bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Taking Care of Us© (TCU) study protocol: feasibility and acceptability of a dyadic intervention for couples living with heart failure
Authors: Lyons Karen S. , Whitlatch Carol J. , Vest Amanda R. , Upshaw Jenica N. , Johnson Stacy Hutton , Morelock Jeremiah , Lee Christopher S.
Published: January 2023

Background

There are more than 1 million hospital admissions and 3 million emergency visits for heart failure in the USA annually. Although spouse/partners make substantial contributions to the management of heart failure and experience poor health and high levels of care strain, they are rarely the focus of heart failure interventions. This protocol describes a pilot randomized controlled trial that tests the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary change in outcomes of a seven-session couple-based intervention called Taking Care of Us© (TCU). The TCU© intervention is grounded in the theory of dyadic illness management and was developed to promote collaborative illness management and better physical and mental health of adults with heart failure and their partners.

Methods

A two-arm randomized controlled trial will be conducted. Eligible adults with heart failure and their co-residing spouse/partner will be recruited from a clinical site in the USA and community/social media outreach and randomized to either the TCU© intervention or to a control condition (SUPPORT©) that offers education around heart failure management. The target sample is 60 couples (30 per arm). TCU© couples will receive seven sessions over 2 months via Zoom; SUPPORT© couples will receive three sessions over 2 months via Zoom. All participants will complete self-report measures at baseline (T1), post-treatment (T2), and 3 months post-treatment (T3). Acceptability and feasibility of the intervention will be examined using both closed-ended and open-ended questions as well as enrollment, retention, completion, and satisfaction metrics. Preliminary exploration of change in outcomes of TCU© on dyadic health, dyadic appraisal, and collaborative management will also be conducted.

Discussion

Theoretically driven, evidence-based dyadic interventions are needed to optimize the health of both members of the couple living with heart failure. Results from this study will provide important information about recruitment and retention and benefits and drawbacks of the TCU© program to directly inform any needed refinements of the program and decision to move to a main trial.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04737759) registered on 27 January 2021.
Identification of the prognostic value of Th1/Th2 ratio and a novel prognostic signature in basal-like breast cancer
Authors: Xiao Yu , Huang Yi , Jiang Jianping , Chen Yan , Wei Changyuan
Published: January 2023

Background

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous group of diseases. The polarization of CD4+ T helper (Th) lymphocytes (mainly Th1 and Th2) may differ in breast cancers with different outcomes, but this has not been fully validated.

Methods

This study is a bioinformatic analysis, in which differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in patients with low and high Th1/Th2 ratios. And then, DEG functions, hub genes and independent predictors were determined.

Results

Low Th1/Th2 ratio was associated with poor outcome in Luminal A and basal-like breast cancer (p < 0.05). GSEA and KEGG analysis of DEGs obtained from comparing low and high Th1/Th2 ratios illuminated downregulation of immune-related gene sets and pathways affecting Th1/Th2 balance toward Th2 polarization (p < 0.05). Survival and Cox analyses of all the DEGs confirmed CCL1 and MYH6 were independent protective factors and IFNK and SOAT2 were independent risk factors for basal-like breast cancer (95%CI: 1.06–2.5, p = 0.026). Then a four-gene signature was constructed and achieved a promising prognostic value (C-index = 0.82; AUC = 0.826).

Conclusions

Low Th1/Th2 ratio predicts poor outcome in Luminal A and Basal-like breast cancer, and downregulation of immune-related gene sets and pathways contribute to Th1/Th2 balance toward Th2 polarization. CCL1, MYH6, IFNK, and SOAT2 have an independent prognostic value of survival outcome and might be novel markers in basal-like breast cancer.
Psychometric validation and testing of the 10-item pediatric daily chest-related electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) diary
Authors: Arbuckle Rob , Shea Tim , Burrows Kate , Marshall Chris , Trigg Andrew , Stein Julia , Albrecht Helmut H.
Published: January 2023

Background and objective

The chest-related electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) diary was recently developed to assess chest-related symptoms experienced by pediatric and adolescent populations during upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). The objective of this research was the psychometric evaluation of the chest-related ePRO diary in pediatric, adolescent and adult participants.

Methods

This non-interventional, psychometric validation study involved participants (N = 195; n = 42 6–8 years; n = 47 9–11 years; n = 55 12–17 years, n = 51 18+ years) completing the chest-related ePRO diary twice daily for 10 days while experiencing an acute URTI. Preliminary item-level performance and dimensionality results, along with consideration of previous qualitative findings, were used to inform item reduction decisions, the structure of the measure and scoring algorithm development. Subsequent analyses on the finalized measure included assessments of reliability (internal consistency and test-retest reliability), construct validity (convergent validity and known groups validity) and ability to detect change. Comparisons of findings were made between the different age groups as part of the analyses to assess the psychometric properties of the chest-related ePRO diary and to characterize potential differences in the symptom experience of children, adolescents, and adults.

Results

The measure demonstrated strong quality of completion and showed relatively similar trajectories of symptom scores over time within different age subgroups and good item response distribution properties. Exploratory factor analysis supported a one-factor solution in the total population and within age subgroups, and test-retest reliability of the measure was strong (Intra-class correlation: 0.843–0.894 between Visit 1 and Day 1). The measure also demonstrated strong construct validity through high correlations with relevant items on the Child Cold Symptom Questionnaire (CCSQ), strong known groups validity (with statistically significant differences between severity groups) and was responsive to change over time with change groups defined based on change on global items.

