bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Entre avanços e retrocessos: as contradições ou armadilhas da participação no planejamento urbano participativo
Authors: Pupo Samuel , Bueno Laura Machado de Mello
Published: January 2017

O presente artigo tem por finalidade analisar as inovações institucionais de participação da sociedade civil e problematizar analiticamente a representação política exercida pelos Conselhos Gestores de Políticas Públicas, sob a ótica da representação política tradicional. Para tanto, realiza um estudo de caso sobre a política pública de manejo de águas pluviais, do Programa Saneamento para Todos do governo federal, no município de Jundiaí, estado de São Paulo. No que diz respeito à política urbana, o resultado da pesquisa revela a contradição existente entre, por um lado, a esperança nos processos participativos depositada pela influente literatura das áreas de urbanismo e ciência política em um contexto de transição e reforma democrática, e de outro, o prevalecimento de um modelo extremamente desigual de acesso à urbanidade. Palavras-chave: conselhos gestores; sociedade civil; gestão urbana; democracia participativa; representação política. Abstract: The objective of this article is to analyze the institutional innovations of civic participation and to discuss the political representation enabled by popular councils of public policies, from the perspective of traditional political representation. It presents a case study of a policy for rainwater management, the Saneamento para Todos Program of the Federal Government, as it was established in Jundiaí, São Paulo State. The research reveals a contradiction: on the one hand, a sense of hope on participatory processes, influenced by the literature on the fields of urban studies and political sciences in the Brazilian context of democratic transition and reform along with participatory processes, and, on the other hand, the persistence of a extremely unequal kind of access to urban facilities and urban rights. Keywords: management councils; civil society; urban management; participatory democracy; political representation.
Mar de riqueza, terra de contrastes: o petróleo no Brasil
Authors: Garson Sol
Published: January 2017

Mar de riqueza, terra de contrastes: o petróleo no BrasilRosélia Piquet (Org.), Rio de Janeiro: Mauad X/Faperj, 2011.
Editorial
Authors: Brandão Carlos Antonio
Published: January 2017

Editorial
Ordenamento territorial, meio ambiente e desenvolvimento regional: novas questões, possíveis articulações
Authors: Peres Renata Bovo , Chiquito Elisângela De Almeida
Published: January 2017

A questão regional e a discussão sobre a territorialidade das estratégias de desenvolvimento vêm retomando seu espaço, acompanhadas pelo chamado “novo desenvolvimentismo” e pela consolidação da questão ambiental. Esta retomada ocorre através de novas posturas para a integração de políticas regionais historicamente herdadas ou recentemente constituídas. Embora tenha havido avanços significativos na redefinição das escalas de planejamento, dos instrumentos de gestão e de instituições de âmbito regional, persistem entraves que impedem um movimento em direção à sua efetiva integração. O país ainda apresenta múltiplas territorialidades e uma gama de políticas, programas e projetos voltados ao desenvolvimento social e econômico que conformam um quadro político-administrativo de setorialização das políticas públicas e de territórios fragmentados e desconexos, em uma conjuntura que acentua a exclusão social. A compreensão deste percurso e a reflexão sobre as possibilidades atuais de construção de uma Política de Ordenamento Territorial são os objetivos deste artigo. Palavras-chave: ordenamento territorial; políticas públicas; planejamento; desenvolvimento regional; questão ambiental. Abstract: Regional issue and debate on the territoriality of development strategies are resuming its place, accompanied by so-called ‘new developmentalism’ and the consolidation of environmental issues. This occurs around new attitudes aiming integration of regional policies, historically inherited or newly formed. Although there have been significant advances in the redefinition of planning scales, in the management tools and on regional institutions, obstacles remains toward their effective integration. Brazil has multiple territorialities and a set of policies, programs and projects aimed at the social and economic development that makes a political-administrative scenery characterized by sectorial public policies and fragmented and disjointed territories, that reinforce the social exclusion. The objectives of this paper are understanding the evolution of these policies and thinking about the current possibilities to build a Territorial Management Policy. Keywords: territorial management; public policies; planning; regional development; environmental issue.
Uma proposta de identificação de perfis regionais no Brasil: a centralidade e a mobilidade espacial da população
Authors: Lobo Carlos , Matos Ralfo , Garcia Ricardo A.
Published: January 2017

