bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Merocel versus a new septal clip with splint in post septal surgery cases: a prospective study
Authors: Das Jyoti Ranjan , Ghosh Debangshu
Published: August 2024

Septoplasty is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in otorhinolaryngology to overcome nasal obstruction. Following septal surgery, nasal packs are commonly inserted by surgeons to support and appose septal flaps the types of which depend on the preference and experience of the surgeon.

Background We conducted a study to compare the Merocel sponge with that of a newly developed septal clip with the splint in patients who underwent septoplasty or submucosal resection to find out which one is better. A total of 50 patients were included in the study over a period of 3 years. Patients were divided into 2 groups of 25 each where group M is for patients receiving Merocel after surgery and group C is for patients receiving septal clips with splints.

Aim The aim of this study was to assess and compare the effects of a Merocel pack on nasal functions with that of the septal clip and their eventual complications and outcome in the post-operative period.

Results The main observations that were found in both groups in the immediate postoperative period were (1) pain (2) nasal obstruction (3) sleep disturbance (4) headache (5) epiphora (6) dryness of mouth and (7) postnasal drip. Pain was mild to moderate in the case of group M (MPS was 2.4) and moderate to severe degree in the case of group C (MPS was 5.7).

Nasal obstruction was more common in Merocel group patients. Sleep disturbance, headache, epiphora, post-nasal drip, and dryness of mouth were also more in the Merocel group. After pack removal in both groups, the nasal examination was done to see crusts, vestibulitis, and septal ulcers. All these findings were more in the septal clip with the splint group.

Conclusions It was observed that Merocel nasal packing causes significant morbidity and discomfort in the immediate post-operative period as compared to septal clips. It is also expensive. The new septal clips with splints can be used as an effective alternative to Merocel for approximation of flaps after septal surgery.
High-fat intake induces gut microbiota disorders, inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in Nyctereutes procyonoides
Authors: Li Zhaoming , Wei Chengwei , Yang Jie , Geng Yuan , Zhu Mengran , Xu Tianchao , Guo Mengyao
Published: August 2024

The Nyctereutes procyonoides is highly regarded in the farming and leather industries because of the high value of its fur, which renders artificial feeding a crucial aspect. However, high-fat diets have always been associated with a variety of digestive disorders. This study aimed to investigate the impact of high-fat diets on the gut microbiota and the mechanisms of gut damage in Nyctereutes procyonoides. 16S rRNA sequencing demonstrated that high-fat diets caused diarrhea and intestinal damage through alterations in the gut microbiota: a decrease in the abundance of Firmicutes, an increase in the abundance of Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria, and an increase in the abundance of Enterococcaceae, Escherichia coli-Shigella, Clostridium and Lactobacillus. Subsequently, changes in metabolic pathways, such as amino and fatty acid pathways, were identified by KEGG and COG enrichment analysis, and the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammatory signaling pathway was shown to be activated by high-fat diets. In addition, high-fat diets lead to the accumulation of ROS and MDA and reduce the activity of the antioxidant enzymes GSH-PX and SOD. Correspondingly, the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α) were significantly increased, and the apoptosis and necrosis signaling pathways of colonic cells were detected, causing a dramatic decrease in the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins (Occludin, E-cadherin, ZO-1 and ZO-2). In conclusion, high-fat diets altered the structure of the Nyctereutes procyonoides gut microbiota community and led to colon damage. This study provides new insights into the intestinal health of Nyctereutes procyonoides.

Graphical Abstract
The impact of COVID-19 on health service utilization in sub-Saharan Africa—a scoping review
Authors: Tannor Elliot Koranteng , Amuasi John , Busse Reinhard , Opoku Daniel , Ofori Emmanuel , Gyan Kwadwo Faka , Aikins Minas , Hutton-Mensah Kojo , Opare-Addo Priscilla , Quentin Wilm
Published: August 2024

Background

Despite comparatively low rates of COVID-19 admissions and recorded deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the pandemic still had significant impact on health service utilization (HSU). The aim of this scoping review is to synthesize the available evidence of HSU in SSA during the pandemic, focusing on types of studies, changes in HSU compared with the pre-pandemic period, and changes among specific patient groups.

Methods

The scoping review was guided by the methodological framework for conducting scoping reviews developed by Arksey and O’Malley. We identified relevant studies through a search of PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science. We then provided a general descriptive overview of the extracted data focusing on the types of studies, patient groups, and change in HSU.

Results

We identified 262 studies reporting on HSU in 39 SSA countries. Studies were mainly quantitative (192; 73.3%), involving multiple centers (163; 62.2%), conducted in hospitals (205; 78.2%), and in urban settings (121; 46.2%). The median number of participants was 836.5 (IQR: 101.5–5897) involving 62.5% females. Most studies (92; 35.1%) focused on communicable diseases and mainly among outpatients (90; 34.2%). Maternal and child health studies formed the largest patient group (58; 22.1%) followed by people living with HIV (32; 12.2%). Change in HSU was reported in 249 (95.0%) studies with 221 (84.4%) studies reporting a decrease in HSU. The median decrease in HSU was 35.6% (IQR: 19.0–55.8) and median increase was 16.2% (IQR: 9.1–31.9). The patient group with the largest percentage decrease was cardiovascular diseases (68.0%; IQR: 16.7–71.1) and the lowest percentage decrease was in patients with infections (27.0%; IQR: 16.6–45.6).

