bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of management, habitat and landscape characteristics on biodiversity of orchard meadows in Central Europe: A brief review
Authors: Sattler Cornelia , Schrader Julian , Hüttner Marie-Luise , Henle Klaus
Published: March 2024

Increasing agricultural intensification, combined with land transformation and fragmentation, poses significant threats to biodiversity. While extensively cultivated landscapes serve as vital refuges against biodiversity loss, they are modified by land abandonment and intensification. Orchard meadows in Central Europe represent traditional extensive land management systems, exhibiting high biodiversity. Comprising cultivated grasslands and scattered fruit trees, orchard meadows feature structures rich in different habitats supporting a diverse flora and fauna. However, their decreasing economic importance in recent decades has resulted in severe degradation or abandonment. Despite their importance for biodiversity conservation, there remains no comprehensive overview of orchard meadow biodiversity and management in Central Europe. This review aims to summarize existing knowledge on orchard meadows’ role in biodiversity conservation and the effects of management practices on habitat diversity and quality at both smaller (structure and microhabitats, local scale) and larger scales (surrounding landscape, regional scale). The first part focuses on orchard meadow biodiversity, including both plants and animals and their link to landscape-scale factors. Biodiversity in orchard meadows is predominantly affected by patch size, determining species richness and composition, and connectivity to neighbouring orchard meadows, influencing species migration and recolonization success. The second part evaluates management impacts, illustrating differences in the benefits of mowing versus grazing across taxonomic groups. An intermediate management intensity for orchard meadows determines their conservation value in terms of species composition, varying among different taxonomic groups. To prevent area loss and abandonment of orchard meadows, we advocate for political and public support, along with incentives for farmers to maintain their biodiversity.
Le classement des sites funéraires et mémoriels de la Première Guerre mondiale (front occidental) au patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO
Authors: Becker Annette , Tison Stéphane
Published: March 2024

139 sites funéraires et mémoriels de la Première Guerre mondiale ont été classés en septembre 2023 sur la liste du Patrimoine mondial de l’UNESCO. Cet article présente les choix effectués par le comité scientifique pour justifier le classement de ces sites. Les nécropoles et monuments classés mettent en valeur en effet un tournant anthropologique et culturel majeur : la généralisation de la sépulture individuelle, pendant la Première Guerre mondiale, achevant un processus commencé au milieu du xix e  siècle. Ces sites sont également représentatifs des statuts très différents des défunts. Depuis les années 1960, les anciens belligérants les ont inscrits dans leur démarche de réconciliation. Leur présence permet aujourd’hui aux historiens d’interroger la violence de guerre et la culture des sociétés engagées dans la guerre. Devenus des sites de réflexion, ces sites peuvent contribuer, en interrogeant la relation entre la guerre et la paix, à illustrer la mission même de l’UNESCO : faire advenir la défense de la paix dans l’esprit des hommes.
De l’histoire conceptuelle à la pensée critique
Authors: Matonti Frédérique
Published: March 2024

La réception des œuvres de Quentin Skinner a été lente et demeure partielle. Ce sont d’abord les tenants d’une « histoire conceptuelle du politique » autour de Pierre Rosanvallon et François Furet qui se sont intéressés à lui dès sa première invitation à l’EHESS à la fin des années 1980 ; puis, avec l’accueil par Pierre Bourdieu au Collège de France dix ans plus tard, ce sont plutôt les tenants d’une histoire sociale (de l’art ou des idées politiques) qui s’en sont emparés. Deux programmes de recherche qui sont alors concurrents, comme le révèlent leurs appellation (conceptuelle/sociale), mais aussi les prises de positions dans les espaces académiques et politiques de ceux qui les portent. En réalité, comme l’enquête tend à le montrer, c’est parmi les philosophes ou auprès de chercheurs passés par la philosophie que les travaux de Skinner ont été le plus discutés, y compris parfois de manière très virulente, notamment autour de sa lecture de Hobbes, et parce qu’ils fournissaient également une alternative à une définition de la République présente dans les controverses politico-intellectuelles françaises dès la fin des années 1980. C’est autour de cette triple réception, prise comme trois moments et trois usages possibles de Skinner en France que s’organise cet article étayé sur l’analyse de contenu des textes de Skinner et de ceux qui les mobilisent, sur des entretiens et des archives.
Autour du commun et de la communauté chez Hegel
Authors: Tortorella Sabina
Published: March 2024

Cette contribution aborde la notion de commun et de communauté chez Hegel au prisme du débat contemporain autour des communs afin de mettre en relief l’importance que recouvrent ces notions au sein des Principes de la philosophie du droit et d’en montrer l’actualité. Dans un premier temps, l’article se penche sur la conception hégélienne de la propriété, notamment sur les caractéristiques et les limites de la propriété privée et de la propriété commune. Ensuite, il s’intéresse à la société civile comprise comme le lieu par excellence de ce qui est commun dans la mesure où elle comprend un ensemble de pratiques sociales produites spontanément et d’institutions sociales qui ont pour tâche de prendre soin du bien collectif. Enfin, la contribution s’attache à montrer que pour Hegel le bien commun s’inscrit au sein de ce qu’il appelle le « Bien vivant », expression qu’il emploie pour définir « l’idée de liberté » qui caractérise l’éthicité.
Finite-time lag synchronization for two-layer complex networks with impulsive effects
Authors: Chu Yao , Han Xiuping , Rakkiyappan R.
Published: March 2024