Nas últimas décadas do século passado, como resultado da dinâmica migratória interna, ampliaram-se as evidências acerca da redução do peso relativo das metrópoles. Ao mesmo tempo, intensificava-se a rede urbana nas demais regiões de influência das cidades. Essas novas tendências de redistribuição espacial da população requerem tanto o aprimoramento do aparato teórico-metodológico disponível às ciências humanas e sociais, como o desenvolvimento de novas metodologias de análise regional. Esse trabalho procura elaborar uma proposta de classificação regional, tendo como referência a centralidade e a mobilidade espacial da população. A partir do recorte regional proposto por Garcia (2002) foi possível identificar determinados perfis espaciais, definidos com base nos estoques de população residente e nos fluxos migratórios extraídos dos microdados da amostra do Censo Demográfico de 2010. A proposta apresentada reforça as possibilidades e potencialidades dos estudos regionais, no que tange não apenas ao estabelecimento de recortes regionais por meio de técnicas de regionalização. Palavras-chave: migrações; regiões; população; centralidade; mobilidade. Abstract: In the last decades of the 20th century, the evidences of a reduction in the relative weight of metropolitan areas increased due to the dynamics of internal migration. At the same time, the urban network in other regions of influence of cities gained importance. These new trends of spatial redistribution of the population require both the improvement of theoretical and methodological apparatus available on Humanities and social sciences and the development of new methodologies of regional analysis. This work seeks to develop a proposal for regional classification based on the centrality and the spatial mobility of population. From the proposed regional division by Garcia (2002) it was possible to identify certain spatial profiles, defined on the basis of the resident population stocks and flows extracted from a microdata sample of the 2010 census. This proposal reinforces the possibilities and potentials of regional studies, with respect to not only the establishment of regional division through regionalization techniques. Keywords: migration; regions; population; centrality; mobility.
Elements of strategic negotiation under uncertainty: The case of venture capitalists
Authors: Neave Edwin H. , Johnson Lewis D.
Published: January 2017

This paper uses the theory of transactions economics to model the process whereby venture capitalists and financiers negotiate the terms of financing. We show that the process has both static and dynamic elements, and involves incomplete information in a world of uncertainty. Central to the arrangement is the alignment of borrower attributes and lender capabilities.
Cross ownership and interlocking directorates between banks and listed firms: An empirical analysis of the effects on debt leverage and cost of debt in the Italian case
Authors: di Donato Francesca , Tiscini Riccardo
Published: January 2017

Cross-ownership and interlocking directorates are two typical features of Italian capitalism involving both banks and non-financial companies. It is possible to refer to this phenomenon as “bank-firm connection”. The paper investigates the effects of “bank-firm connection” on the conditions of credit relationship. In particular, we find that the “bank-firm connection” lowers the leverage ratio of non financial companies, while it increases their cost of debt.
The dance of duplicity in emerging markets: Using bank regulation and deposit insurance protection to enrich the elite
Authors: Dew Kurt
Published: January 2017

We seek to identify the culpability of banks in resource misallocation in Mexico, Thailand and Turkey. Specifically we provide evidence of an agency problem in the government and banking systems of the three countries. Where governments pass laws and regulations consistent with modern capitalism for the purpose of deceiving investors and others, the door is opened to the use of deposit insurance and repeated promises of regulatory reform to transfer wealth from the efficient to the corrupt.
On insurance to extreme events and farmers welfare: Panel data evidence from Italy
Authors: Capitanio Fabian , De Falco Salvatore Esposito , Adinolfi Felice
Published: January 2017

This paper aim to understand the viability of the insurance schemes via estimating both the underlying factors that determine farmers decision to adopt an insurance scheme against extreme events and the implications in terms of welfare. It uses a very rich farm level panel data from Italy. We have access to information regarding more than 8500 farms followed for 4 years and adopt a comprehensive estimating strategy that controls for the potential endogeneity of the insurance variable. The econometric results show that the insurance is positively correlated with welfare (captured by farm revenues). We also find that farms that have more crop diversification are more likely to adopt the insurance scheme. This may indicate that crop diversification may act as complement for financial insurance and not as substitute.
Preparing for creative responses to “beyond assumed level” disasters: lessons from the ICT management in the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake crisis
Authors: Sakurai Mihoko , Kokuryo Jiro
Published: January 2017

A survey of the municipal government ICT divisions during and after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami crisis reveals the need for creative responses for “beyond assumed level” disasters. Complexity and diversity of the damage were simply too great for any plans to assume. Resident needs toward the municipal governments were also diverse and changed quickly as the time went by. The research also indicates that there would be ways to strengthen the capabilities to execute such spontaneous responses. Creative solutions executed during the 3.11 crisis were supported by the existence of open source software available on the net and skilled engineers that were capable of exploiting them. Frugal information system will be useful to improve preparedness for creative
responses.
Informed Consent and Sham Surgery as a Placebo in Fetal Cell Transplant Therapy Research for Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Rosenberg Joshua David
Published: January 2017

Fetal cellular transplantation therapy research in Parkinson’s Disease has raised important ethical questions from its beginning. One of the most hotly debated aspects of the recent clinical research has been the use of sham surgery as a placebo for the control group. Ethicists and researchers have focused on the unique risk surgical placebos pose to research subjects as compared to conventional, medical placebos. This review will deal with informed consent and the use of use of sham surgery in the placebo arm of recent fetal tissue transplantation randomized, placebo controlled, double blind, clinical trials. Do current procedures for obtaining informed consent meet the challenge of adequately informing patients enrolling in experiments with significant risks not only in the experimental group but also in the placebo group?
The Department of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Final Thoughts
Authors: Fulop Milford , Scheuer James
Published: January 2017

