bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative evaluation of thyroid imaging reporting and data system and cytopathological correlation in thyroid nodules
Authors: Muthanna BA  , Satyendra Raghuwanshi  , Sanjay Kumar  , Mathur Yashvir , Nalin Singh  , Rohit Aggarwal
Published: August 2023

Background: With the increasing availability of ultrasound (USG) and concern for malignancy, there has been significant increase in the detection of thyroid lesions. However, there is no uniformity in the reporting pattern among radiologists, and hence, such USG reports are mostly inconclusive to exclude thyroid malignancy. Therefore, most of the patients have to undergo fine needle aspiration cytology or fine needle non-aspiration cytology (FNNAC), which is avoidable. The sonographic assessment of thyroid nodule can provide alternative method to this invasive modality of diagnosis. Therefore, the need was felt for establishing uniformity in USG reporting of thyroid nodules and risk stratification for malignancy with aim of reducing unnecessary FNNAC. Thyroid imaging reporting and data system (TIRADS) classification brings uniformity in reporting and reduces ambiguity in management of the patients.
Aims and Objectives: The objective of the study was to perform comparative evaluation of TIRADS and cytopathological evaluation of thyroid nodules FNNAC in Indian scenario.
Materials and Methods: Multicentric prospective study was conducted in the department of radio diagnosis and department of surgery at defence service hospitals of Jaipur and Chandimandir during the study period of July 01, 2017–October 31, 2022.
Results: Out of the 208 nodules, 28 (13.5%) turned out to be malignant. The percentage of malignant thyroid nodules was higher in nodules with TIRADS scores 4 and 5. The percentage of malignant thyroid nodules was 1% and 2%, respectively, for TIRADS 2 and 3 categories. The most common finding of USG evaluation was diffuse thyroiditis. There was a significant correlation between the USG findings and FNNAC findings in TIRADS scoring system.
Conclusion: Our study shows high degree of correlation between TIRADS classification and cytopathological evaluation of thyroid nodules. Hence, TIRADS can be used an effective tool for avoiding unnecessary FNNAC procedures.
CASS – A cost-effective strategy in the management of blunt trauma abdomen
Authors: Raghuveer MN  , Dinesh HN  , Bagdalkar Ankitha
Published: August 2023

Background: Abdominal trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in both developing and developed countries. Management of blunt trauma abdomen (BTA) relies on most importantly, the clinical presentation of the patient.
Aims and Objectives: This study aims at determining the accuracy of the clinical abdominal scoring system (CASS) in predicting the need for operative management of blunt abdominal trauma patients and also comparing the CASS score with the American association for the surgery of trauma – computed tomography (AAST CT) score.
Materials and Methods: A total of 50 patients with BTA presenting to the Government tertiary care center Mysore were evaluated for age, sex, type of trauma, systolic blood pressure, Glasgow coma scale, pulse rate, time of presentation after trauma, abdominal clinical findings, respiratory rate, and hemoglobin concentration. Radiological investigations were done as indicated. CASS score was calculated and a comparison of the same with CT findings, in determining the need for laparotomy, was studied. Patients with co-existing head injuries and comorbidities were excluded from the study.
Results: Among 50 cases, 44 were male accounting for 88% of the study population and 6 were female. The majority belonged to 18–30 years of age, accounting for 46%. In 42% of cases, a road trafficaccident was the mode of injury, followed by a fall from height in 4%. Latent period 52% of cases presented to the hospital between 0 and 6 h of the incident. 10% associated chest injuries. 42% showed splenic injury, thereby making it the most commonly injured organ. 28% had the liver injury. 28% had hemoperitoneum with source of bleed being unknown.
Conclusion: CASS is a reliable and promising scoring system with sensitivity comparable to AAST CT grading in determining the need for surgical intervention in BTA patients. CASS provides an effective means of saving time and resources and gives the added advantage of avoiding expenses to underprivileged patients in our country.
Protective effects of Majun Brahmi on aluminium-induced cognitive impairment in rats: Biochemical and behavioral changes
Authors: Monika Kumari  , Jha Puja Kumari , Khan Mahmood Ahmed , Amjad Saifi  , Arora Vinod Kumar , Sumita Halder  , Yasmeen Shamsi  , Rafat Sultana Ahmed
Published: August 2023

Background: The Unani formulation Majun Brahmi (MB), a combination of herbs, is used in India as a brain tonic and memory enhancer. Aluminium deposition in the brain is associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
Aims and Objectives: The present study was designed to observe that the effects of MB have been evaluated on aluminium trichlorideor aluminium chloride (AlCl3)-induced cognitive impairment in an experimental rat model.
Materials and Methods: Twenty male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups of five rats each. AlCl3 was administered orally for 30 days to induce cognitive impairment. Group I received saline, Group II-AlCl3 (100 mg/kg b.wt), Group III-MB (1027.77 mg/kg b.wt), and Group IV-AlCl3 + MB (100 mg/kg b.wt+1027.77 mg/kg b.wt). At the end of the experiment, rats were subjected to behavioral and biochemical assessments.
Results: Animals treated with AlCl3 showed a significant increase in time to reach the platform in the Morris water maze test (MWM), prolonged transfer latency (TL) in the elevated plus maze, and decreased step-down latency in the passive avoidance test, as compared to controls (P<0.01). Cotreatment with MB resulted in a reduced time to reach the platform in MWM, increased step-down latencies, and decreased TL. AlCl3 induction significantly increased malondialdehyde and decreased superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, glutathione, total antioxidant capacity, and catalase levels. Concomitant administration of MB significantly attenuated the effects AlCl3 on lipid peroxidation and restored the reduced antioxidant parameters.
Conclusion: The study provides strong evidence for the potential use of MB in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease.
Role of ultrasound elastography in the evaluation of rotator cuff tendon in patients with shoulder pain and its comparison with magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Vaibhav Goyal  , Ankur Malhotra  , Shruti Chandak  , Deepti Arora  , Arpit Deriya  , Shweta Kataria  , Sunil Kumar
Published: August 2023