Conclusion

The findings demonstrate that the chest-related ePRO diary provides a valid, reliable, responsive measure of chest congestion symptoms experienced with the common cold in pediatric and adolescent populations, and that only minor differences are present in the disease trajectory when comparing adults to younger participants, supporting the use of the measure in interventional studies.
Value of incentive spirometry in routine management of COPD patients and its effect on diaphragmatic function
Authors: El-Koa Amal A. , Eid Hanaa A. , Abd Elrahman Shrief R. , El Kalashy Mai M.
Published: January 2023

Background

Incentive spirometry (IS) is mostly used postoperatively to avoid pulmonary complications, but its effect on COPD patients and its effect on diaphragmatic functions are still not fully studied. The current study aimed to evaluate the value of IS on arterial blood gases, mMRC dyspnea scale, spirometry, and diaphragmatic functions by ultrasound in patients hospitalized for COPD exacerbation.

Methods and patients

Forty patients (37 males, 3 females) were admitted for COPD exacerbations and divided randomly into 2 groups: Group1 (G1) =20 patients (mean age 60.7±5.99) used incentive spirometry (IS) for 2 months with medical treatment. Group 2 as a control group (G2) = 20 patients (mean age 60.3±6.44) were given medical treatment only. ABG, spirometry, mMRC dyspnea scale, and diaphragmatic ultrasound functions were assessed on admission and after 2 months of treatment in the groups.

Results

There were statistically significant differences between G1 and G2 after 2 months regarding PaCO2, FEV1/FVC (p=0.001 and 0.042, respectively), and Lt diaphragmatic excursion and diaphragm thickness ratio. There was a statistically significant increase in results of PaO2, PaCO2, FEV1/FVC, PEFR, and all diaphragmatic findings in group I before and after 2 months of IS but no difference in FVC and mMRC dyspnea scale.

Conclusion

Incentive spirometry in COPD patients seems to improve ABG, and spirometry functions together with improving diaphragmatic functions.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.govNCT05679609. Retrospectively egistered on 10 January 2023
Mechanism to induce geometric constriction on kinks and domain walls
Authors: Balseyro Sebastian A. J. , Bazeia D. , Marques M. A.
Published: January 2023

We investigate scalar field theories in the multifield scenario, focusing mainly on the possibility to smoothly build internal structure and asymmetry for kinks and domain walls. The procedure requires the inclusion of an extra field which is associated to a function that modifies the dynamics of the other fields. We investigate minimum energy configurations, which support first order equations compatible with the equations of motion. The extra field allows a transition which is guided by a parameter that connects the standard solution to another one, geometrically constrained, mimicking the effects of geometrical constrictions in magnetic materials.
“In Place of Horses”: Indigenous Burdeners and the Politics of the Early American South
Authors: Dixon Brad
Published: January 2023

Across the early Americas, goods traveled long-distance on the backs of Indigenous porters. Related to issues of rank, status, and gender, “burdening” proved especially contentious in the North American Southeast, where Natives increasingly viewed long-distance cargo-carrying as a dangerous and degrading occupation that implied subservience to European colonizers. Indigenous cargo-carrying persisted in Spanish Florida and English Carolina, despite regulation and periodic efforts to improve transportation, taking a heavy toll from Native peoples. Eventually, technological changes reduced but did not eliminate burdening from colonial logistics—but only after Natives exerted immense political pressure through flight, war, and threats of trade embargoes.
Shamans in the Colonial Frontier Zone: Spirit Mastery in Eighteenth-Century Coastal Ecuador
Authors: Corr Rachel
Published: January 2023

The aim of this article is to advance our knowledge of past shamanic practices in northwestern South America through an analysis of colonial-era criminal cases of people accused of using “superstitious” healing practices. A reading of three cases from late eighteenth-century Ecuador (the colonial Audiencia of Quito) reveals details of the techniques that these healers were using. Shamans attempted to control spirits through various means, including battles, esoteric chants, and the use of tobacco, alcohol, stones, and the fangs of predatory animals. The records indicate that on Ecuador’s coast, healers practiced a type of frontier-zone shamanism in which people of different ethnoracial and cultural backgrounds engaged in shamanic practices. The research expands existing studies of the historical exchanges of shamanic knowledge, practices, and sacred objects in colonial and modern frontier zones by contributing with a regional focus on the Pacific coast of Ecuador.
The Border at Work: Undocumented Workers, the ILGWU in Los Angeles, and the Limits of Labor Citizenship
Authors: Higbie Tobias , Rivera-Salgado Gaspar
Published: January 2023

In 2000, the AFL-CIO officially embraced the call for amnesty for undocumented immigrant workers, reversing long-standing policy in favor of greater restriction and border enforcement. The roots of this new approach stretched back to the 1970s, when the growing presence of undocumented workers in the industrial workforce challenged organized labor's nationalist orthodoxy. Taking the International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU) in Los Angeles as a case study, we show how one union confronted new demographic and organizing realities and recognized the demand for unionization among new immigrants. Radical community organizers, legal advocates, and union organizing staff created a practice of labor citizenship, the recognition of the immigrants’ right to remain by virtue the demand for their labor. The promise of belonging through organizing and collective bargaining was limited by state power and the structural weakness of organized labor in the emerging neoliberal economy. Nevertheless, ILGWU campaigns trained a cohort of organizers that would become central to the union upsurge in Los Angeles during the 1990s.
The Sovereign, the Survivor, the Last Man
Authors: Nichanian Marc , Gerard Philip
Published: January 2023