The medicine we knew at the school’s beginning in 1955 was almost unrecognizable at the end of the twentieth century. The science, the knowledge base, the organization, and the funding of health care had all undergone dramatic changes. Fifty years ago, we thought we might be able to conquer infectious diseases. Now we are facing rampant ‘new’ diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Severe AcuteRespiratory Syndrome (SARS), and are witnessing the development of resistance to antibiotics by many microorganisms, including the previously highly sensitive pneumococcus. Fifty years ago, cardiac surgery was still in its youth, and mitral commissurotomies were highpoints of surgical endeavor. Now, rheumatic heart disease is very uncommon in the United States (although still common in parts of the third world). Fifty years ago, we had only primitive antihypertensive drugs, which were difficult for patients to tolerate. Now, antihypertensivedrugs are far more effective and better tolerated by patients. Fifty years ago, the structure and mechanism of replication of DNA had just been described by Watson and Crick. Now, we are using therapeutic agents manufactured by recombinant techniques, and are beginning to see clinical applications of gene transfer therapy.
What’s Ahead for Med Ed?
Authors: Kuperman Albert S
Published: January 2017

In response to biomedical advances and changes in the practice environment, medical education is always in the process of change. This paper deals primarily with educational changes involving the integration of the disciplines of genomics, prevention and population health, global health and integrative medicine into the curriculum. External and internal forces that tend to impede development of professional and humanistic values are also discussed along with the call to action for developing strategies that mitigate these forces.
To Every Truth Its Season excerpts
Authors: Seifter Sam
Published: January 2017

Poems from Sam Seifter
Medical Relief Trips...What’s Missing? Exploring Ethical Issues and the Physician-Patient Relationship
Authors: Chow Garbern Stephanie
Published: January 2017

"The welcome ceremony alone will leave you breathless as you become inspired by their overwhelming joy at you arrival. Here you will participate with the community and provide much needed medical care. The team will also provide care for the Talibe boys in Theis who go without medical care and are left to face disease on their own (Senegal, 2009)."
Protein Damage and Antioxidant Status Alterations Caused by Oxidative Injury in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Pande Deepti , Negi Reena , Khanna Ranjana S. , Khanna Hari D.
Published: January 2017

Objective: To evaluate the oxidative stress and antioxidant defense in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia.Background: Chronic myeloid leukemia is a myeloproliferative disorder associated with a characteristic chromosomal translocation called the Philadelphia chromosome. Reactive oxygen species and other free radicals mediate phenotypic and genotypic changes leading from mutation to neoplasia in all cancers, including chronic myeloid leukemia. We evaluated patients with chronic myeloid leukemia by observing their oxidative status and antioxidant defense.Methods: Using serum from 40 clinically diagnosed cases of chronic myeloid leukemia as well as 40 healthy controls, we measured the concentration of thiobarbituric acid, levels of protein carbonylation, total antioxidant status, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, vitamins A and E, and the trace elements zinc, magnesium, and selenium. Results: We found significantly increased levels of serum malonyldialdehyde and protein carbonyl in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in comparison to healthy individuals, and significantly decreased levels of the antioxidants and micronutrients thiobarbituric acid, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, vitamins A and E, zinc, magnesium, and selenium. These data suggest cellular damage occurring at the level of lipids and proteins.Conclusion: These findings indicate a link between low levels of antioxidants and cellular damage in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia, supporting the idea that oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukemia.
Brain-Spleen Inflammatory Coupling: A Literature Review
Authors: Rasouli Jonathan , Lekhraj Rukmani , Ozbalik Mihran , Lalezari Parviz , Casper Diana
Published: January 2017

Recent evidence suggests a link between brain injury and the autonomic release of pro-inflammatory cytokines by resident macrophages in the spleen. This phenomenon, termed “brainspleen inflammatory coupling,” has garnered attention from scientific and medical communities interested in developing novel treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Cholinergic stimulation of the α7-subunit nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7NAchR) on splenic macrophages has been shown to inhibit their release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This inhibition, mediated by the parasympathetic nervous system, has been shown to improve outcomes in animal models of sepsis, stroke, and TBI. As evidence of a beneficial role of splenic inhibition grows, new treatment strategies might be applied to many medical conditions involving neuroinflammation, a process that contributes to further neurological deterioration.
Process and Experience of Creating a Student-Run Step 1 Guidance Program
Authors: Johnson Jacob H. , Jordan Eric J. , Silbiger Sharon
Published: January 2017

We developed the Albert Einstein College of Medicine USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) Step 1 Guidance Program in the fall of 2010. The objectives of the program were twofold: to provide reliable, unbiased advice on Step 1 preparation, and to reduce student anxi- ety surrounding the examination. The program aimed to fill a void for the students by focusing on the process of preparing for the test. It was not intended to teach Step 1 content, but instead to help students study effectively and efficiently. In our opinion, the most significant service medi- cal students required was assistance in developing a per- sonalized program of study for this examination.
What Have We Learned About Learning? Reflections from Developmental Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience
Authors: Krishnan Saloni
Published: January 2017

