bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DETERMINATION ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY, TOTAL PHENOLICS, FLAVONOIDS CONTENT, OF JUNGRAHAB LEAVES (Baeckea frutescens L.)
Authors: Legowo Wahyu Priyo , Herawati Irma Erika , Dewi Lisna
Published: January 2024

Medicinal plants are widely used to treat various diseases, and one of the reasons for this is the safety of medicinal plants. The active compounds in medicinal plants include phenolics and flavonoids, which are known to have antioxidant activity. Antioxidants play an essential role in the body's defense against various diseases because they prevent the negative effects of free radicals. Jungrahab (Baeckea frutescens L.) is a medicinal plant containing phenolics and flavonoids. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant activity of jungrahab leaf extracts using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. The results showed the antioxidant activity of the extract, water fraction, ethyl acetate, and n-hexane of jungrahab leaves with IC50 values of 12.62, 61.74, 60.66, and 63.99 ppm, respectively. Meanwhile, jungrahab extract has a total phenolic content of 52.40 mg GAE (Gallic Acid Equivalent)/g and a flavonoid content of 56.72 mg QE (Quercetin Equivalent)/g. Jungrahab extract showed strongest antioxidant category compared to its fractions.
Keywords: phenolics content, flavonoids content, antioxidant activity, DPPH, jungrahab
THE EFFECT OF PANDEMIC IN WILLINGNESS TO PAY (WTP) FOR NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE MONTHLY FEE AS INDEPENDENT PARTICIPANTS: A SURVEY IN SEMARANG
Authors: Dianingati Ragil Setia , Annisaa Eva , Utami Widyaningrum , Rukmi MG Isworo
Published: January 2024

Jaminan Kesehatan Nasional (JKN) is mandatory for every Indonesian. Some of them have to be independent participantswho need to pay the monthly fee by themselves. The monthly fee has fluctuated since 2014, and right before the COVID-19 pandemic. This research aimed to determine the willingness to pay for the independent participants before and during the pandemic using an online survey. Results showed that of 34 participants from Semarang, most of them have 2 members of the family (31%), 3 (26%), 5 (14%) 4 (9%) and need to pay for themselves only (17%). Most of them become second-class members (40%), first-class (31%), and third-class (26%). The willingness to pay during the pandemic was lower for all type of memberships significantly (p <0,05) and if the membership fee was raised by 10%, 20%, and 30 %, the rejection was increased (74%, 89%, and 94%). Most of the participants agreed that the pandemic has impacted their economic situation so they considered choosing a lower class because they did not only choose the type of membership based on the benefits but also the amount of the monthly fee.
Keywords: willingness to pay, COVID-19, national health insurance
EFFECT OF EXTRACTION METHOD ON ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF PALM PALM LEAVES (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)
Authors: Faramayuda Fahrauk , Windyaswari Ari Sri , Karlina Yeni , Maulana Muhamad Raihan , Guntina Rizka Khoirunnisa
Published: January 2024

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a plant that is native to Africa and South America. This plant can grow well in tropical areas, such as Indonesia. Indonesia is currently one of the largest producers of palm oil worldwide. As the area of palm oil plantations increases, the potential for waste from this plant continues to increase. The potential for palm oil leaf waste production in Indonesia is 658 kg dry matter/hectare/year. Palm oil leaf waste has been widely processed into organic fertilizers and animal feeds. This plant has the potential to be developed into a source of traditional medicinal ingredients. Based on the abundant sources of palm oil leaves and their pharmacological potential, palm oil leaves can be used as a source of raw materials for traditional medicine. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant activities of oil palm leaf extracts obtained by maceration and reflux to determine which extraction method produces the best antioxidant activity. Extraction was carried out using 70% ethanol solvent by maceration and reflux. The results of the phytochemical screening showed that oil palm leaves contain flavonoids, polyphenols, saponins, quinones, steroid-triterpenoids, and monoterpene-sesquiterpenes. Antioxidant activity using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer with DPPH free radicals showed that the extract obtained by maceration and reflux methods had IC50 values of 46.61 ± 1.76 ug/mL and 55.21 ± 2.91 ug/mL respectively. Therefore, extraction by maceration produces a better antioxidant activity.
 Keywords: Palm leaves; Traditional medicine; Extraction; Active compound stability; Antioxidant
Cosmopolitics and Environmental History: Towards a Multinatural Approach
Authors: LARA JAHZEEL AGUILERA , TORRES PEDRO URQUIJO
Published: January 2024

How can we tell environmental histories/stories where other worlds have a place? This paper considers the value of cosmopolitics and its possibilities for building a multinatural environmental history. Throughout the paper, we try a cosmopolitical approach to navigating indigenous historical worlds. To do so, we mobilised materials from the Lake Pátzcuaro region, an indigenous region in west-central Mexico, whose environmental history has been the subject of debate, examining the effects that acknowledging the plurality of worlds has for understanding the consequences of our knowledge practices and for creating different ways of relating to other worlds.
The Making of the Antinuclear Movement in the Bay of Biscay: Similar Movements in Different Contexts
Authors: RIERA MARTÍ SERRA
Published: January 2024

