bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Offenbach y sus conexiones familiares en el contexto de la ópera Pépito: los Alcain, los Mitchell y la Primera Guerra Carlista
Authors: Sherr Richard
Published: December 2021

Este artículo considera las implicaciones de las referencias a familiares de Jacques Offenbach, por parte de su esposa, y que aparecen en el libreto de su opéra-comique Pépito, estrenada en París en el Théâtre des Variétés el 28 de octubre de 1853. Estas referencias han propiciado una detallada investigación sobre estos familiares, los Alcain españoles y los Mitchell anglo-franceses, y el estudio de su relación, y por extensión la de Offenbach, con España y con un episodio específico de su historia, la Primera Guerra Carlista (1833-1840), una relación que no ha sido bien entendida por sus biógrafos.
Eduardo Torres (1872-1934) de la catedral al conservatorio: gestión, educación y crítica musical en Sevilla durante el primer tercio del siglo XX
Authors: García-López Olimpia
Published: December 2021

El presente artículo profundiza en la educación musical en Sevilla durante las primeras décadas del siglo XX a través de la figura de Eduardo Torres (1872-1934). El objetivo principal es, mediante el análisis de la actividad docente llevada a cabo por este polifacético músico, conocer el papel de las figuras musicales eclesiásticas en el establecimiento de espacios de enseñanza musical profanos como fueron las academias de música y los conservatorios oficiales. Por un lado, se examina su participación activa en las distintas instituciones locales interesadas en potenciar el arte sonoro: desde el magisterio musical ejercido en la Catedral —donde formó a seises destacados como Francisco Redondo o Manuel Villalba— a las iniciativas pedagógicas desarrolladas en sociedades como el Ateneo, la Sociedad Sevillana de Conciertos o la Real Sociedad Económica Sevillana de Amigos del País, que formaron a pianistas destacados, que fueron becados para estudiar en París, como Ana Gimeno o Tomás Andrade. Precisamente, desde la academia de música de esta última institución, se iniciaron las gestiones que llevaron a la fundación del Conservatorio Oficial de Música de Sevilla, en las que Torres tuvo un papel destacado. Por otro lado, se profundiza en las críticas musicales de Torres, que fueron utilizadas como una herramienta pedagógica y didáctica, en tanto que estas sirvieron para enriquecer los conocimientos de los aficionados e intentar orientar su gusto hacia lo que Torres consideraba como “buena música”.
‘¡Pascuéee la alegría… estas son noches de guacherna y de paseos!’. Estudio comparativo ritmo-perceptivo en la Depresión Momposina colombiana
Authors: Ciro-Gómez Bernardo A.
Published: December 2021

El término guacherna comporta una variedad de acepciones en el contexto de las prácticas musicales orales de la región Caribe colombiana. En algunos municipios de la Depresión Momposina, este término alude a una fiesta callejera tradicional realizada en época de Navidad, en honor a la Virgen, o al santo patrón de cada municipio. Con la llegada de los festivales regionales a la Depresión Momposina, la fiesta de guacherna cayó en desuso y se normalizó como modalidad rítmica para ser presentada en escenarios. No obstante, los cultores advierten marcadas diferencias entre las modalidades rítmicas descritas con este mismo término entre los municipios de Tamalameque y de San Martín de Loba. Estas diferencias no han sido tratadas por los estudios musicológicos y etnomusicológicos a pesar de que han generado constantes desencuentros entre sus cultores a causa de la significación que la legitima en cada territorio. A partir de los resultados del trabajo de campo en estos dos municipios, se presenta un estudio comparativo que retoma elementos de las teorías de los niveles ritmo-arquitectónicos y la ritmo-percepción, con la intención de cotejar las especificidades rítmico-musicales de ambas guachernas y establecer de qué manera estas afectan la percepción musical de sus cultores en los circuitos de la oralidad y en algunos circuitos externos.
Increasing the Prediction Power of Moodle Machine Learning Models with Self-defined Indicators
Authors: Fauszt Tibor , Bognár László , Sándor Ágnes
Published: December 2021

Starting with version 3.4 of Moodle, it has been possible to build educational ML models using predefined indicators in the Analytics API. These models can be used primarily to identify students at risk of failure. Our research shows that the goodness and predictability of models built using predefined core indicators in the API lags far behind the generally acceptable level. Moodle is an open-source system, which on the one hand allows the analysis of algorithms, and on the oth-er hand its modification and further development. Utilizing the openness of the system, we examined the calculation algorithm of the core indicators, and then, based on the experience, we built new models with our own indicators. Our re-sults show that the goodness of models built on a given course can be significant-ly improved. In the article, we discuss the development process in detail and pre-sent the results achieved.
Developments and Emerging Trends of Blended Learning: A Document Co-citation Analysis (2003–2020)
Authors: Yan Yuting , Chen Hui
Published: December 2021