Learning is thought to be something at which human beings excel. They learn many things over the course of time from infancy to adulthood, such as how to communicate with others using language, how to manipulate objects, and how to solve problems effectively. But what is the science behind learning? How do people’s brains change as they learn, and does this have anything to do with the strategies they use to learn? In this essay, we briefly outline the changes in how researchers approach the issue of learning across development, with a focus on language learning, and discuss how current neuroscientific research complements what is known behaviorally about learning. We illustrate how various developmental and neural processing inputs interact with prior experience to facilitate learning. Further, the contributions of active learning over the lifespan, and the roles of novelty and motivation in enhancing learning, are considered. Approaching learning as a complex, multifaceted process will help researchers move toward more-integrated behavioral and neurobiological models of learning.
Axillobifemoral Bypass: A Brief Surgical and Historical Review
Authors: Mishall Priti L , Matakas Jason D. , English Keara , Allyn Katherine , Algava Diane , Howe Ruth A. , Downie Sherry A.
Published: January 2017

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when plaque accumulates in the arterial system and obstructs blood flow. Narrowing of the abdominal aorta and the common iliac arteries due to atherosclerotic plaques restricts blood supply to the lower limbs. Clinically, the lower limb symptoms of PAD are intermittent claudication, discoloration of the toes, and skin ulcers, all due to arterial insufficiency. Surgical revascularization is the primary mode of treatment for patients with severe limb ischemia. The objective of the surgical procedure is to bypass a blockage in an occluded major vessel by constructing an alternate route for blood flow using an artificial graft. This article presents information on aortoiliac reconstruction, with an emphasis on axillobifemoral bypass grafting.
Nonketotic Hyperglycemic Chorea-Ballism (NKHCB): An Atypical Case and a Review of Literature
Authors: Shabbir Syed H. , Jadeja Neville M.
Published: January 2017

Nonketotic hyperglycemic chorea-ballism (NKHCB) is a rare movement disorder characterized by hemichoreahemiballism, contralateral striatal abnormality, and rapid resolution following glycemic control. We describe an atypical case of NKHCB in a 71-year-old female with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes exhibiting hemichorea and hemiballism limited to the right upper extremity. While NKHCB patients typically show abnormalities on computed tomography (CT) imaging of the head, a CT scan of our patient during the acute phase was unremarkable. The movements subsided following glycemic control and fluid administration. The current literature on NKHCB is sparse and largely limited to case reports and series. We discuss several typical and atypical presentations and findings on imaging.
Awarded abstracts from 20th annual Julius Marmur Symposium
Authors: Campbell Philip D. , Marlow Florence L. , Cazettes Fanny , Pena Jose L. , Miskolci Veronika , Cox Dianne , Hodgson Louis , Zhang Dachuan , Frenette Paul S.
Published: January 2017

VITAL ROLES OF KINESINS IN DEVELOPMENT AND DISEASE IN ZEBRAFISH Philip D. Campbell. Mentor: Dr. Florence L. Marlow HOW THE BRAIN HANDLES SENSORY UNCERTAINTY Fanny Cazettes. Mentor: Dr. Jose L. Pena OPTICAL TOOLS TO STUDY THE ISOFORM-SPECIFIC ROLES OF SMALL GTPASES IN IMMUNE CELLS Veronika Miskolci. Mentor: Dr. Dianne Cox & Dr. Louis Hodgson NEUTROPHIL AGING IS REGULATED BY THE MICROBIOME Dachuan Zhang. Mentor: Dr. Paul S. Frenette
Coexistencia entre polimiositis y enfermedad de Castleman; presentación de un caso.
Authors: Wong Antonio , Barbosa Cobos Rosa , Cuesta Mejias Cristina , Campozano Vásquez Karla
Published: January 2017

La coexistencia entre la enfermedad de Castleman y polimiopatia inflamatoria idiopática es poco conocida por cuanto existe pocos casos referentes a estas dos patologías juntas. Las características histopatológicas de los nódulos linfáticos asociados en estas dos entidades son similares, haciendo su diferenciación más difícil. La resolución quirúrgica del tumor conlleva, en la mayoría de casos a la mejoría de las manifestaciones autoinmunes, aunque en ciertos casos, el uso de glucocorticoides, radioterapia, quimioterapia y tratamiento biológicos pueden ser usados cuando la opción quirúrgica no es suficiente. Se propone como parte de la fisiopatología de la enfermedad de Castleman, compartida en ciertas enfermedades autoinmunes, la inmunoactivación celular asociada con niveles altos de interleukina 6 y otros reactantes de fase aguda, así como ciertos procesos infecciosos como el virus de inmunodeficiencia adquirida y el virus del Epstein-Barr. Se presenta el caso de una mujer de 17 años con diagnóstico de enfermedad de Castleman variante hialino vascular y polimiositis.
Estudio de la función miocárdica mediante ecocardiografía con Speckle-Tracking valores normales en una población pediátrica
Authors: Duran Alemán Marco , Freire Barrezueta Isabel
Published: January 2017