The sovereignty that Georges Bataille wanted to implement and to theorize obeys a strange logic. He tried twice: first in 1942, next in the impossible book that was meant to serve as the final volume of his second, projected summa, The Accursed Share. Sovereignty implies an experience, but the experience it implies is one that cannot bear witness to itself. Sovereignty must leave an institutional record; at the same time, sovereignty calls for apocalyptic thinking. In each case, sovereignty can only pronounce itself through a “catastrophe,” and, likewise in each case, sovereignty is obliged to summon the figure of the “last man.” This logic needs to be reconstructed. We need to go back to where Bataille left off. We must understand the terrible obstacle that he ran into along the way. Bataille was on the brink of entering virgin territory, that of the survivor. And, because Bataille stopped precisely where he proposed to write about Franz Kafka, the present article announces and introduces an attempt to situate Kafka in the (European) history of sovereignty.
Cisternal Score: A Radiographic Score to Predict Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt Requirement in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Meyer Aiden , Forman Elyse , Moody Scott , Stretz Christoph , Potter Nicholas S. , Subramaniam Thanujaa , Top Ilayda , Wendell Linda C. , Thompson Bradford B. , Reznik Michael E. , Furie Karen L. , Mahta Ali
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND:

Persistent hydrocephalus requiring a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) can complicate the management of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). Identification of high-risk patients may guide external ventricular drain management.

OBJECTIVE:

To identify early radiographic predictors for persistent hydrocephalus requiring VPS placement.

METHODS:

In a 2-center retrospective study, we compared radiographic features on admission noncontrast head computed tomography scans of patients with aSAH requiring a VPS to those who did not, at 2 referral academic centers from 2016 through 2021. We quantified blood clot thickness in the basal cisterns including interpeduncular, ambient, crural, prepontine, interhemispheric cisterns, and bilateral Sylvian fissures. We then created the cisternal score (CISCO) using features that were significantly different between groups.

RESULTS:

We included 229 survivors (mean age 55.6 years [SD 13.1]; 63% female) of whom 50 (22%) required VPS. CISCO was greater in patients who required a VPS than those who did not (median 4, IQR 3-6 vs 2, IQR 1-4; P < .001). Higher CISCO was associated with higher odds of developing persistent hydrocephalus with VPS requirement (odds ratio 1.6 per point increase, 95% CI 1.34-1.9; P < .001), independent of age, Hunt and Hess grades, and modified GRAEB scores. CISCO had higher accuracy in predicting VPS requirement (area under the curve 0.75, 95% CI 0.68-0.82) compared with other predictors present on admission.

CONCLUSION:

Cisternal blood clot quantification on admission noncontrast head computed tomography scan is feasible and can be used in predicting persistent hydrocephalus with VPS requirement in patients with aSAH. Future prospective studies are recommended to further validate this tool.
Increased cysteine metabolism in PINK1 models of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Travaglio Marco , Michopoulos Filippos , Yu Yizhou , Popovic Rebeka , Foster Edmund , Coen Muireann , Martins L. Miguel
Published: January 2023

Parkinson's disease (PD), an age-dependent neurodegenerative disease, is characterised by the selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of PD, and mutations in PINK1, a gene necessary for mitochondrial fitness, cause PD. Drosophila melanogaster flies with pink1 mutations exhibit mitochondrial defects and dopaminergic cell loss and are used as a PD model. To gain an integrated view of the cellular changes caused by defects in the PINK1 pathway of mitochondrial quality control, we combined metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis in pink1-mutant flies with human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neural precursor cells (NPCs) with a PINK1 mutation. We observed alterations in cysteine metabolism in both the fly and human PD models. Mitochondrial dysfunction in the NPCs resulted in changes in several metabolites that are linked to cysteine synthesis and increased glutathione levels. We conclude that alterations in cysteine metabolism may compensate for increased oxidative stress in PD, revealing a unifying mechanism of early-stage PD pathology that may be targeted for drug development.

This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
Impact of mood disorders and personality disorders on suicide intent among self-harm patients
Authors: Yaqoob Naila , Ahsan Sadaf
Published: January 2023

Objectives: The present research examined the impact of mood disorder and personality disorders on suicide intent among self-harm patients using cross sectional research design.

Methods: A clinical sample of 220 self-harm inpatients with age of 18 to 35 years was collected through purposive sampling technique from different mental health departments of Rawalpindi, Jhelum and Multan hospitals. Study was conducted from June 2019 till November, 2021. Data was compiled in three steps. In step-I, rapport was established with patients and identification of intent was carried out by administering Beck Suicide Intent Scale. In step-II, mental illness was identified by administering Mood Disorder Questionnaire, Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire and subscale of Depression from Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale. In step-III, in order to confirm his / her responses and diagnosis, a detailed semi-structured clinical interview was carried out with each participant who responded positively to Personality Diagnostic Questionnaire.

