bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Contribution of Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction to Survival and Breathlessness in Systemic Sclerosis–Associated Interstitial Lung Disease
Authors: Fairley Jessica L. , Hansen Dylan , Burns Andrew , Prior David , La Gerche André , Morrisroe Kathleen , Stevens Wendy , Nikpour Mandana , Ross Laura J.
Published: January 2024

Objective

To explore the effect of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in systemic sclerosis (SSc)-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD), and to investigate SSc-specific associations and clinical correlates of LVDD.

Methods

There were 102 Australian Scleroderma Cohort Study participants with definite SSc and radiographic ILD included. Diastolic function was classified as normal, indeterminate, or abnormal according to 2016 American Society of Echocardiography/European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging guidelines for assessment of LV diastolic function. Associations between clinical features and patient- and physician-reported dyspnea were evaluated using logistic regression. Survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier survival estimates and Cox regression modeling.

Results

LVDD was identified in 26% of participants, whereas 19% had indeterminate and 55% had normal diastolic function. Those with ILD and LVDD had increased mortality (hazard ratio 2.4, 95% CI 1.0-5.7;P= 0.05). After adjusting for age and sex, those with ILD and LVDD were more likely to have severe dyspnea on the Borg Dyspnoea Scale (odds ratio [OR] 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-6.6;P= 0.05) and numerically more likely to record World Health Organization Function Class II or higher dyspnea (OR 4.2, 95% CI 0.9-20.0;P= 0.08). Older age (95% CI 1.0-6.4;P= 0.05), hypertension (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.8-13.8;P< 0.01), and ischemic heart disease (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.5-15.7;P< 0.01) were all associated with LVDD, as was proximal muscle atrophy (OR 5.0, 95% CI 1.9-13.6;P< 0.01) and multimorbidity (Charlson Comorbidity Index scores ≥ 4, OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.1-8.7;P= 0.04).

Conclusion

LVDD in SSc-ILD is more strongly associated with traditional LVDD risk factors than SSc-specific factors. LVDD is associated with worse dyspnea and survival in those with SSc-ILD.
Application of a hybrid pseudospectral method to a new two-dimensional multi-term mixed sub-diffusion and wave-diffusion equation of fractional order
Authors: Shah Farman Ali , Kamran  , Santina Dania , Mlaiki Nabil , Aljawi Salma
Published: January 2024

In the current study, a novel multi-term mixed sub-diffusion and wave-diffusion model was considered. The new model has a unique time-space coupled derivative in addition to having the diffusion-wave and sub-diffusion terms concurrently. Typically, an elliptic equation in the space variable is obtained by applying a finite difference time-stepping procedure. The severe stability restrictions are the main disadvantage of the finite difference method in time. It has been demonstrated that the Laplace transform is an excellent choice for solving diffusion problems and offers a substitute to the finite difference approach. In this paper, a method based on Laplace transform coupled with the pseudospectral method was developed for the novel model. The proposed method has three main steps: First, the model was reduced to a time-independent model via Laplace transform; second, the pseudospectral method was employed for spatial discretization; and finally, the inverse Laplace transform was applied to transform the obtained solution in Laplace transform domain back into a real domain. We also presented the numerical scheme's stability and convergence analysis. To demonstrate our method's efficacy, four problems were examined.
El embalse andalusí de la Albuhera (al-buḥayra), la presa de Garganta del Ciervo (ḥalq al-ayyil) y el rafal de Amurjo (Hamušk). Una contribución a los paisajes irrigados del s. XII en al-Andalus
Authors: Quesada-García Santiago
Published: January 2024

El estudio de las presas y embalses históricos es un campo desigualmente abordado desde la historiografía, la arqueología, la arquitectura o la ingeniería civil. En la península ibérica su estudio ha estado centrado en obras de grandes dimensiones que, en general son romanas, renacentistas o posteriores. Sin embargo, pocas veces se consideran las infraestructuras andalusíes, sus formas de implantación, cómo fue la transmisión del conocimiento de su tecnología o el ámbito social y cultural en el que se desarrollaron. Suelen ser vestigios que se encuentran aislados y dispersos en el ámbito rural con el que dibujan un paisaje único. Esta circunstancia dificulta su documentación e impide el estudio a fondo de estas obras como condición, previa e imprescindible, para su conocimiento. La contribución de este trabajo es el resultado de una investigación realizada sobre el paisaje generado por uno de los pocos ejemplos de presa de contención conocidos en al-Andalus de los que aún se conservan restos. Se trata de una barrera fluvial levantada, a mediados del siglo XII, en la cuenca del río Trujala en el municipio de Segura de la Sierra (Jaén); un dique que transformó un campo en un pequeño mar o albuhera.
Las manāqib de ʿAbd al-Salām al-Asmar (siglo XV) de Zlīten (Libia). Breve descripción general de la lengua y de los temas
Authors: Mion Giuliano
Published: January 2024

