bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What patients and therapists expect in a blended cognitive behavioral therapy (bCBT) program for depression?: Results from a formative qualitative study (Preprint)
Authors: Atik Ece , Schückes Magnus , Apolinário-Hagen Jennifer
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

Blended cognitive behavioral therapy (bCBT)—the combination of digital elements and face-to-face psychotherapy—has been proposed to alleviate challenges patients and therapists face in conventional CBT. There is growing evidence that adding digital elements to face-to-face psychotherapy can contribute to better treatment outcomes. However, bCBT programs still show considerable shortcomings and knowledge on how to improve digital applications using a bCBT protocol is limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to inductively identify functions and qualities that are expected from a bCBT treatment for depression in the eyes of patients and psychotherapists who were not currently receiving or practicing bCBT treatment.

METHODS

We employed a qualitative exploratory study design and conducted semi-structured interviews with 23 psychotherapists as well as 11 patients with a primary diagnosis of depression and currently undergoing CBT treatment. Themes and categories were established inductively from transcribed interview records based on a rigorous coding method.

RESULTS

Both therapists and patients expected a digital application to provide patients the opportunity to track their mood, work on therapeutic homework activities, easily access an intervention set for harder moments and efficiently facilitate administrative tasks. The desire to be able to customize bCBT protocols to individual patient circumstances was evident in both patient and therapist interviews. Patients differed with respect to what content and the amount of material the app should focus on as well as the method of recording experiences. Therapists viewed digital applications as potentially aiding in their documentation work outside of sessions. Different attitudes surfaced on the topic of data security, with patients not as concerned as therapists.

CONCLUSIONS

Both patients and therapists had substantially positive attitudes towards the option of an integrated bCBT treatment. Our study presents novel findings on the expectations and attitudes of patients and therapists.
Teledermatology in São Paolo, Brazil (Preprint)
Authors: Giavina-Bianchi Mara
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

There are places in the world where access to dermatologists can be very challenging and general practitioners may not be well trained in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions. Store-and-forward teledermatology may improve access to specialty care, provide accurate diagnoses, and reduce time to treatment, resulting in high patient satisfaction. The early detection and timely treatment of severe skin diseases could prevent adverse health outcomes and death. On the other hand, some skin conditions such as mild atopic dermatitis, acne, and fungal infections could be managed within primary care using teledermatology.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to (1) evaluate the proportion of individuals who could be assessed in primary care using teledermatology and how this affects the waiting time for an in-person dermatologist appointment and (2) assess the most frequent dermatoses according to demographic data and referrals made by the teledermatologist.

METHODS

A cross-sectional retrospective study, involving 30,976 individuals and 55,624 skin lesions, was conducted from July 2017-July 2018 in the city of São Paulo. We assessed the frequency of diagnoses and referrals to biopsy, in-person dermatologists, or primary care, and compared the waiting time for an in-person dermatologist appointment before and after the teledermatology implementation.

RESULTS

We found that 53% of the patients were managed by the primary care physician, 43% were referred to in-person dermatologists, and 4% were referred directly to biopsy, leading to a reduction in waiting time for in-person appointments of 78% when compared to the previous period (from 6.7 months to 1.5 months). The most frequent diseases were melanocytic nevus, seborrheic keratosis, acne, benign neoplasms, onychomycosis, atopic dermatitis, solar lentigo, melasma, xerosis, and epidermoid cyst, with significant differences according to sex, age, and referrals (Multimedia Appendix 1A,B).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of teledermatology as a triage tool significantly reduced the waiting time for in-person visits, improving health care access and using public resources wisely. Knowledge of sex, age, diagnoses, and treatment of common skin conditions can enable the creation of public policies for prevention and orientation of the population, as it can be used to train general physicians to address such cases.
A Mobile App for Children With Asthma to Monitor Indoor Air Quality (AirBuddy): Development and Usability Study (Preprint)
Authors: Kim Sunyoung , Stanton Kaitlyn , Park Yunoh , Thomas Stephen
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

Indoor air quality is an important environmental factor that triggers and exacerbates asthma, the most common chronic disease in children. A mobile app to monitor indoor air quality could help occupants keep their indoor air quality clean. However, no app is available that allows children to monitor and improve their indoor air quality.

OBJECTIVE

Previously, we conducted a series of user-centered design studies to identify user needs and design requirements toward creating a mobile app that helps children with asthma to engage in monitoring and improving indoor air quality as part of their asthma management. Based on the findings from these studies, we created AirBuddy, a child-friendly app that visualizes air quality indoors and outdoors.

METHODS

This paper reports on the findings from a field deployment with 7 pediatric asthma patients, where we evaluated AirBuddy’s usability and usefulness in real-world settings by conducting weekly semistructured interviews for 8 weeks.

RESULTS

All participants positively responded to the usefulness and usability of AirBuddy, which we believe is thanks to the iterative, user-centered design approach that allowed us to identify and address potential usability issues early on and throughout the design process.