Results: Results revealed that bipolar spectrum disorder, depression and antisocial personality disorder were significantly positive predictors of suicide intent among self-harm patients. On the other hand, narcissistic personality disorder and borderline personality disorder were found to be significantly negative predictors of suicide intent among self-harm patients.

Conclusion: Results of current research highlighted those predisposing factors that discriminate self-harm from attempted suicide. The study has important implications for identification of intent of self-harm patients, which could help in devising a proper treatment plan for the management of such challenging patients.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6140

How to cite this: Yaqoob N, Ahsan S. Impact of mood disorders and personality disorders on suicide intent among self-harm patients. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(2):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6140

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Zinc-alpha 2 glycoprotein a diagnostic Biomarker for early stage oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Feroz Ali Dr. Mehwish , Hosein Dr. Mervyn , Butt Dr. Saima , Siddiqui Dr. Rehan
Published: January 2023

Objectives: In this study, we investigated the expression of zinc alpha-2 glycoprotein in oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples. Additionally, ascertained its association to the oral cancer stage and subscale parameters (TNM).

Methods: This observational study was conducted at Ziauddin University from January to December 2020. Using the Open-Epi software, the sample size of 120 oral squamous cell carcinomas was calculated at 95% confidence interval and a 5% margin of error. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Ethical Review Committee. Histologically diagnosed cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma were obtained from the Histopathology Department of Ziauddin University, Karachi. Study data was analyzed through SPSS version-20 and p-value ≤0.05 considered as significant. One-way ANOVA and Multiple linear regression were applied for analysis of data.

Results: In the study, none of the oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue samples from the later stages were stained for ZAG. However 71% (35/49) of the early stage OSCC samples showed positive IHC results for ZAG expression in the cytoplasm. One-way ANOVA indicates that high ZAG expression was significantly associated with smaller tumor size (p<0.001), lymph node involvement (p=0.002), early stages of OSCC (p<0.001) and less differentiated tumor (p=0.001). The site of the tumor was also significantly associated with ZAG staining (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Zinc alpha-2 glycoprotein expressed in the early stages of oral cancer development so that effective treatment modalities can be planned as per the patient’s status. This may also assist a clinician to achieve tumor-free surgical margins and monitor the post treatment outcomes.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6488

How to cite this: Ali MF, Hosein M, Butt S, Siddiqui R. Zinc-alpha 2 glycoprotein a diagnostic Biomarker for early stage oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(2):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6488

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Pachydermodactyly, mimicker of rheumatoid hands, presents in a patient with Tuberous Sclerosis
Authors: Tariq Halla , Ihsan Aroosha , Khan Dr Asadullah , Shamim Roshila
Published: January 2023

Pachydermodactyly (PDD) is a rare benign condition characterized by painless soft tissue swelling of small joints of hands. The most common presentation is bilateral Symmetrical swelling of proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal joint similar to Rheumatoid arthritis. The etiology of this disease is unknown, and it sometimes can coexist with other diseases. We present here a case of PDD coexisting with Tuberous Sclerosis, an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by of formation of multiple benign multisystem tumors.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6631

How to cite this: Tariq H, Ihsan A, Khan A, Shamim R. Pachydermodactyly, mimicker of rheumatoid hands, presents in a patient with Tuberous Sclerosis. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(2):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6631

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Depression and the risk factors for isolated infectious disease fever patients in the hospital during the COVID-19
Authors: Jin Guohui , Li Lei , Liu Jing , Baoyan Wang , Zhan Bo
Published: January 2023

Objectives: To compare and analyze the incidence of anxiety and depression of infectious disease fever patients in hospitalized isolation and home isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the risk factors for the negative emotions of hospitalized isolation patients.

Methods: Forty isolated infectious disease fever patients in Baoding No.1 Hospital were randomly selected as the study group, and the other 40 isolated infectious disease fever patients at home were randomly selected as the control group from March 2020 to August 2020. The scores and prevalence of depression and anxiety between the two groups were compared and analyzed. The logistic regression analysis was used to judge and analyze the negative psychological factors of hospitalized isolation patients such as depression and anxiety.

Results: The HAMA and HAMD-17 scores of study group are significantly higher than those of control group (HAMA, p=0.00; HAMD-17, p=0.01). The prevalence of anxiety and depression in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (p=0.03, p=0.04). The gender (p=0.002), economic status (p=0.004) and isolation attitude (p=0.023) are the related factors of anxiety, among which economic status is the protective factor, while women and resistant attitude are the risk factors. Economic status (p=0.003) and isolation attitude (p=0.001) are the related factors of depression, among which economic status is the protective factor, and resistant attitude is the risk factor.

Conclusion: The prevalence and severity of anxiety and depression in hospitalized isolation patients due to infectious disease fever are significantly higher than those of home isolation patients. The focus groups are women, with bad economic status and poor isolation attitude. Necessary psychological counseling and social support should be provided to these groups to reduce negative emotions and increase the experience of isolated patients.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6902

How to cite this: Jin G, Li L, Liu J, Wang B, Zhan B. Depression and the risk factors for isolated infectious disease fever patients in the hospital during the COVID-19. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(2):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6902

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Utility of transversus abdominis plane block on patients undergoing transanal total mesorectal excision
Authors: Ying Jun , Jiang Chunhui , Xu Chunjie , Liu Ye , Gu Lei
Published: January 2023

Objective: To evaluate the analgesic effect of transversus abdominis plane block (TAPB) on patients undergoing transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME).