Las llamadas manāqib (sg. manqaba) son un género literario bastante extendido en los últimos siglos. Algunas de estas manāqib han sido publicadas en ediciones críticas, y su circulación entre los estudiosos suele referirse a la historia norteafricana o a ciertos aspectos de la religiosidad popular. Sin embargo, este tipo de obras ha recibido una atención muy limitada desde el punto de vista lingüístico, a pesar de que presentan características propias de las variedades habladas del árabe. Por lo tanto, las manāqib constituyen una de las pocas fuentes que pueden utilizarse para analizar el árabe hablado y escrito en el pasado.
El objetivo de este artículo es estudiar la lengua de la obra titulada Rawḍat al-azhār wa-munyat al-sādāt al-abrār fī manāqib Sīdī ʿAbd al-Salām al-Asmar, una colección de manāqib relacionadas con el santo sufí libio ʿAbd al-Salām al-Asmar de la ciudad de Zlīten (siglo XV), escrita por Karīm al-Dīn al-Baramūnī al-Miṣrātī.
Un reciente tratado sobre la acentuación del griego antiguo: notas de lectura
Authors: Méndez Dosuna Julián Víctor
Published: January 2024

Este artículo es una reseña ampliada del Traité d’accentuation grecque de Éric Dieu (2022). Tres cuestiones son objeto de especial atención: (a) la naturaleza del acento de entonación del griego antiguo y la validez de los datos aducidos; (b) el papel de la analogía en algunos cambios de la posición original del acento en griego moderno; (c) la presunta presencia de un acento de intensidad en las sílabas iniciales de palabra en el antiguo dialecto tesalio.
A Latin Honorific Inscription to Emperor Jovian by Themistius, the Praeses of Lycia, at Andriace
Authors: Yılmaz Fatih , Kurul Erkan
Published: January 2024

During archaeological excavations at Andriace, the harbour of Myra, an honorific inscription was discovered in front of the quay structure just north of the granarium (horrea Hadriani). It was prepared by Arrius Paetus Themistius, the praeses of Lycia province, to honour the Roman emperor Jovian with a statue. The discovery provides new information about Themistius, who was introduced to us only by the sophist Libanius, including his tria nomina and unexplored service period in Lycia. It has also led to reconsidering the tenure of the praesidatus of two uiri clarissimi, Themistius and Sozomenus. In this context, addenda et corrigenda are proposed for another honorific inscription to emperor Julian in Andriace. Finally, the administrative importance of Myra and Andriace in Lycia during the 4th century is presented.
Blockchain Technology in Education: Opportunities, Challenges, and Beyond
Authors: Samala Agariadne Dwinggo , Mhlanga David , Bojic Ljubisa , Howard Natalie-Jane , Coelho Diogo Pereira
Published: January 2024

Blockchain technology has gained significant attention for its decentralized, secure, transparent, and immutable characteristics. It has been adopted in various domains, including the financial and education sectors. This systematic review provides a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities, challenges, and future educational prospects of blockchain technology by examining published research from various disciplines. A bibliometric approach was adopted using R Studio. Datasets were sourced from the Scopus database, which included Scopusindexed articles from 2018 to 2022. The keywords “blockchain” and “education” were used to retrieve relevant articles. Specific criteria were applied to filter the literature sources, ensuring that our discussions focused on the applications and challenges of blockchain technology in education. We only considered articles written in English, specifically those published in proceedings and journals. The review identified that blockchain technology has the potential to transform education by enhancing data security, facilitating efficient verification and credentialing processes, and enabling peer-to-peer transactions. However, addressing challenges such as adoption, technical expertise, data privacy, security, and standardization is crucial. Therefore, the study concludes that implementing blockchain technology in education can yield significant benefits for future generations. These benefits include reducing the gap in global education and increasing transparency and accountability in the education sector.
Classification of Diabetic Retinopathy by Deep Learning
Authors: Al-ahmadi Roaa , Al-ghamdi Hatoon , Hsairi Lobna
Published: January 2024

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), which is a leading cause of adult blindness, primarily affects individuals with diabetes. The manual diagnosis of DR, with the assistance of an ophthalmologist, has proven to be a time-consuming and challenging process. Late detection of DR is a significant factor contributing to the progression of the disease. To address this issue, the present study utilizes deep learning (DL) and transfer learning algorithms to analyze different stages of DR and precisely detect the condition. Using a large dataset comprising approximately 60,000 images, this study employs ResNet-101, DenseNet121, InceptionResNetV2, and EfficientNetB0 DL models to automatically assess the progression of DR. Images of patients’ eyes are inputted into the models, and the DL architectures are adapted to extract relevant features from the eye images. The study’s findings demonstrate that DenseNet121 outperforms ResNet-101, InceptionResNetV2, and EfficientNetB0 in accurately classifying the five stages of DR. The accuracy of the models was 97%, 96%, 95%, and 94%, respectively. These results underscore the effectiveness of DL in achieving an accurate and comprehensive classification of retinitis pigmentosa. By enabling accurate and timely diagnosis of DR, the application of DL techniques significantly contributes to the field of ophthalmology, facilitating improved treatment decisions for patients.
Dans l’ombre de l’avenir
Authors: Veivo Harri
Published: January 2024