CONCLUSIONS

This project contributes to the field of mHealth app design for children by demonstrating how a user-centered design process can lead to the development of digital devices that are more acceptable and relevant to target users’ needs.
Analisis Perkembangan Bentuk Kota Surabaya: Evaluasi Kepemimpinan Walikota 2010-2020
Authors: Mugiraharjo Aditya Maulana
Published: February 2022

Demokrasi pasca reformasi membuka kesempatan bagi terlaksananya pemilihan umum kepala daerah secara langsung. Pemilihan kepala daerah secara langsung memungkinkan terpilihnya calon walikota terbaik yang memimpin sebuah kota. Fokus pembahasan pada makalah ini adalah perkembangan Kota Surabaya dan faktor pengaruh kepemimpinan Walikota Surabaya tahun 2010-2020. Makalah ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis perkembangan Kota Surabaya, khususnya pada kepemimpinan Walikota Tri Rismaharini pada tahun 2010-2020 dengan menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif untuk menggali tentang bentuk perkembangan kota dan faktor pengaruh dari kepemimpinan walikota. Hal ini tepat untuk dilakukan untuk memperoleh pandangan yang utuh yang tidak dapat diperoleh dari hitungan statistik dan numerik. Proses pengumpulan data menggunakan studi dokumen dan literatur. Hasil analisis menunjukkan bahwa faktor kepemimpinan walikota berpengaruh terhadap perkembangan bentuk kota, terutama faktor ketegasan, kualitas, pengetahuan, dan manajemen.
Vaccination and COVID-19 Dynamics in Dialysis Patients
Authors: El Karoui Khalil , Hourmant Maryvonne , Ayav Carole , Glowacki François , Couchoud Cécile , Lapidus Nathanaël ,   on behalf of the REIN Registry
Published: February 2022

Background and objectives

Dialysis patients have a high mortality risk after coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and an altered immunologic response to vaccines, but vaccine clinical effectiveness remains unknown in this population.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Using Bayesian multivariable spatiotemporal models, we estimated the association between vaccine exposure and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) severe infections (with hospital admission) in dialysis patients from simultaneous incidence in the general population. For dialysis patients, cases were reported within the French end-stage kidney disease REIN registry from March 11, 2020, to April 29, 2021, and vaccine exposure (first dose) was reported in weekly national surveys since January 2021. Cases in the general population were obtained from the national exhaustive inpatient surveillance system (SI-VIC database), and vaccination coverage (first dose) was obtained from the national surveillance system (VAC-SI database).

Results

During the first wave, incidence in dialysis patients was approximately proportional to the general population. However, we showed a lower relative incidence for dialysis patients during the second wave (compared with that observed in nondialysis patients), suggesting an effect of prevention measures. Moreover, from the beginning of the vaccination rollout, incidence in dialysis patients was lower compared with predictions based on the first and second waves. Adding vaccination coverages in dialysis and nondialysis patients as predictors allowed the reported cases to be fit correctly (3685 predicted cases, 95% confidence interval, 3552 to 3816, versus 3620 reported). Incidence rate ratios were 0.37 (95% confidence interval, 0.18 to 0.71) for vaccine exposure in dialysis patients and 0.50 (95% confidence interval, 0.40 to 0.61) per 10% higher in vaccination coverage in the same-age general population, meaning that vaccine exposure in dialysis patients and the general population was independently associated with lower hospitalization rate of dialysis patients.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that vaccination may yield a protective effect against severe forms of COVID-19 in dialysis patients, despite altered immunologic vaccine responses.
Seroresponse to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines among Maintenance Dialysis Patients over 6 Months
Authors: Hsu Caroline M. , Weiner Daniel E. , Manley Harold J. , Aweh Gideon N. , Ladik Vladimir , Frament Jill , Miskulin Dana , Argyropoulos Christos , Abreo Kenneth , Chin Andrew , Gladish Reginald , Salman Loay , Johnson Doug , Lacson Eduardo K.
Published: February 2022

Background and objectives

Although most patients receiving maintenance dialysis exhibit initial seroresponse to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccination, concerns exist regarding the durability of this antibody response. This study evaluated seroresponse over time.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This retrospective cohort study included patients on maintenance dialysis, from a midsize national dialysis provider, who received a complete SARS-CoV-2 vaccine series and had at least one antibody titer checked after full vaccination. IgG spike antibodies (anti-spike IgG) titers were assessed monthly with routine laboratory tests after vaccination; the semiquantitative assay reported a range between zero and ≥20 Index. Descriptive analyses compared trends over time by history of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and vaccine type. Time-to-event analyses examined the outcome of loss of seroresponse (anti-spike IgG <1 Index or development of COVID-19). Cox regression adjusted for additional clinical characteristics.

