bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of Tranexamic Acid in bleeding control during Total Hip Arthroplasty: An analysis
Authors:   Associate Professor of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Federal University of the Rio de Janeiro State UNIRIO, Head of Orthopedic Clinics at Gaffrée Guinle University Hospital HUGG, Ramos Max Rogério Freitas
Published: November 2020

This prospective cohort study analyzed the role and use of tranexamic acid (ATX) in control of bleeding in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty. The observation was based on administration of a single dose of venous tranexamic acid 20 mg per kg of weight of patients after anesthetic induction.
The Role of Hydroxychloroquine in COVID-19 Treatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Shamshirian Amir , Hessami Amirhossein , Heydari Keyvan , Alizadeh-Navaei Reza , Ebrahimzadeh Mohammad Ali , Yip George W , Ghasemian Roya , Sedaghat Meghdad , Baradaran Hananeh , Mohammadi Yazdii Soheil , Aboufazeli Elham , Jafarpour Hamed , Dadgostar Ehsan , Tirandazi Behnaz , Sadeghnezhad Reza , Karimifar Keyvan , Eftekhari Aida , Shamshirian Danial
Published: November 2020

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis was carried out to examine the role of hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) in the treatment of COVID-19. Methods: We performed a systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane- Library, Web of Science, Google-Scholar, and medRxiv pre-print databases using available MeSH terms for COVID-19 and hydroxychloroquine. Data from all studies that focused on the effectiveness of HCQ with or without the addition of azithromycin (AZM) in confirmed COVID-19 patients, which were published up to 12 September 2020, were collated for analysis using CMA v.2.2.064. Results: Our systematic review retrieved 41 studies. Among these, 37 studies including 45,913 participants fulfilled the criteria for subsequent meta-analysis. The data showed no significant difference in treatment efficacy between the HCQ and control groups (RR: 1.02, 95% CI, 0.81–1.27). Combination of HCQ with AZM also did not lead to improved treatment outcomes (RR: 1.26, 95% CI, 0.91–1.74). Furthermore, the mortality difference was not significant, neither in HCQ treatment group (RR: 0.86, 95% CI, 0.71–1.03) nor in HCQ+AZM treatment group (RR: 1.28, 95% CI, 0.76–2.14) in comparison to controls. Meta-regression analysis showed that age was the factor that significantly affected mortality (P<0.00001). Conclusion: The meta-analysis found that there was no clinical benefit of using either HCQ by itself or in combination with AZM for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Hence, it may be prudent for clinicians and researchers to focus on other therapeutic options that may show greater promise in this disease. Keywords: Azithromycin, coronavirus outbreaks, pandemic, 2019-nCoV disease
Elderly Asian Patients Have Lower Revascularisation Rates and Poorer Outcomes for ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Compared to Younger Patients
Authors: Cai James X , Yap Jonathan , Gao Fei , Koh Tian Hai , Tong Khim Leng , Ong Hean Yee , Kojodjojo Pipin , Tan Huay Cheem , Ong Marcus EH , Foo David , Ee Bernard , Low Lip Ping , Chui Paul , Yeo Khung Keong
Published: November 2020

Introduction: There is limited information on elderly patients presenting with ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). This study aimed to study the outcomes of elderly Asian patients with STEMI compared to younger patients. Materials and Methods: The study utilised data from 2007 to 2012 from the Singapore Myocardial Infarction Registry, a mandatory national population-based registry. Elderly patients were defined as ≥80 years of age, middle-aged to old (MAO) patients were defined as 45–80 years of age and young patients were defined as ≤45 years of age. The primary outcome of the study was 1-year mortality and secondary outcomes included in-hospital complications and mortality. Results: There were 12,409 STEMI patients with 1207 (9.7%) elderly patients, 10,093 (81.3%) MAO patients and 1109 (8.9%) young patients. Elderly patients had more cardiovascular risk factors and lower rates of total percutaneous coronary intervention (26.0% vs 72.4% vs 85.5%, respectively; P <0.0001) compared to MAO and young patients. They had higher 1-year mortality (60.6% vs 18.3% vs 4.1%, respectively; P <0.0001) when compared to MAO and young patients. Conclusion: Elderly patients with STEMI have poorer outcomes than MAO and young patients. This is potentially attributable to a myriad of factors including age, higher burden of comorbidities and a lesser likelihood of receiving revascularisation and guideline-recommended medical therapy. Keywords: Coronary artery bypass graft, Percutaneous coronary intervention
Point-of-Care Ultrasound Training Among Intensivists in Singapore: A Multicentre Survey
Authors: Lau Yie Hui , Loh Chee Hong , Fong Wee Kim , Siddiqui Shahla , Tan Chee Keat , Tan Jonathan JE , Tien Claudia JC , See Kay Choong
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) has become essential in the management of critically ill patients. Multiple POCUS training courses exist, but are not widely adopted in Singapore. Given the discordance between training supply and demand, we aimed to uncover the learning needs and barriers among intensive care medicine (ICM) doctors locally. Materials and Methods: An anonymous online survey was carried out from January to April 2019 among ICM doctors from 6 major teaching hospitals in Singapore. Results: 66 out of 160 ICM specialists and trainees responded (41.3%). Although only 6% of respondents had current formal POCUS accreditation, the majority were already using critical care echocardiography (CCE) and pleural/ lung ultrasound. 93% supported having a local training programme. More than 50% of trainees wanted training in CCE, diaphragm/muscle ultrasound, airway ultrasound and ultrasound for neurological disease. More than 50% of specialists wanted training in diaphragm/muscle ultrasound, with mixed interests in other topics. The top 2 obstacles hindering POCUS training were lack of supervisors and locally based programmes. Conclusions: ICM doctors who responded were supportive of a local POCUS training programme. The programme’s curriculum should address the learning needs of the majority of learners, with diaphragm/muscle ultrasound being the top unmet need. The programme would need to develop supervisors and be as affordable as possible. Keywords: Continuing medical education, Cross-sectional survey, Intensive Care, Ultrasound
Clinical Challenges and Considerations in Management of Chronic Pain Patients During a COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Chan Diana XH , Lin Xu Feng , George Jane Mary , Liu Christopher W
Published: November 2020