La Finlande accède à l’indépendance en 1917, sombre aussitôt dans une guerre civile, s’en remet dans la décennie qui suit, goûte à la joie des années folles, traverse ensuite une période de turbulences politiques, et se confronte de nouveau à une guerre, mondiale cette fois, en 1939. Pendant toute cette période, la nouvelle poésie ne cesse de questionner la société, d’interroger le monde moderne qui se crée, de chercher de nouvelles valeurs pour l’avenir. Dans l’ombre de l’avenir raconte l’histoire de la poésie d’avant-garde d’expression finnoise et suédoise de la Finlande dans une période allant de 1916, la date de la publication du premier recueil d’Edith Södergran, la pionnière de la modernité poétique dans le pays, à 1944, la mort de Katri Vala, la poétesse dont l’œuvre cristallisa la lutte entre le nouveau et l’ancien. L’analyse des poèmes est accompagnée d’une étude des groupes d’auteurs et des revues qui ont marqué leur temps, ainsi que d’une contextualisation qui ouvre la voie de la littérature vers les arts, la société et la politique de la Finlande. L’ouvrage est destiné à toute personne qui s’intéresse à l’histoire littéraire et culturelle de la Finlande, à la poésie moderne ou bien aux mouvements d’avant-garde du XXe siècle.
Fabriquer des données, produire du sens : une ethnographie dans les médias
Authors: Burnier Cassandre
Published: January 2024

À partir de l’approche constitutive de la communication, cet article vise à comprendre comment le sens des données massives est produit dans et par les interactions quotidiennes entre les travailleurs de la donnée et d’autres agents au sein de l’organisation médiatique. Au cours de la réunion observée, une histoire se constitue : la donnée, « le score d’un article », traduit la valeur économique d’un article, l’engagement des lecteurs, puis les performances journalistiques. Cette étude montre comment la donnée, grâce à sa capacité à faire oublier son auteur et à en représenter d’autres en ventriloquant un état de choses quantifié, participe au processus décisionnel et peut être une figure d’autorité, dictant aux journalistes une certaine conduite.
Gouvernance des données et intelligibilité : une approche méthodologique en contexte universitaire
Authors: Mélançon Guy , Pinède Nathalie
Published: January 2024

Le texte propose de premiers éléments de réflexion issus d’un projet de recherche-action sur la gouvernance des données dans le contexte universitaire français. Après avoir discuté la notion de gouvernance des données et opéré un lien entre gouvernance et intelligibilité des données, nous présentons un modèle méthodologique (Abraham et al., 2019) et discutons son potentiel au regard de notre terrain d’études, en nous appuyant notamment sur des ateliers interactifs avec des porteurs de projets. Les premiers résultats montrent à la fois la complexité des questions de gouvernance des données en contexte universitaire, mais aussi l’importance de ce sujet, notamment au regard d’une mise en intelligibilité des jeux de données d’une organisation.
Retour sur un parcours de recherche en éducation relative à l’environnement : Rendre visible la part formatrice de l'autre non humain
Authors: Cottereau Dominique
Published: January 2024

Depuis 1992, je creuse le sillon de l'écoformation à la fois comme concept de recherche et comme modèle éducatif interventionnel dans le champ de l'éducation relative à l'environnement. Ce numéro de la revue me permet de revisiter ce parcours, d’abord de passage d’enseignante en éducation physique à l’animation de classes de nature (1), puis au travers de trois recherches-actions menées dans le cadre des travaux du Groupe de Recherche en EcoFormation (GREF) : les classes de mer (2)  ; les jardins (3)  ; et les usages de l’électricité dans la vie quotidienne d’un foyer (4). La dernière partie (5) montre qu'une éducation relative à l'environnement intégrant l'écoformation à ses buts et à sa pédagogie est possible, quel que soit le contexte dans lequel elle se déroule, et qui que l'on soit comme éducateur (enseignant, animateur, et même parent). Mais elle nécessite de pousser ou d'abattre des murs, de contourner des contraintes et de rester humble dans l'influence que l'on peut avoir. L'écoformation fut aussi, pour moi, un projet de vie : celui de participer à la transformation éco-sociale des rapports au monde, passant de relations de domination, duelles et agressives avec un vivant objectivé, à des relations de parenté, sensibles, attentives et pacifiées, effaçant le dualisme de l'objet et du sujet entre co-habitants de la planète.
Business Resilience in a Cyber World
Authors: Burton Sharon L.
Published: January 2024

This chapter examines the shift from business impact analysis to the business resilience required to safeguard organizations from cyber-attacks and endure such attacks if they befall. Skilled business resilience experts support accepted practices that enhance efficiencies and quality of business continuity strategy and planning programs, plus guard against cyber terrorism. Via this text's pages, readers learn about resilience as the final critical planning, preparative, and related action recommended to substantiate that organizations' significant business functions should either persist to function despite serious cataclysms or events of cyber terrorism that otherwise might interrupt services or production or will be recovered to an operational state within a reasonably short period. Explored is evidence of the ubiquitous reliance on technology in business strategies. Shown is how business resilience procedures provide an array of advantages. Readers will learn about business resilience as a long-term solution and business resilience cyber-risk management strategies.
Selecting Indispensable Edge Patterns With Adaptive Sampling and Double Local Analysis for Data Description
Authors: Li Huina , Ping Yuan
Published: January 2024