This study aims to analyze and visualize the research hotspots, evolution, and emerging trends of blended learning in a holistic way. In this study, 1657 biblio-metric records together with 48310 citations are collected from SCIE, SSCI and A&HCI databases. CiteSpace is adopted in the analysis and visualization. Results show: enhancing collaborative learning, pattern, and teacher training are the re-search hotspots in Period I, instructor perception, possible future direction, and research trend are the research hotspots in Period II, general science classroom, blended learning environment, and measuring student engagement are the re-search hotspots in Period III; the themes of covid-19 remain similar along the de-velopment, while the themes of digital health education change a lot; blended learning environment, online component, covid-19 pandemic, procrastinating be-havior, active blended learning, and observed learning orientation are the emerg-ing trends. These findings could provide research directions for future studies in blended learning.
Use of the Key Performance Index Evaluation Model for a Comparative Analysis of the Professional Teaching Quality of Economic Management
Authors: Chang Xiangpeng
Published: December 2021

The key performance index (KPI) evaluation provides a guarantee for discipline construction, talent training, and research development and planning in colleges. Based on KPI evaluation model, this paper compares the professional teaching quality of economic management of different types of colleges, different teaching models, and different disciplines, through KPI appraisal. The results show that: teaching quality can be evaluated by several important indices, namely, teaching attitude, teaching content, teaching method, and teaching effect; the most important indices are teaching attitude and teaching content, followed by teaching effect and teaching method. The index scores of professional education mode were much higher than those of general education mode. Teaching effect is the highest rated index among students of accounting, and teaching attitude is the highest rated index among students of business administration. The research results lay the theoretical basis for colleges to improve KPI appraisal system and appraisal supervision system.
Utilizing Animal Characters of a Mobile Augmented Reality (AR) Reading Kit to Improve Preschoolers’ Reading Skills, Motivation, and Self-Learning: An Initial Study
Authors: Hanafi Hafizul Fahri bin , Wong Kung-Teck , Muhamad Adnan Muhamad Hariz Bin , Selamat Abu Zarrin Bin , Zainuddin Nur Azlan Bin , Abdullah Mohd Faizal Nizam Lee Bin
Published: December 2021

This study developed and used a mobile Augmented Reality (AR) reading kit to help preschool students recognize alphabets and read simple words more effectively. This study was based on the quantitative approach involving an experimental methodology that used a one-group pretest-posttest design. In this study, the variables of interest to be measured were students’ reading skills, motivation, and self-learning. The learning treatment involved a series of reading sessions using the novel learning application that spanned three weeks, with each session lasting for two hours. The sample of this study comprised 60 preschool students, whose ages ranged from four to six, who were selected from three different preschools. The effectiveness of the novel-reading kit was evaluated in terms of students’ learning performance, learning motivation in reading, and self-learning. The data for the former were gathered from pre-testing and post-testing. At the same time, a survey was administered to the students to elicit their opinions and feedback on the last two factors. Furthermore, all descriptive and inferential statistical procedures have been selected to analyze the data. Specifically, a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to analyze the data, which demonstrated significant differences in the students’ reading skills, motivation, and self-learning before and after the learning interventions. These findings showed the students could recognize alphabets more accurately, read simple words more intelligently, become more motivated to read and be highly engaged in self-learning using the mobile AR reading kit.
The Role of Cloud Computing in Education: Saudi Arabian Study
Authors: Al- Rasheedi Gareebah , Khan Nabeel
Published: December 2021

Education is a crucial factor in ensuring sustainable progress, In particular, for countries with growing economies. Due to resource virtualization, Cloud computing has both the Internet and complex scalability. Both public and private learning institutions should take advantage of the potential benefit of cloud infrastructure to ensure high-quality service regardless of the minimum resources available. Because of its numerous advantages, cloud computing is taking center stage in academia. This research will seek to establish the benefits associated with the use of cloud computing in education. Cloud technology solutions ensure research and development as well as teaching, and its more sustainable and efficient, thereby having a positive impact on the quality of teaching and learning in educational institutions. The goal of this research is to identify the benefits of cloud computing usage in education. Cloud technology solutions make research and development as well as teaching more competitive and effective, thereby having a positive impact on the quality of education.
Engineering Cancer Antigen-Specific T Cells to Overcome the Immunosuppressive Effects of TGF-β
Authors: Silk Jonathan D , Abbott Rachel J M , Adams Katherine J , Bennett Alan D , Brett Sara , Cornforth Terri V , Crossland Katherine L , Figueroa David J , Jing Junping , O’Connor Caitriona , Pachnio Annette , Patasic Lea , Peredo Carlos E , Quattrini Adriano , Quinn Laura L , Rust Alistair G , Saini Manoj , Sanderson Joseph P , Steiner Dylan , Tavano Barbara , Viswanathan Preetha , Wiedermann Guy E , Wong Ryan , Jakobsen Bent K , Britten Cedrik M , Gerry Andrew B , Brewer Joanna E
Published: December 2021