Methods: Medical records of patients who were eligible to receive proctectomy surgery in Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (From January 2019 to December 2021) were retrospectively reviewed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to the included cases. A total of 120 cases were divided into three groups based on the different operation and anesthesia methods used. Group-A (Lap, n=40) included patients that underwent laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia. Group- B (ta, n=40) included patients who received taTME surgery under general anesthesia. Group-C (ta+TAPB, n=40) included patients who received taTME surgery under general anesthesia combined with TAPB. The dosage of sufentanil, time of postoperative revival and extubation, anal exhaust time and other adverse events were recorded. Pain assessment using the visual analogue scale (VAS) was performed at 12, 24,48 and 72 hours after the operation.

Results: There were no significant differences in the general parameters, operative conditions, and anesthetic administration between the three groups (P>0.05). The dosage of sufentanil was significantly reduced in Group-C, compared with Group-A and Group-B, with no difference between the groups A and B. There was no significant difference between the three groups in postoperative recovery time and extubation time. VAS score was lower in Group-C than Group-A and Group-B. This difference was more obvious in the early postoperative period and gradually diminished with time. VAS score became similar in all three groups 72 hours after the surgery.

Conclusion: Transanal total mesorectal excision was associated with less pain, compared to laparoscopic TME. TAPB with general anesthesia in patients undergoing taTME is safe and effective. It can significantly reduce the use of sufentanil and has optimal analgesic effect.

List of Abbreviations:taTME: Transanal total mesorectal excision; TAPB: Transversus abdominis plane block; PCIA: Patient controlled intravenous analgesia; VAS: Visual analogue scale;NOSES: Natural orifice specimen extraction surgery; ERAS: Enhanced recovery after surgery.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.7062

How to cite this: Ying J, Jiang C, Xu C, Liu Y, Gu L. Utility of transversus abdominis plane block on patients undergoing transanal total mesorectal excision. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(2):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.7062

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Does the phaco TIp position during clear corneal Phacoemulsification Surgery adversely affect corneal endothelium? TIPS study protocol for a randomised, triple-masked, parallel-group trial of bevel-up versus bevel-down phacoemulsification
Authors: Kaup Soujanya , Shivalli Siddharudha , Ajjinicanda Ganapathi Chinnappa , Arunachalam Cynthia , Buchan John , Kumar Pandey Suresh , Prasad Kudlu Krishna
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Globally, at least 30 million cataract surgeries are required annually to prevent cataract-related blindness. Corneal endothelial decompensation is one of the most common causes of poor visual outcome following cataract surgery, particularly in those with predisposing factors. The increasing ageing population and reduced visual impairment threshold for cataract surgery have resulted in rising cataract surgical rates and hence, an increase in corneal endothelial decompensation is expected. The role of phaco tip position on corneal endothelial damage is ambiguous. Previous studies have reported contradictory results and were also underpowered to detect a significant difference due to small sample sizes. With no consensus regarding the most cornea-friendly phaco tip position (bevel-up versus bevel-down) during phacoemulsification, we propose a randomised clinical trial with a robust design using direct chop phaco-technique.

Objective: To compare the effect of phaco tip position (bevel-up vs. bevel-down) on corneal endothelial cell count during phacoemulsification.

Methods: A randomised, multicentre, parallel-group, triple-masked (participant, outcome assessor, and statistician) trial with 1:1 allocation ratio is proposed. By adopting stratified randomisation (according to cataract grade), we will randomly allocate 480 patients aged >18 years with immature cataract into bevel-up and bevel-down groups at two centres. History of significant ocular trauma, previous intraocular surgery, shallow anterior chamber, low endothelial cell count, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, intraocular inflammation, and corneal endothelial dystrophy are the key exclusion criteria. The primary outcome is postoperative endothelial cell count at one month. Secondary outcomes are central corneal thickness on postoperative days 1, 15, and 30, and intraoperative complications.

Trial registration: Clinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2019/02/017464 (05/02/2019).
Philip Larkin and the Stanza
Authors: Scherr Barry P.
Published: January 2023

Philip Larkin, one of England’s finest poets among the generation that came of age during World War II, maintained a strong interests in the formal features of verse throughout his career. This article marks the first comprehensive overview of his highly varied and frequently original use of one such feature, the stanza. A set of tables provides overall data about the relative frequency of different stanza lengths – in his four published poetry collections, in poems that he either published or planned to publish but did not appear in one of those collections, and in the unpublished verse. He turns out to have been a strikingly innovative master of stanza form. If many poets rely heavily on the quatrain as their favored stanza, Larkin makes that only one of several stanza lengths that he turns to regularly. More importantly, he composes stanzas in innovative and imaginative ways. His forty sonnets – only eight of which appeared in his four collections – reveal a variety of rhyme schemes and, occasionally, unusual placement of the breaks between portions of the sonnet. In other poems, the rhyme schemes are often irregular, making the rhyme scheme difficult to detect, particularly in those cases when he employs highly approximate rhyme. Much of his verse is also marked by frequent enjambement, even between stanzas. He occasionally links his stanzas and sometimes creates a rhyme scheme that has a different number of lines than the actual stanza length, resulting in markedly complex compositions. In all, Larkin regularly uses his stanzas to highlights key aspects of a poem’s meaning, while the intricacy of many stanza structures forces his readers to consider poems more intently.
Protection and popularization of archaeological heritage as an object of activity of a nongovernmental organisation supported by a university – an example of medieval ducal tower in Siedlęcin near Jelenia Góra
Authors: Nocuń Przemysław
Published: January 2023