Background: Pain in the shoulder is the third-most prevalent musculoskeletal pain type. Most frequently involved in tendinopathy/tendon tears is the supraspinatus tendon, followed by a combination of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendon. At present, gray-scale ultrasound and MRI are used to determine the tear size, gross morphology, and postsurgical tendon repair. However, they are unable to determine the material characteristics of the muscle or tendon.
Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the role of ultrasound elastography in the evaluation of the rotator cuff tendon and to compare gray scale ultrasound and shear wave elastography (SWE) findings of the supraspinatus tendon with MRI in patients with shoulder pain.
Materials and Methods: This prospective observational study included 50 patients. They were examined using a 1.5-T MRI machine and the ACUSON S3000 (Siemens Medical Solution) machine. The radiologist performing the ultrasound was blinded by the results of the MRI.
Results: Age varied from 19 to 75 years. The majority (34%) were in the range of 31–40 years. Males were predominately affected. In MRI, the most common type of injury was mild tendinosis (34%), followed by moderate/severe tendinosis (26%). About 30% were diagnosed with moderate/severe tendinosis, 24% with mild tendinosis, 22% with partial tears, and 18% with full-thickness tears in gray-scale ultrasound. When SWE was combined, 32% were diagnosed with moderate/severe tendinosis, 28% with mild tendinosis, 20% with a partial tear, and 14% with a full-thickness tear.
Conclusion: SWE showed better diagnostic performance than gray-scale ultrasound in the detection of supraspinatus tendinopathy.
Libertinism during Restoration Era and the Liberation of a Restricted Sexuality
Authors: Gurung Golman
Published: August 2023

This paper deals basically with defining libertinism as a freedom movement giving attention to the rise of theatre activities during the of Restoration Era. In addition to this, the evolution of libertinism from pre-Enlightenment Era to how it was revived by the Court Wits during the regime of King Charles II of England is reviewed. It views that the sexuality was defined in consonance with someone’s vested interest of maximizing the pleasure of the self and of controlling others thereby giving rise to the guiding principles, norms, morality, law and policies on it. It reviews half a dozen of books on libertine sexuality with particular reference given to two selected Restoration libertine playwrights William Wycherley and Thomas Shadwell, and shows how bourgeoisie sexual morality came to blast caused by its complete disregard to one’s release of private pleasure. It finds that the libertine dramas have helped not only to expose people’s sexuality naturally in the public, but also to redefine sexuality in a quite open and unrestrained manner. If finally concludes that the established and seemingly rigid normative standards, which aim to demolish the real human sexuality, are also subject to change.
The Un-bodied Voices in Shelley’s “To a Skylark” and Keats’s “Ode to a Nightingale”
Authors: Khadka Kul Bahadur
Published: August 2023

B. Shelley and John Keats are noted Romantic poets and their works are celebrated. In this article, Percy Bysshe Shelly’s “To a Skylark” and John Keats’s “Ode to a Nightingale” have been appreciated. The skylark and the nightingale seem to be similar birds while reading the poems simultaneously. Shelley glorifies the skylark’s song and Keats immortalizes the nightingale due to its melodious song. The article, structured in four headings- Introduction, Appreciating, The Un-bodied Voices and Conclusion, introduces the poets and their aforesaid poems. It appreciates both the poems in matter of the contrasts and commonalties between the birds, the major themes in the poems, the poets’ power of imagination and the un-bodied voices in the poems. It makes a quest for how the un-bodied voices in the poems represent idealism in contrast to the harsh reality of life. To appreciate the poems and further strengthen the ideas, the poets’ respective poems and books by various writers have been consulted. The article concludes that the songs of the skylark and the nightingale are the un-bodied voices which symbolize beauty, purity, perfection and freedom. These un-bodied voices are in contrast to the harsh reality of human life on the earth.
अरिस्टोटलका अनुकरण र विरेचन सिद्धान्त
Authors: Sharma Yadav Prasad
Published: August 2023