Support vector data description (SVDD) inspires us in data analysis, adversarial training, and machine unlearning. However, collecting support vectors requires pricey computation, while the alternative boundary selection with O(N2) is still a challenge. The authors propose an indispensable edge pattern selection method (IEPS) for data description with direct SVDD model building. IEPS suggests a double local analysis to select the global edge patterns. Edge patterns belong to a subset of the target problem of SVDD and its variants, and neighbor analysis becomes pivotal. While an excessive number of participating data result in redundant computations, an insufficient number may impede data separability or compromise the model's quality. Consequently, a data-adaptive sampling strategy has been devised to ascertain an optimal ratio of retained data for edge pattern selection. Extensive experiments indicate that IEPS keeps indispensable edge patterns for data description while reducing the interference in the norm vector generation to guarantee the effectiveness for clustering analysis.
Crystal Structure, Morphology, and Magnetic Properties of Magnetic Nanocomposites with Iron Oxide Core and Zinc Oxide/Titanium Oxide Shell
Authors: Fatmawati Eny , Halizah Siti Nur , Chusna Nadiya Miftachul , Yuliana Futri , Sunaryono Sunaryono
Published: January 2024

In this work, we successfully synthesized a magnetic nanocomposite material (Fe3O4@ZnO/TiO2) with an iron oxide core and a zinc oxide/TiO2 shell (Fe3O4@ZnO/TiO2). The purpose of this study was to characterize the Crystal Structure, Morphology, and Magnetic Properties of Magnetic Nanocomposites with Iron Oxide Core and Zinc Oxide/Titanium Oxide Shell. The crystal structure of the sample was analyzed using X-ray diffraction, which identified three distinct phases: Fe3O4, ZnO, and TiO2. These phases respectively exhibited cubic spinel, hexagonal wurtzite, and tetragonal crystal structures. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) characterization confirmed that the sample had a magnetic core–shell structure, with superparamagnetic properties and excellent stability owing to its spinel cubic structure, which is the primary magnetic material structure of the sample. The successful formation of the Fe3O4@ZnO/TiO2 nanocomposite represents a significant advancement in the synthesis of materials. This could serve as a basis for further investigations into magnetic materials, opening up possibilities for their application across diverse fields.
A Study on the Applicability of Jet Grouting for Internal Stability of Collapse Tunnel
Authors: Seo Seok Hyun , Xin Zhen Hua , Jung Euiyoup
Published: January 2024

During the construction of a cross-connection tunnel a leakage occurred causing a ground subsidence and subsequent tunnel collapse. Therefore, a water level lowering operation is necessary for the restoration work. However, lowering the water level can increase the surrounding ground stress, resulting in secondary collapse of the tunnel structure and potential stability concerns. To address this issue, a study was conducted to minimize the impact of ground stress on the tunnel segments while supporting the interior of the tunnel through the application of jet grouting to form a modified structure inside the collapsed tunnel. A test was carried out to create a stronger body that could be used with a full-sized corrugated steel pipe at a location close to the site of the accident. By combining urethane with grout at a specific spraying pressure, a tight and high-strength modified body was formed within the corrugated steel pipe without causing any damage to the section.
Study on the Effect of Low Calcium Dialysate on Biochemical Profile of Adynamic Bone Disease in Patients on Maintenance Hemodialysis
Authors: Sethi Suman , Dhooria Harmeet Singh , Goyal Sourav , Makkar Vikas
Published: January 2024

In recent years, adynamic bone disease (ABD) has become a common skeletal lesion in adult patients with chronic kidney disease. We aimed to compare the effects of low calcium dialysate (LCD) and standard calcium dialysate of our facility [high calcium dialysate (HCD)] on the evolution of bone and mineral parameter related to ABD in dialysis patients. Forty patients with predialysis intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) <100 pg/mL and/or bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP) <27 U/L were included in this study and were equally distributed over LCD (1.25 mmol/L) or HCD (1.75 mmol/L) treatment. The duration of the study was 6 months. There was no significant difference in baseline characters and biochemical parameters related to chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder in both the groups. The groups did not differ in the mean tCa before dialysis, but this parameter was significantly lower in the LCD group versus HCD at the end of the study. The mean serum levels of iPTH, total alkaline phosphatase, and BAP in the LCD group were increased at 3 months and at the end of the study compared with the baseline levels. The bone markers in the HCD group did not change significantly. At the end of the study, all bone parameters in the LCD group were significantly higher than in the HCD group. Development of measures indicating increased bone turnover in patients receiving 1.25 mmol/L of dialysate calcium, most likely as a result of inhibiting a positive calcium balance and allowing for long-term PTH secretion stimulation. Hence, LCD might be considered a valuable therapeutic option for ABD patients.
Acute Kidney Injury Following Naphthalene (Mothball) Poisoning
Authors: Mathur Piyush , Garg Shalini
Published: January 2024

