bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hubble Space Telescope Images of SN 1987A: Evolution of the Ejecta and the Equatorial Ring from 2009 to 2022
Authors: Rosu Sophie , Larsson Josefin , Fransson Claes , Challis Peter , Kangas Tuomas , Kirshner Robert P. , Lawrence Stephen S. , Lundqvist Peter , Matsuura Mikako , Sollerman Jesper , Sonneborn George , Tenhu Linda
Published: May 2024

Supernova (SN) 1987A offers a unique opportunity to study how a spatially resolved SN evolves into a young SN remnant. We present and analyze Hubble Space Telescope (HST) imaging observations of SN 1987A obtained in 2022 and compare them with HST observations from 2009 to 2021. These observations allow us to follow the evolution of the equatorial ring (ER), the rapidly expanding ejecta, and emission from the center over a wide range in wavelength from 2000 to 11,000 Å. The ER has continued to fade since it reached its maximum ∼8200 days after the explosion. In contrast, the ejecta brightened until day ∼11,000 before their emission levelled off; the west side brightened more than the east side, which we attribute to the stronger X-ray emission by the ER on that side. The asymmetric ejecta expand homologously in all filters, which are dominated by various emission lines from hydrogen, calcium, and iron. From this overall similarity, we infer the ejecta are chemically well mixed on large scales. The exception is the diffuse morphology observed in the UV filters dominated by emission from the Mg ii resonance lines that get scattered before escaping. The 2022 observations do not show any sign of the compact object that was inferred from highly ionized emission near the remnant’s center observed with JWST. We determine an upper limit on the flux from a compact central source in the [O iii] HST image. The nondetection of this line indicates that the S and Ar lines observed with JWST originate from the O free inner Si–S–Ar-rich zone and/or that the observed [O iii] flux is strongly affected by dust scattering.
Polarization Holes as an Indicator of Magnetic Field−Angular Momentum Alignment. I. Initial Tests
Authors: Wang Lijun , Cao Zhuo , Fan Xiaodan , Li Hua-bai
Published: May 2024

The formation of protostellar disks is still a mystery, largely due to the difficulties in observations that can constrain theories. For example, the 3D alignment between the rotation of the disk and the magnetic fields (B-fields) in the formation environment is critical in some models, but so far it is impossible to observe. Here we study the possibility of probing the alignment between B-field and disk rotation using “polarization holes” (PHs). PHs are widely observed and are caused by unresolved B-field structures. With ideal magnetohydrodynamic simulations, we demonstrate that different initial alignments between B-field and angular momentum (AM) can result in B-field structures that are distinct enough to produce distinguishable PHs. Thus, PHs can potentially serve as probes for alignments between B-field and AM in disk formation.
On Innermost Stable Spherical Orbits near a Rotating Black Hole: A Numerical Study of the Particle Motion near the Plunging Region
Authors: Kopáček Ondřej , Karas Vladimír
Published: May 2024

According to general relativity, astrophysical black holes are described by a small number of parameters. Apart from the mass of the black hole (M), among the most interesting characteristics is the spin (a), which determines the degree of rotation, i.e., the angular momentum of the black hole. The latter is observationally constrained by the spectral and timing properties of the radiation signal emerging from an accretion disk of matter orbiting near the event horizon. In the case of the planar (standard, equatorial) accretion disk, this is the location of the innermost stable circular orbit that determines the observable radiation characteristics and allows us to measure the spin. In this paper, we discuss a more general case of the innermost stable spherical orbits (ISSOs) extending above and below the equatorial plane. To this end, we study the nonequatorial geodesic motion of particles following inclined, spherical, relativistically precessing trajectories with the aim of exploring the boundary between the regions of stable (energetically bound) and escaping (energetically unbound) motion. The concept of the radius of the ISSO should play a role in determining the inner rim of a tilted or geometrically thick accretion flow. We demonstrate that the region of inclined bound orbits has a complicated structure due to enhanced precession near the inner rim. We also explore the fate of particles launched below the radius of the marginally bound spherical orbit: these may either plunge into the event horizon or escape to radial infinity.
Extinction Values toward Embedded Planets in Protoplanetary Disks Estimated from Hydrodynamic Simulations
Authors: Alarcón Felipe , Bergin Edwin A. , Cugno Gabriele
Published: May 2024

Upcoming new coronographs with deeper contrast limits, together with planned and current high-contrast imaging campaigns, will push the detectability limit of protoplanets. These planet-hunting campaigns present a new opportunity to characterize protoplanets and their surrounding environments. However, there are clear uncertainties as to what the extinction levels are at different regions of protoplanetary disks, which will impede our ability to characterize young planets. A correct understanding of the expected extinction, together with multiple photometric observations, will lead to constraints on the extinction levels, dust growth, disk evolution, and protoplanetary accretion rates. In this work, we used hydrodynamic simulations and protoplanetary disk observational constraints obtained from both dust and gas emission to explore the expected extinction maps for continuum filters associated with strong hydrogen lines as tracers of accretion and key broadband photometric filters. We provide a scaling relationship for the extinction as a function of planetary separation and disk mass for three different gas giant masses. We also report values for a subset of disks of interest targeted by multiple imaging campaigns. The described values will be useful for the optimal design of future planet-hunting surveys and for giving context to nondetections in protoplanetary disks and the observed fluxes of point sources along with the birth conditions of protoplanets.
Primordial Black Hole–Neutron Star Merger Rate in Modified Gravity
Authors: Fakhry Saeed , Shiravand Maryam , Farhang Marzieh
Published: May 2024