Conclusions

A large body of literature is available on the effects of the pandemic on HSU in SSA. Most studies report decreases in HSU during the pandemic. However, patterns differ widely across disease categories, patient groups, and during different time periods of the pandemic.
Opening a Virtual Space before the Door of the Law: The Transnational Togani Effect from Silenced to Angels Wear White
Authors: Li Tian
Published: August 2024

Through an examination of what the author calls the transnational Togani effect, which challenges legislative failures across both screens and borders, the author hopes to show how social justice films are deployed as a mode of critique that directly impacts the criminal justice system. The author's analysis of the transnational Togani effect therefore encompasses and connects the dimensions of virtuality and actuality in their interactive relation in the contemporary media environment. The author situates this interactive relationship between the virtual and the actual within a transnational framework because awareness of sexual assault is raised in cross-border contexts that are intertextual and interconnected. Drawing on the Deleuzian notion of the virtual and the actual and Giorgio Agamben's concept of inclusive exclusion, the author suggests that screen intervention is a virtual layer added to heterotopic space that serves as a possible resistance against the entrapment of human subjects by neoliberal governance, in which the law is “in force without significance.” As Deleuze shows, the virtual and the actual are fully real, and the relationship between them takes the form of a circuit. By exploring how the interlocking of virtuality and actuality comes to bear on the legal sphere, this article poses fundamental questions for cinema, or for audiovisual media in general, such as to what extent cinematic critique is capable of opening an alternative space for social justice.
The Impact of D2 Versus D1 Lymphadenectomy in Siewert II Gastroesophageal Junction (GEJ) Cancer
Authors: Alcasid Nathan J. , Fink Deanna , Banks Kian C. , Susai Cynthia J. , Barnes Katherine , Wile Rachel , Sun Angela , Patel Ashish , Ashiku Simon , Velotta Jeffrey B.
Published: August 2024

Background

Although multiple treatment options exist for gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer, surgery remains the mainstay for potential cure. Extended nodal dissection with a D2 lymphadenectomy (LAD) remains controversial for Siewert II GEJ cancer. Although D2 LAD may lead to a greater lymph node harvest, its effect on survival remains elusive. The authors hypothesized that additional D2 dissection in Siewert II GEJ cancer does not lead to increased survival.

Methods

This study reviewed Siewert II patients who received a D1 or D2 LAD in addition to minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) after receiving neoadjuvant chemoradiation or perioperative chemotherapy (2012–2022). The patients were followed for up to 5 years. The outcomes measured were survival, number of nodes sampled, and operative time. The association between D1 or D2 LAD and overall survival was analyzed with Kaplan-Meier methods and a multivariable Cox regression model.

Results

Among 155 patients, 74 % underwent D1 and 26 % underwent D2 LAD. The patients with D2 had more than 15 lymph nodes harvested more frequently than those who had D1 (83 % vs 48 %; p < 0.001), with no difference in positive nodes (2.8 ± 5.2 vs 2.1 ± 4.2; p = 0.4). The patients with D2 LAD had a longer median operative time than those who with D1 LAD (362 vs 244 min; p < 0.001). In Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression models, overall survival did not differ significantly between the patients undergoing D2 and those who had D1 (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.52; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 0.25–1.00; p = 0.067).

Conclusions

Little consensus exists regarding the optimal lymph node harvest for GEJ cancers. In Siewert II cancer, D2 LAD may not be mandatory and may lead to increased operative morbidity with no significant difference in survival.
Revision als ironische inversion
Authors: Καρδαμίτσης Μιχαήλ
Published: August 2024

Η παρούσα εργασία πραγματεύεται τη σχέση του σωζόμενου Ιππολύτου του Ευριπίδη (Ιππ. Β) με τη χαμένη πρώτη εκδοχή (Ιππ. Α), της οποίας η πλοκή μπορεί να ανασυντεθεί από μια σειρά αποσπασμάτων και μαρτυριών, καθώς και από τους αποήχους της στη μεταγενέστερη λογοτεχνία, κυρίως από την τέταρτη επιστολή Ηρωίδων του Οβιδίου και από την τραγωδία Φαίδρα του Σενέκα. Σκοπός της εργασίας είναι να εξηγήσει την παράδοξη πλοκή του Ιππ. Β και συνάμα να αναδείξει την αντιστροφή ως τη θεμελιώδη συνθετική του αρχή. Η διπλή επεξεργασία του ίδιου μύθου από τον ίδιο ποιητή γίνεται κατανοητή στα αγωνιστικό πλαίσιο της λογοτεχνικής αντιπαλότητας ανάμεσα στον Ευριπίδη και τον πρεσβύτερο συνάδελφό του Σοφοκλή, ο οποίος επεξεργάστηκε με τη σειρά του τον ίδιο μύθο στην επίσης χαμένη τραγωδία του Φαίδρα. Η εργασία φιλοδοξεί να διευρύνει τη γνώση μας για τις δύο χαμένες εκδοχές του μύθου και μέσα από τη λεπτομερή εργασία της ανασύνθεσης να προωθήσει αποφασιστικά την κατανόηση της σωζόμενης εκδοχής, της οποίας η ερμηνεία αποτελεί διαχρονική πρόκληση για τους μελετητές του Ευριπίδη.
Should history education begin in kindergarten?
Authors: Fardi Kyriaki
Published: August 2024