Based on an analysis of three conflicts over nuclear power located in the Bay of Biscay, this article aims to understand the principal elements that shaped the ideology of the antinuclear movement during the period of its emergence in the 1970s and 1980s. On the basis of the cases of Lemoiz (Biscay, Spain), Deba (Gipuzkoa, Spain) and Blayais (Gironde, France), we seek to understand whether the key factor in triggering the antinuclear mobilisation was the risk posed by nuclear energy itself, or whether it is also necessary to analyse the social networks from which the movement arose to understand how its discourse was formed. Furthermore, we consider other contextual elements, such as national sentiment or the legitimacy of the state, as factors that help to understand the process of the making of the antinuclear movement.
Systematic literature review of treatments used for refractory or unexplained chronic cough in adults
Authors: Bali Vishal , Kardos Peter , Page Clive , Rogliani Paola , Calzetta Luigino , Adriano Ada , Byrne Aidan , Adeyemi Adekemi , Frederickson Andrew , Schelfhout Jonathan
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

Refractory or unexplained chronic cough (RCC or UCC) is difficult to manage and is usually treated by the off-label use of drugs approved for other indications.

OBJECTIVE:

The objectives of this systematic literature review (SLR) were to identify and characterize the current published body of evidence for the efficacy and safety of treatments for RCC or UCC.

METHODS:

The SLR was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The SLRs pre-defined population included patients ≥18 years of age who were diagnosed with chronic cough. The review was not restricted to any intervention type or study comparator, nor by timeframe.

RESULTS:

A total of 20 eligible publications from 19 unique trials were included. Seventeen of these trials were randomized controlled trials and most (14/17) were placebo-controlled. There was considerable variability between trials in the definition of RCC or UCC, participant exclusion and inclusion criteria, outcome measurement timepoints, and the safety and efficacy outcomes assessed. Several trials identified significant improvements in cough frequency, severity, or health-related quality of life measures while participants were on treatment, although these improvements did not persist in any of the studies that included a post-treatment follow-up timepoint.

CONCLUSIONS:

In the absence of an approved therapy, placebo remains the most common comparator in trials of potential RCC or UCC treatments. The between-study comparability of the published evidence is limited by heterogeneity of study design, study populations, and outcomes measures, as well as by concerns regarding study size and risk of bias.
Quality-of-life impact of diaphragm plication in patients with diaphragmatic paralysis: A retrospective study
Authors: Valenti Jasmin , Tan Khea , Rubino Kelly , Hanhan Ziad , Vega Dennis , Kaufman Matthew , Bauer Thomas
Published: January 2024

OBJECTIVES:

While the overall incidence and prevalence of diaphragmatic paralysis are unknown due to a wide variety of underlying causes, symptomatic patients experience a marked decline in their quality of life. The goal of this study was to measure the impact of diaphragm plication surgery on the quality of life in patients who were diagnosed with diaphragmatic paralysis.

METHODS:

A retrospective review of the medical records of 46 patients who underwent diaphragmatic plication surgery was performed. The review included patients who experienced unilateral and bilateral diaphragmatic paralysis. Patients who underwent repeat diaphragm plication surgery were also included in the study. Patients from the retrospective cohort were then contacted by telephone to answer the Dyspnea-12 (D-12) questionnaire. Patients were asked to recall the severity of their symptoms and quality of life preplication, 1-month postplication, and 6-month postplication. Severity of symptoms was ranked as either none, mild, moderate, or severe. Values were then assigned to each rank as follows: none = 0, mild = 1, moderate = 2, and severe = 3. Relative change and statistical significance were calculated with preplication measurements used as the baseline. Scores between preplication versus 1-month postplication and 6-month postplication were then compared by Student’s paired t-test. All tests were two-sided and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS:

Forty-six patients were included in the study, from which 21 answered the D-12 questionnaire. Average scores from each component of the D-12 questionnaire showed improvement in the severity of symptoms from preplication to 1-month postplication. The latter period was then followed by continued improvement in all areas when symptoms 6-month postplication were assessed.

CONCLUSION:

In patients with diaphragmatic paralysis, diaphragm plication was effective in reducing patients’ symptoms while improving overall quality of life.
Risk factors for discontinuing intravenous patient-controlled analgesia after thoracic surgery
Authors: Kim Saeyeon , Shih Beatrice Chia-Hui , Song In-Ae , Oh Tak Kyu
Published: January 2024

PURPOSE:

This study examined the risk factors of experiencing side effects from using intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (IV PCA) following lung and esophageal surgery.

METHODS:

Our study included adult patients who underwent lung or esophageal surgery and received IV PCA for postoperative acute pain control between 2020 and 2022. We collected information on side effects from IV PCA use, the decision to discontinue PCA, and the PCA regimen from the daily reports of the acute pain management team and verified the accuracy using electronic records from ward nurses. The primary outcome was the risk factor associated with discontinuing IV PCA due to its side effects.

RESULTS:

Out of the 1796 patients in our study, 1795 used PCA containing opioids; 196 patients stopped IV PCA due to unbearable side effects. Being female (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.70, 4.13) was linked to a higher chance of stopping PCA use. Having hypertension (aOR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.26, 0.81) and being classified as the American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or higher (aOR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.23, 0.86) were associated with a lower chance of discontinuing PCA use.