Adoptive T cell therapy with T cells expressing affinity-enhanced TCRs has shown promising results in phase 1/2 clinical trials for solid and hematological tumors. However, depth and durability of responses to adoptive T cell therapy can suffer from an inhibitory tumor microenvironment. A common immune-suppressive agent is TGF-β, which is secreted by tumor cells and cells recruited to the tumor. We investigated whether human T cells could be engineered to be resistant to inhibition by TGF-β. Truncating the intracellular signaling domain from TGF-β receptor (TGFβR) II produces a dominant-negative receptor (dnTGFβRII) that dimerizes with endogenous TGFβRI to form a receptor that can bind TGF-β but cannot signal. We previously generated specific peptide enhanced affinity receptor TCRs recognizing the HLA-A*02–restricted peptides New York esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 1 (NY-ESO-1)157–165/l-Ag family member-1A (TCR: GSK3377794, formerly NY-ESO-1c259) and melanoma Ag gene A10254–262 (TCR: ADP-A2M10, formerly melanoma Ag gene A10c796). In this article, we show that exogenous TGF-β inhibited in vitro proliferation and effector functions of human T cells expressing these first-generation high-affinity TCRs, whereas inhibition was reduced or abolished in the case of second-generation TCRs coexpressed with dnTGFβRII (e.g., GSK3845097). TGF-β isoforms and a panel of TGF-β–associated genes are overexpressed in a range of cancer indications in which NY-ESO-1 is commonly expressed, particularly in synovial sarcoma. As an example, immunohistochemistry/RNAscope identified TGF-β–positive cells close to T cells in tumor nests and stroma, which had low frequencies of cells expressing IFN-γ in a non–small cell lung cancer setting. Coexpression of dnTGFβRII may therefore improve the efficacy of TCR-transduced T cells.
Combination Immune Checkpoint Blockade Enhances IL-2 and CD107a Production from HIV-Specific T Cells Ex Vivo in People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Chiu Chris Y , Chang Judy J , Dantanarayana Ashanti I , Solomon Ajantha , Evans Vanessa A , Pascoe Rachel , Gubser Céline , Trautman Lydie , Fromentin Rémi , Chomont Nicolas , McMahon James H , Cameron Paul U , Rasmussen Thomas A , Lewin Sharon R
Published: December 2021

In people with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART), immune dysfunction persists, including elevated expression of immune checkpoint (IC) proteins on total and HIV-specific T cells. Reversing immune exhaustion is one strategy to enhance the elimination of HIV-infected cells that persist in PWH on ART. We aimed to evaluate whether blocking CTL-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4), programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), T cell Ig domain and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3), T cell Ig and ITIM domain (TIGIT) and lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) alone or in combination would enhance HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell function ex vivo. Intracellular cytokine staining was performed using human PBMCs from PWH on ART (n = 11) and expression of CD107a, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-2 was quantified with HIV peptides and Abs to IC. We found the following: 1) IC blockade enhanced the induction of CD107a and IL-2 but not IFN-γ and TNF-α in response to Gag and Nef peptides; 2) the induction of CD107a and IL-2 was greatest with multiple combinations of two Abs; and 3) Abs to LAG-3, CTLA-4, and TIGIT in combinations showed synergistic induction of IL-2 in HIV-specific CD8+ and CD107a and IL-2 production in HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. These results demonstrate that the combination of Abs to LAG-3, CTLA-4, or TIGIT can increase the frequency of cells expressing CD107a and IL-2 that associated with cytotoxicity and survival of HIV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in PWH on ART. These combinations should be further explored for an HIV cure.
Professional roles of female urologists: A webinar-based survey of perceptions and obstacles to career development
Authors: Ibrahim Sufyan , Pietropaolo Amelia , Naik Nithesh , Patel Anita , Shah Milap J. , Zondervan Patricia , McDonald Jean , Zeeshan Hameed BM , Prasad Rai Bhavan , Karimi Hadis , Somani Bhaskar K. , Cresswell Joanne
Published: December 2021

Background: Urology, traditionally a maledominated specialty, keeping pace with the quickly changing gender landscape, has been characterized by waves of feminization. This study aims to understand the perspectives of women urologists on the obstacles to their career development, and the impact of such hurdles on their professional roles in urological education, practice, and leadership. Methods: 119 female urology residents/consultants were surveyed via a webinar-based platform, covering relevant questions on domains of Academia, Mentorship, Leadership, Parenting, and Charity. Statistical analysis was done using frequency distribution based on the responses. Results: 46.8% of the respondents felt that there is an under-representation of women in academia. ‘Having a good mentor’ was the most important factor for a novice to succeed in academia (68%). The most important trait in becoming a good leader was ‘good communication skills’ (35%), followed by ‘visionary’ (20%). The greatest challenge faced by leaders in the medical field was considered as ‘time management’ (31.9%). Only 21.2% of the participants felt difficulty in having a work-personal life balance, whereas 63.8% of them found it difficult only ‘sometimes’. As a working parent, ‘the guilt that they are not available all the time’ was considered the most difficult aspect (59.5%), and ‘more flexible schedule’ was needed to make their lives as a working parent easier (46.8%). 34% of the respondents were affiliated with some charitable organizations. The biggest drive to do charity was their satisfaction with a noble cause (72.3%). Conclusions: Need for increased encouragement and recruitment of females into urology, and to support and nurture them in their career aspirations.
Drug-induced gynecomastia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Trinchieri Alberto , Perletti Gianpaolo , Magri Vittorio , Stamatiou Konstantinos , Trinchieri Margherita , Montanari Emanuele
Published: December 2021