This ​paper​ presents research related to the perspectives and social representations of both prospective and currently employed educators regarding the ​introduction of​ kindergarten and primary education children to history education. The research was carried out using the Thematic Analysis​ method,​ and ​comprises qualitative data​. The results of this research ​study ​show that educators are influenced by their social representations regarding the type and form of history education, as well as by their education. Social representations shape their perceptions on the ​appropriate ​age for introducing children to history education. This paper presents the theoretical background of the research, its purposes, research strategies, methodology, the results and their analysis, and a final ​section ​for discussion and conclusions.
Central European strategies in the new Cold War: between balancing and bandwagoning
Authors: Zaborowski Marcin
Published: August 2024

This article argues that the security of Central Europe – defined as stretching from the Baltic Sea to the Black See–is based first and foremost on the viability and engagement of the Western alliance, understood as NATO and the European Union. The security and defense policies in the region are designed in relation to NATO and bilateral relations with the United States, with limited attempts to achieve some degree of self-sufficiency. Therefore, to understand the security of Central Europe and its individual nations, it is essential to understand their attitudes and fears related to alliances as well as their perceptions of Russia’s intentions. It is posited here that the concept that can best explain the behavior of the nations of the region, allowing also for forecasting future behavior, is the balance of threat theory, as put forward by Stephen Walt. According to the theory, the nations facing threat chose to either balance the threatening power by joining forces with other actors and forming alliances or joining in with their predator, which constitutes a bandwagoning behavior. Historically, especially during the interwar period, these strategies have been employed by Central European nations. Today, the security environment is arguably very different– we have NATO, EU, and American engagement in the region. However, the international environment has deteriorated recently, especially since the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Arguably, Central European states have responded by falling, to some extent, into patterns of behavior familiar from the past, with some clinging to closer relations with their external patron (the United States) and some hedging their bets and opting for relative neutrality or even closer relations with Russia. The article argues that four factors determine states’ behavior vis-à-vis the Russian threat: geography, history, predator intentions, and the perception of allied reliability.
Abnormalities in the absolute power of Delta and Alpha rhythms in the frontal lobe of patients suffering from psychosomatic disorders
Authors: Grabowski Łukasz Bartosz , Chełstowski Marek , Hiszpańska Maja , Łaszewska Kamila , Lewandowska Monika , Milner Rafał
Published: August 2024

Cel pracy

Zaburzenia psychosomatyczne to heterogenna grupa jednostek chorobowych przebiegających bez wyjaśnionej przyczyny somatycznej. Z racji złożoności symptomów stanowią one istotny problem medyczno-społeczno-ekonomiczny, a diagnostyka i leczenie chorób wciąż pozostaje dużym wyzwaniem klinicznym. Celem prowadzonych badań była próba znalezienia charakterystycznych wzorców w powierzchniowej aktywności bioelektrycznej mózgu u u osób doświadczających chorób psychosomatycznych. Uzyskane wyniki mogą pomóc w zrozumieniu patomechanizmu zaburzeń oraz w opracowaniu obiektywnych metod diagnozy i różnicowania dysfunkcji czynnościowych.

Metoda

Badania przeprowadzono na grupie 49 osób: 30 pacjentów z SSD oraz 19 osobach z grupy kontrolnej. U osób badanych wykonywano rejestrację spoczynkowego sygnału EEG w dwóch warunkach eksperymentalnych (oczy otwarte, oczy zamknięte). Zarejestrowane sygnały poddano analizie ilościowej EEG (QEEG), a następnie przeanalizowano statystycznie.

Wyniki

Analiza sygnałów EEG wykazała istnienie różnic statystycznych między badanymi grupami w zakresie mocy absolutnej w paśmie Alpha (8-12 Hz) w okolicach czołowych (elektrody F3, Fz, F4) w warunku oczu otwartych oraz w paśmie Delta (1-4 Hz) (prawej okolicy czołowej, elektroda F4 w warunku oczu zamkniętych . Nie zaobserwowano podobnych zmian ani w paśmie Beta (12-25 Hz) ani High Beta (25-30 Hz).