The tower in Siedlęcin near Jelenia Góra is one of the best-preserved keeps in Central Europe. Since the beginning of the 21st century it has been open to visitors. In 2008 archaeological research of the tower and its surroundings was started, two years later the Association ‘Ducal Tower in Siedlęcin’ was established.The cooperation between Jagiellonian University and the nongovernmental organisation led to the implementation of several projects to protect, and popularize the archaeological heritage. Researchers provided some of the ideas and substantive support, the NGO participated in the conceptual and implementation stages and maintained the effects of the activities (ona year-round basis).The effects of cooperation were substantial (archaeological exhibition and reserve), organisational (heritage trails, camps for volunteers) and educational (guidebooks dedicated to the children). Activities developed in Siedlęcin during the recent years allowed creating a complete product (on a scale achievable under those conditions), which as a ‘good practice’ was implemented at another site (Wleń castle).The activities carried out around the keep in Siedlęcin by the Institute of Archaeology of the Jagiellonian University and the Association ‘Ducal Tower in Siedlęcin’ were mutually beneficial and additionally contributed to strengthening the local community and helped achieve local self-government tasks in the field of heritage protection.
Medieval and post-medieval archaeological heritage in Polish caves and the problems of its protection
Authors: Wojenka Michał
Published: January 2023

This paper discusses cave use in Poland during medieval and post-medieval periods, focussing on the Cracow Upland in particular. The purpose is to try to provide a short overview of the medieval and post-medieval material culture in Polish caves through the lens of functions played by caves in historical periods (domestic occupation, workshopusage, storage, hideaways in times of unrest, use of caves for funeral purposes), and to indicate present-day threats to the archaeological records in our caves, relating mostly to the unprofessional speleological activities.
Ethnobotanical and faunistic aspects in the archaeological interpretation of the 17th and 18th century coffin burials in the Basilica of the Holy Trinity in Strzelno (Kuyavia, Poland)
Authors: Święta-Musznicka Joanna , Sulkowska-Tuszyńska Krystyna , Latałowa Małgorzata
Published: January 2023

Botanical analyses of samples taken from four coffin burials dated to the 17th and 18th centuries, located inside the Basilica of the Holy Trinity, at the Norbertine convent in Strzelno, in Kuyavia, revealed presence of thirteen plant taxa and numerous remains of Fannia canicularis pupae found among the plant remains. The practical and decorative properties of these plants,as well as their traditional symbolic meaning and application in the burial customs, have been discussed. The study provided new information on local funeral customs and allowed for the indication of the approximate timing of each of the examined burials, significantly enriching the data obtained by archaeologists.
Assessment of the Impact of Dental Amalgam on Human Health: A Literature Review
Authors: Luchowska Anna , Sroczyńska Monika , Żaczek Aleksandra
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Dental amalgam is a dental material that has been used to fill carious cavities for more than 150 years. Amalgam fillings contain about 50% mercury and a mixture of other metals. The mercury it contains is controversial and debated by many researchers, as there is evidence of its negative effects on the human body. The constant release of mercury vapor from amalgam fillings is causing more and more countries to discontinue its use in treating patients' teeth.Aim of the study: The purpose of this study is to focus on evaluating the local and systemic effects of dental amalgam contained in dental fillings on human health.Materials and methods: PubMed and Google Scholar medical databases were analyzed, operating with the following keywords: dental amalgam, mercury, health effects, dentistry in as many configurations as needed. Thirty-four related articles published during the last five years (2017-2022) were selected.Results: Dental amalgam is a potential factor in many health problems among patients. Mercury's ease of penetration across the blood-brain barrier and the placenta means that it can cause adverse health effects from the prenatal period onward.Conclusions: Research on the effects of mercury from dental amalgams should continue in order to explore cause-and-effect sequences and deepen our understanding of the health implications. The search for an ideal restorative material for tooth tissue after dental treatment should be accelerated.
Udział kobiet w zabezpieczeniu i popularyzacji dorobku Witkacego w latach 1940–1956
Authors: Pawlak Przemysław
Published: January 2023

Wśród witkacologów pokutuje przekonanie o przerwie w recepcji twórczości Witkacego, wywołanej najpierw II wojną światową, a po niej marksistowską cenzurą. Opinię tę wzmacniały wielokrotnie wypowiedzi m.in. Janusza Deglera, jakoby „w okresie stalinowskim Stanisław Ignacy Witkiewicz znajdował się na indeksie, nie wolno go było wydawać, nie wolno było o nim pisać. […] W maju 1956 roku Witkacy powraca, po latach nieobecności i anatemy – dzięki Kantorowi, który wystawia Mątwę w Teatrze Cricot” (Degler 2013: 23).  Aby uzupełnić naszą wiedzę o chronologii odkrywania dorobku autora Szewców i zweryfikować niektóre narracje i legendy historycznoliterackie, należy przypomnieć powojenne apele Zofii Nałkowskiej o wydanie dzieł zebranych Witkacego, prace magisterskie i publikacje poświęcone formistom, autorstwa historyczek sztuki Anny Miazek, Joanny Szczepińskiej-Tramer i Hanny Morawskiej. Do białych plam w badaniach witkacologicznych należą dotąd okupacyjne badania językoznawcze Antoniny Obrębskiej-Jabłońskiej nad słowotwórstwem w Nienasyceniu i Narkotykach, a także rola Ireny Sławińskiej w popularyzacji dramatów Witkiewicza na Katolickim Uniwersytecie Lubelskim w trakcie stalinowskiej nocy.
Maria Kokoszyńska-Lutmanowa i Witkacego „ostatni w życiu Abhandlung o logice”
Authors: Dombrowski Maciej
Published: January 2023