Results

Among 1870 patients receiving maintenance dialysis, 1569 had no prior COVID-19. Patients without prior COVID-19 had declining titers over time. Among 443 recipients of BNT162b2 (Pfizer), median (interquartile range) anti-spike IgG titer declined from ≥20 (5.89 to ≥20) in month 1 after full vaccination to 1.96 (0.60–5.88) by month 6. Among 778 recipients of mRNA-1273 (Moderna), anti-spike IgG titer declined from ≥20 (interquartile range, ≥20 to ≥20) in month 1 to 7.99 (2.61 to ≥20) by month 6. The 348 recipients of Ad26.COV2.S (Janssen) had a lower titer response than recipients of an mRNA vaccine over all time periods. In time-to-event analyses, recipients of Ad26.COV2.S and mRNA-1273 had the shortest and longest time to loss of seroresponse, respectively. The maximum titer reached in the first 2 months after full vaccination was associated with durability of the anti-spike IgG seroresponse; patients with anti-spike IgG titer 1–19.99 had a shorter time to loss of seroresponse compared with patients with anti-spike IgG titer ≥20 (hazard ratio, 15.5; 95% confidence interval, 11.7 to 20.7).

Conclusions

Among patients receiving maintenance dialysis, vaccine-induced seroresponse wanes over time across vaccine types. Early titers after full vaccination are associated with the durability of seroresponse.
Cost–effectiveness analysis of a resource-intensive approach versus minimally invasive strategy for high-risk transcatheter aortic valve replacement patients
Authors: Mayhew Christopher R , Gallagher Andrew , Bensimhon Ariel , Dauerman Harold L , Tsai Mitchell H , Martin Jacob A
Published: February 2022

Aortic stenosis has a high mortality rate in patients who do not receive aortic valve replacement. Previously, transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) was an intervention reserved for individuals deemed high-risk for surgery. Since that time, TAVR has increasingly been offered to lower risk patients, yet it is unclear whether TAVR will meet an acceptable cost–effectiveness threshold in this group. In this cost–effectiveness study, we employed a decision tree model with Monte Carlo probability sensitivity analysis to determine the incremental cost (in US$) per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) and life year (LY) of performing the TAVR procedure using the resource-intensive approach versus the minimally invasive strategy in high-risk surgical patients.
El campo organizacional de la agricultura en el valle del Yaqui en Sonora
Authors: López Figueroa José Carlos , Ochoa Jiménez Sergio , Flores López José Guadalupe
Published: February 2022

Objetivo: explicar el proceso de estructuración del valle del Yaqui como campo organizacional. Metodología: se realizaron 13 entrevistas, complementadas con notas de campo, instrumentos que recogieron el testimonio de siete organizaciones y el de un asesor jurídico que permitieron construir cuatro mapas analíticos: el de los activos físico-territoriales, el de los actores, el de los conflictos y el de las redes de actores. Resultados: se visualiza el valle como un campo organizacional con el énfasis puesto en los actores agrupados en seis niveles para dar respuesta a las cuatro etapas que DiMaggio y Powell proponen para la estructuración de un campo organizacional: 1) la interacción, 2) las estructuras interorganizacionales, 3) el incremento en la carga de información y 4) el desarrollo de una conciencia mutua. Limitaciones: debido a la diversidad de los actores integrantes del territorio, no ha sido posible considerar a todo el universo y sus posibles relaciones, pero se incluye a la mayoría. Valor: se propone el estudio del territorio como un campo organizacional bajo la perspectiva de los estudios organizacionales. Conclusiones: los estudios organizacionales y sus líneas de investigación son una alternativa para potenciar el análisis y la comprensión del territorio.
Comprehensive Study on Key Pollen Allergens
Authors: Vusthepalli Pavan Santhosh Guptha , Vusthepalli Gnana Sri Deepika , Manne Anupama Ammulu , Nannapaneni Sreeja , Veeravilli Suryanarayana , Setti Rajeswari , Vemuri Praveen Kumar
Published: February 2022

Pollens are typically the primary reason for seasonal hypersensitivity caused in many people that are released by a hundred different species of plants for fertilization. Not all pollens are the same or have the same effect on human beings, there are those worse than others. The human body works out on a defence mechanism by creating certain reactions against those offensive pollens as a response by the immune system. The allergic reactions include sneezing, coughing, wheezing, itching, red-watery swelled eyes, runny nose, inflammation in the nasal passage frequently leading to rhinitis, asthma, skin irritation, and other respiratory disorders. This study is intended to acquire knowledge about a few plants with high allergenic properties along with their major allergens. It is evident that the pollination of the plants varies from season to season as it depends on various factors such as species, weather, and geographical location. Understanding these high allergenic plants with respect to their varying factors and cross-reacting properties is the purpose of this study. It is an effort to obtain deeper insights into these common pollen offenders.
Música e poesia
Authors: Oliveira Costa Luis Inacio
Published: February 2022

O presente artigo é um comentário ao artigo “Vladimir Jankélévitch: o melos contraposto ao logos”, de Ricardo Nachmanowicz, com algumas observações sobre uma possível aproximação entre as filosofia da música de Jankélévitch e Adorno e sobre as relações entre música e poesia.
O que expressa a música senão a própria música: Observações sobre a natureza da expressão na arte
Authors: Menon Junior Walter
Published: February 2022