Objective: To review the evidence concerning treatment-related gynecomastia in patients taking spironolactone, antiandrogens, 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, lipid-lowering and psychotropic drugs. Material and methods: A search of Medline and EMBASE was performed up to 30 June 2021. We included randomized controlled trials comparing the effects of a drug belonging to these classes versus placebo or versus a drug of the same class. Results: A total of 32 randomized controlled trials were included in the final review. There was an increased odds of gynecomastia in men receiving antiandrogens (OR = 17.38, 95% CI: 11.26 to 26.82; 6 trials, 9599 participants) and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors compared to controls (OR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.53 to 2.06; 7 series out of 6 trials, 34860 participants). The use of spironolactone in mixed gender populations was characterized by significantly higher odds of having gynecomastia compared to controls (OR = 8.39, 95% CI: 5.03 to 13.99; 14 trials, 3745 participants). No placebo-controlled trials focusing on the risk of gynecomastia in patients taking antipsychotic drugs was available, although there was a significant difference in the odds of having gynecomastia in a comparison between risperidone and quetiapine (OR = 4.32, 95% CI: 1.31 to 14.27; 3 trials, 343 participants). Limited evidence about the effects of statins on mammary glands was found. Conclusions: Antiandrogens and to a lesser extent 5 alphareductase inhibitors and spironolactone are associated with an increased risk of developing gynecomastia. Such effect can be explained by a modification of the testosterone to estradiol ratio. Gynecomastia (and galactorrhea) associated to the use of conventional and certain atypical antipsychotics can be related to high prolactin levels.
Survey condotta tra gli studenti di Medicina e quelli di Scienze Sociali sulla donazione del corpo a fini di ricerca e didattica
Authors: Ciliberti Rosagemma , Bonzano Chiara , Petralia Paolo , Lalli Luca , Licata Marta , Manti Franco , Bonsignore Alessandro
Published: December 2021

La legge italiana n. 10 febbraio 2020 “Norme in materia di disposizione del proprio corpo e dei tessuti post mortem a fini di studio, di formazione e di ricerca scientifica” mira a valorizzare la volontarietà della donazione del corpo (DC). In questo contesto assume rilievo il dibattito etico sul tema della donazione e sul suo significato profondo che pone in relazione la beneficialità con una visione relazionale dell’autonomia. Allo stesso tempo, non si possono trascurare le forti valenze simboliche che vengono attribuite al corpo. L’attuazione pratica della DC richiede, quindi, una strategia formativa ampia, capace di sviluppare l’assunzione di responsabilità rispetto al presente e alle generazioni future. In considerazione dell’importante ruolo che i medici, le professioni sanitarie e quelle sociali possono assumere nel promuovere tale pratica, è stata condotta un’indagine diretta a fare emergere le conoscenze e le convinzioni, presenti in tale ambito, tra gli studenti appartenenti alla Scuola Scienze Mediche e Farmaceutiche (SMF) e quelli frequentanti la Scuola di Scienze Sociali (SSS), nonché ad analizzare eventuali fattori che possono influenzare la DC. L’indagine ha evidenziato importanti carenze informative e formative su temi inerenti la cura, la donazione e il rispetto delle persone. Tali carenze risultano particolarmente significative per gli studenti appartenenti alla SMF che, quali futuri medici, potranno costituire un riferimento fondamentale per la diffusione della DC. Investire risorse economiche e intellettuali sulla competenza etica degli studenti può risultare un fattore di grande rilievo affinché la DC si configuri come una scelta responsabile, consapevole ed effettivamente praticata.
The debate in Bioethics - Respect for mortal remains of perinatal children. The current legal situation in the Czech Republic
Authors: Polák Jan
Published: December 2021

Not available.
Assessing children’s defense mechanisms with the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scales Q-sort for Children
Authors: Di Giuseppe Mariagrazia , Prout Tracy A. , Ammar Lauren , Kui Thomas , Conversano Ciro
Published: December 2021

Defense mechanisms are unconscious and automatic psychological processes that serve to protect the individual from painful emotions and thoughts. There is ample evidence from the adult psychotherapy and mental health literature suggesting the salience of defenses in the maintenance and amelioration of psychological distress. Although several tools for the assessment of children’s defenses exist, most rely on projective and self-report tools, and none are based on the empirically derived hierarchy of defenses. This paper outlines the development of the defense mechanisms rating scale Q-sort for children (DMRS-Q-C), a 60-item, observer-rated tool for coding the use of defenses in child psychotherapy sessions. Modifications to the Defense Mechanisms Rating Scale Q-Sort for adults to create a developmentally relevant measure and the process by which expert child psychotherapists collaborated to develop the DMRS-Q-C are discussed. A clinical vignette describing the child’s defensive functioning as assessed by the innovative DMRS-Q-C method is also reported. Finally, we provide an overview of forthcoming research evaluating the validity of the DMRS-Q-C.
Characterization of shallow aquifers and assessment of potential impacts of oil and gas development activities on these aquifers in the Fox Creek area (AB) - October 2021 update
Authors: Rivard C
Published: December 2021

A multidisciplinary and multi-institutional project was initiated in the Fox Creek area (west-central Alberta) in April 2019 to study environmental impacts of hydrocarbon development activities. The initial objective was to specifically study potential impacts on
shallow groundwater. However, different Sectors within NRCan later identified the Fox Creek area as a region of interest for developing regional cumulative effects evaluation methods in support of new impact assessment legislation. As a result, the scope is now much broader and the project includes
studies of vegetation, forest, snow cover, wetlands, and contributes to a woodland caribou habitat study. The project involves many collaborators from the federal and provincial governments, as well as from the academic community. This project is supported by the GGP and EGP
programs.
Casper stent in the treatment of pulsatile tinnitus in fibromuscular dysplasia
Authors: Vanzin José Ricardo , Martio Artur Eduardo , Manzato Luciano Bambini , Abud Daniel Giansante
Published: December 2021

Fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) is a known cause of pulsatile tinnitus that can, on rare occasion, evolve into an incapacitating condition. It is a noninflammatory and nonatherosclerotic arteriopathy of unknown cause that affects medium-sized vessels, such as the carotid and renal arteries, occurring mainly in women. We describe a 72-year-old woman suffering from pulsatile tinnitus refractory to medical treatment who was successfully treated with Casper stent in the carotid artery. The different treatment strategies published in the literature were reviewed.
Venous infarction secondary to congestive encephalopathy from central venous occlusive disease in a chronic hemodialysis patient
Authors: Damante Mark A. , Huntoon Kristin M. , Schunemann Victoria A. , Ikeda Daniel S. , Youssef Patrick P.
Published: December 2021

Central venous occlusive disease secondary to chronic hemodialysis catheterization rarely progresses to encephalopathy, cerebral infarction, and/or hemorrhage. A 59-year-old male with 15 years of haemodialysis-dependent end-stage renal disease presented with acutely altered mental status, extensor rigidity with left hemiparesis and equal, but small and nonreactive pupils. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated infarction and cerebral edema. Cranial angiogram through right brachial artery injection revealed right subclavian vein opacification via a patent AV-fistula and retrograde flow to the right internal jugular vein and superior sagittal sinus secondary to occlusion of the brachiocephalic vein. All cerebral and right upper extremity venous drainage occurred via the contralateral venous outflow tract. Internal carotid artery injections revealed significant venous congestion. Despite successful angioplasty with stenting and resolution of venous flow reversal, the patient failed to recover neurologically. The devastating nature of the presented case emphasizes the need for frequent neurologic evaluation of such patients to avoid catastrophic cerebrovascular injury.
Protection of multiple ischemic organs by controlled reperfusion
Authors: Ma Jin , Li Ming , Zhang Mengke , Jiang Miuwen , Gao Yuan , Mangal Ruchi , Ding Yuchuan , Yin Zhichen , Ji Xunming
Published: December 2021

Reperfusion injury (RI) is a harmful complication that takes place during recanalization treatment of ischemic organs. Currently, there are no efficacious treatments for protecting the organs against RI. Therefore, it is necessary to discover new strategies to prevent RI. As a novel intervention technique, controlled reperfusion has promising effects on protecting multiple organs from RI, and it is done by adjusting physical parameters of blood flow or chemical compositions of the reperfusion liquid. In this brief review, the status of various controlled reperfusion methods is presented, as well as their application in the protection of ischemic organs.
Evaluation of Efficacy of Foldscope – A Paper Microscope to be Used as a Chairside Diagnostic Tool in Oral Dysplastic Lesions
Authors: Rameshbabu Roshni , Priya A. H. , Muthukumar R. Sathish , Sivaraman Krithigaa , Uthra D.
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Precancerous lesion of the oral mucosa consists of a group of diseases which sometimes resemble each other leaving the clinician in a diagnostic dilemma. Etiology of these diseases varies geographically with most frequently being tobacco use, alcohol drinking, chewing of betel quid containing areca nut, and solar rays. The long-standing practice of these lifestyle habits causes an alteration in the mucosal barrier level leading to malignant transformation. Earlier, the diagnosis of malignant transformation was confirmed using biopsy, but the advent of exfoliative cytology showed that histological features of a cell undergoing transformation are distinctive during early stages. Early diagnosis can be lifesaving, along with chairside adjunct tools that can facilitate the clinician for better diagnosis and use it as an explanatory tool for patients.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of foldscope as a chairside diagnostic tool to detect dysplastic changes in potentially malignant lesions affecting the oral cavity.

Materials and Methods:

This was a cross-sectional comparative study of a total of 54 individuals clinically diagnosed with oral premalignant lesions. Exfoliative cytological smears were taken and observed under light microscope and foldscope. After Papanicolaou stain, it was subjected to cytomorphometric analysis.

Results:

Cytological changes in potentially malignant lesions detected using foldscope were appreciable and found to be a mirror image of the routine light microscope.

Conclusion:

Morphological parameters assessed by foldscope proved to be employed in routine practice as well as in the mass screening of oral lesions.
Evaluating the Effect of Pretreatment with Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors on the Shear Bond Strength of Composite Resin to Primary Teeth Dentin
Authors: Parsaie Zahra , Firouzmandi Maryam , Mohammadi Najmeh
Published: December 2021

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of pretreatment with of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors on the shear bond strength (SBS) of Adper Single Bond 2 total etch adhesive to the primary teeth dentin following 6 months of storage in artificial saliva.