Artykuł jest próbą przybliżenia postaci Marii Kokoszyńskiej-Lutmanowej i jej związków ze Stanisławem Ignacym Witkiewiczem. W artykule została przedstawiona sylwetka polskiej badaczki. Jej związki z Witkacym nie są szerzej znane, ale są warte przypomnienia i dalszego badania. Z zachowanych informacji wyłania się obraz ważnej dla obojga znajomości o charakterze intelektualnym. Na podstawie korespondencji i notatek Witkiewicza, pozostawionych na marginesach tekstów Kokoszyńskiej, została podjęta próba opisu tej relacji. Sporą trudność stanowiła fragmentaryczność dostępnych źródeł faktograficznych. Kontakty te stanowiły bezpośredni impuls do rozpoczęcia przez Witkiewicza pracy nad obszerną rozprawą o logice, która miała być zwieńczeniem jego przemyśleń na ten temat. Na zakończenie przytaczam też anegdotę z życia Witkacego, która, być może, jest związana z osobą bohaterki tekstu. Artykuł stanowi więc przyczynek do biografii Witkacego, a równocześnie próbę przypomnienia postaci ważnej kobiety-badaczki.
Nowa kobiecość w „Nienasyceniu” i wynikające stąd nieporozumienia
Authors: Nguyen Fryderyk
Published: January 2023

W twórczości Stanisława Ignacego Witkiewicza można dostrzec wyraźny wpływ młodopolskiego mizoginizmu. Równocześnie jednak artysta dokonał w swoich dziełach znaczącej zmiany w ukazywaniu psychiki kobiecych bohaterek względem tego, jak przedstawiali ją jego literaccy poprzednicy. W Nienasyceniu pisarz zdekonstruował modernistyczny motyw kobiety fatalnej. Sylwetki Iriny Wsiewołodownej Ticonderogi i Persy Zwierżontkowskiej wychodzą również poza stereotyp kobiety modliszki, której celem są własna rozkosz i upodlenie kochanka. Na złożony wizerunek tych postaci składa się przede wszystkim pogłębiona charakterystyka ich życia wewnętrznego. Femmes fatales w Nienasyceniu nie zmierzają do uszczęśliwienia albo do zniszczenia mężczyzny, lecz w swoich działaniach realizują własne potrzeby. Ich decyzje i działania wynikają z fundamentalnego ludzkiego uczucia, jakim jest metafizyczne nienasycenie, wobec którego różnice płciowe nie mają większego znaczenia. Wizerunek Iriny i Persy jest z jednej strony świadectwem mizoginistycznych lęków początku XX wieku, z drugiej zaś odzwierciedla nowoczesną wizję kobiecości, która nie potrzebuje męskiego punktu odniesienia i wykazuje się niezależną aktywnością.
„Dziwność istnienia”. Leonii Jabłonkówny czytanie Witkacego
Authors: Chmielewska Grażyna
Published: January 2023

Artykuł przedstawia sylwetkę Leonii Jabłonkówny, reżyserki i krytyczki teatralnej. Żyła w latach 1905–1987. Ukończyła studia polonistyczne na Uniwersytecie Warszawskim (1927) i reżyserskie w Państwowym Instytucie Sztuki Teatralnej (1939). Po wojnie zajmowała się najpierw reżyserią, a w latach 1956–1976 należała do zespołu redakcyjnego „Teatru”, który wówczas ukazywał się jako dwutygodnik. Opublikowała tu około 300 tekstów, w tym kilka recenzji z inscenizacji sztuk Witkacego, m.in. o Matce, ONYCH, Bezimiennym dziele: czterech aktach dość przykrego koszmaru, Nadobnisiach i koczkodanach, Metafizyce dwugłowego cielęcia. Artykuł stanowi omówienie tekstów poświęconych Witkacemu, odsłaniające wnikliwość i odkrywczość Jabłonkówny w odczytywaniu twórczości pisarza, a także niezwykłą umiejętność opisu samych przedstawień, analizy reżyserii i gry aktorów. Mimo błyskotliwości i niezależności sądów, uznania środowiska, a także ogromnego dorobku, jedna z najważniejszych publicystek w dziejach polskiej krytyki pozostawała do niedawna zupełnie zapomniana.
Walne Zgromadzenie Członków Akademickiego Towarzystwa Andragogicznego
Authors: Maliszewski Tomasz
Published: January 2023