Este texto foi desenvolvido a partir da leitura e da discussão do texto Linguagem e expressão na música de Ricardo Barbosa, apresentado por este no encontro do GT de Estética ocorrido em março de 2021. Nele, busco apresentar de forma resumida a tese de Barbosa acerca do caráter expressivo da música e sua análise da relação entre música e linguagem. A resposta que proponho longe de definir se há relação e de que tipo entre linguagem e música, procura simplesmente mostrar que não há uma equivalência direta entre sons, significados e expressão. Ademais, haveria um tipo de expressão própria à obra de arte que pressupõe, necessariamente, a intencionalidade de se expressar algo artisticamente. O “algo” seria o significado da obra, sua intensionalidade, identificado pelo público. Este seria um esquema geral para toda expressão artística e, portanto, para a música.
Pikatreffit
Authors: Christina Stadlbauer
Published: February 2022

A participatory performance proposes intimate encounters with floral life forms. Potentially unexpected effects could be observed. Work in collaboration with The Hot Box.
Los memoriales: una fuente para el estudio de los conflictos agrarios colombianos en el tránsito del siglo XIX al XX
Authors: Carrero Delgado Wilder Andrés
Published: February 2022

Este artículo propone revisitar los memoriales como fuente para el estudio de las colonizaciones y conflictos agrarios durante el siglo xix y xx. Para tal fin, se considera que esta fuente no debe leerse únicamente como medio de denuncia ante el gobierno o autoridad judicial, sino más bien, como instrumento de acción política con alcances y limitaciones dadas por la estructura administrativa del Estado. Metodológicamente, el artículo se divide en tres partes: en la primera, se presentan los antecedentes y alcances jurídico-políticos de los memoriales para la sociedad del siglo xix y comienzos del xx; posteriormente, se caracterizan los documentos a partir de la descripción de su estructura interna, para lo cual se utilizan algunos casos identificados en el Archivo General de la Nación y archivos locales; y finalmente, se cierra con las conclusiones y proposiciones sobre cómo aprovechar los memoriales y los distintos retos de interpretación histórica dispuestos para quienes deseen estudiar los conflictos agrarios.
Lutero y la peste en Wittenberg
Authors: Carhuachín César Gerardo
Published: February 2022

Este trabajo analiza la peste de 1527 en Wittenberg, donde Lutero conducía su reforma. Lutero identifica la enfermedad como la peste negra, reconoce su fecha de llegada y efectos, así como también las respuestas a ella, que correspondieron a las comprensiones médicas de ese tiempo, a la teología reformada y a las necesidades de su contexto histórico, las cuales necesitan ser reinterpretadas desde el contexto de la pandemia actual. Con un enfoque interpretativo de los datos históricos de la ciudad y la correspondencia personal de Lutero se reinterpretan las respuestas desde una perspectiva interdisciplinaria. La conclusión incluye reflexiones sobre la pandemia de la covid-19.
Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy - time to redefine the reference range of total serum bile acids: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Huri Mor , Seravalli Viola , Lippi Camilla , Tofani Lorenzo , Galli Andrea , Petraglia Felice , Tommaso Mariarosaria Di
Published: February 2022

Objective To establish pregnancy-specific reference ranges for fasting
and postprandial total serum bile acids (TSBA) levels. Design
Cross-sectional study. Setting Tertiary care university hospital.
Population Healthy pregnant women at term admitted to the Obstetrics
Department over one year. Exclusion criteria were an established
diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) or any
co-existing condition of increased risk for ICP. Methods and Main
Outcome Measures Both fasting and postprandial TSBA levels were measured
in 612 women (528 fasting and 377 postprandial samples). Results
Reference intervals of 4.4-14.1 µmol/L for fasting TSBA, and 4.7-20.2
µmol/L for postprandial TSBA were established. The postprandial values
were significantly higher than the fasting measurements, with a mean
increase of 1.77 µmol/L (22%). A correlation between fasting TSBA
levels and postprandial levels was found, as well as with fetal gender,
parity, and the use of assisted reproductive technologies. A seasonal
pattern was noticed for both fasting and postprandial TSBA, with the
highest values in the winter season (p < 0.01 and 0.02,
respectively). Conclusions Normal pregnancy is a sub-cholestatic state
and is associated with a physiological elevation of TSBA levels,
therefore a higher threshold should be considered for the diagnosis of
ICP. We suggest using the upper reference limit observed in our healthy
pregnant population (fasting ≥14 µmol/L and postprandial ≥20 µmol/L). As
the fasting measurement is more specific for the diagnosis, and the
postprandial is essential for severity assessment, it is recommended to
measure both values, rather than use random samplings. Funding No
funding to declare.
The Effect of Privatization on the Performance of Employees A case study on Karachi Electric Supply Company
Authors: Dad Malik
Published: February 2022