Objetivo: Estudiar la deformación miocárdica mediante ecocardiografía con speckle tracking y estimar los valores normales del strain sistolico longitudinal en  una población pediátrica sanaMétodo: Se revisaron 100  estudios ecocardiográficos en niños normales con edades entre 5 y 18 años Los valores de la deformación pico sistólica longitudinal fueron estadísticamente analizados mediante ANOVAResultados: La deformación miocárdica longitudinal global promedio fue  -22,17% +- 0,39  El grupo que pared, los apicales (-22,86 +-0,70) p<0.005 fueron los que mayor valor alcanzaronConclusiones mayor deformación  presentó fue el de 10-13 años (-22,62% +- 1,86) p< 0.002 y  entre los segmentos de: El estudio establece nuestros valores referenciales de  deformación miocárdica longitudinal mediante ecocardiografìa con speckle tracking Los resultados son similares a los publicados por otros autores
Postprandial Lipid Abnormalities in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, A Study at NGMC, Kohalpur
Authors: Shukla Avikal
Published: January 2017

Aim and Objectives: To study the postprandial lipid abnormalities in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Material and Methods : Postprandial lipids were studied in 40 male type 2 diabetic subjects (age 49.75 ± 4.82 years) and 40 age and sex matched healthy controls (age 49.55 ± 4.82 years) after an oral fat challenge which consisted of a meal providing 729 kcal/m2 body surface area with 68 gm fat.Results: Average duration of diabetes among diabetic was 2.32 ± 3.03 years. The body mass index (cases 25.84 ± 4.52; controls 25.74 ± 5.0; p > 0.05) and waist-hip ratio (cases 1.06 ± 0.13; controls 1.14 ± 0.2; p > 0.05) were similar in both groups. While fasting serum lipids were not significantly different between the two groups, a number of serum lipid abnormalities were noted in type 2 diabetic subjects in the postprandial state. These included a higher triglyceride-area under curve (AUC) (cases 1298.08 ± 485.2 vs. controls 922.15 ± 390.47 mg/dl/8h; p=0.01), a higher triglyceride-area under incremental curve (AUIC) (cases 549.68 ± 382.24; control 294.75 ± 172.6 mg/dl/8h; p=0.01), a higher peak triglyceride level (cases 425.2 ± 204.47 mg%, controls 283.9 ± 11.6.94 mg%, p=0.01), a lower HDL-AUC (cases 130.35 ± 33.55 vs. controls 168.48 ± 56.01 mg/dl/8h, p=0.013) and a lower HDL nadir (Cases 28.05 ± 10.94 mg%, controls 37.13 ± 13.52 mg%, p < 0.02). Triglyceride AUC correlated significantly with fasting serum triglyceride (r=0.62) and BMI (r=0.7), but not with waist hip ratio . Postprandial lipaemia did not correlate with age, duration of diabetes, fasting blood glucose or glycosylated hemoglobin.Conclusion: In conclusion, type 2 diabetics demonstrate significant postprandial lipid abnormalities, particularly of triglycerides, which appear to be independent of glycaemic control.Journal of Nepalgunj Medical College Vol.13(1) 2015: 21-24
Pattern of Sexually Transmitted Infections at Kohalpur Teaching Hospital
Authors: Pandey Sumit , Sharma Nirmala , Pokhrel Nitesh , Joshi Shambhu
Published: January 2017

Background: WHO estimated that approximately 448 million new cases of four main curable sexually transmitted infections (STIs), viz., gonorrhoea, syphilis, chlamydial infection, and trichomoniasis occur every year, nearly 80% of which in developing countries. STIs has proven role in facilitation of HIV infection and also increases susceptibility to other STIs. Most of the STIs, both ulcerative and non-ulcerative, are prevalent in Nepal and constitute one of the major health problem. Their epidemiological and clinical picture is being modified in the context of ongoing HIV/AIDS epidemic, especially during the last decade.Objectives: This study was undertaken to find out the pattern of sexually transmitted infections in Nepalgunj Medical College Teaching Hospital, Kohalpur.Method and material: This is a hospital - based descriptive study conducted in the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology of Nepalgunj Medical College Teaching Hospital, Kohalpur between August 2013 to July 2014. A total of 52 patients were included in the study and verbal consent was taken. History and clinical examinations were performed and the data were recorded and analyzed.Results: Total of 52 patients were diagnosed with Sexually Transmitted Infections, out of which 75% were male and 25% were female. The most common diagnosis was gonorrhea (34.6%) followed by condyloma accuminata (32.7%), latent syphilis (15.4%) non-gonococcal urethritis(9.6%), vaginal discharge syndrome (5.8%)and HIV (1%). Age group 21 to 30 years were the maximum sufferers.Conclusion: Gonorrhoea still comprises a major bulk of STI in Nepalgunj Medical College Hospital, Kohalpur. Majority of the patients suffering from sexually transmitted infections were in the age group 21-30 years. A trend of sexual exposure during adolescence with multiple partners and inconsistent use of condoms was observed as a common factor in its promotion despite efforts from various sectors.Journal of Nepalgunj Medical College Vol.13(1) 2015: 25-27
Metallic coating thickness assessment over nonmagnetic metals using apparent eddy current conductivity spectroscopy
Authors: Abu-Nabah Bassam A.
Published: January 2017