Naphthalene is a widely available moth repellant in the Asian subcontinent. Toxicity can occur either accidentally or intentionally as a suicide attempt. An overdose can lead to a variety of clinical symptoms, including intravascular hemolysis, and can sometimes lead to life-threatening clinical situations. A young male was admitted to our center with an alleged history of ingesting an unknown quantity of naphthalene balls (mothballs). He developed methemoglobinemia, intra-vascular hemolysis, anuria, and acute kidney injury (AKI), followed by cardiorespiratory arrest. He was treated successfully with intravenous methylene blue and dialysis. Naphthalene toxicity can lead to methemoglobinemia and intravascular hemolysis. This can result in AKI caused by pigment nephropathy.
Comparative assessment of nanosized intracanal medicaments on penetration and fracture resistance of root dentin – An in vitro study
Authors: Prashanth BR , Revankar Bhoomika , Karale Rupali , Moogi Prashant P , Mangala MG , Sahoo Amaresh Kumar
Published: January 2024

Context:

The antimicrobial potential of conventional medicaments is reduced due to their limited permeability. The use of calcium hydroxide (CH) is known to reduce the root strength. Nano intracanal medicaments have the following advantages over conventional such as higher surface area and chemical reactivity, and due to its nanosize, have better penetrability, supporting its possible use as an intracanal medicament. Nano versions of CH, chitosan (CS), CS + CH, curcumin (T), and its conventional forms are used in our study.

Aim:

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the depth of penetration of nanosized intracanal medicaments and their effect on fracture resistance of root dentin.

Materials and Methods:

Eighty extracted single-rooted teeth were used after decoronation. Canals were enlarged up to size 30 (0.04° taper) using Neoendo instruments (Orikam, India). Teeth were randomly assigned to two broad groups based on the type of intracanal medicament used; Group A: control (conventional) (n = 40) and Group B: nanosized intracanal medicaments (n = 40). Each group was subdivided into four experimental groups (n = 10), Group A1: CH, Group A2: CS, Group A3: curcumin (T), Group A4: CS + CH, Group B1: nano calcium hydroxide (NCH), Group B2: nano CS (NCS), Group B3: nano curcumin (NT), and Group B4: NCS + nano calcium hydroxide (NCS + NCH). All the specimens were stored in a humidor at 37°C for 4 weeks. Out of 10 specimens from each group, five specimens were used for evaluating the depth of penetration using a confocal laser scanning electron microscope, and the remaining five specimens were used for evaluating fracture resistance in a universal testing machine at the end of 4 weeks. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and intergroup comparison using Tukey’s post hoc multiple comparison test.

Results:

The highest fracture resistance was seen with NCS and the maximum depth of penetration with nano calcium hydroxide (NCH).

Conclusion:

The fracture resistance and depth of penetration at a 4-week interval were higher in nano forms compared to their micro-sized counterparts with all groups. The coronal section presented the highest depth of penetration of intracanal medicaments followed by the middle and least in the apical section of root dentin with all groups.
Non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) for pregnant women (A clinical updated review for a time-bound prospective study)
Authors: Varghese Jinu , Khajuria Atul
Published: January 2024

This article provides an overview of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), also known as noninvasive prenatal screening. It is a method of determining the risk that the fetus will be born with certain genetic abnormalities for pregnant women. The content is specifically tailored for pregnant women and encompasses a detailed exploration of topics such as Genomics-based noninvasive prenatal tests, sample details for noninvasive prenatal testing, factors influencing test results, the interpretation of test results, limitations associated with the test, and the content included in the Declaration of Consent Form for Noninvasive Prenatal Testing.
Assessment of physiological and psychological dependence of tobacco use among patients visiting the tobacco cessation center in the tertiary institute of Shimla–Himachal Pradesh
Authors: Gurung Deepak , Bhardwaj Vinay Kumar , Fotedar Shailee
Published: January 2024

Background:

The study aimed to assess the physiological and psychological dependence of tobacco use among patients visiting the Tobacco Cessation Center in the tertiary institution.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study design with simple random sampling was used. The information obtained from the subject was through interview recorded on a structured pro forma. The information included demographic details, dependence status based on smoking history and behavior, the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) for physiological dependence, and the Kano Test for Social Nicotine Dependence (KTSND) for psychological dependence. Tobacco use for both the smoked tobacco (ST) and smokeless tobacco (SLT) was recorded as the number of packs per day.

Results:

The mean pack year score was 122.6 ± 143.8. Similarly, the mean FTND score was 6.8 ± 2.4 and the mean KTSND score was 14.3 ± 4.1. The study subjects in various behavioral stages were precontemplation (26.1%), contemplation (21.1%), preparation (31.4%), action (20%), and maintenance (1.4%), respectively. Simple linear regression shows that the mean pack year, FTND, and KTSND scores were weakly explained for various stages of behavioral changes.