This paper mainly considered the finite-time lag synchronization for two-layer complex networks with impulsive effects. Different types of controllers were designed to achieve the lag synchronization of two-layer complex networks. Several sufficient conditions on lag synchronization in the sense of finite time were derived. The time for synchronization was also estimated. It is important to note that synchronization time was influenced by the initial value, as well as the impulses and impulse sequence. This implied that different impulse effects result in varying synchronization times. Additionally, desynchronizing impulses can extend the synchronization time, whereas synchronizing impulses have the opposite effect. Finally, a numerical example was presented to showcase the practicality and validity of the proposed theoretical criteria.
Structured Operations Training and Evaluation: A Case Study
Authors: Challacombe Darin
Published: March 2024

Onboarding for a company with remote, hybrid, and in-office workers can be challenging, especially if the workers are spread across the United States. This case study examines a US-based medical records company. This company met with stakeholders and developed a structured onboarding process which was implemented in December 2021. The case study follows employees who started between January and December 2022, analyzing their improvement in 30-, 60-, and 90-day assessments as well as their retention. While the data do not support a statistically significant increase, this process anecdotally improved the onboarding experience for new employees.
Revisiter sa trajectoire académique
Authors: Lagrave Rose-Marie
Published: March 2024

En dépit des données statistiques de l’après-guerre soulignant les faibles chances scolaires des enfants issus de famille nombreuse et du milieu rural, mon accès au lycée en tant que boursière confirme la double fonction d’un système scolaire qui promeut certains élèves triés sur le volet et se détourne des autres, en sorte qu’il n’existe pas de miraculé scolaire. Étudiante à la Sorbonne et salariée, puis mère, le succès aux examens est le résultat d’arrangements entre les nécessités matérielles d’une part et un « bachotage » incessant de l’autre ; une tension allégée par le soutien d’un certain nombre d’allié·es et de collectifs promouvant l’ascension socioprofessionnelle. L’entrée à l’EHESS par la petite porte me classe dans les régions les plus basses de la hiérarchie des centres, tout en m’assurant une transition sociale ascendante, qui, à un moment donné, devient irréversible. Contre une vision de l’individu faiseur de soi et de son destin, mon parcours académique, qui présente la matrice de ma migration sociale, atteste du fait que devenir transfuge de classe résulte d’une construction collective.
Se saisir des politiques d’excellence des établissements pour renforcer la place de la sociologie et des sciences humaines et sociales
Authors: Colmellere Cynthia
Published: March 2024

Cet article s’appuie sur le parcours d’une enseignante-chercheuse en sociologie dans une grande école d’ingénieur. À partir de situations professionnelles quotidiennes, il donne à voir les tactiques de contournement des contraintes associées aux politiques institutionnelles qui sont mises en place pour maintenir et renforcer la place de la sociologie et des sciences humaines et sociales. Il décrit les modalités récentes de déploiement du capitalisme académique dans cet établissement et dans les Grandes écoles en général. Il rend compte des usages tactiques des ambitions d’excellence de l’institution au bénéfice de la sociologie et des sciences humaines et sociales (SHS). Il montre enfin ce qu’une auto-ethnographie située, restituant l’élaboration de bricolages institutionnels et d’arrangements avec les contraintes spécifiques d’exercice du métier, apporte à une analyse critique du capitalisme académique.
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY SEVERITY CLASSIFICATION USING CUSTOMIZED CNN
Authors: Kulkarni Pradnya S. , Patil Shivani
Published: March 2024

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is caused by diabetes, and could lead to permanent blindness. Diabetes causes damage to the arteries and veins of eye and further results in the loss of vision. Detection of DR is challenging as there are not many symptoms of the disease at the early stage. Opthalmologists can detect the DR, and analyze the severity by visual analysis of the fundus images. The population of diabetes-affected people is large and hence the manual detection and analysis is tedious and expensive. The automated screening and severity detection systems are therefore needed. In this paper, the experiments with CNN for classifying the DR images into five classes (NO DR, mild, moderate, severe and PDR) are conducted on the 2015 and 2019 Blindness Detection Kaggle dataset. Customized CNN model is designed in order to provide accurate severity classification. The CNN model consists of two convolutional layers, two max-pooling layers, one flattening layer and two dense layers. The retinal fundus images present structural and impulsive noise. Gaussian blur technique is applied as preprocessing to reduce the noise. We experimented with Adam’s optimizer as well as SGD optimizer and observed that the best classification results obtained using Adam’s optimizer (89% accuracy) are promising but warrant further investigation. Moreover, our approach has been able to have good and consistent AUC for all the classes, and particularly worked better than the existing approaches for the detection of class 3 (severe DR).
Unleashing the Power of Industry 5.0
Authors: Gobinath A. , Rajeswari P. , Suresh Kumar N. , Anandan M. , Pavithra Devi R.
Published: March 2024