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was deemed a pandemic on 11 March 2020, we have seen exponential increases in the number of cases and deaths worldwide. The rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation requires revisions to clinical practice to defer non-essential clinical services to allocate scarce medical resources to the care of the COVID-19 patient and reduce risk to healthcare workers. Chronic pain patients require long-term multidisciplinary management even during a pandemic. Fear of abandonment, anxiety and depression may increase during this period of social isolation and aggravate pain conditions.Whilst physical consults for chronic pain patients were reduced, considerations including continuity of support and analgesia, telemedicine, allied health support and prioritising necessary pain services and interventions, were also taken to ensure biopsychosocial care for them. Chronic pain patients are mostly elderly with multiple comorbidities, and are more susceptible to morbidity and mortality from COVID-19. It is imperative to review pain management practices during the COVID-19 era with respect to infection control measures, re-allocation of healthcare resources, community collaborations, and analgesic use and pain interventions. The chronic pain patient faces a potential risk of functional and emotional decline during a pandemic, increasing healthcare burden in the long term. Clinical decisions on pain management strategies should be based on balancing the risks and benefits to the individual patient. In this commentary, we aim to discuss the basis behind some of the decisions and safeguards that were made at our tertiary pain centre over the last 6 months during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Contact Dermatitis from Hand Hygiene Practices in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Tan See Wei , Oh Choon Chiat
Published: November 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to spread globally at a staggering speed. At present, there is no effective treatment or vaccine for COVID-19. Hand disinfection is a cost-effective way to prevent its transmission. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, we should wash our hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHRs) with at least 60% alcohol are the alternative. With diligent hand disinfection reinforced during COVID-19, there is an increased prevalence of contact dermatitis. This commentary highlights the fact that contact dermatitis is a readily treatable condi tion and should not cause any deviation of proper hand hygiene. In irritant contact dermatitis (ICD), the management strategies are selection of less irritating hand hygiene products, frequent use of moisturisers to rebuild the skin barrier, and education on proper hand hygiene practices. In allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), the identification and avoidance of the contact allergen is the key to treatment. However, ACD is less common and only accounts for 20% of the cases. The identified allergens in hand cleansers are predominantly preservative excipients a nd ACD attributable to ABHR are very uncommon. Alcohol-free hand rubs are widely available on the market but it is not a recommended alternative to ABHRs by the CDC.
Knowledge and Confidence Level Among Emergency Healthcare Workers in Airway Management and Resuscitation of Suspected COVID-19 Patients: A Cross Sectional Study in Malaysia
Authors: Abd Samat Azlan Helmy , Isa Mohd Hisham , Sabardin Dazlin Masdiana , Md Jamal Shamsuriani , Jaafar Mohd Johar , Hamzah Faizal Amri , Mahmud Alias , Sanip Amirudin , Syed Ali Syed Mohammad , Mohd Saiboon Ismail
Published: November 2020

Introduction: This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and confidence of emergency healthcare workers (EHCW) in facing the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online study using a validated questionnaire was distributed to doctors (MD), assistant medical officers (AMO), and staff nurses (SN) at an urban tertiary Emergency Department. It comprised of 40 knowledge and 10 confidence-level questions related to resuscitation and airway management steps. Results: A total of 135 from 167 eligible EHCW were enrolled. 68.9% (n = 93) had high knowledge while 53.3% (n = 72) possessed high confidence level. Overall knowledge mean score was 32.96/40 (SD = 3.63) between MD (33.88±3.09), AMO (32.28±4.03), and SN (32.00±3.60), P = 0.025. EHCWs with a length of service (LOS) between 4–10 years had the highest knowledge compared to those with LOS <4-year (33.71±3.39 versus 31.21±3.19 P = 0.002). Airway-related knowledge was significantly different between the designations and LOS (P = 0.002 and P = 0.003, respectively). Overall, EHCW confidence level against LOS showed significant difference [F (2, 132) = 5.46, P = 0.005] with longer LOS showing better confidence. MD showed the highest confidence compared to AMO and SN (3.67±0.69, 3.53±0.68, 3.26±0.64) P = 0.049. The majority EHCW were confident in performing highquality chest-compression, and handling of Personal Protective Equipment but less than half were confident in resuscitating, leading the resuscitation, managing the airway or being successful in first intubation attempt. Conclusions: EHCW possessed good knowledge in airway and resuscitation of COVID-19 patients, but differed between designations and LOS. A longer LOS was associated with better confidence, but there were some aspects in airway management and resuscitation that needed improvement. Keywords: Airway; Confidence; COVID-19; Knowledge; Resuscitation (CPR).
Sosyal Hizmet Perspektifinden Esping Andersen’ in Sınıflandırdığı Farklı Refah Rejimlerinin İncelenmesi; Güney Avrupa Refah Rejimi Bağlamında Türkiye
Authors: DİKMEN Tahir
Published: November 2020