In this work, we investigate the merger rate of primordial black hole–neutron star (PBH-NS) binaries in two widely studied modified gravity (MG) models: Hu–Sawicki f(R) gravity and the normal branch of Dvali–Gabadadze–Porrati gravity. In our analysis, we take into account the effects of MG on the halo properties, including halo mass function, halo concentration parameter, halo density profile, and velocity dispersion of dark matter particles. We find that these MG models, due to their stronger gravitational field induced by an effective fifth force, predict enhanced merger rates compared to general relativity. This enhancement is found to be redshift-dependent and sensitive to model parameters and PBH mass and fraction. Assuming a PBH mass range of 5–50 M
⊙, we compare the predicted merger rate of PBH-NS binaries with those inferred from LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA observations of gravitational waves (GWs). We find that the merger rates obtained from MG models will be consistent with the GW observations if the abundance of PBHs is relatively large, with the exact amount depending on the MG model and its parameter values, as well as PBH mass. We also establish upper limits on the abundance of PBHs in these MG frameworks while comparing them with the existing non-GW constraints, which can potentially impose even more stringent constraints.
Development of a 90–600 MHz Meter-wave Solar Radio Spectrometer
Authors: Chang 常 ShuWang 树旺 , Wang 王 Bing 冰 , Lu 路 Guang 光 , Shen 申 YuPeng 玉鹏 , Bai 白 Yu 宇 , Shang 尚 ZiQian 自乾 , Zhang 张 Lei 磊 , Wu 武 Zhao 昭 , Su 苏 YanRui 艳蕊 , Chen 陈 Yao 耀 , Yan 严 FaBao 发宝
Published: May 2024

Radio observation is important for understanding coronal mass ejections (CMEs), coronal shock waves, and high-energy electron acceleration. Here, we developed a new Chashan broadband solar radio spectrometer at a meter wavelength for observing the (super)fine structure of the solar radio burst spectrum. In the signal-receiving unit, we adopt an antenna system consisting of a 12 m large-aperture parabolic reflector and dual-line polarized logarithmic periodic feed source, as well as a high-precision Sun-tracking turntable system, all of which ensure the high-precision acquisition of solar radiation signals. For the digital receiver, we use a high-speed analog-to-digital converter with a sampling rate of 1.25 GSPS to directly sample the signal amplified and filtered by the analog receiver, simplifying the structure of the analog receiver, and design a 16k-point fast Fourier transform algorithm in the field programmable gate array to perform time–frequency transformation on the sampled signals. The default frequency and temporal resolution of the system are 76.294 kHz and 0.839 ms (up to 0.21 ms), respectively. The noise coefficient of the system is less than 1 dB, the dynamic range is more than 60 dB, and the sensitivity is as high as 1 sfu. We have observed a large number of radio bursts, including type I radio storms, hundreds of type III, ∼20 type II, and ∼15 type IV bursts in the past year. These high-quality data are useful in the further study of CMEs and associated particle acceleration and the origins of solar radio bursts.
Trends in typhoid fever during the COVID-19 pandemic in Pakistan
Authors: Ching Carly , Zaman Muhammad H , Parveen Azra , Sultan Faisal , Nizamuddin Summiya
Published: May 2024

Introduction: Pakistan has been experiencing an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) outbreak of typhoid for some years. We sought to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted typhoid epidemiology in Pakistan, from the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 through the end of 2022, and the reduction of COVID-19 cases.
Methodology: We compared national public COVID-19 data with retrospectively obtained patient data of confirmed S. Typhi isolates between January 2019 and December 2022 from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre and the hospital’s extended network of laboratory collection centers across Pakistan.
Results: We observed that during the early onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 peaks, typhoid positivity generally decreased. This suggests that restrictions and non-pharmaceutical interventions that limited social interactions and promoted good sanitation and hygiene practices had a positive secondary effect on typhoid. This led to an overall yearly decrease in typhoid positivity between 2019 to 2021. However, the percentage of S. Typhi cases isolated that were ceftriaxone-resistant continued to increase, suggesting the continued dominance of XDR typhoid in Pakistan. In 2022, with the alleviation of pandemic restrictions, we observed increased typhoid positivity and COVID-19 and typhoid positivity started to follow similar trends.
Conclusions: Given the continued presence of COVID-19 along with XDR typhoid in Pakistan, it will be imperative to use differential testing to ensure that the epidemiology of each reported is accurate, the spread of each it contained, and that antibiotics are not misused. The use of approved vaccinations will lessen the burden of both diseases.
Assessment of the impact of pregnancy and malaria infection on the variation of neutrophil levels in women from San, Mali
Authors: Djimde Moussa , Arama Charles , Koné Bouréma , Diakité Hamadoun , Keita Mohamed , Samaké Mamadou D , Tembely Bréhima , Bagayoko Balla , Traoré Mohamed B , Tshiongo Japhet K , Mavoko Hypolite M , Dicko Alassane , Vaillant Michel , Mens Petra F , Schallig Henk DFH , Kayentao Kassoum
Published: May 2024