अरिस्टोटलका अनुकरण तथा विरेचनसिद्धान्तलाई सङ्क्षिप्त एवं प्रस्टरूपमा प्रस्तुत गर्ने उद्देश्यमा केन्द्रित यस लेखका लागि पुस्तकालयीय स्रोतबाट सामग्री सङ्कलन गरिएको छ र यसरी सङ्कलित सामग्रीको विश्लेषण गरेर सिद्धान्तको परीक्षण गरिएको छ । लेखमा अरिस्टोटल एवं प्लेटोको सङ्क्षिप्त परिचय दिई अनुकरण सम्बन्धी प्लेटोको दृष्टिकोणको सङ्क्षिप्त चर्चा गर्दै अरिस्टोटलको अनुकरण सिद्धान्तलाई प्रस्तुत गरिएको छ । सम्पूर्ण कला अनुकरणका प्रकारका रूपमा रहेका, तिनीहरू केवल अनुकरणका माध्यम, विषय र प्रविधिले ललित कलाका शाखा–प्रशाखामा विभाजित हुने र साहित्यमा भाषाका माध्यमले प्रकृति वा जीवनजगत्का अन्तरङ्ग एवं बहिरङ्ग पक्षको अनुकरण गरिने कुरा औँल्याइएको छ । स्वयंमा पुरै सामञ्जस्य एवं सङ्गतिपूर्ण नरहेको प्रकृतिका असङ्गतिपूर्ण, भावमुक्त, अशक्त र अशिव (अकल्याणकारक) पक्षलाई साहित्यकारमा भएको सामञ्जस्य एवं सङ्गतिको चेतनाले सङ्गतिपूर्ण, भावयुक्त, सशक्त र शिव (कल्याणकारक) बनाएर प्रस्तुत गर्दछ भन्ने अरिस्टोटलको आशय औँल्याउँदै प्लेटोका दृष्टिमा अनुकरणको अर्थ मूल आदर्शको अनुकरण थियो भने अरिस्टोटलका दृष्टिमा अनुकरणको तात्पर्य कल्पनात्मक पुनःसृजन रहेको कुरा प्रस्ट पारिएको छ । विरेचनका सम्बन्धमा विभिन्न व्याख्याकारहरूद्वारा प्रस्तुत सबै अर्थहरू अरिस्टोटलका निम्ति अभिप्रेत थिए कि थिएनन् भन्ने निश्चय गर्नु अत्यन्त कठिन रहेको र यस विषयमा केवल अनुमान मात्र गर्न सकिने कुरा औँल्याउँदै चिकित्सा शास्त्रबाट उनले मूल शब्द लिएका, धार्मिक सङ्गीततर्फ पनि उनले सङ्केत गरेका र मानसिक शुद्धिको चर्चा पनि उनको ‘राजनीति शास्त्र’ मा उपलब्ध रहेको कुरा प्रस्तुत गरिएको छ र अरिस्टोटलले धार्मिक (धर्मपरक), नैतिक (नीतिपरक), कलात्मक (कलापरक) तीनै अर्थमा विरेचनको तात्पर्य ग्रहण गरेको निचोड दिइएको छ ।
चेतना’ र ‘जागा नहोऊ, सुत’ एकाङ्कीमा मनोविश्लेषणात्मक नारीवाद
Authors: Maharjan Kanchhi
Published: August 2023

मानव जातिको आदिम इतिहास मातृसत्तात्मक थियो । केही प्राचीन जनजातिमा पिताको नामबाट नभएर माताको नामबाट वंशावली बनाउने प्रथा थियो। अचेल पनि केही जङ्गली जातिमा यो प्रथा कायमै देखिन्छ । जब कृषि युग सुरु भयो तब परिवार, निजी स्वामित्व र राज्यको उत्पत्ति आरम्भ भयो। समयक्रमसँगै पितृसत्तात्मक समाज र परिवारको अभ्युदय भयो । यस पश्चात् नारी उत्पीडितवर्ग बन्न पुगे । धर्मलाई आधार बनाएर बनेका राजनीतिक र सामाजिक नीति–नियमले नारीउत्पीडन र नारीहिंसालाई प्रोत्साहित गरायो। अठारौं शताब्दीमा फ्रान्समा भएको औद्योगिक क्रान्तिदेखि आजसम्म विश्वमा नारीमुक्तिका लागि अनकौँ आन्दोलनहरू भए तापनि नारीले पुरुषसरह हक र अधिकार उपभोग गर्न नपाएको स्थिति छ । आजसम्म पनि नारी हिंसा र उत्पीडनका घटनाहरू घटिनै रहेका पाइन्छन्। आजको यो एक्काइसौँ शताब्दीको उत्तराद्र्धसम्म आइपुग्दा जनसङ्ख्याको साक्षरतादरका साथै नारीको कार्यकुशलता आदि पनि बढेको पाइन्छ तापनि नारीहिंसा र उत्पीडनका घटना घटिरहेकै देखिन्छन्। यसमा पात्रको मनोवैज्ञानिक अवस्थाको विशेष भूमिका रहने हुँदा यस लेखमा विवेच्य कृति ‘चेतना’ र ‘जागा नहोऊ, सुत’ एकाङ्कीका पात्रहरूको मनावैज्ञानिक अवस्थाको चित्रण के कस्तो रूपमा चित्रित गरिएको छ ? भन्ने मूल प्राज्ञिक समस्यालाई अगाडि सार्दै एकाङ्कीका पात्रहरूको मनोवैज्ञानिक अवस्थाको चित्रण गर्नु उद्देश्य राखिएको छ । लैङ्गिक विभेदपूर्ण मनोविज्ञानको हस्तान्तरणको एक प्रमुख कारण मान्दै प्रस्तुत लेखमा जयन्ती ‘स्पन्दन’ र विजया ‘स्मृति‘को संयुक्त लेखनमा प्रकाशित ‘दिदीबहिनी’ एकाङ्की सङ्ग्रहमा समावेश ‘चेतना’ र ‘जागा नहोऊ, सुत’ शीर्षकको एकाङ्कीमा रहेका पात्रहरूका मनोविज्ञानका आधारमा मनोवैज्ञानिक नारीवादको अध्ययन गरिएको छ । पुरुषवादी सोचको निरन्तरता लैङ्गिक असमानतापूर्ण मनोवैज्ञानिक हस्तान्तरणको उपज हो र अभिभावकीय व्यवहारको चापप्रतिचापअनुरुप बालमस्तिष्कमा मनोभाव उत्पन्न हुने हुँदा यसमा सचेत र सजग रहेमा समाजमा लैङ्गिक समानताको अवस्था आउन सक्छ भन्ने निष्कर्ष यस लेखमा निकालिएको छ ।
हारजित कथामा सीमान्तीयता {Marginality in the Harjit narrative}
Authors: अधिकारी Adhikari Thapa सीता Sita
Published: August 2023