This chapter discusses the convergence of the Fifth Industrial Revolution (Industry 5.0) with artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, emphasizing the revolutionary influence on industries, economies, and societal paradigms. Industry 5.0 is the most recent stage in the progression of industrial revolutions, and it is distinguished by the incorporation of smart technology, networking, and human-machine collaboration. The seamless integration of physical and digital systems lies at the heart of this revolution, resulting in a comprehensive and interconnected industrial environment. Artificial intelligence technology emerges as a key enabler of Industry 5.0, enabling intelligent automation, predictive analytics, and decision-making skills. This abstract investigates the deep implications of artificial intelligence in industrial environments, such as increased efficiency, optimal resource usage, and the development of adaptive, self-learning systems.
Apple recognition and picking sequence planning for harvesting robot in a complex environment
Authors: Ji Wei , Zhang Tong , Xu Bo , He Guozhi
Published: March 2024

In order to improve the efficiency of robots picking apples in challenging orchard environments, a method for precisely detecting apples and planning the picking sequence is proposed. Firstly, the EfficientFormer network serves as the foundation for YOLOV5, which uses the EF-YOLOV5s network to locate apples in difficult situations. Meanwhile, the soft non-maximum suppression algorithm is adopted to achieve accurate identification of overlapping apples. Secondly, the adjacently identified apples are automatically divided into different picking clusters by the improved density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise. Finally, the order of apple harvest is determined to guide the robot to complete the rapid picking, according to the weight of the Gauss distance weight combined with the significance level. In the experiment, the average precision of this method is 98.84%, which is 4.3% higher than that of YOLOV5s. Meanwhile, the average picking success rate and picking time are 94.8% and 2.86 seconds, respectively. Compared with sequential and random planning, the picking success rate of the proposed method is increased by 6.8% and 13.1%, respectively. The research proves that this method can accurately detect apples in complex environments and improve picking efficiency, which can provide technical support for harvesting robots.
Situational Analysis from Two Studies Facilitating the Development of a Psycho- Cultural Rehabilitation Program for Children Affected by the 12 May 2008 Earthquake in Sichuan, China
Authors: Wang Shuguang , Keats Daphne , Gao Melissa , Zhang S. , Yang Xian Gui , Chai S.
Published: March 2024

The data presented are from two field studies: (1) a survey of 2234 current children’s caregivers; and (2) interviews with 1200 children, evaluating the children’s social, psychological and behavioural situation after the devastating Sichuan earthquake in the hard-hit Qiang ethnic community. Insights from the findings will be used to develop an evidence-based, culturally appropriate approach on the best use of cultural resources to facilitate the children’s post-disaster rehabilitation. Evidence from the first study indicated that the disaster had a significant impact on the ethnic Qiang children and their families in regard to personal loss, physical injury, social relationships and psychological well-being. Evidence from the second study further indicated: (1) the need for a sustained response to the increasing vulnerability of these children; (2) a very limited effect from outside community visitors, whose one-off inconsistent, non-indigenous approaches and psychological counselling, drawing on the western, individualistic, approach to counseling and psychological/ psychiatric therapies and non-Qiang approaches do not carry over into the children’s everyday life in their own contexts; (3) that little is known about psycho-cultural factors as key resources for supporting an effective response to disaster for ethnic Qiang children; (4) the greatest need for a sustainable effect is therefore to build a culturally appropriate approach through making best use of cultural resources drawing on contributions of both volunteers and official workers from various disciplines and using the Qiang traditional ways to promote the children’s psycho-cultural rehabilitation.
Social, Cultural, and Environmental Drivers of International Students’ Fear of Crime: A Cognitive Behavioral Perspective
Authors: Xiong Lin , Smyrnios Kosmas
Published: March 2024

This investigation develops and tests an hypothesised Cognitive Behavioral Fear of Crime Model. Mass media reports of crimes against international students have raised public awareness, questions about racially-oriented victimization, and the need for appropriate preventative strategies. Drawing upon Culture Shock Theory, this study proposes that international students are a vulnerable group, showing elevated levels of fear of crime, perceived risk, and avoidance behaviors. Five-hundred and ninety-one international students across four universities participated in either an online or hardcopy questionnaire survey, the measures of which were adapted from related studies. Structural Equation Modelling demonstrates a nonrecursive relationship between perceived risk, fear of crime, and avoidance behavior, supporting cognitive behavioral theory as an appropriate theoretical conceptualization for investigating fear of crime. Results show that young and female international students express significantly higher levels of fear of crime than their older and male counterparts. International students, who report high levels of social disorder and feel as an outsider or that it is difficult to make friends, express elevated perceived risk and fear of crime. Direct victimization, perceived cultural distance, and host attitudes influence fear of crime and avoidance behavior indirectly via perceived risk. Intriguingly, international students’ perceived prejudice by local residents is a nonsignificant predictor of perceived risk and fear of crime. Findings suggest the importance of social integration, social disorder, cultural differences, and attitudes of locals when it comes to international students’ perceived risk and fear of crime.
A Comparison of Chinese and Western Interpretations of Cause, Will, and Free Will
Authors: Mort Martin
Published: March 2024