Background: In patients with severe neutropenia, infections can rapidly become serious and life-threatening. It is essential to understand whether pregnancy induces changes in neutrophil levels thereby posing an increased threat to the health of gravidae.
Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in San Health District (Mali) and involved pregnant women infected or not by malaria parasites and non-pregnant healthy volunteers. Subjects were categorized as having neutropenia, normal neutrophil levels, and neutrophilia regarding their neutrophil levels. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors associated with neutrophil level variation in pregnant women.
Results: Whether or not the pregnant women were infected with malaria, 98 of the 202 cases (48.5%) showed neutrophilia. Surprisingly, 67 of the 71 cases of neutropenia (94.4%) observed in this study concerned healthy people who were not pregnant. The mean percentage of neutrophil levels was significantly (p < 0.001) lower (49.9%) in the first trimester compared to the second trimester of pregnancy (62.0%). A logistic regression model showed that compared to early pregnancy, the second (OR = 12.9, 95% CI 2.2-248.1, p = 0.018) and the third trimesters (OR = 13.7, 95% CI 2.3-257.5, p = 0.016) were strongly associated with the increase of neutrophil levels.
Conclusions: Pregnancy can induce the production of mature neutrophils that are continually released into circulation. Neutrophil levels were lower during the first trimester of the pregnancy compared to the second and third trimesters, but not affected by the presence or absence of malaria infection.
Species diversity of fish at the Wuzhizhou Island, South China Sea based on environmental DNA
Authors: Wang Chongzhao , Ma Zhenhua , Cao Kun , Wang Xin , Xi Rui , Jiang Ting , Yang Rui , Xing Yingchun
Published: May 2024

The Wuzhizhou Island (WZZ) is located in the Haitang Bay at the northern region of the Sanya, Hainan Island. The sea area surrouding WZZ represents a typical tropical marine ecosystem, which is characterized by diverse and complex habitats. Therefore, there are a rich variety of marine fish species at WZZ area. The marine ecosystem of WZZ had experienced seriously destroyed in 1970s - 1980s, initially recoveried in 1990s and constructed as the first national tropical marine ranch demonstration area of China in 2019. Obviously, the fish are important high trophic vertebrates in the marine ecosystem, understanding composition and distribution of fish species could help us to recognize status of ecosystem of WZZ and supply scientific data for construction of national marine ranch demonstration area. This study used eDNA technology to investigate the composition of fish community surrounding WZZ, and provided a scientific basis for realizing and protecting marine ecosystem of the South China Sea.

The waters around WZZ are part of the South China Sea, and they have abundant marine fish resources. Although some researches have investigated fish species of WZZ, however, the data are still incomplete due to the limitation of sampling methods and survey seasons. In this study, we hope to take advantages of eDNA and try to supplement data of fish species at WZZ as many as possible. Based on eDNA, this study provides the data on 179 fish species and 9 fish genera belonging to 17 orders, 63 families and 124 genera, and they are more comprehensive records of fish species surrounding WZZ. In addition, the information of Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) for taxon identification are also provided, aiming to contribute to the establishment of a specific eDNA taxon database for fish of the South China Sea. This study includes two datasets, which are occurrence of fish taxa at WZZ area, as well as MOTUs sequences and geographical coordinate information of sampling sites. The “fish taxon occurrences” dataset presents records on taxonomic, distribution, habitat condition of 188 fish species detected using eDNA, as well as the latitude and longitude information of the sampling sites, the "MOTUs information" dataset provides the MOTUs sequences, source of sequences, abundance of sequences for 188 fish species, also includes the species matched in NCBI and the best NCBI Blast sequence similarity.
A new approach to detect long memory by fractional integration or short memory by structural break
Authors: Huang Yirong , Ding Liang , Lin Yan , Luo Yi
Published: May 2024

Long memory in test statistics can either originate from fractional integration or be spuriously induced by a short memory process with a structural break. This research estimated and detected long memory from the two causes by simulations and empirical analysis. The simulation results showed that fractional integration and structural break processes could demonstrate long memory properties. The 2ELW estimator was stable for fractional integration but not stable for time series with structural breaks. The modified W statistic based on 2ELW was efficient in discriminating fractional integration and structural breaks. Moreover, we found that six volatility time series of stock indexes and individual stocks in the Chinese market experience significant long memory and structural breaks, and the fractional differencing parameter is overestimated without controlling structural breaks.
Un processus heuristique de l’écoformation pour une trans-formation des élèves et des pédagogues
Authors: Girault Marie-Laure
Published: May 2024