प्रस्तुत लेखमा भवानी भिक्षु (वि.सं.१९६६–२०३८) को हारजित कथामा सीमान्तीयता विश्लेषणसम्बद्ध रहेको छ । सीमान्तीयता दोस्रो विश्वयुद्धपछिको विश्वमा मानव समाजसम्बद्ध हरेक विषयलाई हेर्ने नवीन चिन्तन तथा दृष्टिकोणको रूपमा विकसित सांस्कृतिक अध्ययनको एउटा अवधारणा हो । प्रस्तुत लेखको उद्देश्य मूलतः सीमान्तीयताका सैद्धान्तिक आधारहरूको पृष्ठभूमिमा रहेर हारजित कथाको सीमान्तीय पक्षको विश्लेषण गर्नु रहेको छ । सामाजिक यथार्थवादी विषयवस्तुमा रचित हारजित कथाले पश्चिम तराईको ग्रामीण सामाजिक जनजीवनको यथार्थ चित्रणसहित सीमान्त वर्गका समस्यालाई प्रस्तुत गरेको छ । तत्कालीन सामाजिक संरचनाका अवयवहरूले निर्मित पात्रगत, वर्गीय, लिङ्गीय तथा विचारधारात्मक रूपबाट विभेदकारी परम्परा कथामा चित्रण भएको छ । सीमान्तीयताका आधारबाट पात्रहरूको प्रतिनिधित्व तथा पहिचान प्रस्तुत भएको हारजित कथामा मूलतः निम्नवर्ग तथा नारीहरू सबै पक्षबाट उत्पीडित सीमान्तकृत बनाइएका छन् भन्ने अध्ययनको निष्कर्ष रहेको छ । विभेदक सामाजिक संरचनाले प्रभुत्वशाली तथा सीमान्तकृतमा विभाजित चरित्रहरूलाई सीमान्तीय पहिचानसम्बन्धी वर्गीय, लैङ्गिक, तथा विचारधाराको आधारमा हारजित कथाको पाठपरक विश्लेषण गरिएको छ ।
APPLICATION OF THE SIMPLE ADDITIVE WEIGHTING METHOD IN DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS AT ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL OF SYAICHONA MOH. CHOLIL GAMBUT
Authors: Noor Muhammad Fajrian , Anwar Syarifil , Sofyar Sofyar , Khairiah Marjuatul
Published: August 2023

At Syaichona Moh. Cholil Islamic Boarding School Gambut is one of the events where students will be selected and have the right to be made outstanding students, usually called student stars. To simplify, it is necessary to create a decision support system (DSS). In the SPK selection of outstanding students, the Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method was used. This method can determine the weight value for each criterion, followed by a ranking process to select the best alternative from all the alternatives. The student achievement data used is data from the test score of class 4 students at the MI level graduating in 2020. In the DSS test using the SAW method, it can be concluded that the highest score with a value of 0.90 is the value recommended by the user to determine outstanding students.
EFFECTIVENESS OF DECOY WATER TREATMENT ON REACTIVATORS AT PT GOODYEAR INDONESIA Tbk
Authors: Niati Sri Murda , Akbar Guruh , Cahya Gemala
Published: August 2023

PT Goodyear Indonesia Tbk is a tire manufacturing industry whose main need is the provision of water for steam boiler decoys. This water is obtained from groundwater and surface water such as river water which is then treated in a reactivator using one of the coagulants, namely PAC, so that impurities from river water can be removed, so the water is cleaner and can be used for steam boilers and does not interfere with a further decoy water treatment. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of water treatment in reactivators to be a reference for further treatment considerations at PT Goodyear Indonesia Tbk.  The test result data showed the efficiency value between the inlet and outlet and compared it with the control limit set by the company. The efficiency test parameters consist of pH, conductivity, clarity measurement, and color measurement. Based on the results of efficiency calculations, several test parameters show that water treatment in reactivators at PT Goodyear Indonesia Tbk is still good and has a high-efficiency value.
Digitalisation landscape in the European Union: Statistical insights for a Digital Transformation
Authors:   Research Centre for Tourism, Sustainability and Well-Being, Faculty of Economics, University of Algarve & CES – Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Pinto Hugo , Nogueira Carla ,   Research Centre for Tourism, Sustainability and Well-Being, Faculty of Economics, University of Algarve & CES – Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra, Vieira Gabriela ,   CES – Centre for Social Studies, University of Coimbra
Published: August 2023

The widespread adoption of digital technologies is transforming societies, bringing with it both opportunities and challenges. This article examines the level of digitalisation in different European Union (EU) countries, with the aim of providing insights and lessons for advancing digital transformation. The research methodology uses a quantitative approach, with Eurostat as the primary data source. Principal component and cluster analyses were conducted to identify the key factors shaping digital transformation in the EU-27 countries. The results show the existence of three key factors that can help to understand digital transformation in the EU, namely “digital empowerment”, “digitalisation of enterprises” and “broadband access”, and four clusters with heterogeneous performances along these dimensions, classified as “digital access leaders”, “digital transformation champions”, “digital empowerment laggards” and “empowerment driven disparities”. By recognising interdependencies and understanding each country's digital performance, policymakers can develop targeted strategies to close the gap and ensure that the benefits of digitalisation are accessible to all. An integrated approach focusing on digital empowerment, enterprise digitalisation and broadband access can promote inclusive and sustainable digital development, contributing to economic growth and improved quality of life.
STRATEGY FOR DEFEATING TERRORISM IN NIGERIA AND THE SAHEL
Authors:   Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), Idahosa Stephen Osaherumwen , Ikhidero Solomon Ijeweimen ,   Ambrose Alli University, Nigeria, Egesi Blessing Chimanpa ,   Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University)
Published: August 2023