A cross-cultural comparison of how constructs overlapping with cause, will (human cause), and free will (human cause of a controversial kind) have evolved from concrete origins reflected by Chinese pictographs and the Indo-European etymologies of Greek written words. Cause-related constructs compared are Zhang Dainian’s 元 (yuán), 因 (yīn), 故 (gù), and 所以 (suóyǐ) and the Greek terms aitia (αιτια; “cause”), archē (αρχε; “origin”) and genesis (γενεσις, “genesis”). 因 (yīn) is said, for example, to show a man enclosed (by determinants, possibly prison walls), while aitia (“cause”) is said to be related to aisa (“fate”) and ultimately to the Indo-European root *aito- (“share,” “allotment,” what fate has—concretely, it is contended here—allotted to a person). Reflections on cause lead to interpretations of the more specific cause called will, encountered as 志 (zhì) and 意志 (yìzhì) in Mandarin. Whether the ancient Greeks relied on a construct like will has been debated, but volition in some sense underlies the hekusion (εκούσιον), the voluntary. Volition immediately raises the much debated issue of whether the will is “free.” i.e., whether there is a subset of willed acts without antecedents, spontaneous, emerging ex nihilo. Examination of the etymologies of the characters used to translate the term free will into Chinese—自由的意志 (zìyóu de yìzhì, “freedom of the will”)—and of the Indo-European etymologies of Greek terms like hekusion and prohairesis (προαιρεσις, “deliberated choice”), suggest that neither the Chinese nor the ancient Greeks postulated the existence of free will.
Is There Cultural Change In The National Cultures Of Indonesia?
Authors: Mangundjaya Wustari
Published: March 2024

Understanding of the national culture as well as the local culture can give people an advantage in understanding and developing intercultural knowledge and skills. It is also useful for achieving a successful life in this challenging global world. In order to understand a nation’s people it is important to understand their values and culture. Indonesia consists of thousands of islands and people of various ethnicities, which consequently affect Indonesia’s culture as a whole nation. This research was done at one of Indonesia’s stateowned companies. It comprised 2025 respondents from various ethnic backgrounds such as: Balinese, Batak, Javanese, Minangkabau, Sundanese and others. The questionnaire used was developed on the basis of Hofstede’s work on values. The study showed that respondents (the employees of Company XYZ) were high on Uncertainty Avoidance, Power Distance, Future Time Orientation, Individualism, and Masculinity. This findings is different from the stereotype of Indonesian people as well as from Hofstede’s findings (Hofstede & Hofstede, 2005), which indicated that Indonesian people score higher on the Collectivist and Feminist dimensions, and lower onUncertainty Avoidance.This raises the question of whether there has been a cultural change or whether the results reflect only the impact of organizational culture. Although this study consists of a large sample, the results cannot be generalized to all Indonesian people. In this regard, future research should be carried out in order to obtain an accurate profile of Indonesia, taking into account that Indonesia is very diverse country.
Effect of Silybum Marianum on Reduction of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity with Cisplatin
Authors: Gholami Ali Haji , Ansari Hourieh , Dadkhah Adeleh
Published: March 2024

Background:

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is one of the major complications of chemotherapy regimens commonly used in the treatment of solid and hematologic cancers. Given the high incidence of CIPN in antitumor therapies in patients and limited studies on antioxidants, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of Silybum marianum (SM) on cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Materials and Methods:

This double-blind randomized clinical trial study was performed on 60 cancer patients treated with cisplatin chemotherapy at Seyyed-o-Shohada Hospital of Isfahan during 2019–2020. The patients were divided into two parallel groups as intervention (treated by SM) and placebo, and DN4 (Douleur neuropathique 4 questions) and CIPNAT (chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy assessment tool) were completed for patients in the before and after intervention groups and compared between the two groups.

Results:

The mean of DN4 score in the before and after study in the intervention group was in 1.76 ± 1.24 and 2.07 ± 2.03, respectively (P = 0.38), and in the control group was 1.41 ± 1.28 ± 3.11 ± 2.86, respectively (P = 0.012). The mean CIPNAT score in the intervention groups was 5.93 ± 3.65 and 4.20 ± 3.23 (P = 0.01), and in the control group was 4.20 ± 4.22 and 4.16 ± 4.03 (P = 0.39).

Conclusion:

Based on our data, SM is an effective agent in reducing peripheral neuropathy. The use of SM was associated with decreased scores of peripheral neuropathy and was helpful in patients undergoing chemotherapy with cisplatin.
The evolution of Alzheimer’s disease therapies: A comprehensive review
Authors: Paul Pritama , Bhattacharjee Abhishek , Bordoloi Susanta Kumar , Paul Uttam Kumar
Published: March 2024