La recherche-action participative nationale Grandir avec la nature vise à expérimenter et analyser «  l'école dehors  » sous les angles des pratiques pédagogiques et des types de nature investis en rapport avec leurs effets. En Lozère, les pédagogues engagés dans ce processus ont donné corps au concept d’écoformation dans leurs pratiques. Qu’ils soient convaincus, guidés par leur intuition ou sans a priori sur le sujet, leurs postures ont évolué au fil de la recherche, cheminant de l’enseignement/éducation dans la nature à l’enseignement/éducation avec la nature. De nouvelles pratiques apparaissent et leurs effets sur les élèves relèvent tant des rapports à soi, aux autres, au monde que des rapports au savoir et au pédagogue, qui s’en trouvent changés. Entre gestes d’autoformation, réflexivité et étayages collectifs, l’accompagnement méthodologique s’est appuyé sur une approche compréhensive de l’expérience vécue en mobilisant l’atelier des kaïros et la dialogique, un processus de formation en soi.
Impact of community nutrition project on malnutrition in children under five: a case of SPRING Ghana project
Authors: Thar Kei Myo Salai , Bigool Mark
Published: May 2024

This study examines the effects of the Strengthening Partnership, Results, and Innovations in Nutrition Globally (SPRING) project on malnutrition, stunting, acute malnutrition, and underweight among children under the age of five. The project was implemented in the northern and upper-East regions of Ghana in 2014 and ended in December 2017. We employed the Difference-in-Difference (DID) estimation approach to analyze the project's impact.  Our analysis showed a strong positive association between the project's effect on the probability of stunting and underweight by 11% (p=0.01) and 9% (p=0.003), respectively, in the treated regions compared with the untreated regions. However, we found no evidence of the project’s effect on acute malnutrition. We also provide suggestive evidence that the project may have influenced child nutrition status through antenatal care attendance. This study demonstrated that tackling child nutrition deficiencies through an integrated holistic approach, such as early Antenatal Care (ANC) attendance, increased access to high-quality foods, improving women's nutrition knowledge, and improving agricultural practices, can significantly reduce childhood stunting and underweight.
A Rare Case of Self-biting Behavior in Chiari Malformation 1
Authors: Sawant Neena , Rupani Karishma , Bachhav Apoorva , Uttarwar Parul
Published: May 2024

Chiari malformation (CM) 1 is the most common of all types and is often found incidentally. Neurological symptoms occur due to compression of the cerebellum or medulla at the foramen magnum and/or development of syrinx. Psychiatric symptoms have also been reported. We report a case of CM who underwent decompression surgery but developed self-biting of fingers first on the left hand, which resolved and then on the right hand with extensive mutilation and tissue damage. He improved with oral amitriptyline, but the cause of his self-biting remains unexplained. It is not uncommon to find psychiatric disorders in patients with neurological disorders; therefore, a detailed history and a holistic approach are warranted.
A Case of Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Dependence
Authors: Roy Parijat , Karia Sagar , Desousa Avinash , Sonavane Sushma
Published: May 2024

The anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) are a family of hormones that includes the natural hormone testosterone, together with numerous synthetic testosterone analogs. When taken in higher doses and combined with exercise and proper nutrition, AAS cause users to gain muscle mass and lose body fat, even beyond naturally attainable limits. AAS have been used by competitive athletes since long but there has been an increase in its use in general population into a widespread form of substance misuse in the last few years. Here, we report the case of a 32-year-old male with AAS dependence, natural as well as synthetic, since last 10 years presenting to the outpatient department with insomnia and depressive features.
Mean Platelet Volume, Red Cell Distribution Width, and Platelet Distribution Width in Patients of Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder: A Retrospective Hospital-Based Study
Authors: Sathe Harshal Shriram , Mishra Kshirod Kumar , Pawar Gaurav , Borhade Shraddha
Published: May 2024

Background:

Recent studies show the role of inflammatory and immunological changes in the body in schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD). The levels of mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and red cell distribution width (RDW) are raised in inflammatory conditions. A very few studies have compared these parameters in patients of SZ and BDs. Our objective was to explore the inflammatory origins and biological distinctness between SZ and BDs through assessment of blood parameter levels.

Materials and Methods:

A hospital-based retrospective study was done on 141 SZ and 164 BD patients admitted during previous 3 years (2018–2021). Control data were obtained from the records of 93 age- and sex-matched nonpsychiatric hospital admissions. The hospital information system records of the patients were used to collect the information in the predesigned format.

Results:

The mean age of the patients of SZ and BD blood pressure (BP) was 34.48 ± 10.54 and 32.85 ± 12.68 years, respectively. The one-way analysis of variance test showed a significant difference in the MPV (mean square 13.68, P < 0.001) as well as PDW (mean square 36.84, P = 0.01) among the three groups. The RDW in the patient group was higher than the controls, but the difference was not statistically significant (mean square 3.25, P = 0.799).