Karachi Electric Supply Company (K.E.S.C.) is one of the most recently privatized companies in Pakistan. Since its privatization in 2005, it has been in the phase of bringing about many changes; re-branding and revitalizing with the introduction of new concepts such as integrated business centers (IBCs), which are one window solution for customers. K.E.S.C. has come up with new business strategies and a customer-oriented outlook with greater emphasis on employee performance. 
The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of privatization on the employee performance of Karachi Electric Supply Company (K.E.S.C) and find out the changes in the overall employee performance. For this purpose, research was conducted from the employees of K.E.S.C. The variables identified through the literature review were commitment, organizational change, communication, training and development, financial benefits, and job security. The research aimed at finding out what changes have been taken place in these factors after privatization and what were the impacts of those changes on the overall performance of the employees.
In order to investigate the variables, a detailed study was carried out. Both; employees and the employers’ perspectives regarding the performance changes were investigated. For this purpose, employees belonging to the middle-level management of K.E.S.C. working at IBC’s since the pre-privatization era was chosen, as the major change was implemented in these units of K.E.S.C. primarily.  
Apart from surveys, 3 interviews of management working at integrated business units of K.E.S.C. were also conducted as they have direct interaction with the employees and played important role in managing and implementing change.  
The results of the study revealed that change in the employees’ performance was viewed by employees as positive and significant and supplement this point with extensive training and development programs, new performance management system, organizational restructuring, amplified remuneration package, enhanced communication, and betterment of the working environment.
Keeping in view the perspective of the management and the employees on the change after privatization, the research study concludes that though K.E.S.C’s management carried out the change program in a proper and organized manner, by considering several critical factors for its successful implementation, there were still a few gaps observed with respect to job security and communication that in the end lead to employees’ dissatisfaction and reservations with the change process. These gaps are highlighted in the recommendations and this study believes that if K.E.S.C’s management includes them in their future plans, then it can bring more productivity and efficiency in the performance of the employees.
PATIENTS ATTITUDE TOWARDS PRESENCE OF UNDERGRADUATE MEDICAL STUDENTS DURING CONSULTATION IN 2016
Authors:   Dept. of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq, Al-Yasseri Berq
Published: February 2022

Background: Bedside teaching enables students and trainees to acquire many clinical skills and professional behaviors during process of learning. Objective: To investigate views of patients towards presence of undergraduate medical students during consultation. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Imamein Al-Kadhimein Medical City, Baghdad-Iraq; during period of February through July, 2016. It involved patients admitted to internal medicine, surgery, and gynecology and obstetrics departments of hospital during time of data collection. The study relied on performing face to face interviews with participants and a total of 400 individuals were enrolled in it. To be included in the study, patient's age should be 18 years or older. Seriously ill, confused or cognitively impaired individuals were not involved. SPSS program was used for computerized statistical analyses. Categorical variables were compared using Chi-square X² tests, and Continuous variables were compared by Student t - test or analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. P -values less than 0.05 & 0.01 was considered to be statistically significant and highly significant, respectively. Results: Those who allowed presence of students represented 80.3% of participants. Factors associated significantly with patients' decision were age (p=0.034) and hospital department (p=0.009). Among those with positive attitude, 145 (45.2%) thought students' number should not exceed five, while remaining did not care. Answers of patients about their view for allowing students to perform examination revealed that 169 (52.6%) accepted all times, 105 (32.7%) linked acceptance by students' sex, and remainders rejected all times. Conclusion: The overall attitude of our patients towards students' involvement in consultation was positive and comparable to that reported in previous studies. Keywords: Patients' Attitude, Bedside Teaching, Medical Consultation, Iraq Citation: Al-Yasseri BJH. Patients attitude towards presence of undergraduate medical students during consultation in 2016. Iraqi JMS. 2018; 16(3): 335-343. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.16.3.13
SODIUM VALPROATE EFFECTS ON LIPID PROFILE AND GLUCOSE LEVEL IN NORMAL AND DIABETIC RABBITS
Authors:   Dept. of Therapeutics, Baghdad Collage of Pharmacy, Baghdad, Iraq, Abdul Bari Mohammed
Published: February 2022

Background: Sodium valproate has turn out to be the most commonly prescribed antiepileptic drug (AED) worldwide. It is also prescribed to diabetic mellitus (DM) patient for treatment of neuropathic pain. Changes in lipid levels and lipid metabolism usually accompanied with diabetic disease leading to increases in circulating levels of free fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides and dense low-density lipoprotein together with reduced levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. Objective: To investigate the effect of sodium valproate on lipid profile and glucose level and highlight these effects with and without diabetic disease. Methods: Thirty-two healthy, local domestic rabbits of both sexes were used in the present study. Animals were allocated into two main groups, group A and B. According to induction of diabetes both groups received the same food and put in the same environmental condition. blood glucose level and lipid profile has been done for all groups. Results: There was significant difference in the blood glucose level in the normoglycemic rabbits treated with sodium valproate (200 mg/kg) compared to the untreated (negative control group). The effect of valproate was also observed by the significant difference of blood glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits treated with sodium valproate (200 mg) compared with the positive control group. Also, we have statistically observed the significant increase in total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein – cholesterol (LDL-C), and triglyceride (TG) levels in normoglycemic rabbits treated with sodium valproate (200 mg/kg) compare to the negative control group, however, there is no significant difference regarding the high-density lipoprotein – cholesterol (HDL-C) level. As for the alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits, there was a statistically significant difference observed indicated an increase in level of TC, LDL-C, and TG and a decrease in HDL-C. Conclusion: The effect of sodium valproate on glucose level and lipid profile in diabetic rabbits could reflect a possible hypoglycemic and dyslipidemic effects which could be dangerous if the patient is on anti- diabetic drugs with or without cardiovascular accident, although it may be dose-dependent and still falls in the hypothesis field but further experimental studies on human are needed to explore this theory. Keywords: Sodium valproate, anticonvulsants, glucose, lipid Citation: Abdul Bari MA. Sodium valproate effects on lipid profile and glucose level in normal and diabetic rabbits. Iraqi JMS. 2018; 16(3): 247-257. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.16.3.4
SAFE PRIMARY REPAIR OF COLORECTAL INJURIES WITHOUT DIVERTING COLOSTOMY
Authors:   Dept. of Surgery, Collage of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq, Atiyah Taqi
Published: February 2022