Due to their high strength characteristics and excellent corrosion resistance behavior operating at different temperature ranges, titanium and nickel alloys have been gaining rapid popularity as part of weld overlay and metal spraying technologies. This has been raising the demand for a reliable and practical nondestructive evaluation technique to assess metallic coating thicknesses over nonmagnetic metals. Because of its frequency-dependent penetration depth, eddy current technology lends itself to assess such nonmagnetic layered structures. Nevertheless, impedance forward measurement techniques are sensitive to both coating/substrate conductivities and lift-off deviations from those used over the calibration blocks. This affects the accuracy and limits the capabilities of existing impedance-based inversion models in estimating coating thicknesses. This study takes the first step towards adopting AECC spectroscopy as an alternative forward measurement technique, which offers a reduced sensitivity to both deviations in a broad range of inspection frequencies. More importantly, a new AECC-based inversion algorithm is developed to estimate metallic coating thicknesses over nonmagnetic metals. This work is validated following the plane-wave approximation and COMSOL simulations over different coating thicknesses relevant to the industry.
A modified QPSO algorithm applied to engineering inverse problems in electromagnetics
Authors: Rehman Obaid Ur , Yang Jiaqiang , Zhou Qiang , Yang Shiyou , Khan Shafiullah
Published: January 2017

Mutation operator is one of the mechanisms of evolutionary algorithms to guarantee the diversity in the search of an algorithm to help exploring undiscovered search spaces. Thus, in this work, a modified Quantum-inspired Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO) algorithm for global optimizations of inverse problems is presented. In the proposed algorithm, a new mutation strategy is applied on the personal best particle to improve its global searching ability, also an improved Factor ( iF) is incorporated into the position update equation of QPSO to further enhance its convergence speed. In addition, a new parameter updating strategy is proposed to tradeoff between the exploration and exploitation searches. To evaluate its performance, the proposed approach has been applied to a set of well-known mathematical test functions and an engineering inverse problem i.e. TEAM Workshop Problem 22. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and advantage of the proposed method.
Rubber hand illusion highlights massive visual capture and sensorimotor face-hand remapping in a tetraplegic man
Authors: Tidoni Emmanuele , Grisoni Luigi , Liuzza Marco Tullio , Aglioti Salvatore Maria
Published: January 2017

Purpose: The illusory ownership of a fake hand as part the body follows synchronous tactile stimulation over a visible rubber hand and a covered hand. Whether brain plasticity mechanisms after sensory and motor disconnection modulates this illusion remain unexplored. Methods: We tested a tetraplegic man after synchronous and asynchronous stimulation of the hand and face. Results: The illusory ownership of the fake hand was tested four times in separate days and always reported. To verify whether this ownership feeling generalized also to object not resembling the human body we tested this illusion with a plastic bottle and a rubber hand. The illusionary perception of owning an external object using the rubber hand paradigm showed that the temporally matched tactile stimulation on a fake hand and visual capture mechanism create the illusionary feeling that the rubber hand was part of his body. Conclusions: Despite lesions that dramatically disconnect the access to sensory inputs and motor outputs our data suggests a strong visual capture of a rubber hand and a possible remapping of hand-face representations after the spinal lesion. We suggest that vision and brain plasticity may represent a supportive tool for motor rehabilitation in patients with sensory deficits.
Local consolidative therapy may be beneficial in patients with oligometastatic non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Barton Mary Kay
Published: January 2017

Key Points

PFS was found to be significantly increased with the use of local consolidative therapy in patients with oligometastatic NSCLC with stable or responding disease after standard frontline systemic therapy.

This study provides evidence that is in keeping with an increasingly common approach in patients with advanced NSCLC.

Larger studies and longer follow‐up are needed to confirm an overall survival advantage and improve patient selection.
The Eighth Edition AJCC Cancer Staging Manual: Continuing to build a bridge from a population‐based to a more “personalized” approach to cancer staging
Authors: Amin Mahul B. , Greene Frederick L. , Edge Stephen B. , Compton Carolyn C. , Gershenwald Jeffrey E. , Brookland Robert K. , Meyer Laura , Gress Donna M. , Byrd David R. , Winchester David P.
Published: January 2017

The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual has become the benchmark for classifying patients with cancer, defining prognosis, and determining the best treatment approaches. Many view the primary role of the tumor, lymph node, metastasis (TNM) system as that of a standardized classification system for evaluating cancer at a population level in terms of the extent of disease, both at initial presentation and after surgical treatment, and the overall impact of improvements in cancer treatment. The rapid evolution of knowledge in cancer biology and the discovery and validation of biologic factors that predict cancer outcome and response to treatment with better accuracy have led some cancer experts to question the utility of a TNM‐based approach in clinical care at an individualized patient level. In the Eighth Edition of the AJCC Cancer Staging Manual, the goal of including relevant, nonanatomic (including molecular) factors has been foremost, although changes are made only when there is strong evidence for inclusion. The editorial board viewed this iteration as a proactive effort to continue to build the important bridge from a “population‐based” to a more “personalized” approach to patient classification, one that forms the conceptual framework and foundation of cancer staging in the era of precision molecular oncology. The AJCC promulgates best staging practices through each new edition in an effort to provide cancer care providers with a powerful, knowledge‐based resource for the battle against cancer. In this commentary, the authors highlight the overall organizational and structural changes as well as “what's new” in the Eighth Edition. It is hoped that this information will provide the reader with a better understanding of the rationale behind the aggregate proposed changes and the exciting developments in the upcoming edition. CA Cancer J Clin 2017;67:93–99. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Outcome of intraoperative use of mitomycin C combined with conjunctival auto graft in recurrent pterygium
Authors: Goswami Manash Kumar , Hossain F. , Shamsudduha A.B. , Asaduzzaman M
Published: January 2017