Conclusion:

The elevation of hemogram parameters in the patients of SZ and BDs adds to the evidence of neuroinflammatory origins of these illnesses. In addition, a significant difference in these parameter levels between SZ and BP may imply the biological distinctness of these conditions.
Baclofen Abuse: Better To Be Suspicious Than To Be Cheated
Authors: Sharma Rachit , Ahirawadagi Tukaram C. , Kedar Pradeep Mahadeo , Ashwathanarayana Girish , Awate Sonal Sadashiv
Published: May 2024

Since 2008, Baclofen’s gamut has gradually evolved from an anti-spastic agent to an off label anti-craving agent in Alcohol Use Disorders. However, with its accreditation in addictions psychiatry, have emerged additional risk of abuse of its relaxant properties. Over the last decade there have been increase in reports of its abuse for recreation or intentional self-harm. A high index of suspicion should be exercised in patients of Alcohol Use Disorders presenting with unexplained features of central nervous system depression. We hereby report a case of alcoholic dependence syndrome who presented in an unconscious state with bradycardia, bradypnea and pin-pointed fixed pupils after ingestion of 200 mg of tablet Baclofen with around 65 grams of alcohol and posed a diagnostic challenge.
Correlation of Resilience, Stress, and Burnout in Doctors and Nurses Working at a Dedicated COVID-19 Hospital during Second Wave of COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Panse Smita N. , More Jyoti B. , Santre Manjeet S. , Kumar Haritha S.
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

Research conducted during the first wave of COVID-19 in India and world over has highlighted its psychological impact among health-care workers (HCWs), which kindled the current study of the aftermath of the second wave among HCWs.

Objectives:

The objective was to study the correlation between demographic factors, resilience, burnout, and stress among doctors and nurses working at a dedicated COVID-19 hospital (DCH) during the second wave.

Methodology:

The DCH doctors (residents and faculty) and nurses willing to participate in the online survey using Google forms were assessed cross-sectionally using a semi-structured questionnaire for demographic factors and psychometric scales – abbreviated Nicholson McBride Resilience Questionnaire, abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory, and Perceived Stress Scale-10 to measure resilience, burnout, and stress, respectively. The data were analyzed using Chi-square test and Pearson’s coefficient for correlation.

Results:

Out of 169 voluntary participants, 24.9% had severe perceived stress, 21% had moderate-to-severe burnout, and 49.7% had exceptional level of resilience. Severe perceived stress was seen in the lower age group (P = 0.018) and more in graduates than in postgraduates (P = 0.044). Moderate-to-severe burnout was seen in unmarried (P = 0.02), in junior doctors (P = 0.021), in those working in intensive care unit, fever clinic, and triage area (P = 0.038), and in those living away from family (P = 0.014). Exceptional level of resilience was statistically significant in nursing staff (P = 0.026). There was a statistically significant correlation between perceived stress and burnout (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The psychological impact of second wave was less among HCWs as compared to the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic.
Retrospective Chart Analysis of Psychiatry Referrals for Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients in a Dedicated COVID Hospital in a Metropolitan City in India
Authors: Shelke Swati B. , Khar Prerna Balkrishen , Kedare Jahnavi , Somaiya Mansi , Shah Henal , Chakraborty Bijoya , Bhalke Sagar , Minhas Snehil , Nagda Mauni
Published: May 2024

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with multiple psychiatric problems in the general population as well as in those admitted with the infection. Studies done so far have mainly focused on the general population. It is important to address the needs and gaps in mental and psychological aspect of health of patients admitted with the infection to improve their overall prognosis. This study was undertaken with the aim to study the pattern of psychiatric referrals of hospitalized COVID-19 patients and to find out if there is any association between their socio-demographics, severity of COVID-19 infection, inflammatory markers, and co-morbidities.

Materials and Methods:

A descriptive, retrospective chart analysis of the record of 160 psychiatry referrals for COVID-19 patients seen by the on-call psychiatrist from May 2020 to October 2020 in a tertiary care hospital was undertaken. Sociodemographic data, severity of COVID-19 infection, blood investigation reports, psychiatric symptoms, diagnosis and management were recorded, tabulated, and analyzed using SPSS 20.

Results:

Referrals were more for individuals having moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection, in elderly patients and in males. The most common reason for referral was disorientation (27.5%) and insomnia (27.5%), followed by the patient having a preexisting psychiatric illness (15%). The most common psychiatric diagnosis was delirium secondary to general medical condition, (28%), followed by anxiety and depressive spectrum disorders (23.75%). 32.5% of the patients referred had a past history of psychiatric illness, the most common being substance use disorder, followed by major depressive disorder and mixed anxiety depression. With the increase in the age of the individuals, the number of referrals for males was significantly more as compared to females (P = 0.00). No statistically significant association was found between age (P = 0.83), gender (P = 0.99), and psychiatric diagnosis. No significant association was found between the severity of COVID-19 and psychiatric diagnosis (P = 0.69).