Refah devleti, İkinci Dünya Savaşı’ nın sona ermesiyle 1945’ lerden sonra ortaya çıkmış ve sosyal, ekonomik, kültürel birçok yönden gelişim gösteren, toplumda yaşayan bireylere sosyal refah hizmetleri sağlama hedefi olan devleti ifade etmektedir. Kavram olarak sanayi devrimine ve makineleşmaye dayanan, proleterya sınıfının hak ve özgürlüklerini savunma amacı olan refah devleti, özellikle Avrupa ülkelerinin kendine özgü oluşturduğu sosyal refah politikaları doğrultusunda şekil almıştır. Farklı refah rejimleri çalışmaları ise ilk olarak geniş ve kapsamlı anlamda Gosta Esping Andersen tarafından ortaya konulmuştur. Andersen tarafından meydana getirilen kategorize çalışmalarında refah rejimleri; Liberal refah rejimleri, Sosyal Demokrat refah rejimleri ve Muhafazakar- Korporatist refah rejimleri adı altında sınıflandırılmıştır. Sonrasında Andersen’ in yapmış olduğu sınıflandırmanın tam anlamıyla ülkelerin refah rejimine yönelik politikaları karşılamadığı ve yeni bir refah rejimine ihtiyaç olduğu iddia edilerek Andersen’ in yaptığı sınıflandırmada kendilerine yer bulamayan ülkelerin de içine alındığı Güney Avrupa refah rejimi ortaya atılmış ve Türkiye de bu sınıflandırılmanın içine dahil edilmiştir. Bu çalışma ile; refah devletinin ortaya çıkış süreci, özellikleri, modern çağda Avrupa ülkelerinin kendilerine özgü uygulamış oldukları sosyal politikalar doğrultusunda meydana gelen farklı refah rejimlerinin incelenmesi ve Türkiye’ nin bu sınıflandırma ekseninde hangi kategorizasyonda yer aldığının ve modern devlet sürecinde geçmişten günümüze uygulanan sosyal hizmet uygulamalarının ve sosyal politikaların hangi mihverde şekillendiğinin ortaya konulması amaçlanmaktadır.
Kırgızistan'ın Turizm Potansiyelinin Belirlenmesi ve Etkinliğine Yönelik Bir Araştırma
Authors: AKGÖZ Erkan , KORKMAZ Akif
Published: November 2020

Bu çalışma Kırgızistan’ın turizm potansiyelini belirlemek ve etkinliğini araştırmak için yapılmıştır. Kırgızistan’ın muhteşem doğası, tarihi ve kültürel zenginlikleri, eşsiz dağları ve gölleri haricinde sağlık turizmi açısından da önemli bir potansiyele sahiptir. Bunca zenginliğe rağmen Kırgızistan, turizmden henüz arzu edilen düzeyde yararlanamamaktadır. Bundan dolayı hazırlanan bu çalışma Kırgızistan’ın turizm potansiyeli belirlemek ve sürdürülebilir bir şekilde değerlendirilmesi için hazırlanmıştır. Araştırma için öncelikle ilgili ulusal ve uluslararası literatür titizlikle taranmış ve amacına uygun anket soru formu hazırlanmıştır. Anket soru formu dört bölüm ve toplam 36 sorudan oluşmaktadır. Bişkek’te Nisan-Mayıs 2019 tarihlerinde 400 kişiye ulaşılmıştır. Elde edilen veriler kullanılarak frekans analizi, t testi ve Anova testleri uygulanmıştır. Yapılan t testi sonucunda katılımcıların cinsiyetleri ile Kırgızistan turizmi hakkındaki düşüncelerinde anlamlı bir farklılığın olmadığı tespit edilmiştir. Yaş, eğitim durumu ve çalışma süresi gibi değişkenlerde ise anlamlı farklılıklar bulunmuştur. Araştırma sonucunda Kırgızistan’ın turizm potansiyelini etkin kullanabilmesi için farklı öneriler sunulmaktadır. Turizmde istenilen düzeyde yararlanabilmek için öncelikle Kırgızistan’ın tarihi ve kültürel değerlerinin doğru bir şekilde tespit edilmesi önerilmektedir. Tespit edilen turistik değerlerin etkin bir tanıtım ve pazarlama stratejileriyle sunulmasının önemine de dikkat çekilmektedir. Ayrıca Kırgızistan ile ilgili olumlu bir turizm imajının oluşturulmasına da vurgu yapılmaktadır. Bunun için de ülkeyi ziyaret eden turistlerin en iyi şekilde ağırlanması ve kaliteli hizmet sunulması gerektiği ifade edilmektedir.
Manas Destanı’ndaki İktisadi Unsurlar ve İktisadi Zihniyet
Authors: ATİK Hasan
Published: November 2020