The purpose of this paper is to provide a counter-ideology framework as an alternative strategy to defeat terrorists, as military force has never been proven enough to defeat any terrorist group. The analysis relies on secondary information for systematic examination and descriptive analysis resulting in the use of Counter Terrorism Strategy (CTS) model to evaluate key assumption that acts of terrorist recruits are connected to deep politics and ideology. The paper therefore posits that the use of genuine religious messages to isolate terrorists from communities and ultimately make them short of new recruits should be considered. This finding has critical implications for institutions, governments, intelligence communities, regulators and policymakers, that the military crackdown would not yield the needed result, hence the need for a counter-ideology as a strategy to fight terrorism, particularly in the Sahel region.
ON THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF NAFTULA ARONOVICH KHALFIN: (SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITY IN 1971–1987). PART II
Authors:   Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences (MOSCOW), Mossaki Nodar Z.
Published: August 2023

This work continues a series of articles dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the outstanding Soviet historian and orientalist Naftula Aronovich Khalfin. This biobibliographic essay presents an analysis of his activities in 1957–1971, that is, after his appointment as head of the Sector of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the USSR Academy of Sciences. The article shows information about the Department of Historical and Cultural Problems of the Soviet East, which included the Sector of Historical and Cultural Relations between the Soviet and Foreign East in Modern and Contemporary Times. Taking into account the profile of the new division, the scientific interests of N. A. Khalfin during this period shifted from the problems of colonialism again to the issues of Central Asia and Afghanistan, which he began to deal with in Tashkent. Since the 1970s, he has published a number of monographs and a large number of articles on various aspects of the history of this region, and continued to write reviews on Soviet and foreign publications. Khalfin made a significant contribution to the study of the biography of the outstanding Russian orientalist N. V. Khanykov. The Afghan theme, to which many works of N. A. Khalfin, including those of a popular nature, were devoted, becomes especially relevant after 1979. During this period, Khalfin, in addition to his scientific work, became known as the author of historical narratives or documentary fiction about the struggle of the Afghan people against the British. Many of his works are translated into English and the languages of Afghanistan. He also published works on the famous figure of «British colonialism» G. Curzon. In addition to his works, Khalfin carried out a lot of work on the publication of the works of the series «Central Asia in the Sources and Materials of the 19th and Early 20th Century», in which he acted as an editor, author of prefaces and notes, as well as the series «USSR and the countries of the East». Being one of the most important researchers of British policy in Central Asia and Afghanistan, Khalfin participated in international scientific joint meetings.
Association between systemic treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in renal cell carcinoma and reduced risk of brain metastasis development
Authors: Damante Mark , Huntoon Kristin , Gibbs David , Pezzutti Dante , Olencki Thomas , Elder J. Bradley
Published: August 2023

OBJECTIVE

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) efficacy in the treatment of metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) without brain metastases (BMs) is well established in several clinical trials; however, patients with BMs were typically excluded from these trials. Therefore, the efficacy of ICI in the treatment or prevention of BM remains unclear. The primary aim of the study was to address the efficacy of ICI in treatment of patients with RCC BMs compared with patients receiving targeted therapies. A secondary aim was to evaluate the risk of RCC BM development among patients who received ICI versus targeted therapies early in their treatment course.

METHODS

A retrospective single-center review between 2011 and 2018 identified 425 patients treated for metastatic RCC. The study group included patients who received ICI and/or targeted therapies during their disease. Data analyzed included demographic information, systemic treatments, overall survival from RCC diagnosis (OSRCC) and from BM diagnosis (OSBM), and BM development. Fisher’s exact test was used to evaluate the frequency of BM occurrence. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests.

RESULTS

Of the 425 patients, 125 received ICI and 300 were treated with molecular targeted agents only during their clinical course. BMs occurred in 113 (9.5%) of the 425 patients. Among patients with BMs, OSRCC was improved with the use of ICI (77.2 vs 25.2 months, p < 0.001), with 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates of 93.9%, 81.8%, and 62.6%, respectively. The use of ICI was associated with increased OSBM (21.7 vs 8.9 months, p = 0.001). The rate of BM development was lower when patients were treated with ICI (8/100 [8.0%]) compared with targeted therapy (47/267 [17.6%]) (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.18–0.89; p = 0.021).

CONCLUSIONS

ICI was associated with improved OSRCC and OSBM in patients with BMs and decreased the probability of BM development in patients with metastatic RCC. Prospective trials are needed to further evaluate optimal use of ICI in treatment of RCC BMs.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for sarcoma metastases to the brain: a single-institution experience
Authors: Zamarud Aroosa , Park David J. , Dadey David Y. A. , Yoo Kelly H. , Marianayagam Neelan J. , Yener Ulas , Szalkowski Gregory Arthur , Pollom Erqi , Soltys Scott , Chang Steven D. , Meola Antonio
Published: August 2023

OBJECTIVE

Brain metastases (BMs) secondary to sarcoma are rare, and their incidence ranges from 1% to 8% of all bone and soft tissue sarcomas. Although stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) is widely used for BMs, only a few papers have reported on SRS for sarcoma metastasizing to the brain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of SRS for sarcoma BM.