Conclusion:

Pack year is related to dose-response relationship which indicates both intensity and duration for developing tobacco-related diseases. The mean FTND score for physiological nicotine dependence for various variables clearly indicates price inelasticity for tobacco use. The mean KTSND score for psychological nicotine dependence for various variables clearly indicates some price elasticity for tobacco use and socio-behavioral factors related to the pattern of use. Price elasticity is important for the given scale that is used for the type of nicotine dependence considering ST is price inelastic and SLT as price elastic.
Epidemiology of cleft lip and palate: A literature review
Authors: Gupta Abhinav Raj , Ahluwalia Rajiv , Chugh Tina
Published: January 2024

One of the most prevalent birth deformities that cause physical, mental, and social issues for afflicted people and their families is cleft lip and palate (CLP). Its etiology is complicated, and the both environmental and genetic factors may contribute. Risk factors for the development of CLP include Vitamin deficiencies, particularly folic acid deficiencies, and smoking cigarettes, alcohol intake, drug use, and exposure to chemicals. It is critical to understand the causes of CLP to prevent their occurrence and take the appropriate action. This article presents an overall epidemiological aspect of the CLP to provide the literature for the researchers and clinicians working on CLP.
Decoding renal impact: An in-depth study on kidney function in COVID-19 patients at a tertiary care facility
Authors: Sahlot Jyoti , Aggarwal Juhi , Pasha Eram Hussain , Midha Urvashi
Published: January 2024

Background:

The emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has marked a pivotal epoch in infectious diseases, surpassing its predecessors in global impact. This study investigates the intricate dynamics of SARS-CoV-2’s impact on renal function, recognizing kidneys as a significant focal point beyond its pulmonary implications.

Aims and Objectives:

The primary aim is to comprehensively assess the renal implications of COVID-19, considering biochemical profiles and complications, particularly in chronic dialysis and kidney transplant recipients. This study aims to delineate the stages of severe COVID-19, emphasizing acute kidney injury (AKI), and explore distinctive clinical considerations surrounding COVID-19’s impact on renal health.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 486 adult patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at Santosh Hospital, Ghaziabad, between May 2020 and June 2021, were enrolled. Stratified into Mild, Moderate, and Severe categories, clinical presentations were analyzed using the One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test for robust comparisons. Statistical significance, guided by a p-value <0.05, ensured meticulous data interpretation.

Results:

The age distribution revealed varying patterns across severity groups, with notable differences in biochemical parameters. There was a statistically significant difference in urea, creatinine, uric acid, and potassium levels between mild, moderate, and severe cases. Severe patients exhibited higher levels, particularly in urea and creatinine. Gender-wise, males dominated severe cases, underscoring potential risk factors.

Conclusion:

This study unravels the multifaceted impact of COVID-19 on renal function, emphasizing acute kidney injury in severe cases. The elevated risk observed in chronic dialysis patients and kidney transplant recipients highlights the need for vigilant monitoring. Despite unexpected normative electrolyte findings, the study underscores the dynamic and systemic nature of the disease beyond respiratory implications. These insights contribute to a nuanced understanding of COVID-19, urging comprehensive patient assessments and targeted interventions, especially for those with pre-existing kidney conditions. As the world grapples with ongoing waves and emerging variants, continual research into the complexities of COVID-19 remains paramount for clinicians and researchers alike.
Unraveling the enigma: A complex case of severe diabetic ketoacidosis in a 12-year-old female with type 1 diabetes and concurrent tuberculosis
Authors: Daral Rahul , Anand Aarti
Published: January 2024

This case report explores the intricate presentation of a 12-year-old female with type 1 diabetes, who exhibited severe diabetic ketoacidosis complicated by concurrent tuberculosis. Despite initial mismanagement and poor medication compliance, a multidisciplinary approach successfully unraveled the complexity of her condition. The case highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing dual pathologies in pediatric patients, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive and collaborative medical strategy.
Identification of invasive subpopulations using spatial transcriptome analysis in thyroid follicular tumors
Authors: Suzuki Ayana , Nojima Satoshi , Tahara Shinichiro , Motooka Daisuke , Kohara Masaharu , Okuzaki Daisuke , Hirokawa Mitsuyoshi , Morii Eiichi
Published: January 2024

Background: Follicular tumors include follicular thyroid adenomas and carcinomas; however, it is difficult to distinguish between the two when the cytology or biopsy material is obtained from a portion of the tumor. The presence or absence of invasion in the resected material is used to differentiate between adenomas and carcinomas, which often results in the unnecessary removal of the adenomas. If nodules that may be follicular thyroid carcinomas are identified preoperatively, active surveillance of other nodules as adenomas is possible, which reduces the risk of surgical complications and the expenses incurred during medical treatment. Therefore, we aimed to identify biomarkers in the invasive subpopulation of follicular tumor cells.Methods: We performed a spatial transcriptome analysis of a case of follicular thyroid carcinoma and examined the dynamics of CD74 expression in 36 cases.Results: We identified a subpopulation in a region close to the invasive area, and this subpopulation expressed high levels of CD74. Immunohistochemically, CD74 was highly expressed in the invasive and peripheral areas of the tumor.Conclusions: Although high CD74 expression has been reported in papillary and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, it has not been analyzed in follicular thyroid carcinomas. Furthermore, the heterogeneity of CD74 expression in thyroid tumors has not yet been reported. The CD74-positive subpopulation identified in this study may be useful in predicting invasion of follicular thyroid carcinomas.
Immunohistochemical expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase in neuroblastoma and its relations with some clinical and histopathological features
Authors: Phan Thu Dang Anh , Nguyen Thao Quyen , To Nhi Thuy , Thanh Thien Ly , Ngo Dat Quoc
Published: January 2024