Manas Destanı; Kırgızların, dış düşmanları Kalmuklar ve Çinliler ile yaptıkları savaşların ve kendi içlerindeki mücadele ve karışıklıkların anlatıldığı manzum bir eserdir. Dünya tarihinin 1000 yıllık serüvenine şahitlik eden bu destan, asırlarca nesilden nesile aktarılarak bugünlere kadar gelmiştir.
Manas destanı, derin psikolojik motifler açısından zengindir. Destanda, halkın memleket, zorluk, medeniyet, ulus hakkındaki düşünceleri ile sevgi, refah, idare ve ölüm gibi anlayışları da yer almaktadır. Manas Destanı’nda bahsedilen psikolojik imkânların kuvveti ve destanın her yüzyılda yenilenerek devam etmesi, gelenek ve göreneklerin değişim ve gelişimini yakalama imkânını vermektedir. İnsanların doğayla ve toplumla girdiği münasebet ve bunlara karşı takındığı tavrı, dönemin iktisadî yapısını ve zihniyetini yansıtmaktadır. Çalışmada, Tuncer Gülensoy’un Türkiye Türkçesine çevirmiş olduğu Manas Destanı, üç ölçüt (madde, çevre, zaman) içinde incelenmiş olup, çeşitli başlıklar altında değerlendirilmiştir. Bu çalışmada, “Manas Destanı”ndaki mısralardan hareketle, bazı iktisadi terimler, iktisadi faaliyetler ve sosyal ilişkiler ifade edilmiştir. Manas Destanı’nda toplumun maddeye karşı tavrı, mülkiyet anlayışı, toplumsal ilişkilerin madde üzerindeki tesiri incelenmiştir. Manas destanında ekonomi, sosyal ilişkiler bütünü içinde, ondan ayrılmayacak biçimde yerleşmiştir. Ekonomik davranış ve onun sonuçlarını belirleyen şey, toplumu oluşturan kurallar bütünü içindedir. Ekonomik faaliyet, insanın toplumsal ve doğal çevresiyle ilişkilerini düzenleyen, insan tarafından kurulmuş bir süreç olarak ele alınmıştır.
Çarpanlar ile Hisse Senedi Fiyatlarının İlişkisi: Çimento Sektöründe Faaliyet Gösteren Firmaların Lojistik Regresyonla İncelenmesi
Authors: COŞKUN Aykan , ŞEN Ogün
Published: November 2020

Çarpanlar; borsada işlem gören firmaların bilgilerini kullanan değerleme yaklaşımıdır. Bu yöntem; halka yeni arz olacak firmaların değerinin belirlenmesinde en çok kullanılan yöntemlerden biridir. Yöntemin en büyük avantajı, halka açık firmaların mali tablolarına erişim kolaylığıdır. Bu bağlamda; bu yöntemle daha gerçekçi değer hesaplanabilmekte ayrıca fiyatı yükselebilecek ya da düşebilecek hisse senetleri önceden tahmin edilebilmektedir. Yönteme, risk, büyüme ve nakit akışları gibi unsurları göz ardı ettiğinden dolayı eleştiriler gelse de aynı sektörde faaliyet gösteren firmalar seçildiğinde bu sorun büyük ölçüde azaltılabilmektedir. Çalışmada, hataları en aza indirmek amacıyla tahminlerden kaçınılmış, sadece firmaların finansal bilgileri kullanılmıştır.
Neck exploration for a huge synovial sarcoma, case report and literature review
Authors: Ammar Ahmed Siddique , Rizwan Khalid
Published: November 2020

Abstract

A 47-year-old woman presented in the outpatient department of EAST Surgical ward of MAYO Hospital Lahore, Pakistan, on February 2019 with complaint of swelling in the front section of the neck since five months which increased gradually in size and had been causing pain since two months. She had no comorbidities and insignificant family history. Examination revealed a 23×20 cm mass on the right side of the posterior triangle of the neck. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) was inconclusive and CT of the neck showed a huge mass on the right side of the neck with cervical lymph nodes. Exploration was planned, and modified radical neck dissection Type III (Also known as Functional Neck dissection) was performed. The biopsy revealed synovial sarcoma of the neck. The patient’s post-operative condition was satisfactory and she was discharged on the fifth post-operative day. Continuous...
Perception of peer teaching on learning anatomy: a qualitative study
Authors: Faiza Umbreen  , Khadija Qamar  , Tayyaba Faisal  , Rafia Asjid  , Saleem Ahmad Khan  , Sumyyia Bashir  , Amna Tasawar  , Admin
Published: November 2020

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the effectiveness of peer-assisted learning while giving presentation on assigned anatomy topics in class by medical students for enhancement of their learning and communication skills.

Sixty top performing students were selected for the study. They were given assigned topics related to anatomy to presented in the class after taking their consent. The duration of the study was 32 weeks.

At the completion of the projects by the students, each of them was interviewed for three to five minutes; the questions were very precise and few in number and were then analysed. Focal group discussions were conducted from the rest of the class who were the audience and enjoyed the activity.

The study showed that by conducting such an activity among medical students their knowledge about the subject, communication and teaching skills and confidence are enhanced.
Contribution à la connaissance des abeilles de la Loire-Atlantique, du Maine-et-Loire et de la Vendée
Authors: Le Féon Violette , Blottière Doriane , Genoud David , Lambert Olivier
Published: November 2020

We present an overview of a study on bees carried out by the Centre Vétérinaire de la Faune Sauvage et des Écosystèmes (CVFSE, Nantes, France) between 2014 and 2018. Bees were collected through net sampling in 84 sites located in 43 cities of the French region Pays de la Loire (32 cities in Loire-Atlantique, 4 in Maine-et-Loire, and 7 in Vendée). Sampling occurred in different types of habitats: urban areas, agricultural areas, and semi-natural habitats like grasslands, woodlands, and coastal zones. This study provided information on the distribution of 278 bee species, among which several were previously unknown to the Armorican Massif (Andrena florivaga, Chelostoma distinctum, Coelioxys obtusa, Eucera clypeata, E. pannonica, Hylaeus clypearis, H. leptocephalus, H. punctatus, Lasioglossum tarsatum, Nomada errans, N. furva, N. lisenmaieri, N. rubiginosa, N. villosa, and Sphecodes pseudofasciatus). It highlighted the great bee species richness in semi-natural habitats, notably in the coastal dunes, but also in some urban or suburban sites, as long as the management is favourable to bees.
Chagas disease in Venezuela: from neglected to re-emerging infection. A critical review
Authors: Añez Néstor
Published: November 2020