Alzheimer`s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which accounts for most of the cases of dementia. The progression of the disease cannot be fully controlled by current medications, nor do they produce adequate therapeutic results. Understanding the molecular and cellular alterations linked to AD pathogenesis has advanced significantly in recent decades. Amyloid-peptide-containing cerebral plaques and thread-like neuronal structures made of the microtubule-associated protein TAU are two pathogenic features of the condition. Therefore, inhibiting amyloid formation, aggregation, or subsequent neurotoxic events is the primary goal of therapeutic drug development. Here, some newer therapeutic modalities are described, including anti-amyloid therapy, anti-tau therapy, antineuroinflammatory therapy, neuroprotective agents including N-methyl-
d
-aspartate (NMDA) receptor modulators, and brain stimulation. Drug repositioning may speed up the development of pharmaceuticals, but non-pharmacological therapies, particularly repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), also have the potential to be used in therapeutic settings. Here we discussed current symptomatic therapy for AD as well as novel prospective disease-modifying medicines that are presently being investigated in phase I–III trials in this review. The study emphasizes how taking into account the intricate nature of AD pathogenesis and investigating drug repurposing strategies which can open the door to the creation of innovative AD therapies.
An Ayurvedic management for repeated pregnancy loss (Putraghni Yonivyapada): A case report
Authors: Rupareliya Jalpa Deepak , Donga Shilpa B. , Gandhi Abhay Jayprakash
Published: March 2024

The loss of a pregnancy is a loss that affect the couple both mentally and emotionally. In Ayurveda, this condition is coined as Putraghni (habitual abortion), Vamini (profluvium seminis), Asrija (gestational bleeding), and Yonivypada (vaginal diseases). These conditions usually result in pregnancy loss. A 29-year-old female with her husband aged 31 years residing at Jamnagar reported to the outpatient department of Prasuti Tantra evam Striroga, Institute of Teaching and Research in Ayurveda, Jamnagar with complaints of loss of pregnancy twice in the past 12 months. She had associated complaints of Yoni Daha (burning at vagina), Yoni Vrana (cervical erosion), Yoni Pidaka (eruptions in vagina), Maithuna Asahishnutva (dyspareunia), burning during sexual intercourse, and weakness. Her menstrual history revealed excess menstrual flow for 5–7 days with an interval of 25 days. The patient had a past history of high-grade fever, followed by mild fever for 20 days, 4 years ago, followed by which she had multiple episodes of fever and heavy menstrual flow. Her reports showed TORCH infection positive. Semen analysis report of her husband was within normal limits. According to Ayurveda, the patient was diagnosed with a case of Putraghni Yonivypad and was treated with Virechana (therapeutic purgation), followed by oral medication, Pitta Shamaka (Pitta alleviating drugs), Jwaraghna Chikitsa (principle of fever management), Brimhana (nourishment), and Garbha Sthapaka Yoga (preventive measures for abortion and promotive measures for fetal health and quality). The patient conceived in the 3rd menstrual cycle. She was advised to follow Garbhini Paricharya (pregnancy regime). The patient had a full-term normal delivery and was blessed with a female child weighing 2600 g, with no obvious abnormalities detected at the time of birth.
Relevance of egocentric perspective-taking ability for real-world environmental learning: insights from virtual reality and structural equation modeling
Authors: Zhong Jimmy Y. , Goh Sim Kuan
Published: March 2024

In the current psychometric literature on spatial cognition and navigation, there is evidence supporting the efficacy of egocentric perspective-taking ability (PTA) in predicting the acquisition of novel environmental knowledge. This study reassessed previously established correlations between egocentric PTA and environmental learning by utilizing an immersive three-dimensional (3D) virtual reality PTA task, accompanied by detailed assessments of environmental learning. Through structural equation modeling, the study demonstrated that an egocentric PTA factor significantly predicted an environmental learning factor in terms of spatial performance variables, which comprised pointing accuracy, pointing response time, and goal proximity. Specifically, the combination of pointing accuracy measures from the 3D-PTA task and its desktop-based two-dimensional (2D) counterpart exhibited a robust predictive capacity for environmental learning (comprising pointing-to-landmarks accuracy and goal proximity), as indicated by a high standardized regression weight of 0.83. Correlational analyses further demonstrated the 3D-PTA task as offering a more sensitive measure of egocentric PTA than the 2D-PTA task. These findings were interpreted with respect to the varieties of spatial reasoning processes affecting PTA, ideas for further investigations into PTA-relevant spatial and imagery strategies, and a call to advance the development of the 3D-PTA task as a useful professional selection and healthcare assessment tool.
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography and 68Ga-prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Imaging in the Evaluation of Rare Entity Adult Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma of Prostate
Authors: Gondhane Abhay Indrasingh , Verma Priyanka , Paul Amal
Published: March 2024

A 21-year-old male with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma of the prostate was referred for 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) and 68Ga-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT for initial disease staging. The PET scans revealed hypermetabolic and PSMA expressing lobulated mass involving both lobes of the prostate and weakly metabolic and PSMA expressing few bilateral pararectal and external iliac nodes, multiple bilateral lung nodules scattered over the lung parenchyma and multiple bone marrow lesions in both axial and appendicular skeleton. Magnetic resonance imaging prostate showed gross prostatomegaly with large lobulated T2 hyperintense heterogeneously enhancing mass lesion showing restricted diffusion, involving both lobes of the prostate with extraprostatic spread along anterior, posterior, and left lateral margins with evidence of lymph nodal and osseous metastases. The demonstration of increased uptake of 18F-FDG and 68Ga-PSMA in the primary as well as bilateral pararectal and external iliac nodes, multiple bilateral lung nodules, and multiple bone marrow lesions in both axial and appendicular skeleton indicates a potential role of 18F-FDG PET/CT and 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT in disease staging in this rare aggressive tumor of the prostate.
Determination of Frequency of Type 2 Deiodinase Thr92Ala Polymorphism (rs225014) in 131I-treated Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Patients Undertaking L-thyroxine (L-T4) Suppression Therapy
Authors: Gawandi Smita , Jothivel Kumarasamy , Kulkarni Savita
Published: March 2024

Introduction:

Type 2 deiodinase (DIO2) enzyme plays a vital role in peripheral T4 to T3 conversion and in the negative feedback regulation of pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretion. Thr92Ala polymorphism (rs225014) is a common single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that lowers DIO2 activity and is associated with diverse physiological disorders. Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients are given L-T4 therapy after total thyroidectomy and 131I treatment to suppress TSH levels.