Wnioski

Wykryte nieprawidłowości w powierzchniowej aktywności bioelektrycznej mózgu mogą świadczyć o występowaniu potencjalnych zaburzeń w recepcji i interpretacji doznań trzewnych przez pacjentów z chorobami psychosomatycznymi. Brak różnic w wysokich częstotliwościach może być pomocny w diagnostyce różnicowej między tymi chorobami a innymi zaburzeniami lękowymi, gdzie symptomy psychosomatyczne są obserwowane. Uzyskane wyniki mogą również być przydatne przy planowaniu protokołów z użyciem różnych metod neuroterapeutycznych.
Regards sur la vieillesse dans les années 1850 dans Les Amoureux de Sainte-Périne de Champfleury et deux traités médicaux
Authors: Chavasse Philippe
Published: August 2024

Abstract: En 1855, le roman Les Amoureux de Sainte-Périne de Champfleury dépeint des vieillards pensionnaires d'une des premières maisons de retraite spécialisées. À la même époque, deux ouvrages médicaux, le Traité de la vieillesse hygiénique, médical et philosophique de Joseph-Henri Reveillé-Parise (1853) et le Traité clinique et pratique des maladies des vieillards de Maxime Durand-Fardel (1854), étudient les pathologies des personnes âgées. Ils véhiculent une vision puritaine critiquée par Simone de Beauvoir dans La Vieillesse , selon laquelle la dégénérescence des organes reproducteurs libère l'instinct et élève l'âme. Malgré sa tonalité comique et moralisatrice, le roman de Champfleury parvient à saisir avec justesse des vieillards tourmentés par des passions déstabilisantes.
Withdrawing Life Support After Attempted Suicide: A Case Study and Review of Ethical Considerations
Authors: Oxman David A. , Richter Benjamin
Published: August 2024

Abstract: Ethical questions surrounding withdrawal of life support can be complex. When life support therapies are the result of a suicide attempt, the potential ethical issues take on another dimension. Duties and principles that normally guide clinicians’ actions as caregivers may not apply as easily. We present a case of attempted suicide in which decisions surrounding withdrawal of life support provoked conflict between a patient’s family and the medical team caring for him. We highlight the major unresolved philosophical questions and contradictory normative values about suicide that underlie this conflict. Finally, we show how these considerations were practically applied to this particular case.
Pearl and the Fairies of Romance: Hermeneutics and Intertextuality in a Fourteenth-Century Religious Dream Vision
Authors: Hailes Stephen De
Published: August 2024

Abstract: This article focuses on the parallels that can be drawn between the characters and landscapes of the fourteenth-century Pearl poem and the fairy characters and otherworlds that frequently appear in works of medieval romance. It argues that the Pearl -poet is consciously engaging with readily identifiable fairy themes and motifs, made popular through a wide range of romances and other sources, in order to help propagate a certain ambiguity within the poem: one that feeds into the broader epistemological themes that are present within the text. More specifically, this article shows that the poet's manipulation of these motifs forms part of the broader unraveling of the poem, in which both the dreamer's and the reader's ability to comprehend the nature of the vision develops as the poem progresses. Drawing on two works in particular, the fourteenth-century alliterative romance Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Chrétien de Troyes's twelfth-century French romance Le Conte du Graal , this article argues that Pearl parallels these texts in the way that they utilize otherworldly conventions to inhibit both the protagonist's and the reader's ability to rationalize the events taking place within the poem. By identifying the poet's use of fairy conventions in Pearl , a poem that consistently draws attention to the limits of human knowledge, this article examines, from a fresh perspective, the poet's exploration of ineffability and of the divide between material and spiritual modes of existence.
Recreating the Eye of the Beholder: Technopaegnia , Encrypted Reading, and a New Version of "Easter-wings"
Authors: Weiss Nadine Tara
Published: August 2024

Abstract: George Herbert's "Easter-wings" is perhaps the best-known shape poem in the English language. As such, it has been the subject of intense and sustained scholarly scrutiny. With very few exceptions, however, critics have shown surprisingly little interest in contextualizing the poem in light of the Hellenistic tradition of shape poetry from which the Renaissance figure poem ultimately descends. In particular, no previous scholarly examination of the poem has taken into account the genre's penchant for encrypted reading and plural signification. In doing just this, the present essay uncovers another semantically coherent, arresting, "new" version of "Easter-wings" that has been hiding in plain sight all along, a combined "Easter-wings" that remains visible today in the poem's two surviving manuscript sources. Enlisting qualitative and quantitative approaches to analyzing Herbert's corrections in the palimpsestic backdrop of the only authorially supervised manuscript copy of The Temple , it finds that these authorial revisions exist with the primary (and hitherto unrecognized) purpose of better supporting a combined reading of the poem. Finally, by discussing some of the more pressing challenges facing future editors of The Temple , this essay also draws on and contributes to ongoing scholarship in textual criticism, material texts, and the history of the book.
Jealousy in Early Modern England
Authors: Irish Bradley J.
Published: August 2024

Abstract: Emerging from the growing subfield of emotion history, this essay anatomizes the discourse of jealousy in early modern England. Through lexical analysis of a wide range of sources, the essay outlines how the passion of jealousy was understood in Renaissance England, treating four broad categories: (1) definitions of jealousy; (2) contexts of jealousy; (3) the experience of jealousy; and (4) sufferers of jealousy. Taken together, the analysis here presents one of the most complete accounts of early modern jealousy to date and points to the emotion's considerable importance in the period.
Multifocal array camera system design
Authors: Zhu Shengtai , Sasián José , Brady David J.
Published: August 2024