Se sintetiza la situación epidemiológica de la enfermedad de Chagas en Venezuela desde su detección hasta el presente, revisándose su efecto sobre parte de la población afectada. Se analiza críticamente el desconocimiento de la prevalencia real de la infección por Trypanosoma cruzi y se enfatiza la falta de una política de estado para el control de la dolencia como prioridad nacional. Se considera la ausencia de una adecuada infraestructura y el equipamiento necesario para el diagnóstico como una consecuencia de la inadecuada implementación del programa ofcial de control de la dolencia. Se resaltan como factores de riesgo de transmisión de la infección chagásica, tanto la circulación y adaptación de hospedadores y vectores de T. cruzi desde sus focos naturales, hasta los ambientes domésticos y peridomésticos como la frecuente migración de individuos infectados desde áreas rurales hasta urbanas. Se demuestra como la enfermedad de Chagas en Venezuela no es esencialmente rural. Se clama por considerar ofcialmente a la Enfermedad de Chagas en el mismo nivel de prioridad que otros problemas de salud en Venezuela. El presente análisis revela como la enfermedad de Chagas es y continúa siendo una nosología olvidada aun cuando resurge cíclicamente en brotes que afectan a la población susceptible.
A brief note on Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis. A strategy to reduce wasted biomedical research
Authors: Martí-Carvajal Arturo
Published: November 2020

There is an urgent need to reduce something undeniable in biomedical research: the vain, futile publications. Therefore, researchers must address ethical, moral, social, and economic issues to increase research quality. Many publication results are published every day; however, they show spurious, false conclusions based even on data invented by the
author or authors. Therefore, it is necessary to synthesize data and information through an exhaustive critical analysis with methods based on scientific protocols with the ultimate purpose of answering well-structured research questions.
From the Clinic to the Laboratory and back: Translational Research to Improve Diagnosis
Authors: Hoenicka Janet
Published: November 2020

La investigación traslacional consiste en el rápido flujo de la ciencia en el entorno médico al transformar los problemas
clínicos en preguntas científicas que ofrecen soluciones para diagnósticos y tratamientos novedosos. La investigación
traslacional y la medicina genómica se unen para generar nuevas tecnologías y métodos en medicina que mejoran
el alcance de la genética clínica. Un diagnóstico preciso y oportuno es la clave para brindar atención personalizada
y / o asesoramiento genético a pacientes con trastornos genéticos no diagnosticados. Aunque la tecnología de
secuenciación de próxima generación (NGS) mejora la capacidad de identificar a variantes causales en el genoma,
desafortunadamente la clasificación de variantes surge como un desafío significativo en el proceso de diagnóstico.
Para ayudar en la reclasificación de variantes en relación con el fenotipo de un paciente, presentamos el panorama que
dibujan las nuevas herramientas de biología experimental y computacional en la resolución del diagnóstico del paciente.
En resumen, las soluciones clínicas al déficit diagnóstico en la medicina moderna requieren de un enfoque en la frontera
de la medicina y la investigación científica, en un modelo de medicina y asistencia sanitaria centrada en el paciente.
The 2020 Nobel Prizes of Physiology or Medicine, and Chemistry. A short note on these discoveries, from two distinguished Venezuelan researchers.
Authors: Pujol Flor , Ramírez Ochoa José Luis
Published: November 2020

The first week of October is the season to announce the winners of the Nobel Prizes of sciences such as Physics, Physiology or Medicine and Chemistry. CientMed celebrates this occasion by inviting two well known Venezuelan scientists to comment on the significance of the last two prizes, and share their corresponding deep knowledge and experience on the techniques, yes, techniques, based on the discoveries recognized this year. We are very fortunate to have among us, here in Caracas, Dr. Flor Pujol, a graduate in biology from Universidad Simón Bolívar, with an MSc and Phil. Sc., from the Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research, IVIC. As a full Professor at IVIC, Flor is widely recognized as a leader on the molecular epidemiology and evolution of hepatitis viruses, with singular works on viruses infecting Amerindians from Venezuela. With such a background, Dr. Pujol is in a unique position to comment on the significance of the Nobel Prize of Medicine or Physiology awarded this year to, Harvey J Alter, Michael Houghton, and Charles M Rice, “For the discovery of hepatitis C virus”. On the same level of expertise but on the novel technique of CRISPR and the Nobel Prize of Chemistry this year, we also invited, Dr. José Luis Ramírez, a well known molecular biologist and a graduate from Universidad Central de Venezuela, with a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University, who for many years is recognized as the undisputed leader of genomic studies, on the telomeres of the parasite, Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas Disease. The readers of ScienMed may remember the very first article of this journal, on August 5th, 2020, authored by Dr. Ramirez, which anticipated the Nobel Prize of Chemistry 2020, the CRISPR technologies, awarded jointly to, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna, “For the development of a method for genome editing”. We hope that our readers may enjoy both Commentaries by Drs. Pujol and Dr. Ramírez, respectively.
What is Evidence-based Medicine?
Authors: Martí-Carvajal Arturo
Published: November 2020