Aim:

The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of rs225014 in DTC patients and to investigate its effect on the thyroid function tests (TFTs) and L-T4 dose required to suppress TSH levels.

Materials and Methods:

The study included a DTC patient group and a control group. TFTs were estimated by RIA/IRMA kits. Genomic DNA of all the subjects was screened for rs225014 SNP by polymerase chain reaction.

Results:

The frequency of Thr/Thr (wild type), Thr/Ala (heterozygous mutant), and Ala/Ala (homozygous mutant) genotypes in the DTC patients’ group was 0.21, 0.52, and 0.27, respectively. T3 levels and T3/T4 ratio were significantly low in the Ala/Ala genotype in the DTC group indicating impaired DIO2 activity. L-T4 dose requirement to suppress TSH levels in the DTC patients harboring rs225014 SNP was not statistically different from the wild-type genotype.

Conclusion:

The SNP rs225014 was observed to be associated with T3 and T3/T4 ratio but not with the L-T4 dose in DTC harboring SNP suggesting the presence of a compensatory pathway to overcome DIO2 impairment. However, it is essential to study the genetic makeup of DTC patients showing reduced response to TSH suppression to enable quicker decision-making in the implementation of personalized L-T4 dose to prevent any adverse effects.
Primary Small Cell Carcinoma of the Kidney: A Case Study with Emphasis on Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography Findings
Authors: Sarswat Sulochana , Singhal Abhinav , Sharma Aparna , Yadav Rajni
Published: March 2024

Small cell carcinoma (SCC) of the kidney is included in extrapulmonary SCC which is a group of extremely rare but highly aggressive cancers. There have been only a few case reports and small retrospective series in the literature describing the malignancy in kidneys. Most of the published reports describe the entity as a variant mixed with other tumor subtypes such as urothelial carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. Pure-form SCC in kidneys is exceedingly rare. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography plays an essential role in the accurate staging evaluation of this cancer.
Technetium-99m Methoxyisobutyl Isonitrile Stress MPI in Suspected Coronary Artery Disease Patients: A Prospective Study to Evaluate Clinical Significance of Adenosine-induced ECG Changes
Authors: Valaiyapathy N C , Rallapeta Ramya Priya , Hemalatha D S , Mohan VS Krishna , Rajasekhar D , Kalawat Tekchand
Published: March 2024

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the adenosine pharmacological stress-induced electrocardiogram (ECG) changes and their association with stress-induced ischemic defects on myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) in the evaluation of coronary artery disease (CAD) and to evaluate event-free survival among patients with positive and negative ECG/MPS image findings.

Methods:

A total of 100 patients were examined using stress MPS from March 2020 to August 2021. Stress-induced ECG changes during adenosine infusion were evaluated. The summed stress score (SSS) was evaluated to identify ischemic defects in myocardium. Association of stress ECG changes and scintigraphic results was evaluated.

Results:

Out of 100 patients, stress ECG changes during adenosine infusion were seen among 34 patients, whereas 66 patients had normal ECG findings. Positive stress MPS findings with SSS >3 were seen in 22 patients, whereas 78 patients had SSS ≤3. There was no agreement between stress ECG changes and MPS findings with Cohen’s kappa coefficient (κ) = −0.023, whereas there was mild agreement between stress ECG changes and SSS >7 with κ = 0.105. Median follow-up of 11 months showed more events among patients with positive ECG changes than negative ECG changes.

Conclusion:

Adenosine, pharmacological stress is safe to use, but few patients might experience some minor and transient symptoms. Adenosine may induce ECG changes in patients with or without positive MPS findings. Patients with concordant positive findings need aggressive cardiac care, whereas patients with small or no defects on MPS need close monitoring.
Thoracolumbar Burst Fracture Treatment Using Posterior Pedicle Screw Fixation and Autogenous Bulk Iliac Bone Graft Fusion
Authors: Chen Cao , Tang Yongdong , He Bin , Xiao Hui , Zhu Changbao
Published: March 2024

Background:

Thoracolumbar vertebral fracture is the most common type of thoracolumbar vertebral fracture. For the patients with severe thoracolumbar vertebral burst fracture and neurological impairment, surgical decompression and reconstruction of spinal stability is an important intervention method, however, there is still controversy on the way of postoperative stability reconstruction.

Objective:

This study was to investigate the efffcacy of posterior open reduction, pedicle screw ffxation, and autogenous iliac bone graft fusion in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures with neurological impairment.