CONCLUSION:

Our study determined the risk factors to stop using IV PCA due to side effects following lung or esophageal surgery. These results emphasize the need for personalized pain management plans that take into account the patient’s characteristics and the type of surgery performed.
Relationship of right ventricular functions with in-hospital and 1 year later mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia
Authors: Askar Muntecep , Karaduman Medeni , Coldur Rabia , Askar Selvi
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND:

The aim of this study was to determine the association of right ventricular function with in-hospital mortality and mortality 1 year after discharge in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia.

METHODS:

The study was conducted in Van Yuzuncu Yil University Faculty of Medicine hospital between February 10, 2021 and August 10, 2022. A total of 156 patients hospitalized in intensive care and wards due to COVID-19 pneumonia were included in this study. Echocardiography was performed in all patients.

RESULTS:

Among the demographic findings of the patients included in the study, male gender, patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU), patients receiving O2 support, and smokers were found to have higher mortality rates during hospitalization. At the end of 1 year, the mortality rate was higher in patients who were hospitalized in the ICU received O2 support and had diabetes mellitus. Among echocardiographic findings, those with a low left ventricular ejection fraction had higher early and 1-year mortality rates. Of the right ventricular functions, low fractional area change, high systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP), shortened pulmonary acceleration time, low right ventricle systolic wave S’ velocity, increased right atrium area, and inferior vena cava diameter were found to be associated with high mortality. Increased right atrial area and inferior vena cava diameter, increased SPAP, and shortened pulmonary acceleration time were found to be significant in 1-year mortality. The presence of pericardial effusion was associated with mortality during hospitalization but not with 1-year mortality. B-type natriuretic peptide, D-dimer, and hemoglobin levels were significantly correlated with both hospital mortality and 1-year mortality.

CONCLUSIONS:

In the follow-up of COVID-19 pneumonia, right ventricular function is considered to be an important factor in early and late mortality. It could be helpful to establish a follow-up program for discharged patients from the parameters involved in mortality.
Incidence and inhospital outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019-associated pulmonary aspergillosis in the United States
Authors: Sharma Aditya , Sharma Aditi , Soubani Ayman O.
Published: January 2024

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to estimate the predictors, associations, and outcomes of COVID-19-associated pulmonary disease (CAPA) in the United States.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS:

This retrospective cohort study was performed by using the National Inpatient Sample Database 2020 to identify coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and CAPA hospitalizations. Baseline variables and outcomes were compared between COVID-19 hospitalizations without aspergillosis and those with aspergillosis. These variables were then used to perform an adjusted analysis for obtaining predictors and factors associated with CAPA and its inhospital mortality.

RESULTS:

Of the 1,020,880 hospitalizations identified with the principal diagnosis of COVID-19, CAPA was identified in 1510 (0.1%) hospitalizations. The CAPA cohort consisted of a higher proportion of males (58%) as well as racial and ethnic minorities (Hispanics, Blacks, and others [including Asian or Pacific islanders, native Americans]). Inhospital mortality was significantly higher (47.35% vs. 10.87%, P < 0.001), the average length of stay was longer (27.61 vs. 7.29 days, P < 0.001), and the mean cost per hospitalization was higher ($121,560 vs. $18,423, P < 0.001) in the CAPA group compared to COVID-19 without aspergillosis. History of solid organ transplant, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and venous thromboembolism were associated with higher odds of CAPA among other factors. The use of invasive mechanical ventilation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 6.24, P < 0.001), acute kidney injury (aOR 2.02, P = 0.028), and septic shock (aOR 2.07, P = 0.018) were associated with higher inhospital mortality in the CAPA cohort.

CONCLUSION:

While CAPA is an infrequent complication during hospitalizations for COVID-19, it significantly increases all-cause mortality, prolongs hospital stays, and leads to higher hospital expenses compared to COVID-19 cases without aspergillosis.
Methylphenidate causes chronic eosinophilic pneumonia
Authors: Alghamdi Dhafer , Jahdali Hamdan , Alharbi Abdullah , Alshehri Ahmad , Alfirm Bandar , Bamefleh Hanaa
Published: January 2024

A man who is 38 years old and diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder was prescribed methylphenidate. Three weeks later, he began experiencing progressive shortness of breath and coughing. Imaging of his chest showed patchy bilateral ground-glass opacities, and bronchoscopy revealed a 15% eosinophil count in his bronchoalveolar lavage. A transbronchial biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of eosinophilic pneumonia. The patient’s condition improved when he was given steroids and stopped taking methylphenidate. However, he developed the same symptoms again a few days after restarting the medication, along with a skin rash. This strongly suggests that methylphenidate was the cause of his eosinophilic pneumonia.
Leucoglycemic index predicts post-operative vasopressor-inotropic requirement after adult cardiac surgery (LEUCOGLYPTICS): A retrospective single-center study
Authors: Magoon Rohan , Singh Armaanjeet , Kashav Ramesh , Kohli Jasvinder K. , Shri Iti , Bansal Noopur , Grover Vijay
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims:

Cardiac surgery often necessitates considerable post-operative vasoactive-inotropic support. Given an encouraging literature on the prognostic potential of leucoglycemic index (LGI) [serum glucose (mg/dl) × total leucocytes count (cells/mm3)/1000], we aimed to evaluate whether intensive care unit (ICU)-admission LGI can predict post-operative vasopressor-inotropic requirements following cardiac surgery on cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB).