Background and objectives: Recurrent pterygium is an important ocular problem in our country. There are different modalities of treatment for recurrent pterygium. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of intraoperative mitomycin C along with conjunctival auto graft to prevent recurrence of pterygium.Methods: Patients with recurrent pterygium attending a tertiary care hospital in Dhaka from January 2013 to June 2015 were included in the study. Cases were randomized into two groups. Group 1 had pterygium surgery with conjunctival auto graft and Group 2 had auto graft and intraoperative mitomycin C (0.02%). All cases were followed up for one year to assess recurrence of pterygium.Results: A total of 54 recurrent pterygia cases were included in the study. The age of study population was 25 to 65 years. The recurrence rate of pterygium after 12 months was 77.7% in group 1 and none in group 2. No major postoperative complication was observed.Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the use of intraoperative mitomycin C along with conjunctival auto graft had significant effect in preventing the recurrence of pterygium.IMC J Med Sci 2016; 10(2): 49-52
Humoral immune response to selective mycobacterial antigens and serodiagnosis of active tuberculosis in Bangladeshi patients
Authors: Mohiuddin Md. , Haq J. Ashraful
Published: January 2017

Background and objective: Serological test has become an important tool in the diagnosis of TB cases. This study focused on the analysis and comparison of antibody response to two Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) antigens namely Ag85 complex and culture filtrate protein (CFP) in patients with tuberculosis. Antibody response to specific antigen was utilized as a diagnostic tool to detect active tuberculosis (TB) cases.Methods: Sera from 30 patients with active tuberculosis and 30 healthy individuals were tested by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgM antibodies against Ag85 complex and culture filtrate protein (CFP) antigens of MTB.Results: The mean OD values of serum IgM and IgG antibodies against Ag85 and CFP were significantly (p<0.0001) higher in patients than that of healthy control individuals. Among the 30 tuberculosis patients, anti-Ag85 complex IgM and IgG was positive in 66.7% and 70.0% patients respectively. The seropositive rate of anti-CFP IgM and IgG was 33.3% and 56.7% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of anti Ag85 and anti-CFP IgM and IgG ranged from 60.0% to 96.7%.Conclusion: The study demonstrated that determination of IgM and IgG antibodies against Ag85 complex and CFP could be used as a serological marker for diagnosis of active tuberculosis.IMC J Med Sci 2016; 10(2): 53-57
Humoral immune response to Mycobactrium tuberculosis cell wall fraction and lipoarabinomannan antigens in Bangladeshi patients with active tuberculosis
Authors: Mohiuddin Md. , Haq J. Ashraful
Published: January 2017

Background and objective: This study focused on the analysis and comparison of humoral immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) cell wall fraction (CWF) and lipoarabinomannan (LAM) antigens.Methods: Sera from adult patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and age and sex matched healthy individuals were tested for immunoglobulin (Ig) M and IgG antibodies to CWF and LAM by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: The mean OD values of serum IgM and IgG antibodies against CWF of TB patients was not significantly (p=0.52, p=0.45) different from that of healthy control population. However, the mean OD values of serum IgM and IgG against LAM were significantly (p=0.049, p= 0.001) higher in TB cases than that of healthy individuals.Conclusion: The present study has revealed that IgM and IgG antibody to LAM may be used in serodiagnosis of TB while response to CWF in active TB case is restricted in our population.IMC J Med Sci 2016; 10(2): 58-60
Frequency of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Producing Organisms Causing Urinary Tract Infection and Their Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern
Authors: Rahman Md Raziur , Rahim Muhammad Abdur , Afroze Samira Rahat , Poddar Chinmay Shaha , Uddin Khwaja Nazim
Published: January 2017

Background: The spectrum of bacteria causing urinary tract infection (UTI) and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern is not uniform. Escherichia coli and Klebsiella sp. are two common organisms responsible for UTI through-out the world. The incidence of UTI due to infection with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms are increasing. This study was aimed to describe the frequency of ESBL positive organisms causing UTI and their antibiotic sensitivity pattern.Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in the Department of Internal Medicine, BIRDEM General Hospital from January to April, 2016.Results: Total number of patients was 137 with females predominance (M:F ratio 1 : 3.7). Mean age was 60.3 ±11.7 years. Most patients (131, 95.6%) of the study population were diabetic and glycaemic control was poor (mean HbA1c 9.3 ±2.3) in these subjects. Common symptoms were fever, vomiting, increased urinary frequency, dysuria, suprapubic pain, and loin pain. Neutrophilic leukocytosis was common (94.9%). E. coli (73.7%) was the commonest aetiological agent followed by Klebsiella (8.8%), Enterococcus (4.4%), Citrobacter (3.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (3.6%), Acinetobacter (2.9%), Enterobacter (1.5%), and Pseudomonas (1.5%). Over half of E. coli and of Klebsiella sp. and 100% of Enterobacter organisms were ESBL positive. Imipenem (100%), amikacin, netilmycin,and nitrofurantoin were among the most sensitive antibiotics.Conclusion: More than half (71, 51.82%) of UTI cases were due to ESBL positive organisms. Imipenem, amikacin, netilmycin, and nitrofurantoin remain the drug of choice.J MEDICINE January 2017; 18 (1) : 3-5
Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Oral Olmesartan+ Chlorthalidone Combination in the Management of Hypertension in Indian Patients
Authors: Khanna Ashok , Faruqui AA
Published: January 2017