The concept of evidence-based medicine
(EBM) is nothing new. Many years ago, it was mentioned in different ways even if not by the same name as we use it today. We thus see that in Venezuela, Rafael Rangel, a medical student and
laboratory researcher that with time became an accomplished clinical and anatomopathological investigator, without holding a medical degree,
said to his fellow students in 1906, that, “In this conference, I combat the distinction between the
clinician and the laboratory man, the physician, and the researcher” (2). He already showed, one century ago, the need to investigate more accurately the relationship between
Pregnancy as a risk factor to disease and the vertical transmission to the fetus, of a host of parasitic ailments
Authors: Alarcón de Noya Belkisyolé , Ruiz Guevara Raiza
Published: November 2020

En este artículo se revisan las infecciones parasitarias de mayor impacto a la gestante en el trópico latinoamericano, con repercusiones para la madre y el niño. Algunas de estas afecciones se deben tomar en cuenta para el diseño de medidas preventivas de la población en general, ya que aquellas debilitan el estado general de la gestante y también pueden tener un efecto directo sobre la placenta y afectar al feto ”. Las mujeres tienen, por tanto, una morbilidad añadida derivada del embarazo y el parto, con una cifra estimada en 2017, de unos 80 millones de casos relacionados con más de 800.000 años vividos con discapacidad. En paralelo, 16 infecciones parasitarias causan casi un millón de muertes, 3 millones de casos y 96 millones de años de vida ajustados por discapacidad, AVAD, anualmente. De estos 16 parásitos, 5 pueden transmitirse verticalmente al feto (malaria, toxoplasmosis, enfermedad de Chagas, leishmaniasis visceral y tripanosomiasis africana) o durante el parto (tricomoniasis). Los 10 restantes (protozoos intestinales y helmintos) pueden debilitar a la madre con consecuencias de diversa intensidad para el feto (anemia, bajo peso al nacer, mortinatos). En los trópicos, también existen condiciones especiales que agravan este cuadro nocivo durante el embarazo
Chagas Disease: The new realities revisit old paradigms
Authors: Mosca Salvadore Walter
Published: November 2020

La enfermedad de Chagas, descubierta por Carlos Chagas en Brasil en 1905, es una zoonosis parasitaria causada por el parásito protozoario, Trypanosoma cruzi. La enfermed es endémica en áreas rurales de América Central y del Sur, y prospera en condiciones
socioeconómicas defcientes, con viviendas precarias en las que algunos vectores se adaptaron para vivir allí (domiciliación) como parte de un ciclo doméstico. La transmisión de la enfermedad solo es relevante cuando existen vectores domiciliados; por tanto,
para que un individuo se infecte con T. cruzi es necesario tener múltiples interacciones con el vector. La enfermedad también se puede adquirir por transfusión de sangre de un donante con enfermedad de Chagas, o inclusive por vía oral a través de alimentos
o bebidas contaminadas con el parásito.
Fecal Microbiota Transplantation: Present and Future Perspectives
Authors: Ganan Monica
Published: November 2020

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) became a well-established clinical procedure and probably the most promising treatment option for recurrent Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Beyond the treatment of CDI an increasing number of studies show that FMT also has the potential for managing various other disorders related to gut microbial dysbiosis, as well as for some extra-gut diseases. However, result variability in clinical practice is still very high. This is mainly due to the lack of consensus on the methodology of choice; as well as a limited understanding of what a healthy gut microbiome looks like, and a reduced knowledge regarding the underlying mechanisms of action of FMT for different health conditions.
Brown Fat Activation: A Future Treatment for Obesity & Diabetes
Authors: Research Gratis
Published: November 2020

Brown fat holds a promising therapeutic approach to prevent obesity and type 2 diabetes by its profound effects on body weight reduction, heat generation, increased insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism regulation
Bioethics: The Religion of Science
Authors: Research Gratis
Published: November 2020

Bioethics is a study of the typically controversial ethics which are brought about by the advances in life sciences and healthcare, ranging from the debates over boundaries of life to the right to reject medical care for religious or social reasons
Green Light: A New Preventive Therapy for Migraine
Authors: Research Gratis
Published: November 2020

Manipulating the ability of green light to create the least amount of electrical signals in retina and brain cortex, green light therapy offers an excellent therapeutic role in reducing migraine pain and improves the quality of life
Regenerative Medicine: A Breakthrough in the Branch of Medicine
Authors: Research Gratis
Published: November 2020

Regenerative medicine, being an interdisciplinary field, applies the principle of engineering and life science to promote regeneration. Regenerative medicine supports the treatment of chronic diseases and acute insults
Monoclonal Antibody Therapy: A New Hope in Cancer Treatment
Authors: Basu Sayani
Published: November 2020

The remarkable specificity, high efficacy and the ability to elicit an antitumor response indicate that monoclonal antibody therapy offers promise in the treatment of malignancy and appears to be clinically relevant
Price Environment for Gold and Silver in the Context of the Development of COVID-19
Authors: Baranova Valeria , Sergienko Olena , Stepurina Svitlana , Lyashenko Vyacheslav
Published: November 2020

The precious metals market is an integral part of the overall financial market. This part of the financial market plays an important role in the redistribution of financial flows. The precious metals market is currently under the influence of factors related to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigated the dynamics of gold and silver prices in the context of the current pandemic development. For this analysis, we use the wavelet ideology. The results can be used in exchange trading in precious metals, investing in gold and silver.
Keeping a Story Alive: Interview with Lukas Birk
Authors: Pevec Iza , Birk Lukas
Published: November 2020