Materials and Methods:

One hundred and twenty primary anterior teeth extracted for orthodontic reasons were selected. After etching, dentin blocks from each tooth were pretreated for 60 s with: (i) phosphate-buffered saline (0.01 M, pH 7.2) as the control group, (ii) 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), (iii) 2% doxycycline (DO) solution, and (iv) 2% chlorhexidine (CHX) solution, with subsequent application of an etch-and-rinse adhesive system (Adper Single Bond 2). The composite was placed in clear Teflon cylinders. The SBS values were determined immediately and following 6 months of aging with a universal testing machine. Failure mode was evaluated using the stereomicroscope and scanning electron microscope. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software using the one-way analysis of variance and post hoc tests (P = 0.05).

Results:

At baseline, no significant difference was observed between control, EDTA, CHX, and DO groups (P = 0.554). Following 6 months of aging, the SBS of the CHX group was significantly higher than the control group (P = 0.013). However, the SBS of the control, EDTA, and DO groups was not statistically different (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Following 6 months of aging, among different groups of the study, only CHX significantly preserved the SBS of composite resin to primary teeth dentin using Adper Single Bond 2 adhesive.
Assessment of Maxillary Incisors' Angulation and Position in Different Types of Malocclusions Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography
Authors: Al-Khawaja Noor Falah Kadhim , Nahidh Mohammed , Abdulsaheb Resha Jameel
Published: December 2021

Background:

This study is aimed to assess the maxillary incisors' root position, angulation, and buccal alveolar bone thickness in both genders and different classes of malocclusion using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).

Materials and Methods:

Two hundred and six CBCT images were gathered and analyzed by three-dimensional On-Demand software to measure the variables of 803 maxillary central and lateral incisors. Genders and class difference was determined by unpaired t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Chi-square tests.

Results:

Buccal root position of the maxillary incisors accounted for in the majority of the cases followed by the middle and palatal positions. The thickness of alveolar bone appears to have nearly the same pattern of decreasing in the mean values above the level of 2 mm from the crest of the bone up to the 6 mm level then increase in the apex of the root. The angle between the long axis of the maxillary incisors and the corresponding alveolar bone is higher significantly in class II followed by class I and III with no significant gender difference.

Conclusions:

most of the maxillary incisors examined were located in a very close position to the buccal cortical plate and covered by a thin buccal bone wall. The apparent association was noted between the incisors' root position and angulation in the alveolar bone with the buccal bone thickness.
Optical coherence tomography angiography is an efficient tool to assess optic nerve perfusion
Authors: Eltohamy Soha M.M.
Published: December 2021

Background

Glaucoma is the neuropathy of the optic nerve with accelerated apoptosis of the retinal ganglion cells. Optical coherence tomography angiography provides valuable information about the optic nerve and the retinal circulation as an auxiliary tool for glaucoma diagnosis and optic nerve saving.

Purpose

To evaluate the performance of optical coherence tomography angiography in distinguishing primary open-angle glaucoma from healthy eyes by measuring the radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) vessel density (VD)% and macular superficial capillary plexus (SCP) VD%.

Patients and methods

A descriptive prospective cross-sectional case–control study was conducted on 60 participants, who were categorized into two groups: group A (30 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and group B (30 healthy controls of matched age and sex with group A). Structural (retinal nerve fiber layer and ganglion cell complex thickness), functional (the mean deviation, and pattern standard deviation), and vascular parameters [the VD of RPC in scan 4.5×4.5 mm (in whole image, and the peripapillary region) and macular SCP in scan 6×6 mm] were compared between the two groups.

Results

Statistically significant decreases of VD of RPC of the whole disk, the peripapillary region, and the macular superficial plexus layer were observed in glaucoma eyes compared with controls (all P<0.001). As for the VD of the RPC of the whole disk, the mean value in the healthy control was (51.83±2.31) and in the glaucoma group was (46.21±2.98). For the VD of the RPC of the peripapillary region, the mean value in the healthy control was (52.56±0.2.61), while it was (46.9±3.1) in glaucoma eyes. Regarding VD of the macular superficial plexus layer, the mean value in healthy controls was 47.53±2.1, while it was 43.91±2.81 in glaucoma eyes. Structural, regarding the comparison of the retinal nerve fiber layer thickness between the two groups, the glaucoma patients had a significant (P=0.0001) lower mean value (81.34±0.11) than healthy controls (103.85±0.6.2). Also, for comparing the ganglion cell complex thickness between the two groups, the glaucoma patients had a significant (P=0.0001) lower mean value (80.72±6.9) than healthy controls (99.67±5.8). Functional, significant statistical differences (P=0.0001) of both, the mean deviation [between healthy control (0.18±0.86) and glaucoma group (−4.2±1.9)] and the mean of pattern deviation (P=0.0001) [between healthy control (1.22±0.91) and glaucoma group (4.6±1.72)] were determined.

Conclusion

Quantitative assessment of the VD of RPC and superficial macular capillary plexus is a promising tool for glaucoma decision making. As compared with healthy controls, the VD of RPC and SCP in glaucoma patients is reduced.
Relationship between Difficulty and Discrimination Indices of Essay Questions in for Mative Assessment
Authors: Kunjappagounder Pushpalatha , Doddaiah Sunil Kumar , Basavanna Pushpa Nagavalli , Bhat Deepa
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Assessment drives learning; assessment is the key component in medical education. Written examination plays a major role in assessing cognitive domain and well-constructed essay questions helps to assess the higher order of knowledge. Item analysis supports to assess the quality of items written and in turn which helps the faculty to retain, modify, or vomit the items.