Background: Colostomy was used for treatment of colorectal injuries since the 2nd World War, and it is a lifesaving procedure. There is a trend towards primary closure of colorectal injuries without colostomy in hemodynamically stable patients. Objective: To evaluate the safety of primary closure of colorectal injuries without colostomy in hemodynamically stable patients. Methods: A cross sectional study was performed at Al-Imamein Al-Kadhimein Medical City for patients with colorectal injuries over the period from July 2011 to July 2017. Management was started with active resuscitation of the patient, explorative laparotomy (securing hemorrhage) and assessment of the colorectal injuries. When the patients were stable hemodynamically without associated injuries to other parts of the body; debridement of the wound edges of the colon and primary repair by suturing in two layers using 2/0 absorbable suture (polyglactin) on a round needle with or without colostomy. But if the patients were in a shock state with multiple associated injuries to other parts of the body, with severely devascularized lacerated colon; proximal colostomy was done as a part of damage control surgery with resection of the devascularized segment and suturing of the distal end of the colon. Results: A total of 231 patients sustained colorectal injuries; 143 (61.90%) males and 88 (38.09%) females. The age of the patients ranged from 6-76 years, mean age was 32.16±76 year. Colostomy was done for 134 (58.01%) patients. Primary repair without colostomy were done for 97 (41.99%) patients. Postoperative follow up of the patients treated with primary repair of colorectal injuries without colostomy were detected collection and leaking repaired segment of colon in 5 (5.15%) patients. Re-exploration of the abdomen and colostomy were done for them. There was no mortality in patients treated without colostomy. The mortality rate was 9 (6.71%) for patients treated by colostomy due to associated multiple traumas to other parts of the body. Conclusion: Primary repair of colorectal injuries without colostomy are safe in a hemodynamically stable patient without associated injuries to other parts of the body. Keywords: Colorectal injury, primary repair, colostomy. Citation: Atiyah TS. Safe primary repair of colorectal injuries without diverting colostomy. Iraqi JMS. 2018; 16(3): 258-267. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.16.3.5
IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL EXPRESSIONS OF PAX8 IN OVARIAN SURFACE EPITHELIAL TUMORS
Authors:   Dept. of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq, Al-Shami Samar , Qasim Ban ,   Dept. of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq, Hassan Ahmed ,   Dept.Maissan Health Directorate, Maissan, Iraq
Published: February 2022

Background: PAX8 is a nuclear transcription factor with limited expression in normal and neoplastic tissues, it has the potential to induce tumorigenesis and is expressed in a tissue during neoplastic transformation. PAX8 is a useful marker to distinguish gynecologic cancers from non-gynecologic malignancies. Objective: To assess the immunohistochemichal expression of PAX8 in ovarian surface epithelial tumors. Methods: This study included a total of 100 ovarian tissue paraffin blocks, 70 tissue paraffin blocks of ovarian tumors obtained from patients who underwent total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy and 30 tissue paraffin blocks were the control group included normal ovarian tissue and fallopian tubes tissue. From each paraffin block, 2 sections were taken, one was stained with the routine hematoxylin and eosin stain and the other section was stained immunohistochemically for PAX8. Results: PAX8 showed a high significant difference in its immunohistochemical expression between the control group and the case group with the highest expression in malignant ovarian surface epithelial tumors (P < 0.001). Also, PAX8 showed a highly significance in the expression of PAX8 in relation to histopathological types (P < 0.001) except for the mucinous tumors, which showed statistically non-significance (P = 0.641), also, a highly significant relation with the increment of tumor grade (r = 0.769, P < 0.001). PAX8 showed a non-significant relation with increase of the age (r = 0.147, P= 0.225), with tumor stage (r = 0.433, P = 0.057), with the presence of ascites (P = 0.446). Conclusion: The highly significant differences in the immunohistochemical expression of PAX8 in the ovarian surface epithelial tumors tissues compared to the control groups reflect its important role in ovarian tumorigenesis. Besides PAX8 can be used as an important marker for discriminating ovarian non-mucinous from mucinous tumors. Also, there is a possible role of PAX8 in the development and differentiation of ovarian malignant surface epithelial tumor. Keywords: Ovarian surface epithelial tumors, ovarian carcinoma, transcription factor, paired box antigen, PAX8, immunohistochemistry Citation: Al-Shami SA, Qasim BJ, Hassan AM. Immunohistochemical expressions of PAX8 in ovarian surface epithelial tumors. Iraqi JMS. 2018; 16(3): 298-307. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.16.3.9
COMPARING DIALYSIS PATIENTS ACCORDING TO ESTIMATED GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE AT DIALYSIS INITIATION AND FIVE YEARS OUTCOME
Authors:   Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq, Al-Joher Jwad
Published: February 2022