The work of an Austrian artist Lukas Birk can be connected to some dilemmas of documentary photography. If the critique of the classical documentary photography stresses the responsibility towards the photographed subject and the problem of the exoticization for the western view, Birk’s work is often developed, displayed and distributed in the place where his projects are created. Therefore, the first audience of his projects are locals and are, in that way, maybe more closely connected to the project itself. He co-founded the Austro Sino Arts Program in China and founded a residency program SewonArtSpace in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The project Afghan Box Camera, which he developed with the ethnographer Sean Folley, focuses on the photographic praxis in Afghanistan, mainly on the type of a simple instant camera, which was traditionally used there but its use is now in decline. They investigated the origins, techniques and the many personal stories of the photographers using or having used this type of camera and also made instructional videos on how to build or use one. Attention to the overlooked photographic practices, history and contexts marks also his current project The Myanmar Photo Archive, a growing collection of Myanmar photographs that were created during and after the colonial period – the work of local photographers from that period has namely remained unknown until today.

Keywords: local history, Myanmar photography, photographic backdrop, western view
Photography Is the Only Art Form That We All Do: Interview with Martin Parr
Authors: Jernejšek Jasna , Parr Martin
Published: November 2020

Martin Parr (1952) is considered to be one of the most iconic and influential photographers of his generation. Parr, whom obtained a photography degree at Manchester Polytechnic (1970–1973), joined the classics of British documentary photography with a series of black and white photographs of the disappearing folk customs of Northern England. In the 80s he managed to make his breakthrough to the global photography scene (and market). At that time, impressed by American colour photography, he took on photographing on colour film himself. He made The Last Resort (1983–1985), a series of British working class while spending holidays in a coastal resort in New Brighton, which remains one of his most recognizable work to this day. After its first presentation in the Serpentine Gallery in London in 1986, the project triggered turbulence and division of opinions of both professionals and general public. Polarization of opinions became a constant in Parr’s photography career. The polemics he caused by first becoming a member (1994) and then the president of Magnum Photos (2013–2017) are well known. The critics castigated Parr for being cruel and voyeuristic, and that he claimed to only be photographing what he sees, while he benefited from making a mockery of others. His unconventional use of the medium, smooth traversing through different contexts of photography and flirting with obvious commercial interests was deemed controversial and questionable by many (until today).

Keywords: Martin Parr, photobook, photographic backdrop, portrait, studio photography
Backdrops: Conversation with Chris Pinney
Authors: S. H. Favéro Paolo , Pinney Christopher
Published: November 2020

The conversation between the two researches revolves around the central question of backdrop, its meaning, position inside the studio practices. It delves into the performative aspect of backdrop photography putting it in proximity with theatre and cinema, question its nature as a prop in the process of staging an image. The question seem to be how can photography as a general practice can be understood and its theoretical notions enriched through research into rich backdrop practices (in case of Pinney and Fevero mostly in India and surrounding region) and how can we explain those practice via the established theoretical cannons. The conversation negotiates through main notions of authors such as Michael Fried, John Tagg, illuminates on usually neglected nuances of Barthes Camera Lucida to finally elaborate the profilmic nature of backdrop photography and its representative role of the society in which it functions. What kind of politics of space does it represent; is it transformative or representative? What is the meaning of the notion of the prophetic nature of photography?

Keywords: backdrop photography, photographic event, politics of space, profilmic, prophetic nature of photography
The Studio Photograph as a Conceptual Framework
Authors: Molloy Caroline
Published: November 2020

In her essay, Caroline’s draws from her PhD thesis that looks the visual habitus of transcultural photography. She concentrates her writing on the genre of studio photography, specifically early English studio photography and argues that the conceptual framework established in early photographic studio practices still has its legacy in contemporary digital photographic studio practices. To illustrate this argument, she draws from a contemporary case-study in her local, digital photographic studio in North London and discusses a selection of photographs in relation to early photographic studio practices. She suggests that rather than a radical break caused by digital technologies, digital photography has opened up imaginative ways in which to make studio portraits that blur boundaries between the real and symbolic.

Keywords: anthropology, digital form of photography, photography, studio photography
More Than a Portrait: Framing the Photograph as Sculpture and Video Animation
Authors: Becker Karin , Brečević Geska Helena
Published: November 2020

This essay traces the resurrection of the fotoescultura, a three-dimensional photographic portrait popular in rural Mexico in the early 20th century, as interpreted in recent works by Performing Pictures, a contemporary Swedish artist duo. The early fotoesculturas were an augmented form of portraiture, commissioned by family members who supplied photographs that artisans in Mexico City converted into framed sculptural portraits for display on family altars. We compare these »traditional« photographic objects with “new” digital forms of video animation on screen and in the public space that characterize Performing Pictures work, and explore how the fotoescultura inspired new incarnations of their series Men that Fall. At the intersection between the material aspects of a “traditional” vernacular art form and “new” media art, we identify a photographic aesthetic that shifts from seeing and perceiving to physical engagement, and discuss how the frame and its parergon augment the photographic gaze. The essay is accompanied by photos and video stills from Performing Pictures’ film poem Dreaming the Memories of Now (2018), depicting their work with the fotoesculturas.