METHODS

The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients with BM secondary to histopathologically confirmed sarcoma treated with SRS, either as primary treatment or as adjuvant therapy after surgery, at their institution between January 2005 and September 2022. They also compared the outcomes of patients with hemorrhagic lesions and of those without.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients (9 females) with 150 BMs secondary to sarcoma were treated with CyberKnife SRS. Median age at the time of treatment was 48.22 years (range 4–76 years). The most common primary tumor sites were the heart, lungs, uterus, upper extremities, chest wall, and head and neck. The median Karnofsky Performance Status on presentation was 73.28 (range 40–100). Eight patients underwent SRS as a primary treatment and 15 as adjuvant therapy to the resection cavity. The median tumor volume was 24.1 cm3 (range 0.1–150.3 cm3), the median marginal dose was 24 Gy (range 18–30 Gy) delivered in a median of 1 fraction (range 1–5) to a median isodose line of 76%. The median follow-up was 8 months (range 2–40 months). Median progression-free survival and overall survival were 5.3 months (range 0.4–32 months) and 8.2 months (range 0.1–40), respectively. The 3-, 6-, and 12-month local tumor control (LTC) rates for all lesions were respectively 78%, 52%, and 30%. There were no radiation-induced adverse effects. LTC at the 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups was better in patients without hemorrhagic lesions (100%, 70%, and 40%, respectively) than in those with hemorrhagic lesions (68%, 38%, and 23%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

SRS, both as a primary treatment and as adjuvant therapy to the resection cavity after surgery, is a safe and relatively effective treatment modality for sarcoma BMs. Nonhemorrhagic lesions show better LTC than hemorrhagic lesions. Larger studies aiming to validate these results are encouraged.
Survival and quality of life after CSF diversion in adult patients with leptomeningeal metastasis–associated hydrocephalus: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dhaliwal Jasneet , Ruiz-Perez Michelle , Mihaela-Vasilica Anca , Chari Aswin , Hill Ciaran Scott , Thorne Lewis
Published: August 2023

OBJECTIVE

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) is associated with altered CSF flow dynamics in 50%–70% of patients. Approximately 1%–5% of patients develop symptomatic LM-associated hydrocephalus (LM-H), which adversely impacts quality of life (QOL), functional status, and overall survival (OS). There is equipoise for CSF diversion procedures in LM-H. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of CSF diversion on OS and QOL in this context.

METHODS

This systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for articles that evaluated the role of CSF diversion for LM-H due to systemic cancer in adult patients. A meta-analysis was conducted using random effects models, with mean differences and 95% CIs reported. Bias was assessed using the Risk of Bias in Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool.

RESULTS

Ten eligible studies with a total of 494 patients were included. Two studies reported multivariate HRs for median OS, suggesting no significant effect of shunting on OS (pooled HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.09–1.94, p = 0.27). A difference between preoperative and postoperative Karnofsky Performance Status of mean 17.6 points (95% CI 10.44–24.68, p < 0.0001) was calculated from 4 studies. Across all studies, a symptomatic improvement rate of 67%–100% was observed, with high rates of improvement for headaches and nausea and lower rates for cranial nerve palsies. Complication rates across 9 studies ranged from 0% to 21.1%.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the present findings, shunting does not improve OS but does relieve symptoms, suggesting that individuals who exhibit certain symptoms should be considered for CSF diversion. The present findings prompt the generation of a standardized decision-making tool and a critical analysis of the individual patient risk-benefit ratio. Implementation of these will optimize surgical management of LM-H patients.
Preoperative frailty and 30-day mortality after resection of brain metastases: a multicenter surgical registry analysis of 11,038 patients
Authors: Skandalakis Georgios P. , Medani Khalid , Rumalla Kavelin , Roy Joanna M. , Segura Aaron , Zohdy Youssef M. , Kazim Syed Faraz , Schmidt Meic H. , Bowers Christian A.
Published: August 2023

OBJECTIVE

Surgery plays a key role in the management of brain metastases. Stratifying surgical risk and individualizing treatment will help optimize outcomes because there is clinical equipoise between radiation and resection as treatment options for many patients. Here, the authors used a multicenter database to assess the prognostic utility of baseline frailty, calculated with the Risk Analysis Index (RAI), for prediction of mortality within 30 days after surgery for brain metastasis.

METHODS

The authors pooled patients who had been surgically treated for brain metastasis from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database (2012–2020). The authors studied the relationship between preoperative calculated RAI score and 30-day mortality after surgery for brain metastasis by using linear-by-linear proportional trend tests and binary logistic regression. The authors calculated C-statistics (with 95% CIs) in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assess discriminative accuracy.

RESULTS

The authors identified 11,038 patients who underwent brain metastasis resection with a median (interquartile range) age of 62 (54–69) years. The authors categorized patients into four groups on the basis of RAI: robust (RAI 0–20), 8.1% of patients; normal (RAI 21–30), 9.2%; frail (RAI 31–40), 75%; and severely frail (RAI ≥ 41), 8.1%. The authors found a positive correlation between 30-day mortality and frailty. RAI demonstrated superior predictive discrimination for 30-day mortality as compared with the 5-factor modified frailty index (mFI-5) on ROC analysis (C-statistic 0.65, 95% CI 0.65–0.66).

CONCLUSIONS

The RAI frailty score accurately estimates 30-day mortality after brain metastasis resection and can be calculated online with an open-access software tool: https://nsgyfrailtyoutcomeslab.shinyapps.io/BrainMetsResection/. Accordingly, RAI can be utilized to measure surgical risk, guide treatment options, and optimize outcomes for patients with brain metastases. RAI has superior discrimination for predicting 30-day mortality compared with mFI-5.
Percutaneous transjugular approach without arterial monitoring for the treatment of a direct carotid-cavernous fistula with vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome: illustrative case
Authors: Uchiyama Naoyuki , Kawahara Yosuke , Uchida Wataru , Nitta Ayumu , Nohara Atsushi , Hayashi Yutaka
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (vEDS) because of COL3A1 mutations is a rare inherited collagen vascular disease associated with spontaneous arterial dissections, aneurysms, vessel rupture, and organ rupture. A direct carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) is the most common central nervous system vascular anomaly in vEDS; however, its treatment is challenging due to extremely fragile arteries and veins.