Szkic prezentuje główne ustalenia Walnego Zgromadzenia Członków Akademickiego Towarzystwa Andragogicznego, które odbyło się w Łodzi 27 czerwca 2022 r. Należą do nich: nadanie honorowego członkostwa stowarzyszenia prof. Ewie Skibińskiej i prof. Jerzemu Semkowowi, ocena działalności Akademickiego Towarzystwa Andragogicznego i jego Zarządu Głównego w latach 2017–2022, wybór dr hab. Hanny Solarczyk-Szwec na prezesa ATA na lata 2022–2025 oraz ustalenie składów statutowych ciał kolegialnych Towarzystwa (Zarząd Główny, Komisja Rewizyjna, Sąd Koleżeński) na X kadencję.
O podręczniku Historia i teraźniejszość w świetle dydaktyki Józefa Półturzyckiego
Authors: Ziółkowski Przemysław
Published: January 2023

W poniższym artykule przedstawiłem wydarzenia prawne i społeczne towarzyszące wprowadzeniu przedmiotu „historia i teraźniejszość” do polskich szkół ponadpodstawowych. Dokonałem oceny pierwszego podręcznika do tego przedmiotu autorstwa prof. Wojciecha Roszkowskiego przez pryzmat techniczno-redaktorski, metodyczny i merytoryczny, odwołując się do warsztatu pracy nauczyciela, któremu tyle uwagi w swoich publikacjach naukowych poświęcił Profesor Józef Półturzycki. Z przeprowadzonej analizy wypływa wniosek: podręcznik ten nigdy nie powinien trafić do uczniów. Jest on napisany językiem piętnującym, wykluczającym, agresywnym i pogardliwym.
Samokształcenie jako podstawa edukacji ustawicznej nauczycieli w pracach Józefa Półturzyckiego i w praktyce
Authors: Wereszczyński Krzysztof
Published: January 2023

Samokształcenie i edukacja ustawiczna były ważnymi i wielokrotnie poruszanymi wątkami w bogatym dorobku literackim Profesora Józefa Półturzyckiego. W niniejszym tekście autor dokonuje krótkiego przeglądu publikacji opisujących wyżej wymienione zagadnienia. Opierając się na prezentowanym w nich sposobie interpretacji terminu i rozumienia procesu samokształcenia, przedstawia własne wnioski z badań przeprowadzonych w środowisku nauczycieli i dyrektorów szkół, mianowicie: brak wiedzy na temat teorii samokształcenia, mylenie go z uczeniem się niezamierzonym czy samouctwem, przekonanie o możliwości swobodnego posługiwania się terminem, brak procesu samokształcenia. Zebrany materiał potwierdza aktualność myśli i postulatów formułowanych przez Profesora Józefa Półturzyckiego
IV Webinarium Akademickiego Towarzystwa Andragogicznego „O aktualności idei edukacji ustawicznej w pracach naukowych Profesora Józefa Półturzyckiego”, 6 kwietnia 2022 r.
Authors: Solarczyk-Szwec Hanna
Published: January 2023

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Edukacja (dorosłych) w perspektywie geografii emocjonalnej. W stronę transdyscyplinarnego podejścia w badaniach andragogicznych
Authors: Góralska Renata
Published: January 2023

Celem artykułu jest opis geografii emocjonalnej – nurtu badawczego, lokującego się na pograniczu human geography i współczesnych studiów nad afektem, który koncentruje się na zależnościach między emocjami i szeroko rozumianym kontekstem środowiskowym, społeczno-kulturowym, przestrzennym, gospodarczym i politycznym. W tym celu autorka odwołuje się do analiz teoretycznych i badań w obszarze tzw. zwrotu afektywnego oraz do krytycznych i politycznych teorii emocji. Przedstawia związki między edukacją i geografią emocjonalną oraz przykłady pedagogicznych projektów badawczych, dotyczących społeczno-kulturowo-przestrzennych analiz emocji i edukacji. Wskazuje także na implikacje metodologiczne dla pedagogicznych i andragogicznych projektów badawczych, dotyczących badań emocji w edukacji, tj. na ich wymiar transdyscyplinarny. Przedstawiony sposób konceptualizacji geografii emocjonalnej (w) edukacji to nowe spojrzenie na funkcjonowanie instytucji edukacyjnych oraz na praktykę całożyciowego uczenia się. Może ono stanowić źródło empirycznych projektów badawczych dla teoretyków kształcenia i andragogów.
Rozwój duchowy człowieka dorosłego w narracjach certyfikowanych trenerów metody Theta Healing w Polsce
Authors: Loska Agnieszka
Published: January 2023

W artykule przybliżono drogi poszukiwań duchowości za pośrednictwem kursu metodą Theta Healing. Tekst służy refleksji nad obszarami przemiany świadomości oraz namysłowi nad takimi kategoriami jak: duchowość, miłość, sens życia, zdolności parapsychiczne, refleksyjność. Z przeprowadzonych badań wynika, że rozwój duchowy kieruje człowieka dorosłego w stronę namysłu nad sensem egzystencji, do wysublimowania punktu zwrotnego, refleksji nad skutecznością zmiany świadomości. Odwaga spojrzenia głęboko w siebie przyczynia się do pozytywnego spojrzenia na życie. Rozważania nad wymienionymi zagadnieniami, przedstawione przez instruktorki, stają się zaproszeniem do dalszych, pogłębionych badań nad rozwojem duchowości poprzez inne techniki, metody, praktyki czy też literaturę.