Traditional cameras rely on focusing mechanisms for high-performance imaging over a large depth range. However, focusing mechanisms are usually complicated, bulky, and costly. Here we consider multifocal array cameras that eliminate the need for focusing mechanisms. In the system, lenses with different focal lengths cover different depth ranges, and focusing is achieved digitally by selecting images from the designated channels. Eliminating the need to focus enables simple high-performance designs for individual cameras. Various lens design techniques, including the selection of design forms, aberration correction, athermalization, and lens desensitizing, are discussed in detail.
A Luminance Uniformity Modulation Procedure for Grating-based Exit-pupil Expander
Authors: Hsieh Kuan Chun , Chen Chi-Feng , TSAI YU-HSIN , SU YI-WEI
Published: August 2024

A luminance uniformity modulation procedure is proposed for grating-based exit-pupil expander (EPE) using in waveguide display. And the diffractive efficiency of the extracted light via coupling-out structure area (COSA) has been analyzed by both rigorous coupled wave analysis (RCWA) and finite difference time domain (FDTD) wave optics theory in RSoft®. We have also imported bidirectional scattering distribution function (BSDF) file into waveguide optical system using LightTools® to validate the desired purpose. The luminance uniformity results of 5 COSAi have been achieved excellent performance 99.44% with a good overall light extracting rate 19.27 % and no optical crosstalk issue has occurred.
Modelling of phase-sensitive two-pump fiber optical parametric amplifiers: a comparative study
Authors: Pakarzadeh Hassan , Hashemi Samira
Published: August 2024

Fiber optical parametric amplifiers (FOPAs) are versatile devices for various applications, such as efficient signal amplification over a wide gain bandwidth. In this paper, at first, by proposing a physical model based on the coupled amplitude equations, we first examine the effect of input relative phase on the gain spectrum of two-pump (2P) FOPAs. Then, we simulate the pump and signal evolutions along the optical fiber and compare 2P-FOPAs in phase-sensitive (PS) and phase-insensitive (PI) operation modes. The results show that the gain level and the gain smoothness of a PS-2P FOPA can be higher than those of a PI-2P FOPA if an appropriate relative phase is set at the fiber input. Moreover, phase-sensitive amplification allows for amplification with a lower noise figure than what quantum mechanics normally dictates. These results have novel applications in fiber-optic communication systems, enabling the amplification of signals with high gain and simultaneously minimizing the noise figure.
Using the Family Planning Estimation Tool (FPET) to assess national-level family planning trends and future projections for contraceptive prevalence and associated demand for HIV-infected women in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ambade Preshit Nemdas , Hajjar Julia , Adjei Nicholas Kofi , Yaya Sanni
Published: August 2024

The combination of low uptake of modern contraceptives, high rates of unintended pregnancies, and the pervasive HIV epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) poses a threat to maternal, newborn, and child health in the region. This study examined the prevalence, need, and demand satisfied by modern contraceptive methods for women who tested positive for HIV (both unmarried and married) in 10 countries in SSA. We used the Family Planning Estimation Tool (FPET) to generate national-level trends and projections from 1983 through 2030. Individual-level data from 30 DHS surveys conducted between 2004 and 2018 in 10 sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries were used to produce projections for 1) all women and 2) unmarried and married women who tested positive for HIV. Throughout the period, Ethiopian and Guinean women who tested positive for HIV had a higher %mCPR (utilization of modern family planning methods) vis-à-vis all women. Among women who tested positive for HIV, the highest percentage of family planning demand satisfied by modern methods was observed in Zimbabwe (85.27, CI: 76.32−91.69), Lesotho (82.75, CI: 71.80−89.86), Rwanda (80.17, CI: 70.01−87.62), Malawi (73.11, CI: 61.50−82.63), and Zambia (72.63, CI: 64.49−80.09). The highest unmet need for modern contraceptives was found in Senegal (25.38, CI:18.36−33.72), followed by Cameroon (23.59, CI:19.30−28.59) and Sierra Leone (23.16, CI:16.64−32.05). Zimbabwe had the lowest unmet need (10.61, CI:6.36−16.13) and achieved the highest change in %mCPR (49.28, SE:6.80). Among married women who tested positive for HIV, their unmet need for modern contraception will remain higher in 2030. Continuing existing policies until 2030 would result in significant coverage gain among married vis-à-vis unmarried women who tested positive for HIV. Our projections emphasize the importance of country-specific strengthening initiatives, programs, and services targeting unmarried women.
Effects of religious and cultural beliefs on vaccine attitudes in a Hispanic immigrant population in the United States
Authors: Larson Ruth J. , Jensen Jamie L. , Alvord Scott M. , Sloan-Aagard Chantel , Skyles Ty , Davis Spencer C. , Obray Acelan M. , Pogue Kendall , Poole Brian D.
Published: August 2024