Background: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations have been identified as a prominent cause of some familial and sporadic neuroblastoma (NB). ALK expression in NB and its relationship with clinical and histopathological features remains controversial. This study investigated ALK expression and its potential relations with these features in NB.Methods: Ninety cases of NB at the Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam from 01/01/2018 to 12/31/2021, were immunohistochemically stained with ALK (D5F3) antibody. The ALK expression and its relations with some clinical and histopathological features were investigated.Results: The rate of ALK expression in NB was 91.1%. High ALK expression (over 50% of tumor cells were positive with moderate-strong intensity) accounted for 65.6%, and low ALK expression accounted for 34.4%. All the MYCN-amplified NB patients had ALK immunohistochemistry positivity, most cases had high ALK protein expression. The undifferentiated subtype of NB had a lower ALK-positive rate than the poorly differentiated and differentiated subtype. The percentages of ALK positivity were significantly higher in more differentiated histological types of NB (p = .024). There was no relation between ALK expression and: age group, sex, primary tumor location, tumor stage, MYCN status, clinical risk, Mitotic-Karyorrhectic Index, prognostic group, necrosis, and calcification.Conclusions: ALK was highly expressed in NB. ALK expression was not related to several clinical and histopathological features. More studies are needed to elucidate the association between ALK expression and ALK gene status and to investigate disease progression, especially the oncogenesis of ALK-positive NB.
Predicted Cervical Cancer Prevention: Impact of National HPV Vaccination Program on Young Women in South Korea
Authors: Kwak Kyeongmin , Hwang Seung-sik
Published: January 2024

Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the national human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program of South Korea among its entire female population, particularly among younger age groups.Materials and Methods We first predicted the incidence of cervical cancer over the next 20 years (2021-2040) using the Nordpred package based on Møller’s age-period-cohort model under several scenarios for the national HPV vaccination program. We calculated the potential impact fractions and proportional differences under the current national vaccination programs, and alternative scenarios using the no-vaccination assumption as a reference.Results We estimated that the current national vaccination program would prevent 4.13% of cervical cancer cases and reduce the age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) by 8.79% in the overall population by 2036-2040. Under the alternative scenario of implementing the nine-valent vaccine, 5.13% of cervical cancer cases could be prevented and the ASR reduced by 10.93% during the same period. In another scenario, expanding the vaccination age to 9-17 years could prevent 10.19% of cervical cancer cases, with the ASR reduced by 18.57% during the same period. When restricted to ages < 40 years, the prevention effect was remarkably greater. We predict that the current national HPV program will reduce its incidence by more than 30% between 2036 and 2040 in women aged < 40 years.Conclusion The effectiveness of the vaccination program in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer was confirmed, with a considerable impact anticipated in younger age groups.
Investigating the relationship between intracranial atherosclerotic plaque remodelling and diabetes using high-resolution vessel wall imaging
Authors: Mo Yong-Qian , Luo Hai-Yu , Zhang Han-Wen , Liu Yu-Feng , Deng Kan , Liu Xiao-Lei , Huang Biao , Lin Fan
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Intracranial atherosclerosis, a leading cause of stroke, involves arterial plaque formation. This study explores the link between plaque remodelling patterns and diabetes using high-resolution vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI).

AIM

To investigate the factors of intracranial atherosclerotic remodelling patterns and the relationship between intracranial atherosclerotic remodelling and diabetes mellitus using HR-VWI.

METHODS

Ninety-four patients diagnosed with middle cerebral artery or basilar artery atherosclerosis were enrolled. Their basic clinical data were collected, and HR-VWI was performed. The vascular area at the plaque (VAMLN) and normal reference vessel (VAreference) were delineated and measured using image postprocessing software, and the Remodelling index (RI) was calculated. According to the value of the RI, the patients were divided into a positive remodelling (PR) group, intermediate remodelling (IR) group, negative remodelling (NR) group, PR group and non-PR (N-PR) group.

RESULTS

The PR group exhibited a higher prevalence of diabetes and serum cholesterol levels than the IR and NR groups [45.2%, 4.54 (4.16, 5.93) vs 25%, 4.80 ± 1.22 and 16.4%, 4.14 (3.53, 4.75), respectively, P < 0.05]. The diabetes incidence was also significantly greater in the PR group than in the N-PR group (45.2% vs 17.5%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the PR group displayed elevated serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels compared to the N-PR group [1.64 (1.23, 2.33) and 4.54 (4.16, 5.93) vs 4.54 (4.16, 5.93) and 4.24 (3.53, 4.89), P < 0.05]. Logistic regression analysis revealed diabetes mellitus as an independent influencing factor in plaque-PR [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 3.718 (1.207-11.454), P < 0.05].

CONCLUSION

HR-VWI can clearly show the morphology and signal characteristics of intracranial vascular walls and plaques. Intracranial atherosclerotic plaques in diabetic patients are more likely to show PR, suggesting poor plaque stability and a greater risk of stroke.
Propofol sedation in routine endoscopy: A case series comparing target controlled infusion vs manually controlled bolus concept
Authors: Sarraj Riad , Theiler Lorenz , Vakilzadeh Nima , Krupka Niklas , Wiest Reiner
Published: January 2024

BACKGROUND

Many studies have addressed safety and effectiveness of non-anaesthesiologist propofol sedation (NAPS) for gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy Target controlled infusion (TCI) is claimed to provide an optimal sedation regimen by avoiding under- or oversedation.