Material and Methods:

Item analysis was done on anatomy essay questions of two internal assessment of 200 first MBBS students. Difficulty and discrimination indices were calculated, and relationship between the two indices was also analyzed. Analysis of the data indicated that there was a wide spectrum of level of difficulty among the essay items.

Results:

83.33% items were within the acceptable range of difficulty index (DIF) and 1.67% items were not within the acceptable range. 91.67% items were good to identify students who have studied and only 8.33% (one question) item to be discarded and replaced. The relationship between the item discrimination index (DI) and DIF was determined using regression analysis and it is statistically significant, as the difficulty level of item increased the DI also increased.

Discussion and conclusion:

By this kind analysis, we can have a question bank with validated different grades of acceptability. Before deciding on test, this will help to consider whether the item difficulty level appropriate for testing given objective and does the item discriminate adequately and then to decide which items to include, revise, or omit from a test.
Study of Variations of Posterior Communicating Artery and Types of Posterior Circulation in Human Cadaveric Brains of South Indian Population
Authors: Prefulla P. R. , Mohanapriya E. , Bose Elamathi , Keerthi S.
Published: December 2021

Introduction:

Posterior communicating artery (PComA) is the communicating channel between the internal carotid and vertebrobasilar arterial systems. The hemodynamics of the circle of Willis is influenced by variations in the PComA. Such variations may predispose to ischemic stroke due to inadequate collateral supply. Knowledge regarding the variations of the PComA and posterior circulation is of much clinical importance.

Material and Methods:

Eighty-eight posterior communicating arteries in 44 human cadaveric brains were studied. The morphological variations and morphometry of PComA and the various types of posterior circulation were noted and analyzed.

Results:

Morphological variations in PComA consisted of hypoplasia (17.04%) and aplasia (7.95%). The mean length of PComA was 12.72 ± 3.10 mm on the right side and 13.11 ± 3.37 mm on the left side. The four types of posterior circulation were adult type (78.41%), persistent fetal type-partial (12.5%), transitional type (5.68%), and persistent fetal type full (3.41%).

Discussion and Conclusion:

This study provides a comprehensive description of variations of PComA and types of posterior circulation. Awareness of these anatomical variations will be useful to anatomists, neurophysicians, neurosurgeons, and radiologists.
Neuroendocrine Tumor Gall Bladder
Authors: Aashita  , Yadav Vikas , Kapoor Anuja , Sharma Rajiv
Published: December 2021

Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) of gallbladder (GB) is very rare, accounting for 0.5% of all neuroendocrine malignancies and 2% of all GB cancers. It is very difficult to differentiate between carcinoma GB and NET GB. Here, we present a case of NET GB diagnosed in a 40-year-old female. The clinical features were nonspecific and the diagnosis was confirmed only on histopathological examination. The management of carcinoma GB and NET GB is discussed in detail.
Polymicrobial Spontaneous Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis
Authors: Mangal Vishal , Hasvi Jayaraj , Dey Subir , Menon Anil Shankar
Published: December 2021

Spontaneous pyogenic spondylodiscitis (SPS) is an uncommon disease. The most common causative organism of SPS is Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Gram-negative bacilli in 4%–30% of the cases. Polymicrobial SPS is very rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. We report a case of polymicrobial SPS in a 43-year-old male who was recently diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis with cirrhosis of the liver and presented with a 1-month history of progressive low backache with radiation to both the legs. Initially, he was managed as a case of Pott's spine with antitubercular therapy on the basis of immunocompromised status with positive ascitic fluid Mycobacterium tuberculosis polymerase chain reaction. However, due to lack of clinical and radiological response after 6 weeks, he underwent computed tomography-guided biopsy of the affected region. The culture from the biopsy specimen yielded Klebsiella oxytoca and Proteus vulgaris. He was managed with culture-sensitive antimicrobials. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of polymicrobial SPS caused by K. oxytoca, P. vulgaris, and M. tuberculosis.
Nonadherence to Dietary Activities and its Associated Factors among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in an Urban Area of South India
Authors: Chappidi Mounica , Chidambaram Priyadarshini , Shivananjiah Shalini , Somanna Shivaraj Nallur
Published: December 2021

Background:

Self-care activities related to diet, physical activity, foot care, and blood sugar monitoring in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), besides traditional doctor-centered care is essential. Hence, the study was undertaken to find the prevalence of nonadherence to dietary practices among patients with T2DM, its associated factors and to study the association of nonadherence with body mass index (BMI).

Methods:

The community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 400 participants with T2DM aged ≥ 18 years in urban Bangalore. Dietary adherence was assessed using The Summary of Diabetes Self-care Activities Questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were made to calculate BMI.

Results:

Of the total, 207 (51.8%) were ≥ 60 years, 211 (52.8%) were females and 377 (94.3%) were on oral hypoglycemic agents. Calories were unrestricted in 62.7%, fruits and vegetables were not consumed by 68.8%, and overall, 83.5% were nonadherent to diet.