Keywords: fotoesculturas, frame, parergon, vernacular photography, videoart
A Nostalgic Longing for the 20th Century: Past and Present Backdrops and Scenes in the Skylight Studio of Josip Pelikan
Authors: Vogelsang Helena
Published: November 2020

Taking a visual stroll down the backdrops and sceneries of the master photographer Josip Pelikan is accompanied by commentary supplied by the Celje Museum of Recent History’s senior educator and carer of Pelikan’s collection, Helena Vogelsang. Painted backgrounds with various motifs used by Pelikan in both portraying and in his everyday work in the studio represent a key part of the photographer’s heritage and are part of a permanent exhibition in a skylight studio. It is the only preserved example of a skylight photo studio from the end of the 19th century in Slovenia. Various backdrops enabled the portrayed person to be presented in a way that suited him or her best; e.g. raising their social status, being placed in a specific environment or in a different position than the person occupied in real life. This surely influenced the popularity of portraits made in the wet collodion technique by contemporary photographer Borut Peterlin. In this way, the photographer revitalised the importance of Pelikan’s backgrounds and renewed the interest in old analogue photography techniques as well as a comprehensive studio portrait experience, which today no longer holds a prominent place among photographic practices.

Keywords: 20th century photograhy, background, Josip Pelikan, photographic backdrop, portraiture, skylight studio, Slovenian photography, studio photography
Travel Images, Capitalism and the Ideology of Enjoyment
Authors: Somaiya Janaki
Published: November 2020

A commonly held assumption about social media is that because users create their own content such as images, videos and so on and thereby their own representations, social media are largely free from any ideological dispositions imposed from above. Creating images is a discursive practice, mediated by a myriad of social and cultural influences that we encounter in our everyday lives. Like in any other form of communication, certain image sharing practices become more dominant, where they intersect with a range of connotative meanings and their ideological dimensions. Within our current conjuncture of global consumerist capitalism, the dominant cultural order is that of maximizing enjoyment through consumption. This essay puts forth a semiotic reading of a cross-section of travel images shared by users on Instagram to explicate the relationship between travel photography, enjoyment as an ideology and capitalism. It is argued that to travel is not just an activity but it is a commodity that is consumed by us and sold to us by the tourism industry. Contradictions of life under global capitalism remain, with growing inequalities, precarious working conditions, casual job contracts and meagre pays. Material enjoyment remains illusory for many, while the ideological inducements to enjoy finds its outlet in the images we share. When shared on social media for the gaze and ‘likes’ of the viewers, our travel images are not just memoirs of a journey undertaken but also an affirmation of our enjoyment. For the viewers of these images, the enjoyment of others pertaining to consumption is to be envied or held up to an ideal against which the viewers may imagine their own enjoyment. Capitalism demands enjoyment in the form of consumption, and those who cannot enjoy, are ‘free’ to fantasize about such enjoyment in the future. While ‘free’ is the buzzword under neoliberal global capitalism, enjoyment is that kernel that underpins and sustains its ideology. Keywords: capitalism, enjoyment, ideology, social media, travel
Homo Photographicus: Interview with Joan Fontcuberta
Authors: Jernejšek Jasna , Djukić Emina , Fontcuberta Joan
Published: November 2020

In the interview Spanish photographer Joan Fontcuberta reflects upon his diverse photographic practise and his constant playing on the idea of different spaces which photography inhabits. He claims that “Photography by itself doesn’t mean anything,” what makes a difference is managing its uses. He discusses the topics of reformulation of the concept of authorship, notion of the fake as a methodology of art and of political activism, parody and humour as long traditions of Mediterranean thought and a rejection of pleasure as a hegemonic current in contemporary art. He also speaks of his explorations of the relationship between nature photography and nature of photography, the Eden of Adam and Eve as the first botanical garden and the fact that today nature has become a cultural, ideological, economic and political construct. In the end he also touches on the phenomenon of the internet, ideas of post-truth and his concept of Homo photographicus.

Keywords: contemporary photography, deception, fiction, humour and art, Joan Fontcuberta, post-truth and photography
We Are All Still Living off 20th Century Curriculums and Ideas about Photography: Interview with Professor David Bate
Authors: Alves de Oliveira Andreia , Bate David
Published: November 2020

We meet with David Bate, artist and theorist working in photography in a Portuguese cafe in London the day the United Kingdom is holding what will most probably be its last European Parliamentary elections. The country has been at the forefront of education in photography, offering a record number of university degrees which historically were pioneer in introducing critical theory as part of the curriculum. But today this situation might have changed. The conversation flows freely between Bate’s experience of growing up in a working class area in 1970s UK and the realities of today’s educational and social system, the correlation between theory and practice and the paradoxes of the digital image and our current relation to it, aiming to introduce (or update) our readers to one of the most thought provoking and rigorous critical practitioners (which is to say, thinkers) working in and with the medium today.

Keywords: certainty and photography, David Bate, image virtuality, photography and truth, photography education, representation
Human Figure as an Object: Vanja Bučan, photographer
Authors: Colner Miha
Published: November 2020

The article analyzes the artistic process of the Berlin-based photographer Vanja Bučan, who always manages to maintain at least some recognizable expression despite her varied approaches. Her works are visually rich, carrying complex meanings and associations. She chooses not to directly reflect the collective and the individual everyday life but depicts universal existentialist motifs where the social perspective is usually shown through metaphors and allegories. The centerpiece of her work is the relationship between culture and nature and between humans and their environment, as well as the ontology of image in mass media circulation. Her photography requires a considerable degree of cerebral activity and intuition in order to sense some of the fundamental questions of humankind in the Anthropocene.

Keywords: Anthropocene, art photography, photographic mise-en-scene, representation of nature