OBSERVATIONS

A 22-year-old woman presented with pulsatile tinnitus and mild diplopia. CCF formation without trauma, cervical dissecting aneurysms, thin skin, and multiple ligament tears, as well as a genetic analysis, led to a diagnosis of vEDS. To minimize the risk of vascular injury in the thoracoperitoneal cavity, the internal jugular vein was directly punctured and the CCF was embolized transvenously using the triple-overlay road-mapping technique without arterial monitoring. The CCF was completely occluded, and the patient showed an excellent clinical course without neurological or vascular complications.

LESSONS

Physicians and neurosurgeons should consider vEDS when treating younger patients with spontaneous CCF without trauma and investigate the possibility of genetic abnormalities and systemic vascular pathology. Transvenous embolization of a CCF through the transjugular route using the triple-overlay road-mapping technique can minimize the risk of vascular injury in a patient with vEDS.
Symptomatic thoracic epidural lipomatosis with syringomyelia: illustrative case
Authors: Przepiorka Lukasz , Wójtowicz Katarzyna , Kunert Przemysław
Published: August 2023

BACKGROUND

Spinal epidural lipomatosis is a rare but well-described disease. Here the authors present an extraordinary co-occurrence of spinal epidural lipomatosis with syringomyelia that did not improve after laminoplasty but required duroplasty as a definitive treatment.

OBSERVATIONS

This is the seventh case in the literature describing a co-occurrence of spinal epidural lipomatosis and syringomyelia. The pragmatic argument for a causative relationship between 2 phenomena is syrinxes reduction after surgery for spinal epidural lipomatosis. Additionally, duroplasty for spinal epidural lipomatosis in the setting of syringomyelia has not previously been reported. Duroplasty offers much better reconstruction of the subarachnoid space as compared with extradural decompression surgeries. It is one of the treatment options for spinal epidural lipomatosis. Last, most of the patients described in the literature with secondary syringomyelia were women with diabetes mellitus.

LESSONS

The co-occurrence of spinal epidural lipomatosis and syringomyelia is extremely rare. Neurological deficits in such cases respond well to surgical treatment. Accordingly, each case described in the literature resulted in syringomyelia reduction or resolution after surgery. Duroplasty may be necessary in selected cases of spinal epidural lipomatosis. Close follow-up and ongoing management of patients with epidural lipomatosis is therefore important.
Development of Educandy-Based Interactive Poster Learning Media in Elementary School for Natural and Social Sciences Lessons
Authors: Widaningsih Siti Arinda , Sutisnawati Astri , Uswatun Din Azwar
Published: August 2023

Along with the development of the times, changes always occur, including in the world of education. One of them is the education system in Indonesia, namely, the curriculum, the curriculum in Indonesia always changes with the times. Just as the Minister of Education and Culture issued a new curriculum, namely the independent curriculum, in this independent curriculum there were two important tools that were formulated, namely the independent curriculum and the independent platform. The Merdeka curriculum is designed in a simple and in-depth manner, while the Merdeka platform utilizes existing technology. as was the case during an interview at one of the public schools, media facilities and feelings were already available but had not been utilized optimally, therefore the researchers worked together to make educational media interactive posters based on educandy to facilitate students in the learning process. This study aims to produce and describe the feasibility of educandy-based interactive posters in science learning based on material, media and practitioner validation and to find out how students respond to educandy-based interactive posters when used in research. This research method uses the ADDIE development model. This study produced educandy-based interactive digital posters and obtained 97% results from material experts, media experts and practitioner experts while student responses obtained very good responses as evidenced by obtaining 93% results in the very good category. Data collection techniques and data analysis, namely, interviews, questionnaires and expert validation while qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
KEEFEKTIFAN MODEL PROBLEM BASED LEARNING TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN MENGIDENTIFIKASI UNSUR – UNSUR DRAMA SISWA KELAS VIII SMP NEGERI 2 TALANG KELAPA
Authors: Oktaviani Anis , Nuzulia Armariena Dian , Nufus Hayatun
Published: August 2023

This study aims to determine the learning outcomes of class VIII students at SMP Negeri 2 Talang Kelapa by using the Problem Based Learning model. In this study, data collection used test techniques. This is evident from the calculation of student learning data using the t-test contained in the SPSS V26 program. Through the calculations that have been carried out on the t-test the significant value obtained is 0.917 which means that the significant value is > 0.05. The average value in the experimental class was 97 and the control class was 85. Calculation of the hypothesis using the t-test (Independent sample test) formula, namely tcount = 1.334 > tcount 1.332 with df 29. Thus Ho is rejected and Ho is accepted. So the researchers came to the conclusion that "The Problem Base Learning Model on the Ability to Identify Dramatic Elements of Class VIII Students of SMP Negeri 2 Talang Kelapa Has an Influence".
Keywords: Problem Based Learning, Elements of Drama
PENGARUH CHANNEL YOUTUBE CNN INDONESIA “ PRESTASI ANAK PEMULUNG “ TERHADAP KEMAMPUAN MENGIDENTIFIKASI TEKS PERSUASI SISWA KELAS 8 SMP NEGERI 58 PALEMBANG
Authors: Adelia Piesesha Ayu , Hetilaniar Hetilaniar , Wandiyo Wandiyo
Published: August 2023