Hispanic Immigrants (HI) have lower vaccination rates than their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Culturally appropriate interventions are more influential in evoking change among viewers; therefore, it is important to understand the cultural factors of specific ethnic groups. In this study, we identify cultural barriers to vaccination of Hispanic Immigrants. An electronic survey was administered among HI parents living in the United States. Using structural equation modeling, we found that high religious practice and positive religious beliefs towards vaccination correspond with positive vaccine attitudes (+0.20 and +0.587, respectively). Trust in institutions is strongly correlated with strong positive vaccine attitudes (+0.734). While trusting one’s folk practitioner more than a medical doctor leads to negative vaccine attitudes (-0.596), the use of home remedies is associated with positive vaccine attitudes (+0.486). The cultural competence of a medical practitioner, especially regarding folk medicine, is essential to lower cultural barriers HI patients face in vaccination.
SARS-CoV-2 seroepidemiology in Cape Town, South Africa, and implications for future outbreaks in low-income communities
Authors: Hussey Hannah , Vreede Helena , Davies Mary-Ann , Heekes Alexa , Kalk Emma , Hardie Diana , van Zyl Gert , Naidoo Michelle , Morden Erna , Bam Jamy-Lee , Zinyakatira Nesbert , Centner Chad M. , Maritz Jean , Opie Jessica , Chapanduka Zivanai , Mahomed Hassan , Smith Mariette , Cois Annibale , Pienaar David , Redd Andrew D. , Preiser Wolfgang , Wilkinson Robert , Boulle Andrew , Hsiao Nei-yuan
Published: August 2024

In low- and middle-income countries where SARS-CoV-2 testing is limited, seroprevalence studies can help describe and characterise the extent of the pandemic, as well as elucidate protection conferred by prior exposure. We conducted repeated cross-sectional serosurveys (July 2020 –November 2021) using residual samples from patients from Cape Town, South Africa, sent for routine laboratory studies for non-COVID-19 conditions. SARS-CoV-2 anti-nucleocapsid antibodies and linked clinical information were used to investigate: (1) seroprevalence over time and risk factors associated with seropositivity, (2) ecological comparison of seroprevalence between subdistricts, (3) case ascertainment rates, and (4) the relative protection against COVID-19 associated with seropositivity and vaccination statuses. Among the subset sampled, seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Cape Town increased from 39.19% (95% confidence interval [CI] 37.23–41.19) in July 2020 to 67.8% (95%CI 66.31–69.25) in November 2021. Poorer communities had both higher seroprevalence and COVID-19 mortality. Only 10% of seropositive individuals had a recorded positive SARS-CoV-2 test. Using COVID-19 hospital admission and death data at the Provincial Health Data Centre, antibody positivity before the start of the Omicron BA.1 wave (28 November 2021) was strongly protective for severe disease (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.15; 95%CI 0.05–0.46), with additional benefit in those who were also vaccinated (aOR 0.07, 95%CI 0.01–0.35). The high population seroprevalence in Cape Town was attained at the cost of substantial COVID-19 mortality. At the individual level, seropositivity was highly protective against subsequent infections and severe COVID-19 disease. In low-income communities, where diagnostic testing capacity is often limited, surveillance systems dependent on them will underestimate the true extent of an outbreak. Rapidly conducted seroprevalence studies can play an important role in addressing this.
Experiences of community reintegration after obstetric fistula repair at Jean Paul 2 hospital, Conakry, Guinea
Authors: Kaba Hady , Touré Momo Aboubacar , Camara Mandian , Johri Mira
Published: August 2024

The study explored women’s experiences of their community reintegration process after surgical repair of obstetric fistula at Jean Paul 2 Hospital in Conakry, Guinea. The study examined how lived experiences of the disease impacted on the community reintegration of treated women. Using a qualitative research methodology, ten women participated after giving informed consent. Semi- structured interviews, lasting an average of 30 to 60 minutes were guided by an interview guide. The main themes covered were experiences with the disease, perceived social support and reintegration into the community. According to the participants, delays in obstetric care were the main cause of obstetric fistula. Socio- economic, cultural and medical factors such as early marriage, lack of education and poverty contributed to these delays. Even after surgical repair, women continued to endure the physical and psychosocial consequences of the disease, exposing them to stigma, discrimination and even rejection within the community. Study participants also reported a lack of social support. The little support perceived by these women concerned food and medical needs. This made the women dependent on their families. Reintegration into the community also proved difficult due to the persistent silence and stigma surrounding their situation. The study results highlight the complexity of the challenges faced by women with obstetric fistula in their journey towards integration. Effective management of obstetric fistula requires a holistic approach victims, their communities, health professionals and decision-makers in solving this problem. So, to improve women’s reintegration after treatment for obstetric fistula, it is vital to raise awareness of the causes and consequences of the disease among the women concerned and their families, and to provide rapid access to emergency obstetric care, reinforce social support and set up economic empowerment programs.
The effect of Jordanian essential oil from coriander seeds on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulatory activities using RAW 246.7 murine macrophages
Authors: Omar Amin , Barakat Muna , Alzaghari Lujain F. , Abdulrazzaq Shaymaa B. , Hasen Eliza , Chellappan Dinesh Kumar , Al-Najjar Mohammad A. A.
Published: August 2024

Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is a member of the Umbelliferae/Apiaceae family and one of the well-known essential oil-containing plants, in which the seeds are used in traditional medicine, and as flavoring in food preparation. Knowing the diverse chemical components of different parts of the plant, this work aims to investigate the antioxidant, the anti-inflammatory, and the immunostimulatory modulator effects of the Jordanian C. sativum’s seed extracted essential oil (JCEO). Coriander oil extract was prepared by hydro-distillation method using the Clevenger apparatus. Different concentrations of coriander oil were examined by using DPPH radical scavenging assay, MTT assay, pro-inflammatory cytokine (Tumor Necrosis Factor-TNF-alpha) production in RAW264.7 murine macrophages in addition, scratch-wound assessment, NO level examination, Th1/Th2 assay, phagocytosis assay, and fluorescence imaging using DAPI stain were conducted. JCEO had a potential metabolic enhancer effect at a concentration of 0.3 mg/mL on cell viability with anti-inflammatory activities via increasing cytokines like IL-10, IL-4, and limiting NO, INF-γ, and TNF-α release into cell supernatant. Antioxidant activity was seen significantly at higher concentrations of JCEO reaching 98.7% when using 100mg/mL and minimally reaching 50% at 12.5mg/mL of the essential oil. Treated macrophages were able to attain full scratch closure after 48-hrs at concentrations below 0.3mg/mL. The seed-extracted JCEO showed significant free radical scavenging activity even at lower dilutions. It also significantly induced an anti-inflammatory effect via an increase in the release of cytokines but reduced the LPS-induced NO and TNF-α production at 0.16–0.3mg/mL. In summary, coriander essential oil demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulatory effects, showcasing its therapeutic potential at specific concentrations. The findings underscore its safety and metabolic enhancement properties, emphasizing its promising role in promoting cellular health.
Continuous and synchronous calibration process of ovality and straightness for longitudinally submerged arc welding pipes with three rollers
Authors: Huang Xueying , Zhang Yubin
Published: August 2024

A new process of continuous and synchronous calibration process of ovality and straightness for LSAW (Longitudinally Submerged Arc Welding, LSAW) pipes with three rollers is proposed. Specifically, the process is introduced from three aspects: roller-shape, loading parameters and axial and circumferential deformation paths. The process is verified by numerical simulation and physical experiments. Further, the stress-strain in the Sections Ⅱ and Ⅳ is analyzed. The relationship between the process parameters and the residual ovality and residual straightness by experiments is discussed. The calibration scheme of LSAW pipes is put forward by using the control variable method. The results show that the shear stress is the principal stress direction in the Sections Ⅱ and Ⅳ. The residual ovality and residual straightness decrease with the increase of the radial reduction and times of reciprocating bending. The reciprocating bending process can eliminate the difference of the initial curvature, make the curvature of each section tend to be uniform. After calibration, the residual straightness is less than 0.2% and the residual ovality is less than 1%, demonstrating a good feasibility of this process.
The prevalence of pain catastrophising in nulliparous women in Nepal; the importance for childbirth
Authors: Clark Carol J. , Marahatta Sujan Babu , Hundley Vanora A.
Published: August 2024

In Lower-Middle-Income-Countries women are encouraged to present at a birthing facility for skilled care, but attending early can be associated with additional harm. Women admitted in latent labour are more likely to receive a cascade of unnecessary interventions compared with those attending a birthing facility during active labour. One reason that women present early is pain, with higher rates of admission among those who pain catastrophise. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of pain catastrophising in nulliparous women in Nepal and to identify predictors for pain catastrophising. A cross sectional study was conducted using a semi-structured survey. The survey was completed by 170 women (18–32 years) in one higher education institution in Kathmandu. The survey included the pain catastrophising scale (PCS), current and previous pain and information about period pain, sociodemographic variables of age, ethnicity, and religion. The prevalence of pain catastrophising reported at a cut off score of PCS≥20 was 55.9% and at a cut off score of PCS≥30 was 17.1%. All women with a PCS ≥30 reported having painful periods. Those with a PCS≥20 were four times [95%CI 1.93–8.42] more likely to report painful periods affecting their daily activities (p<0.001) and those with PCS≥30 three times [95%CI1.10–10.53] more likely (p<0.05). In both cases ethnicity and age were not associated. Women with higher PCS were less likely to take pain medication. A high prevalence of pain catastrophising was reported. It is important to understand how women’s previous negative experiences of pain and pain catastrophising are perceived and if they are contributing to the rise in obstetric intervention, particularly caesarean births, in Nepal. We recommend repeating this study with a larger sample representing a more diverse population.
Too much focus on your health might be bad for your health: Reddit user’s communication style predicts their Long COVID likelihood
Authors: Segneri Ludovica , Babina Nandor , Hammerschmidt Teresa , Fronzetti Colladon Andrea , Gloor Peter A.
Published: August 2024