Material and Methods:

The data of patients undergoing cardiac surgery at our tertiary care center between January 2015 and December 2020 was retrospectively reviewed. The vasopressor-inotropic requirement was estimated using the VIS (vasoactive-inotropic score) values over the first post-operative 72 hrs. Subsequently, VISi (indexed VIS) was computed as maxVIS[0-24hrs] + maxVIS[24-48hrs] +2 × maxVIS[48-72hrs]/10), and the study participants were divided into h-VISi (VISi ≥3) and l-VISi (VISi <3).

Results:

Out of 2138 patients, 479 (22.40%) patients categorized as h-VISi. On univariate analysis: LGI, age, European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score (EuroSCORE II), left-ventricle ejection fraction, prior congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic renal failure, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, combined surgeries, CPB and aortic cross-clamp (ACC) duration, blood transfusion, and immediate post-operative glucose were significant h-VISi predictors. Subsequent to multi-variate analysis, the predictive performance of LGI (OR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03–1.14; P = 0.002) prior CHF (OR: 2.35; 95% CI: 1.44–3.82; P = 0.001), CPB time (OR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.02–1.14; P = 0.019), ACC time (OR: 1.03; 95% CI: 1.02–1.04; P = 0.008), and EuroSCORE II (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.06–1.21; P < 0.001) remained significant. With 1484.75 emerging as the h-VISi predictive cut-off, patients with LGI ≥ 1484.75 also had a higher incidence of vasoplegia, low-cardiac output syndrome, new-onset atrial fibrillation, acute kidney injury, and mortality. LGI additionally exhibited a significant positive correlation with duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay (R = 0.495 and 0.564, P value < 0.001).

Conclusion:

An elevated LGI of greater than 1484.75 independently predicted a VISindex ≥3 following adult cardiac surgery on CPB.
The effect of addition of ultra-low dose of naloxone to fentanyl–bupivacaine mixture on the incidence of pruritis after spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery: Randomized clinical study
Authors: Ahmed Sameh A. , Amer Asmaa F. , Lotfy Hashem A. , Mansour Radwa F.
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims:

The use of intrathecal opioids is associated with high risk of pruritis and this may be decreased by adding a low dose of naloxone. This study evaluated the effect of the addition of 20 μg of naloxone to fentanyl–bupivacaine mixture on the incidence of pruritis in pregnant females scheduled for cesarean section (CS).

Material and Methods:

Eighty pregnant patients scheduled for CS under spinal anesthesia were randomized to receive either 10 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (2 ml) plus 25 μg fentanyl (group F) or 10 mg of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (2 ml) plus 25 μg fentanyl and 20 μg naloxone (group FN). The incidence, onset, duration, site, and severity of pruritis were measured. Furthermore, the postoperative numerical rating scale (NRS) score, the total tramadol rescue analgesia, and the time for the first request of rescue analgesia were recorded.

Results:

Compared to the F group, the FN group showed a significant decrease in the incidence of pruritis (P = 0.022), prolongation of the onset of pruritis (P = 0.006), shortening of the duration of pruritis (P = 0.029), and decrease in the severity of pruritis (P = 0.039). Furthermore, the postoperative pain score, the rescue analgesic consumption, and the time for the first request of rescue analgesia were comparable between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions:

The addition of an ultra-low dose of naloxone (20 μg) to fentanyl–bupivacaine mixture in spinal anesthesia for pregnant females scheduled for CS significantly reduced the incidence of pruritis without having a significant effect on the postoperative analgesia.
The Saudi urological association guidelines on urolithiasis
Authors: Kamal Wissam , Azhar Raed A , Hamri Saeed Bin , Alathal Abdulaziz H. , Alamri Abdulaziz , Alzahrani Tarek , Abeery Hussain , Noureldin Yasser A. , Alomar Mohammad , Al Own Abdulrahman , Alnazari Mansour M , Alharthi Majid , Awad Mohannad A. , Halawani Abdulghafour , Althubiany Hatem Hamed , Alruwaily Abdulrahman , Violette Phillipe
Published: January 2024

Aims:

The Saudi Urolithiasis Guidelines are a set of recommendations for diagnosing, evaluating, and treating urolithiasis in the Saudi population. These guidelines are based on the latest evidence and expert consensus to improve patient outcomes and optimize care delivery. They cover the various aspects of urolithiasis, including risk factors, diagnosis, medical and surgical treatments, and prevention strategies. By following these guidelines, health-care professionals can improve care quality for individuals with urolithiasis in Saudi Arabia.

Panel:

The Saudi Urolithiasis Guidelines Panel consists of urologists specialized in endourology with expertise in urolithiasis and consultation with a guideline methodologist. All panelists involved in this document have submitted statements disclosing any potential conflicts of interest.