The study discusses the influence of CNN Indonesia YouTube Channel “ Prestasi Anak Pemulung " on the ability to identify persuasive texts of 8th grade students of SMP Negeri 58 Palembang. This study was conducted to determine the influence of CNN Indonesia YouTube Channel "Prestasi Anak Pemulung" on the ability to identify persuasive texts of 8th grade students of SMP Negeri 58 Palembang. The reason for this research is because the researchers found several problems, including the lack of innovation in student learning, lack of interest in student learning, monotonous student learning methods and so on. This study uses a type of experimental quantitative research. This research method involves a true experiment by using 2 classes as a sample in the study with a design using 2 groups, namely the experimental group and the control group. Data collection techniques in this study include tests and documentation, with 2 times the pre-test and post-test data collection for 4 meetings. Analysis of usage data of CNN Indonesia YouTube channel "Prestasi Anak Pemulung" using SPSS analysis. The results of this research are expected to be useful for students to be able to learn in a more modern and fun way, for teachers to be able to conduct more elastic learning with the Times, and for future researchers to be inspired to provide other solutions to this problem.            
Keywords: Influence, YouTube Channel, Persuasion Text, CNN Indonesia, identify
Variation of plant height and ear insertion height traits in short-season maize hybrids under the optimal and late sowing dates
Authors:   State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS, Olkhovyk M. S.
Published: August 2023

Topicality. In light of the intensification of agriculture towards more rational utilisation of land resources and the growing season, given the importance of stubble and postcut fodder maize crops in fodder production and maize adaptability to the conditions of the Steppe zone, it is important to study the growth processes of maize under late sowing. Namely, the study of the influence of late sowing date on such traits as plant height and insertion height of the first productive ear for early ripening hybrids, the share of which in maize grain production is increasing. Purpose. To establish the most stable hybrid combinations by studying the variability of plant height and ear insertion height in early ripening maize hybrids under two sowing dates. Methods. Hybridization was used for developing hybrid material; laboratory and field method – to determine morphobiological traits of maize hybrids; measuring weight - to determine metric traits of plants; mathematical and statistical method – to determine the reliability of results, indicators of trait variability, and the correlation of traits. Results. The study of early ripening maize hybrids developed by crossing the most common germplasms under two sowing dates revealed that hybrids of heterotic models Iodent×Flint and Iodent×Mix had stably high values of the plant height trait at both sowing dates; hybrids of heterotic models Iodent×Flint and Iodent×Mix and Mix×Flint had stably high values of the insertion height of first productive ear at both sowing dates. Conclusions. We have identified the hybrid combinations DK4173SVZM×DK367, DK4172×DK367, MS381MV×DK367, MS555×DK367 (heterotic model Iodent×Mix), and DK4173SVZM×DK2073 (heterotic model Iodent×Flint), which were characterised by stably high values of the plant height trait, as well as the hybrid combinations DK4172×DK4538 (heterotic model Iodent×Flint), DK4172×DK367 (heterotic model Iodent×Mix), and DK2659×DK4538 (heterotic model Mix×Flint), which were characterised by stably high values of the insertion height of first productive ear at both sowing dates. The correlation between plant height and the ear insertion height of maize hybrids was confirmed for both sowing dates in all heterotic models studied. Key words: common maize, breeding, prematurity, plant height, ear insertion height, sowing dates, line, single-cross hybrids
Comparative characteristics of two methods for popping popcorn
Authors:   State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS, Cherchel V. Yu. , Kuprichenkov D. S. ,   State Enterprise Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS
Published: August 2023

Topicality. The comparative study on effectiveness of several methods of popping popcorn from Zea Mays L. everta Sturt. is important and relevant. Technological indicators of popcorn kernels depend on many factors, including the method of popping. Purpose. To compare the technological characteristics for popcorn kernels obtained by two methods of popping the grain: frying in a frying pan and heating with air-popping appliances. Methods. The initial material for research was kernels of popcorn lines bred by the Laboratory of Maize Breeding for Food Use at SE Institute of Grain Crops of NAAS. According to the first method of popping, one layer of popcorn kernels were placed on an aluminum pan heated to 175 ºC and fried without oil, shaking the kernels every 5–6 seconds. For the second popping method, Clatronic PM 3635 electric popcorn maker having a capacity of 1200 W was used. Results. In the first method of producing popcorn, the dominant type of popcorn flakes was unilaterally expanded; the average percentage of unpopped kernels was 3.5 %; the coefficient of kernel volume expansion varied from 16.4 to 29.7; and eating qualities were from 3 to 4.5 points. In the second method, the dominant type of popcorn flakes was bilateral expanded; the average percentage of unpopped kernels was 18.2 %; coefficient of kernel volume expansion ranged from 23.4 to 45.2; and eating qualities were from 3.5 to 5 points. For the first popping method, the coefficient of kernel volume expansion had an inverse average correlation with the percentage of unpopped kernels; for the second popping method, it had a direct average correlation with the thousand kernel weight. Conclusions. The method of popping popcorn affects the technological indicators of popcorn such as the number, weight and percentage of unpopped kernels; volume and weight of popcorn flakes; coefficient of kernel volume expansion; type of popped flakes and flavor of popcorn. Lines RB 20, RK 1, RK 44, RK 6 with kernel volume expansion coefficient over 40 and popcorn taste qualities of 5 points were selected. Key words: breeding, line, technological indicators, coefficient of kernel volume expansion, unpopped kernels, type of popped flakes, correlation