Methods:

The clinical data of 43 patients with thoracolumbar single vertebral burst fracture with neurological function injury treated in our department from January 2016 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score of lumbothoracic pain, the occupying rate of spinal canal, the ratio of the anterior height of the injured vertebral body to the normal height, Cobb angle, and the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classiffcation of neurological function were compared before and after operation. All patients completed the procedure successfully. Results: Bone graft fusion was achieved in all patients, and no screw or rod was broken. The VAS score of thoracolumbar pain, the ratio of the anterior height of the injured vertebral body to the normal height, and the Cobb angle were signiffcantly lower than those before operation at 1 and 12 months after operation (P < 0.001). There was no signiffcant difference in the VAS score of thoracolumbar pain, the ratio of the anterior height of the injured vertebral body to the normal height, and the Cobb angle between 1 and 12 months after operation. The occupying rate of spinal canal 6 months after operation was lower than that before operation (12.02% ±7.35% vs. 46.98% ±9.26%), and the difference was statistically signiffcant (t = 20.066, P < 0.05). There was a signiffcant difference in ASIA classiffcation of neurological function between 12 months after operation and before operation (Z = −5.372, P < 0.001). The neurological function was signiffcantly improved 12 months after operation.

Conclusion:

Reconstruction of vertebral lamina with iliac bone graft is an effective method for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures, which can reduce the loss of vertebral height and recurrent kyphosis and avoid the neurological impairment caused by secondary spinal stenosis.
Comparison of Variability in duration of Aluminum-induced Neurodegeneration and Treatment with Ficus religiosa Leaf Extract in Male Wistar Rats
Authors: Massand Amit , Rai Rajalakshmi , Rai Ashwin R. , Rao Gayathri , Jiji P. J. , Murlimanju BV
Published: March 2024

Introduction:

Aluminum (Al) is a known neurotoxic which is found in air, food and utensils, medicinal preparations, etc., Ficus religiosa (FR) is known as the peepal tree which is worshipped by people at large and has many medicinal importance. The objective of the study is to compare the Al groups of different durations and the treatment groups with FR leaf extract in male Wistar rats.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, we have taken seven groups of male albino Wistar rats, six in each. Group 1 was normal control group. Groups 2 and 3 were induced groups and Groups 4–7 are treated groups. On the last day of treatment, the brain of the animals was removed, and histology slides were prepared, and viable neurons were counted using software. For behavioral analysis, the passive avoidance test was carried out. Here, the treated Groups 4 and 5 are the groups in which the leaf extract of FR was given after treating with Al for 25 days and for Groups 6 and 7, given after treating with Al for 45 days. The comparison of different durations of the Al groups and treated groups was carried out based on neuronal count in CA3 region of hippocampus.

Results:

We have observed the neurodegeneration in all regions of hippocampus including dentate gyrus, but mainly, the neurodegeneration was observed in CA3 region of hippocampus. In both the parameters, there was no significant difference observed in terms of change of duration of Al (P > 0.05). The neurodegeneration observed in both Al groups was the same. The effect of treatment was observed a similar improvement in all treated groups even after in change in duration of Al (P > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Aluminium induced neurodegeneration in rat’s brain in both higher and lower duration and in both cases Ficus religiosa treated effectively against neurotoxicity of Al.
Coffee and the Brain: A Comprehensive Review of Its Neurological and Psychiatric Effects
Authors: Pareek Varun , Shah Saksham , Sharma Beena , Kumar Susheel , Sharma Lokendra
Published: March 2024

Coffee intake is a popular and widespread habit worldwide, with many individuals relying on it for its stimulating effects on cognitive function and mood. However, coffee’s neurologic and psychiatric effects have been the subject of debate among researchers and health-care professionals. This review essay aims to synthesize the existing literature on the topic to understand better the relationship between coffee intake and neurologic and psychiatric outcomes. A systematic search of the PubMed database was conducted to identify relevant research articles published between 2005 and 2022. The search terms included “coffee,” “neurologic,” “psychiatric,” “cognitive,” “mood,” and “depression.” Studies were included if they examined the effects of coffee intake on neurologic or psychiatric outcomes, were published in English, and were conducted on human participants. A total of 29 studies were included in the final review. The studies reviewed in this essay provide evidence for coffee intake’s neurologic and psychiatric effects. Caffeine, the essential psychoactive compound in coffee, is known to have stimulating effects on the central nervous system. It has also been shown to improve cognitive function and attention by blocking adenosine receptors in the brain, leading to increased activity in the prefrontal cortex. Several studies have demonstrated that moderate coffee intake can enhance cognitive function, particularly in older adults. In addition, the consumption of coffee has been implicated with a reduced risk of depression, as well as a lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. In conclusion, coffee intake positively affects cognitive functioning and mood, particularly in moderation. However, further research is required to understand the mechanisms behind these effects and determine the optimal coffee intake for neurologic and psychiatric benefits. In addition, future research should explore the potential adverse effects of excessive coffee intake, such as anxiety and sleep disturbances, to inform safe coffee intake recommendations for individuals. Overall, this review essay provides valuable insight into the neurologic and psychiatric effects of the consumption of coffee and highlights the need for further research in this field.
Assessment of Risk Prediction Using Edmonton Frail Scale and European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation II among Older Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery in a Tertiary Care Hospital in India
Authors: Ganesh Alka , Ramanath Pavithra , Padmanabhan Chandrasekar
Published: March 2024

