL3
IBTK
complex and the mTOR signaling pathway, frequently dysregulated in cancer, represents a promising target for anticancer therapies.IBTK overexpression contributes to cervical cancer tumorigenesis by translation regulation and represents a promising target for anticancer therapies.
FMNL2 regulates actin for ER and mitochondria distribution in oocyte meiosis
Authors: Pan Meng-Hao , Pan Zhen-Nan , Sun Ming-Hong , Li Xiao-Han , Ju Jia-Qian , Luo Shi-Ming , Ou Xiang-Hong , Sun Shao-Chen
Published: December 2023

During mammalian oocyte meiosis, spindle migration and asymmetric cytokinesis are unique steps for the successful polar body extrusion. The asymmetry defects of oocytes will lead to the failure of fertilization and embryo implantation. In present study we reported that an actin nucleating factor formin-like 2 (FMNL2) played critical roles in the regulation of spindle migration and organelle distribution. Our results showed that FMNL2 mainly localized at the oocyte cortex and periphery of spindle. Depletion of FMNL2 led to the failure of polar body extrusion and large polar bodies in oocytes. Live-cell imaging revealed that the spindle failed to migrate to the oocyte cortex, which caused polar body formation defects, and this might be due to the decreased polymerization of cytoplasmic actin by FMNL2 depletion. Furthermore, mass spectrometry analysis indicated that FMNL2 was associated with mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum-related proteins, and FMNL2 depletion disrupted the function and distribution of mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, showing with decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and the occurrence of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Microinjecting Fmnl2-EGFP mRNA into FMNL2-depleted oocytes significantly rescued these defects. Thus, our results indicate that FMNL2 is essential for the actin assembly, which further involves into meiotic spindle migration and ER/mitochondria functions in mouse oocytes.
Rho GTPase signaling and mDia facilitate endocytosis via presynaptic actin
Authors: Oevel Kristine , Hohensee Svea , Kumar Atul , Rosas-Brugada Irving , Bartolini Francesca , Soykan Tolga , Haucke Volker
Published: December 2023

Neurotransmission at synapses is mediated by the fusion and subsequent endocytosis of synaptic vesicle membranes. Actin has been suggested to be required for presynaptic endocytosis but the mechanisms that control actin polymerization and its mode of action within presynaptic nerve terminals remain poorly understood. We combine optical recordings of presynaptic membrane dynamics and ultrastructural analysis with genetic and pharmacological manipulations to demonstrate that presynaptic endocytosis is controlled by actin regulatory diaphanous-related formins mDia1/3 and Rho family GTPase signaling. We show that impaired presynaptic actin assembly in the near absence of mDia1/3 and reduced RhoA activity is partly compensated by hyperactivation of Rac1. Inhibition of Rac1 signaling further aggravates impaired presynaptic endocytosis elicited by loss of mDia1/3. Our data suggest that interdependent mDia1/3-Rho and Rac1 signaling pathways cooperatively act to facilitate synaptic vesicle endocytosis by controlling presynaptic F-actin.
FMC2 model based perception grading for dark insurgent network analysis
Authors: Pugalendhi Ganesh Kumar , Kumaresan Shanmugapriya , Paul Anand
Published: December 2023

The burgeoning role of social network analysis (SNA) in various fields raises complex challenges, particularly in the analysis of dark and dim networks involved in illicit activities. Existing models like the stochastic block model (SBM), exponential graph model (EGM), and latent space model (LSM) are limited in scope, often only suitable for one-mode networks. This article introduces a novel fuzzy multiple criteria multiple constraint model (FMC2) tailored for community detection in two-mode networks, which are particularly common in dark networks. The proposed method quantitatively determines the relationships between nodes based on a probabilistic measure and uses distance metrics to identify communities within the network. Moreover, the model establishes fuzzy boundaries to differentiate between the most and least influential nodes. We validate the efficacy of FMC2 using the Noordin Terrorist dataset and conduct extensive simulations to evaluate performance metrics. The results demonstrate that FMC2 not only effectively identifies communities but also ranks influential nodes within them, contributing to a nuanced understanding of complex networks. The method promises broad applicability and adaptability, particularly in intelligence and security domains where identifying influential actors within covert networks is critical.