Long Covid is a chronic disease that affects more than 65 million people worldwide, characterized by a wide range of persistent symptoms following a Covid-19 infection. Previous studies have investigated potential risk factors contributing to elevated vulnerability to Long Covid. However, research on the social traits associated with affected patients is scarce. This study introduces an innovative methodological approach that allows us to extract valuable insights directly from patients’ voices. By analyzing written texts shared on social media platforms, we aim to collect information on the psychological aspects of people who report experiencing Long Covid. In particular, we collect texts of patients they wrote BEFORE they were afflicted with Long Covid. We examined the differences in communication style, sentiment, language complexity, and psychological factors of natural language use among the profiles of 6.107 Reddit users, distinguishing between those who claim they have never contracted Covid -19, those who claim to have had it, and those who claim to have experienced Long Covid symptoms. Our findings reveal that people in the Long Covid group frequently discussed health-related topics before the pandemic, indicating a greater focus on health-related concerns. Furthermore, they exhibited a more limited network of connections, lower linguistic complexity, and a greater propensity to employ emotionally charged expressions than the other groups. Using social media data, we can provide a unique opportunity to explore potential risk factors associated with Long Covid, starting from the patient’s perspective.
Health-related quality of life among inpatients suffering from Traumatic brain injury in an urban setting in Vietnam
Authors: Vu Hai Minh , Duong Nam Nhu , Nguyen Cuong Duy , Vu Linh Gia , Nguyen Hien Thu , Tran Tung Hoang
Published: August 2024

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally. This study aimed to measure the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of TBI patients in Vietnam and evaluate the associated factors.

Methods

A longitudinal study was conducted in Thai Binh, Vietnam, from February to September 2020. The EuroQol-5 Dimensions-5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L) and EQ-Visual Analog Scale (EQ-VAS) were used to measure HRQOL. Socio-demographic characteristics, including age, gender, education level, employment status, marital status, and income, as well as clinical characteristics such as injury severity, cause of injury, comorbidities, and functional status, were collected through patient interviews and medical records. Multivariate Tobit regression analysis was performed to identify variables associated with HRQOL.

Results

The study included 212 TBI patients. The mean scores of the VAS and EQ-5D-5L scales were 82.4/100 (SD = 14.49) and 0.9/1.0 (SD = 0.2), respectively, indicating a relatively high HRQOL. However, certain factors significantly impacted HRQOL. Unemployed patients and those with depression or higher injury severity, as measured by the Injury Severity Score (ISS), had notably lower HRQOL scores. Poor sleep quality and severe functional impairments also adversely affected HRQOL, whereas patients discharged for a longer period had slightly better HRQOL scores.

Conclusion

This study highlights that while HRQOL is relatively high among TBI patients, mental health disorders, injury severity, and functional impairments are key factors negatively impacting their quality of life. High HRQOL was defined by mean scores on the VAS and EQ-5D-5L scales, with higher scores indicating better quality of life. Home-based interventions addressing these issues could improve HRQOL for TBI patients.
A Study Regarding the Exploration of Human Support Needs for Teachers with Disabilities
Authors:   Center For Educational Research, Kim Won-Ho , Park Sin-Ha , Kim So-Ra , Park Ji-Seok
Published: August 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to explore how teachers with disabilities perceive the challenges and human support in various tasks and situations that arise in school settings, and to explore the expertise and support criteria tailored to the needs of teachers based on their disability and job responsibilities.
Methods: For this purpose, the participants in the focus group interviews (FGIs) were divided into three groups, taking into consideration the disability category and severity, school curriculum, and subjects. Group 1 consisted of seven visually impaired teachers in general subjects, Group 2 consisted of four visually impaired teachers in special education, and Group 3 formed a consultative body of six teachers with physical disabilities, and FGI was conducted twice each.
Results: The analysis of the collected data revealed seven main themes with twenty-four sub-themes. The seven main themes that emerged were as follows: educational expertise, administrative expertise, expertise demanded by special education teachers, expertise related to disabilities, support for daily life of teachers with disabilities, support demands related to professional development, and ethical principles and attitudes related to support.
Conclusion: The findings emphasize the importance of institutional support for teachers with disabilities, tailored to their specific needs. They can serve as foundational data for exploring strategies to establish a support system that helps teachers with disabilities adapt and thrive in the teaching profession
Investigation of the Thermal and Mechanical Properties of Glass Fiber Reinforced ABS/Epoxy Blended Polymer Composite
Authors: Pramod Ramakrishna , Gonal Basavaraja Veeresh Kumar
Published: August 2024

This research investigates the formation of polymer blends by blending Epoxy LY556 with Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (ABS) at weight percentages ranging from 2 to 10% wt. The thermal properties, morphological characteristics, tensile strength, flexural strength, and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) characteristics of these composites were examined. The X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) studies confirmed the presence of binary blends. The miscibility of epoxy/ABS blends is shown by the presence of a single melting peak in the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) findings indicate that epoxy and ABS blends exhibit greater thermal stability than pure epoxy. The tensile strength increased from 183.6 to 380.6 MPa, flexural strength increased from 165.3 MPa to 335.6 MPa, ILSS increased from 32.4 MPa to 72 MPa for 8% wt. of ABS blending, and the laminates witnessed a decrease in density and hardness values. The Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images demonstrate the commendable blending characteristics and the synergistic impact of the ABS/Epoxy composite, yielding superior outcomes to the pure epoxy material.