Methods:

The Saudi Guidelines on Urolithiasis were developed by relying primarily on established international guidelines to adopt or adapt the most appropriate guidance for the Saudi context. When necessary, the panel modified the phrasing of recommendations from different sources to ensure consistency within the document. To address areas less well covered in existing guidelines, the panel conducted a directed literature search for high quality evidence published in English, including meta analyses, randomized controlled trials, and prospective nonrandomized comparative studies. The panel also searched for locally relevant studies containing information unique to the Saudi Arabian population. The recommendations are formulated with a direction and strength of recommendation based on GRADE terminology and interpretation while relying on existing summaries of evidence from the existing guidelines.
Delayed impacts of COVID-19 infection on unexplained male infertility: 2-year follow-up of normal sperm parameters in unexplained male infertility in KSA
Authors: Abdelaziz Alsayed Saad , Ghoneem Ayman Mohammed
Published: January 2024

Purpose:

The current study aimed to assess the long-term effect of COVID-19 infection on unexplained male infertility.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective comparative study of 134 men attending the infertility outpatient clinic of our institution before exposing to COVID-19 infection in KSA from January 2019 to July 2022. Medical recorded data of these patients who were investigated before COVID-19 infection were retrospectively collected using the hospital’s electronic database, including semen analysis, sex hormonal, and ultrasound testicular size, and their data were compared prospectively to collected data after 2-year follow-up.

Results:

One hundred and thirty-four infertile males who got COVID-19 infection in KSA (median age, 33 years) were assisted retrospectively preinfection and delayed 2 years postinfection (median of 23 months). Of the 134 men, 44 (32.83%) were asymptomatic positive COVID-19 (Group A), 68 (50.74%) had mild-to-moderate symptomatic positive COVID-19 (Group B), and 22 (16.41%) had severe symptomatic positive COVID-19 (Group C). There was no significant change between pre- and postinfections in sperm parameters, sex hormonal level, and testicular size. Subgroup analyses were performed for patients regarding the severity of infections. None of the evaluated parameters differed significantly after infections up to 2 years. Results of this study demonstrate that COVID-19 infection does not have significant changes in sperm parameters, sex hormonal level, and testicular size.

Conclusion:

The long-term impact of COVID-19 infections has no significant effect on normal sperm parameters, sex hormones, and testicular size in male infertility in KSA.
Thermoexpandable Memokath stent: Usage and efficacy in ureteral and urethral strictures in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Buksh Omar , Jar Anfar , Khogeer Ahmad , Alzahrani Hani , Akram Rabea , Taher Mohammad , Al Akra’a Mahmoud , Alammari Adel , Junaid Islam
Published: January 2024

Objectives:

Double J (DJ) stent is widely used in cases of ureteric strictures as a temporary solution; however, it has certain limitations, such as the need for frequent exchange. Alternatively, a long-lasting thermoexpandable stent (Memokath™ 051) has been used to relieve ureteral obstructions in comorbid patients with multiple reported advantages, such as longer durability which avoids the need of frequent exchanges. In addition, it can be used in certain cases of urethral strictures. Our study is the first in the region to report the experience and outcome of Memokath stent with ureteral and urethral strictures.

Materials and Methods:

After local IRB approval, we retrospectively reviewed records of 21 patients who underwent insertion of Memokath 051 stent in the ureter and Memokath 045 in the urethra between 2013 and 2021. Indications of insertion, indwelling duration, and causes of removal were collected and analyzed by SPSS.

Results:

Twenty-one patients received 21 Memokath stents for 11 ureteral strictures and 10 urethral strictures. Fifty-five percent of ureteral strictures were malignant, and 27.3% of the benign ureteric strictures were transplant ureters. Ureteric memokath stents remained functioning for a mean of 16.1 months. Mean indwelling time for transplant ureteric memokath stents was 24.3 months. Total 4 ureteric stents had migrated, 4 stents blocked, and 2 stents were removed as planned and 1 stent removed due to febrile urinary tract infection (UTI). Ten urethral stents remained in place for mean of 14 months. Three stents were removed as planned with resolution of stricture, two were removed due to blockage, three stents had UTI, one was removed due to pain, and one stent remained functioning until the patient expired.

Conclusion:

Our outcome is comparable to other published studies, suggesting that ureteric Memokath stent is a better option with adequate indwelling time, especially in transplant ureters, in comparison with DJ stents. In addition, Memokath stents can be used in selected recurrent urethral strictures where surgical reconstruction is not feasible.
Comparison of sperm retrieval rate between superficial and deep dissection during microscopic testicular sperm extraction
Authors: Mandourah Hammam , Alghafees Mohammad , Alali Hamed , Alsuhaibani Shaheed , Gutub Eyad , Aldosari Lama , Alhumaid Turki , Kattan Said , Alhathal Naif
Published: January 2024

Objective:

The purpose of the study was to compare the outcome of microscopic testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) between superficial and deep dissection on the same testicle in terms of sperm retrieval rate (SRR).

Patients and Methods:

In a retrospective study from June 2019 to October 2021, 44 patients with nonobstructive azoospermia who underwent micro-TESE with positive results (mature sperm identified) were included. Eight patients were excluded from the study due to deficient documentation on superficial and deep dissection. A total of 36 patients were included; 60 testicles were examined for superficial and deep biopsies. Testicular histopathology was performed in all patients, and a hormonal evaluation was obtained before the micro-TESE attempt.

Results:

Thirty-six patients and 60 testicles were included in the study. Of them, 47 (78.3%) testicles had positive results. Superficial TESE was positive in 38 (63.3%) testicles, and deep TESE was successful in 45 (75.0%) testicles. An improvement of 13.9% in the SRR was observed, following deep dissection. However, there was no statistically significant difference (P = 0.166). Rates of positive sperm retrieval (from any side) did not differ significantly based on patients’ age, microdissection testicular sperm extraction sides, and hormonal concentrations; these differences were not apparent after superficial or deep TESE.