Conclusion:

Education and marital status can affect a diabetic individual's diet adherence and hence it is necessary to focus on individuals who are likely to be nonadherent by giving them simple understandable instructions to follow and enabling them with wider variety of food and recipe options. Dislike to food in the diet plan contributed majorly to diet nonadherence and having individualized dietary options with the help of food exchange lists and involving nutritionists in diet planning may help overcome food aversions ensuring better adherence to diet. Creating awareness about self-care among people with T2DM, ensuring strict adherence to diet at every follow-up visit to the health-care professional is required to prevent complications of diabetes.
Assessment of Bone Marrow Iron Stores using Gale's Grading and Its Correlation with Iron Deficiency Anemia
Authors: Gupta Ishani , Kour Bhavneet , Jandial Roopali , Bhardwaj Subhash
Published: December 2021

Background:

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a very common condition worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The most accurate method to evaluate iron status is the measurement of bone marrow iron content by potassium ferrocyanide (Prussian blue)-stained aspirate. Microscopic examination of Prussian blue-stained bone marrow aspirate has been considered the “gold standard” for determining iron-depleted states.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to assess and classify the iron status in the bone marrow by both Gale's and intensive method, thereby differentiating iron store deficiency from functional deficiency.

Methods:

The present study was carried out in the Department of Pathology, Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu, over a period of 1 year. A total of 135 cases of anemia with hemoglobin <10 g/dl were included in the study. Bone marrow aspiration was done; iron assessment was done by both Gale's and intensive method. Iron status assessed by the intensive method was categorized as normal, functional iron deficiency, iron stores deficiency, or combined functional iron and iron stores deficiency.

Results:

A total of 135 cases were included in the study, out of which 47% (64/135) were male and 53% (71/135) were female. Gale's study revealed hypoferrimic state in only 40 cases out of 135 (29.6%). According to the intensive method, out of these 40 cases, only nine cases were truly deficient cases that too had combined deficiency, two cases had iron store deficiency, 25 cases had functional iron deficiency, and four cases had normal iron stores. In the present study, according to the intensive method, maximum number of cases had functional iron deficiency (54%, 73/135). There were 1.4% (2/135) pure iron-deficient cases and 11.1% (15/135) revealed combined deficiency.

Conclusion:

Differentiation between IDA and functional iron deficiency is important for accurate diagnosis and treatment of the patient. Although intensive method of grading iron requires more expertise, it has proved to be superior and has more precision in diagnosing iron-deficient cases.
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 and Circulating Ceruloplasmin Levels in Men with Iron-Deficiency Anemia and Heart Failure with Concomitant Prostate Cancer and Their Dynamics after Treatment
Authors: Kuryata Olexandr , Sirenko Oksana , Tykhomyrov Artem , Yatsenko Tetyana
Published: December 2021

Background:

The aim was to determine the activity of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and levels of circulating ceruloplasmin (CP) in men with iron-deficiency (ID) anemia and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) with concomitant prostate cancer and their dynamics after intravenous iron hydroxide sucrose supplementation.

Methods:

Dynamic observation and treatment was performed in 53 men with ID anemia and HFpEF with concomitant prostate adenocarcinoma. Serum PAI-1 activity levels were determined using a modified colorimetric method of tissue-type plasminogen activator determination. Serum CP levels were evaluated by immunoblot assay.

Results:

After 10 days of treatment in the group of patients treated with intravenous iron (III) hydroxide sucrose, the median PAI-1 activity level decreased by 9.2% (P < 0.001), in Group II, this indicator was not significantly different. After 10 days of treatment, it was estimated decreased median CP level by 35% (P < 0.001), in comparison with standard therapy – on 14.4% (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

The infusion of intravenous iron (III) hydroxide sucrose in men with ID anemia and HFpEF with concomitant prostate cancer contributed to a significant decrease of PAI-1 activity level and CP level.
$p$-adic $L$-functions of Hilbert cusp forms and the trivial zero conjecture
Authors: Barrera Daniel , Dimitrov Mladen , Jorza Andrei
Published: December 2021

We prove a strong form of the trivial zero conjecture at the central point for the

p

-adic

L

-function of a non-critically refined self-dual cohomological cuspidal automorphic representation of

\operatorname{GL}_2

over a totally real field, which is Iwahori spherical at places above

p

.

In the case of a simple zero we adapt the approach of Greenberg and Stevens, based on the functional equation for the

p

-adic

L

-function of a nearly finite slope family and on improved

p

-adic

L

-functions that we construct using automorphic symbols and overconvergent cohomology.

For higher order zeros we develop a conceptually new approach studying the variation of the root number in partial families and establishing the vanishing of many Taylor coefficients of the

p

-adic

L

-function of the family.
Optimal identification of cavities in the Generalized Plane Stress problem in linear elasticity
Authors: Morassi Antonino , Rosset Edi , Vessella Sergio
Published: December 2021

For the Generalized Plane Stress (GPS) problem in linear elasticity, we obtain an optimal stability estimate of logarithmic type for the inverse problem of determining smooth cavities inside a thin isotropic cylinder from a single boundary measurement of traction and displacement. The result is obtained by reformulating the GPS problem as a Kirchhoff–Love plate-like problem in terms of the Airy function, and by using the strong unique continuation at the boundary for a Kirchhoff–Love plate operator under homogeneous Dirichlet conditions, which has recently been obtained in [G. Alessandrini et al., Arch. Ration. Mech. Anal. 231 (2019)].