Conclusion:

It is essential to screen for psychiatric disorders in patients admitted for COVID, as it goes a long way in reducing the overall morbidity and improves patient cooperation for various procedures which could be life-saving.
Evaluation of microRNA expression profiles in human sperm frozen using permeable cryoprotectant-free droplet vitrification and conventional methods
Authors: Zhang Li-Xin , Mao Jing , Zhou Yan-Dong , Mao Guang-Yao , Guo Run-Fa , Ge Hong-Shan , Chen Xia
Published: May 2024

For sperm cryopreservation, the conventional method, which requires glycerol, has been used for a long time. In addition, the permeable cryoprotectant-free vitrification method has been continuously studied. Although the differences of cryopreservation effects between the two methods have being studied, differences in microRNA (miRNA) profiles between them remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the differences in miRNA expression profiles among conventional freezing sperm, droplet vitrification freezing sperm and fresh human sperm. We also analyzed the differences between these methods in terms of differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) related to early embryonic development and paternal epigenetics. Our results showed no significant differences between the cryopreservation methods in terms of sperm motility ratio, plasma membrane integrity, DNA integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, acrosome integrity, and ultrastructural damage. However, sperm miRNA-sequencing showed differences between the two methods in terms of the numbers of DEmiRs (28 and 19 with vitrification using a nonpermeable cryoprotectant and the conventional method, respectively) in postthaw and fresh sperm specimens. DEmiRs related to early embryonic development and paternal epigenetics mainly included common DEmiRs between the groups. Our results showed that the differences between conventional freezing and droplet vitrification were minimal in terms of miRNA expression related to embryonic development and epigenetics. Changes in sperm miRNA expression due to freezing are not always detrimental to embryonic development. This study compared differences in miRNA expression profiles before and after cryopreservation between cryopreservation by conventional and vitrification methods. It offers a new perspective to evaluate various methods of sperm cryopreservation.
Proportion of Newly Detected Hypothyroidism among the Diabetic and Nondiabetic Pregnant Ladies and Correlation of Different Parameters with Thyroid Stimulatory Hormone in Pregnancy Attending a Tertiary Care Hospital
Authors: Dutta Mita , Islam Mohammad Aminul , Tabassum Maliha , Islam Md. Shafikul , Rezwana Israt , Sumyia Umme , Ghosh Parijat , Afsana Faria , Amin Md. Feroz , Pathan Md. Faruque
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Background:

Subclinical hypothyroidism and gestational diabetes are the two most common endocrinopathy encountered in daily clinical practice. Many literature showed a higher frequency of hypothyroidism in the persons with diabetes but others did not find it.

Objectives:

The study was intended to compare the proportion of newly detected hypothyroidism in persons with diabetes and without diabetes in pregnancy (DIP).

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional, observational study enrolled 175 pregnant women by convenient sampling from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, BIRDEM General Hospital, with or without diabetes after IRB clearance. According to the study protocol, Thyroid function test (TFT) and oral glucose tolerance test were done in the participants. Thyroid stimulatory hormone (TSH), free thyroxin, and antithyroid antibodies were tested using the chemiluminescent technique by the ADVIA centaur, Siemens. Plasma glucose was analyzed by Advia-1800, SIEMENS, USA by glucose oxidase method. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 25. Nonparametric tests were chosen for statistical analysis.

Results:

The median maternal age was 30 years, and half of the participants had a family history of diabetes mellitus (DM). Hundred patients had diabetes either gestational DM or DIP or preexisting diabetes. Among the persons with diabetes, 34% had hypothyroidism, and in euglycemic patients, 29.3% had hypothyroidism. There was no statistically significant (P = 0.785) difference in the median values of TSH across the glycemic status among the hypothyroid subjects. TSH had a positive correlation with thyroid peroxidase antibody (P = 0.174) within the hypothyroid patients. In the study subjects, TSH was inversely correlated with hemoglobin (P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

There is no statistically significant concordance in diagnosing hypothyroidism in pregnancy between the persons with diabetes and without diabetes.
Work stress and caring intention among health care workers in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Fu Ken-Hui , Lai Hsiang-Fen , Weng Chia-Sui , Huang Wen-Hao , Lin Cheng-Chih , Wu Ying-Hui
Published: May 2024

Background

Healthcare workers may feel stress when caring for patients suspected as having a highly infectious and novel disease, such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Objectives

This study aimed to identify the psychological responses and factors affecting these responses among healthcare workers in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

Healthcare workers regardless of their experience in caring for COVID-19 patients in our hospital voluntarily participated in this cross-sectional study in April 2021. We used a self-assessment questionnaire with 70 items to identify the psychological responses and affecting factors.

Results

The experience of caring for COVID-19 patients was significantly associated with eight stressors, including “frequent modification of infection control procedures,” “worrying about being negligent and endangering coworkers,” “worrying about lack of manpower,” “being without a properly fitted environment,” “protective gears being a drag in providing quality care,” “protective gears causing physical discomfort,” “worrying about inflicting COVID-19 on family” and “worrying about nosocomial spread.” Using multivariate logistic regression, “switching thoughts and facing the situation with positive attitudes” (odds ratio: 2.974, P = 0.011), “ever caring COVID-19 patients” (odds ratio: 1.990, P = 0.018), “I felt scared” (odds ratio: 0.180, P < 0.001), and “I thought it is unlucky” (odds ratio: 0.492, P = 0.029) were identified as independent factors for the healthcare workers’ willingness to participate in future missions regarding infectious respiratory diseases.