Background:

The risk assessment for outcomes of older people undergoing cardiac surgery employ scales such as the Euro-Score II, and STS (Society for Thoracic Surgeons), which use clinical and laboratory data. Some studies have suggested a lower accuracy in older patients. Frailty assessment, using functional parameters, has shown promise in this age group. The aim of this study is to compare the validity of risk prediction of Euro-score II, with the Edmonton Frail Scale (EFS), in older patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Methods:

This was a prospective, observational study of a cohort of patients above 60 years scheduled for elective CABG in a single centre. The patients were graded on the Euro-Score II scale and the EFS scales. The primary outcome of 30th day mortality, and the secondary outcome of immediate post-operative complications during hospitalization were recorded.

Results:

A total of 487 patients were recruited. The mean age was 68 years. Male subjects comprised 81.1% of the study group. Classification of risk as per the EFS placed 76.3 % as low risk, 23.4% as intermediate, and none were considered to be high risk. The EuroScore II classification placed 86% in the intermediate and high risk groups. The AUC in the ROC (receiver operator curve) for the EFS was 0.793 and for the and EuroScoreII it was 0.752. The 30th day mortality threshold fit occurred at 5/6 score for both EuroScore II and EFS. Euroscore- II sensitivity/specificity was 66.7%/75.1% respectively. The EFS had a sensitivity of 66.7% and a specificity of 77.1%. The ROC curves for the secondary outcomes were not significant.

Conclusion:

Both scales are of modest value in predicting short-term mortality in older patients, and require further refinements for improving clinical decision-making in the individual patient.
C1–C2 Transarticular Screw with Sublaminar Wiring for Reducible Atlantoaxial Dislocation: Operative Technique and Surgical Nuances
Authors: Ahamed T. P. Waseem , Kumar Ashutosh , Shukla Abhishek , Raiyani Vandan , Sasapardhi Sudhir Bisan , Bhaisora Kamlesh Singh , Srivastava Arun Kumar , Kumar Raj
Published: March 2024

Transarticular screw provides rigid C1 C2 fixation. It is associated with robust implant construct and high fusion rates. Combining sublaminar wiring provides rigid three point fixation. This technique can be safely considered in reducible AAD where a wide C2 isthmus along with a normal Vertebral artery course is present. Authors describe the technique in detail with indications, benefits over other similar procedures, short falls and detailed operative steps. “Pearls and Pitfalls” adds a fresh perspective to this less often considered procedure.
Prevalence of acute kidney injury following percutaneous nephrolithotomy
Authors: Paymannejad Saina , Dehghani Mehdi , Dehkordi Razieh Jafari , Taheri Shahram , Shamlou Farid , Salehi Hanieh , Kazemi Reza
Published: March 2024

Background:

The objective is to evaluate the prevalence of acute kidney injury (AKI) as an early complication of the percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) procedure.

Materials and Methods:

From May 2022 to October 2022, we conducted a retrospective study on patients undergoing PCNL procedures in two of the tertiary medical centers affiliated with Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Patients’ baseline characteristics, laboratory values, perioperative data, and stone features were documented. AKI was defined either as a ≥0.3 mg/dL increase in the serum creatinine level within 2 days, or a ≥1.5-fold increase in baseline serum creatinine level within 7 days after the operation. Laboratory values were measured 1 day before PCNL and daily thereafter until discharge. Patients were followed 1 week later to detect all of the possible cases of AKI.

Results:

The final analysis was performed on 347 individuals. AKI developed in 16 (4.61%) cases. The two groups were comparable regarding age (P = 0.887), gender (P = 0.566), and underlying comorbidities including diabetes mellitus (P = 0.577) and hypertension (P = 0.383). The mean body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.001) and both frequency and severity of hydronephrosis (P < 0.001) were significantly different. A higher mean PCNL duration (P < 0.001), period of hospitalization (P < 0.001), and blood loss volume (P < 0.001) were observed in those who developed AKI. Overall, 56.3% (9) of patients in the AKI group and 2.7% (9) in the non-AKI group required the establishment of more than one access tract, during the procedure (P < 0.001). A lower preoperative hemoglobin level was observed in the AKI group (P < 0.001). Those with AKI had significantly larger stones (3.08 ± 0.46 vs. 2.41 ± 0.23 cm, P < 0.001) and higher Hounsfield units (P < 0.001). In addition, in the AKI group, most of the calculi (81.3%, 13) were of staghorn type, whereas in the non-AKI group, calculi were most frequently located in the middle calyx (30.2%, 100), (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The prevalence of post-PCNL AKI is approximately 4.61%. The mean BMI, preoperative hemoglobin level, PCNL duration, intraoperative blood loss volume, and hospitalization period were significantly higher among patients who developed AKI. Those with AKI had significantly larger stones with higher Hounsfield units and more frequently of staghorn type. The two groups were not statistically different regarding age, gender, and presence of comorbidities (hypertension and diabetes mellitus).