Hypertension is the most prevalent chronic disease in India and its prevalence is rapidly increasing among urban and rural populations. Reducing blood pressure can decrease cardiovascular risk and all cause mortality. This study was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of fixed dose combination of Olmesartan 40 mg and Chlorthalidone12.5mg. 30 hypertensive patients having systolic blood pressure ? 160 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ?100 mmHg who were uncontrolled on monotherapy with olmesartan were enrolled in this study. The treatment period was of 60 days and patients were administered once daily fixed dose combination of Olmesartan40 mg and Chlorthalidone 12.5 mg. Patients were evaluated on 15th, 30th and 60th days of treatment.There was statistically significant (p<0.0001) decrease in systolic blood pressure from baseline to 15th, 30th and 60thday of treatmentmean±SD (179.1±13.38 mmHg vs. 169.3±13.05, 154.3±13.31, and 142.7±6.91mmHg) respectively. Similarly the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was significantly (p<0.0001) reduced from the baseline to the 15th, 30th and 60thday of treatment (94.97±5.75mmHg vs.86.67±4.79, 80.33±1.82 and 76.7±4.32 mmHg respectively). Thus fixed dose combination of Olmesartan and Chlorthalidonewas found to be effective and safe option for the optimal management of hypertension.J MEDICINE January 2017; 18 (1) : 6-9
Non-Compliance to Doctors Advices among Patients Suffering from Various Diseases: Patients Perspectives: A Neglected Issue
Authors: Memon Khalida Naz , Shaikh Nudrat Zeba , Soomro Rafique Ahmed , Shaikh Shazia Rehman , Khwaja Anza Mansoor
Published: January 2017

Background: An acknowledgement of the patients perspectives about compliance towards doctors advices is critical in ensuring better results of medical consultation. The compliance to therapies is a primary determinant of treatment success.The authors found a serious dearth of research on this issue.Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the frequency & determinants of non-compliance towards doctors advices among study subjects.Method: The current community based descriptive cross sectional study was conducted on 230 subjects suffering from various illnesses. The patients were enrolled using convenience sampling. The data was collected on pre-structured Performa. The data comprises of questions regarding Patients compliance to doctor advises, that may be preventive, promotive and therapeutic care.Results: The mean age of respondents was 36.6 ± 7.4 years. The overall compliance to doctors advice was seen among 31.2% subjects. Compliance to treatment advice was 35.8 %; while towards health promotive advices was 29.5% & towards preventive advices against diseases was 28.4 percent.Seventy three percent of the total compliance was seento general practitionersin contrast to consultants i.e. 26.4%.Significant association was seen between compliance & older age (p=0.02), non-infectious diseases (p=0.04), severity of disease (p=0.01), oral route of administration (p=0.00) & shorter duration of disease (p=0.00). The results of association of compliance with gender however remained statistically insignificant.Conclusion: The study indicated that non-compliance towards doctors advices is a big public health issue & it should be taken as a hidden risk factor for diseases. The compliance towardsdoctorsadvice was more prevalent for non-communicable diseases compared to communicable diseases. Additionally, fear of side effects and high cost of medicine were two major reasons for treatment non-compliance.J MEDICINE January 2017; 18 (1) : 10-14
Vape Till Your Nose Bleed
Authors: Aziz Azliana , Md Shukri Norasnieda , Ramli Ramiza Ramza
Published: January 2017

Epistaxis although is a common presentation that seldom require surgical intervention, it is still consider as an emergency. We report a case of 26 years old gentleman with atraumatic intractable anterior epistaxis after recent history of vaping. Purpose of this case report is to highlight the flow of management of anterior epistaxis. We provide a literature review for the sequence of actions for the management of anterior epistaxis and also a discussion on association between vaping habit and epistaxis.J MEDICINE January 2017; 18 (1) : 44-46
Migrants’ competence recognition systems
Authors: Lodigiani Rosangela , Sarli Annavittoria
Published: January 2017

An adequate incorporation of migrants in the labour market, able to fully unleash their potential, is a major challenge for EU development. In this direction, the recognition of migrants skills, knowledge and competence acquired in formal and non/informal contexts represents a crucial issue. Based on a comparative research work conducted at European level, this paper highlights the ambivalence of competence recognition systems which, whilst representing potential means of social inclusion, in certain condition risk becoming invisible instruments of discrimination. Moreover it provides some recommendations for improving the substantial universalism of EU competence recognition systems and their impact on migrants integration.