Conclusion

The experience of caring for COVID-19 patients was significantly associated with several stressors related to psychological, practical, and environmental aspects, but not with immediate reactions to the mission. Experiences in caring for COVID-19 patients and positive attitudes could increase the healthcare workers’ willingness to participate in future missions regarding infectious respiratory diseases, and feeling scared and unlucky can reduce this willingness.
Mapping of Dental Journal Publishing in India - A Pilot Study on Epistemological Challenges in Southern Scholarly Publishing
Authors: Kummangal Abdul Majeed , Ahsan Auswaf , Babu V Manzoor , Payambrot Ramsheena , Mannakandath Master Luqman
Published: May 2024

Background:

Epistemic injustice and the so-called “predators” or illegitimate publishers are the challenges of Southern scholarly publishing. Even though open access (OA) publishing is revolutionary in academic publishing, increased compensation from authors in the form of author processing charges (APCs) by commercial publishers has marginalized knowledge creation in the Global South. The purpose of this study was to map the nature and scope of dental journal publishing in India.

Methods:

We searched databases like Scopus, WoS, DOAJ, and the UGC CARE list for dental journals published in India.

Result:

There are currently 35 active dental journals, which mostly belong to or are affiliated with non-profit organizations (26, 55.9%) or educational institutions (9, 25.8%). The publication of 25 journals has been outsourced to international commercial publishers, with most of these linked to non-profit organizations. About 39.8% of Indian dental journals are OA and almost half charge APCs. Around 60% of the Indian journals are indexed in Scopus, and slightly less than half (12) are included in the Web of Science (WoS).

Discussion:

The monopoly of international commercial publishers and the presence of APCs are the real culprits of epistemic injustice in Indian dental journal publishing. Besides, the identification of regional legitimate publishers would help demarcate the term “predatory publishing”.

Conclusion:

The post-colonial world witnessed an emergence in Southern scholarly publishing. However, the hegemony or neoliberal exploitation of international commercial publishers and the prolonged use of “predators” in scholarly debates marginalized the knowledge produced in the Global South.
Outcome of Hairy Cell Leukemia: A Single-center Study
Authors: Kaka Hana Kamal Yalda , Yassin Ahmed Khudair , Hasan Kawa Muhamedamin
Published: May 2024

BACKGROUND:

Hairy cell leukemia (HCL) is a rare chronic B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. Modern therapy with purine analogs and immunotherapy can provide long-term remission, but the risk of recurrence remains about 40%–50%. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients with HCL who received treatment in Nanakali Hospital.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

A retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out on 50 patients of HCL diagnosed from 2004 to 2022 in Nanakali Hospital in Erbil City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. Demographics, clinical presentation, treatment data, complications, response, recurrence, and survival data were collected from medical records. The results were presented with descriptive statistics. Variables were compared by Chi-square analysis.

RESULTS:

The mean age was 52.64 ± 12.37 years, and 84% were male. The most common presenting symptoms were splenomegaly (18%) and fatigue (14%). The majority (69.6%) received cladribine; the response rate was 73.9%, with a complete remission (67.4%). 47.8% had recurrent disease. The most common adverse effects were febrile neutropenia (58.7%) and Grade III and IV hematologic toxicity (41.3%). The results were significantly associated with ANC pretreatment (P = 0.019), comorbidity (P = 0.001), and treatment response (P = 0.004). Cladribine–rituximab combination resulted in complete remission (100%). Ten-year overall survival was 70%.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results were broadly consistent with literature reports, demonstrating the efficacy and safety of cladribine with/without rituximab as first-line therapy for HCL but with a 30% mortality of concern. Further studies should identify modifiable factors that affect poor prognosis in subgroups to guide improvements in risk management of HCL.
Breast lymphomas: Clinical and pathological insights from a tertiary cancer care center in India
Authors: Singh Neha , Hayat Sadaf , Kumar Sujeet , Chowdhury Zachariah , Dhal Ipsita , Patne Shashikant CU , Kadali Kavya , Mishra Bal Krishna , Kapoor Akhil , Gupta Anuj , Singh Anil , Sansar Bipinesh
Published: May 2024

Background:

Breast lymphomas are a rare group of malignancies that are further subdivided into primary and secondary.

AIMS:

To study the pathological and clinical course of breast lymphomas.

Materials and Methods:

This is a retrospective analysis of patients treated at our institute over a period of 4.5 years from September 2018 to February 2023. The details of all the patients diagnosed with breast lymphoma were reviewed and analysed for the histomorphological, immunohistochemical, clinical, and treatment details. Appropriate statistical analysis including Kaplan-Meier methods was used.

Results:

Out of 11 cases of breast lymphoma, five were primary and six were secondary. It was seen predominantly in females (82%) and the age range was 31 to 73 years. Diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) was the predominant morphology (73%), along with single rare cases of ALK-negative anaplastic large cell lymphoma, Burkitt lymphoma, and small lymphocytic lymphoma. The treatment details were analyzed for 7 patients. The median follow-up was 28 months. Rituximab along with CHOP regimen or its variants was commonly used as first-line treatment with initial response rates of 71%. The median progression-free survival was 5 months. The median overall survival was 15 months.