Conclusion:

The presented findings suggest that although successful SRRs of deep TESE were higher than that of its superficial counterpart, there was no significant statistical difference. A larger body of evidence is needed to provide a higher grade of recommendation.
Using machine learning models to predict synchronous genitourinary cancers among gastrointestinal stromal tumor patients
Authors: Alghafees Mohammad , Seyam Raouf M , Al-Hussain Turki , Amin Tarek Mahmoud , Altaweel Waleed , Sabbah Belal Nedal , Sabbah Ahmad Nedal , Almesned Razan , Alessa Laila
Published: January 2024

Objectives:

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) can occur synchronously with other neoplasms, including the genitourinary (GU) system. Machine learning (ML) may be a valuable tool in predicting synchronous GU tumors in GIST patients, and thus improving prognosis. This study aims to evaluate the use of ML algorithms to predict synchronous GU tumors among GIST patients in a specialist research center in Saudi Arabia.

Materials and Methods:

We analyzed data from all patients with histopathologically confirmed GIST at our facility from 2003 to 2020. Patient files were reviewed for the presence of renal cell carcinoma, adrenal tumors, or other GU cancers. Three supervised ML algorithms were used: logistic regression, XGBoost Regressor, and random forests (RFs). A set of variables, including independent attributes, was entered into the models.

Results:

A total of 170 patients were included in the study, with 58.8% (n = 100) being male. The median age was 57 (range: 9–91) years. The majority of GISTs were gastric (60%, n = 102) with a spindle cell histology. The most common stage at diagnosis was T2 (27.6%, n = 47) and N0 (20%, n = 34). Six patients (3.5%) had synchronous GU tumors. The RF model achieved the highest accuracy with 97.1%.

Conclusion:

Our study suggests that the RF model is an effective tool for predicting synchronous GU tumors in GIST patients. Larger multicenter studies, utilizing more powerful algorithms such as deep learning and other artificial intelligence subsets, are necessary to further refine and improve these predictions.
Shock wave lithotripsy in the era of COVID-19
Authors: Ibrahim Rabie M. , Elzawy Faysal , Ragheb Ahmed Mohamed , Elmarakbi Akram A. , Sayed Osama , Lotfy Amr M. , Youssef Ahmed , Badwy Hany F , Mohamed Ahmed Gamal
Published: January 2024

Objective:

The objective of the study y was to evaluate factors which can improve shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) results to keep up with COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

Between June 2020 and June 2021, patients with radio-opaque or faint radio-opaque upper urinary tract stones, stone attenuation value ≤1200 HU, and stones size <2.5 cm were treated by electrohydraulic SWL. Patients with respiratory tract symptoms elevated temperature, contact with COVID-19 patients, or positive COVID-19 swab 2 weeks preoperatively, skin-to-stone distance >11 cm, and body mass index >30 kg/m2 were excluded from the study. Patients were prospectively enrolled in SWL done at a rate of 40–50 SWs/min under combined ultrasound and fluoroscopy-guided, ramped into high power in the 1st 300 shocks. Success rate and complications were recorded.

Results:

Five hundred and ninety patients completed the study. The success rate after 1st session was 408/590 patients (69.15%) which was augmented by 2nd session to reach 527/590 patients 89.3%. The success rate was 96.2% at 3 months postoperatively. Most complications were mild (Grade 1 or 2).

Conclusions:

SWL results improved using slow rate high power from the start of the session under combined fluoroscopy and ultrasound guidance. SWL may be a preferred option during a pandemic.
Corrigendum to “Mean convex properly embedded $[\varphi,\vec{e}_{3}]$-minimal surfaces in $\mathbb{R}^3$”
Authors: Martínez Antonio , Martínez-Triviño Antonio Luis , dos Santos João Paulo
Published: January 2024

This corrigendum fixes wrong signs in two equations used in the proof of Theorem B of [Rev. Mat. Iberoam. 38 (2022), 1349–1370]. The statement of the theorem remains true, and here we present the corrected versions of both the equations and their consequences.
Animating the Past: History-Making, Memory-Making, Law-Making
Authors: Del Mar Maksymilian
Published: January 2024

This paper examines certain history-making and memory-making practices that allow us to see how the past may be animated. These practices are: first, the Ancient Greek sophistic arts, as exemplified by Gorgias’s Encomium of Helen, and as revived, in dialogue form, in Renaissance humanism; and second, Ancient Greek, Ancient Roman, and medieval memory arts, with particular attention to the composite generative imagery of those arts. Animating the past – as these practices of history-making and memory-making do – is of great epistemic and political value to communities: it enables acts of argument and judgement, and, more generally, it is vital for vibrant democracies. The paper signals, albeit only briefly, how these practices are also intertwined with legal history, and in particular the history of legal reasoning, suggesting some ways forward, in future work, for investigating the entangled histories of history-making, memory-making, and law-making.
Chrystologia na rozdrożu – heterodoksyjne motywy teologii politycznej cesarstwa w X i XI wieku
Authors: Tomasiewicz Marcin
Published: January 2024

Christology at a Crossroads – Heterodox Motives of the Imperial Political Theology in the 10th and 11th Centuries