AIM

To assess safety and performance of propofol TCI sedation in comparison with nurse-administered bolus-sedation.

METHODS

Fouty-five patients undergoing endoscopy under TCI propofol sedation were prospectively included from November 2016 to May 2017 and compared to 87 patients retrospectively included that underwent endoscopy with NAPS. Patients were matched for age and endoscopic procedure. We recorded time of sedation and endoscopy, dosage of medication and adverse events.

RESULTS

There was a significant reduction in dose per time of propofol administered in the TCI group, compared to the NAPS group (8.2 ± 2.7 mg/min vs 9.3 ± 3.4 mg/min; P = 0.046). The time needed to provide adequate sedation levels was slightly but significantly lower in the control group (5.3 ± 2.7 min vs 7.7 ± 3.3 min; P < 0.001), nonetheless the total endoscopy time was similar in both groups. No differences between TCI and bolus-sedation was observed for mean total-dosage of propofol rate as well as adverse events.

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that sedation using TCI for GI endoscopy reduces the dose of propofol necessary per minute of endoscopy. This may translate into less adverse events. However, further and randomized trials need to confirm this trend.
Deciphering the microbial signature of death: advances in post-mortem microbial analysis
Authors: Jangid Chitra , Dalal Jyoti , Kumari Kiran
Published: January 2024

Cadaver decomposition is a natural phenomenon intimately affected by numerous organisms such as insects, fungi, animals, and bacteria where they use the decaying body as their nutrition source. These organisms can be utilized in forensic science to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI). The post-mortem interval refers to the time that has passed since the death of a person until the body was found. Forensic entomology is one of the popular approaches where successive colonization of insects on cadaver is studied to estimate PMI. However, sometime this method does not provide consistent results due to lack of insect activities during cold environment conditions or when crime scene is indoor. Therefore, a new approach is needed to aid forensic scientists to estimate PMI. Recently, researchers have noted that microbial communities have shown a predictable and clockwise successional pattern on decomposing cadavers and suggested this could be utilized to estimate PMI when this approach is etched with other established methods. The purpose of this review is to summarize some of the studies that have been conducted on the utility of microbial communities in estimating PMI and discuss the role of microbial communities in cadaver decomposition.
Low-cost alternative approach to developing latent fingerprints using roasted gram flour (sattu powder)
Authors: Rai Abhishek R. , Sharma Vaibhav , Nagar Varad , Kanoujia Vikas , Aseri Vinay , Sharma Anuj , Jain Divyansh , Singh Anubhav , Gautam Archana , Awasthi Kumud Kant , Sankhla Mahipal Singh
Published: January 2024

Despite their presence at crime scenes, latent fingerprints are generally invisible to the human eye. we first ground the gram flour in a grinder after roasting the gram flour on a burner. using an ostrich hair brush, we applied the powder to various surfaces to develop fingerprints. Due to the powder’s low adherence on non-porous surfaces, it may be applied to a variety of contrasting surfaces and generates diverse effects. we first compared the results of our powder to those of previously published household-based powders, and then we evaluated the powders based on surface properties and other factors, such as treated surfaces, wet surfaces, rough surfaces, and more. Due to its non-toxic nature and low cost, this powder has the potential to be a low-cost and eco-friendly replacement in police practice for visualising latent fingerprints on a larger scale.
Dispersive solid phase extraction for antibiotics analysis
Authors:   University of Niš, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Chemistry, Serbia, Nikolić Jelena , Nikolić Milica ,   University of Niš, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Chemistry, Serbia, Mitić Violeta ,   University of Niš, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Chemistry, Serbia, Ćirić Slobodan ,   University of Niš, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Chemistry, Serbia, Dimitrijević Marija ,   University of Niš, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pharmacy, Serbia, Mitić Milan ,   University of Niš, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Chemistry, Serbia, Stankov Jovanović Vesna ,   University of Niš, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, Department of Chemistry, Serbia
Published: January 2024

Antibiotics are widely used to prevent diseases and promote growth in food – producing animals. Their usage may result in the presence of antibiotics in food and environmental samples. Antibiotics analysis in complex samples, such as food and environment samples, require sample pretreatment. Application of activated carbon, C18 and florisil and the influence of the amount of applied sorbents on their effectiveness in dispersive solid phase extraction (dSPE) for chloramphenicol and tetracycline analysis was examined. Activated carbon showed the lowest efficiency in the extraction of antibiotics (29% when analyzing samples containing chloramphenicol when 0.05 g of sorbent was added). When analyzing samples containing chloramphenicol, florisil showed an equal efficiency for all three sorbent amounts (92%), so extraction efficiency when using florisil does not depend on the mass of applied sorbent. Octadecyl silica (C18) shows high efficiency when analyzing chloramphenicol and tetracycline (96% in samples containing chloramphenicol, and 102% in samples containing tetracycline), so it can be applied in chloramphenicol and tetracycline analysis.