Conclusion:

Lymphomas of the breast are rare but it is crucial to differentiate them from the commoner breast carcinomas as the treatment and prognosis vary vastly.
Potential role of CTNNA3 and FRMPD4 in vascular tumorous thrombosis of colon adenocarcinoma
Authors: Liu Bin , Xiang Yu , Guo Weihua
Published: May 2024

Background:

Vascular tumorous thrombosis is a crucial pathological feature of malignant tumors that is closely associated with lymph node metastasis and is considered a form of tumor micrometastasis. Two downregulated genes, catenin alpha 3 (CTNNA3) and FERM and PDZ domain-containing 4 (FRMPD4), were selected by analyzing the differential expression of vascular tumorous thrombus in colon adenocarcinoma and paracancerous tissues. Further investigation revealed their potential role in the development of vascular tumorous thrombosis in colon adenocarcinomas.

Materials and Methods:

Candidate genes for vascular tumorous thrombosis in colon adenocarcinoma were screened using GSE127069, and pan-cancer verification and immune infiltration analysis were performed. The relationship between gene expression and vascular tumorous thrombosis was analyzed based on the level of gene mutations using cBioPortal. Finally, the collected clinical samples were used to verify expression.

Results:

CTNNA3 and FRMPD4 were expressed at low levels in the vascular tumorous thrombosis of colon adenocarcinoma and positively correlated with microsatellite instability. They are also closely related to the immune microenvironment and the infiltration of immune cell subtypes. Based on gene mutation analysis, gene deletion is suggested to be related to vascular invasion indicators. Finally, protein and messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of CTNNA3 and FRMPD4 were downregulated in the vascular tumorous thrombosis samples of colon adenocarcinoma compared to normal glands from paracancerous tissues.

Conclusion:

Our study suggests that CTNNA3 and FRMPD4 could be promising biomarkers for vascular tumorous thrombosis in colon adenocarcinoma, potentially enabling the identification of micrometastases in this type of cancer. These findings suggest a novel strategy for the detection and management of colon adenocarcinomas.
Il-6 and MSH3 in colorectal carcinoma: Expression, relationship, and prognostic significance in 171 colorectal carcinoma cases
Authors: Kolay Bayram Elif , Ogut Betul , Inan Mehmet Arda , Dursun Ayse
Published: May 2024

Aims:

Colorectal cancer (CRC), the most common type of gastrointestinal cancer, mostly develops as a result of environmental factors. Inflammation is a relatively uncommon but crucial contributor to its etiology, and inflammation is also thought to pose a risk in patients without a clinical diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. In cell lines, the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) causes a cytosolic shift in the mismatch repair protein MSH3, accompanied by functional loss. This study aimed to evaluate IL-6 and MSH3 expression in 171 sporadic CRC samples by immunohistochemistry (IHC). High levels of IL-6 are hypothesized to cause MSH3 expression loss. We also explored the clinical/pathological aspects of IHC-detected MSH3 loss and the relationship between MSH3 expression and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs).

Materials and Methods:

IL-6 and MSH3 IHC and H and E slides were evaluated by two pathologists. Clinical data were obtained from the institution’s database.

Results:

A relationship between MSH3 loss and IL-6 expression was not proven (P = 0.963). MSH3 staining was significantly reduced in the patient group with high TILs (P = 0.035). We observed 104 CRC cases (60.8%) with IL-6 expression and 85 cases (49.7%) with reduced MSH3 expression.

Conclusion:

This study did not demonstrate an association between IL-6 and MSH3 expression. As MSH3 is a relatively little-known protein, further large-scale studies are needed. The use of IHC to identify patients who may benefit from anti-IL-6 therapies in CRC in the future may be critical.
A rare case of multisystemic Langerhans cell histiocytosis in an adult affecting the thyroid gland, skeletal system, and pituitary gland: A case report
Authors: Patel Dhara , Doshi Preeti , Kesarkhane Milind , Mani Narayan S.
Published: May 2024

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare disorder affecting usually children and rarely adults. The most common site affected is bone. The involvement of the thyroid gland in LCH is extremely rare and it is usually observed in an adult as a multisystemic disease. Adult males presented with anterior neck swelling, and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) diagnosed it as suspicious for malignancy. On frozen sectioning, differential diagnosis was given as non-Hodgkin lymphoma and poorly differentiated malignancy. On immunohistochemistry (IHC), tumor cells were positive for CD1a and S100p. Thus, the final diagnosis offered was LCH-thyroid. The pathogenesis is unclear and believed to be related to immune dysfunction, cytokine mediators, viral infection, smoking, and genetic factors. Due to its rarity, thyroid LCH is often misinterpreted as other common disorders of the thyroid and results in delayed diagnosis. This case highlights the importance of histomorphology and the use of ancillary techniques such as IHC to arrive at a diagnosis in time and hence the treatment.