Background: It is not clear on which level of estimated glomerular filtration rate to start dialysis until now. Objective: To compare between patient groups according to estimated glomerular filtration rate at dialysis initiation. Methods: Eighty-seven Patients are selected randomly from a list of patients admitted for dialysis (Hemodialysis or Peritoneal dialysis) at Northern General Hospital - Sheffield Kidney Institute from 1st of January to 31st of December 2000. Patients have been categorized into two groups. First group includes 45 patients started dialysis with glomerular filtration rate less than 5 ml/min/1.73m2. Second group includes 42 patients started dialysis with glomerular filtration rate from 5-10 ml/min/1.73m2. Patients have been followed up for five years retrospectively until 31st December 2005. Results: The study showed males are the predominant gender. White Caucasian patients are majority of patients. The mean age is 56 years. About half of patients are middle aged (45-65 years) and are overweight or obese. This study shows no difference between patients who started dialysis early (estimated glomerular filtration rate 5-10 ml/min/1.73m2) versus late (estimated glomerular filtration rate below 5 ml/min/1.73m2) in term of mortality and morbidity throughout five years of follow up. Conclusion: This study showed no justification to decide on time to initiate dialysis based solely on estimated glomerular filtration rate level. Keywords: Chronic kidney disease, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, end stage renal disease, renal replacement therapy Citation: Al-Joher JAA. Comparing dialysis patients according to estimated glomerular filtration rate at dialysis initiation and five years outcome. Iraqi JMS. 2018; 16(4): 413-423. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.16.4.9
Intrusion Detection and Prevention against Cyber Attacks for an Energy Management System
Authors:   Department of Electrical Engineering, NFC Institute of Engineering and Technology, Multan, Pakistan., Ali Saqib , Malik Tahir Nadeem ,   Department of Electrical Engineering, HITEC University, Taxila, Pakistan.
Published: February 2022

Industrial Microgrids (IμG) are the large-scale buildings fortified with onsite Distributed Generations (DGs), energy storage, and demand response strategies. For optimal handling of these energy resources, storages, and loads to better match the power demand with the generation, a management system is developed termed as Industrial Energy Management System (IEMS). The optimal operation of IEMS depends on the accuracy of information flowing through the communication links between user and IEMS as well as the IEMS and utility grid. Communication links have some associated cybersecurity issues such as unauthorized access, data modification, and disrupt disclosure to change the operating conditions in today’s era of computation. The main goal of this paper is to devise a technique to efficiently detect and prevent internal as well as external apparition attempts. For this purpose, an Intrusion Detection and Prevention System (ID/PS) against cyberattacks is developed using a Linux operating system based on Smooth-sec software. The proposed ID/PS would continuously monitor and record the traffic within the local IμG network to distinguish a legal command from a real attack by decoding the attack packets to create its templates with defined ID/PS rules to take prevention measures and triggered an alert, alarm or Splunk for the security administrator. The devised novel approach significantly contributes to intrusion attention to vulnerabilities and security analysis of cyber secured equipped IEMS for an IμG.
Evaluation of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Miljkovic Aleksandar , Babic Nikola , Davidovic Sofija , Barisic Sava , Brunet Stefan , Tapavicki Borislav
Published: February 2022

Introduction/Objective. The objective of the study was to determine the difference in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in comparison to the healthy population and according to the progression of the disease. Methods. Four groups were formed among 120 patients: group without glaucoma, early, moderate POAG, and preperimetric glaucoma group. Visual field and optical coherent tomography were performed. Results. RNFL thickness value was found to be the highest in the inferior quadrant, the second highest in the superior one, the third highest in the nasal one, and the lowest value was found to be in the temporal quadrant. The highest average value of RNFL thickness was in the superior quadrant of the healthy group (124.3 ? 17.8 ?m), and the lowest one was in the temporal quadrant of the moderate group (46.5 ? 10.8 ?m). Other RNFL thickness values per quadrants among groups were distributed between these two endpoints. Mean value of peripapillary RNFL thickness (AvgThic) in patients with moderate POAG was lesser than in patients with early POAG, which, in turn, was lesser than that in the healthy subjects (59.6 ? 10.6 ?m vs. 73.4 ? 12.1 ?m vs. 105.5 ? 11.3 ?m). AvgThic in the preperimetric glaucoma group was 83.6 ? 9.2 ?m. Pearson correlation showed a high positive correlation between mean deviation values and the following parameters: AvgThic, S, I, Smax, Imax, Savg, Iavg. Receiver operating characteristic curves found that the parameter with the best diagnostic ability was AvgThic, with the area of 0.803 (< 0.0005), sensitivity of 67%, and specificity of 83.3%. Conclusion. Peripapillary RNFL thickness parameters AvgThic, S, I, Smax, Savg, Iavg, Imax have an excellent ability to discriminate between healthy eyes and eyes with POAG. The parameter with the highest specificity and sensitivity is AvgThic, which makes it the best for early detection and monitoring of POAG.
Vitamin B1, eye and brain
Authors: Bozic Marija , Milenkovic Marija , Pavlovic Dragan , Stamenkovic Miroslav , Pavlovic Aleksandra
Published: February 2022