The aim of this article is to present how heterodox, Christological constructions, arising from the controversies surrounding Chalcedonian dogma, existed in the 10th and 11th centuries in Western political thought. These constructions are described from two perspectives that were especially important for shaping the political doctrine of German emperors. Firstly, the illustration of the Aachen Gospels is mentioned because it symbolically contains the principles of the political theology of the Ottonian Empire. Secondly, the views of the Norman Anonymous, who wrote during times of intensified Caesarean propaganda in connection with the dispute with the papacy that took place in the 11th century, are analysed.
Myśl polityczno-prawna jako element argumentacji w mowach sądowych. Uwagi na marginesie procesu komunistów we Lwowie (1922–1923)
Authors: Niemczyk Marcin
Published: January 2024

Legal-political Ideas as Elements of Argumentation in Court Speeches – Remarks on the Communists’ Trials in Lwów (1922–1923)

The legacy of legal-political ideologists is seldom used as an element of argumentation in court. The situation is different in proceedings focussing on political crimes, in particular, the trials taking place in disruptive moments of history. One of such moments was the period after Poland regained independence, when the Soviet Union posed not only a military threat, but also one of doctrinal influence. The objective of the paper was to verify the hypothesis that the trial of communists which took place in Lwów in late 1922 / early 1923 (known as the St. Jura trial) was significant not only in terms of its legal-criminal aspects, but was also important from a historical and doctrinal perspective. The verification of the hypothesis was based on the analysis of court speeches, especially their elements including references to the legacy of legal-political ideas. Additionally, the paper presents legal-political ideas as highly argumentative material that may be, and perhaps should be, used in legal practice today.
Ideologiczne i prawne uwarunkowania polityki mieszkaniowej komunistów w początkach Polski Ludowej
Authors: Kania Rafał
Published: January 2024

Ideological and Legal Conditions of Communists’ Housing Policy in the Early People’s Poland

The end of World War II entailed numerous social problems, one of which was the shortage of housing to meet the basic living needs of Polish society. The communists, who were then taking over political power in Poland, faced a challenge of finding a quick solution to the problem. They were hampered in this regard since they could only use methods which were consistent with Marxism-Leninism ideology. The article presents the legal and ideological basis of the Polish Communists’ housing policy in the early existence of the People’s Poland.
The Chronicle of Research and Scholarly Events in Legal and Constitutional History at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the Jagiellonian University in 2021/2022
Authors: Ceglarska Anna
Published: January 2024

The transcription form this debate was prepared by Dr. Anna Ceglarska (Department of the History of Political and Legal Doctrines), and published in Cracow Studies of Constitutional and Legal History 15, issue 4 (2022): 625–43.
Ciężar Europy Środkowej (tłumaczenie Joanna Tabor)
Authors: Kvietkauskas Mindaugas
Published: January 2024

Tekst odczytany jak lectio ultima (wykład na zakończenie studiów) absolwentom Wydziału Filologicznego Uniwersytetu Wileńskiego w kościele św. Jana, 30 czerwca 2022 roku, w 111. rocznicę urodzin Czesława Miłosza.
Vincentas i Andrius. Literacki dwugłos o Holokauście na Litwie
Authors: Kalęba Beata
Published: January 2024

Vincentas and Andrius. Two Voices on Holocaust in Lithuania

The main goal of this article is to analyse literary representation of Lithuanian responsibility for Holocaust in Lithuania in the novel of Sigitas Parulkis Darkness and Company (Polish edition 2020) in the context of modern Lithuanian history politics – especially the reception style of prose on the Jewish-Lithuanian relations and the politics of memory. Vital context is also provided by the novel Izaokas (written between 1960 and 1961) by the emigrant writer Antanas Škėma, which hasn’t been translated into Polish, yet which can be treated – as the author attempts to prove – as one of the crucial hipotexts of Darkness and Company. The comparative reading of both texts leads to the conclusion that – despite society’s expectations – Darkness and Company isn’t a “revisionist” work and it isn’t supposed to be mainly read from the ethical perspective, but rather from the epistemological and psychological one instead. This stands in contrast to Izaokas, where the reader’s attention is directed towards the sphere of ethics and metaphysics; while the main theme of Izaokas – which seems to be an interesting example of an experimental modernist novel – is memory, the postmodernist Darkness and Company focuses on post-memory.
Sen srebrny Salomei, czyli fantazmat kolonializmu
Authors: Kutrzeba Kacper
Published: January 2024

Sen srebrny Salomei, or a Phantasm of Colonialism

The goal of this paper is to offer an interpretation of Sen srebrny Salomei from perspective of the colonial problems embodied in the text. In my reading, Słowacki’s drama is an example of “phantasmatic colonialism”. My explanation for this phenomena is tied with my reading of Stanisław Brzozowski’s late works. In my opinion, Sen srebrny Salomei should be understood as a drama about an impossible dream of Poland undertaking the colonial endeavour.
Na ugorach czasu. Pamięć kultury i idylla w eseju Jerzego Stempowskiego W dolinie Dniestru
Authors: Zemła Małgorzata
Published: January 2024

On Time’s Fallow Lands. Cultural Memory and Idyll in Jerzy Stempowski’s essay In Dniester Valley