Vitamin B1 (aneurin, thiamine) is a water-soluble vitamin necessary for the normal function of the nervous system, visual system and heart and is part of important enzymes in the body. Thiamine enables the normal use of glucose, other carbohydrates and proteins, and enables the supply of energy to the organism. The main sources of thiamine are exogenous and small amounts are synthesized by microorganisms of the human intestinal microbiome. Vitamin B1 cannot accumulate in the body, so signs of deficiency are quickly manifested. Hypovitaminosis B1 is seen in chronic ethyl abuse, persistent vomiting (as in some pregnant women) or after bariatric surgical procedures, but in a mild form it is present in the general population. Normal daily needs for vitamin B1 depend on calorie intake, and 0.4 mg should be ingested for every 1000 kcal.
A new machine technique in cord: Elastosonography
Authors: HANÇERLİOĞULLARI Kadir Öymen , TOSUN Alptekin
Published: February 2022

B mode US imaging with elastosonography tecnology was performed on the cords by 4-13 MHz linear probe (Esaote, MyLab60 with Elaxto application). The elastosonography technic demonstrated a colour map over B mode image. Different colours extended from green (soft) to ruddy (hard) to illustrate tissue feature after compression-decompression periods. In kids, spermatic cord with testicular torsion is among the main significant events. Differentiation from other acute scrotal events is confusing in diagnosis and therapy. The point of experimental research is to determine the viability of elastosonography, which investigates stiffness as a target strategy in determination and intervention of spermatic cord torsion. 16 male rabbits of a similar weight and age were chosen. They were separated into 2 groups including 8 rabbits. In Group 1, right testis was constant; in Group 2, the same testis experienced 720° curve a clockwise way and stabilized. After 1-2 hours of ischemic period, elastosonography estimations were applied. Nonetheless, the left spermatic cord was estimated again at 24 hours to notice the possible progressions; because ischemia may also have an effect to the left spermatic cord. B mode US and elastosonography procedures were applied with a linear probe. Statistically increment was recognized in elastosonography estimations of right spermatic cord at 1-2-24 hours (p<0.05). There were no significant changes between the groups of left spermatic cord at 1-2 hours. Elastosonography values were significant in left spermatic cord at 24 hours (p<0.05). The elastosonography estimations of the spermatic cord torsion appeared evidently with the expansion in span of ischemia. It was seen that the elastosonography strategy may have a part with other indicative procedures in diagnosis of cord torsion.
Communities and tree-species preferences of birds in traditional agroforestry system in Meru Betiri National Park
Authors: Kurnianto Agung Sih , Septiadi Luhur , Firmansyah Puji , Dewi Nilasari
Published: February 2022

Agroforestry is a critical component of providing primary habitat for birds. Meru Betiri National Park (MBNP) establishes a diverse array of ecologically and economically significant trees while allowing local residents to farm beneath them, resulting in the formation of a complex agroforestry system. The purpose of this study is to examine bird communities and their tree-species preferences across tree height levels in MBNP's traditional agroforestry system. For vegetation analysis, we used the circle method, and for bird data collection, we used the point count method in a single circle approach. For both vegetation and bird communities, the ecological indices (the important value index, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, Margalef species richness index, and evenness index) were calculated. Birds' ecological roles and activity preferences were analyzed using principal component analysis and presented in stratified tree height levels. The results indicated that insectivores’ birds are the primary insect predators in the traditional MBNP agroforestry system (11 out of 16 bird families). Artocarpus heterophyllus was the most frequently visited tree species out of seven, which may have significant ecological value (for bird diversity) and economic benefits (for avitourism). Finally, one can deduce that the majority of bird activity occurs between 4 and 20 meters above the ground.
Pemanfaatan Teknologi Drone untuk Pembelajaran Geografi Spasial di Tingkat Pendidikan Menengah Atas
Authors: Danardono Danardono , Priyono Priyono , Wulandari Kartika Cindi , Novianto Danis
Published: February 2022

The emergence of a new era of society 5.0 requires every scientific field has high technology development, up-to-date, easily accessible, and internet-based, including geography major. One of the technologies that has developed in the geography major is the use of drone technology for mapping. However, technological developments in the field of geography have not been integrated into geography learning, especially at the secondary education level. This is due to the lack of scientific updates for educators at the secondary education level regarding the development of this technology. This is the background for the implementation of this service activity which aims to introduce and improve the understanding of teachers at the secondary education level in the use of drones for various geographical studies. The service is carried out in the form of socialization related to drone technology, training and drone operation simulations. The activity participants were very enthusiastic in participating in the activities and appreciated the implementation of interesting activities and provided a lot of knowledge for participants. In fact, participants asked for further activities that were more specific to discuss the use of drones in a particular study, from data collection to data processing.