According to the author of the article, the key to the interpretation of Jerzy Stempowski’s essay In Dniester Valley are the programmatic remarks of Hostowiec, who wanted to impart the generic form of Vergilian essay onto the ancient form of bucolic idyll. The author uses the convention of idyll to present the ideal coexistence model for nations living in multicultural areas, where their sense of communal identity should be based on the fundament of cultural memory presented as the counterweight to oftentimes tragic historic past of the region.
Milton, Blake, Frye – po latach
Authors: Sławek Tadeusz
Published: January 2024

Milton, Blake and Frye Years Later

The first Polish edition of the epochal literary work Fearful Symmetry by Northrop Frye creates an occasion to reflect not only on William Blake’s place in world literature but also on his role as one of the first artists and philosophers to critically appraise the human condition in the modern world of the industrial society. It led him to – as Frye writes – demand “release of the creative power” and creation of vision of the “imaginative culture”, as such release inevitably appears as an important, if not the most important problem pertaining to society’s future. This requires new formula for spiritual experience liberated from restrictions of automatic application of “Moral Law” rules, which is inherent to institutionalised form of religion.
Ciężar biografizmu i legendy. O pracy Witoldo wyobrażony. Recepcja twórczości Witolda Gombrowicza w Argentynie i obraz pisarza w argentyńskim imaginarium kulturowym Paua Freixy Terradasa
Authors: Pindel Tomasz
Published: January 2024

Burden of Biographism and Legend. On Witoldo wyobrażony. Recepcja twórczości Witolda Gombrowicza w Argentynie i obraz pisarza w argentyńskim imaginarium kulturowym [Witoldo Imagined. Oeuvre Reception of Witold Gombrowicz in Argentine and the Writer Image in Argentinian Cultural Imagination] by Pau Freixa Terradas

This article is a review of Pau Freixa Terradas’ book on reception of Witold Gombrowicz’s literary works in Argentina, which is presented in the context of the research on the Argentinian period in Witold Gombrowicz’s oeuvre, which includes his attempts at entering the local literary circulation, the posthumous reception of his work as well as his image in the local culture – especially as a literary character appearing in literary works of Argentinian writers.
Methodological Dilemmas of Political Science
Authors: Węgrzecki Janusz
Published: January 2024

The article identifies and analyses methodological dilemmas in Polish political science in the last fifty years. These dilemmas concern: the object of cognition – its existence and preferred research strategies, the development model of the discipline, methods in political science, methodological identity of political science, the essence of politics and what is political, empirical or theoretical character of political science, the possibility of formulating grand theories in political science, new subdisciplines in political science, political anthropology, individual agency and the ontological status of social groups, value judgments, and axiological neutrality of the researcher. The article concludes that Polish political scientists in the last fifty years have been advocating a complementary position that goes beyond concrete alternatives.
Specificity of Narration and Explanation in Polish Political Science
Authors: Bulira Waldemar
Published: January 2024

The article presents the specificity of understanding and using the category of narration and explanation in Polish political science after 1989. At the beginning, the author briefly recalls the meaning of the concept of narrative, and then presents two dimensions of its presence in domestic political science. On the one hand he elaborates on its conceptualization within the methodology of political science, and on the other hand he discusses the two main political science narratives he has distinguished, which, in his opinion, were born in Poland after 1989. Both narratives (liberal and critical) offer their own interpretations of the political and social transformation of post-communist Poland. The author of the article also argues that the liberal narrative is supplanted by the critical one, which applying among other things, the concept of integral explanation seems to explain the troubled and crisis-ridden present times more suggestively.
“The Political” versus/and Synonymous Terms. An Attempt to Analyse a Theoretical Discourse
Authors: Minkner Kamil
Published: January 2024

The paper is an attempt to reconstruct the theoretical discourse on the strategy of using the notion of “the political” and related notions in Polish political theory. The author argues that these concepts, appearing in large numbers in recent years, are not an expression of pointless terminological disputes, but an attempt to cope with the complex character of various political phenomena that are the result of dynamic processes of the politicisation of various previously non-political problems of collective life. The text discusses two ways of understanding “the political” that dominate among Polish political scientists: as an aspect of various political phenomena in conventionally understood politics and beyond, and as a category that allows one to name the fundamental principles through which society as a whole and its various parts (e.g. social classes) are formed. The text also discusses three strategies for searching for synonymous terms in relations to politics and “the political”: (1) attempts to find a superordinate category; (2) transformations of the notion of “the political” through various clarifications (e.g. organic politics) and prefixes (e.g. meta-politics); (3) orientation towards borderline phenomena (e.g. quasi-political ones) in the context of processes of politicisation and depoliticisation that allow for a continuous reconfiguration of the boundaries of what is political.
Concepts in Polish Political Science Relating to Conflictual Views of “the Political”
Authors: Mikołajczyk Magdalena
Published: January 2024

The terms “politics” and “the political” have been conceptualised, used, and understood differently in modern Polish political science and theory over the past 50 years, having been featured in a long list of books and scholarly articles. In addition to an overview of major initiatives, conferences, and discussions around these terms, the article includes a discourse analysis prepared with qualitative research tools. The purpose of the discourse analysis is multifold. First, it aims to map the presence of these terms in the discourse of modern Polish political science and theory. Second, it aims to identify to what extent the Polish discourse has been influenced by authors such as Carl Schmitt or Chantal Mouffe, and to what extent the two terms were conceptualised in an original way, proper to the Polish social science discourse. Third, how often scientists have used the words that were associated with the conflict.